Searching for Noctis

After a flurry of shrieks, Saige pops back up to her feet victorious, clutching a twin in each hand.

“Noctis!” She holds them up in the air for him to see. “These are the twins! Saffron and Sorrel.”

She finally drops them back to the ground, though her eyes never leave them, sharp and suspicious, expecting them to retaliate.

“But yeah!” She claps her hands together, grinning at Noctis. “This is my family! Just so you know. Can you help me watch out for them?”

Noctis turns his attention to Saige when she finishes wrestling with the twins. He scans each of them as she drops them to the ground and they begin hissing and chittering angrily at her. The twins look at one another and slow grins creep across their faces. They chitter back and forth for a moment and then both look up at Saige and smile innocently.

Noctis nods. "You got it, Saige. I'll do my best to keep an eye on them. And the rest of your family too." He turns to look at the rest of them sitting around the fire. "It's a pleasure to meet you all. I'm Commander of the Draconian Army so all of these soldiers you see around here report to me. If you ever need anything, just let one of them know and they'll get a message to me."

There is a moment of silence before they each begin speaking animatedly with the exception of Basil who sits in silence, staring at the fire. As the family all tries to speak to Noctis at once, Storm walks up to the camp.

"Huh. You're that guy from the tavern." She says, dropping a small sack on the ground and taking a seat on the log next to Rosemary.

Noctis looks to her. "Not sure we've been introduced. I'm Commander Noctis."

"Storm. So, Saige recruiting you to look after the family?"

Noctis chuckles. "Yes, in fact. I was just getting to know them."

Storm smiles, turning to look at Saige. "Good. Need all the help we can get while we get things ready." 

Storm opens her arms to Saige. 

The instant Storm opens her arms, Saige slides into her lap. Her arms loop tightly around the draconian as she presses her face into the crook of her neck, nuzzling close with a soft, contented hum.

She lingers there for a moment, a wide smile spreading across her face. Then, suddenly, she perks back up and twists around to face Noctis again, eyes alight with mischief.

“Oh! Noctis! You’re going to help us fight the land shark, right?” Her teeth peek through her grin. “Kalil said he couldn’t escape the manor, soooo you totally should! It’s gonna be so fun!”

Noctis chuckles awkwardly. "Ah. The landshark. About that... Kalil is pretty disappointed he can't help. And... Well, it's a bit more complicated than you realize. I can't help either. Too much risk of... Upsetting things to put it simply. Let's just say... Dragon politics are getting in the way."

Storm stares at Noctis, trying to read him, and then shrugs. "Well, the point was to kill it and feed the people of Kog'Thrak anyways. Less we have to share with the dragons if you all don't help, I suppose."

Noctis nods. "I wish you all the best of luck in taking it down. It's sure to be a fight." He rocks back on his heels and sighs. "Well, I've got a very pissy lady waiting for me back home so I think I'll get going. But I'll make sure your family is looked after, Saige. Much like everyone else in Kog'Thrak. I can't promise special treatment, but I'm certain we can wrangle some Elves if need be." He chuckles.

“Boooo, fine. More fun for us then.”

Saige huffs, crossing her arms before sticking her tongue out at him like a petulant child. When he starts to leave, her expression quickly shifts into something sharper, a spark of mischief in her eyes.

“Bye Noctis! Be careful! Watch out for the whistling people, or your mandible might disappear!”

She flashes him a devilish grin, fangs catching in the light, then twirls back towards Storm and the rest of her family.