ROLEPLAY HQ - cold-shoulder

snow prances around in dragon form in the soft fresh snow, completely vanishing under the blanket before jumping back up, she was around the size of a pony, small enough that she could wander around a house even if doors where a little annoying to pass through, and the worst part is she was fully grown, she saw what looked like a snowball wiz by and she caught it in her mouth whole. Licking her muzzle leaving it- red….. @Blue Hound

Behind her, the white dragon would be able to hear the audible and loud crunch of snow. If she had turned and her sight was well, she would have been able to see a young cervitaur fawn staring at her in shock. His hands were covering his mouth, eyes quickly welling with tears. “Yogo!” He cried between his hands before hurrying over toward her, clearly throwing caution to the wind as he approached. (edited)

she turned and tilted her head not knowing what this meant? But voices?! She had a visitor!? She leaped happily over towards the colors that stuck out in the snow and gave him a playful boops with her most but the poor fawn probably thought he was next, but she loved interacting with others, she was indeed quite lonely @Blue Hound

When he saw the dragon turn her attention toward him and started prancing around touching him, he most certainly thought he was going to die. The lad skidded to a halt and started to run the other way, screaming in fright. @violet cranberry

she tried to talk but forgot to transform so the smallest roar that more resembled a yelp escaped her as she wanted them to comeback. She stamped her feet and tried to chase them, she did love a game of catch, even if she was likely to run into a tree thinking it was the fawn

1:36 PM

@Blue Hound

With fear fueling his mind, he mistook her yelp as her way of expressing her joy in chasing him. It didn't help that she continued to chase him either. This only spurred him to run faster and deeper into the more congested part of the forest. "Terra! Terra!" He cried. @violet cranberry

terra? No her name was snow! Lucky for him she was, really bad at running thought the Forest, leap, leap, leap- CRASH she yelped out in pain as she misjudged the distance of one of the trees as everything blurred together and she tumbled to the ground sniffling. Not even knowing where she was facing anymore and couldn’t even make out the fawn, she whimpered, no not again- she wasn’t supposed to go into the woods, it was like a giant cage to her but every time she got too excited. Last time she was lost in there for days… and she had really hurt her front right shoulder when it slammed into the tree full force. She again whimpered and tried to bury herself in the snow but it was shallow from the cover of trees so she couldn’t. She let out a dragon tear that froze on her face and plopped her head onto the ground in loneliness and pain, sniffling @Blue Hound

At first, the fawn thought he was safe from the jaws of death when he started gaining ground from the dragon, but the sudden sound of something crashing into a tree and the faint sniffling caused him to slow to a stop and turn around. After a moment of thought, his curiosity got the better of him and he walked back toward where he heard the crash. It didn't take long for him to spot the dragon. "... Are you ok..?" He hesitantly asked, looking down at her. @violet cranberry

Ahh- hmph- ahh- hmph- she sniffled and kept trying to talk for a minute, she stuck her snake like tongue out in frustration before it clicked and she switched into her human form just sitting on the ground looking up at him ow…. Arm- catch is hard- you’re too fast in the trees… I hate trees they hurt… this was not a fun game…. she frowned and rubbed her shoulder which still hurt a lot, a bruise already forming @Blue Hound

The lad's eyes widened to the size of saucers as he took a few steps backwards in shock. The words she spoke fell on deaf ears as he stared at her, trying to wrap his mind around everything. "Y-you're a human?" @violet cranberry

Sometimes? But no- not human- just like to talk to them! her cute horns that looked like ice but would t melt did imply otherwise im a dragon! Rwar! she giggled and stopped when it moved her shoulder and hurt And you seemed cool! And I wanted to say hi! But you wanted to play chase- so I chased! And Name is Snow- not Terra… @Blue Hound

He tried not to blush, realizing how stupid he must have sounded by asking such a thing. The horns did show she very much wasn't human... He too giggled at her childish answer, finding it amusing. "Now that I know you weren't trying to eat me, I think you're pretty cool too." "And Terra is--" "Lark, honey. Where are you!" A sudden voice called out, interrupting the boy. He turned, waving a hand up in the air as a figure appeared in the distance. "Over here!" He turned back toward Snow, smiling. "Terra is a really nice old lady who helps creatures like us!" @violet cranberry

Oh! HIIII TERRRAAAAAAA she screamed out to wherever the woman was, she didn’t mean to be childish but it tends to happen when you’re in an environment that never teaches you how to grow up, every adventurer she had met has babied her so she just thought that was how everyone interacted. They treated her like a puppy. why would I eat you? I only eat snowballs… you’re much too big to eat- and I don’t want to hurt anyone! The people made me promise too!! And I did! No growing up to eat people! that’s mean and I don’t like meanies she tried to pout and cross her arms but winced again and whimpered from pain ow- ow ow owwwwwww @Blue Hound

The fawn, Lark, jumped in alarm to her sudden scream, not expecting her to do such a thing. In the distance, the figure started to gradually get larger, their pace had quickened once they heard their name get called. Lark's focus returned to the lass, head tilted. "People? What--" His expression suddenly shifted to one of concern. "Are you ok?" @violet cranberry

Arm- really hurts- forest is so mean she pouted and frowned it doesn’t feel good- like at all- but- it’s fine I guess? Maybe? she tried to move it and winced then she herself looked worried @Blue Hound

The cervitaur gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. Terra is a really good healer!" He then turned his head, wanting to see how much further the human had to go to reach them. "Oh good, she's not too far!" Without a second thought, he bounded away from the dragoness, calling Terra's name over and over again with earnest as he raced toward her. @violet cranberry

she stood up and tried to follow but she couldn’t tell the difference from trees that were just skinny or far away and she got too scared to go forwards okay- that’s nice, oh you’re gone- the blop just got smaller and smaller. She was a bit nervous of course, but that was because of the woods and knowing she had no idea how to get out…. @Blue Hound

Only a moment passed before the two returned to her. "Snow, Terra. Terra, Snow. She's a dragon!--" Lark paused, as if something suddenly dawned on him. He pointed an accusing finger at her. "You... you ate Yogo!" @violet cranberry

I ate what who?! No i didn’t! I just played with a snowball before you started yelling at me. she was genuinely confused and upset, she would never hurt a fly! Intentionally that is Snowballs taste good…. And they make my tummy not hurt. What’s a Yog- a? she kinda shrunk back at the accusation, not understanding what she did wrong

3:24 PM

@Blue Hound

"Lark, honey. Blaming people isn't ok. It was an accident." The figure beside the fawn lowered the scarf from her face. She gave the lad the look before turning her attention toward Snow, eyes wide with curiosity. "Hello, dear. Who might you be?" She asked with a kind voice. Terra was an elderly woman who appeared to be around her early 70s. She was about 5'4", had pale skin, white long hair that reached toward her lower shoulder blades, and dark grey eyes. She was currently wearing a matching set of black heavy duty winter coat lined with deer fur, pants, and snow shoes. Around her neck was an icy blue scarf that shielded most of her face from the cold. @violet cranberry

I’m Snow!! Oooo your neck thing is such a pretty blue! she squinted, she could make out basic shapes and colors at least I was trying to play tag and I ran into a tree… and it really hurts… and I don’t know how to get back to the deep snow she didn’t say home because she didn’t have a home, she would loose track of it if she did. She frowned I don’t like being lost…. @Blue Hound

She gave a good natured, soft laugh. "Thank you, I knitted the scarf myself. It's a pleasure to meet you, Snow." Her smile shifted to one of concern as she told her about her injury. "May I have a look?" @violet cranberry

Nice to meet you too! Sure! she tried to offer her arm which was stupid as it was her shoulder she hit and she winced stupid tree she huffed, most dragons breath felt extremely cold but hers was only as cold as it was outside did I do something wrong? Why is he upset? I don’t understand…. she looked genuinely upset about it, she never would hurt anyone on purpose @Blue Hound

"The snowball you ate earlier must have been his rabbit that he was nursing back to health. It got out earlier, that's why him and I are out here." She explained as she walked over beside her. "This might hurt for a moment, but I need to feel if anything is out of place." She warned as she removed her gloves. Lark remained where he stood, watching them. He was still unhappy about Yogo getting eaten, but it was fully healed when it got out... he just wanted to play with it a bit more before he completely set it free... @violet cranberry

No I would never hurt a bunny- she looked like she was about to cry before the woman even touched her no I would never! Never ever! I- this is clearly not something she could handle as she got woozy, she’s eaten- a lot of snow balls- her vision started getting black dots in it I- she stumbled forwards a bit, her body and brain not being able to connect properly as her thoughts spiraled and her eyes started to close @Blue Hound

Both their eyes widened in alarm, noticing the sudden shift of mood and awareness. "Woah, waoh! It's ok, honey." Terra quickly lurched forward, wrapping her arms around the girl to support her upright before gently patting her cheek. "Hey, Snow. Snow. Look at me, hon. Focus. Come back to us. You're ok." Lark had taken on a worried look. His hands were slightly outstretched before him, as if he too was about to try and catch her falling form before Terra got to her. @violet cranberry

I- she tried but the imagery of her being a monster flooded her mind, and the short lightweight girl went limp. Years of surviving under not the best of conditions left her prone to a lot of things, and this time fainting was one of them. Though if they were patient she would come too again in a minute or so, dazed and having zero recollection of the fact she ate bunnies. It’s been the only way she’s been able to survive and it seems it was such a traumatic realization her brain couldn’t process it @Blue Hound

Despite Snow passing out, Terra remained calm as she gently yet quickly positioned her onto her back in the snow. "Lark, hon. Can you come and prop her legs up for me? Thank you." Even though Lark never experienced someone fainting before, he quickly obeyed. He hunkered down onto the ground and began propping her legs against his back, Terra moved on to examine her clothing, trying to see if there were any tight pieces of material that she could loosen. @violet cranberry

she had old loose clothing thankfully, as she grumbled something unintelligible, before trying to open her eyes. It took a couple tries but she did it. “what - happened?” she stuttered out still gathering her bearings @Blue Hound

Seeing how her clothing were already loose, she didn't bother in adjusting them. Luckily, the two didn't have to wait for long before the young dragon woke up. "You passed out." Lark answered right as Terra opened her mouth to speak. She let out a soft huff before starting over, "Are you ok, hon?" @violet cranberry

Yeah- I think so- that doesn’t normally happen… she winced as she tried to sit up, she had already forgotten she hurt her shoulder oh sugar snaps- my shoulder hurts- she paused to process right, the tree she paused again, seems she had her memory except for one detail, the minute before she passed out. She was back to thinking the snowball was a snowball. sorry… I didn’t hm she paused trying to remember why she was sorry but couldn’t. She hadn’t hit her head it was simply how her body shut down out of the shear panic the memory hadn’t processed yet and was gone @Blue Hound

She gently stroked her back, unable to hide the pity within her eyes. She had connected the dots toward her reaction. To Snow, it might have appeared to her that she was feeling pity for her hurting herself, though in actuality, it was due to her realization toward eating a rabbit. "It's alright, there's no need to be sorry." She gestured toward her shoulder. "May I take a look?" @violet cranberry

Mhmmm she blinked a couple times and nodded then tilted her head the other direction thinking that would help somehow I didn’t know the tree was that close…. Trees are rude @Blue Hound

With her request granted, she gently rested her hand against her injury. "I'm going to apply pressure to your shoulder. I want to check to see if it feels broken or dislocated. It might hurt. " She warned before doing just that, feeling around to see if anything seemed amiss. @violet cranberry

O okay she looked absolutely terrified but she let the woman, trusting her blindly, it thankfully wasn’t broken but it was dislocated to her dismay. A dragon running full force at a tree was bound to cause issues when one is vitamin deficient. The dragon winced and whined her feet pressing into the snow and her eyes shut tightly

12:18 PM

@Blue Hound

She wasted no time in relocating her shoulder, making sure to try and make the process as painless as possible. It only took a moment before it was back in place. "There you go, hon. I advise using it as little as possible for a while and ice it. We can help take you home if you'd like as well."

6:23 AM

@violet cranberry

she yelped and whimpered flinching backwards. Then paused realization dawning on her that it felt a lot better thank you thank you thank you! Oh and as long as I’m out of the trees I’m all good! she immediately tried moving her arm to see if it worked still, which it did

8:36 AM

@Blue Hound

The elderly woman smiled as she saw her happiness. After double checking to see if everything was well, she rose back to her feet and returned beside Lark. "We can guide you to one of the clearings if you'd like!" The fawn piped up with a smile. @violet cranberry

Okay! she turn to start walking and nearly walked into a tree again but stopped inches before oops not that way- I hate the woods it’s like a maze! Hmph though the truth was, she simply couldn’t see. She didn’t even have a home she just plopped down randomly wherever she had wandered whenever she was tired. She had no possessions or anything because of it

12:02 PM

@Blue Hound

Behind her, she'd be able to hear Lark giggling in amusement before bounding toward her. He took her hand and gave a gentle tug in the right direction. "Not that way!" He laughed, "This way!" He let go of her hand as he slowly began to walk away, head half turned to see if she'd follow.

4:06 PM

@violet cranberry

Oh sorry! I didn’t know! she followed somewhat carefully also you don’t need to take me anywhere special I just live anywhere the snow seems comfy that day!

11:55 AM

that was because she got lost so often it was pointless. She was essentially homeless but she hasn’t ever stopped to realize that @Blue Hound

Lark froze in his tracks upon hearing her say she didn't have a home to call home. He spun around, not bothering to show his shock. "You don't have a home?!" He gasped. Ahead of them, Terra had slowed to a stop in order to turn her attention toward the two, brow raised in curiosity.

8:50 AM

@violet cranberry

The snow is my home! it’s so cold and soothing, burrowing into the snow mounds always makes me feel at home… I don’t have a specific spot but, the snow is home she thought it was normal. She didn’t understand her situation because she didn’t know any other dragons how am i supposed to find it again anyway everything just gets burried in snow and then it all looks the same… @Blue Hound

A thoughtful look crossed Lark's face. "You could live with us!" He crowed with a wide grin. "We live in the snow! And when it thaws, we're still close enough to the mountains that it wouldn't take long to reach the peaks, which always has snow!" Despite being young, he had seen plenty of other folk come and go within Terra's home and saw nothing wrong with allowing her to stay as well. @violet cranberry

I can stay here when it’s snowy!? That sounds so cool! she didn’t even realize lark was inviting her and not Terra and the dragon leaped for joy. Not like her or her dragon form could get much bigger even with a proper diet it takes YEARS and she missed out on so much of her development stages and was already a runt she couldn’t dream to be anything more than a juvenile size dragon forever, the only size that could fit in a house but she could easily grow to make doors and stairs impossible in dragon form rather than how it is just currently difficult I would love that!!! she looked at Terra full of excitement and glee @Blue Hound

Despite being old, Terra's hearing was sharp enough to catch their conversation. She chuckled to herself as Lark offered the dragon her home to stay in without her consent, but that wouldn't have mattered anyway. She would have said yes either way. The woman's heart was too big to say no to anyone in need whether that be a sentient or nonsentient being. "Alright then, lets make our way home then. I can whip up some hot honey milk once we're there." She said with a joyous tone before continuing onward. Lark dutifully followed after, making sure to go slow enough that Snow could still easily distinguish him from a tree. @violet cranberry

What’s honey- milk? she tilted her head, she knew what a lot of things were but any food that wasn’t commonly carried by adventures she had zero clue, she did her best to follow the living blobs and easily succeeded due to their pace and uh- I can’t have hot things… I learned that the hard way my tongue didn’t feel very good and I got sick… not only was she an ice dragon but being as she was made it so her weakness to heat was tenfold that of a normal ice dragon. Even so snow was excited to hang out with her new friends blindly trusting them as she had done to everyone in the past @Blue Hound

Terra hummed in thought, not expecting her to be unable to consume hot food or beverages. She chuckled to herself. She should have expected it considering she was an ice dragon. "Honey milk is simply stirring milk and honey together to make sweet tasting milk." She paused, "Actually, I think I might have a way for you to try it, Snow." All she needed to do was let the milk cool back down once she mixed the honey into it. @violet cranberry

she jumped for joy a bit and clapped her hands together I’ve never had milk nor honey- I wonder what they taste like the dragon squealed and kept running in front of them then stopping and waiting for them to continue to lead the way, having too much energy for her own good, even walking in circles around them out of pure excitement @Blue Hound

Her excitement caused Lark to have his own excited 'zoomies', and soon enough, he was bounding and hoping around Terra as well. "Milk and honey! Milk and honey!" He crowed with glee. Seeing the two prancing around in joy for a simple drink caused fond warmth to bloom within Terra's heart. This was the reason why she took in the lost, injured, and broken. To see their happiness return to them. "We're almost home, not too much farther now." She informed them with a smile. ------ It took about 15 more minutes of walking before they reached a clearing in the forest that had a cozy looking one story cabin in the center of it. Off to the right was a fenced in area that appeared to be for crops during the warmer seasons. Not too far from that was a small shed and well. When the three entered the cabin, they walked into the living room, which was surprisingly roomy despite the outside appearance of the home. Straight across from that was the kitchen, which was sectioned off via half wall bar top. To the right of the living room there was a hallway that lead to the bedrooms and bathrooms. The home was warm, but not uncomfortably so. There were potted plants scattered about along with children's toys. "Make yourself at home, honey." Terra said as she started to strip off her winter wear. Due to not wearing anything, all Lark had to do was shake off the snow that clung to his legs before he went into the kitchen with a broad smile and wiggling tail. He wasted no time getting the milk and honey out. @violet cranberry

Woah- she was near speechless just looking at the place, it was extremely blurry but still a lot of new colors to see this is- where even are we it’s like we stepped through a portal-she had, never been in doors before honestly. No snow stuck to her and thankfully the warmth wasn’t too much for her this- she looked back to Terra tears nearly forming at the thought of just being in a home let alone actually having one this is, very lovely ma’am… @Blue Hound

Watching the young dragoness's awestruck expression sent a wave of pride to bloom within Terra. Her late wife, family, and friends had all pitched in to help build the place years ago. A good natured laugh left her, "No need for all this 'ma'am' nonsense. Makes me feel even more older than I already am. Terra is fine." "This is my home. Built by loved ones to be for loved ones." She said as she began to make her way toward the kitchen in order to prepare the drinks. She wasn't left alone for long though, Lark came prancing back with a smile. "I can give you a tour of the house if you'd like!" He chirped happily. (edited)

Oh right sorry ma- I mean Miss Terra she tried to get a view of the whole place but couldnt I would actually really appreciate a tour! she chimed in excitedly. Smiling ear to ear. She kept squinting at everything trying to see what it was as well @Blue Hound

With an excited little hop, Lark turned to lead her down the hallway. "So, the first two doors on the left of the hall are the bathrooms. The two doors on the right side are rooms for guests. Terra's room is further down the hall on the left." He opened the first guest room for Snow to see and gestured to come in. It was small, but not terribly so. There was a window on the wall right across from the door. There was a bunk bed in the top right corner, a drawer in the lower right corner, a toy chest in the top left corner, and two fuzzy-looking bean bag chairs lying in the lower left corner. Beside the drawer, was an empty trash can. There was a small bedside table next to the bed that had a lamp on it for the lower bunk. The top bunk had a gator clip lamp attached to one of the safety rails. The floor itself had a soft, large carpet in the center. It depicted a cartoony town with roads on it. There was an outlet in the wall that had a nightlight attached to it. He patiently waited for her to see everything before moving on to the next room, knowing it would take her a bit to see it due to her limited sight. The next guest room was similar to the first, but everything was inverted; the beds were in the top left corner, drawers in the lower left corner, etc. Unlike the first room though, this one was currently being lived in. The lower bunk's sheets were unkept, there were books scattered about on the carpet (which depicted a different variant of a cartoony town). In the center of the carpet and books was one of the bean bag chairs. The other one remained in the corner of the room. The window was slightly cracked, leaving the temperature in the room a bit chillier than the rest of the house. "This room is the one I'm currently staying in." Lark proudly announced as he walked inside to allow her to enter and look around. @violet cranberry

Woah- was all she could get out at first as she walked over to everything to see it up close. Her eyes first were drawn to the lights before taking everything in there is- so much here- and it’s not all just- well- snow she paused again walking in circles just looking at all the colors she rarely got to see in the white blanketed hills she had called home this is- what’s this? she picked up the book, unable to tell it had words and uneducated to the point she didn’t know what letters even were why does it open? she was extremely curious. Happy to take in all these new sights to behold @Blue Hound

"We're not built to live completely out in the snow like ice dragons." He explained with a light laugh, "We don't have tough scales or thick enough hide to do so." "Oh, that? That's a book. You use it to read and learn stuff." He answered happily, not at all perturbed by the question. He had lived with Terra long enough to learn that not everyone was fortunate enough to learn about books. He grabbed one of the other books on the ground and stepped close enough toward her so she could see the pages that he slowly began to flip through. This book in particular contained inked illustrations between every few pages. "It opens so you can read the words on the page." ((I'm so sorry for the delay!)) (edited)

What words? You mean the little black lines? she looked and squinted, tilting her head confused as she searched the page for words books are supposed to have like- really big words and pictures I thought? she had only seen a children’s book before, she thought they were all like that. She had to rub her eyes as they started to hurt with how much she was straining herself owie it’s giving me a headache- she pushed it away, not trying to be rude just trying to make the headache go away @Blue Hound

"Oh, sorry." Lark moved the book away with an apologetic look. "The big worded picture books you're referring to are children's books." He set down the book he had in hand before moving toward the toy chest. He rummaged through it for a moment before pulling out a more colorful and thicker paged book. He came back to her side and handed her the book. It appeared to be about a frog and a toad. He opened his mouth to speak, but Terra beat him to it. "It's ready!" She called out from the kitchen. The fawn visibly perked at this and walked to the door before stopping right outside it. He didn't want to straight up leave the dragoness alone, that would be rude! @violet cranberry

Oooh- she started to take the book and a puzzled look drew onto her face as she saw him walk out wait where are you going?! she got up book still in hand as she tried to follow him I thought we were going to read the book…. she frowned confused she wasn’t expecting food to be ready so quickly! @Blue Hound

"We can read the book while having the milk and honey!" Lark suggested with a broad smile as he led Snow to the kitchen. Once they reached the more open part of the house, they could see Terra holding a mug in each hand. She gestures with a nod toward the wooden coffee table in the living room, signaling to the fawn that they were going to be sitting there. Once the two were seated, Lark chose to lay on a floor cushion specifically made for him beside the table, Terra placed the mugs in front of both of them. Lark's warm mug had constellations on it while Snow's drink was chilled and had pawprints painted on the sides. "I need to go out to grab some things from the store. I shouldn't be gone for long.." Terra informed Lark, who nodded as he blew on his beverage. She then turned toward Snow with a smile, "Feel free to stay as long as you'd like, hon." @violet cranberry