video; what's up with those dragons?

[pinksidekicking]

Type: Video
Sender ID: pinksidekicking (Nimona)
To: General Public
Subject: Dragons
Warnings: Only maybe spoilers for Nimona movie

[ Please do not adjust your screens, there is, in fact, a pink gorilla appearing on the network. One who opens their mouth and a somewhat feminine voice comes out of. ]

You know, there are a lot of awesome things about this place. You can have a crew, no one's trying to kill you just because of being different, all the new foods, getting to explore the world, having ample opportunity to use fish and sea puns... breaking things sometimes. [ The gorilla is counting on their fingers. ]

Really, I could go on and on about why I love this world. [ It sounds like there's a- ]

But! You know what really gets me? We can't adopt dragons! Sure, they say "dragons can't be tamed", or "they're just too wild". [ Cue the quotation marks and the eye roll. ] But all I want in this life is a tiny pink mini-me dragon. Who better to try and be a dragon parent than someone who's also a dragon? At least a dragon on occasion.

Come on, you can't keep placing dragons in front of me and expect me to not want to adopt one of my very own! I am literally made to be a dragon parent, watch this!

[ The gorilla is setting up the phone to stand on its own, then steps back several feet before... with a little sparkle of pink magic - turns into a semi-large, equally pink dragon. It's holding out front arms like "ta-dah"! ]

Dragon parent Nimona!

Comments

Video || un: catsgothistongue

[catsgothistongue]

[Don't mind him. Just staring at the talking pink gorilla on screen prattle on and on about the dragons. And then said talking pink gorilla just changed into a dragon.]

... I think it boils down to the fact that dragons are different than say a dog or bird. Most people probably don't know or can't take care of them. Not every day you see one around, I've only seen about two in my lifetime.

[Slowly looking back down at the screen still showing Nimona.]

Or I guess three now. Maybe. I dunno, not every day you see... [He was going to say 'a species changing into another', but that's all down the drain at this point in his life.] ...a gorilla change into a dragon, or is it the other way around...?

[His head is confused.]

[pinksidekicking]

So you're saying that if I did it, I'd be leading the way into dragon parenthood for the rest of the world.

[ The dragon strokes their chin. ]

I like that idea. [ Nimona no, that's not what he was saying. ]

You can definitely count me as number three. But I'm all that and more.

[ More than a gorilla or a dragon. ]

[catsgothistongue]

If that's your takeaway from what I said, then sure. Go for it. Be the dragon parent you dream to be.

[RANMA NO DON'T ENCOURAGE HER]

Really now? So it isn't just the dragon or the gorilla?

[People changing into animals is no longer an interesting sight to him. But people who can turn into multiple animals? That's new, unless you count Taro. Considering his cursed form was a chimera of different creatures stuck together however, it really doesn't.]

video; un: torinoko

[torinoko]

[Pink...]

It may be a matter of the dragons' own preferences, I'm afraid.

[pinksidekicking]

[ Pink. ]

All of the dragons can't feel the same way, right? There's probably one or two out there who'd be different.

[torinoko]

Well, sure, but that doesn't mean we've found them yet.

[A long pause.] I don't know if we'd be lucky enough to find a pink one, either.

[She maybe has suspicions about Nimona's favorite color. Just a hunch.]

un: historiology, video

[historiology]

I'm not sure the dragons are meant to be pets? And even then these ones might be different to what you know about dragons back home? I think they're different here to what I'm used to, at least?

[But then. Well. Of course she would want to get a dragon as a pet. Of course she would. The same way Sorey really wants to ride one of those goblin carts and is apparently Not Allowed.]

But also I'm pretty sure the dragons here probably already have parents to look after them? It's probably better to keep them together, you know? I know you want to help and look after them too, but.

[pinksidekicking]

Any dragon of mine would be more like a kid than a pet. [ A small gesture to her dragon self. ] As far as I know, I'm the only dragon in my world, so there's not really a lot to compare this world's dragons to.

[ A dragon child, a scaly baby. Sorey should ride those goblin carts anyway. ]

Don't kittens and puppies have parents, too? Yet, people have fur babies. And maybe there's a little orphan baby dragon out there somewhere.

[historiology]

I guess if you wanted to stay in dragon form it might be more like a kid to you? But even then. I'm pretty sure it's different with kittens and puppies compared to dragons. They don't breathe fire or fly for example.

[Or potentially cause that much destruction? Off of the top of his head? Not that Sorey is really that against dragons, being aware of the history there back home for example. But even so. It's probably a good thing Mikleo is not around to argue if Nimona would allow Sorey to run off riding goblin carts that would likely fall apart if he tried.]

video

[moremystyle]

[WELL. LEAVING ASIDE THAT THIS IS A GORILLA TURNING INTO A DRAGON.]

A dragon's not a pet. They're a partner. Sometimes an outright predator, but if it's the kind that can get along with humans, it's got to be on their own terms. How would you like being kept as a pet?

[pinksidekicking]

[ Has Faris ever seen a dragon sulkily pout? He has now. Complete with as much arm crossing as Nimona can manage. ]

First of all, not once did I use the word "pet". I used words like adopt, mini-me, and dragon parent.

Secondly, it's not like I'm saying we all go up and just take a dragon against its will. What I am saying is that they've got these dragon sanctuaries, but they're slapping "wild" and "untamable" labels on them like dragons can't be our friends.

If there's one thing I understand all too well, it's the whole world only seeing me one way and putting a label on me. This world has got us, though, so why aren't we trying to change that for dragons?

[moremystyle]

[Faris has actually seen a dragon get sulky and pout, but always with very dragonish body language--not a blend of human and dragon. It's. Odd.

Anyway, she's pissed her off, obviously, and not without reason, so she holds up her hands placatingly.]

All right, all right, you're not getting any argument from me there. I grew up with a dragon. [Syldra is a lot to talk about in a public forum, and that's why Faris isn't even going to say her name, but.] I just meant you shouldn't be rushing at it like it's easy. You want to break into a sanctuary and make friends with a dragon properly, you'd best take care. They're prideful creatures, not like to take readily to being anyone's "mini-me."

[As for wild and untamable, well... there are plenty of people that fit those words, and Faris considers herself to be one of them.]

voice | yuezun

[yuezun]

You are not the person this venerable one would suggest or look to, to parent a dragon. But it is better than those who would take one in only to exploit it for it's bones and skin.

permavideo;

[pinksidekicking]

[ The dragon huffs at the first part of his answer. ]

Maybe I'm the perfect individual to parent a dragon. Something, something, teaching responsibility, etcetera.

[ She changes back into person-shape to pick up her phone again. ]

Is that what happens in your world? [ See the disgusted and angry face upon her face? Nimona is upset just hearing that. ]

Permavoice!

[yuezun]

It has before. It likely still does. And likely will continue despite efforts to stop it. Dragon bones, skin, muscle, organs... they are all very valuable and rare ingredients. Many dragons that still remain are orphans.

[Shangque had become his closest lieutenant and someone to whom Daqiang could pose questions. But he'd had to be 'saved' from a series of homes where those who took him in, only did so to exploit him.]

It is not a legal practice, but it is also not illegal by technicality. If the guardian of a dragon child decides to pinch a scale off of them every so often and claims it is because the scale was misshapen and a new one should have the chance to grow in... there are few that have the legal power to judge it as anything other than a concerned guardian. Even if it is common knowledge otherwise. And, of course, there are those that simply don't care. Or profit in some manner themselves.

[Though he sounds his usual bored self, he also does not sound like he agrees with those who do those things.]

voice; don't come after his kid

[makoglow]

Are you saying that you'd be a better choice?

Voice

[yuezun]

If this venerable one had intended to say that this venerable one was a better choice, this venerable one would have said it.

[that she was not his first choice or who he'd recommend did not mean he wanted that kind of responsibility. The warrior cat was difficult it enough to attempt to train. He certainly didn't need a baby dragon being the kind of handful baby dragons were.]

That said...

However, this venerable one has experience with dragons.

[a dragon, anyway]

Video; un: kingtheseus

[deltastrike]

[A stately looking man appears on screen, but his usual countenance, one characterized by a raised nose and lofty brows, is marred by how he's bugging out a little. A talking beast is out of the ordinary, of course, but not shocking. Many beasts in one, that's not.]

What magic is this? If this is a mere illusion I will not be tricked!

[pinksidekicking]

[ Hark, is this a poor innocent man who Nimona can harass?

The dragon's eyes glow. ]

'Tis sorcery! I am but a bewitched maiden who must become fearsome creatures whenever viewed by the eyes of others! My body changes with each new pair of eyes that behold me.

[ Just to heap on the trolling, she changes into a bear next. ]

[deltastrike]

My gods!

[The image of Theseus suddenly jerks and swerves on the screen; he almost dropped his shellphone in shock. But his vicegrip on the device stays strong.]

That's all the proof necessary! You are a resilient one to be able to prosper despite such a curse!

action! BECAUSE I SAY SO

[makoglow]

[ Honestly? He's just going to poke his head into Nimona's space. Because he heard her complaining from where he had been walking. ]

You're still on the dragon thing?

[pinksidekicking]

[ Nimona the dragon is flopping over onto her back and becoming Nimona the girl before hitting the ground. ]

They keep putting dragons in front of us! Of course I'm still going to be on it.

[ Just because she wasn't actively part of this month's quest, doesn't mean she doesn't know about it. ]

[makoglow]

[ Just walking up to the poor, fallen little girl. Just kind of. Kicks are her shoe with his own. ]

Really? What if I told you I fought a dragon once?

text; un: psionicmolotov

[psionicmolotov]

[ He's immediately assuming Nimona as either some sort of eccentric druid or a very gregarious shapeshifter (possibly a dragon herself) and moving on. Sure, a dragon can turn into a gorilla and other things besides, he's seen weirder. Why not. ]

expecting your dragon child to be similar to you seems illogical

[ Why is that his objection ]

permavideo;

[pinksidekicking]

[ She is definitely greg and maybe even dragon. Also staying video because how does he expect her to work the text with dragon claws? ]

Or I just forget that not everyone was around for the tiny pink dragon quest, where those little cuties were running around biting people for fun. Or I have a specific one in mind that I'd want to adopt and just didn't want to say that out loud, and that one was just like me.