Submission (#5860) Approved

Quest: Resonance Quest - Act 2
Act Type: Support
Word Count: 935
Elseworlder Present: Aria (Meowl) - https://toyhou.se/1665192.aria
Regional Affinity: Strynhalde
Claiming Regional Affinity for: Boreas (ELN2921)
Rank Unlock Mini Requirements: Interact with a human/elseworlder

Puru's Adoptable ToS: https://sta.sh/0hoobds5a8m

The first thing Aria noticed as she landed in Strynhalde was how the snow seemed to dance in the air, almost like a ballet of crystalline performers swirling gracefully through the frosty expanse. Her fluffy wings folded back against her shoulders, the feathers intermingling with the downy flakes that coated them. Talon-clad feet crunched into the snow beneath her, and her folded ears twitched with curiosity at every new sound the wintery wonderland had to offer.

As the silver and blue hues of the frozen tundra stretched out before her, Boreas, the blue djinnin, trotted up to her as he had watched her descent down from a bit away, with a look of mild amusement on his scaly faceHis azure scales shimmered against the backdrop of snow, giving him an almost ethereal appearance, and a puff of dragon fire misted out of his nose.

"So, you're the winged curiosity that wants to explore the icy domain I call my home?" Boreas inquired, his voice tinged with arrogance

Aria chuckled at the kittom, her ears twitching atop her head. "If by 'icy domain' you mean Strynhalde, then yes, I'd love to see what this winter wonderland has to offer."

Boreas smirked, amused by her directness. "Well then, let's not waste time. After all, it's not every day that I play tour guide." He beckoned with a clawed paw for Aria to follow him.

Their first stop was the Strynhalde Elder Tree. A colossal tree that stretched miles into the air. It was simply impossible to miss. It seemed to be frozen to the core, with a blue-black trunk that seemed almost bruised by the frost. The leaves in the canopy seemed to hold a wealth of snow, impossible to gauge the actual amount. Around the elder tree was a Frozen Forest. With its own giant trees, crystallized in ice, standing tall, but still dwarfed in comparison to the Elder Tree they guarded. Boreas shot a plume of fire into the air, and the icy trees caught the colors, creating an ephemeral spectacle of prismatic lights.

Aria looked around, her eyes widening in delight. "It's absolutely magnificent. The forest feels so alive, despite the cold."

Boreas chuckled, "Everything in Strynhalde has a spirit, you just need to know where to look."

They left the forest to continue their journey, making their way to the icy cliffs that overlooked vast frozen lakes. The reflection of the pale moon on the lake’s surface made it seem as if there were two moons, one in the sky and the other on the ground.

As they sat on the edge of the cliff, legs dangling over the icy drop below, Boreas said, "Many come to Strynhalde and see only the cold. But there's a warmth here, a magic that's hard to explain."

Aria nodded, "It's in the silence, the beauty, and the memories held within every snowflake."

What the meowl girl said resonated with him deeply, in a way he didn’t know how to parse. Her words echoed within him. It's… Probably something that he’ll hold near and dear to his heart from now on. Figuring out his own emotions though was difficult, and instead of properly facing it head on, he instead deflected. “Let’s get going now Aria. We still got a few more stops on our tour. Our next stop is not for the faint-hearted.”

Curiosity piqued, Aria followed him eagerly as he led her towards a series of caverns carved into the base of towering mountains. "These are the Whispering Caverns. The winds carry tales of old, secrets, and sometimes even prophecies."

Feeling a draft of air slip through the caverns, Aria sensed a medley of voices, as if the mountain itself was murmuring. "It's mysterious, yet comforting. As if the very walls have stories to tell."

Boreas glanced at her, his usually aloof expression softening. "Very few appreciate the depth of this place."

Emerging from the caverns, Boreas took Aria to the pièce de résistance of their tour—Skyreach Summit. A towering peak that scraped the heavens, it was a sight to behold.

"Wow," Aria gasped, taking in the view. "It’s as if you can touch the sky."

"I often come here to reflect. Or to be alone," Boreas said, his tone revealing a rare moment of vulnerability.

Aria opened her wings wide, feeling the cool mountain air flow through her feathers. "Sometimes being at a high place helps us see our lives from a different perspective."

Boreas looked at her, realizing she wasn’t just another adventurer. Aria was observant, understanding the nuances of his home, and by extension, of him. "You're different, Aria. You see the world, not just as a collection of places but as a tapestry of experiences and emotions."

Aria smiled, "Maybe that's because every place, like every individual, has layers waiting to be discovered."

As they prepared to descend, Boreas felt a twinge of regret that the tour was ending. He'd found it surprisingly enjoyable to share the magic of Strynhalde with someone who appreciated it in a way he'd never considered.

"So, tour guide, any parting words?" Aria asked, her wings unfurling for flight.

"Only a promise that there's more to see and discover," Boreas replied, a playful fire dancing in his eyes. "So, you should come back."

Aria grinned, her talons lightly gripping the snow beneath her. "That's a promise I intend to keep."

With a powerful flap, Aria soared into the sky, her form silhouetted against the setting sun. Boreas watched her go, his scales shimmering softly in the fading light, already looking forward to the adventures the future held.