The hunt for goldenfire (Afina and Jaela, later Surraruthru too)

[Corwin]

"We're asking Arrel next," Jaela responds. "And after, I was hoping it would be the sort of thing to take Mirajane on. Serious and important, where her unique abilities could shine." She shifts uncomfortably. "But not actually a crusade into Hell where she'll need to face off against high ranking devils."

[Ebiris]

"It's not as if this is fully safe either, considering what happened last time," Afina says with a wince as she recalls her undignified display. Though it was totally earned considering the sheer pain and trauma involved. "But hopefully we can get this done with minimal dismemberment."

[Anastasia]

"Let's focus on that," Kascha agrees cheerfully, "Victory rather than defeat."

[Ebiris]

"We'll certainly do better this time," Afina resolves. "Lets go find Arrel and Mirajane then?"

[Anastasia]

Arrel's found next. He's recently moved his horde his own room, perching atop a pile of coins. Lady Skye is there, writing down what Arrel says. "...ce to be so far behind. There are limits," Arrel huffs, making his beak click. "Prismatic dragon or not."

[Ebiris]

Skye? Is she trying to become a draconic scholar as well? "Hello Skye, Arrel," Afina says as she flutters over. "Are you busy right now?"

[Corwin]

"Limits?" Jaela repeats. "Are we discussing limits and Baleruk in the same sentence?"

[Anastasia]

"Yes, I don't think limits are the right word for Baleruk," Kascha seconds, lingering just inside the door.

"Ahem. General Afina," Skye greets as she ceases writing. "It seems Baleruk made an unwelcome remark on the size of his hoard compared to Arrel's. Word of this reached Her Majesty and she commanded me to inquire about it. It seems to have struck her curiosity."

[Ebiris]

"Hoards are important for dragons," Afina nods sagely. "Even Smrgol's been quite insistent on developing his own. To be honest I feel a bit sorry for dragons that devote so much of their long lives to acquiring things that make them happy, only to be seen as living treasure chests by others. I confess even I harboured some thoughts like that when the Crusade was young and we were in dire need of funds."

[Corwin]

"To be fair, the way this sort of thinking developed is due to the evil dragons giving the rest a bad reputation," Jaela voices with a shrug. "Dragons demanding tribute, attacking villages and abducting princesses for ransom? That just invited heroes to go after them."

[Anastasia]

"But this is an insult that goes beyond the pale," Arrel says, "I don't even greatly care about my hoard, but this...this..."

"AHEM!" Lady Skye clears her throat, fluttering in the air. "This is intolerable?"

"Yes, that! It's dragons like Baleruk that give others a bad name!" Arrel's claws clang and cling against his pile of coins, "The absolute nerve!"

[Ebiris]

Afina always ends up having to settle disputes amongst their resident dragons so in this case she keeps her mouth shut and smiles expectantly at Jaela. Surely she'll salve any hurt feelings and have the two dragons back as fond brothers in arms with some well chosen words!

[Anastasia]

Kascha quickly does the same, smiling warmly at Jaela. "I'm sure Jaela can help," she even adds.

[Corwin]

"I wonder if we won't all be served by being spared Baleruk's presence for a while," Jaela muses, deciding to deflect all that rage for now. Surely things will be better once Arrel had time to cool down! "And if it gives us a chance to increase our hoards, all the better. How about it? We're going back for Goldenfire, and it had interesting opportunities last time," she continues, raising the arm adorned in a golden bracer with a grin.

[Anastasia]

"...yes, that is a point. Perhaps I can enrich my hoard and silence Baleruk by this," Arrel says, preening. "I'll go."