Sitting upon a solitary hill outside a Pandaren Village in the Jade Forest, the Pandaren female’s eyes were closed. She sat in a cross legged position, her hands resting in her lap as she took in a breath and let it out slowly. Dressed in robes of a simple cut, she seemed to be enjoying a moment’s peace while it could be taken. The winds of her homeland often called her home, at least for a little while, before her wandering blood once more called her to return to the mainland. It would soon be time for her to return to Dalaran to resume her duties.
“Hello there,” a voice said, a male from the sound of it. She slowly opened her eyes to see what looked like a male high elf, a slight smile along his lips. Songla slowly unslung her body from the position it was in, moving to her feet as she pressed her hands together in a formal Pandaren bow. “Good morning,” she said politely. Though it had been a surprise for the stranger to come forward, she did not believe that she was in danger from this one. Perhaps he was only looking for directions, she thought to herself. “May I help you?”
“Oh….perhaps, perhaps.” The elf seemed to regard her quietly a moment. Songla returned his gaze, a brow raised faintly as she regarded him in return. Sensing her scrutiny, the elf smiled. “Let me ask you something….a hypothetical excercise, if you will. I see the raiments and the prayer book at your belt….and I see the staff that you have left with your bag. I can see that you are a priestess. So hypothetically, if you could not touch the Light, what would you do with your life?”
The Pandaren woman tilted her head slightly, staring at the elf once more, though she was already thinking of the question. She folded her hands in front of her as she mulled over her response in her mind. “While I think it is an amazing gift I have been given….to heal, to support, to protect…..I would do what I have been doing, I think. Helping people is my passion, and it is my life. Even if I could never touch the Light again, if I could help even one person, then I think I would have fulfilled my life’s purpose.” She looked at the man expectantly.
He regarded her and made a noise of acknowledgement, neither agreeing with her or condemning her for her choice. “And if a non-mortal required your help….would you give it unconditionally, or would you expect something in return?”
She frowned thoughtfully. “To give someone aid and then expect gratification for doing so…..that is not the way I grew up, nor it is the way I would wish to live my life. It is also not the way a Priestess should behave. Aid should be given to anyone, regardless if they are mortal or non-mortal. I would give them aid, and no, I would not expect anything in return.”
“Hm,” he said thoughtfully. “One last question. What do you think of life?”
“What do I think of life? I believe that it is one of the most sacred things about this planet. Though war does seem to affect our world more and more, people are willing to band together to protect it. We have whole sects of religions dedicated to the preservation of life. I am no fool….sometimes you must take lives to protect others, though I wish it were not needed….but life is worth fighting for. Take the Legion, for example. They are, without a doubt, a perversion of life in their wish to eradicate everything in their path. However, we have two very different philosophies gathering together to do what they can do to stop their march. These people are fighting in the defense of life on Azeroth….and it is a worthy crusade.” She let out a breath. “Those like me….who can touch the Light to heal….should feel honored to help heal these brave fighters.”
“Interesting,” the elf said. He smiled faintly before he took a step back. “You are…an interesting creature, Priestess Songla. I am wondering…if you are prepared to live up to your words.”
Songla blinked slightly. “What…do you mean?”
The elf grinned and took another step back and slowly his form began to enlarge and grow scaly. Standing before the Priestess stood a rather large red dragon. He lowered his head to regard the very small priestess, gauging her reaction mirthfully. Songla stared up at the dragon, but the creature’s aura seemed calming and peaceful. Slowly, she put her paws together and bowed to him once more. “It is a great honor to meet one of your Flight, master dragon.”
He laughed, the sound booming as he regarded the Pandaren fondly. “My my, you have a spine of steel, Priestess. And still so polite.” He studied her a moment. “I have a task for you,” he said. “As you know, the Flights are not as powerful as they once were. We once were infinite….but now, after so much…the Flights need the help of mortals such as you. The task I have for you is this…will you care for one of our whelplings? Teach them how to work with mortals? Teach them your views on life? Protect them, nurture them? Will you do this?”
Songla lifted her head, eyes widening slightly. “I….yes. It would be an honor.”
Lastalostrasz’s Response:
Paved by the consequences of war, the red dragon generally found himself involved in the midsts of battle. But when the Dragon Queen called, his agenda quickly changed to satiating her favor. Since the destruction of the Dragon Soul, there was little direction with the Red Dragonflight’s involvement in Azeroth. Having grown distant with her newfound mortality, Alexstrasza was no longer enabled to cherish one of the greatest things that life had to offer. Provided with a single egg Lastalostrasz grimly accepted his task. In his mind he could only think of one place that was acceptable for raising a red dragon whelpling.
A bag rested over his shoulder as he traveled through a collection of bamboo in the Jade Forest. Upon his exit of the green straws, he’d note the Pandaren sitting alone on the hill. Regarding her while she sat in her lotus pose, he realized that a priestess would better be suited in teaching right from wrong. But more importantly, he wanted someone that could offer hope. Dawning himself in what appeared to be a High Elf illusion, he strode up the hill with a purpose in mind. Setting the bag down beside him, he’d clear his throat before initiating conversation.
Through their interaction he found himself reassured by her answers. A mortal who could exhibit the idea of fairness and respect, but be truthful and genuine in any given situation was a worthy candidate indeed. But in order to add emphasis to the situation and drive the point home, he decided that revealing his true form was necessary. Despite it being painful to shift, he let his body expand to encompass most of the area outside of the village. It would not surprise him if the inhabitants there witnessed his transformation; being one of the largest dragons within Alexstrasza’s brood, he’d easily match the height of the Temple of the Jade Serpent. Meeting the Pandaren’s bow with a low tilt of his head, he’d close his eyes to offer a sense of respect back. In his mind - this was something that he knew would please the Dragon Queen herself.
Having informed Songla of what was to come, he was pleased that she accepted without hesitation. Moving forward with his long neck, he’d gently nip at the strap of the bag and lift it towards Songla. Within the bag, the egg shifted with excitement - almost as if the whelp inside was ready to hatch and indulge in the journey of the world. When the Pandaren took the egg, Lastalostrasz stretched his wings out from his body and placed a claw on one side of the hill. His head rose towards the sky as the air in his lungs surged through his throat and into his maw for an explosive roar. Once he concluded the ceremony with a dragon’s blessing, he’d begin to flex the joints of his wings and take to the sky. Crimson flames were added in contrast of dense blue sky before he moved through the air and departed from Pandaria.
@splinterofthemindseye - Hello again! I’m happy to see that Songla is beginning her legacy in serving the Red Dragonflight. It was certainly an entertaining angle to spin and offered diversity with my submissions. I was happy to have Lastalostrasz meet with her and offer one of the Lifebinder’s youngins’ to her. Congratulations on being the 4th place Grand Prize Winner!
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