Daily artwork #327 // Pandora's box: Crowds (Patreon)

Hey guys!

Today's artwork goes to Aksan and his amazing character, Thane Caerulea <3 It's always a challenge to flesh out bits and pieces of the very detailed and complex world he developed, but always a pleasure!

As usual there is a story to go with the image written by Aksan, I hope you enjoy it! ^^

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Soft amusement crossed The Thane’s face as he waded through the crowds of Castine. Breathing deeply, he took in the myriad scents of the market square, glancing round to follow a beautiful dish going past him. As he did, his huge tail shifted to balance him and bumped into a handful of passersby. Steadying it he turned to them apologetically, seeing a mix of excited, honoured and frustrated faces but moving on swiftly. Straightening his tail behind him again, the towering figure strode onward through the market, parting the endless humans as he finally neared his destination.

Celestia stood in the archway of the large house, watching the Old Blood above the humans. She was only a little taller than them, small for a dragon, but there was still enough to her that he had picked out her intense blue scales and curves from across the square.

“It’s good to see you, my . . .” the huge dragon trailed off, unsure of how to address her.

“I know. I still get caught by that too,” Celestia purred back, meeting The Tower with a familiar hand on his waist.

“My dearest Celestia?”

“I better be. I don’t even know if there are any other Celestias,” she said with a smile, turning to lead him in through the high arched entrance, smacking his feet with her tail as she did.

“I’m sure there are some humans with the name,” he mused, following her in with a persistent smile. “I mean it though. And it is good to see you well, I really have missed you.”

Celestia smiled up at him, pausing as they entered the vast dining hall. Cupping her jaw in one immense hand, he knelt and briefly pressed his brow to hers as she softly pushed up into it. “I’ve missed you too, my tower.”

“Kept the rest of the castle though,” he joked as he looked around.

“Well of course, your daughters take up a lot of space,” she chided.

“They were our mutual creation.”

“Doesn’t mean I don’t want to say it’s your fault when I’ve got to cook for all twelve of them,” she grumbled, making her way down the dining hall, past the one immense table, towards the kitchens. “Speaking of . . .” Celestia warned, nodding at an archway to the inner courtyard, where running feet could now be heard.

“Father!” The call preceded Mercephinion round the corner, and the small monochrome dragon bounded into the room, leaping over the table as Celestia winced. Effortlessly, her father caught her, spinning her around as she bumped her brow excitedly into his. Not wanting to be put down she ended up sat on his hip, hugging him as his immense arm supported her. “It’s been years!”

“It has, little one,” he admitted as he nuzzled her head and padded on into the kitchen after Celestia. “You’re seeming well.”

“Oh yes, and Knight Gerald at the academy says I’m doing great with my training!”

“Fantastic, some of your grandmother’s blood in you after all.”

“And none of yours?” Celestia protested, popping her head up from the crowd of bubbling pots.

“Oh yes!” The Tower’s daughter almost squeaked, her flame coloured horns bobbing. “I’ve got two great warriors in the family, bound to succeed. You should come see my training sometime.”

“Now, now, Mercy,” her mother chided with a sigh. “Your father is very busy during his visit.” His golden horns nodded along with a sad smile. “We’ve only got him today because there’s no court.”

“Just today? Is it a short visit?” Mercy pouted.

“Sadly so little one, I’ve a busy schedule here and then duties back in my hold.” His daughter's snout twitched uncomfortably. “But I’m glad I get to come see the family while I’m here. No idea how often I’ll make it to Castine now I’ve responsibilities again.”

“I don’t count as a responsibility?”

“Not any more I’m afraid, you’re a grown woman.”

“A message that I’m sure would ring less hollow if you weren’t holding her like a small child,” Celestia interjected.

“Oh hush, even you like being carried around,” he said and fussed Celestia’s head, getting a grumpy smile from it. “And it’s definitely your doing that all our daughter’s are tiny.”

“Okay, that . . .” She glared at him for a bit. “Yes, fine, I’ll give you that. Speaking of all our daughters, we’re gathering for lunch with you.” She declared, before grumpling at the many dishes. “And spouses and other hangers on.”

“Hangers on?” The huge dragon queried.

“Oh!” Mercy piped up, “Bolisa has a little gaggle of humans that she keeps.”

“They are her commune,” Celestia said, to the wide eyes of The Thane, “She doesn’t “keep” them.”

“But, mother, you always say–”

“I know what I say!”

“Well,” the Old Blood said, exchanging a look with Mercy as he hid a chuckle, “Sounds like I’ll have lots to catch up on tonight. I’ll still have to get back to the palace by late evening today though.”

“Oh?” Celestia said, stealing a glance round from a huge pan of intensely red curry. “What’s the crown got you doing tonight?”

“Same thing you would,” Mercy teased before getting her tail slapped by her mother’s.

“She is right though,” he said, getting a glare from Celestia, “At least about the crown’s wishes.”

“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised,” she grumbled, searching through her spices. “Pareth is in need of an heir.”

“Surprised? I thought it might have been your suggestion.”

“I think you overestimate how much political sway I have here since your departure, darling,” Celestia said, absentmindedly going through a cupboard. “The queen is hardly asking my advice on who to take to her bed chambers.”

“Just following your example.” Mercy teased.

“Alright, little one,” Celestia said, turning on her daughter, disappointed to find herself looking up so far to her. “Where is my turmeric?”

Mercy withered a little under glares from both of her parents before slowly admitting, “I used it up painting Kara.”

“All of it‽” Celestia growled, and saw the little dragon reluctantly nod, before wriggling out of her father’s arms and running. “Fucking menance,” she grumbled once her daughter was out of earshot.

“Some things don’t change I guess,” The Thane said, glowing eyes lingering on the empty doorway long after the last glimpse of Mercy’s tail. “Shall I go and get some more turmeric?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll send Elliast for it,” Celestia said dismissively, pausing as she heard a relieved sigh. “Not missed the crowds?”

“Not in the slightest,” he chuckled. “It’s just more effort moving through the seas of people here. At least in the Dragon Quarter people move around you better.”

“You’re the one who bought the house here.”

“There aren’t many houses in the city big enough for all the girls.”

“We didn’t have to have so many,” Celestia teased, turning from her dishes to come and rest a hand in his. “I’m glad we did though. Proud of each and every one.”

“Me too,” he said with a gentle squeeze of her hand. “I am sorry we can’t be here with you anymore.”

“Oh, I knew what I was getting myself into,” she murmured and nuzzled his hand. “Illiam will be sad not to see her sister . .  aunt . . . demi-mother though.”

The huge dragon stroked Celestia’s head softly, eyes unfocused on the middle distance. “And her demi-mother is sad not to see her.”

“Still find that a bit much,” Celestia said with a rough, but not unpleasant laugh. “But do try and catch her tonight. I know the two trade letters, but Illiam’s research has come so far, and some things are hard to write about.”

“Of course,” he said and nodded, “Anything else I should try and do while I’m here?”

“Keep Mercy out of my kitchen?” Celestia jested. “The girl gets silly with missing you. Are you sure you can’t take her away? Not that I want rid of her obviously, just–.”

“Of course not. And I’m pretty sure she’d just say no again if I did offer. She doesn’t want to be without you either.”

“You’re just scared of being responsible for her.”

“Of course I am. I have to rule over an entire hold, make decisions where thousands and thousands of lives are in the balance, changed by my word. I am giving it my all, but I’m still struggling with all of that,” he cradled the side of Celestia’s face as he spoke solemnly. “If I can’t handle a hold, how do you expect me to handle our eldest?”

Celestia chuckled and finally stepped away from him. “She’s not usually half this bad, she just regresses a bit when you visit. Go find her now, talk to her about her art and her training and everything and I promise she’ll settle down.”

Bending to offer his brow, The Thane accepted the gentle promise from Celestia as hers met it. “That I will. Give her what time I can while I’m here. Same room?”

Celestia nodded before declaring “And do keep her out of my kitchen!”

“Maybe I should arrange for some proper paints to be sent over before I leave the city, spare your spice drawer?” he offered as he rose to walk away.

“As if that would stop her,” Celestia said with a sigh before straightening up too. “Maybe ask Makalia where to get some over dinner. She’s a quartermaster to the crown now.”

“Oh fantastic. I’ll have to congratulate her,” he called back before he left.