Planet Zar: Nexus

"I understand your arrival happened under unfortunate circumstances." Pyriel peered past Ogelbe's shoulder, likely taking in the sheep spattered hillsides. She frowned. "I'll be sad to see you go but I understand if you'd rather return to Tris'Hath. If you don't think your psionics are up to the task I can certainly offer my aid."

Ogelbe followed her gaze. The dozens of sheep bleating around the valley mirrored the delightfully cloudy midday sky. A tall oak tree broke the sea of white and green, with Vadan - the beast man shepherd - towering just behind it. Ogelbe had only spent a few weeks on Sunfall but the place emanated quiet peacefulness. Did he really want to spend the rest of his days chasing sheep around the valley? Was that much different than humiliating himself trying to herd a noble's horses? Functionally, no, but practically yes.

"It's nice here." Ogelbe shrugged. "Sunnier. Better parties."

Pyriel chortled. "Really?"

"I might be a dragon but I was functionally peasantry, none of those grand balls and fountains of wine for me."

"There aren't any of those here either."

"Not yet!" Ogelbe'd never been in a situation to ask a personal favor from a vinter before, but on Sunfall the offer of a little dragon-powered elbow grease went a long way. "Don't get me wrong, doc, I love Tris'Hath and I'd head back in a heartbeat if they needed me, but I'm no soldier. Shepherding here, stablehand there, not much difference."

"We're a very small colony, it's difficult to keep secrets here."

That was a bit of a downfall. Ogelbe didn't much like keeping to himself and he itched to cause mayhem on the island. There would be no where to run to if he messed up royally, no new farm to scamper off too - barring teleporting straight off the planet, of course. But that's what this whole show was about. He knew there were things happening in the Nexus that affected his home, that there were always new wars brewing, novel conflicts tearing across the universe.

But Ogelbe didn't want any part of that.

Ogelbe's silence must have stretched too long. Pyriel rustled her wings to catch his attention, mouth pulled tight in a frown.

"Is there no one you miss?" she asked.

"Of course!" What did she think he was, some kind of recluse? Ogelbe had tons of friends back home - lots of humanoids, fellow farmhands who appreciated the extra muscle. Rabble-rousers who appreciated Ogelbe's form of benevolent mayhem.

Family, though, that was a bit different. But wasn't it that way with most dragons? Ogelbe had parents - got to stay with them a bit longer than most because he hadn't bonded at hatching - plenty of siblings out causing their own mischief across the Nexus. No mate, though, no kids of his own. Certainly no bond. As much as he enjoyed his friends he'd never clicked with someone quite enough to share a permanent telepathic mind link with them. Pretty big ask, especially for people who tired of Ogelbe's pranks eventually.

"I mean, screw that little halfling nudist that tossed me over here," Ogelbe hid his discomfort with a chuckle. "But I dunno... I don't want to back down from a challenge. Fate threw me at Sunfall."

A sheep bleated excitedly in the distance.

"Oh, hey, watch this!" Ogelbe's grin turned true. He threw an arm around Pyriel's shoulders and swiveled her around to face the valley.

An ewe ran erratically through the herd. Sheep scurried away from her like a schoal avoiding a shark. The reason for this became apparent in moments as the ewe rampaged up the crest of the hill, displaying flashing multi-colored fleece. Vadan's burly figure thundered after her.

"Is that dangerous?" Pyriel sniggered.

"Nah, minor bit of arcana, can't do any damage. But look!"

The technicolor ewe finally caught up with the edge of her herd and jostled into a large ram. As soon as they touched the flashing color swept from sheep to sheep like spilled paint on a wet canvas. The ram struggled in the tide, bumping several sheep in the process who immediately began to light up. Soon the herd was a veritable disco of rainbow-colored sheep. Vadan lumbered through them, his face pinched in concern - grabbing at horns and pulling in various ewes to inspect their eyes, their teeth. Eventually, Vadan stopped and stomped around to face Ogelbe and Pyriel sitting on the hillside's dip.

Ogelbe grinned and waved to him.

Vadan stared.

And stared.

He burst into booming laughter, clutching his stomach as he bent over himself. His guttural chuckles boomed like war drums, sending several of the sheep shooting off for cover.

Ogelbe nudged Pyriel with a wing. "Mostly I think I'm gonna like it here."

Pyriel nodded, holding back her own giggles. "I guess so."

Ogelbe watched Vadan dropped to his butt, struck down with laughter, grabbing loosely at the nearest sheep to steady himself.

Ogelbe might find a bond after all.

Just took a fish and a crazed hobbit to get him there.