Adventures in Equestria IC.

[Lycan 01]

Godwyn takes a moment to walk over to the little baby griffon. With a kind smile down at the young chick, he stands up tall on his hind legs, rising to his full height and extending his wings to their full span, proudly displaying the armor and heraldry upon his chest. "Yes, child. My name is Godwyn, and I am a Paladin of Icarus." He then kneels down in front of the young griffon, still smiling with warmth and kindness. "Tell me little one, have your parents shared the Icarian fables with you?" he softly asks.

[Mystic Muse]

"Th-the wha?" the little baby griffin asks, staring at Godwyn in wonder. I think he has his answer there.

[Deme]

Foxglove settled in for the hope of storytimes.

[Lycan 01]

Noticing that Foxglove is settling in for storytime, and not wanting to leave the poor griffon chick confused and curious, Godwyn gives a bemused sigh. "Well, I suppose I can tell you about Icarus while we wait for your parents to show up. I'm sure they're looking for you, and they say the best thing to do when you're lost is to stay in the same place," he muses.

The griffon then crouches down at eye level with the young griffon, and smiles warmly. "Alright. Let me tell you about the Icarian Legends."

And so he does! Godwyn recounts several of the stories and legends of Icarus, the griffon who helped to bring culture and knowledge to his kind, teaching of wisdom and reason, the secrets of flight (griffons only glided and flew short distances back then, according to legend), and working to eventually turn the griffon species from feared monsters into a respectable civilization. Not to mention a few stories of his more heroic exploits, defeating dragons, demons, and other monsters not just through strength and bravery, but also wit, guile, and charisma.

"And it is Icarus who inspired me to be all that I could be," Godwyn eventually concludes with a sage nod. "Our kind is woefully lacking in the altruistic heroes of old, who ones followed the flights of Icarus for the greater good. It is for that reason that I took up the mantle of Paladin, and seek to do all I can to help this world, and the creatures that inhabit it."

[Benson]

Gearstride had listened, sprawled on her belly, using her musical note as a cushion.

"Wow, interesting story, had me all enveloped hahah heh."

[Mystic Muse]

The baby griffin stared up at the paladin in wonder. Its eyes were twinkling with excitement, and it seemed ecstatic. Godwyn may have a future paladin on his talons. The baby griffin is even clapping a bit.

(Sorry this has taken so long for me to update.)

[Deme]

"...I see,"

Foxglove said, her eyes wide and her head listing gently to one side, as if held up mostly by her own thinking. She had listened raptly, and what he said at the end only supported what she, ultimately, took away from it.

"...So this is what lurks in the hearts of Godwyns."

[Lycan 01]

Godwyn gives a sage nod. "Indeed."

The griffon then leans down, and smiles kindly at the little hatchling in front of him. "Now, you be brave and strong like Icarus, while I go look for your parents, okay? Miss Foxglove and Miss Gearstride will stay with you, and if you want more fun stories, I'm sure they have plenty to share."

He gives Gearstride a brief, sidelong glance, nonverbally telling her to keep the stories appropriate for young griffon ears.

He then gives the baby griffon another kind smile, before stepping back, flapping his wings, and soaring up through the foliage to get a bird's-eye view of the surrounding forests and lands. Hopefully he'll spot some sign of a settlement, or traces of the griffon's parents' passage through the area.

[Benson]

Gearstride only chuckled at Godwyn, grinning at him before he flew off. She turned her attention to the hatchling.

"I'm not sure how I can top that story."

[Deme]

"I can't top it...But I do have a story to tell. Do you like fishies, little friend?"

She asked, in a cheerful voice.

[Mystic Muse]

"I like fishies!" The little griffin says with excitement. "All sorts of fishies! Big ones, small ones, long ones, and short ones!"

[Deme]

"Well, this story has all of those!"
She lay down, snuggled around the little griffon, and began her story.

"One night, I was sleeping by a big river, just Foxglove and Tweedle and I... It was spring, and the snow was melting on the mountains, and the river was full and overflowing...
When I woke up, I thought I had fallen into the river and been carried away by the flood -- there was water all around me, and my mane and fur were all wet. But the water was leaping -- the water was fleeing itself in big drops, sparkling in the sun... I looked closer, and the drops were little silver fishies -- that I was being carried downstream by a school of fish!"

This was how she began a long and rambling story about her adventure with the school of fish, which carried her to a great lake, where their sea-serpent leader lived. The Sea Serpent wanted her help, for he had been seperated from his beloved daughter, and wished to find her and get her to come home, which Foxglove aided with. There may have been an underwater pyramid somehow. Along the way, Foxglove dipped into tangents like the legends of sea serpents and different types of fish.

"...I understand the daughter's feelings, though. Being apart from the things you know opens your world to new things -- things you discover, memories you make, things you learn about yourself and everyone -- that you never could have found at home... But I think it's best if, when you've had lots of fun and learned lots of things, if there's a reunion at the end."

The way she said it sounded not very pertinent, not putting a strong lesson-y emphasis on it. It was a tangent, like any other... But for a moment, she watched the little Griffon's face carefully, before turning her head skyward and finishing, after a length pause,

"...oh. Yeah. That's the end."

[Mystic Muse]

He then gives the baby griffon another kind smile, before stepping back, flapping his wings, and soaring up through the foliage to get a bird's-eye view of the surrounding forests and lands. Hopefully he'll spot some sign of a settlement, or traces of the griffon's parents' passage through the area.

He notices a small amount of smoke, characteristic of a campfire a ways away. The plume is too small to see from down in the forest itself, but it's clear from the treetops. It's as good a lead as any.

"Well, this story has all of those!"
She lay down, snuggled around the little griffon, and began her story.

"One night, I was sleeping by a big river, just Foxglove and Tweedle and I... It was spring, and the snow was melting on the mountains, and the river was full and overflowing...
When I woke up, I thought I had fallen into the river and been carried away by the flood -- there was water all around me, and my mane and fur were all wet. But the water was leaping -- the water was fleeing itself in big drops, sparkling in the sun... I looked closer, and the drops were little silver fishies -- that I was being carried downstream by a school of fish!"

This was how she began a long and rambling story about her adventure with the school of fish, which carried her to a great lake, where their sea-serpent leader lived. The Sea Serpent wanted her help, for he had been seperated from his beloved daughter, and wished to find her and get her to come home, which Foxglove aided with. There may have been an underwater pyramid somehow. Along the way, Foxglove dipped into tangents like the legends of sea serpents and different types of fish.

"...I understand the daughter's feelings, though. Being apart from the things you know opens your world to new things -- things you discover, memories you make, things you learn about yourself and everyone -- that you never could have found at home... But I think it's best if, when you've had lots of fun and learned lots of things, if there's a reunion at the end."

The way she said it sounded not very pertinent, not putting a strong lesson-y emphasis on it. It was a tangent, like any other... But for a moment, she watched the little Griffon's face carefully, before turning her head skyward and finishing, after a length pause,

"...oh. Yeah. That's the end."

The baby Griffin claps, eyes still wide in wonder. They seem to be babbling about how amazing so many different parts of that story are that they barely manage to finish anything resembling a coherent word.

[Benson]

"Wow, interesting story there Miss Foxglove, heh, sounds like you led an interesting life heheh," Gearstride lazily chuckled. She floated some musical notes over towards the baby griffon to play with.

[Lycan 01]

Godwyn wastes no time! He flaps his wings, and soars off towards the campfire. He then drives towards the source of the smoke, before flaring his wings, leveling out, and landing on his hind legs in a rather dramatic fashion, talons raised defensively, and eyes looking around for any signs of life or danger. The emblem of Icarus emblazoned upon his breastplate is clearly visible, making his status as a Paladin clear to any who might recognize it, particularly other griffons.

[Deme]

"It's certainly a life. I'm definitely alive for it."

Foxglove agreed, nodding. She was very pleased by the result on the baby griffon, whose incoherent compliments she accepted with a nod.

[Mystic Muse]

Godwyn wastes no time! He flaps his wings, and soars off towards the campfire. He then drives towards the source of the smoke, before flaring his wings, leveling out, and landing on his hind legs in a rather dramatic fashion, talons raised defensively, and eyes looking around for any signs of life or danger. The emblem of Icarus emblazoned upon his breastplate is clearly visible, making his status as a Paladin clear to any who might recognize it, particularly other griffons.

There are indeed two other griffons at the campground. They recognize the emblem, but don't seem to think much of it. They probably don't believe in Icarus themselves. They don't seem hostile, but they do look worried.

[Lycan 01]

For a moment, Godwyn stands there looked poised and badass, his beak taught, his expression stern.

He then cracks a cheery smile. "I trust you're the parents of the little hatchling I stumbled upon earlier?" he asks with jovial warmness.

[Mystic Muse]

For a moment, Godwyn stands there looked poised and badass, his beak taught, his expression stern.

He then cracks a cheery smile. "I trust you're the parents of the little hatchling I stumbled upon earlier?" he asks with jovial warmness.

They both nod, clearly worried.

"Where is she?" The father asks like he's at his wit's end. They're apparently good at looking calm, but man...

[Lycan 01]

"A short flight back," Godwyn says with a tilt of his head. "My companions are watching over her for the time being. She's perfectly fine. Come, I shall lead you back to her," he says, turning to flap his wings in preparation for flight.

Assuming there's no issue, he'll take to the skies and lead them back to their kid.

[Mystic Muse]

"A short flight back," Godwyn says with a tilt of his head. "My companions are watching over her for the time being. She's perfectly fine. Come, I shall lead you back to her," he says, turning to flap his wings in preparation for flight.

Assuming there's no issue, he'll take to the skies and lead them back to their kid.

There is definitely no issue, as the parents fly back with Godwyn to see their child. Upon reaching the area, the little Griffinling rushes them and hugs their parents.

[Deme]

Foxglove pulls back from the happy reunion, taking a few steps closer to the trees, or to watchful Tweedle. Still... She has a very small but sincere smile on her face.

Good, he found them. Or...um...They found him. Several acts of finding may have occurred, either simultaneously or sequentially.

[Lycan 01]

Godwyn lands next to Foxglove and Gearstride, and smiles cheerfully. "All's well that ends well, yes? Looks like a job well done."

[Benson]

"Oh gosh....right in the feels I have ta say," Gearstride grinned and nodded her head. "Ya two did good work."

[Mystic Muse]

The two parents, after embracing their child for a little while, thank the adventuring party.

"Thank you. We're sorry this happened, we promise we won't let it happen again. She just wandered off all of a sudden." The mother explains looking thoroughly embarrassed. "Any way we can repay you before we head on our way?" She asks politely.

[Lycan 01]

Godwyn smiles meekly. "You owe us nothing. We were merely doing the right thing. Though pray tell, what brings you out here to these wild woods? It is uncommon for me to see my own kind in Equestria, even in the more civilized and settled regions. Are you lost? Or do you have some tasks you are undertaking, and could perhaps be assisted with?" he inquires, subtly fishing for info not just to sate his curiosity, but to perhaps find more ways to help them out.

[Deme]

Foxglove blinked. She considered this statement, and from her position edged a little way from the group, couldn't help but think that she wasn't sure if there was any way they could repay them. It wasn't as if she particularly felt they should be repaid, just for being good people... But was there any way they could be repaid, if they wanted it?

Her gaze drifted about until it landed back on the couple, and she said in a dreamy tone,
"...I'm not sure... I forgot what we were doing."

[Mystic Muse]

Godwyn smiles meekly. "You owe us nothing. We were merely doing the right thing. Though pray tell, what brings you out here to these wild woods? It is uncommon for me to see my own kind in Equestria, even in the more civilized and settled regions. Are you lost? Or do you have some tasks you are undertaking, and could perhaps be assisted with?" he inquires, subtly fishing for info not just to sate his curiosity, but to perhaps find more ways to help them out.

"No, we're not lost, we're just casual explorers. Our little one ran off when we weren't looking. We don't really need help with anything else now that we've found him. Thank you kind adventurers. And, since it doesn't seem like we can help with anything, we'll just be on our way." The mother says kindly. If the party can't think of anything, they'll be on their way, and they'll inevitably reach the castle.

[Lycan 01]

Godwyn waves farewell with a cheery smile. "Take care! May Icarus guide your flights..." he says with a nod, as they take their leave.

Once the griffon family is gone, he sighs contently. "A job well done. Thank you for your assistance," he says to Gearstride, Foxglove, and Foxglove's menagerie. "I suppose we'd best get back on our way, then? Old castles won't find themselves..."

He immediately realizes Foxglove will probably try to argue that, and with a bemused smile, begins to walk along, anticipating the imminent existential-architectural musings from the unicorn.

[Benson]

Gearstride had watched the proceedings with a warm smile, happy that the little one was reunited with their parents.
--

"Tally-ho to and fro away we go~!" Gearstride declared as she joined Godwyn in continuing on.