A lone fighter sits to the river to reminisce; but, they're interrupted by a rather unsurprising visitor.
This story is teased by my poem Reminiscence

(At the moment, this story preview does not have any formatting – this means character thoughts aren't differentiated from plain text.)

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Lavender Stained Red [Dragon vore]

I eventually arrive at the source of the endless ambient noise – a secluded little river. My boots drag lazily across the grass, my breathing hoarse and laboured. Reaching the water’s edge, I don’t waste another moment on my feet. After a rather dramatic fall to my knees, I take a proper seat next to the water. I immediately begin to remove the heavy apparel draped over my fatigued body.
I first remove the large sword on my back, being awfully careful when placing it on the ground next to me. Next, the thick leather tunic. Finally, I feel as though I’m able to breathe again. Wanting more pleasure of liberation, I remove my over-shirt as well – the pools of sweat over my torso freeze as they come into contact with the surrounding atmosphere. I shiver for a second, needing to adjust to the new temperature. I subconsciously pull my slick hair back, removing the rebellious strands from my eyes.
My boots now come off; I gingerly lower my feet into the endlessly flowing river, suddenly attacked by another shiver. Having removed all the necessary layers, I slowly recline back into the itchy grass. My eyes meet the cloudless orange sky, I regard the evolving horizon with reminiscence. I pull both my arms up to my chest, mindlessly weaving my fingers around. The wind howls for a moment, acknowledging my presence.
“Sorry I’m late,” I whisper. My eyes dart across the late evening, thoughts racing behind them. “I’m sure you know how it is,” I continue with a chuckle. “There’s always a problem to solve... Though, I probably shouldn’t spend all my time making up excuses to you.”
I clear my throat quietly, sniffling idly as I let my thoughts pile up. Starting has always been hard – just finding what to say. “I, um... I’ve missed you – obviously. I feel like there isn’t a minute that passes during my day where you aren’t present with me. It’s-it’s hard. I honestly don’t know how I do it. I... know that you’re still there, but it still feels like there is something missing inside me. I keep thinking of things that I wanted to say to you, or that I should have said-- that I should’ve told you. The-the nightmares still happen sometimes. There’s this... this looming darkness that I can feel following me everywhere. And, sometimes, it feels stronger than you. I don’t know what to do-”
I shift a hand over to the grass under me, imagining a labyrinth of deep-purple scales trickling between my fingers. I remember the warmth that I once felt – while laying at this river. The company that protected me from any sort of negativity or pessimism. I remember the deep, dilatory gusts of rhythmic and warm breaths. I remember the bliss of it all, the knowledge that I was not alone. “It feels like I’m somehow slipping away from the world. Like, it’s not real – or, I’m not real. I can’t describe it to you – how it feels. I fear that you’re watching me from – well, wherever you are – with an eye of disappointment. I know I kept things from you, I was never open about my feelings and thoughts.” I make a shaky sigh, searching the sky for some sign – one that tells me she’s here.
I close my eyes slowly. The grass folds under me, surrounding me in a warm embrace. Again, my skin contacts with the rough, tepid scales. You’re real, you’re here with me~ I know how you feel, but you have to ignore it. I will never stop having the desire to hold you close~
With open eyes, I lean back up. I rub my hands up and down the coarse surface of my pants. I take a few slow breaths; my mind pauses for only a moment. “Thanks, my lavender. I’ll try not to be late for my next visit-”
I watch the river, lost in its trance of perpetual motion. The world gradually darkens around me, the surrounding forest becomes alive with sound. I hear the sway and shift of every tree and patch of long grass. My mind grows numb upon the trance of scenery – the thick green that surrounds me. Birds flutter past, calling for each other. A group even lands across from me on the other side of the river. Three matured adults, all representing fabulous mixes and shades of green, yellow and even a little orange. A smaller one follows the others as they hop about the dense grass; a constant, raspy resonance of dependence leaks from its beak as it tracks the other three.
I slowly find my longsword at my side, calmly picking it up and holding it across my lap. I remove the blade from its scabbard, gently sitting the scabbard to my left. The blade catches some of the dancing reflections from the water – spreading the warm light further into the darkening environment. I run my hand across the flat side of the smooth metal; its cold touch pulls me away from the previous consolation of company. I carry the blade up close to my eyes, searching for any chips or discrepancies. It looks almost perfect, this comes as a surprise to me as earlier today had brought quite a challenge.
I do, however, find a few faint, red stains. Not wanting to risk my blade gathering rust, I acquire a small oil vial and rag from my belt. Holding the rag with a formed tip, I open the vial and allow only a single, diminutive drop of the olive oil to sink into the tainted cloth. Tenderly, I clean the blade with the oiled rag. Soon enough, I've covered every corner of the metal’s surface and removed all the dried blood. With the other side of the cloth, I dry the blade – then gingerly slipping the blade back into its scabbard. With both my legs folded under me – my knees digging into the soft soil – I place the longsword back onto the grass at my left and close my eyes. The sounds of windy liveliness grow quieter with my resolve; the thick air of mysticism and loneliness retreats with my composure; the smell of a moistened evening, more tolerable with my crowning serenity.
“Do you plan on stalking me all evening, or are you going to show yourself?” I call into the forest, still facing the river. My eyes open upon the sound of unnaturally crunching leaves and squelching soil. A stifled gasp of surprise reaches my ears, not long before some more footsteps make their way into the clearing with me.
With my longsword still on the ground, I stand and turn to face the enigmatic figure. A dragon, one standing at about my height. Its scales are shaded in various colourations of yellow and orange, complementing the plummeting sun.

Its eyes regard me with intelligence, deep green irises contrast the colour of its body – igniting the forest with more conformity of nature’s shade. It calmly releases a breath every now and then, not seeming to stray from my gaze. I continue to challenge the dragon, freezing my position and retorting with a glare.
“One with experience, I assume of you.” The dragon states, immediately withdrawing to a seated position.
“Yes-” I give a slight bow out of courtesy, taking a few steps forward and descending into a squat.
“A bow? You’re not a hunter, then – I suppose.” The dragon concludes, arching its head closer to me – I assume for a better study. Taking a bow of its own a second later.
“No, I wouldn’t consider needlessly killing your species.” I state bluntly, inconspicuously examining the finer details of the dragon’s scales and stature. It seems younger – I can’t find any distinct marks as a sign of previous battles; it also regards itself quite resolutely.
“But, your perception and awareness, again, allude to you being experienced. I assume that blade isn’t for decoration, either...” The dragon says, looking over my shoulder to the edge of the river. “What are you doing here?”
I conservatively rise to my feet, not wanting to impose or project myself on the dragon. “Cleaning my blade.” I turn and walk back to the pile of my belongings, kneeling down to put on my boots. I hear the dragon approach from a few feet to my right; it stops at the water’s edge and takes a quick drink.
“A place of reminiscence, perhaps?” It asks without looking at me.
This draws a pause from me, I think for a moment of an answer – or if one is necessary. I can tell from the tone of the question that the dragon simply doesn’t understand the gravity of this situation. “No; just a quiet place for me to maintain my blade.” I reply vaguely, applying the tunic to my chest and scabbard to my back.
Turning again to face the dragon, I find that its expression changes. I have been expecting the dragon to want something from the exchange – it seemed to linger. The dragon looks above me to acknowledge the fading light of late evening. “It’s late and I haven’t found anywhere to stay or work, yet. I’ve been forced to travel after being exiled from my clan.”
“There’s enough room for you where I’m staying.” Seeing that the dragon took a moment to pause, perhaps to find a way to ask the upcoming question, I made it a chance for me to answer. I wouldn’t have expected from myself to give another such charity, especially given the circumstances and reputation I had to uphold. But, given its youth and background, I find a place deep within myself that possesses empathy for the dragon.

The dragon takes a moment to acknowledge that I had already answered, only a little surprised that I gave such a quick and resolute answer. It places a forelimb forward and takes another blow – drawing it a little longer this time. “Thank you.” The dragon rises its head to meet my gaze, regarding me with a faint enthusiasm. “May I know your name?”
“Elric. Do you have a name?” I ask, frivolously moving over to the side of the dragon.
“Avice Peregrine.” I give a meaningful nod and continue forward, walking back towards the settlement. She follows closely behind; from the corner of my eye, I can see the lustrous pair of green eyes further examining my clothes and scabbard.
“You have a title?” We break into the trees, I use the top-side of my forearm to swat away any rogue branches. A warm exhale meets my back every now and then, threatening to pull me into the past. I try to stay in the moment, not wanting to taint it with loss.
“Yes. It’s not a formal title, though. I just wanted to give myself a little more value and purpose – to feel like I’m more than a nomadic outcast.” I dip my head a little in understanding; though, still not allowing myself to leave the moment. Dragon clans are often quite unforgiving. I can only imagine the pain and change she’s had to endure since then. “Aren’t you going to ask about me being exiled?”
I think for a moment, following the shadows as they surround us alongside the trees. “Do you want me to?” I ask in a genuine tone, finally allowing myself to – once again – regard her soft green eyes with my own.
She looks away, squeezing her eyes closed for a moment. “No-” She looks back up at me, I notice the underlying feeling she has of disappointment in herself. “Sorry-”
I sigh quietly, understanding that she’s probably been alone for a while. “It’s okay – it has been a while since I’ve had someone to talk to as well.”
––––––
I cautiously dip my bare feet into the rushing water, barely stifling a shake from the cold. The gentle warmth at my back helps, though, with the cold water. A delicately purple-scaled appendage slithers into the water to my left, resting along the side of my leg. My right arm slips from its position on my leg, resting on top of a deeply violet forelimb. I let my head fall back, eventually stopping to rest on the convivial side of the dragon.
“How are you?” She asks softly, blowing a waft of hot air into the side of my face. Then moving her muzzle to play with my hair.

“Better now. I just can’t stop thinking about the threats and movements. What if I have to go, and I don’t come back? Or worse: what if they find you?” I shift to the side a little, wanting more of her warmth.
Her foreleg swings around to tuck in my waist, her head now rests on my legs. I silently fidget with the smaller spines on the back of her neck, earning a smile. “They won’t find me, and they won’t know about us. But, if that day comes – if you need to make a stand with your people – I will watch over you.”
“No, no. You don’t have to do that. I could lose you.” She picks up her head, looking right into my eyes. The blood red shines right through me, I can see the resolve behind them. But, she softens immediately. Another nuzzle meets the side of my cheek, painting it a warmer shade.
“If I lose you, there is nothing left for me. There is no settlement, there is no legacy, and there are no other connections. These are all the things you have to lose alongside me. I would not recover, I would never move on. And the same may be true for you, but you have more. It may be selfish of me, but it’s true.”
––––––
The forest grows thinner – a sign we’re nearing the settlement. The sun has disappeared now, leaving a shroud of darkness to fill every corner and crevice. Avice remains at my side, not really talking since we first left. I find myself stealing a peak at her every now and then, thinking back as well. It has certainly been a while since I’ve had the company of a dragon. She seems rather reserved, however. I smile a little, remembering the days when I wasn’t experienced at interacting with her kind.
I used to be like everyone else. Treating them like brutish animals. As if they were all inclined to conquer the world with nothing but they’re natural superiority of strength and awareness. People aren’t commonly very adaptive or ready to change their views. You grow up hating and fearing dragons, and that’s how you stay. Well, some people are exposed to more intense calls for change than others. Respect is all I can give, now; they’re just like us.
I slip a little with each step as the ground grows softer, I can hear the ambient squelching of Avice’s steps as well. “Not much farther,” I reassure. I know it can get awfully cold once night dawns, especially so for a draconic creature. I can now see each of her breaths – as well as my own – project into the darkened atmosphere as a white, cloudy mist. The ground becomes a little harder to walk on as a result of there no longer being any trees and our, now evident, proximity to the town. Many tracks of horse hooves and cart wheels act as ink strokes to parchment in the malleable earth.
Laughs and shouts of joy pierce the night as we near the entrance of the settlement. “I’m not sure about this. In the previous towns I’ve visited, I’ve

been met with... less than friendly faces.” Avice stops at the entrance, shyly looking away from me.
“Then focus on mine-” I give her a somewhat welcoming smile, something I haven’t had the energy to force upon myself in a while.
She looks at me silently, I can see the thoughts scampering behind her eyes. “Okay.” She replies simply, dipping her head further in the direction of the settlement.
––––––
She gasps with weak, wheezing breaths. I tenderly stroke her neck, tears streaming down my face. Metal clashes around me, but I hold no care for everything but her. Her beautiful, violet scales – now stained red. “I can’t do this, I can’t... I--” I choke, my throat hurting from the mental turmoil.
“Hey... Focus on me – focus on me.” She haphazardly lifts her head and looks at me for a moment before holding her forehead against mine. “If I only had one last breath--”
“N-no. Don’t-don’t do that.” I cut her off, tucking an arm under her jaw with my other resting at the top of her neck. More tears escape the edge of my eyes as I gasp for air.
“... I’d spend it with no one but you.” ––––––
“We have to go through most of the settlement to reach my lodging.” I say to the dragon, getting a meek nod of understanding. I quickly return to silence, barely suppressing the bubbling reminiscence.
We pass the over-encompassing arch that sits above the tall wooden walls of the settlement. A fiery orange lights the streets, and the fronts of shops and stalls. The main road is empty at this time of early night, the distant and stifled calls of rapture persist as we pass the tavern. I keep a keen eye for anyone on the street, regardless of the apparent vacancy, not wanting any conflicts to arise.
The noise dies down now – we’ve made it past the tavern. I can see the rows of aligned lodgings ahead, only kept from us by a few more market buildings. “Hey! Longsword!”
“Bastard-” I curse under my breath, stopping and turning to face a group of drunkards and their blades. A few wobble on their feet, but one distinct figure crowns them all. He holds two broadswords, pointing one directly at me. Avice slowly turns after me, keeping herself low as if not to draw attention. “Get out of here!” I shout with a strike of my arm, taking a few steps in front of Avice.

“You need to stop looking for fights!”
He suddenly breaks out in a low chuckle, ending it with a threatening glare. “Do you remember what I told you after the raid? You traitor! You were given a second chance! And I told you that if you were ever to be seen with one of them again... I’d personally end them- You have no honour – not for your people, your kind. You’d rather save them, than fight alongside us. You make me sick, and that thing – it will die whether you yield or not.”
I slowly draw the longsword from its scabbard with my right hand; I let my other arm rest against my back, opening my palm as an instruction for Avice to stay behind me. “You may try. But, the only one dying under these stars will be you.” With a slight bend in my legs, I hold the longsword from my abdomen – angling it so the tip is in line with his head. “You want to keep true to what you said? Show me-!”
With a primal shout of fury, he sprints towards me. I notice the others simply stay in their place, awaiting for the results of the duel. He hastily decelerates once he comes close to my blade, seeming to anticipate a thrust of my longsword. I take a sudden step forward and cut from his left shoulder, he nimbly ducks under the blade and dashes to my side. I take a step back, avoiding a slash to my chest. He thrusts his other broadsword into a stab at my stomach, I manage to pull my blade back just in time to only catch a cut to my tunic.
Taking advantage of him still recovering from the parry, I throw my longsword forward with a jab aimed at his neck. He slips out of the way and backs up, twirling the broadsword in his left hand a few times. I return to the same position as before, my eyes locked onto his chest. He rushes forward again. I take a small step forward, raising my blade. As my foot hits the wet dirt, my blade flicks to the top of his head. A quick step to the side and swat from one of his broadswords clears him from the lethal blow, leaving him at my side once more. Before he can thrust again, I kick at his stomach. While stumbling back, he manages to swing a blade around and slash my thigh.
My foot plants awkwardly, the pain amplifying by the second. Attempting to push past it, I initiate another diagonal strike from his left shoulder. This time, he uses his blade to push mine up a bit more so he can duck under it. With a curse, he drops the broadsword from his left hand, shaking it. “You can only take so many cuts before you fall.” He taunts with a deranged chuckle and grin, moving his left hand to rest at his back.
“I only need to cut you once.” I spit back, returning to the same position again.
He scoffs, raising his blade far above his head as he sprints towards me. I pull the hilt up to the left side of my face, aiming for a stab at his chest while also blocking the attack. With a volatile yell and erratic crouch, he cuts the inside of my chest and lands to my side. Not yet feeling the pain, I turn and thrust at his neck again. He takes a few steps back and begins laughing. I steal a brief glance at my chest; luckily, as he’s just one-handing the broadsword, the blade

didn’t pierce too much of my tunic. Although, I promptly begin to feel the growing pain of the slash.
“How many more of those do you think you can take?” He asks with an energetic tone.
I don’t reply, shifting my gaze to his legs. He dances around for a moment before solidifying his stance. I return to my same stance, earning another scoff from him. “You think that will work this time? I guess you really must not know how to fight-”
He snarls a few times, all of them saturated with a mocking chuckle. I continue to watch his planted feet, still with an eerie silence. Then, his feet strike forward to initiate his last attack. But, this time I meet him. My blade sinks deep into his chest, leaving his broadsword to fall to at his side. I look up to the abating glow of his eyes, reading shock. I lean in close, pushing the blade deeper as I wrap an arm around his back. “The only one without honour is you- ”
I yank the blade out, projecting a large swing and flick – throwing blood from the red-stained iron. I glare at the remaining patrons, seeing the terror in their eyes. They quickly retreat, no longer wanting to be a part of this massacre. However, a few stay – baring their weapons with confidence. I can’t fight them all, and they know it.
I stumble a little from the wounds, coughing. But, the remaining courage and resolve in me takes control. Without fear – without a thought of mercy – I take my stance, pointing the blade at the advancing men. “You want to kill me for some twisted image of honour and justice; to make the same mistake as him? SHOW ME-!”
I begin walking forward, allowing the tip of my blade to drag across the ground behind me. I hear the click of a crossbow, directing my attention to the man at the very back. “Bolt!” He shouts; I see all the others drop to a crouch from the corners of my eyes. Quickly, I dash to the side. Barely avoiding the fast-flying arrow, I find myself far closer to the other man with a longsword.
I swing mine up in front of me, holding it in line with my stomach – the blade pointing behind me. He primes his blade in the air and brings it back down upon me with a stomp in the dirt. I parry it and complete the circular motion with a downward strike to his shoulder. He quickly pulls his blade back and parries mine the same way, also making the same counter attack. I parry his again with a circular motion and aim for his shoulder. Seeing his blade already beginning to return for a parry, I twist my blade around his shoulder and slash across his chest. A quick thrust to his stomach leaves him sputtering on the ground.
I turn to see the crossbowman aiming at me. Immediately, I duck out of the way; he scores a skim to my arm. I’m pulled back into the pain, my joints and muscles grow brittle with the reminder of my mortality. I shout like I have

never shouted before, releasing all my hatred, sorrow and hesitation. I hold my blade forward for a stab and sprint at the ranger. He stumbles back and starts to run.
A short sword suddenly comes into view, catching my right arm. I spin around counter-clockwise and throw my longsword out at chest height. I hear the clash of iron as a blade is flung into the air. Not bothering with the disarmed enemy, I continue to rush towards the ranger. Eventually, I catch up and sink my blade straight through his back – almost falling to the ground with him.
Screams sound from behind me. I quickly spin around to find the last man with his shoulder pinned by the deep red interior of a dragon’s jaws. Blood trickles down the orange and yellow scales as the man gasps for his last breaths.
––––––
“You know,” she begins. “I’ve always wanted to try something with you~” I see the shadows shift as her tail sways along the wood floor. Her head raises in enthusiasm upon the abruptly uttered words.
“Is this really the time or place? Every person here would have my head if they had known I brought you with me to my home. Now you want to try something with me?” I fold my arms disapprovingly across my chest, trying to project a frown. Deep inside, though, she knows how to play on my curiosity.
“Of course it is. This is perfect! All you need to do, sweet Nightfall, is trust me~” She tenderly draws herself closer to me, seeming to deliberately raise her posture far over my body.
“Nightfall?” I inquire, holding out a hand. “I thought you liked Dawn-”
She meets my hand with the tip of her muzzle, the domineering demeanour already dissolving into soft affection. She leans in close, licking my cheek with only the tip of her tongue. “I’ve decided I like Nightfall better,” she whispers.
I already grow skeptical from the lick, never having received one of those from her. But, all my questions fade as she parts her maw as wide as she can. I silently look into her mouth, the deeper confines of her throat barely illuminated by the nearby lantern. My hand shakingly withdraws to my chest in a position of defensiveness, I make a startled gasp. “Trust you?” I echo quietly, unable to pull myself away from her gaping maw.
She steps closer – ever so slowly and cautiously. I, however, don’t find myself slipping away. I almost get the urge to meet her, to sink myself entirely in the warm atmosphere. Her tongue reaches for me again; only, this time, she isn’t so reserved. It stains the right side of my face, saliva tracing from my chin to my hair. At first, I close my eyes fearfully – but quickly grow fond of her delicate touch. I look into her maw again, imagining what it would feel like to be eaten. “Okay...” I conclude, submitting myself to her wishes.

In response, I feel the foreign confines of her maw encompass my upper body. My head already meets the entrance of her throat, I feel it shiver before relaxing to allow me inside. Electricity crackles through my muscles and joints as I slip further inside of her throat, a feeling I’ve never felt before. It’s as if I simultaneously hold acceptance for the end and an unwavering grip to continue living – as if my body has surrendered and yet declared war all at once. My hands are forced against my hips as my upper body leaves her mouth.
There’s a loving pressure from all sides, a beckoning to continue deeper. I can’t see anything, but the sensitivity of my skin grows exponentially as I’m drawn closer. My thin clothes are easily soaked in her saliva, only making the feeling more enjoyable as I glide through the contorting muscles and warm interior. My legs leave the cold outside as my upper body finds itself basking in even more intense heat.
I curl up to the edge of the stomach, still distracted by the ecstasy of her throat. The atmosphere is thick and my surroundings drenched in an intensely comforting liquid warmth. I think to myself for a moment, entertaining the thought that no one else has experienced this before. I immediately appreciate the full extent of what she’s doing for me, the closeness, comfort, and charity of her omnipresent company. The last of my extremities meet me in the rather small enclosure, sealing me within the bounds of her mercy.
“Thank you, my Lavender. I couldn’t ask for affection better than yours~” ––––––
"Elric! Hey! Are you okay?" I feel cold – so cold. Everything is numb, I can barely make out the gentle evening breeze against my face.
By instinct, my hand rushes to meet the gash at my side. I can feel the blood as it flows between my fingers, flowing to the dirt under me like a river. "Elric! Please!"
My eyes finally open, everything is so saturated that I can hardly make out any details. Thousands of distorted lights litter the sky. But, two distinctly green ones loom over me. I cough and wheeze, writhing as blood continues to pool under me. The eyes draw closer, fatigued and tainted by thin streaks of red.
I manage the strength to reach my hand out, feeling the scales of dragon meet it. My breaths grow slower, the scales guide my hand to my chest. "Please-- please don't leave now. I have no one... I have no hope-"
I try to dislodge my voice, to free my thoughts into the open air. But, I suffocate on the words. Everything darkens; even the stars no longer guide me...