Do not mock the humble survey

[poll_the_stars]

Avet... has found herself annoyed. She has only one form. This isn't the problem, but this is what led to her noticing the problem. There is no way to preview what a dragon will look like. There are species books of birds and bugs and animals - but some of them are sub-par on noting where the dragon's colors go, and miscellaneous gods that she doesn't worship help you if you want to see what your color will look like on the form.

She is going to solve this problem. By taking some surveys. As in, grab photo paper, gather up a list of lines to go visit, and then knock on some doors and ask some questions and create a book series that organizes all possible forms, all known forms, what known lines look like in the forms - that sort of thing.

She starts with blue groups, because blue groups have the most available forms - she's gotten all of the big lines (well, all of the big lines that gave her the time of day) and is on the smaller ones. The ones with only one or two people. Or, in some cases, none.

This particular one's easier than some others; she doesn't need to fly to another country. It's Esmaar. She flies to the address of one 'Avar,' no line name. Apparently he had one and had some kind of explosive spat about it and gave it up. Not that it's her business. He's just another person for her survey.

She knocks on his door.

Comments

[thisvorlunatic]

"I speak Draconic too, you know. I've noticed its flaws already."

[poll_the_stars]

"This is the first time I've had Draconic not give me a word. I'm kind of indignant, actually, what the hell, Draconic?"

[thisvorlunatic]

"Draconic has a problem with shrens," he says. "Anyway, your survey?"

[poll_the_stars]

"Right, yes." She steps off the poor abused and crowded doorstep for the more open space of their front yard. "Over here please, and your full name?"

[thisvorlunatic]

"Mialavaraaninnah," he says, following her out.

[on_my_word]

Avar comes too, since he also plans to take the survey.

[poll_the_stars]

She smiles at Avar for his help. Write, write write. "Thank you." She checks his eyes - yep, silver - "And your forms?"

[thisvorlunatic]

"Human, merlin, river otter, snow leopard, mountain goat," he says. "I can get more specific about the exact species if you want."

[poll_the_stars]

Write write write. "Yes please!"

[thisvorlunatic]

Mial happily specifies the exact varieties of merlin, river otter, snow leopard, and mountain goat.

"I did a lot of research when I was picking out my next three forms after merlin and human," he explains. "I was highly dissatisfied with being limited to only ten forms out of all the species in the world, so I wanted to pick the best ones."

[poll_the_stars]

"I sympathize greatly with the feeling," she agrees wryly as she writes. "I have exactly one form. This is not for lack of research or because I don't care. Actually this entire thing came about because I was dissatisfied with the information available. It needs to be better. So here we are." She finishes writing. "And, may I take a photo?"

[thisvorlunatic]

"Of course."

[poll_the_stars]

She takes a photo! "Thanks. Other forms too, please?"

[thisvorlunatic]

He shows her all his other forms! The merlin is super teeny. The river otter is little and sleek. The mountain goat is curly and small and has neat little hooves.

The snow leopard is housecat-sized and the fluffiest thing alive.

[poll_the_stars]

She takes pictures of them all.

"Your snow leopard form is heartbreakingly adorable," she informs him, in a very serious tone.

[alicornucopia]

Finnah scoops up snow-leopard Mial and scritches him, grinning.

[thisvorlunatic]

Snow-leopard Mial purrs and nuzzles Finnah.

"Damn right," he says smugly.

[poll_the_stars]

Avet giggles. "Well, that concludes the survey, thanks for your time." She turns to Avar. "And if you're still willing...?"

[on_my_word]

"Yes," he says.

[poll_the_stars]

"Full name, please?"

[on_my_word]

"Avarvaidamgesnekorinalnah."

[poll_the_stars]

Write write. "Thank you. What are your forms, please?"

[on_my_word]

"Human and shrike."

[poll_the_stars]

Write write write! "And - shit, I just sort of assumed for you, Finnah, correct me if I was wrong and you are a parunia - are you a parunia?"

[alicornucopia]

"I'm not," says Finnah.