Kain audition

[Kain Highwind]

Following after his father's steps...

That was what he tried to do all these years. He became a dragoon, he became strong, he became determined. One could wonder why he chose this way, to follow after a man he used to hate so much. It was true that Kain wasn't close to his father, who was too strict and never showing love. There were only white and black for him. Gray and it's shades did not exist.

Perhaps, it was about being family. A young man would want to be like his father, having a perfectly strong and respective role model. It was only to be expected. Was it not? That was why he had to become the Commander of Dragoons and serve under Baron's King.

Kain had to leave that dream behind, feeling already accomplished with what he wanted. If his father was alive, he would be proud. At least, that was what he wanted to believe. Being the Commander of Red Wings was a full-time duty, yet it was what Kain Highwind needed. It made him feel very alive after years.

Pale blue eyes were looking over the maps, carefully examining the curves of the mountains on their desired destination. Long lean fingers traced over the route in a gentle stroke, then he tapped on a certain spot in the forests of the east. It would be a good training to visit this place before returning to Baron. If they were lucky, they would be returning home with some rare ground game.

Marking the location on the map, he offered it to the young soldier who had been standing next to him. It was a silent order, yet it was expected from Kain. He wasn't a man of a lot of words. Calm and calculating, even when there was a hint of sarcasm at times. As the younger male rushed to deliver the order, Kain took a careful glance down at the view, as his hands were resting against the wooden end of the ship. A green clearing were below them, a few trees were here and there. The early autumn was cool, yet had a certain softness in the wind. Kain could feel it against his face and even in his hair, as the wind danced with long blond strands, making them wave around his shoulders.

A Dragoon was always a Dragoon. Perhaps, no longer the Commander of them, but Kain still carried on the mantle. His bound with the wind was unbreakable. It was his cure, his addiction, his memories and possibly more than these.

"We've spotted something interesting, Sir!" Another soldier was approaching at Kain in a rush, looking to be excited about what he was telling. Slightly tanned face of the Commander was turned at the soldier, his expression was serious and careful. "Go on." Kain ordered with a strong tone, holding a certain natural elegance which was always a part of him.

"It's a dragon, Sir. A big and old one. Right in the woods of west." The soldier explained in a hurry, his wide eyes were showing he was either fascinated or scared by this new piece of information. "What should we do?"

In following moments, the ship was making a careful landing in a proper spot. The rest of the journey was continued with Kain and three soldiers walking by foot. As the Commander of the Red Wings, Kain took the lead. He was clad in his light Dragoon armour, quick and graceful. He no longer wore a helm which shadowed half of his face, hiding his eyes from others. There was a half circlet on his head, his soft blond hair was tied up in a high pony tail, long enough to reach his waist. His favoured lance was in his left hand, held in a loose grip.

He could feel the uncertainty growing on the soldiers' shoulders, as they approached closer and closer to the location of the dragon. Only in minutes, they could hear the heavy breathing coming from ahead, echoing through trees. It was there.

Their steps became slower and more silent, until they finally had the dragon in their view. The creature was quite big and heavy, black scales were shining under the early morning sun like metal. Curled up like a giant lizard, the ancient creature was breathing loudly. Giant head was resting on top of claws. Eyes were half hooded and tired. It wasn't the tiredness of the moment. It was the tiredness of many long years. The dragon was quite old, as Kain noticed. The blond Dragoon could tell since he used to take care after his father's dragon. He was old aswell, no longer able to fly. Most believed it was useless to bother with him, but Kain refused such a thing. The old dragon was what was left from his father. It was the last remain of his existence, his memories, his very being. Kain couldn't let it go. He couldn't let him go.

"Should we..." The soldier in his left started, unable to finish his sentence. He was a little frozen, not having enough courage to face a dragon. But that was understandable. Dragons were ancient creatures. Lethal and mischievous. Facing them without fear wasn't for everyone.

No.

It was just following after his father's steps... It had to be it.

"You all stay here." Kain ordered and handing his lance to one of the soldiers. But his men weren't accepting this easily. "But, Sir! It's too dangerous to go unarmed. Allow us to help you." One soldier protested, as the others nodded in agreement. They respected their Commander and liked him in one piece. Facing a dragon alone was suicide, especially how they didn't know it's nature. A dragon couldn't be tamed.

"Do as I say. Stay here." He ordered sharply, then noticed the concern in his men's eyes. His expression was softening. "I'll be fine, I promise." Then he stepped into the clearing, approaching at the laying dragon. Red eyes met pale blue ones, none were blinking. It was almost like a game of courage. But the dragon didn't move from it's place, just watching carefully, as the blond man approached. Soldiers were holding their breaths behind, remaining in their places.

Kain gave a slight bow at the dragon and stopped right before it's head. Then he went down on his knees to level himself with the old creature. His left hand was raised, reaching for the dragon's nose slowly. He was moving slow and careful, not wanting to make anything sudden.

When his bare palm was finally being pressed against the dragon's nose, Kain heaved a small sigh and closed his eyes for a moment. The dragon was simply allowing him to touch, laying there and fixing his red eyes on the Dragoon.

"My dream was to follow after my father's steps." Kain spoke gently in a whisper, talking to the dragon. Tender. He could remember the day his father's dragon passed away. He could remember how lost he felt. How alone he became. But he didn't let the dragon die alone. He couldn't. "Now I see him everywhere." And he leaned down to place a kiss on the dragon's nose.

He was really everywhere. Kain was not alone.

[Morgan Freeman]

I have no issues here! Nice job, and you get one approval! You need one more!

[Serah Farron]

Yep, this looks good to me as well! Since you have two approvals, your audition has been fully accepted! Go ahead and make the application. =)