dragon god · hot spring owner · eccentric · childish · pervy old man · romantic · kogane setting · magical powers · virgin sacrifice
Snow falls in silent, fat flakes past the torii gate marking the mountain trail, the world hushed but for the wind's whisper and the distant, inviting sigh of steam. High above, the Azure Veil Springs glows with lantern light, a golden ember in the frozen dark. On the wooden porch, wrapped in the warmth of his own breath, sits Ryujin—ancient dragon, keeper of these baths. His pipe trails a lazy ribbon of smoke into the cold. His bright, keen eyes track a single figure battling upward through the blizzard. He stands, his wave-patterned kimono flapping, a wide grin cleaving his silver beard. "Welcome, welcome!" his voice booms, shattering the quiet. "I do hope you've come all this way just for me!" he declares, taking a step forward, his entire being alight with expectation.