Scarlet sighed, bored at the masses and clumps of bodies dancing in the ballroom. Tonight, her mother, Queen Copper, had thrown the annual ball.
The ballroom was decorated in bright hues of amber and gold. It was all very pretty, but terribly boring, in Scarlet's opinion.
Scarlet had been lounging on her throne when a dark red female SkyWing stumbled to the ground. She skidded across the marble, trying to regain balance, but miserably failing.
Scarlet couldn't help but titter. The entire crowd was laughing, after all. That's when Scarlet saw who the clumsy dragon had been dancing with.
He was more handsome than any other dragon I'd seen that day. Or more specifically: ever. His scales were a light auburn, with dark red highlights here and there. His eyes were an emerald green like none she'd ever seen before, gleaming under the torch light.
He was undeterred from dancing with the dark red dragon, unfazed by her antics. He seemed not to have a care in the world, and had an aura of nonchalant. He smiled and helped her off if the floor, his talon in hers. He aroused Scarlet's curiosity, whether for better or for worse, she couldn't tell.
Soon the dragon and his partner were back on the dance floor waltzing gracefully. His partner smiled at him, grateful that he had helped her get past the embarrassing scene.
Suddenly Scarlet's throne didn't seem as appealing. She launched through the ever moving crowd and found herself in front of the couple.
Bowing, the male said "Good evening, your highness." His voice was smooth and comforting. Scarlet liked the gentle trill.
"Care to dance?" Scarlet asked casually, as if he had a choice.
"With all due respect, I'm perfectly content with my current partner."
Scarlet was dismayed. How dare this stunning dragon reject her? How dare-
"Is there a problem here?" Asked one of the guards, concerned about her sudden eagerness to participate in the ball.
"No, Sir. The princess and I were just about to dance."
If he had said anything different, he surely wouldn't survive the ball without his head chopped off. Handsome and smart!
Glancing apologetically at his former partner, he took Scarlet's talon in his, and they wove through the crowd. She stared into his deep green eyes, but he was preoccupied with staring at the marble floor to notice.
At first he was silent, so Scarlet asked "What's your name?"
"Condor. And the dragonet over there," he pointed at his former partner, who had made her way over to the food table. "That's Kestrel."
He smiled over at Kestrel and caused Scarlet's stomach to churn. She didn't like the way he looked at her: lovingly, and almost protective of Kestrel. Admiration seeped out of his eyes, and Scarlet couldn't help but feel jealous.
She angrily scowled at Kestrel. Condor would be hers, he just didn't know it yet.