Author's notes: Again I apologise for keeping you guys too long. Sorry for the wait.
Chapter 9:
Thunder, Clay and Starlight Yearning
The next thunderclap rolls across the sky and echoes within the Prey Centre, but Shadowrain's presence keeps Silverlight safer than he otherwise would be even amidst Starflight's comfort. When the chamber flashes purple all of a sudden, Silverlight tries to hide behind his wings again.
"Please don't be scared mister."
"I'm sorry." Silverlight unfolds his wings slightly, so he can peer out. "But I'm afraid of thunderstorms. The thunder hurts my ears, and the storms scare me."
"Hmm. It seems you have a case of astraphobia Silverlight," Starflight considers as he rubs his head with Silverlight's to try and comfort him. "They will not hurt you my boy. You are safe inside." Starflight then looks up suddenly, giving Silverlight reason to do the same. Before them stands Glory, and Silverlight is greeted with a rubbing of her head.
"Hello Silverlight," Glory says.
"You, have dragonets now, Your Majesty?" he questions. The last time she had been here, she did not have dragonets yet as far as he can remember. Glory rises to a seating position. "Thank you Your Majesty, for your kind action." He pauses, trying to relax as the storm continues outside. "So. I get the feeling you must've been pregnant with Shadowrain when I first saw you, in the music cave two years ago," he adds, now understanding what her sarcastic "Mrs. Preggers" remark meant.
She smiles. "Yes. Indeed I was. I can see you've already met little Shadowrain. So…" She motions for her two daughters to come out from hiding. "…meet Anaconda and Firefly." Two dragonets, both only a year old, come out from behind their mother.
"Anaconda?" he asks. "Wasn't that the name for the queen of the RainWings two thousand years ago?"
"It was but I thought it would be fitting as the name for one of my future heirs."
Firefly suddenly whimpers. "Mommy! You promised I would be queen one day, not my sis! You promised!"
"Both of you are my future heirs deary."
Before Silverlight can react, Moonwatcher, Tsunami and Yucca are among the dragons fretting over Queen Glory's dragonets. He could see Qibli and Kinkajou not far away, but they quickly join in.
"Aww!" Qibli coos. "They are so cute Moon. We should, maybe have our own someday."
Moonwatcher answers him by smacking her tail across his head.
"Yeow!" Qibli yelps and begins rubbing his head where she smacked him. "I didn't know your tail was that strong."
"I'll whip you someplace sensitive next time!" (Wow, Silverlight thinks. Moon really isn't ready to start a family with Qibli yet, is she?) Moonwatcher turns to little Firefly after directing a dark glare towards Silverlight, reminding him that she can read minds. (Damn. I forgot. I regret thinking that now! Sorry!) "Hello Firefly, Anaconda and Shadowrain. It's so wonderful to meet you."
"Firefly! Shadowrain! Anaconda! Kinkajou wants a hug!" Kinkajou shouts as she rushes towards them. "I never knew Queen Glory had dragonets now! Oh, three moons, I'll take them back to Moon and mine's cave for the night! They're so darn cute! I can't wait to introduce them to Pheasant!"
The dragonets desperately look to Glory and Deathbringer. "Mommy…" they whimper together.
"I for one do want a hug," Qibli says before suddenly screaming in agony when Moonwatcher whacks him between his back legs with her tail. "Aiyeeee!"
"Seriously Moon, lighten up," Silverlight begins. "You can't go around beating up your future mate." He subsequently begins rolling around in agony, a red whip-like mark across his groin. Moonwatcher had just whipped him the same way. "Okay…" His voice is high-pitched as he gasps painfully for air. "Don't say that… anymore." He pauses, gasping. "Got it..!"
Moonwatcher satirically laughs as though nothing happened, before dragging both Qibli and Kinkajou by their horns. "Nothing to see here children." Trying to ignore his pain, Silverlight hears her scolding them even from a distance. "Three moons you two! Stop scaring every dragonet who comes here! You were just like this around Silverlight two years ago!"
Silverlight hears Moonwatcher's tail whacking Qibli and Kinkajou twice in a row each as she teaches them a lesson.
"Ahhaow!" Qibli cries.
"I'm sorry!" Kinkajou screeches. "I'm sorry Moon! I'll be good next time!"
Silverlight feels Glory helping him up. "Three moons," she laughs as he balances himself out. "I never knew Moonwatcher had to keep you all in line."
"Normally…" Silverlight groans. "…she doesn't." At least not me! his mind screams, before he awkwardly walks in pain back to Starflight with a frown. "Arh!" Three moons Moon. You didn't have to strike me there.
"Do you want me to lick it better?" Starflight interjected.
He is immediately alarmed by this sudden offer. "No, thank you Starflight!" Definitely not!
"I don't mind really. You are under my care."
"I'll be fine."
Yucca rapidly bounds towards him. "Silverlight. Maybe I should. It looks painful."
"No, Yucca." He pauses. "I-I'm afraid the academy, rules would not allow that."
"Oh, but I can be very gentle you know. You can trust me."
"The pain is subsiding now. Thank you both for your concern, but I think I'll just lay here for a moment." But he still knows the pain will return if he moves again before it ceases.
"I wish someone was showing me that kind of concern!" Qibli suddenly groans, glancing at Moonwatcher. Silverlight immediately sees Kinkajou bound toward him looking anxious, but Qibli shoos her away as Moonwatcher gives her boyfriend a less than amused glare. Her thoughts seem to contradict what her expression says however, as far as Silverlight can tell. He knows they have always cared for each other, at least for as long as he has known them, and he suspects they may have had their share of intimate moments with each other when outside the academy, if Qibli's remark meant anything.
"Can we please stop speaking this way around my dragonets?" Silverlight hears Glory demand from a few feet away. He turns to see her glaring at them all, Yucca and Starflight in particular, before she approaches Sunny and Tsunami. Her dragonets follow her in a straight line but Deathbringer stays back to talk with the NightWing and RainWing students beginning to flock around him with Tamarin and Fearless in the lead. Silverlight notices of course, Anemone following the group, clearly to stick by Tamarin's side. And he knows, however, that Anemone is secretly interested in meeting King Deathbringer too.
Over the constant thunder and bustle of the Prey Centre, Silverlight could only hear the converse with Glory nearby, but all this talking and comfort is helping him relax and forget the storm is still raging outside.
"If you want me to babysit them later," Tsunami offers, "I can do that for you Glory. I can be very soft."
"Soft? Soft around my dragonets! Don't make me laugh Tsunami. When are you ever soft?" Silverlight's ears fold down as he tilts his head in perplexion. He knows she can be very sarcastic, but this particular remark makes him think otherwise. "Anyway, I would like to enrol Shadowrain so he can start getting a proper education," she adds.
"And us!" Firefly and Anaconda pipe up. "PLEEEAAASSSEEE!"
Silverlight smiles at their cuteness, but decides to only watch rather than approaching them. He knows not to interrupt student enrolment.
"I'm sorry, dears," says Sunny, "but you must be at least two years of age to enrol here."
Firefly and Anaconda frown up at her and flop themselves down on their rears as they begin to whimper. Glory quickly gives them a gentle lick before they can start bawling, and they seem to relax.
"Aww," Silverlight acclaims as he smiles towards them. Yucca casually rubs her head with his and hugs him smiling also, carefully twining her tail with his.
"One more year little ones. I'm sure you can wait one more year. These are the rules I'm afraid," Glory states stroking the pair of them on their heads.
"B-but, mommy. We like Silverlight. We want to be his friends."
"It's true mommy, it's true!"
"Silverlight will still be here when you two enrol. He's only in his second year here."
"Yeay!" They both run with Shadowrain, back to be with Silverlight before Glory could even react.
"Em..." What is it with everyone wanting to be around me? I don't like crowds.
"They all look up to you," Moonwatcher says cheerfully upon returning with Kinkajou and Qibli now under control, but Silverlight is annoyed by what she just did.
"I told you Moon. I hate my mind being read. Please, stop doing it."
"I'm really sorry Silverlight. I should be able to control it by now. Darkstalker taught me a lot and explained how certain dragons are always insecure around mind readers, but I'm still abusing this ability."
In spite of all the concerned looks Moonwatcher receives when she said 'Darkstalker', Silverlight asks, "Who is Darkstalker? You talk about him a lot."
"Don't tell him, Moon," Qibli cautions. "We agreed to keep what happened to him between us, for the sake of Pyrrhia." He motioned at the rest of his winglet and the present teachers with his tail.
"But we can trust Silverlight. He won't go around Pyrrhia telling everyone Peacemaker's secret."
"I think we should let Queen Glory decide," Kinkajou suggests.
Glory looks up from her dragonets. "I see no problem in telling Silverlight everything. I trust him."
There are some worried sighs before Moonwatcher begins explaining everything that had happened involving Darkstalker, why Pyrrhia had been at peace for some time, and who Peacemaker is, in a whisper so only Silverlight heard it, aside from those who already knew of course. He senses that they did not want too many dragons learning the truth.
"We try to forget that Darkstalker enchanted his father, Prince Arctic, to follow his last command, and that the last one was ordering Arctic to … disembowel himself."
When she is finished explaining, Silverlight is left disturbed by all the things Darkstalker had done in the past and in the modern era. What Moonwatcher had said he did to his own father was particularly unsettling, and Silverlight knew he would never forget it as long as he lived.
Then a huge booming thunderclap brings everyone back to the present, with four teachers returning with the remainder of the dragonets that had been stuck or trapped out in the storm. Flare is among them, carrying an unconscious SkyWing over his back and Glory instantly heads over there concerned. Her dragonets rush over to Deathbringer and the students he had been talking to.
"What happened to him?!" Glory raises her voice as though she knows the SkyWing, giving Silverlight a reason to worry.
"Someone find Clay! Now! We have dragonets to take to the infirmary!"
Silverlight rushes over to the VolcanoWing, and then he too knows who the SkyWing is. A small number of dragonets also return with a clambering landing, completely soaked to the point water seeps into their very scales, and seemingly terrified by what they had been in.
"Oh no. What happened?!"
"A tree! It fell on him after a lightning bolt!" Zungenbecken cries in worry. "Moonbeam he… It all happened so fast!"
"Why did you all go out there?!" Silverlight then sees Webs checking the NightWing on his back is still secure, a depressing look to his guise. "No! Moonbeam!" He backs up in horror, then the fear of the thunderstorm returns to him almost instantly, after a bright white flash like magnesium burning fills the entire chamber. "Aah!" He flees to Starflight and cowers amidst Yucca's comfort.
Grandeur and Greatness check the dragonets they are carrying, before Silverlight hides behind his wings amidst a loud roll of thunder and a green flash. He knows the trembling SeaWing who Grandeur is carrying, and also recalls that Greatness returned carrying an IceWing he does not recognise. He seems to understand this IceWing is one of the newest enrolled students at the academy.
Thundering footsteps soon vibrate through the cave floor as Silverlight looks up towards them, with Clay charging with a limp following an IceWing Silverlight knows is very close to two of the four injured dragonets.
"Alba! Alba slow down!" Clay cries from behind her.
"They are hurt Mr. Clay. I don't want them to be hurt! They are my best friends!"
"What exactly happened?!"
"The storm!" Alba stops just before the two NightWing teachers. "No, no! Why? Why did they get hurt? Please! Say they'll be okay!"
"What happened to them!?" Clay questions in worry.
"We can discuss that later! Right now they need to get to the infirmary!" Flare exclaims before walking on ahead with the other three briskly towards Clay's healing chamber. Alba follows them amidst her tears, and Silverlight runs after them with Yucca by his side. Clay however seems saddened with his head lower than he usually carries it, and Silverlight seems to believe he may not know how to help them.
"I need to know what happened to them Flare!"
"I understand Clay. I have not said I will not inform you. I'll tell you everything once they are under your care."
"But, Moonbeam has not stirred since I recovered him. I fear he is comatose!"
"It could have been much worse Webs," Greatness sadly states. "If his Winglet were not there keeping him…" She stops mid-sentence knowing Silverlight is beside them. "I am sorry Silverlight. This is not the time or place to discuss these possibilities."
"Please, just say he'll be alright. I won't, live with myself knowing I can't help him."
"Silverlight! Are you forgetting what happened in self defense? He nearly killed you!" Flare reminded him.
"That was not him. You said the voice was Darkmatter's! How can he control dragons like that?!"
"He has — No! I shall not discuss this right now! It puts too much of a strain on me! I'll tell you everything another day Silverlight. I promise! Just, I can't explain it to you right now." He lowers his head a little unsettled.
"I understand. I'm sorry for bringing that up, but he is still my best friend."
"It is fine. I apologise for raising my voice."
"Wait!" All of the dragons walking down the corridor look behind themselves to see another SkyWing running after them. "I want to help too!"
"Ah yes. Peregrine," Clay replies. "I need four beds made, and would gladly like some extra help. But don't forget you still have your last class today. Pottery, if I am correct."
"Yes sir." Silverlight then sees Peregrine look towards him. "Hello there. I believe we have not yet been introduced. My name is Peregrine."
"My name's, Silverlight," he worriedly answers.
"You can call me Yucca!" Yucca calmly replies, before they head on down another tunnel that leads to Clay's healing chamber, where Peregrine briskly vaults ahead of them all to be as much a help as he needs to be.
Upon entering the healing chamber, Peregrine instantly starts making a bed for each of the injured dragonets, out of what they all sleep on every night in their sleeping caves. Silverlight curiously tries to watch him from a distance, as he still walks with the others towards the healing cave. He has all four beds ready by the time Clay enters with the others, where each teacher then carefully place the dragonet they are carrying.
"Thank you Peregrine."
"Can I get them what they need? Please Mr. Clay. You can check on them while I do. It is easier on you that way."
"Yes please Peregrine." Clay quickly heads to Moonbeam to check his vital signs with Silverlight there beside him, while Peregrine speeds around in search of the things needed.
"Is he gonna be okay Mr. Clay? Please, I don't want to lose him!" Silverlight notices Alba laying beside the IceWing and SeaWing.
"He has a pulse and he is breathing."
"He does?" Silverlight's eyes fill with tears among a breath of relief. "That is, such good news."
"You two are going to get better!" Alba stresses. "I know you will!"
"I have the bandages, sponges and the splints!" Peregrine states cheerfully, before checking over the injured SeaWing and IceWing. "Alba. The good news is, they are not hurt too badly."
"They're not?" She soon brightens up. "That is great news. But you said you had splints?" Silverlight by now is listening to them. "Why are there splints?"
"Mespilus' leg is broken I'm afraid. From what I can see, this is because he crashed into a mountainside. How bad is the storm out there?" he questions, dabbing Mespilus' side injury with a cold sponge.
"Very! I warned them not to go out hunting! The weather was changing when they did."
"Ow!" Mespilus cries.
"I'm sorry Mespilus. I'm being as gentle as I can." He hands the sponge to Alba. "Can you clean his wound please? I'll be back to splint his leg." He rushes to the SeaWing, still traumatised and shaking. "Please Snail, calm down!"
"I… I can't. What happened, to me… traumatised me!"
"You need to keep still." He dabs her tail with a warm sponge, cleaning the injury. "You have a broken foreleg. Shaking like this will cause more harm. And your wing, it is sprained."
"They entombed me, the falling rocks!" Silverlight sees Snail welcoming the warm sponge now dabbing and cleaning her head injury. Then there is a groan of pain from the injured SkyWing as he recovers from his unconsciousness.
"Highrise?" Silverlight rushes to his side. "Are you okay?"
"Ow!" Highrise shouts when he moves slightly, followed by painful breathing.
"No Highrise, do not move!" Clay acclaims. "Your shoulder and collarbone are damaged. You have a dislocated hip. Just be thankful you can breathe!"
"WAIT!" the SkyWing suddenly cries. "Where is my ring?! It didn't get lost out there, d-did it?!" He tries forcing himself to a sitting position against Clay's order, so Silverlight could guess, but even he knows Highrise's ring is still present on his third digit of his right talons.
"No Highrise!" Clay grabs him and stops him moving anymore. "Stay down!"
"Your ring is still with you Highrise. Please, lay down again. I'll show you where it is, just lay down and don't move!" Silverlight pleads as he watches Clay reach for another warm sponge to dab the head injury that trickles blood, once the SkyWing is carefully pushed down. Silverlight then shows Highrise his ring; knowing he will bring it close to his head, he kindly does it for him. "See. I told you it was still there."
"Oh thank the moons." His eyes well up with tears. "I can't bear to lose this! It's all I have to remember them by." He pauses closing his eyes as he lays back down, immovable and heartbroken as he holds his ring close. "I miss them." With Highrise breaking down, Silverlight warmly hugs him amidst his own tears.
"Highrise I'm, sorry." Silverlight lets go of Highrise, soon running to embrace Yucca.
"Silver. It is okay now."
"Highrise." Highrise opens his eyes again, looking up at Clay. "Do you, know what happened to Moonbeam?"
"He was struck by lightning."
"Three moons no!" Clay suddenly exclaims in horror.
"I dived to catch him, crashing on the ground trying to save him. The next thing I knew, I blacked out trying to get back to his side."
"He's lucky to be alive." Silverlight hears a voice from the cave entrance, and turns to realize it is King Deathbringer as the massive NightWing is ducking into the cave. He stops by Silverlight and Yucca. "The same thing happened to my mother, when I was only four years old. If Blister's soldiers hadn't been there, she might still be alive."
"Will Moonbeam pull through King Deathbringer?" Silverlight suddenly questions, realizing how much bringing up the past made Deathbringer's heart ache. It is easy for Silverlight to sympathize with him. There is so much of his own past he would rather forget as well.
"If he is still breathing and has a pulse, then I am certain he'll pull through."
"His vitals are good, as Mr. Clay said."
"Then he'll recover before you know it." He smiles at Silverlight grandly.
"Are you okay King Deathbringer?" Yucca questions in a way that tells Silverlight of her concern for the NightWing king.
"I am. Thank you for your touching concern little SandWing. But I believe lesson will be starting soon. You should start heading off. Let Clay and the helpful SkyWing heal these four injured dragonets now." Just as soon as Deathbringer finishes, the first gong is sounded. "Queen Glory will be here shortly to check on them, especially Highrise."
"Okay. Thank you King Deathbringer," Silverlight thanks.
"Alba. You should head to lesson now," Peregrine states kindly. "I'll be sure to care for them both for you."
"What about you?" Alba enquires. "You have lesson as well."
"Well. I'm sure Ms. Grandeur will understand my lateness." He pauses. "I'll be sure to help them recuperate, before going to class. I'll make sure they can see you after class."
"Okay. Thank you Peregrine." Alba hugs him generously, before nuzzling Mespilus and cuddling her clawmate Snail. She then heads away with Yucca and Silverlight, towards their next class as Glory rushes in with her three dragonets.
"Shadowrain darling. Go catch up with Silver. He'll be your buddy for the rest of the day, and show you around after class."
Thanks for telling me Queen Glory, Silverlight sarcastically thinks, feeling a little annoyed.
"Okay. Bye mum. Bye Firefly. Bye Anaconda."
"Bye Shadowrain!" his sisters shout as Silverlight guesses is because he is running to catch him up.
"Silver! Wait for me!" Silverlight glances towards him as he runs up alongside him. "I'll need to be taken to Ms. Sunny after class as well. And be shown around the academy."
Did he have to take after Glory? "Yes Shadowrain. I know." They all continue to Grandeur's pottery class, and Silverlight knows he will not have any time with Yucca, Starflight, Fatespeaker or any of his friends after class until Shadowrain is shown around the entire academy.
The scene in the pottery class seems silent despite the earlier storm. Silverlight is focused on making a basic jug out of the wet clay spinning on the potter's wheel before him, but whenever he tries to make a specific shape it starts to fold. Oh! Why can I not get this shape right? I was never very good at this form of art. Can I not change my class? He sees Grandeur heading to him, a little bemused by what he is trying to make. He stops pushing the bottom wheel and it spins to a stop as she sits beside him. I just know Shadowrain is having better luck than I am.
"What is wrong Silverlight? Do you want some help?"
"I just can't seem to make this, jug the way I see in my head. It is frustrating. Where am I going wrong?"
"Well. It seems you are pressing too hard for the neck of the jug you are trying to make. The way it is folding means you are making the neck too small." She pauses. "Shall we try again."
"I guess. I'll never get it right."
"Of course you will dear." Silverlight starts pushing the bottom wheel of the contraption with his foot again as he gently holds the clay in place with his talons. Grandeur then holds his talons with her own in the right positioning to help him shape the neck of the jug correctly. "See. It takes a gentle press here to keep the folding from happening." She pauses. "I'll let go now and watch your talons. I'm sure you will manage to keep them in place now."
"Thanks miss." He feels her talons let his go, and surprisingly he keeps them in place correctly. "Yeay. I'm actually, getting it right."
"Well done Silverlight. Don't forget to knead the clay and shape the jug from the inside as well."
He moves his talons up and down gently along the shape of the clay to knead and shape it, poking his claws and digits inside and wondering if that was right. "Before you go miss. How will I make a handle?" He stops spinning the potter's wheel again.
"Hmm. A handle you say. That is more difficult. You need to form the clay to the shape you want for your handle before you attach it to your pot using a minute amount of the slip I have provided you."
"Erm. What is 'slip', miss?" he asks. I've never even heard of that before. Well, except when you trip on a wet or frozen surface. He hears someone chuckle from nearby, before realising it came from Moonwatcher, and he gasps loudly. "Moon! What have I said to you, countless times?"
"Pay attention, young'un!" Grandeur scolds before he brings his attention back to her as Moonwatcher goes back to sculpting her clay replica of Qibli with a sudden dreamy expression on her face. Silverlight is stunned to see how it is very accurate, even if only half is done so far.
"Ugh! Show off."
Grandeur narrows her eyes. "Enough. You must focus."
"Sorry miss."
"It is fine Silverlight." Grandeur flicks her tail at a small pot containing an odd-looking liquid sitting on its own ledge a safe distance from the top wheel. "Slip is a mixture of clay and water. You use it to hold the pieces of clay, such as a handle in this case, together," she explains with a smile that makes Silverlight feel much more comfortable about trying again than he had so far. "Potters cut pieces off the clay and hand build the handle in question, moulding it into any shape they see fit. You can use a claw to cut clay off the main shape if you wish, just as long as you know what shape you want your jug to be."
"I never thought potters cut pieces off of what they are making. Thank you miss. I feel more confident again now."
"I'm glad for you dear." She rises to her feet. "I do hope it turns out the way you want it to."
"Thanks." He starts moving the machine with his foot again to finish off moulding and kneading the shape he wants, slicing his claw through gently with precision along the top of the shape in a snake-like pattern, and shaping its spout on one of the three highest curves. He then begins to mould the handle form he wants, before pasting over slip in two places on the jug shape after he measures the length of the decided handle. After a long five minutes, the handle is secure as he professionally shapes the two ends like a dragon's tail.
"Now then class. For those of you who have finished your creations, please carry them to the kiln at the back of the class," Grandeur pleasantly asserts. "They will need to stand ready for the firing process." Silverlight carefully carries his finished piece with a small number of others including Peregrine, Moonwatcher and Shadowrain, very amazed by all the things they made. He is particularly amazed by Shadowrain's first try and how multi-talented Peregrine actually is, and of course is inspired by him so much he decides he will study herbs and healing with Clay as a sixth lesson. He already helps out Starflight in the library with Fatespeaker after school, and now he needs to decide what to do due to his new decision. As he returns to his seat, he sees Tera's beautiful creation and remembers the first time he received a gift from her during the time they were dating.
Silverlight is younger here, sitting around in the recreation chamber due to having no lesson. Among him are only a few others, but they headed to the Prey Centre a while ago. He only had four lessons today, the ones that he chose for the last of the Spring term at the academy, and is waiting for Tera to come out of pottery class. He has something to say to her and well, there are 0nly a few days left before the Spring Dance comes around. Nearly all the other females of the academy have a partner already, but he never has had the guts to ask Tera to the dance, until now that is. When the gong resonates through the mountain, he quickly stands to his feet to await the appearance of Tera. Oh. I hope she says yes. I really am trying to be brave. In a few moments the entire chamber fills up with students, and with them is Tera.
"Tera, hi!"
"Hey Silver!" She heads to him and they nuzzle. "Have you been waiting for me all lesson?"
"Yes. I know, it's a little sad."
"No. I'm happy you waited for me." She reaches into her knapsack. "I made something special for you, in pottery class." She then pulls out a small clay sculpture and hands it to Silverlight.
"You made this, for me? Aww. Thank you Tera." Giving an inspiring look over the object, he sees how much it actually resembles him. "Wow. This looks, so much like me Tera. Thank you." They both cuddle and wrap their wings around each.
"You're welcome." She then starts to head off, trying to pull Silverlight along with her. "Come on! Let's go roll in some mud."
"Em… Wait!" Tera stops and looks to him, awaiting an answer. "I have, something to, tell you — I mean, ask you."
"Ask me?" She is a little confused. "About what?"
Come on. Be brave Silverlight. This is the only chance you'll probably get. "Em. Would you, like to go, to the Spring, dance with me?"
"The Spring dance?" (Please say yes. Please say yes! Silverlight thinks with all hope inside him.) "I'd love to Silverlight!"
"That's great! I'm sorry I never had the guts to tell you sooner."
"We've been dating for a few days. I can understand." She then goes back to pulling him along behind her.
"Uh…" Ugh. Great! Now she wants me to get all dirty. I only just cleaned myself moments ago, trying to look good for her appearance.
5014 A.S
"Tera! Slow down!" Silverlight cries towards her. "I don't think Clay's mud pools are a good idea."
"Why ever not? All the other MudWings here go there. Every day even."
"They, do?" He pauses. "I've never really realised."
"That's because you're a NightWing. NightWings can be boring. They never have mud baths."
"Oh, thanks for your kindness," Silverlight satirically remarks.
"That's why you're gonna be the first."
"What?" He tries to stop, but Tera's strength is too great. "Now wait just a minute Tera."
"Trust me Silver. You'll very much enjoy it."
"Without my consent. Tera! I don't… I can't get muddy. It's not good for my scales."
"Oh Silver. You're so funny when you try to get out of things."
"I'm glad you find me amusing," he sarcastically remarks.
"It's just around here." She pauses as they enter into another tunnel. "I promise you'll enjoy it Silver."
I'm pretty sure I won't Tera. I'd much rather be in a hot spring. Silverlight is continuously dragged towards the Healing Chamber against his own volition, and he knows he will never get out of this. If what Tera says is true then neither of them will get into trouble, but he is still being cautious just in case, carefully putting pressure on his hind leg that only recently healed enough for him to walk without a splint.
Inside the Healing Chamber, Silverlight could see all the resident MudWings lounging in the warm mud, Clay included with Peril beside him. One particular MudWing is Kuppengebirge, suggestively stretched out looking at them intriguingly. Silverlight feels insecure all of a sudden, and all thoughts rush around in his head for what Kuppengebirge might wish to do with them. It just seems like the mud gives Kuppengebirge an arousing feeling all the time. I really don't wanna be here Tera. He might, 'do' things. Sexual things. I don't want him touching me in certain, places.
"Mud rolling! Yeay!" Tera's shout comes so suddenly, it makes Silverlight jump right out of his scales. The next thing he sees, is a tidal wave of mud going straight for him when Tera dives.
"Eeaah!" He protects himself with his good wing arm. "Tera! Seriously. You just dive?"
"There's no better way to jump into mud than diving." She tries to coax him into the mud. "Please Silver. Come on in." She soon begins to roll about, in a manner similar to showing herself off.
"No!" Tera just blinks at how strongly he just remarked, upon ceasing the rolling.
"Not even a toe claw?"
"Definitely not! So many, 'cringy' things could be in there Tera."
"Like what?"
"Worms, beetles, some other irksome bugs; biters even. I can't stand the biters."
"There are none of those things in here." She pauses, batting her eyes rapidly in a manner she hopes will coax Silverlight in. "Oh please Silver. You can put the tip of your toe claw in this, warm, sloppy, gorgeous mud. I know you can be brave."
"You're not helping at all. No manner of coaxing is gonna change my mind." He watches Kuppengebirge swimming towards them in the mud, and gets the feeling he is up to something when Marsh suddenly ducks under the mud as though he is the target all of a sudden. How can he do that? This mud is gross. I guess I could, try and dip a claw in. Upon his thought he tries to touch the mud with a claw, but instead of touching the swampy mess he tightly grips the edge in an awkward stance. "No. I can't." By now, Kuppengebirge whispers something into Tera's ear with a smirk, and all MudWings except Marsh curiously watch knowing what Kuppengebirge is planning. The moment Silverlight tries to back away feeling sad that he cannot join Tera this time, both his talons are gripped by both Tera and Kuppengebirge. "Huh? Oh great." Within moments they pull him in against his will. His entire body submerges amidst the mud, with the entire chamber filling with laughter at the comedy they just saw.
"Good plan." Tera high-talons Kuppengebirge as Silverlight breaks the surface for air.
"Not fair! Yeeow! My leg!" His worries soon melt away the moment he feels the warm mud surrounding his entire body, a very calming feeling as he simply relaxes against the edge of the pool. "Wow. This is, actually, kinda nice." He sinks himself lower so the mud reaches up to his shoulders, and Tera rests her head on his shoulder when he leans on his forearms comfortably.
"I'll, leave you two be now. Have fun." Kuppengebirge swims away as if nothing happened just now, as Silverlight wraps his forearm around Tera's chest.
"Mhmm!" Tera closes her eyes with her signature toothy grin. "I told you you will enjoy it Silver. This mud is so warm and bubbly. Hot springs can never compare to this."
"Hot springs are still awesome though."
"I do agree, but still. Being surrounded by mud is a whole 'nother level of relaxation."
"True." Silverlight looks up suddenly, noticing Qibli, Moonwatcher and Kinkajou walking towards the mud pool. "Hey."
"You finally decided to have a mud bath then Silver."
"Well. Against my will at first. But I don't understand why I thought I would hate this. I love it already."
"I take mud baths all of the time," Kinkajou joins in. "It feels so good around your scales, especially when the sun is high in the sky as well."
Moonwatcher simply walks into the mud without even a care in the world, stroking her tail against Qibli's chest, seductively shaking her hips, and giving Qibli a good view, for Silverlight can see him blushing already. He just wonders what Qibli is thinking now, even though Moonwatcher is probably going to have something to say about his and her boyfriend's thoughts.
"I could tell you if you want," Moonwatcher giggles. "If you don't mind how dirty they are right now."
"Heh. No thanks. I can just imagine." She's such a different dragon when mud like this is involved. I could talk about them two being future mates without any issues. He is even more surprised when Qibli suddenly calls like only a SandWing can before jumping into the muddy pool ahead of Moonwatcher, enveloping her in a tidal wave of mud. She wipes the sludge off her eyelids to glare at him, but Silverlight can never guess what her next action will be when she suddenly starts laughing uncontrollably.
"I do hope you will clean all that mess you made," Clay calmly orders as he accepts the touch of Peril's body against him. They both seem to be enjoying every moment together.
I could just stay in here all day, Silverlight thinks before suddenly drifting off into a deep and relaxing sleep.
Silverlight is suddenly shaken awake by Clay, and he is soon shocked when not even Tera is with him still. "Huh. Tera!" He looks around a little worried thinking something may have happened to her.
"Calm down Silverlight." He gently pulls Silverlight out via the scruff of his neck, and places him down on the floor of the healing chamber. "You've been in this mud pool for too long. Tera is waiting for you in the recreation chamber. I'll take you to her." He seems worried all of a sudden. "Do you feel alright, I mean? Being in mud for too long is bad for your health."
"I don't feel any different really, maybe a little softer but that is it."
"That's a relief. Only MudWings can really stay in mud for hours on end. I'm glad you feel alright." He pauses. "But try not to do it again." They both continue to the recreation chamber, Silverlight soon understanding it is actually curfew time by the lighting outside.
"When did it get dark?"
"A few moments ago. It was getting darker about an hour ago."
"Oh," Silverlight moans. "I hate missing twilight. I love the way everything glows around me." He pauses, thinking about all the bright colours he sees on everyone whenever they are outside during twilight. "Everyone glows. It makes us all look awesome and starkly bright."
"Yes. Twilight does that very uniquely." They both casually enter the recreation chamber, and Tera immediately runs up to Silverlight rubbing herself on him.
"You're back!" She pauses. "I tried to wake you, but you wouldn't budge."
"I'm sorry." He twines his tail with hers.
"It is curfew time though you two. You better head on to your sleeping caves."
"Oh!" Tera complains. "Can't we stay here for five minutes?"
"I'm sorry Tera. The rules are the rules." He pauses. "I better escort you to your tunnel. Starflight's waiting for you."
"Okay," Tera replied, wrapping her wing around Silverlight. "Let's go!" Tera exclaims before running off ahead coaxing Silverlight to follow her as she laughs.
"Come back!" He runs after her laughing as well, and within moments they both reach their tunnel with Clay struggling to keep up behind them. "Sorry Mr. Clay. I forgot about your injury."
"Not to worry." Starflight then suddenly appears from the tunnel to greet Silverlight and Tera as well as register they have arrived for curfew time. He motions for them to go in, resting a talon on Clay in a thank you stance for retrieving them for him.
"Thank you Clay, for retrieving Silverlight and Tera for me."
"Don't mention it. I'm always glad to help out whenever I can." He bows his head before heading off for the night, back towards his sleeping quarters as Silverlight watches him go, but then Tera calls him to the opening in their chamber filling up with moonlight.
"Silver! Come look!" Silverlight rushes to be by her side, smiling as he looks up into the night sky with her. "Isn't the sky so beautiful at night?"
"Yes. It is very beautiful. Just like you are."
"Oh Silver." She blushes. "You're making me blush."
"I'm sorry." He lays down apologetic, but continues to look up at the night sky. Tera lies on her back with a grin, letting the silver of the moon bear down on her underbelly for Silverlight to see, and he stares blushing at the beauty of her sandy tan underscales when the colour draws him to her. The next thing that strikes his line of sight, are her gorgeous heart shaped golden scales around the bony ridges of her entire head as she slides towards him on her back. They sparkle like bright gold stars, and he understands now why she always shows them off to anyone she likes. "Wow. Your scales are so, perfect. The golden ones sparkle like starlight."
"You like them. I was born with these you know. I've never actually understood why though. Maybe my dad, but he left us before we hatched. I hate him. I always asked Mother Levee when Father would come home again, but she always replied with 'Soon, my child. He'll come home soon.' But he never did. And now I'm alone without my family with me." She lays on her front and rests her head down in sadness. "I'll never get to see them… ever again…" She starts to break down into tears, and that provokes Silverlight to kindly nuzzle and lick her on the face, wrapping his wing arm around her to comfort her.
"I'm sorry. Everything that happened to you, I suffered the same."
"I lost them in the war. I hate remembering it. I'm only interested in boys because I want to forget. But I do really like you Silver. You're the best." She rubs her head with his and goes to close her eyes, but Starflight suddenly appears behind them.
"Silverlight." He lowers his head to him.
"Yes, Starflight?" Silverlight looks up to nuzzle him.
"I would like to talk to you about something, alone."
"Alone?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"It is very important. I want you to be the very first one to hear."
"Oh." He seems a little sad. "But then I can't be with Tera."
"It's only a little talk with you my boy. You'll be back with Tera before you know it, but I assure you. When you hear what I have to say, you'll be over the moon. You can tell all your friends about it too."
"Yeay! Where are we going to go?"
"Just for a little stroll outside the mountain."
"Outside? During the night? I've never been outside at night!" He happily runs around Tera all of a sudden. "This is amazing! I get to go out there Tera, on this beautiful night."
"That's great news." She rises up to join in with his frolicking.
"I'll tell you everything about it." He prances left to right amidst a small game with her.
"Come along then Silverlight," Starflight happily remarks. "We'll be right back, Tera."
"Okay." She lays down watching over the edge of the ledge she is on. "I'll try and spot you from way up here."
"See you soon Tera." Silverlight gives her a peck on her snout, before jovially prancing ahead of Starflight out into the tunnels.
"Slow down," Starflight calls with a laugh, and Silverlight just knows his other friends are just staring at him in all their unique ways except Tera, as he leaves with Starflight there beside him towards the entrance chamber of Jade Mountain Academy. He is soon greeted with fresh air, upon exiting with Starflight into the wide openness outside the tall mountain.