~ CHAPTER 21 ~

Shiver's authoritative glare was equal parts impressive and intimidating. As soon as it was her turn to be the 'teacher' and provide the lesson, she was able to exude an aura of dominance that was somehow hidden during Snow's earlier lesson.

Aargh, why did I make this stupid deal anyway? Snow thought, reprimanding his past self for his brashness. He was really feeling the nervousness now, as evidenced by his shrunken form sinking lower into the floor of their sleeping cave. At least Cliff is with me, he thought to himself.

"You know," Cliff whispered to Snow. "This whole 'IceWing lessons' thing might actually be helpful. Maybe it'll help you build up confidence, since, you know… IceWings usually have too much of it."

"Y-yeah, maybe," Snow said.

Cliff regarded Snow for a moment, before scooching closer to him, until they were barely separated. Snow could feel the heat radiating from his scales.

"I'm right here beside you," Cliff whispered. "There's nothing to worry about when I'm around. You can just… chill out."

Snow rolled his eyes at the SkyWing, but felt a small smile emerge. "For someone who's so good at talking to others, your jokes sure need some work."

"Are you two done with your chitchat?" Shiver asked. "I'd like to begin."

"Yes ma'am– er, Shiver," Snow stammered, feeling an eerily similar sensation to that of a teacher catching him talking during class.

"Very well, I shall commence the lesson. I request your utmost attention and focus."

Snow nodded compliantly. She was very attentive when I was talking. The least I could do is return the favor.

"Contrary to popular belief," Shiver began, "being an IceWing does not mean being 'cold and cruel and scary,' as you so impolitely suggested during self-defense class," she said with a pointed look at Snow.

"Well I think the 'cold' part is accurate," Cliff said under his breath, nudging Snow with his elbow. Snow let out a quiet chuckle that he'd hoped wasn't too noticeable.

Shiver shot Cliff an icy glare.

"Sorry, I'll be quiet now."

She cleared her throat and continued. "Though it may conflict with your over-abundant kindness in some areas, they are not necessarily mutually exclusive. The key to being an IceWing is presentation."

"Presentation?" Snow repeated.

"Yes. You must be presentable at any given moment, so that whenever you're viewed by another dragon, they recognize you as someone to be respected and feared. You are severely lacking in that department."

"…That's fair," said Snow.

"For example, you always walk with your head down, avoiding the gazes of other dragons. It does not inspire much confidence, and frankly it looks rather uncomfortable."

Has she been watching me…? Snow mused. "Sorry. I have some, uh, difficulties dealing with strangers. So I do my best to not engage with them."

"Well it's ridiculous and it makes you look pitiful," she said bluntly. "It's not just your head that's down either, your entire body is low to the ground when you walk. Dragons are going to start mistaking you for a SandWing."

"Oh, I didn't realize I was walking like that. Might be a side effect of being raised by a SandWing."

"Three moons, you were fostered by a SandWing?" she asked with disbelief. "I suppose I should've known. If you were raised by an IceWing, you wouldn't have turned out like… this." She gestured toward Snow's entire body.

"Sorry…" Snow said, hanging his head down.

"Hey!" said Cliff. "No need for rude comments."

"This brings me to my second point," Shiver continued, ignoring Cliff. "You must stop apologizing so much."

"But I'm usually in the wrong so…"

"You rarely are," Cliff interjected. "I actually agree with Shiver here. You say sorry for the silliest things sometimes. Remember when Peacemaker tripped and fell into your wet painting during art class? You were the one apologizing for some reason."

"Well, I got paint all over his scales," Snow recalled.

"No, he got paint all over his scales. He's the one who tripped, and he ruined your painting no less. He should've been the only one apologizing, but you felt the need to as well."

"Okay… I can see your point there."

"And remember that time I accidentally stepped on your tail?" Cliff continued.

"Oh yeah, sorry again about that."

"No Snow," Cliff said with exasperation. "That was clearly my fault! What are you even apologizing for?"

"My tail was in your way…" Snow said quietly, trying not to irritate Cliff further.

Cliff sighed. "Just… try to at least be fairly certain you're in the wrong before you say sorry, all right?"

"The prince is correct," Shiver said. "Apologizing when you've done nothing wrong will give others the impression that you're a feeble dragon who is easy to influence and overcome."

"Well, I wouldn't say that's inaccurate," Snow mumbled, "but I will do my best to cut back on the apologies."

"Good," Shiver said. "Always remember; you are an IceWing. You are a part of the strongest tribe in the world."

Snow could see Cliff rolling his eyes beside him.

"That fact alone should provide you with boundless confidence," she added.

"…Am I really an IceWing though?" Snow asked. "I was raised by a SandWing in a mountain. I've never even seen snow. And up until a few weeks ago, I'd never met another IceWing. I don't even look right. The spikes lining my back are way shorter than any other IceWing's spikes."

"You're still an IceWing," Shiver said. "Even despite the peculiar circumstances regarding your upbringing, and your… strange deformity."

Deformity… The word echoed ruthlessly in Snow's mind. It was the first time anyone had ever acknowledged that there was something wrong with his spines. He'd always known it himself of course, but hearing it said out loud… was painful. Much more so than he thought it'd be.

Is that what everyone's been thinking this whole time? Snow wondered miserably. He prayed that he did not look as dejected as he felt, though he suspected that his sunken wings and misty eyes gave him away.

"Hey!" Cliff objected loudly and angrily, looking toward Shiver with his brow furrowed. "Don't call it a deformity, you insensitive jerk! He's just a little different. Besides, I think his spines look better this way." He wrapped a wing around Snow. "It's like his entire being is so friendly and kind, that even his spikes decided to be as nonviolent as possible."

Snow looked up to his friend with a shaky smile, as his warmth fought back the bleak feelings. "Thanks Cliff."

Shiver looked at the two dragons with an undecipherable expression. Disappointment? Snow guessed. Or maybe it's something else. He still found it very hard to tell what Shiver was feeling thanks to her emotionless demeanor.

"I must apologize for offending you," she said with a curt bow towards Snow. "That was not my intention. While having short spines is a rather rare occurrence, it does not affect very much in the grand scheme of things. However, I am displeased to see that you needed someone to defend you. Allies are important, but IceWings are independent creatures at their core. You should have defended yourself."

"Well in SkyWing culture, when a friend is being insulted, you come to their aid," said Cliff.

"You didn't 'come to his aid.' You fought his entire battle while he cowered under your wing. What is he going to do when you're not around and he has to defend himself?"

"I'll always be by his side!" Cliff said gallantly, wrapping Snow even tighter under his wing.

"Are you suggesting you'll hang around him forever?"

"Maybe I am!"

Shiver's brow creased in a rare display of emotion. She looked irritated. "You may think you're being valiant by playing the hero and protecting him constantly, but you're just conditioning him to be weak. How is he supposed to grow if you keep coddling him?"

"He doesn't need to grow or be strong if I'm around," Cliff said proudly.

By the look on Shiver's face, Cliff's response was apparently not the correct answer. More and more anger managed to bleed past her usually impassive expression.

"You're being selfish, prince," she spat, her pale blue tail lashing at the cavern floor. "You don't care if he grows or improves because you don't care about him. You only care about yourself, and the sick satisfaction you get from feeling needed by someone else. You're perfectly fine with letting him stay weak forever because that means you'll always have someone who needs you. Someone to 'protect.' But all you're protecting him from is self-improvement."

Cliff looked scandalized at her accusations and opened his mouth to rebut, but Shiver wasn't done speaking.

"I bet you're the type of dragon who goes around helping whoever's in trouble, particularly preying on those who are meek and easy to please, just so you get the twisted gratification that comes from their approval. If you really wanted to help others, you wouldn't be solving their problems for them. You'd help them solve it themselves. Did you thank the moons for granting you such a timid dragon as your clawmate? Were you elated to find the perfect specimen to take advantage of and manipulate for your benefit? Does your vile desire to be needed come from your royal genes? Is that why you think it's better to leave everyone around you as weak as possible? So you can be better than everyone–"

"Shiver!" Snow interrupted. "That's enough!"

"I…" Shiver began, looking a bit shocked at her own outburst. "Apologies. I got carried away."

'Carried away' is an understatement, Snow thought. That was way too harsh! He wriggled out from underneath Cliff's wings to get a better look at him. The SkyWing looked entirely shaken up by her words.

"That's… that's not why I help others," Cliff said, though he sounded unsure of himself. "I do it because… it's the right thing to do."

Shiver looked like she wanted to disagree, but wisely decided to keep quiet instead.

"There's nothing wrong with wanting to help others in need," Snow reassured. "Shiver clearly hasn't taken enough kindness lessons to understand that yet," he said, shooting her a disapproving look.

"I apologize for my ill-mannered outburst, but I stand by what I said in regards to defending yourself." Her expression was back to her default impassive look. It was almost impressive how quickly she managed to compose herself.

As much as Snow didn't want to admit it, he could understand where she was coming from. If Cliff fought all of Snow's battles for him, Snow would grow increasingly dependent on him. It would eventually stunt his growth, and he might stay timid and cowardly forever. Is that what Cliff really wants? He did say I don't need to grow… And it would be a lot easier for me if I just hid behind Cliff forever…

Aargh! No! Snow scolded himself. I can't be coddled forever. That's the whole reason I'm like this anyway. And it's why Cactus had to send me away. So I could grow.

"You're right, Shiver," Snow said. "I can't hide behind Cliff forever."

Cliff looked to Snow with a hurt expression.

"But," Snow continued. "I think it's fine to defend a friend in need, and maybe even coddle them a little sometimes. I want to grow and get stronger so I can help defend my friends like they defend me." Snow put his talon on Cliff's shoulder. "And if that's against the 'IceWing way,' then I'm not interested in being an IceWing."

A moment of silence passed as he stared down Shiver.

"Very well," she finally said. "I am willing to compromise on that aspect. Independency is important, but not essential. If you need allies to help you out constantly, it will make life difficult eventually, but it isn't a huge issue for now."

"Well, uh, good," Snow replied, not expecting her to be so agreeable.

"I must say though, I am impressed that you stood up to me like that. There may be an IceWing in you yet."

Oh, I guess I did stand up to her in the end, he realized."It's a lot easier to do when you're standing up for a friend," Snow said, smiling at Cliff. He still looked somewhat rattled by the whole ordeal.

"Thanks Snow. I… I really appreciate it." He returned his own smile, though it felt weaker than usual.

"I must apologize again, Prince Cliff. I forgot my place," she said with a bow.

Cliff shook his head, as if shaking out his doubts. "No, it's okay," he said with his signature smile back up, as if nothing had happened (though Snow could sense it was a front).

"I do hope that this interaction hasn't damaged our budding camaraderie," said Shiver, which earned a surprised look out of Cliff.

"You still want to be my friend? After that entire angry rant?" Cliff asked.

"I do," Shiver said. "Misguided as your methods may be, it's obvious that you cherish Snow a great deal. I still think friends are unnecessary, but if I had to make one, I suppose I wouldn't mind it being someone like you."

Cliff laughed loudly, much to Shiver's confusion. "You know what? You're not so bad Shiver. A bit harsh and insensitive, but I think you just want what's best for Snow. Maybe IceWings aren't as bad as everyone says."

"Thank you, Prince Cliff." Shiver looked pensively towards the ground, as though she was trying very hard to come up with her next line. "You… are… pleasant to be around."

"Whoa, great job Shiver," Snow praised. "That wasn't a bad compliment. You're a quick learner. With a little more practice, you might just be a friendly dragon one day."

"Well, that is a horrifying thought," said Shiver. "But I did agree to these lessons, and as such I will give it my all to satisfactorily meet your requirements."

"If you need some extra practice," Cliff chimed in. "You should try making friends with your clawmates. Canary thinks you're cool, but she finds you very hard to approach."

"Yeah! That's a great idea Cliff," said Snow. "That can be your homework. You have to become Canary's friend."

Shiver gives Snow a serious nod. "I will unequivocally complete this task to the best of my ability. You have my word."

"…Glad to see you're taking this seriously," Snow said with an awkward chuckle. Maybe a bit too seriously.

"I shall take my leave then. Until next time," she said with a nod and a bow, then turned around and exited the sleeping cave.

Snow let out a huge breath of relief. "That was nerve-wracking," he said. But not as bad as I thought.

"Yeah…" Cliff responded absentmindedly. He looked to be deep in thought.

"Hey, you're not still worried about what she said, right?" Snow asked.

"No… well, maybe a little," he admitted. "…I'm sorry for saying you shouldn't grow or improve."

"That's okay," replied Snow, rubbing Cliff's slumped back with his talon.

"It's not okay," Cliff said with his head held down apologetically. "I think she was right, Snow. I've just been using you cause I like being the hero. And you're… well… the perfect dragon to be 'rescued.'"

Snow shook his head. "Regardless of your intentions, you've helped me out a ton. My life here at Jade Mountain has been way better because of you."

Cliff shifted in place silently, but still looked downcast.

"If it's any consolation," Snow continued. "It made me really happy when you said you'd always be by my side. Even if it was super cheesy."

Cliff let out a short laugh. "I guess I was trying to sound like a hero."

"Well… I hope you meant it," said Snow, fidgeting with his claws. "I think it would be nice if we were still friends even after we're done with Jade Mountain Academy. I mean, if you want to be. I'm sure you'll be busy, being a prince and all–"

"I meant it," Cliff said abruptly. "Sorry Snow, but you're too good a friend for me to just let you go after school's over. I'm afraid you're stuck with me forever."

Snow found himself smiling involuntarily. "Now you're sounding more like a villain than a hero. Are you planning on taking me hostage?"

"If that's what it takes," said Cliff. "It wouldn't be very hard, you know."

Snow laughed. It looks like Cliff is feeling better now, he thought. I hope what Shiver said doesn't bother him for too long.

"Snow," Cliff said, with an intense glint in his golden eyes. "I'm going to help you grow. So you can be a dragon that can defend himself, even when I'm not around."

His eyes had a powerful determination that made it hard to look away. There was something so mesmerizing about it, and Snow found himself staring deeply into them. For a little too long.

Snow managed to pry his eyes away eventually, feeling his face warm up. "S-sounds good to me," he managed to say. Geez, what's gotten into me?

Cliff laughed softly. "Looks like we both learned something from Shiver's lessons, huh?"

"Yeah. Looks like we did," Snow said.