Gentleheart wouldn't necessarily call herself lucky, but things did tend to work out for her more often than not.
For example: arriving at Sanctuary. Making lots of friends. Finding lots of pretty gemstones that she kept as a collection. Rescuing Nemichthys in the nick of time.
And now, stumbling across Winter just when she wanted to speak with him.
One of Gen's neighbors had a part of her roof break off in the storm the night before last. Sanctuary was a close-knit community, so several dragons turned up to help out and repair, Gen included.
They had finished by now, and the house looked better than ever. Winter must have heard of the situation, as he arrived just as the group of helpers went their separate ways.
Gentleheart was just waving goodbye to her pals when she noticed the IceWing, who was observing the newly-repaired roof curiously. She had been ruminating on some things a lot recently, and considering Winter was a generally wise young fella, she figured he could offer some advice.
"Hey, excuse me. Winter?" He turned to her with a light, barely noticeable smile. His icy scales and sharp eyes glimmered in the soft sunlight. "Mind if we chat?" An eyebrow was raised.
"Is this a formal resident complaint?" Well...
"No, not exactly. I just...I trust you with offering good counsel." He seemed genuinely surprised and honored by the praise.
"Uh...sure." They shuffled away from the houses and hovered near a large rock, trying to make the movement not appear so purposeful. Gentleheart felt a chilly wind whip through her wings. While it could have been the IceWing across from her, she took it as more of a clue that summer was slipping away, and autumn was coming soon.
She very much enjoyed the crisp scents that came with the fall season, but the warmth of the sun would be missed. "Whenever you're ready, I'm listening." She fiddled with the grass beneath her claws, aligning the blades and smoothing them out, which helped her get more confidence to speak clearly.
"You've spoken with Nemichthys, right?"
"Mmhmm. Rather crass and distant fellow, but he seems willing to help out. Quinn spoke highly of him."
"Quinn loves everybody." Winter agreed as they shared a small smile. It was very rare to see a smile out of Sanctuary's founder; he must have been in a very good mood.
Her grass trick was working wonders. Gen wasn't stumbling over a single word. Could have tried this a few days ago... "Well, I was just wondering. Does he get episodes?" Winter thought about that briefly.
"Not sure. He keeps to himself. He's got a permanent scowl, but he never really seems angry. I don't spy every waking moment or anything." He hesitated, likely witnessing her sullen expression that she had forgotten to repress. "Did something happen between you both? —My apologies, you don't need to tell me. Personal troubles are something I should not be—"
"Yeah." He was immediately at attention. "We had a bit of a falling out. I would hardly say we were friends to start with; I just intended to apologize for being so unmindful and derelict when we first met. I really don't know what I did wrong, but he started yelling...It was something about me being fragile and undignified. I still don't quite get it."
Winter sighed, and the look on his face implied that he understood long in advance. What am I missing here? I thought making amends was the right thing to do. Surely he wasn't happy with my negligent actions from before?
"Gen, you're very sweet. Everyone knows that. You work tirelessly to be an amazing friend to everyone and make sure no one goes unheard. It's a gift to not only believe in the goodness of people, but find it in the way you do. But Nemichthys...he's had a lot to deal with. He doesn't see your natural kindness for what it is. There's no doubt been so little love in his life that he can't process yours. My guess is, he feels patronized. Ironically, you being so nice and respectful is lowering yourself to the level he thinks he belongs at. He's a working-type of dragon who craves merit and determination. He doesn't want to be 'coddled' via lots of apologies and people watching themselves so carefully around him. He wants to be the one to rise to the level of others."
Wow. That was a lot to take in. And yet, it all made a lot of sense...
Nemichthys was tough stuff. She knew that; the guy had survived near complete starvation and dehydration as well as relentless travel. But the idea that he wanted to prove his own worth...it had to stem from something in his past or dragonethood. To Gentleheart, it made little sense to close off love and support when it's offered to you, even if it gives you a leg up in the journey of life. You can rise to new heights that much faster with others.
"That's a lot about a guy who supposedly doesn't open up. Where did that all come from, Winter?" The younger dragon flushed in embarrassment, confirming her suspicions. "...Personal experience?"
"Well, you know, this was great, but I should really get going and all, Pumpkin probably needs something and I have a lot of important business, so bye!" She snickered at the flustered IceWing. People had said that Winter was a serious, constantly grumpy dragon who refused to joke around, but she found him very fun and light.
Her thoughts started to run, so Gentleheart climbed onto the rock to soak up some sun and stave off the autumn winds.
So Nemichthys doesn't want my apologies...he wants to earn my respect. But isn't that just intentionally handicapping himself? Why make things harder when I'm perfectly willing to offer him kindness? I doubt he's experienced much of it...
Her unusual argent claws shimmered as she drummed them along the surface of the rock in thought. Perhaps, with such a damaged self-image, he wants compliments and support that feels true, rather than forced out of nervousness. So does that mean I...stop being nice? How does one accomplish that?
She groaned in dismay, sliding off the rock and flopping onto the ground. This was so difficult.
The NightWing stared at the sky for a bit. Despite her nocturnal tribe, she enjoyed the peaceful blue dappled with clouds. A particularly long cloud passed by, and she frowned. I just want to help...
Her view was suddenly obstructed.
"Hey!"
"Gah!"
Clonk!
"Oww!"
Both dragons sorely rubbed their snouts, recovering. Gen stood up, embarrassed. "Beryl! Don't do that, you scared me!"
"My bad," the dragonet mumbled, wincing as she stretched her jaw. Their head to head collision was not exactly ideal. "I didn't know you had a face that hurt so bad." Mom did always say I have a hard head...
"What was that about, anyway?"
"You were all mopey. That's rare for you." Gentleheart scratched an itchy spot behind her left horn, and she was abruptly rather parched.
"Just...thinking. Nothing much." The young little thing wouldn't let her get away so easily.
"About what?" Beryl was relentless. Why bother hiding?
"Do you know Nemichthys?" A fearful—even distasteful—expression appeared on her golden yellow face.
"Ooh. Is that the guy who lives in the lake?" Gen nodded cautiously, concerned by Beryl's tone. "We talked once. He's kinda creepy. Not the body thing—that's actually pretty cool. But he seems really grumpy." Phew. Good.
Many of the Sanctuary dragonets didn't have proper parents, let alone ones that cared. Gen was worried for a second that she would have to police Beryl's thinking.
"Grumpy is...an apt description, yes. I've been trying to make friends, but he's a bit dodgy and unwilling. I've been thinking about my next move, that's all." Beryl equipped her youthful nonchalance, attempting to pounce on a toad only for it to spring away.
"Thinking is too hard sometimes. I just do what feels right in the moment! Like this!" The Sand-Ice hybrid marched right up to her...and slugged her in the shoulder.
"Ow...and why'd you decide to do that?"
"I dunno. Like I said, felt right. See ya!" Without a care in the world, she bounded off, likely to go play with her fellow dragonets. What a goofy cactus-brain.
Sage advice, however. Sometimes instinct could beat out careful planning. If she happened to bump into Nemichthys again, maybe just going with the flow would be more beneficial.
On the topic of Sage, Gen thought to go visit the healer RainWing. She now had a sore forehead and shoulder to deal with.
- -
Reality dropped like a metal weight.
But instead of keeping him down, it actually pulled up the anchor Nemichthys had planted.
The true nature of what was happening had just clicked for him, and now he felt...happy.
For once, the Pirate was satisfied.
His lake was finished. The fish were relaxing, and still growing in number despite the occasional feeding from Sanctuary dragons. He had developed a new calling system; if someone pulled a rope on land, it would ring a chime that would send recognizable vibrations through the water, and he would know someone wanted to speak. This was aided by a small sign near the shore that read 'Pull Rope to Talk'.
And now, as he was finally realizing, he was actually safe. Several days now, here at Sanctuary, and there was no fallout. Yes, an awkward interaction here and there, but...he finally had a home. Stability. A chance.
Settled into the mud at the bottom of the lake, Nemich let a big breath seep through his gills. Unknowingly, he unfurled, stretched across the floor like a discarded ribbon. But it felt like home. He didn't even have to sleep with one eye open...
Bong!
He startled awake. The chime, of course. Of all times, someone actually wanted to talk to him. Who? Why, even?
Begrudgingly, Nemichthys pulled himself out of the mud, which immediately created a big cloudy mess. He didn't notice as he swam over, but his body instinctually spun over itself, coiling and creating a tornado-like shape that tunneled through the water.
He shook off the relaxation while approaching the surface. Alright. Let's see what botched social interaction I'll struggle through this time. There were two silhouettes up above. It was near evening, so he couldn't see much else. And...
"Wow! It worked!"
Saying anything would be an understatement.
He struggled with things for a second. Who...? What...?
Sanctuary was a lot louder. Nemich looked around, and oh moons. There were veritable tons of these dragons. It felt like a very surreal dream.
Four wings, weird antennae things...leafy creatures...and with him in the mix, it was a true menagerie. Quinn will faint on the spot.
"So you must be one of those water dragons, like the Tsunami lady!" To make things easier, Nemich decided to just focus on the two in front of him, and take it slowly.
To his left was one of the aforementioned antennae dragons, sporting a pastel, bluish-violet color with specks of orange and black near the tips of her specially-shaped wings. Vibrant purple eyes watched him excitedly above a stubby snout. On the right, conveniently, was a leaf dragon. He was a very dark green, but interwoven with bronze-colored veins. In some parts, the pattern was so intricate that it looked like coral.
One eye was covered with a leather patch, but it was impossible to externally figure out why. The other, also a glassy bronze, glimmered at Nemich despite the lack of sunlight.
At the very least, both were smiling.
"...Hello. You needed to speak with me?"
"Well, saying 'needed' is a little much. We were just curious." The female had an upbeat voice, though with an odd accent that Nemich couldn't quite place.
"Correction," the leafy one said. "You were curious. I advised against it." The accent was thicker, and he sounded wistful and easygoing. His counterpart pouted jokingly.
"That's cuz you're no fun. Anyhoo. I'm Karner, and this is Bract! Blue-blue dragon of the lake. What is your wisdom?"
For some reason, he was about to spout a random irrelevant fact of trivia, but the SeaWing held back. Very strange. He swam back a bit, offering them some space.
"I am Nemichthys." Karner gasped, eyes practically sparkling in wonder. She mouthed the name, while Bract rolled his visible eye at her over-excitement.
"That sounds so cool. Okay. So you're the guardian of this lake, Nemich-this?" What a random conclusion to leap to. He swam around a bit as a means of demonstration, unused to the audience's undivided attention.
"Nemich-these. And it is my home, so I suppose so, yes." He noticed Bract squinting curiously at where Nemich's body would be barely visible under the water. Perhaps the subject would best be addressed in steps. "To answer your previous quandary, yes, I am in fact a SeaWing. That said, I am not entirely familiar with all of you...new arrivals. What has occurred here?"
Karner, who no doubt would love to explain this and feel important, chomped at the bit.
"Have you ever heard of a distant land or kingdom where all sorts of odd dragons live?" Yes, some rumors and dargonet's tales like that. 'The Lost Continent'? He had loosely searched for it back in the Pirate days when he could scour the ocean, in hopes of finding a new and welcoming home. However, now with clear proof that it existed, he wondered how stunningly far away it was. Had these strangers made that journey?
"You've traveled the seas, then?"
"You bet! It was exhausting, but we're safe here!" Safe? An issue arising on the Lost Continent? He noticed Bract wince at Karner's optimism, calling into question if 'safe' was truly an accurate term. Still, imperturbable, she continued. "I'm called a SilkWing. Why? Watch!"
Nemichthys observed in minor amazement as a strange, thread-like material oozed from Karner's wrist, solidifying quickly. It was milky-white, delicate and yet clearly durable. The practical applications of such an ability were nigh infinite. Fairly impressive.
"Bract here is a LeafWing, for reasons you can probably guess." The mentioned dragon smirked, but his wrists remained neutral. Nor did some leaves suddenly come drifting through the air. LeafWings, then, were comparatively average.
With this new information, Nemich glanced around. Many of these dragons were standing about worriedly, chatting, or exploring the foreign terrain. There were marginally more SilkWings, but most seemed skittish and wary of the LeafWings, with both tribes generally staying amongst their own. What made the two before him different?
Karner took her deposited silk and wadded it into a ball, fiddling with the sticky substance, and Bract took over the storytelling.
"See, we came here because there's a great evil plaguing our homeland, Pantala. Many have already succumbed...we hope to call upon the tribes of—Pyrrhia, was it?—to put down the dark forces." His shining eye lowered in an angry grief, implying there was loss involved with this evil. Karner, clearly already knowing this, sympathetically patted his arm.
Nemichthys also felt a pang of kindness. It was humbling to see others experience such pain. As someone with a similarly traumatic youth, he would not want anyone else to suffer from these emotions.
"...While it may not be my place, know you are not alone in this. Others..." He hesitated before adding, "Myself included, have lived through moments of strife. Some have failed to resolve the pain, others get lucky...but you both, and your respective tribes, have pushed through. Losing one's entire home is monumental, but what I see before me is strength regardless."
The encouragement brought smiles to his new acquaintances. It felt rewarding to befriend completely new tribes so swiftly. But then he recalled. The moment I step on land...
Even worse, Karner gave a start as she thought of something.
"I overheard that this little town was for outcasts and people with nowhere else to go. We even saw some hybridized dragons a bit ago! I don't mean to pry, but um...why are you here, Mickey?"
Mickey? I'm not sure whether to be outraged or appreciative.
Still, he sighed before planting his arms on the bank. His visitors understood, backing away.
"I don't intend to negate your issue with mine that is trivial in comparison, but I have known a difficult life." With a heave, all was laid out to observe, running along the bank like an outline.
They watched, only for a second. To his surprise, it was Bract who suddenly came forward.
"May I?" ...To touch me? As though I were a phantom? Or...? Confused, and thusly curious, he nodded assent.
Bract gently and respectfully drifted his claws across Nemich's scales. He had a soft touch, as though it were moisturized. Perhaps that was a unique trait of the LeafWings. "I'm sorry, it's just...fascinating."
Karner followed her trend of being kind and excitable, also responding positively.
"Yeah. Wow, that's neat! You look epic!"
He was beginning to like Pantala much more.
"So I take it this is not...common, here?" He nodded, finding the ability to relax in the presence of his new friends. This is so simple. If only Pyrrhian dragons were this sociable and understanding.
While the dragons in the clearing near his lake were generally calm and content, Nemich's attention was drawn by someone yelling.
"OHHHH MYYYYY GOODGOLLYGADZOOKS ABOVE!"
And there was Quinn.
"Woah. Who's that guy?" The lindwurm actually chuckled. Now he was on the veteran's side.
"Be prepared. He likes to make models."
"Aw man! I haven't preened yet!"