Shirayuki bit her tongue against her upper lip in silent concentration as she focused on what would have been to any other passerby a common weed. But not to the young herbalist. No this 'weed,' was actually a sprout of Honey Grass, it helped in making medicine easier to stomach for older people and children.

Unfortunately, Honey Grass just had the nastiest habit of sprouting above sheer cliffs facing out to sea where they could get fresh saltwater from the spray thrown up by crashing waves and plentiful sunshine. It took a normal seedling three weeks to grow completely if it wasn't plucked by a bird that could navigate the cliffs safely.

'Oddly enough, that's how it spreads its pollen.'

She thought to herself as she stretched herself out just a nudge further.

'Me no care, pluck weed so we go. Me no like wet.'

Shirayuki snorted as she threw an arched eyebrow up at her companion. Finding Honey Grass was the easy part, but picking it fresh and then attempting to grow it? That was every Herbalist's dream. And Shirayuki was a breath away from accomplishing that feat. How though? With a little help of her newfound friend of five months; Star, the Charm Dragon.
Shirayuki still remembered introducing all of her newfound castle friends to Star, and losing a week's supply of smelling salts waking them up again. She smiled sheepishly as she remembered how she had taken advantage of the situation as only a strong willed, independent thinker would.

She'd stolen a quick kiss from Zen before moving on to her bag and fetching the salts, and waking them. Dismissing the red of her cheeks as panic that one of them had been hurt.
She felt a shake and glared up at Star from where she was gripped in her claws. Ever since that day, Star had been welcomed into the kingdom of Clarines and Shirayuki even offered to see about having a place made up for her within the walls. Star declined, and Shirayuki suspected everyone sighed a breath of relief when Star said she'd continue to reside in her cave by the cliffs. But she left an open invitation for Shirayuki and her friends to visit whenever they wished.

Since then Star had become as close a friend to her as Zen was, but even friends had their moments of frustration with the other.

'Dream-think of Mate later, me soaking!'

Her eyes widened as she spluttered a retort before being drowned out, as a swell washed on them both, causing Star to lose her altitude and go into a forced dive. Shirayuki barely had time to scream as Star hugged her close to her chest while they plowed into the damp mush of sand below them.
Shirayuki groaned as she parted her hair and shook the excess out of her hands. She reached out for Star blindly and stopped at feeling her mane of hair, she sighed in relief and crawled down to her face, patting her gently to see if she was hurt.

"Star?"

She was sitting in front of her face now, worry etched on her features as she felt the cold set in.

"Star?"

She hugged her muzzle close and gripped it tightly, feeling her fear and Star's chill creep in.

'How I let you do this?'

Came the groaned reply inside her mind. Shirayuki sighed and let a few tears drop in relief as she ran her arms up and down Star's muzzle before shakily standing up. Star hissed quietly but was able to do the same as they both uncurled from the crater they had made in the dune. Shirayuki sighed.

'Well there goes the Honey Grass.'

She thought glumly as she glared up at the outcrop where the plant glowed in the foggy sunlight.

'Would have got if you not Mate - Dreaming.'

Star grumbled sourly as she shook herself. Shirayuki turned to launch a better retort than before, but stopped. Then she doubled over laughing. Star's set face and soft growl, didn't deter her as she continued in a fit of giggles, in fact it renewed the fire of laughter even more in Shirayuki's opinion.

Star looked like a cat that had been caught by surprise, her furry mane puffed up all around her throat, and as fine as a bottle brush.

Star huffed, before scooping up a large clump of thick sand to plop on top of her friend in petty revenge, before the winds changed.

Star froze. She bolted her gaze down to Shirayuki who was still trying to reel in her laughter and failing as well as not realizing how much danger they were in. Without another thought, she pitched the sand away, and nosed Shirayuki behind her wings, stupidly hoping the other hadn't smelled her.

Shirayuki squeaked loudly as she was pushed near Star's warm belly full of fire.

'No move. Trouble.'

Shirayuki froze and cautiously looked down as she felt a slight shake. Glancing at a nearby puddle, her eyes widened as it shook more and more. Gathering up her grit, she moved away from Star's warm belly and peeked over the edge of a wing. Her eyes went wider still at the sight.

This one had to be double Star's height, though not her width, and it looked absolutely menacing. Where Star had a furry mane, this one had spines that seemed to flex and twitch on a whim. It was also a stone-grey color and appeared to have another set of arms tucked in close to the chest, a total of six limbs in all. But other than those differences this was a near spitting image of what she'd come to recognize as a Dragon. She bit back a startled gasp as a deep baritone voice resonated in her mind.

'Who there?!'

Shirayuki was so used to hearing Star's sweet musical voice that this soft, deep note jostled her right out from under Star...

And into the male's snarling crosshairs.

Star reacted, even as he backed away and fell back into the shadows of the cave. That's when Shirayuki saw the injuries to his legs, and felt a wave of memories as she reached behind her to bring her forgotten bag forward.

'WHAT YOU DOING?'

Star practically whisper-hissed at her. She snapped at her bag's strap and held her in place. Shirayuki turned to face Star who was crooning for her friend to once, just this once, not be so kind-hearted. Shirayuki looked right into her eyes with the same look she wore when they first met, that was enough to loosen Star's jaws. Shirayuki softly patted her nose.

"Trust me."

Star sighed as she let her friend go on into the cave after the male.

'Why I no say no?'

Shirayuki sighed as she approached the male who was growling in pain as he made to try and stand. His back legs looked as though he had collided with a rock pillar and were badly bent. She knew she had a remedy for him, but she had to speak with him first. Using her charm from Star she reached out to him, speaking in her mind.

'Please, O Dragon, I mean you no harm, and wish to help you.'

She 'spoke' whilst bowing.

'How- No. No bow.'

He nudged her up and Shirayuki smiled, at least he wasn't aggressive outright. He eyed her closely now and she became lost in the inky onyx color of his eye, as he examined her. He then caught sight of her necklace, Star's charm, and gift of friendship to her.

'So that how.'

He purred in curiosity, before hissing as he crumpled in on himself again, his back ankles utterly warped.

Shirayuki didn't even blink as she dashed to him, and began tending to his wounds. She asked Star to go back and get the Honey Grass, she would need some for the medicine she had in mind to give him.
Star did as she was asked, and brought a good claw full of grass before curling up not too far away from them and shooting the male suspicious glares as Shirayuki did what she did best, help others with her knowledge of the earth.

"What are you called?"

She asked as she busily added the ingredients to a puddle of water in the rocky cave floor. The male looked at her puzzled. Shirayuki bit her lip in thought, before trying again.

"What do others say when they see you?"

His response was a soft grunt in his chest, which accidentally spat up a decent amount of soot in her face. Shirayuki huffed as she fanned ash out of her face, before looking at him again.

"How's Coal sound to you?"

He tilted his head, before nodding.

'Me like.'

Shirayuki smiled as she finished making up the medicine and gestured him to bring his head down to drink the liquid she had prepared. He sniffed at the liquid curiously before looking at Shirayuki again. She smiled and gestured to the puddle with her hands. He brought his muzzle down and snatched a gulp before his eyes widened in delight and went to do so again.
Shirayuki smiled at him as she heard the soft snort from behind. Turning she gave Star a concerned look.

'Me no like.'

Coal froze in mid-reach for another gulp of the sweet tasting amber liquid, before turning to growl at the female who had come into his refuge with Healer.

'Me here.'

Came the retort. He shot her a look as his eyes narrowed and his spines pressed against the sides of his neck. Both looked fit to fight, so Shirayuki stepped between the two and said the first thing that came to mind.

"Coal, you still need to finish the liquid and rest to let the medicine I gave you take effect. I know a place where they should let you rest."

Star gawked at Shirayuki, before seeing that look in her eyes again.

'Oh they love this.'

Star rumbled sarcastically in her mind.

Star was actually surprised that the castle accepted the male so easily. She supposed it had to do with them seeing her first. Now there wasn't anything to surprise them anymore.

Snow-Hair of course had been expecting them, but did a double take as the tall male emerged. Star knew Fire-Hair had him wrapped around her finger, and would do all that she could to persuade him that her new friend wasn't a threat. Which wasn't all that long.

Shirayuki led Coal to a vast yard hoping he'd be comfortable. Coal turned his head this way then that, before he began to glow. Shirayuki recognized the warm hues as signs of his natural magic. The very same that Star had used to make her charm. She thumbed it thoughtfully, before Star's soft exclamation of awe filled her mind.

'Him Builder.'

Shirayuki looked up and could not believe her eyes, there in front of her was a fabulous temple of ancient design that was being built right before her. She watched as with his natural magic, materials and parts were formed from the very elements around them, and with his second set of arm he was moving around the structure at a faster pace than most as he built himself a home on the earth Shirayuki had directed him to.

Shirayuki walked up to his side as he finished the construction. He looked down at her with a gentle grin and a wink as he finished. He slowly staggered inside, as Shirayuki gave him the same invitation she'd given Star.

He grunted in acknowledgement, before heating the stone with his fire and laying down, Shirayuki soon heard an even rattling sound and smiled. He had fallen asleep within three strides of his new home's massive archway. She turned to Star and hugged her good night before leaving to retire herself.

Star stared at the stranger's spade tail, before turning and leaving to her cave. No matter what the future may bring, she knew one thing was for certain. The road of life had just gotten more interesting.