Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the plot. :L

Warnings: Probably some mild violence in later chapters. Who knows.

A/N: I've come to the conclusion that this is just an expirimental piece. Please don't get your hopes up for fast updates.

This chapter was a bit of a pain to write..

But I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 1

"Then, there is the covering of pride.

And O, what a dense veil is that, which,

like an unclean bird,

spreads its baneful wings over a man's heart."

- J.C. Philpot

"But when pride melts

veils part."

- Forgive - Charles Cavanaugh

Suggested Listening: Rain - Breaking Benjamin

I awake to the feel of something cool dancing along my scales. I hurr in appreciation, and the sensation vanishes. Slowly opening my eyes I try to locate the source of the feeling. In my half-concious state I notice there is a human girl sitting beside me, a fearful expression on her face. It takes me a moment to process the information.

A human.

Memories of my family being slaughtered flash through my mind. A growl tears through my teeth and I try to reach out and eliminate her, but pain overwheklms me and I slip dangerously close back to unconciousness. The human cries out and reaches for me, placing a hand against my cheek. I go to snap at her, to spite her of her precious limb, but I realize the cool, soothing sensation returns, spreading from my snout to the very tip of my tail. Casting the human a curious look, I hurr softly. She smiles, and I notice it is a very gentle and kind expression that even shows in her turquoise eyes.

"I'm not here to harm you," she whispers, "I am merely trying to help."

I blink slowly and look around, taking in the charred and demolished reamins of my nest. Overwhelmed with sadness, I shut my eyes and allow this human, this creature I've loathed for countless years, to softly stroke my face with her pale fingers.

"I have something I'd like to show you," she says, capturing my attention once more. She stands up and even as her fingers lose contact with my scales and the cool feeling fades, I find myself watching her with curiosity instead of lunging for her and tearing her to shreds.

I watch her step carefully around a small camp fire and rummage through a massive pile of supplies. Scooping up a large bundle of maroon, she makes her way back to me. As she passes by the fire, I take in her appearance. She's short for a human, and very pitite. She reminds of a human-sized faerie. Her orange hair hangs elegantly down to her waist, and the lighting around us makes it appear as if her hair was made from the very fire she started.

The girl kneels down in from of me and places the bundle on the ground.

"Please, do not get startled," she whispers, "She's healing quite fast, so she should be fine."

As she unwraps the blanket carefully, my heart skips a beat, and I try to keep the humans' words in mind.

"She'll be fine," is the line that keeps me from killing her instantly.

Qaspiel is curled up in the middle of the maroon mass snoring softly, a thin trail of smoke leaving her nose with each exhale. Her silver scales are barely visible due to all the white strips of bandage wrapped around her form. I stretch my neck to try and nudge her with my snout, to tell her 'Daddy's here' but immense pain stops me and I can't help the whimper that escapes my throat. The human is instantly in action, gently picking Qaspiel up and carrying her to me. She places my daughter beside me, and I wrap my neck around her regardless of the pain that sears through me. I close my eyes and whisper the same lullabies Usiel once sang.

I hear the human settle across from us.

"My name is Zi," she whispers.

I glance over to her, and, staring directly into her eyes, I smile.

A/N2: I've been thinking about disbanding my OC-accepting idea. I dunno why, but I just don't think it would be a good idea. I'm already testing my limits with this story itself. I don't want to portay someone's character in a manner they don't deem worthy. Sorry. Also, I have dial-up now! On a computer with Windows 98! Woo!