"Will this do?" Hunter asked, making sure it was steady.
A nod.
"Okay then," Hunter hopped down from the small hill of sand, jogging over to where Elora was. Spyro shook out his wings and resettled them. The Professor stood some distance away, notepad in hand.
It had been a week, and they finally set up a target for Spyro to practice his flames on; it wasn't too far away, but up at an angle. He agreed to let the others watch with minimal hesitation, sweeping his tail to the side and looking away. He had yet to let loose his fire, and his throat had grown raspier.
It was the only time the Professor has put his paw down in regards to the young dragon, albeit gently.
They didn't have to be around if he didn't want, but he needed to let his flames loose so that he wouldn't choke on his own smoke.
So here they were, on the sands with a slight breeze. Under Spyro's quiet recommendations they set the target back a bit.
As well as took a few steps back.
Sparx trilled excitedly - apparently the dragonfly was just as anxious as they were to see the dragon breathe fire.
Spyro took a stance, wings cocked at his sides in case the force pushed him back. He was a dragon, and quite experienced in this, they all realized.
They double checked their distance again, just in case.
Hunter saw as Spyro took a swelling breath in through his snout, holding it a moment, and then snapping forward in the same movement curling his mouth to spit the flames.
What came out was a shimmering jet of fire, streaming out and curling at the edges, hitting the target with such a force it surely would have toppled if it hadn't shattered first, smoking pieces of charred wood scattering around.
Spyro stood there, panting as smoke curled out of the sides of his mouth. He was smiling softly. It was one of the first genuine ones Hunter had seen.
"Well," the Professor broke the silence, "excellent control, Spyro! And well done, too. Despite smoke build up you didn't seem to have too much trouble," he paused a moment, glancing at the still-smoking shards in the sand, "I believe we'll need to set up more targets for you."
It took but a moment; Hunter and Elora swarmed over to Spyro, exclaiming about how 'cool' that was. Sparx buzzed and hummed around them, giving his own input. Spyro curled his head into his chest shyly, but there was also that pleased cat-curl to his tail that left Hunter smiling.
It was probably such a little thing, but to Hunter, this little bit of happiness was a big deal.