Beetle woke to Sunlight laying next to her. Sunlight, or Sunny, was the youngest dragonet in the Outclaw community who was allowed to sleep in her own tent. She loved Beetle and sometimes got scared at night and slept with Beetle.
Since Beetle was three times older than Sunny, and Sunny had no parents, Beetle was the closest thing Sunny had to a mother.
"Hey Sunny," Beetle said, nudging Sunny awake. Sunny jumped up, her large, sweet, black eyes noticing Beetle and relaxing.
"Hi Beetle," She said tiredly, leaning into Beetle.
"Nightmares?" Beetle asked gently, hugging her.
"Yeah," Sunny sighed.
"Wanna talk about it?" Beetle tried.
"Nah," Sunny replied sadly. Beetle gave her a pitying look and stood up, pushing pillows out her way.
"I better go help Python move in," Beetle said, stepping out her tent after she cleaned up all the pillows.
"Ooo, your boyfriend," Sunny giggled. Beetle swatted Sunny and walked further down the streets towards Python's new home, Sunny skipping behind her.
"Hey Python!" Beetle called, moving the tent flap. She spotted Python in the corner, tinkering with some tools.
"Hey," He replied, smiling at her and walking over. Sunny waved at him, hopping from foot to foot.
"Hi, hi, I'm Sunny!" She sang happily. Python smiled at her.
"Hello Sunny, I'm Python," He said sweetly.
"Yeah, Beetle's neighbour!" Sunny grinned up at him.
"So, how are you? Have you moved in well?" Beetle asked, stepping towards him.
"It's great! Larger than I'm used to," Python said, turning back to tinker with his tools. Beetle glanced around his tent. There were pillows tuck in the corners and the far back of the tent had pillows and blankets.
There also was a scroll rack and another rack, stuffed with weird, metal tools. There also were camel carpets around. It looked relaxed and neat, probably because Thorn helped him. Beetle knew she'd probably need to help Python clean every so often, knowing him.
"This looks comfy," Sunny commented, feeling the fluffy, scarlet red and sunny yellow pillows. She laid on one of them, looking very tired.
"It is," Python smiled, sitting up from his building.
"What are you making?" Beetle asked curiously, stepping to him and peaking over his shoulder. He pulled it towards himself and grinned nervously.
"It's-um, uh-a secret," Python stuttered. Beetle raised her eyebrows, but walked backwards to give him space.
"I'll just get some snacks. You guys stay here. Sunny, stay with Python. Python, please keep an eye on Sunny, okay?" Beetle offered, nudging Sunny affectionately and walking out the tent to the stalls.
"Hello," Beetle said politely to an older, friendly-looking dragon, "Three crispy lizards on a stick please." The dragon gave her a crooked, but warm smile and passed the food. Beetle dropped three coins and waved her goodbye.
Beetle wandered around, checking out stalls, buying plants, scrolls and glass animals.
She loved shopping and stalls. Beetle would have loved to own one. She finally walked back to Python's tent, passing Sunny and him the lizard sticks.
"Did you hear? The 'dragonets of destiny' have been exploring our continent!" Sunny said excitedly. Beetle gave Python a confused and disinterested look.
"You know, the dragonets of destiny," Python cried.
"Yeah, I know what you mean. But why does it matter? The only 'interesting' thing that's gonna happen is them getting hurt," Beetle said, rolling her eyes.
"But they can't. Fate won't let it happen!" Sunny argued.
"Oh Sunny, you- you know what, believe what you like," Beetle sighed, and took a bite of the crispy lizard.
"Oh, come on, you don't believe in fate?" Python sighed with disappointment. Beetle eyed him and he raised his talons, "Okay, I'll back off." Sunny rested her head in her talons.
"Please, just listen," Sunny wheedled, and gave Beetle her adorable, puppy eyes.
"Fine," Beetle grumbled, lying on the cushions. Python stood up and laid next to Beetle while Sunny spread her wings, trying to make it dramatic.
"Six years ago, on the brightnest night, the dragonets of destiny were born," Sunny started, "There were the Mudwing, Nightwing, Seawing and of course, the Skywing and Sandwing, right? Well, apparently, there isn't any Skywing in the group, there is a… Rainwing!" Beetle's mouth fell open.
"A Rainwing? Why not Skywing?" Beetle asked with confusion, but also full of awe.
"Because the Skywing egg was destroyed!" Sunny cried.
"Damn," Python said, stretching his neck.
"Okay, now the names! The Mudwing is called Clay, the Seawing is called Tsunami, the Rainwing is called Glory, the Nightwing is called Starflight and the Sandwing is called- um, uh-I- I don't actually know…" Sunny trailed off.
"Sunlight! Please remember the name of the best tribe!" Beetle joked, and smiled at Sunny. Sunny frowned, seeming disappointed in herself.
"Hey, I'm just joking," Beetle said gently, brushing her wing with Sunny's. Then, they heard a commotion of screams.
"What's going on?" Beetle yelled, poking her head out the tent. A terrified Sandwing turned to Beetle.
"Sandstorm!" They screamed.