Of Feathers And Flames- A Wings of Fire AU RP

[_-Captain BRM-_]

I feel like we are all kinda stalking the thread rn waiting for something to happen

*GAAAAHSP* hOw DiD yOu kNoW?!

 

[-Shade-]

I felt a disturbance in the force

 

[Crestcrazy2]

Crest continued glaring at the solarwing and leapt at him, trying to take him down again. The nightwing said his name and he looked at him confused. How does he know my name? came the faint thought, but the thought flew away just as fast as it had come, the anger returning.
"Soldier listen to me-" the nightwing seemed to be saying, but Crest only slightly registered it. Wait....how does he know...I'm a soldier? The black dragon circled him and backed him into a corner, Crest's eyes always locked on the dragon. His breathing was getting heavier and more labored, but he continued looking for an opportunity to strike. His head cocked back and forth as the dull sounds seemed to be getting louder in his mind. His vision was blurring in and out and he shook his head to clear it. The scream from his sister seemed to be playing in repeat in his mind. Finally he saw the nightwing create an opening for him by showing his neck, and Crest reacted immediately, leaping off of his hind legs towards the exposed neck.
Suddenly his whole world went dark as he was pounded back to the ground by a flame-like tail. He slid across the ground a couple of feet until finally skidding to a stop. He felt blood trickling down the side of his head and he tried to open his eyes. He looked up and his jaw dropped, the nightwing was orange again. Solarwing... came the fleeting thought and suddenly a flood of noise came barreling into his ears and he cringed in pain. His head was throbbing and he suddenly started to recognize the dragon. He knew that he was royalty of some sort. "King Helios? What...what....." then he went black again slipping again from reality. His face contorted in pain as he started to feel every injury, but then it subsided again as he his sight came again and the noise dulled once more. He was back in the tinted world and he saw the nightwing. What is happening!!! He covered his head and sat there for a second in his confusion. "What...what...." he mumbled to himself. He stood up, and looked back at the dragon blinking several times, trying to see if the orange dragon would come back. He blinked once and looked back up.
He took a sharp breath as he saw a different dragon standing there. This dragon was smaller, dark blue, and looked at him with a worried expression. He breathed in and out hard, starting to hyperventilate. With wide eyes, he stumbled back a few paces. "Minami?! But...you were dead!" He shook his head. He heard the phrase again, It's not your fault. It was almost as if she had said it and tears began welling up in his eyes. His heart pounded and everything in him seemed to go numb. She took a step towards him and the tears began falling down his cheeks.
He shook his head, "This must be...a dream. You can't be here..." Her sea blue eyes sparkled as she stared into his, shaking her head. He forgot about everything and ran towards her, extending his wings to give her the most protective and brotherly hug he'd ever given her. As he ran, his vision began to tunnel and he began slipping away. No! "NO!" He shrieked. He swayed as he ran, desperately trying to reach his sister before his vision blacked out. His body slammed the ground again and skidded as he lost his balance and he tried to get up again, his entire body shaking.
His body dripped with blood and tears streamed down his face. He looked into the eyes of his sister, the sea swimming in them. He was so close. He took a few more desperate steps closer but collapsed again a few feet from her, his strength exhausted. He looked at her his vision completely leaving him and he muttered, "I was so close...."
"So close to saving you..."
"So close to getting you back..." Then his vision blacked out completely and he stopped moving. His breathing was shallow and he lay there on the blood stained ground.

(Noooooice!!!! That’s amoyzin!!)


The humans cheered and screamed, shouting random words in excited English as Helios stood on the arena sands. Crest had finally given up, he’d put up a good fight. A few burly humans came out with dart guns and electric poles, forcing helios away from crest. A sting in his neck indicated he’d been drugged again, a needle with fuzz on the end dropping from his scales and immediately the fire inside withered away. He roared furiously, but they only taunted him with their torture devices. As they began to drag crest away, helios shouted at them in English, of which he knew VERY little. He could only say a few simple words.
He looked at the human who seemed to be ordering everyone around and fixed his glare on him.
“WATER” He shouted angrily, pointing at crest very obviously and making sure the humans got his message. He didn’t quit glaring at the human until he responded with what seemed to be a “yes” nod of the head.
He wanted to fight them, to burn them all to ash and watch them suffer. But his fire had been taken again, and they had long range weapons pointed at his head. The things they held could catapult small objects so fast that they become deadly. Guns they called them. It was what had killed Tasha. his daughter had been killed by these machines. They forced helios back into his cage and took him to a new lot, one with many many other injured dragons being treated by a tall man in a lab coat with gold rimmed glasses. He had bright green eyes and blonde hair, and to his surprise, knew dragonese.

 

[-Shade-]

Sol quickly fell asleep, his head resting on Tobias' thigh as the man drifted off.
Twenty soundless minutes passed, finally interrupted by a ringtone. Tobias jumped awake, fumbling to answer the phone as Sol blinked, gently lifting his head from Tobais' lap.
"Hello." Tobias half groaned.
"Ayy, Tobe, et's Monzy, wunted to talk bout Sol? Where's ee gone tonight?"
Sol turned to watch Tobias, who was pointedly not making eye contact.
"Yeah." Tobias said. "Driver's, uh, wondering where he's supposed to go."
"Trucks are 'eading into District, then onto tha mountains. We plan to make it tah the top of tha continent, the fardder 'ut we go, tha betta."
"Whose going early?" Tobias asked, catching Sol's look with a half smile.
"Ay, lats seh... Hoookay, sa yuh got 'un of Roe's dragons, a one winged thing, Juniper, she can't do much out 'ere, but she can help prepare at our stop points a 'eed o taime. Than yo got Gables dragons, Sorrel and Saunde. Sorrel's nearly blind, Saunde's nearly dead." Monzy snorted bitterly. "Arena didn't do much good for them this week, Gables barely saved 'em and Lord knows he got no money ta pay fo nothin medically."
Tobias ran a hand through his hair, checking the time.
"That's it, mate. When's your transport in?"
"Uhm.." Tobias glanced at his watch again, too exhausted to let much register in his mind. "5. We should probably start heading out."
"Agreed. Dragons are in my lot. Stop by with Sol and we'll get 'em set."
"Thanks Monz."
"Oh, nah, thanks you, Tobias. Dunno what we wud 'ave done wowtcha."
Monzy hung up, and Tobias leaned his head against Sol again, feeling a caught stand of hair tug uncomfortably at one of diamond studs in his ear. He tucked the hair behind his ears, standing abruptly and meeting Sol's gaze.
"I'm sending you our early." Tobias started. "I don't want anything to happen to you, and I couldn't live with myself if something did."
Sol nodded, "It makes sense, man. But- I hate to be.."
"You're not in the way." Tobias assured quietly. "Do you want to walk to Monzy's? Can you? Actually, no, you shouldn't, you sh-"
"I can walk. It's hardly a block. I'd be good to try."
Tobias looked hesitant, so Sol pushed himself off the ground, and walked softly to the door.
Convinced, Tobias nodded with a gentle smile, snatching his hat from the cooler before following Sol out the door. He didn't look back at the other dragons in the lot. He didn't want to. If fact, Eclipse was basically his least favorite dragon at that moment. But Tobias realized how stressed he was, continually dwelling on Sol's safety... None of those emotions were real, they we're all exhausted and at their wits end.
Sol made it to Monzy's lot, and Tobias quickly rapped on the door, thoroughly impressed by Sol's ability to hide a limp.
Vel answered the door, and Tobias snorted. "What-.. are you just the-"
"Official door keeper, eXaCtLy, yeas, git in here."
Sol stumbled through the door, his body obviously weakening, and Tobias hadn't truly realized how hard the walk here had been for him, because the moment Sol was through the doorway, he partially collapsed, gasping as he caught himself, then slumped to the floor.
"Dude." Was all Tobias could think to say as he dropped to his knees beside the red dragon, who was breathing quite heavily, his wings seizing up in pain. "Sol, buddy, are you good?"
Monzy jogged towards them, a cigar jutting out of the corner of his mouth, which he quickly removed as he also knelt beside Sol.
Vel scrunched her nose. "You made him walk all the way here? Did you ever see what happened to him in the arena? Low. Real low."
Tobias scoffed breathlessly, watching Sol slowly sit up, coughing. "It's-.. okay." He managed to grunt through wild coughs.
Monzy frowned. "You should get em checked out, Tobias. That poison might still not be gone."
Tobias swallowed hard. "I can't do it now.. we don't have time."
"Aye, but Rose can 'elp, when we reach the mountains she can take a look."
Tobias nodded, catching every one of Monzy's vague terms. Though he was kind, Monzy didn't trust him. But maybe that was for the best.
Sol suddenly stood, "Where do I have to go." It was more of a determined statement, and it made Tobias' heart jump.
Monzy motioned to the far side of the lot where a pair of semi trucks were lined up, side by side. Tobias had yet to appreciate the sheer enormous size of the lot, and the amount of dragons in open cages stacked and stacked and stacked on top of one another.
It was like a maze, so many cages, most full, a few empty. Dragons watched them ominously, a few even shouted as Sol passed by, obviously having a history with the SolarWing in the arena.
When they reached the trucks Sol faltered and all three of them, Monzy, Tobias, and Vel, rushed to Sol's side, helping the dragon to the ground.
Sol did not look pleased with himself, but he wouldn't be cliche and not accept help. He... needed the help.
"Good, good." Monzy whispered, patting Sol's neck. "We 'ave 'alf an haur befar trucks pull out." Monzy stood, moving his hands to his sides. "All right, Tobe?"
"Yes. Yes, it's fine." Tobias said, his eyes on Sol, who's shallow breaths had leveled, his gaze locked on the ground. He kneeled beside the dragon, and Sol leaned his head against the man, his body rigid.
"I love you." Tobias whispered, a sickening feeling washing over him. "Please be safe. Please. Be. Safe."
Sol nodded wearily, and Tobias embraced the dragon one last time before pulling away, standing and taking a steadying breath.
"Everyun your dragons ready far tonight?"
Tobias sighed, "Yes, I have a few competing, Eclipse is helping in The Maze."
"Aye, aye. Well, we'll see you in a haur, Tobe." Monzy said kindly, slowly making his way to the door.
Tobias knew he had, in a way, said his goodbyes to Sol, as if he wanted to leave, but... he didn't. He really, really didn't want to leave him. But Monzy ushered Tobias to the door.
Vel gave him a quick, stern nod as Tobias slipped through the doorway.
He took a few confident steps down the hall, listening as the door closed shut. And then he stopped, he leaned against the wall, and he cried.

Eclipse heard the chat device ringing through the lot but she didn't acknowledge the noise. She pricked an ear lazily in Tobias's direction, listening to his half of the conversation, keeping her eyes closed.
A pointless notion. Tobias was speaking in English, and Eclipse didn't understand most of what he was saying. She had never bothered to learn the humans languages before, and she hadn't been in the Den long enough to pick up any of it. She listened a moment longer half-heartedly before the conversation paused and then Tobias spoke to Sol, this time, in Dragon.
"I'm sending you out early. I don't want anything to happen to you, and I couldn't live with myself if something did."
Eclipse almost opened her eyes in surprise. Funny, he almost sounded like he genuinely cares for a second, she thought bitterly, the tip of her tail shuddering slightly, still resting across her snout.
But then again, maybe he does care. At least, about Sol. The rest of us are all probably just collateral.
She listened to the two of them for a moment, her anger at Tobias slowly bubbling up again. She didn't understand him at all, and it was beginning to drive her insane. How could he be so kind and worried about Sol--and maybe even a little bit toward her--when it came to injuries, but the moment she had freed her warping, he acted like she might bite his head off any second. If she really had wanted him dead, she wouldn't have waited to get her warping back to do it. She would have shredded him a thousand times over in all the moments that he had let his guard down. He slept in the lot with her awake and fully alert. He had turned his back on her countless times since letting her out, even for a split second. That was all she would have needed to finish him. But she hadn't.
No, you were stupid enough to trust a human. What exactly made you think he was different? You fell for an act, Eclipse. A stupid act.
She waited until the lot door closed before releasing a loud growl. She lifted her head and glanced around half-heartedly at the other dragons before her gaze rested on the heavy iron door to the lot. She sat up and stretched, still watching the exit as she sat back down on the edge of the cage roof, draping her tail over the front. She wondered vaguely if she could somehow escape the lot, now that she had her warping back. Although, if Tobias followed through with the rebellion's plans, she wouldn't need to, and they could be out by nightfall.
But of course, she trusted Tobias less than she had even that afternoon. Maybe even less than she had when she'd first arrived here, and the idea that he might be lying, or that he might decide not to help them, wasn't as impossible as it might have felt a few hours before. She hated to admit to herself that she had trusted Tobias for a short while. And she saw now that as long as he thought he had the upper hand, he had been somewhat worthy of it. Though she was pretty sure that wasn't technically considered "trust".
Eclipse let out an audible scoff as these thoughts churned in her mind and she leapt down from the cage, pacing in a flourish of visible fury around the edges of the lot. She didn't even care if the others were watching her, and she forgot to wonder if Bloodmoon was reading her thoughts. She recalled Tobias's words from his fit of rage earlier and she growled again.
Need you? Give me one good reason why I'd need you. I am a Lunarwing--a dragon for moon's sake. I don't rely on some silly human for anything, no matter where I am. I could have found a way on my own without you.
She stopped pacing and glared at the door with a quiet hiss, the white scales beneath her eyes glowing brightly as her anger pulsed through her veins.

 

[-Shade-]

Eclipse heard the chat device ringing through the lot but she didn't acknowledge the noise. She pricked an ear lazily in Tobias's direction, listening to his half of the conversation, keeping her eyes closed.
A pointless notion. Tobias was speaking in English, and Eclipse didn't understand most of what he was saying. She had never bothered to learn the humans languages before, and she hadn't been in the Den long enough to pick up any of it. She listened a moment longer half-heartedly before the conversation paused and then Tobias spoke to Sol, this time, in Dragon.
"I'm sending you out early. I don't want anything to happen to you, and I couldn't live with myself if something did."
Eclipse almost opened her eyes in surprise. Funny, he almost sounded like he genuinely cares for a second, she thought bitterly, the tip of her tail shuddering slightly, still resting across her snout.
But then again, maybe he does care. At least, about Sol. The rest of us are all probably just collateral.
She listened to the two of them for a moment, her anger at Tobias slowly bubbling up again. She didn't understand him at all, and it was beginning to drive her insane. How could he be so kind and worried about Sol--and maybe even a little bit toward her--when it came to injuries, but the moment she had freed her warping, he acted like she might bite his head off any second. If she really had wanted him dead, she wouldn't have waited to get her warping back to do it. She would have shredded him a thousand times over in all the moments that he had let his guard down. He slept in the lot with her awake and fully alert. He had turned his back on her countless times since letting her out, even for a split second. That was all she would have needed to finish him. But she hadn't.
No, you were stupid enough to trust a human. What exactly made you think he was different? You fell for an act, Eclipse. A stupid act.
She waited until the lot door closed before releasing a loud growl. She lifted her head and glanced around half-heartedly at the other dragons before her gaze rested on the heavy iron door to the lot. She sat up and stretched, still watching the exit as she sat back down on the edge of the cage roof, draping her tail over the front. She wondered vaguely if she could somehow escape the lot, now that she had her warping back. Although, if Tobias followed through with the rebellion's plans, she wouldn't need to, and they could be out by nightfall.
But of course, she trusted Tobias less than she had even that afternoon. Maybe even less than she had when she'd first arrived here, and the idea that he might be lying, or that he might decide not to help them, wasn't as impossible as it might have felt a few hours before. She hated to admit to herself that she had trusted Tobias for a short while. And she saw now that as long as he thought he had the upper hand, he had been somewhat worthy of it. Though she was pretty sure that wasn't technically considered "trust".
Eclipse let out an audible scoff as these thoughts churned in her mind and she leapt down from the cage, pacing in a flourish of visible fury around the edges of the lot. She didn't even care if the others were watching her, and she forgot to wonder if Bloodmoon was reading her thoughts. She recalled Tobias's words from his fit of rage earlier and she growled again.
Need you? Give me one good reason why I'd need you. I am a Lunarwing--a dragon for moon's sake. I don't rely on some silly human for anything, no matter where I am. I could have found a way on my own without you.
She stopped pacing and glared at the door with a quiet hiss, the white scales beneath her eyes glowing brightly as her anger pulsed through her veins.

I know, I know, I said I wouldn't RP Eclipse until we were caught up but I got bored

 

[Harmonylight]

Austin stared up into the sky. Light colors painted the sky as the sun began to rise. Finally. He hadn't slept hardly at all during that night. He lay there, acting as if he were asleep and he got a little sleep, but for the remainder of the night, he lay there pondering. He thought about his escape plan, thought about what they could be doing here, and even thought about what people could be doing back at the Scorpion Den. One thought kept trying to come back that he kept pushing away. The girl. Alyssia. Why do I keep thinking about her! Ugh! I'm not supposed to feel bad about this. He sat up, frustrated at his brain and had a look around. Apple had been relieved from watch duty halfway through the night, and Austin assumed that Blackout had taken her place. Alyssia was still sleeping by the oasis pool and Bamboo and Apple were resting just a little further away. Whitestar was nowhere in sight, but Austin wasn't concerned about him. He took another long look around, trying to spot any glimpse of the black dragon. Curse you Blackout.
His legs yelled at him as he began to stand up, but he ignored it. He stretched himself out and started walking around the oasis, still keeping a lookout for Blackout. The pool water reflected his worn face back at him, the water rippling slightly as the breeze swept through. His hazel eyes stared back at him as he splashed water onto his face, the coldness sending shock through his tired body and waking him up. He sat there for a little longer, taking in the morning weather. A bird squealed in the background and Austin jumped slightly and turned towards the noise. Now that's what I call an alarm clock.

Whitestar lept gracefully over a thick clump of brush, landing in the sand that surrounded the oasis pool. He glanced around the clearing, spotting the hunter awake and kneeling beside the water.
"Blackout, Alyssia, we should head to the caravan and see what we have to work with. I'll come with you."

@Harmonylight @Yukiko

(Sorry, I forgot to answer that. I was very into Helios and Crest lol XD)

Alyssia was having a sweet dream of being back in her hometown. A shrieking bird woke her up and she groaned as she realized where she was. Ugh, guess the island paradise was just a dream again. She sat up and jumped a little as she saw the hunter sitting at the edge of the oasis pool. He looked over at he and smiled, "Good morning, sunshine." She chuckled slightly at his playfulness and shook herself awake. Her head spun towards Whitestar leaping into the clearing. He spoke something in Dragonese and Alyssia looked towards Austin for help.
"Blackout, Alyssia, we should head to the caravan and see what we have to work with. I'll come with you." Austin translated for her.
She smiled gratefully and turned towards Whitestar, "Yes! We need to get a move on! This daylight won't last forever and we have a plan to put into place!"
She heard Austin's voice translating into dragon as he walked up beside her. Her excitement for her plan was brimming over and she had a slight bounce in her step as she made her way over to the edge of the oasis. "Shall we go then?" she said, her innocent and excited smile spreading across her face.
She stopped mid stride and looked back towards them again. "Wait," she said gesturing towards Austin, "don't we need to bring him so I can talk to you?"
Austin smiled slightly and finished translating.

Blackout huffed as he woke.
He stretched, and grabbed the edge of the branch. Looking down, he was satisfied to see that he hadn't been seen yet. He was hiding up in a tree, on a thick branch that didn't bow under his weight enough to attract suspicion.
He hadn't slept too soundly, as he constantly looking down at Alyssia. He was concerned about the girl. After living with humans for so long, he couldn't read their emotions perfectly, but well enough to tell that she was trusting Austin too much.
Or maybe she was just her normal smiley and kind self... I mean, she had been that way to the rest of them too. So if she was a type to trust easily, Blackout was going to have to make sure to protect her from Austin's manipulative personality.
As Blackout gazed at the snoozing small girl, he almost smiled. She reminded him slightly of the young girl that had been so kind to him and others so long ago. They didn't look anything alike, but they had the same kind spirit and smile. Neither wanted to hurt anyone.
Right then and there, Blackout decided he would protect her. It wasn't something he had to do, he had free will now. And with this free will, he would keep this sweet human safe.
With these thoughts, his gaze fell on Austin.
Blackout's face, impassive, hid all the thoughts swirling in his head.
Why had fate allowed this human to end up in his talons?? Of all the humans, why did it have to be him?
He thought back to long ago. When they had first been paired together, Blackout had been hopeful, almost excited. All the older dragons had made it seem like it was something of pride to carry someone and to be their companion.
But as he stared at Austin, Blackout couldn't recall ever having felt proud to carry him on his back. At least, not most of the time. They only got along once or twice a year, it seemed. They used to rough and tumble, and those moments were the best. They were some of the only times Blackout could recall seeing Austin have a perfectly good time. And really, they were some of the most fun Blackout had too.
As he watched Austin look around in curiosity, an amused chuckle rose into his throat.
Whitestar entered the clearing below, and Blackout listened to what he said. Austin translated for Alyssia, and as they paused for a moment, Blackout decided it was time to make his entrance.
Blackout rolled over the edge of the branch and landed loudly directly behind Austin, hoping he had startled him. He bit back a laugh, and for a moment again, felt a sudden and very unexpected lack of animosity for the blond haired person in front of him.
"I agree, Whitestar. We should probably get going!" He announced, feeling as though he was in a much better mood today after such a good night's sleep. He glanced at Austin. "Unless Whitestar wants the privilege of carrying you on his back, I'll be giving you a ride in my talons."
He lowered his voice and spoke right next to Austin's ear so only the blond human could hear him.
"Do not hurt Alyssia. You hear me?"

 

[-Shade-]

Blackout huffed as he woke.
He stretched, and grabbed the edge of the branch. Looking down, he was satisfied to see that he hadn't been seen yet. He was hiding up in a tree, on a thick branch that didn't bow under his weight enough to attract suspicion.
He hadn't slept too soundly, as he constantly looking down at Alyssia. He was concerned about the girl. After living with humans for so long, he couldn't read their emotions perfectly, but well enough to tell that she was trusting Austin too much.
Or maybe she was just her normal smiley and kind self... I mean, she had been that way to the rest of them too. So if she was a type to trust easily, Blackout was going to have to make sure to protect her from Austin's manipulative personality.
As Blackout gazed at the snoozing small girl, he almost smiled. She reminded him slightly of the young girl that had been so kind to him and others so long ago. They didn't look anything alike, but they had the same kind spirit and smile. Neither wanted to hurt anyone.
Right then and there, Blackout decided he would protect her. It wasn't something he had to do, he had free will now. And with this free will, he would keep this sweet human safe.
With these thoughts, his gaze fell on Austin.
Blackout's face, impassive, hid all the thoughts swirling in his head.
Why had fate allowed this human to end up in his talons?? Of all the humans, why did it have to be him?
He thought back to long ago. When they had first been paired together, Blackout had been hopeful, almost excited. All the older dragons had made it seem like it was something of pride to carry someone and to be their companion.
But as he stared at Austin, Blackout couldn't recall ever having felt proud to carry him on his back. At least, not most of the time. They only got along once or twice a year, it seemed. They used to rough and tumble, and those moments were the best. They were some of the only times Blackout could recall seeing Austin have a perfectly good time. And really, they were some of the most fun Blackout had too.
As he watched Austin look around in curiosity, an amused chuckle rose into his throat.
Whitestar entered the clearing below, and Blackout listened to what he said. Austin translated for Alyssia, and as they paused for a moment, Blackout decided it was time to make his entrance.
Blackout rolled over the edge of the branch and landed loudly directly behind Austin, hoping he had startled him. He bit back a laugh, and for a moment again, felt a sudden and very unexpected lack of animosity for the blond haired person in front of him.
"I agree, Whitestar. We should probably get going!" He announced, feeling as though he was in a much better mood today after such a good night's sleep. He glanced at Austin. "Unless Whitestar wants the privilege of carrying you on his back, I'll be giving you a ride in my talons."
He lowered his voice and spoke right next to Austin's ear so only the blond human could hear him.
"Do not hurt Alyssia. You hear me?"

Whitestar shuddered at the thought of the scrawny little creature mounted between his shoulders. He didn't even want the hunter to touch him let alone ride him. "By all means," Whitestar said, sweeping his wing in a flourishing gesture to Blackout. "Feel free to carry him."
He stepped closer to the pool, half unfurling his wings impatiently, and then glanced around the clearing. "Where are the twins?"

@Yukiko @Harmonylight

I'm so excited we have a little bit of movement again
Also, Lydia, I wanted to ask you what your job is?

 

[Harmonylight]

The silvery dragon's eyes were blurry with tears. Her head was still buzzing, though the muzzle had turned off a few hours ago.
Everything around her seemed to be vibrating, but she knew it was still from the lasting effects of the weird muzzle-band.
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Her legs, she realized, were no longer tied. And she wasn't in the same room anymore. She was lying on a stony floor, untethered and completely free. She raised her head slightly and tried to focus enough to look around at her surroundings, and realized there was nothing except four stone walls and an iron door.
She sat up, and opened her wings and gave them an experimental shake. Her head was feeling a little bit less fuzzy.
As she stepped around the room, she decided to calculate it. It wasn't overly large, but it wasn't tiny. It was about two full wingspans across both ways, and if she stood up and reached her nose up, it would be about an inch away from the ceiling.
As she was distracted, she heard the door behind her open and close, and she whipped around with a furious stare on her face. Whatever had just entered the room, she wanted to kill. Rip apart. Whatever it took to get out of here, even if she didn't seem to be in imminent danger. She knew this situation couldn't be good.
But as her eyes landed on a small, wiry young girl who stood before her with both an air of confidence and harmlessness, her hackles lowered and a growl died in her throat.
The girl smiled softly.
It wasn't a cruel, terrifying one, it-
-It was almost kind.
The Lunarwing stared at her. This was the first human she had encountered-
No-
No it wasn't.
She jumped as the girl spoke softly, in clear and practiced Dragonese.
"I won't hurt you, I promise."
The young girl had short steel blue hair, cropped just above her shoulders, and her sharp blue eyes contrasted starkly with her dark skin.
She stepped closer. "I am Alora. I'm very honored to meet a Lunarwing for the first time; what is your name?"
Suddenly aware of her warping abilities, the Lunarwing tried to use it but the buzzing in her head returned slightly. She groaned and covered her head.
"Why won't it stop..." She gritted her teeth.
Alora stepped closer, gently placing a hand on the dragon's nose. "Ah- he used 'buzzing therapy' as he likes to call it. As if it isn't outright mental abuse." She said absently, as the dragon took a deep breath and wondered whether she wanted to shake the hand off or not. Alora ran her hand over her head and rested it gently on the Lunarwing's neck.
"If he used the buzzing, I'll wager you don't remember your name." She said, almost apologetically.
The dragon shook her head slowly. The buzzing was lessening.
"You also can't use your warping right now. Every time you try, you'll feel the buzzing again, until it's been long enough since the vibrations were directly applied to your skull."
The dragon nodded in response. "Alright." She exhaled slowly. "What do you know of all this?"
Alora grimaced. "Well, I can't say I'm proud of it, but I happen to be the daughter of the man who treated you this way. I am in no way glad to see it happen. I also am now your rider and.... unfortunate to state, but I am actually your owner."
The dragon stared at her. "Owner?! Excuse me, I don't think anyone ow-"
"I know, I know. But really, what else can we call it? Now, if you can't remember your name, we need to call you something. Your memory is impaired, and honestly, it's unsure if you'll ever recover it..."
The Lunarwing closed her eyes and shook her head slowly. "I don't even know what's going on." She thought briefly, and said the first thing that came to her mind.
"I choose Steel. That's my name."

(Don't worry y'all, this isn't her long term name and I'll still be calling her Neoma in referral to her! just her current name while she figures stuff out lol)

Alora gave a smile, her short light blue hair swinging as she nodded once.
"Steel. Like it!" She stepped away, letting her hand fall off of Steel's neck.
Strangely, Steel didn't feel relieved, she almost had enjoyed the gentle touch; it kinda reminded her that there was a kind being in this world.
She knew there were more memories in the back of her mind, but she couldn't quite reach them yet. Surely, there was more kindness in the world.
There had to be...
She shook her head. This wasn't the point. Her past was.
She strained at memories.
A flash of silver.
Red.
A scream.
Something pushed back, and she shot out of her memories with a grunt.
Alora's face was concerned again. "Are you alright?" She asked.
"Yep, just- can't reach memories I know are there." The Lunarwing sighed, giving up. Her head hurt slightly.
"Is there any way I can get out of here? I mean, that door looks a little too small for me to fit, but I can't say I like being in here."
Alora grinned. "Well, if you get out, we'll be able to start training to ride together. You ready?"
Steel nodded. "Still in pain, but I'd rather be sore and outside than comfortable in a cage."
Alora shrugged. "A cage has bars, you're in a stone room."
The silvery dragon looked at her skeptically. "Sure. Let's lock you up in here, and ask you after a day if you'd call it a cage or a stone room."
"Touché."
Alora removed a small device from her pocket, and spoke into it in Human.
Suddenly, the wall opposite the two doors slid open, and light flooded into the room-
Cage.
Stony cage.

 

[Harmonylight]

Whitestar shuddered at the thought of the scrawny little creature mounted between his shoulders. He didn't even want the hunter to touch him let alone ride him. "By all means," Whitestar said, sweeping his wing in a flourishing gesture to Blackout. "Feel free to carry him."
He stepped closer to the pool, half unfurling his wings impatiently, and then glanced around the clearing. "Where are the twins?"

@Yukiko @Harmonylight

I'm so excited we have a little bit of movement again
Also, Lydia, I wanted to ask you what your job is?

Bamboo was invisible still snoozing nearby. If Alyssia walked a few paces over, she would step on his tail.
Apple was awake, but not nearby. She was flying. Flying and wheeling, spinning and looping. The earth was beneath her and above her, and beautiful colors caught her newly working eyes briefly before she was looking at something new.
She angled her wings so she was diving directly towards the ground, and picked up speed. Her flying ability was a hundred times better. Now, she could see everything.
How could other dragons stand to go about in this world without exclaiming at its wonder every two seconds? It was incredible.
Even in the grays, there were millions of different shades.
And suddenly, she saw it.
Her wings opened and she was still, hovering in the air. She quietly flew closer, and perched on top of a tree, overlooking it.
Home. Her home.
The small Rainwing village. It was really not much of a village, just a few homes near each other. The real huge village was a mile away. Not much of a fly at all, but this here? This was her actual home. The sun was out and falling on odd Rainwings lounging here and there. It caught the colors of their beautiful scales, creating rainbows that rested on the jade green leaves.
Apple chuckled, holding back threatening tears as she finally got to see it all.
Aunt Mangoleaf was turning red and dark green again. Bamboo had always described the colors to Apple long ago, and they would giggle as they heard her shouting at some poor dragon that had crossed her path. Her constant mix of anger and disgust had always amused Bamboo, and appalled Apple. Now, able to watch it, she was able to laugh silently as the young dragon that was in her way, turned sweet shades of yellow and cerulean. Amusement and calmness... Oh boy.
Mangoleaf wouldn't like it.
Apple giggled as she looked another way and saw a little dragonet learning to turn invisible, being chased by his mother. Thankfully, he wasn't quite flying yet. His natural scales were stunning, orange and turquoise streaking across his body, and white patches in odd areas. This must be Skychaser, Bamboo had always described his antics between gales of laughter.
Apple wanted to stay and watch longer, but she knew if she went back in the village, she'd not leave.
And it would be kind of a hassle to explain how she was able to see... that would open a can of worms she wasn't ready to share yet.
She took another look at her home and turned away, flying back towards the oasis. It took every ounce of strength she had not to turn around. No matter the adventure she was about to have, she had never really ventured outside of her home much. It felt safe and cozy and nice, and really?
It was where she had felt like she could do anything.
But this giant open world needed to be seen. Seen with new eyes.
Literally.
She made it back to the oasis, and blended into her surroundings. She saw the group talking, but didn't see her brother....
Oh. The lazy lump was still asleep, the air shimmering as his scales blended in perfectly with his area. She landed next to him and unveiled, kicking him while looking at the group with a "give me a second to take care of this" look.
"Ow!" Bamboo yelped. "I'm up, I'm up!!!" He sat up and groaned. "Whaddya wa- wa- waaaant...." He yawned.

 

[Harmonylight]

I'm so excited we have a little bit of movement again
Also, Lydia, I wanted to ask you what your job is?

I'm working at a Physical Therapy establishment, doing a lot of cleaning and making sure things are put away correctly and keeping things running! I interact with patients, make sure things are okay, and do what I can to help everyone! I get to set up exercise equipment, and sometimes I'm at the front desk getting things done or wheeling around a portable desk and taking payments or looking at the schedule! Sometimes taking payments at the front desk too and checking people in, and helping with exercises and making sure things aren't in the way, and I guess I must be doing a good job because they asked me to take on more hourssssss!!!! AHHHHHH!!!! I'm really happy abt it!!!!!!