Wings Of Fire: Thorns And Roses

"Protect"

Well, this is just great.

Radiant stood there, watching as the massive dragons around her kept yelling and laughing. She felt smaller than ever, weaker still. 

She felt betrayed, by both of her friends still. They had just left her all alone in a environment that she was definitely not comfortable in.

Not everything has to be about you, Radiant, she thought. They can hang out with their stupid other friends. It's not your fault they like them better than you. Oh wait, it is!

Radiant's vision began to blur as she could feel her body go into overdrive trying to simply keep her on her talons. Her heart was beating faster, her breath was more shallow, and her head swirled and swished around as if her brain was liquefied into a puddle. 

Too many things were happening at once. The talking, the attempts to comprehend the situation, the fire crackling, and the loud, loud music.

The music was somewhat off to the SilkWing. It sounded familiar, but it had a beat and rhythm that was foreign to her. The beats of the drums, the twangy and deep notes from the stringed instruments...

It only helped to make her more uncomfortable.

"Hey, mind tossing me a piece of elk?"

Radiant turned to see an unfamiliar SeaWing standing there, pale green light radiating from parts of their body.

"Grab it yourself," Radiant snapped back. "I'm not touching any of that."

"Woah, little rude, aren't you?" the SeaWing chuckled. "It's fine though."

"Just leave me be."

"Alrighty then..."

Radiant scoffed as she refused to get out of the way. Being snarky and uncooperative was the only other thing she could do in that moment. 

What else was she supposed to do? Cry? Vent to a stranger?

Then she would just draw more attention to herself. All of these dragons, laughing at her. They'd call her 'stupid', 'over-emotional', or any other horrible word that was beaten into her throughout her entire life.

After all, she's just some SilkWing to them. Some weak, pathetic dragon.

The SeaWing just grabbed the plate of the disgusting meat and headed off, leaving Radiant all to herself once more. 

How could they just leave me like that? Aren't they my friends? Radiant asked herself. No, no they're not. Not anymore. They found friends who are nicer, better than some scummy dragon like you—

"Know what? I'm just going to leave..." 

She knew that this party was making her feel worse about herself. No dragon would care if she left. They're busy having fun. Radiant doesn't need to be here, so why should she be anyways? 

It's not like Locust or Adonis even decided to stay with her.

Radiant took a small deep breath as she braced herself into the crowd, trying her best to push aside any dragon nearby. It didn't matter if they were in her way, she just wanted out.

Radiant was just about to pass by the bonfire when she overheard a conversation. These dragons were speaking louder than the others, fighting as it seems.