A Light in the Shadows.

A Cadet and two Hybreds

"All good," I said, putting on a smile. "Alright!" Zenial said, "Jelequi, do you have anything to heal wounds?" "Yeah, why? Did something happen?" Jelequi asked. "I pissed off my dad." Zenial said, clear regret in his voice. "I hate your dad more and more every time I hear about him." I said darkly. "You shouldn't try to fight him." Zenial mentioned, "You don't want to be hunted... Honestly, your scales would probably go for a lot, for those people who collect dragon scales." "At least someone appreciates hybrids," I muttered. "I'm not going to fight him, I just hate him." "Alright. Well, I don't know if you know this, but scales from hybrids are higher value." Zenial mentioned. "Not in my culture" I said. "Hybrids are pretty much a taboo" "I know. It's not just Xentri who knows dragon things. We both learned about it." Zenial said. "Well, I'll get you the healing potion!" Jelequi mentioned. "Oh, thanks." Jelequi came back, standing behind the counter. "Got the potion!" Jelequi told him. Zenial walked over. Once Zenial was closer, they could see what looked like burns on his arms. "What happened?" I whispered. Zenial looked at me, "Silver." Zenial gave a one word answer. I nodded, though feeling confused. "The healing potion is $58." Jelequi said, handing it to Zenial. Zenial handed money to Jelequi. Zenial was about to walk out of the shop, "Zenial, don't you want your change?" Jelequi asked. "Nah, keep it." Zenial said. "I'm not taking an extra $42!" Jelequi replied. "Don't worry about it." Zenial said, exiting the shop. I looked with an amused expression at Jelequi's flustered one. "Who just gives an extra $48, and doesn't take it back..." Jelequi mumbled, confused. "Maybe he was trying to be nice to his sister's friend." "Rich bastard..." Jelequi muttered, "I always forget that the Frostpetals are so rich.." "you sound so offended," I said giggling, "that people like to help you out." "It feels like they pity me!" Jelequi said. "I don't know about Zenial but a lot of the time people just like being nice. I got you a flower because you're my friend and I was trying to be nice. Zenial was probably just trying to be nice" I replied. "I guess.." Jelequi replied. I didn't say anything more, but then looking out and realizing it was almost night time she said "I guess I should go..." "Oh... alright... Bye then..." Jelequi said, hugging me. I hugged her back tightly. "Have a good sleep tonight... Well, as good as it can be..." Jelequi said. "You too," I said. Jelequi released from the hug, "See you next time..." "soon" I corrected, smiling and flying off.

I got back and bananas threw himself at me, scolding me in a squeak like a squirrel and wrapping his long body around my neck. Alright, "I'll bring you next time" I giggled to him. He squeaked again crossly at me. I smiled innocently at me and he glared back.

I cuddled him for a little while before changing clothes and heading over to Melina's room, knocking on her door. She poked her head out, smiling when she realized it was me. "Come on, I'm bored so let's do something in the sky market!" I said. "Hello to you too," Melina muttered, though she was smiling. I grabbed her wrist pulling her out the door laughing. She laughed too. She was wearing a casual shirt that hugged her perfectly sculpted body and dark tanned skin and loose pants. She came with me. Was she blushing? No... why would she. I let go of her wrist as we neared the castle gates and we transformed into dragons and flew into the sky. "Hey it's a full moon soon!" I called to Melina "another moon festival." "I've never been," she told me. "Well that has to change!" I informed her. She giggled, catching my eyes. I admired her beautiful dragon form again, but couldn't help thinking of Jelequi. I sighed, wishing I knew what the beautiful elf thought of me. I didn't know if it would be worse to know she didn't like me or be left waiting like this, pretty sure she didn't like me though not knowing for sure. I blushed, trying to get my mind back to the present with Melina. I shook myself in the air and we continued on. The village in the sky was held by our ancestors' magic, a village that could be expanded by the ruler. Ancient magic often worked that way, where the ruler controlled some things. I often would perform ceremonies there welcoming new dragons to the village or saying goodbye to the old ones. We made our way through the streets, as I greeted the dragons I knew. "Look, there's Lyka!" I said happily. She was walking alone, so I walked over to her, grinning. She looked up from her steady gaze on the ground and smiled at me "Seraphina!" she said smiling. "This is Melina, Melina, this is Lyka" I introduced happily. Was that a hint of jealousy that crossed Melina's face? It couldn't have been. They both smiled at each other. "Do you want to come with us? we'll probably get some food at a restaurant" "you had me at food" Lyka said grinning. I blinked as Melina slipped her hand into mine, but didn't question it. We ended up going to a sky foods place where they sold things like birds and stuff that grew in high climates. We ordered, and we ate while I tried to make small talk that I sucked at. Eventually I gave up and we ate in awkward silence until we finished. Lyka said her goodbyes and Melina and we headed back to the castle. If you're wondering, bananas was wrapped around my neck the entire time. When I got back to my room he decided he wanted food, so I gave it to him. I started reading and bananas decided he could suddenly fly, as he leapt out of the cage and onto the floor. I laughed and got up from my book to pick him up and he cuddled contentedly with me as I continued reading. I fell into a dreamless sleep, soothed by the ferret's comforting warmth beside me.