Preview:
"What is wrong with you?" asked the Icewing exasperatedly, "How am I supposed to even make it through one night with you when you act like this?"
"What?" Qibli asked, fluttering his eyes innocently, "I'm just trying to get to know my clawmate better. Besides, isn't that what this school is about? Getting to know each other?" he pointed out, of course being charmingly right
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Winter was in his cave, resting on a matted polar bear hide. By this point, he was joined by Qibli, who had finished his own dinner a while ago. Winter let out a sneeze suddenly, causing frost to float momentarily.
I wonder if someone is thinking about me, Winter mused disinterestedly
Probably mother or father, if anyone, he quickly realized, devoid of joy
Forget it. Stupid game.
"What, did you catch a cold?" Qibli commented distractedly. His face was comically pulled into an ever-wide grin from his spot on his patch of sand. The sound of rustling scroll parchment filled Winters unamused silence.
"I doubt it. Maybe it's from all the sand you've kicked up, which is now in my nose, by the way." Winter quipped back, "What are you reading anyway?"
Winter walked over and peered over Qilbi's shoulder who let out a rumbling laugh as Winters eyes widened.
"A scroll on proper Icewing care." answered Qibli, chuckling. Winter immediately snatched the scroll in one-fell swoop and gently smacked the side of Qibli's head with it, abashed.
"What is wrong with you?" Winter groaned exasperatedly, "How am I supposed to even make it through one night with you when you act like this?"
"What?" Qibli asked innocently, "I'm just trying to get to know my clawmate better. Besides, isn't that what this school is about? Getting to know each other?" he pointed out, of course being charmingly right
"Well, I don't want to get to know you." Winter grumbled, returning to his bed and resting his head on his claws.
"Well, I do." Qibli replied sincerely, forcing Winter to have to look away from his eyes due to their earnest intensity
"Goodnight." Winter bid declaratively, "Go read a scroll on Icewing greatness and think about that for a while."
Qibli snorted, "Okay, I will. Will there be a pop quiz on this?"
Winter smiled and just then their third clawmate came in settled in on his bed and the rest of the night was spent in peaceful silence.
.
.
.
.
By the time morning rolled around (though it was barely morning by most dragon's standards), Qibli had woken up just as the third moon was starting to set in exchange for the sun to rise.
He had trained himself to do this for Thorn, as such he was awake and alert in moments and ready to get his day started, except.... he couldn't.
No reasonable dragon was awake at this hour, and he certainly didn't dare wake his two clawmates - especially Winter, who Qibli wasn't sure WOULDN'T claw his face off.
Qibli rustled impatiently, when would it be a reasonable time to get up? Ten minutes? Thirty?
He heard a familiar groaning after he fidgeted for the hundredth time. His ears perked up and he whispered to himself affectionately, "Does he not make any sounds other than groaning?"
"I can come over there and roar your ear off if you'd prefer." came the groggy, deep voice of Winter, rubbing his eyes.
As surprised as Qibli was that he'd actually woken Winter up with his little comment, he also felt a mixture of guilt and something else. His heart lurched and he focused too much on the sound of Winters barely awake voice that he'd forgotten to actually pay attention to what Winter said.
Which was weird.
Qibli felt his face flush with the realization of what he'd done.
It was an accident and nothing more.
"Well, it was nice while it lasted." Qibli tried to carry on casually, but failing, "Go back to sleep. The last thing the world needs is a sleep-deprived Winter."
"Now I can't." grumbled the Icewing quietly, "Are all Sandwings like this, or are you just exceptionally strange?"
"Wow, good morning to you too, sunshine." Qibli beamed in retaliation.
Winter scowled as his tail twitched slightly. He gently rose from his bed and walked out the cave opening.
Qibli hurried as quietly as he could behind him, eager to have someone else awake
"What are you doing?" questioned Winter as soon as they were outside
"Following you." gushed Qibli jokingly, "I know you want me to."
"Or maybe that's what YOU want." Winter retorted, stiffening as Qibli smiled disarmingly at him. Winter quickly looked away
"My, my. Playing hard to get, are we?" Qibli teased, "This isn't like you at all."
"Another word from you and you'll be getting another scar on that face of yours." threatened Winter, feeling his scales warm unusually
Qibli grinned proudly as he stretched his wings and walked to a wide window that led outside, "Someday you'll admit that you adore me."
"Keep dreaming. Where do you think you're going?" Winter asked approaching Qibli from behind. Qibli could feel his cool scales radiate from him and chill his naturally warm ones. It was a weird feeling, but not unpleasant. Qibli shuffled nervously.
What am I feeling? Nervous? Ansty? Ready to burst?
Winter, becoming impatient, decided to approach Qibli from his side so he could directly speak with him.
Qibli snapped out of his thoughts as he saw Winters face.
"Going for some air." Qibli finally answered flustered. He set his jaw firmly.
Winter stared in silence for a moment as though waiting for something else as Qibli shifted from talon to talon, eager to fly and clear his head.
I must be exhausted from yesterday. It was...a lot to take in, after all.
"Right. I just think it's weird how you're the one needing air when it's the heat from YOUR scales that made the air practically stifling in the first place." Winter told Qibli, sensing his discomfort and taking a step back.
Too wrapped up in his own thoughts, Qibli simply rolled his eyes and snorted, a little harsher than he meant to, "Yes, yes. Then it's a good thing you'll finally have your own room soon, then. Save us both a headache."
Winter narrowed his eyes guardedly and Qibli instantly realized his mistake. Through clenched teeth, Winter said,
"Lucky me."
Qibli stared for a moment longer, regretting upsetting the Icewing, but ultimately deciding to spread his wings and launch off. It was a moment of weakness he hadn't expect to show around the Icewing.
Winter, in the meanwhile, let out a sigh. Too confused with his own feelings, too. He had wanted to be alone since the moment he'd arrived at Jade Mountain, but knew he'd be dreadfully board.
Dreadfully bored without the quick wit and charm of his Sandwing companion.
Winter decided that while Qibli was gone, it would be in his best interest to become better acquainted with the layout of the school.
Qibli had been insufferable, seeming to have already memorized and understand the layout of the school within hours of their first day. It wasn't fair. Winter felt like he needed to catch up as to not rely too much on another dragon.
It wasn't the Icewing way. And he couldn't go soft while he was here.
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