Spirit of War (Bk 2 of Mudwings of JMA)

Chapter 2: United

"So?" Mirage pestered. "So what?" Cattail asked. "So, how is she?" "How is who?" Cattail answered, exasperated. "The new Skywing!" Mirage had been pestering her all the way down the hall. It was a miracle she could hear her. Or not. Cattail was well aware of the slight bubble of space around them from other dragons subconsciously inching away from them. Mirage seemed oblivious to that fact. "She's.... nice. Shy, which is surprising. Too much fire like Peril." At her blank look she sighed. "The Dragon that saved Clay?" She informed her. "Right! That one! Prim's know-it-all-ness is rubbing off on you." "It is not!" Cattail said defensively. They both then noticed a group of some of the youngest dragonets, around three, talking. It seemed like they were daring each other to come closer to Cattail and Mirage. Mirage wrinkled her nose. "Stuck up little-" she started. "Now you're starting to sound like Prim." Cattail pointed out. "Well, it true. All these dragons acting like one of us is going to bite them without warning, which at this point, I might. Like we don't notice the changes, dragons avoiding us. We're not stupid." She snapped. One of the dragonets, apparently having lost, started scooting closer to them. "They want something to be afraid of; I'll give 'em something to be afraid of." She growled and swung her head around to glare at the dragonet who stopped dead in her tracks. She bared her teeth slightly and the dragonet squealed and darted back to her friends in terror. Mirage snorted. "Not helping." Cattail told her flatly. "Come on, we're here. Let's find the others." The pair weaved through the crowded prey center. All their most important conversations seemed to happen here. "Over here!" A Blinding yellow wing waved at them from their usual spot. "Hey Prim." "Hello!" She said cheerfully. She was seated next to Chasm, who was tearing into a fish. "About time you got here, you two took forever. You're the last ones here." He informed them. "Where are the others?" Cattail asked. He pointed at a group a dragons, all working to get something to eat. "Oh." "And when they get back you get to meet one of Delta's friends from the Diamond Winglet. Who also happens to friends with our new Skywing." "Who is it?" Mirage asked. "Ask her yourself." He replied, waving a wing in the direction of the others, who were returning. On one aide of Delta was Ember who kept her wings and tail close to her. She carried nothing, probably afraid she would burn it too badly, and someone else was probably carrying it for her. At Delta's other side was a reserved, clam looking Nightwing. Well, Nightwing Rainwing dragon. She had dark nebula blue scales with hints of purple. She had a Rainwing frame and galaxy pattern on the underside of her wings. Silvery blue scales in the corner of her eyes led a trail down her neck and side. She wore a necklace with a smooth black stone on it, gothic silver wings surrounded it. Her eyes were a vibrant purple with flecks of other colors. Cattail noticed with surprise that the color of her eyes was shifting. She had a subtle smile as she listened to the others vibrant talking. "Cattail!" Delta said in surprise. She nearly tripped over another dragon as she darted at her sister. "Oof." She grunted as she was body slammed by Delta. "I love your new clawmate! She's so sweet!" Cattail assumed she was talking about Ember. Ember shuffled, embarrassed. "Guess what? Your sisters not the only princess! I present Princess Inkscale of the Rainwings!" Prim introduced. "Hey." She said. "Nice to meet you Inkscale, I'm Cattail." "I'm Mirage!" Mirage added from her spot. "So, I heard you've taken up terrifying 3 year olds." Prim started at her. "Oh don't even get me started!" Mirage said. "How'd you hear about that so fast?" Cattail questioned. "You would not believe how gossipy Rainwings are." Inkscale told her. They fell silent after that. Pond shuffled her wings, gaining everyone's attention. She looked up and realized everyone was staring at her, like they expected a speech or something. She finally decided on something to say. "Has anyone else noticed the every dragon treats up differently now? It's like their walking on thin ice that might give at any moment." "They think you're fragile. One misstep and you could crack. Maybe become what you know you aren't. It's natural for them. Push away the different." Inkscale answered. She shrugged. "Sometimes we feel fragile. But that's it, just feel. We have each other, that's all we need right now." Drought said. "You have me too, if it helps. Although I have no idea what happened and I get the feeling it's a kind of forbidden topic." Ember declared. "Me too, you can count on me." Inkscale added. "I guess it's settled then. Their all a bunch of snails brains we don't need." Dreamspeaker finalized with a straight face. There were snorts all around. "Elegantly put." Chasm said while Rattlesnake tried to get his laughing under control.