darkstalker's daughter

3

Oh well. I guess I'll go find my cave. According to her welcome scroll, it wasn't too far away, and Asteria had only flown around the passageways for a short amount of time before she found a large cave with the words Onyx carved above the entrance.

"Here goes nothing," she whispered, and stepped inside.

The first thing Asteria noticed was a large noticeboard containing flyers and event details, and she made a mental note to check them when she got the chance to. In the centre of the cave was a large table filled with inkwells and empty scrolls, presumably there for the winglet to use as homework supplies. Over in a corner was a rack of scrolls for reading next to a cosy, candlelit nook. Asteria was sure that she would find herself there in the future, no prophecies required. The last wall was taken up by entrances to the winglet's sleeping caves.

"Hello," a voice called, startling Asteria. She turned and saw a RainWing standing in one of the entryways. "I'm Smokeberry. And you are... Asteria."

"That's me," she said, with a slight smile. "Nice to meet you, Smokeberry. Say, isn't that the name of one of those weird fruits?" she asked curiously, and laughed when Smokeberry nodded.

"Everyone else is out hunting, you're the last one to arrive. I, obviously, didn't go, because I'd much rather eat fruit than meat," they informed Asta, shuddering at the thought. Suddenly, their look of horror morphed into one of amusement. "Hey, want to try a smokeberry? I've got a few somewhere"

One of Shadow's lectures about what fruits were safe to eat flashed into Asteria's mind. She recalled hearing him describe the effects of the smokeberry, which included hallucinations, paralysis, and weird, weird dreams. "Ooh, I don't know about that one. Don't they do some weird voodoo magic to your brain?"

Smokeberry laughed. "They do," he said, with a wicked grin, "but it only lasts, like 15 minutes. You'll be fine!" Holding out their hand, he offered a small berry to Asteria. She hesitated, but eventually caved, and grabbed the devious fruit. Taking a deep breath, she popped it into her mouth.

The effect was instantaneous. She felt as though she had been thrown into a pit of fairy floss, as she was gradually sinking deeper and deeper into the trance. Asteria's limbs didn't want to move, no matter how hard she tried. All around the room, she could see- dancing pineapples in tutus?

Three moons! She thought in frustration.

Suddenly, she remembered her enhanced telepathy. Thank Clearsight for my abilities! Thanks mum. Stretching out her consciousness, she found Smokeberry's thoughts. She projected her mental voice into their mind.

Smokeberry.

Smokeberry!

SMOKEBERRY-

Asteria? Smokeberry finally replied. FINALLY! Took you long enough. WHY are there dancing pineapples in tutus all around me?!

Smokeberry laughed, and Asteria internally scowled. This was no laughing manner.

Don't laugh at me! How much longer am I stuck like this? They're singing now, three moons, help-

Five more minutes. Oh, look! Everyone's coming back now. Gosh, they're so confused. I feel bad for you, this is one unique first impression. Asteria could hear Smokeberry laughing, and eventually she was able to control her talons again. Opening her closed eyes, she scowled at the RainWing.

"That was humiliating," Smokeberry commented.

Rolling her eyes, Asteria scoffed. "Thanks, captain obvious! It's not my fault your voodoo berries made me spaz out. Those dancing pineapples in tutus are gonna haunt my dreams now."

Standing up and brushing herself off, she smiled sweetly at the group of concerned looking dragons.

"Hello! I'm Asteria, but you can just call me Asta. It's lovely to meet you all! Sorry that your first impression of me was that awkward," she said, and prayed internally that the dragons who were most important for her to get along with didn't think she was psychotic. Honestly, it doesn't help that the whole situation with my dad just happened.

Thankfully, the MudWing standing over by the door broke the silence. "Nice to meet you, Asta. I'm Fenn. How's about we all introduce ourselves?" Fenn spoke with a slight accent that Asteria couldn't recognise. He was skinny, and had a pair of glasses balancing on his snout. On the outside, he appeared easygoing and carefree, but his mind was racing with doubts and concerns.

SeaWing looks hostile, befriend to keep on good side.

RainWing looks agreeable.

SkyWing appears to be neutral. Have to keep an eye on that one.

Not sure about the IceWing. Also neutral for now.

SandWing looks fun.

NightWing... looks confident, but also anxious. Why?

Asteria pulled herself out of Fenn's thoughts when she realised that the MudWing was organising introductions. She glanced over to Smokeberry, who started speaking next.

"Hey, I'm Smokeberry. Uhh, I like to prank people, so watch out I guess. Suntime is fun too," they said, grinning slightly. Asteria noticed that his scales remained a passive blue-purple colour. Smokeberry must've mastered control over his scales so that he didn't get caught during his playful schemes.

Impressive, she thought to herself.

Everyone in the winglet went around, sharing something about themselves. Cactus, the SandWing, seemed fun, and bubbly, whilst Hadal seemed a bit cold, and on edge. He reminded Asteria a lot of an IceWing, even though he was a SeaWing. Blaze seemed nice enough, but her thoughts were racing about her jealousy of anyone who was more important or special than her. She seemed lonely, as well. Asta made a mental note to go talk to her sometime. Maybe she just needed a friend. Alabaster seemed a bit goofy, and clueless. He was a little dramatic, but that was ok in Asteria's mind.

All in all, Asteria was pretty certain that she'd get along well with her winglet.

AAAAH SO SORRY FOR THE HUGE WAIT LOVES! hope you like itttt <3