Wings of Fire - Court of Lies

25 - A Friendly Chat

<< Hey Glory... >>
<< Mh? Oh, hey Peril... >>

The two dragonesses sat on a solitary balcony.
Peril had just finished talking with Osprey when she noticed Glory staring at the horizon with her scales colored of many different dark and dull shades of colors that symbolized sadness and pain, she thought that some company could have helped her and wanting to be a good friend (to her first friends especially), she decided to give it a try, even if she wasn't used to help others and she was in a bad mood herself and actually felt a bit of envy toward Glory.
Clay usually complimented the RainWing's beauty and intelligence, Glory would often turn of a bright shade of pink and gold around him, smiling in a way that felt different from the simple happiness of a friend being complimented by another friend.
She wanted to be that close to Clay as well, but she was still searching for the courage to ask.

<< Are you alright? >>

The SkyWing held back a growl at her own words.
"What kind of question was that? It's obvious she's not alright!"

<< No... >>
<< Do you... want to talk? >>

She couldn't hug her or pat her back reassuringly, the only way she could help was either talking to Glory or killing whoever had hurt her.

<< I just find out that what I always knew was true... >>

The RainWing lied down.

<< Lazy and stupid fruitcatchers... my tribe is full of those, it's been years since RainWings have been something different from what Kestrel and Dune have always said to me. I should be used to this, I shouldn't feel this pain after all this time, but I was chosen as a Dragonet of Destiny for Clearsight's sake! >>

Growled Glory.

<< For once... for once I wasn't an error, a replacement for some random dragonet. For once I was important, needed, it felt so nice to be chosen and now... >>

Tears were running down her face.

<< Now I'm not even sure Scarlet and Chameleon did the right thing choosing me! >>

Peril looked at her in silence, getting a wing close enough that the other dragone's tears were evaporating from the heat.
"What now?"
She tried to remember Osprey's teaching, or at least what he had told her about listening and reassuring other dragons.
"Alright, I never did it before. Let's hope I don't ruin anything..."

<< You know why SkyWings kill dragonets like me? >>
<< Uh? >>
<< They say it's because our powers are a curse and they want to spare us a life of suffering. But when the others look at me, I don't see pity, I see hate and disgust, just because I do what every SkyWing soldier does: I fight enemies, I kill enemies and obey my queen. They see a monster and that's only because of who I am and what I was told. >>

Glory was silent.

<< I... I can't understand completely how you feel Glory, we don't feel the same things, even if we're both hated for who we are... >>

After all dragons were different and reacted differently, even to similar events.

<< ... but I don't think Scarlet and this "Chameleon" are wrong. You beat up that SkyWing dragonet and survived years of abuse, I say your kidnappers' opinion isn't important. >>
<< Yeah, I wish I could believe that too. >>
<< And you're not lazy or stupid, aren't you? Then it's not... what was it? Oh, it's not a "genetic" thing, your kind can change! >>

Glory looked at her with an uncertain smile, clearly unsure on how to react to that "compliment".

<< Thank you for trying to help Peril, I really appreciate it. >>

She smiled back.

<< Why do you look sad as well? >>
<< Oh, Osprey just gave me some... some bad news. >>

She trusted Osprey with all herself, she knew he would have never lied to her, that's why it was so painful to think about his words.

"Peril, you must be careful. I am really happy you're interacting with other young dragons and making friends, but the way you're talking about this Clay? You're getting too fixated on the idea you've made of this dragon, there's the risk you might become obsessed with him and that's not a feeling, no, that's an illness that will consume you and turn in a monster like everyone think you are. We need to work on your relationships and how to get rid of the damages that all these years of isolation have inflicted on you."

She never thought to hear those words from the only friend she had before the Dragonets of Destiny.
She still couldn't understand all that talking at all, Peril didn't see a problem in the way she talked about Clay and how much she yearned for his company.
"He's the only dragon I can touch, is it this weird like him?"
Osprey had told her that to really like a dragon she should have known them better.
"But it already feels like I always knew him..."

<< Peril? >>

Glory was calling her and Peril shook her head to cast away her thoughts.
"Well, maybe it's strange I'm envying Glory and Clay's friendship, they grew up as siblings after all..."

<< Are you alright? >>
<< Yeah, it's just those... you know... I'm not used to open up with others. >>
<< That's fine, we can just watch the clouds and enjoy each other in silence. >>

Nodding, Peril lied down as well, breathing heavily.

<< It would have been so much better to not have feelings at all... >>

She said, not caring about being understood.

<< Maybe to know the magic to cancel them... >>
<< Yeah, it would be useful to be magical like an animus... animus... Peril... YOU'RE A GENIUS! >>

Peril jumped on her paws in fear at Glory's sudden scream.

<< Why didn't I think about it before? >>
<< About what?! >>
<< I'll explain it later. Oh, I just wish I could hug you right now! >>

Peril felt strange at Glory's words, but in a pleasant way.
Clay had told her the RainWing wasn't exactly a fan of physical contact, to wish she could have touched her, it meant Glory was really pleased with her and it made her feel better.

<< It's fine, just tell me what is this all about. >>
<< Follow me then! >>

~~~~

<< Where are Glory and Peril? >>

Asked Scarlet.
She was in the dining room with her daughter and sons, the Dragonets of Destiny and "Soar" sitting by her side and they were all waiting for the two missing dragons to start eating.

<< I hope they'll come soon, I'm hungry. >>

Said Clay staring at the food and trying to suppress his stomach's rumbling.

<< I'm sure the- >>

Glory opened the doors so suddenly she startled the presents, Peril was right behind her.

<< Chameleon... >>

She stared at the disguised RainWing.

<< You told me our tribe fell, that we've been disgraced by the wrong queens... >>

She got closer to the masked dragon, confusing everyone unaware of his real identity as Scarlet sat in silence and observed the scene, hoping for something thrilling to happen and not worried at all about her audience (after all Peril was loyal to her and she wasn't superior to use the worst methods to keep her dragonets silent).

<< ... then the only way to clear their name, to clear our names, to clear mine, is to change things and to change them, we need a new ruler. >>
<< What are you saying? >>

Her colors switched, becoming so bright she could almost reflect the sunlight coming trough the window.

<< Train me! >>

She said.

<< Teach me about our tribe's traditions and the Royal Challenge! For I'll be the next RainWing queen! >>