Flaming Eclipse

Chapter 9 - Independence

I glanced back to see Rustle hurrying to catch up to me. 

"You know mom's gonna kill you if she finds out you're crushing on any dragon that isn't a dune dragon?" I asked with a sly grin on my face. It was obvious.

Rustle lashed his tail quickly, "I am not ''crushing'' on anyone! Let alone someone who isn't a dune dragon!" he declared. I could see right through him. "Besides, I don't give a thorn about what Hollier thinks. I'll date who I want".

I gave a small, approving nod. "Good. The ''I'll date who I want'' -part anyhow".

Rustle twisted his in-wings annoyedly and I brushed my tail against his flank. Enough about crushes; we had to find a place to stay for the night. I wouldn't want to sleep on the streets. 

"So.. Where should we start looking?" I asked after we had been looking around a bit, gathering confused glances at us by the other dragons.

"Maybe someone would be generous enough to let us crash at their place?" Rustle suggested. 

"I don't know.." I glanced at a few younger dawn dragons who were giving us suspicious looks, "They don't seem that friendly.."

"Maybe Falcon would! She was super kind!" Rustle exclaimed excitedly.

"Yeah, go ahead and ask her. I'm suuuureeee she would agree if you asked her",

"W-what? No way! I can't! I don't have the, uh, the charm!"

"And I do?"

Rustle looked embarassed for a mere second, "No, no you do not".

"Ae- THANKS", I whipped my tail across his shoulders and dodged aside when he tried to take a swing at me.

Rustle narrowed his eyes at me and before I knew it, he lunged at me. I tried to step backwards to dodge but accidentally tripped on my own tail and fell on my back. Rustle quickly pinned me down.

"Nice try, sister", he whispered. I looked at him sternly and swiftly pulled my hindlegs on my belly and kicked viciously, launching him into the air and away from me. 

He landed on his hindquarters and groaned.

"Nice try, brother", I grinned as he picked himself up.

I shook my scales and glanced around. All the other dragons had left the scene, except a few younglings, who seemed very intrigued by our friendly little tussle.

Rustle came to stand beside me, but quickly stretched his neck around; "Falcon!" he rushed over to the dawn dragon.

"Rattle told me you guys were looking for a place to stay for the night. You could come to my place", she offered. "So long as you don't start fighting in there".

"Of course! We'd be honored to", Rustle dipped his head respectfully, almost bowing to the beautiful dragoness. Wait, did I just say dragoness? Eclipse Moon's linguistics must be rubbing onto me.

"Of course. It's the least I can do since I, well", she nodded at my wing. I looked at her puzzled for a moment and then glanced at the wing, realising that there was a small cut, oozing blood. 

"I didn't even notice that!" I exclaimed and wiped the blood off with my claw. 

"It must've scratched the edge of one of the books I was carrying. I'm so, very sorry", Falcon apologized.

"It's no big deal", I assured her and flapped said wing a few times to make sure I couldn't feel any pain. "We deal with a lot of small and bigger cuts back at home".

"I can see that..", Falcon was eyeing Rustle. "Rattle had a nasty looking scar on his wing and flank, and it doesn't seem like you two are in any better condition". 

"Hunting accidents happen. That's just life", Rustle brushed it off. Falcon was looking at him with a peculiar look on her face. Was it sympathy or perhaps affection? I wasn't sure. I don't think anyone had ever looked at me the same way before.

"Anyway, come on. I'll show you where my house is. I live with my older sister, since our parents are always out and about hunting for the town", Falcon explained.

"Who's your older sister?" I asked, intrigued. What if Falcon's sister was just as beautiful as her and Rustle fell head over heels for the both of them?

"Her name's August. You should probably stay away from her. She isn't the kindest of dragons", Falcon explained. I noticed how her tail swung back and forth as she walked. 

"We'll stay out of her way, I promise!" Rustle harped forward to walk beside Falcon.