Wings of Fire: Dragonbite

In Preparation

Boto slipped through the crowded halls unseen, his scales automatically fading into the background, a habit from a life he couldn't forget. Today they had to present their research on an animus artifact for history in the library, and he was already late! He dashed into the room he shared with Thrush and Changbai, snatching up his scroll and a small wooden box, and then ran to the library. Though he didn't particularly like the way Webs taught history he still enjoyed the class, taking care never to miss it.

The older Seawing was in the middle of taking roll when he arrived, and Boto sat down silently, materializing next to Doomsayer just as Webs called his name. "Here and ready to learn," he called out, grinning at Doom as she shot a withering look in his direction. She hadn't even looked surprised when he appeared. Well, he could rectify that problem. Call him whatever you wanted, but during his stay in the desert he'd gotten used to recieving a little bit of respect, or at the very least as small dash of awe.

Are you ready for the presentation? He asked/thought at her. There were two benefits to having a mindreader for a friend: 1) he didn't have to waste his wonderful voice to speak to her, and 2) she still wasn't used to him talking like that. The expressions that crossed her face when he did it were wonderfully absurd.

Her eyes widened, then narrowed, and she scowled at him. He didn't need any special powers to know she'd forgotten. Of course, with the way school - and the world in general - was going, that wasn't too hard to do. Good thing he'd come prepared.

I brought some notes on Darkstalker, though you probably already know a lot about him - she looked mildly terrified, before relaxing as he continued - because you're a Nightwing. And if you don't already have an artifact in mind, I brought something you might find interesting.

She leaned closer, ice-rimmed black scales glittering like diamonds, and whispered, "What is it?"

He shrugged slightly, "You'll see."

Webs finally finished taking roll, once again grumbling about Doom's sudden entrance into the winglet, and put the scroll away. He turned to the class and announced, "Today you're going to be teaching the lesson!" as if it was something they'd be excited about. He continued, "Now I hope you've all done your research on an animus object, because the presentations are a very important part of your education. Because there are only three groups all of you are going to go today, but . . . " he smile as if he was being very kind, "because I know some of you might be nervous I'll let you decide who goes first." The dragonets immediately began arguing among themselves, and Webs looked absurdly pleased with himself.

"I'm fine with going last if that's alright . . ." Thrush mumbled, very different from the confident warrior they'd seen so recently.

"A princess should always go-"

"Come on Anemone, isn't second-"

"Deal with it. I think that-"

Boto ignored the chatter and walked over to the older Seawing, pretending not to hear as Doomsayer hissed, "What are you doing?" Webs smiled down at Boto, a dragonet he felt held immense promise if he'd just apply himself.

"We've decided what order we're going in." Boto declared, even though no such thing had occurred. Webs nodded, asking him to continue. "Anemone, Sepia, and Ostrich will go first, then Thrush and Changbai." He paused for a second before adding, "Doomsayer and I will go last."

Webs looked interested, asking, "Any particular reason for that order?"

The Rainwing nodded. "Anemone is used to going first, as a Seawing princess. If she went second or - moons forbid - last, we'd have a mutiny on our hands. For the second group, though Changbai is confident enough, Thrush is nervous about going too early. The middle is the perfect place for them. And our presentation," he glanced at Doom, "Is something I think you will find quite interesting." He flashed a grin at their teacher. "Always save the best for last, as I say."

Webs smiled, "I look forwards to seeing your project." He turned to the rest of the group, who had finally noticed that something was happening, and said, "Thank you for so calmly choosing your order. Sepia, Anemone, and Ostrich, are you ready?"

They looked startled, frozen at their seats, until the Seawing princess stood up and said clearly, "Of course." She went on to explain what they had researched (dreamvisitors - how unexpected), and occasionally had Ostrich hold up a picture or Sepia read a quote. All in all it seemed that Anemone was the only one actually presenting, and the lesson was quite boring. The only part that interested him was near the end, when Sepia told them about how Sunny had dreamvisited her before the attempted Mudwing purge of the Icewings. However, Anemone quickly stole back the spotlight. When they finished the others clapped, and Boto couldn't help but cheer a little to sarcastically for politeness. Fortunately Doom was the only one who seemed to notice.

Thrush and Changbai were a bit more original, telling the class about the Icewing "Gift of Light." They told it like a story, beginning with tales of an icy world kept in darkness for half the year, and then ending with the glorious Moon Globe tree. Thrush's voice - miraculously - barely shook, and as their final point, Changbai opened the pouch around his neck and pulled out a glowing white orb that began to float around his shoulders. "This," he conclueded, "Is a Moon Globe, a symbol of magic and hope that has illuminated the Icewing tribe for generations."

This time the clapping wasn't sarcastic at all.

Then it was their turn. Webs called them, and Boto picked up his long wooden box, the page of notes left behind, unneeded. Come on, Doom, he mentally whispered as she hesitated behind him. With a sigh of resignation, she followed.

Boto stood in front of the small group, remembering days when half his life had been spent talking to strangers, and began to speak. His scales shifted as he spoke, turning a deep, sparkling black, and the only breaks in this color were two silver teardrops at the corner of each eye, and a seam of white IceWing scales where the membrane met his side. "We will tell you the story of a dragon that time now remembers as a monster, beginning with three full moons, and ending with a betrayal. We will tell you about gifts given only to help, but that turned others against him. We will tell you of a tragedy that still scars a tribe." He paused, mentally sending instructions to Doomsayer.

She took a deep breath and then said, "We will tell you the story of Darkstalker."

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A/N: Sorry this chapter is sort of boring. Just needed them to finish this project so I can do more interesting stuff with the characters. What do you think of Boto now that you can see how he thinks? Any suggestions?

~ GingerFlame

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