Don't Fall in Love with the Night

Chapter 19

     "What are we going to do today, Auntie?" Buttercup jauntily kept pace with Prism's longer stride as the two went into the forest to train. Prism had felt guilty about abandoning their usual training schedule, being busy with other NightWing-related business, but promised herself to keep up with the young dragonet.

     "Hm? Oh, well.... what do you want to work on?" Prism's thoughts were still too scattered between NightWings, reading, and interracial problems, all three racing about in circles in her head.

     "Wellllll, we haven't done venom training in a while. I still wanna see if I can beat you this time!" Buttercup's face beamed up at Prism, and Prism smiled back, clearing her mind of all thoughts to be with the golden dragonet.

     They arrived at the venom clearing, which was empty, except for a trainer and his student working on one far end. The clearing was sparse, with venom boards used to measure range and control neatly stacked for use. 

     "We'll start off with control, then move on to range," Prism decided, pulling out one of the control boards. Buttercup helped her move it, and they carried it away from the other pair of RainWings, to avoid injury.

     "Have you been practicing on your own?" Prism asked, as she placed the board in one place and drew a straight line in the ground a couple of feet away. The board was marked with five targets. Buttercup stood behind the straight line, ready to aim.

     "A little... I think I can get all of them now." Buttercup eyed the board, then tilted her head back, aiming for the two targets that were the closest. A stream of black venom neatly hit one target, then the other.

     "Good job! Your aiming has gotten much better." Prism was impressed, thinking back to the day when she and Buttercup had done a venom test, "just for giggles", as Prism had put it. The two had struck up a friendly conversation when they had met, and Prism had immediately taken a liking to the dragonet. Once they knew that they were related, Prism immediately put in the request to tutor Buttercup. Buttercup was older now and growing up so fast. A strong, proud feeling welled up in Prism's chest, seeing how much the little thing had matured.

     Buttercup had accurately struck the middle target and was about to shoot for the farthest two when voices came from the direction of the encircling forest. "Wait," Prism directed sharply, but it was too late - Buttercup's reaction hadn't done anything to stop the venom was already arcing through the air and landing -

     Right at the feet of a NightWing. Prism's warning had caused the dragonet's head to jerk in alarm, throwing off her aim. The NightWing quickly recoiled, snapping her head to glare at Prism with two fierce yellow eyes. She silently continued her stare, not even glancing at Buttercup.

     Prism was about to apologize, but bit it back at Dawnseer's hostile behavior. "You should watch where you're going," she cooly remarked instead. 

     "RainWing," Dawnseer called, directed towards another dragon but keeping her gaze fixed on Prism. "I think we've found the venom-practicing area you were talking about."

     A rustling in the nearby bushes revealed a RainWing, along with two other NightWings followed by another RainWing, this one equipped with a spear. The RainWing guide - Poinsettia, Prism recognized - took quick note of the situation. "Nice to see you, Prism. And Buttercup." She nodded towards them. "I was just taking these three NightWings on a tour, Queen's orders." Poinsettia, facing Prism, made a sour face, showing just how much she didn't enjoy her appointment as tour guide.

     "Your dragonets should learn to be more aware, don't you think?" Dawnseer smoothly shook leaf debris off of her talons, not even looking at Buttercup. "Especially when dealing with a weapon they're not exactly entitled to."

     Hot fury coursed through Prism's veins, as she remembered all the rumors of venom testing the NightWings had done. The NightWings, apparently, were awed and envious of this secret weapon and tried all sorts of measures to try to protect themselves from and reproduce the venom. Prism couldn't even speak from the frustration that was exploding inside her at the snide remarks, barely hearing when Poinsettia started to lead her group back into the forest. Buttercup looked towards her. "D-do you wanna practice something else, Auntie?"

     With one last arrogant look, Dawnseer left with the rest of her group. "Yes, I think that's enough for now," Prism agreed. As soon as the NightWings were gone she pulled the little dragonet into a hug, noticing how Buttercup was shivering slightly. "You did very well - both with your practicing and in that situation."

     "Do the NightWings hate us?" Buttercup mumbled, hugging tighter as she asked the question.

     "Some do, I'm sure," Prism answered quite honestly. "But there are good NightWings out there." Somewhere. Maybe they've gone extinct, or something. Well, there is Deathbringer, Duskwatcher, and Starflight. I guess I'll just have to see about any others, if they exist. Shaking such thoughts out of her mind for the second time that day, she briskly squeezed Buttercup's shoulder. "Let's go gathering some food and work on your fruit recognition."