Don't Fall in Love with the Night

Chapter 20

     Tap tap. "Excuse me, if everyone would listen," Starflight began. The reading program was about to have its first lesson a couple of weeks after Glory had first suggested it, and equal groups of NightWings and RainWings were gathered in a small hut named a 'library' with Starflight. Prism nervously shifted in her group. Mirage wasn't with her, still giving NightWings the cold shoulder, and Buttercup was too young, as the reading program was still in its testing phase, so Prism was on her own. She recognized most RainWings, because they had fought in the battle, but only recognized Knowledge, Duskwatcher, and Dawnseer in the NightWing group. Prism tried not to curl her lip at Dawnseer, instead focusing on Starflight.

     "As you all know, we are trying out this reading program to help interracial relationships and to improve the RainWings' knowledge." A small cough came from the NightWing side of the room. General Tsunami, who was standing next to Starflight, huffed noisily, already annoyed at the length of Starflight's speech. Starflight continued, taking heed of Tsunami. "Each NightWing is randomly assigned to a RainWing, to help them learn, starting with our alphabet. Without further ado, I will read off the list."

     Prism nervously listened for her name, half-hoping to get Duskwatcher, but hating herself for doing so. You are not going to get attached to some stupid NightWing. Well, he isn't stupid, but you're not! ... I do hope it isn't Dawnseer, though. 

     "Insight, you will be paired with Citrus. Knowledge, you will be teaching Prism." Knowledge looked over from the NightWing side and made eye contact with Prism, who nodded towards him. Knowledge nodded back, then whispered something to a NightWing standing next to him. Oh, three moons, Prism inwardly sighed.

     After Starflight had finished intoning the list of ten pairs, the dragons split up, finding their partner and moving to one of the tables that were provided with quills and paper. Prism quickly found Knowledge at a table and sat down on the bench next to him, scooting farther away than was probably necessary. He might be different... you never know. 

     Knowledge glanced at her, looking over her critically, then nodded. "I'm guessing you have no prior learning of the alphabet?" His voice reminded Prism of the howler monkeys - slightly shrill, very annoying. She just nodded, hoping that her guessed meaning of 'prior' was correct. "Three moons, you can speak, can't you?"

     "Yes, I can." Prism looked up to meet his gaze.

     Knowledge held her gaze for a moment. "Good. Let's start."

     The rest of the lesson was filled with a bunch of swirly letters. Knowledge was a good teacher, although slightly impatient at times, and by the end of the lesson Prism had learned half of the alphabet and a couple of words. She could even write her name, although in very squiggly, weak letters. Starflight had been trying to assist the pairs as much as he could with his blindness, while Tsunami took a different approach, 'helping' by occasionally yelling out "Your B looks like a D, y'know!" or "Three moons, have some confidence in yourself!" at one poor RainWing or another. 

     Starflight signaled the end of the lesson by tapping on one of the tables, as he had before. "All right, the hour is up. Good job everyone - there's been a significant amount of progress from what I've see- from what I've heard."

     "Yeah, uh great job!" Tsunami added. "And Citrus was able to learn his Bs from his Ds by the end of the lesson, so that was great!" Citrus's scales turned an embarrassed red warring with proud purple.

     "Right... so, class is over for today. We will talk over how today's lesson has been, feedback would be greatly appreciated, and we will see all of you tomorrow." Starflight stepped back to have a conversation with Tsunami.

     Prism got up from where she had been lying, stretching out her legs, and nodded to Knowledge. "Thank you - it's been nice working with you."

     Knowledge gave her the briefest of nods. "You're getting along well enough." He left without any further conversation.

     Well isn't that grand of him. Prism sighed, classifying him as a 'mostly good but sort of arrogant' NightWing for the time being. She looked down at the paper and quills on the table, taking a little bit of each to practice on by herself. Tucking it into the pouch she always wore around her neck for carrying things so that she could walk and fly properly, she headed towards the crowded exit, squeezing through the crowd and out into the open air.

     "Hiya Prism!" A voice stopped her from taking off. Prism bit her lip, recognizing the voice. Act normal, act normal, act normal.

     "Hi Duskwatcher - how was your first reading lesson?" Prism made sure to keep her voice level and her scales the same color.

     "Pretty good, I'd say. Hyacinth is a fast learner. But what about you? Is Knowledge a good teacher?"

     "Yeah, I guess so. He's the only one I've had, so I can't exactly compare him." Prism didn't mean it as a joke, but Duskwatcher smiled nonetheless. Prism busied herself with making sure her extra writing supplies were tucked into her pouch.

     Duskwatcher took notice. "You have extra writing materials?" he questioned.

     "What- oh yeah, I just... wanted to practice outside of lessons a little, get used to it more, and all." Prism stumbled over her words and hated herself for it.

     "Do you want me to help you with it? I mean - I'm not sure how good I'd be, but I think I might be able to help... maybe a little? Kind of like a tutor?" He gave her a hopeful smile. Why is he doing this... 

     Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt. Better him than Knowledge, anyway.

     "Sounds like a plan." She smiled at him, and he grinned back.