A Fading Star Will Rise Again (A How To Train Your Dragon Fanfic)

7- Eavesdropping

Birdie

"C'mon Day, follow me, and keep low," Birdie hissed through her teeth, motioning for the white dragon to follow her with her tail. She sadly couldn't fly up to the tall crystals and peer down on older dragons because her wings had decided to not work for some odd reason. She couldn't remember anything from the day before, except for totally rocking the ninja-spy job, that is. It was sort of a blur up until she woke up and chatted with Esteria. She'd just have to make do with the lower crystals and shadows that emanated from the cowering walls.

"You're pretty bright colored so you should stay closer to the walls when we go eavesdrop," she told Daybreak, her light fury-and partial woolly howl friend. Daybreak nodded excitedly, slunking next to the wall and almost melting into the shadows. Birdie followed her, squeaking when her wing bumped against the wall. Daybreak looked back at her and she shooed the dragon forward.

"Woah, Birdie, look!" Daybreak whispered. Birdie pushed her way next to Day and peered out of the shadows, squealing in delight when she saw Esteria and Serenity.
"Good job, partner! We've got a great vintage point now." Birdie said, jumping up and down excitedly.

"Do you mean vantage point?" Day asked, and Birdie's mouth formed an 'oh' shape. Day giggled and Birdie quickly joined in, both of them trying to shush each other so they could hear what the older furies were talking about.

"I'm going to head out for scouting later today," Esteria said, her voice a little wobbly. Birdie's ear nubs perked up.

"Did you hear that?" she hissed at Daybreak. The dragon nodded ecstatically, her green eyes sparkling with excitement. "It looks like we have a mission!"

Daybreak shoved her paw into Birdie's mouth, pointing towards the two older dragons, who were looking around the cavern. Birdie spat her friend's paw out, making gagging noises. Daybreak flung Birdie's spit all over, trying to get the dragon's slime out of the tufts of fur on her paws. They then sat next to each other, watching as Esteria and Serenity lowered their voices.

"Are you sure you're up to it? Yesterday was sort of crazy," Serenity told Esteria. Birdie grumbled about the light fury ruining their fun, but was happy to find Esteria felt the same way.

"I'm fine. I know my limits, it's not me who I'm worried about," Esteria said, then looked around. She leaned closer to Serenity, making Birdie and Daybreak have to strain their ears to hear what she said next. "Nightfall's been acting weird ever since the second cave collapse. Could you keep an eye on him while I'm gone?"
Daybreak shared a glance with Birdie. The two dragons communicated with their eyes and a few snorts, then without saying anything more, they returned to spying on Esteria and Serenity.

"Sure!" Serenity responded to Esteria's request. The two shared a goofy smile. Birdie and Daybreak both made disgusted noises, looking at each other.

"Do we look like that when we talk?" Daybreak hissed. Birdie snorted.

"I sure hope not!"

They held their breath, realizing their voices had carried into the cavern yet again. Serenity and Esteria were definitely confused.

"I think that's our cue," Birdie whispered.

"But we haven't learned when Esteria's gonna leave!" Day responded, her eyes growing wide when Esteria looked straight at the shadows they were hiding in. "Nevermind, let's scram."

The two young dragons scrambled away in a pile of squealing limbs, finally sorting their situation out. Daybreak went first, Birdie following quickly.

"Wait!" Birdie called after they were a few hallways away from the cave Serenity and Esteria were in. "Daybie, hold up!"

Daybreak turned around, her green eyes gleaming playfully. Birdie panted, catching up to her friend. "I just realized something."
"Yeah?" Day asked, then immediately said. "Oh, you finally came to understand just how amazing I am. I know, I know, it took you way too long."

The two burst into a fit of giggles, Birdie having to take a few snorts of air before continuing. "No, silly, I already know you're way too cool. We're like, the most amazing duo ever. Even Nightfall agrees! But what I wanted to say is that I don't think I can follow Esteria later today."

"What? Why?!" Daybreak asked, frowning. Birdie rolled her eyes.

"My wing is like, totally dead. And I'm pretty sure scouting includes a great deal of flying, no?"

Day made the saddest whine in the history of whines, taking a breath when her air ran out and whining some more. Birdie sniffed.

"I know, it's sad. The famous Daybird duo will become a solo expedition."

Daybreak's face lit up with a mischievous light. "Not on my watch, it won't! Trust me."

Birdie looked suspiciously at Day, then her face split with a grin. "Let's do this."

~~~

"YOU ARE SO HEAVY!" Daybreak panted, flapping her wings while Birdie clung on to her back for dear life.

"It's not my fault you dropped off a whole feast of bugs for me to eat, you know I can't resist the salty taste of cockroaches!" Birdie retorted, squealing when Daybreak dropped a few feet. The light fury and woolly howl hybrid landed on the floor, pushing Birdie off with a snort.

"You sure you can carry me all the way to wherever Este's going?" Birdie asked, tugging a few strands of Day's blue fur from her talons. Her friend puffed out her chest.

"I'm offended you think so little of my abilities." Day said, turning away.

"Sorry, Day!" Birdie chirped, getting a prolonged silent treatment from her friend. She groaned, the little dragon hated when people wouldn't respond.

"I really am sorry," She put on her pouty face, pulling out her puppy dog eyes. When Day wouldn't budge, she resorted to poking her friend's arm. "We're gonna be late for following Esteria, we need to go now!"

"Fine, but you owe me a fish as big as your head when we get back," Daybreak sniffed, bounding away. Birdie ran after her, excitement tingling every scale on her body. We're going on a mission! A top secret, spy-like one. We really are the greatest team.