Wings of Fire Ship Stories. (ON HOLD FOR NOW)

Ceril

      I paced the prey center, checking if everything was in order.  But other than the terrified animals running everywhere, the place was pretty normal.  I shifted my brown wings,  scanning the mob of dragonets for one specific SkyWing.

     There!   I thought as my eyes fell on the fiery dragon.  She was surrounded by a group of RainWings with scales in shades of yellow and green, and I guessed they were making applesauce again.  I grinned.   She still needs to make me some.   I thought happily.  I paused my stroll towards them to smash my talons down on a chicken, popping it into my mouth before continuing. 

     I debated wether to yell, 'Hey Peril!' or stroll over and watch them.  I decided to watch, I wanted to see how they were making the applesauce without disturbing Peril.  I slowly  walked over to the group, finding a space between a banana yellow RainWing and the fiery SkyWing. She didn't notice, but light streaks of pink darted along the RainWing's scales.

      A greenish-yellow RainWing inside the small circle was crushing up apples in a stone bowl, and it made a huge gloppy mess.  Then, he handed the bowl to Peril, who simply held the bowl in her talons while the heat from her fiery scales roasted the applesauce to a delicious-looking mixture.

      "Oh wow." I said quietly, not realizing I had said it, and at the same time brushing Peril's wing with my own to let her know I was there.  Peril whirled towards me, a terrifying snarl transfiguring her features, as all the RainWings stumbled back. And yet... and yet I noticed how carefully she kept her wings and tail from hitting any of the RainWings as she whirled, and how her face melted from fierceness to a mountain of guilt and regret the second she realized who it was. 

     "Peril." I said, not touching her and at the same time feeling insanely guilty for the  scared and remorseful look on her face.  "I- I'm sorry." She stammered, looking down.  "I'm not..." I started, but Peril whirled and ran, paths of steam rising from the corners of her eyes.  I looked down, firmly keeping the tears at bay. 

*     *     *     

      I walked slowly through the halls, trying to make as little noise as possible.  When I reached Peril's cave, I heard muffled sobbing.  I sighed quietly, then silently walked the rest of the distance to her cave.  It was as bare and empty as the day Peril moved in. The only thing in the room was an orange dragon, curled in a ball, crying and then wickedly biting herself in an attempt to make the tears stop.

     "Peril." I said quietly.  The orange dragon jumped, then turned towards me and winced, turning away and covering her head with her wings.  "Don't." She mumbled, her voice shaky.  "I might hurt you." She added, scooting towards a back corner.

     "No." I said, walking over and spreading a wing over her shoulder.  The searing heat blazed where my wing was touching her, but I didn't wince.  "Come with me?" I offered, extending a talon to her.  She didn't take my talon, but shakily stood up and followed me through the corridors, staying around ten feet back.

     When we reached the place I was looking for, the stars were sparkling in the dark sky.  We landed on top of the hill, the forest on it enveloping us. Peril's scales immediately set the nearest foliage on fire, and the whole hill was soon enveloped in flames. She tried to put out the fire, but I stopped her, wrapping her up in my wings. 

     "Peril." I whispered, holding her close.  "The fire will burn itself out.  Don't worry.  Why did you run from the prey center?" I asked, looking down at her.  Her whole face was in an unnatural position, scrunched up and eyes closed.  She looked like she was holding back. 

      "Let it out, Peril, it's okay to cry." I whispered to her, still holding her in my wings.  At that point she seemed to crack, melting into my chest and sobbing.  "I- I thought I didn't have to worry..." She started.  "I thought I could keep my savage side under control until it disappeared... but I couldn't, and I can't, and I don't deserve to be here or anywhere." She sobbed, turning away from me but still managing to stay in my wings.

     "Peril, I'm not mad, and I don't hate you."  I said, pulling her close.  She looked up, steam rising up from the corners of her eyes.  "R-really?" She asked, the slightest hint of relief showing in her voice.  "No, Peril.  I love you."  I said, wrapping my wings around her completely.  She looked up again, staring into my eyes.  "I love you too, Clay.  I loved you ever since I met you." She said, her eyes showing shock and wild joy at the same time. I swept my wings wide for a moment, letting her breathe, before sweeping her in again and locking my lips with hers.