a collection of tales [[ chronocompass writing ]]

Fox didn’t usually shift into his four-legged form, but when he did, it was to take some time for himself. This was one of those days. At least fifteen of Teeba’s dragons had been working on a new building, and as much as Fox had wanted to help, he would never be strong enough to hammer in a nail, and would never be able to read out instructions for others. He’d spent nearly a year with Teeba, and what had he contributed in that time? 

A map of the buildings, sure. That appeared to come in handy for folks sometimes. And additionally, a lot of scarves for when the winter came and the snow fell. It wasn’t quite the stunning contribution he wished it could have been.

So Fox the fox took off his clothes, shapeshifted into his even more fox-like form, and bumped Chrysanthos on the shoulder on his way out. He sent a mental comment to his dragon - ‘I’m headed to the river for a bit. See you soon.’

Cry hummed an agreement, though Fox could tell that Cry felt how down Fox felt. He brushed it off and went on his way, hobbling down to the riverbank and weaving through the passing dragons and other creatures with relative difficulty. Once he reached the water, he nodded to two of the water loving dragons who were guarding the river, and then turned upstream, making his way towards the forest.

As the trees rose around him and the leaves blocked the faint sunlight above, Fox paused and took a seat by the river’s edge. The grass beneath his four paws was soft and comfortable on his aching limbs. Fox glanced behind him - Chrysanthos was nowhere in sight, even though he was sure from his dragon’s thoughts in his head that he was close by. It was, quite honestly, always nice to know that Cry was always looking out for him.

The fox cub squinted into the river below and took a look at his reflection. He examined his scruffy fur, his pale green eyes, and imagined himself as something more. Fox pictured glorious, feathered wings on his back, strong and able to take him places. He imagined himself being able to do more things on his own - maybe even being able to speak, to tell others besides his lovely dragons how he was really feeling.

It was nice to just imagine all the possibilities for a little while. As time passed, Fox got so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t notice Chrysanthos approaching until the dragon spoke up from his side.

“On your own, you might have challenges. So does everyone. So do I. But together…” Cry looked down at his reflection next to Fox’s. “Together, we make each other better.”

Fox thought for a moment. A silent thought passed between the two, a moment of ‘what do I even do to help you?’ Cry was quick to pick up on this, and smiled as he talked.

“Without you, my lovely rider, I’d still be an egg waiting for the right person. I’d be nothing.”

‘But you could have chosen Teeba, or Syntyche, or the Sword, or anyone else,’ was Fox’s unspoken thought.

“I didn’t choose them, did I? I didn’t want any of them. I chose you.”

The fox cub turned to look at his dragon, really look, and not just at the reflections in the water. He looked at his dragon and he saw his best friend, his truest companion, his partner for when things were good or bad. And, as best as he could while still in his four legged form, he burrowed into Cry’s feathers and tried to give the dragon a hug in thanks. Chrysanthos wrapped his wings around his rider, and they stayed like that for a moment, in the quiet.

After quite a bit of time had passed, Fox asked his dragon a silent question. ‘Can we go on a flight, then?’

Chrysanthos’s bearded face gained a look of joy. “But of course! Perhaps we can take a small trip over the town?” He leaned down and Fox scrambled up onto his back, holding on tight with all four paws. Fox double checked to make sure he was as secure as he could be, and once his claws were firmly gripped into Cry’s near - impenetrable scales, Cry flapped his majestic wings and took to the skies. 

The river grew steadily smaller below, and as the duo climbed ever higher they broke through the tree line and left the forest behind. Cry turned in midair towards the town of Salvus, and began to glide his way back home, Fox on his back the whole while.

The fox cub watched the scenery turn into mere specks below him and a grin formed on his face. As the river below led Cry and Fox back towards the town, he noticed how small all the people and dragons looked. It was stunning to see everything in perspective, no matter how many times he and his dragon flew to get the view from up high. The trees lost their texture and individual leaves and became green and orange blurs, the buildings became grey metal shapes, and the people were tiny, yes - but at the same time, so full of life.

Chrysanthos fanned out his wings and glided towards the southern end of the town, where a small hill grew out of the ground. Fox kept scanning the ground below and saw ever more details - Teeba’s house, and the secret back door behind it that led to Fox’s underground hideout. The patch of land where Cairo kept his garden. The meeting circle at the center of town. But, slowly, finally, Cry had to come to a stop, and he flew down to the hill. The landing was peaceful and as Cry’s feet touched the grass below - sparse but green, with a hint of snow -  Fox sighed a contented sigh.

The dragon rider climbed off of his dragon’s back carefully, and found a warm spot of grass in the sun to sit on. His four paws beneath him were tired from holding on and from the walk upstream earlier, and he felt that he could just about fall asleep right then and there.

‘Thank you, Cry,’ Fox thought in his dragon’s general direction. Chrysanthos responded with a simple hum that had a world of meaning to it. It meant that he was thankful that he had a friend, that things were going to be alright. It was very nice.

They stayed for nearly a few hours, simply enjoying the world go by. The sun moved across the sky, the grass waved in the breeze, and the two fast friends just spent some time with each other, saying nothing, but also everything.

The peace was nice, but it couldn’t last forever. At last, Fox fell into a doze, and after a time was awoken by Chrysanthos. “It’s probably time we head back,” the dragon told Fox warmly. Fox nodded blearily, still half asleep, and Cry carried his rider back down the hill, just walking this time.

When the duo got back to the trap door that led to home, Cry knocked a foot against the door, then waited. A moment, passed, then another, and finally, Firefly heaved the door on open.

“Oh, welcome back! You’ve been gone a while, we all were worried,” the little dragon said, with the positivity of a dragon who probably hadn’t been worried at all, but had been quite assured that things would turn out alright. Firefly hopped back down the stairs, and Cry followed, a tired Fox on his back. 

Inside was warmth and a safe place. Fox had spent ages weaving fireproof quilts and blankets into the walls and floor of this little cavern, and now it was a fortress of comfort. Fox blinked the sleep from his eyes and climbed on down from Cry’s back once again. He shifted back into his usual, two-legged form, and put his clothes back on from where they were stashed.

Once that was done, Fox lit a couple of candles and took a seat among the blankets. Today had been a day of thought and rest, but now, he wanted to get some stuff done. He grabbed some cloth pieces and sewing tools and got to work. Chrysanthos watched, intrigued. Colors flew, thread weaved through the air, and after some hard work, his latest masterpiece was completed. He presented it to Cry and Firefly with a flourish.

It was a tapestry of multi-colored fabrics, showing a happy scene. Cut out of cloth and sewn on were little versions of Fox and all his dragons, and underneath, the word ‘family’ written out in stitches.

“Fox,” Chrysanthos smiled, “that’s wonderful.”

Fox nodded in thanks, and went to work on hanging up his latest masterpiece. Things were going to work out, and when Fox had his dragons with him… he was sure he’d be able to accomplish anything.