[CC] FotD - 2019-2020

The bitter cold had Danseur looking for a place to shelter, the air had started to freeze, the once friendly winds turning dangerous, and with the warm thermals fading rapidly; even they couldn’t remain airborne for much longer. The forest below obscured most things from sight, and the snow started churning quicker, making sight almost impossible; instead they relied on their earth sense feeling a cavernous area below, dropping quickly now, Danseur could just about make out a small hole at the top, and dropped down…. Straight into a lake, surfacing… they looked around, the cavern.. That, despite it been freezing outside was actually quite warm.

The large shape thundering through the cenotes ceiling had Meiron looking up, Hearth happily dozing next to him on the warm sands startled awake, eyes narrowed at the storm looking dragon slowly paddling towards them. “You always drop in unannounced in other peoples dens?” the cat asked, taking a sip of the warm drink he held in his hands, using the heat from the fire dragon to keep it heated; though according to the old light rider he knew in the nearby town, he really needed to try some hot cocoa, for now though the fruit flavored water was fine.

Danseur eased out of the waters, hissing in pleasure as the warmth of the sand sank in. “My apologies.” they said, dipping their head, as the water soon turned to steam. A quick glance around showed him the small on-fire dragon next to bestia wasn’t the only fire dragon, most of the others were sprawled around the lake, their heat making the den warm, though the whole area gave off a more earthy feel. “I didn’t realise it was occupied.” Danseur apologise again, his gaze drawn again to the small dragon next to the bestia… he’d never encountered one who was always on fire before.

Hearth eyed at the wet dragon, coming fully awake as they approached, thankfully the water had turned to steam and he didn’t need to worry about getting dripped on. “You look cold.” Meiron commented, watching the newcomer carefully; Hearth drew back hissing in warning as the snout came closer to him his flames flaring brighter in warning. “What’s your name.” The cat asked, slowly placing a claw on the other dragons snout, halting his progress much to the relief of Hearth.

The hand was gentle, and Danseur spotted the smaller males withdrawal, though the heat was a welcome balm after the cold snap which had surged up; they realised they were making the other uncomfortable. “Danseur.” He offered, slowly lowering himself down on the warm sand. “I’ve never seen a dragon on fire before.. Or not constantly.” they said. “I’m sorry for dropping in so suddenly.”

Hearth sniffed when the dragon stopped inching closer, and reassured by Meiron slipped closer, his flames flickering over the larger dragon; warming the shivering dragon slightly, a glance at Meiron for reassurance had Hearth concentrating more, on a normal day he didn't pay to much attention to the fires on his back, or when he did it was to pull them back... now though he concentrated, making them burn hotter and brighter, warming the sands to help the large earth dragon. As hardy as earth dragons were, even they weren't completely immune to things.

Danseur pressed closer to the sands, trying to warm up, when his gaze focused on the small dragon inching closer, his flames blazing stronger and stronger, the flickering fires reminescent of a hearth; they relaxed even further when the bestia stood up and gently rubbed the warm sands over their hide. Slowly Danseur’s eyes started to drift closed, the warmth seeping through and warming them up fully.

Hearth snorted as the large dragon dozed off, though at least he wasn’t shivering anymore; he might not be the most sociable of dragons, but he knew Meiron wouldn’t turn away a dragon in trouble, especially with the weather taking a turn for the worse; yawning Hearth closed his eyes, pulling the fires back to their normal state before dropping back off to sleep as the blizzard raged outside.

WC: 687

Dragons: Hearth and Danseur

Many thanks to Anarchisme on DA for letting me borrow Danseur