Down In the Forest

    Above the city of Altair, the large moon hung in the sky. It was brighter than usual, casting a bright haze onto the city. The town, built into the mountainside, was lit with the moon’s light, and many dragons crowded at the beach of the city to observe by the ocean. Although typically a bad omen for SoleiWings, many watched the sky and moon and were entranced by its beauty, including one SoleiWing who lived in the forest. Their scales glinted in the moonlight, the blue flame on the tip of her tail blown side to side by the breeze that scaled the forest. She lay on the porch, fixated on the sky, while the gentle breeze swept over her. She always loved nights like this, where things were calm and the sky was clear to observe. Stargazing. Not everyone was enjoying a blissful night watching the night, however, some were on adventurous journeys to find something. Much like Arikai was.

    The blue SoleiWing pushed past plant after plant, quickly scanning her surroundings. The dragon sighed in exhaustion. She’d been looking for ages. Her orange flamed tail was dragged over the ground, Arikai remembering to subconsciously think about not burning down the luscious forests of Altair. Do not burn them down, Arikai. Remember what happened to the last dragon who did that? Her golden accessories glinted in the moonlight, making noises as she journeyed through the forest. “How hard is it to find a plant?” she puffed, frustrated. “It grows only during this moon and somehow it is nowhere!” Her talons raked through the mud out of frustration, the dirt caking her golden talon covers. Now I need to find water, on top of this flower. She’d been walking for ages, and was also famished. Her stomach growled, alerting her of its presence. Great. Now I need to eat too. She stopped for a second. The SoleiWing listened in, hearing how the wind changed nearby. There must be a structure nearby. Hoping her observation was astute, Arikai looked around, then prepared to take flight. If the city of Altair had a building out here, maybe someone knew where this flower was, and could lend her water and a snack. In the moonlight, she spotted a slight abnormality in the trees, flying up to it. 

    Realizing what she’d seen was the porch of a treehouse, Arikai landed, tucking her wings close to her. A figure snapped, standing suddenly alert with eyes wide. “Who are you? Why are you at my treehouse?” The figure, who Arikai quickly realized was another SoleiWing, questioned. 

    “My name is, uh, Arikai. I’m an oceanographer but I also like nature, so it’s why I’m out here, well, kind of.” The other dragon squinted. “There’s this flower, it only blooms during moons like what you were looking at. I got hungry and dirty, and I saw this structure, so I decided to stop to see if I could get some assistance. Only if you want to, I think I can see you would rather not help, which I understand, too.” 

    The other dragon sighed. “I’m Averse, this is my treehouse - where I live. It’s not some building for lost dragons to galavant at.” They said, “However, I can sense you do need some assistance. You’re lonely and lost, which I feel.” Arikai cocked her head. “The forest is quite a lonely place, but it’s nice.” she murmured. “Anyway, stay seated here, let me get some tea brewing and some water for that talon.” Averse disappeared inside the treehouse, leaving Arikai alone on the porch. The blue dragon waited, tapping talons on the wood. Averse returned a moment later, with a bowl in one talon and a bag in the other. 

    “Here.” They shoved the things at Arikai. “Water, and some jerky I got at the market. Hopefully this is okay? I don’t usually save leftovers, sorry.” 

    “It’s fine, thank you, Averse.” The visiting SoleiWing took the water and dipped her talon in it, eating the jerky quickly. Averse spotted the other SoleiWing shiver, and blinked.

    “Where did my hospitality skills go? Come inside,” Averse invited, leading the exhausted dragon inside her treehouse. It was warm, which Arikai appreciated. They settled in, Averse bringing some tea over. “This tea is a talon-made mixture by some dragon over in the other cities. I got it as a blind gift, I think he runs a cafe.” She shrugged, handing a cup to the other dragon.

    “Thank you, again, for everything. I’m so tired.” Arikai couldn’t prevent herself from yawning. “I don’t think I’ll find the flower,” she said. 

    “I know which one you mean. It used to be right outside, but some jerk of a dragon killed it. It’s a real shame.” Averse shook their head.

    “That’s disappointing. If I’d known, I could have saved myself the trip and strain. No offense to you, Averse.” She glanced out the windows. “It is pretty outside. The stars and moon… the Gods did so well.” murmured the dragon.

    “I agree. I love where my treehouse is, it lets me see it all without any distractions…” A veil of sadness overtook the dragon for just a brief moment, before Averse seemed to shut it up, They sipped their tea. “This is one of the prettiest supermoons I have seen, and I’ve seen many,” said Averse. 

    “I somehow always miss them. I’m always off researching in the ocean, or something. Down by the shore it’s harder to see the sky, there’s just too many dragons blocking it.” Arikai explained, looking down at her soaking talon. It was finally clean. 

    “So, you’re an oceanographer, correct?” Arikai nodded. “Why are you so far from the ocean?” Averse seemed genuinely curious. 

    “Sometimes it bores me. Life moves slower there, I wanted more, so I took a small hiatus from my work, to just do what I wanted. I don’t regret it.” Arikai explained, taking a drink of tea. “What about you? What do you even do?” 

    Averse shrugged, folding in their wings. “I am a stargazer and shopkeeper and witch, hence why I built this treehouse here. It allows me to get products, and also get inspiration for art projects.” She gestured to the half-painted canvas by the window. Arikai chuckled to herself.

    “A witch? I didn’t peg you as one. You seem like you’re the only one around here, shouldn’t there be others in case of a mistake?” 

    Averse shrugged. “There’s already been a few. I like to remain under the radar. There’s no need for me to be watched, I don’t want that. It’s stressful. It’s too high of an expectation to keep up. You mess up one thing, everyone flocks to you and expects you to answer for your mistakes, and you’re on a pedestal, and one death ends it all. I just didn’t…” she trailed off, shutting down.

    Arikai shuffled closer to the dragon. “I get what you mean. It’s a burden, and too much pressure.” she repeated. “I don’t know how my chief researcher handles it. Maybe you could ask him for advice?”

    Averse didn’t reply. “I think that’s enough about my aspirations for the night. Let me get more tea going. I don’t usually get to make any, company is rare around here.” They disappeared to the kitchen, leaving Arikai to look around the room. The half-painted canvas depicted Averse, painted fantastically against a palette of warm colors. She seemed happy in the pieces, at ease. She seems lonely… maybe this is what would make her happy? Arikai didn’t know why she cared so much for this stranger, but she wanted to help. Averse returned, pouring more tea for the dragons to share.

    “I know you said that was enough but I think you need to get out, see some dragons. I just met you, Averse, and I can tell you want more relationships. I don’t know if it’s what you wanted to hear, but it’s what I can say.” She paused. “Sorry.”

    Averse glanced up, flicking their ear to acknowledge the advice. She dipped her head and glanced outside. Arikai glanced over too, and saw the sun rising. “I need to get going! I have to be back at the facility soon.”

    Before Arikai left, Averse spoke. “I know you need to go, but… I like your company. Can we stay in touch with communication tablets?” Arikai looked back at the other SoleiWing and nodded with a gentle smile, then left the treehouse.

    Averse watched her go and headed to finish their painting, a smile on her face. They finally had someone to paint next to her.