dergins

This had been going on for a week now. Nayeli would leave from out her little stack of bricks tucked away in the ruins to go... "borrow" some seafood from the ever-gullible Shadow clan that lay just a short ways away. But, as had become a pattern in recent times, she didn't have to. There, before her cave, was a pile of surprisingly fresh seafood. Even more odd, they were her favourite kinds. It was starting to become just a little strange, but it was better than travelling, and certainly better than fishing. For the moment, she was content to scoop it up and take it into her lair.

One day she awoke to find something a little more exciting than just seafood.

A fresh-faced young Imperial, head held rather low, was waiting outside her home. Upon noticing her, he jumped, his shimmering wings flicking out from being startled. He didn't look to be anyone from the Light clan in which she lived, but she'd sworn she'd seen him among the Shadow clan.

"You the one that's been doing this?" She said, unable to help smiling a little as he fidgeted, pawing at the dirt.

"Uhm... y-yeah. I'm sorry if it's been bothering you... I just saw you taking some from our stores... And if I fished for some and brought it to you... You wouldn't have to take it from us, right?" he smiled back at her, his teeth showing and belying his nervousness even more.

"That's awfully generous of you," she answered, striding towards him, rising to her full height. She was a fair bit bigger than him, but she noticed that he didn't back away. He was nervous, but he didn't fear her. "You sure that was the... only reason?"

That got a rise out of him, as an odd squeaking sound left his throat and his eyes widened. The Ridgeback couldn't help but smile. The little guy was so cute. Maybe she would humour him...

"Uhm..." the Imperial looked down, "No, actually... You're also... well, you're very beautiful... I'm sorry if I've been acting weird or anything. If you want me to go away now, I can-"

Nayeli cut him off.

"What's your name?"

"Amias..." he said quietly.

The Ridgeback leaned her broad head in closer to him, flaring out her wings. They flickered and almost seemed to glow a rich violet hue in the light of the setting sun. The Imperial froze, his jaw hanging open in the stupor of seeing the object of his affection directly, not from sneaking around and catching the odd glance, but right there, in front of him in her full beauty. Nayeli laughed, low and sweetly, bumping her blunted snout against his, which knocked him out of his daze.

"Come fly with me." She said, already powering those massive wings and lifting off. Amias's mane was jostled, and he had to shake it out of his eyes before he could even see what was going on. Quickly, clumsily, he flew up to join her.

The two flew together, and though not a word was spoken plenty was said through their actions. They chased each other through the thick, hazy air of the summer twilight, riding the currents lazily before going into freedives to impress each other. Their laughter echoed through the sky and trees below, scales of light and night catching the last rays of the sun.

It was a sunset that would never be forgotten in the minds or hearts of the two dragons. It was the first, but it certainly wouldn't be the last of these twilights together.