Leslie

“So, you left him in the Southern Icefields?” Leslie’s voice was accusing, glaring at the fae in front of the clan leadership.

“No,” Pangaea said, glaring right back with tired eyes. “Your brother, left me –the dragon he was supposed to to carry and protect - in the Icefields, Leslie.” giving his mate a reasurring nuzzle, he continued. “I flew all the way back, by myself, with my tiny little wings almost freezing, burning and getting electrocuted.”

Leslie sighed in defeat – there was no use blaming anyone else when she knew her brother the best. Leaving Pangaea on his own and getting lost was a very Krese thing to do. – “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.” she said turning her head to her leader, Puffie. “We need to get him back.”

Ignoring the disaggreeing grunts from Pangaea, Aerope and some others, the tundra glanced at her own brother. He wore an unbothered expression on his face, as if he was expecting her to clap her claws and make the imperial appear in the room with them. But that was simply out of her abilities. “Well…” he left the clan, completely on his own, with his own will, and on top of that, risked a clanmates life. “You’re free to look for him on your own, Leslie. You can take anyone who wants to join with you.” She looked around the room to see the clan’s reaction, happy to see mostly pleased faces. “If you can find and convince him to come back, the clan’s doors are open to both of you. If you can’t, you’re still free to come back alone.”

“Any objections, ‘nyone?” the red mirror asked to the relatively small crowd. When no one spoke, she let out a screech, announcing that the gathering had ended. “Fair job, sis, fair job ‘s ‘lways.”

“So you really are going after him?” Cutie gave Leslie a quizzed look, she expected her to drop her empty-headed brother the moment she heard the clan wouldn’t be helping her find him. They had so much work to do on their own, they still weren’t completely settled.

“I am. I need to find him.” Leslie shoved some tulips into her bag, not looking at the older coatl.

“You’re going to the Southern Icefields. Do you even know your way in there? How do you plan on finding him? How can you survive in such a cold place?

“What are you suggesting, Cutie? Should I just leave him to die?” she sighed, shaking her head. She wasn’t this mean usually, but the fact that her 3 brain celled brother being in a foreign place, alone and cold made her nerves act up. “I have a plan – I have friends, they will help me.” At least she hoped that they would, because otherwise, she was in big trouble.

“Here.” Cutie pushed something onto her claws, not looking into her eyes, as if she was afraid that Leslie would see affection in her eyes.

“What’s this?” she asked, inspecting the fabric in her hands. “Did- did you knit it yourself?” she asked with semi-wide eyes, the act of kindness wasn’t something she had expected from the reserved old lady.

“I’m getting old.” she said, matter of factly. “And I benefit from our healer being around, so don’t take too long.” With that, the coatl turned around, leaving Leslie alone in her den.

“I won’t.”

She stood on top of one of the pillars in the ruins, focusing her energy on her gem and singing their song. “Please girls, I need your help”

Soon, she wasn’t the only one singing. More and more voices joined her as the sky was filled with big, feathery wings.

“You called, Les?” Aisha smiled at her, happy to see her again.

“I did. I need your help.” She looked at the group in front of her with appreciation. “I knew they would come for me.”

“If this is about your brother agai-oh my stars, it is.” Moon chimed in, groaning as Leslie confirmed it with a nod.

“He got lost.” she said, looking at the unsuprised expression of her previous pack. “In the Southern Icefields.”

“And you want us to come with you to unfreeze his dum bass?” Kiyuri asked, already knowing that it was exactly what she wanted. “Nope. You all are not making me go there to save him. No way.”

“Ki-ki, please” Leslie said, noticing the way the other flinched, ouch. “I know you don’t have the best relationship with him, but I need to find him.”

“Then, you’re free to do that on your own, Leslie.” her tone was cold and unforgiving.

“That is one vote for no, Kiyuri.” Arvia said in a tone, signalling her that she was being too harsh. “I say we help her: She’s a sister and we made a promise.”

Floreen nodded in agreement, giving a soft smile to Leslie. “It is nice seeing you again, child. As much as I dislike your brother, we will not leave a sister in distress.”

“Krese!”

“Big yellow du-“

“Kiyuri!”

”Fine. Oh dear lovely imperial that we need to find because he was irresponsible and got lo-”

“Kiyuri-”

The group grew less and less hopeful as the hours passed, and an exasperatedFrostblast let them know that “No, he’s not under that pile of snow either.”

“Listen, Leslie, I love you, but this is taking way too much time and he’s frankly not worth it.” the purple skydancer spoke as she dusted some snow off of her wings, looking effortlessly gorgeous in the white snow.

“Yeah.” one of the new recruits grumbled. “From what I’ve heard – you left to help him, right? Now that he’s gone, why don’t you just, you know, come with us?”

Before Leslie could think of an answer, Yumiere jumped in. “Because you can’t abandon family that easily, Jade.” As the green skydancer opened her mouth to disagree, she continued. “I mean, you can, I have, but she can’t.”

Shooting her a thankful smile, Leslie pretented that she didn’t hear Kiyuri muttering “Well, she did leave us, so she can, but what do I know.”

Ouch.


“There are dragons nearby.” Frostblast declared, letting out a happy screech.

“Finally!” happy noises from the pack echoed in the snow, Leslie sighing in relief.
“Can you tell if he is in there?”

Frostblast shut her eyes for a moment, before nodding in certanity. “If not him, it’s another sibling of yours. But gods his magic is hard to track.”