Willow

Familiar Keeper

Joined Clan Diamond Dust 4/14/14 (BIRTHDAY DRAGON)

Vial of Scattersight 8/6/18 - Common to Unusual


Art by Sorceress


Named after the Kitty* Willow tree - the Kitty* Willows are an early sign of spring and seemed like a fitting inspiration for a spring born dragon
*so not really named a Kitty Willow. But I bet you can guess what word got asterisked out by FR...

Willow joined Clan Diamond Dust from isosDuke's clan (#68395) during a major new dragon recruitment drive on 4/14/15, along with her sister Lily. The day is considered particularly auspicious for Clan Diamond Dust, and it is one of the few days more than one new dragon is allowed to enter the clan. (Space and feeding considerations prevent an open door policy, sadly.)

Both Willow and her sister were named by the clan leaders upon reaching adulthood. Although initially reluctant to move somewhere as cold as the icefields, Willow has found that her constant movement & metabolism actually keep her pretty warm. Plus, the clan has found ways to make dragons from far off [re: warmer] lands comfortable in the common areas of the lair and in personal dens.

As the number of familiars in the clan had grown to an unwieldy size, to the point where someone was needed to manage them, the clan leaders approached Willow shortly after she joined the clan to offer her the job. They thought her boundless energy and meticulous, industrious nature would serve her well in the role. She thought it would be a fun assignment and agreed to take the job. Now, Willow tends to the unattached familiars and keeps track of their rotation, using a spreadsheet to determine which ones have been awakened and which ones still need to bond with clan members to be certain of their loyalty.

Some familiars, such as those given to Clan Diamond Dust by other clans or those allied to the flight ambassadors, form permanent bonds to individual dragons (also, some dragons simply don't want to rotate through familiars or they find themselves attached to one in particular). Other clan dragons are willing to switch familiars once their loyalty to the clan is established, so some awakened familiars don't stay with a single dragon and instead independently operate within the clan. Willow also helps make arrangements to send familiars to other clans when too many were staying with Clan Diamond Dust.



Art by Livestraes

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Joining the Clan

"Look here," said the stunning blue female Skydancer, pointing at the noticeboard. "This Ice clan has posted an announcement that they are accepting applicants to join their clan. Apparently our hatch day is a particular auspicious day for their clan and they'd like to add some new members who were born on that day."

"Ice? That sounds... chilly." The young (also blue) Spiral looked dubious.

"Oh, come on, it can't be that bad - after all, dad was born there. I'm sure we inherited some natural resistance to the cold from him."

The Spiral didn't appear convinced. "He left for a reason, didn't he? You don't see him still hanging around there."

"Hmph. Look - you know we need to find a new clan. I'm not going to be left behind here while our brothers head out and explore the world. Plus, you know dad's crazy about the icefields - he's always decked out in his frozen ensemble. He'd be THRILLED if we went to his homeland."

The Spiral still didn't appear convinced.

"Fine," said her sister. "Do whatever you want. I'M going to submit myself for consideration.
Look at this fine print: 'Blues, purples, frozen/icy dragons preferred.' How can they resist selecting me? I'm perfect for this!"

The Skydancer tore the notice down and headed back to their den. She called over her shoulder, "You need to think about your future too. I can't believe you'd let an opportunity like this pass you by!"

A short time later...

"Sorry I didn't get here sooner," said the female Guardian. "I'm Fairlady, the leader of Clan Diamond Dust. Normally we send someone else out on initial contacts, but this is an important occasion for our clan. We rarely add more than one dragon at a time, but today we're considering multiple applicants."

The female Skydancer gave a nervous start. They sent the clan leader! To meet her! She took a deep breath and gave a big smile. "Welcome! Thank you for journeying here. Let me show you around and we can discuss your clan a bit."

She led the Guardian around the lair until, near the end of their tour (and discussion), they spotted her Spiral sister slowly twirling in a corner.

"What a lovely young Spiral," said Fairlady. "Her coloring would make excellent camouflage in some of our icy blue landscape."

"Really?" The Skydancer had an idea... "As it happens, that's my sister, and she's also looking for a new clan... She was hoping to go with me, but it's so rare that a clan accepts two new members from the same nest."

"Hmm... something to consider. Space constraints always seem to be an issue - just recently we had plenty of extra space for our training program, but it seems to be rapidly filling up with an influx of new clan members. Such as you." The Guardian smiled. "Would you like to join us in the Fortress of Ends?"

"YES!" said the newest member of Clan Diamond Dust. "I would LOVE to be in your clan."

"Good, that settles it. I think you'll do fine - we already have a number of Lightning dragons who have had no trouble fitting in. We'll send someone along shortly to bring supplies and escort you on your journey. Now, I have to head out to some nearby clans to review additional applicants." The Guardian waved good-bye and took to the air.

The Skydancer watched her leave and then excitedly ran to tell her family members about her new clan.

Time seemed to pass so slowly for the anxious Skydancer, but then a message finally arrived to tell her exactly when to expect her escort. The Skydancer was excited, but a little sad to be leaving her birth clan. And, her sister had yet to find a new clan...

At the appointed day, the representative from Clan Diamond Dust arrived.

"Hello, I'm Axis," buzzed a little fae. "I'm one of the clan couriers. Here --" he thrust a letter into the other Skydancer's hands "-- the clan leaders asked me to give you this."

The letter said:
"Hello! After giving it some thought and reviewing the other candidates, we've decided to offer your sister a spot in our clan as well. Axis is acting as our representative, but we thought you might like to tell her yourself. We look forward to your arrival."

The Skydancer did a happy dance and ran to look for her sister.

"Look, look!"

The Spiral looked up.

"Is it that time already? I --"

"LISTEN. Look - I know you weren't too sure about living in the icefields. BUT - not only did the clan leaders accept MY application - they want you too! We can go together."

"What? I --"

"Yes! Look - Selene lives with an Ice clan and does just fine. And our half siblings Chocola and Aven seem to be thriving too. Dad says there's nothing to worry about - we'll get used to it. And the clan leaders won't let us freeze or anything. Maybe we can get you a scarf or something. Anyway, I --"

"YES! I'll do it!" The Spiral twisted around her sister in a hug, unable to contain her excitement. "I thought about what you said, but by then I thought it was too late! I'm a little nervous, but YES! I'll go with you!"

The two rushed to prepare her for the journey and tearfully said their good-byes to their family. Their Spiral pappa couldn't have been prouder that two of his girls were going back to his homeland. (And their Skydancer mother was thrilled that they'd get to journey together, as that happened so rarely.)

After a relatively short journey (the two territories weren't that far apart, after all), the sisters were led on a tour of their new home by a star-covered Spiral, Wishspell. She set them up with temporary living quarters until they could build spaces for their own (with directions to check with Frost, the dragon in charge of lair renovations).

When a few days had passed, the clan leaders called the duo in for an audience with them. "Welcome!" said Fairlady. "Sorry we haven't had a chance to speak with you earlier - it's been an exceptionally busy time. We're still finding roles for everyone and sorting out responsibilities, as well as running some extensive training programs."

"But - it's time you two had names. I know some clans name their dragons at birth, some when they depart, and some leave it up to their new clan leaders. It appears that you two remain unnamed?"

Both dragons nodded.

"Do you have any preferences?"

They looked at each other.

"Uhh... we hadn't really thought about it," said the Skydancer. "I guess we assumed we'd just get permanent names when we got here."

"Very well. I have some suggestions. I'd like you (she pointed to the Skydancer) to consider 'Lily' and you (she pointed to the Spiral) to consider 'Willow' since you both arrived here in spring and those names fit the season perfectly."

The sisters looked at each other and nodded.

The Guardian smiled. "Very well. Please let us know if we can assist your transition in any way." The silent Mirror next to her nodded.

"Thank you, clan leaders," said Lily and Willow together.

After leaving their audience with the clan leaders, Willow asked, "So... what now?"

"Well, let's find this Frost and get a start on our lairs!" Lily said. "And perhaps, find you a scarf." The two smiled at each other.

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Finding a Job

Willow soon adapted to the cold climate and made progress on her lair within the ice caves. Her boundless energy kept her constantly on the go and she made sure to meet all the dragons and familiars in the clan.

Not even two weeks after she joined the clan, the clan leaders approached her to discuss finding a job for her.

"Given your industrious nature as a Lightning dragon, we feel that it would be best to find you a permanent role sooner rather than later," said Fairlady. The mirror beside her muttered under his breath, "Not like that last time we left a Lightning dragon to their own devices."

The Guardian gave him a look and then continued, "Normally we let dragons choose their own roles, as long as they keep busy. However, we've been in need of someone to look after our familiars, and we think you'd be perfect for the job."

"Me?" asked the Spiral.

The Guardian smiled, "Yes. I know you've only been here a short time, but you have already met everyone and would be great at the multitasking required for the job. It takes someone who can be organized and is willing to work hard. With your background and skills, we think you're our best candidate."

The Spiral thought it over... She did enjoy playing with the familiars and it certainly would keep her busy.

"Ok - I'll do it!" she said, smiling happily at her clan leaders.