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Cedrela
"No matter where we come from, great things lie before us all."
Queen of the Amalgam
Lady of the Whispering Stars
The Queen of Promise
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I was born nearly sixteen spins ago, in a colony known only as Singers in the Star Wood Strand. My parents were Tipili and Yuna, two Fae who cared for me and my siblings in the few short weeks that I knew them. Looking back now, they were not the best parents, but I believe they did what they could in that time. It's not as if they could have prevented the collapse our part of the colony experienced, but sometimes I wish they could have survived. Things would have turned out differently, wouldn't they have? I believe my mother knew what was coming though, she never wanted us in the tree unless we had to be. It was like she knew, but perhaps that's just me over-analyzing. Yet, how else can I explain her behavior leading up to the time she died?
I don't believe she ever expected the type of consequences her death, along with the death of my father and older brother Adgne, would wrought within me. I was always afraid. Afraid of the other dragons besides my mother's parents and my hatchmates Allor and Furhe. Afraid to sleep because what if the colony collapsed again? Afraid to even walk in the colony for fear of collapse. I was useless to them, nothing better than an outcast because of my fear. No matter how much Furhe, or Allor, or my mother's parents tried, they could never get me to accept what happened. How could I? My parents had died in an event considered normal for an ancient Fae colony such as our own. How could they accept the event so easily? Were they not pained by the loss of so many other Fae?
I believe what sealed my fate to becoming a wanderer was when one of the Fae, a lovely basic boy who I had seen before, attempted to bring me closer to the colony. I had never used my magic against another dragon before then, I never knew how much an attack could hurt them, could wound them. I never knew my magic could kill before then. Call it self-imposed exile, but I couldn't even find it in myself to look at my own family after such an event. I fled that very afternoon, too afraid what might happen to me if I stayed longer.
I spent the next four years wandering from clan to clan, never staying too long, and never staying in clans that I deemed too risky. I would not suffer through another collapse, for I myself might not have survived this time. Yet, each time I sought out succor from a clan there were few who even sought me out. I could never tell. Was it the fact I came from a long line of ordinary dragons with none of the genes Arcane Scholar's of the Observatory engineered? Was it my colors? Perhaps I had not been as beautiful as some because I had no genes to emphasis the beauty of my colors. Perhaps this was why I never found a mate, or was asked to stay when I deemed it was time for me to move on. Few ever said goodbye to me anyway, I was the wanderer who no one really cared about.
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It was during my fifth year of wandering that the idea of becoming an Arcane Scholar entered my thoughts. I was getting older, and I had yet to find a clan to call home. It was either wander for the rest of my life, even outside of Arcane, or go and serve the Arcanist how I could. The former was lonely, and wandering so much was wearing on me already, I would never be able to wander for the entirety of my life. Yet even the honor of serving the Arcanist was no more appealing than wandering, it seemed even less so. I wanted to find a clan that I could call home, a mate to have hatchlings of my own with, and friends. Friends! I had never had friends before, or any of what I wished for.
As I was wandering to the next clan I could seek succor from, I circled the Crystalspine Reaches, wandering away from Focal Point where I had been staying with the last clan. It was as I was heading towards the outer reaches of the spines that I first caught a glimpse of it. It was a grove, surrounded by trees I knew were native to the Star Wood Strand. Strange, how they were all the way out here, so far away from the Strand. It was a peculiar anomaly, and one that I had to investigate after I saw it. As soon as I made my ways into the trees surrounding the grove, it was as if I was transported back into the Star Wood Strand, and for the first time since I was a mere hatchling, I felt safe and at home. The noises, the smells, everything about the place sung of peace and of home to my very heart. I knew then that, even if I were to live the rest of my life without the companionship I wished for, I would do it here. This place was it. This was home.
 
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Arcana
✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶
"I feel it deep within my bones, but I'm afraid of what I would do if I let it out."
Strength
✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶
"I may be but little, but I am a queen. And a queen does not bow to anyone."
Intelligence
✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶
"Intelligence is not the same as wisdom, obviously. I'm smart, not necessarily wise."
Wisdom
✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶
"Quote."
Luck
✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶
"Fickle, and unpredictable. There is no deity to ask for more luck from."
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It was easy for me to settle into my own routine of sorts as I settled into my new home. Each day I woke up and took a quick fly through the trees, spinning and diving through the branches, excitement and joy following me closely as I flew through this place. I would then return to the little hut of branches and foliage I had made in the crook of a branch far above the floor of the forest. It was my new home. Large enough for just me, decorated with bits of crystals from the crystal reefs surrounding the island. I even had a small stash of insects set aside in there and I would eat my fill before taking wing again to search the island for new treasure and sometimes more food. I even dove into the water sometimes to study the marine life around my new home. I could never stay under for too long, but I was always filled with a sense of wonder when I swam around. I loved the clear water, the way it all seemed to stretch out around me and seemed to never end. The crystal reef behind the spire was my favorite place to watch, to see all the fish as they swam around, all startled by my presence if I moved.
It was peaceful, easy. I couldn’t remember feeling this free, or this happy, and even being alone couldn’t compare against the relief that had settled over me at finding a place to call home. Yet, I suppose the solitude could never last. I met a dragon. I first saw him flying in the direction of my island after I rose from the water one afternoon, and I was seized by fear from the moment I noticed a dragon coming towards me. I did the only sensible thing I thought I could do: I dove into the forest and made my way to a hollow in one of the older trees, squeezing my way inside and up to hide away. I clung to the upper side of the hollow, trembling, ear fins flattened against my neck, and heart pounding fiercely in my chest, though it certainly wasn’t from the flying.
I stayed in that position for the rest of the day. Night fell, and I fell asleep clinging to the wood. When I awoke the next morning it only took a moment for the day before to come rushing back to me, to remind me why I was still here. It had been too many hours since I saw the stranger, and if nothing had happened so far, what was the harm in returning to my usual routine? I left the hollow and used my normal morning fly to return to my tree hut, hungry since it had been nearly an entire day since I last ate. I was happy to see my hut untouched and flew in, quickly devouring insects to fill my hungry belly. I was no stranger to hunger thanks to the nomadic way I had lived for so long, but after spending so long here and having a steady food supply for myself I was growing a little soft. I flicked my head fins in amusement. I was a small dragon, small even for my own kind, soft was a word that would always be applied to me since I had always preferred to not fight.
Leaving my hut, I flew from the forest towards to grove, prepared to spend a day laying in the grass under the sun. Only, I wasn’t along on my island any longer. I stopped as soon as I saw him–and it was very distinctly a Tundra dragon considering the mane on him as he lay there in the grove, looking as if he was asleep. I fluttered for a moment before landing on a branch to observe him. On any other dragon I doubt the colors he presented could have gone together so well. As it was, the grey and rose seemed to make him…I don’t know. I found him interesting, so casually laying there in the sun as if he cared about nothing at all. What if there had been a Guardian that protected this grove? Or an Imperial who called this island home? How could he sleep so peacefully, when there were potential dangers in the world we inhabited?
I flattened my head fins down completely and narrowed my eyes, suddenly furious that this dragon could be so at ease with the world around him when he could be in danger. I flew down, landing not too far from him, intent on scolding him when he surprised me first by speaking.
“I was wondering when you would stop hiding,” he said, opening one eye to reveal the eye of an Arcane dragon. His voice was soft, and filled with a light roughness that stunned me. He wasn’t surprised at all by my appearance, but I couldn’t tell how he felt without the telltale flicks and movements of head fins. My headfins perked up, interest piqued. The mane he bore was impressive, thick and bright like a pink rose. It seemed soft, even with the tangles it contained and–
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I was getting distracted, I needed to remember what I was doing when he surprised me. I flattened my head fins once more and narrowed my eyes at him again. “You are careless, sleeping out in the open such as you are. I know that you Tundra’s are forgetful, but I didn’t know one could be so stupid.” All I earned in return was a laugh from him, one that was boisterous and joyful. My headfins rippled with my confusion; why was he laughing at my statement? Did he find amusement in being scolded?
“Little Fae, I am not being careless. I was waiting to meet the occupant of this island who fled from me the moment she first saw me. The fact that I was not attacked by magic the moment I flew over, or ambushed by other dragons, let me know you were alone and afraid.” He lifted his head then, and he smiled at me. It was soft, pleasing to look at. I was easily getting caught up in the easy way he was acting. It was infectious. It was startlingly pleasant.
Still, I tucked my wings to my sit as I sat down to stare at him, silent as I did so. He stared back, that silly smile never faltering. I turned my head away, a small feeling of happiness welling up inside of me. It had been so long since I was spoken to like a friend, like someone cared about me. What was I thinking? Did I truly want this stranger to stay here with me when I knew nothing about him?
I will never know any of the dragons who live with me.
The thought was sudden and unexpected, but I realized the truth behind it. My headfins lowered, trembling slightly. Better it be a kind dragon such as this Tundra than a dragon who would harm me given a chance. I turned my head back to him to see the smile gone.
“What are you called, little Fae?” He asked softly, and my head fins lifted.
“I am Cedrela, daughter of Yuni of Clan Singers in the Northern Reaches of the Starwood Strand. The question is, who are you?”
“Audulain,” he replied simply, saying nothing more. Audulain. Such an odd name, but as I stared at him I realized just how much it fit him. How much everything about him fit him. I barely knew this dragon, but I would be remiss to pass up the chance for companionship from a dragon who was so kind.
“Well, Audulain, if you are in no hurry to go anywhere I hope you don’t mind my asking if you stay for a while.”
He smiled once more. “Not at all, little Fae. I would be honored.” He stood and I stared up at him, surprised and shocked by how much taller he was than myself. Was I making the right decision by inviting him to stay? He leaned his head down, letting his right eye meet mine.
"Climb aboard, Cedrela." He moves his head so his mane is presented to me. I climb onto his neck, tightening the grip of my back claws in his mane while I use my front feet to hold onto a horn. He lifts his head, checks with me that I'm ready, and then sets off at a trot with me directing him. My fins ripple and I feel a small smile on my face.
I think this is the best decision I’ve made since I lost my parents so many spins ago.
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Defense
✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶
"Quote."
Willpower
✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶
"Quote."
Perception
✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶
"Quote."
Constitution
✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶
"Quote."
Charisma
✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶✶
"Quote."
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