The SeaWing princess was nestled comfortably against the larger mud dragon. Even with their earth colored wing draped over her, she did not feel smothered. Her MudWing partner, (Y/n), was a very cuddly dragon, liking lots of physical contact with their friends and wingmates, especially with Anemone.
At the beginning of their relationship it annoyed her at first, mainly due to her mother’s constant sheltering and worry, but gradually got use to their attention and began to like it. (Y/n)’s affectionate nature was due to being the “bigwings” of their sibs, who have met Anemone and was awed that she was royalty. They all were slightly smaller copies of (Y/n) in some way with slight differences in appearance and had some sort of accessory: being an earring or crocodile tooth necklace, which was later explained that they were animus touched with invulnerability by none other than (Y/n). Anemone was shocked to find out that this MudWing had powers like her. She obviously asked them if they felt evil or if their soul was tainted. (Y/n) had no idea about those legends and felt fine. They planned to tell their queen of their powers but did not feel comfortable in doing so, as treasonous as it sounded.
Anemone was just happy that she wasn’t so alone being the only animus dragon in Pyrrhia and liked to discuss possible spells that she could do. (Y/n) though, was seemingly reckless with their powers, using it however they pleased. When asked they warned their partner that if Anemone was going to do any kind of spell that it would have to be beneficial or benevolent in some way, warning her further that negative ones would cause harmful karma (whatever that was). So the SeaWing princess took the experienced dragon’s advice, usually doing small, helpful spells on objects whenever she wanted to and she hasn’t felt the heavy coldness in her talons as anymore. Yet they were still were. Maybe it was because she did so many small negative spells when she was younger or when she killed Whirlpool on purpose. The possibilities haunted her, often having nightmares of harming those close to her: her sisters, her mother, her friends, and even (Y/n).
The enveloping warmth of the MudWing snoring next to her made her feel safe and stable, keeping her from loosing her mind at least. Anemone was grateful for (Y/n)‘s constant presence and reassurance. She wondered how her mother would feel about marrying a MudWing...
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She tried really hard to listen to both (Y/n)’s and Darkstalker’s words.
“Don’t use your magic unless you tell me first.”
“You can do magic as long as it’s for good.”
Darkstalker and (Y/n) fight. A lot, due to their different views with animus magic. Which made it a lot harder for Anemone to pick a side and who to defend: her teacher or her lover.
Obviously Darkstalker has many years of experience with it, knowing how to possess and harness it. While (Y/n) seems to know how to levelly control their magic and having no consequences whatsoever. She’d just met Darkstalker and accepted him as her teacher, despite knowing (Y/n) longer and having been taught by them as well.
It felt like a spear to the heart when (Y/n) decided to go back home to the Mud Kingdom, saying that: “The vibes that Darkstalker has are evil and malicious.” Also wanting to make sure that their sibs were alright, having a feeling that the hybrid may go after them for their animus-touched items.
“I’m sorry Anemone but I have to make sure my family is safe,” they told her ruefully. “If you want I can put a protective spell on you so that you can be safe while I’m gone.”
This made anger flare in Anemone. “I can take care of myself just fine,” she snapped. “I’ve gone this far with my powers and I haven’t hurt anyone!”
Except Whirlpool, whispered a memory.
She shook her head. “Darkstalker is such a nice and charming guy. He’s the oldest dragon in Pyhrria! Obviously he’s got some experience from it all.”
“And yet he’s been in a coma for thousands of years. How can he practice it when he was only seven years old? Darkstalker may still have the mentality of an immature dragonet!” protested her lover.
“Aren’t you also seven?” Anemone glared.
“I’m six! If age really matters right now!” (Y/n) countered, raising their voice. “Am I more knowledgeable than him then?”
This gave Anemone pause for a moment to try and analyze the question.
(Y/n) finished putting whatever items they posses into the pouch around their thick neck, tugging it angrily closed. “You know what? Don’t even bother,” they rushed, quickly trotting through the stony halls with Anemone in tow. “I’m going to my sibs because I feel like they need me right now and I won’t let anything happen to them.”
“What about me?!” Anemone shrieked.
They glared at the princess with fierce (e/c) eyes. “I thought you didn’t want any protection since Darkstalker would never do anything to you.”
The pale SeaWing began to hyperventilate, gills flaring with tears in her eyes. “I don’t want you to leave,” she choked. “This is my first time being around a strange animus, I’m... kinda scared and excited at the same time.”
The MudWing softened, moving forward and wrapping her within their wings, arms hugging her slender frame. She leaned into their warmth, longing to hold them and never let go.
“I will try to come back as soon as I can for you, Anemone,” (Y/n) stated. They slipped off a white quartz earring that was looped on their hippo shaped ears. “I enchant this earring to become bright and to show a glowing line of guidance if Princess Anemone of the SeaWings is ever in danger.” Then slid it back onto their ear, flicking it playfully. “This way I’ll know when exactly to come to your rescue, princess.”
Anemone chuckled and buried her head against their neck. “You’re so cheesy. Like my mother and her romances.”
(Y/n) gave her an assuring kiss upon her head, holding her face in their talons. “I will be here for you.”
“And I’ll be waiting for you to rescue me,” said Anemone.
Every limb they retracted and every wingbeat (Y/n) took as they flew south-east towards the Mud Kingdom left Anemone’s scales and heart colder.
A familiar NightWing appeared before her.
“Hello Anemone,” said Darkstalker, cheerfully. Excitement and other things twinkled in his black eyes as he watched (Y/n) leave as well. “We don’t need them. They were too much of a worry-wort anyway, was going to ruin the fun we are going to have.”
The SeaWing princess looked up at him and he grinned at her. “Now, shall we begin our first lesson?”
It’s been a long while since Queen Scarlet had anything thrilling happen. Gill was refusing to fight still and Peril is becoming boring. The war still goes on but no interesting prisoners.
Until she met you, a good friend of her son, to be the only MudWing involved with the royal family other than Queen Moorhen. She really didn’t care about her son’s little friend despite being a constant presence at the castle, yet today you pleasantly surprised her by being in the area to fight other dragons. Vermilion set up the scrimmage with a SeaWing prisoner, a turquoise water dragon. He hissed and snarled as he was dumped onto the sand.
The crowd cheered and oohed as a MudWing willingly walked through the gates to face the SeaWing, stepping out onto the sands nonchalantly. The other dragon was bristling and eyed him as Vermilion flaps down to make his announcement, exchanging a look with his friend.
“Your Majesty and fellow SkyWings, today we have a very special fight today. As a MudWing wanting to show his might today for you, Queen Scarlet,” Vermilion relays in his great voice. “Presenting (Y/n) of the MudWings versus Iguana of the SeaWings! Claws up, teeth ready. Fight!”
Iguana bolted forward first on webbed yet nimble talons as he slashed at the MudWing’s snout and throat. The mud dragon hissed as the claws swiped at his scales, rearing back and used his larger talon to swat him into the sand before pinning him there by the neck at the base of his skull. The SeaWing frantically hissed and scratched and kicked under his strong grip, resorting to swinging his green-blue tail to effectively knock (Y/n) off his last standing front leg to send him scrambling into the sand as well.
The crowds cheered at the unique bout. Some whispered that he was just showing off. It seemed to be working as Queen Scarlet watched with some interest. She found some kind of adoration for the fearsome snarl that exposed his teeth and fiery determination in his eyes as (Y/n) chased and wrestled the SeaWing onto the ground again. This time, he took ahold of his smaller horns and was able to control the struggling SeaWing better. He tried to use his restrained wing to bat him off in retaliation, but (Y/n) turned his head and exhaled a jet of fire against the thin flesh and scales. Iguana wailed in agony as he writhed against the MudWing’s grip while his clamped wing was incinerated until there was half of a charred and bloody limb, the metal device having fallen into the sand without a body part to restrain. (Y/n) then dragged his limp opponent, half conscious from the blinding pain, to the front of the queen’s viewing platform and forced the barely standing SeaWing’s front half to stiffly bow as his face was practically shoved into the grainy sand.
“I think the Queen has the final say in everything,” (Y/n) smirked as he stared up at Queen Scarlet, his chest puffing from the effort.
A pleased smile crossed her ruby-studded face as she laughed, “That’s the smartest thing a MudWing has ever said!”
A soft hissing rose all around in amused agreement to encourage blood on the sand much like their queen.
“Then kill him,” Queen Scarlet commands with a grin. “For me.”
The turquoise SeaWing let out a scream of dismay that was quickly muffled by sand being forced down his throat as (Y/n) finally shoved his head under the loose sediment, his body thrashing as his opponent strained to hold him until the wild movements turned to twitching writhes and soon slumped fully to the coliseum grounds. The watching dragons roared and hissed with cheer at his victory, throwing gems and gold coins before him as the MudWing strode in a triumphant lap (only able to snatch a couple up), before exiting the arena as two SkyWings pulled Iguana’s body away to prepare for the next match. The following bouts were less tedious after that, even though everyone was still thinking about the MudWing who was no longer present. Queen Scarlet couldn’t help but also be slightly impressed by his display of strength. The least she could do is reward him for such a spectacular victory.
She called upon a messenger dragon with a click of her bejeweled claws.
“Go fetch (Y/n) the MudWing and tell him he’s invited to a party,” she ordered and they quickly darted away to sought him out. Another servant was at her beck as she also called for her party planner to pull off a last minute event. She didn’t really know what MudWings liked other than, well mud, but a feast in his honor was more than enough.
Later as the coliseum emptied and the sun set behind the towering mountains, a MudWing entered the already bustling feasting hall, the many torches flickering in the evening breeze to light the dying day and made the shadows within the gold statues of Queen Scarlet dance.
It was a small event. A trumpeting band played lively music in a corner, a couple SkyWings dancing on bouncing talons and fluttering wings while thunking drinks clattered as accompanying dragons chattered, hissed, and roared amongst themselves. The attending guest were no one you really knew, mostly being nobles that also enjoyed being in the queen’s presence or several newly obtained fans from earlier. Yet they dined on the long table that was spread with every kind of prey the Sky Kingdom could offer, some prepared and others scampering for an escape.
Queen Scarlet was languished on her throne at the head of the table, quietly watching the attendees for her main guest’s arrival. So she was quick to catch you standing at the passage, her yellow eyes practically glowing with regard.
“Welcome (Y/n)! To your very own feast in honor of your thrilling victory today,” the queen announced with a slight flair of her wings.
The other SkyWings cheered and raised their cups before a couple approached to talk with you. You politely entertained them and laughed at their compliments, yet you were aware of the queen’s keen gaze. It darkened as a smiley SkyWing got particularly touchy, being way too focused on your strong muscles and smoke began to waft from her snout to obscure her view as her patience became thin.
“(Y/n), do come sit next me,” Queen Scarlet commanded as her eyes locked onto yours.
You immediately withdrew from the crowd in favor of the SkyWing queen’s demand, taking the space closest to her throne. There was a tray of roasted trout within reach, but pushed it away as it was a stark reminder of what you did earlier, and in favor grabbed a couple deer rounds, efficiently ripping off strips of meat to eat.
“I see you’re recovering well,” Queen Scarlet comments, gesturing to the herb patch across your neck applied to a particularly deep gash from Iguana’s claws.
You swallowed your mouthful of venison. “It was merely a scratch,” you tell her. “I’ve received worse.”
“So you’re a soldier whenever you’re not skulking about the castle grounds with my son?” she asked with mild curiosity.
“More of a weapon smith,” you explain. “But I do serve my kingdom when I’m not crafting.”
“Surely not as fine as ours. Only the best of weapons are made from SkyWing fire after all,” the queen tuts.
You have her an openly offended look. “My weapons are stronger than what any SkyWing smiths could create and can make them just as fast, maybe even quicker.”
Queen Scarlet laughs at your flustered proclamation. “Oh, you are quite the cocky MudWing. I’ve only known them to be slow, yet you seem to exempt expectations. Now I see why you wormed your way into my castle.”
“How else would I see the most lovely queen?” It was an immediate retort with an overconfident grin. A couple of attendant SkyWings caught it and began whispering.
“Careful. I had a husband. Once,” the bejeweled queen hisses, a humored yet genuine truth.
“Of course,” you lowered your square head in submission. “My condolences. To him.”
“Maybe you should take residence in the sky castle as a jester,” Queen Scarlet offered half heartedly. “Since you want to make a fool of yourself in front of me.”
You perked. “If there’s an opening.” There was genuine intrigue at the statement.
The SkyWing queen smiled like a hungry shark. “Vermilion picked a good one, but I might just keep you for myself.”
The proposition was tempting, very tempting, to stay in the gold-laden castle walls that towered over all of Pyrrhia with the beautiful orange sky dragon, to be at her side amongst the nobles, but you had to politely decline.
“I would love nothing more than to stay here but there are things that I must be in the Mud Kingdom for,” you tell her.
Queen Scarlet’s ruby studded-face then got dark, narrowing her eyes as she stared at you.
“Is that a “no” I hear?” she says, looming from her throne. She was by no means the largest SkyWing but she was plenty intimidating. “You don’t want to know what happens if I don’t get what I want.”
“That’s not what I’m saying at all, your majesty,” you protested as smoke began to puff from her nostrils. “I just have responsibilities that I cannot simply abandon.”
“Then I’m sure we can find a way to absolve them,” Scarlet tells you. “I’m the greatest queen of Pyrrhia after all and can do as I please.”
There was a considering pause, trying to weigh the options.
“I can pay you double what you make in the Mud Kingdom, give you your own smith shop. Perhaps work with Vermilion in the arena. You don’t have to be sent to battle, you will get to stay here in the castle,” she list off counter offers to whatever thoughts were rattling your brain to sway your decision.
“I…,” you heavily hesitated, feeling completely torn. “I have to be there for my sibs. They need me.”
It was Scarlet’s turn to pause, not knowing what that meant or its significance and didn’t bother to ask.
“Then I will leave it as an open offer for you to think about,” she concludes, tapping the table in front of her as though she would conjure up a physical contract. “Perhaps you will make your decision when you return for your next visit.”
You nodded solemnly, relieved to not be torn from everything you knew, just yet.
“I will. Thank you, Queen Scarlet, you are truly the greatest,” you responded.
She returned to her relaxed recline on her throne, looking as though she already won. “Of course I am. Now enjoy your celebration, we have all night.”
