Suzaku

Why? Why didn't they want me?

Suzaku perched there in her cage in the Auction House, the cries of hundreds of other dragons reverberating around her. It was frightening. She'd never seen so many dragons in her young life.

The last few days flashed by in her mind. Hatching amongst a clutch of three in a nest of leaves and stumps to her loving parents, being swept from her nest only minutes old, and tossed into this cage for treasure. She didn't even get to say goodbye to her parents!

Her two siblings were in cages nearby, crying out. Humans passed by from time to time. Sometimes they bought dragons. But so far, very few had looked at her and her siblings.

"Ooh, Flit! She looks pretty!"

"She's not expensive. Probably sold as exalt fodder for dominance."

Suzaku blinked, green eyes looking up to see a young woman peering into her cage. A purple Fae with delicate lavender wings perched on her shoulder. A large green Guardian was behind her, violet eyes boring into her intimidatingly. A pair of First Generation dragons!

It was the Guardian who spoke. "We hit the fodder section, Rose."

"But she's pretty, Mossbeard. And it's not like I can afford too much here," the woman countered.

Mossbeard rolled his eyes. "Then play more of that Jigsaw game. You top out at 30,000 every day!"

"I get bored!" the woman argued.

"This will be our first friend?" the Fae asked nervously.

Suzaku perked up at that. First friend? Were they buying her? Was she finally going to get a home after days of huddling in this cage?

The woman smiled. "I think we will."

"She's pre-named. You'll need a Scroll of Renaming if you want to name her yourself," Mossbeard pointed out.

Suzaku shivered when the cage was opened and the woman plucked her out. Warmth and a steady heartbeat greeted her as she was cradled against the woman's chest. It felt like being with mother again...

"Nah. I like her name. Suzaku... It fits." The woman smiled down at her. "Welcome to your new home, Suzaku."