Geode

White filled her vision, jolting Geode from her sleep. She pried open an eyelid and was greeted with a flash of excruciatingly bright light reflecting off of the dragon next to her. Groaning, she rolled over, smacking a nearby dragon with her arm. Shouts and complaints filled the treehouse and she unfurled her wings, leaping off of the platform. She didn't want to deal with this today, especially when it was the Glimmering Gala, where each and every member of her clan would show off their sparkling scales, majestic markings and colorful clothing. Almost every member of her clan. She looked down at the claws wrapped around her pearl. Grey, dull and definitely not something one would show off when exotic colors and shimmering sights were everywhere.

The constant pounding of her wings soothed some of those worries, and she headed to a nearby grotto to rest her thoughts and possibly catch up on sleep. Her talons hit a moss covered rock with a thump, and she sat down, already tired of what this day will bring. A flash of movement in her pearl caught her eye. Peering closer, she found herself looking at one of her first memories she stored in her pearl.

Geode. You are beautiful inside and out.

Mother.

Her mother's voice flowed through her mind, gently swaying with pulsation of her heartbeat. A face drifted through her memory, deep eyes full of understanding and love. She achingly craved the comforting embrace of a mother. Hugging her belongings tightly, she drifted off into a uneasy sleep.

Sparrows sung to each other, a dance of pitches. She admittedly felt a little envious of their beautiful sound. As she stretched out her limbs, she was hit with the sudden realization that she had slept too long. The sun was casting its departing rays, beams of light illuminating the forest behind her. Panic surged in her chest. She didn't know the way back.

Stumbling blindly through the forest, she pushed her way forward. No one would even miss her, would they? They wouldn't even know she disappeared. She shook her head, trying to clear it. The movement caused her to tip forwards, tumbling down a hill she didn't even know existed. The momentum was too great and her attempts to stop were futile. Suddenly, an arm reached out and halted Geode's descent. Dizzily gazing upwards, her gaze landed on the most peculiar dragon. She was a dark red colour, but her entire body was covered in patches of luminescent scales. She would most definitely fit in to the Glimmering Gala.

"You're very gorgeous," Geode offered, thankful for the help. The dragon filled the space with a warm glow, shining like a fallen star.

"Thank you! I'm Carnelian, and you are?" Reaching out a talon, Carnelian helped her up.

"Geode." She brushed off a few stray leaves and started polishing her pearl.

"Do you need a place to stay? It is really late and I'm sure no one would mind sharing," Carnelian's smile was even brighter than her markings, and Geode couldn't help but accept. As she curled up next to Carnelian in the warmth and safety of a nest, her pearl shone again. Her mother's face appeared, still uttering the same words. As she drifted off to sleep, she could see her own reflection in her pearl, glowing radiantly.

"Geode. You are beautiful inside and out."