Keir

“I have toes!” Keir proudly announced to Choir.
She laughed and nodded, “Yes, I noticed.”
He wiggled them. “I like them.”
“Well that’s good, they seem a bit attached to you.”
“I’m gonna go tell DarkStar now.”
“Alright. I’m sure he’ll be happy about that.”
Keir had the feeling that Choir was only telling him that to get rid of him, but he was okay with that. He was just really excited about his toes today and he had no idea why. Maybe they were extra cute today?
On his way to DarkStar, he was distracted by two familiars, five butterflies, and one beautiful coatl. Starshine. She was the desire of all of the male dragons, coatl and otherwise, that had no mate…and some of those who did.
“She’s so pretty.” He remarked to a grasshopper. “I wanna marry her someday.”
The grasshopper ignored him and hopped away.
“Okay, I love you, buh-bye.” He told it. “Hmm…” he thought, “I wonder if my master would let me be Starshine’s mate when I’m big enough.”
He felt his brow furrow as an idea was birthed in his mind. A quest. He was still young. He had yet to discover himself and wanted to do so before he became a grown dragon. Perhaps…maybe…yes.
In the dirt, he drew out his plans. He was going to go on a quest to not only discover himself, but to meet his master. He was sure he had met her before, but couldn’t remember when or where, plus, now he had a favor to beseech of her. To make Starshine his mate.
He made himself presentable, then began his quest.
On his way, he bumped into DarkStar. “Hello. I have toes. And I am going to find our master.”
“Oh? Are you going to tell her about your toes?”
“No. Well. Maybe. I’m really happy about my toes today. I was going to ask if I could be Starshine’s mate when I’m big enough.”
Darkstar’s eyebrows shot up, “Starshine, huh? Good luck with that!”
“Thanks. I’m gonna need it. I don’t know our master real well and if she gets mad, she could just send me away to fight. I don’t wanna fight. I wanna stay home and lay eggs with Starshine.”
Darkstar’s eyes twinkled with amusement. The energy and excitement contained within such a little dragon made him laugh. Keir most certainly was nothing like the shy little Darkstar he had been when he was a hatchling. “Well, good luck then.” Darkstar told him as Keir scampered away.
Keir ran from dragon to dragon, telling them of his quest. Some smiled and entertained him, others told him to please leave them alone, and others told them to please leave them alone…but without the please.
He ran so far, just trying to find his master, but he ran too far and collapsed on the ground. He had never known so little energy. It slowly began to dawn on him…he had no food. He had no water…. He was slated for death.
Fear overtook his tiny, but bold heart. It beat wildly within his chest. What if he never got home? What if Choir and Darkstar worried about him? What if…oh no…what if he could never become Starshine’s mate?
The last fear propelled him to stand, and weakly take a few steps back the way he came. If he couldn’t find his master, he could at least go back home and be Starshine’s friend. A few more steps. One more step. He stumbled.
“Keir? What are you doing out here?” An unfamiliar voice called to him.
He turned. Oh, he recognized that face! “Master!” He gathered his last remaining energy and ran to his master’s outstretched arms.
“Keir, why are you so far away from the rest of the clan?”
“I…I was looking for you.” He hung his head, fearful that he had disappointed her.
“But didn’t you know I would be coming through tonight, just to talk with you?”
“You were?” Keir was surprised.
“Yes. I usually do. I haven’t been able to for a few days, so I guess we’ve only really met once before.”
“Oh. No one told me that.”
“They probably assumed you knew. Why were you looking for me?”
Keir felt himself grow shy. He wasn’t usually a shy dragon…but…this was a really personal question. What if his master got upset? But she didn’t seem like the type to get upset easily…so…maybe? He took a deep breath. “IwantedtoaskifStarshinecouldbemymatebecauseshe’sreallyprettyandIreallylikeherandIwasscaredtoaskyou" -breathe- "becausethenyoumightgetmadbecauseyouwantedmetomatewithsomeoneelsebutthenyouaskedmewhyIwaslookingforyouandI’mtellingyouanyway.”
It was silent for a moment and Keir felt his heart being in his throat. The worst she could do was say no…right?
“What?”
Oh great, she was mad. “Never mind, it was a bad idea.”
“We don’t know that. I don’t even know what you asked, you said it all so fast!”
“Oh. Um…I want to be Starshine’s mate when I grow up….” He closed his eyes tight and held his breath, waiting for her answer.
There was silence. Then his master chuckled.
He opened his eyes. Why was she laughing?
She smiled at him, “Well, I’d kind of been planning it that way.”
His eyes widened. “Really? You mean I stressed over nothing?!”
His master fought back a laugh and nodded.
“Oh.”
“Let’s get you home.”
“Okay…but…check out my toes!”


Keir's Diary:
Day 6- Today, I have reached adulthood. I'm so big now! In another month, I'll be ready to finally mate with Starshine for the first time. My dreams will come true that day. There's been rumors of more evolved colors becoming available in future generations, and I'm excited to see what kind of beautiful variety our hatchlings will turn out to be!