ShadyOak

Shady Oak is the mate of Necropolis and the father of Iktomi, Orochi, and Hades. He runs a store in the clan, selling all kinds of miscellany and odd bits and bobs. Shady Oak used to be a con artist and thief but has since turned away from trickery, ever since he met Necropolis.

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"You slithering, conniving rat!"

The voice shrieked out over the white noise crowd, and it made Shady Oak's skin crawl. The tone, the way the words were spat out like boiling venom, every detail was familiar. Too familiar for comfort. The nocturne knew exactly who that was and why they were so riled up.

"Shadowbinder have mercy..." Shady Oak muttered under his breath, as a ridgeback swiftly approached. The ridgeback was big, with snarling teeth and fidgeting claws. Claws that surely wanted to wring Shady's neck. His bright, striking eyes pierced the nocturne's heart, as Shady could only shrink beneath their gaze.

"A-Ah... Vortex, how nice it is to see you again, old frie-"

"Don't you dare call me your friend, Oak." Vortex growled at the nocturne, looking down on him with years of hatred built up in his voice. "This is where I find you? In some hole in the wall town full of misfits and rejects? Fitting, although I would have much preferred it if you'd been ripped apart by something or fell in the sea and drowned. You sure know how to disappoint, don't you?"

Vortex took a step forward, inching closer to Shady Oak. Shady Oak took a step back. Forward. Back. This dance continued until Shady Oak was pinned against the wall, staring up at the ridgeback that stared daggers back.

From afar, a tundra looked up from his gardening to see the two of them.


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Shady could practically hear the sound of a clock ticking. Ticking away the seconds before Vortex abandoned words and turned to action. Until the clock hit zero. Vortex lunged at Shady, claws outstretched and aimed for the nocturne's throat. In a fit of panic, a bolt of darkness shot out from Shady Oak's jaws, striking the ridgeback straight in the face.

Vortex staggered back, hissing as his talons fell to cradle his head. Shady tried to take this chance to run, but he didn't get far before he felt the other dragon grab his tail. Vortex yanked him down to the ground and pinned him there. Somehow, his eyes were full of even more rage than before.

"...Just like you to run. I've had enough of you, Shady Oak. Maybe you didn't find some corner to curl up and die in, but at least I get the chance to hear you beg for mercy, as I-"

"What is going on here?!"

Both the ridgeback and the nocturne's heads swiveled around towards the new voice. A large female guardian strode to Shady's side, her purple eyes flickering between him and Vortex. A low growl emanated from her.

"I do not know who you are, nor what business you have here, but you are not welcome if you seek to harm any of the dragons here." Her words made Vortex narrow his eyes.

"You have nothing to do with this. Scram."

"The safety of the townspeople is my number one priority. If you threaten-"

"I said get out of here, you giant nuisance!"

The guardian stared at him with an indescribable expression. Then, she roared at Vortex, shoving his claws off Shady Oak and stepping between the two. "Don't you dare," snarls the guardian, pulling the nocturne close to her. "He is under my protection. Either you leave this place, or I throw you out."

Shady Oak couldn't help but feel oddly touched by the gesture, even if it felt a bit unnecessary. He had never seen Bioluma like this before. She was always so patient and forgiving, welcoming and loving to everyone. He'd never seen her angry, much less threatening. Her wings were flared open, making her seem even bigger than normal, and the nocturne could see her claws and teeth bared. Was this how guardians got around their charges?

'Wait. I'm her charge?!'

Never had he ever really known for sure what the guardian's charge was, she always acted the same around everyone. Even after knowing her for years, she never hinted at it. This was news to him. He felt a bit flustered at the idea of being deemed a worthy charge. Someone like him, worthy of a protector? He hated to agree with Vortex, but it was certainly not deserved.

The ridgeback let out a hiss, yet stepped away from the two regardless. Before he left, however, Vortex shot Shady Oak a look. He could practically hear Vortex's thoughts. This isn't over. He then slinked away out of sight.

"...Are you alright?" The words snapped the nocturne out of his thoughts, looking up at his savior. Her demeanor had yet again flipped, becoming the familiar, motherly dragon who wouldn't hurt a fly. It was almost frightening how fast she changed.

"...Y-Yes, yes I'm alright, Bioluma... Thank you."

"It is of no trouble to me, Shady Oak. Just doing my job."

"...Your job?"

"Protecting the dragons of the clan. My charges. I'm grateful Carnation was around to see and report the situation. He came running, saying you were being cornered by some ridgeback."

"Ah..."

"Here. I'll close up shop for you today. You go ahead and take the rest of the day off." Shady Oak wanted to protest, but truthfully, returning home to his family felt wonderful right now. He pressed a key into Bioluma's claws.

"Thank you, again, Bioluma." He said, before trotting off.

'Everyone in the clan is her charge...?'