Raeyin

When Raeyin woke, it took a moment before she realized she'd actually opened her eyes. Her surroundings were dark, so dark that she could not make out more than a silhouette or two directly in front of her. As she came to even more, she recognized a stench and a sensation that made her stomach clench and churn. The air itself felt poisoned, and the ground felt twisted. Slowly, she moved each limb, ensuring herself that she was not hurt. She couldn't remember how she'd arrived in this twisted place, in fact, she couldn't remember much more than her own name. With a sigh, she forced herself into the air. Exhausted or not, she had to leave this place.

With a silent, short prayer to the Gladekeeper whom Raeyin knew she belonged to, the small fae rose into the air and headed to her homeland. The flight passed in a blur, with only the briefest of rests. Finally, Raeyin found an empty quarter of the Everbloom Gardens. Home. Exhausted, she made it to the top of an old tree and collapsed into an abandoned nest. She slept. She slept until a voice woke her.

An absurdly colored Tundra male hovered in front of her. Raeyin rushed back, placing distance between the two of them immediately. But the male meant no harm. In fact, this odd looking, awkward Tundra of less than average intelligence quickly became a close friend. He called himself Ayrun, and he essentially forced himself into Raeyin's presence. He would not leave, and he helped hunt while she recovered. In fact, in spite of his slight lack of intellect, the young male was witty, kind, goofy, and protective. Slowly they grew together. Raeyin recalled nothing before the day she awake in that dark land, and Ayrun spoke little of his life before meeting her. Instead, they spoke of the present, and occasionally the future. Life was simple until the young Tundra seemed to start courting her.

This was not her mate, Raeyin told herself. Yet, Ayrun was direct, he did not ask her for forever. No, instead he provided logical arguments. That they ought to mate, take comfort in another's presence, simply for now, while it was convenient. Thus, she went to the nesting grounds with him, but they had no eggs until later.

No, first an ill looking guardian and pearl-catcher would arrive to their small home in the gardens. Raeyin wanted to send them on their way, but Ayruninsisted. She watched them with a careful eye, noting how the guardian refused to let the younger dragon out of his sight. Whereas she rarely noticed, instead always focused on her pearl, clinging to it, as if it would disappear in a moment if she even blinked.