Marionette

Retired from breeding!



A silent soliloquy amidst the dark of the night, fireflies scattering about before fluttering back to their original positions as a large guardian settles down to sing sweet and soft melodies to the hatchlings and familiars of the clan. Marionette always was a gentle dragon to the youngsters, offering up her life to serve the clan in its earliest stages. Of course, they accepted, knowing how important more defenders were despite how peaceful the Gladeveins often were. Shy and quiet, but earnest and devoted. If another dragon was in peril or simply needed some help lifting something or clearing more space, she would always be there by their side to help.

This selfless behavior would eventually lead her to hearing the calls of her fellow friends of the clan. Desperate ones. Quickly, she navigated her way to them and threw herself in battle immediately, noticing just how outnumbered they were but not willing to let dragons die on her watch. While she saved the dragons under her watch, the enemies were ruthless, and she was quickly left crippled, her hind leg trapped and twisted as she tried to struggle free in a panic. Her allies, noticing her situation, quickly dispatched the enemies and rushed her back to the den.

Alas, it was for naught. It saved her more pain being rushed back, yes, but her leg would not heal. Marionette remembers clearly Midas’ blind gaze shifting from her leg to stare at her, voice soft yet so distant as she told Marionette the news. Her magic was working, but her leg was too badly damaged. The most she could do was help with the pain and speed along the healing process.

It was hard for a long while after that, Marionette not wanting to accept the fact that she was now stuck like this. Her other clan members, kind as most were, offered her an early retirement, yet that only made her feel worse. She didn’t want to be a burden to the clan, and felt as though she had failed them in a way. It wasn’t until Alexandria came into the clan that she started to slowly feel better. Alexandria, despite being a runaway royal and being uptight with the other dragons, always made sure to treat Marionette as another clan member, and didn’t look at her with pity as the other dragons did.

Eventually, after a little over two years, the pair started to become friends, with Marionette opening up to Alexandria and finally allowing her in. As expected, the two of them hit it off well, with them both weaving toys for the hatchlings, going hunting for food together, and even teaching the other about guardian and wildclaw history, partaking in the others’ traditions.

While her life won’t ever be the same as it once was, she’s content with her current one now, and has made amends with it. Regulus, another protector of the hatchlings and eggs, views Marionette fondly since she often crafts toys and blankets for the hatchlings, making sure the weaker ones catch up swiftly with their playmates and have a place in the clan, or encouraging any young dragons to leave the clan if she senses they’re yearning for something more.