Azura

The nice thing about shadow, is that it hides the outward appearance of things. There's no bright colors or flashy patters to distract you from the true nature of something. All you have are words and actions, and that tends to be more than enough. This can be confusing for those of you that live in the light, you may think that we hide or skulk just to trick and fool others. And we do. It's good fun, after all! But among ourselves we walk proudly. Not to give a regal visage to our peers, but because it matches how we feel.

Personally I don't care what I look like. My user has changed everything about me over time: I used to be a simple, plain Tundra. She tried to give me lore, and used my image to try and add to that. But in the end that was her preference. I simply am who I am, and I love myself as much as I did with no genes or clothing. I'll go along with what she writes because I find it fun, and it keeps things interesting. I'll watch her visions of light from the comfort of my shadow.

---

The Tundra dragon awoke in a strange place, completely empty and white. There was no horizon that she could see, no start or end to anything. Nothing left or right, and even the "ground" she stood upon had a strange, empty quality.

Then everything shifted.

Eleven huge dragons surrounded her. The Tundra was immediately filled with a sense of awe as she gazed at them. They sat placed in a circle, each seeming to possess an aura of pure elemental power. They didn't appear to notice the dragon before them, instead staring straight forward. Unaware of their surroundings.

The Tundra's awe slowly faded as she processed this, the feeling replaced by a sense that there was something very off. These dragons were mighty, likely possessing enough power to be gods. Yet they were here in this empty world, still and lifeless.

Azura.

The word came from nowhere, surging through her in a shock of power and definity. This was her being, her identity.
Her name.

The Eleven stirred around her. Azura felt fear pour into her as the gods awoke, no longer empty husks. They could end her with a blink, she knew, and pressed herself more firmly to the blank ground, trying to make herself small and unnoticeable. Their mighty heads moved in unison, and to Azura's horror, their gazes lowered to look right at her.

But there was no anger in their eyes. As they turned their attention onto her she was filled with a feeling of peace and safety. It was soft and kind. Welcoming. The Tundra rose again to her feet, bravely raising her eyes to meet theirs.

One of the Eleven rose as well and approached her. The great dragon halted before Azura, smiling.

Greetings, New One. I am Shadowbinder. Her voice was strong, powerful. I have been chosen as your guardian diety. For as long as you may live you will be under my watch and protection, and I will guide you when your path is lost. May you find prosperity for as long as you call this world your own.

The god's great head bowed down, lightly touching Azura's and a thrill of energy coursed through her. The Tundra looked into her purple eyes as everything faded to black.





Azura woke slowly, feeling as though her mind was being dragged through murky water. Half-thoughts drifted along aimlessly as she tried to figure out if she was still asleep or not. Opening her eyes she looked around, trying to find something to anchor her consciousness to.

Darkened objects took their time solidifying until the Nocturne recognized her own room. Shelves spilling parchment over their edges and stacked with various nicknacks she'd accumulated over the years, unlit candles resting on their ledges around the walls. She was probably awake now. Probably.

She got to her feet as carefully as she could, but still almost fell over as she tried to avoid a cat curled on the floor just under her nest ledge. As she righted herself a stabbing pain shot through her head, forcing her back onto her ledge as a migraine flared to life. She should've seen that coming. She could never remember much of the dream that caused it, but every time it came it brought a horrible headache with it.

"My lady, are you alright?" A voice asked outside.

"I'm alright August, just stumbled a little," Azura replied. Ever since they'd found him all those years ago, the great Imperial had appointed himself their personal bodyguard. It looked like it was her turn to be guarded tonight. Even though it wasn't necessary, Azura let him continue his self-assigned work. She honestly would have preferred if he would show that protectiveness to the rest of the clan as well, but he didn't seem like he ever intended to outside of what he'd already done.

She reached for one of her shelves, grabbing a handful of fragrant leaves that would relieve the throbbing in her head. She'd had to keep a steady supply of these lately with how often the dreams came. Chewing them slowly, she went over what she could remember.

The most prominent aspect was that of deja vu. Although she couldn't recall the events of the dream, she felt like it had happened before. That could just be from the recurring aspect, but she had a definitive feeling that she'd actually experienced whatever had happened.

Then there was the familiarity of her old body. Her Tundra body. The satisfying weight of fur that swished and waved as she moved, and a comforting warmth that was always with her. She'd felt naked for a long time after she made the change. It was one of the reasons she started wearing more clothing.

As the pressure in her skull subsided she delved deeper, trying to remember more. A flicker of memory came. Two huge purple eyes, staring straight into her core. Eyes that laid her bare and saw everything about her even as they surrounded her in a comforting embrace. Eyes that held knowledge and power in their endless depths.

Shadowbinder...!

Azura rose abruptly from her nest, sweeping across the room to a door leading further into the house. She rapped it a couple times before letting herself in.

Flickering candlelight greeted her, casting shadows over the room's walls. A sleek feathered form was hunched over a desk on the room's far side, its long tail swishing slowly over the floor.

"I've been expecting you, mistress," the Eyewing said without turning. "You've been tossing around half the night."

"There's no time, Silka. Get Senka, we must leave at once," the Nocturne addressed.

Silka lowered her quill, then turned on her perch to raise an eyebrow at the impatient dragon.

"Have you found a clue to what you've been looking for? Your lost memories? "

Azura nodded. "Shadowbinder."

Silka winced. "Please don't refer to her like that. The informality is disrespectful."

She took no notice, continuing, "She was there. Something...happened. I don't know what, but I'm going to find out."

The dragoness turned abruptly, eager to leave as quickly as possible. "I'll tell you what I can when we're on our way," she said over her shoulder, closing the door perhaps a bit too roughly behind her.

She quickly stuffed a few items into a satchel and threw it over her shoulder, then quickly scrawled a note on a piece of loose parchment.



The note was folded roughly in half, the dragoness not wanting to search out an envelope right then. She whisked out her front door, almost slamming into another dragon in her haste.

The blue Mirror stood with a look of astonishment on her face, not expecting her rushed appearance.

"Azura! Er, clan leader!" She said in surprise, "I didn't know you would be up. I have a couple messages for you, they're from-"

"Oh, Jesabel - perfect timing! Could you take this to Ringmaster for me, please?" She asked, shoving the note into her talons. "Don't worry about the letters right now, just leave them on my table."

Azura left the young dragon looking at the paper in her claws confusedly, hurrying over to the Imperial that had posted himself a little away from her den. His Wind green gaze turned onto her as she approached.

"Azura, do you need something? You seem flustered."

The Nocturne's eyes met his determinedly. "I'm fine," she said, "I do need something from you, but your old friends might not like it." She continued, glancing over her shoulder to the two figures closing on them through the gloom.

"We need to visit the Sanctum."




Founder and matriarch of the Clan. Thoughtful and caring but also mischievous. Her Velvet Floracat, Chenille, is her faithful companion(but she may or may not have a minor obsession with all cats). A Slight Eyewing, Silka, is her advisor.

---

---