Kalliope

Kalliope was born into a wind clan well renowned for the beauty of their hatchlings. Breeding pairs were mostly designed for the simple purpose of bringing identical offspring into the world. No hatchling stayed long; they quickly became loved members of their new clans. The lair was large, designed to hold many hatchlings at once. Even the youngest hatchlings could stretch their wings over the sides of the airship and float around on the ever-gentle breezes. Kalliope was born in a clutch of three eggs, the first to hatch out of her brother and sister. All three were exact clones of their parents; the clan knew that their sale would bring plenty of riches to the clan. As the days progressed, Kalliope began to feel unwanted; like she didn’t belong. She was shown to every visiting dragon, yet many shied away from her high asking price. Perhaps it would not have been so bad if she had been the only female, if she could feel unique at least in some small way. She knew she was only born to fill the clan’s coffers so that other dragons could prosper in the light of her fate. She knew that she would eventually have more sisters who would look exactly like her. She began to despair and she began to hide from the other dragons. Her favorite hiding place was a small little room in the very bottom of the ship where she could pretend that she had something that could possibly make her different, make her wanted. The day they stopped looking for her, her heart broke. They didn’t really care about her at all. It was then that she found her voice. She sung quietly to herself to ease the pain.

She was shocked one day when a red and black fae found her hiding place. She allowed herself to be coaxed out of the small space and followed the strangely peaceful fae up to the nursery. Everyone seemed shocked to see her, though they were eager to take the fae’s treasure when they learned the she wanted to take her home. Feeling completely abandoned, she allowed herself to be taken to the strange new lair. It was much smaller than her old one, yet it was full of dragons of all different colors and sizes. After her initial introduction to the clan, she longed for the comfort of being alone. There were so many different personalities that she had no idea where she would fit in. She was so used to being one of many that she had no idea how to behave around these dragons that had no preconceived notions about who she was supposed to be. She receded back into her nest and fell back into her songs. She felt even more alone than she had before, surrounded by strangers.

Her new clanmates would often come to listen to her sing. Her voice did not grate on their ears like other coatls; it floated upon the breezes in the most pleasant of fashions. Even Huarahi could appreciate her subtle melodies. As she grew into adulthood and her voice developed, more dragons began to visit her nest for the sole purpose of hearing her sing. Yet, she was shocked that she was offered the elite position of clan singer. Honored, she accepted and leads the clan in song whenever dragons are sent to the Windsinger or to welcome the near-constant festivals. Hers is the only voice to rise up with the breeze, supported by the melodic whistles of her clanmates. She now feels more comfortable with her contribution to her clan and feels sincerely unique.