Zharptica

She stumbled into the territory of Clan Athaza as a wide-eyed, tender young hatchling still unable to speak or remember much (yet obviously still quite capable of wandering into trouble). Cnidaria took pity on her and put little Zharptica under her wing. It was darkly muttered under many Athaza dragons’ breaths, however, that this development seemed more likely to get this hatchling into trouble rather than less, given Cnidaria’s own penchant for mischief.

Some of her more optimistic elders hoped that the weight of responsibility would tamp down Cnidaria’s troublemaking ways and finally make her grow up. Pessimists note that so far the younger wildclaw Zharptica has served as more of a minion or accomplice than a straightening influence. As she grew she seemed to have stars in her eyes and be convinced that her adopted mother Cnidaria could do no wrong, and while ordinarily watchful and quiet Zharptica can at times be quite vociferous in defending her.

She doesn’t much like the cold of the gusty highlands or whirling winter snows, and keeps especially close to home and its warm hearth when venturing out requires trips through such inclemency. Otherwise she is often bright-eyed and enthusiastic about joining in on adventures, darting about with the quickness and light-footed, flicker-feathered nature of a bird herself. She and her phoenix are well-matched and in tune with one another, even to the point of habitually quickly cocking their heads in a similar inquisitive manner. The frequent quiet interactions between the two of them are so speedy, elegant and self-contained that they often seem more like a dance.