Sniper

“Snipin’s a good job, mate.”
—Mick Mundy
“Scholar!” Mick scented the air again, zeroing in upon the blue-green Skydancer. He thought he was blue-green. Hoped he was blue-green . . . catching sight of the aqua-glint, Mick made his way through, catching the attention of his old coworker, as well as a Ridgeback and a Pearlcatcher.

“. . . Sniper. The f**k are you doing here?”

“Came to check on you. The Guild’s been worried about you, little Scholar.”

Sniper chuckled when the Skydancer snarled at him. He stopped at the all-too-familiar stirring’s of Light-magic. Quickly, he unfurled his wings, holding them out to try and calm him.

“I don’t have any further associations with the Guild, Sniper. You know why I left.” He growled, reluctantly dispelling his magic. He glanced at his side, then winced. He looked up at Sniper once again, grumbling softly. “That’s not who I am anymore.”

“I know. That’s not why I’m here. . .”

“Then why ARE you here, Sniper? I never knew you to be one to seek others out if it wasn’t for a favor.”

Sniper paused, and looked his old friend over again. Really looked. He stood tall, and strong. Anchored, rather than balanced on the balls of his feet, prepared to move or dodge at the drop of a hat. His opal patterns left for the world to see, rather than hidden by mud or coal dust or paint. His scent unmasked by an herbal mixture, which had allowed Sniper to track him down in the first place.

His old partner had grown a lot in the few years they’d been apart. Grown, and changed. Were they still the friends they had once been? The friends Mick had BELIEVED they were? It didn’t seem that Night believed the same, nor did his new companions.

Both the blue Ridgeback and the pink Pearlcatcher were squaring off against him, responding to Night’s agression, his defensive approach to a stranger, and old aquaintance at best. . . Maybe they weren’t as close as he’d always believed they were.

“. . . It’s Mick.”

“What?”

“My name. It’s Mick Mundy.” Sniper turned, as though to leave, eyeing the Skydancer out of the corner of his eye. “I just. . . Thought you should know. Trust was. . . Scarce, in work such as our own. I understand your district now.”

He turned to leave, unfurling his wings fully.

“Wait!”

Sniper turned his head back around at the cry, meeting earnest green eyes. It was the Pearlcatcher, the intimidating skull lifted, a rather pleasant face revealed. They were young, Mick surmised. Young, but experienced, by the looks of the scars lining his neck and side.

“If you need a place to stay, you are welcome on our territory. We’re on the outskirts right now, doing our daily patrol. I’ll spread the word around, so no one tries to chase you out.”

“. . .are you. . . I only mean. . . Who ARE you?” What authority did this young dragon have, to grant him access to this clans land?

“My name is Steven! I’m the Healer and de`facto leader of the Chaotic Ones. There’s many smaller enclaves that live in our territory, but everyone is welcome. We only chase out troublemakers. I beleive you’re a good person.”

Mick observed the little Pearlcatcher for a few moments more, then nodded slowly, turning to face him again. “I’ll consider it. Thank you.”

The Sniper turned his back on the trio, and left, going back the way he came.

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Son: Sunnybee




Son: Autumn