Birch

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A gentle tip-tapping sound woke a family of coatls, nestled deep in the Reedcleft Ascent, up from their peaceful sleeping. “Birch,” the female feathered dragon grumbled. “It’s time for bed. No more practicing.” The tapping stopped as she spoke, followed by a whiny complaint.

”But mother!” The hatchling begged. “I’m not hardly tired, and all I want to do is fly! The winds are so good tonight.” Consonance, the mother coatl, chuckled. “Don’t laugh, mother! Please come fly with me!!” Lifting her brightly colored self up, Consonance left her eggs and began flying with her son.

”Birch, dear.” She said calmly, adjusting her feathered wings to the wind. “It’s time you look for a new clan, one which will support your wish to fly.” Birch’s eyes saddened as his mother spoke. He knew that the day would come where he would have to find a new home, this land was too strong for his tiny wings.

"Besides." Consonance purred. “Once you find yourself a home, you may tutor all sorts of dragons to fly like you. Isn’t that what you want?” Her words lit the little hatchling’s eyes up with excitement.

"It is, mother! I’m going to fly and find the best home to live in!” Birch chirped. The larger, brightly colored coatl smiled and gave her son a gentle pat with her tail. “And I’ll teach all the dragons how to fly like a pro. I’ll live in the best clan! We’ll fight the shade and make the Windsinger proud!!”

Consonance held her smile. “Yes you will, child. Now go off. There are adventures to be had!”

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”Hello, new friends!” Birch exclaimed happily, resting his brightly colored wings as he slowed to a camp. “I’m on a quest to find a new clan!” his cheery tone was much to the disgust of a female guardian. She furrowed her brow.

”What makes you think we’d be friends with a little twerp like you?” She growled, turning away. “You might as well leave now. We’re not interested in Coatls.” She spat at ‘coatls,’ making Birch shiver with fear.

”There’s no need to be rude!” He grumbled, trotting away with all the sass he could muster. “I think Coatls are just fine.” Birch grumbled, attempting to catch the winds and fly high again. The winds weren’t as kind as always - falling to the ground, the green coatl was left defenseless in what he could only imagine was shadow territory.

Scared and alone, the coatl, now fully grown, dug himself into the pine needles and waited for the winds to warm his heart. Soon after Birch curled up sleep overwhelmed his senses and lulled him into rest.

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Today’s the day Birch thought to himself. I love exploring, but I’m going to find a home! After many nights alone, the coatl found himself adventuring in all sorts of territory. Deep down he felt happiest in wind and decided he’d settle down there. Stepping gingerly through the windy plateau, he noticed a new group.

”Hello!” He greeted happily, trotting to the group. The fae chirped and the tundra tilted his head.

”What brings you here, traveler?” The tundra asked gently, fluffing himself out. Birch remained silent, thinking of the words to say. Could he just ask to live with them? They clearly wouldn’t want some random living with them.

As the thoughts past through his mind the blue fae pressed her tiny hands up against his nose. “He’s here because he loves Windsinger!” she chirped. “He wants to help us teach hatchlings to fly and be the best he can for our noodle dad.”

Taken aback from the fae’s accurate hypothesis, he nodded quietly. “Then you can totally join us!! We need more friends anyways. What’s your name, traveler?”

”My name is Birch, and though I wish to be in your group my heart will always belong to the winds. I want to continue flying and traveling, but be with you kind folks at the same time.” Birch said, a little embarrassed at his words.

”Well that’s just fine,” the tundra spoke up. “We’re also good fans of the winds. It’s all we have and all we could wish for. Adventuring is what we love to do.” The puffy creature finished, smiling at the end.

”It’s settled then! You’ll ‘live’ with us, but explore and adventure and have fun through the winds!” the fae chirped, still setting up her nests in the reedbeds. Birch smiled...This was what he was looking for, a home, a place to fly, adventure.