SwanSong

SwanSong was set apart from his birth clan from the start. Where the other fae were social and cheerful with their crests but not their voices, SwanSong could project a range of emotions that none of his fellow fae could. Though at birth he used his crest to communicate, he lost his ability to do that as he aged. Because of that, he was isolated from his clan, since many of them could not understand how he was feeling. SwanSong was a lonely dragon, but yet he continued to try and fit in with his fellow fae. He was sweet, and loved when the others acknowledged him, even if it was briefly. But his sweet and ambitious nature eventually led to his exile.

Just after he was old enough to be considered an adult, most of his clanmates had gotten tired and uncomfortable of his strange nature and voice. Several of the dragons around his age came to him at night, holding a challenge. They proposed it to him like a game, saying that whoever could get the furthest out of camp would win. Of course, SwanSong had known that it was against the rules to leave camp at night, but it was the first time anyone had seemingly been nice to him. SwanSong accepted, and rose from his tree sap lair. Quietly, he began to fly, leaving the cliffside. The other dragons had looked at each other and smirked at each other. They hadn't thought that his exile would be so easy.

Just as SwanSong left the boundaries of their clan, there came a shout from behind him. He whirled around, staring at the crowd that had gathered on the cliffside, emerging from their homes and watching SwanSong in shock. He realized with a sinking stomach that he had been set up. The largest fae in the bunch rose up, the leader. His crest showed his disapproval and his anger, and his monotone voice spoke coldly, telling him to get with the others who were to be exalted in the morning. He froze, but did as the leader was told. His crest was flattened to his head as he flew to them, curling up in the far corner and closing his eyes.

When morning broke, the fae were led out of the clan. Yes, it was supposed to be an honor, but these dragons were never heard from again after they left. SwanSong was silent the whole way, but soon they reached the Forum of the Obscured Crescent. SwanSong looked with dread at the fortress of the Shadowbinder. Slowly, the other fae filed in, but before he could enter, a dragon called his name, telling him to wait. He turned facing them. The dragon looked him over, before calmly extending a paw to him, quietly telling him to come with them. Hesitantly, SwanSong followed, and stared in wonder at the diverse ranks of the clan before him. They told him that, if he wanted, he could join their clan and escape from the Shadowbinder. With no hesitance, he agreed.

Now, ever since he had been saved from the claws of the Shadowbinder's service, he had flourished, discovering a love for theater. His expressive range was perfect, and yet he wasn't the one on the stage. Rather, SwanSong wrote the scripts, directed the actors, and worked backstage. He was still uncomfortable because of his old clan, but he was perfectly willing to express himself with the scripts. Though his ambition was great, he disliked it when he seemed to ambitious, yet his new clan members assured him that ambition wasn't that bad. Though he disagreed, he still appreciated their words. Among these friendly dragons, he healed from his youth, and blossomed into a fae that shone brightly through the stars on the stage