Audacious

pretends to have old-age wisdom, but is actually just as young and clueless as any other dragon

needs the validation of others to feel good about themselves

good at what they do, but not the best

call them valid and they will kiss you

Minoo’s claws clattered softly on the stone floor. The moon shone brilliantly from the hole in the ceiling. She glanced from side to side and launched herself up toward the ceiling.

Come on, Minno, you can’t be late. Tonight’s the night. You have to be there…

The coatl touched down on the edge of the woods. Her pearlescent wings would be too conspicuous in the full moon’s light. She slipped between the trees, alert to every sound.

Suddenly two pairs of talons clasped around her eyes, shielding her vision. She whirled around, lashing out at her attacker.
“Guess who- arggh!” It cried. She blinked rapidly to see Audacious standing in the clearing, dabbing at the small cut she’d left in their cheek.
“Audacious!” she cried, startled. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!” She hugged them, breathing in the soft scent of fur and books and fresh air. Audacious was a scholar, a kind and sweet Imperial. They were also a lot more to Minoo than that.
She nuzzled them softly, tapping their snouts together. She wrapped her wings around the gentle dragon and sighed happily.
“Are you excited?” She asked, her eyes closed, a soft smile dancing across her snout.
“For what?” They joked.
She snorted and rolled her eyes, swatting playfully at Audacious.
“Don’t pretend that it hasn’t been the only thing you’ve talked about every single night.”
They brightened and hopped happily, forgetting their cool, easy going vibe.
“I cannot wait to meet them!” They chirped, grinning. Minoo laughed and twined her tail with Audacious’.
“Let’s go check on them, before it happens.”

The pair hurried forward and slid into a hollow in a tree. Inside were three beautiful eggs. They shone, the light green swirls beautiful in the moonlight. A tiny crack splintered along the top of one, just as Audacious squeezed in. Minoo looked down at it expectantly, her chin resting on the mossy floor. Audacious echoed her movement, their eyes shining with pride. A tiny head emerged from the top, it’s green eyes blinking as they adjusted to the light.

Minoo let out a squeak of happiness and let the tiny dragonet scramble over her snout. It yawned, letting out a soft chirp and closing its eyes, as if exhausted, flopping it’s adorable Imperial body across Minoo’s head. Audacious and Minoo exchanged looks of oh-my-gods-isn't-it just-the-cutest-thing-you’ve-ever-seen!?! Audacious’ eyes shone and they turned their attention back to the other two.
The eggs trembled gently, beginning to splinter at the same time. Tiny claws burst from the hole. The shining green eyed hatchlings wriggled from the eggs and snuggled up next to their sibling.
Three shimmering Imperials.
Three beautiful hatchlings.
Three tiny moons for Minoo and Audacious to care for.
Audacious smiled at the young dragonets but a look clouded their face. Minoo looked at them with confusion.
"What's wrong?" She asked.
"Is just… they'll have to leave us so soon."
"What?"
"It's tradition to send hatchlings off to other lairs. We'll never get to see them grow up…"
"So let's just enjoy it while we can." She snuggled into Audacious' side.
"Could we… Could we keep just one?"
"Audacious, you know we'll have to name them and register them. If we kept one we'd be breaking tradition…"
"I know, I know!" They paused, tipped their head and murmered "what if one was never registered?"
"What? Audacious, that's illegal! The lineage of all dragonets has to be recorded. We could be arrested or exiled!"
"But- but-... What if nobody found out? We could hide it so well! We could run away together! Anything, anything, please!" Their lower snout trembled as they looked at the dragonets roughhousing on the mossy flooring. The moonlight spilled in, glistening on the small tears that adorned Audacious' cheeks.
Minoo's heart panged and she twined her tail with Audacious'.
"I suppose… maybe… we could keep just one." She leaned forward and scooped up the tiny shimmering dragonet and placed it on her lap.
"Her name will be Willowspirit. We can keep her. But Birch and Moonsong will have to go." She glanced sadly down at the dragonets.
"Birch, Moonsong, and Willowspirit? They're wonderful. I'm glad that Willow can stay with us." Audacious smiled softly, flicking her tail to curl around the hatchlings.
"How about we stay the night. We'll drop them off at the Auction House tommorow morning."
"... Alright. I love you, Minoo."
"I love you too."