Astara

An old soul with a warm laugh and a kind smile, Astara's kind and genuine nature has endeared her to many in the clan. However, the Wildclaw's friendly personality masks a more secretive side. Very few dragons can claim that they know Astara well, in spite of her open and easygoing behavior. To her closest friends, though, Astara's true nature shines through - kind and thoughtful, but also straightforward and honest.

Astara is measured in her thoughts and actions, and takes time to make her decisions. Unlike her best friend Navara, whose heart has always ruled her head in spite of her devotion to intellectual pursuits, Astara prefers to deliberate carefully before coming to conclusions. Once her decisions are made, though, she sees them through - and it is the rare dragon who can manage to persuade Astara to change her mind. To those who don't know her very well, Astara can come across as tactless and intimidating in her desire to state the truth. In reality, though, she would simply rather spend time on important things. Far better to make one's opinions known than to hide the truth and have it cause more problems down the line.

In spite of her seriousness, Astara isn't above a bit of frivolity from time to time. She enjoys socializing and making conversation, and her weakness for pretty things - especially silks and jewelry - leads many strangers to be surprised by her combat prowess. An accomplished fighter and natural warrior, Astara graduated top of her class from the clan's combat training program and is one of the clan's strongest knights. She met Navara during training and the two gradually became very close.

Astara and Navara consider themselves soul sisters; they see eye-to-eye on all the big stuff, and spend all their time together. Navara is the pretty one, Astara is the kind one.

There is only one secret between them: Lately Astara has been starting to feel as though she might want more than friendship...but she can't tell Navara. It could ruin everything!

- Bio by ZenithNadir
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It was the middle of the night, and Astara couldn’t sleep.

I don’t get it, she thought despairingly. I know it’s important that I choose a good combat partner, but why would I want any dragon other than Navara? We’ve known each other for our whole lives – it’s like we can read each other’s thoughts!

Her claws tapped irritably on the ground at the memory of Navara’s inexplicably distant attitude after their final exam. The purple Skydancer had been her usual self at first, and had grinned broadly when Astara had approached her during the gathering. Her pale initiate’s sash had looked beautiful against her soft violet feathers, and her friend’s light green eyes were gleaming with good humor. But at some point during the party, Navara’s mood had shifted to one of strange silence.

Why had her friend turned so… uncharacteristically brooding? Was it something Astara had said? She racked her brains, but for the life of her could not remember what had prompted Navara’s sudden change in attitude. I’m a terrible friend, she grumbled internally. I know Navara almost as well as I know myself, and there was definitely SOMETHING on her mind…

Whatever, it doesn’t matter. I’ll make it up to her somehow – oh! Maybe I’ll go to the market next week, and see if the traders have anything that Navara would like! She hasn’t had anything new to wear in a while, so maybe that would cheer her up!

Astara grinned, pleased by her idea, before pausing. Wait a second – what do I get her? Should I get her armor? A new book? A familiar? Ugh, this is hard!

Unexpectedly, an image of Navara in her gala clothes sprung into Astara’s mind. The Skydancer’s apparel was normally so practical and sturdy… The style worked for her, but it had been so different seeing her in more formal attire. The silks really had been beautiful on her. If only she would wear fine things like that around Astara more often…

Astara blinked. Wait, where did that thought come from? Navara’s my friend, and that’s all! And friends definitely don’t daydream about seeing their friends dressed up in fancy silks. I need sleep, I’m starting to imagine things...

The mental picture of Navara decked out in finery stubbornly refused to lose its strange allure.

Astara sighed. It was going to be a long night.
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The next day was a perfect day for a trip to the market, Astara decided as she jogged down the slope to where the traders had set up their tents. She didn’t believe in serendipity, not really, but she couldn’t help feeling optimistic at the sight of the cloudless blue sky. Of course, it was a bit foolish to feel so cheerful since the sky was usually cloudless in the desert anyway… But whatever! She was in a good mood, and she wasn’t going to question it – especially when she had shopping to do.

Astara made her way through the rows of tents, examining the vendors’ wares thoughtfully. There were all sorts of things that Navara might like, but Astara had promised herself that she’d go with a practical gift for her friend. Finally, she settled on a pair of gold wing guards in the new filigree style – practical and sturdy, but still decorative enough that they appealed to Astara’s sensibilities.

She mentally congratulated herself on picking out such a lovely color. The black binding would blend well with Navara’s feathers, and the gold would be a bright pop of color against her purple wings. She would look splendid, the picture of a noble fighter and comrade-in-arms and everything that she wanted her partner to be. It wasn’t as lovely a piece as the silks she’d been wearing the previous night, but it was still beautiful. Not as beautiful as Navara, but sufficient.

Astara frowned and tucked the golden armor under her arm before setting off through the market again. Why am I so fixated on this? she wondered. I’ve always known that Navara was pretty, but after the ceremony I couldn’t get my mind off her, and I’ve been obsessing about this ever since. These aren’t normal best-friend thoughts. For a second she debated going straight to Navara and asking her about these weird feelings – but on second thought, she was probably still upset with her, and Astara hadn’t gotten the chance to properly apologize. She’d have to figure this out on her own.

Well, for starters, Astara valued Navara highly. She was a great fighter, even if she didn’t realize it, and her clever wit and sharp tongue could always make Astara laugh. They’d gotten in their fair share of mischief together, and Astara knew that she had a prankster side buried beneath that scholarly exterior. And Navara was so genuine with her, in a way that she wasn’t with most dragons. Astara would trust her with anything. They were almost like sisters, except… No, that wasn’t right. Not sisters. Like lovers, except… without the romance. Because Navara probably wasn’t interested in her that way.

Hm. Astara briefly considered panicking about the results of the soul-searching she’d done, but decided against it. If she had a crush on her best friend, she’d just deal with it. It wouldn’t change their friendship, and their shared closeness as combat partners would be enough to make Astara happy even if their relationship never grew beyond that.

Which is why you need to go apologize, dummy! she scolded herself. Ponder all this stuff later, and take care of your friend now!

Astara turned and rushed back through the market, heading in the direction of the lair. If she hurried, maybe she could catch Navara before her morning patrol.