Aster

Starstone researcher

A scholar of the Oculus sat at a carved wooden desk, scratching out notes on long pieces of parchment. As he finished a page and added it to a large stack of papers, a skydancer strode through the archway leading into the study and made her way towards the other dragon.

"Good afternoon Atarah and welcome back." Greeted the scholar.

"Hello Talom." Rushed Atarah. "I must speak to you at once, it's about my research." She stared at him meaningfully over her spectacles.

"Oh? Has there been a breakthrough? You were gone at the beginning of the festival, we missed having you around."

"There has been, at least there seems to be. Do you remember Aster, that young wildclaw that helped us cleanup after the crash?" Atarah's wings flexed excitedly.

"I believe so. She was the one you shouted at for touching the crystals on the asteroid, correct? I think you scared the poor kid and put the fear of the deities into the cleanup crew." Talom chuckled. "And the researchers. We were all shaking in our scales!"

Atarah blushed before drawing herself up. "I did not *shout*, I merely told her not to touch anything, for her own safety. Crystals on foreign objects that glow in the absence of light should be approached with caution. I would've thought that obvious but apparently it was only clear to me." She pulled up a chair and collapsed into it. "But that's besides the point. The point is about her, or rather, her children."

"Her children? I didn't know she had any."

"She didn't when we met her, but shortly after the cleanup she returned to her father's clan to prepare her nest with her mate. Her mate was at the cleanup too, although I think he was responsible for managing the food." She waved her hand. "Never mind the details. The two of them left to hatch their children. They had two boys, Illumar and Patience."

"Congratulations to the lucky couple. Their first nest I would assume." The snapper nodded approvingly.

"Yes, lucky indeed." A smile spread across Atarah's face and her legs bounced in agitation. Sometimes Talom wondered if Atarah should've been born a spiral like her father, with all that nervous energy and excitement. "Those hatchlings are special. Not long after they were born their mother sent word that they were doing strange things. One in particular, the oldest Illumar seemed to be using magic despite being a hatchling. His brother tries as well, but whatever he attempts fizzles out quickly. But the fact he was able to do anything in the first place is impressive. After reading Aster's letter I left right away to see for myself."

Talom nodded, encouraging her to go on.

"When I reached them I found the eldest casting magic I have never seen before. He was opening, I'm not sure how to describe it. Tears? Openings? In reality and letting in a strange shimmering dust. It was like a claw had torn a hole in the air and something spilled through it. The dust reminds me of the particles we found on that asteroid." Her cyan eyes glowed as she spoke, staring at Talom and not seeming to notice her spectacles slipping down her snout. "But there's more to it than that. I took measurements with crystals and the hatchlings show high levels of magic, much higher than the readings Myrina has received in any of her work. I do hope she isn't bitter about her old apprentice stealing her thunder" Atarah chuckled softly.

"I'm sure she'll forgive you." Talom patted the air with his large hand. "What do you make of these measurements? And the magic the hatchlings used?"

Finally noticing her glasses slipping she brought them back up to her eyes and answered. "I have a hypothesis. What if somehow the asteroid is tied to magic here on Sornieth and by touching those crystals something in Aster changed, or altered her unborn children? It's entirely possible her sons are simply evolving like so many others in the realm. Our ties to magic is strengthening as each generation is born, we know that to be true. But I've never seen magic like that. It could be something new and related to the asteroid. I'll need to conduct studies on the boys and see if any other hatchlings are born in similar ways after their parents interact with the crystals." Suddenly Atarah leapt to her feet, sending the chair clattering to the ground. Clumsily she scoped it up and set it down, yammering on. "I'll need a team of researchers and assistants, volunteers as well. Oh yes, and we'll need staff and a base of operations. We might not be able to move the asteroid, so we may have to construct permanent building around it. I should ask Myrina if she'd like to join me, and ask Dox, if they'd like to draw up plans for permanent buildings, and Gavina if she can provide staff, and..." She stopped and looked to the old snapper. "And of course I'll need someone to keep meticulous notes. And a dear old friend to talk to." The question was on her face, as she waited for his answer.

The dragon sighed and adjusted in his chair. "I am infinity flattered to be asked to join such an exciting endeavor, but my work is here. You look to the future my friend, but I must know the past. If I can find the reason the Shades exist and why they attacked, I may find the way to stop them. That is my life's work. I'm sorry."

Atarah's shoulders slumped. "I understand. Our work is our reason for living, to abandon that is to cease to live. I suppose I could ask another scholar. I do hope you'll visit."

"I will, I promise. And I may be able to help you secure a scholar. My apprentice has shown herself to be quiet the record keeper and a dogged pursuer of information. I think Ellabee will be incredibly helpful and a good friend in my place. Shall I ask her to join you?"

"Yes! Thank you my friend."

The scholar had risen to his feet and settled on all fours, papers carefully stored in a bag across his back. The two dragons walked together towards the stone archway, chatting about what Atarah would need for her studies and her plans for the new research site. The fading afternoon light spilled into the room through large windows behind the desk, illuminating dust particles that drifted through the air, following their own currents in the light.