Shroud

Though there was no place precisely safe for a pair of young dragons alone, Shroud could not help but relax a little as she passed into the dim realm of the Tangled Wood that was her homeland. Varynze moved closer to her, warm against her side, and she purred reassuringly. She had grown swiftly very fond of the younger dragon almost despite herself, and when he had fretted that he would be left behind all but swept him along with her. They would find a new place together, she thought, and brushed his slightly knobby spine with one wing.

Much as she wished to believe she was safe, here in her homeland, Shroud kept on alert, and she twisted with striking speed as she saw a gleam of something bright in the shadows. Varynze made a questioning noise and Shroud hushed him, swiftly picking out the stout figure of an approaching dragon.

Shroud remained where she was, Varynze tucked mostly behind her and one wing creeping down to hide him away a little more.

The unfamiliar dragon was another Nocturne, like her young friend, but older, older than them both if Shroud judged right - Shroud dwarfed her already but she was more than twice Varynze's size, a respectably-grown Nocturne. Shroud let out a warning shriek as fire-bright eyes - brighter even than the red glow of Varynze's plague eyes, which had taken time for her to grow used to - lit on them. Shroud drew herself up with a glare.

The other Nocturne tilted her head, green flashes showing along her eyes and her slowly curling tail. She all but crooned, stretching out her neck and dipping her head, though it was not in submission or fear. Shroud showed her teeth.

A darting rush brought the stranger close and Shroud opened her jaws only to be surprised by a gentle touch to her jaw, followed by a crooning noise as the Nocturne female all but nudged under Shroud's wing to inspect Varynze, who tensed but chirruped back to her. Shroud resisted the impulse to snarl a warning, but lowered herself close enough to be both shield and strike if need be.

The stranger Nocturne only clucked and nuzzled, gently offered friendly gestures, and Shroud felt wrong-footed . . . but not . . . unhappy. She had missed the company of others beyond her new friend.

She startled at the glimmer of another bright spot, and her eyes widened as another Imperial emerged, the runic markings on his hide all but glowing in the shadows. He swept almost impassive eyes over all of them as he approached, slow and steady, and dipped his head to Shroud's, offering a welcome.