To say it had been hot would be an understatement. The unrelenting heat had plagued the Shifting Expanse for weeks without end. Though the Order is more than used to such hostile conditions and no self-respecting member would ever admit it, the heat was becoming unbearable. A few of the young and elderly had begun to grow sick from the heat.

On that day, though, clouds had begun to move in. Wonderfully cool air blew in from the west, and the rains finally came. In the merciful chaos of the cloudburst, Athanasia paced endlessly in the nestwatcher's tent. Aberrant and Temporal sat close nearby, tails wrapped around each other for comfort as they watched the three eggs in their nest.

At the entrance to the tent, Lost Boys piled over each other to barricade the tent with sandbags to keep the floodwaters out, each screeching that they'd gladly fight the storm for Athanasia's sake. Whether she was paying attention to any of this is largely up for debate.

What she was paying attention to was a loose bundle of cords surrounding three electrified eggs. Lightning hopped between the copper poles every now and again, charged by the storm.

"We haven't seen a storm come on this fast in a long time." Temporal mused, her golden gloves stained with mud.

"Many years," Athanasia's gravely voice agreed, tail swiping side to side. "It is a good sign, comrades. It will not come without its troubles, but nothing the Expanse brings ever does."

A flash nearby was punctuated a moment later by a clap of thunder loud enough to shake the ground. The Lost Boys howled with excitement and challenge outside.

"Look!" Abberant stood, eyes wide at the three eggs. They had begun to glow, though one shone brighter than the rest. Electricity had been building in them since they were laid, but it seemed it was finally coming to a head.

Lightning struck outside twice more in quick succession, the air filled with the bellows of thunder.

And then, they hatched.

Three small hatchlings came tumbling into existence, bright cyan eyes taking in the new world around them. It was clear even then that one was not like her sisters. Though she looked no more remarkable than they, electricity crackled off of her like a conduit, and small storm clouds had begun to form within the tent itself.

The storm sorceress had been born.

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Art by LtBladewing (#478014)!

Wonderful art by clay (#50738)!