Rise

Rise shut his eyes, breathed in a deep belly full of the freshest air ever found, and tried to center himself. He had been traveling through the wind kingdom, searching for the ideal place to meditate after a long flight over the sea. Rather than listen to the advice of everyone with an opinion and take the long overland route through the Ice and Magic and Plague kingdoms, he had elected to fly straight across the ocean to get here.

It had taken much longer than expected. The insects that skimmed the water were quick and not filling. There had been nowhere to land to rest other than to float on the often treacherous ocean itself. Too many days of nothing but water and storms had shaken him. Since then, even the slightest bit of water made him extremely uncomfortable. He hoped that if he took the time to look within himself he could find what was wrong, remove it, and become more normal again. He was of the royal progenitor line after all and needed to be perfect.

He had found a place he loved, floating gently on a large platform all his own on the Cloudsong. He loved the gentle swaying of the floor beneath him and had faith in the wind clan's construction enough to not worry any terrible fate would befall him. He felt safe here, surrounded by sky and wind and sun. With another deep breath, he searched in himself once more, trying to single out why he was so jumpy.
As he took another breath he heard a chilling sound that sent all his senses on alert; the splash of distant water. Then he felt the spattering of droplets on his skin and hissed at the sensation. It felt like tiny insects crawling on him and he longed to fly away as fast and far as he could go. His breaths grew shallower as he felt the air grow denser, wetter. It did not take long to search out the source of the irritation. Below him was the twisting crescendo and where it had looked relatively calm when he had arrived it had now turned dark and spun faster, sending off occasional sheets of water when the wind slanted and shifted in different directions.

Rise forced himself to see the reality of the situation. The platform he was on was still steadily bobbing, unaffected by the winds below in any meaningful way. The sky above him was still bright and cloudless. Other dragons were going about their business, used to the antics of the ever-raging storm. All there was, truly, was a bit of moisture every few minutes, gently washing over him. He was in no danger.
He was born of ice and royalty. He was strong. He was smart. The water posed no threat to him. He had endured hardship and survived it.

He locked his muscles in place to keep himself from fleeing. He would face this tiny threat.

He was born of ice and royalty. He was strong. He was smart. The water posed no threat to him. He had endured hardship and survived it.

Slowly, one at a time, he released his muscles, focusing on the sensation to distract from the water on his skin. He opened his crests, embracing the sensation rather than hiding from it. The whole time he kept his breathing steady and continued to repeat his words.

He was born of ice and royalty. He was strong. He was smart. The water posed no threat to him. He had endured hardship and survived it.

Slowly, the feelings of discomfort eased. His fears subsided. His heart rate returned to normal. He could not guarantee it would not happen again, but he had tools to help handle it now. Facts, muscle control, breath, and a positive mantra.