Kimi

The birth of a star is very different from that of a normal dragon. Stars never age, and remain forever as they were when they were sent to the heavens. Thus, hatchling stars are rare, though a few can be found. The little ones don't often remember their time in the sky, if ever they come back to earth. Those that do recall only distant memories, which fade quickly.
The little Ridgeback watched the world below as though through frosted windows, frozen breath misting in front of her. So, so cold... it felt normal now, to always feel this chill deep within her bones. Not comfortable, perhaps, but normal.
Which is why it was strange to feel a strong warmth as fiery red streaks of light flew around her, scorching the air. Panic jolted her, and she spread her wings to get away from this heat-
Cold filled the air again, soothing her burned scales, and an icy force collided with her, sending her falling towards the earth below.

---

"Another one. Where are they coming from?"
"They're not normal, that's for sure."
"They could be threats."
"Maybe, but this one's only a hatchling. What harm can it do? It's so cold, poor thing..."
"Absolutely not. Leave it there. Whatever happens, happens."
"But-"
"Strange things happen with these... creatures. It stays here. Let's get home. We can report it to someone else, whoever's in charge of figuring out this mess, but it's not our responsibility."

---

"Breathing, normal. Heart rate, normal. Blood pressure, normal. Temperature... that can't be right. Can you come here a moment? This machine's not working right."
"It looks like it's working... you're right, though, that's not possible."
"Look, the monitors! They're freezing over!"
"Disconnect everything, now. We can't have this spreading- oh, it's so cold!"
"It's scales are changing, see, they're crystalizing..."
"We'll have to report this. In the meantime..."
"... yes?"
"I... don't know. We'll figure out something."

---

"No, sir, nothing's worked so far. It's like a living block of ice."
"I see... let's try heating it, then, shall we? Turn that dial to warm, will you?"
"But sir... what if it melts?"
"'What if it melts?' It's not actually ice, it's just the same as any other dragon. Just do it!"
"Okay..."
"..."
"Nothing's happening."
"Ah well, it was worth a shot. I don't know what else we can do, but we'll keep trying things. Something's bound to work eventually. That's why-"
"Sir?"
"What?"
"It's changing colors, sir. Should I take it off the heat?"
"No, leave it. This is fascinating!"
"Sir, I don't think-"
"I said, leave it!"

What is this?

"Very well, sir..."

It's burning... why is it burning? Cold, it needs to be cold...

"It's moving, sir, I think that's good enough-"
"Not yet, it could go back. We need to wait until we're sure."

Find ice? Find ice. Where's cold, it's burning-
It's not burning?

"I didn't tell you to-"
"It'll ruin the circuitry, sir. That's one thing we know works."

That's better... but where is this? It's so strange... there's so much warmth here...

"Fine. I can't help you any more, then, that's all I can think of. Good luck waking it up again."

---

"Well, guess that's it then... sorry, little one, I don't know what else to do... but what now?"

Just want to rest...

"I can't exactly throw you out like a normal experiment, you're a living being..."

Not tired though, why is it so hard to get up?

"..."

I just need to get back to... where... this place is so strange, why is it not colder?

"Maybe the professor was right about the heat, maybe that's what she needs..."

Heat? No, no. Heat is bad. It burns. No more heat, ever.

"Oh? She's moving... is she awake again? Hello?"

Who is this? Where is this? It's not cold enough here.

"Oh no, she's sitting up, what do I do now... maybe I should just let her go? I think others did that before... but she's so small... what do you think, little one? You're probably a bit confused, it's been a long time... what are you looking at? Oh, no, wait, don't get up yet- nevermind, I guess you're already up. Can you say something to me? How are you feeling?"

Why is this dragon so nosy? "Rawk?"

"That's... uh... okay... um... you're rolling on the floor. Why are you rolling on the floor?"

"Rawk!" Shiny and slippery and oh so cold-

"Well, you have fun with that, I guess... what now? I don't know where to send her, and she's so little... but I can't keep a hatchling! I still have to run my lab!"

The Ridgeback hatchling looked up at him curiously. Now that her need for cold had been satisfied, she stood up, bounded over to him and settled down next to him on the floor, rumbling contentment.

"Oh... well, I guess I don't really have a choice, do I? Looks like you've already adopted me. Now, what should your name be... I can't keep calling you by your ID number, that would be silly."

Her eyes fell on the tablet attached to her bed, and she saw "K1-M1" glowing on it's surface. "Ki-mi?" she tried, tilting her head curiously. "Kimi!"

"... okay then, Kimi it is!"

---

Growing up in a laboratory was a strange experience for the Ridgeback. The experiments that had to be checked precisely, the constant motion of apparatus, the timers that went off suddenly, startling the unwary. And, of course, the need to avoid contact with any of the experiments to avoid introducing another variable. Her scales still constantly emitted cold, despite the burnt ashes covering her tail and talons. She loved the lab, though, with its metal-coated floor that kept her feet comfortably chilled.

However, all good things come to an end eventually. [name], the [dragon breed] whom she'd adopted as her parent so long ago, opened the door to a knock one day to see an old friend of his, a Mirror named Destyon. The two talked for a while, then the Mirror left. [name] told her that Destyon was visiting from the Southern Icefields to ask him to join a group of dragons there. He would be able to take his lab with him, and since it was in the Southern Icefields, it would be very cold-
He didn't have to go any farther, because Kimi instantly volunteered to help pack up. Just imagine, all that ice! Cold, wonderful ice!

When the two arrived at Sanctuary, Kimi was in paradise. While [name] set up his laboratory in Interim, the Ridgeback began carving out her own den, lining it with snow. The two are currently working on a portable cooling machine, so Kimi can have a normal den with everyone else, but they haven't quite figured that out yet.