Dulce

She was a curious hatchling, wandering away from her nest on her own to explore. Her parents worried, fretting when she hadn't found her way back to the nest before it was time to sleep. It wasn't long before she had lost her way home, turning around in circles trying to retrace her steps. She had been warned about hatchlings straying too far from their nests and the protection of her parents, but she had been sure she'd be able to find her way home.

She was just about ready to give up and spend the night alone when two coatls landed near her, their own pattering matching hers. They were watching her, and she crept back into the bushes, hoping her own branches would hide her. Perhaps they hadn't noticed her, and were looking at something past her. Her hopes were dashed when one of them approached her hiding spot, beckoning for her to come out.

"Well come on then, little one. We won't hurt you." The coatl looked behind their shoulder at their companion. "I'm Amaretti. And my companion is Meringue."

She didn't respond, hesitating before she crept out of the bush.

"Do you not have a name?" Meringue asked.

She shook her head. Her parents hadn't decided on one yet.

"I think Dulce is a fitting name," Amaretti said. "Don't you agree?"

"Dulce," Meringue repeated, nodding.

"Dulce," she echoed, the word unfamiliar. She liked it.

"Well, Dulce, let's get you somewhere safe," Meringue said.

Dulce let them lead her somewhere, unsure if they knew where she came from and were taking her home, or taking her somewhere unknown. She felt safe with them walking beside her, soothing her worries with assurances that she would be safe with them, and safe in her new home.

~-~

Dulce found herself surrounded by unfamiliar dragons. She knew some were her own species, the ones who were watching her with the most interest.

"You'll be safe here," Meringue said. "Much safer here with them then with us on our travels."

A dragon with glowing eyes, streaks of what looked like tiny lightning bolts crackling in the air around her approached. Her eyes calmed down as she crouched down to Dulce's level. "I'm Stormweaver. We'll take good care of you. Welcome home."