Aerope always seemed to be wearing a frown that others could only describe as intimidating. No one was ever quite sure what was making her upset, or whether she was upset at all, and she didn't care to share such information liberally. Thus, her unhappy demeanor and guardedness combined to create a persistent cloud of discomfort around her that only ever seemed to be penetrated by one thing, or rather, dragon.
It was a long story. One she often found herself getting caught up in when the nights grew long and the shadows of her past loomed larger.
~~~
"We don't have need of two healers in the clan." Aerope tried to cover her startled reaction at the angry growl of her clanmate, pretending that she hadn't heard it. "We're already having a hard enough time feeding the clan and you're no help. You waste all your time sitting her sorting through your instruments of witchcraft." Aerope bristled slightly as the other dragon stalked closer.
Annoyedly, Aerope sighed. It seemed this time the other dragon would not be simply backing down. Now, she was no fighter, but she also knew there was no way the other dragon would raise a claw against her. There was no glory in hurting a clanmate. No, this would be a battle of will. One Aerope was convinced she was destined to win. "Well,
someone needs to make sure
you are well enough to do your job properly."
"Yes, but we already have one perfectly good healer for that." The other dragon's tail was lashing back and forth impatiently now. Their wings were stretching out as well, making them appear larger. Aerope only looked back at them lazily, returning to carefully sorting through her herbs.
She felt a small bump at her front leg and found Hippocrates carrying a stack of small jars. She shot him a small smile, one the other dragon missed in their anger. "And your little imp! What a useless runt!" Aerope's eyes hardened at the outburst. She had been mildly amused by the other dragon's antics, but this attack on her friend disquieted her.
"I'd appreciate," she began through gritted teeth, "if you'd leave Hippocrates out of this."
The other dragon grinned, realizing they had found an opening in her defenses. "No, no, I think we should talk more about it." Suddenly they kicked out at Hippocrates, who ducked behind Aerope's leg, whining confusedly.
Aerope whipped around, pushing Hippocrates behind her as she did, "Don't."
"What are you going to do about it?" Their voice oozed happiness at their small victory.
Aerope's nostrils flared in response. "What do you want?"
"I think it's time you leave." A small snort of disbelief escaped Aerope's mouth. "Really. We know you're too headstrong to make it here. You demand too much. If I don't get you out now, someone else will, and they won't be as nice."
A flicker of uncertainty passed by Aerope's eyes. She wanted badly to put the other dragon in their place, but they spoke truth. The clan was struggling and grumbles had been traveling around the clan like dandelion seeds in the wind.
She's always complaining and bossing, but what does she contribute? Healers aren't supposed to be so scary. Is she really pulling her weight?
They would turn against her one by one. This clan always needed scapegoats to keep it going... and it looked like today was her lucky day.
She stayed silent.
The other dragon gave a short huffing laugh. Thinking they had won, they began to leave. Aerope could only glare at their back in frustration. Why did she try? They'd always been suspicious of her and her origins. It was only a matter of time before they gave up on the hatchling dropped unceremoniously on their doorstep.
Aerope huffed defiantly to herself. If they didn't need her, then there was no point in staying. She had every right to leave and find another clan who appreciated her more. What did these dragons know anyway? They thought all healers were the same. What if-
Then it hit her. She could leave. Nobody would stop her.
Slowly, she looked out the entrance of her dwelling. The stars were already beginning to sparkle slightly, defying the last rays of the sun across the field. The nocturnal dragons would already be out for the night and the others asleep.
Aerope took one small step out. Then she felt a small clawed hand touch her ever so gently. She looked down into Hippocrates eyes. For once, she couldn't tell what he was trying to communicate to her. Was this the right choice? Her eyes set in determination. Hippocrates knew that look all too well. He lifted a small satchel up to her.
~~~
Once Aerope left the immediate vicinity of the camp, she took off at a full sprint. If she was going to leave, she was going to do so as quickly as possible--no point in dragging out the potentially painful process.
Aerope stopped only when the moon was directly above her head, casting a sort of spot light all around her. At first she had felt exhilarated, like she could run forever. But now... now she suddenly felt unsure. Reasons why she had stayed flooded her mind. Well... it was more like one big reason.
Images of a black and red pearlcatcher flooded her mind. Him and his beautifully shiny pearl. She always found comfort staring into its depths while she talked. It was so consistent even with all its changes. The swirling designs in the pearl could always be trusted to stay within its confines. Her satisfaction with its appearance might also have had something to do with the dragon the pearl belonged to. They had a natural silent agreement not to ask each other too many questions... just... be there for each other. He'd sit next to her while she frowned intently at the distance and everything would feel okay.
Barely out the door and Aerope was already feeling sorry for leaving him. It was too late though. She would never go back to face humiliation. He'd understand.
She hoped he'd understand.
~~~
Years later, but not too many. Another small pearlcatcher was born. Aerope had arrived not too long ago, but the other dragons already accepted her more than her previous clan. They were all too happy to accept a healer as skilled and wise as her into her clan and of course she checked the health of the new hatchlings whenever possible.
Her soul seemed to be immediately soothed upon meeting this small pearlcatcher for the first time. For a little bit, she couldn't place quite why she liked him so much, but she spent more and more time secretly doting on him.
Aerope hadn't got a good glance at the pearl he carefully tucked near his body until a couple weeks later. When she saw the sheen of the pearl in the midday sun, she knew.
He understood.
