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polyhymnia
When Wilhelmina was even a hatchling, she had an interest in animals. The psywurms, the cranes of the Crystal Pools, even the sparrowmice in the training fields and the owls in the path by the woods. But what she was most interested in, the animals she loved to watch and play with the most, were the cats. The phytocats, the owlcats, even the domesticated familiar kitties some of her peers had. Especially the domesticated kitties. She sometimes wandered out to watch the cats play amongst themselves, sometimes snuck bits of her meals for them to have instead. Her mother got rather upset at that, but she never really learned her lesson.
The turning point in her life was when her father had taken her to the Scorched Forest. Now, he was a strong dragon, walked the forest many a time, so he wasn't too worried about bringing her along. After all, she promised to stay close- anything as long as it meant seeing the owlcats. That wasn't to say they didn't have a few run-ins, most prominently with the Steam Gyres that just didn't seem to appreciate their presence, but for the most part their walk was uninterrupted. An easy, casual walk, one where they just talked while they scavenged. But when BoneKnapper turned around to bring her home, she was gone.
It struck a panic in the den, with a full search party and everything. Her mother was in a tizzy and insisted on following. They searched far and wide, and they must have seen every inch of that forest at least ten times by the time they returned home; empty-handed. Bloodstone didn't sleep a wink that night, worrying about her poor daughter, left alone in the forest with all kinds of dangers. After all, they do say curiosity killed the cat. Her poor hatchling could be the next cat.
Little did any of them know that she was perfectly safe. A little distracted and off-track, but safe. She didn't have a single scratch, not a single feather out of place. A banded owlcat sat before her, flopped into that loaf shape cats always seemed to do. It didn't look to have any intent of harming her. It blinked at her slowly while she reached a claw out, butting its head against it. Strangely enough, it didn't seem hostile. In fact, it swatted at her tail a couple times, but never appeared intent on hurting her, instead seeming more...playful.
She stayed there for the night, the owlcat perfectly content with keeping her warm. When the sun rose from the hills in the distance, though, it stood up and stretched, nudged her side with its rather cold beak, then started to walk away. Through a wide yawn, she watched, humming tiredly as she rose to her feet.
"Where are you going..?" She asked, not that she was expecting a real answer, starting to follow its pawprints. It didn't respond, as expected, just kept walking along, occasionally snapping a twig on the ground under its feet.
It was late again by the time they stopped, not counting the pauses for food or breaks. On the horizon was a group of nests, glowing a soft pink against the inky sky behind them. Many dragons lay around the nests, all their breathing slow but easy. All fast asleep. The owlcat bounded over and settled back down, leaving Wilhelmina to follow or turn back with no guide. Naturally, she decided following was the safest option, and slowly settled down next to it, closing her eyes.
Everyone was confused when the sun rose again. The arcane dragons confused as to who this hatchling was, Wilhelmina simply confused as to where all these cats had suddenly come from. Around her laid five cats, but the owlcat was nowhere to be seen; a calico, a mainecoon, a black cat, a tabby, and a Scottish fold. They had all found various places nearby to curl up, and were still fast asleep. She didn't mind much. In fact, she gave them all little nicknames and attention.
She was left alone there as all the others gathered around, presumably to discuss what to do with her. Their denmother slowly stalked back out after a few moments, ones that felt like an eternity, staring her down for a long minute before opening her jaws and deciding...
She could stay. And, of course, so could her newfound friends.
She still visited her family now and then, and though they were a little upset she'd be leaving their den, they were just glad she was safe.
