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Chapter Text

Clay sighed as he rested his head on his talons. He looked wistfully up at the sky.

Today was the day. The day he'd prepared so long for. He remembered hours upon hours of practicing with Tsunami and Glory on how to date a girl dragon: what they'd want, what they'd view as offensive...

And today was supposed to be the day where he used that knowledge. He was supposed to use it...

To ask out Peril.

So, of course everything had to go wrong. Of course he'd screw up on the very first line. Of course Peril would get flustered and run right out the entryway of Jade Mountain Academy, where he tried asking her out. 

Clay squeezed his eyes shut, trying to remember how it all went wrong.

Clay stepped into the entryway of Jade Mountain Academy. Peril was standing there, tucking her wings in after her long flight from the Sky Kingdom. When she saw Clay, she tilted her head, confused.

Clay cleared his throat. He threw a quick glance over his shoulder to get a glimpse of Tsunami and Glory. Tsunami was making the gesture to 'hurry up,' while Glory, who was half-camoflauged, kept glancing from Clay to Peril. Clay turned back to the gorgeous copper-colored SkyWing.

"Peril, will you...? Would, um..." Clay was frantically racking his brain, but he couldn't remember what he was supposed to say, he couldn't remember...

Peril shifted her glance to Tsunami and Glory, her brow creasing in confusion. Suddenly, she seemed to realize something, looking back at Clay with an expression of shock and surprise on her face. She reared up and spun on her back feet, then landed back on all fours. She flung open her wings and jumped out into the sky, flying away before anyone could stop her.

He'd gone out as quick as he could to look for her, but his search proved fruitless. There wasn't a single coppery, bright, firey scale anywhere. There weren't even any singed bushes or grass to show where Peril had gone.

Clay closed his eyes with a muffled groan as he buried his head in his talons. Why couldn't this just go right?

I had my chance, he thought sadly, and I ruined it. Based on my current luck, right now Peril's finding a dragon who is the complete opposite of me and asking him to marry her.

He pressed the heels of his talons to his eyes. And of course he'll say yes. Who wouldn't? Peril is beautiful, and courageous... She's so easy to fall for. And I'm not.

Wait.

Clay strained his ears, all senses suddenly on alert.

Was that an echo of his thoughts? It sounded like there was a voice, whispering whatever he thought...

But he couldn't hear anything other than the rustle of the trees in the wind.

Clay, suddenly motivated, got back up, wincing as he accidentally put pressure on his scarred back leg. I have to find Peril.

He threw open his winds, ready to launch into the sky.

And suddenly, Peril swooped down into the clearing he'd been lying in.

Clay gave a strangled yelp of alarm, then realized who it was. "Peril! You're okay!" he cried, running over to her and flinging his wings around her. His talons wrapped around her, firmly but gently. Clay had to refrain from crying at the sight of her.

"Or course I'm okay," Peril said, although her voice sounded wobbly. "Firescales, remember?"

"Oh!" Clay said. "Right." He stepped away from her, still keeping one wing around her. "Peril, I'm so sorry," he said, the words suddenly rushing from his mouth. "I know you're probably mad at me and I'm sorry and I was so worried; please never do that again," he said, words flowing faster than a river. "And- Oh, moons, I'm rambling, I'm so sorry, I-"

"Hey, hey, stop!" Peril said, throwing up her talons. "I get it!"

"Sorry," Clay said again, turning his head away from her. 

"No, no, you're fine!" Peril said quickly, taking one of his talons and rubbing it reassuringly. Clay looked at their talons, then up into her face. Peril, suddenly seeming flustered, looked away. "So, um... What were you gonna say before I... um... ran off?" she asked.

Clay went into full panic mode. "Oh, um... that." He spoke slowly and carefully. This was not a potential scenario he'd practiced with Tsunami and Glory. "That was, um... It's nothing, actually, you can just forget about it," he said quickly. Moons, he was such an idiot.

"But I want to know what it was," Peril said, not meeting his gaze and instead looking sharply at a leaf falling from a tree. 

Clay blinked at her. Was she... redder than her normal coppery color? 

Clay knew what reddening might mean. It could mean she was embarrassed or awkward, was what Tsunami had told him. Or, as Glory said, it could mean she liked him.

But it could also mean she was hot or over-exerted. And she had been flying for a while. Yup, it was probably that. Not the... other thing, nope. Just the summer sun and a lot of flying, yeah.

Clay felt his own face redden at the prospect of her liking him. Shoot.

"Um," Clay said, trying to remember what she had said. Wow, it was hot. "I, um... you might not want to hear it," he said slowly.

Over a year ago, it had been revealed that Peril, Ex-Queen Scarlet's Champion, had a crush on Clay. And sure, he'd felt the same way, but on a much lesser scale.

And now he wasn't sure whether she still had a crush on him or not. But his crush on her had only grown, to the point where it made him angry to see her talking to a different male dragon other than Clay. And that was saying something, given how often Clay got angry, which was alarmingly close to never.

And he wasn't sure how Peril would react if her maybe-in-the-past crush wanted to date her.

"No, I want to hear it."

"Um, o-okay," Clay said nervously. The trees around them were fading from green to red, but several trees around them were either fully orange-red or bright green, which gave the clearing a very beautiful look. "I, um... Will you... Would you... Aargh, give me a sec," he groaned, burying his face in his talons again.

"I'll wait as long as you need me to," Peril said calmly, which immediately made Clay redden.

"So, um," Clay started, turning to her nervously. Peril turned to meet his gaze, her blue eyes calm and curious, with a sort of nervousness to them at the same time. It made Clay feel small and insignificant, like a blobby piece of mud next to a shining gem. "Will you... Why is this so hard," he said, turning away from her again.

"I can wait," Peril said, giving him a warm grin.

"Phew. Okay," Clay said. He turned towards her and took a deep breath.

Time seemed to stop for a moment. 

And then, suddenly, it continued.

"Will you go out with me?" Clay blurted, grabbing her shoulders in his talons. 

"Yes!" Peril cried, leaping into his embrace. "Yes, if course I will! Why in the world did it take you so long to ask?"

"Well, I..." Clay faltered. "I thought you might not have a crush on me anymore."

"Clay," Peril said patiently, "I flew away because I knew what you wanted to ask and was so happy about it I had to get rid of all my happy energy."

"Oh," Clay said, suddenly feeling stupid. 

"Hey, don't go there," Peril warned. She stood at her full height and put her talons on Clay's shoulder. "That's your, 'I feel like an idiot face'. Put it away, please."

"Alright, sorry," Clay said.

"And stop apologizing, too!" Peril scolded gently.

"Sorry," Clay mumbled apologetically, and then Peril groaned. 

"Shut up and kiss me," she said with a smile. Clay blinked at her.

"Okay," he said, and then he leaned forward and kissed her.

A spark flashed between them like miniature lightning; the kiss was amazing, electrifyingly so. When they broke apart for air, Peril raised an eyebrow.

"Wanna go again?" she asked, and then both of them were hugging each other and kissing and it made Clay feel like he was filling up with summer clouds. He felt lighter than ever now that he had Peril, Peril, as his girlfriend.

"I love you," Clay said softly as he snuggled into her. Peril wrapped her wings around him completely.

"I love you too."

"That was smart," Tsunami said to Moon. The black NightWing dragonet was perched next to Tsunami and Glory on the tallest tree in the forest. From here, they had a clear view of the clearing where Clay and Peril were having a wonderful time: they were spread out on their backs, wings fully extended, laughing.

"It was about time those two got together," Moon said. Glory nodded vigorously.

"Oh, definitely," the RainWing queen said. "Do you even know how many times I've seen them wistfully looking at each other? Too many to count."

"Yeah. I think we all did a great job," Tsunami said. "It was really hilarious when you told Peril what Clay was thinking."

"I know, right?" Glory yelped. "Her face when she heard how bad Clay was thinking about himself was all, 'No! My crush is feeling bad about himself! I must fix it!'"

Moon smiled at them. "Come on. Tsunami has another class to teach."

Tsunami groaned. "I can't wait, hooraaayy," she mumbled. "If that RainWing fails one more test-"

"Hey!" Glory said as they all leaped from the tree. "Don't speak of my subjects like that!"

"I mean Papaya," Tsunami snarked. 

"Oh, him," Glory said, cringing. "On second thought, go ahead."

And then they all wheeled away to the south, leaving Clay and Peril in the clearing.

Chapter Text

Tsunami was tired.

She'd been laying on the floor of her cave in Jade Mountain Academy. Her tail was in the puddle of water that had been placed in her cave, just how she liked it. A small wooden carving was watching over her from her desk in the far side of the room, just as she wanted it to do. She wasn't thirsty, she wasn't hungry...

So why could she not sleep???

Tsunami groaned, lifted up her talons, and held them in front of her face.

Blood stained them, and it dripped down her claws. Scarlet was covering both of her forearms. Tsunami let out a yelp and tucked her talons into her chest.

Painful memories assailed her, but she fought them off. It tired her further. She let out a long sigh and let her eyes drift closed.

Sleep consumed her.

"Perhaps our little Dragonet of Destiny doesn't have the stomach for battle?"

Green scales thrashed under her grip.

She didn't want to kill him. But that yellow glare... the taunting words...

She had to prove her wrong.

She had to.

SNAP.

Tsunami let out a cry and stumbled to her feet. Her eyes popped open. 

Ah. So sleep had betrayed her.

That was okay, wasn't it? Dragons didn't need that much sleep; she'd be fine.

SNAP.

It was okay; it was all okay. She'd be okay. 

She'd be fine.

Just fine.

Right?

SNAP.

Tsunami, suddenly blind with panic, raced out of her cave. Her breathing was heavy and her heart was pounding terribly.

Oh moons, don't let her sleep again.

Tsunami's talons skidded along the polished stone floors as she ran. Although panic was alight inside her, she forced herself away from the student sleeping quarters. She was the headmaster! For moon's sake, she should be able to handle a little flashback!

SNAP.

Tsunami's breathing picked up. She didn't know what to do.

What was that thing Starflight showed us? Controlled breathing?

Tsunami stopped, racking her brain. She couldn't remember, she couldn't remember anything, oh, she was so useless, why couldn't she just REMEMBER-

Glory.

Glory would remember. She always did, always. She had that for a shining talent, along with fighting skills and smarts and beauty, unlike Tsunami, who was harsh and rash and forgetful and stupid and a dragon who killed her own FATHER-

SNAP.

Right, Glory. Go to Glory. 

Tsunami kept Glory in her mind as she ran through the halls, her talons expertly guiding her to Glory. But she didn't close her eyes; she couldn't. Otherwise she'd be back... back in the arena-

Crowds. Cheering.

"I ask you all to let me let him live!"

Silence.

A cruel smirk, then-

"Gouge out his eyes!"

"Snap his neck!"

"Blood! We want blood!"

"Boo! No mercy!"

"Worthless!"

Yellow eyes. Orange-red scales embedded with gems. Huge red wings.

A crown. 

Power.

Ruthlessness.

Evil.

"Perhaps she doesn't have the stomach for battle!"

Impulsive.

Rash.

Crazy.

Kill him.

SNAP.

Tsunami let out another cry of fear. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to get rid of the memories-

SNAP.

"Let me let him live!"

SNAP.

"Perhaps she doesn't have the stomach for battle!"

SNAP.

"Tsunami..."

No...

"Gill was..."

No, no, no, NO!

"Your father."

What kind of dragon would do something like that?

SNAP.

"Your father."

"...Dad?"

And suddenly, she crashed into a mass of warm scales. There was a yelp, then a crash, as Tsunami grabbed onto the other dragon. She didn't let go; she couldn't.

"Tsunami?" a tentative, glorious voice asked carefully. Graceful talons wrapped around Tsunami, but they did not peel her away. She was safe here. "Tsunami, are you okay?"

Tsunami did not answer. She could tell the other dragon took that as a 'no'. 

"Okay, that's okay. We're gonna control our breathing, okay? Breath in for 5 seconds, then out for 5 seconds. Okay?"

Tsunami tried. She really did. But every time she tried, her breathing hitched, and then she'd let out a strangled, dry sob.

"Okay, that's okay. Match my breathing instead, okay?" the other dragon said gently. Tsunami nodded.

They worked together for a moment, Tsunami matching the breathing of the other dragon. All the while, a gentle talon rubbed her back soothingly.

Tsunami's head started to clear. Slowly, her panic started to ebb.

Tsunami slowly let go of the other dragon's shoulders. She looked up, into the face of the dragon who'd saved her.

Glory.

Tsunami blushed, looking away. Glory cupped her face in her talon gently.

"Hey, it's okay," she soothed. The tension in Tsunami's wings ebbed. "I know a place to calm down. Follow me." 

Glory flipped her tail into Tsunami's talons. Tsunami lit up a few stripes along her snout and side, creating a dim light which revealed panicked green splotches fading away on Glory's wings.

Glory led Tsunami through several small tunnels until they came to a cave with an underwater pool. Glory smiled faintly at the glassy surface of the lake.

"Sometimes I down here. It's nice and quiet," Glory said softly. "I thought you'd like it down here. The lake had a couple little fish and plants. There's even a bit of coral." Her smile increased, warming Tsunami up to her wingtips. "It's like a mini ocean."

Tsunami cleared her throat. She didn't know why, but she felt especially bold right now. "Would you, um... like to go swimming with me?" she asked nervously.

She didn't want to admit it, but she had a crush on Glory. 

A big one.

And she was pretty sure everyone else knew, because she was about as obvious as a water buffalo would be. But Glory didn't seem to know. She knew about almost everyone's crushes...

Except Tsunami's.

That was something that really made her nervous.

Glory looked startled and embarrassed. "Oh, um... alright," she said at last, which was surprising to Tsunami, who had expected an outright 'no'. Tsunami slid into the water and beckoned for Glory to follow. The pretty RainWing slowly slid into the water, sending out barely a ripple as she ducked her head under before coming back up. "I've been meaning to wash the dust from my scales," Glory reflected. Tsunami gave her what she hoped was a dazzling grin and ducked under the water.

Glory was right; it was like a mini ocean. A couple clumps of coral in a wide array of colors were positioned at the bottom of the pool. Little fish were everywhere, but Tsunami spotted a couple of bigger fish, too, as well as a couple of lemon sharks. There were even a few sea snakes, swimming through small patches of seaweed that already looked as tall as a dragon. 

More importantly, it was colorful, and bright, and calming, which was what Tsunami really needed.

Or at least, it was calming, until she accidentally swiped her talon the wrong way and broke off a small piece of coral.

SNAP.

Tsunami let out a cry and curled into a ball. She felt herself floating to the surface as pained whimpers tore through her throat, drowning out almost everything else.

But through it all- the water splashing, her own whines, Glory's frantic voice- she could only focus on one sound.

SNAP.

Tsunami dug her claws into her arm and felt a bit of blood trickle from the cuts.

"TSUNAMI!" Glory cried. 

Tsunami threw her head out of the water and threw her wings around Glory. She sobbed into the RainWings shoulder, her chest heaving with painful cries.

"It's okay," Glory said, and Tsunami wanted to believe her. She wanted to wrap her wings around her and believe her and cuddle her and kiss her-

...Too far, Tsunami, she warned herself. 

"What happened?" Glory asked, her voice quiet and soothing.

"The c-coral," Tsunami said miserably. "It s-snapped."

Glory's face fell, and Tsunami could tell she'd found out what was troubling Tsunami. "Oh, Tsunami." The pretty RainWing rested her head on Tsunami's, her scales rippling with blue and green. "It'll be okay. It wasn't your fault, Tsunami. It was him or you."

"That doesn't make it okay," Tsunami said, tears slipping down her face. "And besides," she added, her voice lower. "I bet everyone would rather have Gill alive than me."

"Three moons, Tsunami!" Glory cried, throwing her wings up in a spray of water. "Don't say that!" She grabbed Tsunami's webbed talons in her own and tugged Tsunami closer. "I'd rather have you than Gill," she said quietly. "I don't care what anybody else thinks. I'm glad you survived. My life wouldn't be the same if you didn't."

Tsunami stared into Glory's gorgeous green eyes, awestruck. Glory stared back intensely.

She didn't know who initiated the kiss first. All she knew was that one moment they were staring into each other's eyes, and the next they were kissing, arms around each other, eyes closed blissfully.

They were at peace.

And for a moment, for one shining moment...

The snapping in Tsunami's head stopped.

The two broke apart for air. After a moment, they looked back at each other, eyes locking in place.

"So," Tsunami said casually. She raised an eyebrow at Glory. "Wanna be my girlfriend?"

Glory laughed. "You know it."

The next day, Glory and Tsunami walked out of the cave, their tails twined together. They'd fallen asleep in the cave, although neither would ever admit it.

Tsunami felt amazing, like little bubbles were being created inside her. She had a girlfriend! And that girlfriend was nobody other than Glory!

But there was something else, too.

The snapping... the glaring yellow eyes... the cruel smirk... the jeering of the crowd...

It was all gone.

Gone forever.

And now she had Glory, and everything was gonna be okay.

Everything was okay.

Always.

Chapter Text

Starflight woke up one day on a day that was different than all other days.

Nothing seemed different. He woke up the same, he got ready the same, he walked to the library the same...

But everything felt different. Like something small was going to happen that was going to trigger something huge.

Starflight, for one, would rather not find out what that thing was.

Luckily for him, he found out what that thing was.

He was stamping an Ice IceWing dragonet's scroll when talonsteps alerted him to another dragon entering the room. His ears pricked up. He heard the IceWing dragonet leaving, and then he heard the talonsteps clearer. They were coming towards him, and they sounded as heavy as a full-grown dragon, but also light and happy. It was another teacher for sure. 

But if it was Tsunami, there would have been an extra flat with each step thanks to her webbed talons. And if it was Clay, the steps would be even heavier.

So that narrowed it down to either Sunny or Fatespeaker. But currently Sunny was away on a trip to the Kingdom of Sand, to see if any more SandWing dragonets wanted to join the Academy.

So that meant it was Fatespeaker.

"Hey, Fatespeaker," Starflight said softly. He heard Fatespeaker walk up to his desk, then stop.

"Hey, Starflight," she said, and there was a pause that told him she was grinning. His heart warmed. "Some of my students aren't entirely grasping the concept of dreamvisitors. Do you think I could get a scroll on them?"

Starflight nodded and turned around, gently touching the scrolls on the shelf behind him until he found the right one. He slid it out of its nook and handed it to her. "This one. It includes stuff about all kinds of animus objects. I know that's the unit you're teaching, so you might want to hang onto it." Starflight smiled.

Suddenly, there was some sort of pressure in his mouth, like something was trying to claw its way out of his throat and into freedom. He clamped his mouth shut so it wouldn't spill. Whatever the pressure was, it felt private; he didn't want to share it until he knew what it was.

Dates Fatespeaker grabbed the scroll from him. A moment later, Starflight heard her exiting the cave.

Suddenly, the pressure ceased. He furrowed his brow, confused. What was this? Some kind of convenient sneeze?

But he already had the feeling that he knew what it was.

Fatespeaker, Fatespeaker, Fatespeaker, he thought, picturing her gorgeous smile, her pretty purple eyes, her lovable, excitable personality.

The pressure was there again, but now it was stronger. Starflight opened his mouth. Immediately, although nobody was there, words poured out.

"Fatespeaker, I love you," he said, unable to control his words. "And I have for some time now. I think you're gorgeous and amazing and I'd really like it of you became my girlfriend."

Starflight blushed immediately, clamping his talons over his snout in embarrassment. Had he really just said that? Had he really admitted his feelings for Fatespeaker so uncontrollably?

Okay, then. He'll just keep his mouth shut when he's around Fatespeaker from now on and hope for the best.

It's late afternoon when he realizes he should've just said it from the start.

Now Fatespeaker is in front of him, crying, and Starflight can't open his mouth or else he'll admit how much he loves her.

"What did I do?" Fatespeaker sobbed. "You've been avoiding me all day, and when I see you, you don't talk to me at all! Are you mad at me?"

Starflight looked at where she should be with his best desperate expression.. He wanted to tell her, to end her terrible, self-doubtful thoughts. But he also didn't want to be rejected, because honestly, who would fall in love with him?

Starflight tool a deep breath through his nose. He opened his mouth...

And words flooded out.

"Fatespeaker, I'm so sorry. You didn't do anything wrong, I promise. I've just been stressed and anytime I see you I want to tell you that I have a crush on you, but I've been afraid that you might not feel the same. I'm so sorry, so let me tell you this: I like you. Romantically. And I know you probably don't like me back but-"

Fatespeaker cannoned into him, wrapping her wings around him. "Don't talk like that about yourself! Starflight, I like you too!"

Starflight was taken aback. How could Fatespeaker, one of the best dragons in the whole world, like him? "Y-you do?"

"Yes! Never avoid me again, please!" Fatespeaker cried. She reached up a talon and scrubbed at her face to get rid of what Starflight could only assume were tears. He felt her tilt her head up and gaze at him.

Starflight felt a sudden surge of boldness and affection, and he let his head turn to the side, leaning forwards. Fatespeaker let out a small gasp, and suddenly their lips were connecting in a kiss that let peace envelope Starflight like a wave.

After a while, Fatespeaker and Starflight broke apart. Fatespeaker gave an excited little jump. "Oh, wow! So are you my boyfriend now?"

Starflight was both pleased and shocked. "Um, yeah, I guess. Wow. I have a girlfriend."

But he couldn't say anything else because Fatespeaker was leaning into him, and he couldn't resist pressing his lips against hers again.

That night, Starflight was sleeping next to Fatespeaker. He wrapped his arm around her, bringing her close. She let out a sleepy snore and cuddled closer.

Wow. Today was... eventful.

Apparently he was lucky that the huge thing happened.

Starflight fell asleep dreaming of his first kiss.

Chapter Text

Sunny looked wistfully at her friends.

They all looked so... happy.

Clay and Peril, Tsunami and Glory, Starflight and Fatespeaker...

The all had someone.

But Sunny? She had no one. She had nobody to kiss or to cuddle or to be in a romantic relationship with them.

And the strangest thing?

She didn't want any of that. She didn't want a romantic partner; she didn't want to kiss anybody. She didn't want anything romantic in her life... at all.

But all her friends did. And now she was left out.

So she stood quietly in the corner of the entrance cave, softly greeting students as they wove through the complex cave system. She was pretty miserable right now; anybody could tell she wasn't herself. 

What's wrong with me? Why don't I like anyone? Why don't I want to like anyone?

Suddenly, a small, near-white SandWing sat neat to her. Sunny recognized her as one of the newest students.

"Hello, Fennec," Sunny said. "Is something wrong?"

"I wanted to talk to you," Fennec said softly.

"Okay," Sunny said with a friendly shrug. "About what?"

Fennec took a deep breath. "Well... I wanted to ask you if you've ever had a love interest, or if you want to have a love interest."

Sunny sadly shook her head. "I'm sorry, but no. I can't give you advice on that."

Fennec shook her head. "No, because I feel that way too. I don't want to like anybody, but I want to be normal. But I don't know how."

Sunny stared at her. "That is exactly the way I feel about it."

Fennec gave her a smile. 

Suddenly, an IceWing and a SkyWing walked into the entry cave, talons intertwined. They gave Fennec a superior look as they passed.

"Tch. Look at her," the SkyWing said, her voice dripping with scorn. "She doesn't like anyone. How can she live like that?"

The IceWing gave a sniff. "Yeah. She doesn't deserve happiness if she's that weird."

The pair flew off. When Sunny looked at Fennec, the little SandWing was looking deflated and depressed. Sunny rested one talon on Fennec's.

"Hey. Don't listen to them, okay? I think you're awesome."

Fennec blinked up at her. "T-thanks."

Sunny gave her a reassuring smile. "It's okay to not like anyone. I get it. You aren't weird. You're just a little different, like me."

Fennec gave her a grin. "Thanks!" The small SandWing jumped to her feet and went to her cave. Sunny smiled at the exit where she had gone before leaning on the rock behind her.

I should take my own advice. I'm not weird, I'm just different. Nobody should make me feel bad about myself.

I'm okay.

I'm not abnormal, I'm not a freak...

I'm just me.

And I have to learn to be okay with that.

Sunny looked around the cave, at all her friends, at the students flooding the cave, at the little lamps on the ceiling...

Why don't I start now?

Chapter Text

Kinkjou's scales shifted for what might be perhaps the thousandth time that day. A swirl of light blue cascaded upon her lemon yellow scales, followed by a wave of purple-orange. A small scattering of pink scales appeared on her wings and tail, with angry red scales forming on her ruff and talons shortly after. She narrowed her eyes, which were colored an interesting mix of purple, orange, and pink. The small RainWing dragonet gave a huff of irritation and flicked her tail, letting it turn a bright orange dappled with red and pink like bright shadows.

She was normally good with feelings. She was great at taking a dragon and puzzling out their expression. Sure, part of that was because she was in the rainforest for so long. In the rainforest, the RainWing's scales would change colors with their emotions, and she was able to match the expression to the color rather quickly. She was better at it when she was looking at a RainWing's face, but she was still good at figuring out other dragon's faces.

But right now she felt as though every feeling through the world was all crammed in her mind and she hated it. Why was she angry? And how could she be completely happy and utterly crestfallen at the same time?

The emotions were nagging at her in a way that nothing else had ever done. She shook out her wings angrily, as if the feelings were bugs she could flick off. Kinkajou stood up. She needed to talk to someone about... everything.

The first dragon she though of was Moon. Moon would definitely help. She was smart and kind and very good with feelings. If Kinkajou went to Moon, it would help. Kinkajou didn't have to be a future seer to see that.

But the minute she'd made up her mind, she got the feeling (ugh, more feelings) that going to Moon might make everything worse. That was strange. But even the thought of talking to Moon made all the emotions stronger.

Kinkajoi hesitated at the entrance to her cave. Should she go to the library, where Moon was, and risk either things getting a lot worse or a lot better? Or should she seek out a different member of her winglet? 

Kinkajou thought something that was very out of character for her: Better safe than sorry. If that was rare for her, maybe she should listen to it. She walked out of her cave and headed for the prey center.

When she walked in in a flurry of colors from ruby red to lime green to a dark blue to a pastel orange, all speckled with a scattering of pale brown and gray scales. A sheep ran past her talons and she had to rear up on her back talons to avoid being tripped. She dropped back on all fours and finally saw Qibli in the corner of the cave, eyeing a chicken who was frantically running in circles, practically squawking its head off.

"Qibli!" Kinkajou said, running towards him. She dodged a SeaWing gnawing on a fish and a large deer before jumping over a pig and skidding to a stop in front of Qibli.

Qibli turned and smiled at her, still keeping one eye on the chicken. "Hey, Kinkajou!" he said. He was still for one more moment before lunging forward and clutching the chicken. A spray of blood flew from the chicken's neck before it went still. Qibli pulled his catch closer, seating himself on his back talons. He ripped off a wing and started chewing.

"Yyyuck," Kinkajou said, wrinkling her nose in disgust as she stared at the carcass. She walked to the fruit pile, grabbed a banana and a bunch of grapes, and sat down next to Qibli. "I think you should eat fruit. Like sensible dragons."

Qibli gave her a skeptical look. "Maybe one day." He was unusually quiet as he ripped off the chicken's other wing and continued eating.

Kinkajou gave him a concerned look. "Are you okay? You're not normally this... quiet."

Qibli gave her an alarmed look as he flared out his wings. "I- I just- uh... I'm just... thinking?"

"Qibli, you're always thinking. Tell me what's wrong."

Qibli sighed and looked away. Kinkajou's eyes widened as she saw a faint blush covering his snout. "Truth is, I'm kind of... thinking of someone. I don't know if they'll like me back, though."

Oh, Kinkajou realized. He means Moon. Somehow, the thought sent a wave of jealousy raging through her. She blinked, startled by the sudden change in emotion. "What does having a crush feel like?"

Qibli sighed. "It feels like... Well, I guess it differentiates based on the dragon. For me, it feels like a constant longing to help them and make them smile. For others, it can feel like butterflies every time you think of them, or it can feel like you have to be near them at all times. It depends. If you suspect you have a crush, what I advise for you is talk to them. It normally makes your feelings a lot clearer."

Kinkajou nodded slowly. "Ah. Okay." She turned around and thought for a moment. Could I have a crush??

It's possible.

Very definitely possible.

Should I try to find out more? Maybe I should talk to someone else? Maybe... Moon? Moon would know what to do. She'd know who it is. Whoever I think about most probably.

Kinkajou walked out of the prey center and towards the library. Based on all the clues, that was where she'd be. 

The clues were as follows:

1. Moon likes the library.

Yes, that was all Kinkajou had. But it worked. When she got to the library, she saw Moon curled up in a corner with a scroll in her claws. She was reading it intently, her forehead wrinkled as she scanned the scroll.

"Hey, Moon!" Kinkajou said, leaping over to sit beside Moon. She looked up and then suddenly looked back down. 

"Hey, Kinkajou," she said quietly. 

"Moon, is something wrong?" Kinkajou asked. Moon kept avoiding her gaze. Her body curled away from the RainWing subconsciously.

"No. I'm not hurt."

Kinkajou raised an eyebrow. "Moon, I wasn't asking if you were hurt. I'm asking if you're okay."

Moon did not answer. Instead, she nervously fidgeted with the corner of the scroll in her claws. After a long moment, Moon sighed. "Can I... talk to you outside for a second?" she said quietly.

Moon and Kinkajou flew out of the school to a quiet, nearby hill. Flowers brushed Kinkajou's claws as she landed and butterflies lightly fluttered over her ears.

"What did you want to talk about?" Kinkajou asked. 

Moon seemed to be debating something. Seconds ticked by slower than Kinkajou had ever thought they could. Finally, Moon's mouth opened, and in the softest, quietest voice possible, she said, "I... I like you, Kinkajou."

Everything clicked.

The emotions, the feelings, the fantasies of black scales...

It all made sense.

Kinkajou stiffened as she realized what it meant.

She liked Moon.

And Moon liked her back.

"Okaythanksloveyoubye!" Kinkajou shouted before bolting away. She flapped her wings furiously, her scales changing to a sky-blue color so Moon wouldn't come and find her. Eventually, her hurried flight path took her to a shaded group of trees, being overlooked by an outcropping of rock. A trickling stream ran through the rock and into a small pool. As Kinkajou landed, she saw little minnows darting around in the still water.

Kinkajou immediately realized her mistake. She sat down next to the pool and groaned, leaning her head back. She flopped down next to the pool and rested her head on her talons. Kinkajou stared sadly into the water, watching as a small frog jumped from a lily pad and landed on a gnarled tree root. Another greenish-brown frog leaped, and instead of making it onto land, it scrabbled helplessly at the moist earth before landing in the water with a small splash. Kinkajou thought sadly that it resembled her current situation quite well.

Moon said she likes me... But I didn't say it back. She probably thinks I don't want to be friends with her anymore! Kinkajou thought despairingly, thumping her tail in frustration on the damp ground beside her. The tip of her tail landed in the water. The frog who had fallen clambered up on her tail, his amber eyes peering at her curiously. He gave a small croak and then bounded away.

I should tell her I like her back, Kinkajou thought, imagining how devastated Moon could be right now. It's the best thing I could do.

Kinkajou got to her feet, shook herself, and headed back to the spot where Moon had talked to her. The little black NightWing was still there, curled into a ball with tears streaming from her eyes. Kinkajou felt a pang of sympathy for her and she immediately landed, throwing up a flurry of dust as she skidded to a hurried stop. Too late, Kinkajou realized that she probably should have prepared some kind of speech. But she hadn't, so she just had to wing it.

Moon looked up from where she was sitting. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm so, so sorry. I... I'd like to still be friends, I promise I won't... I won't make it weird."

Kinkajou looked at her. "I have good news for you," she said brightly. Right after, she thought, That is a terrible way to do this.

Still, Moon looked up, eyes still full of tears, but with a glimmer of hope in them. "What's the good news?" she asked, wiping at her tears.

"I like you back," Kinkajou said confidently, although her scales were a bright pink mess of embarrassment and love.

Moon looked at her, filled with happiness but still confused. "Then... then why did you run away?"

"Uh..." Kinkajou said. "I needed time because I really wasn't expecting it. I was all like, 'Wow! What? That's crazy!' That stuff needs processing, you know?"

Despite her tears, Moon giggled. "Are you my girlfriend, then?"

Kinkajou suddenly leaned forward and gave her a gentle, loving kiss on the cheek. "Indeed I am."

Moon hugged her and gave her a return kiss on the lips, one that made Kinkajou ready to burst with love.

Suddenly, the sound of a gong cut through the air. Kinkakou and Moom both jumped.

"Shoot, class is about to start!" Kinkajou said.

"Want to fly back with me?" Moom said hopefully.

Kinkajou grinned. "You bet!"

They flew beck to Jade Mountain side by side, tails intertwined. Kinkajou had never felt so light.