ORIGIN

For once he found himself alone, without the near constant companionship of the Horse and the Dog or the Daughter Rauslin. It was strange but not completely unwelcome as it gave him time to think. Other gembounds said many things, wanted him to say many things or be many things but he was not. He was simply what he was... a Dragon. He wasn't even sure if he was a speaking dragon, the mouth-sounds that everyone made seemed strange and while he understood them he was unable to do them himself. In the time that he had alone now he tried to mimic noises but only ended up making strange grunting and growling sounds that were nothing like the words that his companions spoke. He stopped, peering down into the lagoon at his scarred face with its one eye. He'd heard tale of some strange battle where apparently he'd done this to himself but how could that be true? He couldn't even remember that far back... How could he have had a completely different life if he--

Pain... Sharp pain in his head. The dragon's eye one closed shut and he stilled his thoughts. Such things... He couldn't think about them too much or they hurt. It was easier just to live in the moment. If he had been someone in the past he was no longer that person, he was just himself... Just Dragon... That was all. No previous life, just his Horse, his Wolf, his Daughter. He was happy like this, they were happy like this. Yes. Still, he could feel a strange shiver up his spine as he lay there with his wings against his back and one paw swirling in the water.

His eye opened as he stared at the falls, focusing just on the present. No thoughts of anything else... Just what was directly in front of him. However, part of his mind focused on what he was feeling and as such the air began to heat up around him making it comfortably warm against the cool dampness of Pisces.

It wasn't long that he was without companionship, his thoughts --or lack thereof-- were interrupted by a new sound. It was a new voice but one that was as familiar as his own heartbeat. It was the Ghost... The Pink Wolf with the pleasant face. Eagerly the dragon turned his head to watch the approach of the newcomer. A small smile formed on his muzzle and his tail began to wave gently back and forth. A comradely chuff escaped from between his fangs and he lowered his own head to brush it against the Ghost's but gently. Even in his current state he knew the strength of his body.

In reply to his statement the dragon simply lowered his whole body to the ground, head and all, with a sheepish grin. He'd been here... For a while anyway. For a little while he'd gone out to explore a little bit but he'd promptly returned. The urge to stretch his legs had just been too strong and he'd had to do so.

After a moment he raised his head and turned meaningfully to the water before looking back at the Ghost while moving his paws as if he were swimming. It had been a good while since he'd taken a dip and he'd love to go in now with his friend. Who better to enjoy the comforting water with? He let out a few excited grunts before edging closer to the lagoon... Could they go in?

The dragon's grunting increased exponentially when the Wolf questioned him. The water! The water! His brain shouted but no matter how much he wanted to say it, nothing but grunts came from his throat. He couldn't articulate with his words what he wanted but he could certainly still sign it out. The dragon sat partway up and gestured with his head to the lagoon then eased a little closer to it before looking back at the Ghost. In! In! He wanted in but only if his friend would go too.

Hmm... Perhaps he should show him? The dragon glanced back at Ghost before walking forward into the water, both forelegs fully submerged. He made more of his grunting noises before looking back at the White Wolf. His head tilted to the side and his gaze was pleading as he stared at the water. How else could he do this? Hmm... He tiled his head the other way and quite by accident he felt his own consciousness reaching out towards the Wolf. There were no words in his thoughts... There was only an image of himself swimming with the wolf paddling alongside him. The thought-image was pushed towards the Ghost before it evaporated while that pink eye still stared at him. Did he understand now?

Did he understand now? It seemed not... He seemed confused on the image in his mind. Was it confusing? His head tilted but then he nodded his head in an affirmative. That was him... Could he not see? Was that the problem? He didn't understand the actions? Perhaps he should change his approach... The dragon came back and lay next to the wolf, completely against the ground with his good eye focused on the Wolf. Then he attempted to reach his mind out to him.

The connection was rocky at best but it worked well enough for his purpose. The dragon sent an image of Ghost over. In that image he then showed Ghost climbing upon his own back and then the image changed to them floating in the lagoon. Then, the images stopped. There... Would he understand now? He turned his head slightly and grunted, expectantly.

Yes! It looked like he finally got the point across! Yay! His tail began to give a steady wag back and forth with his joy at finally being understood. Now as he lay completely on the ground he waited for the wolf to climb onto his back. He was ever patient so he didn't mind that the wolf was taking a little time. He simply closed his eye and began to hum to himself. It was only when the pink wolf let out a yelp did his eye open and he turned his head round to peer curiously at him.

Could he not climb on? Was that the problem? Well, his back was a considerably large distance up even when he was lying down. No matter, he'd just have to make it easier for the poor canine. The dragon gave a reassuring grunt before tilting his head forward and attempting to help the wolf climb onto his back by giving him a little boost. His nose horn was angled downwards so the wolf could step on it and when he did he would lift him onto his back.