Telesto wasn't sure how she felt about this new cave.
On one hand, it was cold, or at least, cold compared to the cave she had hatched in. She wasn't sure how she felt about the cold, but she certainly preferred the warmth.
On the other hand, it had water! Which was always a plus in their book. The river was wide, and deep, and ignoring the big, weird noisy thing submerged in the middle of it, it was the perfect place to swim.
And swim she did.
In wide loops and tight spirals, chasing after the fish that scattered in her wake. Schools of glimmering bluish-silver fish and larger, slower dark blue and silver-speckled ones. She didn't catch any- she was just playing, and that would ruin the game! But she came close many times, snapping at the tail-fins of terrified little fish.
Eventually tired by this game, the dragonet- just a bit bigger than a house cat- hauled themself onto shore. They scrambled up the steep bank, water-slicked claws struggling for purchase, before finally getting to the top. There they plonked down onto their stomach, basking in the light of the glowing fungi and crystals growing along the river bank.
Vanyel had long since snuck off to explore. Carja hadn't been happy about the first time he'd left the nest alone, but instead of punishing him, she'd taught him to hunt and fly. At least the basics so he could get food and run away from conflict. His wings were his greatest asset, she'd told him.
He approached the river, looking around in awe, eyes glowing in the slight dim of the cave. He toddled about on two feet, a thumb tugging at his lip as he used his tail to balance, leaning slightly forward so he didn't fall.
”Hellooooo~!”, he sang, giggling as his voice echoed around, bouncing right back to him, ”Sing me a song of rhythm and light, I'll sing you a song to last through the night~.”
He skipped forward and peered into the river, just downstream of where Telesto was. He peered into the water, pushing his hand under, delighted to feel the current. Fish's scales sparkled in the water like little stars, aiming to find a calmer place to feed and rest.
He caught glinting scales on the shore and looked up, curious.
”... Big fish,” he said, blinking at Telesto, used to the smaller fish that his mother brought home in massive mouthfuls, dropping them onto a leaf for Talys to cook and for them all to eat. He much preferred cooked to raw, but maybe he was just spoiled.
”Hullo?”, he asked, peering at the dragon curiously.
Telesto didn't pay much mind to the little elf exploring the river- too tired and far away to even, truly notice him. She only finally did play attention when the elf spoke to her directly. Calling her a
She didn't need to take ANY of this! She was mighty and this TINY TWIGLING called her a FISH, which she most certainly was not!
Exit thread!