The Stars Come out (Private, Nebula's Family)

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Only a few weeks after the recent hatchlings where born into the world, Nebula decided to take them out of the cave to explore a little of the forest but keeping a close eye on them. As he got them all together he laid down in the grass watching the little ones. Wondering if Athena was going to be back anytime soon, knowing that she had gone out for a hunt, worrying about many things. Still he focused on them and spoke out softly "Go on guys.. explore a little" smiling as he carefully watched.

Gasping as he heard Starla choking, quickly he held her up as gently as possible he hit his paw underneath her body, making her being able to cough it up. Rubbing her throat nuzzling her, "Hey... its alright..daddy's proud of my little star, lets take our time okay" watching carefully he sighed in relief.

Starla-after having almost been crushed by the paw, did indeed manage to hack out the disgusting meat. She was aware of a faint growling beneath her-probably one of her sisters.. but she didn't know for certain. She looked at the food sadly. It was only just not chewed enough, and shamefully, the little dragon started to feel tears sting her eyes. Disheartened, she buried her head into Nebulas paw. She didn't want the others to see her fail, again and again, like she always did. She was just one thing...

A pure, complete, runt-of-the-litter failure.

Starla whimpered quietly, squirming into what she thought were her fathers claws... Not thin air. With a  screech, she tried to clamber back into her fathers claws. But, being the runt she was, it was doomed to fail. Her legs easily gave away to her own weight, and her lungs heaved to catch the air that she had previously missed. She shrieked again, her claws almost swiping towards Nebula. If she wasn't so weak, it may have even looked like she tried.

She continued to hack at the animal, vessels, muscles, organs and all. But to her disbelief, the animal was not fighting back. It just remained there, taking everything she threw at it. Disappointed, Andromeda hopped off the carcass and turned up to look at her younger sister.

She was not on her father's claw. Instead, she was right on the edge and frantically flailing her claws. Just as her heart jumped, Andromeda scrambled towards Starla and jumped on the spot where she predicted Starla would land. And there she braced, hoping to become a cushion for her, as she turned on her back, legs out and ready to catch her...

(Short post is short)

Comet watched the whole thing with wide scared eyes wondering what he could do to help. He was scared to death seeing starla begin to choke before daddy saves her but that wasent the end of the problems. As she begins to fall comet starts to get up to help but Andromedia beats him to it so he decides not to get in the way and cause trouble. (Would do a bigger post but at work.)

Athena watched Starla, remembering she had trouble eating. Poor thing. Hera and her had been strong hatchlings and perhaps a little too keen as eaters, so she had always wondered why Starla had trouble with it. Not that Athena would love her any less for it, her hatchling was her hatchling. Yes, Athena loved. She didn't exactly like hatchlings, but already she was in love with all her sons and daughters. It was such a strange feeling..

Athena smiled as she watched Starla chew through the first bit of meat. Then the second, then the third. She had determination. Strength. Athena sighed softly and turned her attention to whatever was squealing like a stuck pig. Oh, it was Andromeda. Her daughter.

Athena smiled as she bared her teeth and growled at her, and responded with a low growl of her own. It was friendly and playful though, however slightly menacing, no matter how much she tried to sugarcoat it. Whenever Athena growled, it was when she was irritated or angry, so growling playfully wasn't her skill.

Athena nipped playfully at her, testing her reaction. She reminded her of herself, except far more aggressive. When Athena was younger, she was as shy as a little mouse. Her mother always said she, "resembled a baby mouse fresh out of it's nap spot. Silent yet beautiful."

Athena shook those thoughts out of her head and smiled, but then the worst sound a mother could hear entered her ears.

Choking.

Athena LEAPT to her claws with a agonised shriek, whipping around like a blur and dashing over to Nebula and her daughter. Being careful to not step on her other sons and daughters, she watched as Nebula helped her to not choke. "Oh my god, oh my god!" She exclaimed, real terror on her face. Athena was rarely scared. She thought she'd be scared of death, and the monster that would kill her, but no.. THIS.. was fear.

Athena froze, watching her daughter with wide blue eyes and a shaking body. She shut her eyes tight, hoping those past few seconds had been a nightmare. But Athena NEVER kidded herself.

Hearing Starla's shriek, Athena dashed forward before she even opened her eyes, nearly smacking right into Nebula as she half caught, half picked up her daughter, being careful not to hurt her as she held her against her chest with a wing, shaking.

"Its okay, its okay," she whispered, registering that she had almost fallen. Athena laid down and curled around her daughter, shielding her with a wing to comfort and protect her from the horrible world. Athena was shaking like a leaf. She had never felt this fear.. What was this? She never wanted to let Starla go..

Solaris happily dug into the elk meat and once he had finished he waddled tiredly over to Nebula and yawned before sitting down on a small pile of leaves. He purred slightly as he rubbed against Nebula before flopping onto the leaves to take a nap.

(( sorry for the shorter post ))

The weak hatchling just froze, the hatchling freezing in fear. She was tiny, insignificant and just.. Weak in the world. Tears brimmed in her eyes as she nuzzled against her mother, sobbing quietly. Why the world hated her, she would never know. However, at the rate in which she was going, it was highly unlikely that she would even live to tell the tale of her childhood. The little StarWing chirped sadly, the only noise she could muster in her sadness. The blue dragon nuzzled up against her mother, not understanding some of the words which she had spoken, but the tone of her voice was worry.

Starla just wanted to go home. She was too weak and fragile to even go out of the nest where she was born. Quietly, the feeble hatchling wondered what she would be like if she could even hold her own weight up.. Against all the odds of the world, Starla felt that it was hopeless, but one day.. She would do it, stand on her own two paws.

Athena gazed down at her tiny daughter, this crration she had brought into the world. She would NOT give up on her. She never would. She loved her.

Athena nuzzled into her daughter's form with her snout, hoping to calm her with her own cold scales. At the sad chirp, Athena felt a small part of her heart break for the little thing. "Hush now," she whispered. "I want none of that now, alright?" She gave her daughter a small lick on the cheek. "You keep trying for mummy, okay? You just keep trying."

Sensing the hatchling didn't really like the outside open world at the moment, Athena looked at Nebula. "Where should I take her? Inside the cave?" She asked, reptilian blue eyes full of worry and sadness for her small daughter.

BUMP

Solaris' nap lasted only a few minutes before he jumped out of his cozy napping spot and started running around. he had found a small hill (lump of dirt) and planed to sprint up the hill and onto the vines that hung over it. her backed up and raced towards it, at the peak he jumped forward and... got himself tangled in the vines. He squeaked in surprise and no matter how much he squirmed, the vines just tightened. "MA! help!" he squeaked. he tried flapping his wings as well but then found that her was immobile.

Frowning slightly at Athena's question, he didn't want Starla to be separated from the others all the time. "How about you rest up under the large tree over there with her? I can watch the others. I just don't want her to feel separated from her siblings" Finishing as he heard a squeak only to spot Solaris stuck in some vines, chuckling he went over towards the hatchling holding the little one with his paw he cut the vines. "Should be more careful Solaris" he chuckled nuzzling him with his paw.

Solaris yipped happily once he was cut free from those evil vines and within only seconds her was darting around happily, wrestling and tumbling around with his siblings. wait... but what about Starla? He glanced over in her direction and decide to hang out with Starla. He trotted over to the tree she was resting near and sat down next to her.

Starla just curled up into her mothers arms, whimpering quietly. She had been trying for her mother for so long, but she felt like it was completely worthless. Even as Solaris came up and tried to get her attention, she turned her head away. Starla was weak. There was no denying it... Whimpering, she just pulled her head up to watch the little dragons around her. She didn't mind doing this, but besides, she was probably smarter than the other little ones around her-or so she liked to think. As they were playing around, she would listen, translating and understanding conversations slowly.

Athena nodded, and smiled as her mate went to help their son, who was squealing like a stuck pig. He was an agile one, that was for sure, that was quite a jump for one of his size. Athena walked over to the tree and curled up underneath it, glad that the shade protected the icewing female from the heat. She kept a hold on Starla, but left her room to move around and jump out if she felt like it.

With a grunt that sent icy mist shooting from her nostrils, Athena laid her head down on the grass and closed her eyes. She knew a certain hatchling would probably try to playfight with her again. Athena was looking forward to that. She enjoyed a gentle spar with her daughter. She loved her spirit. She was like her.. Athena stiffened at this thought. No, she thought. I won't let her turn into me. She can become a warrior, like myself, I will train her if she wants me to, yes, but I refuse to let her turn into me. Athena sighed softly and relaxed, opening her eyes as Solaris approached.

Outstretching a wyvern wing, Athena gently rested it over Solaris, offering him to climb up onto her if he pleased, or to rest under the shade of her cold wing.

Meanwhile Comet had found a new friend albeit a prickly one. He managed to run into a sleightly annoyed porkupine and was stareing at it from a distance the creature stareing back. He wanted to chase it down but it looked so scary at the same time! He eeps out loudly when the creature decides to try and chase him away from its den nearly getting pricked in the but in his process of scrambleing away.

Solaris chose the shade of his mothers wing and sprawled across the ground to enjoy the it. He purred happily and lost him self in his thoughts when will i learn to fly? will i be good at flying? will i ever hunt as good as mum? Hmm... what if i tried to fly? The thought haunted Solaris for a few moments an soon the thought became an idea. his head shot up and he walked over to a stretch of diet where he could try flying. he backed up and started running, a few feet later he flapped his wings as hard as he could, he lifted off the ground slightly only to fall again. he hung his head, sighed, and went back to his mother, this time climbing up her wind and sprawling on her back.

Athena had to laugh as Solaris sprawled out under her wing. She glanced around, looking for Andromeda, or just Andro as she decided to nickname her, and sighed softly when she didn't see her. She'd come to her if she wanted to.

Athena saw movement out of the corner of her eye and her head snapped around to find Solaris on a stretch of dirt. Raising a brow, she smiled as he backed up, knowing what he was about to do and admiring him for trying. He dashed forward, jumped, and fell back down again. She watched as he hung his head and returned to her, crawling up her cold body to lie on her back.

"Nice try, Solaris," she encouraged him, offering him a smile. "You'll get it eventually." Then she got an idea to cheer him up. "Hey. Want to go for a small flight with mummy? I won't go too high." She looked at Starla, knowing she'd probably be too scared to come. Probably.

Slowly standing up, Athena stretched her large wings and gave them a small flap. "Well?" She asked them both, awaiting an answer. She looked at her other hatchlings, letting them know they were free to come as well.

Clawed… and clawed… and clawed…

But it did not move. Not even a flinch. It was as if it was invincible or something. No. Maybe it was already dead. She stopped upon that realisation and looked at her scales. The brilliant white and blue were completely stained and bathed in red. Beneath her claws, the animal’s hide gave way and oozed this red substance onto her. Strange. It felt cold against her scales, but did not harm her. She sniffed her claw and licked the mixture. It tasted like metal.

Andromeda clambered her way out of the carcass, tripping in the end and rolling onto the grass snout first. If she were any of her siblings, she would have sat there and squeal and weep. Instead, Andromeda turned to the carcass and snarled, which sounded nothing more than a long and low coo. Her voice was still young, but she did not like the sound of it. It was pathetic. She should be able to scream her fearful presence with just one roar. But this… it was like a mouse squeak!

She rolled up onto her claws and, as she made her way to another dragon, clawed at the carcass with all her strength. It only shifted an inch. First thing that came to her mind was to find Starla. She was not with father. Where did she go? Andromeda could only vaguely remember that her mother came by and went away. Searching for her, she found Starla cuddled in her wings. This immediately got her excited.

Andromeda prowled for a few metres, but stopped when she noticed a blade of grass turned red when it stroke her. She waited for mother to turn in another direction before springing all her claws back and charged at her. But Andromeda did not think ahead with what to do after that. She just mindlessly charged forward until she was near enough to jump and tackle at mother again. If this succeeded, Andromeda would back away a metre before lying on the grass, her hindlegs straight up as she was ready to jump aside to whatever response mother would bring. As she waited, Andromeda growled playfully, her sapphire eyes filled with determination to defeat her, no matter how big the gap was in size and strength.

Starla looked at her mum as she was watching the others, playing and talking with them, encouraging them as well. Quietly, the little blue, starburst dragon observed how they acted with one another. Powerful bounds, cheeky laughs, abundant smiles across their muzzles. Sadly for little Starla, she couldn't see her favorite sister at the moment.

As Athena suddenly asked about the flight, Starla thought about the offer. She gently chirped at her mothers suggestion, excitement sparking in her eyes at the idea of a flight. Sure, she may be weak, but she would easily be able to handle a rather large flight! But still, she really did want her older sister to be there for the flight, but the seemingly forever sad dragon didn't let that show on her face. Starla did, in fact, have more hope than most of the other dragons who have been faced with the same or similar difficulties as her. But she was determined, she needed to be to survive in this cruel world.

But she just needed a hand first.

Starla then saw her-her precious and funny older sister! Her face brightened up, but suddenly, it faltered. Something was wrong, her sister was red. It was dripping off her. Was she okay? The little StarWing chirped in alarm, pawing the air to Andromeda as her sister suddenly pounced on Athena, trying to jump-tackle her again. But Starla thought it was because she was in trouble, and she squirmed and chirped at Andromeda, trying to get her mothers attention to the older StarWing.

So Starla wasn't afraid. Good. The wyvern was just spreading her wings to fly when she saw Andro dashing towards her, drenched in blood. A soft sigh escaped Athena as she charged at her, amusement in her gaze. Athena playfully leapt to the side, making sure to do it gently so she wouldn't throw Solaris off her back. She grinned at Andro, growling playfully as she pounced at her and stood above her, smiling down at her. "You're a fighter, aren't you?" She chuckled, playfully snapping at the air between them. She nipped at her gently, making sure not to bite her accidentally, before she lowered a wing onto the ground.

"Care to join us for a flight, my little warrior?" She asked.

Meanwhile Comet raced over to mother after escapeing the threat hyperly tail windmilling. As soon as he reaches her he shows how eager he is to go flying by boucing off her leg and licking it to death. He had been known to be such a ... Untalkitive hatchling only ever speaking a few words in his life more interested in physically showing what he wants sofar.

Solaris nodded excitedly and roared in excitment. wait.. it actually sound a bit like a roar! he triumphantly stuck out his chest only to sneeze and tumble back a bit. He climbed up her neck and sat on her horns, he was small, yes,but he knew that one day he would be as big, strong, and powerful as his mother. he shook his head impatiently and eagerly waited for Athena to take off.

Athena felt their excitement rubbing off on her as she began to smile. She glanced at Nebula and grinned, before she focused on her hatchlings. "Lets see.. I've one on my head, one on my leg, and another somewhere on my back," she chuckled. "Hang on, Solaris," she said, hoping he'd cling to her horn as she bent her head almost upside down and bent down to pick up Azronical. She lifted him up and looked over her shoulder, placing him on her back so he was free to climb up her neck or whatever.

She looked at Andromeda and smiled. She knew Andro wanted to challenge her and prove to herself and Athena that she was a warrior like her mummy, so Athena automatically picked up Andro, her neck muscles sliding back and forth a few millimettes to accomdate for the sudden amounts of movement. Lifting her into the air by her neck, Athena plopped her down on her back, before facing forward again.

"I won't go too high, okay?" She said to Nebula. "I'll go about as high as the trees." The trees weren't too tall, but still tall enough she could fly.

Slowly, Athena stood on her legs (being a wyvern meant you had to take off a certain way) and spread her wings to their fullest extent with a ruffle of the air. For a few seconds she stood there, giving the hatchlings time to jump off if they didn't want to come.

Then she started to flap her wings. Slowly at first, again so the children could chicken out if they wanted, then faster and faster. Then she was lifting into the air. She hovered a few inches above the ground, then she started ascending. The ground shrunk beneath them and Athena felt the wonderous feeling of freedom sinking into her head. Once she was at the top of the trees, she spoke.

"Nice view, isn't it, children?" She asked them, giving them time to admire the view. The green trees stretched for miles on end, and in the distance were the snow capped mountains of the Icewing territory far off in the distance.

Athena twisted her wings till they were facing forward and beat them back and forth, sending her into a forward motion. She went slowly as she began to turn around the clearing, her wingbeats rustling the nearby trees' leaves from the force of her wings.

Athena went at such a slow speed she almost stalled several times, but she used different flying techniques to keep herself from plummeting. Only an experienced flyer should try going this slow. She had often used it before assassinating contracts in her younger days. Dragons are the apex predators. They attack from above.

So why would they ever look up?


Athena did a few more slow circles of the clearing, before picking up speed. She was now at a leisurely flying pace, which WAS pretty fast, but it WAS at travelling speed, and dragons had to get around quickly, so travelling speed was pretty quick.

"Want to come down?" She asked her children.

"Never!" Solaris shouted happily, he hollered his excitement to the wind.. he open his wings while clutching to his mothers horn so he would not be blown away, but still 'fly'.

(Might be confuseing sorry azronicals my main character lol. Im still playing comet athena lol ^v^)