On the Road Again, Part 2 [Open to Everyone]

We only found this cave a couple weeks ago, we got smoked out of our last one some FireWing thugs claiming to have sole sovereignty over the wider area. I don't know why Mama didn't confront them? She's so much bigger and stronger and could totally whup their tails. Everyone's safe, though, so I'm still happy. Afterwards, we moved back to the coast. There weren't any good caves nearby, so we've started gathering supplies to build something like the humans do, but big enough for Mama and the rest of us.
Mama had sent me and my mother, Anima, out to find good building material earlier today. In the process I got a little turned around and lost sight of Anima .... again. Still not too worried much; I'm really good at making a trail back home with my breath weapon, but I'm always nervous in new places.

As the salty wind greeted her widened nostrils, Hildrhilt inhaled deeply as her hazel orbs closed only slightly in her relaxed state. It was strange for her to want to walk along the coast during these troubling times yet the feeling of the sand seeping up between her claws and the sound of the ocean rolling gently toward her caused a sense of ease to overtake her being. So much had happened to poor Hildrhilt within the last month and the fear and loneliness was gripping, yet her occasional waterfront strolls seemed to clear her mind.

As Hildrhilt padded along, her size alone causing the ground to rumble slightly, her eighty foot shadow long and almost eerie against the white sand around her before she soon began to get too hot. Her dark, charcoal scales took in a bit too much of the sun’s heat on a daily basis and yet she never learned when to walk in the shade.

With a soft sigh, Hildrhilt slowly made her way toward the trees, her nostrils wide to cool off the vessels in an attempt to express heat before her breath was cut short. The smallest sound of rustling leaves in front of her greeted her ears and caused her steps to falter. Hildrhilt was always on edge these days and the sound caused the spines along her jaw to rise on end, softly vibrating in a silent growl as she awaited the creature to show itself, ready to either flee or fight.

Part of what got me lost was spying a magnificent golden beetle aunt Glacia would love to add to her bug collection.  I stalk it for about five minutes before if scurried under a bush at the treeline,  I try to fallow it, but said bush is too low to the ground, so I jump over it, almost pouncing on the little beedly-bub.  While swatting at the insect scuttling along the sand, I completely miss the much larger adult dragon staring me down.

Hildr watched as the small dragon emerged from the brush, her guard immediately as she watched the tiny creature chase a bug. How could she be afraid of such a small dragon? Hildr simply stood and watched from where she stood, a chuckle building within her gullet until they came near her.

Hildr remained where she was yet lowered her head, snuffing at the sand to flip the bug over, hoping to help the little one. Hildr turned her gaze toward the dragon and nodded in approval, noticing the size difference between the two. This little one was only about the size of her own head, and she must have seemed intimidating to them. So to ease the awkwardness, Hildr offered the smallest smile, “I hope that helps in your chase.”

I jump at the beetle flipping over.  Looking up at the grown dragon I shrink and start slinking away, until they spoke; their non-hostile words easing my nerves.  "Yes; thank you."

Hildrhilt smiled to the colorful whelp, swaying her tail before allowing it to fall to a rest behind her, "My name is Hildrhilt," She began before taking a seat, keeping her head lowered so as to not intimidate the wee one, "What's yours?" Her tone was soft and motherly, a knack she picked up from the many hatchlings her mother had her care for when she was younger.

I giggle at the sound of their name; that sort of repetition is uncommon to me, so it's amusing.  Then they asked for my name, and I get nervous again.  "Mama said never to give my name to people I just met."  Mama was very serious about safety precautions like that; its also why she'd have a filed day scolding me if I got escorted home by a stranger .... again.

Hildrhilt chuckled at the whelp's explanation, smiling softly as she nodded, "And your mother is very smart for telling you that." She said, offering a playful wink.

"Not Mother; mama." As those words left my lips, I think I subconsciously realize that not everyone makes such a distinction. "Mother's mother.

Hildrhilt chuckled softly and nodded, faking insult, "Oh well, I do apologize for my mistake."

Having just let slip more information than mama would have liked I try to redirect Hildrhilt to talking about themself, so as to distract from my blunder. "Whatch'a doin' here anyway?"

Hildrhilt smiled softly at the young one and moved to lower herself onto her belly, attempting to not seem as threatening to them, "Ah, well. I tend to enjoy my daily walks and today I decided it was a beautiful enough day to observe the ocean and watch it lick at the land." She said with a soft chuckle, turning her head to look back at where she had come, "And how about yourself? Just out hunting for bugs?" She asked, turning her head back to them once more, the tip of her tail sliding along the dirt behind her.