FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

When I woke, my mother wasn't there. Again. Does it really take so long to find food? I sighed and watched the snow drift down. I'm so hungry...it hurts. With such suddenness I jumped, she slammed into a wall at the entrance. "Here!" She shoved away from the broken ice and tossed a small songbird to me. "That was all I could catch!" With the next breath she roasted the bird. I picked it up and swallowed the small thing whole. I felt bad when she hung her head. Should I have eaten it slower? A shadow suddenly fell over the cave, blocking the light. My mother didn't seem to notice, since her eyes were closed. I screeched at her and she whirled around just in time to smack the strange vulture-like creature. It shrieked and latched onto her, yanking her out and trying to tear at her. I watched scarlet scales drop from the attack with fear. My dragon mother! I don't want to lose my first parents! Before I could move to help, however, a roar sounded that shook the whole mountain. The creature's blood-curdling cry echoed for miles around when a heavy thump voiced the snapped bones. As it all became quiet, I understood that the thing had died...but why hasn't she come back up? I got to my paws and started to walk to the edge. Once again, my movement was interrupted by the sound of leathery wings snapping and creaking. My mother came in and immediately nuzzled me, but another dragon followed her in. This one was almost twice mother's size and looked far more muscular. It seemingly regarded me with disdain, but its expression lit up when it registered my presence. "Little one, he has returned." She turned to face the dragon behind her and rubbed against it as well. "Our hatchling wants to know you, my dear mate." Mate? So that's my father?! He watched me closely, which made me afraid to move. I instead spent that time recognizing his appearance. Wow...he's very majestic. His scales were similar to mine, but there was definitely a visible hue of dark blue cast over them. So...blue-white opal color? It was fascinating to watch the scales glint a slightly different color every time he moved or breathed.

"This...is our hatchling?" His voice was surprisingly honey-like with a soothing base tone. Amazing.

"Yes. I have not named the hatchling yet."

"You haven't?! How long ago did the thing hatch?!" It's almost disturbing, the way they refer to me.

"Two days ago. A delicate baby who has only just learned to walk." I paid close attention as he made a low gurgle and moved past my mother. He came closer and brought his muzzle to nudge me. His eyes were a brilliant sky-blue that spoke of far more emotions than what his expression did. "I was waiting for you. Are you still okay with the agreed name?"

"Yes." He stepped aside so she could approach.

"Then, my mate, we have a pretty daughter, Zavi." Zavi? Is that my name now?"

He purred--a weird sound from such a brute-like dragon. "Zavi...I have a daughter. Looks like she inherited my traits somewhat."

"Sure, sure, sure, but where did the white come from?"

"Perhaps my own mother. She was an ice dragon. Ah, before I forget, I shall retrieve our meal." He vanished from the cave for several minutes and returned with the grey and black bird that had attacked my mother. It's so big! It could've swallowed me with my wings outstretched easily! He brought it to the center of the nest and waited patiently for us to come over.

"You may want to take your portion now, because we both like it fried." He rolled his eyes, tore off what he wanted, then set it aside to eat later. With that, my mother took a very deep breath, creating a huge plume of crimson flames. So much power! It took around ten minutes before it was finally cooked all the way through. "Eat up. Starting today we'll be living a different life." A different life? What could she mean by that? I shrugged and decided to think about it later.

<->3<->

Two years have passed. I have discovered that my father leaves for many months on a mission to find another place to live. Why it takes so long is something I don't know yet, but I will eventually. "Mother, I'm hungry." Yep, I can talk now. Not super great, but enough to be understood.

"I'm sorry...I'm too tired to hunt right now, Zavi." She groaned and huffed, smoke trailing out of her nostrils. I'm not too sure, but I think she might be sick. Instead of wondering what my father does, shouldn't I just ask? I was once told in my past life that parents love being asked questions.

"Mother, why duph father take so long?" Ack, my pronunciation slipped up a bit there.

Her eyes considered me kindly. "He has to find a home that's safe." That's what she told me last time!

I won't give in this time! "Safe from what?"

Her sigh sent plumes of smoke into the air. "Humans." Humans...! "We can sort of almost make agreements with elves, dwarves, and beastkin, but humans are too arrogant to listen. If they found us, it would be bad, not to mention finding you. It would be a complete nightmare if they found and caught you. That's why, when I'm not too tired, I'll teach you to fly. Then, in a few more years, you will be able to use magic...if you're like me. If you're like your father, you'll learn by accident way sooner." Her following laugh made her cough violently. Humans...I do enjoy my first real family, but I kinda miss human contact. I would like it if I could eventually hold a conversation with one. Even an elf would be fine...they aren't much different--at least the ones I know aren't. "Settle down. If you're hungry, you could try catching something. Ah, but don't wander off too far."

"Alright, mother." My first time going outside alone! Can I do this? I gripped the edge of the cave and looked down. It's so high...I'll fall if I'm not--my thoughts slammed to a stop when I remembered my wings. I've already gotten down how to move them around...can I at least glide down? I spread my wings tenderly and gazed down. My mother chuckled and I knew she was watching. Proud, or just finding me goofy? Either way, I can't back out now! I was given another chance at life and I should live it to the fullest! I went to jump and ended up scrambling when my mind changed. I was still afraid! My still-soft talons scraped over the ice without finding grip and I slid off the edge. I screeched in fear as the wind pelted my tiny body. Having the memories of a past human life doesn't help! I'm too used to avoiding things like this! Why did I ever think I could change so quickly?! Without realizing it, my instincts made me spread my wings. I yelped when I lurched, my fall interrupted. When did I open my wings? I was still falling, just slower. I'd have to angle different to go forward...I straightened out and pointed my nose at my destination. However, I had fallen further than I knew and promptly slammed into a snowbank head-first. I lay inside the deep snow, trying to figure out what had just happened. My mind had been overridden by my draconic instincts! I thought about that height again and I only flinched a little. Woah! I'm not near as afraid anymore! Hmmm...this snow is so warm. Shouldn't it be cold to the touch? That was what I remembered as a human, but now it felt amazing. It seemed to be radiating warmth for me to enjoy, almost like it was a fuzzy fur coat. I lay there for who knows how long, too comfortable to move. Small squeaks underneath me made me freeze and tilt my head. When the sound grew louder, like it was under me, my body moved on its own and I dived deeper. I automatically opened my mouth when I did. To my further surprise, when something furry touched me, I snapped at it and pulled it out of the hole. A vole! I hadn't eaten for a week and didn't bother to have it cooked when its blood dripped on my tongue. I was far too starved for patience. I repeated this process over and over until I finally felt full.

That was...strange. I feel so satisfied that I know I'm guilty. My mother needs food too. Sadly, now that I was no longer hungry, I couldn't properly follow the movements of the voles under and around me. I don't think I would be able to climb back up even if I did catch something, so I might have to stay here. No, not this low. I need to at least climb up as much as I can. I wiggled out of the snow to see the darkened sky signaling dusk. A shiver of terror ran down my spine when I registered that the night was coming and the dangers with it. Scrambling along, I scurried up the steep incline until I got to a point uncrossable for a small body. Giving up on getting any further, I buried myself so deep that I pressed against the cool and smooth mountain rock. I may be able to stay safe here. I tried to sleep but found it impossible. I was awake through the scary night, listening to the howling of dyre wolves and the snarling of wyverns. Why doesn't mother hunt those? She's bigger than them, wouldn't it be easy to break their spinal cord in a fight? I poked my head out when I heard the muffled chirping of birds nearby. It's day! I didn't sleep at all! I crawled out and sighed. I had told myself I was a slim and very streamlined dragon, but I was chubbier than expected. I hadn't fully noticed that until I saw my reflection last night on the ice beside me. I even found out my eyes were golden, just like my mother's. I should not expect too much from a body that is only two years old...I'm still a baby. I looked up at the cave, losing hope of making it up there alone. Father will be home sometime soon...I shook my head and spread my wings with a determined expression. If I can't climb, I'll fly! I jumped up and down, flapping my wings desperately. She said she'd teach me once she got better, so I'm old enough to fly! My hind paws slipped on one jump and I fell off the mountain. Ah! I just need to open my wings! My sparkling wings snapped open to slow my fall. I took the chance to try beating my wings, trying to engage my natural instinct. I can feel it coming...I balanced out when the basic idea of flight with this body just up and appeared in my mind.

Where did that come from?! I struggled to make my way upwards. Only knowing the basics makes this harder than I thought. The cave came into view and I reached out, gripping the edge with my front paws and flapping to get the rest of me inside. I flew! It was a bit awkward, but I flew! My mother was sleeping in the depths of the cave, so I went to her and curled up, exhausted. Relieved, I finally fell asleep.

<->4<->

I felt like I could barely move. I opened my eyes sleepily to see my parents chatting quietly. When they noticed I was awake, they smiled. My mother spoke gently, saying, "Hello, Zavi. You've been sleeping for an entire week. How are you feeling?" I was out for that long?!

"I can't move..."

"Wait for your body to finish waking up. You must've eaten until you were way past being full. You've grown so much because of that." I have? I looked down to notice that my scales were harder, my claws sharper, and my wings bigger. "I never realized you had your father's ability to grow faster and stronger by eating more than necessary."

"Hey, wasn't that last part unneeded? Besides, I don't know how it'll work in the second generation, nor what will happen with a female possessing it. You should be grateful she even woke up this soon." My mother snapped at him, making him yelp when she plucked a scale in the process.

"Hush up. Give her something to eat." He tossed a small chunk of meat my way and I automatically snatched it before it hit the ice.

"See, she moves fine."

My mother growled at him and he looked away. "Teach her to fly yourself then. She'll have to be able to travel long distances eventually if we're gonna move. Now hurry up!" He dodged her second snap and picked me up after retracting his fangs.

"So pushy." She bit his tail for the remark and he hurried away. He set me down at the edge and sighed. "Open your wings." I did. "Stand up first." I tilted my head and did as he asked. "Watch me closely. He leapt past me, spreading his wings and beating them down the moment he had the room. I marveled at seeing a dragon flying for the first time. He had seemed to bulky and huge all the time, but right now he looked as agile as a cat. His wings changed position to make him turn. I noticed that he bent the tips of his wings in opposite directions to turn or loop back. He slowed and hovered, watching me. "Your turn." What?! How could I ever be able to fly that gracefully?! "Come, or I will not give you your share of meat tonight."

"Huh?!"

"I'm not asking you something hard. Just come to me." I slid my paws closer until my fingers were hanging over the edge to grip. He huffed as he began to lose patience, a cloud of icy cold mist shooting out his nostrils. If mother breathes fire, what about him? If his element was fire, that would've been smoke, not mist. Not sure what he could do to me from over there, I closed my eyes and jumped into the open air. The basics sped through my mind and I evened out, drifting on the startlingly strong winds. I didn't know they were this strong up here! I gritted my fangs in my effort to stay in the air. "Hahaha~! What are you doing?! Hahahaha~!" His laughter made me growl. To my further annoyance, it sounded babyish and cute instead of mean and intimidating like his. I opened my eyes to glare at him only to find I was much higher than expected. Woah! How'd I get here?! "You should pay more attention!" He shot past me, flying up to the clouds. Wow...his scales make it hard to see him against the pale blue sky. Can I eventually fly like that? He furled his wings and dived, the speed of his passing making me tumble through the air. He laughed at me again and flew under me. "Can you catch me?" His taunting worked. I hissed and tried to chase him. It became a ridiculous game of tag that was mostly one-sided. I was all over the place, mangling how a dragon is supposed to fly while my father laughed and swooped around deftly. "You've got to do better than that!"

"Father!" My irritated shout just made him chuckle. After a few hours of this ridiculous game, I showed up in front of his snout and landed on his head. "Hah! I caught you!"

"You sure did. Now that you can fly so well, why don't you get off me?" He tossed his head, throwing me off. I was too busy being stuck on his words to panic though. I can...fly well? I focused on what I was doing and I found more than the basics flowing through my mind, but everything. Woah...! He taught me to fly by making me mad! Excited, I dashed back to the cave, zooming right past him and up to mother.

"Look, look!" I flew in circles around her head.

"Oh, how wonderful! Tell you what, next week, when your father leaves, you can go outside on your own for the day! As long as you come back by at least the next day, then you can do whatever you want." Awesome! We celebrated, even when my father came in grumbling because I was faster than him. At least he brought food with him, so the mood brightened even further. We ended up having fun all night.