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When Torrent got to his sleeping cave, it was empty as usual. The green SeaWing sighed. Another day of stumbling through classes; of barely understanding what he was supposed to be doing and speaking about three words the entire day. Why did figuring this place out have to be so hard? Language, too. Language sucked.

He slowly padded over to the bare rock floor where he slept. There was a small pool next to that any normal SeaWing student was use, but he didn’t get it. He’d never loved water, even though apparently he wouldn’t drown from sleeping in it. Torrent always avoided water, though he’d heard tell that some other SeaWing students gathered in some big underground lake and swam for fun. Eugh. He shook himself, imagining little droplets flying off his scales, and curled up tightly, longing for any word from Vibrant or any sense of home.

He woke early that morning, stretching his jaws in an enormous, silent, yawn and arching his back, trying to crack his spine and release the tension in his body. Making his way to the front of the Academy, where the library was, Torrent gazed through the few leaf-covered windows, letting the green-tinted light wash over his scales.

“Oh, hello!” came a gentle voice from behind. Torrent whipped around to find the librarian, Nocturnal, sorting papers and scrolls behind his desk
.
“Hello,” murmured Torrent quietly, tensely, not wanting to start a conversation. Why did I come here anyway? I don’t have anything to check out… Frowning to himself, Torrent was about to leave the room when he heard the quiet sound of footsteps approaching. The SeaWing stiffened, sneaking a glance at Nocturnal, but the NightWing seemed unperturbed. Must be another teacher, then.

The footsteps were soft, but not silent; they grew slightly louder as the mystery dragon got closer to the room. Soon enough, a SkyWing poked her orange head inside the door, scanning the room. Her brows raised in surprise when she saw Torrent standing there. “You’re up early,” she commented, flicking her tail lazily, and adding a soft, “Hello, Nocturnal,” with a glance at the librarian.

Torrent suddenly realized she was talking to him. “I-I guess,” he stammered, wondering why she’d even care.

The SkyWing squinted at him, and suddenly her eyes brightened. “Torrent, right? Happy Day of Togetherness! I’ve got something for you, here,” she chirped, reaching into a shoulder bag to bring out a large paper-wrapped package and handing it to Torrent.

Blinking, he took the package, observing the careful script that his name was written in, and his heart gave a jolt as he recognized the writing as Vibrant’s. A hopeful smile started to turn the corners of his mouth, until he remembered something. “Aren’t we just supposed to get- get mail at the end of the month?”

“Yes, but today is the Day of Togetherness, as I said– wait, you didn’t know?” Looking at Torrent’s weary and confused face, she shook her head and explained the holiday to him. “Anyway,” she finished, we get mail in early to help celebrate this special day! Have fun!” The cheerful orange dragon swept out of the room, probably to deliver more gifts, and Torrent ducked behind a bookcase to open his package in privacy. He ripped open the paper eagerly, noting a letter on top of a book and pulled out the letter inside, unfolding it carefully. It read:

Dear Torrent,

I do hope you get this letter on time! I was hoping it would arrive on the Day of Togetherness, so I sent it early to compensate for the delivery time. I hear you’re doing well at the Academy– I’m so proud of you! I’ve inquired, and your teachers say that though you’re shy, you take good notes. Do try to speak up more though– they won’t bite! I know you’ll do wonderfully if you just participate a little more. Have you made any friends? Try looking around! I’m sure there are more than a few friendly faces in this crowd, and having friends is good for you! I’ve been hoping you might find one of your classmates to help you along– if not, just talk to a teacher. I’m sure they’ll be able to set something up! It’s lonely without you, but I’m sure you’re having lots of fun and I’m so happy I could give you this experience. Anyway, I’ve sent you a book to help you in case you can’t understand whatever those other dragonets are talking about. It’s a dictionary, the same one we used while you were at my home! If something another dragon said is puzzling you, you can simply look it up here, and the definition will be there. (It’s sorted alphabetically; make sure to remember that!) I hope you’re having a wonderful experience!

Sending all my love,
Vibrant of the RainWings


Torrent put the letter to the side and lifted the book in his talons. It was heavy and rectangular, feeling almost more like a box than a book. But its worn cover was comforting, the soft leather reassuring beneath his talons. The SeaWing closed his eyes, remembering the many afternoons he’d spent sitting in Vibrant’s study, poring over the pages and trying to learn every word to impress her. He’d spent hours looking at this book, and looking at it now, it seemed to evoke a strange feeling in him, like happiness and sadness at the same time. Hmm. He’d have to figure that out eventually, but for now, he could simply enjoy it.

A thought struck him, and he flipped open the cover to peer at the title page. Inkwell’s Transcendent Guide to Verbal Usage. According to Vibrant, that was just a fancy way to say “dictionary”. Under the cover was written two small inscriptions.

To my beloved daughter, Vibrant. May you flip through these pages and learn instead of lazing around in the sun like everyone else.
-Lemur

To a dragon who is like my son, Torrent. I figured you’d need this old thing more than I ever will. Have fun at school!
-Vibrant


He sighed and closed the book. Vibrant was always so cheerful and passionate, and her simultaneous enthusiasm and gentle patience confused him to no end. Why couldn’t he be more like her? Why have I got to be so- dull? One of his favorite words, and, in fact, one that perfectly described his behavior. Maybe I should make an effort to change that. Nobody wants- wants a cowering squirrel as a friend, not even other squirrels. Why can’t I be like Vibrant? Why not? I can change, can’t I?

Decisively, he stood up, cradling the dictionary in one arm, and walked out of the library taller than he’d seemed in a while. Fine, then. Squirrels are nasty anyway. Briskly, he entered the hallway, feeling confident–

“Hello!” said a fellow SeaWing walking down the hallway, her bright eyes sparkling.

And there it was. The urge to fall back and walk away without another word, to scuttle along the corridor like a mouse and let this meeting fade away like so many others. Suddenly panicked, Torrent wished he was anywhere but here, back at Vibrant’s home, perhaps?
He imagined her face– how it would brighten to see him, then fall in disappointment when she realized he’d abandoned the school, abandoned his best hope of joining the real world, and how she’d try to keep on that cheery facade while she quietly asked him what had happened and why he was back. He imagined his answer- I was scared by a random student who greeted me in a calm and friendly manner? Torrent almost laughed at the thought, thinking how stupid his hypothetical situation was, and then realized which role he played in that story. The terrified student. Right. Three moons, no. That’s ridiculous. I’ll make you proud, Vibrant. I have to.

He realized the other dragoness was just sort of staring at him, with a sense of amusement, and something told him to act now.
“Hello!” he started, a little too loudly, nervousness ringing in his voice and panic filling his senses. “Happy Day of Togetherness!” Ready to walk away, he bit his tongue, hardly even believing what he’d just done– and finally, finally blurted out, “My name’s Torrent, what’s yours?”
aaaa sorry this is late but here ya go!!

((vibrant is torrent's adoptive mom))

Starry-W1shes Jade-MountainAcademy 
ill do the JC later!
© 2017 - 2024 talons-and-tails
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