Rose's POV

'Little one, oh little one.' He replies instantly.

'I am taking you to the field so I can wash you.' I tell him privately. I now open the conversation to the other three dragons I can speak to, 'Will your riders allow me to bring you guys to the field so you can keep Belvedere and I company?' I ask.

'Lucas doesn't mind.' Ampiere replies after a moment.

'Neither does Marcus.' Oceanus replies.

'I can go, but Trent was more reluctant.' Nightshade says.

'Great!' I reply. I make my way towards each of their stables, allowing them out. I put my supplies in the basket with my two eggs, "My babies are coming with us." I announce aloud. The dragons nod and I start the conversation.

'So what have you guys done besides go flying with me?' I ask.

'I ate, slept, and repeat.' Ampiere says.

'Same, but I also got to see some of your day little one. Whenever you portray a strong emotion of some sort, it's like I am automatically taken into your point of view.' Belvedere says.

'That's cool, and a little strange. What about you two?' I ask Oceanus and Nightshade.

'We got to visit the hatchery and see the new riders pick out their eggs.' Nightshade says.

'Yes, I love seeing the numerous riders grow up alongside their dragons.' Oceanus adds. I nod.

'So what's the latest gossip?' I ask them, raising my eyebrows. I hear a deep rumbling sound around me, I look and see Belvedere shaking his head in amusement.

'Little one, there is no gossip.' He chuckles.

'Really? There must be a little drama between dragons once in a while.' I edge on. We arrive at the field and the other dragons lay down around Belvedere and I. I set down my eggs in the basket out of reach, but still in my line of vision.

'The most controversial thing right now is you.' Nightshade tells me.

'Me?' I question. I focus on pulling out some of the humidity in the air, enough to fill one of the buckets I brought. When I form enough water in a ball, I lead it to the bucket. "Care to elaborate?" I ask them out loud. I put one of my honey soap bars in the water, letting it disintegrate.

'You noticed on your first night here that the dragons were under appreciated no?' Ampiere asks. I nod.

'Maybe it's just because we all have male riders, but even the more affectionate boys only do so much.' Oceanus adds.

'It's because you spent hours of your time painting murals on my stable walls, as well as decorating them, just to make me more comfortable. You did all of this without even knowing me for a full 24 hours.' Belvedere recalls.

'Many of our riders who we have known for several years would not even think about making our living situation more bearable.' Nightshade says.

'Lucas was considered one of the better riders before you showed up. He is still more caring and portrays more emotions than some of the other boys, but he doesn't take into account what I may want sometimes.' Ampiere states.

'Why don't you tell them how you are feeling, or convey to them your point of view?' I ask the group. I dip the sponge in the water and tell Belvedere to lay down. He huffs, but doesn't refute. I tell him I will start on his back, then move towards his wings. I motion for the dragons to begin speaking.

'Trent is very old fashioned you could say. He believes that dragons are somewhat like pets. You don't disobey and you get rewarded. But he wasn't always like that, he became like that after his dad died. He wanted to be more like his dad, and in doing so, he disregarded me.' Nightshade tells me. I take a pause from climbing Belvedere's back and send waves of reassurance through Nightshade and I's connection. I finally reach my dragon's back and gently yet forcefully begin cleaning his scales. Belvedere cringes at the water's touch, but does not say anything.

'Marcus is very occupied with his job, so much that he only asks for me when he needs something. But when we spend time together, we joke around. So I enjoy his company when we are together, it's just that it is not too often that I see him outside of his classes.' Oceanus says.

'Well ... um ..' Ampiere trails off.

'Take all of the time you need.' I encourage her.

'It's just that there are some things I can't really talk to Lucas about. It would be nice to be pampered once in a bit, but I know that I would be pushing it.' She sighs. I block off my thoughts from everyone, I already have a plan for the girl dragons. I continue scrubbing down Belvedere's back, ridding his beautiful scales of collected dirt and grime. I bring up small increments of soapy water by manipulating it to come to me.

'I see. Are you able to at least get out of the stables?' I ask.

'It really depends. I only come out for Lucas's training.' Ampiere tells me.

'I go out to assist Marcus with training the dragons by communicating with them. I only help with Level 5 though, so around two class periods.' Oceanus says.

'I assist Trent with the same thing, but for Level 4, so also two class periods.' Nightshade says. I move onto scrubbing Belvedere's wings to let the soap cleanse his back before I wash it off.

'What do you mean by "communicating with them"?' I question them.

'When riders first get their dragons, they don't have the mental capacity to communicate with them. So it takes a couple months of us training the boys and dragons to be able to bond-link. The only words riders hear when they first get their dragon is their name, and that is when their egg hatches.' Oceanus informs me.

'That is why first years learn Latin.' I think to myself. I know that the dragons can hear my thoughts, but they don't comment on it. I am finished scrubbing his scales on both of Belvedere's sides, back, and wings, now I am onto his tail.

'Let's get to know each other. I don't really know any of your likes and dislikes.' I suggest.

'Well, I like flying, and hate water and persistent children.' My dragon chimes in. I laugh at his 'insult' to me.

'I like practicing my powers and flying as well. I don't like the snobby riders who think they are all that, most of the snobs are in Level 2 though.' Ampiere voices.

'Flying and helping the younger dragons is what I like to do. I don't really like the smell of chocolate though.' Nightshade says. I gasp.

'Nightshade!' I playfully scold him. 'Chocolate will forever be my first love. It's so good!' I refute, glaring at the grey dragon in front of me. He returns one, sending me a mental image of him smirking. I roll my eyes at the action.

'I like it when I relax and have fun. I also like flying, but not if I'm forced to do it when I am not in the mood.' Oceanus says. I understand how that could get tiring.

'What about you little one?' Belvedere asks me.

'I am very opinionated about a lot of things.' I start.

'Really? We couldn't tell.' My companion jokes. I playfully glare at the dragon, a smile tugging at my lips.

'Never change.' I tell my dragon through our bond-link. 'I like painting, chocolate, helping others, baking, and making weapons. I don't like people who prioritize themselves over others, or believe that the world revolves around them.' I respond through mind-link.

'Just a question, what else are you given besides meat?' I ask curiously.

'That's usually the basis of our meals. Sometimes we will get treats from our riders, but only once in a blue moon do they alternate from the meat meals.' Ampiere responds.

'Do they at least switch up the meat?' I ask.

'Not too often. We either get raw steak or something else that can be hunted.' Nightshade tells me. I nod, absorbing the new information. I am finished cleaning off my dragon's scales, I just need to wash away the soap infused dirty water.

'Oceanus, can you do me a favor by filling up this bucket with water?' I ask politely. He nods and squirts water through his mouth to the bucket I am holding. I thank him and set to cleaning off the residue on my dragon's scales. It takes a couple minutes before I am completely done bathing Belvedere. His scales are shining a pearly white, reflective of the sun like moonlit water.



I show Belvedere a mental image of his scales and he perks up at the sight

"Much better." I say aloud.

'You do look loads better my friend.' Oceanus replies.

'They are so pretty.' Ampiere squeals. Nightshade nods his head in agreement. I smugly look back to my dragon. I notice that there is a good bit of water left in my bucket, so without any of the dragons noticing, I form four large balls of water and quickly send them straight for the dragons' heads. The surprise caught them off guard and they whip their heads toward me. I am laughing like there is no tomorrow, tears coming out of my eyes and all.

'You think that was funny little one?" Belvedere asks. I nod my head, continuing my laughing spree.

'You will regret that.' Oceanus says. I gather myself and look up to them, all wearing knowing smiles. Oceanus suddenly squirts me with tons of water. It is not forceful whatsoever, more like a very heavy shower. When he is done, I am soaked to the bone. I look up to the dragons mischievously. I hear Ampiere laughing through mind-link. I gather some of the water from my clothes and send it her way, hitting her right in the forehead. She shakes off the water and begins huffing fire. I widen my eyes and begin running towards Nightshade.

'Protect me dragon!!' I laugh through our bond. He moves out of the way, leaving me in clear view of the female.

'I think I want to see this one.' He tells me, smiling through his words.

'Traitor.' I gasp. Ampiere blows fire near me. I quickly use my damp clothes to my advantage and ring out all of the water by taking it from the clothing particles. I squirt water at her and Nightshade, then die down the flames by extracting the air particles. I don't think dragons like being squirted with water because Nightshade take a large inhale of breath, then blows a huge gust of wind my way. The blow sweeps me off my feet, sending me into the air. Curse this wind dragon. He continues blowing air, keeping me from falling.

'Belvedere, come help me!' I tell my companion, still flailing around in the air.

'I'd rather watch.' He smirks. I glare at the dragons with a smile etched on my face. I manipulate the air and send a burst of wind towards all of the dragons. I then use the air around me to aid me in my fall to the ground. While they are momentarily distracted, I take off running. I am laughing so hard that I believe this may be the best core workout I've ever experienced.

'You are so going to get it little one.' Belvedere tells me. I can hear the sound of Belvedere's flapping wings getting closer. Suddenly, I feel as if I am not on the ground anymore. When I look down, I loudly shriek. I am now hundreds of feet in the air. I look around me and see that Belvedere has his claws wrapped around me securely. He is flying in the air, this time without me on the back of him. I stop screaming and begin to enjoy the view. It isn't until I notice the sunset that I realize that we have been out in the field for hours.

'It's beautiful.' I say to my dragon. Silence overlaps us until my companion breaks it.

'Before we got separated, my parents always used to watch the sunset with me. It always brought me a feeling of serenity, just watching mother nature portray itself in its truest form. Beauty.' Belvedere tells me. This is the first time he is opening up to me about his past. 'I have always felt more at peace when I am able to leave myself to my thoughts, subconsciously admiring the scenery around me.' He continues. I think of how to respond.

'I am glad you told me.' I truthfully tell him. We spend a couple more minutes admiring the sky before we fly back down to where the other dragons are patiently waiting. I sheepishly smile at them when I remember what I did.

'In my defense, did you have fun?' I ask them all before they tease me.

'The most I've had in a while.' Nightshade shade replies after a moment.

'I have to admit, our element fight was very amusing.' Oceanus chuckles. Ampiere sends me appreciative emotions through our connection. I smile widely, looking down all the while blushing. I am very happy that I got to brighten their day, it makes me feel a lot better knowing that they will have a happy memory to recall whenever they desire.

I am brought out of my thoughts when I hear a two loud cracks. I look up to the dragons, following their gaze. I hear another two cracks sound from my basket. I gasp.

"My twins are hatching!!"

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