sixteen and wild

Noe

Best believe I'm still bejeweled
When I walk in the room, I can still make the whole place shimmer

It was hard to believe that today was Noe's birthday.

It had been a weird couple of seasons. Sohalia had disappeared, leaving Stormbreak in the hands of the Family. Noe might not have liked the former Heart, but she hadn't wished kidnapping on her, either, and she certainly wouldn't have traded her for Dahlia. Koa had disappeared for a while, too, apparently after trying to rescue Sohalia, which Noe both did and did not understand. The Luminary had broken his heart, so why risk everything to save her? But, at the same time... that was just who Koa was.

For her part, Noe had kept her head down, applying herself to her studies and staying home to be near her father, just in case. In case of what, she wasn't sure. There was just all this tension in the air, this feeling that something was coming. And Noe suspected that, after all of the weird broadcasts into her head, that that somethingwas not going to be good.

Now that she'd completed her training and was ready to be released into the world, she felt... flat. She was turning twenty today, and yet she felt like she hadn't changed in years. She still felt like a little girl, not quite ready to step into the shoes of an adult and make her mark on the world.

Noe walked through the Celestine, meandering this way and that to look at the various animals there. The mata mata were still her favorite, for some reason. She was sure that others would prefer more exciting animals, but the mata mata were just... adorable, for one. Little snakes with raven's wings? Yes, please. But for another, they were a bit of a nuisance. Just like her.

She sat on a bench near the mata mata enclosure, propping her elbow on her knee and her head on her hand, and decided to sit and stay a while. At least here, she didn't have to have it all together.

And when I meet the band, they ask, "Do you have a man?"
I can still say, "I don't remember"

Zavien

Between random trainings and Dragoon business, Zavien found it hard to visit his girlfriend, but that didn't mean he stopped trying. Plus, Sol really liked the Celestine. He hopped through branches, taunting the healing creatures into the playful physical therapy that would ultimately help guide them back to full health (with Lena's prior approval). The little golden dragon made for a great target, and it was a good way for him to get out that extra energy without Zavien having to spend hours playing with him. 

Just like any other day, Sol flapped chaotically into the mata mata exhibit, scattering the flock into a flurry of fleeing feathers and scales with loud chirps and aerial flips. Following behind, the Dragoon just shook his head, too amused to scold the infectious joy that pulsed down their bond. At least, that was until he spotted the young woman sitting off to the side. He froze in his tracks, making sure there was no one else he was missing before silently warning Sol to chill so he didn't scare off the poor visitor. 

Smiling sheepishly, Zavien ran a hand through his hair while his companion glided down to land on his shoulder. "I'm sorry. We didn't mean to intrude." Despite the complete lack of remorse from Sol, he tilted his golden head curiously to inspect the new potential friend, tail swishing gently behind. Zavien tried to ignore him as he gave her a warm expression. "Are you here to meet with Lena?" That seemed to be the reason for most people's visits after all (in his extremely biased mind).

Keep your face to the sunshine,
And you cannot see a shadow.

Noe

Best believe I'm still bejeweled
When I walk in the room, I can still make the whole place shimmer

Noe was perfectly content in her solitude (a strange sensation, for someone who liked people as much as she did) - or at least she was, until a little gold dragon appeared in the mata mata pen, scattering the flock of little black snakes in a chaotic swirl of wings and scales. "Hey!" Noe cried indignantly, leaping to her feet. "What do you think you're doing?"

And for a moment, she thought that her scolding had worked, for the dragon seemed to withdraw from the mata mata - only to land on the shoulder of a man who had snuck up on Noe. A man who apparently didn't think it was important to control his companion. She opened her mouth to tell him exactly what she thought of that - after all, the mata mata hadn't been bothering anybody, thank you very much! - but he beat her to the punch, and he seemed so sheepish about the encounter that some of the fight left her, and her shoulders slumped a little instead.

"It's fine," she said, her tone perhaps a little petulant. "Just - I dunno, maybe don't torment the Celestine creatures?" She gave a pointed look to the little dragon, though she was charmed in spite of herself by the tilt of its golden head and the swishing of its tail. She'd always had a soft spot for dragons. After Koa had gotten Pip, Noe had wished for months for a dragon of her own. Now, though... now she wasn't sure what she wanted. "No. I just come here sometimes to think. What about you?"

And when I meet the band, they ask, "Do you have a man?"
I can still say, "I don't remember"

Zavien

It wasn't often that Zavien did something morally wrong, and he hadn't really assumed that the playful dragon had intended to terrorize the mata matas. So when his polite greeting was met with such passionate disapproval, he stood unintentionally at attention. "Oh - um - sorry?" It came out more of a question than a heartfelt apology, but the accompanying blush told enough about his embarrassment at being scolded by the young woman. 

Attempting to move away from the accusations, he grasped at the opportunity to change the topic. "My girlfriend, Lena, is the Caretaker here, so I usually come visit." Not that he'd found her today. She must have been out and about, probably picking up supplies for the injured creatures. Either way, the stubby dragon seemed satisfied with the trip, chirping softly as he flapped his membranous gold wings. It made Zavien chuckle lightly as he added, "Sol also likes to play with the residents." Because that's what it was: playing. 

The Dragoon looked back to the young woman, curiosity encouraging him to push past the harsh start to their meeting. "You looked pretty deep in thought. Were you thinking about anything in particular?" If she didn't want to talk about it, he wouldn't push, but some people found it helpful to talk things out, even with a stranger.

Keep your face to the sunshine,
And you cannot see a shadow.

Noe

Best believe I'm still bejeweled
When I walk in the room, I can still make the whole place shimmer

Well, doesn't Noe look foolish?

At the news that Zavien was Lena's boyfriend (and, by the way, you go, girl), Noe had the good grace to look slightly embarrassed. Here she was lecturing someone who probably had the run of the place in the Caretaker's absence. Certainly he had more of a right to do as he pleased than she did. "Oh, um. I'm sorry," she said with a noticeable wince. "It's just, the mata mata are special to me. But I shouldn't have snapped at you."

Fortunately, the man seemed to be the forgiving type, and they moved on to a new topic without a hitch. Noe crossed her arms over her chest as she considered how to answer. "Yeah, I guess I was," she said after a moment, unsure how much of her inner grumbling she wanted to share with a stranger. "I was just thinking about the future. It's my birthday, and I guess I'm supposed to be, like, an adult, you know? But I'm still not sure where I'm going."

And when I meet the band, they ask, "Do you have a man?"
I can still say, "I don't remember"

Zavien

He wouldn't consider being Lena's boyfriend as giving him any more of a 'right' to the Celestine, but it definitely gave him an excuse for being there. And it definitely didn't mean she'd be okay with the terrorizing of mata matas (not that Sol was doing that). Zavien smiled warmly, trying to dispel any guilt or animosity between them. "That's okay. Sol can be a little much at times. He's still young, so I'm hoping he'll learn some manners." Shooting the dragon a glance, he shook his head. Although he hoped for it, the likelihood seemed quite low. 

His eyes widened at how she glossed over the vital fact of her birthday. To apologize for his previous behavior and congratulate the woman on another year survived, Sol glided down to sit next to her. He chirped, bouncing on his stubby legs in excitement while Zavien added, "Well, Happy Birthday! Shouldn't you be out celebrating?" 

Noe's following sentiment resonated deeply with him. He laughed, running a hand through his hair as he shrugged his shoulders. "To be honest, I wasn't sure where I was going until about a year ago, and I'm much older than you are." Settling against a tree, Zavien smiled proudly at his own growth over the past year. "It wasn't until Koa invited me to join the Dragoons that I felt like my life was going somewhere." And it hadn't felt like the world had slowed down since.

Keep your face to the sunshine,
And you cannot see a shadow.

Noe

Best believe I'm still bejeweled
When I walk in the room, I can still make the whole place shimmer

With the unpleasantness behind them and a proper introduction to the young dragon offered, Noe took the opportunity to admire the spunky little creature. She was more than used to problematic companions, though she'd yet to find one for herself. Maybe one day.

"Thanks," she said, but the sentiment rang a little hollow. Maybe she should be out celebrating, but she just didn't feel up for it. All of her friends seemed to be a world away these days. Even Jude, who'd lived with the Carpenters since his dad had died, was distant and gone more often than he was home. It all left Noe feeling a little... left behind.

But her reasoning seemed to resonate with Zavien, who laughed and shrugged and then said Koa's name, of all people, naming the girl's brother as someone who had given him purpose. And if she hadn't known how very dedicated to the Dragoons her brother was, then maybe she'd have laughed in Zavien's face. As it was, she could totally see Koa talking some rando into joining up, and she could understand how the Dragoons could give someone purpose.

It just wasn't a purpose she saw for herself.

"Yyyyeeeaaahhh, Koa has that effect on people," she said drily. "Except for me. He's my brother. He followed in our mother's footsteps, joining up, but I've been told I have -" and here she added air quotes for effect, "'problems with authority' and wouldn't be a good fit." Said with a laugh and a toss of the head, it was easy to see how Noe wouldn't exactly fit in as a soldier. And she was okay with that - really, she was - except when she could see the fellowship amongst soldiers and envy it.

And when I meet the band, they ask, "Do you have a man?"
I can still say, "I don't remember"

Zavien

Realization had Zavien pushing off from the tree, eyes widening. "Oh! Are you Noe? Koa's told me about you." Admittedly not much, but she didn't need to know that. It felt like enough of a win that he recognized her name. 

Her own reasons for not joining the Dragoons made him laugh. Not in a mean or demeaning way, but heartfelt and sympathetic, his face soft with amusement as he smiled at her. "It just sounds to me like you need to be the one in charge." The way she'd immediately called him out told him enough about her ability to confront and correct people. 

Sol pouted lightly at the lack of attention, scooting closer to Noe on the bench as he chirped softly. It made his head shake in disbelief at his needy companion. As he leaned back against the tree, he gestured his head in a polite nod. "I'm Zavien, by the way, and the troublemaker is Sol."

Keep your face to the sunshine,
And you cannot see a shadow.

Noe

Best believe I'm still bejeweled
When I walk in the room, I can still make the whole place shimmer

"That's me," the girl crowed, flashing a brilliant smile. It was nice to know that Koa still thought of her enough to mention her, even if the dragoon was never home. She missed him terribly, of course, however much grief she gave him when he was around. He was her only brother, after all, and they'd been close since they were kids.

At the thought that she might be in charge of anything, Noe snorted a laugh. "Oh, I think Koa has that covered," she said. As much as she'd like to boss her sibling around, she knew that he was a better dragoon than she would ever have been. Even if their mother was rolling over in her grave to know that Noe had elected not to follow in her footsteps.

"Nice to meet you," Noe said, before turning her attention to Sol. "Sorry I yelled at you, Sol. It's just been a weird day for me." She offered a hand to the dragon, ready to provide head scratches if the companion would allow her.

Little did any of them know, the day was about to get even weirder. A little black head popped up behind Sol on the bench, mischievously flicking its forked tongue to taste the air. When it was sure that the dragon wasn't paying attention, it slithered up onto the bench. The mata mata, having escaped from its enclosure, was set on retribution. Before anyone could notice it, it scooted closer and rushed headlong between Sol's legs, hoping to startle the dragon.

And when I meet the band, they ask, "Do you have a man?"
I can still say, "I don't remember"

Zavien

Laughing at Noe's response, he shook his head. "I meant 'in charge' of something else. It sounds like there might be a little too much tension with the Dragoons." And he wouldn't have recommended she order Koa around. He raised an eyebrow as he added, "That doesn't mean you can't run your own business. You know? Be your own boss?" Zavien personally didn't have any problems with following orders (no matter how outlandish), but he knew that wasn't for everyone, and the only way to solve that particular problem was to eliminate the hierarchy entirely. 

Sol's pouting having worked, he reached his head forward to receive any and all scritches with a loud grumble - that was immediately cut short by a chirp of surprise. He launched into the air in a puff of smoke, scales bristling at the strange sensation against his belly. Zavien had to laugh at the irony, watching the mata mata with curiosity. When the dragon also noticed the black avian reptile, he quickly changed his tune, excited to have another new friend. Landing beside Noe once more, he tilted his head, tail wagging as he offered his snout in greeting.

Keep your face to the sunshine,
And you cannot see a shadow.

Noe

Best believe I'm still bejeweled
When I walk in the room, I can still make the whole place shimmer

"I've thought about it," Noe admitted, but before she could delve further into the topic of the future and what she might do with it, the little dragon perched beside her on the bench jumped. A puff of smoke belched from his jaw, but was quickly replaced with a cheerful chirp. The mata mata regarded the dragon without even a hint of fear, its forked tongue flickering out to boop Sol on the nose.

Noe joined Zavien in laughter, and the mata mata swiveled its head to look at her reproachfully through beady eyes. "Sorry," she told it, holding out a hand in greeting. The little winged snake slithered forward, pausing for only a moment before swirling around her wrist and up her outstretched arm.

As soon as scales touched her skin, there was a rush of something foreign against Noe's consciousness, and the girl gasped. She was pummeled with vague hints of thoughts and emotions that she didn't recognize as her own. It could only be described as a merging of souls.

It only took a moment, and then it was done; Noe looked down at her new snake-bracelet in wonder. "I think - I think I just bonded this mata mata," she said stupidly, looking up at Zavien in a way that was very much like a child looking to an adult for answers. "What, um - what does having a companion feel like?"

And when I meet the band, they ask, "Do you have a man?"
I can still say, "I don't remember"

Zavien

Sol spun around at the playful boop of his snout, hovering near the pair while Zavien considered the question. Taking a closer look at the link in his mind, he hummed, trying to find the words. "Hmmm... Like discovering a new hallway in your mind, one filled with the warmth and light of something - someone - else." He didn't know if that was the case with all companions, but that's how Sol felt. So much so, that it felt blinding at times from his overwhelming depth of emotion. Chuckling, the Dragoon leaned against the tree, his head tilted as he felt for the bond. "It's kind of similar to brushing shoulders with someone, but on a... deeper level. One that slowly grows roots." It weaved into every part of his being, growing stronger with each experience and each passing day. Smiling, he said, "But all the same, it's like I've known Sol for my whole life."

He glanced between Noe and the mata mata that now crawled up her arm, beaming with joy for the occasion he had the pleasure of witnessing. "If that's the case between you two, congratulations." Sol added his own opinion through excited chirps and bobbing flight.

Keep your face to the sunshine,
And you cannot see a shadow.

Noe

Best believe I'm still bejeweled
When I walk in the room, I can still make the whole place shimmer

While she might have described the feeling differently, Noe immediately understood what Zavien meant and, staring at the little mata mata laced around her wrist, felt a rush of intense affection for the little creature that had chosen her. For so long, she had wanted a companion of her own. She'd been so jealous when Koa had bonded Pip, though of course she would never have told him that. And now... all her wishes had come true (albeit in a slightly smaller form).

"Thanks," she said to Zavien, looking up at him from her spot on the bench, a sense of wonder filling her dark eyes. "This is so cool!" she squealed. "Wait till I tell Koa!" With that, she jumped to her feet. "It was nice to meet you guys. Thanks for being cool about me biting your head off." And with that, she hurried away through the Celestine, ready to go home and surprise her brother with a new, scaly friend.

fin

And when I meet the band, they ask, "Do you have a man?"
I can still say, "I don't remember"