"Fairy Dragonflies were first found on Brightscale Ridge, in the Realm of the Bright Dreamers. Fairy Dragonflies are extremly powerful magic users, despite their size. There are very few types of Fairy Dragonflies know, but the ones that are are Jewel-Winged Swallowtails, Vein-Winged, and Speckled Dragonmoths. There are a few types of jewels that can be found on their wings." Deborah pauses at your suprised look. "Oh! No, they don't have real jewels on their wings, just spots that look like jewels. The tiny scales that cover their wings are just a little harder, thicker, and more crystline on those spots, that gives them the jeweled look." May and Deborah both giggle.
"How would they be able to fly with heavy jewels on their wings?" May askes. You both laugh at your mistake before Deborah continues.
"Anyways, their two know types of jewels. One is the crystal-cut look. They crystal-cut looks like a regular jewel. The other type is a rare mutation called cabochon. They have the appearance of a water drop." You use the break in the conversation to ask what these Fairy Dragonflies like to eat. May and Deborah look at each other, and then back at you. "Well, you seem trust worty enough, and you seem willing to learn. Come, we will show you." Both girls stand, and then move off into the forest, and you hurry to keep up with them.
You walk for almost half an hour in the half light. Then, suddenly, the two girls stop.
"Welcome," Deborah says, "To the Meadow." She sweeps her hand in front of the air, and you feel the distint shimmer of magic. The air wavers, and then dissapears, which is then replaced by the image of a meadow. It is like a hole in the air, or a door, leading to another world. Deborah and May step through the hole, then, you do to.
A blast of warm air hits you as you step through. The sun is shinning brightly, but not uncomfterbly. The air is filled with the sound of soft russling grass, and the soft creak of wooden branches. You find the source of the creaking" a large oak tree in the center of the Meadow. You are amazed by it. Many branches streach out from the thick single trunk. It is crowed with millions of thick green leaves.
The grass at your feet comes up just below your knee. Brightly colored flowers of all shapes, sizes, and colors dot the green grass. The air is filled with a wonderful mix of sents from the flowers. You take a deep breath, enjoying the sweet smell.
"This is the true home of the Fairy Dragonflies. To answer you question, they enjoy what most butterflies like; nectar." Deborah indicates with her hand to the grass and flowers around you. "As you can see from this meadow, we chose it for the Fairy Dragonflies' home because of its large sorce of food. This place has a heavy spell, complements of May, that keeps this meadow warm and the flowers blooming. That way, the Fairy Dragonflies won't freeze or die of starvation. They are very delicate creatures." Next you ask about their social habits. "Ah, well, the Fairy Dragonflies need to live in groups, which are called a Glittering. If they do not have company of some kind, they will die. Also, because of their size, many accidents befall their kind before they are grown, and sometimes even after then. Large birds pose the most threat." You nod, now understanding why you could hear no birds in the forest. There was probley a spell that keeps them away. Growth stages, you ask next. To your suprise, May answers.
"They go through a few stages. First is a little grey grub, then comes the chrysalis, and finally the adult. The grub has little spots all over it that shows what color their jewels will be. When it comes time for them to change into the chrysalis stage, they climb onto a branch and spin themselves into a chrysalis for protection. The chrysalis will also be the color of the spots." You ask how the two know so much. May laughs. "Well, actually, Deborah knows more than I do, but she is teaching me, so that I can care for the Fairy Dragonflies while she is gone." Deborah nods.
"Yes, I learned all that I know at Skyhaven in their hunt. Before I went to chose a few to take home, I read many things about them so that I would be better prepaired to care for them. I know a lot about them, but since these are my first, it will still be a new experience for me. They are full grown now." You look around, wondering where they are. Deborah notices your glance around, and smiles. "Would you like to meet them now?" You nod eagerly, and leap to your feet when Deborah and May rise. They walk over to the great oak, and wait for you to catch up. When you do, Deborah calls out softly, and a fluttering arises in the leaves. The three of you step back quickly, and five beautiful creatures float down out of the branches. Deborah holds out her arm, hand clenched, and one of the fairies alights on her outstreached fist. "This is Seren. She is kind of like the leader of the group. She is the rarest jewelwing fairy living here." You look at the beautiful creature, noting her appearance. Her body is a myriad of colors. Pink, purple, blue, and white dance across her scales. Her wings are a deep puple shade. Amethist eyes reguard you with intrest. Smooth horns curve over her forhead. The jewels on her wings are a subtle shade of purple. You froun, and look closer. The jewels look more like water drops to you. Deborah grins.
"Yes, Seren is a special. Her jewel spots are of the rare kind. The fact that she has this special mutation means that she and the others were well cared for." Another fairy dragonfly alights on the girl's sholder. This one's wings are different shades of green, with crystal cut gems. "This is Mythlin, a green female." She points to a red one with crystal cut gems. "That one is Nirro, a red male, and that one," she points to a blue, "Is Kith, a blue male. He has the special water drop mutaion! And this one," She holds out her other hand and a white dragon alights on it. "Is Shiri, a white female." You comment on how beautiful they all are.
"Thank you for visiting us." Deborah says after you stand and admire the dragons for a few moments. "Maybe you can visit again..." |
