Stargazer stifled a yawn as she finished up her tenth paragraph of her essay on the Scorching. Paradise was taking notes from a gargantuan pile of scrolls about the Scorching. “I think that’s enough for today,” Paradise sighed. gently brushing her talons against the thick paper of the scroll she was holding. She paused for a moment. “Can we go flying?” she asked. “S-sure?” Stargazer said, a smidge of uncertainty in her voice. ‘Why does she want to go flying this late?’ she questioned, but followed Paradise outside the Academy. Now that she was outside, she could see why Paradise wanted to go outside so badly. The mountain view was breathtaking; they were up so high it felt like she could touch the stars. The three moons were shining exceptionally bright today, glimmering like Shard’s scales. ‘I wonder what Shard and Sapphire are doing right now?’ Stargazer pondered absentmindedly. ‘Probably sleeping. They usually don’t stay up this late, from what I know.’ Stargazer glanced to her left and realized that Paradise had already taken off, her peony-colored scales shimmering in the moonlight. Stargazer decided to go after her, pushing off the cliff as she unfolded her wings. Stargazer had flown during the daytime before, but never during the night. Flying was never her favorite thing to do. But for the first time, she loved it. She loved everything. How weightless she felt, how the cool air felt on her scales, and how all her worries flew away like dandelion seeds. She turned gracefully in the air and flew after Paradise, who was swooping down to land next to a small forest. “I get why you wanted to go flying now,” Stargazer said breathlessly as she landed a few feet away from Paradise. “It’s great,” Paradise beamed. “It gives me a good break from all the things going on in my life. It just helps me forget all my worries, for a little while. You know,” she said, shrugging her shoulders. “This is my favorite spot in Jade Mountain,” Paradise said. Stargazer looked around. Now that they were in the forest, it didn’t seem the slightest bit tiny. They were in a clearing; dozens of trees were surrounding them, and the night sky twinkled above them. “All my life,” Paradise began, her voice sounding distant. “I was always very social to other dragons. When they needed help, they always came to me. Back in the rainforest, everyday, so many dragons would come visit me and ask me questions. They asked me for help. And I helped them. But sometimes… well, things get tiring. So when I started school, I started taking little breaks. And they help, but… the dragons always come back, you know? And I get tired after a while. Do you ever feel that way?” ‘Do I?’ Stargazer questioned, gazing at the stars above them. Paradise’s life was totally different from hers. But still, she could relate. Even though she didn’t have a circle of dragons bombarding her with questions, she still felt pressured sometimes because of the people who loved her the most. She knew she should be grateful for them. That she should be thankful for their existence. But was it selfish of her to think this way? “I do,” she replied, her voice barely a whisper. “I-I think I understand how you feel this way.” For the first time, in a long time, Stargazer felt a bond between her and other dragons. It felt new, and somewhat terrifying, but she was willing to try. Suddenly, a stream of thoughts entered her mind. At first, it felt like a trickle of water, but then it grew louder and louder, until it crashed over her like a waterfall. ‘Oh no,’ Stargazer panicked, realizing what had happened. She was reading Paradise’s mind.
