"Yes", Storm said, softy, timidly. His nature was so unlike his name. Upon meeting someone new he was frightened and trembling. He was only brave in the face of an old friend. He tugged on the strap of his hat, nervously adjusting it on his mop of black hair. "You're Summer, right...?"

---

Zane looked  upon his apprentice with kind eyes, a soft and welcoming smile upon his lips. Isis sat to his right, her long tail curving behind him, the tip resting even with his toes. Her eyes were sharp anylizing, untrusting. I don't know about this one. She said sharply in his mind. "Don't worry, she'll do just fine." Zane replied warmly, stroking the dragon's nose as he turned to face the young girl. "You're name's Melissa, right? I'm Zane."

Summer nodded, smiling friendlily. "You seem to be a sweet boy, would you mind telling me about yourself a little?"

"Yeah" Mia replied "But you can call me Mia if you'd like, it's shorter." she blurted. She shut her mouth, fearing that she might have offended the hero or his dragon by some crazy means. She twisted her fingers together nervously in her lap. "I've heard about you," she said, looking up at Zane with admiration. "You've protected the town for a long time" 

Storm nodded slightly, still fingering his hat. "I've never met my parrents... They abandoned us long ago... I only know their faces from a picture my brother kept... He's the only family I have left... I like you... You remind me of him... Plese, promise me.. Promise me not to leave like everyoe else has..." Heshut his eyes, trying to keep in the tears as they began to slowly run down his face. He hated to talk about his life, because it was ful of sadness and reminded him that the world was not a kind place.

---

"Okay, Mia than." Zane said, nodding. "And to answer your question, yes, I have been here for hundreds of years, protecting this ancient city. My name is known throughout the area, although I'd preffer it not to be so. I liked it better when I fought in secret, the hero of the night, they called me. No one knew my name or my face. But now, I take a step into the street and at least one person stops and stares, admiring one of the last heroes. As we prefer not to be marveld over, Isis and I stick to the shadows." If you'd let me fl off on my own it wouldn't have to be so. "I don't want to risk loosing you to a wild beast, Isis. I'd prefer you to stay by me. Anyhow, that's enough about me. What has your life been like?"

Summer patted Storm's back gently. "I promise" she said, smiling sadly. "Why don't you come into my home for some cake?" she asked. "Laet's birthday was yesterday, but no one really showed up because I forgot to tell people" she said with a light chuckle.

Mia shrugged with a little smile. "Well, I'm an only child, and I had two cats, Ginger and Helga, but the ran away, or at least that's what my mom told me, I know that they actually died." Mia said cheerily. "Anyways, my parents specialize in pepper planting and harvesting, always been my favorite spice because of the way it tastes on scrambled eggs cooked over a campfire in the woods." she babbled. "I'm here because of how much I love animals" Mia paused thoughtfully "As long as they like pepper."

"R.. Really? Thank you...." Storm said softly, wiping his face. He threw his arms around Summer, laughing through the tears. He knew that they'd get along well, he and she. Storm was glad to have been chosen as her apprentice.

---

"You're surprisingly happy about such a sad thing as death." Zane commented, surprised, "Isis likes pepper, don't you?" Yes, I love it. Was the dragon's reply. She rolled her eyes, thinking that a creature who's breath bore flame must always love spicy foods. "Would you like to see the egg that will be yours?"

Summer was a bit taken aback by Storm's sudden change in emotion. From fear to relief in seconds. All it took was a few words. "Let's go inside then,  can show you Laet's egg as well"

"That'd be great!" Mia said, her voice squaking.

((Sorry 'bout the fail post. XD)) 

"That sounds fun!~" Storm chirped, glad to have finally been accepted by someone. He grabbed Summer's hand in his own, waiting to be led inside. He had found mother at last.

 ---

Zane laced a gentile hand on Mia's back, leading her into his home. Isis followed, taking joy in the high ceilings and large doorways of the semi-large house. They walked into  a room with walls of red. In the centre sat a red satin pedestal, upon which sat an orb of pearly white with only a single spot of black upon it's tip. "What do you think of it?" Zane asked, gazing at it's reflective surface. It's the most beautiful egg I've ever birthed. Take care of it, or I'll be sure to get back to you.

Mia stared at the egg, stunned. "I can't even begin to imagine what it will hatch into" she said, gazing in awe. Her hands twisted together nervously. She looked up at Isis. "I will take excellent care of her, I promise." she said.

Summer smiled lightly as she took Storm's hand. She had never really been in contact with many children before. She led him into her home, into Laet's treasury, where she was wrapped around a stack of silver coins. She lifted her head slightly at Storm's arrival, then uncovered the bright pink egg from under the pile of gold to show. 

((I think that's fine May. :) ))

Mia hesitated, but gazed at Isis without flinching. If she was going to be a hero someday, she had to be fearless, but careful at the same time. She strode confidently up to the pillar that the beautiful, pearly white egg sat undisturbed. She slowed as she neared, for it was even finer up close than far away. She touched the egg gently with one hand, and then both, and lifted it a centimeter off the pillar to test its weight. Not too heavy, not too light. She lifted it off of the pillar even more so, and guided it closer to her until it rested against her chest. She could almost hear the tiny heartbeat in the egg. She couldn't find words to say, she was too awe-struck. 

((Cool!~ Now, if only I could remember Storm in this post. XD ))

 Storm's mouth opened wide as he aw the pink egg revealed from beneath Laet's tail. It was beautiful in the strangest of ways. Releasing Summer's hand, he walked slowly up to the egg, dropping to his knees before it, reaching out a tentative hand to stroke it.

---

The egg glowed a faint blue in Mia's hands, growing slightly warmer before returning to its normal state. 

"Good." Zane said, nodding with approval, "You have p*censored*ed the first, and possibly the most important test. Come, now, let us eat. Bring the egg with you." 

((Do I get to choose what's n the white egg, or what's in the pink egg...? I forget... XD )) 

((The white egger. :) I choose the pink egger))

Laet growled slightly, but was only glared at by Summer. She lowered her head curiously at Storm, ready to catch him and her egg if he dropped it.

"Go on, pick it up" Summer said gently.

---

Mia kept the egg close to her and followed Zane slowly, careful not to disturb the contents of the egg. -fail- 

Storm glanced at Summer, nodding and turning back to the pink egg. He stroked it once again, noting its leathery surface. He slowly slid one hand underneath it, his other arm wrapping around the side. He held the egg this way for several minutes, his eyes closed as he felt the warmth radiating from inside it, and the small thump of the creature's heart.

---

Zane led Mia into the kitchen, setting a padded basket on the table. "Put the egg in this. It will be kept warm, and t won't be as easily dropped." He than set two cups of apple cider on the table. Isis spat a small tounge of fire, which warmed them just enough. "Come, sit, enjoy." 

The pink egg made a high-pitched squealing sound, and glowed brightly, so that you could see the silhouette of the little creature inside. But it faded quckly and lowered to a soft purring sound that faded to silence.

Laet gave a light growl. Well done, my egg has spirit though.

"Very good" Summer said, hugging Storm gently, so he didn't drop the egg. "Let's go get you that cake I promised, hm?" Summer said. "You can take it with you."

---

Mia carefully lowered the egg into the basket and let out a sigh of relief. It was a lot of pressure not to drop the egg with Isis hovering over her shoulder with the constant threat of gnawing her in half. "Thank you" Mia said quietly, sipping the apple cider. 

"Ooh..." Storm gasped, surprised by the glow and the squeal. He almost released the egg, but resolved not to do so. He stared at the egg for several moments afterward, broken from his reverie only from Summer's promise of cake. "That sounds good..." He agreed, his eyes still locked on the pink egg in his arms.

---

Once the egg was safe in its basket, Isis layed down contentedly, what seemed to be a soft smile spreadng across her face. "Are you enjoying yourself, Mia?" Zane asked, watching as Isis relaxed her guard. That was so uncharachteristic of her...