Breathing in the night air, A'shair let it out slowly, savoring the clean 
taste and smells of the forest.  Over all his life, this was the one 
place he could call home, call sanctuary.  Crouching down, his form was 
almost hidden as the midnight black cloak he wore protected his body both 
from the sun and others gazes.  Looking at his hands, the skin pale white 
tinged with pink, he once again couldn't help but curse at his mother, the 
earth.  Why had she done this to him, given him a life of loneliness and 
torture?

*But your life is not lonely, nor tortureous.  You are blessed, A'shair, 
with gifts beyond human, and people fear what they can not control.*

'Yes, Sirus, but I too fear my powers, for the same reason.' A'shair 
thought with a slight grin, knowing his mind would never be empty, or the 
love from his dragon taken away.  'But I have not forgotten you, my friend.'

*I do not believe you could if you wanted to.* Sirus said, amused with 
himself.  *We are two creatures with one mind, ever joined.*

'Yes, I know...' A'shair said, and looked around. 'Are you here?' 

*I am always here...* The dragon said, and moved, his scales becomeing 
luminecent in the full moon's shine, turning from a forest green to a 
bright white.  A'shair nodded, knowing his dragon to be as unique as 
himself.

'Your control is getting better.' A'shair remarked, moving towards his 
special place, outside of civilization and mankind.  

*As is yours.* Sirus said, falling in next to his rider.  His huge claws 
making surprising little noise as he walked along the forest ground.  *In 
time you will have mastery, and with it, peace.*

'If my life could ever be truely peaceful.  Even those in the warren look 
at me as if I were a monster.' He said, remembering just yesterday, 
running from the group of young candidates who took it upon themselves to 
find out why this man had no color.

*You think too many depressing thoughts.  Try to be happy for once, like 
you were the day of my hatching.* Sirus said, sending pictures of the 
day to his rider.  The memories brang a smile to A'shairs lips, and he 
laughed softly.  

'As long as I am here, and with you, I will always be happy.' He thought, 
and came to an outcrop of rocks, leading straight up.  Grasping hold of 
one, he began to climb, Sirus pacing back and forth below him, ready to 
catch his body if he should fall.  

Further up he climbed, his agile arms and legs carrying him easily over 
the rocks.  Some clouds passed over the sky, and a slight drizzle of rain 
came down, covering him.  Added with a breeze, it felt good as the near 
mist fell over him, caressing his face with a feeling he associated with 
love.  He had always been close to nature, and embraced with with his heart and 
soul.

Reaching the top, he stood to catch his breath, Sirus landing next to 
him.  The valley spread out before him, the lights of Norwall shining 
like stars in the distance.  His home looked so beautiful from a 
distance.  Putting an arm around his dragon, he leaned on his massive 
form and closed his eyes, relishing the feeling of peace and 
togetherness.  He was, for once, happy.

*Why are humans different from dragons?* Sirus asked, shielding A'shair 
from the rain with one of his wings.  *Why do you cause pain to one 
another, and can not love as freely as us?*

A'shair sat quietly, pondering the question.  'I do not know.  Perhaps it 
is because we are all lonely and afraid at one time or another, and it 
hurts, and sometimes the only way to get rid of the hurt is to hate.'

*But you feel lonely and afraid, and yet you do not try and hurt others.* 
Sirus stated.

'Some humans, most, actually care for all people, and try to help instead of 
hurt.  I don't know why... we are just different I suppose.' He said, and 
looked into the sky.  The clouds were already passing, exposing the moon 
again.

*It seems to be easier to be a dragon.  You are one my friend, even 
though your body doesn't look it.  You have the careing and compassion of 
one, and control fire, just like us.  Maybe you are the first of many to 
becomeing more like out race...*

'Maybe, but I am still human, and that is not bad.  It is out strong 
emotions that make us who we are.' 

*I suppose the answer will never be found, just like so many questions.  
We will talk later?* Sirus said, a dragon smile on his face as he nuzzled 
his rider.  

'Yes, we will talk later.  It is time to return.' A'shair thought with a 
timge of despair.  'Are you ready?'

*Yes.*

'Then let's go...' He said, and mounted his dragon, giving one last look 
towards the beautiful night.

*Yes, my dragon child...* Sirus thought back, and spread his wings wide, 
filling them with gusts of air.  Soon they were flying towards the warren...


      /\     /^---_---^\     /\     "Pain?  What do you know of pain?  I've
     /  \    > |_\ /_| <    /  \     experienced anguish at the molecular
    /    \   |         |   /    \    level.  Let me show you what it's like."
   /      \   \  o o  /   /      \  "Dragons exist my friend, for the sheer
  /        \  |\_____/|  /        \  fact that in all cultures they are
 |          \ | \/ \/ | /          | present, weather separated by land
     ----------       ----------     sea or air."----  Justin Almeida