Emberflame Ridge Clashing Dragons

for the first time in a while he ventures from elysium's borders, though not far. after seeing mali and brilliance he'd needed to step away. he doesn't want to tell olive or lily or seabreeze -- not that he thinks they would be mad, but because he doesn't want their gentle concern right now, their reassurances that he'd done his best. bluntly, ariel had never done his best by his first litter, and though he is hopeful and willing to try again, he knows he must carry the burden of guilt; he never should have tried to be a father.

his attentions are stolen by the lightshow up ahead. ariel has never seen a lightning storm up close, but does not flee back to elysium yet, interested in the thin tendrils of smoke set up by some of the trees. he's not the only one interested it seems, as he is not the first to arrive at the scene of the charred bark. "anything on fire?" ariel calls as he draws close, noting the stiffness of her spine but assuming, incorrectly, it's from the threat of lightning-caused fire.