Noctisardor Bypass And you were never lonely

Two months old. Two months, and he paws already itched to see all that was out there, beyond the den and the patches of land mom and auntie Heda let them play in under careful watch. Goldfinch has snuck out once, and Averie both envied and admired her for it.

Bravery was a word Averie wanted etched into every fibre of her frame. And what better way than to explore at night?

She'd been warned against the creatures of night terrors. Owls, cougars, bears, and the lot. Terrifying eyes with terrifying talons and claws - and she soaked every warning in.

One day, she would line her den with them. Capture every one, so no one had to worry ever, ever again.

And why not start now?

The forest had stretched long and dark for a very long time, but here, the trees thinned so she could see the inky open sky. Her little legs ached from the steep climb and her lungs burned and she was more than half frustrated she hadn't seen any night creatures yet. Finding the nearest cleft, she slumped against it to catch her breath. 

A shadow passed overhead, the flutter of leathery wings.

A dragon!

She leapt to her feet and started skyward again. It circled back around, but though she leapt for it, it grazed just out of reach.

Coward!

Fight me, ratface! her shrill voice split the night, and whatever peace her unseen company sought upon the mount.