D O V E
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Dove watched the insufferable SandWing stride out of the cave. She noticed a flash of some kind of mark on the underside of her wings.

The annoying RainWing shifted in her hammock, wings flopping out. Dove dodged away.

"Well, that was interesting! I've never seen anyone argue like that before!" The RainWing cheered, vibrant, eye-killing colors spilling through her body.

"Shut up." Dove mumbled, curling up onto her ledge.

"Wowzers!" Lush continued, "I didn't know I was sharing  a cave with a princess! Should I call you Your Highness or Your Majesty or Princess Dove the Amazing?"

"I said shut up." Dove yelled. Lush giggled and continued chirping about big SandWings and Wowzers! Did you see her piercings? and Omigosh a nose ring!

Dove groaned and threw her wings over her head. She really, really wanted to see this RainWing go up in flames, but she was only allowed in because of her mother's frightening demonstration.

At some point in time, another RainWing appeared outside the cave. Lush grinned and they communicated back and forth between themselves. Dove found them utterly annoying and high-pitched like the sparrows that nested inside the SkyWing palace.

Then, Lush scrambled down out of her hammock, limbs flopping akimbo. Her tail dangled dangerously close to Dove. Out of pure reflex, Dove yelped and pressed herself against the wall, folding her wings in on herself.

Lush brushed her wing away from Dove, a puzzled look on her face. She glanced away and ran off with her RainWing friend.

Dove breathed a sigh of relief. She couldn't be making a scene whenever someone touched her, whether purposefully or accidentally.

Her talons went up to the thin band on her horn. This thing was a life changer. Dove would be locked at home in an all stone room with no one to talk to-not so much of a difference than now, Dove thought, looking around her empty cave.

She pulled herself up and decided to go walk around.

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"I swear, you have nothing to worry about."

Queen Carmine was assuring the IceWing representative of JMA. The chilly dragon clearly didn't trust her.

Dove darted forward, pushing through her mother and father and three guards. They all recoiled at her touch, not used to having a dragonet with unnatural abilities slide against their side.

She tripped and fell, sprawling in front of the IceWing ambassador. The silvery, ridged dragon cringed and took several steps backwards, fanning her wings away.

"Oh, speak of the devil!" Carmine exclaimed beckoning her daughter towards her. "This is Dove. Dove, meet Himalaya!"

Himalaya, the IceWing, nodded curtly and began talking right away.

"Your Highness, it is a danger to our students-surely you understand!" She spoke in a clipped accent.

"Oh Himalaya, darling. Dove wouldn't hurt a fly! She can't, actually. Dove dearest, show Himalaya your horn band."

Dove stepped forward and tilted her head so the light would catch on the band. It was thin and gold and studded with tiny rubies, the classic SkyWing look.

Himalaya scrutinized the jewelery.

"And what's so special about it?" she asked. Queen Carmine's eyes sparked alight with joy.

"SO glad you asked! Well, one day- the first birthday of Dove, actually, a silk-wrapped item appeared on my throne. It was labeled Dove and so, of course, I gave it to her. The silk burned right up- a shame- but the band remained. I figured it was a horn band and had one of my guards put it on her. Sure, his palms are scarred now, but it was totally worth it! It subdued her firescales and made her safe to touch."

Himalaya blinked. "So it's enchanted?"

Carmine shrugged. "I suppose it is. Anyway, it means darling Dove can go to your school and make friends and whatnot."

Dove stepped forward to the IceWing, but Himalaya slithered back with a hiss.

"Himalaya, dearest, hold out your arm." Queen Carmine instructed. The IceWing looked at her with a puzzled expression.

"Just do it." Carmine said firmly. Himalaya obliged and cautiously held out her cold, silver arm.

The Queen looked at her daughter and nodded. Immediately, Dove seized Himalaya's arm and gripped it tight.

The IceWing screamed and started battering her wings, expecting her arm to burn and smolder and turn to ash and charred nothingness.

She seemed surprised when nothing happened. Seething, she yanked her arm out of the dragonet's grip and swept back.

Carmine giggled like a child who had witnessed a prank explode spectacularly.

"Your Majesty," Himalaya hissed weakly, "I-I think this example was enough. Dove will be accepted into the school. But please ensure that she wears the band."

Queen Carmine clapped her talons joyously. "Hurray! Thank you, Himalaya. Your visit is well appreciated. Some of my guards will escort you."

Himalaya nodded in a sweeping bow, wings swept to the side. It was clear she was still quite shaken. "Thank you for hosting me, Your Majesty. We welcome Dove at Jade Academy."