[Gift] A Smitten Songsmith

Soft birdsong lilted between the trees, through the thick foliage to the small forest pool in which Mavis rested. The large dragon was enjoying her chance to merely relax and ensure she looked as suitably stunning as always, but the cadence of this music and its melody felt unusual. Had she ever heard a song like this before? She’d hardly thought the birds worth sparing a single thought to before, but this song might actually be beautiful. It was suitable for a dragon so grand as she to unwind to, certainly. She shifted to sprawl out in the water, closing her eyes to relax— until she saw a flicker of firelight in the trees above her.

Igni flitted from his original perch in the boughs of a mighty tree to another location, allowing himself a better view of the dragon lounging beneath him. He’d spotted the light of her lantern while flying past and had to get a closer look— and he was instantly enamored. He sang for her a beautiful love song, hoping she might enjoy the serenade. He could hardly tear his eyes off of her shimmering form, but he was not expecting her to look back up at him. He’d been spotted. All he could do was make the hard sell now— no going back. He banished the lingering anxiety from his mind, spread his wings, and took flight.

The much smaller dragon alighted before Mavis upon a rock by the water’s edge. His posture was impeccable as he puffed up his feathers to look more presentable. He inclined his neck and bowed to her, brushing his flaming wingtips against the ground. “Hello, fair angel.”

She blinked as she stared down upon her prospective suitor. This diminutive little thing of feathers and fire had been responsible for that song? She had been somewhat impressed by it, but wasn’t fully convinced. Almost as if on cue, around the pool in which she lay, plants sprouted from the soil and flowers budded and blossomed, likely from the magic of this dragon. He was really putting his all into it, she had to give him that. Trying too hard perhaps, but it was almost cute. He seemed wrapped around her hoof already, and she’d hardly done anything but look his way. “Mmm… greetings. To whom do I owe the pleasure?”

“My name is Igni, my lady.” He held his position a moment longer, before straightening back out to perfect posture once more, not a single feather out of place. “Might I ask for the honor of knowing yours?”

She smiled inwardly at the dragon before her. She decided she liked the little guy’s confidence, if nothing else. And he seemed to know at least what she was worth. Perhaps she’d take pity on him, or at least put him to the test. She was careful to hide much of the amusement and interest in her voice. She magically layered a subtle sheen of light over herself that seemed to sparkle and highlight her form. “You might. My name is Mavis. It is a pleasure indeed, little Igni.”

“Truly, the honor is all mine.” He bowed to her again, an abbreviated version of the one he’d greeted her with. “Why might such a beautiful lady as you alone on a night like this? No attentive servants? Clamoring suitors? No musicians and artists using you as their muse?”

“Well, I’m not alone now, am I?” She allowed the amusement to seep further into her tone. “The way I see it, I’ve found all of those things now, haven’t I? You seem to come to me as a suitor, with your songs and flowers.” She cocked her head and lowered it to him. “You will attend to me for the night, won’t you, little Igni?” She twisted a charm into her words, sealing their fate.

“Of course, my lady.” He responded without a second thought.