*After his conversation with Drake earlier in the day at the Inn, the red dragon Drake Lasair descended upon the lair. He was, of course, halted by the numerous guards in attendance, and only after explaining that he was here to help the family, and show that he could pass through the lair's various wards unheeded was he allowed entry.

It seemed so long ago that he was last here, and in fact, it really was. The last time he had been here......His father was still alive. He choked back the memory, knowing that his father was buried just outside, and instead wandered around the orphanage, reminiscing of times gone by when he was still a hatchling himself.

He poked his head in various rooms, checking on the young ones as Drake had asked of him. Finding nothing amiss, and no hatchlings needing attention, he turned into the Shimmerscale's vast library, staring at the shelves. He had no pressing matters, so he decided to idle some time away in the library, pulling down a volume to read.*

*Drake had selected one of the larger volumes for his bit of 'light reading', entailing the beginnings of the Shimmerscale clan, and those that had passed through the orphanage. He was always somewhat of a history buff, and the fact that his father and himself were both mentioned in the tome both delighted and excited him.

He heard a small scuffle near the door, and his crimson eyes lifted from his reading, and he smiled warmly. He couldn't see the dragon directly, but he knew someone was there.* Well hello there, can I help you? No need to linger in the doorway, I know I am large, but there is still pleanty of room here in the library, should you wish to join me.

*He smiled, watching her* Ahhhh, there you are. My name is Drake Lasair.....I suppose you could say were kin, in a way. My Father sort of adopted your mother, long ago. But he has passed away.....At any rate, I was just looking through the Shimmerscale history. Perhaps you might like to join me, and show me some other books that might be of interest' While your father is out, i'll be staying here for a little while, until he returns.

Even the mightiest of dragons must face death at one point or another, and my father lived a long full life. As for him watching over us, I know it is so. He is buried very near here, as was his final request. He loved children, and he loved this place. He said he wanted to be able to hear the children's laughter......My mother, too, recently passed. She is buried with him now, I know it is what she would have wanted.

*He smiled and was quiet for a moment, before turning his head to regard her with his crimson gaze.* But enough of old ghosts, so to speak. You seem very quiet......I've been all through the lair already, and I must have missed you, somewhere. I don't know everyone here personally, but i'm fairly certain I would have remembered seeing you.

But why do you remain inside? I bet your scales would shimmer beautifully, if only you would go out and bask in the sun awhile. This world is a big place. There are many places in it that I have not been, and this lair is but a small corner of it. Reading of fantastic places in books is fine on a rainy day, but when the sun is out, it is by far nicer to go out and stretch ones wings and ride the winds. That is what we have our wings for, after all.

I will not at all pry as to what those reasons may be.....But hopefully my presence here will free up some of your time, so that you may go outside and bask for awhile. I am, after all, here to help.