::Matthew sighed and flexed his wings as he sat out on the cliff, watching the waterfall, and listening to its soothing roar. He was growing very quickly, much more quickly than he should be, or at least he thought so. His mother's gift, his blanket, was still wrapped around his neck like a cape, but he toyed with some magic to make it grow as he did. He was still not yet half grown, but for being as young as he was, he was enormous, far larger than a war-horse even. He had reached his adolescance now, and he was getting to be to that age, at least in body, if not in years. He pondered many things, and worried about others, letting loose another sigh.:: "At this rate, I'll be dead before Im old enough to even take a mate......Why do I feel so old, when I am clearly so young?" ::Even his voice had gotten deeper, and his scales had turned a deep forest green. He wanted answers, but knew not where to look for them.::

::Matthew did not turn as he heard her speak, he continued to watch the waterfall.:: "It would appear that I have, wouldn't it' It's been only a day, and my size has grown. In appearance, im almost ready to take a mate now. But I shouldn't be this old yet......Im growning far faster than any other. I'll die far before I can have my own hatchlings.....I suppose that is my fate."

::Matthew chuckled softly and glanced over at her before turning back to the waterfall.:: "That is very kind of you to say, Fiona, but you couldn't know that, none of us can. Fate moves in mysterious ways, and we are all subject to it, like it or not. If such is my fate that I will die sooner than the others, then that is what must be, and everyone will move on. Besides, other than mother, I don't think there are very many that will miss me."

::That seemed to startle him just a little bit, for he jumped as soon as she said it. He really had not expected her so say something like that.:: "Really' You would miss me" And I mean something to you? How very odd.......I never knew." ::He shrugged:: "I guess I never really thought about it, but you HAVE been nicer to me than most have......"

::He turned his head to look at her. He heard an odd tone in her voice, and HOW exactly he could tell it was odd was beyond him.:: "Are you alright, Fiona? It seems like something is troubling you.......If there's anything you need to talk about, you can talk to me."

::If she was surprised by his little jump a moment ago, she would be very surprised when he started so violently he very nearly fell over the edge of the cliff, turning to stare at her wide-eyed:: "You think that your falling in love with me"!! B....But Fiona, you barely know anything about me, and im so young I barely know myself. How could you be falling in love with me" I just......Im very, very surprised that you would feel that way. I thought everyone barely liked me, but to find out that you have LOVE for me....."