*How easy it had been, for him to Shadow Walk right into the Shimmerscale home. The magical wards he sensed had not even gone off. He thought that perhaps it was because he meant no ill intent by his visit, but still, it was worth mentioning if he saw Icer or Aurthur. The latter he had seen leave just moments ago, where he had no idea, nor did he particularly care.

He used his ability to shadow walk to wander around the vast and complex cave system that the dragons had come up with for their orphanage. It was clearly designed to hold a lot of dragons, but also be confusing to any intruder who did not know where they were going. Several times he had to press himself deep into the shadows and close his eyes to avoid detection. Hatchlings, younglings, even a few adolescent dragons passed him by. The number of dragons in this one location alone was astounding.

Its defenses were good, he had to give the Shimmerscales credit for that, but they weren't great. If they had been, he wouldn't have made it this deeply in without detection from one of the many guards, or even magical wards. Hell, someone should have at least found him by now, shadow walking or not!

Shaking his head, the shadow dragon wandered around aimlessly, poking his head in every door he came to, stopping for several minutes at the vast library. It was too bad that he WOULD be caught in there, for he wouldn't mind having some time to study the tomes and scrolls of the great library.*

*At the sound of the voice behind him, he did not jump, but his tail did lash out and stab into the ground near the elders head* "It is not wise for you to sneak up on one who is so in tune with the shadows......I knew that you were trailing me the whole time, and I could have left at any time that I wished.......I have warned Icer about her foolishness, and it would seem that she has heeded my words. She has had armor made, or so the shadows tell me. *The outline of the dragon turned, and his eerie blue eyes locked on the elder female.*

"I am merely here to test, to see what can be done. The Shimmerscale clan has had......Many problems, to say the least, with it's security. Many of the numbers have been killed, or have had 'accidents' that could have been avoided. I may not be a member of this particular clan, but we are kin. Now, Madame, if you had wanted me gone, or had any inclination to throw me out, you wouldn't have bothered to speak to me in the first place. I can see that you are one of action, not talk."

"Your suggestions have been taken into consideration, and I don't think I will be leaving at just this moment." *The shadow solidified, and the pitch black dragon stared at her eye to eye, only half her size, but showing no fear.* "However, if I am to be taken, then I request that I be taken immediately to the clan heads, Icer and Aurthur Shimmerscale. You may be one of the largest dragons here, but I do know that you are NOT one of the clan heads, nor anywhere in the bracket of command. Even the guard, Tiamatus, has more authority than you do. So, if I am to be taken, take me to them."

*The sound of someone approaching was heard as loud as an avalanche in his sensitive ears. He turned his head, and his eerie blue eyes turned upon the dragonelle trying to hide in the shadows, and the shadow dragon's attitude softened. It was one he had not seen in a long, long time, not since his hibernation, but she was one he could never, ever forget.* "Sunset......."

*The elder dragoness was completely forgotten, and his eyes were only on the one trying to hide now. He was larger, stronger, and blended into the shadows far better now, after his hibernation cycle than he had when he was younger, that was certain.*

"Sunset......You filled my dreams, and my every thought throughout my hibernation cycle.....I have forgotten so much to learn so much more, and yet, never once would I let your memory slip away......." *The almost oracle-like tone that he had been using since he had emerged from the shadows and warned Icer of her folly of going into battle at least without armor, the hard, gruff exterior that he had been exhibiting up until now was gone. He seemed.....Tender now, almost gentle. Even his blue eyes glowing in the darkness of shadow seemed to lose some of that eeriness. *

"You look......Absolutely stunning, Sunset. 'Color fast will never last', so they say, and it appears they were right......You have certainly grown into a beautiful dragoness in your maturity."

*The elder dragoness that had caught him was completely forgotten and ignored as he thrilled with pleasure at the simple touch of greeting from Sunset* "Well, I don't know how handsome a shadow can be.....But it fills me with joy to hear such a compliment from you, Sunset." *He smiled warmly* "I cannot tell you how happy I am to see you, I had been hoping to see you ever since I came out of my hibernation, but unfortunately our paths had not crossed......."

*A nearby presence was felt....One that was trying to hide in HIS shadows. A foolish mistake. His warm smile wavered to Sunset just momentarily.* "If you will excuse me for just a moment, Sunset, I will be back.......But perhaps we can go for a walk or a flight......" *He then disappeared into the shadows from the Elder and Sunset, only to appear in front of Icer in that shadowy dragon form which was little more than a vague outline and eerie glowing eyes*

"I was wondering......How long it would take for me to attract the attention of one of the heads of the household........" *That brief moment of warmth in his voice that had been there when he had talked with Sunset was gone, and yet, the voice no longer seemed......So cold and empty.* "I warned you that there were ways in here that others could use, and yet you did not listen. I told you that I am trying to help......And still you did not listen.......How many of your family must die, before you do?" *Was there a slight wavering in his voice" Did his eyes flicker just briefly back towards where he had left Sunset' Only the one he spoke to directly could be the judge of that.*

"Sunset, if you will excuse me for one moment......" *He smiled and gave Sunset a brief nuzzle, before he once more stepped into the shadows.

When he exited from the shadows once more, it was in front of the retreating Icer, blocking her path* "You say that no more will be hurt within these walls.........Then why will you not accept the help that is offered to see that it doesn't?" *He drew his head to his full height, his long, ebon horns curved elegantly back from his skulll, and the tips brushed the ceiling lightly with a soft scratching sound. It almost seemed as though he were trying to pick a fight with the Shimmerscales.......Or was there another purpose for his constant badgering"*

Get out of my way....It was nearly snapped as the shadowy one blocked her path. Obviously she was in a foul mood, and the more he pressed,the fouler it would get.

She'd not call for her mate though, he still needed his rest. The question of course went unanswered. She had heard it of course, but to be badgered in her own lair...

You have a funny way of showing it...And if you so much as wake a single little one...I will throw ye out off the lair myself!

She eyed Dash as he became that shadowy mass once more.

Do nae think that I am not doing what I can. I can only do so much.

There are others helping. You want to know...We have many, many kin. Some stay here with us.

That. Dash is why I do nae ask for help.

Then help if you must...but do nae go on about how I am not doing all that I am able. Because you are wrong there.

Turning again from the shadowy mass. It was obvious of course that he hit a sore subject and that she would speak no more on the matter.

*He finally quit antagonizing Icer, for now that he had gotten himself in, and more or less her approval to help protect the lair, there was no need to provoke her further......For the time being. He heard the footfalls of Sunset behind him, and he became solid once more.*

"I am sorry that you had to see that, Sunset.......It must be difficult for you to see the two of us snapping at each other like that. But it is was very important that I become a guard here, and I knew that to do that, I had to tell the truth, and point out the flaws that are here, as mad as it would make her. There are flaws here, a lot of them, and even with my assistance, they can't all be fixed, but nothing in this world is perfect."

*Of course he didn't tell her what his main reason for wanting to be a Shimmerscale guard was.....How could he possible do that?*