Ugh mud

Mud everywhere 

How do Mudwings live out here, how do they ENJOY IT? Maple scowled bitterly flicking mud off her talons, at least when I was in skywing territory I was dry. Maple slipped landing in a huge sloppy pile of dirt, that's great now I'm muddy. After one day of flying Maple's wings ached, not using your wings for basically a year sure took a toll on dragons flying abilities.

Don't forget who is on the other side of this terrible muddy wasteland. Maple, don't be a coward. Maple found a somewhat dry piece of land, growling to herself. At this rate, I'm going to lose all my scales before I can reach the rainforest. I walked over to a nearby small, dry, and probably dead tree. Maple banged her head on the tree, making it shiver as a few dead leaves fell on her head.

"Are you trying to get a concussion?" A voice said in a mocking tone, "That won't make you dumber than you already are" Maple spun around to see who had spoken to her.

He was tall and muscular, about twice the size of Maple he looked like he could squish Maple with one talon in his sleep. Maple tried not to be intimidated but she couldn't help but shiver staring into his big brown eyes. I growled at him flicking my tail in annoyance "What do you want?"

"I want to know why a rainwing is wandering around in the mudwing kingdom like a lost duckling" The mudwing teased.

"I'm not lost!" Maple snarled, what's this mudwings deal?

"You've been walking in circles all day muttering about the rainforest and someone called Buttonbush" The mudwing complained. Maple's cheeks went red had she been walking in circles, come to think of it I was pretty sure I'd passed this tree before.

"It doesn't mean I need a thick-headed mudwing to show me the way" Maple argued, but she knew a guide would be helpful.

"I'll carry you when you get tired" The mudwing offered smiling so much Maple thought his face would fall off. Maple considered this for a second, a muscly guide who will carry me all the way. "Do you have a name or am I just calling you hippo the whole way" Maple sighed this guy's grin was hurting my eyes.

"I'll take that as a yes then" The mudwing grinned sounding like a suspicious salesman. 

"I asked you for your name hippo" Maple scowled, slightly regretting her decision.

"Fine, it's Shoebill" Shoebill shrugged looking into Maple's eyes. "what's your name, duckling"

"It's Maple" Maple sighed, eyeing her new companion. "What do you want in return, I don't want a debt, 'cause I'm not coming back to repay you" Maple wanted to look cold maybe make this guy respect her a bit more but Maple looked like a duckling trying to scare a fox. This was funny to Shoebill who proceeded to laugh his head off. "Don't laugh at me you hippo!" Maple insulted him, Shoebill wiped a tear of laughter from his eye and tried to calm down.

"Sorry, that was just way too funny, No one interesting ever passes through this place so maybe if you show me your colours that would be enough" Shoebill pleaded clasping his talons together in a begging motion.

After the incident, Maple never really used bright colours and stayed with browns and greys to avoid being spotted by the skywings. She was not about to 'show my colours' for this annoying mudwing. "How about I sink my fangs into your thick neck" Maples ruffs went red with anger her fangs were tingling wanting to spit some venom into this stupid mudwing face.

"It's not a punishment if the other person will enjoy it" Shoebill winked, falling over dramatically and showing off his neck. 

"Shut up" Maple mumbled, whipping his back leg with her tail and walking past him. Shoebill laid in the same stop staring at her with pleading eyes. "Come on you're coming with me" Maple sighed watching as Shoebill hopped over to her, he was right beside her close enough for their scales to touch.

"Ever heard of personal space" Maple growled pushing Shoebill into a nearby pool of water and continued to walk. After a few minutes, Shoebill was at her tail again walking like Maple was taking him to a huge pile of cows.

After a few hours of walking Maples's legs felt like they could collapse at any moment swaying awkwardly as she tried to her her footing, Shoebill eyed her talons and smiled. "Need me to carry you duckling, are your talons aching?" Shoebill teased her.

Maple scowled at Shoebill, he's so annoying "I suppose" Maples ruffs slightly turned a soft shade of pink. Maple awkwardly crawled onto Shoebill's back, it felt like she was on top of a tall tree looking down on the countless ant-like dragons mingling below.

Maple slid her talons to grasp his shoulders resting her head on the back of his neck, she folded her wings against her sides tightly and curled up her tail like a chameleon. 

"Comfortable?" Shoebill asked, Maples weight was like a feather to him.

Maple just growled at him and hid her head under her wings. Maple could hear Shoebill's heartbeat, it pounded softly on Maples's's ear like a soothing lullaby, slowly lulling her to sleep. Maple woke up suddenly feeling warmth encase her, opening her eyes Maple could spot a glowing campfire flickering in the wind.

Maple tried to get up but there was something draping over her waist, squinting in the dark she could see Shoebill's arm lying across Maples's side, his chest against my back. Maple realized in an embarrassed panic that the warm pillow she had been resting on was Shoebill's neck. Shoebill stirred in his sleep grunting softly as he rolled over slightly. 

It was like a huge landslide had fallen on her.

Shoebill rolled over again, but this time in Maples's direction as the wind was taken out of her lungs. Maple tried to wriggle out from under his weight gasping for breath. How much does this guy eat, I can't breath. Maple sighed and growled softly shifting under Shoebill's weight trying to get comfortable, she was for sure going to stamp his talons in the morning or bite them off.

Maple closed her eyes, it reminded her of when she and Buttonbush would sleep together in the canopies when the soft thrill of crickets would slowly put them to sleep. Maple smiled softly, I'm coming Buttonbush just you wait.