"The festival will likely begin soon," a deep, calm voice broke through the silence of the still forest as the fire dragon known as Yorald spoke aloud to a group of younger fire dragons who were usually found gravitating around him. Due to his magnetic personality he was often surrounded by a small "fan club" of the young-lings who would gather around to hear his stories or watch him practice his combat skills. He was very popular among his tribe even though he was not highly ranked and considered somewhat of a trouble maker of sorts as he is known to be what other members would call a bad influence on the children. Today was no different as while many of the other fire dragon members were busily preparing for the festival he instead brought many of the youths trying to get out of work into the forest to play instead. They sat in the branches of trees encircling Yorald and another elder dragon who was also a friend, the two of them testing each other's strength in a friendly sparring match, no magic to be used.<br/><br/>Cheers of excitement began to rise as the two combatants started their match, two well-honed fighters showing mastery in their respective fighting styles with Yorald seeming to be outmatched as the other dragon is winning in blows and grapples. The tides change as the dragon attempts to get Yorald in a headlock but is instead picked up and slammed on the ground with enough force to knock the air out of his lungs, giving the advantage to Yorald who put the other dragon into a quick and tight choke hold, forcing him to tap out.<br/><br/>The children flew down from the trees to surround the two elders while cheering and screaming. The losing dragon stood up and dusted himself off before patting Yorald on the shoulder "Well fought, my friend, I thought I had you that time."<br/><br/>"Heh," a wide grin played on the face of the victorious dragon, "as did I. Fortune was in my favor just then I guess."<br/><br/>The children were calming down as the other elder spoke up, "I think it might be about time to return to the village," he spoke with an air of authority that the young-lings took with a bit of respect as well as a little disappointment as they were enjoying their time away. "The festival is important to the dragons of all tribes as it allows for diplomacy to continue to keep on while getting to interact with those of other tribes. Plus it is quite fun."<br/><br/>Yorald was all but ignoring the lecture while walking away from the group.<br/><br/>The elder dragon frowned as he watched his friend walking away from the direction of the village, "Going to skip out on it again are we?" There was no response as the fire dragon continued on his walk, a couple of the youths attempting to follow but being stopped by the elder, "No no, you do not have a choice. Well, neither does he, but you shall not follow in his steps in all ways."<br/><br/>Moans and groans were loud as the children were ushered towards the village, the elder watching Yorald take flight towards the horizon, "I know you'll be there," he yelled out, knowing the words were heard but ignored.<br/><br/>For several hours Yorald flew through the vast forest, zipping between trees, he would rise high above them and then dive down almost crashing into the branches before sharply turning up again. He so loved the feeling of flight and practiced it as much as possible. Thoughts of the festival came to his mind as he perched upon a tree that rose above the others, proudly standing as he watched the sun begin to set below the curve of the horizon. It was not that he disliked the festival or interacting with others, quite opposite in fact as he loved to be around with many, it was just with the way he acts he does not want to make the fire tribe look foolish and undisciplined so he would often opt to just let the festivities go on without him. Either way, he was happy regardless of where he was or who he was around.