The early light of dawn spilled over the Shaking Reefs, painting the sand dunes in a soft glow. It was a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing in Kayla's mind as she awaited Cornelius's arrival. Today wasn't about the thrill of the race or the roar of the sand dragons beneath her; it was about tutoring a mainlander, a task she neither asked for nor wanted. Racing was her passion, her escape—it was where her heart lay. Sharing her culture, building bridges? Those were concerns for the elders, not for her.

Cornelius's approach broke her train of thought. Clad in the traditional wrappings of her people, he was a picture of eagerness, albeit slightly awkward in his movements. His enthusiasm was clear, yet it did little to ease the apprehension that lay heavy on Kayla's shoulders.

"Good morning," he greeted, his voice laced with a cautious optimism.

"Morning," Kayla replied, her tone curt, her gaze briefly meeting his before turning towards the Ruby Dragon. "Let's just get started, shall we?"

The initial part of the lesson was strictly technical. Kayla explained the mechanics of the sand dragons with a practiced ease, demonstrating the controls and the intricate balance required to master these machines. Cornelius listened intently, his fascination apparent, but Kayla kept her distance, her mind on the dunes ahead rather than the exchange between them.

It was only when they took to the sand dragons that a shift occurred. As Cornelius struggled with the controls, his earlier confidence waning in the face of the desert's unforgiving nature, Kayla found herself reluctantly offering more guidance, correcting his posture, explaining the flow of the sands with a bit more patience. The desert was her domain, and despite her reservations, she couldn't help but ensure he respected it, understood it, even if only to prevent him from getting hurt.

The morning wore on, the sun climbing higher, casting stark shadows on the undulating sands. By the time they paused for a break, the air between them had shifted, filled with the unsaid and the awkward attempts at conversation that ventured beyond the realm of sand dragons.

Cornelius broke the silence first, his curiosity about the Shaking Reefs pushing past the awkwardness. "The way you and the dragon... move together. It's like nothing I've seen before. In Yudrosil, machines... they don't have this kind of... harmony."

Kayla shrugged, her guard still up. "It's different here," she said, her voice lacking the earlier coldness. "The dragons aren't just machines. They're part of the desert, part of us. You don't control them; you understand them.""I'm well aware how different it is. You see, Yudrosil is a city of contrasts," Cornelius began, his eyes lighting up with the fervor of his description. Kayla internally groaned at the sudden topic. "From the towering spires that pierce the sky to the sprawling markets teeming with life at their bases, it's a place where history and progress clash and meld in the most unexpected ways."

He painted a picture of wide, cobbled streets that wound their way through districts as diverse as the city's inhabitants. "The Artisans' Quarter is a maze of color and sound, where craftsmen of all trades bring their visions to life. At dawn, the air fills with the clang of hammers and the scent of fresh paint, a city in never-ending creation. The Great Library of Yudrosil, the Sky Rail, amazing places. It's not just the places, though, It's the people—innovators and dreamers who believe that tomorrow can be better than today. Their resilience, their creativity... it's what makes Yudrosil, Yudrosil." For a moment, the desert around them seemed to fade, replaced by the vivid imagery Cornelius conjured with his words. Kayla found herself drawn in, leaning forward without noticing."It sounds incredible," Kayla admitted, her voice softer. "Different from here, but... incredible all the same."

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"Yeah, it is," Cornelius agreed, his gaze meeting hers. "But hearing about the Reefs, the races, the way you and the sand dragons move as one... It's made me realize how incredible your world is too. Different, yes, but equally alive, equally vibrant despite the way the desert may look."

"You don't even know," Kayla said with a sigh, looking out at the warped horizon and the dark spot that was her home.

Kayla listened to Cornelius's eloquent depiction of Yudrosil, feeling the warmth of his love for his city. When it was her turn, she fumbled for the right words, her description more raw but no less passionate.

"The Reefs... it's hard to explain," she started, her gaze drifting over the expanse of undulating sand and sky. "It's like, every dune has its own story, you know? The sands shift, but our roots run deep. It's tough living here, but that's what makes us strong. The desert doesn't give easily, so we learn to give to each other instead."

She spoke of her family, the heart of her world. "In the Reefs, your family is your tribe, your anchor. We might spend our days racing the winds, but by night, it's all about coming together. Sharing the day's catch, the stories of the day. My ma, she's the best storyteller. Can make you believe you're living the tales she weaves."

Kayla's hands moved animatedly as she described the communal feasts, the laughter echoing under the canvas of stars. "It's more than just surviving; it's thriving, together. When one wins a race, it's a win for all. We celebrate, mourn, live as one. The desert could be unforgiving, but it teaches us to value what we have, to protect it fiercely."

Her description of the races was filled with a visceral energy, her words painting the thrill of competition, the roar of the sand dragons beneath her, the electric charge of the crowd. "Racing isn't just a sport; it's a testament to our bond with the desert and the dragons. It's... exhilarating, pushing yourself to the limit, with your family, your whole community cheering you on."

Though her words were simpler than Cornelius's, her passion for her home, for the traditions and the tight-knit community of the Bel Dais, shone through with every sentence. The desert, with its harsh beauty and relentless challenges, was more than a backdrop to her life—it was a character in her story, shaping her, her family, and her people into who they were.

Cornelius listened, captivated. When she finished, the conversation completely stalled once more. Both of them awkwardly kicked the sand or toyed with their wraps until Kayla decided to just end it.

"You did okay. Could be better. I'll meet you back here tomorrow."

"Oh, alright. Um, thanks again, Kayla. It was nice talking to you about your home." Cornelius stood and shook his pants to liberate them from the sand that built on them.

"Yeah." She said.

"Yeah." He said.

With that brilliant display of control of words, Cornelius turned and left in the direction of the docks. Kayla watched him go. mulling over something in her mind. The day hadn't changed her; the race was still her goal, her dream. But as she turned her attention back to the desert, to the dragons, she couldn't deny a new feeling that made her smile, even just a little.