[center][color=ED2939][h1]Shieldwing[/h1][/color][/center]

Shieldwing heard the jokes of his companions, and quickly scrambled back to his feet, clearing his throat. Luckily, his crimson scales hid the slight blush on his face rather well. However, it grew a little bit deeper as Garrock came and began to examine him more closely for any potential injuries he may have incurred from the crash-landing. He let out an audible groan, but did not resist the older dragon.

[color=ED2939]"O-of courese there's no injuries, I knew what I was doing the whole time,"[/color] Shieldwing claimed, raising his head up high and straightening himself out. He huffed, clearly moderately annoyed as he was checked over like a hatchling, but he wasn't about to argue. [color=ED2939]"And I can too glide straight. I was just trying to make sure the others didn't need any help, that's all."[/color] His claws scratched a bit at the powder beneath them, digging into them a bit as he tensed slightly. He knew that this was just an excuse, and he was already kicking himself for messing up such a simple task. But it was fine. After all, their mission had only just started, right? He had plenty of time to figure out how to make up for this blunder.

He shook himself off once Garrock left him alone, and he was glad for a swift change of subject. He stepped back toward the others, tail swishing about behind him just above the gemstone sand. He turned his attention to the conversation between his companions, and grinned over at Stargaze.

[color=ED2939]"That's a great idea. Echo is the one who raised you, right? That would make things easy for sure,"[/color] the red dragon said, stepping over to the newest and youngest member of the clutch. And he quickly spotted a way he might be able to help redeem himself.... Maybe. [color=ED2939]"Then this is what we should do."[/color] As he spoke, he swept his tail across the top of the sand to lightly clear away any shells to reveal a small, smooth spot in the sand. He then began to draw dig a claw into the sand, drawing simple shapes to help facilitate his points.

[color=ED2939]"We follow Stargaze to Echo's cave. Since they've lived here the whole time, they might be able to point us at anything new or weird. Or maybe at least give us a lead. Stargaze will obviously be at the front to show us the way, and I'll be next to her so I can help her out if something happens on the way."[/color] He drew two simple ovals in the sand next to one another. [color=ED2939]"Fellwing and Skobellof can be in the middle."[/color] Once again, two new ovals just beneath the first pair. [color=ED2939]"They just need to keep an eye on the sides. And then the rear can be Mr. Garrock because he's the biggest, strongest, and that lets him make sure he can see all of us without having to look backward all the time."[/color] He drew a circle that was larger than the others behind the two rows. [color=ED2939]"At the same time, nobody's gonna want to come up on us from behind if the big dragon is in the back."[/color]

He then lifted his head with pride at that, seeming proud of himself for coming up with this formation on the spot. His gaze drifted between his clutchmates to gauge their responses, of course, but the one he was most hopeful to have pleased was Garrock. Though he made sure only to side-eye Garrock just in case he needed to quickly avert his gaze at a disapproving or other negative expression.