Well... gosh. This has been quite a while since i had this art and wanted to post it...
Though, i really wanted to make something nice out of it, giving context and celebrating it.

This is such a wonderful and peaceful art... it just warms my heart looking at it, at this beautiful scenery and the just calm bond Aeryl and Nordstrom share here <3
It's meant as a symbole for the years i've met FrostyPasta , and all the talk and things we shared since then ^^
Despite the tough times, i'm glad i have met you my friend ! And i hope it will keep like that for the years to come.

Go check his "side" of the story here, mine is only based on his version !
https://www.furaffinity.net/view/54583108/

Nordstrom the human belongs to  FrostyPasta , go check his page and take a look at his world and characters
Wonderful art by  Rimmi1357 , look at their page and amazing arts please ! <3

So... here's the story. It's a "my side" version of the events written by FrostyPasta, it was remade in a few days with very little editing so... it can be really messy at some parts ! I hope it'll still be nice to look at, and don't hesitate to share your thoughts too ^^'
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I take a last long look at the made-up portal, in the security of my current shelter...
It's just a bunch of stones arranged in a way to build a sort of "door" but... i can't help but build excitation as i hold the last piece in my right palm, the green gem inducing magic into the whole structure.*
I got in his world only... twice before. There's still so many i don't know and don't understand. Usually Nordy just is much more enthusiastic coming here, besides the dangers he has been witness of... and he keeps coming and coming. It's crazy how it seems nothing can stop him... Haha, i wish i'd be more like that ! Though... that makes it weird... why does he wants me to come now ?
What does he have in mind ?
*Without further addue, i finally insert the gem onto the appropriate slot. Magic running through the stones like a river would flow, illuminating them in a soft green hue, until in a short burst of light... a window to "Ateth" opens. Showing only some sand and water on the opposite. A beach...
A multitude of feelings goes through me at the moment. Slight anxiety, but also tremondous excitation and curiosity as to what i'll be able to find out behind this door ! I only need for one leap of faith--

-- Until i pass. Blinded by the sudden light attacking my eyes... but still aware enough to meet a familiar silhouette in my sideview. A familiar ribbon attached to his arm, floating a bit... making my heart tingle, as i remember the time i gifted him this.

"Welcome to Ateth my friend!"

Before i can even wave at him, i feel a light shock as he rushed out at me, hugging as tight he could !
... Hehehe... i'm so used of his dragon form that i tend to forgot that i'm bigger than him in that state ! Oh i'm gonna enjoy this situation while it last !
As a show, i hug him back, and lift him up slightly out of the ground without much effort !
"It's good to see you again Nordy !... Though I'm curious ? Why did you insist in me coming here of all places, and not your home ?" I say, as i look around innocently, trying to pin out each distinction i could as my world, slowling relaxing my hold over him.

"That is the surprise my friend! Come on!" He says, rushing then southway, toward a visible port city next to the sea.

Gosh... what even is he up to ? I rush after him, not even letting me ask anything more !

---

I... knew about this world's culture, Nordy taught me lots about it. I know how different things were here... And yet... I just can't get used to it ! Aahhh oh my gosh...
I just don't know how to react here, people coming to me, so many species all together, just coming out of curiosity and kindness, smiling at me, asking questions... it just felt... warm. Where i am there use to be such a separation between dragons and other species, that in my birth country we barely see each others besides in travels. I left all of that, just... tired. I needed to see what other places had to offer me and yet... here... It just was this simple.
People living their lives, minding their own thoughts, preparing for festivities... despite my relative size with them, i was just a foreigner between others. I feel so stiff and awkward waving back at them ! I guess that's what i should do ? Right ? Or maybe i should ignore-
AAAhhhh Nordy, stop giving me this snarky look, and help me a bit there !
In the end all i can do is following him, trying to push away people gently to not make a fuss going through the city. Hearing the tunes, joyful ones, melancolic ones, happy ones... bringing warmth to the city and its inhabitants. Multiple stands were sharing goods, gifts colorful crafts of all sorts... a cascade of colors surrounded me as i navigated through it. All these sounds, forms acts were... alien to me. And don't make me start on the smells ! It was hard enough to follow Nordy without getting too distracted, with him grabbing a leg a few times, always a teasy look on his face, as if he expected that ! Hey, can't a dragon be... *Rrrrmmmbbl* ... Errr... Hungry ?
Hearing that, Nordstrom stopped right in front of me, looking at me with an empathetic but amused face, while i pout, holding my belly with my wings and blushing a bit. He chuckles a bit, petting me, only making me more embarassed, looking away... until he pulls me toward a stand selling fruity treats, stating we could just rest a bit there and enjoy some food...
I think i barely understood "food", my drool giving out my state, just holding onto him and nodding furiously as he's buying food there !

"Nordy... Hey, hey, Nordy ! ... Can you take some of this ? O-oh and this ! This looks so tasty too..."

Still totally unphased and smiling, he put down a small bag of gold, the cook looking at him with big eyes while mine glittered...
I tasted each of the meals and pastries, each adding their own unique flavors, some acid, some salty and umami, the other... so sweet and soft !! It was like... like a wind, cloud, but in desert form !! It's amazing...
"Have you tasted this "strawberry" thing ?! This is amazing !! I need more of these at home..."

Without even remarking it, people started to join us as time went on... looking at me, the weird looking dragon so happy as if he never eated pastries in his entire life ! I really didn't know how to react to that... smiling stiffly at others, not knowing what to say or how te react... Nordy came at me, using his assurance to take a big voice, starting to share tales of his own, about our meeting and who i am... Heck, that really didn't help me there ! People then came asking me who i was, if the stories were true, and how it was where i came from ! A child petting on my leg not afraid at all, only for his father to hold her back giving me an apologetic look... i felt so ridiculous standing there, pastries still covering my muzzle. I looked at Nordy... he gave me an encouraging look, making me gulp some of my saliva down... and look back to the other people. Starting to talk about my place, my life in my world, the things i did... recollecting these thoughts made me weirdly nostalgic too, thinking back of the many stories that i shared with Nordstrom, the dangers and frights, but also the good moments...
In the end, after my story ended, my human friend stood up, dusting himself and waving goodbye to our new "fans". I panicked for a second, looking left and right and standing still suddenly, and joining him in a hast ! Just saying my goodbye to the people that were sat there, looking all confused.

---

"H-hey Nordy ! That was rude... where are you even leading me ? Wasn't that it ? The city in festivities ?"

Once again, he chuckles, it's like he's taking pleasure at leaving me like that ! Going forward again and again, not ever stoping out of the city, even going through a forest path, clear and green, sun still piercing through the leaves despite lowering slowly. I appreciate the view... but soon frustration just takes over my mind, sighing loudly.
"... You know i can just fly and bring us wherever you want ?"

Nordstrom for once, finally reacts to me ! Continuing to walk at the same rythm, but shaking his head left and right with affirmation.
"We're walking Aeryl! Trust me, it will be worth it."
I can't help but sigh heavily, that i would probably have smoke coming out of my nostrils if i were a fire dragon ! I'm a WIND dragon damnit, we fly... my legs aren't made for long walk like that !!

Long minutes go by as we continue walking toward our final destination, or so i hoped. It felt way longer than it actually was... but i guess at the same time, it let me the time to look around and appreciate the place.
"It's really been two years now !"
Nordstrom finally breaks out of his silence... i guess this is quite a good moment for recollection, right ? My eyes focused on him after these few words, i then took a deep inspiration, looking upward at the sky, as if i expected it to give me some kind of answers, or to show me the time... I... for sure didn't think so much about it before coming but... it sure have been 2 years already... In the end, all that escapes my muzzle is :
"Time flies doesn't it."
Nordy is just as reflective, looking back at the ribbon i offered him...
"Yay.... it really does just fly on by... Now come on ! We're almost there !"

I let out a surprised "Uh ?" as he starts to speed up ! And not so little, i had trouble following him in the forest ! "Wait, the trees are more a problem for me than you here- hey ! Nordy !"
I rush and rush as fast i can, following my 2 legged friend until i finally see a big, blinding light piercing through the leaves !
....
Woah. This... this is amazing. The forest itself reflect on a perfect blue glittering lake, giving it an emerald tint, only complimented by the sunset's light covering it and us in its warmth... The view was so splendid i just went... speachless.
Suddenly... it all made sens. Why he asked me to come, why we went through all that and why he insisted on us only walking. It was... a trip, like we did when we first met. Perhaps much less dangerous, but so good to remember each of our steps and how our path went by in the first place.

"See ! I told you it would be worth the walk."

He looks at me again with that grin of his ! But this time it seemed so much more... peaceful. As he sits next to me, i extend my left wing, covering his back gently, without holding.
*Snrff... hmm...* Wait, do i really... ? Woah... this all feels strangely... so overwelming, i can't help but sniffle slightly, my eyes glittering with small non dropping tears...
I think... i think i know what i need to say now. The only one that rings true in that moment.

"Thank you Nordstrom... I'm happy that life has decided to cross our paths. It's been an interesting two years, all the adventures and messes we've gotten into. All the trouble you drag me though, all the hardships we endure, the triumphs we enjoy. Even the simple days, I'm glad to do it all with you Nordy"

"And my we have many more my friend ! Though... lets try to make it more of enjoying good food and drinks kind of days like today, instead of the usual mess we get into."

I look back at him, as he starts chuckling harder and harder... Pfff-... hehe... I guess this is quite true ! We're just a bunch of crazy misfits that gets carried in the worst possible situations each time aren't we ? Heh ! I join him, holding him against me using my left paw and giggling much ! Only sighing in the end... relaxing my grip.
"But thank you again Nordy. This was a fun day."

Nordy nods gently, sighing and breathing deeply, breaking the eye contact with me, us both joining in watching the sun set.
"It was a fun day indeed. Lets keep doing this every year."

Every year huh... who knows what might happen until next year already. There has been lots of tough moments for each of us, and it's so hard to know where our minds and hearts might be...
But... despite everything... i... i think i'd want this to continue. Hopefully, going for the better, being able to support each others...

"Yeah. I think I'd like that Nordy."