Balloon Dragons are so named because they are filled with a gas that makes them almost lighter than air, similar to balloons. However, they are not prone to bursting, as they are covered in tough skin and can deflate themselves if necessary. In addition, they generally are slow moving. They use their gas bladders to float to the tops of trees, where food is more abundant. They can shift their weight from their backs to their fronts, allowing them to reach leaves and fruit.

Dragons are highly-intelligent reptilian creatures that—from a human perspective, at least—appear to live forever. Many different varieties of dragon exist, each with their own unique qualities, habitats, and behavior. Adolescence in dragons is usually marked by the growth of a hatchling’s wings, although not all breeds of dragons grow wings and some breeds have other traits that indicate the beginning of maturation. In Galsreim, dragons and humans coexist peacefully.

Bounceflight, since hatchlinghood, has been known for her optimism, her cheer, and her enthusiasm for a project, and oh, did she find a project when she came to the Weyr of Flame and met Lightfloat. The male Balloon Dragon was grumpy and depressed, constantly dwelling on the things he'd seen during the recent "War." Bounceflight didn't know about that, but what she DID know was that she wanted to bring Lightfloat back to the world of the living and that she could do it by overwhelming him with love. She brought him fresh food, she cleaned his cave, she even chased away the noisy hatchlings! Lo and behold, he asked her to move into his cave, and now they have three beautiful hatchlings together, to Bounceflight's delight. She remains in charge of Lightfloat's life these days, and even though she rather bossily forced herself into his life, she makes him happy, so little else matters.

A good mother and a good mate, Bounceflight's life is full of contentment.