Breath of Fresh Air

"Well, I'll take another nap," Noah decided, "But feel free to wake me up if you need me." He closed his eyes and sighed deeply. Then he drifted back off to sleep.

Another half hour or so passed before Chaital began to stir. She yawned and stretched out her front paws before spreading her wings, opening her eyes, and glancing around. She spotted Soot nestled against her and chuffed, giving him a few delighted licks. It was good to see the nervous dragon settling in somewhere.

------

"Wh - " Axel stammered, blinking and freezing in place. "I don't have a . . ." But he blushed and smiled. He did have a business face sometimes, didn't he? He rubbed the back of his neck and snickered, averting his eyes. "It's not meant to fool people. It's just meant to make people more comfortable," he said at last. "Most people prefer my, ah . . . business face, if you know what I mean."

He scoffed at her suggestion at checking if anyone was in the wildflowers, but he smiled and went after her anyway. "I'm not sure this is actually part of the normal tour you take," he said, raising an eyebrow. "You don't seem the type to have 'check for frolicking animals' written on your list."
 
Nel only smiled and wished Noah sweet dreams, and when the younger boy drifted off leaned back against the dragons on either side of him to look up at the clouds and just think for a while. It had been a long time since he'd sat and done nothing. It was enough to make him start thinking of Home, or at least what had been Home when he was little.

When Chaital woke and started to move, Nel was still mostly awake, and shifted a bit to get his own arm out of the way of her grooming. "Oh, you're awake," he murmured softly, lifting the hand that was trapped beneath her neck to stroke lightly over her scales. "Isn't it nice? He wanted to sit with you." It was good to know that even after being resource deprived as he grew up, Soot wasn't particularly possessive or antisocial. He could be taught that it was okay to be with other dragons and people.

***************

Malia's smile turned a bit impish at the flush on his cheeks and the uncertainty in his voice, but she had mercy and didn't poke at him any further. "Hmm," she hummed thoughtfully instead, eyes drifting up towards the sky as if giving it some consideration. "I much prefer honesty, instead. If a person must be blunt or tactless to do so, then so be it, but it's much easier and much more efficient to simply say what one means." It wasn't that she couldn't pretend to be a 'proper lady' for society, but that she would rather speak and behave honestly, rather than putting on different faces for different people. There were exceptions, surely, but it was still the way she liked things.

"Allow me to rephrase," she said with a little laugh. "Let's go and make sure no one is vomiting on or setting fire to the wildflowers." That was more accurate. She wasn't going any place in particular, really, just checking the grounds and staying on the lookout for any dragons acting unusually. He could call it whatever he wanted.
 
Chaital bobbed her head in agreement, rumbling.

Eventually, Soot began to wake up as well, shifting his head a bit and slowly opening one eyes. He squeaked a bit when Chaital began licking his neck, but he realized what was going on and settled again. Especially when he spotted Noah nearby.

----

Axle let out a breath. "I do, too," he admitted. "But I've been in Upper Floaten for so long, I . . ." He bit his lower lip. "I guess I'm not used to leaving my face off as often." Besides that, he hardly knew who the real him was any more, besides someone who loved his son and dragons.

He trailed off after Malia through the wildflowers, keeping an eye out for creatures that might be around. "Ah, that makes sense," he agreed. He paused again. "Although . . . well, maybe it would be okay to have a little bit of fun . . ." he admitted, more to himself than to Malia. He stared at the flowers for a long moment. "Are we allowed to pick one of these?"
 
Nel flinched a little when Soot woke up, not wanting him to be scared or react poorly, and settled with a little sigh as the troubled dragon relaxed. "Have a good nap?" He asked softly, bringing his hand up under Soot's chin and giving him a smile. "It was nice of you to come and keep us company."

***************

"It's a survival mechanism," Malia said idly, with a little shrug as if it really did mean nothing. "Like camouflage. Blend in, or be picked off." Every person wanted to survive, whether that was physically or mentally. It had likely helped Axle's business to always be wearing masks.

She had already walked a few feet away when he asked about the flowers, and only turned to look at him and gesture towards them, a sort of 'go ahead' motion. "They're only wildflowers. Nothing special or protected. Take some if you'd like."
 
Soot chirped and laid his chin in Nel's hand, closing his eyes and swishing his tail. Not only had he been safe during his nap, but nothing bad was happening now, either. Maybe Chaital and Noah were just as safe as Nel was. He licked Nel's hair and chittered a bit more.

Noah started stirring again soon after. "Mmm. Who made dragons so comfy?" he asked, blinking his eyes slowly open. "So warm in the sun."

-----

"Mm. You do have a point. I suppose I've done what I had to for so long, to protect the business and my family," Mr. Harn murmured. He knelt down and delicately picked up one of the wildflowers. Then he smiled and threaded it into his hair. "Not protected, maybe. But they are something special. They're very beautiful," he murmured. "Would you like one for your hair?"
 
Nel chuckled at Soot's licks, just letting him without any fight. He was used to dragons licking his hair, and before that it had been a cow and a goat. "Are they so comfortable?" He asked with a little laugh when Noah woke up. "They're rather firm, aren't they?" Nothing about dragons was soft, after all. He was happy, though, that Noah was so content to lay with Chaital. After all the time she'd spent without affection, she deserved someone who wasn't afraid to dote on her so. "I'm glad you had a good nap. Soot and I can sit around a while, if you still wanted to fly."

****************

"It's all right to protect your family," Malia mused, looking around at the flowers and up at the clear skies. "It's all right to protect yourself." A parent would do anything for their family, at all times, but it was all right to think that he had put on faces for himself, as well. It was a thought she had come to terms with long ago.

She smiled when she looked back at him again to see a flower already in his hair, and just gently waved him off. "No, no, that's all right, thank you. I do what I can to dissuade dragons from eating my hair, and extra adornments always make them curious. You'll just have to look charming for the both of us." With a soft chuckle, she turned to start walking again, knowing she couldn't stay away forever, and that they had lunch plans they would need to get to eventually. "You'll have to catch up, if you want to pick any more."
 
"Yeah, they are!" Noah admitted. "But they curve in just the right places. They're safe, and secure." He patted Chaital's neck and sat up. "You want to go for a fly, girl?"

Chaital chirped and stood up. Normally she'd have jumped to her feet, but considering Soot, she got up more gently. Then she craned her neck around to nudge Noah's safety line.

"Ohhh, right. Nel? Is this how I attach it?" Noah asked, clipping his safety line and harness onto the saddle.

------

Axle smiled. Malia had a way of putting him at ease. She was right, he could stand to be a little more relaxed, and it was okay to use the masks when he needed them.

But then he froze again. His ears burned bright red, and he cleared his throat once or twice. Charming? Malia thought he was charming?

She was already walking off through the flowers, though, and he stumbled before hurrying to catch up. "Oh! Right. I - I keep getting distracted. I apologize."
 
Nel shifted his weight away so Chaital could get up without worrying about nudging him, and after a moment gave Soot a gentle pat against his chin. "I need to stand, just for a minute," he said gently, guiding the dragon's head away so he could get to his feet. "I'll be right back."

It appeared that Noah was doing things right, but he wasn't willing to leave anything regarding the novice rider's safety to chance. He was careful in checking the saddle again, and Noah's harness, then finally the clips that kept him from falling out of the saddle. "Everything looks good," he said finally, with a decisive little nod once he was satisfied everything was right. "Once you're off the mat, you can feel free to take off."

***************

Malia would have been lying if she had said she wasn't poking at him again, the red tint to his cheeks not something that had escaped her, but it wasn't that she hadn't meant it. It was only that she used walking away to hide her smile at the catch in his voice, the change in tone he tried to cover up. For a stuffy businessman from Upper Floaten, he was being very cute. She couldn't help having a bit of fun with him.

"That's quite all right," she assured, though she didn't slow down to make catching up any easier, her pace slow enough not to warrant it. "I have others whose job it is to patrol for trouble. Some days I just like to see it for myself. This place needs a lot of administrative work, but I'm not one to stay holed up in an office all day without going a bit insane." She'd been a wandering, fitful spirit before she'd settled in this place.
 
Soot gave a soft huff. Then he turned his head slightly, just to watch what Nel was up to.

Noah grinned. "Great! Can't wait to try some more flips and shit. Let's go, Chaital!"

Chaital growled happily and ran off the mat, taking a galloping start before launching herself into the air.

Noah squealed happily and held on. And seconds later, the pair were high up in the clouds, soaring and darting around.

----

It had been a long, long time since Axle was flustered. He knew how to handle business. He knew how to interact professionally. But what was he supposed to do when all of a sudden he was feeling things again?

He messed with the flower in his hair once he eventually caught up with Malia again. It was probably best just to ignore his feelings. She was only teasing him, after all, probably in the same way Jasper often did to Noah. It wasn't like she meant anything by it.

"It's probably just as well. It's certainly a good idea to get outside and get some fresh air now and again," he agreed at last. "Where's your favorite place in the Dragonry to go?"
 
Nel moved back out of the way as Chaital rushed off, watching how they took to the air if only to see if he could think of any pointers. Flips weren't entirely advisable, but for now it was all right for him to let the boy have his fun. After a moment, he went back to sit next to Soot, then eventually laid down with his knees raised and his hands folded loosely over his own stomach, watching Chaital fly to be sure nothing bad happened.

"I have to stay here for a while," he said softly after a minute or two had passed, turning his head enough to look at Soot with a little smile. "Do you want to keep me company?"

****************

"The pastures." Malia answered, without much hesitation or pause for thought. "Nothing compares to simply being out in nature, with the breeze in your hair, and peaceful creatures around. It's the best place to observe the dragons in as natural a habitat as they can have here. Reminds me of walking barefoot through the grass as a little girl."

After a moment of nostalgia, she gave him a small, gentle smile. "Truthfully, I thought you would enjoy the walk more than I. They're very different, our worlds. But if you should like to visit again, I would be happy to escort you." She was often busy, but a walk didn't take up too much time, and was a necessary break to keep from becoming overwhelmed, and to stay in touch with all the dragons on the grounds. It wasn't a good idea for Axle to wander on his own, but she would gladly take more walks with him. It wasn't often she got to spend time with someone so charming, that was neither her underling nor trying to push her into making decisions for her Dragonry or her own influence that would benefit them.
 
The pair did do a flip or two, but they had more fun flying up and down in a roller coaster shape. Chaital would pull up as high as she could, and then glide down and curve left or right, much to Noah's delight. Eventually they tried a few other maneuvers. Since his harness was on, Chaital did a few short stops so Noah could feel the sensation and get a bit more used to it. She even bucked a few times as well.

And Noah picked up as much experience as he could, leaning with Chaital and learning how to fly with a dragon.

Soot chuffed happily and made himself more comfortable beside Nel. Clearly the boy was watching the pair in the sky, so he did as well, mirroring his actions to try and help out.

-----

"I am very much enjoying the walk, thank you," Axle said, adjusting the flower in his hair. "You're right. This world is much, much different than mine. I'm rather drawn to it," he added. He smiled and relaxed a bit. "I'd love to go on more walks in the future. This seems like an excellent way to reduce stress, especially after a long day."
 
Nel watched dutifully, his eyes glued to Chaital's shape as she ducked and twisted through the air, not relaxing despite the relative safety of their flight. Anything could go wrong at any time, and even though it very likely wouldn't it was good to be on guard. There wasn't much he could do, which was why when the harness came off he would have to find them someone else to be their spotter, but for now he could at least see enough to tell if something was going wrong in the air, so he could run off and get someone else who could fly up and see them.

"What do you think, Soot?" He murmured softly after a little while, reaching a hand out to gently stroke the dragon's muzzle and smiling a little at the way he watched them fly. "Looks like fun, hm? One day, you'll fly just as well." As trapped and abused as he had been, Soot hadn't had so much practice at flying as a normal dragon his age would. He was doing well, so far, in the few lessons Nel had tried to give him, but it had taken a long time since Soot had been wary of other dragons for so long. He would get there one day, Nel was sure. Flying was as instinctual for dragons as walking and running was for children.

****************

"It isn't all sunshine and rainbows," Malia said with a little smile, pleased that he was enjoying his time at the Dragonry, and perhaps also his time with her, "but when it is there's nothing like it." She couldn't imagine living so high up in the sky, surrounded by metal. It was surely beautiful in its own way, she thought, but it wasn't the same as feeling the earth beneath her feet.

"It's good to get away and forget for a little while." Like now, she thought. It wouldn't do to constantly let the potential emergency hanging over their heads drive them into a panic. If one couldn't breathe in measured, careful ways, one couldn't make the right decisions - physically and metaphorically. She had her plan for sending out a message to the Secret Gate already, she just had to wait until the morning to get someone on the journey. For now it was okay to waste time. "Perhaps we should start circling back to find your boy before it's time for lunch?" They had covered a decent amount of ground already. It was a good enough inspection for now.
 
Soot slowly craned his neck towards Nel, eyes blinking slowly in surprise. It looked like fun? Was Nel asking him to fly him up into the sky, too? He glanced upward and paused to think about it. Chaital and Noah were all over the place, but they stayed at mostly the same height. If he flew below them it would probably be fine. He knew Chaital wouldn't run him off like some other dragons might.

So he slowly unfurled his wings, glancing at Nel and giving a soft squeak. Sure, he would try a small flight into the air for Nel. Nel and Chaital would keep him safe.

-----

"Oh no, of course not. But even the rain and storms seem . . . better, down here," Mr. Harn admitted softly. He chuckled and smiled. "You're right, though. It's nice to forget sometimes. As for lunch and Noah - yes, we ought to see what he's up to. Five credits says he's out flying with Chaital," he added, beaming.
 
When Soot started to get up off the mat, Nel blinked at him in surprise and eased himself to his elbows, not wanting to sit up too quickly and startle him. "You want to go?" He asked, easing up to a sit and then finally to his feet as Soot got all the way up and started to open his wings.

"You can do it," he encouraged, stepping back until his feet found grass again. "You can take off from the grass. Take your time, and only go as high as you'd like. I'll be right here." If flying near another dragon got Soot nervous, he could come right back down and settle in with Nel again, and receive no disappointment. He only wanted Soot to be comfortable flying again, like he was always meant to be.

***************

A problem's weight was only so burdensome as how many hands would help you carry it, Malia thought, but for now she left it to personal contemplation and only laughed softly at Axle's assumption. "I don't take bets I know I'll lose," She said with a shake of her head, gesturing for him to start angling back the way they had come, though they would take a different path back. "If no one was watching him, I think he would be up in the sky as often as she could manage." He would be chomping at the bit to fly longer distances or to greater heights, she was sure. Once they were past crisis and able to get him a regular partner for flying, he would take to it like a fish to water.
 
The dragon slowly walked after Nel, spreading his wings a bit more the further into the grass he got. But he paused once he was all the way in the grass. Wasn't Nel going to get on like Noah did with Chaital? He made a confused grumbling noise and gently nudged Nel's arm, and then motioned back at himself with his muzzle. If Nel wasn't with him, how was he supposed to know where to go?

------

"Fair enough," Mr. Harn said warmly. "And yes, he seems very much at home in the sky with his dragon. His mother would be so proud of him." He pushed aside a few talkers plants and ran a hand through his hair. "Although, knowing Noah, he'll also be back at Grandpa Jenkins' for lunch. Suppose we just meet him there?"
 
Nel didn't frown at Soot's hesitation, not wanting to discourage the dragon, but when it dawned on him what Soot was trying to ask he did look a bit boggled. "O- Oh," he managed, surprised so thoroughly he almost couldn't find the words. "With . . . With me? I can't. . ." It was such a shocking idea, one that felt it had more implications than he might even be aware of, but he was quick to smile again and reach out gently to give Soot's snout a reassuring pet. "Not without a saddle. Why don't we practice that some before we try flying together, hm? I don't want you to be uncomfortable. For now, you can fly without me, if you'd like." Would he, by himself? Nel hoped he would, but there was a warm swell in his chest that wondered if he wouldn't want to.

****************

Malia couldn't help feel a sympathetic warmth at Axle being able to speak about his late wife, despite dodging around directly mentioning her before. "Not one to miss out on food?" She said, amusement in her voice, and when she noticed him knock the flower from his hair took a moment to pick it up. When he stopped, predictably, as she did, she stepped back up to his side and tucked it neatly back to rest atop his ear.

"Can't forget that." She said with a little smile, and turned to angle more towards the windmill than back to the Dragonry's main buildings as if she'd done nothing at all. "A fair enough point. It wouldn't hurt to sit and wait for a little while." She could have a chat with Mr. Jenkins, or help him make lunch.
 
Soot licked his lips. Not without a saddle. What did a saddle look like? He paused, glancing up to try and see Chaital's saddle. But it was too far away. If he wanted a closer look, he'd have to fly up towards her.

He swallowed and spread his wings wide. Then, with a few hopping motions, he carefully got himself into a glide. With a few more flaps, he pulled himself higher into the air. The sensation of high wind was new. But Chaital didn't seem bothered, so it must not be dangerous.

The black dragon gave another few thrusts until he was gliding alongside the other dragon, who chuffed happily at him and calmed her movements so she wouldn't bump him on accident. He spent a few minutes carefully studying the saddle. Then he cautiously, slowly made his way back to the ground and landed near the supply shed.

Did Nel want him to get his own saddle like Noah had? He poked his head into the shed, sniffing around to try and find similar equipment. It hadn't even occurred to him just how high he'd flown on his own, so set was he on getting to fly with Nel - with a human, like Chaital was.

-----

He didn't even hear half the conversation. All of a sudden, Malia was kneeling beside him, picking up his flower and setting it gently behind his ear - which he was sure had turned bright red again with blush.

It didn't make sense. She was only trying to tease him a little and get him to relax, it wasn't as though she was actually interested. And he knew that. So why was his heart fluttering?

He cleared his throat and nodded, reaching up a hand to make sure the flower was still there once Malia turned away. ". . . Right. Lunch with Grandpa Jenkins sounds good. Let's head that way."
 
Nel was doing his best to bite his tongue, to encourage gently so as not to scare Soot out of trying to fly, but as the wary dragon started to lift off into the air he couldn't help an overzealous little 'Yes!'. From the ground he watched as Soot flew higher and higher, his heart beating fast in his chest at the overwhelming sign of progress, and had it in mind to give Chaital her praise as well when she returned, for being so accommodating.

On Soot's way back down, Nel had to fight to keep his excitement under control, jogging closer but slowing as he approached and keeping his hands to himself. "You did it!" He gushed, so happy he could feel his eyes beginning to water. "You went so high, and you landed so smoothly - I'm so proud of you!"

He stepped carefully over to gently touch Soot's flank, not wanting to startle him when his head was hidden behind the storage room's door. "A-Ah, let's not go in there. Lots of things to get your wings caught on. . . Do you want to try it? A saddle?" He hesitated, a little swirl of upset in his stomach at the thought of somehow hurting Soot. "There are a lot of straps and buckles. . . Some of it may sounds like chains. . ."

****************

Malia was content to continue on their walk, with a little idle chatter here and there but otherwise comfortable with silently traveling together. She was not unaware of the look in his eyes when she'd touched him, nor the flush to his face, but had simply chosen for now to let things lie without prodding at him for it or acknowledging that she may or may not have done it on purpose. She had, at least, initially meant the returning of his flower to be wholly innocent.

When they reached the house, she took the liberty of knocking on the door, and gave Mr. Jenkins a winning smile as he opened. "Henry! It's good to see you. I hope I'm not intruding by showing up so suddenly."
 
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When the grey and black dragon returned, he found Nel so happy that he was crying. He chuffed and reached out to lick a few tears off Nel's cheeks, and then couldn't help but lift his head high and flap his wings a few times for good measure. He'd done a good job? Nel was proud of him?

Then he pulled his head out of the shed when Nel called to him. Soot thought about the young man's words for a moment. The saddle buckles did sound a bit similar to chains . . . but he'd seen Chaital wearing them. How else was Nel supposed to stay on safely? And they didn't look like they hurt.

So he bobbed his head in a hesitant nod. He'd try it. Nel wouldn't do anything to hurt him, he knew that.

-----

Mr. Jenkins burst out laughing as he pulled open the door, his eyes glittering. "Malia, you old goat! How've you been?"

"Old? She's my age!" Axle protested.

"Yup," Mr. Jenkins agreed with a grin. He swung the door wide and waved a hand. "Come in, come in! Ya had a bite to eat recently? I need some taste testers fer this new recipe I'm trying."
 
Kneeling down next to Soot as he drew away from the door, Nel held his hands out until Soot had set his chin in them, and draw him gently closer until he could lean their heads together. "All right," he murmured softly, almost reluctantly. "All right, we'll give wearing one a try. If you don't like it, or if you feel scared, only move away from me and I will never force you." No matter what, Soot was the one in charge. Nel would never push so hard he made the abused dragon remember his former home with fear for his new one.

Easing Soot gently away, Nel went into the storage room to find another training saddle in Soot's size, and took that moment to breathe slowly and carefully and calm himself down. If he was too nervous it would only agitate poor Soot, and he needed to have steady hands to make the buckles secure besides. When he had the saddle Nel pulled it back out the doors, doing his best not to move it too much, and waved a bit for Soot to back up and give him room.

"I'm going to shake it a little, okay?" He warned gently. "If you don't like the noise, we can stop." When he was sure Soot understood, he gave the saddle a careful heft up and down, so the pieces clinked and clanged together quietly, but with enough force to make some noise. If it was too much, they would put it back immediately and find something with less metal, even if it had to be a saddle not meant for being strapped into.

***************

"Am I?" Malia asked, turning to raise an eyebrow at Axle as if daring him to guess, and put a finger to her lips like it was all a secret. "I'll never tell."

She flashed him a smile after, and turned to follow Mr. Jenkins into his house, relaxing at familiar decor and the smell of cooking food. "Too much ginger and not enough thyme." She teased like she could tell just from the scent, giving the older man a little wink. "I'd be delighted."
 
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