I
ILovePandas
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Xanras
The morning had barely begun when the silent alarms blared through Xanras's head, sending the massive creature to his feet and into the main cavern to see the darting figure of the woman trying to escape. A part of him understood the struggle she felt internally, but the other part of him knew that she needed to come to terms with her destiny. And to run away from the baby dragon that had taken so kindly to her was simply heartbreaking.
He leapt over the pits in a single bound, landing his 70+ foot form between the young woman and the main entrance door that she had been headed towards.
"Where would you go?" His voice called to her aloud, the pronunciations a little off-key. His violet eyes stared at her as his head lowered to her level, able to look directly at her. "Why would you leave something so precious behind?"
Aiyana
It was pretty far fetched to think she could ajorn unhindered, but that didn't keep Aiyana from jumping slightly as the majestic dragon landed in front of her suddenly. Border Patrol. Aiyana grew up with what was probably the most skewed and hateful view of dragons as was possible, but since her incident with the Blue Dragon on the Northern Plains of Varon that view had begun to change. She couldn't explain it exactly, but she was drawn to dragons, their beauty and majesty. She knew she didn't understand them, but she probably liked them better then most people. Aiyana took a step backwards so she wouldn't go cross eyed from being so close.
The first of his questions seemed to be rhetorical, so Aiyana moved to answer the second. Of course he would immediately try to guilt her into staying. "She is not mine to take." Aiyana answered about the innocent turquoise baby. It felt true to Aiyana. Just because someone handed her the baby dragon did not mean that Aiyana was responsible for her. Responsibility was a choice. Besides, if the little baby ever knew of Aiyana's history and thoughts about dragons or her family's legacy, she was pretty sure that the little dragon would not want Aiyana to take care of her. This Inhalla, whoever she really was, seemed all knowing and had apparently been the voice in Aiyana's head for the past year. Inhalla must certainly know exactly who Aiyana was, but did that mean that Xanras did? Or any of the others? Hypothetically if she did choose to stay, what if they knew or found out who her father was and who she was by association? They would probably shun her or worse, eat her. And then what would happen to the baby dragon? She was better off not knowing Aiyana.
Xanras
Not hers to take? What was she taking? Xanras gave a huff, a plume of light gray smoke fuming from his nostrils as he settled himself in front of the door. "You are not taking her. She has chosen you. And it is one of the greatest gifts anyone could have."
He took a moment to think about what he could say to make her see what an honor it was to have been chosen by not only the goddess, but the soul and essence of one of the most powerful creatures in the world. "Dragons are born with great knowledge. And she understands that her duty rides alongside yours. Whether you wish to believe it or not, you have a great destiny ahead of you. And if you accept such a destiny, you will come to see that it is the greatest fate anyone could ask for." Perhaps this did not make sense to her…but why would it? How could it? Her mind was small and feeble, and she based all she did and how she acted off her life experiences.
But destiny could be cruel to some, and Xanras knew this from experience. He took a moment to ponder how to better explain this. "Have you met a dragon before, child? Have you ever seen the raw intelligence and power such a creature can have?"
Aiyana
Aiyana shifted her weight uneasily. Chosen? How could she be chosen?Saying it like that made it seem as though some god had written her name down long before she even existed, and now expected her to act out some fantasy. She tried to peer around Xanras but his bulk was firmly blocking the door. She shifted her weight again. This was beginning to make her uncomfortable. She was trying to not look at Xanras, but that was impossible to acheive.
So, somehow that little turquoise baby dragon was an old soul with a sense of duty? Aiyana didn't really see 'fate' as a great thing. She just wanted to be...free. She had escaped from everything she had known previously in order to get away from all the expectations there were for her. Now it seems she had run into even more expectations. Aiyana actually snorted with humor, sarcastically. Apparently Xanras was right about her having an unavoidable destiny.
She was finally able to focus back on the great dragon and when she did she found him squinting at her knowingly. Aiyana squinted back with hostility. She knew that look, that look of knowing judgment. That look that said she couldn't possibly be serious or know what she was doing. She'd encountered that look everyday of her life and spent every other moment trying to prove it wrong. She remembered that look etched on the faces of soldiers, commanders, politicians, leaders, and even common men, looking down on her (often only metaphorically due to her height) simply because she was a woman. Though, Aiyana was certain that her gender was not the cause of Xanras's judgment. And why shouldn't he judge her? To him she must seem small and frail indeed, her motivations shallow, her decisions hasty.
His next question snapped her out her revelry. She had indeed met a dragon before. If only he knew how much it really had impacted her. Those shiny sapphire scales peppered with ruby blood, that scream that pierced more than just her ears. And it's eyes that seemed to be looking at her, just her, like it knew. Knew that somehow, somewhere, she had been chosen. "I-- have met one before." she said slowly then swallowed. "A Blue, on the northern plains." she didn't know why she was telling him this exactly. "I suppose that is what ended up leading me here."What she remembered most and what she was reminded of now vividly as Xanras stood before her was the sheer beauty of dragon kind. Their wonderful, terrifying, constant beauty: strong and graceful in both body and mind. Up till now, everyone else she'd ever met had felt the opposite about the mighty beasts.
Aiyana found herself opening her mouth once more as a question sprang forward off her tongue. "I feel insoluble -- wonder toward your kind. I feel--love. Is that what makes me different?" Different, chosen, destined for greatness, or however else Xanras would have worded it.
Xanras
Nothing was missed by the great Xanras. Not the squint or the obvious hatred of feeling so caged. He felt sorry for her…she did not understand that such a fate, while binding at first, can be the experience she needs to free herself from the burdens of humanity. The bonds that they put on each other to put each other down and force each other to the same levels. Such trivial creatures, to waste talents such as hers when their lives were so very short and fragile. Humans really were the creations of a lesser god, and if it wasn't for the great gift of Inhalla, no human could experience the freedom of being a dragon.
He watched her face soften slightly before hearing her speak. A small, dragonly smile appeared upon his face then. How strange it was for a Blue to have travelled from the desert, but not uncommon. Sometimes the creatures were curious of the world outside of the sands they dwelled within. His blink was slow, his smile growing. "Blue Dragons are glorious creatures, with fantastic, intelligent minds and a curiosity of humans." He knew, of course, that this dragon had passed at the hands of her kind. But this was not her fault, and Xanras would never blame her for such devastation.
"I would not be surprised. You see, young one, humans were created to kill dragons and breed hatred. The fact that you love proves that you are special. Beyond special, in fact. And it is that love that the little Turquoise chose you. She knows that you are different and special. And she wants to show you how freeing it can be to be a dragon…and though you can never be one, you can, in fact, bond to one. You will gain a great deal…immortality to time, power beyond any that humans could achieve on their own, and the unconditional love of a child of the great Inhalla. It would be a shame to miss out on such a thing, don't you think?"
Aiyana
Aiyana's brow was furrowed by conflicted emotions. She was beginning to feel calmer now. Maybe it was Xanras's soothing voice or maybe this was all starting to make more sense. At the same time every inch of her body was on edge as her mind raced. She was still fighting this. But why? What Xanras had said made sense, her own feelings had proved it. Immortality? Power? And love? What was there to fight? Though, Aiyana wasn't one to choose something simply because it offered advantages. It had to be because it was what she truly wanted. Maybe that was the issue. Wanting this. She had wanted a 'new life', a way to reinvent herself somehow. But instead she had spent the past year running from what she didn't want, yet not seeking something that she did want. She was stuck somewhere in the middle never really making her choice, somehow afraid to change. Was that what this was? Fear? Fear of the unknown? Fear of...herself.
Aiyana shuffled her feet again in exasperation. It was a strange feeling, being at war within oneself. It was like there were two yous and you didn't know which one was real one. You didn't know which one could be trusted. Then maybe it wasn't everyone else she distrusted after all. Maybe it was herself that was to blame. She was so use to only trusting herself. Not having anyone else to distrust just made her feel angry all over again. This was getting exhausting. She was tired of fighting with herself but she was also, unfortunately, very stubborn. One side or the other was going to have to give in eventually. Why did she have to choose now? How would she even know what to choose unless she knew all the options? Unless she'd experienced both sides? Unless she...tried it out?
Aiyana tried not to let what she was thinking really sink in, or she might change her mind yet again. But it wasn't like she could really just walk out right now. There was a huge dragon blocking her way. Aiyana sighed."Your logic is unbeatable." she said to Xanras even though it was her own thought process that brought her to the conclusion. Maybe it was just is dragony features, but from the expression on his face it looked like he had just understood everything that had gone on in her head. She wasn't sure if she found that comforting or concerning. "I could stay and see things for myself." she said to alert him of her intentions, in case he wasn't a mind reader after all.
Xanras
Xanras was patient while she battled with herself. It was easy to be patient. After all, she reminded him greatly of his very own rider. The inward battle that he fought every day just to make it without hurting himself or anyone else around him. How tightly he held himself in check so that he wouldn't lose control of his anger, despite the fact that the last time he did so, he was but a child…even in human standards. The old dragon understood these emotions quite well. So, he kept quiet, looking upon her serenely while she battled herself in hopes of figuring it out. Of course, she would not be allowed to leave. But he didn't have to tell her that.
When she finally did speak, he gave a smile. "It is always best to give new things a try before deciding to do away with them, no? Give it a month. If you are not satisfied with your little dragoness by then, I will carry you to the shores of the Mainland myself. Do we have a deal?"
Aiyana
Aiyana crossed her arms and smirked humorlessly. Do we have a deal. Like she could disagree. She had a feeling that if she tried to leave again he would pick her up like a kitten by the scruff of the neck and drag her back to her chambers. This deal was more for her sake than for his. Yet somehow she found it easier to take orders from a dragon than from her own kind.
A damsel. I'm the damsel in distress. She groaned inwardly. She was technically being held against her will, in a cave, by a dragon. Yet in the end she was suppose to come out the hero. Aiyana looked up again at Xanras's immovable bulk. His eyes twinkled knowingly at her with a hint of both understanding and fondness. She wanted to be furious with him but somehow she was not. She supposed being thwarted by such an unstoppable force was not as humiliating as it could have been. She could forgive a dragon.
Aiyana cleared her throat. "We have a deal. I suppose I owe you that much," she said, trying to make it seem as though she was the one in control although, they both knew she was not. Voices and footsteps broke the silence of the dark, early morning. Aiyana thought she recognized Aki's voice giving instruction, as always. "Well, it sounds like something is going on. I would not want to miss out."
Aiyana excused herself and went to her room to check in on the baby dragon before heading in the direction of the group.
The morning had barely begun when the silent alarms blared through Xanras's head, sending the massive creature to his feet and into the main cavern to see the darting figure of the woman trying to escape. A part of him understood the struggle she felt internally, but the other part of him knew that she needed to come to terms with her destiny. And to run away from the baby dragon that had taken so kindly to her was simply heartbreaking.
He leapt over the pits in a single bound, landing his 70+ foot form between the young woman and the main entrance door that she had been headed towards.
"Where would you go?" His voice called to her aloud, the pronunciations a little off-key. His violet eyes stared at her as his head lowered to her level, able to look directly at her. "Why would you leave something so precious behind?"
Aiyana
It was pretty far fetched to think she could ajorn unhindered, but that didn't keep Aiyana from jumping slightly as the majestic dragon landed in front of her suddenly. Border Patrol. Aiyana grew up with what was probably the most skewed and hateful view of dragons as was possible, but since her incident with the Blue Dragon on the Northern Plains of Varon that view had begun to change. She couldn't explain it exactly, but she was drawn to dragons, their beauty and majesty. She knew she didn't understand them, but she probably liked them better then most people. Aiyana took a step backwards so she wouldn't go cross eyed from being so close.
The first of his questions seemed to be rhetorical, so Aiyana moved to answer the second. Of course he would immediately try to guilt her into staying. "She is not mine to take." Aiyana answered about the innocent turquoise baby. It felt true to Aiyana. Just because someone handed her the baby dragon did not mean that Aiyana was responsible for her. Responsibility was a choice. Besides, if the little baby ever knew of Aiyana's history and thoughts about dragons or her family's legacy, she was pretty sure that the little dragon would not want Aiyana to take care of her. This Inhalla, whoever she really was, seemed all knowing and had apparently been the voice in Aiyana's head for the past year. Inhalla must certainly know exactly who Aiyana was, but did that mean that Xanras did? Or any of the others? Hypothetically if she did choose to stay, what if they knew or found out who her father was and who she was by association? They would probably shun her or worse, eat her. And then what would happen to the baby dragon? She was better off not knowing Aiyana.
Xanras
Not hers to take? What was she taking? Xanras gave a huff, a plume of light gray smoke fuming from his nostrils as he settled himself in front of the door. "You are not taking her. She has chosen you. And it is one of the greatest gifts anyone could have."
He took a moment to think about what he could say to make her see what an honor it was to have been chosen by not only the goddess, but the soul and essence of one of the most powerful creatures in the world. "Dragons are born with great knowledge. And she understands that her duty rides alongside yours. Whether you wish to believe it or not, you have a great destiny ahead of you. And if you accept such a destiny, you will come to see that it is the greatest fate anyone could ask for." Perhaps this did not make sense to her…but why would it? How could it? Her mind was small and feeble, and she based all she did and how she acted off her life experiences.
But destiny could be cruel to some, and Xanras knew this from experience. He took a moment to ponder how to better explain this. "Have you met a dragon before, child? Have you ever seen the raw intelligence and power such a creature can have?"
Aiyana
Aiyana shifted her weight uneasily. Chosen? How could she be chosen?Saying it like that made it seem as though some god had written her name down long before she even existed, and now expected her to act out some fantasy. She tried to peer around Xanras but his bulk was firmly blocking the door. She shifted her weight again. This was beginning to make her uncomfortable. She was trying to not look at Xanras, but that was impossible to acheive.
So, somehow that little turquoise baby dragon was an old soul with a sense of duty? Aiyana didn't really see 'fate' as a great thing. She just wanted to be...free. She had escaped from everything she had known previously in order to get away from all the expectations there were for her. Now it seems she had run into even more expectations. Aiyana actually snorted with humor, sarcastically. Apparently Xanras was right about her having an unavoidable destiny.
She was finally able to focus back on the great dragon and when she did she found him squinting at her knowingly. Aiyana squinted back with hostility. She knew that look, that look of knowing judgment. That look that said she couldn't possibly be serious or know what she was doing. She'd encountered that look everyday of her life and spent every other moment trying to prove it wrong. She remembered that look etched on the faces of soldiers, commanders, politicians, leaders, and even common men, looking down on her (often only metaphorically due to her height) simply because she was a woman. Though, Aiyana was certain that her gender was not the cause of Xanras's judgment. And why shouldn't he judge her? To him she must seem small and frail indeed, her motivations shallow, her decisions hasty.
His next question snapped her out her revelry. She had indeed met a dragon before. If only he knew how much it really had impacted her. Those shiny sapphire scales peppered with ruby blood, that scream that pierced more than just her ears. And it's eyes that seemed to be looking at her, just her, like it knew. Knew that somehow, somewhere, she had been chosen. "I-- have met one before." she said slowly then swallowed. "A Blue, on the northern plains." she didn't know why she was telling him this exactly. "I suppose that is what ended up leading me here."What she remembered most and what she was reminded of now vividly as Xanras stood before her was the sheer beauty of dragon kind. Their wonderful, terrifying, constant beauty: strong and graceful in both body and mind. Up till now, everyone else she'd ever met had felt the opposite about the mighty beasts.
Aiyana found herself opening her mouth once more as a question sprang forward off her tongue. "I feel insoluble -- wonder toward your kind. I feel--love. Is that what makes me different?" Different, chosen, destined for greatness, or however else Xanras would have worded it.
Xanras
Nothing was missed by the great Xanras. Not the squint or the obvious hatred of feeling so caged. He felt sorry for her…she did not understand that such a fate, while binding at first, can be the experience she needs to free herself from the burdens of humanity. The bonds that they put on each other to put each other down and force each other to the same levels. Such trivial creatures, to waste talents such as hers when their lives were so very short and fragile. Humans really were the creations of a lesser god, and if it wasn't for the great gift of Inhalla, no human could experience the freedom of being a dragon.
He watched her face soften slightly before hearing her speak. A small, dragonly smile appeared upon his face then. How strange it was for a Blue to have travelled from the desert, but not uncommon. Sometimes the creatures were curious of the world outside of the sands they dwelled within. His blink was slow, his smile growing. "Blue Dragons are glorious creatures, with fantastic, intelligent minds and a curiosity of humans." He knew, of course, that this dragon had passed at the hands of her kind. But this was not her fault, and Xanras would never blame her for such devastation.
"I would not be surprised. You see, young one, humans were created to kill dragons and breed hatred. The fact that you love proves that you are special. Beyond special, in fact. And it is that love that the little Turquoise chose you. She knows that you are different and special. And she wants to show you how freeing it can be to be a dragon…and though you can never be one, you can, in fact, bond to one. You will gain a great deal…immortality to time, power beyond any that humans could achieve on their own, and the unconditional love of a child of the great Inhalla. It would be a shame to miss out on such a thing, don't you think?"
Aiyana
Aiyana's brow was furrowed by conflicted emotions. She was beginning to feel calmer now. Maybe it was Xanras's soothing voice or maybe this was all starting to make more sense. At the same time every inch of her body was on edge as her mind raced. She was still fighting this. But why? What Xanras had said made sense, her own feelings had proved it. Immortality? Power? And love? What was there to fight? Though, Aiyana wasn't one to choose something simply because it offered advantages. It had to be because it was what she truly wanted. Maybe that was the issue. Wanting this. She had wanted a 'new life', a way to reinvent herself somehow. But instead she had spent the past year running from what she didn't want, yet not seeking something that she did want. She was stuck somewhere in the middle never really making her choice, somehow afraid to change. Was that what this was? Fear? Fear of the unknown? Fear of...herself.
Aiyana shuffled her feet again in exasperation. It was a strange feeling, being at war within oneself. It was like there were two yous and you didn't know which one was real one. You didn't know which one could be trusted. Then maybe it wasn't everyone else she distrusted after all. Maybe it was herself that was to blame. She was so use to only trusting herself. Not having anyone else to distrust just made her feel angry all over again. This was getting exhausting. She was tired of fighting with herself but she was also, unfortunately, very stubborn. One side or the other was going to have to give in eventually. Why did she have to choose now? How would she even know what to choose unless she knew all the options? Unless she'd experienced both sides? Unless she...tried it out?
Aiyana tried not to let what she was thinking really sink in, or she might change her mind yet again. But it wasn't like she could really just walk out right now. There was a huge dragon blocking her way. Aiyana sighed."Your logic is unbeatable." she said to Xanras even though it was her own thought process that brought her to the conclusion. Maybe it was just is dragony features, but from the expression on his face it looked like he had just understood everything that had gone on in her head. She wasn't sure if she found that comforting or concerning. "I could stay and see things for myself." she said to alert him of her intentions, in case he wasn't a mind reader after all.
Xanras
Xanras was patient while she battled with herself. It was easy to be patient. After all, she reminded him greatly of his very own rider. The inward battle that he fought every day just to make it without hurting himself or anyone else around him. How tightly he held himself in check so that he wouldn't lose control of his anger, despite the fact that the last time he did so, he was but a child…even in human standards. The old dragon understood these emotions quite well. So, he kept quiet, looking upon her serenely while she battled herself in hopes of figuring it out. Of course, she would not be allowed to leave. But he didn't have to tell her that.
When she finally did speak, he gave a smile. "It is always best to give new things a try before deciding to do away with them, no? Give it a month. If you are not satisfied with your little dragoness by then, I will carry you to the shores of the Mainland myself. Do we have a deal?"
Aiyana
Aiyana crossed her arms and smirked humorlessly. Do we have a deal. Like she could disagree. She had a feeling that if she tried to leave again he would pick her up like a kitten by the scruff of the neck and drag her back to her chambers. This deal was more for her sake than for his. Yet somehow she found it easier to take orders from a dragon than from her own kind.
A damsel. I'm the damsel in distress. She groaned inwardly. She was technically being held against her will, in a cave, by a dragon. Yet in the end she was suppose to come out the hero. Aiyana looked up again at Xanras's immovable bulk. His eyes twinkled knowingly at her with a hint of both understanding and fondness. She wanted to be furious with him but somehow she was not. She supposed being thwarted by such an unstoppable force was not as humiliating as it could have been. She could forgive a dragon.
Aiyana cleared her throat. "We have a deal. I suppose I owe you that much," she said, trying to make it seem as though she was the one in control although, they both knew she was not. Voices and footsteps broke the silence of the dark, early morning. Aiyana thought she recognized Aki's voice giving instruction, as always. "Well, it sounds like something is going on. I would not want to miss out."
Aiyana excused herself and went to her room to check in on the baby dragon before heading in the direction of the group.
Skolas
As per usual both Skolas and Kranon were suddenly awoken by the jump of Skolas awaking from his nightmare. Kranon flailed and slipped off the bed with a thump of his body hitting the stone floor with a gently yelp of surprise meanwhile Skolas held his hands to his head in a cold sweat and breathing heavily at the images in his head flashing by like a horror film."Damn it..." he whispered gently dropping his hands to the sheets and pulling them off him which allowed him to place his feet on the ground and stand to get the blood flowing again.
Tapping his skull he sighed muttering "Get out you damn thing..." he spoke in reference to the dream that would haunt him every night. Looking down at the Kranon that now had leapt back up onto the bed and taken its refuge under the sheets looking like a large lump of fabric rather than the black scaly dragon it was before. "Wait here mate, I gotta get some air" he gently spoke giving the lump of blanket a pat before grabbing his under armour and moved off out of his cave.
It was then he heard the sounds of chatter echoing down the hall, it was a deep voice and had a strange accent to it, Skolas knew he was meant to be asleep so he stepped quietly moving up to the exit tunnel that directed up into the large cavernous area that they had entered through when arriving. Then as he moved closer the voice became more recognisable. Xanras. Yet who was he talking to?. Crouching down he peeked around the corner to see a girl at the foot of the dragon, it was the Turquoise rider. Skolas didn't know her name yet he could see what had happened in her attempt to run perhaps.
As the conversation began to close and the voices of Aki and such now being awoken and already chanting orders and other various tasks down the tunnel, Skolas quietly yet quickly moved away from the exit tunnel towards his cave again. Grabbing his gear and armour quickly before they had to leave he felt compelled to ask why this girl would run, sure he had thoughts of just leaving but he had a reason. He carried a cursed sword, Was hated by Taval and had killed his own brother. The last thing he would want is to be rewarded a dragon.
Moving towards the Turquoise curtain he tapped on the stone and peeked his head in noticing the girl about to Run out "Hey, don't suppose you have a minute?"Aiyana slipped behind her curtain to drop off her pack and check on the baby. She supposed the dragon would need a name--but not yet. Naming her would mean that Aiyana had made her choice, that she was ok with all this--which she wasn't. She nudged her pack under the cot but left her sword buckled around her hips: it never left her side. The turquoise baby hadn't budged from her position on the cot so Aiyana turned to leave.
Aiyana
She was greeted at her curtain by a knock and a head peeking through the fabric. Aiyana's feathers were still ruffled from her talk with Xanras so she found herself glaring at the stranger, her arms still crossed in annoyance. But when she stepped beyond the curtain to join him she was thrown off guard a little by his height. Aiyana was use to being taller than most women and some men. The only other person she knew who was this tall was--But no, she didn't want to think about her father right now either.
Aiyana brushed aside her thoughts and focused on the stranger. "Why, are you looking for one?" she replied snarkily in answer to his question'don't suppose you have a minute'. It was funny for a moment but then Aiyana caught sight of his sincere expression on his face and winced inwardly. Her comment had been unwarranted. Being rude to everyone here was not going to make things easier on her. "Yes, I do have one."she interjected quickly. She succeeded in sounding much more cordial this time. "And it will take us about that long to reach the excitement."She guestered toward the racket she knew they both heard. Alright, so she made 'excitement' sound sarcastic. She wasn't apologizing for that. Aiyana started off in a somewhat slow but determined walk toward where the others were. When the stranger had fallen in step beside her she looked up at him expectantly, waiting for any further query's. As they walked something bumped into her and she saw that he too had a sword. Aiyana wasn't sure if she found having another swordsman around threatening or encouraging. She wondered if he was any good with the weapon.
Skolas
Skolas felt a little irritated at the snarky reply yet brushed it off once she relaxed slightly upon exiting her little cave to stand beside him. Looking down a little at the taller than most girl. He smiled gently at her sarcasm when mentioning the gathering of the other riders down the ways they were headed. He huffed as he followed her just beside Aiyana as his stride was a tad longer than hers.
Before speaking he cleared his throat "You and Xanras had a bit to talk about, pardon the intrusion but i was walking about and his voice can be heard a fair distance away..." he spoke casually yet he sounded reserved in the undertone. As if he was afraid of offending the girl.
Aiyana
Aiyana flushed a little at his insinuation that he had overheard her private conversation. It had been hard enough opening herself up to Xanras. Aiyana narrowed her eyes resentfully as she looked up into the stranger's angled face and dark eyes. She took a steadying breath as she convinced herself to remain calm.
"Yes, we did." she agreed, and succeeded in keeping her voice even."And you are...? Aiyana asked and raised one eyebrow curiously, expecting and introduction. She might be a bit rough around the edges but she was raised a noble and a lady; she was use to certain manners even if she didn't choose to invoke them herself. Not that she couldn't if she wanted to.
She decided to invoke them now by making the first introduction. "I am Aiyana. The...turquoise rider." She was reminded once again that the little baby still needed a name. "What is my conversation with Xanras to you?" She questioned the nameless stranger further.
Skolas
As they walked Skolas glanced over every now and then, grabbing thoughts and tones out of her voice. He smirked gently at the flush of her face when he mentioned his over hearing of the conversation. Perhaps he wad too upfront? Gently easing into the conversation wasnt his thing if he were honest. Looking down slightly at her he answered "Skolas. Obsidian Rider" he mentioned with a nod.
He then took a breath to answer "Well i gathet that there is only so much a Dragon like him can help with. Not to mention I guess it helps to know your not alone with how you feel" he added on as he and her walked. "We dont all feel like we belong"
Aiyana
"We don't all feel like we belong." What? Aiyana almost stopped in her tracks, which probably would have resulted in him tripping over her feet and then her tripping over his. Luckily they both continued walking unhindered. He's--empathizing. Aiyana didn't think that him trying to make friends should surprise her so much. She did have friends. Or rather, had them. It wasn't as if she didn't enjoy companionship. But it had been a while since she had called anyone a friend. She had been on the move so much during the past year that she never stayed in one place long enough to get to know anyone. Or let anyone get to know her. Or maybe it was the fact that Skolas had been so direct. She wasn't use to anyone being as direct as her.
Aiyana looked back towards Skolas. He would be paired with the obsidian. Everything about him seemed to match up with the stone. His tall, lithe and muscled form and his jet black hair. Very obsidian-like. And his personality seemed obstinate enough. He really did look like a swordsman. Aiyana wondered if he would be up for any sparing practice. It had been a while since she'd had a good spar and she was aching for the chance.
"Well," Aiyana said in response to his last comment, "It is good to know I am not the only one who feels that way. Though, I do not suppose you tried and run too?" She joked lightly. But she didn't want to think about that. She needed to focus on the present, keep her mind occupied at all times so she didn't have the chance to think and talk herself out of all this. "What do you suppose our next lesson will be?" she asked, guestering towards the noise they were growing every closer to while she tried to keep up the conversation. "Anything but archery." she muttered half to herself. Aiyana had always struggled with the subject. Maybe it was because she lacked the focus, or maybe because she spent most of her time with the sword. If the latter, maybe he could relate to hating archery too.
Skolas
Skolas noticed the small flicker of movement that Aiyana had motioned when he spoke of not being alone, perhaps he had said something a little shocking, after all he wasn't the most emotional nor open type. But he felt that if one was feeling like they wanted to run maybe he should help. After all he had run himself, its not the easiest thing to do.
"No I did not try to run, then again Aki pinned me to the ground with her blades before i had the chance if we are being honest" he chuckled with a smirk as he looked forward, wondering indeed what the next lesson would be, when she spoke of anything but archery he looked down to her side and noticed the hilt of a sword, he took a long glance yet thought nothing of it, perhaps it was a gift from home or something. Yet his curiosity got the better of him "Guessing from your hate of Archery and the sword you wear, you prefer melee, Do you know how to use a sword?"
"I know your hate, I never really got the hang of it, My bro-" he stopped mid sentence for a second or so to take a softl deep breath, shaking the feeling and memory off quickly before continuing "A Friend of mine, me and him used to train, he got the hang of archery while I took more to the sword and close combat, The string would always hit my cheek jar my hands....damn things"
Aiyana
Aiyana suppressed a laugh that came out as a snort when he mentioned his run in with Aki. "I suppose I got off easy, then. I'll have to keep this a secret or else she might do the same to me." Aiyana was still feeling a little uncomfortable but at least conversing with Skolas was keeping her mind distracted.
Do you know how to use a sword? Any ease Aiyana was beginning to feel dissapeared as her shoulders tensed up. Her head snapped to the side in preparation to read his expression. She was use to defending her honor on the subject of swordplay, usually with an offensive demonstration. But, yet again, his expression seemed innocent enough. It seemed, as in Xanras's case, Skolas was not being sexist. He probably had come to the conclusion that she was trained in swordplay and had decided to make conversation on the subject. "Yes, but anyone would say that." She answered him. " I will have to show you sometime."
Then he half mentioned his 'friend' which from his blunder led Aiyana to guess was really his brother. Aiyana often experienced the same little blunders in her head when thinking about her father. Perhaps Skolas really had more in common with her than he realized. Aiyana raised her eyebrows sympathetically as she herself remembered the annoying twang of the bow's string. "I never could sit through the training." Aiyana thought back, "Hours of shooting at a hay bale seemed...anticlimactic. I would much rather have an opponent who can fight back. Maybe I just lacked the foresight for it." Those were the exact words her fath--or rather, 'a friend of hers' had used when attempting to teach her. He himself was proficient in both archery and the sword.
Just then they rounded a corner and met up with the rest of the group. For a minute Aiyana thought her eyes were deceiving her. She did a double take and realized that, indeed, everyone was holding a bow. "Alright, everyone," Aki was saying, "Tonight is our first hunting lesson." Aiyana's eyes bulged and she looked away from Aki to glance at Skolas, as if trying to ascertain that she was not hallucinating. Of course there would be archery lessons. Aiyana was about to get payback for all the times she had brushed off archery.
"Try not to shoot me." Aiyana muttered under her breath to Skolas.
As per usual both Skolas and Kranon were suddenly awoken by the jump of Skolas awaking from his nightmare. Kranon flailed and slipped off the bed with a thump of his body hitting the stone floor with a gently yelp of surprise meanwhile Skolas held his hands to his head in a cold sweat and breathing heavily at the images in his head flashing by like a horror film."Damn it..." he whispered gently dropping his hands to the sheets and pulling them off him which allowed him to place his feet on the ground and stand to get the blood flowing again.
Tapping his skull he sighed muttering "Get out you damn thing..." he spoke in reference to the dream that would haunt him every night. Looking down at the Kranon that now had leapt back up onto the bed and taken its refuge under the sheets looking like a large lump of fabric rather than the black scaly dragon it was before. "Wait here mate, I gotta get some air" he gently spoke giving the lump of blanket a pat before grabbing his under armour and moved off out of his cave.
It was then he heard the sounds of chatter echoing down the hall, it was a deep voice and had a strange accent to it, Skolas knew he was meant to be asleep so he stepped quietly moving up to the exit tunnel that directed up into the large cavernous area that they had entered through when arriving. Then as he moved closer the voice became more recognisable. Xanras. Yet who was he talking to?. Crouching down he peeked around the corner to see a girl at the foot of the dragon, it was the Turquoise rider. Skolas didn't know her name yet he could see what had happened in her attempt to run perhaps.
As the conversation began to close and the voices of Aki and such now being awoken and already chanting orders and other various tasks down the tunnel, Skolas quietly yet quickly moved away from the exit tunnel towards his cave again. Grabbing his gear and armour quickly before they had to leave he felt compelled to ask why this girl would run, sure he had thoughts of just leaving but he had a reason. He carried a cursed sword, Was hated by Taval and had killed his own brother. The last thing he would want is to be rewarded a dragon.
Moving towards the Turquoise curtain he tapped on the stone and peeked his head in noticing the girl about to Run out "Hey, don't suppose you have a minute?"Aiyana slipped behind her curtain to drop off her pack and check on the baby. She supposed the dragon would need a name--but not yet. Naming her would mean that Aiyana had made her choice, that she was ok with all this--which she wasn't. She nudged her pack under the cot but left her sword buckled around her hips: it never left her side. The turquoise baby hadn't budged from her position on the cot so Aiyana turned to leave.
Aiyana
She was greeted at her curtain by a knock and a head peeking through the fabric. Aiyana's feathers were still ruffled from her talk with Xanras so she found herself glaring at the stranger, her arms still crossed in annoyance. But when she stepped beyond the curtain to join him she was thrown off guard a little by his height. Aiyana was use to being taller than most women and some men. The only other person she knew who was this tall was--But no, she didn't want to think about her father right now either.
Aiyana brushed aside her thoughts and focused on the stranger. "Why, are you looking for one?" she replied snarkily in answer to his question'don't suppose you have a minute'. It was funny for a moment but then Aiyana caught sight of his sincere expression on his face and winced inwardly. Her comment had been unwarranted. Being rude to everyone here was not going to make things easier on her. "Yes, I do have one."she interjected quickly. She succeeded in sounding much more cordial this time. "And it will take us about that long to reach the excitement."She guestered toward the racket she knew they both heard. Alright, so she made 'excitement' sound sarcastic. She wasn't apologizing for that. Aiyana started off in a somewhat slow but determined walk toward where the others were. When the stranger had fallen in step beside her she looked up at him expectantly, waiting for any further query's. As they walked something bumped into her and she saw that he too had a sword. Aiyana wasn't sure if she found having another swordsman around threatening or encouraging. She wondered if he was any good with the weapon.
Skolas
Skolas felt a little irritated at the snarky reply yet brushed it off once she relaxed slightly upon exiting her little cave to stand beside him. Looking down a little at the taller than most girl. He smiled gently at her sarcasm when mentioning the gathering of the other riders down the ways they were headed. He huffed as he followed her just beside Aiyana as his stride was a tad longer than hers.
Before speaking he cleared his throat "You and Xanras had a bit to talk about, pardon the intrusion but i was walking about and his voice can be heard a fair distance away..." he spoke casually yet he sounded reserved in the undertone. As if he was afraid of offending the girl.
Aiyana
Aiyana flushed a little at his insinuation that he had overheard her private conversation. It had been hard enough opening herself up to Xanras. Aiyana narrowed her eyes resentfully as she looked up into the stranger's angled face and dark eyes. She took a steadying breath as she convinced herself to remain calm.
"Yes, we did." she agreed, and succeeded in keeping her voice even."And you are...? Aiyana asked and raised one eyebrow curiously, expecting and introduction. She might be a bit rough around the edges but she was raised a noble and a lady; she was use to certain manners even if she didn't choose to invoke them herself. Not that she couldn't if she wanted to.
She decided to invoke them now by making the first introduction. "I am Aiyana. The...turquoise rider." She was reminded once again that the little baby still needed a name. "What is my conversation with Xanras to you?" She questioned the nameless stranger further.
Skolas
As they walked Skolas glanced over every now and then, grabbing thoughts and tones out of her voice. He smirked gently at the flush of her face when he mentioned his over hearing of the conversation. Perhaps he wad too upfront? Gently easing into the conversation wasnt his thing if he were honest. Looking down slightly at her he answered "Skolas. Obsidian Rider" he mentioned with a nod.
He then took a breath to answer "Well i gathet that there is only so much a Dragon like him can help with. Not to mention I guess it helps to know your not alone with how you feel" he added on as he and her walked. "We dont all feel like we belong"
Aiyana
"We don't all feel like we belong." What? Aiyana almost stopped in her tracks, which probably would have resulted in him tripping over her feet and then her tripping over his. Luckily they both continued walking unhindered. He's--empathizing. Aiyana didn't think that him trying to make friends should surprise her so much. She did have friends. Or rather, had them. It wasn't as if she didn't enjoy companionship. But it had been a while since she had called anyone a friend. She had been on the move so much during the past year that she never stayed in one place long enough to get to know anyone. Or let anyone get to know her. Or maybe it was the fact that Skolas had been so direct. She wasn't use to anyone being as direct as her.
Aiyana looked back towards Skolas. He would be paired with the obsidian. Everything about him seemed to match up with the stone. His tall, lithe and muscled form and his jet black hair. Very obsidian-like. And his personality seemed obstinate enough. He really did look like a swordsman. Aiyana wondered if he would be up for any sparing practice. It had been a while since she'd had a good spar and she was aching for the chance.
"Well," Aiyana said in response to his last comment, "It is good to know I am not the only one who feels that way. Though, I do not suppose you tried and run too?" She joked lightly. But she didn't want to think about that. She needed to focus on the present, keep her mind occupied at all times so she didn't have the chance to think and talk herself out of all this. "What do you suppose our next lesson will be?" she asked, guestering towards the noise they were growing every closer to while she tried to keep up the conversation. "Anything but archery." she muttered half to herself. Aiyana had always struggled with the subject. Maybe it was because she lacked the focus, or maybe because she spent most of her time with the sword. If the latter, maybe he could relate to hating archery too.
Skolas
Skolas noticed the small flicker of movement that Aiyana had motioned when he spoke of not being alone, perhaps he had said something a little shocking, after all he wasn't the most emotional nor open type. But he felt that if one was feeling like they wanted to run maybe he should help. After all he had run himself, its not the easiest thing to do.
"No I did not try to run, then again Aki pinned me to the ground with her blades before i had the chance if we are being honest" he chuckled with a smirk as he looked forward, wondering indeed what the next lesson would be, when she spoke of anything but archery he looked down to her side and noticed the hilt of a sword, he took a long glance yet thought nothing of it, perhaps it was a gift from home or something. Yet his curiosity got the better of him "Guessing from your hate of Archery and the sword you wear, you prefer melee, Do you know how to use a sword?"
"I know your hate, I never really got the hang of it, My bro-" he stopped mid sentence for a second or so to take a softl deep breath, shaking the feeling and memory off quickly before continuing "A Friend of mine, me and him used to train, he got the hang of archery while I took more to the sword and close combat, The string would always hit my cheek jar my hands....damn things"
Aiyana
Aiyana suppressed a laugh that came out as a snort when he mentioned his run in with Aki. "I suppose I got off easy, then. I'll have to keep this a secret or else she might do the same to me." Aiyana was still feeling a little uncomfortable but at least conversing with Skolas was keeping her mind distracted.
Do you know how to use a sword? Any ease Aiyana was beginning to feel dissapeared as her shoulders tensed up. Her head snapped to the side in preparation to read his expression. She was use to defending her honor on the subject of swordplay, usually with an offensive demonstration. But, yet again, his expression seemed innocent enough. It seemed, as in Xanras's case, Skolas was not being sexist. He probably had come to the conclusion that she was trained in swordplay and had decided to make conversation on the subject. "Yes, but anyone would say that." She answered him. " I will have to show you sometime."
Then he half mentioned his 'friend' which from his blunder led Aiyana to guess was really his brother. Aiyana often experienced the same little blunders in her head when thinking about her father. Perhaps Skolas really had more in common with her than he realized. Aiyana raised her eyebrows sympathetically as she herself remembered the annoying twang of the bow's string. "I never could sit through the training." Aiyana thought back, "Hours of shooting at a hay bale seemed...anticlimactic. I would much rather have an opponent who can fight back. Maybe I just lacked the foresight for it." Those were the exact words her fath--or rather, 'a friend of hers' had used when attempting to teach her. He himself was proficient in both archery and the sword.
Just then they rounded a corner and met up with the rest of the group. For a minute Aiyana thought her eyes were deceiving her. She did a double take and realized that, indeed, everyone was holding a bow. "Alright, everyone," Aki was saying, "Tonight is our first hunting lesson." Aiyana's eyes bulged and she looked away from Aki to glance at Skolas, as if trying to ascertain that she was not hallucinating. Of course there would be archery lessons. Aiyana was about to get payback for all the times she had brushed off archery.
"Try not to shoot me." Aiyana muttered under her breath to Skolas.
Aiyana
Aiyana slipped into her place in the front line. If she was in the back she might accidentally fill the others with arrows like a pincushion. As Aki continued to explain the lession Aiyana peered around at the other riders for the first time. Male, female, different hair colors, body types. They all looked seemingly ordinary. Ordinary in the sense that no one looked like they were born to ride dragons. Although, she supposed she didn't know what dragon riders were suppose to look like as this was her first time meeting any. As Aki spoke, Aiyana strung her bow and fiddled with an arrow as she continued to glance around. It seemed that many of the others were just as enthusiastic about handling a bow as she was. A few bowed out from the activity all together and left to discuss farming with Nero.
"Any questions before we go?"
What happens if we shoot someone? Aiyana thought, but as she had no real questions she kept her mouth shut. She thought about her past archery sessions. It wasn't as if she had trouble with the skill exactly: she just did not prefer it. To her archery did not flow the same as sparing. A bow just could not be an extension of one's body in the same way a sword was. Although she had a sense that using a bow to hunt would be an entirely different experience than simply aiming at a target. One way or another she would have to become familliar with the bow and arrow -- the dragons depended on it.
Particularly her dragon -- who still needed a name. What was one suppose to name a dragon, anyway? She had no idea. Again, this was her first time meeting any dragons. But for now she pushed the naming to the back of her mind. If she tried to handle too much at once she would explode. For this moment, she could put all her focus into the bow and arrows she was holding.