Blue & Bronze, Black & Red | 73.13.28 (Moo/Open)

[Nicole]

Saphireth ducked her head, eyes whirling with second-hand embarrassment for asking. I can only hope that I do not waddle.

Elora bestowed an affectionate look on her awkward DarkBlue dragon, watching as she shifted herself into a circle. The tip of her tail touched her nose, and she didn't say anything else.


Elora, meanwhile, was distracted by N'kio's comments about worrying over her. What she wanted to ask was Why? Why did he worry over her? It seemed silly and nonsensical and, despite Metanath's comments about him living in the moment and liking her, he barely knew her.

So instead, she flashed N'kio the biggest grin she could muster. "No need to worry here. We won't do anything we can't handle."

[Moo]

“I should’ve guessed as much,” he said, and climbed up onto Metanath’s back. “Glad to hear of it. Well, if it is true that you two can hold your own, then I suppose that’s fine by me. Just don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” He began to busy himself with adjusting his riding belt, stealing glances at Elora every so often.

Metanath purred and took a few steps around the lakeside, shifting his weight around as he settled into his harness. Which means you can do anything you like. N’kio was not a very obedient Weyrling, if I remember correctly.

N’kio shrugged. “I’m not now, am I?”

The large, Black dragon remained decidedly silent, stretched his wings, and walked about for a few paces. I would not worry – I do not think you will waddle, Saphireth, he replied, then looked up to the skies. Are we ready to go, N’kio?

As Metanath walked around, N’kio had kept his eyes on Elora, but at his dragon’s prompting he, too, sought out the sun. “Oh…if we must.” With a loud sigh, he stretched in his seat and ruffled his hair, hips moving with the swaying motion of his dragon.

“It’s been nice seeing you two,” smiled N’kio. “Come visit when you can!” Always the optimist.

As per usual, Metanath refrained from goodbyes – though he did not miss the chance, before taking off, to look over at Saphireth. With a pleased gurgle in her direction, he flared his wings out and lauched off the ground – and when they were high enough, disappeared Between with thoughts of cold, salt water and a rocky shores.

[Nicole]

Before Elora had the chance to reply to anything, they were up in the air and gone between, leaving only the faintest of a cold spot in their wake. Elora turned to gather the leftover oil bottles and found Saphireth staring at her with a peculiar glint in her eye.

What?
You like him.
If I didn't, he wouldn't have oiled you. She jostled them around her arms, striding back towards her room with a small smile on her face. Saphireth padded along after her.
That's not what I meant. You looked at him like I look at herdbeasts.
Saphireth!
You do not see it as a bad thing. You just deny it exists at all.
I won't tell you what Metanath said, then.
N'kio said he worries about you. That is all I remember. But I think it is a good thing. Am I right?

Elora didn't reply to her dragon and the two walked in comfortable silence until she settled back into her room, putting the empty oil bottles in one corner and the half-used and full in another. Plopping down on her bed, she watched as Saphireth settled herself into a circle and began to doze.

It wasn't until her dragon was nearly asleep that Elora had decided. Yes, it is a good thing.