taste the sky and feel alive again [open]

[Avu]

“You’re stunning.”

I know.

The exchange was simple, soft; A’emi spoke aloud, but lower than a whisper, trusting Kyrahth to pick up the words from his mind. The green’s response was quiet, too, detached, distant; a flurry of wingbeats carried the green higher, faster. A series of quick, unpredictable corkscrews; she flipped over one wing, twisted and pirouetted in mid-air, swirling ever upwards; her speed increased by the second and A’emi, far below, a dot on the ground below the green, tilted his head upwards even further, a continuous straight line formed by chin and throat. A very real smile curled his lips upwards, one hand providing shade for eyes focused tightly on the green, and he was sitting cross-legged, his other hand propped behind him.

“Absolutely gorgeous.” The compliments weren’t even thought out or planned; they just came out in low murmurs. Seven Turns he’d been able to press his lips against the apple-green muzzle and seven Turns he’d been able to trust his secrets to Kyrahth, but she never became less amazing. He wet his lips absently before pushing himself to his feet. There was no describing the delight he felt at knowing that Kyrahth could fly again, fly beautifully and fly just as well as she could before, the jagged scar down her wing fading to just that: A scar, and nothing more.

The next instant, A’emi had sprung to his feet, tilting his head playfully to one side. “Come down, beautiful; you’ve absolutely got to take me up there. Haven’t I told you I can’t stand being grounded?”

More often than I’ve complained about it, love. The green obeyed nonetheless, closing her wings and dropping into a dizzying spiral before she peeled upwards, close enough to A’emi’s head that the greenrider almost lost his balance from the blast of wind. His eyes narrowed in mock disapproval as Kyrahth flipped backwards to land neatly before him, flicking her wings closed with a decided air of hauteur as she tilted her chin upwards, peering down at him through whirling half-lidded eyes. You might stop looking at me in such a manner, dear heart, or perhaps I shan’t allow you to –

He didn’t allow another word to slip into his mind; A’emi sprang forward, wrapping both arms around Kyrahth’s neck and ignoring the green’s startled snort as she reared up like a runner, grabbing instinctively for him with her forearms. The greenrider snickered breathlessly as he swung both legs over the green’s neck and twisted onto her back. Her wings flapped open and the dragon took off, A’emi wrapping his fingers around the slim leather straps, leaning forward to reduce wind resistance automatically, as the ground began to blur and then flipped into an endless sky, heavy with gray clouds and –

A’emi sensed Kyrahth’s intention a second before it was executed, and the warning that he meant to utter came out instead as a whoop as the green barrel-rolled and then dove straight at – someone; a blur of color, gone again. Oops, she commented with icy amusement as she spun on her wingtip to face about again. Hope I didn’t startle anyone.

[raii]

Rofinel had been wandering around the Weyr, finding things to draw. He'd gotten a new sketchpad a few weeks ago, and it was nearly filled already. He flipped through his drawings. There were many pictures of dragons, as he attempted to capture their undying majesty. There were also pictures of people around the Weyr, doing regular, everyday things. He'd even gotten a distant image of Hepaticath and her eggs.

He closed the book just in time to see the green dragon dive towards him. Out of shock, he jumped back. The green didn't crash into him, but gave him near a heart attack. He scooped up his book, which he had dropped, and tucked it into his over sized pocket. His pants were large, so it was no surprise that the pockets would be large as well. His shirt was loose, a pale, off-white color in contrast to his navy, almost black pants.

He tucked a blond strand of hair behind his ear. He thought he recognized the dragon, somewhat. He remembered seeing her once, and commenting to himself on her color. It was an almost tart color, but sweet at the same time. He grinned as he thought this. Rofinel saw things differently than most people, and tended to blend senses in his mind. This food tasted loud. That music was very purple. That shirt was very salty.

He made connections differently than other people. What some would call strange, he called creative. Just because he had a different mindset didn't make him strange. It was probably tied to his parents' deaths: he had had to teach himself connections. He gazed back up at the dragon, wondering how it would feel if he Impressed.

[Avu]

The breathless little laugh that left his throat as Kyrahth pulled around to examine the person they’d nearly collided with was cheeky, probably; A’emi tilted his head to one side, a smirk widening across his face. “He’s just a kid,” the greenrider observed, wonderingly. One palm drifted down Kyrahth’s neck, silently. A kid might be nice. K’thay made a nice sparring partner and pet for the most part, but one really couldn’t ever have enough toys and though he was less than interested in a kid, it still might be interesting. Right? “Take me down, my beautiful; you’ll be okay flying alone? I’ll fly with you later, but really, he’s probably a Candidate. Either that, or a Weyrling; looks a bit young to be fully graduated. Hope we didn’t, like, I don’t know – tr – ”

I really couldn’t care less whether or not we traumatized a brat, love, Kyrahth interrupted. But I’ll be perfectly fine flying on my own. I’ll let you off; do have fun with the child.

“You make it sound kinda dirty…”

Only if you think of it that way, love. The affection in her tone was undeniable; the green spiraled in rapidly. She had no intentions of actually landing and A’emi caught onto that a second before she reached her minimum height. The greenrider didn’t think twice; he unwound his fingers from the straps, threw one leg over her neck, and then flung himself off of the dragon entirely. Fortunately Kyrahth was low enough that he didn’t have to roll (A’emi hated rolling; it messed up everything) and he landed a few meters from the…the kid. His gaze flashed over the child, as Kyrahth had called him, even as a crooked, pleasant smile flashed across his face.

“Hi, I’m A’emi and that’s Kyrahth, and I mostly came down to make sure we didn’t scare you. I mean, I don’t know what I can do to make it up to you if we did, but yeah. She just got back into the air after being grounded so she’s really excited. Would’ve stopped her but I didn’t pick up on what she was gonna do till she basically did it, and…yeah, that doesn’t really work too great.” He crinkled his nose playfully, drifting a little closer to the kid. Shorter than him (if only by four inches and about nine years, hmm), blonde hair, unremarkable overall. Not visually appealing – but then, A’emi preferred older, taller, dark hair and eyes, but whatever. Toys were toys were toys.

“What was that you put up?” he inquired; one hand flicked out in an absentminded gesture towards the kid’s pocket. “Nothing illegal, was it?” Definitely teasing; that he was so much younger didn’t deter A’emi very much, except that everything would stop at teasing. No flirting (deliberately, anyway) and nothing else. “You a Candidate? Don’t see many of ‘em around. You’d be the first, actually. Are you?”

Talkative, who, A’emi? Of course not. The babbling was actually mostly senseless and thoughtless. It was easy and effortless and he just didn’t care what came out, because he was thinking, was A’emi. Kids could be useful. Kids could be very useful.

Kyrahth spiraled in tight flipping corkscrews upwards, faster and faster, interrupted with a course of intermittent faking and slashing at midair; a complicated hit-dodge-avoid-slash routine. And she didn’t stop, even when she caught sight first of another dragon. You’re sure the child is too young to have Impressed, love? There’s another coming. A green. Dark. Very noticeable. No; she has a Rider. I expect if they’re anything as nosy as most are here they’ll be joining you shortly.

[raii]

Rofi blinked. "Oh, it's all right. I was a bit surprised, but it's fine. She's very pretty, you know. An amazing flyer, too. Dragons are all amazing, you know. I can never get tired of just watching them. Amazing." He grinned. The rider gestured towards his pocket, asking about his sketchpad.

"Oh this? 'Course not! It's my sketchpad." He pulled it out, showing it to the rider. "It's like a record of everything I see. Stuff that I think is awesome." Being an excitable person, and rather hyper, he didn't have a great vocabulary. He used words like 'stuff' and 'things' and 'awesome.' "Yeah, I'm a candidate. Lived here all my life though. And I never get over how amazing dragons are."

"My name's Rofinel, but you can call me Rofi. It's less of a mouthful. Rofinel sounds too, I don't know. Serious? Boring? Mature?" He grinned. Rofi was shorter, funner, and he liked it more. It flowed off the tongue in a way that Rofinel never would. This rider reminded him of, well, himself, only older. Or maybe he reminded himself of this rider? I mean, the rider was older, so did that mean that it had to go that way?

It didn't matter, really. He was in a rather good mood, today. Like always, his thoughts went off on tangents, but for once he didn't think them through. He simply dismissed them, without an answer. He stretched his boney, lanky arms, and gave A'emi that goofy grin again. He seemed rather nice.

He shoved his sketchpad back into his pocket, feeling more free to gesture wildly, as he spoke. "Whatchya mean, not too many of them around? Isn't there a hatching coming up?" He gestured back towards the Weyr and flicked his wrists somewhat wildly. He was an animated speaker, just as courageous in his expressions and body language as in his wild string of words.

[Rei]

Onyth winged through the skies with minimal effort, catching an updraft every now and again to save her wings. Beach. They where doing to the beach and she had decided to fly straight there because it would make it oh so pleasant when the cool water finally did hit her hide. A flash of movement caught her attention and the green pulled up to lazily spiral as she watched. Elysia tapped her bare feet against her dragon and frowned. Who? One of the fort dragons. The greenpair who missed the first drill. The dark green replied with little emotion in the tone. Her whirling eyes fixed themselves on the other green as she pulled her maneuvers. Her rider is below. Please tell me we don’t have to go be an annoyance. I would rather just ignore them. I don’t trust them. Still Onyth continued her spiraling and said not a word to the other dragon.

Elysia threw her head back and laughed. Darling come now if we didn’t visit we would be rude and besides you don’t have to trust someone to interact with them. You are just being nosey but fine. With a snort Onyth started a slow spiraling descent, crooning a hello to Kyrahth purely out of politeness. Back winging the dark green landed lightly, a dragon length away from the two males, her eyes whirling in a light green shade. Elysia smiled and leapt effortlessly to the ground.

Flipping her dark hair over her shoulder she patted Onyth’s lowered muzzle and then strode gracefully towards the candidate and rider. “Hope I’m not interrupting anything.” She said sweetly while examining A’emi head to toe. Shorter than her and slight. Not an imposing figure but the greenrider was not one who based people on looks. That was ignorant and she was far from that. “Onyth and I where on our way to the beach when we caught sight of your lovely.” She stated conversationally. “Looks quite happy to be in the air.” The other green had been grounded for awhile if Elysia remembered right.

The candidate on the other hand was not given anything but a curious look. He was really not of much interest to her currently. A’emi was far more interesting. Solely because of his origins. Fort was the enemy after all. A slight smile curled up one corner of her mouth and she swayed gently on bare feet before idly picking at her tank top. The shorts she was wearing showed off quite a bit of her long legs and she strode closer, being careful to showcase them well. “I’m afraid I am being horribly rude. I haven’t even introduced myself yet. Elysia of Onyth.” Of course she expected them to reveal their names as well. Even if she did already know the greenrider’s. A’emi. The dragon’s name escaped her but it was unimportant.

[Avu]

Oh, the kid was enthusiastic about dragons. Of course, most were, if they were Candidates, but still; he hadn’t remembered being quite so excited about just any dragon when he was a Candidate. Regardless. A’emi tilted his head at the boy and smiled at him, playful, reaching out to examine the first image in the sketchpad. Really enthusiastic if he was drawing them, too. A’emi couldn’t draw very well – his art was more of torture and blood. Pencils and paper had never really appealed to him; so boring. “Pretty,” he observed. “If that’s, you know, the right word for it. I’ve got about the artistic talent of a wherry, so I guess a compliment from me mightn’t be all that great, but…” A shrug.

Keep track of that other dragon, darling. What’s she doing?

Coming. Descending. Didn’t I say they’re all nosy?

I never doubted it, my lovely.

His gaze didn’t waver from Rofinel, though; for all appearances, he was unaware of Elysia and her dragon’s approach. “I like Rofi better,” he agreed (as if he was entitled to an opinion at all). That was all he said, though, before he spun on his heel to face Elysia and her green. Rofinel’s other question, the one as to the Candidates, went unanswered – A’emi didn’t want to say that there probably were a lot of Candidates, because it’d probably be true – they’d just all likely been avoiding him. Frightened of him, perhaps, or just wary, or just plain hated him. He didn’t really know, but it wasn’t a good thing to be telling the kid. Might frighten him.

I don’t like her, love. The quiet hiss was mental only; Kyrahth gazed at Onyth steadily as she leveled out in the sky and then flipped upwards, not quite ignoring the other green, but certainly not acknowledging her either. Do hurry up your chat with the child. I don’t want them near you. At /all/. They’ve no right. Onyth could be as polite as she pleased; Kyrahth wasn’t polite and she rarely made an effort to hide that. Politeness was for idiots who felt the need to suck up and hide behind their words.

Hush, beautiful; don’t be jealous. His head tilted to one side, appraisingly, and a smile quirked at the corners of his lips. Pretty, this one. Looked older than him (but then, A’emi looked decidedly young). Her voice was sweet – and A’emi felt certain, then, that he couldn’t trust her. Nobody at Selenitas liked him. Nobody. K’thay was different. This kid was just clueless. But a dragonrider had to know. And this one…well, regardless; there was fun to be had. And she was very pretty. “Happy is quite the understatement,” he murmured, before he remembered the kid and spun to gesture him closer; if the woman decided to go hysterical or something at least he could throw the kid at her as a distraction.

“A pleasure, Elysia of Onyth.” The full name was drawled as A’emi smiled a playful half-smirk, offering a shallow bow. “A’emi of Kyrahth. Who is being rude right now; I hope your Onyth won’t take offense? Kyr’s close to Rising.” And A’emi couldn’t wait. Rises were such fun.

She doesn’t deserve politeness.

“Very rude, Kyr…”

[raii]

Before he could respond, a dark green dropped off her rider. She introduced herself, speaking directly to A'emi. She smiled and laughed towards him, but seemed to completely ignore Rofi. Rofi fumed inwardly. At the last moment she merely shot him a look, as if she didn't know him but didn't particularly care to.

A'emi seemed to feel superior to him, both in intellect and maturity. He didn't doubt it was true, especially the maturity part, but A'emi didn't really act it. He seemed kind and friendly, the kind of person who Rofi could befriend and act similarly. This girl--what was her name? Elina? Elisa?--was just plain rude. Well, to him anyways. It might have been a gesture meant as such, it might have just been inadvertent. It might have been something in the middle.

Doesn't matter. If you treated Rofi poorly, he would return it over time, once he gauged a person's weaknesses, sensitivities, and vunerablities. It rarely actually turned out that way, as Rofi's pesky, friendly personality actually caused some of them to be friends. He scowled slightly, before letting out a sly smile, which quickly changed to a friendly one.

A'emi gestured him over, another sign of A'emi's superior kindness. Somehow, although he was able to notice good and bad in traits and intentions, he formed his people prefrences over treatment, a preference that could change any second by a kind word or cold shoulder. He either loved a person or hated them, sometimes both at once. There was no like or dislike, no grey area at all. Either you're out or you're in. Standing might just change frequently.

Smiling, almost too friendly at the girl--whose name he couldn't remember--he thought softly to himself. Haven't you heard of something called decorum, lady? He grinned wider. Standard proceedure for meeting new people. He contented himself with angry thoughts while he smiled, hiding annoyance with happiness.

[Rei]

Elysia just stretched idly and flicked a strand of hair out of her face. Needed to tie it back really. Outwardly she looked completely calm but inside she was evaluating and reevaluating. She highly doubted S’rei would have kept the green pair around if they posed a significant threat. Then again. One never knew with the leader types. Onyth’s own anxiety was kept from bleeding over. The dark green did not like the fact that she was grounded while Kyrahth had control of the airspace. The paranoia in her was quickly rising and the greenrider sent calming feelings to her green as she smiled at A’emi. “Oh I think she can be excused for her temperament. Onyth only gets flirty and ultra clingy when she gets proddy but I am well aware of how broad the spectrum is. I doubt my darling cares.” With a wave of her wrist she dismissed the other green’s behavior before commenting to Onyth lightly. Not our fault she is a priss love. If you are going to be that nervous I’d rather you be in the air. I am sure I can take care of this one if I have to. Which I won’t. He doesn’t seem like the stupid sort

Priss? She is far above that my love. Needs to be dropped a few pegs. Childish. Nevertheless the dark green gave a rumble of agreement before judging distances and flinging herself into the air with twists and loops to throw the other green off in case she decided to strike. Never hurt to be careful after all. With quick sweeps of her wings she ascended to a altitude above Kyrahth and then circled lazily eyes still fixed on the other female with distrust. Wingmate or not she didn’t trust the other green. Not one bit. Despite her thoughts the dragon’s eyes continued to whirl in a pleasant green.

Elysia wiggled her bare feet in the soft grass and then tilted her head to regard the other rider. “I’m sorry we missed your presence at drills the other day. You and your lovely Kyrahth do plan on joining us don’t you?” The rider asked. Not bothering to disguise the curiosity in her tone. She maintained a few persons worth of space between them for now. Never hurt to be careful.

The candidate was finally given a brief examination and the greenrider raised an eyebrow at the scowl turned smile. Had she been interrupting something? Elysia wasn’t sure she wanted to know either way. “Hello are you a candidate for the upcoming clutch?” She asked in a polite tone shifting her body slightly to a slightly more relaxed posture. If she played her cards right maybe she could get this boy to help her wash Onyth when she finally headed off to the beach. It would give him experience and lessen her workload. Win win. Plus she was never one to turn down a male without a shirt. No matter how young.

[Avu]

The kid wasn’t talking much.

A’emi snuck a sideways glance at ‘the kid’ – he’d gotten Rofi’s name, he just preferred ‘the kid’ in his mind – and flashed a reassuring, quiet smile in his direction. Why he felt it was necessary, A’emi didn’t entirely know, save for the fact that he wanted to make Rofi trust him. Kids were useful. They really were. They tended to go largely unnoticed, for one thing, and they heard things that people tried to keep away from other adults. Very useful indeed. Anyway, why wasn’t he talking? Elysia wasn’t exactly intimidating. He had a feeling she could be if she wanted to, but she wasn’t or didn’t, yet.

His attention was back on Elysia a second later and her words of reassurance drew a playful smile from him, head tipping to the side. “Just in case, y’know. Wouldn’t want to offend your darling.” His gaze skimmed over the other green, before he smiled deeper. “She’s gorgeous, by the way. Kyr’s gonna hate me for saying it, but she really is.” – not. The compliments sounded as genuine as he could make them, and A’emi could see why someone would find Onyth beautiful – and he kind of did, but her beauty was too obvious, too flashy and too in your face.

Not like you. You /are/ gorgeous, he added in a singsong tone to Kyrahth – it was the same playful tone he always used when complimenting her, and she knew he was sincere despite his jocular manner, always. The take-off of the other green elicited a deeply unpleasant response in both of the greenpair, though it only showed in Kyrahth – A’emi merely blinked, as if bemused, before he looked back at Elysia and smiled slightly at her query. Wing Drills. Oh, he’d really been upset at missing it – he’d wanted to go, see how things at Selenitas worked when one was on the – what, the secret wing, the best wing, the elite, black ops…?

“I know. Kyr just got back into the air today and I didn’t really feel up to thrashing through the jungle looking for a clearing I’ve never been in before. I’ll be there next time, though. Was it fun? I mean – well, fun’s not really the word, but…?” His question trailed off, and one eyebrow quirked, clearly questioning; what exactly was he setting himself up for, here?

As her attention shifted to the kid, A’emi tipped his head slightly sideways to look at him and then stepped half-backwards to let him take center-stage. Give him some room – he wanted to kind of think, anyway. He masked his inattention by tipping his head upwards to watch Kyrahth – and Onyth, though not as obviously; he wanted the green away from his Kyr, from his precious darling, at least down below her. He was fairly certain the other green wouldn’t stand a chance against Kyr, but he didn’t want to risk it and she was making him paranoid.

Would you want to go to the beach, lovely?

Not with her. Not with him. Only with you. The green’s reply was clipped as she slid into a slower, languid glide, tipping her head upwards to watch Onyth with a faint air of amusement. She and A’emi were well-paired; both of them were of the slim and fast. Kyrahth was fast – good at dodging. Let the idiot dive at her if she wanted. She wouldn’t be there. Her wings flared and Kyrahth spun idly into a current of air, allowing it to carry her into an upwards thermal until she was semi-hidden beneath a cloud, diving in and out of the moisture. Cool. A welcome relief from the heat of the air.

For me? Would you carry the kid?

In my stomach, I would.

That wasn’t exactly…

In my mouth. That’s the final offer.

Hmm.

[raii]

As if reading his mind, she finally turned her attention to the candidate. She asked him a question--a dumb one, about being a candidate. A'emi had asked the same type of question, but then it wasn't dumb, simply because he had been kind outright. She didn't seem to really be interested in him, though. Maybe she asked to make A'emi feel more comfortable. She seemed to have taken an interest in him.

Now that she'd acknowledged him, even though it wasn't quite kind or quick enough, he decided to give her a break. In other words, pretend to be nice to her as well. Judge her character a bit better, but only a bit. He doubted he would like her, but tried to be civil. For now. "Yeah, I am. I'm Rofinel."

He smiled, and seemed completely at ease. The fact that he didn't give the name Rofi was the only hint towards his aversion now. He seemed at ease, in fact. His body was relaxed, in a comfortable, carefree position. His long arms were crossed loosely. Even his eyes seemed to be cheerful. Always the happy type, even anger was entertaining for him.

He frowned as A'emi stepped back, seeming to expect him to take the spotlight. Were he surrounded by people he liked, he would gladly take it. Now, however, he simply scowled. It was quick, though, and it turned into a smile again, just an obviously insincere one. "You both have very pretty dragons." He felt he should give her a compliment, and decided on the only truthful one he could think of.

[Rei]

Elysia shifted her stance to one of almost complete relaxation. Too much work being all standoffish. With a smile towards Rofinel, in an attempt to get him to open up more, she considered him. Maybe he just didn’t like females? Her eyes slid back to A’emi as he spoke. “Thank you for the compliment.” She said sweetly. Whether he meant it as one or not she was taking it. Hear that baby? He says you’re gorgeous. She intoned sweetly to her dragon who snorted and preformed a aerial barrel roll.

Forgive me if I don’t melt at his feet. You best watch yourself my love. I do not trust them and you would do well to remember where they came from. The greenrider sent a pulse of love to her dragon. Do not worry darling. I am well aware of what I am doing. Just watch his lovely. I don’t want you hurt again. Onyth rumbled in acknowledgement and went back to circling and rolling lazily keeping one eye on Kyrahth the entire time. When the other green took to the clouds Onyth dove and leveled out so she had plenty of reaction room.

The benden rider turned back to A’emi and frowned. “Oh I’m sorry. I did not aware that your darling just got into the sky. Poor thing. No wonder she is so excited.” Elysia turned eye back up to the sly and gave a close enough to genuine smile before looking back down at A’emi. “I’d tell you if I could but well I’m afraid that I can’t. In the interest of keeping things a bit mysterious.” She winked at A’emi then and leaned slightly towards him. “Maybe you can talk me into it later.” She made a subtle head gesture towards the boy. Talking such things in front of candidates was not the best idea. Solely because she didn’t want things being spread around and children where not exactly quiet.

Then A’emi half stepped back and she raised an eyebrow before tuning her full attention to the boy. “Thank you so very much for the compliment. Rofinel was it? Would you like to meet my Onyth personally? We where on our way to the beach. She really enjoys swimming and she could use a good sanding.” A short question to Onyth had the green spiraling down to land and striding toward them with a soft croon. “I would love help bathing her and you could get hands on experience with a dragon. What do you say?” The dark green clasped her wings tight to her back and crooned at the boy moving closer to lower her head and examine him.

A new toy for you love? She inquired privately to her bonded. Elysia shook her head and smiled. No darling a slave for you. Do you like him? Tilting her head she regarded the boy with whirling green eyes. I do not need a slave when I have you. But thank you for the present. She said with good humor. Please tell him he may touch me if he wants. “She says you are welcome to stroke her. She likes having her eye ridges scratched like any dragon. Try it out.”

Elysia smiled and looked back at A’emi. “You and your lovely are welcome to join us at the beach of course?” This was providing of course that the boy wanted to go. If not she was more than happy to continue on with her day anyway.

[Avu]

A flicker of a smile; his head tilted to one side at Elysia’s comment. Excited. Right. To get back in the air, maybe. To have Onyth anywhere near her, to have Elysia and Rofi near him – far from. The green’s possessive paranoia was sweeping over him in excessive amounts and he was grateful for the space between himself and Elysia. It was easy to separate his emotions from Kyrahth’s, but it would still be obvious at close quarters – he’d be positively twitchy and that was just too hard to mask. His mind brushed against Kyrahth’s, no longer in reference about carrying Rofi (stomach or mouth or otherwise), but reproving.

You need to /calm down/.
I don’t /like/ her. I don’t like /them/.
You don’t /know/ them.
Nor do I wish to.

A’emi was about to respond, and he’d even gotten himself into an appropriately disapproving mindset, when Elysia’s comment completely derailed him. Straight into the gutter. Talk her into it. Hmm, he could do that. His smile took on a decidedly suggestive edge and his voice a slight purr as he responded, “I’ll see what I can do.” A’emi caught her gesture towards the kid, too, but he didn’t glance at Rofi: It’d make it far too obvious. Besides, the kid’s presence was the only thing that was keeping him from openly flirting with the other greenrider. Just because he preferred men didn’t mean he was averse to women, and Elysia was pretty, even if he thought her (much like her dragon) too flashy for anything other than a one-night’s stand.

Onyth was landing.

Onyth was landing.

The outraged mental hiss that tore through his mind distracted A’emi from Elysia entirely and his head flicked up to watch the dark green dragon’s descent, felt Kyrahth’s anger and fury coil around his stomach and squeeze, the mental too close, too close ringing through his mind. Despite his own flash of unease, A’emi smiled up at Onyth, despite her being focused, along with her Rider, mainly upon the kid. The look on his face was definitely pleasant, and he would’ve talked if Elysia hadn’t been addressing Rofi; it seemed rude to interrupt and he settled for crinkling his nose and mouthing a playful, “Hi there, lovely” at Onyth.

The invitation extended to him elicited a quicksilver smile again and A’emi tilted his head to glance thoughtfully at Elysia, pondering his options. “I’d love to come,” he responded after a moment, and then glanced at Rofi again, quirking one eyebrow encouragingly. “Kyr doesn’t like carrying more than one passenger at a time, though, I’m afraid. And she…uh, isn’t exactly a good mount for a first-timer anyway, she likes to pretend she’s an acrobat…” And she was good at it, too, but only for short periods of time; the green was too small – far smaller than Onyth – to have any kind of lasting endurance. “Shall I call her down?”

No. /I/ don’t want to go.
Darling…she’s our wingmate. We’re gonna have to work with her at /some/ point and honestly, the beach seems like a nice place to get started. And I don’t want her stealing the kid.
There are other kids to be your playthings, the green replied, grandly dismissive, but she spun on her wingtip anyway, beginning a grudging descent.

[raii]

The girl drew closer to A'emi, winking, and whispering something. Great, Rofi thought to himself. This was something he hadn't exactly forseen, and it was annoying. Why wouldn't it be? Gracious, this girl just seemed to rub him the wrong way. She probably could have given him 100 marks and he'd still dislike her.

She then thanked him. For complimenting her dragon. He nodded. Then she asked if he wanted to meet Onyth. His eyes lit up and he nodded. Dragons, dragons, dragons. You'd think growing up in a Weyr would lessen their novelty, but nothing short of Impression could ever do that. It didn't matter that he didn't like her. He could still be around a very pretty dragon! He didn't mind taking some work off of her hand, and instead looked at it like he was stealing a precious experence from her.

She suggested he scratch her eye ridges. He hadn't scratched a dragon's eye ridges since his parents had died. He did so, just the way that his father's blue had loved it. He hadn't remembered how soft the hide was, and smiled reminiscently. His face, which had seemed to jump from different controlled emotions, settled on something pure and unaltered.

He gazed at the dragon, a soft, demure smile touching his face. It was barely turned up at the edges, and yet it seemed the hapiest smile he'd given all day. His eyes seemed to be focused on nothing at all as he thought and remebered. He heard her suggest they go to the beach. He didn't really listen. It didn't register until A'emi said he would have to ride on Onyth.

He didn't mind the Onyth part, but he did mind Elysia. His smile disapeared. He did want to go to the beach; it was hot, and he could cool off. He wanted to stay with A'emi, though. He was more of a friend, in a way. He definately did not want to leave him with her, though. Certainly he could see how insincere and rude she was. He merely nodded, consenting, but not exactly happy to.

[Rei]

Onyth crooned softly to Rofinel as he scratched at her ridges. Yes, yes, Good boy this one was. He scratched very well. A soft rumbling purr started in her chest and she nudged his body lightly with her head. Elysia smiled and turned her attention back to A’emi. “You will join us then? Splendid.” Idly she turned her head up to watch the descent of the smaller green belonging to the fort rider. “Well all dragon’s have their particular quirks. Onyth doesn’t mind another passenger. Do you Onyth?”

She turned back to her green and scratched the ridge opposite of the kid. The dark green’s purr became a deep rumble and the benden rider threw her head back and laughed. “She’d probably give you anything you asked for now.” Winking at Rofinel, she tapped Onyth lightly. “Ready darling? I am sure he would have no problem in continuing to spoil you once we get to the beach.” Perhaps she was ignoring the Fort pair just a tad. Did she feel bad? Not really. It wasn’t as if Kyrahth was the social sort. Made her wonder about the rider. Was his good humor just some facade?

Onyth pressed her muzzle lightly against Rofinel and snorted softly before raising her head and crouching to allow an easier mount. With a few quick movements Elysia was astride Onyth and reaching down to offer the candidate a hand. After making sure he was comfortably seated she half turned back to A’emi. “See you there. ~” She called playfully just as Onyth crouched. There was no intention to turn this into a race. At least not with the boy as a passenger. Pity that was.

“Better hang on tight.” Elysia called back to the candidate in warning as the dark green leapt and intentionally twisted before snapping open her wings and climbing straight into the air. Despite her first unexpected twist the green kept the rest of the flight level. Just swaying softly from side to side. I am proud of the young one. He did not fall off. The benden woman laughed, the sound torn away by the wind. No he didn’t. Leaning back against the boy, so she could be better heard, the greenrider spoke. “Onyth is impressed that you didn’t fall off.” Crooning after her bonded’s words the green dipped her flight into an easy dive headed directly for the ocean. We are here.

Elysia caught wind of Onyth’s intentions right at the last second. “Onyth! Don’t you dare!” However she was a tad too late as the green plummeted towards the water and slowed just before hitting it, sending up a particularly large splash and sinking them below the surface. Shooting back up immediately afterward, Onyth swiveled her head around to look at her passengers as she floated. Much cooler do you not agree? Elysia scowled and slapped the dragon’s shoulder lightly before turning to check on the candidate. “You okay.” Was she honestly concerned? Maybe a tad. Killing candidates wasn’t exactly good for your karma. Onyth you are a very bad girl. I learn from the best my Elysia. She said sweetly before paddling to shore to deposit her soaked riders on the beach.

[Avu]

The only response A’emi offered Elysia was a wave as he flashed a playful grin at Rofinel, crinkling his nose in the same expression, before he spun and took off at a steady lope towards the landing spot that Kyrahth had indicated to him. The green did not want to be anywhere near Onyth, after all, and she wasn’t getting near if she could help it. Probably a good idea; if she was that close to another green, Kyrahth’d likely take a snap at Onyth purely out of instinct and somehow, A’emi was quite sure that wouldn’t go over too terribly well. She’d already nearly shortened some hapless blue’s nose a few inches when he’d come too close to her kill at the Feeding Pens, and blues weren’t even female.

As his much-smaller green settled neatly into a sweeping landing next to him and immediately nosed at his chest, A’emi hummed, planting a kiss against the tip of her muzzle. “You really shouldn’t fret so, darling,” he whispered softly, running one hand against her cheek and down the dragon’s neck affectionately. “She wasn’t gonna hurt me and I’m yours, remember? Really, it’s okay, beautiful; she hasn’t got a chance in comparison next to you.” His head tilted, and a dazzling smile crossed his face. “How many times’ve I told you that you’re the absolute most gorgeous and amazing thing ever since – I don’t even know, since Pern even existed?”

Numerous, came the brief response, but Kyrahth crouched nonetheless, allowing A’emi to spring onto her back and wrap his hands around her straps, tucking one leg beneath the nearest leather; no need to actually fasten it for such a short flight. Kyrahth crooned, thoughtfully, low in her throat, as she watched Onyth take off, allowing the green a decent amount of airspace before she launched herself, too, twirling effortlessly into a tight corkscrew upwards, gaining altitude. The beach wasn’t far at all, and Kyrahth was happy to be flying again – it translated into her speed, the green dragon positively streaking to the beach.

That looks enjoyable, A’emi observed idly as his gaze followed Onyth’s plunge. Poor kid. Although – well, he might’ve enjoyed it; it was hot, but flying so quickly had produced a nice breeze anyway. Getting thrown headfirst into the water without warning mustn’t have been too terribly pleasant. His hand slid down Kyrahth’s neck, a smirk playing across the greenrider’s lips as Kyrahth rolled lazily in the sky, closed her wings in a sharp vertical dive, pulling out neatly above the water and landing on the beach as opposed to in the water. Thank you very much, my gorgeous. You can go back to flying, if you want, he added, softly, as he dropped from her neck.

I shall. Let me know if you need me – for /anything/. The emphasis on the last word was far from innocent, but A’emi ignored it deliberately, pressing another quick kiss against her muzzle before he stepped back, allowing her to regain flight, rapidly circling upwards again. A pause while his eyes followed the green’s progress, before he turned and waved both arms shamelessly towards Onyth and her passengers. His hands cupped around his mouth a second later, just to make sure his yell would carry, and A’emi positively shouted,

“Is the water nice?” Because that was just of utmost importance, of course.