Forget what we’re told (tags R’ahre)

[Rei]

Ruliana strolled along on the outskirts of the gather, amidst some of the large rocks that had been set up for the dragons of Selenitas. It had been a day since she had been ‘rescued’ from Kelor. She had spent the night with some generous holder family and now she was on her own again. The woman was also at a complete loss as to what to do now. Standing on the edge of a large rock she looked down the beach at the crashing waves and the storm clouds building in the distance. Rain was in the forecast most definitely. Possibly something more ominous as well. Carefully she sat on the edge of the rock to watch the storm roll in. She wouldn’t stay long she reasoned. Just long enough. After living in a costal hold she was well able to judge storm fronts. This one wasn’t too close yet.

As the wind picked up she could hear some of the dragon’s stirring on the beach behind her. No doubt debating whether or not to move from their current locations. At least they had the comfort of knowing they had somewhere to go. Ruliana pulled her legs up against her chest and started humming. Before long breaking into song.

The blackest night must end in dawn,
The sun dispel the dreamer's fear:
When shall my soul's bleak, hopeless pain
Find solace in its darkening Weyr?

Why Ruliana chose that particular verse she wasn’t sure but it somehow made her feel a tad better. A reminder of sorts, of days when she used to just sing for the joy of singing. There was little joy in her currently. More bleakness and an aching need to figure out just what it is she should do. Going back to Nerat was an option but she’d rather exhaust all other possibilities first. Last thing she wanted to do was return home to face her father and her no doubt furious fiancée. “I really messed up didn’t I?” She mumbled into her knees just as the wind picked up again blowing sand across the beach and whipping her hair back.

[Avu]

There is a singing girl that resembles Checkoth’s very much near me, my R’ahre. Would it be she that you are searching for?

The words were accompanied by the flash of an image of Ruliana to His as Ahth coiled a little tighter around the sun-warmed rock, humming low in his throat, a breathy crooning sound. It was nice at the Gather; a little breezier than it was at Selenitas, and warm. The clouds were still thick overhead, heavy with the promise of rain, and probably lightning and thunder with it, but that was okay; Selenitas wasn’t much better and Ahth had better things to do than complain. Like doze. Or study through lidded eyes the girl next to him. Perhaps the reason why His was here, this one. The blue could see the resemblance, he supposed – but it was possibly a fluke, anyway.

Huh. Maybe. The reply was unpromising, but nonetheless Ahth felt his Rider change direction. They’d arrived only a short while prior; he’d barely gotten into the Gather at all. And, as it was, he was less than interested in the Gather. R’ahre was only interested in what R’wign had told him: Apparently he had a half-sister here. And he had to admit he was curious – curious and startled. He’d come to accept that R’wign was, some way or another, related to him, some time ago, but…family was family, he expected, or something like that. And he was fairly certain that the only half-sister he had also happened to be the heiress of Nerat Hold, but who knew.

Are you coming to see?
No, Ahth, I figured I’d stop and grab some food on the way, because /food/ is /definitely/ the reason I came. Yes, of course I’m coming to see!
There is no need to snap, my Rider, Ahth responded calmly, amusement touching his tone. And if you wished to eat first, I am sure she would not run away. She is not moving, the girl. He twitched minutely, and then caught sight of his Rider emerging from the crowd of the Gather, quick clipped steps carrying him down the beach. Not the way that someone there for leisure would walk – but perhaps that was appropriate.

R’ahre slowed by the time he actually reached Ruliana, though, having come up from behind, and just in time to hear her address her knees – and just in time to see her face, and then it was yes, yes; definitely a resemblance that couldn’t be blamed on coincidence. His stomach tightened in something that was akin to unease before the bluerider hummed quietly and then squatted next to Ruliana, speaking more to the ocean before them than actually to her. “I’m not usually the optimistic one or anything, but…aren’t you supposed to look for the bright side or something?”

It was only after he’d spoken that R’ahre flicked a sideways glance at her, hesitant. Some part of him (a very large part, actually) wanted to just blurt out, “Are you supposed to be related to me? What’re you doing here?” – but if the answer to the first question happened to be yes, it would make things…infinitely awkward. Something did have to be said for familial ties, after all. He nodded at Ahth instead and asked, “Ruliana, right? Ahth said he saw you…”

What’ll happen if she’s not?
Not what? Related to me?
Not ‘Ruliana’, and not related to you. Just some random girl?
Then I apologize and move on?
You won’t be embarrassed?
No.

Well – maybe just a little, but shards if he was going to admit it.

[Rei]

“I’m not usually the optimistic one or anything, but…aren’t you supposed to look for the bright side or something?”

Ruliana’s head shot up sharply. Wide eyes took in the face next to her. Blinking she tried to gather her thoughts. His face. He looked...like her. Like R’wign. “Rusahre?” The name was out before she could stop it and she mentally corrected herself. No he was R’ahre now. R’ahre of Ahth? The woman’s eyes shifted behind her to where his dragon lay. A blue so dark he could probably be mistaken for black in certain lighting. His use of her name was the most surprising thing. He had to be Rusahre if he knew her name. There was no other explanation. He undoubtedly recognized her. “Yes. Ruliana.” No point in lying now. At least not to someone who knew the truth.

Carefully she unclasped her arms from her legs and shifted bringing her legs underneath her and wincing when they scraped uncomfortably against the stone. Inwardly she cringed at how horrible she probably looked. She was wearing the same dress she had worn when she had been released from Kelor’s employment and the bruising on her arm was very apparent currently. Add in the smears of dirt on her dress and face and the tousled appearance of her short hair and she probably looked like some poor castaway. Not at all what she was used to looking like. It didn’t make a good first impression certainly. At least the bruising on her neck was still hidden. “Your Ahth called you? Have you been looking for me?”

Part of her was scared for the answer. Why would he be looking for her? He hadn’t even known she was here. Didn’t he think her back at Nerat? Had her father sent to benden? Had they sent him? So many questions raced through her head and she didn’t know where to begin. Ducking her head down she avoided his gaze for the moment. Needed to think.

[Avu]

R’ahre blinked. His old name. His pre-Impression name. So hard to even remember that he’d once answered to it automatically. Ahth seemed to be everything, and Ahth called him R’ahre. Sylph called him Rusa, but it wasn’t the same. Nevertheless, he nodded in acknowledgement, feeling the knot in his stomach loosen. Was it her, then? Had to be. Not many people at Southern just knew his name; he wasn’t important. He was just another bluerider from Selenitas, Sharding Weyr, here to buy things from the Gather. “Yeah…R’ahre now, but yeah…” the correction was low, automatic, and he didn’t really focus on what he was saying at all.

His gaze swept over Ruliana, hesitantly. R’ahre couldn’t remember if he’d ever seen her before, around Nerat, but she looked…like she’d been through a lot, to say the least. He nodded once as she confirmed her own identity, and then glanced at Ahth, awkwardly, more for something to do than because he really felt the need to look at the blue. The dragon was regarding them both with something dangerously close to amusement, and R’ahre looked away again instantly, indignant with the blue’s rapidly swirling green eyes. There was very, very little he found amusing about this, after all.

Her question made him blink twice, before he tilted his head to consider. “Not very long. I mean, we just got here this morning, and…I guess I’ve just kind of been wandering around, because I’m just that efficient?” A half-smile; he glanced at Ruliana again. “R’wign let me know you were here last night, but I didn’t really want to try to make Ahth go between at night just in case something got irreversibly screwed; I like being alive…think Ahth does, too.” The words were an absentminded explanation; he felt like he kind of owed her one, since he had kind of just up and started talking to her, and even knew her name. And he was also avoiding what he really, really wanted to ask:

Why are you here?

The question bounced around in his mind, and no matter how many times he tried to rephrase it to sound less invasive, less rude, R’ahre was fairly certain he couldn’t. Another wave of amusement from Ahth. The dragon rolled onto his stomach and stood, making his way carefully around the others until he could flop down gracelessly in front of His and his clutchsister. His head dropped, brushing affectionately against R’ahre’s hand and chest, and then shifted sideways so he could examine Ruliana curiously. It was just a clutchsister; like Baoth was to him, so why would she find a simple question so offensive? Silly, silly His.

[Rei]

Ruliana nodded slightly at the correction. Yes he was now R’ahre. Names where shortened. His awkward behavior was noted almost immediately and to be honest she couldn’t blame him one bit. Having someone from your past show up out of the blue had to be awkward at the least. Especially if said person had never really even met you before, except maybe in passing once when you where both to young and unobservant to remember it. Thankfully the bluerider was quick to turn his attention to his dragon which left Ruliana a few precious minutes to try and get her head on straight. Unfortunately her exhaustion wasn’t helping any and she just ended up feeling more inadequate and sluggish. What had he come for?

Looking up as R’ahre spoke again the woman nodded. “R’wign told you about me?” There was a tad bit of surprise contained in her tone and she didn’t try and hide it. Why would he go and bother R’ahre? What purpose was behind it? For that matter why had the bluerider found it prudent to search her out? Curiosity most likely. She wasn’t under the impression that he felt any family bonds to her. They hadn’t really interacted at all at Nerat. Knew of each others existence yes. But that was really as far as it went. Ruliana caught his half smile and gave a nervous one of her own in response. “I’m glad you and Ahth got here safe.” The thought that he might have come at night and put himself in danger filled her with horror. Surely not for her. Why? Surprised she tried to catch his gaze.

“You don’t owe me anything R’ahre.” The words where offered quietly. “I’m surprised you came to find me at all. I’m afraid I’m a tad confused as to why you came?” Surely there had to be a purpose behind it. Better to ask than sit here and wonder she rationalized. Further words on the subject where momentarily put aside at the approach of R’ahre’s dragon. Before she came to Southern Ruliana had never even seen a dragon before. Except in pictures. In the past few days she had not only seen numerous but even had two speak to her.

It was still mind boggling to her now big they actually where. Very impressive creatures. Where she had at first felt unease she now only felt a sincere appreciation for the beasts. Keeping her hands in her lap Ruliana merely nodded politely to the blue. “Hello Ahth. It is nice to meet you.” She greeted him like she would greet any person. Checkoth had proved to be very intelligent and she saw no reason for the rest of the dragons to be anything less.

[Avu]

Her question, verifying his previous statement, earned only a nod and a low hum in acknowledgement. She sounded…surprised, really, and R’ahre didn’t much blame her. R’wign didn’t usually talk to him much (read: at all) and he was honestly okay with it that way, too. It made life much easier. But he’d apparently felt the need to tell him about Ruliana’s – existence in the South, and the very fact that he had felt the need was enough to pique R’ahre’s interest in the…situation. A faint smile crossed his face as the girl (his sister? It felt strange, even in his mind) added that she was pleased that he’d gotten there safely.

“Ahth isn’t stupid enough to let me do anything too terribly suicidal,” he responded idly, one hand gliding up the dragon’s neck affectionately. He’d mostly been kidding when he’d said it, anyway, the idea of coming at night. Curiosity wasn’t that pressing a reason, and he wasn’t stupid either, after all…R’ahre hadn’t honestly expected Ruliana to take it as a serious statement. Whatever.

As Ruliana spoke again, R’ahre half-tilted his head to look at her, one hand still absently running down Ahth’s muzzle, tracing the delicate, familiar structure of the bone underlying dark hide. “I know…I don’t really – okay, that sounds confusing. I mean, I know I didn’t have to come, and I’m not really sure why I did, so I guess it’s probably just…got curious?” An eloquent half-shrug. “I mean…I didn’t remember Nerat being half bad. It was actually pretty nice for me.” Of course, his birthmother had more or less spoiled him but that was okay; R’ahre was sure that being heiress would have Ruliana pretty doted on too. She was the only full-blooded heir, wasn’t she…?

Her polite, simple greeting earned a faint swirl of amusement lacing Ahth’s eyes. The blue dragon tilted his head, leaning into R’ahre’s touch automatically, and a high, quiet croon emerged from his throat: A greeting. If you feel the need for words, you may tell her I said ‘hello’, he added to R’ahre, sprawling out carefully in front of the pair. Also ask her why she decided to pick Southern? It’s lovely for a visit but… He trailed off, meaningfully, and R’ahre suppressed a snort of amusement.

“He says ‘hi’, and he wants to know…why Southern? It’s nice and all, but…it’s not great.” Although he supposed he should watch where he said something like that; no need to offend any patriotic Holder who decided that Southern was the best place to be in the whole world. Or whatever they thought of their Hold; R’ahre was never really sure. Any given place was just that: A place, with pros and cons (rarely were they balanced exactly; usually the cons outweighed the pros magnificently, in his opinion) and irritating people. Lots of them.

[Rei]

Patiently Ruliana waited for him to get out what he wanted to say. Absently she wiggled her bare feet and watched R’ahre’s movements as he stroked the blue. Curiosity? Well it was better than being sent by someone. He probably got a transfer from Benden. Did weyrs do that? She wasn’t sure. Instead she numbly nodded and then spoke. “No Nerat is not bad.” For most it was a quite comfortable place to live. It had been a tad boring at times but that was life. Not everything could be exciting all of the time. Twisting her hands together in a nervous gesture she blinked and concentrated on Ahth. He seemed to be quite fond of his rider. The croon brought a slow smile to her lips.

Turning her attention back the R’ahre as he spoke Ruliana nodded at Ahth’s hi. The blue’s question however drew a small frown for her. “I suppose Southern was just a convenience. I didn’t really have a plan besides getting out of Nerat. I ended up bartering for a ride to here. A bunch of harpers allowed me to travel with them in return for the use of my voice.” Drawing her hands back she ran them along her arms and hugged herself as if to ward off a chill. “I just got released from their employment yesterday. I probably won’t stay here much longer. I’m still trying to figure out what to do.” No it wasn’t the entire story. The entire story was rather long and a tad bit depressing for her. She had surely given the bluerider enough anyway. He could piece things together well enough and if he couldn’t well he would no doubt ask her a question or two.

Ruliana hesitantly reached out towards Ahth’s muzzle and stopped a few inches before it. Turning back to R’ahre she gazed at him sadly. “Do you mind if I pet him? Or would he mind? I don’t want to upset him or anything.” He was oh so close and she wanted to touch him. If only to see what he felt like. She examined her half brothers face for any sign of disproval. Never could be sure how people would react.

[Avu]

Was she being deliberately unhelpful? For a moment, R’ahre considered it; her ambiguous answer left much to be desired. Nerat wasn’t bad. Well, he could’ve guessed that himself, he supposed. Nerat had always been nice. But something must have happened that acted as – as a catalyst. People didn’t just up and decide to leave somewhere they’d known all their life. For him, leaving Benden had been the death of a weyrmate – someone he hadn’t thought about in Faranth knew how long. Even if he’d been less than happy there for the most part, he wouldn’t have just left. And Ruliana…surely she wouldn’t have, either. He didn’t press, for the moment, though, only bowed his head after a nod of acknowledgement.

Apparently direct questions got better results, though; he listened as intently as Ahth did to her explanation. A low hum, thoughtful, left his throat as Ruliana finished and R’ahre glanced sideways at her, fingers continuing their journey up Ahth’s jaw, skirting the eye ridges, and along the long head knobs. An idea flashed through his mind – or perhaps it was the dragon’s; it was difficult to tell, and it was fleeting, so brief and so ephemeral, that he didn’t quite get his tongue around to speak it before Ruliana’s hand extended towards Ahth.

I do not mind. The words, delivered privately to R’ahre, were largely unnecessary, as he edged his muzzle forward the few extra inches to touch the end of his muzzle, lightly, to Ruliana’s palm. His head lifted slightly, tongue curling out of his mouth to lick the girl’s hand. The gesture wasn’t one of affection so much as one of simple curiosity; his head tilted to one side and another low croon issued from his chest. She could Impress, I’d think. There are worse humans that have been Chosen by my kin.

His opinion was startling; R’ahre had forgotten that blues made excellent Search dragons. Ahth hadn’t shown any desire to hunt down Candidates before, after all. He blinked, stared, before he bit his lip to keep back the smirk. Of course Ahth would catch everything that ran through his mind. “If you didn’t have any other plans,” he suggested quietly, as Ahth hummed low in his throat, approvingly, “Ahth thinks you could come to the Weyr…as a Candidate…if you want…? There’s already a clutch on the Sands. Hepaticath’s.” A faint smile, and then: “That’ll be Ahth’s younger siblings…”

I claim no relation to those that have yet to Hatch and prove themselves worthy of it, the blue objected calmly, before he crooned. You like this one more than Checkoth’s.

Yeah, well, I like a lot of people more than I like R’wign…

[Rei]

R’ahre’s interest in her story was noted and Ruliana quietly studied him for some type of reaction. With no words seemingly forthcoming from the rider she turned her attention back to the blue. She made a little gasp as Ahth’s muzzle came forward to touch her hand. Absently she smiled and stroked the soft hide of his nose. It was unlike anything she had really felt. Not like leather. It was softer. Her fingers spread and she slightly increased the pressure moving her hand in a circular pattern to rub the dark hide. The lick was unexpected but appreciated and her smile widened and this time reached her eyes. “He’s beautiful.” She breathed quietly. She only removed her hand when the blue titled his head as if to examine her.

The woman merely smile din response wondering hat made her so interesting. Was it because she looked a bit like his rider? Turning her head to examine R’ahre again herself she noted the surprise on his face and wondered why. At least wondered until he spoke. Then her eyes widened and she turned back to the crooning blue. “Me? He thinks I would make a good candidate?” The words came out surprised but then she trailed off. Wait. R’ahre was a rider. R’wign was to. They where related to her after all. Was it really that surprising that she had a chance to impress as well? For a few moments she mentally debated. Then it came to her in a rush. Yes. The answer was yes. Why not? She had no where else to go. No where to turn. What had she to lose?

Reaching back out to Ahth she drew a hand over his face to caress it. “Yes. I think I will accept your offer. If you are sure.” She brought her gaze back to R’ahre. Ahth’s siblings? Eggs already on the sands. That meant there would be a hatching really soon didn’t it? Her gaze was drawn back towards Ahth and she silently hoped she knew just what she was getting herself into. Well it was better than continuing to wander about aimlessly with no plan and nowhere to go at least.

[Avu]

Beautiful, was he? R’ahre thought so, too, but he knew he was biased – and he also knew better than to actually tell Ahth that. The blue’s ego was inflated quite enough, please and thank you. Not that Ruliana really had to worry about that; she didn’t have Ahth in her head at all times of the day. He smirked faintly as Ahth crooned, clearly pleased by the statement, and he felt the flash of amusement, too. Because, yes – R’ahre was pleased that Ruliana had said so. He positively doted on Ahth, from his hide and health to just making sure his riding leathers were impeccably oiled and well-kept.

Her surprise – R’ahre almost chuckled. Yeah. He hadn’t believed he could Impress either, for a long time, even after he’d gone to Benden and Selenitas respectively. So many times, he’d been passed over, that it’d just stopped hurting, stopped the bitter sting of rejection, but it had still happened, and Ahth was perfect. “Yeah. You’re actually the first.” The words were actually thoughtful, as he raised his hand again, brushing it affectionately across Ahth’s muzzle. “Never thought he’d bother with Search much. He’s never been interested in Candidates and stuff like that before.”

And…she accepted. R’ahre glanced at her, curious; the decision had seemed so quick for something so big, so terribly life-changing. “Okay…” he allowed, and then shrugged. “The Weyr provides clothing and robes and things you’ll need…did you need to pick anything up, or meet up with anyone, or anything? Ahth and I can give you a lift back to the Weyr, if you want…I didn’t really plan on sticking around long.” Gathers weren’t really his thing, and anyway, Sylph, who he’d let run off to see Merce, would be expecting him soon – expecting him, even if she didn’t really need him.

I think I like this one more than Checkoth’s, too, Ahth commented lazily, eyes drooping half-shut. Perhaps it will be a good thing to have her at the Weyr. Clutchsiblings /can/ be nice, you see? Definite teasing, there.

[Rei]

Ruliana continued to stroke the blue as she listened to R’ahre speak. The first? She was the first Ahth had picked? That surprised her and a hesitant smile came to her lips before leaned towards the blue. “Well I’ll do my best to be worthy of your pick Ahth.” She said sincerely to him. The bluerider’s curious look was noted but she just concentrated on the blue head in front of her. Was it really that surprising?

She had no where else to turn. If she traveled to the weyr it would take her father that much longer to find her. Going back to Nerat was not an option. If she didn’t marry this suitor there would be a parade of countless others. All arranged for the sake of politics. There weren’t many options for her. She didn’t know a craft, didn’t have anywhere to turn. The decision for her was easy.

To R’ahre she turned then and smiled. “I don’t have anyone to say goodbye to. Nothing to fetch. When you and Ahth are ready to leave I will gladly accept the ride.” She absently brushed some dirt off her clothes. It was a good thing the weyr would provide her with some because these she wore where horribly dirty. Looking back up at R’ahre she smiled and outstretched a hand towards him. “Thank you R’ahre. For coming to look for me. Even if it was just simple curiosity.”

[Avu]

Ahth merely crooned again, pleasantly, but offered no answer otherwise. R’ahre got the general gist of what was going through his mind, though: It wasn’t something she could do that would change whether or not she Impressed. Depended more on whether the hatchlings were smart enough to see someone worthwhile when they were put right in front of them or not. Many of them couldn’t, or, after all, why would His have Stood so long without Impressing? (Not that Ahth was complaining here; R’ahre was his. But the point still stood, as far as he was concerned.)

“Is now okay, then?” No, R’ahre didn’t like Gathers, as a whole. They were okay for the most part, but the oppressive crowd, the smells (nauseating, some of them, especially around the Healer stall), the noise – he’d rather stay at the Weyr, please and thank you. Her outstretched hand, though…R’ahre took it automatically, half-bowed to press his lips against it, and then he realized exactly why he was nervous. She wasn’t really his sister, or half-sister; he knew she was but she didn’t feel like it, not yet. Ruliana was still heiress to Nerat Hold, and Nerat was home; Nerat was important.

“I don’t really think I should be thanked for curiosity,” he added, crinkling his nose a little more playfully as he pulled away and stepped back to Ahth’s side. “Since most of the time, kids get reprimanded for it, but anytime, I guess.” He nudged the blue absently with the palm of his hand, and Ahth rolled obediently onto his feet, allowing him to run his fingers carefully over the straps, flicking over the buckles, worming between pale leather and dark hide, before he clipped the last buckle in place and then gestured for Ruliana to join him.

“The straps are made for one.” The explanation was quiet, easy. “I’ll just hang on, and you’ll get strapped in. I’ve flown without ‘em before, so it should work out okay. Ahth.” The blue’s name was accompanied by a playful poke, and Ahth dutifully extended one foreleg, with the equivalent of a mental eye-roll. “I don’t know if you’ve ever flown before…? But yeah, put one foot here to boost yourself up; you can grab onto the straps to pull or onto his neck ridges. Won’t hurt him. I’ll help you with the straps, too; they’re confusing.”

[Rei]

“Now?” Ruliana repeated looking for R’ahre to Ahth. He didn’t want to stay and shop or anything? Not that she was complaining. “Sure I am ready if you are.” As R’ahre took her hand and half bowed she smiled. The kiss pressed to her hand was a normal reaction of most holders, but she was a bit taken aback to be shown the same respect here when she looked so horrible. Swallowing against an unexpected lump in her throat she gave the bluerider a half smile. His playful expression caused the smile to become more genuine. A soft half laugh came from her throat at his following comment. Yes curiosity could be troublesome for children, mostly because they got themselves involved in things they shouldn’t. Which was something R’ahre might or might not be doing considering who she was. She opted to keep those thoughts to herself however and just concentrated on the task at hand.

That thought was thrust aside as Ahth rolled to his feet and she was stuck again by how very big he was. Not larger than Checkoth had been certainly but still he was large. Not used to such creatures they all appeared large to her. Ruliana stepped towards the blue and watched in fascination as R’ahre expertly fixed the straps to the blue and then turned towards her. The gesture was noted and she moved forward to stand beside him again looking up at Ahth as he explained to her. So she would be strapped in? Sounded safe enough but she couldn’t quite rid herself of the fluttering in her stomach. Nodding at him she hesitated before speaking. “No. I haven’t ever ridden a dragon.” A runner yes but never a dragon. Nevertheless Ruliana listened carefully to the blue rider explanation before taking a breath and putting one foot on the blue’s foreleg.

Using it as sort of a mounting block, she grabbed the straps and swung up onto his back. Once there she absently readjusted her dress and smiled down at R’ahre. There now, that wasn’t too terribly hard. As Ruliana waited for him to strap her in she absently trailed her fingers over the blue beneath her. He was so very large, just being astride him was an experience to be sure. The thought of flying cause her stomach to flutter again but R’ahre would be with her. He wouldn’t let her fall. Nor did she think would Ahth. Taking comfort in that thought a tiny bit of excitement began to build in her chest. This was the start of something new after all. Again a decision she had made all on her own. For better or for worse she still had yet to see. It was an exhilarating feeling, for once being in control of her own destiny.

[Avu]

No. Well, R’ahre hadn’t really expected her to have. Dragons weren’t exactly typical modes of transportation, after all (except for dragonriders. If he hadn’t wanted to Impress anyway, the definite ease of transportation might’ve just convinced him). Still, Ruliana seemed to do okay with mounting – she didn’t fall over or anything, anyway; that had to count as a good thing. Once he was sure she was settled, R’ahre nodded quiet approval and then reached up to grab onto the straps. They were the pair he used primarily for leisure. No need to wear a full fighting outfit every time he rode Ahth, after all.

He laced the straps over Ruliana’s legs, buckled them into place, tugged the leather lightly, and passed the leather stirrup over her foot. “If that’s too tight, you can loosen it a bit,” he said quietly, glancing up at her to make sure he had her attention (some of it, anyway, if not all of it). “Ahth won’t be doing anything crazy, so you’re not gonna fall. They’re just to help, really. If you wanna tighten ‘em, you can do that, too, though.” He moved around to the other side, adjusted the straps and stirrup there. It felt strange, tightening straps when he was still on the ground, and R’ahre wasn’t sure he liked it at all, especially since (jealous, yes, he was) he felt like he should be the only one that rode Ahth, ever.

Though, that was pretty stupid, and it wasn’t like others hadn’t ridden Ahth before.

The blue gave a low rumble of amusement at the thoughts radiating from R’ahre. A faintly amused smirk twisted the man’s lips as well as he moved back around to Ahth’s left side. It was instinct to mount from the left, an instinct ingrained since the first time he’d been on a runner. Always mount from the left; that’s the side the runners are trained to expect. It hadn’t made sense, and still didn’t, but he didn’t really think about it anymore, either. He swung up behind Ruliana, and leaned forward to grab the straps in front of her, offering his arms as an extra support. Flying could be unnerving, he supposed, especially if one wasn’t actually connected to the dragon in question.

“Hold on.” He couldn’t be sure that the words actually made it entirely out of his mouth before Ahth’s wings flared out, brilliantly dark rainbows skittering across the membranes, and the blue crouched, launched. His body twisted, and they were airborne. Ahth liked fast, and he liked ‘playing’ on the wind, but for Ruliana’s sake, he kept his flight steady, rising upwards on a slow corkscrew. R’ahre pressed the familiar image of Weyr (home; safety whispered in his mind) to him and then said, loudly, over the wind, “Let me know when you’re ready to between.”

[Rei]

Ruliana watched with interest as R’ahre laced the straps over her legs and buckled them in place. Blinking down at him she shook her head at his question. “No they aren’t to tight. They’re fine.” A hesitant smile was give the blue rider as the butterflies in her stomach started fluttering again. She just nodded along as he explained that she wouldn’t fall. She wanted to believe him, she did, but well it was still nerve-wracking. Before long he had settled behind her and she instinctively put her hands on his arms to further steady herself. Just as her hands found a purchase Ahth leapt and her stomach leapt with him.

She squeezed her eyes shut as the blue launched himself and twisted. Finally she opened her eyes and took a breath. Surprisingly she found flying wasn’t bad at all. In fact she sort of liked the feeling. Leaning back against her half brother she loosened her hold on his arms. Whoops that had been a little tight. She would have to apologize later. Stealing a glace below Ruliana smiled. It all looked so tiny. Then R’ahre was speaking and she had to concentrate to hear him over the wind. Between of course. Part of her was curious. She knew the stories. Would it be anything like them? “I’m ready.” She yelled back. A small part of her was still worried over the decision she had made. However the majority of her was entirely good with it. It was a brand new beginning. One that she was determined to learn to control herself.

(Figure we can end this now :3 <3 We can have a new one soon ^^)