Not such a good idea... (Open)

[Rowana]

The scrawny, little boy reached to the bottom of the sack and pulled out the last roll. He examined it for a moment, then sighed and put it back in the empty sack. Nabrik had left home almost four days ago and he didn't seem any closer to reaching Selenitas then he'd been when he'd started. Looking behind him up the rocky coastline, he could still see the towering lighthouse in the distance. He kicked despairingly at a rock. He was sure the Weyr was closer then this. Maybe he should have thought it through a bit more.

Truth be told, he hadn't thought it through much at all. All he knew was that he wanted to be a rider and he wasn't going to let anyone or anything stop him. Never mind that he'd never been more then a mile from home before. He knew nothing about the dangers of being out on his own, like wild felines or lack of food. It was shear luck that he hadn't run into much trouble so far. Luck that wasn't likely to last the whole trip.

A little canine yipped hopefully at his feet. "Sorry, Path. I guess I didn't bring enough food." Path whined sadly and pawed at his leg. Nabrik clenched a small fist. "But I ain't giving up yet!" he declared. He started walking with a frown of determination. "We'll go fishing. That's it! I've seen some of the older boys do it. Can't be too hard." Path barked encouragingly and ran a little ahead.

"I ain't giving up so easy," Nabrik went on, his small voice rising. "You hear father? I'll be a dragonrider yet! Then I'll show you who's a fool! Right, Path?" She yipped again, snuffling under some of the rocks. A small, insect like creature ran out. "Rockmite! Catch it, Path!" A scrambling chase began and after a lot of fuss and sand, Nabrik emerged victorious with the little crustacean in hand. "Ha! A good start, huh?" He'd make it, he was sure of it.

[Avu]

“I’d guess that kind of depends on your point of view. That doesn’t really look like much of a meal.”

Opinion delivered, R’ahre blinked, not quite able to stop staring at the kid. He was currently seated halfway up a low stone cliff, having pulled himself up crevice by crevice to make it so he could keep an eye on Ahth, who had decided he wanted to go swimming – so far out that he was all but a dark speck in the ocean. He wasn’t quite sure what was wrong with the beach at Selenitas, except that Ahth complained a lot about the heat – apparently having a hide dark enough to pass for black wasn’t exactly a good thing when the sun had decided that its personal goal was to fry Selenitas Weyr completely off the face of Pern. So they’d just started out – until they’d found a place with a nice beach and breeze.

He hadn’t known it was, apparently, so close to civilization. Sure, there was a lighthouse in the distance, but for all he knew, it could’ve been long abandoned.

Or what he assumed was civilization, anyway; the kid had to be pretty hungry to think that one little crustacean was going to make much of a meal. R’ahre tilted his head to one side, torn between curiosity, annoyance, and confusion, before he swung his legs down over the little ledge he’d curled up on, trying not to wake up Sylph, who was asleep in his pocket where she usually stayed on excursions like this one.

“Are you lost, kid?” he inquired, reaching automatically for his lunch. Ahth was terrible about remembering that his Rider had certain needs that had to be fulfilled three times a day. It was easier just to bring a packed lunch along rather than try to tempt the blue onto dry land (the water was so cool, apparently, and Ahth was always loathe to leave) in time to dry so he could between back to the Weyr to catch lunch. It wasn’t at all complicated – sandwiches, a little canteen of water. “If you’re that hungry, I’ve got food…or are you just gathering…?”

Ahth, where exactly are we?
Somewhere nice, came the answer after a moment, unperturbed and calm, before the blue brushed against his mind a little more curiously. I don’t know exactly. Somewhere near Lighttower, I’d expect. Who is it you’re talking to?

Lighttower. Huh. Good thing Ahth was out of sight (more or less) and the kid was a little one; he was fairly certain that Lighttower didn’t like Selenitas very much. Just a kid. He’s got a canine with him, he responded absentmindedly, swinging his legs a little over the ledge – he felt Ahth’s dry amusement and suppressed a grin; Ahth hated canines. Anyway, I think he’s trying to find food. I don’t know if it’s for him or for an entire Hold but it’s uh…not really going too well, regardless? Another wave of amusement. Stay out of sight, please. I’ll call you in later.

You don’t need to call me in at /all/, came Ahth’s wistful suggestion, but the blue fell silent nonetheless.

[Rowana]

Path saw the newcomer first. She bounded towards him, stopping a few feet ahead of her master. She growled low and bark fiercely. Or at least, it might have been fierce if she hadn't been so small. The strange human looked dangerous and he'd better stay away from her master! He smell funny too. She couldn't quite figure out what it was, but she didn't like it.

Nabrik whirled around and glared at R'ahre. "Oh yeah? I'd like to see you do better! Just wait till me an' Path get a few more!" He was used to older boys bullying him for his size and dragon fantasy, and he was sure this was one of those. No one ever said he was a great judge of people. He was also trying to put on a tough face. He was actually nervous that R'ahre had somehow been sent to capture him and take him back home. Somewhere he didn't want to go back too. Although, one of his mother's home cooked meals might be nice about now.

Path continued to growl, while Nabrik crossed his arms stubbornly. "I ain't a kid, and I ain't lost!" he declared boldly. In reality, he was lost, but he wasn't about to admit that. He was still sure following the coast was the right idea. At the moment, he was more worried about being hungry and thirsty. It was much hotter then it usually was, and he'd thought he'd pass more streams then he had so far. "What about you? What are you doing here, huh?"

[Avu]

The look that Path was awarded was nothing short of amused, R’ahre blinking down at the canine before his gaze slid away, unconcerned, back up to his master. He was fairly certain a canine (especially such a small one) would have difficulty scaling the cliff upon which he was perched. Regardless. However, the barking did have an unexpected side effect – of waking up Sylph, who poked her head out of his shirt pocket with a low, sibilant hiss – quite easy to overlook. At least, she would be unless she decided to start talking. Normally, R’ahre would have noticed her consciousness immediately – she was the first mindmate he’d ever had and he was very, very attached to her – but having the kid snap at him had distracted him entirely.

A small smile quirked at the corners of his lips, the bluerider commenting idly, “I don’t need to do better; I packed lunch. And anyway, I don’t think five of them would make much of a meal either, kid.” The use of the ‘kid’ at the end was deliberate, though R’ahre didn’t actively place emphasis upon it – he was fairly certain the boy would do that for him, given his snappy statement that he wasn’t a kid. As far as R’ahre saw it, it was exactly that statement that ensured he was a kid – and anyway, ‘kid’ could be seen as a nickname. Not his fault the boy had decided to take it as – what, an insult?

His questions, however, actually elicited a low hum, and R’ahre leaned back against the cliff face, curling his legs into a cross-legged position. Huh. Time to start lying, he expected; couldn’t very well say that his dragon had wanted to swim where the sun wasn’t trying to boil him alive. Or, since he didn’t know what he was supposed to be lying about, just maneuvering his way around answering. Either or, really. He’d try for lying first, though. Or telling half-truths. “I’m here because there’s shade” – one hand flicked up lazily towards the little rock ledge overhang above his head – “I hate the sun, I like the beach, I don’t want to do work, and I know how to get home.”

Hopefully he wouldn’t ask where home was, because R’ahre was fairly certain this was Lighttower but…eh. Maybe it wasn’t.

Shut /pretty/ up! Sylph’s demand was barked right at Path – the green Salamandyr detested canines on sight (something Ahth had picked up, indirectly, from her) and had very little impatience for their noisiness. And she’d been trying to sleep. /Die/ go. With which cheerful proclamation, the Salamandyr, avoiding R’ahre’s fingers as he grabbed at her automatically, slid up to his shoulder, twisting her tail around the dark strands of hair, displayed her frill, and spat at the canine. Subtlety? It was a concept familiar to Sylph – just not when she was so rudely awoken. Hmph.

Perhaps you should have remembered to remind the spy that she is not supposed to be seen? Ahth commented lazily, and another wave of amusement swept over R’ahre. I wish you wouldn’t fret, my Rider. Nobody will believe the child even if he does say anything. Whoever heard anything as ridiculous as a speaking, mutated firelizard?

[Rowana]

Nabrik stood firm. He didn't want to admit that he needed any help at all, particularly from someone older. He would just keep going and let R'ahre enjoy his shade by himself. He and Path would make it without him that was for sure. At least he had the right idea about work. Nabrik didn't much like it either. "Good for you. But I ain't going home I'm..." He trailed off, his mouth falling open in shock.

From down on the rocky shore, Nabrik could hardly see the green creature on R'ahre's shoulder. That didn't stop her words from leaking into his mind too loudly to be ignored. Path whimpered and backed up until she was next to her master again. Then she growled, a little less certain. She was still going to protect him. Even from demon lizards.

Nabrik stared with wide eyes that were half afraid and half fascinated. "It talks!" He cried in amazement, pointing at Sylph. He'd never heard or seen anything like it. Even the stories had never mentioned talking lizards. He'd heard of fire lizards as annoying and forbidden pests, but he'd never heard of one that talked. Gradually, curiosity out won fear. "Wow! What a great trick! How'd yah do it?" Just think of all the pranks he could do with a talking lizard! A small part of his mind realized this meant R'ahre wasn't from Lighttower, but he was too busy to pay attention.

[Avu]

Sylph…did not know how to respond to this. He was pointing at her. And he’d apparently decided to state the obvious. The Salamandyr’s frill rose, defiantly, and a low hiss sounded in her throat again. At least the pup had mostly shut up. Still noisy, but less so than before; Sylph would take what she got. The Salamandyr curled tighter around R’ahre’s neck and then threw herself down into his lap, coiling around his fingers instead – easier to grasp, and it took her a little closer to the child’s level. Not eye level, but closer nonetheless. She nuzzled against R’ahre’s palm curiously, and then commented quietly (though still on a broadcast) – Stupid. Talk ‘course can.

What was he expecting?

“Sylph,” R’ahre murmured quietly, cupping his fingers loosely around the Salamandyr – Ahth’s words were more reassuring than the blue could have known, that and the dragon’s wave of amusement still washing over him – “We’re not at home.” His eyes flicked up, cautious, to the boy, who looked…well, he kind of looked frightened. R’ahre could understand that, he guessed. The boy was just a kid (all claims to the contrary aside) and Salamandyrs…they were at Selenitas Weyr only, weren’t they? None of the Holds seemed to have them, and he’d been startled the first time he’d seen them too – once that confusion had swept over, it had been replaced by the desire to examine one more closely, but he hadn’t been that young.

His question drew a blink – confusion. “Trick?” he echoed, one eyebrow rising. “It’s not really what I’d call a trick – it’s – uh, telepathy?” One finger glided down Sylph’s back, fingers still curled around her, possessive, protective, before a smile quirked at his lips. “Did she scare your pet?” he inquired, an edge of amusement quivering on his tone. “Look, kid. Tell me where you’re trying to go if you’re not going home” – he assumed ‘home’ was Lighttower Hold, much in the same way he assumed they were near Lighttower Hold – “and let me help you because I kind of don’t like leaving kids out on their own and I’ll let you see her closer, okay? She doesn’t bite. Hard.”

Too pretty, Sylph murmured, annoyed; the small green coiled her entire body around R’ahre’s thumb and gnawed on his nail to express her discomfort with the idea of being examined by a child. Get bluething. /Him/. /Not/ me. Her agitation translated into an extra-hard nibble that actually elicited a twinge of pain and R’ahre twitched his thumb automatically, glancing down at her with a frown. “I can’t promise she won’t sulk at you and possibly swear and call you names, though. She doesn’t like being woken up…”

And who's stating the obvious now? Ahth inquired, definitely still amused. R'ahre decided that it would be in his best interest to ignore the blue.

[Rowana]

Path whimpered and pawed at Nabrik's leg. She wanted them to leave. Strange boys she could deal with, but talking lizards were something else. Nabrik scratched her head. "It's ok, Path," he whispered. "I'm sure it's not dangerous." Path eyed Sylph warily. She wasn't so sure, but if her master said so, she would allow it for now. Nabrik was only half paying attention to his canine, since he was still busy staring at Sylph. The fear was gone now, replaced with absolute wonder. He didn't have any idea what telepathy was, but he wasn't about to admit the ignorance. Whatever it was, it was clearly the best thing he'd ever seen. He just had to see the creature closer!

Of course, the older boy had asked to know where he was going. Nabrik frowned in concentration. Could he tell him? If he was from Lighttower, he might take him home to his father. All the punishments he'd ever had combined would be nothing compared to what he would say if he knew what his son was trying to do. On the other hand, fire lizards were forbidden creatures at the Hold. They didn't talk, at least not that he'd heard, so this couldn't be one. Yet he doubted the elders and leaders would care about the difference.

His eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Promise you won't laugh," he said firmly. "And you won't tell." Could he trust him? He didn't look like one of the Lighttower boys, but it was hard to be too sure. He'd have to if he wanted to see the lizard any closer. Insults and biting didn't bother him. He just had to have a look!

[Avu]

R’ahre was not a patient person. He had never claimed to be. And he wasn’t in any manner of the word. His head tilted to one side, eyes half-narrowing, as the kid before him calmed his canine down. She seemed to get the fact that Sylph could be pure evil, anyway. Point to canine, regardless of the fact that he had very little fondness for them as a whole. R’ahre’s gaze slid away from the canine, where it had lingered for a moment, meditative, and back to the kid, one eyebrow arching expectantly. Truth be told, he’d expected the agreement to be relatively instantaneous – it was one he would’ve agreed to if it had been offered to him in such a manner.

The kid’s words to him made the second eyebrow join the first and for a moment, amusement lurked at the corners of his lips. Was it really that much of a secret…? It couldn’t possibly be; surely the kid was playing it up or something. Where on Pern could he be going, after all? R’ahre didn’t answer immediately, instead opting to look down at the Salamandyr in his hands and wiggle his fingers, humming lowly at her as she wrapped her tail around his pinky and clung, nipping at his thumb in patient, indulgent disapproval of his bribery. “See how interesting you are, Sylph?” he inquired softly of her, loud enough for the sound to carry to the kid. “Secrets are told over you.”

Stupid. Secrets want not. Her words were accompanied by a narrow glance towards Nabrik, though, before she nipped at R’ahre’s fingers again. The bluerider smirked faintly before he looked up and nodded at the kid. “Yeah, okay. I won’t laugh, and I won’t tell. Who would I tell, anyway? I’ve never seen you before in my life.” And – it went unsaid – he could hardly, as a dragonrider (albeit one without his knots; it was still a habit from his Candidate days, not to wear them), march up to Lighttower Hold and blurt out that some kid had decided to take off.

Yeah, no.

He wasn’t that stupid.

I’m curious, I admit. May I come? I won’t allow myself to be seen. There’s a lovely large rock just past the surf I can hide behind…and besides, I’m sure the spy has him suitably distracted. Laughter was definite in Ahth’s tone, but at R’ahre’s grudging agreement, the curiosity became much more prominent as the blue started to swim back from the ocean, gliding silently, half-beneath the waves. Hopefully, the kid wouldn’t turn until after he’d coiled himself safely behind the rock he’d mentioned to His.

[Rowana]

Well that was true, Nabrik thought belatedly. He hadn't seen the lizard's owner before and he was seeming less and less like a Lighttower boy every second. He'd hardly ever met anyone from outside before. That automatically set up the stranger as almost being as interesting as a talking lizard. Path still wasn't sure. The lizard seemed awfully mean to her. She couldn't see what was so great about being able to talk. Especially if all she did was call her master stupid. Path growled and whined again.

"Alright." Nabrik puffed up proudly. He did think he was quite clever for coming up with this whole plan, even if he was starting to realize it had never been a good plan in the first place. "I'm going to Selenitas Weyr and I'm gonna be a dragonrider!" he declared boldly. He pronounced Selenitas wrong, having only a rough idea of the name. He inched closer, watching Sylph with fascination. Just think if he had his own talking lizard. It would be almost as great as having his own dragon.

[Avu]

For a moment, he just stared.

If R’ahre had laughed, the laughter would have been hysterical rather than out of actual amusement, but he didn’t. Was the kid serious? He was planning to walk to Selenitas? It had taken half the day as a straight flight on dragonback – the kid was – the – delusional. Or something. Had to be. Nevertheless, he hummed, quiet and noncommittal, and then mentally nudged Sylph, encouraging; the Salamandyr turned around once in his hand, decidedly unhappy, before she threw herself off of his palm in a slow glide down to land on Nabrik’s shoulder. A pause to spit defiantly at the canine (Sylph in no way intended to make herself a target for the creature, after all) before she turned and appraised Nabrik directly.

Silly, silly, she reproved, with a gentle nip at his earlobe, just to emphasize her words; her intentions weren’t to actually create any pain or draw blood, and she wouldn’t unless he started to twitch around or be annoying. ’Mandyr me, ‘mandyr me – only Weyr ‘mandyr. Too stupid. Her bright eyes flashed across his face before she crawled carefully down into his hand and flopped, limp save for her tail, which wound tightly around his thumb to ground her in case he decided to accidentally drop her, obediently allowing him to ‘examine’ her. As soon as this was over, she’d go back to sleep. Hmph.

“You have family there, kid?” R’ahre asked after a moment, watching Nabrik for a moment before he slid off his little ledge, landing in the sand and then starting over to join the kid that had possession of his Salamandyr. One hand lifted automatically in the canine’s direction for a moment before it dropped again and his gaze swept, considering, across the kid again. He was serious, wasn’t he? “No offense, but you can’t just go and Stand. You don’t look old enough to be a Candidate, and most of the time Candidates are Searched. And not from – that’s Lighttower, isn’t it? Not from here.” His head tilted, curious despite himself, and then he added quietly, “But if you really want to go, Ahth and I can give you a ride. You’ve got a really long walk, kid.”

I take it that means I can show myself now? Ahth asked. The blue didn’t wait for a reply, though; he slithered off of the rock upon which he was curled and swam in to land. His eyes were bright with draconic laughter, mouth gaping slightly in an unconscious mimic of a human’s smile, as he flicked water off of his wings, a low croon issuing from his throat. Amusing, the child is. I don’t understand why it was such a secret. Why wouldn’t one wish to come to the Weyr? Other than, I expect, the Northern attacks. Those are infrequent, in any case.

Just because they’re infrequent… R’ahre didn’t finish the statement, though, instead opting to gesture at the blue with a flick of his hand. “That’s Ahth. Once he dries off, he’ll be able to go between back home – with you and even your little pet, if you want to come. Or would you rather the walk?”


((Just so you know, he's free to poke and do whatever with Sylph; she'll just kind of cling to his hand and glare at him.))

[Rowana]

Nabrik's eyes practically lit up when he saw Sylph glide down towards him. Not only a talking lizard, but a flying one too! Maybe it was a fire lizard after all, but then, he didn't think they could talk. He wasn't sure they had frills either, but there was no way to be sure. He'd never actually seen one anyway. He tried to turn his head to look at her on his shoulder, but it wasn't happening. Perfect! She was crawling into his hand! Path growled at her. "Be nice, Path." The canine whined. She still didn't like it.

Nabrik brought the creature so close to his face and ran a finger gently down her back. She was definitely the best lizard he'd ever seen. "Mandyr?" he asked in confusion. "Is that your name?" He didn't quite have the hang of how she talked. Hadn't the stranger called her something else? Now he wasn't so sure. He was still examining her as he answered the next question. "Nah, no family. Father wouldn't be caught dead there." He grumbled as he mentioned the man. He was sure his dad must be the most stubborn, old fool in all of Pern. He was more like him then he'd care to admit.

Nabrik looked up and tried to stand up straighter. Not that it helped much. He was still short and scrawny. "I am too old enough!" he insisted. "I turned eleven turns last month! I can go if I want..." He stopped and blinked as the next words started to sink into his mind. "Ride? Ahth?" Did he have a runner hidden somewhere?

Path barked loudly and jerked around to face down the blue dragon. Nabrik turned and his mouth fell open yet again. It was a dragon! There could be no doubt. A real live dragon! The boy's next thought was that dragons were much scarier up close then he'd thought. He gulped, suddenly hoping Ahth wasn't hungry. What did they eat anyway? But then, what was he afraid of? The rider had offered him a ride! This was better then he could have hoped for.

"A real dragon!" he blurted out. Normally he might have wished to say something a bit less obvious, but he was far too excited. "He's amazing! Will you really let me ride him?" Thousands of questions swam in his head, but nothing most were forgotten in the rush of the moment. Dragons could go places in the blink of an eyes, so the stories said. If that was true, he'd be at the weyr in time for dinner. He couldn't wait! He'd just have to make sure they didn't try to send him home.

[Avu]

Sylph, dummy, was the only answer that Nabrik received, but Sylph squirmed under his touch nonetheless. Despite her words, she did like attention – liked the look of awe on the child’s face. That didn’t mean she had to admit it, though. In fact, she definitely wouldn’t admit it; not to the child, and not to R’ahre or Ahth, either. Her tail tightened a little more around Nabrik’s hand and the green threw a curious look over his fingers at the canine, frill fluttering in smug defiance as she resisted the urge to actually tease the canine. His master liked her better, or was, at the very least, dazzled with her at the moment; was he jealous? Could canines even be jealous…?

His lips twitched in amusement, R’ahre tilting his head at the indignation that his statement about ‘age’ brought on. No family and barely eleven Turns. He’d have to stay at the crèche until he aged into Impression, or someone would have to ‘adopt’ him. Or something. He frowned slightly, murmuring absently, mostly just to be contrary (because he was sure someone would catch the kid up to date in the end, even if it wasn’t him), “To live in the Candidate Barracks, you need to be a Candidate, and to be a Candidate, you have to be twelve Turns old. You’re going to be in the crèche unless you’ve got someone willing to take care of you, kid…”

Though he kind of doubted that the kid was even listening to him anymore. A wave of amusement from Ahth was disorienting in its intensity and R’ahre lifted his gaze to scowl, faintly, at the dragon. The question made him turn to look at Nabrik again and one eyebrow rose. “I don’t ditch random kids on the beach to starve. We can go once he dries off; I didn’t bring oil and I don’t want his hide to crack.” His arms folded across his chest, absentmindedly, and he reached out one hand, mentally beckoning for Sylph to return to him. Gladly, the green Salamandyr nipped at Nabrik’s thumb, gently, and then threw herself into the air in a low glide, hissing at Path as she passed the canine and then wound herself around R’ahre’s fingers.

Did you hear, my Rider? Ahth inquired, amusedly; he flopped into the sand on his belly, mouth still agape with silent laughter. I’m /amazing/. You ought to treat me better, or perhaps I shall decide that I’d rather have him as Rider than /you/. The dark blue dragon hummed low in his throat at Nabrik, eyes whirling a little more rapidly in the shades of bright green and blue. You’re sure that we must bring the canine? he added, a little more warily. Do make sure that it does not struggle, or if we should lose it /between/, I shan’t be at all sorry.

“Hope you’re good at restraining that canine of yours, kid…”

[Rowana]

"Sylph, sorry," Nabrik corrected hastily. This lizard was smarter then it looked by far. Maybe even smarter then Path. As if she could hear her master's thoughts, the canine snorted indignantly. Nabrik glanced at her with a wink. "You ain't jealous, are yah?" Path yipped and turned to watch Ahth instead, he was more of a danger anyway. The boy might have been fascinated by the salamandyr a while longer, but the prospect of a dragon ride had completely changed his focus.

Nabrik barely registered what the older boy was saying as he gazed in awe at the blue dragon. He was a sight to behold. He'd heard dragons looked like large lizards, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Ahth was far too handsome and graceful to be related to anything so crude. He was such a dark blue that he stood out on the bright day, but a night he must be nearly invisible. Nabrik wanted to touch his hide and see what it felt like, but he didn't dare get closer without permission. Ahth was, without a doubt, magnificent in every possible way.

"Oh, Path?" Nabrik asked absently. He was still staring at the dragon, and hadn't even noticed Sylph leaving his hand. "She'll be good, won't you girl?" Path whined nervously. She clearly wanted nothing to do with the giant creature. He was even worse then talking lizards. But she would be good if she had to. She certainly didn't want to be left behind. Or eaten. Nabrik practically bounced with anticipation, but for once he was polite and didn't ask when they were leaving. He didn't wanted Ahth's beautiful skin to crack anymore then his rider did. He'd wait a life time for this ride if necessary.

[Avu]

No. Canines do not have the capacity to be ‘good’. The words ran through R’ahre’s mind, no doubt coming directly from the wave of dispassionate coldness that Ahth issued at the idea of toting around a pet canine, but he didn’t voice it. Nor did he respond that the canine certainly didn’t look up to behaving at the moment. Probably natural; it was likely that if the kid hadn’t ever seen a dragon before, neither had his pet, but it still didn’t inspire any confidence in canines as a whole. He merely smiled, absently, very much aware that probably none of Nabrik’s attention was focused on him anymore.

In his mind, he mentally ran through a list of Things to Do – make up a cover story (he was sure nobody would be too happy that he was anywhere near Lighttower, even if it was an accident), drop the kid off at the crèche or the Candidate Barracks (depending on whether or not he was willing to lie about his age), find Sylph some decent food to make up for being bartered with (either pieces of raw spiced wherry or cooked herdbeast, depending on which the Salamandyr had decided was her favorite for the day), and forget he ever met the kid (should be relatively easy. Hopefully).

Ahth was torn between the urge to preen at the attention he was receiving and absolute amusement. The serpentine creature’s eyes slid half-closed, mouth actually curving up at the corners in a draconic mimic of a human’s open-mouthed laughter, and he flared his wings, glittering with droplets of water, to flap them dry. If you’re impatient, R’ahre, we can leave now, and fly straight until I’m dry enough to /between/, the blue suggested idly. I am not adverse to scaring canines. Or children, for that matter. You may wish to warn him that if he screams, he may choke on a bug, though.

“Huh,” R’ahre murmured, crinkling his nose. “I don’t think that’d be so bad.” Well, not for him, anyway. Probably pretty catastrophic for the kid if he died. “Hey – kid. Ahth can’t go between yet, but if you wanted to get out of here – which I kind of do – we can fly straight for awhile, until he dries off enough. Your pants’ll get wet, but…” But they probably need to be cleaned anyway. “I’m sure they’ll dry in time.” Eventually. Maybe. Ahth was pretty much soaked.

[Rowana]

Nabrik gave a whoop of joy. Who cared about wet pants? He was going to ride a dragon! Path whimpered and circled to hide behind her master. Danger aside, she was now quite nervous. What was so great about traveling in the air. Much better to have four paws firmly on the ground. Nabrik knelt down and scratched her head soothingly. "It'll be ok, girl. I'll hold on to you." He felt a little bad for neglecting her in the conversation, but he was sure she'd understand.

"Thanks, mister!" he grinned at the rider. His eyes were filled with the naive joy that comes with youth and new things. He collected Path in his arms and stood up. She was a bit awkward to carry, for such a small boy, but he was used to her weight by now. "Thanks Ahth!" he added, belatedly. He wasn't really sure how smart dragons were. He knew they could talk, like Sylph. That must mean they were smart enough to be polite to. If he remembered his manners.