Searchrider Farryl and Peppeth

[Rowana]

Post here or start a thread to be Searched by Farryl and her tiny green, Peppeth.

[Shiny]

A sudden breeze blew through light brown hair, gently caressing the overheated Jerash. The small beads of perspiration decorating his forehead and back now felt cool against his skin. Eyelids closed over intense gray orbs, enjoying the refreshing moment while it lasted. When Jerash was once again left to rot in the heat without the companionship of the wind, he opened his eyes and sighed, continuing to walk. The humidity of the forest was pressuring him from every angle, but at least it wasn't as bad as it had been at noon.

He tried to see around the trees in the distance, then glanced down at the worn map in his hands. Jerash tried to guess where he was.

Probably not more than an hour away from Blossom Hold, which means I should be out of this damn forest soon enough... He tilted his head all the way back, trying to see through the rather thick canopy above him. And I'm guessing I only have about an hour of sunlight left, too. So much for a "shortcut".

Before he had a chance to start panicking, he made his legs carry him forward. The large machete in his left hand swung forward, cutting through vegetation that refused to let him pass easily.

The light was slowly but surely fading by the time Jerash had gotten through the thickest part of the forest. Panting quietly, he untied the shirt secured around his waist and lightly mopped his forehead and scar-adorned chest with it. Bad news: I'd better not stop, or I'm not going to make it by the time darkness sets in. Good news: I didn't run into a feline.

Trained muscles flexed as he hung his machete back on his belt. Most of the danger was behind him, now.

Jerash's father had given him the machete as a gift after his little brother, Kisaen, had died the night of a feline attack. Every now and then, Jerash and his father would go into the wilderness and kill a solitary feline. Not only did said beasts make great stew, but their pelts also helped to bring in some money.

He trained for years, hoping that one day he would be Searched. Not only did he want to protect people (and feel the rush of speed on a dragon's back), but he had a promise to keep. A promise he made to himself that he would fulfill Kisaen's dream of becoming a dragonrider.

But nobody had come for him. Yet.

Blossom Hold's buildings began to appear in the distance.

[Rowana]

Farryl closed her eyes and felt the rush of wind blow through her chestnut hair. It was such a lovely evening for flying. She opened her eyes again to check their location. They had just left Blossom Hold on another Search, but still hadn't found anyone that Peppeth liked enough to take back with them. It seemed almost odd, that a dragon who loved almost everyone she ever met could be so picky. Millieth would be clutching soon. They were running out of time to find candidates.

Hobbs and Zellos clung tightly to Peppeth's straps as she flew. Her stripped hide was like a blur in the setting sun. Ready to go home? Farryl asked, already preparing a picture in her mind so they could between. Ready! Peppeth chimed happily. No, wait! She turned so sharply that Zellos squawked in surprise. Green one bad flyer! he complained loudly. This was why he didn't like greens! Farryl shushed him. What is it? she asked her dragon worriedly.

Peppeth spiraled down through the air, heading for the jungle below. There were too many shadows to see clearly what she was looking at. I found someone! she cried with delight. Farryl furrowed her brow and frowned. Found someone? Out here? She wasn't sure why she was surprised. She had walked alone in the jungle herself before she had been searched, though she would be the first to admit it was never a safe idea.

Farryl didn't have anymore time to think about it, because Peppeth was getting ready to land. Most dragons wouldn't have been able to land in the jungle at all, but the tiny green wasn't much bigger than a large runner. She tucked her wings close an instant before they hit the tree line and crashed into the undergrowth below just a few meters from the young man. Even a successful jungle landing had left a line of churned up dirt and squashed bushes. Hobbs and Zellos were shaking as they clung to Peppeth. Their big sister was crazy!

Peppeth settled herself down so that Farryl could jump off and snaked her head around until she found who she was looking for. See, see! There he is! I said I found him! Farryl slid off her back, a little shaky from the adrenaline of the insane landing. I see. You did. Good girl, Peppeth. Peppeth crooned and purred loudly. Farryl approached the young man, running a hand through her hair to put out some tangles. Even if he wasn't dragon rider material, as long as they were here, they could at least give him a ride home before nightfall.

"I'm sorry if we startled you," she called out. "Peppeth just wanted to say hello. I'm Farryl."

[Shiny]

The crack and groan of branches breaking followed by the earth trembling caused Jerash to whip around. Almost losing his balance, he steadied himself. A look of pure amazement crossed his face as his eyes took in the huge green dragon not a few meters from him. A thought slapped him out of his trance as a woman got off of the dragon. I... I think my opportunity just came knocking, Kisaen!

He watched as the brown-haired woman approached him. She looked to be about his age. Was she from Selenita's Weyr? Most likely. He had a bit of trouble getting his voice to come out, as he was still in a bit of shock. A moment was taken to compose himself.

"Hello. It's nice to meet you... Farryl." He smiled genuinely; it was his most beautiful expression. "My name is Jerash." The silver-eyed man would have given her a handshake, had said appendage not been filthy. He looked past her to the majestic creature that had brought her here. It was the closest he'd ever been to a dragon. They were just as beautiful up close as they were silhouetted in an evening sky. He stared at the creature Farryl had called Peppeth for a moment, trying to take in as much as he could, before speaking. "She's beautiful."

He blinked, suddenly recalling that he was in front of a lady and that his shirt was around his waist - which meant that it was not covering his torso. His scarred, sweaty torso.

"Ah-" He quickly untied the ragged shirt and shrugged it on, fumbling to do up at least a few bottom buttons. His tag necklace jingled quietly with the movement. "I'm sorry. I've been traveling through this forest all day. I probably wouldn't have lasted in this heat had I had something on. Where have you come from?"

[Rowana]

Farryl waved aside Jerash's apology. "Don't worry about it," she told him with a smile. It wasn't like it was the first time she'd see a man shirtless. Peppeth leaned her head over her shoulder, her eyes swirling with pleasure at the compliment. I like him! He says nice things. she declared to her rider. You like everyone, Farryl pointed out. She rubbed the green's nose as she inspected Jerash more closely. Her theory that he might be lost was dismissed now. He seemed to know what he was doing.

"Peppeth says thank you for the compliment," she translated for him. Peppeth inched forward even closer so that her head was right in front of Jerash, crooning loudly. Farryl chuckled. You'll scare him, she warned. No I will not! He would not be scared. Farryl nodded to Jerash. "We're from Selenitas," she confirmed. "Just on our way back from Search." She patted Peppeth's neck. "You can pet her if you want. She likes her nose rubbed."

Farryl thought for a moment, examining the boy. He looked about her age, which meant he would be the right age to be a candidate. He was obviously strong and could take care of himself, but it took more than that to be a dragon rider. She wasn't entirely sure what though. She thought she had known once. People like Jerash looked born to ride, but then dragons chose others, like T'ke, who looked like they should never be near a dragon much less riding one. It was hard to be sure.

Hobbs had gotten over his fright and flown down to Farryl's shoulder. He trilled a happy greeting at Jerash and looked at him curiously. Zellos eyed the boy from between Peppeth's wings, but did not move. He just wasn't worth the time. If he moved to harm Farryl, that was another story.

[Shiny]

So his original guess was right - they were from Selenitas. The word Search rang in his ears. If he recalled correctly, the definition of a Search was to find new people to be Candidates, or potential dragonriders.

Don't get your hopes up. They might just be stopping to see if I'm in trouble, or to ask for directions, or something... Although it would be totally awesome if they came here just to get me.

Peppeth's green snout blocked most of Jerash's vision. Farryl had just given him permission to rub her nose. He hesitated for a moment, unsure. What was the etiquette involved with rubbing a dragon's nose? Taking a small canteen off of his belt, he poured the little remaining water he had left onto his hands, doing his best to clean them. The last thing he wanted was to disrespect a dragon.

His palm ran softly over her nose, the texture of her tough skin reminding him of leather. Jerash was so engrossed with the sensation of the dragon's skin and presence, he didn't even realize he'd stopped breathing until a burning sensation told him he would die unless oxygen was inhaled.

A smaller dragon perched on Farryl's shoulder and chirped a greeting to him. He smiled. If they hadn't left him by now, he was surely doing something right. Continuing to gently rub Peppeth's nose, he spoke. "Wow, you're absolutely adorable!"

He had a feeling he was being watched. Perhaps there was another dragon nearby that didn't find him quite so appealing?

[Rowana]

Peppeth purred loudly, and leaned in to Jerash's hand. It felt so good! I like this one! she declared with a croon of happiness, and with a not of certainity. Can we keep him? Can we? Farryl had to stop herself from laughing out loud. He's not a pet you know, she explained. We can't just go picking up everyone boy we see just because they're nice to you? Why not? He is nice. He is not scared. I think he would make a good dragon Mine!

Farryl frowned suddenly. She had thought Peppeth was just being Peppeth. She hadn't realized the green meant for him to be a candidate. Are you sure? Peppeth hadn't said this about anyone else they'd met, how could she be so sure this one was right for Millieth's clutch? Yes, yes! Peppeth shifted in impatience. Let us take him home with us! Farryl smiled. She had been told that part of Searching was listening to her dragon's intuition. If Peppeth thought he was a good choice, she supposed that was good enough.

Now she just had to think of the best way to approach the issue. Not everyone was willing to be a candidate and Peppeth would be heart broken if the first one she found refused. "Have you ever thought about being a rider?" Farryl asked casually, trying not to sound pushy or hopeful. Hobbs was fluting happily and whistling a small tune. He like Jerash and hoped to see more of him. Zellos just continued to glare. He hoped they weren't taking the silly boy. What good was he?

[Shiny]

"A dragonrider?" He echoed. Did she really just ask him if he wanted to be one?

"I've been training physically for a couple of years now in the hopes that I would become a dragonrider one day. You could say my life is revolving around that goal because I have a promise to keep, even though I don't know much about dragons or what goes on at the Weyr. So, yes, one could say I have thought about it." Jerash smiled jokingly, but his eyes were dead serious, which was something rare for him. He stroked Peppeth's nose more slowly, staring past both dragon and rider.

His free hand came up to play with the metal tag on his necklace. "Dragonriders have a duty to protect the people of Pern. That's what I want to do." His eyes glowed with a sudden lust for revenge. His hand clamped into a fist around the tag, and his other hand laid at rest on the dragon's snout. "I've got a lot of anger I can channel into something good if given the opportunity... if you know what I mean."

Realization crossed his features. Both of his hands dropped silently to his sides, a subtle smile taking over his face again. "Heh, I think you were expecting a short answer. Sorry, I guess I kind of went on a tangent there!" He scratched the back of his head.