Can I Keep It? (Open)

[Rowana]

Where are we going, N'rik-Mine? Ophiuchusth chimed, trotting happily along behind the boy. It was close to dusk and the shadows were growing longer. That, combined with a cloudy sky, made it much easier for the young blue to see where he was going. It was a good thing too, since navigating the rocks around Burimyu could be tricky. Ophi had been especially excited of late to see all the new dragons arrive from Selenitas and he was a little curious why they weren't done there helping.

N'rik tossed a stick he'd brought and grinned to see Path run to fetch it. It was so wonderful to have his canine back by his side. He and Path and been through a lot together and he'd been horrified at the thought she might have been squashed under the rocks. Yet here they were, together with Alph and Ophi. He shrugged at his dragon, Alph watching Path from his shoulder. "No reason," he admitted. "Just thought we'd enjoy not being stuck inside all the time."

Just then, Path barked urgently. N'rik ran over, Ophi bouncing on his heels. "What is it, girl?" Path whined nosing the boy's pants nervously. The stick had fallen a few feet away from where they currently stood. Batting at it like a toy, was a small, fluffy feline cub. It was small, which meant it was in fact nearly the size of Path. This was no small domestic breed.

N'rik's eyes widened and he grinned. A baby feline! This was terrific! Maybe it was lost, he could take it home and train it! He'd done well with Path, hadn't he? Felines couldn't be much different. N'rik inched forward. "Here, little kitty," he cooed hopefully. Oh, how cute! Where is its mother? Ophi asked curiously. N'rik shrugged. "Dunno. And he's not cute," N'rik made a face. "He should be ferocious!" Ophi cocked his head curiously at the creature. He wasn't sure if N'rik would really like it if the feline was ferocious.

[Rei]

She was in her head again. Very in her head. Normally Elysia was already home by now. But recent little tiffs with her weyrmate had put her in a rather pensive mood and Elysia and Onyth had not yet completely left the foothills around Burimyu weyr. The darkly colored female dragon was in fact perched on a rock outcropping a few miles away curled up with her tail twitching lazily in the hazy dusk. Her bonded wandering almost aimlessly over the rocky ground and through the trees dotting the slope. It was then that she heard barking and dark eyes narrowing she moved to investigate. It was one of the most dangerous times of the day around Burimyu. Dusk and dawn was when the multitude of predators that surrounded the weyr were most active. The whers brought from Selenitas sure had their work cut out for them.

Turning the corner around a particularly large boulder Elysia froze in her tracks at the sight before her. One of Jingth’s weyrlings crouched near a feline cub. But that wasn’t what made her blood run cold. No it was the shifting of the forest behind the boy and to his left. Fuck. The curse rang though her head even as a chilling call split the night and from behind N’rik came another chilling call. Without further words the greenrider walked quickly towards the kid, trying not to startle the young feline anymore. “Hey. You idiot. Get away from it.” Seizing the boy’s arm rather roughly she yanked him away from the feline cub just as it hissed at the weyrling and gave a loud mewling call. From the forest behind them stalked two full grown mountain felines. The creatures screaming in the way that angry cats do, tails lashing and yellow eyes narrowed on the pair of humans between them and one of their precious babies.

“Damn it.” Glancing back at N’rik Elysia unsheathed her belt knife. “You stay behind me understand?” She commanded as a few more calls pierced the air in response to the calls of their pride members. From behind Ophiuchusth two more twin pairs of yellow eyes narrowed, both felines crouching as they prepared to pounce on the distracted young blue.

From her perch miles away Onyth screamed a cry of alarm and shot into the air. Elysiamine! Don’t you dare engage until I get there. Can you give me coordinates? Winging as fast as she could in the direction her bonded was in the green gave a general and anxious broadcast to any other adult dragon in the near area. A weyrling and my bonded have been set upon by a group of felines. Assistance would be quite appreciated.

I don’t plan… Elysia had begun to respond to Onyth only to break off when the felines facing her and N’rik moved. One of them lunged towards the pair claws slashing out to try and grab Elysia while the other circled to the left, it’s eyes honed in on the young boy behind her. Dancing back the greenrider only narrowly avoided the creatures curved claws slashing across her midsection. The felines claws tearing through the fabric of her wherhide jacket instead. Her dark eyes narrowed upon the creature as she shifted her grip on her knife and looked for an opening. Any opening. Hang on Onyth, came the frantic thought as the large predator crouched, I don’t really have enough time for clear coordinates right now.

~~~~

(Lolz Row you can’t do a feline thread and not expect me to be there! :D! Feel free to take control of the two behind Ophi ^^ I imagine they would be pouncing him shortly. YAY LET’S SEE SOME BLOOD.)

Anyone else can feel free to join as well if they can think up an excuse to be out here. Just try not to throw in more people that need protection. Another adult rider maybe, or a handler with a wild wher since it is about dusk. Would be too bright for domestics.

(Also give us a minute to shed some blood maybe >>)

[Rowana]

"Hey yourself!" N'rik shot back angrily, pulling his arm free. It wasn't Elysia herself, only the fact she was treating him like a child. He wasn't a kid anymore and he could take care of himself, or at least he so he thought. "I ain't stupid!" Alph shook his head. Sure? Alph asked uncertainly. He had seen the felines and frilled anxiously. N'rik glanced around and swore, very unbecoming for a boy his age. He could remember when the felines had attack and whers had come to defend them. The whers were back now, but how long would it take them to get here? How could he have not realized the cubs parents were right there!

Oh! Have they come to play? Ophiuchusth asked calmly. N'rik clenched his fist and dug into his belt for his practice weapons. Nope. Stay close, Ophi and don't get hurt. Can you see? Ophi focused on the felines carefully. Well enough, he admitted worriedly, turning to see two more felines approaching. If they didn't want to play, what could they want? N'rik pulled out his first throwing knife, cursing his practice weapons dull blades. As one of the felines moved closer, he threw with all his might. His aim was pretty good, but unfortunately he didn't manage much more than to anger the feline by hitting his shoulder.

The feline charged, and N'rik rolled to the side, but not before the creature racked his arm with it's claws. N'rik! Ophiuchusth wailed in distress. Watch yourself! Not me! N'rik shot back, reaching for his longer, sadly still dull, knife. Alph leaped from N'rik's shoulder, flaring his large wings and frill in the offending felines face. Ophiuchusth turned in time to see both the other felines coming for him. Unsure of what to do, the weyrling back up, rearing onto this hind legs as one of them swiped his nose, drawing ichor. The second one aimed for his side, but was stopped mid leap by Path biting into its hiding leg.

[Rei]

It was all happening rather fast and at the same time seemed to be in slow motion. But this was always how situations like this played out. Life or death. Battles. Anything where your life was on the line. Elysia was hyper aware of everything. The tensing of the predator before her. The angry edge to it’s golden colored gaze, and most importantly the boy beside her. Damn if she was going to let anything happen to that boy if she could prevent it. Hell of a way to die. Ripped apart by felines. All emotions were pushed to the side, locked tight. The greenrider had found her goal. Protecting N’rik. Now she just had to achieve it.

Baring her teeth back at the feline Elysia dropped into a crouch herself and shifted the knife in her grip, bringing it out in front of her. The cat paused for a moment clearly confused as his ‘prey’ stepped forward towards him instead of dropping back as expected. Elysia used that moment of indecision to step sideways and more towards N’rik. The felines were trying to split them apart and if that happened they were both good as dead. Though they might be anyway in truth. Four against her, a boy, and a confused young dragon. Terrible odds.

They only proceeded to get worse too as the feline facing N’rik charged the boy. “Watch it! Tell your dragon to fight back!” She yelled back and in that split second of distraction her feline charged. A flurry of slashes drove Elysia back, the greenrider able to do nothing but try to avoid the raking claws after her blood. She got in a few return slashes of her own with the knife but it was only proving to piss the large male cat off further. There was no time for more thought of the boy right now. N’rik would have to fend for himself for a time. Until she could take care of her own opponent.

The greenrider found herself driven back till she was almost pressed back against the large boulder. A glance was given back at the rock before Elysia turned to regard the feline, her dark eyes narrowing. Nowhere to go but right through that feline. Onyth was as of yet too far off to help her immediately. Resolving herself and pushing all fears aside the benden woman waited. Finally the feline stalked forward and lunged for her. Pivoting the greenrider ignored the sudden sharp pain that ripped through her as she drove her blade down with all her strength and into that angry yellow eye.

A scream of anger and intense pain left the feline’s throat as it staggered back, dragging the woman his claws had snagged with him for a step or two, before Elysia managed to rip herself away. A soft cry left her own throat before the greenrider could stop it, her arm immediately tightening around her midsection as she staggered away from the furred beast. The sensation of warm blood dripping from her side and over her arm gave her momentarily pause but she didn’t have time to check. N’rik.

Forcing herself to turn from the feline who was convulsing before her Elysia half doubled over as another wave of pain shot through her body in response. A hand reached back to draw the throwing knife she kept at the small of her back. Please... Just don’t let all those sessions with M’ta fail her now. Forcing herself to take a breath and ignore her own pain the greenrider fixed her gaze on the feline hassling N’rik. Just as the creature lunged for the boy to knock him aside with another swipe of his paw she whipped the knife, the blade burring itself into the creature's neck. The predator gave a cry of pain and swung around to face her. Fuck…not a killing blow. Edges of black stared to creep into Elysia’s vision as the big cat started for her. “Run Kid!” She called in near desperation to the boy, trying to get her own legs to obey her at the same time.

But it seemed Elysia didn’t need to worry about running because before the feline had gotten even halfway to her a large shadow descended and a scream of fury heralded it. Onyth! The greenrider nearly collapsed to her knees in relief but she forced her shaking legs to hold her as her dragon hit the ground with bone jarring force. But Onyth didn’t stop to gauge if the sudden and furious landing had done her any damage. Her’s was more important. The green immediately sprang forward and into the feline, her claws diving deep into the creature even as her jaws closed on it’s spine.

With a sudden sickening tearing sound the dragon ripped the feline’s spine from its body as her tail lashed over the ground. Turning she roared in fury at the felines still hassling Ophiuchusth, crimson eyes whirling fast as she flung the dead feline’s spine aside. Use your claws and teeth young one. You were given them for a reason. Even as she spoke the green lowered her bloodied head and snarled, stalking a step towards the remaining cats.

Elysia blinked back the moisture gathering in her eyes, both from the pain and her relief at Onyth’s arrival. It was about then that her legs buckled and she fell heavily to her knees a soft cry of pain leaving her throat before she could prevent it. Trembling and pale she lifted her head to regard N’rik with pain glazed eyes before choking out. “Hey Kid…You okay?” The greenrider's arm tightened around the wound in her right side, trying in futility to use her tattered jacket to staunch the bleeding. She kept as much pain as possible hidden from Onyth so as not to distract her dragon. But the darkness was quickly closing in and like it or not Elysia wouldn’t be able to keep her dragon ignorant for long. A fact that could potentially have disastrous consequences given the green’s current extremely emotive and possessive state.

~~~
Yay LOTS of blood :D!
After Row posts again someone else can feel free to join. (*cough*E’rro?*cough*)
Row feel free to have that other swipe I had the feline try either miss or cause more damage to N’rik ^^

[Rowana]

Alph's efforts of distraction could only help so much. The feline snarled and batted at him while N'rik made a brave and foolish attempt to stab at it. It was a bad idea. More furious with the boy than the salamandyr, the feline ignored Alph, especially with the new pain in its neck, and lunged for N'rik a second time. This time, N'rik was ready and ducked and rolled to avoid the swipe even as Elysia shouted at him. His eyes were still too focused on the feline, so he didn't even look to see how she was doing. "I ain't..." he started to shout back, when the green shadow passed over head. "Alph move!" The salamandyr leaped away from his foe as Onyth made short work of the creature.

N'rik let out a breath of relief and looked around to see the others. Ophiuchusth was hurt, but it didn't seem bad. The felines were taking their time with a much larger and possibly more dangerous prey and Path was helping. Though he was worried sick about then, he knew that Onyth's presence should scare the rest of them off, or just kill them. So long as they didn't have more than the two others. Elysia, however, was bleeding even worse than he was to N'rik's surprise. Instantly he felt guilty and responsible. This was all his fault, and he knew it now. He knew they weren't supposed to be out when the sun started to go down, but he hated being inside and Ophi couldn't even see right until after dark.

Ophiuchusth acting purely on instinct, the pain in his nose bringing on strengths he didn't know he had. Roaring, he brought down both his foreclaws onto the attacking feline. The creature dodged, but not before one claw ripped into it's side. It hissed in pain and fury, it's eyes wild, and lunged for the weyrlings belly. Ophi twisted, feeling the teeth make contact with his hide and sink in. It wasn't deep, but it was painful. Ophi kicked out with his rear leg, catching the feline in the belly and hurling it into a rock. The action tore the wound in its side even further, leaving a trail of blood and intestines as the creature lay still in death.

N'rik ran to Elysia's side, his eyes searching for more felines. Probably, she wouldn't want to talk to him, let alone want his help, but he couldn't just leave her. Besides, he really aught to apologize, as much as he hated to, but maybe that could wait. She probably wanted to have a good yell at him when she was feeling better. That was what most adults did. "Hey," N'rik squatted next to her, unsure what to do to help, and still half watching for more danger. "You need help?"

Path was having less luck. Though she hung on valiantly, she was not large enough to kill or maim the beast. The feline twisted angrily, swiping at the little canine. Path danced just out of reach, teeth still locked into its rear leg. She had learned from her previous battle with these creatures and stayed far from its head. Finally, the feline's movements forced her to let go. Path growled at her foe, dancing just out of reach, but unable to launch a second attack. If she was lucky, she could at least keep the beast distracted until one of the others could finish the job.

[Tashe]

Ismaroth had literally just touched down on the Weyrledge for the infirmary when Onyth's distress call reached him. Not giving his human any time to dismount, the large Brown leapt back into the air, contacting Sfelyth with stand by orders for possible injured before reaching out to Onyth. Coordinates. He filled E'rro in as they waited for the Green to give them what they needed to Between, he flew in a sweeping patterns trying to locate the attack in case Onyth wasn't able to give them a jump site. You have your weapons Ermine? As always. A few less than usual cause I'm on shift, but I have enough. Growling, Ismaroth continued to scan the treetops for any sign of life, extending his mind out as far as he dared.

It took more time than he would have liked for Onyth to get him the coordinates, but as soon as she did, the Brown shared the image with his human then winked Between. Less than a second later they erupted into the significantly warmer air, already Ismaroth was able to smell the blood and ichor of all three species. Move. It was simple and directed toward the Blue and the Green, but obviously a command. Dropping like an arrow, Ismaroth pulled up at the last moment and slowed his decent so his landing wasn't a break neck charge. Putting himself between the Weyrling Blue and the Feline he roared, swiping at the giant cat. Bigger than both Onyth and Ophiuchusth, Ismaroth was on a whole other playing field. Onyth, the injured Feline is still alive. Shifting so he could face the healthy adult at a slight angle, Ismaroth would make sure that it would not be able to pass him. If the other cat was still eager to face yet another Dragon.

E'rro on the other hand had practically flung himself out of the harness as soon as his Brown had landed, hitting the dirt with a grunt and a roll. Shifting, kept his eyes on the injured Feline as he crept forward until he was half kneeling by Elysia's side. A momentary glance at N'rik was spared before he flipped open his medical bag and pulled out a large compression pack. "Hey Els. Gosh you look sexier every time I see you. Just keep that pressure yeah?" Releasing a knife from his boot, he cut what remained of her waistband away so he could get at her hip. Easing her hand up, he quickly applied the pressure pad to the bleeding area and held it there. "Going through all this just for me to get in your pants." Although he joked, E'rro was focused on two things at once, what was going on in front of him and what was going on in the background. Eyes for Elysia, ears for approaching felines.

"N'rik, hold this bandage." He waited until the boy responded to his request before he propped Elysia up into a sitting position using his knees to support her back. Removing a long swath of gauze from his pack, he swiftly bound the pack down to her hip, tying it off with no less than a Healer's grace. "Listen close Weyrling, this is what we're going to do. Isma will change places with Onyth, you will have your Blue retreat back to Ismaroth. I will help you and Elysia onto Isma, he will get airborn, pick your Blue up and leave for the Infirmary."

Isma, while involved with the healthy adult, translated the plan to Onyth. It really depended on her being willing to carry His. Onyth, we have a plan. On my signal we will switch places, we need to keep this Feline occupied and away from the Humans. I will take Yours and the boy straight to the Infirmary. Because the young one cannot yet fly I will also have to carry him. Will you take Mine and follow? I have not currently the strength to fly three humans and a young dragon.

[Rei]

Crimson eyes narrowed, Onyth taking perverse pleasure in the sight of Ophiuchusth dealing with one of the felines. Though she would much rather be ripping into it herself. That fact showed in the digging of her talons into the dirt and the snap of her teeth as the young blue tossed the feline aside. Before the green could move to take out the final feline though a deep and familiar voice boomed into her head. Move. Without a second thought the female flung herself out of Ismaroth’s path as the large brown landed. A vicious hiss left her throat as she scanned the area for more felines. As her Wingleader spoke again Onyth snarled, her head turning in the direction of the feline Elysia had half blinded. Not for long. Was her answer as she whipped her body around, crimson eyes narrowing as she advanced on the creature who was just starting to rise again.

Pressing her trembling arm against the open wound in her side and hip Elysia added her other hand, pressing the tattered and blood soaked material of her shredded jacket into it. Glazed eyes raised to N’rik as the boy scrambled over and squatted next to her. Despite the pain she managed a glare at him. “What do you think?” She snapped, her tone trembling a little from the pain. “Just keep looking for more felines. The blood…” The greenrider bit down on her lip as she pressed harder against the wound. “will attract more if they are around.” In her pain filled haze Elysia didn’t immediately notice Ismaroth’s arrival and only noticed that E’rro was kneeling next to her when he finally spoke. Blinking the moisture out of her eyes she managed to choke back to him. “Sexy? Either I’m delirious or you have a strange fetish.” But there was no hiding the relief coloring her tone. Faranth was she glad to see him right now. A nod answered his question as she continued to press on the wound dark eyes fixing onto his and holding them. Concentrate on one thing.

The loosening of her waistband and the fabric surrounding the wound caused Elysia to hiss as she bit back a whimper. Though she didn’t fight E’rro as he lifted her hand from the wound, concentrating instead on what he was saying. As he pressed down on the wound she gave a little cry trying to cover it up with an almost hysterical chuckle. “A feat most woman would be jealous of.” The greenrider whispered back in response. Struggling to keep her breathing even Elysia felt the darkness creeping back in and fought back against it. No. Better for Onyth if she remained conscious. Though that feat became almost impossible when E’rro propped her up.

In response white hot pain shot through her hip and Elysia cried out, one trembling and bloodied hand grabbing N’rik’s shoulder as she squeezed it for all she was worth. Had she been coherent enough for words she might have cursed but as it was her mind was quickly trying to shut down and she didn’t have the strength to fight it for much longer. Not with her hip throbbing like it had it’s own demented heartbeat.

Onyth was shredding the half blind feline into little pieces in a blind fury driven on by the pain leaking across the link from her bonded. Blood soaked talons pinned what was left of the long dead best into the ground as the green regarded Ismaroth. Whirling eyes picked up speed and part of her wanted to tell him that under no circumstances was her bonded leaving with anyone but her. But a silent plea from her rider and turns of conditioning to obey overrode her own misgivings. As you wish. She hissed coldly into his mind.

The minute she saw Ismaroth twitch the green exploded towards the remaining feline, just as the creature decided it had had enough and had begun it’s retreat. But Onyth was having none of that. She reached the feline just as it did the tree line. Claws digging deep into it’s flanks, she yanked it violently back towards her and closed her jaws over it’s head crushing it between them like an overripe melon. Content the creature was long dead she spoke. Tell yours to hurry Ismaroth. The green turned her head back to regard hers, blood spattered wings mantled in her desire to leave as quickly as possible.

[Rowana]

N'rik wrinkled his nose in distaste, but did as E'rro ordered. He couldn't remember seeing so much blood before, not from one person at any rate. Ke'von had bled a lot, but N'rik had been too busy bleeding himself to take much account of that. He tried to hide his dislike at being given so many orders, but he wasn't that stupid. Much as he hated being bossed, he liked being alive more. He did have one problem, though.

"I ain't leaving Path," he said firmly, just as Elysia grabbed his shoulder. He bit back and yelp. Shards but she was strong! He knew he was in trouble, but did she have to dig in so hard? It took him a moment to realize it was pain, not anger that motivated her. At least so far. N'rik made a note to disappear from the infirmary as soon as the landed.

Ophiuchusth back away almost at once. All this violence was a bit much for him. He was only too happy to hear they would be going home soon. Alph was quick to returned to N'rik's shoulder, while the boy whistled for Path to return. The last feline was far too busy with the arrival of a much larger and deadlier foe to mind her. N'rik glanced up at the brown dragon, wincing at Elysia's clutch on his shoulder. "We're ready," he told E'rro, almost daring the rider to tell him he had to leave Path. He was never doing that again.