Be the last night, feeling like this (Rei)

[rii]

Poor tree.

"You know," R'ven sat up from where he sat straddling a log with a draw knife between his hands. He wiped his brow on a forearm before settling an amused look on his lounging brown. One handle waved in Trilaranth's direction. "When you were a hatchling, you use to do this sort of thing all the time. You'd tell me 'It's just a tree'." R'ven punctuated the statement with a snort, shifting on the log to strip the bark off a new spot. "So, calm down Tril, it's just a tree."

Does that mean you want my help? Trilaranth reached over with a hindleg and kicked out at the back end of the log. A rumble of amusement echoed deep in his chest at the growl and glare his rider shot him. R'ven had been forced to lean over the lodged blade and squeeze his legs and an arm around the tree to keep from being dislodged. A flake of bark was chucked at Trilaranth's head. "You wouldn't be so amused if I cut or broke my leg from that stunt."

It's just a leg. R'ven's chin dropped to his chest, semi-long strands of light brown hair half-concealing his features. "Useless brown lump. Go bother someone else." Oh but the grass is so soft here. R'ven didn't bother curbing the impulse to roll his eyes. He sat up again, unbuttoning the top of his shirt before rolling up the dirtied ends of his white sleeves. Despite the weather still being a touch cold, likely he'd be shedding the small bits of clothing he could spare as he worked. Eventually the logs would be used for.. a few things; posts for the heard beast pen, slates for woodworking, other bits for lumber and tanning needs. No, R'ven was no woodcrafter.. but it was hard labor. He was no stranger to putting his back into a task, so there he sat, drawing the draw knife down to peel the bark off the timber strip by strip.

[Rei]

Erilena softly hummed to occupy herself as she swung around in a brief twirl. Okay so maybe she was a tad bit of an idiot sometimes. However she really couldn’t think of anything else to do or offer besides a request for a talk. Maybe go for a short walk? Readjusting her shirt for possibly the fifth time she ran her fingers though her hair again, the gesture slightly impatient. Everything was ready, done, there really was no need for her nervousness but it was there nonetheless. Feyrianth rumbled in amusement from her position twirling through the sky above.

Silly mine. You look fine. You always do. Stop fidgeting so much. Flashing her dragon a brief smile the weyrling looked upwards and then stuck out her tongue playfully. Of course you’d say that. You’re biased. Truth of the matter was she looked terribly normal and both the pair knew that. Besides I’m not fidgeting. Yes you are. Venny will be okay I am sure. The green gave a short nod as she spoke. Do try to relax a little and stop fretting so much. You’ll have plenty of time to develop wrinkles later.

Erilena rolled her eyes at her dragon but complied with her request and took a few deep breaths. She watched as above the dragon did a slow loop. R’ven should indeed be close, as Feyrianth had asked Trilaranth for directions and they had followed them hadn‘t they? Still there was always the doubt that maybe he would disappear before she got there. Deny her the chance for even an apology. Almost self consciously the greenrider brushed her hand over the mess of scaring on her arm. Needed to distract herself yes. The scars would work. They didn’t seem too keen on fading properly either. Although they where still rather new so such was expected. To her they looked horrible. Worse than that where the stares they produced. At least with the cast they had been hidden.

In the end the whole feline episode added up to night walks not being the smartest thing ever to do. Especially alone. Live and learn right? Still it was now daylight and Feyrianth present she wasn’t afraid or expecting any run ins with jungle predators. All that aside Erilena was still nervous. It had absolutely nothing to do with the felines and more to do with R’ven. She was worried about what to even say him. Especially since it had been months since she had even spoken to him. There was no guarantee he would even give her the time of day. Yes worry would be the best way to describe the feeling. Fear that Erilena would end up losing him completely aside, she was worried. It bothered her more than she could say to not be able to just talk with the brownrider. Not even a simple 'hello, how have you been?' Still sometimes the greenrider wondered if this would even go okay. Perhaps he hated her. The possibility that he did….was far too upsetting to think about.

Hence the offer of a talk. In the end all Erilena could do was try her best and let things fall where they would. As hard as that was to accept. Closing her eyes against a soft breeze that suddenly picked up she gave a soft sigh. Venny is ahead Lenamine. I know, I see him now. With no hesitation the greenrider stepped forward and approached the smith. There she debated whether to wait silently for R’ven to either acknowledge her or not or approach herself. In the end she chose to approach.

Gathering what courage she could in that small span of time the decison was made in, she walked forward. As the greenrider drew closer she smiled and half reached out a hand towards the brownrider in a bid for what…? A handshake….? A hug…? Nothing…? In the end it was his choice. So the greenrider’s hand remained offered to him. His to ignore or take. No pressure. Just friends right? Maybe? Where they even friends? “Hey there han…R’ven.” The words she offered where soft and light even as behind her she heard Feyrianth croon a similar soft greeting to Trilaranth from above.

With a neat turn the green back winged to settle on the grass and bounded over to the brown, her head butting against his side seeking a possible nuzzle. Trilmine~ You look soooo comfortable there while yours slaves away. May I join you? As an afterthought she added to R'ven. Hi Venny.

[rii]

Trilaranth's tail tip drew slowly across the grass as he focused on the approaching figure, and dragon, beyond the working back of his rider. Perhaps in not the most subtle matter, because the shift in attention alerted R'ven. The smith peered first up at his brown, then glance briefly over his shoulder. Traitor. Your bias point of view concerns me not. I'm mad at you, just so you know. You'll get over it.

R'ven went back to work, blinking at the hand extending to him and shooting a doubtful look at the greenrider it belonged. He chuckled, not taking his hands from the handles as he stripped away another shaving of bark. Such timid words she gave him, it forced him to hold back a sigh and opt to casually tease her instead. "We're suddenly strangers?"

Trilaranth rolled onto his side after the headbutt, half curling around the green in the process. He carefully pawed at her snout, pleasantly rumbling all the while. It's always nice to sit around watching others do all the work. Shameless? More than just a little bit. Stay as long as you like, there is plenty of room for more spectators.

R'ven brought the draw knife high on the log, pausing there to turn his head and view the fidgety rider. He had a good estimation about why she came – and the brownrider had half a mind to ignore her until she spoke up again. "I see you're not dressed to help out." The knife began it's slow trek down the tree by sheer force of the strength in R'ven's arms. "Anything in particular you need from me?"

[Rei]

Erilena dropped her hand back to her side when is became apparent that the gesture was being dismissed. Her throat suddenly dry she swallowed, her eyes automatically defaulting to the log R’ven was working on before flicking back up to his face. A bit dismissive wasn’t he? Trying not to let that bother her or unnerve her more she shook her head at the brownrider’s words. “Not strangers no. But It’s been awhile since I’ve seen you. I wasn’t sure if you where avoiding me or not. If you where I can’t blame you.” Trailing off the greenrider half smiled at him. “I’ve been preoccupied to say the least. Stuck in my own self absorbed world.” Pushing her blonde hair over her shoulder Erilena grimaced. “Been selfish and it’s taken me awhile to realize it. Far longer than it should have.” Idly the greenrider glanced back at Trilaranth and Feyrianth. At least Feyrianth had no troubles with anything. Nope in fact the green seemed completely at ease.

Said green rolled with the brown, ending up half sprawled over him as he curled his larger body about her. A soft purr rumbling in her throat Feyrianth tossed her head back to avoid the playful swat, her tongue flashing out to give the offending talon adorned foot a lick. Missed me~ She sang playfully. Her muzzle briefly bumping against Trilaranth’s as she went about making herself as comfortable as possible. Yes watching others work can be amusing. Eyes whiling in playful shades Feyrianth sighed deeply in a display of obvious contentment. Trilmine you make such a lovely pillow~ Sprawled on him as she was she was comfortable and her tail flicked idly to brush against her clutch sibling in obvious affection. I think I will stay. Thank you for the invitation but whether you extended it or not I would stay regardless. Silly brother. Licking his face she crooned. Have you eaten recently?

Eyes flicking back from the dragons Erilena looked down at herself and blinked. “I could work in this if I wanted to.” Bringing her head back up she made a face. “I don’t see why you need attire to get dirty.” Falling silent she watched as R'ven drug the knife down the tree. Frowning the greenrider sighed. “No I don’t need anything in particular. I wanted to come and see if you would talk. There are a lot of things I want to say. Things I want to tell you. I’m not looking to give you excuses or making any. There is no point. What is done is done. All the same. I miss you and if nothing else….I wanted to see you again. Say my piece a guess. Will you at least give me that much?” Light hazel eyes sought out his her expression a touch of determined. “Even if you say no I’m not going to stop asking. I know your likely angry with me. You have every right. But I don’t think your mean spirited enough to just send me away.”

[rii]

"You greet old friends with a handshake?"

R'ven couldn't help it, picking at her when she tried to explain herself. He didn't think they even shook hands when they had first met. They had simply collided. He didn't think he had even seen Erilena going around shaking people's hands like some overly formal door greeter. It was her business, he guessed, if she wanted to be tense around him. It almost insulted him, because he had never given Erilena a reason to think he'd snap or hit her. Never.

"Oh?" The inquiring sound may have been calm, but the angry jerks of the blade told a different story. R'ven pulled down sharply, stripping away three long, consecutive peels of bark before he felt his muscles start to complain. The smith snorted, sitting up and drawing both legs to one side and standing up from his work to fully face Erilena. The expression he wore was hard, and focused sternly on hers. "Selfish, really, and what do you think you were being selfish about?"

His probing question was accentuated by the step he took, placing a dynamic on their differences in heights. Her defensive attempt at saying she could work in the clothes was brushed aside. She hadn't come to help him, so in that light, it was irrelevant. "Talk. Alright, you want to talk."

Play nice, R'ven. Trilaranth commented privately. He made a half-attempt to get up from under Feyrianth, but eventually 'collapsed' under her pin. Mine will be pleased, Fey, that I am good from something other than being good for nothing, as he says. He tucked his head under a foreclaw to avoid the green's persistent licks. I wouldn't have made mentioned of it if it was not an offer - and yes, I have eaten, but I am not opposed to fetching a herdbeast for you, my dear Fey.

R'ven paid no heed to his brown, keeping the draw knife low along his thigh as he kept his gaze down cast on Erilena. "Do you even know why I was, or am, even angry with you? Because frankly, Lena, if you came out here to play proper and try and feed me what you think I want to hear, just turn your fanny back around and go back to the infirmary."

[Rei]

R’ven’s first sentence caused Erilena to bite her lip. Old friends? Yes that was all they ever where wasn’t it? Friends? Maybe for him but certainly not for her. Hazel eyes examined the brownrider before her, minimal irritation present in them for his word choice. “No. Old friends don’t greet each other that way. I wasn’t aware that we where ‘old’ friends. I was trying not to come off as assuming. But obviously I failed.” The words I’m sorry sprung to mind but the greenrider stubbornly bit them back. Instead she merely watched as the smith jerked the blade down the tree violently. Stuck a nerve somewhere along the way it seemed. Well currently the feeling was a tad mutual. Old friends? Really? When did it become old? Was he implying they where not friends?

Movement from R’ven had Erilena’s eyes seeking out his and absolutely refusing to look away she stood her ground even when the brownrider stood to his full height and stepped towards her. Was he seeking to intimidate her now? Fine. Let him try. Tilting her face up towards him she took a deep breath. “What do I think I was being selfish about? A lot of things really. I never stopped to consider how Feyrianth felt about how I was acting. How any of my friends felt. How my actions affected anyone else. I wasn’t thinking about anything but what was bothering me. How upset and hurt I was. Now useless I felt. That is how I was being selfish. I never stopped and thought about how what I was doing was affecting anyone else. What I was putting anyone else through including Feyrianth. I was wrong.” Falling silent she waited again for R’ven to speak letting the sounds of the jungle around them and the dragons fill the silence.

Feyrianth tilted her head to look down at Trilaranth a soft rumbling laugh emerging from her throat as he attempted to dodge her licks. Eyes whirling still in playful shades she snorted and wiggled against the brown beneath her. Oh I can think of many somethings you are good for. Up to and including being my playmate and personal pillow of comfort. Lucky you are Tril. Crooning in amusement she nipped softly at his neck. Hmm. I am very hungry. So hungry that I think I could eat you. But a herdbeast might taste better. Still…I do not know. I quite like your taste. As if to display this fact she licked him again before rolling off the sprawled brown with a soft rumbling laugh and fluttering her four wings. Lunch sounds very good however. You do not have to fetch it if it is too much trouble? I can accompany you.

Erilena almost flinched at the smith’s words although she suppressed the feeling and instead took a step forward towards him. His choices in wording did not escape her notice and she was tempted to comment on his usage of the word ‘fanny’. Really? Brushing that thought aside, childish to pick a fight like that anyway, she kept her eyes focused on his face. “I’m not playing proper and I’m not here to tell you what I think you want to hear. I’m through with telling anyone what I think they want to hear. It doesn’t get me anywhere and it’s no better than lying I’ve come to realize.” Shaking her head she sighed. “All I can tell you is what I think you where, are, angry about. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong. I rather think you will anyway.” Giving him a light smile the greenrider stepped forward, again decreasing the distance between them.

“I think you where angry because of the way I was acting. Because people kept coming to you. Bringing you into something you knew you had nothing to do with. I never meant for my actions to reflect anything on you. I don’t know why people thought you had anything to do with the way I was acting. Why they blamed you for anything. I missed you terribly yes. I still do. But you where not the reason for my actions. Nor did I mean to make you worry if you did. I know that even if you didn’t love me you still cared about me and it couldn’t have been easy or fun for you to watch me do that to myself. It wasn’t easy for Fey. It probably wasn’t easy for anyone who cared about me. I’m sorry. I can apologize but I can’t take back what was done. All I can do is mark it down as a mistake and failure and try to move past it. Not let it happen again. Nor do I expect you to forgive me. For anything.” After she had finished Erilena trailed off into silence, hazel eyes still fixed on R’ven’s face. “I’m sorry handsome. I never meant for things to happen the way they did.”

[rii]

The phrase went over her head. R'ven shouldn't have been surprised. It had merely been an example, because R'ven certainly didn't think of himself in plural. Of course he still thought of them as friends still – the necklace he wore looped twice around his wrist, dangling with the glass bead containing a shard of Trilaranth's egg shell should have spoke enough of that. Erilena had made it for him. Even when they were dating he thought of them as friends, if a little more, so yes, he should of been at least a friend to Erilena and not someone she approached with an awkward handshake of a stranger.

He tempted, more than a little bit, to push at her shoulder – but it was true that he'd never lay a hand on her in that fashion. It didn't make his expression any more friendly, though, the eyes remained hard on the suddenly brave greenrider. Her words on the acclaimed acts of selfishness were only half-heard. Yes, after the break-up and all that Erilena had neglected everything, even herself, and then had attempted to come to him with smiles and I'm fine. The memory of it made the muscle at the back of his jaw jump with irritation. It was hard to watch someone he cared about do that to themselves.. and then have that person simply lie to his face about it.

"Enough with the crap, Lena. You came up to me a timid mouse just a second ago and now you're playing bold alley cat. Now tell me again you didn't intend to play nice and proper if I went along with it." Because he wouldn't believe her for a second. She had already done it to him, numerous times. "I grew sick of it a long while ago."

A loud snort answered her assumption, and R'ven actually turned away from her – before she could get too close – and returned to the log. "I don't give a damn what people say or think of me. You really think I'm that pig-headed to worry about my reputation after we broke up?" Perhaps he should have curbed his tone, it would have done him good in the long-run. R'ven was, simply put, tired of tip-toeing around. He was still nice, yes, but this is a subject that had worn thin his good manners. "They can say or think whatever the hell they want. What I was angry about, is watching you be stupid - and then lying to everyone's face about it, like we can't see the truth. That we could have helped, but you chose to.. hell I don't know Lena, it's like you wanted to be miserable."

A hand gestured away from himself, dismissing her apology. "What's done is done."

Trilaranth stood – with Fey or not – and shook the grass from his ide before stretching wings; throwing the small area into shadows for a brief moment. I wouldn't have offered if I wasn't willing to do such a thing, Fey, when will you understand this? How about.. wherry instead.. herdbeast are not very exciting.. They just stood there half the time, barely getting out a bleat before their death. The brown liked it better when they fought and trashed beneath his claws. Have you tried wherry? They are fun to hunt.. come with me.

Coiling back on haunches, Trilaranth turned his snout to the sky before leaping into the sky and heading out - skimming his belly along the tree tops of the jungle.

[Rei]

Erilena did flinch this time. Doubtful he had seen it though considering in the next moment he was turning away from her. “I’m not a mouse. Damn it R’ven. I was a bit nervous but that was because I half expected you to turn away and not give me the time of day. I half expected you’d hate me by now and I was afraid of that. So yeah. I came to you timid. Because I was unsure of how to begin. Not because I planned on coming here and lying to you.” Fingers fisted into her palms as she struggled to keep her voice from rising anymore. “I don’t want to lie to you. I don’t want to give you cause to avoid me anymore.” The greenrider hadn’t come to yell at him. Hadn’t come to be angry, although she had expected R’ven might be. Only more cause for her to try and remain calm because yelling back and forth wouldn’t help anything.

Taking a long deep breath to calm herself she watched as the smith went back to the log. His words where accepted for what they where and Erilena closed her eyes momentarily against a sudden rush of tears. Blinking them back she spoke. “I don’t think you’re pig-headed. But all the same it couldn’t have been fun to have people prodding at you.” Bringing her head back up to look at R’ven she gave a humorless smile. “In part I guess you’re right. I was miserable and I was convinced I deserved it. I didn’t know if I deserved to be happy. For better or worse I didn’t see why anyone would want to associate with me as I was. I’m a failure R’ven. In all I do and all I’ve done." A soft snort ended that coment. "Watching people look at Feyrianth and me and call us worthless and good for nothing when I know they are right in ways…. It isn’t easy to deal with and I was under the assumption that no one else could understand it. No one else can certainly fix it. Feyrianth was born how she was. She wants to be worth something, to be able to matter, to have a purpose. More than anything. We both do.”

Slowly Erilena stepped forward towards the log. R’ven could turn away if he wanted. That was his choice but she at least wanted to be able to see him, not just his back. “The rest of you have all done so well and come so far. Especially you, and Fey and I have stayed the same. We’ve had the same problems, not for lack of trying to fix them.” A glance was thrown her dragon’s way. “I didn’t want to visit my problems on anyone else. Faranth knows the rest of you had enough as it was. And when we broke up…. You where so upset and looked so lost on everything and damn it if I didn’t want to give you one more thing to worry about. So yes. I lied to you and told you I was fine, but I did it because I didn’t want to give you any more pain. I wanted to save you from it. In the end it ended up backfiring. Majorly. It was a beyond stupid move. I never wanted to give you cause to hate me R’ven. I never meant to piss you off and I never meant to hurt you. I’d never intentionally hurt you. However never meaning to doesn’t change the fact that I did.” Dropping her gaze to the fallen tree she smoothed one hand over the surface of it.

“I didn’t come here to fight. I came to try and clear the air a little bit. I would have come to you before. But... You said you wanted space and I wasn’t sure how much or for how long. All I know is I’ve come to realize a few things and I didn’t want to lose you completely. I don’t want to never see you again. To lose the option of saying hi being able to touch you. Even just a friendly hug.” Hazel eyes fixed on what of R'ven's face Erilena could see. “I’ve never been good about letting people take care of me. I’ve always wanted to take care of them instead, save them from pain and in the end I seem to keep causing it. There are a lot of things I’ve been thinking about in the time I’ve been alone.”

Softy Erilena continued. “It’s your right to dismiss me and you are right. What’s done is done, and I can’t go back. But thank you for at least giving me the chance to apologize and speak.” Whether it was accepted or not. Falling silent she placed one hand on his forearm, the touch light. Erilena was not sure if she should just leave now or stay. The greenrider wanted to stay but well R’ven still had the option of walking away and that would be it. Wouldn’t it?

Feyrianth flared her four wings her whirling eyes fixed on Trilaranth. You know me Trilmine. I like to repeat that which is redundant. Bouncing forward she crooned to him softly. Wherry? I can’t say that I have. I mostly hunt inside the weyr boundaries, at the feeding pen. Although I long to go further.

With an excited bugle she rocked back on her haunches and then leapt after the bigger brown. As Trilaranth skimmed the treetops the green dipped low to brush her tail along the brown’s spine playfully. Then she pulled up to slowly glide above his larger form. Excited Feyrianth was and it showed in the tenseness of her muscles and the adoration and excited colors whirling in her eyes as she flew above the larger male. You’ll have to show me the proper way to hunt like this. I can’t say I have ever had this experience.

[rii]

R'ven shook his head, mouth open but this time he didn't waste his breathe on speaking. Let her have her assumptions and abstract view of reality because – well, he wished he could say he didn't care. He did his best to tone her out, but then she moved between him and his work, forcing him to meet her eyes once again. One thing was for certain, he didn't want to hear another word of it. R'ven stepped forward, physically pinning her against the log to interrupt her monologue. If that didn't do it, the sudden rise and fall of the draw knife to embed it into the trunk should do the job nicely.

"As long as you focus on what's wrong, and tell yourself everything you do is a failure, that's all you'll be. You're not clearing up anything, only assuring me that girl – that confident, funny, sweet girl I bumped into over a turn ago is gone. I tried, Lena, I really did try to pick you up and tell you where you were wrong with how you were thinking. But I can only do that so many times, when you'd just let yourself fall back down and wait for someone to pull you back to you feet." So maybe he had failed. Not been supportive enough. Felt helpless in watching her grow more and more withdrawn as time passed. "I'm not doing to this, Lena. Until you realize, on your own, and accept what are the good things in your life - I don't want to hear it. Any of this. I have told you on numerous occasions what you have going for you in life, but again and again you've ignored it – and don't tell me that you didn't, because you wouldn't have fallen so far if you would have really listened to your friends, to me. So I'm not doing this again."

He turned away then, stepping past Erilena to settle a leg back over the log and wretch the blade free.

They like to roost near the top branches. I will scare one or two into flight, from there it is up to you to catch one. Without waiting for a confirmation that Feyrianth understood, Trilaranth shifted away from the green and dived into the trees. His wings were tucked protectively to his sides, letting his talons close around branches and breaking them under his weight. It did the trick, and upon spotting distressed movement, he snapped at the perched beasts to scare them into the sky.

[Rei]

Erilena stiffened momentarily when R’ven pinned her against the log. Hazel eyes automatically going to his as, muscle by muscle, she relaxed slightly. The words she meant to speak died on her tongue even as the brownrider began to speak. As his words washed over the greenrider tears again formed in her eyes and threatened to spill, but she held them back. Silently Erilena waited until he finished and then when the smith stepped past her, back to his work, she turned to. “What do you think I’m trying to do here by coming to you? I’m trying to put things behind me R’ven. I’m trying to make Feyrianth and I a place in the infirmary. Trying to create a job in which she can participate to. I’m starting to turn it around and I wanted you to be there with me. Even if it’s just as a friend. I'm moving past all that. I can't change anything about the past.”

Quietly she let a few tears slip. “I don’t want to lose you R’ven. I refuse to. I can’t imagine not having you there in some way. I know I screwed up. I know I didn’t listen, but I realize that now. That’s what I’m trying to apologize for. That’s why I’m here. I don’t want to lose any of you.” Stepping forward Erilena threw her arms around R’ven’s shoulders in a sudden hug from behind. Maybe it wasn’t the smartest of ideas at the time, but to hell with it. “You where my best friend. I need you to be there. I am done with it, all of it. I want to put it all behind me and I couldn’t do that if I didn’t at least explain to you. I’m not planning on giving up and I’m not going to fail. I don’t want to make more excuses. I’m working on things. But I can’t do it all by myself." Briefly she tightened her grip.

"I’m not asking you to take me back. I’m not asking you for anything you aren’t willing to give. I’m asking you for one more chance. Please. Just don’t shut me out of your life.” Slowly she let her arms slip away from him, allowing R’ven room to shake her off if that’s what he desired. “I just can’t let it all end like this. Not because I was stupid. I didn’t come here to watch you walk away from me totally. I came here to try and prevent that. I know it’s a little late. But I can't not try.”

Feyrianth gave a brush of acknowledgement to Trilaranth’s words as he dove into the canopy. Hovering briefly over the spot where the brown had disappeared she waited her four wings easily keeping her in position. It wasn’t too long before a few startled wherries broke into open air beside her and with a slash of talons Feyrianth managed to impale one of the creatures. It shrieked it’s fury striking back at the green even as her jaws clamped over it’s neck, neatly severing it’s head from it’s body. Shifting to get a better grip on her prey Feyrianth continued to hover in place, a soft croon emerging from her throat. Got one. Thank you for the assistance Trilmine. Licking the blood from her maw she craned her neck to try and catch sight of the male. Do you want to share?

[rii]

What did he think? Nothing good, that was for a certainty. R'ven couldn't get over the way she told her tale, all woe is me and likely expecting him to correct her - again - at every turn. He had told himself a long while ago that he wasn't doing that anymore. Now the tears. R'ven firmed his jaw against the tremor he could hear in Erilena's voice, instead concentrating on the sweeps of the blade through the bark. At least until her arms circled his shoulders, halting him in mid-stroke.

He didn't have the cruelty to simply shove her aside.

R'ven's head snapped to the side, a low growl to his words. "You have to." A hand lifted, taking one of Erilena's wrists and gently extracting it. "Do it by yourself. Learn to stand on your own feet. You can't count on everyone else all the time. Sometimes no one is going to be there. I told you," Here he released her, adding a slight push away at the wrist. "Until you learn to do it, I don't want to hear any of this. Show me you changed, and we'll talk, 'cause all I hear right now is self-pity."

Trilaranth back legs found the trunk of the tree, using it as a spring board to help launch himself back into the air. A cascade of leaves twirled in his wake and he lazily skimmed back over the trees tops. His tail snapped at the wherry that had escaped Feyrianth, knocking it silly mid-air and sending it into a fatal plummet. The brown made no motions to catch it, instead preening in self satisfaction as he swung around to head back to where their riders quibbled.

No thanks, I ate. His claws raked the empty leaves below him. A bite from me would probably take your whole snack Amusement tinged his eyes as he circled above the riders, moving back toward the green. A good catch for your first time – were you lying to me about never hunting before? Though, I must admit, it is such a small catch..

[Rei]

Erilena closed her eyes against the flood of tears R’ven’s words inspired. In the end there was nothing she could do to prevent it and she knew it. Above all else that hurt the worst. The fact that he wasn’t going to be there, at all. And maybe never again. Choking back a sob at the push, she obediently stepped back and slowly opened her eyes, letting the tears fall but making no noise. For a few moments she remained silent. Composing herself. “I will show you then.” The words the greenrider uttered while soft where still strong enough to be understood. R’ven had made his decision. Any attempt to change it currently would probably just be met with stony silence. Arms slipping up to the back of her neck Erilena unclasped the necklace with Fey’s shard from around her neck and reaching over dropped it into the smith’s lap. “Just don’t forget me. I certainly will never be able to forget you.” Lifting her head she managed a weak smile. “Goodbye Handsome.” Turning she started to walk away at a steady pace. One deep breath for each step.

R’ven was right. Erilena wouldn’t have people to support her forever. In the end she had two very conflicting things in her head currently. One moment she was being told to let people support her, in the next to learn to stand on her own with nobody there. Which was right? Could both be? She hadn’t the slightest clue, but there where ways to find out. The greenrider had not been able to keep R’ven there as a friend and that hurt her in the worst ways imaginable but, all the same, there was a spark of determination to show him that she could do as he asked. Feyrianth’s worried brush had her mentally soothing the dragon as much as possible. You may stay darling. They are still your friends. Have fun. I’ll see you later back at the weyr.

Feyrianth paused in mid flap as Erilena’s emotions bushed over her, the green’s eyes changing hues in quick succession until they fell into a mixture of yellow and green. Tightening her grip on her prey she crooned softly to Trilaranth. I have never lied in my life dear brother and I do not intend to start now. Repositioning her catch she followed him with steady wing beats. Perhaps it is small but it is a catch nonetheless. The words had a certain amount of pride in them and she held her head up just a tad higher. Perhaps in time I will be able to catch bigger things. Maybe bigger than you yourself. Teasing her words where and amusement whirled through her gaze. Looking downwards then Feyrianth gave a soft croon, watching her leaving rider before her gaze drifted back to the smith.

The whole situation bothered her but as always the green had an answer. Dropping the wherry she suddenly made for Trilaranth, looping around him and brushing almost her entire body against him midair in a sudden caress before breaking away. You and Venny will remain my friends always. The words fierce in their delivery where given to both the brown and his rider before Feyrianth angled into a glide and back winging landed a few feet from R’ven. Dipping her head she nuzzled the smith’s back before raising her head back up to view Trilaranth.