Eighteen
Apprentice Doctor
Played by Creature
Posts: 33
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Post by RUNE SILVERTHORNE on Nov 2, 2014 18:04:56 GMT -6
All was right with the world, it was a quiet morning with the usual rustling of the people gathering up their energy and beginning their daily chores. Rune was one such person, waking earlier than the crack of dawn to ground down some herbs before Doc woke. When he did she offered him a medicinal drink, one that he taught her to make; before heading out to purchase bread from the baker for the morning's breakfast. They weren't much of a neatly household, books and jars of this and that lay everywhere while the only edible stashes of anything being a medicinal sorting of plants both planted and dried. There were some tidbits of dried meat leftover but it was hardly anything one could eat alone. And thus is how Rune's morning ended with her visiting the baker, procuring some bread along with an extra rosemary scented bun thanks to the kindly baker's wife; then traveling back home only to be stopped by one of the incoming farmers that she knew. The man was a long time friend and patient of the Doc and as such he always gifted her with a bag of vegetables from his crops and on occasion some fruit from his wife's garden. And so the dark haired girl returned home with bread and vegetable alike, creating a light sandwich with the leftover meat and offering that for breakfast.
After that, the apprentice had found herself staying inside to help with organizing and grinding. They had just gained a new batch of herbs from one of the Doc's friends and as such Rune figured she may as well find a home from it. Despite the unseemly appearance of their home, the organization of said herbs were all but perfect both inside and outside the braniac's head so finding a suitable place for the dried plants was more than easy. It was noon or maybe just before then when people came knocking on the door, the sounds of people scurrying and hurrying were audible from even within their stone and wood home. Doc was the one to answer the door as Rune had been mixing a particular amount of crushed powder before pouring the mixed essence into a jar.
Hey Rune, I hear a dragon has laid her batch. Why don't you go check it out? I'll finish up here and go join you later." The Doc had said as he moved to take over her work. If the girl's face could glitter it would have been, instead there was only that barely visible glint in her eye that told her interest. Not to slowly and yet not too quickly Rune gathered up a satchel she often carried with her out before slipping on a pair of worn rawhide boots. "I'm off." The Doc gave her a nod and out the girl walked. It was a flurry of people rushing to see the new clutch. The baker couple were even going to see, the wife stopping to pull her along in excitement. "Oh Runey-dear! Come, come! There's a new dragon clutch!" she had said, having to rise her voice against the excited murmurs and not-so-subtle onslaught of rushing feet.
Rune was nearly dragged all the way to the Sand Pit, her hand only freed once the trio had gotten into the stands - it was dangerous to go up close and check out the eggs after all. They managed to get a front row seat thanks to the baker's massive size and overpowering aura which was a much thanked thing thanks to the smaller girl's almost diminutive size. Blue eyes captured the sight like a camera taking a high-quality photograph before Rune found herself elbowed in the face and forced onto her behind. One hand held to her face, the girl made no squeak of pain or even that astonishment - instead Rune, traveled to the back to the back of the crowd. People avoided her when she went through them head-on thankfully, allowing her to reach the back while her mind focused on the sight she had just seen. Eight eggs, four of which held a twin while the rest were all individual.
The small girl's hand slipped away from her now noticed bleeding nose, to fetch a rag from her satchel before focusing once more on the eggs. "Four white, ranging from smallest to largest. First speckled, sixth held red cracks or trickles, and seven and eight were both plain but the largest. Two and three were green, lighting into a yellow down toward the bottom. Four was black with white speckles and five was yellow with orange swirls..." The girl reviewed, documenting the knowledge into her brain like a book to a library. The eggs appearances brought questions to mind, questions of: were dragons born the same color as their eggs? Did the aura around the eggs reflect on the personalities of the unborn? The questions would continue until the girl was either interrupted or... interrupted.
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20
Dragonrider
Played by Dart
Posts: 63
Likes: 2
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Post by SKY BLUE on Nov 2, 2014 18:25:34 GMT -6
Sky had been part of the dragonriders for two years now. Most of that time had been spent training, learning to fight, picking up off duties here and there to help maintain the quarters and everything in between. Because the island had so many natural defenses helping it out there was little need for a large force to defend it, so the dragonriders were always understaffed and forced to pick up multiple duties wherever they could, even among the trainees.
Two years also meant she had seen a variety of clutches being had, though she'd never interacted with them personally. It wasn't due to her own decision--if she had her way her room would be next to the Sand Pits and the roosts so that she could watch the eggs day and night--but because trainees never found egg watch among the duties available to them. She'd been forced to find whatever duties might keep her close to the eggs. This time, however, because of her position at the top of the ranking of trainees and because she had put in so much dedication and hard work, especially the work necessary to annoy her commanding officer with persistent requests, she had found herself a spot among the guard duty.
They wouldn't let a trainee do an evening or night shift, which were most important. She was shadowing another rider during the morning shift, when the town gathered and public access was given to the eggs. It was still important, as they had to be very vigilant no one tried anything, but with so many witnesses and such public access the guards were meant more as a presence than a patrol. And so Sky stood on guard. Her position was further away from the eggs, toward the back of the crowd, since that was not so important, but she still had them in view, and that was what she wanted.
You have more patience than I, she heard in her head the voice of her dragon, Lyroth. She could feel his presence nearby, but then this was the dragon's territory, where they roosted. He hated when there was a new clutch, it meant there were far more visitors to the area he called his home and it bothered him.
The morning rush will be over soon, just go hunting or something, she fired back. He was a welcome distraction, though, as standing on guard for hours alone was a bit tedious. She didn't listen to see if he replied, however, as she noticed a young woman almost crawl out of the back of the crowd, her nose bloody. That certainly wasn't right. She moved forward, pulling a kerchief from her belt as she did. "Are you alright?" she asked with genuine sincerity, offering the kerchief even as the girl found her own. "What happened?"
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Eighteen
Apprentice Doctor
Played by Creature
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
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Post by RUNE SILVERTHORNE on Nov 2, 2014 18:58:12 GMT -6
In truth, Rune hadn't expected her though process to be interrupted so quickly. She has what, just finished reviewing and about to clean off her waterfall of a nosebleed when a voice broke the frail glass that was her current attentionspan. Blue eyes looked in the direction the voice sounded, the blue orbs holding as much life as a dead fish's as they spotted a white haired woman approaching. The woman was probably a year or two older from the sharpness of her facial structure but what really interested the girl was the woman's white hair. There was a feeling of nostgalia that tickled at the girl's senses though she did not know why. She remembered everything, how could she forget this uniquely colored person? "What happened?" The woman had offered her own handkerchief, one that was no doubt much cleaner than the apprentice's as her own was covered in multiple different stains along with a few droplets of blood despite her not yet using it. Rune looked between the offered and her own, measuring them.
She accepted the cleaner looking one, placing her own back into her satchel. "I'm small and easily unnoticed. I just got in the way of someone much larger than me." The citizen answered simply; "Though I didn't expect to see you here. Hadn't you gone missing a while back, Sky?" After the few seconds it took her to match the description of the white haired woman's appearance to that of her data bank of people, Rune managed to find a match if not a much more matured version. She remembered the sailor's daughter perfectly, though her surprise to find the girl had been pronounced missing by her parents didn't even echo in her voice - though that was usual. Dull eyes scanned the woman she knew had to be Sky, taking in her strengthened form as well as other features. Guardsman? No, she seemed to lean for that. The woman held obvious signs of having lived a long time at sea. Her hands in particular told her so though the wear on them was shifting into a different sort of wear.
Rune looked to the sword on Sky's belt. That's probably what the new calluses were from. "I hope your trip at sea was a fair one." Rune stated suddenly, "It prepared you well for handling a sword." The small girl tapped at her bloodied nose, bringing the cloth away to check if it still flowed. The pain was nothing but a dull throb and her life energy had stopped escaping from her. That was good. Rune did her best to clean off the remnants with her sleeves, not wishing to wash the cloth in her hands more than necessary. "I'll wash this and give it back later." With that, the girl tucked the cloth into one of her deep pockets. "So what have you been doing since I last saw you Sky? You don't look the part of a guardsman and yet here you are. Did you bond while I wasn't looking?" There was an almost sly if not undoubtedly interested hint to her monotone voice.
Bonding with dragons, humans linking their minds to giant scaley beasts. How could that not be exhilierating? It would be an overachievement if Rune could figure out how that went. Was there perhaps some mental link through some unknown network or perhaps it was more like that superstitious 'red thread of fate'? Either way, it was a magical thing now that no one really knew what happened. She was sure that even the infamous dragonriders didn't think too deeply about such things, only glad that they had found their 'other half' as some may put it.
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20
Dragonrider
Played by Dart
Posts: 63
Likes: 2
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Post by SKY BLUE on Nov 2, 2014 19:34:43 GMT -6
Stormy eyes watched the girl with concern, but when Sky heard her own name escape the girl's lips she was sent reeling. There was no recognition, not at first, and so she felt the familiar brush of sweat on the back of her neck. She kept her calm demeanor all the same, focusing on the situation at hand. The girl knew her name, but she wasn't a rider. Did that mean she had encountered her before? The fact that she knew about her time at sea did nothing to calm the young dragonrider as she stood up straight, trying her hardest to maintain the smile on her lips.
There was an edge of familiarity, but what was it? Had she encountered this girl at some point during her travels? There had been so many people. Very few of them were actually from Woodkeep, fortunately, but there was a chance someone she'd interacted with before could've come over. Still, this girl was younger than her. During her time at sea she hadn't encountered any girls younger than her, she would've made note of that at the very least. Or had she simply overlooked someone? She needed to figure it out before it got out of hand, but nothing was coming to mind.
Your heart's beating fast, is something wrong? Lyroth inquired in her mind. She'd forgotten for a brief second that he was near, that he was linked to her. The two were close, but fiercely independent, she wasn't used to him being around to sense the panic.
I'm fine, just met someone unexpected, she replied to him. It wasn't a lie, after all, she hadn't been expecting to encounter someone who knew her name. Then it hit her all at once. She hadn't expected it, because this girl was from a past she had forgotten so long ago. A time before the seas and the ships and the dragon eggs. A time when her heart had been whole. It came flooding back all at once and a sense of relief washed over her, almost causing her to sigh aloud, though she knew Rune would pick up on that if she did.
"You haven't grown an inch, I swear," she said, finally remembering her old friend. "Yeah, sorry, I sort of took off. After my dad died I was in a rough place," she explained with a simple shrug. Oddly enough the loss of her father was one of the easiest tragedies from her past to discuss, one she'd gotten ovr long ago. Perhaps it was simply the reality that one's parents had to pass eventually that, while morbid, allowed her move on from that one. Sky felt significantly more at ease, as Rune knew nothing about what happened between when Sky disappeared and now.
"I did some traveling, had some adventures. I returned to the island two years ago, around the time a clutch hatched, and my dragon bonded with me then and there. I've been training to be a Dragon Knight since. How about you, though? Still living with Doc? Were you ever able to remember anything?"
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Eighteen
Apprentice Doctor
Played by Creature
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
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Post by RUNE SILVERTHORNE on Nov 2, 2014 20:32:50 GMT -6
Just by the slight hints the white haired woman showed, Rune could tell her old friend was growing nervous. In all honesty, Rune expected the sea-woman to forget her if only thanks to the events in her life. Rune could recall one of the kids who live in Sky's area told her that her father had been lost at sea the last time she went down to visit the girl, returning home only to hear word of her friend having gone missing. She had little clue of the egg that was to be Sky's dragon back then, only hearing whispered rumors here and there of a failed hatching. It was probably the only time the girl felt some hint of sadness, a tint of emotion to fill her empty soul. She half expected to feel at least relieved or happy to see her now returned friend. Alas, the pits of her emptiness remained empty minus that morbid color of curiosity that followed her everywhere like a sort of demon.
Though Sky seemed to hold herself desperately against an emotion, anxiety perhaps; the girl's pose relaxed suddenly. Her tense form just seemed to release as if the woman had just let out a heavy sigh. Relief? It sounded like it from the red eyed woman's tone. If Rune could smile she would have at that comment, "At least I get free things thanks to my small stature." The mention of her dead parent seemed to flow easily from the once-formerly devastated girl. That was good, it was a sign that she had accepted the passing even after all this time. She listened to the sea-fared woman's tale, taking note that she had indeed bonded with a dragon. So she was a dragon knight now was she? Well that was an almost completely natural selection. Though curious about this mysterious bonded dragon, Rune did manage to hold her questions to herself while she answered the other.
"I'm still Doc's apprentice," Rune confirmed, "Though I still have yet to remember anything." Now it was her turn to ask questions and oh, how the questions would onslaught the poor woman.
"You are a dragonrider now which means you must have that mental link with your 'other half'. What's it like? Does it feel like there's a buzz?" Rune only paused long enough to catch her breath before beginning again, not even waiting for the other answer yet. "Is it male or female? What color? Did you prefer that color? What's it like? Can it hear me now? Is it scaled? What color was it's egg? How many siblings did it have?" The knowledge-eating girl just zoomed through the questions with pausing to let the other cut in. She was asking far too many questions but her hungry brain couldn't help it. Then an idea that had been lingering in her mind came to light. "Could I see it?" There was an almost lively glint in the girl eye, the blue orbs with their icy hold seemed to warm if only for a second before deluding back to nothing.
She wished to see a bonded dragon and if she met it two years ago that meant it was still a dragonling. A hatchling. It could not yet fly with the larger girl on its back but Rune didn't care about flying at the moment. Well, actually; she did but it wasn't like she could ride it so that desire was placed further down the list of things to examine. For now, Rune merely wished to see what this bonded dragon looked like. To see its form and maybe discover a secret of how the matching process went. Was it all mental or perhaps they chose by the senses? Oh how she wished to know.
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20
Dragonrider
Played by Dart
Posts: 63
Likes: 2
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Post by SKY BLUE on Nov 2, 2014 20:52:34 GMT -6
There was very little to prepare Sky for the onslaught of questions that was to follow. She had obviously forgotten about Rune's insatiable curiosity, as she had always been plagued with questions from the younger girl, or perhaps whatever part of her mind had remembered it merely figured she had grown out of it. Either way she was practically floored, and struggle to keep track of it all.
I don't like her, she asks too many questions, Lyroth mused in her head.
Are you eavesdropping! Sky started to scold.
You're in my home. Besides, I don't even need to be bonded to you to smell the panic or hear your heart racing. In any other circumstance Sky might've made fun of Ly for the comment, calling him soft or telling him the sentiment was almost sweet. Normally Ly was haughty and self-absorbed, but she should've known he'd be there if she was in trouble.
She turned her attention back to Rune, trying to remember all of the questions, but it was impossible. She'd just have to answer what she could and hope it sated that curiosity for a time. With a light chuckle she shook her head. "How many tongues have you burned out since we were kids? Doc must be an expert at replacing them, motor-mouth. Anyway, uh, let's see . . . it's a different sensation, to be bonded. We're aware of each other, I suppose would be the best way to describe it. I know when he's near and vice versa, and we can sense each other's feelings. Because he bonded as an baby it actually allowed me to get used to the sensation as he grew up. I can imagine the bond I have now would be overwhelming if it had all happened at once. And I guess that answers another question: he's a he. His name is Lyroth and he has purple scales." It felt a little awkward trying to answer so many questions in such a broken fashion.
"He's nearby. We're in the Sand Pits, after all. And he's listening to us, so yes he can hear you." She tried her best to send Ly a stern glare through the mental link before he could say anything. "As for meeting him, well that would have to wait. I can't leave my post here and the dragons have to stay away. Too many dragons crowding around would worry the citizens, and the mothers get fiercely territorial about their eggs where other dragons are concerned." Whew. Sky knew she missed several questions, but she was at her wit's end trying to remember what she could! "I see you're still adept at interrogation."
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Eighteen
Apprentice Doctor
Played by Creature
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
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Post by RUNE SILVERTHORNE on Nov 2, 2014 21:34:54 GMT -6
Thankfully for the other girl, Rune had managed to keep herself from piping up as the other listed off answers. She didn't need the replies to be one-two to understand, absorbing all the whitenette's information the moment it left her mouth. The word eating monster girl reviewed each answer given in time to review the next. Her mind clocking in an orderly sense, almost mechanical-like when lining answers together and turning them into a sort of mental web. So there was a link, one of awareness. Perhaps the linking process was somehow involved with the Parietal Lobe? Or perhaps it was a mixture of both the Frontal and Parietal Lobe seeing as how he could sense his rider's emotions. So far it seemed that the bond affected two main things: empathy and telepathy. Things Rune had once read about in one of Doc's older and more exotic books. Apparently some people thought they could communicate with each other by mind alone like the dragons and their riders could as well as tell what each other are feeling. Empathy could easily be knocked down to a heightened ability of discernment but she had no evidence for the human telepathy.
But here was a human and a beast able to speak to each other despite one not able to physically speak the language. Perhaps at birth a baby dragon, once connected to its said partner; would absorb the current memories of the rider? And thus that would allow them to speak the language or at least mimic the pattern within the mind. For all she knew it could actually be color or some sort of pattern that they read instead of actually hearing a voice. On mention that the dragon was a he gave the black haired apprentice something to note. Female rider, male dragon - purple. There were twelve known dragons ranging from the rare Gold to the elusive White. Purple was eight on that list and were known to imprint only on female. How his personality was and if it echoed his rider's or if it followed the information about Purples, Rune could only guess. After all, she could not exactly converse with him. Still she had to wonder if the color of the dragon held certain capacities that drove them to choose specific people while others could pick anyone.
The girl almost looked around for the figure of a Purple dragon, her interest peaking. That was until she was shut down by the current events. Rune let out an inaudible 'tsk', an extremely scary sound to those who knew it for it meant that she was going to do something extremely dangerous if she hadn't been stopped. Her wandering eyes returned to her old friend. "I see... Perhaps female dragons are territorial about their clutches because of a inherit knowledge that their numbers will drop drastically if their eggs are harmed. They cannot leave the island so perhaps they are stuck in some sort of bottleneck..." The words that left the blackette's mouth were more or less for herself but they were very audible for the other to hear. She knew, she was probably the only one who thought of such things.
Rune could not smile, her face frozen stiff like her ability to feel; so instead the girl thought of a different way to thank the helpful and rather informative dragonrider. "You have been very helpful. Thank you Sky." With that, Rune stepped forward with her arms outreached to give the much taller girl a hug. Doc had told her hugs were good, warming and welcoming among friends. And so Rune gave her one. She didn't think too much about it, stepping away with that doll-like face still as straight as an arrow.
"You are here on duty but have you seen the clutch? What do you think as one already with a dragon?" This was a much simpler question unlike her earlier onslaught.
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20
Dragonrider
Played by Dart
Posts: 63
Likes: 2
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Post by SKY BLUE on Nov 2, 2014 21:54:11 GMT -6
Rune was a very different kind of girl. Sky had always known that about her. She'd gotten used to it at one point, but the fact was she'd been away for many years, and the things that made Rune unique were strange to her once more. Not to the point of repulsion, not even in that domain, but they still stood out as always awkward, as Sky had no idea how to respond to some of the things. The sounds she made, the way her face was an emotionless mask. Sky remembered you had to read her emotions through her eyes, but she'd lost the ability to recognize what was what since the two had last seen each other.
Then there was the fact that Rune just ranted on, theorizing on dragons. It was beyond Sky what she was talking about, but it seemed only natural that Rune's curiosity would lead to theories. Still, Sky didn't even try to make sense in them, instead allowing the words to drift listlessly away from her.
I'm not talking to her, if she asks.
You couldn't if you tried, you don't speak our language, remember? Perhaps that was something to ask Rune. The girl had a keen mind for theorizing, so perhaps she could help Sky understand how it was she could speak so plainly to Ly in her mind, even if the dragon confessed to not understanding a word of the common tongue. However Sky knew if she asked the question she'd probably get another burst of questions asking about it and some long and drawn out theory she didn't understand. It was probably best left to ask one of the other riders, or Ly himself if he ever seemed in the mood for entertaining her.
Then she felt the sudden contact and heard the murmured thanks. She stiffened suddenly at the embrace, not having expected it, but quickly returned the favor as best as she could. Wearing her dragonrider gear didn't allow for much in terms of personal affection. She patted Rune on the back and let her go, relaxing once the girl was not wrapped around her. Two years off of the ocean where contact with someone else usually meant you were fighting them still hadn't softened Sky's reaction to suddenly being touched, it seemed.
Rune posed another question. "I was one of the first ones here this morning to watch over the clutch, of course I've seen them." How was she really supposed to answer the question? She was still battling with raw emotions every time she saw them, left unsure whether or not it was because she was bonded and had a greater connection with the eggs or if it was because of her past crimes and the guilt she felt. "It's remarkable to see the future in such a delicate form, it seems so dangerous yet so majestic." It was her best reply.
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Eighteen
Apprentice Doctor
Played by Creature
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
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Post by RUNE SILVERTHORNE on Nov 2, 2014 22:37:04 GMT -6
Rune felt the girl tense up on contact though she didn't bother to ask why. People often always tensed up when they disliked something. Back when they were kids, little Sky hadn't seemed to mind so much but now - Rune had to be careful. It was apparent that this Sky was nothing like the one she had once known though the girl let no hint escape that allowed the other to notice. Not that it was very hard mind you. Still the girl noted she did earn a pat on the back which seemed like an effort of goodwill which meant her thanks had gotten across. At least she was understood for some part, that much the younger girl could feel relieved about.
The dark haired girl tilted her head slightly at the maiden's response. It sounded almost... defensive to her ears though she had no clue why. It was like it was obvious that Sky would be there, that she would rather be no where else. That or Rune was reading too much into things again, perhaps the dragonriders did not change shifts unless it was day to night? The girl could not say for sure. No words left her as the whitenette continued on. Her answer was rather poetic though not one Rune was looking for. "Is that so? Well dragons are dangerous creatures to all but their partners." Rune admitted, one hand reached up to massage her forehead in thought, one of very few actions the girl did outside of work-related things. It was more or less a habit she'd acquired when Sky was gone. "All the eggs hold a color for a particular dragon. If they are true to their colors then there will be at least two of four white dragons born. As well as an orange, black, and two greens." It was merely a guess, but then she had to start somewhere.
"It looks like there will be no cool colors other than the hybrid green." Rune looked between the crowd and Sky, "Do you have a favorite? I personally like the smallest one. Though I guess the white and red one would better suit my current condition." It Rune's attempt at a joke, pointing at her nose to emphasize its earlier state. She tried to smile, but only ended up with the faintest of faintest curves before it dropped back down into a line. Even after all this time, Rune still couldn't even manage a smile. It would have been saddening if she weren't already use to it.
Rune paused, looking at Sky silently for a few moments. She looked like a doll, one that could stand up on its own; just staring at the much taller girl. Her head cocked again in a sort of questioning way, "I've asked you lots of questions. You can ask me too. I will make the answers very simple for you." She didn't mean it in a bad way, the way she said that but the girl just could not soften her words or phrase it differently than it was. Something that Doc often scolded her for throughout the past eight years she'd lived with him.
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20
Dragonrider
Played by Dart
Posts: 63
Likes: 2
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Post by SKY BLUE on Nov 3, 2014 9:36:33 GMT -6
Sky was somewhat relieved when the hug was over. She wasn't used to the idea of being so close to another person like that, not for any prolonged period of time. She put on a smile regardless. The thought had been appreciated, even if the action itself had been a little foreign to her. She nodded to Rune and took a step back just to put a comfortable distance between them for the time being.
"Dragons are only as dangerous as people, perhaps even less so. They're territorial, but as long as you don't disturb them they don't bother with you. The only things they would hurt are the animals they hunt, but then that's the way of the wild, isn't it?" Sky commented almost defensively in response to Rune's declaration of the danger of dragons. It didn't seem fair to simply discount them as a whole because some people might've been foolish in the past. But then that might just be her position as a dragonrider making her more attached to dragons as individuals rather than animals.
The girl didn't hesitate to break into another flurry of questions. Sky once again listened carefully, hoping to retain more this time, but mixed among the questions were a bunch more theories. How long had Rune been here that day before Sky had noticed her? Then again if Sky had never approached Rune in the first place she probably wouldn't have recognized her. It made her question the difference between coincidence and fate. But now was not the time for deep philosophical thought.
Rune was like a tome. She retained information so well. However long she had been there gave her time enough to make comments that Sky would only expect from the coordinators who looked after the eggs, the dragon breeders at it were, who were experts on the subject. To be frank it all went well over Sky's head and the dragonrider shook her head in response. "I haven't even considered them like that," she commented quietly. She saw the eggs as the future, as potential among the riders and the dragon race. She saw them as wondrous and delicate things, things she needed to guard. But until Rune asked her she hadn't realized how she distanced herself from growing attached to them.
She knew exactly why, too. Her father's death had been surprisingly easy to get over, and now she had a dragon of her own in Lyroth, but the heartbreak that had come with the first egg she'd ever grown attached to being a dud had never been mended. Even now Sky wondered what could have been rather than what was, if her dragon had hatched all those years ago. She kept herself guarded without even realizing it, refusing to look at the eggs beyond what they were, refusing to get attached lest she suffer a similar fate.
Of course she didn't explain any of this to Rune. Instead she focused on the girl's offer. A light laugh escaped her lips and she shook her head. "I've many curiosities but none that need sating like yours, jabberjaws," she replied. "But should I ever need answers, I suppose you and Doc are still living in the same home?"
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Eighteen
Apprentice Doctor
Played by Creature
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
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Post by RUNE SILVERTHORNE on Nov 3, 2014 11:14:03 GMT -6
Sky's would have brought another smile to the doll's face but instead the girl merely nodded, approving of the rider's obvious defense for the unhatched dragons. "You pay more attention than you may believe. This is good Sky." The girl praised, raising one hand to her chin while the other held her elbow in a sort of quizzical way. "Many don't seem to notice that, going by rumor and statement; dragons hold an intelligence that equals if not surpasses mankind." Rune had to applaud the woman for both her own mind and her ability to somewhat keep up with her questions this time. Though the answer to her own little joke came out as something of a surprise. For someone who held the eggs in such a high regard, an almost personal one; Sky kept a professional outlook on them. Some would be duds if they weren't lucky but even Rune knew that everyone always got attached to a baby something. To some it may have been puppies or kittens, others it was human babes; she half expected dragonriders to be hatchling maniacs.
Though that was stereotypical wasn't it? Sky's view on young was more of an abstract thing from the sound of it. A future she called them, invisible possibilities that people garnered hope for. She knew Doc held a similar viewpoint, often asking Rune how she didn't have a dragon companion yet despite her already well within the required age years. Rune had wondered the same thing and only came out to the conclusion that it was probably because she was 'empty'. But Sky here, she held powerful feelings for the scaled species despite her unwillingness to take a bet. Though Rune was certain that was because of the whitenette's first egg, the dud. As of what those feeling entailed, the darkette would need to listen and observe more as to what that conclusion was. Though that was a rude thing to do as Doc had told more than a many time. Not like that ever stopped her though.
But those questions would be answered in their own time, perhaps tomorrow or the day after depending on her schedule. Yes, that would work nicely. And then she'd be able to meet the infamous Purple dragon whose name has yet to be given to her. Perhaps she would bring a gift of sorts, for good will or something. The townspeople often gifted her things which made the Doc happy, so maybe the effect would be the same? But there was just one problem, Rune hadn't a clue as to what a dragon liked. They probably differed like people, one liking shiny objects while another took to comfy beds - things like that. Though they all had something in common: dragons were all carnivores. And any living creature liked to eat so perhaps a good hunk of meat. As of where she might get the money for that, well; Rune would figure out later.
Her attention was brought back by the rider's laughter. It was a light sound, not something forced. That brought a twinkle to the doll's eye, a hint of relief. Something as rare as a White to be seen. Despite it being her most felt emotion it still hardly showed, this was one of those unique moments. Sky might have missed it thanks to her long time spent away but that was fine as well. "This we are. It's gotten messier since the last time you visited though." Rune warned, "And my curiosities are not that bad. No usually anyway." She sounded almost indignant on those last words of hers. Her arms going to neatly fold over themselves while her body shifted to one side. It was a gesture she copied from one of the urchins when they threw their weight around as they played some knightly game. She remembered Doc had been laughing hysterically when he caught sight of the act, saying 'now that's real authority'.
It lasted a moment before the apprentice took her original posture, keeping her arms still crossed over each other. "When you visit I'll make you some Lemon Balm tea." It was a stress relieving tea she offered, one to lift the spirits and relax the mind into a sort of happiness. Something that she would have offered long ago if she could have but now was as good a time as ever. "I'm sure Doc will be happy to see you too. He was supposed to be here by now but it seems something must have come up. Not too surprising with that earlier stampede." The Doc probably had some patients come in with all the chaos that ensued with people trying to be the first to the Sand Pit. No doubt she herself was a casualty with her bloodied face but the girl had already managed herself. Such were the perks of being a doctor's apprentice. "I'll even grab some hunk of meat for your dragon if he feels like coming along."
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20
Dragonrider
Played by Dart
Posts: 63
Likes: 2
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Post by SKY BLUE on Nov 3, 2014 15:24:00 GMT -6
It had been a long time since Sky had socialized with anyone but her drinking buddies, the other trainees and Ly. It felt good, in a way. Something she had missed. She had always been more at home in social situations, her quicksilver tongue and natural grace allowing her to flourish. The biggest problem she had with it lately was more so her own emotions, as they tended to take over and break her guard from the inside at times, if she let them get carried away. Something like this, however, was good for her, it lightened her heart and lifted her soul so that when she laughed it felt raw and genuine.
Perhaps Rune was one she could confide in at a later date, help her ease some of the burden of keeping her secrets. That was something to consider, and this was definitely not the time. The girl was quite stoic, and Sky felt she wouldn't be judged. Or perhaps she would be. It was impossible to tell against that emotionless mask that glanced back with piercing, analyzing eyes. Regardless, that was for another time and place.
She smiled again at Rune's offer of tea and even laughed when the smaller girl seemed to take up an authoritative stance. It did little to phase Sky, who dealt with the militaristic commanders of the dragonriders quite frequently, people who really knew how to strike a power stance, however she did find it funny how imposing it made little Rune. She reached out and ruffled the girl's hair playfully in response, shaking her head to shake away the light giggles. "Oh Rune, you've been learning," she commented quietly.
"Tea sounds lovely," she added after a second. It was something she always enjoyed, but rarely drank. Usually if she was drinking it was water or something alcoholic these days, habits formed again from her time at sea. There was little room for tea on the open ocean, and had her crew had their way at times they would've had more grog stocked than fresh water. Fortunately she had always kept a cool head, one of the things that had allowed her to become what she had. But that was another time, another place, far away from here.
Does she intend on feeding me? Ly asked indignantly, and she could feel him huff in response.
This brought another laugh from Sky, and she quickly explained. "Ly can be a bit temperamental when it comes to food. He eats the meat the riders give him," she explained pointedly, the statement directed more at her dragon than at Rune. "But he might refuse out of spite. Don't be hurt if he does."
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Eighteen
Apprentice Doctor
Played by Creature
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
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Post by RUNE SILVERTHORNE on Nov 3, 2014 17:29:39 GMT -6
The little doll managed to bring out some more true laughter from her little action. An air of relief seemed to curtain itself over the white-haired maiden as the result. See it? It was good to mimic people after all. "I try." The girl shrugged, mimicking yet another gesture; trying to fit the her words and actions into the one second provided before the woman continued on. When she agreed to tea Rune almost seemed to snap, "Of course. You've been drinking to much alcohol. It's showing in your hair and skin." Hopefully the rider was taking in more nutrients through her food than her choice of drink, else Rune or Doc may get another daily patient within some number of years.
Somehow the girl managed to pick up on when the other was speaking to her dragon. At times she would get this inattentive look in her eye, a far away view despite her still being there. That and the way the woman suddenly laughed was an obvious. At the very least, Rune didn't think she said something funny... Or maybe she did? Perhaps she was getting better at the whole 'humor' ordeal? That was really something to think about if the bubble hadn't been bursted by the woman's explanation.
So it was her dragon that drew that extra round of laughter. That would explain much. "Then I suppose I may have to think of something else." Rune forfeited, one hand to her brow. Her thin fingers massaged the smooth skin as she thought, what could possibly satisfy a dragon. Guess the best way to find out would be to ask rather than waste money or travel to the other side of the island for no reason. "I don't know what else to give a dragon. Perhaps a mere greeting shall be fine." It was less of her asking as Rune's way of compromising and tossing aside a much less important need-to-do in her mind. Besides if he ate the meat at the riders' home, then she was fairly sure only Sky would be visiting. That was all fine in itself. It would allow the dragonrider to venture around town as Rune was positive that the woman had done little outside training and duty. Perhaps go to the tavern for too much drink as the apprentice's eye could catch.
"In any case, when would you like to come over? I'm sure you'll be overtaken by your current duties to visit our little hovel." Rune asked, her arms returning to their crossed position; "It'll also give me time to clean and not poison you with mishaps." That was another attempt at a joke as Rune always remembered what was what. It was, quite frankly; impossible for the girl to poison someone on accident. Hopefully Sky would remember this, if not the dark haired girl could get one interesting reaction from her.
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20
Dragonrider
Played by Dart
Posts: 63
Likes: 2
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Post by SKY BLUE on Nov 3, 2014 18:01:48 GMT -6
Tell her I want a gold idol toward me, Ly almost immediately responded as Rune mentioned having no clue what to get a dragon. Sky would've given him a stern glare if she'd known where he was watching from, but as it were he could've been anywhere. She tried to send it through thought instead, but she was uncertain how successful that might've been.
"A greeting is fine, and he can go hungry if he doesn't want to eat," she replied to Rune, her words edged with a threat directed toward the eavesdropping dragon.
Can I bring her a gift, then? I know this nice den of gophers not far from the pits, I'm sure she'd love a carcass or two.
You're being immature. And she might actually like that. But no.
Aren't you supposed to be on guard duty?
Don't you have better things to do than eavesdrop?
No.
Sky seethed at Ly and made it known across the connection, before blocking him out of her mind for a bit. It was rude to converse with one's dragon when talking with someone else, it was proper dragonrider etiquette and she was breaking one of the first rules. She offered Rune an apologetic smile. "He can be a bit difficult at times," she explained as best she could, remembering that Rune couldn't hear any of the conversation that just happened.
"Anyway, I'm doing morning shifts here until the eggs hatch, but that leaves my evenings free. I can stop by as early as tomorrow for tea, if that's okay with you," she explained, blocking out a few more attempted jabs from Ly without even hearing them out and instead just offering Rune another smile. "And don't worry, I picked up a pretty hardy stomach during my travels." You couldn't spend long at sea if you had a weak stomach.
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Eighteen
Apprentice Doctor
Played by Creature
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
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Post by RUNE SILVERTHORNE on Nov 3, 2014 20:44:18 GMT -6
Again with the wayward look, the rider was talking with her other half once more. Rune waited patiently, more than mildly curious as to what they were saying even though it was probably little less than idle chat. He was probably answering her earlier predicament or something along those lines or perhaps he was speaking about something else entirely. Rune would never know. Not unless she somehow became telepathic and pluck the thoughts from the woman's head like some master magician fairy tales spoke of. But alas, this was real life and the only real telepaths were between the riders and their dragons. Still it was ever the curious wonder of how they managed that. But Rune kept her thoughts to herself, oddly enough; choosing instead to merely gaze at the woman with her mask of nothing.
A greeting it was then. Rune nodded, hearing the edge in Sky's voice and automatically placing it to be aimed at the dragon. It was rather humorous though the girl felt no such thing. She still knew the definition though and the current situation seemed to fit it like a glove. It was a reprimand or at least sounded like one, for the Purple dragon. She didn't know if he intentionally or unintentionally listened to them, perhaps he was close enough he could just hear them above the 'oo's' and 'awes' of the eggs' spectators. Still, the girl was unable to ask as she soon found herself on the other end of a conversation between rider and dragon.
"Apparently there's no 'door' between conversations." Rune piped it, "How interesting." Rune had barely kept her quizzical questions to herself, seeing as how the rider had returned from her... apparent argument - with her dragon. The woman just seethed, angry about something that was naked to even this doll's eyes.
The girl waved a dismissive hand, returning it neatly to its tucked position; "It is fine. I'm sure he's much harder to ignore than I." Though Rune couldn't hear them she could still see Sky's reactions and that was 'conversation' enough to her. "I'll guess he was answering my earlier question on what to give him and the result was not quite what you expected." It only made sense, unless it was something else entirely. He could have been making fun of the black haired girl for all she knew and was suffering repercussions with his voice being linked to a friend. Or he could have just been chatting about something idle and just getting in the way.
Either way, the maiden seemed to focus on the girl in front of her now; answering her questions like a normal person. "That's fine by me. I'm sure Doc will have no complaints either." Rune agreed, "That leaves me enough time to at least find a chair." Even though it sounded like a joke, Rune was dead serious. Finding a chair that held few valuables was like Doc find a misplaced bauble, extremely difficulty (at least it was when Rune wasn't there). The girl made a huff like a sort of 'hah' before more words left her mouth. "I'm sure you can stomach even the worst of bad seafood but unless you got your hands on enough deadly nightshade to be resistant, I think I'll keep to my cleaning."
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