Why Hello Thar! {Derek/D'sel}

[Wish]

I'm bored, do something.

Eiko looked up from the scroll she had been studying, her blonde hair, finally back to its normal color after the fiasco at the Gather, falling in front of her eyes. She blew it back, cross-eyed for a moment as she aimed before looking at her Obsidian dragonet directly. Do what? Putting the scroll back down on the small desk, she looked around the room and sighed. You're supposed to entertain me, not the other way around, remember? Unless you want me entertaining myself again. It wasn't a question but a statement.

Quickly Eiko's will snapped down on the dragonet, just in case, the Obsidian hissing and lashing her tail. Calm down you insane child! I haven't done anything...yet. Exactly! She wanted to keep it that way. The more Eiko pulled on her dragonet mentally though, the more she fought back to gain control. Finally, the girl collapsed against the dark form of her lifemate, both breathing hard and Nimarath watching rider with whirling eyes. Good, you're getting stronger finally. Eiko only shook her head, trying ignore the fact that to Nimarath this was some sort of game.

Life is a game! The dragonet hissed again, pushing her rider up by her nose until she was nudged against her neck. Get on, we're going swimming.Too happy to oblige, the weyrling called for her young firelizard and outstretched her hand for Amy. The purple flit chirped, her wings opening wide. She wanted to do tricks and impress everyone, but how could she impress people if there was no one to watch? Consoling the unhappy firelizard, Eiko straddled Nimarath's neck and held on as the Obsidian launched herself from the chosen ledge she had been preoccupying.

Without betweening it took a longer, but the ride was pleasant enough. Eiko had been taught to go to places by visuals before most of the rest of her class had, simply because Nimarath had come of age for it and Noita wanted her second in command to be perfect when it came time for the official lessons to begin. With Threadfall however, the lessons had all but ceased to exist for the past few days, especially with no more teachers to fill the spot of Weyrlingmaster. That had changed when F'lon came back with a greenrider named Panille, but the rider had yet to call classes so everything was still at a standstill.

If you ask me, they should just let us teach. We're still weyrlings too silly. The dragonet lashed her tail, arcing wide in the air as she showed her dislike for the adjective her rider had used to describe her thoughts. Alright, alright calm down! The Obsidian leveled out, heading down to the river in the forest and landing daintily under the sun-filled clearing. At least it was warm, but with a light breeze. More than that, they were alone. Pulling off her outer clothes so that she was just in her under things, the best sort of suitable clothing Eiko had for such a task, she jumped into the water, shivering delightfully at the crisp sensation.

[Elessar]

As soon as the Rebellion had started, D'sel had joined. He wanted to fight for the rights of the "mutated" dragons, which, in his mind, were much more beautiful and perfect than the original five colours.

A bit after Emiath, the first Garnet dragon to ever be seen on Pern, was hatched, along with the other new colours that cropped up in Hatchings, the mutated dragons began to attract prejudice. Women on sub-kings and men on sub-queens were looked down on, and the new colours were seen as inferior to the original colours by some.

This blatant idiocy infuriated D'sel. Emiath and the other "mutated" dragons were just as capable as fighting thread, just as capable of flight and passing between, just as capable as any "normal" dragon that had ever existed! They were no more inferior than D'sel was a woman! A dragon was a dragon, no matter what the colour of the hide.

Brooding over these dark thoughts, D'sel sat under a shady tree in the forest, his eyes half-closed. He was still watching his surroundings, having a deep mistrust of nearly every human being. The Garnetrider had no love of any human, and no respect for any human either. His love and respect was reserved specifically for animals, including dragons.

One thing about the Rebellion that D'sel loved was the lack of humans about. It had been much more crowded at Trelis, but here... the Rebellion had thusfar been rather ineffective at recruiting new Wingriders, or even Weyrlings. He suspected that all told, the Rebellion numbered less than thirty odd men and women, and he enjoyed the solitude. Of course, he also disliked it, since the Rebellion needed more fighters.

Speaking of fighting, Thread should be falling soon. Emiath's voice entered into D'sel's head with a low, malicious hiss. The Garnet always seemed angry and irritated. I long to take to the skies for battle, scorching Thread from the Heavens above us! D'sel declined to comment. His dragon was bloodthirsty, eager to fight, and loved battle and the adrenaline it sent coursing through his blood. D'sel could not deny that he, too, enjoyed it. Soon, we must fly against those who oppose us, and rip, tear, kill them all! I desire blood, D'selMine, and the Rebellion must deliver before I tire of waiting! The dragon's rider grunted. We're not ready. The Rebellion isn't strong enough. They don't want to make a move until they know they can win... and besides, not everyone wants to fight. He thought back to his Bonded, who responded with a low growl. Then they are weak! We should dispose of them. D'sel shrugged. All in good time, my love. All in good time.

The man stood, stretching, and placed a hand on the dragon's blood-red hide. Emiath turned his head and stared along the river. Someone approaches. As they drew nearer, the Garnet chuckled unmercifully. It is the Obsidian Weyrling Nimarath, with her rider Eiko, D'selMine. D'sel turned to look in the direction of the Weyrling pair, his dark eyes cold. He watched from the shadows, unnoticed, as the Weyrling disrobed until she was simply in her underthings, and jumped into the water.

Emiath stepped forward, out into the sun, and D'sel followed. The Garnet practically shone like a gem in the sun, for his hide was well oiled and washed. Nimarath. He said simply in greeting. D'sel, still following in the wake of his dragon, whose front forepaws were now touching the water, stopped by the edge of the river. "Fancy seeing you here, Eiko. I don't believe we've met?"

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[Wish]

We aren't alone anymore pet. Nimarath looked up as the dark form of Emiath walked toward them, and she titled her head slightly from her place curled up on the bank. Emiath. Her voice held a small purring tone, only somewhat interested. In truth she was more intriqued by her rider as Eiko flailed in the water, not prepared in the slightest for the intrusion.

"I.....I.......DO YOU HAVE NO DECENCY?!?!" Her eyes narrowed, her voice dripping with venom as she covered herself, sinking below the surface to try and mask her body. Never before had anyone...never had a boy. She curled inward, hatred evident in every glance she threw his way. Finally, deciding that her rider had had enough of the traumatic experience, Nimarath moved silkily toward her and wrapped a wing in front of Eiko's body. About sharding time!

Walking behind the wing, careful not to step on it as well, Eiko ignored the Garnetrider as best she could for now. Instead she grabbed the dress she had slipped on, pulling it over her head with a sharp yank and hissing as her nail scraped along her arm. Easy Pet, no need to hurt yourself now. The Obsidian nuzzled her rider, oddly affectionate. Eiko just gave a small pat back and twisted her hair to wring the water out, effectively ignoring D'sel still.

She didn't know him on a personal level, but Noita had had her memorize all the Sub-King and King riders since they were potential partners for Nimarath. It was all about allegiances with the older Obsidianrider, and Eiko hated it. No one could ever tell if they were just being friendly to you or if they were trying to get something else out of it. "We haven't met no, however I certainly wouldn't have minded it being under other circumstances."

Nimarath caught onto the nervousness that was still in her rider, a high pitched cry shreiking from her jaws as she turned and hissed at the Garnet and his lifemate. What's your business Emiath? Her tail thrashed behind her, but Eiko kept a firm hold despite wanting to let the Obsidian dragonet loose. She was smaller than him, but faster no doubt. I could take him...if I wanted to.

[Elessar]

Nimarath looked up from where she was curled on the bank. There was a low purr to her tone as she spoke the Garnet's name, which he ignored. The Obsidian was obviously uninterested in him. She was, curiously enough, more intrigued by D'sel, who watched in stony silence as Eiko flailed around in the water, obviously not expecting anyone else to intrude on her privacy. How foolish of her.

The Garnetrider showed no emotion as the child yelled at him, her voice poisonous. She tried to cover herself, and the thought occured to him that she was probably a virgin. Even more, she had probably never even had her first kiss. How pathetic. D'sel wondered why such a beautiful, strong Obsidian would choose such a weak child to Bond to as Nimarath wrapped a wing in front of Eiko's body to shield her from his view.

It was odd that the riders were clearly ignoring each other. Eiko was more preoccupied with grabbing her clothing and pulling it on as quickly as she could, and D'sel was more interested in the Obsidian. He truly had no wish to converse with either of them, and Emiath hissed in agreement next to him. They are weak. His voice was filled with contempt. D'sel glanced at the Garnet, who snorted angrily, then turned back to watching the girl, who was now speaking.

She wouldn't have minded if they had met under other circumstances... ha! D'sel's face remained expressionless. "No, I expect you wouldn't have." His voice was cold. "Things are as they are, however, and what is in the past cannot be changed." The girl was foolish, childish, naive. Weak. Emiath hissed to his rider.

Nimarath turned and screeched at the Garnet, who gave a bellowing roar in return. My business! He roared. Is it no longer acceptable for a dragon and his rider to enjoy a day in the forest? There is no business, Nimarath! Hold your foolish tongue! D'sel worried the Garnet may have gone too far, but again... what was in the past could not be changed. Be careful, my love. He thought to the Garnet.

[Wish]

Eiko kept her eyes from the Garnetrider's forcing herself to keep calm. She hated being around people, she sharding hated it. Inside her heart was fluttering, her pulse racing and her skin felt hot as if on fire. Was she blushing? Probably. At his words however her eyes narrowed and it was as if someone had thrown a bucket of ice water over her.

Her head snapped to look at him, sodden hair whipping around her and her ice blues flashing in defiance. "I know more about how the past cannot be changed than you may believe Garnetrider. Do not patronize me as a child, not when you take your orders from me, and especially when you do not even know me. Have I made myself clear?" Nimarath hissed low, her eyes gleaming a devious red and orange as the older Garnet talked to her.

How dare he! Hold me tongue? How about I rip yours from your jaws Emiath?!?! Do not speak to me like that! I may be young, but I am not foolish! Eiko tensed as she realized her words had been influenced by her Obsidian, or perhaps just the ability to say them was. Her hands were balled into fists, but at the next event her eyes widened and she let out a little noise of protest. The dark form of Nimarath darted forward, her smaller frame a blur before Eiko shouted at her.

"Nimarath stop! Just stop it!" She forced her will onto the Obsidian dragonet, battling with her mentally. Just as quickly as she had turned on the Garnet though the dragonet was turning around and snapping at her rider. You do not control me! The voice was loud, for anyone and everyone to hear, her eyes murderous as she glared at the weyrling. "I'm your rider Nimarath, now stand down!." The Obsidian thrashed her head, her tail lashing behind her like a whip. Finally though she settled down, hissing low and eying Emiath angrily. Eiko slumped against the nearest tree, a hand to her head.

"This is your fault. If you had better control of him...." Except it was more on herself than to D'sel. She should know how to control her own dragonet better, she should know! Tears stung at her eyes, but she fought them back, steeling herself away into that iron wall that she held so well. She would never give him the satisfaction, that was just how she was. Slowly her breathing started to calm down, her chest slowing in its rapid movement. Finally, she blinked a few times, her gaze on the ground.

How close had she just come to losing her lifemate? The thought made her shiver slightly, and she was relieved when cold wind alerted to Amy popping in from between. Soaring above her head the Amethyst landed on Eiko's shoulder, nuzzling Hers slightly before giving a cautious glance over to the Obsidian dragonet who was now curled in on herself, her wings spread out half-haphazardly and her tail ringed around her front paws.

....... "Don't even say anything you irritating Dragon-child!"

[Elessar]

She was blushing. D'sel was sure now that she had never felt the touch of a man... or a woman, if that was how she felt about it, though he highly doubted that was the case. She was too young, too innocent.

When he spoke, her head turned quickly, her eyes cold in defiance. She was yelling at him again, but her words meant nothing to him. He took orders from no one but himself. Oh, he might pretend, might play the part, but authority held nothing over him. He was his own highest authority. Him and his dragon. Emiath growled in ageement, knowing his rider's thoughts.

Nimarath spoke then, too, eyes swirling red and orange. The girl tensed, and D'sel, too, realized that her words had been influenced by the bond with the dragon. In the next few seconds, however, she let out a noise of protest right before Nimarath shot forward to attack Emiath, who bellowed a challenge.

...but the fight was stopped before he even had a chance to meet the Obsidian in battle. Eiko had forced her will on the dragon, speaking her words out loud. Just as soon as Nimarath leaped at Emiath, she was practically already turning to hiss at her rider that Eiko did not control her. Eiko ordered the Obsidian to stand down, and finally the dragon thrashed her head, lashed her tail, and returned to her previous place, hissing and watching Emiath angrily.

Eiko slumped against a tree, telling D'sel it was his fault... but they both knew she didn't mean it. D'sel was shocked when he saw tears in the girl's eyes, and he waded across the stream to her, where he brushed a strand of hair back from her face. "Dragons like ours are hard to control," he murmured softly. "But you did well. You stopped her." He was shocked that he actually felt a little bit proud of the silly girl.

As a fire-lizard popped in from between, D'sel backed up. Had he just been the first man to ever touch her in that kind of way? He didn't know, and wasn't sure he wanted to. Emiath growled, still standing on the opposite bank, watching the Obdisian. He wished Eiko had not won, interesting as she was. He wanted blood!

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[Wish]

He didn't do anything for a bit, and neither did the Garnet thank Faranth. Nimarath kept her place, her body barely in the water, only stepping forward once before she hissed and lashed her tail, obviously being held back by whatever strength Eiko still had from their last battle of wills. That control went away entirely, as did Nimarath's desire to fight the Garnet, when D'sel started to walk toward her.

Muscles tensed and she backed further into the tree, her eyes shutting closed tightly as he touched her. Instantly she jerked from it, worried that he would hit her or do some other horrible thing. The gentleness however was not expected, and for a moment she let her cheek nuzzle against his hand as he brushed away her hair from her eyes. Only for a moment though, and then she was back to stumbling away, pushing at him despite the comfort he tried to present.

She ended up hitting the ground, falling on her rear instead of backing away like she wanted, and she stared up at him. "Well? I did well? You honestly call that well?" Her voice squeaked as she talked, her eyes frightened. She had barely been able to hold Nimarath back, and she was exhausted now, if they tried again she'd be hurt. Oh Faranth she would be hurt, she was so much smaller than he was! Swallowing, the movement catching in a dry throat, she looked at her hands that had scraped against the ground and rubbed them against her dress staining the material with small streaks of blood.

Her breath came in a wobbly inhale, her eyes never leaving his body for too long. "I never asked for this....to impress to her, to come here.....I hate this." Pushing herself up, the weyrling walked over to the river, not caring what either dragonet or dragon were up to. In fact Nimarath was more occupied by watching her rider now, an amused croon bubbling from her as she moved toward the girl and nuzzled her to keep her upright as she bent over and wiped away the dirt and leaves from the small cuts.

I am sorry pet, he's not worth it. The Obsidian flicked her eyes toward the Garnet again, dismissing him from her mind with a lash of her tail. For good measure she forced her own will on him, aiming to make him have trouble focusing on her, and thus due to proximity Eiko as well. It was useful for more than entertainment Nimarath supposed. Like now, it gave them a small bit of comfort and privacy.

You've never been that bad before. The dragonet snorted, her wings tucking in against her sides. She seemed so fragile, as was custom for her color, and everything from her body structure to her wings and even her head and tail were all finely carved as if from glass. She would break so easily. Snorting again, picking up on her rider's thoughts, Nimarath nudged Eiko until she fell into the river. "Hey!" The dragonet simply chortled a laugh, tossing her head like a headstrong filly. See, you are not always in control Eiko.

Finally Eiko let herself look up at D'sel again, and she withdrew slightly, taking that emotionless mask. "I am sorry, it gives me no right to have let this happen. These things shouldn't happen, not when I'm involved...it's my job." Despite wanting it to be somewhat monotonous and without feeling, she couldn't help but spitting the last word out, showing her hatred for her position. Noita was so going to kill her when she got back and heard about this. Sighing the girl shook her head and took the offered rag from her firelizard, using it to water down Nimarath's dark hide.

[Elessar]

He saw her tense, but that didn't stop him. She pulled away, obviously terrified, obviously not ecpecting the gentleness that came with his touch. In truth, he hadn't expected the gentleness himself, and her cheek nuzzled against his hand for a fraction of a second before she was stumbling away from him.

She fell, and he started forward, but when she spoke, he stopped. She was frightened. And she had a right to be. Her dragon could have died, and she was obviosly exhausted. If Nimarath tried to get away from her again, Eiko would not be able to stop her. The girl looked down at her hands, and scrubbed them on her dress, leaving small dabs of blood along the material.

Her eyes never left him for long, and D'sel almost felt pity for her at her next words. It was true. She had never asked for it. D'sel had never asked to Impress Emiath, either, but as time wore on he had come to love the Garnet, despite-- or perhaps because of --his bloodthirsty tendencies. Eiko would come to accept Nimarath, too, in time, and would, perhaps, come to like where she was. Nimarath crooned and nuzzled Eiko as she wiped the dirt and blood away in the river.

Emiath felt the Obsidian's will on him, and he shook his head, brushing her touch away. His will was stronger than hers, as she was young, and he had had time to hone his will where she had not. Even still, he was not focusing on them as much as he had been. The Obsidian learned fast.

D'sel watched the silent exchange between rider and dragon, and almost smiled when Nimarath nudged Eiko into the river. The dragon gave a short laugh at her rider's protest, and D'sel turned to glance at the opposite bank at Emiath, but the Garnet was not there. He turned just in time to see Emiath's long head shove him back forcefully. The man tripped, and suddenly he was in the river, too, sitting next to Eiko, dripping water and soaking wet.

Eiko turned to look at him, and spoke. He couldn't stand to see the hate in that last word. "I'm sorry, too." He said slowly. D'sel was unsure of why he was apologizing, but it felt like the right thing to do. He almost felt like he could actually talk to this girl and not feel a fool... he felt like maybe... maybe she would understand. He turned to look at the girl and smiled as she watered down Nimarath's hide.

D'sel turned as Emiath waded into the water, causing a small wave to rise up. The Garnetrider surprised himself with a laugh, and he looked at Eiko with a smile. "If I had known we were all going to end up in the river, I would have brought some sand to wash the dragons with!" He didn't know why he felt so happy all of a sudden, or why he suddenly didn't hate Eiko. It just felt right for some reason. Well, she is pretty... Emiath hummed, and D'sel felt himself blush. "That is not the reason!" He snapped at his dragon, who laughed. And the dragon is pretty, too. We should try to make friends, maybe, Mine? D'sel looked at his dragon in surprise and shock. "We don't have friends." But maybe we could try.

[/blockquote]

[Wish]

She couldn't help but tense as he was pushed in as well, though this time it was in concern for his safety more than her own personal space. He had landed close alright, close enough to splash her and she shook off the excess water and quirked an eye brow when he apologized as well. "Never thought I'd hear you say that." He wasn't finished talking yet though it seemed, and she jerked back slightly blinking, alarmed by the sudden whiplash in moods.

"....ummmr, yeah. I could send Amy for some." She sent an image for the sand bag in her room, the amethyst chirping and yet Eiko kept her there. "No...not yet Amy. This...yes, that. Good girl, no show me what you're getting one more time...okay, now go." It had taken four times sending the image back and forth before she finally let the firelizard go, but the flit did finally between away. Stupid pest. "Oh, shut up you."

What she heard next though caused both dragonet and weyrling to pause in what they were doing. Did he...just call me...pretty? ...you're not the only one Pet...and if you think I'm pretty now Emiath...just wait till I get my fangs into you. Then you'll think I'm gorgeous. Eiko's eyes widened at all the exchanges of words. First with D'sel and Emiath and then with Nimarath's outburst, which was a low purring croon, her tail snaking around to maybe touch the Garnet's hide. "Ooookay, I'm outta here, she can clean herself."

With that Eiko was moving away from the group, struggling to get up to a standing position, and falling back over into the water face first. As she came back up, Amy reappeared with the sand bag, dropping it on her head and unbalancing her all over again. That, would be one reason she is Mine. An amused chortle came as Nimarath shook her head and slipped over to her rider, pushing her up gently. Now, now Pet....stop being an idiot. Otherwise I might start thinking you think he's pretty too. "I...I do not! No way...I..." You protest too much Pet.

"I DO NOT!" She trembled slightly, her gaze locked onto her dragonet's, a battle of wills entirely different than the one they played before going on between the two. I don't like him....he's not even cute. If Nimarath could have raised on eye-ridge or even facepalmed herself, she would have. Sighing, Eiko looked back over at the rider. Okay...so he's cute. Doens't mean I like him though. I don't like anyone....he's a Garnetrider Nim, he's just being nice to get on our good side and become Commander when you rise. Well, if that's the case...they're not doing too poorly at it.


The Obsidian looked over at the pair as well and flicked her tail, her gaze swirling from greens and blues, to even a flicker of red and purple. The Obsidian chortled again, flapping her wings and taking off for a moment. Shielding her eyes from the sun Eiko followed the Obsidian's movement into the sky. "What's she sharding doing now?" Circling around in a loose loop the Obsidian called down to the other dragon, a red flash swirling more in her eyes. Let's see how you hunt Emiath. We can have them clean our hides after they are streaked with blood.

[Elessar]

He never though he'd hear himself say that, either. Watching as Eiko shook off the excess water, he shook his own head to rid his hair of some water. They were both completely soaked. The cold of between would be miserable... as would flying back. He sighed, and turned as Eiko spoke.

Oh, he hadn't thought of that! "Didn't think of that. Maybe you're smarter than you look," he commented with a grin, obviously teasing. The Garnetrider watched as she pressed her will on the firelizard, making sure the Amethyst was completely sure of what she was going to fetch. At Nimarath's comment, Emiath chuckled.

"I never bothered with firelizards. I have a cat though," he said conversationally... until Nimarath's comment. He blinked, and Emiath purred. Your fangs, dear Nimarath? They could not even scratch my hide. He shifted, so her tail gently brushed him. D'sel was on the edge of laughter as Eiko announced she was out of there.

She struggled to get up and fell back face first into the water where the flitter reappeared to drop the bag of sand on Eiko's head. D'sel blinked as Nimarath told her bonded to stop being an idiot, otherwise she might start think Eiko thought D'sel was pretty. D'sel felt himself blush. Did she really think that? Probably not. Your turn to stop being an idiot, D'sel. The rider glared at his dragon.

They probably just think we're trying to get on their good side so we can win their flight. But we are not. He said out loud. D'sel nodded, watching, again, the silent exchange between Nimarath and Eiko. That's probably what they did think... "It's really not true. We're not just being nice to become Commander... I think maybe we coukd... be friends."

When the Obsidian took off in flight, D'sel craned his neck to follow her movements. "I have no idea," he answered in response to Eiko's question. The dragon, however, answered for them. Emiath roared and with a mighty jump was airborne, circling once around Nimarath before shooting out over the forest. Wild wherry would be easy to find.

"I... guess they're going hunting...?" D'sel turned to look at Eiko and began to laugh. They were still both soaked. "Want to swim? We may as well, while we wait." Without waiting for an answer, he stripped off his shirt and breeches and boots, throwing them up onto the bank to dry, so he was just in his underclothes. Striking out for the middle of the river, he grinned. "Come on, Eiko! The water's fine!"

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[Wish]

The day was warm, and sun was hot on Nimarath's back as she flew low above the trees. Emiath had followed her, and she hissed at him for making such noise. She was a silent hunter as was known for her color, quickly finding a small flock of wherries in a nearby clearing and tucking in her dark wings to dive toward them. Her talons struck one first, her jaws latching around its neck as she tumbled across the clearing with it sending feathers ever where and the rest scattering.

One was enough though and she left the other three to Emiath to do with as he wished. No doubt the Garnet would shed one just for its blood alone. Her tail however curled around her kill possesively, her eyes locked onto the dragon as she started to eat. One front paw even was clamped around its neck, her wings folding around her lunch in a protective manner. This was hers. She'd be less than what she was if he stole it for her, or even if she allowed him to kill for her in other than sport and showing off. Nimarath didn't accept charity easily.

Back at the river Eiko nodded mutely to D'sel as he answered her question, cringing as the feelings of the hunt came over her. It was always worse right at the moment that Nimarath killed, and she could feel her hands sink into warmth as if they were the Obsidian's claws. She shivered again, closing her eyes tight. "I hate that part." Shaking her head and her hands, she walked back and forth a bit to move the odd feelings from her body.

Never had she thought he'd ask what he did though. Her body froze, head snapping around to look at him as if he had just grown an extra head. "Sorry, no offense...but if I didn't want you seeing me in my u.......ummmr............I...." Was she actually staring? Her eyes blinked a few times before shaking her head and trying to take her eyes off him. Okay, so this was new. This was definitely new. Her body felt....warm and tingly, like someone was pricking it over and over again with warm needles? Was this normal?

She crawled into herself again, sitting on the bank instead and curling up around herself, her arms folding around her knees. "I'll stay here...yeah....here." She blushed again, ducking her head down to hide the redness on her face and avert her eyes. That didn't stop her from remembering what she had seen though. Nim..get back here, I need a distraction. Really? I think you're distracted enough as is Eiko.

[Elessar]

She hissed at him for making noise, but it did not matter. The day was hot, as was his blood. He longed to kill, to rip, to tear, to feel blood on his talons and fangs. A flock of wherries was discovered almost immediately, and Nimarath took one down easiy, scattering feathers everywhere.

Emiath followed her suit and struck like lightning, ripping the first wherry apart for the sheer joy of feeling blood on his claws, fangs, and hide. The second wherry was dealt with in the same manner, but the third he struck with only one blow, and instead of tearing it apart, he landed across from Nimarath, and began to eat. She was oddly protective of her kill. He was not going to take it, so he snorted and continued eating.

D'sel looked awkward. She hated that part? That was his favourite. It felt just like his own hands were ripping into flesh, and he was delighted by it. He loved the kill as much as his dragon did, but Eiko was shivvering. She was fragile and innocent, it seemed, as she paced, supposedly to remove the feelings from her body that came from her dragon. He wondered how she would react when Nimarath rose.

She froze at his next words, and looked at him oddly. He noticed she was staring and he blushed. She couldn't take her eyes off of him. The attraction was mutual. He avoided his eyes as she moved to the bank, ducking down to hide her blush. D'sel frowned. Well, that was no fun!

Wading back out and onto the shore, he placed himself in front of Eiko and crossed his arms. "You're already wet." He told her. "Now get up, and let's go swimming! If you want to leave the dress on, fine, but it'll be harder to swim that way." When she didn't move, he gave an exasperated sigh and simply picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. Walking to the water, he waded in and let her go once they were deep enough to swim.

"There. Water's not so bad, is it?"

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[Wish]

To say that Nimarath didn't care or take notice of the multiple kills would be a lie. She watched alright, a delighted purr rising from her chest as her tail swished lazily behind her. He was strong, very strong. Still, he was sloppy. I've seen whers with better manners. She crooned playfully, her tongue snaking out to lick her jaws clean. A devious little idea came across her mind, one that she had to go about easily. Getting to her feet she flicked her wings in and out, folding her wings back against her sides finally. Now that there are no pesky riders to stop us Emiath....teach me to fight. Sylencath tells me a proper Sub-Queen shouldn't have to, I think that's entirely wrong.

Her body slunk toward his, much like a wild feline would stalk its prey. There was even a bright red in her eyes along with a cyan and lime green, all swirling together in a frenzied dance. She wanted to play, not harm, though no doubt that would happen as well. Too easily the dragonet became bored, and it wasn't like these skills were unnecessary. It was a way of life with the rebels.

Backtracking to a bit before this, Eiko had kept her head down between her knees, breathing steadily to calm her racing pulse. Why did she feel so out of control? She was always in control, always, yet now...she was worthless. Her teeth bit hard at her bottom lip, and probably would have cut through the skin if he had not come up to her. Jerking her head up in time to hear his second phrase, she let out a sharp cry of protest as he picked her up.

It was terrifying and thrilling, and entirely uncalled for! "Put me down...D'sel, put me down!" Well, she got her wish, he put her down straight into the water. She scowled up at him, covering herself and not liking being soaked all over again. Sure she was wet already because of her previous tumbles, not to mention she had been swimming when they first had met, but still! Her hands rubbed up and down her arms, the dress not doing much good to cover her since it floated around her to the surface.

Eiko grimaced, pushing the fabric down and sighing when it didn't work. Oh, just get over it. It's not like you're showing anything off any way. Unfortunately Nimarath had a point, and she finally gave in, moving to the shore more and facing away from him self-consciously before setting the dress out to dry on a rock. It's no worse than wearing normal water clothes. No different at all.

In a quick move she dove back into the water, swimming downstream a bit and away from him. It was around this time that Nimarath brought up the concept of "playing", and Eiko shot to the surface sputtering from the almost breath she had taken before realizing she was under water. Coughing still she looked at him. "You've got to be kidding me, does she have a death wish or something? Please tell me he won't hurt her...I don't think I can call her back, she's too far."

[Elessar]

Her tail waving back and forth behind her, Nimarath gave a delighted purr. Emiath ignored her, but was pleased that she was pleased. Manners? Nimarath, we are dragons. Manners are not necessary. Emiath responded. She had crooned, obviously being playful, but it didn't matter. He watched as she restlessly opened and closed her fings, finally settling them against her sides. So, she wanted to fight, did she? Emiath could not blame her. Sylencath was a fool.

She slunk toward him, red in her eyes. Fine. Crouch lower, you're too high up. Element of surprise is always best. We're not far from the forest. I'll stay here, and you attempt to sneak up on me. If it works, I won't hear you coming, so be sure to close your mind. Once you've mastered that, we'll move to what you should do when you get your first hit. Ideally, with the element of surprise, you should blindside me. Try to take me off my feet, and draw some blood while you're at it. If you get all of that correct, we'll go to aerial combat. Now go! His last two words were a growled order. He was in charge now, and if she wanted to learn from him she was going to have to accept that!

As he picked her up, she gave a cry of protest, which D'sel ignored. As he dumped her unceremoniously into the water, she glared at him. He couldn't see why... after all, she was already wet, and had been swimming when he had first come upon her. The dress, as he expected, had floated around her to the surface, and was doing nothing to hide her.

D'sel was pleasantly surprised when she, facing away from him, set the dress out to dry on a rock and then dove back into the water, though she made sure to stay a bit away from him. When she nearly choked on the water and turned to him, questioning, he shrugged. "He won't hurt her. She's going to have to learn sometime anyway, and I'd rather it be from him than from some green she's actually fighting in battle. In case you hadn't noticed, we're kind of part of a rebellion."

Swimming closer, he treaded water in front of Eiko, a questioning look in his eyes. "But you don't want to be part of it, do you? Not really, anyway?" He asked, his voice soft. He cocked his head to the side curiously, and drew closer until he gently placed a hand at the nape of Eiko's neck and pulled her into him, where he gently kissed her.

[/blockquote]

[Wish]

Fine.

She wiggled her hips, her tail lowering despite wanting to raise it in the air and wave it around. So, she had to do this...and that...and...where had he gone? Raising her head, Nimarath sniffed the air, catching the Garnet's scent on the wind. Ah, that's where he was. Crawling forward she got closer, and closer, and closer. She was so close now, almost within range to leap, and then the sudden alarm that swamped her senses caused her to shriek and thrash her head and tail.

"Of course I've noticed, how can I not have noticed?" She bit back most of the acidic tone in her voice, but it was still there and it was still in her eyes. She wanted so badly to just go back into that steel wall, to ignore her feelings but he made them jump all over the place. As he neared it only worsened things. Eiko found herself swimming backwards, trying to get away, and yet he was there in no time at all.

The question now was what he was going to do. Well, even that was answered soon enough as she listened to the gentle tone of his voice. It was more than just normal talking though, but what? What was he up to? Again, it wasn't long before she had her answer. He tilted his head, his hand laying gently at her neck, and she shivered under his touch. She almost pulled away, but he was pulling her in, and then...he kissed her.

Eiko didn't know what he was hoping for by doing that, but it probably wasn't what she gave him. With a sharp shove she tried to pull away, though tried being the key word since he was a lot bigger and stronger than she was. Her hands trembled too, her eyes wide and terrified. She didn't want to be touched! She didn't want to be held or kissed or any of it! It was too confusing...to nice.

Again Nimarath shrieked as the confusion settled in on her rider, her wings arcing out as she clawed the ground and upturned earth. How dare he?!? He has no right, none at all! She's Mine! Mine! The Obsidian launched herself at the Garnet, anger evident in her eyes, anger and confusion. She was just as upset as her rider was, and just as lost for words and action.