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 Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 11:51 am
Now somewhat wary of this older dragon, Isk replies, 'I am not yet accustomed to this world, but I will find her. Thank you for your aid.'
Isk launches herself into the air with a powerful leap, her great wings stretching out and arching down in a smooth push against the air. Isk knew there was politics among the older dragons and she hoped she hadn't just managed to stumble into being a pawn in one of their games. But it didn't matter for now. She had her bonded to worry about. Once they were together, they could figure out what to do.
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Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 7:00 pm
I will not wait here forever for you, hatchling! Use the mind speak to locate me or other dragons in this world, but be careful of other creatures of which you know nothing. Isk would be familiar with things like goats, which the dragons ate in the dragon world, but not familiar with any other sentient creatures.
Auri was indeed close by, and with another dragon about Isk's age. Auri may have met Kera before, but as Kera had chosen to go to the human world many months ago and Auri had not, they were probably not intimate friends. The golden dragon hopped up on her hind legs in an excited greeting. Another dragon! she said, aware of who had and who had not been in the Tok valley with her since she arrived. This world feels more and more like home every day! she giggled. Although Kera had saved Auri, she wasn't too concerned with the human now that her own bonded was here to take care of the girl. She was concerned with meeting another dragon, and having fun, and possibly getting back home to tell every one else about their adventures.
The two sat on a precarious-looking mountain peak. Oh, it was all well and good for a dragon, but too cold and dangerous for her poor human. And by the way that the snow had melted around them, they had probably slept there.
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Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 10:21 pm
Bonded! Isk landed, looking immediately to Auri.
Auri, confused and not a little intimidated, takes a few steps back, and into the cold and wet snow. Her eyes wide, she can feel this dragon is her dream dragon. And somehow, that makes this whole thing surreal and frightening. She should be happy to meet Isk, the one who stayed with her through the horror of the previous day, but Isk's reality made that torment real as well. And Auri needed the distance she had gained from that event with the night's sleep.
Isk saw her bonded step into the snow, shivering, both with fear and cold. The boisterous Kera, ignoring Isk's bonded, seemed so very young to Isk. Isk had always been a serious and reserved dragon, and her cousin's flighty nature and unconcern was something Isk didn't have time to deal with, right now, Auri needed her.
Kera, I will see to my bonded. Then we may talk. My apologies. Isk tried to be polite and politic, but the anxiety she'd been feeling for Auri made her responce a bit curt.
Bonded, Auri, golden friend. I am here. I will protect you. Please, you are cold. Come to me and I will warm you. Isk kept her mind's voice gentle and soothing, much as she wanted to rush to her bonded's side.
"You're here," Her voice so low that only Isk's link with Auri allowed the dragon to understand her words.
I came as quickly as I was able. I am sorry I could not protect you. Please, forgive me. Isk was worried, she didn't understand Auri's emotions.
"You're here, you're real. My dream, my hope." Auri's natural reticence keeps her from saying more. But a whispered, "My dragon," is accompanied by a wave of need of great power as Auri's knees buckle and her eyes fill with tears.
That is all Isk needs to be at her bonded's side, great wings reaching to encircle the frail girl. Her warm breath blown down gently upon Auri to still the quaking from the cold. 'Bonded, Auri, I am here. You are safe.'
Silently, Auri reaches to wrap her arms about her dragon, hot tears stinging her cheeks as warmth slowly returns to her limbs. Though the melting snow quickly soaks the girl to the skin. Isk and Auri curl about one another in an ancient embrace that has too long been absent in this world. Dragon and bonded revel in each other's presence. Too long have they been without. Now, together, they are whole.
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Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 8:06 am
Kera waited politely, watching with the intensity of viewing a foreign land for the first time. She didn't know much about her own bonded, who was busy having a normal childhood in Tok.
Is your human sick? she asked, somewhat familiar with humans who were mentally unbalanced. We can take her to the valley! Sherel or Cedric will know what to do with her. They are humans, too. Sherel was the name of Sekius'talen's bonded.
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Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 10:21 am
Directing her thoughts to Kera, 'Thank you for waiting. Auri is cold. She needs to be somewhere without snow. The valley sounds like a good idea.' stretching her thoughts to include Sekuis, 'I am with my bonded. She is whole. But she needs rest and warmth and the care of her own kind. We shall go to the valley.'
Isk then directed her thoughts to Auri, who could almost hear the hum of conversation around her, but not understand it, as it wasn't directed towards her. 'We will take you to a safe place, come.' And Isk moved so that Auri could easily climb upon her back.
Doing so, Auri wondered about the turn in her life. And about the home and people she had left behind.
Isk filled with happiness to have her bonded so close. She did not know that her human was any different than most, Auri being the only one she'd ever had contact with. But even if she was different, this was Isk's bonded, and that was all that mattered.
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Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 10:48 am
The older dragon gave a mental nod of approval. I suppose I should look after the human that Sherel sent off. I will not be joining you in the valley. The two statements seemed unrelated, even though they followed one another. Communication was then cut off, as some of the older dragons had the ability to block or discourage incoming messages to themselves.
Kera was absolutely delighted. I will introduce you to all my friends, she said, forgetting to include Auri. It is difficult to climb up high enough to pass over the mountains, but once we are over the peaks, the flight down should be easy enough. Let me know if you tire, and we can transfer the human between us if need be. The flight would not have been difficult for a fully grown dragon, even one with a rider, but Kera had learned from experience bringing Auri up here the night before. She lifted off and beat furiously at the dead air to climb high enough over the peaks and lead the way.
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School Of Dedicated RPers Captain
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Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 3:25 pm
Isk thought to Auri, 'We go now. Speak if you need aught.' And she made the powerful leap into the air, her wings sweeping down to bring her aloft. As she did, she expended some of her magics to wrap her bonded in warmth so she would not suffer as they climbed higher. Then Isk proceeded to follow Kera.
Auri clung to Isk's back, her arms wrapped around her dragon's neck. Letting herself enjoy the experience, Auri gazed about in wonder at the passing landscape and puffs of cloud. It didn't even occur to her to fear the height. Her mind at rest for the first time in her life, Auri didn't have to worry about the emotions of other intruding upon her, and so she relaxed what little barrier she could erect without training.
Neither Auri nor Isk realized that they were experiencing on a deeper level than most bonded. But together, they were as one as they climbed into the sky. The thrill of the wind pushed by Isk's powerful wings, the awe of Auri's perceptions of the world below, the warmth as they flew together away from all the horrors of the past. One emotion ran between them, love, and with that love, joy at being together. This was the way they were meant to be. And life before this was merely spending time waiting to be whole.
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Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 6:55 pm
Kera led them over the peaks and to the edge of a valley hidden in the foot of the mountains. From the shape of it, it had probably at one point been a lake or a glacier, or a meteor impact. With the low brush struggling to grow in the green dent, it looked like God's fingerprint.
Isk could see right away that they were not the only dragons there, although they landed away from every body on the cusp of the indent. Kera stretched and compressed her wings like a new born butterfly, trying to keep them from cramping. The valley is disorderly, she noted. The other dragons were their age, and there didn't seem to be any one keeping them in the valley. Some had scattered over the edges of their safe bowl, peeking sheepishly out at their surroundings. Some lazed in the sun or played, not caring what time it might be or where they should get their next meal, or even noting the new comers. There were too many distractions for them to focus on one thing as a group, such as the newly arrived human.
But here, at least, it was warmer, and Kera might know where to find things for Auri if Isk knew what to ask her.
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Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 10:15 pm
Isk looked around, but not seeing what she was looking for, asked Kera, Are there other bonded humans here? For they should know how to care for Auri. She still is cold.
Isk could feel Auri's cold as if it were he own, and Auri could feel Isk's concern.
"Where are the people?" Auri asked aloud. She was starting to stretch, not being in her aunt's house where she had to watch her thoughts, words and actions. While she would not be ready for great conversations, she might be able to express her needs.
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Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 8:03 pm
The people, Kera giggled, have gone off to do great things. I'm sure that they'll be back soon. Cedric and Sherel are the ones who stay with us, but I have seen other humans come and go. There is a city to the west if you would like to meet more of your kind, she suggested happily. Here there is only the underground where the humans keep their food.
Kera wished to leap away, but sensed that the most exciting thing in the valley right now was actually the three of them. She was nearly correct; though she didn't see it yet, there was a growing speck where a dragon and its rider headed for the valley from high up in the sky, from the north and west where the capital lay.
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Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 5:08 am
Auri nodded, as if that made sense to her. It didn't, but she nodded just the same.
Where do Cedric and Sherel stay? Surely their place is warm enough for her. Isk arched her wings around Auri, continuing to give her warmth. Isk's concern for Auri kept her there, with her bonded, but she, too, wished to stretch her wings, tired and sore from their flight.
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Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 6:45 pm
Kera was happy to show Isk about her small world, though she didn't particularly like the underground dug-out that the humans lived in. The entrance was in the center of the valley and covered by a weaving of leaves that looked natural enough from a distance. The place itself was dank and sparsely supported by wooden beams jammed into the walls. There was, however, and ice chest in a cold room, tables and chairs, and a bed full of blankets and pillows. A dirty plate had been left on the table in the first room, not long ago abandoned. Each successive room followed in a straight line, like the tunnel it was, separated by hanging sheets or thin wooden panels. The bedroom had a long-barreled rifle leaning in one corner.
Let her sleep there, Kera suggested, and you can play and explore with me!
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Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 9:30 am
Auri was quite tired, even though she had been given warmth, sleeping on the hard ground that slowly drained body heat hadn't been particularly restful. Seeing the piles of blankets she started towards them. Then realized she was leaving Isk. Going back, she wrapped her arms around her dragon's neck. "Thank you."
You need sleep, I understand. I will be near. Isk reveled at the feel of those soft arms about her neck. There was something comforting in that touch.
Auri hadn't had much call to hug anyone before. And the warm scales of Isk made the experience even more alien, but she loved it anyway. It wasn't uncomfortable as some previous hugs had been. This was the way things were suppose to be, like a puzzle finally coming together. But Auri was tired, and Isk needed time to recover from the flight. Both knowing the other's needs, they separated.
Auri curled up under the blankets, knowing Isk would be near and keep her safe, she was able to quickly find sleep.
Isk went back out into the open air and stretched her wings. As she slowly opened and closed her wings, she directed her thoughts to Kera, Thank you for helping me with my bonded, for saving her and bringing us to this place of safety.
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Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:59 am
Kera responded impatiently. Yes, yes, she said almost before Auri had finished. It seemed a matter of course for her to help her fellow dragons and their bonded. Having an adventure besides was quite the bonus. There was no other way to get that delicious ache of exhaustion in her bones, nor a better way to work up such an appetite.
Look! Kera cawed happily at the sky, waving her tail back and forth against the grass. She didn't quite have the energy to run around in circles, but she still managed to look excited.
Up in the sky was another dragon, a good deal larger than the young ones that scampered in the valley around them. Its white scales flashed when they caught the sun, blinding like a snow-covered mountain peak, the likes of which Kera had just come from. The large beast was descending in a slow spiral, its shadow warning away the other dragons who did not wish to be stepped on. It was coming close enough now that the two could see the shoes of the man who rode astride.
Dheadrix! Cedric!
Get out of my way, pups! the white dragon responded playfully.
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Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 10:22 am
Isk watched the larger dragon descend. After assuring herself she wasn't under him, she sat, reserved and patient. Taking one glance back at the cave to assure herself Auri was undisturbed, she waited for the older dragon to land and speak. For while it wasn't common, Isk was a demure youngster.
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