Welcome to Gaia! ::

As the hatchling came upon the group and approached them, the stranger didn't need to tell her to get out of the way. Iafri whimpered and quickly tugged her hand away, tried to back away. It was coming over here, and- and-

Do not fear Iafri, I am your Girofleth. I will be with you forever, and I will keep you safe from harm.

The girl fell back with a squeak onto the hard floor of the mine, staring wide-eyed at the tiny green dragon: the first dragon she had ever seen. The mind that suddenly pressed so close to hers was brimming with love and kindness, with the promise of safety and protection. It was the dragon. Girofleth. Her Girofleth? She didn't...she didn't understand, not fully, and that was frightening, even if the dragon herself was not. She shook harder than ever, and released her tight grip on the baby caprine, which wasted no time - it immediately tried to scamper away from what was very clearly a predator.

After staring long and hard at Z'fer, the little green dropped back onto all fours and went to her rider, crooning and nuzzling at her hands. You need not fear the unknown, Mine. I am with you, and you will understand in time.

Iafri sat frozen for one more long moment before throwing her arms around the hatchling, who responded by carefully climbing into her lap. She buried her face in Girofleth's neck and wept, and was so overwhelmed and beside herself with the tangled confusion of emotions that she didn't register a thing Z'fer said.

[Kr'stof]

Hidden around the corner, Kr'stof felt like nothing except perhaps a rodent, holing itself up and away from a very hungry feline. He hated it, absolutely hates the fact it was either slink away and into the shadows or face almost certain death.

"I hate this," he muttered and dared peek out around the corner to look at where the dragon was. He saw a girl with her arms wrapped around the green, much too far away to be grab her yet. But she shook, as if crying, and he growled once he leaned back. "The green Impressed, I think it's a girl. Too far away for me to get at. There's a man... but I don't recognize him."

As the second, larger dragonet approached, Girofleth lifted her head and crooned a sweet greeting to her brother. Her chosen, however, shrank back, distrustful of any dragon that was not Girofleth, the one who had promised her safety. You have nothing to fear from Asgaroeth, Mine. He is my brother, and could not harm you now even if he wished to.

Another concern grew within the little green, though - she was hungry. But she knew that Iafri did not know what to do or how she was to fix this, and also that confusion and worry held her tongue.

Girofleth turned her head to regard Z'fer once more...and address him. Have they returned from hunting? I do not want to eat that creature - it was not meant for me.

Tyalar had hung back a little, watching the girl with the animal impress and another hatchling pad out of the caves - he'd turned a circle it seemed, ending up where he had been previously. It was beautiful, and he was glad that such a timid girl had found a protector, a friend. He hung back with a smile, happy to just watch. But it looked like this time, watching was not what he was here for, as a distinctive voice cut into his own musings.



Tyalar turned to the trilling hatchling, jaw dropping open. Later he would have to explain to his family why he had snuck out, why he was leaving, why he could no longer carry on the family's trade. But for now everything was swept away by sheer, unadulterated Joy. He strode forward, full of purpose, and then dropped to his knees, engulfing the dragonet (gently, so gently) into a hug, admiring his coat, his beauty!

"You're....you're stunning, Asgaroeth!"

Wonder was clear in his voice, but he didn't allow it to eclipse him for long. Pressing his forehead gently to the dragons, he stood up, speaking loudly.

"Has anybody got any food? Asgaroeth's hungry and" He flicked a grin towards the girl from before. "I imagine his sister is too."

Almost as soon as he'd asked this however, someone spoke up. Tyalar nodded at him, acknowledging his superiority.

"Thankyou, sir."

Part of him did not want that little caprine to be headed that way. Kr'stof really did not want the green and her rider to wander in their direction, he didn't want to have to do what he discussed with A'nos. It was a heartless plan, one filled with images he didn't want to send to his girl.

He so didn't want to make this her first memory with her dragon. He had to. Her caprine frolicked towards them, dragon following, crooning, and the girl - shards, she was so small - she came with them. The greenrider groaned silently and sucked in a breath before he reached out and grabbed the girl when she was close enough.

Kr'stof pulled hard enough to get her back to him, his other hand clamping over her mouth. "I'm so sorry, dear," He whispered loud enough for her to hear. "But we really do need to get out of here and the only chance we have is to use you to do it. My friend here will be putting a knife to your throat and we will be telling them we will kill you but I swear on my own greens life that we will not damage you. To help me keep this promise, I suggest your lifemate does not tell them I'm not planning on killing you and you don't struggle, precious. We're on your side. After all, if we hadn't stolen the eggs, you wouldn't have her. Okay?"

(Actions have been approved by Meep!)

As Iafri pursued the troublesome caprine, it didn't occur to her that anything else could possibly go wrong today - everything that could surely had by now - and her head was in such a muddle that she didn't really have room for the thought that something else might still be down this way where the baby dragons had come from. Girofleth, for her part, had not forgotten that there were more people somewhere down there, but hadn't a clue that the humans who had brought her to where Hers was had not exactly intended to do so and were actually hostile.

Both of them were terribly wrong.

Hands grabbed for her, and before the girl could scream, one was over her mouth, preventing any such thing. She tried reflexively to pull away, but he was stronger, and his words stilled her until she only shook and whimpered. Iafri had been bullied before, threatened and even hurt a little, but no one had ever threatened her life. And she didn't understand why it was even happening.

While her rider couldn't cry out, Girofleth could and did, rushing towards her captive bondmate. Iafri!

No, no, no. Let her go! she demanded, matching her mental shriek with an audible one as her once-calm eyes were consumed by white and gray. Her calm demeanor wavered and fell to this direct threat to her rider, though her voice remained strong. You cannot hurt her, you cannot do this! This is wrong! The knowledge that Iafri would not be physically harmed if they cooperated did only a little to reassure her; the poor girl was already fragile and overwrought, and this could easily traumatize her further.

And they were asking her to lie, something which went against Girofleth's very nature. But..but she had to keep Hers safe... The green stilled, her own body shaking. This was so much, so much for a hatchling.

But this is wrong! Girofleth protested, eyes locked on Hers even as she responded to the other dragon. There is no excuse for this! Do you not see that she is hurt already because of Yours? She was already afraid, and he has made it worse. So much worse.

That fear was infectious, rushing into her through their fresh bond, and it was difficult to master. So difficult. The delicate hatchling continued to tremble, but seemed to finally find some semblance of control again. She stepped forward on shaky feet to press her nose against Iafri's leg.

I am here, my heart, she said, helpless to stop her rider's tears or truly ease her fear. I am here.

Z'fer had turned to check with V'tur or B'nas about getting the beast slaughtered properly and didn't notice the girl slipping off at first. It wasn't until Calanoth filled his mind with alarm and the newborn hatchlings shriek echoed in the cave did he realize his mistake. "Shaffit!"

"V'tur B'nas! We've got trouble!" Z'fer followed the shriek of the hatchling, searching the dark mines for it's source. "Girl!" He shouted, not knowing her or her dragon's name. ~Calanoth see if you can find out what's going on and calm her!~

The bronze was practically digging at the opening of the mine shaft, as futile as it was. There was no way he could get in there himself. He reached out to brush against his hatchling's mind, searching for her deep within the mines ~ Mine comes to help. What is going on? ~ There was a bittersweet warmth as his heart ached for the green's safety.

(Editted)