Why are you here? [Fide]

[basile]

A slow, incredulous shake of a head was all that the boy gave as the Blue landed in the midst of the bowl, looking around at the distinctly empty landscape. You would pick now to decide to visit, wouldn’t you? he demanded of his partner. In response he got nothing more than a snort of air and the sound of a hum deep in the dragon’s chest, mixing in to blend nicely with the thrumming that already filled the air of the weyr. Gryth’s timing was truly amazing, he decided as he stepped away from his bonded, allowing the Blue to spread his wings and take off. It wasn’t a moment before he was out of sight, moving to take his place among the others perched around the Hatching Sands, where the small clutch of a Red was shaking and cracking. Though he’d insisted up, down, and sideways that he hadn’t known there was a clutch on the sands when he’d suggested the trip, he somehow hadn’t seemed surprised when the hum of the other dragon’s had reached their ears, melting away the cold abyss of between in half a heartbeat.

You are being rude, Mine. The thought rang in his head with an obvious note of disapproval, though there was also resignation in it. This is an important time in the lives of all dragons. They need all the welcoming support they can get as the Hatchlings arrive into the world. N'ryl did not answer, simply continued his trek towards the weyr proper, intent on getting something to eat. He'd reluctantly agreed when Gryth had asked to be allowed to visit his birthplace, claiming that he wished to see his clutchmates and how things had changed at the Benden weyr. Though that didn't seem to be the Blue's only intent, His had finally agreed, just to get him to shut up about it. Of course, they both knew that if the dragon truly wanted something, he would not be denied it. As withdrawn as he was, N'ryl was not an evil man, and truly did adore his partner. You're being disrespectful to the clutchmother, Gryth added in a last ditched effort, knowing that His disliked rudeness and disrespectful people quite a bit. But finally he sighed and turned his attention to the Hatching, as the boy entered into the weyr.

It had been a long time, it seemed, since he had lived here, but his feet still remembered the way, and he allowed his mind to wander as he worked his way through the corridors to the kitchens, which he knew would likely be empty, or at least uncrowded, with the Hatching taking place outside. He was thinking about everything and nothing, when a sudden thump in his chest brought him back to reality as well as knocking the breath from his lungs. After a few staggered steps, the boy's eyes cleared and found what he had run into: A fairly average size Blue firelizard with anything but average markings. He was patterned much like the sky on a clear day, with a few lazy clouds floating across the surface. A pattern that somehow sparked memories that were just beyond reach. "Hello there," he said to the creature, who looked up at him with a small creel, before landing on his shoulder to study him. That made the boy laugh, but he did nothing to discourage it. After all, if he was inside the weyr, this little flit most likely was bonded to someone, and would leave him soon enough.

Indeed, it didn't take long after he had started back on his trek to the kitchens for the flit to lift off of his shoulder and fly away. Though N'ryl belatedly realized that that wasn't the only thing that had left him. "Hey!" A sound that sounded suspiciously close to a chuckle floated back to him as he started to give chase, though the creature seemed to stay just ahead of him, dangling his pouch just out of reach, enjoying the game of keep away immensely if the color of his eyes was anything to go by. "Come back here!" he demanded, irritation entering his tone for just a brief instant. He had no idea where the Blue was leading him, though he was vaguly aware that it was somewhere in the lower caverns, in the general direction of the personal weyrs of the workers. After all, he had lived there for most of his childhood, though that had been nearly five turns ago, and his memory had lessened somewhat.

So intent was he on the flit that he didn't notice when a figure appeared within sight, until the Blue disappeared behind the person, causing the boy to skid to a halt, perhaps three inches from knocking the person over and falling down with them. A backtrack was in order, and he did so quickly, ducking his head a bit as he mumbled repeated apologies. "Sorry, sorry. My fault. Should have been paying better attention. Didn't mean to bump into you, sorry." When he was a good two feet from the person, N'ryl finally looked up, noticing for the first time that his near collision would have been with a girl. For about two seconds he felt horrified, until his jade eyes settled on the cloud covered flit hovering around her, joined by four other 'lizards of varying shapes and colors. "Is that yours?" he asked rather bluntly, nodding towards the Blue as the boy turned back to look at the girl. His bag was still being held hostage.

N'rylMine. The sudden intrusion of Gryth almost made him jump, as the dragon had been rather ignoring the going's on of His. Giving him an irritated acknowledgment, he waiting for the dragon to continue. Mine, that girl is a good Candidate, he continued, sounding a bit puzzled. Gryth would know, he was a regular Searchdragon. That was a puzzle. Surely with all the dragons around, someone would have realized by now that she was a proper choice to stand. And what made it even more odd was that there was a clutch Hatching as he stood there. Why wasn't she out there?

At Gryth's insistence, he voiced the question alloud after giving a small bow of greeting. His voice adopted the formal tone it always had when he was addressing a potential Candidate. "Pardon my rudeness, Miss. My name is N'ryl, rider of Blue Gryth, and I am a Searchrider of Dalibor Weyr. Gryth has informed me that he feels you are a good choice of Candidate, and wonders why you are not on the Sands with the current Hatching taking place as we stand here."

ooc://I swear, I have Fide's permission for the little bit of control I used for Soft! No eats me!

[fidelli]

Tonii was hiding. Not surprising, mind you, but she had a small headache and the thrum, the hum of the dragon's were making her very bones ache. So she had slipped from the kitchens where she had been working down to the lower caverns, perhaps to help with the children - she could read a story, perhaps, or as more than usual play the magical game of Pretend with them. A very serious game, this Pretend, and the older nursemaid's were often shocked that the children included Tonii so readily in their games. She was often the Beautiful-Maiden-In-Distress, and one of the boy's was Fair-Prince, off to rescue her and one of the younger girl's. The other children were the kidnappers or part of the Fair-Prince's army, battling the evil bandit's that Stolen the Beautiful-Maiden, and she enjoyed playing with the young one's. It helped her feel that she was useful, in a Weyr she had let down so completely.

Streak, the Purple on her shoulder, was entertaining Silk, the little creamy Pink that was just learning to fly, tumbling on and around her. Tonii watched them with a sweet smile she didn't often unveil before other's, cradling Shine in her arms. He was enjoying getting his eyeridge scratched, dutifully ignoring everyone else with his usual grumpy air. As Silk scrambled down and landed on him quite by accident, he seemed to huff and gently resettled his wing, rolling her so that she could again take off. His amusement was a dim echo in her mind, and she kissed the top of head softly, murmuring, "You sweetheart, you just pretend to hate her, don't you." And then he was back to promptly glowering at everyone, as he usually did. Giggling, a noise that was surprising from the girl but allowed in this dark little niche, she took a few more steps forward -

And then you met the Tonii that everyone else knew. A matronly old woman bustled forward, and Tonii seemed to hunch down, ducking her head and dropping her eyes to the floor. "Tonii, dear, not at the hatching?" The girl only shook her head, murmuring, "No, marm." She clucked her tongue, and then nodded, bustling on. "Then find someplace to help, little miss - this hatching is going to need a feast!" Didn't all of them, she wondered dimly, but then shook her head in horror. That was so rude of her, talking back to the woman... And yet she didn't talk back, of course, she had just said it in her head, but it was still so rude. "I'm sorry." Her whisper was spoken to the empty air - but it had been needed.

Tentatively, she began to walk forward again, worried now. She did need to help out somehow, and the kitchens were busy enough, so she needed to get to the creche... Suddenly Streak landed on her shoulder, chattering and sending her picture's of Soft. Brow furrowed, she stopped - and then Soft was in her sight and diving on around her neck, displacing Streak who gave a squawk of indignation. She was more worried about the young figure who suddenly appeared, making her stifle her shriek and flinch backwards, throwing her hands up to protect her face and displacing Shine. The small girl kept her eyes squinched close, hunching her shoulders to protect herself when he began to yell at her to watch where she was going...

But he didn't. Instead the tone was mumbled, soft, and... Apologetic? 'Sorry, sorry. My fault. Should have been paying better attention. Didn't mean to bump into you, sorry.' Only then did she crack open her hazel eyes, answering Silk's call to be held automatically. He was tall, much taller than her, and his words required an answer. "It's okay, I should have been watching." Her words were whispered, her head ducked down so she wouldn't meet his eyes. Streak was chattering again, landing on her shoulder and displacing the Blue, sending her pictures - of Soft with a bag, that was definitely not his. Ahhh! 'Is that yours?' She flinched back as though he had struck her, peering upwards - Soft hovered there, showing off his prize to an admiring Sleek, while Shine growled at the pair of them. "Oh, dear. Yes, they're mine." Her tone was soft, afraid, and she didn't look at him. "I'm so sorry... Streak?" The Purple rose, letting Shine take his place on her shoulder, and immediately began berating the Blue and Brown, snatching the bag from his smaller flock member. She was immensely grateful, thankful that the Purple was the flock leader and that he had enough sense to call Silk to him, letting the curious little Pink awkwardly flap over to him and entertain her while Soft meekly landed in her arms.

The Purple landed on her other shoulder, handing over the small bag proudly to her fear-clumsy fingers, and she held it out to him, still not looking into his face, eyes fixed on his shoulder. "I'm so sorry..." Soft creeled his apologizes as well, looking meek and totally innocent in her arms - which she knew he was not and would fully berate him for later. But then he was speaking again, and she brought the bag back - purely forgetting she held it - to tuck her arms closer around Soft. 'Pardon my rudeness, Miss. My name is N'ryl, rider of Blue Gryth, and I am a Searchrider of Dalibor Weyr. Gryth has informed me that he feels you are a good choice of Candidate, and wonders why you are not on the Sands with the current Hatching taking place as we stand here.'

Oh, Faranth. She began to stutter, never a good sign. "N-no, it's a-a-all r-rudeness on m-m-my part-t, M-m-m-m'Lord. I'm T-t-t-toniiandra, s-s-sir." But how to answer that next question? "I-I-I s-s-tood, s-s-sir, for s-s-six t-t-turns. B-b-but t-t-they s-s-s-supposed I-I-I c-c-couldn't I-I-Impress a-a-and t-t-the J-J-Junior W-W-Weyrwoman, s-s-s-she s-s-said I-I-I s-s-s-should s-stop S-S-Standing, s-s-sir. Umm, y-your b-b-bag, M-m-m'Lord?" She held it out to him on shaking fingers, fearful the interrogation would turn into yelling, and just having to talk about her mother was torture enough. "I-I-I'm s-s-sorry a-about Soft, t-truly, a-and he i-is t-t-too!" Worry was evident in her face, worry he would report Soft and Mot - Weyrwoman Leandra would be sure to have something to say to her. The scars on her back burned at the thought.

[basile]

Her soft reply was greatly unexpected. An abrupt meeting like that usually called for some form of hostility, though he'd always found that to be rather odd. Why get upset over an accident? It was rather nice to not have to become defensive or stand there to get berated. Though his face remained neutral, he instantly decided that he liked this girl, if just for the fact that she held her temper in check. Unfortunately, his attention had turned back to the chattering flock, and he missed the flinch at his blunt words. He hadn't meant to be rude, he was just a bit irritated at the run through the caverns. "Oh, dear. Yes, they're mine." The fear in her tone snapped his attention back towards her in an instant. Why was she afraid? And so very apologetic. "It's alright, really it is. He just caught me a little off guard is all. I should have been paying better attention."

Speaking of attention, N'ryl's was split between this intriguing girl and her five friends. They seemed to have a good relationship, if a bit mischievous, and the thought made a smile twitch at the edges of his lips for a half a second. He was just reaching out to take his bag back when Gryth had announced his thoughts, and immediately dropped into his bow, his eyes following her as she clutched bag and Blue closer to her. Why were his words inspiring fear in her? That was definitely not a reaction he had been prepared for, and one he hadn't met often. Usually people were ecstatic to be told that they were Candidate material. Why was this girl, Toniiandra he reminded himself, so afraid?

That too, was revealed in the stammering that followed, though it caused the boy's brows to pull together slightly in confusion. Mine, what did she say? He wasn't sure if his dragon had been lost in the stuttering, or had simply been paying attention to the Hatching, but when he replied, his tone was full of disgust. She says that the Junior Weyrwoman pulled her off the sands because she was left standing for six turns. His disgust was echoes in a derisive snort from Gryth. That's ridiculous! It doesn't matter how many times she is left standing, she is a good choice. I think there will be a Hatchling looking for it's Mine and she will not be there for it. N'ryl wholeheartedly agreed, as he reached out to take his bag once more, this time actually reaching it and letting his hand brush against hers in what he hoped was a reassuring manner.

"First, Miss Toniiandra," he said, being sure to keep his tone low and non aggressive. He didn't want to frighten the poor girl any more than she already was. "My name is N'ryl. I am no one's lord, and I would be pleased if you were to call me by my name." He paused for a moment, and his jade eyes widened a bit, becoming temporarily unfocused as his attention turned to the voice in his mind. Invite her to go back with us. A simple enough statement, but... She was from Benden, wasn't she? Gryth insisted though, and slowly N'ryl's attention turned back to Tonii. "Second," he added after a deep breath, "Gryth wishes to extend to you this invitation. Since you are no longer considered a Candidate of Benden weyr, and he feels you are as of yet still a good choice, he invites you to join us at Dalibor weyr and become a Candidate there."

[fidelli]

If there was one thing that N'yrl would never have to worry about with this young woman was the hostility. I don't think that she had a hostile bone in her body, even with before the mother being an evil person. 'It's alright, really it is. He just caught me a little off guard is all. I should have been paying better attention.' She was shocked there, surprised of his easy allowance of the fact that it may not be entirely her fault. Added with the fact that he seemed quite amused at the flitters hanging above her head, well...

His face had tightened, eyebrow's pulling together, and she winced. Ah, he was a young searchrider, and had probably never had anybody tell him no. Well, she had Stood before! Practically shaking from nerves, she watched from the corner of eye as his own went blank, that weird stare that Rider's got when they spoke to their other half. Of course, her mind was immediately dragged from that when suddenly he had reached out and taken the bad. She flinched as he touched her, ducking her head to the side as though he would hit her - but the touch seemed almost... Reassuring? Still making sure to keep her eyes down, she listened as she spoke, letting Soft curl in her arms. With Shine on her shoulder and Sleek on the other, she must've looked pretty ridiculous.

'First, Miss Toniiandra, my name is N'ryl. I am no one's lord, and I would be pleased if you were to call me by my name.' Her eyes did look to him then, peering up with a creased brow. She had reached her first dilemma with N'yrl, you see. She liked pleasing people. She liked happiness. But, she could never call N'yrl by his first name... So she ended up staying silent, agonizing the fact that she indeed had not made him pleased. It wasn't until he began to speak again that she looked - from the corner of her eye, of course, up at him. 'Second, Gryth wishes to extend to you this invitation. Since you are no longer considered a Candidate of Benden weyr, and he feels you are as of yet still a good choice, he invites you to join us at Dalibor Weyr and become a Candidate there.'

Tonii froze. Quite literally, froze. She became stock still, eyes turned to look into jade with eyes wide and mouth half open. To leave? To escape, from J'jax, from life at a Weyr she had let down? To be able to start over? And as she realized she was gaping her mouth shut and she looked down at Soft, who had begun to creel lightly. To leave... Would be fantastic. But she had already let down her mother enough, should she leave and upset her more? But she wasn't a use here... But Leandra had said she wasn't a candidate material. But - as the girl went back and forth with her but's, mind spinning, something very important happened. You see, the small flock that Streak tried to control as best he could was Tonii's family. The only things she loved, the family that was carefully and neatly her only thread to sanity.

Silk, the young creamy Pink learning to fly, had carefully flapped over to N'yrl, while Streak hesitated behind the young baby as babysitter-of-the-day. The sweet girl shivered, chirping softly, and settled down on his shoulder. She stuck her nose in his ear, and then creeled - she liked him! Nuzzling his check, she settled down on his shoulder and watched Her's happily, while Streak made a dive-bomb for Tonii's arm and made the young girl look like a Firelizard transport carrier. He was complaining, that Silk had left and that he couldn't do anything - but Tonii was watching Silk. Well, Faranth take it.

"Err, errr, ummm... Please d-d-don't hurt h-her." That was her first beg, and then she nibbled his lip and nodded. "Ummm, umm, if you i-i-insist. S-s-silk likes y-you. B-b-but, is that ok-k-kay? I'm B-b-benden..." But she knew then, that Silk had made up her mind. It's not like she made decisions after all, very often, and she shooed everyone off of her in a heartbeat. Shine stayed on her shoulder, and Streak stayed in her arms, but the Blue and the Brown began to examine him more throughly, and she nibbled her lower lip. "I'm s-s-sorry, just shoo them a-a-away... Lemme go get my s-s-stuff." And she disappeared, as quickly as that - her room was two doors down. Into the room, she snatched up her bag, and came back out, face still apprehensive. She kept her bag packed because she moved quite often - better to hide like that from J'jax, so he couldn't pinpoint her location.

"A-a-are you sure?"

[basile]

While he'd been watching the play of emotions over the girl's face and body, he was distracted by the entrance of the little Pink. "Well, hello there," he murmured at her, lifting a hand to gently scratch at her eyeridges. He couldn't claim to not like 'lizards, though he didn't have any himself. And this girl, with her flock, reminded him a lot of his sister, though she only had the one Black. But something about her was definitely similar, perhaps in the way she treated them.

A small chuckle escaped him as her snout pressed into his ear and he tilted his head away just slightly. "Now, now, little one. Don't make go deaf now. That might be a problem. Gryth might get upset and eat you as a snack." The threat was obviously empty, and his tone was teasing, as well as the Blue's laughter echoing in his mind. Don't scare the little one, the dragon admonished him as he took to the skies and slowly began to flap his way towards the weyr proper.

N'ryl spent a few seconds admiring the baby, and then his attention was stolen back to her bonded, as the girl stammered a plea at him. That was when his eyes widened just slightly. "Hurt her? Why would I do that? She's a darling little creature." He stopped to listen for a moment, and a slow nod was his only movement. "I'm quite sure. Gryth is adamant about it. And, just between you and me, I'm originally from Benden myself. Gryth was Hatched here."

As two more of Tonii's flock came to examine him, he purposely turned his attention away from her, hoping that it might put the girl more at ease. "If you need me, I'll be here. There's no hurry. And you two..." This last was adressed at the Blue and Brown now hovering over him. "Why is it that you seem so familiar, hm? You prankster." He was just reaching up to offer the two a perch on his arm when Tonii bustled back, her belongings already in her arms. One brow lifted at the swiftness of her return, but he said nothing, simply changed to offer his hand out to her instead, intending to take her luggage for her. "Please, allow me Miss Tonii. Gryth is awaiting us whenever you are ready to depart."

[fidelli]

'Well, hello there.' The Pink creeled happily, letting her rub his eyeridges and daintily sniffed at his fingers as he did so. 'Now, now, little one. Don't make go deaf now. That might be a problem. Gryth might get upset and eat you as a snack.' The sweet flitter wormed backwards a little bit, amused at the tone if not fully understanding the words, but the other flitters - her self appointed guardians - understood the tone better and bristled. It was Sleek who grumped at them, chiding them of their over-protectiveness. Tonii only watched, nibbling her lower lip as she stayed completely still, as if that would help the creatures she was sure was in mortal danger. Of course, had N'yrl threatened them she might be a more scary creature - shocked at herself, but still protective.

'Hurt her? Why would I do that? She's a darling little creature.' A small sigh of relief was her only voice, and she relaxed muscles she didn't realize she had tightened up. "S-some people... They d-don't like them..." Her stutter was decreasing now, as he wasn't a threat - oh, shocking. It helped that he had already taken her number, and was careful to only nod slowly. 'I'm quite sure. Gryth is adamant about it. And, just between you and me, I'm originally from Benden myself. Gryth was Hatched here.' She stayed quiet, thinking on this. He was from Benden... Her hazel eyes met his jade ones, and something in the back of her mind pushed, trying to be remembered - but Shine demanded her attention just then, and she focused on the Black instead.

'If you need me, I'll be here. There's no hurry. And you two...' He would be there? He didn't mind that she might take a little while? Creasing her brow, she hurried off... But not before listening to his last words. 'Why is it that you seem so familiar, hm? You prankster.' She wondered about this, even as he ducked into the small storage room and scooped up her meager bag. As she hurried back, she tried not to think about what she was about to do. 'Please, allow me Miss Tonii. Gryth is awaiting us whenever you are ready to depart.' She tried a small smile, hugging the precious smal bag with all her worldly positions in it.

"Umm, it's... It's okay. I-I can carry it..." And as the second words sank in she closed her eyes and swallowed. "Umm, if you d-don't mind, as soon as p-possible. I don't n-need time to realize what I-I'm about to do." And eyes wide, she gritted her teeth and swallowed. "W-will everyone be able to come with me? They d-don't know Dalibor Weyr..." She let him lead the way, trailing anxiously after and thinking very hard about NOT thinking about what she was doing. She would have Streak carry a note back to one of the kitchen staff, telling them she had been Searched... But she wouldn't tell them where. That way, her mother didn't have to be disgraced, and J'jax wouldn't have to ever follow her anywhere.

...Maybe, this would be a good thing?

[basile]

After a moment, he slowly let his hand drop. It wasn't the first time that his offer had been refused, but it also wouldn't have been the first time that his offer was taken up either. Usually it was the men, who seemed to feel it would take away from their manliness, who refused. The girls were more apt to allow themselves to be treated well. He wondered for a moment why this girl seemed to be so very jumpy as she spoke, nodding absently at her request to leave as soon as possible. That suited N'ryl just fine. He'd only come really because Gryth had wanted to. This gave him the perfect excuse to make his leave quickly and quietly.

As he stared to lead the way through the maze of corridors, he allowed a small chuckle to escape him. "Please don't misunderstand, Miss Tonii. It's not as if we're going to force you to stay at Dalibor with us. If you like it there, you are of course more than welcome, but if you don't, all you need to is come and fine me and I will return you to here. We aren't trying to hold you prisoner by any means." As he spoke he noticed that the Blue and Brown were still following him closely, though if it was because they were guarding little Silk or simply out of curiosity of him, he wasn't quite sure. Though when she asked if her 'lizards could come as well, he couldn't stop himself from turning to look at her for a moment. Did she really think that he would separate her from her flock? Apparently, yes, that is what she thought. "Don't worry. I wouldn't leave them here without you. That would be cruel."

That said, the boy turned and continued on in silence until they emerged out into the bowl where, several dragon-lengths away sat a medium sized sapphire Blue with distinct, if minimal, markings across his tail and wings. "This is Gryth," N'ryl said, waving a hand to indicate the waiting Blue as he lead the approach. At his name, Gryth turned to study the girl properly, arching his neck in a faux bow to her. A pleasure to meet you, m'lady, he intoned in his most unassuming voice, before turning to present his side to the pair.

Taking the cue from the dragon, the 'rider turned to his charge and gave what he hoped was a reassuring smile as he reached out a hand to her. In an almost simultaneous movement, Gryth crouched down so that his stomach brushed the ground, waiting for her to mount. N'ryl kept a hand extended as Tonii climbed up, ready to catch or brace her if she slipped, then began a well practiced speech as she settled her bag in front of her.

"Even though you live in a weyr, I'm going to warn you of a few things. First and foremost, and this is rather obvious, Gryth will be quite a few lengths up in the air, so if you have a problem with high places I would suggest you close your eyes before he takes off, and keep your legs tight against him. Keep a tight grip on your bag, because there's no guarantee it will be retrievable if it is dropped." He paused to settle Silk into her lap, making sure that she, as well as her four brothers, were nestled between their bonded and her bag before continuing. "Secondly, we will be going Between to reach Dalibor. I will warn you before Gryth makes the jump, but it is still quite a shock to the system the first time you experience the nothingness of Between. So when I warn you, lock your arms and legs and don't move no matter what. Don't even try to. I won't be able to do anything to help you if you do. We'll only be betweening for a few seconds, so resist the urge to squirm. Warn your 'lizards to stay perfectly still as well. They are probably used to the sensations, but they are usually in control, and it can be disconcerting for them."

His speech spilled, N'ryl climbed easily up onto his dragon's back, settling behind the girl. One arm wrapped around her waist and held her back against his chest and stomach with surprising strength, that one might not realize he had when just looking at him. Alright, Gryth. I've got her.

[/b] With that silent acknowledgment, blue wings spread wide and began to work their mass into the air. He circled as he ascended, giving Tonii time to adjust to the feeling of flying, then had N'ryl send the warning. No sooner had the words 'Hold on' left His' lips, and his arm tightened, then the soft crack split the air and the cold nothingness of Between greeted them. N'ryl kept his arm tight around the girl he could not feel, but knew was there, and mentally griped at his lungs for the fight they were putting up. And then, just as he started to feel irritated by the lack of touch, sensation returned along with the bright light of day, and they were circling above his home. "Welcome to Dalibor Weyr, Miss Tonii," he said softly as they descended towards the Candidate's barracks.[/size][/blockquote]

[fidelli]

She worried softly on her lip as she watched his hand drop, feeling miserable. Oh, she did not mean to insult him. Worry and sorrow shining from hazel eyes, she kept them firmly on the ground. She did not need to bother him anymore than she had to.

'Please don't misunderstand, Miss Tonii. It's not as if we're going to force you to stay at Dalibor with us. If you like it there, you are of course more than welcome, but if you don't, all you need to is come and fine me and I will return you to here. We aren't trying to hold you prisoner by any means.' As he laughed, she sneaked a few glances up at him, trying to understand him. They wouldn't force her? She didn't have to stay there? Not, as she well knew deep in her heart, that she would ever come back to Benden unless she had a damned good reason, but still. Still deep in thought as she tried to process this, she almost ran into him when he stopped, and she blinked up in alarm. It would be HIS turn to yell, irritated that she was not paying attention. "S-s-sorry." But he was speaking, and she trailed off, watching his mouth. 'Don't worry. I wouldn't leave them here without you. That would be cruel.'

Was it bad that she thought that? Was that surprising? She didn't think that she could keep them away, but she had been worried that firelizards were not welcome there. The new Weyr, of the little she had heard, was full of strange people. "Thank you." Her words came out in a whisper as she followed him, worrying at her thumbnail and thinking.

Before she had realized, she was stepping into light and looking around to where N'yrl was gaining on her - she stepped up her pace and looked past him to see where he was going. 'This is Gryth.' The girl's face suddenly split into a shy smile, and she met the whirling eyes with no hesitation like she had with N'ryl - instead, she ducked a small curtsy and listened to his voice with a happiness she did not often get to feel anymore. A pleasure to meet you, m'lady. She kept her flock from mobbing him, calling Soft and Sleek back to her and letting them fly around her like a crazy colored halo. "Oh no, it's a pleasure meeting you, Gryth."

She had never had to be afraid of dragons - they had protected her, never been mean to her, and her small harem were little dragons. They weren't evil - and even if they weren't meant for her, she didn't care. They were still kind, and on the rare cherished occasion that one spoke to her, she clung to the soft rich timbre of their voices and their kindness.

Although N'yrl offered her a hand, she looked back down and the floor and pretended not to see it, careful of her modesty in the skirts and rearranging her bag and herself. She did not want to hurt the dragon - this was the first time she had ever actually ridden one. Squashing down her fears, she listened to N'yrl with a solemn face - but with a gentle hand stroked the Blue's beautiful hide and she did so. 'Even though you live in a weyr, I'm going to warn you of a few things. First and foremost, and this is rather obvious, Gryth will be quite a few lengths up in the air, so if you have a problem with high places I would suggest you close your eyes before he takes off, and keep your legs tight against him. Keep a tight grip on your bag, because there's no guarantee it will be retrievable if it is dropped.'

She blushed as he handed her the pink, and she quickly called the other lizards to her. In a moment she looked like a brightly covered firelizard mat - Shine and Streak on her shoulders, Silk in her lap, Soft sprawled on her head, and Sleek curled with Silk. She shifted the blue with an amused smile down to her bag, and went back to listening. 'Secondly, we will be going Between to reach Dalibor. I will warn you before Gryth makes the jump, but it is still quite a shock to the system the first time you experience the nothingness of Between. So when I warn you, lock your arms and legs and don't move no matter what. Don't even try to. I won't be able to do anything to help you if you do. We'll only be betweening for a few seconds, so resist the urge to squirm. Warn your 'lizards to stay perfectly still as well. They are probably used to the sensations, but they are usually in control, and it can be disconcerting for them.'

Wasn't it amusing that she was not afraid for herself, but for the flock? With a worried tilt to her eyes she focused on the creatures, teeth dug into her lower lip as she tried to explain. When Streak understood, she let him impress the importance on the other four, and worried about a totally different thing. Suddenly, N'yrl was behind her, and she was pressed up against his back.

She froze. This was too close, too close, too close! Eyes closed tightly, she tried to ease away, but he was strong for his look, and she was trapped. He was warm, comfortably so, but close proximity to people had always before meant hurt afterwards. Streak turned around, wings mantled, ready to attack and defend, but she snatched up up and practically threw the Brown on her shoulder, holding the Purple and trying to calm him down. It helped that they were all balancing themselves on the Blue, all disorientated that they were not the ones flying. It was only Tonii, focused soley on them, that kept them all sane.

'Hold on.' She froze, begging the creatures to do as well, and she experienced her first taste of between. She couldn't say that she enjoyed that, really, the cold, even the warm feeling of Gryth gone beneath her and N'yrl's solid back behind her. She missed that suddenly, with an ache - but then they were back in the warm climate, and she sighed, letting the firelizards tumble off of the Blue in the air and scanning their new home, showing her flashes of pictures that she pushed aside and scan later. She help Streak to her though, the loyal Purple never wavering from her grasp, thrumming a soothing tune.

'Welcome to Dalibor Weyr, Miss Tonii.' The words, the warmth of the man behind her... She swallowed hard, and with a shard of icy determination in her eye, let herself be willing to accept this new change. As they descended down, with a light thump, she scrambled away from him. Not because she wanted to - it had been a long time since someone had cared enough to hold her - but because it was what was safe. Onto the ground, holding her meager bag, she looked at the Candidates Barracks, swallowed, and suddenly looked back at N'yrl. She wouldn't ask him to stay with her - but it was a very lonely looking building, and she suddenly realized she knew no one, no place, and had nothing.

What had she done.