Almira Glenn's Story

[IC]
From their perch in the treetops, Mira's eyes scanned the forest below her and Halgar curiously, her ears twitching in a comical fashion at the sound of a human voice. Humans almost always meant trouble, and although she wouldn't mind a nice fight, she was suspicious of why a human would be skulking around in the more dangerous parts of the forest so close to nightfall. Her sharp vision, combined with Halgar's even sharper vision, made quick work of finding the source of the sound. It indeed was a human, a boy with dark hair. Her violet eyes narrowed. Halgar huffed in distaste.
A human? This deep in the forest and at this hour? She wrinkled her nose in frustration, turning her head slightly to see Halgar's expression. He did not appear amused.
Perhaps he looks to become someone's snack? Mira lightly swatted her dragon with one tiny balled up fist, smiling slightly.
I thought you were on a diet? She sent back innocently, blinking her eyes at him. It is only a joke, however; Halgar didn't eat humans. Though he claimed it was because of the taste, Mira knew he wouldn't harm a human without due cause.
It would hardly matter. He's quite small. His mind voice is amused.
And what would that make me? She retorted hotly, crossing her arms defiantly. At less than five feet, children dwarfed Mira. She was commonly mistaken for much younger than her actual age.
Miniscule. Hissing laughter. Her ears angled downward, and glimmering wings flutter angrily. More laughter.
At least I don't still have my "baby teeth". Mira said mockingly, referring to his egg-horn. The laughter stopped, and the halfling smirked.
You know quite well that my- Movement below her caused Mira to freeze.
Hush! What in the world does that dunce think he's doing?!
The duo watched the human boy hit a stone colored dragon. Mira draped her face into her hands in frustration. Of all the idiotic things-
Wait, Halgar sent, sounding amused. Mira's focus snapped back to the decidedly dim-witted human. He remained not eaten, to her surprise.
How boring. It seems they've teamed up. Mira rolled her eyes at her partner. She affectionately patted Halgar's snout, causing the dragon to hum softly, almost like a cat.
A new dragon rider. Mira's mind voice had taken on an excited edge, and her ears were sticking strait out. Halgar eyed her warily, his tail twitching in barely concealed amusement.
Oh dear. Are we going to give them a welcoming speech, little Mira? The halfling giggled, shifting on her tree branch as she prepared to jump.
"Well, someone has to." Mira said, smirking. Fluttering her wings, she jumped from her branch, only using her wings to slow her fall. She landed softly in front of the startled human.
"You know, these woods are pretty dangerous at night, boy. You can't even see visitors until their right next to you." Halgar landed lightly a heartbeat later, as if to emphasize her point. The halfling grinned cheekily. This was going to be fun.

Mira looked at the human's hand and couldn't help the little snort. "Almira. And this is Halgar." The green dragon nodded slightly, then cocked his head to the side. I hear another dragon nearby, Mira. It is about to get quite crowded. Mira gave a small nod in acknowledgment, studying the human. She had to took up to see his face, much to her displeasure, and he looked rather strong, although Mira knew that wouldn't be an issue. She was as strong as men much larger than him. Mira crossed her arms and titled her head to the side, giving her a very childlike look.
"Are you quite sure of that? You don't seem like much to me." Mira said innocently, her youthful voice making her insult that much more affective. Halgar's head moved up and down in a nod of agreement. She could feel a little titter of amusement coming from her dragon. She knew that he would be able to fend off the older dragon if it came to a fight, but honestly, the human was just a little to friendly to merit that sort of thing. She wanted to continue teasing the human; It was quite fun. Is the dragon hostile? Mira asked, placing her hand on Halgar's side. His warm scales were always comforting to her.
I don't think he'll bite unless we do first. Her dragon answered, scratching his claws in the dirt absentmindedly. Mira smiled slightly, her ears mischievously angling back and sideways.
"Really, I don't think that a new Rider without proper training should be in a place like this." Although here ton was teasing, her words did carry truth. "Especially," Mira added, smirking, "when the rider in question was dumb enough to hit his dragon upon meeting him. I commend you for not eating him." She told the unfamiliar dragon, bowing slightly, as was polite. Even though she didn't think much of his Rider, Mira was always polite when dragons were involved. She twisted her hand in an elven symbol of respect.
"We are pleased to meet you, elder one." Halgar also bowed, grumbling slightly about formalities. Hush, you big baby.

Grant winced as he realized that the halfling girl was indeed not too fond of him. Pulling back his hand, he chose not to take merit in the girl's obvious disapproval. She wasn't really high on his priority list at the moment. He turned to the other girl and her dragon, Azer.
"Rather nasty fall you had." He remarked gently. She at least seemed to be more friendly. "My name's Grant Treis and this big guy here is my new partner, Azarey."
Azarey rustled his wings in greeting. Cautiously, Grant turned back to the halfling girl.
"I won't try to be your friend if you don't want me to." He said slowly. "But at least tell us your name? No one's gonna be hostile, so at least give us that much."
Grant could tell that the girl was stronger than she looked and didn't want to get on her bad side. Not that he thought he couldn't handle her, he'd beaten men at least three times his own size numerous times.

Amber laughed lightly "Yes, rather." Then she gasps "Sorry, I'm Amber."
She then turns to the other girl who seemed more hostile.
"Hello." She says, even if the girl is cold Amber never likes to be rude.
She tightens the cloth around her arm.

Aren't you going to introduce me? A voice sounds in her head and she nods.
"I forgot. This is Azer." She looks at the large dragon and back at Grant.
"What brings you here?" she asks, confused really as to why anyone would be wandering the forest with their dragon.
Amber re-ties her fiery hair into a messy ponytail it having fallen out on her way down.

Mira rolled her eyes. "My name is Almira." She repeated, shifting her attention to the girl. Her cut was healing, but slowly. Mira's ears twitched. It was a nasty cut, and Mira furrowed her eyebrows when the girl wrapped it. Mira dropped to her knees, and, while pointedly ignoring the boy, the small halfling dug her hand into the dirt. She frowned in concentration, sending her consciousness out to the soil. Grow, she sent in the Fae language. Almost immediately, she felt a little spark, and a strange little bush started to grow rapidly from the soil. Mira removed her hand, smiling smugly and brushing the dirt off on her tunic shirt.
Mira, why are you showing off? Halgar asked, nudging at the halfling affectionately with his snout. Mira stuck her tongue out at him, crossing her arms.
I am not showing off! her ears stuck straight out and quivered in defiance. Halgar rolled his eyes.
"Here," Mira said, pulling one of the turquoise colored leaves from the bush and offering it to the girl. She smiled sweetly, trying to prove that she meant no harm. Mira knew what it felt like to have wounds and scratches, and she didn't want to see the girl suffer.
"Chew this and then put it on the wound. It will help fight infection and help you heal faster." Then she turned her head slightly to finally acknowledge Grant. "I don't make friends. I make allies." She said. Her voice was surprising gentle.
"That's something you need to know. It'll keep you alive."

Amber smiled gratefully at the girl "Thank you." She says taking a leaf off the strange plant and chewing it quickly.
Then she removes it from her mouth and puts it on her wound, she didn't think it unnatural, and wasn't repelled by the thought of putting something that had just been in her mouth on her skin.
No, Amber was a practical girl and would do what was needed to survive.

Good evening. Azer greeted the new Dragon. Noticing how it had become so dark so quickly.

Amber could feel her arm healing - and it was healing fast.
Soon she could feel no pain at all and all that remained was a faint scar; it looked like it had occurred years ago not half an hour.

Grant grinned. So she has a soft side after all.
"Duly noted." He replied. Then he turned back to Amber. "I was wandering around thinking and met Azarey just around an hour ago. He's my partner now. Why're you guys running deliveries so late at night?"
He pointed to the bag slung over Amber's shoulder.
"Curiosity killed the cat." Azarey remarked, jokingly.
"Satisfaction brought it back." Grant retorted.

Greetings. Halgar said noncommittally to Azer. He wasn't generally one to talk amongst his species. Mira rubbed at the scales under his eyes, his favorite place to be scratched. Halgar hummed in contentment.
"Classified?" Mira said dryly, tilting her ears down in suspicion. "Did you just get lost?" Her wings fluttered playfully. In the growing darkness they had begun to glow slightly.
Should we build a fire? Mira asked her dragon. It was beginning to get cold, and seeing as humans enjoyed talking they would probably be there for a while. Halgar shrugged. Neither of them really needed the fire; their eyes were well adjusted to the dark, and Halgar was always warm. Therefor he, and since she was always near him, Mira, wouldn't get cold.

Grant chuckled. He liked Amber, she was definitely a good person.
"Of course, milady." He joked with a bow. "You'd tell me but then you'd have to kill me, right?"
Azarey rolled his eyes, his partner was corny but he was friendly.
"Perhaps we should all stay here tonight?" He suggested to Grant and Azer.

Mira tried not to gag at Grant's corny chivalry. Humans. Halgar rumbled sarcastically, rolling his eyes. Mira giggled, just a little. This was proving to be amusing.
Amusing? Halgar sent dourly, huffing out a hot breath. Mira giggled again, sitting on the ground and leaning against her dragon's side.
Oh, relax, Halgar. Mira twisted her fingers in the dirt. She always enjoyed growing things for fun. Brightly colored- but harmless- mushrooms popped out of the ground in a comical fashion. It's not like I'm weaving flower garlands and swearing my lifetime loyalty to them. I just want to have a little fun. The green dragon huffed again, but non the less settled to the ground with his partner, grumbling about Mira being a "human-hugger".

Amber grinned "Exactly."
She then turned to Mira "No, We were heading for The Valdor Mountain." She says and then sighs "But I don't think that's happening today."

Azer nods I think that would be wisest. He replies to the dragon and turns to Amber.
Can you get firewood?

Amber nods "Shall we go and find firewood?" She asks the others.

"I'll go with you." Grant volunteered as he headed towards the thicker part of the forest. He was happy to have met so many new people. With a bounce to his first step he jogged off into the forest ignoring Azarey's protests.

"What are you people doing in the forest?" A female voice came from a tree.
Kira was sitting on a tree branch and nursing a baby dragon. "Haven't you heard it's dangerous?" She jumped off the tree and put the dragon on the ground. Its wing was harmed and medically treated. "If you need firewood, don't you dare using the sticks next to that tree! They are for medical purposes only! I'll help you find some firewood."

A huge red dragon flew above everyone. Its wings flapped slowly and its mouth opened. The enormous creature took the baby dragon in its mouth and embraced it in a small bite, that was strong enough to hold it without doing any harm. The dragon slowly flew away.

"What are you waiting for? COME ON! Let's go!"

白砂Shirasu

<Shiarsu it is getting dark shouldn’t we stop rest fort the night even you get tired, you know>Suna spoke to her in a concerned tone. <no I’m fine let’s keep going I can see just fine>and she could unlike most humans her vision evolved enough for her to see in the dark a bit better than most as her time as a caravan guard along with her other senses which were better than an average human. <and the cold> <Suna I lived in the desert all my life where it would sometimes drop 20 degrees or lower wearing what I wear right now I was never cold> <right but still you shouldn’t overwork yourself is all I’m saying>. Shirasu caught a glimpse of her dragon as he flew above her. She shouldn’t have because at that moment her foot slipped on a branch and she stumbled into the dim light. She caught herself at just the right moment as she stared down below her into complete dark not even she could see through. <…Shirasu…are you all right>he said with worry. <I’m alright Suna just stumbled a bit but I’m fine now so let’s keep going>.
Shirasu continued to run her cape had begun to fall away from her face and she began to reapply it as she ran when Suna spoke to her <We have company I sense other dragons along with a few humans and something else but I don’t know what it is>. <really then we’ll just have to pass through then> slowing down just enough to look up at Suna’s lithe body <besides I have you don’t I and I’m not some weak country girl, so where are they, do you know?> <no I do not unfortunately but I’m pretty sure they are ahead of us><alright then I just have to be lucky enough to not run into them correct> smiling behind her scarf she jumped one more time when the trees opened up into a small clearing and was suddenly confronted 3 dragons, two humans and a girl with wings that glowed. <what in the world> she jumped forward into a front flip looking back at them as they watched her go, landing in a nearby tree Shirasu paused for a moment and looked back as Suna passed the clearing his wings creating a small outburst of wind. <what happened Shirasu are you all right> <yeah I’m alright I just saw the strangest thing> resuming her run<and what would that be?> < a small girl she had wings on her back that glowed a bit along with two humans and 3 dragons> <oh that is strange and by the way I must say that was a very good observation despite running as fast as you did through the clearing>praising her. <oh well I am a caravan guard I have to be observant if I wish to protect that which I find precious in my heart> she said softly in his head. <caravan guard are you sure you don’t sound like one> he said telepathically shaking his massive head and the two continued on their way.

Grant skidded to a halt, his face growing hot as he noticed the newcomer. Smiling apologetically to both her and Amber he continued walking backwards.
"Sorry I'm Grant. And you-" He stopped short as he felf an odd wind blow by. Someone else was nearby as well. Choosing to be quiet about it he continued. "my apologies. May I ask your name?"

Amber took up some wood and looked at the girl whom introduced herself as Kira.
"So what are you doing out in the woods?" She asks, quickening her pace to keep up with Kira's.
Wisps of ginger hair flying into her face as they walked.
"Lovely night." She says, looking up at the bright stars contrasted against the dark sky.

Lovely She thought to herself.

Grant had to agree with the woman. It was a lovely night. But had she just fallen asleep while walking?
"She's a weird one." Grant remarked.
"Says the one who stood there like an idiot when he was handed an axe." Azarey pointed out. Grant grimaced. He was a bit distracted for some reason.
Gathering up the remainder of the wood, Grant began walking to follow the girl's. His mind had time to wander.
"Hey, we have to go to the Rider School Tomorrow." He told Azarey. The dragon snorted.
"Do we really? I'm sure you're a good enough rider by nature." Azarey groaned. He had been looking at the many daydreams of his partner and had realized that he had watched so many riders over the past three years that he might not need lessons.
"Maybe, but it's a formality. At the very least come with me to test our abilities and such." Grant suggested. He was relieved as the foliage began to thin out and he could see the enormous shadow of His partner in the clearing. Happily he set the wood down and walked over to the Azure giant.
"Miss me?" He asked. Azarey huffed at the boy sending him tumbling backwards. He watched as the Granted landed just short of his pile of wood.
"Hardly. You weren't far enough for me to worry about you besides I'm sure Amber and Kira would have been ample help if anything happened. By the way I noticed two other Dragons. They weren't around long though."
"Two? I only noticed one."
"They meant us no harm 'm sure otherwise they would have attacked when you ran off like an idiot."
Grant though about the other Dragons and his new acquaintances as he set his up for the fire. Choosing not to wait for the fire to be started, he walked over to Azarey and ducked under his wing. Once inside The dragon pulled his wing a little tighter.
"Night guys!" Grant Shouted out to the girls.

Grant rolled over for the umpteenth time. He had to admit that he was quite grateful for the covering provided by his partner's wing but he just couldn't sleep. He was worried about rider school and if having a wild dragon for a partner would be a problem. It wasn't anything he had ever heard of after all. All he ever heard of was raised hatchlings being partnered with humans.
Deciding not to worry about it too much more Grant sat up. Across from him Azarey's eyes opened a sliver.
"What?" The dragon groaned. Grant had finally figured out how to stop the dragon from peeking into his thoughts so he hadn't heard the ruminations of his partner's mind. "Go to sleep, Grant."
"Cant." Grant replied as he crawled past the dragon's head and out into the clearing. The flame was still burning brightly with no signs of burning out at all and he reminded himself to ask if she could have done that without fire wood. "What's it like to fly?"
Azarey's pulled his head from under his wing, a dragonish grin on his face. Grant almost laughed at the sight. He never had seen a dragon smile and it looked like he had just stepped in something quite disgusting.
"Are you wearing thick pants?" He asked as he spread his wings. He seemed almost as if he were waiting for this moment.
"I am." Grant replied with a smile. He was more than ready.
"Be back in a few ladies." He said without looking back at them.
With a smirk Grant ran towards a nearby tree. Hearing his partner's thoughts, Azarey leapt into the air and let his wings unfurl fully. Instantly he felt a warm wing fill his wings.
Grant watched as his partner caught the wind and began to glide over the forest. He chose his moment, waiting until he was just in front of Azarey's head and leapt high, calling forth a mighty updraft. He burst from the canopy, sailing high up above his partner, who finally started flapping his wings. Grant couldn't help himself; he let out a little shout of joy as he flipped in the air. It was his first time trying to use his power like this and it felt great.
"If it feels so great then why not fly yourself?" His partner remarked as he flew a few meters below him.
"Don't think I can." Grant answered, flapping his arms comically in the air as he floated down. "No wings for that. But I think I can probably hover for a little bit and maybe if I try really hard I could walk on water and walls like some kind of mystical shadow assassin guy."
Azarey laughed at the idea of his partner trying to walk on water. He had no doubts that he would try it either.
"I believe the hovering, just don't go trying to walk up walls please I don't think I'll be able to help you if you fall off a building. Not nearly enough room." He said as Grant landed softly on his neck just above his shoulder blades. He felt a soft tickling around his scales and turned his head curiously.
"I'm using the wind to hold me down by creating a slight vacuum around my legs. This way I don't fall off and your scales don't shred my pants." Grant explained.
Azarey grinned again.
"Then let's get the most out of this!" He shouted as he angled upwards towards the clouds. Grant held on tight to his partner's neck, pulling his torso down low until they were almost parallel. Off in the distance somewhere he could hear a violin playing and he felt that the song was too perfect for this moment.
The two of them burst through a cloud, the water in it instantly condensing into dew and soaking Grant's clothes. He noticed that in the moonlight the dew made Azarey glisten like pure sapphire. There was no way he would ever experience something more grand than flight with his new partner.
The two of them flew through more clouds, looping and twisting them high above the sight of anyone on the ground. Azarey let out jets of cool air at the clouds, the two of them laughing as they watched small flurries of snow fall from the clouds. Grant twisted the winds forming funnels in the cloud which they joyously dove through.
It was as if the two of them had known each other forever, they were so in sync that they lost track of who was thinking what as they flew.
After some time Azarey tucked his wings in, arching his back as he let gravity take hold. With a grin Grant let go and fell alongside his partner. He brought the wind in around himself as he and Azarey spiraled around each other. Once they were a few hundred feet from the ground, Azarey spread his wings, just enough to slow his descent and not tear his wings.Grant flipped lightly, letting out one more jubilant shout as he landed perfectly on his partner.
"That was amazing!" He thought and shouted aloud as they cruised along close to the ground. Off in the distance Grant thought he saw what looked like two dragons preparing to fight. He didn't care, however. He had just flown.
"Oops." Azarey suddenly said laughing to himself. Grant glanced around before spotting it himself.
The hills outside of Cadence seemed to have gone through winter by themselves.
The two of them were still laughing to themselves when they returned to the clearing and settled back down for the night.
"Tomorrow should be a good day." Remarked as Azarey sheltered him beneath his wings again.
"Yes, I may like this School of yours-ours." Azarey replied as they both drifted off to sleep.