Illinto | Captain Dragon | Mentions:

Mag’nar, Kikimora, Eidothea, Callisto, Nicodemus, Unbonded dragons.

Within the cave system, the air was stale. Stagnant and unmoving, it made the female’s muscles tense. It was unnatural. The bleary environment always made her spines straighten, pointing dangerously out from her back. Not that she had much choice in the matter, if she were to coax Callisto outside, then they would be spotted almost immediately. Her scales were far too prominent in the moonlight, glinting off any light and shining like a beacon.

Instead, they were cooped up in the dark and dingy cave system. The antithesis of their natural environment, and it not only caused the lingering sense of dread to the dragon, but her rider was sending his own waves of discomfort along their bond as plain as day.

She sat with her tail curled around her legs, the bladed point angled up towards her own neck, mindful enough to keep the weapon out of the human's faces. That being said, she would not be opposed to striking it through a couple of them. For that matter, some of the dragons deserved it on occasion as well. From her position beside the elevated rock platform, lilac eyes pierced out into the main cavern, watching the others mill about in preparation for Nicodemus to finally address them. Shrouded in the rocky overhang, her eyes glowed in the gloom, pointedly staring out at the newer additions to their group.

Whilst Illinto was an understanding individual for the most part, newcomers made her anxious. They could be up to anything. Plotting their demise, leaking information. The possibilities were endless and she pondered them often. Much to the annoyance of her rider who shared her mind frequently. Across the larger cavern, she could pick out the confident dragons. Their heads were high, they knew their worth and power. They were older, wiser. It was the younger ones that concerned her most, the inexperience mixed with the impulsivity of youth was sure to stir up some kind of trouble.

That being said…Illinto’s gaze travelled over to where the hulking mass of Mag’nar sat, dominating the space around him. She knew this dragon, she had seen him before and had witnessed when that aggression was unleashed on some poor sod. Whilst she was pleased with her own skills, there were some dragons here that could snap her pretty little neck in a heartbeat. In these tunnels she was a sitting duck, if one of them happened to change their opinion on her, then they could easily end her life. One other reason the female did not feel a great affinity for their current residence.

With a quiet huff of breath, the female forced the spines that lined her back to relax and lie flat against the bone once again. Seeking out her rider, she found him on the other side of the platform. Her serpentine neck winding down a little to observe him from afar, narrow head tilting as she tapped into his head.

Is he going to start next week? The feisty sarcasm was cut with a soft, gentle voice that completely mismatched the comment. At the intrusion, Callisto glanced over his shoulder towards her.

He will start soon, then you can get some air. His reply was almost immediate, he knew exactly why she was growing antsy.

Illinto’s nest was very close to one of the smallest exits of the cave system, so close that the wind twirled down into her home and soothed her. All she wanted to do was curl up there or escape on a mission where she could spend the entire day and night with the breeze flowing past her. The cherry on top was that the space to access her nest was skinny and twisting, easy for her to wriggle her way up to, but far more difficult or even impossible for most other dragons. Though she could guess a few others that would fit up there as well.

She did not respond, they didn’t say things they did not need to. There was no point in wasting the breath, especially on scouting missions they barely spoke the entirety of their task. It was a calm silence that they both enjoyed.

Illinto ducked her head and gave the ground at her feet a small sniff before she lowered her forelimbs down onto the cool stone, stretching her shoulders as she did so. Settling herself into the curve of stone beside the platform, not prominent, no she would leave that for Kikimora or Eiodthea. She knew where to walk the line of confidence and insubordination. Illinto kept her head held up, scanning the cave once more, her tail coiled tight by her side as she waited for their leader to speak.

The older female organized her nest ; she was decorating it with seashells she found, and even pearls from oysters she had eaten . A rumble of satisfaction escaped her as she took in her nest, carefully placed strips of seaweed and kelp lined the nest, not to mention feathers of different birds and scattered seashells . She had also found some rather pretty conches as well to add to her collection. She was quite comfortable in her nest, it was right in the middle of the lagoon which was near the mineral beaches, there was a cave right nearby which was also hers . She had the cave for whenever her son decided to come rest with her or visit, as if she would let him have to fight for a spot to rest for the night. She didn't like showing him favoritism, and knew he could handle himself in such situations - but that was her baby, her only living child and she was too afraid to lose him much too early. So if she could find a way to protect him, then she would gladly do so. However, this wasn't time for mulling over such matters - she needed to get to this meeting. And so she slid in the water and swam across, the short swim being rather refreshing to her body and senses. As she soon made her way to the gathering area. She could see humans and dragons alike gathering. She made her way to a perch, which wasn't exactly the highest, nor was it the lowest one - she saved the highest one for Nicodemus and Kikimora . After all they were the leaders, and she was their humble second-in-command. She looked amongst the dragons and humans - wondering what today's topic would be about. Obviously, a debriefing about the losses incurred, but she had a feeling that there was something more to it. And she was rather curious as to what it would bring. She listened as Nicodemus spoke .

Her head hanging somberly as he spoke of the loses of her comrades, and a short huff of anger escaped her at the mention of the injury Kikimora had sustained from the arrow. It wasn't a lot that could take a dragon down , so this arrow had to be something special. Hopefully they could find out what it was, so in case another dragon got hit by it they could be treated quickly and efficiently. She looked amongst the crowd, and she didn't find the face of her rider and she gave a small frown of displeasure - Ian, where are you ? She spoke through their link. Nicodemus has started the meeting, I'm not covering for you again, she chided him with a small hmph through their link. That's when it was mentioned Mahvash had laid her eggs, she felt a sense of excitement- new little ones would be joining them soon. She was thankful that the female had laid them successfully, yet , she was also sad that the mate of the female wasn't able to join her in such a special occasion. She prayed that he was alright and would be found eventually by the patrols and others. She was also relieved to hear that newest pairs found a way to escape - that was a relief . They couldn't bear anymore loss.

Valencia Cobris-Strix | Unbonded Newcomer | Mentions:

Nicodemus, Kikimora, Illinto, Callisto, Akuryo (Indir.)

She had been one of the first to arrive at the gathering cave, taking up residence towards the back, leaning against an outcrop of rock. Her arms folded securely over her chest, hazel eyes piercing out into the wide space. Watching and waiting in silence. As the other resistance members began to file into the space, Valencia kept her position without greeting anyone, human nor dragon. She saw no real benefit, though she would protect the members of the group, she had not been close to many of the surviving members. In fact, the only two she was vaguely familiar with were Callisto and Nicodemus. That knowledge was born purely by word of mouth, she had not had a great deal of interactions with either of the cold men.

As the scaled creatures took up their spots around them, her eyes lingered over each one. The rippling muscles and bright eyes made a small bubble of pain pop within her chest. Her beloved Erissa had succumbed to one of those unholy arrows, pierced right through her head. Living and talking one second, dead and falling the next. Her dragon was her life, she had seen her through the loss of her fiance and all the turmoil it had sent her through. A loving and understanding presence, now that was gone and Valencia’s sorrow was quickly forming into a more sinister cruelty. Bit by bit, the urge to strike down every unfamiliar dragon she saw, to rip her blades through their riders and bathe in their blood.

As Nicodemus began to talk, Valencia’s eyes wandered the area. Keeping her ears fixed to the words that flooded the space, but her eyes scanned over the dragons and noted their various injuries. One was limping, Nicodemus’s mount was severely wounded and others looked drained and tired. Beside the platform, she clocked Callisto’s bonded dragon. The female’s eyes struck out from the shadows, a pair of misty lilac irises scanning the masses with a critical gaze. She appeared unmarred, no tiredness to be seen across her entire form. She was in pristine condition. Interesting.

Only when her name was called, did Valencia’s eyes snap back towards their leader, rounding from her spot. She took pointed, strong steps forwards. She did not want to replace Erissa, but she could not bore her fury down upon their enemy without a mount. Alone she would perish. Paired, they would paint the battlefield red.

As she approached, she gave a careful peek towards the creature behind Nicodemus, her mass lurking like a viscous shadow. She looked like a beautiful weapon, even injured. Stepping up onto the platform, turning on her heel to look out towards the gathered dragons. All shapes and sizes, age ranges spanning from fresh juveniles to adults. All she wished for was something lethal. Most dragons were, but she wanted a lethal mind. A creature capable of swift death and vengeance.

Out of the gathered creatures, a few caught her eye. Some had duplicate wings, dazzling scales, sharp eyes. But then her gaze landed upon a head. In the dark environment, all that stuck out to her was a pale head and it was looking right at her. The feathers surrounding its maw fluffed around the edges, it looked like a skull or a mask floating in mid air. Only when the beast moved forwards, she did see the rest of its form. A lithe little thing, but of the greatest interest was the absolute lack of wings. Unusual. Swaying its way towards the platform, it stood lower than the older options, but it was coming to the platform while others waited in the ranks behind it.