Hartley Russel Barn| Rider | 15 | Male | M: Mircea (ind), Michael (ind), Aeolus, Nico, Brontes (ind),

Hartley nodded when Aeolus asked about his family. “Yes, actually, there is Mircea,” he pointed down at where he had been. “He’s my cousin. Then there is another cousin around who is Cea’s half brother. He’s an already trained rider.” Hart quickly swept his gaze over the area. He couldn’t see Nicodemus. “I’m not sure where he is.”

Hart relaxed when the air dragon told him that he didn’t need to say that to please him. That was good. He wasn’t sure if he could do it now. Aeolus’ nudge was controlled so that he didn’t stumble or jolt by the motion.

He finished packing up his new things when Aeolus suddenly lifted him up. This time he didn’t scream but instead let out a small chain of wows. This time he was on the creature’s back, which was certainly an upgrade from being carried by his feet. Defiantly more comfortable. He was thankful that the dragon wasn’t going any quicker than an easy walk. As he rode, he couldn’t help but feel a flutter of awe that he was on top of a dragon, that he was going to be a rider. He looked down at the smooth, pure scales underneath him. They were polished, but soft like a fingernail. Hart’s intelligent, nerdy mind was returning to himself as he started to brainstorm ideas. They were too supple for battle with manmade weapons and would tear off, leaving the air dragon exposed. He’d have to design a type of armor for him. Not that he expected them to go into battle, but in the past dragons had fought in wars. Even still, the two of them could end up being guards or scouts where they’d need to be prepared for a battle. The armor would have to be light for speed, so maybe leather. But would leather do? His thoughts were shaken out of his head as Aeolus picked up his pace and Hart hung on a little bit tighter.

I believe this is your stop little guy.

Thank you, Hart responded. The telepathic connection was fun to use. It somehow tickled the inside of his head when he used it with a slight headache to accompany it, of course. He doubted that it would last because most things that hurt at first quit once you used it more often. Sort of how a runner trains for a race. At first they go to bed stiff and aching, but as they continue with their drills their muscles reform stronger this time. He found this analogy funny since he himself was not a runner.

He slid down the beautiful, crystal wing and was careful not to cut himself on the sharp edges. He landed abruptly and decided that this was the best way to dismount a dragon as it was exhilarating. He approached the leather bag and began to re-stuffed it with its fallen contents. Earlier that day he would’ve apologized to the piles of books that were splayed out in the grass but he had a new friend nearby. It was one thing to get giddy for new books in front of someone you just met. That was how any book appreciator would react. It was another to hug and talk to books. That would be considered weird by the eyes of several individuals. He had just met Aeolus today and was not going to go in that deep. Just not yet.

As he picked them up he carried a brief conversation with his dragon. Given that he was counting the books (he originally packed fifteen), he decided not to use his brain space to also hold dialogue. He’d loose his place.

“Do you like to read?” He began. “I’ve recently been interested in astronomy and astrology; astronomy mainly, though. Astrology is a bit weird, but it’s the rave in the science community so I decided to try it out.” He picked up one of the books and showed it to Aeolus. It was called The Stars and You. “I got that from a bookstore, used of course, and it’s full of crazy stuff. So far at least. Hopefully it was worth the money and I’ll actually learn something. Honestly, I’m not sure why notable minds like Plato and Posidonius believed in it. Anyway, what do you think about astrology, astronomy and science in general? I don’t only read science stuff, there is also some fiction.” He showed Aeolus the mystery book he had read on the way here. “This one was pretty good and kept me on the edge of my seat.”

Hart continued to grab books and stuff them back into the sack. He hefted a large black-covered book. It was Professor Finn’s Guide to Annoying People. The edges were reinforced with metal which made it a terrible weapon to be flung at. It was a real pity that he had overshot his throw at Michael.

Then he spotted the muffins. They were all over the ground and only two of them had survived. The rest were ant food.

“Rats, they’re ruined.” Hartley groaned. There went his only hope for a gift. Luckily Aeolus said that he didn’t need one, but Hart felt that he deserved one. “I don’t suppose you’d like the surviving ones? If not, I’m fine with making a new batch with any flavor you’d like. These are just normal.”

He realized that he hadn’t assessed which type of dragon his was and if it could eat a muffin. Rats again! Quickly his mind raced through his mental piles of dragon knowledge until it dusted off useful information. Aeolus was a creon cwmwl, or better known as a Cloudskin. However, he couldn’t rattle the facts about them out. They were sealed into the tube of almost-forgetting to be sent into the pit of the forgotten. He’d have to ask.

“Wait, can you eat muffins?”

Once the words came out of his mouth he realized that that was a stupid question. If the dragon couldn’t eat muffins then he would’ve told him back up on the hill, right? Or was he just being polite? Hart decided to shut off his brain for once so that he could listen to the dragon.

A little later a water dragon soared over. With his dragon information already scrounged out of his mental desk, he assessed that it was in genus pysgodyn from the frills around the head. It landed shortly nearby and soon Hart found himself standing in a line with the other riders. It was a bit awkward since he wasn’t beside any human friends, which was a short list but there weren’t many riders either. What was it? Ten newbies minus him? He knew two other humans, do some math…well, the probability wasn’t on his side. There was just a twenty percent chance, if his math was correct.

His attention returned to the voice that called them there. Oh, it was Nicodemus. It’s a small world. That’s my other cousin, Nicodemus, he informed his dragon. He listened to the speech and gulped when he heard that there wasn’t going to be any help from them at all. It was a free ride. Wow. The idea was fascinating and frightening at the same time. He felt like he was on the edge of a cliff, being forced to wait before it was his turn to jump off.

Any questions before you begin?

Hart shifted, waiting for anyone to speak up and for his mind to come up with something to say. He felt like he should say something, for some odd reason. So, he lifted up his hand.

“Is Brontes a pysgodyn gemsboc? They’re also known as Blue Frilled Dragons. Also, will it only be you teaching us or will there be others? Will we be flying home or going home the same way we came?”

He put down his hand and waited for the answers. A little after, he noticed Michael lurking towards Cea. What was that corpse doing now? He kept leaning his head back a little bit to see what he was doing. Now the creature was whispering something into his cousin’s ear. Like a snake, he thought to himself. Then the idiot started to touch Cea’s hair. Hart quit watching. His help wouldn’t be needed at all now, not that Cea couldn’t handle his own fights (really he also handled Hart’s, too). But Hart liked to be there, adding in his own little punches whenever he could so that Cea knew that he wasn’t alone. Of course, Hart would only do that for Cea and Rocky. They were the only ones he was willing to get his hands messy for. Them and maybe Aeolus too.

Brontes

Water | 250 | M | M: Nico, Michael, Mircea, Ryu

The water dragon wasn't happy when he heard a shout, followed by a sigh, the dragon it came from glared at his rider, as it made its way over. Brontes returned the stare, eyes narrowing at the other water dragon. He wasn't fond of the disrespect some of these new dragons had, especially for those who would be training them. The dragon's gaze flitted back to the fire dragon from early, a grin had spread across her features, however, he brushed off the encounter in time to see another human walking up towards him.

The young girl seemed to be a new rider, though he couldn't seem to pinpoint where her dragon was, considering the group was a good size he figured the other creature was just out of sight in the group. Keeping his head held high, he angled his head to look below as she stopped a little ways off. The encounter didn't last long when she turned her gaze away from him.

The water dragon's focus was turned to his rider, whose attention was on his half-brother and another boy. His rider was clearly frustrated with the scene and the water dragon lowered his head as Nico approached him. Brontes was thrilled at the aspect of dowsing the new riders in water. Though midway through the conversation he noticed the water dragon from before runoff. With a slight shrug, he nodded towards his rider. Of course, I shall enjoy every second of it.

With that, Brontes took a small step away from his rider, if the rider's dragons were to retaliate he wouldn't wish to have his rider seared by the fire dragon. The water dragon had taken care to stay hydrated that morning, before the bonding had started he had spent some time in the water, fueling up for the day's events if he happened to need it. Brontes started off with a test blow, shooting a stream of water into the air in an attempt to regulate its temperature of it before he blasted it towards the riders. The last thing he needed was to accidentally boil them.

With a step forward the water dragon let out a short blast of water, it was quite warm, though not enough to leave injury, it would mostly come as a shock. The blow was aimed just a bit above them, so the water could almost pour down on the riders instead of sending a blast straight at them, potentially knocking them over and causing more distress than necessary. He just needed to help send a message.

The water was aimed at Nico’s half-brother and his friend who belonged to the fire dragon. His rider needed their attention so his message should be able to get them to focus. If the two hadn't heard Nico’s earlier statement, their first ride might not go as planned.

Lira Wild-Heart||Female||16||Rider to Dawn||M: Nico, Brontes,

Lira gave Brontes a pointed look as she ended up wet. Lira then turned her gaze to Nico and asked "Do we ride the dragons without tack by chance?" She actually wanted to ride Dawn bear back as she found it fun. She said "Also Why am i wet." She had a sluking tone at that last statement.

Lira looked back at Nico and waited for a response. She felt werid with being wet not liking it. She took the time to look at Nico. She didn't say much else other then what she had. She said "Dawn were are you? Wait how i am i speaking through my mind to you!?"

⸻「 Rinecess 」⸻

Female || Rider || 18 Years || Mentions: Calemira, Vasuki, Vivienne

Rinecess smiled, seeing as Mira approved of the gift, it almost looked as if the dragon were wiggling in glee in Rin's eyes. It was.. kinda' adorable.

The majestic beast lended a leg, nodding. "Go ahead, I probably would break it if I tried to put it on myself right now." Nodding in reply, Rin began to lift the gold piece, and began place it onto the dragon's hand.

It was a peaceful moment.

Until it came.

The dark dragon that was came along with Calemira rushed up towards them, his tail swaying side to side, knocking down random people. Rin found it slightly funny, and chuckled silently. However, she stopped as it came up to Mira, sticking his horns into her face.

They knew eachother, obviously, but.. seriously? Just- shoving your nasty ass horns in someones face was alright? Sighing, she didn't pay mind, and was about to look back to Calemira, only to see that the dragon looked in her direction, and committed a quick reveal of one of his teeth. To her. No one else seemed to have seen it.. and it made her, mad.

Its gaze movd towards her hand, staring at the gift she was presenting to Mira. She couldn't tell if it was full of distaste, jealousy or simply wishing it had recieved such a gift. However, it was obvious he was upset.

Glaring with eyes of blades, Rin stared the dragon down, staring into his horrific eyes. Yes. She was completely horrified in doing so, but she refused to show that.. to the best of her abilities. However, she was doubtful in those moments. So.

Lifting her opened hand, she began to rub her cheek that the dark dragon could clearly see, and her middle finger seemed to have.. "slipped". As the rest of her knuckles were tucked beneath, her middle finger rubbed against her skin, straight as a T - Post. She didn't know if Dragons understood what the Bird meant, but if they did, she cackled inside.

I don't know what you are thinking you disgusting, over grown lizard. But if you dare to show distate towards my gift to Mira, I promise I will show you whats worth of your disgusting opinion.

Unfortunately, it couldn't hear her. But that's fine. All she needed was herself to hear it. Someday, if she had the courage, she'd spit it right in its pitiful face. Or, she'd spread rumours... or.. she could lie cracked dragon eggs on its doorstep.. or..

Nevermind that wretched lizard.

Continuing to place the jewelry onto Mira's talons, she slipped the three rings through her beautiful, well - kept talons. Then she draped it across the front of her wrist, following it up her scales, then finally wrapping the end around her wrist. Not too tight it'd cut off circulation, or become comfortable when moving, but just enough so it wouldn't fall or slip. So it'd stay in its perfect, lovely position.

As she pulled herself away, she slightly jumped as the dragon rose herself to all fours, looking towards the other fellow dragon, and what seemed to be his rider. They seemed to be dealing with it fine between them.. so she didn't intervene, however, she sent a side - glance glare to the other dragon's rider, looking the woman up and down, clicking her tongue. "Tsk."

"I hope it comfortable. I can always adjust i-"

"Riders!"

Who?-

"I am Nicodemus Brooks, this is my dragon, Brontes. We will be your groups Leaders. We're going to train you, and guide you through this process. That means what we say goes, and if you don't like it, you're going to have to get over it, because you don't have a choice."

Ugh.. she forgot about that part. Rin was never a fan of authority.. they were so entitled. Always thinking they could munipulate commoners, thinking their were the best. Yada, yad- oop. Not Rin describing her own self. Crossing her arms across her chest, she lifted a hand, resting the elbow on the base of the arm below, and pushed her fingers against her lips, smiling.

The Group Leader continued on, blah, blah, blah~ death, not death, avoid it, something, something. Possibly carnage, burning of bridg- wait. No. That was something else on her mind, not what he was saying.. what was he saying again?

Mircea Crylor | 17 | Male | Mentions: Micheal, Valine, Nicodemus, Brontes.

TW: Mircea sorta has a panic attack and possible child neglect.

The young man stood proudly as he watched his brother take the lead. He was listening intently to him, so he would know how this would go. He did have a question, considering he had a dragon that wasn't known for, he had raised his hand to ask about that. But his thoughts were interrupted when he felt himself being poked and his name being called. Of all the insufferable things that he could pull, Mircea hissed inwardly. He opted to ignore him. He didn't need this right now, he felt he had a rather important question about the First Ride.

"Yes, I had a question about how the First Ride would go for those who have dragons that can't achieve true flight. Would this include burrowing underground for-" he was interrupted when he felt a cold liquid touch his ear. His body physically jerked at the sensation, and then the sound of sneezing came again. What the fuck, what the fuck, what the fuuuucccck. He then turned rather slowly to Micheal, his eyes lit up with annoyance - but not the usual playful one look , no he was actually annoyed.

His nose crinkled in disgust and his mouth was left agape in shock. He couldn't even say anything, but instead looked at him with a disgusted and annoyed look. It took every bone in his body to not deck him in that smug face of his. He instead opted to grit his teeth in annoyance, and turn his attention away from him, but then the idiot managed to step on his boots and hit him. Oh for heaven's sake, this boy would be the death of him. He flexed his fingers in annoyance, and took a deep breath to calm his nerves again. But what was the final straw was when he began messing with his hair.

He faced Micheal with a rather disturbing face. His eye was twitching and it would seem his pupils were dilated much akin to a cat when annoyed or angry at something. One could practically see the imaginary smoke coming from his nose. Yet he just stood there taking it like it was nothing. Had Micheal nothing better to do than annoy him?! He then heard the boots of someone coming and found the very annoyed look of his brother. He felt himself shrink into himself.

Shit.

He felt himself shrink , and a disappointed look crossed his features as he looked at the ground. But what shook him was when his brother's dragon shot some water into the air. Crap, that was a test shot of some sort, Mircea internally panicked. He didn't have a shield or something to block the water. So when the dragon started moving forward to turn its aim to Mircea and Micheal he ran and slid under his dragon's wing to avoid the blast. Well if he could even call them that, more like giant pretty frills that could hide him from view, and protect him. He did not want to be doused today, he would leave that to Micheal.

He felt himself press to Valine's side. He looked down at his hands, they were trembling. Shaking like a leave in high winds, as if hanging on by a thread. Oh god he felt like he was going to hurl, and he covered his mouth as a wave a nausea hit him. How embarrassing - his inner voice chided, you just embarrassed your family particularly your father and older brother. He felt his eye twitch a bit. No, that wasn't his voice, it was that of his father. His father, he did adore and idolize - maybe a bit too much , the father who probably was least deserving of his admiration. The father who pushed him too much at times.

Mircea could feel breathing getting harder. It was like something was constricting his lungs. He wanted to scream, shout! Do something but he couldn't. All he could do is feel failure and disappointment in himself. He had just made a fool of himself. He wasn't deserving to be a rider if he couldn't even get over something like this. How could he face the other Riders now - the boy who got called out on the first day. He felt himself hug his knees to his chest.

I'm sorry my dear dragon. He whispered through their link, his voice probably soft and rather dull, I am not worthy of you. I just made a damned fool of myself, my family and my brother. How can I even begin to measure to them now. Im just a screw-up like usual, just a bad kid.

He hadn't realized he had held his hand out until he felt something wet on it. Surprised by the sensation he looked down to see a tear, and another one fell after it. No, no, no, no not tears. He felt worse than before now.

How pathetic am I that I'm crying over something so..stupid.