Shikoba Dilwyn-Rima Anschutz

New Rider | Seventeen | Mentions : Caelestis

Shikoba took a deep breath ; eyes roving about as they took in the sights of the others. Many had bonded with a dragon ; it was so interesting to see the creatures up close. They were even more impressive when standing in front of you - and it made you realize just how small one was compared to the beasts. It seemed most were brimming with excitement with the possibilities of the newfound relationship between dragon and man. But it seemed that a lot of the dragons were a bit territorial when it came to their riders and a bit demanding of them - some coming in with displays of power or dominance against their human. They felt sorry for some because what they were enduring were plain scary - but it seemed that most were subjected to that for a few minutes before getting to talk to their dragons normally and without the chance of dying. They then felt the odd sensation that they were being watched, and it sent a shiver down their spine, and that's when they felt a sort of tug within them . . . something telling them that they shouldn't run away, instead run towards the anomaly. And their heart's pace quickened, anxious as they help their hand to their chest and they could sense something creeping up behind them - and that's when they finally turned around.

They were met with a creature that seemed to have crawled from some abysmal hole from the depths of the earth. The dragon didn't even have eyes ! It felt downright odd to be gazing upon , had it lost its eyes in a fight or something? They put their hands to their mouth and look at the creature with a mixture of shock and confusion, but there was slight excitement as they were excited to be bonded with a dragon - no matter how creepy they looked. The pitch black scales glittered within the sunlight - giving them an almost ethereal sheen to them. And then the dragon appeared to have fur as well, beautiful and dense fur going down from the base of its neck to its tail. It had a sparse amount of horse. They were so enwrapped with chilling out the dragon that they groaned as their mental link pulled and tugged, before snapping into place - leaving them with a splitting headache and ringing ears. They gave a slight hiss of annoyance, and then realized - was this the Bond that they heard so much about. They heard about how riders could speak to their dragons with their mind - was that real? Or all just word of mouth?

Hello ? Came their echoey voice - they were speaking using their mind. You're the dragon to be bonded with me. I must apologize, I was taken aback by your appearance - you're different than most dragons I've seen. They explained sheepishly, as they began walking towards the dragon. They were ready to embrace this future, and they remembered that they had a satchel - and they had a beautiful pearl with an iridescent hue. I offer you a pearl as a gift to symbolize our future partnership and connection together. I hope we have a wonderful future together. They spoke their words earnest and true to the dragon. They truly were excited to begin a new chapter in their life - the chapter, of Dragon Riding.

Aziza Sterling || Female || 18 || New Rider || M: Tatsuo, Amuluk (Ind)

The parted jaw of her newfound companion caused some unease to stir within the pit Azzy’s stomach, the beast’s teeth glimmering like jewels in the light of the bubble surrounding them. Intimidating would be an understatement concerning these pearly whites, each one as sharp and pristine as a royal dagger. A promise, not a warning, was what they held – a certainty that those who tested their luck would be harmed. The more she stared at the wondrous but deadly sight, the more anxious she became. Her eyes shifted constantly, looking to the sharpened display every so often as though she were drawn to it. Her thumbs twiddled all the while, unsure about her next move let alone the dragon’s.

Should she say something or nothing at all? Wait for the dragon to react? Only address her further when addressed once more? Too many options, too little certainty.

A harsh and clearly noticeable flinch resonated through the girl following the series of clicks and grunts flows from the dragon’s open maw – eyes of pale gold now watching her twitching head and neck closely. Inwardly she scolds herself for this, disgusted to show such distrust so early on. Her hand balls up in a fist at her frustration as she glances away momentarily, bringing it down slightly in the air as though attempting to strike it. She shouldn’t be scared of the large being before her no matter how unnerving she initially appeared and acted. They had seemingly bonded after all! Surely no harm originating the blanche being would befall onto her… right?

A loud splash sounded by the lake during the midst of this pondering followed swiftly by the roar of an enraged behemoth. A strum of worry crossed her heart at this, concerned for whoever was involved in… whatever had just occurred. Leaning to the side, she tries to see past her own dragon and the enchanting bubble surrounding them but to no avail. Then again, the back of her mind argued, such an outcome may just be for the better.

The dragoness’ following statement had the brown haired girl jumping once again, thankfully not as bad this time around. She swiftly settles into her general “proper” and “lady-like” posture rather than a leaning one – head angled straight ahead. It was just her eyes that moved to meet those of the looming dragon, a void of white that seemed to swallow her vision whole. It was nigh impossible to decipher where her vision lay, so the girl was only left to assume it was directed right at her.

Parting her lips to answer she stutters, “W-well… It is not every day that one converses with a dragon. Let alone one they’ve had the honor of bonding with,” she trails off and glances towards the ground as best she could.

At the proceeding affirmation, all Aziza could do was nod. Her orbs flicker back to the being before her afterwards, daring to (most likely) meet her unreadable gaze. Her mouth holds a thin line across her face, showing neither delight nor fear but the slightest case of uncertainty. Though she should feel elated to have bonded, having not ended up a disappointment to her family, she just couldn’t seem to think that way. The whole situation was just… immensely overwhelming.

A third and hopefully final jolt strikes the girl’s senses at the winding of the female’s tail around her form. It was much, much larger than herself – more so than one would expect thanks to her shorter stature. Watching as the mass of blindingly white scales wraps around her ankles, then legs, then torso, she finally comes back from whatever daze she had entered at the touch. She lifts her arms up before they become entangled within the coil, wishing to have some “free reign” in this situation. A look of infinitesimal worry rises onto her face, mending into the uncertainty from before. Once the dragon seemed content with her containment, she began to lift the small human upwards – something which caused said human to place her hands on top of the female’s scales to secure her upright position. Her eyes watch the ground grow distant with unease, not used to being so high up in the air without her feet touching anything. It honestly wasn’t until she felt her companion’s breath that she came to realize her new position and how close she was to her face. She meets the dragon’s unwavering gaze again.

A name. Finally a name to the face before her. Tatsuo. It was quite the pretty name the girl thought, one she had not heard before. Like her class, it was rather exotic… She tries her best not to flinch at the tightening of the dragon’s grip as her words hang in the air, choosing to focus on the name given instead of the action.

After a tick or so of silence, she answers her question; “Aziza. Aziza Sterling. It is… a pleasure to meet your acquaintance Tatsuo,” she goes to bow, just as she was taught, but stops herself at the remembrance of her present… predicament.

The ringing of another unnatural voice sounds with her mind, one she believed was meant to be present no matter how much she felt otherwise. Azzy shudders – not used to the whole ordeal. Was this Tatsuo speaking through the bond? She had heard her brothers mentioning something akin to this before based on their own experiences, but…

Taking a small breath, she tries to test this theory – reaching out for… something. Something present yet not, unseeable but all too real. Like a distant memory.

“I suppose,” she tries to relay, “that is a possibility,” a small smile graces her features for the dragon to gaze upon for the first time.

Amhuluk

| Water Dragon | Male | New Dragon | Mentions: Marina, Avery (dir)

"Marina West," he repeated, his voice rumbling deeply. The name felt foreign on his tongue. He watched carefully as her eyes widened at his nickname, though she remained steady, adding a small joke under her breath. Despite her being his rider, Amhuluk believed it was healthy to have some fear towards one another. He observed her as she pulled her cloak tighter around herself, her smirk not going unnoticed at her nickname.

"You handled yourself well, little beast," he continued, his tone carrying a hint of approval. "Many would have succumbed to fear or despair, but you... you fought." He tilted his head slightly, studying her with those piercing blue eyes. "It seems we will make an interesting pair, you and I."

As the sunlight danced on his scales, he shifted slightly, the mist from his breath dissipating. His scales gleamed even brighter, reflecting the light in a mesmerizing display. Despite the sun's warming rays, the water beast still appeared glistening with moisture, water dripping off him or trailing down his body.

Their conversation was abruptly interrupted again by a tall young man with dirty blonde hair. Anger blazed in his hazel eyes, and his hands were firmly planted on his hips as he confronted Marina. Amhuluk observed the scene with a hint of impatience, his tail swishing behind him as he eyed the young man. His demeanor remained relaxed yet alert, muscles subtly tensing under his scales.

"Miss So and So" was what the young man called her. Amhuluk sneered in distaste at the name; it was not a fitting nickname for Marina. As the young man rambled on, Amhuluk realized this was the angry dragoness’s rider, the rider carried her scent. Amhuluk let out a heavy sigh, casting a gaze upwards. "Humans," he grumbled in disdain. He saw why the two paired well together, both lecturing about the same nonsense.

Amhuluk began to turn away from the pair, his tail twitched subtly again with a hint of irritation. It was clear he was signaling the end of the conversation on his end. "Get rid of him," he snapped through the bond, carefully moving away from Marina, his massive form casting a long shadow. His movements were deliberate, almost languid, but there was a coiled tension in his muscles, like a predator ready to strike.

It wasn’t until the young rider called Marina “rude” that Amhuluk stilled. His head whipped around, his eerie blue eyes narrowing dangerously as he regarded the young man with a level gaze. His Little Beast was far from rude.

"Mind your tongue, human," the water beast warned him with a low growl, his dorsal fin flaring slightly in agitation. It was all he said; he expected Marina to handle the situation from there as he turned away once more towards the lake.

Amhuluk submerged himself into the cool, shimmering waters, sending ripples cascading outward. His posture remained relaxed, but his eyes were sharp, taking in every detail of the interaction on the shore. His dorsal fin lowered as he observed the young man greet Marina in a more friendly manner. Again? These two have a history, Amhuluk mused silently to himself. His gaze shifted back to Marina, giving her an incredulous look.

"You need better friends, little beast," he remarked, his voice rumbling deeply with disapproval.

Caelestis - New Dragon - Air - 230 Years - Mentions: Shikoba

For the immense creature of shadow and scale, it was the stirring within his mind that alerted him to the presence of another, the tugging of the bond seemingly warping and twisting painfully for several seconds, the snapping of the link evoked a sharply honed lance of discomfort to sear through his psyche.

The unyielding yanking of the incomplete tie, the sign that there was indeed a human in the world who would be linked to him for as long as their lifespans allowed, stabilized with as much fanfare as it had appeared, a link to the one who would be his rider feeling to be shining with the ferocity of the sunlight on his back in the open skies.

The discomfort faded swiftly, forming into a vague memory of pain as he stood where he had paused, neck bending towards where he believed a human stood as his head shifted position so that it was pointing towards the field upon the humans and dragons dwelt. A light breeze snaked through the forest leaves and around the obstructions that the human crowd brought, the echoes of barriers and open spaces for the wind to whirl settled into the base of his mind, the dragon's attention wholly on the human he had targeted. The only one of their number who was stirring the quieted air with their movements, the one whose voice reverberated within his skull and rattled every inch of sense that he possessed.

His partner had spoken through the bond, and he heard the words within his mind.

Through the windstorm of emotions, the mere loose commotion of such feelings rising into an exhilerating twisting that rivaled the most cunning of winds within the highest heights of the open sky, Caelestis quieted his mind and responded to the human's greeting before the time passed could become awkward between the two of them. Hello there, rider of mine, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. I am known as Caelestis. If memory serves me right, it means 'Of the sky'. May I ask for your name?

The tenebrous creature spoke as he shifted closer to the human, nostrils flaring to catch the young male's scent to dedicate it to memory, the feathery fur whispering across the grass as the serpentine tail curled closer, the instinct to defend the human rising within his heart. Your apology is unnecessary, although appreciated, you do not offend me by commenting upon my appearance, I have been since informed that I do not resemble the others of my kind in. . .multiple aspects. He explained with the flickerings of good-natured humor swirling, briefly shaking his neck and head in an idle motion. And thank you for your consideration, it pains me that I cannot see your gift, I have heard that pearls are quite lovely. However the spirit in which it was brought is enough for me.

I have brought a gift for you, it seems to be some sort of stone, maybe it is a decoration of some sort, the dragon explained as he slowly leaned back from the rather crouched position he had assumed, tightly curling his slender form around so that he was able to reach the secondary wing the object was held in. A moment passed and the creature was already straightening his pose, the fist-sized sphere delicately held between the narrowed point of his jaws, lips curling back enough to suggest a hint of sharply serrated teeth as he leaned down, head and body lowering so that he could present his gift to the future rider. In the fashion of those who came before me, I brought you this gift so that it serves as the physical marker of our future, and as a gesture of goodwill between us. I do hope it fits your tastes in appearance, my rider.

Aýnabat

| Lunar Dragon | Female | New Dragon | Mentions: Koji, Thalassia, Zadok, Tatsuo, Coyolxauhqui

Aýnabat softly trilled in greeting to the Psyche male and other Lunar dragoness as her sister introduced her and Tatsuo. She’d have to ask later what the other Lunar dragoness’s name was, as she committed Zadok’s name to memory. Aýnabat’s gaze traveled to their other sister, who was still ensnared with her own female rider. A gentle rumble formed in her chest as the sound carried to the white dragoness, checking to see if all was well.

Aýnabat’s tail tightened around her own rider—Koji. She lifted the not-so-small young man easily into the air with her tail, moving them a bit away from the growing crowd. She heard Thalassia's rider call after him, though she paid him no mind, they would speak soon enough. For now, she wanted to be with her rider, alone. Her tail was entwined around his waist but leaving his arms free to use. It wasn’t often she envied another’s ability, but in this moment she wished she could shroud themselves in darkness like Thalassia or light like Tatsuo.

Aýnabat did have a similar ability, but nighttime was required to use it; she wasn’t able to present her veil in the daytime. An uncomfortable gnawing feeling clawed at her chest as she brought them a decent distance away, under a shady tree. Possessiveness. Territorial over her new rider. Her teal eyes glowed faintly as she watched over him, her long horns catching in the sunlight.

Aýnabat slowly lowered her newfound companion, tucking her legs beneath her, relishing in the cool shade the large tree provided. She eyed Koji, what a peculiar name. “My name is Aýnabat; it means Sweet Moon,” she paused, reflecting on her journey. “We—my sisters and I—traveled from the roaring seaside. I reside within a cave that overlooks the sea, where I watch the sun kiss the water and the moon rise in all its glory. The waves sing me to sleep most days.” At the mention of the moon, the glowing orb between her horns burned a bit brighter.

Her gaze returned to the large group, finding her sister. “My Dark sister, Thalassia, who is with your friend, resides near me within ancient ruins.” Her eyes turned to the white dragoness, her snout pointing in her direction. “Tatsuo, our chosen Light sister, also resides in a cave near us,” she paused, looking at Koji again—considering his statement.

Aýnabat let out a weary sigh, “Travel does not drain me,” she glanced heavenward, “but the burning orb in the sky does take its toll,” she huffed out a laugh. “I do not fare well in the sunlight; my powers are weakened—though the moon’s gentle glow helps restore me completely." She smiled, her eyes reflecting a certain fondness. "Under the moonlight, I am at my strongest,” her eyes found Koji’s again, “Even so, I still possess abilities during the daytime, just not at their full strength.”

Mattis

| Mentor | Male | 20 years old | Mentions: Zadok, Finn, Thalassia (dir). Aýnabat, Koji, Coyolxauhqui (Ind)

Mattis nodded, a sense of relief spreading as Zadok confirmed their old friendship and assured him about the dragoness's intentions towards Finn. Feeling Zadok's paw ruffling his hair, Mattis chuckled and quickly brushed it aside, shooting a mock scowl at his dragon before relaxing. "Alright, Z, enough with the grooming," he teased lightly.

As he felt the piercing gaze of the Dark dragoness on him, Mattis couldn't help but joke through their bond, "Will she eat me?" His tone was half-joking but there was a mild serious undertone, as her attention shifted back to Finn. "Guess I'm safe for now." He mumbled as he glanced sideways at Zadok, seeking reassurance.

Soon, Coyolxauhqui joined their group, greeting the Dark dragoness and her companions warmly. A smile tugged at Mattis's lips, revealing a slight dimple on his left cheek, as the crystal-coated dragoness introduced her friends, playfully comparing Finn's name to a fish. His blue eyes, bright and expressive, lit up with amusement and warmth. His smile broadened further when she mentioned Zadok speaking of him. "Aw, you talk about me with your friends!" he exclaimed with a hand over his heart, feigning shock and amusement as he glanced affectionately at Zadok.

His gaze turned to Finn, who was addressing Zadok as "sir." Mattis chuckled lightly through their bond, "Sir, huh?" He then proudly introduced, "This big beast is Zadok, my Psyche dragon," placing his hand on Zadok's dark leg. "You can just call him Zadok, though." His attention shifted to Koji as the Lunar dragoness began guiding them away. "Looks like we're all in for some quality time together!" His hands clapped together once in excitement.

At the mention of the First Flight, Mattis felt his anxiety spike. “First Flight is exactly what it sounds like, your inaugural flight together,” Mattis paused, his expression growing serious and somewhat hesitant. “It’s more of a trial for the riders rather than the dragons. Riders must stay on their dragons to complete the bond. Sometimes, dragons may try to…” His voice trailed off momentarily. “They may try to dismount their rider, to break the bond” he continued, his expression turning grim. “This flight is crucial to solidify the bond between you two.”