Never Ending Hunt - Open

[kevna]

Tak'ril - Bronze Agureyth

Tak’ril leaned against a stone he had found for backHe had too many already, but this one could be a gift? He sat on the outskirts of the forest, Agureyth was circling from up above searching for his next meal. This took quite a bit of time. Mainly because the dragon was so big and slow it took him a long time to find a suitable place to attack prey, and usually multiple attempts.He imagined the first few gold flights would look similar, and the man chuckled to himself.
That’s not fair. If the prey is in the air I have a much better chance.
I guess we'll just have to see.
Stop thinking so loud, I’m losing my concentration.
Not like that really helps you.
Do you want me to starve?
No, but I would like to leave here in the next day or two. I can’t feel my behind anymore.

His dragon grumbled and went back to focusing. Tak’ril continued his whittling. It was beginning to look right. He probably could finish it before his dragon finally found a meal.
Now that’s just mean.
You are being nosy.
I’m hungry but I can’t find any-oh wait.
His dragon got distracted by movement, and Tak’ril had his brain to himself again. At least for the moment. Suddenly his whittling stopped, knife mid-air. His dragon had joined in on his thought process about gold dragons rising. He swallowed. That wasn't interest, was it? No. Agureyth was still so young, he had time. Right? What would he do when the time came, and the feelings along with it? He had never... He didn't want his first time... He shook himself. He hadn't expressed any interest, the conversation had just been as most of theirs were. Banter. That was it. He slowly resumed the knife, though he felt a bit more disconcerted. 

[tovaana]

Ceela;

It was getting cold, her beach was getting cold. It didn’t stop her from playing on the beach, but it did encourage her to do some other exploring. She knew that the forest was off-limits, but that was because of dangers like felines and other larger creatures, but from her experience those threats mostly prowled at night. It was like telling Ceela to not talk to someone because they had a ‘dark’ side to them. What if they did? What if they made a swipe at her? But, what if you discovered something better? What if you discovered something no one else had found?

She breathed in the smell of bark and listened to the leaves whisper her name. Her hand moved over the bark and she glanced into through the trees that were loosely knit. She wove through them down the tree line, teasing herself and perhaps fate. In and out, in and out, she used the trees to swing her in one direction and then the other, her hands sliding across smooth and rough surfaces. She stopped at a tree and her fingers played with the bark where something that scratched the surface in a long line. A dragon? Feline? Who knew. Her mind came up with stories – perhaps someone with a knife. Had there been a hidden duel over personal matter? Who knew.

She swung herself in toward the trees a couple more times than she swung herself outward. Ceela could almost get lost in the trees now, if she really wanted to. She almost made that impulsive decision when she heard the noise of metal chipping away at bark – but it wasn’t a sound she was used to hearing, so she wasn’t quite sure what it was. Instead of delving deeper into the wood, she moved at an angle inward until she saw a man… standing by himself… whittling wood. A dark eyebrow rose in curiosity. She moved closer, quietly, not to disturb him, but realized surprising a man with a knife probably wasn’t the best idea.

“What’cha making?” Well, wasn't this a strange sight. Especially since Ceela was unfamiliar with the feeding of dragons in Mavros. Perhaps somewhere in a lesson something had been mentioned, but with how often lost in thought she was, tendrils of information about Mavrosi differences sometimes got lost too. What he was doing there was another conversation – but she was more interested in the little wooden block in his hand being shaped into… something. She always appreciated art, but never thought she’d have the patience to work on something so long – it would be too long a wait to see how something would actually turn out.

She leaned away from a tree, attaching herself to it with a hand – leaning closer to see what he was doing – but still a runner length away from the man, half wary of the knife, but more curious than cautious.

[kevna]

Tak’ril – Bronze Agureyth

He had been so wrapped up in his concern and thoughts that he had missed her approach. Luckily, his hands had years of practice at staying steady over unpredictable waters, or he would have cut a finger off. He looked over to see a freckled young woman leaning towards him, her hand resting on the tree, her face curious as she sought to understand what he shaped in his hands.

“Oh-uh, well, it’s uh, supposed to be-eventually that is, a fishing pole.” He cleared his throat and looked back at the wood he was whittling and blushed. It wasn’t far enough along to look all that great, and he was slightly embarrassed to show off the unfinished wooden stick he had started using. He threw the knife in the ground, hearing his mother’s chiding voice about having a knife out in a woman’s presence. And then realized he should probably stand in a woman’s presence. This time he heard Taselin’s teasing voice.

“Oh.” He stood up and put his hand out to shake hers. “It will look better when, you know, I’m uh, done with it…”

Yes, you are quite awkward.

Thanks buddy. He said sarcastically, then more seriously, and half pleadingly, Any pointers?

Well, you could try introducing yourself.“Errr, yeah, sorry. I’m Tak’ril. Rider of Bronze Agureyth.” He gave a half quirked smile and scratched his head. “And you are?”

Yeah, so much smoother.

Shut up.

[tovaana]

Ceela;

An eyebrow tilted upward at his answer. She looked at the stick with a thoughtful frown; she supposed she could have guessed that. That or a walking stick perhaps? Her eyes trailed to the man, who in the shadows of the trees looked like his face had flushed with a blush. She couldn’t imagine why and didn’t really care or mind it. She didn’t like to make people feel uncomfortable, but shy or quieter people were always intriguing… and her personality often made them uncomfortable anyways.

A bronze rider! Out in the woods? Whittling a fishing pole? She smiled at the strange meeting. “I’m Ceela.” She didn’t usually like to follow her name with things that ‘defined’ who she was, unless she was teasing someone who stated their title with such pride. She also didn't like wearing her candidate knots unless someone was going to ask her where they were. Being a dragon candidate wasn’t who she was, it was just part of her adventure. She would be glad wherever it took her – especially if she got a dragon in the process. Her eyes glanced around briefly to see if there was the large bronze nearby, but couldn’t see him. Then her attention went back to the stick.

“Please, don’t stop on my account.” She said. She let go of the tree she had been leaning away from and then leaned against it, looking up through the branches toward the cloudy blue sky. She went around the tree and found that the thicker tree had a branch low enough… she wrapped her two hands on each side of it and pulled experimentally and smiled to herself, yes it would do. She pulled herself up a little so her feet hung and swung them to the tree and ‘walked’ up it until her legs were high enough where she could hook her legs around the branch like a sloth. She expertly shifted and swung until she was on top of the branch. She moved to the next highest and sat there, about 8 feet above the ground where she could watch Tak’ril. Her feet swung lazily.

“Ooooh, I like this perspective. It’s different.” She glanced around, and then up. What if she could see the dragon from the upper branches? She glanced back down at the bronze rider. “Where’s your bronze? Did you come all the way out here, just to make your fishing rod? I’ve done a little fishing, not with a rod though… more with make-shift nets, not very well done. Ooo, perhaps you could show me how you do it!” She sat there with a silly happy grin on her face, almost child-like the way she sat on her branch high in the tree.

[kevna]

Tak'ril - Bronze Agureyth

He warred between wanting to pick up the knife and have something to do with his hands, so at least not to seem any more awkward, and following his mother’s instructions. He settled on the fact that what she didn’t know couldn’t hurt, and Ceela had given him permission. “Uh, thanks.” He stooped down, sitting and resting himself at an angle so he could keep an eye on the girl-woman- and picked his knife back up, getting back to work. The heaviness of the handle in his calloused hands brought him some comfort and helped him ground himself.

I don’t suppose you could come down here?

I am hungry. Can’t you hold your own for a little while longer?

He watched as the wild haired girl climbed up the tree and scratched the back of his neck. She sure was odd.

Would you just hurry?

Well, I would, but my wings are too large. His bronze grumbled. Tak’ril nervously chuckled, not sure if it was due to the girls words or the bronze’s utter frustration. “I would suppose so.” He considered how far up she was, and realized that he couldn’t imagine it. Usually he saw greater heights from the back of his dragon, none quite to high or shallow at the same time as what she was at. She spoke fast and lightly, not giving him an opening to actually answer her question before moving on to her next subject of choice. She radiated energy.

Errr, now what?

Well, tell-Oooh oooh theretherethere. His dragon didn’t finish his thought for Tak’ril, and suddenly he heard a loud crash and trees snap from not too terribly far away. At least the dragon had given him somewhere to start. A more genuine smile graced his lips, he pointed his knife in the direction of the loud noise, and he chuckled. “Uh, that would be him. My bronze.” As if to clarify, which he realized too late was probably unneeded. “He’s uh, struggling to catch his next meal.” He proffered his project and shrugged. “It usually takes a while.”

Well, don’t embarrass me.. His dragon said grumpily.

Did you get it?

No… The dragon grumbled again and Tak’ril tried not to laugh at the large dragon’s obvious struggle.

“I’m sure,” He cleared his throat, “that he’d love to meet you once he’s not hangry anymore.”

No promises. The irritable dragon began looking for a good place to take off again, and Tak’ril’s hands went to work. “What, err what are you doing out here? It's-well probably not the safest..”

[tovaana]

Ceela;

She watched as he picked his knife back up, content for the most part to just watch him for the time being. The sound of the crackling branches and disturbed underbrush turned her attention sharply to the direction in which he pointed with his knife. She glanced down at him, catching his genuine smile, before back toward the noise. The woman shifted in her branch, standing on it and glancing in the direction of the noise, trying to see if she would catch a glimpse of the shimmery hide of his bronze.

“Would he? Oh, that would be wonderful! I’d love to meet him. Tell him that I would like to meet him too, would you?” she interjected before his question, to which she grinned. “Not the safest? Why, are you dangerous?” She teased, leaning into the trunk of the tree and looking down at him. She then pushed against it and almost lost her footing on some moist moss, but caught herself on the trunk, giggling hysterically. “Or maybe the trees aren’t the safest, should they ban all trees too?”

[kevna]

Tak'ril - Bronze Agureyth

He nodded mutely at her request, his hands continuing their shaving of the branch. 

She really wants to meet you.

Well maybe I can eat her. He was becoming very frustrated, as was plain the in feelings that were flowing to Tak’ril, as well as his tone. The bronzerider hoped the dragon caught his meal soon. He hear the sounds of takeoff, and looked over his shoulder as his very very large bronze took off, seeing the hint of the bright orange and dark copper wings with takeoff. He would be one of the largest dragons at Mavros, he was sure.

She’s small, not much meat on her. Tak’ril tried to assuage the bronzes frustration, sending a picture of her to the winged beast and got a hint of humor off the dragon.

Fine, I won’t eat her.

Tak’ril smiled again, then realizing she had asked if he was dangerous, shook his head quickly. “Uh no, no, I’m…not. Err, not really.” A thought of Taselin’s husband flashed in his head, the man he had killed, and wondered if he had just lied…Not meaningfully he supposed, but it had been a lie… He could be dangerous. He looked up at the girl as she began moving along the tree brach, and then slipped. He jumped up, knife dropping, taking a fast intake of air, his concern apparent. He tried to position himself under her in time to catch her if she fell. His breathing was quick, his heart pumping a dragon’s length a minute. She seemed so cavalier about almost falling.

“Eh, only if they turn against us.. I suppose.” He would have itched his head, but instead put his arms up, “Would, err… would you like help down?” If only to help him relax. He didn’t think he would be able to if she remained up.

[tovaana]

Ceela;

Through the branches and leaves she liked to think that it had been the bronze’s shimmer and not her imagination that she’d seen. Her eyes constantly moved, exploring her surroundings, but looked down at him as he responded, a smile forming on her lips at his stumbling response. “Not really? So might be? Perhaps your dragon can chaperone us then. When he’s done hunting, of course.”

Her eyes widened as the man deftly through the knife into the ground and was suddenly under her as if to catch her if she was to fall. She blinked down at them, still smiling from her hysterical giggles and a little out of breath – and shocked at how quickly he had responded. A gentleman. What other sort of person would react so quickly? She had perhaps imagined him to flinch, like most did when it would have been impossible for him to have saved her.

“The trees, turn against us?” She let out a little gasp, as if horrified by the thought. “Well, I suppose if I were a tree I’d turn against people who cut down my kin.” She said thoughtfully, glancing up into the leaves that twitched in the light breeze. Her brown gaze turned back down on the concerned face of the gentleman. Her eyebrows rose at his question, and in answer she shifted on her feet, a small smile teasing him, moving in dance like movements, wondering if they made him nervous. He didn’t need to be, she was certain of that. “Help down? By someone who is not really dangerous? But could be? Where am I safer, Tak? Up here, or down there? Should I be more afraid of the trees turning against me?” Her face was pulled in conflict, but her words and eyes danced with humor.

[kevna]

Tak'ril - Bronze Agureyth

He felt extremely uncomfortable with her teasing, unsure of how to answer. He didn’t consider himself dangerous to her. He ended up shrugging and nodding to her last comment. “When he’s finished, I’m sure he will.” He almost reached out to Aggy to hurry him along but thought better of it. The beast was frustrated enough.

“The trees, turn against us? Well, I suppose if I were a tree I’d turn against people who cut down my kin.” Hearing her say it made him realize just how silly a thing for him to say. Taselin used to say things like that, spinning everything into a possible fun and exciting story. She brought everything to life. “Aye, no better then humans it would then seem.” The thing was, he was no better, he had turned against another who had cut down his kin. He snapped back to the daring woman in the tree, his concern only growing when she started dancing on the branch she had just moments before almost fallen from.

He did itch his head this time, trying not to get frustrated by her antics. Why did women have to be so sharding frustrating! She was egging him on, surely she wasn’t really concerned with him. He raised his arms a little higher, shaking his head. “Well, what if I promise I’m not dangerous to you? Then surely you would be safer with me?”

He heard crashing again, a little farther off, and an excited bugle echoed around the forest. I did it, I did it. His dragon exclaimed, and Tak’ril gave a crooked smile, directed toward Ceela, but it was for his bronze. “Plus, Agureyth should be joining us here pretty soon. He’s finally caught his meal.”

[tovaana]

Ceela;

Ceela’s eyebrows rose with interest at the thought of trees being no better than humans, if the trees turned their anger on them. “Oh, but you’re right! How can we assume trees are just like humans? As far as I know – they haven’t turned against humans, probably an unfair comparison.” She finished thoughtfully, with a small smile, one leg swinging slowly in a controlled manner in front of her.

Her eyes trailed down at him as he itched his head and tried reasoning with her. She pursed her lips, thinking of many things to say – but she did notice he seemed anxious with her dancing on the tree limb. The promise to not be dangerous, seemed to imply even more that he was dangerous and that in itself was more alluring to her than the promise to not be dangerous. She also could have pointed out that promises didn’t ensure anything, especially if one was dangerous.

She bit the side of her bottom lip thoughtfully- making a decision and readying herself to jump, when the sound of the bronze bugling and crashing through the trees distracted and surprised her. Her heart rate picked up and she felt a foot slip and the rest of her seemed to follow. Her arms grappled with the branch as she twisted so that the side of her scraped against the branch and managed to not fall, her arms holding her barely. At least from this position she could slide and fall to the ground with the worst injury being a sprained ankle.

“Well, that was exciting. Here I come!” She said, knowing he was right under her. She then loosened her grip and let herself slide and fall. Her arms had that tingly sensation from the slipping, a certain thrill of excitement as she hurdled to the floor not knowing exactly what was going to happen.

[kevna]

Tak'ril - Bronze Agureyth

She seemed to seriously be considering his words, which the was the longest she had been quiet since the moment she had peered at him from the trees and greeted him. Ceela had even looked like she was about to jump when the sound of the bugle surprised her and she struggled to keep herself from falling.

“Shells.” He swore under his breath, his desire to be polite forgotten with his concern. This girl was going to be trouble. Had she hurt herself? Agureyth’s timing couldn’t have been worse. If he had just waited a few more seconds.

Then I wouldn’t have caught it. His satisfied dragon murmured in his head as he gorged on his meal. Is she okay? I didn't mean to startle her. 

Before he could answer the girl had let go and was falling. Tak’ril easily caught her in his arms, and then looked around, hesitating to put her down on her feet in case she had hurt herself. “Umm. Are you hurt? Er, can you stand?” Would she be able to walk? He wasn’t sure he could give her a ride back, since he hadn’t brought their gear, but if she had hurt herself…. "Agureyth apologizes, he didn't mean to startle you."

[tovaana]

Ceela;

She half expected to hit the ground and was surprised to be scooped up mid air by the bronze rider. “Woo!” She said, dazed a moment as she looked into the man’s face – her arm had wrapped around his neck to steady herself in his arms. She was surprised, yet again, when he didn’t just put her down. Her eyes looked into his face and enjoyed the moment of security and then looked down at her feet thoughtfully. She kicked them experimentally.

“As much as I enjoy being held by a stranger, I do believe my legs are just fine.” She sighed forlornly, but her smile wasn’t able to be wiped completely from her face. “Thank you for saving me. How can I ever thank you? Also, I think this officially makes you less than dangerous.” She said with a stifled giggle, trying to keep serious and also not making any movement that would hurry him to put her down.

[kevna]

Tak'ril - Bronze Agureyth

He was relieved to watch her kick her legs unhindered and pain free. Her comment about being held by a stranger and liking it caused a blush to form on his cheeks. “Errr, right. Um, good.” Which meant he could put her down, but her arm had instinctively wrapped around his neck and was still holding on… Then she was speaking again, and so he decided to walk her over to where he had been sitting, and far enough from any trees so not to inspire her into climbing any others. “Oh, um I think a thank you is just fine. Or avoiding from falling from any other trees.” He gave a small smile, and shrugged before realizing that it was difficult to do with a woman in his arms which caused a nervous chuckle to escape. He didn’t know what to say to the dangerous comment, so just went with a simple, “I’m glad.” He didn’t like the idea of anyone being afraid of him.

Are you done yet?

Almost, almost. Don’t rush me.

Well, you are far more interesting than I am.

That is not completely untrue. Okay, I can be done. The teasing in his dragon was clear and he sounded much happier then when they had started out the hunt. Then realizing he still hadn’t put Ceela down, he made a move to do so, lowering the arm with her legs, and his grip loosening. “Oh… Sorry, here.” Technically she had been the one to wrap her arm around his neck and hold it there… But she was probably waiting for him to put her down. “Uh, Agureyth should be here in a moment. He doesn’t chat much directly, but I can uh, well, interpret for you.” As he understood it, more and more dragons had started speaking to other humans beside their bonded, but Aggy, while friendly, wasn’t overly chatty with many, except maybe Joia. He wondered at that… She was special he knew, but was it just because of his own feelings?

The bronze dragon had had to get to the clearing near where he had settled himself while waiting on the bronze, and but not moments after he heard the crashing through brush and branches as the Agureyth came upon them with energy. His head popped through brush and he gave a small trill of curiosity as he lowered his head, eye next to the woman to get a better look at her.

How long has she been a candidate?

I’m not sure…

Right, but you can ask her right?

Oh. Right. “Umm, he wants to know how long you’ve been a candidate, and if you, err like it?” Well, he had added the last part in as his own curiosity.

[tovaana]

Ceela;

She happily kept in his arms, glancing in the direction of the dragon and then back up at the simple worded man. The thought crossed her mind that he seemed uncomfortable, but he was welcome to put her down. She laughed at him telling her that she should avoid falling from trees, “Well, then. Thank you, mighty bronzerider, for catching me. And… it’s not like I go around purposefully falling out of trees, especially since I don’t have handsome men following me around to catch me.” She shrugged for him, since she could feel his restricted movement with her in his arms. “Adventure comes with risk.”

Then finally he decided to put her down and she simply sighed, both at his apology and with regret that the moment had to be over. Her arms unhooked and slid over his strong shoulders, a little shiver going through her as she did so. She was easily distracted though, his next words pulled her attention to the next thing coming – a bronze that wanted to meet her!

She bounced on the balls of her feet with her hands behind her – and took a gleeful and surprised step backward as the dragon crashed through to them and his head popped into view. Her hands swung in front of her excitedly, but she controlled herself and kept her from lunging forward to embrace the creature. He sure was beautiful – tawny shimmering head with golden hues that wrapped under him. His trill of excitement mirrored her heart’s thrill at the proximity to a dragon. Even being around dragons constantly, it just wasn’t the same as being introduced by the rider.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Agureyth! I’m Ceela.” Even if the rider had already told him. She took a couple paces forward, but stopped herself from going on, knowing some dragons could be shy, though with his earlier trill he didn't seem like he would be one of those - like Nimo. “Well, technically in Mavros, for a short season.” She said, her eyes started on the handsome bronzer, but shifted to the dragon since he had been the one to ask her. “But I’ve had some experience in Southern Weyr around dragons. Candidacy is… can be boring. But I very much enjoy Weyr life, I get to meet dragons, like you!” She was beaming now – mesmerized by the dragon in front of her that was ‘speaking’ with her, so to speak. It was even more exciting when the dragon themselves decided to touch her mind, but she didn’t fault the dragon on their tendencies.

“How long has Tak’ril been yours, Ag… Aggy? Can I call you that? It seems a lot easier on the tongue.” She was staring at the dragon, but realized that the message would be coming through the rider and glanced back at him with a grin.

[kevna]

Tak'ril - Bronze Agureyth

“Adventure comes with risk.”

“Aye… I suppose it does.” He nodded thoughtfully. She slipped from his arms easily enough, though he was acutely aware of how her hands ran over his shoulders in the process. He hadn’t been touched that way by a girl-er woman- ever. His mind went to Joia again, wondering what she could be up to.. Ceela’s excitement brought him back to the woman, her reaction putting him more at ease though, and he put his hands on his hips as he gave her a chuckle. She was very childlike and carefree. He was further relieved when Agureyth had popped through the brush, instantly drawing her full attention. He didn’t like attention on him, and it was far easier to deflect it onto his bonded.

I am pleased she is pleased. I like her. The bronze crooned with pleasure at her words and obvious excited reaction.

You like everyone.

Not many are so excited to meet me.

That’s… True. He was right, the woman had a lot of enthusiasm to meet the bronze, and he could understand the bronze’s pleasure.

Tell her I would be pleased if she itched my eye ridges.

You are insufferable.

I know. He smiled endearingly at his bonded, and turned to Ceela. “He is pleased to meet you too, and would love it if you would scratch one of his eye ridges. Not many are so excited to meet him.” The large bronze lowered his massive head to offer the woman a better vantage point. Tak’ril didn’t miss the fact that he already felt more relaxed having Agureyth around as a buffer. It made speaking to anyone easier. They both listened to Ceela’s answers.

Tell her you were bored before you met me, too. But your lessons were very important. Tak’ril chuckled, both at his bonded's serious tone, and at Ceela’s words. Of course, she was bored, he wondered if anything kept her from boredom for long. He was about to tell her just that-but then Ceela was asking a question. Discomfort snuck back in at the thought of others calling his dragon Aggy, but Agureyth was a mouthful he supposed.

I don’t mind Aggy, you call me that. Then he was rifling through his riders thoughts to determine how long they had been together. 11 months?

You could have just asked. “Umm, Aggy’s just fine, I call him that too. And he hatched 11 months ago, though it’s hard to remember a time without him, honestly. He feels like he’s been mine for much longer.” He shrugged, and moved to itch the other eye ridge. “Oh, and he said to tell you that I was bored before he hatched as well, and that my lessons were still very important.” He chuckled. “Though I think I was more nervous then bored, I didn't know anything about dragons. I don’t think I will ever be bored again because of him.”

Heeeey. What? It’s the truth?

Ask her what color dragon she wants! His dragon muttered.

“He wants to know what color dragon you think you want?”