22.Oct.18, 02:26 AM
Tala didn’t know what else to do but sit there next to Vessaelia and stare blankly ahead. How were you supposed to respond to something like this? At some point Tala realized she’d started crying, but she couldn’t remember when. Why did this keep happening? Why did Standing suddenly become so much more dangerous than it had ever been in her lifetime? What had changed? She didn’t understand.
Then another green hatched, and Impressed without incident, and Tala started crying harder. Why couldn’t it always be like that? Just hatching and Impressing and no one getting hurt. The tears kept her from seeing the brown that hatched, but she couldn’t miss the green blur that was getting closer to her side of the Sands. For some reason, though, Tala wasn’t afraid. She knew this one wouldn’t hurt anyone.
Of course I wouldn’t, Niath chirped, leaning in to rest her forehead against Tala’s, they haven’t done anything to deserve it. Tala sobbed, reaching forward to wrap her arms around Niath’s neck and cling to her. Of course not. Niath would never hurt anyone out of anger. Tala knew that, was so sure of it. Everything around her was still awful, but Tala knew she could handle it, because she’d never, ever be alone again.
She leaned back out of the tight grip she had on her dragon — her dragon — and gave her a wobbly little smile, genuine even through the tears. Tala reached a hand forward to gently trace the dark markings around Niath’s eye.
“You look like you’ve been crying too,” she said, giggling a little despite the tragedy at the source of the crying, “we match.” She could feel more than hear the green’s amused huff at her poor attempt at humor.
C’mon, Niath said, giving Tala’s shoulder a gentle nudge with her nose, there’s food to be had over there, I can smell it. I wanna go there.
“We will, dear,” Tala promised, already moving to stand up. She hadn’t moved her eyes from Niath since she’d arrived in front of her, and it took a lot of effort to drag them away long enough to see where she was going to walk. Tala gave a little wave to Vessaelia, who she’d honestly completely forgotten was there as soon as Niath had appeared, and followed her dragon towards the food, letting Niath trot a bit ahead of her to lead the way. Vaguely, Tala realized this meant she never had to Stand again, and might never have to worry about being killed by a dragonet or watching people she knew be killed by one ever again.
Then another green hatched, and Impressed without incident, and Tala started crying harder. Why couldn’t it always be like that? Just hatching and Impressing and no one getting hurt. The tears kept her from seeing the brown that hatched, but she couldn’t miss the green blur that was getting closer to her side of the Sands. For some reason, though, Tala wasn’t afraid. She knew this one wouldn’t hurt anyone.
She leaned back out of the tight grip she had on her dragon — her dragon — and gave her a wobbly little smile, genuine even through the tears. Tala reached a hand forward to gently trace the dark markings around Niath’s eye.
“You look like you’ve been crying too,” she said, giggling a little despite the tragedy at the source of the crying, “we match.” She could feel more than hear the green’s amused huff at her poor attempt at humor.
“We will, dear,” Tala promised, already moving to stand up. She hadn’t moved her eyes from Niath since she’d arrived in front of her, and it took a lot of effort to drag them away long enough to see where she was going to walk. Tala gave a little wave to Vessaelia, who she’d honestly completely forgotten was there as soon as Niath had appeared, and followed her dragon towards the food, letting Niath trot a bit ahead of her to lead the way. Vaguely, Tala realized this meant she never had to Stand again, and might never have to worry about being killed by a dragonet or watching people she knew be killed by one ever again.