Baby Steps [Ayyonth, Ilveriath]

Larrikith was sprawled about as inelegantly as a green dragon could sprawl upon the sandy bay of the Lake shore, her wings spread out and her legs curled against her stomach which was bared to the Southern sun. Her head lolled as she watched the world from upside-down. Her eyes sparkled warm, contented colours as Amorandii sprawled out on her stomach, her dress tickling Larrikith's tummy though the dragon refrained from reacting with more than the occasional twitch.

Ayyonth, Larrikith's voice was a light purr as she shifted her head to have a better look at her mate, eyes swirling with affection. On her belly, Amorandii shifted, rolling over to rest her elbows on Larrikith, and her chin within her hands; the little girl's gaze was unfocused as she gazed out toward the lake, eyes focusing on Talian's lonely figure after a moment. Wanna play a game? The little green's lazy tone and lack of movement beyond her twitching tail and stomach suggested that any games played would involve very little movement.

She didn't wait for her mate's answer before her gaze shifted; Ilveriath, do you want to help? She hadn't ever really had all that much to do with Ilveriath, by no fault of the blue dragon's. Her human had generally had little to do with his own, and so she'd seen no real need to socialise with him. If the past turn had taught Larrikith anything, however, it was how to appreciate the calm company of her mate, and his friends. Ilveriath was a good dragon, and she tended to enjoy his company, though she hadn't made up any firm decision about him yet. She was ridiculously fond of Veeth and Ayyonth, and like her human, was not an overly social creature. She had her favourite blues, but there couldn't be any harm in adding another to her collection, could there?

Larrikith had no recollection of her flight with Ilveriath, but was often plagued by a feeling of uncomfortable when dealing with the blue. She'd most often piled it off as B'jin being uncomfortable around I'shan, though as her rider relaxed around the other bluerider, she'd discovered her own lack of comfort didn't diminish. She had no idea why the other dragon's presence put her on edge; he was a perfectly polite creature. Once, she would have said that alone would make her twitch -- but Veeth was so adorably sweet it was sickening and she loved him almost as much as she loved Ayyonth. Or maybe Veeth was just a special case?

At any rate, her voice was full of mischievous laughter as she turned her naughty gaze back upon Ayyonth. Let us see, she teased, her features altering so teeth flashed in a draconic smile. If we agree on Candidate chances. She lifted her head, wriggling slightly and spreading her wings out further in the sand, relieving an itch at the wing joints. Valerian, her voice reached out to the young man in question, still bubbling with mischief, can remember your bets for Hatching Day! Larrikith crooned, leaning over to nuzzle lovingly at Ayyonth's chest, though her eyes sparkled with laughter. She was teasing the younger blue, and not sure herself whether he would have any talent at Searching; but it would still be a fun game and she'd enjoy seeing if her assumptions were in line with Ilveriath's!

Ilveriath wasn't sure why Larrikith didn't like him, but he didn't press the issue. He expected it had something to do with Larrikith's wit and how she enjoyed supremacy; the blue wouldn't have claimed to be smarter than her, but he certainly thought himself a worthy enough match that disagreements were inevitable. Ilveriath's lazy chidings often hurt the feelings of prideful dragons. For I'shan's sake, he kept them quiet around Larrikith. Ilv found her charming in any case, and as he didn't understand her discomfort, he didn't want to push her away any more.

He never would have considered that it stemmed from a flight and the subsequent emotions, as he didn't remember it either. It occasionally flashed in his mind with I'shan's remembrances, though, and each time Ilveriath was fascinated.

He listened to the terms and soon purred with amusement. Very well, then. With whom shall we start? he asked her as his eyes flashed towards the many young humans milling about.

The dragon was therefore surprised at her call. He roused from his lazy sleeping spot and cocked his head, eyes flashing deep blue in curiosity. I am fond of games he said, crawling  a few feet on his belly and leaving resulting drag marks in the sand before he finally found the will to stand. He yawned and walked a few dragonlengths to the beach, flopping idly beside Larrikith and crooning a soft greeting.

Ayyonth had been content to laze in the sun on the beach all day as well but when Larrikith questioned after a game, he was admittedly intrigued. She came up with fun ideas and even better, they often ended up scaring R’nd just enough to make it worth the lecture his bonded would try to give. Perhaps, he answered evasively all the same though they both knew he was pretty much a sucker for the green and would go along with whatever she had in mind. Until she explained, however, Ayyonth inched a bit closer and brushed his nose against the little girl lounging on Larrikith. He hadn’t seen her around much, though there was a memory in R’nd’s mind that always stood out where B’jin and him painted each other while kids, including this child, crawled on Larrikith and him. It had been a nice time!

They had given Amorandii a lift to the lake since B’jin had Talian as his passenger and it had been a wonderful time as well. She continuous babbled and it left R’nd frazzled almost as much as the way her brother would say nothing but simply stare (“right into my soul!” R’nd always made sure to clarify) at the bluerider he didn’t seem to like or trust. B’jin’s children had passed approval easily and Ayyonth hoped they would see more of them, or at least the girl since she liked him at least.

I don’t see why we can’t give it a try. Ayyonth knew Searching was something R’nd had an interest in doing though the idea of kidnapping people didn’t sit well with him. His human was always a walking contradiction though which added to his charm, he supposed. Getting a little training in before they were allowed to be properly tested seemed like a good idea and Ayyonth couldn’t deny that some of the Candidates he had been around in the last turn did seem a bit different from the others and not because they were simply odd in their behaviour and interests. But if anyone could help him identify if he truly was good at finding special humans, than it would be Larrikith and Ilveriath.

He rumbled happily in greeting as his friend slithered closer. Like R’nd adored I’shan, Ayyonth enjoyed the company of the older blue. He was mellow but enjoyed a good joke or bit of gossiping. I suppose I am ready when you both are, he said simply as he got to his feet to flick out his wings in a needed stretch before settling back down. His gaze slowly trailed over the humans milling about and suddenly, he felt a bit nervous. What if he wasn’t as good as his friends? What if he didn’t sense anything at all? R’nd would be devastated.

Larrikith crooned happily when both the younger dragons agreed to play her game, the little green wriggling around so as that she could turn over even as Ayyonth reached out to nuzzle at Amorandii. The little girl took the opportunity, clinging to the blue nose as he pulled away to travel with him, thus avoiding being squished when Larrikith finally managed to roll over, sand trickling down her sides. The little green snorted, and nuzzled at Amorandii's exposed side, eliciting a giggle from the child as she dropped to the ground, landing in a pile at Ayyonth's feet. Sorry, Amorandii, Larrikith sounded more amused than apologetic as she licked the girl's cheek. Amorandii smiled, and climbed onto Ayyonth's leg, sprawling there with dainty flicks of her skirt.

Larrikith's gaze shifted to Ilveriath as he sprawled next to her, returning his greeting with a cheerful chirp. How about this one? Larrikith asked, sending an image of the young man to both her companions. There was nothing particularly striking about him, and Larrikith's immediate assumption was to say 'green' without any particular thought. Because of that, she poked closer. Green and blue hatchlings occurred in high numbers, and were versatile; anyone could Impress one. It was why she specifically sought out those she felt were that little bit 'more'. Bronze, brown and especially gold were so damned picky!

Reaching out, Larrikith poked at his mind curiously, watching with amusement as the young man in question paused with a slight frown. What do you guys think? Her tone was laced with the amusement she was still feeling at the young man's expense, but she'd decided to stick with her first assumption of 'green' - not that she'd share until Ayyonth had voiced his guess! Larrikith's eyes swirled with amusement and a placid enjoyment for the lazy but interesting game.

Ilveriath turned his head towards the young man in question, focusing on the candidate's surface thoughts for a few long moments before poking deeper into his mind. Ilveriath didn't target candidates with certain color-quirks. Instead, he was more prone to search those who interested him on a personal level. He liked seeking out lost children who obviously needed gaps filled in their lives. Interestingly, many of his picks had Impressed to blues. Ishan himself seemed to match Ilveriarth's 'type', so it was little wonder!

The dragon was well aware of this, which only sparked amusement in him when he realized he was leaning blue for this young man. I suspect this young one has a blue waiting for him Ilveriath said with a rumble of delight. He was partial to those with blue or green tendencies, though not by his own choice! Something about him warmed him, perhaps because they reminded him of his own bonded. I'shan was such a delight, and so completely helpless without guidance! Ilveriath could only imagine how he'd gotten along before Impression!

Ayyonth stared in wonder at Amorandii for a moment as she made herself comfortable on his leg. She was such an odd child! So chatty and friendly and didn’t seem afraid of R’nd like her brother. Nothing was wrong with any of that but given the lack of children the bluepair interacted with before Benden and the day B’jin and R’nd finally started to notice each other through their own childish quirks with paint, Ayyonth was still confused by how one little girl seemed so relaxed with him. It was like she had been doing this all along! Secretly, he hoped Benden would be allowed to crawl on him one day as well. He gave Amorandii another little nestling of his nose before finally looking toward the Candidate in question.

He eyed the man a moment, wishing they were closer. He liked getting a sense of the human through a first contact, going solely off how they appeared through mannerisms. R’nd had stood with confidence on the Sands but there had been a fear in his eyes that drew the baby blue in and made him see what he was afraid of. Seeing that it wasn’t a fear of him but of Ayyonth rejecting him like all of his clutchmates up to that point was confusing but intriguing. There was a good heart to the man that had so much ego to hide his insecurities behind and Ayyonth couldn’t do anything else but to greet Orwind …and then pounce him from behind when they were walking off the Sands. It was the start of a beautiful friendship!

Going solely off a quick once over, Ayyonth finally brushed against the boy’s mind, shifting through the layers that bored him for those that intrigued. It was a hard call, finding traits that would appeal to greens and blues but in the end, Ayyonth decided there was something missing in him to be a good bluerider. He will Impress green.

Larrikith, being a lazy dragon, enjoyed games that didn’t require her to actually do anything. However, she was also home to a keen and over active mind, as a result, a game that involved using her mind without actively having to move her body was the ideal way to keep Larrikith both amused and entertained. Her eyes were swirling with contentment as she rolled slightly to sprawl against Ayyonth, watching Ilveriath as he considered the young man for a few moments before speaking. The blue’s decision that the boy would Impress one of his own colour had Larrikith blink, before turning to look back at the young man with a curious expression. What had Ilveriath seen in there to make him think blue?

Larrikith, who had decided that perhaps she had missed something in the young man, had been about to take a closer look, hoping to find what it was that made Ilveriath think blue to her green, when Ayyonth spoke. Larrikith jumped slightly, lost within her own thoughts and curiosities, she was startled by the gentle touch of Ayyonth’s familiar voice. The green dragon blinked again, and turned to look at her mate. A quick bump of her nose to his cheek before her own voice flowed forth;  As do I, she said, gently and simply, before looking back to Ilveriath curiously. Her tail twitched and flicked up sand but her voice wasn’t accusing as she spoke once more, simply curious. Why do you say blue? It wasn’t a matter of who was right, or who was wrong – such a thing could only be proven by Impression, after all – Larrikith was curious.

And, she realised with a slight start of surprise, she’d never really sat down with another search dragon and discussed why they searched the way they did. Her contentedly swirling gaze shifted as her emotions changed, brightening with curiosity but intensifying with her interest in what the younger blue might say.

Ilveriath ruffled his wings lightly and yawned, his thin body stretched even more thinly across the sand. Only his vivid color prevented his wispy form from disappearing. He opened his eyes again  lazily glancing towards the young man for a brief reevaluation. He wasn't sure why he said blue. He never quite knew why he chose the candidates he chose, or suspected the colors he suspected. It didn't seem like that exact an art to him. His searches came from a gut feeling.


He smells 'blue' Ilveriath commented. He yawned once more and slowly rolled onto his back, legs sticking up in the air and wings stretched on either side. But said the languid blue, If I must choose a reason, I find that he lacks empathy for females.


He knew well that wasn't a deal-breaker for all greens. His own bonded had little in the way of male influences when Ilveriath came along, after all. He gave a mental shrug. But more than anything, it's the smell he offered lightheartedly.