26.Aug.19, 06:26 AM
A’tay laughed as he hung back watching Madiquel and Xyxyth interact. She had just seen him hours ago but A’tay supposed her attention hadn’t been fully on the dragon like it was now with the way she inspected every inch of him. He was going to have to visit her regularly after graduation if she was so intent on that inspection. She could help him oil Xyxyth because A’tay feared he would miss a spot even with Xyxyth pointing out itchy spots.
“Definitely!” That was another incentive to visit her. They could go flying! Of course it had been a goal of his since the day she visited and went for a pony ride on a much smaller Xyxyth but he’d almost forgotten about it with their fun day. How often would be too often to visit? She had her lessons which were way more important and he didn’t want to steal all of her free time, so maybe just once a week? Maybe squeeze in a second trip sometimes?
He was still thinking about that when he ended up with Madiquel clinging to him and A’tay laughed again, startled out of his thoughts. “I’m glad you think so. The Weyrlingmaster is a bit worried about Xyxyth’s wings. The membranes are thicker than they should be but it hasn’t seemed to slow him down yet so we’ll see.” Maybe that would actually end up being a benefit to his flying but they weren’t in a hurry to find out—especially since Flights were one of the best ways to practice speed and tight turns.
They set up a little picnic area in the shade Xyxyth cast and chatted while eating. A’tay really didn’t want to go but his dutiful dragon had just passed along the message to them both that the class was to start gathering at the edge of the field for an inspection. No doubt it was to see if they had been drinking and to verify they weren’t too tired to jump before being given the approval to return to Ista.
A’tay helped Madiquel to her feet and then stood there awkwardly for a moment, unsure of what to say. “I had a lot of fun today,” he said rather lamely but his mom always told him telling the truth was better than getting caught in a lie and the advice had worked for him so far. “The dancing, the catching up, even the troublesome firelizards,” A’tay cast an annoyed look at the two mischief makers that were sitting on Xyxyth’s back, enjoying a bit of sun, no doubt too full from stolen food to move much more.
“Oh!” He reached into his pocket and pulled out the little statue he had carved and held onto while they danced. He’d hate to forget to give it back again and held it out for Madiquel to take once more. His other hand went to the pocket that held the thimble and recalling how bold Mylorah always was and how much fun he had with Madiquel that day, he finally pulled it out.
With his free hand, A’tay took Madiquel’s free hand and turned it palm up. “I also wanted to give you a, uh…kiss,” he ended up mumbling, not even sure he said the word that clearly as his cheeks warmed and he placed the thimble in her palm. Now that he had actually gone through with it, A’tay suddenly wished he could fly away to Neverland and never return but since he couldn’t, he opted for a quick retreat.
“Happy birthday, again! And I’ll see you at my graduation, right? Oh, or the Hatching! But yeah, enjoy the rest of the evening and I can’t keep the Weyrlingmaster waiting!” A’tay turned quickly and scrambled up Xyxyth to his seat, shooing away the firelizards as he went.
Bye, DiDi! I’ll see you soon! Xyxyth danced a little excitedly on the spot, proud of his rider for finally doing something about his mess of emotions; though it felt like he had only made them even more confusing. They’d figure that all out later! He gave Madiquel a little nudge to her shoulder with his nose in parting and headed off, on the ground, to meet with the class.
“Definitely!” That was another incentive to visit her. They could go flying! Of course it had been a goal of his since the day she visited and went for a pony ride on a much smaller Xyxyth but he’d almost forgotten about it with their fun day. How often would be too often to visit? She had her lessons which were way more important and he didn’t want to steal all of her free time, so maybe just once a week? Maybe squeeze in a second trip sometimes?
He was still thinking about that when he ended up with Madiquel clinging to him and A’tay laughed again, startled out of his thoughts. “I’m glad you think so. The Weyrlingmaster is a bit worried about Xyxyth’s wings. The membranes are thicker than they should be but it hasn’t seemed to slow him down yet so we’ll see.” Maybe that would actually end up being a benefit to his flying but they weren’t in a hurry to find out—especially since Flights were one of the best ways to practice speed and tight turns.
They set up a little picnic area in the shade Xyxyth cast and chatted while eating. A’tay really didn’t want to go but his dutiful dragon had just passed along the message to them both that the class was to start gathering at the edge of the field for an inspection. No doubt it was to see if they had been drinking and to verify they weren’t too tired to jump before being given the approval to return to Ista.
A’tay helped Madiquel to her feet and then stood there awkwardly for a moment, unsure of what to say. “I had a lot of fun today,” he said rather lamely but his mom always told him telling the truth was better than getting caught in a lie and the advice had worked for him so far. “The dancing, the catching up, even the troublesome firelizards,” A’tay cast an annoyed look at the two mischief makers that were sitting on Xyxyth’s back, enjoying a bit of sun, no doubt too full from stolen food to move much more.
“Oh!” He reached into his pocket and pulled out the little statue he had carved and held onto while they danced. He’d hate to forget to give it back again and held it out for Madiquel to take once more. His other hand went to the pocket that held the thimble and recalling how bold Mylorah always was and how much fun he had with Madiquel that day, he finally pulled it out.
With his free hand, A’tay took Madiquel’s free hand and turned it palm up. “I also wanted to give you a, uh…kiss,” he ended up mumbling, not even sure he said the word that clearly as his cheeks warmed and he placed the thimble in her palm. Now that he had actually gone through with it, A’tay suddenly wished he could fly away to Neverland and never return but since he couldn’t, he opted for a quick retreat.
“Happy birthday, again! And I’ll see you at my graduation, right? Oh, or the Hatching! But yeah, enjoy the rest of the evening and I can’t keep the Weyrlingmaster waiting!” A’tay turned quickly and scrambled up Xyxyth to his seat, shooing away the firelizards as he went.
Bye, DiDi! I’ll see you soon! Xyxyth danced a little excitedly on the spot, proud of his rider for finally doing something about his mess of emotions; though it felt like he had only made them even more confusing. They’d figure that all out later! He gave Madiquel a little nudge to her shoulder with his nose in parting and headed off, on the ground, to meet with the class.