Step By Step [J'ver]

Regardless of the level of sincerity, the hand near his throat was more than enough to remind J’ver exactly how much power S’kef held over him. He wasn’t foolish enough anymore to believe he held major sway – some, yes, but enough to change the way the brownrider thought? Not at all – and while he likely would continue to give S’kef the game of seeing who was in charge in various situations, J’ver knew in the end he never would be and it was foolish to think he could ever cheat his way to the top with someone else. This particular brownrider was all J’ver needed. Still, the hand at his neck didn’t cause him to flinch but close his eyes in silent resignation. If he was to be punished, there was nothing to change S’kef’s mind.

The gentle touch to his cheek and kiss that followed instead of fingers flexing into his bared neck was a surprise and pale blue eyes fluttered open to show their shock. Naturally he was delighted by such a show of display but at the same time J’ver started to wonder if he truly was in trouble again. Everything seemed a bit off but whether it was for good or bad was hard to tell. S’kef’s words were only partially soothing; after all, hadn’t the older man once before acted like all was well before nearly destroying him? This was different, J’ver reassured himself as he followed outside. S’kef was in an amazing mood which was evident from the colouring of his cheeks to the light in his eyes to even the bounce in his step. If there was to be pain, J’ver didn’t think it would be his they were headed to.

J’ver came to an abrupt stop when he saw only Tyrrisath, which in and of itself could be jarring but wasn’t the sole cause this time, but the silent invitation those eyes the greenrider swore could see right into the minds of everyone without even trying was truly shocking. A rider rarely rode another’s dragon just as most dragons preferred their extra passengers be a non-rider to avoid, J’ver assumed, hissy fits. He himself had never rode aback another dragon since Impressing and he almost hesitated until Rilaleeyth’s presence brushed against his mind as warm as the sun she had been napping in. She soothed any fears and insisted it was okay since it was Tyrrisath and she trusted him to keep her darling J’ver safe.

Not wanting to seem rude by continuing to delay the mounting after S’kef offered a hand and Tyrrisath crooned to him, J’ver nodded his head in thanks to Tyrrisath and quickly climbed atop the large beast. As soon as he was settled, it felt odd. The sensation was mostly the same but he knew it wasn’t Rilaleeyth beneath him not only from the obvious colouring of the hide to how his legs held onto the dragon just that tad bit differently but the level of trust was wrong. J’ver knew he was safe, especially since he had S’kef sitting right there with him, but it wasn’t the bond he knew was always there for him. Again Rilaleeyth insisted all was well and J’ver started to grow annoyed with himself as well and brushed aside the peculiar sensations long enough to make the quick trip to the lake where a smile appeared when Rilaleeyth sat primly on the edge, having left her favourite sunning location as soon as her precious brown had called for her to meet him. A croon was given in greeting to all three males with a gentle nuzzle of nose to nose for Tyrrisath as they landed.

Once his booted feet felt the sand beneath them, J’ver moved to his dragon to rub at her eye ridges affectionately but held off on any private conversations. They could keep a while longer but whatever S’kef wanted to tell him didn’t seem like it could. “What was it you wanted to talk about?” To be in a rather remote area and with the mood S’kef was in, J’ver was thoroughly intrigued.