28.Dec.12, 07:56 AM
Six down, five to go. Talian watched apprehensively as the little dragonets hit the sands and began their search. Part of him pitied the creatures, for they seemed both frightened and in pain. It was a rude way to start life, that was for sure. He knew they'd be hungry, but this was almost difficult to watch.
He cringed as one passed uncomfortably close, freezing in momentary distress, but the creature ambled on and made it's selection from one of Talian's nearby classmates. It was funny; Talian had made all sorts of plans for ways to deter the little creatures. He'd considered thinking ugly thoughts at them, or even envisioning his own suicide. He'd considered being hateful, and even made jokes about trying to kick any of them that came too close.
As he stood there now, he could hardly lift his feet or move his eyes. His heart slammed in his chest and his palms sweated. He couldn't do anything. Was it fear that kept him frozen in place? Not even the watchful eyes of B'jin and Valerian were enough to reassure him now. Fellis tried as well, chirping softly as he pressed himself close to Talian's neck. The creature wanted badly to jump down the front of Daddy's shirt and cower from their shared fear, but he sensed that Talian needed him to remain calm. Fellis was brave, for Daddy's sake, and closed his yellow eyes to hide them from the others. No one needed to know how scared they were!
Talian swallowed hard, shoulders slumping as he reminded himself that everything would be all right. He didn't believe in fate and he had a hard time putting any faith in the supposed 'perfect bond' that the riders shared with their dragons. He didn't desire it, but there wasn't anything he could do to stop it, short of running away like a maniac. Running away was just a temporary solution, though.
Just this one time he reminded himself anxiously, citing the rule he'd become so familiar with. If I make it, I can just go back to being a healer and wait to go home.
Go home to what, though? He knew there wasn't anything left for him there, if there had ever been anything to start with. He'd have been just as miserable at home, it simply would have only been a familiar kind of miserable. He realized in that moment that if nothing else, a dragon could free him from ever having to look at his father's face again!
His throat tightened. Strange, how pain and fear could still make him think of Talerian. Some things never changed. Fellis chirped in worry, but he recognized what was going on. Daddy was leaning on a coping mechanism, an old and tried one at that.
I hate you Talian thought sincerely. And I'm through with you. These people saved me from you.
He cringed as one passed uncomfortably close, freezing in momentary distress, but the creature ambled on and made it's selection from one of Talian's nearby classmates. It was funny; Talian had made all sorts of plans for ways to deter the little creatures. He'd considered thinking ugly thoughts at them, or even envisioning his own suicide. He'd considered being hateful, and even made jokes about trying to kick any of them that came too close.
As he stood there now, he could hardly lift his feet or move his eyes. His heart slammed in his chest and his palms sweated. He couldn't do anything. Was it fear that kept him frozen in place? Not even the watchful eyes of B'jin and Valerian were enough to reassure him now. Fellis tried as well, chirping softly as he pressed himself close to Talian's neck. The creature wanted badly to jump down the front of Daddy's shirt and cower from their shared fear, but he sensed that Talian needed him to remain calm. Fellis was brave, for Daddy's sake, and closed his yellow eyes to hide them from the others. No one needed to know how scared they were!
Talian swallowed hard, shoulders slumping as he reminded himself that everything would be all right. He didn't believe in fate and he had a hard time putting any faith in the supposed 'perfect bond' that the riders shared with their dragons. He didn't desire it, but there wasn't anything he could do to stop it, short of running away like a maniac. Running away was just a temporary solution, though.
Just this one time he reminded himself anxiously, citing the rule he'd become so familiar with. If I make it, I can just go back to being a healer and wait to go home.
Go home to what, though? He knew there wasn't anything left for him there, if there had ever been anything to start with. He'd have been just as miserable at home, it simply would have only been a familiar kind of miserable. He realized in that moment that if nothing else, a dragon could free him from ever having to look at his father's face again!
His throat tightened. Strange, how pain and fear could still make him think of Talerian. Some things never changed. Fellis chirped in worry, but he recognized what was going on. Daddy was leaning on a coping mechanism, an old and tried one at that.
I hate you Talian thought sincerely. And I'm through with you. These people saved me from you.