Before the Fall [Execution Escape] [Open]

Z’ia’s gaze shifted to look down at Aradissicath, the bluerider silent as the little dragon spoke, and his eyebrows arched just slightly before lowering once more into a more neutral and natural position. “I see,” the words weren’t quite drawled as Z’ia glanced at Rhaedalyn again and caught the young woman’s nod, green eyes sparkling with amusement when Aveleth dropped his head on her toes and the girl seemed utterly lost. The hand not already occupied with resting lightly on Aveleth’s hide, gestured invitingly for Rhaedalyn to pet his dragon, who soon crooned lowly in pleasure; the sound was barely above a whisper and almost impossible to hear.

Thank you, Aveleth whispered, barely brushing against Rhaedalyn’s mind, and Z’ia shook his head slightly, bemused. The only person he could actively recall Aveleth talking to was D’hys, and even that was incredibly rare. Every time this little girl showed up, however, suddenly his dragon was all over talking! The bluerider snorted softly, the timing unintentionally at the end of Rhaedalyn’s apology, and Z’ia waved his free hand absently once more, this time in dismissal of her distress.

“Don’t worry about it,” Z’ia said lightly, a full blown grin brightening his features; while the tiny rider was completely unaware of Rhaedalyn’s infatuation, he wasn’t oblivious to a naive woman who was probably completely unaware of her attraction and how she was displaying it to him. Girls were idiots, and this one was no different with the way she was blushing and trying not to smile at him with her quirky little sideways glances. Regardless, Z’ia wasn’t about to say no to an ego buffering, even if the girl wasn’t available to bed. D’hys was not wrong about the uselessness of Weyrlings; better to wait until after they graduated to say ‘hi’.

“I’m sorry I came storming over like a thunder cloud!” Green eyes widened dramatically and Z’ia’s features twisted into an expression of shame and self-mockery at his own actions. “But, what with today… Aveleth is very sensitive – aren’t you, Kiddo? – so I really wasn’t sure.” Z’ia stroked Aveleth’s neck as the dragon continued to wheedle pets out of Rhaedalyn, the rider flashing another grin, this one apologetic as the world exploded around them into three sets of green firelizard wings and a flurry of voices.

What are you doing over here, anyway? Z’ia took the distraction of his girls to quiz his dragon, who tilted his head to look up at the three green firelizards even as he answered, going out of his way not to look at his human. Shanith brought them, but she said we could take them home, so I wanted to make sure it was okay with Aradissicath… The dragon’s voice melted away as Z’ia’s eyes rolled heavenward, and he visibly took a moment to gather himself. Of course that was why Aveleth was there. What the fuck did he want to carry around baby sluts for?

Don’t be mean! the dragon’s voice was shocked, not that Z’ia was being mean, but that he was being mean about someone who was so sweet. She was like a little human Rilaleeyth! Exactly my point, Z’ia injected dryly, before snapping his gaze back to the firelizards – who were still having a spastic fit in the skies around their heads.

“Girls!” The single word, barely spoken any louder than the average conversation, caused all three firelizards to halt mid squawk, three little heads turning as Plague glided in to land on Z’ia’s shoulder, rubbing her cheek against his own. Chastity landed prettily on Aveleth’s head, and peered up at Rhaedalyn with wide eyes; Destiny gave them all a disdainful look – what boring company! – and vanished between again to reappear wherever the group had been playing with Rell and whatever other firelizards had tagged along.

Shrugging slightly, Z’ia stepped forward and plopped to the ground, crossing his legs and letting his dragon rest his chin on one knee. Plague dropped off his shoulder to bounce up to Aradissicath, peering up at the little dragonet with an arrogant expression. Z’ia watched her with a grin, nodding in Plague's direction to indicate that was where Rhaedalyn should look (he was quite sure she was gawking at him.) “That one is Plague, I got her during that camping trip what’s-his-face took all the brats on.” Well, that might have been a bit too comfortable. Z’ia grinned sheepishly at Rhaedalyn. “I’m not good with names,” he lied effortlessly, shrugging uncomfortably.

“The one that vanished was Destiny. She’s a snot and you probably don’t want her to show any interest in you anyway, she has a tendency to be mean and is not responding well to training.” If that wasn’t a huge lie! He had her trained very well, just not in any tricks he felt little girls should know of. “That’s Chastity.” He shifted his gaze, pointing at the little firelizard atop Aveleth’s head. “She’s in love with D’hys, but he hates firelizards so it’s all very tragic.” Z’ia giggled in amusement and held his hand out to the firelizard, who creeled sadly and hopped onto his arm.

“You have firelizards.” It was more of a statement than a question and he turned expectant eyes on Rhaedalyn, enjoying the game of picture-perfect. He definitely needed to play more, if he wanted to make sure his nose stayed clean!