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Post by Tidfe on Aug 10, 2014 18:53:08 GMT -8
Cain laugh, almost bent over from the force of his ribcage moving in and out. "Forgive for the laughter, but that is one of the best compliments I've heard in a long time." Wiping off the imaginary tears, he grinned at her. "But no. I am not like most undead which has its good days and bad. Mostly good though." The few bads were the days when his bones were so sensitive that even the softest material was agony to lay upon. "Though believe me, I am undead. I remember my death quite well and my comeback too. Dirt is hard to dig through from the bottom up by the way.
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Post by Anari on Aug 11, 2014 10:12:20 GMT -8
The burst of loud, amused laughter was a bit startling, but at the same time the pure enjoyment of the sound was oddly warming to Anari’s spirit. She’d honestly never seen someone laugh that hard before, so much that they literally doubled over. She might have believed he’d really laughed so hard he’d cried, had he eyes to cry with. And he’d considered her words a compliment! The thought of remembering one’s own death, and apparently having to dig out of one’s own grave, was a bit chilling to consider, a task she did not wish to lend her mind to, though imagining her own death had been a pastime of hers for about a week and a half straight. Yes, she had cried for death to come take her then, yet he had not answered her.
For a few long moments, she stood studying Cain, looking the skeleton over (Yes, she was fairly certain now that particular expression, such as it was, was a smile), then came to a decision. She couldn’t say for certain what exactly had defined her choice for her, but once it was made, it might as well have been formed in diamond. And she knew what she needed to do, to start and set things right.
Standing carefully and pushing off of the rock, she faced Cain, and half bowed at the waist, one arm across her midsection and the other tucked behind her back, lowering her head to the point that her hair fell past her face and, although he couldn’t see it, closed her eyes.
“Cain, it has come to my understanding that the people that are here mostly come from different worlds. So you may not understand what I am doing. Where I came from, this is both a gesture of apology as well as submission. I will explain.
“One arm behind, the gesture of a prisoner. One arm across my middle, my honest regret for the insult I feel I have dealt you. I initially thought you little more than a normal undead, then I felt you may have been a threat to those here, unpredictable if intelligent. But what I have seen and heard, I have come to realize that my belief was horribly in error. For that I sincerely apologize, and beg forgiveness.
“Now the submission. My head is down, showing the back of my neck. My eyes, though you cannot see it, are closed. Were I to do this to someone I’d wronged back home, they would have the choice to accept my apology, or take restitution first, usually in the form of a single blow, one I cannot be prepared for or defend against. I would not see it coming, and it can be as hard as they desire, as long as it does not kill. I will confess, this would not be the first time such a blow has struck me to the ground. But for the first time, I feel I would be deserving of it. You have done me no wrong, before or now – in fact you were very kind. I know you touched my hand only to try and calm me, but my fear of dragons made me jumpy. Even in my fear, though, I heard the comfort in your voice. I thought the worst of you, and you in turn showed me the best. For this I apologize, I ask forgiveness, and I accept any vengeance you desire.” With that, she remained in her posture, waiting his choice.
(word count 587/500, honest, defined, lend)
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Post by Tidfe on Aug 11, 2014 12:33:54 GMT -8
If Death had not taken her, he probably had good reasons though Cain would be the first to admit that sometimes those reasons are stupid and Death can be one hell of a bastard. Other times...Okay. They are often stupid, but Death had to get his kicks someplace (cause apparently it is in bad taste to get a kick out of what he does so he plays around in Life's area to piss them off).
When she bowed low, Cain wondered what she was up too. It was a lot like the bows he had seen in the Asian countries, but at the same time, it wasn't quite the same. As she spoke, Cain had to nod. An explanation would be good even as she continued, Cain had to frown a little. He understood the practice behind it and as far as asking for forgiveness practices or showing apology, it was pretty tame. He just did not quite agree for her reason for doing so.
"First off, your belief was not horribly in error. Given your past experiences with the undead, you had no reason to believe otherwise. You have never talked to be me really before now so therefore had no knowledge about how I thought or acted around people. You just had observations which are not always reliable." When she did not remove from the position though, he gently laid a hand on shoulder, as a way of telling her to rise before he started to speak again.
"While I believe there is nothing for you to ask forgiveness for, I still accept it. To show this, I laid my hand on your shoulder, not in a strike, but in a gesture that a friend would do for another friend. Oh Death, I sound like a overzealous and maybe corrupt religious figure from back in my world." He looked skyward, as if that held the answer to why he suddenly sounded like something he usually tried to avoid. "But no. If you actually handle me better than most people. Most here have. If I were to walk around where I come from like I do here, I would be killed almost on sight. So really, you are part of the few that at least try to figure me out before stabbing me." Suddenly realizing that he made her mistake in his own way, he laughed a little. "And I apologize myself now. I did not mean to claim that is what you were doing."
He had moved his hand off her shoulder as he spoke and now used it to rub the back of his head in a gesture of sheepishness.
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Post by Anari on Aug 11, 2014 23:23:44 GMT -8
Feeling Cain’s grip on her shoulder in the friendly gesture, Anari did straighten, brushing her hair out of her face. That he accepted her apology was a relief – from experience, she knew the terrible strength undead could possess – though she did have to wonder exactly what was it that made him so much more human then others. Some powerful spell that allowed him to keep his personality she supposed. Such things were far beyond her ken. His comment about the tone he took got a chuckle.
“You did, a little. I’ve heard enough of them to be able to say that, both the overzealous, and the corrupt, and combinations of the two. And I guess I only spoke so formally because that’s how I was taught the gesture. There are some things that the Highlords insisted on formality with. Old habits and all.” Anari privately thought that maybe she could break some of those habbits the longer she stayed here. That would be nice! She tipped her head thoughtfully at the musing on how most people here accepted him. It was true; even on her world, if he had walked around undisguised (and it would be pretty difficult for him to disguise himself well enough to pass regardless; a single touch to his body would reveal the truth!) any number of people, notable the DHS, would try to destroy him. “I have to wonder, is that part of how we are chosen to be pulled here? Our acceptance of the strange and foreign? Or is it something else that marks us as worthy?” She didn’t want to say the other thought, which was that it was a fluke and there was no rhyme or reason to why they were in the Weyr, just ‘right place, right time.’ "And apology accepted, Cain, if you meant that you thought I was one who would harm you on sight. If you are apologizing because you assumed I was trying to figure you out first, well don't, because I was."
As another decision came to her, she sighed, closing her eyes a bit before regarding Cain again.
“I think… I think I’m ready to meet Dorth. Well, as ready as I’ll ever be. It seems dragons are a big part of life here, as much as they were in my world, only in a different way. If I’m going to live here and integrate with everyone, I need to come to terms with my fears of them. Though I will admit, the thought of staring down a dragon shakes me to my soul. It reminds me of a lot of hurt delivered at their claws, both upon others, and on myself.” She took a shuddering breath. “But I think – I’d rather it be the dragon of someone that I at least know a little, rather than have one randomly drop by town, or worse land behind me. I’d probably get so startled I’d attack them!” She didn’t want to consider what would happen if she did that. “If I’m going to do what I do best – protect others – then I have to be able to get a grip on my own problems. Do you think Dorth would be willing to help with that?”
(Word count: 539/500 soul, staring, grip)
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Post by Tidfe on Aug 13, 2014 11:15:11 GMT -8
"Maybe." Cain thought it was more base off of whim, then again how he ended up here, the alternative would have been having another meeting with Death. So maybe, just maybe there was some rhyme and reason to them all showing up here. It could be like Anari said and they were picked for their ability to accept the strange or maybe it was cause their own world's were going to lose them anyway so why not drag them to this one with no back to their 'home' so to speak. "And yes. That is what I meant. Well...After you had figured me out for a bit cause in my mind it was going like 'skeleton. Skeleton talks. Skeleton is coming closer. Skeleton needs to be dealt with.' Which is what I am apologizing for." Hearing her ask about Dorth, Cain sent a mental message to the dragon, asking her to come back and not to take him off for a bath just yet. He also was not about to mention his old habits. Especially considering they would have gotten him smack upside the head by her. (If curious, his old habit is trying not to let girls/women on the battle field.)
So it was with a slight hurrmph that Dorth landed a few minutes earlier, making sure to stay far enough back that Anari would not feel trap or wary of her. Also, just out of striking distance with that weapon of hers. Can't be to careful after all. I see Cain is still in one piece, so I trust he has done nothing to upset you and was on his best behavior? Crossing her front legs in front of her, she rested her hands on her folded claws and waited. She would not move to escape is Anari panicked and tried to attack, but she would move to protect her weak points so the weapon would end up doing little to no damage.
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Post by Anari on Aug 13, 2014 18:41:13 GMT -8
Despite her brave front, the faint tremble when Dorth landed again confessed to Anari’s returned fears. But she clenched her fists and stood her ground… and made sure to keep her hand no where near her flail. If it wasn’t so precious to her, she would have actually taken it off and left it behind, or handed it to Cain for safekeeping to guard against any foolish, hasty actions.
Hearing Dorth’s voice again, she couldn’t help but compare it to the voice of the dragons she had heard speak before. It lacked the growling, rough undertones, and condescending nature she was used to. There was a teasing pitch to it, coaxing a small smile that was no bruise to her pride. It was rather soothing actually, friendly. The more wary part of her mind wondered if it was some sort of ploy to get her off guard, while the rational part argued that in this place, of all places on this world, why would Dorth need a ruse to get her close enough to harm or threaten?
Summoning up her courage, and with an eye darting to Cain to make sure he stayed with her, to stop her should her fears get the better of her if nothing else, Anari took a breath and got a few limping steps closer to the dragon, as close as she dared (which was well within range of a lunging snap, should Dorth take it into her head to do so, though not close enough for Anari to strike herself without a quick charge). Habit picked up again, and she bowed low at the waist, deeper than she had to Cain in apology, blinding her to the dragon’s movements (though since she’d already laid her head down it didn’t seem like Dorth would be moving much anytime soon) and exposing the back of her neck, leaving her open for a potential quick killing blow. Back when she was just the local watch lieutenant, she had heard many a story about angry dragons taking full advantage of that posturing (and then got confirmation on those stories when she watched, pushed to her knees and held fast between the clawed hands of two dragonknights, as another prisoner ahead of her lost his head under a Highlord’s talons).
“H-hello, Dorth. Yes, Cain was behaving himself. He was quite courteous and patient with me, in fact. If anything, I was the one behaving badly. I feel I should apologize to you as well – I have already extended apologies to Cain for the same reason more or less - for I judged you on your being a dragon even though I know this is not my old world and you are much different than they were. I am just very thankful that your wisdom kept you far enough away that although I was startled, there was little I could do. I do not wish to attack you!” That much was sincere. There was a beauty to Dorth that she couldn’t deny, and although she couldn’t be positive, Anari thought that it almost seemed like Dorth was intentionally trying to make her more at ease, seem less threatening.
(word count 528/500, local, confess, bruise)
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Post by Tidfe on Aug 14, 2014 11:21:38 GMT -8
Cain caught that dart of her eyes and followed behind and a little to the side of her. That way if she decided to retreat, he would not be blocking her way out. At the bow, he caught Dorth's questioning gaze and subtly shook his head. He would explain that later, but for now he just told the dragon that it was part of Anari's old world. A custom and not a very good one at that really. Dorth's curiosity was not piped, but she was not going to push the girl for information. It was clear to the dragon she was already terrified enough. No sense in bringing back bad memories to go with it.
You were the one behaving badly? Maybe I should punish you with a bath. Cain claims they are punishment enough. She let a low chuckle escape her before she turned slightly serious. My dear. There is nothing to apologize for. My Cain has been telling me stories of dragons from his world and not all are nice to put it mildly. If you came from a world where the dragons are cold and heartless, then I nor any of my kin can fault you for thinking the same of us. It is hard to trust and enjoy the light if all you life you have known the coolness and shadows of darkness. It was true, she was trying to make Anari more at ease, but this was also how she acted most of the time. Moving her tail, she slide it gently under Anari's chin and pushed upwards lightly. Now may i see that pretty face of yours? I think mine Cain would enjoy it also.
If Cain could have been flushing deep red, he would have been. "Dorth! You are way worse than my mother ever was!" He did not realize that might have come out that he did not think Anari was pretty and in his stumbling of words trying to correct himself, he just made more of a mess. "I give up! This is all your fault Dorth if she decides to hit me with that mace of hers cause she feels that I've insulted her." A fault I will gladly take in pride. Sometimes you need a good knock on the head. "Then get Able to do it!" But then where is the fun in that? Here she gave a wink at Anari and hoped the other caught it. This was too much fun for the dragon!
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Post by Anari on Aug 14, 2014 22:28:59 GMT -8
As Dorth’s warm voice echoed through her mind, first jesting about punishing her with a bath then speaking so understandingly, Anari felt much of her fears and anxiousness fade away, much though not entirely. Her words reminded the woman of something, from long ago… Her own mother! She had said similar about those who have lived only in darkness, how hard it was for them to accept, to see and understand, what it was to live in the light. Granted, she’d been speaking to a much younger version of Anari, a mere girl, and was indicating criminals and slaves who were born into that life, but the parallel was clear. That she was now hearing such to herself, from a –dragon- of all beings, make the message that much stronger
Anari twitched slightly as Dorth’s tail touched under her chin to raise it, though not even the woman herself could determine if it was because of the contact itself, the surprise that even her scales were smoother, less jagged and harsh to the touch than those dragons of her old world, or even a bit of ticklishness. She raised her head, then straightened fully, relaxing as much as her racing heart would allow. Despite how badly she could’ve sworn her entire body was shaking (in truth it was only just barely trembling) she had to breathe a small internal sigh of relief: at least she wasn’t freaking out or anything… yet. She hadn’t dropped prone from terror, hadn’t lost her voice or panicked and lashed out with her flail, or any of the things she had thought she would do if faced this close with a dragon since being hijacked from her world. The tiny part of her that realized this was proud for it, and would dutifully notify the rest of her mind of such likely when this was all over. But for now all Anari could think was ~~Doing okay, doing okay, wait can Dorth hear my thoughts? The true Dragonknights could read minds and she talks in my mind; is that the same?~~
If standing before a dragon was somewhat mind-numbing, then the realization that she was being teased by a dragon, as well as realizing that Dorth was intentionally (and affectionately) picking on Cain (and using her somewhat to do so) was just about shocking. She understood that the skeleton hadn’t been uncomplimentary about her appearance – was more pointing out how Dorth was teasing him – but it had been a long time since a male, in any form, had stumbled over his words concerning her. That combined with Dorth’s wink and their back and forth banter reminding her of much better times was the final blow to her fears, and they released in a flood of jovial laughter that was seriously needed, and severely overdue. While she might have commented back that her giving Cain a knock upside the head would only irritate Brains (whose name she still wasn’t fully aware of) but quite honestly she was chuckling too much to do so. Though she did manage to get out between her laughter, “I think I’ll leave punishment to you… Dorth.” She was enough aware at this point to feel proud that she had used the dragon’s name, something she would have never dared do before.
(word count 550/500 sigh, hijacked, freak)
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Post by Tidfe on Aug 15, 2014 10:35:16 GMT -8
Dorth chuckled and looked towards Cain. Hmm...How about spending the day helping me with my nest? I may snap at you a little, but goodness, I need help turning over those eggs! And as Cain can attest cause he helped before, I don't actually bite when I know the person. Glad to see Anari out of that bowing position, she stood for a moment and stretched, feeling herself become a little stiff from laying down a little too long. Settling back down, she flicked her tail lazily as she closed her eyes to better enjoy the warmth. Dorth could not really read anyone's thoughts but Cain's, but up until the laugh, she had thought something was wrong with Anari. Like maybe she had come on too strongly or said something to upset her. The laugh put all those fears to rest though and gave Dorth's ego a boost. Not that the dragon needed much of one anyway. You could also gather up flowers for me. I want the hatching to look nice to all the potentials and I sadly can not really pick a flower without destroying it. The curse of having claws too big for such small things.
Cain himself was just glad that he did not have to worry about getting a whack to the head. Having a body devoid of a head wasn't a fun time at all. Namely cause it would hurt getting it knocked off to begin with. That weapon did not look like much fun to begin with. "You are getting off light. If it was me, I would be getting a bath."You are getting one anyway. "See? My point exactly. If you can keep from it, don't get a dragon like her." On the same side of the coin. Don't get a rider like him. Can you believe he is afraid of flying! It is the most wonderful experience ever and he screams like a little dragonling every time I take off. "I would say I do not...But sadly I do."
Not wanting to be alone in the support to department, he turned to Anari. "What about you...Do you like flying?" There was hope in his voice that she would say no and he would not be alone in the staying on the ground department.
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Post by Anari on Aug 15, 2014 22:50:52 GMT -8
Finally calming down from her laughter, Anari found a smile on her face that she couldn’t really say when it appeared. Later on, it would be with some surprise that she would realize at the moment, her heart felt warmed like she was standing talking to and laughing with two good friends, and would hope that it hadn’t been just a momentary thing.
“I would be honored to help with your nest, if you think there wouldn’t be much of a chance of my being too rough with your eggs.*Anari held out of hands in example, rouch and callused on the left palm and fingers from wielding her flail, on the right from carrying the shield she used (before the DHS had smashed it) to defend others, and turning them over on the backs scarred and scraped from battle. “Though as long as your snapping at me was verbal and not physical, I suppose you’d correct me if I was. And even after that, I’ll get the flowers for you. Even though I haven’t done anything like that since I was a little girl… maybe it’s time I try a little bit to get back to who she was, instead of being so much the watch lieutenant, then somewhat rebel I’ve been this last year.” She hoped that Cain would assist with the task as well, though somehow she thought that he might since he had before, and it would go so much easier if they cooperated.
She chuckled at their banter again, though the thought of ‘getting’ a dragon was a little daunting still. Maybe she would, someday, maybe not. But talking to one and being this close were definitely helping her a great deal. Though Cain’s question brought a shadow flickering across her eyes, despite Anari’s attempt at a light-hearted smile.
“Other than when someone has struck me hard enough to lift me from my feet, or – once – flung me from the side of a mountain pass, I’ve only been flying twice. Both time were as a prisoner of the Dragon Highlords. The first time I was bound and unconscious, and the second time they were taking me to the Spire for… questioning, after having decided I was connected to the rebels. I might be biased, but neither experience was very pleasant.” She left out how the first time she’d also been beaten near-death, and how she was still surprised none of the DHS or the Dragonknight hadn’t taken advantage of her defenseless state, nor how the second time had been the last breath of fresh air before the worst, most painful period of her entire just-over two decades of life ending with her coming to the Weyr. But she quickly pushed those memories aside – that was the past, and she was trying to build a new future after all – and nodded for them to lead on, limping alongside Cain, though despite her having been standing for an elongated amount of time she was surprised to find her leg hurt her less than usual. Maybe in having such a pleasant conversation, and being made to laugh like that, she had been less focused on it than usual and so it didn’t bother her as much, though a philosopher might say she had lessened it’s pain by letting go of one bit of darkness in her past, taking a step towards the light once again.
(566/500 cooperate, advantage, defenseless)
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Post by Tidfe on Aug 16, 2014 17:34:09 GMT -8
I only physically snap if I think you are rolling it out of the nest. And dragon eggs are tough. Your hands will not hurt them. Thank you. Letting out a soft puff of air in the direction of Anari, she took off into the sky. I'll meet you both at my nest. Cain. We will take about that bath then. All Cain did was groan before he started to trudge off in the direction of the place he called home. Trudging being the key word here. He wasn't about to get to the nest any sooner than he had too. His tracks were more like a small trench than footprints. "No. I would say those previous images do not count but those other two do...Though I think I will ask your opinion after your first flight where you are not going to your doom. Then again, if you get a aerial ace, you might be heading to your doom through loop-de-loops and barrel rolls."
Spotting a shiny object, he bent to pick it up and add it to his sack. "You know. If you really don't want to help, you really don't have too. I know Dorth probably won't be expecting you to go through it, just cause like she said she can be a bit testy about her eggs and the last thing she would want to do is cause you painful flashbacks. That can be said for most of the dragons around here."
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Post by Anari on Aug 17, 2014 0:08:29 GMT -8
Anari was somewhat glad for Cain's slow pace, as it helped her keep up whether he new it or not. She wasn't sure why he hated the thought of a bath so much, but then again if it was a dragon giving it to you, it might be a bit rougher than normal. The thought of 'getting' a dragon, bonding to one, was a little daunting though she did her best to push it aside. With her past, the odds that a dragon would want to make such a connection with her, when she'd likely jump every time it spoke or went to touch her, were probably slim to none. Though the thought did cross her mind that even so, she might like seeing Dorth's eggs hatch. The smaller dragons she was familiar with were just miniature forms of their larger counterparts, in structure and mindset despite having more fragile constructions. What would the newly-hatched dragons be like here?
"I really do want to help, though not for a purely altruistic reason." She paused to scoop up what looked like a piece of geode and offer it for the echee-distraction-collection. "Dragons are a big part of life here. I -have- to get used to that, and to their presence." Her eyes closed for a moment when he mentioned flashbacks, as her leg throbbed. "My hope is, that if I feel myself start to panic or have a flashback or something, that I'll either freeze or run. I - I hope I won't lash out. If I could, I'd set my flail down somewhere nearby, but I..." She sighed. "It's just very important to me. It's part of the reason why I was captured in the first place, though the Highlords didn't know that at the time. And even being here, away from them... I can't shake the feeling that they might follow. It's probably a stupid thought, but it's there." Anari gave a wry chuckle. "In any event, Dorth was right. I've lived in darkness far too long. Time I returned to the light where I belong. And if I need to turn a few dragon eggs and pick flowers to help me get there, well, that's what I'll do." A sudden thought occurred to her that made her tip her head. "Um... I might have needed to ask this before, but... just how large -are- dragon eggs?"
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Post by Tidfe on Aug 18, 2014 19:15:32 GMT -8
Cain took the offered rock and stuck in his bag. He did not know about her limp at all, but sometimes the universe has a funny way of working things out like that. Especially when no one was looking. Could only mean something bad might happen later to even out the good karma it just did. "Yes. Yes they are and I'm sure you will be fine if you attack them. Dorth tells me that the hatchlings are a bit more prone to attack then they are. Namely cause they are hungry so I guess be prepared with food and you should be fine." He moved to rest a hand gently on her shoulder for a moment before pulling it back at the mention of the highlords following her here. "Do not worry, if they follow you here, we will fight them off. It does not sound like they would be our kind of people anyway." He offered her a smile to try and help reassure her that nothing bad would happen to her here.
Okay. That was a lie. Nothing too terribly bad would happen here to rephrase that.
Laughing at her question, he paused to show her. "About this big and this round." His hands moved to about his hips before lifting up and making as big of a circle as he could with his arms. "Heavy too. You can definitely tell something big is gonna hatch from them. Well...Big to us. Probably small in relation to dragons. Between the two of us, we could probably roll one for every Dorth's five."
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Post by Anari on Aug 19, 2014 1:05:45 GMT -8
Cain's confidence in speaking of fighting off the Highlords was somewhat reassuring, even if she knew that should they actually find a way to follow, the little band here would be hard-pressed to do anything against them. Best believe that they could not, and guard against the day that they might.
"Well, if I do panic and attack, as big as Dorth is compared to me, I suppose she could just pick me up and move me away before I actually hurt anyone." That thought and the touch to her shoulder were comforting, then her eyes widened at his estimation of how big the eggs were. "Alright, I knew that they were dragon eggs, but seriously??" She chuckled. "I don't know how you managed to help her alone before! And I can see why she wanted the extra assistance. How many are there? Or should I leave that daunting question until I see her nest?"
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Post by Tidfe on Aug 19, 2014 19:15:59 GMT -8
Cain chuckled lightly. "You might want to leave that question for the time being. As for how I helped before...Well, you could say that for every one egg I rolled, Dorth managed to get the rest of the nest done. She was calling me useless and saying I needed to bulk up. I shot back with 'bulk up what' and then she laughed and settled about her eggs. And yes. Yes Dorth could do that. She really wouldn't though." Rubbing the back of his skull he shrugged as they approached Dorth's nest which was just a shallow hole in the sands and lined with grass. "Maybe a dragon hatchling would like the fact that you attacked and attack back thinking it is play. Or that you are yummy. Then Dorth would intervene if just cause she does not need any riders getting permanently hurt...And I'm not warming you up to the idea of bonding one am I?"
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