Dragon Rider Play

Pat edged to the side, glancing around.  She would wait until Mark got back.  She had to talk to them all.  Well, both.

Mark returned with a cup of water, which Blade nodded a thanks before he sipped it a bit at a time.

Pat took a deep breath, holding Nightshade tightly.  "I betrayed my family.  I was scared and not used to having people who will be there for me.  I was wrong.  I should have trusted you.  If you can find it in you to forgive me, I will earn your trust again."

Blade cracked a grin. "Kinda hard when you're already forgiven." He croaked.

Mark gave Blade a mild look. "You really can't stop talking, can you."

"Nope." Blade croaked before he sipped some more water.

Mark shook his head. "However, he has a point. I think we all already forgive you, Pat."

Pat managed a wobbly smile and nodded.  "Thank you.  Thank you, all of you.  We wanted to sit with you and wait for Tithenor."

Blade grumbled a bit. "Rude of him if you ask me. He knows I hate waiting." Everyone could tell he was just as anxious for him to get better than him being actually mad.

Pat nodded, taking a seat.  "Very rude.  Maybe he's just tired of bossing us all around and needs a break."

Blade laughed as best as his throat would allow. "Then he could have just said something."

"How could he with how much you talk?" Pat smirked at him.

blade cheekily stuck his tongue out at Pat for that. Mark laughed.

Pat fell silent, stroking Nightshade.  She ended up dozing off, her arms still around her dragon.

Tithenor didn't move for another hour.  It seemed he wasn't going to wake that day.  Then his fingers curled around Blade, returning the pressure lightly.

Nightshade wound up sleeping with her rider.

Blade smiled and told 53. His voice sounded a bit better after having not used it in a while.

53 came in, careful not to wake the sleepers.  After a quick check, he smiled at Blade and Mark.  "He's going to be fine.  He's waking up faster than I expected, to be honest.  He must remain still and quiet to finish healing, but he will be fine."

Blade looked visibly relieved to hear that. "Thanks, 53."

"Of course.  I'm glad he's going to be okay," 53 smiled.  "I trust you can look after him for now.  I'll be right outside if you need anything."  He stepped out quietly, leaving his dragon in the doorway.

Tithenor stirred slightly, frowning as he tried to wake up.

"Easy there, big guy." Blade said in a slightly raspy voice. "53'll have my head if you manage to hurt yourself more."

Tithenor cracked his eyes open.  "Jeremiah?" he mumbled, not seeing the other two, only Blade.

Blade smiled. He decided it was all right to be called that by the rest of his family now. Maybe Pat was right, and he was actually more of Jeremiah now than Blade. "Yeah, it's me. Everyone's here. Me, Pat, Mark... even our dragon's."

"Mellon is okay?" Tithenor mumbled.  "Pat?  Is he okay?"  Wait, all of them there?  And he'd used the wrong name.  He didn't have the energy worry about that.

Pat bit her lip again, watching him.  She let Blade answer, seeing Tithenor was focused on him.

Blade smiled. "Mellon is okay. He's here, and if 53 hadn't said otherwise, I think he would be trying to smother you right now. And Pat is fine, and doing better, I think. He's made up with Nightshade by the look of things."

Tithenor nodded tiredly. "Good. Where are my pants?"
"I think I'm sitting on them," Pat admitted, squirming.

Blade looked at Tithenor. "Do you want them? You aren't moving from that bed or much at all though, even if it means I have to tie you down myself."

"That threat sounds vaguely familiar," Tithenor whispered in weak amusement.  "Front left pocket."
Pat pulled the pants out from under her and dug into the pockets until her fingers closed around something cold and hard.  Wordlessly, she handed it to Mark so he could hand it to Blade.  It was the broach Henry had kept as a trophy.

Blade smiled weakly. "I wanna say 'I told you so,' but I think the point is mute." He handed the broach to Erika after Mark handed it to him. "There, little lady. Everything is in check now, yes? Thanks, toriaun."

Erika accepted the broach and looked it over with great care.  All was well now.

"It is my job as a toriaun and clan leader," Tithenor replied, closing his eyes.  He opened them again when he felt a nudge on his hand.  Erika held the broach up, trying to return it to him.  He earned it.  He fought for it.  He should keep it.