Dragon Rider Play

Blade smiled. "She wants you to have it." Blade gently took the broach from Erika and placed it in Tithenor's hand. "She says you fought for it and earned it."

Tithenor took the broach and turned it over in his hand. "Thank you."

Blade smiled. "Now, do everyone a favor and get well, all right?"

Tithenor managed a faint smile.  "I will do my best."  He paused.  "Mark, Blade, I trust you two to keep things in line.  Patrick, look after them, please."  When he had a moment alone with Blade, he would apologize for using the wrong name.

Pat nodded.  "I will.  I'll go get you some water, you look thirsty."  Picking Nightshade up, she wobbled off to get the water.  She was hungry.  She'd eat later.

Blade smiled. "You know, I do still wonder if Blade is still the right name for me. Thoughts?"

"I never thought it was a good name for you," Tithenor said.

He laughed a little hearing that. "I told you, I'm no good with coming up with names. Although, when I was talking to Pat, he said I seemed more like a Jeremiah. What're your thoughts, toriaun?"

"I believe you are Jeremiah," Tithenor agreed, "If that is what you wish to be."

Blade nodded and looked back at Mark and Pat. "What do you two think?"

"I think it fits and sounds more normal than Blade." Mark said.

"I agree, it is a good name for you," Pat smiled, handing him a cup of water and indicating he help Tithenor drink it.

Blade nodded. He took the cup and supported Tithenor's shoulders just enough to ensure the water went down, but not enough to aggravate whatever 53 did to fix his chest. "All right. I'll start going by Jeremiah then. And easy, small sips, toriaun. Small sips..."

Tithenor coughed, hissing sharply at the pain the cough caused.  He caught his breath and tried to sip the water.  "Thank you," he said hoarsely.

"You should rest," Pat said.  "I should eat.  I can't remember when I last ate."

Blade-or rather Jeremiah now-nodded and set the cup down. Mark volunteered to stay with Tithenor while Jeremiah and Pat went to eat, so long as they brought stuff back for him. Jeremiah went to find 53. "Hey, should we bring food back for Tithenor or what?"

53 paused his work cleaning instruments and glanced at Jeremiah.  "That would be most kind of you.  We have food here, but it is nothing like the food the chefs make."

"Is there anything in specific I should ask for him?" Jeremiah asked. "And what about you, medicine man?"

"Soups or stews will be fine, and thank you, but I'm fine," 53 answered with a smile.

Jeremiah nodded. "Onward, Pat! Onward to the food gods!"

Pat giggled.  "I wish I had your enthusiasm, Bla-Jeremiah."

Jeremiah grinned. "They say the easiest way to someone's heart is through their stomach. What do you think?" He walked with Pat over to the mess hall.

Pat shrugged.  "I don't know.  Um, Jeremiah?"

"Yeah Pat?" He asked. Jeremiah tilted his head at Pat curiously.

Pat took a deep breath and looked at him straight on.  "I'm not gay.  I'd appreciate if you wouldn't talk about it.  Please."  So saying, she turned her back and walked on until she reached the mess hall.  "Nightshade, wait here for me," she instructed, setting her dragon down.  "I'll be right back."

Jeremiah knit his eyebrows, but nodded. Now he was even more confused about Pat. Maybe he was just a flamboyant eunich then? He followed his friend in either way.

Nightshade chirped softly and stayed put. She still wasn't a hundred percent yet, but seemed to gradually be getting better. The dragon was all right not moving for now.

Pat kissed the top of her head and went inside to see what was for lunch.  It smelled like duck.  Maybe Blade could work his magic and get a couple of raw ducks for their dragons.

Tithenor had dozed off, the dragons with him.  Warrior had climbed up with Erika and the pair lay stretched out on the elf's legs.

Mellon had curled up at Tithenor's side, under his hand. He wanted to be within arms reach of his rider.

Jeremiah smiled and greeted the chefs in a friendly manner. he genuinely loved their cooking, and had made it the gold standard in his book at least.