Dragon Rider Play

"Avoid getting hurt in the first place?" Jeremiah offered. He looked at her book curiously. "Whatcha reading?"

"Herbal properties of plants by region," she answered, inviting Nightshade to sit on her lap and look at the pictures.

Nightshade gladly curled up with Pat. The small black symbols all over the page also mystified her. She wanted to know what they all meant.

"What are some in this region?" Jeremiah asked Pat. He just wanted to talk to her, regardless of the topic.

Tithenor settled back to watch the rain, enjoying the presence of his friends whether he was in the discussion or not.

"Well, there's the Gokhru," Pat said, showing him the picture of the plant.

Jeremiah moved to sit closer to Pat. "Gokhru... what's that one do?"

Luke listened to them talk. It was something else to focus on, and he gradually felt sleepy.

(Yes, it's a real plant.)

"It says it's good for urinary problems, asthma, coughing, some rashes, and..."  Pat's cheeks reddened and she turned the page.  "Oh look!  Gabunkh.  It's mostly like a spice."

"What's the other use for Gokhru?" Jeremiah asked, really curious now.

(Cool )

Pat's cheeks got darker and darker.  "Sefernad inkes," she mumbled inaudibly.

Jeremiah's eyebrows knit and he turned the page back to slowly read for himself. "Huh?"

"Sexual weakness, okay!" Pat cried, pulling the book back, her face now about the same color as a beet.
"I beg your pardon?" Tithenor asked, startled out of his reverie.

"O-oh." Jeremiah said. His face got a bit red as well, and he scooted away from Pat a little, taken aback by her outburst.

Nightshade jumped as Pat raised her voice and bolted under Tithenor's bed in fright.

Pat just hid behind her book.  "Sorry," she mumbled to both of them, humiliated.  "I'm sorry."

Jeremiah looked away and rubbed the back of his neck. He tried to control his blush.

Pat leaned over and peered under the bed.  "I'm sorry, Nightshade.  Please come back?  I can't read about brahm kamal without you."

Nightshade whined a little. She was curious, but didn't want her to yell like that again.

"I said I was sorry.  Please, Nightshade?" Pat pleaded, all but stretched out on her stomach now.

Nightshade very slowly crept out. She was still cautious and a little frightened, but still trusted Pat.

Pat gently pulled Nightshade into her lap.  "I wasn't yelling at you, darling.  I was... frustrated and it came out louder than I meant  That's all.  I'm sorry."

Nightshade still whined softly. It was still startling!

"What can I do to make it up to you?" Pat asked.

Nightshade whined softly. She didn't know. She cuddled into Pat though, wanting the comfort of her rider.

Pat leaned back against the wall and opened the book. Softly she began to read to her dragon and whoever else happened to be listening. She showed Nightshade the pictures and explained about each plant.

Nightshade gradually fell asleep.

Jeremiah listened as well, but didn't ask questions this time. He didn't want to make Pat upset again.

Luke fell asleep as he listened to Pat's reading.

Warrior fell asleep next to his rider. Tithenor, it was hard to tell. He seemed to either be asleep with his eyes partially open or in a trance.

Erika came over to Jeremiah and curled up in his lap, her tail twisting around her.

"I'm sorry I yelled. I didn't mean to," Pat told Jeremiah softly.

Jeremiah shrugged. "It was an uncomfortable subject. It's fine." He stroked Erika some.