Dragon Rider Play

Nightshade stayed there. But what was the point if Pat kept shutting her out like this and wouldn't talk to her?

~

Blade laughed softly and drank the water some before he started to carve a new figurine. However, this one wasn't for Erika this time.

Warrior sighed and flopped down next to her, snuggling up.  The point was that tomorrow would be a better day.  Tomorrow was always a better day.

~

Erika finally finished sorting out her treasures, missing only her figurines and one other item. She went to Blade and stood at the side of his bed, chirping.  Could she go get them?

Nightshade just continued to lay there.

~

Blade shook his head. "Stay here for now, please. Maybe I'm being paranoid, but paranoia has saved my life several times." He showed Erika the half carved figuring. "What do you think so far? it's going to be a figurine of Nightshade for Pat."

"I'm finished," Pat mumbled to Mark.  "Need anything more?"

~

Erika huffed, annoyed, but sniffed at the figurine.  She chirped in approval and went back to her hoard where she sat watching Blade.

~

Tithenor stood watching the others in the forge, his keen eyes never missing a detail.  Alistair's group looked like they were falling apart.  Eric and the other two couldn't work together well at all without their leader.  They were snapping at each other and getting in each other's way.  Then he noticed Henry's group.  Henry and his group had always been in the shadows, but now that he thought about it, weren't they always third after his group and Alistairs?

Mark was trying to coax Nightshade to eat still. "Unless you can perk her up, I don't think so." He said with a sigh.

~

Blade's hands were quick, clever, and confident with the knife as he bit by bit revealed the Nightshade figurine.

Pat shook her head.  "I can't.  I don't even know how anymore."

~

Erika watched quietly then returned to him during a pause.  Reaching up, she touched his arm with her muzzle. She was sorry for hurting him.  She didn't mean to.

Mark sighed. "Her species forms very tight bonds, and can be slow to forgive. If you want things to be right between you two, I'd suggest doing something to prove to her she can trust and rely on her again."

~

Blade smiled and stroked Erika. "I know you didn't. You have to remember though, I was the bonehead that kept trying to hug you and calm you the whole time."

Pat looked away, her shoulders hunched.  She didn't dare open to Nightshade.  She knew what she was doing now was hurting her dragon, but getting her involve would be even worse.  "I need to pee.  Can I please go in peace?"

~

Erika purred and aimed a lick at his hand.  Maybe, but he was Her bonehead!

Mark sighed. "Yes, but remember Tithenor wants us all to meet back at the Bunkhouse as soon as possible."

~

Blade laughed and let her lick his hand. "Yeah, I am, aren't I?"

Pat nodded and walked away, holding her elbows.  This was terrible.  Everything had gone wrong.  So very wrong.

~

Erika continued to purr and licked his hand a couple more times before rubbing her head against his hand.  She loved her rider!

Mark sighed and made his way back to the Bunkhouse. "War, Mellon, keep looking after Nightshade." He instructed.

~

Blade smiled and stroked her. "Love you too, Erika. My life definitely changed for the better ever since you chose me to be your rider."

Warrior chirped happily and draped his wing over his clanmate, snuggling in.  He loved his littermates.

~

Erika flicked her tail.  Why wouldn't she?  Blade was the perfect rider!

Nightshade didn't really react.

~

Blade laughed ad hugged Erika. "Well, I have the perfect dragon."

Tithenor was heading for the loo when he heard voices behind it.  He paused, listening.  One was Pat's voice.  The other he had ha hard time placing.  Familiar, but not.  Curious.  His frown deepened as he listened.  Pat was in tears, begging the other to let him out of his blackmail, but the harsh voice threatened to do worse if Pat didn't go through with what he told the young rider to do.  Eventually, the harsh voice left, and after a few moments of gut-wrenching tears, so did Pat.
Tithenor paced the inside of the loo for several more minutes, furious.  He wanted to walk right out and slug that other rider then and there, but something had kept him still.  He had to figure out who it was and if at all possible, turn them into the Headmaster with proof.  Solid proof.  He was fuming when he left and it showed in his glacier bearing.  A couple of other riders passed him and instantly skirted away.  The elf was out for blood.

~

Pat made sure her face showed no signs of tears before heading for the Bunkhouse.  She couldn't quite hide her puffy, red eyes, but with everything else, she doubted the others would care.  She kept her head down, stalling as she opened the door and worked the hinge, hearing the squeak.  She should oil that.

Blade's keen eye however noticed Pat was not all right and frowned. However, he had no clue what to do to help, and that made him fidgety. He whispered to Erika. "Little lady? Can you try giving this to Pat please?" he asked her, showing his dragon the now completed carving of Nightshade.

Erika took the figurine carefully and took it to Pat.  Pat looked up, surprised.  She took the wooden figurine and stared at it.  "What is this?" she asked Blade without looking at him, turning the wooden Nightsahde over in her hands.  What was it for?  Why had he given it to her?  Was there a deeper reason?

Blade shrugged. "What else am I suppose to do? I'm under house arrest and bored out of my mind. I'm also making Mellon and Warrior for Tithenor and Mark respectively."

"Thank you," she said softly, cradling it in her hands.

Suddenly, Tithenor stormed in, and his expression was literally that.  An ice storm on legs.  He glanced around.  "Where is Mark?"

Blade furrowed his brow. "I thought he was on his way back here." He said honestly. "Tithenor, what is it?"

Tithenor glanced at Pat.  "Go tell Mark to come here.  Now.  Then go check the garden.  It didn't get tended to today."

Pat nodded, knowing it was only to keep her away, but she gladly accepted the chore.  She stood, pocketing the figurine and went to find Mark.

Mark was just leaving the rookery. Blackwater and Alterrion had asked him questions about a certain dragon breed, and he was more than happy to answer them.

Blade looked up at Tithenor. "Sit, and take deep breaths." he instructed his "brother."

Pat spotted Mark and went to him.  "Tithenor said to meet him in the Bunkhouse now.  He looks mad."

Tithenor glanced at Blade.  "If I sit, I will break something.  Walking is better."

Mark nodded and ran as fast as he could over there.

BLade sighed. "Then make a trench in the floor while at least taking deep breaths, okay?"

Tithenor nodded sharply and did just that until Mark arrived.  He stopped short.  "Did Pat follow you or is he elsewhere?  I do not want him overhearing."

Mark shook his head. "Pat is in the gardens."

Blade sighed. "Now will you say what's making you look like you're ready to kill someone, because frankly, if it's anyone's job here, it's mine."