Dragons are always like this, right?

[Imperial Obsession]

Aideneth. This is an absolutely ridiculous idea.

I do not understand. I think that this is a perfectly fine idea.

Well of course you think so, you're the one who suggested it!

Kh'ril grumbled unhappily down the corridor as the Brown chuckled, amused, in his head. Though the Rider was happy enough to be sent on errands, errands he was usually sent on involved riding, for one, and two, they usually did not involve fetching awkward candidates whom he had unknowingly upset a week or so before by dropping his pack on them as his wherry-headed dragon proceeded to dive into the sea at windbreaking speeds while Kh'ril was still strapped on. With an unfamiliar, grumpy look on his face, the man knocked on Shard's door a few times. "Miss Shard! An annoying Brown wherrie wishes to see you outside!"

You have to cheer up, Kh'rilmine, or else she will not agree to come outside.

Do you really think I care, Aideneth?

The Brown dragon growled. Smile, mine.

Kh'ril attempted to brighten his features briefly with a small smile, before glaring in the general direction of his dragon. Better?

Not much. But it will have to do.

[Shade]

As luck, or maybe unluck?, would have it, Shard wasn't even in her room. In fact, the girl was currently behind the rider, arms crossed and foot tapping. She had been down in the bathing room, in fact, her hair was still wet, and had poked her head out when she heard a familiar voice. Having seen who it was, she had irritably dressed, slinging her used towel around her shoulders, before walking out to confront him.

"Is there any particular reason you are here?" she snapped, blue eyes narrowing as she tried to shake her wet hair out of her eyes. For the most part she succeeded, except for that stubborn white streak that always refused to behave. Frowning, she eyed the rider. She'd seen hide nor hair of the man for the past sevenday after he left the beach. Honestly she had believed she would never see him again, or at least not until she became a rider. If she became a rider. But that did not explain why he was here, interrupting her bathing time. So she waited, a grumpy expression on her face.

[Imperial Obsession]

The Brown rider startled. "Ah, there you are." The man turned to face her, still half-scowling with what he had been charged to say; he noted her wet hair and nodded, equally as miserable and annoyed as she. "I'm sorry to disturb you, but a certain Aideneth has threatened me to come and retrieve you for him. Since he's too lazy and fat to get his own arse in here and ask you himself!" he added vehemently, and a tremendous roar of temporary anger could be heard from a nearby window. That was unnecessary, Kh'rilmine!

What do you mean? I think it's perfectly necessary.

Because it is you who said it!

Exactly.

Kh'ril turned back to Shard, positively pleased with himself that he had finally gotten a proper response from Aideneth. "So, will you come and appease the behemoth? I assure you, we've brought lunch if you're hungry.

{{ I guess we'll just move to...somewhere else? Or stay here? }}

[Shade]

(We can move if you so wish.)

Shard's frown deepened, but the offer was slightly tempting. However, she still couldn't fully believe Aideneth actually liked her. The close roar startled her, however, her eyes widening with shock until she could get control of her expression once more. "I...suppose I can come. It isn't like I have anything else to do." she said, self-consciously rubbing her arm, where a few of her old scars lay under her long-sleeved shirt.

The candidate disliked getting too close to people, especially men, though other women were up there too. The only person she sort of trusted was her cousin, Breemae. So she wasn't sure how long she was going to put up with this awkward-friendship that had popped up between her and Kh'ril. Well, no matter. If she remained unfriendly, she was sure the brown rider would eventually leave her alone. Most people were put off by her stand-offish attitude. Kh'ril would be no different, she was sure.

[Imperial Obsession]

"Good. Or else he would have most likely continued to annoy me until I really thought of a good way to make you come. Possibly involving kidnapping -- though I highly doubt that you'd be up for something like that." He tugged a bit at his riding gloves and led Shard outside, where Aideneth was waiting patiently. As soon as the Brown saw his Rider he growled again, baring his teeth, but Kh'ril merely patted his rusty maw. "Relax. I brought her out for you. Now what is your wish, o King of Beasts?"

Valiant attempt at putting me in a better mood, Aideneth grumbled, but still you fall short.

"No, really, Aideneth. You suggested a picnic after you ate. Finish off matters and tell us where you planned on having it!"

Where does the little one want it? You did drag her away from her bath.

BECAUSE YOU -- Kh'ril just sighed and looked to Shard. "He's asking where you would like to eat. How about the island? Despite the wherries, it's actually quite nice."

[Shade]

She blinked in surprise. "You would go so far as to o that?" she blurted out before she could stop herself. Aghast, she clamped her mouth shut, glaring at Kh'ril. Wherries take that man. He was making her more impulsive and she did not like that.

She valued her control on herself because it was what got her through her times at home, and why she was alive. She had no illusions about her home life. If she had made any one of them too angry, it would have been very simple for them to rid themselves of her permanently. To be truthful, she was grateful for Breemae's interference because Shard knew she would have reached her limit sooner rather than later. Possibly that was a reason for her slip, but that didn't matter. What did was the fact that this rider was helping the process.

Scowling, she followed him outside, her stance relaxing when she saw the brown dragon waiting for them. She did love dragons, and flitts, but she wouldn't admit that to Kh'ril. She just knew he'd use it against her somehow. Glancing back to the rider, she shrugged. "The island is fine. I have never been there before." she said quietly, looking back at Aideneth.