A Trip to Ellesmera (Dragonkin)

[Capricorn]

((Most original. Name. Ever.))

The towering trees of Du Weldenvarden hung overhead, bright light flitting through the trees and pooling onto the ground. It was midday in the elves' forest, and although Ellesmera was emptier than Nira had remembered, there must be something interesting to do. The Werecat was in her humanoid form, astride a pony. It had been bred by elves, and so was of fine quality. It was perhaps slightly too big for Nira, but she was able to ride it and that would do. Her eyes gazed upwards at the sky ahead. She had hoped to catch a glimpse of a dragon. She'd seen a few in a fight over Bellatona, but never since. Her kind had advised the dragon riders- it was only right that she continued to do so. Especially in this time of war and havoc.

The Werecat dismounted her pony, passing the reins to an elf. "Thank you." Nira said, sliding off of her pony onto the ground.

The Werecat walked over to the place where she would be staying. It was one of those tree homes that the elves made by singing. The steps up to it, however, were too large. They were meant for elves, certainly not werecats. Let alone small werecats. You'd think that they'd have thought to give me a room that I can get to. Nira thought. Perhaps she could attempt to climb up, but she'd rather not risk having to pluck splinters from her skin- they were a pain whenever she shapeshifted. Perhaps her feline form would have better luck, but as a rule, Nira didn't shapeshift in front of anybody.

The size of the steps made sense. Elves could comfortably climb up the steep stairs. Humans, especially riders, could as well. Dwarves may have problems, but Nira was sure that they'd have said something. Deciding that was a good idea, the Werecat announced aloud, "I cannot climb these steps."

((That post sort of sucked. Seriously, it was about a Werecat being unable to climb steps. I'm a bit rusty, sorry. Don't feel like you have to match my post length if it's too long or short.))

[Dragonkin]

"The forest of Du Weldenvarden looks as beautiful as ever doesn't it Tintaglia" said Saphone who was sitting upon his best friends back Tintaglia his blue and green dragon.

"Yes Saphone it is most beautiful" Tintaglia said to Saphone her partner of heart and mind.

"i am glad the Varden let us take a break from the fighting i thought i would lose who i am" Saphone said as they landed in front of the Crags of Tel Naer.

"lets go for a stroll through the city Saphone" Tintaglia said to him

"alright i could never say no to you my friend" Saphone said as they walked through the pinewood city

"The beauty of the elves still amazes me even though i am more part elf then human and... Tintaglia watch out" Saphone told her to stop because she was about to step on a werecat and wanted to avoid a scene

"I am sorry about that friend we werent paying attention I am Saphone and this is Tintaglia my blue and green dragon and i am her Rider" Saphone said all this in the ancient language

[Capricorn]

Suddenly, the werecat heard the sound of footsteps. Heavy footsteps. She whirled around just as the half-elf began to apologize. The werecat's eyes fell upon the dragon- Tintaglia, did he call her? The werecat allowed her mind to brush up against that of the Rider and dragon- not enough to glean any thoughts from their minds, especially not if they had mental barriers up, but enough so that they'd feel it if they were trained.

"Oh, it's really quite alright." Nira purred- and her voice did sound very much like a purr at the moment. "I actually was hoping that I would meet a Rider and their dragon here. Perhaps I could speak to you in the building next to us, dears, if you're not busy? The problem is, I cannot climb these steps. I'm too small. Help, if you will?"

Nira wasn't actually sure if the dragon would fit into the tree. At the very least, she was sure that the dragon could stick her head in. "Dragon and Rider, I apologize for being so quick to invite you to a conversation. Tintaglia, are you called? Rider, if I may, what is your name? Anything you'd like me to call you- I understand very well that sometimes the name that we are born with is not the name that we stick with later on in our lifetimes."

[Dragonkin]

"you can call me by my name Saphone everyone does and of course we can help you just climb onto my back" Saaphone said this while smiling as a thought of he and his sister popped into his head how she used to carry him like this

"Saphone youll only upset yourself thinking about her" Tintaglia warned him and they went up into the building it was actually large enough that Tintaglia could fit inside

"im only thinking about the good times i had with her but thank you for warning me" Saphone said this and turned to the matter at hand as Nira climbed down

"now what did you want to talk about Nira? I would like to help if i can if you have a problem" Saphone said this nicely and in a tone that would wash away all hostility from a man that was angry at him

[Capricorn]

Nira had to think for a moment before jumping onto Saphone's back. Sure, it was odd for someone to do that. However, she was a Werecat. Werecats had been held in high esteem by the Riders of old for their status as advisors and for their mysterious wisdom. It was only fitting, she decided, that she ride upon the back of a Rider. Not to mention, she kind of needed it in order to get up to her room.

With delight, the Werecat found that Tintaglia could fit into the building. Scampering down from Saphone's back, Nira sat on the edge of one the lovely elven beds. "Why, I simply wanted to help advise a Rider with... Rider things, Saphone." She paused. "But if it is a task that you desire, I can do that as well."

She paused, looking up at Saphone and Tintaglia. "I'm sure you know this, but you two share a very special bond." She began. "The bond between Dragon and Rider is something that has been described as something incomparable to everything. Excluding... Well, that's a discussion for another time. The bond between you two is something that I can but imagine. The bond between all Dragons and Riders is something that I can but imagine."

Nira paused once more to emphasize her words. "And my kind long ago chose to advise yours. Granted, then Riders were only elves. Humans had not yet reached Alagaesia. And half-elves like yourself were still a long ways away from existing. But through the years, we have stuck to our duties. Perhaps we seemingly vanished during the Fall, disassociated ourselves with Riders- but if we fought, would we be here to advise future riders?

"And that is why I asked you here."

[Dragonkin]

"What do you need Nira i am happy to help and Tintaglia and I arent doing anything right now so what is it you need? Saphone spoke kindly and in a manner that would charm even the most hostile elf

[Capricorn]

Tintaglia was big. They'd clearly been bonded for a while, so Nira's lecture had been useless. She didn't really are. Giving boring lectures was a habit of hers- only when speaking aloud- and she'd learned to live with it.

So, Saphone wanted a task. She didn't blame him. "Well, actually..." Her words were in the Dwarven tongue at first, so she cleared her throat and began speaking in the common tongue. "Excuse me, a habit of mine. As I began to say, in the dwarf language, I didn't actually have any task for you except getting me up the stairs. But if you want something to do, how about you show me around the city?"

She was sure that some Riders- especially young ones from ages past- would scorn such a mundane task. Do it begrudgingly, perhaps, but not understand why such a thing was asked of them. It was a test to see how well-behaved the Riders of today were. As the pair appeared to have been bonded for a while, Nira had faith in their ability to pass.