Lesson Eleven: Simourv & the Bees (Alpha Winglets)

[zeis]

Canph crouched on his eyling ledge like a gargoyle, poised, ready, and gazing intensely over the canyon floor below him. It was a busy time. The cold of years end was setting in, and all around humans and simourv alike arose early to see their chores and duties done. There had been a festival, a hatching, and a feast not too long ago. Excitement and puzzlement still hung in the air, and the red feeling lively with the promise of a new lesson beginning turned and chattered to his rider. Maybe we should get a volunteer for today's lesson? He suggested smoothly, turning his head again to gaze wistfully across the canyon to the opposite wall, where a lovely green was just rising into the air.

You wish. K'huna made a slightly disgusted sound as he finished off his breakfast, a meager affair of biscuit and water. He shook his head at the lecherous thoughts he could feel Canph toying around with, and vaulted onto the red's side, hastily clicking into place various straps and buckles. Let's try and keep it kid-friendly, okay? That's no fun. Canph protested as he leaped off the ledge and sailed lightly down to the Winglet Barracks. It's our job. Keep yourself in check, or I will. You understand? He dismounted soon after the simourv made his landing, and fixed him with an uncompromising stare until the red bowed his head. I understand...

K'huna eyed him carefully, sensing some hidden intent for mischief. Whatever it was, it was time for the lesson, and he'd just have to deal with it. He cupped a hand around his mouth and bellowed into the doorway, his voice echoed by Canph's mental one, calling their students to class. "Alphas! Report to the front of the barracks immediately! No weapons or gear today!"

The Wingletmaster crossed his arms over his chest, and waited patiently alongside Canph as the quickly growing Winglets filed in. The red simourv beamed down at them all smugly, taking up a more stern appearance whenever his rider happened to glance his way. When they were all assembled, K'huna nodded and saluted them before beginning. "Good morning, Alphas. Today we'll be going over first aid, and..." He paused and cast a warning glance at his simourv, who looked back at him innocently. ".. mating flights."

"You simourv are growing fast, and soon after you graduate you'll hit your prime." He explained dryly, not feeling any awkwardness in the subject, though he saw it in some of the faces around him. "For you female simourv, this means that you will rise for the first time. It's likely to be one of you greens, first, and you'll fly the most often. There's no preparing for it because it happens suddenly, and the only signs we can tell so far is that the feathers brighten slightly a day or so before." He made eye contact with each of the female simourv pairs. "I'm sure you've all witnessed a flight in your time here. When it happens, there's no fighting it. You and your partner will become one, and everything one feels so will the other."

Canph tittered immaturely, and K'huna sighed, before continuing. "When a female rises, males will follow. All of you with male simourv will find yourselves most often unable to resist thinking of the other rider. Doesn't matter who it is, or who you are..." He shrugged, putting his hands on his hips. "Before you know it, you might end up at their eyling, and in their bed."

"That is the trade-off of joining our ranks." He mused with a snort and a shrug. "Our will is surrendered during a flight, and I'll be honest. Sometimes its great, but most of the time its the only part of our job we hate." The Wingletmaster looked at them frankly, and behind him Canph winked saucily at a few of his female students. "Since we can't avoid it, we can at least take measures to do things safely."

"If you feel flight-lust starting, land and get off your simourv immediately if you are riding. Your simourv will take no precautions for you once they're caught in it. If you're on the ground and see another rider taken by it, stay out of their way. They aren't in their right minds, and can be violent if pressed." He frowned as he spoke, remembering how he had nearly knocked out a few of M'ari's teeth during Muraaph's last flight. "If you riders of female simourv keep your eyes open, you might see the signs, and have time to get someone to stand by for you, if there's someone you prefer, but once it starts you wont discriminate much."

When you start to fly, my brothers, you will feel so strongly that nothing else will matter. Canph took over, waving his tail arrogantly. He spoke in a tone that suggested ultimate authority on these matters, cocky and arrogant. You will feel only love for her, and sometimes even hate for your brothers. You must be aware of them as you fly, for your wings my tangle, or you may strike at them or be clawed or bitten. Your love may even attack you, if she feels she must. He lifted a wing and displayed long trailing scars down his side, remnants of his last attempt to win Valenph, and her subsequent attack upon him.

"If you are wounded badly in a flight, especially if you sustain a wing injury, you are going to want to keep flying. Make every effort you can to withdraw. Struggling to win is just going to make your injury worse, and there will always be more flights." He turned and gestured to Canph, who lowered one large wing to be examined. "Your wings are your most valuable asset in a fight, and in a flight. They are also the most vulnerable point on a simourv, so you must mind them as you fly just as you would in combat."

From then on he led the class on a more general topic of simourv first aid, dealing particularly with the wings. He showed them how to land with a wounded wing, how to locate breaks, and strained muscles. How to apply a healing salve, and bandages to their large feathered partners. He also stressed the importance of a rider calming and focusing their mind to restrain their wounded simourv, as the beasts could get out of hand if seriously wounded. After they had some basic knowledge down, he hefted a large roll of bandages and patted Canph's leg. "Let's see what you remember then. Pretend Canph here has a broken foreleg." Canph, immediately upon hearing his role, collapsed to the ground with a mock moan of pain, splaying his apparently injured leg out away from him. K'huna stared at him for a moment, and shook his head before continuing. "Who wants to help splint and treat it? I'll need about three or four volunteers. Also, anyone have any questions?"

[Fox]

This lesson had to happen sooner or later. It made sense to warn the upcoming winglets of the effects of a mating flight (beyond the obvious) and L'nan might have thought K'huna irresponsible if he had left it out. But still. It was somewhat embarrassing to have to sit through it again, considering how much it felt like she was sitting through the 'where do babies come from' talk with her parents all over again. Although, L'nan was fairly sure that she had it easier than some, as her face remained blandly unfazed and no blush stained her cheeks. Her job as a midwife had essentially entailed giving young girls the information on how not to get pregnant, as well as handling the pregnancies and births themselves. So she resolved to keep an eye out for Eoreph's signs, and silently contemplated the concept of a stand-in. It was interesting. Possibly a means to exercise some control over a situation that was otherwise uncontrollable.

Eoreph, much like her rider, was not much embarrassed by the topic. She did glance away shyly from Canph's broad wink, but otherwise her ears remained perked all through, though she did tilt her head in puzzlement at some points. They hate it, Mine?[/color] She asked L'nan with a hint of confusion, turning large brown eyes on her rider. Then why do people do it?[/color] Why would you do something that you hated? For the continuation of the species? But some people seemed to enjoy the act itself. Perhaps it was some form of masochism; Eoreph wasn't fairly certain of the details, but supposedly it was painful in the beginning for the female. Or, at least, that was the little she'd leaned from Hers on the matter. L'nan had been surprisingly reticent in sharing that particular information with her simourv.

With a faint grimace, the woman explained, It's not that they hate the act itself, Eo. It's the loss of control, and the inability to choose one's partner. She shrugged minutely, the action translating more obviously in its mental capacity to the tawny. Most people enjoy it, after they get used to it.[/i] Eoreph understood, she supposed. But if it was so enjoyable... I see. But you have never done so, Mine?[/color] Did humans have specific timing for these things, like simourvs did? Eoreph knew that at some point she herself would rise, but that time would come when it came. As far as she knew, humans had no such stipulations.

No, love. I have not. L'nan offered no explanation; Eoreph could feel clearly that it had been a personal choice thus far. She hadn't wanted to distract herself from her work. And with that, the conversation faded into comfortable silence as the tawnypair paid attention to K'huna's instruction on first aid, L'nan recognising a lot of it from what experience she had acting the part of a nurse for her father. She could bandage wounds, yes, but she paid close attention to how to locate breaks and sprained muscles, knowing with a sting of certainty and worry, that she did not know how to do it. The woman was glad, then, when K'huna asked for volunteers. Almost immediately, her hand raised to catch his attention, as she stepped forward with a smile for Canph. L'nan turned back to K'huna, a niggling question on her mind from something he'd said earlier. "I'd like to volunteer, sir. And I have a question; if a female's rider chooses a stand-in, what happens to the rider of the male?" [/size]

[Lan]

No weapons? No armor? It was certainly odd, considering most of their training sessions had been about either military tactics or flying. However, as soon as all the Alphas were sat down in front of "Uncle Canph" and Wingletmaster K'huna, it was clear why they would have no need of any such fighting or flying devices... this was going to be one of those awkward lessons on the less talked about aspect of being a simourv rider: flightsex. E'an had to hold back a laugh. If she had a diask for each time she had woken up in bed with someone she couldn't remember the name of... well, best not to talk about it. It sounded rather like being drunk, by the redrider's description of it. Maybe her prior -ahem- experience on such matters would help keep her from totally being overrun. Maybe. Well, at least Kaslimeph wasn't a female... that seemed like it would be a bit harder on the rider.

Kaslimeph twitched his tail impatiently, not so much out of discomfort as out of disbelief. How could he sit there and be told that HE, one of the largest blues on Pohono, would become a slave to such petty emotions such as lust and, dare he say it, love. It seemed ridiculous. Kas was not a flirty green or an emotional red. He was a blue, which meant he had firm control over his emotions and his so-called feelings. So when Canph talked to them as if he was the end-all be-all of the topic of conversation, the blue snorted with some contempt.

If it's so dangerous, why fly at all? It sounds stupid, chasing after some female only to risk your tail and feathers at her silly whims. While he kept his thoughts hidden from the humans in the area, he projected quite freely to all his simourv peers and his red instructor. His dark eyes met Canph's, unflinching and uncaring about any retribution he might receive for talking back. After all, he was almost an adult now. He stood tall amongst his peers. No longer was he a child that would willingly take instruction and orders and even so-called facts without questioning the reasons why, if they weren't explicitly given. There must be males that aren't interested in such... unfounded romantics?

E'an rolled her eyes, sensing Kaslimeph's argument as he didn't keep it hidden from her. A smirk crossed her lips as she imagined he'd learn soon enough what lust was all about. Much like alcohol, it wasn't about thinking... it was about the experience. And, being one of the large and virile blues in the Eyrie, surely he would be chasing his share of females when the time came. Until then, she'd have to remember to tease him for such naive comments.

Seeing L'nan had already volunteered, E'an also decided to offer herself to help, if only to distract Kas from saying something else ridiculous. "I'll give't a go, too." She spoke with a raised hand before also stepping up, then became quiet as the tawnyrider asked her question. It was, actually, a decent question. She had expected one that only applied to females, but L'nan seemed to be more circumspect than that. Truly, E'an would also like to know what would happen to the other participant if the female's rider chose a stand-in, as she knew it would be an instance that would probably occur to her. She wasn't exactly the most desirable partner for some of her peers, she could imagine.

[Kat]

Ri’ley turned a vibrant pink color—fuchsia, perhaps, from the apples of his cheek, to the tips of his ears, and stretching like a horrible rash down his neck past his adam’s apple. If the color that changed Ri’ley’s skin did not demonstrate his discomfort enough, his entire body radiated humiliation. His shoulders remained even more slouched than before, hunched over, so that his eyes could stare at a distinct and simple point on the ground. Ri’ley glared at his toes, his face tense with his discomfort, the emotion manifesting in the tight musculature of his face. Even though Dionyph had hinted towards the topic, and Ri’ley had been aware of the dynamics of flights, he never dwelt on the topic. In fact, he tried to avoid thinking about it at all, or really even the topic of sex in general. Of course, the man had thought about sex before—everyone did, but for the most part, he remained fixed in his desire to avoid thinking about it as long as he had more important pursuits to adhere to—his education, then Dionyph. The thought of having sex with another person, of engaging in such an intimate action with a person he knew—Ri’ley could barely fathom it, and so he wanted to avoid playing out the situation, of attempting to maneuver the awkwardness which would come from the aftermath of the action—of the foreplay of the action—of the action itself. It was inconceivable, and it was terrifying. And the fact that the riders have no control over the situation only intensified Ri’ley’s apprehension towards the concepts of flights. He liked having control—in fact, in many ways, Ri’ley was obsessed about having control, especially control over bodies, since he was dedicated to learning the way to control the human body, to make it behave in the way he wished. Flights, though, removed Ri’ley’s control entirely—even over his own body, his own sexuality, which he controlled by repressing into inexistence.

Dionyph did not understand his rider’s discomfort. The black simourv felt it, a thick miasma around his rider, and the black could not help but to feel it himself. He hung his head, even though he listened attentively to Canph. This was important information. Dionyph longed for the day he could fly in competition with his brothers, each one of them embracing his power and his capacity in the ultimate pursuit. To Dionyph, flying represented the ultimate test of his viability as a warrior. His rider’s hesitance, his rider’s humiliation, those were not problems for the black, because Dionyph knew that Ri’ley would have to learn. But the simourv did not understand why his rider felt so uncomfortable with the thought of the process.
Why, mine, are you so uncomfortable? I do not understand. The process of flights is a way to prove our merit as warriors and leaders. You should embrace—
Dionyph questioned, but Ri’ley shook his head, his eyes still focused on the ground.
Dionyph, it is different for you, Ri’ley explained, although he could not articulate the reasons for this difference. If he tried to articulate it, he would have to confront the whole idea of it.
How so? My pursuits are your pursuits, replied the simourv, who dropped his head in order to nudge Ri’ley’s head up with his beak. His rider needed to look forwards and appear confident.
It just is.
The rider snapped, and the conversation was left at that, because for once, the black simourv realized that his communications were not going to help the situation.

L’nan’s question captured Ri’ley’s attention, and his gaze drifted from the tops of his shoes to the tawnyrider’s face. Her question intrigued him, or maybe her motivation for asking it—but he did not really know why. He supposed it was an important question for the riders of male simourvs, and perhaps he should have thought of it previously. As soon as he realized that he made eye contact with L’nan, Ri’ley’s gaze instantly dropped to the ground, where he watched his feet kick aimlessly at the sand. Dionyph did not understand what happened, or what about the question inspired so much interest in his rider. Dionyph turned towards Ri’ley, and gazed at his rider with baffled, white eyes.
Why are you so interested in that, Ri’ley—I doubt anyone will use a substitution for you.
Through his embarrassment, Ri’ley managed a terse grin, because his simourv’s dedication to him amused him to some extent—he imagined that Dionyph was terribly mistaking, but the simourv’s powerful belief in his rider made Ri’ley feel wanted and loved. Even though the pair had fought recently, they had returned to their original state of dewy, blind affection for each other. There was no use arguing with this dedication and belief, in explaining that just because Dionyph thought Ri’ley was a fine mating candidate, did not mean that the other winglets and riders would, because Dionyph could not see that.
It’s not that, Dionyph; I just find the question interesting.
The black continued to appear baffled. He nudged Ri’ley with his beak, against the man’s cheek.
Because Eoreph’s asked it?
No, of course not!
Ri’ley insistence at his black’s incorrectness was immediate and strong, so Dionyph dropped his head and turned his attention back to Canph. His was being very silly, but Dionyph did not have the heart to argue with Ri’ley. The pain of their last argument, their last battle, still resonated in Dionyph’s heart, and he wanted to avoid that feeling in all circumstances.

When K’huna introduced the next part of the lesson, Ri’ley relaxed, his body losing its tense feeling and dropping into a pleased stance. The color drained from his face until it was a normal, human shade again. The man stepped forwards as soon as K’huna asked for volunteers, his face bright with hope as he thought about demonstrating splinting to his peers. This was so much better than talking about flights. The relief was almost overwhelmingly powerful.
”K’huna, I believe that I could demonstrate splinting quite well to the rest of the class.”
Ri’ley announced, his voice resonating a stern confidence in his abilities. His eyes, though danced with hope and a desperate, sly plea—‘please, pick me,’ they begged, and the man’s brown eyes showed his determination to change the subject of conversation from sex to broken bones. Ri’ley could talk about broken bones all day. He could talk about broken bones for the rest of his life. His stance radiated his sudden pleasure, which contrasted his awkward movements earlier. Furthermore, splinting and setting a simourv limb provided a whole new set of challenges for a man who could set broken legs in his sleep, and Ri’ley wanted the challenge, even if instead of practically applying his skill, he was just talking about the technique of the medicine. Simourv bones, while they appeared larger than human bones, had a lot less mass. They were hollow, unlike human bones, so they were much more fragile. That meant that setting them was both easier and more difficult, and required a different touch and pressure than the bones Ri’ley usually worked with. In a morbid way, Ri’ley found the thought of setting simourv bones absolutely thrilling and exciting, although he would never truly express this sentiment out loud to anyone else. It was one of those unfortunate thrills Ri’ley felt as a side effect of his profession, which normalized pain and death and made both a topic of intellectual and personal pursuits. Ri’ley’s mouth twitched into a small smile, as he waited for K’huna’s answer.

[Quill]

Sal'a rubbed her eyes as the message rang in her head. She overslept and today, she did not feel any real rush to get there. Her reason? Lack of weapons or gear meant something boring. Nevertheless, she dressed, warmer than usual because of the change in weather. Peering at His through one eye, the dark-headed Sydnyph awoke, taking even less time than the quick Sal'a. Shaking his feathers, he started to preen them as Sal'a made her last preparations.

Why do females take so long. I think a green could have beat that limit. Sal'a looked at her partner before finishing the braid on her hair. "Yeah, I guess that happens when you don't have clothes." She started to march out with Syd following. Do you have any idea how much work these feathers take? Sal'a rolled her eyes and then slowed her pace so she walked beside him, feeling the downy feathers that covered his side.

Outside the barracks, she stood tall along with the other winglets. It did not take ten minutes before the rest of her rank joined the lesson. Of course, she did not appreciate the lesson. First aide? Sure, she had to sew some scars and set some splints, but she was no expert. Looking up at Syd, she did not want to fix any of his broken bones, but the knowledge was good to have.

But mating was an entirely different manner. She had watched the simourvs rise to the sky, especially when Eceph took to the sky to the point where those on the ground lost sight of her because of distance or clouds. Now they were getting indepth look inside. These mating rituals seemed so foreign with her. Seduction was usually done by females, in human, but this was totally different.

When Canph mention battling, Sal'a turned around and looked at Sydnyph. She could feel his anxiety mounting behind him. I can fight koxi, Mine. I'm over that, you know that, but I don't think I could fight my own brothers, just for a female. he said to His alone. He tapped his head on her head, not pressing any weight on the winglet. Then tell him. Sydnyph rose his head and shook it, finding his wording as the Wingletmasters continued to speak. Then questions were open, but before Syd could speak his gathered thoughts, Kaslimeph spoke, voicing some of his thoughts. I agree with Kaslimeph. What if we don't feel like fighting so viciously. We have to fight koxi, not our brothers.

Sal'a looked at Sydnyph, pursing her lips. The simourv was many things but a fighter was not one of them. Well, flights were Syd's department and healing was going to be Sal'a's. Better if she concentrate on that. She watched three others volunteer before her. She had no doubt that they could demonstrate correctly, but one more hand could hurt. Sighing, she rose her hand. " I can demonstrate," she said. Sal'a hated watching anyways.

[zeis]

K'huna nodded at the three that had volunteered so far, and gestured to a nearby crate of supplies. They looked eager to learn, and he was glad for it. The fewer students he had to drag kicking and screaming along the better. "Have at it then." He stepped away from Canph to stand near his students as those volunteers stepped up, but soon his attention was caught by L'nan's question. "It's hard to say. What happens during a flight is still a mystery even to some of the simourv. From what I've experienced though, there seems to be eh... etiquette?" He paused and scratched his chin, searching for the right word.

"If the female's rider is already occupied with a uh, 'winner', the rest of us tend to stand around like idiots for a while before wandering off. The simourv accept the lady's choice, and so do we." He offered thoughtfully, and looked at the girl with a slight smile. "Being in a flight and losing out is not a happy feeling... Don't be surprised if you or your simourv are feeling down for a while. Isn't that right?" His yellow eyes glanced to Canph with a raised eyebrow, and the red, resenting the scrutiny, puffed out his feathers a bit and turned his head away. He hadn't lost that many times!

The great red simourv cocked his head to peer speculatively at Kaslimeph as the smaller simourv spoke. A pity he spoke at all. He liked many of his young brothers and sisters much better when they weren't so mouthy. They grow up so fast. He held his 'wounded' leg still for the humans as he spoke, addressing them all even though only the blue had asked. A life without risk is not a life worth living, young Kaslimeph. He chided with a patient look. It's not always dangerous, but things happen. Sometimes it's a females choice who wins, sometimes one of us catch her. Things you do might offend her, too. Whether or not we fly is as much of a choice as the color of our feathers when we are born. If the lust takes you, it will have you.

And there are males that do not chase! Canph announced grandly in an amused tone, and slid his eyes to little Weirph and her rider. Our rainbow kin are the only ones who have yet to rise at all. Curious, isn't it? I wonder what is wrong with them. Perhaps you are a rainbow, Kaslimeph? The red asked, tilting his head to stare at him speculatively. K'huna glanced between them, and sighed. "Shut up, Canph. Let it be." He scolded the great beast, before turning to face the blue himself, with a respectful nod to his rider as she moved to volunteer. "Flights are tests of strength, skill, and devotion. To see who will make the best father to a clutch, and leader in some cases. We may not all like it, but it has results."

Having answered that question, he nodded at Ri'ley and jerked a thumb toward Canph. He was pleased to see the black-rider volunteer. His former skill as a physician would definitely come in handy should any of their simourv be wounded. Which they most likely would. He looked at his simourv with a frown, and then turned to meet Sydnyph's eyes as Sal'a stepped forward. "Most flights aren't violent, so while you should be wary, don't worry about it overmuch. Some simourv just eh... take it more seriously than others." He said dryly, and glanced at some of the nearby Alpha reds. "Scrapes and bruises do happen, but there haven't been any serious injuries yet to either simourv or rider."

~~~~~

Upon first arriving to the lesson, K'ii had smirked immaturely at the topic, and snickered quietly to his sibling. However as the lesson progressed his face changed from one of boyish mischief to a look of tight lipped horror. His simourv would do what? He would do WHAT? The boy glanced around his class to catch the expressions of his fellow winglets? His attention was caught by Kaslimeph' objection, and he nodded in agreement as the blue spoke. At least someone else had a problem with this! His pale skin blushed a dark red, almost as dark as his hair, as the explanation got even worse. Female simourv riders were the subject of all this attention, and greens... flew the most....

Akaturiaph listened with a wary and dubious expression, eying Canph with her head cocked. She had grudgingly accepted that these lessons were truth, as much as she hated being told what to do by anyone else. The fact remained that the elder simourv were at least slightly more knowledgeable than her, but she wasn't sure what to think of this. Was her body and mind really going to turn traitor and vault off into the sky at the slightest whim? The largest green of Alpha class scoffed loudly, throwing her lot in with Kaslimeph. Fathers, clutches, and leadership mean nothing to me. Why do I fly if there is no point?

~~~~~

"Good question." K'huna turned and nodded at the sour looking green behind him. "Because you're a simourv is the only answer we have right now. You've got no idea how much we wish it were otherwise, even for one egg. Its possible you green simourv were once able to clutch, but lost the ability as simourv evolved. Its a question for a scientist." He shrugged.

[Bre]

You don't got a clue . . .

M'rion and Romaph rolled out at a jaunty pace. The green was as graceful as ever, but with her horns basically formed, she had a tendency to poke things on occasion. Most of the time, it was intentional. It made M'rion laugh. The rider wore a grin as she joined the others on the lawn outside and her green skipped as she went. Despite being quite large, nearing the end of her growth, she was smaller than many of her brethren and more flexible besides. Her love of movement and noise had never left her. While M'rion was leery of what they would be doing without gear or weapons, Romaph expected it to be fun either way. Flying would have been better, but it was nice to just spend time with the rest of her class on occasion. She twittered a greeting to Kaslimeph and a few of the others, but she mostly focused on staying light and poised on her toes.

The topic of mating flights may have made other cringes, but it just made M'rion grin. She was very comfortable with herself, from her mind to her body. Romaph was vaguely confused by the entire concept of wanting a man, as M'rion never seemed like that, but a flight sounded like fun to her. Her rider, rather than truly paying attention, let her eyes wander over the others in her class. Rather than finding G'rael, they settled on Ri'ley. He was blushing a million shades of crimson. Silly blackrider. Was he really that embarrassed by simply the idea of a flight? It was sex. Sex. Very few people went their entire lives without doing it at least once. Actually, very few people went through their lives without doing it a few times. Briefly, she considered shouting that, simply yelling sex as loud as she could. However, she managed to keep her quiet, leaning against Romaph's leg.

Ri'ley's sudden confidence when the subject changed made M'rion grin. Her smile shifted from bemused to vaguely predatory. While she loved her simourv dearly, first aid and healing wasn't her specialty. Her ability to keep quiet vanished, as it often did. Sidling away from Romaph, she picked her way towards Ri'ley. Her green fidgeted behind her, but M'rion kept her eyes on the blackrider. Before he could go and start doing healing, she wrapped her arms around his neck and propped her chin on the edge of his shoulder. He was a touch tall, but luck was on his side. With a bit of tip toeing, she managed, rather than having to, for instance, wrap her legs around his middle and cling to him. "Aw, Ri'ley, don't you want to talk about the first topic more? Why are you so eager to change the subject?" She bated her eyelashes innocently, all woman and aware of it.

Then a guest came to join the winglets. The blue had gotten away from Eceph and had decided to explore. He liked exploring. People at the lesson seemed happier than a lot of the other people, so he wanted to say hello! He popped up at the back of the group, but he quickly hopped forward, coming to sit by his uncle, Canph. Not that he actually knew that Canph was his uncle. The red was just a touch bigger than a lot of the other ones. Laraph was like mom, of course, but she wasn't mom, so he wasn't going over there. He stared up at the big red in front of him, yellowy green eyes big and innocent. What are . . . we . . . discussing? Even though he was several days old at the point, his voice was still awkward. However, his innocent curiosity was obvious to all present. He wanted to know what was going on! He turned his head to look at the other simourvs.

Fed the blue's comment through an intrigued but fidgety Romaph, M'rion immediately started laughing. She had to remove one arm from Ri'ley's shoulders to shove a fist into her mouth to quiet her laughter. In an effort to keep from hysterics, she buried her face into Ri'ley's neck as well. The fact that it would probably freak him out didn't cross her mind, but it wasn't as if she was looking out for him with the gesture. Oh, the poor, oblivious blue! M'rion couldn't wait to hear Canph's response. Her bothering of Ri'ley was almost forgotten, but it would come back to her. She was too busy laughing right then. Romaph peered over at her younger brother in interest. She was glad her rider was happy, and she loved the sound of laughter, but she wasn't sure what was going on. Were small ones not supposed to know about flights? M'rion just seemed to find it funny.

. . . they're laughing at you.

[Kat]

Ri’ley had no idea what was coming his way. If he had, he may have attempted to move or to improve his appearance so that he could avoid being touched at all possible costs. As it was, the man took a few strides forwards, and began to paw at the supplies for splint making until he found the best possible bandage and the straightest of the braces.
”The whole points of splinting is to immobilize the limb so that it is not damaged further. While you can use a splint to set a limb, like a cast, I imagine that when we make splints, under most circumstances, we’ll be trying to immobilize and prevent.”
Ri’ley explained, and the relief that he felt because of the shift in conversation manifested as a sort of glee that danced through his words. He loved talking about medicine like this, and he rarely got to do it in terms of his duties as a rider.
”And that’s probably best, too, because we really shouldn’t be trying to set bones yet, I don’t think, until we have a better understanding of simourv anatomy. So, we’ll probably be splinting temporarily, which means that all we’d have to do is make sure that the limb stays as straight as possible and does not move.”
During the pause in his speech, Ri’ley turned to K’huna to ensure that he was speaking at least somewhat truthfully. He did not want to be spouting unfounded lies at his classmates. He was speculating, and he needed some insurance that his speculation was on the right track. The fact of the matter was that they did not have any medics who specialized in simourv anatomy. All they had were the Pioneer riders, really, and some people trained to heal humans and other animals. Perhaps they would be setting limbs without practice. Ri’ley would not even want to do that, and he had a better chance at not messing up than the other winglets. But still, he was speaking without any actual proof, so he waited to make sure his words were acceptable before he continued.

”But the point is to make the limb straight, so you need to take two straight things, usually some sort of stick or something, wooden paddle, and then you place those rigid materials around the leg and wrap it tightly with bandage. You want th—“
It was at this moment in Ri’ley’s explanation that M’rion wrapped herself around him, and the proximity of the girl stopped Ri’ley’s speech in its tracks. At first, he was positively frozen, his hands reached out mid-wrapping position, but they did not move. He was worried that if he moved his arms, then he would either bump up against M’rion further, maybe hit her with his elbows, or the worse possibility, that he would push himself further against her. She was very close to him, and Ri’ley could count the times anything as female as M’rion had touched him like this. Maybe to someone who engaged in more flirtatious behavior on a more regular basis than Ri’ley would not have a problem, but as it was now, Ri’ley was mortified and stiff. He knew that he had to do something, so finally, the man just started to wrap the splint, his mind slipping into his hyper-focused, obsessed, and stern mode that it did when he entered a situation with trauma where he had to continue to perform.

He finished before he even comprehended M’rion’s question. He was trying to forget that she was there, so that he did not have to deal with the fact that her breasts were rubbing up against his back, or that her chin was against his shoulder which made her breath curl rather near his face.
“I just prefer—prefer to discuss topics with which I have expertise.”
Ri’ley only stammered once, and his voice did not shake, even though he thought it might.

By the time the blue arrived, Ri’ley was glad for the distraction. He watched the creature with interest, because he felt terribly sorry for the simourv without a rider. Dionyph, who was unaware of his current rider’s predicament and was focused on thinking about a good response to Kaslimeph and Sydnyph’s questions of the merits of chasing, turned his attention away from his rebuttal and to the blue creature immediately. He felt so terribly sorry for the blue, and Dionyph remembered the time he thought he would be riderless. No matter how aggravating his could be, which recently, was quite aggravating, Dionyph loved Ri’ley unconditionally. The bond between them made Dionyph’s life worth living. He could not imagine the sad state of the little blue’s affaires. Dionyph also loved hatchlings, so he bent down a bit so that he was more level with the baby blue.
It is an honor, blue brother, that you are joining our lesson.
Dionyph announced, and he dropped his head further, in almost a bow. Ri’ley cringed when he heard Dionyph’s voice boom in his head, and the motion only pushed him further back into M’rion’s body. This new proximity made Ri’ley remember that M’rion still held onto his shoulder. He turned a vivid red color again, both because of Dionyph’s assertion of himself, and because of M’rion’s body, which he was touching, still. This lesson was not going well.

[/blockquote]

[Fox]

K'huna's words did provide an answer to L'nan's question, but not one that she could quite wrap her head around. She did not understand the 'etiquette' K'huna mentioned in the way it had been applied; surely, if without a stand-in the riders would be compelled to have sex, then she found it hard to imagine that in the case of a female's rider having a stand-in, that the male's rider would simply walk away with no adverse effects. It seemed just a little bit unfair, actually. But L'nan decided that such questions were better addressed another day; for now, there was a first aid lecture to pay attention to. She turned back in the pseudo-injured Canph's direction in time to catch Ri'ley's eyes skidding away from her down to his feet and she paused, confused, as a faint flush welled up in her cheeks at his interest. She could not quite explain it, though Eoreph perked up in amused interest at her rider's confusion, and rather preferred not to think about feelings she did not quite understand just yet. Especially not ones that were tied to the consideration of the stand-in option as a feasible one for whenever Eoreph eventually flew.

L'nan was leaning interestedly over to watch Ri'ley work, ears pricked for his words, when out of the corner of her eye she saw, to her shock and surprise, M'rion appear to drape herself comfortably over Ri'ley's back. Her head darted upwards in surprise as dark brown eyes went wide for a long moment, before M'rion's words and flirtatious tone sent them narrowing into anger. A wave of caution blanketed L'nan as her mouth opened to say something potentially rather caustic, as Eoreph warned her worriedly to think before she spoke. And there was a hint of a query in her simourv's mental that L'nan could not answer, since she did not understand herself why such a gesture should make her so annoyed. Eoreph snorted. Annoyed is not the word I would use, Mine.[/color] Oh, shut up. L'nan snapped in response, shifting her glare away from the entwined twosome (the sight tugged at something envious, unpleasant in her chest) to her highly amused simourv.

Thankfully, though, the appearance of the blue was sufficient enough distraction for L'nan to clamp an iron grip down on her face, though her jaw remained tightly clenched. Through her simourv, she was aware of the blue's question, but it remained as something that was not her place to answer, though Eoreph took it upon herself to volunteer a more concise version of their lesson thus far. We are discussing methods of healing injuries, little one.[/color] She said softly, chirruping lightly to her much smaller sibling. I'm sure you would be welcome.[/color] Eoreph added, glancing to Canph and K'huna, their Wingletmasters, for confirmation. Meanwhile, L'nan allowed her face to soften briefly at the sight of the unbonded chick, and the innocence of his question, but one glance back at M'rion and Ri'ley and her face went curiously flat, though her teeth were clenched rather tightly. "May we continue?" She asked tightly, the question coming out in a considerably more snippy manner than she had intended. L'nan grimaced slightly at the tone, but resolutely returned her gaze to Canph's 'injured' leg. Honestly. [/size]

[winged]

I'dou had gone the cautious route and presumed that today's lecture would be a terribly off-color romp through all the unpleasantries that none seemed to disdain with more emphasis than her. Laraph had disdained such a gloomy prospect with a huff, but the gray had since learned not to press the sensitive issues. It was how her rider coped - it wasn't right, but Laraph loved the woman enough to allow her flaws room to breathe. There was always the everlasting shred of hope that glimmered on the far off horizon. Someday I'dou wouldn't need her emotional crutches, and she'd discard them as she had the physical ones.

Expectably, the commute was lengthened as I'dou took leisurely steps, taking a vested interest in her surroundings as Laraph continued to chide and flick her ears in suppressed frustration, occasionally nudging her rider along with a reminder that they'd had a dismal attendance record thusfar and it was important. I'dou only laughed, her leisurely strides stretching just a bit farther to convince her simourv that she was hurrying. No sense rushing to ones demise, honestly.

It's just a lesson, and everyone is always nice. Her skepticism showed as she eyed the woman strolling alongside her with varying degrees of prejudice. You're the one who makes it not so pleasant. She felt rather guilty herself for voicing such an unpleasant opinion, especially of her own rider, but it was the truth! Things would be much happier if she stopped being a grouch.

"I am not! ...nothing ever gets done, and everyone acts like they've just discovered their brain." Laraph's point had founded some sense of grief in verbally assaulting her peers, however, and I'dou fell quiet soon afterward, as they entered the open space where K'huna was hosting the latest disaster. Per quota, things were quickly devolving into a messy mockery of guided lessons. The urge to mention it aloud was thankfully suppressed, and both she and Laraph filed into ranks with all the conspicuous noise and movement that came with the territory. Both had grown a thick skin - the attention was impossible to do away with, when they were together. A combination of an odd looking rider and a massive simourv - and besides, the topic matter was a much bigger deal.

I'dou had expected to hear awkward, stilted explanations of just what was to be expected. It was delivered in a slightly less gentle manner than she'd imagined, but in a way she appreciated the straightforward delivery, even if the ideas themselves were met with neutrality bordering on displeasure. She did her best not to pay much attention to K'huna's lecture, dismissing the words as background chatter. Laraph listened intently to what the red rider had to say, before her attention was drawn inextricably to Canph.

Oh, now this was interesting. First-aid was very much a vital skill to know, and I'dou dragged herself from her internal musing over what was for supper in order to watch as first Ri'ley, and then a smattering of uncomfortable others volunteered to try their hand at the obstacle set before them. I'dou volunteered to...well, remain behind and observe these efforts, having no desire to fumble around with the crowds gathering. She could see just fine from her vantage point.

Laraph had, at this point, grown slightly tired of standing at full attention, and said attention began to drift slowly in the direction of the simourv surrounding her. Hello Eoreph. The tawny was provided her full attention for a moment, Dionyph greeted in passing as well. My, the black looked very unhappy. Is everything all right? Concerned, Laraph peered more closely at the large male, chirping inquisitively. I'dou did happen to glance in L'nan's direction, nodding a greeting in passing. She had nothing (currently) against the tawny rider, and didn't see the point in ignoring her existence, considering they'd settled not far from the pair.

She did happen to notice the pinched expression dominating the other woman's face, and her stringent words caused I'dou to glance back over at the messy proceedings, uncertain what it was that was causing the other grief, before her eyes settled on M'rion draped over a clearly uncomfortable Ri'ley. It took a moment longer to realize that it wasn't just because of the untoward show of affection, but that it was directed TOWARDS the black rider. And it was when she realized that that her own mostly genial expression faded. How very awkward.

Unwittingly caught now in some sort of peculiar love triangle that she wished she hadn't stumbled on, it took a much longer moment to think over just what she was going to do about it, if anything. M'rion's clear advances were beginning to remind her most desperately of that untoward evening spent briefly in Ros'n's grasp, and the flood of feelings that followed made her stomach twist uncomfortably. It was while she remained washed in the stinking reminder of her own cowardice and lack of control that she made up her mind.

"Pardon me." Excusing herself from a conversation that wasn't quite had, I'dou nodded pointedly to L'nan before proceeding to march the distance to join the huddled ranks, heart pounding loudly in her ears and pulse racing even as she affected an unconcerned look and strode without faltering towards the entwined duo. Laraph, sensing something amiss, glanced up from where she'd since begun cooing a welcome to the little blue that had joined their ranks, uncertainty ringing loudly in her question. I'dou, what're you doing?

There was no answer, as by this point the falsely confident rider had snuck up alongside M'rion - no hesitation as she wrapped one slender arm around the green rider's middle, leaning heavily into the soft body beside her, lips brushing the other's ear in a pointed, oversexualized gesture made in mockery of M'rion's own. "Hey, I'm late. What's happening?" She didn't really care to bring Ri'ley's feelings on the matter into the mix - she didn't care if he wouldn't appreciate it, if he'd think it unnecessary. She was doing this for herself as much as she did it for L'nan or Ri'ley. Her face was flushed, her breath shallow as nervousness made its mark, but she hoped desperately it'd come off only as marks that she'd rushed from her quarters.

It was nerve-wracking, but at the same time exhilarating. The closeness brought to the forefront things that her mind deliriously turned away, but her grip strengthened the longer she stood there, entangled quite pointedly with the other woman. And if they all gave her a funny look...well, she didn't care!

Laraph had taken all this in reasonable stride, head cocked curiously to one side as she observed just what had happened, the nameless blue chick forgotten for a moment. ...well this was different.

[zeis]

Canph remained carefully still as the volunteers assessed his 'injury'. He lifted the leg slightly so the students could apply the splint and bandages easier, meanwhile projecting his over-dramatic misery to all who would listen. He was half tempted to really shriek and thrash at them, put on a show of a real simourv in pain, but he would catch hell from K'huna. Besides, he would interrupt an unexpected and interesting drama that was playing out before his brown eyes. M'rion was making advances toward Ri'ley, and he cocked his head from where he lay to watch with amusement. Look at his face, K'huna. He's as red as I am.

K'huna raised an eyebrow at the green and black rider, but before he could call them back to their task another distraction arrived. His red became aware of the little blue before he did, and the large simourv dipped his head to sniff politely at the infant. Hello, child. You are welcome to stay. The simourv flashed a pleased glance at his students as they welcomed the newcomer, glad they were so friendly and willing even with the little blues... oddity. Eoreph has the right of it. These humans are bandaging my leg, see? Don't worry though, I'm not really hurt. He explained slowly, unconsciously slowing down his voice a little to partially reflect the blues speech, in case he had difficulty understanding.

The Wingletmaster smiled a little woefully at the blue. He wasn't sure whether to be glad for the riderless chicks presence or curse it, as it derailed the lesson even further. He watched with a defeated expression of disbelief as the group of volunteers descended into a literal conga line of flirtation. Meanwhile other students glared on, demanded order, while others simourv and human alike broke into immature laughter and chatter. By the sky above, why did his class have to be so big?

Behind him, Canph whuffed deep barking laughter, and gazed down on the awkward Winglets with glinting eyes filled with humor Looks like some of the riders are rising, K'huna. Are you sure we need to teach them? They seem like naturals. K'huna shook his head, and stepped forward, raising his voice above the din. "You three. Break it up, or I'll have Canph throw you in the pond to cool off. Settle down everyone! Practice on your own simourv if you don't want to watch, supplies are over there."

~~~~~

Despite the topic at hand, and what it meant for his future, K'ii cheered a bit as the lesson temporarily dissolved into laughter and chatter. He leaned heavily against Akaturiaph, seeking support in her, and smirked at the expression on Ri'ley's face. The boy had nothing really against the black winglet, but his brother spoke of him and tormented him often, so he saw him more as a target than much else. I'dou's addition to the tangle of Winglets made him snicker. The gray Winglet definitely had guts, and he was glad to have her back in the lessons, especially if it made them more entertaining.

This isn't funny. Akaturiaph sighed, and fluffed her feathers in irritation, glaring at those around her to try and silence them. She eyed the playful group of Winglets with confusion, and slight distaste. Whether it was because she thought it inappropriate, or because she simply didn't get the joke was unclear. Probably a bit of both. Her attention was drawn to the blue, and she widened her eyes. The green had heard a rumor that there was a chick who had not bonded, but it was actually true... What is wrong with him? She asked K'ii privately, drawing him a bit away from where the blue sat as though riderlessness were contagious. Is he sick? I don't know.

[Quill]

Sal'a oh so desired to take back her volunteering. It wasn't that she didn't know what to do. She did, but once Ri'ley started to work, he did the work of two, maybe three, Alphas. Shrugging her shoulders, she leaned back on Sydnyph's foreleg and listened to Ri'ley as he spoke. He knew his stuff. She crossed her arms and nodded as she watched and listened. Her eyes jumped to the others volunteering, but the sometimes wavering confidence was enough to catch her flickering attention.

Then she noticed the greenrider. M'rion. Shifting her weight, she wondered why she was approaching Ri'ley in such an unusual fashion. And in the next second, she knew what was going to happen, but she never imagined the blackrider would have felt uncomfortable to the woman's touch. Then when I'dou entered the mix, she stifled a laugh and wondered why everyone else wasn't laughing out loud. She didn't expect her to act in such a way, but sometimes it hard to separate the two grayriders. Perhaps Sydnyph could learn a lesson from these three. She looked up at her blue who looked back down. 'Humans and simourv are quite different. Imagine how they'll act when a green rises,' he said, directed toward His but any with an open mind could hear his broadcast. His dark head craned to listen to a small pitter-patter.

It was the blue. Sydnyph wanted to approach the little blue, but he was unsure. He didn't have to waste any energy because the blue approached on his own accord, wondering why all they were gathered. He wanted to speak to him, to shed some light but others beat him too it. Or rather, they were more eager than he. 'I feel so much for that blue. If only we had more candidates at the hatchling,' he said to Sal'a. She nodded and caressed his ears after he lowered it to her level. The bluerider knew what was on the simourv's mind. He was one of the last to choose, right before Nasyeph. But there were more candidates. Had they approach the blue? Had the blue not seen them fit? What if there was something biological wrong with them? It was too sad to think about it. The two focused on the notion of those three falling in a pond and Sal'a darted to grab some supplies as Sydnyph fell to one side, shaking his feathers as if he was in pain.

[Bre]

Welcoming you to cardboard city . . .

Ri'ley had better control than M'rion had hoped. He actually managed to speak, and only stammered once when he did. Still, perhaps it was a good sign! He might just yet be persuaded to grow a pair and actually handle a woman. She felt sorry for the first lady, or man, for that matter, that he happened to manhandle in flight lust. Which, as it were, might be I'dou, and she had decided to come join their little grouping! Arms around her body surprised the greenrider, as did words close to her ear, but it was a good sort of surprise. Oh, she had little doubt she was being mocked, but it was a grand sort of mockery! Her sort of mockery! "Why, hello, I'dou;" she drawled. She was rather surprised that it would be the grayrider of all people too, but it made her respect I'dou all the more. If Ri'ley wasn't interested, perhaps she would steal the grayrider away!

But L'nan was making snide comments, a fact M'rion stored away for later with one devilish look towards the tawnyrider, and K'huna was telling them to separate. Slipping out of I'dou's hold, she released Ri'ley and danced away. She grinned with wicked innocence at K'huna, as she obviously must have been a saint. A victim! She had been a victim in the entire affair! She kept that act for that moment, then let it go. "Oh, I'd just love a dip, K'huna! But I think I'm supposed to be paying attention. Thanks for the offer though!" Letting out a warble, Romaph came prancing over and promptly tipped her rider over, sending M'rion into the dirt. The greenrider hit the ground at a roll and was up in two second flat, laughing at way in wild amusement. Turning her head to the side, she shot Ri'ley a wink, then I'dou one for good measure too. Had to cultivate her options.

Oh; was all the little blue said back to everyone. He still didn't exactly get what was going on, but he was happy for them regardless of that! He had no clue what I'dou or any of the others were doing, but that was okay! Laying down on the ground, he seemed content just to try to be like them! Perhaps he could help! Oh, yes, that would be grand! He didn't get to hang out with his brothers and sisters as much. He couldn't do all the stuff they were doing. Mom had shown him what he needed to know, but perhaps he could do these things! The blue was very happy with those hopeful thoughts, until he was distracted. Oh, what were those white strips? And other stuff? He came prancing over towards Ri'ley and L'nan, still awkward on his feet. With any luck, he would eventually outgrow that, and perhaps his naivety too, but his curiosity, that was there to stay.

. . . where I think they're laughing at your band.

[Kat]

L’nan eyed Ri’ley, and so she saw M’rion’s action, and Ri’ley could also feel the tawnyrider’s disapproval at his situation. Her eyes gazed into his soul. She absolutely thought he was a part of this, egging it on. She was going to think he was interested in M’rion, and Ri’ley would have to ensure that L’nan knew that M’rion’s action was completely unprovoked. And then Ri’ley realized that he had absolutely no reason to care what L’nan thought. He could live through some teasing words, he could, and that was the only reason it would matter, because she might mock him later on when they were in private. Ri’ley turned a bit pinker when he realized that he was worrying about what L’nan thought of M’rion ot his flirtations or not flirtations with other people. She was not his mother. By the time L’nan turned to work on Eoreph’s pretend broken limb, Ri’ley exhaled. He was so glad that L’nan was no longer looking at him. His breath pushed him further back into M’rion, which made Ri’ley more uncomfortable, even though he did not move to correct the issue. This day was not working out well for him. He just wanted to be out of this horrible, horrible lesson.

When Laraph greeted him, Dionyph immediately perked up. His whole body lifted, and he gained a certain lightness to his facial expression which lit his light eyes. He loved talking to Laraph! Of course, Dionyph did not like that she saw that he was upset, especially since he did not want to talk about the issue with her, but he could at least relish in her company and enjoy her simple presence. He turned to her, smiling with his eyes, especially when she neared him. He gently nudged her with his beak, a simple, affectionate movement.
Dear Laraph, the light of my life, I am fine now that you are here. My rider is currently quite upset, though. Not sad, but very uncomfortable.
Dionyph explained with a simple, kind chirp harmonizing with his words. After his greeting, though, the black simourv wished to turn the conversation away from his sad emotional state, and he pulled his gaze over Ri’ley and M’rion. By this point, I’dou had joined the pile, and Dionyph could not fathom why the two females were attached to his rider. Males were the ones who were supposed to chase. Females were supposed to be pursued. Dionyph narrowed his eyes, and then he turned back to his sisters.
Why, Eoreph, Laraph, what do you think the humans are doing. Romaph’s seems to be chasing mine, but that doesn’t make any sense. He should be chasing her. She is too attractive of a human to be chasing. Ri’ley should be honored at her attention, but I think he is terribly upset. And why is yours, Laraph, joining? She is the best of all of them. I do not understand.
Dionyph questioned, cooing his words to his sisters, who he gazed at affectionately. He loved both of them, albeit in different ways now. He idolized Laraph, because she was his ideal, his shining example of femininity and power. Eoreph listened to him and comforted him, like a sister—a mother. Besides Dareph, Eoreph was probably his best friend. Surely, two better individuals could not be found to answer that question, or any question.

Should Ri’ley answer I’dou? He did not know. His eyes widened when I’dou grabbed M’rion around the waist. Now two women were far to close to him, and Ri’ley did not know what to do about it. When K’huna’s voice cut through the commotion of the lesson, Ri’ley breathed a sigh of release as he was released from M’rion’s grasp. The blackrider’s neck continued to burn, and he turned towards K’huna and flashed the elder rider a shaky, uncomfortable, but thankful smile. Had he not been so humiliated, so uncomfortable, Ri’ley might have ensured that the group knew that he had no part in the commotion at all—he had been grabbed, but as it stood, he just nodded his head and accepted the scolding. Head down, Ri’ley shuffled, shamed, both because of the trouble and because of the incident, towards L’nan. As soon as he neared the woman, Ri’ley realized that it might not have been the best choice. She might be horribly mad at him for allowing M’rion to touch him like that. But she had no reason to think that at all—he had no reason to worry about that. Luckily, before Ri’ley felt the need to address the issue, the blue pranced towards him, and the blackrider’s face immediately burst into a grin. He did love children very much, especially the chicks, and this little blue was adorable, even if he caused such a stir.
”We are practicing bandaging on our simourvs. I was going to bandage my Dionyph’s leg, but would you like me to practice on you? It might be fun to pretend.”
Ri’ley questioned. He dropped to his knees so that he was more level with the simourv chick. He rested his hand on the top of his knee, so that he could look down comfortably at the chick. Dionyph moved towards the group, and he dropped his head to stare at the chick, his eyes gleaming. A love for children was a trait Ri’ley and Dionyph shared.
I promise mine will do a good job. He is a very good bandager, one of the best in the Eyrie. He has large hands, but they are very soft.
Dionyph explained to the chick, and then the black paused, pensive for a second.
I am Dionyph, by the way, and that is Ri’ley, my rider. I hope that you enjoy spending time with your older siblings. All of them are powerful and worthy individuals with good hearts.
Dionyph wished to say that almost all of his siblings were wonderful—Teimoph was, of course, an exception, but the black simourv was polite, and he would not speak poorly of his brother to the young hatchling. It would not be fair to either the blue chick or Teimoph, and Dionyph believed in projecting fairness at all occasions.