second glances [Kat~]

[Fox]

K'ean was not a sociable creature. He disliked crowds, had difficulty making small talk, and basically was not at all a people's person. Therefore, it was plain that the Feast the previous night had been a rare occasion for the young man, and sure enough he came out of it more determined than ever to avoid such gatherings in the near future. Why? Well, his pounding head and vaguely queasy stomach were reasons enough for K'ean to almost swear off drinking altogether. The free-flowing alcohol of the night previous had had a rather disastrous result, as the red-rider was hardly the most experienced of drinkers. He usually didn't drink at all, even. It wasn't surprising at all that he had practically been drunk under the table. Things might have turned out worse, had not Seronaph decided that enough was enough and gotten help to remove him from the Feast. The red hadn't even bothered to scold him on the way back to their eyling; K'ean in his near drunken stupor had not noticed the absence of sarcasm, but it turned out to be because the punishment for the loss of restraint was hefty indeed. Come next morning, the hangover that lingered over the young man's head was blinding in its intensity.

K'eeeeeaan...[/color] The red's voice had filtered into his pounding skull, full of a smug, slightly sadistic satisfaction. Wake up, it's noon! The sun's shining and I'm hungry. Let's eat.[/color] As if it wasn't enough that Seronaph's voice was louder and more cheery than usual, setting off small explosions of pain behind his rider's scrunched up eyelids, the large red snaked his giant head through the separating door to their chambers and snatched the blankets away from the man, exposing him to the harsh glare of the midday sunlight. Eventually, after much wincing and arguing and attempts to shield his sensitive eyes, K'ean found himself dragging his sorry form through his morning routine with his eyes nearly scrunched shut. He cut himself twice shaving that morning, and when he eventually set foot outside of his the eyling, he was grumpy as the red on a bad day and the sun had dipped even farther into the west. If he had scrounged up the courage to look up at the pain-inducing spot of light in the sky, K'ean would have noticed that he had slept straight through the morning; a disgraceful day to be sure.

Even though his rider was still more than a little bit miffed, and still quite in pain from the hangover, Seronaph personally thought that he had done K'ean a tremendous favour. Why, the night previous, if the Red hadn't been there to drag K'ean off once he had surpassed his meager tolerance of alcohol, the young man might very well have ruined his reputation by dancing on the tables! And, again this morning! Did K'ean really think that the simourv hadn't been hungry since he woke at dawn? He could have woken his rider then, if he was completely heartless about it, but Seronaph figured that he would let the young man sleep, if only so that he could torture him with a free conscience for the rest of the day. Immensely proud of himself for coming to that satisfactory conclusion, Seronaph launched himself into the pens almost as soon as he touched down and lunged straight for the most tender-looking bull. He did notice by the by that all the best ones seemed to have been taken already, but it wasn't all too surprising. After all, they had come to the pens late today, and weren't the new Winglets supposed to be having a class today? That might be where all the food had gone. But still, it was just another grievance to add to the long, constantly growing list of complaints that the simourv had against his rider. In the fondest way possible, of course.

As Seronaph dug heartily into the bull he had brought down, K'ean turned around and leaned his back against the fence. With a hefty sigh, he shut his sore eyes and tried to master the occasional lances of pain that still drove into his brain like so many hot pokers. Languidly, the young man lounged against the fence, for once lacking the ramrod-straight posture that usually characterised him. Nothing seemed more tempting to K'ean just then than the idea of crawling back into his own eyling, flopping onto the bed and tugging the covers straight over his head. It was such a tantalising image that K'ean's muscles twitched to carry him back, but with a will he clamped down on the errant wish. Yes, the party last night had been a blast. Yes, he was now very much hungover. No, he would not let it interfere with the rest of the day. The hangover would go eventually. K'ean just hoped it would be sooner rather than later. Seronaph hoped evilly that the hangover would last forever. [/size]

[Kat]

Ri’ley did not feel well. He was still tired, even though he had slept deeply the previous night. He had simply not gotten enough sleep, and he had been so pathetically and thoroughly exhausted, that he had not yet recovered. And it was bad. Even though he had not consumed a drop of alcohol at the feast, Ri’ley’s head pounded and his muscles ached. He felt better than he had yesterday after the hatching and during the feast, which he only remembered as a dream in a fatigued haze. He would have felt better had he not been woken up for the early lesson, but he had been snatched from sleep to feed his hatchling, his Dionyph, who trotted behind Ri’ley proudly, his chest out, his head up, as if he compensated for Ri’ley’s stooped, hunched, and submissive stance. The hatchling was ravishingly hungry again, but even though he felt the hunger, he did not show it on his body. Unlike his human who showed his affliction, his fatigue, the hatchling managed to cloak his hunger behind a confident, strong gait and position. Ri’ley, though, could feel his hatchling’s starvation, and it only added to the discomfort the man already felt. As tired as he was, Ri’ley could not nap, which was his planned next step, because of Dionyph’s famished feelings.

Even though Ri’ley was not sure if he was supposed to go to the feeding pens by himself, he did, shuffling towards the pens still wearing his brown pants from earlier and grasping a large knife. The knife was one he had obtained at the lesson, and Ri’ley thought the blade was dull, but he did not have a knife of a comparable size which he felt comfortable using to butcher. He had a larger knife in his surgical kit, but Ri’ley did not want to waste the knife butchering animals. He would have to cut so many animals to feed Dionyph, that he might dull the blade. Maybe he should have a knife made for this purpose, if he had the chance to commission such a piece. He was not positive how he would fund the knife or where he would have it made. Unlike the riders, who could fly on their simourvs to the different cities, Ri’ley was completely bound by the Eyrie.
Mine, we’ll fly eventually, but for now, I want to eat. You should feed me.
Dionyph quirped, as he caught up with Ri’ley and rubbed his head against the man’s calves. Ri’ley instinctively rubbed the head of his Dionyph, so that his fingers could indulge in the soft, silken feathers of his hatchling’s head.
We don’t need to fly yet. I like you as you are.
Ri’ley replied as he reached the feeding pens. The man had not thought out how he was going to help his hatchling beyond reaching the pens. When he had to feed the hatchling before, the animals had been quite dead, but now, in the pens, the bulls charged around, very much alive.

Ri’ley did not believe in killing. He would eat meat, but he would not kill animals himself. He was a fixer, a mender, and not a destroyer, and the destruction of life greatly bothered him. He was so used to trying to preserve life at many personal costs, that killing animals seemed like a terrible and guilt inducing burden. And to make the situation even more difficult, the animals were bulls. They could easily gore and kill a human, even one of Ri’ley’s large size, and Ri’ley was not a skilled or even decent hunter. There was no possible way he could kill one of the animals, even if he could bring himself to perform the horrible act. In that moment, when he realized that he had no way of securing food for his starving simourv, Ri’ley felt like a failure. The realization wrapped him in a choking disappointment.
I’m sorry; I don’t know what to do.
Ri’ley dropped his gaze, but Dionyph nuzzled him affectionately, wrapping his feathered tail around the man’s legs.
Oh, I will survive. I cannot expect you to kill one of those bulls by yourself. If I was bigger and stronger we would not be in this situation, so it is I, and not you, who has failed.
The black hatchling expressed, and to combat Dionyph’s words, Ri’ley projected an intense love for the creature, as he kneeled down in a way which allowed him access to Dionyph. Ri’ley draped his arms around the creature’s neck, in a tight, intimate embrace. The large man nestled his brown eyes and nose into the hatchling’s glossy, ebon feathers. Ri’ley did not even know what to say.

As he lifted his nose into the air, pulling himself slowly and hesitantly from Dionyph’s body, Ri’ley spotted a familiar but alien figure near the pens. The surgeon’s eyes drifted to the large, red simourv goring a rather large bull. Ri’ley realized, oddly, that he knew the man. That the lounging man had once been a friend of Ri’ley, who had disappeared around three years ago—and suddenly, Ri’ley knew why. The large man lifted a hand into a small wave, as he stalked toward the other figure, a polite and friendly smile crossing his otherwise frozen face.
”Kalean?”
Ri’ley questioned, both because he had to make sure that his tiredness was not making him mistake the faces of strangers for the faces of acquaintances, and because if this was the boy Ri’ley had known from Sayaie, he would now have a new name, which Ri’ley would not know. A question was appropriate. In that brief second, Ri’ley had already decided that even if he was mistaking about the identity of the man, the black rider would make a point of asking if the large red simourv would aid him in the capture and slaughter of an animal. Dionyph really needed to be fed. The hatchling moved from behind Ri’ley to stand by his rider’s side. Dionyph sat down, curving his body under himself, and leaned into Ri’ley’s legs to show support. Dionyph approved of this plan. Dionyph liked the idea o being fed, and he was sure that the red simourv would want to help one of the new hatchlings. That was the way the older simourvs should regard the hatchlings, as creatures needing support and protection. They were the future of the Eyrie. Dionyph chirped a greeting both to Seronaph and K’ean. The little, only in comparison to the red, hatchling's eye's blazed with the friendly greeting.

[Fox]

Seronaph was very deliberately making loud, slurping, squelching sounds of enjoyment as he buried his beak in the belly of the bull. He knew that his rider was not feeling at all hungry, and that the thought of food made the young man's stomach turn ever so slightly. It was half- oh, alright, all- of the reason why he did what he did; driving K'ean to the end of his rope was a constant, ever-amusing game for the red, and likely not one that he would tire of in this lifetime. Slowly, his exaggerated noises of contentment died down to the usual volume of beak searing through wet flesh and cracking bone, as Seronaph became more absorbed in his meal and less attentive to his rider. It was almost a relief for K'ean to not have to focus on not pitching out the remains of last night's feast. He hadn't thrown up yet this morning, and he would be very happy if it stayed that way. Vomit was never a nice taste to have in the mouth anyway.

With a sigh, the young man shut his eyes and tilted his head back against the fence post, his awareness of his simourv slowly fading to a corner of his mind. Three years already... It didn't seem like such a short time. K'ean could no longer imagine a life without Seronaph, and it was almost foreign to him how he could have lived for nineteen years without him. The Hatching and Impression had divided his memories into the Before and the After, and it was very clear which he preferred. Of course you prefer life with me in it. Came the distant thread of thought from his red, and, with a faint smile, K'ean sent back his agreement. Seronaph filled the void that would otherwise have been left at being separated from his family and what few friends he had had in Sayaie. It wasn't as if he was cut off from them entirely; it was perfectly easy to do a stopover at his family's house in the city on the way back from Itnala, but things weren't the same and would never again be the same. Because he was no longer the solitary, lonely child, always competing, that he had been before.

"Kalean?"

K'ean gave a start, having been so lost in his musings that he hadn't noticed the arrival of another person. Two pairs of eyes, one a surprised blue and the other a more suspicious amber flashed over to see the approaching man, accompanied by a small black simourv. Seronaph rumbled sinisterly, blood coating the feathers of his muzzle as he snaked one head down to a level near his rider. You know this man, Mine?[/color] he asked, broadcasting the thought to include the Winglet and his Black. He did not appreciate this person calling His by the old name. Kalean had been but a boy. K'ean was better, stronger, older, and Seronaph disliked the step back. It was an almost unreasonable thing to be annoyed at, and didn't K'ean know it; a smile flashed across his face as he turned first to his red.

"Down boy." He said teasingly, clapping the grumbling simourv lightly on the jaw. The response he got, limited to his own head, was less than flattering, but he was used to this by now. Still with the smile lingering around his lips, the rider turned to the Winglet, to the man he had recognised at the sands on the day of the Hatching. "No longer Kalean, friend. It's K'ean now." he said with a dip of his head, the smile growing wider. He pushed away from the fence, gesturing briefly behind him at the plainly glowering simourv. "And that grumpy fellow over there is Seronaph." Yes I know him, old bird, be nice. A huff of annoyed, raw meat-smelling breath ruffled K'ean's hair as the simourv complied, but with bad grace. A pleasure.[/color] And then, the simourv blinked his fierce amber eyes at the new pair and returned to decimating his catch.

"So. Congratulations...?" K'ean said, extending one hand to shake and deliberately let his voice trail off, raising an eyebrow. He would not call Ripley by his old name; Ripley was a surgeon in Sayaie. Whoever he was now was who he would stay as for the rest of his life. Belatedly his blue eyes flickered also to the black hatchling standing beside his old friend and he offered a smile and a languid salute. "A pleasure to meet you also, little one." It was true that the black hatchling wasn't very little at all, but once you were around a simourv that was nearly 30 feet tall on a daily basis, K'ean's sense of what could be considered 'little' was just a bit skewed. [/size]

[Kat]

It was Kalean, and so at least Ri’ley did not make a fool of himself. He would have been, at least, humiliated. The other man turned around, but not only did the man turn, but so did the large, red simourv, who Ri’ey swore glared at him. The simourv looked unhappy, as if Ri’ley had insulted him. The large man had never meant to insult anyone, especially Kalean, who Ri’ley had always liked. The simourv’s words echoed into Ri’ley’s mind. The words almost sounded like a threat, a gentle, soft threat, but a threat all the same. Ri’ley bowed his head, a small nod, towards the great creature. Dionyph also nodded his head in the same sort of bow. The two looked oddly similar, both dark and lanky creatures with stooped postures. Ri’ley wondered if he should correct the simourv, but Dionyph seemed to think it was a bad idea. He projected bad vibes into Ri’ley’s head—a warning only projected through feelings. Ri’ley was not entirely used to the telepathic communication. It was a foreign and odd way of communicating. It was so much more intimate than any other way of talking, emotions and feelings communed through mentality, only to be shared between Ri’ley and wonderful Dionyph. Ri’ley filtered his thanks and awe towards Dionyph, who pressed harder into Ri’ley’s leg. They were still tightly wrapped around each other, obsessed with each other, like two lovers who have only now discovered each other, or a mother’s immediate bond with a child.

Kalean, though, seemed to dismiss his simourv’s aggressive greeting, and Ri’ley immediately grinned, a small, upward twitch of his mouth. Ri’ley nodded his head in understanding as Kalean—or K’ean continued to speak. Dionyph mimicked his rider’s actions, not intentionally, but rather because his impulse to act had been the same. Perhaps Ri’ley’s intention rubbed off on Dionyph, or visa versa, but the pair seemed to move as one connected unit. Of course, they were technically open connected unit, only individualized by their separated bodies and personalities. They shared a mind almost, especially now, with their infatuation causing obsession in both of them. Dionyph belonged to Ri’ley, and Ri’ey was his. Not even Laraph, his queen and his charge and the object of his devotion, was as important as his bonded, and she was very important.
”K’ean, eh? I suppose this explains where you disappeared to.”
In his excitement about seeing his friend, Ri’ley had managed to ignore and forget Dionyph’s hunger, until that moment, when the little hatchling experienced a burst of starvation as his stomach turned. Ri’ley dropped his hand to the hatchling’s head, before he turned his attention to K’ean and Seronaph. .

The ex-surgeon’s hand extended for K’ean to shake, which seemed like an adequate gesture to extend. The man turned his attention towards the adult simourv and smiled a small, hesitant smile.
”The pleasure is mine.”
Ri’ley explained. He then glanced towards K’ean.
”Ri’ley, and this—“
Ri’ley stated as he turned to look proudly, almost obsessively fondly, at Dionyph.
”Is Dionyph.”
Dionyph dropped into a large, dramatic bow. His head touched the ground, as his legs bent.
The pleasure is mine. It is an honor to meet such an accomplished rider and simourv as well as an old friend of my Ri’ley. Those who are his friends must be upstanding people indeed.
Dionyph replied to the rider. After he spoke, he lifted himself to his full height and warbled a small coo from hunger. Ri’ley turned towards his hatchling with horror and worry written across his face, despite Dionyph’s mental exertion that he was absolutely fine. Ri’ley turned towards Seronaph with a hopeful look crossing his brow.
”Seronaph, could you do me and Dionyph a favor and kill one of those bulls? Dionyph is very hungry, and I am afraid that I cannot secure one for myself.”
Dionyph released a squawk which resounded eerily similarly to a human gasp. He swatted Ri’ley gently with the back of his tail. The touch did not hurt.
I am so sorry my rider is so rude. I do not want to burden you with my hunger. I will survive many more hours without eating, and thus I do not currently need food.
Ri’ley shook his head. He knew Dionyph was ridiculously hungry, and that the simourv downplayed his condition entirely. The hunger was beginning to distract Ri’ley.
”It’s just that he eats a lot; more than may of the other hatchlings. He’s the second biggest after Queen Laraph.”
Ri’ley explained, and when he mentioned the size of Dionyph, he could not help but to sound proud of Dionyph. He was a proud parent of a special son, and although Ri’ley was not a terribly proud person, he could be rather arrogant. And he loved Dionyph more than his own life. His love spawned his haughty tone, and his words were true. Dionyph was the second biggest hatchling of the Alpha class, and in Ri’ley’s eyes, the creature could not be more perfect.

[/blockquote]

[Fox]

It was as plain to K'ean as the nose on his face that the pair in front of him were completely and utterly besotted with each other. A twitch of the lips was quickly smothered as the young man mused on the difference Impression had wrought on his old friend from a lifetime ago. Who would have thought that methodical, stoic, perfectionist Ripley, the surgeon's apprentice, would have bonded to a hatchling, and a Black to boot. They had been the odd boys, the loners and the reserved ones back in Sayaie. And now here they stood; simourv at their sides. It just showed that sometimes odd could be a good thing, really. And what better word could describe newly-named Ri'ley and his Dionyph? The two were so aptly-matched that it was almost funny.

He's talking to you, K'ean. The sharp voice of his own simourv brought him back down from the heights of his musings with an almost rude thump. The rider blinked at Ri'ley for a moment and shrugged sheepishly. "Yes. I suppose I should have come around to see everyone after we came back, but we just never got around to it." A loud, disbelieving snort rose from the otherwise distracted red, leading the young man to shoot his simourv a momentary tight look. It wasn't that they had never gone back; they'd circled Sayaie's sky countless times after the riders returned to the settlements, but K'ean had never gone back. Yes, he had visited his parents and his sisters, but even that had been difficult. So many things had changed in the time that he had been away, first staying in the mountains for the turn of the year then raising and training his beloved Seronaph. His younger sister, little baby Rilla, had gotten married in his absence, and he both regretted missing her wedding and at the same time did not regret it at all. If he had not left home that fateful year, he would not now have Seph. And the red was one thing that K'ean would never consider ever living without again. It had made him think; most of the people in Sayaie who had known him had moved on with their lives. He had moved on as well, because he had something else to do now, another, different goal. Kalean was no more.

Despite the slightly more sorrowful turn his thoughts had taken, the young man couldn't stop the amusement from showing on his face as Dionyph addressed him. Because it was most certainly an 'address' and definitely not a typical greeting. Even Seronaph, in his own grudging way, was almost tickled by this little hatchling who seemed so... effusive? Over-dramatic? And yet entirely serious. "I don't know if I would call myself 'accomplished' or 'upstanding', but thank you all the same, Dionyph." I certainly wouldn't.[/color] Seronaph chimed in helpfully, turning amber eyes on the smaller simourv that were marginally less fierce than before. You will find, little one, that K'ean is hardly the epitome of riders. You would do well to ensure that Yours does not turn out like him. I am afraid that I might have been mistaken in my method of training him.[/color] Ignoring the indignant "Hey!" that burst from K'ean at this point, the large red was about to turn back to the rapidly diminishing remains of his kill when the little black's winglet, the tall one whose name was unimportant, spoke up. Again, Seronaph turned a baleful stare on the man, but a sense of approval thrummed down their link to K'ean. Dionyph's was bold to speak so, and the red did appreciate honesty and courage however foolhardy.

Eyebrows inching slowly upwards, K'ean's blue eyes flicked from Ri'ley to his bonded, narrowing his eyes in silent warning at the sly feeling he was beginning to get from the simourv. Absently, he answered, "So we saw at the Hatching. Seph and I were wondering whom he would choose." Seph. Don't play games with them-- A buffet from one black-tipped tail sent the man staggering, and quite effectively cut him off long enough for the simourv to lower his head until his beak was resting almost on the ground. Still he was very much larger than either Ri'ley or Dionyph, but at least this way neither would have to crane their necks upwards. It was a small kindness. Ask me yourself, little Dionyph.[/color] He ordered shortly, the curtness of his mental voice hiding the amusement he felt at seeing one of the hatchlings try to downplay their hunger. Seronaph well knew hunger; his memories of the time right after his own hatching had been dominated almost entirely by hunger, and he knew that no other hatchling would be any different. It was just their nature. And bear in mind that concealing an ailment is neither honourable nor a very smart thing to do, especially to a comrade in arms.[/color] Seronaph was fairly sure that that would at least get a satisfactory reaction from the little black. The chivalrous, noble types were all the same.

By his jaw, K'ean muttered loudly, "Overkill." and then, anticipating the move, ducked the tail that swatted in his direction. Not caring in the least what he might look like to any spectator, the redrider grinned widely and voiced a triumphant "Hah!" before an answering buffet caught him over the back of the head. Seronaph didn't even blink his large amber eyes. [/size]

[Kat]

Ri’ley understood why Kalean—K’ean did not return to explain his disappearance. The world of Sayaie felt so removed from the world of the Eyrie. Ri’ley felt as if his life was so wonderfully new and fresh that he could not explain the change to anyone. It was overwhelming, almost, to even think of a way to explain to his parents that he was so much happier with his Dionyph, then he could possibly be under any other circumstances. No one could understand the bond between Ri’ley and Dionyph, except for, perhaps, the other riders or winglets. Ri’ley’s father would certainly never understand, and now that Ri’ley had strayed from his expected path, he was sure that his father would disown him anyway. He would suddenly fall from favor, as he was only useful as a surgeon, living his father’s dream. Ri’ley felt no need to return. He was not close to his parents, and in many ways, he resented them. They had treated him not like a human, but as an object, and they had chased his sister away. While Ri’ley acknowledged that he had some fault in Amarylis’s disappearance, he knew that his parents had more blame, and he hated them for it. No, Ri’ley felt no need to return. He had Dionyph to fill the void left by his family, and Master Donovan was far more a father to Ri’ley then the boy’s actual parents.
”I understand not wanting to return. I don’t know how I could explain the way my life has changed now. I mean, eventually, I would like to see Master Donovan again, but I feel no need to visit anyone else again. I’ve started a new life.”
Ri’ley would like to see his sister again, but he did not mention that fact. He tried not to think about how he might never see Amaryllis again. It was painful to imagine his sister dead, as he had already determined was her fate. Dionyph pressed himself against Ri’ley, while he rubbed the side of his neck against the man’s leg. Ri’ley’s hand moved to scratch the side of Dionyph’s soft neck.

Dionyph bowed again as K’ean continued to talk. Dionyph was pretty sure that he liked the older rider, who was not older than his, but who had been a rider far longer. The red’s words confused and baffled Dionyph, who’s head shook with confusion, and whose eyes widened. He tilted his head in a confused manner, and turned his eyes towards Ri’ley. The black hatchling liked the man, and had already decided that K’ean was well behaved and disaplined. Dionyph could not understand how the red could find his rider ill trained. Besides, it was the simourv’s job to be supportive of his rider. Why, even when Dionyph disapproved of Ri’ley’s actions, which had already occurred, especially at the feast, where his rider proved to be a trite anti-social, Dionyph knew that Ri’ley would grow into a fine rider—a great rider. Dionyph would support Ri’ley through anything.
But he seems like a good rider to me. I don’t understand why you say those things about your rider. I think I would be pleased if Ri’ley acquired some of K’ean’s traits.
Dionyph ‘s mental voice was confused, slow and flat, and his off-quilter expression illustrated his tone. Ri’ley understood that Seronaph was being quite sarcastic, and while he found the humor of the simourv a bit mean spirited, his hatchling’s reaction, of misunderstanding and confusion, made Ri’ley laugh. He chuckled light heartedly, while he patted Dionyph on the head.
”I think that Seronaph was not being entirely serious.”
Ri’ley explained, still chuckling to his little charge. Dionyph turned to Ri’ley and tilted his head further to the side.
But mine, I don’t understand how that is funny.
Dionyph said, mentally, to only Ri’ley, who only flashed the hatchling a large, dimple-exposing grin.

Ri’ley’s amused expression faded to a neutral line when Seronaph looked him down. Ri’ley understood, especially looking at the displeased simourv who glared at him. Ri’ley did not budge, however; he had to address the simourv in the way he had. He needed help feeding his Dionyph, and he was not going to let the hatchling remain hungry. Ri’ley had to care for Dionyph. He loved Dionyph so much, and he wanted to provide the best care that he possibly could for the black hatchling. The simourv’s head lowered, though, and Ri’ley felt that the simourv was providing him some sign of acceptance. Ri’ley could look at the creature much easier, now.
”I was wondering who he was going to chose as well. I did not think I was worthy of such an impressive and beautiful beast, and I never thought I would bond to a black.”
Ri’ley replied to K’ean’s statement even though Ri’ley kept his gaze fixed on Seronaph, his expression set and unwavering. He knew that the simourv would not hurt him, but staring down such a large creature was nerve wrecking. Ri’ley knew that he needed to remained focused. It just seemed right. Dionyph nudged Ri’ley again.
Once I found you, I knew you were right for me. You complete me, and our hearts are forever tied by the powerful arm of fate. Together, we can do what needs to be done, and you will be a grand partner for me. We will be great protectors.
Dionyph announced into Ri’ley’s head, almost overwhelming the man with the power of his conviction. Dionyph was completely sure of Ri’ley’s acceptability, even if Ri’ley was unsure of the fact himself.

At first, even after Seronaph ordered Dionyph to ask for food himself, Dionyph felt that the request was inappropriate. He understood that Ri’ley had only asked for help because Ri’ley worried about his bonded, but Dionyph did not like that Ri’ley had requested at all. As Seronaph continued to speak, though, Dionyph realized that the elder simourv had a point. It was irresponsible not to allow one’s comrades to know problems. The truth of the matter was that the red simourv had figured out Dionyph completely. The attack on Dionyph’s chivalry created the desired response in the black, who puffed himself up, and bowed, a low, submissive, but sweeping bow.
You are right, great Seronaph, and I am sorry for not acting with the correct amount of honesty. I know that honesty is important, and I am disappointed in myself for failing to live up to my own standards of fine behavior. I hope that you can overlook my petty miscue, and forgive my upstart impertinence.
While Dionyph paused, Ri’ley attempted to keep his expression stony and neutral. His was being quite dramatic, behavior he was already beginning to expect from the hatchling, and Ri’ley found himself both amused and thrilled by Dionyph’s behavior. Ri’ley was still in the infatuation faze of their relationship. He still found that the hatchling was the most incredible and amazing and perfect being in the existence of the world. The creature could do no wrong. Ri’ley was completely and utterly smitten.
But I am very, very hungry, and I am still too small to kill one of those animals. I seem to eat more than some of the other hatchlings, and we cannot get food at this time. Great Seronaph, would you be so kind as to kill one of the bulls for me. I do not wish to ask too much of you, but I would appreciate the favor, and I will owe you a debt in the future when I am big and strong.
Ri’ley finally stopped looking at Seronaph, as he dropped down to scratch Dionyph under his chin. The man’s large hands stroked the black and gray feathers with loving softness.

[Fox]

There wasn't really anything left to tie K'ean to Sayaie, if truth be told. He had had no lover, few friends, and his family were managing just fine without him. Perhaps, under other circumstances, the realisation that his family had moved on from his disappearance during those three years might have hurt. Now, though, with Seronaph's second opinion to bounce off the matter, K'ean could well see that it would have happened one way or another. He had always been a restless soul, and the relationship between K'ean and his father had deteriorated to a ridiculous level; it was plain that his mother and sisters had expected him to go his own way much earlier than he had actually done. "It's just that there really isn't anything else left there." K'ean admitted softly, eyes drifting to the looming form of his simourv. "My family have their own lives; I have Seronaph." And no matter how scathing or ill-tempered Seronaph could be, there was no doubting that the bond between the pair was unshakable, unbreakable, and toughened enough to last a lifetime. Seriously, the pain of the hangover having receded a good deal, he offered a word of advice; the only ones he could think of to give at this point in time. Ri'ley and Dionyph would learn the rest as they grew together; it would ruin the fun if it were any other way. "Don't be surprised by how much things will have changed when you do go back to visit. People move on and even some things you never thought would change will be different." Silently, a wave of disgruntled reassurance rolled over K'ean's moment of sorrow, and he shot his volatile bonded a faint smile.

The hatchling's confusion and naivete made Seronaph snort and K'ean's mouth twitch into a suppressed grin. The rider had long ago been desensitised to his simourv's caustic taunts, and though he still put up a token struggle when Seronaph launched into a spiel, it was more for entertainment than any actual need to defend himself. They knew each other better sometimes than they knew themselves. You'll learn, little Dionyph.[/color] the larger simourv said, letting his amusement show through. Yes, he would learn, but a part of the red that was shared by K'ean hoped that time and Pohono wouldn't be too hard on the winglets. Idealism was so hard to come by nowadays; especially amongst the riders. "Ignore him." K'ean recommended with a grin that verged on cheeky. "I do." Unlike Ri'ley and Dionyph who were still so wrapped up in each other, the red-pair were old hands at this. The bickering and banter, much like how an old married couple might behave, were simply the deceptive public facet of their relationship, and both knew without a doubt that the other would provide all the support and encouragement as needed. But neither of them were really the public type, after all.

"It suits you, I think." the young man offered with a smile and a brief dip of his head. "Perhaps it says something about you that you didn't expect something good to fall into your lap." Even when they had simply been Ripley the apprentice surgeon and Kalean the hunter, back in Sayaie, Ripley had never struck as the kind of person who expected far more than what he deserved. He had been the kind to work hard, and took pride in what he did. It had been one of the things that K'ean had respected in the older man; it was rather strange to think that here in Eyrie, he was the senior as one of the original simourv riders, or at least until Dionyph grew old enough and large enough to give Seronaph a run for his money.

Slowly, both rider and simourv were beginning to relax; K'ean from the abating of his headache (miraculous, since the clocking that Seronaph had given him with his tail hadn't helped any) and Seronaph from the slow realisation that perhaps this little black and his rider weren't half bad. To say that that was simply because they were friends of His might be presumputous... But no, it was because they were friends of His. After all, his K'ean would only befriend the best-- or at least, that was what the Red believed despite the bemused disbelief radiating from his rider at the thought. Besides, 'Great Seronaph' had a nice ring to it. He did not reply to the hatchling's long and somewhat pompous (it was excusable at this age) speech, but rather inclined his head fractionally and blinked his large eyes slowly. Suddenly, it was almost impossible to believe that a moment ago, the same sleepy-looking simourv had been leveling a dangerous glare at Ri'ley. The fire of mischief only rekindled briefly as Seronaph shot a glance at his rider. You could learn a lesson from the hatchling, Mine. He knows how to address me properly, at least.[/color] Not at all caring that the thought had been cast out to their audience as well, the red's attention had already turned to the livestock. After a brief pause in which he selected a tasty-looking bull, Seronaph was gone from the fence in an eyeblink as, moments later, a mostly-intact bull with a snapped neck and maybe a stray claw-gouge here and there was dropped almost neatly a few paces in front of Ri'ley and Dionyph. Rolling his eyes at his simourv's subtle preening at the speed and skill of the take-down, it was K'ean who waved off the black hatchling's promise of a debt. "Don't worry about it," he said, addressing both of them at once. "It's the least we could do. You would not believe how much pressure your growing up would take off of all of us; twenty-five more full-grown riders sounds like heaven right about now." K'ean's mouth twitched upwards into a smile, even as Seronaph paused briefly in passing, his breath ruffling the redrider's hair, to offer his own, somewhat challenging nod to them both. Could they live up to the legacy? They'd better hope so, or they'd have one annoyed red to deal with.[/size]

[Kat]

K’ean had more of a family in Sayaie then Ri’ley. Of course, Ri’ley’s parents still lived there, but the man had yet to forgive his parents for Amaryllis’s disappearance or his own miserable childhood. If Ri’ley never saw his parents again, he would not be upset. While the sentiment might seem harsh, when Ri’ley left home, he tried to severe all ties with his family, besides those with his little sister, and the only time he regretted his choice was when he mused about the loss of his little sister. But now that Amaryllis was gone, Ri’ley had no reason to return to his parents. The only person who could lure Ri’ley back to Sayaie was Master Donovan, who Ri’ley did plan to visit one day, when Dionyph was big and strong enough to fly Ri’ley to the city. And Ri’ley would only visit Donovan; he would not travel anywhere near his childhood home. Ri’ley, though, wanted to appraise his master’s new apprentice, as well as to show the man that the former apprentice was so happy and content in his position, with his new partner, who was perfect and wonderful and irreplaceable. More so than Matteo, Ri’ley’s biological parent, Donovan felt like a father to Ri’ley. While his parents and tortured Ri’ley into a life of too much studying, intensive expectations, and cruel punishments, Donovan had instructed Ri’ley in the way best for the man to learn. While it had been hard work, Ri’ley rarely felt that the man had been unfair towards him, or at least not as he looked over his apprenticeship in retrospect.
”I moved on from my family long ago. They can do whatever they wish. It’s funny; I’ve always been so bond to Sayaie—always defined by it, but now that I’m gone, it feels very unimportant to me, very inconsequential.”
Ri’ley added with a shrug of his shoulders. Dionyph seemed unhappy about that statement, and Ri’ley could not figure out why the hatchling reacted that way to the statement.
But Mine, I want to see where you came from! It has shaped you into an incredible person. I want to see your home. You will take me some day, won’t you?
Dionyph exclaimed as he nuzzled against the side of Ri’ley’s leg. Ri’ley could not figure out exactly what the hatchling wanted to know. There was so little in Sayaie of interest. Once they visited Donovan, there was nothing else Ri’ley felt the need to show Dionyph, who was the embodiment of Ri’ley’s new life. The man did not like the thought of his new life coming in contact with his old life. They were two different worlds.

Dionyph could not comprehend Seronaph’s manner. The red seemed to talk about the world in a way which Dionyph could not comprehend. For some reason, Seronaph appeared to view the world in a different way than any of the hatchlings Dionyph had encountered, and the red certainly viewed the world differently than Dionyph himself. The black hatchling knew he had a lot to learn. He could tell that the older simourvs were so much different than him, so much more mature and knowledgeable about the world.
I can tell that I have a lot to learn. You seem to know so much. Maybe someday, you can teach me. I like the thought of learning new things. I think that with knowledge, I can become a better leader and protector.
Dionyph replied, his voice serious and earnest. Even though his voice lacked any thrill or brightness, as it was as somber as usual, Dionyph was excited about the prospect of learning. He was ready to be more mature, more adult, but also, he was ready to know more about the way the world worked. Knowledge was strength and power; his winglet was an example of this truth, and Dionyph wanted to be a partner to Ri’ley with the same level of trained intelligence as the man. The redrider’s words confused Dionyph even more. He would not ignore Seronaph, as the red was a superior, at least until Dionyph grew into himself, and became the beast that he would eventually become.
Why would I ignore him? He seems quite smart and authoritative.
Ri’ley, this time, outwardly chuckled, his face brightening with a smile. Dionyph used adjectives that Ri’ley would never assign to the black. Dionyph looked towards his rider with a confused expression in his ivory eyes, and Ri’ley smiled and stroked the black on his head.

Ri’ley listened to K’ean’s words with a look of consideration on his face. He was certainly engaged with the redrider’s statements, but Ri’ley was not yet sure he agreed, a fact which resonated in the glossiness of his dark brown eyes. Even though Dionyph was definitely his, Ri’ley was not positve that he deserved the hatchling. Nothing about him seemed to be the same as the other candidates. He was not a warrior or a hunter. He was not good with weapons. He could not swim or gut fish. He could not even farm! The candidates were all warriors, in their own way, with the abilities to fight in some capacity, besides him, who was useful in other ways, as support, but nothing else. And blackriders—they had to fight. They rode the biggest of the simourvs, besides, of course, the grays. Dionyph did not like when his rider thought like this. Ri’ley had this odd habit of feeling inadequate, and Dionyph could not understand why. Ri’ley was special! Ri’ley was his! And Ri’ley was most absolutely deserving of him. Why, Dionyph could not imagine a more perfect and honorable human with which to bond. He could be no one else’s partner, because Ri’ley was born to be with him, a black simourv. And yet, ever since their bonding, Ri’ley’s minds had been wrecked with self doubt. Dionyph did not like it. Dionyph would train Ri’ley out of it. Dionyph squawked unhappily, flapping his wings and butting his head gently into Ri’ley’s leg.
Stop thinking like that, mine. I dislike how much I have to remind you that I chose you and therefore you are a blackrider, and that you are meant to be a blackrider. Why, mine, you underestimate yourself, but you can do great things with your future if you stop doubting your abilities to do so.
Dionyph replied, slow, but less cold than his usual words. In fact, Dionyph’s mental voice sounded almost annoyed, or at least irritated, with Ri’ley’s nervousness.
”I’m afraid I have yet to convince myself that I fit Dionyph, and I keep thinking that I will just wake up, and the whole thing will have been some imagined fancy, but I’m beginning to realize that Dio is the greatest, most incredible and wonderful turning point in my life—a very real turning point.”
Ri’ley realized that he sounded quite silly, overwrought, and dramatic, but he did not care. He would speak in the most grandiose terms, the most melodramatic and overstated terms, if it was the only way he could talk about Dionyph. It was difficult to express the bond Ri’ley felt with Dionyph in words. It was the most powerful and intimate bond Ri’ley had ever felt. Maybe K’ean would think less of Ri’ley, because of Ri’ley’s words.
Of course I’m real. If I were not real, then you would not be real, because we are tied by our destiny to each other, like two halves of the same whole.
Dionyph stated as he walked in front of Ri’ley, rubbing his body along Ri’ley’s legs as he moved. Dionyph then wrapped his tail around Ri’ley’s legs.

As soon as the bull was dropped in front of Ri’ley, he removed his legs from Dionyph’s body, high stepping over his simourv’s body, rather awkwardly, since Dionyph was large, and Ri’ley was not particularly graceful. He stumbled a bit, falling forwards, but catching himself with his back foot, so that he did not fall. Dionyph dropped himself into a sitting postion, inching closer to Ri’ley’s new position with a scoot which released a small cloud of dust. Ri’ley crouched over the bull carcus, and pulled a knife out of the belt of his pants, a small, thin knife, which was not a scalpel, but the closest implement Ri’ley could find to his old instruments in the Eyrie’s stores. He did not want to dull the blades of his own knives and scalpels by using them to butcher animals, so he had to use the older materials of the riders, in order to care for Dionyph. Ri’ley began to skin the animal slowly and steadily. His hand was perfectly still, only moving to make his swift and straight cuts. The man knew how to cut through skin, flesh, and muscle. He moved slowly, as he was raised in a discipline with an emphasis on precision and accuracy rather than speed. But Ri’ley’s cuts, even when he was destroying and animal and not putting one back together, were almost artful, graceful, and smooth. Once Ri’ley had disconnected a significant flap of skin from the animal, he began to cut hunks of meat, even though it was more efficient and correct to finish skinning the animal before cutting it apart. Ri’ley wanted some meat immediately for Dionyph. Once a few pieces were separated from the body, Ri’ley held them out to Dionyph, who ate them quickly, wolfing them down from Ri’ley’s curved palm. After he finished eating, Dionyph nuzzled Ri’ley’s arm and hand, a small gesture to show love after he ate. The blood from the meat smeared all over Ri’ley’s wrist, but the man appeared completely unaffected by the blood. He was used to blood.
Thank you. We will owe you a debt, even if you do not want us to pay it. Eventually, my friend, you’ll need stitches or a bone set, and I’m not worried about my ability to provide those services. I mean, because I don’t particularly wish to wait until Dio is grown to repay you.”
Ri’ley replied with a small grin, which he flashed to K’ean as he looked up from his task.

((I am so sorry this is a mess. I am very, very, very tired, and I threw it together. That is why the end is rushed. I ran out of steam. ))

[Fox]

It was amusing to realise that Ri'ley was going through the same spectrum of emotions that K'ean had three years ago, or if not the same then a very similar one. Suddenly having a creature who needed you, depended on you... who loved you, and whom you loved with all your heart in return, was an experienced that could take precedence over even such an important thing as family. And K'ean knew that he was closer to his family than Ri'ley had been; for as long as he'd known the other man, perhaps the only people that Ri'ley had ever spoken about with any fondness was his Master, the surgeon named Donovan, and his little sister Amaryllis. It was something that K'ean could understand, and even sympathise with. He and his father had barely been on speaking terms when he'd left for that hunting expedition, and even now things were strained with the memory of those arguments. Yes, K'ean could understand a little bit, but the reasons why Ri'ley seemed so unforgiving of his parents were beyond him. "Indeed. How is Amaryllis, by the way? I haven't seen her in... well, in a long time." K'ean hadn't known Ri'ley's sister all that well, but he was an older brother too and Amaryllis had been a little girl of thirteen the last time he had seen her. In the three years he had gone he had probably missed out on many things.

Seronaph was quite, quite amused by this dramatic little hatchling. He was naive, and idealistic, and all the things that Seronaph was not; not after two years of fighting koxi and battles and blood. The idea of teaching was an alluring one, as the red would hardly mind the prospect, but he would not usurp his own brother's position in that regard. I am flattered, Dionyph. But I would think that such questions might be posed to your Wingletmaster and Canph, no?[/color] K'ean nodded in agreement as well; K'huna and Canph were better suited to teaching errant youngsters than either him or Seronaph, and he wished them well with it. At Dionyph's response to his comment, though, K'ean didn't manage to stop the bark of laughter that welled up in him before it pushed its way out. Smart and authoritative? That would be the day; pigs would fly before K'ean would ever use those words to describe his grumpy, snarky red. The rider was hard-pressed to stop himself from grinning in return, and he caught Ri'ley's answering smile. Seronaph, though, was displeased and he hissed at his rider in displeasure. Why must K'ean ruin his image in the eyes of this little hatchling? There was nothing wrong in a little hero-worship now and again. Miffed, the large simourv quite deliberately turned his head away from his rider, lowering his beak to sniff at the rather sad, picked-clean bones of his kill. Was he hungry enough to take another one yet? Eh, nah, he would have another later. This evening perhaps. He could drag K'ean away from his own dinner to come to the pens. Now there was an idea.

Oblivious to the slowly forming ideas of his simourv, K'ean nodded gravely to Ri'ley's words, though he had to admit that he disagreed. But then again, it was apparent that the surgeon had some self-esteem issues, ironically, though his effusiveness was more than excusable for the moment. They were newly bonded, and still in the stage that looked a lot like infatuation, so K'ean was more than willing to overlook any oddness in manner or words. He hadn't been much better himself, really, when he'd bonded to Seronaph, though perhaps he'd been a little less besotted due to the fact that the red had persisted in leaving him with scratches or injuries whenever he got angry. He'd even broken a finger once. K'ean's left pinkie had never been the same. "Just accept that the simourv know us better than we do, Ri'ley." The redrider suggested in amusement. "They do a lot of the time, and when it comes to Impression they don't make mistakes." A snort from Seronaph interrupted him. Debatable.[/color] K'ean made a face and rolled his eyes at his testy lifepartner. "See what that says about your judgement, then, Grumpy." Neither really cared any longer about what their combative relationship might look like to a stranger. It wasn't as if it mattered; their real teamwork came to light when in battle. Then, and only then, the two of them worked together smoothly and were of one mind so much that it was sometimes a little bit frightening.

Both K'ean and Seronaph looked over with interest as Ri'ley moved to butcher the animal. He was good at it, K'ean noted, but then that was only to be expected of a man who had been apprenticed to a surgeon for eight years before coming to Eyrie. It wasn't surprising that he would know how to handle a knife. That might help him, actually, in combat, if he ever got over the problem that so many healers had about not killing. That and his much longer reach than most. Both rider and simourv watched the process silently. K'ean did not offer to help, because it was the responsibility of every winglet or rider to care for their own simourv first and foremost. Besides; Ri'ley was as good at this as any hunter. He wouldn't need the help. When he spoke again, K'ean eventually conceded the point with a grin and a wave of his hand. "Point taken. I'll be sure to come to you, then, if I need treatment." Behind him, Seronaph's head rose to once again fix Ri'ley with his amber gaze, though this time it was more assessing than threatening. Finally, his voice rang through all of their minds, sounding almost surprised. Very sensible, Dionyph's Ri'ley.[/color]



(What rushed? It was awesome as usual, Katkat~ ;3)[/size]

[Kat]

So quickly, Ri’ley’s mood changed from adoration, joy, and glee, to a much more sinister, much darker disposition. The mention of Amaryllis brought the blackrider much pain. He could not help but to feel responsible for her departure, as he knew that his parents were cruel to her, but he ignored it because of his own selfish pursuits. Even though Ri’ley loved his sister, he had allowed her to continue in an existence which lead her to run away, to the possibility of death. Ri’ley bit his lip, an uncharacteristically meek gesture, as he tightened the muscles in his face to accommodate a sad, distressed grimace.
”I haven’t seen her in a long time, either.”
Ri’ley finally said, deflating himself with a grand sigh. Dionyph, at his rider’s instant turn, because quite distressed. The hatchling chirped worriedly, warbling a pitiful question, as he pressed himself into Ri’ley’s body, as if the tight physical proximity would merge them into one being. Ri’ley stumbled a bit, as his hatchling knocked off his center of balance, before he reached down to catch himself on Dionyph’s head. Ri’ley realized that he must look incredibly despondent, as it might appear that he was upset enough to tumble down, which was not the case.
I’m fine, Dionyph. I just hate thinking of my sister. I loved her very dearly.

[/b]
Ri’ley explained in a somber mental tone. His reassurance only upset Dionyph more, who radiated worry and concern from his alabaster eyes. Dionyph did not like the way Ri’ley felt, nor did he find Ri’ley’s words comforting. The use of the past tense was not lost on Dionyph, who hung his head. The simourv tried to scan his bonded’s brain for knowledge of the sister, at least for an image of the girl, but he struggled to do even that, as Ri’ley attempted to banish the bleakness of remembering Amaryllis.
Mine, I didn’t know that you have a sister. Is she like my sisters? Why do you not love her anymore?
The young simourv was terribly confused and distressed by Ri’ley. The man did not want to explain the situation to his simourv. What could he say? How could he explain to Dionyph that he had abandoned his sister? That action led to her departure. They would discuss it later, when Ri’ley was not around another person.
”She ran away two years ago. No one has heard from her since.”
Ri’ley tightened his lips as he spoke, his body deflating in a large sigh. Not only did he feel responsible for his sister’s disappearance, but Ri’ley missed her. He was sorry he allowed them to drift so far apart.

Still upset by Ri’ley’s avoidance of the questions he asked, so the hatchling, instead, focused on Seronaph, and the red’s words. Dionyph nodded, almost enthusiastically, and certainly without any lethargy or sluggishness.
Oh, I do respect Canph and his wingletmaster as well. They will be good teachers, and they searched mine, so they must be capable.
Dionyph announced. Even though he was frustrated with Ri’ley, Dionyph was still quite smitten. The man was made for him, after all, and no amount of moderate irritation could ruin their eternal connection. And Dionyph knew that him and his together would be great at the lessons and the tasks. His was very good at performing tasks, and he had the drive to do well in those tasks. Dionyph had picked a diligent, hardworking candidate, and the trait was appreciated by the simourv. The black hatchling watched the red pick over his bones almost jealously. How lucky the big simourv was to be able to kill and eat his own food. Dionyph was still too little to even pick the bones of his meat clean. Ri’ley went back to cutting chunks of meat, as he noticed the hungry expression of his little Dionyph as the black watched Seronaph. The chunk of meat was tossed into Dionyph’s beak, which the hatchling opened.

Ri’ley knew that K’ean was correct about the nature of the bond between simourv and human. All the pairings at the hatchling seemed so correct. No one seemed misplaced from his or her simourv, and everyone was immeasurably content.
”I could not be happier with Dionyph’s choice. I am honored to be bond to such a beast.”
Ri’ley exclaimed, a small, joyous smile crossing his otherwise bleak completion.
And I to you, my Ri’ley.
Dionyph announced as he nuzzled the large man’s hand. Dionyph had almost entirely forgiven his for not discussing his sister. Ri’ley had promised to explain later, and Dionyph knew that his would comply.

K’ean’s promise made Ri’ley smile wider, a small, almost self-congratulatory air dancing around his form.
”I would expect you to do so, anyway. You always have in the past.”
Of course, now everything had changed, but Ri’ley made the statement regardless, his brown eyes twinkling at his old friend. Seronaph’s approval surprised Ri’ley, who flinched a small, hesitant jerk. Even though he moved, his hand, even Ri’ley’s knife remained straight and composed. He was used to keeping his cuts perfectly straight, unbothered, by even worse conditions.
”I am going to take that as a compliment, Red Seronaph.”
Ri’ley responded as another hunk of meat separated from the bull. This time, Dionyph inched towards his rider to wiggle the meat from Ri’ley’s hand. Ri'ley relinquished his morsel with a small release of his palm.
[/blockquote]
((aw, thank you! And my french teacher always called me Katkat. Random comment.))[/size]

[Fox]

Of all the reactions that K'ean would have expected as a response to his inquiry, the sudden darkening of Ri'ley's mood had not been one of them. All of a sudden, the cheerful winglet was gone, replaced by a man who was much more serious and haunted. K'ean's back straightened immediately as he pushed away from the fence, arms falling to clench at his sides. His blue eyes were tight in an unwitting response to Ri'ley's tense demeanor as it became plain to the redrider that obviously something had happened in the time that he had been away, and this change wasn't for the better. Something had happened to Amaryllis; of that K'ean was sure. In response, a tendril of inquiry rose up from Seronaph at the sudden seriousness of the situation, and the young man placated the large simourv with a mental hush, as he would have done when the red was still a hatchling. I don't know what's happened, Seronaph. But something did happen, and I think we're about to find out what.[/b] And sure enough, Ri'ley revealed that his little sister had run away two years ago, at least putting paid to the horrible suspicions of a worse fate that K'ean had been entertaining. The not knowing must be terribly hard on Ri'ley, but at least there was still some small hope that his sister was still alive. "Where did you look?" He asked sharply, not bothering to ask if the other man had looked because it was certain that he had. The Ripley he had known would have searched for his sister, and even though he had come two years too late for that, K'ean still hoped that at least he might be able to offer some assistance, even if it was only canvassing every single person in all the three settlements all over again.

While his bonded was distracted by thoughts of Ri'ley's missing sister, Seronaph turned his attention to the little black. He was speaking again, and the much larger red wondered whether he should point out that just because someone was capable didn't mean they had a lot of common sense. But, he figured, Dionyph would find that out on his own, if he ever learned to see the more realistic, uglier side of things. Telling him now would take the spice out of life. And Seronaph lived for spice. He didn't bother to respond verbally, but just expelled a breath, nodded his head and turned away, intending to leave the hatchling to his meat. There was not much left for him here anyways since he had already finished his meal and would not be hungry again for at least a few more hours. Blandly, the red reflected that he was rather curious to see how Dionyph's Ri'ley intended to cope with another one of Dionyph's food cravings. Hatchlings were almost always hungry, so did the man intend to hijack another simourv and rider to assist him in the killing of one of the bulls? You should mention to Yours that goats might be easier to take down than bulls, Dionyph. As large as he is, if there is no one to help you, I doubt that he could take down a bull all on his own.[/color] It went without saying that His could, but Seronaph felt like being generous enough to give the little simourv a break. They would both learn.

Despite K'ean's distraction and lingering seriousness at the thought of missing Amaryllis, Ri'ley's almost lighthearted retort made him smile. True. He had never hesitated before this, why start now? "My mother always told me to never offend the doctor." The young man offered with a wry grin. "They always know where it hurts most." K'ean had not been the most careful of adolescents; when most of your day was spent climbing around in the forests hunting, setting snares, and generally getting into all manner of trouble, it wasn't surprising that his face had been a pretty regular fixture in Master Donovan's surgery. Stitches no longer bothered him. He was even a decent enough hand to put them in his own skin or that of others, but K'ean's hands would never have the steady finesse and grace that Ri'ley's did. He was one who was well and truly born to the profession.[/size]

[Kat]

Ri’ley had looked hard and not hard enough. He had searched obsessively for a few months, constantly asking the people around him, who he helped, and traveling across Sayaie in his spare time, until he had been too exhausted to continue. The work of his apprenticeship soon overwhelmed him, and he became too enthralled with surgery to continue his search. It had become too overwhelming to look for his sister, because every day that she remained missing, Ri’ley felt that he had betrayed her. He had looked everywhere in Sayaie, but he had not searched extensively enough. Rationally, Ri’ley already accepted that Amaryllis was dead. He felt that she was still alive, deep in his body, a visceral response to his belief, but his mind canceled out that possibility with logic. Amaryllis had probably tried to leave Sayaie, and once she left the gates, she probably died in the claws of a koxi. The feeling, Ri’ley surmised that his desire made it. That the guilt and the want which surrounded his understanding of Amaryllis wished her to be alive.
”All over Sayaie, but she seems to have just disappeared.”
Ri’ley explained, and the air hissed from his lips as he sighed. He loved his sister. He wanted to be with his sister. And yet, she was gone, a brief memory in his life, which struggled to progress beyond her departure. He had looked everywhere in the city, and when she did not appear, Ri’ley gave up and stopped looking. He had been bond to Sayaie, and so Ri’ley had not been able to look any farther than the city.

And then, a thought donned on the man, which thrilled him for a brief second, and made him pause his constant cutting of the meat. Now, he was not so bond to his city. He might be able search farther, with Dionyph’s help. When the hatchling could fly, they would be connected to the entirety of the Spiderlands. Dionyph looked up from his eating to gaze at his bonded partner. His Ri’ley was acting strange. He went from being rather upset to suddenly optimistic. Dionyph liked that Ri’ley was happy again, but the switch worried the black simourv mildly. Ri’ley quickly abandoned the hope, because it would only make him wish, make him believe, and he would be crushed once again. The likelihood that Amaryllis lived was tiny compared to the possibility that she died. Dionyph, to avoid further confusion, turned to Seronaph and listened to the red. Dionyph was sure that eventually his would be able to do whatever needed to be done, and that his would become quite capable in most important tasks. Now, though, at this vary moment in time, Dionyph struggled to imagine Ri’ley killing any creature. The man did not like to watch death. It was a bothersome state of being for the man who spent his whole life, his whole existence, to prevent death. The surgeon had not yet gotten over his fear of death, and so he could not yet kill. But Ri’ley would learn.
I will remember your tip about the goats. I do not think that mine is ready to kill any bulls.
Dionyph responded. He would be polite to the red who was trying to help him. Besides, Seronaph was right about Ri’ley not being ready to kill one of the bulls. Dionyph would have to wait.

K’ean’s retort made Ri’ley smile, as Ri’ley was glad that the conversation had turned away from his sister and towards a more amusing subject. He had stitched the young hunter man times, as K’ean seemed to be quite accident prone. Of course, the other man’s profession was violent and dangerous, and it was easy to get hurt. Ri’ley had always been secretly glad that he was not in a profession with many injuries. Now, though, bond to Dionyph, Ri’ley realized that his life might involve more physical contact.
”Your mother was always a smart person.”
Ri’ley replied with a small shrug of his shoulders. He had extracted as much meat off of the bull as he could, having worked through the entire conversation. Dionyph, though, still felt hungry, although far more satisfied. The hatchling could not stop eating. Ri’ley stalked a few steps towards Dionyph to muff the feathers on the hatchling’s head. He would always love the feeling of the feathers.

[Fox]

The years had not had a chance to disillusion K’ean as to Amaryllis’ safety as they had done with Ri’ley. It was expected; he was only finding out that his friend’s little sister had gone missing two years after the actual fact, and his instinct to search for her had not yet been eroded by the relentless wash of time. No matter what Ri’ley said, the least K’ean could do now was to make his enquiries here, in Chydyn, even in Itnala since plainly Sayaie had been a dead end. He had not known the girl well, but there was a terrible sympathy in his blue gaze as he looked upon the suddenly despondent form of the blackrider. The young man couldn’t imagine what he would have done if Rilla had been the one to go missing; likely he would have gone mad with worry and driven himself to a frenzy searching for her, but he had not been tied down as Ri’ley had. The helplessness must have been excruciating. ”I will ask around the next time I go on patrol.” K’ean announced flatly, face setting into hard lines of determination. ”If not in Sayaie; there must be some kind of trail in Chydyn or Itnala, even if it’s two years old.” There was the unspoken promise of ’I’ll find it.’ that lingered in the redrider’s purposeful stance. Even Seronaph snorted disdainfully; of course they’d find it! Plainly, Dionyph’s had not searched hard enough, or maybe he simply had not known where to look.

The red simourv’s head was already turning in the direction of his and K’ean’s eyling; the tasty meal having resulted in a wonderful feeling of contentment that he would like to sleep off. He was no hatchling any longer; he would not collapse where he stood if sleep was not readily available after a good filling meal. However, it was distinctly unpleasant to fly or work no any kind of full belly, and right now the only thing that Seronaph wanted to do was curl up and digest the meat that had stretched his stomach against his feathered hide. Still, though, his large ears flicked back towards Dionyph as the little black spoke, even though he did not actually turn his head to view him. He conceded, though, after a brief moment spent evaluating the black’s words. True. His life’s profession will be a hard one to go against.[/color] K’ean had had few problems hunting and butchering animals to keep his simourv fed for those crucial first months during which Seronaph had still been too small to capture his own food. But then, His had been a hunter by trade. Dionyph’s was one who saved lives, not took them. Well, he would have to learn to get over it, and the red was certain that he would. Such a little thing as a compulsion against killing was nothing when compared to the needs of a baby simourv. Ri’ley would just have to learn to deal.

As tense as he was, K’ean didn’t manage to suppress the bark of laughter that escaped him at Ri’ley’s sheer flattery. Not to say that he didn’t agree, and whole-heartedly (his mother was still more than capable of making his ears burn from shame at perceived stupidity) but he had not thought that the surgeon would have made such a comment. He didn’t know why. ”I’ll be sure to let her know. It’ll probably cement her favourable opinion of you anyway.” The grin that he flashed Ri’ley in response to the other man’s smile was almost reminiscent of the younger, nineteen-year-old lad that had been such a fixture at the surgery. It was a rare grin nowadays with responsibilities weighing on the man and tightening his mouth. K’ean found that he was almost glad for the nostalgia that Ri’ley had brought on with his presence alone. Meanwhile, though, Seronaph was getting bored with this conversation. Abruptly, the large red lifted himself to his feet, stretching his large wings. Barely a glance was spared for His and the other human and Dionyph before Seronaph had launched himself into the sky, the resulting buffet from his ascent throwing up a large cloud of dust from the canyon floor. He was going back to the eyling. His could waste his time if he wanted to; it wasn’t Seronaph’s problem any longer.
[/size]

[Kat]

Ri’ley had already given up on finding his sister. Two years had ruined Ri’ley’s hope, and he already knew that his sister was either too far gone to be found or dead, and Ri’ley knew she was more likely dead than alive. In his heart he willed her to be alive. He wanted to see her again, so badly, to apologize to her for leaving and abandoning her, to apologize for allowing her to run. Of course, Ri’ley had not searched the other two cities. He had been bound by circumstances and position to Sayaie,, but Ri’ley doubted his sister would have survived a trip in the uncivilized areas without a guide or a guard. Perhaps she had secured such people, but Ri’ley knew that the likelihood was painfully low.
”I would be honored if you helped me look, but I don’t want to distract you from your work.”
Ri’ley replied, and his tone was sincere and formal. It was almost as if he was masking his uncomfortable sadness with formality, as it was easier to be formal than to risk the chance of over-emoting. Ri’ley did not particularly find emotions pleasant or appropriate in most cases.

To the red’s comment, Dionyph just nodded his head. He knew that his could overcome his training as a healer in order to kill, but even though he was extremely young and naïve, Dionyph already could conceive that once his learned to kill, a piece of Ri’ley would be spoiled forever. Dionyph could not express how he knew that information, but it was there, coursing through the man, a strain of innocence which would be corrupted. Dionyph was perspective beyond his years—or lack of years. He knew that the change would occur and that he must change, but Dionyph would both mourn and celebrate the change. But Ri’ley had to change in order to take his place next to Dionyph as a warrior, a knight, and a protector of the Eyrie, and he would change, because he would become all of those labels and more. He would be great, but he needed time. So did Dionyph. Why, compared to this grand creature, the large red, Dionyph was so young and immature. He had so much to become. It was humbling to remember how young he was in contrast to his larger ancestors.

When the red flew away, Dionyph watched with interest and awe. He could not fly yet. He was only a day old, but he wanted to fly. Ri’ley ensured him that it was necessary that he fly yet, but Dionyph wanted to fly. He wanted the freedom of flight. How powerful Seronaph looked when he took to the air! Dionyph wanted to look like that, and while he knew that he would soon, he wanted to now. Ri’ley seemed much less interested in Seronaph’s flight. He had been a candidate for a long enough period of time to have seen many simourvs take flight, even if the sight was impressive and magnificent. Ri’ley grinned himself as K’ean responded, and he nodded his head.
”Good, you should tell her. I like when people have over positive impressions of me. It’s good for business.”
The comment did not make the most since, Ri’ley no longer worked for any sort of business, but a part of him still thought of himself as a surgeon, even though that life had left him for an even more amazing and incredible one with Dionyph at his side.
”I’m not keeping you for anything important, right?”
Ri’ley questioned, as the thought struck him. He had no idea where Seronaph had left to go, and so he wondered if the pair needed to attend to work. Ri’ley did not want to be the cause of someone else’s incomplete duties. That would be terribly irresponsible.

[Fox]

There was no reason for him to delay. K’ean would not be flying out to Itnala for a few days at least on his next rotation, but there was nothing barring him from dashing off a letter. There were messengers aplenty in Eyrie that would be heading out by the end of the day; there were always official notices to send and more personal missives to deliver. Even if he could not go himself, K’ean had enough familial connection in Chydyn at least that he could easily avail himself of one of his uncles or cousins to undertake some snooping for him. After all, Amaryllis had been a city girl much like her brother, and the arboreal city was the next largest congregation of humans after Sayaie. There was a good chance that she would have headed there, or so K’ean thought. In any case, there was no harm in asking around, even if it was by proxy. ”It’s no trouble.” He said, his demeanour hardening into the purposeful manner that surfaced whenever there was a mission at stake. ”I have relatives in Chydyn. No reason why I can’t write to them immediately, actually.” The young man did not acknowledge Ri’ley’s sincere smile; expressions of gratitude only made him uncomfortable. What else could he do for the other man after all the times the surgeon had patched him up? There wasn’t much; looking for his sister was something that K’ean would have done anyway for anyone.

Absently, the redrider glanced out at the nearby pen even as the wind from Seronaph’s wings settled. He didn’t look up at his red; there was no need to when the simourv lived as solidly in the back of his mind as he did on Pohono’s soil and in its skies. I’ll be back in a minute, Seph, I need to write a letter. He said mentally, reaching out only enough to feel Seronaph’s derision and dismissive acknowledgement. Those two emotions, usually connected to supposed negativity, were commonplace when dealing with his red. It was strange to think, upon looking at the little black hatchling, still only a little bit more than five feet tall at the shoulder, that one day he would rival any of the other blacks for size. He would never come near to Eceph’s size; the gray was enormous at sixty-eight feet, but sixty feet for little Dionyph was not an unattainable concept. He wouldn’t be ‘little’ then. At Ri’ley’s comment, K’ean only smiled and gave a mocking salute, but at the last he sobered again, mind clearly elsewhere. He was occupied with mentally dictating the letter he would write, and had little attention for anything else. ”Not really. Nobody’ll be doing much after the feast lat night, but I suppose I do have some letters to write.” His voice was absent, but as he stopped speaking K’ean glanced up the four inches of height difference to shoot Ri’ley a grin. It had been nice, speaking to him again, and K’ean looked forward to seeing him around more often. He held out a hand again to shake. ”It was nice to see you again, Ri’ley, and you too Dionyph, but I guess I should be going now. See you around.” After a moment, K’ean released Ri;ley’s hand and, without a single parting glance, the redrider strolled off, hands deep in his pockets and mind already on blank paper and ink.