"Three!" All three companions heard the fateful cry. Letanri's ears swivelled back and she turned swiftly, immediately taking a defensive pose. Mika was, unfortunately, not nearly as swift and toppled to the ground with a yelp under Explosion's assult. Seconds later, Damier leapt at Letanri in an attempt to take her to the ground.
While Damier had his strength and magic, Letanri had speed. She turned quickly, letting her brother fly past while only her fur was ruffled by his passing. He let out a startled cry as he crashed into the ground. Letanri followed up on her attack, pinning him to the ground as soon as he finished rolling. The Lironess smirked and purred low in her throat, emulating their mother's 'I told you so' look perfectly.
"Aw man." Damier sighed. He waited a moment to allow Letanri the triumph of beating him, then forced his weight against her and rolled, pinning her to the ground instead. "Ha!"
"Haven't you learned?" Letanri smiled. Deftly, she placed both her feet against his stomach and heaved him over her head, following into a back roll and up to her feet. "I can always beat you." Dark furred arms crossed over her chest and a winning look filled her eyes while she gazed down on him.
"Get off me." Mika growled, shaking Explosion from her side. The multi-coloured winged wolf immediately engaged in a mock battle with Kouros, yipping and barking happily.
Damier muttered under his breath, pushing himself to his feet with a glance at his sister. A bright gleam in his eyes told her that this wasn't the last time he'd tried to beat her. "So where're you headed?" He asked casually.
"The ocean. Bazuk wants a bath." Letanri began walking again. She didn't seen the michevious smile that flitted across Damier's lips briefly.
"Oh really?" He caught up to her, folding his hands behind his back and speaking in what he thought was only an inquizative tone. Letanri raised a brow and cast him a look out of the corner of her light blue eyes.
"Don't even think about it." Her words were quick and dry. It wasn't hard to see through Damier's facade.
"Think of what?" He asked innocently. Explosion trotted up to his side with a wide grin on his wolfish face. Mika and Kouros joined Letanri again, one on either side.
Letanri only growled in reply. They soon came to the lip of the cliff over-looking Sapphire Ocean. As promised, their father's large, red marked brown dragon lazed in the shallows, waiting impatiently for their arrival. Letanri raised a hand and caught his attention while Damier jumped nimbly down the steep cliff face, Explosion on his heels.
You brought re-enforcements! The brown bellowed happily. With a rumble of delight, he rolled onto his side and spread his wings through the water.
Damier dove into the waves, feeling his fur spread out like hundreds of bits of seaweed. He swam out until he could see Bazuk's large, flame marked paws against the sandy bottom. Standing in the waist high water, he shook vigerously and sent a spray of crysalline drops dancing through the air. Bazuk bellowed again and returned the spray with a wave of his own, drenching the Liron/Tigra boy.
He found me. It's not like I'd go looking for him. Letanri bespoke as she landed lightly on the hot sands of the beach. Her lithe body twisted fluidly and took her immediately into a run for the water. Explosion, Mika and Kouros each howled a challange and raced the short distance into the waves. Normally, no feline likes water. Since having grown up her entire life beside the ocean (and often having to go in it to bath the giant brute), Letanri had come to enjoy the salty waves as they washed over her.
Her white hair spread out in a fan shape over the top of the water. She pulled it free of its restricting pony tail then dove beneath the water, grabbing a pawful of sand as her legs worked powerfully to steer her towards Bazuk and Damier.
Letanri surfaced and was nearly washed under again by the turmoil of waves created between the two males. Four as Explosion and Kouros joined in. A smirk touched her lips and she slipped behind the large brown, starting to scrub at his shoulder while his attention was diverted.
Ow! Ow! No claws! Bazuk cried, his eyes whirling a sharp yellow as needle sharp pricks kneeded his hide.
I wouldn't have to if you'd hold still. Letanri purred mentally, retracting her claws as the water fight died down. Mika laughed and paddled behind her, wings spread to keep her afloat. She had seen Bazuk wince at the first touch, even though Letanri had barely touched his thick hide.
Alright! I'll be good. Bazuk muttered dully. He tried to sound dejected and sad but couldn't keep the rumble of pleasure from his voice as sand was worked across his dirty self. His eyes slowed to a deep blue and dark lids covered their luster as his head sank partially beneath the waves. You know, your mother used to do the same thing. He paused and looked back at Letanri. In fact, she still does!
"Like mother like daughter." Damier muttered from Bazuk's other shoulder. He missed Letanri's knowing smirk but knew she would indeed have one. She was much like Siltek. Just as he was much like Moonshadow... in a way... without the wisdom.
* * * The dining hall filled with people from all parts of Tris'Hath at the dinner bell. It seemed almost like a magical sound that immediately teleported all weary and hungry to this one room. Noise filled the air and drowned out all semblance of order. Bodies milled about, looking for friends and a place to sit at one of the many long tables. Lit torches lined the walls between wide, un-shuttered windows. Candles cast a soft glow over the tables, interspersed with food laden trays. The atmosphere was one of relaxation and happiness at having finished another long day of work.
Mystic stood at the entrace to the dining hall, the tall, oaken doors swung wide open to either side of her. She cast a calculating gaze over her riders and workers, searching out the one that would serve her purpose. Two people stood beside her, both purely human.
"When do we need them by?" A medium height, brown haired woman to Mystic's right asked curiously.
"This week, preferrably. One for Opal Moon Weyr and one for Vella Crean." The mage replied, nodding for the others to follow as she made her way through the crowd.
"We've already got Andrelion and Tristen to place." The man on Mystic's left spoke with an assured calm. His blue eyes swept over the assembly with a searching glance, coming up with nothing. "Ratiche, Da'rax and Terglinear are running low on possible candidates. Traxar never had any to begin with and the Hidden Valley is... well... hidden. I don't think they want to be found right now."
"Is there anyone here that might possibly be worthy?" Mystic's golden gaze met with K'lter's blue one. She watched him furrow his brow in thought, though a hint of doubt clouded his eyes.
"We're not sure. Mariamanth and Penorith have been searching all evening. They've found a few but they're not right for these clutches." Rei said, recalling her bond's words before the dinner bell had sounded.
Mystic sighed softly, pausing as they reached the head table. Aaron hadn't arrived yet and her Advisors were still stuck on war stratigies. She wanted to get candidates into these clutches, but who would go?
Be silent and eat your meal. I have found who I was looking for. Mariamanth's assured, gentle voice bespoke all three riders. K'lter blinked in confusion, Rei looked towards one of the windows as if to see her bond, and Mystic smiled secretively.
* * * "Yuck. My fur's still damp." Letanri muttered while ringing out the few remaining droplets in her long hair. Her white tipped tail flicked back and forth, a mist of invisiable drops showering the floor. Damier dropped to all fours and shook from head to tail, much like Explosion was doing. Letanri growled her disapproval, gazing down at her brother with a meaningful glare.
"What?" The Liron/Tigra man grinned innocently, his white mohawk standing straight up on his head.
"Come on. I'm hungry." Explosion nudged Damier's leg with his wet nose and grinned up at the two cat people. His siblings had abandoned the dining hall for a more... enjoyable meal. Though he liked to hunt, being hand fed cooked meat was always top choice.
Together they walked into the dining hall, all thoughts quickly focussing on the wafting scents of hot food and drink. Letanri led the way through the masses of smaller bodies and tables. Her keen sight caught on a friendly face and her directions changed to match the table where Andrelion and his brother, Riyan, sat.
Snickers and whispered jeers tickled the back of Damier's neck. Two velvety black ears swivelled back and lay flat against his head. He paused and turned to look down on the table of foster children who were engaged in trying to make a fool of him.
One boy meowed and imitated the motions of a cat cleaning itself. His friends snickered and laughed with the crudeness of their youth and upbringing. Though they were fostered to learn the skills of hard work, Damier thought it might be useful to teach them some manners too.
Letanri stopped as a feathered wing touched the back of her leg. She glanced down to see Explosion cocking his head towards Damier while looking at her hopefully. The Lironess looked up and noted her brother's firm stance and his line of sight. Then she saw the boys who mocked him.
"Is there a problem here?" Her voice purred with a deeper threat as she sauntered towards the table. Damier cast her a quick glare but remained motionless.
"Yeah. I'm allergic to cats." One wiry young boy smirked up at her with all the smugness of a Duke's brat. He was indeed that and had come here only a week ago.
"That's too bad." Letanri smiled softly, coming up behind the boy's chair and kneeling beside him. Damier came around the other side of the table and cast an imposing shadow over the other boys. All laughter ceased. " 'Cause Damier and I just love spending time with brats like yourself. I need a new scratching post." She grinned, revealing rows of pointed, white teeth as the boy paled considerably. A low chuckle rose in her throat. She stood and waited for Damier to take the lead, then followed him the rest of the way to their table.
"I don't need you to stand up for me." He growled under his breath, slowing his steps so they might have a moment to talk before Andrel and Riyan were within ear shot.
"I wasn't." Letanri returned coolly. "I just like tormenting snobbish little children." She smiled sweetly and took a seat beside Riyan. Damier continued to scowl for a moment before shaking his head and plopping down beside Andrelion. Explosion trotted under the table and waited expectantly by Damier's feet.
"Did you see the look on his face?" Andrelion, son of Melodia and S'ron beamed happily. He was often a target for the same group of boys due to his long, silver braid and status as a rider's child. Riyan, two years younger then Andrel, was slowly drawing attention to himself as well.
"Yeah, especially when Damier came up behind them." Riyan attempted a smile but the action looked out of place on his sharply defined face. Damier smiled proudly and puffed out his chest.
"And when Letanri... said whatever she was saying." Andrel looked to the Lironess who had become one of his few friends in this giant place. "What did you say?"
"Oh... this and that." Letanri smiled and shrugged slowly. Laughter danced in her bright eyes.
The meal passed without further troubles. Damier, Andrel and Riyan each wolfed down their fair shares and more. Even Explosion had more then his feel of the seasoned herd beast flank. Letanri took her time to savour Helena's cooking, and glance every now and then at the foster boys to make sure they were behaving properly. Not one of them looked up from their plates.
* * * Mystic waited after dinner by the dining room doors. Rei and K'lter had left early to prepare their bonds for the transportation of two special candidates to their placements. Two others had taken their places at her sides.
Siltek shifted nervously from one foot to the other, her golden earrings ringing together with each swivel of her ears. Moonshadow, in his feline form, waited patiently beside his wife. A soft smile touched his muzzle after a quick glance at the edgy Lironess. In battle, she could handle ten foes at once. Confronted with politcal or social matters, she was a nervous wreck.
"Here they come." Mystic spoke to the two felines. She lifted her chin and looked towards Damier and Letanri as the siblings moved along in the rush of bodies out the door. Hope trilled from Mystic's shoulder, catching the attention of the two cat people. Exchanging worried glances, Letanri and Damier cut through the horde and made their way towards the three adults.
"You think they're angry about bugging those boys?" Letanri asked quietly of her brother.
"No." Damier shook his head and looked in puzzlement at his parents. "Mom doesn't lood angry. Just... anxious. Like she's expecting something."
"Damier, Letanri." Mystic spoke first in her commanding voice. The woman stood at least a foot shorter then Letanri and had to look up at all four of her furry companions. "We need to talk."
Again, the siblings exchanged a worried glance. Explosion hung back behind Damier's legs, wings tucked close to his sides as if to hide behind his friend.
"What's wrong?" Damier asked hesitantly. For a 6'5" cat-man, his gaze was considerably meek when faced with Mystic's wrath.
"Nothing's wrong." The mage grinned, further confusing the brother and sister. "But perhaps I should let your parents tell you."
"You're so kind." Moonshadow chuckled softly. He stood and at the same time, made the shift to his human form. He still towered over Mystic though was a few inches shorter then his wife. "Damier, Letanri..." The Tigra smiled and paused for effect. "You've been searched."
"Damier, you're going to Vella Crean." Siltek tried to hide the mixture of emotions in her voice. "And Letanri will head to Opal Moon Weyr." She stopped and waited to see the reaction of her children. Silence was the only response.
Both Damier and Letanri stood in open mouthed shock at the words of their parents. Damier's mouth worked but no words came out. Letanri blinked and shook her head, as if to clear it of a dream-like haze.
"We... we're going to Stand?" She asked in a small voice.
"Yes. Just before dinner." Mystic smiled knowingly. Her eyes laughed silently. She always enjoyed seeing the expression of those who were searched.
"We're going to Stand!" Damier exclaimed. He turned and swept Letanri up in a bear hug, swinging her around happily. Letanri laughed and returned the hug, then hugged each of her parents. Damier nearly suffocated them in his exuberant embrace.
"Well don't just stand there." Siltek growled under a smirk. She ruffled the stiff hairs of Damier's mohawk and broke out in a grin. "Go get packed. Rei and K'lter are waiting."
Moonshadow laughed out loud as his children tore out of the room faster then he could blink. Nothing got a person moving faster then the promise of a dream come true. "Think they'll make it?"
Siltek scoffed lightly, looking down at her husband. "You doubt the skills of our children?"
"Not for a moment." He chuckled, wrapping an arm around her waist. Mystic smiled lightly.
"I should get to work on adding them to the lists. They'll need Wing placements by the time they get back." The red robed mage paused and looked up at her long time friends with a soft smile. "Congratulations." The acknowledgement was soft and almost unheard. Yet both Siltek and Moonshadow smiled with the knowledge of what had been said.
Images made by: ME! Don't steal them!!
Damier is a candidate at: Vella Crean
Letanri is a candidate at: Opal Moon Weyr