Jeri' also didn't say much. He didn't see the point really. He talked to him and now he was gone and Jeri' didn't want to talk to anyone else.

When he left he had taken a chunk of Jeri' with him, all the happy was gone. All that was left now was the dark and the cold.

Sometimes people visited him, but mostly Jeri' was alone. Really, even when the people were here, Jeri' was alone.

Jeri' cocked his head to one side, pondering that thought. He was supposed to stay here until someone came and he decided he wanted to go with them. Suppose no one came that he wanted to go with -- he'd spend the rest of his life sitting in this dark, cold cave. And when he thought about that, Jeri realized he didn't really want that to happen.

So I'll just have to leave, Jeri' realized, standing up.

When Jeri' walked slowly out of the abandoned cavern, he blinked several times - it was brighter than Jeri' was used to. Jeri' walked unsteadily down to the beach and into the water. His muscles were unused to much work, he realized, because he hadn't found reason to leave his cave, he was so deep in his depression.

Jeri' sighed as he entered the water, his skin twitching slightly and eyes half-lidded.

Jeri' wallowed in the water for a long while, just relaxing in the feel of the luke-warm water, almost asleep. So it was therefore a surprise when a voice asked from Jeri's shoulder, "Would you like me to scrub your hide?"

Jeri' turned to look at the young man who'd spoken. It was a young human, about twenty-one, with brown hair and blue eyes. A brown dragon stood in the water behind him. "My name's R'hiin, you're Jericonialituianith, right?"

Jeri' nodded his head slowly, cautiously. "It's nice to meet you Jericonialituianith." R'hiin fumbled slightly on the long name. "Would you like me to scrub your hide?" he re-iterated softly.

Jeri' nodded again and R'hiin began scrubbing his hide gently but firmly and Jeri found himself practically purring. R'hiin talked as he worked, and didn't seem to mind that Jeri' wasn't participating in the conversation. Every once and a while the brown - Fielcamaradath - added something to the conversation, but mostly it was R'hiin prattling on. Oddly enough, Jeri' didn't seem to mind.

"So Jericonialituianith, what brings you out of the Cave?" he finally asked.

Jeri' debated internally for a long moment before he finally said, very softly and with a voice horse from dis-use, "I got tired of waiting."

R'hiin nodded, "What are you going to do?"

Jeri' gave the draconic equivalent of a shrug.

"Have you thought about Bonding? I've heard that dragon-dragon Bonds are possible."

Jeri' hummed lightly, pondering the idea.

R'hiin shrugged, "Well, you don't exactly have to do anything right this very moment. But... while you're thinking, you're going to need someone to help you out... aren't you?"

Jeri' nodded slowly.

"Well, Fiel' and I will be staying here for a while, he's chasing Nalilath so we'll be here for a while. I'd be happy to help you out for as long as you need it."

A very small, draconic smile graced Jeri's face, "Thank you." Jeri' paused, "I... would like that." He paused briefly again, "Call me Jeri'."

R'hiin's face split into a grin, "Alright, Jeri'."

Yes, Jeri', you are welcome to stay with us for as long as you like.

Jeri' very nearly purred, someone wanted him.

Next