Fantasy The Skies Are For All [pluvian_penguin & junedingo]

[junedingo]

Tynan woke with a momentary disorientation of place. This was unfortunately, not so uncommon for the man. Instead of making it to his bed for a night of rest (or day, depending on what time he stopped his research or studying), he’d begun to fall asleep where ever he was sitting. With no one to wake him and send him off to bed, he often now awoke with confusion, as well as a horrible crick in the neck. Back. Hip. Pretty much always a sore spot someplace, as it was difficult to be comfortable in the issued furniture.

For nearly a year now, he’d been living in one of the towers of their grand military fortresses, yet he wouldn’t call it home. One weekend a month he was allotted time back to his family’s estate, the noble maison the only true home he knew. This was where he awoke now, still with a crick in the neck because he’d been foolish enough to be writing at the ornate and sturdy desk of his room, rather than lying in the downy softness of the mattress. At least this chair was somewhat comfortable, though that made it easier for him to relax, and apparently sleep with his mouth open enough to drool on the book he’d been writing. Notes on his theories, questions he needed to discuss.

Scrubbing at his face, Tynan looked out to see that it was in fact morning, which he was glad to note. He had something to see to today after all, it was good he'd not slept in.

———

A couple hours later had him venturing out into the capitol streets, wearing a fresh set of clothes. The britches were a season out of fashion, and he’d avoided the shirt that touted the emblem of his house, preferring to go without the societal name tag. His mother abhorred the state he had arrived home in, lamenting how the military just wasn’t the same these days, forcing him out of his standard wear and to shave his scruff the moment he’d stepped into the home. Tynan’s father was always an impressive, put together man, and so his mother was convinced that it was the degrading state of their leadership that allowed her son to look so terrible while in their employ. The true fact was that the military didn’t give a shit what Tynan looked like, so long as he kept being useful. They already had a hold of his siblings for displaying ‘proper patriotism’, Tynan himself a far less useful example of heroism to the public.

He supposed though, that approaching someone he’d never met before in regards to their dragon, while technically off duty, his mother had a point about appearances. Couldn’t ever make a second first impression and all that as she put it. Not that fresh clothes and a clean face would hide his general weariness and poor posture.

With address in hand of where to find this rider and dragon duo, Tynan firstly did some shopping. Bringing with him a gift of expensive organ meat for the dragon was better than nothing, particularly as he hoped to examine the beast. This of course wouldn’t endear him enough to any dragon to allow that to happen, but a gift to a dragon was better than anything one could give to their rider in earning trust Tynan had learned. Only the bonded human would be able to convince the dragon to not immediately maim the doctor for trying to get close.

Knowing very little about the duo he was wanting to meet with, Tynan approached the temporary housing, speaking with the landlord out front to confirm that a particular dragon rider resided there. As he was waiting for the landlord to summon the rider, Tynan sat to rest at a low sandstone wall, his height making it a decent perch for him. He dropped the leather sack at his feet, a fair sweat on his temples and neck from hauling the heavy bundle from the butcher during the decent weather while also sporting his own satchel for notes and tonics. It would hopefully prove a worthwhile endeavor, as there would be no use for the griffin liver otherwise.

 

[pluvian_penguin]

The day had started early, with River making her way down the main road at first light. The dragon stables weren't exactly attached to temporary housing - something about safety issues - and the distance made her itch. She'd never been so far from Cobalt before, and she didn't like it.

Cobalt, as usual, had been affectionate when River showed up, nuzzling at her hands as she chuffed and rumbled. A few of the other dragons had shown some interest in Cobalt's breakfast, but River wasn't worried about any of them breaking into where Cobalt was staying. She'd been assured that the place was secure. And she knew, without any assurance, that Cobalt ould be able to handle herself if any of the other dragons did try anything.

With her brief visit done, she was back to her rooms with a hot bread roll for breakfast. She'd worn a skirt to the stables - something Cobalt had sniffed and snorted at - but she hadn't put any work into her hair except covering it with a hooded cloak. Combing and braiding it was an effort reserved for when it was light outside.

Besides, the best way to get on anyone's good side was to help them. Collecting eggs and carrying water would get her on good terms with the cook. And that was the first step to having a pleasant time anywhere.

Naturally, she'd gotten a little messy in the kitchen, through no fault of her own. A mishap with one of the maids, and her own dropped bag of flour, and she'd decided to just hang her clothes to dry and shake the flour off later. Much less effort than washing them! And she'd gotten her hands on a spare set of clothes, with the first coins she'd set aside. Changing her shirt was easy, and she tucked it into her pants, which she then tucked into her boots. She'd managed to get her hands on a courier job. Something familiar in a strange world, and she liked the idea of seeing more of this kingdom, or country, or whatever, from the back of her dragon, like she so often had at home.

River was bounding down the steps two at a time when the landlord stopped her. There was a strange glance at her appearance - shield slung over her back, a sword on her belt, pants instead of a skirt - but they apparently decided that saying something wouldn't get them anywhere. Instead they informed her that she had a visitor.

"I heard that you're named Tynan," she said curiously, folding her arms over her stomach and shifting her weight to stand on one foot. He was tall, lugging around a lot of stuff, dressed nicely enough. "And that you're looking for me. Something about a dragon."

She didn't intend to say too much until she had some idea of what he was asking about. The landlord had said very little about who was waiting for her, and that intrigued her. And made her a little wary, because who had any reason to be looking for her?

Although she'd seen those notices about enlisting for the dragonrider corps in the military. Sounded like they recruited pretty heavily from pairs who were already bonded. Even if she didn't understand any of the written words, the innkeeper had been happy to tell her wha the words meant. She'd learned the written word they used for dragon, at any rate. That seemed important to know. And a few other important things like 'illegal', 'for hire', and 'reward'. She could work on the rest later.

"If you're asking after Cobalt, she's a little nippy around strangers."

That could be something of an understatement. But Cobalt never bit a human unless River told her to. River had known the importance of that from the very beginning, and it had been the first training she'd focused on.

 

[junedingo]

There were some passerby, an older man who looked at Tynan with a furrowed scowl, which the wasting aristocrat responded to with what he thought to be charming smile. There were some women busy with carrying boxes, clearly at work and not sparing the waiting man a thought. A few others glanced at him, noting the class difference perhaps by the attire, but there was no recognition in their eyes. If his elder brother had sat in that very place though, gawking would have certainly ensued. Tynan waited, eyeing the various dragon flies as they flitted about in haphazard momentum, but the he moment he saw the rider there was no mistaking her for anyone else.

The young woman was armed, and her posture was immaculate, speaking of a strong core strength no doubt. Tynan dealt with riders on the regular, unfortunately needing them to be near for examining their dragon. It was generally unfortunate because a good number of the riders Tynan knew were. . .well frankly they were bastards. Arrogant, selfish, single minded, those were words Tynan would use to describe many of those that were military employed. Yes, some were better than others, but Tynan couldn't help being biased when his own sibling was among that group he'd rather avoid speaking to. Even so, there was no denying their aptitude for physical activity, and set shoulders and a level gaze was a good indicator of that. He saw the same in this woman, and when paired with the weapons, it was obvious he'd found the right person.

Rather that be immediately indifferent though, Tynan was struck with curiosity at their introduction. The rider had an accent the likes of which Tynan had never heard, and those armaments did not look crafted by any smith of this kingdom. He smiled, pleased and curious at the same time, though he was still a bit weary and didn't lift himself from his wall spot just yet.

"Yes, I did expect as much, its why I haven't come empty handed," he told the rider, nodding down at the heavy sack by his feet. "A meeting gift for your friend, Cobalt, you said? I'd like to see your dragon, for research purposes. I'm a medic. Would you take me to her? It shouldn't take too terribly long, I didn't mean to interrupt your. . . hm, workday." He looked at her, considering the rider in much the same manner a bluejay figured how to steal from a squirrel's stash, not quite sure what job she may have been off to do dressed like that.

 

[pluvian_penguin]

He looked at her in a strange way, in her opinion, though she did think that about a lot of people in this kingdom. He was dressed a little differently than the rest of them. A little finer, she thought. Maybe he was some kind of merchant. She'd seen many men who had made their fortune off moving food and fabric and natural materials.

River's gaze dropped to the sack, then returned to his face, even more curious now. Brought a gift for her dragon? Nobody else had done that. There was another dragonrider who'd been nice to her so far, helped her navigate the rules about keeping a dragon in the city, but that was it.

She hopped up onto the wall next to him, the soles of her boots pressed against the stone as she looked down at the sack again. All right, so maybe it was... considerate, and nice, of him to have brought something for Cobalt. But it wasn't going to immediately get him access to her dragon. Cobalt was her most precious friend, and she wasn't about to let anything happen to her. Especially not... wherever this was. They were all that each other had, now. That meant more than it ever had.

But the mention of research purposes made her frown. Research? What kind, exactly? She wasn't the most trusting person by nature, and she was fiercely protective of her best friend. Not just anyone could get near her.

"You think I'm going to just let you... poke at my dragon?" That was what medics did, as far as she could tell. First impressions were fine, as far as the man himself went. But she was, admittedly, not very open to the idea.

"What does a medic or a researcher want with my dragon? He told me she was healthy," she said with a frown, growing suspicious. Cobalt had cleared a basic health check by a city veterinarian, but River hadn't known there would be anything else. Though the veterinarian had said that it was very basic. Just seeing if Cobalt was in good condition and not carrying any obvious signs of disease. Could he have missed something?

Besides, he was looking at her like some kind of con man. Like he was trying to figure out how to make her do what he wanted. River had never been particularly fond of people who looked at her like that. Dragonriders were a rare kind of person, and most who met them, wanted to use them in some way. She'd seen this look on generals, dukes, and everyday salesmen.