First Night {open}

[Parallel]

Listening sleepily as he dosed in and out of consciousness, Jordan heard his Brown snuffling around in the dark. Jorsk was always up early in the evening as he liked to take full advantage of every moment of the night. He yipped at Jordan, knowing his partner was just trying to evade the inevitable. Jordan groaned, rolling over. It was too soon to wake up.. His muscles were still sore from the cramped conditions on the boat that brought them here. He stretched, relishing the relief it gave his body. But Jorsk wasn't one to be so easily dissuaded. He nuzzled into Jordan, nosing at his lower back and whining pitifully just to irritate him, he knew how much Jordan hated whining! True to form Jordan rose up on his elbows giving his Wher a glowering look, Jorsk almost seeming to grin back at him.

Once dressed, fed and watered with what little provisions they had left they both set off to look for Kestrel and explore the Hold. Kestrel had said she was going to wander by herself which hadn't exactly made Jordan happy, but he knew his over protection of her had to be curbed sometimes. He was a little nervous about the fact that she wasn't there when he woke, but hopefully they would find her soon. Jorsk, walking slightly ahead of him, curled his tail around Jordan's chest and hummed a comforting note. Jordan smiled, Jorsk was always there, listening in to his thoughts and picking up on his emotions. It was comforting enough just to know that!

The road was beaten so they had no trouble reaching the centre of the Hold quite quickly. From there they searched the little alleyways and smaller routes around the place. Leaving Jorsk outside Jordan checked in taverns and inns, but no one had seen a slim girl with short brown hair anywhere. Jordan started getting worried when Jorsk heard from fire lizards that there had been a BrownRider at the market today, but whether Kestrel had been there he didn't know. Jordan didn't know what to think of dragons. He loved his Wher and had never needed to know more about dragons than that they protected the world from thread. That isn't to say he didn't respect them and their riders, he just wasn't comfortable at the thought of Kestrel bumping into one. He had heard stories of how promiscuous Weyrs were. Fear clutched him. She was young and shapely.. What if he had just taken her? Taken her away? Back to his Weyr? Did dragonmen do that? Jordan looked around wildly hoping something would be there to dispel his fear.

[Rouxy]

It was only early evening, but Rozsk was up and ready, as was the Gold's typical schedule. She wasn't happy when there were things to do and the time to do them. Only a step or so behind her in the evening's activities, Rozen finished her waking ablutions with a freshly washed face and fresh clothes. Dressed in tough hide boots, dark green breeches and a tan blouse, she carried a riding jacket slung over her shoulder to stave off the cold of between that was shortly coming up. The goldpair left their cavern living quarters with a jaunty air, glad for the upcoming trip to the Hold.

Zeek trilled a good evening to his females, twirling around before settling with a deliberate nuzzle onto Rozen's shoulder, cuddling for all he was worth into her cheek and neck. Smiling with gentle amusement at the brown's loving antics, the goldhandler reached up to fondly caress the creature before slipping a thin pair of gloves on her hands. She would be much too warm for a bit, but she'd strip off the extra clothing when she reached the Hold.

Rozsk lead the way out of the caverns, her sense alert to the nearby jungle edge. Too many felines hunted near the Weyr at night for the Gold to be unwary with Hers so close. She kept her tail just barely brushing against Rozen's leg as the goldpair moved for the cliff edge. They reached the launch point in a short walk, and Rozen reached over to adjust the much smaller and lighter straps she used in place of the similar dragon riding straps. More of a saddle, it strapped high around the wher's shoulders and in front of her wings. Stepping up on the offered foreleg, the goldhandler settled herself into place, and with a few deft movements was strapped securely into place, the wher-hide jacket now on. In another moment, the goldpair had run the few steps to the cliff edge and launched free of the ground, the gold's unusually wide wings snapping wide into a practiced glide. The pair blinked between without further hesitation and reappeared over Silver Cove Hold.

Spiraling the rest of the way down in a shallow glide, the pair safely landed just outside the Hold, hailing the watchdragon with the customary greeting. The Hold had recently received a small shipment of weapons for the Nightwatch, and it was something Rozsk could carry herself, so to save everyone the hassle of sending by boat, the pair had elected to pick it up themselves. Zeek was still wrapped lightly but securely around Rozen's shoulder and neck, and he chirruped a greeting at a passing firelizard. An image of something big and brown flashed through Rozen's mind, and she paused in her dismount, puzzled as she stripped off the jacket and gloves, tucking the latter into her belt, the jacket laid over Rozsk's shoulders. "That's not the Hold's wher..." she muttered, glancing askance at Zeek who was warbling to himself. Curious as to why there was an unknown handler in the vicinity, the goldpair walked together down the Hold's streets towards the main Hall.

[Parallel]

Jorsk was sitting outside yet another inn while His was asking questions inside. He was watching all around him, his keen eyes glowing bright. His was troubled, he knew, which made him troubled. The Wher could never help automatically feeling the same as is bonded, but more often than not if there was a problem he would be the one to solve it. The problem now was their missing companion. And he felt he had to fix that. He wanted to run in search of Jordan's friend for he himself had grown very close to her too. He wanted to run until he could sense her, smell her in the air. That would bring relief to His.
But Jorsk's thick muscles had tensed in anticipation at the thought running. Distracted for a moment he began to think of bounding and leaping. He loved running, so very much. Just as he was working up the bubbling energy to spring for a quick jaunt around the street Jordan appeared in the doorway. "No sign of her here either", he sighed, "Where on earth did she go?". Jorsk was immediately at his side, resting his head against Jordan's shoulder. His fleeting excitement vanished as he felt waves of confusion, fear and guilt from his partner.

They continued on, Jordan relentlessly pounding the ground with his footsteps, Jorsk striding at his side. Resting his hand in the great brown's shoulder while they walked. Jordan's head was down, there was no point in even trying to look ahead, his vision was useless. Instead he let Jorsk's images of the world permeate his mind. Jorsk was watching everywhere, constantly swaying his head this way and that. They weren't going to quit this soon Jordan thought to himself, she had to be somewhere. A gust of wind blew against them and Jorsk let out a growl which quickly gave way to a strange whine Jordan hadn't heard before. He looked questioningly at the wher who had stopped mid stride. Jorsk's emotions felt riled, as if he'd come across something strange, dangerous, beautiful? Jordan's brow was furrowed in a very confused frown when he asked, " What's gotten into you Jorsk? Beautiful and dangerous??". The Wher turned and looked his partner in the eyes. He had caught a scent on the wind. The scent of a Queen.

[Rouxy]

The Main Hall was brightly lit for the evening meal, and the voices within were jovial as the goldpair made the familiar trek into the Hold. Rozsk lifted her large head to the night air and took a deep breath, scenting the air for the brown the small one had shown her. Interest colored her thoughts as she followed Hers up the stairs, pausing as Rozen did before the entrance with a backwards glance at the gold. "Stay here love, see if you can smell out that other wher. Might be interested in coming with us." The gold gave an agreeable snort, always willing to find more males. She opened and closed her large wings with a smart snap, startling a nearby holder into ducking within the Hall.

Snorting in brief amusement, Rozsk's whirling eyes took in the few people around, most of which at least seemed to show the most basic respect for a queen. She strolled around the Hall, her tailtip flicking with slight annoyance that the wind wasn't carrying any scent to her other than that of the two-legs, and their foodsmells. She began pacing down the street, the area bright to her night vision.

Inside, Rozen was greeted cordially by the holders, and directed to the shipment, Zeek fluttering overhead. A drudge lifted the package while a second offered her a small basket of food in offering to her and her wher. Taking the basket with thanks and heading for the Hall's entrance, the goldhandler peered around for her bonded, but Rozsk was nowhere to be seen. Reaching for the creature's mind, the goldhandler received curiosity. Rozsk was actively searching the narrow streets, her tail lashing like a feline on the prowl. Her emotions were playful, and it would be obvious to any wher that her actions meant she was play-stalking, though more than one two-legs made frightened noises as she passed on the hunt with a low growl and bared fangs, ignoring them.

Rozen chuckled at her mind mate, and gestured for the drudge to set the package down. "We appreciate the assistance, but you can set that down now and go back to your dinner. Tell your lord Holder Rozsk and I will both enjoy the food he has prepared for us." With a nod the man did as asked, and returned within. Zeek trilled a goodbye before turning his attention to the basket. Something good to eat? He landed back on her shoulder, then slide down Rozen's arm and practically dove within the basket, rummaging with delight. He was all too shortly stuffing himself with roasted fish.

[Parallel]

Jordan was stunned. At first he was tempted to disregard Jorsk's conclusion, but he thought better of it, knowing his brown would not be wrong in a matter like this. This news got Jordan thinking. So there must be a wherhold here? Or at least q place where several whers could live. A gold would not be on her own, he reasoned, she would have whers to lead. This made him very excited indeed. Jorsk was humming his excitement deeply, though for different reasons Jordan was sure. He laughed. Jorsk wanted a mate! And a gold at that! His partner sure had high hopes for himself. Choosing to ignore his bonded's mirth, Jorsk crouched low to the ground. Recognising the pose Jordan shouted, "Oh no you don't!". But too late. Jorsk had sprung into the air, flaired his wings and snarled with delight. Landing heavily, but surely, he began to stalk the Hold. Only slightly put out by the wher, Jordan had to remember that his brown had never encountered what he considered an "eligible" female before. He had met greens, but they had been watch-whers and hadn't interested him much. But apparently a gold could strike his fancy! Typical , he thought, still smiling. Feeling the surges of excitement and nervousness from Jorsk couldn't possibly do anything but lift his spirits. His wher was rarely nervous, such a confident creature on a normal basis, and to feel his cautious, almost wary side come to the fore was very amusing for Jordan. He followed Jorsk's chosen path at a leisurely pace, still keeping an eye out for his companion. He wondered perhaps if the gold's partner might know something about Kestrel. Maybe there was a Weyr close by? If she could help it would be very good fortune indeed.

Jorsk was thoroughly enjoying himself. He had frightened several fire lizards off their perches with his trilling greetings at passersby. Though the majority of them had swiftly tried to avoid the oncoming wher Jorsk didn't mind. He was on the hunt. He had never seen a queen before. He felt his bonded's amusement at that and many other things, but he wasn't foci=using too much on him. He knew His was safe somewhere behind him and that gave him the freedom to pursue this gold. He prowled down the narrower alleyways, his eyes ever watchful, his muzzle low to the ground and his mind open to the occasional fire lizard he met along the way. A chirrup greeting caught his attention. Lifting his head, eyes swirling, he looked around, confused. He turned to see another wher sitting happily beside a few scraps of meat. Jorsk had been so focused on following the queen's scent that he hadn't even noticed this watch-wher! The brown chirruped again. Cerulesk. He cocked his head curiously at Jorsk, who sent him a mental image of His as an explanation. He then asked about the gold, growling and whining by way of describing his feelings so that Cerulesk would understand he meant a gold and not just a female. The watch-wher excitedly sent him an image of a great gold deftly navigating the streets. Cerulesk knew her and had smelled her near where they were now not too long ago. He seemed very happy to help. Jorsk yipped his appreciation, his eyes glowing and swirling once more, he strode in the direction Cerulesk had suggested.

Not long after leaving the watch-wher Jorsk turned a cornerand in the street next to his he saw her. A beautiful gleaming gold. Her neck arched, her body flowed with such grace as she walked and she seemed to glow in the dim light. A little unsure of what to do he reached for His.

Jordan felt Jorsk's nervous request for help and his startled happiness at having found her. Jordan wasn't very far from his partner, but he knew that the gold would notice Jorsk very soon. He picked up his pace at the same time sending reassuring thoughts to his wher.

Before he knew it Jorsk had let instinct take over and had barked a greeting to the queen. Very nearby Jordan blanched inwardly, why hadn't he waited for him?

[Rouxy]

Rozsk passed down a side-road with her senses alert, her tail proudly arched so it carefully stayed a hand-span away from the ground rather than drag in the dust. Her wings rode half-open, slight breezes ruffling them like sails as she remained prepared for fast movement. The humans were fewer as it grew into the true darkness of night, so the gold was fairly alone in her pursuit. Her mind was semi-closed, not wanting her presence felt immediately when she finally found her quarry. What was the fun if he knew where she was so easily? She moved onto a much larger main road, and padded down close to one of the buildings, attempting to use the dwelling's residual daytime heat to hide her own from her quarry. Back with Rozen, Zeek darted his head out of the basket, a fish in his small claws that he worked at enthusiastically. A whiff of thought from Hisgold had him pausing though. What male? He smelled no male. That was Hisgold! Trilling, he slipped from the basket, fish still clasped in his forehands as he darted between to her location. Rozen gave a slight sigh, but the small smile on her face belied the somewhat frustrated noise.

As Zeek appeared overhead, Rozsk whuffed a brief, distracted greeting, and was thus caught off guard when the much sought after male barked his greeting. Whirling in place, the gold raised her hackles, bristling that she'd be caught rather than the catcher. After a moment of stillness though, she slid out of her aggressive position with the fluidity of a serpent and chirped a brief acknowledgment, flaring her wings momentarily as she awaited greeting. Perhaps on another night they'd try another round of hunt and catch, but for now, her curiosity won out as she reached out in question to the brown.

Zeek, seeing the male who posed a threat to his own position and taking Rozsk's initial aggressive reaction to heart, mantled in front of the much larger brown and all but shrieked as he fluttered on air well out of reach. This was Hisgold, and he would protect her! No dirty ground-running smallwings was gonna touch her! He fluttered and whirled, an attempt at distraction that would have been much more effective were his colors bright instead of dull.

Rozen moved when she heard the double shriek, both within her head and without, the small brown's anger a pulsing in her mind and the delivery all but forgotten on the ground behind. She should have known he'd react that way with Rozsk showing interest in another wher. Jogging towards the source of the conflict, the goldhandler hoped to arrive in time to silence the flitter. Whers, certainly whers faced with a gold to puff up their need to show off, were highly unlikely to tolerate the amount of verbal abuse a firelizard could spew when inspired, and she had no idea how this unknown brown would take it. Rozsk could and likely would command him to stillness, but there was no need to upset all three creatures when merely getting Zeek to leave off would make everyone that much more relaxed.

[Parallel]

Jorsk's initial thrill at finding the gold before she found him was somewhat tainted when a small brown flit had begun screeching above him. Jorsk was now inwardly bristling at this behaviour, he really didn't want this brown to ruin his first impression with the queen. He knew that reacting badly at this moment would be a dreadful indicator of what kind of wher he was, so he shook himself mentally and let his day to day calm, logical view of the world perforate his impulsive feelings.

Clearly this flitter was somehow associated with the gold, why else would it have become so enraged when another male appeared? He didn't want the flitter to agitate the scene further but out of respect for the connection with the gold he didn't want to hurt it either. He knew well that another wher, perhaps a bronze, would've made a song and dance about proving himself against a fire lizard with growls and snarls and flared wings to impress his audience, but Jorsk wasn't raised that way. He had been taught to wait and watch before acting, this was what helped His the most.

Warm feelings for for his bonded were flowing through him when he felt the gold's inquisitive probing. He was pleased at this as he had been worried when she had first growled and spread her wings. Jorsk, ever observant, had noted her lithe frame and how her wings were larger than any he'd ever seen. Directing his thoughts out towards her he shared his excitement at their meeting. He made sure to curb that with due respect while he pushed his chest out and stood firmly, strongly, on the ground. He was proud or his well muscled flanks, his hind legs especially. He wanted her to see how perfectly formed he was for running and leaping.

The flitter was still fussing above him, swooping and diving in a display of agitation. Jorsk was now thinking a little more clearly. He didn't want to upset the tiny beast further, it might irk the queen, so he did the only thing he could. He looked up, stepping towards the weaving flit and calmly, but loudly, huffed alot of hot air towards it. He followed this up with a strong mental impression. Using every bit of his mental strength he firmly showed the flit that he was dominant as he was larger and in control but that he was no threat. He did all of this with an assertive air as opposed to arrogant. In truth he really just wanted to calm the little thing as he was eager to get closer to the queen. As wher's went Jorsk had very limited contact with fire lizards, Jordan never having impressed one.

Stumbling through the streets Jordan felt Jorsk's momentary anger rise and he sped up. Skidding to a stop a few feet away from the scene. Jorsk had found a very pretty gold indeed but he now seemed to be in the process of trying to deftly put a flighty fire lizard in it's place. Jordan stood in wonder at his wher, who hadn't yet noticed his arrival, at how he was neither flustered nor agitated, that he was just trying to diplomatically and swiftly sort the situation out. Trust Jorsk to steer away from needless violence. He was grateful that he never had to worry about his bonded getting into fights, Jorsk only displayed his more ferocious side when the need was absolute, and if not then he generally tried to handle everything in a more appropriate manner. He was the perfect balance for Jordan. But that''s not to say the wher wasn't passionate or prone to the instinctual reactions of every species, he was just of a more solid nature and could override his aggression easier. Watching him now, staring down the brown fire lizard Jordan felt overwhelming pride in his partner. He wanted to rush over and stand by his bonded's side but he held back. Peering around he checked for any sign of the gold's handler.