Day 3 T'rell's Office

Alexis smiled inwardly glad he wasn't in T'rell's shoes.  It took a lot
of hard work and headaches to run a wing of any kind and he didn't envy
the man his job.  The man seemed extremely competent though and Lexi
felt at ease with him and hoped that this was a good sign for the
future. He noticed that T'rell kept eyeing his hammer and Lexi wasn't
surprised when he asked the usual question about it.

<Snip from John>
"That's a big hammer you've got hooked onto your belt," T'rell
observed.   "Do you fight with it, or are you a blacksmith in your spare
time?"

"Both," Alexis answered.  "One leads to the other, you might say."
<End>

If he only knew, Alexis thought as he looked at the other man.  From the
time he was a young boy he had always been bigger than the rest but was
never the bully type full of bluff and bluster. So he had always been
challenged to prove his worth. There had been hours of practice with all
his weapons until he could use them with pinpoint accuracy on and off
Samson.  This single-minded dedication had served him well and saved
more than one life on and off his dragon. This along with his work on
the forge had given him phenomenal strength in his arms far beyond the
normal. He had been called a bit of a risk taker by his last Wingleader
mainly because of some of his crazy maneuvers, but it had served him
well and Lexi felt that taking risks once in awhile only made him a
better person. It bothered him to see people sit stagnant not willing to
allow themselves to grow.

[LEXI!] Samson shouted in his head. [Panda is alone with
that...that...woman chaser!] Samson said frantically as he landed near
his rider.

*She's a big girl and can take care of herself*  the big man answered as
he swung easily into the saddle.

[It's amazing that I worry about her more than you do and she is after
all *your* clutchmate.]

*Samson we will argue about Pandora later right now we have business to
attend to* Lexi answered firmly. Then softening his tone added, "Maybe
after the boss puts us to the test maybe Flerrion would be up for a gag
of tag!*

[Bribing me isn't going to work!] Samson snorted at his rider [But a
game of tag would be fun!]

The two dragons launched skyward.

<snip from John>
*I want to see how well Samson and his rider do in the air...so we're
going to put them through their paces and see how they fly.  Nothing too
strenuous, I just want to be sure he's not the type to fall off his
dragon at the first sharp maneuver."

     <Oh...okay,> Flerrion said.

T'rell turned back to the other rider and dragon, who were following
just behind. *Okay, follow us!* he said, as he had Flerrion snap over
into a barrel roll.
<end>

*Ok Big Guy! The boss wants us to play follow the leader.  Let's show
him we can hang with the best!* Lexi chuckled as Samson followed
Flerrion into the roll.

Samson shadowed Flerrion's movements precisely. No words were needed as
the riders and their dragons became one.  Nodding with approval T'rell
performed several more maneuvers increasing the difficulty each time.
Finally slowing so the two riders were abreast T'rell said, "I must
admit I am impressed. Samson is quite agile for his size."

[Yeah, just call me twinkle toes!] Samson chuckled happily.  He loved
drilling and flying maneuvers as much as Lexi did. Having the same
dedication in perfecting his skills as his rider, the two made an
excellent team.

[Do you think the new Boss is up to a game of tag yet?] Samson asked a
slightly excited at the prospect.

*Tag, really isn't for everybody Samson*

[I like Flerrion, I've been talking to him and I think he can do it!]

*Ask him!*

A minute later T'rell looked over at Lexi, "Tag!" he questioned.

Alexis laughed, "Well T'rell it's really a game for the dragons. The
object of the game is to keep your rider from being tagged. It's usually
gentle but sometimes they get a bit carried away and it can sting a
little."  Out of the corner of his eye Lexi saw Flerrion's tail begin to
curl. Knowing what was coming the big man grinned, "T'rell, my advice is
to give him his head, make sure your straps are tight and......."

Flerrion's tail slapped against the back of Lexi's leather vest with a
loud WHAP!  Flerrion, chuckling rolled rapidly to the right with Samson
in hot pursuit.  The words "hang on" floated after the Wingleader.

For the next half-hour the two large red dragons amid much laughter and
playful heckling chased each other across the sky as they "tagged" each
other's rider.  Every so often an 'ouch' was heard from the men.

A small crowd from the village had gathered to watch the aerial acrobats
of the Crimson Duo.  Both dragons were pretty evenly matched and their
playful roars brought cheers from the crowd below.  Soon the crowd waved
goodbye as the dragons slowed and started heading back towards the
warren.

"Just a minute T'rell," Lexi said as Samson turned back.

T'rell started to say something but smiled when he saw the new rider's
destination.  Several children had gathered around a large apple tree
and were unsuccessfully trying to reach the lower branches.  The
Wingleader was surprised when Lexi didn't land to help but instead had
Samson fly in tight circles over the tree.  Then the large dragon seemed
to stop almost in mid air as he pulled himself upright.  Tucking in his
wings slightly to control his descent and Samson slowly lowered himself
towards the top of the tree.

The Wingleader watched with sharp interest as Alexis uncoiled the large
whip that he had attached to his saddle. A loud crack filled the air as
the whip lashed out neatly coiling around a large branch loaded with the
big shiny apples. A few tugs with the whip were all that was needed to
send the ripened fruit cascading to the ground.  Squeals of delight were
heard as the children ran happily about picking up their prizes.  With
another flip of the wrist the whip uncoiled as the dragon lifted upward.

T'rell was amazed at the ease of the maneuver and his mind began to work
as he watched the big man and his dragon.

[Lexi are we gonna take some to Panda?]

*You bet Big Guy!*

[Yummy! Apple pie!]

The red dragon leveled out taking one more turn around the tree. The
whip cracked once again grabbing one of the highest limbs, only this
time the flip of the wrist caused the branch to snap off and Lexi reeled
it in as one would a fish.  As Samson came abreast of Flerrion Lexi was
picking the apples off the limb dropping them into a pouch he carried.
Noticing the wing leader's bemused expression Lexi grinned, "Apple pie,
Panda makes the best!" Which elicited a chuckle of agreement from his
dragon.

Tossing a juicy apple to his new Wingleader Lexi added, "I guess we'd
best get back!"

After landing the two men talked a bit and Lexi said that knowing his
sister there would be pie by morning. He mentioned to the Wingleader
that if he wan't too busy to come by for a piece and a cup of coffee.
The two men parted and Alexis headed across the green.  He noticed
Marialla walking through the buildings and hurried to catch up.  He went
around the opposite side because he figured that way she had acted
towards him she would probably run if she saw him coming.

Stepping out in front of her she stopped dead her eyes widened in
surprise then they grew fearful.  Groaning inwardly at her reaction, the
big man smiled gently and reached into his pouch.  Pulling out a huge
apple he held it out to her. "A peace offering M'lady!"

Mari stepped back slightly at the outstretched hand.  Alexis noticed her
hesitation, "Please!" he entreated gently.  The young woman smiled
slightly finally taking the offered fruit.

"It looks delicious!" she answered hesitantly. "Thank you!"

"Marialla, Mari," Lexi said pensively, thinking how beautiful she was.
Resisting the urge to caress her cheek he said, "I'm not sure why but
for some reason I seem to make you very uncomfortable. I am sorry if I
have upset you in anyway. I really didn't mean to. In fact I
hoped.......well it doesn't really matter." Sighing sadly he added, "I
don't know why but it's obvious that you are afraid of me.  I would
never hurt you in any way and I would gladly kill any man that did such
a thing, to any woman." A frown crossed his face as he thought *And I
almost did just that, to my own stepfather.*  Smiling gently, "I just
wanted you to know that I won't bother you anymore."  The smile spread
into a grin as he chuckled. "I do have to admit though, it's pretty hard
on a guys ego to have one of the most beautiful women he's ever seen
cringe every time he gets within ten feet of her."

Mari couldn't help but smile a little at the large man's confession.

"Well anyway as I said I won't be bothering you anymore!" Lexi's eyes
were sad and his shoulders slumped a little as he walked away.  Passing
by the Med Center he heard someone say, "You must be Alexis, Pandora's
brother!" When Lexi looked at him the young man grinned, "Oh yes
definitely, you two do look alike that's for sure.

"Hi, I'm Jason!" the young man said extending his good hand. Lexi smiled
taking his hand and nodding, "Yeah, I am Pandora's brother."  Lexi's
eyes narrowed, "Jason, ah yes, I heard about you!  Took some guts to do
what you did.  How's your dragon doing? I heard you were both injured
pretty bad."

{Tag: Michael}

"There you are! I was wondering if you were back!" Pandora said smiling
at the two men, Olaf trailing not too far behind.

"You mean you didn't know, the way Samson was grumbling I figured he
find you for sure as soon as we got back," the big man chuckled.

"Samson?" Jason said raising his eyebrow.

"My dragon," Lexi said, still chuckling, "He is Pandora's self-appointed
protector. As far as the Big Guy is concerned there isn't a man alive
good enough for his Panda!"

[I heard that!] came a snort.

"And what does Pandora say about that?" Jason said his grin flashing a
challenge to the young woman.

Pandora's eyes widened, her cheeks flushed as she dropped her head
trying hard not to grin at the young man.  When she looked up her blue
eyes sparkled.

Lexi seeing the exchange almost laughed. "Listen you two!" He said
putting his hands on both his sister's and Jason's shoulder's. "I'm
starving! How about if we head to the dining hall and see if we can
rustle up some grub.  It'd give us a chance to get better acquainted."
Almost pushing the two people forward he noticed Olaf was still standing
there, a look of bewilderment on his face. "Well Olaf, you hungry too."

Olaf's face brightened as he nodded rapidly.  Lexi laughed at the Big
Man's enthusiasm saying "Come on then!"

NRPG: John/Michael - I hope I did T'rell and Jaosn ok. :)

Submitted by,
Alexis/Samson/Pandora
aka
aka
Tree Deutscher
treedr@yelmtel.com

"Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons - you are crunchy and taste
good with ketchup!"