< At Training >


> Xanthia and Ashelle went back to the lesson in how to oil a dragon. But
> Xanthia's movements were awkward as her hands learned this new task. She
> heard more giggles behind her, and murmurs. Xanthia did her best to ignore
> them, but one last comment stung her ears,

  Ashelle offered comfort and support to her friend.  "Don't you worry
about it, I mean, look at me!  I'm covered with oil, and water..and the
two don't mix well, you know.  Besides, it's not like our dragons are
going to sit quietly still while we do this..they think it's just a game,
and we end up having the most mess!"

> "You say she's a healer? I don't know if I'd trust her to do surgery on me,
> she might drop the scalpel!" one girl said.

  Ashelle dropped her cloth, and spun, her face a mask of anger.  She
offered a very loose hug to Xanthia, remembering how tight embraces made
her nervous.  "Wait here, Xanthia.  This one needs a lesson in humility
and respect!"

> Xanthia turned and looked and saw it was the new girl, Elissa, the one who
> hadn't believed she was joined.
> 
> ***
> 
> ** Maxima **
> 
> She couldn't take the pain her rider was feeling, the girl's comment had
> stung Xanthia to the core. Maxima looked at her rider and saw her eyes
> leaking and her lip trembling. Her hands were clenched at her sides. A
> sorrowful howl escaped from the redhead.
> 
> The sound went straight through the black hatchling. He couldn't let
> Patinari's rider hurt her Xanthia.
> 
> Flaring her wings out, Maxima charged at Elissa and the other riders who
> had been laughing at her rider. She hissed and growled at the girl angrily.

  Ashelle had to quickly step aside as Maxima charged the girl before she
herself got the chance to place one good lick in.  Oaklah started forward
as well, but was stopped by a very terse command from her rider.  << Stay
there and comfort Xanthia! >>

  But the swift landing of the Queen stopped everything, and she moved
back to her those in authority take over.  But she filed this
away...meaning to talk to Elissa later.

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[NRPG:  Sorry for so much quoting, and so little a post.  There was just
so much good stuff, I really didn't know what to do with it.  :)
Anyhoo...back to computer repair.kiss your nerves goodbye/101.  *sigh*]

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Jeanette
Ashelle/Oaklah * Whiteriver Warren