There are 3 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. [USS Capricorn] Above the Law
From: "Tree Deutscher" <treedr@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
2. [DL-C] Just for Fun - JP
From: "Arlene" <wondermom@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
3. [DL-W] Recovery and Mating
From: Allen Veazey <veazeyae@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 1
Date: Tue, 4 Oct 2005 12:34:36 -0700
From: "Tree Deutscher" <treedr@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [USS Capricorn] Above the Law
MD :4 - 5
<Snippets>
"I be fine, Cap'ain." She weakly smiled. "SFIA...tha's who did 'ere."
"Now, why would the mutated members of your society attack you?
How did SFIA even know anything about this planet?"
"I do not know, but I do know now that we know it was Starfleet, you
MUST help us."
<End>
The accusations whirled through her mind and Montana's eyes narrowed.
She had been correct in her thinking that the Doctor really was more
then a Medical Officer. For her to blame something like this on the
SFIA, or even know enough about them to lay blame in that direction
confirmed the XO's earlier suspicions. If Mairen Hywell was the squeaky
clean lab darling her personnel file reflected then the woman wouldn't
even have the slightest inkling of something as dark and sinister as
the Agency. Once they got back to the ****p she would definitely have to
do a little more research on the family.
Unfortunately, Montana knew that unscrupulous scientists throughout the
galaxy had been doing genetic research for centuries, and sad to say
that included her own species. If SFIA was really involved in this and
on a global scale and that was a big if, they were all in deep ****.
She had been offered a position years ago and had turned it down not
even realizing until later just what she had been 'really' offered. She
didn't like the Agency before and liked it even less now. No individual
or group should ever become so powerful that they are above the law.
No, she couldn't believe this was SFIA, for one they didn't ever leave
evidence of any sort, nor did they leave witnesses.
With one ear still to the conversation before her Montana slightly
stepped away tapping her com badge,. Her voice was a low whisper,
"Phillips to Lt. Fontaine."
"Fontaine here!" came the soft tinny reply.
"Harry, I want you to scan the ****p for......"
[..]
A stab of intense irritation swelled from with in at Marquis's words as
the XO stepped back to the inner circle. How dare this stranger accuse
Starfleet of anything. The man, if that's what he really was, was a
menace and the fact that Avi was even considering letting him and his
people on the ****p with such little information was complete lunacy. If
the Marquis knew about the mutations why hadn't he done anything to
stop it or at least tried to get some help? Why didn't he warn them
when they first arrived and why did he knowingly leave her people to be
slaughtered? And how did Lt. Istria Talara fit into this whole thing?
The way she was staring at the Marquis set off alarm bells. Tidbits
from the file of the original cave in came to mind. The lieutenant was
the only one to survive, strange coincidence to be sure considering the
recent turn of events.
***"Commander Phillips, please lead us back to the shuttlecraft. "***
Snapping out of her reverie the tall redhead straightened, "Aye Sir!"
She answered with a crisp nod.
[..]
In a small clearing the First Officer supervised the beam out while the
others caught up. A feeling that they were being watched crept up and
down her spine. 'She' was here, of that Montana had no doubt. But where
was she? It was still a puzzle as to how she even got on this
particular planet in the first place. Emerald eyes scanned the dense
foliage then moved to the trees as the sound of the trans****ter beams
hummed time and again. With the inhabitants and three away teams, it
would take a few minutes to get them all aboard.
<Snip>
"That was your biggest mistake, Marquis. You didn't realize what you
had at your fingertips. We're invulnerable. We're immortal! We're
INVINCIBLE! I could walk right up to this captain right now, rip his
head off his body and there isn't a thing his crew could do about it."
***
<End>
Montana bristled instinctively moving closer to Avi, with the ancient
weapon still in her one hand the phaser rifle that had been slung over
her shoulder now appeared in the other. That was all it took for Ury
and his team to tighten the circle around the Star****p Commander. The
lanky redhead eyed the area mentally gauging her distance to the woman.
She didn't believe in true immortality, it was true she had seen some
pretty weird stuff over the years, beings 'dying' then coming back to
life. Even a human or two could make that miraculous claim, but
everything died eventually, one way or another. Of course there were
ways to speed that up and dismemberment was the first thing that came
to mind.
**** "I will find a way to get up to that ****p you've levitated, and
then get off this god forsaken place!"
***"You're crazy!" Ury uttered.***
Ury's words were like an unspoken order and Montana caught his eye as
the movements of his people were so slight that Avi was even 'more
surrounded' then he realized as they waited for trans****t. Montana and
Ury both would have liked nothing better then to get the Captain off
the surface but Avi kept shaking his head waving them off wanting his
people off first, until his First Officer would have gladly strangled
him.
She didn't trust Marquis for a second and gazed intently at Avi
scrutinizing ever little line in his face. Was he under the effect of
the Marquis's odd power? As far the tall woman was concerned the man
was a murderer, whether directly or indirectly he responsible for the
deaths of several crewman. He knew the creatures were on the planet, he
also knew what they were capable of. He had willingly let her send
Martin and Lewis to their deaths, for that, he would pay. Another
question that nagged at her, was why had only a ****tion of his people
been affected by this weird mutation? Or was it all a lie and these
creatures weren't actually what he was claiming?
The trans****t continued as the woman continued to rant. Even with the
lamps and the bright light of the trans****ter beam illuminating the
area the long shadows were thick cloaking them in a strange darkness.
The creatures were near, she could smell their disgusting odor but she
could also now smell the tainted scent of blood on the light breeze
that had sprung up, and wondered if the others could smell it too?
Sybil's eyes reflected insanity, wisps of her hair flew wildly around
her head making the woman look like some crazed apparition. Montana
knew at this point one word from the out of control woman could start a
battle that could get them all killed.
The senior officers along with Marquis and J'sse still holding the
doctor were the last to trans****t and Montana held her breath knowing
that these last few seconds would be an eternity.
The reassuring hum began and *Good riddance* was the thought on
Montana's mind as she watched the baranting banshee though the
glittering haze of the trans****ter beam
No one paid attention to the little black streak that leapt from the
brush to land lightly between the Engineers feet as the last of the
group disappeared from the planets surface.
[..] On board the ****p
<Snip>
"Chief, would you please show Marquis to the guest level with the rest
of his people."
"Aye, sir."
"Marquis, if you need anything, please let me know."
<End>
*Guest Quarters!!!!* Montana's mind shouted inwardly. Had Avi lost his
mind? Marquis and his people needed to be under lock and key. Montana
gritted her teeth as the man gave her a knowing smile and nod as he
followed the Chief out. Catching Ury's eye she hung back as Avi exited
the trans****ter room. Crossing her arms she gazed at the other redhead
with one of those looks he knew all too well.
"Commander?" Ury questioned with a raised brow.
"I want a perimeter set up around that area, complete medical workups
on all of them starting with Marquis. Last thing we need is one of them
mutating on the ****p. Nobody comes or goes without me knowing about it!
If the Marquis or any of his people breathe wrong....."
She didn't have to finish her sentence as the Security Chief nodded in
agreement. That's what she liked about the man, they thought alike on
many things, especially proper security protocols, to which their
Captain flouted constantly. They had joked on several occasions as to
who the greater threat to their Captain was, his known enemies or Avi
himself.
NRPG: No real tags just catching up and Petra's take on this is coming
soon.
Respectfully submitted by,
Tree Deutscher
AKA
Commander Montana Phillips, First Officer
***Summary***
MD 5:
Montana ponders the situation on the planet then oversees the
trans****ting of the inhabitants and crew.
Fearing for their Captains safety the crew keeps a tight circle around
him as Sybil tants.
Finally the last group of officers along with Marquis beam aboard not
realizing they have a hitchhiker.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 2
Date: Tue, 4 Oct 2005 19:04:34 -0400
From: "Arlene" <wondermom@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-C] Just for Fun - JP
Day 5
Afternoon
Calylin stood on the green of Cleft watching a pair of dragons taking
off to go on patrol. Her gaze wandered across the green to a group of
Nomads; refugees from the desert. So many things had happened over the
past few days and the warren was teaming with activity. Caly glanced
down at her arm and sighed. Though it felt stronger it was still in a
sling. The healers had done an amazing job of helping the healing
process along. Andorra had also helped to speed along the healing of
the arm. Caly had been deeply impressed with the nomad woman and the
two had formed quite a rap****t in the few hours they spent together.
They had finally given Caly the word that she could go about things as
normal; just no adventuring and continued rest.
Calylin had spent the morning visiting Cynthia and the new babies.
Cynthia was very happy to have Calylin there after the tense arguments
that had happened before she'd arrived. Caly did her best to cheer up
the WarrenLady and enjoyed playing with the twins. She left shortly
before lunch and went on a short ride just after lunch.
Back on the green Ale'Bela had gone off to do some hunting and Calylin
was left alone. She turned, thinking to seek out Eth'n and see what he
was up to when a young rider caught her eye. Erik was just returning
from his own patrol when the newest jr. queenrider decided it was time
to get to know this particular rider better.
Erik and Caly had shared a meal a few times, their conversations always
flirtatious and easy. Erik was two years older than Caly and had a
boyish charm that warmed her. He was also adorably cute, which never
hurt. Caly grinned as she walked up behind Erik and tapped him on the
opposite shoulder of the side of him she moved to, causing the young
man to spin in a circle.
"Hey Erik," she playfully greeted him.
"Caly!" Erik laughed a bit self-consciously. "Hehehe, cute." He
looked down at his dusty clothing and wondered what he must look like.
It had been a hot day, and he was parched. "I was just heading to the
dining hall to grab something to drink... care to join me?"
She nodded and linked her good arm with his. "Sure. I could use
something to drink." With that they headed off to the dining hall.
Erik grinned as he saw the jealous looks he got from several of the
other young men as he escorted the pretty, petite jr. queenrider. He
settled her into a seat at a table with, "What can I get for you?"
"Water would be fine. I'm mostly here for the company." Caly grinned
at Erik and then let her gaze wander around the dining hall as she
waited for him to return. There were not many people about as the
lunch rush was past. She smiled and nodded to various riders and a few
nomads before turning her attention back to Erik as he returned with
the drinks.
He put the mug of water down in front of Caly as he slid into the chair
next to the young woman. His own mug had the weak ale that was favored
by many of the non-nomad riders. He took a long swig, then swiped the
back of his hand across his mouth, "Ahhh! Just what I needed." He
grinned at Caly who smiled back. "So... how's that arm, today?"
"Much better! I don't have healers constantly peering at me anymore.
It'll be another week or so before I am completely back to normal. I am
finding new and inventive ways to do thing in the mean time." She
winked at him and took a sip of her water. "How was patrol?"
"Hot and LONG." Erik snorted. "Not too exciting. You know... I
haven't seen a wraith in ... ages! Wonder where they're hiding? Ever
since we defeated that group of wraith-queens.... Ah, but you wouldn't
know about that, would you!"
Caly grinned and shook her head. "Na nothing. I think if I even
mentioned wanting to do something dangerous certain people would have
my head." She laughed. "No instead I am spending my time getting to
know people better and all. Like a good warren lady should do." She
grinned at him a twinkle in her eyes.
"Warren lady?" Erik raised an eyebrow but said teasingly, "Have high
aspirations, do you? Want a warren of your own?"
"Someday I am sure. Don't tell Cynthia!" She giggled. "Besides as a
junior that's what you are supposed to be learning."
"Ah! Right... And here I thought it was so you could do all the
paperwork so Cynthia could play," Erik grinned at her.
"I get to play too! It's all part of the learning process." She grinned
at him. "Speaking of playing, you were going to show me that nomad
sculpture back in your apartment weren't you? I didn't want you to
forget about me!" She pouted playfully at him.
Erik's eyes lit up and he quaffed the remaining ale in his mug,
"Anytime... like... how about now?"
Caly nodded with a grin. "Now would be perfect." She drank the rest of
her water and then stood. She offered him her mug and soon they were
headed back to his apartment.
Erik lived fairly high on the cliff face, which gave his apartment a
nice view of the sluggish, meandering river below, and offered
additional privacy of being out of the general hubbub of the comings
and goings of the myriad of dragons that were constantly in motion in
the warren.
Rolph landed on the ledge of his rider's apartment. Erik slid down and
raised his hand to help the junior queenrider off, and was startled as
she vaulted down Rolph's side to land with a soft thud next to him.
Caly laughed at Erik's expression and leaned up to brush a kiss on his
lips. "It's just my arm that's hurt. The rest of me works just fine."
With that she started into his apartment.
Erik scrambled after her, grinning widely. "Welcome to my home! Grand,
isn't it?" His gesture encompassed the entire contents of the small
two-room apartment. "Oh, and here... this is the statue, the one I got
from that nomad woman after... well, anyway, not sure what it is
exactly, looks almost like a pregnant woman squatting if you look at it
this way, but if you turn it over like that, it could be a bird... or
something? Anyway, it's really... odd... isn't it? And the funny
thing I've learned since getting this, that Nomads don't really keep
statues -- or art that isn't functional. So, what do you think?"
Caly peered at the statue. "So what does it do then?" She looked up at
him expectantly.
"Umm, well..." He blushed slightly, "The nomad girl said it was
for...uh..."
Caly giggled. "For what?"
He mumbled, "Lasting longer."
Caly looked back at the statue and reached out to stroke it gently for
a moment. "So does it work?" she asked.
"Uh... haven't had a chance to try it out since getting it." Erik
blushed a deeper shade.
Caly turned and grinned at him. "Really? I would think many of the
young women in the warren would have wanted to help you test it." Her
eyes sparkled teasingly at him.
Erik laughed, "You would, would you? Hmm..." He peered out toward his
dragon's ledge, "I don't see anyone lining up."
"Well..." Caly sighed dramatically and turned to Erik. "I guess it's my
duty as jr. queenrider to make sure you get to test it out. For the
safety of the other women and all." She nodded seriously, though there
was still a deep twinkle in her eyes.
He looked at Caly to see if she were just teasing. "Uh, sure...
umm...but should it wait until after your arm heals?"
Caly shrugged and then pressed herself to Erik. "I am sure you can be
gentle." She pressed a tempting kiss to his lips.
Erik was surprised. He'd always enjoyed an easy flirting with Caly,
but this conversation had definitely taken a step beyond and he wasn't
sure where it was heading. He'd probably kick himself later, but
rather than deepen the kiss that was offered, he pushed her back from
him and looked questioningly into her eyes, "Is everything alright,
Caly?"
She raised an eyebrow to him. "Of course." She couldn't hide the
surprise she felt at his questioning her intentions. "Everything
alright with you?"
"Well, yes, I mean... I wasn't expecting." He then grinned, "Just
making sure you didn't really come here to see the statue."
Caly pushed back from him a bit more, looking into his face. "What
weren't you expecting?"
He blinked, had he misread her? "Uh... I mean... Trying out the...
umm... power of the statue... and all..." He replied lamely.
Caly glanced around, clearly the mood was lost to her the moment he
pushed her away. "So...do you want me to stay or not?"
"Sorry, Caly, I just wasn't expecting this, that's all." He really was
kicking himself now.
She wandered a bit away from him, wrapping her good arm around herself.
"Well what exactly do you expect when a girl asks to come back to your
apartment?" She turned back to face him. "You don't have to if you
don't want to. It's not like I will hate you if you don't want to
sleep with me. I mean if there is another girl or whatever. I'd
understand."
"It isn't like that. You're a lot of fun, Caly, and sure... I've
thought what it might be like to... uh... you know... but, I just
thought with your being injured and all.... C'mon Caly, don't be like
that! You just caught me off guard." Erik felt a bit irritated, more
at himself than at her.
A smile tugged at Caly's lips as she stood across the room from him.
She waved a hand in the air absently. "Well.....now the mood is lost."
"Damn." Erik then grinned, "Well, guess that statue doesn't work... or
at least not for non-nomads."
"Well I thought the statue was supposed to make it last longer. You
don't expect it to do everything for you, do you?" She grinned at him.
He laughed, relaxing as he heard the easy teasing back in her voice.
"No, guess that'd be asking too much. Not sure though..." He picked
up the statue, "It got you to come up here, didn't it?" He looked at
the ugly, squat statue that seemed to be grimacing at him. "I don't
know why I kept it, to be honest."
Caly smirked.
"Perhaps you are hoping it does work. Which brings us full circle back
to the reason that I came up here in the first place."
Erik put the statue back in the niche where he'd kept it and turned
back to Caly, grinning, hoping that meant he'd get a second chance.
"You know..." he swatted his pants, sending up a swirl of dust, "I
really need to get some of this dust off, how'd you like to join me for
a soak?"
"I think that sounds perfect." She grinned and moved closer to him, the
misunderstanding already gone form her mind.
"Let me get a few things..." Erik grabbed up a change of clothes,
sniffing them quickly to make sure they were reasonably clean, and two
towels before joining Caly on the ledge where Rolph was resting.
<Sorry, bud, but can you give us a ride back down?> Erik asked his
bond-mate.
The medium sized red dragon opened a sleepy eye and stared at his
human. He picked up the thoughts of 'water' and 'soaking' and
immediately became alert, <Yes>
Erik helped Caly up on Rolph's broad back, and the red dragon was soon
spiraling down from his lofty perch.
The river's edge wasn't too crowded, but the water in the deep hole
that the dragons preferred was churned up into a murky orange-brown
color from the numerous dragons that were lounging about with in it.
Rolph landed and the humans headed upstream from the dragon's swimming
hole to find a less populated place to relax.
As they walked Caly mentioned to Ale'Bela where she was and that the
young female might want to visit there. Sure enough a few moments
later the little queen dragon had landed at the pools edge and was
wading in.
Warton looked up as he was Ale'Bela entered the swimming hole and went
over to join her. He nuzzled the queen in greeting.
<Oo, my rider was so right. This is wonderful.> Ale'Bela told Warton.
<You're rider is here?> Warton asked, and when he received the
affirmative, he immediately told Eth'n that Caly was there.
Caly followed Erik down to where the water was calmer and clearer. She
nodded as Erik motioned to an area that was shaded by large overhanging
trees. Once they reached the spot she stripped down to next to nothing
before slipping into the cool water.
Erik was just as quick to shed his dusty leathers, but after dipping a
foot into the water he backed up and running forward, leapt far out
into the water with a tremendous splash. Ducking totally under, he
came up sputtering, and shook his head to help clear the water from his
eyes.
Caly winced as she was soaked from the splash. "Well." She smirked, but
didn't move far from the edge. Instead she found a submerged rock to
settle on and she watched Erik swim.
Eth'n followed the sound of human laughter and saw Caly resting on the
rock. He headed in her direction but was stopped in his tracks as he
saw her admiring someone else. It didn't take long for his suspicions
to be confirmed.
Tired from his long patrol, it didn't take Erik long to return to where
Caly rested. Settling back in the water, he sighed, "Ah, much better!"
Then he sat up and grinned at Caly, "And I bet I smell better, too."
She leaned close and pressed hr nose to his chest, kissing it in the
process. "Mmm yeah you do."
Her closeness got an instant reaction, and he wondered briefly if he
should have brought the statue down with them. But perhaps the cold
water would slow things down a bit, at least he hoped it would.
Putting his hands on her waist, he lifted her onto his lap and kissed
her the way he wished he'd kissed her back in his apartment. He was so
glad that he hadn't ruined it, even though a part of him still wondered
why she'd chosen to come to him that day, and if she weren't doing this
for some other reason besides just to have some fun.
Caly pressed close to him as she kissed him deeply. She cradled her
healing arm between them and s****d her free arm around his neck,
pulling him closer. Her hips ****fted against him in her attempt to
drive his need for her higher.
It certainly was working, perhaps too well, as they moved together,
letting the cool water wash over them as their ardor heated up. His
hands finding the fastenings of her remaining clothing, loosening them,
giving him free reign to all of her soft flesh.
His desire exploded just as they began to get into a good rhythm.
"Oh crap... crap!"
Caly couldn't help but giggle, though she did try and hide it. She
didn't want to hurt Erik's feelings, but things like this always amused
her. She pressed her lips to his ear and whispered softly, "don't worry
about it."
"Damn, Caly! I'm so sorry...." Erik's face turned a bright shade of
red, as he wondered if he should have brought that statue with him.
She grinned at him, placing her hand on his cheek. "Don't be sorry. It
just means we can do it again." She leaned close and kissed him softly.
"Assuming you do want to do it again," she whispered against his lips.
"Yeah..." He smiled in relief. "And I swear the second time takes a
lot longer!" He kissed her passionately, letting his hands finish what
he'd been too fast to accomplish.
With panting breaths Caly rested her head against his shoulder. "Wow
you are very talented with your hands," she said with a grin. "You'll
have to remind me to let you do that again." She pressed a kiss to his
lips.
He returned her grin, his embarrassment erased in the praise,
"Anytime." He released her, and she lounged back into the water. He
let himself slide under for a moment before resurfacing, shaking the
water from his eyes.
Caly did the same just as Erik resurfaced. As she brushed the drops of
water from her face she smiled as she saw Erik was watching her. A
slight blush crept into her cheeks and she leaned close enough to brush
her lips to his. "So how about we go try out that statue now?"
Erik was all for it, as he helped Caly out of the water. They searched
briefly for their clothing, finding the barest minimum to cover
themselves, before asking Rolph to give them a lift up the Erik's
apartment.
The red dragon obliged, but only stayed long enough to drop them off
before returning to his own pleasures.
Erik led the way into his apartment, worrying a moment if he'd changed
the sheets on his bed anytime within recent memory, but he soon forgot
all about it as Caly removed what she'd donned only moments before and
brushed by him on her way to the only other room in his apartment.
She grabbed the statue on the way to the bedroom and placed it on the
nearest surface to the bed before climbing into the bed. A slight
****ver came over her and she slid under the blankets. Then she glanced
to Erik. "Come on slow poke!"
He laughed with surprise, never having been called that before! He
leapt onto the bed making the springs protest the abuse. He hardly
waited for the bouncing to stop when he and Caly were making it rock
instead.
Due to the statue or to youthful exuberance Caly and Erik kept the bed
rocking long into the night. Finally after hours of lovemaking the
apartment was quiet and the two riders slept.
It was sometime before dawn when Caly woke up. She glanced over and
smiled as she saw Erik sleeping peacefully with a smile on his lips.
She lightly kissed him before slipping out of the bed and onto the
ledge. Bathed in moonlight anyone would have been hard pressed not to
see the young queenrider's beauty.
Caly settled on the ledge looking out over the desert. Something
tugged at her mind, making her content incomplete. Never in her life
had she felt tied to a person. Not any of the men she'd been with or
even
anyone in her family. There were many that she felt a fondness for,
just as she felt a fondness for Erik. But she'd never been in love
with any of them. She shook her head at the idea. She loved being
free to be with who she wanted to when she wanted to.
But in the quiet of the pre-dawn Caly felt a certain dragonrider
trainer invading her thoughts and tugging at her heart. At first she
thought it silly. Eth'n flirted with as many women at Cleft as she did
men, and Caly was sure that he slept with as many. She was sure that
Eth'n would not care that she'd spent the night with Erik.
A rumbling noise caught Caly's attention and she glanced over and
smiled at the two cuddling and sleeping dragons. Ale'Bela ****mmered in
the moonlight and Caly felt her heart swell with love for her dragon
companion. She stood then and shook off her thoughts of Eth'n. She
turned and headed back into the apartment, carefully sliding between
the sheets and wrapping herself around Erik.
---
NRPG: No real tag, just character development.
----
Summary:
Day 5
Afternoon
Calylin treats her loneliness and boredom by spending the afternoon and
then the night with Erik. Her thoughts stray to Eth'n not knowing that
he'd been close by in reality.
Respectfully submitted by:
Rachel Lange
AKA
Calylin & Ale'Bela
And
Arlene Jacobs
AKA
Erik & Rolph
Eth'n & Warton
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 3
Date: Tue, 4 Oct 2005 21:58:07 -0500
From: Allen Veazey <veazeyae@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [DL-W] Recovery and Mating
Day 18
Early Morning
Ash'chenon's apartment
Despite all the hours practicing, it was worse than ever.
Ash'chenon rolled over and stood up from his bed; all night
long there were dreams, snippets of memory, and voices.
Always voices. Last night had been much worse. When he was conscious,
he could make an effort to stop the voices in his head; but asleep,
they were getting stronger.
How did other telepaths deal with this? Of course...
*Wyn, ask Azhy's rider to come,* he thought to his dragon.
**Ask him yourself,** Wyn replied, pensive.
*I can't,* he thought back. *I can't sift through all these thoughts
and find him. I've -heard- him...* He paused. *What's wrong with you,
anyway?*
**Nothing. Leave me alone.**
Ash was first shocked, then concerned. Was Wyndamenth having
some kind of relapse? It was not like her at all. He would have
to ask Aridergh... when he could think straight...
Well, then, he had to try. Closing his eyes, he opened his mind
and sought to contact Azhy.
**What...** came the thought, and then chaos. Worse than
before, Ash's mind was overcome with the maelstrom of
communication and emotion, of thoughts and memory. He
sank to the floor, his hands pressed flat against his head.
*****************
Ari felt the wind against her face; she reveled in the freedom she felt
every time she took to the air with her beloved heart below her. The
oneness they shared, the bond. Forever bound and joined.
Free. . . . . she was free, forever and with her beloved's arms around
her. . . .she could be and do and have anything she desired.
She nestled back into him and enjoyed the feeling of being in his arms.
Ahh J'red she sighed contentedly and turned to steal a glance at him. .
.. only . . .it was not J'red.
She gasped as she saw she was with Ash'chenon! No.. .she was not with
him, altho she was, she was. . .watching him. He was flying on a . . .
dead dragon! He was riding a ghost! He was falling. . .they were
plummeting to earth and she could hear his screams of anguish. "ASH!"
She cried out as they disappeared from her view. Ari felt her lungs
scream as she bolted upright and gasped for breath. She looked around
and wondered what had just happened?
She looked and saw that thankfully she had not disturbed J'red, he
still lay sleeping with a peaceful contentment. Ari smiled as the
feelings of their togetherness washed over her.
Ari was glad she had not cried out and disturbed him. She took a deep
breath and realized the confusion and jumble of mental images still
flood through her and she found she could not block them.
She slipped from their bed and made her way to the ledge and stood
looking out and wondering what was happening to her. The initial
flooding had slowed to a steady stream of thoughts, memories and
jumbled incoherent sentences of conversations.
Ari processed her new knowledge and realized in a moment that somehow
Ash was in trouble! Ash was. . .dying?
Ari slipped on her clothes and returned to the ledge to find her heart
waiting for her. She nuzzled him quickly and slid onto his back.
<*Dear one, is this wise?*>
*Az, something is wrong with Ash, I need to find him*
<*As you wish my heart, for I can deny you nothing, but take care*>
*Az, he is my teacher, my mentor, he would not allow anything to happen
to me*
<*He carries deep dark secrets little one, and he shares with no one*>
*He is in pain Az. . .I heard him. . .I saw him fall* Ari tried to
shake the horrible picture from her mind.
<*I shall stay near*> the statement final and with no arguing.
Ari smiled as she hopped off and hugged him for reassurance and turned
and went into Ash's dark abode.
The sky now the soft grey before the break of dawn, gave her a wee bit
of light as she slipped in and stood for a moment letting her eyes
become adjusted to the dim light.
She heard him before she saw him, and she moved toward the sound. She
found him thra****ng and writhing, flailing wildly as he
combated an unseen foe.
"Ash" she called softly to him. He was lost in the visions before him
and did not seem to hear her call. She took a step closer and
hesitantly reached out to touch him.
* * * * *
Hands on him now, turning him over, a voice saying his name
over and over. It was Ari, and somehow he had managed to
pull a blanket over himself in the night, his mind full of thoughts
and dreams and memories...
No... it was Tahlaya's hands... she was turning him the same
way... and Sol was gone, he was gone and Ash was still there
and gods, how he wished he were dead, too.... just like
Wyndamenth had... no... Tahlaya had left him, like everyone
else had left him, he remembered the hurt and the anger in
her eyes as she had mounted Sunny and Ipsy's neck and they
had taken off...
It was his fault. Even the joy of flying, the roar of flame as the
wraiths fell under his breath, the joy of chasing the female,
ready to mate... the joy, the contempt of leading the males,
certain that none were worthy of him, the thousands and
thousands of memories that had come to him in the night,
the feeling of every aspect of draconic life, even the simple
joy of Avid's hunting dreams, they paled against the knowledge
that he was alone, that he was nothing, that he was...
Useless.
No. Wait. No. It was different. Avid's dreams, Wyndamenth's
dreams, they felt different. Actually -felt- different, for the
emotion was outside himself. After years of using his empathy, he
could tell the difference.
The others... he could see it now. Words, thoughts, communication,
they had come to him. In his sleep, he might even had responded.
In his dreams, he had given the stories life, had given them
pictures and sounds and color and emotion. The knowledge served
to bring him a little away from himself; Arideregh -was- here, and
she was trying to break through the maelstrom that was his own
mind and memories.
Gods. Memories. Even if it were just communication, he felt so
****d, so afraid. He was wide open, no defense, none of the
self-control that had kept him from falling into the abyss of
insanity. There were all these voices in his head, and he could not
keep them out, and he barely knew which thoughts were his
own.
"No..." he said, trying to pull away from her, and realized that
his back was already against a wall. She was touching him, she had
to feel his emotions, he was wide open. The self-revulsion, the
disgust, the fear. It was putting Avid on edge, and he tried his
best to rebuke the panther before it attacked Ari...
He saw her wince with the force of it. "Ash. Stop it! What's wrong?!"He
saw her concern, felt it through her touch, gods, he couldn't control
it at all, his hands reached up and he gripped her arms and he sent a
single, insistent thought into her head.
*Help me!*
**A-Ash'chenon?!** He could hear her thought, he could feel her
feelings, it was like his bond with Wyndamenth. Wyndamenth, who
even now was afraid that it wasn't truly a bond at all, it was this
new predicament.
*Then why would you get sick in the Wastes? No. We have the
bond. I don't know why. But we do. I can tell the difference.*
**I told her this! I told -you- this!** Her hands were on his
arms now, and for a moment, there was only her voice and
emotions in his head. A blessed moment of relief. The cacophony
of messages and thoughts were in the background, and he
could think.
**Why didn't you tell me you were telepathic?!** Ari. Surprise. Fear.
Scolding. Worry.
He almost let loose of her arms, tried to shy away. *I wasn't.
I'm not. I can't be...*
**You can. I've felt your dreams. I've heard the thoughts as they
came to you.** That was Wyn. **I couldn't break through.**
*No. No... I can't...* He flinched.
**Why?** Ari. **Ya just be feelin it for the first time, tis all.
It will get better. It's a gift! I'll teach...**
*No!!* The rebuke was like a slap across her mind, her emotions,
not at all what Ash'chenon intended. But she still hung on. *Arideregh,
there are thoughts... there are memories... no one should have to live
with what's in my head!* His revulsion was there, and she was fighting
it like before, though she looked a little green.
**Everybody hurts, Ash. Everybody does things they be not proud
of. Everyone has memories ta keep private.**
*Not... me.* He took a long, shuddering breath, loosed it. *I
have a lifetime of scars. Mental and physical. I've sinned, I've
killed, I ruin everything I touch. You should run, Ari. You should
stay away from me.* Fear, his own fear. Sadness. Revulsion.
*You don't know what I've done!*
The worst of his sins, in his head. The poisoned arrow, striking the
dragon's eye. Raising an army in terrible retribution for the death of
his daughter. Killing a lord. Becoming a hellspawn. Living
through it all. Seeing Geode nearly destroyed, seeing dragons and their
riders die, feeling the terrible sense of satisfaction as they were
overwhelmed.
Solaris falling. Broken shells on the hatching cavern, knowing
that there would never be a dragon for him. He was unworthy.
Ruined. Tainted.
Useless.
**I won't,** she thought, breaking through all of it. **No!!** came
the thought of his dragon, simultaneously. **Don't go down that
path again!**
*Tatiana wants to kill me,* he thought. *I deserve it. I can't hide. I
can't even think. Voices...* he tapped his temple, *voices in my head.
More than usual, I mean. Everyone will know. Most of
the rumors are true. I can't block things out. It's hopeless. I... I
can't live through another night like that.*
Ari kept hold on him as they both sank to the floor. Both weak from
the intense sharing they had both experienced. Neither quite knowing
what to do, for like Ash, Ari too had kept things from others, and had
never walked this path.
She instinctively wrapped her arms around him, and found herself
humming the tune that Azhy hummed to her so many nights. Wyndamenth
picked up the tune recognizing it in her innate memories and joined in
with the soothing calming balms to Ash's weakened soul.
Ari closed her eyes and rocked Ash as she continued to hum and slow the
onslaught of memories, and thoughts that raced between them.
They were close. They were way too close, like a rider and his
dragon. Like a soul-bond. He was so intimately aware of her
thoughts, now, her feelings, the awareness of her body as if it were
his own... she had to be feeling the same thing. He let go of
her,struggled to shut his emotions off and away...
Compassion. Serenity. Arideregh was blocking out what she could,
trying to put some semblance of calm and sup****t in its place.
'Laya had held him like this, after the hatching in Telnor. She had,
again, she said, when he was struck down so many years ago. She had
been there when he needed her. But she was gone now... Ash
was amazed that Ari was willing to help. There was no reason why
she would want to... and she was being so affectionate... he could
feel it, throughout his psyche, as well as observing it somehow
from afar... a curious echo, a desire and instinct that was growing
stronger.
Then he recognized it. *Wyndamenth! No!!*
His dragon was already padding out of the cave entrance, her
sense of hearing and smell suddenly more acute, her eyesight less so,
aware of the hisses and slitherings of the dragons around her. There
were so many males here... but none of them worthy...
Ari clung to Ash more out of fear as she felt him teeter on the edge of
the abyss he was standing on. To hear and feel him so helpless shook
her. She sensed him relaxing as even she was lulled by the soft
humming. SO lost in the tune and it's affects she could not say when
she no longer heard Wyndamenth voice...she closed her eyes and felt the
warmth between them and continued to rock him, hoping somehow to help
him through the nightmare he was in.
Azhy roared the challenge as he took wing after the fleeing
Wyndamenth. Pure instinct took over and he reflected on the mating
flights he had witnessed in his youth. She was the object of his
desire and none would stand in his way.
As he gained altitude he roared and flamed one that came up on his
right and smacked him with his tail as he rolled and banked upward now
reaching the tops of the mountains that surrounded the Warren.
Ari felt a flood of hot raw passion flood through out her being and
seeing the object of her desire sudden step back and move away. She
stepped forward and reached out for him, as he recoiled at her
advance.
The room appeared to be spinning for her and she heard nothing but the
roar of the males as they begun to leap to the air in pursuit. Ari tore
at her clothing trying to ease the sudden rush of heat that flooded
her. Ash looked on with mixed interest as he saw her eyes go feral and
swim with liquid passion.
Azhy continued to climb until he could see Wyndamenth below him. They
were both still far ahead of the rest of the pack; Azhy could hear the
roars of challenge as the warren awoke to the call of a flight.
Ari lost in the feel of the power that came through with every down
stroke of his wings..she moved, paced and stalked Ash as he artfully
countered her every move.
In a strange dance with no sound, they moved around the outside
perimeter of the room as it was evident that Ari was the predator and
Ash the prey.Azhy peaked above her and bellowed out his intention.
Wyndamenth picked up speed and began to surge away from him. Azhy
followed and with 2 powerful flaps of his wings mounted her from behind
and wrapped his wings completely around her and together they dove
straight down.
<*Submit little one*> Azhy demanded as they continued to
fall..Wyndamenth struggling to free herself and denying him the
victory.
Ari lunged at Ash and tackled him to the floor, wrapping her arms
around him and kissing him deeply and passionately. Ash struggled altho
part of him responded to the building desire between them both.
Azhy and Wyndamenth continued to plummet until they both entered the
water. Wyndamenth hoping that the impact of the cold mountain water
would cool his ardor.She was mistaken; for he wrapped his tail around
her,and clung tightly with his talons and let the power of their dive
propel them through the icy water.
<*Submit little one for I am worthy*> Azhy challenged once more,
feeling her weaken, as her desire rose. Again she denied him his
victory. Azhy held on as they glided under the water towards shore.
Azhy banked and rolled them under the water as he helped them closer to
shore. He had his prize and soon she would be his. Wyndamenth
struggled but it only increased her desire and as they reached the
shallows of one side of the lake she surrendered.
**You are worthy** she admitted and Azhy roared his victory so all
would know.
"You are worthy." Ash whispered softly as the overwhelming sensations
of the flight struck. Ari grinned and nodded. "I know." She
whispered back and soon both were lost to the Dragon Lust.
It was later, much later, when Wyndamenth's influence began to
fade from Ash'chenon's mind, when both dragons had winged away
to some remote perch to rest and cuddle. There was a strange
sense of peace now, of control; he could touch the minds of the
dragons around him, of the telepaths, without being overwhelmed.
Apparently, Wyndamenth's impending mating flight had had a lot
to do with his loss of control.
He moved, then groaned; he was sore in ways he barely remembered,
and it couldn't have been any easier on Ari; their mating had
been passionate and violent. He finally gave up when Ari pulled
him back down to lay her head on his chest.
"I think Wyndamenth is better," he said, and felt her shake with
silent laughter.
"Aye and there will be no livin with Az after this." she whispered back
and
closed her eyes once more. She was sore, tired and still feeling the
slight
touch of Azhy's desire as his ardor cooled.
The next moment.....she lurched up as a call went out to all within
hearing.
"EGGS are Hatching!" she heard the call from the Queen as the news was
picked up and passed along by the others.
Ari winced as she bolted up as she realized she was needed.
"By the Powers!" she cried out. "Now?"
Ash chuckled as he slowly stood. "It is always like this. Shall we go
attend?"
Ari nodded and then looked at him.
"Uh....perhaps....after we dress?" she chuckled softly. "I dont think
we
should be givin them anything more ta chat about."
Ash laughed and nodded. "Agreed."
TAG - The EGGS are Hatching! Everyone welcome to join in!
Summary: Day 18- Ari finds Ash and consoles him; Wyndamenth
goes into a mating flight, which Azhy wins.
Day 19- Ash and Aridergh wake to the news from the Queen that
the eggs are hatching.
Respectfully submitted by:
Carys Murray
Ary and Azhy
and
Allen Veazey
Ash and Wyn
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