Inquisitive Minds

[Talia]

The thin and fragile reassuring touch shared between him and Sala felt too intimate at that moment, and he wondered as much as he was able amidst the painful pressure in his skull about its significance. He had always been particularly sensitive around the woman, but he had dismissed that entirely as being part of his make-up, and nothing out of the ordinary for one bonded to a Dragon. Fragile though the connection was, she may as well have enveloped him in a full embrace. Not that he would have minded- they had been much more intimate earlier, and merely having her with him made him exceedingly happy, with the exception of the fact that the thrice-cursed voices in his head would not leave him alone when she or Pann were near...

Which of course made sense now, but earlier...

Dragons be damned.

He turned briefly to smile at her, although the expression resembled more of an exaggerated grimace than anything. Kolir gave her hand a gentle caress instead, assuring her that he would be alright. It was difficult to actually speak in between bouts of blinding pain as his assailants assaulted his mind, screaming to be released. He would put them in their place later. They all tended to be destructive when new potential bonds were about, and therefore highly difficult to control or pacify.

Draeth chuckled mentally at Sala’s shocked expression, the sound reverberating throughout their mental link. She now understood some of the significance behind her attraction to his kind, although her particular bond with him would bear more explaining later. If Kolir didn’t beat him to it, that is, which would more than likely be the case. It was usually a simultaneous discovery, although Pann and Lissa had been different- time and the testing would tell though if that relationship would endure. Matings outside of similarly bonded individuals was rare at best. Unless Pann could prove his worth to the hatchlings and secure a bond, Draeth would continue to worry over the staying effect of that relationship.

The Dragon watched the Sala beneath scaled lids as they entered the central chamber, all the while ensuring that his bonded was relatively stable on his own two feet. He hoped that all the bonds would be made successfully, or else the resulting tragedy would be devastating. He had become particularly attached to all present individuals, and would be most upset if the hatchlings harmed them...

Kolir paused in the center of the chamber and gestured about the room, giving the individuals a brief moment to glance about. He hoped this would be an important moment for them all. He wanted to give them the opportunity to savour it. The chamber itself was primarily made of dark, earthy-toned granite, with brassy pillars supporting the entire structure. The pedestal itself was situation exactly in the center of the room, the focus of the entire chamber. It was gilded but not gaudy, ornate but not overly so. On the top lay a depression filled with crimson silken fabric to cushion the pedestal’s occupants. Above the group, the ceiling was composed entirely of glass, and the sun beat down heavily upon the chamber, seeming to alight on the pedestal. The warmth was penetrating- not necessarily bothersome for the fire elementals at least, but the raw dry heat would be enough to make the average man break out in a sweat.

It was this warmth that Draeth decided to bask in while the testing was taking place- he could be of no assistance, so he preferred to stay out of the way, curled up within the sunlight’s reach off to the side of the pedestal after he had deposited the carefully guarded sack into the pedestal’s depression. The sunlight shimmered off of the dragon’s hide, playing up the bright silver of the dragon’s scales.

The chamber itself could easily accommodate five grown dragons of Draeth’s stature, although it had never been done before. Its immensity easily made the dragon, and the individuals arrayed inside, look minuscule in comparison.

Kolir shuddered a bit at the ache in his head. Enough time had been allotted. He needed to get on with it before they found another method of attacking him. He took a couple quick strides up to the plinth, still wordless in his misery, and began to open the sack, producing four unique objects from within. All four were eggs, identical except in colour. They had been jostled around for months in the sack, moving from place to place in an attempt to find the remaining bonds. They were hardy things though-little could crack their exterior unless they willed it. They could not be damaged. Thus their rough treatment was warranted, as they would endure just fine.

The first egg was a brilliant amethyst, seemingly scaled like a dragon’s hide and flecked intermittently with scales of shimmering ivory. Kolir set it to one side, and moved the second egg, a beautiful metallic bronze with deep etchings of pale green, next to it. The other two eggs were situated on the opposite side- one a deep earthy brass with orange and tan curls and swirls on its exterior, and the other an eye-blinding snow-white with pale blue-green undertones.

Draeth watched from the side of the room, keenly interested despite himself. He had never felt any attachment to the hatchlings before, viewing them more as small children, or in a familial sense despite the fact that there was no shared ancestry between them. But now he had an ulterior motive, and renewed interest...

For a moment Kolir clutched his skull, swaying slightly as the consciousnesses of the hatchlings rushed back to the eggs in preparation for the testing. The hatchlings were forever present in his mind- usually docile and silent, they only became painfully persistent and aware in the presence of a potential bond. Once the testing began however, they rushed back to the egg, preparing to meet a new mind other than that of the Dragon Lord.

Free of his anguish-inducing charges, Kolir could now find his footing and regain his strength. Constantly living with the four of them inside his mind, not to mention the gentle hum of the already bonded dragons, was difficult at best. For a moment, during the testing, he could be at peace.

He motioned for Pann and Sala to join him as he explained what was about to occur.

“Pann will go first, Sala will go second. I cannot explain much aside from the fact that you will face inexplicable pain in order to get them to hatch, which is the first stage of the testing. I will explain the rest as you progress, Gods willing. If either of you do not wish to be tested, you must say so now. Despite the fact that they have chosen, and asked for you, there is no guarantee that you will in fact be able to bond with them, or that you will even choose the right bond in this case. And failure often results in death. I will not disillusion you on this matter- fatalities are high, which is why I do not test individuals unless I am fairly certain of their success. You two have proven yourself to be capable, strong and fearless. I have the utmost confidence that you will be able to succeed- none the less, I had to warn you of the implications.”

He paused then, acutely aware of how distressed he felt at the possibility of losing Sala. With a frown, he thrust the thought from his mind and continued on.

“Pann, you must first approach the two eggs that are meant for you. The white and the brass have been set aside because they are both male- distinctly so, just as the purple and the bronze have been chosen for Sala. Male individuals do not bond with female dragons, therefore, your bond must be one of the two I mentioned. The first task is to choose the one that calls to you more, the one that makes your blood sing. One bond is the right one. The other may not be compatible. I cannot tell you which is right for you, but you should know, instinctively. Once you’ve chosen, you must grasp the egg, and then the real test will commence. I cannot aid you. You must use your own judgement and proceed in a manner that fits the situation that they concoct.”

With that, Kolir stood back, away from the two individuals. He could do no more. They would not permit it.

“Pann, I will give you a few moments to decide, and speak to Lissa if necessary. If you choose to decline, you can join me. If not, proceed as I have instructed. Sala, the same applies to you when your time comes. If the bonds are successful, I will explain as much as I am able to after, once you have recuperated. There is no penalty for choosing not to bond, but keep in mind the repercussions and potential consequences of the testing in comparison. This is not to be taken lightly.”

[Tigeress]

There was something about simply touching Kolir that made a warm swell of air seem to encase her. Sala couldn't deny, something about it just seemed inexplicably right, though she couldn't pinpoint the why or how. It just was, and in that moment, that was more than enough. The simple touch made the hair on her body stand on end, the muscles in her lower back contracting into a shiver. Something about it felt new, fresh, despite the fact that they'd been much more intimate than this in the past.

Feeling Draeth studying her and knowing from the chuckle in her mind that he was at least dimly aware of what she was going through, she shot him a question with her glance that would most likely go unanswered. It didn't bother her though, she had a feeling every little detail of this would be explained in time. Somehow the knowledge that she had formed a connection with Kolir's dragon, which was special in a degree more than the average connection, made her smile. Whether it was because he was part of Kolir, or because he was one of the species she'd studied and admired for so long, she couldn't be sure. Perhaps it was a bit of both.

When they entered the chamber, the light was both blinding and beautiful. As a fire elemental, she had no problems with the temperature. In fact, to her, it was rather pleasant. She fed off of Draeth's contentment, and couldn't help but think that in any other circumstance, she'd really like to lie down for a small nap. Shrugging off the borrowed sluggishness, she tried to focus on what was transpiring before her.

Before the dragon went to rest, he deposited the contents of the sack she'd noticed earlier. The pull started immediately, now that her mind connected the strange feelings from before. It wan't even that she saw the eggs so much as she felt them, or rather, felt it. To keep her mind from being biased, she closed her eyes and focussed on the feeling, tried to roll it around in her head like she had with Draeth. It was different, difficult, wiggling around in that space she willed it to fit through.

Her eyes snapped open when she felt Kolir sway, her hands out to either side of him like an instinctive barrier. She would not let him fall again. As soon as he had begun to speak, her eyes took focus on what she'd been feeling. Her fingertips yearned to brush Kolir in some small way, but she couldn't bring herself to do anything to jeopardize the connection. Something was pulling her as if strings were attached to her limbs, and it was all she could do to physically remain in place. It felt like the dragon was playing with her.

Her sight narrowed on one egg even as Kolir continued to speak. The words sunk in to a degree, but in another way- they fell on deaf ears. Her decision had been made long ago. She spared a glance to Draeth, a million questions suddenly coming to mind. Was it just her, or did this really concern him, too, in a way? Her gaze shifted to Kolir then, heart racing. There was a lot more to this than she thought.

When her gaze returned to the eggs, her stare rested solidly on the amethyst. "I choose to continue. I will bond one of the eggs which have been chosen for me." It would be a painful eternity waiting on the elven males response and his first actions. Even though she had everything to lose, she also really had no choice. She had a feeling either Kolir or Draeth would understand the yearning she felt, something which denied any reason or fear or consequence.

Draeth... she calls to me. It burns. Her voice was unsteady, unlike herself in the dragon's mind. In a way, she wondered if this was an echo of what the Dragon Lord felt all this time. It was painful, but in a way it was beautiful. However, enduring the feeling and not being able to act on it was maddening. It was like the dragoness had cast a spell on her. She felt comfortable expressing her overwhelming feelings to the large silver dragon somehow, more so than Kolir surprisingly, though that probably had to do with her not wanting to add on to his mental struggle.

[Draekath]

OOC| Got up early to check on this and had to start a reply. Haven't had a chance to post until just now, however. Shine said it was fine to go ahead and go, any post with Lissa would 'just act as a filler at this point.'

BIC| Pann frowned, blinking hard as the eggs were placed upon their stand and mental probes began to pick at his mind. This was somewhat similar to having Shifra speak to him, and yet utterly different.

The room was warm and he glanced sideways at Lissa as he was given the option to back down. He glistened in the bright light, not yet actively sweating. His tunic was sticking to his slender frame, accentuating every breath as Kolir gave his explanation, eyes drifting between the dragon lord and the new lady Sala. Then she was mated to him, as she was to be tested as well.

One glance towards Lissa was his only hesitation, stolen as Sala gave her answer. Pain and death faced him - this was nothing new. What was new was the intense connection between him and this woman, this princess.

Ever a man of action, pann flashed his famous grin, his round face suddenly showing much more chiseled detail in the bright, almost harsh light as he stepped forward. There was his answer - he was all in.

The blinding white or the earthen brass were his two options, he had been told. Well they certainly pulled at him the most, but there was more to it. A terrible grimace crossed his face, the sensation of scrabbling claws ripping across his mind a new and horrid sensation as he regarded the eggs.

There were two of them, there was no doubt of that, two separate minds that shoved their way into his. This was utterly alien and still, vaguely, there was a resemblance of having Shifra speak to him.

He could feel them, quite easily, scrambling and scraping, screaming and demanding. His head would surely explode. With a frown he mentally jabbed back at the creatures, roughly exploring the mentalities that also explored his own consciousness. The two were as alien in thought as their shells were in appearance. One of them was enjoying this in a way, toying with it, giving the sensation of doing backflips within his mind. The other moved differently through the link, leaving a sensation of claws digging deep as he stalked his way through unfamiliar territory.

He could almost see them within the shells.

Panns hands flexed instinctively as one of the mentalities pulled at him more and more. He found himself torn for a moment, a flicker of confusion and indecision rippling across his face in a frown, and his entire body stiffened as he flexed.

The playful personality was more appealing to him. It would be opposite his own and yet complimentary, as he was sure the one that was currently shredding his mental consciousness with mental tricks would enjoy discovering new tricks and games. But this was not the mentality that pulled at him.

With a blink he straightened his spine, sweating quite obviously by this point as he lifted his head and reached a hand out decisively. All hesitation had vanished while an image of Lissa was ripped through his mind, the dragons exploring and ravaging his mentality. Shifra and the princess were as one, completing each other, complimenting what each other had by providing in the areas they lacked.

His fingers reached out swiftly, left hand balled into a fist as his right brushed against the surface of the copper egg. Rather he chose correctly or not, this was who he felt would be his bonded. He had no idea which personality belonged to which egg, had no way of tracing it back - he merely followed his instincts and the wild sensations of the creatures scrabbling through him. Over analyzing would not do him any favors, and in any case it was not an often practiced habit of his. It simply felt right.

Pain exploded over his entire body as his fingers touched the brown egg, a low, strangled scream emanating from him. His hair flew about his head as his knees buckled and his his slender frame swayed, though he kept his hand placed firmly on the brown shell, eyes glazed. His chest rose sharply for a moment, and then seemed to stop moving as it fell once again, the nails on his left hand cutting into his palm.

He had chosen the cautious one, the mentality that snarled in his mind and proceeded with cold determination. The one that would go beyond complimenting him as a separate being and friend, but would be as a part of himself; they had a similar spark to their souls, the same steel.

It was taking all his concentration not to pass out after following it to the copper earth egg.

[Talia]

((OOC: Gawd, you two are amazing, did you know that? Lol. I was just thinking last night that I might have to get back online and do some editing, and instead I wake up to posty goodness! And no worries Draekath. Things might be touch and go from here anyway until Pann’s testing is complete. XD Anyhow, from here on in, I’ll be RPing the feral dragon, up until the point in time where the bond is made and the testing is over. After that, he/she is obviously yours to do with as you like. This may result in some back and forth between Draekath and me for a bit, and afterwards he’ll no doubt need a chance to recuperate while I post back and forth with Tigs, so we may separate the thread, with Lissa and Pann going their own separate ways in Drahonkal for a bit, and bring them back together in a new thread later, once all the bonds have been made. Hopefully you’ll have no problems developing your respective dragon muses, although it seems that that won’t be an issue at all! Shine and Tigs, you two can feel free to post with filler until the testing's done, if you'd like. )

As Sala stepped forward to accept the testing, painful worry etched itself into Kolir’s features. Testing with adults tended to be quite a bit more... challenging. The minds of the hatchlings tended to alter themselves and develop with their bonded in respects to maturity. Thus, bonding Shifra to Lissa or Morganna to Siva had been far less of a trial than bonding Bel’tor to Vulcanus, or Draeth to himself. The bonding between Shifra and Lissa, for example, had been done when Lissa was an infant, and so the dragon’s consciousness had responded in kind and had taken on infantile qualities. The two had developed together- the dragon’s physical growth was consistent with the relative growth of her bonded’s age.

It was always easier to bond infants- he could assist in that process, and it was more of a matter of coaxing the bond between them to occur. Quite frequently the bond was welcomed, with little to no pain occurring between the dragon and the infant. However, when bonding adults, the consciousnesses of the hatchlings were much more... complex. It was as if the infant dragon were operating on an adult level, subconsciously, while trapped in a much smaller body. Dragons that bonded to adults tended to develop rapidly on a physical level once hatched, as if they were in a race to catch up to their bonded, physically. When Draeth had been bonded to Kolir, it had taken mere months for the dragon to fully develop to the same physical stage that “matched” Kolir’s. He was still developing- throughout the years and through experience, Draeth had continued to grow in sheer size. The same could be said for Bel’tor, and Iskassa’s black beast.

Watching the bonding process between adults and a fully developed dragon conscious had always been difficult for Kolir. The hatchlings tended to be extremely feral, their natures quite volatile, as if they blamed their bondeds for being in such a position. Their consciousnesses had been forced to develop rapidly and they tended to be mistrusting and highly capricious, actively searching out ways in which to maim and otherwise damage their potential bonds in retaliation. Most of the bond-related fatalities occurred at this level, and Kolir knew a couple of the eggs were particularly nasty, having housed their minds inside his own for quite a bit of time now. However, two of them in particular had called to the two individuals standing here, and, despite the fact that they would put their potential bonds through numerous levels of hell, they did recognize them, on some level, as their bonded. As a result, some tiny part of their personality was curious, and wanted to explore that connection, but it was masked by a shield of pure rage and indignation. If they could find a way to exploit and expose the part of the dragon’s nature that willed the transition, then they would be successful.

Draeth observed Sala keenly, distressed by the uncertainty and unsteadiness in her mental voice. Like Kolir, he remembered this process well, and feared for both she and Pann. Particularly, he worried about her, as she seemed to be the key to Kolir’s happiness, and his eyes reflected the same level of concern as Kolir’s. Without invitation, he moved and shifted so that his warm body wrapped around hers, his scales emanating a comforting heat from the sunlight above. His overly large snout dipped to meet her at eye level as he spoke.

She is but a beast in the egg. Her mind has been stretched, twisted and conformed to meet your own and she will resent you for it. None-the-less, she recognizes you, and feeds off of the thin beginnings of your bond. You must use that to your advantage. He paused, unwilling to continue. He had already said too much. We know each other well. I have been connected in some form with the hatchlings since we were all in our eggs. Be strong. She tries to call you to her before your time of testing, to lure you into failure. It is their way, but she is not a bad creature, not truly. I must stop now though- I cannot divulge any more information, lest she cause you additional harm as a result of my speaking to you.

As the testing began, Kolir watched intensely, eager to see the whole process done with. He never relished in the thought of the dragons harming another individual, and would be most happy when this business was all concluded. He had pegged the brass for Pann’s, although dragons and people were finicky and had ways of surprising him. The amethyst he had also guessed to be the best match for Sala, however he knew both beasts to be highly erratic, with a temper to match that of any grown dragons’. This would not be easy.

Unfortunately for the Dragon Lord, he was also forced to watch. Although not an active participant in the bonding process, the dragon’s minds were irrevocably linked to his, and every step of the process would be documented and detailed inside his skull.

He winced at Pann’s pain, feeling it to a certain degree, knowing it to be inflicted with great purpose from the brass. The beast was testing him, prodding at his resolve. He would not bond with anyone who could not better him, and although he recognized the potential in the match, the hatchling was not prepared to concede to the bonding readily. Of the two males, the brass had considerably more strength of mind. He was fierce, unfettered, and paced about in his bond’s mind like a caged predatory animal.

It was alien. So alien, the mind of this mere elf. It perplexed him, confused him. Wounded him. He could feel the man’s pain as he insinuated himself into the elf’s mind, ebon claws rending at the fabric of his consciousness. Delving into memories best kept hidden, locked away in the subconscious even. Now that he had been allowed in, now that the man had opted to begin, his cautiousness had transformed into that of pure ire. He watched detachedly as the man’s body responded, collapsed, still clutching to his egg with sheer purpose of mind. His egg. His home.

Mine... Mine!

He was not a sadist, but the man must be punished. He wanted to shackle him, chain him to his psyche. It would not do. He was free, made of the stuff of the wild, the earth, the air. He would not, could not, go willingly. As if in response, he sunk his teeth into the deeper fabric of the man’s being, tearing and rampaging his way through to his core.

Time would tell just how long the man could withstand this, as the dragon danced upon the brink of disaster.

And yet... and yet...

As he watched the elf struggle, he could only feel what would best be described as... remorse. While he watched the man’s chest heave, his mind played with the idea of making him his. Perhaps the situation would be more acceptable if the elf was his. He would not belong to the elf, oh no. But this man made his blood sing, and surely that meant something? He had called him, reached out to him after all.

Why had he done that?

He faltered, paused long enough in his stalking, sinuous and decisive movements to ponder the implications of damaging the man’s body and mind. If he hurt him too badly then he could not belong to him. Dragons loved to possess. He wanted the man’s acquiescence, wanted him to submit to his will. He did not even contemplate the concept of a partnership. It was a foreign thing, something he did not understand.

His strength breathed across the innermost part of the man’s mind, tracing trails of thoughts like a burning brand across skin. He was not like his egg-mates, and yet he had called. He had not wanted to... had he? Could he make this man his own? Would this man prove strong enough to even be considered worthy?

Invisible claws raked another gouge in frustration. He did not know. He could not tell.

...Mine?

[Tigeress]

Sala watched Pann through a half-lidded stare. Her mental concentration was on controlling her mind, keeping that space small enough that the amethyst dragon could not come crashing into her before it was time. She felt so eager, so horribly eager, and at the bottom of it all was loneliness, it called to the empathic part of Sala which had spent her whole life not knowing even the touch of a dragon. Was this a game, or did she really feel the same longing?

When Draeth spoke, Sala's suspicions only doubled. Everything she felt, everything she saw could very well be a game. If the amethyst was particularly mischievous, she could easily take Sala's emotions and exploit them in order to 'win'. She'd just have to do the same, after all, it would be a two-way connection.

I could never fault her for this, my friend. I think she toys with me, but it's hard to tell. She feels so desperate, so lonely. There was a soft note of yearning in her voice, and without thinking, her hands brushed up and down along the massive silver dragon's scales. She was immensely grateful for the action, and unafraid of expressing her affection in return.

Suddenly, she wondered what Kolir thought of this, this entire situation. Her eyes moved to him, though her skin had paled a bit as she fought not to let the intrusive female inside. It was not time yet.

Not now, not now... She didn't know if Draeth could overhear, she tried to coax the female into waiting, being a little more patient than she was at the moment. Kolir had mentioned this could be fatal... her eyes rested heavily on the man. If she didn't succeed, her only worries were things gone unsaid.

Draeth... I don't know when or how it happened, but the truth is, I love Kolir. Much as I have always wanted to bond with a dragon, this decision is partially for him... and for you. If anything should happen, I want you to let him know this. I won't say it now, because I want to put my whole belief into thinking that I will have the opportunity to do it in person myself, later. But, just in case... Her voice held a forced smile at the end, watching Kolir's expression carefully to see if he overheard. She assumed the voices of the collective dragons might still be just loud enough, but she wasn't sure.

Pann's scream ripped through the physical silence, though the amethyst took this as 'game on' and started tearing at her mentally, like a much more physically imposing hamster trying to dig its way through its cage to freedom. The 'freedom' just so happen to be the innermost core of her mind and being, and it wasn't time for her to open that yet.

She wanted to beg Pann to go faster, but she knew this would take time, and he was enduring as much as she. She swayed lightly and hung her head down to concentrate, seeing only the thick line of Draeth's tail where she held onto it between a ruby sheen of hair. The waiting was arguably worse than going first, the amethyst was getting tons of unofficial off-the-clock time to wear her down. But she would not allow her to succeed entirely, she had to focus, try to learn enough about the dragoness to use in her coming test. Breathe, Sala, breathe.

The fire elemental wanted to spare a thought for the elven mate of Lissa, wishing him success, but couldn't organize her mind enough now to think of anything but controlling her own connection. The bronze lashed out at her now and again, but there was a bored hesitation with it. Well, she was thankful for that much.

[Draekath]

He could feel the little beast ripping through his mind and his body reacted accordingly, twisting as every muscle tensed and rippled in excruciating pain. Memories flashed, dug up and thrown aside, images pulled from the depth of his core as the dragon delved deeper still.

He was young and playing with the dogs in the front yard as a lad, before had the title of royal scribe. His brother opened the door with a bang, so tall and strong in his eyes, jumping in the middle of the fray with a half-laughing cry as he told him it was time to come in for supper...

His first lover, a night of drunken abandon as he tried to drown the pain, a low growl escaping him as she held him tight and screamed from more than mere pleasure...

A night out hunting as a half grown lad, returning home under the light of the moon to see his home engulfed in flames...

Sifting through the remnants years later and finding a single scroll left, singed but in tact. A glance at the first page made his blood run cold - 'And the Flames Did Jump.'

Sitting in the library as a teenager, devouring the stories that whisked him away from his solitary life...

Sitting in a tree with a piece of parchment, glancing at it before climbing higher and aiming his bow towards the chest of a massive buzzard - the hardest creature to capture, as the only way to get within range was to climb the trees they roosted in while they slept. His first adventure...

Being rousted from bed in the early, pre-dawn hours, his lean frame and pale face tightening as the high king himself stepped through his door and spoke of seeing him in the royal gardens, writing feverishly...

Pann didn't fight it as the beast ripped through him, allowing him full access to his mental stores. Images of finding his cat, a lost kitten that barely had its eyes open yet, came forth, and of returning to find that same cat waiting in his chair after each adventure. Images of walking into an inn for a night's sleep after a long travel and slamming men through the sturdy wood bar as he was greeted with hostility. Images of other women, a handful or so, that he had bedded. Some had been wanderers, like himself, living the things that many merely read of, but they had all been too tame. So tame for him, and they didn't know how to play. Images of mating Lissa, of the way her hair felt in his fingers, the low growl that slipped from him as she bit his shoulder while her body shook as she peaked. Images of sitting on the front step of the orphan house and staring at the clouds, wondering if his mother could see him... Or his brother.

He allowed all of it to be ripped up, examined, flung aside, enduring it as his body cringed and trembled yet cradled the egg resolutely all the same. And, Pann returned the gesture.

The sensation of mine flooded his mind, a sensation he latched on to. He slammed into the mentality of the youngling dragon within the shell, encompassing the warped mind and snarling in return, encouraging the bond. He didn't attack in any form at all, merely returned the invasion, scratching the shell with his nails absently as he pried his way into the copper's mind.

Mine, he countered, soaking up the sensation and memories of being held within the shell, digging through the feeling of touching that mind for the first time that would be the one to bond, the curiosity flaring as possessive thoughts of bonding began to form for the first time. He explored everything, exerting the force and strength of his own mentality upon the beast, forcing parts into a corner after examination and pulling other pieces through this shared link that allowed it to rip him up in such a way.

Bruises began to blossom over his hide, unnoticed, as he laid claim of this other mind, forcing his way in, wriggling around kinks in the mental armor. Armor that he, himself, refused to raise. His chest jerked, seemed to twitch as he would gasp in a breath and then go full minutes without moving, his body shuddering from the onslaught as his clothes stuck to his drenched skin. His hair was plastered to his neck, his face warped into a grimacing snarl as he absorbed the pain, roughly shoving thoughts towards this other.

You won't hurt me, not too badly. I can see it, feel it. If you wanted me dead, I would be already. Own up.

A mental snarl accompanied the prodding thought, a wordless challenge... An invitation. The thing wanted to play? He could play alright. He hadn't been afraid of death for years, for so long that he could barely remember when he last knew the sensation. But he was mortified of losing Lissa.

OOC| Coffee refill. Nothing quite like a fresh, honest cafe double expresso. (ok, seriously, the boss is out for the day so I can get away with this for now, but after today I better not make so many runs to the cafe... I'll lose my job)

[Talia]

((OOC: Haha! Don’t be getting into too much trouble over this! Lol. Poor Drae ))

Draeth glanced at Sala again, pleased that she seemed to be picking up on key aspects of the dragon’s personality but unwilling to invade her thoughts too much lest she break her concentration. It was a good sign, a very good sign- regardless, he knew that the hatchling would still put up quite a fight, despite the dragoness’ desire to be bonded. It was true that the amethyst wanted a bond- after all, they all did, to some degree. Emotionally however, the amethyst was deeper, more empathic- it was her one identifiable weakness. She actually yearned for company more so than the others, being slightly less feral than her egg-mates. Draeth knew though that she would still use every tool at her claw to exploit similar weaknesses from Sala. She was too proud to go with her meekly, and if there was one thing that would set her off, it would be having her vulnerabilities exposed.

And Sala would have to do exactly that.

Sala’s hands were oddly comforting for one so unused to contact. A dragon rarely experienced touch aside from that of their bonded, but to Draeth it felt natural rather than foreign. He all but purred as she caressed his scales, much like a cat would when their chin was scratched. When she spoke again, he started a bit, but her words were nothing that he had not already anticipated. He was a bit more aware of the connection between Sala and Kolir than he let on, and her admission made him almost smug. Yet his mental voice merely echoed his contentment, despite the current situation.

I can tell that you do, he said with all sincerity. You two will have a lot to discuss after the bond is complete. We will speak no more of this, lest it ruin your concentration.

Draeth now obstinately refused to acknowledge the possibility that either of them would fail. He and Kolir had forged too much of a connection with the individuals arrayed before them to accept their defeat. And Sala was his only hope for a mate, and for Kolir for that matter.

He watched with concern as the fire elemental woman grasped tightly to his tail, fighting back the battering ram that was the amethyst femme. He spared a quick glance at Kolir, but the man was far too immersed in the bonding process at this point in time to have heard their conversation, or to notice Sala’s distress.

Hopefully not too much longer. Resolve could wear thin rather quickly...

---

The dragon watched every memory, replaying those that garnered the most reaction, prodding the worst ones to produce excruciating detail. One could almost picture the little beast, small of stature but wise of mind, cocking his head as the movie that was Pann’s life ran on fast-forward.

As the most painful moments filtered through his mental barriers he suddenly felt almost... culpable. The elf seemed to be suffering so much... was it fair to torment him so?

Those fleeting thoughts of regret were the first vestiges of cultivated emotion, separate and distinct from his feral tendencies. It bothered him. Why should this creature have such an effect on him?

In response, he worried at another agonizing memory slashing at it with tooth and claw, attempting to find a reason for his malcontent. He could not play into this. He would not become a domesticated beast like his egg-mates, content to follow a human around, sharing his thoughts with another that was not of his race. It was not to be tolerated!

As he worried at the elf’s mind, he became more and more distracted by the flickering recollections. Little by little his claws loosened until he was only gently kneading, gnawing every now and again simply to reassure himself that he was not giving in.

The dragon grasped at the memories of fire, of mates past and mused at their significance. The man seemed to have such strong feelings for such moments. One particular moment, his mating to Lissa, produced intense curiosity. So this was the one thing that this man seemed to care for above all others...

The brass was suddenly inquisitive, as it seemed that the elf was reluctant to fight back. Mentally he prodded him sharply. Was the beast still alive? Had he damaged him? Why would he actually allow him into his head, without so much as a bite in response?

Just as the creature was beginning to relax, he was attacked. All the ferocity that had remained hidden during his intense probing of the elf hit the dragon with a force that was mounting in severity. The dragon felt his own mind being pried open, and he shrieked in protest, the sound absolutely blood-curdling in the dragon’s rage. The noise pierced through their linked mentality, warning the elf that to not submit would be to encourage utter destruction.

The man had transgressed from something civilized and tame into a beast himself.

The suddenness of the man’s attack gave him pause, and he hissed in response, suddenly uncertain again, cautious. He paced, watching for attack, wincing as his own memories were exposed little by little, his barriers worn down by the man’s determination. Where was the meek creature that had simply allowed him the ability to inflict whatever he wished on him?

He was challenging him, defying him. The elf had the audacity to claim him as his own!

He roared again in outrage, but instead of shredding the fabric of their minds, the dragon dug his claws into the interior of his egg, forcing the thick shell outwards, piercing the heavy, indestructible layer with thick, razor sharp talons. He would meet his challenger eye-to-eye.

As the dragon emerged, fanged snout first, his spade-like tail lashing at the remnants of eggshell clinging to his scales, he linked minds with the elf for the first time. Before, their connection had been on a purely physical level, with the purpose of causing harm and wreaking havoc. The dangerous intent was still there, but now the dragon was attempting to implement a connection on a deeper, more intellectual level. He had to, in order to effectively communicate with the man.

You know so little, he chided, his voice a sibilant hiss of wrath as he locked gazes with the man who had defied him so utterly. Yet there was a hesitation in his voice, a moment of doubt...would he really be willing to hurt him?

With that, he grasped onto the one image that had created the biggest impression on him, the one that he knew could prove to be most damaging to the man. The dragon fashioned a memory of his own making, vivid in depiction, yet utterly untrue. But the mind could paint such colourful and believable images, when used properly...

As the dragon fixed overly bright reptilian eyes on the elf, an image of Lissa began to insinuate itself into his mind.

She wept over his broken and lifeless body, bruises still blossoming over his lithe form as the emerald female trumpeted her remorse. She was inconsolable, utterly bereft at the loss of her mate. They had led her back to a room at Drahonkal, but she did not stay long. In the middle of the night, when the cloak of darkness was deepest and the halls were silent, she crept out, having cried herself hoarse earlier. As she neared the cliff she began to weep, the tears sliding effortlessly down that perfectly scarred face of hers. She took a breath and moved one foot forward, then another, then another...until she was perched precariously on the edge, teetering between life and death. And then, with one breath, she chose and took the plunge...

With that, the dragon’s head snapped around to glare at the female that he knew was the elf’s mate.

You will lose her, he promised, but even that threat felt empty. At one glance in Lissa’s direction, the dragon’s mind was already filling with insidious thoughts, future oriented visions that he did his best to dispel.

Would he have to share him with that woman, she who was his mate?

Jealousy surged through his young body and his tail flicked erratically in response. He was irritated. He struggled to regain that certainty that he had possessed earlier, knowing that he could overthrow this man. Now he was not so certain that he wanted to do so...

Kolir watched the brass hatch with a smile. Despite the dragon’s apparent viciousness, he had been able to sense his interest, his desire. Now Pann just had to seize the moment to complete the mental connection.

“You must find a way to strengthen his need to bond!” he called, pleading with the elf. If he did not take the opportunity immediately, the dragon could lose interest and wreak more havoc. He would not be content until he had bonded, or one of them was dead...

He remembered vividly how he had made his own connection with Draeth. It was the most common method, after all.

Blood to blood...

[Draekath]

Pann grunted at the image the dragonlet concocted, sounding much like he had just received a blow - or a dagger - to his sternum. He bared his teeth as the thing locked eyes with him, feeling that if he had ears which could do so he would press them flat against his skull and hiss.

As the bronze creature looked towards Lissa, Pann made a point to shred the lie of an image - purposely ripping it apart under the mental nose of the creature, thrusting his own mind outward to enhance the bond. He had not attempted to push away the attacks, and he had not caused any intentional pain while examining the beast, leaving him to be the one of calmer mind and kinder heart. But that ended, now. He not only met the challenge, but rose above it, instantly turning the beginning ache in his heart into steel determination. He was exhausted and sore all over, but his will was yet to be broken.

Reaching down with one hand, he tucked a nail under one of the scales on the dragon's hide and yanked, ripping it out and revealing a small cut on the thing's shoulder as his voice whisked across the other mind, a strange combination of sharp yet welcoming.

You chose the wrong weapon. I do not fear death, I merely refuse it. Refuse. I will lose her, eventually, through one of our deaths, and the other will follow soon thereafter.

He could lose her to death.. He had no concerns over that. But to lose her in any other way, something besides his own death or even hers, that would bring him a world of pain he did not care to contemplate. It would make what he had just endured seem to be nothing more than a scrape on the knee. He could think of many things to rip them apart, though with each he only felt the cold, feral determination in his heart increase. Fine - he may lose her, but they would not be apart for long. Not without death intervening, and even then it would not be long before the other followed. He knew perfectly well that it did not require a cliff - merely to lose the will to continue leaving.

Though the blow did not land quite as intended, he sounded impressed while he spoke, holding up the glittering end of the scale so that a drop of the creature's blood hung over his upturned hand. In one swift motion he sliced open his palm, the dragon's deep blood mixing with his own, before reaching down and placing that same wound on the beast's torn shoulder and gripping the creature in both hands.

It was a failed attempt, as the critter attempted to weave death in with the loss of his beloved, but a respectable one all the same. There was a low, mental growl underlaying his words as he spoke aloud, his voice surprisingly strong as it resounded off the walls, in spite of his trembling frame.

"I do not wish to fight, nor will I harm you." But I could. You would likely kill me for it afterwards, but I could still harm you severely, just as you can harm me. "Look, small one, I have you, I touch you, and there is no pain."

Eying the beast warily, he leaned back and drew it into his lap, ignoring the jaws that snapped at him half-heartedly as he quickly let it go, flinging his hands wide to keep his fingers from being shredded by small teeth. "And you have me, as well."

We seem to have hunted each other as a prize, my friend. I admit to being captured - do you?

He reached out with his bloody hand at this point, watching closely for the reaction, ready to snatch it back should the small jaws snap at him. His hand was eerily steady, though his breathing was still ragged and the bruises on his flesh were only just starting to cease.

For the moment, there was no room, there was no mate, there was nothing but this link into the creature's mind, the knowledge that at any moment it could sink small, sharp claws into his thighs. If it did, he still would not quit. The dragon's blood burned through his veins now, a physical sensation like cold fire as it wound through his heart and mingled with his flesh, already healing some of the damage he had received. He would not give that up.

He refused.

[StarShine]

OOC| This is going to hurt... So fucking bad

BIC| Lissa gritted her teeth as Pann twitched on the floor, completely unaware of any of the others. She found her nails digging into her palms, cutting her, so she wrapped her arms around herself, only to claw at her arms.

It was no desire to stop the testing, to take the pain as her own or protect him. She felt no urge to even heal the bruises that blossomed over his hide.

She just wanted to be there. She wanted to suffer with him, to go through it together. They would be unstoppable, together. She just wanted to support him, to hold him, to share the burden.

But she couldn't. He had to go through it alone, he had to suffer through the battle on his own. He had to take the pain and resist the urge to just punch the creature, had to take all the agony full force without her there to stand beside him.

She felt bile rise in her throat as she glared at his form, grimacing in her own pain. She should be with him, standing next to him as his mate, letting him know he wasn't alone in this burden.

She should be there with him...

Shifra let the soothing hum echo through her bonded's mind, careful to keep it isolated in their unique link. Half extending a wing covered the girl, almost as if shielding her from the rain, and provided Lissa with the exact thing she longed to do for Pann. It let her know she wasn't alone in this burden. Shifra understood, at least.

Finally the elf sat up, but it was a terribly tense moment. The final moment. She caught herself holding her breath and didn't care. She wanted to kneel next to him, place a hand on his shoulder, reassure him in some way, but she couldn't.

Her nails raked over her arms.

She should be there.

[Tigeress]

[OOC| My post would probably be pointless filler, just giving my public a-okay to conclude this without my input XD]