Inquisitive Minds

[Talia]

((OOC: Hope you don’t mind- I’m powerplaying a tad with the dragoness right now, just to secure the bonding process! Feel free to start RPing the little dragon girl yourself after this post. Let me know when you have a name for her, and check out the current dragons section for a pic of the gal!))

The dragon’s claws were like polished ebony- one would almost expect to hear them scrabbling across surfaces with the rough clicking of nails against a hard surface. She was surprisingly gentle however; delicate, feminine and graceful. Some of these things were evident on the surface of her character, but there was so much more; so much more depth, like the coyness lurking under the surface, followed closely by a flicker of playfulness and charm. Her claws slid over the surface with a smoothness that was surprising- barely a click or clatter echoed from her perch as she moved closer to the offered wrist.

She sensed the woman’s surprise, and resisted the urge to comment on it. Had she doubted her own ability to succeed? Or had she just been convinced of the dragoness’ capacity to kill? Her kind were changeable creatures; something that the woman would probably know little about, having not been accustomed to her kind. It took very little for the original ire to dissipate- in truth, because she was less feral than her brethren it had taken little to convince her of the bond and the woman’s good nature. No doubt they would both have a lot of adapting to do over many years, but the dragon welcomed her new situation with open wings. She had come out on top- not only was she about to be bonded, but she had also secured herself a future.

Fangs glistened from beneath scaled lips as the female eyed up Sala’s wrist. With none of the savagery of her fellow hatchlings, she merely slid her two front fangs gently over the delicate skin of the elemental’s wrist, nicking the flesh ever so slightly. The resulting blood that welled up from the surface wound was lapped up rather quickly, as the dragon ingested the essence of this woman’s life- the bond had been formed one way, but it must be returned.

With all the precision of an experienced surgeon, the femme draped her lengthy tail across a forepaw and gently pried a scale away from her flesh with a sharpened claw. The blood welled almost instantly, rushing to the wound with the same heat and intensity as the elemental’s own. She slid her bleeding tail across the woman’s wrist, mingling the dragon’s blood with her own, sealing the pact.

We will have a great number of years to become accustomed to one another, and to trust, although trust comes more naturally between the bonded. We cannot hide from one another anymore, the female uttered smoothly, content now in their arrangement.

Meanwhile, Kolir kneeled impassively on the floor, thunderstruck by the words of the dragoness. How had he not managed to see this? Why had he not noticed that this dragoness was particularly set on damaging him and his? It should have been evident from the start. The ramifications of her words had him stunned. He had always felt drawn to Sala, but he had brushed it off as simple attraction, even though the depth of his sentiment was so much more. Even the bond developed between her and Draeth should have made him wonder, question his involvement with this woman...

Things had just become more complicated than he had bargained for.

Regardless of his reeling emotions, one thing was certain- he cared for this woman, more than he had been willing to admit. Just the sight of her with her bonded, knowing that she was now part of his kind, sent his pulse pounding and his blood rushing through his body like an overwhelming current. She was part of a cherished yet small group of individuals- those that mated for life as a result of their bonds. They suffered more, experience things with more intensity. They were highly intimate, sexual, fierce and proud individuals. Never in his life had the Dragon Lord expected to find his mate. And here she was- or so the amethyst had claimed.

Mates always had a choice though- once Sala was aware of everything that it entailed, would she still feel the same? Did she even feel that much for him now? He assumed that her attachment to him was more than it seemed, more than it had first appeared. Otherwise, why had she come? It wasn’t just as a result of the call of her bond, was it? Neither of them had said anything to the other. Even he had yet to acknowledge what he felt for her. And he was no average individual. He was a Lord, with responsibilities, with the weight of a dying race on his shoulders. He had obligations, and their pairing would be highly unusual- she would see things and feel things that no other elemental or human ever had. Would he wish that upon her?

He tried his best to remain blank as he stood, his muscles tense with emotion and exhaustion. At least Sala had removed his armour during that day’s earlier incident. His shoulders felt like leaden weights, and he flexed them experimentally, testing his fatigue. No doubt she felt the same- she needed him now. She would need him soon, regardless of what happened next.

He stepped up behind her as she kneeled before her bond and put one hand on her shoulder comfortingly, his silvery white hair cascading over one shoulder as he watched her weary form.

“I can show you where to rest Sala,” he said carefully, his words guarded. No matter what his heart screamed, he needed to do what was best for her right now.

[Tigeress]

It was surprising, how smoothly she moved. Their level of grace had always astounded her as a dancer and a regular magical being. Even with her years of practice, it didn't come to her so naturally, like a second skin. She took a moment to marvel at the beautiful creature as she moved forward, bracing herself for the momentary pain.

Surprisingly, it was almost perfectly painless. Her precision made the puncture end in a moment, and it wouldn't even come close to scarring. She'd been delicate, calculated in her movements. She watched with minor concern as the dragoness ripped her own scale open and mixed their blood as one. Though it was necessary, she didn't like seeing the other in any kind of pain. Maybe she was getting too protective with the sudden rush of this knowledge.

The dragoness was hers, and she belonged to the dragoness. It felt exciting, like falling in love for the first time. As if on cue of the thought, she could hear Kolir's approach and smiled warmly at her new bonded. When his hand rested on her, she bent her cheek to lean solidly on it. Her fiery eyes looked up at him wearily, but full of contentment. The same eyes of a woman after birth. She'd worked hard, and she was proud to show him of what she'd done.

Part of the test had been for him, to impress him and, more importantly, to enter his world. It made her closer to him, and though she didn't realize how accurate her feelings were, that was all that mattered. If only Kolir knew how much of this had been done for him. But the possessive feeling remained, she would protect her bond with her life, and it took a certain level of precedence in her heart now. She'd dreamed her whole life of this.

The dragoness merely smirked at the interaction, watching a private conversation occur between the two that neither really yet understood. It was like watching them try to say the same thing with their actions in two different languages- the same message was there but neither one was quite sure if they were hearing it right. She sensed a boldness inside both though, one that meant it wouldn't be long before these quiet questions were explored.

Her eyes flickered knowingly to the silver dragon, watching how he recovered. After his earlier trial, he had held up well. But that was what she'd been expecting; or rather, demanding. It was a high standard, but she hadn't waited so long to spend an eternity with someone who could not gain her respect.

Salalali's weakness made her feel vulnerable, and though she felt close to the dragoness, at that moment she really wanted Kolir's comfort. The idea of cuddling up to him someplace warm and maybe crying in his arms for a little didn't seem like a bad idea. But she was a strong woman, for herself and because she wanted the amethyst femme to continue to deem her worthy. Now with adrenaline taking a back seat, she realized she'd almost lost him.

If she had failed her test today... Her eyes flicked up to him with a swell of emotion building just below the surface. She quickly averted her gaze when the first tear slipped over one eye. "Mmm, yes." Was all she could manage, nodding her head at the floor while she regained her composure.

When her eyes were just barely misted, she regarded the dragoness. Are you tired at all?... She tried to ignore her emotion by focusing on something else, though she knew without a doubt that the amethyst already knew her feelings.

No, but I will watch over you while you rest. Her slitted eyes regarded the woman coolly, she didn't want to seem like their mental exchange had taxed her too much. It hadn't overly, so she would be fine without rest. The elemental was unsure of herself in the aftermath of so much emotion, she felt bad for the woman in all honesty. You can say it if you feel it. The puzzled look was to be expected, so the dragoness simply smiled a half-sided smile and continued. My human name. You almost said one.

Caught on the spot, she could barely think enough to remember what she'd almost said. But that was the point, it was supposed to come naturally, wasn't it? Sayani. She could feel a small purr in her mind and assumed the name had a pleasing sound. It was nice, and honestly she didn't mean to pick something so surprisingly suiting. Feminine, mature, soft, smooth. She liked it too, actually.

There you go. Now listen to Kolir. She flicked her tail passively and tilted her head at the tall male. Their interaction was curious and interesting to her.

At the mere mention of his name, Sala's hand came up to grasp his while she shakily got to her feet. She was still afraid of looking at him too much, less reality continue to settle in. She didn't think she had a lot to lose, not until it was standing there staring her in the face. And she couldn't help but remember what she'd said to Draeth... She gripped his arm a little tigher, raising her eyes to his handsome face again at last.

"Stay with me."

[Talia]

((I’m a baaadd baaaad admin. Sorry for leaving you hanging again chickie!))

Draeth watched the small lithe little dragoness with new-found respect and, perhaps something a bit more deeper and meaningful. Pale unearthly eyes regarded her with interest and analyzed her interactions with her bonded as his claws ticked against the cold hard floor in draconic impatience. He knew that the dragoness understood what this meant- he could sense it, like most of his kind could after a certain point in time. Humans, however, were irritatingly slow, and despite the fact that he adored and respected his bonded, Kolir could really beat the majority when it came to being oblivious. None the less, despite his intolerance of the situation, Draeth submitted himself to a wait. While he and the young female knew the connection and respected it, human connections were not formed quite so easily- or so he had learned.

He admired the dragoness for her fierceness of spirit – she had been a hard one to bond, but she was so fitting for Sala. Curiously, he let faint tendrils of his consciousness drift over Sayani so as not to overwhelm her. He had to keep reminding himself that while she was as old as him mentally, she had a lot left to learn. She had not been out of her shell for the same amount of years that he had, and no amount of born wisdom would provide her with the experience he had gained in hundreds of years of being out and alive. She could converse and understand him on the same level as he- she was not a child, not mentally. But her worldly experience was limited, and it would be up to her bonded and his to teach her and inform her, and him to show her her future.

Kolir barely caught the swell of emotion on her face before she hid it between carefully placed veils and walls. He understood what she was going through, more than anyone ever could. He’d been through it more times than he cared to remember, after all, although this bonding had been so intense, so personal, that it made him feel as if he had been rebounded in a sense. Much as Sala had solidified her ties to Draeth, he had met with Sayani on a deeper level during the process, and it had left him feeling drained. Her vulnerability tore at him, rending his heart to shreds- here was a woman who had been so intense, so fierce. So like their race and the dragon-bonded. Now she was exhausted, and seeing her so defenceless evoked a strong protective streak in him.

He watched and half-listened to the wordless communication between her and her bonded with a small, gentle and encouraging smile. He wasn’t looking to intrude, but it somehow felt... right... that the four of them were privy to each others' thoughts. He smiled at the little dragoness as she watched him and resisted the urge to comment on the suitability of her new name. He wanted to test out these new ties, but he knew better. Best not to tire them out too soon after today’s events.

As Sala slowly regained her footing, he clasped her hands tightly despite his own fatigue. She needed him to be strong. He clung to her though as much as she clung to him, each of them using the other as a life preserver, desperately grasping onto the promise of the other. Despite his earlier misgivings, he wrapped an arm about her frame- it fit so perfectly there, his hand resting just short of the small of her back. His whole body screamed with animalistic feeling and needs- this was just too right. The heat of her body, the way she fit into him. The smell of her hair and their raging elemental and draconic blood... This was his mate. They were meant to have each other. He had to suppress it, push it into reserve until it dwindled in its brilliance. He satisfied himself by letting his other hand stroke her hair, that firey mass of silk that he loved so much.

Loved.

The word seemed so foreign- he never thought that he would even think it, let alone find someone who he felt that he could say it to.

At her one seemingly desperate plea to stay, the worry that had creased his brow ceased and his eyes warmed. Without a second thought, he gently cupped her face between his hands and kissed her with all the passion and longing he could muster in his current state. Even though he was still unsure, even though he did not want this to change her life so profoundly, he could not help how he felt.

Instead of spewing that all out though in a torrent or flurry of words and powerful emotions though, he simply added “I will. You’ve been sorely missed.”

[Tigeress]

Sayani could taste Draeth's feelings dully, like old candy still lingering in her mouth. She smirked mentally, knowing all too well the feeling of impatience when it came to humans. They did catch on surprisingly slowly, and for that she'd suffered years of agony. Her eyes darkened at the thought, but the sensation was subdued easily. Though she was drained of her energy, Sala's mere presence was like a cooling wind over the flame of bitterness the young Amethyst still felt. It was hard to accept it wasn't anyone's fault. She understood humans were just made differently, but still, it didn't seem fair.

She was wary of the silver dragon as much as she was curious. Perhaps because every little poke and prod revealed something interesting about him, he had lived freely a lot longer than her. A part of her was envious, and the envy came from wanting to be at the same stage he was. He felt... strong, intelligent. His bond with Kolir was also admirable; she knew that joining her heart with the elemental woman would take a while. Her reasons for accepting Sala were still mostly selfish, and it was hard to trust that she would live up to the dragoness' expectations.

But her feelings were a little... intoxicating. Experiencing secondhand human emotions on this level was new, and a little thrilling. Her eyes shifted from the massive silver form of Draeth, allowing her thoughts to be stored until later. She had plenty of time to explore her chosen one, and she had a feeling that at the very least he would not be a disappointment. It was a cold idea, being simply given to a mate and then living with that destiny. But this emotional concept of love was something that Sayani just didn't understand yet.

Sala was oblivious to the dragoness' careful calculations of everyone in the room, the second Kolir touched her was her undoing. Her mind felt warm and hazy as if being drunk, and the feeling of his arms around her was so much of what she needed that she wanted to break down entirely. Every weary curve of her form found a part of his solid body to rest on, and her arms encircled his torso loosely while she leaned her head on the top of his chest. Normally she might consider the fact that they were not alone, but their dragons were a part of them and she couldn't hide how much she needed him right now.

His eyes seemed to swim in her gaze for a moment, and she wondered if he was going to say that he couldn't stay with her. The second his beautiful face moved in towards her, her heart started racing. The press of his mouth brought soft and needy sounds from her, her arms gripping him tightly with all the strength left to her petite frame. She didn't hold back her emotion in the kiss, not daring to even draw back for breath. The kiss felt like a glass of cool water after being lost in the desert, and she couldn't stop herself from consuming as much of it as she could all at once.

Sayani's eyes had slitted to practically nothing, her tail swaying slowly like a contented cat. This was a new and interesting sensation, and she allowed herself a small mental purr at the echo of what her bonded was experiencing. Her gaze flickered to Draeth for a moment, wondering if his... feedback was quite as intense.

When Kolir drew back, Salalali could only stare breathlessly. Laying a shaking kiss on his jaw, she felt the need to add her private thoughts.

Is there a way we could speak alone?

Sayani's mental impatience could be felt across the room, a sigh being given at the sheer fact that the woman was still so new to this.

Not when you try to do it like that. Forgetting something?

Sala visibly blushed but tried to brush it off. It wasn't like she was being coy about her intentions, and Draeth probably knew what was on her mind. She looked over Kolir's shoulder and made eye contact with him, as if asking his permission. She had a feeling that no words needed to be said. She'd made a promise that she would follow through with. No more questions, she had a lot she needed to say to the handsome man in her arms. And it had to be tonight, because she'd run out of strength to deny herself.

Draeth and I have much to discuss, as do you. I'm sure we can wait nearby.

It was a lot for the dragoness to offer, but really, she grew tired of humans for the day. She was much more interested in seeing what the Silver would delve into privately with her. He wouldn't divulge much in front of the fire elemental, that much she knew. The woman would be too overwhelmed. She wondered how much Kolir knew, surely as the master of their kind he couldn't be very oblivious? It meant that her bonded was in good hands, at least.

Sayani was discovering that she didn't like the idea of harm coming to that which was hers. And in a way, they were all hers. A small smile graced her features as she waited.

[Talia]

He could feel her press into him, her body seeking every surface of his. Blood rushed hotly through his body and he could feel himself tense with that same anticipation and heart-rending throbbing that he always experienced when she was around. He wanted to pull her back, tighten his grip on her- but he was so afraid of hurting her. For once she seemed almost frail. She had been through too much today, that much was obvious. All thoughts of her safety and exhaustion, however, were fleeting at best. As soon as he felt her need, heard her breathy pleas, he was hard pressed to resist. Just for a moment the animal in him took over- hips ground against hips in an aching dance of desire. He tightened his grip on her- he wanted her. It was maddening.

The animal was untameable.

Through an extraordinary act of willpower, he loosened his grip on her with a sharp intake of breath. Being with her was almost physically painful. Now that there was another connection there, he... needed her, on more than a primal level. They belonged with one another. Even her passion reflected what he felt. As she gently kissed his jaw, he shivered involuntarily. Gods, this was too much. How could someone be this happy and in this much pain? His thoughts were all consuming- dignity told him that they needed to be alone, needed to talk to one another, to explore this- the animal in him raged and wanted to take her here, right in front of their dragons, their other halves.

Draeth felt it, more than he ever had with any other women Kolir had been with. His bonded’s passion made him feel as if he were in a daze, sluggish and like a hatchling all over again- like he had just spent an entire day with his blood warmed by the full sun. His tongue licked out lazily, and his gaze passed over the amethyst for a moment. Would their union be like this? Now that their bonds were together it was fate, but how a dragon bonded with another could be dangerous, painful... and it often created a similar reaction in their bondeds. Just like they were currently experiencing the blissful warmth of Kolir and Sala’s reunion, Sala and Kolir would be able to feel their dragons.

He mulled over this for a moment. No egg mate of his had ever been able to successfully create another of his kind, including Bel’tor and the Queen’s current dragon. It was what made the dragons so rare- couplings between them were difficult at best, and only the rarest of unions ever produced another hatchling. As far as he knew, the eggs that Kolir had been given to guard were the last of his kind, unless one of the pairings could create a new clutch. But the amethyst was so young... he was still having a difficult time seeing her as his mate, despite the fact that she would be just slightly smaller than him in less than a few months.

The great silver mumbled a growl and swished his tail in irritation. The fate of his kind would have to remain in limbo for awhile longer.

Kolir smiled at Sala as she spoke. She was very new at this, but both she and Pann had done exceedingly well considering. Mental communication had come easy to both of them, and communication between the two of them in particular had been as easy as breathing for him. In a little time, he had no doubt that she would feel the same.

Kolir touched Sala’s cheek tenderly, a gesture that was somewhat alien to him, and he laughed at Sayani’s obvious impatience. He could feel Draeth’s annoyance and anxiousness as well, like a niggling tickle in the back of his head. He would have to talk to him later- Draeth would have to understand.

You can always talk to me, he replied with a soft smile. That’s all he had wanted- time alone with her, time to be honest about all the things he had been thinking.

She was captivating. Breathtaking.

Draeth cocked his head ever so slightly as Sala made eye contact, looking suspiciously cat-like for the briefest of moments. Humans really did perplex him sometimes.

Child, you need not look to me. You are both practically bursting with the need to speak to one another- do not deprive yourself. I’m sure Sayani can feel it too. And I am half of Kolir, and know him as well as myself. Go speak.

The great silver lashed his tail and opened his maw in a monumental fanged yawn. He had deliberately blocked Kolir out for that bit of communication, but not Sayani. She knew as well as him. She confirmed it when she spoke, and he stared at her intently. Perhaps she had just as much to say as Sala...

Kolir frowned, noting the silent communication. This would take some getting used to. Draeth had never taken to anyone, and he had never been particularly fond of communicating with anyone outside of him.

He grasped Sala’s hand gently and led her out into the nearby corridor that they had entered by. Surely nothing was wrong?

“What is it Sala?” he asked quietly, worry still creasing his handsome features.

Meanwhile, Draeth had risen from his feigned slumber and paced about the room, his limbs limber and graceful despite his size. He stopped short in front of Sayani and settled, his tail coiled about his back and forelimbs.

You seem full of questions yourself Sayani, he said quietly, curiously.

[Tigeress]

Kolir's need fed the fire elemental like oxygen to her flames. The second he began to push against her, she could feel her body buckling and becoming moist for him on command. She could scent his testosterone like a fine wine, and the urge was there to devour him with lips and tongue and skin. Her senses about him seemed heightened, she could see the beads of sweat on his skin, smell the scent that was entirely him, feel his blood pumping faster below his skin as if it was her own.

Her vision swam again, and though it did more harm than good at this point, she gripped him harder just as he did she. The sensation made her cry out, and the sound was far from pain though her body burned with the aching sensations that only he could quench. She knew it now, that only his touch and his body could satisfy her. She just felt like... his, and not in a bad way. Part of her should have been alarmed at being owned by someone, part of someone to this extent but... it felt like coming home after a long long journey. He was home to her.

When he created that small level of distance between them, the air felt impossibly cold against her skin. It probably wasn't bad, if she'd had the opportunity she'd have considered a long cold shower as an intermission before she did something embarrassing in front of her new bonded. Well, more than she already had. His response to her query was kind, warm, welcoming. And something inside of her snarled. This wasn't how she wanted him right now. There was nothing gentle and calm about the turmoil inside her.

She simply smiled weakly in response as her attention went to the deep rumbling voice of Draeth. Somehow the great dragon's mere voice sobered her for a few moments. Long enough to let Kolir lead her out with a more graceful and dignified exit than she thought she could manage. She didn't know how to channel her thoughts to one recipient yet and block the others out, so she simply took Draeth's advice without needing to respond.

When they were outside, one look into Kolir's handsome troubled eyes made her heart hurt. He worried for her. She'd put so much on the line today. What if she never had the opportunity to experience this? She didn't know then what she knew now...

"Kolir... Kolir..." Her feelings from before the test came rushing back, the memory of asking Draeth for what could have been one last request. She pushed him up against the wall outside suddenly, stealing his mouth with hers hard and fast. She could feel her face damp with tears where they'd brushed against Kolir's face as well. Her hands wove through his hair, his beautiful soft hair that felt like silk on her naked body, her lithe form begging his with some newfound second wind of strength as she pressed against him.

One hand slid out of his hair to grab at his tunic, suddenly glad she'd had to remove all that cumbersome armor earlier. She pried the top loose to slide her hand beneath over the smooth expanse of his muscled stomach and chest. When she pulled out of the kiss for a moment, she realized she'd cut her lip lightly in her frenzy to devour his mouth with hers. She pressed the crimson spot against his mouth and felt something spark inside her head. This desire didn't feel like her own, and she had a feeling Sayani was enjoying the accidental nick.

"I almost lost you." She breathed inbetween heavy gasps of air. Her hand had stopped just above his heart, and her eyes shut tight for a moment. "Kolir I really almost lost this, all of this. I didn't know..." The tears came harder now as she said what couldn't be explained through words, with a kiss. Her fingers pressed him against her so hard that she knew something was going to bruise, but it didn't matter. Her heart was pounding so loud it was all she could hear. Her skin was hot to the touch, above the average warmth.

"You're everything to me." The words came an inch from his mouth, her eyes slowly opening to let her watery gaze take in the vibrancy of his eyes. She felt vulnerable, naked in front of him. More than she ever had with her clothes off. Because it really mattered now. Someone actually mattered, and nothing could take his place if she were to lose him or if he were to deny her. She'd lost all the control she'd ever had in one fell swoop. But an emotion-drunk part of her didn't care, so long as he would just keep kissing her.



The dragoness watched the massive silver come to her with the beautiful liquidity of their kind that she enjoyed watching. She didn't bother to hide her intrigue, but when he cornered her with his words she merely chuckled.

And you're not? You have nothing at all on your mind?

She was still feeling more than a little guarded. She didn't like that he understood and knew so much more than her. It was hard to take it for what it was- an experience to learn. The feeling of being inferior was simply too much today after all else she'd endured. One day it would be different, but right now she had little to go off of. Especially when it came to the Silver himself. How much did he know about her, anyway?

Did you know she was the one? Surely you felt something before today between them.

This was her first time experiencing the atomic bomb of passion that seemed to explode between human mates, but she assumed it came with certain... indicators. She had felt small things from inside her egg for some time now, something had told her that it was time to demand her freedom. It could only have been a dull echo of what Draeth had sensed. But even now she was hiding between questions about their bonded to avoid her own curiosities.

You as well have been waiting a long time for your match.

The prideful part of her didn't want to outright ask what he thought or felt about it, but she hoped by leaving the comment hanging in the air that he would respond. His age weighed in her mind and she wondered if he'd given up hope at one point of this day happening. Life must have been different outside.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the taste of blood and the sudden electric surge that seemed to come from Sala. She shivered involuntarily and took a moment to settle, blinking glazed-over orbs at Draeth. Closing her eyes entirely for a moment, her dragonic purr rumbled loudly in the empty chamber.

Is it... different for them, isn't it?

The feelings were intense but also foreign. She wasn't sure what it would feel like for the two of them, eventually. Her gaze shifted to her much smaller clawed hands in front of her with obvious disdain. This small form did nothing to represent her inner thoughts and feelings. She was no child. Snorting quietly, she returned her attention to the much larger Draeth. It was hard to keep her mind focussed, and her eyes were still a little glazed, but she did try to block it out.

[Talia]

Even the way she said his name made his pulse race and his blood sing. They were so close, so close to stepping over the edge of that precipice and taking the plunge. Her warmth, that raw exposed need and animalistic hunger... he knew the same things were reflected in his eyes, no matter how gentle he tried to be, how restrained he was.

And then, in that one split second where she made the conscious decision to kiss him, to trap him with her body, he stepped over the edge and gave in. His mouth met hers with crushing force, both of them completely oblivious to the other’s exhaustion and pain. He could taste her tears on his lips- the salt mingled in his mouth as his hands grasped her jaw, entangling themselves in her hair as he pulled her, begged her. They were all over each other, tasting each other, feeling each other’s desire... and yet, it wasn’t enough. His hands grasped her hips, pulling her hard against him while her body seemed to crave exactly that. Her hand on his flesh felt like a burning brand; a searing warmth that he could not deny. He wanted more of it- he wanted to feel her pressed against him, flesh to flesh. She was like a drug to him- an intoxicating high with none of the moral implications. She was everything right.

He spotted the blood on her lips even before she pressed it to his; the salty metallic taste made his vision glaze and he could hear Draeth’s low, mental purr. Her mouth was inches from his- he kissed her again, slower this time, less frenzied , even though his longing had increased tenfold. He promised with his kiss, a slow, lingering sensation as his tongue teased and explored.

He couldn’t tear his eyes away as she began to speak again, and he refused to relinquish his tight hold on her body. Her tears, however, were unexpected, and his eyes softened again, losing some of that feral fierceness as he brushed them away, silent still as he listened to her worries. Then he was lost again, his lips once more consuming hers, her hands creating bruising aches that only served to feed his need.

“You didn’t,” was all he could manage, “You won’t. Everything’s as it should be now.”

It was a lie, he knew. He could have lost her, he nearly did. But the past wasn’t important- now they both had the opportunity to recognize this for what it was. He refused to spoil it.

He could hear the heavy thud of her pulse, her near-feverish heat. It drove him to speak, to act. He couldn’t resist her pull. This was meant to happen, all of it. He couldn’t even second guess it anymore, or explain it away.

Her admission fueled him. He didn’t even give her a chance to continue before he hefted her up into his arms and carried her down the hall into a guest room. He deposited her gently on the edge of the bed before kneeling and taking her chin in his hand. She was far from vulnerable- Sala was fierce, proud, in control. He felt the need to be alone, to shelter her. She needed the chance to recuperate in private, and he needed to be alone with her without fear of an audience. This shift in her worried him, but he knew where it stemmed from. He had felt the same way when he watched her battle her bonded. He had almost lost her-his mate.

He stared at her a moment, resisting the urge to spring, to ravage her and to save honesties for later. This was important- it needed to be said.

“I’m in love with you,” he told her. “I need to be with you. I’m meant to be with you.”





Draeth rumbled with laughter at Sayani’s short and evasive reply. He couldn’t lie to her. Their kind were too transparent with one another- even as one newly hatched, she’d be able to tell that he was hiding something.

I have too many things on my mind, he replied, equally equivocal. He offered a draconic version of a shrug along with a massive fanged grin. She seemed as curious as him, but for some reason she was side-stepping him still...

At her next question he shook his head slightly, and uttered a low rumble of displeasure.

When Kolir first met Sala, I did not think that this would be the result. I thought that he was simply being human, and was enjoying taking the odd mate every now and again. But after he left her, I was aware of the fact that something had changed. He was not the same man. I began to question whether or not she was the one after that, and it became apparent to me today that she was, when she spoke to me before your hatching. When you and the other hatchlings were inside my head, she calmed me. I have never felt that connected to another human since my bonding. I knew then.

His head jerked back in surprise as she spoke again, and he made as if to clean a claw as he answered, his reply carefully worded yet honest.

We’ve all been waiting for quite awhile. Since we came into being. It is our way. I never thought it would come to this. I thought our race extinct, or on its way to being so.

It was a sobering thought. He had almost become comfortable with the idea that having a mate was not possible for him or the rest of his kind, short of the bonds that had already been formed. It had been so many years since any of the eggs had hatched, that having two in one day had come as a bit of a surprise to him. He had never dreamed that Kolir would find his match, thus finding his as well. He believed they were fated to be alone.

Draeth snapped back from his reverie with a low growl of pleasure. The taste of blood echoed dully in his palette, as if he had just recently killed. It was euphoric.

It is, he responded with a small contented smile. They feed off of our blood, our nature. They both possess the blood of a dragon now, and they react as such. They’re more aggressive than their kind usually is, more passionate. And just as we feel them, they can feel their bonds.

He left the rest of his sentence hanging. He had only seen a flight once, the dance between Bel’tor and his mate. That had resulted in nothing- no clutch, no eggs. Nothing. It had purely been as a result of the Queen and King’s union, nothing more. Perhaps there was still hope left for his kind. Now that Pann and Lissa had joined, there could be a chance. And now that Kolir and Sala...

He would not dwell on it.
.
He recognized the glances Sayani made at her claws, her form. Silently, he was glad that he had not been in limbo that long. She would have more catching up to do than him, but even that would seem like mere moments to one of their kind. It wouldn’t be that bad for her- none the less, he could empathize with her.

It is an unusual feeling, is it not? Try not to dwell on it Sayani. The time you will spend as a hatchling will be fleeting at best.

[Tigeress]

There was no need for hesitation, no need to wonder if he felt the same. With no words, even without touch, just by the look in his eyes she had all the answers she could ever need. And then some. It was an impossibly maddening sensation, every moment longer she stared at him the only thought that ran through her mind was 'I love him'. She couldn't think past the feeling, the knowledge, and how all-consuming it felt in that moment. In her younger years she thought she'd known love, but today made her wonder; had she ever been in love at all before now?

His body felt like a hungry serpent against her own suddenly liquid body. She shouldn't have had the muscular energy to be so languid and passionate at the same time. Both controlled and not; passionate and precise. Their bodies made a dance that was so much more simple and poetic than the frantic rushing of blood through her veins. Her body sang for him on the inside, to the point of almost screaming.

The teasing of his tongue made her collapse against him, all of her grace lost as Sayani and Draeth's hunger from the blood spilled into her head. She didn't know how to block out their feedback, and the pleasure was more intense than she'd ever experienced. She was close to climax just from that one moment alone, teetering at the edge so dangerously close without his hands ever even brushing her thighs.

What on earth was this?

Her eyes held a flicker of unease, the confusion of being taken over so completely by a sensation she didn't know she was capable of experiencing. Could normal humans or elementals experience this? His words soothed her from her worries. Whatever this meant, however it had changed her life, it was for the better and she'd never look back. She was part of Kolir's world, his life, she'd managed to get inside and she felt at home. She'd never leave.

Her thoughts felt unusually possessive even to her, and it felt so right for him to pick her up and carry her away. To a place where they could be alone, just her and him exploring this incredible feeling. She wanted him to lead her through it, to get lost inside, because she would be the only one to ever know this feeling with him. He was her dragon lord. She was his mate.

Her hand tilted in his touch like an affectionate cat, though her movements went deathly still at his words for a moment.

"You are with me. You always will be. I've been yours long before now." Her voice was slow, speaking things she wasn't sure she entirely understood. In a way it was all starting to fall together, so many hidden implications suddenly sliding out like from behind a velvet curtain.

"So take me, Kolir. Let me feel the way only you can make me feel. Show me what it means to be your mate, my love." She brought his hand slowly down her face and over the expanse of her neck until it rested above the swell of her breasts in the black fabric.



His laughter was interesting, it was hard to tell right away if it was genuine or not. She didn't yet know the large dragon's character. He could have been the kind to look down on others; it might have been a mocking laugh. But his words weren't belittling so it didn't seem to suit the situation. Perhaps she was being too defensive after all. If anyone, it was the humans she should have been holding a grudge against, not one of her own.

I suppose we both do. The dragoness offered; the effort of offering up her honest opinion showing in her uneasy posture.

She listened to the explanation with open curiosity. Not only because it seemed their bondeds had an interesting history, but because the Silver was being curiously open with her. Did he just trust her because he was supposed to? She understood the necessity of playing their part; their race was dying and any coupling at this point was one more ray of hope. But it still felt nice to believe she wouldn't be a robot for the rest of this life, just being held to the whims of the human world as she had been already for so long.

She was the one? Hmmm. That is a very definite sign. I'm surprised honestly. She paused to clear her throat before shifting her gaze delicately about the room.

I'm sorry you had to endure that. The Amethyst was a stubborn one indeed; she would apologize not for her actions but for the fact that the Silver had to endure it alone. Kolir was there but she felt him kind of... black out on their mental circuit-board. She knew the dragon had nearly been driven feral by the experience, because she had been pushing for it the entire time.

It made her feel guilty, not that she'd admit it. He could probably sense it anyway. If he pushed, she might try to deny it for pride's sake. Watching his carefully aloof gesture made her tense. She expected the vague response but it was still irritating to a degree.

You can say what you're supposed to or you can have an opinion; it is your decision. Maybe it was a bit much to assume he didn't feel so casually about it, but how could he? If he truly did, she wasn't sure she wanted part of this anymore. She wasn't a machine for offspring, she'd waited too long not to experience life on her own terms. Had he forgotten what it was like to be his own creature, independent of his bonded's teachings and opinions? She sincerely hoped not.

She sensed a lot of her impatience and confusion was mental naivety in dragonic terms, but she still didn't want to get to the point where her personality ceased to be the way she remembered it. If the fire elemental tried to take that from her, she'd take a lot more in response.

The intense frustration she'd been feeling faded to a shiver-inducing thrill, tossing her to the entire opposite spectrum of sensations. It was her first time experiencing this as much as Sala, and the woman's inexperience was making her feel almost bipolar. The dragoness didn't feel thrilled about that one.

And for us? What will this mean in vice versa? It feels... human. It's nice but it's not... us. Even as she said it casually, her claws clicked in and out against the stone in enjoyment, like a cat getting a good back scratch.

She had no personal experience in viewing any of the dragons mating patterns previous. Sayani knew that when the time came, her instincts would take over for her, and that her matured mind and body would understand the process better. That was enough for her, and there was a hope that if she felt powerfully enough for her mate that their passion would produce something for the first time in a long time.

His words made her previously slitted eyes widen. She settled casually, feigning indifference. But she was tired, tired of feeling at war with everything around her. Her fear made her weak, because trying to stand alone while being so connected was pointless. Resistance was futile, and she had a lot she could learn from the great Silver.

I hope so. She offered gently, unsure of what else to say. Instead she focussed on a glimmering reflection of the evening's fading sun on the floor while explosions of her bonded's overwhelming passion went off in her head like dim fireworks.

[Talia]

((OOC: Some minor powerplaying here, but I know you don’t mind Tigs. ))

The way the word rolled off her tongue, easy, natural – exactly as it was meant to be. He had feared that she would have found it awkward and alien, a foreign concept that she wanted no part of. Perhaps he still had quite a bit more to learn about this woman. He had always pegged her as free, unwilling to be fettered by close personal ties. Perhaps it was her livelihood that made him assume such things, but he had expected her to refuse him and fight against their bond. Nothing about him or his life had ever worked the way he had planned- he was far from the average being, and he had fully expected resistance. Having her acknowledge his feelings and knowing that she felt the same sent a flood of relief through him.

Mates.

He felt another anticipatory chill run down his spine as he stared at her a moment, revelling in the feel of her silken skin beneath his hand, the warmth of her body and the promise in her words. He could feel her chest rise and fall gently, and his eyes ravaged her body, no doubt in a manner that most would have found offensive – but it was them. He no more could control his lusts and the singing of his blood and his body than she could her own magnetism. He felt more alive now than he ever had before, yet more feral than he could cope with. His entire body felt as if it were ready to spring, coiled for the inevitable attack, yet his emotions rolled beneath the surface, reminding him of his own humanity and the depth of feeling that he felt for this woman.

He chuckled, his voice husky and heavy, even to his own ears, his eyes flashing as he rose from his former position. His movements were sinuous, almost mimicking Draeth’s slow, powerfully draconic motions. The beast in him snarled and craved dominance, force. Utter submission. He was a Dragon Lord, tempered by his humanity, yet housing the essences of a dying race that demanded a comeback.

She wanted him, that much was obvious, and he most definitely wanted to take her. But he was surprised to realize that he wanted her to fight back.

With the briefest flicker of hesitation, he bent over her, his hand tracing the outline of her collarbone thoughtfully, his eyes passing over the offensive material that still covered her body. He wasn’t frenzied anymore, just calculating. Commanding.

“We need to get rid of this,” he said, his voice compelling and authoritative as his hand moved from her collarbone to the material covering her breasts. His other hand joined the first, and they swept down her body suggestively before grasping her by the hips and pulling her up off the bed to meet him. In one swift motion, he had her pinned hard up against the wall, his body pressing against hers, his cheek pressed against hers as he whispered into her ear.

“You don’t know what you’re asking, my love..”

---

The massive silver watched the female carefully, noting how awkward their communication was as of yet. Would it always be this way? Was this how mated dragons usually acted? Naively, he had assumed that the same amount of chemistry would exist between mated pairs of dragons that had a bonded pair of humans. Perhaps that was just another thing that would have to come with time.

He saw what he thought was a glimpse of hesitation, the briefest moment where she questioned his motives. He found his kind rather opaque, although he contributed that to his living with them for years. It was easy for him to analyze them, especially when he had known most of the eggs since they were feral. He supposed she might have had reason to question him, although he was an honest beast by nature, open with most if they asked the right questions. And what good would it do to hide anything from her? She was just as much a part of him now as he was of her. There was a sense of inevitability to this whole situation – they were meant for each other, but the whole process of getting to that point was tedious and somewhat inelegant.

Still, despite them being thrown together as a result of their bondeds, he did not view her merely as a tool for their race. She was his mate, something altogether rare. Most dragons cherished this bond, and he was no exception. He had no doubt that it would take them years to feel at ease with one another, but that this too was meant to be. He simply accepted the situation.

Do not apologize, he said simply, with a brief flash of fang. Such things happen, and the end result was a positive one. I will not dwell on what happened earlier, and neither should you. There is no point.

He didn’t feel the need to push her- he understood the hatchling mentality. Whether or not she felt guilty was irrelevant- to Draeth, the situation had passed. Ultimately, everyone had come out unscathed. His only concern had been the well-being of his friends, and no one had suffered due to the hatchlings. Perhaps it was a simplistic view on the world, but the dragon did not believe in holding grudges, or making others relive that which seemed to cause them discomfort. And the amethyst femme had enough pride to boot it seemed, so he was not willing to pick a fight this early on over something wholly unnecessary.

He stopped short at her biting response, and resisted the instinctual urge to growl. Thin plumes of smoke trailed briefly from his nostrils, the only sign of his slight irritation. He had not guessed that she would probe the matter. Truth be told, he didn’t feel casually about it. He supposed he should have been upfront, but if there was one thing that made him particularly sore, it was that subject.

I do have an opinion. I figured that you would not want to hear it, he said brusquely, bright eyes focused entirely on the little female. I have been waiting a long time for my match. I had resided myself to the fact that I would never have one, as it had been a long time since any of the eggs had hatched. Now, I find myself forcibly paired due to Kolir’s pairing, something that, in truth, I rather dislike yet view as an unavoidable. We are both partially subject to the decisions of our bondeds. I fought it at first. Now I see this, and most other things, as something that was meant to happen, something that will be of some good to myself, or us both. This is not merely a matter of acceptance in order to rejuvenate our kind. It’s a matter of finding the same distinct happiness that my bonded has felt and is feeling. Yes, it seems like an initial inconvenience, something we have little control over. But it’s not. He would not have become mates with Sala if we were not meant to be mates as well. So I trust in his judgment, and I know that this was as it should be.

He eyed her for a moment before continuing, his voice lighter now. You seem all that I had thought you would be Sayani. All of us have known each other for quite some time. You just need to remember that.

He could understand her seeming dislike towards not having her own say, her own independence. She seemed to view him as something akin to a part of Kolir, rather than his own self. In truth, he and Kolir had had many disagreements, to the point where he had been particularly disgruntled with his bonded. They each were quite separate from the other; no doubt she would see that in time.

When she asked what it would be like for them, he began to feel some trickling affection for the female. With a grin, he answered her as honestly as she had asked.

You are right. It’s not us. We’re beasts. Men are far more fragile. We tumble through the air. We fight. We chase each other through the skies and make the other earn the right to be with us. Their bodies could not handle it. We claw and bite and bleed- not to kill, but because it’s what we are. He stared at her a moment, unsure as to whether or not he had divulged too much. I would never hurt you Sayani. And I doubt you would hurt me. You will see. It’s part of our nature- we do what comes naturally, as dragons. They do what comes naturally as humans. It feels alien to us, as we will feel alien to them. They will feel savage, feral. Moreso than they do now. It’s a difficult time for the humans, but they must bear it. We deserve to feel the same sense of wholeness as they do. And Kolir, nor Sala, will object to that.

He stretched as another wave of lust rolled over Kolir, his mind hazy and warm as he basked in their mating. And it had only begun.

He smiled warmly at her again as she quieted. He felt for her- really he did. He remembered this time as well, and it was not easy, nor comfortable.

You have the mind of an elder dragon, Sayani. Your body will push to catch up. You will be slightly smaller than me in as little as a few months. Heh. I dare say that Morganna would be less than impressed. She is the youngest female, but in mere months you will be as large as she! And it is not a painful process. You will probably enjoy it, in fact.

[Tigeress]

Something in him had changed, she picked up on it instantly. It was numerous things at once. His scent had altered a bit, more of an earthy musk mixed with the heat of his body. His movements were foreign, but recognizable as something different than his form would suggest. His presence filled the room with a level of tension that surprisingly had little to do with sex or passion the way they had previously known it. It was exciting to all of her senses- and, surprisingly, alarming. Perhaps it was Sayani's influence, but she felt more restrained than she should have in the moment. Almost hesitant, though her body was anything but.

When his hand moved over her delicate bones, her back arched involuntarily. But her arms and face remained surprisingly vigil, watching him as if at any moment she would have to react to him. Of course, she didn't know how right she was, and her reaction time couldn't beat his yet.

Her attentiveness was stolen by the force of him gripping her body, not too roughly but enough to remind her how much power was in his arms. The rest of his body was a mirror of that hidden strength, and she liked it. Her eyes fluttered for a moment as she sighed with a note of frustration, the sound catching in her throat when his hands suddenly jerked her by the hips. "Mmh!-"

And in a flash of a second, his face was right before her as her back forcibly hit the wall. "Ah!" Her eyes had darkened, and she could only use her peripheral vision to follow his movements with how he'd had her pinned. Her hips moved against him, seemingly to coax and tease his body with hers, though it was also to give herself leg room so that she could get leverage if she needed it.

She was the seductress here, and she would not let anyone just take her. No, not even her beloved. Surely the thoughts swimming through her head were not just her own, some of them almost had a taste in her head which was purely Sayani. She was getting her payback through using Sala as a vessel, one which would fight Kolir in a way the little dragoness wouldn't dare to in person.

"I think I do. Take me, beloved." The words brushed the base of his neck, followed by the distinct grazing of teeth. A part of her wanted to bite down, but she was still enough in her head to know that if she let herself get too carried away by the feral mindset, she might go overboard. Until she had more of a taste of it, she didn't know what she could do under this particular spell.



His dismissive attitude was appreciated, and half expected. She mostly apologized because it seemed the right thing to say, although she did assume it was painful for him. Strangely, there was a lot of guilt behind that. Sala's safety was in there as well, Kolir's to a lesser extent, but she had witnessed first hand how close to the edge Draeth had been. It surprised her that she had wanted that.

A small nod was given by means of acknowledging his words, but if he was willing to let it rest at that, then so was she. Either he was naturally a more peaceful beast, or he was being giving for her sake. Both of which equally intrigued the Amethyst female.

His sudden tenseness could be felt throughout the room, but the little dragoness didn't so much as bat an eye. It wasn't that she was callous to his discomfort, but the question had been asked for a reason. It was selfish, but she wanted to know him before he knew her. She demanded openness, because it was the only way she could let pieces of herself out. If he opened the doorway for her, she could walk through. But looking at it the other way, she didn't think she could do it.

Was it unfair? Probably, but she felt vulnerable and had for so long. It had manifested itself into a need for her to trust in a certain way, there were certain rules that had to be followed. Much as she feigned indifference, it didn't bring her joy to upset the massive Silver. Maybe he would understand her in time, but by that point, her methods would be relatively pointless to understand because they would have been successful.

Her eyes seemed to glimmer intently as she listened in pure silence, as unmoving as a statue. Finally, as if breaking a spell, she breathed out long and gently, her head quirking slightly to the side. Interesting...

It was hard for her to respond, she didn't ultimately disagree with anything he'd said. Much as she didn't like to not have a choice in the matter, a part of her had always known it came with the territory. And even knowing this, she still cried out to be released into this life. She wasn't ill-prepared for it, she was just being stubborn because of her emotional uncertainty as a whole. Trying to pinpoint her discomfort to one certain thing was too difficult at this point. Possibly, she was just overwhelmed. Childish explanations came to mind, but she saw it for what it was.

I feel a little bad that I don't have much to offer in the way of my own opinion. I believe I wanted to hear yours first so I could see how it made me feel. I don't feel upset by any of it, I know it to be true as well. Much as I may not like not being in control, I have known long before now that this is just the way of things. There is still much I don't yet know, this makes me feel... uneasy.

It went a bit unspoken that this unease was being taken out on those around her, but even in her relaxed state she couldn't bring herself to say it in blunt terms.

It's different from how I felt inside, in my head. You have known each other in a physical way for far longer, I am at a disadvantage. While her voice held a tinge of bitterness, it had mostly begun to sound simply tired. It made her even more weary to hear how defeated she sounded in her own head. The urge to blame it on someone never completely went away it seemed, though. She could still feel a bitter pit in her stomach that made her want to lash out... and playing inside Sala's head at the moment wasn't helping to control her feral attitude.

As if on cue to Draeth's explanation, she could feel Sala embracing the urges in her body related to the beasts. Her eyes slitted again as a slight smirk graced her features. She wanted to feed on the sensation, and she'd get her fill by making the girl act as roughly as she could. As Draeth spoke, it made more and more sense. This was almost like being teased, they were still so inexplicably... gentle, she wanted to tear down the walls of their self control and let it degrade into something frenzied and raw. But that might not end so well for them. And even if Sala was easy to undo, Kolir had more experience fighting Draeth's influence.

She physically pouted to the best of a dragon's ability and tossed the thought aside. That explains a bit. I like that. she purred, feeling Sala's teeth sliding across Kolir's skin with a note of personal satisfaction. The femme eyed Draeth wickedly, wondering if he could sense how much of this was her doing. If that wasn't encouragement enough to make him continue, then nothing probably would be. Luckily he did continue.

Don't be so certain... maybe you haven't explored my tastes yet. She responded immediately to his comment about not hurting one another. If he could take it, she would give it, and probably push him while she did. Oh yes, this was starting not to seem so bad, because strangely the idea of him winning her in the air and taking his prize... well...

Her back arched, claws extending more than they had before. She realized that was just how she was, she wanted him to win her. Not to have her given to him for free, just because 'it was destined to be'. That was why even in conversation she pushed before she gave, she saw how much he was willing to give before responding.

I don't know how in my head you are... but don't dare use these thoughts against me. She was surprised at how playful the thought came out. Though she may have been a little drunk on sensation at the moment. But more than half of that was not because of Sala's doing, but her own fantasies of her eventual turn with the Silver dragon.

Hmmm, I hope these aren't just calming words. But you have more experience with it than I do. I can simply wait and see. But it is, in the least, interesting. Much as she liked to study others and not herself, a learning process was a learning process. It would possibly be important for her to understand the phases of a hatchling for the future, if all went went.