Dragon Rider Play

"Do not seriously harm them, but otherwise do what you deem best," Tithenor said with a flick of his fingers.

The ringleader was winded, but too stubborn to give up easily. He started trying to fght back, bringing an elbow down hard on Mark's shoulder.

Mark winced as he felt his collarbone crack, but didn't give up. He palmed the leader in the face, hopefully at the right spot to dislocate his jaw.

Blade grinned and stealthily went over to the group. He knocked two guys out before they knew what hit them before waltzing into the middle of it. "My my! Now this is my kind of scene! Which of you ladies wants me to make you pretty first?" He asked with a psychotic grin, twirling a knife. One guy went for Blade, but the skilled assassin was too quick, and playfully nicked both his ears before dancing out of the way. He went behind the guy holding Pat and took out his legs. He grabbed the guy and used a pressure point that loosened his grip on Pat just enough she could worm out and escape. Get the hostage away, and then play play play!

Pat darted away, gasping for air. She stood trembling, watching the others fearfully.

Tithenor waited until Blade had subdued the others. "Blade, stop playing with your food," he said mildly.

Mark managed to knock the larger guy out, but he was hurting some. Blade was pretty well unscathed. "Aww," Blade complained. "But they didn't provide a decent challenge..."

"Later. They can learn more by living than dying," Tithenor told him calmly. "Mark, are you, okay?"

Pat stood shivering violently. What should she do now?

Blade pouted but let the bloodied guys go. Mark just groaned and held his torso gingerly. "I hurt..." Mark admitted. "I didn't expect the dumb arse to actually fight back."

Tithenor frowned and went to check on Mark. "Blade, please ensure Pat has suffered no serious damage." He guided Mark to sit and began looking him over. "Always expect the other to fight back and be ready for it," he scolded, his tone never losing that calm, mild edge.

Blade gave Blue a thumbs up and walked over to Pat, sheathing his knives. "You okay, man?"

Mark was battered and bruised, and had a couple of cracked ribs as well as a cracked collarbone and a split lip. "Noted. I'm not used to having guys bigger than me, I guess."

Pat jumped and managed to stammer, "F-f-f-fine. I lost my book. It's not mine." She started trying to look for her book, still pale and shaken. It was her first experience with bullies.

Tithenor clicked his tongue as he probed the bruises gently. "At least you will live through this lesson. Come. Let us get you to the medic."

Blade helped look for the book. "You... don't really know self defense, do you?" He asked. He found the book and picked it off, brushing the dirt off of it.

Mark nodded and followed Blue without stuggle.

"No. I don't know anything but books," Pat mumbled, taking the book, her eyes cast down in shame. "I was never allowed to learn that kind of thing."

Blade grinned. "Well now, would you like to learn a few tricks then? I may not be around all the time to save you and Mark's heinies."

Pat shook her head. "No thank you. I don't want to cause you trouble. I need to return my book now." She paused as she turned away, looking at Blade closer. "Blade? You look very nice." Ducking her head, she scurried away like a meek mouse.

Blade looked taken aback for a moment before he remembered Blue tried to make him look a bit better. After Pat left, he sat under the tree and thought. Something about that exact wording and how Pat said that sounded a little off, but he couldn't exactly place how so yet.

Tithenor, meanwhile, had walked Mark to the medic and now stood off to the side, watching with apparent disinterest. The fact that he was there at all but his act of boredom to lie.

Mark got patched up and walked out. "I just have to return at dinner to get some pain killer. Thank you for making sure I made it here in one piece, Tithenor."

"You are welcome, Mark," Tithenor said. "It is the least owed to you for attempting to help young Patrick. We are going to see our dragons. Do you desire to come?"

Mark shrugged. "Seems like a good idea to me. By 'we,' I am guessing you mean you and Blade?"

"Indeed," Tithenor confirmed, glancing around and spotting Blade under the tree. "He needs a new name."

Mark looked at Blade and shrugged. "I don't see what's wrong with 'Blade' for him."

Blade was oblivious, trying once more to figure Pat out.

"It is not him. It is a thing to hide behind," Tithenor said dismissively. He stopped and looked down at Blade curiously. "What are you pondering?"

Blade jerked to attention, a knife at the ready. He relaxed when he saw it was just Blue and Mark. "Oh. Nothing, really. We going to see the eggs?"

"That nothing seemed very concerning," Tithenor remarked. "Yes, would you like to lead the way?"

Blade shook his head. "It was nothing. And sure. If... if it's okay, I'd like to see my dragon alone."

"I see no reason why not. They are all in different areas, therefore iit will be easy to see them alone," Tithenor said.