Dragon Rider Play

Blade frowned. He did notice Tithenor didn't eat. He stretched. "Hey, I think I may have left a knife at the arena. I'll meet you guys at Lecture." He said. Blade took care of his dishes and left. He prayed no one followed him.

Mark frowned. "I didn't think I offended him that much. I thought he joked before about being short even."

Tithenor watched after Blade, frowning a little.  "I do not think he is offended.  He may just need space.  Come, we should get ready."  He hoped Blade remembered they were supposed to meet with Lucius early.

Pat looked after him, debating on following but chickened out at the last second.  Instead, she went to get her dragon.

Blade did not go to the arena. He went to the medical ward and asked to see 53 again, although not for himself this time.

Mark nodded. "I'm going to bring Warrior. I think he liked the quiet and napping on my lap."

53 was folding fresh linens, making certain each one was in a perfect, razor-sharp fold.  He looked up and smiled when he saw Blade.  "You enjoy this place so much you thought you'd come back for a visit?"

"I believe I shall get Mellon as well," Tithenor nodded, following Pat.

Blade shook his head. "To be honest, I hate the smell of this place,a and it's too neat and clean for my liking, but that's beside that point. Is it healthy for elves to barely eat anything? Tithenor usually only eats about half of his food, but today he barely even touched it."

Mark smiled. "What did you guys put for your homework? Lucius left it pretty open ended."

"A healthy elf will eat as much as the average human, more if they are active due to the fact that they have a high metabolism," 53 answered.  "A lack of appetite usually means he is feeling a lot of stress and anxiety.  Give him some time to adjust, but if he does not start eating healthy portions within the next couple of days, bring him here."

Pat smiled and happily chattered about what she had written the whole way to the rookery.  She'd had plenty of time to write.

Mark nodded and compared ideas about the information.

Nightshade was still puzzling over her box. She was quite absorbed in figuring out how to open it.

Tithenor said nothing, going to Mellon's cage. "/Would you like to come to class with me, little friend?/" he asked softly.

Pat smiled at her dragon, undoing the lock. "You haven't figured iit out yet? I guess that means you'll have something to play with tomorrow!"

War had his ball trapped between his front claws, chewing it energetically.

Erika paced her cage. Shed been woken by the arrival of the others and had fully expected her rider to be with them. Where was he?

Melloraumo chirped happily and went to the door of his cage. Of course! He liked being with his rider.

Nightshade let out a dissatisfied grunt. She would figure it out! You just watch, rider!

Blade jogged to catch up with them. "Sorry about that. Now, where is Erika? Is she mad at me yet?"

Mark smiled. "Come on, Warrior. Do you want to go to class with me, or stay here and play?"

Tithenor smiled as he opened the door and let Mellon climb onto his shoulders. "/I think you like class better than I./"

"I know you will," Pat assured her, opening the cage and holding out her hands. "It's lecture time!"

War dropped his ball with a cry of delight and ran to Mark, all but flinging himself into his rider's arms.

Erika stood at the edge of her cage, cold black eyes studying Blade. Oh, so now he'd come for her!

Melloraumo perched on his rider's shoulder. Onwards!

Nightshade crawled into her rider's arms. This should be an interesting class, right?

Mark laughed and showered his dragon in affection. In his eyes, Warrior was one of the best dragons a guy could have the honor of being a rider for.

Blade opened it up. "Sorry. Had to go do something really quick."

Tithenor smiled briefly and stood. He walked to the door and waited just outside for the others.

"I think so," Pat told her dragon, cradling her as they joined Tithenor. "I hope you agree."

Warrior licked every reachable inch of Mark, his body quivering iin joy. You would have thought it had been days since the dragon and rider had last seen each other.

Erika went to the cage opening and sat primly. What could possibly be more important than her?

Mark laughed and joined his friends outside, which left Blade alone with Erika.

Blade sighed and opened Erika's cage. "I was worried about Tithenor. He didn't really eat anything for lunch, and it isn't healthy, so I wanted to ask 53 his opinion. I didn't want Tithenor to know I did though, because he would probably just shrug it off as if it were nothing. I didn't mean to make you mad."

Erika relented and climbed onto Blade's shoulder, perching like a bird. The little dragon purred and rubbed her head against Blade's chin. How could she hold caring for a clanmate against him? She couldn't. Could she help with the stubborn elf?

Blade sighed and pet her neck a little. "I don't think there's too much we can do, little lady."

Erika nibbled his ear gently. We could bully him into eating? That could be fun!

Blade shook his head. "No, I don't think that'll help. I've already tried, and nothing."

Erika huffed. Well then! She'd have to think about this problem. In the meantime, weren't they supposed to be going somewhere?

Blade nodded. "Yup. We need to go see Lucius before class starts." He walked out and to the rest of the group. "Shall we go and see Lucius now?"

Tithenor unfolded from where he had been cloud watching and inclined his head. "It is time.". He turned and led the way toward the lecture hall.

Pat asked softly to Mark and Blade, " Do all elves cloud watch this much?"

Blade shrugged. He didn't know. Tithenor was the first elf he ever met.

Mark shrugged just a little. "The elves I knew at least enjoyed the beautiful things in life, and if it was more natural, the better. Perhaps He just likes watching clouds too. Like a calming thing?"

"That makes sense," Pat agreed.  "Do you mind if I sit next to you, Mark?"

Tithenor reached the lecture room and glanced around.  They were the first ones here.  Not even the professor was in sight.  Perhaps he was lost among the books.

Mark smiled. "Not at all." He said happily.

Blade was the last one in the room, right behind Mark and Pat. He frowned when he didn't see the teacher who asked them to come in early. "Professor Lucius?" He called out.

There was a moment's pause then the light haired professor appeared from among the shelves, a stack of books in his hands and his dragon about his shoulders.  "Ah, Blade, Tithenor, Mark, and young Pat.  Thank you for being so prompt."  He set the books down on his desk and gestured.  "Blade, Tithenor, if you would follow me, please."

Blade tensely nodded and slowly followed the professor. He hoped Tithenor was still willing to help him. The elf may not feel like he fit in the best, but to Blade he was the closest friend he had and the one he could trust the most. He instinctively pet Erika and tried to cuddle the prickly dragon.