Dragon Rider Play

Erika chirped and wriggled a little but didn't protest.  His hugs were a little squishy, but she knew he needed them.

Tithenor followed the older human to a private area away from the rest of the class.  It was roomy, hidden away by the shelves and stacks of books, with a chalkboard and two desks. Perfect.

"This is where you two will be doing your studies," Lucius informed them.  "I will inform you when class is over and what the assignments are.  I would like you to make an attempt at doing the assignments and keep up with the class, but that will not be a requirement.  For today I want you two to explore and see what may work best for you.  After class I will go over what you have covered so far and give you direction.  Any questions?"

Blade shifted a little. He was a bit nervous and a little uncomfortable being singled out like this, but if it meant being a Rider and being with Erika, he'd do it.

"No, thank you, sir," Tithenor said politely.

The Professor swept out, returning to the rest of the class.  Today's lesson would be a continuation on the history of the Riders, but today focused more on the islands themselves.  Riveting stuff!

Tithenor turned to the desks, looking through the supplies left to them.  Gently he set Mellon on the floor so he wouldn't fall off his shoulders.  After a moment, he pulled out a chart with enlarged drawings of every letter in the alphabet and the number table.  "Ah, this is where we shall start."

Blade sat at one of the desks, and put Erika in his lap. "So, um, thank you, Tithenor." Blade said awkwardly. This did mean a lot to him that the elf was willing to do this for him.

"Of course," Tithenor said, sitting at the other desk.  He glanced at Mellon, giving him the option to get on his lap.  "Why would I not?"

Erika stretched to see over the edge of the desk, peaking at the items curiously.  What was all this?  This wasn't what she remembered from last time.

Mellon purred and curled up in Tithenor's lap happily.

Blade shrugged. "Because I'm just a delinquent street rat." He said. "Because I'm pretty well the opposite of you. How we became friends still amazes me."

Tithenor stroked his dragon slow and soothingly.  "Are there rules against one of my station becoming a friend with one of yours?"  It was a genuine question.  Tithenor was beginning to think there were no social rules here, but perhaps he was wrong.  Had he breached some sovereign line befriending Blade and caused him trouble?

Blade shook his head. "No. As far as I know, you can try and become friends with whoever you want. It's just slightly unusual for someone chronically breaking rules to befriend someone who always follows them." He smiled at Tithenor. "I'm glad your my friend either way."

"And I am glad you are my friend," Tithenor said softly, a faint smile touching his lips before disappearing once more.  "Now, do you recognize any of these?"  He turned the chart around for Blade to look at.

Erika tried to climb from Blade's lap onto the desk but couldn't quite make it.  Hmm...

Blade pointed to the M, J, and C. "Those three are on my one knife." He said. "Otherwise, I've seen them, but don't know what they mean." He helped Erika onto the desk.

"Then we have a start," Tithenor said calmly.  He started with the beginning and talked Blade through the alphabet just as an introduction.  Later lessons would be more fun, today was just to get to know things and where Blade stood in this respect.

Erika climbed on the desk and started looking around, exploring everything.

Blade struggled a little, and repeated a lot of what Tithenor said to try and help him memorize it.

Tithenor was patient, complimenting Blade when he got something right, gently correcting when he was wrong.  He ignored Erika as she climbed over his work, stopping her only when she tried to eat the chalk out of curiosity.

It would take time, but Blade seemed to get better the more times the lessons were repeated.

After a while, Erika returned to Blade's lap and fell asleep, curled up like a hedgehog.

Lucious came back when class was over and stood watching the pair, listening to Tithenor teach Blade the children's ditty for remembering the alphabet.

Blade mixed up a few letters at first, but got it down with more repetition. Blade wasn't a stupid lad, just not as educated as some.

Tithenor sang it through with him twice correctly then concluded with a nod.  "You will not need long to learn to write and read," he said simply.  

"I had thought not," Lucius said, stepping forward.  "Class is dismissed, if you desire to leave now."

Blade's head snapped to where Lucius was. He was still tense around the professor. Blade nodded awkwardly.

Mellon was snoring softly on Tithenor's lap happily.

"You two seem to be doing well," Lucius said.  "Return here tomorrow and continue as you were."

"Thank you, sir," Tithenor said, rising from his chair carefully, trying not to wake Mellon as he transferred the snoring hatchling to his arms.

Blade just nodded and collected Erika. "Thanks." He told Tithenor as they left.

"Practice the song throughout the day, and tomorrow we will be able to move on to the next step," Tithenor told him.  "There is no rush, I merely do not wish you to become bored if you know your stuff."

Erika yawned as she woke and started sleepily picking at the buttons on Blade's shirt.  (Unless he's wearing his vest, then it's the buckles)

Blade nodded, mentally singing the song in his head. "Erika, please don't undo those." He asked his dragon. "I need those buckles fastened."

Erika looked up at him and chirped irritably.  But it was shiny and interesting!  She wanted to play with it.

"Sh does have a good eye," Tithenor said in amusement, shifting Mellon.  "Perhaps she would be better served staying in the rookery during smithing class."

Mellon stirred and woke with a big yawn.

Blade tilted his head at Erika. "Do you want to go to class with me or no? If you go, you can't mess with anything shiny."

Tithenor looked down at the little dragon.  "/Good afternoon.  Are you ready to go to the rookery?  I need to go to smithing class and that does not agree with you./"

Erika hissed and shook her head.  She didn't want to go to the rookery!  She headbutted Blade's chest instantly.  Stay with him!

Pat smiled when she saw them emerge from the bookshelves.  "Hi!  Guess what?"