Dragon Rider Play

Jeremiah laughed. "Well, let's get that carcass back to the rookery so dragons can eat so I can eat."

Luke laughed. "I like learning! Are you the librarian here?" He asked Lucious. "What's your favorite subject?"

"You always think with your stomach," Pat sighed.

Lucius smiled.  "I am.  My favorite subject is the History of the Floating Islands."

Jeremiah grinned. "Yup. One of my favorite things about this place."

Luke smiled brightly, and asked half a dozen questions about the floating islands. The boy was curious, and eager to learn.

Mark smiled and noted to remember to try and tell Tithenor and Lucius about a couple of Luke's "quirks."

"Do all boys think with their stomachs?" Pat asked, grinning.

Lucius was delighted to find an eager young mind and answered question after question.  Finally, the Headmaster broke it up.  "Mark, why don't you show Luke the lay of the place and introduce him to his teachers and new clanmates?"

Jeremiah thought about that for a long moment. "I don't think so. I do because I didn't always have a steady and reliable source of food. Sometimes, I wouldn't be able to eat all day, and went to bed hungry. So having not only steady food, but good food as well... well, it's something I'm very thankful now."

Luke looked at his brother, who nodded and smiled at Luke. Luke stood up. "Warrior, want to come with?" He asked the dragon.

Pat reached out a free hand and squeezed Jeremiah's hand.  "I am thankful for you, Jeremiah."

Warrior chirped and scampered toward the door.  Yes!  He wanted to go wherever Luke went!

Jeremiah looked at Pat and smiled. It was a lot more of a genuine and tender smile than what he normally did. "Thanks." He said softly.

Luke grinned and raced after the dragon, Mark on Luke's heels a little slower.

Pat let her hand drop and focused on the groundhog.  "Sorry.  I'm getting girly on you, aren't I?"

Warrior bounded out and instantly pounced on Erika.  Friend!  Clanmate!  Come see!

Jeremiah looked away and rubbed the back of his neck. "it's, uh, fine. I mean, I don't want you to have to pretend when it's just us. A little break now and then is good, right? No having to constantly watch your back and tongue?" He silenced himself on the topic as Mark and Luke ran up. "Oh my god, you were right, Pat. He is smaller than you!"

Mark laughed. "Guys, this is Luke, my younger brother. Luke, this is Pat and Jeremiah. They're two of my friends and teammates."

Luke grinned and shook Jeremiah and Pat's hand. "Pat! You're the one I talked to in the rookery earlier!"

"I told you so," Pat grinned at Jeremiah then shook Luke's hand.  "Hi again!  Yes, I'm Pat.  And that's Jeremiah.  And it looks like you and Warrior are getting along splendidly!"

Luke grinned. "Warrior re-chose me as his rider. It doesn't happen very often, but now I get to stay here and learn!"

Jeremiah raised an eyebrow at that. "Huh." Secretly, he was scared now. What if Erika re-chose?

"What does that mean?  Re-chose?" Pat asked, confused.  That was possible?

Erika sensed his worry and reached up to nip his hand affectionately.  As if!

"Occasionally, it sounds like a dragon will find a person they share a stronger bond with than who they previously picked, and so they re-choose." Mark tried to explain.

Jeremiah looked down at Erika and picked her up.

Luke's eyes rounded when he saw Erika. "Oh wow! I've never seen a dragon like that before! She's pretty! What is she? What's her favorite food?" Luke started to ask Jeremiah several questions about Erika after that.

"That's a scary thought," Pat frowned, reaching down to pet Nightshade.  "Are you okay with that?"

Erika hissed at Luke, bristling.  She didn't like him.

Nightshade purred. With what? Luke? He seemed all right.

Jeremiah answered the questions and frowned at Erika. "Oh hush. He means no harm."

Luke smiled and was unafraid when Erika bristled. So THAT'S what she looked like with the spikes out!

(Sorry, Pat's question was directed at Mark, was/is Mark okay with Warrior re-choosing.)

Erika grumbled, shifting in Jeremiah's hold.  She still didn't like him.  He was causing unrest in their clan!

Mark smiled. "Honestly, I think it will work better this way, at least for me and Warrior. I don't know how much time I would be able to give Warrior otherwise, and Luke will be a good rider, given time. He's still young and has room to grow."

"Oh, but you still like Mark, who wouldn't be able to stay with us? And if Warrior hadn't re-chosen, I doubt you'd see Warrior ever again." Jeremiah told Erika in a low tone. "Besides, he thinks your pretty."

Pat smiled and reached out to hug Mark.  "You are taking this a lot better than I would have.  How long can you stay?"

Erika shook herself.  He still bothered her, but okay.  Fine.  She'd give him a chance.  If he thought she was pretty now messed up.

"I will try and stay through tomorrow, but I may have to leave tonight." Mark admitted with a sigh. "I think next place we will visit is the Mess Hall, and then the Medical Ward to talk to Tithenor."

Jeremiah shook his head at his dragon's stubbornness.

"Good," Pat smiled.  "But what if we visited the forge and the other teachers before Tithenor?  I'll let him know he's going to have visitors.  you know he hates being surprised that way."

Mark nodded. "That's a good idea." He looked at his brother. "Hey Luke! Want to see the forge before we head to the Mess Hall?"

Pat glanced at Jeremiah.  "I'll feed Nightshade and Mellon then run talk to Tithenor.  I hope Erika calms down now."

Jeremiah shook his head. "If it's okay, I'll talk to Tithenor. I planned on visiting him anyway."

Pat paused then nodded.  "Sure, that's fine.  I just thought you might like to tag along with the brothers.  Nightshade, let's get this food to Mellon, yes?"

Nightshade chirped and started to drag the groundhog again.

Jeremiah smiled a little. "I don't like saying goodbyes, and that'd be all I'd be thinking of with Mark right now."