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Above the Weyr and several dragonlenths away from the lake, a brown-white dragon emerged from the midsts of between. Descending down as his wings tucked against his body, Zalenth swept upwards upon a passing, serene air current and quickly dove downwards.

Trying to brace herself, Stryder held onto the second neck ridge and gritted her teeth. Zalenth always had to zip in every direction! Though she wasn't a fan of being left oblivious of what direction they would head, she did love to fly. Patting the brown-white, she grinned.

"Shards! How long has it been, Zally? Three turns?" Sighing softly, Stryder peered down towards Shining Weyr and then diverted her attention towards the lake. "I've been gone for so long...."

It was true.

Though she couldn't recall much, all the young dragonrider could remember was being transferred to fight Threadfall at the request of the Weyrleader. As Stryder regrets doing, she accepted the request and returned to her roots; Benden Weyr. But the ill memories of betrayal and hatred were rekindled fresh within her mind. How they hated her! How they despised her for what she was! Why, oh why did she return home! Home? No- such a place could not be deemed 'home'. Benden had changed; its honor and distinguished manner had become dark, treacherous and an utter disaster. There was nothing but bloodshed and berating left and those who flew with honor were just as repuitble as a foul, ill-twisted beast.

The logic of truth and honor had long dissapated.

Sweeping suddenly to the side, the brown-white diverted towards the lake. Something was pulling him towards it; whether it was the need to was away the ichor or some strange, sudden sensation he obeyed.

Knitting her brows as the sudden change in course was made, she tilted her head and weaved her fingers through her tapered bangs.

"Shining Heights is the other way, Zally."

I know, the brown rumbled with a deep resounding chuckle. But I'm dirty.

Smiling as she caressed and delicately drifted her fingers upon his eyeridge, she laughed softly. "Oh, is that it? Well...go ahead, lead on!"

Sweeping low as he unfurled his wings, the brown-white dragon began descending towards the edge of the lake and away from the presence of others being cautious and casual in his arrival. Backwinging and falling back onto his hind legs, Zalenth slowly fell to all fours and tucked his wings against his back.

Oblivious and still trying to remember those who congregated around the lake, Stryder simply dismanted her riders helmet from atop her head and slid down from a-dragonback. Adjusting her helmet back atop her head and fixing up her scored jacket, the now twenty-two turn female slapped the side of her dragon with a wide grin.

"Don't wait up for me, Zal. I just need to get all this riding gear off," she softly replied as she whisked her hand across his muzzle.

Are you sure?

"Yes! Just go and I'll meet up with you," she chuckled as she rolled her eyes and began unbuttoning and taking off her thick, wher-hide jacket.

Nodding his head as he flared his nostrils with a snort, the brown-white dragon set his sights upon a desloate area of the lake and, with no hesitation, suddenly leapt upwards and dove deep within the confines of the cool waters of the lake.

Watching with a rather intriuged nature, Stryder shook her head and tossed her jacket aside. "Dragons," she huffed as she sat down and began unlacing her boots.

Soaring within the depths of the water, Zalenth yeilded as his orbs began whirling and churning wildly. That voice- he knew that voice! Manuvering himself to twist around, the brown-white dragon swam several feet and abruptly halted as his muzzle tapped against anothers.

Piroths'.

Overtaken with emotion and a storm of forgotten sensations, Zalenth lerched upwards and broke through the surface as the need for air didn't strike him until the crucial moments. Surging upwards, the brown-white dragon gasped deep breaths and darted his eyes back towards the depths of the lake.

]Piroth! It's you! I've missed you, I've missed you! He solaced with zeal as he bellowed another chorus of exhilaration. Dipping his head back into the depths, Zalenth's eyes spun with upmost joy and affection as he sought the female.

Tossing her left boot aside, Stryder gritted her teeth as she began unlacing and unlatching her boots. The heavy, thick wher-hide was an asset for Threadfall but, in other uses, it was too difficult to simply slide off. Pulling and tugging at the knotted laces and latches, the young woman frowned as the right boot seemed to refuse from departing from off her foot.

"Shards! I didn't think a few extra knots would make it this tight!" She growled with a slight irritation.

As her hands pryed at the boot, her eyes caught someone from the side appraoching towards her. Glimpsing upwards with a rather assured feeling that it was someone from the Weyr that would question her loyalty and title, Stryder laughed softly.

"You don't even have to ask, I'll tell you now," she absent-mindedly announced as, too often, the same questions were always asked. "Names Stryder; brown-white rider of Shining Heights Weyr and blooded of Benden We-"

All words, all thoughts seemed to yeild as she peered upwards into the familiar eyes, those eyes...the eyes of those she left behind. Her body seemed to become numb just as her jaw practically dropped. Was it really- it could't be...but it was.

"Necia," she softly spoke as her body seemed to freeze in its spot, stiff and speechless.

Jolting back with a mild surprise as the scarlet broke through the surface and began rubbing her muzzle along his neck, Zalenth rumbled with an audible nature as he playfully nipped at her neck with upmost tenderness and dear affection.

We had no choice, love. Benden sent for us and that was the only way to salvage our honor and the lives of others. I never should have left, I never wanted to leave you, but I can promise you that I nor Stryder will ever leave again.

Crooning softly as he chuckled low, the brown-white dragon nuzzled against her with a postive reassurance.

That's a promise I intend to keep.

Stryder's heart seemed to race as she realized that this was no illusion; this was real! Taken by surprise as Necia wrapped her arms around her in a gripping hug, Stryder held tight to her and drew her lips towards her ear.

"I didn't mean to leave you," she whispered with sorrow overtaking her tone. Tears began to welt within her eyes and trail down her cheeks as she clung tighter to her. "I never wanted to serve under Benden to fight Thread but there were lives at stake. I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

Loosening her grip, Stryder slid her arms up to Neci's shoulders as she spread a wide grin across her lips. "Neither I nor Zalenth will ever leave again. Shining Heights is our home...and we won't abandon your or Piroth."

((Actually, Myth keeps trying to talk Ashke into swinging the other way, but nothing has come of it yet. xd ))

Ashke had just been heading over to the other two riders when the brown-white had appeared. She had to almost jump out of Necia's way as the other woman had headed for the shore, unheading of anything or anyone but the brown-white and his rider.

Myth snorted his discuss as Piroth also made for the shore, twineing er neack with the 'new' male.

Ashke had to laugh at Myth's attitude. What, did you think you had top billing already? she teased.

You wish! was Myth's biteing yet completely ridiculous retort, as he mved deeper into the water, submerging himself up to his eyeridges in the water.

Ashke laughed all the louder, Just because you like the dragons, doesn't mean I'm going to like the rider, dearheart. and continued on to the other rider that Necia had been swiming with. "Hello. I'm Ashke, rider of Orange-Blue Myth," Ashke stated, smileing as she thumbed in Myth's direction. "Necia really does like that one, doesn't she?" She commented as she turned to watch more of the girls antics.

(Myth... *Snorts softly* That was a really ridiculous retort.)

"Oh yes," Necia agreed, smirking slightly and burying her face into Stry's neck to nibble on the skin there. "Lots and lots of catching up, even if we're picking up where we left off. Three Turns is a very, very long time." Putting her body snuggly against Stry's she asked, "You have much to tell me about your time away, and then we have to decide where you're sleeping."


Not to sound sappy, but I would just like to spend it with you. Piroth let her eyes slide shut. I have not had prolonged opportunities to relax like this with any male. The mating Flights were fast and to the point, and that was all.

Piroth's chest rumbled in agreement and she carefully disentangled herself from Zalenth, her eyes sliding open.

Come. We will go to somewhere less populated. Turning her head at her other companions, she said, Forgive me for this abrupt exit, Trementh, Myth. But Zalenth and I have some... things to catch up on.

Turning around, she made her way back to shore, shaking the water from her glistening hide once she had gotten out. Stretching out her wings, Piroth turned her head to cast a challenging look over her shoulder, as well as to make sure Zalenth was out of the water before she spoke.

Keep up.

With that, she took to the air, long wingstrokes quickly distancing her from the lake.


Necia smiled. "That sounds nice. Let me just excuse myself from the group and we can go find somewhere else to talk."

Extracting herself from her weyrmate, Necia trotted to the water's edge.

"I'm sorry Waverly, Ashke, but something's come up and... I think I'll be taking off now." She winced slightly, then smiled. "I'll have to catch up with you two later." The red head glanced over her shoulder at Stry in the same fashion Piroth had. "I have buisness to attend to."

Scooping her things up, Necia didn't even bother redressing, preferring to just pick up her saddle and the like and head back over to Stryder.

"Come along, Wingrider Stryder. We have things we need to sort out now that you're home."

(This isn't a Flight, guys; though it may seem almost like it in some places.)

Necia smiled up at her weyrmate. "And it's really very good to have you home. I dislike an empty bed, and since you left I haven't really had a buddy to snuggle with. Not to mention that Kai's certainly going to be surprised to see you!" Neci laughed. "It will be an interesting night, that's for sure. Oh did I say night? I meant day. Interesting day." She grinned impishly at the taller woman. "Once we get you reinstated as a rider here, of course."


What?! Piroth bellowed angrily, arrowing after him. Why you cocky brown! I'll show you who's losing their touch! Swerving after him, she followed the whirling of his eyes and lightly nipped his nail as she dipped under him, more smug as she covered her eyes with the first lid that was often used in Flight.

Try that on for size.


(Stry, you should come on AIM. Lol You wanna move into the SHW main thread now?)