[Backdated PRP] Two Quiets and a Loud [Alanik/Ichta + Derg]

[demon_pachabel]

In the wake of the two clutches of eggs currently incubating on High Reaches sands, Ichta and Aurinkoth had been called to duty with a growing need. Easily fifty, maybe sixty eggs. It made the work the pair did all the more important - and Ichta reminded her blue lifemate of that as he circled above the only somewhat familiar hold. Keroon was a ways from High Reaches - and even knowing the ropes she awaited the day either Ista or Igen or goodness, even Benden Weyr would raise a fuss about their searching there. But such complaints had not been made yet, and the plains of Keroon were a pleasant difference from the cold mountains the young woman had grown accustomed to.

Settle in near the Crafthall, Aurinkoth, she instructed him. Where is that? he asked, having quickly found the answer already didn't exist in Ichta's mind. They'd not come to Keroon in particular since they'd learned the coordinate, after all. Her lips drew tight as she considered the question, looking over the stone buildings below as Aurinkoth dipped down to draw closer. While he offered his greeting to the dragons of the riders already stationed there, as well as any watch whers, the dark-haired woman finally nudged an image into his mind of several stone buildings with large penned areas and quite a bit of foot traffic to and from it.

For all the space needed for the craft, it seemed Ichta had guessed well. A few of the Runners startled when the blue dragon - by no means large for his color - settled in, head high as he tasted the air, breathing in all of that potential. It seemed that the closer Weyrs hadn't picked Keroon over yet. Good, more for us, then, Ichta said with a gentle pat as she began to unhook her riding straps. Maybe they'd find someone good to bring back with them.  

[Enalon]

Runner's were flighty and stupid creatures, so much so that any time someone happened to suggest otherwise, claiming them to be great and intelligent beasts, Alanik even had to resist giving them a deadpan stare. Sure, it was a subjective thing, but for a boy who had been riding and working with runners for as almost as long as he'd been walking, he knew better. Runners were just smart enough to get themselves into trouble at the best of times and just as easily spooked by a suspicious looking rock than anything of actual concern. Even dealing with the comings and goings of dragons on a near daily basis was no real guarantee that the beasts would ever ignore or be fine with their presence. And with a creature that often shied or bolted, one either learned that how to roll (and dodge hooves) once unseated from a spooked Runner and/or learned how to keep their seat despite a panicked mount.

The blue at the corner of his vision and the Runner's sudden pinning ears was really the only warning Alanik had before the mare beneath him decided that this was one too many dragons for the day and bolted. The teen huffing a soft curse as his legs hugged the saddle, setting his body low, and kept the reins loose letting her gain a small bit of distance before his left hand was pulling back and inward toward her outside hip. It stopped her forward motion subtly, causing her to circle and though it was no instantaneous solution, she did finally begin to calm and settled into a walk once more.

Alanik's sigh was more than a little relieved as he reached forward to rub at the Runner's neck, making slow circles as he cooed soft praise and gave her free rein once more, gaze casting toward where their offender had settled. There was no resentment in it, these things happened and of all the things to be spooked by, a dragon was a pretty worthy object. Rather, his thoughts had already shifted to idle curiosity over what sort of business dragon and rider were about.  

[demon_pachabel]

Dropping to the ground, Ichta gave Aurinkoth a fond pat on the nose, the blue kreeling adoringly at the woman before drawing back up to his full height with a bright trill. If he'd somehow gone unnoticed before by virtue of being only a blue, the bright cheer he radiated certainly drew in more attention than before. "Aurinkoth, you're going to frighten all the animals," Ichta warned, knowing fully well he already had. Runners were like anxious couches. But I don't scare you! Aurinkoth reminded with an easy image of the nervous woman he'd picked off the sands a turn and a half earlier.

"I'm not a Runner," Ichta reminded. If he'd had a response to that, it was lost in the whirls of blues and greens in his eyes as he took in the air again, excitement vibrating through their bond. There's someone good nearby, Aurinkoth informed. "Then you be good while I go greet the Head of the Hall," she advised. But even as she left, Aurinkoth was nearly antsy to greet.

It wasn't unusual for a dragon to draw attention, even a smaller one like him, and every person who approached got a curious sniff and an eager wiggle of delight. Occasionally he'd perk up, as if ready to play before carefully settling again. This song and dance continued until the dark haired woman returned. "I've announced us. Don't spook any of the - " she paused mid sentence to give the already moving dragon a serious look. Aurinkoth didn't even have the mind to stop out of guilt to let her finish her sentence.

Instead, he all but pranced off towards Alanik and the Runnerbeast he was sitting on, tail wagging from side to side. Hello! Hi! Hello! he greeted, almost like a stage whisper - attempting to not be loud and spooking, but also quite easy to hear.