Daidrea smiled to himself. Before he knew it...he dozed off into a deep sleep. His slow breathing with a rythmic beat, making the only sound.

OOC: Sorry for being gone so long. Life has been keeping me busy. Im out of the house now and living on my own. Pretty crazy lol

Ella watched Daidrea fall asleep, a gentle smile on her face. Her sapphire eyes warmed,"Slytha, fricai (Sleep, friend)." she murmured. She sat on the opposite side as Athira, crossing her legs for meditation. She laid her palms on her knees, closed her eyes, drew in a deep breath, and opened her mind. As always, it awed and humbled her to feel just how much life there was in the smallest patch of earth.

----------------------

Athira watched curiously as Shade Stalker and Ella bantered back and forth. They seemed fond of each other. Not in a romantic way, but...as if they understood one another. Could relate to the other party with their experiences both o their own and together. Her blue maroon eyes also watched Shade Stalker as he drifted to sleep. Ella soon followed in the elven meditative state. The Shade had never tried meditation. Abruptly, Athira could feel a mind. It wasn't probing for information just...drifting. Reveling. She realized it was the elf woman Ella. She pursed her lips, thinking of Aerdiad. Did she strike the female elf now, and try to defend herself from a pissed off dragon and the enraged Shade Stalker? Or wait until later, when they were perhaps separated, and have a much better chance of escape? She cradled her head in her hands; she was giving herself a headache.

---------------------

Zeke crouched behind all three figures, shifting his gaze in between them. He snorted quietly; he wasn't completely sure of the Shade woman--What was her name?--and if her intentions were as true as her words. He shook his head at himself; he was being paranoid. He settled down on his belly to keep watch. The three horses grazed a little to his left; Galileo was eying Nuanen and Daidrea's mount warily.

OOC:
Awesome Daidrea. Keep me updated on how your doing.

OOC:Thought Id check in again. Grats btw for the mod position. Lol I guess the slack needed to be picked up because Ive been so busy.

Daidrea shifted slightly in his sleep. Then he remained still once more and kept the same rythm of breathing.
A breeze filled the air. It began to feel rather chilly. A faint altering of shadows around Daidrea shifted for a moment. It was unnoticable to everyone else around...if anyone was actually looking.

The breeze picked up slightly. Near Athira... the shadow around her also shifted ever so slightly. Faint whispering filled her ears...but they were so quiet, it was impossible to tell what they were saying. Suddenly...in a flash in Athiras mind, an image of Aerdiad smiling in the darkest way possible...A face that had no signs of sanity left in it. His pitch black eyes glistened. The image hit her like lightning.
It was his own way of telling her to hasten her progress...through fear.

Athira's breathing hitched with terror when the image of Aerdiad struck her. She gulped, sweat breaking out on her forehead. Her heart hammered against her ribs, feeling like it was going to grind its way out from inside her chest. She glanced hastily toward Daidrea, wondering if he was aware about what had just happened. But his breathing was still regular and even, his eyes closed. Her gaze darted from Shade Stalker to Ella, then to the dragon behind her. Zeke's eyes were shut, but Athira knew he was awake. She bit her lip; now was as good a time as any. She slowly reached into her cloak and took out a rag and a potion of her own make. She dripped the solution onto the rag before putting it away. She brought the hood of her cloak up enough to hide her face. Begging for any luck, she noiselessly teleported directly in front of Zeke and pressed the rag right over his snout. His eyes flew open in panic, but in his surprise he forgot to light his eyes. He tried to get up, but quickly found that he could not. Athira waited until his eyelids drooped down heavily before removing the potion. She leaned forward and brushed her lips across his muzzle.

The female Shade whirled and teleported to behind Ella. Her arm wrapped around the elf's torso, pinning her arms to her sides. Athira held the rag over Ella's mouth and nose, forcing her to breath it in. Quicker than her dragon, Ella succumbed to the potion. The female elf slumped in Athira's arms. The Shade teleported away to an old Shade friend that could hold the elf until she came back for her. He swore to keep the elf concealed and quiet, and not to tell a soul about any of this. Satisfied, she prepared to return. She removed the bottle of her solution and the rag and gave it to her friend for safekeeping; it wouldn't do for Daidrea to search her belongings and find such telltale evidence. She had an idea though, and resented it to her friend. He was grim about, but agreed. He picked up a fist sized rock and hefted it, feeling its weight. She told him where to find the camp. He gave her an apologetic look, then pulled back his arm and let it snap around with all the power he had. His hand, and therefore the rock, smashed into her face and instantly knocked her senseless.

Her friend picked up her limp and unresponsive body in his arms and ported to the camp. He laid her where she had been. He inspected the deep wound along her jawline and cheek to check its authenticity, then he vanished to return to the female elf.

OOC:
Sudden I know, but I got the idea and felt like I should act on it.

Zeke groaned deep in his throat. His temples pounded with the sound, and he winced. He drew in a deep breath, and lifted his head. He blinked rapidly, then shook his head to try and get rid of the fog that refused to leave. Wh-what happened? he slurred, his voice heavy from the drug induced sleep. Where's Ella?

- - - - - - - - - -

Athira sat up and placed a hand to her pounding temple.

OOC
Bleh, writer's block.

Daidrea sighed at Zeke. He wasnt quite sure how he was going to handle the situation.
"I dont know Zeke... we were ambushed. Ella mustve been taken...I cant sense her anywhere."

Same =/

Zeke growled harshly and lurched to his feet, the after effects of the drug forgotten. Daidrea was not joking, however. Ella was no where to be found. A terrifying snarl ripped from his throat as his ice blue eyes riveted onto the female Shade. He felt her flinch and shrink back as he advanced on her. Where is she? Where is Ella? he hissed venomously. Athira retreated farther under his scorching gaze,"Please, Skulblaka, I don't know." she pleaded, her rich voice high pitched with distress. A strangled growl slipped between his clenched teeth. You had better be telling the truth, or so help me I will rip you to shreds right now! he snapped angrily, his eyes flashing briefly. He began to pace, abruptly agitated and ill at ease.

- - - - - - - - - -

Athira shrank back even more, though the enraged dragon was no longer focused on her. She wonder if she had bitten off more than she could chew in this case. Zeke seemed really distressed with the disappearance of Ella. Had she underestimated the connection between a Dragon and its Rider? She held her breath until she felt like her lungs would explode, then released it in a long sigh. She bit her lip and threw Shade Stalker an apprehensive look, knowing that Aerdiad could see,"What should we do? What can we do?" she asked softly, throwing a glance toward the amethyst male, who was still pacing back and forth.

Zeke swung his head around to glare in Daidrea's direction. That's not an answer. he snapped, his pupils narrowed to cat-like slits. He turned away and kept pacing, a continuous, unbroken growl rolling from his chest like a purr.

- - - - - - - - - -

Athira winced as Zeke lashed out at Shade Stalker in his frustration and anger. The Shade kneeled beside Daidrea and, hesitantly, laid her hand on his shoulder. She squeezed tentatively,"We'll find her." she promised. She leaned forward slightly to catch Shade Stalker's eye, her waist length red maroon hair spilling over one shoulder,"We will." she said again sincerely, while on the inside she was beating herself up for bringing this about in the first place.

Zeke whirled on his friend, his anger spiking. His ice blue eyes exploded with light, billowing out in waves toward Daidrea. You don't think I would do the same? She's my Rider, dammit! I love her more than anything that has ever existed or ever will exist! As for blindness, come over here and I'll show you just how blind I am. he threatened with a venomous hiss. After the male elf came back and sat on the ledge, the amethyst couldn't hold back his distress any longer. Tears cascaded from his now darkened eyes. He shuffled forward and curled up just behind Daidrea. He tentatively nudged his friend's arm with his snout, glistening tracks still streaming down his face. I'm sorry...I'm sorry... he whimpered over and over. I just love her...so much....

- - - - - - - - - -

Athira watched from the sidelines, feeling strangely detached from the situation. She didn't have any inkling about how Zeke or Shade Stalker felt, so she couldn't empathize, but she could sympathize. Her heart ached for the two of them, and she felt disgusted with herself for making them so miserable.

Zeke prummed softly, then laid his head down beside Daidrea's knee. He closed his eyes and tried to concentrate on where his Rider was located. But searching for the bond that he and Ella shared was like searching a pitch dark tunnel for a doorway, while blind. He'd never felt so helpless before.

OOC:
Should I make Athira hate herself any more than she does already, or is it time for her to spill the beans?

OOC:Thats your call.

Daidrea picked up a rock that was next to him and threw it off the ledge. He had no idea what to do.

Pass.

OOC;
Bleh. I think she has suffered enough under the fire. Now its time for her to jump out of the fire, and into the frying pan.lolol

IC:
Athira bit her lip, undecided. Shade Stalker threw a rock over the ledge, and that seemed to seal it for her. She licked her dry lips, then slowly removed all of her weaponry. Her stave, her Shade sword, her daggers, she set them down on Daidrea's right, opposite from Zeke. She retreated several paces, then sank down onto her knees and sat on her heels. She swallowed and bent her head down. Her red maroon hair fell forward to hide her face...To hide the tears that streamed down her cheeks like shattered pieces of a diamond. Her usually rich voice was cracked and broken when she spoke. She completely ignored the amethyst dragon, as he was not the one she was speaking to,"Shade Stalker..." she whispered, her tone so choked she wasn't really sure if he heard her,"I know where she is." she continued, and cringed in on herself. She knew any moment that Zeke would turn on her and kill her out of rage. She wrapped her arms around her torso and bent forward at the waist, waiting....

OOC: Im sooo tired right now lol. Im nodding off...think Im gonna go to bed. Got work tomarrow.
Just letting you know so you dont go waiting for me lol

OOC:
Alright. Do good at work.

Daidrea got up and stretched himself. "Very well Athira, lead the way."

Short, cant do much.

Daidrea tightened his grip on the Shade's arm. "So Athira...shall I end his life?"

Cant really do much.

Athira didn't move when she heard Shade Stalker come into the room, and didn't bother to answer him. Slowly, she got up and followed him back to Zeke....and Ella. She was sure that the amethyst was going to shred her to pieces as soon as he saw her.

- - - - - - - - - -

Zeke rocked his Rider anxiously, though she still held no response to the gentle touch of his mind. She lay cradled in the soft membrane of his wing, her hand swaying back and forth with the movement of his rocking. He barely reacted when Daidrea came up again, only continued to stare at his unresponsive Rider; the one thing he ultimately lived for.

OOC-Ugh seriously DS? lol, cmon give me something to work with. Trying to get ideas for any of our threads haha

OOC:
*shrugs* Sorry. I've been in the dark for two days without power. My brain has turned into mush. XD

Daidrea felt confused and somewhat panicked. Still he managed to mutter. "Ill be fine... and better if you are." Daidrea quickly stepped away and turned to walk away from her. After walking a far enough distance away, Daidrea grasped his the sides of his head. The flashbacks continued to haunt him.
Why cant I get these damned images out of my mind? Daidrea closed his eyes and gritted his teeth.

OOC: I have kind of an interesting idea... bring Athira in next please.

Athira glanced up halfheartedly as she heard a slight commotion. She lifted her head, tilted it, then got up to investigate. She felt Ella's mind close by and made sure to steer way clear. She wasn't in the mood to fight. She felt Daidrea a bit farther away, and decided to check on him. It was a few minutes until she actually saw him. When she did, she paused. He looked to be in pain. She extended a hand worriedly and took a step forward,"Shade Stalker? Are you well?" she asked, her usually somewhat low voice high with concern.

OOC:
How's that?

Despite what Athira said to him. He did not actually hear the words. For he was distracted by whispering that had entered his mind. Franticly he got up and searched all around him for the source. Let go of you're fear. Daidrea found himself in a dark room. Across the room, his dark opposite Aerdiad was sitting on a set of stairs that ascended into darkness.
"You know you couldve made a move and she wouldve done nothing. She problably would understand." Aerdiad smiled slightly.
"Shut up! You're the one doing this to me!" Aerdiad sat up and jumped to in front of Daidrea. "No its you Daidrea.. To let go of your morality is the ultimate freedom."
Daidrea shook his head and took a few steps back. "No... this isnt freedom... this is a breaking point." Daidrea continued to glance around in panic.
Aerdiad laughed, "Ah, a breaking point. Thats not what they warned about was it? The psychological break down of a Rider after they lost their connection to their dragon. Isnt that what you are feeling right now? Extreme paranoia? Panic? I can see its happening." Aerdiad began to walk around Daidrea. "You have to let go of your petty concept of reality, because we both know that didnt work out now did it?! No matter what you did, you only ended worse than you were before relying on such pitiful emotions! Im offering you a chance to free yourself from all the pain and emotional tie downs from the world. Its all just excess baggage. I am offering you a chance to be free and the only thing that is holding you back, is your own fear!
Daidrea couldnt take it anymore. "SHUT UP!" Daidrea jumped at Aerdiad with the dagger he was holding. Aerdiad caught his arm and the two of them struggled. Aerdiad ripped the dagger from Daidrea and began slicing it towards him. After several swings, Daidrea knocked it out of Aerdiad's hand. Daidrea punched Aerdiad across the face and then kicked him in the stomach. In turn, Aerdiad retaliated by punching back. First across Daidrea's face and then while gripping his shoulder, punched him repeatedly in the stomach. "Let go of your fear!" In anger Daidrea pushed him away.

OOC: I want you to have Athira to peer into his mind when he becomes unresponsive and sees the whole encounter.

OOC:
Whoa. Daidrea and Aerdiad are finally having it out at each other, sort of.

IC:
Athira peered at him worriedly when he didn't respond. She grasped his head at the temples and tilted her head back with her eyes closed, murmuring muted words in her own tongue. Abruptly she was thrust into a world of darkness, though the sounds of spoken words were both close and far away. She whirled, searching for the source, and she suddenly saw two men. One was was Daidrea, the other Aerdiad. Her eyes widened as she listened, and then widened yet further when the two began fighting She held a breath and tried not to make her presence known to them, but she couldn't stop her curiosity. What did Aerdiad mean by that? And who was he talking about? Herself? Ella? What the hell was going on?

OOC:
Is that good?

EDIT:
Better?

OOC:Well I wanted her to see the whole conversation as well...not just the fight. To help her better understand I guess? lol

OOC:
I edited; how's that?