Natsu crossed his forearms in a blocking motion, prepared to block the barrier of wind as it approached him, but it cleared as it neared him. He grinned when he realized that Sephora too was tired. However, she wasn't the only one. Natsu's breaths were short, and his arms shook. Taking advantage of his surroundings, he absorbed energy from a few plants around him, but the area was pretty bare, and he could only absorb enough to still the shaking of his body.

In a quick movement, he twisted to the side as Sephora's sword came close to him, and she tried to flank him at his side. He swiped diagonally, stopping the bow by catching it's rim (the top or bottom half of the shaft), and ducked under it, coming up behind Sephora. Turning his hand, he lunged towards her with the hilt of his blade pointing towards her.
---------------------------------

Erza flinched at the loud scream, and jumped a few feet into the air as Javen ran towards her. Swinging her tail under her, she tried to bash Javen with the blunt end of her tail.

Tyleek nodded, though didn't speak right away. His lavender-blue eyes glittered dangerously at Alan, intimidating by gaze alone.
"Alright. You've lied very well. Ah, did I forget to mention that I can also sense when someone lies?" he asked softly, staring at Alan evenly. "I really don't like it when people lie to me. Even if its for the best intentions, or the best intentions in their mind, I hate being lied to." he growled. His eyes flashed dangerously as he leaned down toward the man on the ground, arms still crossed over his chest, gaze unmerciful. His shoulders and upper arms rippled with toned muscle as he shifted his weight.
"Why don't you tell us the truth? The real truth. I saved you from going into shock and possibly dying, so you owe me that much. Spill it." he suggested lightly, his gaze still intense. He was ready to move to retaliate or subdue Alan if he tried to get away, though he was still too weak from blood loss to get very far, even with the help of the strengthening herbs.

- - - - - - - - - -

Sephora hadn't fully expected him to dodge her strike. She let the bow drop from her grip - she was too tired to hold it anyway - and was just pivoting around to get him back into her sights when she felt a sharp rap on her upper back. She gasped in surpised and fell forward, but recovered enough to catch herself. She pushed herself upright, spinning around sharply. Her leg was straight up in a flash of movement, his sword revolving a few times before it stuck into the ground a few yards away. She had kicked it from his hand. She sprang forward, kicking the side of one knee, gently so he wasn't hurt permanently, and then crashed into him. She stradled him to the ground, her nose almost touching his. She smirked lightly. Sweat soaked the back of her tunic and a bit of the front.
"That is the best spar I've had in a long time." she panted. Her warm chocolate brown eyes sparkled at him. She got to her feet, wobbling slightly, then extended a hand down to him to help him up.
"That was a lucky win for me, though." she said, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand.

- - - - - - - - - -

Javen grunted in surprise and pain as Erza's tail caught him in the side, flinging him a few feet away. He landed hard and slid two feet, then staggered to his paws. He snarled at the dragoness, his yellow-gold eyes glittering with challenge. Electricity crackled in his fur, threatening to arc toward Erza.

Everything seemed to happen so quickly from when Natsu's blade flew out of his hand to when he was pinned down by Sephora. He raised his eyebrows, trying to analyse what had just happened. It was slowly coming back to him. After he hit her, she had kicked his blade out of his hand, and then kicked his knee, which caused his weight to shift, and his legs buckled, which she used to her advantage and used that moment to pin him down. Sephora then got to her feet, and Natsu noticed that her legs were wobbling as she got up. Natsu reached his mind out to the jem on his staff, and withdrew a fair amount of energy out of it.

He took Sephora's hand, transferring half of that energy to her as she helped him up. "Wow," that seemed to sum most of it up in one word. Natsu was still panting, "That was definitely one of the most tiring spars I have had in a while," Natsu said with a grin as he rested his hands on his knees. "Yeah, you beat me," Natsu admitted. However, even though he lost, he didn't feel bad in himself in the least. It had truly been a great match.

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

Fire coated Erza's jaw, and with slight amusement, she realized that her Rider had lost to the female Allatik. Well, it seems that Natsu has lost. Your Bond is truly quite skilled she said, but her eyes twinkled. However, don't think that you have won because of that Erza said, and with a roar, she flew towards the Guardian, hardly a few feet of the ground, and unleashed the torrent of fire as she neared Javen. However, she closed her mouth after a few seconds and leaped into the air, her wings allowing her to ascend, and dived towards Javen, releasing the rest of the fire in her mouth, but it ran out right before the came into contact with him, and taking advantage of the blinding fire, she tackled the Guardian to the ground.

Tyleek's eyes warmed with amusement. He didn't even flinch when the man grabbed his throat; if he made a move to maim or kill, he would know. But his eyes went utterly cold.
"Well then, we have something in common. Neither do I." he said in an equally soft voice that seemed to hold even more menace with its gentleness. He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back.
"You do realize that your out numbered, right? You are surrounded by four people, all trained in defense and offense, two fully grown dragons that, I'm sure, won't hesitate to tear you limb from limb, a jaguar that is quite protective of his Bond, and of course my companion here, who won't hesitate to pluck your eyes out at the slightest inclination from me." he paused to let all that sink it. He smiled, but it was a simple flash of teeth with no amusement or warmth behind it. "You sit there and chew that over before you make any threats, agreed? Because I have no qualms about leaning down and tearing your heart right out of your chest, right now." he said quietly, his lavender-blue eyes glittering. He was stretching the truth a bit in saying four trained people; the girl wasn't, but then again, even himself, Sephora, and Natsu could take down this man alone with ease. He glanced back at the girl as she spoke in the draconic tongue. His eyes softened. She was so vulnerable. He couldn't hurt Alan with her looking on. He sighed and walked to her. He went slowly so he wouldn't startle her until he stood in front of her. He shook his head slowly.
I won't hurt him if you don't want me to, but I won't let him hurt my friends. If he attacks, I will protect them. he said to her mentally in the eagle language.

- - - - - - - - - -

Sephora had to smile at Natsu, and she sighed with relief at the surge of strength he gave to her. She glanced over at the grouping, concerned. Tyleek hadn't called her over, so things were still in control, but she knew how fast it could get out of hand. She looked back at the Rider.
"Indeed. Sparring with you is refreshing. Trying to win a duel with Tyleek is like trying to hold back the ocean; impossible. He feels my intentions through how my body moves, like my weight shifting, through the ground, almost before I make them myself. Very annoying. But useful too, like now." she said, and glanced again toward Tyleek. His shoulders and upper back were tense, and she hoped he wouldn't lose his temper. She really hoped the man wouldn't anger him on purpose. Angering an Allatik was like angering a mother dragon by hurting her youngling; a flat-out bad idea that would get you killed.

- - - - - - - - - -

Javen leaped backward out of the way from Erza, letting her land where he had been seconds before. His fur was singed in a few places, but nothing permanent that wouldn't grow back. He darted around the dragoness, gathered himself, and sprang nimbly onto her broad back. His claws dug under her scales to help balance himself as he ran up her back to her neck. He closed his eyes to concentrate, and instantly he felt a tingling in his paws. His eyes flashed open and he roared, electricity zapping from his paws into Erza's body, not enough to kill but definitely enough to get her attention this time.
Are you so sure of that? he asked in a smug voice. All he had to do was continue attacking and reserve his own strength, and sooner or later Erza would have to submit. He was not one to give up very easily; playing chicken with him was never a good option.

Alan smirked when the dragon bound him with magic, and the man leaning over him threatened him. For now Alan was content to stay unmoving, and not allow the others to know that he could use magic - and was quite good with it. Alan saw how the others seemed protective of the girl, and knew he could use that to his advantage. He also knew that the man had lied about there being four trained people. Alan could tell by a mere glance that the girl had not even seen a weapon before this day. No, this group would be no threat to him, because Alan had the advantage of being on Galbatorix' side.

The girl looked at Taren, and Tyleek. She knew they would keep their word, and not harm the man, but she could feel the hostility in the air. "I don't want anyone to get hurt. Not even if he attacks." She said to Tyleek. "I have never had two-leg friends before today, and I don't want to lose the ones that I do have now." The girl felt tears threatening to show themselves, and stubbornly forced them away. This was an entirely different world than what she had been in only that morning. The girl knew that she couldn't ever go back though, and knew she could only press forward. I will teach them the peace of my home, even if I have to die to do so. She thought. Peace... Not fighting. The girl determined that she would become a peace bringer no matter the cost.

Terra whammed a ladle that was as tall as her against the food pot. COME EAT YOU FOOD!! she shouted with her mind at everyone, annoyed that they had all been to busy to notice her.

~ ~ ~

Theron pulled Samurai's reins lightly to get the warhorse to stop. He was tracking Alan after receiving many clues about his whereabouts. Theron got of his horse, and allowed him to drink from the lake, while Theron looked around. Suddenly Samurai touched his mind. What is it, my friend? Theron asked with his mind. The scent of the blood of the one we hunt. the dun stallion said. Theron blinked in surprise. "Someone caused him to bleed?" Theron wondered out loud. Samurai shook his head. I don't think so. he said, slightly confused. Only his scent is on the blood. If it was another then their scent would be mixed in. Samurai smelled that two dragons had been in the area, and flown away with Alan, but he didn't mention anything to his rider yet, wanting to give him time to get the energy he would need to fight Alan.

Natsu glanced towards the male Allatik. By what Sephora had said, it seemed impossible to defeat Tyleek unless you fought from the air. "Wow, that is really a useful ability," Natsu admitted. Natsu examined the man that Taren and Erza had 'saved.' Natsu may be exhausted from the fight, but he was confident in his ability to restrain a human physically. Tyleek was right; the man had no chance against them currently. Tyleek was at full strength, and while Erza was fighting Javen, she likely wouldn't be very tired after the fight. Not to say that Javen wasn't testing her abilities or anything, but Natsu had never seen the female dragon tired from work, and she had very high endurance. Unless the fight lasted for more than thirty minutes, which was long for a fight, she wouldn't be very tired. If need be, she would probably dismiss the fight and tear the man up, but he doubted that she would do such a thing when the girl was watching.


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


Erza didn't feel much at all when Javen's claws sunk into her back. It tickled more than anything, but his electric shock was definitely more powerful than it was before. However, she had no intention of giving up to the Guardian. Erza narrowed her eyes, Nice trick, she commented before raising her tail and allowing it to hit her own back. It wasn't enough to cause herself any pain, but it would either knock Javen off, or he would jump out of its way, to the ground. Erza then took flight, ascending nearly seventy feet in the air, keeping a sharp watch over Javen now. She may not be able to shoot fire from anywhere but her mouth, but her endurance was high, and she wouldn't give up.

Erza descended now, hovering around thirty feet off the ground. She lighted the ground around Javen with fire. She didn't hit him on purpose. Then, she began flapping her wings but remaining in place. Slowly but surely, the speed of her wings increased until gusts of wind were flying in every direction from the power of her large wings, able to knock a two-leg down easily. However, Javen most likely had more balance than most two-legs. The wind buffeted the fire for a moment, but then the fire roared, spreading and growing larger.

Tyleek raised a hand to the girl's cheek, noticing the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes.
Hush little one. I will not harm him if you wish it, but if he aims to hurt you or Sephora, his eyes flicked from the girl to Sephora and back again, then I will protect you both from him. he paused, searching her face. He could sense her fear, and yet he also felt a determination from her that puzzled him. He stepped forward and gently wrapped his arms around her in a light embrace.
Do as Taren says, little one. You are skin and bones. he murmured, taking a step back. He smiled warmly at her to comfort her. And then something made his head jerk around. His pupils narrowed and his nostrils flared. He turned to Taren, then shook his head at himself. Not enough time.
"Javen! I need you! You and Erza can finish your spar later." he called. He almost chuckled at the jaguar, who was trapped in a circle of fire and flattened to the ground by wing from the dragonesses wings. He raised a hand in Sephora's direction. The female Allatik nodded and took a step forward. She raised her hands to her lips and made a cone, then blew hard continuously. A sweep of ice cold wind made a break in the fire, and Javen ran through it.
"Javen, find where Taren and Erza came across Alan. I feel...something. Keep in mental contact with Sephora." he said. Theldor rustled his wings and chirped. "No you can't go, I need you here with me." he murmured to the golden eagle, who huffed. After the jaguar was gone running in the direction that Alan had been, Tyleek spun around, his lips peeled back from his teeth, his lavender-blue eyes glittering in such a menacing way that an urgal would shudder away from him.
"You make one misled step toward the girl and you don't want to know what I will do to you. Just know it won't be pretty." he snarled angrily. His hands trembled with rage at the mere thought of the girl being hurt, especially by this man. His first instinct was to protect her from harm. He felt a gentle touch on his arm and snaked his head around to glower at Sephora. Her warm chocolate brown eyes drowned him, making him unable to move. His mind was fogged with a white rage.

- - - - - - - - - -

Sephora could see Tyleek losing it. She was beside him in moments, touching on the arm to calm him. With their connection as Allatiks, she hoped it would help him calm down. The glower he sent over his shoulder at her chilled her to the bone. She shuddered. She gently grasped his hand and led him away from Alan, knowing he needed peace and quiet for him to calm down. She glanced at Natsu.
"Keep an eye on Alan. Tyleek is too enraged right now to think clearly; from the way he reacted, Alan's physical reactions must have hinted he might try to strike at the girl. I need to calm him down before he tries to go into Release, and trust me, you don't want to see an Allatik in Release." she said. She led Tyleek further away until none of the others could over hear, then she faced him. His eyes still blazed with anger. She touched his face with both hands, holding his jaw firmly.
"Tyleek Cree, you listen to me. Loosing your temper will do us no good. Do you hear me? That's probably what Alan wants. With you out of control he can injure or kill you easily." she pleaded. She saw a bit of reason return to his eyes. She slid her hands down to his neck.
"Trust me, Ty. Please. Come back. Calm down." she murmured. With a shudder he closed his eyes and leaned into her, pressing his forehead to hers. She felt him draw in a deep breath, and then his eyes reopened.
"Thank you, Sephora." he whispered. His eyes were calm now, though they still had an edge. She smiled and shrugged. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her close. She still felt his body trembling from the surge of anger, but he was in control again. She hugged him back and just let him calm down a bit more.

Tyleek glanced up at Alan but didn't take his arms from around Sephora. It was the only thing keeping him calm at the moment, feeling her frail body in his embrace, and he knew that she knew it. He lowered his head again and buried his face into her luxurious black hair, inhaling deeply. He felt the last dredges of his rage drain from his body and into the ground under him. He sighed, then released the female Allatik. He cupped her face in his palms, then turned and slowly walked back to the main group. He stopped next to Natsu and crossed his arms.
"You can drop the 'weak' facade, Alan. I know you're at full strength." he murmured quietly. His lavender-blue eyes still glittered, but not with anger. Indeed, it almost seemed to be amusement that lit his irises. He pursed his lips a bit.
"Mistakes are what make humans learn. I believe you, and I forgive you to an extent. But if you ever threaten or even hint to threaten the girl again, I swear to any gods above that I will make do my own threat and tear your heart out of your chest with my bare hands. Do we have an understanding?" he murmured softly.

- - - - - - - - - -

Javen merely grunted in response to Taren saying he would come as well. He ran for a bit until he saw a man and a stallion. He slowed to a trot as he approached them, then stopped, still several feet away, wary a bit by the blade the man held.
Easy, friend. My name is Javen. I mean you no harm. A friend of mine sent me in this direction because he sensed your presence. Would you follow me back to the main group? he asked, tilting his head. The jaguar's tail twitched and he shifted his weight, his muscles tensed for fight or flight if he needed to.

Alan looked at the Allatik with a smile. "Good." he said, standing up straight. Alan then willingly swore in the ancient language, not caring that the others would now know that he was obviously of high standing. "I will not never even think of threatening the girl again, or kill any of you. Perhaps the day will come when we will be enemies, but in that day I will spare your lives if I should win." Alan looked at the Allatik, and spoke in the common tongue. "Satisfied?" he asked, in a friendly tone. Then Alan remembered something. "I have told you my names, but you have not told me any of yours. May I ask who all of you are?" he asked both the Allatik, and elf rider. Alan's tone was one that gave them permission to refuse if they still didn't trust him, but it also held genuine interest.

****

Theron took a step back warily when a jaguar approached, but put away his blade when Javen spoke. "We will follow you Javen." Theron said, mounting Samurai. "I am Theron, and this is Samurai." the man said, introducing himself, and the warhorse. Pleased to meet you, Javen. Samurai said, and then called out with his mind to the dragon in the sky who's scent he recognized from the ground. Won't you fly close to us, dragon? Samurai wanted to ask the dragon about Alan, so he would know what to expect if they did meet that day.

IC: Natsu let loose a small sigh of relief at Alan's pledge in the Ancient Language, but also felt slightly on guard at the human's knowledge of the Ancient Language in the first place. Who was he? "I'm Natsu, and this is Erza," Natsu said, pointing his thumb at the bulky dragoness that sat next to him.

OOC: Bah, short. >.<

Tyleek couldn't help the tiny smirk that pulled on the corner of his mouth.
"I'm Tyleek. My companion here," he gestured to the golden eagle who now sat on his shoulder,"is Theldor." he said, and stroked his Guardian's wing with his fingers.

- - - - - - - - - -

Sephora snorted lightly, but her chocolate brown eyes were warm.
"My name is Sephora (Sef-aura). My companion is Javen, the jaguar that just left." she said, smiling slightly.

- - - - - - - - - -

Javen nodded to Theron and Samurai.
Pleasure. he said simply, then turned and ran back toward the group.

Alan smiled at all of them. "Pleased to meet all of you." he said politely as if the past events hadn't happened. He winced as the squirrel hit him on the knee with her ladle. I am Terra. she said, and then glared at everyone. Eat up right now, or else! Alan forced back a chuckle at Terra, knowing she wouldn't appreciate it.

The girl watched the others from where she sat. The atmosphere was no longer hostile, but was friendly. The girl smiled. Perhaps now nothing would go wrong.

Same to you, Taren. Theron responded with his mind.
Samurai glanced at Taren, and spoke only to him. You were near a man named Alan. I can tell from the scents of this place. Can you tell me how strong he was when you last saw him? Samurai asked the dragon, running quickly after Javen.

Javen loped to the group, occasionally looking back to see if Theron and Samurai were following him. He slowed to a trot as he approached, eying the change in the air. He snorted, glancing briefly at Alan before he padded to Sephora and pushed his head into her hand, purring thunderously in his chest.
Tyleek, the ones you sensed are here. They are looking for Alan; I know not their intentions of why, but watch them. he said to the male Allatik, who nodded.

- - - - - - - - - -

Tyleek inclined his head slightly toward Alan, then turned to the approaching stallion and his rider.
"Hello there. I'm Tyleek, my companion here is Theldor. That there is Sephora, Javen's companion." he said, indicating each person he spoke of. He smiled warmly at Terra.
I apologize, Natsa (sister), but I am not hungry. Make sure the girl takes my portion, if you would. he said. He referred to calling her sister because, being a creature of nature, she technically was, at least to him. His lips twitched, and he turned to look at Natsu.
"When you are feeling more up to it, my friend, you can try sparring with me." he said, and grinned. He chuckled quietly. "Or you could just watch me and Sephora spar, if you don't want to be knocked on your butt by someone younger than you." he teased, his lavender-blue eyes sparkling.

"Calm down, newcomer. You were brought here under the presumed impression that you wouldn't start trouble. If you wish to fight, you will not do so in our company," Natsu growled, hoping to help stop the violence before it started for the young girl's sake.

He set his bowl down, hoping that Terra wouldn't object, and pushed himself to his feet nimbly. "I assume that you two are enemies, and frankly, I don't really care, but don't start such trouble in front of others. Especially those who do not appreciate genuine violence." Natsu glanced towards Alan, surprised by the conversation he and the newcomer had been having. "Alan, is it true that you work for Galbatorix?" echoing Taren's question.

Erza watched the whole ordeal with a scowl, prepared to intercept the violence if need be.

Tyleek released a long sigh and let his body sink to the ground. Sephora went down with him, supporting him gently so his head didn't smack against a rock. He felt Theldor nestle into his stomach and something warm curl around him, but he was too tired to care. He was asleep in moments.

- - - - - - - - - -

Sephora made sure that Tyleek was comfortable and warm, asking Javen to curl around the male Allatik to ward off the night chill. She stood up and pierced every being in the group with a look that would freeze lava.
"Any of you disturb him and I will skin you alive." she said in a sugary sweet voice. Then she turned and jogged after Theron. She couldn't track people like Tyleek could, but she could follow his aura. She was curious of him, of how someone could hate someone so much that they would want to kill. She disliked the person that had taken her parents from her, but not even to track him down and kill him.

Sephora smiled at Theron and chuckled as she approached.
"Calm down my friend. So long as you keep the peace and don't attack me, I am no threat to you." she said, and her warm chocolate brown eyes sparkled. She paused and tilted her head.
"Why are you so determined to kill Alan?" she asked curiously, for she was curious.

Sephora listened patiently to Theron, never interrupting as he spoke of his past and of Alan's part in it. When he finally fell silent, and then said that she couldn't understand, she almost snorted in derision.
"I understand it. Perhaps more than you do." she said quietly. She looked up and met his gaze, her warm chocolate brown eyes gleaming with defiance. Slowly she turned her head and tilted it to the side, revealing the light russet brown skin of her neck and throat. She pushed her ebony black hair back to show more. At the corner of her jaw, close to the bottom of her ear, was a thick white scar, fading to an angry red at the edges. It curved gently down the side of her neck until it vanished under her tunic at the hollow of her throat.
'I know hate, Theron. I know it well. So does Tyleek, perhaps even more than me. Don't ever say that we don't understand." she murmured softly. She took a deep breath to steady her breathing and to hold back the moisture in her eyes. "On my thirteenth birthday I left my village. Thirteen is the age of maturity for my race. I wasn't gone for even a week, nor had I gone that far, when I saw smoke. I raced back as fast as I could with my companion, but too late. Everyone had been killed in a huge fire. Everyone, man, woman, and child. It didn't matter what age they were, they were all slaughtered. The only one who's remains I did not find were my mothers, but I have little hope of finding her alive. Friends, family, all dead. That was three years ago. Tyleek's experience was worse. You must ask him for the details of it, however. His is not my story to tell." she murmured. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked directly at Theron.
"Let me ask you something; how many lives have you taken in battle? Really think about it, Theron. How many brothers have you killed? Or fathers. Or sons. Or husbands. Or lovers. When you think of it that way, you are just as guilty as Alan. He truly hates killing, and avoids it if he can. Tyleek would have ripped his heart out if he were lying about that. Think about the lives behind the people you have killed. Forget that they are soldiers and that some of them willingly serve the King. They have families, they have friends, they have loved ones, they have lives outside of the battlefield. They are no different than yourself. Don't forget that in your quest for vengeance. Alan deserves to die just as much as you do, which is either completely or not at all." she said firmly, but not unkindly.

Out of the corner of her eye, Erza noticed Alan get up to move closer to the shore, but didn't make note of it. It truly was a beautiful night. She relished at the sight of the sky when it was filled with stars, but was unable to go to sleep. Making sure that her Rider was fast asleep, she gently pulled herself to her feet and walked over to Taren. I couldn't sleep she explained. I also figured it wouldn't be right to let you watch over camp without my generous assistance she boasted playfully.

OOC: Short. Sorry if I'm intruding, Saphirarox. There's just not much to do at night.

Sephora saw sense in what he said, but a poor little.
"What would it change, though? The lives that he took would still be dead. The lives that you took would still be dead. Killing him just adds one more corpse onto the growing pile of the dead, one more that you don't need." she said kindly. She crossed her arms over her chest, her expression becoming slightly stern.
"My people are peaceful; we like to avoid conflict and violence if we can. I myself have seen atrocities that I would much rather forget, despite my young age. I will not let you harm Alan while he is in my presence, for the sake of peace. It is such a rare thing, peace, especially since my village was destroyed. Would you take that from me for a petty revenge plan?" she murmured in a quiet voice. Her eyes became warm and soft, very much like the chocolate color that they were named after.

Sephora sighed and nodded her head solemnly.
"I can respect that. I wish you would say otherwise though. Vengeance is unhealthy for the spirit of a person, no matter how justified it might be. It taints." she murmured quietly. She turned around to go back to the rest of the group, then stopped and looked back over her shoulder.
"Thought you should know. Alan has sworn in the Language of Power that he wouldn't hurt anyone in the group unless absolutely necessary to defend himself." she said. She turned a little more. "He would probably do it again for you specifically if you asked. He doesn't enjoy killing, no matter what you think of him." she then turned away again and began to walk away.

Theron sighed when Sephora left - a sigh that was a mix of relief, and confusion. He would go to Kuasta in the morning, and try not to think about Alan for once. Up until now Theron had seen Alan as the cause of all his problems. Now he was having to change his opinion slightly.

----

Alan felt the glances of the dragons, but didn't turn around, knowing they had every right to question him. Trust wasn't something easily earned, and it was something that could be very quickly lost. Alan couldn't help but wonder if the others trusted him or not.

OOC: There can be a time skip unless y'all really want to RP the entire night out =D

Sephora silently walked along until she heard the faint sound of something big flying above her. She looked up and squinted slightly, a wry smile pulling at her lips when she saw Taren soaring toward her.
I thank you for coming to meet me, Botsa (brother). I fear that Theron will not be easily swayed against not attacking Alan, but he has said to me he will not make any attempts while Alan is in the presence of any one from our group. I suppose that is a step in the right direction. she said, and shrugged her shoulders. She yawned tiredly; she'd been up all night. She blinked her eyes sleepily and looked up at Taren.
I have little right to ask this of you, but might I be allowed to ride you back to the group? I think I may fall asleep on my feet if I go any further. she mumbled, yawning again.

- - - - - - - - - -

Tyleek stretched out where he was on the ground, a huge yawn pulling his lips apart. His jaw hurt afterward. He rubbed his eyes and sat up slowly. Theldor squawked indignantly as he was unceremoniously dumped onto the ground, creating a small puff of dust that soon covered his deep golden feathers in a light brown haze. The golden eagle got to his feet and ruffled his feathers, glowered at the male Allatik. Tyleek couldn't help it; he burst into laughter at the sight of the disgruntled Guardian. He tried to keep his guffaws to a minimum so he didn't wake everyone in the group, but the sight of Theldor, feathers bristling angrily, green eyes glittering, and covered in dust from beak to talon was too much.
"I'm sorry, Thel." he finally managed to gasp out. The golden eagle huffed, as if he didn't believe, then he too cracked and twittered with his own laughter.

I'll pass on this one.

Sephora smiled up at Taren, leaping up onto his back. Instead of sitting at the juncture of his neck and shoulders, however, she remained standing with one hand tightly holding onto a spike on his neck with the other held out for balance.
Do not worry about me being harmed by your scales, my friend. she murmured, her chocolate brown eyes gleaming.

- - - - - - - - - -

Theldor turned on Terra, his golden feathers bristling with playfulness. He was in a strangely good mood, because Tyleek was. He spread his wings and flapped them, sending a powerful current of wind toward Terra, just enough to stop her progress if she was alert, if not then she would probably fall back onto her fluffy tail. There was a teasing gleam in his green eyes and he cackled at the squirrel.