Her hand fell to her side, same as her gaze, to the ground. She took in a deep breath and let it out slowly as she listened to Tyleek speak. This was the question she asked herself almost everyday. . She was yet to find an answer. But she would. One day. She swore it.
"We don't know why. No one does. No one even knows who he is, where he is, or anything about him at all. He just. .came out of no where one day. ." She brought her arms up, wrapping her arms around her torso to hug herself. "No one deserves what he's putting us through. That's why some one, or something, has to happen to stop him."
She lifted her gaze to Tyleek again, expression full of pain and concern when she saw how badly this was affecting him. She reached out with one of her hands, looking around the clearing slightly as she touched his arm lightly.
"Come on. . maybe we should get out of here. Find some place else to rest for the night. It'll start to get dark soon."

She nodded, gathering her things: her katana slung across her back; her leather belt around her waist, her sack hanging limply over her shoulder. She frowned. She felt empty, suddenly. Hollow. She was missing Siberia again. .
She gazed around the clearing once more before silently following Tyleek. Once they'd reached the cave, she gazed inward momentarily. It was already pitch black inside the cave. She narrowed her eyes, hoping they would adjust, but had a better idea. Snapping her fingers, a small flame emitted in the palm of her hands. With a little movement from her fingers, it grew slightly, causing more light to emit. She began walking inside, listening carefully for any noises that might announce unwanted creatures all ready in the cave.
After only a few steps, the cave took a sharp right. She hesitantly etched her way around the corner. There was a medium sized whole in the cave wall. Beyond it, she could hear the trickling of water. Bending slightly, Cy Ara tossed her fireball inside. It was a small cavern, a slope at the far end that revealed a little stream going from one end of the cave wall to the other. Wasn't big enough to wash up in, but at least they had something to drink. She made her way inside, speaking quietly.
"It doesn't look like there are any entrances but this one. . so this is perfect. ."

OOC:
This thread was kind of left in the dust.lol Do you want to post or have me go again to get it moving?

OOC: I'M SORRY. .-. I was seriously JUST about to reply though..>< I just got home. I reread it..and..I think it would be better for you to post once more..if you wouldn't mind? ^^;?

OOC:
'Tis okay. Honestly, I forgot about this thread for a while.lol

IC:
Tyleek was quiet for a few minutes, then he asked softly, without turning around.
"How do you suppress your emotions for your family? I can hide mine quite well to be honest, but I can't push away the anger. After seventeen years, the anger still pulses through me with a vengeance. And hate. I'm like this because of him. A cold, hard, untrusting, emotionless killer. Because he chose to kill my parents." he said. His voice was flat and chillingly cold. His hands were shaking. And he still didn't turn around.
"I'll kill him. I will hunt him down until one of us fails, and it will not be me. I will make him pay." he said, and now his voice shook with anger and hurt. He'd never been one to cry. He hadn't shed one tear when his parents were murdered. But he cried now. He closed his lavender-blue eyes as tears coursed down his cheeks.

OOC: Hmm...i've been thinking...what do you think of me bringing Raitfier into this mess? Or should I maybe wait before doing so. /:

IC:
At Jia's comforting gesture, she smiled a little towards her, setting her things down against the cave of the wall. She kept her katana hung across her back though.
When she heard Tyleek's voice, his tone surprised her. Truthfully, it even worried her slightly. Allatik's were hard to get angry or furious, which is why they had been a peaceful people for so long. But when they did become angry, it was like trying to avoid the blows of a speeding bull repeatedly until it ended.
She took sorrowful steps toward Tyleek as he spoke, coming up behind him. As he finished speaking, she stood silently beside him for a few moments, a hand on his shoulder while trying to sooth him with quiet words.
"I don't suppress my emotions about them. I bottle them up. There's a difference." Her eyes were looking away, her head down. Her hand moved in soothing circles on Tyleek's shoulder as she continued. "Suppressing them is pushing the feelings down and never letting them come to the surface, meaning it causes more stress and more pain until whatever you're suppressing your feeling in collapses. Bottling up emotions pushes them down, but puts a lid on it instead of just trying to get rid of them. The bottle I have. . well. . I let it go every once in a while. If I don't, then you get to see my true Firebreather side."
She attempted a smile, but there was nothing but sorrow behind it. She knew Tyleek's pain. She knew what he was feeling. And hated that he had to go through it. She looked away again, sorrow replaced instantly with fury and a frown.
"Don't worry. You're not alone. Between the two of us - and Theldor, and Siberia, and Jia - we'll take Lukia Ursl down together. All of us. We'll make him pay for everything he's done. And besides that. . ." She turned and moved so she was standing in front of Tyleek, facing him. She raised both hands, one on each cheek, and wiped his tears away with her thumbs gently. "Didn't you know crying gives you wrinkles? Silly Nature Boy. ." She didn't look him straight in the eye until she dried his cheeks.

OOC:
I think that would be fine, though its up to you if you do or not.

IC:
Tyleek remained silent as Cy Ara spoke. And she was right. He wasn't alone. Not anymore. And never would be again. He took a deep breath and looked into her eyes when she came round in front of him to dry his tears. He attempted a smile, though he failed miserably. He slowly brought his hands up to hold her face gently, stroking her cheeks with his thumbs as she had a few moments ago for him. He closed his eyes, now content and relaxed, and let his head rest against her fingers.
"There were a few times, when I was tracking him, that I got so close...almost close enough to touch. But he would always slip away, like an eel." he paused and opened his eyes to gaze at her. He was suddenly afraid of hurting her. But he didn't pull away.
"I've killed, Cy Ara, to reach him. Women and children I left alone, but any men that came across my path to try and protect him found their necks broken. I'm a hunter, a predator. A dangerous self-trained killer. I'm not trying to scare you away. I'm simply being honest. I could hurt you simply by accident, because of what I've become." he said softly, and shuddered at the thought of him hurting her in any way. The very notion was sickening, but quite possible.

She listened. She stayed calm. Her smile faded, but other than that, she didn't change any as she listened to Tyleek speak. When he finished, she removed her hands from his face and jabbed him in the forehead so hard, it would hopefully - at least - rock him a little. Her intent wasn't to hurt him. It was something she tended to do with people she cared about. When she was irritated with them, she would jab them in the forehead with two fingers. In a caring way, of course.
She took a step back, propped her hands on her hips, and tilted her head before speaking. "You are one thick-skulled Nature Boy. It doesn't scare me. In fact, it kind of excites me. Makes me wanna go hunting with you."" A small smile, but voice full of seriousness. Kind of. . "How could you even think it would scare me away, huh? Think I'm not just as tough? Think I haven't killed a man or two in my day?" She brought her hands up in fists, standing in an awkward boxing-like position purposefully. She waved her fists around a little. "Come on. . you and me. Throw a punch." She was grinning now, secretly wondering to herself if Tyleek would figure out what she was trying to do. Best thing for pain: If you can't resolve it, take your mind of it.

Her mouth fell open, aghast, before she crossed her arms over her chest defiantly and tilted her head down a little, eying Tyleek as a miniature fire ball twirled from the corner of her mouth. A grin spread across her face as she spoke.
"Fine. . but only if you keep those vines of yours to yourself." Her smile was quirky. Actually, it seemed like everything about her was a little. . .quirky. She took a step backwards, nonchalantly making her way towards a group of underbrush and trees.
"Tell you what. . you catch me, and I'll tell you a secret. I catch you, you tell me a secret. That way we'll get both a little practice and some fun. Soooo. . . on your mark, get set, go!" She said this last part quickly and instantly turned and bolted towards the brush afterward, stealthily making her way through the thick gathering of trees.

She slowed down a few steps at a time until she was right in front of Tyleek, that quirky smile still on her face. After a moment, she stood straight as a rod, staring up at him, a look of pure innocence written across her face after he spoke. She crossed her arms over her chest again and turned her back to Tyleek, thinking quietly as she murmured out loud.
"Hmm. . .let's see. . . I'm not sure I have any secrets. ." She looked over her shoulder slightly to Tyleek with a little grin before looking away again, speaking quietly with her voice full of wonder. "Mm. . when I'm traveling with Siberia, I often sneak off when she's asleep and pretend I'm a little kid again. I'll find a completely solitary place, where no one is, and dance. Or pretend I'm in my own little world. But mostly, I dance. My mother and I used to dance. All the time. We'd get so into it, it would feel like we were flying. Like nothing else mattered and it was just us. When I dance, on my own, I listen to the song she used to sing me in my head over and over again until I can almost hear it and dance to it until I'm so dizzy, I can't see straight."
She was quiet a moment. There wasn't a smile on her face, but she wasn't particularly sad. It was a look of wonder, like her voice had been full of moments ago.

Wonder, and a hint of confusion, stayed on her face as Tyleek took her hands and began swaying with her. When he spun her around was when she realized what he was doing and she went along with it, giddy laughter and joy slowly building up deep within her. She couldn't control the little giggles that escaped her lips. It embarrassed her. . but she didn't hide them.
"You know how to dance, nature boy? I wouldn't have guessed. ." She moved the hand that was on Tyleek's shoulder and removed the ribbon-band from her hair, allowing it to fall like water to her waist. With the band around her wrist, she rested her hand back on his shoulder with a genuine smile. "But of course. ."

She laughed a little at Tyleek's reaction. When he spoke, her smile grew a little and she moved with the flow, spinning when the time was right. Swaying with him again, she closed her eyes and simply moved with him, her hair - like silk - bounced with her and seemed weightless in the air when she had spun.
"Civilized indeed. I've never danced with a man before."
With a small grin, she waited a moment before she began humming the song to herself, but out loud. They were actually going the pace the song went.

She heard him speak when he did, but she was truly getting lost in her humming, in the music in her head.
It was when he spun her around and tipped her back that she stopped humming, the giddy grin on her face digging into her flushed cheeks as her deep sapphire eyes stared right back up at him. Yes, she was blushing. As much as it pained her to admit it.
She bit her lower lip, as if trying to suppress chuckles.
"Even I think that mental picture is just a little creepy."
"Am I interrupting?"
Cy Ara was so startled by the other voice, that she nearly collapsed right then and there in Tyleek's arms. She had been so into their. . .whatever that was, that she hadn't been listening for anyone. She jumped, standing straight as she spun around, and what she saw chilled her to the bone and froze her where she stood.

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

Ever since he could remember, Raitfier liked picturesque scenes. Looking over low valleys, looking up to the mountains, dark lakes with crystal reflections of the sun, the sky itself being a magnificence that bewildered him. Even people could be picturesque, just walking through a village, or the jungle.
Dancing, for some reason, had never been a picturesque kind of thing for him, though. It was quite odd. He just didn't understand it and didn't care to. So it was odd when he stumbled upon a shirtless man and an attractive woman dancing in a random spot in the trees. In an area that he thought would be empty.
When no one answered, he repeated his question quietly, calmly, facial expression neutral other than an arched eyebrow.
"Am I interrupting. .?" His slacks were black and lightweight, reaching to his ankles where his feet lay barren with no shoes. A small dagger holster was strapped to his thigh on one leg. A thick, but almost weightless chain wrapped around his waist, a fancy metal hook hanging limply at the end on his side. Instead of the tunic he normally wore, it was a black, skin tight, tank-like shirt with no sleeves. A black, leather, fingerless glove ran up to his elbow on his left arm.
His ebony hair was cropped short and spiky, to keep it out of the way. His body - lean and slim - was well-toned. Standing at just over six foot, he had light caramel skin and fiery orange eyes, that made him quite handsome, and this is what chilled Cy Ara to the bone.

Thankfully, when Tyleek rested his hand on Cy Ara's shoulder, it did unfreeze her. She flinched, only glimpsing over to him before looking with wide eyes towards the stranger. She brought her hands up, close to her stomach, and played with her fingers as Tyleek spoke, silently nervous.
Cy was shocked, too, that Tyleek so willingly and openly invited the man along. But she still didn't say anything. She simply nodded a little, turning away so her back was to the stranger. Her lips were in a tight line, eyes narrowed, brow furrowed. It was obvious to anyone she was flustered.

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

Raitfier was silent for a moment, gazing towards the woman as she turned her back to him. He contemplating silently a moment before speaking calmly, his eyes locking back on Tyleek.
"So long as it doesn't displease either of you, then I thank you."
Something was off. Raitfier could feel it in his bones. He could sense both aura's radiating off the other two and he knew very well that his own was leaking from every pore on his body. But it was odd. Something was different around these two. Something he hadn't felt around another since. .
"My name is Raitfier. It's a pleasure." He refused to finish his thought, banning his memories away for a later time. Whatever the something was, though, it was bugging him. And he couldn't seem to keep his eyes off the woman, Cy Ara.

Cy Ara was on the fritz. She couldn't seem to calm herself. And so many emotions were running through her all at once, she thought she might pass out. She was hardly paying any attention to what Tyleek was saying to the other, more so trying to clear her head. Her heart was racing and a ball had formed in her throat to keep her from speaking. This was too good to be true, almost like a trap. Or. . a coincidence.
Six years, for over six years, she's been looking for people of her race and now she just so happens to find two in such a short time span? Something was up. Because if this wasn't a trap, then it was something else. Like. .
"Destiny has a way of /screwing/ with people. And I think it's trying to screw with me." She spoke quietly once they were walking away, taking glimpses of Tyleek every few moments when she paused, debating for a moment before speaking again in the same quiet tone. "From what I can tell, he is one of us. . but I don't like it, Tyleek. I don't like that you both showed up in such a short time. . and where is his animal companion, if he is?"

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

Many things were running through Raitfier's head. Who, exactly, these people were was one of them. Why is felt so strange around them was another. He found it odd, though. That he somehow was separated from his companions and now he suddenly came across two strangers that seemed to fill the empty void of them being gone.
Raitfier kept quiet, contemplating, as he followed Tyleek and Cy Ara, half inspecting himself and half inspecting the other two from behind. It wasn't until he listened to their whispers for a few moments that he finally spoke quietly, almost hopeful.
"Have either of you seen. . um. . a young fox or a leopard. .?"

Cy Ara didn't pay any attention to Raitfier, really. She knew he was there but tried her hardest to ignore him. But when he spoke of his companions, Cy Ara tensed slightly, racking her brain. Two?! She just simply nodded in agreement with Tyleek as he spoke before Cy Ara suddenly stopped walking and turned around, head tilted and finger pointing at Raitfier's chest.
"Where are you from? And what are you? And why are you here, of all places?"

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

The look on Raitfier's face when Cy Ara suddenly turned around and began interrogating him was almost hilarious. But he paused, looking down to her with a tilt of his own head as she spoke. He didn't even hesitate before answering.
"The Orcklen Clan, near the Beor Mountains. My father and mother were Dreken and Lor. My mother died of a disease when I was twelve. My younger sister, Kali, and my father are missing, presumed dead. I'm here, 'of all places', because I'm looking for my father and sister."
He was blunt, almost cold, towards Cy Ara when he spoke. Cy Ara's gaze slowly softened and this caused Raitfier's attitude to soften just slightly, too.
"So let me ask you something. . why is an Allatik like yourself, basically a Princess, traveling with a non-pure blood." There was silence and Raitfier let there be. He was done speaking. He now knew why he felt the way he did. It wasn't just because these two were Allatik's. It was also because Cy Ara was a pure blood. And he all ready knew her from long ago, even if she didn't remember.

A look of confusion struck Cy Ara and she had to take a moment to think before she responded, unsure.
"I am not a princess. I am a pure blood. And so are you. But don't think yourself so high and mighty just because you are. Pure bloods are no different from other Allatik's!"
Cy Ara had always had a slightly negative aspect towards some Allatik laws. Like the one saying that Pure bloods are different and far more dangerous than any non-pure blooded Allatik's and should be treated like royalty. But that wasn't what was getting her upset the most. The confusion was. She didn't understand how he could be a pure blood unless he was some how related to her, which clearly, he wasn't.
She, herself, felt like she was about to do something rash. She turned away, back to Tyleek, and noticed his tension. She put a hand on his shoulder, worry in her voice.
"Are you all right?"

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

Raitfier simply listened to her speak. Of course she was wrong. Pure bloods were direct heirs from the very first Allatik's themselves. He was growing irritated, but controlled himself. When she turned around, finally, to speak to Tyleek, he spoke himself.
"You are a princess, whether you believe it or not. It's just the way things are. You can't control it. And trust me, non-pure bloods are not the same as Pure bloods. They have a higher tendency to stab you in the back." He sounded as if he was speaking from experience, but he doubted Tyleek would care. He was purposefully trying to get under his skin.

Though irritated, Cy Ara grew worried, eyes glancing back and forth from one male to the other as Tyleek spoke. When he finished and stormed off, she wanted to reach out and stop him but instead stopped herself. When she felt like Raitfier was about to say something else, she abruptly turned to him, the most venomous expression on her face as she held her finger not an inch from his face. Her voice was like acid.
"Not another word."
She held the silence a moment before turning and quickly rushing after Tyleek.
"Ty. . !"

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

He had been about to say something, but he stopped himself when Cy Ara turned towards him like an angry predator about to retaliate with hatred. He withheld a devious grin until she turned away from him. After a moment, the grin faded and he continued calmly after her. Her tone was like acid and her glare had been even more lethal, but he read her like a book. She was pissed, but she wanted him to follow. So he did.
Don't be fooled, though. Deep down, he did feel bad. But that was deep, deep down. You could almost say Raitfier wasn't exactly right in the head, at the moment. He couldn't quite think rationally. He would fade out of this. . demeanor soon enough. Gradually, he would become nicer. But for now, he wanted to have some fun.

When Cy Ara caught up with Tyleek, she saw he was calmer now then he was, but was still hesitant when she began to speak, stopping in front of him.
". .Ty. . he doesn't know what he's talking about. ."
She frowned, eying him carefully. She could easily tell, despite his face being impassive, that he was still a little hot headed over what Raitfier had said. And as much as she hated to keep the two around each other, she had some things she needed to talk to Raitfier about and she didn't really want him out of her sights.
"I don't know who he thinks he is, but I know you wouldn't hurt me. He didn't have a right to say it. And I assure you, he won't say it again."

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

"You don't know that. But I'll let you think it." Raitfier had finally caught up with them, not that he was trying too hard. He grinned slightly, as if forcing it, before leaning against a tree, arms folded over his chest as he simply waited, for anything. He glanced to Tyleek, nodding his head slightly, before looking back to Cy Ara, though he was still talking to Tyleek.
"You do know what she is don't you? You do know that she isn't a normal Pure blooded Allatik and shouldn't be treated as one. She's a princess. And she should be chaperoned by someone more suitable to protect her." He paused a moment, to let that sink in. "Like me." He looked back to Tyleek as he finished, earning a venomous glare from Cy Ara.

Tyleek closed his eyes, struggling for control again. He touched his palm to the closest tree, letting his weight lean on his arm.
"I'd say Cy Ara can be anything, do anything, or be with whoever she wants." he said, his tone sounding almost bored. He grit his teeth at Raitfier's subtle jab at his pride. He wasn't flying off the handle yet.
"Why don't you come over here and say that in my face, friend. I'll show you just how well trained I am." he pushed himself away from the tree, taking two slow, careful steps forward.
"I don't know about the laws and customs of Allatik's. I just learned about what I am forty-five minutes ago. But if you insult me again..." he growled, and let the threat hang there. He turned away then and walked stiffly into the cave.

- - - - - - - - - -

Jia watched Tyleek come in, the stormy expression on his face warning anything or anyone from asking questions. She got to her paws and padded outside, instantly seeing Cy Ara and the other man that Theldor had told her about. Her gold-amethyst scales glittered softly from the occasional speckles of sunlight. Anything going on out here, Cy Ara? she asked, fixing narrowed teal-aquamarine irises onto the stranger.

Cy Ara fidgeted where she stood, utterly pissed, to be candid. She watched Tyleek walk off, again, and stared at Raitfier with a death glare. Again.
"Too far?" He murmured, looking as if he was actually hurt by Tyleek's reaction.
"Too far." Cy Ara replied, wanting to wring his neck. "Knock it off. Or I'll knock you off." With her mouth in a straight line, she turned and went to stomp off back to the cave, but Jia seemed to come out of no where.
"No. Everything is. Just. Fine."

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

Raitfier actually looked genuinely sad after the threat from Cy Ara. He was actually going to apologize, but a dragon appeared behind her as she turned away, catching all of his interest.
"You have a dragon? Are you bonded to a dragon, Cy Ara?"
He was interested. Last time he met a dragon, it had been a wild one that had tried to attack him out of anger for disturbing him. He'd had no choice but to fight it off. But at the thought of an Allatik being bonded to a dragon, that send his mind reeling. That had never been heard of before.
But his thoughts were crushed when Cy Ara spoke with acid.
"No, you idiot. I'm not her rider."
And with that, she walked off back to cave.

Tyleek was at the very back of the cave with Theldor on his shoulder, pressing his back to the stone wall. Stone always weakened him, because it was cold and unliving, hard. It felt like he was suffocating when he was surrounded by it. In his current state of mind he thought being weakened might be best.

- - - - - - - - - -

Jia's eyes narrowed at the tone in Cy Ara's voice. Everything is not fine. But I won't ask what. she said to the female Allatik privately. She rolled her eyes as the man assumed that she was Cy Ara's companion. Again she was startled by the acid in her friend's tone when she replied. She ignored the man and looked at Cy Ara, flicking her tail in the direction of the cave. Tyleek is at the very back of the cave where its at its narrowest, in case you were wondering. she relayed quietly, then looked at the stranger fully for the first time. I hope your not the reason Cy Ara is so out of it. I'm not bonded to her, but I'm just as protective. she said with a low growl. Then she ushered him past with an extended wing. Don't go in the back. Whatever happened with you three, Tyleek is trying to cool off right now. she said firmly.

She had figured as much, when Jia told her Tyleek would be in the back. She made a mental note to apologize to Jia for being rude after talking to Tyleek. Right now, she had to cheer him up somehow.
When she reached the back of the cave, she stopped a few feet away from Tyleek. It was a few moments before she said anything.
"Fight him. ." She said quietly, a small, sad smile on her face. "Prove your worth. I know your worth; you're a strong, righteous man. But he doesn't know that. Maybe he'll lay off if you fight him and beat his self-conceded butt into the ground."
She took a few steps forward, sighing silently before continuing, stopping directly in front of Tyleek. "I know you can do it. So fight him. Beat him."

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

Raitfier stared after Cy Ara, a slightly pained expression replacing the neutral one he'd held before. It was a moment after Jia began speaking before he actually began listening. He immediately thought off retorting with a rude statement, but thought better of it, thinking carefully. After a moment, he shook his head, taking a step back and raising his hands slightly.
"Thank you, but no thank you. Caves. . aren't my thing. I prefer wide open spaces." He paused. "Besides, I think I'll let Tyleek and Cy Ara come to me before I go anywhere near them again."

Cy Ara smiled when Tyleek spoke, agreeing to fight him. She knew he could do it. She knew he would win, no matter what happened during the fight. And her gaze said it all as they stared at one another. She quietly followed him to the entrance of the cave, but went no further. She leaned against the wall of the cave, arms wrapped around herself. Raitfier watched Tyleek pass by him, but his eyes instantly locked on Cy Ara. He winked, making Cy Ara roll her eyes. She felt like puking and turned her back to the lot of them, facing the inside of the cave. She brushed a strand of hair from her face, thoughts beginning to go awry.

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

Raitfier released a huff of air, annoyed at Cy Ara's reaction. But he supposed it was to be expected. When Tyleek began speaking to him, he looked to him strangely, before finally smiling calmly and speaking with a delighted voice.
"No elements, any weapon, you losing what pride you have left. Understood." His lopsided grin grew as he simply unsheathed the small dagger from his thigh, watching Tyleek with modest interest. "So. . shall we start?"

The dagger flew from his hands as he drew his hand back, close to him. His knuckles throbbed, but he only faintly noticed it. Right before Tyleek's stave connected with his feet, Raitfier jumped, spinning rapidly, lashing out with his foot so it connected with the side of Tyleek's face, then his chest when he spun around again. Speed was not his strong suit. His strength was. And moving as fast as he had had taken a lot out of him, just from that little bit.

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

It was then that Cy Ara finally looked over her shoulder, watching. Her eyes grew wide slightly and she was suddenly thinking this wasn't a good idea after all. She turned towards them both, back to the cave now, but didn't say anything. She pursed her lips, arms wrapped around herself.

Tyleek just managed to jerk his head back. He felt Raitfier's heel graze his jaw. Unfortunately, that move pushed out his chest, making it a bigger target. The breath whooshed out of his lungs as he was flung sideways into a tree. He grunted and spun around, taking the force of his movement into his legs. He pushed off from the tree and lunged out again, landing just short of the other male. One thing he'd learned over the years was to pace himself. And he was now. He hadn't even begun to use his full strength that rippled in the muscles of his abdomen and upper arms. Now he did. He spun on his heel and nailed Raitfier in the chest with his elbow, driving him back. Then he dropped to his feet and swept the male to the ground onto his back with a controlled lash of his leg. He instantly stepped over Raitfier and pressed the end of his stave into the males throat, though it was light enough that it wouldn't cause permanent damage. He'd hardly broken a sweat. He stared down at the male, his lavender-blue eyes glittering softly. He was a fair fighter, Raitfier was. After a few moments he retreated, pulling his stave away and removing his leg from one side. A small smile pulled at the corner of his mouth, and he extended a hand down to help Raitfier up to his feet.
"A nice challenge for once." he said quietly.

OOC:
Sorry, I meant to ask first before doing that...

OOC: It's fine. No matter what happened, Raitfier was going to let Tyleek win anyway..xD

IC:
It all happened so fast, Raitfier was on the ground before he realized exactly what had happened, Tyleek's stave to his throat. He stared up at the male, waiting for him to retreat before he finally breathed a sigh of relief. Of course he didn't think he'd actually kill him. But Raitfier had this tendency to think the worst in the worst situations.
His own lips pulled into a smile as he brought his hand up to take Tyleek's so he could stand. Once on his feet, he let out a small grunt, moving both hands all over himself to make sure all the pieces were actually there still. After double checking and then checking again, he had all his wounds on a little list in his head. A couple of bruises and a few scratches. Nothing too bad.
He lifted his gaze to Tyleek, spotting the trickle of blood running from the cut on his side. He momentarily stayed silent before bowing his head slightly.
"I apologize for my actions and words earlier. You, indeed, have worth. And I accept 'defeat'." He lifted his head just enough so he could see Tyleek, a playful, challenging grin on his face. "But it's not over. We'll spar again, at a later date. And next time I won't hold back."

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

Cy Ara was so startled by both final attacks, she actually made a noise and had to keep herself from stopping the both of them. And when Tyleek finally let up after a gruesome, lingering moment, she breathed a sigh of air she hadn't realized she'd been holding, a huge grin finding it's way onto her face as she watched the two.
She stayed a moment more before silently making her way into the cave. Everything was fine now, she was sure of it.

The question caught him off guard and even annoyed him a bit, but because he should've seen it coming not because Tyleek asked. He became momentarily silent before murmuring quietly.
"I was one of the lucky ones." Sighing, he began absently moving to retrieve his dagger and hook-chain. "I was one of the luckier Allatik's. I grew up in my village and trained with the other children and with Glade, one of my animal guardians. I went through all the basic training, until I was thirteen, and then I left. Not that I had a choice, after that. My village had been burned down. Which is why I'm looking for my father and sister; because I wasn't there to help defend my people when that monster of a man attacked them." He became silent, suddenly, having finished sheathing his dagger and readjusting his hook-chain around his waist. He took in a deep breath before raising a hand to run through his hair, eyes falling closed.
"I rather not dwindle on the past though. I try to avoid it as much as possible, which is why I've half given up on looking for my father and sister. If they aren't dead yet, then I know they'll find me again one day. Right now, my main priority is finding Glade and Kipp. .somehow, the three of us were separated and now we can't contact one another, which has happened. . .multiple times before, oddly enough." He was silent a moment before he suddenly perked up, placing his full attention on Tyleek as he asked his question. "Anyway. .! What about you? Where did you learn to fight? You're exceptionally very good at it."

Raitfier listened carefully to Tyleek's story, leaning against a tree with his arms crossing over his chest. His eyes narrowed, as if he shared a little of the pain and hatred towards the one known as Lukia Ursl. At the end of Tyleek's story, he spoke quietly.
"Three is an awfully young age to be left alone. I'm sorry to hear." He breathed in deeply, letting the air out slowly before continuing. "And you don't have to hide your pain. It's only natural." He gazed at Tyleek with knowing, a bit of the pain he shared revealing itself. "I prefer forgetting the past. But that's just me."

Raitfier closed his eyes, concentrating hard to rack his memory of anyone of that description. After a short moment, his eyes opened and he spoke solemnly.
"I'm sorry. . no." He wasn't going to bother about his father and sister. He'd all ready come to terms with their disappearance. Not to say it didn't hurt still. He took another deep breath, before gazing upwards to the sky. It was starting to darken, the sun was setting.

Raitfier stayed quiet a moment, contemplating. He didn't like the tightness, no matter how big, that a cave tended to give off. It was still inside of something and being inside just wasn't his thing.
"I think I'll stick to the trees." He grinned before reaching above him and grabbing onto the branch above him. With ease, he pulled himself up, swung his leg over, and got comfy with his back against the tree trunk, arms behind his head. He looked back down to Tyleek. "Night. Tell Cy Ara I said sweet dreams."

Raitfier's lips cracked into another smile before he nestled himself into a more comfortable position and began to doze off almost immediately.

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Cy Ara was in the very back of the cave where she'd found Tyleek not too long ago. She was sitting with her back against the wall, her katana beside her leaning against the stone along with her pack. She was holding a rock, feeling it's smoothness under her fingers when Tyleek came in. She smiled when she saw him, only looking at him for a second before concentrating back on the stone.
"Did you boys place nice?"

Cy Ara laughed silently to herself listening to Tyleek. But she frowned as she watched him shy away from the rock. She was beginning to think maybe pitching some kind of tent outside would've been better for the other Allatik then this cave. It wasn't until Jia announced the wound on Tyleek's side that Cy Ara transferred her full attention on the male, letting the stone fall to the floor. She frowned slightly.
"So much for playing nice. . I hope you at least gave him a nice whack back. ."

Cy Ara stayed silent after Tyleek's little explanation, other than making a noise that meant "whatever you say". She sighed, leaning her head back against the wall as she watched Tyleek rub Theldor. Her lip twitched, almost into a smile, before she stopped it and let her gaze drift away, pulling her knees to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. Siberia suddenly drifted into mind.
She silently moved onto her side, her head on her pack (thankfully she'd put her hair back up in the bun all ready), but stayed in the same position, except for moving one of her hands to rest under her cheek. Fatigue suddenly washed over her. Her voice was quiet, speaking to the other three.
"Goodnight. ."

"I could say the same to you. ." He murmured as Tyleek sat down and revealed the bruise to them. He shared his own by pulling down the collar of his tank, revealing a bruise that traveled all the way across his chest. He released the cloth and it fixed itself as he returned the grin. He reached over, picking up two of the long sticks with rabbits on them that were idly hovering over the fire and handed them to Tyleek; one for him, the smaller one for Theldor. Then he retrieved one for himself.

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Cy Ara smiled as Tyleek made his way out of the cave, watching him, then, as he and Raitfier playfully complained. She thought it was odd how they both got together so well now, but thought nothing of it as she laughed to herself, murmuring.
"You guys are like kids. ." She retrieved one of the sticks for herself, grinning as she took a bite out of it. She spoke again after swallowing. "So how's that cut, nature boy? Healed yet?"

OOC:
Mind if I bring in big brother?

IC:
Tyleek merely grinned and took the stick, dipping his head gratefully. He slid the smaller rabbit off and gave it to Theldor, who grasped it underneath one foot and began pecking at the meat. The male Allatik took a bite, his eyes widening a bit at the delicious flavor. He swallowed and smiled at Cy Ara innocently. He leaned back at her question, baring his torso. He brushed the raspberry leaves away from the cut to reveal a bright white scar.
"Pretty much healed." he said, looking up. "The scar will fade after a few weeks." he shrugged lightly.

- - - - - - - - - -

Jia followed after Tyleek, lying opposite Raitfier so the four of them were in a sort of square.

OOC: I don't mind. ^^

IC:
Raitfier dug into his rabbit-on-a-stick as Jia sat herself down, not saying much after that. When he ate, he ate. Simple as that.

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Cy Ara nodded at Tyleek as she showed the all ready great progress of his scar healing. Then she greeted Jia when she took her place, smiling as she lifted two of the other sticks off the fire. "These two are for you, Jia." She said quietly, forking them over. "So, you guys. What are we going to do today? Nothing too strenuous, I hope." She spoke in a teasing tone, but smiled, as she retrieved the last stick and began picking at the rabbit on there.

Raitfier listened quietly to Jia as she spoke and her idea actually didn't sound all that bad. He wondered if it would work, truly. Being without Glade and Kipp, well, made him feel empty. But just as he was about to answer, a roar emitted from the sky. He lifted his head in curiosity.

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

Cy Ara's head snapped up at the sound of the roar. When she heard Jia's words, she looked to her with slight worry. "You mean. . .the one that's an over-protective, hot-headed, loving, pain-in-the-tail?" She gulped once, looking back up to the sky. "Yeah. ."

Jia, too, gulped. Yeah. He's...eh...coming, if you didn't notice. she said. She looked at the others. He won't hurt you. Honestly he won't. I'm just in for a very rough scolding. she muttered. Her words were confirmed when his mental rang out, loud and very clear.
Johdzsia Goldenscale, get you tail out here this instant! When I get my paws on you I'm going to box your ears so hard they'll be ringing for a week! he shouted. She winced at his tone. She was in more trouble than she'd thought. She warily got to her feet.
Over here, Zeke. she called out softly, knowing he would hear. She felt a rush of wind as he banked and landed in the entrance of the cave with his back to her, though he quickly spun and let the full force of his gleaming ice blue eyes fall onto her. His bristling, glittering amethyst scales only enhanced the affect. She remembered just how small she was. Her entire body, folded wings and extended tail included, was the size of Zeke's head alone. She cringed back. Yes, he was very angry.
Don't ever go off an leave me like that, Johdzsia. I've been worried sick about you for two weeks! he growled, baring his teeth in a hiss. Once he'd gotten that off his chest, his expression softened. I had to tell Ella that I couldn't go with her on a mission from the Varden, to search for your scaly hide. I hope you haven't done anything reckless. he said, scowling. But the worst of his anger was gone now. He extended his neck and touched her snout gently. You really had me worried, precious one. he finally murmured. She sighed and returned the touch.
You told me to follow my instincts. My instincts told me to come here. So I did. she murmured, and shrugged.

OOC:
Their conversation is audible to the others.

Cy Ara and Raitfier simply listened, nonchalantly picking away at their rabbit ala stick. After Zeke seemed to rant out all of his anger, they both sort of glanced at each other over the fire before both turned their gaze onto the two dragons. After Jia explained to Zeke, Cy Ara sort of stood, dusting herself off as she set the rest of her rabbit down in front of Theldor. She spoke quietly to Zeke, smiling a little uneasily.
"If it's any conciliation. . .she is safe, and unharmed."

"I'm Cy Ara." She smiled genuinely, raising a hand to wave slightly as she place the other one behind her back. To put it simply, she was a little nervous. She had never been around dragons, growing up. She had been fine with Jia because she was so small and basically the first dragon she'd ever met up close. But Zeke was. . .HUGE, in her opinion.

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

"Name's Raitfier. I just got here yesterday. ." He stated bluntly, raising his free hand that wasn't holding his breakfast to wave slightly. Then he abruptly took another bite out o the meat before quickly finishing it off. He had no problem with dragons at all. He'd actually been around quite a few.

Cy Ara was gazing up at Jia, grinning as she watched her dragon friend fly with excitement. It was when Zeke came so close and spoke that Cy Ara jumped slightly, drawing her arms close to her chest. Went Zeke announced he was blind, Cy Ara blinked a few times before cautiously waving a hand in front of one of his eyes, then drawing it back as her head leaned to the side. Oddly enough, being so close to Zeke didn't seem to make her more nervous. It in fact did the exact opposite. It was as if all her nervousness flew the coop.
"A blind dragon. . now that's something you don't hear every day. I'm just not used to being around big. .grown dragons." She said quietly, hands slowly returning to her sides.

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

Raitfier suddenly came up behind her, examining Zeke curiously. He, unlike Cy Ara, resisted the urge to wave his hand in front of Zeke's face. He spoke quietly, trying hard not to sound rude, but feeling as if he failed miserably.
"So. .how in the world did you become blind?"

"I believe it." Cy Ara stated bluntly, wrapping her arms around herself as she gazed at Zeke's size once more, before lifting her gaze to the sky, where Jia was.

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

Raitfier brought a hand up to his chin, rubbing at the stubble that was beginning to grow there inquisitively. He spoke quietly, moving around Cy Ara slightly so he could be closer to Zeke.
"What kind of powers?"

Raitfier arched his brow, considering a moment what he could possibly ask. After a moment, he spoke quietly, letting his hand fall so he could place both on his hips.
"All right. How old was I when I first found my animal guardian?"
Raitfier was curious to see if Zeke would guess the answer correctly to the trick question. Of course, it was impossible for anyone to know, because only he and his guardians did.

Raitfier nodded, acknowledging what Zeke had said about the chill. Raitfier was all right with the cold. He felt at home when the weather was at it's coldest. He didn't know why, other than that it was because his element was water.
But when Zeke slid his mind into his own, the chill he felt was unlike any he'd ever felt before. He resisted the urge to curl into a ball and instead simply wrapped his arms around himself. When Zeke left his mind, he rubbed his arms slightly, opening his eyes to gaze at Zeke with curiosity as he spoke.
When he answered correctly.
"That's amazing, indeed. Though the affect of the chill is. .odd." Raitfier grinned, shivering slightly. Cy Ara had been listening, and watching, Zeke show his power. When Raitfier shivered, she nonchalantly reached over with her hand and jokingly lit her index finger aflame. When it connected with Raitfier's arm, he jumped with a small howl and took a step back, glaring at Cy Ara, who chuckled a little, turning and walking away to sit back down by the fire.
Raitfier rubbed his arm, glaring over his shoulder, before looking back to Zeke grinning mischievously. He murmured quietly under his breath.
"You think you could go into Cy Ara's mind for me and do a little snooping around?"

Raitfier flinched, like a child being scorned, and raised his hands in defense, taking a step back.
"Ok, ok. .just kidding. Yeesh. ." He raised a hand, rubbing the back of his head as he glanced towards Cy Ara.

Cy Ara was staring at him when he turned around, a brow raised. The look said "you're an idiot, but I mean that in a semi-good way". Raitfier caught the hint and shrugged a little until Cy Ara shook her head and looked to Tyleek, a little grin on her face.
"Let's go for a little walk. What say you, Tyleek Cree?"