OOC: One-on-one. Open to Anyone and everyone.


Dawn. As if an internal clock went off inside her, Cy Ara's midnight sapphire eyes flickered open at the first sign of light hitting her caramel skin. Glancing from side to side, she slowly sat up on her leaf cot. She hadn't heard anything, or sensed anything. The area was actually quiet, despite a bird here and there off in the distance. But she was completely content, not including the slight hunger pain in her stomach.
But that was the odd part. She wasn't in a cold sweat, or having a hard time breathing. Nor was she screaming to be let go because of hands clamped around her throat. She hadn't had any nightmares while asleep. For the first time in six years, she hadn't had any horrific dreams. It made her feel odd.
Standing off her small cot, her bare feet kept her silent as she made her way to kneel next to the small circle of stones, filled with ashes from last nights fire. She had to start a new one, to cook breakfast.
Snapping her fingers, a flame emitted from her palm. She retrieved a few of the sticks from the pile beside her and lit them before setting them within the stone circle. Thankfully, it didn't take but a moment to grow with a swift movement of her wrist.
The clearing she had camped out in was the perfect size, right on the edge of the mountains close to Kuasta. It was just big enough to fit her cot, a fire, and herself. Not too big, not too small. It was just right, like everything else. .
Cy Ara glanced around the whole of the clearing solemnly, standing slowly. Who was she kidding? She felt stupid. Everything wasn't fine. She was missing the one thing that kept her sane. She missed Siberia, her big, white wolfy companion. She was alone.
With a deep breath, a small, annoyed flame escaped her lips, her brow furrowing. She couldn't believe they'd been separated a few days ago. They'd been heading towards Surda, from Teirm, and were ambushed by a group of imbeciles thinking they could take Cy Ara and Siberia on. Unfortunately, while fighting, they herded the two of them away from each other. Then, somehow, they couldn't find each other using their bond. It was unusual, and disturbing. But Cy Ara was hopeful that Siberia knew where to go.
She pulled herself together, slipping off the long cloak she wore to sleep that fit snuggly to her tall, thin frame to reveal a thin wrap covering her chest and light, black pants reaching to her knees. She picked up her black leather belt, strapping it on and confirming that the multiple pouches were also secure. She pulled her ebony hair out of the messy bun she slept in, letting it fall down to her waist, before putting it up once more in a neater bun, her weightless bangs frame her face.
Sheathing her dagger onto her belt and pulling on a pair of leather black gloves that reached half way to her elbow, she headed out of the clearing.
It was time for hunting.

OOC:
Mind if I pop in?

IC:
Johdzsia hated the mountains. Maybe hate was too strong for her...severely dislike would be better. The atmosphere seemed to always be a few degrees colder than anywhere else. She snorted to herself as she padded along the ground. Although she never got cold, because of the kindling fire within her gullet (although she couldn't breathe fire yet) that always warmed her scales. It was the coldness of the area, not the temperature, that made a shiver travel down her spine. It touched her very bones in an uneasy way. She shivered again and continued moving forward. The gold-amethyst dragoness growled softly at herself; what had prompted her to come to the mountains in the first place? She rolled her teal-aquamarine eyes at herself. Whatever compulsion or instinct that had urged her to fly toward Kuasta had evidently been her wishful thinking for an adventure. Now she wasn't with Zeke to help him....she gazed around and corrected herself....Zeke wasn't with her to help her. She shuddered, the scales on her upper back and neck bristling with dislike.

The hatchling fluttered her wings as she padded forward uncertainly, using them to help her move faster. A light mist was picking up, low to the ground, but thick as stew. She couldn't see a thing, being so small. Now, at two months old, she was only slightly larger than the average wolf. A twig cracked to the left, sending her skittering into a tree in the opposite direction. Her eyes wheeled around in terror as she backed up until her haunches encountered a boulder. She crouched down as small as she could at the base of the giant rock and wished fervently that her brother was with her right now. She trembled as she pressed closer to the boulder and tried to curl into a inconspicuous ball.

OOC: Not at all. x3


Stupid twigs. . Cy Ara cursed inwardly, glaring at the ground and doing her very best to not make much noise. There's no way she's going to be able to catch any breakfast with her making so much noise. And the worst part about it, she'd heard something startle not too far away. Probably a deer, or a rabbit.
She lifted her eyes, debating in her head whether or not the mist was on her side or not. It could give her cover, but then again, she couldn't see the greatest. Other animals would smell her sent as well, even if they couldn't see her.
She mentally kicked herself in the butt. She knew she should've hunted last night. The meat would've stayed until morning, but nooo. She had to sleep.
With eerie silence, she placed her hands together, slowly pulling them apart. A rod of fire formed. She bent it into an arc with ease and it connected with a string of fire on each end automatically. She positioned her arms correctly, pulling back on the string and an arrow, made of flame formed across the bow. Her ability to touch fire without getting burned really came in handy. She was ready.
She silently rounded a tree towards where the noise had been, rushing to the next with blinding speed, her back against the trunk. She peaked around the side of the tree, spotting a dark silhouette within the mist. But it was shaped oddly. It was definitely not a rabbit. And unless it was an extremely overweight deer with wings, Cy Ara was almost 100% certain it was a young dragon. Immediately, her defenses fell, her bow and arrow vanishing into then air. She spoke quietly, one hand on her dagger as a just in case.
". .hello?"

She's scared. . Momentarily, memories flashed before her own eyes of the day when she was found by Siberia in these very same mountains. She'd been wandering for days as a young child, helpless and without food.
She shook her head, fighting the memories, before speaking again, quietly, in her soothing voice. She couldn't harm something so innocent. And being specially connected with the animal world, she could sense the young dragon was terrified, not just by the way she stuttered.
She keeled close to the ground, trying to make herself smaller. The other was already scared to death. .
"I won't hurt you, don't worry. ." She couldn't help but frown at the sadness of it. She was all alone, just like her.
". . why are you all alone? Are you lost?"

Now that the young dragon wasn't but a foot away, Cy Ara stopped and decided to sit herself on the ground, legs crossed. Anything to help the other know that she wouldn't hurt her. By now, Cy Ara knew she was safe, so long as she didn't act threatening.
When the question was asked, Cy Ara grew solemn. She sighed lightly, trying to act as calm as possible.
"I was. . separated from my friend. A few days ago. I'm just waiting for her to find me now."
Her gaze had fallen to the ground, but now she lifted them back to the young dragon and leaned her own head to the side. She wanted to know more - dragons had always fascinated her when she was younger - but she wanted to gain more trust before she asked too many things.
"My name is Cy Ara. Are you hungry?"

It was strange. It wasn't often Cy Ara felt such a strong liking towards another creature so quickly. It might have well been because she'd been alone for the past few days for the first time in a long time. But whatever the reason, she didn't care.
She smiled genuinely at Jia's words, raising a hand to lightly rest on top of her head and lightly rub her scales. They felt funny, considering she'd never actually been this close to a dragon before.
"Thank you. You're kind of cute. I don't think I've met another quite like you."
She ran her hand down along Jia's neck to the base of her wings, fascinated. She'd always been interested in the uniqueness of each and every creature.
"How long have you been alone Jia?"

The length and size of Jia's wings surprised her, making her pull her back suddenly. She hadn't expected Jia to be as big as she truly was. Entranced, her eyes ran along her frame, her hand slowly reaching back out to run along it. Another fascinated smile came to her lips, until what Jia had said a moment ago finally hit her. Reluctantly, she pulled her hand back, and rested it on top of her head once again, gazing down at her and rubbing her scales with her fingers lightly.
"In a comforting way? Well, I don't know what that reason may have been, but you've comforted me. Thank you. I don't feel so alone anymore."

Her smile grew, ever so slightly as Jia moved, until she finally cracked and laughed. It was the first time, ever, that she laughed around someone that wasn't Siberia. She grinned, almost stupidly, and spoke quietly, letting her hand run down along Jia's neck to the base of her spread out wing.
"You are possibly the cutest thing I've ever met."
Suddenly, a thought occurred to her. Though they weren't too far away, she needed to get back to her little camp before someone or or something crept up and took of with her things.
"Would you like to come with me? I'm heading to Kuasta to look for my friend. It's only a few days walk from here."

Standing with ease and brushing herself off, she paused at the question and let her head lean to the side before she nodded slightly.
"Yes, yes, I was. But you distracted me. I thought you had been breakfast. I'm just glad I didn't strike you down.."
Cy Ara chuckled uneasily under her breath as she raised a hand to rub her arm. She would've never forgiven herself if she had hurt a dragon. Especially Jia.
"But it's ok that I didn't catch anything. . I'm sure I can find some fruit. I love fruit."

Before she could convince Jia otherwise, she was gone. She couldn't help but chuckle to herself, leaning against a tree to wait patiently.
Once Jia had returned, she pushed off the tree, kneeling next to the small rabbit. She hovered a hand over the small creature and bowed her head, as if praying momentarily. When she lifted her eyes once more to Jia, a grateful smile was on her lips as she spoke, lifting the rabbit into her arms and standing once more. She turned in the direction of her camp before starting that way, knowing that Jia would follow.
"You are very kind Jia. Thank you. Surely, I can do something to repay you?"

"Mm. . I'll see what I can do then."
[color=#4040FF]Cy Ara spoke with a light smile. It didn't take but a few minutes to reach the small clearing. Lucky or Cy Ara, the fire was still going, which meant she didn't have to waste energy heating the rabbit herself. She couldn't eat raw meat very often. She'd had a bad reaction to it once before, and has been cooking it ever since.
Setting the rabbit down beside the stone circle, Cy Ara moved over to her leather nap sack and reached inside, searching for something.[color]
"So, Jia. . what's your brother like?"

Cy Ara listened carefully to the young dragon, a soft smile on her lips as she continued to dig through her pack. Inside, as Jia spoke of her older brother, she remembered her younger siblings. But that caused her smile to fade and for her to restrain herself from showing more emotion than she wished. After a moment, she took a deep breath and sighed, speaking quietly as her smile returned.
"I see. He does sound like an amazing brother. ."
Finally, she found her pocket knife. The hilt design was an off white color, a pack of wolves burned into the material. She smiled and moved back over to sit by the rabbit, right next to Jia, and spoke once more.
"So. .where do you come from?"

Glancing to Jia, her smile growing, before looking back to the rabbit and beginning to gut it. She'd be careful to safe the hide and fur of the rabbit. It would be useful to make something out of, since winter would be coming on within the next few weeks.
"Wow. So, they're all pretty much your family?"
Cy Ara tried to keep on a smile. It was hard talking about these kinds of things, but she'd learned how to deal with it. To an extent.

Cy Ara could see the irritation, if not hatred, behind Jia's eyes and smiled a little at how cute it looked. Instead of keeping on about the King, though, she instead kept on about her family.
As she cut up the pieces of meat, she rested them on a fairly large leaf from the small cot she'd made.
"But isn't it hard. .? You know, to have so many people to care about..doesn't it feel. . .over whelming when one of them are in danger?"

OOC:
Did you forget about me? Or do you just have writer's block?lol

OOC: I could never forget about my role plays. >< Especially you. xD But it is a little bit of writers block. I'm sorry. I'll try to keep on top of it. T.T;

IC:
Finally, she'd finished cutting up the meat as Jia spoke. But instead of setting them in the fire to cook, she decided it would take much less time to heat them herself. She took each piece in hand, one by one, and concentrated until it caught a flame, roasting immediately. She would set them back down onto the leaf once doing so. After engulfing the last piece into flames, she held the cooked meat out to Jia with a small smile, the fumes of the deliciously roasted rabbit drifting into the air.
"Want some now?"
She had seen the other's concern, but said nothing, glancing the other way as she spoke again.
"You seem to have a good point there, you know. And I don't think I would like to meet that 'spitfire and shred anything that threatens you' side of you.."
She laughed under her breath at the thought.

OOC:
Tis no big deal my friend. I was just wondering.

IC:
Johdzsia sniffed delicately at the air, entranced by the heavenly scent of the cooked meat. She licked her chops eagerly. If you don't mind... she murmured, and lifted her head to take the meat gingerly into her jaws. She chewed slowly, savoring the flavor. Why Cy Ara, this is delicious! she exclaimed, her teal-aquamarine eyes widened with pleasure.

Cy Ara laughed under her breath again, resting her eyes on the other once more, before sliding the big palm leaf closer to Jia.
"Special fire, special meat. Take as much as you want. . I don't eat much any way."
Lifting one of the fairly large pieces of rabbit off the leaf, she began chowing down, speaking between a bite.
"So. .have you been all over Alagaesia? Since, you know, you can fly and all?"
Secretly, Cy Ara had always loved the thought of flying. She felt wings were the symbol of freedom, and the release of being on a leash, trapped on land.

Cy Ara listened quietly, stuffing her face faster than she had wanted. She didn't think she was this hungry. . .
But just as she was about to reply, another voice rang out from the woods surrounding them. It was a male.
"So. .this is where you've been hiding.
Instantly, Cy Ara had her dagger drawn and was on her feet in a defensive position, standing between Jia and the voice. A gruff figure made his way from the treeline, looking like the pathetic, but determined thug that he was. Apparently, he'd been searching for Cy Ara for days, since they'd lost her near Kuasta.
Cy Ara looked angry, glaring at the man as he spoke again.
"I've had a hard time tracking you, little missy. Why don't you just come on over here and I'll take you some place where you can sleep in a nice comfy bed?"
"Thanks, but no thanks. I think I prefer my Bed 'o Leaf, lu'kin aru."
By the way she had said it, it sounded like it had been an insult in her language. And apparently, surprisingly to Cy Ara, he understood it, growing angrier. But, it was then that he spotted Jia behind her and a short grin slithered onto his grimy face.
"Just like an Allatik. . gain an animals trust and when they least expect it, slaughter 'em. How can your people be so cruel?"
"Don't play mind games!"
The mans smirk had grown into a sorrowful frown that actually seemed sincere as he had finished speaking and it only seemed to grow when Cy Ara spoke.
Don't listen to him, Jia, it's not true. . . Cy Ara spoke to only her young dragon friend. She only hoped she believed her and not the other man. but with his acting skills, if she hadn't known any better, even she would've believed him.

Cy Ara felt the gentle reassuring brush against her mind and it did, indeed, reassure her. She felt a sudden pang of determination that made her more smug than angry. She knew, even without Siberia, with Jia by her side, they'd be able to take down this single thug with ease.
But just as she thought those very things, six more thugs seemed to appear out of thin air, surrounding the two with various weapons. One had a simple thick, wooden stick. Others had leather whips, or knives. They all looked angry, causing Cy Ara's smugness to melt away instantly. Without Siberia, and their powerful bond strengthening her, she wasn't sure now. .
Jia. . . I think we should go for an 'up, up, and away. .' Cy Ara glanced over to Jia, a worried look in her eyes. I know you need a high place to lift off from. . but do you think you could manage with jumping off my back if I lean over?
"I've been searching for her because..my employer would like to have a word with her. You should know who I mean, Cy Ara."
Her head snapped up as she looked to the man suspiciously, her body growing rigid. Every thought that she'd been thinking evaporated almost instantly. Something was off. . he knew her name.
"Lukia Ursl won't be happy with me if I don't bring you back."
The insult from Jia had obviously affected the man, who was all seriousness now. Everything about the man screamed 'run away!', but Cy Ara knew that wouldn't be possible. When the thug had mentioned the name, Lukia Ursl, Cy Ara's heart jump started, beating rapidly and causing her to grow paralyzed with both anger and fear. She couldn't bring herself to speak.
"What's wrong. . Cy Ara? Cat got your tongue?"
His grin was fowl.

Cy Ara was there, physically, but her mind was far away. The memory of the day when Lukia Ursl took her family from her. . she felt it tearing her open from the inside.
But when Jia merged her mind with her own, Cy Ara suddenly felt stronger than she'd believe to be possible, but calmer, more aware. She'd felt the best she had been in a long time.
Got it. She said quietly to Jia, fury and venom laced within each syllable.
The man ignored Jia's threats and hasty words. His goal was set on Cy Ara and Cy Ara only. He wanted that reward. He wanted freedom from Lukia Ursl. Cy Ara was his key to success, quite literally.
She sheathed her dagger - she wasn't going to need it - and reached into one of the pouches connected to her belt, rewarding herself with an annoyed voice coming from the leader.
"Hands where I can see them, Allatik. Or you'll regret it. . ."
She pulled out a pair of thick, heavy looking leather gloves without waiting for him to continue and began slipping them on and tightening them as she spoke.
"Not very fair of you. Not only am I a woman, I am a woman being outnumbered by thugs in an ambush. Now, despite my young dragon friend here being by my side, I must say that is still extremely un-gentlemen like. Be a man. Are you scared of me wearing a pair of gloves?"
Not only did he look purely annoyed, he looked beyond the verge of ripping her head off with his bare hands. By now, Cy Ara had finished slipping on her gloves and gazed ahead at the leader with a facial expression that was hard to interpret. But it was easy to tell there wasn't an once of fear inside her.
"What's wrong. .? Wolf got your tongue?"
Jia, now! After murmuring to her friend, Cy Ara lurched forward, only to duck under the leader as he went to grab her, making him topple over her to the ground. Immediately, the other thugs began to attack, slipping perfectly into Cy Ara and Jia's plan: three went after Jia, the other three went after Cy Ara.

It was a piece of cake. The three chasing after Cy Ara - surrounding her in a triangular shaped pattern - readied their weapons as they ran for her, but she stopped where she stood, waiting for them to get close enough. At the moment when they were almost on her, she jumped up, using the man who had been in front of her to allow her to jump higher by pushing off his shoulders. The three thugs all tumbled over each other, quite stupidly.
Cy Ara landing in a crouch just a few feet away. But she'd underestimated how long it would've taken the thugs to get back up. One of them was up before the other two, running after Cy Ara with a whip. He attacked from behind just as Cy Ara swung around and caught her by the wrist with the whip. It didn't phase her. She narrowed her eyes before gripping the opposite end of the whip and pulling with all her strength. The thug, surprised, was lifted off the ground and thrown into a tree with a ear splitting 'crack', announcing that he'd broken something. Most likely important, considering he fell to the ground and stopped moving.
But now it was the other two's turn. They were just now standing, after wrestling with each other. Cy Ara ran for them, jumping in the air, and twisting herself around to kick one square in the jaw, causing him to fall to the ground. Either he was unconscious, or dead, Cy Ara didn't take time to check. Landing in a crouch next to the other one, she twisted again, performing a leg sweep before he could even raise his spiked bat. But he didn't fall. Stumbling back, he brought up his bat and readied to attack. Cy Ara was on her feet instantly, both hands in fists. She jumped into the air and nailed him in the face at least ten times before he finally fell back onto the ground. His face was torn, shredded gruesomely by the small knives that concealed themselves within the knuckles of her gloves.
She stood there, her breathing slightly more labored than it should've been. Her eyes were full of hatred and revenge. The anger inside her was causing her to overexert herself. Finally she turned around, eyes narrowed at the leader.
"I didn't recognize you at first. . because it'd been such a long time. But I remember now. Your name is Malaktai. You used to be a friend of my father's. You're also an Allatik, which explains your dark skin and why you understood my language. You're sick."
The anger, hatred, and revenge had left her and she was standing a mere few feet away from the leader, Malaktai. She looked as if she'd exhausted herself, even though that wasn't fully the truth. Realizing who the other was, had drained her. He'd been like an uncle to her when her parents were alive. She looked mournful, but bitterly confused.
Malaktai's jaw was tense and he continuously looked back and forth between Cy Ara and Jia, backing slowly towards the tree line. Cy Ara didn't stop him.
"Better to be sick, than dead."
"You betrayed my family. We treated you as if you were one of us, when you're home had been burned down."
Malaktai didn't stay any longer. He'd have his chance again. But for now, his own past was catching up with him. He turned and fled into the woods.
Don't chase him. Cy Ara spoke quietly to Jia, looking away as she sat herself down, pulling her knees to her chest and wrapping her arms around them to rest her chin on knee. She ignored the bloody mess around her. She didn't trust herself to speak. Jia. . why are people so stricken with selfishness and greed?

"It's what I am." It hadn't caused her distress, but she was still mournful. More over Malaktai and the memory of her family than anything at the moment. "It's the reason why I am alive and the reason why I live. It's what's inside me. For me, it is the meaning of life. It is not only my religion, but my race and my tongue."
She shrugged her shoulders lightly, forcing a smallish smile onto her face as she gladly excepted the closeness of her friend. Taking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly, the flicker of a flame escaped from between her lips.
"The fire that rages on within me. .is a prime example of what an Allatik is. For others, it may be the gentle river, or the hardened mountain, or even the breath of life. But for me, it is rage. A fire that will never flicker out. But i'm afraid I may be the last one. The last Allatik." A shudder trembled through her as she gazed downwards. The thoughts rushing through her head was giving her the shivers. She couldn't remember the last time she was this open with someone that wasn't Siberia. "I've looked for so long. . for other Allatik's. . others of my kind. But i'm afraid Lukia Ursl, the man who hired Malaktai and who's sole purpose is to destroy my race, has all ready accomplished his goal. I'm the last one. And now my sole purpose is to see to it that Lukia Ursl falls. . but I don't know if I can do it on my own, even with the help of my lost friend."

A small, real smile made it's way onto Cy Ara's lips as she lifted her head, leaning it to the side slightly. She laughed quietly under her breath at the warm gust of air Jia blew in her face and shook her head before eying the dragon curiously. She raised a hand, resting it on top of Jia's head, and spoke quietly as she lightly stroked the other's scales.
"Hmm. . .where to begin, huh? Well. . consider my people beings born from the earth. Each Allatik has an animal companion, who they are connected to deeply, both spiritually and mentally. Mine is. . Siberia, a great white wolf. She's the friend I was separated from. Each Allatik also has an element. When an Allatik is born, they are usually born somewhere or in some kind of situation that revolves around their element. For the first thirteen years of our lives, we are not allowed to leave our families, or villages, because we go through training to ready ourselves to help protect the earth. At the age of thirteen, we have a choice. Either join the Guardians in that village - the protectors who range from just regular Allatik's to Shamans and more - or leave the village to explore the land."
She paused, hesitant before continuing. It didn't hurt, per say, but it brought back painful memories to continue. She didn't mind revealing them to Jia though.
"My mother and father kept the attacks of Lukia Ursl a secret from my younger brother, sister, and I because they didn't want to worry us. But we always thought it was kind of strange we moved so frequently from place to place. We never stayed in one place for very long. My father was afraid Lukia Ursl would find us. He was closing in fast, having all ready taken down our home village and most of the others scattered across the land.
"Because of the constant moving, I didn't get the traditional training lessons. My father taught them to me and my younger siblings. My mother taught me how to use my abilities wisely, where as father taught me how to wield them dangerously. All in all, my family was balanced. My life was balanced. So I thought. I was young. I didn't know any better. I thought I had it all, despite not having my companion yet, which my mother, father, and younger two siblings did. I was kind of jealous. But I was fine without. Even though now, I don't know what I would do if I lost Siberia for real. .
"Finally, my family and I made our way close to Kuasta. I was eleven, by now. We were planning on leaving Alagaesia, by ship. There are secret black market docks on the beach close to Kuasta. That's where we were headed. But before we were even slightly close, Lukia ambushed us. He. . murdered my family before my eyes. But my father, helping me escape, ordered me to run. So I did. I ran for the mountains and didn't look back. That's where I found Siberia. We've been together ever since, searching. For what, we don't really know. But I think, inside, i'm searching for home."
Cy Ara had been staring blankly downwards for quite some time, lost in her own story. But now, as she paused, she lifted her head and blinked a few times, speaking quietly.
"I. . got side tracked. . but. .that's the basic story."

Cy Ara smiled shyly, gazing at Jia, before it darted back to the ground. She nodded slightly.
"Yes. .fire is my element."
She blinked a few times before lifting her gaze once again to Jia, speaking quietly.
"Tell me about. . .Galbatorix. .Who is that? Father never let me or my younger siblings in on what was going on in the land around us. . and being on my own with Siberia, neither one of us ever actually cared to find out who it was. But, by the way you speak their name, they sound important. ."

"Monsters. . the lot of them. Lukia Ursl and Galbatorix both deserve a good dose of their own medicine."
Cy Ara was angry now, glaring at the ground. She lifted her head though, eyes softening as she reached back out with her hand and stroked the scales upon Jia's head. She spoke quietly, wanting to rid them both of painful thoughts.
"Jia. . tell me more about the dragon riders. Are they different in anyway? Do you have one?"

"You've never heard of it. . . but do you think it may be possible?"
She was interested. She wondered what it was like to be bonded to a dragon. Much like with other animals, she figured, but the bond would probably be so much stronger, just because of the over all stature and their tendency to be overwhelmingly powerful.
Cy Ara had always loved the stories her father had told her when she was growing up. They filled her with determination and strength, whereas the one's her mother told her filled her with respect and thanks.
"Tell me more. . can anyone be a dragon rider? Or just Elves?"

Cy Ara listened intently. She thought about how she knew the feeling. The feeling of yearning for something, but not knowing exactly what or who that something is. That enormous empty hole of pain that emitted from inside her. She felt that every day. But she could never fully understand if it was because of the loss of her family and her people, or the fact that she truly was looking for something.
Her gaze fell from Jia, staying quiet a moment before she spoke quietly.
"I know the feeling. I just wish I knew why I felt it."
She looked to the side a moment before finally lifting her gaze to Jia, again speaking quietly.
"I wonder if I'll ever find any of my people again. ."

Johdzsia purred. I'm sure there are others. she soothed, her eyes shining.

- - - - - - - - - -

Tyleek stopped, listening mutely. Theldor shuffled his golden feathers.
Could you check that, Theldor?
He said to his companion. The large golden eagle spread his wings silently and took to the air. After he was out of sight, the Allatik pressed his palm to a tree, tilting his head back to listen. The tree-spirit showed him many images, but halted on one of a most unusual creature. It was scaled, and the color of its hide was pale gold, with amethyst peering out in the cracks between each separate scale. It was beautiful, if its face wasn't wrinkling in a savage snarl. Tyleek recoiled from the image, then wordlessly asked the spirit what it was.
Dragon...young...Jia...tender...
It murmured, then said no more. He was confused, and a little in awe. That menacing, yet gorgeous beast was a young Dragon? Named Jia? Alright, he understood that much, but what did the tree-spirit mean by tender? And in what way? He sighed in frustration and dropped his hand to his side.
Ty, you may want to see this.
Murmured Theldor, and sent him a mental image. It was the dragon, and a young woman. Tyleek sprang into the trees, weaving in and out of the large boughs with inhuman grace, speed, and agility.
Keep an eye on them. I'll be there shortly.
He said, following the powerful link he always had with the eagle. Soon he encountered his companion and crouched beside him. He stroked the soft feathers of Theldor's back.
They are just through the leaves there.
Said the eagle, jerking his head sharply toward a screen of leaves just in front of them. Tyleek nodded and leaned forward, silently sweeping them aside. The dragon was crouched in front of the woman, its eyes shining, with six other corpses surrounding them. The Allatik bared his teeth in a mute snarl. It seemed like the two were speaking to each other, but surely the dragon was attacking the woman. Why didn't she run? He pushed that from his mind. He lifted his hand and spread all five fingers, then clenched them into a hard fist. Vines erupted from the ground and wrapped around the dragon's legs, tail, wings, and jaws. Completely bound, he willed the woman to run so he could question the beast in private. He was surprised that it didn't try to break free, only was frightened as to why it was suddenly covered in vines. He grabbed his stave from his back and readied himself to fight. Theldor tensed his half-raised wings.

- - - - - - - - - -

Johdzsia tried to open her maw, but the vines kept it clamped shut. She grunted as they tightened, and winced as they rubbed harshly against her wings. She whimpered and tried to move to alleviate the pain, but movement only made it worse, so she tried to hold as still as possible. Her wide, terrified eyes fixed on Cy Ara, and a whimper slipped through her teeth. Panic rendered her mute, so she couldn't tell her friend to run.

For the first time in a long time, Cy Ara felt reassured more then she could've imagined. Something about the way Jia said it seemed to sink heavy on her chest. But just as she was about to agree, someone attacked.
Instantly, she was to her feet and spun around, jumping away from the vines that seemed to sprout from no where. She thought they were going to try and capture her, but a closer look showed they only were after Jia. Surprising striking through her, Cy Ara thought quickly and raised her hands, making a quick motion before the vines - without harming Jia of course - bursted into flames and fell to the ground as ash, releasing Jia from their hold. Something was off. There was an odd, familiar presence in the air surrounding Cy Ara. An aura, strangely calming.
Cy Ara swung around, facing the direction where she felt the strings of aura radiating from. Momentarily, her mind faltered. Only. . . Allatik's had that kind of aura.
Positioning herself in a defensive stance, she narrowed her eyes.
"Who are you and what reason do you have for attacking my friend?"
And not me. . She thought suspiciously to herself.

After glancing momentarily around her at the corpses, she understood. With her a twitch of her lip, she gazed back towards the male who called himself Tyleek and his bird, Theldor.
"Point taken."
She had untensed herself slightly, trying her hardest not to get her hopes up. But she felt it was inevitable. It was like trying to move a thousand pound brick wall: almost impossible. Just the thought of another Allatik standing a mere few feet away caused Cy Ara's heart to just burst into an erratic rhythm of beats. By the way the other's aura felt. The way he seemed so attached to the creature on his shoulder, by the way he moved. If only she could see him fully. .
His next words kind of set her off though. How did he know their names?
She momentarily glanced over her shoulder to Jia before eying the figure in the shadows again.
"Yeah. . right." Her voice was hesitant, as if she still wasn't quite sure what to do. She made a slight waving motion with her hand, as if to gesture a 'hi' back. She thought to herself.
Allatik or not an Allatik? Attack or don't attack? Make up your mind, Cy Ara. . !
"So, ah. . . Tyleek, why don't you show yourself. Just, you know, so we can actually talk face to face, rather than face to shadow. . kind of unnerving, if you know what I mean. ."

Her eyes widened, taking in every feature of the male who called himself Tyleek. The thing her eyes fixed on very first though was the scar making it's way down Tyleek's front. It made her cringe slightly, vaguely feeling the milky white scar that made it's way down her back and part of her side tingle. The one on the outside of her right arm did the same. His skin, and his hair was next. And Theldor, his bird. They had a deep connection that their aura revealed quite clearly. And he obviously had power over earth, or some kind of power. It was only then did she actually observe everything else. He had the traits of an Allatik, but that didn't make it official.
When she heard his words, they shook her from her thoughts. She became cheeky, straightening up before crossing her arms over her chest and turning her head to the side.
"The only thing I'm pleased to see is that you have a little bit of common courtesy." She said this, but even as she did, she stole another glimpse before turning slightly to Jia, raising a hand to gently rest on her head. She turned her gaze on Tyleek. She couldn't take it any more. She needed to know.
"Who are you, exactly? I mean. . I know your name. But. . you seem. . how do I put this. ." She huffed, raising her other hand to rub her temple, her eyes falling shut as she bowed her head. "What are you? Where did you come from. ."

Something was. . odd. In the way he acted towards Cy Ara and the way he spoke, the things he said. . it all seemed to strike through her with severe deja vu. Her head began to throb at the end of Tyleek's little story. The hand resting against her temple slid down the side of her face before it fell to her side. Her expression was hard, confused, twisted into so many emotions it was hard to tell which she was feeling the most of.
"Tyleek. . this may sound a little. .odd. But could you do me a favor? Turn around, so our back is to me. I want to see something. ." She spoke quietly, taking a few steps closer to the other male as she tilted her head slightly. "I'm not going to hurt you. . it's just a little test."

"Trust me. . you have no reason to think i'll hurt you. An Allatik can not purposefully hurt another Allatik without valid reason. ." She felt there was no point in saying this, because she had a feeling that Tyleek had no idea what he truly was. If her interpretations were correct, he would know anything about the Allatik's at all. And if he was one, when she touched his back, he would feel a tingling sensation of familiarity and calmness. A sort of homey feeling. An upside about being around other Allatik's. If Tyleek had been more aware of what he was, he'd of felt the feeling sooner when coming within a short distance of Cy Ara.
"Tell me what you feel. ."
As she spoke, she lightly rested the tips of her fingers against Tyleek's upper back, by his shoulder blade, and ran them in a small circle before stopping and just resting them there.

It'd been over six years since she'd felt the connection, but it hit her hard, causing her to have close to the same reaction as Tyleek. She flinched when he swung around, expecting him to do something other than what he did. Pulling in a deep breath, she gazed at him with uncertainty, her jaw tensing shut when the other moved closer. The question bounced around inside her head a moment before she answered quietly, gaze flickering away as she released the hold reluctantly, taking a step back. The moment the two stopped touching, the feeling and connection was broken. But a faint feeling of it seemed to vibrate the air around them. Cy Ara's hand tingled. She felt odd.
"You can trust me. . or you can't. That's your decision. But. . " She hesitated, cautiously lifting her gaze back to Tyleek before continuing. She cradled her hand against her chest. ". . I trust you. You are the same as me. Do you know what you really are?"

"I know what you are. . I'm not afraid of you hurting me."
I'm afraid of becoming hopeful again. She thought to herself, glancing away. But she took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, and gazed at Tyleek with a small nod, stretching her hand out just slightly. "Go ahead."
Secretly, Cy Ara also wanted to witness the connection once more. But she would never admit it out loud. Her expression was one of hesitance, curiosity, concern. All of which didn't even scratch the surface of how she was feeling.

She hadn't expected the second time to be so effective, but it punched the air out of her lungs, as if she wanted to cry. She withheld herself from doing so and drew in a deep breath as she listened to Tyleek speak. She thought a moment, gathering her thoughts. Her mind was completely clear, instead of cloudy and full of things to think about, like usual.
"You are a being born from the earth, Tyleek. You are an Allatik. And you were born to protect the earth at all costs. . you are able to do the things you can because the earth gave you those powers to not only protect it, but yourself and your people. Our people. I am the same as you. The only real difference is that your element is Earth and mine is Fire." She seemed to tighten her fingers around Tyleek's, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly - miniature flames lapping at the gap between her lips from inside her mouth. Her body temperature began rising a few degrees, making her skin hot to the touch. Not too hot, of course.
"Tyleek. . you can do things that you couldn't even imagine. If you've been alone for as long as you say, you have much you need to know and learn. Skills and abilities you'd be amazed by."

Cy Ara nodded slightly, glancing to Tyleek, before looking away slightly. She slowly, reluctantly, slipped her fingers out of Tyleek's, taking a few steps back once again. She spoke quietly, raising both hands, their palms facing Tyleek. She put her hands together, so each finger was touching the same finger, and showed Tyleek.
"See how they look exactly the same?" She slowly spread her hands, but kept the tips of her thumbs touching.
"Now they look exactly the opposite. Different, but the same. Just like everything and everyone else on the earth. Everything is the same, but different. Unique. But you need to remember that everything intertwines within everything. Consider it the biggest circle of life ever imagined."
She smiled a little, letting her hands hover around her stomach as she gazed at Tyleek reassuringly. But the smile faded slightly as she spoke again. "Sadly enough. . I'm not sure there are many other Allatik's out there that would be able to teach you. . if any at all."

As good a point as that was, Cy Ara was still pessimistic. She wanted to be more hopeful about there being more Allatik's, but she just couldn't set herself up for that kind of disappointment if there wasn't. She sighed quietly. But when she was about to speak, Tyleek asked about her teaching him and she grew straight as a rod, her hands staying by her stomach though. She hesitantly rose an eyebrow and spoke quietly.
"I. .I guess I could teach you. Same basic principles, despite our elements. I'll teach you all I know, but there will still be skills that you will have to find on your own, because our elements are so different. And about there being others. ." She bite her lips, hesitant to continue as she gazed downward. "I'd like to believe. But even though you and Jia continue to reassure me, I am still doubtful." It was then that she lifted her head again. She suddenly just now remembered Jia, turning towards where she last saw her as she spoke quietly. "Jia. ."

Jia grinned at Cy Ara, merely happy that the Allatik had found a member of her kin. Don't worry about me, little one. she purred, her tongue darting out to affectionately flick her friends skin with the forked tip.

- - - - - - - - - -

Tyleek thought about it for a second, and a strange image struck him. He smirked slightly.
"Perhaps your element and mine are not so different. What gives a fire fuel? Trees. What can strengthen a flame? Air and wood. What can put a fire out? Water and earth. What can destroy a forest? Fire."
He said, then paused to let her think it over. His logic was sound.

Cy Ara smiled a little, looking to Jia. The lick with her tongue tickled. As Tyleek spoke, she turned her attention back on him and listened carefully, a grin spreading across her lips as she did.
She thought it was funny how he caught on so fast.
"That. . is entirely true. You understand the circle, but can you handle what it throws at you? Say. . if fire was threatening your earth, exactly how would you counteract it with just your earth?"

She seemed to laugh under her breath, smiling a little as she nodded.
"Good."
Maybe this teaching stuff won't be so hard.
"But you're thinking too much. Some of the most dangerous situations are often solved with the simplest of solutions. Fighting the element that is the exact opposite of yours is possibly the hardest thing any Allatik has ever had to do. The second hardest is fighting the same element. But I think it would be best if we start with something more basic."
Her smile grew slightly and she raised her hand, palm face up, and spoke quietly after snapping her fingers and causing a small flame to appear. When she moved just her fingers, the flame evolved into a small ball.
"My father would play a game with me, when I was younger, called "Element Ball". Using your element, you create a ball and force it into a shape the resembles something or someone. The easier it is to identify, the better it is. It's not exactly a game, but we made it into one. It actually helps you focus. Helps you to pinpoint exactly how to shape and control your element. Create a ball, using soil for right now, since it's the most easiest to mold. But don't touch it with your hands. Try to control it, like you do with the vines, into moving into your hand."

Cy Ara smiled as she watched, excited that he got it the first try. But she didn't give him any warning until she suddenly took a step back and jumped into the air, launching the fire ball directly at him at an almost blinding speed.
"Think fast!!"

Cy Ara landed in a crouch as Tyleek fended off the little fireball. Another smile came to her lips as she watched and she stood slowly. After he looked to her, she spoke quietly, raising a hand as if to sooth Tyleek.
"Relax, nature boy." She chuckled under her breath. "I'm not going to try and fight you. Yet." She smiled coyly, dropping her hand. "I want to make sure I won't burn you. ." Her smile turned to a grin as she slowly turned her back to Tyleek, speaking quietly.
"Do you know the number one rule to fighting?"

Cy Ara laughed a little under her breath at Theldor and Tyleek. She spoke quietly, turning just enough so she could see Tyleek without turning her head.
"That is definitely one of the important rules you should live by. But the first official rule. . is don't let your guard down. Always expect the unexpected and don't underestimate your opponent. No matter who it is, you have to learn to always keep your guard up. Know why?"
As she was speaking, she had slowly been making her way closer to Tyleek. Now that she was finished, she was but a couple of feet away.

She didn't flinch when Tyleek moved so close so suddenly. She only smiled a little, arching her eyebrow. Whether he realized it or not, he walked right into what she wanted him to do. After he'd stood, Cy Ara moved without warning, at a blurring speed, kneeling down and lashing out with her leg. It connected, sweeping Tyleek off his feet, but she sprang away with agility and flexibility before she saw him either fall or catch himself. When she landed, she grinned and murmured quietly, her own eyes dancing with laughter that she withheld. She was also enjoying herself.
"Since, you know, your legs are a lot thicker and stronger than mine. I'm sure that didn't hurt."
She chuckled under her breath, raising a hand to her lips as if mockingly.

She laughed, hands placing lightly on her stomach as she watched. She made her way slowly towards Tyleek as she spoke, stopping in front of him and gazing down at him with her head tilted slightly.
"You're not normal." She laughed a little, raising a hand to gently push against one of Tyleek's legs.

She noticed how Tyleek was suddenly watching her differently and had to turn her head slightly to refrain the blood rushing to her cheeks. She was smiling so hard, her cheeks were hurting. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been this happy. This safe, and open.
When she heard what Tyleek said next, she grinned and turned back to him. Except Her grin was more devilishly evil and her lips were parted slightly. She took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, little flames lapping at her lips again from the inside of her mouth. She raised her hands, as if to attack Tyleek. When she spoke, little flames bursted from her lips.
"I don't just breathe fire. . I use it to roast my prey before devouring them limb from limb."