winds_voice | [LUCETI] APPOINTMENTS

[Eley had waited anxiously for the day when the draftees, and his friends, would return. It was always a tense time for him, never knowing who would come back right away or what state they would be in when they arrived.

It just so happened that on the day Zuko decided to burn his clothes, Eley was taking one of his leisurely flights to patrol the enclosure and perhaps see if anything had changed. In dragon form, he soared above the village with small wings outstretched and looked down when he noticed a beacon of fire below.

Curious, the dragon descended in slow circles, landing close to the flames. His voice enters his friend's mind again, the excitement at seeing him in one piece hard to miss.]

Zuko? You have returned! But... what is this?

[Zuko is staring at the flames in quiet thought, but looks up when Eley lands and speaks into his mind. A half hearted smile coming to his face.

He's glad to see his friend, but... the draft is still weighing heavily upon his mind.]

I'm burning my clothes, Eley. I couldn't ever wear those again.

Edited 2014-05-28 14:54 (UTC)

[His enthusiasm drops as he realises just how serious Zuko is, and the weight of what he must have seen starts to sink in.]

...I can only imagine what you must have been through to go as far as to destroy your own clothing. [He lowers his head, sadly.] I am sorry, Zuko. If there is anything I can do ease your pain, please let me know. Perhaps... sugar? Chocolate? That is supposed to raise spirits, yes?

[Not quite, Eley.]

It was awful. I've... never seen anything quite like that.

[The blood, the screams, the bodies... he would never be able to erase that from his memories. He shakes his head.]

Thanks but... I think what I need is to just... do something else for awhile.

[A distraction to keep him from dwelling on it.]

...

[Eley falls silent. It's at times like this that he wishes he knew what to say. He listened to the woes of humans in his world of course, and helped where he could, but he wasn't used to being so close to them and so involved.

He thinks for a moment, trying to see if he can come up with some kind of distraction for Zuko. Stepping closer, he gives him a gentle nudge with his nose.]

Would you fly with me? There is no better place than the sky to get away from it all.

[Zuko looks up at the nudge, perhaps just a bit surprised. His eyes widen a little at the offer. Fly? How could he possibly say no?]

Yes, I would be honored.

[It wasn't something he would offer to just anyone, but he considered Zuko a friend and now seemed like an appropriate time to try it, to get away and put his mind to other things. He gave a slight smile before crouching low, letting him climb up when he was ready.]

I trust that you will take care with me. You have shown nothing but great respect and I would like to offer you something in return. Please, climb up.

[Hearing Eley's words, Zuko is touched by the amount of trust the dragon was putting in him.

Thus when he crouches down, Zuko carefully climbs onto Eley's back. Seeing nothing else to hold onto, his hands grasp the dragon's golden mane.]

I recommend that you hold on tightly.

[He warns him as he feels a tightening on his mane. He wouldn't let anything happen to Zuko even if there was an accident but he didn't want to scare him, especially after what had just happened.

Warning given though, Eley spreads his wings and directs the wind directly downwards in a heavy gust, sending them springing up into the air where he'll steadily climb. Once he reaches a suitable altitude he'll go into cruise mode, gliding on a steady breeze as he flies over the enclosure. Everything seemed so distant up here, so quiet. Eley could only imagine what it must be like to fly through the blackened skies of the warzone the draftees had just come back from...]

[Eley will feel Zuko's grip tighten on his mane as they rapidly ascend. The boy's eyes wide as the wind rushes through his hair. He's not frightened but rather... this is exhilarating. A grin finally finding its way onto his face.

Though when Eley levels out, he looks down, seeing the village below.]

This is great! It's different from riding on Appa!

[He shouts as the rushing wind is loud in his ears. This must have been what it was like when his great grandfathers rode their own dragons. Eley is considerably swifter and more agile than the large sky bison.]

Ah, the bison?

[One advantage to speaking directly into his mind was that the wind would not mean he had to strain to listen. As for Appa, he had seen the animal by Aang's side numerous times, but had never had the opportunity to ride on him himself.]

I imagine he is far more sedate in his movements. He is stable, yet I am unpredictable.

[Up here, Eley was in his element, quite literally. He was more comfortable in this form too and it tended to bring out a more mischievous side to him. So though Zuko can't see it, there may be a hint of a smirk on the dragon's lips as he suddenly makes a dive for the nearby lake, his speed increasing all the while as he threatens to make impact! Though just as he reaches the surface he skims the water, sending it spraying high around them and leaving them ascending into a fine rain of droplets back into the clouds.]

[Yeah he would have to agree with that. Appa's flying is generally slower and less agile than the sleek dragon is capable of.

The sudden dive catches him off guard and Zuko's eyes go wide. Eley will feel him clinging to his neck, though a grin spreads across the boy's face. A hand reaching out as they skim across the water, the spray from the lake hitting his fingers.

Laughter then fills the air as they ascend again, while Zuko shakes the water from his hair. ]

[LUCETI] APPOINTMENTS

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