Tuon wondered if the excitement of flying would ever fade.
Oh, she was not as egotistical as some Riders to proclaim that she didn't find it terrifying at times too but the rush of adrenaline even in those moments was a feeling she had come to savour. It made her feel - as cliché as it sounded - alive. She took every opportunity she had to take to the skies. Whether it was volunteering for a patrol , delivering messages that the older more advanced riders found beneath them, or missions, Tuon was always one of the first to step forward when called. Nazharul complained, naturally, but she knew that he preferred it too to the underbelly of the great mountain in which the Thunder had made their Headquarters. The jewelled dragon liked being seen. It fuelled his arrogance when he dipped a little lower than was necessary over the cities rooftops so the reflection off his scales could dance across upturned faces. He liked it even more when their flights allowed him to flirt with other dragons they passed and used the trips as excused to drop off his own small offerings to the various females who had caught his eye.
Courting dragons was not something her parents or siblings had warned her about. When she'd first brought it up after one particularly terrifying attempt that had nearly resulted in them crashing into a mountainside, the other riders had simply laughed and clapped her on the back. Like she was finally in on an inside joke. The risk of running into another dragon and Naz taking an interest was not enough to deter her from flying though. Nearly, but... not quite.
It was why, days such as today when the Cadets had been given the day off, she adored. There was no need to find an excuse to fly in order to get out of lessons or training. Nobody would ask for her proof of permission for where she was going.
They had set off after Tuon had broken her fast with a mix of Ascended and the few odd Cadets who hadn't taken their day off to mean sleep in. She had had no real direction in mind, no real mission or purpose except to feel the wind on her face, and Nazharul who knew the skies far better than her had been more than happy to oblige. Soon the mountains that protected Thanasis were a mere smudge in the distance and larger, grander mountains were rushing to greet them up ahead. Naz took his time getting there though. They chased sheep across the flatlands until he had had his fun in terrifying the beasts and selected his choice for dinner. They zipped and twisted through the ancient forest testing their agility and speed. They dived in and out of a great lake until Tuon was a soaking mess. She'd almost forgotten anyone else existed in the world until they were sitting by the lakeside, Tuon attempting to dry off whilst Nazharul ate his breakfast, when the jewelled dragon suddenly stopped and looked up at the cloudy sky and gave a low, rumbling warning.
Oh, she was not as egotistical as some Riders to proclaim that she didn't find it terrifying at times too but the rush of adrenaline even in those moments was a feeling she had come to savour. It made her feel - as cliché as it sounded - alive. She took every opportunity she had to take to the skies. Whether it was volunteering for a patrol , delivering messages that the older more advanced riders found beneath them, or missions, Tuon was always one of the first to step forward when called. Nazharul complained, naturally, but she knew that he preferred it too to the underbelly of the great mountain in which the Thunder had made their Headquarters. The jewelled dragon liked being seen. It fuelled his arrogance when he dipped a little lower than was necessary over the cities rooftops so the reflection off his scales could dance across upturned faces. He liked it even more when their flights allowed him to flirt with other dragons they passed and used the trips as excused to drop off his own small offerings to the various females who had caught his eye.
Courting dragons was not something her parents or siblings had warned her about. When she'd first brought it up after one particularly terrifying attempt that had nearly resulted in them crashing into a mountainside, the other riders had simply laughed and clapped her on the back. Like she was finally in on an inside joke. The risk of running into another dragon and Naz taking an interest was not enough to deter her from flying though. Nearly, but... not quite.
It was why, days such as today when the Cadets had been given the day off, she adored. There was no need to find an excuse to fly in order to get out of lessons or training. Nobody would ask for her proof of permission for where she was going.
They had set off after Tuon had broken her fast with a mix of Ascended and the few odd Cadets who hadn't taken their day off to mean sleep in. She had had no real direction in mind, no real mission or purpose except to feel the wind on her face, and Nazharul who knew the skies far better than her had been more than happy to oblige. Soon the mountains that protected Thanasis were a mere smudge in the distance and larger, grander mountains were rushing to greet them up ahead. Naz took his time getting there though. They chased sheep across the flatlands until he had had his fun in terrifying the beasts and selected his choice for dinner. They zipped and twisted through the ancient forest testing their agility and speed. They dived in and out of a great lake until Tuon was a soaking mess. She'd almost forgotten anyone else existed in the world until they were sitting by the lakeside, Tuon attempting to dry off whilst Nazharul ate his breakfast, when the jewelled dragon suddenly stopped and looked up at the cloudy sky and gave a low, rumbling warning.
