Just a Visit

[akpaley]

Today was good.
Ara rode in on Fallen. Normally she would have been silent upon entering the city, wanting to keep a fairly low profile, but not today. She was here to buy and sell, as she usually was. She was a face who was often seen here, but it was rare that anyone remembered her name, as she did not often give it out.
As Fallen neared the ground, she leapt of his back and fell the remaining six feet, landing with a thump in the middle of town. She carried skins and claws and such under one arm in a large bundle and carried her naginata in the other hand, using it like a hiking stick.

Fallen landed by the edge of the street and glared around at its many peoples going about their business. He hated these weekly expeditions to town. They were boring. But they bought him special foods so he would put up with them for a while yet.

[skuld]

Leather bindings found their way around her head, much like glasses, with a glass-like material shielding her blue eyes from the wind. She was crouched low over her dragon's back, her knees were pushed against the spines on his shoulders, and her hands were wrapped around two extra long spines on either side of his neck. She had her black hair tied up in a ponytail to keep it from blowing about too much.

The sun's bright rays shot down from the sky, radiating off of Shün Mach's scales, glistening as his lean muscles pushed his wings through the air, shooting him like a bullet through the air over a town. This was it. She pushed down on the spines her hands were wrapped around and she leaned back as Shün Mach dove down to the ground, shoving his wings forward to break the nose dive before landing on all fours. His long, slender body arched like a cats in a stretch, his ebony talons raking the soil.

"This won't take long, we'll get food afterwords, Shün Mach," Tagira said in her dull voice. She untied a bundle of feathers that glistened remarkable colors. They were very rare, and very expensive. She was supposed to deliver them to one of the vendors at the market. She grabbed her bow and arrows and set off into the crowed place.

Shün Mach followed closely, his head lowered, his tail giving a lash before entering the tents. A low growl escaped his maw as he looked upon another dragon, who had landed shortly before them. His wings rustled at his sides in discomfort as he pulled them tightly to his hide. Why couldn't we meet in the open?

[akpaley]

<sub>Fallen noticed the dragon before Ara did. A rider too. Bad news. Fallen didn't know too much about humans, but he was aware that other riders were dangerous. He let out a hiss.

Ara looked back at him. "What now, Fallen? Still don't like towns?" And then she saw them too. She raised her eyebrows. "They're not dangerous till they're your enemy ya know. C'mon we'll go try to sell them something."

The night fury glared up at her. That went well against his better judgment. He let out a low growl as he rose to follow her. Whatever you say. Don't blame ME if we get into a fight. Not that I'd object.</sub>

[anna_mage]

<sub>Smithing was surely no slacking job. As if the required skill and strength to mold the pieces wasn't enough, a smith could only maintain his line of business if he could sell his ware.
And how in blazes name was a blacksmith meant to sell equipment if he or she rarely had the raw materials with which to make the goods in the first place? Although the challenge truly attracked the young smithy, Scribble knew well that she didn't have the time to muse over the idea considering her obligation to the riders which had requested her work.

So, instead, she found herself in the main market. Scrap and Sketch were nicely perched on her shoulders, chirping with interest as they examined their surroundings. Taking short trips out of the smithery made wonders to their moods; Terrible Terrors can be a bit of a handful when bored. The best part of all this, of course, was that they didn't have to be walking or flying unless they felt like it.
Despite the countless stands and shops, Scribble found herself at a bit of a pinch. The available leather and skins were none too apt for her current jobs. She had to make a seating and full leg padding for a Monstrous Nightmare rider. That required a considerable amount of fire proof material and, in their land, the only leather capable of doing that was wyrm skin. Even minor wyrms had a thick hide that would not be burned. Although, finding a merchant with such an item was rather difficult.
Although, not impossible.

After a decent amount of fruitless searching, Scribble gave a strange chuckle, rather dissapointed. "Well boys, I'll be needing your help now." She spoke with her steady smile to the two dragons on her shoulders.

Having had their share of resting and rather satisfied with the trip, Sketch and Scrap gave understanding and even excited clicks. Scrap's tongue travelled over his teeth, slither out it's mouth as it watched with interest while Scribble searched for something in her poach. Sketch, knowing the drill well, began to stretch out his wings in turn. The moment their tamer offered them the patch of wyrm hide to sniff, the two small drakes drank in the scent, memorizing it before quickly picking up flight. They hovered over the market, along the plaza, following the faint smell of leather while their owner followed below. It wasn't long before the two Terrors located a likely holder of wyrm hide. However, circling above Ara's head like two vultures while they waited for their tamer's return was probably not a good idea considering her partners temperament.</sub>

[skuld]

Tagira flicked her slender finger over her bow string, making sure it was in good shape. The cord vibrated with a high ringing sound that turned to a hum and then whispered a silence. The package with the feathers in it was strapped around her waist by a leather belt, and extra precaution strap was around her thigh. She felt no personal need for this much protection but whoever had ordered these had demanded first class protection. The mailer pushed the goggles up on top of her head and slid quietly through the crowd, not bothering to wait until they'd parted to let Shün Mach through. She was in a hurry, she didn't have time for them to move aside.

Shün Mach was watching the pair out of the corner of his eye. He didn't trust them. Now they were moving closer. They were moving toward them. He drew himself up and faced them, a growl emitting from his throat that faded to a threatening hiss. The Timber Jack drake's maw opened into a toothy wail that filled the market place. It was like a gust of and echoing boom followed by a light scream - More of a warning than anything. He had yet to notice the two smaller dragons flitting about over their heads.

Tagira whipped around, reaching for her bow but letting her hand fall when she saw it was just Shün being paranoid. "They are traders, I doubt they mean us harm," she said in her flat voice. Her blue eyes moved up to the sky, their cloudy gaze fixing momentarily on the small, circling ones. "Do you have any business with us?"

"I dare you to come closer," Shün Mach hissed to the other dragon. His wings fluttered and his neck muscled tensed, the spines over his body rattling like bones. He was simply doing as he said; daring him to come closer.

[akpaley]

<sub>Loud! Why did the other dragon have to be so damn loud!? Fallen let out a low hiss.

Ara nodded. "Yes. If you want what I'm selling." She held out a string of teeth, some bones, a lot of hides. "I sell raw goods. Materials that are difficult, dangerous, or otherwise inconvenient to go get. I mostly have hides and teeth and claws right now..."

Fallen growled back. I think I will! He stepped forward, and then again. He did not notice his watchers either yet. His black scales shone darkly, as did his eyes. He shot a purple flame at the ground by the timber jack's feet. A warning shot. And next time it hits you. He eyed the other warily.

Ara jumped as Fallen dispatched a quick burst of fire. "Good gods Fallen! Behave!" Looking up at the dragon, she noticed two other creatures above him. "Eh? Hey it's more dragons..."

Fallen glared up at those who Ara had just noticed. Suddenly he leapt into the air at one of them. His teeth flashed out as he tried to bite at it. Don't stalk my human you little weaklings!</sub>

[anna_mage]

Immediately, both Terrible Terrors let out shrill cries, as if calling on someone, using their smaller size and celerity to speed themselves around Fallen, giving off little hisses as they do so.

You may be a brave dragon, however your violence here won't help you. Sketch, the eldest brother, spoke in a series of clicks and chirps, not threateningly, but ass if warning Fallen of his current attitude.
In war, the dragon that sees all others as his enemy is the dragon that fights alone. Scrap now spoke, flapping his wings haphazardly, both Terrors not intimidated by a Night Fury who relied only in its ferocity and power. The good dragon is a dragon that can control its nature and show its skills through. You have to calm down or this might cause trouble to your rider.

Tale's Chief doesn't take lightly to violence in the village. Please, calm down for your own good. They speak in unison, slowing their flight and words. For two Terrible Terrors they seemed to be tamed enough to control their own mischievousness in order to attempt and help other dragons with interacting.

"S'cuse me..." A humored tone echoed not too far from Ara and Tagira's current position. "If either of you own that Night Fury, think you can calm it down? Offer it some fish or anything to distract it. It's not very wise to let a dragon challenge another in the village as it may over excite other dragons. The last thing we need is a fire frenzy going on." Despite the seriousness of the issue, she spoke mid laughs, seemingly perfectly relaxed, displaying an unchanging grin; almost smug.

"More importantly... are any of you selling hide? My Terrors up there must've scented some out on either one of you. I need some for my smithing, so if you're selling any materials at all I'd really like to have a look."

[akpaley]

Fallen glowered up at them as he hit the ground again, assuming an upright position. When you've got my human, the dragon who sees all other dragons as his enemy is the one who gets fed. Seriously you wouldn't BELIEVE how much she hates having people who might be dangerous know about her. He glared up at them. When I need a break from that I for a while. And when I leave gods know I don't come to TOWNS. He turned at the new human voice, which referred to him. He hissed at its owner, but fell to all fours again and prowled back and forth irritably.

Ara nodded to the newcomer. "Sorry. He doesn't exactly like cities." Turning to Fallen, she said, "You can let your guard down if you like. We're not in danger."
A second question was asked, one which pleased Ara. "Yes, I am selling hides, as well as bones and teeth and such. And lots of it."

[skuld]

"I'm sorry. I'm not here to buy, but to deliver." She said in her flat voice. A light breeze wove itself through the tens and sands around her, rustling her hair. She could hear the clicking of Shün Mach's spines. They seemed unnaturally bendable. Her cloudy blue eyes examine the others around her. The larger of the three dragons seemed hostile but under control. He didn't seem to be one to worry over.

Shün Mach, however, had a different view of this dragon as well as the two small ones. "You two would do well to learn manners." He snapped his teeth threateningly in his jaws, staying grounded, however. His ebony talons dug into the soil beneath his feet. His muscles rippled as he moved forward, trying to get a better look of the third girl to arrive. She seemed to be the master of the two 'Terrors. He then turned to Fallen, his wings pulling tighter to his body. "I hate cities as well, drake. No room to stretch our wings." His head tossed disgustedly back toward the tents o the humans.

[akpaley]

Ara waved her hand. "Okay then, sorry to have bothered you. Don't let me hold you up." She smiled, but was somewhat disappointed. Oh well. This smithy seemed interested in her wares...

Fallen scratched at the ground with his claws. We seem to have some things in common, he noted condescendingly. It may be a shame we did not meet under friendlier circumstances. But I wouldn't bet on it, the thought as an after note.

[anna_mage]

The two Terrors land, gently settling themselves on their tamer's shoulders once more, tucking their wings gingerly back into themselves. "Please, just relax a little." Sketch clicks his teeth together as he speaks, shaking his head roughly in order to rustle the scales along his back. "If it'd help, we can ask our human for some fish." Scrap adds with a flicker of his tongue, his tail curling around Scribble's arm as if to secure himself on his definite perch.

Bones? Teeth too? Scribble's usual grin tripled in size, she chuckled merrily before letting off a full blown laugh. "That'll do fine! That'll be perfect! It's just what I needed to add the finishing touches to the dragon's armor after all. How much for the piece?" She inquires, fetching into her bag for her gold pieces, making a mental note to later congratulate her dragons for a job well done.
Despite her enthusiasm, Scribble suddenly freezes, staring intently at the equipment tied onto Fallen's torso. "That's some shabby work you got there. It looks like it weighs more than it should." She inspects from afar, knowing better than to approach a rather hostile dragon, much less a Night Fury. "Geez, it doesn't even fit the poor thing right!" She seemed almost horrified by this, eyes flickering beneath her auburn bangs. "I'd be fixing that right away if I were you. Last thing you want is to slip off the back of a dragon with speed."
Surprisingly enough, the immediately motions to Shün Mach. "A decent rider's equip should be like that one, formed around the body so as to have better grip on the dragon, but made of light material so it won't reduce its speed or test his strength. Having additional straps to keep you firm on his back is an optional, but granted safer approach."
Blacksmith mode engage.

[akpaley]

Ara waved her hand. "I don't really know... What do you think its worth?" One thing Ara would willingly admit was that she was horrible at pricing things correctly. She mostly ran on a name-your-price system where she haggled only when it was clear the buyer was trying to cheat her. Listening to criticizm of her--admittedly bad, she hadn't ever had to make dragon stuff befure she ran away and its not like anyone had taught her--work on Fallen's saddle, she came to an idea.
"How about this. You make Fallen new riding gear and you can have that for whatever you think its worth minus your smithing fee. I can provide material for the new saddle if you tell me what you need."

[anna_mage]

<sub>Quirking a brow, Scribble became all the more intreguied at the Rider's suggestion. "Paying you with my service?" She inquires, her smile etching with interest. How rare it was to find a Rider that would admit the impact of equipment on a dragon and value the work of a blacksmith. Her ego slightly elated with this, she nodded in approval. "Tell you what, I'll throw in an upgrade for your weapons as well. Considering the rarity of wyrm hide, you should be able to pay for an impressive riding gear, decent weaponry, and still have some change for food." She explained, realizing that Ara wasn't particularly familiar with the trades of gold and goods. She'd probably have to direct Ara to the main buildings so soon as the smithing was done. After all, they provided good pricing services there.

Scribble clicked her tongue softly against the roof of her mouth. The reptiles that rested on her shoulders flickered their attention, turning their small skulls to examine Fallen closely, measuring him up with their sharp eyes. It had taken a while to master this capability, but Scribble had found a way to train both Scrap and Sketch so that they may take accurate measures of the more hostile dragons simply by sight. Terrible Terrors had the eyesight for shooting and calculating targets, so they didn't lack the abilities with which to do such a task. Her shop was established on a calmer area of Tale so not to startle her 'customers' and, considering the current case, it'd be better both the riders and dragons follow her to the less populated section.

"I don't believe I've introduced myself. Name's Scribble. These here are Sketch and Scrap." She motioned to each of her smithing mates accordingly, glancing briefly to Tagira with her ever welcoming grin. "Your dragons seem a bit rustled with the market. I've got myself set up in a quiet side of town. We can head there so they calm down and I'll gladly provide you-" A brief point to Tagira. "-with directions to your delivery while making the Night Fury's geer."</sub>

[akpaley]

Ara blinked, amazed at the value of the hide. One would think an organized town already had people who took down wyrms and sold hide, but then again, killing a wyrm was difficult enough without having to worry about skinning it and removing the bones. Okay then, maybe it was understandable that it was rare then. Anyways, its rarity was definitely working to her advantage. "Okay."
When the smithy introduced the two dragons, Ara inspected them closely. Terrors, hmmm? They were kinda cute, but Ara decided against trying to pet them.

Fallen sat down, bored. The new saddle idea was fine, and the moving away from the main market idea sounded good too. He decided he wouldn't cause trouble. Yet.