THE LOST RIDERS - A Dinosaur Species - Aria and Trainian

[ImmyWimmy1]

Contents

Stuff will go here...

[ImmyWimmy1]

~:Aria's Profile:~ ((Major WIP, as I'm focusing on training first.))


~:Upon first glance:~

Name: "My name is Aira Hillock, but feel free to call me 'Aria'."
Age: "I'm 15 years old."
Gender: "Umm, can't you tell I'm a girl?"
Description of appearance: A light, graceful build, Aria is deceivingly slender. Despite her appearance, Aria's swift and agile and a real warrior with a bow and arrow. She stands at around 5'5" and weighs around 60 kg. Her hair is long and wavy, light golden-blonde in colour, which she normally ties back to keep it out of her eyes. Her eyes are green in colour.


~:Who she is:~

Family: "My parents went missing on a patrol when I was about nine years old
Friends: "I guess I'll see who I meet." ((TBD in the role-play))
Enemies: TBD in the role-play
Tribe: See below
Rank: In-training, soon to be rider(hopefully)


~:At the Core of her Heart:~

Crush: TBD in the role-play
Personality: Most of the time, Aria is shy and quiet, with a positive outlook on life. With a brother like Ciren, she's learned to keep calm and remain patient with difficult people. However, when pushed, she is a very fierce warrior!
History: She and her brother grew up with their parents, until their parents went missing one day. They were taken in by a riding family, to whom Aria adapted to much quicker than her brother. Her adoptive father began giving them lessons on how to ride, to which Aria listened intently, while her mother taught her archery. She has always dreamed of becoming a brilliant rider one day...

[ImmyWimmy1]

((BIGGER WIP THAN ARIA))

[ImmyWimmy1]

Trust...

I staggered backwards, my chest aching from the blow of the wild animal, until I fell flat on my behind. My eyes closed tightly, instinctively trying to protect themselves. Of course, there was no need for this. The poor creature was just as frightened as I was, maybe even more so. What must he have felt being here? All these strange sights, sounds and smells: it was no wonder he thought I was a threat. I could see the fear in his beautiful, golden eyes. He was looking at me, baring his teeth in a threat display. If you come any closer, I'll really hurt you, he seemed to say. I managed to open my eyes and straighten myself out, standing upright again.

Of course, my lousy brother wasn't helping much. His laughter at my misery only frightened the poor creature more, making him growl and snarl at me. "Ciren!" I heard Feriner's voice calling from behind me. I heard a loud hitting sound and my brother's cry of surprise. I couldn't help but feel amused when my brother was being scolded. "You're putting your sister in danger by scaring the poor beast. Go and down something useful and wash down my saddle!" I heard Ciren muttering something unrecognisable but even he held enough respect to obey our adoptive father. Serves him right! I thought to myself. "Aira! Don't lose focus!"

I looked at the dinosaur, fully concentrating now, who was now backing up against the fence of the enclosure. A sickening feeling entered my system. He was going to charge me. I watched in horror as his muscles tensed, light springs waiting to uncoil. I looked back at Feriner, hoping he'd come and rescue me. But he merely looked at me, his stern and authoritative gaze fixed upon me. "You can do it if you concentrate, Aria," he whispered softly to me. I looked back at the dinosaur. What had I learned again? Stand your ground? Feriner seemed to think that I could do it. I guess it was time to see if I was capable. In a blur of speed, the dinosaur's limbs extended and he came charging towards me. Teeth and claws extended towards me, warning me to back off or prove that I was strong enough. My pulse accelerated rapidly. It was now or never. I threw my arms up in the air and ran towards the oncoming dinosaur, looking directly into his eyes. I was prepared for the worst.

But the dinosaur's pace slowed down. He stopped a few paces in front of me, his sides heaving with every breath he took. His eyes were locked onto mine, still some fear within them. I took a deep breath of my own and turned away from the creature. I held one hand out behind my back, open palmed. "It's Ok," I whispered to the creature. I was no longer looking into his eyes and could no longer see what he was doing. It was slightly nerve-racking to say the least. After a few moments, the huffing of the creature's breath diminished. I felt helpless, like a rabbit in a snare. It seemed like hours before I heard it: the sound of a dinosaur's footstep towards me. The temptation to look around was ringing in my ears, but I knew I'd ruin everything if I looked around now. Then another footstep followed. Then another. Then another. Soon I could feel a warm whuff of breath on my hand. It tingled through my body and I grew more excited. Then I felt it: the sensation of a dry, scaly muzzled pressing against my hand. I turned around to see the mighty creature resting it's muzzle in the palm of my hand. His golden eyes immediately locked onto mine again, but I looked down at his muzzle. "It's Ok. I won't hurt you." I slowly reached forward with my other hand and ran it down his face gently. I could barely believe what I had just done. I had managed to tame this wild creature. By showing that I was strong, I had gained his trust. I looked back over my shoulder to see Feriner smiling, a proud father. I looked back at my new companion. I hadn't quite thought of a name for him yet. I would need to decide on something special, but that could wait. I continued to stroke the male, his gaze growing softer with each touch. Suddenly, I heard Feriner shouting from behind me.

"Ciren! I thought I told you to clean my saddle!"

[ImmyWimmy1]

Reassurance...


“Aria, it’s no use running at him like that,” I heard Feriner calling from behind me. “The harness is only making him nervous.”

I huffed slightly, the weight of the harness in my arms wearing me down much faster than usual. The leather straps hung lazily over my arms and touched the ground, nearly tripping me up as I ground to a halt. The sight was obviously amusing for my ever- annoying brother, who proceeded to try and conceal the smirk on his face but failed miserably. I could feel my frustration boil through me as my grip on my cargo increased. Feriner frowned at Ciren and quietly ushered him away. Once the boy had cleared off, our adoptive father turned and looked me directly in the eye from outside the paddock’s boundaries. “Getting angry will only make it worse- they may be predators, but they look to us for protection.” He nodded towards Trainian (as I’d chosen his name), who was standing in one corner, watching and scanning me with his brilliant golden eyes. “See how nervous he is? He can sense your anger, but doesn’t know you’re not directing it at him.”

I was beginning to get frustrated at this point. All I had managed so far was to touch and pet the Bernikesaur. It was true that we had a special bond, but he was a nervous soul, like me. The mere sight and smell of the tack sent him fleeing. It was starting to become more of a chore than a challenge. “Then what am I supposed to do then?!” I hissed angrily through my teeth, my frustration becoming more apparent. Trainian seemed to shuffle uncomfortably at one end and let out a soft hiss in warning. But Feriner seemed oddly calm. He looked at me with a gentle, if not slightly firm, look in his eyes. “Put the tack down and take a step back.” I gave him an odd look, but did as he said. The leather load in my arms soon rested upon the ground and I took a step back as asked. My adoptive father nodded in approval. “Good, now approach Trainian- gently mind- and lead him over to the tack. He needs to make the first move, not you.” I was in no position to protest. As suggested, I took a few steps towards Trainian, whose gaze was transfixed on my form. I stared at the ground as I moved towards him, making myself look small. My breathing adjusted into a calm rate, as I’d found this made things easier for both me and Trainian. Stopping a few feet in front of the dinosaur, I left the rest up to him. Cautiously the dinosaur extended his neck and sniffed my hand. Once he decided I was safe, he crooned to me softly and nudged my back. This gesture earned a small smile from me and I whispered to him. “Shh, there’s a good boy. Sorry I’ve been grouchy, it’s not your fault.” The male Bernikesaur pressed his muzzle to my back, breathing softly and affectionately, as if to reassure me he had taken no offence.

Now came the tricky part. I clicked my tongue against the roof of my mouth and began walking towards the mound of leather in the centre of the paddock. Sure enough, the heavy sounds of large footsteps sounded behind me. We approached the tack slowly. I suddenly felt Trainian growing increasingly fearful, his footsteps becoming fewer and lighter. The only way I could encourage him was too reach back and rub his muzzle now and again. It seemed to work, for soon enough we were both standing opposite the tack. I called him to a halt and bent down to pick the smallest item from the pile- the bridle. At first Trainian backed away, but is kept whispering to him. “Shh, shh. It’s alright. It’s Ok.” He glanced at the tack from the corner of his eye and stood there for a good while. I was about to lose hope when he turned his head and cautiously sniffed at the bridle, all his attentions on it. I smiled softly and gently petted his head. “See boy? Nothing to worry about.” I began stroking his head, tracing the places the bridle would sit. He closed his eyes in relaxation and I took my chance. I quickly, but as tenderly as I could muster, attached the contraption to his head. He opened his eyes again and grunted, shaking his head slightly when the bit slid into place. But I managed to comfort him with more whispering and he settled down again. Chewing on his new bit, he barely noticed me as I lifted the saddle and carried it around to one side him. I stroked his back to give him some warning, but he was too preoccupied with his new toy. I placed the saddle on his back- again, no response. But then I began to tie adjust the girth. His head flicked around to me as quick as lightning, his eyes strictly focused on me. I patted his shoulders softly and looked towards his golden gaze. He was less afraid and more… intrigued. Had he worked out that it was no threat? I finished adjusting it to the right width and stood back to admire my handiwork. I’d finally done it! I rushed over to Trainian’s head out of complete and utter joy, throwing my arms around his powerful neck. “Good boy, Trainian, good boy! Who’s my good boy?!” I scratched under his chin, sending him into a whirl of ecstasy. He churred at me softly and blew his warm breath over me to tell me how well he was behaving.

Feriner was chuckling in the background, obviously pleased with our progress. “I expect you want to ride him?”

[ImmyWimmy1]

Teamwork...


I sat as still as I could in the saddle. The truth was the way things had already gone I was itching to go. I could feel Trainian’s excitement below me. His trembling skin. His heaving chest. His flexing muscles. The energy in him was slowly being transferred to me. I could feel my heart rate matching his, his matching mine. Our breathing soon became matched to perfection. I never used to believe the stories that Bernikesaur and rider became one when riders were astride their mounts- now I believed otherwise.

Feriner came out from underneath the dinosaur and smiled confirming that my girth was the right width. “Alright, give him a gentle tap to the hindquarters and see how far he takes you.” I nodded to my guardian and waited for him to leave the paddock. Once in the safety outside I gently pressed my knees against the skin of my mighty dinosaur. No sooner had I done so, Trainian responded by stepping forwards. When his foot collided with the ground, it felt like electricity shot through my whole body. Energy like nothing I’d ever felt before travelled all over me, from my core to my extremities. I could feel Trainian feeling it too. He shook his mighty head, his confidence brimming. With every step I felt the energy getting stronger and stronger. That’s when I encouraged him- faster and faster.

They say our people were born to ride. That the Bernikesaur contains the power to bring power to any man or woman. I was beginning to feel that now. We ran in circles, Trainian and I. Full speed around the paddock. The earth shook beneath us as we charged on. No one could stop us. No one could dare. We were unstoppable.

We were free.

[ImmyWimmy1]

Relaxation


Many years had passed since my first ride. I’d been out many times with Trainian to practise riding- to improve my skill. But the magic had never left us. We were stronger than ever. When I was astride him, I felt I could take on the world.

But the world could wait for today.

I lay back on the soft, pale grass of Feriner’s farm. I was shaded by rather large and elderly tree, which casted dappled light onto the ground around me. Pale green leaves peppered my view of the great sapphire expanse above. Next to me, I heard the gentle whuffing of Trainian’s breath as he slept peacefully in the afternoon soon. Today was one of those lazy days. I’d done all of my morning chores on the farm: feed the pigs, muck out the sheep, help Ciren shear the sheep, gather the wool, sort the wool for selling, pick up any windfall apples; muck out the Bernikesaurs, feed the Bernikesaurs… I looked over at the grey lump asleep next to me. “I should be the one sleeping, not you!” I whispered, rubbing his nose with my lightest touch. He twitched in his sleep and snorted, but didn’t stir. It was hard not to giggle watching him. Our bond had grown ever-stronger of late, as I spend as much time with him as I can manage. He was such a good boy. He was definitely worth every minute of it.

But very soon I felt a yawn creep out from my lungs. I allowed myself to lie back into the soft grassy bed below me. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to drift off, with the birdsong, the gentle breeze and the inaudible breathing of my companion lulling me to slumber…

[ImmyWimmy1]

WIP

[ImmyWimmy1]

Victory!


I squeezed tightly against Trainian’s shoulders as I urged him to run at the target. Today was it- my final ‘exam’ in training. I felt the eyes of the spectators on my mount and myself. I could almost hear their thoughts on my skin and in my head. But there was no time for that now. I had to shut them out. Had to focus. All I need to do was maintain that connection I had with my mighty Bernikesaur I sat astride. His hide against my legs. His mind with my mind. In complete synchronisation we had to be and we were.

Trainian charged on as I’d asked him. His muscles shuddered under his silver hide, pulsing against my skin. The energy between us was strong. It was now or never.

I reached back and withdrew my bow.

The target grew ever closer as we braved on.

I loaded an arrow into my bow.

Ever closer.

I pulled it back.

Closer.

And released.

The arrow flew true.

Struck the heart.

The roars from our spectators made the world shake. Feriner and Ciren charged at us as we slowed to a halt. I felt the sweat on my brow. The sweat on his hide. I patted him, unable to wipe the smile this moment had placed upon my face.

“We did it, boy.”