Zemes Devinu{Dragon-Riders/Fantasy RP}(ACCEPTING)[Semi-lit]

[Soriams]

((Sorry to hear that school has been so hard on you guys! I wish I could help...))

Having stopped a bit short of the others, Ada looks them over once more before letting Zahraa move closer. They seem reasonable enough... And Zah sure likes that feathered dragon! The thought immediately reminds her to rein in her mount once more. Obedient nearing the point of a fault, the large avian immediately stops, but strains against her reins to get a better look at Ryce, clawed feet shifting slightly beneath her. "Tisk, Zah, you don't even know if that dragon likes you..." Ada says in a whisper, drawing nothing more than the flick of an ear from Zahraa.

Giving up on making Zah still herself, Ada raises a hand and calls out to the others. "Allo!" Nodding to each of them in turn, she does better remembering her manners this time and introduces herself. "My name is Adawiyah, and this is Zahraa..." She is cut short when Zah lets out a bit of a cooing call, an oddly welcoming sound, and is thankful that her veil hides her chagrin. Shaking her head in defeat, she lets Zah move closer and the bird immediately walks closer to Ryce, her eyes moving over his form over and over again. "Sorry to intrude Miss, but Zah likes your dragon very much..." Ada calls over to the feathered dragons rider. Zah side steps around him and dips her head to look up at his snout. Ears flicked forward and feathers smooth against her except for the black tipped crest on the back of her head which has raised like a flag, she calls with a soft chortle up to him. Ada can't help but laugh at Zah's comic expression, yet the closeness makes her nervous and she pulls her back all the same. It wouldn't do to have her picking fights with her enthusiasm... I've no idea how to read a dragon's intentions.

From somewhere nearby as small bark sounds and makes Ada start, though apparently whatever it is is a trivial matter to Zah as she doesn't even bat an ear at the sound. The avian is far too interested in Ryce to worry about it. Suddenly feeling exposed, Ada nods her agreement with the female rider. "Yes, I agree. Best to be moving on now rather than later."

[The Great ME!]

Fox nodded his agreement.
"Well, seeing as it appears we're all in agreement, I suppose we'll be off." He announced needlessly, turning Forest to the head of the group. He didn't really think much of it, but it was the most direct way towards the Imperial City and most open. Perhaps not the best route to take but at the very least, if there was danger, they would be able to see it before it was on them. The redhead couldn't help but notice the feathered wings on Sanaii's mount as well as it's markings and found himself idly wondering who the rider was. Surely someone of status, or at the very least from a background of money.
He figured he probably seemed pretty rough and tumble by comparison but at least that'd hopefully keep anyone looking for trouble off of them.
"So-o..." he began, speaking to no one in particular it seemed, or perhaps thinking of what to say and who to say it to. "We know our bird rider here's an Avaris, so where is it you hail from?" Now it was apparent this question was posed towards Sanaii and his olive green eyes momentarily flicked over to her before ahead again. For his part Aobara was generally quiet, falling in step behind Fox's dragon.

[ET4252]

Sanaii was a little suprised as she was approached by rider and her avian. It was a bit disconcerting to have the bird towering over her, but the bird seemed much more interested in Ryce than in her and the dragon bore the attention much better. In all truthfullness Ryce tended to be a bit of a showboat. Durning formal prosessions when they passed through the capital city of Neptca he would go into a high stepping trot, sweeping his head from side to side and whenever stopped he would lift up his head pose for anyone who was watching. Looking up at the bird who the rider, now introduced as Adawiyah, had told them was called Zahraa Ryce was a bit unsure, not of the bird's advances but of the height difference. After a seconds pause Ryce rocked back onto his hind legs, rearing up he brought his muzzle close to the birds beak letting out a soft grumbling noise in a return greeting.
As they turned and headed off Sanaii was glad to see that she didn't really need to direct Ryce as he choose to walk close to to Forest walking abreast with Aobara and his mount. For a few moments they rode in silence until the other guy, who Aobara refured to as Fox, began to speak. At his words Sanaii felt herself freeze up as she sought for an answer. She could tell that they had been eyeing Ryce, trying to gauge how she had come to own a dragon of such fine blood. Seconds ticked by as she tried to decided what answer she should give, try and pass for someone from a different land, or tell the truth. "I hail from Neptca." She said slowly. She just hoped their curiosity ended there, it would be much harder to try and explain away Ryce.

[Soriams]

Ada is a bit surprised when the feathered dragon rears up on his hind legs, as the creature's strength and size are actually quite alarming. Oddly enough, she had never really considered just how big a dragon was, she was simply used to looking down at them from the safety of Zah's back. Now face to face with Ryce Ada looks into his golden eyes, filled with wonder as he lets out a deep purring sound, at a loss as to what to do next. Zharaa on the other hand, is completely delighted and practically dances on the spot. Crest raised and ears perked forward, she lets out a tiny little squeak, something more befitting a mouse than a bird her size. She ducks her head to him again and fans her wings slightly, in a movement looking a bit like a curtsy. This draws a laugh from Ada, and Zahraa dances away playfully, seeming to pick up on her rider's mirth. To her credit, Ada sits her mount well, moving fluidly with Zah's prancing movements as though she expected them, without having to adjust her seat. The simple unspoken understanding of rider and mount that have been together for a long time.

As Fox moves Forest onward, Zah easily falls in line next to Ryce. Remarkably for all that they have been through, the two seem to be in high spirits. The crash and resulting setbacks have been forgotten and Ada was only interested in traveling with her newfound companions. At Fox's question, she looks curiously at Sanaii, though the expression is probably lost beneath her veil. "Oy, Neptca! That must have been a long journey! I'm two weeks out of Avaris, and we're further south than Neptca..." Her exclamation is one of admiration and nothing more, as Ada is the type simply to accept information as it is given unless something happens to make her question. Looking back ahead, she can now see the light from the city in the distance as a brightening of the horizon rather like the east just before dawn.

[The Great ME!]

"That is quite a long way." Fox noted as well, after Ada made this statement.
"We ourselves have always lived in Zemes Devinu." Aobara piped up. "Honestly we've never been to any of the other lands, though honestly we haven't even been around the entirety of this country either. It's rather large." He could tell Fox was curious, as was the other teen's nature, and wanted to further pursue the topic on where Sanaii came from, but being slightly more perceptive to other's discomfort, offered up other conversation to detract from that. "Personally it'd be nice to explore a bit more, but it'll have to wait a while. We want to go and see Hon'ren Mesta too and investigate more into the war between them and the empire here."
He could see the glow of the city ahead, lighting up the night quite spectacularly, but he knew from experience that it was further away than it appeared, at least a couple day's travel, even though he personally hadn't ever been inside, only in the outlying villages near it.
"Oh, we've never been inside the city ourselves, actually. We've been in the villages near the outer gate before, but never really inside." He stated as this came to mind. "Actually...I'm a little anxious...it's such a huge place..."

[ET4252]

Ryce let out a strange rumble from deep within his throat as though also laughing. Turning so he could face Zah better he unfurled his wings and then dipped his head returning Zah's curtsy with a bow. Sanaii chuckled at the rediculous behaviour of Ryce, for usually most other mounts took problem with his arrogance, however, he seemed to be getting along jsut fine with Zah. The large bird did seem absolutly delighted to have made a friend and Ryce did enjoy the attention. Sanaii smiled and nodded as everyone commented on how far away Neptca was from where they were now. Indeed even she had felt the strain of such a journey and she was quite used to traveling. Then again this was the first time she had ever traveled alone making things a bit more interesting then traveling with an armed guard. Seeing that Fox was still itching to ask questions she was very glad when Aobara cut in relieving the pressure from her.

"Hmm Hon'ren Mesta, this day and age that is not the safest trip to be taking." Sanaii commented, carelessly prushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I have traveled a fair bit however this is the farthest I have ever gone." She didn't mention the armed guards part, as she was still in the I'd-rather-not-say-to-much state of mind. "I have never been to Zemes Devinu before or to the capital so this is new for me too." She was not to nervous as she had experienced the bustle of cities before. However she had heard that with the war going on that the gates locked after the sun set and that you had to seek shelter else where. That would be a deffinet pain if they had to wait out the night outside the cities gates. Then again prehaps telling the gaurds that she had a message for the emperor would grease the hinges.

[Soriams]

Zahraa seems quite pleased with herself, and paces easily beside Ryce as they continue westward towards the lights. For her part, Ada listens closely to the others as they converse, taking in everything they say. So Aobara and Fox are interested in Hon'ren Mesta too... I wonder if they are actually going there? I wonder if they would let me share a ship with them. Oh, it would be wonderful not to have to do this on my own... Her thoughts keep her preoccupied until she hears silence stretching on awkwardly after Sanaii finishes, and she comes back to herself and glances between her companions. "Yeah, this is my first time traveling through Zemes Devinu on my own... My dad was a diplomat, and Zah and I have been all over with him, but very seldom this far south." She falls silent for a few moments then, debating on just what to say next before she continues. "I'm interested in the war too... I've always wondered just what the Mestaites are really like." Ada says tactfully, leaving the door open for someone else to elaborate, trying to glean information without actually asking for it.

Though Ada is focused on the conversation, something else to the northwest seems to have caught Zahraa's attention, and she cranes her neck to look in that direction. Darkness has covered most of Parou Field and it is nearly impossible for Ada to see much further than a few hundred yards, Zah's eyes are much keener. Whatever it is, it seems to have her more curious than alarmed at this point, and Ada ignores her.

((Up to whoever posts next as to what has caught her attention... Just thought it might be nice to have a bit of action. ))

[The Great ME!]

Fox chuckled slightly. "Well not many places between the two continent's is entirely safe right now. Zemes Devinu a bit more, sure, but not entirely. Never know what could happen with a war like this and there are Hon'ren sympathizers here too bringing forth uprising and rebellion. It's bad enough having to deal with fighting the war just on the front of Hon'ren Mesta." Fox stated. "Besides, if all goes well we'd be travelling along with the Imperial army, perhaps." He mused. "If nothing else it provides decent protection, especially since the Naga are on the Imperial's side. I don't think we'd be in much danger crossing the water or anything."
At this point he and Ao listened as Ada spoke, Aobara gazing over at her.
"Well I imagine not much different from people here in Devinu. I mean, they used to be connected by land and everything, way back when." He paused a moment before continuing, his blue eyes softening. "Though, probably they're most afflicted by the War, since that's where the majority of it is being fought. Likely quite a few people have been caught in the crossfire or had their villages damaged or destroyed in the confrontation."
At about the same moment that Zah perked up, so too did Forest and Mizu, the pair of dragons pausing beside each other and grunting. Fox gave all members of the group a discreet 'hush' motion with his hand before standing up more on Forest's back to get a bit better look, taking a spyglass to scan the horizon before he cursed softly.
"Raiders...not sure whether or not they've seen us, but they'll prob'ly take us for everything we've got if we aren't careful." He reported, slipping down again onto the saddle of his dragon. "Not sure how many though. With all this tall grass, they could have a good sized company just hiding under the cover of it. Wouldn't put it past them."

((I think ET is away still on vacation or something from what they told me over PM some time ago, so I think it's fine for you to post without waiting, Soriams.))

[Soriams]

Traveling with the Imperial Army... The thought hit Ada hard, and she just stares blankly at the back of Zah's head for a long moment, watching as the bird's ears swiveled this way and that. Just who are these people I've fallen in with? They can't really be meaning to JOIN the army, can they? Oh I hope not... Occupied thusly by her worries thoughts, she barely hears anything of what Aobara says. Maybe just taking passage on an army ship? No, that's ridiculous.

A sudden change in the mood of the group draws her out of her thoughts, and she looks up as Fox stands in the saddle. Following his gaze, Ada sees nothing without the aid of a glass, and looks worriedly back to Fox as he speaks of raiders. For the first time in her life she feels exposed and vulnerable sitting on Zahraa's back. By far the tallest thing for a quarter mile, her white feathers stand out even in the dark against the waving grasses. Being painfully reminded what it means to be earthbound and unable to simply lift of and away from danger, Ada feels a chill of unease. "What... What do we do now?" She asks, a slight hitch in her voice making her repeat herself. Almost unconsciously she feels for her knife, making it is still secure in her belt where she latched it after ridding Zahraa of he broken pinions. Zah seems much less concerned than her human companions, looking out on the other riders with curiosity. I wish I had your eyes right now my friend... Then we would know for sure how many there were.

((Thanks for the heads up!))

[The Great ME!]

Fox compressed the spyglass before shoving it in the pack on his dragon's back, sliding back down into the saddle.
"Well...we keep moving, relatively quickly, and hope they haven't noticed us already, or if they have, that they'll choose for whatever reason to not attack." Fox stated simply. "And if they do attack, then we'll have to either fight them off or flee, likely both."
Having said this, he turned his mount in the direction of the city again and flicked the reins, Forest breaking into a lope, Mizuiro doing likewise with a silent command from Ao. "Suffice to say, the closer to the city we get, the better off we'll be."