Not a Romantic Stroll (Luna/Sven)

[Luna Hieler & Ayer]

Time and Date:: Morning, early Autumn
Weather:: Chilly, breezy
Previous Threads?:: [click]




Luna rode on the back of her dragon through the center of town. They were headed to the forest; Ayer needed a swim, and rather than sit home by herself, she'd elected to join him today. It was pretty chilly out, so she probably wouldn't join him in the water, but a swift run through the forest sounded wonderful. She needed to get out of the village, she'd let Curtis take care of any morning patients when he got back from flying.

The dragon healer scanned the crowd, she liked watching the way others muddled around in their daily business. At the and of the street, she saw Sven walking by himself. She realized they hadn't spoken in ages, in fact, she hadn't seen him outside of Ari's house in a while. He'd gotten a pretty nasty bite. Had he recovered from his injuries?

She urged Ayer forward until they caught up with him. Luna slid down from her dragon, saying "Haven't seen you in the light of day in a while, I didn't know Ari had let you go! You feeling better?" She wondered briefly where his own dragon was. It struck her that she hadn't seen Hermes around either.

[Sven Vellyn]

Sven had a minor check-up before he left this morning. He really wanted to catch up with Hermes, he hadn't seen her in a while. He left the clutches of Ari's house and stepped outside, feeling the seething cold, but fresh air. Tugigng slightly at the short cloak Kenna had made for him around his neck, he stepped down into the streets and looked to the sky. He didn't see anything yet, just the silhouettes of certain spiralling dragons, but none that he recognised at his dragon. Hermes really wasn't a dragon that he could call - she would come when she saw him first - if she felt like it. He made his way to the plaza, he was going to head out of town to see if he could find anything interesting when he felt a presence behind him. Turning, he saw the large beast that was Ayer slinking it's way up towards him. He smiled when he saw that it was Luna. He hadn't seen her for a long time due to her injury, and his short walks outside were almost always accompanied by Kenna. As she slid from her mount he walked back to greet her.

"Hey there Luna! Yeah, it's been a whlie." It felt good to talk with someone else too. "I haven't been completely released yet, and since I don't exactly have a roof yet, it's better I stay at his place... But I still have bandages, I can't do anything too strenuous yet. Walks are good for me right now though. Flying will have to wait." He said that last part with slight longing. He was missing flying a lot, and he was itching to get into the skies again, but his sides were still sensitive. He lightly brushed his fingertips on his new leather vest, that had straps down his torso to keep it all together, softly touching where his injury was. He found it hard to imagine there was something he'd rather not see under there, but, after these past few weeks, he was slowly getting used to seeing a nasty red tinge seeping through his bindings. Right now though, it looks as if nothing was bad at all.

Anyway, he looked back to Luna. "I'm looking for Hermes. I was thinking of spending some time with her, with me all cooped up, it leaves little time for bonding... Knowing how independant she is, I'd rather not let her think that I've abandoned her, or something." He didn't like that idea. Already craving flight, if he was grounded he wouldn't know what to do. It was also his nature to travel, and without a dragon, things would be difficult. Sven didn't want to make this melancholic, so he decided to quickly change the subject. "So, where are you going?" Luna answered, and Sven had an idea. "Can I come with you? If you don't mind, of course. I don't really feel like wandering aimlessly like a lunatic just to find my dragon. She'll come when she comes."



(NEXT POST SHE'LL ARRIVE OK SORRY I MINORLY MAYBE GODMODDED? ID RATHER GET TO THE FUNBITS)

[Luna Hieler & Ayer]

Luna listened as Sven explained his current health and living situation. She nodded in acknowledgement. She couldn't help but pity him as he said the last bit. She knew flight meant a lot to him, and he looked a little depressed when he had to admit that he wouldn't be able to in a while. She had hoped to tell him that she'd started learning how to fly, but she thought better of it- it didn't seem like a good time. Maybe later.

He went on to talk about Hermes. "Yeah, I was actually wondering about her, I haven't seen her around, I mean, not that I normally do. I guess I just haven't seen you two together. I don't mean to pry, but is there something going on between you and her?"

When he asked where she was going and if he could come. Luna smiled as she replied "I'm just heading out to the beach- Ayer here needs a good swim, and I felt like getting out of the house. I think it's a little too cold for you or I to test the waters, but he loves when it's cold like this. And you're certainly welcome to join us, I would love the company." She really was happy that Sven was interesting in coming along. She liked the way he didn't make her feel obligated to act a certain way when they were together, something she was discovering was more and more common among certain people. He was one of the few people she didn't have to actually be someone for- not a healer, not a girlfriend, not anything. He was just an easy person to be around.

Luna let him collect himself before climbing back onto her dragon. "Alright, well we're going to go by way of the forest." She said, letting Ayer continue to walk in that direction. They walked for a few more minutes, Luna attempted to make smalltalk until a better subject came up. They reached the edge of the forest at a slightly slower pace than usual, making time for Sven to walk. It was then that Luna realized she was being rude. He was injured and she hadn't offered him a lift. "Some healer I am" she complained to herself.

"Hey, I'm sorry. I'm not even thinking. Do you want to ride up here with me? It won't be difficult for him, truly"

[Sven Vellyn]

(Shouldn't we move this to the coast? lol)

Sven tweaked his lips slightly at Luna's question, rubbing his left arm slightly nervously. Luna's words were slightly worrying, that she hadn't seen him. Had Hermes abandoned him? "Not that I know of... I hope my being bedridden hasn't... Made her feel like I don't want her around..." He glanced once more at the sky, hoping to see a familiar silhouette. There were a few circling nightmares up high, if he squinted. Some seemed to be having a scuffle, typical Nightmare behaviour. But there was no Hermes up there... To his knowledge, anyway. She usually had her eye on him at some point... He tried to be optimistic but what Luna said struck a chord with him and was making him have niggling, doubting thoughts that easily sliced through his optimism.

He was glad that Luna agreed to let him join them; it's all well an good taking a walk, but it's no real fun when you're by yourself. As Luna explained where they were going, Sven approached the front of Ayer and let the dragon accept him before rubbing his head. He wasn't worried about the dragon; if the dragon was calm and respectful to Luna, who has a soft hand with dragons, then he would be no danger to Sven. She remounted Ayer and they walked along once more, the dragon taking slow, easy steps to make sure Sven would keep up. His injuries meant he couldn't walk as fast as he used to either. He didn't mind that Luna hadn't asked for a ride - he was uncertain that Ari would enjoy it if he started riding on dragons again. A rider needed his whole body to stay on a dragon, or at least, from what he knew of dragons he had ridden. He wasn't sure whether his torso could deal with that right now.

They spoke for a little, but then after a slight awkward silence Luna offered a ride. He hadn't noticed the break of polite protocol (because he's been on Berk full of angry vikings for a year now lmao). He knew Ayer could easily take his weight and more, but he was slightly unsure whether he would be able to take it. It would make a change from walking, and until he saw Hermes, he would love the feel of being on the back of a dragon again. He hesitated at first, before deciding to accept her offer. "But if I start hurting, I'm going to have to ask you to stop and let me off... I don't want this to last longer than it should." He said, lightly stroking the side of his body where, hidden under his new outfit, was a rather nasty bite.

After seating himself behind Luna, they set off again. Sven was fearing the worst, but it turned out Ayer's gait gave a pretty smooth ride, and he didn't hurt that much whilst riding. It wasn't as active as riding a dragon in the air, where you had to move with them, to not fall off and other things. They padded through the undergrowth, Sven having to lean back as they made their descent to the beach. Ayer seemed to know where he was going, Luna didn't seem to be doing much. Sven leaned back as they descented to avoid putting too much stress on his injury. He kept looking up to see whether his own dragon had spotted him yet, but underneath the canopy, he was unsure whether he had been seen at all or not.

Soon enough they broke out onto the seascape, alongside a gust of fresh, salty sea air. It smelt good.


(Ok im getting carried away and im on the verge of godmodding ayer xD)

[Luna Hieler & Ayer]

Even after Sven joined her on the dragon's back, Luna hardly needed to guide Ayer toward the shore. The massive dragon knew exactly where he was going. He'd been the one who'd asked to go for a swim, anyhow.

She spoke back the Sven as they continued. "That's fine, just let me know if you need to get off." Luna didn't want to overstep the senior healer's authority but she added "It's only a short distance from here, you should be alright" she hoped she was correct. It would be embarrassing as a healer to be the one causing further injury. "Just be careful, Sven. Don't fall off or anything" she said her last comment with a bite of sarcasm, knowing how advanced Sven's dragon riding skills were. The healer in her wouldn't let a patient go without care "Make sure to take it easy, Ayer" she said, knowing Sven would understand the dragonese, but also knowing he would appreciate the smoother ride.

They approached the beach quietly, with little conversation save a few cordial comments here and there. Ayer stepped onto the sand with a deep purr. He dug his claws into the sand and worked the grains beneath his paws. "That's our signal to get off" Luna said with a chuckle. She slid off his back expertly, going first in case Sven needed any help. "Heh, you're going to need to get a little lower for Sven. He can't hurt himself again, especially not on my watch!"

The Aquaterris obidiently lowered himself to the ground, resting his belly in the sand, eager to be rid of the humans. Especially one he wasn't accustomed to, even though the male seemed trustworthy. Luna reached out to Sven as his dismounted, offering an arm to steady himself.

As soon as he was sucessfully off, Ayer darted away. He took a look around, making sure there were no humans in his path before dropping onto his side and rolling desperately into the sand. The thousands of grains felt fantastic against his scales. He spent a minute of two just enjoying the sand before hauling himself up with as much youth as his ancient body would allow. Padding forward, he made his way to the surf. He purred deeply as the freezing waves washed over his paws. Leaping forward, he dove into the salty waves, dissapearing almost completely as he swam deeper and deeper.

Luna couldn't help but laugh from the shore. She'd seen this behaviour so many times before, but it still made her laugh every time. Seeing the normally stoic dragon act so playfully was always entertaining. She regarded Sven, saying "Take a good look, you won't see him like this often" she smiled, watching the dragon's back quickly rise to the surface every few seconds, imagining his body twirling under the water. "I used to think he did that to get air to breathe, but he has gills and he tells me he spends hours under the water sometimes" she shrugged "Just another dragon mystery I guess"

After a few long minutes of silence, Luna looked up at Sven, concern on her face "Is everything, alright, Sven?"

[Sven Vellyn]

"Thank you," Sven said in dragonese as Ayer had the courtesy to lower himself for Sven, though it was at Luna's demand. He eased himself off the dragon carefully, patting the dragon in thanks once again, and letting the beast know he was off and could get up. The Aquaterris made no hesitation to get off and rush to the shoreline. But first he took a bath in the coarse sand.

Luna made a comment about his behaviour. "Fascinating. He always seems very calm and stoic whenever I come to visit." They watched him frolic in the waves for a moment, once again, Luna commenting on her dragon. "Yeah. When you have a dragon companion, you always learn so much about them, just by being with them. It's like every dragon has it's secret; it's why I'm so interested in studying dragons..."

Sven trailed off. He had been out rather frequently, but he hadn't seen no trace of Hermes since his liberation from Ari's hut. He was a little bit concerned.

"I'm just wondering about Hermes... I haven't seen her yet." He said longingly.

As if he was thinking too hard, a sudden cry rang through the air, cutting above the incessant crashing of the waves on the beach. Sven stiffened at the noise, and made a few steps forwards, scanning the skies.

Sure enough, behind one of the raggedy cliffs sped an elegant black form. He recognised it immediately to be Hermes. How could one forget that silhouette? Her scales shone blue in the sunlight. And he watched unflinchingly as she banked low over the water, and came to a halt on the beach. Landing feet first, then throwing all her weight into her forelimbs as her claws buried themselves into the ground with a soft thud.

"Hermes!" Sven cried out gladly, approaching the Ambassador. The dragon also took a step forwards, pushing her snout into his chest. She crooned in her throat. "I missed you! I thought oyu had left me!"

"Oh. I got bored. But I wouldn't leave you. Not leaving you here, seeing how fragile you are." Hermes replied. She noticed a movement to the side and moved her head to glance that way. She recognised Luna.

Slowly, the scales on Hermes began to rise threateningly. She pulled herself from Sven to face her. "Hermes? What's going on?" Sven said, but it was ignored. A low, rattling hiss escaped from the dragon.

"You."