And suit himself he would! The dragon continued laughing and rolling as the fox --unknown to him-- began to prepare her magic. He laughed and laughed and then that laugh joked off into a gurgle. A strained gurgle as his belly began to churn. At first it wasn't too bad then the pain started twofold and he let out a moan of anguish. He tucked his forepaws to his belly even more but this time it wasn't to hold his stomach in mirth, it was to try and comfort himself. He rolled around, moving closer and closer to the ledge in his pain. So this was what she had meant? That clever little so-and-so. His eyes, which he had had clenched in pain, opened as he turned a glare on the now elegant looking kit. She was just sitting there as if she wasn't doing anything! This was all her doing... Booker could control fungi and maybe this one could do stomach stuff. He didn't know exactly but she had done it!

He glared at her and rolled more but through his pain he managed to grunt out a sentence at her, "You... son... of... a... bi--" He rolled too far and rolled right off the ledge.

For a moment he disappeared only to reappear again, pumping his wings hard to stay in the air before landing heavily on the ledge. His whole body sagged, wings flopping to either side of him and his ears hanging loosely on his head. He still glared at the fox, who was the cause of this pain. Though he said nothing that look was accusatory. For now, he was quelled and would say nothing though in his head he was thinking of a way to get her back... and he'd just hit upon something.

---

words: 300
tagged: Quix
ooc: ---
muse: 7/10

"Speech"
Thoughts

The vixen sat there in dainty fashion, not lifting her head nor giving an ounce of attention to the dragon who now begun displaying the after-effects of her magic. It had not been her most powerful but seemed just about right to force this insolent guest into submission. His grunts and curling action fell upon deaf ears, even his last, unfinished statement before he rolled off the ledge like a log tumbling down a hill and it was only then that she lifted her tiny head with a flashing smile and squeaked, pleased. “Goodbye!” she called after him, lifting one little paw and waggling it in a farewell motion. The girl got up then and brushed her chest fur, crushed from their earlier encounter and wondered how she’d get down. Maybe she could do a couple of leaps and hops...although it seemed dangerous from up high. Maybe Bevy birby could help!

Before she took a step though, the strong heaving of wings caught her attention. Looking straight ahead, Quix saw that Baratheon had not gone down! She eyed the flaps on either side of his body that strained to lift his entire weight as he slowly ascended, then thumped rather clumsily back onto the ledge, his eyes glaring at her though he was sufficiently silent. She gave a little “Hmph!” and tilted her muzzle to the sky, though she eyed him with curiosity. “Noisy dragons should stay down below. These ridges are for nice guests who wish to sleep and rest.” She was unafraid of his size, for in Maji Walezi which was her homeground, she knew that she’d have the backup of her family members if this one decided to wreck havoc.

The way she spoke after he got back up to the ledge. It wasn't bad or smug or anything, she just spoke it as a fact. But, he could not let this go. No! This smug little fox would not win this round. He would be victorious. He would win. For now though he had to swallow his pride and play nice. "I can be nice. You just... just..." Were being insufferable and an insulting, stubborn brat? No. He couldn't say that. "Rubbed me the wrong way, is all. I don't like being yelled at." There, that was nice enough. Right?

He tucked his wings at his side, looking down at the fox with one eye, curious as well. Though he was curious for an entirely different reason. "Anyway, I just wanted to practice flying, is all. Sorry." Oh, that burned in his throat. Ugh... This hurt. He needed to get this over with. "You said you wanted to fly?" He did a good job of making his voice seem honestly curious. His wings lowered as if he was giving Quix a way to walk right up to his back. "I'll, uh... give you a ride if you want. As a way to say I'm sorry." He nearly gagged but held his expression.

---

words: 213
tagged: Quix
ooc: ---
muse: 7/10

"Speech"
Thoughts

The vixen sat there in dainty fashion, not lifting her head nor giving an ounce of attention to the dragon who now begun displaying the after-effects of her magic. It had not been her most powerful but seemed just about right to force this insolent guest into submission. His grunts and curling action fell upon deaf ears, even his last, unfinished statement before he rolled off the ledge like a log tumbling down a hill and it was only then that she lifted her tiny head with a flashing smile and squeaked, pleased. “Goodbye!” she called after him, lifting one little paw and waggling it in a farewell motion. The girl got up then and brushed her chest fur, crushed from their earlier encounter and wondered how she’d get down. Maybe she could do a couple of leaps and hops...although it seemed dangerous from up high. Maybe Bevy birby could help!

The pink dragon started explaining his previous actions, to which Quix nodded her head. “Sorry for yelling,” she admitted. He brought his wings to his side then, doing away with the rather threatening appearance, and with sincerity in his eyes apologised for his erroneous behaviour. The girl padded up and brought up one paw to pat the dragon on his snout, her heart melting towards him. “There there, as long as you don’t disturb the sleeping gembounds and crawl all over the dens!” He wasn’t exactly small and Quix was not too sure if anyone could appreciate waking up to a furry dragon scaling all over their quarters. Everyone was tired from the trial, after all, and it had been by their kindness that their hospitality had been extended towards the members of jury as way of thanks for their participation.

He continued on then, asking her a question. She smiled and nodded eagerly. “Yes I’d love to fly,” and a moment later as he lowered his wings, “You’re so kind. Apology accepted! I’m Quix! What’s your name?” the girl exclaimed as she hopped onto his back and settled for sitting at his haunches, with her paws firmly hooked around the base of his neck.

Aw, the little one apologized. He almost felt bad for what he planned to do. Almost. "Don't worry. I won't crawl all over the dens again." Perhaps it wasn't such a good idea but where else would he get such a good spot to practice flying? These ledges were perfect! Perhaps he could just wait until the others weren't sleeping? Sure. That could work better.

But there was still the fact that the little one thought she had one. Bara couldn't have that.

"Good! You shall fly today!" Oh, and what fun it would be. "Baratheon." With that he turned and headed back to the edge of the ledge, wings raised and head looked down at the ground below. He could feel the weight of her on his back. Quite light, a bit heavier than Booker but completely manageable. He should be able to fly easily with her on his back.

But she didn't know that.

Baratheon jumped and pumped his wings downwards and for a moment they hung in the air, suspended over the huge hole. Then, that moment passed and they plunged downwards at an alarming rate. Baratheon could easily right them and glide to the ground but he wasn't about to let that sassy fox know that. "Oh no! I think we're too heavy! I've never flown with anyone on my back before! Oh! I think we're going to go splat right on the ground!" His wings seemed to flap uselessly as the ground came ever closer. His blue mane flew up, waving in the rushing wind as they plummeted. "Oh, Quix, what'll we do? You'll have to... coordinate me." He almost laughed but managed to hold it in. The joke wasn't quite over with yet. "Maybe if my muscles weren't so wimpy but tough maybe I could save us. Do you think I'm tough enough?" He would wait for her affirmation before doing anything. He would get the last laugh in this battle today.

---

words: 328
tagged: Quix
ooc: ---
muse: 8/10

"Speech"
Thoughts

After she’d clambered on, the dragon leapt from the ledge in one swift motion. She felt her heart race thud slightly as he brought them suspended into the air and the fennec never ever had witnessed such a lovely, all-encompassing view of Maji Walezi from here. She expected him to swoop down when all of a sudden, he plunged downward! Quix yelped involuntarily and in doing so sunk her claws into his bountiful fur and got a good grip. Her hind legs and tail trailed out behind her like a flag attached to a ships’s mast. The speed was much too fast for her itty bitty heart and she clenched her face as the wind swooped past her ears and caused her to inhale sharply as her body absorbed the impact. If this was flying then…she didn’t really want to fly again. It must have been destined that not many flying rides were in Origin and yet, she was foolish to wish to fly in the air! “Slow doo-oOOOOOo-wwwwnnn!” she hollered at him as her body waved out helplessly like a limp sponge, and she dug her claws deeper into his fur. His response was one that startled her and she looked whipped her head around. There wasn’t time to lose! The ground was swallowing them up fast. If the dragon wasn’t going to bear their weight then…

She remained silent, letting him go downward. “Well you should have turned me down if you aren’t tough!” she hollered past the blistering wind stinging her eyes, “Serves you right for wanting to climb ledges NOT MEANT TO BE CLIMBED.” She wouldn’t get hurt when the beast crashed – he’s take up the impact, and at most, she could just jump off and roll away with some bruises when he neared the ground. This gembound could pay the price for being weak and offering something he was incapable off. Gritting her teeth, the girl prepared for the right moment when Baratheon would reach the ground and then, she’d hop off and probably roll a couple of paces away.

Hmm? Served him right? Well, that wouldn't do. Wouldn't do at all. "Oh, I just suppose you are right." Sarcasm but at this speed and with the intense moment who could be sure of the mocking tone? If she wasn't afraid then he'd just have to show her what real fear was. The dragon rolled over in the air so that he was falling wit his back first. If she wasn't afraid then he would make her so!

"But, if you're so sure that I'm not tough. I guess we're just doomed to fall and splat. Well, you'll splat. I'm a dragon, tough bones, you see, and you'll be crushed beneath me. So sad..." He tensed the joints in his wings, stubborn to the very end. If she was intent on riding this out then he would ride it out. There was a lagoon anyhow. If things went sour then he'd just angle that way and dive into the water. He could swim quite well.

---

words: 165
tagged: Quix
ooc: ---
muse: 7/10

"Speech"
Thoughts

The girl tucked her flying hind limbs in, readying all paws along the base of his neck, prepared to jump off. She expected a couple of shrieks and mad flaps from Baratheon but something suddenly hit her – his voice was unusually calm and boy was he verbose-y! It clicked in her mind then – him deliberately rolling over so that she would get crushed, not to mention he’d admitted that he would escape with just a couple of bumps and scraps. “You did this on purpose,” she yelled at him, infuriated. Large blue eyes stared daggers at the back of his borns, willing it to burn into smithereens. Unfortunately, her magic was much more innate and casting it would not bode well for either of them. ”We never should have let you in,” the fox shrieked, her voice rattling through the cave to all who were listening.

She was upside down now, and the tilt caused her brain to spin. After all, her organs were so small compared to the other such that she felt every aerial effect ten times worse. Not bothering to reply him, the fennec fox attempted to use her hindlegs to push herself up onto Baratheon’s head, and she stretched out her paws to pull back on his horns, intending to steer the wilful ride.

Oh, so now she finally got it? She didn't admit that he was tough but that rage in her voice was enough for him. The dragon laughed though he didn't right himself just yet. Let her soak in fear for a little longer before he rescued them. "Oh, don't take it so hard, puffball. I was only jo-- hey! What're you--" The fox had made her way from his back and managed to crawl up his neck to the back of his head. He could feel those little paws pulling and yanking on his horns. "Hey! Stop it!" He yelled, fearful. As it turned out, using a dragon's horns were an effective way to control it in flight. At least, for a new flier like Baratheon. "You're gonna make us crash!" He clenched his teeth, eyes going wide as Quix effectively made him right himself.

His wings flared outwards as his plan to scare the fox ultimately failed. He managed to slow them a little but he couldn't make them go where he wanted, there was too much going on in his head area. "Quit it! I can't steer with you yanking on my head like that!" He swung his tail wildly, trying to use that to make them go in a good direction but he swung too far and clipped his wing on a ledge. Now completely out of control he plunged right towards the lagoon. "AAAAHHHHH!" He screamed as they went down.

He felt one last yank on his head, one that brought his neck upwards and kept him from smacking head-first into the lagoon and instead made him belly flop quite painfully on the water. A large splash was the result of their crash landing as they briefly sunk but came back to the surface. His tough scales absorbed most of the impact but it still stung. For a moment he just lay on the top of the water, winds spread out as he floated in the middle of the lagoon. "Ow..." He just floated there. Not moving until finally a noise came from his throat. It was low, inaudible, then finally it erupted and from his mouth came a laugh. "That was so awesome! I totally thought we were going to die! But we didn't!" He turned his long neck to look at Quix. "We should try that again sometime." He held no ill feelings for her trying to steer him along. They hadn't died so that was good enough. If anything Quix had added an element of surprise to the descent which was even more of a rush than his first flight.

---

words: 437
tagged: Quix
ooc: ---
muse: 8/10

"Speech"
Thoughts

Turbulence. Her ride was starting to be buffeted by air currents created by Baratheon himself. Panicking, the girl madly pulled back both horns, intending for the serpentine neck to twist with her gesture and make him upright again. Amidst the confusion and the dragon’s yelling, Quix continued to work her paws expertly along his gem, twisting him left and right so as to untwist him properly and get him to land nicely on the ground like a skittering snake. He had other ideas though and tried to fight against her. ”Stop that! We’re going to craaaASSHSh-“ and without further ado, she pulled back on his head with all her might, even pushing her hindlegs against the back of his neck for that added strength. This caused Baratheon to crane his head backwards and land belly first into the water, splashing water on every side like a fast-forward video of a blossoming flower.

She was drenched in their landing efforts – diving beneath the water with the initial impact, then floating back up again almost as quickly. With a sigh, she let go of his horns and plonked back down onto his back and shook her head, flinging water everywhere. Her chest heaved in and out as the exertion kicked in, and she chuckled – a grin playing upon her features, forgetting entirely the mean streak she’d felt when riding him. He snaked his head around to look at her now and offered a second try. ”Yeah! Great job!” she yipped and wagged her tail, then leapt forward to bonk noses with him before landing back on his back. Baratheon wasn’t so bad after all. ”Just…not in Maji Walezi?” she chuckled and wagged her tail placating. Oh god…not Maji Walezi again.