Impatience and Impudence {Open}

[Tismri]

Sakura continued folding her papers, humming as she did. It was no particular tune, but a string of notes that welled up from her heart. Though she was no songwriter, she enjoyed singing for the sake of singing, and it was a comfort to Oranthor as well.
She pulled open the last petal of her paper lotus when she sensed a presence above her. She looked up just as a mental nudge reached her, and she recognized the silvery dragon she'd noticed earlier.
Yes, it was, she told him, glancing to see her paper creatures disappear behind a house, moving on to places she did not know of. I often occupy myself "with making such creatures." She changed from speaking with her mind to speaking with her voice without notice. She had habitually spoken with both for most of her life, and was at times unaware of the difference. It was only particularly around humans that she found herself concentrating on physically speaking. She smiled at the dragon.
"And how fares you're day? Your name is Astaroth, isn't it?"
And how fares your Rider? Oranthor asked. Sakura could sense a light scolding from him for forgetting to ask about his bond as well, causing her to feel slightly embarrassed. She occasionally found herself forgetting about humans when speaking with dragons, and vice versa.

[Deleted]

Astaroth titled his head, his pupil narrowing as he focused on what was in her hands. It was then that her realized that she was folding paper. He was again surprised by the many uses the odd substance had. Xander had an inordinate amount stored in his room, with all sorts of notations from his studies scrawled all over it. As soon as his Rider had learned to write more than just his own name and a few words and phrases that had been useful to him, he had begun taking extensive notes. And reading just as extensively. Everything he could get his hands on, even when it meant asking Lucien-elda for a text. Astaroth knew how much the power of written language meant to Xander. The withholding of it had been another way his former masters kept him in check. To gain the ability to read and write was to break one of those many shackles. Paper conveyed Xander's much-coveted writing and yet, here, it was used as art.

Fascinating, he thought to himself, The malleability of something so simple and fragile...

When he was directly addressed, his eye rolled upward again to her face. Taking this as an invitation for further conversation, he settled his bulk in the grass with a small sigh, retracting his head. Unconsciously, he unfurled his wings just slightly to catch the sun. Sunbathing was one of his most favorite activities. It could be done even when thinking deep thoughts or having meaningful discourse. So simple an action and yet so satisfying.

He cocked his head slightly when he heard Oranthor, fully sensing then the presence of the Eldurnari. He found the dragon's addendum to the original question to be very polite of him, as his own well-being and his Rider's were, at the moment, rather closely entwined.

Yes, I am called Astaroth. And, I am well., thank you. We have just been informed of an assignment, our first, and are quite glad to finally put our learning to use, he looked towards the academy, then, snorting a plume of smoke, My Rider...he is as well as can be. Acting quite like himself, his thoughts took on an exasperated tone, That is to say, impudent and generally rude, as always.

He felt Xander's reproachful flicker. He was becoming tired of Astaroth's criticism. Unapologetic, Astaroth returned his full attention to the pair to whom he spoke.

And yourselves?  he inquired, How do you fare? And to whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?

Xander reacted to his propriety with a bit of amusement. He could never understand why Astaroth was so insistent on upholding social rules of politeness when he was a dragon, not a human or elf bound by laws of interpersonal conduct. His bondmate had been almost offended by the suggestion that he be anything but proper. He had tried, time and time again, to impress upon Xander the importance of being well-liked and having a good reputation. To his continued frustration, the lesson had yet to sink in.

[Tismri]

Sakura smiled a little shyly at the dragon as he settled down. She hadn't yet become comfortable with conversing beyond small talk with others, and though she was grateful for the opportunity, she was still nervous that she would be unable to come up with words to say. She was a bit surprised at the exasperation in Astaroth's tone as he described his Rider.

You don't get "along with him?" she asked, placing her folded rabbit to the side as she concentrated on the conversation. She knew at times her mother and Oranthor disagreed on some topics, but they never seemed annoyed with each other. They always appeared grateful for the company. She wondered if it had to do with how long they had been bonded, or if it had more to do with Oranthor's physical death. Whichever it was, she'd rarely talked to a young pair before. Again, Oranthor prodded at her to reply to the question that had been asked of her.

"My name is Sakura," she introduced herself. "My mother is Ebrithil Jeriah, one of the magic instructors here."

And I am Jeriah's bond, Oranthor, the orange eldunari added. Even in his reduced form, his voice carried all the strength he had once held; though he had not been the best flier, he was strong and tenacious enough to destroy a mountain on his own before his death.

"We are both well, thank you," Sakura continued. She glanced around, curious if Astaroth's Rider was nearby, but saw no one. All the better; humans tended to judge her more harshly than dragons.

[Deleted]

Astaroth's large silver eyes followed Sakura's movement as she continued to fold her paper. It was fascinating to him how she could do something like that. Human and elven artistry never ceased to amaze, it seemed. In response to her question, he shifted, his tone turning thoughtful.

Hm, no...it is not that we don't get along. I chose him because I believed he was my perfect match, and I still do. It's just that he goes about things in a way I often disagree with...interpersonal interactions in particular.

He knew that his Rider's rudeness was a defense mechanism, but, Astaroth wished that Xander would not see the need to use it. There was no danger from anyone here. Still, he sensed how deeply his bondmate's bitterness and fear ran, and knew that it would be no easy task to rid him of them.

At their introductions, he gave a single nod. The mentioning of one of the teachers at the Academy helped him place them on the ever-growing list of people he knew.

A pleasure to meet you. And I am glad to hear it.

Astaroth leaned a bit closer, taking in the object she was folding.

[Tismri]

Sakura blinked once, surprised to hear that a Rider had difficulty interacting with other people. While her hands neatly folded her final paper into the likeness of a butterfly, she looked up curiously at Astaroth.

So, he is shy? she asked, not quite understanding what could be a point of contention between the pair. She cupped her paper creature in her hands and concentrated for a moment before whispering "Flauga," and opening her grip to release the butterfly, sending it fluttering across the academy grounds and out of sight into the forest. With no paper left to occupy her hands, she leaned back and let her amber eyes take in the clear blue sky above her, as well as the beauty of the dragon before her. She found herself curious about his Rider, always wondering what it was that allowed someone to choose another to be their lifelong companion, whether as dragon and Rider, or as spouses or mates. The closest to that sort of companionship she'd ever had was her twin brother, who had died when they were still young. Yet another point of endless grief for her poor mother. How she managed to stay sane after all her loss was inconceivable to her; she was the strongest person Sakura had ever met.