Let's Play!

Mintra wrapped her arms around him tighter enough to convey unease.



"I thought I was toast. Glad you're not as mean as you seem."

Eden sighed.



" We're not on a joy ride anymore. We're off to tend a large issue. Someone is invading my dragons ."

"With what?" Mintra couldn't think of anything that could really 'beat' a dragon. Who was using what to invade? She stared below, trying to spot whatever it would be.

" You know, i don't own all the dragons in the world."



He replied simply as they came upon the mess of dragon on dragon warfare, watching the scales, blood and claws fly.

Mintra gave a light gasp and buried her face against Eden's back. Secretly, though, she was watching from under his arm. This was worth noting, it seemed. At least, it was something she hadn't seen before.



"What are you going to do?" Her voice was light and meek.

" What is needed, can you fight, or do you prefer cover?"



it was a serious question as he shifted to keep tabs on what he was going to have to deal with.

Mintra didn't answer for a bit. However, that wasn't too bad. Most real people in her position wouldn't have answered at all. The only reason it took her those few seconds was that her calculations were thrown a little off. After all, the little girl was having to decide exactly what she should give up. She decided for a piece of the truth.



"I can fight... I am not the best, and I know nothing of dragons, but I can fight." She did, however, keep her voice very small.

"Then stay astride this one, and only attack when it seems to need the added help. He'll keep you on him."



he replied simply, handing her a light weight saber and sliding off upon another dragon with ease, soon in the foray.

Mintra's tiny hand slipped through the handle of the saber. She watched Eden go, murmuring a nothing under her breath and widening her eyes for effect. The girl held on as best she could. She found herself talking to the dragon. It made her feel a little more... in control of what was going on.



"My name is Mintra. Good luck."

((This is for your benefit. Look! Magical little arrow indicator says you need to reply! And this is at the top of the list, so you will get to it last and have no need to skip it. <---smart cookie))

The dragon acknowledged her by it's actions only, protecting it's rider as it proceeded to take down the enemy dragons.

Mintra dug in her knees, even as she swung the saber when it seemed necessary. What was Eden doing? What would mark the end of this? As blood splashed across her face, she doubted that bloodshed would be the indicator.

As the dragons seemed to come to a stand still, what seemed like an eternity later, it was minutely obvious why the dragons headed this man as he now stood, face to face with one of the opposing dragons, or the remains of it, anyway.



Now shirtless, blood spattered, and his face holding a few new scratches, Eden looked all the more the marred warrior as he wiped a bit of sweat and dirt from his brow. Eyes running over the remaining opposing dragons, and the few of the riders that remained, he watched them slowly tuck tail as he remained on his feet and watching until all of them were gone.





It hadn't been a light battle on either side, several of the large, magnificent creatures had fallen in the scuttle. It was a shame to see even one down, and he treated all with honor as he murmured soft prayers before each was lifted off by other dragons to be properly buried.



Sighing, he stood as the dragon carrying Mintra landed beside him, his eyes running over the small child.



" Are you alright?"



He asked, seeming suddenly a much older man as he sighed and went to clean his blade before sheathing it.

Mintra had been perfectly silent, not saying anything as she watched the funeral proceedings. However, when addressed, she finally moved. The girl absently patted the purple hide as she lifted her leg over and slid down to the ground. She held the saber close to her chest as she reached up and wiped her brow, foreign blood smearing. One benefit of being small: you are harder to hit. That was how she managed to stand in front of him with only a small cut across her right thigh.



"Nothing critical... How about you?" She walked up to him, staring at his face. This was a hard read.

" Nothing compared to the suffering of my dragons. I'm in favor of war, but not upon the creatures. They did nothing to harm anyone without outside influence. They are harmless beings in the mix."



Welcome to one more side of Eden. Compassion. It really did exist in him, his dragons were his life and pride, not to mention all but his wife in some ways. They were who he answered to, and who he cared for, who was there when he was down, and vice versa.

Mintra inclined her head slightly, cleaning off the blade before holding the grip out for him to take.



"I'm sorry for your loss."

" I will recover."



He replied simply, sheathing the blade as easily as the last, sighing under his breath.

Mintra didn't say anything for a long moment. Then she ducked down, her doll face peering up at him through her dark lashes.



"Eden, why do you do it? If it causes you pain?"

Eden looked at her a moment, considering his answer.



" why does one love their children? Why does one love their spouse? It doesn't make rational sense to love at all, but unfortunately, I do care for these creatures, therefore, it's what i do."

Mintra looked at him for a long moment with those big eyes of hers, the irises taking in the details in earnest. The she smiled and then leaned up on her tiptoes, kissing him on the... well, she was aiming for the cheek, but he was a little too tall, so she kissed him on the neck. The girl then proceeded to pat him on the shoulder.



"I have decided that you are a good man, Eden. No matter what you lead to, you are a good man."

Eden looked at the woman oddly, considering him a moment, sighing to himself. Every woman that kissed him had died. This wasn't a positive omen.

((roflmao...))



Mintra raised a brow in response to his odd look and sigh. That was not exactly what he had expected.



"What?"

" Women don't have good luck with kissing me."

Mintra smiled faintly. Her next comment was half jest, half correction.



"Luck has a hard time mastering me." After the comments previously about the bad luck with coming across the dragon...

" I hope, for your sake, your right."



Eden replied softly as he moved to grab a clean shirt from the saddle bag upon his dragon.

Mintra considered this.



"I suppose I will find out soon enough." She looked down at the little cut on her leg, prodding around it and wiping away the little bit of blood that had seeped out. She glanced over at the dragons for a minute before stepping back over and looking at the big purple one's face.



"What is this one's name?"

" Funkeln "





Eden replied softly, looking to the clouds about.



" Do you have a residence somewhere near here?"

Mintra patted the dragon's nose, not turning to face the man.



"If I said yes, would you insist on following me home?"

" After the day I've had, i'd take you home."

Mintra shrugged lightly.



"Well, then I suppose it is a good thing I don't live with my father. That would startle him to death." She turned now, brushing a sweaty strand of hair from her face.



"But, I am perfectly capable of taking myself home, thank you. I would imagine you could use some rest. So, it was a pleasure meeting you, Eden, and good luck with the dragons." She smiled at him, turning to leave out through the... palm trees?

" we're a great distance from where you stumbled upon the dragons and I. I really don't think I can let you just wonder off."

See, this was actually worthy in pointing out about Mintra. She really had never understood the emotion of pride. She was able to emulate it, don't misunderstand, but she didn't understand why it was so valued. So when she realized that she really could use some help, this was the explanation behind the response. Mintra turned to face Eden and smiled sweetly.



"Okay."

" So, where do you live?"



Eden asked as he climbed upon his slate blue/gray dragon, looking over the small girl as he helped her astride the beast.

Mintra struggled slightly with this. Ginormo (as she had mentally dubbed him) was larger than any other others she had been on. It was hard to get a good grip. In fact, it was impossible. So mostly, she just ended up clinging to Eden for dear life.



"Um... are you familiar with the hot springs on the northeastern side of the Amazon?"

" Very."



He replied simply, looking over the woman attempting to cut off circulation in his lower half of his anatomy.

Mintra didn't realize that she was squeezing him so hard. She only hesitated because of the degree of response. Not a lot of people even knew that the place existed. It was kind of in the middle of nowhere.



"I live not even a quarter klick from the smaller green one."

Eden nodded slowly, clicking to the larger dragon, and soon soaring off towards teh clouds, ignoring the weird tingling feeling starting in his feet.

Mintra spotted the lakes before she expected to. Apparently dragons were decently fast. Go figure? She waited patiently for the ride to end.

Carefully they landed, and Eden looked over Mintra, sighing to himself.



" can I have my legs now?"

Mintra furrowed her brow, sliding off the side.



"I never had them." She shrugged slightly, looking out into the trees behind the spring. Her house was not far now. Was she free to go?