Gone on too long (open!)

[Clockwork]

Date: august, 14
Time: about 5:00
Weather: cloudy cool day, threatening to rain.
Charries involved: totaly open anyone!




        Clockwork kept his head down as he took the chance to show himself around berk. Refarmiliarize himself. He gave a snort as he walked into the arena, the caged top bringing back memories of when he had been broken. Well not nessicarily broken because he was already tame and he'd do anything for the little girl who'd stolen his heart. But the first time he'd ever had a saddle when he was 2 years old. Agmarus had done all the hard work of getting him used to saddle and bridle, alongwith teaching him basic commands. 

         "Good boy, bunny bear!" Agmarus was yelling from his back, patting his shoulder because he'd turned when Agmarus told him to. He leaned forward and hugged the big dragon's neck.  Ut something was diffrent in his memories. The clockwork dragon was whole. No scars and most of all he had his leg and the missing half of his face. And he was smiling.  

        Clockwork shook the memory. He enjoied rememberinb the fond memories that came and left, but there was a time and place for them. And it was not now. He wanted to scope out what all had changed in his years of solitary confinement. He lifted his eyes from the ground to see a water trough set out. He hadn't had a drink of clean water in quite a while. The old man who'd owned him for so many years never cleaned out his water, only refilled it, thus it had a bad taste and he wouldn't drink it unless forced. He dipped his muzzle in, the taste feeling forghin, yet good. Maybe humans wouldn't be so bad. One bad master didn't mean they were all bad.

[Ulrika]

(lmao this is like the day before Ulrika pulls the stupid of the century)

---

Ulrika was getting in some last-minute sword practice before the daylight ran out, and she'd have to go to the Great Hall for dinner. She swivelled around and saw her brand-new dragon, Timber's Bane, laying near the wall watching her. Of course. She had a Night Fury now. She didn't have to think about walking or rowing home! Perhaps she could practice a little longer.

Keeping her shield high to defend herself, she lunged with the sword to try poke the dummy in the side. With the lack of visibility the shield unfortunately provided, she missed. She made her noise in her throat, annoyed. She almost had it last time!

She heard a noise behind her, a heavy thumping of feet, and an odd 'clunk' every so often in a rythmic fashion. She turned around to see a red Western Dragon stalk into the arena. She kept her shield up, but peeping over anyway, curious. She had no idea if this was a wild dragon or not, but it was definitely blocking her only exit. Timbersbane slowly rose to her feet, growling, ready to spring into action if the dragon decided to be hostile.

Now Ulrika had a dragon, she had no desire to tame one, but it didn't mean she didn't have to train anymore. She dropped the shield a little, noticing the metal mask. That was strange... The Western seemed absent-minded as if in deep thought, before noticing a water trough. The girl didn't understand yet, but she was standing in the un-named dragon's blindspot.

She briefly looked to the Night Fury, who shrugged with her wings and came forth by Ulrika's side, growling muting itself slightly. Making sure Ulrika didn't do something stupid, the black dragon took a few steps in front of her human.

"What business do you have here?"[/i][/color] The Night Fury called out. The dragon had already realised the metal-plated side of the dragon's head was blind, thus hadn't initially seen them. She hoped it wasn't deaf either. "Where is your human?"[/i][/color] She called out. Wild Dragons tended to stay away from here, they had little reason to visit the Arena, especially with the strings attached from so long ago... The Dragon was obviously reeked of tame, with such obviously human-crafted objects on it.

The Dragon had so many scars... It made both Timber and Ulrika curious, but only one of them would be smart enough to keep their mouth shut from asking potentially sensitive questions.

[Clockwork]

Clockwork's head shot up as he jerked his head from the trough, looking ocer at the two dragons with his good eye. His eings slammed to the ground to gaurd his chest quickly in a defensive position. He calmed himself, returning to a rather neutral stance once he realized the draons were no danger, but remained on edge.
Im not particularly sure were Irrite is. My name is clockwork. Ive been locked away for 60 years, this place has changed since I last saw it." He explained to the other dragon. He took this time to actualy turn his head to realize that there were two dragons rather than one.
"I apologize, you startled me." he shook his head and continued to lie down. So much exitement was exerting for a dragon who was so out of shape. He was still bone thin, his ribs showing through his impressive muscles and his spine showing ruggetdly down his back. His hips were very promenant aswell. He laid his head down on the stone floor, but jerked it back up when he felt a pop and the mask felt a bit loose, the bottom had come off his upper jaw and was hanging on by the horn. He used the ground to quickly manuver it back on, hopefully before anyone saw or worse, he felt it.

Clockwork was in truth fully healed under the mask, but he still thought it was the shredded painful mess it was the day he was injured. He was also afraid of being rejected because of the hidious injury. He snapped his jaw to ensure it stayed in place before holding his head up this time. He kept an eye on the two dragons, if either one of them lept, he had the upper hand at being low and would beable to strike at the belly, but he didnt plan on being agressive. He just wanted peace.

[Ulrika]

Both dragons crouched defensively as they acknowledged each other. Timber could see now the dragon's real eye - in comparison it seemed obvious now that the red eye was a fake.

The stalemate quickly subsided, as they realised neither was a real threat - it was obvious they were both trained. The Western Dragon answered, and the Night Fury could tell he was truthful.

Timber's Bane remembered a boy from the classes called Irrite. She didn't know he had a dragon, so this dragon must be a new addition to the Viking-In-Training party. "Clockwork..."[/i][/color] Timber murmured out loud in acknowledgement, realising that Ulrika wouldn't understand their conversation, so introducing the dragon's name to the girl would be troublesome. Maybe she'd have to find Irrite later and somehow get the two humans talking for Ulrika to learn the dragon's name... But she decided to think about that later.

She wanted to ask about the imprisonment, concerned. She glanced at the cages that circled around the arena. She understood that out of control or misbehaving dragons were put here. Was this dragon put in one of these cages and forgotten about?

Clockwork moved from his crouching position to laying on the ground. Timber still stood up. She had a slightly irresponsible Viking to look after. She seemed to also realise the threat was over, and ducked under Timber's wing to inspect the dragon further.

It was a lot bigger than Timber, thus more impressive. She noted the scar and it's mask, which it drew attention too as it pushed it against the ground to keep it on.

Ulrika pointed. "Your armour is kinda silly, if it only protects half of your face." She stated, unknowing that the dragon could be sensitive.

Timber's eyes widened and quickly hopped in front of Ulrika defensively, growling, but mostly at Ulrika, trying to keep an eye on both individuals, hoping one wouldn't continue being stupid, and the other hopefully not turn hostile.

"I, uh, apologise for the girl. She's young and knows little. I'm doing my best to train her, but, ah, it's slow going."[/i][/color] Timber hastily tried to recover a potential time bomb.

[Clockwork]

Clockeork sighed, looking about, this place has changed so much in such short time. To him 60 years wasnt long, but it was still enough to completely change a place. He managed to get his mask stuck on securely. The more amacieated he got the more the mask tried to slip off as his flesh receded from his cheekbones. 

Clockwork jumped at the sudden... Insult? His one brow seeming to rise in surprize as he just looked at her for a moment. He didnt nessicsrily see it as an insult, but more curiosity and just not knowing how to ask. It's a wonder this poor child hadn't bern mauled by some less patient dragon by now. 

Clockwork was used to such blunt observations,  heck he was raised by a six year old, but this girl hadn't grown out of learning to contain what she said? He shook his head trying to make sure he hesrd her correctly.  He couldnt help but let out a warm smile as the other dragon was quick to explain the girl. A light chuckle escaped his barrel chest. 

"I completely understand. Strange creatures children could be." he smiled, remembering kanya calling him a 'moonie-man' at times after his accsedent. "Ever tried sitting on her? Gently of corse, but it helps to settle down a rowdy six-year-old during a temper tantrum." 

[Ulrika]

Timber faltered slightly as the dragon opposite them laughed unexpectedly. He... wasn't mad? Most dragons went completely berserk at Ulrika's antics. He then gave some warm advice in return. Ulrika ducked under her wings again and turned to Timber.

Ulrika, unfortunately, was inept at dragons. She percieved the laugh, but for the wrong reasons. She pointed at the beast again. "Why are you laughing at us! We could take you down in one hit!" She boasted.

Timber looked between Ulrika and Clockwork. Maybe she would try this. She came from behind and knocked Ulrika over with her head. She'd seen the girl in action before, so she'd have to act quick. The scuffles with Grima and her time in the forests meant she knew how to fall, even from surprise attacks like this.

Timber quickly pinned Ulrika down before she could roll over to get up. The girl writhed beneath her. Timber looked up to Clockwork for confirmation. "Like this? I don't want to really cause the girl pain..."[/i][/color] She felt the strength rising in the girl as feral mode activated, and she put a little more weight on her foot.

"Tim-BEER!" Snarled the human underneath her, her arms and legs flailing. Timber tried her best to avoid the volley of limbs. "LET ME GO! AAARRRHH!"

"... I think she's just getting angrier."

[Clockwork]

Clockwork chuckled lightly. "Seems the older they get the more difficult things are." he mused. His tail swishing about behind him. His wing twitched as he brought his nose around and scratched a tight area between the mucle of his wing and the skin at his side. Some of his scars still itched at times.

His gaze danced around the arena, he stood on his feet again. His head craning upward to the sky, his eye squinting in the small gleam of sun that worked it's way through the hazy clouds. A smile tugged at his lips. His wings drooped down in relaxation.

" Is it normal to feel old when you reach 200?" he asked abruptly.

[Ulrika]

(Your post is below the 200 minimum word count)

---

Timber said nothing as the girl beneath her finally got too much to handle. Lifting her foot slightly, Ulrika sprang from the clutches of her dragon, toppling from the over-power, and then springing back up again.

She turned to her dragon, furious. She pointed at the dark dragon. "Hey! Don't do that again!" She then sprang forwards agressively at the dragon, but the beast with four feet on the ground was sturdy, and she could barely shift Timber from where she stood. She pushed against the dragon's head, but the Night Fury readjusted her stance and managed to push the girl back again, but not as forcefully as before to knock her over.

The girl was riled up now, and from observation she noticed only distractions or being completely beat up would stop her primitive berserker spree. Ulrika didn't even notice the dragon get up and look around.

The question and movement distracted the Night Fury enough for Ulrika to pounce on the dragon again. Ulrika went straight for the head, trying to grab at her 'ears'. Timber easily shook her off and looked back to the dragon.

She noticed Ulrika and managed to knock her back with her wing, giving her time to reply. "I, ah, I'm not that old yet... I don't even know how long my kind live for, we are so few and far between... Ugh, Ulrika stop!"

Timber was getting ticked off by the girl. She wondered how the other humans dealt with her, especially Grima, who often was the initiator between the two. She shot a plasma blast before Ulrika's feet which stopped her in her tracks.

[Leif & Corinth]

(Haven't posted in awhile, please forgive any mistakes I've missed)

---

Normally, Leif would be sitting in the nearby forest, enjoying the quiet atmosphere, but today he had to deliver his two promised life-size carvings for training. He was getting paid a full basket of fish if he managed to get another three of them done by next week after all.

He made his way to the arena by sticking to the edges of the village for Corinth's sake, whom was carrying said training dummies on his back. Sure, Leif felt bad, but he couldn't lift one of those things if his life depended on it.

Thankfully, Corinth was always there for him, even after the Nightmare incident, which caused the dragon's lower jaw to look scarred and out of place.

After passing his aunt's house, Leif glanced down at his hands, which were fiddling with a small chunk of wood. 'I wonder if a dull knife would work...

Caught up in his thoughts, the boy hadn't noticed how his dragon had fallen behind. After turning to talk to his dragon, he realized he wasn't by his side, and instead, a ways behind him. "Come on, Sky! I want to drop those training dummies off before any classes start!"

The dragon huffed from exhaustion, muttering, "How about you try carrying them...[/color]

Leif gave a snort of laughter, receiving a few confused stares from other residents of Berk. Many of them knew him because of his 'strange' behaviors, like talking when no one was around. Of course, it was also a 'known fact' that Leif couldn't speak Dragonese.

But instead of telling everyone he could speak with the dragons, he decided to remain in his own little, quiet world. No one would stop bothering him if they found this out. The only one he'd actually told of his ability was far off in the mountains, where nobody would find her.

"Tough it out, buddy! We're almost there!" He called over his shoulder.

As they neared the arena, Leif began to hear yelling, from both human and dragon. Rolling his eyes, he leant over the railing lining the edge of the ring. 'Can't go anywhere here without some sort of loud noises.'

He found a night fury and their rider wrestling each other to the ground, while a red Western Dragon sat and watched them with amusement from a distance.

Leif tried to pick up on the cause for the quarrel, only getting tidbits of information. The only thing he knew was the fact the night fury did something the girl disapproved of. He wasn't sure what, and he didn't care.

When the night fury fired a plasma blast at the girl's feet, Leif chuckled, probably too loud to stay unnoticed.

He leant over the chains overhanging the arena and tried to emit a 'cool guy' aura by crossing his arms.

"You know, instead of trying to tackle her, you could try to scratch her under the chin. Works every time." His signature smirk played across his lips.

[Clockwork]

Clockwork chuckled. "wow she seems to be a handfull." he slumped down, suddenly feeling his age. The dragon, when healthy, looked quite young. Although he was a young adult, in the state he was in now he looked more aged. His scars added years to his skin and his calm collected demeanor made him apear much, much older.  His promenent hipbones, his uncovered cheekbone stuck out of the side of his face. The bones in his chest were visable and his spine was ruggely protruding down his back. 

However, he did have some indication that when he became healthy again he'd actualy be a handsome dragon. The muscle down his forearm was still bulgeing and the muscles down his back still formed a grove the entire path down. When he took a step off his back foot the muslces in his upper leg would flex and cause his stifle to ripple.  The space between his front and back legs was enormous and his ribs were rounded like a barrels. He had pontention to be an enormous dragon.

Clockwork's head raised at the sound of another voice. A sugjestion. He turned his head tward the voice and gazed on a male human. He stood back to his feet, his calm, emotionless expression remaining uneffected. 

"Wish for me to teach her what for? I used to scare kanya into obaying her older brother by roaring at her... Loudly. Works better on smaller children, but who knows." he shrugged.

[Leif & Corinth]

Leif's smile faded slightly at the Western dragon's question. He wanted to answer aloud, but he couldn't bring himself to it. He rather liked to be known as Leif the woodcarver. Leif the Dragon-Speaker didn't seem to fit him right.

"It would've been nice if you'd waited for me, you know!"[/i][/color] Corinth huffed as he finally caught up to his rider.

Leif rested his hand on the dragon's shoulder, and whispered, "Think you can tell that Western that I'd like to see where this goes?"

Corinth seemed confused, but upon looking in the arena, he just sighed in annoyance. His rider often asked him to pass on messages for him. The dragon always said he didn't mind doing so. It's only when Leif suddenly brings him into a conversation that he wasn't even listening to that bothered him.

"Pardon my rider. He's rather keen on staying under the humans' radar."[/b][/color] The boy elbowed Corinth, receiving a short glance his way.

"But he's curious to see what happens next. Surely you are?"[/color] Corinth tossed the training dummies on the ground, and exhaled in relief. With the weight gone, he shook his body to get all the kinks out.

"Sky! Don't just toss them on the ground! They're delicate!"[/color] He bent down to examine his wooden sculptures. The dragon chuckled, "If they're so delicate, why is it you're making them targets for the trainees?"[/b][/color]

Leif glared at him and got back to his feet. He was going to retort, but he pursed his lips and crossed his arms. "Who asked you anyways?"[/color] He muttered as he turned back to the arena.

[Ulrika]

[OOC: For future reference try and respect some sort of postal order, because i'm sort of lost now and i'm not quite sure where to stick Ulrika anymore )

---

Timber heard an unnatural jangle of chains and turned her head to see what it was. It was another human leaning over the bars around the arena. He called out, supposedly to Ulrika, how she was supposed to act. Timber tilted her head to the side slightly at it, unfamiliar.

Ulrika had also stopped in her tracks as her dragon noticed the woodcarver up top. She didn't really know him, he tended to keep to himself, though she ran into him a few times when she would go hunting in the forest.

"Scratch her under the chin?"[/color] Ulrika called up to the woodcarver, completely missing the point. "Have you seen what a dragon's hide looks like? I'd need a pretty darn sharp knife to get under that thing!"[/color]

With that, Timber turned back around again, alarmed, eyes to slits, and took a few paces backwards, before her smarts kicked in. She didn't mean it. Ulrika wouldn't kill a dragon... Would she? Her need to prove herself to the village was so great, Timber was pretty sure that killing a dragon was the last thing on her mind.

There was a large thud and Timber could hear a dragon groaning and grumbling out of sight of the supposed Woodcarver. She was curious, and left the arena without Ulrika's command; "Wh-Where are you going?"[/color]

Ulrika felt obliged to follow her dragon, but she glaced at the strange red dragon before she did so. She went up to the outer ring and saw Leif's dragon had set down some heavy wooden statues.

Ulrika pointed to them. "What are those things?"[/color]