407 Test Flights (1/2)

Soup was bouncing on Nix's shoulders, her heart still racing from her first flight.

”Yep... Now that I've taken it out of my crafting inventory. What do I do with it?” His regular inventory could hold a few dire wolf puppets, even some Ashobel, but stuffing this Titan back in would be impossible. His train of thought was derailed by two breaches opening nearby in succession.

Deidra stepped out of one breach and Tai'Qui the other. The two dragons stared at each other for a moment before turning their gazes on Nix.

”So... What brings you two here?”

Deidra moved closer to the bird, kneeling down she touched the feathered head with the back of her hand. ”These have been extinct for years. I always admired how beautifully they've flown.”

Nix nodded in agreement. ”Give it a try.” He said it like a dare, not thinking she'd take him up on it.

”Okay. What do I do?” Deidra felt a small bit of pleasure at his surprised expression.

Nix considered the options, some more test flights would be good. ”Not here. Open a breach to the North Side of Loki.”

Deidra opened a breach, sending the Falcon and Nix through with a wave of her hand. She paused and glanced back at Tai'Qui. ”Coming?”

Tai'Qui nodded. ”Yes.”

The north side of Loki featured a high set of cliffs overlooking the ocean, the perfect spot for launching. There was still a few hours until sunset in Oasis, the aquamarine ocean made the perfect backdrop for a test flight.

Nix took a seat on the rocks, enjoying the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks far below. ”You should change, that outfit isn't made for regular use.”

Deidra changed her clothes with another wave of her hand. ”No? Maybe I should get a new Tailor.”

Nix frowned at her. ”Or pay him properly.”

Deidra sat down on one of the flat rocks nearby. ”My advice on your elements was meant as payment.”

Nix kept his expression neutral, ”so much for free advice. Inhabiting puppets is easy, focus on it and will yourself in”

Deidra closed her eyes, a moment later the Falcon stood up, its yellow eyes blinking several times. ”Amazing.”

Nix didn't know what dragon eyesight was like, but apparently it wasn't as good as the Falcon Titan. ”Times wasting, take it up.”

An instant later the Falcon launched, a hissing sound could be heard from the wings as they sliced through the air. The Falcon headed out to sea, very quickly disappearing from sight.

”Nix?”

Nix turned back toward Tai'Qui, who wasn't watching Deidra fly. ”What?”

”You made Deidra's costume?”

”I did,” he admitted. ”Were you chosen for the Krelandur also?”

Tai'Qui's brown eyes stared at him. ”Yes. I stopped by Ionova today, I was going to tell you then.”

Tai'Qui frowned slightly. ”We are dragons, after all. I thought you'd be in Ionova, but Hyai mentioned you were training at the House of Tempest.”

Nix smiled at the mention of the Innkeeper. ”My mudbaths were removed when I upgraded the Turtle House, I don't suppose you...”

”Don't worry, Nix. I replaced them when I was there.” Tai'Qui stepped closer, placing a concerned hand on his shoulder. ”Is there something I should know?”

Nix considered it for a moment, Deidra hadn't specifically stated that her request for sanctuary was a secret, but he assumed it was. ”My elements are overflowing. This morning I woke up in a block of ice.”

”You're about to become an Arch Nemesis. The elements coursing through you are struggling to get out.”

The Falcon approached after several minutes, instead of landing, it banked and headed out to sea again.

”I can feel the consciousness of Sindi and Nihlus, I believe that I will be able to converse with them in the next few days.” Tai'Qui smiled warmly. ”I can't say how pleased this makes me.”

Nix wasn't surprised. Tai'Qui was a dragon after all, with a strong connection to the two essences he placed in the eggs. ”Let me know when you can. I would like to talk with them.”

Deidra landed a few minutes later, sitting the bird down right next to Nix. When she opened her eyes a moment later, she was smiling. ”That was really amazing. No wonder they were called the SkyKings.”

”Me too Nix?” Tai'Qui motioned toward the Falcon puppet.

Nix nodded. ”Go ahead.”