Earning Your Wings [RP]

Elle looked to Jeremy. "I wonder when we'll meet our dragons" she whispered. When Dex and Kye mentioned groups of three, Elle frowned. "We can't have groups of three. There can only be two people per group because there are only two of each color of dragon. Besides, it's tradition. "If Rose Anna doesn't show today, Brenden can go solo for the day." She glanced around to see if anybody supported her in her words. Elle wasn't usually one to speak up, but to break tradition and have a group of three... Maybe Rose Anna was late or couldn't make it for the day.

James trotted over to where Wendy stood and looked around the arena. "Wow," he said softly. "It's huge." He was talking more to himself, and the bulge of his book in his back pocket seemed to grow uncomfortable. He wished he had left it outside. When Elle began to speak, Jimmy supported her. But what if Rose Anna didn't show at all? Would Brenden be stuck solo? Jimmy didn't say anything.

Kye-Ree

Kye only snorted, "Who cares about tradition, no offense Elle, but if we always followed tradition we would never advance in life. The world would be stuck." The short blonde mumbled, before smiling with a shake of her head. "But hey, it's up to you Branden, if you wanna go solo, go ahead. Anna might join us later anyways." She ended with a shrug of her shoulders and a grin, she didn't care what Branded chooses to do, and she didn't care if there were only two dragons of each colour. Dragons were dragons despite colour, so she was open to being in a group of three if it was allowed.

Dexter grunted, as if wounded by the different protests against his idea. "Tradition is about the past, and I'm not about the past. The past is behind me. Of course it's up to the Dragon Masters and Brendan, but lets be honest here, Brendan wouldn't mind joining a pair as long as it's the right one. Hehe." He playfully elbowed the boy, catching the grin sent in Melanie's direction. He loves digging into the many different crushes of the group, but its funny how he's never noticed the two girls crushing on him. Perhaps its because he is too busy trying to spread out his flirtatious love to everyone.

Mel felt Dexter's gaze on her and she turned her head to shot him a look of irritation. Her green eyes slid over to Brendan, and her expression softened up. She didn't seem to have a problem with anyone else, but her distant attitude prevented her from actually speaking up on her affection for her friends. Her lips twitched into a tiny smile and she turned back to her new partner.

Jeremy (Sorry guys, had a late couple of nights)

Elle's brown eyes fell on him and he turned in her direction as she whispered to him. I hope so too. the boy said, he had been getting more and more anxious the longer they stood in the arena.
Jeremy was surprised by Elle's sudden outburst, he knew she had a crush on the boy who was currently without a partner. A dark brow raised as he watched her convey her point. Maybe she doesn't want him to be paired with anyone else? he questioned himself then shrugged. There is a reason the dragonmasters train in pairs guys. They patrol and fight together. It's more of a bond thing, if we split into threes there will be less patrol groups and the bonds between each rider won't be as strong... he sighed, rubbing his forehead between his thumb and middle finger. If Brendan is really going to have a hard time practicing alone for the day then I will switch partners with him. I don't care. he glanced down at Elle, looking for support and giving her the chance to train with her crush.

Kye-Ree

Kye let Jeremy's words sink in before shaking her head, "If they have pairs to keep safe, then wouldn't being alone be more dangerous, plus if building bonds is a problem between two, I'm sure Dex and I can handle being with an extra team player." Kye finished with a quick breath before smiling again. "But yet again, it's Branden's choice." She added with a shrug of her shoulders. She wasn't fussed with Branden's decision, but she did want to make sure that he didn't have to be alone if he didn't want it.

Elle sighed when everyone contradicted her words. This was why she never spoke up. She felt like all her ideas and words weren't important. She knew she had spoken for what she thought was right, but maybe she was wrong... Jeremy spoke from beside her, mentioning trading partners with Brenden. Elle blanched a bit, but nodded stiffly.It dawned on her that Jeremy must know she had a crush on Brenden. She cast a glance to Jeremy quickly before gazing around the huge arena. Though she had once wanted to be with Brenden, she now thought it might make it difficult and a bit hard for her to concentrate on her tasks. She secretly hoped everything would just remain how it was. I shouldn't speak up ever, Elle thought bitterly. Jeremy was trying to help, she contradicted herself. Besides, he made a point about the pairs. She still thought a group of three would mess it all up, even though everyone didn't care for tradition. Some traditions you could be rid of, others were there for reasons.

James sighed, listening only a bit. "Tell me when they stop arguing," he whispered to Wendy, pulling his book out of his back pocket and stealing glances at the book. Finally, he let himself be engrossed in the book, hoping he wouldn't miss anything.

Jeremy

The dark haired boy sighed again, Its like I'm talking to a wall... he thought before starting again. Anna could join us at any moment, Brenden isn't going to be alone. Or myself if there is a switch. It'll probably just be a day or so until we find out what's going on with her.
He was annoyed slightly but it was probably his nerves more than his friends getting to him. If there is a tripling I think it should only be one group, not all of us though. they had made it seem like everyone would have to split into groups of three in their initial idea and that would leave them with loose bonds between riders and more patrols over all... More work on top of being one of the chosen. He caught Elle's glance and smiled back sincerely, blue-grey eyes telling her that he did in fact know her secret... Good job doofus, instead of impressing, you mad her mad... there was nothing he could do now. Even if Dexter or Kye came back at him he figured he would remain quiet, no sense in arguing it further. The official dragon masters had the final say anyway.
I'm sorry... he whispered, just loud enough for the reddish brown haired girl to hear.

"Of course, we just don't want our poor Brendan alone, isn't that right Mel?" Dexter mischievous grin spread across his lips as he looked from the boy at his side to the angry girl. Having the crushes acknowledge each other was his favorite pass time, and there is no doubt that it will never end. "Friends gotta stick together, and help each other out!" He elbowed Brendan again with a smirk.

Mel raised a brow at Dexter, confused as to why she was being called out. "Ah yeah." She turned her gaze back to Brendan. "Just drop it guys, your beliefs on the system don't matter." She said, as harsh as it sounded, it was true. "Talk about puppies or something." She waved a hand dismissively.

"Puppy love?" Dexter countered, his grin widening even further. He brushed his hair back from his warm hazel eyes as he studied the others with a slow nod as if they knew what he was talking about.

Kye-Ree

"Whatever you guys want to believe, I don't care. Just remember if Anna doesn't come back, you will be a lone rider." Kye said to Branden, she wondered why everyone was holding onto the traditions, who cares if her bonds with Dexter get weak, they didn't care that Branden would not even have any bonds if his partner doesn't show. So what was the big deal of having a group of three with weak bonds? It might not even happen that way, she didn't actually even believe that your bonds get weak when adding another, because she was open herself and believes that she would hold as strong a bond on both the guys, and it could be the same as them. "I'm just making sure Branden knows that Dexter and I are open to having him part of our team." She finished with a smile.

Dexter whirled around, and in one smooth motion, slapped a hand over Kye's mouth. "SHH! Shhh! Shh..." He brought his face inches from her's, his large hazel eyes staring into hers with great intensity. "Puppies, Kye. Think about the puppies." He whispered. He stayed like that for another intense moment, before releasing her with a bright grin, and flung an around around her shoulder with a bright grin. "No more on this switch-aroo and group stuff, Mel has spoken! Without hitting me, may I add." He smiled at Elle, and Jeremy brightly as if he was the cause of world peace or something along those lines. "Think of the puppies."
"You aren't within my reach." Mel made up an excuse on the spot, but it was clear that she wouldn't have hit him anyway.

Kye-Ree

Kye's yelp of surprise was muffled by Dexter's hand, her eye's widen as she stared at the taller boy, she was not expecting it at all and her heart felt like it jumped out of her chest before continuing on it's fast pace. Though once she was released she took a few deep breaths to calm herself down before grinning to Dexter. "What are you trying to do, give me a heart attack?" She took another deep breath before shaking her head. "Puppies, fine, I will think of the puppies." She ended with a slight chuckle.

Elle nodded at Jeremy, less stiff then before. "It's fine," she whispered back. But the sensitive girl wasn't really fine at all. "Your beliefs on the system don't matter." Well, I'm sorry I spoke my mind! I just thought, because of what I've learned from books and all... Elle wasn't really paying attention to most of the rest of the conversation. "Um, I... I forgot something," she said, "out-outside. I'll be right back." Her voice quivered as she tried not to let her tears roll down her face. As she sprinted for the arena door, she couldn't help it as two large tears broke from her eyes and splashed onto her cheeks. When she exited the arena, she turned out of sight and sank down onto the grass, leaning against the wall and crying softly. Her mind had been all jumbled because of this being an important day, and she had just made a stupid blunder. Said something stupid. Can't I do something right? Why was what I said so bad? Maybe I should leave, go home, and not come back. It would make pairing easier if Rose Anna doesn't come. And since traditions don't matter, she added bitterly, it won't matter if there are two boys. But as she thought this, she continued to sit against the wall, just out of sight of those in the arena. Her thoughts all confused, her mind hadn't known what to feel about the whole day. This was an outlet of frustration and nerves and excitement and everything Elle was feeling. But she didn't realize this. All she knew was that she had made a big mistake and that she wasn't ready for this like she thought she was.

Mel stiffened as she watched Elle hurry out of the arena. She had forgotten how some of them were sensitive, and whether she liked it or not, she felt bad. She knew she was harsh, and sometimes it came out wrong. She hesitated, and her shoulders slumped as she hurried past the others to follow after her friend. She jogged out of the arena, "Elle?" She called out, her tone gentle. A rare occurrence. "Elle! Are you okay?" She called out carefully, wandering around the outside in hopes of finding the girl. "It's Mel, can we talk?" She hugged herself, wandering about until she thought she heard soft crying. She slowed, heading in her direction. "Elle? Are you okay?"

Dexter watched the two girls leave, and hesitated but decided to take the smart move and not comment on it. "So... uh, I wish I had a pet duck. How about you guys?" It seems as if he had forgotten about the puppies already. His new subject was much more interesting. Ducks.

Kye-Ree

Kye watched as the two girls exit the arena, she knew Elle was upset despite how much she tried to hide it, in fact, Kye even thinks everyone knows. The blonde thought about going out there, but she isn't very good at comforting others, plus she kind of thinks she is the reason Elle left in the first place. Though she has no idea what she did wrong, was it because she was harsh about voicing her opinions? Did she sound insensitive or rude? Either way, she glanced around to the others still in the arena before asking. "Was it something I said?"

Dexter shrugged, shaking his head. "She's sensitive, I just guess that she's upset because we didn't agree with her. Plus Mel has a harsh way with words, even if she didn't mean it that way. I guess Elle still hasn't caught on to that." He guessed, shrugging lightly. "I could be wrong of course, who knows." He shoved his hands in his pockets, not looking all that guilty. Sure he disagreed with her statement, but he said his piece and left it at that, and even in his usual playful manner. "I think Elle will be okay." Dexter was quickly becoming impatient. He wanted to meet his dragon, and the suspense was killing him.