She had an atypical mother to say the least. True, like many dragons she liked to frenzy. In her first alone she took two mates and laid four eggs total. But she had an...interesting...personality, so with hindsight perhaps it was no surprise that half of Reatilirinith's firstborn offspring tended not to bond...

The third egg split neatly in half, revealing a creamy colored hatchling who bore the naked wingarms of a featherwing hatchling. Her hatchling plumage was striped with bolder cream and white, and many were surprised when she scampered off after Eyos and his bond for breakfast after shouting her name to the world: Thersalyin, bondless.

~ exerpt from Ryslen's Flurry 2003 part 3

Thersalyin tore into the meat provided to her like it might up and run away. She tended to tear right into it and promptly swallow, though several Novos assigned to watch the unbonded dragons instructed her to chew her food first. The occasional spectator found her behavior strange...unless they knew something about birds. They took one look at her wings and understood her behavior. She ate like a raptor.

Mmmm tastes like chicken....

A young man stopped short in his march somewhere, obviously surprised by her outburst. He studdered a response, unsure of what to say. He was not used to dragons speaking in his mind all the time, but hatchlings seemed more wont to do so because they felt few cultural inhibitions. Then... "Erh, chicken?"

Thersalyin stopped mid-bite and glanced up at the Novo with equal surprise. He stood about a hatchling's-length away, far enough not to be bludgeoned by her tail as it swung madly from side-to-side. She uttered a wet "Mrrf?" sound as she re-situated herself to look at him without putting a crick in her neck. It... tastes... like chicken? I have no idea what chicken is, but I heard someone say 'tastes like chicken,' and I thought it sounded funny, so I wanted to say it too.

He chuckled quietly to himself. "I don't know what chicken is either."

The featherwinged Cream turned completely around and sat on her haunches to regard him head-on, her head perked to the side. So, what're you doing?

"I'm delivering some buckets of food to one of the bigger hatchlings. He has quite an appetite."

Would you ... come back here? When you're done?

He frowned slightly. "You need help?"

Thersalyin looked at her half-eaten bucket of chopped meat and narrowed her eyes in a draconic pseudo-frown. Eh...

The young man had come closer to stand almost shoulder-to-shoulder with her, bending to look down into the bucket. Thersalyin glanced up at him wide-eyed, realizing for the first time how tall he was. He easily towered over her even with his back bowed as it was, but his manner made him seem... not small, but unintimidating. He caught her expression, full of wide-eyes and... longing?

I'm Thersalyin.

"Zaddizh. A Novo."

Did you Stand today?

"No...my sister wanted me to though. Her bond had hatchlings from the Flurry."

Why didn't you? She wanted you to maybe have one of her dragon's children?

He nodded. "That's right. But I didn't feel a connection. I had visited the eggs with the others, but none of them felt right. She -- my sister -- thought maybe I was mistaken and my dragon would find me from the seating above the sand."

But still no connection. Me either...

As Zaddizh watched, the strange sail-less dragon took on a far-away look. Her posture seemed to flow downward, her neck stretched out slightly before her, her faceted eyes sliding partway shut. She exuded an air of quiet disappointment as she relived her entry into the world and he realized then that they understood eachother perfectly. He was pulled from his reverie by the moaning grumble of the hatchling he was supposed to be bringing food to.

"Look, I'll be back, Ersa. I have to bring these buckets over, but I'll be back. All right?"

She looked up at him slowly as if still caught halfway between her mind and the world outside. She nodded her head unblinkingly. Everyone calls me Thera, but Ersa is different... I like it. She stared at him intensely, wishing he would not go. Zaddizh was forced to break eye contact first, but was stopped short when she spoke again. All right, Ziyazh.

"How did you--?"

The hatchling grinned, a combination of hunched shoulders, folded wings, and squinty faceted eyes. Even her snout crinkled. Hurry back.

He nodded wordlessly and hurried across the large cavern dedicated to the third group of hatchlings from the third Ryslen Flurry.

She watched him go, after a few moments leaning forward on her forelimbs like a large downy dog, or the more exotic sphynx. Ziyazh was the first human -- first Novo of any type really -- that had captivated her. His mind was not alien to the others, but he had a certain quality that she liked. She could not identify it, but she treasured it.

She sighed and watched people and dragons pass by, feeling alone while nestled in a crowd of many. She did not know that this is a common thing, that many people feel alone, whether they are destined to bond or not. But she did recognize it in Zaddizh, and so she found herself inevitably pulled toward him.

But it wasn't a bond between Novo and dragon. She simply chose to speak to him as any friend might do.

When Ziyazh had returned, she had requested a fresh bucket full of uncut slabs of meat -- sides, ribs, legs, whatever. She was not particular. Then he had watched in awe as she tore into her food like a raptor once again, though it was more evident this time.

"You do not have a beak, Ersa," he had said, eyes as wide as she had ever seen them.

So?

"Er..."

But I have teeth! the hatchling had laughed, the "sound" rolling around in his mind like churning cream. She had not waited for his reply, digging in with gusto.

The day had progressed into night, and Thersalyin lounged about on the couch designated to her. Ziyazh leaned against it (there was plenty of room) on his elbow with his legs crossed with one knee in the air and foot planted on the ground, the other stretched out before him. They had already confirmed that Thersalyin was an oddball, but he seemed quite comfortable in her presence. She only did what felt natural for her, though it may make her seem strange. It was probably what made her feel so alone...

Reatilirinith, Thersalyin's dam, had heard about the "strange" hatchling she had produced and wanted to know more. Of course she knew how special Thera was, but she just had to see her once more. She had insisted that she and MoogerMint come by for a visit before they returned to Dopp-Rock.

Reatilirinith tugged on MoogerMint's vest with her mouth a bit, leading her down the hallway toward the Unbonded Barracks. Reatilirinith was very eager to show Moogz the little Cream, but Moogz was in no mood to be social. Come on, Mooger! You must see her! She's so gorgeous! Think of me as a baby, only cream-colored! she insisted, leading her.

Coming to the doorway, Moogz grumbled once more before entering with a shove, trying to get out of her predicament. "Rin!! You know I'm shy when confronted with someone new! I don't want to OH MY GOSH!!!" she interupted herself as she layed her eyes on the Cream sprawled across her couch, completely missing Zaddizh beside her. "She's so CUTE! And little! And... CUTE!" she exclaimed.

Reatilirinith snickered an, I told you so, but would you listen...? She followed her bond completely inside and sat down across from Thersalyin and beside MoogerMint.

Reatilirinith had announced her intentions earlier, so their arrival had come as no surprise to either dragon or Novo. Still, Zaddizh was caught staring as the Lavender and her rider arrived, making about as much noise as one can make without destroying furniture.

"Um, maybe I should leave you all be..." he mumbled, beginning to rise to his feet.

But Thera lay her paw over his supporting hand. I want you to stay, she replied quietly, looking up at him wide-eyed. When he looked at her, he knew she was nervous too, so he sat back down. She relaxed a little, looking up at her mother and Rin's rider. Um...hello....Mother....

MoogerMint stood stiffly, looking at the baby Cream with adoration, hands held together in front of her chin. She noticed the sailless wings in curiosity before speaking up, "Hello, umm..."

Thersalyin.

"Yes! Thersalyin! It is a pleasure to meet you. May I ask what is wrong with your wings?" She tilted her head questioningly to see if she were missing something visual, but found nothing.

Reatilirinith rumbled a draconic laugh at her rider's confusion. Her flight feathers will grow in soon enough, she answered, amused of MoogerMint's lack of knowledge of birds. Especially when her sister owns a recouperation center in her barn, full of injured animals.

"But--"

Hello, Thersalyin. Have you been having a good time? she asked, nuzzling her little baby lovingly.

Thera realized that few of the dragons she shared a barracks with had their parents come for a visit. Once they bonded or went unbonded, that was that. Thera poked her with her nose, finally feeling pleased with all the attention. It made her feel special, this time in a good way. Yes, my new friend Ziyazh and I have been spending lots of time together. But... I... I still feel lonely. She looked up at Rin with a mixture of worry and sadness.

Next to the Cream, Zaddizh was not privy to their conversation, but sat nearby anyway, smiling at MoogerMint amicably.

Moogz sat down on the floor, finally noticing a fourth figure in the group. One can safely say she felt pretty moronic by then, but she attempted to hide her surprise at his appearance.

Rin looked down upon Thera with concern. She truly did not know what to say to a bondless hatchling, and she hated herself for that. What kind of mother doesn't know how to comfort their own child? But she tried anyway, hoping it would be good advice to the little one. Ah, Thera... You will find your way in life, and that loneliness will be replaced with a feeling of love. I am sure of it. It will get better, she said, nuzzling her again. She truly did not know if it was the right thing to get Thersalyin's hopes up like this, but if she kept her head held high and looked on the brighter side of things, she was sure she would find that inner peace.

But until then, Reatilirinith would be tormented by the guilt only a mother could feel, her child not completely happy with life.

MoogerMint seemed to pick up on these feelings her Lavender was experiencing and decided to keep quiet. They needed the time.

~ conversation with Reatilirinith written in tandem with Moogz

Over the days, weeks, and finally months, Thersalyin and Zaddizh developed a close friendship. The feathery Cream felt none of the neglect that abandoned and unbonded dragons can sometimes face. She felt incomplete, but tried to accept it, taking her mother's words to heart. Ziyazh was in no hurry to bond to a hatchling, so why should she be? If Reatilirinith was right, she would find completion eventually.

And besides, none of the youngsters she had met had the odd quality, a way of thinking perhaps, that she was looking for in her "other half."

As Thersalyin grew, she came to need Zaddizh and the other Novos less and less. When she finally learned to capture her own food, it was decided that she needed no more care than it took to clean and oil her hide. As Thera had feathers, she had a natural desire to preen like a bird, and therefore needed far less attention than other dragons.

It was disappointing for her, as with time Zaddizh was assigned to other duties, duties which took up more of his time. They grew farther apart though they remained affectionate companions. With her independence -- and she did enjoy her freedom -- she began to feel alone once more. It had begun as a soft ache in the back of her mind, but with time it spread. At times it felt almost as tangible and painful as a muscle ache. Sometimes she lay on her couch with a low, profound sob hovering in her throat, waiting to break free. On days like that, she was loathe to even step out onto her ledge.

Usually however, she simply felt wistful. She was prone to taking long flights alone (long being relative as she was still learning), or preening like a marsh bird while floating in the lake. She earned for herself the labels of "daydreamer" and "brooder" in her adolescence, and was not often chosen for tasks when her superiors were given the choice.

She was not lazy or airheaded, nor was she prone to complaining, she simply had much to think about. Her growing sense of emptiness seemed to be caused from having no bond, but not once during a hatching had she felt a pull upon her mind. The hatchlings had never glanced her way, nor she theirs.

After a while, she gave up on her chances at bonding to another dragon. And no human besides Ziyazh had really caught her eye. She did however notice the many alien minds that passed through Ryslen in their travels. Some simply passed on through. Others came to stand as Novos. Their myriad thought processes intrigued her. None were quite right for her true, but they gave her that one little glimmer of hope that kept her buoyant when caught by the turbulence of self-doubt and despair.

That hope gave her the courage to approach the Custos' of Ryslen. She soon "haunted" the heights, becoming known, at least by sight, to those who came and went. Some speculated that she was enamored with Xhimboth. Others wondered if she was being officially trained by the Red and Ke'li. Neither were exactly true. She liked Xhimboth, but no more than any other dragon she saw on a regular basis. Ke'li was happy to answer her questions, and she had multitudes of insightful questions to ask. But the fact remained: there was absolutely nothing official nor personal about her stay.

Except for one small thing: she was looking for a specific kind of mind.

One day when the clouds were thick enough to obscure the periwinkle sky but not enough to discourage the sun, Thersalyin glanced about, eyes wide and taking in everything as she sunned herself out on her ledge. Zaddizh who had a rare afternoon of freedom and was there too, sitting in the shade of the doorway. He glanced at her now and again, amused by the beautiful young dragon's naked curiosity.

There was a touch of regret in his eye. She would have made an excellent Custos, a job that would have kept her close by, but she had refused to look into it despite her time spent with Xhimboth and the others. He did not know what she intended to accomplish up there. It was confusing, but at least she seemed to find some measure of happiness from it. Finally she sat up and stretched, neck arched and pointing her nose to the sky. He could see her desire for ... something, and knew that she had come to a decision.

I have come to a decision, she announced with finality. He could not resist a chuckle, having thought the same thing only a moment before. It ruined the effect, and her puffed chest visibly deflated. Well...I have.

"I'm sorry, Ersa," he said with one last chuckle, "I didn't mean to interrupt. Please continue."

She sighed. I've decided to leave Ryslen.

Zaddizh was shocked and shot to his feet. "What?! Right away?" he asked with dismay.

Soon. As soon as I can. She watched him worriedly, heart aching. I've thought about it for a long time now, Ziyazh. I've done nothing but think for so long it makes my head throb. I've watched people come and go when I visit the Custos. Up there I can witness everyone that comes and goes. I've felt the touch of minds so alien as to leave me breathless. Others familiar to me, because they are dragons. And humans. Many humans. But none have touched me quite as yours touches me, and yet you are not quite right. We will always have a connection, but never as a dragon and rider. You know it's true.

Silently, somberly, Zaddizh nodded his head. He slowly sat back down, back leaning heavily against the frame of her Nidulus' doorway. His arms were crossed, not in anger but as if he needed to hug himself. Finally he asked, "Do you know where you will go?"

Yes... I have looked into visiting a planet called Alskyr. There is an island there named Dusana whose Caer values unbonded dragons especially. Many do not even want a bond. Others have bonded to other dragons. And...to other creatures.

He frowned. "You mean they weren't human?"

They weren't human.

"I see." He was silent so long and looked so upset that Thersalyin thought he might storm out of the Nidulus. He was not the type normally, but she had never seen him at such an awkward time. She was about to say something when he interrupted her line of thought, rising to his feet again. "Well, let me know if there's anything I can help you with. It's not like you need to pack up anything, but..."

His head was down, but she came to his side, touching his chest with her nose. He reached up and wrapped his arms around her neck as far as he could reach. They remained thus for quite some time.

A few days after Thersalyin's announcement, she found herself passing by the Flitter Sands. There was a clutch of Lian dragons sponsored by Ke'li's pair, Ruby Aymile and Garnet Dyneale. Both were male but regarded the eggs as their own. She thought this was very special indeed, akin to her own attachment to her Novo Who Would Not Bond.

Zaddizh took note of her interest in the tiny dragons. "Do you feel something for them?" he asked, knowing she understood what he meant.

Yes, I do. It's not the same, but I do feel an affinity for them.

He smiled. "Well you know people often bond with Lians that already have a bond, or later acquire a bond. If you want, I can sign you up."

She looked at him sharply, an idea popping into her mind. Only if you sign up too. It was nearing her second year of life, and she had secretly hoped that Zaddizh would have found a bond of his own before now. It would have eased her guilt at leaving him behind, and their awful sense of loss. Perhaps it would have been easier if she had left sooner, but she simply could not leave him alone. He had his sister but it just wasn't the same. Now there was an opportunity to fill the void in both of their lives. And then who knew what might happen?

He studied her for a moment. "You're serious, aren't you?"

She nodded. You don't have to if you don't want...

He continued to study her, thinking seriously on this decision. He realized that he wanted the company, and it seemed to be a stronger bond than that of a pet or a flitter. Finally he nodded. "I'll sign us up."

She blinked with mild surprise and watched him add their names to the list. But her shoulders slumped as she realized that there was no way she would be able to leave him behind. Either she would stay here and throw her dreams aside....or she would have to 'kidnap' him. Perhaps, somehow, a Lian Mini Dragon would help solve her dilemma, but she had no idea in what way that might be.