| Effex |
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Red set the strange box on the table at VellaCrean, a slightly soggy Gem trailing behind. Her overprotective blue had called for her mate's rider to carry the box, so Gem wouldn't have to. The slight jarring awoke Effex, and not hearing the rain any longer, the ferret-shifter moved to the handhold and peeked out with black beady eyes. He wasn't in the field anymore, nor was he back at the academy. This was not good. The lid of the box was lifted, and light streamed in. Blinking, Effex looked up into human faces. That was a minor relief at least. "What is it?" Someone asked, and a young woman reached towards him, palm up. "A ferret." She said with a smile. Effex scrambled up onto her hand and clung to her wet sleeve. He fervently hoped she'd be friendlier towards him than those who weren't sure what he was. "He is kindof cute…" A voice said. "or is it she?" He clenched his paws, digging tiny talons into the fabric. She was going to check, wasn't she?! Male. Definitely male. And none to happy about folk checking. a voice said, slightly muffled as the thought was not directed to him. Are you sure? A second voice queried. Without a doubt. A masculine voice purred. Okay. The second voice said, and Effex identified it as the woman holding him. "He's male." She said, smiling. "I wonder what his name is…" Effex's mind raced. Dare he speak to her, or should he settle for whatever she chose to call him? My name is Effex. He said qietly to her, and the woman's eyes grew wide as she looked down at him. Yes, I spoke. I will help you learn to control your gift, if you will let me. He could almost hear her querying his certification. I am a recognized tutor, m'lady, on my world. Gem smiled. "This is Effex - and he's a sentient. Telepathic, and quite bright." Those around her seemed shocked, save the young man who beamed at her like a mate would. Effex scrambled up to her shoulder. "You should change out of those wet clothes, Gem love." The young man said, his choice of words confirming Effex's assumption. "Then maybe your new friend can tell us how he came to be here." Red lifted Effex from Gem's shoulder, gently placing him on his own. "Sorry pal, ferret or not, only I get to watch Gem change clothing." Some people around them smirked, but said nothing as they dispersed back to their own business. Can you hear me, Effex? the third voice asked. Yes. he sent back tentatively, not sure of the speaker. I am green Sachioth. he said, I am a dragon, and Red, who you now perch on, is my rider. Effex put a tiny paw on Red's cheek, and spoke carefully to him. There are dragons here?! Red jumped slightly, startled at having anyone other than Sachioth and sometimes Eeppoth address him mentally. "Yes, there are dragons…" Can I see them? Effex asked quietly. "Certainly…" Red said, still a little startled. * * * Two heads, one green and one blue, bent over the sable and white ferret perched on Red's shoulder. You certainly are cute. Eeppoth said, reaching her muzzle a bit closer. Effex reached out one tiny paw, then the other towards her, and with a careful leap, jumped onto her head. She laughed, as did Sachioth. I've never seen a ferret before. You're quite nimble. the male green said, looking intently at the critter. Most ferrets are, though I'm no ordinary one. Effex explained, surveying the world from atop the blue female's head. Can you really going to teach Gem how to control her dragon-hearing ability? Eeppoth asked pointedly. I can and I will. Effex promised. * * * Weeks passed, and gradually Gem learned how to button up her mind such that she did not hear the constant chatter of the scores of dragons nearby. In fact, she could control her mind so well that only Eeppoth and Sachioth could get through her shielding. And Effex, of course, but as he was almost always in contact with her physically when instructing, this gave him a loophole to her shields. Very good. Effex said after their lesson, when Gem was becoming more confident in her own abilities. Now tell Red you'll join him for dinner. The ferret instructed, then stopped her. You tell him. Don't rely on Eeppoth. Gem blinked at the ferret. What do you mean? Effex laughed gently in her mind. You're a telepath Gem, not just a dragon-hearer. Speak to him as you speak to me and to the dragons. Gem pictured her mate in her mind, and sent words to him. Red, love, I'll join you for dinner now. She sat up straight when she felt his surprise at hearing her in his mind, and Effex was startled as well when he heard Red's reply. Certainly it was faint, and poorly directed, but the greenrider had sent back an ok - all by himself! Perhaps Effex had himself a new student? * * * The dining hall was brightly lit, and a feast was about to be served - not that ordinary meals were less than marvelous, but there were visitors - Prima Jeyann and Primus K'el from Nidus Ryslen, and their Searchers - Capio J'rin and Capio R'lan. They all sat at table with Maramia, the leader of the VellaCrean. Effex sat in his accustomed place on the end of Red and Gem's table - the one they shared with other visiting riders that Mia held in high esteem. He dined neatly upon fruits and nuts and vegetables as his companions enjoyed roasted meats and other hearty foods. As a ferret, he didn't need as much as the humans, and he didn't mind anyway - he was a vegetarian. His mind began to wander from the conversation, and then he heard them: There is a candidate here, Ancith, one that J'rin cannot spot. The voice was agitated. Of course there is, Amitath. There's always a candidate when you say there is. Though it could have been quite sarcastic, the second voice was very sincere. What do you mean, candidate? Effex asked of the two voices, holding a cherry tomato between his tiny paws. The two dragons blinked. One capable of bonding a dragon. Ancith replied instantly. And you are he. Please, have someone escort you to us after the feast… Amitath purred in surprise. Gem was first to notice that Effex had stopped eating. "Is something wrong?" she asked quietly. Effex shook his head, both in answer and in attempt to clear it. Gem was skeptical, but she let it go. When the dishes were being cleared away, Effex put his paw on Gem's hand. There are two males, Amitath and Ancith, who wish to see me. Can you help me find them? Gem was not surprised to hear the names of the Ryslen searchdragons, and immediately complied, offering her arm to the ferret, who leapt nimbly up then climbed to his accustomed perch on her shoulder. The two dragons looked at Gem as she approached them. How cute. Ancith said, eyes whirling a happy greeting to Gem. Why he's hardly a mouthful… Amitath said in almost a dejected tone. How can he ride a dragon if he's small enough to ride on Gem? Gem looked at the ferret on her shoulder. "Effex? A candidate?" Amitath nodded. Effex put his paw on Gem's cheek. I'm sorry Gem. he said simply, then leapt off her shoulder, and away from the dragons into a clear space. He landed in a crouch, fully human. His sable hair and white skin and dark eyes marking him as the ferret. Gem was shocked, and slightly embarrassed. All this time he'd been sleeping on a cushion on her nighttable, and he should have had all the comforts any other human would have received…. It was my choice to remain in my ferret form, Gem. he said to her as he stood, then turned to the dragons. "Here I am, gents. What would you have of me?" Red and Maramia stood in the doorway, looking on in shock. Effex was a ferret-shifter, and hadn't told them? They weren't exactly offended, but… more confused. "Simple, Effex." J'rin said, coming up to them, a broad smile on his face. "We want you to come with us and bond with a dragon. After that, it's up to you and your winged friend." "Where are you taking him?" Mia inquired, asking the question that was on all of their minds. "It's a new place - at least new to us…" Jeyann began from behind them. "It's simply called Dragon Wings, and someone special like Effex would probably be happy with one of the dragons that hatch there." "Dragon Wings it is." Effex said with a smile. Don't worry Gem - I'll be back to help you more - if you need it. * * * Effex looked carefully at the egg before him - crystal, without a doubt. What was he supposed to do with it? It certainly hadn't taken long to come into his posession. Wait for it to hatch, Effex. Amitath said to him, and then was gone.
Effex tucked his blanket around the egg so it would stay warm, and then transformed into a ferret and snuck into the folds of the blanket next to the bright shell. I love you... he whispered mentally to the egg, and with happy thoughts, drifted off to sleep. | |
  
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