Fallen (Kovac)

[Shayth]

Shayth laughed warmly as Kovac joked. She felt good, riding Turiska with the avora. It was like some often imagined daydream come to life. Happy and free, she smiled as the archer pressed against her. reaching out to Turiska with warm thoughts, the endal remembered the range they wanted to visit. With a slight shift of her wings, the great bird  turned them in a left arch and unconciously Shayth shifted into the turn. Calmly, they rode higher into the sky on another current, shifting through the clouds.

"We're close." She said to Kovac, pointing out the wide grassy field between the clouds. It was then, she felt the shift in the birds thoughts. There it was, the malicious streak she'd known would be there.

"Petch." The rider managed to say, before with a keening cry Turiska folded her wings and dropped from the sky like some great feathery missile. As they fell, the bird gained speed, cold wind rushing so fast it stung their eyes. Shayth gripped Kovac tightly with one arm and the reigns with the other. This was not all she had.

As the grass sped closer and closer, Turiska suddenly tipped one wing, sending them into a spiral. At the last minute, she pulled up and straightened, the tip of her right wing clipping the grass. She spread her wings wide and with the angle shifted to help them land. It was successful, but more done with chest and beak than with feet. Turiska had left the manouver a fraction to late. With a lurch the bird stopped, riders jolted forward then back. Breathing slightly elevated, Shayth quickly released the strap over Kovac's lap and slipped off the bird. Stamping to the massive head, she shoved on the eagles' beak.

"What the petching hell were you doing, you stupid bird! You almost got yourself killed, could have tripped and flipped yourself into the petching ground." The endal was yelling at the top of her lungs mentally and verbally. Turiska chuckled, settling her wings.

"Oh lighten up Shayth. We're okay, right?"Angrily, the rider shook her head and pointed at the bird.

"And what if you'd crashed? I can't petching carry you home if you break a wing!" The thought for herself and Kovac didnt occur, Shayth knowing the bird had only intended to scare the daylights out of Kovac. If she'd wanted him dead, she would have simply exterminated him.

"Sorry. I didnt think of that. Good to remember for the future. I'm going for a while. Call me later. Oh, and tell your pet, his riding is adequete." With a beat of her huge wings, the bird was up and gone. The redhead stared after the eagle in shock, before laughing suddenly.

[Kovac]

The Avora had settled in and relaxed against Shayth as Turiska leveled out. Kovac peered over the eagles massive wing and viewed the expanding world below with a bit of awe, the thrill of being airborne again still coursing through his body. The seating arrangement was a bit emasculating at first, Shayth coddling him like a neophyte rider-in-training. But the archer soon appreciated the press of the woman against his back, her arms reaching around him and her face just over his shoulder at his ear. Kovac heard the Endal announce their approach, spoken loudly in his ear over the roar of the air that they rushed through. He also heard her yell her curse and wrap an arm tightly around him just a breath before their world tilted on its axis, the planets' gravity wrapping around them and yanking the bird and riders back towards it's very hard surface. Kovac could not help but yell out a string of desperately uttered curses of his own, colorful and graphic, though carefully pointed at everything but the Wind Eagle who held his life in her malicious talons. His hands gripped the leather saddle until his knuckles were so white the bone and sinew threatened to burst through the skin. He was sure Turiska had gone mad, finally snapping and determined to kill him for latching onto Shayth, Shayth for taking him in, and herself for letting it happen. As Turiska twisted and then began to spiral, Kovac's eloquent stream of obscenities flowed into an unintelligible syllabic roar of some kind. As the giant raptor skipped and skidded across the ground, the man's voice subsided to a tenuous anticipatory humming that fluctuated with the jarring landing. Once they came to a stop, Shayth was unstrapped and in Turiska's face before Kovac could pry his grip from the saddle. He dismounted the eagle as quickly as possible, ever so glad to have solid ground beneath his boots. He heard the rider chewing out Turiska, but had no idea how the eagle responded. He was also somewhat slighted that Shayth did not factor in his safety as a reason for chiding the bird. But again, what reason would she have to keep him safe? The Avora removed the bows and quivers from Turiska's harness, stepping back as she spread her wings to lfit off. He watched Shayth's face for some indication of how the two friends left matters. As the eagle pulled herself aloft, stirring up dust and debris, he saw the rider's face go from anger to confusion to open laughter in very short order. The shadow of Turiska passed overhead as she sped off. Walking towards Shayth, Kovac held out her bow and quiver. His breath returning to normal and his nerves settling, he tried to don the appearance of being together. "What was that all about?"

[Shayth]

Shaking her head, chuckling still, the rider took her things from kovac and slung them over her shoulder. She hadn't thought of how it must look to the avora to see her laughing like a fool after what had happend. composing herself, the endal rested her hands on her hips.

"That little trick of hers, it was a test, for you." Their was a sound of delight from the redhead as she suddenly moved closer and kissed the man soundly on the lips. It was no quick peck, but a fervamt and eager kiss, hands tugging at his waist band for a moment before she broke away with a broad grin.

"And you passed." Shayth said with obvious delight. The windeagle had said in as little words that she had been impressed with Kovac's ability to handle the ride down, even if he screamed like a kicked dek. Adreniline pumped through the riders veins and elation fired her heart rate. Her blue eyes sparkled and her cheeks were flushed with excitement. A wry twist to her grin indicated the woman had more to say.

"I didn't know men could make that sort of noise." She said cheekily, stepping backwards as she spoke, half expecting him to try and sock her one. It couldn't be helped. She had the upper hand this time, and she would make the most of it.

[Kovac]

Once Shayth had retrieved her bow and quiver from Kovac, the Avora slung his own arrows over his shoulder. He held firm his ground as the crimson-maned rider pressed against his lips, one of her passion-filled kisses that managed to quell his resistance while confirming her own heightened excitement. He pressed forward at the feel of her fingers under his waistband, and a grin stretched his mouth wider as they kissed. Kovac knew Shayth well now, and he understood, while her show of affection was quite sensual, she was not preparing him for more a more intimate engagement, not yet at least. She was simply excited, elated even by the gleam in her eye and the color in her cheeks, happy to be alone for a while to spend time working together. And of course she loved to tease him. True to her sharp tongued persona, Shayth had to make a comment about his vocal accompaniment to their plummeting descent. She too knew him well enough to know she would not get away with her smart remark. The Endal deftly shifted back to avoid any attempt by her Avora lover retaliate. But Kovac was crafty, and instead he twisted around to swing his bow soundly against her round arse. "Well, if you tried a little harder beneath the furs, you may hear those sounds more often." He burst into laughter, backing away himself to avoid her inevitable strike. The archer turned towards the practice range. This one varied a bit from the other ranges, in that it did not have traditional targets. Here, targets of various size and shapes were placed among several trees at the end. Some on the ground, some hung from branches, others attached to the trunks or peeking out from behind them. Kovac leaned on his short bow, messing with his hair. "Now, if you can manage to resist my animal magnetism, I will earn my keep...I mean in a professional capacity." He shot Shayth a devilish grin. "Why don't you string your bow and take a couple warm up shots."

[Shayth]

The rider sqwaked and tried to duck away from the end of his bow unsuccessfully, ending up with a swat on her rump she knew would leave a mark. Protesting sharply, Shayth rubbed the offending spot. The expected biting remark back from the avora made the endal gasp in mock offence.

"Your lucky I'm in such a good mood." She laughed, moving towards him and pulling the string taught on her bow. As he leaned casually on his bow messing with his hair, Shayth kicked it out from under him. Taking a deep breath, she pulled an arrow from her quiver and placed it in hand. Glancing at the range she picked out a low hanging still target. Holding her breath, she aimed carefully and releasing her breath she released the arrow. It soared well, but arched down sharply and looked to miss the target. At the last second it hit, low, swinging the round wood back and forth.

"Ha!" The endal cried triumphantly, grinning back at the avora with one arm stretched back to point at the target.

"I hit it!"

[Kovac]

Rather pleased with the rise he got with his randy assault on Shayth's backside, Kovac's broad grin remained as she prepared to take some practice shots. As he leaned against his bow, the Avora saw the Rider's leg twitch, but she was quick, and he had no time to react when her foot shot out and kicked the bow out from under him. He gasped with an audible 'agh' and listed to one side as his balance left him momentarily. Hastily recovering, Kovac made no verbal retort, shooting a narrowed gaze at the woman, the slightest curl tugging at the corner of his straight-lined mouth. He had expected, wanted, her to react with equal maliciousness. The archer watched Shayth take her first shot, studying her form and stance, assessing whether she was heeding the instruction he had been providing over the winter. Crossing his arms over his chest, Kovac watched the arrow leave her bow and fly off to strike the smallish hanging target near the bottom, causing it to rock back and forth violently. He grinned at her sublimely, allowing her a moment of triumph, before crushing it. "Yes my sultry mistress, you hit it. And hitting a charging male bear in the foot will surely send it crashing to a halt in a heap before you." His snarky barb was softened by the grin he knew she could not resist. Indeed, he had seen, or at least heard a bear attack, had witnesses hoiw it laid Renol's flesh open. He wanted Shayth to be able to protect herself outside the secure walls of Mount Skyinarta. "You still are not following through, you are dropping your stance too soon. Do not lower your weapon or even drop your string hand until your arrow has reached its target. Even the slightest anticipation before the shaft leaves you will alter its flight." Kovac mimicked her shooting posture, bow raised ready and fingers at his jawline, demonstrating how it should be held through the shot. "Also, I want you to nock another arrow, draw it back, and hold it there, I want to see something." The Avoral stifled a greedy grin, along with the true reason he had asked Shayth to peform this simple task.

[Shayth]

Shayth's hand lowered and her grin faded as he spoke, turning her blue eyes back to the target with a thoughtful furrow of her brow. It was a harsh reality check, but an honest one.

"Oh." She said in a small voice, deflated completely. Hands hanging at her sides, the endal pouted and glared at the target before turning back to Kovac, a sudden spark of anger in her belly. How dare he speak to her like that, cheeky good for nothing avora. He grinned at her in the same infuriating way she couldn't resist, and with a huff the rider held her tongue, knowing he was right. She didn't follow through? Looking down at the bow, the redhead retraced her shot in her mind, and indeed as soon as the arrow was gone she would lower her arms to watch the flight. It seemed ridiculous that this small movement would affect her shot, especially since the arrow had already left.

Watching Kovac carefully, Shayth drew another arrow, lifting her bow again, shifting her legs and raising her arms to mimic the stance he'd demonstrated.

"Like this?" She asked, staring down the line of the straight wooden shaft, keeping her shoulders back and her arms taught. The wind tugged lightly at her hair, a single piece tickling her cheek as she stood, refusing to shift it. Her blue eyes narrowed slightly and her jaw clenched, waiting for a response.

[Kovac]

Shayth's crestfallen visage almost prompted Kovac to soften his stance and coddle her some. But the archer was heartened to see her features shift to the stern, proud countenance that told him he had goaded her to defy his criticism. To improve, he needed to inspire her to press forward. No one knew how to aggravate Shayth into action better than he. So the Avora held his tongue and continued to demonstrate proper technique to the determined Endal. Shayth drew another arrow and nocked it, raising the weapon to her shooting posture. "Hold it there." He instructed. She displayed good concentration and form. Kovac's smile curled at one side roguishly as he reached to brush the stray strand of crimson hair from the redhead's face. His fingers lazily traced a line along her arm holding the bow, feeling the firmness and contour of her lean muscles. The Avora's digits trailed up her arm, brushing aside the thin gold chains of her vinati so he could feel the taut creamy skin across her shoulder and admire the lines of the muscles in her back. The half-blood brushed aside Shayth's long mane to run his hand over them. They had become more defined over the Winter as she trained with the bow and performed the exercises he had given her. Kovac had become somewhat lost in his tactile exploration of the inarta's body, finding too much pleasure in making Shayth hold her tense pose while he selfishly enjoyed her flesh. His hand continued over her right shoulder and up the cocked arm holding her bowstring. He could feel the beginnings of a quiver in her tightly drawn muscles, and as he rounded her elbow, feeling the curve of her bones and sinews, his hand slid down and he took a step back. He spoke, perhaps a bit breathy, "Very, very good Shayth, now...let it fly."

[Shayth]

Shayth held completely still as the avora moved the hair out of her face, eyes on the target and her shoulders back. She was of the mind to thank him for the gesture, until his hand began to move. It strayed across to her arm, fingers running lightly across her skin in such a casual way that it both enticed and aggravated the endal. Her muscles twitched under the sustained strain of the drawn bow and her skin tingled where his fingers moved. Across her shoulders, moving aside the gold chains of her outfit. Shayth's blue eyes narrowed even more, her jaw tensing visibly with irritation. Of course, she could drop the bow and cease the playful teasing, but the rider was stubborn to a fault. The half-breed walked around her to the right, following the line of her arm. Goosebumps rose involuntarily, only serving to further annoy the endal. Petching avora and his damned games. It was driving her to distraction, and she would not be distracted.

Finally, he released her from his feather light touch, giving her the go-ahead to release her hold. She could hear the change of tone in his voice, knew that tone intimately. With out hesitation the woman released the bowstring, but held her arms steady, didn't move a muscle. Didn't even breathe.

The arrow flew straight and true, sailing towards the target without deviation or arch, landing with a solid resounding thunk in the wood. It wasn't centre, but it was close. Lowering her arms slowly, the endal turned to face Kovac. Her lips turned up slightly in a vixen like smirk and she tilted her head slightly as she looked him over.

"Your quite irritating, have I ever told you that?" Gently, the endal flexed her arms, feeling the residue shake from holding the tensed muscles for so long. It was hard to stay annoyed at the avora for his antics when she'd made her shot. Plus he was irresistibly delicious. Reaching up, Shayth pulled Kovac in for another passionate kiss, fingers entangled in his dark hair and teeth tugging lightly on his lower lip as she pulled away.

[Kovac]

Shayth was perturbed. Good. His distracting journey along her skin was not merely for his tactile enjoyment (okay, it was the main reason, along with seeing her get irritated), but it was also training. When Shayth really needed to use her bow, she would not be at a safe shooting range with all the time to concentrate on a shot. The Endal would be astride her eagle, trying to maintain her seat, or in the wilds facing possible threat to her life. The bear attack still haunted the hunter. Shayth not only needed to shoot well, she need to learn to shoot well in the face of distraction and stress. The Avora took a deep breath to calm his stirring libido and watched the woman release her arrow, smiling as it smacked into the target with a satisfactory thud. His grin broadened as he looked back to her, greeting her adorable smirk with a wry twist to his grin. "What, me irritating? I think you remind me at least daily." There was no resistance as the tall redhead drew him close, and his arms entwined about her waist as he returned her fervent kiss, releasing a gutteral sigh as she nipped at his lip. "You know, you will never learn to shoot an arrow properly if every time I try to teach you something you seduce me." He quipped as she pulled away. "NIce shot, I will admit, and under duress." His arms crossed over his bared. muscled chest. "Lets see how you do with a moving target." Kovac jogged down to the end of the range. From one limb of the tree hung a target the size of a large serving plate on a shaft. The archer gave the target a solid push and it began to sway like a pendulum. Then he ran back to Shayth. "Now, hit that hot bryda."