((i imagine runners as raptor-like creatures, with similar anatomy. correct me if I'm wrong <3))

Eric Duex · 19 years · Male · Group A
Location: Drake Stables · Mentions: Myani, Cara & Saiga

Blinking when a girl he could only describe as less than fashionable and very over-the-top spoke to him, Eric turned and nodded. "I've only read books on them," he answered, turning back to look at the large Runner before him and smiling even wider when she leaned forward in what was apparently some sort of greeting. She was much more interactive than the kinetic sculptures he had built at home, though she didn't smell quite as nice, or perhaps that was just the stench of other drakes in their stables, going about their business.

He did as he was told, careful not to touch her nose, and mumbled this and that absentmindedly. "Smaller arms than legs, presumably walks on two, larger and stronger hind legs..." he shifted somewhat awkwardly around the drake, careful of her talons and long, winding tail. "Tail likely long to help balance, perhaps prehensile, judging from the numerous joints and muscles connecting it to the spine..."

Giving the drake's talons a brief, experimental touch and deciding if was okay to examine them, Eric gently sifted through each individual toe, brows furrowed in concentration. "Certainly similar to Diggers, just without the large claws... Are her vulnerable points individual to her, or do all Runners have certain, more soft or less comfortable areas?" he asked, turning back to look at the girl he assumed was the owner.

In his mind he was taking mental notes, all of which he would record in one of the many empty notebooks he had brought along with him, just in case. He would also need to properly sketch the drake before him. Certainly he had diagrams made by various professionals, but it just didn't feel the same as when he made his own recordings.

((i thought of them as like...those feathered dinosaurs xD *thinks of all the drakes as prehistoric lizards*))

Eric Deux · 19 years · Male · Group A
Location: Drake Stables · Mentions: Cara, Myani, Saiga

"I see..." Eric murmured, eyes narrowing a little in curiosity. He almost had the urge to touch the drake's nose, if just lightly, just to gauge her reaction. Though he decided against it when she growled. From the research notes he had read over, runners were not as dangerous as gliders when it came to bites, though their hind legs certainly packed a massive punch. But from what he could tell, the runner before him was large enough and strong enough to at least take his arm off. And he definitely wasn't prepared for something like that.

When the drake's owner stepped forward and urged her companion to open her mouth, Eric heard the voice of conscience inside his head telling him how great of an idea it was to not touch her nose. Those teeth were so sharp, he could barely imagine how it would feel to be bitten. In fact, it probably wouldn't feel like much of anything. They were probably sharp enough that they would great a decent wound before the mind could register them even piercing the skin.

Shaking his mind free of those thoughts when he felt a presence closer to him than before, Eric jumped slightly and scooted himself a bit away from the second girl. It wasn't like he was socially awkward (he was), he just didnt enjoy...contact. Or closeness. Or anything having to do with other people. But of course, the realisation that he was in a room full of them came when the owner of the Runner asked him a question.

"Trinkets," he immediately answered. "They're my trinkets. I use them to make stuff. Like him," he pointed to the small automaton balanced on his shoulder. "His name is Todd." If he didn't seem crazy before, he probably did now. He certainly had a screw loose somewhere. He just didn't care enough to tighten it back up.

He gave a hesitant glance to the girl that, previously, he had thought would just be an annoyance. Instead she was being rather quiet, and seemed perfectly content just stroking the drake before her. She was probably rather nice, and he almost felt guilty making assumptions without actually getting to know her. Well, he didn't know her yet. "What's your drake like? The Draft. She seems kind of..." Dumb. That was what he was going to say. But he decided against it; he doubted anyone would take kindly to him insulting their drake. And it was only his first day, he didn't want to make any enemies so soon.

Erin Clearwater | Female | 21 Years | Kraen | Group A
Location: Alstor Skyport
Mentions: Xander

As Erin re-entered the common area the sight of so many people crowding the room suddenly sapped all of her newfound confidence away and she lingered in the doorway. A low growl from the small drake wrapped around her shoulders and neck urged her forward regardless of the growing anxiety threatening to overtake her. She had to do this. Might as well try and get to know the people she would be working with for the foreseeable future before they were all shipped off to the Lower World. She stopped near the center of the room, gaze seeking out anyone else who might be standing around looking for someone to talk to. Most of the gathered people were already speaking in groups and she was reluctant to intrude.

It wasn't long before her gaze settled on a young man around her age and after a moment more of hesitation she risked venturing closer, leaning against the wall a few paces away from him. She glanced at Xander out of the side of her eye, meaning to introduce herself, but the words died on her tongue before ever getting a chance to leave her mouth. Seconds ticked by, swiftly turning into minutes and her heartbeat quickened. Lord. He was going to end up thinking she was some sort of creeper at this rate. Just standing around staring at him. "Er...hi," she finally managed to squeak out. "Did you just get here too? I thought I might be late."

★★★★★★★

Draven Moore | Male | 23 Years | Riter | Group B
Location: Riter - Outskirts/Hills
Mentions: Artemia

Draven paced around the perimeter of the port, quickly growing restless. It was never wise to leave him unoccupied for long and he absolutely loathed being left without some sort of task to complete. Even back in the slums he was never idle for long. The truth today was not so much that he had nothing to do and more so he was trying to make up an excuse not to go inside. Eventually one of the people in charge caught on to his aimless wandering and, with a great deal of exasperation, finally convinced him to sign in before handing him a binder detailing the building, stables and giving him the number to not only his room, but his assigned drake's stall. Draven had never had any particular interest in drakes and animals tended not to like him, especially dogs, but at the least it would pardon him from hanging around the lobby with the other raffle winners.

He made his way to the stables, stopping at a stall at the very end. For a brief second a sense of uneasiness made him pause before unhooking the gate and pushing it open. Before long he found a Draft waiting for him. Most of her body was covered in luxuriously soft looking white fur. Black flecked her pelt in spots and her eyes were a striking shade of emerald. Her paws and legs were decorated in black scales rather than fur, white speckles lining the edges, and long gray claws jutted from her toes. Her frame was large and imposing, but much lither than what Draven might have expected of a Draft Drake. Compare that with her strong legs and she looked as if she might prove as quick and agile as any Runner. The Draft greeted him with a friendly chuff and he found himself almost frozen in time, unsure how to act around an animal he'd never had the chance to encounter up close before in his entire life.

The beast seemed to sense his uncertainty and closed the distance between them herself, nosing his palm with her snout and snuffling nosily as if trying to breath him in. He snapped out of his stupor quickly after that. "Well, ain't you something." His eyes drifted to the drake's back and as if sensing where his thoughts were going she did what could only be described as a happy dance, shaking the ground a bit with her joyful movements before kneeling so he could climb on with an encouraging gurgle. She had no saddle and he wasn't interested in getting off to find one, instead grabbing fistfuls of silky fur to steady himself. "What do you say? How about we blow this place and go for a run?" Draven had always found it odd when he overheard people speaking to their pets, but this Drake wasn't just any animal. He could see the intelligence in her eyes and knew she understood what he was saying. Draven had never been interested in drakes, but it had only taken one to change his mind.

She must have been pent up in the stables for awhile because the Draft needed no convincing, galloping out of her stall with a speed he hadn't quit expected. It was really a miracle he hadn't gone flying off. The drake ran past the port and Draven was aware of someone shouting after him. Something about not leaving the city. They must not remember who they were talking to. The Draft ran and ran until the city and the smog were far behind them, leaping cheerily over rolling hills before she abruptly collapsed on her side panting and Draven slid into a thankfully very cushioned pile of tall grasses. Upon closer inspection she appeared to be fine, just in need of a rest. Draven rolled his eyes. "You overdid it you dope."

While the Draft rested he decided to explore a bit. He'd been out here a few times with his sisters. It was a shame they were stuck in the slums so often. Both girls seemed to enjoy the open space. He always told himself he would move them all somewhere nicer someday, but he felt glued to Riter for reasons he could never hope to explain. Now with their mother so sick moving wasn't an option anymore, not until she.... The sound of shuffling close by had his attention snapping to a hill only a few inches away. He headed toward it, eyes narrowed slightly and upon reaching the crest found himself staring down at a girl and her flier, who appeared to be guarding her. The Drake didn't look all that friendly. Hopefully he didn't get fried. It would be a shame if he died before even setting foot in the lower world.