Erin Clearwater | Female | 21 Years | Kraen | Group A
Location: Arstal - Stables
Mentions: Xander, Fox, Kylin

Erin followed close behind Xander as they made their way down to the stables, though she kept what she considered a respectable distance between them. Despite their previous conversation going well they weren’t exactly friends yet and she didn’t want to mess up what was perhaps one of the few times she’d had a successful social interaction that didn’t end with her stuttering or running off in embarrassment by appearing overly needy. ’You have to prove you can handle yourself. No one is going to look after you in the Lower World,’ she reminded herself silently.

As they drew closer to Fox’s stall Zoom finally made a reappearance, poking his small leaf green head out of the backpack. Erin was clearly in awe of the Glider once Xander released him, trying her best to remain calm even though she felt ready to burst with excitement and enthusiasm. “Can I touch him?” She blurted out, realizing a moment later neither the Drake or his owner probably wanted a strange girl touching him. “My apologizes. I’ve never seen a Glider up close before,” she admitted sheepishly. Zoom snorted, peering up at the larger male with unimpressed silver eyes before disappearing back within the depths of the pack for a nap. Erin jumped a bit at the snap of jaws, but when Fox didn’t express any further aggressive behavior she quickly returned to her relaxed, admiring stance.

"Get your drakes, get your shit, and meet me at the docks."

Erin quite nearly fell over, so focused on Fox the abrupt shouting startled her. “He sounds...polite,” she muttered under her breath. “I guess we better go,” she agreed, automatically heading in the direction of the docks.

★★★★★★★

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

Draven rolled his eyes at the Drake’s overemphasized returning gesture, but a genuine smile pulled at the edges of his mouth regardless. Artemia’s laughter was a pleasant sound he found and made his own heavy heart feel just a bit lighter. “Wouldn’t it be our luck if it is. inhabited down there? We assume people couldn’t adapt to the circumstances, but how do we know for sure?” Draven couldn’t help imagining hostile, grotesquely mutilated humans tracking them through the forests with nefarious intentions in mind. “They might be cannibals,” he embellished dramatically. “Or want to study us.”

As they began making the journey back to the skyport Artemia introduced herself at last and distracted him from his wandering imagination. “Artemia,” he repeated the name softly, as if memorizing it. “Nice. Sounds very...lyrical. What do you call your beast?” He asked, nodding his head in Aeros’ direction. He doubted Artemia was as tactless as himself in that regard. Her Drake likely already had a name. It wasn't long before Riter's looming buildings and factories became more apparent on the horizon. Their last moments of freedom were quickly coming to an end.

Eric Deux · Male · 19 · Group A
Location: Skyport · Mentions: {Directly} Craft, {Indirectly} Everyone else

When he finally arrived at the docks, a massive Goliath floating there waiting for them, Eric was surprised to find that he and Craft were really the only ones there. Save for the man he recognized as the one that had rushed them all along and told them to 'meet me at the docks'. He glanced at Craft, who looked back at him with narrowed, but just as confused eyes. "Did we go too fast or something?" he wondered out loud, glancing back to the stables.

He could just make out the silhouettes of a few people there, one of which he knew was Cara, riding atop the massive Runner he could never forget. He unhooked a small scope from his sling of trinkets, bringing it to his eye and closing the other, and twisted a few of the knobs on the side. Apparently more people had arrived while he was walking off, because not only were Myani and Cara there, but about four other people had arrived along with them.

Well, that was troublesome. He could handle just Cara and Myani, but more people meant more socialising, and more socialising meant more anxiety for him.

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

Her reaction was honestly rather priceless and he couldn't help laughing a little at her displeased expression. "Well, I don't know for sure...but it could be true. Don't worry, I'll protect you from the mutants." he promised in a teasing tone. He meant it either way. Draven didn't usually take to people so quickly, but it was hard to dislike the girl floating just above him. It didn't hurt she was fairly attractive either. He couldn't re-call the last time he'd had the chance to speak with such a pretty girl. Nice to know even in the face of an uncertain future he still had the time to checkout his future teammates apparently.

"It's unique at least. Not something you hear every day even if your parents did just make it up," he pointed out, quickly picking up on her sorrow. Unsure how to console her as he assumed she was missing home, he fell into an uneasy silence before she answered a previously asked question "It fits him at least," he replied, glancing back at Aeros and flashing him a grin. He could practically feel the Drake's eyes watching his every movement even when he wasn't looking back at the Flier. Someone had trust issues. "Oh, her, uh...I haven't quite thought of one yet," he admitted when asked his Draft's name. "Any suggestions?"

As they plodded back into the city he noted Artemia hanging back, attempting to hide herself from view. Guess she wasn't kidding when she mentioned hating heavily populated areas. "We're almost there," he called back, surprisingly gentle for such a rough-looking lad. Some of the people in the market recognized him and were sure to clear out of his way without prompting so that made getting there a bit easier at least. Before long his Draft slowed to a stop along the docks of the port, the wood creaking beneath her massive paws.

Draven Moore | Male | 23 Years | Riter | Group B
Location: Riter / Port
Mentions: Artemia, Aeros, Obroox, Danger

"Protecting people from other people is what I do best," Draven replied with a wry smile, sliding back down off his Draft's back so he could walk beside her the rest of the way across the port. The light punch on his arm only had the grin growing. He wondered briefly if Artemia would have warmed to him so quickly if she knew the truth about why people scurried out of his way so quickly or if she'd been in any hurry to join them once she did. "You could say most of the people around here know me," he answered with an idle shrug. "I don't put up with anyone's shit so they know to steer clear and not start trouble."

"Trust me, you're bound to think of something more creative than I would," he assured, keeping her considerations in mind. He'd never had many pets growing up. It was honestly a bit odd to have the well-being of a non-human creature in his hands all of the sudden. "How about Kapayapaan? It means peace in one of the old languages," he suggested, but the expression on the Draft suggested she was uncertain. "I could call you Kapa for short," he insisted and after a moment longer of thought the Drake made a soft purring sound that seemed to signify acceptance. As Artemia moved to walk with the spotted Draft her purring seemed to increase, clearly pleased with the girl's compliments and touch.

As soon as they fully approached the docks Draven immediately noticed the presence of other people, both guards and fellow raffle winners. One guard in particular sent a pointed glare his way and he snicked softly, recognizing him as the man who had shouted after him not to leave the city. He sent the disgruntled government official an overly friendly wave just to rub it in that his orders had gone unheeded before turning back to Artemia, noticing she had gotten awfully quiet in the last few minutes or so. She looked anxious. No wonder. Once again they were surrounded by unknown people. She seemed to be giving him enough space to potentially greet the other winners, but he was content to remain with her until the moment they got the go ahead to board the Goliath that would transport them to the Lower World.

The sound of rushing pawsteps had Draven's head snapping to glance behind them in slight alarm, but he wasn't in time to snatch Artemia out of the way before a charging Drake knocked her right off her feet. It wasn't long before another man came rushing after the beast and assuming it was his, Draven turned on poor Obroox with an expression that would suggest if looks could kill he would be six feet under. "What the hell is wrong with you!? Get your animal under control before mine does it for you!" He snarled, motioning a thumb back at Kapa who had suddenly taken on a far more fearsome appearance now that a friend had been harmed, snapping her teeth at Danger in warning. Of course, Draven expected Aeros' reaction would be far worse.

The anger coursing through his veins had his blood running hot and fists clenching before he concluded fighting the dude wasn't worth it. Not when there were guards with guns watching their every move. He wasn't looking to get shot today. Jerking away from Obroox, his attention swiftly returned to Artemia instead. "You alright?" He asked, holding out a hand to help her up.

((Did I just write five paragraphs? Is this really a thing that happened?))