At first, Drache was concerned that Dibney might be less than thrilled about having a half-dragon in the front seat, but it seemed that Raffey was able to steer perfectly fine from behind her. The rainforest was familiar to her, so the dragonkin took advantage of an empty lap and slid her satchel around in front. There were a few interesting things inside, and though her intent was to pull out the folded map to make a few brief notations, she found that the orange stone from the Fire Temple had been jostled free of the smaller pouch inside, and she held it in her palm, gazing unfocusedly at the dim angular shape of the mountain that flashed briefly through the rare gap in the canopy overhead.

Eventually she forgot what she was about to do and tucked it away, distracted by the sounds of the jungle. She took a more active roll in guiding them now, pointing, often with her wing, at the direction she wanted Dibney to go. Now and then they passed small trails through the thick leafy brush, water-filled wagon tracks lined with moss and brightly coloured frogs. The air was full of the smell of growing things, the perfume heady.

At one point Drache stiffened, her ear-frills spreading out wide with alertness as she peered sidelong at something in the trees. A Drakkoth lurked surprisingly high off the ground, his green hide nearly indistinguishable from the understory around him, watching them pass with a long spear in his hand. She turned to look over her shoulder, an amber eye rolling as she murmured to her companion. [color=ed1c24]"We have company." [/color]

She had been traveling with the monster hunter long enough to trust that not only would Raffey be able to pick out the small band of large reptilians lurking around them. But though the creatures could be very dangerous, Drache gave a slow shimmy and relaxed, realizing that the bundle-laden creatures were not a hunting party.

It was supposed to be a nonverbal sign to Raffey that he didn't need to reach for his weapons, but unfortunately this move wouldn't do much to help his mood.

Later on, a tingle of pleasure slid down her spine at the way he rolled her name, and she grinned. [color=ed1c24]"There is a lot to see in Pyresia,"[/color] she began thoughtfully, [color=ed1c24]"The peak itself is so tall that the summit is cold no matter what time of year it is. The dragon balconies ring the steeper slopes and most of the rest of the surface city is on the western side above the harbour. The Artisan District always has fun things to see, and then there is the Meteorena, which is actually on the west side. There are a lot of museums and the terraced gardens. There are several fun taverns and bordellos closer to the water."[/color] She turned and winked at him then. [color=ed1c24]"And then there are the Gem Deeps. Pyresia is mostly famous for gem stones and you will see why! And the lava-ducts light the city at night."[/color]

It wasn't exactly clear when she realized that the light grip on her legs had become something more, but she waited until there were fingers dipping down towards her groin before she actually glanced back at him with a lifted brow, as if to say [i]"Oh, really?"[/i]

[color=ed1c24]"Inside the mountain there are places that only Ixen, or half-Ixen (she said with a haughty waggle of her wings) can survive. But the wind off the sea keeps the city much less stifling than here under the trees."[/color]

Reaching down, she caught his hands to stop him from dipping them further, bringing them up to her belly instead. The leather vest muffled the sensation of touch but didn't do much to reduce the natural heat that radiated from her body. Her long tail shifted, coiling loosely around his calf.

[color=ed1c24]"Perhaps we should stop for a break. There's something up ahead that you should see."[/color] A moist smell in the air reminded her of it, and after another stretch they rounded a rocky ridge to find a pool nestled under an overhang of pitted black lava rock. A small white waterfall tumbled over the ledge from where it had meandered down from higher ground, spilling into a pool that steamed where bubbles rose up from the bottom. All around them, the wide glossy leaves and dark red bromeliads offered a sense of privacy and seclusion. Their only company was a pair of red parrots busily foraging on small fruits high above.

Drache's prior knowledge of this spot was explained by a tumble-down obelisk of basalt barely visible through the greenery, and as they approached, the dragoness escaped Raffey's grip and slid down to the leafy ground.[color=ed1c24] "I fancy a dip. Care to join me?"[/color] There was something salacious in her gaze as she peered up at him. [color=ed1c24]"As much as I like snuggling in the bedroll at night and riding with you behind me, I wouldn't mind a little time face to face."[/color]