Name: Ryne

Gender: Male

Age: 33

Tribe: Chiroko

Height: 7'8"

Wings: Glider, leathery, dark green / light green

Skintone: White

Hair: Red

Eyes: Yellow

Arms: Violet, Light Violet

Distinguishing Marks: scar over left eye (eye is uninjured)

Personality: chaotic, selfish, patient

Tribal Duties: none official

Other Duties: Starport thief, information and tech runner for hire

Bonding/Sponsoring at: Holic

Additionally: Glaeva Kiona from Isla Shimmer added 2023

Ryne rode securely on the big dark-blue dragon, whose name he gathered from Karen's discussion, was Midnight. Aptly named. Ryne was well aware that practically no one trusted him, but he also seemed to understand that even the dragons would never harm him - perhaps others, but not these.

Midnight spread his wings and concentrated, aiming a careful and quiet thought into the Kthari's mind: we are going through the Nexus now, remain calm.

And though a lot of him wanted to panic (what was that? going insane already? starport fumes are getting to me?) he did as the velvety-dark voice instructed. When they began to teleport Ryne huddled his leathery wings close to himself: it was already cold, and it was already hard to stay clinging on to the dragon's smooth neck even with four expert hands!

But when they came out from the teleport - instantly - Ryne noticed that they were alone. The other dragons and riders weren't with them.

They are going where they are needed, Midnight said, in response to the unworded question in Ryne's mind.

"Well that's a relief," he breathed, honestly for once speaking his mind. "But where are we?"

Holic, was all the dragon said, and landed among humanoids and furries on the ground. For some reason no one batted an eye when Ryne came up and examined buildings, tried reading the foreign script on plaques, and generally stood around looking like he ought to be doing something else.

"I think I can help you," it was an urchin perhaps like Ryne himself only much, much younger - and with far fewer limbs. "Eve has some Zalor she's mixed up, you look like you could use one."

"... Certainly," Ryne said, shrugging one pair of arms. There were far weirder people here than him, and apparently - unlike in many of his galaxy's worlds, there was no "humans only" restrictions on things. That suited him. He thought privately, it would also suit someone like Pandora who was never quite happy being told she couldn't do something just because she wasn't Human enough.

Within the breeding center, or was it a shopping mall? Ryne was led to a series of penned rooms. Some folks had chosen their 'Zalor' and moved on, there were others that were sleeping, and ... then there were two that simply begged Ryne to look at them.

"Well. Yes. You," Ryne said, "and you," he glanced between two smallish creatures. They had huge tails, long legs, cute black noses, and odd swirling spheres that bobbed around their neck and limbs. "Would you like to come home with me, and maybe cause some trouble?" He crouched and mantled them with his wings, and they seemed to appreciate the privacy he could offer.

"Then ... I guess we go," he said. He wasn't sure whether there was a process or not, but frankly that had never bothered him before - and wouldn't still. Even if there was, he simply clicked his tongue and started walking back outside, and the two Zalor followed him calmly away.

As he'd done hundreds of times in the past, Ryne 'looked official' and even smiled and nodded to the guards around the place - he looked like he'd finished any paperwork necessary, his little Zalor friends seemed absolutely secure.

"Let's get going," Ryne said in a bit of a whisper to Midnight. "I have no idea whether I just stole these or not..."

***

The Zalor grew to reasonable sizes, though compared to some of the wildlife on Mahar 4 they were pretty small. The marked, icy white, grey and blue striped female displayed prowess with ice, crystals and a curious bright star-energy stunning attack. The male, deep blue in shade with lighter blue baubles, was predictably able to work with water, though he also showed off a speed and dexterity that Ryne knew he could exploit.

It didn't seem like the Zalor cared whether they were well and truly loved - but they snuck into Ryne's heart anyway. Pretty soon they were with him at the star port, zigzagging around, helping distract people while he stole things, and generally being the best little partners-in-crime that Ryne could ever desire.

Name: Jeram (waterfall)
Gender: Male
Species: Zalor
Size: 4' shoulder
Color: dark blue, light blue
Abilities: Rain Shower, Waterfall, ZigZag Dash

***

Name: Dingin (cold)
Gender: Female
Species: Zalor
Size: 3'8" shoulder
Color: Greys/grey markings, light blue markings, light blue
Abilities: Star Blast, Ice Wall, Crystal Shaping