<span style="font-style: italic">Aetheiria. It's been ages.</span>Fraener thought to himself. Not broadcasting his thoughts to anyone. He then tried to contact Aetheiria as she flew off.<span style="font-style: italic">Hey. Where are you off to?</span>He didn't receive a reply. So he let it go. Fraener changed into what can be called his "human" form after he walked to his room in the cave. He gathered up his formal attire, set on finding the large, red Elder. He got dressed in his matching white suit and pants. He pulled on his boots and tied his sword around his waist. As he strode along in the cave, he reached out with his mind, saying hello and having idle chit-chat with other dragons along the way. Every now and then, he'd encounter a male and female in the same area, and he'd be blocked. He chuckled to himself, as he knew what they were up to. He distracted himself, running smack into the Red Elder's Presence.<span style="font-style: italic">Holy...</span>he panicked, un-shielding his mind for a second. The Elder said<span style="font-style: italic">Relax. I knew you were headed this way a loong time ago.</span>Fraener felt the Elder smile internally. Fraener asked the Elder,<span style="font-style: italic">Why is Aetheiria so distant, Elder? I mean, I know being told that she and I are to be mates for life can't be easy, but is that not our way as future Elders? </span>The Elder looked at Fraener and responded<span style="font-style: italic">Maybe she is already interested in someone else. She does have more worldly experience than you. Perhaps she met someone during her travels. Just give her time. She'll come around, she cares too much for our Kind to let something like this upset her for long. Give her time to come to you.</span>"Now I will speak to you and Aetheiria later. Goodbye." The Elder turned his back to Fraener and mentally dismissed him.<br/><br/>Fraener walked back to his area, mentally asking any of the other shape-shifters if they wanted to duel. Most dismissed him, but one accepted. Some decided to come and watch. They met outside and Fraener sized up his opponent. He was a green dragon. And not a very good shape-shifter. His wings and tail were still out; he lacked the mental strength to fully transform himself.<span style="font-style: italic">This will be an easy fight</span>Fraener thought to himself, easily blocking the other dragon's attempts to mentally attack him. Fraener took it easy on the novice. Parrying his attacks and only nicking him. The green dragon was growing frustrated, attacking hastily, wildly, making mistakes. "Calm yourself, man. Keep a level head and attack with measured thrusts and swings. You need to practice your mental blocking as well. Feel this." Fraener said as he easily smashed the other dragon's mental defenses. He telepathically took over Greenie's mind, then body. He made him dance like a human ballerina. The green dragon begged for release, promising to practice, to get better. Fraener released him. The dragons watching laughed and teased the young green dragon. "Stop, all of you. It is not right to tease someone for wanting to improve. All should know their weakness' and should seek to strengthen them." Fraener commanded. The other dragons quieted down and nodded agreement. He and the green dragon then bowed to each other and walked away.<br/><br/>Fraener returned to his room and undressed, he was completely naked when he felt Aetheiria's mind probing his, asking if she could enter his room.<span style="font-style: italic">Give me one moment to change back to my true form. I'm a bit, uhh... unprotected at the moment.</span>