Training
Chapter 3 - Flight Out


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Notes/Disclaimer: This fic is based solely on the Dinotopia movie, NOT the series. I apologize for any inconsistancies with the books. I don't apologize for any inconsistancies with the series because it bit. I don't own the movie, or the series, or the books. Thank you.
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The flight out to the training ground took longer than David had expected. They had left early that morning, right after breakfast. Even though he had been back in Canyon City for over a week, David was still having trouble re-adjusting to the early mornings.

When he had arrived at their takeoff point, disheveled and yawning, Sebastian had grinned and ruffled his hair.

"What's wrong Sleepyhead? Didn't get enough rest last night?"

David yawned again, looking sheepish. This wasn't exactly the first impression he had wanted to make on his White Squad partner.

"I guess not," he conceded, running a hand through his messy hair. He had decided to let it grow out a bit, to fit the current fashion in Dinotopia.

Sebastian nudged him, giving him a knowing look. "Someone been keeping you up all night? That cute blond you were sitting with at supper yesterday, maybe?"

David blushed. Why was it that people always assumed that he and Romana were a couple? "We're just friends. Really," he assured Sebastian. "I just... didn't go to sleep early enough, I guess."

That wasn't entirely true. He had been having trouble sleeping lately. Every time he closed his eyes, he found himself dreaming about Karl and Marion. Their heated kiss replayed itself on the inside of his eyelids over and over, until he thought he would go insane. Even in his absence, his brother still seemed to be able to make his life miserable.

Sebastian had gotten curiously quiet for a moment, but before David could ask him about it his friend had clapped him on the back, his wide grin back in full force.

"Well, don't worry about it! After a day's worth of training with me, you'll be nodding off as soon as you hit the ground. And I guarantee that you'll sleep soundly." He gave David another knowing look, this one considerably less joking than the first.

David was startled. Did Sebastian know that he hadn't been sleeping well? He thought back to their conversation. He hadn't hinted at it, had he? So how did the white rider know?

Slightly unsettled, David mounted Freefall and follwed Sebastian off the edge of the cliff.

They flew for hours. David had eventually lost track of the amount of time. At one point, much to his own chagrin, he found himself nodding off mid-flight. He shook his head rapidly, taking one hand off the reigns long enough to pinch himself awake.

"Sorry Freefall," he muttered, cheek against the dinosaur's back. When they were flying it was easier to communicate this way. Instead of having to shout over the wind, Freefall could simply feel and interperet the vibrations that David's speech made on his skin.

"It is all right," said Freefall. "Indeed, that is what those straps on your saddle are for. Just fasten them about yourself tightly so that you do not fall off, and I will do the flying."

David smiled. All dinosaurs, but the Skybacks especially, had a curiously formal speech style. Reaching down, he grabbed the straps dangling around the edge of the saddle and followed his partner's instructions. When he was positive that he was secure, he began to drift off.

He awoke with a slightly jarring thump against his saddle as Freefall landed on the edge of a cliff.

He looked over to see that Sebastian had already dismounted and was grinning his familiar grin at him.

"I see you managed to catch a few winks," said the White Rider.

David nodded and hurriedly unfastened himself. "I did Sir. I hope that was all right, Sir. Freefall said-"

Sebastian held up a hand. "Whoah. It's okay, really. What you did was perfectly legal. But just so you know, you're only allowed to sleep if you're in a group of many and you're not the one leading the group. If you're by yourself you have to be alert enough to watch for danger. Same goes for if you're leading a train. Got it?"

"Yes Sir," said David crisply.

"And another thing." Sebastian grimaced theatrically. "Stop calling me Sir. I mean, I know I'm your teacher, but I'd kind of also like to be your friend, if that's all right with you."

David felt an odd sensation at the thought of a white rider wanting to be friends with him. It was a strange mix of pride and... something else.

David nodded enthusiastically. "Of course, Si- I mean, Sebastian. I would like that very much."

Sebastian grinned his grin that never really went away. "Great. Then let's get camp set up before it gets dark, shall we?"



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