Jack Campbell, The Dragons of Dorcastle

Can dragons fly?”The apparent change of subject didn’t seem to startle the Mage. “No. Not at all. They do not have wings, … “If you want a flying spell creature, you need a Roc.””A what?””A Roc. It is a giant bird,” Alain explained. Mari shook her head. “A giant bird. I’m crazy to be listening to this, you know that?””I have thought…” He fumbled for words, for a moment looking just like any other seventeen-year-old young man. Was that actually embarrassment showing? “You might…be interested…someday….in flying…on a Roc. I mean…with me.” 
“Are you asking me on a date?” Mari tried desperately not to laugh at his discomfort. “A date on a giant bird?”
“Um…I do not know…just something to do…together. That is not dangerous,” Alain added hastily. 
“Doing something together, that isn’t dangerous?” Mari asked. “That would be a change of pace for us, wouldn’t it? … “Have you ever gone…flying…with a girl before?” 
Was he blushing? Just the faintest hint of it, but—stars above. She had made a Mage blush. 
“No,” Alain said.

Jack Campbell, The Dragons of Dorcastle

Can dragons fly?”The apparent change of subject didn’t seem to startle the Mage. “No. Not at all. They do not have wings, … “If you want a flying spell creature, you need a Roc.””A what?””A Roc. It is a giant bird,” Alain explained. Mari shook her head. “A giant bird. I’m crazy to be listening to this, you know that?””I have thought…” He fumbled for words, for a moment looking just like any other seventeen-year-old young man. Was that actually embarrassment showing? “You might…be interested…someday….in flying…on a Roc. I mean…with me.” 
“Are you asking me on a date?” Mari tried desperately not to laugh at his discomfort. “A date on a giant bird?”
“Um…I do not know…just something to do…together. That is not dangerous,” Alain added hastily. 
“Doing something together, that isn’t dangerous?” Mari asked. “That would be a change of pace for us, wouldn’t it? … “Have you ever gone…flying…with a girl before?” 
Was he blushing? Just the faintest hint of it, but—stars above. She had made a Mage blush. 
“No,” Alain said.