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Post by dragon on Aug 24, 2008 15:11:08 GMT -5
Aonith listened in silence as Corinth spoke, not knowing really what to think. Hers had never been THAT mad at her ... at least ... not that she could remember. But that didn't say much, either, since she couldn't remember much. In trying to recall such things, Aonith wondered if she weren't mentally handicapped ... surely she had more past to herself than that? Corinth seemed to remember some things... It made her worry somewhat. In the end she could only sigh dejectedly. I don't know. I will tell mine not to make him mad ... but it might not do much good. Even when mine tries to be pleasant and nice, people get mad at mine anyway... She conculded.
"Most bronzes don't chase greens, no." Dorava agreed, wondering if the ... boy... was ever going to calm down and cool off. Apparently, he hadn't learned how to just breathe yet. It wasn't the end of the world, and there were much worse things that he could expend that worry on, since he seemed so inclined to worry! But she didn't dare let that out her mouth ... when she tried to be pleasant things got bad enough. She couldn't afford to be thought condescending.
At the mention of tying and burying in rock or logs, Dorava was very glad that she was not bound in any way to T'rid. This guy seemed a little on the crazy side, the more she talked to him. It was more than a little alarming. She hoped that this was a result of him being mad here and now ... and that it wasn't how he normally operated. People could say some shocking things when they were off thier keel, she knew.
"Aonith was brave, yes ... sadly, it got her hurt. And I hope that Selenitas stays out of the war as long as they ..." she heaved a slow sigh. "... we ... can manage." It didn't really feel right including herself with Selenitas ... though she was officially part of the weyr, she didn't feel like it yet. She still felt an outsider, an impostor. Dorava figured that it would be slow to change, too. "But even with keeping one's nose clean, it won't stop trouble from seeking one out and thrashing them anyway." She said, simply, crossing her arms over her chest again in an unconcious gesture. "I should hope that Selenitas never changes her stance."
He's truely that mad at you? Poor you. Aonith sympathized. Maybe he'll calm down soon. she mused, watching her rider with some worry.
In our old weyr, the firelizards owned by the ranking members of the weyr were occassionally sent to watch what a lower pair were up to ... if the ranking pairs were given reason to suspect that something was up. The trouble was, one never knows when a flit is just fooling around, or if they're there to spy on a body. Aonith said. However, often enough they just wanted to play, and that was fun. she lowered her snout and blew a few more bubbles in the water even as she siddled sideways in the water to where it was deeper ... it felt so much better when the cool water flowed along higher along her sides.
How rude! Aonith replied, at the shared memory of the salamandyr. Surely they're not all so nasty in thier speech?
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Avu
Weyrleader Ce'thian Rider A'emi Handler Sena Harper Matteo Weyrbrat Riaren
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Post by Avu on Aug 25, 2008 14:56:56 GMT -5
Corinth gave a half-comforting croon. He won’t do anything too bad if yours doesn’t provoke him—I don’t think… He sighed, exhaling a damp blast of air from his nostrils. Even T’rid wasn’t that spastic. Well, not really. Usually he’s not like this, the bronze added consolingly. He’s not really that bad. Just…he’s mad… He considered briefly, and then shrugged. T’rid might be an idiot sometimes, but he was hardly the type to pick on someone just because he was mad—sure, he might not be friendly, but he wouldn’t start…okay, well, maybe he would…
T’rid shrugged, his breath and will suddenly exiting him in a long outward sigh; he sat down on his tunic, sliding the knife out from under him before he arranged himself into a more comfortable position, eyes fixed somewhere between Aonith and Corinth. “He has to be the only. Bronze. Ever. To chase any green that happens to Rise when he happens to take a liking to them,” he declared, his tones cold. He had never really wanted to strangle Corinth before this; he’d said it in play before, when Corinth tried to Chase after a green whose Rider was a male, but this was a new emotion.
He snickered softly at her lack of words in response to his whole ‘bury Corinth’ idea. He personally thought it was quite a good idea, really. I don’t, the bronze huffed. Well, no, you wouldn’t. I doubt it’d be very comfortable, he answered mechanically, automatically inflicting a sarcastic tone. Corinth rumbled in soft amusement. T’rid could never stay that angry at him for very long. He was just a big loveable bronze. Even though he and his Rider did have rough moments and snarky words would be passed, T’rid could never ever be mad at him for too long. Or at least, it had yet to be accomplished. Besides, it wasn’t as if he hadn’t won as well as Corinth, when the bronze had snared Reysalth. So it wasn’t fair for him to be mad!
Well, Dorava wasn’t one to stint praise on her dragon obviously. You do mention a few times a sevenday what an agile, wonderful, intelligent bronze I am, so you really shouldn’t be talking, Corinth responded critically. Which was true enough. The Drudges were always intensely entertained by such tales of bronze bravery, all the dangers of Threadfall, etc. And T’rid had enough fun laughing later at their awestruck faces to make up for the trouble of lying. Even now, he grinned reluctantly. They always looked as if he’d just told them Thread was edible or something.
Stay out of the war. “Hmm.” T’rid tilted his head to one side, considering that. “Well, considering Benden has been extremely friendly,” his voice dripping with the usual sarcasm that so bothered some people, “of late, who knows? They’ve done all sorts of kind things…killed our Weyrlings, killed the Fort Weyrleaders, which resulted in Candidates being kidnapped…” He grinned mirthlessly. “What would we do without them trying to get us involved?”
He can’t stay mad for that long—not at me, Corinth said, pleased. At least T’rid had stopped blocking him out of his thoughts. He’s in a better mood, now. Although his sarcasm doesn’t give much space for showing it, the bronze added thoughtfully. He really was, though, in a slightly better mood—at least enough to let Corinth settle comfortably in his mind and poke about a bit instead of meeting a cold, hard wall whenever he tried to touch T’rid’s mind. And it’s not, he added smugly, As if I didn’t catch her.
He sighed softly at the mention of spying fire lizards. Well, they could be used for that…T’rid would be much more appreciative of their talents if Corinth told him that! The Bronzerider was always willing to pull a few pranks to irritate people, so a fire lizard like that could come in handy…although T’rid would have to be taught when to cap it. A war was not a time of foolery and pranks, especially with Threadfall coming up. And that reminded him…I know this seems off-topic, the bronze started apologetically, But do you know what wing you’re in yet? T’rid and I Second for the Blizzard Wing, he added proudly. Maybe you’ll be in our Wing.
The bronze blinked thoughtfully, flicking water droplets off of one wing. Well, hmm. I don’t know, really—I haven’t met any more past that one. Her name was Bite, he added with an amused rumble. I assume because it was her favorite word. He really did like Salamandyrs and fire lizards—they were nice—but T’rid, unfortunately, did not share that same like and Corinth had become resigned to having only one of the little minis around for good. Although he would have liked a few more.
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Post by dragon on Aug 26, 2008 15:18:03 GMT -5
Dorava took on a more relaxed posture as T'rid seemed to relax some. Taking a look around, she found a suitable stone, and took a seat on it, a few arm-lengths away from where T'rid was seated. "I'm sure there are others out there somewhere ... if not now, then somewhere in time." She consoled. "There's no accounting for taste ... maybe he doesn't like being smaller than his girlfriends?" she suggested, trying to inject a little humor into the situation.
When T'rid grinned at his own inward thoughts, Dorava knew that he was finally coming down off his heated emotion, and she was glad for it. She knew Aonith wasn't going to want to leave the cool waters yet ... much less the fast friend she seemed to be making with Corinth. Maybe once T'rid calmed down some, he'd be a peaceable enough person to actually get to know a little about, instead of having to continually dodge the barbs of. Maybe soon they could start a real conversation.
"Extremely friendly." Dorava repeated, quietly, in reference to Benden. "Yes, I know." she sighed, more than a little deflated. She wondered if she would ever be able to live past her history there. But she wasn't about to announce to everyone she met it was her old home ... nor do much in the way of putting them down with word... she didn't want to arouse unfounded suspicions to be pointed her way. She was trying to leave that part of herself behind.
I am glad yours is cooling down. Aonith said, resting her chin in the water to let the cool fluid run over her face for a time. She squinted a little bit, the world appearing blurry while the water flowed over her eyes. Everyone should be happy ... happy is good. I like happy. No body gets hurt when everyone is happy. She said, wistfully, as the dull aches in her sides finally began to be non existent for the time being. And then his last remark registered in her mind, and she lifted her head out of the water to look at him. You Flew a Green? she asked in amazement. He was a Bronze! How in the world did he manage to outwit the smaller, faster, more agile males? Much less keep up at all?
Mine and I are assigned to Cyclone wing. We don't really know our wingmates, yet ... we shall see how things progress from here. I hope to be able to learn to work well with them. Aonith said, wistfully. She did like to be a functional part of a wing, rather than an unwanted or unneeded accessory.
Aonith listened with interest as Corinth spoke about salamandyrs ... she had seen a few about, and she'd thought they were rather cute looking ... not quite the same creature as a flitter, but interesting just the same. She would be happy for hers to have one of either species ... maybe someday Dorava would get the chance to earn one. Bite she said, merely, thoughtfully.
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Avu
Weyrleader Ce'thian Rider A'emi Handler Sena Harper Matteo Weyrbrat Riaren
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Post by Avu on Aug 26, 2008 15:56:05 GMT -5
T’rid had to snort. Corinth was perfectly fine flirting with any color of female, as long as he had nothing else to do—i.e. they weren’t drilling—gold or green. He did prefer greens, though, seeing as they weren’t usually so high-and-mighty as most queens were and would be fine romping around with anyone, while queens were usually dignified creatures. “I think he just thinks that queens are too haughty,” he answered wryly, casting a sharp glance at the bronze. Of course, T’rid’s preferences had never much come into play when the bronze chose what green to Chase. More often than not, it was a female Greenrider, but a few times he’d found himself after another male…ugh.
He raised an eyebrow at her dejected-sounding voice when he’d mentioned Benden Weyr. She knew? As a transfer? Perhaps she was from Fort Weyr. Or, come to that—Benden. Then, obviously, she would know. “Oh, do you?” he murmured, now serious, his hazel eyes dark. Benden Weyr was not a joking matter. The War was not a joking matter. Wasted lives—dragon and Rider—were not joking matters. Anything else he could come up with a smart comment for, and sometimes he could for Benden Weyr as displayed before, but if Dorava was so serious about such a serious subject, he was hardly going to.
Corinth listened quietly to Aonith speaking. She was so cheerful, despite her original fears of him. He liked that. He liked that she could put her fears away and have a good time—she was having one, the bronze was sure. If only we could convince everyone to be and stay happy, he agreed, almost resignedly. The War had been going for ages now. Past what the bronze could accurately recall. It was a fact of life. He accepted it. Yes, he would oppose it—but he knew it was there, was used to its being there.
Her amazement made the bronze rumble in low amusement. Of course I caught her, he said proudly. Reysalth had been such a lovely, lovely green when she Rose, and he had Caught her. Actually, he admitted, She Chose me over the other ones… He exhaled, still proud of himself. Going through the forest, keeping himself in the green’s peripheral—it was all worth it, in the end.
As Aonith considered the idea of Salamandyrs, Corinth was considering an entirely different species—kittens. Kittens were cute, adorable. Cuter than Salamandyrs, and with better manners if correctly trained. He’d like a kitten if he could convince T’rid to get one. Which was going to be hard, as making him promise to try to Impress a fire lizard had been almost impossible. A second little ‘thing’ was going to be quite literally an ‘over-my-dead-body’ type of thing. Well…the bronze’s eyes narrowed craftily and he threw a glance at T’rid.
T’ridmine, he said, his voice innocent, You were very proud of me for Flying Reysalth, weren’t you? …Yes… So proud, the bronze pressed, That you’d like to give me a prize, a reward, wouldn’t you? …not particularly… Not even a free reward? wheedled the bronze. Maybe… If I tell you what it is, do you promise to get it for me? As long as it’s not a Salamandyr. Of course not…I want a kitten.
The young Bronzerider’s face was surprised; he yelled aloud, “WHAT? A KITTEN?” The bronze crooned smugly. You promised. “What the Shards do you want a kitten for?” T’rid demanded. They’re cute. You promised. “All right…Shardit, I’ll get you a stupid kitten.” He growled in annoyance, and then glanced at Dorava.
“You see what I have to put up with?” he asked, but now wearily, not angrily. “A bronze who wants a kitten. Who Chases greens. Who likes fire lizards. Go figure…” He buried his face in his palm and exhaled slowly. Thank you, T’ridmine, chirped the bronze happily.
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Post by dragon on Aug 26, 2008 16:26:05 GMT -5
"Haughty ... yes, I suppose queens can be haughty. It tends to be part of thier make up, I am guessing." Dorava mused. She knew she herself preferred to avoid them ... even on a good day. Them and bronzes both. But Corinth seemed to be an exceptionally easy to get along with bronze ... she had to wonder if that was a normal thing here at Selenitas, or if it was just this particular dragon.
Dorava met his gaze squarely as she seemed to have piqued his curiosity. Oh great. Now what? "Unfortunately." she responded, deliberately vague. She didn't want to start something here, now that he had finally started to calm down ... there was no telling how he'd react to knowing she was a Bendenite... and she'd really rather not find out. Especially not with him sitting on that knife over there that he had been fiddling with earlier. While the war was indeed a serious matter, it was a matter she had been trying to get out of. It wasn't something she enjoyed participating in.
Having a good time was one of Aonith's favorite pass times, and she really liked it alot when she got a chance to do just that. To simply relax, maybe get to talk to someone ... and be happy. It was such a rare commodity, even for a short-memory creature such as her. There was already too much strife in the world ... and she was completely proud of hers for managing to successfully get them out of Benden, and into the more peacfull reigons. She lifted up one front leg, and splashed it about in the river, creating great splashes that rained down on her in a merry fashion. Then she heaved forward on her back legs, and rose up out of the water before doing a stretched-out belly-flop that sent up water even as far as where Corinth was sitting. Whee! she shrilled, settling even lower in the water now that her legs were sprawled out from under her. Humming, she started blowing more happy bubbles that either popped on the surface, or reached the surface and floated away down the river.
You must be really skilled in the air, to have won a Greenflight. Aonith mentioned, by way of praise. Though it did help alot if he had been Chosen, rather than having had to Catch her.
"Kittens?" Dorava asked, surprised. "I've never heard of a dragon asking to have a kitten, before ... what would a dragon do with a kitten? He's too big to even do something as simple as scratch it's ears ... all he could do is fluff its fur by breathing on it..." she mused. A dragon wanted a kitten? And then it occured to her that maybe the dragon didn't so much want the kitten as he wanted his to have a kitten? She'd known some dragons to be sneaky that way... "Kittens grow to be felines." she reminded, gently. "And felines are quite intelligent creatures ... they can be trained to do some things. Not quite like flitters, but it is possible."
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Avu
Weyrleader Ce'thian Rider A'emi Handler Sena Harper Matteo Weyrbrat Riaren
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Post by Avu on Aug 26, 2008 16:42:02 GMT -5
Part of their make-up. Well, yes, most queens did seem to be Hatched with a fair sense of how much better than other dragons they were. Perhaps a few exceptions. But most of them grew that way, after they were praised excessively and bowed down to. Which T’rid really couldn’t stand. He was almost glad Corinth didn’t cling to queens the way some bronzes did, although he couldn’t say that he was particularly glad for his green-Chasing ‘skills’ either. He raised one eyebrow. “You’re suggesting that I should be driving Corinth towards queens?” he asked, amused.
Her vagueness didn’t much put the Bronzerider off. Far from it—in fact, he only grinned, inviting her to go on. “And you knew about this…how? I don’t think Benden really advertises their skills in most Holds,” he explained. “So, you’re from Fort? Or Benden?” It really was one or the other, and if she didn’t tell, he had a pretty good chance of getting it right. Or he could always ask Corinth to ask Aonith. It felt like cheating, but it was always a possibility.
The bronze rumbled in soft amusement as he let the waves lap against him, watching her curiously. She certainly had seemed to loosen up greatly since her arrival at the River. Perhaps Selenitas Weyr was better than wherever she’d come from? It seemed likely. The water’s nice, isn’t it? he queried happily, rumbling softly as he rolled, too, carefully spreading his wings to make sure they weren’t fouled in any stray stones presented by the river. Yes, it did feel nice. Not as good as being oiled, but near it.
He crooned a soft thanks in return for her praise. Greens are the real queens in the air, the bronze returned, quite agreeable to a trade of compliments. It stroked his ego, as well as his companion’s, and both left feeling much, much better—as opposed to a Flight, in which one male and the female was left feeling very good and the others were not. A compliment-fight was very nice, yes indeed.
T’rid threw up his hands, irritated now. “Corinth can always find something,” he sighed. “First he made me promise to try to get a fire lizard, and now a kitten. A feline kitten that’ll more likely than not shred my entire Weyr, bite my Wingleader, knowing my luck—Corinth, I hate you.” The bronze rumbled in amusement. Don’t worry, T’ridmine. I love you, too. The Bronzerider scowled. “Great. Now I’ll have a feline to make sure I eat my tubers, along with a fat bronze and, possibly later, a fire lizard. Just great.”
Sourly, he sighed, exhaling and inhaling carefully. Do not explode. Please? breathed Corinth hopefully. I promised, T’rid reminded the bronze sourly. Even he wouldn’t go back on a promise. Promises were to be kept forever.
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Post by dragon on Aug 26, 2008 22:03:07 GMT -5
"I most assuredly am not saying any such thing." Dorava said, amiably. She was glad that he was now edging toward amused, rather than pissed. It was a nice change ... now if she could just keep from inserting her big booted foot in her mouth and tipping the scales back the other way. "To be precise ... what I am saying ... is nothing at all. I don't pretend to offer advice."
Heaving a slow sigh, Dorava pulled up a foot and propped it on the stone she was sitting on. She rested an elbow on her knee as she considered how to answer ... he obviously wanted to know. Finally, she decided that the whole, simple, unabridged truth was the easiest and best way to go. It might be awkward at the moment, but in the long run, it always was the best. "I just came from Benden, actually." Dorava said, before looking over at where he was again, to see what response that might elicit.
The water IS nice. Where does it originate from? It's nice and cold. Springs? Aonith asked, lifting both wings slightly so they were suspended above the surface of the water for a moment. Not quite deep enough for swimming in...
Aonith picked her head up slightly, and seemed to inflate just a little bit. Greens were the real queens of the air? She was a Green! Granted, not a particularly shiny green, but she was still a Green... maybe with a little time to heal and eat properly, she'd get her old luster back. But then the moment was over, and she dropped her head back into the water again... she knew too well that she and her ilk were on the bottom of the pecking order to forget it that easily. So, that left her to wonder ... why was the Bronze saying such things???
"Only your tubers?" Dorava almost laughed ... but she wasn't sure if that scale wasn't tipping back to the irritated side again or not. "Well ... luckily, kittens don't tend to talk a whole terrible lot." she offered. "And they will keep the pests at bay ... mostly ... when they're not trying to gift them to you...?" she smiled, then, remembering a few times she had seen a feline trying to gift a half-eaten creature to thier person.
Aonith tilted her head curiously. Kitties? She mused on that for a moment, before speaking again: They taste good... a bit slimy, though.
Dorava jumped to her feet, then. "Aonith!!" she exclaimed, astounded that hers would say such a thing!
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Avu
Weyrleader Ce'thian Rider A'emi Handler Sena Harper Matteo Weyrbrat Riaren
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Post by Avu on Aug 27, 2008 15:59:01 GMT -5
T’rid grinned. The way Dorava spoke suggested that she wasn’t the type to enjoy bantering, which he undoubtedly did. That was no fun. Ah, well. People would be people, women would be women. And you, T’ridmine, will be the most stubborn and idiotic person of all time, Corinth chipped in. Ah, thank you. “Well, that was such an inspiring speech right there.” He couldn’t help the sarcasm. It was just second nature to him by now when he was talking to anybody—Corinth (and himself) included.
He quirked one brow questioningly at her reluctance to answer, a small amused flicker of a smirk touching his lips. Did she really think he was going to attack her from transferring from another Weyr? Granted, some transfers had cause to bring suspicion—especially Bronzerider transfers from Benden, as it was no secret that Bronzeriders were all but worshiped at Benden Weyr. A Greenpair transfer was much less cause for worry, though. Dorava really shouldn’t be so hesitant. T’rid smothered a sigh. Some people just insisted on being difficult, didn’t they?
Ah, so she had come from Benden. “Oh?” he asked, raising his other eyebrow to meet the first. No wonder. That explained Aonith’s fear of Corinth (which seemed to have evaporated by now); the scars—and of course, Dorava not blurting out her ex-home immediately. “So you transferred to Selenitas, away from Bendenites?” It was an easy enough explanation; T’rid regarded her quietly. She didn’t need to be so worried. He wasn’t going to eat her.
Umm. The Waterfall, I think. Have you seen it? Corinth asked, eyes lidded in enjoyment as soft waves lapped against his hide; he sighed contentedly. It’s very nice there… It was, too. Misty spray hung constantly in the air, the low thrumming roar of the water pouring down—yes. It was extremely nice there. You can swim in one of the little lakes along the river if you want, he added, almost sleepily. Prolonged stay in soothing conditions did that to you.
He was too occupied in enjoying himself to notice Aonith’s silence at first, but after a while it became a bit more obvious. Something wrong? he murmured, eyes still closed sleepily. I didn’t say anything that hurt you? Who knew what Benden greens might think of a few simple compliments? He wasn’t going to hurt her.
“I don’t have a problem eating anything but my tubers,” T’rid retorted—not sharply. Almost playfully, in fact. “So it figures that they happen to be the healthiest thing on my plate and Corinth has decided that he’d rather see me eat them than eat the tarts and pies.” He sighed. Tubers weren’t that bad, but they were rubbery and not his favorite food. Far from it. Bubbly pies, perhaps some wine, tarts, and roast wherry slices were high on that list. Tubers were very low, along with gruel.
He sighed. “Kittens don’t talk, no. But unfortunately their teeth are rather sharp, along with their claws…” He glanced meaningfully at Corinth. “And unlike dragons, they don’t seem to give about what they do or don’t, can or can’t bite.” They were useful for catching small evil things, sure. But their repulsive cuteness made up for that one quite easily. And if he woke up with a mewling feline on his chest, again with that repulsive cuteness, carrying a dead thing…he would be in a very, very bad mood.
T’rid in a bad mood was not a pretty picture. He started from more morose thoughts at Dorava’s exclamation. “Something wrong?” he asked. Then he grinned, almost nastily. “What? She didn’t show you a picture of her last meal, did she? Or anything equally disgusting?”
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Post by dragon on Aug 27, 2008 22:36:26 GMT -5
"Inspiring?" Dorava asked. Banter was not something she abhorred ... she was just learning that she had to be just as cautious about what she said ... or how she said it ... here in Selenitas as she had been in Benden. A horrible thought, but one she was living with. "I wouldn't have thought so, but hey ... if you get a kick out of it, go right ahead. Inspiration's gotta come from somewhere. Maybe write a sonnet on it?" she teased lightly... maybe he wouldn't take that wrong.
"Away from Benden ... just as fast as I could find a way, and just as soon as I could. It took us many years to devise of a place to run to ... we ... well ... we were almost on the verge of simply going into exile to get away from them. But ... we were lucky enough to make it here. We left just as soon as Aonith was well enough to make the journey ... or we thought she was. You can well imagine the thrashing we got from the healers when we arrived here. But the healers at Benden never said a word about her condition, and Faranth knows I'm no healer..." Dorava shrugged. "I am glad she got the care she needed, I really am. I had no idea she was so bad off."
I have seen the waterfall ... but waterfalls don't make water. They just are water falling. Where does the river start? Does anyone know? Aonith asked. I haven not sat in the fall, though ... that might be something to experience yet...? she mused, thinking on it... just as soon as her skin wasn't so tender in spots... it could bear some exploring.
No hurt, no... just wondering ... thinking... I am not a queen of any type ... musing on it some... I imagine I rather look like a shredded ragdoll at the moment. She rolled over onto one side, submerging her entire wounded side into the water, and heaving a contented sigh as she folded her ripped wing down into the water as well. It may or may not actually be healing the wounds, but it sure felt good.
"Tarts and pies." Dorava mused. "They are nice, I suppose. I don't really like eating them too often, though ... I can get a little excited with that much sweet in my blood. Meats, however, I can really go for... I really like my meats. My companions used to accuse me of being a dragon in disguise, with all the meat I would pack away ... most of it only half cooked. I seem to have a persistent dislike of vegetables, myself ... but I eat them anyway. Trying to stay healthy ... Aonith doesn't want me to croak early." She joked, lightly... though her love of meat was rather genuine.
"Have you ever tried training a feline?" Dorava asked with curiosity. "Maybe it wouldn't be so bad, then." she suggested. "Just having them around can tend to keep other small creatures out of the area ... which is always nice. Depending on the individual, however ... it might delight in sneaking up on any flitters in the area and scaring the wings off them..."
Giving a disgusted sigh at Aonith's mental laughter in her head, Dorava sat down again, wrapping her arms around her knee. "Aonith just said that kittens are good eating, even if they are slimy." she supplied. "How cruel. She's never even eaten one ... that I know of ... I wonder if she heard that from another dragon that actually did that...?" She asked, as Aonith gusted a rapid breath out through her nose, sending up a spray of water in Dorava's direction... that fell horribly short, but the point was made ... Aonith had been pulling Dorava's leg.
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Avu
Weyrleader Ce'thian Rider A'emi Handler Sena Harper Matteo Weyrbrat Riaren
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Post by Avu on Aug 28, 2008 15:52:26 GMT -5
T’rid wrinkled his nose. A sonnet? “I’ll dictate, you write,” he offered, grinning wryly. His handwriting had caused so, so many scrolls in the Archives to be tossed onto the fire because nobody could read his handwriting. “Besides, I’d rather be inspired by something draconic versus ‘nothing at all,’” he added, his fingers sketching quotation marks in the air as he uttered the last three words. “Some sonnet that would be.” Actually it might turn out all right, if a bit crazy and moronic.
He nodded, quiet, as she spoke. Imagine Turns of planning. Ugh…That would have to be the worst part of living at Benden and wanting to get away: Careful, precise planning. A general plan worked much better: ‘Get out and fly away,’ for example, was so much easier to fit than ‘at exactly 2 minutes past the 5th candlemark…’ and so forth. Perhaps that was just because he was a Bronzerider, though, and Benden Weyr all but worshiped Bronzeriders. No doubt Greenriders weren’t so fortunate.
He mulled over it for a moment, and then sighed. “Well, you and Aonith both made it,” he pointed out. “And she’s healing.” He could imagine the chagrin from the healers, though. He’d been on the brunt end of it himself more often than not, and duly avoided healers as best as he could under the circumstances. Sometimes that was impossible, but the farther away, the better. The idea of a dragon’s injuries being uncared for made T’rid growl low in his throat, though. Even the lowest green didn’t deserve that. Correction: Even the lowest green of the most idiotic, stupidest Rider didn’t deserve that. Stupid Benden.
Well, I guess that there’s a spring somewhere, the bronze answered, contemplating. He’d never really thought of where the water came from. It was just there, and a nice place to wallow in. It had always been there, therefore it always would be there. I don’t know if anyone’s actually gone to look, though. It’d be a nice excursion. Sat in the falls…? It was a nice idea. Corinth had occasionally flown through the water, or wove through it, but never had he simply sat there and let the thundering liquid pour over him. It does sound nice, he agreed. There’s always something to experience, he added mildly. So even after that, there’ll be more. Even if it was harder to find.
Corinth had to consider that a bit before he came up with a suitable answer. What kind of female thought of herself badly? Certainly not at Selenitas. Well, Aonith would learn after she had a few compliments from the browns, blues, and bronzes of the Weyr that she was quite pretty. Scars could be accommodated, if the male in question didn’t like them. Scars bothered nobody. Scars mean you’re strong, he said softly. Besides, scars won’t affect your flying when they’re healed. And that’s where greens are so much better than golden queens.
The idea of Dorava getting high on sugar made T’rid chuckle. If she could stand to have him blowing up at her, getting hyper should take awhile. Apparently it didn’t, but still. Half-cooked meat made him shudder. “Ugh.” He’d tasted that once, inadvertently. It had not been pleasant and as a result, his stomach had been emptied shortly afterwards into the necessary. “I’d rather eat half-cooked meat the rest of my life than tubers,” he answered, shuddering at the thought. At least half-cooked meat tasted somewhat good, as opposed to (ugh) tubers.
Tubers were just—ugh, like kittens, fire lizards, ‘mandyrs, and babies.
“Training a feline.” T’rid repeated the words in something close to disgust. “If I can help it, I’ll stay a nice couple dragonlengths away from any feline.” Perhaps he could train it—not to keep away pests. T’rid didn’t mind them; he could always get Corinth to roar at them and off they would go—but to scare away fire lizards and ‘mandyrs. That would be something worth doing. He snickered. “I’d at least get a laugh if it sent a flitter flying into a wall in fright.”
He actually laughed at Aonith’s comment. “She can taste whatever kitten I get and see if that’s true,” he said through the snickers. ‘Ridmine, no, protested Corinth anxiously. I like kittens. Don’t hurt my kitten. Please don’t. T’rid sighed. “All right. I swear I won’t hurt the kitten unless he or she does something that displeases me. Then I’ll just yell for a bit. All right?” The bronze sighed in relief.
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Post by dragon on Aug 28, 2008 21:53:19 GMT -5
Dorava laughed out loud at his response to her sonnet jab. "Alright. You sing, I'll write." She agreed, poking fun right back. However, just in case he was being serious, she was glad she was a proficient and quick writer. She couldn't write nearly as fast as a person could talk, but it was considerable anyway. "Something draconic… are you referring to the things that your beloved bronze talks you into promising yourself into?" She teased. "I bet that would be a hilarious sonnet!"
"Yes … we did make it out of there, together and alive, and succeeded in gaining a new home. That was more than we hoped for. It feels good, I assure you. It is as if a great weight has been lifted off my shoulders." She promptly rolled said shoulders, realizing that while her heart was slightly lighter, her shoulders were still tense, as if in attack mode … an unconscious posture that she suddenly realized she was going to have to remind herself to relax out of. Dorava didn't want people thinking she was stalking hostile all over the place. She could finally step down out of battle mode. "Aonith is healing … and swiftly, too. She never lost her ability to fly, and is still just as sturdy on her wings as she ever was. After finding out how bad off she was … I am so glad we got out of there when we did, and she got the care she needed. The healers here are good at what they do."
When we have time and inclination, we can go hunt up the source of the water? Sounds like a day of fun. Aonith decided, looking forward to a time of just simple exploring the interesting countryside surrounding the very interestingly tropical forested weyr. I would imagine that sitting in the waterfall would be nice. I have never done it … I wonder if the water is deeper there? Directly under the falls? Scars are a mark of 'You forgot to duck, dummy!' They don't mean you're strong. Unless you're referring to being strong enough to have survived forgetting to duck. Those who are scarred are marked as the clumsy individuals. The only good thing, is that one has a chance to learn from those mistakes … and maybe not make that mistake again. I suppose you might consider them maybe as a mark of more experience? Aonith considered the statement of Greens being better in the air than Queens, and after a moment of objective thought, decided that she most probably agreed with him there. Queens tended to be big, bulky, and slow to maneuver in the air … any Green could fly circles around any Queen. And in that light, she supposed, in speaking of ability terms, Greens really were the Queens of the sky. And with that thought in mind, she puffed up slightly again, with a better sense of what she was worth… or better yet … that she was worth something to someone besides her Own.
"Me, too." Dorava agreed, though she didn't miss his shudder over half cooked meats. Oh well … some people didn't like it, some people did. And having a childhood in a remote cothold, she was the type to be more prone to liking such a thing. It didn't bother her much that some people thought her tastes were gross. However, to get her meat the way she liked it, she often had to go camping and roast it herself over a fire, as most cooks would not let her have it still bloody in the middle. "Tubers are alright, as far as plant foods go … but I would much prefer meat or pies over it, sure." Dorava laughed at the idea of T'rid training a feline to jump on flitters. "You know those flitters are going to run screaming to thiers', and they in turn are going to fuss at you about restraining your feline." She giggled. But the idea was still a fun one. She herself delighted in sneaking up on small sleeping creatures and scaring them out of their sleep explosively with a touch. Not that she got to do it very often … they usually learned quickly to not sleep so deeply as to not be able to hear her coming. "I wouldn't let her eat your kitten, to be honest … I rather like kitties myself." Dorava admitted. Though again she started grinning at the idea of so-serious T'rid yelling at a kitten that had done something he didn't like … which from the looks of things would be just about anything that poor kitty could do. Which … logically … let to an image of T'rid in a constant state of always yelling at the feline … who would most probably get used to it and not let it bother it in the slightest.
Awh, I don't get to try one?? Aonith asked, pulling a fake pout… she didn't really want to eat a kitten … they were liable to be too small to do much for tasting, and … wayyyyy too furry to be easy swallowing. But great for starting a coughing fit!
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Avu
Weyrleader Ce'thian Rider A'emi Handler Sena Harper Matteo Weyrbrat Riaren
Posts: 2,439
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Post by Avu on Aug 29, 2008 15:17:35 GMT -5
T’rid made a sour face, sticking out his tongue. “Wait, I’ve got an even better idea,” he said, enthusiasm coloring his tones. “How about this?—you can sing and write!” She’d probably be better at it than him anyway. T’rid and singing did not mesh well, mostly because he considered it a waste of time. Pranks were not a waste of time. Stealing pies when you were restricted to tubers was not a waste of time. But singing sonnets and carefully reading scores were definitely a huge waste of time. He felt sorry for the stupid stuck little Harpers at Harper Hall. Again the wry smile at her mention of Corinth’s wheedling of sorts. “Yes, I’m sure people would appreciate knowing that a Wingsecond and Bronzerider got a kitten because their snarky bronze decided that they were ‘cute.’” He snorted, rolling his eyes.
He was solemn enough to let Dorava talk unhindered, although normal manners dictated he laugh it off or something. “Well, it’s nice to know she’s healing,” he offered amiably. He’d been at Selenitas Weyr since his Impression of Corinth, and before that, Selenitas Hold. Aside from the ‘demonstrations’ that Benden Weyr had brought here, he really couldn’t say he’d had any contact with them. “I mean, greens are important to Wings during Threadfall.” He snickered, spreading his palms in an innocent gesture. “Who knows? Maybe Benden Weyr will miss Aonith’s talents at Thread and get their land eaten raw.” That would be satisfying indeed.
There’s not much time, Corinth sighed, but nodded obligingly. It does sound fun, he admitted. But there’s Thread coming, and we have to do wing drills. And I have to make sure Ridmine actually gets a kitten and a fire lizard, and doesn’t go crazy and suicide…and I have to make sure I heal, the bronze finished, eyes whirling amused shades. There was actually lots to do, and so little time to do it. Sometimes Corinth wished he, like whers, could see at night; he could be so much more competent if he could work at night as well. Trusting whers to take care of Thread at night was as risky as trusting a Weyrbrat to take care of fragile ornaments that made nice sounds when smashed. Deeper? Hmm, probably. But not by much, he added contemplatively.
Corinth chuckled softly at Aonith’s ideas. Well, there’s no dragon that can be able to go through life without being hurt once in a while. But yes, I suppose ‘experience’ would be better, he conceded. Another soft chuckle as Aonith puffed up—in pride at his statement? It seemed likely. You see? he pressed. Queens clutch; greens fly better. It’s a fair trade, don’t you think? Plus, greens are the best Wingmembers for Thread.
T’rid quirked his eyebrows, amused. Well, of course she would agree—she liked her meat half-cooked and bloody and…and…I don’t see what’s wrong with that, Corinth said mildly. Well, you wouldn’t, you’re a dragon, T’rid sighed in response. “Roast tubers are all right,” he corrected. “Unfortunately, our dear cooks don’t seem to usually roast ‘em.” He didn’t know what they did to them—boil them? But they didn’t turn out half as good as they did when roasted, most of the time. A lot more rubbery, less crisp.
He wrinkled his nose at the idea of a flit-loving Rider storming to him and scolding him. “They wouldn’t,” he declared. “Not unless they have a death wish and want me to ask dear old Cor to sit on them for me.” Actually, Green-, Blue-, and Brownriders were a lot bolder at Selenitas, possibly because of the lack of oppression. “Besides, even if the feline didn’t scare the Shards out of ‘em, I could always just ‘accidentally’ throw them a dragon’s head or something.” That would work just as well. He’d never tried it, but T’rid was quite sure being hurled at a dragon with sharp teeth would produce a funny enough appearance from anyone, especially a squeaky scared fire lizard.
T’rid rolled his eyes expressively. Great, another female who loved felines. Did they all? He was beginning to despair for the feminine gender; was there none that could refuse a cute little ball of fluff? It was sickening. “Well, do you think if I asked Aonith nicely to eat my kitten, she would? Cor wouldn’t get mad at her or anything, I promise,” he added, innocently glancing at the bronze, who shot him a scoffing look. You’re just unnatural and jealous of their cuteness.
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Post by dragon on Aug 29, 2008 23:11:36 GMT -5
Dorava rolled her eyes before pulling a face and sticking out her own tongue. "No, thank you, good sir. I don't sing so well. The last time I tried, Aonith started trying to learn to howl like a canine." She joked, as Aonith spit water at her rider… again the water fell far short of its mark. I did not! I rather like your singing … you're the one who thinks you can't sing! Aonith protested.
Dorava smiled slightly at his making light of such a heavy subject. It was good to not get stuck in such a valley. "I doubt they will miss her … and I really hope they don't. If they do miss her in such a fashion, they'd come after her. And I don't want them coming after us… I am glad we aren't important enough to elicit that kind of response. Since I left everything I owned behind beyond what I was wearing, I imagine they suspect we just … vanished. Maybe to between or something. One could hope."
You have a busy schedule, don't you? Aonith laughed. Getting those little critters are just eating up your time! she teased, before rolling back the other direction, dousing her other side in the river, flaring her wings out of the water. The water ran off of her wings, causing another mini bout of rain on the surface of the river and her own side.
I suppose you are right. Aonith amended, thinking about the points Corinth had raised. He not only had a point, but he was also a bronze … and hands down smarter than her. She was only a green, after all … and didn't have the best memory, even among greens. "Roasted… if there's some fine salt about, sure!" Dorava agreed. "I like salt on my veggies." She admitted. There were times that it was the only way she could choke some of them down … douse them in salt. But then, again, sometimes … it didn't help at all … and sometimes made it come back up. That wasn't ever fun … but because of that, she was a little more cautious about altering her meals … sometimes the cooks really did know the best way to make food edible … ! "Do dragons regularly sit on people?" Dorava asked, warily. Interesting idea… I might should have sat on a few people back in the other weyr… Dorava shot the green dragon a look, and the dragon started splashing about in the water again, feigning innocence. "I certainly don't want to get sat on." Dorava continued, pretending that Aonith hadn't said anything. "I don't know, to be honest, if she would or not." Dorava mused. "Sometimes I don't know when she is blowing hot air and when she is serious. I can't imagine eating a feline … I mean, unless you chewed really thoroughly … they'd be clawing all the way down, don't you think?" She asked, assuming that he was joking … or at least hoping he was joking… and responding in a similarly light tone.
I would not, either. I don't want to choke on the fluff. Felines are better than half fur! Aonith admonished. Not worth the coughing fit … I have seen what some canines do after trying to eat them… it hurt just watching!
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Avu
Weyrleader Ce'thian Rider A'emi Handler Sena Harper Matteo Weyrbrat Riaren
Posts: 2,439
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Post by Avu on Aug 30, 2008 14:11:22 GMT -5
“Well, then, Lady, I’m afraid I’m not going to be able to make that sonnet, more’s the pity.” T’rid clicked his tongue, shaking his head slowly, his face a mask of regret. Good acting skills really did help one in times of need—both when funning and when lying. “So sorry.” As if you could sing—or rhyme—anyway, Corinth yawned, sounding dryly amused by the idea of His caroling like a wherry. T’rid made a rude sign at the bronze, who snorted as if highly offended.
T’rid frowned at the thought of Benden rampaging into Selenitas and tearing the Weyr apart in search of a missing Greenpair. “Hmm, I could see where that could be bad. But don’t ruin my vision, please.” He closed his eyes, returning to rattling off what he had ‘seen’. “And then Thread will get into the Weyr Bowl, because of course, what with Aonith’s absence, nobody will be able to stop it…it’ll poison the ground and destroy the herdbeasts…and then,” he finished triumphantly, “They’ll come crawling here begging for help. Sound good?” Sounds like trash, answered Corinth. “Shh, Cor. Don’t ruin it.” T’rid pressed his finger to his lips, and Corinth shook his head sagely.
The bronze nodded smugly. After we get the kitten and fire lizard, I’ll get a ‘mandyr for Ridmine. I don’t care if I have to Impress it myself, but I swear I’m going to get my hands on one of them. Eventually. It might take much conniving, wheedling, and possibly even drugging T’rid to do so, but the bronze was determined to get one. He liked ‘mandyrs. They were interesting. He sighed, sinking into the water and closing his eyes, letting Rukbat warm his back and wings while the cool liquid slipped over his neck.
I’m glad you think so, Corinth murmured smugly. Greens were either exceeding modest or exceedingly immodest. Aonith seemed to fit nicely into the ‘modest’ category. This was the type of green that Corinth found easy to get along with: Easy to talk to, and it was much easier to compliment them, because they always thought they weren’t worth it in the first place (which was a lie!). The ‘immodest’ type of green was much, much harder to get along with—vain, usually flirty—no. He much preferred the more modest greens, although he’d Chase either in Flight.
“Salt?” T’rid felt his stomach flop at the idea of too much salt. He’d rather eat bland food than overly salted food. Something about eating rocks didn’t appeal to him much. Don’t you have an ‘other stomach’ that you can make flames with? Corinth asked, his voice too innocent. Ha, ha. I don’t know how you STAND firestone. The bronze exhaled dramatically. I admit that it doesn’t taste as good as meat does, but it’s not terrible either. Realizing he looked repulsed, T’rid explained, “Have you ever considered salt as rocks? It…it…” He shook his head, not quite able to explain. “Next time you’re swallowing salt by the cupfuls, think about what you’re really eating.”
Sit on people? Dragons? Didn’t she know dragons weren’t supposed to hurt people? Not unless their Riders wanted them to, of course. Corinth had promised that he could and would kill if someone was threatening his Ridmine before, and…well. “Not usually. Corinth hasn’t ever sat on anyone either.” His lip twisted into a smirk. “Not many people get within a dragonlength of me when I’m angry, so I’ve got no chance to ask Corinth to squash them for being impudent, unfortunately.” He tilted his head. “You apparently are new, if you’re willing to risk a few limbs getting close to an irritated Bronzerider.”
The idea of swallowing a feline—alive—was even more repulsive than the idea of salt. T’rid felt his stomach wiggle, and was glad he hadn’t eaten anything in a while. He made a face, managing to dismiss the slight nausea. “Ugh—all bloody—oh, wait.” He rolled his eyes. “I forgot you liked raw meat—squirming—ugh.” He smirked nonetheless. “Now I see why your friends thought you were part dragon. I thought only dragons liked eating living things before they died.”
Kittens aren’t for eating, was Corinth’s quiet protest.
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Post by dragon on Aug 30, 2008 17:10:50 GMT -5
"Well, darn. I was looking forward to the possibility of a new song. The old ones get … well … old." Dorava said, almost wistfully. "Problem is, people have a really hard time getting new song ideas accepted as actual songs, rather than … 'ditties' that only a few people that know each other know." She grinned at his acting, thinking that with all he was pulling, he would have made a great Harper himself simply for his entertainment qualities… barring the getting raging mad part, of course.
"Well, I apologize if I was being too terrified of the people residing where I come from to be able to think so … positively … about it yet." She said … and the statement was both honest and poking fun at the same time, oddly enough. She, too, was somewhat enjoying the idea he was spinning out … even if in the back of her mind she both knew that it was highly unlikely and she normally never wished ill on anyone … regardless of who they were. Not that she didn't acknowledge people needing punished … she just didn't dwell on plotting revenge. "It does sound good … barring the part where they come here." Dorava laughed.
My! Another one? You'll have your rider in such a fit over three pets that he won't be able to breathe TO yell! Aonith giggled. From what she had already seen of the bronze rider, she could just imagine how that might play out … T'rid was likely to castrate Corinth! And Aonith decidedly didn't want to be there for that… Aonith decided that Corinth was the nicest Bronze dragon she had ever met … even if one might for a moment count flitters as dragons when considering the temperaments of Bronzes in general. She did slightly wonder if all Bronzes at Selenitas were so nice and friendly, or if he was a fluke. Aonith had more or less been avoiding running into any of them, drawing off her prior experiences with metallic dragons. Now, she was fairly glad that she had braved his possible wrath enough to dunk in the river… and subsequently get to talk to him. It was very, very refreshing to the mind. "I know." Dorava said, watching as his expression started to make him look like he was trying very hard to not retch. "I don't like thatmuch said. I did say sometimes it isn't good. But some helps. Just a little." She glanced over at Corinth as the bronze exhaled, and then back at T'rid when he continued to speak. Laughing, she nodded. "I know salt is rock. So are all the minerals that are necessary nutrition. Even animals will go to salt licks to get their minerals. It does a body good. However … too much can do a body bad, too. There is a fine balance with it, as with all things … a little bubble pie is good, but too much will make one sicker than a canine." "OH, good. I am glad I don't have to watch out for dragon rumps coming in my direction." Dorava laughed. But when he mentioned irritated bronze riders, she sobered, and shook her head. "It was general practice for Aonith and I to avoid all bronzerideres in general, as often as was feasible. As for now … well I couldn't very well leave her alone and she was determined to get to the water… so here I am. It is nice that you can do something besides yell, though." She offered a small smile in his direction. "Yelling gets to the ears after awhile. But I assure you … just now was not normal practice."
Dorava almost laughed at the contortions that T'rids face could go through, all because of something she'd said. It would be entertaining just to watch a face that mobile! Never mind the topic of discussion. "No! I don't eat meat RAW… I prefer it rather singed on the outside, you know." She mimed turning a spit, and then made a point of licking her upper lip. "But it must be dead … no twitching for me, no thanks. And no eyeballs. My grandfather used to eat treerats and fish both with the heads still on and the eyes in … now THAT'S gross!" she took her own turn at shuddering expressively. "No, I think my meat must not only be dead, but cooked on the outside. Yes. And just a little bit of spicing is sometimes nice, too." She nodded emphatically, and grinned. It didn't bother her a bit that her tastes left some gagging … they didn't know what they were missing out on!
Yes! Kittens are not for eating! Aonith reinforced, to her own, after hearing Corinth's comment. Not for eating!
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