this conspiracy against me [tags raylin]

[Avu]

It was very, very warm, and there was something tickling him. T’rid crinkled his nose – the target of the tickling – and raised one his right hand to swat at the source of the tickling. His fingers met soft hide, and instantly, the bronzerider froze. He didn’t stiffen – he simply stopped moving as Conspiracy gave a startled peep, and then a softer keel. Had he done wrong? Had he? He was hungry, he was…what had he done wrong…? And why had His not woken up to feed him? The brown’s confusion was clear, along with a feeling of hurt; did his perfect person not love him anymore…? It was because of Stupid, wasn’t it? But not all browns were Stupid, they weren’t; he was good, and – “Sorry,” T’rid muttered, squeezing his eyes shut further as he ran his fingers down the brown firelizard’s side, “I didn’t mean to…I’ll feed you…hang on…” He squirmed slightly – and then froze again. This time, it was not because of Conspiracy – the brown firelizard had hopped away from him; he’d felt the shift in the bed – but because there was someone very warm right next to him.

The bronzerider opened both eyes, staring blankly at the ceiling for a moment before comprehension struck. Calistoth’s Flight – and Stupid – stupid Salamandyr; where was he now? – and the lust, the need…he’d flat-out ran for the Flightrooms near the end, positively shaking with the effort it took not to search the weyrs on the way until he found anyone to take the lust away – and then he’d turned a corner and run full-tilt into Raylin, and that had been it – the last of his control was gone. T’rid didn’t think he’d even explained, nor yet paused for Raylin to comprehend why he’d run into her one minute and then kissed her the next; he was pretty sure Corinth had explained to Ebolath, though, to make that the green didn’t hate him. He was also pretty sure that the bronze dragon had managed to keep enough control of his Rider’s mind that he hadn’t hurt Raylin too much. Had she still been a virgin? Probably; he couldn’t see Raylin asking anybody to sleep with her as a favor.

“Corinth…?”
I picked Stupid up, the bronze stated by way of greeting. He’s rather upset, I’m afraid; he’s hiding under my wing. And, yes; I did tell Ebolath why you…Flew Hers, though whether or not she understands I’m not fully aware. You might try waking her up and explaining to her…? The bronze flicked his tail; he was sprawled on the dragon couch, eyes whirling rapidly.

Obediently shifting away from Raylin as rapidly as his left arm, which was throbbing due to the…activities, T’rid cocked his head down at her, and, sitting up, the furs covering his lap, the bronzerider reached out to tap the greenrider’s face before his hand moved down to her shoulder and he shook Raylin slightly. “Raylin?” He crinkled his nose slightly as Conspiracy peeped quietly, the brown firelizard flicking his wing in agitation at His. “Sorry, ‘spiracy…Corinth, can you call for food? For Stupid and Conspiracy, and for me as well. And…and Raylin.” Assuming the greenrider didn’t up and bolt, anyway. He kind of hoped she didn’t – his ego would be severely bruised if she did, and at least he was hoping that she’d put one and one together – Calistoth Rising, Corinth not Chasing, and his…response to crashing headlong into her – and figure it out, but if she couldn’t, then he really wouldn’t mind the chance to explain.

I will call, the bronze agreed, flicking his tail animatedly. I have, and I’ve arranged for you to have about ten minutes to get Ebolath’s up and dressed, so do hurry. She /is/ a Weyrlingrider, you know…

Right. Shardit; she was. Is Ebolath okay…? She’s old enough to handle it, right…? Somehow, T’rid had a feeling that she was – and that Corinth would have been much more agitated if Ebolath wasn’t okay. The bronze’s wave of assent made T’rid exhale in relief before he shook Raylin by the shoulder again lightly. “Raaaaayyyyliiiiiin, wake uuu-uuup…”

[Rei]

Raylin had heard T’rid the first time, but she was loathe to move. It didn’t hurt when she stayed still. Ebolath was pressing worriedly at her mind and she mentally reassured the green. I’m ok love. Really I am. She felt a wave of relief from her mind mate. Cherilith caught Calistoth. He did? Well at least he’ll be happy. I doubt Saeo will be though. Ebolath fell silent for a moment. Her next words where hesitant. T'rid flew you as well. Are you happy mine? The weyrling considered for a moment and then gave a mental sigh. I was…until I woke up. I…he doesn’t sound mad but..I don’t know how this is going to all pan out. I love you Ebolath. I love you to Rayminelove. I will be there in a few minutes. Relief came from hers at those words. Be careful darling. Is it still storming? Ebolath glanced out of her weyr. Yes but not as bad. It is almost night though. I will be there shortly. As Ebolath severed the contact, Raylin sat up rather abruptly. She had just realized her bronze bedmate had started to gently shake her and she didn‘t want to worry him unnecessarily.

The sudden movement caused the weyrling’s body to protest but she pushed the feeling aside for the moment. There would be time to worry about that later. Right now the rider was trying to sort things out. Unbidden memories of the previous hours came back. When T’rid slammed into her Raylin had been shocked, afraid she had hurt his arm. That feeling of shock quickly turned into confusion as he started kissing her. Not like the first and only time he’d kissed her either. More violent, more demanding. Raylin had resisted at first but then given in. There was no reason too resist. She had wanted him, probably as badly as he had wanted her then. The problem was, for him it was runlust from Stupid. From her…well there was no cause other than her own desires. Groaning softly she flopped back down on the pillow and threw her arm over her face. Shards.

Ebolath backwinged and squawked as a gust of wind almost blew her off course, talon's scrambling for a hold on the slick rock, she finally touched down on Corinth’s ledge. Quickly the green folded her wings before the wind could carry her off. Sitting out in the driving rain she crooned softly, the sound tossed away by the wind. Corinth? Yours flew mine? Please tell me this won’t affect his friendship with her? She is worried that he will no longer like her. I am sorry she is so silly but I do not wish her to mope. Hunkering down the green tucked her head under her wing to hide it from the driving rain. Ebolath stayed outside. She didn’t want to get Corinth’s living space wet. She was not one to barge in uninvited either.

Raylin sat up again, this time clutching the fur’s against her chest (No matter T'rid had already seen it, it made her feel safer). Throwing a quick glance in T’rid’s direction she blushed before returning her gaze to the bed. “I…uh..is your arm ok?” The weyrling managed to stammer out, her voice barely louder than a whisper. “and Stupid is he ok as well?” There that was a bit louder. Turning to look around the bronze rider's weyr, Raylin’s gaze went from her scattered clothes, to Corinth, and then to Conspiracy. Tentatively she reached a hand toward the brown lizard. “I haven’t upset you have I? I’m sorry.” The words where spoken towards Conspiracy but it was a bit obvious as to whom they where directed. Why couldn’t she look at him? The reason was simple, once she let herself think about it. Raylin was afraid to know what T’rid thought. What if he didn’t want to see her again. That thought was too horrible to contemplate. Without her really even realizing it T’rid had become very important to her.

[Avu]

On the upside, she was awake. On the downside, Raylin’s abrupt sitting up could not have felt too good, and T’rid tilted his head curiously to glance at her, one eyebrow rising slightly as Raylin promptly flopped back down again; she hadn’t so much as looked at him. That didn’t mean he couldn’t look at her, though, and T’rid’s gaze didn’t waver from the greenrider as Conspiracy twittered nervously from the stand next to his bed, the brown firelizard flapping one wing anxiously; what was going on…? T’rid half-frowned, biting his tongue; he wanted to see Raylin’s reaction – a real reaction, not just getting up and flopping back down again – before he said anything; he didn’t want her to feel violated – he really didn’t. But if he started stammering out apologies (rather unlikely anyway) and she wasn’t upset, he’d just…look like a complete fool. Thanks, but no thanks; he’d rather wait and see. Corinth was watching them silently, the bronze’s wing twitching as a small, dark brown head peered out from the membrane, and then ducked back under silently: Stupid.

Biting his tongue harder to keep from calling out the Salamandyr – though whether he intended to lecture him or soothe him, T’rid wasn’t quite sure – T’rid cocked his head to glance at Raylin again at her question, just as Corinth informed him that Ebolath had arrived. T’rid took note of the information, though he didn’t reply, and crinkled his nose at Raylin. At least she’d sat up, even if she wasn’t looking at him. But – but really, his arm…? “My arm,” he repeated – or rather, mimicked – “is just fine.” Which was more or less a lie, since it was throbbing; he’d get numbweed or fellis from the Healers, later. He didn’t say so; it wasn’t Raylin’s business to worry about his arm when he’d just jumped her, and he didn’t want to be fussed over anyway. “Stupid’s fine, too. Sulky, but he’s been worse.” The bronzerider tilted his head, trying to catch the greenrider’s eyes again – or at least get a good view of her facial expression – but, as Corinth was on her other side, that proved more or less impossible.

Conspiracy fluted pleasantly at Raylin; the brown firelizard vocalized many of T’rid’s moods because he positively hero-worshipped his Bonded. Whether or not Raylin had noted this was yet to be seen, but it could definitely be taken as a good sign that he was not scolding Raylin, as he would have if His were annoyed. He touched the tip of his muzzle to Raylin’s fingertips, and then rubbed his entire head against the greenrider’s hand in a show of affection, though he withdrew, cocking his head to stare at His as the bronzerider stared at what he could see of Raylin’s face. “’scuse me; why would I be upset with you because I jumped you…?” he questioned, though he didn’t wait for the reply before he half-rolled and half-scooted out of the furs, snagging his pants as he went. “You might want to get dressed,” he went on, “Corinth’s called for food already; Conspiracy’s hungry, and Stupid probably is, too, and I am, and I doubt you’ll want to be caught in the nude.” The words were quite matter-of-fact; since Raylin looked to be very upset, that left him to be relatively sane, didn’t it?

Yes, they Flew, the bronze replied, glancing at His as the bronzerider pulled on his pants and stooped to grab Raylin’s shirt and toss it towards her. I don’t see why it would, he added soothingly, flicking his tail as he craned his neck to see the ‘ledge; the flash of green was Ebolath, wasn’t it? Come inside; it’s still raining, isn’t it? Very miserable, outside – anyway, unless she makes it to be something more than it is, I don’t see why it would affect anything at all; Mine isn’t going to be upset with her because of it – if she doesn’t worry, it’ll probably be better, though I suppose she wouldn’t believe me when I say it, the bronze commented, slightly bemused; why must people worry so much? It didn’t make sense to him; he’d Flown Reysalth before – he remembered it – and Aslath, and they’d never been awkward because of it – and His was not panicking like he had with Calistoth’s, so what was wrong?

[Rei]

T’rid’s responses to her questions did little to quell her fears. So he wasn’t upset but things where far from fine. At least in Raylin’s mind they weren’t. Awkward and uncomfortable came to mind, although she smiled gently as Conspiracy rubbed against her hand. The weyrling didn’t trust herself to speak as T’rid left the bed. Instead she silently copied his movement, keeping the furs wrapped around herself to retain as much modesty as possible.

Raylin finished dressing quickly and then sat at the end of the bed silent. Bowing her head she allowed her disheveled hair to fall across her face hiding it from view. Idiot. You are a sharding idiot. Why did you let it happen Raylin huh? Don’t you know better by now? You should. Don’t ever hope anything. Ever. That way you can’t get upset when nothing happens or when things go wrong. Either that or expect the worst you sharding wherrie brain. The weyrling berated herself frantically, but refused to cry. Sending a silent request to Ebolath to stay silent she closed her eyes. No crying. Raylin refused to allow herself that right.

Ebolath crooned hesitantly as she entered Corinth’s living space. The green stayed by the doorway dripping water onto the floor. Her eyes whirling in grays and yellows as she shared both pain and worry with her rider. Gently she touched her rider’s mind and trembled. Raylovemine? I am here and I love you. Everything will be fine my love. I will never leave you. Crooning softly she flicked her attention back to Corinth and rumbled. Hello Corinth. The greeting was friendly but a bit guarded.

Ebolath was nervous, unsure, and things seemed to be unstable at the moment. The young green was at a loss as she listened to Corinth. If hers doesn’t worry, if she makes it out to be nothing? I do not think you understand mine Corinth. Mine is a worrier. She always has been and there is little anyone can do to change that fact. I know you do not understand her and sometimes I have a hard time as well, even though she is mine. I am sorry. It is nothing personal against yours but she wishes me to say nothing about how she feels. I cannot possibly stand by and allow her to be hurt because of me. So silent I will remain. Swinging her head towards T’rid she whimpered before lowering it. Water dripped from her nose to the floor. She had never felt such sorrow from hers before. No wait that was incorrect, hers felt much the same as when she awakened from the attack. This pain was different however.

Raylin sent a wave of relief to her green but didn’t comment back mentally. When Ebolath whimpered she flinched and tried to soothe her. Sweetheart do not worry. Everything will be fine. I expected this. I let myself be stupid but it won’t happen again. Darling it is no one’s fault but my own. I do not expect you to stay away from your friends. I want you to interact with them love. Clenching her hands into fists she tensed for a moment and flinched when her body protested the sudden contraction. Finally she relaxed her posture and sighed. “T’rid? It’s all fine. I’m not angry at you.” He voice was surprisingly calm but it held a cold edge that surprised her. “I’m mad at myself.”

[Avu]

Raylin finished dressing faster than T’rid did, and the bronzerider remained silent as he loped across the weyr to pick out a fresh shirt to pull over his head, shaking his head slightly as his hair fell into his eyes. Smoothing the fabric over his abdomen absently, T’rid glanced backwards at the silent greenrider, running one hand through his hair. If he noticed that it made it stand on end – as if it hadn’t already – the bronzerider gave no sign of it; he stood at his wardrobe silently for a moment before he spoke into the silence: “Are you okay? I’m sor – what?” He cut himself off as Raylin spoke, and blinked for a moment; how could she possibly be upset with herself…? It was official, he decided silently, absolutely official: Women were crazy. Or at least, the ones he associated with were…? Hmm. Maybe that said something – but. She couldn’t – she couldn’t possibly have fought him off; he knew that – Stupid’s lust was strong, and he wasn’t weak, either, despite the almost feminine slenderness to his frame, and Raylin was only a Weyrling – she couldn’t have; it wouldn’t have made the slightest difference. She should give him more credit; he was strong – dragonriders practically had to be.

That was only if that was what was bothering her, anyway. Biting his tongue, the bronzerider shrugged, glancing at Ebolath silently. One eyebrow rose as Corinth relayed the green’s message, but neither bronze nor rider offered a reply to the young green. Corinth’s eyes were whirling rapidly, verging on distress; hints of yellow could be made out before it was swallowed again in a dark blue – almost black. T’rid’s gaze snagged on Corinth’s, and the bronze tilted his head, making a noise low in his throat. It was not a happy noise; the bronze’s wingtip twitched. You should have gone directly to the Flightrooms, he commented softly, the statement lacking in accusation; his tail curled loosely around his haunches, tapping a staccato beat. You see what happens when you don’t listen to me…? It had the potential to be a teasing statement, but it wasn’t; Corinth’s tones were grave.

“Remind me to listen to you more often, then,” T’rid replied aloud, thoughtlessly, though his voice probably wasn’t audible to Raylin as he crossed the room to Corinth, leaning against the bronze’s shoulder. To Raylin, he went on, louder so that she’d hear, “I guess Corinth’s told Ebolath about…why.” His head tilted towards the tiny brown head that peeked out from Corinth’s wing; at the gesture, Stupid ducked back under again, miserably; the brown Salamandyr squeaked quietly. Bad, is bad, was his comment, broadcasted; the Salamandyr obviously was miserable for loosing the Flight. Cherilith had Caught her – Cherilith, a Weyrling; he didn’t deserve her…T’rid’s gaze flicked towards Stupid, and then away again, back to Raylin. “I wasn’t aiming for you,” he added frankly, as Corinth shifted slightly. “I was heading for the Flightrooms.” He shrugged one shoulder expressively, crinkling his nose slightly. Calistoth – ugh, Calistoth…

“If you want,” T’rid went on, hooking one elbow over Corinth’s neck and swallowing back a yawn, “I can take you between on Corinth once the rain stops.” He couldn’t possibly take her between in the pouring rain; they’d get wet and freeze when they went between, but such an intense rain couldn’t last for much longer. A half-hour couldn’t make much of a difference one way or another. And anyway, he didn’t like to get wet. Too…cold and wet. Conspiracy keeled petulantly as he flapped one wing vigorously, projecting emphatically his hunger, and T’rid edited his comment automatically: “Once I’ve fed ‘spiracy and Stupid, too.” And himself, come to that; he was hungry. Hazel eyes flicked towards Raylin, but her hair hid her face from view and the bronzerider bit his tongue to keep back a curse; that wasn’t fair…what if he wanted to see her expression?

[Rei]

Corinth’s noise caused Ebolath to start and move back towards the weyrledge opening, nostrils flaring. She was keyed up, the tension was bothering her more than Raylin had originally realized. The green weyrling lifted her head as Ebolath moved. “It’s ok Love easy. Everything is fine.” She infused her tone with as much soothing calmness as she could and willed herself to try and relax. Raylin kept her eyes fixed on Ebolath, not trusting herself to look at T’rid. The young green crooned low and curled in on herself wrapping her tail around her haunches and flattening her wings tight against her back. Giving a sigh the young dragon started to relax although her eyes had not yet ceased their whirling. T’rid’s words caused both females to look at him, Ebolath uttering a low croon while Raylin tried to keep her face blank. Stupid? It is ok. I do not think you are bad and neither does mine. Ebolath’s voice was steady and lacked accusation. She did not blame her little friend at all. Things where just tense. That wasn't his fault in the least.

Raylin fixed her gaze on T’rid. “I know you weren’t aiming for me. I was in the way. I’m sorry.” Dipping her head down she allowed her hair to fall across her face masking it again. Grabbing the furs in her hand she clenched it into fist and then smoothed them out. “If you want to it’s fine, but you really don’t have to bother. We will be learning to between soon and Ebolath can take me. Really it isn’t a big deal.” Immediately after she spoke she flopped back down on the bed and sighed.

The weyrling’s mind jumped from one thing to another and eventually she fixed on one point. She was being stupid. If she wanted to keep T’rid as a friend she had to stop letting the things she grew up believing bother her. They didn’t work, or have a place in weyr life. But it was one thing to say you’ll forget and another to put it into practice. It was hard not to feel like she’d just committed some kind of sin. Biting her bottom lip Raylin studied the ceiling.

[Avu]

Ebolath’s tension was very well noted, but Corinth was not unintelligent. His was the cause of the green’s agitation – on the upside, she was mature enough to handle it – Weyrlingmasters planned very carefully how late Weyrlings were allowed intimacy, since they had to wait for all of the dragons to mature mentally enough to handle such, and Ebolath was hardly immature – but he still couldn’t comfort her. He did not understand any human but His; that was a fact the bronze was willing to accept. And just because he understood His in no way meant that he always agreed with him – because, in general, Corinth didn’t. The bronze’s tail flicked, but that was the extent of outward emotion; he gave a single croon that was not in the least expressive of his own emotions; Corinth was very good at coming off as deadpan when he wanted to – better than T’ridHis, though admittedly T’rid rarely tried because he didn’t think anything was worth the effort. Arching his neck to nuzzle His, the bronze exhaled steadily.

Mine. She’s Holdbred…
So am /I/. I don’t know; what am I /supposed/ to say?
Not everyone has the ego that you do – and very few people don’t care at all about what people think of them. I don’t know what you’re supposed to say – think of something; do something. The food’s coming, I suppose, the bronze added.
I don’t think I’m hungry anymore, T’rid observed, one hand settling absently on his abdomen before he dropped his hand again, watching Raylin through hooded eyes.
You don’t have to eat it. And Ebolath’s could be; and Conspiracy definitely is – and Stupid is, too. Way /not/ to be egocentric.
Umm. Corinth. I want her to leave. The bronzerider turned away from Raylin as he ‘said’ it; he couldn’t quite explain why he wanted Raylin to go, but he did.

The bronze’s tail flipped, but he didn’t respond as he nuzzled His once again on the chest, his gaze turning to Stupid as the brown peeked out from beyond his wing again, and then keeled. /Is/ bad. Sorry – sorry, please sorry, the Salamandyr begged of Ebolath, though he didn’t leave the safety of Corinth’s wing; he was safe here and he was miserable; Calistoth’s Flight had been the most grueling ever for Stupid. The green was so pretty – she deserved a better mate than he was, but – but he was still upset. ’listoth – pretty, shiny – sorry, much sor… The brown’s mental voice trailed off and he shook himself abruptly from frill to tail, and then slunk forlornly back beneath the bronze’s wing, almost literally disappearing under the slightly translucent membrane. Corinth crooned once more, the sound almost apologetic as he twitched his wing, allowing it to droop safely over Stupid; poor brown – he didn’t understand why he hadn’t won Calistoth’s favor, and it was cute, his naïve adoration of green dragons.

“In the way is not the term I would use,” T’rid answered quietly, still turned away from Raylin. His face was upturned to Corinth, lips curved soberly downwards without quite being a deliberate frown. But he said nothing more, and eventually, it was Corinth who spoke, as somber as his Rider as he glanced towards Ebolath and Raylin, and then sighed before he touched the green’s mind gently, with a pressure that started off gentle and became the same friendly touch that was per usual. Perhaps it’s better if you take Yours away for now? he suggested softly. Give her time to think about it – Mine would like – like time to think, too, if Yours doesn’t mind.

[Rei]

Ebolath listened to Stupid’s words and softly crooned. He was upset because Calistoth didn’t chose him? It was awkward, it was. Didn’t her friends like them anymore? Sighing she listened to Corinth’s request and nodded gently. I am sorry. Bowing her head, she transferred the request to her rider. It was worded just as Corinth said and she flicked a glance towards T’rid.

Raylin’s reaction was far from what Ebolath expected and the green flinched away from her rider’s sudden anger. Sitting upright Raylin pushed herself off the bed and stood gaping at T’rid. “What? I wasn’t good enough for you? Fine! It wasn’t my fault you knocked into me T’rid! I’m sorry I’m such a hassle. I’ll get out and stay out. You won’t have to deal with me anymore. That make you happy? Good! Forget you ever met me. It’s easier for you that way isn’t it? You don’t care and you never have. Thanks for pretending. You don’t care about anyone but yourself!” The last words came out in a barely understandable sob and she practically ran from the room, flinging open the door right as the startled drudge raised her hand to knock.

Pushing past her, Raylin sprinted down the hallway ignoring the keen Ebolath let loose. Closing her eyes against the tears she continued down the hallway not even watching where she was going. Ebolath flung her wings open and keened again in distress before turning and scampering out onto the ledge. Flinging herself off it into the stinging rain, she circled the canyon once trying to keep track of her riders flight without letting the wind carry her off. I’m sorry Corinth. I really am.

[Avu]

Corinth’s head dipped down to press against T’rid’s chest again, the bronze dragon half-closing his eyes as his Rider’s arm absently circled his muzzle, the bronzerider bowing his forehead against the dragon’s thoughtlessly as Ebolath nodded in acquiescence to their request. Please go, he thought silently to himself, dropping his eyes absently to a freckle on the bronze’s nose; his hand moved up to touch it absentmindedly – and then he froze at Raylin’s outburst, fingers quivering lightly against Corinth’s nose as the bronze’s head came up and a low rumble sounded in his chest; the dragon’s tail flicked in clear agitation and yellow and red came into his eyes as one foreleg curved possessively around his Bonded’s legs. T’rid didn’t move – throughout the entire rant, he stayed still; he didn’t look at Raylin and he didn’t turn away from her or towards her. Lips thinned, but his hand didn’t move – it was Corinth who moved, his tail lashing against the stone couch, flipping along its length, and he rumbled again.

The sound was not the usual relaxed, almost crooning affection; to all but the most observant, it was simply agitated – but it was also angry. He insulted and fretted at T’rid on a daily basis, but T’rid was His and that gave him the exclusive right to taunting the bronzerider – or allowing others to. Raylin was not among those people that Corinth allowed to attempt to hurt or humiliate His, because she would hurt him. T’rid still hadn’t moved; the sound of the door opening didn’t make him turn, and he didn’t stop Raylin as she took off. Corinth didn’t make another sound till Ebolath had left – and he didn’t reply to the green. He was fond of Ebolath, but his first duty was to His. The bronze crooned, the sound high and anxious as his muzzle pushed gently into T’rid’s stomach.

Abruptly turning, the bronzerider flicked a quick, almost ironic smile at Corinth, making his way to the door and deftly pulling the tray out of the stunned Drudge’s hands. A mock bow, and then T’rid turned back to the interior of his weyr, kicking his door shut along the way and setting the tray on his desk and picking up the bowl of meat scraps before he sat down abruptly in between Corinth’s forelegs, leaning back against the bronze’s chest and calling to Conspiracy and Stupid absently. As he fed them piece by piece, he glanced up to Corinth, whose eyes were still agitated – on his behalf. He’d wanted Raylin to leave because she hadn’t trusted him enough to tell him why she was upset – or explain it – and he would have trusted her if he had to, but she hadn’t – and hadn’t he already saved her once, risking his own life to do it, when he could have just curled up in his weyr and stayed safe?

Well, fine; if she didn’t think he cared, then he wouldn’t care. T’rid didn’t want to care if she didn’t think he did. Looking up to meet Corinth’s eyes, the bronzerider actually smirked at the dragon, rescuing Stupid from a large piece of meat. Ebolath’s cares about what /you/ think, the bronze commented, very quietly, continuing the bronzerider’s mental train of thought effortlessly. She wouldn’t have been so…upset about leaving if she didn’t. That’s good for her then, isn’t it? His reply was haughty, one eyebrow rising disdainfully. He’d just care about himself, Corinth, Conspiracy, and Stupid, and he’d get along just fine without Raylin or anybody else; he was perfectly fine with that. It’d be easier, it would.




((Closed~))