Poetry Lesson (Rei)

[Ember]

"Sharding idiot! Who the heck asked him to give himself up?" Jazheera ranted to the air. She was about to go on when she yawned out of the blue. Tod was still asleep and thus making her sleepy too. The little green really could sleep through anything when she was really tired. It worked well for her because she didn't like leaving the 'mandyr behind but she couldn't exactly be quiet either. Still, she had a knack for waking up at other, more inconvenient times.

Tod, though, was not what she was ranting about. No, Jazz was pissed that her brother had gotten himself stuck back at Selenitas where who knows what was happening to him. "Just after I've found him again he does something like that. Tch, stupid stupid stupid." Hey, hey Jazz Mine, you aren't seeming fine. How about a verbal duel, to determine who is who's fool? Huh? Ah, alright. Verbal duel...What are the rules?

He or she who speaks plainly, loses fairly. Oh, a rhyming compition then? Well, I've been listening to you spew it long enough that I can probably give you a good run for your marks. Let us start this duel of the heart! You are quite overdramatic. This competition makes you ecstatic. That is not true for the likes of you? I could care less about a game such as this. I already almost won, and that just wouldn't be fun.

Jazz snorted as she walked. At least he was fair with his rhyming rules. He got away with things, so at least he had the decency to let her get away with the same. She was working on her next reply to him but couldn't seem to get it to work. She spotted someone nearby and, not caring whether they wanted to help her or not, asked, "Do you know what rhymes with 'fiend?'" Dhavalth would never know that she had to ask for help just to keep the game going.

[Rei]

Irritated. That was probably the best way to describe the bronzer’s current attitude. There wasn’t even anything to be particularly irritated about. He just was. Oh Mave could go on and on about how that didn’t even make sense. If he was paying attention. But the bronze wasn’t. No instead the large dragon was lounging around inside, half dozing and wishing he could sun. Sadly he couldn’t but still the dragon wanted to. Cr’oph was fed up. Fed up with his dragon, fed up with exploring, fed up with all the waiting, hell fed up with close to everything it seemed. He didn’t want to be here at ‘whatever the hell it had been named’. He wanted to be…hell anywhere else. He couldn’t help feeling like they where wasting time. Or even worse running away. Not that they could really do anything for those stuck at home. Besides. There wasn’t even any concrete evidence that any of the people they left behind where even still living. Now wasn’t that a sobering thought? They had to live like fugitives for the rest of their lives? Screw that.

Brushing his bangs out of his face for the about third time in the past ten minutes the man actually snarled at it. Stupid sharding hair. That was it. It was getting cut. Yeah, yeah Cr’oph had let it grow much longer before but, one he didn’t have a proper hair tie anymore, and two he had gotten used to it being shorter. Stupid S’rei. Turning the corner the bronzer caught the tail end of some female ranting at something or someone. Oh yay. Just what he didn’t need. More irritation. He was just about to turn to go back the way he came when the girl hailed him. The rider softly groaned. Well shit. He couldn’t just pretend he hadn’t heard her could he? Half turning Cr’oph mulled over her question. What the hell kind of question was it anyway. What rhymed with ‘fiend’? Hell if he knew and furthermore why did she want to know in the first place?

Drawing closer to Jazheera the bronze rider examined her subtly for a moment. Ah one of the senior weyrlings and damn was she short. Hmm. “Fiend? You want to know what rhymes with fiend? Uh….how about clean?” That was close enough right? Leaning against the cool stone he grunted. “Why do you want to know that anyway? Seems like an odd thing to ask someone out of the blue. I know this place takes a bit getting used to but I didn’t think people would start to go crazy this fast.” The young man’s tone was predominantly teasing and it was friendly enough, but there was a bit of dry sarcasm to it as well. Yep still a bit irritated.

[Ember]

"Clean? Cleaned? Hmm, that works. Thanks." You are a devilish fiend that needs to get his head cleaned. Really, his head was too full of silly things. Rhyming, courting (on occasion), and other such things. Before Dhavalth had a chance to say anything in response, Jazz added, I call a pause for a good cause. And considering how quickly she thought that one up, she thought that was an awesome rhyme. Now she can properly answer the...really tall guy. Wow. Seriously? "Why do I always meet tall people? Why do so many have to be around..." She shook her head in disbelief after taking in more of his appearance.

Oh. "M'kai? No. Ah, you're the other one then. Sorry, don't remember your name. I'm Jazheera, Jazz for short," she introduced herself, "I ride the rhyming dragon Dhavalth. We were - are - in a bit of a rhyming competition right now. Nice to meet you." She uncrossed her arms and stuck out a hand for a handshake. To her credit, she allowed him some time to introduce himself as well, if he wanted, before going on as usual. "Your hair is rather long, for a guy, especially a dragonrider. A lot of people cut it off. I can see why; it does get in the way a lot."

She would most definitely understand the pains of long hair considering her hair was down to her waist. It didn't make any sense to keep it so long but she was too stubborn to voluntarily cut it either. "Say could you help me? You were quite quick with that rhyme. I don't want to lose to Dhav. He'd be such a pain if I let him win." Was she a topic jumper? Most definitely. Or rather, she was a bit of a motormouth. Couldn't help but talk about what came to mind.

[Rei]

Blinking as she thanked him Cr’oph gave her a slightly worried look. “Uh you’re welcome.” Maybe she had eaten some bad mushrooms or something. Hell who knows what people came up with on their scouting trips. Most of their supplies came from the jungle surrounding them didn’t it? For a moment the bronzer just examined her quietly and then before he could even start to form a proper question the short girl was rambling again. Yeah typical woman. Couldn’t get a word in edgewise. Did he look like one of her girlfriends? There was some smart reply from his dragon starting in the back of his head but he ignored it. Yeah, yeah laugh it up Mavey. Don’t you have sleeping to be doing or something? To Jazz he gave a half smile, deciding to answer her questions one at a time. Sheesh. Think she gave him enough?

Accepting her hand Cr’oph gave her a short nod and a firm handshake. “Cr’oph of bronze Mavenath. Nice to meet you to Jazheera.” To be honest he wasn’t sure if it was nice to meet her or not but best to play the polite card from the beginning. The bronzer released her hand then, but not before giving it a gentle squeeze. Not everyone at this new weyr was bad. Just the majority of them where irritating. You find everyone irritating. Can’t you let me have my headspace to myself for oh I don’t know more than five seconds? The dragon have a mental laugh. I’ll consider it. Sure you will. To the short bluerider he shrugged. “Rhyming dragon? Here I was thinking Mavenath was annoying to have lingering in my head. I don’t know what I’d do if he tried to rhyme. I might have to find a creative way to keep him away. Or rend him mute.”

Head tilting he had to fight back a sigh as she mentioned his hair next. What was it with females and topic jumping? Did they always have to be indecisive? Apparently yes. The bluerider’s question had Cr’oph shrugging. A rhyming competition and she wanted help? Well he was bored. It would be better than exploring while complaining at any rate. Giving her a more genuine smile the rider chuckled. “I’ll help you. But isn’t that kind of cheating in a way? I approve though. Sometimes the giant all mighty rulers of the realm of our mental thoughts have to be knocked down a few pegs.” And you humans don’t? Shut up and get out of my head. Tch not nice Crymine. The bronze gave an amused huff and curled into a tighter ball. If the humans proved to be difficult he might just have to jump in and help this Dhavalth.

“Anyway I’m not doing anything important so feel free to use my knowledge or lack there of to your advantage.” Giving her a wink Cr’oph leaned back against the stone again. “Between the two of us I’m sure we can come out on top.” Especially with him now helping. Arrogant much?

[Ember]

Bronzerider huh? She wondered vaguely if she pissed him off. Be amusing if she did. What? She didn't care much about rankings or the like. She listened to people who made sense because they made sense, not because they rode gold or bronze or purple-with-freaking-pink-polkadots. If he was at all like his brother, though, she'd probably end up minding what he thought at some point. At his comment about his own dragon rhyming she chuckled. "The worst part is diciphering what he's trying to say. Laughing at his almost failures makes up for it though."

"Sweet! It's payback time...and it isn't really cheating. It's just a little bit of a handicap since he's used to rhyming and I'm not." She bounced slightly on her toes, happy to have found someone to help her. Jazz cared little for the small details of speech. Simple rhymes were hard enough. Coming up with ones to corner a rhyming dragon...now that was beyond her. "This is kind of a punishment game, too. If I win he'll be good for a little while but if I lose he gets free reign. So I really need to knock him down."

"Alright, let's see..." She hummed thoughtfully as her eyes glazed over - the typical physical sign of bespeaking one's dragon. Just a small mental nudge had the rhyming dragon off again considering it was his turn. Speaking of cleaning, I'm getting that itchy feeling? She repeated the blue's words to Cr'oph and rolled her eyes. "The liar. I just oiled him a few hours ago," she added on the tail end of what Dhavalth said. "Hmm." She had a vague idea of what she could twist into a rhyme but she might as well give her partner a chance at it.

[Rei]

Okay maybe in all actuality shorty wasn’t too bad. She was even kind acute in a pixyish way. Hmm. Giving her a half smile from is place lounging against the stone wall Cr’oph chuckled. “I bet it can get confusing at times. Just be lucky you don’t have to give him a pedicure. Mavenath is obsessed with keeping his claws pristine. He makes me scrub them and then complains if they aren’t exactly as he wants them. I’d rather be confused than have to deal with a huge shiny priss who isn’t even golden.” Oh so that’s how you want to play it hmm? Riled are we princess? Not even close. The bronze remarked tail tip twitching as his eyes whirled in amused shades. His did not want to start playing this game. Mavenath had far too much dirt on him and if he wanted to play dirty well the large male could sling mud just as well as the rest of them could. He preferred not to though. Embarrassment was far more appeasing.

The bronzer smiled at Jazheera’s enthusiasm. Well at the very least at least she was excited. It was nice not to have someone glowering at him immediately, as half the population around here seemed to want to do. It was like everyone had some stick or something lodged up their ass. Yeah it was annoying being stuck in this maze the new council had decided to call Burimyu weyr but no one could do anything about it currently so best to just suck it up and stop whining. Funny I seem to recall you where one of the whiners before. Seriously. Bugger off. I’m trying to think. Don’t hurt yourself please. Growling mentally Cr’oph’s attention went back to the bluerider. “Punishment game? Sounds like a bet to me. I try to stay away from betting with Mavenath. I seem to always lose.” Snorting at that the corner of the redhead’s lip quirked up in a smile as Jazz repeated the rhyme Dhavalth had come up with.

Catching her look the bronzer rubbed the back of his head. Did she seriously want him to come up with a reply? Hrm. Fine. “How about. Itchy feeling? Your stupidity has my mind reeling?” Okay so it wasn’t really the nicest statement and it wasn’t really the best rhyme in the world either. But what bronze rider spent his time trying to rhyme anyway? At least he was trying? Cr’oph gave a faint smile. The rhyming word he came up with for the word itch was even worse. So he kept that one to himself. You astound me with you ability to be immature. Why thank you. That wasn’t a compliment…

[Ember]

Pedicure? Jazz laughed at that boisterously. "Okay, you win. Yours really is a priss. Seriously, sometimes they are such big babies! 'Oil me, bathe me, trim my nails.' Meh! What exactly do they do for us?" Despite her words there was all the affection in the world for her mindmate. She loved Dhavalth and wouldn't give him up for anything. No, not even her brother. She hadn't even thought it possible to care about something more than she had before Impressing but once she had there was no going back, no matter how annoying her blue could be.

"It kind of is a bet. Probably one I shouldn't have taken but I don't care. I'm not one to back out of a challenge," she said proudly. "How 'bout this...since I'm getting you to help me right now the next time you take a bet with Mavenath and you think I could help lemme know. Flying egos must be a real pain if you always lose to 'em." Was she somewhat insulting bronzes with that comment? Yes, a bit. Jazz wasn't one to sugarcoat her words and she spoke whatever was on her mind. If Cr'oph took offence then he took offence. There was a reason the word 'sorry' existed, after all.

"Ohhhh, nice one! Thanks," Jazz commented even as she was reaching for Dhavalth's mind again. What itchy feeling? Your stupidity has my mind reeling! There was a long pause and Jazz grinned at Cr'oph. "He's having trouble coming up with a response to that." It was true that it didn't give the blue many opportunities to respond without sounding childish (which he simply wouldn't do) or without jumping to a completely different topic which wasn't allowed. "He's got 10 seconds to respond or else we win. 10...9...8...7...6...5...4..."

[Rei]

Cr’oph gave Jazheera an actual smile. Okay that cinched it. Yep he liked this little pixie. She had spunk. Why was it that all the small people seemed to have explosive personalities? It was amusing. “Oh I agree. They are babies. Each and every one of them. Cute as a button when they hatch and then they just get bigger and we become slaves to their whims. It’s terrible.” The bronzer’s tone was predominantly joking but their was no denying that there was some truth in his statement. Massive slave drivers the dragons all where. Not that Cr’oph didn’t love Mavenath. He did. More than he would ever admit but damn the bronze could be beyond aggravating at times.

From his leaning position the bronze rider watched the smaller woman bounce around. Hmm if they could only bottle that energy. Seemed like she was the stubborn sort to if her reaction to such a small challenge was any indication. To her offer the red head cocked his head and then actually laughed, the noise carrying through the stone hallway. “Flying ego. That about sums it up. I’m glad his ego is transparent or it might block out the sun and bathe Pern in darkness.” Blue grey eyes held more amusement then they should and it was no surprise that he got a return comment. Really he had expected it. Those who live in glass houses Crymine. Uh huh. Right. Your ego far out swells mine Mavey. A snort and mental dismissal was the return and the bronzer couldn’t help the smile that came to his face.

It was really hard not to inwardly preen when the bluerider responded that he may have indeed stumped her rhyming dragon. Well then that wasn’t hard at all. Superior human logic won again. Chuckling Cr’oph winked at Jazheera. “Happy to be of service my lady.” Giving a short bow to her he smiled. “So what exactly do you want to do with your winnings? Or more importantly what do I get for helping?” he gave her a light wink. “I’d take your presence as my companion for lunch as payment enough.” Yep never without an angle and pixie wasn’t a bad sort to look at. Not at all.

Mavenath snorted form his curled position and then brushed against Dhavalth’s mind gently. I fear my dear brother that you are being deceived by your bonded. She is using mine for help to win your game. It is only fair if you get outside help as well no? Shall we show these humans how silly they are for being so devious? Tail tip twitching the bronze gave a brief amused rumble. Answer with this my comrade in arms. ‘Reeling you say? Minelove liars always pay.’ Eyes whirling in clam shades the large male waited to see if the blue would accept his ‘help’. It was only fair wasn’t it?

[Ember]

"Eh? You weren't a slave from the very start? I must've been doing something wrong, then," Jazz commented, equally lightheartedly. She was actually grateful that Dhavalth was no longer a hatchling. It meant he could eat on his own, didn't need to be oiled quite as often, didn't stumble about ungracefully, and he could also fly her places. Then there was also the mental maturity. Thankfully dragons matured fast and Dhavalth had always been on the more serious side. A giant kid attached to her minf for however many Turns would have beem far more aggrava- oh wait. She did have one of those, didn't she? At least Tod was a small and relatively good behaved little 'mandyr toddler.

At Cr'oph's laugh she chuckled along too. He had a sense of humour at least! "We'd be in a lot of trouble in that case. Crops dying, people panicking...but hey, maybe that would actually stop this silly war." Her own words gave her a moment of pause before she literally shrugged it off. Between Dhavalth and Cr'oph her anger had calmed down and even the topic of fighting and war didn't stir it up yet. The bluerider finished her countdown as she sensed that Dhavalth would not only not respond in time but was also preoccupied. Ever curious, she asked who was distracting him before turning back to the bronzerider. "Heh, your flying ego offered help to Dhav, you know? It's a good thing he's too chivalrous to accept help in competitions."

Jazz gave him a critical look for a moment with the slightly flirtatious turn in the conversation before smiling innocently and saying, "Sure. Why not? Food always tastes better in good company." She wasn't uninterested in the opposite sex (certainly, she would have thought Cr'oph good looking if not for the kohl) but she desired to be seen as a 'person rather than as a 'woman.' "Well then, let's go! Food's a-waitin'," she added, starting off towards the dining hall. She was confident that Cr'oph would follow considering he was the one who had requested it. Not like he couldn't catch up with her easily enough, what with his longer legs.

Dhavalth tried and tried to come up with something sufficient to reply to Jazzhis with but there was simply nothing suitable. Then along came Mavenath's information and offer. So that was why His was blocking him out so much. He had thought it just so she could freely think about rhymes without giving him a chance to think of replies at the same time but she had been being sneaky. Still...Dhavalth's morals would never allow him to stoop to such a level. I must decline; I shall not sink to the level of Mine. Thank you, though, Mavenath bro. Dhavalth couldn't quite remember if they realyl were brothers or not but it mattered little to him. Dragons could be brothers if they wished to be, yes?

[Rei]

Cr’oph couldn’t help but chuckle again as Jazheera started to add to his flying ego comment. Well wasn’t that just as amusing as hell? And really it was. Crops dying, people panicking, an end to the war. Oh he’d have to use that one as a way to annoy the piss outta Mavenath. Whether he broadcasted it or not the bronzer could tell when he found something that annoyed the dragon. Then he wielded it as a weapon. Until such time when Mavey grew simply too used for it to rile anymore. Their bond really could probably be called…odd at times. Then again perhaps odd was an understatement.

Stretching idly the bronzerider cracked his neck and tilted his head to better catch the bluerider’s words as she spoke. With a annoyed snort he commented. “Oh really? We’ll that’s not to surprising. He likes to stick his big nose where it doesn’t belong. Especially if he thinks it will make me lose at something. But jokes on him. We still won.” Giving her an actual smile he laughed. “Humans one dragons zeroooooo.” And if he purposely let Mavenath hear everything he was saying? Well served the big flying ego right.

Mavenath diplomatically ignored his bonded. Not giving the human even the benefit of a reaction besides a feeling of light amusement. Was his looking for annoyance? Pity. Tail twitching he yawned and bespoke Dhavalth. That is honorable of you. I understand why you would not want to participate in her cheating. I do hope she will not try to extract her winnings out of you. That would be most dishonorable of her. I should apologize for my bonded’s participation in such….unsavory behavior. Light and friendly the large males tone was as he rose and stretched slowly. Really now his was just…ridiculous at times. Turning in a circle the bronze resettled himself eyes half lidding as he resumed his half doze. You are extended my apologies Dhavalth my brother. The blue had extended such a lovely title to him so why should he not return the favor. Besides….Mavenath was growing increasingly protective of all the dragons at Burimyu.

Cr’oph gave an amused snort as the little pixie accepted his offer and then proceeded to start off at a rather fast pace. Hmm well how about that? With a smile he pushed off the wall and quickly drew up beside her. Long legs where good for something even if he did have to adopt a rather awkward pace to adapt to her shorter legs. The tall bronzer still managed to make it look graceful. Something his twin brother couldn’t boast of. “Indeed. I suppose food is waiting.” With a smile for her benefit he cleared his throat. “So Jazz,” she offered the nickname and he wasn’t going to not take advantage of it, “where exactly are you from again? I’d hazard north by your accent but I can’t exactly pin the exact location either. Weyrbred. Didn’t get out into the world much unfortunately.” He offered a half smile in addition to the explanation. Girls loved it when you took an interest in such trivial things. Or most girls anyway. Wouldn’t hurt to test the waters a little. He had been feeling a little….lacking lately.

Oh for Faranth’s sake…..

[Ember]

Jazz smiled up at Cr'oph when he talked about Mavenath's nosy nature. "Is that so? Well, he'll find a rather poor conspirator within Dhavalth so we'll be safe for a while...until we have to face the winged menaces anyways." At that she grimaced slightly. Dhavalth was sure to chew her out for "cheating" later on, when they were alone (whether it be together or only mentally). She chuckled at the bronzerider's excitement over winning against the dragons though. It was cute.

Jazz didn't really know any bronzeriders so she'd had a pretty fixed image of them in her mind. The ability to be cute hadn't really been in that image. "You're funny," she commented cheerfully. When he matched her pace and started talking she smiled. "Weyrbred, huh? Must have sucked, what with Benden and Fort being the only choices if you're in the North. You are northern, right? That or you have one hell of a weird accent for being Selenitas born. As for me...I'm from Telgar Hold."

Although, in all fairness she hadn't come from there to the south. "I did a lot of travelling though. I got in with a performing troupe travelling part of upper Igen before going to Bitra and then Nerat," she added. Her tone of voice showed no shame for having chosen to go to one of the worst places on Pern. Others may judge her for that but she'd never regret it. Some things you just had to do no matter how hard it would be. Finding M'ta had been one of those things for her.

I don't intend to let that occur even though I made a promise to her, Dhavalth confirmed. A prize gotten through ill methods does not deserve to be awarded. He would make her see the error of her ways later, when she was no longer occupied with Mavenath's. For the apology he said, I appreciate it, my brother of the wit.

[Rei]

Cr’oph smiled down at Jazz and laughed again. “Well that’s good. Mavenath hardly needs any more help. He’s got the whole mental annoyance torture thing down pat as it is.” Really the dragon seemed almost to smart for his own good sometimes. Ridiculous beast. Sticking his hands in his pockets the bronzer gave her a amused smirk. “Glad you think so. I can be quite the comedian when I put my mind to it apparently. I prefer the word charming through.” With that he waggled his eyebrows at her and chuckled again. Hmm he was enjoying his time with Pixie so far. Maybe she was worth an attempt at conquest? Time would tell it was only the first meeting. But Cr’oph couldn’t deny he was getting positive vibes from her.

He didn’t even mind her asking about his past. The bronzer was long past the time when he tried to stay hush about it. “Yep Northern pegged me right.” Giving the girl a half smile he continued. “Born and raised Benden actually. My parents hated C’leon.” Shrugging he got a far away look in his eyes. “My brother, sister, and…our adoptive sister fled from the weyr the night of the siege. Ended up at Selenitas.” Megs. Cr’oph still missed her. A lot. But she was better off now he supposed. Although he also worried about his older sister Diamonique. At least she was safe at Blossom and probably a dolphineer by now. Tilting his head at the small woman he smiled again. “Sounds like you’ve had quite the adventure yourself. I‘m looking forward to hearing more.”

Stopping outside the entrance to the Dining hall he gave a short bow and gestured for her to enter first. “After you.” Cr’oph was indeed looking forward to spending more time with her. It should prove to be most interesting. Plus who knew what it could develop into?

Mavenath was actually quite amused at Dhavalth’s manner of speech. A part of the bronze even wanted to try and keep the blue talking just to amuse himself. But in the end he decided that stalking his, and possibly watching him yet again fail at impressing a female, would be more amusing. He always liked being able to sneak in his little quips in at bonded’s expense. Thus he merely brushed the rhyming dragon’s mind with a contented feeling of acknowledgement and settled himself more comfortably. He could speak to the blue later. Curling up at the back of the bronzer’s mind he gave his rider an amused prod, and so let the games began.

(End thread)