Irritant! {Open}

[Avu]

"That."
Plop.
"Hypocritical."
Plop.
"Little."
Plop.
"Irritant!"
Crack!

He threw the last pebble with such force that, instead of falling harmlessly into the water, it came into sharp contact with another rock that protruded from the shallows of the river and broke, the shards falling into the water. Corinth huffed, leaning over to press his muzzle against T'rid's chest, snorting lightly. Come on, I want a bath. You didn't come here to break rocks, you know. "But she's so - irritating." If you must insult Aslath's, you may do it /while/ you bathe me, Corinth stated firmly, and T'rid obediently pushed the bronze's head away to pull off his shirt, tossing the white tunic away from him. "I'm coming, I'm coming..." Pants and belt soon followed suit, and he waded into the river after Corinth, who rumbled, pleased as he submerged himself to his neck. "If anyone comes by and stones me for being nude in public - " They won't, Corinth assured him. Nobody cares.

There was a pause as T'rid wet a handful of sand and moved to Corinth's side, where the water was waist-deep and hid all...private...areas, starting to rub it into the bronze hide. With a croon, Corinth's eyes slid into a partially lidded position, whirling shades of brilliant, clear cyan and lime green. You were saying? he added after a moment. Three little words. Four syllables. That was all it took to launch the bronzerider into another rant. "I was saying, that she irritates the hell out of me, and if she jumps on me one more time about being late, I'm going to skip whatever comes next just to irritate her. Not to mention the fact that she lets her dragon scare off all of the fire lizards except hers, does she have no understanding of fairness to the point where she lets her fire lizard cling to her like some misshapen neck ornament while all the other ones are cowering on the opposite side of the damned Weyr?" Corinth made an adroitly sympathetic sound in his throat as T'rid rubbed at his hide, going on, "Doesn't she just get the fact that I never fardling wanted to be Weyrleader? Come to that, I never wanted to be even Wingleader. And now I'll have to be Flightleader, won't I? - anyway. Can't she just let me alone? She's got S'rei and Ka'rys who are a lot more experienced than I am, can't - ?"

You missed a spot, Corinth interrupted, purposely cutting him off mid-rant. " - I did? Where?" Along my left flank. It itches. T'rid found said spot and scrubbed obediently, going on, "And the Hatching Feast. I'll have to give a speech, won't I? Ka'rys did when Millieth's clutch Hatched - pathetic though it was - and it wasn't even his Ciceroth's clutch, and shards if I'm going to drone on and on about how lucky they were to Impress your get, because I don't have anything to say. What'll I tell them? 'Congratulations to the new Weyrlings, and Selenitas's newest bronzerider to the gender-confused bronze Jaymith, Ke-I-forgot-his-name. Rejects, please don't suicide - assuming you're still alive, of course; sometimes it's hard to tell - you'll be needed later, and hey, if you don't Impress, you can always be a Drudge! Won't that be fun? Anyway, about the bronze-who-thought-or-thinks-he's-a-queen, bronzeriders, if he Rises in a few Turns, please no panicking, okay? We're pretty sure it's clear he can't clutch. Pretty sure. I'm done; now you can go back to stuffing your faces.' They'll all love that, I'm sure."

Corinth huffed thoughtfully, sending ripples spreading across the water away from his muzzle. Jaymith is not gender-confused, he pointed out mildly. T'rid quirked his brow, giving the bronze dragon a look that was definitely reproving. "You think Aslath is stupid enough to think that a bronze egg is a queen's egg if he wasn't gender-confused?" The egg's color fooled all of us, T'ridmine. It's not Aslath's fault. "Sure, sure, if you say so. Move your tail, I need to get to your other side and then I can get dressed and we can get out of this river..." Shifting his tail, Corinth snorted, bubbles streaming away from him as he dipped his muzzle beneath the surface of the river. As T'rid started to rub along his spine, the bronze sighed contentedly, rolling over onto his back to get his stomach sanded and sending a miniature tidal wave to splash along the path and potentially drench anyone passing. And if there was someone there, T'rid thought, viciously rubbing at Corinth's belly, good - he could pretend it was the Weyrwoman.

[Rei]

Vega shrieked as a cold wave of water hit him. He had been stalking a yummy looking crawler when it had been washed away. Now he was wet and crawlerless. He gave another chirp and flew up into the branches of a nearby tree shaking the water off his pale hide. His eyes whirled in yellow shades as he regarded the creature that splashed him. It was a bronze a big big big scary bronze! Oh why oh why did his decide not to come with him? She was not here to protect him. It was all green wings fault she was stealing all his’s attention!

Vega unfurled his wings to take off when something glinted. He cocked his head to regard T’rids belt buckle. It was so shiny. He gave a quiet croon and winged to the shore landing next to the belt with a nearly inaudible thump. The pale flitter kept his eye on the pair as he hopped over to the clothes and nosed the shiny buckle. He tried to fit his tiny jaws around it but quickly realized that it was too big to carry. He huffed in irritation. He would never find a shiny of his own and it was all that brown frilly’s fault!

[dragon]

The river suddenly lost a lot of its water, for not apparent reason, and then gushed wildly again, rushing in strange directions as it swirled around and around Corinth's bronze sides. A vast amount of splashing alerted the bronze pair that there was another dragon coming down the river, which explained the water issues a moment before.

Hello! Aonith greeted, as she splashed down to where Corinth was laying in the river. She paused, standing up at full height so that the river was only rushing around her legs, rather than around her body. She considered the bronze laying there in the water for a moment, and then T'rid. Tilting her head for a moment, she turned her attention back to Corinth. Would he be interested in scrubbing me, too? she asked, sounding almost as if she were both serious and joking.

She did, however, appear aware of T'rid's sour mood. But she couldn't really blame him, either. The hatching had been awful, and hers was still occupied with the aftermath of it.

[Avu]

The shriek of the fire lizard was registered only briefly before it was dismissed in the favor of the fact that the water was suddenly alternately trying to drain away or drown them; T'rid growled in irritation, latching onto Corinth's neck ridge and hooking his elbow around the bronze's neck as the water nearly flattened him against the bronze's shoulder; Corinth uttered an amused rumble. Well, this isn't exactly what I had in mind when I asked for a bath, but you make a lovely sponge, too, T'ridmine... T'rid flicked a glare at the bronze, pushing himself away just as Aonith approached, muttering something - probably an obscenity - and picked up another handful of sand, starting on Corinth's hide again as the bronze crooned a greeting to the green dragon, one idly whirling eye fixing on her, the other lidded against the flow of the water, gleaming under the surface of the river like a glowing underwater jewel.

Greetings, Aonith, the bronze stated quietly, rolling his eye downwards at his Rider and giving him an expectant nudge with the tip of his tail. T'rid threw him a poisonous glare, and the phrase, If looks could kill... flicked through the dragon's mind, earning T'rid an amused croon as he obediently turned and intoned, "Hello, Aonith." Turning back to Corinth, he splashed water absently against the bronze hide, the customary metallic sheen intensified by the liquid as it dripped down his sides and back into the river. What, now? Interested in scrubbing Aonith? Passing the message to T'ridhis, Corinth regarded the young man with amusement as he glared at Corinth. "No!" he snapped. "I'm not bathing anyone but you, Corinth, and you should consider yourself lucky I'm even bothering with that."

Unperturbed, Corinth commented to Aonith, I'm glad you came. I don't think he'll rant about Aslath's when someone else is here, and it was getting rather irritating. He stretched, ignoring T'rid's scowl, and went on, In any case, Yours is a healer, isn't she? Is she working with the Candidate that was mauled by Kyssith? I know the little golden sister's human is, and the journeyman... But then, Aonith's didn't have actual training at Healer Crafthall, did she? Ther seriousness of those wounds would require expertise earned from years of training, not just ranting off the names of herbs and their uses. At least dragonriders weren't squeamish. (If they ever were, watching their dragons disembowel their kills should have cured them of that.)

Meanwhile, T'rid's attention had wandered, eventually landing on his clothes, which - he blinked, and then instinctively reacted, scrambling out of the river and flashing everyone as he exclaimed at the blue fire lizard trying to - to eat his belt buckle, "Hey! Get off, that's mine!" Corinth snorted in mild surprise as he blinked at the decidedly damp fire lizard. He couldn't carry that, the bronze pointed out reasonably. "No, but he'll get it wet, and - tell him to get off and let my clothes alone, Corinth!" The bronze huffed, rolling onto his stomach again and shaking a layer of water from his hide. Little brother, Mine does not appreciate that you are trying to take his belt buckle. Please get off. Mine, he added, switching to speaking directly to T'rid, I thought you were concerned about flashing people. The bronzerider blinked, and then waded back into the river, making his way over to Corinth to lean against the bronze's foreleg. "If he doesn't move, or if he takes my belt - " Your pants are tight enough to stay on without the belt. " - I need that belt, thanks - I'll get Stupid to bite him."

[Rei]

Vega backed up quite a few spaces as the bronze’s voice sounded in his head. He flared his wings and crouched to leap into the air should he need to make a quick escape. His eyes whirled in intense oranges and yellows. Why oh why did he always seem to trouble people? He gave an increasingly distressed keen, the sound rising in pitch until it was a shrill screaming. Suddenly a noise distracted him and he turned to see his and the green wing come from the underbrush. He leapt into the air and winged over to the pair landing on His and pressing his trembling body against her neck.

Ebolath regarded Vega for a minute and gave a croon before turning her attention to the dragons in the river. Oh hello. She said happily. Raymine was wondering what was wrong with my little brother. It seems something has upset him. She voiced this to the entire group including the bronze's rider, afterall why should she not include him?

Ignoring her dragon's boldness, Raylin cast an eye over the two dragons in the river and then her eyes settled on their errant Weyrleader. Noting his absence of clothing she quickly turned her attention back to the two dragons. “Hello Corinth Aonith. Nice day for a swim. I do hope my Vega hasn’t been making himself too much of a nuisance. I apologize if he has caused any trouble.” Deciding it would be horribly rude to completely ignore him and not wishing to start a fight she then turned her attention to T’rid.

“Good day Weyrleader.” She said in a polite tone and then returned her gaze to Corinth. Why in Faranth’s name did he always have to be missing some article of clothing? Why don't you ask him? Ebolath asked innocently. Raylin turned to her dragon thanking the gods that she had kept the comment between only the two of them. Because that would be rude sweetheart. Oh...

[dragon]

Aonith chuckled to herself, somewhat amused by T'rid's impossibly foul mood. He couldn't do anything to her ... nothing at all. So ... it didn't really matter that he was in a foul mood. She had rather suspected that he wouldn't be willing to wash her, too ... but ah well.

She watched with some amusement as the weyrleader began arguing with a flitter over his clothes. That was totally amusing, and she almost considered sharing the images with Dorava. The only thing that stopped her was knowing that hers was wrapped up in being occupied trying to keep a certain girl alive. And she didn't need to see images of a nude T'rid arguing with a flitter over a belt buckle while doing that!

Greetings, Corinth. You look comfy. she commented, tilting her head to one side speculatively. Mine is working to help the girl, yes. Mine isn't very ... skilled yet. But she's getting there. And the hands are needed. So ... she's staying in the infirmary at the moment, to help her. I came for a swim, as there was nothing more for me to do. And here I find you! She marveled.

Distracted again by movement in the brush, Aonith's gaze turned quickly to see. Was it a feline grown bold? No. It was just one of the hatchlings. Aonith marveled at how spunky the dragonet was... so freshly hatched and fed, Aonith would have thought she would have been sound asleep somewhere toasty warm. Hello. She greeted, warmly. He and Corinth's were arguing over articles of clothing. That is all. Nothing overly alarming. She answered.

[Avu]

Ah, no wonder Aonith's hadn't accompanied her to the river; she was helping the girl. It...was a confusing conflict of pride and horror for said hatchling. Pride, because - well, it was his son - how odd that sounded, with him only five Turns of age - and horror. How would such an entrance into the world be greeted by his peers? And - what if he was really always going to be so violent, so bloodthirsty? And then, of course, anxiety for the girl. The Candidate. If she had been Searched, that meant that sometime, possibly, a dragon might be Hatched, a dragon meant for her - but would she want to Stand again, after such a traumatic incident? And she'll survive? he pressed anxiously. Our healers are adept, but some injuries... His mental 'voice' trailed off as he cocked his head questioningly at the other dragon.

The fire lizard's reaction to his politely voiced request had had Corinth bewildered. It had been a request not to get His' clothes wet, for Faranth's sake, and now he was determined to break everyone's eardrums because of it? Nevertheless, he offered a reassuring, if rather confused, croon, to the blue, his eyes sparkling shades of green and blue - peaceful, happy colors. And - a rustle turned the bronze's head, T'rid automatically coming around to watch from around Corinth's shoulder. Oh. One of the new hatchlings. Surprising she wasn't fast asleep, stuffed to the brim with food, but...well, this made a lovely change from the usual gluttonous hatchlings that did nothing but stuff their faces while their new Riders were too in love with them to put a check on their insatiable appetites. One of the main functions of a Weyr is to keep a dragon from excessive overeating. Corinth rarely fed as heavily as the other bronzes, but then he was smaller.

Anyway. What was this one's name? Ebolath, supplied Corinth, crooning softly at the hatchling. He nodded at Aonith's explanation. Greetings, Ebolath. And yes, please let Yours know that he hasn't been any trouble at all. Has so, T'rid interjected, still in a foul mood. As Aonith says, he was merely on Mine's clothes and he didn't want them wet. The bronze dragon considered the green hatchling a moment, and then offered, Why don't you join us in the river? - assuming Aonith has no objections? It was lovely and cool in the river, after all, and Ebolath was his daughter - and thus, Corinth had a right to get to know her, didn't he? He uttered a soft croon for Raylin's benefit, as he'd been excluding her from the exchange with Ebolath, Aonith, and His - but then, Corinth was picky about which humans he started chattering away to.

T'rid, muttering something rather incoherent, had slipped around to Corinth's sides, wetting another handful of sand and scrubbing at the bronze's hide, inwardly fuming. First a fire lizard, then Aonith, and now a new Weyrlingpair? Did he magnetically attract people and draconics when he did not want them? And - hey, he remembered this girl. Vaguely. This was the one who'd been used as a perch by Stupid; this was the one who'd he'd thought of as a prude. Well, wasn't this just lovely? He wasn't just lacking a shirt this time; oh, no, he was completely nude. See how she coped with that. Actually, she was mainly focusing on Corinth, but that didn't matter. You should congratulate her, Corinth pointed out. Why don't you? T'rid answered irritably. So much for talking to Corinth alone. Knowing the bronze, he could talk to Ebolath and Aonith happily for hours. You know I don't like to talk to people. There was a gentle reproof in the dragon's tone now.

Great. Making his way back around to Corinth's shoulder - fortunately for Raylin, the water was waist-deep on the Weyrleader - T'rid commented to Raylin, "Corinth says congratulations, so - congratulations Impressing - Ebolath, Corinth says?"

[Rei]

Ebolath crooned back to Corinth the sound no where near as smooth and melodic as her fathers. Corinth says that Vega has been no trouble. Corinth’s just didn’t want blue brother to get his clothes wet. They want to know if I may swim with them. May I Raymine? I do hate having to walk. She huffed in irritation. Her’s would not let her eat as much as her siblings saying she didn’t need to eat herself silly, that on top of the exercise hers made her do made Ebolath slightly irritated most mornings. Swimming sounded lovely and it looked fun. Perhaps she would like it.

Raylin looked down at her little hatchling and then back at the bigger dragons. If you want to swim you may. Ebolath just be careful ok? Ebolath gave a snort and nuzzled her bonded. I will be fine Raymine. The little dragonet waddled over to the river bank and slid into the cool water carefully. She waded until she was about belly deep. Oh this is nice! She happily exclaimed to the older dragons turning her head up to get a better view of both.

Raylin watched her green hatchling a quiet smile gracing her features. Swimming was a form of exercise so if she could encourage the dragon to swim perhaps she wouldn’t have to fight her so hard to get her to exercise. Her musings were cut short however by T’rid’s voice. She turned to pay better attention to what he was saying trying to keep her eyes focused on his face. He sure seemed like he was in a stellar mood. “Well thank you very much Corinth and yes her name is Ebolath.” She then turned from T’rid for she could feel a blush creeping up into her cheeks. Naked men where still something she was far from used to.

Vega gave a cautious chirp as he poked his head out from behind Raylin’s neck. The big scary bronze was still there and he was with the greenwing. How could the greenwing not be frightened? Raylin raised a hand and stroked the flitter on her shoulder reassuringly. “Sorry about him. Bronzes, queens and bigger browns turn him into a nervous wreak. The only Queen he is slightly comfortable with is his dam and Aslath nearly sends him into fits of hysterics.”

[dragon]

Aonith considered the question of Pasine's survival for a moment, carefully, before answering. I do not know if she will live. Mine does not know, either. She is worried. But she is not terribly experienced in matters that severe, either. She added, just to quantify the situation properly.

She may join us ... but don't let her get washed away down stream. She accepted, as she moved to create an eddy where the water wouldn't flow quite so deep or so fast ... unfortunately this also lowered the water level in T'rid's area. The older green dragon didn't seem to notice, however, as she watched the new hatchling wading into the shallows of the river. Aonith had helped many a young dragon swim ... even since coming to Selenitas. And as that, she knew what to watch for. But she still enjoied the company of the younglings anyway. Young humans and dragons and flitter and 'mandyrs all alike, she adored youngsters.

And here she had three of them to dote on! A girl, a flitter, and a dragon too! How much better could it get? And Corinth on hand to talk to, too. Other than the horrible mauling of that young girl, this day couldn't get much better! The only way it could get any better was if hers somehow managed to join her, too, and started scrubbing her, much like Corinth was getting ... though he was only getting it in fits and spurts at best.

[Avu]

So death was a very real possibility. It was sobering, detracting from the joy of Impression. Corinth huffed, sending ripples spreading away from him, his eyes thoughtful. Which of the healers that would know better had a dragon? Kalierre, Phremath's, perhaps, but...she was a dragonhealer. Another huff as he ducked his head under in the pretense of wetting his entire upper neck and head, the first translucent lid sliding over his eyes. Checkoth, looking to R'wign? But he was only a hatchling...oh, he so disliked speaking to another human...You can't afford to be picky if you're nosy, T'rid commented sardonically, to which Corinth snorted in irritation, raising his head to appraise his rider rather indignantly. Nevertheless, he dropped the subject. He'd get His to ask one of the healers later, or he'd contact that little golden queen fire lizard about it. Even if she couldn't say outright, she could always pass images to him, and that was good enough.

Appeased, Corinth offered Ebolath another croon of encouragement as the little green slid into the water. So small, she was. Greens were, but - well, she was absolutely tiny. So fragile, she looked, so breakable. Nevertheless, he leaned down to nuzzle her lightly, rumbling at Aonith, torn between amusement and gratitude, as she moved to cut off the main flow of water - the amusement came mostly from the wave of irritation that was nearly palpable as it rose from T'ridhis as the water level dropped. T'rid glared at Aonith, looking very much like he wanted to comment as the water level dipped around his thighs until Corinth's rumble vibrated through the bronze's sides and he realized the bronze found his lack of attire while confronted by the girl he'd labeled previously as a prude highly amusing. Well, shells to him. Don't make me stab you. Would you really? Fine. Don't make me stop sanding you. But you're not, anyway, Corinth pointed out reasonably.

Ignoring T'rid dark scowl, the bronze rolled over in the water, falling to his side with a huff, forelegs casually curving around T'rid and concealing all but his torso upwards from view. /Thank/ you. You sound rather prudish yourself, Corinth commented. /I'm/ not. /I/ don't care. /She/ does. Look, she's blushing. /That/ aggravates me. Aggravates me more than I already am, I mean. The conversation - which the bronze dragon was still very much amused by - was cut short as Raylin answered. Ebolath. He should really, really at least make an attempt to remember these names, because he had a sneaking suspicion (which took root only in the fact that the Weyrwoman had decided he needed to give a speech later) that somehow or the other, he'd end up lecturing the Weyrling class on something or another sometime. (Hadn't Ka'rys had to talk to Candidates before? How boring.) But he wasn't going to remember. He wouldn't even bother trying. (The girl's name escaped him, too, but whatever. He didn't need it.)

His musings were rudely interrupted by the girl apologizing for her fire lizard. Good. She ought to. The fire lizard didn't do anything, Corinth answered his thoughts mildly. Well, he would have if he'd been able to lift his belt, so there, T'rid thought to himself, though Raylin's words had a smile, however sardonic, flickering across his features. Oho, so he was terrified of Aslath, was he? How funny. "I don't blame him. Aslath is evil, isn't she? Nothing better to do, apparently, than scare fire lizards away from hatchlings. Like they could do anything to 'em!" he added, rather scornfully, a touch of petulance slipping into his tones. Corinth raised his neck, arching it back to touch T'rid's shoulder lightly with his tongue. You are not sanding, he reproved. "Meanwhile," T'rid went on, scrubbing Corinth's hide obediently, "Salamandyrs are free to roam the Sands at will - they're the dangerous ones, not fire lizards. I could probably throw my Mir off a cliff and he wouldn't care, and if I did that to Stupid, he'd probably kill."

Yay for ranting. Corinth rolled his eyes as he reclined back into the water. At least he was getting his bath.

[Rei]

Ebolath pranced happily in the shallows becoming quite amused as her movements created swirls and bubbles on the waters surface. Sure raised her small head and chirped happily as Corinth gently nuzzled her. Ebolath’s eyes whirled in an intense blue of absolute happiness. Thank you for inviting me to swim with you. It is much more fun then I imagined. She gazed at T’rid with curiosity as he rubbed sand onto Corinth's bronze hide. What is yours doing Corinth?

She stepped forward to get a better look and tripped over a submerged rock which sent her sprawling into deeper water. The little green gave a distressed keen as her feet left the security of the river bottom and she flailed at the water in a momentary panic. Raymine! Her mental tone was fraught with fear and panic her eyes whirling a intense orange.

Raylin turned to T’rid as he spoke and a sense of relief and gratitude flooded her for Corinth’s present position. She had no desire to speak to the Weyrleader with his nudeness on public display. It would be awkward at best. You had better get used to naked men Raylin it is likely to become a constant in your life from now on. The girl scolded herself mentally. Easier said then done when you come from a Hold and a sheltering family.

T’rids statement however brought her back to reality and had a touch of anger coloring her voice. “Although I wouldn’t call Aslath evil I would call her insecure. I think it is entirely ridiculous of Shmee to enable her so. I agree with you. Why should flitters be banned but manders allowed? It makes no sense. Also the fact that Shmee’s lizard is allowed and no one else’s bothers me as well. Should not the Weyrwoman set an example if we are to follow her. Coddling to Aslath seems stupid. Isn’t she the one in control?”

Her rant was cut short by Ebolath’s physical and mental cry and the weyrling’s eyes widened in horror as she splashed into the river after her bonded. Use your feet sweetheart! Act as though you are running on the water. Come on love you can do it! The green hatchling was partially soothed by her bonded’s encouraging tone ,at least enough to allow her to follow the directions, and she managed to paddle her way back to solid ground.

Raylin hastened to her trembling dragon and stroked her comfortingly. You are alright darling. You need to watch where you are going. Ebolath gave a snort but her eyes had lost their orange color settling for a neutral green. "Do you still want to swim?" She queried aloud worried that her dragon may now fear water. If you will swim with me. The green dragon replied. Besides you are already wet.

[dragon]

Aonith watched the happenings around her in semi silence, greatly amused. Some of it was her fault, some of it wasn't. But it was all ihghly entertaining. It was fun to see people flail around, trying to cover themselves ... either with words or litterally. Seeing T'rid border on blushing was totally hilarious, and Aonith decided she'd have to remember that, to show Dorava all about it.

She watched as the dragonet waded around in the river, and then went for a dunk. She knew better than to panic at the prospect of Ebolath drowning .... dragons were hard to drown. And she'd taken her first swim something similarly. The only reason Aonith remembered that was Ebolath prompted the shocking memory back to the surface. And She'd survived, so Ebolath would, too. But Aonith did stick one foreleg out to possibly cradle the dragonet to shore if she didn't manage to figure it out first.

But the rescue wasn't needed, the little green figured out how to swim, and made it back to the shallows quickly enough. Aonith rumbled approval and encouragement, dipping her head lower as she watched the youngster. She liked youngsters ... of any creed. And would look out for any of them. And it never really occured to her that this was Corinth's daughter. Not that it would have mattered to her anyway.

Aonith hummed a little bit, before perking up and looking around. Finally she piped up: Mine is on her way! She's done in the infirmary! she said, excitedly.

[Avu]

The bronze dragon huffed softly, batting one eyelid in response to the little hatchling's gratitude for inviting her in. Of course he'd invite her in. She was his daughter, and even if she wasn't, Ebolath was still a hatchling and therefore entitled to being pampered. Thus was Corinth's logic as he crooned softly, his eyes contented shades as he turned to survey the work T'ridhis had done on his hide at her query. The metallic glow was always apparent in the brilliantly-colored bronze's hide, but the sanding always brought out the sheen even more - and it felt exceedingly good, which meant that he requested it often, even though T'rid rarely indulged the bronze, preferring just to get Stupid or Mir to bathe the dragon while he looked on, and while that was fine, being hand-bathed was much more satisfying.

He was about to say as much when Ebolath tripped and floundered in the water, the bronze uttering a surprised croon as he started to reach out to the hatchling but recoiled as Raylin splashed out to the hatchling, the bronze adding his encouraging warble to the girl's comments. There is no fear in water, little one. All dragons can hold their breath for up to ten minutes, some slightly more, without trouble. Leaning to swim is easy, too, and floating easier still if you use your wings to support you. The bronze dragon watched the pair anxiously for a while until Ebolath's eyes settled into a softer color than before. He huffed softly. If you'd like to come next to me, I can help you stay afloat and block the water from pushing you as hard, he suggested.

...wait. Waitwait, wait just a moment. Was she agreeing with him? T'rid blinked, startled, at Raylin's comments. Well, that was - that was - totally unexpected. He shrugged. "She's a hypocritical, irritating idiot, in my opinion," he stated frankly, idly rubbing more sand onto Corinth's hide as the bronze hummed his approval. So easy, it was, to make the bronze happy. A clutch Hatched, a bath, and to be surrounded by dragons and people he got along with, and he was happy. T'rid wrinkled his nose lightly. He was a bronze dragon; shouldn't he be arrogant, haughty - and, well, more like his Rider was? Maybe they'd get along better if he wasn't T'rid's opposite. Balancing him out didn't seem to work all that well, did it now? "Apparently she doesn't see it that way, though," he added, his voice colder, the irritation in his tones meant for Shmee, not Raylin, odd though it was that she'd agree with him.

And - the bronzerider blinked again as Ebolath lost her balance in the water, but he didn't bother moving. Dragons could hold their breath. If nobody could fish her out within ten minutes' time, he'd be quite surprised, considering both Corinth and Aonith, and, of course, Raylin, had made motions to stop the little green's flailing around in the water. The only reason, frankly, that T'rid might bother would be that she was disturbing the water and making the sand swirl around too much. Nevertheless, he felt a slight prick of anxiety as he glanced questioningly towards Corinth. She will be fine, the bronze stated confidently as Raylin got the dragonet to shore with minimum casualties (a few of which included the poor sand that was probably whirling around by now). She is strong and intelligent and Hers is a good one. Hmm.

Suddenly, Corinth's neck swung over T'rid's head, the bronzerider spluttering his indignation as water drenched his upper torso as Corinth blinked at Aonith and then uttered a soft croon. How long does it take for her to get here? he asked, as T'rid pushed sopping hair out of his eyes. You might as well give up, he added frankly to T'rid. Your hair never stays put long. Glaring at the dragon, T'rid ran his hands through the dark brown mess. "So, what's up?" he added curiously. Aonith's is on her way. So much for a 'private' talk with Corinth.

[Rei]

Ebolath gave a croon of thanks to both larger dragons. Corinth says I can swim by him and that if I stretch my wings I can float more easily. The green remarked in a conversational tone to her bonded. He also says we can hold our breath for 10 minutes. Her voice contained just trace amounts of awe and Raylin smiled broadly. “That is very interesting sweetheart. Are you going to go swim by Corinth?” In answer Ebolath turned her head towards the great bronze and this time practically launched herself into the water flailing at it in a attempt at swimming. Frankly she looked so ridiculous that her bonded couldn’t help laughing.

Ebolath snorted the water from her nostrils as she reached Corinth’s side and spread her wings out to lay them on the water. Oh you are right. This does make it a bit easier. the green remarked to Corinth. Her eyes whirled a happy blue as she craned her neck to regard the water swirling around her. Raymine what is so funny? The tiny green asked in a curious voice. The weyrling managed to stop laughing as she answered her bonded. “Nothing love I just do hope that grace comes with age.” Ebolath gave a amused rumble that rather sounded as if she was clearing her throat.

Raylin shook her head and waded into the water next to her hatchling. “I hope you don’t mind if I help bathe you Corinth.” She remarked as she grabbed a handful of river sand and applied it to his hide. “I might as well make myself useful if Ebolath is going to swim for awhile.” Vega, not wishing to be left out of the gathering, winged over to the river bank and grabbed a few clawfulls of sand. He then proceeded to alight on Aonith’s back and scrub between her neck ridges with gusto. His was helping so he would to. But he would not touch the big bronze. Oh no he was too scary.

Ebolath snorted in the water and was amazed to find that she could blow bubbles. Her head whipped around at Aonith’s exclamation however. Oh Raymine Aonith says hers is coming to! Raylin momentarily paused in her scrubbing of Corinth racking her mind for Aonith’s rider’s name. She had meet the woman before but for some reason a name escaped her. No matter she was sure it would come to her eventually. The weyrling continued with her scrubbing concentrating on a particularly dirty looking spot.

“Now what where you saying about Shmee?” She asked T’rid politely. “I can’t say I have spoken to the woman beside an introduction." She was silent for a moment before another question dawned on her. "Are all golds as temperamental as Aslath? If so I must say I prefer my Ebolath. She doesn’t seem to have a contrary bone in her body. Wait I guess she does but only when I ask her to exercise. She sometimes raises such a fit you would think I was abusive.” It was much easier to speak to the man with a large bronze dragon between her and his naked state.

[dragon]

Aonith rumbled happily, settling down into the river and creating and even bigger eddy for the dragonet to play in. She splashed her tail across the river, in an effort to slow the water as it flowed, though it didn't work very well. Her tail wasn't a very good dam. I don't know. A bit. She has to walk, after all. A few minutes, I would guess. She is appoligizing for her appearance ... apparently her clothes are blood stained. Aonith mentioned, so that not quite everyone would be shocked at Dorava's appearance once she arrived.

Mine says she can't stay long ... she's just taking a break. She'll have to go back and take over from Meisk's. The old green remarked, almost laughing at what she was seeing. Oh, young were so fun to watch, and be around!

Oh! Oh! Aonith's head went up slightly, and she tilted it to one side as she suddenly received a mini scrubbing. Oh! The adorable little blue flitter was washing her!! Amused and grateful at the same time, Aonith rumbled quietly, squinting her eyes slightly in pleasure. Hmm! She would have to remember to tell Dorava about this! The adorable little blue was reaching places that Dorava's bigger fingers never had!!!

Eventually, Dorava herself did show up ... and she was quite the sight to see, too. The front of her clothes were quite stained and splattered ... definitely ruined. And she'd saved up and spent good marks on those nice clothes, too. But a girl's life had been saved, and Dorava was not at all concerned about her clothes. They could be replaced. Walking over to where the little group was playing in the river, Dorava heaved a weary sigh and settled on a rock to sit. Soe this was why Aonith was so far away ... she'd found someone to socialize with! She smiled, slightly. "Hello." she told them all, Aonith included. She looked and sounded tired, both, some of her hair escaped from her braid and dangling to frame her face.