Markless Imperfection [Open]

[Lotty]

Boredom. Pure unadulterated boredom, racking at his every bone and joint, screaming in it's monotonous, driveling voice and reminding him with every angry slur of his condition. To be eighteen and markless was not an uncommon situation, but to be eighteen and broke was something entirely different. He had not a friend and had not a lover, and not even enough affection to cultivate any new ones. Those left behind four months ago had assimilated into statistics and numbers but he knew very clearly what he did have, and worst of all he knew he should have felt lucky to have them.

You could serve him those lines, those little pesky inspirational quotes about wanting what you have and having all you need, but they didn't mean a sharding thing, not to K'sel; body lain out prone and vulnerable like a crime scene photo, hand dangling off the side of his bunk a few feet from the slumbering Pettahth. His eyes listlessly spanned the room, a flash of blue warning him of Eyesore's arrivals and departures from the scene. The little thing was lucky. It was free. K'sel was tethered by a short psychic connection and locked in a small cage by responsibilities and resources.

It was safe to say K'sel was awfully bitter about gathers. A week of merry making, mark spending, and fun times that he could not enjoy on multiple levels. Loathing was practically radiating off of him. But he hoped and hoped and hoped that something would arise, that there was some kind of semblance of entertainment in the weyr - so that he could keep a close eye on that brown lump of his. I am not a lump... Noted, but beside the point. Pulling himself up - clothes all wrinkled, sooty black hair in utter disarray - he glanced out into the hall. Where there was a will there must be a way... right?

[topaz]

K'sel was not the only one without a mark to his name, although Thora did have a few friends, which was more than the poor brownweyrling could say. Usually not overly concerned with others who showed no affinity for her in the least, Thora was going out on a limb. Truthfully she was just as bored, and maybe doubly so because so was Pri, as K'sel. The large green hatchling had already eaten and had been washed the day before. She would only need another oiling before the day was up, and it was still fairly early, so what was she to do?

Many of the weyrfolk and dragonriders had been only in and out of the Weyr that past sevenday or so, going back and forth to the Gather. It was incredible how much money some people would spend at those things, Thora often thought, when they had all they really needed in their trunks already. She supposed new things were nice, but why splurge on little things? Once she began earning a salary, she would make sure to save up for something big. Something useful. Like maybe a nice, high quality fishing rod. Yes. The Journeyman Fisher had been distraught when she had found out she could not fit her prized possession into the small bundle of things she was allowed to bring with her. Maybe when she saved up enough she could make up for the time lost; as long as they sold rods at the next Gather, which was always a relatively low chance. Fishercraft had certainly been more popular in turns past.

As Thora wandered out of her room, Hypriceth trotting along slowly behind her, the greenweyrling was eerily reminded of that harrowing night when Benden attacked. She had walked this way in the candidate barracks, knife in hand, and had followed a fleeting K'sel into one of the other girl's rooms, thinking he could be an attacker. When she met the lad, he did not seem like the most positive, happy-go-lucky kind of person, but he had Impressed now. To a lovely brown even. Surely his demeanor could have softened, given the second presence in his mind? Of course, Thora had not felt such a change. Her and Pri were quite compatible, she thought, and hardly ever argued about anything. Well, she'd see now, wouldn't she?

Peering into K'sel's room, to make sure he was indeed there, Thora smiled slightly as she found the brownweyrling sprawled out on his cot in such a haphazard manner. "I guess going to Gathers is not your favorite pastime either?" She asked with a somewhat rhetorical tone, stepping slightly inside the doorway. Hypriceth, instead, ambled further into the room, nudging hers out of the way, and eyed K'sel then Pettahth on the floor. Good day Pettahth. . . . is Yours alright laying there like that? It looks awfully peculiar.

[Lotty]

"Hmff," was his immediate reply, not rally looking to see from whom the statement came. There was no doubt about it, he hated gathers, in ways he couldn't even begin to describe, and it wasn't even that he couldn't understand how others wouldn't like gathers; those with the marks could drink and socialize and dance and do things that K'sel very much had an appreciation for. It was simply the fact that everyone else had the ability to go do those things that he utterly despised. Look, he never claimed to be a perfect person and he would be the first to admit he was prone to jealousy, and that was the root of ill will towards gathers: he was jealous of all the fun that was being had without him.

Despite the fact that the girl's question didn't need an answer he was more than willing to give her one, "Noooo...." he began in his caustic manner, "I just love basking in my own misery in my free time," he rolled over to get an eye full of the girl and felt his face grow warm at the sight of Thora. He was just a tad embarrassed to yet again come off as a doom and gloom, cynical jerk. As much as such snarky comments and his furrowed brow had become part of his persona, he was even willing to admit that it was awfully unbecoming to be so abrasive to someone who had given him a second chance so to speak. Plus she was pretty, and you're not supposed to be mean to the pretty ones.

Regardless she had caught him, how rare it was to find the boy so obviously embarrassed - someone as shameless as him had to keep up that apathetic front after all - and so now was the time to try and save face. He yawned and stretched, shook out his hair, did everything he could to stall his lack of apologies. K'sel didn't apologize, he could only cover up, "Good evening Thora, broke and babysitting too? I should have guessed."

Pettahth wasn't quite in the same league of jerkdom that his rider had attained however, and appeared quite relieved to have some company other than his rider's morose musings on life purposes. Hello Hypriceth.... Pettahth quite liked the alliteration in saying that...even though he had no idea what alliteration was, he is alright, but he is an awfully odd boy.

[topaz]

Thora raised an eyebrow critically as K'sel began speaking actual words to her, and not muffled mumbles. Oh, well of course he was going to be sarcastic. Thora was both expecting, and was still slightly surprised by the insolent remark. She had met rude people before this lovely encounter, but never one who was so obviously condescending. Besides, she was only attempting to amuse him in his lonesome and apparent boredom. If he still didn't want to talk to her like a civilized person, then fine! She exhaled slowly, and pointedly, as her brow lowered back down and her lip conversely twitch upwards in a snarl. The arrogance!

However . . the flush to the boys cheeks as he rolled over to look her in the face was immensely satisfying. Ha! She yelled triumphantly in her head. You pompous little wherry, you /should/ be embarrassed. Mine, what exactly are you going on about? You're confusing me. A subtle smirk now settling over her lips, Thora mentally caressed her green back into obliviousness with coos of sweet nothings, and the weyrling dragon relented, not nearly interested enough to pursue the topic.

K'sel's odd, prolonged shuffling around and his abrupt change of demeanor were not lost on Thora. It was clear he regretted coming off so harshly, but then . . why? Why exactly would he monitor his words only after he knew it was her? He didn't have a problem snapping at her and Burena so many months ago, - the fact that they were under attack at that time, Thora did not bother to acknowledge - although the now bluerider had screamed in his face . . No. It was his own fault, Thora decided firmly, scaring her like that. Burena was a perfectly friendly person when she wasn't scared out of her wits, thinking she was about to die by the hand of a Bendenite, and Thora felt that was perfectly acceptable. Now, what was he saying . . ?

Babysitting? Was he serious? Well, Thora now knew how big, bold K'sel thought of his own dragon. Almost unbelievable. This child didn't deserve a tunnlesnake, let alone a beautiful dragon like Pettahth! But Thora held her tongue. If the brown dragon didn't mind being referred to in such a degrading manner then she would not speak up for him. "I suppose you could say that." She drawled. Now, wait a second, did he say 'I should have guessed.'? What in Faranth was that supposed to mean? Did she really look poor? Ugh! K'sel was either the dumbest, or the most incredibly disrespectful person that Thora had ever encountered. Even so, she held her tongue. She would not be riled up by such a foolish little boy; never mind that he was two entire turns older than her.

Hypriceth seemed to be having exponentially better luck with brown Pettahth. Oh. I see. Mine seems to think so as well. Something about pompous wherrys . . Very strange. I did not think wherrys were intelligent enough to feel anything at all.

[Lotty]

Women were all immensely confusing, he remind himself as he threw his legs over the side of his bed and sat properly. Frown, snarl, smirk, and half enthused words spilling from her mouth. What was this? Did he awake with super-powers? Could he now instantly decipher the many mood swings of the typical teenage girl? If this is what he had to deal with the rest of the day, then he could easily go back to lounging around, maybe oil the baby dragon, feed the flying stomach...it seemed that now that he was stuck in such an awkward situation he could easily find so many alternatives to quell his boredom. Although, there was one obstacle in his way: Thora was still standing very much there. So as mean as he can be, and as irritated as he clearly made her, she was still going to stick around? How peculiar. Maybe she was a masochist...or worse, she was the sadist and she got a kick out of forcing him to carry the weight of this unwieldy conversation. Well, it does take all kinds...

He stared at her for a long second, trying to wrap his head around her short little reply. How was he supposed to respond to that? Well he knew how...but he was still biting his tongue, and keeping his more acidic words at bay. Lets try and say something without digging any bigger hole than need be right? There was an attempt at a smile; a goofy, off kilter grin to placate the girl and seem at least quasi well mannered. Until Pettahth spilled the beans, and he dropped the pleasantries. Seemed like Thora wasn't the only one with mood swings anymore. Were you and Hypriceth's talking about wherries mine? And pompous?

Of course Pettahth did not think much of it, he was just getting answers to his little curiosities and he could always rely on his K'sel to give him the answers. K'sel could just be so knowledgeable, so of course the dragon was going to pry as much as he could into his rider's wealth of information. It was the only way - Pettahth was determined to be the smartest of them all.

His eyes flicking from his dragon back to the girl he began to explain to the brown, "Oh no Pettahth, you've caught on to my secret, you've actually Impressed a big wherry...." He gave Thora an accusatory stare, he might have been jumping to conclusions, but he was fairly sure he wasn't too off base. After all he had been having a rough time with the fellow weyrling, she probably wasn't out of her bounds to call him one. For some reason, he didn't hate her for thinking of him in such a way. He really did think of himself as something of a big dumb wherry anyway; up until lately his life had been a nauseating cycle of eating, sleeping, and chores. Not exactly anything that required too many brain cells.

Unfortunately this left the poor dragonet completely confused and he paddled over to his bonded to give him a few good sniffs and a poke in the side. You don't look like a wherry to me.... He turned his little brown head to the green, Does he look like a wherry to you?

K'sel reached out to rub Pettahth's eyeridge, "It's a joke, you'll get those some day..." Hopefully. The dragon would need to learn to take things not so seriously around the young man, everything that came out of his mouth had to be taken in good humor with a grain of salt.

[topaz]

Oh . . oops. Thora's wispy smirk quickly dissolved into a look of disbelief, and the girl hung her head, raising two fingers to firmly pinch the bridge of her nose, resting the other hand on her hip. "For Faranth's sake Pri." She muttered, and then glared over to her green. "Can I not have any of my own thoughts?" The weyrling made a small flourish with her hand as she said it, in Hypriceth's direction, to emphasize her point to the dragon, but the damage was done. With a lasting look at the green, Thora sighed, and reluctantly returned her dark blue gaze to K'sel. She smiled, but only halfheartedly, in some kind of apology, she hoped. But even she was not satisfied with that. She didn't mean for him to overhear that comment, and so she was indeed sorry. Maybe from now on, whenever Pri was awake, Thora would need to screen her thoughts as well as her words. Such a hassle. "Sorry . ." She said, with that same sheepish smile, looking K'sel straight in the eye. At least he seemed relatively honest with his feelings, and displayed them out loud instead of hiding them. That fact alone seemed to be at least one facet of this man that Thora could admire.

So. Now that that had completely backfired . . If only Pri could keep her maw shut about these sorts of things, they wouldn't have any problems! After all, didn't everyone think freely inside their own head? Things they would never want to be said aloud? He couldn't blame her for that. Who knows what terrible things were floating around K'sel's head about her now. Apparently though, Pettahth was either completely disinterested in his bonded's thoughts or he was quite subtle about it, a skill that Pri would obviously need to be trained in.

At Pettahth's question, Pri sat down and trained her whirling, jewel faceted eyes on K'sel. She looked him over determinedly, flicking her tail absently over her forefeet. No. He certainly does not. Not a single feather to speak of. Ours just don't seem to know what a wherry looks like! Hypriceth had always though of Hers as a very smart humanpet, but if she didn't know what a wherry looked like, there was obviously something lacking. Making sure to broadcast to both the humans, as well as Pettahth, Pri decided to explain exactly what a wherry looked like. Wherrys have long necks and those sharp beaks, Mine. And feathers all over, and wings, but they cannot fly. And they are very stupid. This one may not be able to fly, but he is certainly not stupid. I don't think. Switching to a private wavelength with Pettahth, Pri whispered. Is Yours stupid Pettahth? I do not know. I am worried that they both might be.

[Lotty]

K'sel could have snickered at that sad excuse for an apology. There was no need for such things if that was really what she thought. He gave her a smirk, but his eyes said much more: he broke his previous glare to roll his eyes...playfully exaggerating the whole movement. Giving his dragon one last scratch before letting his arm drop back down to his side he made another one of his classic little comments, though the smile did sort of soften it a bit, "You're only sorry that you got caught," then musing on it a little more he added, "it would be nice to be able to say what we really think about people all the time wouldn't it? Unfortunately I don't think it works out too well. I should know..." K'sel wasn't above admitting that he needed to learn to put a lid on it sometimes, but he did have a little bit of reserve, after all he didn't spit out all of his opinions of Thora yet. Though he certainly would if given the proper forum to do so...

He would mention that he was fascinated by her, and how after ever bitter and cruel flash of his eyes or barb he would throw she was still hanging around. How even after their horrible first meeting, she came around again. He might throw a kitschy pun at her and call her a 'Thora in his side'. He would point out again the humor in her little apology, and then he would probably receive a bloody nose for some kind of offensively manly comment on her looks, because for the life of him he refused to be caught saying something as trite and cliche as 'you have pretty eyes'. Yes, if he could help it, he was going to keep his mouth closed on this one, and instead listened to Thora's green give them all a lesson in wherry characteristics. It was relieving to know he wasn't considered stupid by Pettahth's clutchmate.

I never thought so before... hmmm, there was a slight problem if her's didn't know what a wherry looked like, but what about His? Saying he was a wherry was not...not funny! And he had that habit of doing things he knew was bad. All of a sudden the brown was adding it all up and...but no...

The brown snorted. He had it all figured out. They can't be stupid! We picked them, and we of course are very smart and wouldn't pick the dumbest of the bunch. Of course being the last out of his egg, Pettahth didn't have a chance to choose from the best of the best...but he was more than certain that K'sel was the only one out there for him, and his one and only rider would not, could not, be a dimglow. He looked at the boy again. Yes, he had picked the right one, and content blues and greens swirled around those big bug eyes of his.

[topaz]

Thora grinned at K'sel's comment about her getting caught, placing her hands defiantly on her hips. "Well yes, but that's only because of my dear Pri. I am quite sorry she has to be such a blabber mouth." She leaned forward slightly towards said dragon to emphasize the last two words, looking pointedly at the green, a smile still set on her face. A playful shake of her head at her young dragon, and Thora was looking back to K'sel. He should know, hm? Well, Thora wouldn't debate that. With his brash attitude, she wouldn't be surprised if he said he had mouthed off to the Weyrleader himself! But it wasn't so much a bad quality, as it seemed to be an inconvenient one. Thora was decidedly grateful that she could hold her tongue when she needed to, even if her lovely green could not.

Thora tried to decipher what K'sel might really think of her, but she was at a loss. The boy was certainly outspoken, but his sour attitude seemed to be given to everyone equally, so she couldn't for sure say that he didn't like her. He was also still talking to her, and had not kicked her out of his room just yet, and . . that look from before. Thora had a few ideas of what it could have meant, but she would leave it alone for now. Turning her attention to the two weyrling dragons, she watched them curiously as they spoke to each other. At least they got along. Pri got along with everything however, it seemed, so it might not be the clearest sign of the brown's demeanor, but he hadn't said anything for Thora to think differently so far.

Oh! Yes. That is correct Pettahth. Very good of you to point it out. Ours are probably the smartest in all the Weyr just because of that fact. Hypriceth crooned to the brown for his excellent deduction, and preened proudly. The large green fluttered her wings happily on her back, eyeing Thora with the same blue-green color eyes that her clutchbrother held for His.

"Oh. Well thank you Pri dearest for confirming that! I was so worried I was an idiot . ." Thora wasn't sarcastic that often, but around K'sel it seemed rather natural, and really, the moment just deserved it. Had her own dragon really thought she was a dimglow? The weyrling had not yet figured out all the inner workings of her dragon, but she had always assumed an Impressed dragon thought Theirs was absolutely amazing. Apparently not, she thought amusedly, making a note of it as she walked slowly over to Hypriceth and scratched her eye ridges. The green rumbled blissfully as she leaned into the girls hand, her tail thumping in a soft rhythm against the floor next to her.

"So." Thora said firmly as she looked back up to K'sel. "What can we do while everyone is at the Gather, hm? There must be something you like to do aside from laying in bed like a lump." A small smirk slid into place across Thora's lips as she looked expectantly at the brownweyrling.

[Lotty]

"I kind of like blabber mouths..." K'sel remarked. Shocker. It would seem almost alien for such a comment to come spilling out of the mouth of such a negative man as himself, but the close little circle of friends he had once upon a time cultivated knew much better. Thora was being slowly introduced into this elite few that the brownweyrling associated himself with, and soon enough would know why he said such a thing. Soon she would know that given all the right circumstances, K'sel could actually probably chat her ear off about this and that and every fabricated life story he could think of. He got a kick out of it when people warmed up to him; when he was so cold and mean it was almost a dare for people to even try and come closer, but when they did they were rewarded. Pettahth for example got to hear...well just about everything that popped into the teenager's head and completely uncensored at that. This luckily worked out for the brown, he was learning so much from His.

Well of course! The brown happily responded to his clutchsister. The two smartest humanpets together with the two smartest dragons was only appropriate. Surely His and Hypriceth's must be friends forever now, and to ensure this he would prod his rider to be sickeningly sweet to the girl no matter how much the surly boy would resist. Do you hear that K'selmine? You are one of the smartest and you MUST be nice to the other smartest! And of course now came the threats, because it was the only way to get through the weyrling's thick skull: Or I will bite you until your brains leak out!

It was amazing how much nicer the brown was to fellow dragons compared to his own rider. With K'sel it was all about the fear of those razor lined jaws, little did he realize it was the young dragon's only mode of motivating him! He had to be a little harsh to get the boy in gear and up to snuff. They were going to be the best after all. It was going to be a long road though, K'sel was fighting him the whole way, this time snorting at the dragon's ridiculous notion. He would be nice to Thora on his own terms.

It would almost be too easy though. Here she was being sarcastic herself...there was hope yet...and maybe, just maybe that smirk was cracking into something closer to a genuine smile. If only Pern had cameras. He managed to keep up this warm glow as he replied to her, "Like a lump? Excuse me ma'am, but my dragon is the one who is a lump, I am much too streamlined for lumpdom," and although it went from being almost nasty to almost humorous, the sarcasm never really left. I AM NOT A LUMP! Pettahth reminded him again...but it was futile.

"But it's true. There are plenty of things I like to do..." he crossed his arms defiantly, exactly how many of those things were legitimate hobbies that didn't break any number of rules was debateable, "I like making music, and telling stories...and dancing....playing cards...and stealing wine and getting silly drunk. Oh and of course basket weaving," the last bit was a complete lie. Part of his storytelling you see.

"Now, there must be somethings you like to do?"

[topaz]

Thora snorted softly, and looked down to Hypriceth for a moment, her lips puckered slightly to the right in a playful manner. He liked blabber mouths? Well, he didn't seem like too much of a gossip himself. Although, Thora wouldn't be too surprised if he began opening up to someone if they were persistent enough. Maybe that someone would be her? It wasn't as if the girl was trying to win the surly boy over - she really was just bored - but it couldn't hurt.

The green dragon rumbled loudly at Pettahth's threat, obviously amused. Oh Pettahth. You do not have to bite Yours. I'm sure he will be just as nice either way, since he is so smart like Mine. Wrapping her tail loosely around Thora's leg, the thick bodied green hummed pleasantly up at the blonde. She was definitely smart. There would be no more doubting of it. Hers was marvelous!

"Streamlined?" Thora grinned, eyebrows raised skeptically. "I don't know if that's the word I'd use . . . but suure." She said teasingly, and chuckled in a rich, but still very feminine, tone. "Whatever you say, lumpy . ." That comment she whispered, not completely out of K'sel's hearing range, but he'd probably have to ask her to repeat herself. She smirked deviously at him, returning a hand down to Pri's head, absently caressing the soft hide. It wasn't completely soft, however. The green was shoveling down meat like it was firestone in a Fall, and her hide was paying the consequences. It was hard to see, but the females pale hide was tight in places and becoming increasingly rough. She would need a good oiling within the next few candlemarks or she would surely begin to fuss.

"Besides! Pettahth is a beautiful dragon. Far from a lump." She added, nodding pleasantly to the brown on the floor. Pri rumbled in agreement. Yes. He is very smart and very pretty. Because he is my clutchbrother, it must be so. The green preened absently. Hers said that she was very pretty. So it would only make sense that her big clutchbrother was pretty too; even if he wasn't really that much bigger than her at all . .

As K'sel began to list some of his favorite activities, Thora's eyebrow cocked up slightly. Dancing? Really . . Apparently there were a lot of male dancers in this Weyr, as this was not her first encounter. So strange, she thought. Only the very fanciful of women at the Hold, along with the very young girls, ever bothered with dancing. There was work to be done after all. And Thora d- . . . wait, what now? Stealing wine and getting drunk? The blonde was surprised, but more at the addmittance of the act, not of K'sel's partaking in it. Thora had only ever been drunk once. It was fun while it lasted, but the morning after on the boat was nothing short of horrendous. Maybe they would save the drinking for another time . .

"Oh and of course basket weaving."

Basket weaving? Really? For some reason K'sel did not seem like the type, at all. Thora knew a little about weaving, but only with fishing nets. She laughed inwardly at the mental image of K'sel sitting at a table, all hunched over a half made basket, for hours and hours at a time. No way. "Basket weaving, hm? That sounds interesting." Thora was faking the sincerity, but her smiling eyes were all real. She had thought the brownweyrling had been opening up to her, but if he didn't know how to make baskets it was obviously all a lie. "Do you have any of your creations with you? I'd love to see them." Maybe next she would ask him to dance.

[Lotty]

He is smart, but biting gets fast results. You should try it sometime. This morning would be a good example, the boy was putting off oiling his sandy hide because he just had to eat or something ridiculous like that. His stomach could wait! Pettahth was a growing dragon, he needed an oiling or else! The brown knocked the boy right on his behind that morning when he had tried to put up a fight. After that he went for a jar of oil promptly, the dragon knew how to get results, but the only results K'sel was going to feel was soreness in the morning. Oh well. It works especially well when your rider won't listen. Does your do that? Mine does, he says it is because he likes to be 'contrary'. The dragon snorted again, his rider was just so silly.

He even was acting a little silly for Thora. He stood up off his bed and dropped his jaw in faux disbelief, even running his hands up and down his sides and inspecting himself. If he was anything but lithely muscled, then his name wasn't K'sel! He pouted and cocked an eye brow at the girl, "Well then what would you call it? Hmmmm?" He leaned forward trying to catch what she had added under her breath. It obviously couldn't be anything good, and it was oh so irritating, he was already called a wherry and managed to take the insult without any great offensive, the least she could do was speak up so that he could hear all the other ones, "What was that you said you Thora In My Side?" Ha! So he finally got his chance to use his cheesy pun. Take that silly greenweyrling girl!

And complimenting his dragon didn't even make him a little bit regretful for the remark, if you asked him it was all in good fun. Really he brushed off the comment altogether, as big of a blessing Pettahth might have been K'sel had to say that aesthetically the dragon wasn't anything to write home about. The brown always looked like he had spent a day at the beach, but even sand shimmered in the sun and that kind of shine was something that could only be coaxed on with a good wash and oiling. That aside he was a good dragon, and more than anyone could ask for, "Well, he is certainly something..."

I am handsome....not pretty. He corrected his clutchmate. Male dragons weren't pretty, although he did find himself beaming with delight at the thought that his sister thought so highly of him.

"My creations?" he asked placing his hand on his chest, "I mean...my baskets of course...." he began to stall again as he came up with a line of malarky, "You know it's not really about the outcome as much as the process, the act of expressing one's self via wicker..." he nodded his head, yeah that sounded good. Baskets? I have never seen your baskets... Dragons ruin everything.

[topaz]

Hypriceth was slightly taken aback by Pettahth's suggestion, and looked up curiously at Hers. She did not want to bite Hers. She loved Hers. And besides, whatever pain the blonde felt, so did the green, if not in a slightly muted fashion. Thora looked down challengingly - yet with a distinctly playful look in her eyes - at her green as the beast pondered the possibility. Do not worry Mine. I would never bite you. You are very nice, so I would not have any need to bring you harm. I am sure, Minelove. She confessed, adding a croon and a soft nuzzle to the greenweyrling's leg. Oh, no no. Mine listens to me all the time. She is very nice, you know. I don't think I will need to bite her. Pri repeated out loud as she turned back to face Pettahth. Thora gave the green an affectionate pat on the head.

Thora giggled at K'sel's overdramatic display, and raised her right hand to daintily hover over her open mouth. It dropped slowly down to her chest as the boy seemed to calm, and rested mostly between her breasts as her fingers fondled the v-neck collar of her tunic. She brought her left hand around to hug her opposite side, utilizing it as a brace for her right elbow, as she looked the brownweyrling over with mock criticality. "Well . . not streamlined, for sure." She teased, lips pulling into a smile as she looked at him. "But not bad." Now h-. . .what did he call her? 'Thora in my side?' Oh boy. The blonde splayed her right fingers across the top of her chest as she laughed, rocking back and forth gently. "You've got to be kidding . . I don't think I've ever heard that one!" Another small fit of giggles took over the girl, and her dark blues danced at him from behind cheerfully squinted lids. "Oh, you're a real original K'sel." She said in a skeptical tone as she shook her head, still in slight disbelief that he had actually used such a corny line. Her smile did not fade as she calmed, but Pettahth's voice caught her attention next.

Oh. Yes, that too. Handsome is a good word for it. Hypriceth quickly agreed. She would call him whatever he so wished, as long as he was pleasant with her. Such a patient and kind female she was, surely he could appreciate that.

Thora tried to hide her smirk as K'sel fumbled over his words, seemingly confused by her innocent request. Was he trying to say that he did not have any finished baskets? Because surely then he could show her all the piles of wicker he would have saved up! But no. Pettahth swooped in quickly to bring a screeching halt to his bonded's lying. Thora grinned broadly at the statement and turned to look at Pettahth adoringly. "You are a truly marvelous dragon Pettahth. Certainly one of my favorites. You don't miss a single thing." She cooed to the brown, and then shot a mischievous glare to K'sel. "Now K'sel . ."She said slowly, and clearly, drawing out the moment. "Why in Pern would you hide your beautiful 'expressions' . ." The last word she even made quotation marks in the air with her fingers. ". . from your darling dragon here? I'm sure he would love to see them, as would the rest of us. Come now. You must have something done, hm?" Oooh this was fun!

[Lotty]

Hmmf. To think there were riders out there that were nice all the time. The brown cocked his head at K'sel. His most definitely wasn't nice all the time, and was rather deserving of a push or shove now and then, and whenever K'sel was doubtful of himself he had to show his teeth. It was a promise. But right now His was being a good boy and played along so well. Pettahth was rather proud, and ambled back up his bonded's side, nudging his hand until it once again found a spot on his own suede like skin. Of course the boy was happy to mindlessly run his fingers over the brown's hide as he watched Thora laugh at his ridiculous little show.

It was enough to warm his black little heart.

He loved for people to laugh at his antics, they were reminders that he was something other than a run of the mill jerk with a chip on his shoulder. He even felt a little flattered when he caught that comment. Not bad? Well he'd take it, it wasn't like he'd been thrown too many nice words as of late. Or rather, nice words that didn't come from either his mother or his dragon. They didn't count, they were required to adore him.

"Oh, you're a real original K'sel."

Really? He liked to think he was cut from the same fabric as everyone else, but if the girl thought otherwise he was going to go with it, regardless of tone she may have used. Besides, being called original was quite preferable to the term that usually followed 'you're a real'. Here's a hint, it wasn't an endearment. So he waved off the remark with a limp wristed swipe at the air, he was trying to play it off as if he received such praise all the time, "I suppose...."

But his basking in glory came to an end when his ruse was uncovered, and he was left to try and save what he could of his sorry story about arts and crafts. He scratched the back of his head as if that would spur the brains inside to get into gear, all the while watching Pettahth soak up the attention Thora was pouring upon him. I am one of her /favorites/ mine...and I'm handsome. the brown began to brag, but also reassured his clutchsister, Don't worry Hypriceth, you are very pretty, and I'm sure you are your bonded's absolute favorite. I know I am mine's.

Trying to step around the questioning K'sel tried to expain his lack of baskets to show off, but very nearly succumbing to the truth that he hadn't a clue how to even start making one, "That's the funny thing about expression..." he stopped there. If basket making really was his mode of expressing himself to the world then he would see no reason not to show it off no matter how ugly or rotten it looked or made him out to be. So he had to fall back on a better excuse. He was going to be the timeless archetype: the temperamental artist, "I don't have to show you!" another flamboyant display, his hand fluttering to his chest again, "It's my art..." Pettahth huffed in reply and stomped his feet, marching off and poking his head under K'sel's cot and rummaging through all of his things. His couldn't hide anything from him! You don't have any baskets, do you!?

K'sel could only shrug, "You caught me?"

[topaz]

Thora smirked and exhaled sharply at K'sel's absent agreement with her comment. The remark hadn't been completely sarcastic. What he said was indeed original, since she had never heard it before, but the ridiculousness of it took quite a bit away from it's originality.

Hypriceth nodded happily at Pettahth, and crooned with delight at his compliment. Thank you clutchbrotherMine. The green preened next to Hers, fluttering her wings on her back slightly, as she often did when she was happy. Mine does love me a whole lot. I know it. She tells me everyday. And I love her even more. Pri rubbed her head adoringly along Thora's hip and thigh, crooning pleasantly. Thora grinned at the touch from her dragon, and quickly leant a hand down to rub along the green's neck. "Ohh, I don't know about that, my sweet." She murmured quietly back.

Thora's attention was then quickly pulled back to K'sel as he attempted to explain his way out of his obvious lie. One eyebrow quirked curiously up, Thora nodded along amiably as the brownweyrling spoke, feigning acceptance of his lies. Then suddenly K'sel seemed to get very agitated, for no apparent reason. Thora looked surprisedly at him, but soon caught on, seeing through his over exaggerated tone and movements. Then, once again, Pettahth ratted his bonded out. Thora grinned as the little brown snaked his head and claws through what looked like all of K'sel's belongings. Once there seemed to be nothing left to search, the pale brown accused His of just what Thora had been thinking.

"You caught me?"

Thora laughed heartily again, holding one hand to her stomach. He gave it all he could, she supposed. "Ah, yes. That's what I thought. You didn't really think you could lie right in front of your dragon did you?" She smiled broadly, looking once more over the heaps of K'sel's messed belongings, spread out all over the floor. She shook her head slightly, but smiled warmly at Pettahth. "You'll tell me if he lies again, won't you Pettahth? You're ever so helpful. Does he really dance? He hardly looks like the type . ." She asked innocently, but with a mischievous look in her eye to K'sel.

[Lotty]

Oh? said the little brown in response. He didn't know that you had to look like the type to dance...but he knew that sometimes K'sel made funny little movements that he called dancing anyway. After giving his rider another good hard look the dragon nodded his head enthusiastically - that did mean yes didn't it? K'selmine isn't lying now. He dances, I've seen it. This much he was sure: he would kick his feet out and make motions with hands...oh and shuffle his shoulders and skip around like a wherry. Pettahth tried to replicate it, but only succeeded in flailing around. It was like that...

"It was not..." K'sel assured Thora. It was just his sort of luck that the dragon slept with one eye open and would catch him goofing off and doing a made up jig for the fun of it. Those random occurrences when the boy would let loose was his safe way to blow off steam, because his other options included finding rules to break or at very least complain about. Even worse is that usually on these occasions he would be singing - off key, but thankfully in hushed tones - some equally ridiculous tune he had just made up. But who were they to judge - he cocked an eyebrow at the others in the room - anyone could get slap happy from time to time. However, when the situation called for it, he could hesitantly fall into step and manage to do one of those formal dances...though he wished they weren't so rigid.

Ugh, this would have been so much easier had she asked about playing cards. He could find an innocent enough game for the two of them to play, it didn't even have to be dragon poker, they could do go fish! The girl was a fisherman...er woman right? She'd certainly appreciate his thoughtfulness. He looked off to the end of his cot and remembered that Pettahth had already taken apart the contents of his trunk, and his playing cards were all over the floor amongst his clothing and other various knick-knacks. His plans dashed - he realized that once again he was just stalling, and Thora was not the type of girl to fall for his little white lies. Even if she was, he was bonded to what he figured was a child with wings, and you can't trust a child to keep their mouths shut about anything.

"I like to goof around mostly," he was rather impassive about it, "but I know a dance or two," but he wouldn't tell her that he knew at least one of them from his mother - once upon a time she tried to raise a little gentleman - and he wasn't about to brag about how he picked up the others in short apprenticeship stints between clutches. How lame would it be to bring up unfinished business? Although, what would be even worse is if she expected to be taught what he knew...he dreaded the thought. But mine, you said you thought dancing was fun? He was just full of contradictions wasn't he? The problem was that he was a little afraid that he wouldn't be half as graceful as expected to be. He said he had fun at it, he never said he was any good.