You Ugly (Open)

[Rei]

Sel’n strode into the main hall being careful not to disturb his sleeping mandyr who was dozing in his sling. Vanity had claimed the sling as her own and no one, especially not him, dare try to wrest her from it. Sleeping mandyr was good, awake one was a disaster.

He had effectively found a way to keep her from weyrling lessons. Plop her in front of a mirror and she would display and talk to herself for hours. The only problem being that once she ran out of compliments for herself or was hungry it was time to find her bonded and stick to him like glue. The brown rider motioned for a candidate and gave her his order before waving her off, and brooding about the upcoming Blooming graduation. As far as he was concerned Hepaticath and Savitri where the only two worthy of graduating.

So consumed was he with his thoughts that he didn’t notice the squirming of Vanity against his near numb arm. She wiggled out of his sling and threw a glance in hers’s direction before skittering down the chair leg and sprinting across the room. Once she had gained access to the center table she clambered to the top and hissed, displaying at the riders sitting there. YOU UGLY BAD! Me pretty. You look. Big nose you have big, big nose ugly, ugly. She quite happily broadcasted this to the entire dinner crowd, causing Sel’n to flinch and gaze at his now empty sling. Shards.

Mine best! She screamed thrusting her tail in Sel’n’s direction quite happy to have the entire crowd paying attention to her. She strutted the length of the table only stopping once to inspect her pristine hide. Good they were all looking at her. That was to be expected she was by far the prettiest creature in the room. What, why were they now looking at hers? This was not acceptable. She gave a venomous hiss and shrieked. ME PRETTY LOOK NOW!

Sel’n closed his eyes and fought to keep from going over there and throttling her. He had not wanted one of these insane creatures in the first place. This was all Kaaoloth’s fault. Kaaoloth get her out of here. He said angrily gritting his teeth. The brown who was sprawled outside snorted. You know she will not listen to me. You find a way to get her out of there.

[hseru]

The food was as good as it always was, tastier than usual even, but it all suddenly turned sour in his mouth without warning. K'roi very shortly found the cause, however, as the small bluish-green flitt previously laying at ease on his left shoulder raised her head with a low hiss, her eyes whirling with sudden anger. The long tail wrapped securely around his neck tightened subtly in additional reaction, her unease swirling into his mind like smoke and changing his own perceptions just enough before he put forth the small effort needed to block it and take another cursory bite of food. Back to normal it seemed.

Of course, the reason for Sakki's anger suddenly landed on the table a few plates down from the bronzerider, her mental voice raised in challenge. A salamandyr. A very noisy salamandyr at that, begging, nay demanding the attention of the table. Sakki would have none of -that-.

Unwinding herself, the tiny green flitt launched herself free of Hers, whirling tightly just above the Salamandyr and chattering in annoyance. This was not the table the smallwinged green belonged. This was Her and Hers' table. No annoying flightless worm was going to stand there and insult Hers. Hers was the best, the strongest, there was nothing the worm's could compare with! She landed lightly in front of K'roi, nimbly dodging his attempt to catch her before she could lift off again. She hissed at the salamandyr, wings flared, her long tail lashing in anger and unknowingly catching a plate on the way, sliding it across the table and over the edge before coming free again.

The bronzerider barely managed to catch the plate before it clattered to the ground, spilling food all over his hands. "Sakki, come here and behave." He ordered with a light laugh, fighting to hide an impish grin at the little creatures. Well used to the green's tempter tantrums at being outdone by another, her anger had little effect on him despite the frequent flashes of red and orange she sent. He heard a laugh filter through his mind as he replaced the plate, and snagged a small towel to wipe his hands off. The green was still chattering angrily at the 'mandyr, ignoring him on the pretense of protecting his virtue.

I wouldn't mind a helping hand. He sent to Gareth, the bronze lounging half on, half off the outer ledge of his Weyr. The dragon huffed another laugh through his head, then. Little sister, you know you're the most beautiful one here. Let the other trumpet her need.

Sakki warbled a brief response to the mental nudge from Gareth, snorting at the other green with something akin to arrogance at her own obvious superiority, clearly agreeing with what the big bronze said. After all, her much larger cousin was perfectly correct. She was much prettier.

[Rei]

What was this flitter doing? It dared to hassle her! Vanity hissed loudly, frill flaring to it’s fullest, eyes burning a angry crimson. BAD! She shrieked at the full extent of her voice. BOOM! Maul! Die! The green may be small but what she lacked in size she made up for in ferocity and volume. She launched herself at the green flit, fully intending to rip her ugly wings off.

Vanity’s anger filtered over to her bonded and Sel’n shoved his chair back to stride across the room and make a grab for the creature. The green hissed her defiance, and leapt onto the bronze rider. Clambering up to his shoulder, and from there onto his head, tangling her claws into his hair she shrieked for the whole room to hear. NO, NO, NO, NO! I stay! I stay! The brown rider dare not reach for her now, for fear of her hurting the rider on which she was perched.

Sel’n gritted his teeth and shook his head. “I am really sorry about her. I do wish I was never in the library to watch the little monster’s birth.” He glared at his mander causing her to puff herself up and preen. Love Sel. Love. Vanity’s Sel. Mine. The brown rider grumbled as he felt Kaaoloth’s amused voice enter his thoughts. You see she does love you. Shard it all Kaaoloth. The brown gave a rumble and spread his wings out to absorb the sunlight. You are on your own mine. The little cousin is merely testing your limits.

Vanity was completely connected to the conversation and she gave a small cheep. Limits? She hissed again at the flitter and snuggled deeper into the bronze rider’s hair. Is Mine. She announced smugly to the small green, eyes whirling with red tones.

[hseru]

Sakki narrowly dodged the salamandyr's sudden attempt to attack her, and backwinged across the table, knocking over a cup or two before hissing loudly and resuming a forward pace to arrow in on the other green. Her eyes whirled in angry swirls of red and orange, the colors quick to change back and forth. This worm would regret trying to attack a queen like her! She maneuvered around the brownrider's attempts to catch his wayward pest, chirping encouragement. She would be glad to have the rider remove the offensive creature so she wouldn't have to bother herself with touching it.

The small flitt squawked and flared her wings in outrage however, when the infuriating loudmouth made the leap to Hers to evade capture. How dare she!?

K'roi didn't really react badly when Vanity landed on him. He was, after all, getting rather used to the smaller draconic creatures, but he let out a strangled yelp when the green clambered up his shoulder to perch on his head, wincing when he felt the small claws wriggle through his hair to his scalp. His good cheer from before was a bit subdued, but he still couldn't help the somewhat slow, teeth-grinding chuckle at the harried brownrider, resisting the urge to reach up and grab the creature now nesting in his hair.

"No need.. ouch! ..to apologize." He twitched at every little move, a little surprised at how it could hurt to have a thing living on one's head. His little green preferred shoulder riding most times. "I understand aaah how it can beeee." Some perverse part of his mind noted that this was probably hilarious to watch. Or, that could have been Gareth's not so helpful thoughts, as the big bronze was laughing so much that it was almost mentally deafening. Can't you handle such a small creature? Shut it Gar, or I'll be certain to get one at the next hatching and set it on you.[/b] The bronze only continued to laugh, now keeping much of it to himself.

Sakki was screeching at the salamandyr, demanding that it remove its dirty body from Hers. K'roi reached out to try and settle her, but she launched upwards before he could complete the move, a shimmer of blue-green in the air before she dove, and landed all feet first on the offending creature snuggling into her new head-nest. She tried to both scratch and grab the smaller creature at once, her feet questing for a hold to pull the other green away from Hers.

The tousling of two sharp clawed angry creatures on his head was a bit too much for the bronzerider to take, and he shied to the side in an attempt to dislodge either of them. "Shard it Sakki, get off.. OW!" He shook his head from side to side in quick succession, trying to remove the combatants without hurting them. It launched the flitt, so light that she flipped twice in the air before regaining her flight balance, chattering anger at both the 'mandyr and Hers for unsettling her fighting perch.

[Rei]

Sel’n slumped into the chair next to the bronze rider as the two creatures upon his head tussled and screeched. Every fiber of his being, for some rather odd reason, screamed for him to help his little mindmate. However he waited, he knew involving himself would do more harm then good. So he waited until Sakki was tossed free, before reaching across the gap to the bronze riders hair. He dug his fingers into it to search for Vanity. This must be the most embarrassing thing he had ever been involved in. Shells. He fixed K’roi with a apologetic glance. “Sorry I just figured it would be best to remove her before they cause any more damage to each other or your hair. I‘d let you do it but I am sure if you did she would bite you. Better me than you.”

Vanity screeched as the small flitter assaulted her. She buried herself deeper into the riders hair, so the flitters claws and teeth ravaged her bonded’s hair instead of her. As her perch started swaying she dug her claws into K’roi’s scalp determined to hold on. Then the flitter was tossed loose and a hand curled around her. BAD! The mandyr screeched sinking her fangs into her bonded’s flesh. Sel’n flinched but pulled his hand away, Vanity dangling from his finger. “Got her.” He remarked as he held his mandyr aloft examining her for any injuries.

Confidant that she was ok, he pressed his fingers on either side of her jaw causing her to release her grip on his finger and cling to his hand with her tiny claws. The mandyr's eyes still whirled an angry red, orange. Outside Kaaoloth was shaking with laughter and Sel’n threw a poisonous glance at the wall. It isn’t funny Kaao. Vanity hissed and clambered onto the top of her bonded’s hand. Launching from it, she glided to his shoulder. Not Funny! Not Funny! She spat and started preening herself thoroughly. Stupid winged one.

[hseru]

K'roi clenched his jaw and ground his teeth together to keep from screeching when Vanity dug her claws into his scalp. He reached behind his head to quickly release the tie holding his hair back to help the brownrider in any way with removing the crazy mandyr.

"Go ahead and-shards! do what you need to. Ouch! I don't want to hurt her." Well, he was changing his mind about that, but he wouldn't say it aloud. Sakki was even less help than before, perceiving the brownrider's movements as an attack in its own right, and she zipped around his head for a bit, trying to bite him before K'roi yelled at her. "Sakki! Settle down! Scorch it, he's trying to help!" As if finally understanding at least part of the command, she backed off a little, hovering anxiously overhead while the tousle continued.

She warbled with relief when the brownrider finally pulled Vanity free, and she quickly zoomed down to try and find a perch on the twitching shoulder of Hers. The bronzerider scowled, rubbing the top of his head and glancing at his hand, perturbed to see a few minute spots of blood and surprised that the mandyr hadn't taken his whole scalp with her. He continued rubbing lightly, trying to ease the sting. Sakki wrapped herself securely around his neck and shoulder, huddling close and sending soothing thoughts to him, the occasional flash of red getting through as she watched the mandyr, chirping to Hers in a quiet way.

"Is she ok? Are you ok?" He addressed the brownrider, eyeing the small mandyr with something akin to wariness. So she bit her bonded as well as attacked strangers. Was this how all salamandyrs were? He was starting to form a certainty about never owning one if he could help it.

[Rei]

“Yes I am fine. Thank you for calling off your lizard. Vanity also seems to be no worse for wear.” As her bonded mentioned the lizard a flash of red fazed through the mandyrs eyes and she frilled hissing her displeasure. How dare hers pay any attention to that winged monstrosity. Perhaps she had a blemish on her near pristine hide? Vanity gave herself one more quick scan.

Confidant that her hide was as perfect as always, she reared up on her back legs. She placed her front claws gently on Sel’n’s neck. Me pretty? She queried, her voice being broadcasted to the entire room. The brown rider gave a look of warning to the bronze rider. If he reacted unfavorably they were going to have another fit on their hands.

Giving an exasperated sigh he stroked his mandyr with one finger. “Of course you are pretty darling. The prettiest thing in the room.” The mandyr purred appreciatively and turned to regard K’roi obviously waiting for his answer. Sel’n prayed it would be favorable.

[hseru]

K'roi nodded, flashing a small smile to show he was glad that neither of them seemed to be seriously hurt. Sakki continued to coo to him, and he reached up his hand to pet her, returning the soothing thoughts to further still the agitated green. She nuzzled his hand in return, obviously happy he was paying attention to her while the object of their troubles was still so close at hand.

He couldn't help inching back just the tiniest bit when the salamandyr hissed at him, catching himself before he moved too much, a little annoyed with himself. What an angry little thing, but she was far too small to be -afraid- of. Angry and easy to upset it seems. K'roi snorted lightly. Nice to see you're still breathing after all that laughing. Here I'd almost hoped you'd passed out from asphyxiation. Gareth laughed again, a short snort in imitation of his rider.

The bronzerider blinked as the crazy green salamandyr looked at him, like he was going to say something as favorable as her bonded! He coughed lightly, then hiding a scowl, he nodded at her. "Yes, you're a very pretty salamandyr."

[Rei]

Pretty!Prettypretty Vanity. The green mandyr purred and, obviously content with herself, stretched lazily out on her bonded’s shoulder. Sel’n shot K’roi a relieved look and sat at the table slumping into the chair obviously exhausted. “I suppose I should introduce myself now.” The brown rider said thrusting his hand at the bronze rider. “Assistant Weyrling Master Sel’n, rider of brown Kaaoloth.”

The serving girl brought his food then and Vanity slithered down his arm to attack the eggs with gusto. Sel’n spared her a glace and carefully pushed some of the eggs onto the table so she could eat there without being offended. There were times when she wasn’t so bad but 80% of the time he wished he could strangle her. Kaaoloth snorted. Liar you love her and you know it. Sel’n shook his head. Yes perhaps because I am forced to. She was not exactly a planned impression. Neither was I Selmine. Point taken you big lug. Don’t you have better things to do then eavesdrop on my thoughts? Not really.

The brown rider began to eat his own breakfast as he waited for the other rider to introduce himself. He rode bronze. The could tell that from the man’s knots but who his dragon was and where he came from was still a mystery.

[hseru]

Glad that the situation seemed to have eased into a kind of settlement, K'roi slouched a bit back into his chair, visible proof of a return to relaxation, unconsciously imitating the actions of the brownrider. He smiled a bit as Sel'n introduced himself. He responded in kind, taking the hand offered and giving it a firm but brief shake. "Assistant Weyrling Master, eh? There's a job I don't envy. I'm a wingrider myself. 'Name's K'roi, rider of bronze Gareth."

When the food came, Sakki refused to leave Hers and partake, what with the salamandyr right there ready to try and attack Hers again. She warbled a bit, and K'roi automatically cut her a bit of egg, purposefully sliding it further down the table in the opposite direction of Vanity in an attempt to have her eat there, but she refused to move from his shoulder. Hiding a small sigh, he finally held up a piece for her to take from his fingers, rolling his eyes a bit and glancing at Sel'n.

"I must be the biggest pushover.. she can get practically anything she wants from me." He chuckled a bit, taking a piece of bread and spreading some jam on it. "She knows it too, the little scamp." As if knowing she was being talked about, the little blue-green flitt chirped at her bonded, her eyes whirling in question. He merely gave her another piece of egg to eat, which worked to silence the hungry creature.

[Rei]

Sel’n nodded as the man introduced himself. “Jobs not as bad as some may think. I rather enjoy teaching the young ones.” He remarked casually as Vanity finished with her breakfast, gave a yawn, and began her morning cleaning routine. “What clutch is Gareth from? Do you hail from Selenitas? I was born at Fort myself and Kaaoloth Benden.”

Sel’n had nothing better to do, so speaking to the man was a good way to kill time. Kaaoloth cocked his head in a quiet display of amusement. His was actually speaking to someone without being prodded to. It was a miracle. Not wanting to ruin the moment the big brown shook some of the dust from his hide and closed his eyes to take a short nap.

((Sorry it is so short. Dx)

[hseru]

Both of K'roi's brows went up at mention of Fort and Benden. He must be from the stolen clutch... The bronzerider couldn't help the small flash of anger, but if they were raised at Fort, the tendencies of Benden would not have taken to the brown, nor could he blame the dragons for the indiscretions of the riders. He tried to reason with his unrelenting hatred for anything Benden. Gareth, alerted by the sudden anger in His, sought to sooth his bonded before the older rider could notice anything strange. I have seen Kaaoloth, and he is no Benden dragon at heart. Be calm, mine. They have lived here for some time now.

Taking a deep breath, the bronze rider let go his anger, and it swirled out of him as quick as it had come. The whole exchange had taken only a few seconds, and the raised brows and a touch of a scowl were the only outside indicants of some inner turmoil. His face quickly smoothed into a smile again, and he took a glass from the table, sipping the contents to give himself a moment. Sakki, not understanding the situation or the reason for Hers' sudden anger, flared her wings from his shoulder and hissed quietly before he stilled her with a hand and mental calm and reassurance.

"Ah, we're from Selenitas, yes. Not originally in my case, though. I was searched at Lighttower, and brought here to live as a candidate for a year or so before impressing Gareth. That was Fath's clutch, about seven years ago." His smile became a bit more natural, now that he was talking again, about his favorite subject no less.

"Tell me, how does a Fort rider end up here?"

[Rei]

Indeed Sel’n was not aware of K’roi’s displeasure save the hiss from his lizard which both he took in stride. Was the little flitter still upset with his mandyr? Upset? Badbadbad Vanity chattered as she scampered up Sel’n’s shirt and dove into the cozy comfort of his sling. Minepet. Bad winged one. Maul… She trailed off as she wiggled into a particularly comfy position. The brown rider ignored her and almost choked as K’roi brought up a subject he was loathe to speak about.

He felt Kaaoloth’s reassuring touch from outside and lovingly returned the gesture. “Ah my decision to leave Fort was not easy but necessary. I am entirely at Selenitas’s bidding. I am a Fort rider no longer. ” The older rider decided to leave it at that. Perhaps the rider would not prod, for he had no desire to go in-depth about his history. If the Weyrleader brought it into question he would divulge it, but until that time came he would rather not publicly display his dirty laundry. He had let Shmee know what was needed and she had accepted him no questions asked. He was not willing to put himself on the chopping block.

Vanity, aware that hers was becoming uncomfortable, kept for once blessedly silent trying to work out the thoughts of hers. Bored with that, she poked her head through the slings opening and cautiously peered about the room. Who else could she bother?

[hseru]

K'roi shook his head a bit at the salamandyr, then peered at Sel'n as he spoke. Sakki settled her head to his shoulder, her whirling eyes on the sling and its occupant. Ah, a touchy subject, if the hesitation and brevity were any indication. He could understand that much, despite his morbid curiosity, and he let the issue go with a short nod of acceptance.

"I don't envy you. I hear Fort is a tough place to live." He shrugged lightly, showing his lack of knowledge on the subject. "Have you found that you prefer living in Selenitas?" There he was, delving again. Curse his curiosity. "I'm sorry, ignore me and my questions. My mouth often runs away from me at the most inopportune time." He smiled a bit in apology.

[Rei]

Sel’n snorted at the comment about Fort. This one clearly had no idea just how bad it could be. He envied that, a bit. The brown rider cleared his throat and took a swig of juice. “Kaaoloth and I quite like it here. It is definitely more,” He paused searching for the right word. “Relaxed.”

Sel’n brushed K’roi’s other comment aside. “Don’t worry about it. I doubt you could ask me anything the weyrlings haven’t already wanted to know. That’s the only thing that annoys me about my job. Constant prying into my life. I prefer to keep them so mad at me that they avoid me when they see me.”

Vanity took that moment to dive out of his sling and land on the floor. Sel’n cursed and stood up. “I better go fetch her before she does something I will have to kill her for. Pleasure meeting you even if the circumstances where unusual.” The brown rider said before stomping off after his annoying pet.