Failure isn’t sweet (Open)

[Rei]

Ebolath lounged outside the weyrling barracks. It had been a few candle marks since hers had fallen ill. The dragon had helped hers back to the barracks to allow her to rest. The small green was understandably still very upset. She had failed in her duty to protect hers from danger. After Raylin was comfortably asleep the little green had exited the barracks, unable to slumber with her bonded. There was to much bothering her.

Her little brother Vega was curled around hers and the dragon was confident that the flit would come get her if she was needed. Now was the time for Ebolath to mope. The small green’s eyes whirled an yellow orange as she regarded the dry landscape solemnly.

She was careful to keep her thoughts hidden from hers. She did not want to wake her unnecessarily. Unable to find Cherilith and his she sprawled out in the sunshine letting sobering thoughts drift idly through her mind.

[Rowana]

Garaeth did not usually wander from his bonded's side, but T'ke had been even more moody of late than normal. Even the cheerful blue could not seem to comfort him, and Garaeth had decided what T'ke really needed was time and space to think. He trusted his boy's ability to work through this and would be there to support him when he needed it. Right now, it seemed someone needed his help even more.

Garaeth found Ebolath outside, looking more depressed than the blue had ever seen her. It didn't take much to guess why. Garaeth settled himself next to her, gazing out calmly into the sky. He wouldn't force her to speak, but perhaps being near would help. Garaeth could not stand anyone being unhappy. It is a beautiful day he began pleasantly, hoping to elicit a response from his clutch sister.

[Rei]

Ebolath’s eyes adopted a slight green tinge as her clutch brother arrived and laid down next to her. Hello Clutchbrothermine. It is a nice day, if a little dry. Her “voice” was less peppy than normal and her tail had lost the excited twitch it normally had. Why are you not with yours? Mine is very tired and asleep. The green refrained from speaking of the incident, but not speaking and not thinking are too different things and she quickly fell silent.

Ebolath defaulted to watching the clouds roll past in the endless expanse of blue sky. Do you think it will ever rain? She asked wistfully nudging a brown weed that had somehow survived being stomped on by many tramping dragon feet. I wish I knew what it looked like. Mine says it is soothing.

[Rowana]

Mine seems to need time alone Garaeth explained thoughtfully. He turned to eye his sister critically for a moment. She must be worried sick. He knew he would be if T'ke had taken ill. He followed her gaze to the sky, thrumming softly in comfort.

I am sure it will one day he assured Ebolath calmly. He nudged her gently with his nose. Just as I am sure Yours will be well again. True, he had no knowledge of illness or healing, but he knew Ebolath's bonded to be strong. He was certain she would not fall prey so easily.

[Rei]

Ebolath’s eyes took on a twinge of blue at Garaeth’s comment and she rumbled in response snaking her neck to nuzzle her clutch brothers shoulder affectionately. Thank you. Mine is strong. I know she will be ok. The small green paused and snorted. I should have protected her better. Her eyes took on a twinge of red as the fresh memory of Jaymith’s betrayal flashed through her mind. Well no sense in dwelling on it forever. He would be held accountable one day.

Ebolath rose and nudged her clutch brother. I want to look for shinys. Will you help? Perhaps we can find one that yours would like. We will not go very far at all. She swung her head towards the field beyond the barracks. There are many shiny things buried over there. I want to find one for my Stupid. The small dragon’s voice and eyes brightened at the thought of her wonderful little friend and there was new spring to her step as she started for the field obviously expecting her blue brother to follow in short order.

[Rowana]

Garaeth nuzzled his clutchsister gently. It was not your fault, he assured her softly. His eyes sparkled with amusement at the next suggestion. I doubt we could find one to make Mine happy he admitted with a laugh. He does not seem to approve of such things. T'ke didn't seem to approve of much of anything as it happened. It made cheering him up all the more difficult. But Garaeth was certain he would succeed one day.

He trotted willingly into the field after Ebolath. But we can always try! he declared brightly. Never let it be said that Garaeth ever gave up on anyone without trying.

[Rei]

Of course we will try! Ebolath said brightly hopping across the field. Poking her muzzle here and there she finally found a suitable spot. Flexing her claws she began to dig industrially at hardened earth, flinging dust haphazardly behind her. What kinds of things does yours like? Mine likes the color blue. I like all sorts of colors. The green stopped her digging and turned to look at her blue clutch brother. You know what we need brother Cherilith for this.

Giving a nod Ebolath reached out for her brother’s mind. Finding it she prodded it gently. Cherilith wake up! We are finding shinys outside. Do you want to help? I remember that yours and you were playing miner the other day. Perhaps you can teach us how to properly mine shinys. Vega arrived with a little pop and alighted next to Ebolath. Giving a cheep he began to dig next to her. He had buried a shiny here earlier and he wanted it back before she found it.

[Rowana]

Garaeth was pleased to see Ebolath so much happier than before. He had to think hard about her question though. What did T'ke like? Not much that was certain. He likes black he admitted slowly, though his tone betrayed his distaste for the depressing color. The only thing good about it was that it wasn't easy to stain. I like everything though! he finished brightly. Cherilith should come. The more help, the more fun it will be!

[nightingale]

Cherilith’s initial reply to the summons came as a sleepy, obviously confused jumble of images. It seemed that the little blue had been directly in the middle of a rather vivid dream involving bronze wherries and a very large apple. Hm? Ebolath? His yawning was almost audible on a telepathic level as he rose, stretching himself out. He had been napping in the sun while His went about the chores assigned to her in the rider weyrs. He wasn’t entirely sure who’s ledge it was that he had chose to occupy, but it certainly was comfortable. We were not playing miners. He murmured, more confused than offended by the suggestion. Mine and I were playing underground explorers...but I will ask her if I may come to join you. There was a short pause before the blue spoke again. I will come. You are by the riverbank? We can look for sapphires then.

[Rei]

Yes we are by the riverbank in the field just beyond the barracks. Ebolath paused as she thought about Cherilith’s response. Is not a miner and an underground explored the same thing? She included Garaeth in the conversation to be polite. Maybe he would have an idea. The green waited until she could see her clutch brothers form on the horizon. Lifting her dirt stained muzzle she gave a welcoming bugle. The noise feminine and sweet.

Ebolath turned to Garaeth and her tail tip twitched with excitement. Yes it will be very fun and I am sure we will find something for yours. She regarded the black earth for a moment. Dirt is black. Does yours like dirt? Vega gave a triumphant chirp as he rested the small earring from the dirt. There it was. He must find a better place to hide his shiny. Oh look brother Vega has found a shiny! The green said excitedly as she watched her brother wing into a nearby tree. There must be more here. I wonder what kinds we will find.

[Rowana]

Garaeth thought about Ebolath's question for a second. I think miners look at shinies and explorers are look at everything he answered thoughtfully. At least that was how he pictured it. He raised his head at the sight of Cherilith and called out a welcome. I'm glad you could come with us, clutchbrother!

Garaeth regarded the dirt for a moment. No, he said sadly. I do not think Mine likes dirt much. In fact, he was fairly sure T'ke didn't like much of anything. It was quite frustrating at times. It was one of the reason's Garaeth was so determined to see that he had fun. Maybe a gift would cheer him up. If only he could find the right one. Garaeth began digging in the dirt with his claws. Of course, now I am bringing him dirt anyway! he declared with a laugh, holding up his mud stained forelimbs.

[nightingale]

A miner takes things out of the ground. Cherilith explained as he made his way down the riverbank. An underground explorer just looks at them. The little blue chortled a return greeting to Ebolath as he loped into view, nuzzling both of his clutchsiblings affectionately once was close enough. Have you found any shinies yet? He chirruped questioningly, oblivious to the dark earth that was now smudging his cheeks. I would quite like to find something for Freckle. Maybe if we give her something nice, she will stop being so horrid to us. He cast his large eyes around the field, as if hoping that something would jump up and run over to him. When that didn’t happen, his attention shifted to a small flower growing nearby. You and yours must come to visit us sometime Garaeth. The blue warbled, moving over to expect the flower. We never see you outside of class...oh look, I have found a trundlebug!

[Rei]

Ebolath’s eyes whirled just a bit faster at the nuzzle. She chuffed in laughter at Garaeth. Yes we will most certainly all be bringing ours dirt. She lifted her front claws in a rear and flapped her growing wings. bringing her front feet down she turned to CherilithUnfortunately we have not found any shinys. Brother Vega did though so there has to be some around somewhere. The comment about Freckle drew a snort from the green. I doubt that Freckle would like me even if I gave her the biggest shiny in the world. I am tired of being called a greenpest. I much prefer lath.

Cherilith’s comment caused the green to jump in excitement. Where? I want to see the bug. Ebolath hopped over to the flower to eye the bug with excitement. Oh he is so very tiny. I wonder where he lives? Maybe we should help him get home. Oh but if we do that we will not be able to look for shinys. She turned to regard her clutch brothers. What should we do?