Sugar and Spice...(J'ash)

[Requiem]

The finely knit woolen sweater that X'rx had received from his mother for his twentieth turnday - no doubt in response to the oddity of the south actually having a cold winter this turn - was tied around his slender hips, the light cotton sleeves of his loose button-down white shirt rolled up past his elbows. Flour dusted the darker skin in a fine film. Hair gathered into a messy knot at the nape of his neck, a single spot of flour, clearly left behind from a finger, dotted his cheek not far from the corner of his mouth. Ground cinnamon made it into the dry ingredients, X'rx mixing it with a deliberateness that suggested his being thorough rather than hurried. Dipping a finger briefly into it, he sniffed, then licked at the tip of his finger testingly. Hm. Perhaps just a touch more sugar. (He almost always ended up adding more by the end, perhaps worried that it would be too sweet. Much easier to add more than to have too much.)

A clean cloth was applied to his hands, before he set that bowl aside and moved on to the other part of the counter. Minnie came out of Between, then, circling around the man's head before lighting upon his shoulder with a croon of greeting. The large, dark green - most mistook her as a brown until they saw that X'rx referred to her as a 'she' - thrust her bulldog-shaped head forward, chirping inquisitively at him. "Chocolate walnut. The walnuts will go bad if we don't use them up." Minnie considered for a moment, then crooned lowly in a clear sign of approval, bringing a smile to the greenweyrling's lips as her tail coiled around his neck. She likes that kind? I doubt she remembers what she likes...but yes. Anything with walnuts. Didn't think they ate cookies. Minnie isn't 'they.' She's much more well-behaved. This is true.

Eveyth stretched out on her ledge, letting the sun warm her cool hide. Odd weather it was, wasn't it? Her lids half-lidded, her tail flicking with all the energy of a restless feline, the female was slowly dragging her long claws down the face of the rock to sharpen them. An occasional spark would float up, and she watched it lazily as it found its arc, then descended before petering out a few seconds later. All her clutchmates seemed to be busy with something presently. Hers promised to come as soon as he finished helping out his dam, and then they could go do something more exciting, but for now she was just...bored. And idling the time away with one slow gouge after another.

Delicate fingers curled around a third egg, briskly bringing it down and adding it to the milk, butter and oil alread in the large mixing bowl. Another was added swiftly, and he began whisking the liquids together, gathering up the bowl and wandering over to the pit where his mother and a few other drudges were prepping the midday meal. Without saying a word, the slight man leaned against the counter, listening to the gossip flying back and forth between the older women as they chopped and diced, meat roasting slowly over an open flame.

[Shiny]

With a hand over his demanding stomach, the Blueweyrling made his way to the Weyr's kitchen. It was afternoon, and he was starving. He hoped that there would be something to snack on, because he really couldn't cook to save his life. The more he thought about it, the more fruit sounded like a good idea. Tasty, juicy, and no preparations needed.

The tension in his muscles was much appreciated as he stretched slowly and sighed with a smile on his face, glad to be inside on such a cold day. For no particular reason, today was a good day. Maybe because he'd gotten to sleep in a bit - that always made him happy, especially with the warmth his furs provided. The sun was shining brightly despite the temperature, also adding to his good mood. He'd missed Rukbat; seeing something other than overcast was a nice change.

Slinking through the kitchen doorway leisurely, J'ash slowed to a stop, taking a look around. He hadn't been in here before, and wouldn't have the slightest clue where anything was, including the fruit. Hand reaching up, he twined his fingers into his dirty-blonde hair absently. His gray eyes found a large, woven bowl sitting rather obviously on one of the main surfaces. It would have been embarrassing had he asked someone where it was, when it was right under his nose.

He grabbed one of the common fruits native to Pern from the top of the basket, then turned to leave. His silver eyes caught the backside of someone familiar - a fellow weyrling, X'rx. He didn't really know the man; he had only attended the same classes and lessons. It made J'ash sad that he hadn't gotten to know X'rx better... But now was his chance. The young adult walked up to the Greenweyrling and leaned on the same counter, making sure to give the man plenty of space. He didn't want to send off creepy vibes.

"Hey!" he said kindly with a friendly expression, a pretty smile gracing his lips. He inspected the Greenweyrling with vivid, smiling silver eyes. The Greenweyrling was a really pretty guy, looking about the same age as J'ash. An urge to play with X'rx's hair rose, but J'ash pushed it away. The wavy, curly black hair looked so soft and pretty, and the braid in it made it all the more exotic. X'rx had a similar feminine build, but was just an inch shorter. "What are you doing here?" He asked, just to strike up a conversation. In all honesty, he hadn't witnessed him working here, even when being served meals in the Main Hall. Perhaps it was sheer coincidence that he'd never seen the man serve, or maybe he just wasn't paying attention. Probably both.

A loud, squishy-sounding rumble erupted from his stomach, and he let out a slightly embarrassed laugh. "Almost forgot I was hungry," he mumbled, taking a bite of the fruit in his hand.

Like his rider, Craivaruth was also, surprisingly, in a decent mood. The blue-and-green-bisected dragon was hardly ever in a good mood, being the grump he was. The urge to do any kind of physical activity was gnawing at him; he was pent up with energy. His rider had gone to get something to eat; hopefully, he would be back soon, so the two could go out training, or something along those lines. He knew his rider wouldn't much enjoy it; he rather detested the cold.

Craivaruth dove from his weyr's ledge. Abnormally long wings cut through the crisp air as the small Blue made large, sweeping circles down the Western Canyon Wall. His multi-faceted eyes turned a blend of curious green as he saw a spark fly from a ground floor weyrledge. Strange...

The malevolent-looking Blue slowed his descent as he approached the ledge, flapping his wings to hover in front of it. His clutchsister Eveyth was scratching the rock wall with her claws, causing the sparks.

Clutchsister, I did not know you were a sculptor, he teased. She looked about as bored as he was.

[Requiem]

The man half-turned toward the approaching blueweyrling curiously at the sound of Minnie's trilled greeting, watching his classmate come to lean against the counter. He smiled in greeting, keeping his voice low in a quiet, "Hi, J'ash," so as not to disrupt the women going on about all the public petting going on these days. Baths, kitchens...and of course mandyrs and flits in the dining hall. Nowhere was safe, so complained the older women. X'rx found the conversation amusing, if nothing else, especially when they started out a comment with, "Why, in my day it wasn't like this..."

The amusement grew on his face, taking on a shade of irony as he realized that J'ash was very definitely checking him out. And right in the middle of the old drudges' coversation about inappropriate behavior in public. He half-turned away from J'ash, inclining his head toward the bowl of dry ingredients still sitting on the counter as he continued to whisk the contents of the bowl he had in hand. He then pivoted back, chin lifting slightly as he looked at J'ash with a playful, knowing expression. He'd been standing here with bowl in hand. A little distracted, were we? "I'm making something. Cookies, actually. Minnie gets the craving sometimes, and she's just so demanding, who can say no?" The green fluted piteously at being called something so cruel, even though his tone made it clear he was only jesting good-naturedly. He stopped beating the liquid long enough to stroke his flitter lightly. "Truthfully, she's too adorable, and Mom had walnuts to get rid of. That's her over there," he added, nodding toward one of the portly women gossiping animatedly and waving around a knife wildly enough that the others were staying back several feet, just to be safe.

At the mumble, X'rx chuckled. "Guess that explains why you're here, then. If you're willing to wait about a quarter candlemark and like chocolate and walnuts, you're welcome to some warm cookies. Or you could ask the drudges down in the pit for a little something to hold you off. They're all bark and no bite. Mostly. Might want to keep your knuckles in a safe place, though." He stepped out to walk around J'ash, giving the other weyrling the usual amount of space that courtesy demanded.

While he began layering the dry ingredients into the milk and egg mixture, stirring it in, Minnie apparently decided that the not-quite-stranger bore investigation. Or at least that he might be a good source of affection while Hers was busy. The flit took to wing and lighted on J'ash's shoulder, coiling her tail loosely around the weyrling's neck. Rubbing her head along his scarred cheek, her eyes found the fruit, studying it thoughtfully. "Watch-" Too late. Her neck had already snapped forward to steal part of the fruit, the flit nibbling on her prize contentedly with a croon in her throat. "-out," X'rx finished with a sheepish half-smile. "Sorry. Guess she's hungry, too."

Eveyth didn't cease the sharpening of her overlong claws, not even when a seldom-seen - apart from lessons - dragon suddenly appeared to hover just in front of her. Even had she not seen the telltale green and blue coloring, Eveyth would have recognized him by mindvoice alone. Craivaruth. Or Craven, as she called him privately. (Little known fact: Eveyth had a nickname for every dragon she knew. She simply only used them aloud for those she was particularly fond of. Sadly, Craivaruth was not particularly social. Nevertheless, here he was.)

I am sharpening my claws for clutchbrothers who are smart alecs, the green returned brightly, her croon indicating she was merely teasing. Though if I get any more bored, I may well take up sculpting. Have you come to rescue me, Craivaruth? she questioned, not once edging toward serious, though there was a note of hopefulness in her tone. X'rxMine is busy making the little round sweet things peoples like so much.

[Shiny]

J'ash's attention shifted for a moment to the Green flit sitting atop the man's shoulder. He smiled gently at her croon; clearly, she was very friendly, even to people she'd never met before. Bright gray eyes watched the Greenweyrling take a moment to whisk the liquid in the bowl he was holding. The momentary silence allowed him to pick up on some conversation drifting around the Kitchen, mostly coming from a group of drudges not too far away. Heh, inappropriate public behaviour? A mischievous little grin stretched his lips for a split second. Better contain his flirtatiousness. The Blueweyrling nearly laughed. Yeah, right. Like that was even possible. But still, he'd try to tone it down, just for their sake. (That, and he didn't want to get stabbed. The drudges all had access to sharp utensils, after all.) He reminded himself that not everyone was interested in him, and flirting with someone - especially someone that he had literally just started talking to - was a good way to get in their bad books. And he didn't want to get in X'rx's bad books.

Slyness crossed his features as X'rx turned to look at him again. Judging by the look on his face, he was reading J’ash like a book. Well, it wasn't exactly hard to. Amused, he grinned, a sliver of white teeth showing. The Greenweyrling was a smart one - he wouldn't be able to pull his usual tricks on him.

J'ash regarded the two with a soft gaze as X'rx stroked Minnie. It was simply adorable that X'rx was going through so much trouble for the flit, but he completely understood. He would do the same for his - if only he knew how. "I am jealous of your ability to cook," he said lightly, watching X'rx work his magic on the ingredients in the bowl with interest. Turning his head to look in the indicated direction, he observed a drudge waving a knife about to emphasize her points. Of course, the mother of the guy who he'd been checking out just had to be the one with the knife. Figures...

Seeing X'rx's mother was rather surprising. It was very rare to see more than one generation in the Weyr, simply because people didn't live that long. It made him think about his own parents. J'ash looked briefly downcast, a rare look for the Blueweyrling. He hadn't seen them or spoken to them in over a turn and a half, but he knew what they would be doing, where they would be. Still living on the farm where he'd grown up near Blossom Hold, no doubt. Still mourning the death of their second son.

Mmm, cookies. The suave optimist grinned happily at X'rx's offer. He greatly appreciated the sweets he ate due to how infrequently he was able to eat them. the adjective warm made it all the more alluring. Warmth was good. Sweets were good. Warm sweets? It would make his day perfect. "Of course I'd be willing to wait!" he exclaimed, voice enthusiastic at a controlled, quieter volume. The last thing he needed was to get kicked out, especially after the promise of cookies. (But X'rx was just as important as the cookies, make no mistake.) Asking the other drudges to make something for him seemed kind of mean and awkward, but he preferred eating what his classmate made, anyway. He was excited to see how well they would turn out. Turning as X'rx walked by him, he followed the Greenweyrling, his excitement showing on his face through an expression of childish innocence.

J'ash smiled when Minnie landed on his shoulder and wrapped her tail lightly around his neck. A light laugh escaped a surprised J'ash as the green flit rubbed her face along the scar on the right side of his face. The blonde was sensitive about the scar, but was awed when X'rx's firelizard rubbed up against it. Maybe it was just coincidence, or maybe she was trying to make him feel better about it. He looked at X'rx as the man spoke to catch his attention, then turned his head to look back at the Green, who had stolen a bite of his fruit. The flit raised up and down as J'ash shrugged his shoulders with a smile on his face. "That's okay. I feel her pain," he said, taking a big bite of the juicy fruit. He raised his unoccupied hand to gently stroke the smooth, nearly black hide. Much of Minnie reminded him of his own firelizard - bulky, muscled, thick, strong like an ox. A weight similar to Minnie's landed on his other shoulder. Speak of the devil.

The Brown sat on his shoulder possessively after coming from between, tail flicking like a whip. Cocking his head to observe the Green on His' other shoulder with jealousy, he growled. He leaped from J'ash's shoulder, ready to chase the intruder off (J'ash was HIS!), when he was suddenly stopped, mid-air. Holding the tip of the Brown's tail between his fingers, J'ash gently reeled him into his chest and held him there with an arm, cradling him. "Vomit, don't chase Minnie. She's just being friendly," he said at his earth-coloured flit, rubbing his textured, bumpy hide with his fingers. The lumpy, live mud ball began to wiggle into His' scratching fingers, momentarily forgetting the Green he meant to chase away.

"I hope Minnie's fast. Vomit likes to chase anything and everything that comes near me," he laughed, gently rubbing the side of his face against the Green affectionately. "Sometimes, I think he's too loyal."

It appears that I must not be a smart alec, then. My plans are ruined. the Blue said, playfulness so well-hidden in his dark voice that it didn't seem to be there at all. I believe Clutchsister would become a very successful sculptor, he teased, small form gracefully landing on Eveyth's weyrledge. Unfortunately, Eveyth becoming a sculptor will have to wait. Craivaruth needs entertaining. Crystalline blue eyes observed the Green, the challenge plainly written in them. Hn, so X'rx was making cookies, Craivaruth's human-like mind figured. He always thought more like his bonded's species than he did his own, which might've explained why he was so distant from other dragons. I have only come to rescue you if you want to be rescued. Now, then. He paused to crouch, wings in optimal takeoff position. Tag. You're it.

Powerfully, he launched himself from the ground like a released coil. He shot from the weyrledge, pumping his long wings, sending himself up, up, up.

[Requiem]

Was he a witty one, her clutchbrother Craivaruth. The female's tail flicked slowly in contemplation of his manner, not yet decided on whether she liked it or not. Such an expressionless mindvoice he had. Was it teasing, or outright condescension? Teasing, she decided, giving him the benefit of the doubt because the green often did when the answer wasn't clear. Not so quick to assume friendliness and good as Hers, but X'rx's gentle nature effected her as much as her competitive one seemed to have begun to mold him into something different. Clutchsister must warn you, she is no jester, brother Craivaruth, the female responded, the haughtiness an act as laughter shimmered silver behind her words.

The female shot forward, seeing his positioning, her jaws snapping on empty air - as she knew they would. Clutchbrother has gotten fast, she commented, tail swishing, and then the green shot off in a lope for the river, her long, sharp nails kicking up sparks. A leap, her claws scrambling for purchase on the rocks below the heavy mists of the pounding waterfall, and she found that lovely air pocket. The waters beaded on her hide as she rode the air upwards in a crooning cry of pure exhilaration, wheeling high above the earth...and not so low beneath Craivaruth anymore. Her wings strained as she worked to catch up to him, closing the distance surely but none-too-swiftly. He rose fast, did her clutchbrother.

The faint tones of a blush shading his cheeks toward pink, the focus of eyes on the work of his hands, small downturn of his face letting the strands of the side of shoulder-length curls not caught up in the decorative braid with it's feathers and shells sweep in a loose screen between him and the other weyrling - all preceded eyes that came up to brush shyly over J'ash's face. Demure. "It is my mother's craft." Use of the word 'craft' spoke volumes of his respect for the woman. "And I hardly do it justice. My baking is edible, at least." Much more than edible, actually, and he could cook as well as half the drudges in the kitchens, but it didn't meet his standards, and thus he never cooked for anyone else. Baking was another matter.

He was glad to see his Minnie being treated so gently. Not all were so indulgent of the friendly firelizard. Some of the children, even, were afraid of her look, which he could see. The adorable firelizard was not nearly so beautiful without as within. Her face might even be something out of nightmares, an assemblage that made whers seem magnificent. (Though X'rx had seen whers that made talk of ugliness seem just that - talk.)

The green, for her part, was quite taken with J'ash, chittering happily in response to his words, as if she understood them. Her tail moved lightly in what could only be a carressing motion, the flit stealing another bite of fruit when her perch seemed all too willing to share. The brown's growl startled a cheep out of Minnie, her head cocking to one side as she leaned down to get a good look at the other firelizard now cradled against J'ash's chest. What was upsetting him so? Never once dreaming it was her, she leaned down further to lick his head affectionately, then tore off some of the fruit with her forelimbs to offer it to the male, tilting her head to one side and chirping at him inquiringly.

"I don't think she understands the meaning of aggression," X'rx ventured quietly, the faintest trace of concern in his tone for his mindmate. And who would teach her, truly? The greenweyrling was anything but aggressive himself - with the possible exception of how seriously he took his role as the eldest of his mother's four children - and Eveyth's competitive nature was more playfulness than true aggression. These were the minds Minnie was bound to, and X'rx's the closer.

Scooping out round globs of dough on a cookie sheet, he set it on the rack and soon had three more sheets prepared, the greenweyrling adding those to the first and moving toward the pails of water set aside for washing. He began painstakingly cleaning bowls and utensils, a glance back at J'ash. An urge to get closer before the blueweyrling escaped tugged at him, and he couldn't resist a slight smile. Eveyth had found a playmate, clearly. "Eveyth feels Craivaruth should play more," he commented, with a touch of amusement. "We'll graduate soon," he added, scrubbing harder at the bowls. "It makes me a little nervous. Everyone will be separated then, won't they?" he questioned aloud, a small frown tugging at his lips.

[Shiny]

What a shame. I was hoping you would make me laugh. Craivaruth replied to the Green's haughty acting, amusement tainting his speech. He'd decided that he liked this Green. Not only was she nice, but she was willing to play with him, too.

Fast, yes, he said with a hint of smugness in his voice, but only because of relentless practice, with these mutated wings of mine. They weren't going to hold him back from trying as hard as he could to out-fly Eveyth. She would probably catch up, but it was all fun and games anyway. He observed his clutchsister from the corner of his eye as she caught a draft upwards, shooting skyward faster than he was. So have you, clutchsister. Eyes narrowing competitively, the Blue straightened to be as thin as possible and pressed his limbs against his sides, reducing air resistance. His wings cut sharply into the air, powerfully projecting his bisected form against gravity. This was as fast as he could go. The ground was forgotten as the pair rapidly approached the clouds; the sky and the joy of flying free captivated Craivaruth's mind. He brushed against Eveyth with positive yet competitive vibes. How high would she go before she got tired, gave up?

"I'm sure it's going to taste great," J'ash said reassuringly, smiling at the brief look X'rx had given him. The Greenweyrling seemed to be shy about his cooking, judging by his body language; the look in his eyes, the hair hiding his face from view. J'ash wanted to brush it back - there was no reason to hide! - but instead shifted to stand more in-line with X'rx, so that the weyrling didn't feel like someone was watching over his shoulder. No one really liked that feeling, and he didn't want X'rx to be uncomfortable.

J'ash laughed around a mouthful of fruit as Minnie took another one for herself. He really didn't mind sharing with her - she was such a nice firelizard, how could anyone say no? Grinning, he watched Minnie lick Vomit's head and offer him some fruit. Fingers having stopped scratching his bumpy hide, Vomit stopped wiggling and twisted his head to look upside-down at the dark green firelizard who had licked his head. He snorted, observing the food and the limb that extended it to him, and quickly snatched it with his claws. Vomit continued to stare at Minnie with yellow eyes as he stuffed the piece of fruit into his mouth, chewing loudly and messily. "That's a good thing, sometimes," J'ash said, watching the chunk of earth cradled in his arms. "Might not get you out of trouble, but it doesn't put you in it, either." Minnie didn't seem like she was going to hurt J'ash, and His was enjoying her company. Sensing the Brown's decreased alertness, J'ash let him go. He fluttered up to sit next to the Green on his shoulder, watching her intently. He was His' guard dog, after all. "Vomit's need to protect me can sometimes lead to... altercations."

J'ash blinked as X'rx finished preparing the cookie sheets and started washing dishes. "Let me help you," he said, going around X'rx to stand on his other side. Grabbing the towel that was oh so conveniently there, he started drying the ones X'rx washed with two flits perched on one shoulder. Combined, the two bulky firelizards did make a difference in weight, but he wasn't bothered. X'rx smiled slightly at him, and J'ash mirrored the expression with warm eyes. He liked this X'rx, he did! Snorting in amusement, J'ash spoke. "Craivaruth and playing do not mix," he closed his eyes briefly and shook his head, hints of a smile gracing the corners of his lips. "It's surprising he's playing with Eveyth, but I'm glad he is. He needs a friend." Craivaruth was friends with Paglieth, but the two didn't see each other very often. J'ash's eyes darted to look at X'rx's face as he spoke again, smile disappearing. "Yeah, I guess we will be. I can't believe we're so close to graduating already... It seems like it was just yesterday that I Impressed to Craivaruth," he sighed lightly, head tilted to the side as he watched his hands dry dishes and stack them. The Blueweyrling felt sad that he would not see some of his classmates for a while, if ever again at all. He quickly glanced at X'rx again. He didn't want to lose him!

Vomit launched himself from J'ash's shoulder to land on X'rx's, chittering curiously in the Greenweyrling's ear. Who was this, that His seemed to be getting along with? He wound a tail around his neck and sniffed at his jaw before licking it. If His liked him, he did too. Amused by his flit's actions, J'ash started humming quietly - an uplifting song, one to break the tidal wave of sadness and loneliness that was approaching him. Thankfully, X'rx would not have to plug his ears - J'ash was actually rather decent at singing and the like, and would not break any glass.

[Requiem]

And perhaps you shall...but it'll be the strength of your wings and the speed of your flight that brings the laughter, I think, brothermine, Eveyth returned, not unkindly for the mild touch of challenge behind the words. His wings were actually better for lift. Long she had watched the circling birds, long enough to know it was the narrow wings that churned air best, and made of it a swift climb like a mountain goat over rocks. Hers were better made for catching the air and soaring, for swift adjustments, close turns, abrupt changes in direction and stalls. But they tired slower, too, and for that she was grateful. Eveyth pumped, following in his wake and gaining all too slowly, her body tucked as tightly as his as they both strove for the suns.

Would you fly into the fireballs and melt off all your hide, dear Craven? Come...it was a game of tag, and now you are it. A flip mid-air, her tail just barely grazing his, but it was enough. A tag, yes, as she folded into a straight drop, plummeting like a stone as the wind whistled past. Another few hundred yards and she loosed her wings, arching her back and whipping her tail, wings folding again to shoot her into a twisting horizontal race for a slipstream that had tugged at her tail a moment before. Finding it, her wings flared again, and she rolled through it, diving further, straight for the canyon below and it's lovely natural obstacle course.

X'rx's only response to J'ash's explanation of Vomit was a small smile and a nod. The male was making what the other said clear by his behavior, after all, but Minnie was hardly threatening, even if she did look something like a brown, and fierce besides. A sweet creature, his flit. Even now, she crooned to the brown quietly, offering the latest bit of fruit to him as well, since he seemed to have enjoyed the first...though it didn't keep her from eating some off the edge nearest her. Hungry, most definitely, and possessed of peculiar tastes. Fruit and cookies. His firelizard had a sweet tooth, clearly.

"Everyone needs friends," X'rx commented. The greenrider had no small number of his own, in truth, but precious few that he felt comfortable leaving his burdens to. His siblings were all younger. Cr'oph too childish. Dy'shi and Rof'l actual children. Apart from Cr'oph and Dy'shi, he had no one he was particularly close to in his weyrling class, though he knew R'ven for his appetite before they'd even Impressed and Erilena was generally friendly. Darya, perhaps...though that relationship was such a complexity - to include the attraction that refused to die - that he wasn't sure what to call it. Could former weyrlingmasters be friends? He shook off the musing, noting then by tone and manner that he'd disturbed J'ash. A mild touch of guilt, then, but this he banished, too. "Well, separated or not, it's not so large a place, and the dragons mean there's no real excuse for drifting apart, if you try. I would miss some of them sorely, if we really couldn't see them anymore."

Not pausing in what he was doing, the last dish was passed off to J'ash as the tongue scraped lightly along his jaw, and his hand went up to stroke Vomit almost absently. "The flits are playing musical chairs, it seems. I wonder. Would you be as interested in cookies as my Minnie, or is she truly just an odd duck?" he questioned of the flit, amused. His words were kept soft, as he was listening to the hummed song with some curiosity. A smile flashed at J'ash. "I've never heard that one. You're not weyrbred, are you? I would think I'd remember you, if you were." He caught up the end of the towel, drying his hands without any real concern for manners; X'rx did not think of personal space and touching as the average holdborn did. Weyr life was far more open.

[Shiny]

An amused snort erupted from the skyward-shooting Blue at Eveyth's comments. Despite burning off my hide, I think soaring that high would feel incredible, he replied, slowing immediately as he felt the graze of the Green's tail against his. She got ahead as he made the sharp turn to chase her; her wings were built to deliver such maneuvers better that his were. Still, he shot horizontally after his target, despite how his wings were tired and heavy from his fleeing vertical ascent.

He shot through the air, trying to gain on Eveyth; and he sure did try, following the Green around the winding obstacle course that was the canyon. But she was a fast flier, and Craivaruth simply could not gain any ground (well, air) on her. One had to be good to maneuver around these rocks, and he was good. But she was better. Perhaps if his stamina hadn't already been spent on his wings, he might've been able to catch her. As the situation stood, though, he knew if he didn't land sometime soon, he wouldn't be able to land safely.

You win, clutchsistermine, he said without bitterness in his tone. I cannot catch you. Spanning his wings for a glide, he began to lose altitude gently, speed slowing to a more relaxed one. Unless Eveyth had an idea for a place they could go (or perhaps they should go find Theirs together?), he was inclined to head back to his weyr.

Vomit tilted his head at Minnie's croon and again snatched the fruit from her grasp, bringing his muzzle right up close to her own as if moving in to kiss her. He was a little gentler this time, though, since Minnie was not considered to be as big of a threat as before. He withdrew his head and chewed noisily, fruit juice running sloppily from his lips. And because Vomit is just so charming, he burped. J'ash winced at his firelizard's manners. Gonna have to work on that...

A weightless laugh was carried on his breath as X'rx commented on friends and how everyone needs them. He knew he had at least one - L'nu. But the kid was six turns younger or something ridiculous like that and although he did indeed love the younger boy like a little brother, it wasn't the same as someone who was closer to the same age (mind you, their maturity levels were probably the same, if L'nu's was not greater than his own). And there was J'on - someone closer to his age and someone he'd slept with several times - who was getting a little closer to him, but that "relationship" (if you could even call it that - were they even supposed to be just friends, or was J'on interested in something else?) seriously needed some more work. But that was about it. Sure he'd met other people but he didn't really hang out with them enough to call them friends. More like acquaintances. "You're right. This all shouldn't be a problem with dragons." And he did plan on trying to keep in touch with X'rx, despite them having just met. It seemed like they got along pretty well, so why waste such an opportunity?

J'ash listened to X'rx talking to Vomit and smiled while he hummed. Of course, Vomit would eat anything. With the rarity that J'ash ate sweets (despite loving them), the firelizard hadn't really had the opportunity to taste any. If J'ash had to guess, though, the flit would definitely enjoy it - he liked to eat anything and everything, after all. A nearly transparent blush settled on his cheeks as X'rx commented on his humming. He hadn't been entirely aware that the Greenweyrling had been listening. He hadn't really sung/hum/whistled around anyone in a long time - essentially since he'd come to Selenitas - so it was a weird feeling. "Oh, haha," he laughed, scratching the back of his head after he'd finished drying the last dish and stacking it. "Nope, not weyrbred. I was born and raised in a tiny cothold. Closest Hold to it was Blossom Hold. Grew up on a small self-sustaining farm - I guess you could call it that," he explained, not knowing if X'rx would care to hear it. Oh well, no harm in trying. "What about you? Were you weyrbred?" In the middle of his question, his stomach rumbled silently. J'ash silenced it, knowing the cookies were probably almost done. Perhaps his fellow weyrling would care to hang out after eating the cookies.

[Requiem]

As her blue/green clutchbrother capitulated, slowing, Eveyth slowed as well, stopping as abruptly as she was able without risking tearing anything or pulling a muscle. Only when he'd drawn even with her did Eveyth resume her flight again, keeping pace with him easily; they were nearly of a size, the two, after all. The green had enjoyed their little game, and the truth of it was clear by the pleased swirls of her eyes and the lather built up from the racing. Now, though, she wanted to soar, and the thermals rising off of the baking stone of the canyon were perfect for such things. Without a word she coiled around him in a loose loop, allowing the tip of her tail to trail ever-so-lightly along his flank once, and his leg on the other side in silent invitation as she circled up on the buoying wind, high, high, and higher still.

Surely you are hot after such activity, the female commented to her clutchbrother, banking lightly out of the thermal and gliding out over the shimmering silver/blue ribbon that wended between the green forested hills. Spotting the wide earthen banks of sand, made wider by frequent visits, she crooned softly to herself. Will you cool yourself with me, Craven, on the banks of the river? The dive she fell into this time was shallow, a long horizontalish glide that took her in for an easy landing in the shallows of the river. She dipped down as her claws found purchase in the shifting silt, coiling in and out of the cooling foams. Finally, she stood again and waded for shore, water sloughing off her all the while and making her gleam radiantly.

X'rx's smile was gentle, even though the answer to J'ash's question was obvious enough in the wording of the greenweyrling's own - and the woman still gossiping loudly with the others in the pit not so far away. "Yes, J'ash. I was born to a family of drudges, the eldest of four children. My parents were curiously monogamous, for all that they weren't holdbred either." Turning, he leaned back against the basin used for scouring the dishes, fingers continuing to stroke Vomit delicately. "I've only been to Blossom Hold once or twice, with a shopping list for the kitchens. It's a lovely hold as I remember it. There are gardens here and orchards, and livestock, but I fetched wood and hunted more than played with the domestics. Those jobs the women took, in the safety of the dragons' shadows."

Not that you could really tell by looking at X'rx, save by the deep bronzed tan, that he was more of a woodsman than ought else. Oh, he was not the best of trackers, nor hunters, nor lumberjacks, but he did all such things passably well. Could lay a line of traps and snares, or hunt with a sling; bows were beyond him. He'd never learned the use of it. "What of you, then? Brothers and sisters? What did they have you do, on your farm?" Scarred though J'ash was, he did not imagine it was anything that would build too much muscle, or else J'ash had lost it all again upon coming north to the Weyr.

[Shiny]

Amusement and pleasure were obvious in the blue of his eyes and he hummed a deep, calm tone. Although he wouldn't normally hang out with another dragon (he preferred humans - his human specifically), he was actually quite enjoying himself. The Blue was caught off-guard as the Green loosely coiled around him, but he quickly shaped himself to fit, reacting with his own tail as hers grazed his leg and side, barely touching her hide with his own. He did indeed see the invitation in her actions and accepted it without a doubt, reaching out to brush her mind joyously with his own. If he had the ability to Chase, he would definitely Chase Eveyth. Unfortuately, he wouldn't because he couldn't, so he would just have to settle for this. And this, he was fine with.

Although he was rather tired, he knew he could last a little longer in the air if he didn't push it. I would be delighted to, dear Eveyth, he crooned, settling into a relaxed pace. Craivaruth followed the Green into the thermals, rising just a little slower than her due to the narrowness of his wings. It was brilliant, how quickly they were pushed upwards with so little effort. When the pressure of the hot draft lessened underneath his wings, he readjusted his position and set off for a glide, banking after Eveyth towards the crystalline river. He tucked his wings against his sides and let himself drop into a shooting fall towards the water, finally able to surpass the Green in some way. As the river came up to meet him, he unfurled his wings to slow down a little so that he wouldn't smack into the riverbed hard. Crashing into the river loudly, water moved out of his way and then folded over the area where his form had been. A tall tower of spray shot upwards into the sky, large waves curling in a circle around the spot where the dragon had disappeared.

Pushing hard off the soft, tender riverbed, the dragon shot up again and burst from the surface, droplets and mist reflecting a rainbow for a mere moment. He spotted Eveyth heading towards the shore and followed suit, gliding through the water silently but leisurely, leaving v-shaped water trails in his wake.

You are indeed beautiful, clutchsistermine, Craivaruth said warmly as he walked the rest of the way out of the shallows, his matte hide for once shiny with the water running off it. It seems you took all of the looks. Indeed, Craivaruth wasn't the prettiest thing on the block. He didn't really mind too much, despite not being happy with the way he looked. The sandy, earthen clay was soft underneath his black-and-white claws; he left deep prints as he walked up onto the bank. Craivaruth inspected the ground for a moment before lying down and spreading his wings out to dry. If I was able to Chase, I would Chase you. What was the harm in voicing his opinion? It's not like it would ever happen anyway.

Like X'rx, J'ash turned his back to the counter and leaned on it. "Wow, three siblings," he muttered as the other man talked. He laughed good-heartedly at the monogamous comment. It was surprising, if they were brought up in the Weyr. Then again, if neither were dragonriders, it was plausible. "Wow. That's really cool!" he exclaimed with an interested expression, giving X'rx another once-over. It was surprising to hear that he was doing such woodsy stuff - but that just went to show him not to judge a book by its cover. (Not that he read anyways, but still.)

"Heh, I only ever went to Blossom Hold once. Took my little brother to see the Lake Dolphin Hall." At the mention of his own siblings, his mood visibly sunk. "Only ever had one sibling," he said, knowing that if he didn't change the topic soon, a lump would form in his throat. "Our farm just grew fruits and vegetables. We did have some livestock, but only the small, easy-to-take-care-of kind. Birds, mostly. I really just helped to harvest all of it, plant new seeds when the old crops died, take care of the land. Went hunting regularly with my father for meat and fur. That sort of thing. Nothing too hard." He wasn't exactly pro at hunting - his father had always been miles better. J'ash smiled and puffed out his chest a little. "The work didn't exactly make me look like a Bronzerider but hey. Helped me fit into smaller, cheaper clothes by trimming my waistline," he joked, giving X'rx a friendly, slightly sarcastic thumbs up. "It's a lot of work keeping this figure, you know."

He tilted his head as he stroked Minnie gently. "Are your siblings still here? What're they like?" Maybe he'd run into them one day.

[Requiem]

Amused, as her clutchbrother shot past her, but she certainly didn't begrudge him that, even if her natural competetive streak wished to race him down and not let him win at anything. (There was no guarantee he wouldn't win whether she raced him or not, in this case, but it was unusual for her not to try.) The green watched him move out onto the sands, a shimmer of amusement in the touch of her mind as yet unvoiced at his words. He looked rather adorable, her clutchbrother, all sprawled out for the suns' rays as he was. Eveyth coiled through a few large boulders within easy reach of him, one set of eyelids falling shut. Sunning was such an enjoyable pasttime, particularly after a good fly.

What, with my gigantic fangs and freckles? Make no mistake, brotherMine, there may be beauty in our clutch, but it is not at our door that it can be laid. Still, there is more to a dragon than the sheen of his hide. Besides, you sell yourself short. I find nothing displeasing in your looks. If anything, she'd found his standoffishness off-putting, but he was making up for that now, so she hardly had any right to complain. A croon left her throat. Fly with me, Craven, and chase me in play. I will love you all the better for that; many a male shows little interest in a green until her glow is on her, and then his thoughts are consumed only by her tail. I would rather have your companionship.

A brow arched in open amusement at J'ash. Figure? "Never thought to be concerned with the size of clothes." There was an element of teasing, there. It wasn't for the eldest to fit into clothes, but the siblings who came after. None of X'rx's siblings were terribly large. His brother might be taller than him by now, though. Hm. Speaking of siblings..."My sisters are? Aylen left us a long time ago. He was the brightest of us, and the Weyrwoman let him go train to be a healer at Southern Hold, even though he was the child of drudges. He's to come back once his training is finished. I've hardly seen him." There was a touch of definite sadness behind that admission. X'rx adored his little brother, despite Aylen's inability to express emotion.

"Jaiya works in the creche. My eldest little sister. She's got a waspish tongue, but a good heart. Ximera's the baby. Still likes to play pretend and nothing in all the world seems capable of getting her down. She was my father's favorite. She was everyone's favorite. Hard not to love someone so bright. Xi Impressed a blue wher not so long ago, though, and finding time to see her can be hard." He smiled, then, and moved toward the ovens, wrapping a damp towel about his hands. The cookie sheets were pulled out, the cookies quickly slid onto towels to cool. "Your brother will take over the farm then, I suppose?"

[Shiny]

Briefly raising one translucent eyelid to observe the Green as she twined herself around several boulders, Craivaruth repositioned himself and snuggled deeper into the soft sands. Although it was winter, the sands collected heat from Rukbat and stored it – a gemstone attribute of Selenitas that all dragons were thankful for. A silent gust erupted from his nostrils, a rumble escaping him in response to Eveyth’s words. I do believe you are more beautiful than you think. But you are correct - there is more to a dragon than its appearance. Unfortunately, that is not particularly true in my case - others find me as unsocial as I look. I do not normally enjoy a dragon's company - I prefer humans. But I enjoy being around you. I do. The Blue paused and brushed Eveyth’s mind with his version of affection (which probably seemed a little cold), stretching his narrow wings to cover more of the bank’s area. The shine that the water had added to his hide was now gone, replaced with sand and dirt. The dragon was breaded with the elements of the beach like a fish was with bread crumbs.

I am two colours, Eveyth. Others cannot even tell my gender like one can upon looking at you. In fact, you make me jealous. My hide is dull as if I am constantly sick, and I am disproportioned. Despite all of this... to hear your positive opinion on the matter, it makes me... He paused to come up with the word. ...content. So I thank you. Indeed, it was Craivaruth’s personality to never be satisfied no matter what; for him to be content was something out of the norm. In a good way. I do not understand the mind-workings of other dragons. The ritual of Flying and Chasing is purely instinctual, yes? I am almost glad for my asexuality... although Mine isn't nearly so. He paused briefly to snort. He more than makes up for my lack of interest in such activities single-handedly. Back on topic. I would be sourly disappointed in myself if I were to forget you. I suppose it is a good thing I cannot Chase, then. Do you participate in Flights only because you feel it is mandatory? It does not sound enjoyable. Mine may guilt-trip me into participating one day if his current mate's Rinagth Flies, Faranth forbid.

J’ash smiled at X’rx’s teasing comment, amused that they were talking about clothes, of all things. This he didn’t mind – in fact, he quite enjoyed discussing fashion. The opportunity to discuss such a topic didn’t come up often, especially considering men don’t talk about such “trivial women things”, and he knew next to no women. (And he definitely was not going to approach Iskierka about it.) One would expect him to be fabulously decked out with such an interest, but he was a poor farmer’s boy, and now a poor Weyrlingrider. Still, he managed to look more than decent in his worn clothes. Next Gather, if he had the marks, it was definitely time to buy something new to wear. “My brother was small, like me, but I still didn’t want him to struggle to wear my hand-me-downs. Didn’t want him to have to wear belts or anything, so…” He patted his sides, purposely leaving out the part about him being a self-conscious freak.

“Wow, a Healer, huh? That’s pretty intense. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to do something important, like Healing. Wish I could mean something to the Weyr. Unfortunately, I’m only good at things that are useless, so that’s kind of out of the question.” he linked his hands together and put them behind his head to act as a cushion, leaning against the counter casually. He picked up on the sadness in X’rx’s atmosphere and observed him with sympathetic gray eyes. “I bet you miss him.” J’ash understood that feeling all too well. “They sound like good people. It’s hard to be away from the people you love for long periods of time. I hope you get to see them again soon,” a kind smile spread on his lips. “I can’t imagine having three siblings, especially being the oldest of them all. It must have made you a very responsible person.” He tilted his head, the glow of his beautiful smile adapting a hint of sadness. “It’s both a blessing and a curse, isn’t it…”

His empty stomach gave a nauseating twist of sadness and guilt, and he once again had to fight to keep his voice calm. “Ah…” His sad smile flickered for a moment before disappearing completely, eyes falling to look to the side. “Kisaen… He died.” J’ash had to pause to swallow a lump of sadness. “My parents are probably going to sell the farm, or… perhaps bear a new child, one who isn’t such a failure.” Oh, X’rx had pulled out the cookies.

He didn’t feel like eating anymore.