So how do I get her to shut up? (Open)

[Rei]

F’lyn paced back and forth along the riverbank clinging tightly to the screaming demon in his arms. To be fair he shouldn’t have taken her from the creche before she had taken her nap. Now he couldn’t get her to sleep. “Hush Teri darling. Hush now.” The blue rider whispered as he continued his pacing. A few feet away, sprawled out in the sand lay his blue. Raising his head, Pandorath gave a melodic croon. F’lyn shot a exasperated glance at the mute blue before returning to his pacing. “Don’t just lay there. Do something! How do I get her to shut up?”

Yawning the blue gave a mental shrug and began to hum. Terilyn paused in her wailing for a moment to listen then began again, this time at a higher decibel. Groaning in frustration F’lyn sat cross legged on the ground and stared at the baby in his arms. Not for the first time he wished he had not allowed the dieing green and her rider to talk him into parenthood. Trail and error right? That’s what Raylin had said. So why was everything he did an error?

Pandorath rose to his feet and gave a violent shake, sending warm sand flying in all directions. The hatchling had long ago scared away his little friends and trying to sleep was pointless with the loud cries. With a prancing step, the blue loped toward his rider and angled his head so he could easily see the little female. With a gentle huff he blew his rider’s hair askew. A few mental pictures flashed across F’lyn’s mind, the meaning behind them clear. Did he look like a gold? How was he supposed to know how to quiet a cranky hatchling?

[Avu]

Speaking of golds, there happened to be one bouncing up the riverbank.

No, not bouncing for joy – Jingth wasn’t even bouncing but every once in a while. The youngest queen was gliding, jumping into the air and letting her wings carry her forwards until she landed, ran, leapt, glide – repeat. And she was graceful, too, and frustrated by her limited ability. The Weyrlingmasters hadn’t uttered permission to allow actual flight yet, and that made her quite impatient. It was because of the smaller greens and blues, of course; she was plenty large enough to take both herself and Hers up much higher than this silly gliding thing. But if she had to glide, she’d be the very best at it that she could be. Better than Weith, anyway. Her claws dug into the ground, threw herself into the air, and golden wings flared wide, and the wind took her smoothly forwards another hundred yards before she landed as daintily as one her size could manage. Jingth actually crooned smugly as she settled that time; best she’d ever done, wasn’t it? Her mind reached out to brush against Meira’s hopefully, but before she could do more than touch, another mental voice chirruped at her.

So pretty goldthing, so love smooth. Whee-e-e, fun goldthing fly.
Very, Jingth agreed patiently, before she paused to turn and regard the brown Salamandyr perched on her neck ridges with some weariness. Her stand-in Rider, for the moment; Hers was actually trailing behind, Riaren in her arms; Meira was loathe to actually ride Jingth until the gold’s gliding became smooth enough not to jar Riaren. She’d promised that if it did become consistently smooth, she would ride and bring Riaren, too, which would please Jingth inordinately. She had claimed the hatchling, after all, and he was much, much better than both of Hepaticath’s. LoveMine, did you see – ?

Beautiful came the mental reply, along with a brush of adoration. Smugly, Jingth spun around and threw herself over the hill – then both wings flared outwards, flapping vigorously, to check her glide; her eyes flashed with visible alarm. Blue! Bluething in her way! Her forepaws caught her forward motion, both wings snapping forward, and her claws dug into the ground. Trust Jingth to have managed to ignore the sounds of Terilyn crying; the gold was generally very observant, but for the moment, that hadn’t been important and she’d just…unconsciously tuned it out. Oops. She ended up a few feet away from Pandorath, eyes bright with surprise as she snorted quietly and took a hop-step backwards, flipping her wings shut indignantly. Bluething. In. Her. Way. Which was just what she informed him, though her voice was musical, actually pleasant, even if the words she spoke weren’t quite as polite as they usually were: You’re in my way.

Alarm brushed at her mind as Mimic squeaked audibly and then jumped down from her neck to scurry over to F’lyn. The Salamandyr jumped to his knee and then to his shoulder, flaring both small wings and turning around before he informed the bluerider, Hi. Mimic am I, goldthing Jingth lovemine babylove coming. Why babything cry? The last three words were directed to Terilyn herself; Mimic squeaked again before he leaned down to try to examine Terilyn. Babything sad not please. Not cry. Love you cry don’t? Baaaabything… A bob of his head, and his tongue licked at the air. Mimic was very upset, he was; babythings were not supposed to be sad. They just weren’t. His babylove didn’t cry often; when Riaren did, it meant something was very wrong and Mimic was naïve enough to believe that the same held true for all babythings, not just his. How upsetting, how upsetting…

Please do not let Yours squish the little slave. With an abrupt flop, Jingth landed on her stomach and stretched out her limbs, crossing her forelimbs neatly so she could lean down to examine Terilyn for a moment before she turned back to glance over the hill for Hers. The sooner MeiraHers could pick up Mimic and they could go, the better. Our hatchling is better, she commented privately to LoveHers, earning a questioning brush. The gold turned to glance over blue, Rider, and baby for a minute before she reported dutifully, I nearly ran into a blue. He was in my way. I don’t know him. His has a hatchling. The same age as ours. But ours is much, much better. He does not wail like this one does.

[Rei]

Before F’lyn could form a sufficiently sarcastic remark, a large golden object glided into view and came to a very abrupt halt just feet from his current position. Just refraining form crying out in surprise F’lyn stiffened and immediately relaxed when he recognized the object to be a dragon. Jingth if he wasn’t mistaken. Their newest queen. Pandorath was not as calm as his rider though. The young gold was much bigger than him and also she was berating him for being in her way. Giving a distraught apologetic croon the dark blue scrambled to the side well out of Jingth’s way. Ducking his head down so it was partially hidden behind his rider’s back he nudged his softly. He had done bad he had. This gold would dislike him to wouldn’t she? Oh how he wished he could apologize easily. What if she got offended? He didn’t want to offend her.

F’lyn toned out his bonded’s torrent of emotion to concentrate on the creature that had boldly scurried to his shoulder. Salamandyr. He recognized the creature even if he never sought to own one of his own. Many riders in Selenitas had them. The blue rider looked with interest at the brown creature before replying to it. “Uh I don’t know exactly why she is crying. Although the fact that she hasn’t napped today might have a lot to do with her current bad mood.” The fact that he was talking to Mimic as he would talk to a person registered but he shrugged it off. The things could talk and the ones he had met seemed intelligent if not also neurotic. Terilyn paused in her wailing to focus hazel eyes on the tiny creature dangling from F’lyn’s shoulder. Gurgling quietly she looked at it with interest while F’lyn breathed a sigh of relief. Thank Faranth for small blessings. Never would he take silence for granted again. A small nudge to his back reminded the blue rider of his other charge and he sent a silent apology to Pandorath.

Turning hid head to the young gold F’lyn flashed what he hoped was a winning smile at her. “Pandorath wants me to apologize to you. He didn’t mean to get in your way. I do hope you’ll forgive him.” The blue rider paused as Pandorath warbled a shy hello to the gold. “He would apologize himself if he could but I am afraid my dear Pandorath is a mental mute. He also wants me to assure you that I would never squish your little slave?” Turning back towards the brown mandyr he titled his head. “My baby thing is named Terilyn. I suppose your baby love has name as well? I also suppose you are what Jingth calls the “little slave?” Terilyn gave a small burble as F’lyn finished speaking and reached toward Mimic. The little thing had spoken to her and she was quite enamored with it at the moment.

[Avu]

Was she really…that scary? Jingth’s head tilted curiously as she watched Pandorath, already quite comfortable sprawled inelegantly across the ground next to the blue’s Rider. Much as Mimic’s enthusiasm bothered her, she was loathe to just wander off without the brown Salamandyr. But no matter; Meira and Riaren would not be long in coming, and Mimic would listen to Theirs. But…the blue was quite curious. True, the gold was larger than he; she measured up to Checkoth by that point, she’d realized with quite an amount of smugness, but she wasn’t huge and the words had been uttered in a very pleasant manner. Hmm. Well, perhaps he was just very, very shy. Jingth flipped one wing over her face idly, turning to look down at the hatchling and the one she took to be her clutchsire. Foolish sire, that one. Everything about her hatchling was better, clearly. Better mother (no, it didn’t matter that Jingth hadn’t the slightest idea who Terilyn’s mother was; Meira was the best person on Pern), better manners, better father. At least she’d stopped wailing, though…

Bounce. Mimic had paused to listen to what F’lyn was saying, because of course the man mattered, but his gaze was constantly on Terilyn and the instant she stopped crying the brown fluted at her happily. Had it been him? Oh, yay! The brown liked the idea that he had been helpful; he liked being liked. Did she like him, maybe? Hi pretty babything, he cooed quietly while F’lyn turned to address his goldthing. The goldthing would inform him if it regarded him, after all, and the babything was just so cute, and she was looking at him. Mimic’s enthusiasm was undeniable as he crooned again, leaning down precariously to peer at Terilyn curiously. Hi babything, he repeated, because he wanted to talk to keep her attention, and yet he didn’t quite know what to say. SireYours nice. Big bluething nice. The compliments were broadcasted, of course; Mimic wasn’t a shy creature by any means. F’lyn addressing him made Mimic tilt his head to regard the bluerider seriously before he replied, Teri. Pretty pretty. Riaren babylove. Riaren best. Am Mimic –

Your apology is accepted, Jingth replied graciously, pleased by the apology. If you can, won’t you inform Yours that he does not answer to ‘little slave’? But yes, he is. /My/ slave, that is. Hers and nobody else’s. True, she’d offered him on loan to Kierjaarth, but that was more of a false generosity given that Mimic rarely left Meira’s side. If he did, it was straight to Doppelganger, though, and the pair was inseparable – if Kierjaarth got Doppelganger to do something, likely Mimic would be right behind him. Hmm. Such a foolish little Salamandyr…Mine is coming. You may wish to warn Yours, she went on pleasantly, She would not wish to startle him and upset the hatchling again. Now that it’s stopped its noise, that is. The gold stretched out slightly further, resting her head gently on her forepaws. Completely at ease, that was Jingth. She had no problems just sprawling out, nope…

You’re not bothering them, are you? Meira inquired anxiously of Jingth as she topped the hill, shifting Riaren in her arms. The three-and-a-half-month-old baby was half-asleep, dozing against her shoulder clutching her shirt. Dark green eyes were half-open, but at the sight of another dragon, Riaren stirred, turning his head in order to see.

Not in the least, Jingth replied immediately. It is /my/ slave that is making their hatchling stop its wailing, after all. They should be quite grateful.

Ah… The goldrider would have moved a little faster, but she didn’t want to jolt Riaren as she wound her way down the hill and then half-smiled weakly in time to see Mimic drop down onto Terilyn carefully, crooning and licking the girl’s fingers and rubbing against them – much the same as he did Riaren when her son wanted to try and pet the Salamandyr. He bounced visibly at the sight of her, adoration flooding their Bond, before he licked Terilyn’s fingers again. Hi! Love is mine. Riaren babylove! he explained proudly to F’lyn, before Meira flicked the Salamandyr a quick smile and an affectionate mental touch and then commented nervously, “I’m sorry – I hope they aren’t bothering you; Jingth didn’t hurt your – Pandorath, she says – did she?” She would have wrung her wrists had they not been currently occupied by Riaren, who was staring with blatant curiosity at Terilyn. He’d seen other babies before – Kai, Samera, Keravi – but this was a new one…

[Rei]

Terilyn burbled happily as the mandyr spoke to her. Large hazel eyes fixed on the little beast, she opened and closed her tiny hands. F’lyn chuckled at her reaction. Oh Terilyn liked Pandorath well enough, but the mandyr was more her size. It was not as large as the blue and she could see every detail of it. Listening to the brown mandyr intently the blue rider nodded. “Riaren huh? That is a good name.” He trailed off as Pandorath dropped a trail of images into his head. Sending a short response he looked towards the mandyr and then back at Jingth. So the brown mandyr is her slave? F’lyn had to smile at the gold’s correction. Vain where the queens. Expecting everything and gaining it. True royalty. There was no anger or disgust in his line of thought, merely an acceptance for how things where in the weyr.

Pandorath nodded at Jingth’s words and obediently send his further information. Awkward he felt, around dragons who spoke. He could not return their words in the traditional way and so had to settle for body language and translation by his bonded. Giving a rumble the blue settled himself behind his bonded. His green eyes were speckled with the yellow of anxiety. It was not the gold herself who made him uncomfortable. It was the thought that he would never be able to have an easy conversation with her or any of his brethren. That was why Pandorath preferred the little cousins. They understood without the need for translators. In fact they seemed excited about speech when he contacted them. They never made him feel uncomfortable or lacking.

Wistfully the blue looked towards the jungle where they would be hiding at the moment. As Jingth bespoke him again Pandorath turned his head to face her and gave a warble before lowering his head to touch his bonded’s back. F’lyn leaned back into the blue’s soft muzzle and smiled before looking toward the top of the hill. Meira, bonded to Jingth if he was not mistaken. F’lyn made a point to learn all the ranking riders in the weyr. He had been here long enough to have gone through a lot of names. Especially the bronze riders.

Terilyn squealed happily as Mimic dropped down and began to lick her fingers. Her little hands opened and closed in excitement but she didn’t reach for the creature. It was giving her attention on it’s own and didn’t seem likely to leave anytime soon, so she was content to let it be. F’lyn gave a quick glace to the baby and then turned his attention to the woman approaching them. Meira was not bad looking he decided but as she approached he noticed the nervous apprehension in her motions and speech.

Smiling what he hoped was a reassuring smile, F'lyn inclined his head to her as she approached. “Oh no. Your Jingth and Mimic are quite good company.” Gesturing to the blue behind him he continued. “Pandorath is fine. He was just a bit startled is all.” Pandorath ducked his head shyly and gave Meira a welcoming croon before shifting into a more comfortable position. F’lyn shifted gently to avoid jarring Terilyn. “In fact your Mimic has helped Teri’s mood greatly.” Terilyn gave a happy squeal as if in punctuation and gently brushed her fingers against Mimic. “Mimic is quite a miracle worker I dare say. She was screaming loud enough to wake the dead a few moments ago.”

[Avu]

Best name. Best babylove. There was no denying Mimic’s joy in seeing His. Because His was the best, you see; the very best ever. There was no question about her…her bestness. Bounce, bounce, lick, lick. His tongue flickered out at Terilyn’s fingers pleasantly, and he actively rubbed against the baby’s palms. It didn’t occur to Mimic that she might hurt him, even if accidentally, that Riaren’s calmness, his way of mimicking Meira’s stroking him, might possibly be unique. Babies were nice; it made him happy that she was no longer crying. Well, if His and the goldthing were chatting to the bluething and His, then that meant he could focus solely on the babynot-Theirs, yes? What had the bluething’s person said? Nap…something about not napping. Mimic crooned and then tried to be calm, curling up against one of Terilyn’s hands and purring at her steadily. Sleep pretty baby? Sleep. Sleeeep. Shh sleeeeep? Yes, he was trying to hypnotize the baby into sleeping, and yes, he was actually expecting it to work. Her petting him made him comfy and sleepy, after all! Why wouldn’t it work the other way around?

Despite Pandorath’s obvious shyness, Jingth was just vain enough to keep talking, had she anything to say. Fortunately for the blue, she didn’t; the golden queen’s head came to rest thoughtfully on her forepaws and her tail flipped idly. How bad she felt for him. Imagine not being able to talk, to proclaim one’s superiority and to manipulate as one pleased…of course, not everyone was good at that. See: Weith. Slightly amused by her own thoughts, Jingth’s eyes whirled a quick blue before she stretched, wings twitching lightly as she turned to look back at Hers. Our hatchling is much, much better, she commented privately. The blue does not make for very interesting company. He cannot talk back, the gold explained, before she turned to look back down at Mimic and Terilyn; the brown’s delight at being petted was palpable and the queen sniffed in quiet condescension. If you would like to remain, I can finish gliding and come back for you?

Please? Thanks, love. Meira relaxed slightly at F’lyn’s assurance that neither of her two mindmates were being bothersome; his reassuring smile was answered with a quick one from the goldrider before she shifted Riaren to her other hip. The baby allowed himself to be shifted, grasp tightening on her shirt again as soon as he was resettled; dark green eyes had come to rest on Terilyn with a silent curiosity common to Riaren. The warm body cuddled against Meira’s was very much a boost to courage; she turned to Pandorath at the bluerider’s statement as to his being startled and said softly to him, though loudly enough to make sure it was audible, “I’m sorry. I’m sure they didn’t mean to…” Another smile at the mention of Mimic; her gaze flickered to the brown Salamandyr, who frilled back at her happily, arching his back under Terilyn’s touch. “Yeah…he loves babies.” Riaren especially, but Meira very well knew that was because Riaren was hers.

If you’ll pardon me, Jingth interjected smoothly to Pandorath, rolling to her feet and spreading both wings again. I’d love to stay, but I /was/ gliding, so I’ll be getting back to that. Her tail flipped before she jumped into a smooth run and then leapt into the air, both wings catching air easily and carrying her a hundred yards or so forward before she landed, repeated. It was still instinct to land forelegs first; that would need to be fixed – but she was reminding herself to land on her hind legs. And it was working.

“Jingth – yeah, she wants to be the best in the class…” The explanation was weak, accompanied by a half-bemused smile; Meira didn’t see why Jingth was so quick to need to beat Weith. He was just another sibling; wasn’t it enough that she thought the gold was the best…? “Sorry…” Her gaze was still on Terilyn though, quite curiously; she hadn’t been aware of any children born so close to Riaren’s birth other than Kai, and Kai was a boy, too. “If you don’t mind me asking – how old is she? Teri – Terilyn…?” No, there was no instant comprehension as to the parenthood; Meira assumed that F’lyn was the father – after all, why else would he have her?

[Rei]

For all Mimic’s sweet words Terilyn was not willing to sleep. Not now with all the speaking going on. Instead she focused on the little brown’s voice. When he snuggled against her hand she burbled happily and blinked up at F’lyn. Finally she turned her head and for the first time noticed Meira. Giving a tiny smile she reached for the healer with her unoccupied hand and gurgled. F’lyn chuckled and shook his head. He was grateful for the mandyr's assistance but Terilyn was more than stubborn when she wanted to be. Some days she was downright impossible. Meira probably reminded her of one of the wet nurses that came to feed her. It was the only contact with a female the poor girl ever got with her mother long gone. F’lyn had no weyrmate of his own after all. Perhaps he should try and get Terilyn out more.

Pandorath twitched slightly as he felt Jingth’s eyes on him. The gold was examining him as the other dragons did once they discovered his lack of voice. The examination made him nervous and he shifted his wings slightly. F’lyn, ever observant, sent a wave of calm serenity to the blue. Easy big guy. Pandorath took a deep calming breath before crooning softly in response to Meira’s comment.

Oh he knew the gold had not meant to startle him. Just the same she did. It was no more her fault then his, and he was not injured so all was well. Besides, if they had never come, the hatchling would have continued her wailing and his would no doubt have an ache in the head by now. No, it was lucky for them that the gold pair had come along. Besides the little brown was very charming. They should have one of their own. His would never permit it with the baby but they should. This train of rapid thought and imaging was cut short as Jingth said her farewells and Pandorath turned to voice a proper farewell.

F’lyn couldn’t help but chuckle at his blue’s sudden torrent of emotion and images. “Pandorath wants me to assure you that no harm was done. He is convinced Terilyn would have given he a headache if your little group hadn’t showed up. He’s probably right to.” Smiling softly at the gold rider he looked down at Mimic. The images pertaining to the mandyr were not discussed as the issue was a private battle between the blue pair. F’lyn was convinced Pandorath was too attached to fire lizards as it was. If they got their own and it perished he was afraid of the blue’s reaction. Mandyrs where much the same weren’t they? He wasn’t sure but he definitely didn’t want to hazard finding out.

Thoughts of pets where pushed to the back of F’lyn’s mind as Meira continued speaking. “Terilyn yes. Oh she was born at the end of June to a friend of mine. So she would be 3 months at the end of September.” The blue rider smiled down at the baby. “Her mother Raylin died just six days after she was born. Her father had disappeared month’s before. Raylin asked me to take her and I couldn’t say no.” Pandorath gave a sad rumble and caressed his bonded’s mind gently.

“I figure most people by default consider her my own, but she isn’t, not physically anyway. I suppose Raylin figured living with me was better than being stuffed into the creche and treated like every other orphan. Sometimes I wonder if I did the right thing by taking her. Sometimes I feel like I can’t do anything right.” F’lyn closed his mouth and shook his head sadly. “I’m sorry Meira. I didn’t mean to just start rambling at you like that. I haven’t even introduced myself properly.” Looking up at the healer he smiled sheepishly. “I’m F’lyn and you already met Pandorath and Terilyn.”

[Avu]

Not napping. Why not napping? Mimic crooned, trying to ‘sing’ like His did. Actually, Meira didn’t sing, she hummed for Riaren, but that was okay – there was no difference to Mimic. He fluted – actually living up to his name by mimicking sounds he'd heard firelizards make, although he added a number of upwards twists and little hums to his ‘song’; he ran his head against Terilyn’s hands hopefully. Sleeeep, little pretty, sleep…please? But then she was reaching for His and Mimic forgot his attempts to make her sleep in his enthusiasm; she knew that His was the very best! A quick scurry to put himself closer to Terilyn’s face; he stuck out his tongue to lick her pleasantly, and then confided in her privately, because of course it was a seeeecret – Is Mine, is love. Best love Mine. Favoritest Mine ever. Because of course he had more than one Mine. Certainly. Definitely. Has fatty goldthing – ‘fatty’, a term he’d picked up from Sylph and a term that offended Jingth terribly, but one he slipped into using unconsciously – and babylove. Is best. Love~ That Terilyn couldn’t understand him didn’t deter Mimic in the least; he spoke to Riaren regularly.

Meira caught Terilyn’s reaching for her and after a second of hesitation, she moved closer to F’lyn and glanced inquiringly at him before she reached out to Terilyn, touching the baby’s hand lightly with her fingertips. “Hi,” she said softly, smiling at the baby – that smile was obviously sincere. She hadn’t always liked babies, and she’d actually been scared about hurting Riaren those first few days, though she’d hidden it for the most part for R’wign, but Riaren was so sweet, so quiet, that gradually the comfort level had just widened to include most babies. Terilyn was cute…“I think Mimic wants to keep you, you know; he thinks you’re absolutely adorable…” And she’d have to say, she agreed with the Salamandyr. Oh, Riaren was cuter in her opinion, but she knew she was biased.

Said baby was still leaning against her shoulder, hands wrapped in her shirt, before he turned his head to stare at Terilyn; curiosity was evident in his gaze before he looked up at F’lyn. He made no noise, head still resting lightly against Meira’s shoulder, but he did reach out too – to Mimic, who turned in a circle and then leapt off of Terilyn to land on Riaren, scurrying around the baby’s shoulders and then down Meira’s arm again so he could chirp pleasantly at Terilyn again. Love baby see best? the Salamandyr inquired, licking the little girl’s hand again happily. So many babies! Oh, oh, Doppelganger his eggmine would just adore this; if only he could beee thereeeee…sad. Have eggmine, I do. Meet him should please yes? So nice. So love, he offered eagerly to Terilyn – Meira spoke to babies like they could understand everything she said (mainly because the goldrider didn’t know how else to address them; cooing made her feel very uncomfortable), so of course Mimic did, too.

Raylin.

Meira’s gaze snapped upwards sharply, startled dismay flashing across her eyes. Oh…Raylin. She’d seen the greenrider in the Infirmary, and news of her death had been heard, but she hadn’t…she hadn’t realized that her baby had been given to someone else. To be honest, they’d been so busy during the illnesses that who went where – for many Weyrbrats had to be sent to live with relatives in Holds or taken by others – really hadn’t been highest on her list of priorities. “Oh…I’m so sorry,” she whispered softly, wishing she could say something else. Her eyes widened slightly, but his apology made her blink, startled. “You don’t have to apologize,” she replied, a reassuring half-smile quirking her lip upwards at the corner. Shifting Riaren slightly in her grasp, she bowed her head slightly in greeting. “It’s nice to meet you…um, apparently you already know my name, so…” A slightly flustered laugh; she still wasn’t used to people recognizing her. Even when she’d helped lead Night Watch, there hadn’t been that level of recognition.

“Um – if it makes you feel better, I didn’t know – anything when Riaren was born; we just kind of played it by ear…” A crinkle of her nose to indicate how well that had gone. “I don’t think he ever really wailed, though…he’s quiet.”

[Rei]

Terilyn smiled delightedly as Mimic licked her face. When the little brown scurried off her, to return to his bonded, she brought her tiny hands up to rub at her eyes. A sure sign she was becoming very tired. Blinking the baby smiled back as Meira touched her hand and gurgled happily kicking her feet against F’lyn’s arm. “She likes you.” The blue rider remarked softly shifting Terilyn slightly so the baby could see the gold rider better. Hazel eyes watched Meira’s movements with curiosity and wonder. Terilyn’s tiny hand softly closed on Meira’s finger even as Mimic returned to lick her again. Laughing happily she watched Mimic with undisguised delight. Oh the little brown was so nice and so amusing and he spoke to her. What more could she want?

F’lyn smiled and spoke softly. “Oh I am sure Mimic would love to keep her but I don’t think Pandorath would want to give her up.” He teased. “He’d share quite happily of course but he is very protective of Teri.” The blue, sprawled behind him, crooned softly at the statement and gently touched the mandyrs mind sending a stream of images and emotions. He did not mind sharing the hatchling at all. The hatchling liked Mimic very much. He was welcome to visit her as often as he wished. His gold and her hatchling could visit as well of course, if they chose to. Rumbling softly the blue lay his head on his forepaws and allowed his first transparent lids to droop over his eye. He liked Mimic. The mandyr was polite and very well mannered. He rather hoped that brown would accept his invitation.

Meira’s response to Raylin’s death cause F’lyn to go silent for a moment as he listened to the gold rider speak. Looking up at her he noted her attempt at reassurance and returned the smile. “It’s ok. I miss Raylin but sometimes I think she missed T’rid way to much. She was always talking about him. I know she would have stayed for Terilyn if she could, but she was just to weak. The birth took too much out of her.” He paused. “I do my best with Terilyn. And I know her mother couldn’t have asked for more. But I’m not a female. I don’t have that motherly instinct.” Pandorath gave a snort at that statement and the blue rider chuckled. “Pandorath seems to disagree with me.” The mute blue raised his head and sent Meira an image of a hen fretting over her chicks. With a flip of his tail he rumbled in amusement before returning his head to his forepaws.

F’lyn shook his head at his bonded and turned to meet Meira’s gaze again. “It is nice to meet you to Meira.” He chuckled with her as she mentioned her new found notoriety. “It’s hard to be a gold rider and not have everyone know your name. You go from being relatively unknown to recognized everywhere you go. I suppose it is much to get used to.” He smiled gently at her before continuing. “Riaren is adorable and your lucky that he is so well mannered. I suppose every baby is different. Terilyn is quite outspoken. She’s only quiet when she is sleeping. I don’t know what I’d do if she stayed quiet all the time. I’ve gotten used to her constant background noise.” He smiled down at the baby. “We do our best don’t we Teri? Single parenting isn’t easy. Now I know why people prefer help.” F’lyn chuckled softly, before raising his head to look at Riaren. “He really is quiet isn’t he? I don’t think I have heard a noise form him this whole time. He isn’t scared of me is he?”

[Avu]

“I’m glad.” The words were accompanied by a smile before Meira gently wriggled her finger – not hard enough to pull free of Terilyn’s grasp, just enough to make the baby’s hand move slightly. Half of her wanted to pull back so she could hold Riaren more comfortably, but her son didn’t seem to be too fussed, and she hadn’t the heart to actively pull away from Terilyn. Maybe when she fell asleep, assuming that she did fall asleep in due time – she looked like she was getting sleepy, after all, and Mimic had decided that it was his solemn duty to lull the little girl to sleep by humming at her; the Salamandyr’s gentleness and his enthusiasm for life was endlessly fascinating to Meira, and apparently the same held true for the baby, even if it wasn’t quite the same things. Lucky it was Mimic and not some other Salamandyr, though; some of them were downright unpleasant and Meira was paranoid when it came to Salamandyrs other than Mimic, PMS, and Doppelganger around Riaren. Scary.

Pretty baby, pretty baby, Mimic was crooning, leaning forward to lick Terilyn; he hummed steadily, though the sound wasn’t quite like singing – he couldn’t match a firelizard's fluting no matter how hard he tried. It was just…a hum. Sleep pretty? Is nice, sleep baby~ The humming turned into a croon before residing into the steady humming again. Getting sleeeepy, sooo sleepy? he offered hopefully; it was hypnotism, right? Like the Raehappyfixer did. Hypnotize the baby to sleep…again, though, his excitement overruled such (though he had the sense to keep his thoughts private) when Pandorath ‘bespoke’ him and the Salamandyr actually bounced in his excitement. Oh, share the baby! Love share! Love you toooo, bluething. Too bad the dragon was way over there, or Mimic would have licked him, too. But he mustn’t leave the baby – oh, oh, right, he was supposed to be humming. Sitting down on top of Terilyn’s stomach, the brown wound his tail around his haunches neatly and then resumed his ‘singing’. Wasn’t she sleeeeeeepy yet…?

A quick smile was flicked at Pandorath; Meira was very grateful that the blue was willing to “share” Terilyn; the Salamandyr did adore babies, after all. His Rider’s words made her look back at F’lyn, though, and she bit the side of her lower lip, dropping her gaze. So hard to think that so many people had died, people she’d known. Raylin she hadn’t seen too often, didn’t really count as more than a passing acquaintance, but there were people who’d died, people she’d regarded as friends, for such a long time. So long. And she didn’t really know what to say, either. The goldweyrling’s head tilted slightly towards Pandorath at the mental image she received, half-startled – it was the same level of honor as if another dragon had actually bespoken her and a shy smile started across her face before she glanced back at F’lyn and offered softly, “I’m sure you’ll do great…you took her in. Lots of people wouldn’t have even done that.” It was better than being dropped off into the crèche and left there. The crèche-workers were nice, of course, but they didn’t have the time to devote special attention to any one orphan.

The bluerider’s comment made her smile quirk slightly before Meira dropped her gaze back to Riaren – not really too embarrassed, but still a little so. It was also…just weird, having people know her name so much, and she was nervous, self-deprecating, enough to be paranoid that people might just be kind to her because of Jingth. The gold felt she deserved the kindness regardless of the cause, but Meira’s mind didn’t work like that; it felt awkward and forced to be treated well because of something she’d had no control over.

Still, the thought of such a noisy baby made her laugh slightly, brushing one finger lightly against Terilyn’s cheek. “Getting used to them is the first step,” she pointed out, teasing, before she looked down at Riaren at the mention of him. Not a single noise – likely. Oh, he gurgled or cooed occasionally, but more often he tried to mimic the movement of lips or just got Mimic to get Meira’s attention for him. As it happened, he seemed to make more noise around R’wign than anyone else. Strangers…? Almost none, but it certainly wasn’t because he was shy. Dark green eyes regarded F’lyn as Meira kissed him gently on the forehead before she replied, “I don’t think so; he’s never been shy…” At least, not actively so. As if to emphasize her words, the baby turned his head slightly to stare right at F’lyn before he smiled, a bright, quick grin that lit up his eyes. “Okay, definitely not,” Meira corrected herself, amused; she crinkled her nose playfully at Riaren. “I don’t know; he just doesn’t make a lot of noise. I know that Kahrelir’s almost never said anything, though…”

[Rei]

Terilyn smiled broadly as Meira wiggled her finger. Yawning the little girl dropped said appendage and started to suck on her fist, Blinking sleepily up at her audience. The little brown’s constant humming was soothing and soon her eyelids began to flutter. F’lyn took advantage of the babies momentary bout of sleepiness by starting to rock her gently. All the while the blue rider kept his attention mostly on the gold rider. Terilyn yawned once and slowly closed her eyes only to pop them back open and shift slightly. It was obvious she was trying oh so hard to stay awake. She didn’t want to miss her new friend.

Pandorath eyed the baby speculatively and joined in on Mimics humming his hums a bit louder but just as soft. It wasn’t the same hum he used for hatchings but a gentler softer sound. One the baby seemed to appreciate. One plus to being mute was the blue had excellent control over his vocalizations. Turns of practice had strengthened his control over his physical voice. Now he could change pitch, volume, and vibration with hardly a thought. His often told him that he could make an excellent singer if he was human. Mimic’s exuberant acceptance of his offer to “share” Terilyn was answered with a soft croon and a flash of images. Oh he was so very glad that they could share. He would have to visit often. The hatchling would like that oh so much. Perhaps their hatchlings could become friends? Wouldn’t that be nice?

While Pandorath was undertaking his conversation F’lyn was listening closely to Meira. The gold rider was really a sweet and gentle soul he decided. A bit self conscious but the type you could rely on to always be there as a listening ear and maybe offer a bit of advice. That cinched it for the blue rider. He had met many riders in his days at Selenitas, befriended some and ignored others. Meira was put happily into the possible friends category. Although Pandorath was a bit anxious around her gold, Meira was very sweet and Pandorath didn’t have to visit with him if he didn’t want to. The blue gave a huff at that remark. If his wanted to talk with the gold rider he had no qualms about it. His needed to get out more anyway. Didn’t do him any good to stay cooped up all the time.

With a flip of his tail Pandorath returned his attention to the brown mandyr. He was so interesting and he could talk like a dragon could. It was a shame his wouldn’t attend a mandyr hatching. The hatchings where said to be very entertaining. Pandorath still wanted to see one. Although he had attended every flitter hatching his always made sure they where well away from the scene when a mandyr hatching was taking place. Ah well maybe one day he would get to see one. Until then he had this lovely little one to keep him busy. He was fun to talk to. Almost as much fun as his flitter friends.

F’lyn smiled as Meira reassured him. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.” The blue rider smiled and looked down at the now sleeping baby. He liked to think he had done the right thing by taking her and Terilyn was healthy. The healers had reassured him of that fact many times now. F’lyn raised his head just in time to catch Riaren grin and he smiled back. “Yeah I see that. I am relived that he isn’t scared of me. I’ve never thought of myself as a scary guy.” He chuckled before winking at Riaren.

The comments about not speaking made F’lyn smile softly. If he remembered correctly (which he was sure he did) he hadn't spoken much as a child either. “Maybe they just don’t have much to say with words. You know actions can be a better form of communication. Just ask Pandorath. He gets along just fine without words. He’s just like any other dragon except for that. Scratch that he’s better.” Biased towards his own dragon? Never.

[Avu]

Sleeping, sleeping – was she sleeeeeping? Mimic curled up around Terilyn’s hand once the baby had released His, still humming as steadily as he could and resisting the urge to actually trill his delight; he had another baby! Wouldn’t Doppelganger be so delighted?! His tongue darted out to lick the girl’s fingers, adding a slight waver to his thrumming, but it was instantly picked back up again once he’d tasted the salty skin, nuzzling closer to curl around her wrist and brush his head against her fingers affectionately. Pretty baby, pretty Terilyn…wouldn’t she sleep now? It would be so nice if she did, see? Pandorath’s adding his voice to his song made Mimic almost eep in surprise, before he recovered and went on with his thrumming, though it was all but drowned out in the blue’s. His body was still vibrating with the intensity of it, though, and after a moment he licked Terilyn’s fingers again. Not to leave her when she wasn’t fully asleep yet, but once she was, he could go and inspect the silent dragon bluething, he would; so interesting. His goldthing had no qualms with talking to him and she informed him that this one was broken, but it was an interesting broken, no?

Friends love babylovemine friends yes, he agreed privately with Pandorath – he didn’t want to distract Terilyn from falling asleep, nope, even though any distractions would have gone right over his head when he wanted to sleep; Mimic was the type to be asleep before his head even made it all the way down, and not wake unless the ground beneath him (which was Riaren) moved. The brown Salamandyr gave a slight trill in the middle of his hum before he added hopefully, Merce ‘n Shadow pretty babies friends? Dash baby? How fortunate that all of the Weyrleaders with babies of roughly Riaren’s age had Salamandyrs, or what on Pern would Mimic call them? Samera; Keravi; Kai – so pretty. Not as pretty as Riaren, of course, but still pretty. Babies were all pretty!

F’lyn was older than the majority of Riders in the Weyr seemed to be. The thought was only a vague one; somewhat surprised, but otherwise not particularly outstanding – Mi’rah was nice too, after all, and he was certainly older than majority, but still…and yes, age did matter. Meira didn’t mean to bias, but it happened naturally, without her agreeing to it: The older the person, the more they intimidated her regardless of how nice they actually were, and the less she knew what to say to them. Her gaze settled upon Riaren, who was still content to cling to her shirt and watch F’lyn and Terilyn with what was undeniably curiosity, his eyes bright and intelligent, and the baby drew a soft smile from her as she raised her hand, freed from Terilyn’s grasp, to stroke Riaren’s cheek softly; the pale skin had been, apparently, inherited from her – as had a number of other characteristics, giving the baby a touch of the feminine to him, but his hair was long enough to have started curling.

A quick smile crossed her lips at the bluerider’s comment, and Meira’s gaze flicked up and then back down to Riaren again; pale gray-blue eyes met dark green for a moment. “I don’t think he knows the meaning of fear; even Jingth has never scared him before…” Even when the gold had initially stuck out her muzzle to lick the baby, there had been no sign of fear or nervousness; Riaren had just reached out and tried to pat Jingth in much the same fashion that he did Mimic and R’wign’s firelizards. The wink made Riaren tilt his head curiously before he deliberately tried to wink as well, though it came out as more of a blink. Not at all abashed, the baby smiled, a lopsided kind of amusement, before he returned to watching Terilyn. Not the first time he’d seen a baby, but certainly the first time he’d seen this one.

She actually chuckled slightly at F’lyn’s words, though; the goldrider’s nose crinkled slightly before she glanced at Pandorath. “I’ve never seen another dragon like him,” she agreed, smiling at the dark blue. Another mute dragon, no – and nor had Meira ever seen another dragon quite as dark as he was. Ahth was near black too, but not quite as much. Though – Jingth would always be the best, in her eyes, the most amazing – even if the gold’s vanity made her want to smack her own forehead occasionally.

Better than who? Jingth inquired privately of Meira, clearly in response to F’lyn’s statement that his blue was ‘better’. Better than some of my clutchsiblings? Hard not to be. Better than my slaves? Likely not. Better than /me/? Impossible.

[Rei]

Pandorath rumbled pleasantly to Mimic. Of course they could all be friends. Lots of friends where good. At least that was what he was told. He had friends. Lots of them, but they where all fire lizards. His own kind tended to think him dim, broken, and worthless. He didn’t much like to be around his kind because of the fact. He couldn't speak. So what? Why did that make him less nice to be around? Depressing thoughts aside, of course he would be happy if his adopted hatchling had more friends. Perhaps F’lyn could get a friend or two along the way as well.

F’lyn raised his eyebrow at his dragon but didn’t comment. The blue rider smiled softly as he heard Meira’s giggle. Obviously it was caused by his words about Pandorath and a slight sadness crept up which he promptly crushed. He was used to people thinking him daft for thinking his dragon was anything special. But none of them knew Pandorath. None of them would ever know him. Not like he did. People in this word where just not accepting unfortunately. It was sad but there was nothing he could do about it. He had escaped Benden to get away from the rejection. Sadly he had found it here as well, even if it wasn’t so openly displayed or strong. Still one couldn’t give up. They had to roll with the punches…..or they would never rise again.

Leaning down F’lyn kissed Terilyn gently on the forehead. If he taught her anything it would be to be acceptance. No matter what the world threw at her. She had to be tough or she would never make it. Especially as she was now at a big disadvantage. Raising his head he caught Riaren’s attempted wink and he smiled. The next generation was their next shot at change. “So you’re a brave one huh? That’s good. You have to be brave in this world.” The blue rider spoke softly before turning warm brown eyes toward his dragon. The world could be a scary and judgmental place. Would his blue ever find acceptance in the eyes of any of his peers? Ebolath had been the kindest dragon Pandorath ever met but even she did not completely understand.

Pandorath crooned softly and his green eyes swirled faster. It was ok. He knew how they all perceived him but his loved him and that was all that mattered. It did not matter if he never won their acceptance because his was all that mattered. F’lyn dropped his gaze from his blue and carefully kept his sadness from flowing over the bond. This was why he kept away from people. They made Pandorath feel worthless and it was a s good as saying the rider himself was worth nothing as well.

Snapping himself out of his self induced depression he smiled at Meira. “Sorry. I’m keeping you and your son from your lovely gold. I’m sure you have more important things to do then chat with me and my dear blue.” The smile was genuine even if it didn’t quite meet his eyes. F’lyn liked Meira. Truly he did. She was good natured and extremely caring. He didn’t want to make her any more uncomfortable or awkward then she obviously already was.

[Avu]

So the baby was asleep now? Mimic uncoiled from her hand and then carefully leapt onto F’lyn’s shoulder instead, curling his claws beneath him to keep from pricking the bluerider. Must not hurt people, nope! Both wings flared; his thin form bounced on the end of the man’s shoulder, and then his frill flattened before he leapt off of F’lyn to land on the hand that Meira automatically offered to him; his claws pricked skin briefly before he curled around her wrist, tongue darting out to rasp against the pad of the goldrider’s thumb before he disentangled himself again to croon at Pandorath and drop down to the ground so he could scamper over to the dark blue creature. The sinister appearance, the darkness, did not put him off at all, let alone the size (his goldthing was much bigger, larger than Checkoth now, and she wouldn’t hurt him, so why would Pandorath?) His path carried him directly in front of the creature and Mimic sat down, winding his tail neatly around his haunches and giving a pleasant, nice-to-meet-you chirp. Hi bluewingy, he commented cheerfully. Hi. Nice meet you~ Because it was. Oh, it was so nice to meet a bluewingy, the goldthing and His usually were only around brownthings…of course, Mimic had nothing against brownthings; they were nice – but a bluewingy was nice too!

She hadn’t noticed the brief sadness on the bluerider’s part. Likely because the giggle wasn’t meant to be offensive at all – rather, it had been amusement at the ‘better’ comment, because all Riders thought their dragons were the best, and that amused her because she knew that she did, too – and also because she’d looked down at Riaren at the moment, blinking affectionately at the baby, whose entire body was settled snugly against hers, trusting, adoring, gaze focused intently on F’lyn still, soft lips curved soberly downwards. Seeing the bluerider kiss Terilyn’s forehead made Meira smile softly before she brushed one hand gently over the soft, downy curls on Riaren’s head. The baby leaned slightly into the light touch, before a quick smile darted over his face at being addressed by F’lyn; that Terilyn was apparently asleep now did not faze his own interest. He’d already slept; he was wide awake now and quite interested by present company.

Brave. Yes. Be brave, Riaren…the thoughts had no real words, only a flicker of true upset, a slight sinking feeling in her stomach. This was the best of the world, here at the Weyr, but this wasn’t – it wasn’t the world she would have chosen for Riaren. She almost wished for the baby’s sake she wasn’t a goldrider, because she had never expected the responsibility – and her position would put Riaren in so, so much danger. Kai, Kera, and Sammy went through the same – even more so, because their mothers were ranking Weyrwomen and not just weyrlings – but the thought made her faintly nauseous. Meira disguised it by glancing at Pandorath and Mimic nervously, flickering a tiny smile at blue and brown respectively; she was awarded by a veritable wave of absolute adoration and a private Love you love you looove best is fixerMine~

The bluerider giving her an excuse to leave made Meira bite her lip nervously before she looked up at him, head still slightly bowed so that her chin was pressed against Riaren’s head. “Things like watching Jingth glide,” she responded, slightly amused, before she glanced automatically out towards the direction that Jingth had taken, but the gold had since vanished among the dips and swells. “But – I’m sorry. You’re probably busy too, now that T – Terilyn’s asleep…” The slight slur over the baby’s name was a mistake; hopefully one that would go unnoticed, but Terilyn’s was the first ‘T’ name given to a baby – apparently ‘K’ was quite popular; Riaren was obviously familiar to her and she rarely thought of Sammy without thinking of Kera, too. “I should probably go after Jingth and make sure she’s okay – um, you don’t mind if Mimic stays, do you? He really likes Pandorath…” As if it wasn’t obvious, the way the brown was trying to flute up at the blue happily.

I am fine, Jingth responded, and the warmth in her tone was reserved for Hers only; other dragons received a very pleasant, polite tone – but it still lacked the adoration that suffused it now. This is quite simple. Won’t you come see me, though? I /am/ much better company than the blue…

[Rei]

Pandorath lowered his head as close to Mimic’s level and rumbled. Oh it was so nice to meet Mimic to. The blue was a bit amused at being called bluewingy but didn’t complain. If the mandyr decided to call him that he could. Whirling blue eyes took in the tiny mandyrs figure. He was much, much smaller than almost all of his flitter friends. How peculiar and he could talk like a dragon. Mandyr where very interesting and this was the first close up encounter he had ever had with the species. Oh sure he had seen them from a distance but this was the first one he had the pleasure of meeting. It was a pleasure to. The Mimic brown was so nice to the hatchling and his bonded.

F’lyn smiled comfortingly at Meira and waved her off. “It’s ok if Mimic decides to stay. Pandorath and I quite like him. Do apologize to your dear Jingth for us. I hope she isn’t to upset that we kept you from her.” The blue rider winked and looked in the direction the young gold had taken. “She is quite a lovely thing. I am sure she will be a lovely flier.” F’lyn was gratified that Jingth had at least been polite to Pandorath. The blue was expecting far worse but even though the gold hadn’t been interested in his dragon, she hadn’t insulted him and he was grateful. No Jingth was quite alright in his book. As far as Terilyn went she was deeply asleep and judging by the evenness of her breathing she was likely to stay that way for quite sometime. Much to his relief.

“I do hope you’ll come visit us sometime again. Perhaps next time we meet Terilyn won’t be so sleepy and we can introduce Riaren and her properly.” F’lyn said softly with a smile for Riaren. Giving a final wave to Meira and a wink to Riaren the blue rider turned to watch Mimic and Pandorath. The dark blue had lowered his head until it was resting on the ground. Crooning softly Pandorath touched Mimic’s mind. Would the little brown like to rest on him? He wouldn’t mind at all. Perhaps if he had the time he could introduce him to some of his flitter friends?