You lied to me… (Tags K’lir)

[Rei]

D’nar grumbled as he scrubbed his dragon’s hide with sand. Olanreth purred under the attention swinging his head around to nudge his bonded. Cheer up mine. You have been so depressed lately. You are actually starting to worry me. Is it Corinth’s you are upset with? You could always get Hero to drop an egg on his head or something. The bronze weyrling looked at his dragon and almost smiled at that thought. “I doubt Hero would be that willing. It would be nice to see T’rid squirm for once though. Arrogant bastard.” D’nar redoubled his efforts with the sand. You should get mad at Corinth’s more often. You scrub better when you are angry. Why are you angry at Corinth’s anyway? He told you the truth after all. It seems you should be mad at Calistoth’s instead. The bronze pointed out bluntly.

D’nar paused and waved his dragon off to rinse as he returned to the beach and sat in the warm sand. So what if he got soaked and was covered in sand? At least Olanreth was happy, that’s what mattered. Besides he would dry quickly. The young bronze rolled and wriggled in the surf. You never answered my question Narmine. That’s cause it was a stupid one. The weyrling returned stubbornly. Olanreth blinked his first transparent lid over his eyes before dunking his head under the water. No it wasn’t, you stubborn silly boy. Tell me. Fine. I’m pissed at T’rid cause of the way he went about telling me. He’s a… well I don’t want to say the word. It’s bad and you don’t need to know it.

Olanreth raised his head and flopped down in the surf. The waves felt good against his hide. Well why are you not mad at Calistoth’s? Cause I was the one stupid enough to believe him. It’s my own fault. D’nar bowed his head. Everyone thinks I’m an idiot. That’s probably why I have no friends. Everyone just wants to mess with me instead. The bronze crooned and left the water. Trotting over to his bonded he plopped beside him and laid his head in the boy’s lap. It is ok Narmine. You have your Olanreth. I will always be your friend. I love you D’narmine and one day they will all be surprised. I believe in you. The bronze weyrling smiled and scratched his dragon’s eye ridges. Thanks Olan. The bronze snorted.

[glamourie]

A shiny. A shiny, shiny, shiny! And a much smaller shiny than the ones she usually tried to steal. She was betting that she could snag him.

Fuzz waddled quickly, and stealthily, through the sand. She thought herself subtle in the way she ducked behind rocks any time the shiny looked toward her, and only when she was sure that he was not looking, she pranced closer. Her wings ruffled, and she eyed the end of his tail mischievously. He was a small version of the bigger shinies, the ones she kept trying to put in her pile but hadn’t quite managed to contain. She was sure the smaller shiny would be much easier to pull around, and his tail looked like the perfect anchor for dragging. She ruffled her wings, and only when she was positive he wasn’t looking did she move to a second rock. It took her several minutes to sneak close enough that even if she wanted to, she couldn’t hide, and from there, she made her move. Zooming across the sand like she was running for her life (never mind that she could fly; she was on the ground, she was), Fuzz actually pounced onto the split end of Olanreth’s tail. And then she grabbed it in her bill and started backing up insistently, trying to pull the dragon along for the ride.

The small shiny would be hers!

Following the duck at a much more sedated pace were K’lir and Kahrelir - individual, rather than together. The toddler was plodding along in much the same fashion as the duck, except that she was more graceful on her feet. He was wrapped up to avoid the chill of the coastal winds, and his little fist was stuffed into his mouth. For one so young, he walked excessively well, though his free hand held onto K’lir’s pinky stubbornly; he didn’t want to lose his papa in his walking. No sir, that would’ve been very bad. He was following the fuzzy duck, he was -- but when a dragon came into sight, Kahrelir squirmed, and then belined behind K’lir’s legs nervously. He didn’t know that dragon and he wasn’t sure they were safe. His arms both wrapped around K’lir’s left leg, and he peeked out nervously before looking up at him. Where was their dragon?

K’lir leaned down to untangle Kahrelir from his leg and tapped his nose lightly. “That’s Olanreth, he won’t hurt you,” he explained softly to the child, before picking him up. “C’mon, we’ll go talk to him. Do you remember Dan-- D’nar? Danny?” The teary-eyed child stared at him nervously, and K’lir clicked his tongue. Odds were, Kahrelir didn’t; he met plenty of people once or twice and the greenrider had never spoken to D’nar again. What little he remembered was that Calistoth found him amusing, but she was lounging out asleep on her weyrledge, so it was unlikely that she would be entertained by the young bronze rider. Oh well. If he remembered right, ‘Danny’ had amused him, too -- primarily by being gullible and naïve. He was sure that the weyrlingrider wouldn’t do anything to hurt Kahrelir. Most people wouldn’t. Kahrelir was just… intensely shy.

As Fuzz pulled on Olanreth’s tail, K’lir walked up behind D’nar, holding Kahrelir against his waist. The baby buried his face in K’lir’s neck, and the greenrider himself quirked an eyebrow in confusion before glancing around at Fuzz. She was relentlessly trying to drag the bronze weyrling off, and K’lir couldn’t help but smirk in response.

“And when she’s done dragon napping him, she’ll move on to try and steal Hero… so that she has a matching pair, of course…”

[Rei]

Olanreth swung his head around when he felt the duck grab his tail. D’nar leaned back to look as well, and actually laughed. Until he remembered who the duck belonged to that is. K’lir…shells and shards. The young bronze was a bit amused by the feathered avian. In fact he twitched his tail once just to see what type of a reaction he could get. This is the Fuzz? Is she trying to eat me? The bronze weyrling looked at his dragon and shook his head. No she is trying to collect you. Apparently she likes shiny things. Does she now? Olanreth’s attention was taken from the duck as K’lir and Kahrelir approached. The bronze offered a welcoming croon and then immediately went back to watching the duck. She was amusing. D’nar had almost frozen at K’lir’s voice but the presence of the toddler had helped a bit. He couldn’t very well be to upset with K’lir with the baby present. Nope he decided to be friendly.

The green riders comment about Fuzz made D’nar almost smile. “To bad Hero is currently hanging out with Ellie and her fair. How is Kahrelir doing K’lir?” Me made sure to emphasis the name. “Has he said a word yet?” After speaking the bronze weyrling gave a little wave to the boy. “Hey there little guy. I’m D’nar and that’s,” He pointed to the bronze hatchling, “Olanreth. You can come closer if you want. He doesn’t bite. He is pretty bite sized himself right now. Don’t ya think?” Ok so Olanreth wasn’t exactly tiny but he was still smaller than the full grown greens. For now at least.

Olanreth snorted. Of course I do not bite. I am not an uncivilized barbarian. In fact I am quite intelligent. The young bronze lowered his head to rest it on the sand and crooned softly eyes whirling in pleasant blues. Will you ask Calistoth’s why he found it funny to lie about his gender? I am curious as to his answer. D’nar groaned and swatted the dragon’s shoulder. “Stay out of it Olan.” Giving a sideways look to K’lir he frowned slightly. “You know it isn’t nice to play people even if it is fun for you. You should have at least told me you where a guy. Instead I got told by the last person in Faranth’s green Pern I wanted to have any more ammunition against me.” D’nar bowed his head and turned away from the green rider. “Like you care anyway. I’m just someone you can pick on to pass the time.” Olanreth snorted and shoved his over. Quit being so depressive. It is annoying. Turning to regard K’lir he rumbled. Tell him to ignore your whining. “The bronze weyrling picked himself up and glared a his dragon. “Tell him yourself.”

The bronze said not a word instead turning to Kahrelir and talking directly to the baby. Hello little one. I am Olanreth. Mine can be silly and playful sometimes. You should come see him. Do not worry I like hatchlings. Olanreth flicked his tail again, forgetting about Fuzz for the moment. D’nar stared at his dragon in shock. You won’t talk to K’lir but you’ll talk to the baby? What in Faranth’s name is wrong with you! You’ll scare him. Olanreth crooned. I am not scaring you are I little one? Does not your sire’s Calistoth speak to you? If not she should do so more often. He doesn't speak Olan. Really now? Well then he must just have nothing to say. The weyrling stared at his dragon and turned his head to look at K’lir, his face paling. “Umm does Calistoth ever speak to Kahrelir?” If Olanreth startled or hurt the child, D’nar would be truly upset. He liked kids. The bronze dragon snorted. I do not see how speaking to a hatchling could ruin it Narmine.

[glamourie]

K’lir raised an eyebrow at the emphasis of his name, but didn’t comment on it, primarily because his gaze was snared on Fuzz trying to pull Olanreth away. The duck was, of course, having absolutely no luck, but darned if she wasn’t the little avian that thought she could. Her wings were flapping and she was having quite a fit trying to ‘collect’ the young bronze - so much so that K’lir was tempted to try and help her, silly creature. He refrained, instead turning to look at D’nar for the first time, and his expression was nothing short of puzzled. The way he spoke to Kahrelir had the greenrider glancing down at the toddler in his arms, who immediately shied away from D’nar and his words. The boy was intensely easy to frighten. He didn’t know D’nar at all; to him, the bronze weyrling was a stranger. Yes, he was talking to him, but he was scary, he was. K’lir gently rocked Kahrelir, more to get him relaxed than anything else. After a moment or two, the child stopped fussing, and took to staring straight at Fuzz. K’lir’s interest went back to the weyrling bronze rider curiously. Had he mentioned liking children? He thought he did, hm.

“He’s shy,” K’lir reminded D’nar with a slight shake of his head. “He’s afraid of strangers and he doesn’t know you yet, Danny. He’s a little spooked because of that. Other’n that, kid’s fine as usual…”

Whatever else he was going to say was cut off as the boy broke into a literal tirade. Kahrelir started squirming, and K’lir gently set his son down before folding his arms over his lower abdomen absently. A slender eyebrow raised, obviously curious. Last person on Pern, ammunition…? He’d really believed it for that long? What a strange kid. The outburst half-irritated him. K’lir was normally not a patient individual (Kahrelir had taught him the virtue of some patience), but he was getting better -- and the young bronze rider was most assuredly treading on what little temper control he possessed. There was a reason people said redheads had fiery tempers. He proved that, time and again. Very tempting was it to bridge the distance between himself and D’nar and simply thwack him for being so… so utterly childish.

“There is only room for one toddler on the coast, D’nar, and I don’t think Kahrelir is going to be growing up any time soon. Put your attitude and pouting away; I won’t have it.” The firmness in his voice would have alarmed many people who knew him. It was very parental, even though he was only three turns or so older than D’nar - at nineteen, K’lir could hardly be considered past an adult. But he’d been a father for two turns and while Kahrelir was almost perfectly behaved, he did on occasion have to scold him, and he knew very well how to deal with sulking. “To answer your question, when we first met, I introduced myself as K’lir, which is my name. That you forgot that is not my fault. I honestly thought that you would realize quickly enough that I was not a woman. I apologize to have hurt your feelings.” The whole thing was sincere, even if he wasn’t being entirely nice about it. He responded poorly to sulking. He found it a very… unattractive trait. “Who was it who finally told you, anyway?” Who did he need to punish for hurting his pet?

Ignoring the two adults (who were obviously upset), Kahrelir gave a start as Olanreth spoke to him. He put one hand out as Fuzz was flung across the sands and flapped her wings indignantly with a quack at Olanreth, and then when the dragon spoke to him, he turned to look straight at the weyrling. His first went into his mouth and he wobbled over to Olanreth curiously; he was far less intimidated by him than he was by his rider. Dragons didn’t scare him much because he had the big scary green to protect him, and anyway this was a dragon just his size. Curiously, he stopped next to Olanreth and put his free hand up onto the dragon’s flank before leaning his head back to look at the bronze in interest. He didn’t speak. He didn’t need to speak. His expression said it all. He was fascinated.

Kahrelir, still ignoring the two adults, actually removed his fist from his mouth before attempting to climb up Olanreth’s side. He was a dragon just his size, and he would be a dragon rider just like his papa was, by riding around on the little one. See, see, it was perfect. His papa would be so proud of him~

The last question made K’lir blink and he shook his head slowly. “She’s spoken to him before, but not often. She mostly just sort of hovers and stares at him, why -- Kahrelir, what are you -- uh, my son is trying to climb your dragon --” Alarmed, K’lir spun around and started over to Kahrelir, fully intending to remove him from on top of the weyrling. While Kahrelir had never expressed exact fear of dragons before, or anything that implied he was less than fond of them, the boy had never -- never tried to climb on them. Not even Calistoth. “Kahrelir, stop that - come back here -”

[Rei]

D’nar stopped staring at the kid to focus on K’lir as he spoke. Whoops. That was right. Well looked like he would just have to try harder to get to know the little guy. Kahrelir was adorable. Another mark in his favor was that he was not a fussy or whiny kid. That made the green rider’s son ten times better in D’nar’s opinion. The bronze weyrling didn’t mind fussy kids, but he much preferred the easy going ones. K’lir’s use of his adopted nickname “Danny” was not lost on D’nar and he might have smiled if he wasn’t hell bent of being depressive. Olanreth snorted and watched the interaction between the two rider’s closely.

K’lir’s response to D’nar’s whining amused the pale bronze and he couldn’t help responding. I told you if you act like a child you would be treated like one. The bronze weyrling ignored his dragon to look at K’lir. Brushing some sand off his pants he frowned. “I accept your apology.” D’nar stated nodding firmly, dragon ignored for the sake of speaking to K’lir. Kahrelir wasn’t crying so he surely couldn’t be that scared of Olanreth anyway. “It was T’rid who told me. I wanted to hit the arrogant bastard but unfortunately Corinth was there. The bronze literally plopped behind him. Wasn’t much I could do. I hate how that sharding idiot has to be so smug about everything. For once I’d like to see him eat his own words.” The bronze weyrling scowled and curled his hand into a fist. Faranth help T’rid if they ever ended up in the same room alone together. T’rid wouldn’t be leaving totally intact. So immersed was D’nar in his own fury that he completely ignored Olanreth for the moment.

Olanreth was fine with this fact. Kahrelir was rapidly proving to be more amusing than his silly bonded anyway. The pale bronze turned his head to look at the toddler as Kahrelir placed his hand on his flank. Hello little one. I can tell you are curious about me. I am a dragon just as you Calistoth is. I am much smaller than her currently however. Would you like some help little Rel? That is what I think I will call you. Rel. Lowering his head, Olanreth helpfully nudged the newly dubbed Rel onto his back. Flopped on the sand as the bronze was he wasn’t to tall. With Rel helping to clamber up the pair succeeded nicely. The bronze outstretched his wings to make a slide of sorts to the ground in case Kahrelir lost his balance. Olanreth was betting the hatchling wouldn’t. Oh no. Rel was to smart for that. K’lir’s worry caused the dragon to snort. Please inform your friend that under no circumstances would I allow his hatchling to fall. I do not mind if he climbs me. Turning his head around the pale bronze eyed Kahrelir with a whirling blue gaze. Would you like me to move? Or would you prefer I stay here. We will not go far. I promise your father will be always in sight. It is up to you little one.

D’nar opened his mouth to answer K’lir, but his words where interrupted as the green rider left to try and snatch his offspring. “Uh K’lir? Olanreth says he doesn’t mind if Kahrelir climbs him. He says he will not let him fall.” The weyrling called after the man. For some reason Olanreth had suddenly and inexplicably taken an interest in Kahrelir. D’nar debating telling K’lir his bronze was speaking to the child but decided against it for the moment. The weyrling found the fact that Olanreth spoke to the child completely surprising. His bronze had not spoken to a soul other than him from hatching. He downright refused to in fact. He hadn’t even spoken to Aryna and she had been falling all over him. All Kahrelir did was look at him once and that made the kid worthy? Seriously it was strange. D’nar was bonded to the weirdest dragon on Pern apparently. Catching wind of his bonded’s thoughts Olanreth snorted. I guess we are even. You are the weirdest human in all of Pern. I guess that makes us a good match.

[glamourie]

Oh, how neat of him to ignore the scolding and focus on the apology. It was sincere but that did not take away that D’nar was behaving most childishly. Exactly what did the bronze rider hope to accomplish by accusations? He was not going to get anywhere with that. K’lir responded well to bribes, though and - well, the fact that he stopped sulking. Maybe he’d get the picture? Hmm. The rest of D’nar’s explanation made K’lir narrow his eyes in what was definitely an unpleasant look. T’rid. He should have known. The bronze rider was a right thorn in his side, he was. Not that telling D’nar the truth was problematic, but where in Faranth’s name did he get off with such an attitude? No doubt he’d found it terribly amusing to crush the poor kid’s spirit. Well, he was going to make sure that T’rid found out why that was a mistake. He knew he could find a way. It was only a matter of getting Showoff to pay a little bit closer attention to T’rid and bribing Shadow to help him out. Considering how active his bedroom life was, there was a possibility of Shadow being willing. Finding out who was important to T’rid was key; if he could, then he could crush T’rid like a bug.

“T’rid, hmm? I don’t suppose he told you that the bit about sleeping with me was true, and that he screamed like a girl and ran away from me in terror after both R’non and I made fun of him mercilessly?” K’lir inquired dryly; he was fairly certain that D’nar would find that morsel to be amusing if nothing else. It wasn’t untrue, either. K’lir was capable of lying, but he wasn’t in the habit of doing so regularly; he deemed it beneath him. “By letting him get to you, you give him exactly what he wants. He enjoys riling others up. Just remind him casually that his salamandyr will Chase every single green dragon who Rises and he’ll never get any relief - after all, who would willingly bed him? I don’t think anyone is foolish enough. T’rid puts a bitter taste in anyone’s mouth and anyway he’s not all that impressive. I’ve seen and had much better.” Like Uu’n. He never had any complaints about Uu’n. He liked Uu’n… maybe a little bit too much, though he doubted D’nar would want those details.

Olanreth’s words made Kahrelir grin widely. It was a very mischievous grin, and reminiscent of his father to the point of being quite frightening. The boy climbed onto the dragon with ease once he crouched down, and from there he sat in the exact same position an adult did when riding. Conveniently, the dragon stretched out his wings, and Kahrelir clapped his hands together in excitement. The pretty, shiny dragonling was going to fly him, wasn’t it? He wanted to fly, you see; the other dragons were much too large, the Calistoth was way, way too big for him but this one… this one was just his size. Not too big, not too small. He squirmed casually and put one of his hands on one of Olanreth’s neck ridges while the other frantically signaled movement. Up, up, and away! Faster, please? He glanced over, wondering if the dragon knew what he wanted. He didn’t know how to talk to it, though -- or make it understand. Only his papa really was able to understand what he wanted from his movements. Upsetting…

D’nar’s reassurance made K’lir relax - a little. He was still jittery. A weyrling’s promise not to let the love of his life fall was simply not good enough. Kahrelir loved to climb though… he was good at bracing himself. Sighing, K’lir stayed in place, but his amber eyes did not leave the young bronze. It wasn’t personal. Kahrelir was the only child he had, and he loved his son more than words. He was not about to let him get hurt, even by accident. He just didn’t feel comfortable with it, even if Kahrelir himself was obviously having a very good time. He glanced back at D’nar briefly, then sat down in the sand, ready to spring up at a moment’s notice. His movement made Fuzz come over and settle in his lap, and he wrapped his arms possessively around her. He did not like the risk of Kahrelir being hurt. Not at all. He didn’t have anyone else left.

But Kahrelir was far from worried about being hurt. He was more worried that his dragon-friend wouldn’t understand him. Squirming a bit, the little boy tapped Olanreth’s neck, and then -- for the first time in his life, he spoke. Just one word, but it was clear as day and lacking the typical slurring most children his age would have -- “Up!”

[Rei]

K’lir’s words caused D’nar to smirk openly. “Actually T'rid diplomatically forgot to mention that part. But when I accused him of having a child he did say something about a female he knew being pregnant instead. I can’t quite recall her name. I suppose it doesn’t matter. She probably ran away from him long ago anyway.” Turning towards Olanreth he watched the small bronze as he continued to chat to the child. Silly beast. “Hmmm I know he is looking for a reaction but Faranth he is so infuriating. I can’t help but get riled up. I’m notoriously bad at staying calm. If Corinth hadn’t been there I am quite certain I might have attacked him. Then again Olanreth would have prevented me I’m sure. He doesn’t approve of hurting people.”

Olanreth was ignoring the humans. His attention was all for the child upon his back. Stretching his neck over he watched the little boy’s movements curiously. It was cute the way he failed about. The pale bronze’s attention was quickly taken by a different source however. K’lir. The man still seemed upset and Olanreth was not sure how to reassure him, or even if he could. Hmmm. Crooning to the man he twitched his tail tip across the ground. Perhaps he should just stay put despite the little ones wishes. He did not want to upset the hatchling’s sire. The man seemed poised to jump up at anytime.

D’nar moved over to K’lir and sat down beside the man. "guess your worried. That’s understandable, but Olanreth won’t move if I tell him not to. Would you prefer he just stay put on the ground where he is?” the bronze weyrling had caught sight of Kahrelir’s flailing and he personally felt bad for the kid. As much as he wanted to “ride” his bronze, K’lir probably would have none of it. Then a small clear word rang out over the sand. “Up”. D’nar’s mouth gaped open. “Did…did Kahrelir just talk?” But the kid was mute. Did he imagine it? No. You didn’t. Olanreth remarked his eyes whirling in happy blues.

Well then my little Rel. You are the commander. Up we will go! Exclaimed the bronze, getting carefully to his feet. Hold on tight my little friend. Flaring his wings, Olanreth began to prance in a circle about the riders beating his wings slowly in a mimicry of flight. The bronze’s prancing added to the illusion. Even if he couldn’t really fly he would do his best to mimic it for his new friend. Perhaps one day he would take Rel for a ride. To bad he would grow much faster than the small human. I can go faster if you want. I do not wish you to fall so let me know if you are jarred. The young bronze rumbled. Normally dragon riders ride with flight straps but you seem to be a natural. The bronze arched his neck and crooned. We make quite the pair don’t you think?

D’nar had gotten over his shock by now and he literally laughed. It wasn’t very often that Olanreth chose to make a bit of a fool of himself after all. His bronze diplomatically ignored his bonded for the moment. He could always punish him later after all. “K’lir? Your kids a natural it seems.” He turned to the green rider and then back to this prancing bronze. “Good job Kahrelir! Make sure Olan doesn’t go to high. Your Dad wouldn’t like it.” The bronze weyrling gave a sideways look at K’lir ready to call the bronze back should the green rider freak. D’nar liked the man and had no wish to alienate him. The hatchling is safe I promise. I am far more sensitive than any runner. I will not let him fall. Besides I am quick enough to catch him should he loose his balance. D’nar nodded at his dragon and gave him a small smile. His dragon's word was good enough for him but maybe not for K’lir.

[glamourie]

Wait, what? T’rid was breeding? Temporarily alarmed by D’nar’s words (primarily because K’lir did not believe the bronze rider was capable of the responsibility necessary to be a father), the redhead turned and stared blankly. His expression was a mingling of shock and horror and he mentally prodded Showoff in curiosity. Showoff. Not Calistoth. The bronze salamandyr was much more likely to get results than his ornery green, and sure enough, after he inquired, Showoff was off trying to find out the details. He had utter faith in the little worm. Very few creatures could resist the bronze when he was trying to be sweet and should that have failed, well, Showoff was also very good at hiding in little nooks and crannies. He was sure that his pet would have an answer for him within a short while. Whoever was fool enough to have T’rid’s baby obviously didn’t know what they were getting into -- aside from the child being guaranteed to be half-retarded at birth, the fact that T’rid was more fond of letting people die than trying to responsibly care for those who were counting on him should have been enough to dissuade anyone. Maybe it was some new drudge who didn’t know him at all, or a candidate-turned-weyrfolk. That, he supposed, made sense. Someone who came to Selenitas after Shmee’s death and Millieth’s Rising. Probably thought it was K’roi’s fault. Well, he’d set them right. He would.

“Attacking T’rid just pleases him. Try licking him next time,” K’lir said, and he actually meant it. “He’d panic. He wouldn’t know how to respond. It’s how I deal with him. He gets ornery, I lick him, and he doesn’t know how to react so he shuts up. Of course, you could also grab his package, but I’m betting you’re not really open to that idea -- I’ve decided to do that next time I see him though. Yes indeedy. Big mouthed twit.” He was pretty sure that D’nar was incapable of the same casual ease that he had with groping and fondling men - but, eh. He also knew that T’rid had absolute no ease with it, especially since he knew K’lir would follow through with his threats. It made them pretty efficient, all in all. The bronze rider usually ran for the hills first chance he got. “Don’t let him upset you, Danny; he’s not worth really paying attention to. Considering that half the Weyr hates him for Shmee’s death and the poisonings, and several blame him for the Benden attack --” Himself included, “-- I don’t think T’rid’s in any position to be casting stones, or worth the effort of being mad at.”

As for his worry -- it wasn’t that he mistrusted Olanreth. Not exactly. He mistrusted everything involving his son. The idea of Kahrelir being hurt was more terrifying to K’lir than any other threat offered to him. The child was his world. It wasn’t personal. Not really. He just would never be entirely comfortable with his son riding around on a baby dragon. He knew how clumsy some weyrlings could be. He wasn’t going to ask Olanreth to stop, though -- mainly because right as D’nar spoke, K’lir lifted one hand to clamp his hand over D’nar’s mouth. The motion lasted only half a minute before he crawled forward to look at Kahrelir, his eyes wide. D’nar’s question was ignored, primarily because of the stunned look on the redhead’s face; he was blindsided and yes, it most efficiently showed. His son didn’t speak. He just didn’t. But he had.

Oblivious to his father’s confusion, Kahrelir wrapped his fingers tighter around Olanreth’s neck ridges and bobbed his head excitedly. Flying, flying, flying! Low to the ground but still! Happily, he squirmed, but remained balanced - he’d watched his papa enough to know just how to sit on a dragon, yes. Faster? Nooo. Not faster. Faster was dangerous for first time. He shook his head emphatically in answer to the first question and then grinned widely in response to the second; it didn’t seem to dawn on him that Olanreth couldn’t see the expressions on his face. As far as Kahrelir was concerned, surely the dragon knew he was happy. Surely!

K’lir blinked, twice, then glanced from D’nar and back to Olanreth. “He’s talking to Kahrelir, isn’t he? That’s why he’s shaking his head.” It didn’t take a genius to deduce that. “I don’t think he’s used to dragons talking directly to him often. Thoth did sometimes and Calistoth will on rare occasions, but most of the time it’s only Showoff. He’s very fond of Showoff though. I wonder if he’s ever spoken to him…?” The salamandyr had never given him the impression that the baby spoke, but then, Showoff spoke enough for everyone. The salamandyr was a talkative creature by nature. Plain and simple. “What sort of things is he saying to Relir…?”

[Rei]

D’nar listened to K’lir’s words with unabashed interest. Lick him? Seriously? The mere though of even touching the bronze rider made the weyrling shiver. Then K’lir went on about grabbing T'rid's package and D’nar actually choked in laughter. “I might actually pay to see that. Just to see the look of shock on his face.” Really it would be priceless. The bronze weyrling fell silent though as the green rider continued. K’lir spoke a lot of sense. It really wasn’t worth getting upset about. When you put it in that light it really highlighted just how worthless T’rid actually was. Suddenly D’nar felt a bit better. No matter what T’rid said about him, it really didn’t hold a candle to what he was responsible for. Those in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.

Olanreth continued his prancing, all the while keeping a link with his bondeds conversation. I have told you that before. I find it amusing that you listen to it out of the green rider’s mouth but not my own. You ignore me far to often for your own good. A sudden surge of confusion from his bonded made the small bronze turn his head to regard the two riders. The look of shock on K’lir’s face was, actually very amusing and the bronze crooned directly to the man. That was right, the child had spoken. To him. It was very amusing, considering according to his bonded little Rel was mute. Apparently not.

D’nar looked over at his bronze as K’lir clapped a hand over his mouth and then promptly removed it. Kahrelir seemed to be having the time of his young life perched as he was. The bronze weyrling was still a bit worried that Olanreth would overdue it however. In reaction to that thought Olanreth regarded his bonded before answering coolly. You both have nothing to worry about. You are worse than broody golds. Aren’t they my little Rel? Silly they are. The pale dragon turned his head to catch Kahrelir’s movements, and he rumbled the sound vibrating though his body. The hatchling was very content and why shouldn’t he be? It wasn’t everyday one got to ride a bronze as magnificent as he. Little Kahrelir was special. Olanreth had decided it and so it was obviously so.

D’nar nodded numbly at K’lir. “Yeah Olanreth actually started speaking to him pretty much the moment you guys walked up.” Giving a sideways glance at the prancing pair he continued. “It’s actually surprising to me. Olanreth hasn’t spoken to a soul beside me since he hatched. He’s outright refused to.” Tilting his head he shrugged. The weyrling had given up trying to figure out his dragon. “Well if it makes you feel any better Kahrelir doesn’t look to upset about Olanreth speaking to him.” No not upset at all, in fact the little boy looked quite ecstatic at the moment. “Olanreth has been asking him questions and generally just being complementary. In fact he’s even nicknamed him Rel. He calls him little Rel.” D’nar trailed off not exactly sure how the last statement would be taken by K’lir.

[glamourie]

K’lir shook his head slowly. “It won’t be shock. He knows what I’m about now,” the greenrider said with a half shrug. T’rid was probably very hard to shock by K’lir anymore. It didn’t change that he could make the little maggot uncomfortable with remarkable ease. No matter how familiar T’rid became, there would always be that simple fact: he was bisexual, T’rid wasn’t, and they’d slept together. The bronze rider could try to burn it out of his mind all he wanted, but K’lir had no intentions of letting him forget. He was merciless when it came to T’rid. Perhaps he wouldn’t have been; at least, ever since the Siege, K’lir hadn’t intended to renew his attempts at tormenting the bronze rider. He’d gotten somewhat better, going out of his way to help others. But this -- just proved T’rid hadn’t changed at all. He’d learned nothing and if he didn’t want to play nicely, neither did K’lir. No doubt T’rid should have seen it coming when he started running his mouth, too. Vindictive was the greenrider, and he had creativity to spare. T’rid had it coming. He’d painted a target on his back and K’lir was going to take it.

“He’s not upset. I’m not upset he’s speaking to him,” K’lir chided with a slight shake of his head. “I was surprised. Puzzled. But not upset. I just wondered why. It’s not personal, but most dragons don’t take an interest in humans who aren’t tied to them in some way. Kahrelir’s my son - so Calistoth speaking to him makes sense. Beka was his mother. Thoth speaking to him made sense. He’s really -- he’s nothing to Olanreth, so it puzzled me. That’s all.” He hadn’t meant accusation of any kind, though it kind of amused him that D’nar seemed to think he did. K’lir was fine with Olanreth talking to the boy -- he just found it strange. But Calistoth did plenty of strange things and who was he to cast stones?

Wait, what?

… The bronze had dubbed him Rel, hmm? Smirking, K’lir turned to look at D’nar through a long red wave of hair, and he angled an eyebrow up playfully. “And I bet he thinks himself so clever and is convinced he’s the first creature to ever call him that too, doesn’t he? Typical bronze.” Amused, the greenrider rubbed his nose and turned back to the dragon-and-baby pair. “His mother called him that almost exclusively. It’s no wonder he’s responding so well to Olanreth. She -- she didn’t survive the Siege. He misses her terribly, sometimes he’ll go clap by my weyrledge, as though to announce Thoth coming. It breaks my heart. I usually stick with ‘Relir’ but sometimes I call him Rel, too. Or his full name. He responds best to Rel, or Relir, though. I think he doesn’t like the harsh sound of the ‘kah’ at the beginning.”

Oblivious to K’lir’s conversation with D’nar, Kahrelir squirmed and clapped some more. He understood what Olanreth was saying to him just fine; for a child so young, he was undeniably intelligent. However, all at once he’d stopped talking to him, and Kahrelir frowned and poked at Olanreth’s neck agitatedly. Why wasn’t the pretty his-size dragon talking anymore? Had he upset him? Squirming forward, Kahrelir leaned over as far as he could without unbalancing himself, in an attempt to look at Olanreth’s face. Go go? Talk more, talk. He crinkled his nose and squirmed back up properly before clapping again. Much faster, please. He was comfortable now, he was.

[Rei]

Puzzling to K’lir. D’nar smiled, it was puzzling to him as well. Perhaps more so because it was his mind mate. Shaking his head in disbelief he sighed. “I can’t say I understand why Olanreth is interested in him either. Guess as long as he remains polite I don’t mind if you don’t.” As K’lir turned and smirked, the weyrling smiled back and then laughed at the green rider’s words. “Actually yes he does think himself quite clever. Hear that Olanreth? You weren’t the first to come up with that particular nickname.” He called out over the sands. The bronze sent a agitated wave of emotion at him. It is true you know Kahrelir’s mother called him Rel before you where even hatched.

In response the pale bronze snorted and tossed his head. Turning away from his dragon, D’nar frowned at the rest of the statement. “I’m sorry about Kahrelir’s mother. It must be hard raising him by yourself. If you ever need a break I’d be glad to baby sit. Olanreth would no doubt be ecstatic.” The bronze weyrling knew he would have to get to know the kid better if he was going to watch him. Really that wouldn’t be a chore. It would actually be fun, and Olanreth would be delighted. Then again K’lir seemed to be highly protective. D’nar didn’t think K’lir was the type to leave his child with just anyone. Stretching out his legs he leaned back to watch his dragon. He would just have to visit more. Really he wouldn’t mind visiting the two. He liked K’lir.

Olanreth felt the taps and swiveled his head to look at Kahrelir again. Oh am I going to slow for you now? Well then hold on Rel. The bronze quickened his pace and changed direction this time making a loose figure eight instead of the circle he had been doing. I must say you are quite good at this. Are you going to be a dragon rider just like your sire when you grow up? Olanreth intentionally tossed his head and lengthened his stride. Wasn’t he just stunning? D’nar rolled his eyes. “You know what? I don’t think Olan’s head could get any bigger.” A thought suddenly came to him, and he gave a sideways glace at K’lir. “So uh… Calistoth isn’t going to get mad at Olanreth for interacting with Kahrelir is she?” Oh the bronze weyrling remembered the green, how could he forget her? That had to have been the most uncomfortable wedgie in the history of Pern.

[glamourie]

Why would he mind? Aside from the fact that the dragonet was probably not going to be an active member of Kahrelir’s life (and thus letting the boy get attached to him may have been a mistake, though the sight of them together was too cute for K’lir to truly want to break them apart), there wasn’t anything wrong with what Olanreth was doing. So long as Kahrelir didn’t get hurt, anyway. He didn’t mind the bronze talking to his son -- maybe it would convince Kahrelir to talk… more? He’d said one word, so whatever the dragonet was doing, he’d gotten a response. More of a response than K’lir himself had ever gotten despite talking to him every single day. That thought was almost heartbreaking, but not enough to pick Kahrelir up and take him away. He seemed happy and the toddler’s happiness mattered a lot more to K’lir than keeping his own ego from being badly damaged (and oh, it definitely was). He just wished he knew what Olanreth was saying. That was nosiness on his part, though.

Turning to look at D’nar curiously, K’lir shrugged. “I’m fine,” he said, and he meant it. “He’s my son - alone, or with Beka, that doesn’t change. So I have to spend more time watching him now, and paying more attention than the average parent because he doesn’t usually make a peep. It doesn’t matter, because he’s my son, and I knew that I’d have to when I decided to keep him a part of my life. I accepted that, and if I was adverse to the responsibility, I wouldn’t have made that choice. I knew going in what I was getting into, and I don’t regret it.” Hugging Fuzz close to him, K’lir gazed back at Kahrelir, watching him like an avian predator; he didn’t want to risk his son getting hurt because he was inattentive. He could talk and watch at once. Multitalented. “Beka’s -- I miss her, but I think Calistoth misses Thoth more. She hasn’t forgotten him still.” He shrugged one shoulder, stroking the duck in his lap. “Life goes on. Sulking and moping don’t get anyone anywhere, and anyway Showoff wouldn’t like it if I started wallowing. He’d probably bite my face off or something.”

Probably in that instance having the meaning of ‘definitely.’ The salamandyr had no tolerance for K’lir lingering unhappily on any thought and would go out of his way to distract him. Be it through biting (a fond habit of the mandyr) or just insistent protest. He didn’t like it when Showoff panicked or had fits, so -- he tried not to dwell. Overall, while he’d always miss Beka, he wasn’t going to let it destroy him. She wouldn’t have liked that either. She’d have called him a bad role model for Kahrelir -- and he was determined to be a good one.

“Calistoth won’t get mad,” K’lir answered, watching Olanreth cart Kahrelir around with an amused smile. “She won’t much care, so long as Olanreth doesn’t ‘presume’ to think he has any of her interest.” He glanced sideways at D’nar before turning back to the dragon-and-baby pair. “Calistoth is notorious for her disdain for bronzes. She’s never been caught by one, despite having them Chase her, and she outright refuses to give them the time of day. She’ll flirt with them if she thinks it will annoy another green or a queen, but other than that, she tends to ignore them… and I’m sure she’ll ignore Olanreth very insistently since he’s a baby bronze at that. Her logic would be that he’s not even worth paying attention to since he can’t amuse her.” He shrugged slightly, then rubbed his nose. “I would’ve had you pegged for blue, personally.”

Olanreth’s question made Kahrelir frantically shake his head yes. Yes he was. He was going to be a dragon rider like his mother and father, he’d make them proud, he would. But he had a long time before he could, unless there was such a thing as little dragons like Olanreth who stayed there. Closest thing to it, he thought, was those fire lizards and they couldn’t carry him, though maybe his HealerFriend’s could. There were a lot of them. Easily -- easily as many as both his hands. Maybe he could get a little dragon like the one beneath him. Yes yes…

[Rei]

D’nar nodded absently as he listened to K’lir. “Yeah I understand that moping gets you nowhere. It’s just hard when you loose someone close to you. I’ve never had very many close friends. Even growing up my only close friend was my mother. When she died it was really hard on me. It took me a long time to get over it.” The bronze weyrling picked up a shell and twirled it in his finger’s absently. “I’m glad Showoff takes care of you like that. With me it’s Olanreth. He becomes angry when I mope as well and tries his damn hardest to snap me out of it. Works to. The imperious little snot has me trained I guess.” D’nar chuckled and leaned back on his palms. “Either way I wouldn’t change him. He is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I see other riders all the time with their dragons and every single relationship is different, but similar in one aspect. No matter what, you have a soul mate who, no matter how they show it, loves you more than life itself. It really is a powerful thing. I never understood it until that day on the sands. I never knew a part was missing until I met him.” The bronze weyrling fell silent and sighed. “Sorry I didn’t mean to get all deep and thoughtful with you. Besides you already know where I’m coming from. You have Calistoth.”

Speaking of Calistoth. D’nar fell silent as K’lir mentioned the green. “Well I’m glad she won’t get angry. Olanreth likes Kahrelir and I doubt he will bother with Calistoth. Olanreth is very vain. He won’t say anything to her unless she acknowledges him first. If she ignores him he’ll ignore her.” Privately the bronze weyrling was relived that Calistoth wouldn’t take offense. The green was downright nasty. Her reputation proceeded her. At first D’nar was not all that convinced that she was as bad as the rumors suggested. But after meeting her the weyrling quickly changed his mind. Calistoth was everything they said she was. Beautiful, vain, and dangerous. His companions comment about the blue however had D’nar smiling. “Well I always knew I would impress bronze. I really had no doubt and I was right. I would have loved any dragon from impression I bet, but I knew I would get bronze.” It was true D’nar had just always known. From the first time he laid eyes on a dragon he knew which color he was meant for.

Olanreth crooned. You are very brave Kahrelir. I bet you will make a fine dragon rider. Flaring his wings the bronze lengthened his stride but didn’t change speed. He liked this game. He could exercise and at the same time make a hatchling happy. Olanreth had decided that Rel would be his little friend. Perhaps for always. Rumbling the bronze caressed the child’s mind again. You are my friend little Rel. You can count on that. Do not be afraid to ask me for anything. I will be sure to help if I can. It was a promise Olanreth meant. Hatchlings where the dragon riders of the future. If they where raised correctly, they would benefit the weyr greatly in future years.

[glamourie]

Hnn. Showoff didn’t exactly ‘train’ K’lir per say. He simply wouldn’t let the greenrider focus on anything that upset him so severely, a fact which K’lir was quite grateful for. He was an excellent distraction. Aside from talking near-constantly, babysitting Showoff was a large task due to how often he loved to get into trouble, and their connection was -- special, in its own way. When the salamandyr was excessively happy, that feeling bled onto K’lir, and interrupted the depression. As far as he understood, his own unhappiness also bled onto Showoff, but the salamandyr wasn’t human enough to linger on that feeling. He didn’t dwell the way that a person would. Things that made him happy still made him happy and as a result, they made K’lir happy, too. Almost like vicarious therapy. It worked wonders as far as the greenrider was concerned and that was why he favored salamandyrs above fire lizards. What fire lizard could do that for their mindmates? They chirped, chattered and flew about annoyingly; salamandyrs had the virtue of being able to pass their strong emotions. So did dragons, but being more intelligent (though Showoff would have raged at the thought) and less emotion-based, dragons were not suited to the task typically. Besides, Calistoth was prone to clinging to negative emotions over positive ones. If he was to rely on her to cheer him up, he’d have been totally out of luck.

“Salamandyrs are similar,” K’lir added softly. “To Impressing dragons, I mean. They have a connection that is pretty close in intensity. I’ve never seen a salamandyr between at the hatchings, though, and I’ve only seen two go wild. They’re not like flits though. When Showoff is angry, or sad - I feel it. Once, S’rei threw a belt down near his clutch and Showoff was enraged. I almost attacked S’rei before I knew what I was doing.” His head tilted to the side and he watched Olanreth and Kahrelir still, a bemused look on his face. “I stood for several fire lizard clutches, you know. At least three. Never got any. Then I stood for Aslath’s clutch, sure I wouldn’t Impress - if fire lizards wouldn’t want me, why would a dragon? I remember when I went to the Touching, I only touched one egg - Calistoth’s. My brother touched Jeminorth’s egg and then Calistoth’s and he burnt his fingers. I don’t think she liked the idea of sharing with Jeminorth even then.” His hand came up to rub his nose and he shook his head. “I wanted a bronze, when I was a kid. I was sure I’d Impress one. But -- looking back on it now… I wouldn’t trade Lis for any dragon on Pern, even if she is nerve-wracking at times. Living with her and Showoff is a learning experience constantly. They keep me grounded. Besides, bronzes are arrogant.”

Glancing sideways, K’lir sized up D’nar for a moment and then allowed a smirk to travel over his face. “And so are bronze riders, or so they say. I’ve yet to meet one I like outside of my brother.” Who was dead. “Are you going to prove my theories wrong? You’ll have to work at it -- I don’t like anyone who can boss me around, and I don’t listen to orders well. Just ask T’rid the next time you talk to him. I’m on his wing, and I’m pretty sure that’s solely because Corinth takes a perverse joy in torturing his rider. I’m positive it has nothing to do with me and my skill as a rider.” He didn’t have much. Although, most of the wings were comprised of young riders, and K’lir was a very fast learner. And despite it all, Calistoth’s arrogance had some foundation: she was a beast in Threadfall, and proud of it too. It was the one area where K’lir didn’t fault her arrogance or desire to be the best. She worked hard, because she liked being better than the other greens, and it kept him from being Scored. Fine with him.

Kahrelir clapped to emphasize his delight and understanding. Two small claps, then one big one. His hands went up to rub along the side of Olanreth’s neck ridges. He wasn’t long enough to reach the dragon’s eye ridges so that would just have to do. He liked the attention, he did. Maybe this one would visit him often? It called itself his friend, did this Olanreth. He wanted more friends. He really only had his papa. Other grownups were very scary and didn’t like him because he didn’t talk or tell them where it hurt or what he wanted, and he couldn’t because they scared him. They didn’t seem to understand that, only his papa did… That was why he didn’t like other adults very much, and would fuss every time any tried to hold him. It wasn’t his fault he didn’t talk. If they watched they would know what he wanted. The little dragon understood it so why couldn’t people? Why was talking necessary? Why did they have to have him talk to like him…? He didn’t understand. It was okay though, he had an Olanreth-friend and that was good enough for him!