Visions of Beauty (Tags Aryna)

[Rei]

D’nar ambled down the river bank humming cheerily, Olanreth striding regally behind him. The bronze snorted, his made a right silly picture the way he was swinging his fishing gear back and forth. The fish in the bucket at the weyrling’s side splashed unhappily. (The bronze weyrling had kept them in a partially filled bucket so they would still be living when he finally got them back to the dining hall.)

A sudden splash caught the boy’s attention and he paused. Olanreth came up behind his and nudged him in the back. Why have you stopped? We need to get to the main hall so you can drop off those ugly things and feed me. Didn’t you hear that? Hear what? The hatchling tilted his head. I hear nothing now quit messing around. No seriously, I swear I heard something! Quietly slinking towards the river bank, D’nar peered out from behind a bush and his eyes widened.

There was someone in the river! A naked someone. A female naked someone. Olanreth shoved his head right through the bush and snorted loudly. A human without it’s layers? That’s what we stopped for? Can we just please go now. Olan! You'll give us away! Give us away? I wasn’t aware you where trying to be sneaky. Tilting his head the bronze gave a confused croon. Narmine you are being ridiculous. Why would you want to sneak around to look at a layerless female? You my dear bronze are going to get us in trouble! Olanreth growled. You are the one being stupid. He snapped angrily. If we hadn’t stopped I would be eating right now! Really mine you need to get your priorities straight. You can’t expect to be a good dragon rider if you continue to be so ridiculous!

[boober]

Aryna dived into the water with a splash, her clothes left on the bank of the river. It was customary for her to swim naked; what was the point of getting your clothes all wet too, after all? And swimming was something that she did often. It was great exercise and usually it cleared her mind. But this time it didn’t really seem to be doing much to help that. It had been a couple of months; stitches had been removed, fractures had healed, but she still thought of the siege quite often. Outwardly she was the same irritating female she’d always been to most people. She was still unimpressed with everything in general, too loud and noisy, opinionated and bossy. But nothing stuck with a girl like battle. She could say what she wanted but the siege was Aryna’s first time in anything that… big. It had been even worse than when Benden had tried to roast the weyrwomen like wherries.

The brownrider floated for a moment, staring up at the sky almost absently. She’d come away with a couple of new scars and some cracked ribs; the stitches in her back had been taken out several sevendays ago, and her ribs were good as new. It was probably a good thing she hadn’t stayed long in the infirmary. Aryna was a bad patient. She hated staying in one place for so long, and not being allowed to do anything. It was torture of the worst kind as far as she was concerned. Taking a deep breath, Aryna closed her eyes as she felt herself rise in the water. She sank as she released the breath and the water almost came up over her face but not quite. She could just float around and take a nap right in the water if she wanted to… and it wasn’t that bad of an idea. If she could sleep.

Mine, are you all right? Opening her eyes again, Aryna shifted and let her body sink beneath the surface of the water.

Fine. Why, is something wrong? But she answered her own question when she resurfaced and heard the sound of rustling behind her. She felt like she was being watched, and she whipped around. But instead of just looking to see what was behind her, it didn’t seem as if the brown rider was taking any chances. Something flew hard and fast across the water, straight for the spot D’nar was standing. Only after it either hit him or a tree would it become clear that it was a river stone, heavy and smooth. Aryna had no qualms about braining people and asking questions later, which was why it was always a better idea not to spy on her. Ever. Anyone who ever wanted to see her naked had a much better chance of just asking her outright. While most women would slap someone for asking such a thing, Aryna would more than likely be amused by such a request. It was hard to offend her.

It was only a pair of weyrlings; you should be more careful when you throw things. The chiding tone of her dragon’s words was met with a scoff.

They shouldn’t be spying on people then. They’re lucky I don’t have a throwing knife… although maybe I should start carrying one.

Mine…

I know, I know... Without even bothering to cover herself, Aryna stared at the bushes and waited to see whether or not her rock had found its target. She was usually a pretty good shot, but even she had her off days.

[Rei]

Olanreth tracked the female's movements with a lazy gaze. What was so interesting about a layerless female? Humans where defiantly odd, and it seemed he had picked one of the oddest among them. Lucky him. As Aryna pulled back to throw, Olanreth gave a surprised huff. Duck! He yelled at his before flattening himself gracelessly against the ground. The bronze weyrling’s eyes widened. “What? Fuzz? Where?” As he turned back to the river to look for Lir’s pet, something impacted against his head. He yelped in pain and surprise before tumbling backwards.

Olanreth gave a concerned croon and edged over to his before turning to look at the layerless woman with an anxiety ridden gaze. “It’s ok Olan. Really. I’ve been hit with worse.” Turning back towards his bonded the dragon rumbled in laughter and flopped onto the ground. Narmine. You look ridiculous. I am glad you are ok…but. The strange dragon laughter continued as D’nar stood and glared at Olanreth. “What?” suddenly a large river weed flopped into view and he crossed his eyes to look at it. Sending the bronze into more hysterical laughter. The boy turned to see his back totally covered in mud from his landing in a well concealed puddle, that with the river weed hat made him look ridiculous. Not to mention the lump rapidly forming on his forehead. Faranth that hurt.

Turning to Aryna, D’ar shifted awkwardly before stumbling forward a step. “Sorry if I startled you. I heard you splashing and well I guess I got sidetracked.” He struggled not to blush. “By the way, killer arm you have. I’m surprised I’m still standing.” Flopping gracelessly to the ground the bronze weyrling blinked rapidly to clear his vision. “Or was still standing.” Olanreth ceased his laughter and padded over to his bonded. Shall I see if a healer is around Narmine? I know you have a thick head but that was also a large rock. She is stronger than she looks. “No I think I’ll be ok.” The bronze huffed and turned back to the layerless female with a croon. Olanreth didn’t speak to her however. He just didn’t do that.

[boober]

She had to admit, there was a certain… satisfaction in watching the weyrling fall on his backside. If she were a feline Aryna would have purred to herself. If she were a firelizard she’d have preened. But she was neither, so she settled for smiling softly to herself instead. Nothing stroked the ego like knocking a weyrling on his butt, apparently. Clearly she was without remorse and still stood by the logic that if he hadn’t been spying on her naked body, she wouldn’t have clobbered him with a rock to the head. Of course she would have nailed him if they’d been inside and she was wearing clothes too. It was the spying part that bothered her, not so much the naked part. And so when D’nar staggered back to his feet the brown rider propped her hands on her hips and looked like she might scold him. Any other woman might but scolding wasn’t really Aryna’s style. Nagging, perhaps, but scolding wasn’t quite the word for what she did.

“Yeah, uh huh. How soon are you gonna do this again?” She obviously wasn’t shy (or modest) in the least. The water where she stood hit her just below the belly button, and she was making no effort whatsoever to cover herself. For one thing, it would just make her look stupid (or so she felt), so she just didn’t bother. For another it just wasn’t something she was worried about. He’d probably seen bare breasts before anyway. Aryna scratched her ear absently. “Sure, thanks. And you didn’t startle me.” Yes, Aryna often lobbed objects into rustling bushes. Kept the felines away. Right. As she continued watching, irritation sort of melted away into amusement as D’nar ended up on his rear again. And what a nice goose egg he was getting on his head! That would hurt for a few days, and probably bruise nicely. She couldn’t help but grin. “Now everyone’s going to know you got clobbered by a girl.”

Very mature.

But true.

I suppose. Dramuth didn’t seem convinced. He was just glad [he didn’t have to actually witness this particular scenario, lounging like a lazy brown lump in the Weyrbowl. He was content where he was, thanks very much. Is Yours all right? This was directed at the young bronze; even if Aryna was standing right there, he preferred to be safe rather than sorry. If D’nar needed a healer then Dramuth would call one for him. His rider would have snorted at him for being ‘a worrywart’ but the brown liked to cautious. He left the carelessness up to Aryna, who was by now plopping down to sit in the shallow water by the bank, closest to the weyrling pair.

“Hi there, handsome.” This was actually directed at Olanreth; Aryna had always talked to dragons. Whether they talked back or not was completely up to them. She didn’t expect to get replies, but she spoke to them anyway. The brown rider didn’t try to reach out and touch him though, instead keeping her hands to herself. That was a bit much. Personally she didn’t care if other people touched Dramuth but she knew some people got offended when others touched their dragons without permission. And sometimes, the dragons got offended. So she usually kept her hands to herself unless invited to do otherwise.

[Rei]

“How soon am I gonna do what?” D’nar asked and stared right back at her, careful to keep only Aryna’s face in view. He had been slapped the last time he looked at a girl’s chest and he remembered Lir’s lesson. The fact that the rider was completely naked was not lost on him, but he was weyrbred. He had seen enough naked people in his life. That didn’t make you immune to it though. No it didn't change the fact that Aryna was still beautiful. The bronze weyrling scowled. “How is everyone going to know? I could easily lie and tell them I ran into a pole.” Olanreth snorted. Sad thing is Narmine. That excuse is completely believable. The weyrling glared at his dragon. “Olanreth don’t you start to. You’re my dragon remember.” That doesn’t mean I can’t tease you.

Suddenly the bronze turned to look around as a voice entered his head. The dragon speaking to him was obviously not around. I think he is alright. He is well enough to argue and he has taken harder hits. Olanreth yawned and stretched. Thank you for asking though. Is the layerless female yours? Mine is the rock head. My name is Olanreth. May I inquire as to what your name is? The little hatchling’s voice was polite and quiet. He say no reason to be rude after all.

D’nar looked at Aryna as she plopped down in the water. He really wasn’t sure what to make of her. She was very different from most females he had met. For one she was entirely immodest. Most females had some sort of modesty. “Hello handsome.” The bronze weyrling blinked, was she talking to him? Obviously not because he suddenly got a smug feeling from Olanreth. The spoiled brat. Why did he get the attention? Hadn’t she just beaned him? She didn’t look all that concerned. Figured.

The hatchling entered the water and waded over to the brown rider crooning softly. He was handsome wasn’t he? Gently Olanreth nudged her hand. Tell her she may pet me if she wants. I especially like my ridges scratched. D’nar scowled. “My spoiled dragon wants me to tell you that you may pet him. I don’t know why he just doesn’t tell you himself. It would save me the headache.” You deserve what you get for looking at her without her layers I suppose. If you startle something it will retaliate. You should learn from this. D’nar groaned and rubbed his temples. “Olanreth please lay off ok.” The bronze snorted and rubbed his head more insistently against Aryna.

[boober]

“You know what? I lobbed a rock at your head because you were spying, not because you saw me naked. I don’t really care about that; you can look all you want. Just don’t be sneaky about it.” It was all the reply D’nar got but Aryna was fast forming an opinion of the weyrling, and it wasn’t all that good. But she’d give him the benefit of the doubt and accept blame for the fact that he seemed a few berries short of a full pie. She /had/ clobbered him in the head with a river stone, after all. That was bound to have some effect on a person’s sense. But the next words out of his mouth made her rethink giving him that benefit of the doubt. Raising an eyebrow, Aryna actually looked over her shoulder and smirked at D’nar. “You would really rather people think you’re stupid enough to walk into a pole, than just admit the truth and say you got clobbered for spying on someone?” Apparently this amused her. “Besides you wouldn’t get an injury like that from walking into a pole.” She paused, her mismatched eyes scrutinizing the quickly rising bump and accompanying bruise. "Even if you ran full tilt and slammed your head into it repeatedly." The brownrider's tone was dry as she finished what she had to say and then turned her attention to the young bronze.

A genuine smile lit Aryna's face; she was a fan of dragons, all shapes, sizes, colors, and personalites. So it always delighted her to make a new dragon friend, no matter the age. At first she didn't seem to realize that D'nar was acting very jealous of his mindmate right then. She simply lifted her hands to comply with the relayed message, scratching Olanreth's eye ridges. "Aren't you lovely? You're going to have all the little girl dragons squabbling over you some day. What a handsome young dragon you are!" She didn't do the baby voice, talking to him as matter-of-factly as she would another human adult. The flattery was blatant but as far as Aryna was concerned, he had earned it. Simply by being a dragon. Although she couldn't help but wonder why a bronze would choose someone like D'nar for their lifemate. Oh well. It was none of her business and she wouldn't worry about it.

Yes, she is Mine came Dramuth's answer to the weyrling's question. I am Dramuth, and I am glad that Mine did not injure Yours more seriously. She... can be quite dangerous when she puts her mind to it. It was the truth; D'nar really was lucky that Aryna hadn't had a throwing knife. And don't mind her if she becomes annoying. She enjoys a dragon's company. An understatement to be sure, but at least Dramuth had warned Olanreth. But he forgot to give another warning of a different kind as a little green blur suddenly flew at the bronze dragon, screeching horribly.

MINE! Get! MINE! A little green 'mandyr was in full display at the big bronze ugly that was trying to steal her bonded from her. Clover hissed, clearly displeased and not concerned in the least that it was a bronze dragon she was taking on; he was just a baby, she could take 'im! Aryna chortled at the little pest before picking her up and earning an ungrateful shriek for her efforts. UGLY! Mine! The little green wasn't giving up, even dangling by her tail from her humanpet's fingers. Little wings flared along with her frill, creating what Clover clearly believed to be a threatening display. She would eat him, that big bronze ugly! Only she could get pets from her bonded! Only she could...

Aryna grinned at the furious little salamandyr, obviously amused. She was still petting Olanreth with her free hand. "Ah... it's all right. She just gets a little jealous sometimes."

[Rei]

D’nar took Aryna’s scolding in stride. It wouldn’t do to argue with her anyway. Females never let you win. Ever. “Well saying I was spying on someone isn’t exactly chivalrous even if it is partly true. To be honest I was just curious about the splash and then well. You’re naked. I couldn’t help but look.” Rubbing the sore spot on his forehead the bronze weyrling looked back at her. “Besides how was I supposed to know you wouldn’t mind? A normal woman would slap me or something.”

Olanreth crooned happily under the brown rider's attentions, half lidding his eyes in contentment. Dramuth’s voice filtered in and the bronze rumbled thoughtfully. Oh yours is not annoying. She is quite nice actually. Mine should not have been spying anyway perhaps now he will learn his lesson. The hatchling craned his neck and snorted at D’nar. Apologize to her mine. Why cause she is spoiling you? That’s hardly a reason to apologize. You where wrong for spying. You should apologize. The bronze leaned against Aryna’s hand more insistently. Let her know there is a itch on my neck I would like scratched if she would be so kind. D’nar was about to relay the message when a mandyr came flying out of nowhere to attack his dragon.

Olanreth didn’t even twitch as the creature threatened him. Instead he dipped his head to stare curiously at the creature. What is it? It’s a mandyr. I forgot you haven’t seen one before. They are interesting. Sure I suppose, but they are annoying too. Look at it threaten you. The bronze snorted and crooned to the little mandyr. I do not want yours silly thing. You can have her. I already have my own. He gestured with a wing to the bank where D’nar sat.

The bronze weyrling leaned back and blew a strand of hair out of his face. “Olanreth has an itch on his neck. He was wondering if you would scratch it.” The rider gestured with one hand towards his dragon before continuing his voice curious. “So you impressed a mandyr? What’s it like living with one? I considered trying to impress one but I am not sure how well Hero my bronze fire lizard would take it. Hero likes Lir’s mandyr Showoff but other than that he really has no use for the creatures. But then again Hero is always with R’wign and his fair so he can dote on Ellie. Although they all visit me often. Maybe it wouldn’t be such a good idea.” Olanreth’s suggestion about apologizing? Yeah forget that. She was the one who hit him. She should apologize.

[boober]

Getting an apology from Aryna would be like getting all dragons to say that whers were intelligent, worthwhile creatures. It just wasn’t going to happen. Fortunately for D’nar, she didn’t expect an apology from him so his refusal to follow his dragon’s advice wasn’t missed. What wasn’t missed, however, was the word ‘normal’, and even as she held an enraged salamandyr by its tail the brown rider quirked an eyebrow at the weyrling rider. “Normal? What do you mean by /normal/? Are you saying I’m abnormal?” It sounded like he’d stumbled into dangerous territory if the tone of Aryna’s voice was any kind of indication. But the simple truth was, she was just toying with him. She hadn’t come across someone this amusing in quite a while. Why not push his buttons a bit? It was one of her favorite pastimes. “You sit down and shut up.” This was directed at the ‘mandyr as she let the small creature plop down in the dirt. Determined to have the last word, however, Clover flared at Olanreth again and hissed warningly.

UGLY! Mine!

With that last emphasis that she meant business if the bronze got too close to her bonded, the little green scuttled off into the bushes again. She was apparently satisfied that she had made an impression on Olanreth and no longer worried that he would try to take her human thing. With that taken care of she could resume hunting. Shaking her head at the display, Aryna went back to scratching and caressing the bronze head before her. A smile was her only response to Olanreth’s request via his rider. One hand immediately complied, reaching down the bronze’s neck to scratch obligingly. As for D’nar’s questions, they earned a shrug from one bare, brown, and scarred shoulder. “Like anything else, I would imagine. They have personalities… quirks, traits, all that. Although from what I can tell, they’re all trouble-makers.” She smiled, unable to resist. “They keep life interesting; Clover is a notorious thief and hoarder. I find piles of everything in various places around the weyr every now and again. Faranth help me if I move them, too.”

And yet it doesn’t seem to bother you anyway, came Dramuth’s somewhat drowsy observation. It just earned a grin from Aryna. He was right. She frequently uncovered piles of useless junk that Clover had stashed away, most of it stolen from various places around the Weyr. At first the brown rider had at least attempted to find the owners of anything important, but it became more hassle than it was worth. If she knew specifically what belonged to who, she would put it back to give to the owner later but anymore she typically just got rid of the stuff. She had to admit that it was partly just to make Clover rage when the creature discovered her stash was gone although Aryna knew that if she didn’t throw the stuff out on occasion she would be knee-deep in junk by now. Where Clover found all that crap, she never knew. Probably didn’t want to...

She gave another shrug of those slim shoulders even as her hands continued to scratch at Olanreth’s hide. “It’s up to you; I was just in the right place at the right time.” She couldn’t help wondering, though, if she should tell him a few horror stories about Bite. That little terror had been absolutely obnoxious. And utterly hilarious.

[Rei]

D’nar raised an eyebrow at the sudden change in tone the woman had. Eyes widening he held up his hands in what he hoped was a placating gesture. “Uh...No of course not. Your not abnormal per say just different. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing of course. I..” Olanreth snorted audibly. Give up while you are ahead Narmine or I might let her hit you with another rock. The bronze weyrling flung his hands up into the air. “Olanreth your supposed to defend me.” He whined plaintively causing the dragon to snort in annoyance. I will defend you but not if you bring it upon yourself by being stupid. D’nar scowled.

The bronze dragonet brought his attention back to the green salamander but said nothing as it skittered out of sight. What an odd creature. Maybe we would ask his to stand for a hatching they where amusing in a weird way. If they could be useful he wanted one. Olanreth turned is attention back to Aryna as she resumed her attentions and arched his neck into her hand, practically purring in contentment. His scratched him often, but females scratched better they did. Maybe it was because they had longer talons. That had to be it.

D’nar clucked his tongue. “I think I might like one actually. They seem pretty interesting. I’m just worried about how my fire lizard would react. He is really mild mannered but he can get intense sometimes. I don’t want to upset him.” Putting his feet in the water he just stared at the woman and his dragon. “How long have you and Clover been together?” Olanreth flopped into the shallows but, crooned at Aryna happily insinuating that she should continue. He was content to get pampered for a bit. “I am assuming you’re a dragon rider.” The bronze weyrling continued, to fight the awkward silence. He wished Olanreth would hurry up and get bored so he could leave. Never in his life would D’nar have imagined that he would be trying to run from a naked woman. “Where is your dragon?”

[boober]

Aha, he was spooked! Good, good. Aryna couldn’t help but grin at D’nar. He didn’t have a clue. She chuckled darkly, clearly pleased with herself. The brown rider took a sick pleasure in messing with people. Giving the young bronze, who was practically in her lap, another scratch on the neck, she gazed down at him affectionately as she gave the undersides of his jaw a couple of quick scritches with long nails. They weren’t quite as long as some women had theirs but they were long enough to matter. Instead of deigning to give D’nar any kind of reply Aryna simply smiled down at Olanreth. “You like that, don’t you? Yes I can see you do.” Her hands worked their way back down the young bronze’s neck, resuming the scratching.

Her attention was gained only by D’nar speaking once more. Apparently he didn’t know when to keep his mouth shut and simply enjoy himself. Her only reply was another shrug. Quite frankly Aryna didn’t give a big steamy pile about D’nar’s firelizard. If he wanted a ‘mandyr then he would go stand at a Hatching to get one. If he didn’t want one that badly, well… that was entirely up to him and didn’t affect her in the slightest. She would have told him so if he hadn’t changed the subject so rapidly. Yes, she was just that rude. But the brown rider simply smiled indulgently at the bronze dragon as he flopped into the water. He was just too sweet. “About two Turns, nearly three I believe” came the answer to the weyrling’s question when it almost seemed as if she might not answer at all.

Getting to her feet Aryna waded into the water a little ways, only to lean over and scrub at Olanreth’s back with her nails. She made sure to get his shoulders as well as that irksome spot between his wings. That seemed to be a particular problem area for most dragons. D’nar’s next question earned him a dark look. “Of course I’m a dragonrider; Dramuth is fully grown and therefore too large to accompany me into the jungle. He’s lounging in the ‘Bowl right now.” The brown in question simply sighed in a great whoosh of air. Would he have to apologize for His again? It seemed so. Don’t even think about it. Ah, it seemed that his rider was on to him; and yes, she absolutely abhorred being apologized for. But he could hardly let her brashness offend everyone around them, and constantly reminded Aryna that her harsh personality was more than likely why she didn’t have any human friends. Not that it seemed to make any difference.

Mine is often rash and easily irritated. Please excuse her if she offends Yours. Dramuth’s words were ‘whispered’ to Olanreth, with all the respect the brown might have given a fully grown bronze. Aryna would never have to know….

[Rei]

Olanreth practically squirmed in pleasure and a soft hum escaped his throat. He liked this layerless female he did. She was very nice, even if Aryna had hit his with a rock. It served his right spying on such a nice female as he had been doing. If his had just listened when he said duck, instead of going on about a Fuzz, he wouldn’t have been hit anyway. The young bronze’s tail would have been wagging if he was a canine. Instead he kept up the steady hum and even went as far as to gently nuzzle Aryna as she scratched along his neck. Oh it felt sooo good it did.

D’nar practically glowered at his mind mate, the spoiled rotten little brat. Sucking up to her the way he was. Just because she was rubbing on him like he was something special. The bronze weyrling turned his attention to Aryna when she spoke. He had thought she was ignoring him. Two turns huh? Hmm. The lad thought to ask another question but the woman was already moving to continuing spoiling his dragon. What made Olanreth so special? D’nar snorted loudly and Olanreth retorted with a swipe of his tail which sent a wave to water over to his, drenching the lad completely. Narmine behave. You are embarrassing me.

The bronze weyrling stood there dripping wet and practically fumed. Hero burst from between then to see what was going on. What was upsetting lovely his? Chirping his confusion he circled D'nar once before zipping over to Olanreth and giving a warble. Who was the female? Why was she layerless, and what was going on with theirs? The young bronze ignored the flit in favor of the attention. If he wanted answers he could ask thiers. He was busy.

Olanreth actually squirmed with pleasure as Aryna scratched along his back and his humming reached a louder pitch as she scratched between is wings. Oh he would have to visit this one occasionally. She was good at scratching she was. Maybe he could get D’narhis to befriend her? D’nar groaned. I don’t want to befriend her. She is mean. As if to prove him right Aryna turned and snapped at him. Seeeee? To the rider he spoke in an exasperated tone. “Sorry I wasn’t aware. You don’t have to bite my head off. I am sure your blue is just wonderful.” Mine she has a brown not a blue. Olanreth retorted before tilting his head at Dramuth’s words. Oh it is quite alright. Mine is just ineloquent. He will learn. If yours snaps at him he probably deserves it anyway. Crooning at Arnya the bronze looked at his. Apologize before you offend her with your mistake. I am not protecting you from any rocks. D’nar’s eyes widened and he looked at Aryna. “Sorry Olanreth informs me that you have a brown. So your our only female brown rider. I knew we had one. I just didn’t know who it was.”

[boober]

Adorable. It was the only word that Aryna could possibly think of, watching Olanreth squirm around in the water as a result of her scratching. She actually forgot about his mindmate for a moment, her attention all for the young bronze and a sound escaping her mouth that was dangerously close to a giggle. She could have stayed there and scratched him all day and wouldn’t have minded one bit. It wasn’t hard at all to tell which of the pair she favored. Noting that Olanreth seemed particularly fond of the spot between his wings, she scrubbed there some more with her nails. The brown rider’d had lots of practice with this scratching business. She had befriended a few dragons in her time. She remembered D’nar when his bronze splashed him, sending a wave of water over the weyrling, but her only response was to snicker at him.

She looked up when the flitter arrived and gave him as polite a greeting as she had Olanreth. “Hello.” Somehow she doubted Hero would sit still for scratching as Olanreth had but she wouldn’t mind giving the flit a good scrub either. D’nar’s irritating voice quickly cut through the amusement, however, and she looked back up at him and quirked an eyebrow. “Oh no… your head is much too big for me to bite off. And what do you mean blue?” She gave him a look before he suddenly corrected himself, smiling sweetly back at the weyrling. That was better. “Yes. Brown.” She went back to running her nails along Olanreth’s hide, scrubbing it vigorously, but not too hard. “It’s not as if it’s anything special, you know.” Whether it was or not, Aryna clearly didn’t believe it either way. She’d never gotten any special treatment for having Impressed a brown. Just dumb luck, she supposed.

Finally her arms began to complain, and with a final pat and a promise to the young bronze to resume later Aryna straightened and looked right at D’nar. Her mismatched eyes focused on the weyrling and gave him full attention for what seemed like the first time since she’d lobbed the rock into his skull. A slight smile came across her lips as she tilted her head somewhat. The still-wet strands of her long dark hair fell across one shoulder to rest against her browned skin. It suddenly seemed more obvious now than ever that she wasn’t wearing clothes, and with that knowledge suddenly in the fore of their minds the brownrider slowly walked around Olanreth, trailing one hand lightly along the bronze’s ridges.

It is good you think so, but Mine is never guiltless, as you are about to see. Dramuth’s reply seemed to float to the young dragon, relaxed and almost bored sounding. Some might have been alarmed but the brown trusted His not to take it too far. They were just weyrlings, after all. Aryna sauntered up out of the water and onto the bank until she stood practically pressed against D’nar, her wicked little smile in place. She lifted one arm and propped an elbow on the weyrling’s shoulder almost conversationally.

“You shouldn’t be so jealous of your dragon.” She paused for a moment, still smiling. “You know, it’s almost a shame you’re a weyrling.” The brown rider looked down, poking the lad in the chest lightly with a long, slender finger. “A real shame.” No, it wasn’t; even if D’nar wasn’t a weyrling Aryna wouldn’t have touched him. But he didn’t need to know that. And she didn’t expect him to really get her meaning, either. He’d proven himself to be a bit of a dimglow after all. But they were the most fun to mess with. Sure it wasn’t really nice but since when was Aryna a nice person anyway? Anyone who ever thought she was nice needed a serious wake up call. Leaning forward, the brown rider pressed a very chaste kiss to the weyrling’s forehead before turning almost flippantly and wading back into the water... making sure D’nar got a good look at her backside.

“Are you ready for more pampering, you gorgeous thing?” And just that quickly, all her attention was for Olanreth again.

[Rei]

Olanreth basked happily in the attention practically glowing in happiness The place in between his wings was a spot often overlooked but not by Aryna. No she was smart. A rumbling purr escaped the bronze and he nuzzled the brown rider’s side in clear affection. Oh yes he liked her. She was very smart and besides she impressed a brown. Browns where much better than the lower colors of blue and green. This layerless female was special. Rumbling again his eyes whirled in deep blue hinting as to his current mood. Hero’s greeting caused the small bronze to turn towards the bronze flitter. Ours is just being silly again littleHero. It is no big deal. He will get over it. He always does. The dragonets words where true. D’nar never really held a grudge for very long. Next time he met Aryna, she would get another chance. The only person who had succeeded in actually gaining the boy’s true dislike so far was T’rid.

Hero fluted to the bronze and chirped pleasantly to Aryna. Well as long as his was not being hurt he was ok. Changing direction he fluttered up into a nearby tree and settled to watch. It was nothing personal against Aryna. He just didn’t know her, and his was not liking her at the moment. So the bronze flit was a bit reserved with his attention. Olanreth followed Hero’s movements but his attention was brought back to Aryna when she stopped with the scratchings. At the promise to continue later the bronze rumbled happily and stretched out in the shallows. He was content to wait.

D’nar raised his hand to wring out his hair as the naked woman spoke. Not special? Just how many female brown riders had there ever been on Pern? Surely not a whole lot of them. The bronze weyrling had always been under the impression that female brown riders would have to act manly. Aryna was anything but manly. As if in reaction to his thoughts, she began to saunter over to him. D’nar’s eyes widened. What in Faranth’s name? As she pressed her wet and very naked body against him he almost stepped back. Not because he wasn’t attracted to the brownrider, quite the opposite really, but because the sudden desire to touch her became almost unbearable. No doubt Aryna would hit him if he did, besides he had Olanreth’s well being to think about.

Aryna’s words made D’nar’s mouth almost gape in surprise, but he recovered quickly as she stepped away to go back to his bronze. The bronze weyrling could not help staring as she moved away however. Tease. That’s what she was. A violent, rude, egotistical, tease. Taking a breath D’nar plopped down on the bank. Sooner or later Olanreth would get hungry after all. Sharding women. Why did they always have to be so confusing? Olanreth crooned as Aryna approached and responded to the brown. Even if she is never guiltless, she is still amusing to watch. I think yours is very clever. She confuses mine. Then again sometimes that isn’t a difficult thing to do.

[boober]

D’nar wasn’t exactly incorrect in his judgment of Aryna; obviously she was quite a tease, and also rude and egotistical. So even if he’d accused her of these things out loud she probably would have smiled at him instead of being offended. There was a reason she didn’t have very many friends and D’nar was quickly finding out what that reason was. Apparently there weren’t very many people who could get along with someone like her. But that was okay; she had Dramuth and that was all she needed to be happy. Truly. Well, that and hapless weyrlings to harass. She glanced over her shoulder at D’nar to check the look on his face and was immediately rewarded. Resisting the urge to laugh out loud at his expression, the brown rider sauntered back to the water and the waiting bronze. That had been quite fun; now she needed to think of something else to do to the weyrling.

In the meantime, her arms had apparently gotten enough of a rest that she resumed her scratching of Olanreth’s hide. Her fingers started at his flank and edged upward until they reached that magical spot between the bronze’s wings. She very much enjoyed the look of intense relief and pleasure from the young dragon… almost as much as she enjoyed the look of shock and lust from his rider. Giving the weyrling false hope didn’t make her a bad person. Well, all right maybe a little. But how could anyone resist? Aryna certainly couldn’t. One thing she wouldn’t do though is ask Olanreth why he Impressed to someone like D’nar. Had he been out of options? That was just plain sad. But it wasn’t her issue to worry about so she left it alone. See? Not totally inconsiderate and mean. Dramuth, at least, was impressed. Of course, the brown was just amused that the younger dragon found Aryna so amusing.

Once Hero was up in the tree, a little rustle from the bushes drew attention to a little green Salamandyr once more. After her disappearance, the green had never actually gone away; she’d been spying on the group to make sure that nothing untoward happened. Like that big ugly trying to make off with her human slave. They looked like they were getting awfully cozy. But Hero’s arrival had quite effectively distracted Clover, and she peered up at the tree in which the bronze was perched. Making up her mind, the ‘mandyr skittered up the tree with ease and screeched at the bronze. Oh, she hated firelizards! Even more than she hated dragons. UGLY! She flared her wings at Hero and hissed at him. Yes, she was trying to start something. The very sight of him enraged her.

Needless to say, all the commotion distracted Aryna, and she looked up at the tree and saw her salamandyr threatening D’nar’s firelizard. Rolling her eyes, she looked over at the weyrling. “If he wants to rip her to shreds, I won’t protest at this point.” It was true; she might regret it later but for now Clover was just asking for a beating. Of course, being Showoff’s, the green didn’t believe for a second that she’d lose in a fight against the much larger bronze firelizard. Go figure.

[Rei]

Olanreth crooned happily as Aryna returned and squirmed closer to her intentionally. She was coming back to him she was. Her scratching continued and he positively basked in her attention the hum picking up from where it left off. Maybe she would scrub him one day? He could hope. Oh yes the brown rider was magnificent. He would put her on his wing he would (for surely he would have one someday). D’nar was still seething silently watching the woman and her hapless victim. Poor Olan didn’t even have a chance. Aryna seemed to be a dragon siren. Placating them with praise and attention and sucking them into her hideous spell. To be truthful though if he was a dragon he probably wouldn’t resist either. Who didn’t want to be pampered by a naked woman?

Hero was paying more attention to hispets thoughts than anything else going on around him. Clover’s sibilant hiss and cry made the flit creel in surprise. Whirling to face the mandyr he examined it curiously. It seemed to be a little angry thing. Why was it that they where all so loud? He was not loud and he tended to get more attention then they did. The little worms should learn to be quiet unless they had something important to say. Hero eyed the mander and flared his wings. Leaping off the branch he hovered in place. If the frilly tried anything he would just dump her in the river. It worked at his gold’s hatching.

D’nar looked up into the tree as well and then turned his attention back to Aryna. “He won’t shred her. He is really mild mannered for a bronze. The only time I ever see him violent is when something threatens me or something else he loves. I don’t think he would attack unless sit was to defend me or his mate.” The bronze weyrling shrugged. “He is more likely to just dump her in the river.”