Suspicious Behaviour (R'wign)

[Rowana]

Merridan spun around on her toes and stabbed at the empty air to finish off her morning exercises. Vikky trilled with delight, bouncing on her hind legs in an odd happy dance. Then she jumped over to poke at Auran, who glared at her. He couldn't understand why she was so silly. It was like she never grew up and he was getting sick of it. Vikky flapped around him and Mer sending confused but familiar images.

"We'll get tea in a minute, Vikky," Mer said patiently, like she did every morning. She'd once tried to go a day without giving Vikky tea. It hadn't been a fun day. Mer pulled on a shirt as a shadow loomed over them. Big brother Checkoth is coming, Chaoth announced warmly. He is bringing His to see you, Merridan-mine.

Mer frowned in confusion. "What could he possibly want at this hour?" Chaoth settled himself down. Nothing to worry about, he answered brightly. He was more than pleased to have his fellow brown visit at any time, for whatever reason. Mer's eyes narrowed. Something was up and she wasn't sure if she was going to like it. Still, it would be nice to see R'wign for a while anyway.

[glamourie]

Checkoth swept down to land gracefully next to Chaoth and immediately turned to nudge the younger brown with the end of his snout in obvious affection. At the same time, the older brown leaned down to allow his rider to dismount, both of his tails swiveling around in his obvious pleasure. He was a very friendly dragon, after all, and Chaoth was one of his associates for quite some time. It’d been far too long since he got any time to see the younger dragon – primarily because of His being so busy in the infirmary and Checkoth, being overprotective, refusing to leave him alone for even one moment. He was scared His would be hurt. He had to be close to him – plain and simple. He was easing up but not by much. Yes, Checkoth was a worrywart.

Hello, Chaoth. You have grown very much.

Swinging himself off of Checkoth, R’wign carefully removed a satchel that his dragon carried and offered Chaoth a pleasant smile before letting himself into the weyr. Frequently, R’wign forgot that Merridan was female. She acted masculine enough for it to not matter. For that reason, he hadn’t thought to ask if it was okay to visit and when he walked in, he didn’t so much as announce his presence with any kind of manner of politeness. Instead, the healer sauntered right up to the senior weyrling, draped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her into what could only be described as the most ridiculous of dances. Such behavior was not at all unusual for R’wign who was quite… well, fluffy, to put it gently. It was more uncommon for him to act normal by the average person’s standards. This was tame for him.

“Mer, Mer, Mer – have you ever noticed your name kind of sounds like the way Empress does when she’s happy? That’s odd,” he proclaimed before releasing her and smiling. “You should be honored, I took the day off from the infirmary to bother you.” And because he had to finish getting his joining clothes made, but that was irrelevant. “You weren’t busy or anything when we came, were you? I didn’t even think to have Checkoth ask, but I probably would’ve come over even if you were, I don’t have much respect for people being busy. Chaoth is huge now, what the heck have you been feeding him? Some kind of special growing elixir? Tch…”

[Rowana]

Chaoth gave Checkoth an affectionate nuzzle of his own. He rumbled with pleasure. It was so good to have visitors and especially to see Checkoth, one of his favorite senior dragons. Not that he was old, by any means, but Chaoth had respect for anyone with more experience then he did. Besides, Checkoth was like a brother. It was a pity that R'wign was too busy to visit more often, but he understood the need to be near one's rider. Maybe he could convince Mer to go to the infirmary more often.

Good morning, Checkoth. And you are looking well. He stretched his neck up a little to look at himself. He supposed he had gotten rather big. He didn't think much of it though. It was nice to be large and strong, but being small and fast was just as good he thought. Being big hadn't done much for him in the last fight, that was certain.

Merridan rolled her eyes, and allowed R'wign to dance her about for a minute. She was getting used to his antics somewhat by now. Auran growled impatiently at the fuss, but Vikky fluttered about them in delight. She whistled, and chirped, and frequently added requests for tea. Mer ignored her with long practice, trusting Auran to keep her out of too much trouble.

"Does it now?" she asked mildly. It seemed a random thing to say. She'd never had a feline to know for sure. "How lucky for me," she added in mock annoyance. Truth be told, she was glad to see him. She just wished she knew why he'd decided to visit so abruptly. "No, no. Just getting ready to go down for breakfast." Vikky trilled a reminder. "Yes, Vikky," Mer waved her aside. "And tea." she glanced up at Chaoth. Now that he was next to Checkoth, it was hard to ignore how big he'd gotten. Mer couldn't help feeling a bit proud. "Vikky claims tea is the answer to everything," she shrugged and chuckled. "Maybe she's right."

Mer crossed her arms, but her smiled stretched to her sparkling eyes. She wanted to hear what this was about. "So, to what do I owe this great honor, master R'wign?"

[glamourie]

“Oh, you,” R’wign said to Auran and leaned over to poke the firelizard in the belly as if it were the most normal thing ever to do. He wasn’t bothered by the prospect of being bitten – or worse – by a flitter. He had Grouch and Grumpy, after all… and Auran was one of Ellie’s babies; actually, so was Vikky, as far as he remembered, so R’wign had a hard time not adoring both of Merridan’s pets. “Stop with the fussing or I’ll sic your mother on you and you’ll get fussed over like an overgrown hatchling. I’m as bad as my word, you know, I’m not above telling Ellie that you’re being bad.” And Ellie, with her love of her babies, would probably harass Auran to the point of near madness. All out of affection, yes, but he doubted the blue would appreciate being fussed over like a hatchling just the same. Ellie was really bad about that – she meant well, but she was a mother, through-and-through.

Turning to the green, R’wign grinned. “I make really good tea. Remind me to spoil you sometime,” he said with a light lilt to his voice before the healer turned back to Merridan. “Master? Maaaaster. Oh, I do like the sound of that.” He made a mental note to pick at M’ta later and tell him that he had to one up master, and then continued by holding up a small strip of hide with Merridan’s name on it. Casually holding it out to her, the healer smirked, unable to restrain himself. The actual parchment read instructions that she was to be his partner for the costume contest – hence the incredibly smug look on the healer’s face. He considered Merridan one of his friends, after all, and had ever since before she Impressed (hard to believe Chaoth was almost not a Weyrling anymore – so weird). Getting to put her in a costume was going to be very fun.

“Don’t be alarmed, Mer – I just need to grope you a bit to find out your sizes, you know, in a totally innocent way,” he said with a pleasant hum. “I promise not to put you in a dress, even if I do question whether I should be seeing you as a threat for my weyrmate’s attention, what with you giving him flowers and all. Naaaah; I have a costume picked out for you that you’ll like. Just need sizes. Help me out? And what colors do you like again?”

Checkoth crooned to Chaoth and nuzzled him gently, eyes whirling. I am spoiled, he said shamelessly. I always look well because mine spends an extra amount of time oiling me and playing. We found out that he can go between after all; we weren’t sure he would be able to. Salenth’s has placed us on the Miles wing. When you graduate, you will likely be on the same wing as R’wignmine and me. Isn’t that great? We will be able to fly together. Ruthclutchbrothermine is on another wing though, with Ciceroth’s. I wish he was on ours too, then we would have the best wing ever. Are you excited about graduating, Chaoth? I am sorry I do not have a gift for you yet. I will get one soon, I promise.

[Rowana]

Auran grumbled in annoyance. Some humans were worse then fire lizards with there silliness. Still, he didn't like the idea of R'wign telling his mother. He was perfectly capable of looking after himself without her fussing over his behaviour. He settled for batting R'wign's hand with a wing and flying up to sit on Chaoth's head instead. He could keep an eye on everyone from here.

Vikky practically fell over at the thought of specially made tea. It automatically elevated R'wign to one of her favorite things for the next five minutes or at least until something else distracted her. She flutter to his shoulder and whistled hopefully. Maybe he'd make tea very soon! Auran snapped at her to get down and stop making a fool of herself, but she ignored him. He was such a spoil sport. He didn't even like tea!

Merridan covered her face with her hand for a moment. What had she been thinking calling R'wign 'master' even as a joke? Now he'd never let it go. Her dread only increased at the sight of a familiar looking slip of parchment. She had a similar one hidden in her things. She was beginning to wish it had his name on it so she could get him back for whatever he decided to dress her in. Why had she ever let herself be talked into this costume contest in the first place?

Mer groaned, but she couldn't help a small smile at his enthusiasm. "I suppose if I refuse, that won't stop you," she said regretfully. She crossed her arms in mock irritation. "Maybe you'd feel better if I gave you some flowers too?" she asked playfully. "It's only fair." She stretched her arms out with a sigh. "I suppose if I have to wear it it might as well fit right." Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "How do I know you won't pick colors I hate?" She wasn't sure she'd put it past him today. He was way too happy about the whole thing.

Chaoth chuckled, though he was carefully not to dislodge his new passenger. Nothing wrong with being spoiled, he declared. Especially if you can go between again. That is wonderful! I can not wait until we fly together! It is a pity big brother Behruth does not share our wing. Then we really would be the best, he agreed willingly. He was very excited by the news and more then ever looked forward to graduation and real wing drills. I am looking forward too it, but you do not have to give me something. Flying with you is enough of a present already.

[glamourie]

“I very well might,” R’wign replied conspiratorially, arms folding behind his head. “I might just put you in a flower costume so that you look like an overgrown tulip. I’m not above it, nope. You’ll just have to wait until the contest is finished to see what evils I plot – and I suggest being extremely nice to me in the meantime~” His expression was very obviously playful. He had no problem picking and needling at Mer – she knew him pretty well, surely she knew when he was playing. Although… sometimes even M’ta had trouble telling. Maybe he was a mystery. R’wign had a hard time believing that he was so hard to read though. The thought was quickly pushed out of his mind as he ‘danced’ around Merridan, smiling at her. It was actually a genuinely friendly smile. It kind of interested him that almost all of his friends were either bronze or brownriders (plus Kalierre) but just as soon as he thought it, he pushed it out of his mind. R’wign didn’t like to dwell on things for too long or he worked them all up in his head and got upset. Best to let it go while it was still minor.

Stopping in his circling, he rocked on his toes. “Flowers for l’il ol’ me, Mer? What kind would you give me? No doubt something that would give me hay fever, you’re devious. I like daisies.” Being an herbalist, R’wign actually knew quite a bit about flowers – and what kinds he preferred and didn’t. He’d decided on a costume for Merridan in advance, he just wasn’t going to tell her what it was. Razzing her was much more enjoyable. Besides, he knew she’d like the costume. It wasn’t a dress, after all. “You’re so rigid. I think Auran is rubbing off on you. You should lighten up. Really, would it be so bad to let me dress you? I need to know your sizes, lovely. I can’t make you a costume you’ll look smashing in otherwise.”

Winding his arms around his lower stomach, R’wign cocked his head and smiled. His gaze lingered on her face and he ignored the firelizard’s perching stare. He was more than used to seeing flitters giving him glares.

Ciceroth has stolen Ruthmine, Checkoth said sadly. I’ve tried to talk to him about it as R’wignmine wanted to be on the same wing as ShortyHis. But Ciceroth says that me and Mine are not suited to his wing. I don’t understand why Ruth is better at something than me. I’m just as suited as he is. The brown shifted his two tails and then crooned at Chaoth. I will give you something, Chaothmine, not because I have to, but because it is a special time. I just have to have Ruthmine help me pick out a good shiny because he is much better at that than I am. His two tails shifted back and forth again before he laid his head on Chaoth’s back. R’wignmine is planning to make yours a very lovely costume, and he is sure she will be happy with it. I hope so, because I have seen the fabric and I very much wanted it. So did Ruth. It would have looked quite nice as part of his hoard.

[Rowana]

Merridan gave R'wign a smirk as she allowed him to measure her. "The suspense is too much," she returned dryly. She shook her head to hide the smile. So long as it didn't have a skirt, she supposed she'd live with anything. She would just have to take her revenge out on her own target. The tulip comment had given her some evil ideas of her own. She watched R'wign's movements in amusement. He was obviously having far too much fun.

"Daisies?" she raised an eyebrow. "I would have pegged you for a violet man." She chuckled, thinking about the kinds of flowers she might try to give him. Maybe she could sneak some into the infirmary when he was out, just to keep him guessing. Mer crossed her arms and stared back at R'wign. "Rigid, am I? Maybe you won't think so if you went sparring with me." She grinned and jerked a thumb at Auran. "Besides, he's Ellie's kid. Maybe you should take it up with her."

Chaoth crooned in sympathy. That is sad, he agreed. Maybe Ciceroth's just wants good browns on every wing? he suggested. If we were all on the same, that would not be very fair. His eyes swirled happily. I would love anything you pick for me. And I am sure my Merridan will like the costume too. Even if she will not admit it. Can I see the fabric sometime? he asked curiously. I promise not to tell. It sounds lovely!

[glamourie]

Hmm. Was he ever that naïve? Checkoth knew exactly why he wasn’t on another wing – on one with Behruth, at least. He wasn’t as good a flyer, no, but he and His weren’t really… they weren’t like Ciceroth’s and ShortyHis’s. They needed practice going between (a fact that Checkoth resented – he was sure that he could do so just as well if he tried, he wasn’t dumb after all and His was very smart) and they couldn’t get that on a normal wing. So… they were on the wing with Dohulth’s. That in and of itself wouldn’t have bothered Checkoth much – Dohulth was nice! – but R’wignHis resented Dohulth’s for something to do with Phremath. It was quite odd – he remembered ouchies, and His being so angry that he couldn’t think. His didn’t get angry like that very often, and as a result, Checkoth didn’t want His anywhere near Dohulth’s. Unfortunately, they didn’t get a say. It was a full-time job, keeping His in line and from picking fights with Dohulth’s, too. If they were going to get away from him, they had to behave. His on the other hand, would much have preferred to make Dohulth’s smash his head off a wall. Phoo.

We will let you see the fabric when Yours is busy, yes. It’s not with us right now though. You mustn’t tell her, because R’wignmine wants it to be a surprise and he has been working very hard. The brown crooned to his younger friend and nudged him lightly. He is very excited. Is Yours? I hope that she is. He curled his two tails around his body at opposite sides and tightened his wings to his back, eyes whirling pleasure. When is your graduation? It is soon, yes? I’d like to come. I wonder if I can convince R’wignmine to bring me. At our graduation, R’wignmine did something silly. I don’t remember what it was though. He remembered His being silly though. But His was frequently silly. Like right at that moment.

“I do look ravishing in purple,” R’wign admitted loftily. Mer might not understand the reference there – but that was okay; she didn’t need to. R’wign owned an ankle-length purple skirt, but he didn’t know if Mer knew about it. Kale did, M’ta did, Meira did… M’ta had worn it to lessons once, and R’wign was still amused that even before they got together, M’ta was wearing his clothing. He still wore R’wign’s clothes – though of late it was because he couldn’t fit into his own (And neither could R’wign – they both needed to get new wardrobes). As far as colors went – purple really wasn’t one that suited R’wign much. He was flattered better by dark colors. Nevertheless, he couldn’t resist a jibe at Mer when she was opening herself to it; R’wign was someone that dangling bait in front of was usually a mistake. He did so love to tease. “But yes, daisies. They’re happy flowers. You know, they always seem to be smiling. Violets always strike me as incredibly moody. Do you think I’m moody, Mer? I don’t. I hope you don’t either – I do hold the power to humiliate in my oh-so-kind grasp…”

Smirking to himself, R’wign looked back at Auran and clicked his tongue. “You hear that? She said I should take up your moodiness with Ellie. I think if I did, Ellie would come and lick you. Maybe you should tell your humanslave to be better behaved,” he suggested with a hint of laughter in his voice. He was sure that he was annoying Auran, but did R’wign care? Not particularly. He’d never really cared much about annoying people let alone flits. “Naughty Mer. Trying to get Auran licked. Tsk, tsk.”