How to Bathe a Raisin (Cr'oph)

[Rowana]

The bathing rooms were fairly empty at midday. Many riders and werylings were busy with lessons or drills, or they were enjoying a peaceful lunch. It was just as well, since the screeching was more than loud enough for a dozen people. As it was, Farryl was kneeling in one of the more open pools. She was still wearing an underclothe and breastband, but the rest of her clothes were safe and dry in a basket a short distance from the pool. She could have used the baths sectioned off for girls, but she didn't see a need to disturb them with her current problem.

That problem, currently screaming for all he was worth, was Isshun. "Oh, you big baby," Farryl scolded, as she tried to rubbed soap over his hide. "You'd think I was torturing you." He wangled his squat legs in furry at her and flapped his wings, showering her with water. She shook herself, as her wet hair clung to her neck. "You're only making this harder," she complained. "I'm not letting you out until you're clean, even if you turn into a giant, purple raisin!"

Isshun squawked indignantly. He was blue! And it wasn't his fault. It was the salamandyrs' fault. Them and their sharding genes that cursed him with this ugly body. Hobbs tittered at him from a nearby rock. He didn't make nearly so much noise when Farryl washed him. Already his hide shown beautifully from his Mistress's efforts.

[Rei]

Cr’oph readjusted the buddle of dry clothes in his arms and the towel around his waist before he strode down the stone hallway towards one of the communal bathing pools. Sure he could have just used a different one but then there was no chance for opposite gender interaction was there? Wink wink.

A rumbling laugh filled his mind. Don’t you even say it. Say what? The large bronze asked from his sprawled position outside the bathing hall. You know what you where going to say. Hmm I’m afraid I don’t. Sure, sure. I bet you have some nice snide comment rolling around in there like them running from me. Maaaaaybe. But no. I was just going to comment that you are there to get clean. Not dirty. Keep your mind on scrubbing yourself not flying the first….You are not listening to me. What has your attention? Screaming. Screaming? What did you do? I did not think you where that undesirable. Would you shut up. It’s not someone it’s a….I dunno. Looks like a shrieking blueberry. Curious silence followed that comment.

Rounding the corner Cr’oph stopped and tilted his head to examine Farryl. What the hell was she doing? It looked like she was scrubbing some irate ball or something. Unfortunately Isshun’s screaming no doubt masked the sound of his approach so it was likely said lady did not hear him coming. Well she was still half dressed anyway. Weird girl. She couldn’t get properly clean like that. Was she some sort of prude or something? Didn’t the weyr have enough of those? Trying to put a look on his face that was mildly reassuring, (Sure Cr’oph sure), the bronzer cleared his throat rather loudly. That should get her attention. “Uh what are you washing? Looks like some angry jungle fruit. Bad thing is last time I check fruit doesn’t scream.”

Fruit yucky. Came the comment from Jiggles as he popped his head out of Cr’oph’s bundle of dry clothes to get a look at this yelling fruit. Giving a trill the fat mandyr clambered out of the clothing as Cr’oph lowered it to the floor and then proceeded to waddle across the slightly damp stone to peer closer at the soapy round blue flit. Shriek? Why Shriek fatty? Cr'oph snorted at Jiggles. "You're one to talk King Fat." The bronzer gave Farryl a wry smile. "Sorry he's pretty offensive. Best to ignore him."

[Rowana]

Isshun was making too much noise to hear anything else. When Cr'oph spoke, she nearly let go of the fire lizard in surprise. Turning, she offered the young man a glare for giving her such a start. She relented quickly though. After all, it hadn't really been his fault. "If only," she muttered darkly. "Fruit I can handle." Hobbs circled down to her shoulder so he could greet the new comers better. He chirped a happy greeting, a sharp contrast to Isshun's continuing screams.

Then the round, blue excuse for a fire lizard saw Jingles. For a moment he stopped all his noise. His eyes bugged in absolute rage. Then he shrieked so loud that Farryl thought her ears would pop. How dare this worm insult him! HOW DARE IT! Flapping his near useless wings, Isshun actually managed to rise out of the water. He surged at Jingles, spilling soap and bath water in all directions. How dare it call him fat! He continued to rage as Farryl held him back. It was all these worms fault he had this body, how dare they continue to haunt him!!

"He's not the only offensive one," Farryl grumbled loudly, trying to be heard over the noise. "Isshun, hush up!" Putting him on the stone, she grabbed a towel and covered him, careful to leave him a hole for air. The clothe only muffled the noise a little, but maybe if he couldn't see the salamandyr he would calm down. "I'm sorry," Farryl apologized profusely. "He hates mandyrs."