For my little friend <3 (Tags Stupid)(Open)

[Rei]

Ebolath was more than pleased with the presents hers was caring for her. At their trip to the beach she had collected gifts for all her favorite friends. She hopped about excitedly and Raylin couldn’t help but get caught up in her infectious good cheer. It was a pleasant change from the depression and sadness that had been swirling around lately. The green bounded over to her bonded. Are you sure they are all there Raymine? "Yes darling every one of your precious gifts are still here." The green crooned happily and snatched her favorite gift from her bonded.

Stupid’s gift was her favorite. Her very small friend deserved her very special gift. It had taken quite a bit of work to find him something small enough to enjoy without it dwarfing him. The gift was a fragment of shell, pure white on one side and iridescent blue on the other. It was roughly heart shaped and she had gotten hers to sand down the sharp edges (with C’oar’s help) and poke a hole into it. It dangled on a small bit of white ribbon that hers had used as a hair tie. Ebolath hoped Stupid liked it as much as she did. Corinth’s present was a large red shell, pearly white on the inside. It turned out to be really quite eye-catching once all the algae had been scrubbed from it.

Striding up to the rider weyrs Ebolath reached out for Corinth’s mind. He was not home but she could feel Stupid’s mind. She gently brushed against it. Hello my friend. It is Ebolath. I am afraid I cannot fit very well in the hallway anymore. Would you like to come down and visit me and mine? It is cloudy but it is not yet raining so you will not get wet. Raylin stopped beside her bonded and watched some of the dragons as they moved about their ledges. Some gave croons of greeting to which Ebolath happily replied.

[Avu]

The weyrledge was empty. Stupid eyed the expanse of smooth stone, curled up in a small ball on T'rid's pillow, tail tapping lightly against the edge of it. He had taken over the bed, at least for now -- in his mind, this was safety, this bed was. Nice and comfortable, the furs always containing lovely little crevices that he could squirm into, due to the fact that T'ridhis rarely bothered to make his bed. ("It only gets messy again anyway, and if anybody cares, they shouldn't be in my weyr anyway.") The bronze dragon that usually occupied said weyrledge was feeding -- and presumably, he'd be taken down to the beach and oiled afterwards. Corinth hadn't eaten for a sevenday and two days, and he was, thusly, quite ravenous by the time T'ridhis finally demanded that the dragon eat.

They'd be gone for a while.

And Stupid had nothing to do, because T'ridhis hadn't allowed him to come with them. Probably because he fully intended to make Corinth pick the very plumpest and most tender of all of the herdbeast and he didn't want Stupid getting any ideas with the wherries roasting in the kitchens, or something. Mir wasn't here, either -- he'd probably gone off in a huff since Stupid had occupied the bed, which was usually where he stayed, but Stupid hadn't noticed. The silence trickled on, and finally, just as Stupid could stand it no longer and was determined to find something to do, a distinctly feminine voice that Stupid recognized spoke to him.

Oh! Whipping to his feet, the 'mandyr's gaze swept around the weyr, and then he took a leap from the bed, tiny, too-small wings outstretched as he skittered to the edge of the weyrledge and peeped downwards, head cocked. Ebolath! Had she asked him to visit her? She had! Stupid crooned loudly -- as if the green could hear him from the third-level weyr -- and then, bouncing nervously at the edge, considered. It did seem about to rain, so a breeze had whipped up. As long as he wasn't out there -- or had some sort of shelter -- when the rain did come, Stupid didn't see why he shouldn't go. Pity he was so small, and raindrops so big...but he didn't care anymore, for the 'mandyr, enthusiastically addressing Ebolath, stated, Pretty 'lath, come!

And he dropped from the edge of the weyrledge.

Small his wings might have been, but they still kept him from dropping like a stone, and he managed to glide in a constantly descending pattern, letting the winds blow him back and forth as he dropped past dragons, chattering happily at any greens he passed, but then falling by before many of them had a chance to look. Finally, just as he stretched himself out to snag onto Ebolath, the wind gusted and Stupid squeaked his alarm as he bypassed the green, shooting into Raylin and clinging to her shoulder, claws pricking the fabric of her shirt as his tail snaked automatically as far around her throat as it would go to seek purchase. A waver, and he flared his wings, flapping them uselessly, until he regained balance and then slid to Raylin's other shoulder with a slight coo for her benefit. Goodgoodgood, he informed her happily, and then cocked his head at Ebolath, bouncing once on Raylin's shoulder and then jumping to the green.

The wind caught him mid-gust, however, and with another squeak of surprise, he plopped onto the ground, blinking in confusion before he recovered himself and reared onto his hind legs, folding his wings neatly and curling his tail around his haunches. Hello, hello, hello, he greeted Ebolath cheerfully. Issa pretty 'lath -- beee-yooo-tiful. (See! He'd finally managed to pronounce that tricky, tricky word.) Hello.

[Rei]

Raylin watched Stupid’s descent, worry for the little creature making her shift in place. It was extremely windy and the poor thing had such tiny wings. Her fears were unfounded however as the mandyr managed to glide safely down to their level. She felt him alight on her shoulder and was happy she had instructed Vega to stay home. The flitter would have had a fit. “Yes Stupid very good. Do you fly like that often?” The dark haired girl asked smiling as the mandyr made his leap. He really was quite cute.

Ebolath gave a concerned croon to the little mandyr as the wind carried him away. Perhaps the wind was getting a little strong for him. Are you ok Stupid? She asked her voice radiating her worry for the little creature. I could probably still fit in the hallway just barely. Perhaps we should go there? The green lowered her head to Stupid’s level being careful not to exhale directly in his direction. She rumbled happily at him. Thank you for the compliment love. I brought you a present. Let us go inside where you can see it without being blown away. She offered him the tip of her tail. Hop on.

Raylin watched her bonded interact with the small mandyr. It really was quite adorable, although she was willing to bet that T’rid would be extremely unhappy if he knew she was not lifting a finger to stop it. What was the problem with letting them continue a relationship? It wasn’t as if Stupid could actually catch Ebolath, and besides she could always warn him when Ebolath was due to rise if he was that intent on the mandyr staying away. The green weyrling began to walk towards the entrance to the staircases, knowing her dragon would not be far behind.

[Avu]

Ouch, ouch, ouch. Stupid wind! He would have been just fine if it hadn't been for that sharding wind. Stupid's tail twitched his annoyance out onto the ground as the 'mandyr peered up at Ebolath. Oh, she was so large now. Not as big as Corinth was -- not by far -- but she hadn't been so big when he'd last seen her. Would she outgrow the new Senior queen? Millieth? Stupid hoped so. Then he could get T'ridhis to proclaim Ebolath the new queen, and all would be lovely and he could be the green-queen (to Stupid it made perfect sense) -- he could be her mate! Oh, yes. A lovely idea -- he'd have to explain it to Corinth. The bronze was much more sympathetic to Stupid's green-Chasing impulses than T'rid was, more's the pity. At Raylin's question, the brown swiveled, uttering a slight peep as he considered the question. Fly often?

No. Not really. Not on his own, anyway. Corinth took him for rides, sometimes, if he had nothing else to do -- especially if T'rid was in his office and the bronze needed something to take his mind off of the frustrated, sharp-tongued mindmate that was locked up in the weyr. And besides, if not for the wind (stupid wind!) he would have just dropped -- and no creature of such a small size could survive a fall from the third-level weyrledge. Wind poof go, he stated explanatorily, gesturing with one wing at the air in a motion he'd picked up from T'ridhis -- it was a vague, general gesture that took in everything, left out nothing, and meant absolutely nothing, used only to emphasize his statement. No wind go BOOM. He nodded, excessively pleased by his reasoning.

He would have gone on to make even less sense, but Ebolath was speaking to him, and Stupid whipped around smartly to face the dragon at such speed that he almost overjudged and spun in an entire circle, correcting himself with a slight squeak and scampering a bit closer, gazing at Ebolath. Go in? Oh, yes. And she would definitely fit on Corinth's weyrledge, because it was big. And Corinth could bring her back down again, once he came back, right? The 'mandyr peeped approvingly. 'rinthshiny gorra yum, he said, trying to explain that the bronze dragon was feeding -- at least he'd started calling Corinth by his name (or part of it) as opposed to just calling him the bronze winged one, or something of the sort. Yesyesyes...'ledge, good.

And then -- oh! She'd brought him a present?! Stupid nearly died there and then of absolute joy. The lovely, lovely, beautiful green had brought him a present! The 'mandyr crooned adoringly, latching onto her tail obediently and carefully ascending to Ebolath's back, where he rubbed his head against one of her neck ridges. Love you love you love you, he informed Ebolath excitedly. Pretty present, love you. He nodded emphatically as he craned his neck back to glance curiously at Raylin. She was coming, too, right? His liked her, he did. (Maybe that was exaggerating; Stupid liked to think that T'ridhis liked Ebolath's because then maybe he would get to see her more.) Come, 'lath's pet? Stupidmine -- his pet name (since his Hatching) for T'ridhis -- norra here. 'lath'spet come 'nyway?

Yes, he'd decided that Raylin came to "his" weyr to see T'ridhis. It made sense. Ebolath came to see him and the bronze, and Vega seemed to like that traitor Mir, so Raylin had to come for T'ridhis. It was only fair!

[Rei]

Raylin nodded to Stupid and took a few moments to try and work out what he was saying. Finally she thought she had it. “So you only fly when the wind is strong. Without the wind you would fall and splat? I see.” She shuddered at the thought of the poor little thing breaking himself upon the ground and Ebolath gave another concerned croon. Oh Stupid I would never want you to get hurt because of me! Next time perhaps you should just climb down. Or perhaps I will be big enough to fly and I can come up to you.

Raylin cocked her head as she listened to the mandyr respond to Ebolath’s query. 'rinthshiny gorra yum Yesyesyes...'ledge, good. She could pick out a few words, but what they actually meant was a different story. Ebolath nodded empathetically as the mandyr spoke. Corinth went to eat and he is inviting us inside…I think. The green clarified. She was pleased that she had figured it out before her bonded. The dragon was almost positive that was what he meant. After all Cherilith’s green mandyr was much less intelligent that Stupid and made far less sense. Stupid was quite a bit easier to understand.

Ebolath trotted faster as the rain began to come down. Hurry up Raymine or you will be all wet. The green shot back over her shoulder as she squeezed onto the staircase. This was much easier when she was little, now it was a tight fit indeed. Had she not still been smaller than a runner she might not have fit at all. Raymine is coming Stupid. The dragon said in response to the mandyr’s question. She does not like getting rained on at all.

Just as the green spoke Raylin entered the hallway behind Ebolath, shaking her head to displace some of the rain droplets. “T’rid isn’t home?” She asked Stupid again for clarification and raised an eyebrow. She could only imagine his reaction when he came home to find not only a green weyrling but a green dragon had entered his private chambers while he was away. “Perhaps we should come back another time Ebolath.” The girl pressed, her voice adopting a worried tone.

The green however ignored her bonded as she bounded up the stairs, taking them a few at a time, and leaving hers far behind. Nonsense Raymine. We will not stay long and I am sure Corinth will be pleased to see us.

Ebolath rounded the corner and stopped before T’rid’s door. Flicking the door handle with her nose, she pushed her way in and shuffled her bulk around his scattered belongings towards the ledge. Seeing that it was covered in rain and the wind was beginning to pick up into a gale, she turned and made for Corinth’s couch. Flopping next to it, the green sighed happily. Ok Stupid we are here do you want your present now?

Raylin entered T’rid’s weyr nervously and glanced around. The place was a bigger mess than the last time she had been here. Articles of clothing, weapons, paper, and some other things she was not quite sure she wanted to identify, were strewn haphazardly around. It looked like someone had opened the window during a hurricane. The weyrling longed to organize the entire mess. However, she respected T’rid to much to pry into his belongings, so she ignored the mess and carefully placed her feet as she made her way across the weyr to Corinth’s couch. Halfway there she stumbled on some unknown object and flailed as she tried to keep her balance. Falling onto the ground she felt pain shoot up her ankle. Shards.

[Avu]

That was correct. Good 'lath'spet, good! Stupid crooned encouragingly. See? Humans could be smart when they tried! Never did it occur to the 'mandyr that it was he who needed to clarify. Nope. It was the human's problem if she couldn't understand him. Ebolath and Corinth and His understood him, and that was good enough for Stupid. With a pleased huff that meant Raylin was correct, the brown, still perched on the dragon's back, corrected Ebolath with an emphatic shake of his head, Nonono, Stupid wanna go fly. No 'polgy, nono, lovely pretty Stupid come down. He bounced slightly to make sure he got his point across. Of course he wouldn't make the lovely put more effort than was necessary into seeing him! No. He would fly down as long as there was wind, and if there wasn't, he could always use the hallways; T'ridhis had one of the weyrs that was accessable from the inside, luckily.

As Ebolath started through the weyrs, Stupid skittered lightly up to the base of her neck, casting a curious backwards glance at Raylin. No? She didn't like the wet, wet horrible? Neither did His! No wonder she came to see him. They had so much in common! Hugely pleased, Stupid crooned encouragingly at Raylin. Comecomecome, badbad wet drop. Bad. Stupidmine say badbad drop wet. He nodded again as the greenweyrling followed her dragon into the decidedly cramped hallway -- Ebolath had grown, and barely fit, he noticed with very real anxiety -- though her question made the brown 'mandyr peep uncertainly, rearing onto his hind legs to consider. Not home? Well, of course he was home. This Weyr was his home. His weyr, his office, this entire place -- that was his home.

Oh -- did she mean the special only-his place that he slept in? His weyr? (How confusing, that both the entire place and his special place had the same name!) No, he wasn't there. Stupid shook his head. No, no Stupidmine -- hassa feed 'rinthshiny. Her desire to leave earned a distressed cry from the 'mandyr, who curled up tightly upon Ebolath. Nono. Staycomefastcome! 'rinthshiny like, he agreed. Stupidmine like, plus. Actually, he wasn't at all certain about the latter, but His wasn't horribly rude to Ebolath's -- actually, he lacked much of the sarcasm that Stupid was used to hearing -- so he concluded that he liked the Greenweyrling. He was convinced of it, and how perfect it would be!

As the green entered T'rid's weyr, Stupid was struck again by how empty it was. No, it was not entirely pleasant when His was there -- there was always much arguing, snapping, sarcasm, and insults traded between Stupid, Corinth, and T'ridhis -- but it was so full, and he liked full when it came to rainyness. Actually -- Corinth would probably be back soon. He hadn't been exaggerating when he said StupidHis didn't like the rain -- T'rid absolutely detested it. True, he'd been worried when it came to the drought, but the Holds had water stored and that was all right, but rain was bad. Nevertheless, Ebolath certainly made it better, and he dropped from her back to weave surely through the mess littered on the floor. It was worse than usual, mostly due to the agitation that had the bronzerider pacing back and forth during the night, probably causing whoever was in the weyr below him to go absolutely crazy, and kick his things about with absolutely no regard to order.

Plopping himself next to Ebolath's right foreleg as she settled on the dragoncouch, the 'mandyr purred, delighted by the prospect of a pretty present. Present, yes? Yes. Lovely want present, too? He cast his gaze back and forth, searching for something shiny. It landed on an earring at Mir had probably stolen from someone and forgotten on the ground of the weyr. A very nice earring it was -- not gold, thank Faranth, but silver. The 'mandyr dropped to the ground and grabbed it in his mouth before doubling back along his length, presenting it to Ebolath. Fair trade, see? What was that His had mentioned, once? Quid pro quo, he explained. Those three words were easy to pronounce -- much easier than "fair trade," and sounded much, much better, too, and -- oh.

Ebolath's had fallen. Stupid chattered his distress -- mostly for Ebolath's benefit -- and reached for His. His could help! To his delight, the bronzerider was indeed on his way back. And who wouldn't be? It was raining at horrible levels outside. Seeking to reassure the greenweyrling, the 'mandyr stated firmly, Sit -- Stupidmine come, heresoon. He glanced around for a chair, and found none. T'rid had had his moved to the office, or something (or maybe it was just buried under stuff). So instead, the 'mandyr flicked his tail in the direction of the (unmade) bed and blinked expectantly at Raylin. Bed was good, right? The bed was comfortable. Good.

[Rei]

Ebolath carefully opened a claw for Stupid as he gifted the earring to her. She crooned adoringly. Why thank you Stupid. The green was going to present her gift as well, but Raylin’s fall caused her to forget about it for the time being. Oh Raymine! Are you ok? The green picked herself up and padded carefully over to hers, eyes whirling in a mildly distressed yellow. The dragon prodded the fallen girl gently with her muzzle.

“I’m fine Ebolath really.” Raylin propped herself up and gathered her legs under her wincing as the pain in her ankle intensified. Taking a moment to gather her breath, she grabbed a hold of Ebolath’s head. “Help me stand love?” Ebolath gave a soft croon and, when hers had sufficient hold, helped hoist her from the floor. Raylin flinched and leaned against Ebolath for support as she looked down at her now swollen ankle. Lovely, at least their was no blood.

Ebolath turned to look at Stupid and when he gestured to the bed she nodded in agreement. Yes mine needs to lie down. Raylin looked from mandyr to dragon. “No really it’s ok. I can just stay here with you guys…” Her statement turned into a surprised yelp as Ebolath lifted her from the floor and trotted to the bed. Nudging her onto it Ebolath regarded hers swollen ankle with gently whirling eyes. “I’m fine really.” Raylin said giving Ebolath an exasperated look. “Go give Stupid his present so we can leave. T’rid is not going to be happy when he gets back.”

The green regarded her rider solemnly. It will be fine mine. You stay put and rest. Stupid says we can stay. She turned from her rider, giving only one backwards glance to be sure she stayed put, and again made her way to the couch where she sat curling her tail around her haunches. Now where were we? Ah yes your present. The young dragon uncurled her talons and presented them to Stupid. Dangling from it’s white ribbon, at the tip of her leftmost claw, was the shell fragment. Here you are love. Do you like it? Ebolath asked tone full of hopeful suspense.

Raylin watched the two from her perch on the end of T’rid’s bed. Shard it all. There was no way she could leave without Ebolath’s help, so the weyrling resigned herself to her fate, whatever it may be. At least she could use those two and her injury as an excuse. Although, it probably was not going to get her far. Giving a heaving sigh, she looked about the bronze rider's messy bedroom. Giving the fact that it was now pouring buckets outside, she was rather surprised Mir wasn’t there.

Casting her mind out for Vega she dimly felt the flitter’s questioning response from the direction of the barracks. After reassuring him that all was well, and commanding him to stay put, Raylin turned her head in the direction of the ledge. Stupid had said T’rid was coming, surely he couldn’t be too far. The wind was picking up and she thought she could dimly hear the rumble of thunder in the distance. Could Corinth even fly in such wind?

[Avu]

Stupid squirmed nervously as he watched Ebolath help Hers to Stupidhis's bed, bouncing slightly. What if Ebolath forgot about him? The distressed creature scampered quickly to the top of the bunk, flicking his tail idly around his haunches and watched Ebolath and Raylin intently, though he offered only a few words of suggestion. Up foot up? It was the best attempt he made; the reference to propping her foot off would, more likely than not, be completely missed, as Stupid didn't make the most sense when he was distraught, and he was. What if Ebolath's had to go to the Infirmary? Maybe Ebolath could stay with them -- he wouldn't mind, and he was sure the 'rinthshiny wouldn't mind either, but T'ridhis might -- but more likely, she'd never come back to the disaster area T'rid called a weyr again! And Stupid couldn't cross the river on his own...

However, the greenweyrling was quickly situated and Ebolath returned, and Stupid perched himself in front of her, an anxious croon emerging from his mouth as he wriggled slightly in anticipation until -- oh! It was even prettier than the shiny Ebolath had given T'ridhis! Stupid couldn't repress the purr of glee as he made a little hopping jump, carefully taking the shiny shell fragment from Ebolath. A quick wriggle made the white ribbon drop around his neck, and from there, he purred delightedly, rubbing his head against her foreleg. Love you love you love you. Pretty, love you! Shiny, shiny more'n 'rinth, very, love you! The 'mandyr crooned happily as he licked the gleaming shell fragment, his forked tongue darting out to touch the glossy surface before he snuggled against Ebolath's claw, and then peeped cautiously in Raylin's direction. Love you...'lathpet's bad ouch?

A faint pop and the rush of cold foretold the blue fire lizard's coming, and indeed, blue wings broke the air as Mir appeared from between. He uttered a surprised squeak at the sight of a human and her dragon occupying T'rid's weyr, but took it in stride, cooing a brief greeting before he landed on the edge of the bed, giving a slight hop and a squirm to slip into the horribly messy furs, where he settled with a contented noise, the lids sliding shut over his eyes as he nuzzled his chin into the soft bed. That he was completely dry, without a single wet raindrop to mar his hide, clearly said that he'd not been outside at all -- and what with the distinct swell of his stomach, and his laziness, he'd probably been eating in the Main Hall. There were always Drudges willing to feed the Weyrleader's pet fire lizard.

Just as Stupid frilled indignantly at Mir -- how dare he not give proper respect to Ebolath? -- the sound of a voice, rising clearly above the sound of rain and thunder, became audible, faint at first, and then louder as the owner of said voice moved closer. T'rid -- and from the direction of the weyrledge. "...time you have some crazy desire to pitch me headfirst into the lake, Cor, mind you warn me -- and I don't see why you didn't just wait, it's pouring buckets out he -- " His words were cut off instantly as he appeared at the entrance of his weyr, Corinth padding behind him. They made a highly amusing picture, far from the dignified Weyrleader and his dragon image that most people imagined. Pouring buckets it may have been, but T'rid looked as if he'd been drowned: He was completely soaked, his usually unkempt hair plastered to the sides of his face and neck. His pants clung to his legs, the belt entirely unnecessary by now, his feet bare and slightly muddy, his shirt off and in the middle of being raised to use to dry his hair.

Corinth looked minimally better -- his hide did have more of the metallic glow that a bronze ought to, though his belly was far from full -- the bronze ate lightly -- but he, like His, was completely wet. He huffed, his eyes registering amusement as he caught sight of Ebolath and Hers, and he shook in the corridor, sending water droplets spraying the walls, floor, ceiling, and -- of course -- T'rid, who spluttered indignantly. "Do you mind?" he demanded of the bronze dragon, who merely huffed and then stepped over him towards the dragoncouch on which Ebolath and Stupid resided. The bronze dragon crooned a welcome to Ebolath, as if he always had green dragons visit his weyr -- he didn't -- and flopped down on the smooth stone couch next to her, ignoring Stupid as he frilled, jumping backwards to avoid a stray drop of water cast from the gleaming bronze hide. Badbadbad wet! the 'mandyr scolded, clutching his precious shiny to him.

Hello, Ebolath, Corinth stated simply, blinking one jewel-faceted eye at Stupid, who hissed slightly and then snaked to take cover under one of Ebolath's wings. What brings you and Yours here? I'm sorry I wasn't here -- we weren't aware it would start raining, so T'ridmine took me to the Feeding Grounds, and then to the River. That's how he got so wet. The dragon gestured with one wing at the sopping bronzerider, who gave a slight hiss before he glanced at Raylin, one brow arching. It was terribly hard to look properly arrogant when one was dripping a lovely little puddle on the floor, but that didn't mean he couldn't try. "I wasn't aware I left an open-door invitation," he commented mildly, juggling the wet shirt briefly before he dropped it to hang on the headboard of his bed and running both hands through his hair. The combination of the backwards motion and of the wetness resulted in his hair ending up in odd, lopsided spikes. "I hate rain," he added, and then, "And I hate the river. And Corinth, you know throwing me into the river is not a good way to guarantee you'll be fed next week..."

[Rei]

Ebolath purred in contentment at Stupid’s obviously happy reaction to her gift. She chuffed in the draconic version of laughter, eyes swirling a merry blue. I love you too little one. Your gift was very nice. The mandyr’s statement about her bonded caused the green to throw a momentary glance in Raylin’s direction. Mine is not to badly hurt, she will be fine. She just needs to rest. Raylin rolled her eyes but declined to comment as Mir quite effectively caught her attention.

The weyrling smiled as Mir greeted her, and then proceeded to snuggle himself into the furs. Sleep was the best thing for a rainy day. Much better than trudging outside in the mud. The blue would probably be asleep for awhile, if the size of his belly was any indication, he had recently fed quite heavily. Vega always slept rather deeply when he was full. She supposed most flitters where the same way. Her head snapped towards the weyr ledge as a familiar voice caught her attention. It seemed the bronze and his rider had returned. Raylin shifted nervously and threw a quick glance in her bonded’s direction as if to make sure she was in fact still there.

Raymine has not been sleeping well at all. The green added privately to the mandyr eyes taking on worried flecks of yellow. Humans are supposed to sleep seven candlemarks. Is yours sleeping well? Ebolath turned her attention to the ledge as T’rid’s voice filtered into the quiet weyr. Ah it seems that yours and Corinth are returning. The green shifted to make room for Corinth and crooned happily in response to his welcome.

Good afternoon Corinth. She replied warmly. I wanted to bring you and Stupid a gift. I drug mine along so she wouldn’t mope about. We were not planning to stay long, however it started storming and Stupid invited us in. I do hope we are not bothering you. Ebolath stretched her wings and settled them into a more comfortable position. Did you feed well? She asked before turning her head to look at T’rid. Oh T’ridCorinth’s You are very, very wet. You should change before you catch cold.

Raylin watched T’rid enter and had to hide a smile behind her hand at his comments to Corinth. She didn’t bother to hide it for long though. What was the point? At his comment about an open door invitation she let her own eyebrow raise. “Well you didn’t exactly say we couldn’t visit. To be fair we weren’t planning on coming in at all. Ebolath just wanted to give Stupid a gift. The weather turned bad and your charming little mandyr offered us a dry place to wait out the storm. Surely you wouldn’t turn an injured woman and her small dragon out in this weather?” Her tone conveyed her mock horror at the thought and she briefly wondered if he could tell she was taunting him a bit.

Raylin was surprisingly at ease, considering T’rid was currently half naked. To be fair she had seen him like this, sopping wet and shirtless, numerous times before. That in itself was ceasing to be a shock to her. The weyrling was becoming more comfortable around him, partly due to the fact that her dragon seemed to like him, and also partly because she didn’t consider him a threat.

He had never shown the slightest bit of interest in her and so he was safe. The fact that the bronze rider didn’t make her feel uncomfortable was a blessing. Raylin even found his rather standoffish personality quite refreshing. T’rid was not one to sugar coat things and she supposed that was what she liked most about him. He was extremely blunt. There was never any guesswork to him. A small part of her wondered what drew Ebolath to him.

I like him. The green in question stated, quite suddenly, as if that answered everything. Corinth mine thinks yours looks nice with his hair like that. Raylin shot her dragon a glare from her position on the bed. Ebolath don’t you have something for Corinth? Oh yes! That is right. I have a present for you Corinth but silly mine dropped it when she fell and hurt herself. I will find it.

She lurched to her feet, being very careful not to accidentally squish Stupid, and cast her eye out for the large shell. The green gave a triumphant snort and scooped up the red shell. Returning to the couch she presented her gift to Corinth, her eyes whirling a contented blue green. I found it by the sea. Mine says if you listen close you can hear the sound of the ocean from it.

[Avu]

Peeping out from under Ebolath's wing, foreclaws clutched around the lovely shiny with the white ribbon, Stupid licked it thoughtfully again, head cocked as he considered the green's question. Norra sleep? he repeated, eyeing Raylin, and then His, cautiously. Seven candlemarks? That was a lot, and last he checked, T'ridhis didn't. Actually, he almost definitely didn't, because he woke Stupid at obscenely early hours by getting up, and went to sleep horribly late, too. Corinth didn't seem to mind, and Mir could sleep through it, but Stupid didn't like it. Seven candlemarks, was it? Stupidmine norra sleep, nono bad. The brown snaked his tail around his haunches, an emphatic shake of his head, frill wobbling, was added as he peeped at Ebolath anxiously. Did that mean His was going to die, like the other people had been? It was them, the 'mandyr thought; it was them that made His not sleep. Bad dead people! Bad. The brown frilled slightly, eyes flushed with uncertainty. Stupidmine norra dead, he commented thoughtfully.

Corinth eyed the brown 'mandyr in something close to amusement, and huffed softly as he rested his head along a rise in the stone couch, angling his head slightly to regard Ebolath and Stupid. Not at all -- in fact, I'm rather pleased you're here. Mine would have gone on for any length of time about being wet. The dragon's affectionately dismayed tones were intended to be heard by T'ridhis as well, and the bronzerider spared the dragon a sniff. I was bored, and he was complaining, so I threw him in the lake and now he's upset. It's not like he wouldn't be wet anyway. It's raining terribly out there, isn't it? Her question caught the bronze by surprise, though he managed not to let it show. Well enough, he agreed quietly, The herds at Selenitas are quite satisfactory.

As Ebolath addressed T'ridHis, Corinth couldn't repress the amused snort as His eyed him balefully. "Well spotted," he congratulated Ebolath dryly, one eyebrow quirking slightly. "You can blame that on the big bronze brute over there, though no doubt he finds it very funny." Badwet, Stupid informed him seriously. Shiny look! With a toss of his head, Stupid displayed the small fragment of the shell, purring in delight. Issa 'lathlove present, he explained excitedly. Shinyshinylove, yesgood? T'rid's eyebrow was in danger of disappearing under his hairline as he glanced at Raylin as the greenweyrling spoke -- was she smiling? Amused at his appearance, was she?

...probably. To be fair, he'd probably have found it downright hilarious had someone else turned up like this, too. "Charming," he echoed with a disbelieving snort, though, as Stupid tripped happily to his side and skittered up his side, he cupped one hand around the 'mandyr for support, the other sliding down the creature's back. Stupid responded with a soft purr, rubbing affectionately against the finger, and then he scrambled backwards, frilling indignantly as a negligent movement resulted in a drop of water sliding down the bronzerider's hair and nearly hitting the brown, who dropped down in a wide-winged glide to Ebolath's side again and curled up even as Corinth regarded the tiny creature with an amused glance that would normally have made the Salamandyr demand what was so funny. No longer did he have the urge to know things; he was exceptionally content by Ebolath.

" -- injured?"

He'd just registered the word, and surprise slipped into his tone as he left the doorway of the weyr. "Injured how?" T'rid glanced over her briefly. Aha, ankle. Swollen, obviously so. No blood, on the bright (was there one?) side. "You tripped," he stated, amused, as Stupid projected that very image into his mind. "Graceful. Do you need a Healer?" Even as he spoke, he'd headed towards the bathing room -- ah, the perks of having a large single: A bathing room all to yourself! -- and picked up a towel, tossing it absently over one shoulder as he made his way back to the main weyr, hissing in slight annoyance as he realized he couldn't possibly sit on his bed unless he wanted to get it wet, and promptly pulled himself onto Corinth's tail, leaning against one of the ridges as he started to dry his hair.

So silly, Mine. Ebolath says Hers likes your hair like that.

"What? All -- " He gestured with his hand " -- all spikes?" Nevertheless, T'rid couldn't quite repress the amused smirk. "If you say so..." He didn't care enough about his hair to purposely manipulate it into doing anything -- or even cutting it on a regular basis -- and he hadn't expected anybody else to care, either. It did irritate him ocassionally, having a tendency to fall into his eyes and obscure his view, but it didn't bother him to the point where he'd actually try to do something with it. Maybe you should try... Spikespikespikepoof, Stupid inserted cheerfully, snagging upon the interesting word. Fortunately, the bronze dragon and brown 'mandyr both were distracted at Ebolath's proclamation, two sets of whirling eyes following the dragon's process through the messy weyr.

And while you're at it, clean your weyr, Corinth observed as Ebolath picked up the gift and then returned, presenting to him a lovely curved red shell, which he gently took from her with a grateful croon. Beautiful it was, large and gleaming, with a pearly inside. It's a lovely present, Ebolath, the dragon commented softly, pleased. And yes, you can indeed hear the ocean... Crooning again, the bronze lowered his head to demonstrate, tilting his head to listen. Worra hear! Stupid interrupted enthusiastically, nearly tripping over his tail in his hurry to poke his head into the shell. Wings flared as Corinth jerked back in slight surprise, eyeing the brown rump in amusement as Stupid looked around and then peeped curiously. The sound came back at him, and, startled, Stupid fell backwards out of it, landing on Corinth's forepaw, and frilled defiance at the shell.

[Rei]

“Actually it was the farthest thing from graceful that you could possible imagine.” Raylin said glaring at her ankle. “I think it will be all right. Back when I was a candidate I had a similar accident. Same ankle actually. Well you might remember, you were there. Stupid had stolen your wing patterns or something.” The weyrling said glancing across the weyr at the small mandyr. She fell silent as Ebolath was quite effectively capturing everyone’s attention.

Turning towards the weyr ledge she noticed how dark it seemed. The storm was unfortunately getting worse and she would more than likely be stuck here for awhile. Not that it bothered her but Saeo would worry and ply her with a million questions later. Ah well, not much she could do about it and frankly she didn’t want to leave just yet anyway. The storm was a handy excuse.

Ebolath chuffed in laughter at Stupid’s antics. I am happy you like the present Corinth She said crooning affectionately to the big bronze. Turning towards T’rid she nudged his foot gently with her muzzle. Do you still have your present T’rid? The green asked whirling blue eyes fixed on the man’s face. If he said no there was no doubt she would be crushed.

A sudden crash of thunder caused Raylin to jump and she winced as the movement aggravated her injury. Ebolath’s eyes took on a mild tinge of yellow and she crooned to hers. You are ok Raymine? Yes love I’m fine I just got startled. The green gave a worried snort and cooed to Stupid. Be careful that you don’t get your present stuck Little one. Shells can be tricky things. Sometimes they have things in them that pinch and sometimes they are full of salty water. Do not worry Mine made sure this one was safe.

Raylin nodded. “Yes you won’t have to worry about any critters crawling out of it. I washed it out with hot water and scrubbed the inside with a brush. It’s really quite clean.” She shuddered a bit. It was growing cold in the weyr, probably from the rain. Ebolath snorted and prodded T’rid again. Mine is cold and you are wet and are going to catch a cold. There are plenty of clothes on the floor, why do you not change? Do you want me to find something for you to wear? Raylin almost laughed. “Glad to see I am not the only one she will now worry ceaselessly about. If you don’t do as she says she will very likely tear your weyr apart looking for suitable clothes. Actually she won’t have to go far will she?” The girl asked gesturing widely to include all the scattered belongings throughout the weyr.

[Avu]

Had she thought he'd been being serious, when he'd said that? T'rid twisted his mouth in amusement, a definite smirk touching the corner of his mouth as he shrugged mildly, letting it fall away. Candidate accident...that had been months ago...before he'd come into Weyrleadership. Before the drama that was currently turning the Weyr upside down and inside out, before he'd bothered himself with politics, and before he'd ever, seriously, considered locking himself in his weyr. But, though it was a faint remembrance, the bronzerider did remember it -- fondly, mostly due to the fact that Stupid had managed to give C'oar some scarring on his earlobe. Pfft, the idiot. Stupid wouldn't have hurt him -- and he hadn't even bitten down hard! Only enough stay on -- until the brownweyrling had decided to start squealing and squeezing him. Did people seriously come that stupid? He curled his lip slightly -- he didn't approve of Stupid being hurt, he didn't -- but as usual, the disapproval turned into a smirk.

"I remember," he answered, dropping the towel to his face and neck. "That was when -- " His voice was slightly muffled through the towel's folds " -- when Stupid bit what's-his-name, that idiot...and your friend tried to lie..." A slight smirk invaded his voice then. "Common mistake, that -- everyone was a Candidate once. I mean, seriously -- I'm pretty sure every Rider's broken curfew in their Candidate or Weyrling years before. Whatever." He shrugged, dropping the towel and glancing around vaguely at Corinth, who regarded him silently. Fortunately the bronze couldn't recall their Weyrling years, or he would probably have been terribly amused. T'ridHis had broken curfew horribly, yes, and multiple times, but before he figured out exactly how to in order to avoid punishment, he'd been set to chores numerous times.

Corinth crossed his forelegs with a slight yawn. Feeding, however lightly, was so rare that when he did do it, the bronze got sleepy. Fortunately he never fed heavily enough to sleep for a long time, but he did doze. Indeed it's a lovely thing, he affirmed with a nod, snorting at Stupid, who managed to roll over again and frilled again at the shell. Mean shell! He'd only been trying to hear the ocean, and it had -- it had -- peeped at him, and loudly, too, at that! But nonetheless, curiosity overtook him and the brown nosed at the red shell again, Corinth tipping it towards him indulgently. Peeeeep? he questioned of the shell. Predictably, it made no noise back, and so Stupid slunk around it warily to get to Ebolath again, curling around the green's wrist as she nudged T'ridHis --

-- who jerked his head down to stare at the green in surprise, one eyebrow arching. "Oh," he said blankly for a moment, and then, "Yeah -- it's in my office." T'rid shrugged. He wasn't lying -- it was. Common sense told him that it would get hopelessly lost in the disaster area known commonly as a weyr, so he'd put it somewhere safe: His office. It was a place he frequently went, now, but when he was there, he didn't throw his things around, and normally spent much of the time there sitting at his desk, frustrated and puzzling over the tithe records, the reported illnesses, the possible ways that poison could have gotten so effectively into the Weyr, and -- poison testers. As it was, the innumerable stacks of records and papers had to have something on top of them to keep them down, and the geode made a lovely paperweight. (He was pretty sure it was holding down a stack of tithe records, ironically enough, considering he hated tithe records.)

As thunder crashed, Corinth snorted softly, eyeing Raylin. Yours is certain she does not require the services of a Healer? the bronze questioned. I could contact one of them...I'm sure there are some working. There were always Healers on duty -- but whether or not they were available was quite another story, considering the sheer number of people in the Infirmary. Stupid, however, merely cooed at Ebolath, pleased by her explanation. So there were sharp pinchy-things in the shells? No wonder it was mean. He'd be mean, too, if he'd had a sharp pinchy-thing inside of him. Bad pinch ow, he stated, bouncing slightly on Ebolath's foreleg as he curled around her wrist. Poor shiny, yes. Stupid love, shiny good, yes? "Shells are inanimate objects, Stupid," T'rid answered the brown, rolling his eyes for Raylin's benefit. "They don't respond to love." Nonono. Good shiny, loooove. Stupidmine! The brown frilled at His, daring him to protest. He'd hurt the shiny's feelings, and then where would they be?!

Fortunately for the shiny's feelings, T'rid was distracted by Ebolath's statement. "Cold?" he echoed, and then raised his eyebrows at Raylin, gesturing at the furs on the bed. "You can use those, you know...they're not dirty." He was pretty sure they'd been washed by a Drudge a few days ago, and neither Stupid nor Mir did anything with them but sleep. "And if you disturb Mir, don't mind...he'll fall asleep again in five seconds flat." The bronzerider shrugged, and then glanced at his own weyr, lips twitching in amusement as he realized the messiness of it. "Well...my clean clothes are in the wardrobe...and thanks, Ebolath, but I think I'll be okay." Even as he said it, he was pulling the wardrobe door open -- it wasn't exactly organized, either, but at least the clothes were folded -- and pulled out a tunic at random, pulling it over his head and huffing slightly as he realized he'd need to change his pants, too. Fine. He'd do that in the bathing room, for Raylin's sake. Picking said pants out of the wardrobe, he draped them over his arm, and glanced at Raylin.

"I'm changing. Don't destroy my weyr."

As if it could be destroyed any more anyway, he noted as he slid into the bathing room, closing the door behind him.

[Rei]

“Yes C’oar was pretty sore that day. I must admit though it wasn’t smart to grab at poor Stupid.” Raylin paused and watched as he interacted with Ebolath and his mind mates. Really he was nicer than he liked to have everyone believe. It was nice to see that he wasn’t always sullen and withdrawn. Her dragon was so at home here, and Raylin herself was pretty comfortable. The weyrling momentarily wondered how long it had been since T’rid last had human company. Maybe they should visit more often.

Ebolath rumbled happily as T’rid replied that he, in fact, still had her shiny. In his office no less! That was an important place. Fortunately for T’rid she was distracted from nuzzling him by Corinth’s query. The green tilted her head and turned to regard hers. She says she is fine but she often says things she does not mean. I will ask her. Mine Corinth wants to know if he should call a healer for you. Raylin stared at the large bronze and shook her head before deciding to answer him herself. “It is ok Corinth. Don’t bother them. They have enough work and worry with the poison going around. I will be fine. Seriously, it’s not broken and a little pain never killed anyone. It will be fine in a few days. I will just have to keep off it for awhile.”

Ebolath crooned reassuringly to hers and turned her attention again to Stupid. Yes pinchy things are bad. I do not like them at all. Raylin gave a snort of laughter at Stupid. “Well he certainly keeps things interesting doesn’t he? He calls you Stupidmine? It makes me wonder if all mandyrs give their bondeds such charming petnames.” At his comment about the furs she turned toward the breathing lump in the furs that was Mir. Carefully, so as not to disturb his slumber, the weyrling removed a fur from the pile and wrapped it around herself. Raylin turned and watched as the bronze rider gathered some clothes and retired to the bathing room. “I don’t think it could get anymore destroyed than it already is.” She quipped back before snuggling gratefully into the warm fur.

Ebolath also watched T’rid with gently whirling eyes and as he disappeared. She snuggled into Corinth and gave a yawn. Yours is just like mine. He has to be told many times to do things to. I find the more I bother her the better she gets at responding. I wonder if all mines are so stubborn. Maybe we are just lucky? The green was extremely content, that much was evident from her whirling blue eyes. Who wouldn’t be? She was surrounded with her favorite friends, hers was content, and she had successfully pleased them with her gifts. Her lids began to fall over her whirling eyes and Raylin’s eyes also began to close as she listened to the drumming rain. When was the last time she had been this comfortable? She wasn’t sure.

[Avu]

Oho, so the idiot had been sore, had he? T'rid was grateful that there was a door between himself and the greenweyrling so he could smirk without her seeing. Raylin would probably be scandalized that he found it funny, but he did. To be attacked -- and beaten -- by a creature that was not only as many times smaller than one as one was to a dragon, but when you had made the first real assault -- was horribly amusing. Oh, he was cruel, he was, and he'd probably get a hammer or something thrown at his head if he mentioned it around C'oar, but whatever. As he switched pants, the bronzerider poked questioningly at Corinth, who responded with a silent amusement. What's funny? You, the dragon responded simply. T'rid snorted slightly, curling his lip. Oh, /I'm/ funny, am I...!

Yes, you are. Hush, the bronze answered, appraising Raylin closely. Her ankle didn't look good, and Ebolath was too small for her to comfortably ride without straining the hatchling. Corinth's tailtip twitched lightly in thought against the stone couch, and his gaze slipped around the weyr, searching. Perhaps a stick, then, to act as a crutch until Yours can get a proper one, he murmured to Ebolath absently, I'm sure T'ridmine keeps one around here /somewhere/. He's /got/ to...the safety hazard in here is simply too great to go without one. He paused, cocking his head slightly. Poison or no, they are not too busy to take a new patient, the bronze stated firmly to Ebolath, trusting that the green would pass it to Hers; Corinth simply wasn't the type of dragon who liked speaking to the mindmates of others; it was uncomfortable and made him feel as if he was intruding in something private.

Stupid, curling up with a terrific yawn around Ebolath's foreleg, rubbed his head against the green's hide, blinking widely to try to keep his eyes from lidding. He was always sleepy when it came to rain. The rhythmitic, soft splashing outside on the weyrledge was lovely to sleep to -- like Mir was. But Stupid was polite...the brown 'mandyr bobbed his head enthusiastically at Ebolath's agreement. See? The lovely shiny did have feelings; that would show His who didn't believe him...actually, Ebolath hadn't even said it...but to Stupid, it was implied and therefore true. No, no...nolike badpinch...mm, 'lathlove sleepy...? The brown 'mandyr's frill half-lifted in the intensity of his yawn as he abandoned his curled position around the green's foreleg to sidle between her wings and curl up there, nestled along the hatchling's spine. Mm, sleepy... The words faded into oblivion as the brown sighed, nuzzling closer to Ebolath, before he fell still, and when Corinth prodded him mentally, he recieved nothing in return.

The little cousin is asleep, the bronze observed in amusement, mostly for T'rid's benefit as the bronzerider emerged from the bathing room, running a hand through his hair to check the dryness. Carefully sidestepping a dropped tunic, he quirked one eyebrow curiously at Corinth, who had dropped his head to rest it against the dragoncouch, the first set of lids half-open across his eyes; he wasn't sleepy, nor asleep, but merely completely at his ease. Lucky -- yes, we are, he responded to Ebolath, amusement tinting his tone the green snuggled against his side. Was she sleeping? It looked like she was falling asleep, it did...the bronze's eyes flicked towards Raylin and a wave of amusement rolled from the dragon as he realized that the weyrling, too, was close to sleeping, on T'ridhis' bed. Trusting, she was. It would be so utterly, incredibly easy for someone to take advantage of her should they so desire.

I'm not a rapist. The protest came with an irritation laced through it, and Corinth crooned softly. I'm aware of that. I didn't mean you. I meant -- anyone who wanted to. A pause, and then, Where are /you/ going to sleep? You're tired. And you haven't been sleeping. "Uh..." T'rid hadn't considered that; the bronzerider tilted his head, glancing around the weyr. "...the floor?" The only way you'll end up sleeping on the floor is if you trip and knock yourself out. The dragon lifted a wing, tilting his head towards the couch. "There is /no/ way I'm sleeping on that /rock/..." He sighed, glancing at Raylin, and then forced himself to move. The bed was big enough; she could...slide to the other edge, if she wanted. T'rid didn't flail around a lot. When he did sleep, he slept in one position and stayed that way. "Not fair...you can't take up all my bed. Move over." He nudged the greenweyrling's arm lightly, eyebrow arched expectantly. "Other people want to sleep, too..."

Yeah, he was having trouble remembering Raylin's not taking well to anything that could even be remotely considered sexual. Or perhaps it was just that T'rid didn't consider it as thus; it was just practical to him. He had no shame, and it wasn't like they would be sharing furs (in the literal sense of the phrase). He needed a bed, and didn't want to drag her to the Weyrling Barracks. He was tired. No; he had been tired; but only now, with Stupid asleep in the back of his mind and actually seeing someone else sleep, did it register on his mind and body. Besides, he was fully clothed as far as pants and shirts went -- but that was normal for the Weyrleader anyway; he didn't bother taking off clothes when he slept like some Riders did.

"And don't squash Mir..."

[Rei]

Ebolath pressed an agreement into Corinth’s mind, her voice sleepy and distant sounding. Yes I will make sure mine is seen by a healer. A stick will help her walk? Perhaps yours will let her borrow one of his. Oh and warn yours that mine is a cover hog. The green drifted off into slumber, comforted by the presence of Stupid, hers, and Corinth.

Raylin was in a state of blissful oblivious contentment when she felt T’rid nudge her. She mumbled something incoherent but shifted, missing Mir by only a few inches. The fact that she was not in her own bed was completely missed. Luckily for T’rid she was so tired her brain couldn’t even begin to process what was going on around her. When she woke up she was likely to have a panic attack when she saw T’rid beside her. As it was now, she was too comfortable and sleepy to protest to much of anything besides a jarring shake.

Vega popped in from between as T’rid settled in the bed beside his. The flits eyes whirled in confused shades. This was new. His often violently protested being alone with males. Now she was sharing sleeping space with one? He peeped quietly and glided over to the bed. Settling on the edge he gave a small warble of greeting to Corinth before curling up near T’rid’s foot. Vega tilted his head as he noticed Stupid sleeping in his favorite spot. The frilly was trying to steal his spot. He gave a small hiss and snuggled into the furs. The pale flit would rant at the frilly later when he was awake to hear it. He sent Cherilith a picture of Ebolath and Corinth as the blue queried as to his whereabouts. Giving a sigh the flit settled his head onto his forelegs and allowed his lids to fall over his whirling eyes. If his was staying he would too. He might have to protect her when she awoke.