Beatdown (Catching Up pt. 2) // Crystoph

[Ruby]

M'kai could tell that Crystoph took his fall, and it made a little anger flare in the pit of his stomach. Coudn't take a fall himself, could he? No, he needed Cry to do it for him! Of course, M'kai had very little idea how bad he looked. He thought Cry was just trying to protect him like always, despite M'kai needed just as little protection as his twin ever did. Still, he was mostly just relieved that Crystoph was alive, so he didn't struggle too badly as Cry flipped and pinned him. If he lifted his hips and dumped him over to the side, he could drop Cry and probably get back on top before he recovered... but no, he'd let Crystoph hold him for now. There was a reason he was leaning forward, blocking M'kai's view with his hair.

And a good reason, too. M'kai glanced sideways, watching the startled Brownrider dab at a bleeding nose. He gave his twin just the tiniest nod, waited... and bolted as soon as Crystoph moved.

Thin he might be, but M'kai had been running every day that he'd been back on his feet. As Crystoph went one way, M'kai aimed himself another, making sure to pass by the Rider first. He'd punched him, he deserved to get caught if the guy happened to be fast. Brownie took the bait, and M'kai hared off into the jungle, quickly loosing the Rider in the failing light. Unfortunately there weren't too many 6'3" redheaded Blueweyrings around, so M'kai would probably be in trouble later, but that was the last thing on his mind right now. The first? Crystoph.

As he turned south, angling back towards the river, M'kai called out to Futh. Done with chores, Foo. Want to come meet the other me? he asked. Futh had seen M'kai think and dream about the person he called "the other you", Crystoph of course. Futh wasn't convinced that Crystoph existed, of course, but he was eager to see none the less. On my way, MineLove. I will walk, though, not run. It has been a long day. M'kai snorted- Futh didn't like running because he didn't like kicking up dust, which he certainly would on some of the better-used paths. He wanted to look good for the Other M'kai. And what's so wrong with that? the Blue asked. M'kai just smiled.

A few more minutes of running and he found the requested site, near the river below the docks. It was one of the first places the twins had explored on coming to Selenitas, well screened but with a clear view of the river. There was a downed log nearby, and M'kai took a seat, still breathing quickly. A mile and a half of running starting with a sprint wasn't easy on anyone, no matter what shape they were in. Cry should be here any second.

[Rei]

Crystoph took a more roundabout route to get the agreed upon meeting place. As he ran the red heads mind turned in circles. Mik had looked horrible. Obviously he had been ill. It was obvious by the lost body tone and sickly paleness. Was that why he hadn’t come looking? The blueweyrling had Futh now to. His brother’s life was probably horribly busy. Still not even a attempt at contact? Crystoph was loathe to let the subject and his anger fade entirely. Even if it was unjustified. No he wanted to be pissed. Was that fair?

Pulling up suddenly the twin came to the familiar spot. Catching his breath the candidate straightened himself up and made a mental check of his weapons. Not that he would need them For Crystoph such a thing was merely habit. Stepping toward the log the red head braced himself for anything. He wanted to say he knew what Mik would do but suddenly, he was not sure. That fact scared him more than anything. He still loved his brother more than anything. Although for Mik, …M’kai now, that had undoubtedly changed. Whether he wanted to admit it or not it would be obvious that Futh would come first for his brother.

Crystoph examined his brother carefully, noting everything, and tried to keep his expression carefully guarded, although shards if he didn’t want to. “Mik or should I be calling you M’kai now? Do you often go around punching brownriders? I don’t seem to remember. It has been so long.” The red head kept his voice deliberately cool. It was unfair of him to be so cold, and the candidate knew it, but he wanted to upset Mik. To see if he still could. Mik was more forgiving than Crystoph himself was. That he was positive of. He wanted to alternately punch and hug his twin but warring emotions where kept carefully locked under a cold mask. Damn it. This was a weakness he would always have. His brother. But really if Mik had died he would never have forgiven himself.

Instinctively Crystoph was sure he would sense something like that though. They where still close. He could feel it. Even if it was less for M’kai now with Futh in the picture. Futh, idly he wondered what the dragon looked like as he awaited a reaction from his other half.

[Ruby]

M'kai could tell immediately that Crys was on his guard, although it was also clear to the Blueweyrling that his brother wasn't 100% angry. Maybe. That maybe was scarier than anything, pretty much. Getting to his feet as Crys got closer, M'kai tucked lank hair behind his ears, half ready to dodge a punch. He didn't truly expect his twin to start a fight, but... well, you just never knew with Crystoph. He'd never actually hurt M'kai, of course, as long as M'kai wasn't being lazy. It was always prudent to be ready anyway, just in case.

M'kai relaxed just a touch when Cry started talking instead of tackling. A good start, at least (not that anyone else in their right mind would consider that tone a good start). "You can call me whatever you want, FireHead," he shot back, using an old childhood nickname. They'd both been called that by the adults of the Weyr, growing up. Only as teenagers had they discovered it was because half the Weyr couldn't tell the differance between them. "Everyone else has to call me M'kai, but you can call me Dimglow for all I care. You'll always be Cry to me, no matter how many dragons you impress," he added, softening his tone a little. He'd forgiven Cry for not coming to the Hatching, for not Impressing with him, for not coming to see him while he was sick.

But of course, brothers have a way of provoking that no one else can match. He'd thought they were done with the Brownrider business. "Look, Cry, I don't need you to protect me all the time. That guy was going to take me down before he let me get at you! I wasn't going to let you get away again," he bristled, balling his fists up at his sides. "Where were you, anyway? It's not MY fault you didn't show up to the hatching." He left it there, knowing that would sting. The brothers had attended every hatching together their whole time as Candidates- except the one where M'kai had Impressed. Let that one sink in for a second.

Why are you yelling at yourself, M'kaiMineLove? Futh butted in, sounding concerned. I can hear you all the way by the river. Also, I am almost there. Should I come in now? As his eyes snapped into focus again, M'kai glared at Cry for a second before brushing Futh's mind again. Now is not the best time, Foo. Can you wait a second? I'll ask you to come in, he requested. Futh affirmed, and M'kai looked back to his brother. "Futh's here, and he wants to meet you if you want to meet him," he said, visibly calming himself. He didn't want to yell at Crys right after finding him again, after all.