Mud Bath {Avu}

[Sheari]

R'men scrubbed hard at a spot that Weith had claimed was still dirty, and itchy as well. When he stopped to make sure that there was still hide there a clump of wet sand found his face.

"Hey!" he yelled, throwing a clump at the little dragon. Weith simply stood there, tail twitching, as though nothing had happened. A bird flew over head and he watched it, knowing that when he could fly he would fly higher. After a few minutes of silence; It was funny,[/i] came the smug reply.

It hadn't been too long after the hatching, but R'men and Weith were by the river yet again. The reason? Weith insisted that he wasn't clean and could still feel egg goo on him. Much to the displeasure of R'men, who insisted that his hide hurt his eyes when it was cleaned every other day.

But I'm so shiny! People should revel in it's glow when I am clean.[/i]
"Yes, but when you are this clean your colour hurts my eyes in the sun. Go rinse off now."
Your eyes are not used to the light then, R'menMine, they will adjust.[/i]

With that, the little bronze did a rather comical 'humph' as he walked off into the water.

The man was left standing on the shore, laughing quietly, knowing that when the hatchling was dry he'd stop shining so much and would think he was dirty again. R'men was determined, however, to not be persuaded into another bath. Right now though, he was reassuring himself that his Weith would stop wanting to bathe so much as he got older and , hopefully, matured.

[Avu]

That is /my/ stretch of river.

The words were private, but the agitation in Jingth’s voice was clear nonetheless; it caused Meira to flick a glance in the hatchling gold’s direction, silently, before she slowed to a complete stop, her hand resting lightly on the dragon’s back making sure that Jingth stopped with her. The gold turned her head backwards, and then huffed quietly, eyes whirling rapidly. It had been such a short time since she’d…reImpressed. So little time – she hadn’t gotten used to it yet. Meira had been…so accustomed to cringing away from the space occupied once by Meisk, by Zesa…something she didn’t have to do anymore. The hurt was still there, that feeling of loss beyond measure, but Jingth’s presence added a kind of mental bandage, something that layered that hurt and kept it from stinging as much. And yet…so different, she was, from both of her mindmates. Unerringly polite, most of the time, which she shared with both wher and firelizard, but she was undeniably much, much cleverer – and vain. Not excessively, obviously so (it did not manifest in every conversation they had, per se), but the vanity was there nonetheless – and not unrightfully, considering the glitter that her hide had.

They were not there, as evidenced by the just-oiled look to Jingth’s hide, to bathe – no; the young queen wanted to sprawl there and sun. Meira had approved of this plan, since it’d give her ample opportunity to just think, too – something that she very much needed to do. She was almost in her sixth month of pregnancy, and…three months was all the time she had to explain to Jingth how it worked. Would it traumatize her? She admitted it was a possibility, though the thought made her stomach drop sickeningly. How could her explaining it make it less so, though?

MeiraLove. Can we get Checkoth to come chase them away for us? Or Behruth. They’re very nice. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind. I don’t think it would take very long at /all/. The queen’s clear distaste for her bronze clutchbrother was another thing she held apart from Meisk and Zesa. They didn’t hold grudges; they didn’t remember; if either of them didn’t like anybody, it never manifested in more than simply avoiding them as much as possible. Jingth was not so passive. Her river, it was; she’d claimed it. Doubtlessly it had been claimed before, but she was here now and she claimed it, now. Her river. She wouldn’t have minded sharing it, but it was Weith…and she would not share with Weith. She’d bitten his tail, she had…hopefully the mark was still there, hmph. Silly egotistical male. (Because of course, Jingth was ever so modest!) Or we could ask Theirs to. I am sure that would work, too, the queen continued thoughtfully. Of course, I suppose we could always /ask/ him to go… but I don’t think /that/ would work. Stupid red Weith.

“Can’t we go to another place somewhere?” Meira murmured, watching the bronze waded into the river. “The river’s much bigger, you know, than just this…don’t ask Check or Ruth or anyone, Jingth,” she added quickly, just in case the gold decided to ask before she could intervene. “It’s okay. There’re lovelier places than this on the River.” Even Weith couldn’t be in two places at once, and Jingth never seemed to have a problem with any of the other dragons. Yet, anyway. One hand rose from her abdomen to rub her temples, the other hand still mechanically running down Jingth’s back soothingly. “Come on. Let’s go.” She pressed gently against Jingth, trying to make the gold turn, but Jingth didn’t move, still staring at Weith and His.

But MeiraLove, it’s /my/ river. I will not be mean to him, I promise. Not mean at all, she wouldn’t be. The gold crooned reassuringly, nuzzling Meira’s belly again, but the girl’s hand dropped from her back, and Jingth moved to the edge of the River, her wings pulled tightly to her sides to hide their glitter. Just because she hated the stupid bronze didn’t mean she had to show it, after all. Making a noise that was the hatchling equivalent to a pleasant rumble (though the pleasant aspect was decidedly false; fortunately it wasn’t loud enough to be noticeable), Jingth’s tail drooped to the ground, and the queen promptly flopped onto the ground, resisting the urge to yawn, stretch, and flare both wings out. That would ruin her plan, it would! Morning, Weith, she said, still determined to keep her voice as pleasant as possible. This is, you know, /my/ river…but I will not make you go. But~ Oh, yes, always a ‘but’ – I doubt you want me here, either. So, do you want to play a game? We both get wet, and whoever is the shiniest wins, and whoever wins gets to stay…and for the next sevenday the loser can’t come to this part of the river. Do you want to play?

Egotistical nuisance, he was. If he wanted to play, of course Jingth would win. She positively glittered, all of the time, and now, when she’d just been oiled – she’d win, hands down, as far as she was concerned. That her color was already so bright only emphasized that. Silly red Weith didn’t have that advantage. But of course, he was arrogant enough to take her up on it, wasn’t he?

“Um.” Meira blinked at Jingth, and then squeezed both eyes shut for a moment, cheeks red as Jingth relayed her ‘game’ to Weith. She’d come up on R’men’s right side, almost silently compared to Jingth’s graceless arrival and prompt flop. “Could you – could you tell Weith he needn’t take her up on that…? I’ll take her away – it’s – I’m sorry…”

[Sheari]

Before R'men could answer to Meira's request, the little bronze had already swung his head around from where he stood in the water and answered Jingth's challenge. Jingth,[/i] he said coolly, hiding the irritation he had of her being there from his voice, why do you insist on getting yourself into a situation where you will lose? I am quite obviously more shiny than you, besides, I'm already in the water, all I need to do is walk out and I've won.[/i] Weith then completely submerged himself, surfacing and standing in the shallows with pride, chest puffed out.

R'men's face fell into his had and his head shook. You shouldn't have said anything, she'll bite your tail again. Not if I bite her first,[/i] Weith replied pointedly. R'men looked at Meira with an apologetic look on his face. A look that said 'it's too late'.

"I would love have moved, for we were almost done and I would like to talk with my sister as I heard she was here and Impressed, but Weith has already answer Jingth's challenge." His answer to the goldweyrling's words were not needed, his look had said it all, but he wanted to distract himself now until the pair started fighting, as they probably would. If T'lor were here the friends would have probably made a bet on who would pick the fight.

The remaining wet sand on R'men's face and neck reminded them of their playful moment before Weith had waded off and his bet had been made; he wiped his head around to watch the little bronze.

"Oh no,"

[Avu]

Oh, she’d lose, would she? Jingth crooned pleasantly, her only offered reply to his arrogance. Egotistical bronze – if he honestly thought she’d lose, he’d another thought coming. Was he utterly blind? She’d just been oiled; even keeping both wings furled she glittered in the sunlight, and she was keeping deliberately still to keep her hide from catching the sunlight and gleaming very visibly. But still, if he was wet, then of course Weith had the advantage. But! I said, if you remember, that we would /both/ get wet, not just you. Please, don’t be so arrogant as to assume that I would allow you to cheat. Pfft. Perfect example of how absolutely silly he was. Jingth crooned, though the sound lacked any friendliness at all. She kept her entire body still for a moment, and then flashed at him (oh so maturely), Now that you’ve agreed to it, you’ve got to stay and finish the game, or else you’ll automatically lose. She was making up her own rules as she went, but – they were at least fair; Jingth could be manipulative and vain, but she was not a hypocrite.

Now he couldn’t possibly back out, and Jingth had no problems with rising, one fluid motion, to her feet, both wings flaring outwards; the pale honey gold of her hide was undeniably metallic to the extreme. Then she refolded her wings neatly to her sides and padded forward, no longer trying to hide the gleam of her hide, and entered the water with a splash, drenching herself entirely; her golden form blurred under the water for a moment, both wings unfurling slightly to allow the water to completely soak her.

“Ah” was all that was said; Meira was watching Jingth intently, the nervousness written blatantly across her features. She’d never been good at keeping her emotions off of her face and now was no exception. Perhaps she was being paranoid – okay, she was being paranoid; she knew it – but the idea of Jingth getting hurt, the idea of Jingth being in pain made her want to curl up around the hatchling and never let go, especially if she could do something about it. Being helpless – at least she was. At least there was an excuse. But if she was hurt now, when she could have done something…the guilt would be unbearable. She swallowed, both arms wrapping around her abdomen in an unconscious gesture. Protect the baby – protect Jingth – the two seemed oddly interrelated, somehow, in her mind. Protect baby…the “clutch”, as Jingth put it. Their clutch, said the gold, and Meira had never gotten around to explaining that it was actually R’wign’s “clutch”, though she’d end up telling her…eventually.

MeiraLove, look, Jingth said softly, the gold’s eyes focused not on Weith but on Meira, her gaze almost pleading as she pulled herself out of the water, the cool liquid dripping in sheets from her body. I am…I /am/ shinier than he is…I /am/. The unspoken plea for her acquiescence was obvious, even beyond the confident tone as Jingth, turning to face Weith, crooned with mock pleasantness at the bronze and flared both wings again; water droplets sparkled against her hide; she gleamed all over, and the gold’s eyes whirled rapidly, her mind wavering between Hers and crowing triumph over Weith. It was not dignified, but she so very wanted to. She’d won. Hadn’t she? The gold’s tail flipped through the air, sunlight slanting off of it; wasn’t she magnificent? Even stupid Weith would see that, surely. Wasn’t she gorgeous and glowing and absolutely, definitely, no questions asked, the winner? It was rightfully her river anyway. Weith should be pleased to have even had the chance to beat her. Hmph.

You are…absolutely…gorgeous, Meira answered softly. It wasn’t a lie, even if it was probably only encouraging Jingth; she couldn’t possibly have said anything other than that. Her head bowed, her nose scrunching slightly in dismay. We – you couldn’t call it a tie, could you – ? I – Jingth, please don’t get hurt, please don’t, I couldn’t stand it if you got hurt – please just say it’s a tie – Her appeal made Jingth glance over at her, and the queen hatchling crooned, upset. Didn’t Hers want her to win…? She so wanted to but – but Hers was upset. She wasn’t shaking, but there were tears in her eyes and – Weith? Had Weith made her cry? Or was it – was it her, Jingth? For a moment, the gold was silent before she turned her head away from Weith, and wove around R’men (effectively wiping off some of the water onto the bronzeweyrling) to wrap her body loosely (mustn’t get her wet, no no that simply would not do) around Meira, head rubbing firmly against her side. I will not get hurt, MeiraLove, she promised firmly, her tongue flickering out to lick Hers on the hand. I would not get hurt.

Her attention turned to Weith, her head tilting as she eyed the bronze in definite displeasure. I think if you were to be honest we would both agree that I won, she stated coolly. However, Mine does not want your feelings hurt. It wouldn’t do to say to Weith that Hers was worried about his hurting her. He’d take that as meaning he was stronger than she, or some such, and his ego would inflate horribly. If you leave now we can call it a tie. I suppose, she added grudgingly, You may still come back when you want to…but I expect it’s high time you left anyway. Yours is wet, you know…and it’s not a good thing to be wet outside. Go get him dry, Weith.

[Sheari]

It took help from R'men for Weith to bridle his annoyance into something manageable. Though the bronzeweyrling felt that there was some underlying plotting afoot that he was not being told. Fine, Jingth, it is a tie.[/i] The little bronze was far from happy, however, though he complied by beginning to step away. The water fell from him and runneled down his legs in little streams that formed into bigger rivers until they finally dribbled onto the sand and flowed back into the water. Weith flared his wings and flapped them quickly to shake the water from them. He was careful not to stir up the sand and have it stick to him.

As much as he enjoyed the water, he didn't want to go back in again quite yet.

If having to comply to her wishes was bad enough, he was held back only by His telling him to let it go when she wiped herself off on R'men's legs. He's only wet because /you/ used him as a towel![/i] This he yelled at the top of his mental lungs at his sister, before taking his place on the far side of the man.

R'men was silently thanking whatever powers that be, that he had forgotten his jar of oil in the barracks. He could oil Weith in peace without the distraction that the gold presented. He apologized again to Meira, for the trouble the hatchling was causing, and added silently to Weith that Jingth had started it so as not to take sides. Just as he and the bronze had turned to leave he cringed as he heard the audible plop as something wet came in contact with the something that it had hit. He turned his head cautiously only to see that a glop of dark, wet sand had somehow found it's way onto Jingth.

Weith continued walking as though nothing had happened, caution making him turn his head slightly to keep his tail in sight.

[Avu]

Weith’s words were relayed instantly by Jingth to Meira, and though the gold didn’t croon – such would indicate actual approval of the bronze and she didn’t – she did condescend to nod graciously at Weith. He was still stupid, though; clearly he just knew that she would win – to call it a tie would be to save his own dignity and ego, silly bronze that he was. Good for him, but oh, there would be next time. There was always a next time, and she’d be sure to outwit him next time. She’d have won this time, just like she’d won on the Hatching Sands, but Hers hadn’t wanted her hurt. For Hers, she would postpone the inevitable victory. It was simply giving Weith another chance – not that he’d be able to do much with it, hmph; he was too stupid to actually try and use that to his advantage, Weith was. Oh, Jingth did underestimate the bronze, but – he’d given her no reason to think of him as actually intelligent, had he now? The gold hesitated a moment, nuzzling Meira’s hand again (see, see, she wouldn’t get hurt~) before she flopped ungracefully to the ground, body still wound around the girl’s legs.

He’s wet, Jingth corrected, Because he was in my way to Mine. He is lucky that getting wet was the worst that happened to him. Hmph. Silly bronze. Didn’t he know she’d done that on purpose so that they’d have to go in and so that she could claim her river rightfully? Hmm, she’d have to get one of her servants to watch this part of the river very carefully to make sure Weith did not come back again. Like MeiraHers had said, the river was a very big place, and she had specifically claimed the length on the west side between that tree and that big rock. He could claim anywhere else and Jingth would not have a problem with that. She did have a problem with his invading her territory, though. Just go figure that such an egotistical –

Splat.

Meira jumped visibly at the sound; R’men’s apology had gone unanswered, her head bowed. One hand was still protectively curled around her abdomen, the other resting lightly on Jingth’s neck, taking comfort in the physical presence of the hatchling. Jingth was…so different from her, in the vanity and her manipulation, but…she still loved the gold excessively. More than anything in the world. Meisk and Zesa – she loved them, but that had become hollow, the feeling mixed with so much sorrow that it hurt to think about them. And that wasn’t love, not really…especially since she knew they were no longer here. Not with her, never with her – never with anybody, because they were gone, incapable of returning that love the way that Jingth did, the way Checkoth had – the way her friends did. Jingth’s reaction to being splattered in mud made her wonder (rather despairingly) why she did love Jingth as much as she did; surely it was not dignified, her reaction…? For it was not at all dignified, but Jingth was a hatchling yet, and in any case, nobody was around to see. Weith deserved it.

The mud had splattered onto one wing membrane, the appendage having come around barely in time to prevent it from splattering into her eyes, and Jingth hissed furiously, shaking her wing out (carefully away from Meira; must not splatter Hers, no no bad bad) before her claws flexed into the muddy ground and she flung a clawful of the mud squarely at Weith’s backside; served him right for turning his back on her like he had. Still, the queen rose from her sprawled position. It would not do to be lying down if the idiot threw more mud, no. MeiraLove, move behind me. I won’t let you get dirty. /I/ can just go into the river, but you cannot, the hatchling urged Hers, and Meira’s eyes widened in shock, her fingers curling spasmodically on Jingth’s back. If it was just a mud-fight – a hatchling fight or some such – one couldn’t expect a hatchling, like a child, not to do foolish things – but if it escalated into a full-out fight…panic clenched in her stomach, and her first instinct was to interject herself in between the two hatchlings, but Jingth moved forward, still hissing, in front of her, before she could act on the impulse.

Foolish, came her mental hiss. Did you really think that you’d get away with such an act? So childish and /so/ immature, but you could not have expected no retaliation. If I must sink to your level to get that message across, believe me, I /will/.

“Don’t,” Meira blurted, before she could stop herself. “Jingth – no, don’t, please don’t…” She took a step forward, both arms wrapping around the queen’s neck loosely. “Just – just go wash it off, you didn’t have to – ”

He started it, MeiraLove. I am finishing it. He needs to be taught a lesson for daring to defile a queen.

[Sheari]

R'men blatantly reached out and bopped his bronze on the head and added a mental 'why did you do that?!' scold. All he got in return was a triumphant feeling that was not his. "I'm so sorry," he called to Meira, and he walked back to see if he could help her; possibly wipe the wet sand from Jingth that hadn't flown off? Weith, a little offended by His going to help Jingth's remained where he stood, because R'menhis had told him to stay put or he'd get bopped again. She /deserved/ to be hit with mud, Mine. She got you wet, she /deserved/ it.[/i]

He had won! Yes, he had one this battle and now he could use this stretch of beach as much as he liked because they had called a tie. Weith was smug as he heard Jingth's call her from fighting and caught the glimpse of Her's holding her back. of course, the splat of mud on his rump did not please him, but that could be wiped off back at barracks. They had buckets of water there and Weith liked the idea of a spot-bath. He could dry off faster and go out to find Shith to play. Yes, these ideas pleased him. He had won!

I did not defile a /queeeen/,[/i] he drew the word out as insult, I threw mud at a bratty gold who was outsmarted by me. We called a tie, I can use this stretch of beach as I please.[/i] He then stuck his tongue out (oh so maturely) and began to walk away.

I'm going back to the barracks R'menmine, You may wash me and oil me when you get there, I do not want to be around that sandy green on the beach,[/i] he added privately.

[Avu]

“It’s – it’s okay, just – ” Her cheeks were flushed red with embarrassment, both arms still looping Jingth’s neck lightly. It was not, strictly speaking, necessary; the queen had made no move to pull away towards Weith, though her tail tip was flicking in agitation. It was so rude to ask R’men to just go – just leave and let her curl up with Jingth – but she wanted to. So badly. Meira dropped her gaze from the bronzeweyrling, to Jingth, who half-turned her head, eyes whirling rapidly, to look at her, a silent reassurance touching her mind. She would be dignified now…but! The stupid bronze’s was coming towards them. Jingth eyed R’men cautiously for a moment before she crooned pleasantly at him. He was sorry; he was smarter than the bronze was. Of course, Jingth would never actually like R’men, but if it made Weith furious, of course she’d be nice to him. Not that she’d talk to him. He wasn’t worthy of that, no he wasn’t~ But…oh, wouldn’t it make Weith rage if she claimed His as her servant?! The gold hatchling flipped her tail once more, her rage at the bronze subsiding into something decidedly more cold, controlled. Eyes narrowed for a moment at Weith’s retreating backside, and she hissed (more for show than because she actually was irritated enough to hiss).

You could not outsmart a wherry if you tried. Do not press your luck, red Weith. Why is it a creature as stupid as you Impressed to a human who is so much smarter? You didn’t outsmart me. I am simply being kind enough to save your ego. Take it in the manner the gesture was intended. She bowed her head slightly, eyes gleaming curiously after Weith. No more tail-biting or mud-slinging for her, no; she’d have to be much more devious to achieve her lengths, she would. And the stupid red creature would, at the end of it, be one of her servants.

You may release me, MeiraLove, she added, turning to nudge Meira’s distended abdomen again, a gesture of affection the queen had had since her Impression. Their clutch. I am not going to do anything rash, and Weith is leaving, in any case. He will not be back; of that I am quite sure. He does not desire my company any more than I his, fortunately. As he pleased, he could use the beach, yes, but that didn’t mean Jingth couldn’t use it. And use it she would. If she was there first, she would not be as stupid as Weith had been at this moment and leave. That was as good as giving up her territory on the river. She’d stay, and she would make him go away so that she wouldn’t have to deal with him. And then he’d eventually have to find a new river to collapse next to and she would have won. Jingth crooned low in her throat, a rough sound, before she cocked her head, eyeing R’men curiously. Now, how to go about making him her servant…?

Meira regarded R’men warily for a moment before she did loosen her grasp from Jingth’s neck, moving one hand over the grains of cool mud remaining on Jingth’s hide, brushing them off and then rubbing her fingers together to remove the grains from her own hand. The hatchling crooned pleasantly again, and then flopped onto the ground again, ignoring the fact that the sand clung to her hide where it contacted the ground. She was mostly on the grass, but some sand did manage to latch on. “You aren’t…going in?” Meira asked softly, her other hand gesturing after Weith. “I’m…I’m really sorry, I didn’t think…” Which was, honestly, the truth. She loved Jingth, trusted Jingth, depended on Jingth, more than was perhaps quite healthy or right. The gold was undeniably more manipulative, cleverer, than Meisk had been, not quite able to take that love and act in an appropriately cautious way. And – she didn’t really expect Jingth to, because then she wouldn’t be Jingth, but…it made trying to love her, protect her, so difficult.

Jingth crooned. MeiraLove? Can you please tell the human that I do not blame him for Weith? I am not irritated with him and I will not hurt him if he wants to stay. She really wasn’t irritated with R’men. It wasn’t his fault Weith had Impressed to him, the fat stupid bronze. Couldn’t he have picked someone that was appropriately stupid?

“Um…Jingth wants me to tell you that she’s not irritated with you,” Meira added, glancing down at Jingth nervously. “I don’t know why she hates Weith so much; I’m sorry…” She hadn’t been paying attention, in all honesty, when the Hatching had been taking place. She’d been so sleepy that recalling details of the Hatching was all but impossible; the only thing she remembered was the Impression, Jingth…sprawling out on top of R’wign, that first touch of the gold’s mind. Which was decidedly not helpful, though she did remember that the gold had been decidedly unhappy with her brother right from the start. Why? Faranth knew.

[Sheari]

With Weith gone, R'men could focus on something other than is smug dragon. He smiled at Jingth when Meira relayed her words. "No need to be sorry, none of it was your fault," to say he felt awkward could go as an understatement. He didn't know what made him feel so out of place, perhaps it was the absence of the little bronze. He'd gotten so used to having him there by his side that it now felt strange to not have him there. "I, uh, I came over to help, if I could. I saw you had just washed her and," that your pregnant, " figured I could wipe off the mud and sand to sort of, make up for Weith's behavior?" He really didn't know what he was doing. With Weith had come a form of responsibility. He felt that he was almost expected to step up to the plate and that people should have to ask for his help. R'men wondered if others who had Impressed felt this way.

Speaking of which, he would have to talk to Weith later about his behavior. R'men wasn't exactly pleased at how he had reacted. he didn't mind the sibling rivalry, but he hoped some of the immaturity would grow out of him, that as he aged he would eventually learn to be polite.

Yes, he could hope.

Weith continued to walk away. He had won, yes, and he planned on going down to that stretch of beach later that day. They had called it a tie but in his mind she had been the loser. They were even now, he had gotten her back for biting his tail when they had hatched. Of course, he knew this wouldn't register in his silly opponent's mind. This meant that they weren't even and he could get her back twice. No, Weith.[/i] It was a reprimand from His and he did not like it. But, R'menmine![/i] No, you hit her with mud, you won.[/i] Weith huffed. His thought he had won, and he thought he had won, but...Shith! He could tell Shith, certainly he would understand!

[Avu]

Now she was sure that R’men was just being polite. It had been her fault; if she’d insisted, surely Jingth would have gone somewhere else? She should be able to control the queen – and honestly? She could have, Meira was sure; Jingth understood how panicky she would get if it came to her getting hurt, knew that she’d be in tears, and was aware that she’d blame herself for it – the gold was simply too arrogant to think that she ever would get hurt. In her mind, there was no need for worry. In Meira’s mind, there most definitely was a need to worry, but she’d failed to emphasize this and…this little hatchling hissy-fit was what had come of it. She had to prevent it, somehow, next time. She bit her lip lightly, but nodded nonetheless at R’men, gratefully. “It’s…thanks.” One hand moved down Jingth’s back again nervously. “I – don’t think it’s necessary, though – I mean, Weith wasn’t the only one throwing mud and…” She shrugged, brushed away another grain of the cold river mud from Jingth’s hide. “I’m sure I’m not wrong in saying that he won’t be too pleased with your helping Jingth,” she added softly, dismayed. She hadn’t had time to actually meet any of the people in her class; Jingth liked Chaoth just fine (actually, she just thought the brown was better than Weith, but that was no surprise), but she hadn’t…met…anyone. Except R’men. And what a brilliant start this was.

Jingth flapped both wings lightly, as not to spray up any more sand, and then moved forward, wriggling on her belly, to croon in what could only be described as an incredibly polite, pleasant manner at R’men, though she didn’t move to touch him. Mustn’t be too forward, or he’d suspect. He wasn’t as stupid as Weith was, this one, or she wouldn’t have wanted him to be her servant. No, no; only the best servants would be her personal servants, though of course the entire Weyr was in her servitude to some degree. Except Hers, of course; Hers was the best and was not a servant at all, but an equal. Her only equal. Tell him please that I appreciate the thought very much, MeiraLove? she crooned, and then added, And also tell him that I am sorry that I am mean to Weith if it hurts him or he does not like it, but I cannot help it and it’s not at all his fault.

Had it been anyone but Jingth, Meira’s inevitable mental reply would have been ‘Of course you can help it!’ As it was, the thought did not even flicker across her mind save for a pressing of doubt and disapproval before she relayed dutifully, “Jingth – says she appreciates it, your coming over to help – and that she’s sorry about – about fighting with Weith if it hurts you…” It hurt her. “And that it’s not your fault. Just…in case.” A weak half-smile flickered across her face, but she bowed her head shortly thereafter, one shoulder rising in a slight shrug. She was too tired, too scared, to understand exactly what it was that Jingth was doing. Manipulative indeed the gold could be, though likely she’d tell Hers exactly what was up later. MeiraHers deserved to know. But not now; as much as Jingth hated to keep Hers out of it right now – though if she simply concentrated it would be obvious, seeing how open, how close, their mental connection was – her emotions were so obviously portrayed on her face that R’men would see something was up at once and that simply could not do. But Jingth refused to manipulate Hers; that was unnecessary and it was cruel and it was mistrustful.

No more violent acts. Please, Jingth?
No more violent acts, the gold agreed glibly, without so much as a flicker to betray her thoughts in those whirling eyes. I promise. No more. I am /above/ that. No, no! No more silly impulsiveness. From here on out, everything would be carefully planned…

[Sheari]

R'men wasn't really fond of the queen. This wasn't obvious but it was true enough. He found her retaliation to Weith throwing mud like an immature child - He /is/ an immature child - to be ridiculous. In all honesty, he hadn't come over and offered help to benefit Jingth, he had come over to help Meira because she'd looked to about be ready to keel over and panic. However, what Meira said didn't bother him. He was pleased that the little gold wouldn't hold a grudge over him like she did Weith because of something the bronze had done. It was nice to know she had some sense, if enough to understand the difference between fault and blame.

"Okay, I understand. Looks like you have everything managed anyway," he said, a pleasant smile on his face. He saw Meira brush sand from Jingth and mused that his help wasn't needed after all.

R'men stood there for a few moments before deciding that hanging around was a bad idea, even if he could convince Weith to come back after these two had left; on second thought, that would be a bad idea as well. He was about to say 'I need to find Weith before he finds trouble,' but decided against that as well and simply said, "I need to find Weith, anyway." With a sort of sheepish, apologetic look and a smile, he turned on his heels and began walking away. Yes, he must find Weith for multiple reasons that included wiping off the sand on him and oiling him; his legs were also getting cold. He sniffed and felt a little offended that Jingth had wiped herself off on him. Next time he'd have to ask something to be done about it, when Meira looked more "put together" than she was.