Gold Threads and Silver Strands (Chasers)

[Tashe]

A Hopper... a Boat... a Dolphin... /I don't care Kaemine. I want to have fun... though sunning on the Beach is relaxing... maybe I'll go in the sea and then sun myself some more. OH! I wonder if there will be any males down here... I have gone so long without praise./ Oh yes... three days is so long. /Blues don't count!/ Styth? /He didn't mean it./ That Bronze I didn't really get a look at but I could physically 'feel' your smugness? /... Its been a long time./ Letting her palm smack gently into her head, the Junior weyrwoman sighed before continuing to bounce her 'mandyr up and down. Kaegan had come to despise her Gold's proddiness when her time to rise came near, it often forced her into awkward and random conversations with the Dragon's male riders. It was certainly not something she tended to do in her spare time, in fact, she seemed to only speak to men when she needed to... or was addressed by one, it was generally common knowledge. Oh, but as soon as Millieth started to glow, the gold chucked out all sense of pity for her Mine.

/What should I doooo, Kaemine? Should I swim or should I Sunbathe... or should I swim and then sunbathe or Sunbathe and then swim?/ It would make no sense to Sunbathe and then Swim. So either Swim and then Sunbathe or don't swim at all. /You're smart Mine... have I ever told you that?/ Only when you glow. /I should tell you that more often./ "If only you'd remember that after you stop glowing." Rubbing her nose against Dash's muzzle, Kaegan slid the 'Mandyr into his favorite place, in the pocket right above her heart. LoveloveyouloveyouPRETTY. "Love you too Dash." Tugging off her boots, now that her hands were free, the Goldrider rolled up her sleeves before inching her feet and legs into the water. Quietly thankful that she had found this small solitary rock, Kaegan yawned and resolved to enjoy the sun's rays. At least today she had the chance to be alone with her Dragon, and work on her tan... her exposed legs already had darkened slightly, giving them a healthy gleam, instead of the pale Olive her skin usually was.

[reqqy]

I always win, Jessereth stated smugly. And? Z'hin was ignoring the amusement coming from his brown - amusement at his expense. The man stroked downriver lazily, letting his muscles cool down. You're bigger, and you don't have a lame limb. I'd be quite disappointed if you didn't always win. Yet you still try to beat me. The brown was drifting, belly-up, in the current a few dozen feet ahead of Z'hin, occasionally sending waves his rider's way with a sweep of his tail. I'm just stubborn that way. Never know when to give up, Jessereth agreed, snorting as he rolled over and snaked further downriver. There are some nice rocks at the beach. The hatchling will keep for a little longer. Sensing HinMine's reluctance, Jess added, We haven't been to the ocean since we got back. Don't you want to?

The brownrider was just exiting the river right before the trees gave way to sand when he felt an unusual emotion coming from Jessereth. Jess? The brown didn't respond. Z'hin had the distinct sense that this was familiar - that he'd felt this before - but he couldn't place it and the feeling was genuinely foreign. Pushing the water from his trousers as best he could (his left arm wasn't so very useful in that endeavor) the brownrider stepped from the trees and groaned softly. Millieth. He'd forgotten about that...completely. Jessereth certainly hadn't, though. Even now, the male flew above the two females, careful to allow his rich, dark hide to catch the sunlight and glisten with the water. He twisted lazily, coming to a light landing a respectful distance from Millieth, settling to the ground almost silently.

I thought it was just the silly crush of a young hatchling, but you're even more beautiful this turn, Millieth. Would you allow me just to lie in your presence? Much smoother than their last meeting, however the excited break in his words, and the muted wonder behind his tone made him seem just as young as when he'd first been struck by her beauty while flying along the river.

Z'hin sniffed mildly, wringing the water from his hair as efficiently as he was able. The dark ringlets clung to neck and shoulders, already beginning to dry. He'd swum without a shirt, but knew better to go without trousers, seeing as how they could easily be lost and he'd gradually come to understand that, even at the Weyr, people weren't as liberal as his holdless family had been. Barefoot, he padded toward the collection of dragons and the young woman, figuring he was stuck here unless he wanted to trek back to the Weyr alone, anyway, and there was no point in being standoffish when there was perfectly acceptable company to be had. Although he would have much preferred it if Jessereth hadn't gotten all mushy over a gold.

"I should have known," he commented wryly, slipping into a crouch that seemed as natural to him as breathing. "Only Millieth can bring out that infintesimal nice streak." Glancing sidelong at Kaegan, he smirked. "Sure you or Millieth haven't been lacing his water with something, goldrider?" If he was self-conscious about the massive feline scars lashing his chest and shoulder, or of the half-crippled arm, he didn't show it.

[Avu]

I told you you’d like the ocean. Corinth sounded exceptionally pleased with himself, his head down on the ground as both dragon and Rider sat several dragonlengths away from the water lapping against the sandy beach. T’rid rolled his eyes affectionately at the bronze. “Yeah? I’ve been before, Cor.” The bronze dragon considered. Was I with you? “No.” Corinth rumbled in low irritation. But you like it better with me. It wasn’t a question. “Yes.” T’rid sighed, and impulsively said, “Go swim, Cor. I know you want to. Why else would you bring me down here?” I want you to swim with me, Corinth protested. “Not happening. Go swim.”

The bronze sighed, and then rose from the ground. With one sweep of his tail, he had hooked T’rid around the midriff, and ‘accidentally’ dragged him into the water, ignoring the Rider’s yelps of protest, which turned into a splutter as the first wave hit him. “Argh! Corinth, I hate you.” I love you too. Doesn’t it feel good though? T’rid glared at the bronze. “You got me drenched, Corinth. Clothes and all. I’m going to freeze when we between back to the Weyr.” The bronze, creating waves of his own as he rolled over in the cool water, rumbled. Who says we’re going between? It’ll be a straight flight. Which you know I dislike, T’rid growled, slipping back into telepathy as a wave crashed over his head. Well, that’s hardly my problem, is it? Corinth asked sweetly.

T’rid turned his head from Corinth with a shake of his head, and caught a gleam of gold along the shoreline. Millieth, he said, his voice surprised. How they had failed to notice Millieth was beyond him—but then they had directly between-ed to this section of the beach, around a grove of trees from Millieth. Corinth’s head snaked him and his tongue forked out as his eyes whirled, picking out Millieth’s form. She has company, Ridmine. Jessereth. He paused judiciously. I think it would be kinder to leave them alone. Although she is very pretty. “You have every right to flirt with her if you want to, Corinth,” T’rid said, his words broken when he closed his mouth to keep saltwater from entering it. “Especially over a brown, since it’ll be bronzes who Chase her when she Rises.” It is not unheard of for a brown to Chase—and Catch, Corinth said calmly, But I shall. Please don’t kill yourself or anyone else.

His Rider grunted, hooking his arm around Corinth’s tail as the bronze started for the shore where Millieth and Jessereth were. Pulling himself out of the water, the bronze shook his hide lightly, letting the water droplets slide off of him. Getting sand stuck to his hide was not the best way to impress even a green, let alone a queen. Greetings, he called calmly, addressing both Jessereth and Millieth. After all, the brown had been there first and Corinth didn’t need to have his tail bitten off for rudeness. If you permit it, gorgeous queen, and I am not interrupting anything, might I stay with you awhile? His eyes flickered briefly to Jessereth, as if to include the brown in it, quite certain that whatever the queen stated the brown would go with anyway.

T’rid, meanwhile, had made his way towards Z’hin and Kaegan. He had no intention of standing around like a little lost wherry and letting Corinth’s jealousy and whatever else get to him, when it might cause Mir, whom they had deftly left sleeping his T’rid’s furs, realize that his Bonded was away and that Corinth was having fun without him. Luckily, the blue fire lizard hatchling did little else beside sleep, and they had carefully left a bowl of raw scraps of meat on the table next to him, so even if he should wake, he hopefully would gorge and fall back asleep.

He stood a small distance away, as Z’hin seemed to be quite comfortable with Kaegan, something he wasn’t. It wasn’t that he disliked the goldrider, more that he didn’t know her well at all. T’rid was irritably aware that his clothes were drenched, but that couldn’t be helped at time being. He gave a slight bow to Kaegan, and then said, “Hello, Kaegan. Corinth wanted to say hello to Millieth, so if you’ll permit me to stay with you two while he’s doing so?” He tilted his head slightly towards the bronze, hoping that Kaegan wouldn’t tell him to go away or some such.

[neeuqtar]

A second bronze figure appeared in the skies, the long and whipcord figure of the defending bronze. He spilled altitude rapidly, swooping nearby and landing a polite distance away, so that his backwinging would not disturb the gleaming gold. Of course, Rath didn't care about Jessereth or Corinth, and quite likely may have sent leaf littler and dust from the slight drought flying up at the other two; he didn't even bother looking. Millieth, how lovely you look, as if your hide drank in the sun and poured out its radiance sevenfold, Rath complimented his mate, as if commenting on her for the first time, though such compliments were not at all out of character for the bronze. They'd just been reserved for Elianoreth for most of his life, a dragon he hardly remembered anymore except as a name. You are more beautiful each time my eyes fall upon your gracious form.

The dragon turned his whirling green eyes to Jessereth, then Corinth, and inclined his head in a gesture of acknowledgement to the two other males. Of the duo, Rath frankly thought the brown was the more dangerous opponent. It was visible in how the brown creature held himself, in proper worshipful adoration of Millieth which had little to do with flattery and much to do with true emotion. Rath didn't remember why Jessereth worried him so, though R'non did.

The bronzerider vaulted off his dragon's back with ease that would have been impossible for a man of his age who wasn't a dragonrider. But R'non was very much in his prime yet, even at forty-six, though he was very much the old man compared to the youngsters in the gathering... even the queenrider. Shards, especially Kaegan. He grinned at the trio and sprawled on the ground nearish to his "official" weyrmate, though they'd only had sex the once, during the Flight. And he didn't actually intend to repeat the experience, no matter how much Kaegan reminded him of... well, nevermind.

"Kaegan, you have quite the party," R'non said with an easy smile. He was more relaxed, no longer living under the strain of a double-life. Not that anyone trusted him at all--and with good reason--but he was used to not being trusted. Even C'leon's hatred felt quite cathartic to him. "Hope you don't mind me crashing it for a bit? I have a quick break before I have to back to drawing combat charts and wracking my brain for the least bit of information on Benden's strength."

Hey Rath, tell Jessereth he has dibs on Millieth, R'non teased his dragon.

No. the dragon snapped back. Millieth is golden and beautiful. I will not let a brown sully her Flight.[/color] R'non shot his dragon a look, which the bronze ignored quite readily.

Temper much?

I don't like him, the bronze grumped back. He is my rival. R'non raised a mental brow.

Meraxeth is your rival.

And who, the dragon countered, Is Meraxeth? Is he here? I do not know any creature by that name. But there is a Jessereth, and he is in love with my Millieth.

[Tashe]

Watching the Brown slowly descend from the sky, the glowing Gold arched her neck in a regal manner as the male landed an appropriate distance from her. Making a coughing noise, one that had been discovered to be a form of laughter, Millieth crooned at the male's praise. /Jessereth! I have not seen you in a while. I am starting to think you only show up to speak with me when I'm about to fly./ Whipping her tail around to trail it across the Brown's foreleg in a soft caress, the Gold resettled her tail back against her body a few seconds after, teasing the male both mentally and physically. /You may lay here... my, how handsome you have grown. Much stronger too... very nice./ Turning an appraising eye onto Jessereth, Millieth let her eyes wonder and linger over his more appealing parts.

If Kaegan had been paying attention to her other half, her reaction to the voice that appeared at her shoulder might not have been so noticeable. Squawking as she rescued her floundering 'Mandyr from the sea, after having dumped him in there because of the violent jump, the Goldrider tried to slow her heart rate and calm the Brown. Slowly tilting her head at an angle, Kaegan was painfully aware of the embarrassed tint that had come to her face, she couldn't believe she had been so absorbed in her thoughts. "Oh! Uh... Lacing his... Oh dear. We'd never do that! Millieth just is... attractive to males?" Well that conversation starter failed miserably, although not emboldened by her stuttering, the Queenrider glanced down at her fussy 'Mandyr before trying again. "Sorry. I was startled... I was, er... lost in thought. Thinking of the past."

A metallic glitter drew her attention momentarily away from Jessereth and over to the sea, watching quietly as a Bronze pulled himself from the waves. /You may you may, I was just conversing with Jessereth. You are welcome to join.../ Although her body gave no noticeable interest in the newcomer, it was her eyes that searched Corinth hungrily, sliding over his body as if he were a prized possession. He was certainly a handsome Bronze, despite the fact he was rather small for his type, his darkened hide spurred her interest... plus, he had a pretty way of speaking, something she would have normally ignored if she wasn't so flirty. /I have not seen you much before Bronze, I'm sure I would remember your name if we had met... face to face./ The Queen crooned at the male before switching her pleased gaze upon Jessereth, she didn't want her cute little brown to be upset that she was going to be paying equal attention to each of them.

Upon hearing the soft 'shist' of footsteps over sand, the Goldrider let her vision switch from Z'hin to the new comer, glad that her startled awkwardness could be deserted for the moment. Eying T'rid as he appeared, totally drenched by the looks of it, Kaegan gave him a tentative smile as he bowed. At least he hadn't appeared out of no where like a slight animal, it gave her some time to pluck up the courage to speak again, she naturally ignored the fact he hadn't used one of her official titles in his greeting. "Oh, um Hello. S-sure, I suppose it... would be better than having you... die of boredom?" Glancing at Z'hin as if to judge whether or not he disapproved, Kaegan naturally wrung her hands and flicked her vision away from both of the males, some of Benden's influence still resided in her- despite all of the time she had spent here.

Flaring her wings as soon as the voice entered her mind, Millieth haunched her shoulders and twisted her neck around sharply to watch her previous, accidental suitor land on her beach. /RATH. I... you... Grr. Your flattery does not intrigue or interest me./ Making a huffing sound as she funneled her attention back onto the others with a new found vigor, the Queen began to preen herself, showing off her physique and radiant hide. As far as the newest Bronze was concerned, Millieth considered him in a lower position of affection than even Corinth, the Bronze she had only seen a few times. Rath had been part of the attack, and even though he had turned and fought with C'leon's Bronze, the Gold had been subjected to Kaegan's feelings of betrayal. Flicking her tail gently, Millieth hoped her slight made Rath feel hurt, or at least flustered... though she had lied a little when she responded to him, any words of flattery registered kindly in her head, but she wasn't about to admit it.

Although her Dragon's unhappy response came quickly, and without warning, Kaegan took a while to even think of something to say to the man. In her mind, R'non was one of the few she wished she hadn't needed to speak to again, she was still hurt because of what had happened between them at the raid. If she hadn't frozen to her spot, her mouth would have been opening and closing like a fish out of water as her mind rooted around for something to say. Twisting a string nervously around her finger, Kaegan swung her legs back and forth in the water, making sure not to make a splash as she did so. "... I... suppose so. You know... if the others don't mind." Dropping her shirt string, the Goldrider weaseled her face into her famous, tentative smile that was just a little more than a small curvature of the sides of her lips.

[neeuqtar]

R'non sighed. "Look, Kaegan, I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable, and I'd honestly rather not be in this position, though you are a beautiful woman." He ran his fingers through his hair in a nervous habit. Shards, he needed to crop it again... there was no way he'd ever grow it out again. "If you would rather I not be here, you don't have to worry about offending me by telling me so." He shrugged and sat back up, squinting against the sun at her. "Rath is just being territorial; if she gets her pick this time you'll probably never have to speak to me again."

Rath was not quite so amenable. She is being cruel to me, the dragon huffed to His, causing the man to smile a little wryly in response. Luckily for him the expression fit fairly well with his words to Kaegan.

She's a gold before Flight and doesn't actually like us. We were, after all, betraying her and Hers.

The dragon huffed slightly at his rider in irritation before responding to Millieth, his eyes dulled slightly from her waspish reply. I cannot help it, flame of the skies, the dragon replied sorrowfully, sounding wounded. I know you do not trust my words, but I can assure you that I mean each one. It is only that your beauty smites me so that I must speak or be struck dumb.

I'm just waiting for the snappy comeback for that, R'non snarked back at his dragon. 'I'd prefer if you were struck dumb. Better yet, how about struck dead?' or something like that.

Then you would just be another pink creature scuttling on the ground, the dragon replied, irked at R'non for not being supportive. Just look how beautiful Millieth was! She was gold! Wasn't she worthy of worship?

I'm bronze, too, the rider laughed back. He was, after all, quite tanned... even bronzed. The dragon just snorted a blast of warm air down at R'non.

As if.

[reqqy]

Jessereth paused right where he was, eyes flashing yellow in agitation at her words. He didn't know if she was teasing or not, but she couldn't think he was only interested in her Flight! Not perfect Millieth. He would have spent every waking moment with her if he could. I don't want to Fly you, Millieth! Whoops. He shifted slightly, uncomfortable. I mean, I would always Chase. You are...are...you are Millieth, he finished lamely. So much for sounding pretty like he'd heard some of the others when they were courting females. You should be Chased by every bronze and brown in Selenitas. HinMine and I have been away - far away with the fighting dragons, or I would have spoken to you many, many times, he concluded earnestly.

The compliments, or the acceptance, hadn't registered on him until he made that clear. Or as clear as his floundering mind could manage. He crooned gratefully to her now, though, well after the fact, pleased that she didn't just think he was a silly brown. It was not that he thought he could ever win her. Millieth was simply the only dragon he even wanted to talk to for an extended period of time, yet alone Chase and win. He would never risk offending her by not showing his respect and giving Chase. He hadn't won last time, but...he thought there was something there. She'd done something...Oh, he couldn't remember, but he knew she hadn't rejected him out-of-hand. Jessereth remembered being disappointed and hurt, but little else.

Oh yes. And Rath. The imposter, the dragon who was not Selenitas. He definitely remembered Rath.

The brown's head swiveled toward Corinth, the dragon...not much liking being interrupted. His nostrils flared, but it wasn't for him to decide, and he forced himself to remain still. Millieth wasn't his, and she was likely only humoring him. Clearly, she liked having this bronze here. Jessereth scrunched into the sands, wondering if this meant he would be ignored now. So many females seemed to see a bronze and forget all else.

Z'hin smiled rather apologetically at the junior weyrwoman. He hadn't meant to startle her, after all. He watched her fish the brown salamandyr out of the ocean. Now he'd gone and upset the poor thing, too. Rumbling in his throat in what he hoped was a soothing manner - Hrorek liked it well enough, and Kale seemed to, as well. "That wasn't at all my intent," he responded, unable to keep the amusement from his eyes at her stumbling reply. "But I apologize just the same. Wouldn't do to have our junior weyrwoman drown due to fright, now would it? Maybe I should wear bells so you can hear me coming." He chuckled, then, rearranging his left arm in a manner that was more comfortable. "As for Millieth...there's no doubt she's beautiful, but I'm sure there are other females who attract plenty of males, and Jessereth doesn't give them the time of day. It's probably because he was maturing right at about the time she got proddy, but...doesn't change the facts. He's never so sweet to anyone else." His brow lifted questioningly at Kaegan, as if implying the question he'd first asked still stood.

Z'hin looked up at T'rid with a friendly smile, catching Kaegan's questioning glance. He had no problem with the kid hanging around. "Be my guest. Any rider of a dragon rival to Jess is a friend of mine. No offense to our lovely goldrider, but I'm not altogether interested in playing weyrleader. Good luck to Corinth."

Jessereth had no need to doubt Millieth. He should have known his lady wouldn't forget him! The brown was so consumed by the golden beauty that he didn't notice Rath until the bronze landed, spraying sand up on him. He sneezed, shaking out his hide with an ill-concealed snarl. Rath was larger than him, older, but Jessereth had taken down his share of bronzes in the last several months, and he was not afraid of the male. Only Millieth's presence prevented him from making his displeasure much clearer. He was pleased when she rejected the outsider immediately, even if he didn't know the reason why, but that pleasure soon disappeared as Rath persisted. Can't you see Millieth doesn't want you here? If you cared for her at all, you'd respect her wishes, he stated softly, though that couldn't hide the clear antagonism in his tone.

The brownrider's eyes narrowed at R'non's approach, though it had little to do with the junior weyrleader's trustworthiness - or lack thereof. It was hard to separate himself from Jessereth's emotion toward Rath. Even though he didn't regard Kaegan as Jess did Millieth, there was enough natural wariness towards the bronzerider that the anger had a foothold in his mind. He forced a smile to his lips, even knowing that it would be obvious that was just what he was doing. "I don't mind if you don't," he told the girl, since she seemed to be asking the question of them. He knew she probably wanted him to protest so she had an excuse to send R'non away, but...Z'hin had no desire to start anything. "Weyrleader," he stated, in noncommittal greeting.

[Avu]

Corinth was pleased by Millieth’s acceptance of him. Perhaps it wasn’t as warm as it could be, but then they had barely ever met, as she said, before. He dipped his head, his voice rising in a soft croon. I thank you, he said solemnly. I apologize…my name is Corinth, my Rider T’rid. There is, of course, no need to ask who you are, Millieth; only the most ignorant of dragons would not know the name of such a beautiful queen. His mind-tone was frank, laced with an almost childish eagerness to please, as he hummed softly. He liked her. He didn’t like queens that were haughty and sniffy, and Millieth was neither haughty nor sniffy. She was very nice to be around…

The bronze blinked his lidded eyes as Jessereth turned his gaze onto him, although he had nothing to say and elected to remain silent, returning the brown’s gaze calmly. Millieth obviously enjoyed his company, and he was in no way going to snap at Jessereth to leave. In fact, he might not have even interrupted the twosome had Millieth not been so pretty and glowing, and T’rid so encouraging. He wasn’t quite sure if T’rid’s encouragement came because the Bronzer wanted to see Corinth flirt and have a bit of fun, because he was quite sure that T’rid held little or no interest in becoming Junior Weyrleader. Perhaps he was just being indulgent.

T’rid, meanwhile, had a wry grin on his face. “No, dying of boredom definitely wouldn’t be very pleasant,” he agreed solemnly. “T’rid of Corinth. Nice to meet you.” He tilted his head to one side, considering, and then said, “Do I call you Kaegan or Weyrwoman?” He’d rather ask and be thought a fool than call wrongly and be smacked. He couldn’t see why some people were so odd about names and titles being interchanged—he was fine with whatever people called him, as long as they knew what he was—but women were very odd. He nodded amiably at Z’hin, and a grin flickered across his face. “No? Well, I can’t say honestly that I’m infatuated with the idea of ‘playing Weyrleader,’ as you put it, either. So. Thanks.” Even if he didn’t need the luck, Corinth did, because the bronze was undoubtedly going to Chase when the queen Rose.

He glanced back sharply towards the dragons as Corinth’s soft croon cut off in sharp surprise. Ah, Rath had come to defend ‘his’ queen, had he? The younger bronze’s tail was flicking in agitation as the queen promptly dismissed Rath. He hardly blamed her—but neither did he wish to challenge Rath quite as openly as Jessereth chose to. He had no claim over Millieth, although he did hum consolingly. It seems the queen has chosen not to have you as her company, Rath, he said quietly, his voice even. It would be preferable if you left now.

Millieth’s preening had directed his eyes on her, the jeweled orbs glowing with shades of purple and blue as he crooned a soft tribute. As Rath didn’t go away—he resisted the urge to hiss at the bronze—Corinth had already decided. The most pointed way to deal with such an unwanted suitor was, simply, to ignore him. The silly Rath—he had betrayed Millieth and Hers, had he not? And he expected to be welcomed back with a delighted croon? This antagonism was not the territorial one that he felt Rath displayed. Rather, it was more of an urge to obey Millieth. The reasoning was simple: Obey the queen, she likes you. Disobey her, she hates you. He, as little contact as he’d had with Millieth before, had no intention to be hated by her.

T’rid’s head had swiveled automatically back towards Kaegan, Z’hin, and Rath’s. R’non. Of course. I don’t like him here, Corinth said, his mental voice loosing the calm steadiness of before and becoming taut with irritation. Millieth doesn’t like him here. Why is he here? T’rid didn’t answer immediately, his eyes narrowing slightly as Kaegan looked—understandably—confused and nervous. He shrugged as she all but appealed to them for help. Did she want them to say ‘Go away’ to R’non? T’rid had a feeling that she did—mostly due to Corinth’s agitation—but he had nothing against the man staying. He shrugged absently. “It doesn’t matter to me. Queen’s choice, isn’t it?” he added impulsively, grinning wryly.

Well, at least R’non was straightforward, no? No flowery phrases, etc., especially considering that she was technically his Weyrmate. He didn’t seem too bothered with either T’rid’s or Z’hin’s presence, but the young man murmured a phrase of greeting that his own mind didn’t quite register. Why won’t he see that the queen doesn’t want him here? He should go away, Corinth hissed mentally, sounding frustrated despite the outward picture of calmness. Nobody wants him here. T’rid glanced at the bronze. Look, Cor. You’ll just have to put up with him, unless you want to contact Aslath to ask her to order him away. Which you know I don’t. I know. Just put up with him, all right? Don’t be so jealous. The bronze shot a glance at his Rider. I am not jealous. Millieth is irritated with him.

If she’s really irritated, it can only be so long before he’s driven away, isn’t it?