A round of applause. [Fade-in for K'von & Juliya]

[glamourie]

The sound of wings woke her. Dragons taking to flight and buzzing thoughts, talking like a crowd surrounding her at all hours of the day and night, constant. The voice in particular that roused her from her sleep was Calistoth; she was a familiar green, and she was talking casually to K'lir. Juliya could hear only one side of the conversation, but it was enough to wake her from what felt like a dead sleep. The noise was followed soon by the feeling of light on her skin - and the recognition that it was sometime close to dawn; early morning hours, the time when she always woke up, before the Weyr was in full swing. No matter how late - or early - she went to sleep, she always woke up with the rising of the sun. She was definitely a morning person. She also had something of a set routine. Wake up, roll over, stretch, bathe, eat breakfast and start the day. All work and no play. She'd woken up. She rolled over. She stretched --

-- and that wasn't normal.

Her arms stretched out at her sides, and one hand punched flesh. Not hard, but enough that it sent a tumble of memories swarming back to her. She immediately pushed her arms up above her head instead of outward, so as to avoid waking up the other occupant of the furs, and then brought both hands to her face to rub her eyes gently. The flight. Somehow, most of that had slipped her mind. Most of it, except for the satisfying soreness all over and, well, the obvious fact that she was not alone. Her gaze flicked to her side and she snorted softly. K'von. She didn't know him very well, which was both good and bad; she knew he was attached to Kalierre, which meant no sticky awkwardness for the most part, and she also knew he was on her wing. Someone she'd seen before. Familiar. He was a welcome sight. She wasn't sure how she would have taken it, to wake up with someone she knew. Someone like Ch'ero or E'yan. They were both from Fort, and they both scared her on some level.

Are you awake yet, love?
I am now. Don't stir too much and wake them.

Well, she wasn't trying to. But she did need to get up and stretch properly. She supposed it could wait, though. Her arms folded over her eyes to block the light from them, and she stretched her legs out as much as she could, curling her toes in the process. Stiff. Stiff was usually a good sign, though. It meant that she'd most thoroughly enjoyed herself. Also that she'd need to get her furs cleaned, and to oil Eriannath again. She fleetingly considered challenging T'rid to another armwrestling match, just for giggles. He probably wouldn't fall for the same trick twice. Probably.

Content that her rider was not going to deliberately wake her companion, Eriannath's eyes fell closed and she curled up more, content. Though the exhaustion faded, a lingering sense of worry hadn't. Flights at that place where they had come from were always awkward, and she did not want Hers to be frightened or unhappy. More than once, Juliya was convinced that after flights she would find herself with a blade to her neck. But not this one - this one didn't scare her. That made him good. Eriannath liked just about everyone, short of people who scared Hers, and someone who made Juliya feel comfortable was good. She affectionately leaned her head over to nudge Dohulth, as he was closer than His was to show her appreciation to. Browns were good. And pretty.

[kysseh]

Clouds. He was floating on clouds.

For some reason, K'von was having the most peaceful dream of flying, flirting on graceful wings in and amongst some wispy clouds that felt deliciously cool on his skin-hide. Ahhh, the smoothness of it! He squirmed in midair and rejoiced in the sensation, doing a lazy sort of roll that felt far easier than it should have. That falling sensation in his gut was absent when he dove, and he wondered why that was so. Then something smacked him in the side, and the sky vanished as blackness came into his consciousness. He reacted to that with a mumbling moan and rolled from his belly to his back. "Nasty dragon... in my space..." he said childishly, still mostly asleep. Nasty... nasty dragon, indeed. Where was it?

Dohulth was far more coherent than his, though he was no less tired. Also unlike his rider, the brown had very exact knowledge of where he was and what was going on, so he had the time to be highly amused at K'von's sleepy mumblings. He could not hear them physically-speaking from his distance, but K'von thought rather loudly. He recognized that his lovely mate was awake, and he crooned very quietly to her. She looked as lovely know as she had in mid-glow, and she was... at a bit of a distance. At her nudge, he was emboldened and got his feet beneath him to slink lazily around her curled form. His weight settled down onto the stone again, his body curling around her smaller one in a move that was intended to be affectionate and not in the least possessive.

Forgive my boldness. I felt lonely there next to you. he said affectionately, rubbing his neck along hers. Dohulth had always been an affectionate creature, and having been unsuccessful for quite some time made him even more inclined to snuggle. He inclined his head and sleepily eyed the lovely Eriannath, ready to move if she should get upset. You do not mind... do you? His inquiry was tentative but polite, his tail tip twitching nervously. When had he gotten so insecure, he wondered.

Hearing Dohulth speaking softly to Eriannath--why did he know that name?--out on the ledge, K'von grumbled and lifted both hands to scrub childishly at his face. Too early... too early! His hands lowered, and he made a small noise of surprise at the soreness in his shoulders. Ahhh... flight. Flight! Eriannath, not Phremath. Who was- wait, she was on his wing, wasn't she? He lay there, exhaustedly wracking his brain until it came to him. Juliya. He knew that and felt stupid for taking so long to connect the dots. Well, ah well... nothing for it now. He lifted his arms over his head and stretched, arching his back and thrusting out his chest with a grumbling noise that was more habit than protest. Ooh, he'd feel this for awhile.

He relaxed with a sigh and let his arms drape themselves lazily across his torso. He was going to have to open his eyes soon, he realized, and eventually, one creaked open just a bit. He turned his head to look over at his flight partner, managing a tired sort of grin. "Good...... umm... morning?" Was it morning? He couldn't tell.

[glamourie]

Speaking... Juliya glanced over at K'von and quirked an eyebrow slightly, unable to help herself. Just what was he dreaming about? She had the most strange visual of him managing to fly without wings and doing so in little more than a towel while singing his own strange theme song. It was funny in her head. To keep herself from falling over laughing hysterically, she bit the insides of her cheeks. Maybe it was a result of her having slept too long, or longer than she usually did, but she could honestly picture him running around attempting such a farce. Not that she knew K'von well at all. The few times they'd spoken were at wing drills and it was unlikely to change any time soon, just because his Dohulth had caught Eriannath. She had nothing against him, honestly, but Juliya was not a clinger by any means, particularly not to someone she knew was spoken for; she was more than happy to respect that. Although... she would have paid all of her marks to see him run around in a towel singing his own praises in front of the new Junior Weyrleader. Their wingleader. Their baby wingleader.

Both hands moved up to her mouth to try and stifle the giggles at the expression the bronzerider would probably wear. Not that she knew him well but she had the distinct impression he was stuffy; that was an idea she had of most bronzeriders, but N'tia had more to lose than most of them. Although, not if his bronze continued to catch Millieth. Hmm, thoughts for another day. Dohulth was speaking; she listened silently, more out of interest than anything else. She did not know the brown very well.

Eriannath crooned to Dohulth and curled against him as much as she could without outright lying on top of him. Her eyes whirled affectionately and she laid her head against his side. It was blatant that she was not remotely put off by the attention. In fact, she liked it; she simply didn't initiate out of worry that he may not have wanted it. It wasn't in Eriannath's nature to push another's comfort limits, be it human or dragon companion that she was dealing with. She saw such behavior as disrespectful and Hers had always made it quite clear that they were to be polite at all costs. Since he did not seem to mind, though, Eriannath had no problem snuggling right up to his larger form, enjoying the warmth and sense of comfort that he provided. Unlike Juliya, she was very fond of cuddling.

Why do you apologize? I do not mind; you owe me no apologies. Two sets of eyelids fell closed as she spoke, though the last stayed open; she was awake, just... only barely. I did not want to risk crowding you, that's all. You should not feel lonely; not when I am here. Crooning again, albeit quietly, she added, Thank you for Chasing me. It did not even occur to her that the expression of gratitude could be interpreted as odd. She didn't mean for it to be; rather, she was trying to be honest. She really was flattered that she had even one chaser... and he was nice; it wasn't common in her experience for males to care what she wanted. Yes, she approved of him.

So did Juliya, though she made no move to interrupt or disturb the two dragons. Her attention was taken by the brownrider next to her as he scrubbed at his face and she crinkled her nose slightly, though she didn't speak. Instead, she sat up, furs bunching in her lap, and watched him stretch out in interest. Hmm. Ah, but he was awake and speaking. Her face twisted into a playful smile and she tilted her head slightly. "Hello. I'm not a nasty dragon in your space," she replied sweetly, unable to help herself. "Very sorry for that."

[kysseh]

Giggles? K'von could not hear them, but he sensed them, at the very least. Muscles rippled across his shoulders as elbows slid to his sides to prop him up, highlighting one of the scars that ran up his back and over his shoulder to the top of his chest. A new one, that... from defending the weyrlings in the Hatching Grounds. Shards, but that had been.... horrifying. The pain had not started until it was all over, and then the big man had been driven to his knees at the agony. It only bothered him occasionally now, though he could feel that small pull that hinted at some residual soreness. Oops. He'd need to massage that later.

He rolled over to face her and was momentarily taken aback by her unabashed attitude toward nudity, the way the the furs pooled in her lap and revealed her top half to his wide-eyed gaze. "Whoa! Good morning," he teased her, though his gaze flicked up to her face in a respectable amount of time. He was only male, but he was spoken-for male, too. He knew to keep his eyes to himself most of the time. When faced with such beauty, though, no self-respecting male would not look for just a smidgen of a second. "Very... very good morning. Sleep well?"

Dohulth let out a melodious croon that was audible even to K'von where he lie on his side on Juliya's bed. The brown's eyes were whirling a deep, peaceful blue in slow motions, relaxed as he curled snugly around the beautiful green form of Eriannath. She was responding to his overtures for contact, and when she rested her head on his side, he responded by extending a wing to momentarily rest it across her in an imitation of a human embrace. Then the wing folded back into him again, and his head lifted slightly to look her over. He had not hurt her with his claws by accident... or exhausted her too much?

I apologize for my boldness in touching you without permission. he clarified with a gentle rumble, resting his head back down and noting that two of her three eyelids were closed. She was at ease then too, and that helped Dohulth relax too, nestling as close to her as he dared. I am sorry for implying that you were not good company. And... you do not have to thank me for Chasing. I wanted to very, very much. You are an excellent flyer. He had loved to play with her in the air. I would love to play with you and fly with you sometime. He hoped that had not come across as too eager, but at heart, he was an overgrown weyrling.

Chuckling and shaking his head at his dragon's mild awkwardness, K'von stretched out lazily on his side, letting the furs cover him from the waist down to avoid any awkward moments. She was a good-looking woman, and he would not have minded 'playing' with her again. But... his heart was elsewhere, and that was hardly fair to her or to Kalierre. No, he was a one-woman sort of man, even if his flight partner was quite the admirable creature. "Nah, that's all right. No damage done, see?" he said cheerfully, gesturing with his free hand at his torso. "I had a weird... weird sort of dream. I was flying. Hehe. Yeah, laugh it up, Wherryface." His last statement was directed toward his relaxing dragon, playfully wrinkling up his nose as the brown snorted softly. "Big fat...." .... yes? Never mind. "Whatever. He's such a brat sometimes." That would have been cruel, if not for the grin on his face and laughter in his voice. Ahhh, but he loved his dragon!

[glamourie]

A very slight smile played over her features, but Juliya did not speak initially. She also did not stand up, although it was very tempting to wander across the weyr and over to the bathing pool for her bath. Nothing against K'von; he seemed a nice enough fellow, but Juliya liked her morning bathing. Routine was part of what kept her sane, kept her content. To do that though would be at least partially rude, and the last thing she wanted was to come across as disrespectful. Which was why, in fact, Juliya took her furs and pulled them up over her chest, sliding back until her back was against the headboard of her bed. She wasn't a modest creature by any means, but she meant no insult or awkwardness. Well, as little awkward as was possible after a Flight, in any case. There was always a little strangeness afterwards, never simply, "Hi, great sex, see ya later!" - human beings didn't work that way. Most dragons didn't seem to either. Hmm. Her knees pulled up slightly and her smile widened - a little.

"I slept just fine, actually." Until Calistoth woke her up. The emerald green dragon had quite the attitude problem and it was a real pain to deal with her most of the time. The last thing she wanted was to listen to her complain. She hadn't commented, though, because as surely as Calistoth's very-distinct melodious voice passed through her consciousness, so had it ended. She had the sneaking suspicion that K'lir and his dragon were bickering and that she would be hearing about it later, though. K'lir was one of the very few people who had an inkling of what she could do and she hadn't ever confirmed it for him. She doubted she needed to, though, considering his green's behavior. Pushing that thought out of her mind, she added quietly, "I apologize for waking you up. I didn't mean to."

His explanation of the dream he was having made sense, though. She quirked both eyebrows, then lifted one hand to run her fingers through long brown locks. The strands were pushed neatly out of her face and she closed her eyes, reaching out to Eriannath - or rather, temporarily losing herself in the content that her green was feeling. She was usually a happy dragon, though. Very hard to irritate and made very few demands. Compared to Juliya's very grounded attitude, it was a nice contrast. She liked that her lifemate was perpetually content, and so hard to offend. She liked that Eriannath was always happy.

Eriannath rumbled in amusement, and the same hints of quiet laughter laced her tone as she spoke, And I just said that you don't have to apologize to me. She couldn't help but pick on him a little; didn't he realize, yet, that he needn't ask her permission? Although, she was flattered at the same time that he did care whether or not it offended her. What sort of mates did he have in the past that would cause him to have to ask before cuddling, however? That was an odd sort of request. She liked to cuddle with her mates - they just... didn't usually like it when she tried. She was, after all, just a green. You apologize so quickly and so often and for the silliest things. No need to apologize to me - for any of that. I did not take insult to anything you have done; I do not take insult now. I meant that more as reassurance than that I felt insulted. Silly brown; I am not so easy to upset.

To reinforce what she meant, Eriannath moved and snuggled closer to Dohulth, as much as she could. He needn't apologize, though she found it worrisome that he was so convinced she'd be hurt. His request and compliments, however, had her preening; every female liked to be complimented, and she appreciated it more than most. You can fly with me any time, any time. I would like to play with you as well. Can you teach me to dive like you do?

"Is he always this apologetic?" Juliya asked quietly as she cast a glance toward K'von. It may have been bold, but it wasn't meant to be; at least, she was curious more than anything else. She knew very little about this brownpair, after all. No better time to learn, since Eriannath had just volunteered them to spend time together. Not that she minded at all.

[kysseh]

K'von was observant enough to note that she was covering herself up, and he minded little. He could have teased her, but he was not sure how such teasing would go over. There was also the simple fact that the teasing would have been just that.... just teasing. He was bound to Kalierre by his heartstrings, and he was not the type to sleep around, no. Flights were different, unpreventable. Lazy morning-after-Flights were a matter of choice, and he chose to not sleep with another woman just for the sake of it. No, he dearly loved his Kalierre, even if he couldn't figure out a way to express that to her. Still, not being willing to sleep with Juliya outside of flightlust did not mean he couldn't be friendly... right?

He opened his mouth to reassure her that no apology was necessary, but she had closed her eyes and was running her fingers through her hair, which elicited a rather blurred memory of his own large, work-toughened hands doing the same as Eriannath and Dohulth twined in the air. Strange. He did not remember having flashbacks like that before after a flight. It had been a long, long time since he had been with anyone during flightlust, though, so his memory was probably flawed. He was going to mentally beat himself up over that, but a little spot of green distracted him. His jaw hung open, and he quickly sat up, furs dropping to cover his lap, as Dania daintily made her way across the headboard of the bed toward him. The little green flitter was distracted by Juliya, and K'von cringed as the flitter carefully edged toward the woman instead.

Dohulth knew when he was being teased, but given the circumstances and the fact that he deserved to be picked on for his insecurities, he could scarcely be annoyed by it. He merely curled tighter around his lovely green cuddlemate and crooned affectionately at her, liking the warmth they shared. An apology for being to quick to apologize would have been offered, but... that would have just continued the argument, wouldn't it? Then... thank you for tolerating my silliness. he said affectionately, quietly amused by the easy way in which she teased him. Was he ever grateful that he had initiated some cuddling!

Oh, so she was flattered by his compliments? A male was always pleased to see his compliments well-received, and Dohulth was no exception. He crooned again and lifted his head to nuzzle at her neck before nibbling affectionately, a skill he had picked up so long ago that he could not remember. Rare was the occasion when he got to use it, but now seemed as good at time as any. Eriannath deserved such affection and more. I would be happy to teach you to dive! It is great fun, though it is... a bit frightening at first, I will admit. The opportunity to fly with her, to teach her? Of course he would! How could he deny such possible good times? That, and he wanted to see her fly again...

Working to try to coax his flitter away from Juliya, K'von was surprised and distracted at the woman's question. Apologetic... Dohulth? "Oh... err... insecurity, mostly. He... hasn't Flown a female in something like two Turns... two and a half. Ooh. Maybe three. I think he was unsure how he'd be received. That, and he didn't know her that well before. Doesn't seem to be stopping him, though," he said quite cheerfully, trying to tempt Dania closer to him. His efforts finally failed, though, and the little green hopped onto Juliya's shoulder, rubbing her head against the woman's cheek and crooning sweetly.

[glamourie]

As K'von sat up, Juliya turned back to look at him just in time to see a small green form moving across the headboard. Her eyebrows raised slightly and she lifted one hand, holding it out palm-up toward the firelizard curiously. Some people didn't like firelizards, and that was all well and good, but Juliya was not one such person. That much was evidenced by the fact that at one point she'd had two of her own, Impressed from one of Zadari's gold Tirea's clutches. Rain was lost when many firelizards came down sick, but Shine - her little brown - was fine. While she'd mourned Rain pitifully (going so far as to cry on several occasions in response, only to be irritated with herself for the show of emotion), Juliya was a naturally resilient creature. She'd gotten past the bad feelings, and her fondness for firelizards (and salamandyrs, though she would not have wanted one of her own) remained.

Her hand dropped when she noticed that K'von seemed to be trying to coax the little female back to him, though she couldn't help but smile as the green landed on her shoulder. One hand moved up to stroke the little creature gently and she raised her eyebrows at the brownrider's reply. Hmm.

"I see. You haven't been here that much longer than I have, then. There's no way any green with sense here wouldn't want Dohulth; he's positively lovely," she replied without a hint of hesitation. "Although, I truly must admit, many of the greens here seem to lack much in the way of sense when it comes to males. Some are flirtatious with all; others are cruel to all. A few differ, though." But Juliya would always think her Eriannath was the most impressive of all the greens at Selenitas - or indeed, on Pern. There was no way anyone could convince her otherwise, and it would have been unwise to try. She doubted that K'von would make such a foolish mistake, though. On the subject of him, she found it strange that his Dohulth chased at all, though she had no real complaints. Juliya simply was under the impression that K'von was Kalierre's weyrmate; should Dohulth not have been Phremath's? Hmm. Odd.

Rather than ask, she continued to stroke the little green, turning to look at her with a playful smile. "What about you? Are you a flirt? You don't strike me as mean. Or are you just sweet to all?" She grinned, but the question was meant more for K'von than the firelizard. It wasn't as if she could answer, at least not with words. Firelizards had their own way of getting their point across, but since the green was unfamiliar to her, Juliya (quite wisely) chose not to make any assumptions. Every firelizard was different. "Do you have a name, precious?"

Crooning, Eriannath squirmed slightly, eyes whirling her pleasure before she mimicked Dohulth's movements, nipping at his neck gently. She wasn't really used to the amount of attention, but no part of her was displeased. Coming from the north meant most males ditched her as soon as they woke, and Eriannath had come to expect that. She never really minded, even then, though. Hers was not clingy and thus neither was she, but it was still nice to be acknowledged and fawned over from time to time. Or at least, acknowledged. There was something incredibly pleasurable about feeling like she was wanted, appreciated and liked, even if it was probably little more than flight afterglow. No part of Eriannath was presumptuous to believe anything more would come... although, he did ask if he could fly with her again and he did say he would teach her to dive like he did...

She hoped he was serious. It would have disappointed her immensely to not be taught to dive. She was decent enough at twists and turns, as many greens were, but diving wasn't one of her specialties. He was very good. I would trust you to catch me if things looked too bad, she replied happily, then rubbed her head against the side of his neck again. I won't be afraid; I will have my teacher to keep me from getting hurt.

Behind Juliya, a flutter of wings announced the presence of another firelizard landing on the top of the furs. Brown and muddy in appearance, Shine looked for all the world like a little miniature dragon. He bounced across the side of the bed, and his gaze snagged on the green on his humanpet before he fluted curiously. His wings spread and he chirruped, inquisitive, trying to figure out why she was perching on his -- not that he minded much. But the movements made him fall over square into K'von's lap, flat on his back, in the process. Beds were uneven things! Wicked, wicked furs!

[kysseh]

She was being welcomed! Dania cooed sweetly and licked the hand that came to pet her, happily cuddling up to the greenrider's neck. The firelizard loved any attention, both giving and receiving. Mad people scared her, but this nice woman was hardly mad. Her pet seemed distressed at first, but she chirruped at him and radiated bright affection in his direction. He knew she loved him best of all. None could compare! She could not quite understand Juliya's question, but the tone of it was some sort of question. The green peeped quietly and then happily fluttered the wing not squished against Juliya's neck. What was she asking?

"She's not a flirt or a meanie. I don't think she has it in her to be either," K'von said honestly, giving Juliya an apologetic look. "Sorry about her. She likes people... likes making everybody happy." The big man chuckled, watching his flitter make a new friend. Dania was too close to him to actively seek out others unless he was occupied, but he would not have put it past the flitter to come by anyone affectionate should he be too busy to dote on her. And now that she had discovered Juliya.... oh, he pitied the greenrider. She had no idea what she had gotten herself into.

He belatedly realized that he hadn't given her name and cringed. "Oh, sorry. Her name is Dania-" The green cooed at the sound of her name. "-after my fostermother. She passed a few Turns past, before I left Benden. Dohulth and I have only been here... a Turn or so now. Not too long. He tries, but his success is... you get the idea," he said a bit awkwardly, offering up a sheepish shrug. His expression turned to one of surprise, and he started at the appearance of another little flitter. A brown! He grinned a bit at the little creature and was about to inquire as to the creature's name when it dropped itself on its back in his lap. "Whoops! Careful there! Don't want to get stuck." Large, calloused hands carefully picked up the little brown and cradled him against the brownrider's chest, allowing him a flat surface to get his feet beneath him. "What's this one's name?"

I would not let you fall. I would catch you first. Dohulth reassured his cuddlemate, crooning deeply at the feel of the affection she was bestowing upon him. He was going to get spoiled at this rate! The brown could hardly protest with this occurrence, though, and took the opportunity to enjoy it, rubbing his head and neck against her in turn. So beautiful and sweet... and a cuddler. Not confusing! He could stay here for quite awhile and be perfectly content, even though His was a bit nervous at the thought of what Phremath and Hers would say. Dohulth thought that they could think what they liked. He had a right to be happy, didn't he? And Phremath just made him upset and confused him.

He nibbled along her neck, making sure to pay attention to her ridges so that any itches she might have were relieved. Her green tail was too tempting, and his own gray-brown one just had to twine around it. Could you... teach me to maneuver like you do? I have never been very graceful, and you are so much so. he inquired, nuzzling her between the ridges. Do you and Yours like to swim? Mine has to swim regularly to work his back, and I keep him company and splash him. You and Yours should come join us!

[glamourie]

"Why ever would you apologize? She's hardly doing anything wrong," Juliya replied honestly as her fingers moved gently against the little firelizard - up to her headknobs, where most all firelizards loved to be stroked. She made a point to be kind to them. Firelizards were more than just pets to their bonded's, or at least, hers had always been. While Shine could be a nuisance at times, she would have fallen apart at the slightest harm coming to him. Thus, Juliya treated firelizards with the same respect and kindness she would have their owner's. That might have made her overly sentimental, but considering her fondness for all dragonkin (be it dragon, firelizard, salamandyr or wher), it was to be expected. "If she was biting me, now, I might have some complaints, but she's not hurting anything. Why, she's positively precious. You shouldn't apologize for her at all. There's so few sweet firelizards around. It seems like the kind ones are greatly outnumbered by their obnoxious cousins. But - ah.." She turned to face Dania with a smile meant only for the firelizard and not her human companion. "That just makes those of you who are lovely more memorable, doesn't it? Yes, it does."

So. He was from Benden. She'd suspected as much, given Dohulth's appearance, but truthfully, Juliya thought it rude to ask. Thus she'd kept her thoughts to herself. He'd been at Selenitas almost as long as her, from the way he spoke, and some part of Juliya found that intensely ironic. She'd fled Fort to avoid being persecuted for her ability to speak to all dragons, out of sheer terror of the Weyrwoman, only for Kamerai to die so soon after. The irony wasn't lost on her, but R'anatar as Weyrleader scared her even more than D'loro; he at least was respectable if not easy to like. Fort was taking a turn for being like Benden and Juliya didn't like it one little bit. She got out just in time, and no part of her regretted her decision to leave. Her survival was dependent on it.

Shine's appearance earned a curious look from the greenrider, but as per usual for the brown firelizard, he did not seem to notice her. The green flit and her master had his attention. Shamelessly, Shine bounced to his feet and flapped his wings at his sides carefully before cocking his head to the side and looking up at K'von. His little wings folded neatly and he curled his tail around the brownrider's wrist before chirruping. However, K'von held his attention for only a moment before he turned to look at Dania and fluted playfully. His eyes whirled a mixture of blue and violet and he puffed out his chest, clearly trying to show off. Look how handsome he was!

"He's called Shine," the greenrider answered with a slight smirk. "Should I be apologizing for him? I think he's decided he rather likes Dania here. Can't say as I blame him, though. She is lovely. Aren't you? Mmhm." Turning her eyes back toward Shine and K'von, Juliya couldn't help but grin playfully. "He knows how to scratch dragon eyeridges."

Eriannath rumbled softly, clearly relaxed. Yes, she believed that Dohulth would catch her; he'd caught her before, hadn't he? And she really was falling. She did not believe he would allow harm to come to her. Unlike Juliya, she could be trusting very quickly when it came to people and dragons she liked, and the brown had officially earned a spot on her like list. He'd impressed her in the sky and he was so - so nice. It was hard for her to wrap her mind around it but no, Eriannath had absolutely no complaints. She was looking forward to flying with him, to the chance to twist, turn and fall through the air, acrobatics like dancing through the sky. Flying was truly one of the most enjoyable experiences she had.

You will spoil me with this much attention. I will come to expect it, she teased, though privately she enjoyed the attention dedicated at her ridges; it was hard for JuliyaHers to get at those spots and it felt quite good. His request made her eyes whirl in excitement and she crooned, I will do my absolute best to teach you! If I can teach Shine to rub eye ridges, I can teach you anything you'd like to know, yes. Slightly preening, she considered his question, then replied honestly, I like to swim and I love to sun on the sands by the river. Juliyalove does not spend much time there though as she tends to be awkward around groups of people. She likes to swim and I will make her come swim with us. She would do well to spend less time alone. Even at That Place she had more friends than she does here. Silly Julimine, she thinks people will not like her. I do not understand her at all. What is not to like?

[kysseh]

"Some people... don't like to be bothered with the little things," K'von said rather lamely, though he managed a grin at the realization that Dania and Juliya were quite happy with keeping each other company. The brownrider was happy for that little miracle. He had more pressing matters on his hands, quite literally, and it was an effort to not immediately start petting the little brown. He loved browns, and he owed that in part to his deliriously--if quietly--happy mindmate curled around Eriannath over... there, somewhere. The man's attention was too much claimed by his new 'friend' to look up and see what Dohulth was up to. The radiating feelings of joy and contentment had him satisfied that Dohulth was well off for the moment.

Dania cooed at the attention, rubbing her head against Juliya's searching fingers. What a nice lady! Juliya's place in Dania's eyes jumped even higher as the little green realized, very belatedly, that the brown creature belonged to her. Nice lady with a friend! This just kept getting better, and she chirruped happily at Shine, fluttering one of her little wings in a gesture of enthusiasm and agreement. What a nice little friend, and she whistled a little imitation of a melody, bobbing her head. Did he sing? She sang! Badly, of course, for she had no sense of rhythm, but it sounded nice to her, and it made the humans smile.

Her humanpet was resisting the urge to laugh aloud at how endearing his Dania could be. "No, don't apologize for him. He's fine. Not ripping my hand apart or biting anywhere sensitive, so this is good," K'von was saying, watching as Dania curled her tail loosely around Juliya's neck. Shameless.... shameless his pet was! His grin widened. "She isn't very good at anything, but her efforts are enough to make nearly anybody smile. She likes to try to sing... as you can tell..." He paused as Dania let out another curious whistling melody. Not bad, but... certainly not good. "... and is cuter than anything for it. Don't suppose that Shine could teach her how to scratch eyeridges, could he? That'd come in handy quite a bit... so I wouldn't have to get up off my lazy bum."

Mine, you do not get off it anyways... Dohulth pointed out to His before happily returning his attention to Eriannath, finally starting to settle again. He wrapped his neck and tail around her, comfortably relaxed with her warm self pressed close to him. How he loved this! Expect to be spoiled? Shame on you! The brown's mental tones were full of amusement, and the quick blue-green whirling of his eyes indicated he was simply teasing her. For the first time in quite awhile, the brown was utterly relaxed and content, whuffing out a prolonged exhale to signify. I suppose I shall have to spoil you all the time, then, so that you do not become unhappy. He sounded far too happy about that concept, which elicited a raised eyebrow from His over on the bed.

Her agreement to his brilliant--if he dared to say so himself--idea of being taught to maneuver had the brown excited, though he opted to not get up, too content to lie curled around her. There would be time for play later... much later. The thought of Hers not having friends disturbed him, though. Eriannath's was all alone? Why wouldn't people like her? His liked her just fine. Yours should not worry. Mine likes her well enough and thinks she is very nice. She should come swim with us all, and then Mine can introduce her to others so she can have more friends.

[glamourie]

Wasn't it obvious that she hardly qualified as 'some people'? Hmm. Juliya decided not to comment. In her opinion, that much was a given. Nothing about her was normal, although K'von hardly knew her well enough to understand that. Even amidst women in the north she was different. Aside from the fact that she was a dragonrider who rarely fought at all, she also could talk to all dragons, but those facts paled in comparison to the simple fact that Juliya was surprisingly good at keeping herself under the radar. How many people knew her, really? She could count the number on one hand, and none of them were at Selenitas. The people she knew there, well... she didn't trust. Though, T'rid knew that she could speak to all dragons. T'rid was the only human she knew. Ironic that she trusted a bronzerider before anyone else, since typically Juliya found them frightening, but T'rid reminded her a lot of her younger brothers -- in both a good and a bad way. K'von on the other hand was... different. He was a nice enough guy, but some part of her mistrusted him by nature. Perhaps over time she'd get over that, since from the discussion the dragons were having, she would be seeing a lot of him... but her natural response to former Benden riders was one of fear. Men just made it worse. With women she got over it faster. Juliya was good at hiding how she felt, though; at least, when it came to fear. That was a survival technique.

Gingerly stroking Dania, Juliya smiled and pushed her darker thoughts out of her mind. No sense thinking about something that could be upsetting and it was hard to be anything but happy when Eriannath was practically bursting with delight. Funny; she hadn't really experienced her green so happy in a very long time. Not since they were weyrlings, before the war became so much a part of their lives as to dominate every waking and sleeping moment; nightmares were common. She bowed her head slightly, though her gaze remained on the firelizard as she proceeded to sing. A slight smile broke over her features and she hummed back, her own little melody; never would she be considered a harper but she wasn't that bad herself.

Shine, on the other hand, bounced to look at Dania and fluted a few melodious notes before flapping his wings in excitement. He could sing! He was good at it! He liked to make music! To show off, he proceeded to chirrup a few recognizable notes from traditional harper teaching melodies. His eyes whirled a myriad of colors and he curled his tail around K'von's wrist. At the mention of his name, however, he quieted and cocked his head up to look at the brownrider before chirping.

"I'm sure he could teach her, and it sounds to me like she's good at plenty. She makes you happy, doesn't she?" Juliya countered with another gentle stroke down the green's hide, though her voice held amusement. Shine's antics were beyond entertaining to her. She could just feel his delight at the idea of a pretty green to flirt with. Ridiculous little fellow. It took all of her effort not to shake her head in embarrassment, though she settled for an odd look in the firelizard's direction. "In my experience, pets - they're happiest if their people are happy. If she makes you happy, she's good at that, and that means she's good at something. You should give her more credit. She seems to be the sweetest little green I've ever seen, and Shine's obviously quite happy to see her. In a moment he'll start doing backflips and I'll have to swat at him." Rolling her eyes, she smiled. "He likes greens. Perhaps too much."

Eriannath relaxed against Dohulth, going still, mainly because she was completely comfortable. His teasing made her eyes whirl a playful blue violet and it took all of her effort not to nudge him a little more firmly - meant playfully, of course. She crooned low in her throat. I do not know how I would react to being spoiled all the time, but I like it, I do. And she did. She very much liked it. Though, for the most part, the lavishing of attention had her so relaxed that it was taking a conscious effort not to fall back asleep. He was so warm - like an overgrown brown pillow.

However, thoughts of Hers made her instantly aware again and she mused for a moment, before responding. I will make her come swim with us, she decided, fully resigned to carrying Juliya about if she needed to. For some reason, Hers found the south very frightening. It was nothing like where they came from and sometimes she saw fleeting images of places she'd never been, places that Hers was before, in the dreams she had when she slept. The south frightened her, because it was a total contrast. JuliyaHers was taking a very long time to adjust to the change. Eriannath on the other hand was completely besotted with the beaches and warmth in the ground, with the waterfall and beautiful scenery. That Place was no where near as pretty... I believe Juliyamine is just confused. She is from the area we came from. Well, a place with many beaches, warm like here, but... up there. Do you know Ista Hold?

[kysseh]

What was she... his mother?! Or... fostermother, really, though the woman was since passed. Ahhh, whatever! K'von just gave Juliya a sheepish smile and shrugged his wide shoulders, shifting his hands a bit to give Shine a better platform on which to perch. So what if he was a bit simplistic in his descriptions of his pet? He was just being honest! He did so love the little creature, though, and he whistled a few notes at Dania after Shine had finished his own little tune. His few notes, though, were the beginning of a little game he played with her. She did so love to imitate, mostly because it made him laugh to hear the two of them whistling so horribly off-key.

"Awww, he's male and smitten. Let him have some fun," he protested on Shine's behalf, though his smile undermined his whining. He wanted to say more, but Dania cut him off with an abrupt series of chirps that were an odd conglomeration of Juliya, Shine, and K'von's few-note melodies. The little green's eyes whirled in confusion and then faded back to normal. K'von sent her a silent apology and then whistled softly. The little green uncurled her tail and licked Juliya's cheek once before hopping up onto the headboard and scuttling over to her humanpet, hopping down onto his broad shoulder to cuddle up against his face. K'von pressed his cheek against her caresses, chuckling all the while. "Likes greens, hmm? Sounds like another brown I know..."

Perhaps you had better warn me if you are becoming spoiled, then. I will not be able to tell. Dohulth said with an affectionate croon quick to follow, his innermost eyelid flicking to cover his eye in his state of relaxation. The brown was far from sleepy, of course. He was still recovering from the emotional high of Flight, and it would be a good bit of time before he was asleep since Eriannath was awake and functional. If the green went to sleep, then he would just silently preen and enjoy the warmth of her presence and her touch. How long had it been! And she was getting to be his favorite green if only because she was grateful and sensible. How he loved sensible creatures!

The thought of K'von and Juliya and the two dragons--who were much smarter than their humans, Dohulth thought--swimming all together bled through the mind bond and made K'von laugh softly. Dohulth let His be amused by it and just gave Eriannath an affectionate caress with the edge of his wing, trailing it along her flank. Ista Hold? I think.... yes. We flew over it. We flew patrols, Mine and I, and we saw many places. It has beaches too, yes? I like here better, though. The sand is not so itchy. he said easily. And Mine is happy here. The north is not a happy place.

Rolling his eyes in obvious affection in his dragon's direction, K'von gave Dania's little green head a gentle kiss. His precious little Dania. Yes... all his! He did stroke Shine too, though, not wanting the brown to feel left out. "I know. I should give her more credit. I just... she just is what she is, and I love her, even if holding a tune is something neither of us can claim to. One female that'll never leave me or make me mad!" the brownrider said cheerfully, winking playfully at Juliya. Dania was licking his ear now, and he squirmed. "Ahhhh, 'Nia! Ease off! It tickles!"

The little green was in mid-lick when it finally dawned on her that she was finally close enough to Shine to investigate. She paused and then promptly crawled down K'von's arm to nose up to Shine. Pretty brown! Strange brown... why was he perched on her humanpet? She completely forgot about the minor detail that she had been perched on Shine's humanpet just a moment before. No, not possessing of a good memory was she. She made up for that with cheery enthusiasm, including the enthusiasm with which she began to nibble and nuzzle at the brown flit in greeting. A new friend!