Sick as a Canine (Open)

[weaving]

Wake up sleepyhead. It’s well past noon, which means you’ve missed breakfast and lunch. You need to eat something or you’ll never get better. Amith’s voice gently nudged Lennae into consciousness, though the woman protested it with a loud groan. Her throat was sore, her head ached and all her sinuses were clogged, making sleep far more desirable to being awake to experience this pain. Perhaps she could visit the infirmary and get some fellis to help her sleep better. No, that wouldn’t be a good idea. The last thing she needed was something else to become addicted too. Well, the least she could get were some decongestants.

Her stomach growled loudly, protesting that food should be top on her list of things to get. She rolled over, attempting to go back to sleep and escape the pain of her cold. Amith refused, sending mental nudges until the woman finally conceded and sat up, immediately regretting her hasty movements. Her head pounded furiously only to subside after a few minutes of staying very still. Faranth, this was going to make going anywhere painful. As if sensing her wish to simply return to her bed, her stomach growled again threateningly.

“Alright, alright. I’m going,” she grumbled, her voice gravelly and nasally. Perhaps speaking aloud to herself wasn’t such a good idea. Moving carefully so as not to disturb her head, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood slowly, allowing her body to adjust to the elevation change. She shivered as her blankets fell away and the cooler air of her weyr touched her skin. Maybe taking a blanket with her wouldn’t be such a bad idea. No one else would care. Snatching a blanket up, she bundled herself tightly, her shivers dissipating as warmth enveloped her. Much better.

“Food,” she grumbled, turning toward her weyr entrance. The thought of returning to bed fluttered through her mind once more, but both Amith and her stomach let her know that such actions would not be tolerated. Ah well, there would be soup in the kitchen at least, and perhaps some fruits. The halls would be mostly empty this time of day, or so she hoped. Bumping into anyone in this state wouldn’t be pleasant.

Dragging herself down the hall, Lennae cursed as her blanket snagged on something. She tugged at it, wincing as she heard it rip, only to curse even louder as the blanket suddenly tugged free. The lack of resistance sent her stumbling around the corner and right into someone. Luckily the wall was nearby and so rather than fall to the ground, she merely fell against it, leaning on it to support her body while her head spun from her quick movements.

“Whoopos,” she said and then blinked. Whoopos? She’d meant whoops. Not that she normally said whoops anyway. This cold must be affecting her brain more than she thought. Her eyes focused on the ground while she tried to still her head and regain some semblance of balance, making it impossible for her to determine just who it was she had slammed into. Hopefully they would understand, whoever they were.

[Avu]

He didn't even want to know where Stupid had picked up the glittery silver chain, or where he'd gotten the idea that he'd have a better chance in Greenflights if he gave them a 'shiny' beforehand. Probably Corinth's idea of amusement, the bronzerider thought grumpily, tugging gently on the chain to pull it free of Stupid's grasp. Unfortunately, the brown Salamandyr was determined to gift it on one of the greens he'd seen a sevenday ago. Where was her weyr? He had no idea. Not that it stopped him. T'rid tugged again, and recieved a flailing scratch on his thumb; he resisted the urge to squash Stupid. He had the 'mandyr in his left hand, raised to eye chest level, and didn't dare let go of the chain for fear that Stupid, who he'd just barely caught, would jump out of his palm and dart off. (At least he was fully clothed this time, though that didn't really make him feel much better.)

"Why I even waste time trying to keep you from being sat on by some vicious green is beyond me! Stupid, let go! Do you not know that you are a Salamandyr? It's physically impossible for you to Fly a green dragon and meanwhile, I'm getting stuck with a bunch of Flightmoths - let go, you little rat - " Shine love! " - I don't care, just let go! What is wrong with you? Do you not notice the size difference? Chase Salamandyrs! At least they're your species - though why anybody would want something like you...don't scratch me, twerp, drop the chain - " Shine love Stupid! " - maybe they do love you as something to sit on, or a before-dinner snack, but not as a lover, so just drop it! If you're determined to go after something that looks like a dragon, fine, go chase f - "

His lecture was interrupted rather surprisingly. Stupid gave a resounding shriek and, releasing the chain, all but flew off of his palm, but before T'rid could puzzle out the mystery, someone had collided with him. Taken by surprise, T'rid staggered, the palm that had been cupping Stupid catching his fall against a wall, holding him upright as he automatically shifted his footing, his other hand still raised in blank surprise, the silver chain dangling from his fingers. He opened his mouth, started to speak, as he dropped his hand to his side, straightening, but a brown flash caught his eye and Stupid took another flying leap, his claws briefly latching onto T'rid's pants before a quick jerk relieved him of the chain, and Stupid hopped out of easy reach, frilling defiantly as T'rid snarled out a surprised curse. Shine love Stupid!

Before T'rid could do more than take a single step towards the brown 'mandyr, he'd skittered to the young woman that had crashed into him previously - T'rid realized with some dry amusement that he hadn't even glanced once at her, even when she'd spoken - and, claws digging into the fabric of the blanket, had scrambled to her shoulder in a second, the chain, thin and gleaming in the light, clenched between his teeth as he took the opportunity to peek at Lennae's face, chirping questioningly, though the sound was muffled through the chain. His mind-voice, though, was fortunately still clear (or rather, unfortunately, depending on how you looked at it.) Thud? he queried. Why thudbang? Surely that had hurt!

His humanpet scowled at the 'mandyr, though he wasn't stupid enough to try to grab him. "Could you please kill him for me?" the bronzerider asked wearily, scrubbing at the side of his face. Gah. What had he done to deserve a 'mandyr who liked to suck up to green dragons? He hadn't even wanted a salamandyr at all, shardit, and now he was pursuing one down the halls to save him from being eaten by a dragon.

[weaving]

This was all too confusing. Something had chosen to seek refuge on her shoulder, and as she turned her head to look at it curiously, she was amused to find a brown salamandyr looking back at her quizzically, a questioning chirp making her smile. He held a chain in his mouth, vaguely reminding her of what Rawign –no, R’wign now – had said about Showoff. Perhaps all ‘mandyrs were kleptomaniacs by nature? Perhaps the man she had bumped into – she still hadn’t bothered to see who it was – had been chasing the little creature to get back what was rightfully his? Oh, and now he was talking! In her befuddled state, she found Stupid utterly adorable.

“My blanket got caught on something and I tripped and bumped into-“ a pause as she glanced up to see just who it was she had collided with. “T’rid here and I fell against the wall. Completely my fault, I’m terribly sorry.” The last bit was directed to T’rid and she glanced at him apologetically. Her voice was ragged from her cold; surely that would lead the Weyrleader to deduce that her mind wasn’t quite in it’s proper state. She didn’t know much about the man actually, other than the fact that his Corinth had won Aslath’s last flight. Hopefully he wasn’t prone to bouts of anger.

“Kill him? You must be joking. I hope.” Hmmm. Well, despite the desire to see the ‘mandyr dead, T’rid’s voice didn’t seem to possess any anger, only a deep weariness. She supposed that this particular creature plagued the man constantly. Was the brown his? “I’m sure that if you asked nicely, he’d give you back the chain.” She glanced toward Stupid, freeing one hand from her blanket to reach out and stroke his lightly. “You seem to be a reasonable fellow, right? What does a little thing like you need such a large chain for, hmm?”

Regardless of the fact that Lennae had never longed for any pets of her own, these salamandyrs were growing on her. Despite what others said, they didn’t seem that bad. Then again, perhaps they were like children. Fun to be around, as long as at the end of the day you could give them back to their parents. If that proved to be the case, then she would just have to become friends with those who were bonded to the critters and stay far far away from any hatchings that might be happening.

[Avu]

Oh, wasn't she a nice two-legged one? Stupid cooed through the chain at Lennae's explanation, though the sound of her voice wasn't particularly appealing. Why did she sound like that? The brown Salamandyr bounced thoughtfully on her shoulder, his frill half-lifting in T'rid's direction at the mention of his Bonded's name. Mean ass, that, he confided solemnly to the woman, meaning His (and, ironically, using a word that had been used by His to describe him before), though the fact that he included T'rid in the broadcast made it rather confusing, though T'rid had no problem putting two and two together and shot a glare at Stupid, the brown trilling in amusement as he looped around to Lennae's other shoulder. Sorry not! he called to the bronzerider. Sorry not, Stupid added in a lower, less strident tone as he purred happily at Lennae. She was nice. She treated him like he should be treated.

Her apology made T'rid blink, though Stupid's lack of apology didn't elicit much of a response. Well, he hadn't expected the brown to apologize anyway. "Doesn't matter." It hadn't exactly helped him get the chain back from Stupid - no, now they were back to square one - but then, he doubted that the stupid little thing would have given it to him anyway. Well, fine! If he wanted to go get squashed, that was his prerogative. T'rid was tired of stopping him. Shine love Stupid! came the insistent protest as the brown caught onto his thoughts. "Doesn't matter," he repeated absently after a pause, wondering if he ought to ask if she had some sort of portable container in which he could lock Stupid for time being.

"I don't generally joke about the death of my mindmates." The Weyrleader ran his hand through his hair distractedly, glaring poisonously at Stupid as the brown trilled his amusement. Mean ass, see? the brown commented cheerfully, nodding seriously and poking his muzzle at Lennae's cheek to make sure he had her attention. Shine wing you? Shooting another glare at Stupid, T'rid answered automatically the Lennae's query. "Him? He won't give that to anyone but a green. Dragon, to be precise. And, knowing him, he'll try to give it to Calistoth or some other murderous green and get himself eaten or flamed. Shells, Stupid!" For the brown had trilled eagerly. 'listoth, 'listoth love shine! "I am not going to put up with K'lir, you little monster - "

A monster that, apparently, the woman liked, for she reached a hand out from the blanket she had clasped around her (odd garb, that, for wandering the weyr hallways), and stroked him. Stupid nearly vibrated, so intense was the hum of pleasure that emerged from him as he rubbed happily against Lennae's cheek. Shine wing you? he asked again, head tilted so his eyes, flushed with ecstasy, could better meet the Greenrider's. "He means," T'rid translated, with a slight noise something between a laugh and a growl, "To ask if you ride green."

[weaving]

However nice Stupid was to her, it was quite apparent that he and his bonded did not get along at all. If the words that Stupid used to describe T’rid weren’t enough, the glare that the bronzerider gave the brown in return was clear enough evidence that there was no love lost between the two. How did one hate their mindmate, anyway? She couldn’t ever imagine hating Amith. Then again, she couldn’t imagine anyone hating the shy and kind green. Lennae seriously doubted that Amith had a mean bone in her body. She wouldn’t say that Stupid did have one (or 20), but he clearly had no qualms with putting his bonded into awkward and frustrating situations. “No, clearly you’re not sorry,” she murmured, doing her best to hold back a smile. T’rid didn’t seem to be the most pleasant of people, making it difficult for her to feel sorry for him.

At least she hadn’t pissed him off with her stumbling antics down the hall. That was some relief, though she felt a flare of irritation when he let her know that he had seriously wanted the creature dead. What sick person would put himself through that pain? Even if he could bring himself to kill Stupid, surely he knew that it would cause him as much pain just to live with that for the rest of his life? The ‘mandyr couldn’t be that bad. No mindmate could be wretched enough to consider killing. “Most wouldn’t wish their mindmates dead, serious or joking,” she retorted shortly. She wasn’t prone to snapping, but this cold had her at wit’s end. It was all she could do to keep from making a snarky comment about how she dearly hoped that Stupid would chase Calistoth. As it was, the thought lifted her spirits a bit.

Stupid’s thrumming as she continued to stroke him brought her back to the present conversation. He chased green dragons? Well, that was an odd quirk. His question had her confused, but T’rid was quick to translate, seeming to find amusement in it. He would, she thought darkly. After all, he probably already knew that she rode green. If she lied, he would probably tell Stupid the truth in the hopes that the creature would leave him alone and stay with her more. Ah well, no use in lying then.

I ride green Amith,” she informed the brown and then braced herself for the ‘mandyr’s reaction. On the bright side, perhaps Stupid would give Amith the chain, which meant that she could return it to T’rid. If he didn’t piss her off too badly. If he did, well, she’d have a nice new bit of jewelry to wear to the next gather.

[Avu]

Ooh, was she irritated? Stupid chattered his anxiety, sliding to her other shoulder again, bouncing slightly on his claws to pull them free of the blanket's fabric, where they insistently snagged. T'rid, on the other hand, arched one eyebrow, a sour smile starting at the corner of his mouth at her short reply. "Mmm, well. Most people aren't stuck with irritants as mindmates." Like Corinth. Opposites may attract, but they also clashed - at least, they did in the case of the bronze and his rider. Most colorfully, too. You'd be hard-pressed to find an insult, however immature or however much of a mouthful it might be, not used in one of their arguments, which occured with depressing frequency. "I've noticed about the little things," meaning Salamandyrs, as he thought was obvious, "seem to delight in Impressing to people who don't want them." Fortunate it was he hadn't gotten a green like S'rei (haha), at the very least, but...well, Stupid was scarcely any better, except for the fact that he'd never have to bottom.

Stupid was positively ecstatic of the attention he was recieving, cooing again, his frill almost trembling as he rubbed responsively against Lennae's fingers. Over, he pressed helpfully, trying to direct her to a particular spot that he couldn't reach by himself. Not that it was itchy, but - well, it felt good to be rubbed; even if His oiled him regularly despite his complaints, he kept the sessions short. And then - he stiffened, his eyes all but sparkling as he registered the words. Shine love? the question came swiftly, but no answer was needed, for, still clutching the silver chain, Stupid took a flying leap and managed to latch onto T'rid's shirt, awarding the bronzerider with a slight hiss as he whiplashed around to his back, and then off again - leaving a very annoyed T'rid - to take off down the hallway to the weyrs.

"Scorch it! Stupid!" He had tried to grab the 'mandyr when he'd used him as a - a stepping stone, but the sharding thing was too small, too fast - he distinctly heard Corinth's amused rumble and realized the bronze, who had been sleeping on the ledge, was now awake. Little cousin, what are you doing? Pretty! came the reply as the 'mandyr emerged from a random weyr that he'd been looking in - sadly, empty - and sped down the hallway, chirruping eagerly as he paused, his gaze flicking back to Lennae and T'rid. Shine love pretty, pretty shine like, he explained. Over! he demanded at the door, which made T'rid wrinkle his nose.

"Didn't know he was that stupid when I named him," he commented dryly. "Corinth!" he added, glancing out the window, and sure enough, the bronze wings were visible as Corinth held his position. "Stop him!" The little cousin doesn't listen to me. With a hissed curse, praying that the closed door would occupy Stupid for some time before he just squirmed under, T'rid glanced back at the 'mandyr, who was examining the door intently. He groaned as the creature's tail whipped out of sight under the door. "Please tell me Amith won't eat him." Despite all evidence to the contrary, he didn't want Stupid dead; in some perverse way, he actually enjoyed the arguments that always ensued whenever they were together for too long, and - well, said his more sardonic side, if he had to die, he'd much rather it was at his hand than anyone else's.

[weaving]

“I’ll keep that in mind then and hole myself up in my weyr the next time a clutch is hatching.” Nope, she definitely did not want one, cute as they might be. Her hand continued to scratch and stroke Stupid’s hide, responding to the creature’s wiggling as he directed her toward another spot. She’d admit that he was cute, but Amith was plenty to take care of already and the green was hardly demanding of anything. Amith might enjoy the company she supposed, but the green had never said anything about wanting a pet. The two of them spent most of their time together anyway, and if Amith tired of her company, there were plenty of other dragons for the green to converse with.

Immediately after revealing that she did ride green, Lennae wished she could take it back. Stupid leapt from her shoulder, landing on T’rid before promptly taking off again. She was in no shape to chase after the creature as he took of down the halls in search of Amith. She bit her lip and shrugged, wrapping her blanket more tightly around her. She glanced at T’rid and then at Stupid, who had emerged from an empty weyr. He stood staring at them in front of her door and Lennae chewed harder on her lip. Amith wouldn’t mind; she’d probably find the whole thing amusing, but the sudden appearance of a strange creature would certainly startle the green.

Amith, ummm…you have a suitor. How to phrase this? Thankfully there was no need, for the green replied with amusement, I know. I’ve been listening. Figures. Lennae had been too sick and caught up in her hunger and Stupid’s plight to have felt Amith’s amusement the entire time. She snorted, though it quickly turned to a laugh at T’rid’s question.

“Amith? Eat him? Faranth, she wouldn’t hurt a fly.” This comment greatly amused her as she continued her giggle fit as she headed back toward her weyr, glancing briefly at T’rid once as if to ask ‘are you coming?’. There was no way she would let the man leave without taking Stupid with him. If he thought that she would be okay with burdening the ‘mandyr on her then he was sorely mistaken. “If anything, she’ll encourage him. From what I can gather, she finds him rather adorable.” She wouldn’t let on that she had as well, until she found out that she might see an awful lot of him if he took a liking to Amith.

Hello little cousin, Amith called warmly from her ledge as Stupid entered the weyr. She was greatly amused by all of this chaos and fully welcomed the salamandyr into her weyr. At the very least, Lennae would be interacting with someone other than herself. Besides, from the images in her rider’s mind, the little brown seemed positively adorable. Would you like to join me on my ledge while I sunbathe? The sun feels quite nice right now.

[Avu]

Hole herself up in the weyr? And what would make her think that would work? Corinth had tricked him into going. (True, he had been sleepy and disoriented at the time, but that hadn't made the miserable bronze take pity on him. Stupid dragon; were they supposed to be so cunning to their own mindmates? He thought not!) Nevertheless, that conversation was discarded in favor of the fact that one of his Bondeds could very well be sat upon in no time, and while he supposed that got Stupid closer than he'd ever been before to Flying a green, it certainly wasn't going to be pleasant for either T'rid or Stupid. You think I'd let a dragon sit on the little cousin? Corinth asked; he sounded injured, drawing a scowl from T'rid. Frankly, if it's a green like Calistoth... Calistoth is not every green, Mine. Fortunately not, or the Weyr would probably be swallowed by greens, T'rid thought to himself as glanced at Lennae questioningly.

She could laugh about it? Well, that was either a very good sign, or a very bad sign. Oh. At her statement, he couldn't repress the relieved sigh that emerged from his chest as he reached for Stupid and found the salamandyr infatuated by the sight of the green dragon. His relief dissipated almost instantly. Or rather, it was revealed in irritability. Get out here! Pretty love shine! The rather nonsensical response - the words used to describe just about any green dragon that Stupid saw - only served to irk T'rid further, and he was on Lennae's heels as she started for her weyr. You can go. She won't hurt him. Some help you were, he shot at Corinth, and the bronze gave a rumble again. Yes, he was definitely amused. Fine. I'd rather sleep anyways.

"I'm glad she likes him." His lip curled in some dismay as Stupid made his smugness felt as he caught the comment. (And no, he still hadn't figured out how to block out Stupid from hearing and seeing everything he did.) "He's a horrible suck-up." Some wry, detached, aloof part of him found it highly amusing that Stupid was more demonstrative of his affections to those who would never love him as more than amusement, as toys, than to T'rid, who (albeit reluctantly) admitted that he did love the brown 'mandyr. Or at least, he couldn't imagine life without him anymore. Quiet, perhaps, but - well, not all that exciting, when it came down to that. Another amusing thought flashed through his mind and he commented, "Can you ask her not to encourage him too much? I don't want to be chasing him all over the Weyr to keep him from Chasing Amith when she Rises."

If Stupid had been delighted before, there was no comparison to the joy he felt now. Phremath had been nice, yes - a very nice playmate, and her wings were like his - but she wasn't this nice, and he hadn't seen her past the Flight itself. Hello. Hellohello, pretty! He made his way across the room, the chain trailing under his belly as he snaked onto the weyrledge. Pretty 'mith, yes? he added. Shine? Present. He reared onto his hind legs, the chain dangling from his mouth, to show her how lovely and sparkly it was, and then he dropped onto his forelegs again and dropped the chain, pushing it towards Amith with his nose. Is Stupid, he introduced himself cheerfully. Stay. Yes. Stay pretty 'mith.

[weaving]

Lennae opened the door to her weyr, allowing T’rid inside before she entered. It was rather messy at the moment, for she’d been too sick to much care about what her living space looked like. Though slightly embarrassed to be allowing T’rid to see her rooms like this, it was either that or have Stupid become a permanent member here. Granted, he seemed to be behaving himself well enough now that he had someone to impress; it looked as though the ‘mandyr was practically besotted with Amith, in part because the green was whole-heartedly encouraging him. Amith might be shy around others of her species, but she had no problems talking to a creature like Stupid.

“Trust me, I will do my best to keep her from encouraging him too much. You don’t want to deal with him trying to Chase her and I don’t want to deal with him wooing her constantly.” Lennae grimaced at the thought. Cute in moderation was what Stupid was. Seeing him every day would quickly become a nuisance for her. Amith, don’t overly encourage him for both mine and T’rid’s sake. Honestly, do you want him around here every day? Amith chose not to respond to Lennae’s request, instead ignoring the human’s completely, all her attention focused on Stupid.

A present for me? Why thank you, it’s quite lovely. The green turned her head to better look at Stupid as he pushed the chain toward her. She crooned her thanks to the ‘mandyr, reaching out with one foreclaw for the chain. It was difficult picking it up, but she managed to do so, albeit somewhat clumsily. I’ll make sure that this stays very safe, she promised Stupid, cradling it gently. She watched the creature curiously as he introduced himself and continued to chatter at her. What an odd creature.

We should get one, she told Lennae, who glared in the general direction of Amith in response. Rolling her eyes, she turned back to T’rid, though she knew that he couldn’t save her from that possibility. It seemed like he hadn’t wanted a salanandyr and yet he’d gotten one anyway and what with them becoming more and more popular, she could only expect more clutches to be hatching in the future. “Amith now says she wants one. I don’t suppose there’s any way to avoid the things?” Surely he’d have some advice?

[Avu]

The bronzerider slid into the weyr ahead of Lennae at her invitation, his eyes automatically seeking the exit to the weyrledge. That it was messy didn't really register or matter, as his weyr resembled a disaster area more than anything else. It just refused to stay clean, what with Stupid hoarding everything he thought that a green dragon might appreciate, however small or strange (more than once, T'rid had had to reprimand Stupid soundly for trying to take off with Corinth's riding straps, fortunately too heavy for him to carry), and his own devil-may-care attitude as to the cleanliness of the area. Nobody came into his weyr anyway. At least, they didn't unless they wanted to be grumped at, and...well, not many people did.

Wait, wooing Amith constantly? Oh, but Lennae apparently didn't know what a fickle creature Stupid could be. More likely than not, the next day he'd be trying to find Calistoth (wince) or some other green. (All his lectures about how Calistoth was not nice had absolutely no effect on Stupid.) He bit his tongue anyway, keeping back that tidbit of information. If Lennae believing that would make her keep Amith from cooing over Stupid, that was perfectly fine with T'rid. In fact, more power to her if she convinced the green to entirely ignore the Salamandyr. The wave of smugness that nearly made T'rid loose his focus as he picked his way across the weyr and onto the weyrledge made sure he knew that Amith wasn't, unfortunately, shunning Stupid. "Stupid! Come here!" Stay, he countered stubbornly as T'rid squinted in the sunlight as he ducked onto the weyrledge.

The sight that greeted him almost made T'rid choke Stupid there and then. Was Amith actually enjoying Stupid's company? The thing needed a leash. He'd have one made as soon as he could. Out of leather. Strong leather, the kind that little teeth, sharp as they were, couldn't chew through. And he'd tie Stupid to the desk. The trunk was needed to put his stuff in, after all. Stupid cooed happily at Amith, eyes flushed with his joy as he watched the dragon pick up the chain (poor person, whoever had lost it, T'rid thought; they'd never get it back now). Shine like pretty, Stupid commented cheerfully, and as T'rid was noticed, he gave a squeak of surprise, darting to Amith's other side. Meany ass, Stupid stay, he explained in what, to him, made perfect sense.

What? What? T'rid blinked, glancing back at Lennae as her question registered. Avoid Impressing? Or just avoid Salamandyrs in general? The latter seemed to be entirely impossible - as she probably knew - so it was the former that she probably meant. Not that he had any idea about that, either. "Um? Ask Uu'n or K'lir when they're due to Hatch and lock yourself in your weyr? I don't know. Corinth tricked me into going," and he flicked a scowl at the bronze head who was watching them from his weyrledge; he heard the amused rumble that bordered on apologetic in his mind. "And if you do end up there, flee for your life? Those things bite hard, so I'd run very fast in case Dael or Showoff decides to take offense."

[weaving]

Seriously, do not encourage him. If you stop it now, I might consider getting one. Truthfully Lennae had no intention of impressing one of the little buggers, but if it would make Amith leave Stupid alone, she would offer it up. You don’t mean that. You’re trying to trick me, the green sulked. She wasn’t stupid. Naïve perhaps, but she’d grown to learn when hers was simply trying to get her way. Might consider getting one wasn’t the same as attending a hatching and honestly trying for one. For all Amith knew, Lennae would turn around the next moment, say she had considered it and that she didn’t want one and there, end of discussion. If Stupid was the closest to getting a pet that Amith was going to have, then she was going to encourage the ‘mandyr as much as she wanted to.

You are welcome to stay for as long as you’d like, the green told Stupid happily. She heard Lennae groan in frustration and felt bad, but didn’t take back her words. Besides, this way Lennae got to spend more time with T’rid who, even if he wasn’t the best person to socialize with, was better than having no one to talk to. The same could probably be applied to herself, for while Amith was being quite friendly to Stupid, to other dragons she was extremely shy, preferring not to speak at all. It was problematic yes, but seeing as Lennae didn’t get out much, neither did Amith, so it didn’t affect her too horribly. The last time she had talked to another of her kind had been that day with the wildling in the jungle and that had been nearly a month ago now.

“I have a feeling Amith might try to trick me as well. Ah well, I don’t get out much at any rate.” Unlike Amith, Lennae didn’t mind being a recluse. Better she be holed up in her weyr than dealing with all sorts of problems that cropped up in daily life. There wasn’t anyone in particular that she wished to avoid, just the world in general. Things were never calm in Selenitas, not even in places where they should be. She thought of the day that her exercise routine had been interrupted with bitterness. She still hadn’t gotten her knife back from Pepsi, though she’d heard rumor that he was in the weyr now. Well, that would make him easier to find.

She stood out on the ledge next to T’rid, eyeing the green dragon and brown ‘mandyr with a scowl. He’d won her over for the first five minutes of their meeting, but any kind feelings toward Stupid were now gone. Dealing with this was not something that she wanted to do. Honestly, all she wanted to do was get something to eat and then go back to sleep. You can still go. I will be fine with the little cousin for that long. Perhaps Corinth’s would be willing to join you. Amith’s suggestion was a good one, even Lennae had to admit. What sort of shenanigans could the ‘mandyr get into when he was so clearly besotted, and at the first sign of something going wrong, Amith could go for help.

“I was actually on my way to the kitchens before this mess happened. Amith says she can keep an eye on Stupid for a while. You can come if you’d like.” She shrugged as she spoke, not much caring either way if T’rid chose to join her or not.

[Avu]

Stay. Yes. Stay, Stupid commented cheerfully, completely oblivious to the fact that neither Lennae nor T'rid (though technically, ignoring his Bonded's anger was like trying to ignore a flaming dragon headed directly at him; he managed it) approved of his...infatuation with Amith. But who could blame him? the Salamandyr thought, trilling sweetly at Amith and scurrying closer to rear onto his hind legs, bright beady eyes blinking at the green. She was so pretty, after all...so, so pretty. There were practically big red hearts spilling out of Stupid as he crooned happily, his tailtip twitching lightly before he tilted his head and queried, Has little minepet shine? Did it make any sense? Nope. Even T'rid blinked uncertainly at the creature, but apparently, it made perfect sense to Stupid.

"Hmm?" Oh, so Amith wanted a little pet, too? T'rid was tempted to tell Lennae that she and Corinth should talk - the bronze had to be all but bubbling with ideas for every situation to trick someone into inadvertantly going to a Hatching - he could help her plot! How fun! (Note the sarcasm.) Mine? Corinth protested sleepily. You shouldn't be sarcastic to yourself...I really, really doubt it's good for you. From the mouths of idiots comes wisdom, T'rid quipped back with mock cheerful tones, making Corinth rumble and shift on his weyrledge. "Even if you don't get out," he answered Lennae absently. "You've obviously not heard some of the things Corinth can make up. Or threats. He's not past threats. Assuming your Amith is as stubborn as Corinth can be when it comes to acquiring things, anyway."

He paused, shrugged, considering the offer as he eyed Stupid and Amith. "Stupid? Are you ready to leave? Permanently?" He added the last in a low mutter, but the brown 'mandyr didn't even spare him a second glance. Stay, he said, clearly prepared to argue his case. "Fine. Fine!" The bronzerider glared at his mindmate and recieved an amused trill from Stupid, the brown 'mandyr commenting confidentially to Amith, Mean ass that. Or, in what would have been confidential tones had he not spoken for the world at large to hear. T'rid shot off another glare in Stupid's direction, and Stupid crooned his merriment as he slid behind Amith's leg to prevent being nailed by the murderous look.

"Apparently I've no choice, as I'd really rather get my Salamandyr back," he stated dryly. "Before he can maul anyone." Tempting though it was to just let him maul away, T'rid admitted morosely to himself. It had been really quite hilarious to see the brown 'mandyr attacking that Candidate, Cl-what's-his-name. Really, it had been a lot of blood for such a little creature, and T'rid took a perverse pride in the fact that he could undoubtedly bribe Stupid to attack anyone who irritated him. (Too bad he couldn't sic Stupid on the Weyrwoman, but she was rider to the senior queen and she was broody anyway. He liked Stupid better when he wasn't flat.) "Hopefully she'll get tired of him by the time we come back." And if she hadn't...

That could be problematic.

[weaving]

Amith lowered her head toward Stupid, whuffing at him gently. She was amused at how tiny he was and also very careful about how she moved around him. Squishing the creature probably wouldn’t be appreciated, no matter how much T’rid said he wanted to be rid of Stupid. Though Amith was small for her size, perhaps one of the smallest dragons in the weyr, she clearly towered over Stupid, making his infatuation with her that much more entertaining. Yes, please stay and keep me company. It gets awfully lonely here. She talked to him as one would to a child, affection lacing every word spoken to Stupid. While she would never be able to clutch, Amith had a maternal streak a mile wide which would certainly explain why she wanted Lennae to try for one so badly.

“She’s not, but I think I’d do well to keep her away from Corinth. He might influence her and that’s not something I’d like to deal with.” From the way T’rid described his relationship with Corinth, it certainly sounded as if the man had no say at all, something that Lennae didn’t think she’d be able to handle. Her and Amith worked as a partnership, with give and take on both sides. If Amith were to turn into another Corinth, she doubted that their relationship would be a very happy one. In fact, she’d probably become much like T’rid, sarcastic and biting with a general air of hostility. I wouldn’t do that, the green protested, sending Lennae love through their link, which was whole-heartedly returned.

Go now before all of the food is eaten. I will make sure that the little cousin stays out of trouble. Amith’s urgings finally had some effect on Lennae, who had been stalling. She really didn’t like dealing with the majority of the weyr and having the Weyrleader as company was bad enough. She didn’t need to be seen in public at all, let alone with such an important, and rather disliked, figure. “Amith assures me that she can take care of Stupid. She’ll be tired of him by the time we return.” The unspoken ‘I’ll make sure of it’ hung in the air as a threat and a promise. “Shall we go?” Wrapping her blanket more tightly around her, Lennae didn’t wait for T’rid’s answer before heading back out and into the hallway. She certainly didn’t need his company badly enough to try and talk him into joining her.

Heading down the halls, Lennae remained quiet. Her throat had begun to ache, complaining painfully about how much she had used it. Some warm soup would do it good as well as silence, but while the former would be easy to find, the latter was rather hard to come by at Selenitas. Too many friendly people and not enough social recluses. She’d feel much better once she had something in her stomach. A stop by the infirmary afterward to get something to clear her sinuses and then she would be all set to hole up in her weyr once more.

[Avu]

It was all but impossible to describe the joyful bliss that had taken over Stupid by now. Rare it was that he experienced open affection from anyone, be it Corinth, T'rid, or anyone he ran into; that the positive attention came from a dragon, and a lovely green dragon at that - it was sheer ecstasy, a feeling he'd only experienced once before, during Phremath's Flight - a different kind of ecstasy, true; that had been a lust-filled one, and this one was lacked in that lust - instead it was one of complete and utter adoration. The brown 'mandyr had reared onto his hind legs, tail a straight line that pressed flat against the weyrledge behind him, forelegs held tight against his chest, eyes sparkling as he craned his neck back to peer at Amith. Lonely, he echoed her, head cocked as he tried to digest the concept. Why? Why pretty lonely? She was pretty, after all; so why should she be lonely? Especially since she was nice, too; she ought to have lots of friends. Firmly convinced that this was the case, Stupid chirruped questioningly.

...it sounded a lot like Lennae didn't want Amith to be like Corinth. T'rid glanced suspiciously at her, started to open her mouth to defend Corinth - just because he wouldn't admit it didn't mean he didn't love the bronze - and then shook his head slightly, dismissing it and closing his mouth firmly again. The bronze dragon could defend himself through Amith if he felt the need to, considering that he was - and he knew he was - sending the conversation to the bronze, who found it hugely amusing that Stupid had actually found a green dragon willing to put up with his company for however short a period of time. The bronze dragon remained silent, though, perversely amused at Lennae's comment. Usually it was only T'rid who bemoaned Corinth and complained that their bond was one of war rather than love - and now that he'd found someone else who thought the same, or something like it, he had been about to actually defend his mindmate.

Fine. The bronzerider paused to let Corinth know that he was tempted to skin the bronze for his amusement, and then followed the woman, still slightly puzzled as to why she had a blanket wrapped around herself. Why didn't she just get dressed more warmly, if she was that cold? He wandered after the Greenrider, frowning slightly as Stupid's enthusiasm bubbled in the back of his mind. Stupid, stupid miserable little lusty worm...he mentally wondered how soon Amith was going to Rise; perhaps he should start making a schedule of the times green dragons were due to Rise if it kept Stupid from Chasing them. Lock him in a trunk, maybe, every time he left; if he did that, he'd have to make special - ah, arrangements - but hey, it would be worth it, surely? Carve holes for light and air in the trunk - like a cage - and just stick Stupid in it. He'd shriek and wail and headaches would come and go, but it'd stop him.

Yes, that sounded just fine, the bronzerider decided with a slight smugness, too occupied with his thoughts to notice - or care - that Lennae was silent on the way down to the Main Hall. He wouldn't have been able to come up with much conversation in any case. Normally he didn't keep company with - well, anyone. T'rid kept to himself and the others returned the compliment and stayed away from him, and he was satisfied. Stupid salamandyr, apparently, had decided that was boring, though.

[weaving]

Whatever had programmed Stupid’s mind to make him want to chase green dragons had a sick sense of humor indeed. If not for the fact that the slamandyr was both a ‘mandyr and probably a hundred times smaller than her, Amith would have probably been interested in the brown as more than simple company. As it was, she found his infatuation to be adorable, if not strange, and extremely endearing and thought of him more as a young child than of a suitor. He was however, extraordinarily perceptive as he quickly seemed to pick up on the green’s loneliness. Mine and I do not go out with the others much, except during wingdrills and when we are needed. Amith, it’s not like I keep you locked in the weyr. You could go out and socialize. Lennae didn’t quite understand Amith’s shy nature. While she didn’t want to be around others, Amith did but didn’t have the confidence necessary. It’s not that easy, the green replied on a more private link between her and her rider, though her attention remained focused on Stupid.

“I’m sorry if I get you sick,” Lennae said to T’rid, though from her tone, it didn’t sound as though she were very sorry at all. And why should she be? T’rid had kept her from eating, had forced her to be somewhat social and had inflicted his pet on her and Amith. Of course, she remained somewhat civil to him; he was the Weyrleader, and while not a very good one, he had power over her and was probably the sort to use that power to get back at those who had wronged him in some way or another. That was the problem with allowing a Gold flight to determine who was Weyrleader. While there were some bronzeriders that made good leaders, there were others, like T’rid, who were absolutely horrible. The prowess of a bronze certainly did not reflect the leadership ability of his rider.

As she exited the rider weyrs, she clutched her blanket even more tightly, glad that she had brought it with her from High Reaches. The blankets at Selenitas were far thinner and would never have done the job properly. She might look silly, but washing one blanket would be much less work than washing the layers of clothing it would take to keep her warm enough. It didn’t help that she didn’t have many clothes, most having been left at High Reaches during their sudden departure. The pair had a bit of a walk and then a boat ride ahead of them since Amith couldn’t give them a ride. Lennae didn’t mind and in fact preferred the exercise it gave her, but T’rid might feel the same.

“We’ve got a bit of a trip ahead of us. First a walk to the docks and then a boat ride to the main hall. Think you can handle it?” She certainly didn’t doubt his physical fitness. Being a dragonrider was practically synonymous with being fit, but she wouldn’t be surprised if he was too lazy to do it by foot. Well, at least he rode bronze, which meant that Corinth would easily be able to carry them both if T’rid decided that it was too far to walk.