Ember
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T'san Iskierka Dy'shi Jazheera Ae'on Nephele Qaena K'dem Eikane
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Post by Ember on Oct 17, 2009 23:29:14 GMT -5
Nephele followed her green to the feeding grounds with a tolerantly amused expression on her face. Nuoth had decided to try and catch a herdbeast for herself without the added benefit of flight. It had been...six months since the hatching. Nuoth wasn't allowed to fly yet with or without her rider, although swimming was a suggested practice to begin strengthening the flight muscles. Considering Nephele's inability and subsequent fear of water swimming was uncommon.
Nuoth stopped as she spotted the milling herbeasts. "You do know that it'll be nearly impossible, right?" The girl asked of her growing dragon. Probably true but I still want to try. "Then who am I to stop you?" You are NepheleMine... The confused tone in the green's mental voice made the girl giggle slightly. "Sorry, that was rhetorical. Go ahead and try!" Nuoth fluttered her wings and looked at Hers for a moment longer. She wouldn't be lonely while she tried to catch her own meal, would she?
Nephele reflected on the silent question before shrugging and sitting down on a nearby rock. Both Charming and Misfit were absent at the moment. Charming was no doubt in the main hall, posing on tables for the people eating. Misfit was either causing trouble or basking in the presence of the green he'd caught. She would be a bit lonely if Nuoth was entirely focused on hunting but it was a pleasant day so she could cope. She'd been alone long enough that a small moment where she felt alone again was nothing.
Nuoth crooned quietly and walked to Hers to rest her chin on the girl's shoulder. She would be back soon enough! The green gracefully turned to the herdbeasts and snuck closer, slender form pressed close to the ground much like a giant cat stalking it's prey. The green was too big, even at six months, to go unnoticed for long. She leaped forward as the herdbeast suddenly began to scatter. For a moment she could almost feel like she was flying...then she landed and the feeling was gone. She was surprisingly comfortable moving on land but that didn't mean she could catch the herdbeasts any easier. She would likely tire sooner than catch one.
Nephele watched her green from the distance of the rock. She felt the warmth of the stone beneath her before smiling and stretching herself out along it. For a little bit she watched Nuoth but that quickly became boring as her lifemate proved her right. The girl rolled onto her back and stared upwards. Cloud watching? Equally boring. There once was a time that if she had free time she generally had a way to make it pass more quickly. She really shoulder get herself some fabric and sewing needles so she could make some new items for her wardrobe. Hmm. Lost in thought she was.
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Avu
Weyrleader Ce'thian Rider A'emi Handler Sena Harper Matteo Weyrbrat Riaren
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Post by Avu on Oct 18, 2009 13:36:40 GMT -5
Great minds think alike, and Nuoth and Nephele were not quite as alone as they might have thought. To be fair, their company was almost entirely invisible for the moment. Two out of the three creatures was actually in a tree, the trunk blocking them entirely from the greenpair. The third of the two was below the tree and almost directly behind a bush, hidden almost completely in the shadows. He had even closed two of his eyelids to prevent the glowing jewels from giving him away. Both wings were held at his sides, low, and he was flat on his belly, absolutely motionless, watching the herdbeasts patiently. He wasn’t sure when or if the herd would move his way, but he was willing to wait; he knew too well that trying to catch a herdbeast without being able to fly was painfully frustrating; it wasn’t the first time Ahth had tried and the first time, he’d failed. Fortunately, he’d been alone then, but since his tactics had improved tremendously. His tail flicked slightly before curling around his haunches. That little one was moving awfully close…tantalizingly close, in fact. But he couldn’t make it in one leap, so Ahth kept still, freezing in the tall grass and shadows.
Nuoth’s scaring all the herdbeasts into startling made Ahth go even more still, freezing in shock – annoyance flared into his eyes – but then the small herdbeast spun on his hind legs and bolted straight for him. The blue reacted, more out of instinct than actual thought; his hind legs propelled him through the air and he slammed directly into the startled herdbeast, locking his foreclaws around the creature’s back and neck; both wings flared out to stop his momentum as his hind claws dug into the dirt. The herdbeast’s frantic bawling earned him a hiss from the blue before his teeth locked around the creature’s throat and ripped. Still, he pinned down the writhing herdbeast until his struggles had stopped entirely before he straddled his prey carefully, leaning down to lick at the blood pouring out of the creature’s throat.
It would work better if they did not see you coming, he commented calmly to Nuoth. Nevertheless, I thank you very much for my lunch. It occurred to him briefly to share, but likely he already had to. For the moment, Sylph was asleep, tucked in R’ahre’s pocket, but she’d wake soon enough – the green was prone to waking at the slightest disturbance these days, given the glow that was slowly making itself known upon her hide. And once she did wake, then she’d insist on getting in on the kill. Ahth licked the blood from his muzzle before leaning down to tear away a long strip of skin and fur, dropping it to one side. He was not interested in getting fur stuck in his teeth in the least. I caught one, MineR’ahre. Nuoth and Hers are here. The comment was largely unnecessary, given that R’ahre had poked his head out from around the trunk curiously; the blue’s smugness was undeniable and honestly, R’ahre hadn’t dreamed he’d actually catch anything.
How odd.
One hand cupped loosely around the pocket containing Sylph before R’ahre lowered himself cautiously from the tree and moved over to look down at the herdbeast that Ahth was skinning, one forepaw pressing down on the creature as he tugged calmly at the hide. His nose crinkled slightly before he glanced at Nephele, and then back at Ahth again, brushing his fingers gently across the blue’s head. The warm blood smeared across his fingertips, but he didn’t particularly care; he rubbed it off on his pant leg before reaching out to nudge the dead herdbeast with one toe. “That’s lovely, Ahth.” The words weren’t quite sincere – more amused than anything else, before he rubbed his nose slightly. “And it only took…” He glanced up at the sky, squinting. “…oh, forty-five minutes. Thank Nuoth we weren’t here for sevendays on end.” R’ahre looked down at the blue before he tilted his head and then shoved Ahth gently sideways. “Let me skin it, or we’ll be here days before you can eat.”
Lovely. Ahth almost smiled before he slid backwards with a show of ill grace – and a show it was. He knew R’ahre knew he’d been going deliberately slow, but it worked just as well, did it not…? The blue glanced curiously at his greensister before he commented quietly, If you would like me to help you, I will. It was quite fun to leap on a herdbeast and kill it, it was…and of course, Ahth would be doing that part; Nuoth couldn’t blend into the shadows like he could.
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Ember
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T'san Iskierka Dy'shi Jazheera Ae'on Nephele Qaena K'dem Eikane
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Post by Ember on Oct 18, 2009 14:48:10 GMT -5
Nuoth stopped her rather futile chase of a herdbeast as her clutchbrother jumped out of the shadows. She watched with interest as the herdbeast struggled before finally collapsing. Clutchsib Ahth is here, NepheleMine. Though the tone was neutral the girl could feel the annoyance through the bond and grinned. So Nuoth was a bit miffed that Ahth caught one but she didn't? She sat up and turned to look in the direction of the dragons. As usual, the green showed no outward signs of her annoyance. Nuoth casually flicked her tail and looked at the living herdbeasts. They were still nervous but settling down far from where the dragons were. She could see scaring one of them into another worked. Perhaps there was a way for her to corner one?
To Ahth's comment she said nothing for she did not wish to seem rude. What he said was only too obvious. Upon reflection the green had been a bit hasty but how else was one to learn besides trial and error? Nuoth inclined her head in acknowledgement of his thank you. Aware he may have missed the gesture she said, You are welcome. That it was not her intention also went unsaid. It was not Ahth's fault that she had failed to catch one and despite her unwilling help he was not obligated to share with her. It might be wise to leave and allow Hers to feed her...then she could come back when no one else was around and try again. She did not know Ahth well enough to strike up a conversation, despite being from the same clutch. What to do..
Nephele got up from her perch and wandered over to the green and blue. And R'ahre. Yes, it figured he was here with Ahth. Kind of amusing that neither of the greenpair had noticed them before. Nuoth closed the distance between herself and her rider, quietly amused at the evidence of Ahth's determination to catch a herdbeast. Forty-five minutes, NepheleMine, the green confided. That is how long clutchsib Ahth has been here. I think he would have been waiting much longer had I not scared one towards him. Nephele rubbed the green's eyeridge as praise even though both knew Nuoth hadn't meant to help. Nuoth crooned quietly. The sound contained an amused edge to anyone who cared to pay close attention.
At Ahth's offer Nuoth fluttered her wings and looked at him. She was tempted to refuse and be on her way with Nephele but...there was no good reason for such behaviour. It wasn't like Ahth had done anything wrong either. She was hungry as well. Hunting would take her mind off of her hunger where waiting for Nephele to get her food wouldn't. Her mind was made up. I would appreciate that, clutchsib Ahth. She moved closer to him and his herdbeast again, waiting for his instruction. In the end it was him who had taken down the herdbeast. While she had an inkling of how they would take one down for her, she'd let him lead. She was far from the type who would get annoyed having to follow others.
As Nephele approached R'ahre there was a subtle change in her demeanor. Gone was the real amusement over the antics of the dragons. The usual mask of friendly and 'available' was on, though she wondered if there was a point to playing that role anymore. Sigh. "R'ahre, right?" she asked sweetly. Whoopie.
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Avu
Weyrleader Ce'thian Rider A'emi Handler Sena Harper Matteo Weyrbrat Riaren
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Post by Avu on Oct 18, 2009 15:51:07 GMT -5
R’ahre knelt down cautiously next to the herdbeast, glancing over the damage neutrally. Four claw marks ran down one of its sides starting at its spine, and another four laced across the chest; the gaping throat, quite high on the neck, indicated where Ahth’s jaws had fitted and torn. He pulled out the knife from his belt and pressed one knee against the herdbeast’s shoulder, winding his fingers through the short fur as well as he could to stretch it so he could slide his knife between the hide and the meat and start to skin the creature. The blood didn’t really bother him; he’d been slicing meat for Ahth for months now before the blue had decided it was high time to catch his own prey. His dragon’s antics were mainly ignored for now; he was concentrating on his task. The hardest part, in his opinion, was starting – if he could just take the hide off in a long strip, it would be so much easier.
Said blue had slunk around his prey to Nuoth’s side. The blood that stained his muzzle and claws didn’t bother him for the moment before he settled next to his clutchsister, dark eyes gleaming thoughtfully. You saw how that worked? he inquired, raising one paw to lick the blood off of his claws carefully. I suppose we could do the same again, though purposely instead of accidentally. Take my place beneath the tree and beside the bushes and /I/ can chase them towards /you/. You must not move until the right time. If you have to /wonder/ whether or not you can catch a herdbeast, you will not catch it. You must /know/ you can make the leap, or you won’t and it will get away. He finished one forepaw and set to licking the other instead, before he flipped his tail in slight irritation. He didn’t want to have to run – in fact, he’d wanted to take his own place a minute ago, replay but give Nuoth the prey – but in the end, it wouldn’t be her catching it and it wouldn’t help her any. Once you leap, aim to grab it around the neck with your claws and to open the throat with your teeth. If you’re on, do not let go until it is dead. They can be dangerous. Go. Do not let them see you.
His tail flicked towards the direction of the trees, and then he set off, sliding gracefully across the ground in what was an undeniably predatory pace, slinking along with his belly nearly touching the ground, to circle widely around the penned herdbeasts, which were prancing nervously. Ahth stuck to the shadows, moving quickly, carefully, until he found himself a position that would work to drive the herdbeasts diagonally towards the small group of trees and bushes. Nuoth’s and His were on the other side entirely, so Nuoth should catch a herdbeast before it went as far as them, and if she didn’t, Ahth still had utmost confidence in His not to let a silly herdbeast hurt him. The blue pressed against the ground, eyes glittering. There was a kind of perverse excitement that came with the feeling of the herdbeast writhing, the blood welling inside of his mouth, the knowledge that it had been he who caused the death, it had been he who had the herdbeast at his mercy for the last seconds of its life. He liked it.
Let me know when you’re ready.
RusaMine, corrected a very sleepy green Salamandyr testily, poking her head out of R’ahre’s pocket before she yawned widely and curled up again. R’ahre ignored her – and, for the most part, Nephele, more or less focusing entirely on skinning the herdbeast. He did pause to shift the hide in his grasp, and in that pause glanced up at the other weyrlingrider. “That’s right,” he replied softly, before he crinkled his nose slightly. “I’m sorry, I don’t quite recall your name?” Actually, he half-did – something-ele, but something-ele was not exactly what one wanted to respond with. “You might want to move a little more over there,” and he jerked his head towards the direction of the trees. “Ahth’s planning on making all of the herdbeasts stampede, and while you’re not really in their way, it’s probably better to be closer to Nuoth.” Did he plan on moving? Nope; he was fine on his own – he was pretty sure no herdbeast would try to stampede over one of their own dead, but he could be mistaken. His reflexes were plenty good enough to get out of the way of a fat herdbeast, thank you.
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Ember
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T'san Iskierka Dy'shi Jazheera Ae'on Nephele Qaena K'dem Eikane
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Post by Ember on Oct 26, 2009 23:28:12 GMT -5
Nephele pretty much sauntered up behind and to the left of R'ahre to examine the herd beast. Her expression held curiousity - it wasn't like the blueweyrling was looking - as she looked over Ahth's work. She'd long since been desensitized to dealing with bloody corpses. A dead thing. Really, why were so many disturbed by it? What did they think meat was before it was cooked? She'd heard a couple stories about weyrlings who couldn't stand the idea at first but eventually did it for the sake of their dragons. Nephele had never been a particularily squeamish person to begin with..so maybe she was overlooking something. Hmm.
Nuoth watched as her clutchsibling came to her side. She lightly tipped her head to better fix a whirling green-blue on him. A small croon escaped her thoughtfully. Yes, I saw. She listened to his advice, fluttering her wings once. Yes...that seemed right. While she privately wondered how much danger the easily-frightened beasts might be to her she did take the warning to heart. Better safe than sorry, as Hers would say, right? She slunk off with easy grace at his signal-order, curiously watching him a little bit as he advanced. How long had he been trying to catch herdbeasts?
A quiet excitement wound its way through her body. As she melded into the shaddows of the tree and bushes as best as she could, Nuoth felt energized and dangerous. She was a predator. She would not let her prey escape. Not only because she was hungry, but wouldn't it be humiliating to miss after all Ahth's help? She very nearly jumped at Ahth's voice in her mind, so intent was she on her goal. The calmness in her voice gave none of that away though. I'm ready. Her whole body tensed as she waited for the perfect moment.
Nephele blinked as she heard the voice of something..and barely had time to spot a little green head. Ah. "Salamandyr," she said quietly as he continued on with his skinning, seemingly content to ignore her. Amusement and annoyance fought for dominance on her features before both were banished as he looked up at her. A not entirely fake sigh escaped the girl and she adopted a slightly hurt tone. "I suppose I'm just that forgetable." She paused long enough to hear his warning and actually smothered a small laugh in her hand. So he could remember Nuoth's name but not hers? "Mm, probably a good idea." Though not entirely needed. She almost considered not giving her name..but that reminded her of her first meeting with another person far too much. As she turned to head to the trees she shot over her shoulder, "And the name is Nephele. Shorten at will." She easily climbed a tree and sighed comfortably. She couldn't fully relax with the predatory feeling from Nuoth but it was more pleasant than standing around.
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Avu
Weyrleader Ce'thian Rider A'emi Handler Sena Harper Matteo Weyrbrat Riaren
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Post by Avu on Oct 27, 2009 16:50:49 GMT -5
Is the girl out of the way? Up a tree. Great. Let me know when herdbeasts learn to climb trees.
Ignoring the slight amused bemusement that His was feeling, Ahth slunk forward before he tilted his head. Nuoth had said she was ready…and so she was, he supposed. His assured him that the green was, indeed, in position, and in that moment Ahth moved. The blue was usually disturbingly quiet outwardly; the most he offered was usually a low croon or a growl depending on recipient. Now he actively reared back, both almost-black wings snapping out to either side, and a fantastic roar rumbled out of his chest. The sound echoed in the emptiness before the blue lunged, teeth snapping at one of the herdbeast’s ankles. Dark amusement glittered in his eyes before he leapt forward, snapping again; his clips fell deliberately short of their mark; the herdbeast that had drawn his unfortunate attentions was hardly older than a few days and was bawling frantically.
Unfortunately, most of the other herdbeasts had already been sent on their way, each of them bawling wildly as well as they stampeded. Past R’ahre they went, and most of them darted to the far end of the pasture, a few staggering to each side – and one heading for the thicket of trees (obviously seeking safety that would not be found there) in which Nuoth was actually hiding in…
The young herdbeast was efficiently cut off of the main pack by Ahth, who was paying very little attention to what was going on with Nuoth by that point; His would tell him what she’d done right and wrong – because R’ahre did know. He’d watched dragons hunt before, knew how herdbeasts reacted. This was more important. The blue’s wings flared widely before he feinted to the left, his tail whipping around to snap at the hatchling from the right. The frantic motions of the herdbeast reflected in those darkly whirling eyes before Ahth hissed quietly, abruptly loosing interest and turning away from the trembling creature to slink back towards Nuoth and Theirs. His tail flipped from one side to the other before he turned to bare his teeth in amusement at the herdbeast, who still stood frozen. Poor stupid baby. Had he ever been so silly and helpless as a baby…? Ahth hoped not, fervently. At least he hadn’t actually hurt the herdbeast; Ahth wasn’t one to usually find amusement in the physical pain of others. Humiliation, yes. Terror, certainly. Pain…? Not usually.
R’ahre threw one quick glance over his shoulder to make sure the girl who’d introduced herself as Nephele was, indeed, safe in her tree, before he returned to skinning the herdbeast, laying the loose skin off to one side before he rose to his feet in time to see the herdbeasts breezing past. The blueweyrling took an automatic step backwards as Sylph’s head poked out of his pocket again, the green uttering a sibilant hiss and writhing, frill flaring widely. Fatties squish die fat! She subsided as R’ahre reached up idly to run one blood-smeared finger down her head; the Salamandyr licked his fingers before curling into the warmth of his pocket again. The herdbeasts wound around him, one of them presenting a nice target for Nuoth. The blueweyrling tilted his head to one side, watching its progress intently, mentally urging Nuoth to make her move, but before he could see whether or not the green made the leap, or even took the chance, a surprising wave of cold amusement caught his attention and he turned his head.
He froze, watching Ahth with the herdbeast with a curious detached interest. Never before had the blue seemed quite so dangerous, that predatory slinking pace, the audible click of his teeth snapping at the trembling herdbeast…R’ahre’s stomach did a slight flip before he realized that the feral nature being displayed by the blue was altogether alien to him, not entirely repulsive. It was…interesting. But as the blue turned and started back, the blueweyrling spun and glanced up at Nephele in her tree. “You can probably come down now,” he commented drolly. “Unless you prefer it up there, of course…the only herdbeasts stampeding now are the really slow, really stupid ones...”
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Ember
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T'san Iskierka Dy'shi Jazheera Ae'on Nephele Qaena K'dem Eikane
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Post by Ember on Oct 29, 2009 10:30:03 GMT -5
Nuoth heard Ahth's roar and recognized it as the beginning of the hunt. Although having them scared to her was hardly a hunt...details, details. Hers fussed about details plenty enough for the both of them. Her claws flexed slightly as she could feel the herdbeasts coming her way. She hadn't noticed the trembles in the ground when she had chased them earlier. So interesting. She couldn't let it distract her though. So focused to the exclusion of all else, Nuoth barely caught herself about to flutter her wings. The habit was so natural that it just happened. Almost a careless mistake. She would not lose her prey when it was so tantalizingly within reach.
Speaking of prey...the green marked one out in the herd and followed it with her eyes. Hmm, nope. It moved too far off to the side to be worth going for. She knew she'd end up losing that one. Her real chance was spotted soon after that and she waited with calm patience. Closer...it needed to come closer still. She would wait until it had no option but to fall to tooth and claw. Later the green might she had heard a snap as the herdbeast got close enough to sense her presence and began to turn. Nuoth had sprung out from her hiding spot and was on the beast in two neat bounds.
Nephele pushed aside the waves of powerful emotion from Nuoth and watched as Ahth got the herd moving. The herdbeasts thought the dragons were scary now...hah. Just wait until they got older and were allowed to fly as they wished. Since she couldn't actually see her dragon she settled for watching the blue toy with an infant herdbeast. A bit cruel in the girl's opinion but she wouldn't mention that to the blueweyrling pair. Its not like Nuoth was totally innocent either...The girl had seen the green emerge from her cover like some kind of predator (which she was, but she was also still Nephele's sweet little dragonet) and attack a stray herdbeast.
The green stood triumphantly on her prize as she let the thrashing herdbeast bleed out by the wound in its neck. As it slowed and then stilled she stepped back and looked it over, a little at a loss with all the fur there. What she was fed was decidedly hairless. She supposed she could peel it off? One day you'll just eat it fur and all but for now I'll skin it for you. Good job, btw the way, Nephele told her privately. Clutchsib Ahth helped. The pride in the tone was unmistakeable, despite the words. And she would learn from her kill.
As Nuoth turned her attention to Ahth, Nephele heard R'ahre's voice from below. Mm right. She was supposed to be up in the tree for her own protection. She rolled to the right but just as it seemed she might fall she grabbed the branch and used the other branches as a giant ladder down the tree. "It was rather comfortable up there but Nuoth would prefer her meat furless still," she replied, a slight exasperation in her voice. She just killed her own food, why did it need to be skinned too? What she did for love! The pelt of a common herdbeast wasn't worth the effort either. The girl knelt by the carcass and withdrew a small carving knife from her boot and started skinning it. It wasn't useful for much else in her hands.
Nuoth watched Ahth for a moment before extending her appreciation for his help. She probably wouldn't have caught one otherwise. Thank you for your help. The green licked at her snout as she waited for her meal to be ready. It was pointless since she was just going to get bloody again but Nuoth didn't like staying needlessly dirty even for such a short time.
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Avu
Weyrleader Ce'thian Rider A'emi Handler Sena Harper Matteo Weyrbrat Riaren
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Post by Avu on Oct 29, 2009 17:45:02 GMT -5
Oh, she’d gotten one. R’ahre tilted his head to look down at Nuoth’s kill, a look of curious interest flickering across his face at the sight of the herdbeast. Larger by a few hands than the one that Ahth had brought down, at least at first glance. R’ahre didn’t bother informing Ahth of such a fact. It was just luck anyway; the way the two had been hunting made sure that they couldn’t be picky as to which they got their claws into. Ahth would see it as such too, and dismiss it as being unimportant. One hand rubbed his nose before he turned his head to squint up at Nephele, watching her tumble and then descent from the tree. His mind was still lingering on Ahth’s taunting the herdbeast baby, but it didn’t bother him for too long; the creature had long since skittered back to his dam and was being comforted with a slobbery tongue. How…comforting. Nephele’s words made a half-smile flicker across his face before he nodded at the skinned herdbeast behind him – Ahth’s. “Seems to be a common preference.”
It was not a problem. You did well. the blue replied politely to Nuoth’s comment, before he padded over to his own herdbeast. His forelegs straddled the dead beast as Ahth leaned down; his teeth sank into the meat and he jerked his head back, pulling off a long strip. It will be easier once we can fly. he added, stretching both wings contentedly. He’d glided a few times before when His wasn’t watching – apparently he’d gotten a lecture before on how dangerous it was for young dragons not to overwork themselves, from the greenpair that he missed from That Place, and didn’t like it when Ahth tried to fly before they got orders to – but gliding couldn’t possibly be anything like the real thing. The blue’s serpentine form settled low to the ground over the herdbeast as he pressed one forepaw against its side to hold it down so he could rip out another mouthful, swallowing. Blood dripped down his jaws, but it went ignored; Ahth would much rather eat now, clean later. Obsessing was Futh’s job.
“Need help?” R’ahre inquired of Nephele, brushing against Ahth’s mind silently in congratulations at the same time before he leaned over the other dragon’s kill, both hands pressing against his legs just above the knee for support. “She’ll get to eat faster if two people skin it, unless you want it all in one piece…” Which he couldn’t see why she did, but each to his (or her, in this case) own; he’d just offer and see. Wasn’t like skinning bothered him anyway, and it wasn’t too much work, when all was said and done. R’ahre wasn’t quite one for just sitting and doing nothing; he had quite a short patience. His gaze flickered down the length of the creature, snagging on the torn region where Nuoth had locked her jaws, before he brushed one finger around the circumference of the half-circle area, unconsciously comparing; the green had gotten the creature just about the same region that Ahth had, but it’d probably be better if the blue got ahold of the herdbeast a little higher up next time…quicker death.
Not that Ahth was concerned about how quickly the herdbeast died anyway. The blue was currently quite content to be eating his first kill, pulling the meat away in long strips and snapping it up. It wasn’t possible to say he was tidy, for blood had dyed his claws, mouth, and teeth, turning the usually dark-hued weapons into a bright splash of red dripping from his hide, but it was a relatively neat process. Rip away the flesh; toss his head back and snap it out of the air; repeat. Bone gleamed white-pink below the meat still there; the blue’s tongue flicked out to lick the blood, cleaning away the bone. So content, he was…that Nuoth had to watch him eat while her own meal was being prepared did not register upon him as being impolite; he’d waited long enough for his meal to help her find her own, had he not? After a moment, though, at R’ahre’s mental touch, the blue paused, tilting his head to watch Nephele’s work on the other herdbeast; his head lowered to lick the blood from his claws slowly, gaze never leaving the greenweyrling.
I do apologize, Nuoth, he said softly, smoothly. I did not realize that it would seem rude of me to eat in front you. Would you rather I waited until your meal is ready as well? The question was impeccably polite, gently probing; Ahth would stop if she wanted him to as long as she was willing to talk to him. The blue actually did like company very much – company usually said things that he could use to his own advantage later, though Sylph had been providing the sneaky spy part, too. How nicely things had played out…
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Ember
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Post by Ember on Oct 29, 2009 20:33:29 GMT -5
When she noticed R'ahre's half-smile she grinned slightly in return before she thought to stop herself. When she did notice the grin subtley changed into a coy little one before it faded entirely. She tapped the blade against the herdbeast's neck, right over the fatal wound. It kept drawing her attention from her work. Nuoth could wait a few more moments since she had already waited so long. Its not like she didn't have a distraction in the form of a blue. Now that the green had tasted one success...would she always want to hunt like this? It would be less work for her in the end, though there wasn't always a guarantee that someone would be around to help.
Nuoth nodded in acknowledgement of the compliment. She was not a huge talker, prefering to listen and digest any information she was given. If spoken to she could answer and give opinions on occasion but she found it hard to actually start a conversation with others besides Hers. She was relieved when Ahth mentioned flying. Not talking could be considered rude and she'd hate to be considered so. Yes. We should be learning soon, she replied, repeating something Hers had told her. She turned her gaze away as Ahth began feeding on his meal. It would not help her hunger to watch him.
"Hmm." The sound indicated a positive response as her blade seperated pelt from flesh. R'ahre had a point and she didn't mind sharing the work. He wouldn't offer if he minded, either. She didn't believe in people who offered to help even if they hated the task. Selflessness? Hah! To liven it up a bit though, she withdrew her knife and sliced a neat line on the dead animal's flank, one portion a little larger than the other. She glanced up from her work and smiled challengingly. "A race?" So tempting to add stakes to the table, but she'd keep it at a simple race. She didn't want to end up doing...ooh, say, his chores on top of hers if she lost.
Nephele waited a moment longer before slipping her blade back under the skin and slicing neatly but quickly. She was so practised at skinning that doing it quickly came naturally. She wouldn't wait forever if R'ahre didn't want to race. She'd given him a smaller part on purpose, to make up for what she had already finished. If he didn't start soon she'd be in the lead. A brush with Nuoth's mind let her reassure the green that she wouldn't have to wait much longer. The surprise she encountered there (but didn't manifest itself physically) made a corner of her mouth twitch upwards for a moment before it settled. Always so on guard around others without showing it.
Nuoth wasn't sure why Ahth was apologizing. He was entitled to enjoy his meal, was he not? He had helped her after all. Her herdbeast wouldn't even be undergoing skinning without him around. She considered it for a moment before replying, No, that is alright clutchsib Ahth. It will not be a long wait for me. It felt a bit impolite to keep him from his food. She wouldn't have minded conversation either ahd she been better able to carry one.
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Avu
Weyrleader Ce'thian Rider A'emi Handler Sena Harper Matteo Weyrbrat Riaren
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Post by Avu on Oct 29, 2009 22:45:28 GMT -5
Soon, was it? Ahth’s eyes whirled more slowly for a moment before he stretched carefully, one claw dragging a long thin line down his herdbeast’s flank idly. It was tempting to spread both wings, and they did actually twitch slightly, but he resisted; there was no need to look like a nervy little fool all excited about his first flight. Oh, Ahth was certainly excited, but emotions were not something that the blue showed often past the polite ones demanded of someone who wanted in on gossip. He made no reply to the green’s comment, save for a flip of his tail and a slightly faster whirl of his eyes, though; the silence was brief, but it was thoughtful. Hmm, to fly…not to be land-bound and crippled, because as far as Ahth was concerned, a land-bound dragon was. No use for a dragon that couldn’t fly, was there now?
A race. A race. Is that really necessary? What if she cuts herself? Oh, it’s her you’re worried about. You won’t. You’re better.
R’ahre didn’t answer Ahth as he knelt down, flipping out his own knife again. It was longer than Nephele’s, designed primarily for actual battle, but he hadn’t any chance to use it lately past sparring and of the two he ever bothered to use, it was the one he valued less. The other had been the first he’d ever had – given to him by his deceased weyrmate. Certainly wasn’t going to use that one carving up herdbeasts. The blade was slipped neatly between hide and meat and R’ahre made a long slice to start off, pulling it upwards with his hand and pressing his knee against the herdbeast to keep it stretched tight as he started to cut the hide off entirely. Blood soaked through the knee of his pant leg again, but R’ahre really didn’t care. Skinning was easy, when it came down to it; just cut. The knife was familiar, he sharpened it obsessively, and everything was just…fine. The strokes he made were long, cutting along the entire hide at once instead of short unsteady jerks; it made the actual hide better and even though it would likely just be discarded, it was more a matter of habit than actually a conscious decision.
For a moment, Ahth simply watched His; one forepaw was still pressed against his herdbeast, skinned on one side, claws curving to prick gently into the flesh underfoot, but otherwise his entire attention was on the herdbeast that was being skinned by the two Riders. He made no sound, but after R’ahre brushed against his mind questioningly, his attention returned to his own meal. Kind of you, he replied to Nuoth silkily, before he bent to tear off a strip of meat again. If it makes you feel better, it won’t be long. R’ahre was relatively fast; he didn’t have the patience to keep at something for a ridiculously long period of time. The blue snapped at the meat, ripping into the stomach and displaying the entrails. Delicious. They were still warm, and Ahth actually turned his head sideways to fit his muzzle between the ribs to get at the insides. So much better than the tough muscle, wasn’t it…? And he’d have to eat fast before Sylph woke up again; such a silly, spontaneous creature when she was close to Running…
Slice. Slice. A glance to see how close Nephele was to finishing. R’ahre shifted, pressing his knee down harder against the herdbeast’s hindquarters, now lacking the hide that was held taut in his hand, pulling it farther as he made each slice, wedging the knife neatly between hide and flesh. Had he reached the line yet? Not quite, but close. It would have taken long if he’d been more interested in preserving the hide, but fortunately, common herdbeast hides weren’t too high in demand of late. He’d cut it too thin, but deliberately so, in order to give Nuoth more to eat. The last stroke of his knife cut off the hide at the end of the line, and R’ahre rocked back on his heels to drop the hide to the ground, folding one arm across his knee and using the other to wipe off the blood-soaked blade against the grass. He didn’t look at Nephele, didn’t say he was done – he didn’t know whether or not she was, and if she wasn’t, he kind of wanted to see how long it’d take her to notice. The hide itself was flipped over to display the mottled pattern before R’ahre nudged it with his fingers, folding it upon itself.
Definitely not worth keeping…
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Ember
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Post by Ember on Nov 1, 2009 17:04:48 GMT -5
Nuoth settled into quiet thought as silence reigned over the meeting. Sometimes reflection for the green was almost therapeutic. She often ended up with many confusing emotions and got into a bit of a funk until she could sort it all out. This, however, wasn't one of those times. She was content in the silence, but Ahth proved to be pleasant enough company and she was curious about him. He seemed to put on a similar polite air around others that she did. Did he also leave many things unsaid? Her wings fluttered briefly before she laid down, tail gracefully curling around her as she simply watched.
Nephele's work was quite alike to R'ahre's. It brought back a faint memory from ages ago. She had skinned small animals before for meals at her home on occasion. Her mother had been rather insistant that she learn to be a 'good wife' in the event she didn't end up sent to the weyr. She'd been grateful for the teachings. As she pulled the skin taut again she frowned slightly at the state of her clothes. They'd need a serious wash before they were useable again. She'd worn a slightly better outfit since she didn't expect Nuoth to actually catch a herdbeast. Troublesome green, she thought with amusement. She knew Nuoth could hear her silent comment and nearly smiled at the mental snort in return.
Nuoth's attention was grabbed by Ahth again. No real response to what he'd said came to mind but she was somewhat tired of the silence. Since food seemed to be the current topic she started in on that. The discussion she was about to start probably came up at least once in every dragon's life. Humans eat quite often. Like hatchlings, she observed. We eat far less often as we grow. The green didn't understand why humans were made to east so often, but she did know that it was not good to be hungry.
Nephele's slices were a bit more conservative than R'ahre's. Where he cut in long sections, she made smaller pieces. Despite that they went at about the same rate but the girl noticed with a glance that she was just slightly slower. Heh. She finished a couple moments after the blueweyrling and turned to him with a slightly bemused expression. "Looks like you win. Thanks for your help." She remained crouched where she was as she looked over the two sides of the skinned animal. Her side had more flesh attached to the hide. There was no real use comparing though.
As Hers backed away from the carcass, Nuoth stood up and made her way to her kill. She waited patiently for Ahth's to move as well before beginning to tear the flesh from the bone rather daintily. Was it just her self-satisfaction of having killed the herdbeast herself that seemed to make it taste better? Nephele shook her head slightly as she cleaned offer her blade before turning to R'ahre curiously. She'd noticed something about his blade. "That seems a bit excessive dor just skinning," she commented, indicating his knife. Why yes, she was fishing for information.
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Avu
Weyrleader Ce'thian Rider A'emi Handler Sena Harper Matteo Weyrbrat Riaren
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Post by Avu on Nov 1, 2009 18:30:11 GMT -5
“You’re welcome. And that’s probably because it’s not supposed to be used for skinning.”
Helpful, who, R’ahre? The weyrlingrider’s words were deliberately unhelpful, actually, though it was more out of habit than actual conscious thought. His tone was not mocking or taunting; it was soft, with the slight drawl that came from Benden Weyr, but otherwise completely sincere. One finger ran along the length of the blade’s edge to remove the blood, and then he repeated the process with the other side. It was double-edged, straight; nothing fancy, but still kept ridiculously sharp. Just in case. This was the one kept in his belt; his better one was in his boot. Less obvious, and only for last resort. There was nothing wrong with this one, after all, the other was just…a little more symbolic. The blueweyrling tilted his head up at Nephele before he straightened and stepped away from the herdbeast, automatically curling his fingers around the hide and bringing it with him as he stood; it was tossed to one side, out of Nuoth’s way, before he glanced over to check Ahth’s progress on his herdbeast.
They do, Ahth agreed politely. The blue had already finished the herdbeast’s insides; blood dripped slowly off of his muzzle. The sight would have been stomach-turning had R’ahre not seen it innumerable times before – on Ahth, on other dragons. His tongue forked out, licking his muzzle relatively clean, leaving a smear of reddish brown against the almost-black hide. It’s because they digest it quicker, release it before we do. At least, so His had said, and while Ahth didn’t like to accept anything without something to support it, it sounded like it should be right and there wasn’t much that anyone had done to disprove it, so it was what he went with. I hear the human hatchlings eat even more often, the blue added; he wanted Nuoth to talk to him. Company was always good – never knew who would slip up. At least, that’s what Mine says. I expect Yours has a different theory?
His teeth had moved back to the tender flesh on the dead creature’s side, but Ahth didn’t immediately bite in. One claw slit a long, sideways scratch, deep into the meat, and then he flipped open the flap before he took the end in his mouth and ripped off the entire length. The blue’s head snapped backwards, making the meat whip upwards; he released it and snapped it out of the air before he lowered his head again. The quick whirl of his eyes made it clear that he was very, very pleased with this day. His first prey: Taken down alone. No, he didn’t count Nuoth as having helped, namely because she had not intended to help. Coincidences and chances did happen; you only had to take the right ones and he had. And company was always desired by the blue; though he was inwardly condescending of almost every dragon to pass, they didn’t need to know that, and he did a remarkable job not showing it for the most part, though occasionally his ire was quite obvious.
“They made a fantastic team.” The words were quiet, blandly stated; R’ahre’s head had a slight tilt to one side as he watched Ahth eat. It was much more work on his part for Ahth to catch his own prey, given that he was always in charge of skinning it, but it still brought a wave of smug pride that he couldn’t deny; he was so proud of Ahth…and Nuoth, he supposed, though obviously to a lesser degree. He was quite fond of Baoth, but less so of any of Ahth’s other siblings. Futh he could just stand because he actually liked M’kai (and Ahth downright hated the blue). Others he and Ahth either disliked or held no opinion on whatsoever. Nuoth fell into the latter category – and it was probably safer for her to. Ahth was very passive aggressive; those he disliked may not be aware of it, but they did have a certain blue plotting behind their backs. For those that he liked…things were expected of them. Those that just clung and did nothing were not tolerated.
Fantastic, Sylph echoed, leaping out of his pocket suddenly and snaking across the ground to dive straight into Ahth’s herdbeast shamelessly. Food~
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Ember
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Post by Ember on Nov 2, 2009 16:28:42 GMT -5
Nephele refused to let the frown she wanted to show make its way into her expression. It seemed like she'd have to be more direct if she wanted to lead the conversation anywhere. Easier to see where he'd take the conversation for the moment. The Benden accent wasn't lost on her either. Hers was normally sufficiently burried under her time in the south and very rarely came out. She'd always been adaptable like that. She slipped the blade back into her boot. It was a more practical place than her waist, in her opinion. At the very least, the element of surprise may make up for the type of blade it was. Maybe. Hopefully she'd never have to test it.
The green tore a strip off her kill and ate it almost thoughtfully. That explanation made sense. It seems a bit weird though, since dragons were much larger than humans. In Nuoth's mind hunger ought to be connected to size. The larger you were the more you'd have to eat. Although...that didn't quite fit either since hatchlings ate the most. That's a common theme with all hatchlings, she replied, a subtle hint of amusement in her tone. She continued tearing at her herdbeast and considered Ahth's question. In truth, Nephele hadn't been able to answer it all that well. The green didn't really want to admit that to her blue clutchbrother though.
Nuoth kept her silence a little while longer as she ate. He wouldn't consider it rude of her to eat for a moment, right? When she came up with a suitable response she said, NepheleMine, nor I, have given it much thought before. What Yours said fits though. More flesh came away from bone as she spoke. She flicked a piece upwards and let gravity do some of the work for her. Her eyes whirled quickly with a content colour. Nuoth was happy she didn't have to share with Charming or Misfit. She was fond of Nephele's brown firelizards but this was her first kill. It was not a crime to want ot eat all of what she had earned.
Nephele nodded agreement to R'ahre's statement. They did indeed make a good team. She wondered if that was ultimately due to the fact that they were predators and it was just natural they would be able to work together. Or maybe the two were simply compatible personalities? "That they did," she agreed passively. For some reason, watching her green devour the herdbeast was rather fascinating. She looked away at the tiny voice in her head. Ah, right salamandyr. How could she have forgotten already? "My firelizards do that too sometimes." Stealing food from others. Lazy pests.
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Avu
Weyrleader Ce'thian Rider A'emi Handler Sena Harper Matteo Weyrbrat Riaren
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Post by Avu on Nov 2, 2009 20:11:44 GMT -5
How irritating. Waiter, there’s a Salamandyr in my food, Ahth observed dryly, but he didn’t pause in his eating for Sylph; the blue tore off a strip of meat, neatly jerking his head to make it swerve around the green in order to keep from sending her flying. His eyes whirled sharply as he looked down at the Salamandyr and he snorted, keeping it just light enough not to actually dislocate Sylph; the blue was actually very fond of the green despite their original clash – which had been mainly a war over Theirs. It was better now. This is my food, monster, he informed Sylph privately, shredding the herdbeast where the Salamandyr was perched; she darted like green lightning between his claws fearlessly, slid, turned, and displayed her frill at him boldly, before she informed him (ever so politely), Fatty can share. Share better fatty! ‘Fatty’ – a term she’d picked up from R’ahre; ironically, the green took it to be a term of affection; R’ahre had called Ahth a ‘fatty’ once when he’d gorged, after all, and RusaHers loved the bluefatty.
Fatty yourself. The blue stripped the meat off right next to Sylph, close enough that the green’s wings and frill were flattened by his breath, before he tilted his head to chew on the bite and regard Nuoth at the same time. It does, he agreed politely, before he went on, still very pleasantly, I do not seem to see much of you, Nuoth. What do you and Yours do in your spare time, if you don’t mind my asking? It was an innocent enough question, almost bordering on flirtatious, but Ahth wasn’t deliberately flirting. Nuoth held little attraction to him save for the fact that she was, indeed, a green; Baoth was the only one that he felt was worth his attention, after all – at least, among his Weyrling Class. Did that mean he couldn’t pretend to desire the company of other greens? Not in the least. If they took him seriously? – Ahth trusted they wouldn’t, and if they did, he honestly didn’t care enough to fret about it. Their problem, not his.
“Mm.” Noncommittal. R’ahre wasn’t exactly uncomfortable around Nephele; he just didn’t care one way or another for her company. If she wanted to stay, he certainly wouldn’t chase her off; if she decided to get offended and flounce off or something, he still didn’t care. His gaze was focused on his two mindmates, though Nephele’s comment on firelizards made the blueweyrling tilt his head curiously, throwing a quick glance towards her. Firelizards…? Honestly, R’ahre didn’t think much of them. Annoying flying pests. Salamandyrs were much more intelligent; he could cope with almost any of them. Sylph and Skink were, obviously, his favorites, but he liked Showoff, too, and Sprite (even if Sylph scared her) and Abby. They seemed to generally be at least okay with him, too – and firelizards, he didn’t even bother with. Not as intelligent, not as closely Bonded, not worth it. Judgmental, who, R’ahre? Why, yes, of course. But he didn’t say as much to Nephele; likely she wouldn’t appreciate his opinion.
Talk to her, memorize what she says. I want to know. The blue’s quiet statement made R’ahre blink twice before he sniffed slightly at Ahth and then tilted his head to glance at Nephele cautiously through lidded eyes. He hadn’t really looked at her before then, other than registering her as a presence. Pretty, she was and R’ahre knew it, but she still wasn’t…attractive. How long had it been…? Nine months, since his weyrmate had died. Upsetting. “Firelizards. Plural?” he inquired needlessly, one eyebrow quirking curiously. “You have two, don’t you?” This line of questioning was more for Sylph, though; the green loved pinning her crimes on firelizards and if just one of them was stupid enough, curious enough, to be blamed…it’d spare him having to lie for her. Because he had, before; he’d do it again, but it’d be so much easier if she could just make it look like someone else had done it…so much easier. For him, that was – and that was what was important.
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Ember
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Post by Ember on Nov 3, 2009 21:28:27 GMT -5
Nuoth watched the green salamandyr on Ahth's food for a moment, quite amused despite her passive posture. The tiny creatures were entertaining though Hers was wary of them. Rumours about them abounded in the weyr and apparently they'd managed to make Nephele contain her curiosity about them. After all, any hatching the girl had been to she had Impressed at. It was safer to avoid 'mandyr hatchings entirely than take the risk. She wouldn't have minded sharing her meal with such a small creature if she was asked but she wasn't about to offer on her own. That was Ahth's rider's companion, after all. She wouldn't expect Ahth to offer his food for Charming or Misfit.
The green turned back to her food and continued to rip pieces and fling them upwards to eat. She wouldn't say it to Ahth, but she'd seen how he'd eaten it and it seemed like a good idea. She didn't stop eating when he asked about what she did in her free time. Any hint of flirting went over her head but she was mildly surprised Ahth was asking such a question. I do not mind. I often go to the river or the beach, she said, quiet voice pleasant, I like to swim. Especially at the ocean. Floating on the water...she imagined it was a bit like flying. No need to mention that though. May I ask what you like to do?
Hmm, seems she had judged right. She was glad she didn't have to waste the energy trying to be friendly with R'ahre. It wasn't worth all the flirting and faking if a person simply didn't care one way or another about you. R'ahre's mandyr also had Nephele thinking anyways. From what she'd heard the lizard-like things were absolute terrors. It was bad enough that Misfit was mated to one, thank you very much. Many people thought firelizards nothing more than pests, but there was a bond and they were not unintelligent. Just not as intelligent as dragons or, apaprently, salamandyrs. She adored her brown firelizards and would never trade them for another.
At R'ahre's sudden interest she blinked. Wha..? Well, whatever. She hid any surprise she felt and nodded, a corner of her mouth quirking up slightly. "Two browns, yes." She hesitated for a moment, wondering if he cared to know more. It would be embarassing to just ramble on about them if he wasn't interested. And it wouldn't earn her any points either. She settled for adding, "They're an interesting pair." If he cared to know, it was open to him.
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