Rush (Tacheee)

[Ember]

It took a while to get there but the boy had finally made it. Well almost. He just had a couple more steps until Selenitas weyr became spread out before him. Not the same angle or height as the dragon he'd arrived on but it would be nice to see the whole place again! He reached the top and all but ran to the rail in his excitement. "Woooow!" The exclamation was full of wonder. The view was amazing! He looked down over the falls and felt his heart beat faster, felt the thrill he always felt when he was high up. He sighed happily and leaned against the rail that was not much shorter than himself.

Dyleshi was small, to say the least. Then again, what did anyone expect of a kid as young as him? He still wondered at the searchdragon's choice. Wasn't he a bit young for the weyr? The new candidate pouted slightly. He personally didn't think he was too young but the stories about weyrs...even without the war he'd heard strange things about them. Also, was there a point of him being there? A clutch had Hatched not long ago so it would be some time before another...Or so he thought. If he knew about the wher clutch maybe that would affect his opinion (not that he was interested in whers).

How would he shorten his name anyways? He hadn't exactly been given an easy name to shorten like riders did. Any he tried to think of sounded strange to him. Not like it mattered. Dyleshi saw no reason for a dragon to ever want him. He was untalented, annoying, and currently lime green and blue. The green, baggy shorts ended just above his knees, and the pale blue top was a bit too tight to be comfortable. At least at Hatchings he'd be required to wear a white robe, like every other candidate. Dyleshi sighed. He should just go back home. At least that place was familiar even if it was becoming unbearable. But home didn't have this amazing sight! Evidentally his brooding was done.

[Tashe]

"Nautskieee~ love, come back here!" The silly beast had stolen his hat in the attempt to convince him to play a game with her. Nautic wasn't all that keen to play games on top of the Drumheights, being afraid of the 'heights' portion of the deal, which was the main reason he was even trying to retrieve the hat from his Wher. Fortunately, his Wher was only a youngling, allowing him to keep a steady pace behind her despite all her playful zigging and zagging. He supposed, that as long as they steered clear of the edge, they'd be alright romping about up here. The little Green ruffed through his scarf, sending him a mixture of feelings that could only describe exactly how much she loved playing with him. She was glad that they were both happy. And, although he himself had never felt it, he knew she mixed a healthy dose of love in the display as well. The Wherling couldn't help but smile, he had realized a few days ago exactly how it felt to be bonded so closely to something. Sure, he was close to Absinthe, but her emotions were fuzzy in comparison to Nautsk's. The Wher's were so crisp and clean, she rarely needed to add a picture to make him understand basic things.

Woofing, Nautsk rumbled happily as she felt Her bestest return her emotions. She had known he would be nice, she had felt it even before she had looked at him. Hopping to a stop, but only briefly, she teased her Human before trotting off again. Silly love, he wasn't going to end the game this fast! At least she hoped, she was getting a little tired. Zigging as he zagged, Nautsk left Her's behind and paced forward, chirping as if to simulate laughter. But she stopped when she caught the scent of another Human, a young male to be exact, the hat swinging lazily in her mouth. Setting off toward the edge, even though Her's had told her not to, the spring green Female happily loped over to where the Human was. Stopping beside the young one, Nautsk went up on her hind legs and balanced herself on the railing with her front paws. She woofed, dropping the material cap on the boy's hand. He looked sad, why was he sad? Could she help? She wanted to help! She wanted to make the boy happy. Maybe he should join her game? Yes?

"Naaaautsk!" Now where was that silly Wher going? He sighed. The Green was certainly energetic despite being so small, it was like she was constantly recharging herself with... air or something. Constantly running back and forth and then back again, always bringing people things like flowers, toys or shiny rocks. Often times the Wherling had to take the item from Nautsk and return it to whoever she had taken it from. But since the Green was cute, even by Wher standards, she was often forgiven for her lack of manners. "Nautsk!" What was she... oh dear. She had found someone. Someone small, and near the edge. Two things that spelled trouble, despite being completely unrelated. "Oh hun..." Hesitating as he battled his inner fear of being to close to the edge, Nautic wondered closer. He winced mentally. Not only because of his proximity to the edge, but because the boy's outfit clashed badly. And he meant badly. Some greens and blues went together, but that bright of bottoms with such a pale top... uh-uh. Nautic himself was entirely into clothing, making sure he looked good (or at least matched) was one of his first thoughts in the morning. His clothing trunk was a menagerie of colors and styles, he doubted that anyone could match his collection. Currently he sported a bright crimson top that was tucked into a pair of dark brown pants, held in place with a black belt. The pants in turn were tucked into half high black boots, and of course, his Wher had his black material cap. It was a darker outfit than he normally wore, but now that he was a person of the night, he wanted to pretend to be a shadow. With a bit of flare.

Hopping (much like his Wher had done) closer to the boy, Nautic cleared his throat slightly. "Oh my, I'm sorry! Don't worry she's not going to eat you or anything. Nautsk's actually quite playful." A picture flashed through his mind, and he continued. "She says she wants to play and... make happy? Ohh. She must mean, she wants to play with you to make you happy."

[Ember]

Huh? Dyleshi blinked then looked over to his right. He'd tought himself alone on the drumheights but apparently not. He caught the slightly damp material as it was deposited on his hand, a little dumbfounded to be in the company of a wher. See! These were those strange weyr things that could happen. He considered the size and the time. Hmm. A young..wild wher? Nothing else made sense. Only other thing that would was a crazy runt of a wher. There was a problem with his prediction though: what she'd been holding. That was a human item, Did she steal it or..? Well anyways, "Hello there. Umm." What did you say to a wher? Experimentally he tried to mimic her sound and woofed in return.

He offered a hand for a moment in an attempt to pet the green but snatched it back as he heard a shout. Oh. Not wild, then. Someone was looking for a bonded wher and the only wher around was this green. The boy turned to see a an undoubtedly older boy and felt a pang of jealousy and embarrasment. Well he was dressed proper! Dyleshi felt very self-concious about his current get up as he eyed the well-dressed boy. A bit of a pout formed despite him knowing it was such a childish expression but he didn't have the heart to be mad at a person because they were better off than him. The blonde approached him and he managed a grin at the words. The expression quickly turned to one of surprise. Whers were that perceptive of peoples' moods? He'd never known.

He tilted his head slightly and gave the wher a searching look. He wasn't sure what he was searching for but true to the boy's - handler's? - words he saw nothing bad in the green. "She's no trouble at all," he told Nautic, flashing a smile at him. "I - I admit I'm surprised though. I never knew whers could be so friendly. I'm guessing she's yours? Congratulations. The Hatching couldn't have been long ago...?" The last was both question and statement. He was curious to know if he was right and yet he was fairly sure he was.

Dyleshi offered his hand again, palm up in the way he'd been taught to let animals smell him first, to the wher. She was named Nautsk? Then the handler had to be Naut-something. "Ah...umm, I'm Dyleshi," he told the handler, "Nice to meet you and Nautsk."

[Tashe]

"Oh good." Planting both hands on his hips he sighed happily, Nautsk might be adorable but she could get into mischief on innocent missions. "Whers are like dragons and people, they have many different personalities. From stiff and cold to loving and excitable like Nautsk." Which reminded him. Pointing at her, and then to him, Nautic crouched down before sending her a picture of the cap in his hand. Trying to will her to bring it to him. She rumbled happily and grabbing the hatthing from the railing the Green tossed it to him with a flick of her head. Making him rock forward in a flurry to catch it before it hit the ground. "Huh? Oh thank you. I love Whers to death. I'm probably the only one in the whole world who thinks they're a beautiful creatures." Brushing a bit of dust off of his cap, the Wherling inspected it before placing it on his head. The dark cap making his bright blond hair stand out against it. "Thats right, she's only a couple of days old. She was part of a Wild Wher clutch, which was exciting. To tell you the truth I really shouldn't be running around at all." He put a hand to his stomach, he could feel the stitches even beneath the bandaging.

Trilling from in her throat, Nautsk eagerly rubbed against the younghuman's hand. Moving from the rail and landing on all fours once more, the Green rubbed up against his legs much like a cat, shuffling her wings excitedly. He was happier now! That was good, she wanted everyone to be happy. Being sad was not good, but being happy was. Yes. Happy meant good and good meant love! Like Her's. She loved Her Bestest because he was happy and nice, which meant he was good. Wher Logic could not fail.

"Nautic." He inched closer to the ledge, but couldn't bring himself to go any further. Quietly inspecting the boy, Nautic tilted his head slightly. The boy was cute, not in a creepy way, but in a younger brother sort of way. "Dyleshi... Oh! Didn't you move into the Candidate Barracks recently? I used to sleep on the top bunk of the first Bunkbed. Above Rulven. Though, I doubt you'd have seen me much. I broke curfew quite often..." He was a graduate. And there for he had decided that the rules didn't apply to him because of that. Even though he knew that they actually did. He was such a great role model. "So what are you doing up here so close to dusk? And alone for a matter of fact!" All the disappearances of late had made everyone in the Weyr a bit jumpy. He knew a lot of people were using the buddy system as of recently.

[Ember]

Dyleshi looked at Nautsk through the explanation and was smiling by the end of it. "I suppose that makes sense. Kind of like how firelizards can have many personalities..." It was kind of strange how he didn't feel too uncomfortable bringing up the topic of firelizards but the thought of owning another one still made him cringe. He watched the handler crouch and was fascinated by the apparent silent communication. The boy had an open expression of interest and wonder as Nautic caught the thrown hat. "That was pretty cool," he admitted afterwards. He wasn't lying either. The silent mind-to-mind stuff was so interesting. He'd experienced it in what he'd been told was the most basic form of it. He couldn't imagien what a wher or dragon felt like.

Dyleshi grimaced slightly at what Nautic said. He personally found whers neat but so very far from beautiful. "They are interesting creatures," he offered instead. He grinned when the boy put the hat on his head. Oh yuck. The greenhandler probably didn't mind the slobber or drool on the hat but to Dyleshi it was funny to see someone put it on. The grin was replaced with a worried frown as he followed the conversation. "You were hurt?" Dyleshi did follow the other things said at the same time. So she was young, and he was sort of right about the wild wher thing...sort of. He'd originally thought her wild because she'd been alone when he first saw her.

The reaction to his offer to pet brought a pleased giggle from the boy. He watched her for a moment as she moved against his legs. She was a darling little thing. He reached down to pet her head, marvelling as always at the strange texture of hide. Ah his name was Nautic? Nautic and Nautsk. It always kind of amused him that whers shared a part of their handlers' name. Certainly easier to guess the wher's name if you knew the handler! "That would be me," Dyleshi answered then giggled (as only a little boy could) at the explanation of why he wouldn't have seen Nautic much. "I always did wonder who slept there." He probably could have checked in the mornings but it had been an adventure trying to secretly stay up long enough for the elusive First Bunker to return.

Dyleshi beamed at the older ex-candidate. "I saw this place a-neck when I was searched and have been waiting for an opportunity to come here. I thought the view would be great, and it is!" He paused for a moment to look over the railing again. "I just love heights! So exciting. But...I suppose its not really safe here alone, is it?" He didn't really know anyone he thought wouldn't mind being dragged up here though...

[Tashe]

"Exactly, but when you Bond to a Wher, its much deeper than a Firelizard. You share emotions instead of just words and pictures. Its like they become a part of you." He fixed the edge of his cap before looking back at Dyleshi. "Oh thanks. She likes to play a lot of different games, and tossing things back and forth is a favorite. Being flat and almost disk like makes it easier for her to throw." The cap was a little damp in the back, sure, but he was going to take a bath later on anyways and he really didn't mind as long at it was Nautsk's slobber. If it had been anyone (or anything) else's he would have wrinkled his nose and refused to put it on. He had thrown himself totally into the relationship that was building between himself and the Green Wher, offering as much as himself to her as he could. Especially, when he returned the feelings of love that she sent to him when she was happy. Which was nearly always. So far, Nautsk had not gotten sad the entire time they had been together. She seemed as though she was perminately happy. Which of course was not the case, but Nautic didn't know that quite yet.

"Ah, yes I got hurt. One of the Blue Wher hatchlings dug rather deeply into my stomach with his claws, after finding out that I was not in fact the one for him. I don't blame him though, he was probably frustrated. The Healers sewed me up with some stitches and wrapped my belly with a good amount of bandaging. Plus a little dose of fellis keeps the pain away..." Hatchings were a dangerous business, anyone and everyone who stood was a possible target for a mauling, whether it be accidental or purposeful. It was pretty scary, but he had gotten over it as soon as he had reached the Infirmary that night. Nautsk had been there with him and had been worried, so he had to keep his attention on her and try his best to tell her he was alright.

Nautsk thrummed happily as she was pet, she had been right to think that this human was a little one. Her's even told her that he was, well, with out Nautic's knowledge of course. She liked to probe his mind to check up on him, and flashes of pictures often came up in the process. Wrapping her tail around Dyleshi, the Green looked over at Her bestest. He did not mind her being attentive to this one did he? She was reassured when he sent her a feeling of contentment. He didn't mind, and that was good.

"Selenitas is pretty isn't it? We are certainly one of a kind. I doubt any Weyr is as pretty as ours. Given that we live surrounded by trees and a river, its much more natural here." Although he shared that feeling, he didn't much share the boy's excitement for heights. Even this close to the edge he felt a little queasy. "Well normally, being on the heights alone is alright. But since all of the disappearences... well there's an almost unspoken rule of traveling places with someone." He smiled at the young Candidate and then his Wher. He of course, had not been alone. But then again, she would have been too young to really have done anything if they had been attacked. Soo... "We can buddy up for as long as either of us is up here."

[Ember]

That's where the boy got stuck. He couldn't imagine deeper than a bond with a firelizard. Its not that he didn't believe riders and wher handlers...it was just that a firelizard bond was confusing enough. Nautsk liked games? Besides a few obvious ones that little kids played, what games could a wher possibly play? The boy was curious but didn't press. Mostly because there were other topics of interest. Such as injuries at a hatching. The topic made him wince and shrink slightly.

"Since you're up and walking around I'd guess it wasn't too bad." He shivered slightly. He didn't want to get hurt at a hatching! They scared him enough without the thought of claws and teeth and blood. The scariest part by far was the idea of a dragon being dependent on him, trusting him with its life...He'd come as a candidate but in the end he was hoping he could just work in the weyr. They appreciated their staff, right? More so than his parents did he guessed.

As a green tail snaked around his feet he looked down with a contented smile and pet her head again. There were subtle differences between wher and dragon hide, he noted with interest. She was a cute wher though he didn't have much more than the odd sight of a wher to compare her to. He decided to ask, "You probably are biased but, she seems cuter than what I imagined whers must look like close up."

"It really is!" The boy agreed enthusiastically. "The other weyrs are all just rock right? Rivers and trees beat that any day!" Talk of disappearances didn't do much to detract from Dyleshi's excitement over finding someone who also thought the layout of Selenitas was amazing. To him the disappearances were an abstract fear and didn't really sink in. Kind of a bad thing that he'd only believe it if it hapened to him...because that meant he'd already be dead. The radiant smile on his face probably left Nautisc with no doubt about how happy the boy was. "Okay!"

[Tashe]

He saw the kid shiver, which brought the immediate response of, "Oh yes. It wasn't that bad. Usually injuries on the sands... aren't... terrible." He decided not to press the fact that he received twelve stitches on his belly, and that he had been bleeding a great deal. He didn't want to scare Dyleshi away from standing. No, he'd feel really bad if he happened to do that. Really, really bad. Smiling, which in truth was more of a guilty cringe, Nautic crossed his arms. "It might sound a little scary, but it is one of the most wonderful things in Pern. To be able to impress a Dragon or a Wher... there is nothing like it." Well, impressing a Salamandyr came close in terms of depth, but not excitement in his mind. "You look rather young... tell me Dyleshi, are you twelve? Because if you are, its really impressive that you were searched." Which was true, for one so young to have enough telepathic empathy to be searched was a great occasion. But also it would be a trial on the young boy. If he got a Dragon, he would be forced to grow up... extraordinarily fast. Nautic almost pitied the boy in a way.

"Ah, well you see. In a way she is. Most people think Whers are rather ugly, but those same people think my Nautsk is actually cute. So I guess its safe to say, she is cuter than most Whers." Hey, all he was doing, was telling the truth. He felt Nautsk send him a surge of delight, apparently the boy was really happy other wise she wouldn't have felt so accomplished. This habit of trying to make people happy, was going to get him in trouble. He just knew it. Maybe not today, maybe not three days from now... but someday it would. "Yeah. I'm happy I was able to grow up here at Selenitas. My da's from Blossom, but I couldn't imagine living anywhere else. Its rather peaceful here..." When there wasn't an attack going on, or some kind of deadly disease running ramped. And the trees do leave us vulnerable to fire and flame... But he didn't add that to the statement. "What Hold did you come from then? If you don't mind me asking. I'm a rather curious fellow."

[Ember]

Dyleshi smiled weakly at Nautic's attempt to reassure him. It was a nice gesture but it didn't help very much. The poor kid was a coward and coupled with his strange phobia...He kept wondering on one level why he agreed to come. "I'm sure some people genuinely think it would be amazing but...It just scares me to think of a baby dragon..." Poor Nautic would have to strain to hear the quiet words. Surprise flitted across Dyleshi's face before it was replaced by amusement. Impressive? Hmm. "I am twelve," he confirmed. "Its pretty much the youngest a candidate can be right?"

It did seem strange to be so young and yet still be a candidate. The youngest he could be at the time a dragon started chasing females or rising if they were female would be...thirteen? His parents were always somewhat disgusted bysomething that apparently always happened after flights...but they'd never told the little boy. It was a bit frustrating not knowing, really. He would learn in time though..and msot likely be horrified by a particular lesson and its 'homework.'

Dyleshi nodded while Nautic talked then looked down to examine the green more closely. Yes, she was most definitely cute. He was of the opinion that it was her personality that translated physically that made her truly cute though, rather than all based on her appearance. A slight tipping of the head indicated Dyleshi's reluctance to call Selenitas peaceful but he did agree that it was a great place. "I don't mind! I came from Hyphen Hold. Not particularily a fun place most of the time but it is a pretty enough place."

[Tashe]

"Thats right. Its pretty rare to get a Candidate about your age, it means you've got some good brains in that noggin of yours." He knocked on his own head with a silly grin. Despite the person's age, he respected anyone who stood for Dragon hatchings. By them doing so, they were doing something that he could never do. He couldn't bring himself to even think about bonding to a dragon. Nautic might be emotionally strong, but the idea of being connected to a life form that had an intelligence often stated to be almost equal or equal to a human's was taxing to say the least. He doubted he could survive very long as a Rider anyways. When it came to fighting, he was a flight and not a fight kind of guy. He was too afraid to protect himself, let alone a companion. At least with a Wher, he knew that he stood in a much better position. Sure, there were still going to be times where he was going to be forced to fight, but at least he wasn't going to be fighting in the air.

"Hyphen, really?" He vaguely recalled another of the current candidates being from Hyphen, although the name of the person itself escaped him. "Not many candidates from there, thats for sure. Were you excited to be searched?" Never actually having been searched himself, thank faranath, Nautic was always interested to hear the stories behind each candidate's arrival. That is if that person didn't mind him prying into something that could or might not be, personal. "Our Weyr must be a lot different from the landscape around Hyphen. Probably not as many trees, eh?"

Nautsk yawned loudly, she was tired from romping about, but not sleepy enough to nap. Scuttling a few inches away from the childling, so as not to lay on him, the Green Wher curled up into a ball with another yawn. She tucked her nose under the tip of her tail, so that her eyes were still viewable from behind the appendage. Nautsk wanted to still be able to keep watch over her Bestest and her childling.

[Ember]

Dyleshi's grin grew at Nautic's amusing gesture. "I'm sure there are plenty others," he said for the sake of being modest. Was it really all that special? He was happy if it was since he'd never been special before. Unless you counted his dead flitter...It wasn't the thought of flying or even fighting - not that he liked fighting - that made Dyleshi nervous, though. It was the thought of a life in his hands, something so dependant on him that they were joined mentally. It was just...too much. The other things were less of a problem. He loved heights and for now he was still too young to fully grasp the war since it had always happened away from his home.

The boy nodded happily. Yup! True born Hyphenite he was! "Hyphen is a quiet hold and I don't think many parents like their kids being searched. Mine...Mine were kind of neutral so I just decided to come." Yet he still thought it might have been a bad idea in the end. The question of landscape made Dyleshi brighten. "Oh yes, its so very different. There are definitely less trees. But the sea is farther away here. Its quite a walk to get there and probably not the safest thing to do right now."

As Nautsk curled up Dyleshi smiled and was tempted to sit next to her. "So...why whers and not dragons? I suppose you do need somewhat different tastes for each one but...Its not often you come across someone who loves whers as much as you do."

[Tashe]

Scratching the side of his face in thought, Nautic momentarily allowed himself to enjoy the feeling of stubble against his fingers. "I think, there is a new guy. He's from Hyphen too. The Weyr chatter says he's thirteen. Elinor? Elizah? Eli something." He waved his hand slightly, being a Wherling, he didn't often associate with Candidates anymore. Save for those he had made friends with when he himself was one. He shrugged slightly before looking down at his Wher lovingly. She was such a sweetie, and he dreaded the day she'd loose all of her innocence when some nasty-booger-encrusted male won her maiden run. He was definitely a mother bird figure when it came to Nautsk. And although he didn't know it yet, he'd be living in denial. For it would be the Green who eventually became the mother hen of the relationship, she'd just let him think he was.

"If you want to go to the sea, you should get friendly with someone who has a Runner or two! Its much faster than walking. Even at a walk." He chuckled. He'd had many an amusing time down at the stables, feeding Runners sugar and procuring them for unannounced rides. Good times. "I couldn't imagine living somewhere where there wasn't this many trees. I think, that Selenitas is the perfect Weyr." He put a hand on his hip. "If this War wasn't going on, and we hadn't gotten pulled kicking and screaming into it, our Weyr would be rivaled in beauty by none! That's for sure. I mean, its so peaceful with all the flowers and trees. Plus the waterfall? No doubt. We'd win." Him? Bitter? Nooo~.

Crossing his legs, Nautic literally dropped to the ground as he bent his knees, ending up in a sitting position. He eyed the edge of the cliff before scooting closer to Nautsk who, sensing his anxiety, crawled closer so she could rest her head in his lap. Once that was accomplished, she left him to talk over her happy rumbling, much like a cat with a loud purr. "I don't really know. I've always loved Whers. Weyrbred kids always grow up wanting to become a Dragonrider, we even emulate them in games. But me. I was always the one who preferred Whers. I think they're the unsung heroes of a Weyr." He gently stroked Nautsk's head. "Plus they're so different from a Dragon. Ask anyone in a hallway about whether or not a Dragon can go into the Between, and they'll look at you as if you're crazy. Because its common knowledge they can. But ask them if a Wher can, you'll stump them. People don't take the time to even recognize Whers. Even Dragons don't acknowledge them." They were in truth, the ultimate underdog. And Nautic always rooted for and stood up for the underdog... except in violent weapon involved conflicts, where he preferred to flee. "Long explanation short, I love them because they love me. They are simply fascinating." He paused before adding. "And they can jump Between, if you were wondering."

[Ember]

Dyleshi listened with curiosity as Nautic told him there was another Hyphenite. He sighed slightly as he didn't recognize the name at all. Figures he wouldn't. Although, if he crossed paths with the other from Hyphen he might recognize him by appearance. He was good at matching a name to a face but not the other way around. Dyleshi attempted to hide a smile at the expression on Nautic's face as he looked at his own wher. It spoke of his feelings more than words probably ever would. It reminded Dyleshi of some times when he had a similar expression about his firelizard.

The boy snickered at the idea of riding on a runner again. It was fun to feel big and tall on the back of a runner and to feel the rush of the wind when one started to gallop. Dyleshi liked the trees of Selenitas but he did miss the sea. A constant, uncaring companion the sea was..."Selenitas sure is gorgeous. Makes it all the more important to protect this place. To some degree, it is still a safe haven for those of the North that wish to avoid the war...as much as possible. Its just a shame that the Northern weyrs insisted on dragging Selenitas into everything.

Dyleshi noted curiously that for the entire time they were up there, Nautic never approached the edge despite the amazing view. There were a number of reasons the kid could think of but he didn't pry. The sound emanating from Nautsk drew a very quite 'aww' from the boy before he heard the answer to his question. The other boy brought up a good points about whers, but the gist of the answer seemed to be 'just because.'
Dyleshi grinned and said slyly, "Well at least one more person knows at least a bit about how great whers are. I think...I think whers are incredible within their limits, as are dragons. People just see dragons performing cool things more often than whers considering the whole nocturnal thing."