Ack not shiny enough! (Tags Behruth)

[Rei]

Ebolath rooted around in the river, up to her ankles in the now fast flowing current. She picked up her loose grouping of rocks and started for the sandy shore. The green opened her mouth and dropped them on the warm sand where she could examine them. Not shiny, a bit shiny, not shiny. Ebolath snorted her eyes betraying her agitation, none where shiny enough! It was getting harder to find good shinys these days. All her old haunts were picked over. The green needed somewhere else to look for shiny things but where?

The weyrling flopped down on the bank and turned her head to look at hers. Hers was fast asleep Vega curled up in her lap. Ebolath was happy hers was sleeping. Raylin had been so tired lately. Still the green wanted to go look for new shiny places. What to do? She certainly didn’t want to wake hers. What if hers woke up and got upset?

The green looked over her loose grouping of rocks. Where was a shiny expert when you needed one? Tilting her head she regarded the gently swaying grass obviously deep in thought.

[Requiem]

Okay, so technically they were not supposed to be collecting herbs and plants on their own, but the group M'ta and Behruth had intended to go with had left...because, yet again, the brown was just adamant about finding the right shiny so they wouldn't 'go splat.' The young dragonrider wasn't sure if Ruth was actually that superstitious or if he was just using it as an excuse to try to make M'ta's head explode, but he was really, really getting aggravated with the whole routine. It would have been okay if Behruth didn't have, like, a million shinies all over their small weyr. As it was, though, the floor was covered from wall to ledge. M'ta, for all intents and purposes, didn't have a cot. It had been overrun by trinkets, stones, and branches. Of course, he was still in the habit of sleeping with Ruth on the dragon's couch, but this packrat tendency had to be curbed soon or they'd be swimming in all that junk before long.

Oh, look. A little green friend, Behruth commented. He struggled to keep his flight steady and did a fair job of it, though air currents and drafts still caught the weyrling by surprise from time to time and swept him in directions he didn't want to go...See? You didn't have to be annoyed. We're not alone! M'ta squinted down at the small speck of green near the water curiously. One of the younger weyrlings. Yeah. You're not getting off the hook that easy...but go ahead and land anyway. It's better than nothing.

As usual, Behruth's landing left much to be desired. He wasn't quite as bad as Checkoth, but the smallish brown tended to come in too fast, leaving him backwinging vigorously and often seating himself in an effort to stop his forward momentum. This time the brown nearly faceplanted into the river shallows, M'ta clutching to the straps tightly and attempting to find his stomach, which was still somewhere about a hundred feet above his head.

M'ta barely had time to dismount before Behruth was bounding towards the green. He plopped himself down in a sprawl not far from her, a croon rumbling in his throat. Hello, little sister. About to say something more, the dragon stilled the moment he saw the stones. His eyes whirled with barely contained glee. Oh, most were just stones, but one...What have you got here? he asked, a trace of excitement in his question.

Glancing back at Ruth, M'ta silently shook his head. It never failed. But where was...? Ah. The girl was sleeping, by the looks of it, and he could tell in an instant she was about his size...as far as height went, anyway. He probably had a good forty pounds of muscle on her, and he wasn't very bulky, really. Slender thing. Walking over, he nudged her hand lightly with a foot. "Hey. This...isn't a good idea, being out here on your own." His tone was almost friendly. Almost. "Not now, and especially with so young a dragon. Who are you?" M'ta, introduce himself first? He hardly would have thought to do anything so socially practical.

[Rei]

Ebolath looked up as Behruth came crashing to a landing. She chuffed in laughter her eyes whirling a merry blue. She was silent as the rider detangled himself from his dragon. The green appraised the brown thoughtfully as he bounded over to her. His croon drew a welcoming one from Ebolath her eyes whirling just a bit faster. Hello big brother. She returned in a warm tone. I am Ebolath and you are?

Her head tilted as he was suddenly drawn to her shinys. Oh those? They are shinys. I like to hunt for them and give them as gifts. They make people happy. Would you like one? Have any you like. She nudged the stones closer to the brown eyes whirling in intense blues. Now here was someone who would quite obviously appreciate shiny gifts. You like shinys? She asked happily. Do you know of any good places to search for them? All my old places have been picked clean. I need new shiny places.

So intent was Ebolath on her new friend she had forgotten to warn them about hers and her particular tendencies to shriek at strange males. Vega awoke first as M’ta approached and the little flitter picked up his head to regard the new male eyes whirling in worried yellows. When he nudged his the little blue squawked in warning.

Raylin blinked a few times as her flitters squawk registered, as well as the nudge to her hand. When her eyes finally focused on the figure above her she gave a cry and hastily got to her feet. In her terror the weyrling quite forgot about her ankle and promptly went tumbling back to the ground. Vega had launched himself into the air when his shrieked and he now proceeded to flit around M’ta shrieking and screaming threateningly.

Ebolath bugled in confusion and leapt from the ground. Oh no I forgot to warn you mine is scared around new males. She said to Behruth worry lacing her tone. Raymine it’s ok! They are friends they don't mean any harm. The green called to her bonded soothingly before trotting over to where hers was sprawled and nudging her gently. You are not hurt are you? You better call off the little brother before he does something stupid.

As Ebolath’s words registered, Raylin sat up and shoved Ebolath’s snout out of her way. “Vega stop it! It’s fine come back.” The flit whipped once more around the brown weyrling before alighting on Ebolath’s neck and crooning worriedly at his. The green weyrling looked up at M’ta not sure how to begin. “I…I’m sorry.” She finally stuttered out. “You startled me.”

[Requiem]

I am Behruth, the brown returned cheerfully. But you can call me Ruth if you like, Ebolath. Mine does.

The brown hardly needed to be invited twice; his neck snaked out and he rolled the stone his eyes had caught on away from the rest of the pile with a deftness that suggested he often engaged in such activities. Such a lovely swirl of yellows and oranges, but only on the one side where the stone had been broken. He wondered where the other part of it was, but not for long. They do make nice gifts, he agreed, as he carefully took that stone into his mouth. In a rare show of generosity (or not really so rare considering Behruth had a soft spot for younger and/or smaller anythings) he added, When you get big enough to fly, you can come to my weyr and pick which shinies you like best. I collect the best shinies at Selenitas! Mine would be happy to get them for you.

Behruth rolled in the grass lazily and exposed his rich, dark mahogany underbelly to the sunlight, two sets of lids closing in rapture. Shinies are everywhere if you look hard enough. But I know a place with lots of little round shinies like the ones you have here. It's deeper, but Mine used to go there a lot, and we all could go together.

His mindtone trailed off at Ebolath's worried words, and he performed a weird craning movement to try to get a good look at His. M'taMine didn't deal very well with surprises sometimes, and he had those pointed, sharp shinies with him. The pointed, sharp shinies that Behruth did not like very much, because they reminded him of very scary M'taMine dreams. Some were true-dreams. But Behruth needn't have worried. Not at all.

In fact, if anything, M'ta merely stood there looking rather confused and embarrassed. He was always the one acting like a stranger would pop out of the bushes and try to throttle him, so it was kind of strange to find himself on the other end of things for once. In truth, he was always less wary around females, but her startlement made him realize that he had managed to scare her, maybe in the same way that a strange male would have made him uneasy. Thus the embarrassment.

The brownweyrling didn't even notice the flit, but Jabari appeared with a sharp pop of displaced air and immediately settled around M'ta's shoulders, eyeing the other warily. No one would hurt His! The young man took a step back from the girl and her dragon, but the next step had him running into Behruth, who was peering at Raylin curiously. M'ta stumbled and caught himself against the brown. "Uh...sorry? But you really shouldn't be sleeping here on your own. It's not very safe." It was also against the rules, but M'ta wasn't a hypocrite; he himself only followed the rules that suited him.

"I'm Behruth, and this is M'ta." He blinked, then, realizing he'd gotten it backwards, the flush increased so that it was clear even beneath his naturally dark skin. "I mean...he's Behruth...and yeah. What are you doing here anyway?"

[Rei]

Raylin looked up at the boy and decided that he really wasn’t to scary especially with his slip of the tongue and accompanying blush. “it’s ok I knew what you meant. I’m Raylin and my big green watchdog is Ebolath.” She pushed at the big green head again and Ebolath obediently went trotting back to Behruth. “She was washing stones in the river and I was laying in the sun.” The green weyrling shifted so she could sit comfortably. “I really didn’t mean to, but I guess I dozed off. Really though with all the rain the felines haven’t been as close to the weyr. Or are you talking of other threats?”

Ebolath tilted her head as she approached the older brown. You would let me have some of your shines? Why thank you. you are very generous. I hope I will be able to fly soon. Is it fun? She flopped down in the dirt beside Behruth and nuzzled him in a friendly manner. Oh your shiny place sounds lovely. I do want to go. Do you think yours would take us? Mine will go after she gets used to yours. Mine is silly around males but once she has spoken to them a lot she gets better. Ebolath was nothing but polite and she was quite certain she liked this brown. He was friendly and he knew about good shinys. Oh yes he would make a very good friend. Her eyes whirled in pleasant blue greens and her tail tip twitched in unsuppressed mirth.

Raylin shook her head at her mind mate and waved a hand in her direction. “It seems my lovely is quite enamored with your Behruth. Better warn him, once he’s befriended her he’ll never get rid of her.” Vega chirped a greeting to Jabari and flared his wings to show off his sapphire membranes. He remembered this flitter. He did! The green weyrling looked from flit to flit and she pointed at Jabari. “Is that your flitter? He’s the sire of Zesa’s first clutch right? Well for Faranth’s sake my Vega would be your flitters son. Small world or weyr I guess.”

[Requiem]

M'ta's awkwardness faded as soon as Raylin seemed to open up to him, which she did fairly quickly. Of course, this only made him realize that just because she seemed to have issues with strange men didn't mean that they were the same - or as volatile - as his. Still, he should have known better than to wake her up like that. Had it been him the poor fool doing the waking would likely end up with a dagger in their gut for their troubles. The brownweyrling flashed a distinctly dour smile at her question. "Savitri and I were once attacked by a flock of wherries...so, yeah, there's more to worry about than just felines." He didn't suppose she was here at the time of the weyrling massacre. Definitely more to worry about in the jungles surrounding the Weyr. M'ta tended to be more concerned with human-related threats as a general rule. "If someone's poisoning people at the Weyr - " He shrugged expressively. "I wouldn't bet my life on the vague possibility that they don't have other things planned. But that's just me." And he was sure he was sounding extremely paranoid right now.

The brown was quite amused by this new playmate of his, as evidenced by his friendly rumble as he looked down at her. Behruth was fairly easy to please, after all. Shinies and long chats that involved cuddling would have him in the best of moods for days. He frequently chatted up the watchdragons when not engaged in weyrling or foraging-related activities. Flying is much, much fun. Checkoth makes His scream, he flies so fast. Mine does not like that game, though...and landing is not very easy. But you will soon be flying and we can fly all over Pern together! Or at least to the beach. There are many pretty shinies at the beach, Mine says. We have not gone yet, though.

In the midst of the long stream of words, Behruth had once again come to settle on the ground, this time circling his larger body around the younger dragon. His head came to rest not far from hers, and he nuzzled her lightly. M'taMine likes the jungles lots. He will take us when Yours is ready. But I like it here like this just fine, so it's okay if she takes awhile, Behruth replied unabashedly. He dropped the shiny from her stockpile down in the dirt and nudged it toward her, the pretty colors facing her. You found it, so you should keep it. Very, very nice shiny, yes? I wonder where its brother is? He of course meant that since it had been broken down the center, the other part must be somewhere. Such pretty colors.

The brown slithered up to perch on one of M'ta's broad shoulders, cocking his head and fluting curiously to the blue, which was fairly odd given that Jabari wasn't a particularly vocal flit. He wrapped his tail around the neck of his pet and greeted his offspring in happy recognition. The boy, meanwhile, was casting a glance back at the two dragons, his expression a cross between amusement and annoyance. "I think he'd only see that as encouragement. Behruth's...very fond of company." M'ta sniffed pointedly, making it clear he wasn't nearly so social as his dragon. At her question, though, he blinked, looking at the blue closely for the first time. "Uh. Yeah, Jabari's mine. Or I'm his, as he sees it. Then Vega's one of his?" M'ta found that...interesting. It also reminded him that he hadn't seen Meira in ages, and that stirred up just a touch of regret.

"So, do you usually fall asleep out here in the wilds?" M'ta questioned, with just a hint of amusement behind his voice.

[Rei]

Raylin paused. “Wherries? I wasn’t aware they attacked people. Well my mistake.” the comment about the poisoning drew a frown from Raylin. To be honest she had never contemplated that. Of course it would be dangerous to be alone if someone was poisoning the population. Then again would they really bother with one little green rider? Really if anyone could be considered partially safe she supposed it would be the lesser colors. More easily controlled by the higher ups and whatnot. If they wanted to murder someone wouldn’t they go after those in charge? Meaning the golds and bronzes? It made perfect sense to her but the green weyrling did not voice her thoughts. Instead she stroked her blue flitter almost absentmindedly.

Ebolath listened politely to Behruth. Flying did sound like fun. Oh I would love to fly to the beach. Mine and I walked there once. There are indeed very many shinys there. You would love it! The green purred as Behruth curled about her and his nuzzle made her croon with delight. She nuzzled him back earnestly. Oh mine does not like the jungle as much but she does not mind it. She only dislikes when it rains. She hates the way her clothes cling.

His offering of the shiny caused her eyes to whirl faster and the blue to intensify. Yes it is a very, very, nice shiny. Thank you. The comment about it’s brother drew a croon from the green. I found it along the river bank do you think it’s brother would be near? If we found it we could each have a brother shiny. Do you want to look? The excitement in her voice was glaringly apparent. Her tail tip twitched in barely suppressed excitement. Oh Behruth was so nice. Yes she definitely liked him.

Vega answered the flute with a happy croon eyes whirling in pleasant blue greens. Yes this was his clutch sire. Did he see his pet? He chose well. Raylin eyed the two young dragons and sighed. “Well I guess you are stuck with her then. I hope you don’t mind to much. She can be a bit of a pest. I almost wish she had a more quiet personality sometimes.” The green weyrling gave M’ta a tentative smile.

The question about Vega caused her to stroke her own flitter lovingly. “Yes I remember your Jabari now. Vega is defiantly one of his offspring. I adore my little blue even if he is a nervous wreck half the time. He is scared around bronzes and golds and even some of the bigger browns. It takes him awhile to warm up to them usually and he is not very open with them, even if he does get used to their presence.”

Raylin raised an eyebrow at the question and then shook her head. “No normally I sleep in my own quarters. I haven’t been sleeping all that well and I guess the combo of Ebolath’s contentment and the sun knocked me out. Believe me I don’t plan on making a habit out of it.” The dark haired girl tried to struggle to her feet and frowned. “Mind giving me a hand? I sprained my ankle badly and it’s still healing. I’d ask Ebolath but she seems to comfortable to move.”

[Requiem]

"Yeah..." Come to think of it, M'ta wasn't sure if that was normal behavior for wherries or not. He was...well, not really an outdoorsman, for all that he preferred the open air and spent a lot of time in the Selenitas jungles. Fifteen turns of his life, to the best of his knowledge, had been spent on the streets of Bitra. He was naturally far more wary of people than little featherballs. "I guess they're carnivorous. Although...it's of more concern to me, stumbling upon something someone doesn't want me to see out here, than running across another flock of wherries." He grinned humorlessly. Wherries were easy enough to take care of. He could still hit a moving target that small at a hundred yards in the space of a second or two. War-trained northerners, however...that was a different story. You didn't want to risk not seeing - or missing - one of them. Though M'ta hardly had recognized it at the time, he knew now that he'd probably gotten lucky with Ka'rys. After all, the man had been half-asleep, and he'd still almost won the battle that was just a twitch of a muscle away from a death match. And that was a northern dragonrider gone soft. No, he'd much rather avoid such a confrontation altogether. Better to have some people around.

If Ruth would just stop chasing after shinies all the time!

The brown huffed in what was clearly amusement at M'ta, returning his attention to his new little playmate immediately. His interest was piqued by this mention of beaches. So then. It wasn't just something M'taHis was saying. M'taHis didn't lie, really, but he had a way of making the truth sound - better - than it was that could sometimes be irritating. If Ebolath said there were lots of nice shinies at the beach, though, there really must be!

He was very, very pleased that the green accepted his offering, if only because he found it a fitting reward for the information she'd already given him. Behruth was nothing if not fair. Shinies were for sharing, anyway. What good was a shiny if no one else got to see or enjoy it? His resulting croon was thunderous, and, at her suggestion, he levered himself up with unusual care, not wanting to jostle the small dragon he'd curled around. Oh yes. Let us go look! Then we can have matching brother shinies, he responded eagerly. He'd kind of hoped she'd suggest that, actually, though he would have been content to merely talk and snuggle if she hadn't wanted to. The brown trotted over toward the spot he'd found her at, nosing at the wet soil. You found it around here, yes?

M'ta listened to Raylin in silence, though his expression evidenced some small amount of amusement at her apology. She clearly hadn't heard anything about Behruth if she could apologize to him for Ebolath. The crazy brown was more than just a little bit obsessive about his shinies. Oh, he meant well, and was generally laidback and cheerful about most things - not to mention unnaturally friendly! - but the shiny obsession bordered on neurotic.

Jabari took flight at that moment, crossing over to inspect the creature his handsome son had chosen. After a moment he decided that she would do just fine, and he chirped his approval to the smaller male. Zesa had such beautiful children, she did. This of course made him want to see if she might be on that infirmary cabinet again...but the brown decided to keep Vega company for a bit. That seemed like the mannerly thing to do. Settling not far from Vega and Raylin, he folded his wings neatly and cast a glance upwards, through the leaves. Still plenty of sunlight left. Good. He still had time to seek out his favorite gold firelizard.

Sounds like it is a M'taMine flutterbye, Behruth commented, and the boy jumped slightly, surprised that the brown had been listening in. Then he shook his head. Honestly. You do not like anyone bigger than you, either. Aren't you busy with something over there? M'ta returned crossly. A ripple of amusement passed between them as Behruth returned his attention to the hunt.

M'ta stared down at Raylin for a moment, then nodded, reaching down to grasp her forearm firmly in a surprisingly strong hand, for all its small size. He levered her up with ease. It was only mildly annoying that they were now clearly of a height; M'ta had already gotten used to the fact that he was tiny amongst all these southerners. Whatever they ate, it made them grow like weeds. At least Raylin wasn't taller. "What happened with your ankle, anyway?" Somehow he suspected she hadn't fallen out of a tree or gotten into a knife fight with the Weyrleader. His...injuries...tended to require secrecy.

[Rei]

Ebolath’s eyes whirled happily at Behruth’s exuberant croon. Yes around here but more to the left. She sprang from her sprawled position and followed the larger brown happily. The green began to industrially churn up the muddy bank with her talons. After she had loosened the dirt considerably she used her muzzle to push it around and revel the stones underneath. Oh look Behruth! Grabbing up the stones in her mouth she dashed to the river and dropped them in the shallows. The swift current hurriedly stripped the grime from them and left them glimmering wetly. Perhaps the brother shiny is in this batch.

Vega let Jabari examine his and at his pleased croon Vega flared his wings and fluted happily. Yes his was very, very nice. The pale blue watched as his sire alighted in a nearby tree. He curled his tail around his bonded’s throat and turned his attention back to the male as he proffered a hand for Raylin.

As Raylin stood unsteadily on her feet she maneuvered some weight onto her hurt ankle in a brief test. Yes it was still sore, but it was a manageable pain. M’ta’s question captured her attention and she scowled darkly. “Ah I tripped. I was visiting a friend and he keeps this weyr dangerously messy. I am surprised he can even live in such a mess.” She rolled her eyes. “Thankfully it is only a bad sprain. Nothing broken.” The green weyrling turned her attention towards the two young dragons. “Ebolath! I just gave you a bath.” She scolded her voice clearly making her exasperation known. The green in question ignored her bonded and continued her quite messy activities. After all shiny searching with new friends didn’t happen on a regular basis.

Raylin shook her head and turned her attention again to the other rider. “So did your Behruth hatch in the clutch before Ebolath?” The girl asked him curiosity overcoming her normal shy behavior. Besides his attitude made it obvious that he wasn’t interested in anything more than perhaps conversation with her.

[Requiem]

Behruth whipped around from his position half-in and half-out of the river, scurrying in Ebolath's direction to see just what it was she'd found. The movement was by no means graceful, but he got to her quickly enough, just the same. Arching his neck over the curve of her back, he wriggled happily. Perhaps it is. You are very smart, little sister! He nuzzled her lightly on the neck, adjusting in such a way that he was standing over her so that his forelimbs could have access to the stones. Behruth began turning them over carefully with his claws, working through them systematically, from the top righthand edge downward and to the left.

"A friend," M'ta remarked, a quirk to his half-smile. It wasn't so much that he didn't believe that Raylin didn't have friends with messy weyrs to sprain her ankle in. But he wasn't at all slow, and it didn't escape him that she hadn't named this friend. There had to be a reason behind that. Not to mention the fact that she'd said 'his weyr.' That meant a male dragonrider, when she was still a junior weyrling. Oh, it amused him greatly, but he was never one to press, even if his response and expression probably made it clear just what he was thinking.

Raylin's comment got the boy glancing back over his shoulder at the two dragons, blinking once or twice at the odd sight of the brown standing with the green between his legs, the both of them rooting around in the mud. It wasn't, however, overly surprising for him at this point; Behruth would do anything for a shiny and he certainly wasn't shy when it came to other dragons. "I'd get used to it, if I were you," he stated dryly, offering Raylin an amused smile. "When Behruth was that young he was...well, he still is always into things."

M'ta thought about walking over to see what his Ruth was up to this time, but thought better of it at the girl's question. "Unless you're a greenrider with a miniature green masquerading as a weyrling? Yes. Behruth is from the Tidal clutch. Second to hatch, first to Impress, and the only hatchling crazy enough to go back onto the Sands to collect shell fragments and give Millieth gifts." Amused affection and just a touch of pride stirred in his voice. He'd waited five Hatchings for Ruth to come along - and it was definitely worth the wait. The cynic had been turned into a true believer of the theory that there was just one person for every dragon.

[Rei]

Behruth’s nuzzle and compliment elicted a happy croon from Ebolath and caused her blue eyes to whirl faster. So lovely this brown was. Yes she liked Behruth he was thoughtful, kind, and oh so amusing to her. The shinies soon revealed themselves and she examined each one along with Behruth. Was the brother shiny among them? It was hard to tell with so many of them grouped together. Perhaps we should have them to dry ground to sort? That way we could see better. The green explained with a soft nuzzle to the brown’s neck.

Gathering some of the rocks she wiggled away from the brown and waded to the bank depositing the rocks in the grass to examine. A quick glance at hers reassured Ebolath that she was fine. Good hers needed more friends then just the few she had. Perhaps if hers became friends with Behruth’s she could shiny hunt with him more often!

Raylin struggled not to blush at M’ta’s reaction to her explanation. “No really, I know it sounds bad but we are just friends. Nothing has or ever will happen. Believe me I’m not his type and I would never harm Ebolath like that. Oh why am I even bothering to defend myself.” The green weyrling blurted crossly, her flitter chirping in reassurance.

As the conversation moved back towards the dragon’s Raylin latched upon it happily. “Yes I fear I will have to get used to her overfriendly nature and love for everyone. It’s kind of refreshing really, and it is hard to ever stay truly mad at her. I only wish she would forever stay so innocent and carefree. Unlikely with the current state of things. I will take your suggestion to heart and try to stay away from being caught by myself.”

The brown weyrling’s fond recollection of Behruth’s hatching caused Raylin’s face to light up as she regarded the two dragons. “I bet that would have been a sight to see. Ebolath was so excited at her hatching she accidentally mauled someone. Not too badly but still. She has completely forgotten about said incident by now. I am amazed at how short their memories are. I envy that really. It’s so easy for them to live in the present and yet we humans struggle at it.”

Vega launched off his and winged over to Ebolath. Once he reached her he perched on her neck ridge and craned his neck to look at her stones. Oh hello little brother to you like the shinys? The pale blue chirped in answer and hopped down to her back where he proceeded to curl up.

[Requiem]

Oh, oh, but wait! He had a method to his madness! Behruth let out a soft creel as she scrunched all the stones together to pull some away onto the grass, the brown's shoulders sagging slightly. His hide even managed to look a little dull, all of which caused M'ta to look at him sharply, the boy...rather confused. Ruth recovered in a moment, though, shoveling the rest of the stones together. His rider watched him for a few more seconds to make sure he was all right before turning back to Raylin, the slight confusion still evident in his expression.

One brow had risen clear to his hairline at her sudden gush of words, M'ta trying really hard not to laugh. He thought he might have succeeded, too. He certainly hadn't said anything about Raylin doing anything to hurt Ebolath, now had he? That Raylin thought that's where he'd been going amused him greatly. In all actuality, he was usually lost when it came to matters of...interest. Savitri's interest in Ka'rys was a complete and utter mystery to him, for one. Fiona's interest in him...was scary. Downright scary. Thus far he'd succeeded in eluding her. And R'wign. He couldn't understand that healer at all.

M'ta decided to let the conversation go, rather than make the observation that it sounded like these things were deifinitely on her mind...

Waxing serious again, the brownweyrling backed up toward the rock and swung himself up onto it, crossing his legs tailor-style beneath him. "I'm sure everyone would feel better if you did." He'd been tempted to replace 'everyone' with 'your friend,' but he really didn't know Raylin well enough to tease her like that. Maybe later. She wasn't taxing like some people were (actually, he was finding a good portion of this conversation rather amusing) so he didn't feel the need to avoid her in the future.

Smiling in recognition of Raylin's softening expression, M'ta found his mood shifted almost instantly. What? He dropped his head onto his hands, mostly to hide his mouth in the thought that she might not catch the expression that had flitted across his face. Dragons living in the present instead of the past...it wasn't a comment that would usually get him into a foul mood. He just...hadn't expected it, and his defenses were most definitely down. "Um, yeah." He cleared his throat, then glanced back toward the river and the dragons. "So then. What do you do? I mean, everyone here seems to have training in something - as a healer, a harper, a weaver. What were you going to do if you didn't Impress?"

Probably an odd question, but he didn't like the current course of the conversation, and it seemed a safe alternative. Not necessarily the best one, though, he thought after a moment. Most candidates hadn't stood for five Hatchings as he had, and it was possible Raylin never considered not Impressing.

Behruth's temporary upset was by now a distant memory, the brown scattering his own gathering of stones all over the bank (though not too close to Ebolath's so they wouldn't get mixed up.) Tell me if you find anything! He pounced from stone to stone, flicking them lightly with a claw as he resumed his methodical search. Oh, yes, it was easier with more space. Just the fact that he'd had to start over in the middle of his careful search had distressed him. He flicked a stone, then paused, quivering in place. The brother stone!

Ebolath! he called excitedly.

[Rei]

Ruth’s creel was not lost on Ebolath and she turned her head to examine the brown. Was he ok? Did something hurt him? The brown seemed to have recovered quickly however, and so Ebolath turned back to flipping her stones. Maybe a fish or something had startled him.

Raylin nodded as he replied to her statement. “Yes being alone is not the wisest course of action. I find myself frequently by myself now unfortunately. My roommate works nights so I never see her anymore and my other friends seem to be always busy or stressed.” The green weyrling sighed. “Actually you’re the first person I have talked to conversationally for probably a fortnight now.” Raylin sighed and turned to look at the busy dragons. Ebolath had an easier time making friends that was for sure.

M’ta’s next comment had her frowning. “To tell you the truth I never really thought of what I would do. I impressed the first time I stood. I really was never trained in anything. I know how to train a runner and that’s about it. I never apprenticed to a craft. My mother died when I was young and I was the only daughter born. I basically just took care of the house and my four younger brothers. My father wasn’t happy with me when I decided to accept the search.” She trailed off. “Really I guess I broke a lot of bridges when it came to home life. I assume I am not welcome back there anymore. My father said as much. I suppose if I hadn’t impressed I would have stayed at the weyr and found something to do.” Raylin gazed at the other rider and tilted her head allowing her braid to cascade over her shoulder. “What about you? What would you have done if Ruth wouldn’t have came along?”

Ebolath flipped another stone and gave a soft croon as Behruth’s voice entered her mind. Oh yes I will let you know if I find the brother shiny. Continuing to work at her pile she examined each stone carefully. Some of them were very nice shinies but she visibly deflated when the brother shiny was not among them. Ebolath! The brown’s excited cry could mean only one thing and the green whistled in excitement as she trotted to his side.

The sight of the brother shiny made her rear to her back legs and nuzzle Ruth affectionately. Oh Ruthfriend! You have found the other brother shiny! Now we each have one. You are good at finding shinys. The green dropped back to her feet but continued her affectionate nuzzling. We should bring the brother shiny to it’s clutch brother so they can see each other again.

With that Ebolath turned to fetch her own half of the brother shiny.

[Requiem]

"Now that is truly a problem," M'ta commented with an amused half-smile. If this was her only conversation in over a sevenday...yes, definitely a problem. How disappointing it must be. "You can, of course, waylay some hapless candidate and kidnap them for entertainment purposes. I promise not to rat you out." Was he joking? Hard to tell, as his expression was decidedly - not expressive.

The weyrlingrider listened to her silently, speaking of family and younger brothers, his expression inscrutable. He'd never known a family in its most literal sense, and the children that he'd bound himself to, forming their own peculiar family - he never would have turned his back on them. Certainly not to go to some Weyr to stand for dragons. It was the fact that they weren't a part of his life anymore (and that remaining in Bitra likely would have ended unpleasantly) that compelled him to accept the offer of the Searchrider to begin with. Though he still had no idea what compelled the blue to Search him. His thoughts certainly couldn't have been very warm and inviting. M'ta could understand the father's anger all too well. It was betrayal, wasn't it? The young man didn't voice his thoughts, however. Realistically, he didn't know her reasons, and the life she'd lived probably wasn't comparable to his, so he shouldn't judge her. M'ta did of course. He simply didn't voice the judgment or dwell on it.

His smile was a touch wry. "My first standing was for the last of Fath's clutches, so I had plenty of time to worry about what to do after being left standing." Multiple times. He shrugged, then. "Still not sure what I would have done, though. Savitri suggested carving. My work's amateur, but I probably could support myself okay. There's no going home for me, either." M'ta sounded distinctly happy about that prospect, though. Considering the fact that his greatest fear throughout candidacy was the possibility that, if he failed too often or got into too much trouble, Selenitas would send him back to Bitra...no, he definitely didn't mind the fact that he wasn't welcome there. And now certainly wouldn't be going back.

Small though the green was, Behruth had to readjust his stance so that he didn't stagger and accidentally make Ebolath fall over. A wing swept out over the two of them, the brown nuzzling his younger friend in return as she went back down on all-fours. Not so good as you, he responded happily. After all, she had found the first one and suggested they wash them and bring them up to the bank, hadn't she? His little dragon sister (he tended to see all dragons as siblings) was very smart, she was.

Carefully taking the shiny into his mouth, he met Ebolath halfway, dropping the stone between his forelegs. As long as we have the brother shinies, we will always be friends, won't we, Ebolath? he questioned almost shyly. The brown very much liked his friends, and he thought all dragons should be friendly. And why not? They all flew together, didn't they? M'ta skirted the brown's foreleg and peered down at the stones, then glanced at the two dragons, an idea forming. "I can actually set these into riding straps. If you'd like, I can do that for you, Ruth...and for Ebolath when she gets old enough to need them." The brown considered for a moment. They will never get lost that way. Do you want to, Ebosister?

[Rei]

“Kidnap them?” The suggestion got a short laugh from Raylin. “I’m afraid I’m not the kidnapping type. Although I’m sure my roommate would find your suggestion amusing enough to attempt.” Really the green weyrling could see Saeo attempting something of the like. After all, hadn’t she done something similar to poor Tr’esn at the stables. It sure seemed likely. When Saeo had described the encounter Raylin’s jaw most likely had dropped. Tree pirates and Tr’esn didn’t sound like something one would ever see in real life.

The lack of reaction to her search story did not overly concern Raylin. Not very many people would find what she did acceptable. She had wanted an escape and when one came, she had jumped at the chance. Was wanting to live her own life really that wrong? The fact that M’ta did not comment was not only noticed but appreciated. Not the judging type perhaps. That was nice. To many people had to voice their opinions on everything.

“Carving, really? I would like to see some of your work sometime. What do you carve?” Raylin’s voice held undisguised interest. It was not everyday that you met someone with a talent based in art. “I wish I could do something like that. Seriously, training runners is not much of a talent. I’m afraid I’ve always been a boring person.” She smiled faintly at the brown weyrling and then a thunderous croon interrupted her and she limped after M’ta towards the dragon pair.

The thunderous croon came from Ebolath at Behruth’s complement. Not as good as him? But oh he was the shiny master. After all it was he that had told her of the brother shiny. She ducked her head her jewel eyes whirling in intense blues. Oh of course we will always be friends. She nuzzled under the bigger browns jaw in obvious affection and Raylin smiled.

M’ta’s suggestion caused Ebolath’s eyes to whirl faster. Oh would you Ruth’s. I would very much appreciate it if you would. Then Ruthbrother will always be flying with me. Her comment was directed to the group at large with no person left out.

The prospect of the shiny on her riding straps excited the green to no end. She pranced in place unable to contain her excitement. Yes we will never lose them and we will be friends for ever and ever. We could go shiny hunting together and we would always have our brother shinys.

Raylin smiled at M’ta. “Thank you for the suggestion. If you couldn’t tell she is tickled pink about the prospect. You really will never get rid of her now.” The green weyrling laughed and winked at him. “Guess that means were stuck together to.” She stuck a hand out towards him. “Friends?”