Better late than never [F'ur]

[rii]

A gray haze had settled over the Weyr as a warm rain continued to fall. It had begun late the previous night and had yet to show any sign of lifting. Every now and then a ray of light peeked in through the dark clouds, but the warmth it gave never lasted long. If F'lix had to guess, he would have to say it was mid-afternoon. The weather had kept him mostly cooped up in his room (read: does not like to get wet) Earlier in the morning he had made a quick trip to the kitchens to feed the two baby pests that had taking a liking to haunting his shoulders, but he had yet to make another trip to feed himself (hunger was but another pain to be ignored). Though, current that was not what was on his mind..

To and fro the dark haired rider stalked around his room, a scrawny blue mandyr hopping around after his heels. Simper. Simpersimper. The blue chanted as he hopped after each heel. Left, right, left, right. F'lix had not named the male salamandyr.. though he had decided to call the devious near-black green Lilitu–she already had shown him that she would be something of a demon if not now, then later on in life. And since the blue mandyr was technically hers, and F'lix was happy to not claim the male, he had asked the green to name him. After much deliberation, and poking through the curses she already had picked up from her mindmate, she had called him simpering fool. Not like had been expecting much better. After all, one of the mandyrs at their hatching had decided to call themselves chair. And if she felt it was a good choice for the blue, than that would have to do. Utterly pointless in trying to argue with her.

Sim-Per-Sim-Per-Sim-Puurrr.

F'lix halted, not paying much mind to the soft collision against the back of his heel–though he couldn't ignore the bizarre pleasure the blue got from whatever odd little game he was playing. The bluerider cast a nervous glance toward the pack laying on the floor next to the door. Instantly afterward he growled low in his throat and resumed his prowling. It was all just a pastime, right? A way to alleviate the boredom. Nothing more. Why was he allowing himself to get so worked over something that was so.. trivial to others. F'lix found himself stopping again–a growingly familiar thud against his bare heel–and he idly fiddled with the splint on his right hand while also worrying over the corner of his lower lip with teeth.

He was bored.. so.. it was okay.. It was just to.. pass the time..

The fingers lifted from the splint to his mouth for a go at angry nail biting; almost an odd mimicry in how the blue was currently nipping affectionate bites against the jutting bone of his ankle. A long while ago Saboth had curled up and gone to sleep to escape F'lix's brooding–and Lilitu had done the same, finding the middle of his fur covered bed to be the best spot. He didn't want to admit it, but.. he was genuinely upset about his situation with the ex-Fortian–basically because he didn't know what the situation between them even was. It's not as if F'lix didn't want to go see him. He was paranoid of his intentions (part of him still believed the man to be toying with him) And– and– not as if F'ur had shown any interest in stopping by to get the ink carving done. Which, in F'lix's mind, meant that day out by the stream had just been a joke, a tease.. something along those lines. Then how F'ur had acted toward him at the hatching..

Hopeless. Utterly hopeless. Wait, hope was what got him in to trouble in the first place..

With a snarl, F'lix dug out a long sleeved black shirt and pulled it on over the thinner one–intent to hide the colorful bruise on his left arm and the one that tended to peek out from under his shirt along the side of his hip. F'lix had been hoping they would fade after a couple of days.. but as they worked themselves out from the deeper tissue they had only grown worse in appearance. F'lix shoved his feet into boots and made the mistake of sitting down on the bed in order to tie them.

Lilitu frilled defiantly at him, annoyance clear that her napping had be disturbed. Off. A simple command. The bed was hers right now and she didn't feel like sharing. Yes, because she took up sooo much room there wasn't possibly an inch to spare to anyone else. Although, her voice had a magically effect on Simper. The blue scampered up F'lix leg and flopped up on the furs, flipping over so he was belly up–willingly vulnerable as he wormed over to his dark clutchsister. Lililove~ The green merely ignored him, curling up once more.

"You two stay here.." F'lix voiced while standing, throwing the pack over his shoulder. And, really, he should of known telling Lilitu to do something would have the opposite effect (he was still learning to deal with them both) the green was already climbing up his leg with the silly blue not far behind. F'lix visibly grimaced but didn't protest. He liked them. Really. They were his little pests. "Fine."

Briskly he moved out and into the rain, making a quick trip over to the neighboring Weyr (Yes, he needed to build up his courage to go that far). He turned only to freeze mid-step and stare at the midnight blue hide of the war dragon lying near the door. F'lix didn't move, lingering just outside of the weyr and soaking in the rain. The last remnants of his courage fading. He didn't trust other people's dragons. A childhood fear, it didn't have to be rational, though the scars down his face spoke a different story. Maybe.. Maybe F'lix would go get something to eat instead. Yeah.. that seemed like.. a good idea all of a sudden.

Move. Lilitu hopped down from her safe, and warm, perch under F'lix shirt to splat against the wet rock. Before the bluerider could stop her, she was frilling and moving toward Inocenth. Stupid, Move. In way. Move. What? Hers wanted to get by the dragon, but apparently was too scared. There was nothing to be afraid of, hmph. The green turned and slipped under the gap beneath the closed door frame. Open now. Yes? Open.

Outside F'lix was a bit.. horrified.. so much so that he didn't make a grab as Simper also hopped down and followed after Lilitu. They really were going to be the death of him, F'lix glanced nervously at Inocenth then back at the door. Hopefully no one was home.

[Requiem]

Inocenth had finally taken pity on His. Or, perhaps what was more likely, he'd finally grown tired enough himself that keeping the man awake was no longer amusing enough to keep him from his own sleep. At any rate, the bluerider was curled up under the furs he'd draped over furniture in the empty weyr adjoined to his - all done throughout those hours of forced insomnia. He'd fallen asleep in his clothing...half in it, anyway. Apparently, he'd been in the process of removing his shirt when he'd fallen asleep, because it was only on one arm. Terror slept curled along the curve of F'ur's neck, twitching and muttering incoherent things in its sleep.

For once, Inocenth didn't respond to another creature on his weyrledge, too tired to awaken as easily as normal. His tail twitched, the tip flicking back and forth in front of the door leading into the weyr...and to His. Most likely a coincidence, but if it was...it was a habitual one. F'urHis had likeable qualities, yes. Still, people either tended to really like him or really dislike him, and Inocenth never approved of anyone messing with his bonded unless it was Inocenth himself. Possessive blue he was.

Of course, the annoying little insect voice awoke Inocenth with a snarl, the dragon swiping harmlessly at her. It wouldn't have been harmless, but F'urHis had trained himself to awaken when Inocenth grew violent - Fort didn't much appreciate bleeding people or dragons, much less dead ones - and curbed the blue's aggression just enough. It didn't keep him from growling warningly at Saboth's however. Even if he wouldn't do anything to the man, annoying as it was that F'ur would never allow that. He's here.

"F'lix?" F'ur stirred, blinking at the doorway to the bathing room, but no one was...oh, right. He'd locked the door, hadn't he? Scooping up Terror, he cupped the mandyr in one hand and crawled out from under the odd fort awkwardly. "Yeah, open," he agreed blurrily. There was some reason he was supposed to be upset at the other bluerider, but he couldn't remember what it was. "Stay close. Nasty shadows," he muttered to the little green, putting his shoulder behind the standing wardrobe he'd pushed in front of the door in an extreme bout of paranoia. The bed was still in front of the other door, and similar large pieces of furniture barred the other two entrances to the suite of rooms.

Once the wardrobe was clear enough to allow him to open the door, he creaked it open just a smidge, peering out warily. It...probably was a somewhat unsettling sight, the mussed, tangled hair, drawn face and eyes underscored with dark, sleepless circles. The eyes darted, making sure nothing else was lurking on the ledge, before he opened the door a little more. His shirt was still dangling from one shoulder, and his voice came in a raspy whisper. "Hurry. Before they see you."

The endless stream of fears and paranoia from Terror the night before - which Inocenth persisted on prompting whenever it began to wane, something that the blue got increasingly good at as the night progressed - had left enough of a mark that, even with Terror asleep, F'ur still felt some of them. He closed the door abruptly after F'lix and disappeared into the other room, crawling back under the furs and watching the ex-Bendenite with what could only be wariness.

Inocenth huffed and let his head fall back to his forelegs. He was going back to sleep.

[rii]

F'lix took an apprehensive step backward at the sounding of a growl. His expression hardened a bit, golden eyes slitting as they viewed the temperamental blue–see, that had to be a good sign as any that he should turn around and go back to his own Weyr. Only.. his little mandyrs had slipped under the door into F'ur's Weyr. He tried to will them back out, but Lilitu didn't heed him.. but Simper did pause in the middle of the room.. torn between who he should obey.

Lilitu paid him no mind, flicking her tail up a bit as she wandered through the room trying to find someone to open the door. Ah, there. Open now. Is wet. Cold. Lixmine wants in. Simper hopped up and down from his idling position, LixHers.

What was that scrapping noise? Curiosity seizing him, making him forget Inocenth, F'lix edged closer to the door as if by doing so would help him hear better. When the door inched open, F'lix could only openly stare at the slivered profile. As F'ur's dark eyes darted, F'lix gave in to the impulse to also look around for anything that would cause suspicion. He knew the man was a bit paranoid.. but really? Then the words spiraled F'lix mind further into confusion–who were they? Was F'ur that embarrassed to let anyone see him allowing a Bendenite inside his weyr.. ? The nasty thought stabbed at his mind, but F'lix still did comply, if only to sate his wonderment about the entire scene.

"F'ur.. ?" F'lix questioned softly, but the man was already wandering away to the bathroom. Maybe to finish dressing? It did seem he had caught the man at a bad time–No, wait, he knew that thought was all wrong and a bit of a naive rationalization of the situation. F'ur looked like hell and F'lix was mostly sure that this behavior was unlike him. Though, never have been inside the man's weyr before, he couldn't really say what was normal for him when within his own personal quarters.

F'lix slowly angled around to peek in the bathroom from afar. The two mandyrs had also gone in that direction.. into the adjoining weyr. Cautiously F'lix followed, blinking at the expression meeting him in the other room. So bizarre. The fort of furs, however, drew F'lix attention to examine the strange arrangement. What the man did in his free time really was no business of F'lix's but–but– "What is all this?" And should F'lix laugh at it all, or be genuinely really.. really concerned?

The gaze finally dipped back down to F'ur. No glares this time, just a mixture of confusion and concern all too clear as he further took in the man's haggard appearance. "Is everything alright..?" It didn't seem alright. F'lix had even forgotten his own sodden state–more concerned about F'ur then himself– His boots had left a few wet tracks across the floor, and his clothing stuck to him, occasionally dripping off his sleeves. "Did I.. interrupt.. something?"

[Requiem]

Peeking face. F'ur twitched, ducking his head down behind his arm, only his eyes peering over. As if an arm could hide his entire body. Still, maybe the shadows of the furs would help just enough, as he watched the other bluerider come into the room looking absolutely sodden. He didn't like being wet, did he? F'ur seemed to remember that he didn't. But there was something about F'lix seeing him that wasn't good. F'ur puzzled over that for a moment, before tugging off his shirt completely and tossing it at the younger man's feet. There. It was dry. He edged further back into the 'fort' created by the furs in case F'lix tried to see where the shirt had come from.

Wait, that didn't make sense. He'd invited the man in here, hadn't he? So confused and tired right now. It was...Inocenth's fault, he recalled vaguely. But were the shadows really after him, and what about...? F'ur blinked at the familiar voice.

"All what?" he asked vaguely, the question so soft there was no possible way the ex-Bendenite would hear it. He edged closer, all those nagging thoughts getting to him. The rational part of him continued insistently, softly. It was Inocenth. Inocenth had sparked Terror into higher and higher levels of fear and paranoia, and the constant onslaught was hard to fight off. That and lack of sleep was confusing him. F'lix...F'lix was...a person...friend didn't seem quite right. But he was still safe. Relatively.

Listenting to that, he edged further out, until his torso was out from under the furs, head resting on his arms. "No? Yes. Sort of. I was...sleeping." He deposited Terror in the small of his back. "You're going to want to come away from the walls. There are shadows there," he stated perfectly reasonably. Bad shadows, as opposed to the good under the furs shadows.

Only then did he answer the other question, leaving it until last because he wasn't sure, and he didn't want to sound crazy. The thoughts seemed crazy right now. "They kept me up. Inocenth and Terror. It's strange...this fear thing." His eyes narrowed. "Please come away from the wall. You're making me nervous." Only when F'lix was away from the shadows did he continue. "I think it's just being tired. Probably. If it was that bad Inocenth would have stopped, right?" He would have. Should...yes. Would.

[rii]

A brow rose in question, but it didn't lessen the level of concern F'lix felt toward the older man. He just couldn't seem to put the pieces together at the moment. Too utterly baffled by the oddity before him. F'ur was acting so.. afraid, but of what? Then throwing the shirt only made F'lix peer more curiously after the retreating man. Moving forward, the younger doubled at the waist to peer inside the fort's shadows. It was almost like dealing with a fever-delusional rider all over again.

Lilitu had taken up a position outside of the entrance to the fort, tail curled tightly around her seat as she first peered into the darkness at the odd man–then turning her head to look back at Hers. Why were they here? They had woken her from her lovely nap for this? Simper, oblivious to anything out of the ordinary, merely hopped onto the thrown shirt and rolled around. Ours? He flipped over onto his feet and looked expectantly toward Lilitu–but she was ignoring him again. Mine? He peered up at F'lix, but he wasn't paying attention either. Fine. Simper would take it as his! It was a gift for him. Yes, yes. The blue went back to rolling around on the shirt.

Sleeping. F'lix gave a slow, cautious nod to the older man. It made sense, somewhat. F'ur's appearance did suggest the lack-of sleep. Though, the older rider didn't seem the kind to end up so deprived of sleep that he had to take naps during the afternoon. And most people slept on their bed, not.. in a fort of furs. F'lix eyes once again wandered.. this time noting the furniture in front of the doors.

"Shadows.. ?" The younger rider shook his head, sending a few rain droplets to the floor–earning a squeak from Simper as one landed on him. What–what? F'lix sighed, stepping away from the shadows. He knelt down next to the furs, brows creasing as he analyzed the given answers. Terror? Who was–it wasn't F'lix who figured it out, but Lilitu. Something akin to a snort came across the mental bond. Their pathetic clutchbrother, of course. F'lix gaze flicked to the blue nestled on F'ur's lower back before returning to the man's face.

"Yeah.. Ino would have stopped." F'lix answered awkwardly–having no idea really, but he assumed as much. Alright, so.. the bluerider began to muse while sitting back on heels, hands laying on his thighs as he stared thoughtfully at F'ur. If he could just take a moment, and pull his mind out from the confusing scenario maybe he could make a bit more sense. Almost cautiously, F'lix raised a hand and gently pressed it to F'ur's forehead–his own skin cooled from the rain. It didn't feel like F'ur had a fever. A least one piece of good news. The hand dropped back to his lap.

"I didn't mean to wake you." Or, was F'ur actually still half-asleep, a notion that held potential. "You should probably go back to sleep." And maybe when the man woke up he would be normal again. This 'fear thing' was strange indeed. Seemed to make grown men scared of harmless shadows along the wall. It must have been do the salamandyr.. that was the only thing F'lix could think of that was different about the situation. Since the bonds were similar to that of dragons.. maybe he had a very.. flighty companion.

Pathetic. Lilitu stated, because their pale clutchbrother was a coward. She would not claim him. Unacceptable.

"Did you eat anything yet today?" F'lix ask hesitantly, trying to ignore the indignant attitude from the black-green mandyr. She was making him want to flick the pale blue away–a decidedly bad idea but she wasn't listening. Not realizing it, F'lix had began to pick at his sleeve–awkward and nervous with his own inner thoughts. He was willing to go fetch the other some food if it would help.. maybe just leave the food out and go back to his own weyr. Apparently coming over had been an equally bad idea.

[Requiem]

He must be insane. F'lix's expression said as much. No, not insane, but definitely loopy, because Inocenth wouldn't literally drive him crazy, would he? F'ur made a mental note to boil the blue's tail when he got ahold of himself. This really went beyond the acceptable range of behavior, right here, and Inocenth could not be allowed to do such things merely for his own amusement. The older bluerider could feel his mind beginning to take hold, make sense of things, and that was a relief to him. Still tired...but at least not so confused. It helped that both the crazies were asleep and he only had his own mind to contend with.

The hand at his forehead drew a questioning look from F'ur, but he didn't so much as flinch - or twitch, even, a movement that would have been obvious enough shirtless. No, he merely let the side of his head nestle on his arm after F'lix withdrew his touch. "Probably," he agreed after a moment. Then he sighed. "I sound like I've lost my mind, don't I?"

His eyes followed the nervous jitterings of the younger man, and he reached out a hand, capturing F'lix's. "Stop that. I'm twitchy enough for the both of us." F'ur closed his eyes for a moment, not releasing F'lix. He organized his thoughts, finding they were coming easier now. "No, I haven't eaten." That much he remembered. "But it's okay. I'm pretty sure I have something in the cupboards...I tend to eat a lot." Extremely high metabolism, yay. Except it could make a man quite faint if he didn't eat regularly, which probably was a contributing factor here. F'ur was very grateful to have F'lix here, because someone should be thinking rationally.

F'ur's hand fell away from F'lix, the man regarding his visitor frankly. "I'm afraid you've kind of caught me at an odd time," he commented teasingly. "I didn't know these things would be so...strong. Terror's afraid of pretty much everything," he added drolly. "And Inocenth apparently found it amusing to keep him in a state of near panic for hours on end. I think he's a little irked at me." Just a little. Glancing around at the 'fort,' F'ur pulled a face. "I don't even remember doing most of this."

The man tapped his fingers lightly on the floor, clearly thinking - and just as clearly more himself. "This is going to sound weird, but...will you stay? I think just having you here helps. I was really confused just a few moments ago."

[rii]

A smile slowly came out, a sense of relief calming down the worry in the dark gold of his eyes. F'ur sounded more.. normal. And, just to tease, F'lix gave a nod of agreement to the question: Yes, F'ur did sound like he had lost his mind. Not quite a stark raving mad lunatic, or the fever inducing delusional bluerider from the infirmary–but still a little touched in the head. Although, not a bad way to think of things, considering the bond from the salamandyr did effect the mind. Very much so, it seemed, in F'ur's case. Made F'lix just the tiniest bit more appreciative toward his little mindmates; that they did not effect him so thoroughly–but in the end, he still did have two of them. Being stuck as a crossroad between their two personalities did make him feel–more so–neurotic.

F'lix tensed at the physical contact, reason being F'ur had grabbed his injured hand, but the younger quickly soothed his nerves. The smile turned into something more apologetic, nervous even, at F'ur's statement. He gave a light shrug; it couldn't be helped. The other's irrational fear of shadows and once meek demeanor were infectious, making F'lix nervous and flighty. He felt uncertain enough around the man when he was behaving normal. Add in the bizarre terror and F'lix was far outside of his comfort zone–at least at first, having it thrust upon him in such a sudden burst had left his head spinning.

"It's been raining all day, but it's nearly evening–I think–you should eat something. It'll help." Probably should take his own advice, but it had been proven time and time again that his own well being mattered little to him. He turned his head to look back toward the other Weyr.. pondering the contents of the cupboards. Of a sudden he gave a snort, followed but a soft chuckle. The gaze he turned back onto the other was clearly amused–not mocking, he just found something very funny about F'ur's words. "I can't think of a time with you where the circumstances weren't just a bit odd."

F'lix wasn't complaining about it though. In the end, he was still there, was he not? It made things interesting, to say the least. "Quite the name for him." Mused quietly, a brow raising in question. "Irked that you impressed a 'screamer'?" The question came out idly as F'lix plucked at the raised furs with his good hand. There were so.. many of the furs, the man really must go hunting often enough to have so many. "I'm assuming inside is where it's 'safe'?"

The teasing tone, and smile, faded a touch at the question to stay–something more serious crossing his features. "Sure, I'll stay." The words spoken nonchalantly enough. He had come over to finish F'ur's foot anyway.. which suggested he had intentions of spending some time in the Weyr. Although those plans were pointless now, carving up someone's skin took the backseat to food and sleep. And F'lix internally questioned just how helpful it really was for him to stay; yet it seemed silly to argue. If F'ur found him too much of a pest, he'd leave.

Then, finally noting his sodden state, F'lix frowned. "I'm getting everything wet.." With the obvious stated, he rose to his feet and headed toward the bathroom connecting the rooms. He mumbled something about stripping and raiding cabinets as he disappeared from view. Boots were removed, pant legs rolled up, and the long sleeved shirt hung on a hook in the bathroom. If he was going to be staying a while, might as well make himself somewhat comfortable. Lilitu joined him as he began opening cabinets–brows raising at the amount of food discovered to be stuffed in the small spaces.

Simper, however, had abandoned the shirt and hopped happily over to raise up on hindlegs in front of F'ur's face. He frilled at the man, a cheery greeting–or so he meant it to be–his spines moving individually to give his frill a flowing, wave-like motion. With little worry of danger–their mindmate liked him, so he was safe, and Simper didn't mind danger; it was fun. The mandyr bounded forward, jumping on F'ur's arm and climbing over his shoulder. Ours? And then he spotted Terror. Curiously he looked in the direction of his clutchsister. She didn't like their pale brother.. she didn't want him.. so, that meant Simper could have him, right? The blue happily moved down along the curve of F'ur's spine. Cautiously he peered at the sleeping mandyr.. then quietly curled up next to him.

F'lix came back in a moment later, carrying only a few items in which he set down on the floor in front of the fort. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, but he maintained a more serious expression despite it. A very matter-of-fact demeanor, because F'ur would eat, then sleep. F'lix would see to it, shard it. "Are you planning on locking yourself in your Weyr anytime soon? Likely die of boredom before you run out of food.."

He sat aside, legs and arms folding tightly in a pose familiar and comfortable to him.

[Requiem]

Stiffening at his touch again. He was too tired to care, or it might have upset him a little. F'ur had thought they were past that stage, though clearly not. He didn't comment on it, though, since F'lix was at least being fairly comfortable around him, relatively speaking. This time. Though he supposed it was rather hard to take a disheveled man half-hiding beneath a fortress of furs entirely seriously. Yeah, he wouldn't be nervous, either. Or maybe he would, if Terror was awake. He was pretty sure the salamandyr could find something frightening about everything.

Wait, raining all day? Nearly evening? The dim light must have thrown him off, because he could have sworn it couldn't be any later than early morning. How had Inocenth even managed to stay awake so long? That put him at...what? Thirty-six hours give or take? No wonder he felt like a dragon had rolled over on him and left him there. Thirty-six hours of no sleep, and at least twenty since he'd last eaten. "That long." His eyes flicked toward where Inocenth sprawled on the weyrledge, and the look behind them was nothing short of dangerous.

His eyes flicked back to F'lix, his smile slightly quirky. "That was my normal sort of odd," he told the younger man, his own tone half-teasing. If the other bluerider expected to be around him - and F'ur didn't trust himself to figure that one out one way or another in his present state - F'lix would have to get used to that odd.

Screamer? Oh, right, he'd called the salamandyrs that, hadn't he? Of course, he could feign innocence, claim that he hadn't fully intended to acquire one of the 'screamers,' but F'ur wasn't much of a liar. Yes, he could be misleading with ease. The lying part, though, just wasn't something that came altogether naturally to him. (Not that he wasn't capable of it. He could probably lie better than most if he really tried.) Neither was he stupid, though. Wouldn't do to upset the younger man if he was still annoyed with his two newest acquisitions...not when F'ur still wanted his company. Which he did.

So he opted for the truth...selective, of course. A mild shoulder shrug. "I don't suppose anyone truly goes down there without wanting to Impress one on some level. And it's not like you can be that upset once they do choose. Kind of grow on you. Even if they're a sharding pain in the arse." Which Terror was, no doubts there. The creature had quite effectively become his greatest vulnerability, the moment it Impressed to him. Had he made a mistake? Most likely. Even so, he didn't quite regret it. Sometimes, he missed what he'd used to share with Inocenth...way too much.

F'ur grunted, but only because he didn't really have an answer. Inside the furs...wasn't safe. But then, he hadn't exactly been thinking rationally, so maybe that had been the idea? Who knew? He watched F'lix disappear, not quite trusting that the younger man would be back - but not quite disbelieving him either, given that his new little blue was perching on F'ur at present. The ex-Fortian blinked slowly at the creature. "Yours? I seriously doubt it." Unless salamandyrs claimed more than one person when they bonded...

He supposed it was a possibility. Maybe.

Two small little balls of heat at the small of his back, now. He reopened his eyes at the sound of movement coming his way, F'ur scooting forward a little more with the use of his elbows to poke at the food and try to decide what he wanted. For some reason, his usual desire to devour everything in sight wasn't really there. He broke off part of some bread and munched at it thoughtfully. A small laugh at F'lix's comment. "You'd be surprised how quickly it disappears."

Yes, when he got to be an old, old man, he'd likely end up as wide as he was tall. Or just stop being so hungry. Whatever.

Biting at it, he found his appetite returning. Something caught his eye, though, and his free hand shot out, catching F'lix's sleeve. Yes, that was a bruise peeking out from underneath, and not the type you got from tripping over something. He eyed F'lix narrowly for a moment. "Pretty colors you got going there." Was that why the ex-Bendenite hadn't been around? It felt strange to hope so. That wasn't to say he was precisely pleased. "Who this time? If it's another weyrling..."

Yet he didn't press, picking at more food instead. If F'lix wanted to pick fights right and left, that was his business. That bruise, though...not pretty. He'd guess someone large. Or perhaps a heavy implement, which still suggested someone large.

[rii]

F'lix had not wanted to impress. It had been a whim of his curiosity, nothing more–and this he firmly believed. The salamandyrs were dangerous additions to his already self-destructive lifestyle. Why anything would want to impress to him, considering how well Saboth had faired under his care, was beyond his understanding. Oiling, bathing, of course he did those duties, but on a mental scale?–they both had suffered. F'lix had been a different person when the blue had impressed to him, what, nearly ten turns ago. A wry memory, one that almost twisted F'lix face into a snarl of a smile. Oh yes, back then the skies had been so wide open and full of opportunities. What a joke.

But, no, he couldn't stay upset over the two creatures that now shared his life. In a way, they were likely to make him more careful of his actions.. so he wouldn't harm them in the way that had hurt Saboth. That could be a positive note, but F'lix was not sure he wanted that responsibility. Changing the creature he had become was proving to be difficult enough..

F'lix continued to sit by, casting casual glances in F'ur's direction but not fully watching him–personally, he didn't like watching other people eat. He couldn't imagine eating all that food stashed in the cupboards even relatively quick. Though F'lix tended to miss meals, and even when he ate he picked at the food because his mind more often then not went into a brooding state and some of the memories that were brought up made him.. sick. F'lix really was thinner than he should be, but not to the point of looking bony or frail. Just bad eating habits.

Blink, F'lix turned his head back to see what F'ur wanted by grabbing his sleeve. He didn't expect to meet the narrowed eyed expression, and instinctively F'lix's own expression began to close off. What had he done this time? The mentioning of colors made F'lix's brow furrow, then smooth as he glanced down at his arm in realization. He had been wearing the other shirt so he could hide the marks, having his mind more on getting F'ur fed had made him forget. F'lix shifted in his seat, arms switching around in their crossed position so that his right hand covered the bruise.

Golden eyes were instantly evasive, though not darting around in panic, just turned aside to examine the bed shoved up against the door with rapt interest. No, he had not wanted F'ur to know about what had happened. Getting lectured for his stupidity–when he knew already how much an idiot he had been–did not sit well with F'lix; at least when it would be coming from F'ur. "No, not a weyrling." Though, F'lix couldn't find it in himself to just spit out the name of the man responsible for the bruises–really, it was F'lix own fault that they were there, not anyone else.

F'lix closed his eyes, head dipping slightly as he relived the memory. It.. wouldn't be fair to speak W'yn's name, the man had obviously been keeping a low profile, somehow, why should F'lix possibly put his stay at Selenitas at jeopardy. His brow furrowed with the thought. That didn't make sense. He had no loyalty to W'yn, just a simple understanding of why the man sought out violence. Absently, with a frown, an arm had subconsciously unwound to rub against his lower back. Those metal rings on the man's staff had struck nicely against his spine–it still hurt. And for F'lix to admit pain surely meant something.

"He was looking for a fight," F'lix stated simply, with a shrug. No big deal. "I provoked him."

Arms were folded back over his torso, not without pulling the hem of his shirt down a bit. F'ur had him overly self-conscious at the moment. Normally F'lix wouldn't spare a second thought to his injuries, but when he started worrying about what the other would think of him.. well, least to say, F'lix expression had slackened to something akin to apathy and he didn't bother with trying to make eye contact.

Eyebrow rose, topic change incoming as he glanced at the quickly disappearing pile of food. "You weren't kidding. Do you want some more..?"

[Requiem]

F'ur eyed F'lix mildly, his eyes half-lidded, though that had less to do with his mood and more with the fact that his mind was slowing down, the warmth of fatigue working itself into his muscles. Hard enough to keep awake under such conditions, without two mindmates adding their sleeping presences to his thoughts. Why shouldn't he join them? But something about the conversation was important, and this was the first time F'lix had truly initiated contact of any sort - it was irritating that his body was in such a state now of all times. Only he was too tired to even really be that annoyed.

"You should only provoke people if you don't intend to let them touch you," F'ur commented, drowsily. "Not everyone possesses self-control. And you have the annoying habit of just taking punishment when you're perfectly capable of avoiding it. Strange one." He flicked lightly at the little bit of food he hadn't yet scarfed down. Not hungry anymore, really. "One of these days you'll provoke someone who doesn't need you to help them beat you to death - and doesn't give a shit besides." The older bluerider sounded tired, though it was hard to tell if that had to do with the subject matter or his swiftly crumbling state of awareness.

He wasn't upset at F'lix, really. It was F'lix's body, to do with as he pleased, even if it was irritating that the younger bluerider seemed to place so little value in it. F'ur regularly got himself diced up and whatnot, but it wasn't the same. He went in giving better than he got, and if it wasn't a fight to the death, it was some demented training exercise gone awry. Not the same.

The ex-Fortian never answered F'lix's question in regard to more food. He hadn't moved a muscle, the descent so gradual it likely went unnoticed...but the soft sound of steady, even breaths and the slight flush to the cheeks that everyone acquired in sleep gave it away. He'd been unable to keep awake, clearly, and had fallen asleep in that position, the mandyrs still curled in the small of his back.

[rii]

"I know." He admitted softly, golden eyes still adverted–but not missing the odd tone to F'ur's words. It didn't make much sense to F'lix, either, why he did the strange things he did, and he was trying to correct the bizarre habits. Hopefully he'd be able to do it before someone did indeed kill him. His mind began to brood further, at least until..

Oh.

F'lix expression instantly smoothed out to a mild show of surprise. The lack of response from F'ur drew F'lix closer–hand bracing against the floor as he leaned over the older man who had.. fallen asleep. Suppressing a laugh, F'lix carefully retreated to his original position. And here he had been thinking he'd have to barter or such to make F'ur rest. As it turned out, no additional convincing was required. Not really surprising, but it was a bit amusing.

Curling arms back around himself, F'lix bowed his head and quietly remained a while longer to ensure F'ur remained asleep. Then, taking extra care to be silent, F'lix rose to his feet and padded over to the bathroom. Boots and still damp shirt back on, Lilitu complained about her wet perch. And when F'lix shared the fact he planned to go back out in the rain, she quickly slithered down his pant leg. Stay. Me. I watch. You go. Food now.

The dark female climbed up the slumbering ex-Fortian and over to her blue clutchbrothers. There she plopped between the two–head and one foreclaw resting on Simper's back while her tail curled over Terror. A near possessive gesture. Her eyes slitted so only the barest amount of venomous green stood out against her dark hide. She was very comfortable and content between the two males..

The empty bed moved aside, F'lix unlocked and slipped out onto the side of weyrledge not occupied by Inocenth. Rain, rain, rain. Hunching his shoulders, F'lix hands went into pockets, head bowed, and he strolled his way to the dining hall. After consuming a sandwich (much appreciated by his empty stomach) F'lix hesitated before.. making a second one and wrapping it up in towels–along with a bowl of freshly cut 'parasite food'; more than enough for three.

With a scowl cloaking his deeds, F'lix returned to the Weyr thoroughly soaked. F'ur seemed completely dead to the word, not even stirring as F'lix skirted around the peculiar, furred fort–unable to mask the slap of wet footsteps. Into the other weyr he went to set down the food. Next the bathroom to strip of most of his wet clothing. Only then, leaning against the tub while dripping, did F'lix mentally groan. He should of gone over to his own weyr for some dry clothes. Although, if he went now.. F'lix highly doubted he'd return. Likely reason with himself that he'd check in tomorrow.. or the day after..

Beside, leaving required fetching his two salamandyrs.. which were nestling contently on F'ur's warm back. F'lix didn't want to wake the man.. or more so he didn't want to accidentally trigger those combat reflexes. F'ur did say he couldn't turn them off even while sleeping. And oh, F'lix said he'd stay.. but how long did that entail? Not much to do at the moment aside from sit around and be quiet.. and drip. F'lix idly picked at the fabric sticking to his skin. Well.. he already was intruding on the man's personal space.. right? So, what was a little more?

With a mental shrug F'lix helped himself to a dry pair of shorts and a shirt (not the best fitting pieces, but it was only temporary). F'ur could be annoyed later because F'lix was tired of lounging around wet. It wasn't long after changing that F'lix found himself stretching out on F'ur's bed, arms folded behind his head and feet crossed at the ankles. Oh in the back of his mind he acknowledged that it was likely more proper to take the couch but.. he wasn't planning on sleeping. No.. just.. trace the angles in the ceiling until his clothes were dry. Just brood the hours away. Though he had to admit, he had been up all day and it was near enough time for him to sleep..

And.. soon enough, F'lix had rolled over onto his side, eyes closed an one of the furs curled just under his face. An odd comfort that it smelled like F'ur..

[Requiem]

Anxiousness. Nervousness. But underlying all that, an unmistakable stream of love and faith. He twitched in the quiet darkness beneath the furs, feeling the small, moving body attempting to burrow deeper into the small of his back. Terror was clearly awake. "Sorry, bud," he muttered, voice coarse in that way it always is in the early morning, before vocal chords are properly stretched. "Don't have much extra flesh to dig into." Terror jumped at the sound of the voice, curling tightly before recognizing the voice and the wakefulness of His. "Hair's as good a place as any."

The blue mandyr needed no further prompting, skittering up his back and threading through the man's curls. He kneaded at the back of F'ur's skull, rubbing himself along the man's scalp. Morning, morning, morning big safe one. It was time to wake up, wasn't it? They weren't going anywhere scary, were they? "Not right now. You find everywhere scary," the bluerider commented, an undeniable trace of affection behind his voice. "Don't you know you're safe with me?" Of course. Why else would he always stay with His? Why would he choose the safe one otherwise? The world was a frightening place. His didn't mind if he stayed, did he? Terror didn't want to be a pain, but he didn't like being alone with all the nasties around.

"It's not a bother. Though how you manage to not have a coronary as nervous as you are..." Mild chuckle. Terror dug in his claws. Not funny! What if he did? Then His wouldn't be laughing!

"Careful there. We both know how you don't like blood." And, admittedly, F'ur didn't really like the emptiness when Terror fainted. it was more distressing that the stream of nervous fear that occasionally spiked into something harder to ignore. The blue mandyr subsided, and F'ur rose, padding quietly to the door that was no longer barricaded. He peered out into the predawn grayness, gauging the time. Inocenth still slept, thankfully. His irritation at the blue had dipped into something cold and calculating...not a good thing for Ino. F'ur wasn't a weak man, and his mind had recovered swiftly enough with sleep, but he also knew that an extended period of that - at this time - might actually do permanent damage. It wasn't something to be dicking around with, even if your annoyance was vindicated. He was willing to admit that Inocenth's aggravation might well be. F'ur hadn't realized what it meant to Impress a mandyr, but he understood that sort of jealousy easily enough.

If Inocenth wanted to be closer to him, that wasn't the way to go about it, though. Not in the slightest.

Ducking back inside, F'ur breezed through the bathing room, scrounging through his clothing for one of the long sleeved shirts he preferred. Pausing for a moment, he added the leather braces to ankles and wrists, partially rolling up the sleeves of the shirt, and strapped the belt made to carry a longer dirk to his hip. No, he didn't intend anything so foolish as attempting to go hunting with Terror...but this fear he now had to deal with was going to be dealt with. He couldn't afford to let it control him.

A brief glance around the room - so brief he didn't notice F'lix's presence, if only because he didn't expect anyone else to be here - indicated there was plenty enough room with all the furniture shoved up against the walls. He took a knife to the old pair of pants he was wearing, slashing them in strips up to about mid-thigh on a whim, ignoring the questioning nervousness quivering on the top of his head. "Just cloth," he muttered. Cool it, bud.

The blade returned to sheath, and he calmly began the morning ritual that usually took place out on the beaches. A series of movements beginning slow, controlled, a tension of muscles that expressed strength...gradually picking up speed, whirling into...he stopped, though not because of the steady stream of anxiousness from Terror. (Fortunately, the salamandyr could distinguish between simple movements and an actual fight, though that didn't calm him. He was intelligent enough to know that this meant His would participate in violence, or at least expected to. Not good.)

"More of a hindrance," F'ur grumbled. He bent down briskly and shore off the legs of the trousers entirely before they could trip him up. How to conceal the movements of the legs, though? If he could... F'ur glanced at a sheet bundled on the floor. An odd idea. Hm. It would have to be out of his way, though. A few moments later he'd secured it around his waist, slashing slits down the sides. He gripped the forward fabric, making it swirl, his eyes narrowing. The dancers at Fort Hold had sometimes done...he moved his hands differently. A predominantly kick-based form ensued, F'ur stopping often to attempt it with a different set of movements from his hands. What was more misleading? Hm.

Nearly a candlemark later, he'd found his rhythm, whirling with a snap of fabric. This...could work better than he'd hoped. A small, pleased smile took his lips. And Terror had calmed, unable to keep up such a constant stream of nervousness, the mandyr's curiosity now taking precedence. F'ur stepped into the altered form one last time, throwing on the speed.

[rii]

The tearing of cloth woke F'lix's mind. Far too comfortable where he laid on the bed; semi-curled up on his side half-covered with furs. The dark haired rider didn't jerk awake, merely let his eyes slit open to reveal the dark gold between lashes. He could see the rest of the room clearly from his angle, and didn't take his mind long to fill in the details of his where-abouts and who was presently in his company (unknowingly so, it seemed). F'lix could rise with the sun if he wanted, without the moan and groan of being tired, but at the moment he preferred to lay motionless, feline contentment in the warmed spot and going wholly unnoticed as he partook in one of his more favored activities. Watching.

There was a certain level of pleasure F'lix took in observing the older bluerider go through the motions. The level of control the man had over his own body, moving with such precision and grace, truly made it an art form to admire. Did F'ur even realize the subtle show of moves illustrated the very turns it had taken to reach such a level of experience? Not even the least bit awkward, even with the tattered remains of pants brushing around his legs. What were the point of those.. no matter, as F'ur removed them fully–here an brow arched mildly with internal question–and added a.. torn sheet to the mixture.

Curious, very curious..

F'lix first response was to chuckle at the sight, but his wondering overpowered the superficial reaction and he kept his silence. He doubted F'ur did such a thing without a reason behind the actions–unless the man knew F'lix was there and was trying to bait a reaction. F'lix liked to think he had gone unnoticed–even if a part of him felt a tad disappointed that he had been forgotten. He did say he'd stay, after all. Hn, thoughts were pushed aside as F'lix continued to watch. A desire to observe until he figured out the point behind the sheet..

At some point his two mandyrs, who had joined him during the night, woke and crawled out of their warm nooks. Nevermind everyone else's activities, the green led the way to the counter in which the wrapped bowl of meat still sat. Simper followed along at her tail, hopping after it until Lilitu smacked it across his face–much to his pleasure. It would be a good morning for him, yes indeed. Grabbing the ends of the towel the two began to pull it off.. or rather, rattle the bowl around on the counter in their attempt.

After a good while, F'lix felt he had at least a notion of what F'ur was trying to do. In a way it was a bit like the fans, the misleading, the flare, then the strike. The skirt–and F'lix had taken to referring to it as that–worked in a similar fashion. Hearing the bowl rattle around, and the predominant hunger from his two little mindmates, F'lix figured it was time to speak up or feign being asleep. Such a tough choice.

"Only you, F'ur.. " Mused lightly from the bed when the motions came to a slow. F'lix opted not to bother moving for the time being. "Small weights sewn into the bottom hem might make it easier to control.." Revealing that he had been watching the entire time, enough so he thought to comment. At least he wasn't making fun of the other and the random whim–but F'lix liked to try and see the reason behind the exterior impression. A mixture of paranoia and curiosity–and just the need to visually analyze. Although it still did look silly. Really, only F'ur could get away with such things.

Eyes flicked to the window at the far end. It couldn't be more than shortly after dawn. "Mm.." F'lix mused to himself while pushing off the fur and languidly stretching out to his fullest while on his back. He didn't want to get up, but.. who knew how F'ur would take having him here.. making himself at home as he had done. The golden gaze shifted back onto the ex-Fortian to gauge any reaction.

Food now. You. Lilitu was addressing F'ur, the silly bouncing man needed to come uncover the bowl instead of dance around. Bounce here. Take off.

[Requiem]

Terror was very much aware of the two moving salamandyrs, which made F'ur aware of them too, but he didn't react to F'lix's presence. Partly because that would just aggravate his salamandyr's skittishness as the blue peered out from his position in the ex-Fortians curls. The other part of it was the simple fact that F'ur didn't remember F'lix being here, and it surprised him enough to even cause him to stumble slightly, something that was likely mostly - if not entirely - masked by his experimentations with the skirt. What was the kitten doing here? Vaguely, though, he remembered...oh. He'd figured that was just another part of his dreams. F'lix had been plaguing him at night for months now.

F'lix's soft voice caused him to growl softly, though whether in annoyance or not it was hard to tell. He came to a stop, the sheet swirling around his legs, dark eyes falling onf F'lix. It occurred to him that he should probably be a bit embarrassed, given his state of...dress...if it could be called that. He wasn't, though. A brief, feral flash of teeth, clearly portraying the concept, 'and? what of it?' F'ur did all manner of unusual things for a reaction, and never once felt the slightest pang of shyness or unease. But F'lix had caught him in a more awkward position, in that he hadn't known he was there at first.

F'lix's next commented eliminated F'ur's naturally defensive posture. He blinked, glancing down at the sheet. Weights...actually, that had several merits on top of control, didn't it? Balance, the surprise of being hit by something hard when it was only supposed to be fabric. The feral expression softened into something more genuine. "You think that will work?" he responded needlessly. It would, probably. How soon could he see about making something like that? It would be better if it was more a tunic, though, that he could fit his jerkin over and wear pants underneath. Long for the style, but not so obviously...different. Distraction was good, but not when the enemy was wondering why the heck you were running around in a skirt, because they might just stumble upon the reason before the surprise factor could be fully taken advantage of.

F'ur dropped the sheet as F'lix moved on the bed, sidling over to him, but not before he encouraged Terror down to the counter and the meat bowl. He glanced at Lilitu. "The name's F'ur, little greenie." The man uncovered the bowl anyway (as he'd planned to do) so the salamandyrs could all have their breakfasts. Silly little things. Terror remained a small distance from the other two, shuffling nervously, but he didn't immediately go hide, which was a positive. Sort of.

The ex-Fortian seated himself on the edge of his bed, looking down at F'lix in amusement. He plucked at the shirt. "You fill it out better than I'd expect...but still pretty skinny. Don't you eat?" His tone was mildly teasing. F'ur kept his eyes firmly on the younger man's face. The thighs disappearing beneath the shredded ends of the cut-off shorts had been distracting enough taken at a glance. He knew it to be stupid to actually look.

[rii]

The stumble was minor, dismissible even–if only the rest of F'ur's form had not been flawless; at least when it came to balance. F'lix quietly confirmed, by the slip, that yes, his presence had been forgotten. Figured as much. The thought got mentally shrugged aside, F'lix had not expected otherwise–or anything other than the decidedly unfriendly expression gifted to him.

His gaze almost began to flee elsewhere until he noticed the change in posture, then the question. Hope came anew. "Worth a try.. would work to be able to move it with your feet instead of just your hands. The fabric won't wrap around your leg, as much anyway, when you move to strike." The quiet words came out as F'lix curiously eyed the thoughtful expression on F'ur's face. It seemed his observation about the man and his sheet-skirt had been correct (at least right enough)–and this made F'lix a touched pleased. A least one thing he could make sense of in the room.

Bounce good, slavemine. Lilitu's amusement clear in the colorful whirl in her eyes as she hopped up onto the lip of the uncovered bowl. Listen well. Good. She took care to pick out the pieces of meat while Simper had taken to devouring everything within range of his mouth. His green sister may have dismissed their clutchbrother's presence, but Simper didn't–though it took him a moment to even notice the other shifting so nervously. Oh–oh–His was up! And he looked hungry! Simper would bring him some, yes yes, like a present to special His. A wary glance went to Lilitu before Simper took a bigger piece of meat from the pile and plopped over the side of the bowl.

Eat. Eat? Simper bring. Simper Lililove's. Lixhers. Youmine? The scrawny blue bounded happily over to his clutchbrother and tackled him with little care to the ending result of such action. His tail and limbs curled contently around the paler blue. The piece of food was then held out toward the other. Eat? More? Simper share. Lililove not. Hers. But Simper share.

F'lix remained poised long, hands touching against the top of the bed, golden eyes still a bit hazed with the morning pleasures–when bed felt like the perfect spot to be, and nothing could be more satisfying than curling back up under the covers. At least until the body started noting the small aches and pains–and the position that had once been comfortable would soon become the opposite. F'lix's gaze dipped down to the shirt while he mentally wondered just how skinny he looked to earn that compliment. Perhaps his pause before answering gave away his sense of unease (He didn't like looking underfed. He wore his leathers because of that.) or the fact his initial answer had been a no. A shrug of shoulders as he slid his legs off the side and sat up next to F'ur. Not bothering to try and maintain any bit of space between them.

"I forget sometimes—my clothes were wet." He admitted, quickly chasing it with an explanation toward why he currently wore F'ur's clothing. The other didn't seem irritated about the whole thing, so that had to be a plus. "Hope you don't mind." A tad late to worry about it now. He fumbled a bit with the ties on the front of the shirt while expressing a yawn. "Saaumm–" not easy to talk with his mouth wide open, F'lix covered it with a hand. "–Sorry. There's a sandwich over there if you want it. Should still be good. I'll change."

Perhaps it was the two contented demeanors of his salamandyrs that had him in the oddly.. good mood. F'lix didn't give it much mind, rising to his feet to make a step for the bathroom. The borrowed shorts slipping low over his hips enough that F'lix's fingers caught the fabric–yes, a bit too slender of a frame at times. He should of taken a belt. "You look well this morning," He mildly spoke with a glance toward Terror–the source of the other's previous haggard appearance.