deja vu [october chores//open]

[Avu]

Again. Again.

What I want to know, R’ahre informed Ahth, Is why the Weyrlingmaster hates me. Really. I swear I’m going to grow a /huge/ white beard or something by the time I’m out of this.

No reply.

I think I’ll skip next time.

Silence.

I think I’m going to sleep.

Still no reply.

At least I can blame you for making me sleepy.

Blankness.

The lack of reply was not alarming, given Ahth was so fast asleep that, as R’ahre had commented sarcastically to Sylph, he might as well be dead. There was no amount of mental poking, prodding, tickling, or screaming that would stir the blue (though R’ahre was sure that he had woken Ahth; the blue had just gone right back to sleep again out of spite for being interrupted), so he’d just ditched the blue back at the Barracks (asleep, again, on M’kai’s bed: Poor M’kai) and had decided he might as well go and finish his chores as quickly as he could so he would have the rest of the day free. Upon checking the chores list, such a sentiment had died in quite a few creative, drawn-out, painful ways. Archives. Again. For the third month in a row. Days, he could stand. Weeks made his temper noticeably cooler and shorter, but he could still stand it. Months? No. Just – no. Admittedly, the first month he’d skipped chores, but that was irrelevant. Definitely.

He slouched slightly as he slid silently into the Archives, snatching up a sheet of paper that had been left behind labeled “Chores” and scanning it. The look that flashed across the blueweyrling’s face could be described as nothing short of upset, before he signed in, added the time, and, folding the paper into a tiny diamond, pressed the tip upright against the table gently using one forefinger to prop it up, and then flicked it as hard as he could (oh-so-maturely) with the other, watching in a bizarre kind of half-satisfaction and half-upset as it whizzed through the air and landed squarely in somebody’s cup of klah. Maybe the person had seen him, maybe they hadn’t. He really didn’t care. Stuffing both hands into his pockets, R’ahre started visibly as his fingertips met hide and he crinkled his nose silently, curling his fingers around Sylph gently. He’d forgotten her…Well, oops.

R’ahre wound around the cabinets until he found the one labeled ‘Hatchings’, and then abruptly sat in a lack of grace distinctly uncharacteristic of him before he pulled open the bottom cabinet and removed a fardling stack of folders, piling them neatly into his lap. His legs crossed, and he started to flip through the first folder. Each folder was labeled with a Turn, and while some would have found exactly who Impressed what and when interesting, R’ahre did not, even if he did distantly recognize some of the names on the hide. He squinted at the folders, and then scooted forward to start filing them back into their proper order, distinctly aware that he’d be here for hours on end in order to finish the whole cabinet. And his only amusement, given that both of his mindmates were asleep…? The information on the hides. So, so boring. So, so ridiculously boring. Stifling a sigh, he scanned the list again before tucking it in front of another, pulling one loose and unfolding a crinkled corner…

It was going to be a long, long day.

[Sheari]

Scritch scratch. Scritch scratch. Ow, cramp.

Anusha had given up on trying to figure out how she had wound up in the archives. Normally she wouldn't mind the solitude, but now Minth was starting to get too big to follow her around anywhere and she felt safer with the weyrling out of the records room. She knew how fragile the documents could be and a clumsy green dragon was not what they needed to be around. Akos wasn't around either which left her alone. It wasn't by her choice that the Salamandyr had decided that Minth would be more fun to be around. Anusha had scolded him for getting into the inks last time and had left her stuck to making more. She detested making ink.

Well, aside from that, her hand was cramped from leaning over the paper so much and she leaned back in her chair, finally realizing how sore her back was as well. She reached for her klah and found...paper? She had left for maybe twenty minutes to get something to eat about a candle-mark ago and now there was a folded-up square piece of paper in her klah. Well, the klah was cold now and there was no real point to drinking it but now there was evidence that she wasn't as alone as she had thought she was. Rising from the table she was at she began to walk around, searching for the person who had snuck in behind her back.

"You look relatively amused," she said sarcastically as she found R'ahre sitting on the floor. He was reorganizing something it looked like, but she didn't really care, she suspected he had put the paper on her klah but with no real evidence she couldn't do anything. So sad.

[Avu]

“Amused during chores, what blasphemy is this?”

The words came instantly in response to Anusha’s sarcastic comment. R’ahre didn’t so much as turn to look at her, instead keeping his gaze on the folders before him as he neatly slid a hide inscribed with scribbles into its appropriate spot. It didn’t occur to him that it had been her klah that his paper had landed in, and quite honestly if it was R’ahre didn’t really care. It was just paper and it was just klah. Nothing important, anyway…only after he’d slid the folder back into the filing cabinet did R’ahre tilt his head up to look at Anusha. He wasn’t quite sure as to what he regarded her yet. Not really a friend, but not just an acquaintance either; somewhere in the middle. Actually, he didn’t count many people in the Weyr as his friends (and didn’t much care, either; the few he had numbered thrice more than he’d in Benden Weyr). Anzalorin and Nautic were Wherhandlers now, though; unfortunate even if he was glad for them.

But it wasn’t them that were here, though Nautic had dropped in last month during his Archive Duties. R’ahre reached up one hand to push his hair out of his eyes before he inquired softly, “Can I help you? I assure you that this is no more amusing than staring at a wall for hours on end…unless maybe you recognize Riders that Impressed on Selenitas Sands twenty Turns ago.” Riders that Impressed on Benden Sands twenty Turns ago, maybe he could do, though most of them were likely dead given that he’d been fifteen Turns when he’d gone to the Weyr originally and was twenty now, but he might still recognize some of them. Which was more than could be said for these Riders. Who on Pern were S’yrn of blue Elityreth and why were they important enough to be scrawled on a piece of paper and left to rot? It had occurred to him that their weyrling class would, too, be recorded, but Ahth deserved: Ahth was the best hatchling ever Shelled.

Rip borings will, Sylph offered helpfully, poking her head out of R’ahre’s pocket and then jumping to his shoulder so she could appraise Anusha intently, eyes whirling quickly before she leapt onto R’ahre’s head, curling her claws around the long black strands. Occasionally, R’ahre would pull it out of his way in a runnertail, but for the time it was loose around his shoulders. Sylph preferred it that way; easier to hide behind. Want what, pretty? she added to Anusha; contrary to the word’s popular meaning, pretty was not a compliment coming from the Salamandyr. Actually, it was one of her worst insults, picked up from Showoff, and was used often. So pretty Akos’s stupid. Oh, yes, she recognized Anusha as belonging to Akos; just because she liked the white just fine didn’t mean she was in the least fond of the Bonded. Not necessary.

“Ignore her. Sylph, stop being rude.”
So pretty Akos’s.
Fear not, spy. /I/ agree with you, Ahth interjected silkily, so suddenly that Sylph frilled and then darted into R’ahre’s hair.
/Now/ you’re awake…
I have /been/ awake, Ahth corrected smugly. But the spy is right. Minth’s /is/ very…’pretty’. The statement was so bland as to make it impossible to tell if the words were intended as the insult that had been in Sylph’s, or as an actual compliment. R’ahre decided it was better not to try.

[Sheari]

Anusha gave a tight-lipped smile at R'ahre's comment about amusing chores. She would admit that to him, sitting on the floor organizing a bunch of folders and papers was not fun in the least. To her she'd found some amusement to it, after all, she was odd in the way that learning names and things like that was interesting. "I admit that I would not recognize riders from twenty turns ago." Unless they were important enough to still be around and active today.

"Also, I don't really want anything. I noticed someone was in here and I came to see who it was," she said, both answering and ignoring Sylph at the same time. Now that she had seen who else was in here she couldn't say she disliked the company, but she couldn't say she liked it either. Minth and Akos had been company enough for her but now she was without them and that left her feeling relatively alone.

That was strange, considering Akos had been with her since he'd hatched. "If you want to go find Akos he's with Minth," she informed Sylph. She wasn't entirely sure what the green 'mandyr wanted of her but she kept talking about him so she could only guess. Anusha went back to ignoring Sylph.

"I could help you if you want," because I am so tired of writing and have nothing better to do.

[Avu]

“Didn’t think so,” R’ahre agreed dryly, checking the date at the top of another sheet of hide and then riffling through the folders to put it into the right one. Whoever had used these recently were going to get a severe tongue-lashing if he ever caught up with them. R’ahre wasn’t patient in the least and doing such slow, pointless chores frustrated him immeasurably and made him want to just allow Sylph to tear it all up. She’d have fun doing it, at least; more than could be said for him. Half of him wished that he at least was looking at Benden Hatchings, Hatchings that he might actually recognize people from; it would make it that much more interesting. On the other hand, the very idea made him nauseous; Aiwyre and Seth would be on those lists and he didn’t want to think about her. He just didn’t. Ahth had already decided he hated the dead greenpair from That Place; he avoided thinking of her as not to agitate the blue half the time. He clicked his tongue audibly to draw his thoughts away from that, and read the first name from the top of the list. “W’yran Impressed brown K – how do you pronounce that – Kryxyrteth?” His nose crinkled slightly before he glanced questioningly up at Anusha for a sign of recognition that he seriously doubted would come.

Her explanation left little doubt as to the paper that had landed in the klah – actual amusement flickered behind brown eyes, eyes that studiously flickered across the hides in his lap to avoid looking at Anusha. Her words to Sylph, however, made the green Salamandyr perk up visibly before she leapt off of R’ahre’s shoulder to tilt her head up at Anusha for a moment. Good pretty Akos’s, she decided critically. Fatty greenthing where at? Silly Akos’s, it wasn’t like she just knew where Minth was – she only had that ability when it came to Ahth, and that was only because Hers always knew. Tell pretty! That was undeniably a command, the green Salamandyr scurrying over to perch firmly (as firmly as her small size and weight would allow, in any case) squarely on Anusha’s foot and leaning down to nip lightly at her ankle for emphasis. Not hard enough to break skin or draw blood – not even hard enough to be felt as any more than a twinge; Sylph knew very well what she could and couldn’t get away with.

R’ahre blinked questioningly at the offer before he leaned over to grab Sylph gently around the middle to pull her off of Anusha’s foot before he gestured politely at the ground next to him. “Grab a seat,” he offered, tossing Sylph out of the way; she could go find Minth and Akos if she wanted, or she could just go sulk at Ahth. Whichever. “The archivists won’t be upset at you for not doing your own Chores?” he inquired, slightly amused, before he indicated the cabinet. “Basically, I’m reorganizing everything. Some idiots decided it would be a good idea to put everything in at random, the archivists threw temper tantrums, I’m stuck fixing the damage. So. By date, the bottom cabinet, which I’m working on, seems to be the farthest back; the top are the most recent if you’re interested in knowing the names you read.” A vague gesture upwards before R’ahre flipped over a sheet and checked the date to slide it between two others. “If you can’t read it, just set it aside to make someone else copy over it later. I’m not doing that too.”

Where /is/ Minth, then? I would like company, Ahth commented offhandedly, though a slightly sly note entered his voice. Gossip; the blue loved it – he was very passive aggressive, and the more he knew, the better a handle he’d have on any given person or dragon. Everything helped…Hmm. I expect I’ll actually have to move, won’t I…? Little spy, come; we’ll find Minth and your pet white together, yes?

Find greenthing ‘n Akos, Sylph agreed, before she turned to look hopefully back at Anusha again; wouldn’t she just make it simple and tell them…? Maybe…?

[Sheari]

Anusha really just stood there and stared as R'ahre continued his work. There really wasn't much she could do until he either decided to accept or decline her offer of assisting him. Either way, it was helping the cramp in her hand and the ache in her wrist and fingers. "I'm pretty sure I can handle an archivist or two if they do decide to get frustrated with me." Yes, she'd dealt with enough of their sort during her life, she was sure Weyr records keepers were no different from Hold ones. Either way, it didn't matter, she had done quite a bit in her mind, including the ink mess from last time.

The girl ignored Sylph as the green made her demands and snapped at her ankle. The demands didn't bother her so much as the implied bite. For half a second she was tempted to either kick her foot out to make Sylph fly or to bend down and remove her from her foot with a flick. In general she liked Sylph, and would have happily held her or petted her if she'd wanted. She didn't like so much being bitten, if it was meant that way or not. Anusha was pleased when R'ahre did the removal himself.

It seemed the man had accepted her offer. She took a seat on the floor and opened the cabinet next to the one the blue weyrling was working on. It was musty and smelled strongly of leather and old ink. The scent was mildly comforting to Anusha, as she relatively enjoyed the smell of leather. She pulled out the whole drawer and stacked it just as it had been put in, and began to organize. The top turn she assumed was the earliest and began flipping them over in order. "Some of these names look like they were sneezed out instead of pronounced..." she muttered, a smile tugging at the corners on her mouth.

[Avu]

“Hnn. You’d be surprised.” The words were soft, bland as usual, but the implication behind them was displayed clearly in the annoyed crinkle of R’ahre’s nose; so annoying, those archivists. Weedy old men and women, skin typically waxy from long hours without sunlight – so not his idea of a good time. There was actually one girl around his age, but she was dead pale too. Definitely not attractive, nope…and they gave the most annoying lectures, too. R’ahre had learned over the Turns to tune out what little lectures he did receive, but the one who seemed to enjoy telling him off the most had a very, very scratchy, reedy voice and it grated terribly on his nerves. It also didn’t help that he always forgot what he was saying and therefore his lectures were awfully repetitive; R’ahre had very little patience for such. Well, at least he hadn’t been lectured yet for something as stupid as last time – which had been accidentally leaving his chair half-out from under the desk. Really? Really?

Sylph’s frill flattened; the green gave a little annoyed hiss before she spun on her hind legs and then darted out of the Archives as a little pale blur. The creature was ridiculously fast when she wanted to be, after all; past shelves she went, diving down to flatten in order to slide out from underneath the door and then give a little wriggle to push herself out entirely – and away she went.

R’ahre didn’t try to stop Sylph’s disappearing; a lazy half-smile tugged at the corner of his lips in response to her comment at the names and he lifted his chin slightly, looking down at the hides in his lap, before he read softly, “F’shre of brown – see if you can find anything that beats this, really – Xyrefhesk—th. It’s a dragon…” Xyrefhesk was bad enough for a wher, but when you added the typical ‘th’ to the end of that, it was downright impossible. Xyrefheskth, really? Poor fool who got stuck with that dragon. As far as he was concerned, the perfect dragon name was ‘Ahth’ – short, simple, unforgettable, perfect. Biased, who, R’ahre? Of course not. “Or – Fryxlsiizth?” One finger traced the bottom of the name in question; his nose crinkled questioningly, before he tilted his head to glance at Anusha; one eyebrow rose in a slight challenge. If he had company, he might as well try to enjoy it, yes?

Would you please ask her where Minth and Akos are? I haven’t the patience to turn the Weyr inside out looking for them, Ahth interjected pointedly, and it was clear from the impatient touch in his voice that Sylph had joined him. The spy is most interested in playing with her pet white. Pet white, yes – Akos was, apparently. There was nothing particular about the name, but Akos certainly couldn’t be her mate because he was a neuter and Sylph didn’t see him as anything but a pet, so – pet white. The blue was currently outside of the Weyrling Barracks, half-curled in the shadows – basically invisible to any that might be passing. He wasn’t interested in being seen, only in seeing. The only flaw in his camouflage was the bright, pale green speck residing on his back, but she’d snatched a leaf from the bush that he was behind, and had that draped over her body – her own private touch.

“Ahth wants to know where Minth is?” R’ahre obediently reported, tilting his head slightly further at the greenweyrling. He didn’t mention that Ahth had too much pride to actually call Minth and ‘call’ to her to figure out where she was. Just easier if Anusha told him, all things said and done.

[Sheari]

Anusha was tempted to tell R'ahre where he thought she'd be surprised, but then no one knew where she'd come from. The challenge died before it surfaced. With a sigh she returned to her work. She missed Gwaren sometimes. Instead of tossing sarcastic retorts and small talk, they'd have conversations about old news and recent news, and jokes abound! The man had had no children of his own and in a sense, she had been his daughter. She silently wondered what he would think of her now, with Akos and Minth. Anusha made a mental note that when Minth was able to fly, they'd visit...or try to.

"Not exactly as challenging, but still amusing; Failth?" The hide was old and covered in smudges and dark spots from aging. "Underneath that is...Zscharixitxth...a blue." She held the hide away from her face, determined that her eyes were playing tricks on her. From the names R'ahre had said, she doubted it. It seemed that names had taken a drastic change from the rather simple names of the old dragons; long gone Faranth, and Ramoth many Intervals after. She was glad none of the names she had to deal with now were complicated.

Hmm. Where was Minth? "Probably in our room," she said unconcerned. The green was not fond of going very far without Her's, and after recent events, she wasn't fond of really going anywhere. She didn't fell much of Akos, still mad about being told he couldn't play in the ink anymore. His feet were still stained and Anusha was beginning to wonder if he would ever be totally white again. All she got was the mental equivalent of a 'hmph' from the 'mandyr. Ah well...life.

[Avu]

Failth. Failth? Ouch. R’ahre smirked slightly before he tilted his head, inquiring, “What’s his Rider’s name?” Yes, he’d assumed it was a ‘he’, but Anusha was free to correct him if Failth did happen to be a green. One could only hope the name wasn’t actually pronounced ‘Fail-th’ and was actually ‘Fa-ilth’ or ‘Fai-lth’ or something slightly better. “Zscharix – Zscharixitxth” – the name was mouthed silently, the blueweyrling trying to get his tongue around the name before he crinkled his nose silently; he almost liked the name (and the two he’d named before) simply because they would draw stunned, absolutely stupid looks from lots of people, especially Holders, but he was biased: Ahth was the best name, followed by Seth and Baoth – but those were all givens. He did miss Seth, though; the green had been the first dragon ever to bespeak him, had always liked him even when her Rider had been fussing at him. “Mm. I actually like this one – Cyyrelsuirrth?” Sigh-irel-suh-irth. Not too difficult…“Oh, and Winth.” Winth and Failth. Nicely done, queens of Selenitas, nicely done.

Even though he generally disliked queens. Because they were queens and queens were just far too arrogant and vain for his tastes.

“Mm, ‘kay…” The information was automatically passed to Ahth before R’ahre slid the hide neatly into its spot, leaning forward to slide it into its place in the cabinet; one hand pulled it forward tightly to make room for the folder that followed it next. One hand brushed down the length of the hide, reading it rapidly, before he shrugged. Simple names, nothing that stood out: Crefenth, Eriwteth, and Skireth were among them. Nothing special, really. The date was checked before he slid it into a folder, shifting slightly – it was not comfortable sitting there on the floor, but he’d rather just be sitting than doubled over in a chair in order to reach the pile of folders and the cabinet that he was working on. There was a slight niggling feeling that if he wanted Anusha to keep helping him he ought to make more conversation than just odd names, but he wasn’t quite sure what he actually had in common with the girl – and he kind of liked relative silence better. Just not the archives. The archives were horrible.

Thank you. came the simple response, before Ahth flipped both of his wings; the blue dragon’s head turned in the direction of the Barracks before he slunk out of his bush. Hmm, he’d liked that bush, too; it was one he used frequently for spying – or suggested to Sylph for spying behind. The Salamandyr was much less noticeable than he, after all, even if she was much less adept at blending into shadows. He paced smoothly down the hallway, mentally running a list of the occupants down in his mind – it paid to know where everyone stayed, after all; made it much easier to send Sylph to destroy the right room at the right time. The green Salamandyr perched among his wings was ignored as he curled idly around a door to glance questioningly into the empty room beyond before he moved on until he could use his nose to nudge at the door handle. Minth. Might I join you? he inquired pleasantly. The little green spy is /most/ eager to see her white pet. the blue explained.

Sylph, however, had no such ideas of politeness; she took a flying leap off of Ahth’s back and smacked audibly on her landing, but, undeterred, dove straight for the bottom of the door, flattening herself to squeeze through in an instant. Her small size came in handy in more than one way, and this was one of them – she knew exactly how to get into locked rooms, wreak havoc, and leave, efficiently leaving most people absolutely bewildered. Her paws carried her rapidly into the room; she spun into the middle, rearing onto her hind legs and glancing around before she caught sight of Akos and leaping at the white. Her intention was to send both of them sprawling playfully, the green twisting in order to hit the ground before him – she didn’t want to hurt him, after all, just maybe surprise him – and then Sylph purred quietly. Minth was ignored as she said, Hi Akos hi. Missed you, did I. Bluething outside.

[Sheari]

Akos almost squawked in surprise. So tempted was he to between to His's room but he already there so that wouldn't work. When he realized who it was, he relaxed. Akos tried to send his sudden attacker an image but it got rather blurred. He sent a gleeful emotion instead. He was happy to see her, too! His had scolded him and he was ignoring her now. Sylph said they were better than the fliers so why not be better than to humanpets too? What? Bluething, bluething...he sent Sylph an image of a blue Minth. The colour was very dull and slightly green.

Minth watched placidly from her couch. She watched the two Salamandyrs on the floor with amusement. Akos had been huffing and pacing, very much bored but too stubborn to do much about it. You may enter, Ahth.[/i] She didn't know what the blue had come for, but she wasn't going to turn away company. AnuHer's was away doing chores and she hadn't followed, by request of Anusha. She didn't want to stray too far from the girl, and she refused to go any farther away than weyrling barracks. How are you and your's?[/i] She shifted on her couch to make room for the blue, out of politeness, really. She doubted he would take it.

Winth. Anusha almost laughed aloud. She was tempted to find someone who had possibly known the two dragons or their riders and ask if they had been the best of friends, or like Jingth and Weith, obvious rivals. "Fate is a funny thing. Watch, those two were probably like Jingth and Weith." From what she'd gathered from her brother, Weith was a nice sort, just misunderstood and razzed on for no other reason than to be a target. Not to be mean, but she was mildly pleased that most were focused on Weith and not Minth. His ego would survive with someone like Noodle...R'men, he is now R'men...as his bonded.

Anusha let the silence fall between them. It wasn't awkward for her to work with someone without a word to pass between them. The only real sound was the shuffled of the sheets of hide and the folders. She was making quick work with her pile, having had the years of practice. It was almost a mechanical thing for her to do. It had been a pass-time when she was younger and now it seemed to serve the same purpose. A companionable pass-time comprised of ink smudged fingers and hands that smelled of old leather.

[Avu]

The wash of emotion that received Sylph made the green croon pleasantly, wriggling and licking Akos on the nose. The touch of affection was not one that she would have offered just any creature, but Akos she liked. He was quiet and he was a Salamandyr; those of her species were always received well by the green. Better is best, she stated proudly, her frill flaring – Minth didn’t receive so much as a glance from Sylph. Ahth could handle the green without her help and she was content with Akos, she was – when it came down to it, Sylph wasn’t as manipulative as the blue was and she was just happy to see Akos at all. Bluething. Yes. Not…really, but sure; Sylph didn’t expect Akos to be able to communicate perfectly through just images, after all. Ahth was much bigger than his image suggested, much more serpentine and much, much darker. But she knew what he was getting at, anyway. My bluething. Fatty slave, she explained, releasing Akos so she could spring to her feet and then rear onto her hind legs in blatant curiosity to look around the room.

Thank you. One clawed paw was raised to smack the doorknob to make it turn, Ahth pushing against it with his nose at the same time, so that it gave way before him with a soft click. The blue’s wings fluttered in satisfaction before he butted into the room, one hind leg kicking the door shut behind him before he slid past Akos and Sylph to take the spot on the couch, his slender form curling onto the stonework before he rested his head against his haunches, watching Minth curiously; her question made his eyes whirl a little more rapidly. Apparently Archives are incredibly boring? he responded, draping his left foreleg neatly over his right before he curled his tail around his body almost entirely; both wings were folded close to his body. Quite well, otherwise. How are you and Yours doing, then? Have much spare time…?

Does /anyone/ have spare time as a Weyrling? R’ahre inquired absently of the blue, not expecting an answer; neither did he receive one. Chores and Lessons added up already, not to mention taking care of Ahth and Sylph. It was definitely the last that took up the majority of R’ahre’s time; he was incredibly patient with both dragon and Salamandyr considering how generally impatient he was – both were bathed and oiled every day, Ahth was allowed to try to hunt on his own once in a while, though he had yet to succeed, and otherwise he’d just sit and talk to the blue dragon – about any number of things; as far as he was concerned, Ahth was ridiculously intelligent. And quite patronizing about almost everyone else save for a select few; quite amusing.

A slightly colder, mechanical smile at the mention of the gold and bronze weyrlings of their clutch. Nothing against Anusha, but R’men was not regarded fondly – bronzeriders weren’t. Part of that was that the first time he’d ever met a bronzerider, he’d gotten his arm broken, but they generally weren’t people R’ahre wanted to be around. Neither was the goldrider, though that was more condescension for golds and not actual dislike. He much, much preferred greens over golds – if Seth, Sylph, and Baoth weren’t examples of how much better greens were, the fact that golds couldn’t do much except be hoarded away accounted for the condescension. “Probably. Probably better, though.” The words were absentminded, almost unintended to slip out, as R’ahre stuck the next folder back into the cabinet again and then went back to shuffling through papers. “How long d’you figure we’ve been here?” he added, a slightly impatient note in his voice; he couldn’t wait till they got out of the Archives. Gah.

[Sheari]

Hmm. Best! Yes they were the best! Sylph had said so before and she was his best friend! (Along with Minth of course!) She must be right! Akos nuzzled Sylph as he tried to wiggle free. He wanted to show her something he did! He was glad he was so much smaller than her. Once free he dashed under the pillow on Anusha's bunk, crawling out with a pebble on his nose. He hid it there and only he knew about it! Well, now Sylph knew but he knew she wouldn't tell, right? Sitting in front of Sylph, he began to bounce the bitty stone on his nose. It was his game, see? Who could bounce it the longest?

Mine seems to enjoy the Archives. It's odd.[/i] She understood why she wasn't allowed in that place with Her's anymore. She was clumsy and she knew it, and Akos needed company, but it seemed he had found it himself. that and that tiny stone was hard for her to bounce. It was almost weightless on her nose! It bounced everywhere she didn't want it to go! We don't have too much free time, since she's busy with chores, but Akos and I get bathed and oiled regularly.[/i] She was slightly disappointed that they didn't go to the beach a lot like hey used to, but those days were coming back, she hoped.

Anusha giggled at the thought of Failth and Winth just duking it out, trying to see who was better. She didn't know what colour Winth was and the hide that had Failth on it was old but it had the faint markings of a "B" and then an "R" and "N" so she assumed it meant "brown"...unless the unfortunate dragon's rider's name was B'rn. B'rn of Failth, oh it was too funny! a smile split her face until R'ahre's question registered. Hmm, how long had they been there? Check your candle.[/i] Minth commented idly. She got an image of a candle, the flame far too brilliant in colour. She rose form her place, walked t her table, and returned. "About a candlemark or so." She retook her seat, determined to finish the pile before she called it quits.

[Avu]

The nuzzle was received with a quick lick from the green across Akos’s shoulder. Fortunately, Sylph didn’t slobber when she licked; it was just an affectionate brush of her tongue. So nice, Akos was. Her ‘pet white’, Ahth called him, but he wasn’t – he was her friend, yes. The tiny green flapped both wings as Akos wiggled out from under her, and then trailed after him curiously; she settled on top of the furs to wait. So soft underneath her; it was very tempting to shred them, but there was no firelizard around on whom to pin the blame and even if there were, Sylph would resist – because it was Akos’s person’s things, and she didn’t want Akos upset with her. Only her beloved greensister understood how much destruction appealed to Sylph; there was a reason that Sylph adored her beyond reason. The stone that was pulled out made her flick her tail curiously, edging a little closer, before Akos’s demonstration made her eyes brighten in amusement. How funny; what was it? Her head tilted as she watched Akos, head rising up and down in synch with the bouncing of the stone. Fun, the green commented, fascinated; she’d never before seen a stone as a plaything. Good at, Akos is. Good at it…whatever it was.

Enjoy…archives. How absolutely odd. Humans hated the archives, didn’t they? Ahth coiled more tightly, serpentine form settling like a snake’s in loops; his wings fluttered slightly. Quite odd, the dark blue dragon agreed, his voice clear of any inflection. I don’t suppose you know why…? It’s quite a gloomy place. Or at least, HisR’ahre made it out to be, all dark and dimly lit, stuffed with dried hides and the smell of ink and paper and old people (how old people smelled, Ahth wasn’t sure, but the Archives did have a distinctive scent) and the old people themselves, always lecturing – hmm. Minth’s was an odd creature, she was; humans were generally perverse but Hers was even more so. Was that even possible? Oddity of oddities…her statement made him tilt his head curiously. He was bathed and oiled daily too, and it showed in the dark gleam of his hide, but Minth looked quite shiny herself. It shows. You look very well, Ahth offered politely. As, of course, is usual. Tell me, though; what do you think of our new Weyrlingmasters…? Quite different from the old one.

In many ways, not all of which were favorable.

The smile across Anusha’s face made R’ahre blink twice, but he didn’t comment as she stood and walked back towards her table without explanation. The blueweyrling’s head tilted slightly and his nose crinkled, but he didn’t protest. If she wanted to go – well, he wouldn’t be offended, he supposed, though a statement would have been nice…hum. He flicked through a sheaf of hides and stuffed them into their appropriate folders. They were, roughly at least, already in chronological order; it wasn’t too difficult to order them. Her return was more puzzling than her departure, though, and R’ahre tilted his head up to look at Anusha before he nodded quietly. A candlemark…for her, or for him? Probably her; he’d not been there that long. Hmm; he’d just call it quits when she did – there was no point working in the archives if he didn’t have an excuse to procrastinate at least a little, something to distract him at least a tiny bit from the tedious work. “Ah,” he commented dryly, before bowing his head back over his work. “Candlemark well spent…resurrecting dead hides…yay.”

Sarcastic – who, R’ahre? Never.