Tubers! {Weyrling Chores; OPEN}

[Avu]

Kitchen duty! Tr'esn didn't know whether to be elated or horrified. On the upside, he felt comfortable in the kitchens. The kitchens a place where he felt at home, where he knew what and how to do everything, and could do it without embarrassing himself. On the downside, though, Oquith couldn't come with him. At least he was off Archive Duties. That had been boring, and Oquith hadn't been allowed entry once she'd gotten too big. The best would probably, he mused, be Boat Duty, or - or General Weyr Duty, or something; something were he could have Oquith to keep him company. Of course, she was there mentally, but he liked the small green to be constantly with him. Overprotective, yes, but she was just so small. Now, the half-grown green dragon was sunning herself by the river, her eyes sparkling with deep cyans and brilliant lime green shades as the first lid of her eyes slid translucently to cover them as she dropped her wings around her to gather the sun, blinking sleepily at Tr'esn as the boy hesitated at the edge of the kitchens.

The sooner you start, the sooner you'll be done, she pointed out mildly. Besides, it's morning. You'll get noon break, won't you? You can come out to visit me! I'll make you a shiny, too, if it makes you feel better. Tr'esn sighed inwardly as he stepped into the kitchens, blinking as fumes and scents instantly made their presence known. You don't have to, Qui. Just relax. He opened his mouth, one hand reaching up automatically to tap his knots, to address a portly cook, and was instantly grabbed by the wrist and set to work slicing what appeared to be a dragonload of tubers before the woman whisked off again, leaving him staring blankly after her, a small knife in one hand and smooth white tubers in the other, standing next to the pile. He blinked, pale gray eyes bewildered for a second before he had to grin, soft lips curling upwards. To-the-point, wasn't she?

Tubers he could do. Plopping himself down on a stool and bending over the pile, he deftly sliced them, first in half, then in fourths, and then dropped the slices into a pot before leaning over to get another and repeat the process. It was simple, and soon it fell into an easy rhythm for the Drudge-born and raised boy, his eyes not even registering the tubers before the knife automatically cut into the crisp tubers and dropped them, his thoughts elsewhere - not far, really. The side of the lake, to be precise. Oquith. His beautiful, his lovely, his sweet, small, wonderful Oquith. How he loved her, and her naive innocence, and...he sought her mind, found the green as unmoving as a stone save for the ocassional flutter of her wings when a wind passed by and touched the membranes, soaking in the warmth of the sun.

Aren't you overheated? It's like an oven out there, the Greenweyrling commented. It's lovely and warm, Tremine. You said you'd tell me about Aslath's clutch Hatching,[/color] the green added. Tell me, now, if you're not going to pay attention, but don't cut yourself. Tr'esn had been avoiding just that. Although she couldn't see him, he found himself focusing on the tuber, biting his lip uneasily as he brought knife and tuber closer to him, curls falling haphazardly over his eyes. It was - it was - well, I don't know. You've heard, haven't you, that the queen egg wasn't a queen? It was a bronze? Oh, yes. Leweleth told me. Who's Leweleth? He's a brown dragon. He was sunning, too, when you were doing chores the other day, and he told me that. Well...that's just about all.

He leaned back, stretching his back and wiggling his fingers. After a couple hours of this, he'd probably be aching. Just in time for the daily Weyrling run, too.[/size]

[topaz]

As soon as he walked into the kitchens, C'vin was grabbed by the arm and ushered over to a table full of mushrooms. The woman who had grabbed him was of course his mother. Every time he wandered into or around the kitchen she would set him up with ample chores to be done. Usually he would try and sneak past her when he actually wanted some food, or ask one of the younger drudges to bring something out for him; the younger ones were much more friendly, and usually could be trusted to be discrete....usually. But today C'vin did not need to sneak. He was assigned to Kitchen duty his first rotation. Lucky him.

As soon as he sat down, he was handed a knife as his mother ordered him to slice the mushrooms nice and thick, only four to five vertical slices to each thumb-sized head, and then move on to cubing the bovine meat that he would have to get from the cold room. A normal person would have been confused at the speed of the woman's speech, as well as her swift departure leaving no room for questions, but C'vin was well aware of what he was to do. A stew was to be made for dinner, as was obvious to the Weyrling after looking over the rest of the room; turnips, mushrooms, tubers, and no doubt a full supply of bovine slabs in the other room.

Kitchen duty was always enjoyable for C'vin, since he could usually eat little bits here and there while he worked. Unfortunately he wasn't so keen on eating raw mushrooms, and that was most likely why his mother had assigned him that task. Shard it. She knows I hate these. And I was so looking forward to a snack. He sighed, took up the knife and began slicing. Slicing things as small, and oddly shaped, as mushrooms always needed more concentration then other vegetables, and C'vin had to be careful not to let his knife hand slip, or he'd have his mother on his back scolding the boy for bleeding on the food. He couldn't help but smirk toothily to one side at that thought. She certainly was a diligent cook.

Only a few slices in, C'vin glanced to his left and found another Weyrling slicing tubers at the table over. "Figures she gives you the tubers. I really love those." He said in mock irritation, a wry grin spreading across his mouth as his head shook slightly.

[Avu]

Oquith had fallen silent, but the warm contentment that washed over Tr'esn was not entirely his own ease at a familiar setting - so she had to be awake. He brushed against her mind lovingly, felt the green return the love as she dipped her muzzle into the cool river and huffed, sending ripples spreading away from her as she yawned, rolling onto her back and wriggling in the dust. Don't, Qui, you'll get dirty, Tr'esn protested. But it's lovely and warm, and it's only dust. It'll come off soon. The young green dragon rubbed her head against the ground to soothe an irritating itch and then blew out contentedly, eyes half-lidded in the warmth of the day. It's so nice and warm, always. A drought. We haven't had rain in ages. Droughts are nice, Oquith answered. We need the water, though... We have the ocean! You can't drink that, lovely.

As the green fell into a silent, happy lull again, Tr'esn glanced up, his hair falling into his eyes and almost completely obscuring his view, as a cook dragged another boy over and plopped him down at a table full of mushrooms, apparently with instructions to cut them up, too. Tr'esn was reminded of his own chore - it was one he'd done so often that he'd unconsciously slipped into a kind of stupor, while his hands were still busy. First slice. Second slice. Then the fourths of the tuber would be dropped thoughtlessly to the pile of the completed and he'd reach for a new tuber, his knife already prepared.

He was already contemplating the remaining pile, which had been notably depleted already, when a voice interrupted him. Tr'esn's pale gray eyes widened almost imperceptibly, darting sideways to peek in surprise through the thick curtain of hair at the boy who had spoken. Another Weyrling, by his knots, but not one from Millieth's clutch, where Tr'esn had Impressed his beautiful Oquith - so probably from Aslath's most recent clutch? He'd been there the entire time, but he'd been slinking far up in the Stands enough not to recognize any of the faces of the newly Impressed. All of which was processed almost instantaneously as he smiled tentatively at the other lad, his knife faltering in his surprise but deftly flicking the sliced tubers to the pile as he dropped his gaze uncertainly.

Tr'esn had rarely, if ever, had company during his Chores except for Oquith. It had always been peaceful, in a way, isolated in a busy kitchen or the musty Archives, alone with his job and his mindmate. Being addressed was new, especially in a friendly way. He bit his lip for a moment, before his gaze flickered up again and he queried, gently amused, "You really like to slice them, or you really like toe at them?" The fact that they could decide to simply eat all the tubers amused and dismayed the Greenweyrling - after all, at Lighttower Hold, had he nibbled on the tubers when he was slicing them, he'd probably have gotten cuffed for insolence. You should introduce yourself, Oquith suggested, dozing on the riverbank by now. "Oh," Tr'esn said blankly, and then, "I'm Tr'esn, by the way. Tr'esn of green Oquith."

[topaz]

C'vin smiled, and chuckled softly. "Oh eat them of course. Just a few slices here and there. They harvest so many of the things down here that no one really notices." He returned his focus to the mushroom in his hand for a moment, making sure his slices were the right size. "It's quite a nice snack while you're working for who knows how long." Putting emphasis on the last few words, the Weyrling quickly raised his arms slightly upwards in exaggeration.

As Tr'esn introduced himself, C'vin nodded. "C'vin of blue Mallowth. Your Oquith must be from the clutch before mine. Uhm...Millieth's if I remember correctly." He nodded again. He remembered that Hatching. The first Hatchling to burst it's egg had betweened. Such a sad beginning, however the rest of the clutch seemed to be doing quite well thus far.

What about me? Mallowth groggily whispered to His. The blue had been dozing on the edge of the plateau over the rider weyrs ever since C'vin had fed him just a candlemark ago. C'vin sent loving, soothing feelings to the hatchling, who crooned back. I'm in the kitchens dear. I figured I'd get some chores done while you rested. Although I thought you'd sleep for a few more hours. Well you did say my name you know. I can't help but hear you. C'vin smirked as he looked down at his work. Yes, I know Mal. My apologies for waking you. The Weyrling responded with just a hint of mock sincerity. The blue dragon snorted. Well now that I'm up, you need to amuse me. He said in an affirmative tone, as his teal mottled form rose from the grass and stretched like a feline. C'vin mentally rolled his eyes. I already told you, I'm doing chores. You'll have to amuse yourself. The Weyrling sent a picture of his surroundings to the blue hatchling, and another snort was heard. Ew. Mushrooms? How do you humans eat those things? Without leaving room for rebuttal, Mallowth bombarded His with another question. And who is that with you? Was that who you were talking to about me? Yes. That's Tr'esn of green Oquith. She's a clutch older then you. A pause. Is she there in the kitchens? Can I come too? The blue asked excitedly. C'vin held back a laugh. No Mal. No dragons in the kitchens. Sorry. Another snort. You humans are so picky. 'No dragons in the kitchens. No dragons at the feasts...' I'm surprised you feed us at all! The blue huffed. Don't you complain. I just fed you not an hour ago! Silence.

Tell Tr'esn and Oquith I said hello. C'vin smirked. He looked up from his work and smiled at Tr'esn. "Mallowth just woke up. He says hello to you and Oquith."

[Avu]

He would have been shocked had he not been trying to adapt to the ups and downs of the Weyr. Eat while he was supposed to be working? Tr'esn chuckled lightly, amused despite himself, and shook his head lightly, the lightest touch of a smile hovering around the small boy's mouth as he stretched, idly contemplating the tuber he was cutting. Eat it, while working? Lighttower Hold would have been appalled, he thought in some perverse amusement. To have Drudges eat before the Lord and Lady, and the other ranking members of the Hold, no matter how small the meal? Never. You're not a Drudge, Oquith answered affectionately, You are /Mine/. There was a note of confusion in the young green's tones, but then, Tr'esn had rarely, if ever, left Oquith notes on his own past life. It wasn't life, trotting around like a dog after the young Holders, to be cuffed or rewarded as the man pleased.

C'vin and Mallowth. He'd remember their names; C'vin seemed to be nice enough, after all, and he did desperately need some friends instead of slinking around and keeping to himself all the time. Clutch before...? Yes. That meant Mallowth had Hatched at the most recent clutch, then. "That's right," he answered, his gray eyes lighting up at the mention of the Hatching at which Oquith had proclaimed him Hers, irrevocably, irreversibly, forever and always. "So you just Impressed at Aslath's latest clutch? Congratulations! It was...erm, very...intense, wasn't it?" He'd been there, of course, Oquith delighted at the thought of watching the little dragonets Hatch and find their eternal mindmates - and, triumphantly, she'd proclaimed that they were no longer the youngest in the Weyr.

The green dragon rolled over on the grass outside as Tr'esn tenderly pressed against her mentally. It's nothing amazing, she stated lovingly, You are Mine and I am Yours. I wouldn't settle for anyone else. That's all there is to it. Tr'esn couldn't repress the affectionate smile for his mindmate as C'vin looked up - though the Blueweyrling's comment threw him and his knife faltered a beat before he continued slicing the tubers. Qui? I heard. Tell him hello, too, and that Mallowth is welcome to join me. It's lovely and warm by the river. It's warm /everywhere/, Qui. Nevertheless, Tr'esn managed to grin back at C'vin, nodding lightly. "Oquith says hello, and she wants to tell Mallowth that he can come join her by the river if he wants. She's just out there," and he tipped his head towards the direction of the pier where boats came and went.

Rolling his eyes, he added mildly, "I think she just finds it amusing that there's a new Weyrling class younger than she is." That's not true, Oquith protested. "Though she denies it." He glanced back at the stack of tubers, changing position in the chair and reaching for another tuber. Wrapping his fingers carefully around it to cut, he glanced at the bustle of the kitchen. Funny, how he was so used to this, and yet he was unused to conversing at all on an equal level to anybody.

[nightingale]

Ke'rin had been less than thrilled when he'd learned that he would be on kitchen duty for the next two months. Back home, he had been renowned for his total ineptitude in the face of anything that even vaguely resembled cooking. Of course, the idea of facing someone from his class after Jaymith's display at lessons wasn't terribly appealing either. If they hadn't an opinion of him before then, they certainly did now, and he was positive that it couldn't be anything admirable.

Work hard Ke'rin-mine! Jaymith crooned, his mental voice drifting to His from the sunny patch he'd chosen near the docks. Nobody will respect you as a Weyrleader if you don't earn your keep, so make sure you do your very best! Oh, and could you bring back something tasty?
Ke'rin smiled wryly as he ducked into the kitchen doors, the smell of meals to come washing over him in a steamy ripple. Jaymith, I just fed you. How can you be hungry again already? It isn't all for me Ke'rin-mine. The little sister would like some too. As if to emphasize the fact, Ke'rin suddenly felt the gentle pressure of Lamb against his consciousness, like a child tugging his pant leg.

Hers didn't need to bring back anything for her. Oh no, she was quite alright just laying in the sun. Hers would feed her later, yes? The boy's smile widened imperceptibly. I can't steal food from the kitchens Jaymith. You're the charismatic one. Why not charm yourself a treat from somebody? There was a brief silence as Jaymith -quite to his rider's surprise- stopped to contemplate the idea.
Alright mine. He said at last. I will find sister Lamb something nice to eat and we will see you when your are done work. Ke'rin offered his dragon the equivalent of a mental nod at that, and with a light sign, returned his focus to the task at hand.

As he moved from the kitchen doorway, of the drudges pointed him toward a table where a few others were slicing vegetables. Handing him a knife, she explained that the turnips needed to be chopped and gave him a little nudge in the appropriate direction before returning to her duties. Ke'rin surveyed the table's occupants nervously. C'vin he recognized. The other...well, his knots said he was a Weyrling. One of the seniors perhaps?

"Hello."

He greeted them will a smile and a small nod as he took his seat, trying to sound as friendly and confident as he imagined he should. Alright, turnips, he was supposed to be chopping turnips...what exactly did a turnip look like anyway?

[topaz]

C'vin smiled graciously at Tr'esn's congratulations, and then let the expression fade slowly as the older Weyrling mentioned the nature of the Hatching. It seemed that no matter who brought up the Hatching, they always seemed to come back to the maulings. Of course the topic was really unavoidable, the event so recently burned into everyone's minds, even folk who had not even attended. They all spoke of it very tentatively however, never just blurting it out, most likely out of respect for those who did get seriously injured.

"Yes, it certainly was." He let out an almost silent sigh. "I was fortunate enough not to be hurt very badly at all. Although the others, I hear, will be fine with some bed rest and care." He nodded slightly, a relieved note in his voice. He had been very fortunate indeed. if he had sustained wounds like Pasine had, he wouldn't have been able to stay on the Sands, much less Stand. And he would have missed Impressing his dear, precious mindmate. He could almost imagine the little blue searching the Sands in vain for him, finally wailing a goodbye and betweening away forever. The Weyrling desperately searched for his dragons mind and found it quickly enough. Mal. Yes Mine?

C'vin paused, an elated smile crossing his face as he stared down at the mushroom he was slicing. He was Mal's and Mal was his. A contented sigh left his lips as C'vin listened to Tr'esn relay Oquith's reply. Are you going to join Oquith? He asked, but he already knew the answer. Of course. On my way there now. Mallowth rarely passed up a chance to meet other dragons. His excited tone made C'vin smirk at his mushroom, and looked back up to Tr'esn as the Weyrling spoke more of Oquith.

He chuckled. "I think I, more then Mallowth, will feel that way after the next Hatching. I don't think he much notices age, just another dragon to keep him entertained." C'vin grinned broadly at Mallowth's silent affirmative, and then at his mental image of the river bank and a glimmering green figure that was Oquith. Have fun. Although his dragon needed no coaxing.

- - -

Mallowth nearly skipped along the soft grass under his claws as he made his way over to the docks. Hello Oquith. The blue said cheerily, plopping himself down a polite foot or two away from the female dragon. It sure is nice out today. So very warm. He said lazily, spreading his wings slightly to better catch the afternoon sun.

- - -

C'vin realized that he was close to finishing with the mushrooms, only two handfuls left, when another Weyrling was brought in and set to work. He glanced over and recognized the boy as Ke'rin of bronze...Jaymith. Mallowth quickly interjected. During their first lesson, Mallowth had dutifully memorized all the new dragon's names as C'vin pointedly remembered their riders. C'vin sent a mental wave of affection and thanks to his lounging dragon, who reciprocated with a happy croon. The system seemed to work well so far. Now they'd only need to learn all the older rider and dragon pairs. That might take some time.

C'vin smiled at Ke'rin's hello. "Hello Ke'rin. Lovely day to have kitchen duty, huh?" He said, the last bit heavy with sarcasm. A drudge then set a medium sized basket of turnips at the bronzeweyrling's station. They were almost perfectly round and of a decent size, three to a full hand. At one end, green leaves sprouted from a purpleish-pink top, which faded quickly to an off white all the way down to the other end, where small roots stuck out uselessly. They were moist, probably freshly washed, and still smelled of rich earth. "Cut both ends off, and slice them nicely." Was all the drudge said before she placed a knife on the table and hurried off to some other more important task.

[Avu]

He had been hurt? This blueweyrling? Had been hurt? Tr'esn bit his lip, horrified at the slip, wondering if C'vin would take offense. After reconsidering it, though, the Greenweyrling decided, frankly, there was no reason to. It had been nothing he'd done wrong, nothing that could be helped, and it was past. And it couldn't possibly have been the first time the subject came up, due to the brutal mauling of that girl-Candidate. Nevertheless, it brought a slight flush to Tr'esn's cheeks and he returned his gaze to the tubers, slicing the last one in silence and then pushing the basket of even slices away from him, stretching and shaking his curls out of his eyes, uncertain about what to say. It had been the truth; the Hatching had been - horrifying. Absolutely horrifying. If his Oquith hadn't found him in Millieth's clutch, he would have been there, and he would have quite possibly been killed. He was smaller than the girl, and had it been he who attracted the blue's attention, he would be little more than blood and guts on the Sands.

He would not hurt you, Oquith answered his thoughts, indignant at the thought. You are Mine and he would not hurt Mine. The green yawned, stretching in much the same way Tr'esn had as a Drudge whisked by, grabbing the tubers and replacing it with a haunch of something. He wrinkled his nose, poking at it doubtfully with his knife, as the Drudge grabbed it, demonstrating by slicing away a hunk of raw meat and then cutting it into a cube, a small bite-sized piece, and then pressing the knife back into his hand, whirling away without ever speaking a single word. Tr'esn blinked doubtfully after him, and then shrugged, delicately holding the haunch into position as he starting cutting, glancing at C'vin as the boy answered his comment on his precious Oquith. "Nobody likes feeling like the youngest," he agreed slowly.

Oquith's treble tones rose in a welcoming warble as the blue hatchling trotted towards her, the half-grown green rolling onto her side, whirling eyes regarding the hatchling with obvious curiosity. How small he was - had she ever been that small? Someone to talk to, she informed Tr'esn cheerfully. Was I ever like that? She accompanied the words with an image of the little blue, and a dimple flashed briefly in the Greenweyrling's cheek. You were smaller, he answered. Prettier, though. Much, much prettier. It didn't hurt to inflate Oquith's ego a little; the green deserved it, in his opinion. With a delighted croon, Oquith cocked her head at Mallowth as his mind voice flashed through her mind.

Sweet, he was. Very cheerful, he sounded, and polite too. Rare, that was. Hello - Mallowth, isn't it? That's a lovely name, Oquith answered warmly, blinking one eyelid at him and huffing lightly as she, too, spread her wings to catch the sun. It's very nice indeed. It's a pity Ours have to be inside instead of out here, she added regretfully. Chores. Hers was not a Drudge; to what purpose - ? But no matter. He had to, so she could share him for a bit of time each day. It didn't hurt, and he seemed to be comfortable in the kitchens anyway. Besides, he always brought out a snack for her.

Comfortable in the kitchens. That was a joke. Tr'esn blinked, shock flashing through his eyes, briefly, as yet a bronzeweyrling approached and sat down. He didn't know the boy's name, or his dragon's, but his knots were very clearly bronze. He wasn't Ki'ner, so that meant - more likely than not - that he'd Impressed at the same clutch that C'vin had. "Um, hello," he answered, and lifted his head from his concentration on the meat - it was much tougher to slice than the tubers were, and often his knife would slip - to smile tentatively at the bronzeweyrling. "Sorry, I don't think we've met...? I'm Tr'esn, of green Oquith, and I - don't know your name?" The words came out, not as a statement, but as a question, just in case he'd somehow forgotten the bronzeweyrling from a previous meeting. That would be embarrassing, but he didn't think he had.

[nightingale]

The bronzeweyrling's smile broadened noticeably at C'vin's good-natured greeting. He hadn't really been expecting it. Well, he supposed maybe he hadn't really been giving his classmates enough credit. After all, he hadn't made it a point to judge their character by the colour of their dragons. Why should it work the other way around?

"Well, it's as lovely as a day ever was for kitchen duty."

Ke'rin agreed with a small chuckle, turning a quizzical eye on the basket of turnips as it was set before him. Glancing briefly after the drudge as she walked away, he picked one of them up and gave it a brief looking-over. Alright, she had said to cut off both ends -that would be the parts with leaves and roots, he was quite certain- then slice them. Well, that didn't sound so difficult...slicing was just another way of saying 'cut up' wasn't it? Though he wasn't sure how that was to be done nicely...

"Ahhh it's Ke'rin, of bronze Jaymith."

He informed Tr'esn with a warm smile, brought back from his contemplation of root vegetables by the realization that he was being spoken to.

"But, I'd prefer Kei if that's alright."

Upon actually looking at the boy, Ke'rin was surprised to find that he looked much younger than both he and C'vin. Of green Oquith? He must have impressed at the clutch before theirs. Well, stranger things had been happening lately than someone impressing young -feline attacks, girls impressing blues, queen eggs hatching out bronze dragons who fancied themselves to have Weyrleader potential before they were a month old...

Mine? Jaymith questioned, his interest captured as he realized that His had brought him to mind. There are others with you? Yes. the boy's voice was dull and complacent. What are their names? You know C'vin from class and there's also T'resn of green Oquith. C'vin is Mallowth's? Yes, C'vin of blue Mallowth. Have you told them about me yet? I have. Did you make sure to describe how handsome I am? Of course Jaymith, how could it be avoided? Because I am the only bronze of our clutch you know -did you tell them how glorious my egg looked, and how it tricked everyone into believing I was a queen? Jaymith, Ke'rin sighed audibly, longing to return to his root vegetables. I was under the impression that you were begging for food. Mine, princes do not beg! Cherilith's was more than willing to share her lunch with sister Lamb. I am at the docks now. Lovely, enjoy yourselves.

"Ah, so is there any special way we're supposed to be doing this?"

Ke'rin asked, pressing Jaymith's mind away with hurried assurances that he was very busy.

"I'm afraid that I haven't spent much time in the kitchen. Do I need to take the skin off of these...or do they even have skin?"

[topaz]

C'vin peered over at Ke'rin's basket of turnips. "Those still have the skin on them, but they've already been washed it seems, and she didn't say anything about skinning them. So I suppose you cut them with the skin on. Probably gives it more flavor or something." C'vin shrugged, and turned back to his last few mushrooms. "I'm pretty sure you just have to lob off enough of each end so that there aren't any traces of the roots or leaves, and then just keep slicing them. Like this." He said, setting his latest mushroom victim on the table closer to Ke'rin so that he could see. The stems of the mushrooms had all been cut off beforehand, so C'vin placed the head of the fungus on the table, gills down, and sliced vertically from one side to the other, each cut about a centimeter or so apart.

"It's pretty much the same with yours." He said, grabbing a turnip from the top of the basket. He held it with his left hand, the greens sprouting out to his right, and cut them off, along with a few millimeters of turnip to leave a nice flat surface of moist inner vegetable. Tossing the leaves to the side with his knife, C'vin spun the turnip around and repeated his motion, slicing off just a few millimeters above the roots. "And then you just slice the rest of it up." He said, pushing the roots away with the leaves. The knife then sliced into the turnip four more times, in the same fashion, producing five relatively equal sized slices. "Eventually you won't even have to look at what you're doing. You'll pick it up quick." He said in a matter of fact tone, nodding slightly. With a smile, he quickly sliced the last of his mushrooms and stood up to stretch. "Time for the meat now." He muttered lazily, shuffling over around the corner and out of view. The Weyrling soon returned with a large slab of bovine meat, and plopped it on his station. He yawned.

"We'll have just about made this entire stew before the day is up. The drudges didn't even lift a finger!" He said jokingly, and louder then usual so that others in the kitchen could hear. A muffled chorus of disapproval could be heard from other sections of the cavern, and one voice in particular. "Hold your tongue, 'C'vin', or I'll make sure the girls don't serve you any of this tonight!" The voice was of an older woman, putting much emphasis on the Weyrling's honorific name, as if mocking it. At this, C'vin laughed even harder and shouted back. "You wouldn't dare ma'. Or I'll send Mallowth down here to pester you. You know how much he likes sampling you're fine cuisine!" There was no reply, but C'vin imagined his mother rolling her eyes in annoyance. He smirked, satisfied.

I would be happy to do that. The blue's voice rang softly in the Weyrling's head. I'm sure you would Mal, but I was only teasing. Mallowth snorted. You're no fun. C'vin shook his head and smiled, sending reassuring feelings to his dragon. You'll get to eat soon enough dear.

- - -

Mallowth ignored his Weyrling's words and instead refocused on the lovely green he was lounging with. He wiggled slightly in response to Oquith's complimenting his name, delighted that she was so pleasant to talk to. I like yours too. He murmured happily, his eyes swirling a bright mix of blue and green. He was obviously enjoying himself, and those good feelings radiated onto his bonded. Having a good time there, are you? The Weyrling asked rhetorically. Mmhm. She is very nice. I like her. The dragon replied affirmatively. Good.

Listening to Oquith as she continued, the blue huffed. Yes. Poor, poor Ours. So many boring things they have to do, while we are allowed to lay out in the sun like felines. Mallowth said, rolling over and stretching luxuriously. Unfortunately for the blue, he miscalculated..or hadn't calculated at all..the length of the dock, and rolled right off its side, screeching in dismay as he splashed into the shallows.

You dimglow. C'vin chuckled teasingly at his dragon. Shut up! He whined defensively. Finally righting himself, he resurfaced, snorting water from his nose and mouth. Poking his head up over the edge of the dock, he peered at Oquith to see if she had noticed. Of course she noticed! You just fell into the sharding river! I hope your mother gives you double chores. The hatchling mumbled, irritated. Locating the green, Mallowth gave a sheepish, toothy, draconic grin, then ducked his head back under the dock to head for the shore.

[Avu]

It vaguely amused Tr'esn that the bronzeweyrling seemed to be completely befuddled by the turnips that the Drudge had placed in front of him, as if they were some new, alien thing he'd never before seen. Hadn't he ever, ever worked in the kitchens before? It was basically the same principle with every vegetable that anybody cut up, even slices and don't chop off your fingers. He'd worked as a Drudge, and clearly C'vin had worked in the kitchens before, too, but - surely the bronzeweyrling had? If just for chores, or punishment? Unless he'd been a ranker even before Candidacy and Impression, or - something? He shook his head lightly, dismissing the curious thoughts - there had to be someplace where young children, Hold, Craft, or Weyr, weren't put to task for doing wrong, right?

He nodded as the boy's name was delivered. Ke'rin. Kei. Had he just asked to be called by a nickname? Tr'esn flicked him a faintly puzzled glance, and then nodded. "Nice to meet you, Kei," he stated softly, though he wasn't exactly sure if it was nice or not. As long as his bronze didn't make his Oquith upset, then yes, it would be nice, but if Ke'rin's bronze was anything like Aberath...why, of all dragons, did Tr'esn have to share a room with that one? The bronze was simply aggravating, starting from the very first Weyrling lesson when he'd somehow managed to insult Reysalth, their then-Weyrlingmaster. Drawing his thoughts back from the rather indignant musings, Tr'esn blinked at Ke'rin's question - and almost chuckled.

As it was, a slight smile touched the boy's lips, dimpling his right cheek at the question. "If you don't mind me asking," he started, slightly tentatively, after C'vin had explained how exactly was best to cut a turnip and not get yelled at by a Drudge for "ruining" the turnip, "Where are you from? I - well, I mean, I didn't think a kid could get out of kitchen duty anywhere, for chores or punishment...or Candidacy, at the very least?" His own Candidate chores had been for a very short duration, since he'd been Searched only a short while before Millieth's clutch Hatched, but he'd been there long enough to realize that it was a definite possibility, to get saddled with kitchen duty as a Candidate. And even former Weyrbrats had to do chores.

C'vin's mutter of "Time for meat, now," brought Tr'esn's attention sharply back to his chore, and, flushing at his momentary lack of concern with the Weyr's dinner, he returned to cubing the meat deftly. He supposed he could safely assume that his was wherry; it certainly resembled it...slightly...maybe. Twitching his nose lightly as the smell of something cooking made him blink, Tr'esn surreptitiously took a peek around the kitchens as C'vin returned, plopping down a slab of bovine meat onto his station and - his search for whatever it was that smelled so tantalizing was abandoned at C'vin's words, the Greenweyrling's eyebrows shooting up, though the motion was completely concealed by his thick curls falling over his eyes anyway.

It surprised him, that the other lad was so at home in the kitchens that he could say such a thing, and - Ma. Ma? His mother...so C'vin was Weyrbred, then. Did that give someone an edge of any kind, when they Stood? You think too much, Oquith stated calmly. You already Impressed. You are /Mine/. Other Hatchings do not concern you. A dragon always knows. The other Drudges' obvious disapproval at C'vin's statement, joking or not, drew a flush to Tr'esn's pale cheeks as he uncertainly dropped his head back towards the meat, biting his lip. As attention slid away from them again, he glanced sideways, curiously, at C'vin. "You're familiar with - with - " He tilted his head, made a slight gesture with one hand, momentarily abandoning the careful slicing of his meat. "Everyone here? You're Weyrbred?"

You are Weyrfolk. It doesn't matter where you grew up, Oquith commented firmly. Who is the new one? she added curiously. Ahh...bronzeweyrling. Ke'rin, Kei. Of Jaymith. He just Impressed, you know? Perhaps he would like to join us, too? the tiny green suggested. You want me to ask? You are not happy, with my suggestion? she countered. Well, I don't know. I don't much like Aberath, you know... Not all bronzes are like Aberath, Tr'esnmine. Please ask, and if he denies, I promise I won't be offended, Oquith answered calmly. "Ahh...Ke'r - sorry, Kei? Oquith was wondering if your Jaymith would like to join her and Mallowth...they're just out there," and he paused again to make gesture in the direction of the docks.

~*~*~

The green's invitation of Jaymith was not because she was bored, or upset with Mallowth in any way. It was simply her idea of fairness; that Hers, usually so shy, spoke to Ke'rin and C'vin while she addressed their dragons. Besides, they were just barely Hatched, and she liked little ones. And frankly, she wanted more friends. Nobody showed up to their Weyrling Lessons, it seemed, and that made Oquith sad, because it lessened the chance that she'd get to see her "best friends," the two dragons she'd loved since being Shelled, green Wymeth and blue Qualuth. In fact, she never seemed to see them anymore.

She crooned, gratified and surprised, by Mallowth's compliment to her name, tilting her head, her eyes bright as she appraised the young dragonet. Of course he still had the clumsiness that all little dragons were born with, but that didn't mean he was ugly. Far from it; Oquith found him quite handsome (but then, she liked just about everybody as long as they weren't cruel to her or Hers). The green nodded thoughtfully at the blue's comment. Lounging in the sun like felines. Y - oh! Oh! She pushed herself instinctively to her feet, eyes flashing in concern as the blue hatchling rolled off into the shallow water next to the dock. It wasn't that dragons couldn't swim; most of them seemed quite good at it, and indeed, they could hold their breath for up to ten minutes, so there was little chance of drowning, but that didn't make Oquith any less worried.

Oquith crooned anxiously as he reemerged, though the "smile" he flashed her made her resettle, sliding to her stomach and pressing her muzzle against the ground thoughtlessly as her tailtip twitched. You're all right? she queried. You aren't hurt, are you?

[nightingale]

It was difficult for Ke'rin to remain completely apathetic to the information being thrown around. So C'vin's mother worked on kitchen staff? That had to have it's advantages...and disadvantages of course, as she had so clearly illustrated. Giving the freshly sliced 'sample' turnip a glance, the boy reached out to grab another and set about sawing the leaves off of the top.

"Ah, well I was raised in Selenitas Hold as a weaver but...my home had something of a strange setup."

The boy smiled, glancing toward Tr'esn as he spoke. He wasn't about to try cutting vegetables and talking at the same time just yet -he valued his fingers too much.

"I lived with my Aunt and her family before I was searched. With my uncle gone, it was just me and seven girls, and not one of them would let me anywhere near the kitchen. Sirean used to tell me that men were a liability around food. I know it's a strange way of thinking, but they were quite adamant about it."

He then took a moment and attempted to remove the root end of his turnip. Unfortunately, the boy's lack of skill was painfully obvious, as a small slip of the blade ended up removing a large, diagonal portion of vegetable that left the bottom significantly more crooked than the top.

"They had me on records duty after I got to Selenitas, so I've never really had the opportunity to practice in the kitchens."

He sighed ruefully, then attempted to replicate C'vin's neat, even slices -with little success. He was certain that there had never been such hideous, irregular slices of turnip in this history of Selenitas Weyr- shells, in the history of turnips. Disheartened, he shoved them off to once side and made a second attempt with a fresh one.
Ke'rin was certain that he felt himself flinch at the word 'weyrbred', but his uneasiness vanished shortly after he realized that it was C'vin who was being addressed. He had never liked being referred to as weyrbred when he was a candidate. There was just so much meaning attached to the title, as if being born in a Weyr made you somehow more important than someone born in a hold. People expected something of you...it was kind of like impressing a bronze.

"Hm?"

The boy offered the small questioning sound to Tr'esn, glancing up from his soon-to-be mutilated root vegetable at the mention of his dragon.

"Ahh...well, I suppose that's just fine. Are you sure-"

Sister Lamb and I are on our way Ke'rin-mine! The little bronze all but shouted into his Bonded's thoughts. The boy winced visibly. Have you been eavesdropping this whole time? Well, you left us with very little else do do Mine. Cherilith's had to return to her own chores and Ebolath's is working inside. Jaymith, I've told you about bothering Rayl- Do not worry mine, Lamb and I will be sure to tell Oquith and Mallowth all about how handsome and strong you are. Enjoy your turnips and do not worry about us at all.

"Ahmm...sorry."

He murmured, realizing that he had been staring blankly at one of the near walls.

"Jaymith can be...loud. He's going to see them now though."

Trying not to look as thoroughly embarrassed as he was, Kei set his focus back to slicing turnips. He really hoped that this Oquith wasn't the nervous type, or he would have a lot of apologizing to do...

-------------------------------------------------

Greetings!

Jaymith called, galloping toward Oquith. His wings were angled dramatically as he charged, eyes whirling a pleasant ocean blue.

Mine-Ke'rin has told me that you wished to see your new prince -and however could I resist such an invitation from my own clutchbrother Mallowth and such a beautiful green? But where is Mallowth?

Slowing as he neared her, the little bronze glanced around for his blue clutchsibling. Surely he wasn't hiding? He then noticed a blue smudge dragging ripples across the river's surface, and crooned in happy recognition.

There is Mallowth. You must be Oquith, and I, pretty green am Jaymith.

Lamb chirruped nervously as the weyrling suddenly dipped into an deep bow. She flared her mottled green wings for balance and clung to one of his neck ridges, eyes flashing a nervous yellow-green at being so exposed. Oh, what a very, very large green dragon! Much bigger than green Ebolath..oh, oh very big...oh, wouldn't bronze Jaymith introduce them?

Raising his head with a surprised snort, Jaymith rolled his eyes skyward in a vain attempt to catch sight of the little green flitter as she scurried her way to the top of his head.

Oh, how could I have forgotten? This is my beautiful sister Lamb, Mine's flitter.

Lamb warbled shyly, sending gracious, welcoming thoughts toward both Mallowth and Oquith. She was very pleased to meet the large, large green and oh, how nice to see blue Mallowth once again! They were swimming, yes? Oh, but were they not afraid of the deep water? It was so very cold and fast after all...

Silly Lamb, Jaymith huffed, lips peeling backward into an affectionate grin. She did not need to be frightened of the water when she had her big, strong brother to protect her!

We have come to keep you company while Ours are busy.

Jaymith explained, returning his attention to the green in front of him. A pleasant rumbling sounded in his throat, the sound similar to a feline's purr.

[topaz]

Turning to Tr'esn, as the older Weyrling asked about his upbringing, C'vin nodded. "Yep. My mom was the one who ushered me in here, and gave me those rotten mushrooms.." He said, throwing a hateful glance at the pile of sliced fungus, sticking his tongue out slightly. As he turned back to Tr'esn however, he smiled. "I'm certainly not familiar with all of them, but they seem to like my mom enough, so they don't mind me being around as much, I guess." He shrugged. "But me and Mallowth are down here a lot. He waits outside of course...most of the time."

A small smirk tugged at the corner of the boy's mouth, as he thought of the few times that the blue had simply barged into the kitchens. The drudges gave him such a fright with all their yelling, he had ran straight back out. They were mean. I was only hungry.. The hatchling defended quickly, making C'vin's smile widen. He sent reassuring, affectionate feelings to the blue, still in the river. "I'm definitely a fan of my mother's cooking. I could sit down here and eat all day." He said, in a tone that was not entirely joking. "She makes the sweetest bubbly pies.." He said softly, and sighed, savoring his latest memory of the delicious treat for a moment. Looking down, C'vin realized once more that he had a second assignment to do, and quickly situated himself in front of the piece of meat.

Finally taking his knife to the slab, C'vin lobbed a hand sized chunk of it off and set it in front of him. Making long, horizontal cuts from left to right, the Weyrling cut the strips about an inch to an inch and a half thick, all the way across the hunk. He then swiveled his body slightly, so that he was in a better position to finish with the meat; cutting, this time, up and down, creating lovely bite-sized cubes, and shuffling them over to one side to slice another part of the slab to work on.

- - -

I'm okay, thank you. The blue hatchling crooned affectionately to Oquith. Mallowth had dragged himself out of the river just as bronze Jaymith arrived. A deep croon served as a hello to the king and Lamb alike. Then, realizing he was still dripping wet, Mallowth shook himself of the droplets like a canine, spraying cool bits of the liquid over anyone who was close enough.

Now only a light layer of moisture on the dragon's hide, Mallowth trotted happily back over to his perch on the dock with Oquith. Turning to the edge where he had previously feel, he gave an indignant snort. He wouldn't make that mistake twice. Settling down about half a foot closer to Oquith, Mallowth surveyed Jaymith and Lamb once again. Most of his attention was on Lamb though. The little cousin was so afraid, unlike Jaymith, who oozed confidence. The blue cooed reassurances to the little flit, his large faceted eyes swirling a slow blue-green. Do not be so shy, tiny one. We like you very much. He nodded his head slightly as he readjusted his wings into the sunlight once more, to dry himself off.

[Avu]

Ah, so the Blueweyrling was Weyrbred. Lucky, really, Tr'esn thought, as he dug the point of his knife into the meat and dragged it towards him to slice through the tough muscle and fat; so many people, friendly people, here at Selenitas. So many people who would take care of you and stop to make sure you weren't hurt - people who made it feel like you mattered. Especially family. Tr'esn couldn't recall any favorable memories of his own family, if any at all - Oquith, Selenitas - they were his family, now, and though he was pleased by it, it still didn't replace real family, the affectionate squabbles and playful comments, the intimacy that was guaranteed by it. He nodded slowly, slightly envious as he wrinkled his nose at the meat he was cutting, displeased by its tenacity. Apparently it wanted very, very much to stay in one piece.

The Bronzeweyrling's explanation made Tr'esn cock his head momentarily to stare, surprised, at the boy. He had never, ever tried to cut vegetables, worked in the kitchen, before? Odd, the greenweyrling thought, absently, before he dropped his head again uncertainly. Just because his whole life had been in the kitchens didn't necessarily mean it was normal to work there, but - well, he'd somehow assumed that it was usual to be assigned to work in the kitchens at least a few times. It was just Ke'rin's luck, then, that he'd avoided it, that he'd managed to evade the crowded chaos that the kitchens seemed to constantly indulge in, until now. Said chaos had a perverse effect of actually calming Tr'esn, but he doubted anyone else felt that way.

"Well, Oquith says it doesn't matter," he commented softly at last, unwilling to divulge his own past. "We're Weyrfolk now," he echoed the green's words, his voice quiet, but with a slight shade of the same calm, confident tone that the young green's voice so often held. He blinked, looking up to flash the other two junior Weyrlings a tentative smile. He dropped his head back towards the meat, instinctively curling his legs under the chair nervously, slightly unnerved by Ke'rin's silent staring at a wall - though, more likely than not, he was talking to his dragon, but it still made him slightly startled. Did he act that way when he spoke to Oquith? You look happy when you talk to me, Oquith corrected lovingly and he could almost hear her croon tenderly. You look very, very happy.

Ke'rin's explanation drew a diplomatic nod from Tr'esn, the greenweyrling unwilling to press. Oquith would, shortly, give her own opinion on Jaymith anyway, and he trusted the green, even if she was overly generous - with opinions as well as the little trinkets she seemed to enjoy making. Besides, his knife had hit a piece of something, probably fat, that was resisting his attempts at cutting it. Gritting his teeth as he tugged at it patiently, he felt the meat give way slightly in his hands, and tugged again. The knife slipped, and he hissed in quiet surprise as the blade slid over the meat, leaving a thin mark and ended up with the flat pressed against the tip of his thumb. Thankfully, it hadn't cut him, so Tr'esn merely pushed it back, tipping it nearly vertical to cut.

~*~*~

Ahh, here he was! Oquith crooned softly at Mallowth as the blue pulled himself out of the water, shaking water droplets from his hide just as the bronze hatchling approached them at a gallop, the green offering a croon of greeting as well. His own descriptions of himself amused the green more than irritated her; it slightly amused her to hear a hatchling speak with such confidence in himself. Handsome he was, but so young, and while he wasn't large, he still was smaller than she. And his compliments, too. Her croon rose, the sweet treble cheerful as her eyes flashed brilliant cyans. Yes, I am Oquith, and it's lovely to meet you, Jaymith. She added indulgently, You look very good today.

His bow made her almost smile in indulgent amusement. Apparently some dragons were very dramatic, weren't they? Nevertheless, she liked him. Overzealous, perhaps he was, and perhaps a bit overconfident, but then, he was bronze and she supposed that accounted for it. She dipped her own head in a response to his bow, lifting her wings in something like a curtsy. Perhaps you'd like to join Mallowth and I sunning? she suggested. It's very sunny here. You'll dry quickly, yes? she added to Mallowth, to make sure he was included in the conversation. The last thing she wanted was to make him feel out of place.

The fire lizard's greeting, and - oh, had her eyes been nervous? Poor little one...Oquith cocked her head curiously, crooning softly in the fire lizard's direction. Little sister, won't you join us, too? she asked quietly, persuasively. It's lovely and warm. I'm Oquith, and I look to Tr'esn - you're Lamb, yes? That's a beautiful name, little one. She kept her voice low and soft, trying not to frighten the fire lizard further. Besides, she wanted to see the little one. Small, they always were; small and sweet, usually, and Oquith had considered asking Tr'esnHers for one, but decided against it. Weyrling lessons were enough to keep them occupied, at least for now.

[nightingale]

Lamb sneezed as a stray water droplet landed atop her nose, yellow-green eyes whirling with nervous curiosity as she pulled her wings against her. Oh, how very cold and wet the river was! Not at all like the nice, warm water in the bathhouse. Why did they not go there to play instead? Jaymith merely snorted, grinning wryly as a quick shake of his hide returned the stray droplets to their owner.
Ke’rin-Mine spent a very long time oiling me this morning.[/i]
The weyrling rumbled pleasantly, obviously relishing the compliment paid to him. He shifted his posture, allowing his gleaming bronze hide to catch the sun more effectively. It would be easy to shrug off the aureate glow that seemed to hover around him as a trick of the light had be not been so willing to flaunt it. Jaymith however, was not about to let the dragons of Selenitas forget who their prince was.
Sister Lamb and I would love to join you both in sunning. It is such a very nice day for it after all -in fact, we have had many nice days for sunning, haven’t we? Droughts are lovely things.
~~~~~~
“Yes, the Weyr is a rather nice place, isn’t it?”
Ke’rin commented with an absent smile, pleased to find that turnip cutting seemed to get easier as you went along. Only a few of his slices were hideous this time around, and the improvement was enough to make him think that he might yet prove himself to be a serviceable drudge.
“I suppose that is to be expected though. Dragons tend to be good judges of character.”
We are -excellent- judges of character. Jaymith corrected, his voice smug as it filtered into Kei’s mind. I think I will fly Oquith first. He added. When I am big enough. The boy’s eyebrow arced beneath the fringe of his bangs. Really now? He questioned, humoring the idea like a loving parent might their child’s proposed marriage to a playmate. An amused half-smile crept it’s was onto his face as he reached for his third turnip. Right now, he couldn’t even picture the little wad of glowing bronze muscle and baby fat getting off the ground, much less catching himself a green.
Oh do not worry Mine. The weyrling assured him. We will catch many queens and Ebolath as well, but first I would like to catch Oquith. Alright. You do not sound excited Mine. Do you not think she is pretty enough? You tell me Jaymith. Is she pretty enough? Yes. He could almost hear the bronze snort in resolution. We will catch her first. I’m sure we will.