Weyrling Soup (Boat Chores)

[wirevix]

K'iel, even though he was still stuck with chores and other such silliness, was gradually growing happier than he ever had been as a Candidate--and certainly much more so than before he'd come to Selenitas. It really hadn't been a mistake at all to come here. He was still very intimidated by the big dragons and the taller, older men, but--it was getting better, because he wasn't alone here anymore. Even if all the other dragons were frightening, he had Qualuth.

Right now, he was trying to work his boat into the water without rocking it too much. He wasn't entirely good at this duty but he had to do it, so he wouldn't complain. The boat wobbled back and forth as he climbed in, and he stood a moment to make sure he wasn't about to be pitched out into the water. Slowly he lowered himself down. He was to be taking people about that needed it, but luckily so far no one seemed to be waiting to take a boat elsewhere.

Qualuth, in the meanwhile, was thoroughly enjoying K'iel's assignment. The young Blue pattered happily back and forth through the shallower waters at the edge of the river, occasionally swatting at its surface so it splashed up around him, coating his hide in glittery droplets.

Elmine, Qualuth said quite happily, you should play in the water with me. Once you are done with your boat things, of course. I would never wish to get Mine in trouble. He rolled over slowly in the water, waving a teal wing in the air that glittered with wetness.

K'iel smiled over at his waterloving dragon, watching the happy creature fooling about in the shallows.

"Maybe, once I'm done," he said, glancing across the river in case someone on the other side needed a ride.

[kysseh]

FiMine, FiMine, look! One of the little hatchlings! Raiyth was saying excitedly, eliciting a chuckle from the girl astride her neck. Mothering small creatures was a rather adorable trait of Raiyth's, and Fiona made point to encourage her at any opportunity. It made for meeting all sorts of fun people and their bondeds, and now the young woman was urging her dragon down to the rivershore where some poor boy and his blue hatchling were trying to figure out the boats. Poor dears! They looked so small from up here. Raiyth uttered a melodic croon of greeting as she dove toward the pair far below. Her landing did not possess the grace of a well-practiced, mature beast, but she was down safely and looking quite happy about it.

Giggling at her dragon's enthusiasm and lavishing her with silent praise, Fiona swung herself off and hopped to the ground with ease, flicking a friendly grin at the boy in his little boat in the shallows. "New weyrling, hmm? Don't worry... it takes time to get used to, but you get there!" she called, giggling a bit as Raiyth fidgeted beneath her attentions. Settle down, love! I'm almost done! Not fast enough, FiMine. You need practice. Raiyth replied, and it would have been scolding were the green not so adoring in her lectures. She knew how excitable Hers was, and right now, the green half of the weyrling pair was scarcely better. As soon as the straps were off, Raiyth was into the shallows and approaching the little blue dragon, lowering her dark head to investigate.

Her riding straps had to be set on a rock, well away from the water, to keep them out of danger, and Ego was quick to claim them as his own, settling atop them and glaring at his humanpet as if to challenge Fiona for possession. Rolling her eyes affectionately at her little flitter, the greenweyrling moved toward the boats in their racks, waiting for use. She wasn't in the mood to ferry people today. No, no... she was in the mood to get down and dirty. "Sorry about Raiyth. She won't hurt him, I promise!" Her voice stuttered a bit as she muscled one of the boats off the racks and settled it on the dirt, tanned hands running over the hull and pausing on a few spots, her nose wrinkling. Filthy! Didn't anyone here know how to clean?! She bustled back over to her riding gear and snagged the brushes up out of her pack before returning to the boat, intending to scrub it within an inch of its wooden life.

The industrious young woman got a bit of a huff from her dragon as punishment for implying that the green could possibly injure a weyrling. Never! Raiyth would never do that, and she stretched out her neck toward her new little friend, mindful to not get near His and the boat. She didn't want to make a wave and capsize him, after all. Being stuck underwater was bad. Hello, little weyrling! You are hatched of Millieth too? I am Raiyth, and the silly creature on shore is FiMine.


((Forgive the randomness that characterizes these two. x.o ))

[wirevix]

K'iel started a bit when the Greenrider swept down nearby, peering at them nervously, the boat rocking unsteadily from his quick jerk. He didn't retreat, though, and managed a little wave at the other weyrling. She was from one of the later groups, he was fairly sure, though he didn't know her.

Elmine, Qualuth said, watching with interest from where he sat in the water, observing as Fiona removed Raiyth's various straps, I would like to fly too. When will I fly, Elmine? He turned his head to K'iel, cocking his head as his eyes whirled with curiousity and general contentment.

I don't entirely know, Qual, but I'm sure it won't be too long, he replied silently to his dragon. Qualuth considered that, but was distracted from answering by Raiyth's approach. He turned to peer up at the larger dragon.

Yes, I am of Millieth, he confirmed contentedly. I am Qualuth. Elmine is the boy in the boat that wishes to roll over, see how it wobbles so? He made a low huffing noise, a pleased sound, and rolled back in the water some, waving his tail across the surface to create ripples. He was delighted with the water.

"Umn, I'm, K'iel," the boy in the boat finally introduced himself, watching the girl scrub uncertainly. He thought he would rather try to guide the boat than clean one.

[kysseh]

Well, he wasn't very steady in that boat, was he? Fiona eyed the boy, wondering if he was going to tip over. If so, she hoped it was in shallow enough water to stand in. She didn't fancy having to jump in and save him, mostly because her swimming skills could come into question. Shallow water was no problem. Deep water and fast-moving currents? No, Fi would much rather stay away from tose, thank you. "K'iel? I'm Fiona! Sorry if we intruded. I've got to do chores, and she gets so bored if I leave her on her own," she called back in explanation of their presence.

It occurred to her then that she was too far from the water to hold a decent conversation without yelling, so she tucked her scrub brushes beneath one arm and then grabbed hold of the boat again and hauled it closer to the water. Ahhh, that was better! Now she could hear a little better. "First time on boat duty, then?" she asked a bit breathlessly, plopping herself down beside the upturned boat and beginning to scrub the green growths and rivermud off the little vessel. "I saw you Impress at the Hatching. Congrats! Raiyth is of Millieth's last clutch, and we're getting near to graduation."

I thought so. Hello, Qualuth. ElYours does not seem to be very good with the boats yet. I hope he does not fall in. Raiyth told Qualuth with some concern, turning her head to focus one multi-faceted eye on the boy and his boat. Oh dear... he had better not get into the water! She snorted softly and watched the boy for a moment before returning her gaze to the little hatchling in front of her. His playing made her want to instigate with him, but she had to be careful. Little weyrlings were fragile.

Eventually, she could not resist and laid down to rest her belly on the bottom, sticking her nose in the water and then flicking it upward to send a few droplets at Qualuth. Are you having fun? The water is very nice here, and the big water-place at the end of the river is wonderful too. That water tastes rather bad, though... she commented happily, watching the little hatchling play around. Such a cute thing! On a whim, she stuck the end of her snout underwater and blew air forcefully from her nostrils, delighted at the flurry of bubbles it created. Bubbles! She knew she was being silly but could care less. Bubbles were just too much fun.

[wirevix]

K'iel watched uncertainly as she approached, but Qualuth clearly was not concerned, so he tried not to get too fidgety. He looked away, studying the surface of the river uncertainly. He smiled some at her congratulations still, despite his nervousness, nodding a little.

"All Qualuth can talk about is when he's gonna fly," he noted softly, glancing across the river again. "Well, that and swimming, but the flying stuff he blabbers about more." He gave his dragon a soft smile. He didn't mind Qual's "blabbering" very much, since the dragon was always so happy about it when he talked.

ElMine is fine with boats, Qualuth said with all seriousness. Boats simply are not fine with him at all. He nodded a few times at his own statement, as if offering further evidence of something, and then rolled into the water backwards and splashed about a little.

I am having a great deal of fun! he informed, flapping his wings through the water, sweeping a small wave up to lap at Raiyth's snout when she splashed him. His eyes whirled gleefully as he watched the bubbles, pouncing on them, splashing and splushing about with great enthusiasm. Yes, they are bubbles, he agreed happily.