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Post by Slim on Aug 7, 2008 11:24:49 GMT -8
Chadath was bored.
It was a good summer day. The sun was warm on his hide, there were plenty of other dragons out in the bowl, and he'd won a greenflight the day before. He ought to have been content. But he was bored.
I need to be oiled, he reminded his rider.
Chadath, I'm busy. S'lyn was in the infirmary, checking up on a dragon who'd injured his ankle during this morning's drills. It will have to wait.
Chadath yawned, flopping on his side. Bored, bored, bored. He could hear the splash of other dragons bathing in the lake. Arching his neck back to look at them, his whirling eyes fell instead on a smaller shape. One that had come from the building nearby. S'lyn thought it was rude to contact the weyrlings without the Weyrlingmaster's approval.
But S'lyn thought many things that were silly. Daisulyth would not mind.
Good afternoon, Guiyath. Are you going somewhere today?
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Post by Selvagem on Aug 9, 2008 0:02:10 GMT -8
Th'dis
The first fortnight had been taxing. If Th'dis had ever thought that Impressing was one of the best things that could ever happen to a lad, it had long evaporated with the advent of his daily weariness. Yet he was happy - in a half-dead, half-thoughtful sort of way. Beneath the exhuastion of the chores and the mental strain of sharing a mind he was not accustomed to, there was a quiet bubbliness that silenced the complaints he often felt like mumbling about, under his breath in the cool evenings when chores were done and a boy's arms and legs ached fit to fall off. The gray-eyed boy sighed, softly, in the brilliant warmth of the summer sun, and continued his task patiently.
The said task that so preoccupied him was, of course, the oiling of Guiyath. Even two weeks into Impression, Th'dis still felt painfully as if the great span of dragonot he bathed or oiled had no end; and that whenever the end of the task was finally reached, he invariably felt like he had run five miles with a full metal cauldron on his back. He was the youngest of the new weyrlings, and amongst the most slight of build, and it was not surprising that working with a bronze dragonet could tire him so. Though he tried not to complain of it: Guiyath never liked it when he did.
The dragonet, for his part, was making things easier for his weyrling by spreading his wings to catch the sun. Easier for Th'dis to oil - and more comfortable for Guiyath too. He laid his head sleepily on the ground, eyes half-lidded, and then raised it again as Chadath addressed him. Contented blue eyes, framed by a heavy brow of fiery shades, turned to the older bronze as Guiyath replied.
Greetings, bronze Chadath. No, I go nowhere now, it is too comfortable.
His voice, like his body, was thick and powerful, and framed with curiosity. Even half-alseep and too comfortable to think of moving, the bronze dragonet was curious on why the older dragon had addressed him...and what might come out of it. He nodded to Chadath.
It is a wonderful evening, isn't it? I hope the day has fared as beautifully for you so far.
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Post by Slim on Aug 9, 2008 11:58:51 GMT -8
Would it undermine Chadath's authority in Guiyath's eyes were it known that the older bronze simply had an insatiable curiosity about the tiny creatures that grew up to be dragons like himself? When the weyrling bronze answered him, Chadath gave a rumble of contentment. He need no longer be bored.
Pushing himself up, the adult bronze stretched luxuriously and slowly turned to face Guiyath directly, so he wouldn't have to crane his neck. It has been dull, he admitted equanimously. Brown Aarseth, my wingmate, was injured in drills. I'm waiting for S'lyn to finish looking in on him. There was, as he spoke of the other's injury, a floating sense of assurance, lest the weyrling dragon be frightened by Aarseth's bad luck. It was evident that Chadath considered the injury minor, and that such things were part of the normal ups and downs of existence.
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Post by Selvagem on Aug 10, 2008 1:13:44 GMT -8
Th'dis
Ambitious Guiyath might have been, but he was still too young to understand an older dragon's fascination with the little dragonets. Had he known or comprehended the true reason behind Chadath's interest in him, he might have grown disinterested, even annoyed perhaps, but at the moment he perceived only that the big bronze's curiosity had to do with him, and felt flattered by it. He watched politely as Chadath turned to face him, and shook out his neck as he replied.
Ah, I am sorry for him, a diplomatic tone, expressed through a voice heavy and dense enough to be sincere, I hope it was not serious.
Contrary to how Chadath saw things, Guiyath was not afraid. If a dragon was stupid enough to get himself hurt, then he would bear the consequences of it. Cold, perhaps, but the young bronze had yet to feel true pain, or hurt. The deepest and worst hurt he understood to date had to do with his stomach, when Th'dis was late to bring him meals for any reason. Yet he felt the floating assurance of the older bronze and was glad for it - glad that the bigger dragon was being kind to one such as him. Spreading a wingsail further to help Th'dis catch a tight corner, Guiyath continued the conversation.
Do such accidents occur often?
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Post by Slim on Aug 10, 2008 17:50:54 GMT -8
Although he normally ignored the people who hung around his dragon friends, Chadath had not been ignoring Th'dis - he'd failed to notice him. His eyes whirled faster as he took note of the young rider, but gradually fixed onto Guiyath again. They occur, he said simply. He paused to think a moment, searching his poor draconic memory for some sense of frequency. Not very often. Aarseth was careless, and did not brace well for his landing. Relying on his great bulk to make the action visible even at a distance, he imitated the error with his foreleg, demonstrating how the brown in question had bent his wrist after failing to uncurl his forelegs for the landing.
His demonstration made, Chadath stretched his legs out lazily. He touched his rider's mind briefly, pleased to find that S'lyn had finished talking with the healers, at least. It is not serious, he informed his small counterpart. He will learn from his mistake, and no longer be so careless at the end of drills.
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Post by Selvagem on Aug 16, 2008 8:33:42 GMT -8
Th’dis[/u]
Guiyath watched with intense curiosity as the older bronze mimed and explained the accident. He was too young to have experienced flight, except perhaps in his dreams; but even at the tender age of a month, he was well familiar with the sight of dragons flying in and around the Bowl, and it was something that he took for granted he would have some day. He shifted his position to better see Chadath’s explanations, and Th’dis caught the train of conversation through their mental bond.
Who’re you speaking to, Guiyath?
Chadath. He explains an accident that occurred.
Cha… Th’dis halted work and half-turned to look across the Lake at the older bronze facing them, …dath? S’lyn’s bronze?
Yes.
Th’dis gulped, and smiled at Chadath by way of greeting, Why…him?
What’s wrong with him?
He’s…he’s S’lyn’s dragon, the much-older-and-more-senior-than-us-former-weyrleader guy, y’know?
What is wrong with that?
Th’dis sighed, Nothing, I guess. Just try not to offend him.
Guiyath snorted, You are being silly: why would I offend him? He spoke to me first.
Fine, Th’dis started work on the next wingsail, his mind half-in now on the conversation between Chadath and his dragonet. Guiyath continued with polite courtesy.
That is well, Chadath. I will keep note of such a mistake and hope not to repeat it when I begin to fly, his tail twitched as he turned to let Th’dis get at a tricky spot near the wing-joint, Will your S’lyn join you when he is done looking in on Aarseth?
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Post by Slim on Aug 17, 2008 18:20:23 GMT -8
It was always pleasant when one got to make a timely announcement. Chadath reveled in the ability to do so now, rumbling at Guiyath and flaring his wings dramatically. He's coming now, the bronze announced. Sure enough, the former Weyrleader had just walked out of the infirmary, carrying a jar of oil under his arm. He still had a ways to go, though, with the entire bowl yet to be crossed. I am waiting to be oiled, also. Aarseth's rider is anxious, so it has been a longer wait than necessary. A dragon's eyes are whirling constantly, but Chadath nevertheless managed to convey the impression that he was rolling his. Injuries are something to be dealt with and learned from, not obsessed about.
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Post by Selvagem on Aug 22, 2008 22:59:20 GMT -8
Th’dis[/u]
Guiyath rumbled his own acknowledgement at the timeliness of the announcement, reflecting the senior bronze’s mood. The dragonet was very naturally pleased at this opportunity to make the acquaintance of the former weyrleader, but his weyrling was not quite so cheerful about the arrangement. Chadath’s words drew Th’dis up with a start, and he glanced across the bowl at the still-distant figure of S’lyn making his way over.
Uh oh…
Don’t be ridiculous, Th’dis, Guiyath’s tone signaled annoyance, This is an opportunity we should not miss.
Turning back to Chadath, the young bronze spoke, I agree with you, Chadath. It is good to see you will soon receive your oiling as well. We may come to join you when Th’dis has finished with me.
Th’dis gulped at this, No, we will, not do that, Guiyath. Let S’lyn and Chadath have their peace.
Th’dis…
No buts. We stay here.
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Post by Slim on Aug 24, 2008 17:37:17 GMT -8
When a dragon paused in conversation with another dragon, it was easy enough to guess what he was about. Chadath's whirling blue eyes turned to Th'dis for the second time today, awarding the weyrling bronzerider more attention than most of his own wingriders usually got. Those who tried hardest to slip beneath the radar only ever succeeded in becoming a larger blip on it.
Of course, he had no great knack for reading people - his own rider excepted - so his glance at Th'dis lasted all of three seconds before he gave up on trying to puzzle him out.
You should, he recommended to Guiyath amiably, if your duties don't call you. S'lyn won't be busy, and company is always nice. He broadened the reach on this comment so it would touch his rider's mind, giving S'lyn a warning of the situation he was soon to step into.
Whose company, Chadath? S'lyn asked, hefting the oil jar to rest more comfortably in his armpit. Now it was Chadath's turn to pause and have a talk with his rider.
Guiyath, one of my bronzes.
S'lyn could only shake his head at his bronze's short memory and unshakeable habits. Halfway across the bowl, now, he could begin to make out the small bronze (and rider) that his dragon was talking to. He's not one of yours, Chadath. This one was sired by Jordeth.
And who sired Jordeth? Chadath replied smugly, not the least bit shaken by the added degree of separation between him and the weyrling he claimed credit for. S'lyn had to concede him the point.
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Post by Selvagem on Sept 15, 2008 6:24:34 GMT -8
Th’dis[/u]
I wish you wouldn’t do things like this, Th’dis sloughed a big patch of oil across his dragonet’s back, trying hard not to look towards Chadath and S’lyn across the lake. Guiyath, however, pointedly ignored his weyrling. If the youngster did not know yet what was good for him (and for his dragonet), he would learn soon enough. Chances to build relations with powerful seniors, in particular, were not something to be passed up, and Guiyath would see to it that they were seized properly. He waited politely until he felt Chadath’s attention pass from S’lyn back to the weyrling pair, and then spoke his reply.
Indeed, I agree fully with you, Chadath. We will join you soon, Guiyath’s tone was just as amiable, a nodding agreement fueled by the gentle lull of the sun and the warm oil on his back. Th’dis, struggling with sloshing an adequate amount of oil over his dragonet’s broad back, could only mumble his annoyance and pluck up his courage to eventually face the former Weyr-leader of Telgar.
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Post by Slim on Sept 21, 2008 17:44:20 GMT -8
At last S'lyn arrived at his dragon's side, greeting Chadath with a sharp pat on the shoulder after he'd set down the jar of oil. Chadath rumbled in reply, but spared only a short glance at his rider since Guiyath was more interesting to watch. After all, he saw his rider every day, the weyrling not so much.
S'lyn welcomes a visit, too, he lied. Well, not so much lied as put words into his rider's mouth. S'lyn was listening in now, and gave Chadath a narrow look for his presumption.
Chadath, don't speak for me. He held up an oily hand, but didn't press it to his dragon's side just yet - withholding it until his dragon agreed to cut it out. The rumble he got in response was enough for S'lyn, familiar with his dragon's vocalizations, to interpret as an apology, and so the oiling began.
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Post by Selvagem on Sept 23, 2008 19:23:36 GMT -8
Th'dis
Guiyath basked in the attention he received from the older dragon, his arched neck and elegant posture unconciously betraying his pleasure. His weyrling was sharp enough to note the look that S'lyn shot at his dragon, obvious even over the distance between them, and was left to wonder at the whole irony of the situation as Guiyath spoke again.
That is good to hear. Perhaps we might bask after this? Rukbat is strong today, and my weyrling's chores are done for the day.
And like a rider on a runaway horse, Th'dis could only tug at the reins and watch helplessly as his dragonet ran the show on his behalf.
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Post by Slim on Sept 23, 2008 23:21:35 GMT -8
Poor Th'dis seemed to need a consultation with S'lyn, if he was having so much trouble controlling his dragon. But then, weyrlings could be especially hard headed. Chadath rumbled pleasantly at the runaway dragonet. I'm planning to stay out, he said. It's a warm day, quiet. Good for lying out in. He rolled onto his side, looking not unlike a beached whale, so that S'lyn could reach his stomach with the oil. A happy little sigh eased out of him when the cool oil met his warm hide.
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Post by Selvagem on Sept 27, 2008 19:52:21 GMT -8
Th’dis turned to glance at Chadath as he rumbled his pleasure, and it was all he could do not to chuckle at the sight of the massive bronze lying on his side as he was. Guiyath sensed the undercurrent of his humour, and rolled his blue eyes at his weyrling.
That is disrespectful, my Th’dis.
Not any more disrespectful than what you are doing to me, the vehemence in the words surprised both weyrling and dragonet. Guiyath turned to look fully at him.
Nonsense, but there was uncertainty in the bronze dragonet’s tone, I am helping us get a better relationship with significant seniors.
No, you are pushing a relationship that neither of us wants.
Chadath wants it.
But not S’lyn, Th’dis stroked the shining dark bronze hide, sleek with oil, My mighty bronze, there are times when a relationship takes time to build. Not everything can be done in one afternoon.
Guiyath was silent, and Th’dis resumed work on the bronze’s tail with the thought that he really should consult S’lyn on the handling of over-powerful bronzes. It could hardly do any harm, and he might actually learn something. After all, if anything went wrong he could always pass it off as youthful exuberance. And it would make his dragonet happy. Th’dis, for all his seeming nonchalance towards life, had a sharp mind for his age that people were wont to overlook. He reached for Guiyath’s mind again.
Well, perhaps you’ll like to tell Chadath I’d be happy to meet his rider over a…klah, later? Though I’d rather drink cordial, if he doesn’t mind.
Surprise flooded his mind. Guiyath snorted his amazement at this turn of events, and raised a wingspar to tap Th’dis gently on the knee.
You are fast to make changes, his tone softened, But I appreciate it. I will inform Chadath of your decision.
Raising his head, the bronze dragonet spoke across the Bowl to Chadath lying on his side, So will I, Chadath. My Th’dis suggests that he could share a drink with your rider even as we take our time in the sun. Please do ask yours what he thinks of this.
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Post by Slim on Sept 28, 2008 20:57:29 GMT -8
Mindful of his promise not to speak for S'lyn anymore, Chadath promptly turned his mind to his rider. The weyrling one suggests talking over drinks while Guiyath and I sun ourselves.
S'lyn considered, giving his dragon a nudge to let him know he was done oiling the big bronze stomach, time to move to something else. Chadath grumbled about this as he rolled off his side and stretched down his neck, inviting S'lyn to start there now. It sounds like a good idea, the wingleader decided, patting his dragon's shoulder as he passed it. The oiling continued, but S'lyn was an old hand at it, and moved through the process much faster than the weyrling pair had done. Something cool, perhaps? I assume he's not thinking of alcohol.
Chadath lifted his wings and gave them a shake, a sort of draconic shrug. The whirl of his blue eyes seemed to shift, focusing on Guiyath. S'lyn thinks that would be good, and suggests sending for something cool. That is, unless yours is thinking of alcohol. It had not been S'lyn's intent that Chadath relay that wry comment, but alas, he'd failed to specify. Since Chadath paid no attention to human mores, and would not really care if Th'dis was a bit young (even by Pernese standards) to hit the bottle so early in the day, he could hardly be reprimanded for missing the social cue. All S'lyn could do was shake his head in resignation.
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