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 Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2009 5:31 pm
And it was feeding time. Again. As if it ever really ended. A junior Weyrlings day could be easily divided into several sections: feeding their dragonet, going to lessons, and then sleeping. That was theoretically it. But, in practice, there was very little sleep. That was usually also dedicated to feeding their dragonet, or oiling it, or somehow taking care of it. Not that C’ym really minded it, really. Taking care of Hanumanth was a joy. Well, sometimes…
“Han… could you please not let that splurt?” he asked plaintively, trying to keep his stomach down as the bronze dragonet eagerly tore into some freshly slaughtered wherry meat. Unlike the wherry used during lessons, this one had been recently butchered and was still full of blood. Oh Faranth. Eating before feeding Hanumanth had been a huge mistake.
On the other hand, C’ym had inadvertently fallen upon the best diet plan ever. A few minutes after watching Han eat and he never wanted to eat anything with meat again.
The dragonet turned big blue eyes on his rider. He didn’t even have to ask anything; his entire demeanor screamed ‘why? Why are you mad at me?’ sort of thing. Very guilt-inducing. The thing was, the striped bronze rather liked the blood. It tasted nice. And it looked pretty too! Still, if only for the sake of his rider, he’d try to stop it. But everyone else was doing it too! Fine… the little dragonet said sulkily, clearly not pleased with the idea of giving up this new fun.
Robbed of his bloody entertainment, Hanumanth turned his bright eyes on the other dragonets, idly wondering if he would talk to Yansanth later today. He liked the little Gold; she was nice and Hers was nice too. Or maybe they would meet someone else today! There were so many others out there… and more to come, according to C’ym! He said there were more eggs out there.
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Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2009 8:31 pm
H'dek had only barely managed to feed himself these past few sevendays. He felt as though his life was in constant motion, feed now, itch there, scrub harder and when all was said and done, the young rider liked nothing more than to flop in his furs and sleep like the dead until his bronze bothered him awake again. And while H'dek was more than thrilled that Bondyeth was his, and that he was here, sometimes he just got really, really....tired.
Mine! Bondyeth barked, starling his rider. It is not time to sleep. You can do that later. I am hungry right now, we are here and you need to- Another bronze.
H'dek barely had time to digest the sudden derailment when the orangey-hued dragon took off like a runner (or as fast as his awkward little body would go) towards the other bronze pair. The junior weyrling didn't even bother to protest; there was no use arguing with his dragon got like this. He just had to tag along and -yawn- play damage, another yawn, control.
He's eating, Mine. I want to eat!
"Yes, yes. Settle down," H'dek muttered, trying to steer Bondyeth away from his clutch mate. He glanced up at the bronze's rider and dipped his head. "Good day. I dun believe we've met....?" It was better to make nice now, before Bondyeth opened his big mouth and started spewing....or thinking nonsense at the other dragon. Damage control at its finest.
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 5:24 pm
Hearing all the noise behind him, C’ym couldn’t help but look over his shoulder briefly. It sounded like a one-sided argument. But, as soon as he saw the Bronze hatchling, he understood. It wasn’t as if he never spoke out loud to Hanumanth. Unfortunately, as everyone knows, yawns are highly contagious and it wasn’t long before C’ym started yawning as well. Covering his yawn with one hand, he offered the other to shake. “I’m C’ym and this is Hanumanth. And you’re…” he paused here, since he didn’t really know the other boy. Of course, he’d seen him at weyrling lessons and the like, but that didn’t really count. “H’dak, right?”
It was something like that. Something with H certainly.
“Come on. Take a seat.” A gesture was relayed towards the chair nearby. If they continued to chat like this, manners dictated that C’ym get up so they could be on an equal level. But, shard it all, it was too tiring to even consider getting up right now.
For a brief moment, Hanumanth was torn: on one hand, there was a dragon here. Another dragon! One of his clutchmates, in fact. Yay! But, on the other hand, he was still hungry. Hmm… decisions, decisions… in the end, he settled for one last bite of food before relaying a thought towards the other Bronze with a bright chirp of a noise.
Hello. I am Hanumanth. You can have some of my food, if you like. He had hesitated before offering, because he wanted to eat it all himself. But he knew what it was like to be hungry. Surely, it wouldn’t hurt to at least offer to share, right?
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Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 5:36 pm
H'dek the offered hand with a firm shake. "Close, close. M'H'dek an' that is Bondyeth. Kindly disregard 'nything he says," he introduced, his sleepiness shaken. The grin stayed intact, telling people to ignore his dragon had become as natural as the sky above his head. Bondyeth didn't talk too often, but on the occasion he deemed someone other than His worthy, the things he had to say weren't usually very nice. So were the fallacies of pride, H'dek supposed, but his bronze was still a baby. There was plenty of time to teach him otherwise.
"Ah, thank you." He didn't need to explain how tired he was; H'dek was quite sure C'ym had the same demanding routine he did. Settling in the chair nearby, the rider scotched closer so they could still converse comfortably and let his eyes drift to the pair of dragons, running a hand through sandy blond hair. "So. Ready t' sleep fer a whole turn, yet?" he asked, chuckling softly. Farnath knew nothing would make him happier, and it shamed him a bit to admit that, apparently, he hadn't known hard word until Bondyeth made a rider out of him.
Bondyeth approached the other bronze cautiously; arrogant as he was, he still understood that an eating dragon shouldn't be intruded upon abruptly. He didn't like it, His had pointed out to him, so he shouldn't do it to others if he didn't want to be a victim of that himself. But his clutchbrother seemed happy enough and the bronze continued without caution.
I would like that very much. I am Bondyeth, the orangey-bronze announced, as if there was ever a possibility he might forget to give his name. He padded over, tail swashing side-to-side as he eyed the meal hungrily and waited for a bit to be offered.
H'dek, while glad his dragon seemed to pick up at least some of the manners he tried to impose upon him, couldn't help but sigh and rub his face. "Say thank you, Bond!" he called, pulling himself up in a fashion he was much too young for. Turning to C'ym he added, "If y'all s'cuse me a moment," before heading over to his young dragon to get him his own meal. "Just, just hang on a moment. Bo, that's not yours. Bo."
Bondyeth snorted and looked up at his rider definitely. Bondyeth. Like this: Booooooondyeeeeeth.
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Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 12:30 pm
The way the other boy spoke was a bit of a surprise; to someone like C’ym, it hinted at a background that was less than glorious or even civilized. Certainly not someone who had gotten speech lessons from carefully selected tutoring Harpers. Not that he would say this out loud, but it did certainly puff up his own self-importance. It honestly didn’t take much.
He chuckled a little and responded, “Two Turns at least. The only reason I don’t is because I wouldn’t want to miss out on Hanumanth’s growing up. Also he complains something awful if I oversleep even just a few minutes.” Honestly, waking up at dawn? What sort of schedule was that? It wasn’t as if dragons couldn’t eat at any other time. Yet another yawn was carefully stifled as he reached for the sweetener. The klah was really much too bitter for his tastes. Either that, or some complete wherry-brain had decided to switch salt for sweetener. Again. Because, you know, overworked pranks are so much fun to pull on sleepy Weyrlings who don’t have the energy to fight back. He nodded with approval at Han’s behavior, pleased that his dragon, at least, knew how to behave in public.
But, shards, it was sort of cute listening to H’dek lecture his little orange-bronze. “Who would have thought we’d become parents before we’re twenty-five Turns,” he pointed out, suddenly realizing that they both sounded a bit like doting parents talking about how the babies were always keeping them up at night.
Apparently the yawn contagion could affect dragons too. After his rider yawned, Hanumanth followed the example, opening blood-stained jaws wide. There were lessons later today, he knew, but he was already tired. But there was no telling what they would learn today! It would probably be incredibly important and vital to know!
Booooooondyeeeeeth. he repeated obediently, eager to get the pronunciation right. It was a good name, he decided, perhaps better than Hanumanth. But he liked his nickname; it was better than ‘Bo’. He sidled away from his meal reluctantly; since he had offered and Bo had accepted, he had to let him eat some, right?
Although, inwardly, he was hoping that moving slowly would allow H’dek enough time to bring back Bo’s meal before the bronze could eat any of Han’s. What do you think we’ll be learning about today?
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Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 4:09 am
H'dek would have been mildly insulted if he had known his speech pattern would draw C'ym to believe his former lifestyle had been less civilized. He had been an apprentice vintner, it was a family thing, and it was something the sandy blond was very proud of, though it probably was less than glorious. But Benden wine was, and will always be, the best and no one could ever change that.
The bronzerider worked as quickly as he could to get something for his dragon, well aware of the way Bondyeth had been eyeing Hanumanth's meal. Bondyeth. Stop it, he tried, still not entirely sure about that 'mindspeak' business. But his dragon looked up sharpely, so H'dek released a sigh of relief and finished up the task at hand.
Bondyeth fluttered his wings irritably, snorting at His before he realized his clutchmate was speaking with him. Hm? Oh, yes. Just like that, very good, he replied with a small sigh. Another bronze would get it right. Why couldn't all the dragons be bronze, he wondered to himself. The world would be such a better place.
I won't take that, you know, the bronze sniffed, still agitated His would not let him. He swatted his tail, eyes whirling as he glanced from his rider to his fellow bronze. I don't know. Hopefully something more interesting than food, he commented. Bo did like food, but watching His and some girl fuss around with food was incredibly boring.
Maybe we will learn to fly now.
H'dek snorted, offering his dragon his breakfast. "Hardly," he commented, shuffling back over to C'ym. "Sorry 'bout that. Figured he ought not be takin' Hanumanth's." A wry smile. He flopped back down and inhaled deeply, rubbing the back of his neck. "Bet these guys work us harder 'n any kids do," he replied, watching Bondyeth tear into his meal voraciously. "They don' eat near s'much. I heard these guys grow right fast."
The rider glanced over and nodded towards the other rider, grinding his jaw thoughtfully. "Hanumanth seems awful friendly," he finally noted with a small chuckle. "Think summat will rub off on Bo?"
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Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:50 pm
Uncivilized or not, at least H’dek had more manners than C’ym was used to. Of course, that didn’t mean much, seeing as his constant companion was a very young dragon. And, before that, he had been closest to Elae. Shards, it had been weeks since he had last seen her. Hopefully she was alright and not getting into trouble… C’ym considered this thought and amended it: hopefully she wasn’t getting into too much trouble. It was important to be realistic with one’s hopes.
“It’s alright. Looking after them is more important than having a conversation. And I don’t think Han would have appreciated his food being taken away.” Even if the striped Bronze had offered it, C’ym knew better than to believe it was an actual genuine offer. Sure, Han wouldn’t have complained about it. But he would have sulked later and few things were worse than a sulky dragon. “It’s still hard to believe that, in a few short months, Han and Bo will be as big as Coriath.”
Although the compliment was technically directed at Hanumanth, C’ym’s ego bloated a little bit anyway. “Bo doesn’t seem that bad,” he commented, being only vaguely aware of Bo’s egotistical behavior. Han hadn’t complained yet, so he couldn’t be that bad, right? “Han’s had practice dealing with difficult dragons. Well… flitts, anyway. I have a little Green firelizard. She’s a bit of a pain towards him since he takes up most of my time. If he can put up with her, he can put up with most anything.”
Assured that his food was indeed safe, the Bronze fell on his meal with a fury. Apparently, being apart from his meat for even just a few seconds made him amazingly hungry. Either that, or he simply wanted to eat it all before Bo could change his mind.
Privately, Hanumanth agreed with Bond. Food was all very well and good and he understood that it was necessary for survival. Indeed, all hatchlings were born with that bit of knowledge. But, he just got so bored sitting around while C’ym attempted to butcher a wherry and almost always nearly ended up butchering himself. I hope we’re more involved. I don’t want to just sit there while C’ym learns. I want to learn too!
And flying… now that sounded great! His eyes swirled with anticipation at the thought of soaring in the clouds overhead as he imagined what it would be like. Do you really think so? Mine says that won’t be for a while. But he’s been saying that forever. It must’ve been ‘a while’ by now.
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Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 9:38 am
"Mmmhm. Woul'nt believe 'nyone who told me they were gonna get that big ifin I hadn' seen Coriath myself," H'dek chuckled. He knew one day Bondyeth would grow to that size, but it still hadn't quite set in what a massive beast a bronze dragon really was. They were second only to Queens, and even then, there were so few of those that bronzes were really the big boys of the Weyr. (Bondyeth was the one who informed H'dek of such, all the lad could do was smile and nod.)
"Yes, well. You have a bronze dragon," H'dek replied dryly, eyes drifting back to his egotistical dragon. Bo was ripping his wherre apart, no holds barred, and was not particularly tuned in to whatever His was thinking. They were going to have to work on that, the young rider noted. This one way street thing was not working for them.
Bondyeth didn't respond to any outside stimulus while he demolished his meal. He was very fortunate His was not particularly squeamish, he was a very messy eater. When he finally looked up, he didn't give his a second look, turning his attention to the most (other than him) important being (though maybe His was a little bit better) in the room and gave a good shake. Yes. That is what Mine says, 'a long time'. It's been a very, very long time, Bo agreed, nodding his blood-spattered muzzle. When one has been waiting their entire life, it seems like a very long time no matter how old they are.
Bondyeth crooned and stretched his wings wide, the fragile limbs twitching ever so slightly as he eyed His and Hanumanth's. Still terribly uninteresting, he sighed, swatting his tail as he flopped over. Once full, a dragon needed to sleep, obviously. He tipped his head at his clutchmate and snorted softly. I don't really care for lessons, he admitted. Most of our clutchmates are so....dull.
H'dek clapped a face to his hand and moaned. "Here it comes..."
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Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:47 pm
C’ym merely nodded along at H’dek’s words, or at least the bits he could easily understand. It was one thing to look up at Coriath. It was quite another to try and super-impose Hanumanth onto that size. His mewls would sound like… like… well, C’ym hadn’t quite figured out that much. It would sound different, that was for sure. And imagining Yansanth as an adult was just impossible. The poor little Gold would be forever trying to hide behind someone else, most likely Anne.
He briefly glanced over at the voracious dragons and quickly regretted it, seeing as there was blood all over the place. On the bright side, at least the organs had been removed. That would’ve been even worse. So far, the most important lesson C’ym had learned was, ‘Don’t poke the dead wherry in the organs. They stink’.
“I guess Bo doesn’t care for other dragons? What about Yansanth, the new gold? Does he like her at all?” Seeing as C’ym counted Anne as one of his friends, this question was relevant to his interests. “It could be troublesome, if a bronze dislikes a gold.” Or vice versa, he supposed, but the gold could always just tell the bronze to shut his trap. Not that he could see Yansanth saying that.
Following his brother’s example, Hanumanth flopped down on the ground after cleaning his muzzle of blood. So we must be learning how to fly soon, since it’s already been a very, very long time, he reasoned. Or maybe we’ll learn how to flame! That would be almost as good as flying!
Not as good, but nearly as good. He yawned and was about to drift off to sleep when Bo’s voice cut through the waves of drowsiness. Opening one blue eye, Hanumanth looked over his brother curiously. The words annoyed him a bit, but he didn’t show it. They were all siblings so they had to be somewhat nice to each other. Dull? I don’t know… I like Yansanth. And Isonth. They’re nice.
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Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 7:58 am
"Other dragons? Naw particularly. He meet Yasanth real breifly at the feast. Seemed like he liked her. Tried to impress her, looked like. Only other dragons we've met have been green." H'dek sighed and started to play with the cloth wrapped around his neck. "Me n' La are friends, but he was downright rude to Isonth at th' first lesson. Dunno what go inta him, wouln' give 'er the time a day. Said nasty lil' things 'bout La, too." He glanced at the bronze in question and sighed. "Likes Han well enough."
H'dek watched as both dragons flopped down, bellies full, and ready for a nap. Nap. That sounded like a brilliant idea, though H'dek wasn't sure C'ym would appreciate it if he just dozed off in the middle of their conversation (though he imagined his fellow bronzerider would certainly understand why). "Must be the ego," H'dek finally decided. "Farnath help me, but nothing pops that ego."
Bondyeth considered what his clutchmate said, swinging his tail lazily as he began to clean his muzzle and forelegs. That was the problem with eating, he decided. Always made him feel better, always made a terrible mess all over the place. Bo rearranged his wings and tucked himself comfortably before he finally formulated an answer for Hanumanth. I like Yansanth. I do not like Isonth. Or Hers.
The last bit was said with such venom, H'dek couldn't help but notice. He looked over just in time to catch the fierce look Bondyeth was giving before the young dragon addressed the other bronze, leaving his rider to wonder what on Pern that was all about.
Inannath is okay, as far as greens go. I like you. You are okay. Bondyeth wiggled around, finding a comfortable spot was much harder than it looked. He thumped his tail and squirmed again, rubbing his belly against the floor before he gave a great sigh and looked at his brother. I am tired of itching. Does Yours scratch well? Mine needs to learn better.
"Hey! I heard that!"
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Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 10:40 pm
“At least he has self-esteem,” C’ym pointed out, trying to find the high point of having an ego. “I’m forever having to convince Han that he is worthy of doing stuff. Course, when I’m not trying to convince him, he is off trying to be a good example for everyone and putting himself in the spotlight.” It was a strange dichotomy, although he didn’t think that H’dek would know that word. He glanced back at the dragons, relieved that they had finished gorging themselves and even more relieved that someone else would have to clean up the mess. “Oh, you know La? I met her briefly a few times. Seems nice enough. And Han likes Isonth, I know that. I doubt he really remembers, but she comforted him at the Hatching and waited until he found me before she went to La.”
Very sweet, actually, and a good match for the girl. “Why doesn’t he like Isonth?” It didn’t really seem like there was anything to dislike. Well, unless Bo really disliked Greens anyway… C’ym had heard some… err… interesting things about Greens and their riders, but there was nothing in it that made them immediately worthy of dislike. They had their places and everything.
“What did he say?”
The one blue eye that Hanumanth had opened swirled over, temporarily, with hints of orange. He liked Isonth. It seemed utterly unfair to him that anyone should dislike her, or Hers. His liked Hers. What’s wrong with Isonth? She’s nice! Are you thinking of someone else? in Han’s mind, that was the only reason why anyone would harbor a strong dislike of the Green. There were so many people and dragons around here, that it seemed possible that there was another Isonth around. The one I’m thinking of is… umm… well, she’s a nice green with dark green spots on her.
Well, at least they could agree that Yansanth was nice. Oh, Mine is good at scratching! Although, he doesn’t scratch me enough, he complained, directing the thought partly at Bo but mostly at His.
“Great. I’m getting a lecture from a little dragon…” C’ym sighed and reached for his klah.
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Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 6:25 pm
H'dek nodded. Self-esteem wasn't a bad thing, as long as it abided by normal social boundaries. "Well, s' a bronze, an' I suppose others may look up t'him anyways, so why not be a good role model?" the young rider replied, chuckling softly to himself. If only his dragon had such noble ambitions, his life would be much easier. He adored Bondyeth, he really did, but having to run damage control every single time they ran into another dragon was incredibly exhausting. Hurrah for over-crowding, H'dek thought dryly.
"Oh, yeah. I like La a lot."
Too much.
H'dek tried to ignore his bronze and cleared his throat, coloring a little as he faced C'ym. If he could just keep a poker face, or something, the other rider would never know, right? It's not like he could hear what Bondyeth was saying. "He doesn't...uhh...Bo doesn't really like anyone he doesn't know well. 'Er doesn' kiss up t' him, 'er somethin'," H'dek muttered lamely. The fact he had a crush on the greenrider and his bronze didn't approve was not something he wanted to share.
Bondyeth cast his attention back to Han and nodded. Yes. that's the one. She's green. This is a fundamental problem. He had a theory about bronzes, you see, and how they were- What, Mine? I was not listening.
H'dek clapped a hand to his face and stood shakily. He needed to get Bondyeth out of here before he said something they both regreted. "Well, was a right pleasure meetin' y'all, C'ym, Hanumanth. I really oughta get on, though, Bo's complainin' 'bout bein' itcy. I'll see y'all around!" He waved to the pair and turned on his bronze.
I never said that, you, I-
Shut up, Bo. Let's go n' get y'all oiled.
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