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 Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2010 7:59 pm
T'ka was honest to goodness lonely. She couldn't complain about High Reaches Weyr life, but after the initial excitement of the hatching, things just seemed to have gone downhill. She missed Ista a lot, the weather, the Weyr, and her friends. Not that she had many, but, well, she missed them. She missed her old wing. Her new wingleader was an a**. Sometimes she wondered why she'd transfered here in the first place, and then she'd remember. Kallista. T'ka had an unexpressed, deep affection for the girl. This, however, was incredibly personal, and wasn't something she ever discussed, even with Haath.
Good old Haath. It was too bad other people couldn't see the goodness and beauty in her that T'ka could. Getting up from her seat on her bed, T'ka moved over to the curled form of her remarkably spotted green, patting her side affectionately. T'ka wasn't one to seek out attention, and was usually content with just the company of her green, but...Haath wasn't human. She didn't understand the complexities of T'kas life, couldn't fathom the intricate relations between the human members of the Weyr, and didn't have very good advice. No, T'ka needed a human. She needed Kallista.
<> Haath questioned, roused from her relaxing when Hers made contact with her hide.
"Haathdear, would you ask Astar to ask Kallista if we might spend some time together?" T'ka requested, rubbing Haath's side with a firm hand. Haath snorted, agreeing to do what Hers asked. Haath was not nearly so tactful as hers though, and was renowned for her ability to get straight to the point.
Haath sought out the mind of her green sister, once located, asked what Hers had said, in Haath-speak <> she declared. <> Haath demanded, delighting in the opportunity to speak to her sister so.
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Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2010 8:20 pm
Thank the First Egg that Narjith hadn't called the usual evening meeting. Something about his rider off in his own meeting with other wing leaders meant that Kallista and Astarteth were free to do as they please. Normally, what they pleased to do was more like what Astar was pleased to do and Kallista just went along with the ride.
Since there was so much space in High Reaches as opposed to Ista, were they were lucky to be roomed with T'ka and Haany. Kallista grimaced at that one. She had convince T'ka to transfer from their tropical habitat to the colder Northern area. Why? She wasn't sure. Something about a weyr in need and wings depleted had tugged at Kallista's dutiful nature and for once, she had bullied Astarteth into following her lead. Even if it meant leaving the green's admirers, along with possibly one of her own, behind.
Neither rider nor dragon had quite figured out their agenda for the night when Astarteth's eyes tinged slightly yellow-orange with what was more a typical annoyance than anything else.
I shall tell you no such thing! Your spotted wherry hide shall learn some manners first. Astar retorted back. However, the green did relay the message to her rider. Kallista. Haanyath's rider is looking for you.
T'ka! Speak of the firelizard and they shall appear! How amusing and interesting that both friend's seemed to be thinking of each other. Kallista grinned and gave her dragon a thump. "Well, tell her we are heading down near the lake. If you are lucky, I may scrub your hide."
This put Astarteth in a considerably much better mood. Hey big butt! We will be near the lake.
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Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2010 11:18 pm
<> Haath informed, as she stood up, semi-crouched, so that Hers could easily vault to the green's back. T'ka hastily strapped herself. Were Kallista and Astarteth in the lake yet? Hopefully not, T'ka had an idea, and they wouldn't want to be wet for it.
"Haath, please request that they stay out of the water if they haven't entered it yet. Tell them I have an idea," T'ka requested once again, as she double-checked her straps. Yes, this would be a short flight, but safety and caution were a rider's friend. It would be awfully embarassing to die because she fell off of Haath's back on a casual flight.
<> Haath snapped back at Astarteth, well accustomed to the banter by now. In fact, it hardly made her angry anymore, which was good for her rider's sake. In fact, Haath's eyes only took on the a slight red tone at Astar's teasing. Quite an improvement.
"Let's go Haath," T'ka gave the okay, squeezing Haath's sides with her heels. Haath took off lazily, falling off the ledge more than jumping off. It was just so much easier. She winged her way to the lake at T'ka's prompting, and landed with a thump, near the water's edge, eyeing it warily, as if it'd done something wrong.
T'ka wondered whether or not she ought to get off her dragon. Was Kallista coming here on Astar, or were they walking? It would be rude to stay on Haath's back if her friends were on foot, but it would be much more convenient to stay on, if indeed Kallista came on Astarteth. Then again, there was also the possibility Kallista didn't have her riding gear on. She would need it, if she wanted to take part in T'ka's scheme. Maybe they could drop back at her Weyr and get it, if she didn't have it. A minor inconvenience, not really noteworthy. "Haath, ask them to bring their riding gear, if they can, it would be helpful."
<> Haath decided. Not that she really knew what Hers was thinking, but it hardly mattered. It promised to be fun, especially if Astar was there, and that was really all that Haath was interested in.
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Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 5:30 pm
Longneck! At least I have a neck! As for your head, it is filled with the fat that didn't fill your butt. Astarteth enjoyed this bantering of wits and acid tongue. They were on the far side of the lake and she watched as Haath landed. Your as graceful as a drowned wherrie.
Since neither was in the water yet and hers wouldn't go into the water without her, Astarteth simply chose not to pass that message along. However, she did mention something about gear.
Your friend wants us to get our gear. We are apparently going on an adventure. The green lowered herself slightly so Kallista could hop aboard.
AN adventure? How wonderful was that? Kallista was grinning from ear to ear. It had been a while since she had gone and done anything fun. Hopping onto her dragon's back, she was thankful that their weyr was one of the lower ones close to the lake. Please pass the word that we will be along shortly? And I think we need the chance to stretch our wings.
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Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 9:18 am
<>It amazed Haath how easily she slipped into the banter anymore. Of course, she talked to Astarteth far more than Hers had a chance to talk to Kallista. Haath almost pitied the humans. How difficult it must be to not have telepathy. They actually had to walk around and find the people they wanted to talk to. As it was, Haath could insult Astar whenever she wished, and that was just the way she liked it.
<too mean to this Haath, Astar. Otherwise she won't share the gossip she has with you,>> Haath informed, recalling something from the other day, the incident almost ready to disappear from her limited memory forever. It would be a shame not to discuss it with her friend.
As T'ka watched Astar take off with Kallista aboard, making a bee-line for their weyr, T'ka saluted them in a friendly, joking sort of manner. Hopefully Kallista would approve of what T'ka had in mind, it seemed like a good idea to her. T'ka was longing for a bit of a getaway. High Reaches was nice, but...it was no Ista.
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Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 7:19 pm
If there was one weakness Astarteth had besides her vanity, which according to her was a strength, it was gossip. While she rarely spoke to the greens or even the blues, Astarteth loved to sit with the browns and listen in on what was going on in the Weyr. Gossip? Something new has happened?
A bee-line was made and soon enough Astarteth and Kallista were landing on the ledge of Haath and T'ka's weyr. The green landed neatly and folded her wings in. Taking a few steps forward, she lowered her neck and her beloved slide down.
"T'ka! I was so happy to hear from you and Haath! H'pez makes us sit with our wing for meals and I know your practices are on different cycles than mine. How have you been? What adventure do you have planned?" Hazel eyes were sparkling with anticipation and with a grin, Kallista strode forward. Returning T'ka's mock salute, Kallista stopped and waited with impatience. "Details, m'dear?"
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Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 8:44 pm
T'ka smiled hugely at Kallista, jumping up to extend a hand for shaking. Shards, she would have loved to hug Kallista, she yearned to, but she was still a little awkward with physical affection. Her grin was sincere enough though, and her eyes lit up with familiarity and appreciation. "I've been...okay," T'ka decided, mulling it over. Truthfully? She hated her wing. Her wingleader was an a**, constantly critical and tough on her simply for being a female, especially with a shortened name. But T'ka was tough, and wouldn't let her disappointment show. She and Haath suffered in -relative- silence, and simply resolved themselves to work harder; and as it happened, they were pretty kick-arse wingriders and flyers.
"More important than how I am is how you are. This ol' smith has thick skin. I'm more worried for your wellfare than mine. But before we get into the catching-up stuff, let me tell you my plan," T'ka began. "My cousin recently impressed; now I know bad stuff's been done, but she's done me a favor. Done you a favor. Because she has a dragon now, she's learning to fly and go between and stuff," T'ka continued. Was this important? No. But she wanted to draw out the suspense. This was going to be quite a good evening, if all went as planned. "And she used to live at Southern," T'ka hinted. Perhaps Kallista caught where this was going?
"And remembers it well. And she just...so happened to give her dragon coordinantes, who just so happened to give them to Haath, who can just so happen to give them to Astar; if you'd be willing to spend the evening hours in the setting Southern sun enjoying the fruit and the waves with me," T'ka offered. Southern, warm, comfortable, free. Unlike this stuffy High Reaches place.
Haath chortled, folding her forelegs and regarding Astarteth with smug excitement. <gold. I can't believe you haven't heard about it yet; you'll like it>> Haath assure, her tail tip flicking, belying her excitment.
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Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 10:41 pm
When T'ka started talking about a recently Impress cousin and waves and sun, Kallista took the hand that started to shake and then impulsively hugged her closest friend. "Really? Is it possible? I mean, I know it's possible since we are dragon riders but... Really?"
Chattering like the teenager she still was, the green rider's excitement spilled over to her dragon. To go to Ista, to go home! Who cared about the water and waves when they could lay out on the sand and soak up the last of the evening sun. Redfruit and citrus! Oh she missed them both. Letting go, she whirled around and practically danced. "How wonderful a treat! My time is free and I don't have to report. If I am gone for a few hours, who is to know? T'ka, you are simply wonderful."
Kallista gushed and thought about the trip. She didn't realize how her words might sound to the once smith only that she was speaking to her best friend. She barely registered the other part about T'ka being concerned about her. Turning back around, she was grinning from ear to ear. "We need a couple of blankets. I do not need sand anywhere I do not want it. I might even venture into the water if there are shipfish. "
Astarteth blinked and tried very hard to search her draconic memory. She remembered that a strange gold had come and she took the other young ones away. That the young gold here was an angry thing that she ignored. Then again, unless it was important, Astarteth ignored all golds. Is it about the strange one who came here?
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Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 11:12 pm
T'ka awkwardly returned the embrace, her fingers butterfly touches on her friend. How did one hug one's best friend that one secretly adored? T'ka didn't know, so she enjoyed the work on Kallista's part with very little on her own. She lit up just seeing Kallista's excitement. She moved over to her dresser while Kallista carried on, and after a moment, withdrew an armful of thin sheets, which she'd yet to make use of. They seemed like they'd do. She snatched up her riding pack, which slumped in the corner, and stuffed it with blankets. There were already a few snacks in it, from the times when T'ka would go on evening flights with Haath and want a bite to eat.
"Glad you like the idea," she murmured, as he picked up the pack, moving over to Haath so that she might attach it to the straps. She checked it twice, out of habit, to make sure it was secure. It wouldn't do to lose supplies while in the air.
Haath watched Hers strap the strange human thing on, admiring the nimble fingers and quickness that human hands possessed. <> Haath clarified. <> Haath laughed.
<> Haath requested, and watched as Hers retrieved a brush and placed it in the pack as well.
"Anything else you'd like? Anything else I can get for you?" T'ka asked Kallista, as she leaned against Haath's neck, regarding her best friend fondly.
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Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 10:34 pm
Kallista didn't have her pack. She had her jacket and riding gear. Trying to think, she watched her friend stuff some sheets, some snacks, and other random stuff in her pack. If they were going to the beach, Astarteth would demand to be scrubbed. Her love never passed up the opportunity to get clean and shiny.
"Maybe another brush? Once we get there, we can scrub the dragons. If we have enough time, our clothes will be dried by the sun." Kallista nodded. Going back to her dragon, the girl climbed up and secured herself. She watched T'ka as her friend strapped and check everything. Good, good.
She was excited at the prospect of having free time and being with her best friend. To simply be Kallista and not a green rider or a nameless face. How long had it been since they had the chance to relax?
Let us go! Haath has much to tell me. Astarteth rumbled. She turned to look at her sister. Move it.
"Ready when you are!"
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Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 8:57 pm
"One brush, coming right up," T'ka announced, digging around in her dresser for her spare brush. It had to be some- "Ah!" she exclaimed as she found it, running her fingers over the bristle points to make sure they were nice and stiff. T'ka knew enough about Astarteth to know she expected the best in draconic beauty products. T'ka figured she could afford to indulge Astar, she was Haath's best friend, after all. Soapsand wasn't needed, it would be heavy, bulky, and they had plenty of regular sand at the beach. Good? Good.
In a practiced movement, T'ka swung onto Haath's neck, quickly securing herself and giving Haath's sides a quick squeeze with her heels to let her know they were good to go. She turned to Kallista and flashed her a thumbs up in a rare sign of childish playfullness. "Let's go Haath," T'ka encouraged, leaning close to Haath's neck to reduce drag.
Haath turned to Astarteth, stuck out a green tongue in her direction, and leapt off the ledge, dropping a few feet before she threw open her wings and let her momentum carry her forward and up. T'ka shared the mental image with Haath, who cemented it in her mind, before sending the picture to Astarteth. <> Haath taunted as she disappeared between.
1...2...3...and there they were. The warm air was what greeted the pair first, then the sound of the ocean, the foreign smell. It was...it felt like home. Instantly T'ka pined for her old Istan Weyr, for the days as a Weyrling, of her late nights spent talking with Kallista; but she ignored that. She could long for the past later. For now, she sat astride Haath, who circled in the air like some massive bird, waiting for the appearance of her sibling, rival, and friend.
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Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 8:02 pm
Black, blacker, blackest...
Kallista and Astarteth took their direction from their closest friends and jumped between. The air was cool from the elevation and as soon as they came to their destination, the first thing Kallista noticed was the air. How wonderful! It was warm, like the softest of clothes wrapping around her and keeping her safe. Immediately, all sorts of memories came rushing back including...
No.
It was best not to think of him.
A silly grin formed on her face as she thought about other happy times in their life. And most of those included T'ka and Haath. How perfect it was for them to share this indulgence. This was where they should have stayed. But High Reaches needed them even if they didn't quite realize it.
I made it just fine. I am surprise your bubble butt did not crash to the sands as soon as you came out. Of course, maybe all the air in your head fixed that. Astarteth snorted. The green lazily circled and looked for a good place to land. Close to the water but no so close that hers would get wet right away.
Signaling her landing, Kallista ran a hand through her shortened hair. Maybe she should let it grow out again.
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Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 8:12 pm
In an effort to outdo Astarteth, Haath quickly switched from glide to dive, throwing herself downward and angling her wings to reduce drag. She hurtled towards the ocean, but quickly adjusted her wings so they picked up the air generated by her descent, and allowed the momentum to carry her forward, dropping the last few feet onto the sand as she crossed the threshold of the beach. <> Haath snorted, crouching as hers slid off. <> she asserted, turning her head to watch Astarteth with amusement in her surprisingly blue eyes.
T'ka unclasped herself, slidding off of Haath's back in what felt like the most natural motion in the world; she and her wonderful, angry green had come a long way from the awkward, rough weyrlings they once were. T'ka didn't care what other people thought, she was well aware that Haath was the most wonderful, beautiful dragon in the world, and it made her so proud to see that she and Astarteth were still such good, close friends.
"I trust that little blip between didn't phase you too much?" T'ka asked out of courtesy, as she stripped off her riding jacket and folded it, setting it on the beach, out of the reach of the waves. After that she stripped off her boots and pants, content to run around in a tanktop and shorts. It was Kallista, after all, what did she have to be embarassed about?
T'ka copied Kallista's motion, and ran a hand through her own hair as she pulled it out of its pony-tail. It was getting too long for her tastes, brushing her collar bone just barely, and she intended to get it cut, short. She made a mental note to do that sometime soon.
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Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 8:01 pm
I could out fly you any day. I can twist and turn and you will end up snout first in the sand while I flying high. And my teeth are good for snapping beasts necks. Maybe we can hunt while here? I am tired of wherrie. Astarteth directed that last part to Haath and Kallista. Really, she was a big green who needed to eat to keep her energy up.
Admiring how grown their dragons were, Kallista slid off her beast and sat down on the sands and to simply watch the two greens who were obviously interacting with each other. It was nice to know you have at least one person in your corner. "They have come a long way, eh? We have too. It's been what? Two turns since we Impressed? Almost three?"
Her riding jacket was quickly getting warm. Stripping out of that and her boots, she rolled her pants legs up and took off her outside tunic. Underneath, she had a plain brown shirt she had cut the sleeves off of and used for lazy days. "Do you ever regret leaving here? Of course, you should hunt while we are here."
That was directed at Astarteth.
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Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 9:34 pm
<> Haath agreed, excited by the prospect of killing things. And eating. Possibly the two things she loved most in the world. <> she teased.
T'ka rocked back and forth a little, glancing between the dragons, the scenery, and Kallista. She couldn't decide which view she liked the most. "It...has been a while," she agreed, thoughtfully. Had it really only been that, almost three years? It felt like forever. Life at High Reaches was so different, it was almost hard to think that she had once lived at Ista. It felt like she had two different lives.
"I...regret moving. But if I had to do it all over, I would make the same choice. Ista was nice, is nice, but...High Reaches can be home. It will be home. I will be happy so long as Haath and I are together," and then, of course, there was the unspoken, 'and as long as I'm with you'.
"What about you?" T'ka quizzed. "Do you regret leaving Ista?"
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