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 Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 2:47 am
"Omens."
F'itz - who was occupied with making a new harness - raised his head from his work and an eyebrow at his dragon. "What about them?" he asked, because he knew Brumath was just itching to ramble.
The brown did not answer immediately, rather he raised his head to look first up at the sky and then down at the Weyr's lake beside which they were lounging. "Is't not strange," he mused, addressing both his rider and any dragon that happened to be nearby, "one thing reflected in another? Blue on blue. Red on red. Many whisper these things or will whisper soon. Brumath knows them, knows they will. Omens. People. What peculiar things they are."
"Right enough," F'itz murmured as he went back to stitching a buckle into place, "about people and omens that is. What is it you're on about though? You're deliberately hiding it from me so I'll ask more questions, aren't you?"
"A dragon and his man do not live if they do not fly," the brown replied still addressing other dragons nearby and giving a slight flick of his wings that ruffled the grass, "and a man and his dragon do not live if their minds to do not soar with enquiry."
"I see," F'tiz tugged another stitch tight, "I'll bear that in mind old friend." He was going to have to play the game sooner or later - he knew that well enough by now - but equally Brumath knew by now that he didn't like to stop half way through a row of stitches; the riddler would just have to wait a while to have his satisfaction.
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Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 3:06 pm
Tatath had been watching the old brown recently. He was not one of major importance to hers or the ideas hers had but still he was a brown dragon and his rider an older one. The green tried to remember what Canoake had said about older riders but failed. Instead, she listened and waited.
Flying.
It was the one time when there were no thoughts in Canoake or Tatath's head. They would fly and go to their special place and there think deeply but for now. To fly is to be free. To fly is to be open in mind. I think you are very open and very freeing in your thoughts.
`````````````````````
Since her meetings with Ja'syn and A'nos, Canoake had settled down for well... Canoake. She was getting better at reading riders and their attitudes. And today was no different. She was dressed in a conservative fashion as she not so ideally made her way to where Tatath was sunning. The green was not yet showing any signs of being proddy which was fine with her. She had a few riders that she dangled her first Flight in front of like a prize to be won.
Which it was.
Brumath rambles and speaks deeply. It might be wise to seek out his rider.
Ah, she had heard of the older rider F'itz. Not a man she normally associated with but someone who listened and when he spoke others listened as well. Picking up her step just a hair, she was glad she allowed her dark hair to be free in the slight breeze as her skirts moved about her. Surely an impressive sight. Which way love?
He works along the Lake. I shall meet you there.
Altering her course, she would not call out. She would walk up and meet her beloved like it was all planned out, which it was, to be just a coincedence. Two riders with two dragons in the mood to chat.
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Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2011 3:41 pm
"And I think you are very interesting," Brumath replied, "as different amongst your sisters as a gold might be. One who wills to be seen. I see you, Tatath. Come to me." He didn't know what to make of her and Hers in truth. So much was possibly so or possibly not so, but their passion and confidence was clear. "Mine," the brown added privately to his rider, "here comes by a green, and her green-eyed rider. Sharp as knives Mine, or so think I. Watch them. Speak with the rider. Find her mind, as I shall find the green's, and together we shall wonder what place they have in our verdant or barren future."
"Mmmhumm," F'tiz vocalised eloquently as Brumath sent him an image of the dragon in question. He knew who she was, it was easy to know given how small the last clutch had been. True most of it had been greens (disappointing to many eyes), but that one and her big brute follower stood out from them as well as the few male dragons in the clutch did. "Let them come then," he added as he completed another stitch, "I could about do this with my eyes closed by now." He was, however, paying more than the usual amount of attention to this new harness. The Thread was coming back, and he wasn't about to be caught with poor equipment.
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Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 10:14 am
To hear such words from you are a compliment. Not many would find a green dragon interesting. I strive to stand out and be gold amoung green as does my rider. Tatath removed herself from other dragons and came to where the brown lay. Dipping her head, she settled herself. You speak of omens and people. Do they weigh heavy on your mind?
Normally greens were silly creatures who lived moment to moment. But Canaoke refused to let her dragon be anything but normal. And so, she spoke to her dragon in the art of speaking.
Canoake, Brumath tells his rider you approach.
The woman nodded slowly to herself and sent silent approval She didn't know how he would react to her nor was she of reception she would receive but as always, her head high and back straight. "Greetings F'itz, rider of Brumath. I do not mean to intrude but it seems my dragon has taken to conversation with yours and she suggested I might enjoy one with you. I see you working on a new harness. One of the tasks I actually enjoy doing for my lovely. May I join you?"
Tone neutral, no flirting or flamboyance. Canoake actually did enjoy anything that had to deal with mending, sewing or other activities of the nature. It pleased her to be able to speak on this topic and perhaps others.
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Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 12:17 pm
"Would they not?" Brumath mused. "Perhaps you are right, but many are fools. We are all green under the hide, all green at heart. To not look at a dragon just because she is green is foolishness, but the world is full of fools... Omens, and people. Yes, both are worth considering now. Whether omens be troth or falsehood one must admit the neatness of the timing, must one not? Red cracked out on the sands, now grown large and strong. Red splashed up in the skies, growing ever closer and brighter." What did Tatath wish of Brumath? Did she seek only to share in his thoughts, perhaps to gain wisdom, or did she wish something more? If she did seek more, what was it that she sought? So many possibilities. Perhaps speaking with her more would rule out a few.
"Canoake of Tatath," F'tiz acknowledged, looking up for his work with a nod, "you are welcome to join me, but you will have to forgive me if I am a little distracted by my work." Looking back down and beginning another stitch the grey-haired rider added; "I trust you are well? How are you enjoying being wingriders?" His own graduation seemed a lifetime ago. He'd been rather younger than she at the time, and had felt very small and young compared to the others in his class. Had that contributed to the distance he placed between himself and other people most of the time? Perhaps so, and it was certainly a topic that Brumath would love to think on at great length. For himself it was a matter of minor interest but not something he cared to worry about overmuch. He was as he was, and quite content that way.
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Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 4:56 pm
Tatath listened and bobbed her agreement to Brumath. You speak wisely Brumath. The worlf is full of fools that we must fly around. Thread will fall. I feel it as surely as I know myself.
She turned back to the others basking in the sun and snorted at them. Others have flown in the past and bear the scars of their flight. It is our turn to fly into the future and learn from those scars. Tell me Brumath, do you believe we will fly unscathed?
Canoake settled herself nearby and watched his hands move nimbly. It was very calming the way he was precise with each stitch, firm in knowing where his needle would dive in and come out. "We are doing well, thank you. It is much more being a wing rider but not as much as I believed. I suppose all of this will change once Thread begins to fall."
She slid him a look to see how he would talk that statement. Whether Thread fell or not, Canoake would not care until the event was upon her. But those she had allied herself believed it would fall and it did her good to go along with those thoughts. "I have already finished my new harness just a few sevendays past, so go and be distracted and I shall provide the occassional comment."
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Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 6:48 am
"Of course not," replied Brumath the eternal pessimist, "dragons fly and dragons die. You or I may live out a long life, or both of us, or neither, but many will fall to the Thread especially in the beginning. Mine and I are more prepared than many of course, we have seen and seared those tangling tendrils in the past. All the same, it takes but one mistake - whether the error is yours or another's - for your life to end as a meal for those pulsing strands." How many would be lost? Could their queens lay clutches large enough to replace the fallen? Only time would tell.
"Mmmh, that they will," F'tiz agreed, "we'll earn our keep properly again in the not too distant future, and once again the Holds will remember why it is they keep sending us their hard-earned goods." Finishing off the stitches that secured the buckle the brown rider looked up properly, setting his work aside for the time being. "At least the queens of the other Weyrs are laying well again," he said with a nod, "we can only presume that the same will be true of ours. We're going to need a lot more young dragons growing up soon, to replace those of us the Thread takes." During passes not all that many riders made it to retirement age. Many were retired because they were crippled, but few simply grew too old so far as he could gather from digging through the records and talking to a couple of Harpers who specialised in history.
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Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 9:48 am
I suppose whether physically or mentally, we shall all be scarred. I was too young and my wings to small to take me into the past. Not that our queen approved. What others do elsewhere should not concern us unless they come to Benden. They have made too many mistakes already. Tatath rumbled, her eyes tinging slightly with red at the thought of other Weyrs and their silly dragons. Benden would rise again. And with the efforts of her rider, Tatath believed that the Queen would start laying again.
Canoake flicked her fingers at an invisible bug, irritated at the mentally of some Holds. She had gone to gathers and seen those merchants who came into Benden, acting like the Weyr should be beholden to them not the other way around. "We earn our keep now, they are just too short sighted to see otherwise. How many times do they fly the banner for a rider to act as messenger or runnerbeast. Too many. As if it is their right not their honor to be flown on any dragon."
She took a breath and gave F'itz a smile. Not charming or seductive as she would give others. No, a different kettle of fish. This one was more rueful, as if she pitied the holders and their ways. Which she did. Ah ha. The mention of eggs. A good topic to seize upon. "Indeed they are. And when Yirath flies again, she should be caught by a bronze or brown who can fly well with her. So that the next clutch is not so...lacking."
Tatath snorted.
"Not to say that the dragons were lacking. But nine eggs before a pass is not so impressive. With a good strong bronze and a rider who will most of the Pass if not all of it, then we will be able to not only replace those who will fall but once again truly lead the Weyrs."
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Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2011 11:28 am
"We must think of the other Weyrs, because we must think of the other Holds," Brumath replied, giving a thoughtful rumble. "Here we have all we need to survive, it is true, but many luxuries that make our riders' lives comfortable come to us from other places... I do believe though as you say mistakes have been made, are being made by that Island to our West. Malvren. Have you heard, Tatath, that they planned to steal the plans from that man who works the the glass halls? What do you think of such rumours? True or false, and the reason for them in either case. Who stands to gain from this little tangle?" He still wasn't quite sure himself, he wasn't incline to trust any party implicitly. Evidence was what he wanted, but without it he could still speculate at least.
"People grow complacent," F'tiz said with a slight sigh, "it's hard for them to get their heads around what it is riders are for when they've never seen Thread and hardly ever see dragons... I'm not saying it's right of them," he added with a small frown, "just that it's human nature. Out of sight out of mind, some people just don't really think about things." Much as he couldn't imagine living that way himself he was aware that plenty of people did go through their lives never really analysing what when on around them. A pity really, the world could probably be a much better place if more people used what was between their ears.
"Everyone has high hopes for this next clutch," F'tiz agreed, shaking off internal disappointment at much of the populous of Pern. "I think they're fixed on the wrong thing though, as you point out it's the numbers that are the problem. We had nine eggs, of those we would expect about four or five to be green. How many were green? Five. Five green, one blue, one brown, one bronze and one crimson. Out of all of it the only surprising thing should be the crimson, but as I say people so often don't really think about things. They saw a clutch with only one of any colour other than green and started flapping like headless wherries. True I would have expected another blue in there rather than that crimson, but I maintain that the proportions really weren't the problem. Of course," the grey-haired man humphed slightly, "nobody wants to hear that from me, or if they listen at all they insist that it's the same thing which it isn't." People got so emotional and caught up in everything that they couldn't see beyond their own noses sometimes, it was rather frustrating.
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2011 2:56 pm
Tatath snorted at the mention of others Weyrs but waited for Brumath to say his piece. Perhaps we must think of other dragons and their riders. Without mine, I would be lost and gone. Those mistakes took many dragons with them.
Her tail twitched at the mention of Malvren. And the old man. I don't understand how little plants can help us so large. But Canoake has been talking to the rider's of Brynth and Acriculeth. I have been trying to talk to other blues and greens. Tatath let her frustration show through on that task. It seems like I am the only green who cares what goes on beyond Benden's walls. I do not know if it is truth but I would watch myself around them.
"Out of sight and out of mind can come back to bite those in the a** later on." Canoake told him bluntly. She crossed her arms and got up to pace for a moment. It was that or bite her nails which she was trying to grow back. After all, if her nails looked nice, then a person would look at her hands, her arms, and so much more. It was a shame that so many thought her just a pretty face. Shaking her head, she turned back to F'itz. "You have to forgive my outburst. Rarely do I have the chance to speak with someone who shares the same opinions and thoughts as I."
Settling back down, she nodded to him. "Bigger is better and greater is more. The proportions were fine. I agree maybe another blue or brown. But it is green and blue who hold the greatest dragon numbers. Something, I think others tend to forget. We make the majority of the wings and do the majority of the labor." Taking a breath, she moved on. "It does not bother me that some other colors were hatched. If they can do the job needed, then another pair of hands and wings is always welcome. But we should not treat them special just because the hide is a different color. Everyone who flies should work and fly the same." She slapped her hip for emphasis, allowing her skirts to show a little leg. Canoake couldn't leave all of her nature behind. "It would be nice to have a wing leader or a weyr leader who listened to every rider no matter what rank they had or what dragon they rode."
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Posted: Sat Jul 16, 2011 10:29 am
"Truth is difficult to see," Brumath rumbled, "clouded and twisted by the facets of our eyes and hearts... I do think wariness is wise, however, and perhaps wariness of more than merely Malvren. What of their old allies Trine, what is there part? What of our own Weyr, of other Weyrs?... To speak to others is worthwhile, I speak much and listen much, but few listen much to me. I think that they do not like how my words, mundane or meaningful, force them to think. What I wonder do they think the thing between their headknobs is for?... Ah, but there it is of course, they never think to begin with." It was frustrating at times but he was patient and calm, and could accept the faults of his fellow dragons.
At Canoake's words, F'itz snorted and shook his head. "Well exactly, and consider your outburst forgiven; it was apt, and I can forgive a bit of bluntness for that..." Quite nice legs she had, he wondered if she was unaware of it or just so certain of herself that she was comfortable showing herself off like that. Mmmh, well either way her words were more interesting than her body no matter how nice the latter was. "It would be nice for that to be the case, for leaders to take everyone's point on board," he went on, "but it's not too common for that to happen, or at least not for it to be acknowledged. I wouldn't be surprised if plenty of weyrwomen and weyrleaders have had friends who rider smaller dragons who offer them lots of helpful advice... I don't believe that all bronze and gold riders were necessarily born great leaders, nor all bronze and gold dragons. Many become so of course, but it's something they learn because of the situations they're put in, not something innate."
So long as his leaders were competent he was happy to follow them no matter the colour of their dragon, and equally no matter if he thought other people were telling them what to say; with no wish for personal power F'tiz was content so long as things worked, and for all that equality would be nice he wasn't going to kick up a fuss about it, especially at time when what they needed was stability. The Thread was coming, and the last thing they needed to be doing when it arrived was bickering over the relative worth of dragons... But what did that mean in relation to atypes, or runts as they tended to be called around here? He had nothing against them as such but it couldn't be denied that it took a lot more effort and a great deal more resources to nurture them to adulthood. If clutches began to bear a good number of healthy dragons of normal colours again, could that investment be justified?... He wasn't sure he had an answer to that, but no doubt Brumath would think about it at length at some point.
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Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 10:01 am
You speak well. You speak to me as Canoake does for she doesn't want me to be a silly green. Sometimes I do not remember but she reminds me everyday of what is going on and what we must do. Some greens only think of flights and oiling and feeding. I think of those too but not so much that if fills my head. Tatath replied. I do not trust those others but my rider tells me she knows who to trust and I trust her.
"Well F'itz. It seems that you and I are much in the same mind. Much in the same mind as I am with some others in the Weyr. I am sure that our Weyrleader has his own group to cheer them on and offer advice. But why they only accept the advice of so few when Benden has so many," she questioned ruefully. How tempting it was to nimble a nail or blurt out her ideas to him. But he had not yet won her trust or truly expressed what his goals, if any were and Canoake knew not to show all her moves. "I just want Benden to be proud again. I want us to fly through this Pass and remember it as fondly as possible. And I certainly do not want to have to worry that my Weyrleader is a fool who says one thing and does another. Too many wants and wishes I suppose from one so young as myself but I can't help how I feel."
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Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 3:24 am
"The forgetfulness of dragons is a troublesome thing, or is?" Brumath rumbled deeply, a swirl of bright green running through his eyes as he turned the idea over in his mind. "While they look to the past and recall what must be recalled our minds are in the present, the here and now. Such a setting of mind can lead to being vapid, perhaps concerned merely with small things but for those such as us perhaps it gives us focus in now that humans cannot have. Perhaps that is so, or perhaps it is not but is it not an interesting idea?... Trust though, yes, who to trust and who not? Strange times, strange actions and accusations. Mayhap the birth of white in Malvren was seen as an omen there, as though with that rarity they were chosen and permitted to take what they willed when they willed it from any on Pern. They are quick to forget that a Benden bronze sired that white, or perhaps they attack us because they resent that it was not one of their own males. Who knows. Not I, not yet at least. I will know, and when I know I will tell my rider to remind me to tell you, if you are interested in truth."
"Hummm..." With this speculative noise F'tiz lent back more comfortably against his dragon's flank and studied Canoake thoughtfully. "Nothing wrong with wanting," he said eventually, "especially while you've your whole life ahead of you to chase after those desires... At any rate, we are proud, and strong and disciplined. I was sent out to Trine Weyr you know, and I found them surprisingly lax over there. I hope for the sake of the Holders and Crafters of the areas it protects that they start drilling more earnestly now."
He wasn't sure what to make of her near criticism of the Weyrleader. He didn't believe the man was perfect of course but he was the Weyrleader and no matter where (or if) he was getting advice he was doing a fair job of things at the moment. "Who knows what will happen the next time our senior queen rises," he said eventually, opting for a safe topic, "we might end up with a new leader with new ideas." So long as any new ideas the theoretical man had weren't too wild, he never had been a fan of sudden pointless change. If there was a reason fair enough but he hated it when new weyrleaders mixed things around just for the sake of being different to their predecessor.
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Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2011 4:47 pm
Brumath's big speech stumped Tatath for a few minutes. She sat, mulling over what he said and trying to look as thoughtful as a dragon could look. Not wanting to stick her tail in her mouth, she finally responded slowly. I suppose it is nice to not remember pain or sorrow or anguish. But we should remember our mistakes so not to make them again. Maybe us keeping to the small picture lets our riders keep to the big one?
Haha! This little green was feeling quite witty and pleased in being able to handle such big conversation and big words. When she reported everything to Canoake later, Tatath was sure her rider would be pleased. Strange and stranger yes. I trust my rider to know what is best for me. We must trust the Weyrwoman and Weyrleader to know what is best for all of us. Benden is what we believe is best for Pern. I would be interested in learning what the truth is and trust you not to mince words as you would with others. The green did her best to settle and look a little more casual though her brain was working overtime to keep up with the brown.
"What is Trine like? I have heard it is tropical and hot. Felines, nasty bugs," Canaoke shuddered. "No thank you. As for wanting, I suppose whether big or small, wanting is wanting no matter what." She watched the very subtle changes in body and face and realized she would have to tread a little more carefully. This is a man who would be loyal but slow to change his loyalties. But it would be to his dragon and Weyr. Which could prove useful to A'nos. "This is true. In the meanwhile, Benden prospers if somewhat a little slowly. Our Holds tithe well and our dragons are strong and fast in flight. The path Benden takes is a tried and true one, so long as any new ideas are not as outlandish as those Weyrs, I shall be content."
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Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 3:27 am
"I speak as I speak to any who will listen," Brumath replied, "I would speak the truth to any, but some would prefer not to hear. We trust those two, but ought we? Do they strive for us and for Benden or merely for their own gain? Do they seek to make us dance like puppets by feeding us resentment of the other Weyrs, the new ones with their strange dragons? It is impossible to know for now what their aims are in these changing times. Watching is what we must do, and thinking not blindly trusting. It may come to be that we must think and act on our own without the blessing of those placed above us by birth." Brumath did not wish to be Weyrleader, nor even a Wingleader, but that didn't mean he was blind to the foolishness of how their leaders were chosen. His rider saw it as tradition, as just the way things were, but Brumath's eyes saw through that to the cracks and flaws. Foolishness, but what system would he make instead were he given the choice? He did not know, and that was another matter to consider on another day.
"Ha," F'itz gave a lopsided smile and shook his head. "Hot, sticky, and full of bugs. I didn't see any felines while I was there though. They don't live in a proper Weyr like us, either, each rider has their own individual little hut spread out around the lakes. There are central complexes for candidate and weyrling barracks, the hatching sands, the dininghall and so on though." While he hated the cold with a passion, Trine had been too hot, or maybe it had just been the humidity he hadn't liked. In any case, he'd been glad to put the place and its strange ways behind him.
"In any case, agreed," F'tiz nodded, "and the ancientcrafter promises us results in our next clutch. It would be good to see a big clutch on the sands again." He still didn't trust the strange techniques the man used, nor did he like the secrecy surrounding the whole affair, but if it brought prosperity back to the sands of Benden who was he to complain? "It's been too long since we saw a queen," he went on, "for all that I think people were too worried about the lack of browns and bronzes in recent clutches I am concerned about queens. We need them, now more than ever as the Red Star approaches." He didn't explicitly state 'we need them because dragons and riders are going to start dropping like flies when the Thread returns', but he had no doubt that Canoake was bright enough to work that bit out for herself.
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