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 Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 10:56 am
E'rik found that thinking about the lice made the itching intensify, and in a sick, cyclic pattern, the more it itched the harder it was not to think about it. By the time he finished the run his mind was so hyper-focused on the bugs crawling through his hair he didn't even notice how tired his body was as he put on a last, habitual burst of speed for the last eighth of the run. He still wasn't in a position to catch up with or pass Kallista, but he didn't finish as far behind her as he had been for most of the run.
Daramulath cheered him on: Yes! Faster! My wonderful bondmate!
He looked very pleased, as though he had been the one running. Yansanth seems eager to fly. She might not agree to be jealous.
He liked the friendly, absent-minded little queen, but he kept his distance. She and her rider were none of his concern, nor E'rik's. When she Impressed, E'rik had said it was an Impression worthy of song, but then he had added that all Impressions were. Dara didn't know why he remembered that. Mostly he couldn't remember anything that far back. He remembered his own Impression, but he remembered feelings more than anything else, and E'rik's face. Many times he didn't remember that E'rik had once had another name
When he finished the circuit E'rik slowed to a jog and made a much smaller lap around the pair of dragons to help him cool down, though he was now beginning to feel the exhaustion in his limbs and the burning in his lungs. His breath was coming in deep inhalations and shaky exhalations. He wasn't proud of that.
You're not going to die are you? Dara asked with the barest hint of concern.
I don't think so. He considered revising that opinion, though, as even more waves of exhaustion struck him and made him suddenly dizzy. Water?
Daramulath concentrated very hard on slipping the tip of his tail through the loop on E'rik's water sack and the flipped it to his human, who caught it easily. He had good hand-eye coordination, even when seeing double. Despite his dry mouth, he didn't swallow the mouthful of water he gulped, but rather swished it around and then spat it out. He knew better than to drink large amounts of water after exercising.
"Thanks," he said aloud, recovering his voice once he'd wet his mouth.
To Kallista he said, "That was...enlightening."
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 12:05 pm
Kallista was breathing slowly but managed to chuckle while watching E'rik get back to normal. A nifty trick, Daramulath handing his rider the water bottle. Her hazel eyes sparkled as the sun finally broke and was shining of Ista Weyr. What a great start to the day. Well, for her anyways. "Enlightening? Did you learn some great knowledge while we jogged, care to share?"
Her voice was slightly teasing. Vaguely, she looked for the klah mug and small bowl of fruit she had left near her green. Where had she left it... Did she bring it out? Finally, the urge was too great. She scratched her scalp to relieve the annoying itching. Pulling her hand from her thick, coppery hair, she yelped when she saw the bugs. It was confirmed. Kallista wanted to wail. "Eeeeew! Lice! Shard it! Now, I am going to have to get my hair cut. Stupid overcrowding...."
You can cut you hair and put on sweet oil and Daramulath's rider will think you are very pretty. Astarteth commented. It is just hair and it will grow back. Getting up slowly and stretching, the green moved over to her rider and inspected her. You could use some more meat on your body as well.
Sitting down on the rock that Astar had vacanted, Kallista looked absolutely miserable. Thankfully, she didn't start to overreact and strip down right then and there. That would be for the washing rooms later. She looked over at E'rik to see that he also looked slightly uncomfortable. "I'm glad you ran with me. It's nice to have company, Astar enjoys Daramulath around as well. Can I ask you another favor?"
You're ignoring me. Astarteth grumbled. She turned to the big brown and huffed. Does yours ignore you as well?
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 7:51 pm
"Very enlightening," E'rik confirmed. "I learned that I am more out of shape than I thought, and that Dara doesn't always have my best wishes at heart."
I do, too, Dara protested vehemently. You are my best-beloved bondmate. I just wanted Astarteth to see how wonderful you are.
He watched her scratch her scalp and thought with a sinking feeling that she was probably plagued with the same parasitic monster he was afraid he had. He felt much sorrier for her. Her hair was an attractive shade, and if she decided to hack it off, it would be a loss. He wasn't sure how she'd look with the sort of extreme short style that lice seemed to require. It was kind of difficult to picture.
"I'm glad I ran with you, too." He couldn't quite say it was fun, but he'd still enjoyed it. The lessons made him do some physical activity, but it wasn't the same, really, to do it in the presence of so many other people who were at so many different levels of fitness. Not that he was among the more fit, but he was at least used to some kinds of exercise, and some of them had no idea what it meant to exert themself physically. Like the Bronzerider C'ym. A nice enough fellow, really, but so obviously not one of the rest of them.
Do you think she really enjoys my company? Dara asked E'rik.
Why wouldn't she, you silly wherry?
"'Another' favor? Somehow I seem to have missed the granting of a first favor, but all right. Providing it won't end up with me being Holdless or scrubbing privies from now until the Pass begins."
Yes. He does. Sometimes, Daramulath admitted mournfully. Is your human ignoring you now? I could help get her attention.
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Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 8:27 pm
Yes she is. I am telling her how she needs to pretty herself up and she will not listen. If a dragon could pout, Astarteth's lip would be out as far as it would reach. She turned her eyes back to her rider. Why not get cleaned up with E'rik?
"Astar!" Kallista exploded when she finally caught her dragon's chatter. Blushing deeply, she tried to pretend that her dragon had not just suggested... Well... She didn't suggest anything besides cleaning but still! "Um... Sorry. She said something...silly. And you did do me a favor by running with me. Not many would be willing to wake up early to run or do anything at all."
Astarteth had had enough of being ignored. She marched up to her rider and butted her. The dragon, only half-grown, still had enough strength to knock Kallista to the ground. You will pay attention to me. Go get clean. And make yourself look nice. NOW.
Looking up, Kallista glared at her dragon. "Fine. Fine. E'rik, will you please cut my hair? Not short, like a boy's hair. But maybe to the middle of my neck? Then, maybe... With a lot of scrubbing, I can rid myself of these bugs."
Astarteth turned, now smugly, to Daramulath. That is how you get them to listen.
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Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 8:04 am
That's too bad, Dara said. But I think she's already pretty. Maybe? I'm still not sure what humans consider pretty.
Dara gave a very human shrug, resettling his wings comfortably. They really weren't much good for flight yet, but he tried anyway. Most days all he could manage was a wobbly glide. On a particularly good day, flapping didn't make him tumble awkwardly to the ground, even though it didn't do much for him anyway. It was what the older dragons did to get lift.
E'rik couldn't help wondering what Astarteth had suggested to her rider, and thought about asking Dara, but there was a good chance the brown wouldn't know, and it had obviously not been meant for his ears anyway. He would live without satisfying his curiosity in this matter. If Astarteth was anything like Daramulath, she was probably trying to pair Kallista up with him. Dara had lately been far too interested in what makes one human attractive to another. Mostly E'rik hoped if he ignored his dragon, he would eventually forget about it. Dragons were supposed to do that.
"Dragons say lots of silly things when they're young, I've been told," E'rik said, still tempted to see if he could get her to tell him what she'd said.
"Really, though, I did enjoy doing this. I'm up early most days any..." he trailed off as the green dragon bumped into her rider. This was obviously a demand for attention. He was glad Daramulath didn't do that. The large brown could be fairly dangerous if he did, even though he wasn't fully grown.
That seemed to be effective, Dara agreed, impressed that she wasn't concerned she would damage her human that way. Humans seemed so fragile compared to dragons. I'll try to remember that.
E'rik stared at Kallista for a moment. Cut her hair? Not as short as a boy's, granted, but still. Her hair was so attractive. But if she did have lice, he could understand her desire to take steps to combat that. He wasn't sure he was the best person to ask this, though. He'd never cut anyone's hair in his life, including his own. There was always somone around to wield the scissors for him who could actually see the back of his head.
"I can try," E'rik said hesitantly. "Lice?"
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Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 6:08 pm
She is pretty. But she stays inside and pays no attention to herself. How can she get a mate that way? Astarteth snorted. She stood over her human looking down at her with those large multi-faceted eyes. It was a good thing that Astar was of average size and not another color, she might have harmed her rider. Not that she thought about it at that moment. Are you going to let yourself be groomed?
Kallista, still on the ground, continued to glare at her dragon. You heard me ask, now let me up you green lump.
Astarteth backed up and sat down patiently. Bobbing her head at Daramulath, the green seemed very proud of herself. Wings folded neatly and tail curled up prettily, the green ignored her rider. I have many ways to make my rider listen. I must share with you.
"If you could still consider them young. I hope she figures out how humans interact as she gets older," Kallista spoke loudly, getting up and brushing herself off. Looking over to E'rik, she frowned. "As if I don't know how to bathe myself. If you want, we can run every morning. You still have to teach me how to play the pipes... Or at least, carry a decent tune."
Her hair. Her one vain point. And it would have to be sheared. Kallista resisted the urge to scratch her scalp again. Wincing at the idea, it was cut her hair or put nasty smelling oil in it to suffocate the bugs. "Yeah. If you don't want to, I can probably get one of the drudges or cavern women to do it. Though, they might try to give me womanly advice or something silly like that. I just want it gone. How about you? Have the lice invaded the boys barracks yet?"
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Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 6:46 pm
That's too bad. And you seem to be full of such good advice for her, Daramulath said to his clutchmate. It was impossible to tell from his tone whether he was making fun of her or was genuinely agreeing with her on the subject of her human. Maybe a little of both.
Human mating habits are needlessly complicated. This last part was said so that E'rik could hear it, and E'rik had to blink very hard several times to keep from laughing at the truth and simplicity of that statement. Oh, E'rik was pretty good at the process of finding someone to occupy his bed for as long as he felt like it, but he still agreed that human mating rituals were needlessly complicated.
"If it's any consolation, Dara's being equally shocking. At least by his standards. I suspect Astarteth is much better at being outrageous."
I could be outrageous, Dara interjected. But I choose to be amiable instead. Lucky you.
It seemed that being in the presence of his coquettish clutchmate had some effect on his own behavior, though E'rik guessed it would wear off shortly after Dara and Astar parted company. Short draconic memories were a blessing sometimes.
To Astarteth Dara said, I would appreciate it. E'rik is very good at ignoring me when he wants to be. Not that he does it very often, and never without reason, but...Just in case.
"If you don't mind, I'd enjoy running with you in the mornings. And, yes, I do still have to teach you to play the pipes or carry a tune. Whichever you would prefer, and at your convenience."
He was about to run his hand through his hair as he thought when he remembered the lice, and the fact that he really, really didn't want his fingertips to come into contact with the vile insects. The thought made him shudder involuntarily.
"I think the lice have just reached us," he said with a scowl. "And if you don't expect me to style your hair, I'm pretty sure I can manage a straight cut across. Styling would be better left to those who also offer womanly advice, which I promise you will not get from me."
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 6:50 pm
Exactly. I know what's best for her. And being stuck in a hot stuffy room is not best. Astarteth replied. Of course, she knew what was best for her rider. She knew what was best in general. According to her, it was a gift. I do not understand why it is so hard for her to find a mate.
No mates until you are grown. It would...complicate things. Kallista replied through slightly gritted teeth. Astar had allowed her to be privy to the conversation; she was seriously going to have a talk with her dragon about proper conversation. "I think she enjoys trying to see how much she can shock me. I wonder if it is a green habit. We really haven't talked to any other greens or their riders."
Not as important or pretty as me. Astar imputed. To Daramulath, she replied. You would be surprised how they react to suggestions like bathing together. Or a good nudge.
"I know one should never sing on a full stomach. So maybe just before the evening meal or a few candle marks afterward? The mornings can be for running. As for style, unless a ponytail counts, there is no need for style. And, if you had any sort of womanly advice to offer me, I might be concerned about where you have been spending your free time."
This was said in a teasing voice. Hands on her hips, she gave him a sympathetic nod. Though it could grow back and quite easily, she knew hair to be a vanity point for some boys and girls alike. "I hope they figure out how to rid us of these parasites soon. I know one of the green female riders has cut her hair very short."
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Posted: Sun May 24, 2009 9:46 am
It seems to be a dragon's lot in life to be full of wisdom and ignored, I think, Daramulath commiserated. Why is she stuck in a hot stuffy room?
"That could be," E'rik answered. "At least she has a personality. Some of the dragons I've met seem to be completely lacking in one. There are a few older dragon-rider pairs I've seen where they're indistinguishable except for the wings. You'd think after that much time one of them would have developed a few distinguishing characteristics, but instead they've melded into one personality with two bodies."
He wasn't sure if that was really something to criticise, actually. That sort of union was what the songs about Dragonriders glorified. It created the legendary tales which were passed on over the course of generations, and not just in dusty records. E'rik just found the idea of surrendering himself completely to another absolutely terrifying. It was why he was able to keep Dara at a distance at need, when nearly everyone else was always receptive to their dragon's input and always sharing their whole self with them. E'rik still held a little back, preserving a small part of himself that would not be lost to his bond with Dara.
"After the meal would probably be bette, even if we have to wait a few candlemarks, though if you rinse your mouth and throat with something astringent after eating you should be all right to sing without any interval." Harpers were often called upon to sing immediately following meals, and so it was necessity that had taught them how to ready their voices in a hurry.
E'rik wrinkled his nose. "I know for a fact I can't put your hair in a ponytail, but I can leave you enough that you can do it yourself. Me, I think I'll just shave my head. That way there'll be nowhere for the lice to lay their eggs."
He wasn't too torn up about losing his hair. He like his hair, of course, but it would grow back, and it wasn't as though he had every done anything with it, style-wise. In fact, he sometimes went days without even running a comb through it. Also, it would be an interesting chance to see what shape his skull was.
Bathing with other humans? But E'rik does that when he goes to the bathing chamber. He doesn't seem to mind them at all.[
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Posted: Sun May 24, 2009 5:12 pm
Because she won't come out to talk to anyone! Astarteth huffed. All the time it is running. Lessons. Eating. Sleeping. My rider is so dull. Maybe being your rider's friend will make her more lively.
"I don't think that it's they are lacking in personality. Maybe we are just not privy to it? I am sure that since dragons rarely talk to anyone besides their rider, who would really know? Though, some of the older dragon riders seemed to be lacking in personality." Kallista mused dryly. She thought about a couple of the older bronze and brown riders. "It's like they let duty take over and forget to remember that occasionally there is more to life than just the dragons and getting ready for Thread..."
That was almost a blasphemous statement coming from the green rider. She rubbed Astarteth's head knobs as if to reassure herself and her dragon that no matter what, dragon would always come first but still...
Oh yes, Kallista. You do need a life. Maybe one with Daramulath's rider. Astarteth popped in happily.
Kallista blushed brightly and tried to cheerfully ignore her dragon. Looking back over at E'rik, she nodded when he commented on practicing after dinner. It wouldn't be hard to find a mint rinse to clean her mouth out. Surely someone in the lower caverns kept something like that around... "Maybe we can start tonight? As for the ponytail, just enough so people can still tell that I am a girl would be fine with me. If you wait here, I can go get some shears. Then, I think we both need to bathe before we start to stink."
Kallista darted into the kitchens to find a sharp knife or shears to trim her hair. This gave Astarteth a chance to talk with Daramulath and let E'rik admire her. I think it is bathing with different types of humans. Your human is male and mine female. Kallista certainly made noise when I suggested she bathe with your rider.
Back! And with sharp pointy things. Carefully, she handed them to E'rik. "Ready when you are."
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Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 11:02 am
Maybe, Dara said. He really wasn't sure what to make of Astarteth's appraisal of her rider. As far as he was concerned, E'rik was perfect. He didn't remember the incidences when E'rik was cruel or thoughtless toward other people. He was certain E'rik was the cleverest, most talented, best human in the Weyr, and there was no need or room for improvement. Saying that, though, did not seem like it would be a good idea. No dragon liked to hear their human criticised, even if they had been critical themselves.
"Oh, sure there's more to life than getting ready for Thread. There's scolding younger Dragonriders who lack the proper reverence for them and the old ways." He'd been spared that sort of chastisement, but mostly because he was very good at appeasing and placating people who were needlessly riled up. It was easier when they had no reason to be upset.
E'rik had no idea what Astarteth had just said to her rider, but if he'd known he probably would have fled as quickly as possible. It was bad enough when the girls he spent time with wanted to make greater demands on his time than he was ready to concede. When dragons got in on it his only recourse was to escape. Dara had not yet learned to fly or go between in their lessons, but E'rik was certain they could figure it out if they had to. And E'rik had a perfect mental image of Harper Hall. It would do for a place to run away. Well. He probably wouldn't do anything as dramatic as that. Probably he would just avoid Kallista from then on and encourage Daramulath to avoid Astarteth, too. It would be as if they had never met.
"Tonight would be fine." E'rik refrained from adding that there was little danger of someone failing to recognize Kallista as a girl. Theirs wasn't really that sort of relationship. Shells, they'd known each other so briefly they were little more than friendly acquaintances, though the way was definitely being laid for friendship.
Oh, Dara said. That could be the difference. He might ask E'rik.
E'rik, would it be unusual to for you to bathe with Kallista? he asked as the runner went to fetch a pair of shears.
Yes. Is that what Astarteth suggested to make her blush? E'rik was beginning to feel very suspicious of Astarteth, and though he knew logically that she was just a precocious dragon he was a little uncomfortable.
I think so. Why would it be strange?
I'll explain later. She's coming back. He looked up at Kallista with a smile that was, perhaps, a little forced.
"All right. Have a seat." He took the shears from her hands and wondered if she should have brushed her hair out first, so that it wouldn't be different lengths when cut, depending on the presence or absence of knots or waves. Ah well. She'd said she didn't mind if it wasn't perfect.
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Posted: Mon May 25, 2009 3:30 pm
Astarteth yawned. She was starting to get tired and hoped this hair cutting would go quickly. Curiously, she watched E'rik take the shears from her rider. This will be so nice, Kallista! I demand a bath afterward. And oiling.
Kallista settled herself on a nearby rock. Though just outside the kitchen and eating area, it didn't seem right to drag a chair out. Especially since she would have to drag it back in. Undoing that which held her hair in a ponytail, she looked over at E'rik. Taking a deep breathe, she gave him an all or nothing grin. "Okay, I think I am ready. Just try to keep it straight? I can probably get one of the girls from the barracks to clean it up later."
Snip. Snip. Snip.
She watched as her hair fell in three sections. No longer was it down her back or tickling her neck. Carefully, she reached up and touched her hair. Kallista wanted this, she needed this. It was the best way to handle the lice. But, her hair... Sniffling, she wondered if she would feel better looking at it. Taking one of the dull plates that had held their fruit, Kallista could vaguely see how short her hair was. Maybe an inch or two just past her ears.
Oh Kallista! You look so pretty! I love it. Now we can go bathe and get all pretty together. Astarteth chortled, her rider's negative feelings not yet reaching her. Daramulath's rider will find you most acceptable then!
She tried really hard. She really did. But she was a girl and any drastic change to her hair or any part of her features invoked a strange emotion. Still touching her hair, Kallista's eyes watered and a tear slid down her cheek. "Thank you, E'rik. I really mean it. It's stupid to be..."
The green rider couldn't even say the word.
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Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 5:26 am
E'rik had not actually intended for Kallista's hair to end up so short. When he started out he had meant to cut her hair so that it would be just below her shoulders, but the fact that he was right-handed and trying to cut awkwardly across his body meant that his cuts were actually uneven and slanted upward toward Kallista's left shoulder. He'd been forced to make several quick snips to even out the ends of her hair, and the result had been that it ended up being a mere inch or two below her ears. Definitely shorter than he'd planned. He wondered if she would even be able to pull it into a ponytail, which had been her one stipulation.
He winced as he looked at the three large hanks of hair that lay on the ground like small, dead rodents and stepped quickly aside as she raised one of the plates, seemingly meaning to use it as an impromptu mirror. She wouldn't want to see him at the moment. Her primary concern would be her hair. She didn't look bad with shorter hair, actually, but there was no way E'rik could really say so without sounding like he was actually complimenting himself on a job well-done, which it had not been. She was just fortunate to look good despite his inexpert shearing technique.
Why is she crying? Daramulath asked, calling E'rik's attention to the fact for the first time.
E'rik barely stopped himself from recoiling physically. He hated it when girls cried. Many of the girls he knew cried for manipulative reasons, which had done little to endear them to him and made him suspicious of the motives of crying females. Even when their tears were genuine, though, he didn't like being around girls who were crying. He could never tell whether they wanted him just to sit there and listen to them or try to comfort them, or what. Experience had taught him that they never actually wanted advice or assistance with problems, and got irritable when he suggested it.
"You're welcome. I hope someone in the barracks is able to fix it up, like you said," he replied a little too quickly as he lay the shears down quietly and backed away.
"Daramulath says he's hungry. I should go feed him," he added, moving more rapidly toward an exit.
I'm not that hungry. Are you sure you shouldn't stay and help her? She seems unhappy. Daramulath was a little bewildered by his rider's behavior, but he would not call E'rik a liar.
Trust me, she doesn't need my help. Astarteth can do more for her than I could, E'rik answered. Let's go.
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Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 10:14 am
Kallista, what's wrong? Astarteth grew concerned when she finally realized her rider was upset. Looking around, she couldn't see anything that would be disturbing hers. You hair looks so pretty.
"Short. It looks short. Like a boy's hair cut." She responded woodenly. Vaguely, she heard what E'rik said about one of the girls fixing it up. Her hand reaching and felt her neck. More tears sprung. Taking a deep breathe, she turned around to reassure E'rik that she wasn't upset with him when she realized he was exiting. Very quickly. "Shards, E'rik!"
Daramulath's rider said he was hungry. I do not think he is though. Astarteth sounded a little confused. Why had Kallista gone from being sad to being grumpy?
Rolling her eyes, Kallista looked down at the three large sections of hair. They would be missed, and she tried not to tear up again, but did E'rik really have to go running off? Men! Boys! Ugg, she would never understand them. Tossing the plate back where she grabbed it from, Kallista turned to look at her green. "Do you want you bath now? I will get the oil you like so much."
Yes please! Do you want me to ask Daramulath what is wrong with his rider?
"No. I will see him later after the evening meal. Hopefully, he won't forget that he still owes me a lesson. Honestly, he didn't have to run like a scared wherry." Kallista grumbled, irritated with the brown rider. And with that, she signaled Astarteth to follow her towards the bathing area.
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