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 Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 6:02 pm
Well, Shards, he could practically hear Ianquith's hysterics when the little lizard accidentally latched onto some poor sod instead of her back, berating herself from her corner for not waiting for the poor creature! Wincing a little before the little blue went Between, J'riar listened to what Moira had to say--and found himself liking the girl more and more. Had a good head on her shoulders, and clearly wasn't afraid to say what was on her mind, particularly if it had value.
Of course, she was also fond of his little love. What wasn't to like?
"I'll introduce you later, eh? She'd be more than happy to say hello, she's just. Ah. A bit of a stickler on being polite, and so if she's upsetting someone..." He watched Wei sympathetically for a moment, reaching out to touch her shoulder and gave her a tiny shake of encouragement. "I'm sorry, Wei, I didn't know." He said quite honestly, frowning a little at just how upset she'd gotten. Shards, that wasn't how he wanted to start his day.
I am sorry I am a dragon. Ianquith said miserably, feeling quite like she was the cause of all of this.
"Well, she apologizes for being a dragon. She does have feelings, you know." He said gently, squeezing said shoulder before he let his elbow fall to rest on his knee. "She truly didn't mean to startle you, so she went over there to keep out of sight. ...You feeling better, now? And hey, Moira's right--Ianquith wouldn't hurt a fly. I can promise you that." His lips curled up wryly before he got to his feet as well.
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Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 8:17 pm
Moira frowned deeply as J'riar conveyed Ianquith's thoughts to Weiren, casting another glance in the direction the dragon had gone off in. She supposed fear was a common response to dragons, when she considered in more thoroughly, but Weiren's level of fear was beyond irrational. She could only assumed some deep-seated reason for it, and thought it best not to meddle. Were it a less severe case, she might conspire to trap the woman in a room with a dragon until she got over the blasted phobia. In this particular case, however, that would be ineffective and simply cruel.
A small square of cloth was withdrawn from her pocket and handed to the Journeywoman, delivered with a comforting smile before she twisted around to face the closest of their gawkers. Moira spoke in a loud whisper, easily audible by the several closest to her, “Dragonite Fever, I'm afraid” Moira said with a wince, “Horribly contagious, you know. Makes one fall into hysterics upon the very sight of a dragon.” The candidate forced a shudder and cupped one hand over her nose and mouth as if to indicate fear of catching the terrible affliction. “I hear it causes impotence an sterility in men,” she shook her head in a pitying fashion. “No, no I'd not come near her for a day or so. It passes quickly enough, you know, but I'd certainly be moving on if I were the lot of you.” She spoke with certainty, adding a reaffirming pat to Weiren's shoulder.
“I'll be just right back,” she said to her two comrades, smiling politely before striding off in the direction Ianquith had gone. First Egg be damned if she was going to let her think she'd done something wrong simply by being a dragon.
Clearly, someone could use a good scratching.
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Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 8:30 pm
Weiren was still in the process of mopping up her face, but supported and encouraged, seemed to be coming into better control of herself. "I, I know," she agreed quietly, dabbing at her eyes. "I mean. I grew up in Fort Weyr. My father, you know, he was a Wingsecond. I shouldn't get out of shape, I just...."
Oh, shells, give it up. There's no saving this. The Starsmith sniffled, wiped at some imaginary dust on her thighs, and began to pick herself from the ground. Moira had vanished from their company, it seemed - that was a shame, she'd really liked to have gotten to know the girl better.
"I'm sorry, Jiriar--" Wei began, than stopped. No, no, it was a different name now! But she didn't know what it was; he'd just have to correct her. "I didn't mean to be so rude. Please apologize to your, your dragon for me." And it really was just so, so regrettable. J'riar was one of the few people who had taken the time to notice her, to be friendly with her; but now that he'd Impressed, she just couldn't imagine how....
This train of thought was going to set her back into tears. Better to leave it behind, she decided, setting her shoulders and emptying her lungs slowly.
"Congratulations on Impressing," she said, rather unconvincing in her mechanical delivery. "I hope that you and Yours go far, I really do."
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Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 9:02 pm
Despite the situation, J'riar was having to try very hard not to crack an all out grin at how clever this Candidate was. Cheeky, too! They were going to get along just fine, he could tell that already. From the way the crowd was beginning to hustle, J'riar knew it wouldn't take long until they were somewhat alone again. A brow arched as she strode off, however, and he had to wonder... was she really going after Ianquith?
He knew he'd liked her.
"J'riar, you were close." He offered a grin to Wei, clearly not offended at all. "And she knows you didn't mean it. ...I'm sorry, about whatever happened." He meant that, too, looking a little concerned for her. But, she seemed to be recovering, especially now that she could wipe her face some. "Thanks, eh? Knowing me though, we'll be content to lounge around for the rest of our days." He sighed and gave his head a shake, a careful eye still fixed on Wei in case she decided to break down again.
Ianquith, in the meantime, was busy... well, trying to busy herself and not be too put out by the fact that she'd upset that girl so badly. In fact, when she risked taking another peek and spotted Moira striding her way, she jumped a little and guiltily pulled herself back. M-Mine...
Don't fret, my darling, I think we're going to be very fond of miss Moira...
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Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 9:14 pm
Moira couldn't help but smile a bit as she saw Ianquith jump, though she did not slow her stride. “Come now,” she gave the dragon a small wink as she slipped around the corner, glad to be out of the thinning throng of people. The majority of those who crowded the place weren't worth associating with in the first place, and those who were likely hadn't stopped to gawk at some poor woman's emotional breakdown, “I have to say the idea of a dragon jumping at such a short candidate is almost ridiculous as someone being frightened of you, wouldn't you say?”
Moira turned her back to the wall, rocking back on her heels to press her back against the stone before sliding down with a faint whump into a sitting position. She studied Ianquith for a long moment, cocking her head slightly to one side in thought. “It's a pity that a few confused dragonets can strike fear into people, but it doesn't mean that you've done something wrong. By the way Yours takes such pride in you, I'd wager you're smart enough to already know that.” Her smile was warm, something that rarely touched her expression when it was directed towards other humans. Dragons, however! Ah, they were a soft spot for her. There were times where she felt she might have been content pursuing a life as a dragonhealer should she fail to Impress.
“If I remember correctly,” and she often did, “I recall that recently hatched dragons can get awfully itchy when they grow. Particularly about the eye ridges?” It was clearly an invitation by the way Moira brushed dust from her hands and settled a kind smile on the young green.
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Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 9:34 pm
"J'riar," Wei echoed, dutifully inscribing the new name into her mind. It sounded practically the same as before, she thought - she ought to remember it will enough.
Now that she'd crossed the line out of "emotional wreck", Wei was starting to seem a bit more like her usual self-possessed self... but perhaps a few steps behind, yet. Worn out by the spectacular display of human irrationality, her expressions and gestures were dulled, and she was further behind the "joke" comprehension curve then ever.
"You wouldn't really!" she gasped, eyebrows sweeping up. It was hard to even imagine a dragonrider that just... sat around the Weyr all day, growing fat off of the tithes of the Hold. No, he must be joking, obviously! Wei tried to force herself to relax a bit more, and joked weakly, "I mean... I've seen that Weyrlingmaster of yours. Faranth help you if you try!"
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Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 10:16 pm
Ianquith was watching hesitantly as the young woman rounded the corner to approach her, but did stop to listen to her words--and call on Hers to help should she need it. Being afraid of her was silly, yes, perhaps, but Ianquith wasn't meaning to be so, well...timid. Mine, I am not sure she will like me without you here... She all but wilted when J'riar mentally scoffed and shushed her, and Ianquith reluctantly accepted she could do this on her own.
Attempting to sit up straight as she was studied, the dragonet tried not to quail under the attention. Oh, but she was speaking of Hers... Ianquith tilted her head in turn, listening very closely to that bit before offering a faint thrum of pleasure. She did try to make Hers proud, but to be told she was intelligent! That was a complement that made her duck her head slightly, eyes whirling with pleasure.
Itchy... She huffed a quiet sigh at that, apparently agreeing with the young woman before peering at her hesitantly. Was she offering... Oh, was she really? Timidly (for a dragon, anyway), she craned her neck out to rest her chin on Moira's knee, eyes shuttering closed to present said eyeridges more prominently. She didn't want to impose, but if the itchiness would go away...
J'riar, in the meantime, cracked a grin at Wei's horrified reaction, shaking his head with a chuckle. "No, no, that's what I'd like to say... but I can promise you, I'd never do it. Dragonriders must fly when Thread is in the sky, you know!"
The mention of F'sey was enough to pull a wince from him, and he nodded reluctantly. "Bet you Marks I'd be flayed on the spot if he even heard me pretending to say such a thing, eh? But how have you been, Wei? Has your... ah, work been going well, here?" He remembered now, something about weather and the like, hadn't it been?
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Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 10:59 pm
Moira simply could not have been more pleased, nor could her smile possibly have widened anymore than it already had by that moment. It was her first opportunity to actually be up close and personal with one of them, and it exceeded her expectation. Moira cradled the green's head between her palms, still smiling fondly. Her thumbs arched up, short nails scratching gently at Ianquith's eye ridges. There were notes her mother had written down on the care of a new dragon, pages upon pages of obsessively documented information that she had recorded in the frantic weeks after she'd lost her own. Moira had read each of them, from simple instructions to detailed recollections of their first moments between. For her, this was nearly the stuff of childhood fairytales.
She vaguely wondered how Weiren was recovering, but was not horribly concerned since there hadn't been any further sounds of terrified screaming coming from the main hall.
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Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 11:50 pm
When Thread is in the sky.... Wei pressed her lips together. She was apparently incapable of taking anything with a light heart right now. When Thread was in the sky... the Starsmiths would be there to decipher where and when it would fall. Would her research be needed then, more than ever, or disrespected and set aside?
Bah... this was just going to be a melancholy day for her, wasn't it?
"It's been progressing," Wei answered, brushing at her hair. "I'm waiting on some logs to be sent from up north. I've heard that there's been some nasty weather up on the plains; if the data correlates, then I'll extend my observation period." And if not, well... there were other places along the coast that needed observing, too, and if Weiren ever wanted to reach Master, she couldn't weigh anchor in a dead port!
At least talking about her work had picked up her mood a bit. "When did you Impress, J'riar? Certainly not this last clutch?" It was true that Wei's memory of the green was a bit fuzzy - mostly just seeing teeth and scales and then it was all somewhat blurry in her mind - but she was fairly certain that Ianquith was too large to have been a recent partnering. "She must have been much cuter when she was smaller," Wei mused, oblivious to the potential insult in those words.
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Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 2:38 pm
The not-quite-hatchling green would let out a small, but deeply appreciative sigh at the scratches, a thrum immediately beginning to rumble in her small chest and throat. This was so very nice, and the tension caused by her previous upset was slowly beginning to drain away as she relaxed. She was still very sorry that she had upset J'ri's friend... but it was hard to think when all those frustrating little itches were being scratched!
The rider in question was paying polite attention to what Weiren was telling him, his lips tugged into a slight frown. She was terrified of dragons, but had come to the Weyr to better study the weather? A devoted girl, for sure, even if maybe she'd been assigned here instead of coming out on her own. To be petrified of dragons... Well, if he ever got the urge to visit Wei, he'd make a note to ask S'van if maybe Ianquith could stay with Gall for a while. "Honestly, it's an amazing thing you're doing." He said quite seriously, folding his arms and surveying Wei with a new respect.
"Ah, no, not this last, but the one before it." He normally might have made a joke about how it was a whole less exciting... but considering what had inspired only a few days ago, he knew it'd be highly inappropriate. Though it'd have been easy to get offended, J'ri would take that last statement with a grain of salt, and was just thankful that Ianquith was hopefully out of hearing range. "She's a good girl. Definitely more easy to handle when she was smaller, but she's growing up nicely." He could only be thankful for that.
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Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 7:35 pm
Moira was pleased to see the dragon visibly relax, and she followed the notion by leaning her head back against the wall. Moira was perhaps Weiren's complete opposite when it came to dragons. She felt at peace around them. Her need to be in constant control of her surrounding quickly subsided when in their presence. Because really, what the hell could you do to be in control in the presence of dragons that weren't yours? Nothing. You sat there on your a** and you took whatever came your way, and you damn well enjoyed it. It was strangely comforting to Moira to be in such a situation, forced to simply sit back and let things come as they might without constant evaluation.
“Is Weiren breathing again?” Moira shouted around the corner, tilting her head to listen for a response. Despite her abrupt self-dismissal, she had an interest in getting to know the starsmith. Weiren's craft was one to which Moira had limited exposure, and that fascinated the young candidate to no end.
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Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 8:32 pm
Under J'riar's praise, Wei nearly glowed. It was that, more than anything, that was the reason why Weiren was willing to brave Weyrs to do her work. Besides the fact that they were just practical locations, high up enough to let her get access to a number of altitudes for her measurements, there was the fact that any dragonrider worth his riding straps knew just how damn important the weather was. Some Holdfolk, landlocked in temperate climates, might smile politely and let their eyes glaze over if Wei dared to talk research with them, or even interrupt her with a "boy, I'd sure like to spend my days looking at clouds instead of doing real work!". But if a dragon was going to fly, they'd better know whether to expect sun or rain, if there would be air parcels on the rise or downdrafts to contend with, and Faranth help the hapless Weyrling that went to stretch their wings with a storm on the horizon!
"If the observations north confirm my suspicions, the rainfall in Ista might be able to affect weather predictions as far as Telgar," Wei told J'riar, a pleased smile on her face. "It's hard to say how much effect it really will have, of course, but the more accurately we can predict the weather, the better it will be for everyone when the Red Star comes near."
"She seemed... nice," Weiren attempted to flatter J'riar back, though she obviously didn't know the first thing that she was talking about. So far as dragons went, at least, Ianquith didn't seem so bad. She was surprised, though, how willingly the green had backed down. And with that thought, she began to feel just a touch guilty for her reaction, pursing her lips together. "I'm sorry I didn't hear of it sooner! My own fault, of course, I haven't paid much attention to those things." Of course, after the last Hatching, she couldn't really regret it. Just imagining herself in the Stands during such a horrific episode, or even at the Feast after, trapped in a room with a bunch of barely-hatched and snappish dragonets....
The Starsmith shuddered.
"Ah! Yes, still breathing!" Wei called hastily back to Moira, glad for a distraction from her thoughts. She fluttered a smile to J'riar. "I'm sorry, I'm keeping you from your dragon now, aren't I? I'd best be on my way; I've got data to take, after all, and I'm sure you're quite busy yourself these days!" Gripping her distance-viewer, she waved a friendly farewell, and called around the corner - "I'm off now, but it was a pleasure meeting you, Moira! And-" more hesitantly - "Y, you too, Ianquith...."
Time to hurry off, before the dragon got the idea that she was suggesting she wouldn't mind a face-to-face salute. The Starsmith skittered out of the room, gathering up her thoughts as she hustled and reorienting herself on her day's work ahead.
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Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 9:04 pm
"It covers that much ground?" J'riar mused more to himself than anything, but he didn't doubt her words. Shards if he knew about half of what she was talking about, but he was managing to catch the gist of it. Mostly, it was nice to see her so flattered by what he'd meant as a simple, but honest compliment, and his shoulders finally relaxed a little. Well, for all she was scared of dragons, she wasn't making a bad effort herself! With a faint grin, he nodded. "She is. Maybe when you get more comfortable with dragons, you can interact a little more personally with her, eh?"
Maybe.
There was a dismissive shrug to her words, for J'riar wasn't too hot and bothered by the whole idea. She probably didn't poke her nose into most business about the Weyr, not if it concerned dragons! "You aren't keeping me, you don't have to--" But she had zipped off and the greenrider was uncharacteristically left fumbling for words. Well, at least she'd acknowledged Ianquith, hadn't she?
"She's gone, Moira, Ianquith, figure you both can pop up again..." He gave a rueful shake of his head. Too bad, really.
Oh... I-It was polite of her to say good bye, even when I scared her. The dragonet said uncertainly as she rose to her feet, politely dropping her head to gently nose at Moira's arm as though ready to help pull her up. Hers tugged on her all the time as though he couldn't support his own weight, and she hardly minded.
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Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 10:12 am
Few things in life were as awesome as a dragon offering to help you up. Considering this, Moira accepted the offer graciously, rising to her feet with Ianquith's assistance. Granted, she was small enough that it probably barely even phased the green to assist her, but it was nevertheless sharding awesome. She dusted off the back of her riding pants and pushed her hair out of her face, attempting to look at least somewhat unlike the slackjawed gawker she was in Ianquith's presence. Before striding back around the corner to meet J'riar she took one deep breath, reminding herself not to . Moira frowned in whatever direction she imagined Weiren had run off. “Huh, imagine that,” she mused, resting her hands on her hips, “I never thought someone could be scared of a dragon. Certainly not of such a lovely one. Bah, her loss.”
Moira made a mental note to find Weiren later and attempt an introduction that was not interrupted by crying, sobbing, and/or hysterics at a later date. Shaking her head, she returned her attention to the greenrider and his dragon, “So where were the two of you headed this fine, obscenely hot morning?”
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