Welcome to Gaia! ::

As soon as Kalth arrived Awunrayth readjusted her own position to sit nearer to her favorite clutchmate. She did not send him a greeting directly, but nudged him lightly with her head and managed a low, affectionate rumble despite the tense nature of this particular meeting.

She waited patiently as others spoke. Her gaze shifted thoughtfully to each speaker, her gaze continuing to swirl with calm, thoughtful blue. It was the metallics, it seemed, that most wanted this. But others too, would follow. Some at least. And that was fine. It was not her place to tell others what they should or shouldn't do.

As such, she nearly kept her peace. Remained silent. Awunrayth was rarely one for speeches. Still, it bothered her. Perhaps it was the press of Rieta's anxiety, preying on her mind, upsetting her otherwise even mood. Perhaps it was her own, as yet unvoiced concerns.

But, whatever it was, she gave a soft little huff, and finally decided to speak.

Kentoth's is sick. Maybe, he is dying. Mine thinks so. Her tone was neither forceful nor insistent. It was gentle, thoughtful, and sad. She seemed to lean closer to Kalth, as if for comfort. Kentoth, he will lose His. Lose him. And we will lose them both.

I do not mind, if they are slow to warm to us. I do not mind, if Mine works hard. She is happy, in work. We are safe here. Mine says that we are safe because of you, Sharath. Instead of growing in power, her tone lost force as she spoke, growing only in sadness. We are safe here. Only us. The others are still at the Weyr, where they might lose Theirs.

I am not angry. I do not feel the need to prove myself. I feel only, that I should continue to try to befriend them. Befriend them to tell them I am grateful. Because Mine is safe. She is safe and that is everything. So I will do as I have done. I will keep trying.

Sharath looked to Sakneth as he spoke and nodded as she listened. Sakneth's response, ever proud and confident, did not surprise the queen and she chose not to respond just yet as Jounoth was speaking his mind. That the blue would deny the logic of her words made the gold snort.

Words lead to action, Jounoth. If you do not want my words, then watch my actions or do not come here. She tossed her head, dimissing his comments entirely, I am not the bottom. I refuse to be the bottom. In truth, it had been his working with Janga that had inspired the gold - if he could do it, the wher-dragon, then any of them could. If he chose to step beyond the group, well, he'd just fail while they succeeded. Simple as that.

To Nachith, she nodded her appreciation, Thank-you Nachith. For anyone who knew Sharath, a genuine thank-you was rare and showed, perhaps, the amount of passion she had regarding this subject. She had pride in herself, but also in her kin - why was this difficult to see? To act upon? That Nachith would stand with her encouraged the queen.

That's the problem! Sharath responded to Regedth with a rumble, There is nothing wrong with us! But they see fit to treat us and think of us inferior! That's wrong - regardless of colour. You should not be ignored because you are small, Sakneth should not be made to sit and wait when His is trained for riding... do you not care that you are being mistreated? The green's cool response confused Sharath. Why didn't Reg have pride? She would just be pushed around if she did not stand up for herself.

Amelia had nodded at Ry'san's remark. "I agree. Step too far and you'll fall over - regardless of the goal." She, however, wanted to see how this went. Sharath was doing admirably, all things considered, and she'd only push the dragon in the right direction. Conversation among the dragons was good and each, it seemed, had very valid points - points she prayed Sharath would find some middle ground with.

Amunrayth's words registered next and Sharath's intent gaze focused on her. The gold lowered her head at the announcement of Kenthoth's being sick and she took a moment before she spoke. It was a fear she knew all dragons held - to lose Theirs was to lose everything. They were safe here, far from the plague, Even with what you say, Awunrayth, are you satisfied with being ignored? With being mistreated? Can you be sure of their friendship if they whisper behind Yours' back? Her tone was softer as she spoke to the green, hinting at the effect those words had had on her. She knew too, that a smiling face and kind words were not always as simple as they seemed but did not know how to speak that sentiment properly.

Tell her you don't want her to be taken advantage of? Amelia offered, sensing Sharath's dilemma.

The gold nodded then, her voice gaining strength again, I do not want anyone to be taken advantage of. If they would befriend us... that is good but can you be sure?

When Kalth spoke unexpected compliments and agreements, Sharath rumbled with pleasure, unable to hide her gratefulness for his support. It was not often that others expressed good things about her... and it, well, felt good. That is what I want - to make the best of it.

Remember, small steps, Sharath. Befriending the Ghenzans seems to be a common sentiment - maybe focus on that? Amelia suggested as she leaned against her dragon's leg. Maybe, just maybe this would turn out for the best for as many people as possible. You couldn't please everyone, but you could try.

The gold nodded at that, for once not arguing with Amelia because she was so caught up in the conversations already going. Kalth, you and Awunrayth speak similar things. If that would work, and friends were made, they would respect us more - I agree. But I do not think they will treat us fairly. Do others think that the Ghenza people will truly befriend us? She waited a moment before she continued, slowly, as if it were difficult for her to make an active effort to be 'nice' and befriend the strange population (though it seemed she would try), If that is so... you are welcome to try it, I will try too. But I do not think it will work. That can be done in addition to our practicing as a Wing, this finding of sympathetic Ghenzans and befriending of them.

The leadership of the Wing, then, should fall to the one with the most experience. That was easy to say and heavily implied a call for volunteers. She'd never been meant to be a part of the fighting wings - she was a gold, after all, and her job was elsewhere. Sharath, however, did intend to participate - this was her plan, she was to lead it even if she was not the Wingleader itself.

Nachith was pleased. He had earned a thank-you from Sharath, something was going to be done - by some of them, anyway - and he had Regedth! Who was quite marvelous, really, so confident and content! I do not mind that you are smaller than their greens, either, he told her, nudging her right back. You are the perfect size.

B'ram didn't exactly pop out of nowhere, as he happened to be sitting by his dragon, and had a front row seat, as it were, to his blue's flirtations. He sighed and rubbed his forehead, clearly tired in addition to being tired of his dragon's antics. Really? I thought you guys were here to have a serious conversation.

We are, Mine, Nachith replied, But I am finished talking and all I have to do is listen now. You are unhappy. Perhaps you should talk to Regedth's? I'm sure he would talk to you, not like the Ghenza-people.

Cue the predictable, though worn-sounding, "Sorry."

That is not what I meant, Mine.