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 Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 8:42 pm
"Only if Devith told him." She corrected him with a grin, but her grin quickly faded into a frown of concentration. While not a healer, Hekate had the unfortunate luck of dealing with injuries caused by whers long before the war. Very carefully she moved her hand under the waters surface lifting the bandages only enough to let the little wave flow over the area and urge the sand out and away from the cut. Once she was assured she'd gotten the worst of it she tied it back tight to prevent further bleeding.
"Then tell me Z'fer. What are you dealing with?" Hekate asked giving him a rather predatory feline grin that seemed to hint no matter what answer he gave it wouldn't be the correct one.
Which almost made the fire in her eyes have a sadder tinge as her mind drifted back to different times. Finishing up her work she released his leg and turned her attention to tightening her tunic to better let her swim.
Only Devith would ever know the true extent.
Mine says scars are badges of honor. Proof you came out on top. The Silver chimed him his eyes whirling with laughter as the little green firelizard let out a high pitched surprised chitter and fled back to the silver's back to peer around the young hatchlings headknobs and scold the large bronze.
Letting her dragon's amusement warm her Hekate took a deep breath lifting a hand to pull Prince from where he had tangled himself up in her hair attempting to groom her. Letting the young silver firelizard drape himself over her arm not unlike how Devith was now draped over Calanoth's neck she stroked the little creatures spine watching it rather then the man who raised so many convoluted feeling in her.
I could splash him if you like Mine. Devith happily volunteered much to Hekate's amusement, his all too darkly helpful tone drawing a chime like laugh from the young woman.
No Devith, enjoy your swim. Hekate urged before turning to Z'fer. "Have they found a place for you to stay yet? I know things are tight. Hopefully we can begin rebuilding here soon." Hekate asked seeming to perk up more at the idea of rebuilding. Perhaps she might even be able to have her own hut soon. Devith was growing massively each and every day and soon him and the other weyrlings would be too big for their current living arrangements.
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 9:18 pm
Z'fer never really could turn down attentive female hands. They always started at the injury...but often turned to more pleasant tasks. It was a disappointment that she was a weyrling...one of the many reason's he'd gotten so upset. He tried to count back how long it had been since Brakiath had clutched... the past few sevendays felt like they'd lasted months. It seemed a little unreal that he'd once had a normal life at Malvren, that he had courted other women and led his own wing in training and Falls.
His eyes had drifted almost shut, focusing on the pressure of the bandages as she rewound them. They snapped back open when instead of answering his question, she responded with one of her own. "What?" Z'fer had no idea how to respond to that. He didn't know what he was dealing with, that's why he sharding asked her! He gently pulled himself into an upright position and resting his toes on the lake bottom so he wouldn't have to tread water.
Calanoth declined to add that some of those scars weren't exactly earned...more like he'd gotten his tail handed to him on a platter. Better to let the hatchling think him a respectable fighter...his only excuse was dragons weren't meant to fight other dragons and noble instinct had held him back. ~ Maybe so but there are better ways of solving differences and earning honor. ~ He snorted into the water again, eyes whirling happily even under the scolding of the little Lady. He kind of missed Z'fer's two flits. They'd been scarce the entire time the Weyr had been under siege and even now had only returned to Z'fer maybe twice since they'd moved to Trine.
Z'fer snorted at the same time as his dragon. "Nothing permanent. We've had a few offers to share wallows but Cal doesn't exactly share space well. He and I have been making due just finding a clear space to settle down and a tree to hang my clothes on. I don't have enough to worry about thieves. Just my leathers and my knife and if anyone touches my straps they'll lose their fingers.
At least you'll have plenty of help rebuilding. Once things settle down here R'hix had better have a plan for retaking Malvren. I know I'm not the only one who's not going to roll over and let the Whers sleep on my bed."
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 10:25 pm
Hekate let another light purring chuckle roll from her throat at his startled reply flashing him with a bright amused grin. "Exactly." She responded clearly quite amused with his confused bluster. Lifting Prince she settled the lazy silver back on her shoulder where he wound himself around her neck like a little silver torque.
"I come down here to bathe Devith at least once a day before I oil him. You're welcome to use my brushes and gear while I do so to tend to your bronze. I don't have much numbweed either, but what little I have you can use too. Devith wasn't hurt other then a cut to his front foot and that's all, but healed. That and I doubt anyone will have time to play any more dirty tricks on us." Hekate offered kicking her feet off the lake bottom and floating lazily causing Prince to shift onto her chest and curl there using his own like a raft as he napped. Such a lazy little creature.
I think Mine flusters yours. Devith commented turning his gaze back to his rider at Z'fer's startled exclamation. Two-leggers were such funny creatures. Devith could almost pity Z'fer. . .almost. His rider was certainly the cream of the crop and not one to be trifled with and the two-legger bronze had gone and fallen into her trap.
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 11:25 pm
"The headwoman managed to find enough spare brushes or clothes to supply some of us. It's rediculous to expect Trine to have enough supplies for almost three full Weyrs, even with the deaths and the defectors. Wingleader has it's privilages though. I managed to nab a brush for myself but we're all going to be straining your oil supplies. Keep a close eye on your oil, Devith will need it more than any of our dragons." He watched the little silver flit curl up on her chest. She looked good in Silver, a coincidence? He sometimes wondered if riders were 'born' for a color in more than just personality, or if by Impression they just automatically shine in that shade. He never saw a man or woman who looked bad in red Impress a crimson dragon. Hekate could pull of Gold...but the contrast seemed to suit her better. "Shards...if I could I'd send Fellis back for mine. She's only a green though. Of all the things she could have retrieved she chose a shell I had on my dresser. She doesn't understand when I suggest she grab something else though. I'm not even going to get started on that dimglowed black I had the misfortune of Impressing."
Calanoth lifted his head clear of the water and watched the two riders floating together. Once again a sense of deja 'vu struck him though he couldn't place why. ~ She does? ~
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Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 1:25 am
Hekate had to fight the rather strong urge to snap at Z'fer when he advised her on her oil. Of course she would keep Devith's oil safe! Fool her once shame on them, fool her twice she didn't think so! Still he was only trying to help.
"Whers can't use oil and it wasn't worth them taking. Most of the weyrlign barracks were left alone anyway since the higher ranking Weyrs were much better equipped and much more interesting targets. Still i'm watching Devith's oil carefully and only using what's needed to keep him healthy until the Weyr can supply more." She replied though her use of oil may have been a bit under estimated. She used enough to keep Devith's hide healthy and just enough to make sure it shone. Not the usual amount nor as much as she'd have liked to have used, but she did use a enough to keep both vain dragon and rider happy. That didn't mean she wasn't monitoring her oil levels closely.
"Flits will be flits." Hekate added off-handedly as she cracked an eye open to look up at Z'fer and glance down at the silver flit curled on her chest. "The lazy bones sleeping on me is Prince. The Green on Devith is Lady. They're his miniature court of sorts. Prince is pretty young and isn't good for much when you can get him to move at all. Lady is pretty handy, but she tends to add-lib to her commands." She explained with a wry smile kicking her feet to drift over to Z'fer.
Well he makes Mine feel all kinds of strange. Usually amused or angry though. Does yours normally squalk and make funny faces? Two-leggers are rather baffling. Devith asked tilting his head as he watched the two riders.
"Well I do have some good news for you Z'fer. You haven't lost everything." Hekate added undoing something around her neck only to dangle Z'fer's rather wet necklace in front of his face with a grin. "Though you might want to watch your possessions a bit closer with pretty ladies about."
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Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 11:07 pm
"hmm strange, Silvers are supposed to be one of the smarter colors. With some training you might be able to make something out of him." He only wanted another flit if it was a metallic, something to keep an eye on his other two so he wouldn't have to. He turned to watch the two dragons, snorting as he noticed Devith draped over Cal's neck. ~ Hatchlings seem drawn to you. Lucky you like them. ~
Calanoth's eyes whirled happily at Z'fer's comment. He angled his neck back to look at Devith. ~ Mine has been thinking of yours more often though I wouldn't use the word amused. He sees her more as a qreen who got away. ~ He rumbled deeply in his chest, almost a purr at the pleasant though of little green dragons.
Z'fer rolled upright in the water, reaching for the necklace. "My Claw! So you're a thief too?" The words while they should have held the heat from earlier were softened by the surprised chuckle and smile and that crossed his face. "My old man gave that to me when I Impressed Calanoth, I thought I might have left it back at Benden..." He turned over the claw in his hands, re-familiarizing himself with all the little unique details he knew so well. Normally he wasn't one for adornment or sentimentality but to lose it on one of the rare occasions he took it out had stung.
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Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 11:26 pm
"Oh he's plenty clever, just lazy as can be." Hekate replied tickling the little silver under his chin with her fingertips drawing a satisfied humm from the little creature.
When Z'fer reached for the claw she released it to him with a soft laugh. "Me a thief? What have I need to steal? I've everything I'd ever want in the world." She replied smiling softly as she glanced over at Devith, the sudden warmth of her love easing the silver. Even at a distance the whirling blue and green of his eyes seemed to shine all the brighter for her.
Even if they both knew her words were a lie. They both wanted oh so much more, but as if Devith would ever allow them to stoop to thievery. "You didn't even notice the cord had come loose during our dance. I had planned to hold onto it hoping it'd give you more of an incentive to come find me, but then well. . .all this happened." She replied spreading her arms wide motioning about her to the ruined Trine at large.
Devith puzzled over Calanoth's words for a moment tilting his head this way and that at the human pair which made his little green occupant squeek where she was attempting to sun herself. I think yours is silly to view Mine as a green. For perhaps others may not see it, but I know she was always born to be a Queen. Devith replied his tone oddly soft and warm with affection and a rare touch of insight for such a usually self-centered hatchling.
His rider's mind had wandered often to Z'fer as well, but Devith would not give him the satisfaction of saying so. After all as far as the silver was concerned the bronze two-legger was just more competition for his rider's affection. He would learn soon enough that his strategies for chasing the green two-leggers would not work on Devith's clever traveler queen.
Mine says you come from another Weyr? What is it like there? Was it much like here? The little silver asked curiously.
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Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 11:50 pm
~ A Queen? ~ Calanoth tilted his head curiously, eyeing Hekate closer. Maybe...with the amber shirt and red hair maybe a dark queen...or a proddy one. But he knew the little silver meant more than just appearances. ~ Maybe...We have yet to see. ~ He let his head sink back into the water with a sigh, returning to his previous submerged position. The big dragon was about done with soaking though as his hide was beginning to itch where it was dry. He'd nudge Z'fer in a few moments.
He gave another, more melancholy sigh. ~ We're from Malvren. I was hatched there. It's not like Trine at all. There are tall cliffs right up against the ocean and the caves extend back deeper than you can go. The air is cooler and the storms when they come are violent. The warmth here is nice, but I miss my stone weyr and the smell of the wind and grass near our lake. ~ He mourned not only the losing of his birthplace but the fact that given time, even the memories of it would be lost. He would know where he came from and some information about Malvren but those little details he clung to now would never come back the way they were.
Z'fer sensed his dragon's mood shift and frowned with concern, sending a mental caress to the large bronze. "I hadn't even suspected you of taking it. I might have, given time but there was the demonstration and as you said...this happened." He slammed his fist into the water with a savage snarl. "If I EVER get my hands on that Ancientcrafter or that sharding Master Handler I'll kill them!"
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Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 12:15 am
She is a Queen. Now if only the rest of the Weyr would see it. How could they doubt MY choice? I am the best and I would only choose the best. Devith assured Calanoth with a great deal of enthusiasm his confidence in his pair bond unswerving. Together they could move mountains if they wished it. With her astride his back Devith had no doubt his wings could beat back the very sea!
Such great acts of valor fit for the storybooks would have to wait till later though. Tilting his dusky head he listened to older bronze and for the moment pitied his large companion. Him and His could hardly call Trine home just yet. Home as far as Devith was concerned was where Hekate chose to stay and where his sister and her rider where. The Weyr Calanoth spoke of though sounded so very different from the open air collection of hutts and buildings Devith had known though only briefly his memory of what Trine looked like before the attacks was fuzzy at best and he'd already lived longer sleeping under the stars or in a tent alongside his then he ever had in a conventional weyr.
He could see now why His favored the travelling lifestyle so much. The shiny dots of light certainly were rather pretty and he relished curling up with His to ward away the night chill from them both with the scant blankets they could acquire.
It sounds different. . .but nice. I would like to see it one day. Mine is quite fond of travel. I will take her there and we will visit you and yours. The young silver offered helpfully as he shifted on Calanoth's back sending green lady to take wing as he slipped back into the water to dive and swoop. Lashing his tail he splashed at the larger bronze. Let us chase the little colored fishes. They are great fun to watch. Devith suggested trying to move to a more cheerful topic.
At Z'fer's sudden outburst Hekate flinched jumping in surprise and sending Prince creeling awake as the young silver chittered scuttling up to hide in her red tresses as Lady distubred from her sunning spot winged over to hover and scold the bronze rider before settling in the spot Prince vacated. Much to Princes displeasure.
"You and the rest of Pern Z'fer. We'll make those murders pay for their crimes you can be sure of that." Hekate assure him trying to calm the seething bronze rider somewhat. "For the moment though I think you should concentrate on healing. While I'll admit I don't hold much love for the Weyrs and their ways Trine certainly isn't all that bad and I've got even less love for those traitorous handlers. You might grow to like it here or at least tolerate it." She offered with a small coaxing smile as she soothed her irate flits.
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Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 10:47 pm
~ No one should doubt yuor choice, Queen or Green! There is only one Yours for You. That is why Riders should be looked up to! A dragon won't choose just anyone. ~ There was indignation that anyone should doubt a dragon's choice. A dragon couldn't choose wrong. If there were no suitable candidates available then a dragon had only one choice, death.
His eyes lit up green as he allowed for the simple distraction. ~ I would welcome your visit Devith. The fishes may not welcome ours though. ~ The secondary lid slid over his eyes as he expelled his breath and sank into the water. A thrust of his wings sent him rocketing forward and as he passed Devith the tip of his tail sent a spray of water back at the young silver.
Z'fer scrubbed his face with his hands muffling a noise of aggitation. "I know I know. I hate this waiting. Cal and I weren't meant to sit still and do nothing." He ran his hands back across his scalp, smoothing back the strands of hair that had escaped his braid. The necklace he wound a couple times around his wrist so it wouldn't slide off. The small task gave him a moment to get his emotions under control and soon enough the roguish grin was back on his face and trouble in his stormy eyes. A cautious kick brought him closer to Hekate. "I think I could find reasons to like it here though."
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 1:56 am
"Really now~" Hekate purred amused with Z'fer's sudden change of attitude reaching out as the man drifted close to her to run the pads of her fingers gently over his cheek tracing his jawline there with a seductive smile.
"I'm certain there are prettier easier skirts to catch then my own my dear bronze. You'll not have your flit so easy." She countered with a light laugh as she pulled back sending her kicking the water a little to send herself drifting around him circling him playfully.
"Besides there are plenty of other men who refrain from calling me a snake." She added sticking her tongue out at him teasingly.
That is only because the fish have yet to know the joy of my company. Devith countered though it turned to a startled bugle as he was splashed. Shaking his head he let his second eyelids drift down as he let out a second challenging call and dived. Oh! It was on now!
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 11:43 am
She slipped from his reach so quickly, Z'fer spun slowly in place, keeping an eye on her as she circled. "Their skirts may be pretty but what's a flight without the chase!" Her tease just made him laugh as he pulled himself through the water towards her. She was right though he wouldn't tell her. He did need to heal both mentally as well as physically and the best way to do that was to stop thinking about all the crap going on right now and just let loose for a bit. So he'd throw himself whole-heartedly into the game, even though he knew as a weyrling she couldn't take it as far as he may like. Not without risking her bond. The memories of his own weyrlinghood reminded him of how frustrating that restriction had been.
Patience...could very well have sweet rewards.
Calanoth blinked as the little silver dived past him. Sharding smaller dragons, always thought they could outpace the big guys! ~ Enjoy that lead while it lasts Devith! ~ Little trails of bubbles leaked from his nostrils as he angled down to follow. Deep enough for a dragon to swim in never seemed deep enough to Calanoth as the lake floor rose to meet him. He turned towards the center of the lake, where the sandy bottom descended into darker water. ~ How far you willing to go? ~ His bright green eyes were daring.
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 9:52 am
Hekate made it a point to stay one step ahead of the injured man keeping herself frustratingly out of reach as she grinned over at him. Her fair of firelizards that were currently perched about her using her as a makeshift boat added into the game of chase with cheeps in Prince's case or jeering calls in the case of Lady. Both causing a smile to dance across Hekate's lips. "Well now. You'd best get that leg healed up then if you want to have so much as a chance of out distancing me." She added, but stopped peddling turning her head instead towards the two dark figures under the surface of the water.
Devith~? She reached out sensing the rise such a challenge brought in her lifemate. Both of them were competitive spirits by nature each fighting and clawing their way for a place in the spotlight, but unlike her winged half Hekate had tasted bitter defeat more then once in life.
Yes Mine? The vain silver darkly purred in his rider's mind his small form practically shaking with excitement over the challenge.
Narrowing her gaze at the two quickly arrowing figures Hekate did a fast calculation of how long it could take her to reach the hatchling should something go wrong. Then slowly a bright wicked grin spread over her face.
Knock the socks off him. Came the command and Devith met it with pleasure, a vicious joy filling his chest as adrenaline streaked through rider and dragon.
Farther then you~ The Hatchingly called eyes flashing and new strength filling him as he dove pushing his sleek dusky form through the water like a shining fish. While Calanoth came close! None were better then Him and His!
"I'll be right back." Hekate called to Z'fer rolling onto her stomach to swim into the deeper water following her dragon's trail. Lady deciding she prefered not to get wet took wing with a concerned chirp. Prince, the ever lazy little thing simply shifted to keep his tail wrapped around Hekate's neck, but the rest of his form perched in his favorite spot on the back of her head looking ever like some sort of glorified headpiece.
Hekate and Devith were both born to meet whatever challenges that life decided to throw at them big or small, but in the short time she'd been with her other half the red haired rider had learned that in Devith's case. . .contingency plans were a must.
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 8:08 pm
Z'fer was a strong swimmer, even with an injured leg but he liked the game she played. It was much more enticing to have her just out of his reach even as his long arms pulled him towards her. "Who said I want to out distance you? I think I'd rather catch up." He grinned and almost pounced when she took her eyes off of him. Instead he followed their direction, spotting the familiar dark mass that was Calanoth. "Don't mind them. Dragons are fine swimmers." He dismissed them easily enough. Cal could swim in the choppy ocean waters of Malvren, a warm watered lake wasn't going to give him trouble. He turned back to his own quarry only to find the dark look of concentration on her face. "Hekate? Hey!" Once again she took off away from him, swimming towards their dragons. He leaned forward and with powerful strokes of his arms, chased after her. He trusted their dragons to swim well but could she?
Calanoth's eyes glittered as he watched the little silver pause, yes he was too young to brave the dark waters. Maybe when he was older he'd have the courage but for now Cal would play with him in the shallows.
The bronze prepared himself to ascend to the surface, let the little guy off the hook so to say. He was pleasantly surprised when Devith suddenly darted downwards. Had Cal breath he would have bugled, instead he spread his wings and thrust backwards, arching his neck and body down after the glimmering streak of silver. ~ We'll see about that Hatchling! ~ His body undulated with the slow thrusts of his wings, keeping himself just behind Devith.
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Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2012 11:34 pm
When Z'fer mentioned that dragons where fine swimmers Hekate gave him a rather distracted smile her mind busy racing alongside that of her lifemate as he swam. "Oh I'm sure they'll be fine. Calanoth's pride might be a bit injured though at being beaten by a hatchling." She teased continuing to swim along, but slowed her pace to allow Z'fer to catch up with her as she headed into deeper water keeping her eyes on the figures below. Hekate still, much to certain male member's chagrin remained dancing daringly just out of his reach.
Devith was not a dragon to lack courage, common sense. . .possibly, but certainly not courage. Fortune favored the Bold was one of his rider's saying and the silver himself was it incarnate.
Deeper Deeper and Darker still the Silver dived his dusky form seeming to sink into the darker water as if the very shadows were welcoming his long awaited return. His wings strained, tail curling and swaying with each thrust and claws half out stretched as he pulled himself forward after unseen imaginary prey. I will prove them all wrong! I am not one to be bested! the young hatchling crowed the force of his words rising ripples of emotion in his rider's heart even as the young hatchlings lungs burned with the effort. An echo perhaps of what he might become with age.
You've proved enough Devith! Come back! Hekate silently called her own chest tightening with panic as the hatchling stalled in his flight the young silver feeling the strain of his actions. He was a tough atypical. . .but an atypical still and his wing beats flagged as bubbles of panic began to well from his bared teeth.
Too Deep~ Came the startled thought as if only now Devith realized how many dragon length's he'd put between himself and the shining surface where his rider waited.
I'm Coming! Hekate roared in her life mate's mind as the young woman's face hardened into a cold mask of action as she took a deep breath and dived. They were after all equal partners though she might just have to have a talk with him about what was Victory and what was Overkill.
Calanoth! Came her silent plea to the bronze as she dove to reach the struggling and exhausted silver.
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