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 Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 1:49 pm
"Mmh. Good. Understood." Bereck was not the best at smalltalk at the best of times, and found himself completely at sea now. Just lying here saying nothing wile Berath worked though felt awkward and... vulnerable. If he wasn't talking all he was doing was lying down looking up at somebody. It was dissonant. The wrong way around. Didn't help that his side had now decided to start sending shooting pain through him as he breathed again. He had to think of something to say, to distract both her and himself from the current situation. This wasn't how he wanted people to picture him. Something intelligent to say. "So... what are you going to be then, when the two of you are all grown up?" He didn't usually ask strangers questions like that, but usually he was rushing from one bit of work to another without the time to even consider such things. Berath rumbled and moved closer, Sitting back on her haunches the hulking green reached out with huge forefeet to press against Devith's hide in the indicated location. Once she was confident that he was accustomed to the touch, and that she was comfortably balanced, the scarred and battered dragons started to massage the silver's muscles firmly, her claws carefully sheathed.
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Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 2:22 pm
Hekate sat for a moment in silence lost in her own thoughts and idly stroking the little shining head of Prince, the lazy silver wrapped around her neck. It was warm day though cool by Trine standards and the breeze was nice. Most of her flits were half lulled to sleep with Baron and Maiden being the only two left awake. The tiny light milky green already having begun to doze as she lay lax in her owners grip while Hekate careful pulled the little lizard from her sleeve.
Bereck's question though surprised her as amber gold eyes glanced over to the bedridden man surprised he had spoken to her again at all. For a while she considered his questioned even as she absentmindedly inspected Maiden, scratching the little flits eyelids as she checked to see how the adolescent greens wings were coming. She'd been worried the rescued flit would have a hard time flying since Maiden hadd been so small and weak when she was hatched, but now with proper feeding the young lizard had filled out somewhat.
"I've given it some thought here and there, but I haven't really made a decision yet." She explained glancing down at Maiden then at Bereck. "Would you like to hold her? Her name's Maiden, she's very well behaved and friendly." Hekate replied offering the sleepy little green out to the man, the little flit merely blinking and crooning affectionately at the him from where she lay.
"I'll probably apply to become a leadership candidate for now. I've been told I'd make a good Wingleader, but it seems like every rider with their dragon fresh cracked from the shell wants to be a Wingleader. I think maybe I'd do better as a Warden. It's a new rank, something fresh and different besides Devith and I don't always get along with the other metallics." She answered unsure where he was going with his questioning, but somewhat interested in seeing all the same. Though it certainly wasn't prudent to mention she wasn't even sure if she wanted to get a rank for any other reason then to get the golds off her back. She really didn't like the idea of being bossed around by them simply on the merit of their dragon's color.
"I'm not sure I'd make a good wingleader though. I'd rather have a second for their skill rather then their dragon's hide." Hekate explained somewhat reluctantly though no less proud of her reasoning. True Z'fer's confidence in her was welcome, but she had to question if the man would agree with her shake up of the more traditional rules.
Understood Berath. I will let you know if it begins to hurt. Devith replied his eyes whirling with humor at the greens strict orders. Obviously she'd had a dragon or two decide this was a contest which in it's own way made Devith wish to compete. . .but he doubted Hekate would be pleased about that especially if he ended up hurting himself.
Laying still he felt Berath's forefeet grip the tender muscles at the base of his wings. It was a strange sensation to say the least and for a moment Devith was tempted to throw the green off feeling restrained, but he fought the urge. The urge however disappeared completely as Berath began to massage the area drawing a low sigh from Devith as the pain began to slowly ease. Berath you are a wonderful dragon. Devith crooned his compliment his eyelids half lidded as the pain left him with each unworked knot and tightened muscle.
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Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 2:39 pm
Firelizard? Bereck blinked. "Oh. Well... alright. Yes." He did like them, and it would give him something to do with his hands. He wasn't used to idle hands. Bereck accepted the sleepy firelizard, lifting her up to rest on his chest, stroking her hide gently and noting in a detached professional manner that her hide was nicely cared for. "Wingleader. Heh." Bereck gave a very small lopsided smirk. "I'm sure you'd make a fine one, you fit all the requirements. Dragon crimson or larger. Ability to string a sentence together. Beyond that it's just following old patterns and formations, there's no skill involved nor any innovation. Wardens, now," he paused a moment, sharp breath in and eyes shut. Shaff. "Wardens," he went on smoothly, "now at least that's new, an institution that requires building up. In my opinion however, you'd do well to consider a craft as well." Bereck tried to study Hekate with a gaze full of astute wisdom, and just about managed a clear focus. "Now if you want to be a Warden, that's a military rank. Fighting, for you and your dragon. Consider tanning to make your own armour, or smithing to make your own weapons. On the other hand you could take healing to be able to care for your own wounds to a degree.... Or anything else that catches your attention. Succeeding in a craft takes-" pause, pain, "-takes passion." Berath crooned gently. She would give anything to have been shelled crimson, and able to call young dragons like this one her own.
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Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 3:23 pm
Maiden curled up without a fuss on Bereck's chest crooning low and content at his attention. She tended to be shy compared to her other siblings, but a good deal calmer and with each pet here or there she'd lift her little green head to nuzzle his hand in thanks. Her hide was indeed well cared for and was a light milky green the color fresh sprouted winter grass with little pale circles like light flower blooms on her wings.
At Bereck's remark about Wingleaders Hekate couldn't help, but break into a bout of laughter which faded into light warm chuckles after a few moments. "True! Oh so true!" She gasped out finally regaining some form of composure. "Besides I don't think they'd rightly approve of me wanting a 'lesser' color as they see it for my wingsecond. I'm more then certain they wouldn't approve of me wanting to get innovative with wing formations. Not that I rightly care one bit if they approve of me or not." She replied with a grin and wishing so very much she could see the Weyrhealer tell one of them that right to their faces. Why it'd be worth all the chores in the Weyr to see that!
"As to Wardens. . .well I like a challenge. I'd be coming up with ways to not just fight thread, but whers or whatever else might threaten the Weyr. However I will take your advice and maybe look into a craft. I'm a bit old I think to hope to become a master, but perhaps with hard work I could hope to rank out at journeyman if I pushed myself. I do at least have a decent grasp of combat though I could certainly learn a good deal more about dragon combat. If such a thing even exists." Hekate replied musing on his words and considering his advice. She certainly wouldn't mind learning some tanning and she knew a little bit of smithcraft as it was though not much more beyond being able to tell a good blade and test it's balance for combat.
Outside Devith eyed the large scarred green contemplatively his eyes whirling a warm blue and green as she spoke. Once Berath had spoken her piece he took a moment to carefully consider his words, the weight of them not completely lost on him. I have found that no color is so underestimated and looked down upon that that of greens. Yet I find my green sisters are the most caring, the most driven, the most warm and open of all the colors and in my mind the most worthy of praise. It was not the bronzes whom aided and taught Mine and I. Nor was it the golds, both seem more content to look down their lofty noses at one such as I. Neither was it the browns, the blues, but always the greens whom have stood by me. Devith explained crooning low to Berath his eyes warm with understanding even if he could not know the other dragon's thoughts.
One day as you said Berath I will be big and strong even if it may take me longer to reach such a goal. Do not think that when I am big though that I will forget your kindness. As long as I draw breath in my eyes you and all greens will forever be worth more then any Queen and your hide with all it's beautiful scars more breath taking then any measly sheen of gold. He assured her his usually more arrogant dark voice taking on a softer tone. One he reserved just for his little green sisters in all their wonderful glory.
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Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 12:45 pm
Bereck raised his eyebrows at Hekate's talk of wingleading, the expression shifting to almost a smirk as she ended. "Mmmh, quite. I've often found my wingleaders disapprove of me, perhaps mainly because I didn't think they were important and thought my work was more important than their drills." Not that he hadn't worked hard to make his schedules work - a mutated sleep pattern attested to his efforts - but when it came down to it if there was a clash, rider duties lost of every time. He was amused by the idea of a girl who'd only very recently come into contact with dragons thinking she could innovate wing formations too but he left that unsaid; maybe she'd been hearing too many stories about how 'drudge' Lessa impressed a beautiful shining dragon and abruptly led Pern amazingly. Personally he didn't buy the half of it, after all history was written by people like Lessa, and by the Harpers that wanted to suck up to to and her kind.
"Much more of a challenge," the healer went on with a small nod, "though innovating Thread fighting isn't part of the Warden remit so far as I know. Fighting whers though, yes, and Holdless... and other dragons, and anything else that comes up as you say. I don't believe you'd have trouble making it to journeyman with some turns of hard work; from what you've said so far I presume you would be willing to put that work on. There are plenty of people around here who could give you a... mm... a taster of their craft if you will. Might as well see what interests you, as well as what could be of use in your endeavours." He hadn't done so himself, but he had always been sure of what he wanted to do.
Berath rumbled deep in her chest, shuffling backwards and moving around Devith to work on the other wing. the scarred green said easily, the logical belief having long been impressed upon her by her rider. Berath continued,
All of this really came from Bereck; she did agree, but she hadn't thought it up herself. That was perhaps reflected in her tone, for while she was earnest she halted every so often as she consulted her bondmate for details and the brightness of her eyes dimmed slightly as pleasure gave away to concentration and analysis.
Once she had spoken her piece about colours however her eyes brightened and she gave a base croon. These words, from the soft warm tones and the feeling of happiness and thanks that she projected to Devith, were clearly Berath's own.
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Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 1:27 pm
Hekate considered his words though her smile only grew as she was able to draw a slight smirk out of the rather solemn healer. The man looked like he could do with a few more smiles right now. "Well you know all the larger colors think they're born leaders right out of the shell and that the world revolves solely around them, bronzes especially. I mean the few silver's I've seen aren't much better, but at least they aren't going to get leadership of entire Weyr just because they fly a proddy gold." Hekate replied with a sigh and a shake of her head. "Then again I'm still new to the Weyr and am still learning their ways." She admitted with a shrug keeping her best poker face as Bereck mentioned Holdless letting her lips twitch into a smile.
"You're right though I more of meant probably looking out for the ground crews while they're out searching for thread burrows. Though like you said it's better I just concentrate on keeping out the whers, traitors, and holdless. I'll certainly look into the crafts you suggest though and no~" She paused her lips twitching into a bright warm smile. "I'm not afraid to work to get what I want." Hekate assured him with a nod.
Devith crooned under Berath's careful ministrations his eyelids drooping as he contemplated her words. We are all green on the inside. . .I like that.
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Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2012 8:14 am
Bereck made a 'tch' noise and shook his head, still stroking the firelizard on his chest idly. "Don't get me started on Weyrleader and Weyrwomen," he muttered, "I'll be here all day. I mean, really, who decided that was a good idea to determine our leaders?... Oh, mmh, protecting ground crews is sensible. Not always a safe job that, even discounting the Thread burrows. Anyway," he shifted slightly, repressing a grimace, "sounds like you have your head on your shoulder right, a lot more than I can say for a lot of metallic riders. If you are willing to work, I've no doubt you'll achieve what you want to."
Berath elaborated with a feeling of fond amusement.
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Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2012 12:51 pm
Maiden crooned low the little milky mint green fast asleep where she lay curled on Bereck's chest her little body practically thrumming with pleasure. "Well I suppose the ancient timers wanted to keep it as close to the natural hierarchy of firelizards as possible. Though just because it works for firelizards doesn't mean it's the best thing for humans." Hekate agreed Bereck's words drawing a smile from her when he called her plan to protect ground crews sensible. While the man may seem to be a bit stiff and dry humored Hekate was genuinely enjoying speaking with someone who gave her ideas a chance.
"Thanks Bereck that means a lot to me. Maybe it's just because I always intended to start from the bottom and work my way up? I mean I didn't come to the Weyr to become a dragonrider. I came here to make a better life for myself and work my way up from a drudge to a kitchen worker to maybe headwoman one day." She explained with a shrug pausing to glance out the window as her eyes softened with a look of love.
"Impressing Devith. . .well that was just a wonderfully unexpected pleasure." Hekate murmured her voice soft and a distant look in her eyes before she shook her head and returned her gaze back to Bereck.
Devith paused concentrating for a moment before shaking his head. Mine will not say how many humans she has seen cut open, but she assures me that they like us are all red on the inside. Devith added with a rumbling croon the equivalent of a draconic chuckle as his eyes whirled merrily. Mine enjoys the snark though I believe her humor is not always understood by everyone. If you would not mine the shoulders of my legs are sore as well. Devith replied rolling slightly to allow the green better access.
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Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 12:08 pm
Bereck made a non-committal noise. "It was just a statement of opinion; it took no effort so you don't need to thank me for it." Social niceties demanded he should have said something like 'you're welcome' but blunt Bereck felt that - most of the time - 'social nicety' was just a nice way to say 'lie'. "Starting from the bottom is the only way to go. If you-" his eyes closed abruptly and his expression tightened to a grimace as a bolt of pain ran through one of the wounds on his side. The moment passed however and he opened his eyes again, deciding to pretend nothing had happened. "If you don't start at the bottom you're not prepared for the top," he said firmly. "Just like with a craft, you can't wander in and take up a mastery and expect to be any good. This is the trouble with all these young wingleaders we have wandering around that had no prior command experience. It might not be skilled on the same level as a craft - nowhere near - but as much as anything else learning to handle power is a skill. You can't let it go to your head, but you can't be too shy either. It's a balancing act that takes time to master, and doesn't suit the impetuosity of youth."
Shards, after that he felt tired. Luckily the rest of what the girl had said was much simpler to reply to. "It's fortunate that he was able to find you. We can't afford to lose hatchlings between at the start of a pass."
Berath agreed, the powerful green crooned and moved on to Devith's shoulder. she asked as she started to work.
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Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 4:06 pm
Hekate nodded the little non-committal noise Bereck made drawing a wry and amused smile from her lips. "Well I've always planned to work from the bottom, but I agree with you. While a know I've no more right to call the shots then anyone else I plan to earn it. Unfortunately thread took a lot of the older wingleaders by surprise leaving those young and ambitious enough to grasp for the position to take them in the ensuing chaos. Hopefully we'll all learn with time." Hekate replied with a nod thinking on the Wingleaders she knew. The oldest of the bunch were Malvrens with Kleos and Z'fer the rest of them were in their teens still or early twenties that she knew of.
However musing on her lifemate she couldn't help but smile her eyes soft. "Did you always want to be a dragonrider and a Weyrhealer Bereck?" She questioned as she glanced at the injured man curious
Looking up at Bereck as he grimaced her mouth caught in a worried frown. "Are you all right?" Hekate asked half rising from her seat with concern.
Devith considered Berath's words for a time. I do not particularly care about titles. However I do plan to rise in the ranks as Mine wishes to do. That and I would not mind becoming a Warden and seeing to the protection of the Weyr. Respect and love keeps humans and dragons alike together, but when that fails a healthy dose of fear helps to keep enemies out. Devith rumbled peering up at the large green as he watched her work.
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Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2012 5:27 am
Bereck humphed at the look of concern; he was sharding done with being a cause of concern. "I'm fine," he replied rather shortly, his tones making it clear that this was not a subject to be pushed further on. He was glad that there were other things to move onto in order to leave her question and his rather untrue response behind.
"I always knew I wanted to be a healer, and I was always ambitious enough to want the highest position available in a Weyr," he went on, voice losing its sharp edge. "A dragonrider? Not as much. I grew up watching hatchings but by the time I was old enough to stand I was already an apprentice, and I was more interested in that than in the potential to bond so I didn't stand as a candidate. When I became a journeyman however I saw the merit." He was an honest man on the whole, but he was going to lie again here. There was no call to tell the girl that he'd been foolish enough to think Impressing would win his father's approval. "After all if I was going to be Weyrhealer I would need to deal with dragons as much as humans, and it's much easier to do that if you have your own dragon to communicate with them. I stood for my first hatching when I was eighteen, and I was fortunate enough to meet Berath there."
Would V'eck have approved if he'd Impressed brown, bronze or silver instead of green? Even blue or black would probably have been 'better' at least. If that was the case then he was glad he had Impressed a green, and not just because he couldn't imagine a dragon other than Berath. If it was the colour of the dragon rather than the dragon itself that would have got the silver rider's attention then it hadn't been worth having.
"The loss of the older wingleaders was unfortunate," Bereck agreed after a momentary pause, "but frankly I would have picked riders with at least five turns of flying under their straps to replace them. At least I suppose you can say that for what's his name," Bereck snorted and made a vague gesture at his head with one hand, "the one with the hair. Even he doesn't have any prior command experience though. A sad look out overall, one that makes me a little relieved that I won't be flying any more falls."
Berath gave a rumbling chuckle and dipped her head in agreement.
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