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Lu'reni did not like violence; she never had. As a child, she was not the kind to run home with scraped knees, muddy hands, and a smile because she had wrestled someone to the ground. No, even at an early age, Lu'reni viewed violence as Not Good. In her mind, dragons existed to keep destruction away -- the pure, destructive, violent, terrible force of the Thread. The society was centered around dragons as protectors from that most terrible of threats. So why did so many choose to fight amongst themselves? Sure, Lu was too young (by a long, long way) to have ever encountered Thread personally, but she knew enough of it to recognize the dark nature. If the Thread's dark nature was so thoroughly hated, then why was our own dark nature -- the shadows of humanity -- not held to similar scrutiny? It was a duality of existence that upset Lu'reni, one that she thought Pern -- and Igen -- should show more fervor in stamping out. Happiness through unity, and unity through love. These were ideals that secured themselves close to the young greenrider's heart.

Crouched in a broom closet, Lu curled her knees to her chest and let thick tears roll from her eyes. She had been there for several candlemarks, shuddering and sobbing in the dark, dank room. Lazulith had been in the Bowl at the time, but she came hurrying toward Lu, murmuring apologies to humans that could not understand her, attempting to politely get people out of her way. Aggression was not her forte, but with her rider in a bad state, Lazulith did her best to suck it up and be a little abrasive. Of course, it did not work particularly well, and it took the dragon a bit longer than the average dragon to make her way toward the closet. All the while, she spoke to Lu'reni. Mine-lu, I am coming! Mine-lu, I am... these people are not moving, Mine-lu. Mine-lu, I am coming around the corner, but there is a very large cart. I do not want to knock it over, Mine-lu. Mine-lu, the cart moved, but I cannot fit through the hallway to the closet. Her eyes swirled yellow and gray, but Lazulith lied down flat on her belly and wove her head through the short hallway, nose brushing against the door to the closet. She did not say anything else; she never knew what to say.

Lu'reni could feel Lazulith's panic and pain like daggers in her chest. Laz, it's okay. I'm... okay. I'm just sad. The rider shifted and a broken broom fell on her shoulder.

Laz edged closer to the door, but she could not turn her head to try to glance through the cracks. Most areas of the Weyr could fit both dragon and rider, but this was just a tiny closet set into the wall of the cavern. A flit could make it in there, but definitely not a dragon -- not even one on the small end of the scale like Lazulith. The dragon waited a moment, and then spoke again. Who did it, Mine-lu? If Mine-lu knows, I could maybe go speak to His or Hers about it. I could, maybe, tell them to apologize to Mine-lu. Mine-lu deserves an apology! Her airy voice picked up a touch of hardness at the end, but Lu'reni knew that her dragon would be too uncomfortable to make such demands, especially if that other dragon was not a fellow green.

It had happened just moments ago. Lu'reni was headed to the Bowl to meet up with Lazulith after her feeding. She stopped to swing by the kitchen to get a snack (shiny fruit!) and check in with her favorite baker. As she walked back toward the Bowl, munching away at her fruit, the young rider thought she heard voices behind her. She did not turn. It wasn't really that strange for her to feel like people were talking about her. Lu marched to the beat of her own drum, and to many at Igen, that was not only terrifying -- it was dangerous. Today, she assumed, was like any other, just a little harmless yammering.

When she turned the corner toward an empty stretch of hallway, Lu'reni felt two hands slam into her back, pitching her forward. The fruit ricocheted out of her hand, rolling toward the far wall. Her knees dragged against the hard floor, but before she could get to her feet, a pair of feet were on her back, another standing by her face. The one near her head yanked up her ponytail and began ripping something out of it. Lu squeaked, but she was pushed down harder. What were they taking? What had she done? Suddenly, there was a ripping sound, and the yanking at her head stopped. A voice over her said, "Don't dare to wear our colors ever again, weyrbrat. Y'hear me? You aren't fit to wear the orange." And then they were gone, disappearing before she could even lift her head. Long brown strands of her hair covered the floor, and her long braid had been undone completely, hair pooling around her in a think sheet. Kneeling in the hallway, Lu'reni felt the tears pouring down her cheeks before she was even aware of her crying.

Fleeing to the closet, she cried -- and cried harder when she realized what she had done to warrant the attack. Lu'reni had found a scrap of orange cloth a few days ago, and thinking nothing of it, she twisted it into a strip and wove it into her braid that morning. She had put in other colors too -- green and gray, which she wore frequently. Lu had grown up at Igen; she knew that orange was The Rising Sun's color, but regardless, she never thought that they owned it! The gangs could be rough, sure, but Lu'reni had never been targeted like that before. It was not a brutal beating; she only ended up with dirty knees and hands, a nasty scrape on her chin, and a headache. But it was the principle of the thing. Lu'reni had no problem with the existing gangs. They existed to accomplish their goals, which they had every right too. She had never once spoken an ill word against the organization (though she would talk about the certain Badness of some members). Why was she deserving of attack?

Lazulith had felt the same pain, but she was more worried about Lu'reni at the moment. Mine-lu... The dragon nudged the door again.

Just give me a moment, Zooey. I will be all right. Just give me a moment.

The green dragon wanted to tell her rider to take her moment outside with her so that they could cuddle and feel better, but she held her tongue, like she usually did. Instead, she remained in her awkward position -- head hidden down the short tunnel to the closet, and her body jutting out into the larger walkway.

Mine-lu is inside, and will not come out, the green dragon said, eyes still swirling with sadness and pain. The link between the rider and dragon had Lazulith reeling alongside Lu's own emotions, but at the same time, the knowledge that it was her rider in pain and not actually herself seemed to make the green dragon even more despondent. Normally, she might not find herself able to answer Skelath directly, but today, she found strength in her weakness.

Making no move to budge, Lazulith nuzzled the door again, sending waves of love through the thin board to her deflated rider. Someone has done something. Someone has hurt Mine-lu. Lazu's thick hindquarters shuffled back and forth, but it was no use. She could not fit in there.

In the closet, Lu'reni could not hear much. Her own feelings were distracting, and Lazulith's head was muffling most of the sound that came from the hallway. She thought she heard a male voice, and fearing it might be the boys who pushed her, she shrank farther into the corner. The broom that had been resting on her shoulder fell to the opposite wall with a loud clack.

Mine-lu, Skelath is here with His. His wants to come speak to Mine-lu. I will... I can... I can tell him... no... if it is what Mine-lu asks. If Lu'reni told her, Lazulith could work up the courage to shoo the bronze and his rider away, but Lu could feel Lazu's apprehension at the notion of standing up to a metallic -- or really, to anyone.

A few moments passed before Lu'reni replied. It's okay, Laz. He can come in. But please do not let anyone else. I'ver was actually one of the people who Lu would consider a friend, even though they had only really interacted a few times and never in any kind of intimate setting. For as loving and friendly as she was, Lu never seemed to attract permanent friendship. Many of the Flying Wherries thought well of her. Her father was a member of their ranks, and many of her father's friends had birthed sons who grew up alongside her, and within the gang. However, when it became clear that Lu'reni was fairly ambivalent to the gang and its ideals, those same friends grew distant. The last five turns had been quite lonely for Lu. If she did not have Hers, she would certainly be miserable.

Lazulith sent waves and waves of love to Lu'reni before slowly sliding her head out of the doorway, allowing I'ver to actually fit there. Outside with Skelath, she planted herself right in front of the opening, sitting so that no one could pass without her noticing. I cannot understand why anyone would want to hurt Mine-lu. Mine-lu is so good, so nice to everyone, even those who are not nice to her. Mine-lu believes in so many good things and talks to me about them all the time so that I do not forget. Mine-lu would never hurt another human like this, even if that human deserved it. This was probably the most Skelath had ever heard the average-sized green say, and there was hardly a stammer or a moment of confusion in it. Sadness sank deep into the words, but when speaking of Hers, Lazulith seemed to momentarily overcome her uncertainty.

In the closet, Lu'reni wiped at her eyes with the neckline of her soiled white tunic. She had just washed it too, which made the whole situation even that much more terrible. "Hello, I'ver," she said, voice misty but firm. "How are you?" The greenrider made no move to open the door, but I've would be able to open it if he tried.

The swirling colors in Lazulith's eyes slowed, dimming to a soft shade of gray. She would only be happy again when Lu'reni returned to her laughing self. Still, Skelath's words comforted her. For a moment, she thought that she would be happy to fly in his wing. Mine-lu has the heart of a dragon. Mine-lu would never harm another human like this. Granted, Lu'reni would certainly strike out long before Lazulith would ever lift a claw, but in that moment, Lazulith said what she needed to in order to feel better. After a moment, she regarded Skelath with a slight tilt of her head. Yours will be kind, she repeated. And she believed it.

Inside the closet, Lu'reni sniffled, rubbing her nose on the sleeve of her stained tunic. She took her time, breathing in and out slower and slower. At last, she glanced up to I'ver and smiled. It was an odd dichotomy -- eyes puffy, nose running, cheeks wet and flushed, but she smiled as if nothing was wrong, as if she wasn't hiding out in a closet. "I will be fine," she said, trying to laugh. It was a hollow sound. "Sadness comes and goes. Happiness lasts forever." When I'ver asked what had happened, the corners of her mouth dipped down, but she fought to keep a pleasant smile on her lips, even though it faltered.

"More violence would only make it worse. I do not wish for that." She tucked a fallen chunk of hair behind one ear. "Besides, I did not see who it was. Two boys, probably young men... I'm not sure. I only felt them shove me and saw their feet running off." Lu'reni opened her mouth to continue, but her chin wrinkled, a particular thought breaking the composure she had just built up. Dipping her chin down, another sob broke out. When she spoke again, the words were shaky and cracked with tears and frustration. "I braid things into my hair everyday! Everyday, I do it. It's usually just a green piece of cloth for Lazulith, or some gray strip left over from old tunics..." She hoisted one hand into the air; she held the green and gray strips that had been in her hair before it had been yanked out. Her unruly mass of hair feel around her, pooling on the floor. She never wore her hair down. It was too long. But there she was, hair flying everywhere, ends split from the force of her attackers.

Fidgeting with the long strands, she continued, "I found an orange scrap. And so I used it. I put it in my hair. I have nothing against The Rising Sun, I have nothing against any of the gangs b-because..." Her voice broke again, but she clenched her fists and went on. "It makes sense for people of like minds to want to get together and form a community. I understand that. And I'm sure in the beginning it was something good -- but now, they are all so... so warped. Completely warped. What happened to the greater good? When did people become so darkly selfish? Shouldn't we be banding together? Shouldn't we be striving for equality and health and unity and... good? We certainly should not be attacking people for what color cloth they choose to wear in their braids!" The ranting worked to calm Lu'reni, and she rubbed at her forehead, tentatively touching the bloody scrape on her chin.

"I am sorry..." she said, realizing her rant's tone. "I do not know which one you are with, I'ver. I do not hate the gangs. I just think they have strayed from the ideals that originally brought them into existence. My father is the Wherries, but I am... I am interested in happiness. If there were a happiness gang, perhaps I would be in it." Her smile returned and she laughed, a bit more naturally. Lu was not embarrassed about crying in front of I'ver. She never felt embarrassed about expressing her true feelings. Still, she did not want to offend I'ver, especially when he was being so nice to her.

Skelath has asked me to go somewhere with him, Mine-lu. The dragon hesitated before responding to Skelath. She had promised Hers that no one would enter. She could not deviate from that... unless she had permission. I will tell him no, Mine-lu... if that is what you wish. I will stay here and make sure no one comes in.

Lu'reni's eyes glazed for a moment, the way they always did when she was focusing on her dragon. No, you can go with him. I will be fine. Again, Laz sent currents of love to her rider, warming the link between them until it was nearly as real and immediate as a physical touch.

Then she turned to Skelath. Mine-lu says it is all right if I go. We will find the best bits in the entire Weyr. Lazulith waited for Skelath to lead the way before following along just behind him.

In the closet, Lu wiped at her eyes. "Orange is a perfectly nice color. They shouldn't own it. I liked green long before Lazulith came along." She reached a hand out and replaced the fallen broom to its proper position on the opposite wall. Her fingers tangled in her hair, weaving in and out. "My mother told me I had the hair of a Weyrwoman when I was little," she mused, voice wistful. "Then when I got Searched, she told me to cut it." She paused. "I don't know why she said that." Lu rested her head on her knees, adding nothing more.

Lazulith was comfortable taking orders -- and so she did just that, following Skelath to his weyr. I have smaller claws. They are excellent for ripping smaller things. At the thought of it, the green tapped her neon nails on the hard ground.

Back in the closet, Lu'reni lifted her eyes to I'ver. He was so close; she could smell the sweat and dirt on his skin. It was not at all unpleasant. Seeing him showing such gentleness, Lu blushed, a light pink across her cheeks, barely visible under the deep tan of her skin. At the moment, she did not see him as a brother. Her heart fluttered, a feeling snapped into place, and it could not be un-made in her fickle, easy heart. The realization made her tense, but she did not back away from him. Instead, she tried to focus on the words coming from his mouth. "Perhaps that is what my mother meant," she said, not believing her own words. Her mother stopped sharing tender moments with her daughter the day she was called to the Sands. It had nothing to do with her own safety during Threadfall.

"I would cut my hair in a second for battle. I would cut it now if it was asked of me. I would do anything for this Weyr, for my wing, for Pern." Lu'reni meant it. For all the criticism she got as a female rider, Lu was as devoted to her world and her Weyr as the Weyrwoman herself. "Violence against others... it makes no sense. Dragonriders exist to prevent destruction. So why are people so intent on bringing it on themselves?" It was a question she often struggled with in her more pensive moments, and here, crushed and beaten in this closet, she shared that introspection with I'ver, trying to keep her eyes locked on the neutral space between his eyes.

In the cramped closet, Lu'reni felt closer to I'ver than she ever had; it made her heart pitter-patter erratically in her chest. She tucked loose honey brown strands behind one ear, sniffling a little. Her arm wiped against the tip of her reddened nose. "Nine years of proving that I belong here... I do believe it gets easier. That I can make it easier for other girls. It's just upsetting for me when things like this happen. I'm glad it happened to me though, and not one of the Candidates, or a younger rider." She nodded sagely, as if making a promise that her attack had merely saved another less-prepared girl from such an unwelcome surprise. When I'ver reached out to rub the dirt from her cheek, Lu felt her heart skip a beat -- maybe a couple of them.

Lazulith felt it too. Touching down beside Skelath, she let a concern groan rumble in her throat, but did not elaborate, padding deeper into the room. Mine likes green. And purple. Really, anything than wasn't a drab brown, tan, or white tended to make the greenrider happy. Having been given permission by a bronze, Lazulith did not waver. She was happy to follow instructions. Nosing through the pile, she found a dark green vest. It took her a few seconds to reduce the vest to a pile of ribbons -- a few more to do the same to a pale blue tunic, a reddish pair of riding pants, a small purplish cloth. Lazulith didn't care what they were; she made short work of them and then trotted over to Skelath, clutching a mouthful of colored ribbon like a canine returning a captured tunnelsnake. It is very good of Yours to give Mine so many things, she mused, happy to give credit where credit was due.

Back in the closet, Lu placed her hand on top of I'ver's. It did not imply anything; she just wanted to return the physical comfort. "Thank you, I'ver. I really appreciate you being here to talk to me." Most people wouldn't bother trying to cheer up Loony Lu'reni. It simply further impressed to her that I'ver was a very good person, regardless of her dragon's trepidation.