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 Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2009 11:57 am
Sharath was in a particularly sour mood as the pair moved through hallways, headed towards one of the rider's weyrs. Ulysses had found a rather nice piece of jewelry - a clear stone set into a ring of gold - that the queen had been thrilled to be gifted. However, inscribed on the inside was a name and mostly illegible script. Some investigation had revealed that the blue flit had pinched the ornament from a brown rider in the upper weyrs.
Amelia only hoped he wouldn't be too upset. Between caring for Sharath, her lessons, and chores she had to somehow find time to moderate the blue flit's penchant for shiny offerings. He didn't seem to understand property but she was trying to train him, if slowly, to only take offerings from places other than where people lived. Apparently, telling the difference between a shiny bit of gold-bearing ore and a gold ring with a gem set in it was still beyond the flit but at least he wasn't stealing time pieces anymore.
Nonetheless, the young Queen was not pleased to have to return such pretty gifts, this was the third time they'd had to do so. Huffing as she walked, Sharath ruffled her wings and tossed her head. She'd grown much since she'd hatched and her shoulder was now flush with Amelia's so that if her rider could no longer walk with her hand on her dragon's head.
Amelia, the blue flit must be trained properly. I am tired of having to return things that cannot be mine. They are gifts and I accept them and then you say they're someone else's. I am starting to not like him... he's causing more trouble then needed.
"I know, Sharath. That's why I'm trying to show him what's good and what's not. I don't really blame him for this one, though, because it is gold, and it does have a bit of shiny rock in it - which is what I taught him." She sighed, "I promise we'll figure something out. This was too small for you to wear anyway so I don't know what your problem is."
My problem, Mine, is that you keep giving away my gifts! The blue is the only one who does that. I like that! More dragons should be like that and show their appreciation of me. She snorted and turned her head to look at Amelia, I don't want them lined up out the door, though, that would be irritating.
The goldrider laughed and patted Sharath's nose as she smiled, "People show they like you in different ways - not everyone will go looking for gold-flecked rocks for you. Besides, I don't know what I'd do if you somehow obtained an entourage of followers... that's silly."
Sharath whuffed, You will have to learn, Mine. When I am Senior Queen of a Weyr, there will be many people looking to us for leadership. She nodded, tone absolutely certain.
Amelia shook her head. It never ceased to amaze her how very adamant Sharath was about her goals... she never stopped to think how, or who, or what, only that she would. And it made her smile with pride - this dragon would not give up on her ideals and she was grateful for that.
But even then, this silly phase Sharath was in frustrated Amelia. You didn't have to collect goodies from people to know they appreciated you. This turn of events was just another reason to solidify her training of Ulysses - he was spoiling Sharath and that would end up badly.
Up ahead, an archway opened up onto a common area that lead into the various sections of the Weyr. Amelia was only thankful it wasn't particularly busy at this time of day - no one shied away, the candidates didn't make eyes at her or Sharath, and she didn't have to worry about missing a greeting when there was one. She chuckled to herself and wondered if she'd be able to enjoy such peace of mind for very much longer.
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Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 7:43 pm
While Sharath was busy being sour and Amelia was busy explaining a thing called 'logic', Makereth and Uuni were doing what they did best. That was to say, they were up to absolutely no good at all.
Had there been someone to answer Amelia's question, they would have given her the obvious: No. Peace could not last long for the small and insignificant, let alone a growing Queen and her Rider in a Weyr where things were simply bound to happen.
Bound to happen because Makereth would make sure they did. Today, he had his eye on the most grandios of targets. Sharath was not The Queen yet, but she was a queen and, for the time being, he considered this close enough.
Together, he and Uuni were walking down the halls, both their movements giving them a distinctive sway. One was bored, looking at figures and potential targets, the other looking for distractions and tools to aid him in the neverending task of having fun. Both were acutely aware of another's thoughts, but did not so much as blink at the semi-conspiratorial minds therin.
I've got it!
"What have you got?" Uuni's voice was half-aware and she was busy leaning back to catch a retreating view of a muscular male.
An idea! was the obvious answer, and it was with that the duo retreated into an adjoining hall to discuss the pros and cons of Makereth's greatest brilliant plan.
That was how Uuni found herself stealing herbs from the medical ward, somehow managing to avoid getting caught, and then proceeding to fix a cup of klah for both herself and their assumed victim.
Soon enough, they were trotting back down the halls searching for the Queen and Her Rider.
"This will never work," Uuni said, repeating 'left' in her mind to distinguish which klah was the one that she wasn't supposed to drink.
It will work. You just have to learn to act.
"This will never work," Uuni repeated, but she didn't have a chance to say more, because as they rounded another corner, there was the big gold, and Uuni already felt a little put off by her size.
"Amelia! Hey, what's going on?" she tried, her voice perhaps a little too high pitched.
Makereth saved the day, by butting in. Queen Sharath There was a short bow. Mine and I brought something to drink for you and your Rider. We would like to express our gratitude for all your hard work.
You sound a little too grateful Uuni piped in, switching away from open vocals for fear of getting caught. How long did you say it takes for this to make their tongues go numb?
A couple of minutes. A pause. I think.
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Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 10:42 am
Amelia and Sharath both started at the sudden call and glanced in the pair's direction. The goldrider smiled and waved, curious as to the reason for the tone of Uuni's voice. "Hey! I'm just returning something Ulysses pinched - again. Collecting bits doesn't mean raiding people's stores." She shrugged, obviously weary of the apparently oft-repeated chore.
Sharath, on the other hand, saw the young blue and snorted, her eyes whirling with red and orange, Lovely. Another blue. She contemplated ordering the dragon off - she'd had her fill of anything blue, thank-you - but Amelia not-so-subtly elbowed the queen in the ribs. Grunting, the gold huffed at her rider, about to say something when Makereth spoke.
It was a good thing too, because his offer of drink and mention of recognition of their work - something Sharath felt they received precious little of - piqued her interest. Closing the distance between them, the dragon tilted her head, Go on. Drink is appreciated.
As Amelia followed, she tossed her question at her lifemate, What's with the attitude change?
They have brought drink for us. He says they want to thank us for our hard work. I think it's about time someone did something nice. She flicked her tail as she rustled her wings.
Amelia blinked at that, turning her gaze from Sharath to Uuni, "Really? Ah... thanks. Can we find a place to sit down though...?" She grinned, obviously surprised but not willing to dismiss the gesture. Someone actually wanted to treat her and Sharath!
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 8:03 pm
For a breif moment, Uuni was confused as to who "Ulysses" was, but Amelia didn't have any male friends that she knew of - Uuni doubted Sharath would approve of that! - and the "collecting bits" left room for only one option. She smile at this and nodded, as if in understanding.
The orange eyes caused her to frown immediately, Makereth getting a mentla message as to the reason for her disposition. The gold is onto us.
She received a harsh Sh! across the mental line and Makereth's eyes were swirling a delightful blue. It is lucky for you, Mine, that your eyes do not change color, or they would be very yellow now.
Makereth could not be more pleased with himself with how things were turning out, and he cooed happily in Sharath's direction.
"Yes, absolutely," Uuni said, in her best liars voice. "Come on Makereth, let's go find a nice place for the four of us to sit." She gestured her hand out in front of her, giving Amelia a wink as she invited her to take the lead to the kitchens. It was the obvious place to sit, but they could go back to the group sleeping quarters if Amelia and Sharath really wanted. It really didn't matter where.
Makereth followed a similar suit, settling down next to Uuni and waiting for Sharath to take the lead behind, or next to, Amelia.
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 11:22 am
Something about the way Uuni was being oh so nice made the dragon pause, more sensitive to ulterior motives then her rider - Amelia still needed to learn much, people were not always what they were on the surface. Whuffling, she immediately took the lead and nudged her rider into step her her tail as they passed, but was unwilling to forgo this opportunity for treats.
If they are misleading us, I will be most displeased, Sharath announced to Amelia, rustling her wings as they walked with the gold in the lead. The Kitchens were not that far away, but Sharath's growth was making it more and more difficult for the young queen to maneouver in the close quarters without forcing people and tables out of her way - which, really, suited her just fine. People ought to move for her anyway.
"What have you been up to?" Amelia asked after a moment, "I don't get to see the other Weyrlings much anymore with my lessons. Anything interesting happening?"
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 12:33 pm
Uuni watched in moderate amusement as Sharath practically barged her way through the menagerie of people. She was everthankful Makereth didn't have a bloated head like that gold. Then again, maybe he did. It wasn't like that, however.
When she'd found a place to sit, she let Amelia and Sharath take their places first before she joined them. She passed the, luckily still hot, cup of klah over to Amelia while Makereth skittered off to the kitchens to get a rather large bowl of sweet juice to bring to Sharath. He was managing very well, despite the awkwardness of carrying the object in his teeth.
He was far too excited to mess this up and spill. Uuni watched him for a moment and then turned back to Amelia, the corners of her lips twitching slightly.
"Well, we've got our own lessons to attend to," she answered, patting Makereth on the head as he nudged the bowl towards Sharath like a child offering up a treasured prize.
"I'm not a big fan of any of the self-defense." There was a grimace was expressive enough to show that she wasn't very good at it either. "The weyr itself has been calm. Juhonoth hasn't eaten anyone yet." She grinned and took a sip of her klah - was this the right one? s**t - thankful for the distraction from the prank Makereth was so intent on making.
"Anything bit and secret in the gold-rider lessons?" Her smile was broad and she raised her brows over the rim of her klah as she took a sip, offering another wink to Amelia.
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 1:03 pm
"That's good..." Amelia echoed. That blue was... so ferocious! She knew she had a difficult path with Sharath but what would it be like with Jounoth? That was not a lifemate she was really willing to consider. Sighing, she reached for her own klah and sipped it experimentally. "Nothing, really, beyond realizing that I'm being trained as a glorified housewife for the entire Weyr."
She chuckled at that, "There's some neat things but I've never been all that interested in managing linen supply and food stores. Thought it was more of the leading type thing... perhaps I haven't gotten there yet." Glancing at Sharath, she arched a brow as the gold dipped her head to sip from the bowl in a surprisingly dainty motion.
"Oh!" Amelia paused, "I almosht fergot..." Her brows knit together as her words slurred slightly and she eyed the drink for a moment before shaking her head and glancing up, "I'm alsho learning flamethrowahs for sthread...?" Again, she paused, confused.
She was quickly loosing feeling in her lips and mouth... tingling like pins and needles.
Sharath, as well, was also experiencing a similar thing and while she could not speak, the glare she was giving Makereth was highly intimidating. Did you do this? She demanded, tipping the bowl and causing a scene as some of the tainted sweetwater spilled across the floor.
Quickly moving to Amelia, she nosed the girl to ensure her rider was alright... that the confusion, and undercurrent of fear, she felt from Hers did not mean any bodily harm. When the goldrider nodded, the young queen turned again, tilting a chair or two over and thwapping a few unfortunate people in the face with her half-mantled wings.
You did do this, didn't you!? Her hiss was... sloppy at best, echoing the slurring of Amelia's own words. You tried to poison Mine and me! Outraged, the gold stamped her feet and ignored Amelia's pleas.
"Sharatsh! Shtop! Behfour you do thumsing shtupid!" The words weren't working, though, and she turned on Uuni, "Poishin? What kind?"
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 1:17 pm
Makereth, with his little reptilian ears, caught the off-sound from Amelia immediately. His tail swished, and he waited, hoping it wasn't a nervous slur, but quickly finding out that it in fact had worked.
There was a moment where he backed up, out of the way of the spilled contents, but when the gold dragon hissed, Makereth lost himself and doubled over in a squaking form of laughter that left him bounding to the other side of Uuni and putting his feet up on the table to watch Amelia's mouth as it tried to work. Fascinating.
Uuni was busy being horrified about Sharath, and was vaguely debating grabbing Makereth by the horns and running for the exit, leaving the Weyr and never coming back.
But when she heard Amelia speak, or attempt to speak, she grinned. It was amusing, even though she inched a little farther away from Sharath's screaming form and planted Makereth between her and the gold.
Between chuckles, she waved off Amelia and took another sip of klah. "It's just a numbing solution. It should wear off in a few hours."
Makereth responded with, Mine! You shuld not -tell- them that! Half the fun is making them wonder.
"What's it feel like?" Uuni asked, her curiousity growing with the laughter in her throat. The grin grew broader and she put one leg over the other in growing comfort. At least Amelia didn't seem to want to murder them. Well, yet.
And, besides, Makereth was too happy to allow her to feel anything but pleasant vibes. It was a good prank, Sharath! Do not feel so sour.
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 1:43 pm
Amelia's gaze hardened at that, a few hours!? She had things to do! People to talk to! What was she supposed to do if she sounded like a dimwit or a drunkard!? Stress compounded together and she stood, irritation rising with the motion and she stood up straight, tall, stiff and glowered at the girl. Slowly, ever so slowly, she spoke as clearly as she could, "Dyuu you sthink thish ish funney? I have mush to do! Ig-nor-anth little gurhl!" Giving up when even her attempt to growl at the bluerider failed, the goldrider slammed the cup of klah on the table and moved forward to prod Uuni in the chest, "It feelsh like pinsh and needlesh. You shouldh try eet."
The anger that had risen in Amelia was caught and amplified by the queen who dropped back down on all fours and stalked towards the blue, teeth bared. Makereth. You tried to poison Mine. That is unforgiveable. Her gaze turned to Uuni as well, then, expanding her field of speech to both the rider and her blue, Both of you. Unforgiveable.
Growling, the gold towered before the blue, Drink it. All of it. Then go roll in the mud and caw like a heardbeast in the middle of the Weyrbowl. Nostrils flared as she stamped her foot and lashed her tail about, fully waiting for the blue to obey. I am so entirely through with blues! Bunch of ignorant annoyances!
Throwing a fit as she was, many of the people in the kitchens' common room were staring at Amelia, expecting her to do something about her over-reacting, bothersome gold. Couldn't the new goldrider handle her dragon?
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 2:28 pm
Makereth slunk back, skittering around to the other side of Uuni and poked his head around the other side.
It wasn't poison! he piped back defending his position.You are just angry I got you!. His eyes didn't change color even when Sharath gave him the order - one that he, of course, couldn't refuse.
Not that he wouldn't have even if he could. He strode over to the stuff spilled on the floor and lapped it up. Despite the numbing, it still tasted good, minus the grit of course, and he was licking it off his muzzle, and then sitting on his haunches after.
Uuni, I'm going outside to caw like a herdbeast and roll in the mud, he told her, moving his tongue around inside his mouth as the tingle started to spread. It felt ridiculously odd. He couldn't wait to tell people the order Sharath had given him when they started asking questions. The looks on their faces would be priceless.
Receiving some mental confirmation, out he went, slipping past people and tables.
Uuni, in the meanwhile, was feeling very offended by the poke in her chest. "Hilarious, actually," she answered, moving the intruding hand out of the way, rising, and taking a step back.
"It can't honestly be that bad." She gave a wary look at Amelia, picked up the klah, and downed it in four solid gulps. "There," she said, slamming it down on the table. "Now we're even."
It had been worth it. Totally worth it. She couldn't wait to tell Avery. The Weyrwoman was probably going to kill her.
"I hath to go. . . " She paused, grinning, or she thought she was smiling, she couldn't feel her lips. Amelia would figure out she was following Makereth out; the two of them couldn't be too far from each other, and she didn't want to miss him attempting a caw.
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 2:46 pm
I don't care if you 'got' me or not, Makereth! You could have hurt Mine! She roared at the smaller dragon, the sound echoing in the cavern and making a few of the observer jump. An angry gold, even a young one, was a frightening thing.
"If I washnt needed elshwhear, it whould be funneh." Amelia remarked dryly, unimpressed and for once she didn't stop Sharath from her tantrum - this time it was justified. "Good, sho do I."
With a glare at those around, she lifted her head up high and set a hand on her dragon. Together, they walked out of the room like queens - Sharath eyeing every person they passed as if they too could be a conspirator in Makereth's awful game.
Watching Uuni's retreating form, the angry whisper of the gold interrupted her thoughts as she spoke directly to the rider, Stay away from Mine, bluerider. I will make you miserable if her harm her again.
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 3:03 pm
Uuni wasn't even going to bother speaking, it was a waste of a cause.
Off the three of them went, Uuni walking after Makereth's merrily bounding form and the tempered dragon and rider behind her.
The anger from Amelia caused her to frown, at best, but it was when Sharath tried to threaten her, she stopped. She hated it when other dragons voiced themselves across the line. It never happened in her original homeplace, and it had always disturbed her here.
Man, what?
Oh for ******** sake, you rude, egostical, a*****e of a gold. That stuff isn't deadly, not even remotely! I'm not another dragon that you can order around, and in case you forgot, you and Amelia are still in "flight-practice" when it comes to your leadership wings. Just suck it up. Amelia's not hurt, I had no intention of hurting her, so take your head out of your a** and maybe you'll see why most people don't listen you yet.
Also. Stay out of my head. It's agitating.
She gave a heavy sigh, rolled her eyes, and resumed her walk.
Makereth had made it to the mud and flopped down, rubbing his back into it. Actually, it felt nice against his cracked skin, he could keep this up for a while before he went onto the cawing.
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 3:23 pm
Red and yellow shifted entirely to a deep, bloody red as the gold stopped, head jerking back as if she'd just been struck. A hiss, loud enough to draw attention, heralded her action as she surged forward and reared up before Uuni with a flash of teeth and spread wings.
On her tail was Amelia, SHARATH!
Of course, the mental shout wasn't heard - or if it was, it was ignored - and Sharath shoved her nose in close to Uuni's face, What if it was, bluerider? What if you were wrong? Or too much? Why chance it? I would not threaten Yours. Why would you threaten Mine? She rumbled angrily, lips pulled back as she snarled at the girl, You take your head from your 'a**' and consider the wellfare of Mine. You are a fool, to jeopardize the future Weyrwoman, you miscreant. Stay. Away. From. Mine. She'd been about to say more when she suddenly lurched to the side.
Amelia had jumped up on her back and was trying to make a grab for her head-knobs - which was a rather strange sight, considering Amelia had chosen to remain silent, Sharath! Stop! Listen to me for shards sake! When she finally grabbed something - anything - that took the gold's attention away from Uuni, Amelia was glaring at Sharath, unintimidated by the continued snarl. Don't you dare go around threatening other people! She didn't poison me you big, overprotective dimglow! It was a tasteless joke, that's all! STOP!
Half perched on the dragon's side, she waited for the queen to stop struggling before she let Sharath go and stepped in front of the queen to smack her on the nose. How many times have I said this! Stop reacting so harshly! Nobody's fool enough to hurt me - they'd lose you.
Sharath's eyes widened at that and shook her head after she growled at the bluerider once more, You are wrong. And she... is a dispicable rider. Irresponsible and takes chances. I do not want to lose you ever, Mine.
Amelia sighed and prodded the gold's nose once more, finding a headknob again just in case as she spoke to Uuni, "Shorry. Whatever you shaid pished her off something fiersh. Dun't do eet again, eh? C'mon Sharasth." Forcing the angry gold's head away, she started off in the opposite direction. Her dragon had a point, she knew, but that could be discussed later - when she was actually able to speak.
And, she'd be speaking to the Weyrwoman as well about this little encounter. Sharath, for once, was in the right - though telling her that would likely undo everything Amelia was trying to impress upon the gold.
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 3:38 pm
The space, she did not like the lack of it or the size. Without a second thought, she took as many steps backwards as she could, getting away from the stench of a dragon's meaty-breath and out of the line of danger. Her heart was beating quickly, and she was thankful when Amelia got control of her dragon.
Makereth, who was no idiot to life, gave three cawing squaks and completed his task, making the sprint over to stand in front of His.
A very shaken up His, no doubt.
Uuni glanced at Amelia when the girl spoke, her lips pursed tight and her back still crawling with fear.
Makereth, tell Amelia that I'm not going to be a part of Sharath's humping ground, so she doesn't have to worry about me going anywhere near Amelia again.
Makereth said first, instead, I am sorry you do not have a sense of humour and Uuni says. . .
Uuni clicked her tongue and tossed her hair behind her, taking the step in the opposite direction, her teeth still clenched from the close encounter with the gold. Weyrling training together was going to get harder everyday, and soon, she'd have to actually take orders from that menace.
How many more threats would she get? Maybe they should make a list.
The fear broke way to a slight smile and she patted Makereth lightly on the head, leaving the whole incident in the dust. Honestly, what a bunch of prudes.
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