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Doesn't her hide shine like summer? Those were the first words Korianth had spoken to him. Words that had echoed through his mind as he'd watched the gold of the clutch impress. Words he hadn't expected, nor known quite how to deal with. And J'tren had agreed that it did, though he had done so through a whirl of emotion and thought not his own, a sensation he was still trying to sort himself out of.

It was disconcerting, really. He was a private person, by no means accustom to the press of another person in his room, let alone in his head. Now, here was Korianth, who itched and hungered and dreamed and needed and--

I am trying to think quietly, Mine.

No, Kori. It's not you. It's just, new. None-the-less, he had skipped all but the briefest appearance at the feast, snagging a few finger rolls and ducking out again. It'd given him a chance to get settled in the barracks before the other Weyrling's arrived. As they now were, a process that Korianth watched with considerable interest. J'tren could feel his excitement.

She'll be here soon. The dragon sent, all but wagging his tail.

And he could have asked who, if the knowledge wasn't already there, if his mind wasn't already bright gold with Korianth's thoughts.

Instantly, J'tren was in love. His heart sped up, his breathing felt heavy and uncomfortably loud. His stomach knotted, and he could only hope his tail wasn't wagging.

Wait. No. Not him. Korianth. Which was good, because newly impressed Weyrling or no, J'tren was relatively certain that he wasn't supposed to be filled with admiring thoughts about a very particular shade of gold.

Mind, this--

This could be a problem too. But one he wasn't going to think about while the new goldrider was introducing herself.

"A pleasure to meet you, goldrider," J'tren replied, not taking her hand immediately. First, he bowed, not deeply but deep enough to satisfy the distant, scolding voice of his mother. When he straightened, it was with a smile, and when he shook her hand his grip was firm, if not particularly powerful. "I would be J'tren, I guess. And I believe Korianth has been waiting for your Kanaleth."

Korianth, meanwhile, had fought past his initial heart-in-throat reaction to Kanaleth's arrival and was butting his head against the gold's shoulder in enthusiastic greeting.

Mine needed rest, he explained, not apologizing for what he was willing to see as a necessity. His mind-voice was sweet and almost smoky, dark as his hide but sparkling with excitement at seeing Kanaleth. But I waited for you here. I knew I would not miss you. You fill the whole room with light.

"Well, I haven't really decided yet, to be honest." The new bluerider replied, apparently taking Andere's comment at face value. "J'tren, J'yt, J'ter, J'ren. They all sound a bit silly when you've spent twenty turns being Jaytren already."

He shifted a bit uneasily, not entirely sure how to take the level appraisal of this new acquaintance. He wasn't much of an 'appraiser' himself. He tended, all to often, to see what he believed was there instead of what existed, and that didn't take much appraising at all.

Mine, please make a good impression. The dragon requested, more wistful than forceful in his request.

And being, of course, miserable at this sort of thing, and new to mindspeech, J'tren replied aloud. "I think that'd require knowing what she's impressed by, Kori."

And then, with a horrified blush, "Sorry. Umm. Korianth is concerned that I'm not presenting myself well to you."

Mine is-- well he is used to being by himself. I think he was not expecting me to find him. The blue explained, apologetically, as he settled beside Kanaleth's side. But he will make friends with yours. How could they not be friends?

The logic seemed simple enough to the blue. Look how happy he was now that Kanaleth had found him! Certainly, His should be equally happy with Hers. I am glad you came here first. I wish you could stay. I will be lonely without you. It is important, though, that you have your own space.

But, she was here now, and that was enough. If only theirs would be equally happy in each other's company. We are settled here, Mine. Go with Kanaleth's. Offer her some meat.

I don't think that works with people, Kori. We usually offer Klah, and she just came from the feast.

You complicate things too much, Mine. Just tell she is nice, and that you will be her friend.

Unaware that a certain gold dragon was jumping to his defense, or, for that matter, that a certain gold rider was getting the exact sort of bad impression he often gave, J'tren watched the stare down between the two with mild confusion. He was polite enough, however, not to ask.

"Then J'tren it will remain," he agreed, amiably enough. "It seems appropriate, really, if a bit silly. A new name for a new identity. If you leave behind all those things you identify yourself with, and choose some new alliance, doesn't that make you someone else? For you, the sea. For me--" A wry grin, "Being useless, I suppose. And now you are Kanaleth's rider and I am Korianth's."

His expression settled as he considered his own words, studying Korianth and becoming more serious. "I am sorry that you have to leave behind something you love. I am not losing much, really. Privacy. I think you'll find the Weyr endearing, though. I hope so."

And if you are ever lonely, you need only call me, and I will come. Technically, he would have no choice, but that was not the point of this particular offer. I do not think we have a door. But-- I will always be where you need me to be.

Kerthunk. The gears in J'tren's head were doubtless making the most horrendous grinding sound as he forced himself to adjust, with uncomfortable speed and force, to the fact he had allowed himself to forget. Namely, that Andere was, indeed, his superior and he was not to be simply-- chattering at her like an Auntie by the fire. It was Korianth that'd done it. His ease and comfort with the gold rolled off him like a wave, and it'd allowed J'tren, however briefly, to forget his place.

Andere had reminded him though, with her comment about keeping him in line. And if his reaction wasn't blatant, it was hardly subtle. He stood straighter, and his voice held an odd mix of friendliness and formality, the sort of friendly used for reporting to superiors, or meeting potential patrons. "Of course, Goldrider. I assure you Korianth and I will do whatever is asked of us."

They would too. Not a scrap more, maybe. But what was asked, they'd do to a T.

"I'll take Korianth off now." He reached down, giving the blue a gentle shake. "We're sorry to have kept you from your rest."

Korianth separated himself from Kanaleth reluctantly. Goodnight, Kanaleth. He rubbed his head against the gold's shoulder as he stood and moved to J'tren's side. Dream of pretty things. I will dream of you.