|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 4:33 pm
'Mine hurry please! The water is right there and I want a bath! Pretty please!' The blue bounded back to his rider, butting him with his head insistently. He wanted to swim! But he couldn't swim unless his rider came in with him because then it wouldn't be fun. So H'dra needed to hurry up! Quick time! He wound his way around the boy's legs and nearly tripped him up, backing off only when his rider stumbled. 'Hurry!'
"I'm coming! I promise! You go in and I'll come in in just a second." He paused at the edge of the ocean, working on the buttons of his jacket. If he was going to swim then he wasn't going to get too many of his clothes wet. It would feel weird to be so close to being naked – shirtless was pretty darn close for H'dra thank you very much – but Dievath wanted him to swim. Egged on by the blue's pestering, the young bluerider tried to yank his shirt off his head and promptly got stuck. For a moment he simply stood there, confused, before he tried his best to wiggle out of the constricting garment.
"It's stuck!" He called to his dragon, voice muffled by the shirt. What was he supposed to do now?
'I'll help! Dievath to the rescue!'
"Wait! Wait Dievath!"
It was too late. The blue already pounced. Barreling his rider over he tried to tug at the shirt, twisting it this way and that and only getting both of them even more caught up in the mess.
"Don't pull on that bit!"
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 6:24 pm
For once, Zara had neither studies or chores to consume her time. Freedom with her time was an odd feeling after so long as a Candidate, but it was not an unwelcome one. She'd had quite a bit of it running about the Lower Caverns as a youth, after all. With such nostalgic thoughts in mind, she decided to fill her time with one of her old favorites, and headed for the beach with a swim in mind. With luck, perhaps she'd catch some of the riders or dragons with the same intentions, or even stumble on a firelizard clutch. Now wouldn't that be a lucky find?
Of course, the yelps from the shore that had quickened her walking pace into a run didn't sound like someone was having much luck. And if she hadn't known better when she came close enough to see what was going on, Zara would have sworn someone was under attack by a dragon.
Which...well, it didn't look too far from the truth, but it certainly didn't seem like a hostile attack. Rather, it looked like an overenthusiastic dragonet was attempting to yank off his weyrling's shirt. Deciding to step in before anything disastrous inadvertently occured, Zara jogged up to lay a hopefully-calming hand on the blue's neck. "Hey there, easy now," she said softly, patting the dragonet awkwardly. "Let go and I'll get him out of that for you, alright?"
If the weyrling didn't happen to be male, well...she'd deal with ruffled feathers later.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 7:02 pm
Dievath continued to prod and tug at the shirt until a hand on the back of his neck stopped him. Who was touching him? He whirled his head around, surprised by the sudden arrival of a girl. Where had she come from? He hadn't even heard her! How sneaky! Were all girls like this? His eyes whirled as he stared at her, listening with his head tilted slightly to one side. For a moment he didn't move save to blink at her, but the words seem to sink in and he let go of the shirt in his mouth.
'Stay still. The nice girl is going to help you.' The blue did his best to stand still, allowing Zara to do as she pleased with his tangled rider.
"Wh-what?" H'dra sputtered, his voice muffled by the layer of fabric. There was a girl here! And she was helping him out of his shirt! This had to be scandalous! His face turned a deep scarlet at the thought. Unfortunately, he didn’t have much choice in the matter. Flailing around would only get him more caught up in the shirt, and he couldn't afford to waste his precious marks on getting another one. He would have to let this strange girl help him out of it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 7:51 pm
So it was true that dragons could understand people, even if they didn't talk to anyone but their rider. Useful to know, even if she didn't Impress--she'd be able to tell a frantic dragon to calm down while she treated the rider. Murmuring a word of thanks to the blue, Zara bent down to gently work the shirt loose. Between dragonet yanking and rider flailing it was a bit tangled, but eventually it was tugged free without major damage. "There," she said with some satisfaction, shaking out the shirt. "A few teeth marks, but nothing the Lower Caverns can't handle." Noticing the weyrling's scarlet face, she sobered. Holdbred...she should have guessed. "Don't worry...you're too young for me, and Nan's not here to blow things out of proportion," she said not unkindly as she offered his shirt to him. "Both your honor and reputation are safe with me."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 5:20 pm
A very red-faced H'dra emerged from underneath the tangled shirt, taking the article of clothing back and clutching it close to his body. This was all kinds of embarrassing. "Thank you, miss. We would have been in quite a lot of trouble if you hadn't shown up." His eyes darted to her face, peering at her momentarily through his bangs, before his eyes dropped back to the ground. She was older than him, he decided from his quick look, a good three or four turns. And she was pretty. Not that he would ever say that aloud. That would be too embarrassing.
She seemed to be aware of his embarrassment though, if her words were any comfort. The young bluerider simply blushed darker. He wasn't quite sure what to say, but eventually settled for, "Th-thank you miss. I'm… glad you hear that." His honour and reputation? Did he even have one?
'Ask her if she wants to swim! I want to swim! We should all swim together!' Dievath butted his rider, reminded him of the reason that they had come all the way down to the water's edge.
H'dra chewed on his lips nervously, before another nudge from his dragon encouraged him to speak. "We were going to go swimming, if you wanted to come, miss. If you don't, that's okay too. You don't have to if you don't want to, he just really likes people. Dievath, that is. My blue, miss." He knew he was talking way too quickly but he couldn't help it. Girls always made him shy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 11:20 am
Zara gave the weyrling a quick, light pat on the shoulder, withdrawing her hand before he had too much of a chance to jump back from the touch. He seemed a flighty sort, even for a Holder. "It's no problem. I know it can be hard fitting into the Weyr sometimes, and I won't make it harder." Faranth knew the gossipy women in the Lower Caverns could make it a difficult task, especially with certain candidates that loved to find scandal in everything. Shards...if Nan or Elae knew she was out here alone with a weyrling? They'd have the word passed around that she was 'close' with one of the blueriders before mealtime.
Well, no use worrying about it unless one of them actually did show up to find out. Distracted by Dievath-via-H'dra's question, she grinned. Actually spending time with one of the dragons instead of watching them? Why, that would be a treat indeed! "I'd love to," she blurted eagerly, before his nervousness registered in her mind and she forced herself to calm. "But I don't want to make you uncomfortable..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 5:04 pm
H'dra was one of the lucky few that had successfully avoided Nan, probably due to the fact that he'd been working since the moment he'd arrived at the Weyr. Nobody would have suspected that a boy roped into cleaning fireplaces and setting tables was actually going to be a candidate. No doubt she was probably on the look out for him now, hoping to get to him eventually. The sheer number of candidates that were being flown in were slowing him down considerable, and thus Zara and H'dra were probably safe from prying eyes. For now.
Her comment made him chew his lip thoughtfully. Having a girl in the water with him definitely sounded like a Bad Idea, but Dievath was there and he would divert all attention. It couldn't be too bad, could it? Besides, the blue did like people. "It'll… be okay miss. I promise not to do anything!" The young bluerider stood a little straighter, hoping that she would believe him.
'Are you coming? I am not swimming alone!'
He folded his shirt as best he could and set it aside, before rolling up his pants as high as they would go. That would have to do for now. "Alright, I'm ready. In you get." Dievath bounded into the water with a triumphant splash, eyes whirling happily. H'dra chanced a quick look at Zara before he picked up his bucket of soap sand and trotted in after his blue.
'Ask her if she likes dragons,' Dievath insisted as he waded over. 'And what her name is. And tell her your name! And mine! Or did you tell her that already? Is she a candidate?
H'dra licked his lips before he said, "I don't think I introduced myself, miss. I'm H'dra, and this is blue Dievath. He wants you know if you like dragons, miss."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 5:48 pm
"Of course...that's the way the Hold does things, isn't it?" There was a slightly teasing tone to Zara's voice, but it was not unkind--simply amused. She was far from worried about anything H'dra might do. He didn't look like he was willing to overpower more than maybe a lump of wherry meat, and that for the sake of his dragon. Deftly shrugging off shirt and pants, she waded into the warm ocean waters in her undergarments. Bracing herself against the motion of the waves for a moment, she cast a quick grin at H'dra. "I'm Zara, and it's nice to meet you both." Offering Dievath a light bow--as best she could while attempting not to let the surf knock her off her feet--she added, "And indeed, I do like dragons. How much they like me remains to be seen, however."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 6:40 pm
He nodded eagerly, glad that she understood. Zara was very right in her assessment of H'dra's ability to overpower anything. While he might have been very stern with the sheep, people were another matter entirely. So were dragons, for that matter. He wasn't used to having a voice in his head telling him what to do, but he couldn't find it in him to dislike it. The young bluerider really didn't mind being led around by someone, even if it was a very sociable dragon.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Zara. Are you a candidate here? I'm sorry, I didn't really get to meet any of the other candidates, so I probably wouldn't have seen you even if you were here." He grinned sheepishly. The only other candidate he had met was Lynna, but he hadn't seen her since the Hatching. Oh, and there was Brynne too, but she was a Weyrling now, same as he was.
'I like her! Tell her I like her! She had a pretty name. It’s short too!' Dievath was making his way over when he slipped, disappearing under the waves. He emerged with a shake of his head, spraying water everywhere as he did so. 'It's slippery!' The blue informed his rider as he gave his head another shake. Finding himself very close to Zara he lifted himself up onto his back legs so he could stare at her.'She looks very thin, he said, crooning softly. 'Tell her she should eat more. I will share my food if she wants.'
H'dra blinked owlishly at his dragon. "He um.... says he'll share his food with you if you'd like. Because you're um... thin, miss. No offense meant though, miss!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 7:44 pm
"That I am...bred to it, you could say. I study with the Healers a little too, in case I get too old for one of these lovelies." Relaxing in the warm sun and surf, Zara smiled at the obviously happy blue. Dragons and water...they always seemed to mix well, and it was a treat to watch such a happy little dragonet enjoying himself.
Even so, she startled slightly when he emerged from the water in front of her, remaining very still so that he might inspect her better. When H'dra relayed the message from Dievath she blushed deeply. Hearing it from the women in the kitchens of the Lower Caverns was one thing--she'd grown up with that--but for a dragon to think she was thin enough to warrant sharing his food with her? "I...thank him for the offer, and I'll try to eat better for him." She replied carefully, doing her best not to sound patronizing. "He's very charming." That much she meant whole-heartedly. There was something endearing about the little blue, and his guileless efforts to be helpful.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 9:12 pm
"You're a Healer, miss? That's a very respectable position. I wish you the best of luck with your studies, Miss Zara." He bowed his head. No wonder she had been so quick in his crisis. The thought made him turn red again. Honestly, being saved by a Healer just because he'd been tangled up in his shirt. His brother would have laughed until he was out of breath if he got wind of this story. Luckily for him, Zara didn't seem the type to go tell.
H'dra feared he had offended her when Zara blushed, but he was glad that she took his blue's comments in stride. He would have to remember this situation the next time his blue asked him to relay messages. After all, he didn't want to appear impolite to anyone, especially when speaking in the place of his dragon. It was probably better that Dievath hadn't figured out how to talk to other people yet.
'Mine I itch. Can it be bath time now?
"Did you um... want to help bathe him, miss?" He held out the bucket of soapsand. She could take some if she wanted, or just swim. H'dra wouldn't be offended.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 11:58 am
Zara shifted a little, grey eyes flicking from H'dra and Dievath and back again. "Well...it's a backup plan, really. Nothing against Healers, but I rather hope I don't end up as one. It's nice, but I like the Weyr." She was tempted to dare another pat for Dievath, but knew she'd already come close to crossing a line there. Helping out was one thing, but you just didn't mess with a dragon without asking. Sometimes the rider would pitch a fit, or the dragon would get fussy...and it just ended up as more trouble than it was worth.
Her expression brightened at the offer to help wash the blue, though. It was just a chore to some, but it was a chore that Candidates didn't usually get. "I'd be happy to, H'dra." Scooping out a generous handful of soapsand, Zara offered Dievath a slight bow before slathering it over him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 3:08 pm
H'dra nodded his head. "I met a girl who had similar feelings to yours, miss. She was the daughter of the cook though, but she wanted to be a dragonrider. She would have still stayed at the Weyr even if she didn't Impress though…" He, unlike many of the candidates, hadn't really been all that concerned about going home. It would mean going back to the sheep and the country, but that hadn't seemed like such a bad idea. It still didn't seem like a bad idea, but going home now would only be visiting. His place was at the Weyr now.
'Why does she keep putting her head down to the water? Is she looking for fish?' The blue turned his head to peer into the water beside him. He didn't see any fish. How curious. Dievath was distracted from his original question when Zara began rubbing him down, and he rumbled happily. The rumbling only intensified when H'dra did the same on the other side. When Zara hit an itchy spot he kicked out with one of his back legs like a dog. He definitely liked this double-sided treatment!
What he didn't like, however, was the silence that had lapsed between the two. Turning his head back to his rider he nudged the boy. 'Ask her.. ask her about the Weyr! What she likes! And about dragons! What colours she likes!'
"So… um, Dievath would like to know what you like best about the Weyr, miss. And the dragons."
'And food! Don't forget food!'
"Dievath!" H'dra hissed, "It's rude to ask a lady so many questions." Turning back to Zara, he smiled apologetically. "You don't have to answer any of them, miss. Really, it's okay."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2009 4:44 pm
"Well, if the dragons have taught us anything, it's that they don't tend to see rank the same way we do," Zara replied, a slight grin tugging at the corners of her mouth. "A cook's daughter is just as likely to Impress as a Weyrwoman's son, and that's the truth." After all, their newest goldrider...hadn't she been working in the Lower Caverns? Or the Hold, maybe...in any case, she hadn't been much beforee Impressing.
The Candidate laughed as Dievath kicked out a hind leg and the resulting splash half-soaked her. It was a welcome burst of relief from the humid heat, even if she'd be paying for it with salt-stiff hair later. "Hmm...well, the dragons are definitely the best part of any Weyr. I like watching the wings while they're training, and a gold's flight is always a treat." Patting Dievath lightly, she added, "Of course, some of the greens get pretty interesting too! They're just less messy about it."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2009 5:46 pm
"Really? I didn't know that miss." H'dra looked thoughtful for a moment. He had always thought that important people were more likely to get picked at a Hatching. After all, important people had a bigger presence, or so he'd assumed. He knew that if he was a dragon he would have picked a Master in a craft rather than an Apprentice. But perhaps dragons didn't think that way.
'I picked you. You are the most important person to me.' Dievath reminded his rider, rubbing his face against H'dra's chest. Of course human ranks didn't apply to dragons. Otherwise only Weyrborn, important people would Impress. It would be much more boring if it were like that, too. There would be so few choices!
"You've seen a gold flight, miss?" Both dragon and rider seemed equally impressed. H'dra had only been Searched for that clutch and Impressed on his first try, so his experience in the Weyr was extremely minimal. Any of his free time had been spent doing more chores rather than watching dragons. He hadn't even been among the group of Candidates who'd snuck a peak at the eggs before they'd Hatched.
'Greens are special. Not like the Queens, but still…' The blue sounded slightly thoughtful, but he seemed to move away from the topic quite quickly. Girl humans were one thing. Girl dragons were a whole different beast.
"Did you want to be a dragonhealer, Miss Zara, if you got the chance?" He had made a small connection between her craft and her current place of residence. "I've heard you can do that if you want to…"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
