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 Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 11:15 am
Today was a good day, Amelia decided with a smile as she and Sharath padded through the tunnels that bore through solid volcanic rock. Her dragon was fresh from an oiling and in good health and they had a little bit of time between obligations to kill – thus she’d decided to spend time back in the familiar comfort of hand-hewn walls and floors smoothed by countless feet.
Letting herself wander, Amelia realized after a while that her feet and brought her near the service tunnels for the kitchens and laughed softly, “I am apparently hungry.”
You are? Came the answering reply as Sharath wandered back over to Amelia, eyes whirling green and blue.
Amelia reached out and smoothed a hand over golden shoulder, the now-familiar feel of dragonhide a comforting thing. “I am. Let’s go see what the kitchens are serving today, hmn? Maybe I can find a treat for you too.”
Sharath nodded, And then it is back to Lessons, correct?
“Yep. It’s a routine now, hey? Even you remember it.” She chuckled, stroking Sharath’s head knob before starting down the tunnel that would open into the back of the kitchens. They’d wonder what she was doing, but she was a familiar enough face that she doubted there’d be an issue.
I hardly forget everything, Mine. I remember your name, Amelia, and I remember what’s important. The way she said it made it seem like what she forgot wasn’t necessary in the first place and made her rider laugh.
“If you insist, Sharath.” The laughter echoed about the tunnel and she lifted her ear to listen. It was an old tunnel if it did that, smooth and strong.
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Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 10:04 pm
Giving the herdbeasts and wherries all check-ups proved to be an absolutely exhausting task. Zacharai collapsed in the kitchens after a morning of looking over every animal in the feed pens, dodging swift kicks, and barely avoiding losing an eye to an annoyed wherry. Not only that, but the herds had panicked when an errant green had landed right in the midst of them for its breakfast, nearly causing Zacharai's demise.
Although he had only been awake a few hours, the warmth of the kitchen fires lulled his tired, dust-covered body and he pressed his back to the wonderfully heated stones of the hearth, stretching his long legs out in front of him and crossing his arms over his chest.
Just a few moments rest, and then he would head down to the . . .
In an instant, his head tipped forward and he was sound asleep.
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Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 11:35 am
It was not long before Amelia and Sharath had made their way into the kitchens, startling a drudge with their sudden appearance. She'd sputtered and curtsied and disappeared before Amelia had been able to correct the fright. With a sigh she simply waved at the retreating back before continuing on even though Sharath found that quite amusing.
And, not paying attention because of it, the dragonet continued forward and through a break in the kitchen islands easily enough but she bumped into Zacharai rather hard. The screech of the table against the rock as it was shifted by the not-so-sneaky gold made Amelia jump and she turned only to groan. "Sharath! Shh! Don't run people over!" Frowning at her partner, she shook her head and could not help the entertained grin that played across her features.
Sharath was staring at Zacharai with a mixture of indignation and embarrassment - she hadn't meant to try and topple the poor man out of his sleep! But he shouldn't have slept where she would walk anyway! I did not mean to, Mine!
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Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 8:29 am
Stunned and practically trampled out of his sleep by a rapidly growing gold dragon, Zacharai rolled away from the clawed feet and stared at Sharath with a rueful but embarrassed smile.
"Forgive me, little queen," he murmured softly, bowing as well as he could from his seat on the floor. Sharath's golden hide shone in even the dim light of the kitchens and he remembered the day she had hatched, recalling how small she had seemed even though she had stood taller then her clutchmates.
She would make a fine queen when she reached adulthood, and her rider would no doubt make a wonderful Weyrwoman.
Climbing nimbly to his feet, he threw his arms in the air and stretched a back kinked by falling asleep on the floor. His muscles protested, sore from his morning romp with the food beasts, and he wondered if he smelled as bad as he looked.
Suddenly embarrassed to look so disheveled in front of Amelia and her gold, he let his whiskey amber eyes fall to the floor.
"Please, forgive my appearance as well, m'lady. Wanted food after my morning duties but I guess I was more tired than hungry," he said with a half smile, rubbing the back of his neck.
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Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:51 pm
Sharath nodded at Zacharai as he apologized, mollified by his comment even if she had been the one to knock him over. In acknowledgement of her own role in his spill, she moved to help him but the man sprang to his feet before she could nose him up. He is a polite male, Mine. More should be polite.
Amelia smiled at that, shrugging. No, not m'lady. Just Amelia - no special prefixes or anything." Nodding, she tilted her head to the side, "Hey, we were about to go get a meal as well, care to eat with us?"
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Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:47 pm
"I'd be delighted." Offering Amelia a pleased smile, he dusted off his pants and searched for a washbowl to get the worst of the grime from his hands and face, but found that he had only his tunic to dry them. But either way, feeling a bit cleaner made him feel less embarrassed in front of Amelia and her gold, and he seemed to relax a bit as he gestured towards the main part of the kitchens, where other Weyr-goers sat scattered about the many tables eating and chatting.
He picked his way amongst them towards the plates and food, grabbing one for Amelia and handing it to her before he took one himself. Nodding at the delicious smelling choices, he smiled and stepped back, clearly offering her first choice. "Help yourself, Amelia." He added a slight emphasis to her name, his whiskey eyes merry.
Although raised by many different women and men growing up, all of them had instilled in him a strong sense of respect for others, especially women, and had drilled into him that being polite was simply the only way to go about things.
Besides, he had fallen asleep with hunger gnawing at his belly. A few more moments of wait wouldn't hurt him in the least.
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Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:58 am
She took the proffered plate with a nod of thanks, smiling as she stepped up to take her pick. Generous helpings of several of her favourite foods soon found their way onto her plate and a few extras for Sharath. Mine, I want some of that - there, see? It smells good, what is it? She did not have to rear up to sniff around on the table nosed towards a spread of ribs basted in some sort of herbal marinade. They did indeed smell delicious and Amelia took a few, "Only a few and be careful Sharath, I don't want you choking on the little bones."
"You mentioned morning duties, are you a Candidate then? Or...?" She asked conversationally, glancing over at him as she found herself a mug of water.
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Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 12:50 pm
Zach looked at his feet for a moment before meeting her eyes again. His whiskey colored gaze was a little darker with sadness. "I am, but I'm getting pretty old for Candidacy," he said with a laugh that held little humor. A part of him had given up on Impressing but the other part still remained determined to hold out hope that one day, one of the gangly hatchlings would stumble towards -him- on the sands.
"I'm a journeyman Beasthealer, originally from Benden Weyr." He offered her a shrug and a true smile, one of contentment. "Something called me here. So I've stayed. I look after the dragons' food for the moment." Chuckling, he dished himself a plate and moved towards the tables, picking one with enough room for Sharath to sit or lay comfortably beside her human.
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Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 1:05 pm
"Oh... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to prod a sensitive subject." Amelia replied, pursing her lips as she glanced to Sharath. Was the gold a reminder of that slipping dream then? "Maybe you'll Impress next time, hmn? Don't give up yet." Nodding, the goldrider offered an encouraging smile.
Sharath watched the two for a moment before she nosed her head up on the table to sniff at the food. That was a human thing... she didn't really understand why another human would long so for a dragon - from her point of view, there was either a Mine or there wasn't and if there was no mine, there was nothing. Humans obviously didn't function the same way... perhaps they simply grew depressed if they did have a Theirs? Either way, it wasn't something Sharath felt like spending much time considering, Mine... I want some now. I'm hungry. Eyes whirling with the colours of hunger, the young gold glanced up to meet Amelia's gaze.
"Oh? Right, sorry Sharath. Here..." Picking the portions she'd selected for the gold, Amelia smiled as her dragon daintily took them from her and clearyl enjoyed the portions of meat that would be large for any normal person. "You're a Beasthealer? That's interesting! I've never spent much time around the herds in the Weyrbowl. Is it difficult work? And I bet you see dragons a lot because of it." She smiled.
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Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 5:26 pm
Zacharai flushed in embarressment that she had caught his rather pitiful moment of longing. "I haven't given up quite yet," he said with a grin, politely but ferociously devouring a good portion of his food before he answered her question. Starving man, who, him? Maybe a little.
"It's definitely an interesting bit of work. Hazardous at times, wonderous at others. And yes, the dragons . . . " He trailed off and grinned, remembering so many different amusing, and somewhat disturbing, moments. "Watching the dragons pick their meals is something else. But, when Queens blood their kills before Rising, it's a little disturbing. The look they get in their eyes is very intense, very . . . raw." He shuddered at the memory of seeing the last Queen blood her kill, and it wasn't an unhappy shudder. Like Hatchings, the emotions circulating in the air during such an event were powerful and varied. Hatchings involved joy and hunger and longing and fear. Mating flights . . . well, there was a different hunger and longing present during those.
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Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:42 am
Both Sharath and Amelia's attention focused more strongly on Zacharai as he described a Flight. "Disturbing...?" Amelia echoed, worry and concern colouring the tones of her voice as she looked to Sharath. The gold couldn't be disturbing could she?
Mine!, sensing the worry in her lifebond, Sharath shot a cutting look at Zacharai before shoving her nose into Amelia's lap in a draconic gesture of comfort, I will not be disturbing. I will not hurt you. You are Mine, Amelia, and I will not scare you. She was naive, perhaps, but Rising was from her mind now and the only thing she was concerned about was the tremors of distress she felt along their link.
Amelia's gaze was drawn downwards and she blinked at Sharath, the frown she'd been wearing settling into a fond smile, "I know, Mine, I trust you. What do you mean, intense? I've never seen a Queen blood her kill, only chase through the sky as she leads a back of dragons about in merry pursuit. I suppose I'll find out in time, either way..." She pursed her lips and smoothed her hands over Sharath's head, taking comfort in the warm presence of her gold.
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Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 10:21 pm
Realizing what he'd said had upset the two in some way, he pushed his nearly empty plate away and frowned. "I'm sorry. I have issues with proper conversation topics," he said with a slight bit of humor curling his lips into a half-grin. His biggest fault lie in his conversation skills.
Smooth move, genius. Learn to bite your tongue when ladies are about.
Deciding he might as well answer her question, since it would be rude to ignore it, he rubbed the back of his neck. "I've witnessed three queens Rise in my life time. Two at Benden, one here. And each one had a different attitude about it, but the intensity, the-" he searched for a proper word that could put such an incident into perspective, "urgency, was the same. The older the Queen, the more controlled she seemed, but the younger one I watched, that was the one that disturbed me.
"It was her first rise. My guess is she didn't quite know what she was feeling, let alone how to control it. Or maybe her rider was unprepared, and the Queen was feeding off her emotions. Either way, the Queen tore through almost 4 animals before she started the blooding, her eyes filled with two kinds of hunger, and yet her rider wouldn't let her eat to satisfy the first hunger. Frustrated her, I think."
He shrugged, and looked at Amelia and Sharath, cheeks faintly pink with embarrassment. "I'm babbling."
Belatedly he realized his little sharing session had probably done nothing to reassure the young gold and her rider about their future first Rise and he inwardly face-palmed.
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Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 10:37 pm
Amelia listened carefully, though she was leaning into Sharath and stroking the gold's shoulder. "I know queens blood their kills... but I didn't know that that was the rider's influence...." She pursed her lips and looked to her bonded quizzically, would you get frustrated if I did not let you feed, Sharath?
The gold offered a bit of a shrug, You are Mine, Amelia, but if I am hungry I will eat. I told you I will not hurt you. She lifted her head then and peered at Zacharai as if daring him to question what he could not hear.
"I wonder what it will be like when Sharath Rises... it's a long way off but if what you say is correct, maybe I'll be better prepared." She knew it was experience that awaited them both and while she was both excited and anxious for that event... she had no idea what to expect. "I'll have to ask Luci at our next lesson then..."
Does he know what's best for the beasts, Amelia? Can he... can he pick out a really nice one for me? The interjection of Sharath's voice made Amelia blink and she chuckled softly, grateful for the change in subject.
"Sharath wants to know if you could select a nice wherry for her some time - something like a treat or a favour." She smiled as Sharath withdrew and wandered over to sit expectantly beside Zacharai.
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Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 8:55 am
He watched what he assumed was an exchange between rider and dragon, because Amelia got a look in her eyes akin to looking far into a distance that didn't exist in the Lower Cavern. Then he listened to Amelia's question, watching as Sharath came and sat by him with an expectant look in her swirling eyes.
He let out a laugh before grinning and reached out to gently scratch the gold's eye ridges. "I would be honored, M'lady Sharath. I'll find you a nice young fat one that will surely taste so wonderful you'll purr."
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Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 11:32 am
Amelia opened her mouth, about to say that might be a bad idea when Sharath tilted her ever so slightly into that touch. Breathing out a sigh of relief, she shook her head, "Ah, for future reference, don't touch a dragon without getting permission first... I can think of a few at least that would not take kindly to such a thing. Sharath included.... even though she's just sucking up right now." Arching a brow, she tossed a sideways look at the gold. It was a gentle chiding, but necessary in her eyes - she would feel bad if he got hurt, "They're not pets, not like flits."
No, I am not a pet. I am not a flit. She rumbled her agreement, even if she did not pull away. Tell him thank-you. We will call on him when I next want a treat, right? You'll remember for me Amelia?
Amelia nodded, "Of course I'll remember. She says thanks, and we'll come find you when she wants a treat next time." The goldrider smiled, "And thank-you really. I don't like bothering the kitchen staff for goodies... I just want to treat Sharath, not because I think she deserves more or better because she's a gold."
I am a gold, though, Mine. I should get the best. Sharath piped up, frowning slightly as she moved back to Amelia.
Yes, you are a gold, but you're not better then anyone else, right? Treats are good, but not all the time. She replied silently, gaze drifting down to her bonded.
But I like treats... Whuffling sadly, Sharath settled onto her stomach and laid her head in Amelia's lap rather disappointed. This was something they'd talked about at length. Good stuff sometimes, normal stuff most times - do not argue or no good stuff at all.
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