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 Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 6:04 pm
The field was expected to be empty during times of the day when the dragons and their riders were off doing various activities like wing practice or bathing. It wouldn't be a surprise to find that the fields actually weren't empty though with a few stragglers still here and there, though the addition of one of the newest hatchlings amongst the grasses could have been a little odd. Shouldn't the young dragon be with His rider still? Where was the young lad?
The other dragons rather avoided asking the Bronze what was going on based on the waves of fear that issued from his large frame, his wings trembling and his voice crooning out plaintive requests. Only a single word was issued over and over, yellow eyes glancing about the area.
Mine! Mine where are you?! Your Wilth is scared Mine, please come out!
Too busy was he looking around that he didn't notice if anyone was approaching, nor did he notice the arm that was sticking out from underneath part of his torso . . .
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Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 9:10 pm
Sharath, having finished a bath and oiling, was content to set down for a good nap in the sun but the young dragon's fearful cries immediately caught, and held, her attention. She managed to ignore it for a time but the waves of fear were truly distracting and irritating. You. What is the matter? There's nothing to fear so shush already, hatchling. Find Yours if you're so uncertain, don't stand there. She'd lifted her head and was staring at Wilth as he wibbled and mewled, her tone full of disapproval. Really. What was so scary that the bronze couldn't even move?
Amelia heard her bonded's comments and walked around to see what the gold was staring at. A baby bronze? Oh! He must be the frightened one from the hatching - she'd heard harsh comments spoken about him, ranging from coward to foolish for Impressing to an Outsider. Poor thing. You're only going to scare him more like that, Mine. You could try being less intimidating. Amelia glanced back at the queen as she spoke, shaking her head.
I am not being intimidating. His cries are annoying and he can move to find His if it's such a problem. Sharath returned, irritated.
Amelia shrugged at that as she couldn't really argue that logic. "Hey there! What's wrong? Lost?" The goldrider called as she approached the bronze when no one else would.
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Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:15 am
Wilth looked up as two new voices entered the scene, one of them issuing a command he thought he ought to obey and the other one trying to be somewhat friendly. Either way both were female and quite a shock to the little Bronze, nearly startling him off whatever he was sitting on as his wings spread in an unconditioned response to being shocked. His eyes whirled a deep yellow as the woman drew closer and he swung his head left and right as he tried to place he Gold that was talking to him yet nothing seemed to work.
You're not Geminith! You're not Hers! Strangers, strangers! Oh Mine, it's so scary!
The weight of his spread wings and the sudden movement that came with them sent the large bronze dragonet toppling over and off whatever he'd been sitting on this whole time, revealing a boy who looked a little ruffled but rather no worse for the wear. He was half-awake and slightly bewildered, as he'd come out of his mid-afternoon nap under the weight of a dragon who wasn't listening to his voice very well.
Mine! There you are! Where did you go, you left your Wilth all alone! Were you not going to protect me?
The bronze quickly scampered over and placed his head in a familiar spot against P'ta's side, his eyes closed and his massive wings now moving to try and cover both of them as much as possible. It was just like a young dragon to think that if they couldn't see anyone else, they couldn't be seen either. This was sound logic. . . but not in this case. They were still very visible.
"It's alright Wilth, no one here is going to hurt you. I've been by your side this whole time, and - Amelia?"
It was as though the blond noticed the older girl for the first time, his attentions having been focused on calming his lifemate. A wide grin spread over his face as his brain registered that it was indeed the Goldrider from High Reaches and he was about to run over to her when the weight against his side prevented him from moving. Ah well.
"It is Amelia! I'm so happy to see you!"
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Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 9:22 pm
Sharath snorted, Of course I'm not Geminith. I am Sharath. And she is Mine. Not some other. She shook her head in disbelief, surprised the young dragon was so frightened of everything. To Amelia she spoke privately, He is a foolish hatchling.
That made Amelia laugh and she nodded, I agree with you there, Sharath. He needs to calm down.
A confident nod answered the goldrider's comment as Sharath decided to pad up behind Amelia, her shadow falling over the three.
Amelia waved when Panata noticed her, somewhat dumbfounded. "Pa... Panata?" The goldrider stopped where she was, taking a moment to check her vision and hearing and when they proved reliable, she laughed again, this time happy for the other, "A dragon chose you!? And a bronze too! Congratulations my friend! Seems like you've got your hands full already... has he been so..."
Cowardly? Sharath interjected, though she spoke to Amelia alone.
Waving her hand at the queen, Amelia finished her sentence, "Intimidated since the Hatching? Did something happen?" All anyone was talking about was the two greens, twins, who had chosen the same boy and let the new rider choose which of them lived. It was a sad tale, but remarkable, and served well to mask the theft of Ghenzan dragons by high reaches candidates.
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Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 8:04 am
"Thank you! I didn't think I'd ever hear someone calling me, but Wilth was there and he needed me. It's funny to think that someone like me would be asked to protect something else, a huge dragon at that, but he said he wanted and needed only me."
P'ta actually managed to take a few steps forward towards the Goldrider and her dragon, Wilth's head shifting from being pressed against his side to being pressed against his back. The waves of fear coming from him were pretty intense, enough that P'ta actually felt a few drops of sweat slide down his cheeks, but he knew he was safe and therefore repeated those emotions the best he could to his lifemate. Amelia and Sharath would not hurt either of them, because Amelia was P'ta's friend and Sharath was a mighty Gold. There was no need to be worried.
"As for his fear? I think that's just his natural personality. We haven't been together long enough for me to notice anything different about him. Though -"
They're the pair from High Reaches? The ones you spoke of as being better than our Geminith? The real Queen?
Wilth's words were meant for P'ta but broadcast to the other pair as well, his head slowly moving away from from P'ta's back enough that a single yellow eye could glance at them. It didn't last too long, his peeking, as his head went back against the torso.
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Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 9:21 am
"I definitely know how that is." Amelia replied with a proud smile, nodding as she closed the gap and approached P'ta. "I told you, think positive, someone will find you. Just never expected it to be here... Are you coming back to High Reaches, then, or staying here? The Ghenzan folk seem to grumble about our Candidates stealing away their dragons. I think it says something but that's just me."
She moved around to the side to look at Wilth, "You know... he's probably going to be one of the biggest bronzes back home if you do come back. Kind of funny, actually, if he's so timid. Great big teddy bear bronze."
Amelia blinked when Wilth spoke aloud then grinned, "I like him!" She wasn't going to lie, having approval felt good.
Sharath too had blinked and rumbled with amusement despite her undecided opinion. This one knew those with promise! That was deserving of her approval. That is right. I am from High Reaches. Now stop fussing like that, dragonet. I will not hurt you. There was a tinge of command in her voice as she shuffled about to get a better look at the dragonet. Why are you so afraid? It's giving me a headache.
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Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 1:25 pm
"I do think I'll be heading back to High Reaches when Wilth's big enough to go Between with me on his back. There's nothing here for us in Ghenza and there really isn't anything at High Reaches either, except the fact I can call that place home. Meisir and Atrisi are there too, and some people that are my friends, but otherwise nothing that demanding like it may be for you and Sharath."
Wilth moved his head a little to allow his lifemate affectionate touches here and there, a faint croon of approval escaping before it stopped as the Gold spoke into his mind. He tilted his head before pulling it back and hiding it from view, wondering why His was not responding to the question for him. Surely P'ta knew the best answer and he would give one that didn't make these strangers so angry.
Ask Mine, he can tell you. I have nothing to say.
Of course the Bronze wouldn't know that all other dragons weren't quite as social as though of Ghenza, even if the people certainly weren't.
"Do you really think he'll be the biggest? I do think even as a hatchling he was about the size of Sharath when she came out, but I'm not really sure what the growth of Ghenzan dragons are like. I tended to avoid the dragon fields the best I could unless I was asked out there. If that other Bronze that hatched, the one Wilth calls 'Tia' comes back too, then there's a chance he won't be the largest."
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Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 9:56 pm
"Nothing at High Reaches?" Amelia asked, mildly concerned by that comment, "Why not? You're a Bronzerider now, Panata, so you'll have responsibilities. Did you really not like the Weyr that much...?" She pursed her lips, unsure of how to take the other's statements. The goldrider loved Sharath, loved her home and parents... there was so much to the Weyr that you just couldn't help but love - wasn't that enough reason to go back?
And why not? Sharath queried, frowning again as she shuffled some more and lowered her head to nudge the little bronze. I asked you, not Yours. Of course, speaking to Wilth as she was, Panata could not hear her comments, only see her actions.
Amelia, however, was always privy to Sharath's commentary - the gold never shielded her thoughts from Hers. She eyed her dragon a moment before smiling and letting the Gold heckle the bronze since she seemed inclined to engage the hatchling in some sort of conversation. "He is pretty big... Poor Sharath is dwarfed by Sojayeth-" She was interrupted by a derisive snort by the gold, which only made her laugh softly, "... and if the sizes step down normally then he might be as big as Sharath when he's older. Oh, right. I forgot about the other bronze... is he as big as Wilth too? Either way... Wilth will probably be one of the bigger bronzes back home. You should be proud, a big, healthy bronze is always respected."
It was true, even if she disagreed with that. Most associated size with glory and prestige. At least such a bias would ensure her friend got noticed! Similar situation to herself.
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Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 6:10 pm
Wilth nearly jumped out of his skin the moment Sharath's head neared his body, though when she only nudged him the quick fear he'd been feeling mildly dissipated. Of course the emotion was still very strong and still spreading, though it wasn't as thick and infectious as before - meaning P'ta wasn't feeling the ache of terror in his bones. The Bronze moved his wings forward slightly, as though to touch the Gold with them. His head stayed next to P'ta so he couldn't reach out that way, but his wings were close enough for good contact.
I.. . . this world is scary. They are all watching me, wanting from me. Even you, but you are. . . you're scary. Mine wants nothing from me, he keeps me safe. you would not keep me safe, you and yours would probably try to make me do things unsafe. Scary.
He spoke quickly and softly, like his words were startling in his own mind. Wilth couldn't block his thoughts from P'ta or Amelia, not that he would have wanted to anyway.
You're alright. I'm here, and Sharath will never try to hurt you. She's a kind and proud Gold, not anything more or less. Okay?
The boy moved a bit from his dragon to let him be with the larger, more regal Gold, though Wilth nearly bowled him over trying to get back at his side. A little too much too quickly it seemed.
"I don't know if Tia is as big as Wilth - all I know is that even some of the people here are mentioning that Wilth is big for a bronze. I would like him to grow large and healthy and perhaps not so skittish, but if that's how he's meant to be then I can't change his personality. I can only protect him from harm and whatever may be, and...High Reaches will probably be a better place for us both. There neither of us will get looked at too badly if you do think they'll love his size. Here they mock his personality, his size meaning nothing."
The cruelty of some of their comments still haunted him, and he would admit that he cried a few times over it. It wasn't because his dragon was a coward as they said, it was true, but because he was one as well and couldn't properly defend him.
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Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 6:55 pm
Sharath tilted her head away as the dragonet reached out with a wing, the distinct draconian frown upon her face warning enough to keep the bronze from poking her eye. What I want Wilth, is for you to calm down. You're giving me, and the others, a headache with your fear. I can feel, Mine can feel it... it's distracting. Nothing here will hurt you. And I will smack anything if it is so foolish as to pick on one of my Weyr. While her tone was exasperated, the offer was hardly selfless - anyone who tried to accost the bronze would only make things worse and that, along with the reason she mentioned, would not be tolerated, thanks.
Amelia couldn't help the grin as she felt that line of though flicker across their bond. Sharath was protective of her kin, moreso since coming here, and the goldrider rather thought Sharath was well on her way to learning. Granted, if she was rubbing off on Sharath, Sharath was probably rubbing off on her too. But that was life, and she wouldn't have it any other way - they balanced each other better she could have imagined.
Rider and dragon nodded in unison, both agreeing with P'ta though it was Amelia who spoke, "High Reaches is your home. You'd be more welcome there then here. And I would miss you if you chose to stay here. That and a dragon is a dragon - he's your lifemate, he deserves respect." She grinned at him.
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Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 9:54 am
If a Bronze could pale in color, Wilth certainly would have. He quickly shrank back and away from Sharath, almost the point of laying himself down on the ground and covering his torso with his wings.
Then . . . .stay away from me. I will bother you no more.
It wasn't a command, it was much more like a pleading request. Wilth wasn't sure how much more of this he could take, he was trying to be brave and view this dragon with much more than just timid interest. P'ta certainly liked her, and liked hers, yet all the Gold seemed to be doing was talking down to him about his personality as well. She was no different then the rest of the dragons here, even if she said she would protect him. Only his could properly protect him, his P'ta.
As for his part, the blond boy reached over and placed a hand on the trembling figure that was indeed his lifemate. A slight frown creased his brow while his lips kept a gentle smile, a feeling of love doing its best to enter his mind and that of the dragonet. All he could do was give gentle reassurance and care, kind words and actions that the people of Ghenza were so loathe to try and offer.
"I'd like to see what L'thor thinks of Wilth. He...he's a rider who doesn't really like any of the larger dragons, since he has a Green. I remember the first time we met we fought about that. He probably won't like Wilth in that case, but at least we'll be back home and I can see him again. He was my first friend."
It hurt to say 'was', only because P'ta really wasn't sure of how the natural of their relationship would be. Wilth certainly was not a Green or Blue like L'thor and Raith probably hoped for him, nor a brown like that female rider may have wished. There was no point in moping though, he'd gotten someone to love all his life and that was that.
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Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2010 11:10 am
Sharath snorted, Fine but if you continue to mewl and cower, hatchling, I will order you to someone else's headache elsewhere. The gold tossed her head in irritation then lowered it to nose at Amelia's side, the size difference between the two much more stark now that Sharath was nearing adulthood.
Amelia smiled and turned to hug her dragon's nose, knowing that the gold was not bluffing with such a blatant comment. She had to admit the headache Sharath was suffering was bleeding over to her via their bond and it was irritating. Didn't mean the queen had to make it worse, though.
"L'thor? That name rings a bell... I might've met him. Well hopefully he'll see you for you and not the colour of your dragon's hide. If you're friends he probably will and if not... well, that's his loss." Amelia replied easily, patting Sharath's nose as he turned back to him, "You can't let colour dictate who you will and won't socialize with. Wilth will need... training, and lots of it I think. You'll meet people that way."
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Posted: Fri May 07, 2010 10:27 am
Panatamine, I have failed. Your friends hate me now, I'm sorry.
Wilth was able to keep this thought between himself and his rider, P'ta smiling sadly as he once again reached over to rub the bronze's eye ridges. He watched as the color shifted from green to yellow, continuously swirling with his ever changing emotions. This dragonet would never be calm, he would never be able to be strong enough to stand without fear. P'ta knew this, and he did his best to reassure his lifemate that it was okay, they didn't really hate him.
It was a hard thing to do based on the actions of the Gold and her Rider. But. . . .what else was there for him to do? Wilth depended on him to make everything okay and P'ta knew he could if he tried hard enough, but as it was. . .he felt useless and lost.
"I'm not worried about placing myself with others who only care so much about color. I think being a Bronze and large will be the very least of our problems, but. . . "
P'ta trailed off as though he were going to say something else, but he stopped and shook his head. Wilth was both his problem and his responsibility. There was no point in dragging others in at all.
"Anyway, how have you and Sharath been? I've heard that Dragonriders aren't really allowed so much time with their dragons here. Wilth can't be separated from my side for too long at all so I've been dismissed for now from my work. I...I don't think it's so bad because many of them weren't too happy with me anyway. Now that I've Impressed a Bronze, one of their own dragons, I've all but been shunned."
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Posted: Sun May 09, 2010 10:35 am
"It's not so much you I'm worried with. Take it from my experience, you're now under scrutiny." Amelia sighed, "Not so much as others but people will expect things. You might be lucky, though, with Wilth as your lifemate. Don't let people drag you down."
Sharath rumbled her agreement, bobbing her head slightly. It was something they were having to learn to deal with... being gold meant you were both hero and scapegoat. More often the latter then the former lately. Still, she missed home for all that. A soft, sighing whuffle drew Amelia's hand back to the gold's muzzle as the rider sensed, and echoed, her dragon's homesickness.
Amelia smiled at the question, "We've been well, all things considered. Sharath's learned to fly quite well despite not having many lessons and the work in the fields has made me much stronger, I think I was going soft at home." She chuckled. Indeed, almost all the Weyrlings had put on muscle, including her. Normally covered in dirt and grit and happily smiling despite the mess, Amelia had the build of a worker and unless you knew her, it was unlikely you'd think Goldrider. That always amused her, and would, perhaps, be the key to visiting places.
"Ah, yes. Welcome to the club. Don't take it seriously, for all their gruff and huff, there's a lot their missing out on. Just remember home is elsewhere." She nodded and patted him on the shoulder in a friendly gesture. "You're not the only new rider being treated poorly, I'm sure."
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Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2010 5:53 pm
"I don't think I am the only one being treated poorly, which shouldn't comfort me nearly as much as it does. Did you see the way they looked at the one girl when she Impressed to their Gold? I've never seen her before so I know she's not from High Reaches, but the look the people gave her was enough to make me pity her."
P'ta gently rubbed Wilth's head over one of the eye ridges, pleased to feel the comfort that was slowly leaking out from his Bronze. It was good to see that his dragon was calming himself down just by P'ta's constant touch and the young Bronzerider made a note of this to tuck into the back of his mind. If he could always keep touching Wilth in a state of reassurance then perhaps nothing would come wrong out of all of this in the end. Maybe by the time a Turn or two had passed most of his dragon's anxieties would be gone and together they could move about the rest of the Weyr without any troubles. P'ta had strong hopes for that and deep down, he could feel, Wilth did too.
"When we all get back to High Reaches, do you think Wilth will be able to have a proper weyr? That we'll both get to sleep in a nice place? Here we sleep in a barn now next to the workshop, and sometimes it smells like a smelter at night. I miss the sounds of the Weyr and much prefer them over the sounds of the fire."
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