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 Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 9:09 pm
J’nes (formerly Jennes) Age: 23 26 Turns Gender: male Sexual Orientation: heterosexual Rank: Euclid Weyrhold Weyrlingmaster, former Apprentice Weavercrafter History: Jennes's mother loved children and wanted many of them, but despite years of trying, she was only able to bring one son into the world. Although Jennes was a single child, his mother didn't stop there and instead chose to foster many, many children. After a while, if anyone in her home of Trine Hold had a child that needed fostering, Jennes' mother was the first person they'd ask. Jennes was always the oldest of the children in his household, and as a result he always ended up taking care of various household and childcare duties. He never minded and was happy to help, which was a great relief to his mother. He was clever with his hands and ended up mending and fixing things a lot, or putting together scraps of things to make toys. After the first time he sewed some fabric scraps into a doll, all the other kids wanted cloth toys too. he made lots; canines, runnerbeasts, fire lizards. His house was soon full of them, and every sibling had a favorite they carried around for years. It was no surprise that when Jennes grew older he showed an interest in the weavercraft, especially sewing. He was readily accepted and quickly chose a specialty in tailoring, with some study in embroidery to add decoration to the finest clothes. He still made things for his family in his spare time, so as a result his parents ended up with finer Gather clothes then they normally would be able to afford, and his foster siblings still had a steady stream of brightly-colored stuffed animals, mostly made from new cloth scraps. One day a dragon rider came by to pick up some cloth for the weyr tailors, and Jennes was one of the many children who crowded into the edge of the courtyard to see the pretty green dragon. She picked Jennes out of the crowd as someone who might be able to able to Impress, and the rider asked him if he'd like to come be a Candidate. He agreed readily, since becoming a Candidate was a task he'd been asked to do, much like any other, and he did the tasks set to him. Of course, every child's secret dream to bond a dragon was certainly a factor in the decision. He was whisked off to Trine Weyr and Stood for hatchings for nearly a near before brown Hattath stumbled up to him and demanded to be fed. The newly named J'nes cared for the young dragon just as readily as he cared for his young foster siblings, and set to learning the duties of a rider. Description: J’nes is tall, with a build that’s slender but muscular from a few years of dragon riding. His skin is fair, but not unusually pale, and tans quickly when he spends long in the sun. He has light brown hair, and dark brown eyes that tend to have a mild, dreamy look to them. His face that’s a little long with a squared shape, and his nose is slightly too large to look truly attractive. His hands are a bit large for his build, which makes him look awkward when he has a needle and thread in his hands, though that doesn’t stop him from sewing nimbly or doing other skilled work with his hands. Personality: J’nes has an easygoing and cheerful manner about him, almost all of the time. It’s rare to see him without his usual relaxed smile on his face. He’s soft-spoken and doesn’t get upset easily. He’s not very assertive and if told to do something he usually will without much resistance. Unless of course he has his own project going. Then he can be very single-minded, working on one thing to the exclusion of all others, forgetting even about sleep and food. He can be somewhat unreliable when he’s focused on one task, since he forgets go or do other things, no matter how important. Hatteth often has to bully him into leaving his project to do whatever else he’s supposed to. But as soon as possible, J’nes is back to his work. He can get absent minded, especially when he’s focused on something else, and would tend to leave things around where he forgot about them if Hattath didn’t keep reminding him to clean things up. But he always keeps his sewing work space very neat, since that makes his work easier. Most of J'nes' personal projects involve sewing and/or children. In his spare time he's often found making and repairing clothes to earn extra marks, or sewing little accessories like hats or gloves to give to friends. But he's also still fond of making plush animals, so he makes many of those as gifts for weyr children. If a young weyrbrat had a bad day, they can always run off to J'nes' weyr and cuddle with the small pile of stuffed toys that he always has on hand. He's fond of children after spending years taking care of young foster siblings, so he doesn't mind young visitors at all as long, as he's at home; he wants to keep an eye on them so little hands don't find their way into a drawer of sharp scissors or needles. He's good at cheering up sad or upset children, and is always willing to listen to any problems they have. He sometimes ends up as an impromptu babysitter when a child wanders into his weyr and he find himself entertaining the child until someone else comes to find the errant kid. Even when not motivated by the drive to finish one task, J'nes is persistent and hardworking. He’ll generally work without complaint on just about anything, unless it’s something he’s grossly unqualified for, or it leaves him no time to do his own assigned work. He's willing to assist a friend if they could use a little help with something, but if he realizes someone's trying to take advantage and dump all their work on him, he'll try to insist he doesn't have the time to do two people's work. He doesn't always succeed in deflecting them though, at which point he becomes resigned and does it anyway, as best he can in what time he has. He’s also frugal and would usually rather repair things as many times as possible (especially clothes) than get new things. J'nes usually keeps a level head in most situations. Did someone (such as a small child) run in his room screaming and with a bloody arm? Did he get dumped with three people's worth of unsavory chores? Or did he get publicly humiliated in front of his entire wing? He'll usually do nothing more than smile or shake his head before figuring out what to do about it. He takes things as they come, but he can think on his feet and is rarely at a loss for ideas. He's generally not impulsive though, and if time permits he'll consider some options before acting. But if time doesn't permit, he may go with the first thing he thinks of that seems like a good idea, even if that's a delaying tactic to give him time to think a little more.
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Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 9:24 pm
 (old cert)Name: Hatteth
Age: 4 Turns
Colour: brown
Description: Hatteth is noticeably smaller than the average brown, and a bit slimmer as well. This only reinforces his opinion that he's nothing special to look at.
Size: Small
Build: Below Average
Threadfighting stats: HP: 53, Agility: +1
Personality:
If you didn’t know Hatteth very well and only saw him when he’s working, you might think he has a very mild, or even meek, personality. He works hard at whatever he’s told to do, keeps his mind on his work and works with others well enough. But if you actually spent more than about five minutes getting to know him, you’d find he’s normally quite different. While things are going smoothly he can be kind and considerate, but when he’s pushed he pushes back. Then you’ll find that he’s very strong minded with a tendency to argue.
He prefers to resolve things by talking things into going how he wants, which means that when things get tough, he gets bossy. He can be very insistent, almost mulishly stubborn, about making sure things goes his way. If someone resists his will, he’ll dig his heels in and attempt to browbeat them into submission. But even when he’s at his most stubborn, he can be diverted from his course by interrupting his train of thought for long enough.
He likes things very tidy, all the time. He, his rider and their weyr must always be neat and clean. If it gets even a little bit out of order, he tries to clean it up himself or insists that His do so. He dislikes gossamer spinners because the cobwebs they leave behind look messy and gather dust. He is not at all vain about his appearance, since he doesn’t think he looks like anything special, but his love of cleanliness does mean he wants a bath almost every day. He rises for Flights occasionally, but doesn’t have much hope in winning because he doesn’t expect the rising female would even notice him in a crowd of other, probably more handsome and impressive-looking, dragons.
Other:
While Hatteth and J’nes are both stubborn in their own way, they have different ways of going about it. Hatteth has a loud and in-your-face mulishness that tries to push others the way he wants. J’nes has a quieter, dogged persistence that keeps going the way he wants no matter what anyone says. Between the two of them, if they both really want to convince someone of something they get can a very persuasive good cop/bad cop routine going, trying to wear their target down one way or another.
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Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 9:26 pm
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Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 9:28 pm
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Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 9:45 pm
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Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 9:57 pm
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Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2011 10:57 pm
Post Flight RP (conducted over AIM on 12/10/11)
A short time after the Flight's completion, Hatteth settled down with Hyweth in her wallow to sleep. He was quite content. It was the first Flight he had ever won, even though he'd joined in several. But Hyweth was the best Crimson on Pern, and he was happy to have caught her. Or had she let him? No matter. She was caught and that was that. It was a surprisingly short Flight, but perhaps theri next one would be longer. He would chase her next time she rose, he had no doubt about that. With a crooning sigh, he snuggled against her and settled down for a nap.
Hyweth was sleeping. It'd been a short flight, but the tiredness that often followed such things had swept her up and into her wallow. She was pressed tightly up against Hatteth, and though her initial reaction to being caught had been poor, she seemed quite pleased with the result.
As the dragons fell asleep, so did their riders. Both were exhausted from the physical and emotional exhertions of the Flight, and they swiftly dozed off. A candlemark or two later, J'nes stirred and opened his eyes. He blinked slowly for a moment, absorbing the fact that he was in a weyr not his own, sharing a bed with someone. Then he remembered who and why, and sighed quietly. He looked over at J'len's face, a small smile across his lips.
J'len woke slowly. Her eyes opened one at a time, and for a moment, she looked around her weyr. She stared when she spotted J'nes. He hadn't left? She stirred, and moved to sit up. She didn't know what to do, really. She had gone through turns of flights--but she was always uncertain what to do when the male rider stayed after.
It felt so comfortable just laying there with her that J'nes was tempted to snuggle against her to keep her down. But it was her weyr, and he wasn't about to force her to stay in bed with him. That seemed impolite at best. But he did lean over and kiss her gently before she could finish sitting up.
J'len was surprised when he moved to kiss her. So pleasantly surprised that she wasn't sure how to react at first, and then, she returned his kiss. "Short flight," she muttered, stretching and then laying back down. She moved closer to him. "Mmm... You're warm," she gave an explanation.
J'nes cuddled up against her, reaching out with one arm to lightly hug her closer. He was unrepentantly enjoying this, and not just for the physical reasons. He did like J'len although he didn't know her very well yet. That would change, he was sure. "It was rather surprising. I didn't know Hatteth could be that determined to catch anyone," he murmered.
"Hyweth wanted him to win," J'len muttered. "I don't think she expected it to be so soon, though..." She allowed herself to be hugged and pulled closer to J'nes. She was fond of his company, yes--but she wasn't sure she was ready to take the step Hyweth seemed to have had. She wasn't planning on getting out of bed anytime soon, though.
J'nes noticed that while J'lne wasn't resisting him, she wasn't exactly acting in kind. So after giving her a small nuzzle he just stayed as he was. He was quite content to just lay there together for a while. Their dragons were certainly happy doing just that. When he sent a mental question to Hatteth to check how the brown was doing, all he got was a sleepy murmer of contentment and a feeling of slightly smug pride.
J'len did lean into J'nes' brief nuzzle before seeming to find a comfortable position. She pressed herself against him. She was content to layi there. "You'll be here in the morning?" she asked. "I don't think Hatteth's going to want to leave."
J'nes chuckled. "Hatteth seems likely to stay right where he is for a while. Until one of them demands a bath, most likely. I'm just as happy to stay right here," he answered softly as be brushed a strand of hair out of her face.
"I don't think I'll let you leave," J'len muttered. "Hyweth's too tired to care one way or the other, but I think she would find Hatteth bathing. You don't want to see an angry crimson." She gave a playful smirk. "He doesn't, either."
"Well, we certainyl don't want to upset Hyweth," J'nes said seriously. "I suppose we'll all be forced to stay right where we are until she wants to move." He paused and pretended to consider this. "There are worse fates," he added with a warm smile.
"Like an angry crimson rider," J'len said equally seriously, before shifting slightly to kiss him. "You wouldn't want to see that, either." She paused for a moment, and then smiled. "I wanted Hatteth to win," she confided.
"I'd best avoid angering the crimson or her rider then," he answered before kissing her back. He snuggled down and twitched the blanket a little to cover them both better. "And what a conicidence; I wanted him to win, too," he told her with a mischevious tilt to his smile.
"Fancy that. Though I suppose the other riders wanted their dragons to win, too," J'len said. "Why, though?" she asked, curiously. "Still following Hyweth's plan?"
"Plan?" J'nes said, blinking as he tried to think what she meant. In the heat of the moment, he'd genuinely forgotten the crimson's unsubtle matchmaking from a sevenday or so back. He expected Hyweth had certainly forgotten it, dragon memories being what they were. He did remember soon enough with this reminder, though. "No, that plan of hers never crossed my mind," he said truthfully. He spoke in a quiet, even tone while looking her right in the eyes so she would know he was beign serious. "I enjoyed spending time with you, and would like to get to know you better." His tone lightened a little as he added, "Though this might be a somewhat hasty way of getting to know someone."
J'len paused, blinking. She stared at him. "Really?" she asked in disbelief, eyes wide. "I'd like to get to know you better, too." Hasty indeed! Flights were certainly a way to learn more about someone. "I didn't know those other riders... Even before she rose, I was hoping Hatteth would fly her. She was rather reluctant about it."
"Reluctant about what?" J'nes asked, puzzled. "Rising for the Flight?" There didn't seem to be anything else J'len could have meant. Being caught by Hatteth didn't seem to be it.
J'len smirked. "My choosing. I never really had a reason to, before. Hyweth likes to lure her suitors. She was reluctant to let Hatteth catch her. I think, because she knows him."
"Oh, I think I see what you mean," J'nes said, nodding. "You mean she was reluctant to let Hatteth fly her because you'd shown a preference for the choice, instead of not minding who did the honors?" He thought about this a moment. "That seems a little odd. I would think she'd wanto you to be happy." He caressed her cheek with one hand, a warm and slighly wry smile suggesting that he was pretty sure that she was indeed happy with the outcome.
J'len didn't answer J'nes' questions. In fact, the only thing that came from the crimson rider was soft breathing. She'd fallen asleep. It had been an exhausting day; an exhausting flight.
J'nes thought this was a bit sudden, but he couldn't blame her. He was still rather tired himself, and it was very wamr and comfortable in this bed. He pulled the covers up a little more, snuggled against her. But he couldn't resist kissing her just once more before quietly falling asleep himself.
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Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 8:44 pm
Post-Flight RP: dragon style! conducted over AIM on 12/11/11
Hyweth flicked her tail at Hatteth. After a long sleep, the crimson was ready for mischeif. Or maybe just something to eat. Hatteth, it is time to awake, she crooned to the brown. He'd caught her. He was worthy of her affections. That didn't mean he wouldn't have to work to keep them.
Hatteth twitched awake at the flick and opened eyes that were whirling a peaceful blue-green. He took in the fact that Hyweth was still curled up with him and gave a pleased rumble. He had caught a dragon in a Flight, and he was told she liked him. She was still here, so maybe that was true? I'm awake, he answered, and moved to touch noses with her.
Hyweth was pleased. She nuzzled him in response to his touching his nose to hers. Good. Mine sleeps. Does yours sleep? The crimson paused, resting one green eye on him as she put her head to her forelegs. You fly well, she commented.
Hatteth focused on his rider for a moment, then answered, He sleeps deeply. He may sleep for a while yet. He was quite pleased with the praise and answered, One has to fly well to catch the best dragon. His steady gaze on her made it clear who he meant as "the best."
Hyweth crooned at him, nuzzling him again as a reward for calling her the best. Yes, she was the best. Of course she was. How could she not be? I would have let no other catch me, she said. We flew well. The crimson paused, and seemed to consider something as she lifted her head. Ours are sleeping. What will we do?
Hatteth nuzzled back, humming happily at her. She would have let no other catch her? He was smugly flattered by the comment. Then he put his mind to the question. He turned his eye on the rising sun, considering it. It would not be high enough to provide enough warmth for a good sunning yet. A bath was always welcome, but he needed his rider to scrub properly, so that would have to wait until later. Perhaps a meal? He had eaten just before the flight, but blood was hardly filling (that was the point after all; energy without much weight) and he'd used up much energy in that fast but furious Flight. Are you hungry? he asked Hyweth.
Hyweth paused at his question. Yes, she replied at last. Blooding her kills hadn't been very filling at all. Let us hunt together, she decided. She rose from her spot, stretching. She spread her wings. Do you hunt as well as you fly?
Hatteth uncurled and rose with her, stretching luxuriously from head to tail-tip before he stood to his full height. Why don't we go an see? he asked in answer. Do you prefer wherry or herdbeast? Either was fine with him at the moment, so he was willing to let her have her pick of prey.
Hyweth thought about it. Wherries were stringy. She didn't like stringy wherries. Herdbeasts--they could be stringy too, but usually she could pick out which ones would be before she made her kill. Herdbeasts, she decided. Do you know the best place to hunt? she asked as she lifted up off of the ground. She hovered in the air for a moment, watching him.
Hatteth leaped into the air beside her as he considered. He tended to get his meals from the herdbeast pens of the weyr, because His always directed him there. But Hyweth might be more imprssed by catching food elsewhere. And why shouldn't they, as long as they were wild? Dragons tended not to leave the weyr without their riders, but His was asleep and he would just be getting food. And he had gone out with His to catch wild herdbeasts for feast days a time or two. There was one field he coudl rememebr that tended to have plenty of beats. I know a place where wild ones frequent. Though tame ones might be plumper, he added at the thought occured. Which would you like?
[continued over AIM on 1/2/2012]
Hyweth considered Hatteth's suggestion for a long moment. Should she stray so far away from her rider? She at last addressed him agreeably. Let us go find the wild ones, she said. It will be nice. We will relax there with no one to bother us. Her eyes whirled a content green at the mere thought of this. The tame ones might have been plumper, but they were also easier to catch. Making it much less of an adventure.
Hatteth was please with this as well. It gave him a chance to show off for her, and more time for the two of them alone together. He pictured the location in his mind making sure he had a clear image like one his rider would give him to go between. A clear, open plain with a river running along one edge and a forest on the other, with scattered flowers and bushes. Then gave Hyweth the image so they could travel there the quick way. Do you have it? he asked. It would not do to be careless.
Hyweth studied the image for a brief moment. I have it, she confirmed. She was eager to go! Wouldn't Hatteth be impressed with her hunting skill! Come, let us go. The crimson rose, and carefully took herself between. She had often been told by J'len that between only lasted enough time to cough three times--but that meant little to Hyweth. She was there, hovering over the river. Now to wait for Hatteth. Then she would hunt.
As soon as Hyweth winked out of view, Hatteth took himself between as well. A few moments of perfect darkness and cold later, and he appeared in the sky near Hyweth. Below them stretched the grassy field, and near the river grazed a herd of wild herdbeasts. They would make good eating. There's our next meal, he said, pointing them out. Time to eat! He wanted to show off for her, so he didn't wait for her to go first. He flew towards them, keeping well above the ground so as not to startle them, until he drew near. Then he hovered a moment to pick out a large one before he tucked in his wings and dove down towards he herd.
He drew very close to the beasts, snapping his wings open at the last minute, just in time to turn his dive into a low-level swoop, just over the herdbeat's heads. The creatures scattered, of course, but his chosen one was too slow and he snatched the beast before it had taken more than a few steps. He curled his head down to snap the beast's neck with his teeth so it would stop struggling, then ponderously flew towards Hyweth. There is a lot of meat on this one. Would you care to share? he asked her as he deposited the creature on the ground, well away from the milling forms of its former herd.
[concluded over AIM on 1/2/2012]
Hyweth was thoughtful as she watched Hatteth hunt. He hunted well. She knew he was showing off for her, but she didn't mind. In fact, she rather enjoyed it. It was amusing to watch males attempt to impress her--Hatteth, however, was truly impressive in his hunt. You hunt well, she commented as she watched. She would allow him to catch the first herdbeast.
Share? He wanted to share? Hyweth hadn't expected that. She'd expected a challenge; for her to catch a bigger, stronger beast than he had. I would like to share, she agreed, at last, landing near the fallen herdbeast. You are very skilled.
[Hatteth's post lost]
Hyweth didn't like the idea of eating first. Hatteth had caught it, after all. Shouldn't he go first? You should have first pick, she told him. But we could bite off chunks or take turns eating it, if you like. I do not mind. She pressed her nose to his briefly, clearly pleased with his offer even if she wasn't going to take him up on it
Hatteth nuzzled back. She seemed glad of the offer, which made him glad. Then he bent down and ripped off a chunck of the beast, taking off a leg and a portion of the side. He set this down a short distance from the carcass and began to eat it. It was good meat, plump and tender, and not tough like he'd feared. It would not look very good to offer her a meal and have it taste bad.
Hyweth paused in thought before moving to take a portion of the herdbeast. She didn't want to be greedy, now that Hatteth was sharing with her; but how could she know if Hatteth had chosen his favorite part or not? She bent and took part of the underside of the herdbeast's chest, and moved away to eat it. It was wonderfully plump. Perfect.
The two ate companiably, eating in turn until there was nothing left but bones and hooves. Hatteth walked over to the nearby river and dunked his head in, shaking around it to wash off a bit, then taking a drink. As he raised his head from the water, he glanced back at the herd, which seemed to have quieted down and gone back to grazing. Are you still hungry? We could get another, he asked Hyweth.
Hyweth had eaten her fill. She was still tired after the flight, and did not feel the need to catch another herdbeast. She had laid herself in the grass, and did not seem likely to move for a long while. She looked up when Hatteth addressed her. If you are hungry, you may catch another, she told him. I do not hunger. We will lay here, and rest.
Hatteth could have eaten more, and would have if she wanted to. But he wasn't particularly hungry, and laying and resting with her sounded very nice indeed. It briefly occured to him that His and Hers might be wondering where they were, but it would only take them a thought and a wink between for the dragons to return. So he lay down with Hyweth, nuzzling up against her and enjoying the morning sun.
[Hyweth's post lost]
As often as you like he said happily. He knew his memory was poor, same as any dragon, but he was certain he would remember this place, and being here with Hatteth. Important things he remembered, and this was important. He wasn't sleepy yet, but he was content to bask in the sun with her.
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 6:40 am
Dragon sizes
(A.k.a: You're Bigger! No, you are!)
[conducted over AIM on 1/13/12]
Hatteth lay stretched out in the sun on the shore of one of Trine's lakes. It was a clear, warm day with just a little breeze; the perfect weather for sunning. And to make it better besides him lay Hyweth, her crimson hide gleaming in the sun. He turned his head to look over her fondly (and slightly posessively. He still could hardly believe he'd caught her). But as he looked, he noticed something funny. He lifted his head to study her better, then looked over himself. Finally he asked her, Are you bigger than me?
Hyweth looked up from her position, stretched out as she was. She was surprised by his question, and hesitated for a moment, studying him, and then herself. No, she said at last. You are bigger than I am. Of course he was. Browns were the second largest males! Did you not know, Hatteth?
Hatteth carefully looked back and forth between the two of them again. Then he said, No, I'm certain you're bigger. I am small for a brown, and you are a very fine crimson. He reached out to nuzzle her lightly as he gave her the complement. Part of the reason he was so surprised he'd cayght her was that she'd chosen to stay with a brown like him that was small and unimpressive-looking.
Hyweth seemed puzzled. No, you are bigger, she argued. I am not a large crimson. Perhaps we are the same size? she added. You must have yours come and see. Perhaps he will tell us who is bigger.
Yes, that's a good idea, Hatteth agreed. His would ne able to convince her he was right. To his rider he said, Mine, come tell us whether Hyweth or I is bigger.
J'nes was in his hut mending his riding straps when the odd request was made. He blinked in surprise for a moment. He couldn't think why they needed to know which of them was bigger, but apparently the question mattered to them. So he shrugged, set aside his work and went to find the dragons.
Hyweth nuzzled Hatteth before stretching herself out to her full length to help J'nes decide which of them was bigger. Now we will see who is bigger, she said, certain she was right in believing that he was larger than she; or that they were close to the same size. After this, shall we hunt together? Or swim?
Perhaps, Hatteth replied, but his mind wasn't on later. Him mind was on now, and being proven right. He saw that Hyweth had stretched out fully and thought it was a good idea, so he did the same. His was coming, he could tell, so he settled down to wait.
J'nes ambled over to the two dragons lying prone . It was a bit of an odd sight, since you rarely saw one dragon stretched out straight as a log, much less two. He suppressed the ammusing image of a Wing of dragons stretched out in a big line and approached the pair. "Good morning, Hatteth and Hyweth. Now let's see which of you is bigger."
[continued 1/20/2012 over AIM]
Hyweth didn't respond to Hatteth. She knew she was right. She was smaller, and Hatteth was larger. But if he couldn't see that--well, Hatteth's would tell them! Good morning, Hatteth's, she replied. Hatteth says he is smaller than I, she added. Tell him that he is larger.
J'nes replied noncommittally, "Well, we'll just take a look." He walked all around teh dragons, looking at them from all angles. He made sure their heads were about even, then checked whether one was longer than the other. They actually seemed about even in length. And just about everything else, too. If anything, Hatteth was a little broader on average, but it wasn't a terribly large difference. He had a feeling Hatteth would not be pleased to hear this. "Well, you look to be almost teh same size," J'nes finally told the two. "You're about the same length, and the differences in bredth are small, but I think Hatteth is just a little bit wider around. So Hatteth, you're a little bit bigger."
Hyweth was pleased by this assessment. She directed her gaze at Hatteth, sitting up as she did so. I told you that you are bigger. Why did you not believe me? If you had, yours wouldn't have needed to come here, and tell you the same thing. Now will we go swimming? She had won. Now it was time to celebrate, by swimming.
Hatteth was indignant. Why was His not agreeing with him? He was surely right! He reared up his head and glared at Hyweth, then J'nes. You must be mistaken. Check again. Or get someone else to check. Then he firmly thumped his head down in the sand so he was laying flat again.
J'nes could tell Hatteth was getting unreasonably stubborn over this. Not that it took much brain power to deduce that. Soon enough the brown would be digging in his heels and pretty much throwing a tantrum until he heard what he wanted. Hyweth probably would do the same at this point if J'nes changed his judgement. Best to try and diffuse this as quick as possible, and the only safe way he could think of was to try and distract Hatteth for long enough to make the dragon forget how much he cared about the issue. "OK, I'll go see if I can find someone. It may take a little while, a lot of people are busy right now. Why don't you have that swim while I look?"
Hyweth flicked her tail at Hatteth. He was angry. The smug amusement she had felt when J'nes had told them Hatteth was bigger quickly faded. Why was Hatteth so upset? Let us swim, she tried to convince him. Perhaps when we come back, I will be bigger. Then you will be happy, yes?
Hatteth didn't want to swim. He was in no mood for it. He would rather pace and lash his tail while he waited, but he stayed laying down and ready. He only lashed his tail a little bit. I will stay here and wait. he said firmly.
J'nes didn't like the sound of that. Hatteth wouldn't forget so quickly unless something else got on his mind. Or even better, someone else. And the someone he had in mind was inviting his dragon to swim, so he needed to get the stubborn brown in the water. "If you like. But all that sand you're kicking up is making you rather dirty," he said with a shrig, as if it didn't matter. "I thought you might want a swim to wash off so you'd be clean for whoever I find to double check. But if you'd rather not, that's up to you." He turned to go, though not moving as fast as me hight have.
Hatteth stoped thrashing his tail. He hadn't noticed the sand it was tossing on him. How much had gotten on him? He craned his neck around to try and see, but it was al on his back end and hard to make out. Very well, I'll have a quick swim, he conceeded, then stood up and stalked into the lake.
For a brief, very brief moment, Hyweth's eyes flashed a deep, whirling red. She watched as Hatteth made his way into the lake, and gave an angry huff. Hatteth's. I will be putting spinners in your weyr. Do not forget. Hatteth has gotten me dirty, and I will get back at him. Though at first the crimson's tone had been upset, the more she spoke, the more mischevious she sounded. Oh, she was clever! She would get back at Hatteth for thrashing and covering her in sand!
J'nes blinked at the sudden message from Hyweth. That retaliation sounded like a heap of furtehr trouble, if the crimson remembered to carry out the threat and J;nes didn't manage to find and remove the spinners before Hatteth saw them. But that was a worry fro another day. Leaving the dragons to swim, he head off unhurriedly towards the weyrs. Maybe J'len was free; if they took their time getting back to the lake, the dragons would hardly mind the delay.
Hyweth snorted, and left J'nes to follow Hatteth. She splashed as she walked into the lake, quite intentionally spraying him with water. You thrashed and threw sand all over me, she explained. I have gotten back at you. I feel better now. She walked deeper into the lake, and thrust her head in. She rolled in the water; an attempt to wash the sand off her backside.
[continued 2/2/2012 over AIM]
Normally Hatteth wouldn't mind getting splashed, but he was still annoyed about the size issue. So he unmercifully splashed her back, sweeping one foreleg through the water to fling it at her. Here, let me help you wash off, then, he said in a tone that did not sound the least bit sincere.
Hyweth, for a moment, thought Hatteth had recovered his upset over the size issue. She was pleased that the brown was willing to help; and then she was splashed. She hadn't comprehended the brown's insincere tone. She studied him for a moment, before diving under the water. She wasn't about to tell him how she felt; no, if he couldn't figure it out, she certainly wasn't going to tell him!
Hatteth snorted. He'd expected her to splash him right back, then they'd launch into anotehr water-fliging fight. It would have been a good way to pass the time and let off some steam. Instead he dove after her, nudged her with his head and shot past her, hoping to draw her into a race.
Hyweth ignored Hatteth. He probably wanted to start a fight. She swam faster, aiming to get away from him. I am not speaking to you, she informed him haughtily, huffing and so creating a stream of bubbles under the water. She allowed her forelegs to dangle and touch the bottom of the lake.
That was highly disappointing. Well fine, if she was going to be that way...Then I'm not speaking to you either, he informed her before turning his back on her and swimming off in another direction. He spun in corkscrews through the water just to use up some of the energy he'd wanted ot use in the race.
Hyweth was very disappointed. She had wanted him to come after her, to give her the attention she so desired. For him to apologize, to declare how much he cared for her, to--well, he wasn't doing any of the things she'd wanted him to do. She whirled around, and started after him. Why are you not speaking to me? she demanded. It was you who upset me.
Hatteth looked over his shoulder at her, surprised. I'm not speaking to you because you're not speaking to me! he said, in a matter-of-fact (if a bit surprised) tone that indicated he thought this was perfectly obvious.
Hyweth snorted (if that was possible under water). I am not speaking to you because you are still angry about being larger than I am. It is not my fault. She paused and was silent for a long moment. You are still mine, Hatteth, whatever your size. Why are you not pleased? Is it not proper for a brown to be larger than a crimson?
Hatteth cast her a disbelieving look. I may be yours, but that doesn't mean I'll accept being lied to. Most browns may be bigger than most crimsons, but you are not most crimsons and are bigger than me. You are the best of crimsons and I am rather small.
Hyweth rose to the surface. I do not appreciate being called a liar. I am not lying. Yours told you so. You are larger. I am the best of crimsons, she agreed quite haughtily. Of course she was the best. She was Hyweth! I am not lying. You are larger, and you should be happy. Why are you not happy? Does it matter so much, what size you are?
[concluded 2/3/2012 over AIM]
Hatteth rose up as well so he could glare at her with eyes tinted red. I take it back. You're not the best, you're just stuck up! he retorted hotly. He wasn't even sure any more why the size mattered, but it did and that was that. Mine is getting someone else to check, and then we'll see who's lying!
Hyweth stared at Hatteth for a long moment, before backing away. The crimson couldn't comprehend his anger--hadn't the brown just commented that she was one of the best crimsons? She had only agreed with him! Stuck up? He thought she was stuck up? Hyweth slowly made her way onto the shore, before looking back at him over her shoulder. I see, she said. If I am lying, I will leave you now. Once she had shaken excess water from her hide, the crimson took off into the air.
Hatteth watched Hyweth leave, feeling slightly ashamed of his outburst. He didn't really think she was stuck up, just very wrong on this. But he certainly wasn't going to appoligize now. Maybe if she admi9tted she was wrong. With a snort he dove sharply underwater, swimming in tight, angry circles and snapping at the plant growling along the bottom of the lake.
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Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 5:31 pm
Dragon sizes - human side
(a.k.a: Why do dragons get worked up over such odd things?)
[conducted over AIM on 2/3/2012]
J'nes strolled towards J'len's weyr, not hurrying his pace. Perhaps the water would cool Hatteth's head, not to mention distract him long enough to forget the issue. But in case it didn't, maybe J'len could help, in one of many ways. He came to her weyr and knocked on the door to see if she was in.
J'len opened her weyr door quickly. She had been reading, awaiting Hyweth's return. Was someone come to tell her about her erring crimson? A smile lit her features when she saw it was J'nes. "Hello," she greeted him, beckoning him inside. "I thought you would be scrubbing Hatteth by now."
J'nes smiled and stepped inside. "Unfortunately not. Hyweth and Hatteth have gotten into a...rather unusual discussion that they've gotten particularly stubborn over. You see, Hatteth insists that Hyweth is bigger than him, and refuses to listen to my ruling that they're the same length but he's slightly broader." he sighed. I sent them to swim in hopes that it'll distract him long enough to at least not be so adamant about the issue, but I'm not sure that'll work."
J'len rolled her eyes. What a silly thing for their dragons to get upset about! "Surely Hatteth knows that browns are typically larger than crimsons?" she asked. "If I know Hyweth, though, she won't let the subject drop. She nags more than a fretful milkmother." She smirked at him, and brushed her a hand against his. "Let's go see the damage. Before it gets any worse."
J'nes shrugged. "Hatteth is small for a brown, I'll grant him that. I don't really know why their relative sizes should matter at all, either." He felt her hand brushing his and took hold of it as he smiled mischevisouly at her. "Perhaps seeing us strolling along together will provide a further distraction? They do seem to enjoy that, don't they?"
"It shouldn't," J'len said, frowning slightly. "I hope they aren't too upset about it. Maybe I could tell Hatteth their sizes, as well? Would that help? A second opinion?" She paused and thought his plan over, before grinning. "Sounds good," she said. "I'm sure that will get Hyweth's attention, at least."
"I was thinking the same thing myself," J'nes said cheerfully. "A second opinion might sway Hatteth's mind. Especially if he's calmed down a little first." With a grin he added, and on that vein, I think we should take our time getting back. Have a nice leisurely stroll."
J'len grinned at the idea of a leisurely walk, and nodded. "Sounds like a plan," she said. "It's a nice day for a stroll." How awkward, she was already talking about the weather.
J'nes opened the door and held it open, gesturing for J'len to proceed him. "After you, milady," he said with a small bow. "And it is a nice day. No rainclouds threatening to cut our time short. Which thankfully means the weather won't stir up mud for our dragons to complain about, either."
J'len smiled and walked outside the door, before pausing to wait for J'nes. "I think they'll have enough to complain about without mud," she said. "Hyweth loves arguing. Well... Let me rephrase that. Hyweth loves getting her way."
[continued over AIM on 2/4/2012]
J'nes closed the door and caught up with her. "I'm not sure I'd say Hatteth loves getting his way, but he certainly getts stubborn when he doesn't." He paused to consider that, then said, "On second thought, I suppose he's the same as Hyweth in that regard."
J'len grinned. "Maybe he's just stubborn," she suggested. "I hope they aren't fighting. That might be difficult to explain to onlookers. That our dragons are fighting because one of them doesn't want to be larger than the other."
"Oh that would be a headache to explain," J'nes said. "And just stink of the dressing-down we;d get for letting our dragons fight over something so trivial." He shuddered with exagerated horror. "Best to head off the issue before it gets that far, if we can."
"Let's go then," J'len said, grinning at J'nes. She didn't fancy the argument that might be had if they didn't interfere before things got too out of hand. "Hyweth said something about swimming earlier, do you think they're still in the lake? I'll ask." Hyweth, where are you? Still swimming with Hatteth? For a long moment, the crimson did not respond. Then;
Do not talk to me about Hatteth. I am in the sun, warm. I do not know where he is.
"We're late, J'nes," J'len said, shaking her head. "Hyweth says she's drying off."
J'nes sighed. "I guess they're not fighting, then. But if you say we're late, then there's probably been some other unfavorable outcome." He considered what do do next about the dragons, then said, "I'm not sure if that means we should hurry up and get back to them, or not bother getting back at all since there's nothing to judge any more."
"Hyweth seems to imply that they had an argument. Perhaps I could convince her to meet us where Hatteth is?" J'len suggested, giving his hand a squeeze. "We can calm Hatteth down, maybe? And Hyweth too. She gets into these moods, I know how to handle them."
"If you know how to handle them, then please share the secret. That sounds like a very useful skill." He smiled at her. "And I suppose an argument is a more easily explained fight than the physical kind. Alright, let's see if Hatteth's still in the same place." To his dragon he said, You still at the lake?
Yes, responded the dragon tersely. Hyweth is not.
J'nes nodded and said aloud, "He's still there. And doesn't sound pleased."
J'len smirked at him and shook her head. "I can't share my secrets," she teased. "When you have to deal with a proddy dragon a few times a turn, though, you tend to pick up what creates temporary peace."
"If Hatteth relieves her of that proddiness again, will you share a hint or two?" he wheedled playfully. "I guess we shoudl head for the lake then, and if you can get Hyweth to join us, then maybe we can work something out. If we leave them angry at eachotehr until they forget what started it, I think it'll be harder to get them to make up."
"Maybe," J'len agreed to his teasing, equally as playful. "He'll have to catch her first." She paused, eyes distant as she spoke to Hyweth, and nodded. "She'll be there. She's rather reluctant, though. I think she must have left in a huff. We best work at getting them to get along again, then!"
J'nes nodded and set off for the lake at a brisk pace. "Any ideas where to start on getting them to make up? My first thought is to have them each repeat their side of the argument so we can go over it all point by point. That can help with humans, but I'm not sure if it'll help with dragons."
[J'len's post missing]
"Sneaky Hyweth. And if she changed the story, that would just make Hatteth madder. You offering to measure might be the best thing," J'nes agreed. "Though what will you do when you announce the results? At this point, I fear that no matter who's judged bigger, there'll be outrage from someone."
"Hyweth's always been sneaky," J'len informed J'nes cheerfully. "Even in flights," she added, with a grin. "I thought so, Hatteth seems that sort. I don't know... Maybe I'll hide behind you and hope you can diffuse two angry dragons?" she teased.
"Oh, that's not fair!" he said in mock outrage. "Leaving little old me to take the brunt of two dragons' wrath? They may not be able to hurt humans, but they'll find very creative ways to make my live miserable, I'm sure."
"Hyweth likes you," J'len teasingly reassured J'nes. "You'll be fine. If they try anything, I'll protect you. Really. You're safe with me. Though, Hyweth may decide that you need to help me scrub her until she forgets. She likes the attention."
"Considering how often Hyweth bathes, I might not have any time to wach Hatteth, and I don't think he'd appreciate that," he joked. As they turned a corner around one of the weyrs, the lake came into view. Hatteth was sitting on the beach waiting for them. "Almost there. Any last words before we jump into this most difficult of battles?
As Hyweth spotted J'len from where she had been hovering in the sky, she landed neatly onto the beach, intentionally quite a ways away from Hatteth. She rested her head inbetween her forelegs, and stretched for a brief moment before looking to her rider, as if awaiting instructions.
"If I don't survive this," J'len grinned at him, "I love you." She hurried to Hatteth's side, smiling up at the brown. "Hello Hatteth," she greeted him. "Yours told me you wanted me to meassure you and Hyweth, to see who's larger."
Hatteth looked up as the riders approached, but did not look at Hyweth as she landed. Yes. measure us and we will see, he said. Then he laid down where he was, stretching out his neck and tail to their full length. He didn't care that Hyweth was too far away for a reasonable comparison. Let her come to him!
J'len walked around Hatteth, studying the brown carefully. She felt she knew Hyweth's size so well--from bathing her from the time she was a tiny hatchling until full growth, that she did not have to make such a comparison. For Hatteth's benefit, however, she went over to Hyweth and walked around the crimson just as carefully as she had Hatteth. She paused, before returning to the brown's side.
"I'd say you're a bit bigger, Hatteth," she said. "Just a tiny bit. Hyweth has a slender build. If she ate a bit more, maybe--maybe then she'd be bigger than you." Would that appease the brown?
[concluded over AIM on 2/8/12]
It would not. Hatteth reared up his head and glared at her. Did everyone have no proper sense of size? Maybes and ifs are not certainty, he said huffily. You are guessing, and you are guessing wrong. Check again until you are sure. Then he flopped his head stubbornly down on the sands.
J'nes tried to catch J'len's eye and give her a warning look to suggest that doing that wouldn't make anything better, no matter what the result was. Unfortunately, he didn't have any plans for what to do to try and end this peaceably, other than trying to distract the dragons again.
"You're right Hatteth, I misjudged you," J'len said, glancing guiltily toward Hyweth, and then to J'nes. "You're smaller than Hyweth, I see now. She's got a larger wingspan. Handy for those long flights."
Hatteth looked sidelong at J'len. She had changed her mind awfully quickly, but she had finally agreed with him. The thought a moment and decided to accept that a bigger wingspan was a sufficient explanation. Good, he said simply, and looked over ay Hyweth.
J'nes watched Hyweth carefully to make sure she wouldn't object to this ruling. She hadn't said anything yet, so he was hopeful that she'd let it slide and this whole matter could be safely forgotten.
Hyweth paused for a long moment, before agreeing with her rider. It seemed the best way to escape Hatteth's anger, and to be done with this topic altogether. Hyweth no longer enjoyed smugly informing the brown that he was larger. He became too easily upset simply because others disagreed with him. The amusement had quickly become resentment. She is right, the crimson said at last. I am larger.
Hatteth looked up ay Hyweth, his eyes a contented green again. Very good. You deserve to be bigger. You're better than any queen, he said warmly. Would you like to go back to swimming?
J'nes breathed a quiet sigh of relief that Hyweth was willing to conceed the point. With any luck this would never come up again.
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Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2012 6:20 pm
Valentine's romantic Overnight Picnic
[conducted over AIM on 2/10/2012]
J'nes finished the last few stitches on the gift he was making for J'len, cut the thread and held the finished product up to the light. He'd decided he wanted to make something nice for her, and this seemed the most appropriate thing. He cast a critical eye over the creation, picked off a bit of lint and nodded to himself. Then he carefully tucked the gift into a bag and slung it over his shoulder. The bag also contained a meal he'd picked up from the kitchens earlier, something that could be eaten cold (though he might heat it anyway, after the cold of between) and easily carried. He shifted the bag a little to make it settle comfortably, then set off for J'len's weyr. Be ready, he told his dragon, I expect to leave pretty soon.
Brown Hatteth watched his rider from where he was laying near the weyr. I am ready already. Just say ther word and I will come. His eyes were whirling a happy blue, as he was looking forward to this too.
J'nes chuckled at the eager expectation in his dragon's tone and picked up his pace. In no time at all he was at J'len's weyr. Hoping that she was in, he knocked on the door.
J'len opened the door of her weyr, seeming vaguely surprised to see J'nes there. She paused and studied him for a moment, before moving to allow him to come inside. "I wasn't expecting you," she admitted with a smile. "Or I would have cleaned up some." J'len's weyr, though neat, had the tell tale signs of someone living there. Her bedfurs were mussed, and had not yet been straightened. Parchment was scattered over half of the small table, and it seemed as if J'len had made no attempt to pick them up. "How are you?"
Hatteth, Hyweth called to the brown. What is yours planning? Are you planning something? We must plan together! Is this a new way for ours to be like we are? I approve of this.
J'nes smiled warmly, but instead of coming inside he said, "I'm doing very well, thank you. I picked up a packed dinner from the kicthens and thought we might enjoy it as a picnic somewhere." He indicated the bag slung over his shoulder and held out a hand to her. "Care to join me?"
Hatteth was quite pleased to answer, Yes, Mine wants to take Yours somewhere quiet where they can be alone for a while. Alone aside from us, of course. He will give her food and something nice and make her happy. He paused, then added slyly, Maybe we can plan to make them stay there all night.
J'len blinked at him for a moment, and then smiled brightly. A picnic? She couldn't remember the last time she'd been invited to one. "I would love to join you!" she answered him quickly. Maybe too quickly. She hadn't been subtle about her feelings for him before, though, and couldn't see the point in doing so now. She took his hand and beamed. "Thank you for inviting me."
I like this idea, Hyweth informed the brown, amused. We will make them stay there. They will not know we are making them stay, and they will be like us. It is good. Tell yours, Hatteth, that I approve. He must make mine happy. I will be happy also.
Hatteth promptly relayed to J'nes that Hyweth approved of this idea. "Wonderful!" J'nes said, both to J'len's answer and Hyweth's approval. He lead the crimsonrider over to the nearby Hyweth as he called for Hatteth to cone join them. In seconds the brown was there, landing neatly beside Hyweth. "I was thinking we could fly out to someplace quiet, away from the Weyr. How's that sound to you?"
We should go someplace very far away, too far to fly quickly and much too far to walk back, Hatteth said conspiritorially to Hyweth. Then find some reason not to take them backbetween so they have to stay there until we let them leave.
"That sounds lovely," J'len smiled. A picnic away from the Weyr? Romantic, but not enough to cause them to become awkward if friendship was all that was between them. "Hyweth?" She glanced towards the crimson, and paused. "She's being mysteriously quiet today," she commented, looking back to J'nes.
Perhaps we can eat so much that we cannot leave? Hyweth suggested. We could act as if we had. That way, ours could not leave until we let them. They will be together!
[continued over AIM on 2/12/2012]
"Quiet?" J'nes asked and looked towards the crimson. "Maybe she's exchanging sweet nothings with Hatteth?" He shrugged. "I suppose we could always ask her why."
Hatteth approved of this plan and promptly said so. I know a far place that is pretty and has a pond and wild wherries. It will be good for them and good for us. I will suggest it to Mine.
"Maybe. I don't think they're whispering sweet nothings," J'len said, glancing suspiciously towards the crimson. She was used to these silences. She knew when Hyweth was quiet, it meant the crimson was being especially thoughtful, or that she had taken it upon herself to come up with some sort of plan. J'len often disagreed with Hyweth's planning. "They seem to be conspiring," she added in undertone.
This is good. I approve of this place. It will be good for them, and we will swim. We will catch many wherries. Do you think ours will be happy?
J'nes gave a wry smile as he said, "Well, if they're conspiring, they're too busy doing it to notice us standing in front of them talking together about what they're doing." He didn't much mind whether or not the dragons were conspiring. If they were, their riders would probably find out about it sooner or later, and he knew the dragons wouldn't do anything to harm them. Whatever they might plan could end up being inconvenient, but he wasn't about to let that possibility spoil the day. "Shall we mount up and fly off, then?"
Of course they will be happy, Hatteth stoutly proclaimed. We are making things perfect for them. How could they not be happy?
"Hyweth is often conspiring," J'len informed the brown rider with a smile. She went to make sure Hyweth's riding straps were on properly before using the crimson's offered foreleg to climb up. "Let's go."
Hyweth looked up, snorted at J'nes, and then seemed to renew her focus on Hatteth. Their conversation was far more important than what their riders thought, anyway. They will be happy, she agreed, moving to touch her nose to Hatteth's hide. They suspect. They do not know. She paused, then added, Let us surprise them.
J'nes shifted the strap of the bag he was carrying to make sure it was firmly slung across his shoulder before he also climbed on to his dragon. As he fastened the riding straps he said, Hatteth, we'll be going here, and gave the brown the image of a grassy hilltop where they could sit in comfort and have a good view of the setting sun.
Hatteth replied, Hyweth and I are hungry. We would rather go here, where there will be wherries, and gave his rider the image of a large forest clearing with a pond taking up half the space.
J'nes paused. Hatteth's location would work just as well, and it would be nice to give the dragons something to do while their riders ate. But Hatteth hadn't really suggested going places before, and J'len's comment about conspiring was fresh in his mind. Finally he said, Alright, we'll go there then. Give the location to Hyweth, and let's fly.
Hyweth took flight, glancing towards Hatteth. She had the location firmly in her mind, and once high enough, disappeared between before allowing her rider to have second thoughts. Hadn't Hyweth just eaten? Why would she be hungry again, so soon? J'len was about to object, to accuse her dragon of conspiring, when she felt the cold of between. She gave a shiver, even in her riding gear. The unexpected cold tore through her thin trousers, and caused the young woman to tremble. Shards, she'd been a rider for how long? She should have been--and suddenly, they were there.
"Hyweth, don't do that."
Hatteth went between a heartbeat after Hyweth and appeared in the air above the clearing a few moments later. There was indeed a herd of wherries along one side of the pond, mostly the side where teh forest was closest. He spiraled gently to the ground, aiming for the clear patch as far away from the wherries as he could get. He touched down long enough for J'nes to slide off, then said, I will hunt now, and lauched himself back into the air.
Hyweth landed and allowed her rider to climb off before following Hatteth back into the air. Must we eat so much? the crimson asked. We will need oiling if our stomachs stretch our hides!
"Hyweth ate this morning," J'len told J'nes with a frown. "I don't know why she'd be hungry again..."
J'nes watched the dragons fly off and shrugged. "Hatteth hasn't eaten for a few days, so he may be actually hungry. Hyweth may just be keeping him company, or they may want to leave us alone, or maybe they're conspiring something else. And I don't think they'd tell us which it is if we ask." He left teh dragons to their scheming and sliped the bag off his shoulder. He reached in and pulled out a light blanket to spread on the ground beneith them as they ate, then handed the bag to J'len. "Why don't you see what the kitchen sent us while I spread this out," he said. He fully intended to keep an eye on her to see her reaction to the present that was perched on top of everything else in the bag.
I will do most of the eating, Hatteth said. I am hungry, though a smaller wherry will probably be enough for today. You can just pretend to eat, if you like. He circled high among the herd, picking out his target.
J'len, at J'nes' prompting, moved to open the bag, and paused as she did so. Her eyes lit up, and she took the gift out carefully. "Oh, shards," she muttered. "It's lovely! Where'd you--" she paused to look at him, eyes widening. "You made this," she accused, carefully putting the gift back into the bag and wrapping her arms around him. "Thank you!"
I approve of this plan, Hyweth agreed at once, positioning herself to catch one of the slower wherries. I will hunt with you. For you.
J'nes couldn't help smiling as the present was pulled out into the light. It was a plush dragon in deep crimson fabric, with darker patches that had been carefully painted on with fabric dye. He'd had to check with Hatteth many times to make sure the markings matched Hyweth. It was possibly the most detailed plush he'd ever make, and he'd made plenty. J'nes grinned widely at her accusation and didn't bother denying it. He dropped the blanket to hugg her right back.
Hatteth paused before he dove down and looked over at Hyweth. One wherry will be enough for me, I think. Both of us do not need to hunt. Would you like to, or should I?
[continued 2/13/12 on AIM]
J'len was still hugging J'nes. She seemed to have forgotten his request for her to check what the kitchen workers had sent them. That didn't seem to matter anymore--what mattered was that J'nes had brought her here. He'd given her a gift--he'd invited her to picnic with him. Was he being romantic? Perhaps he was. Or perhaps he was doing so unintentionally?
"Thank you so much!" she said happily, giving him another squeeze. "I'll keep it on my bed." Every night. For as long as it lasted.
Hyweth paused. I will watch, she decided. I will see if you hunt as well as you fly.
J'nes hugged her a moment more, then let go and leaned back so he could look at her face. Her expression made him grin all the more. "I'm glad you like her. Now you have a little Hyweth to keep you company wherever the big one won't fit."
Of course I do, Hatteth responded stoutly. He looked down at the herd again, chose his target, and dove. He approached from the forest, angling towards the pond, so that the wherries predictably ran towards the pond, then swerved to run along its banks. He swerved to meet them, but the wherry he'd picked had turned the other way. No matter. He was still keeping pace with half the herd, and they were bunched together along the shore. It was simple as could be to select a new one and swoop down to grab it. A quick bite to the neck neatly killed it, and he swerved back to where the herd had been to set down his prize. He ignored the rest of thr herd as they fled, and looked up to Hyweth. Did my hunting meet with your approval?
J'len beamed. "Thank you," she said again, before looking away from him. She moved to take the plush Hyweth carefully out of the bag, and gave it a gentle hug before sitting it down next to her. "Let's see what they sent us, then," she said, opening the basket. "Sounds like they've already started," she added, grinning as she glanced in the direction she believed the dragons were. "It's a lovely spot, this place," she added as an afterthought, glancing to J'nes and smiling. "Thank you for inviting me."
You hunt wonderfully, Hyweth informed him, pleased. Very talented.
While J'len looked through the dinner, J'nes picked up the blanket, unfolded it, and started spreading it out on the ground. "You're quite welcome," he said. "Hatteth actually chose this spot, so he could eat. I'd had a place on a hilltop in mind, but the appetites of dragons can't be ignored."
Thank you, Hatteth said, pleased that she was pleased. Would you like a bite or two? I know you said you already ate, but it is a nice wherry.
"Tell Hatteth he chose well then," J'len said, and then paused. "You know, we could always go to the hilltop you'd chosen another time," she suggested. "With a picnic, maybe watch the sunset, see the stars..." she shrugged. "If you'd like."
Hyweth, instead of answering, bent her head down and daintily took a bite of the wherry. It is a fine wherry, she agreed. It is nice and juicy. Not stringy. You made a good choice.
"I'd like that," J'nes replied. "I'll make sure to feed Hatteth beforehand so he doesn't contradict me again," he added with a grin. He finished smoothing out the blanket and sat down on it, patting the ground beside him to invite her to join him. "So what did the kitchen give us? I only took a quick look at it myself."
Hatteth took a bite of the meat and found she was right. I fly well. I hunt well. I choose well, he said proudly. And you choose well too, because you chose me and I chose you. He nuzzled her happily.
J'len studied the contents of the bag for a moment before taking out a wineskin, and then two metal cups. "Wine," she said, grinning at J'nes. She looked back into the bag, and paused, fishing out eating utensils and the meal the kitchen staff prepared for them. "Looks good," she said, looking to J'nes. She scooted next to him, taking her plush Hyweth with her.
I chose well, Hyweth promptly agreed. You chose well. We choose well.
J'nes watched at J'len pulled a few small covered pots out of the bag and set them on the blanket, along with several ripe redfruits. He reached out to take the lid off one pit, and felt that it was still warm. Lifting the lid revealed several small pie, which were meat-filled by the smell of them. Another pot had bubbly pies, and another had baked tubers with butter and herbs. How nice of the staff to make sure the meal stayed intact and warm. "Looks like they gave us a nice spread. Though I could have eatten twice as many bubbies as that," he said, mock scowling at the little fruit pies.
Hatteth rumbled happily and took a big bite of meet. Then he looked over at the riders and said, And we chose well for them. Yours chose well too. Now we just have to mine mine chose well.
"We can get more when we return," J'len teased him with a grin, moving to kiss his cheek. She pulled away quickly and studied the meal. "They're lovely people," she decided. They really were, making sure the food remained in tact and warm for their picnic."You hungry?" she asked. She took a redfruit and bit into it, wiping the juices from her chin as she did so.
Yours will choose well. I will not wait long.
J'nes pretended to pout about the bubblies for a moment, but stopped shen she kissed him. "Starving," he repiled, and reached for a meat pie. "I'd rather start with these so I can have them before they get cold." He bit into one and found they were good bovine meat with rich gravy and bits of vegetables. By this time they were only oretty warm, not really hot, but at least that meant he didn't burn his mouth. "Marvelous. Much better than simple meat rolls, which I'd half expected."
He will not make us wait too long, I am sure. Hatteth said confidently. All of us our happy and you, me and Yours have all chosen. Why would he not chose soon? He bit off another chunk of meat and added, And besides, we will make them sleep together tonight.
[Concluded on AIM on 2/14/12]
J'len took a meat pie, grinning at J'nes. "They're not bad cold," she told him. "Taste better warm, though." She took a bite, careful not to allow gravy to fall onto her chin. "Oh, it's wonderful!" she observed after swallowing, relishing the taste. "We'll have to thank them when we get back," she added. "They're delicious."
I do not like waiting, Hyweth informed Hatteth. If he makes us wait, I will become angry. They will sleep together, and then he will choose. I chose you. You chose me. Why will he not choose Mine?
J'nes bit into the pie again, but this time the other end of the crust split open and dumped meat and gravy on his lap. He blinked, stared at the spilled food a moment, then looked up at J'len with a sorrowful look that was a cross between a child who'd dropped its cake in the dirt and a baby canine that just got caught making a puddle on the floor. "My pie broke," he said sadly.
He will chose, Hatteth repeated, he looked across the pond at the two humans sitting and picnicing. They eat together and are happy, like you and I.
J'len giggled, shaking her head. She offered him half of her pie. "Here," she said with a smile, moving to help him clean the meat and gravy from his lap. "You should hold the back of the pie closed with your fingers, like this," she demonstrated with a smile. "Be careful not to spill it."
Tell him to choose soon, Hyweth insisted. They eat together, and are happy, but yours hasn't chosen.
"Thanks," he said and helped her clean himself off. "I guess I'll have to do laundry when we get back." He finished off the crust and remaining dribbles of filling from his first pie, then reached for a baked tuber. "Want to split one of these?" he asked.
If he does not choose by the time we bring them back I will tell him, Hatteth promised. He decided on this trip and the giftm after all. He might be waiting for a special time today. Humans like to do that, I think. He wasn't too concerned just now. His was doing good things and making Hyweth's happy.
"Alright," J'len agreed with a nod. "I'll help you with your laundry, too," she added with a grin. "I distracted you, so it's partially my fault you have to, anyway." She moved closer to him, then added, "Do you think they're still conspiring?"
Will you remember? Hyweth asked. When will we tell them that they must stay here?
J'nes leaned closer and whispered, "I'm almost certain they are. They may not have very long memories on most things, but they're being unusually good at remembering this. They'll probably spring something unexpected at us any time now." He cut a tuber in half and offered one half to her. "I'm wondering what they might be planning, though. They've already done dumping you in the water to see if I catch you."
Or course I will remember! Hattetyh said stoutly. This is important! And we will tell them they must stay when they want to leave. Perhaps we should fall asleep before then. Or pretend to. He continued eating the wherry so he'd be able to back up his claim.
They ate and watched the sunset together. To J'len's surprise, no prank was pulled by the dragons. They weren't dumped into the nearby pond, neither the crimson or brown had snuck up on them in order to frighten them while they were watching the sunset. It was beginning to get dark now, however, and stars were showing up.
"Is it time to head home now?" J'len asked with a smile.
"I think so," J'nes said as he finished off the last of the bubblies. All that was left of the meal were crumbs, gravy stains and a couple redfruits. "It was such a beauiful sunset that I didn't want to miss a moment of it, but the show's over now." He looked over to the dragons, who were now curled up with each other. "Lets pack up and go wake the pair of lazybones."
"You wake them," J'len teased. "I wake Hyweth up often enough to know better. I'll pack up." She sat up, and slowly stood, feeling the blood rush back to her legs as she did so. She put the redfruits in their bag, then looked to J'nes. "Go on then."
"Oh sure, give me the hard part," he said, feigning a sullen look. He plodded off towards the dragons, dragging his feet as if he went to his own execution. When he reached the dragons, he naturally went to the head of his own first. He patted the brown hide of Hatteth's neck and said, "Wake up, it's time to go."
Hatteth had genuinely dozed off, with a full belly and the last heat of the setting sun to help. He took a moment to rouse, but he only cracked open the eye nearest his rider. Not now. I am tired and to full to go between. We can go back later. Then he closed the eye.
J'nes blinked, stared at his dragon, then walked back to J'len. "I think I figured out what they were conspiring," he told her.
J'len paused, and studied J'nes for a moment. "What are they conspiring?" she asked, interested. "They haven't done anything. Are they ready to go? Hyweth?"
Mine, I am too full to fly. We will not get to the Weyr tonight.
"They're conspiring to keep us here longer. Perhaps all night, if I know them. Maybe longer, though considering we're just about out of food, they may relent and let us go get breakfast," he said. "I have to admit, I wasn't expecting something like this." He stuck his hands in his pockets and looked up at the sky. "At least we;ll have a chance to look at the stars together, like yu wanted."
"They--what?" J'len was in absolute disbelief. She glanced at Hyweth, then Hatteth. "But--we can't just stay here!" she fretted. "The weyrfolk will worry, and we'll get into trouble... And what would they think if they saw us returning together?" She hesitated. She knew what most of them would think. She also knew she might not mind what they thought would happen if it actually happened-- and then she seemed to calm, eyes glazed and distant briefly.
"Hyweth says she'll tell them what happened," she said, glancing at Hatteth doubtfully. "They really--I never expected this. I expected something like--pushing us into the lake again."
"I know, this is a lot more subtle than I expected from them," J'nes agreed. He bent over and picked up the thin picnic blanket from the ground. "And we only have one little blanket to keep up warm." He paused to consider teh implications of that. Either he be the gentleman, let her have teh blanket and be cold all night, or they share it and body heat. He could try curling up against a dragon for warmth, but considering what they were doing, he didn't put it past them to refuse to let him sleep against them. This was a more cunning plot than he'd originally thought.
"We can share the blanket," J'len told him optimistically. "No reason for either of to be cold during the night, and I have a feeling neither of them," she gestured to the dragons, "would be willing to share their warmth. They look quite comfortable together."
J'nes glanced over at the dragons and said, "You may be right about that. Though considering the whole point was to keep us together, if we're sharing the blanket they may conceed to help us keep warm." He looked back at J'len and said, "But I'll be glad to share the blanket either way. It's not like it'd be the first time we shared a bed," he added with a small grin.
J'len nodded. "Perhaps," she agreed. "Hyweth seems willing. I wonder why they conspired this. We certainly spend enough time together, don't we?" She grinned at him.
J'nes shook his head slowly, an amused smile on his face. "Who knows? The motivations of dragons are inscrutable. We may be able to talk to them mind-to-mind, but that doesn't make us able to get in their heads." He lifted the blanket again and draped it over her shoulders. "Come's let's see if we can find a comfortable bit of dragon to lean on."
J'len took his hand, smiling. "I'm sure we can find a comfortable spot between the two of them," she mused. "Either one of them would do, if they're willing."
When they drew near, Hyweth opened an eye. Have you chosen yet? she inquired of J'nes. If you have, you may sleep against me. If not, you will sleep on the ground. Choose quickly.
J'nes happily headed towards the dragons with J'len. When Hyweth spoke to him, he just blinked at her, frankly quite baffled by the question. Chosen? Chosen what? I don't rememebr needing to choose anything.
You must choose to be with my rider, or not. If you have chosen, you may lay against me. If you have not, you will sleep on the ground. Do you wish to be with my rider, or not? Choose quickly. Hyweth, though seemingly half asleep, flicked her tail in impatient.
J'nes cocked a head at her, puzzled. He just spent all evening being with her rider. And he'd chosen to invite her on the picnic. What more could she want? A moment later it hit him what she must mean, and it was so obvious he wondered why he'd even had to think about it. I'm...not sure I'm ready for that yet, he said to her. What he thought on the matter was a bit more complicated than that, but he was trying to simplify it to something that could be easily expressed to another person.
Hyweth flicked her tail angrily, but the only movement she made was turn around and away from J'nes. The message was clear. He was not welcome to sleep with her--or anywhere the crimson deemed "too close".
"Well, I guess that answers that question," J'nes said. He looked over at Hatteth, but the brown (a little more slowly, it seemed) also turned his back on the riders and cuddled with his mate. "And that answers another. I guess we'll have to find our own bed."
"What did they want?" J'len asked, having been left out of the conversation. "Why are they upset?" She frowned slightly. "I've never seen Hyweth act like this before. It's almost as if..." she paused, and shook her head. "Too soon. She's never really been moody before."
"...Perhaps its more of their conspiring," J'nes said after a small pause. He didn't quite want to admit to her what he'd just said to Hyweth. Though he didn't want to contradict it either, in case the dragon chose to share it with her rider. He was kind of hoping she was too angry ro talk to either of them just now. He put an arm around her shoulder and tried to turn her away from teh dragons. "Come, let's find a soft patch of grass and watch the stars for a while."
J'len wandered off to find a soft bit of grass. She had been looking forward to the welcome warmth of a dragon's hide, and found it unfortunate that neither Hyweth, nor J'nes, seemed to want to resolve their issue, whatever it was.
J'nes followed along behind J'len, occasionally prodding a toe at likely-looking patches of grass to test their softness. He had given Hyweth the simple version, but now he was turning over the more complicated truth of the matter in his head. He liked J'len, that was for certain. There was certainly a possibility that he might like her enough for a long-term relationship, but he couldn't be sure yet. How much of his affection was because he wanted to make their dragons happy, how much was because she clarly liked him, how much was pure physical desire, and how much was him liking J'len for who she was? If the reason wasn't deep enough to last, his feelings would likely die off and it would only hurt her if that happened. He owed it to her to make sure he knew what he meant before he committed to anything serious.
"Here's a place," J'len called, beckoning J'nes over. She sat down, and looked up at the stars. "Oh, they're beautiful from here," she sighed. She laid back, arms behind her head. "Come on, J'nes! I think I found the best view."
J'nes was happy to be distracted from his thoughts. He sat down beside her and spread the thin blanket over the two of them. Then he laid back with his hands behind his head, looking up at the stars. "It's a clear night, lucky for us. I good view of the start, and no chance of rain."
J'len scooted closer to J'nes, yawning behind her hand as she did so. "I think if it did rain, they'd have the kindness to cover us," she said. "Hyweth wouldn't leave us out in the rain. Well, she might leave you out in the rain..." she mused, playfully grinning at him. "Judging on how she reacted you you earlier."
J'nes put an arm around her and pulled the blanket up a little more. "If you stayed with me, she'd be forced to cover both or either of us," he retorted. "And I'm fairly certain Hatteth would cover us either way. So we have an emergency tent, if it comes to that."
"Hatteth is kinder," J'len mused, for a moment, her eyes fluttering shut. "Hyweth likes to fuss."She cuddled him, breath slowing. It seemed the day had worn her out. She was asleep.
J'nes nuzzled closer to her. Having her with her like this did make him feel warm, and not purely in a temperature sense. Maybe he did care for her that much? Or was that just another dort of physical feeling. He sighed quetly and held her close, but it was a while before his whirling mind calmed enough for him to sleep.
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Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2012 5:26 pm
Moving in (conducted over AIM)
With Hyweth's refusal to help, J'len had left much of her belongings in her Weyr. She had, however, packed several bags of what she considered her most important items. Including the plush J'nes had sewn her. She knocked on J'nes door. She hoped he'd let her stay, with the recent requirement that every dragonrider share a weyr. It would be awkward with anyone else!
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J'nes was in the middle of sorting through his belongings, trying to determine what he could get rid of or give away to the more needy. With everyone needing to share weyrs now, he had to pare down his belongings. The knock at his door interrupted him, and he set aside a couple shirts he was looking through to answer it. He was rather surprised to see J'len outside. "Oh, good morning! To what do I owe the pleasure?"
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"Er. I was going to ask you if I could stay here?" J'len glanced around hesitantly. "You know, since everyone has to share weyrs now and all...I don't really trust anyone else. Hyweth suggested it, too. She said something about being closer to Hatteth?"
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The proposal was certainly unexpected, but the comment about Hyweth elicited a chuckle. "She would suggest whatever let her be with Hatteth more. And I'm sure Hatteth would be happy to share his wallow." A rather fervent affirmation from his brown made him laugh even more. "I'm sure you can guess his response," he told J'len through chuckles. "And I would ne happy to have you here. It'd be much mroe pleasant to share with someone I knew." It didn't hurt that they had already shared a bed...more than once. But that might not be what she had in mind. "Shall I help you with your things?" he asked, bringing his mind back to the details of moving in.
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"I have the feeling they planned this," J'len said, shaking her head and flashing the man a smile. She knew--they both knew that their dragons had planned many a meeting between them. "Thank you!" She beamed at his affirmative. "Oh, that would be lovely. Er. I brought most of my things with me. Hyweth refused to be treated like a common runner." She smirked. "I asked her to help. I think she's gone to see Hatteth."
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The rather smug feeling he was getting from Hatteth probably meant the dragons were together now, and likely plotting something for theur riders. Or just gloating in the fact that they'd managed to get the pair under one roof for the forseeable future. Regardless, J'nes gladly helped J'len carry her bags and possessions in, setting them along one wall for now so they could be unpacked later. "Now then, you said you brough most of your things. May as well go back to your weyr and get everything else!" Figuring out how they'd fit it all would come later.
(to be continued)
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Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 2:27 pm
Hiking Pains (conducted over AIM)
J'len had finished up her work for the day and knew that J'nes ought to be free now too. As she headed to the weyr they shared, she considered doing something together with their free time. But what to do?
What should we do today, Hyweth?
There is a good hill for walking, was the crimson's prompt response. A good hill for sunning, too. Hatteth and I will sun, you will walk with Hatteth's. You will be happy.
That sounded good. She opened the door of the weyr to find him inside, sewing something. "J'nes, would you like to go hiking?"
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J'nes heard the door of his weyr open, he was pleasantly surprised to see J'len walking in. He hadn't expected her to be done yet Her question was somewhat abrupt, but the suggestion sounded lovely. "Hello to you too," he responded with a smile, setting aside the shirt he was mending and standing to go over to her. "And I would love to. It's a perfect day to be outside. Have any place in mind?"
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"Oh, shards, I forgot," J'len muttered, before moving to kiss his cheek. "Hello, J'nes!" She grinned up at him. "Isn't it? It was Hyweth's idea. She says she knows a good hill for hiking and sunning. If Hatteth agrees, we could picnic there at the top while they sun their lazy hides--"
Perhaps I will not take you there at all, Hyweth snorted, offended by her rider's words. Perhaps I am too lazy to share this spot of mine, and since you have said I am lazy, I will not show you.
"Wonderful, gleaming hides," J'len corrected herself quickly, then lowered her voice. "Hyweth is threatening not to take us there if we aren't polite."
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J'nes smiled at the kiss and resisted the urge to give her one back. Lately her little cheek kisses and hugs had been making him feel...warm? Odd? Something, and he rather thought it was a good something. But he still wasn't sure.
"And we must certainly not risk displeasing her by being impolite," he said gravely. "Though Hatteth could probably be convinced to carry us should Hyweth's ire prove too great." Then he paused and considered before adding, "But Hatteth probably doesn't know the place. Well then, shall we bribe Hyweth with the promise of a future bath?"
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No. You will not ride Hatteth. You will ride me. I am yours, you are not Hatteth's! You will not ride him! We will go to the hill near the lake. Hyweth felt harassed by the mere suggestion that her rider take wing by some other man's dragon. Two baths, the crimson added thoughtfully. You must both wash me. You both, and your firelizards. I will become angry if you do not. Tell him, Mine! Or we will not go.
"Hyweth says she'll agree to take us as long as we give her two baths," J'len informed J'nes dutifully, with a grin. "She says our firelizards are to help. She's told me where it is, as well--you know the hill not too far from that nearby lake? It's pretty steep, but... I think we can manage it."
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"Deal," J'nes said with a grin, which he wouldn't have dared show if Hyweth could see him. "Though I'm not sure my little Wynne will be might help," he said, "shaking his head slowly with a fond smile on his face. "She's a dear, but much too fond of treats and pets to spend much time doing something as productive as helping bathe one of her big cousins."
He shrugged and stepped out of his weyr, closing the door behind him. "But we'll see what we can do come bath time. Now, if Hyweth is properly mollified, then lead the way, milady!" He sketched an elaborate bow, then offered her a crooked arm to hold.
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It wasn't long before the group had collected a bag with some lunch. A simple one, basically meatrolls and waterskins, with maybe a couple redfruit. But it would do. Then the riders mounted their respective dragons and were off. The hill was found quite easily, and soon they'd landed and were ready to start hiking.
The dragons had settled in the sun; Hyweth having been quite picky about where she laid. Certain places had had too many rocks. She had loudly proclaimed that she would be uncomfortable there. And there. That spot didn't have enough grass. Nor did that spot. That spot was too shaded! It wasn't getting enough sun! At last, the crimson had chosen--and she felt quite clever about it. She had positioned herself where she would be able to watch her rider climb the hill.
J'len was less picky than her crimson. She took J'nes' hand and started to lead him up the hill. "Come on," she beckoned him with a grin. "Hyweth says there's a good view up here."
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Hatteth thought some of the places Hyweth didn't like would be fine, but she was insistant. And when she did settle down and he sprawled out beside her, he had to admit she'd picked a good spot. They will never be out of our sight, he told her delightedly. You are clever to choose here.
J'nes was quite happy to let J'len to lead him on towards the hill. There was a faint path which they started to head up. It was a very pretty hill, overlooking a broad valley, which the dragons had sattled in. As he started up the path, he found that it was rather steep and quite uneven. Grabbing a slim tree for support, he said, "Carefull here, it's not exactly a smooth path."
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I am clever, Hyweth agreed promptly. Of course she was. She was Hyweth, and that made her the cleverest, most beautiful, not to mention the overall best dragon in the Weyr. She put her nose to his side affectionately. Perhaps now, yours will chose. We will watch.
J'len followed J'nes' lead, taking hold of the young tree for support. "I didn't think it would be this steep," she said as she tried to keep from stumbling and dropping their picnic lunch. "I do believe we're being watched," she added with a grin.
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Hatteth nuzzled her affectionately. He must choose soon. He has taken so long because he says he wants to think and be sure of how he feels. How much longer could he possibly need? I know perfectly well how he feels. he stoutly asserted.
J'nes glanced over at the two dragons who were quite obviously looking up at them. "Well, they're always keeping an eye on us anyway, They're just being slightly more obvious than usual," he said. He glanced over at her and saw she was having some trouble with the bag their lunch was in. "Do you want me to get that so it's not in your way?" he asked.
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Why does he want to wait? I do not like waiting, Hyweth responded, returning Hatteth's affectionate nuzzle. He will pick soon. I like this idea.
"I wonder why," J'len mused aloud. "Hyweth's not usually so patient. She hasn't been bothering you and Hatteth while I haven't been paying attention, has she?" The crimson rider seemed somewhat surprised at his offer to take the bag. "Oh, I'm fine. Thank you though!"
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J'nes shrugged, as he reached for a grip on a rock ahead of him. "She pesters me once in a while. A question here or there, nothing big. And I imagine Hatteth always knows what she's up to." He glanced back to make sure she was really alright with the bag. "You sure? Let me know if it's giving you trouble and I'll be happy to take it."
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"If he'll tell you everything she's up to," J'len grinned at J'nes, wobbling dangerously as she did so. "Alright, you can carry the bag," she said, handing it to him. "She pesters you, though. I knew she would. I've never seen her so intent on harassing someone."
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J'nes held on to a handy branch while he reached out to take the bag. As he slung its strap over one shoulder he said, "I consider it a complement. She wouldn't pester me so much if she didn't think I was worth the trouble." He grinned over his shoulder at her before turning his attention back to the climb.
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J'len seemed to have trouble even without the bag she had been carrying. She stumbled and had to catch hold of a hanging branch twice to remain standing. As they neared the top of the hill, however, these branches became scarce. She was caught unprepared for a sudden steep step, mistaking it. She stumbled forward as a result, and started to tumble down the hill. It wasn't a straight fall; and it certainly wasn't a safe fall. There were too many rocks.
She cried out in pain as she hit one of them, hands flying protectively to her head. There was no need. She was no longer falling.
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J'nes had been very careful on the climb up the hill, testing footholds in tricky areas before putting down his full weight, and using branches and handy rocks to hold on to. So despite the encumberance of the bag, he didn't have too much trouble with the climb. It was kind of fun actually; a rather different kind of climbing then clambering up onto a dragon's neck and one that took skills he didn't use often. He was just thinking that they should do this more often when there was a sudden commotion behind him, a sliding and clattering that was quite obviously something falling. He whipped his head around just in time to see J'len disappear down the side of the hill.
His eyes widened in alarm as he yelled, "J'len!" He grabbed blindly at a nearby bush, grasping little more than a handful of leaves for support as he leaned out to peer down the hill. For a moment he could only stare dumbly as she tumbled down, bouncing off rocks and careening around in a way that made him wince. There was an oddly tight sensation in his chest that he didn't have time to identify; his mind was too numb with panic to think straight. Then J'len cried out and her hands flew to her head, and J'nes shudderd at the thought of her geting hurt so. His finally shook him into action. "I'm coming! Stay still, wait right there!" he yelled and plunged down the hill himself. His descent was barely more controlled than hers, more a sliding scramble than anything else, though he didn generally manage to keep his feet below him. The bag caught in a bush and nearly yanked his arm out if its socket, so she shook it free impatiently and kept going. As he went, the only sensible thought in his head was a repeated littany of, Oh please let her be OK. Please let her he unhurt. I couldn't bare it if...oh shards, just let her be OK!
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Hyweth panicked almost at once. Her rider was hurt! She stood immediately, bugling her distress. She flared her wings out, not caring how close she was to Hatteth. It was his fault for being so close! Her rider was hurt! I am coming to get you, Mine!
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Hatteth had barely registered that Hyweth and J'nes were abruptly alarmed when he was whacked in the face with Hyweth's flared wing. He shook his face to clear away the sting as he tried to figure out what happened. What is it, Mine? he asked J'nes, but only got a gabble, pleading for 'her to be alright.' Hatteth looked up at the hill where His was, puzzled, and froze as he noticed J'len lying at the bottom of the his and J'nes scrambling down it at an alarming pace.
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J'len stirred, holding one hand against her head. It was a small cut, but the blood coming from it made it seem all the more frightening. "J'nes?" she looked to the man. "I don't think I can get up," she said, looking to her feet. "I hit it when I fell."
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J'nes slid to a stop near J'len. She was sprawled in a position that looked uncomfortable at best and ominously awkward at worst. She was bleeding from the head, but he couldn't yet see if there was any other blood. "Don't move," he said urgently. "If you've broken something it can get worse if you move it," Then he registered her words. "Shells!" he cursed softly as he knelt down to check the feet.
He felt her feet gingerly through the boot, and even though the wherhide made it hard to tell, he was pretty sure that one of them was getting alarmingly swollen already. Hurriedly he fumbled to unlace teh boot and get it off, cursed when he found he couldn't do that gently, and drew his belt knife to cut the boot off. The scene he uncovered made him wince.
The foot was indeed swollen, with a visible lump from above the outside ankle down to the middle of the foot, and it looked likely to spread. A dark purple bruise was also starting to form across teh same area. The fact that it was swollen so much so quickly made him fear a torn muscle of even a broken bone. "We need a healer, right away," he said in a low, urgent voice. "Is there anywhere else hurt? J'len?" He scooted over to get a good look in her face, his ernest and almost desperate worry broadcasted by his every move and expression.
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"It's not broken, J'nes," she reassured him quickly. She was clumsy enough to know the difference between a break and a sprain. "My head hurts, but it's fine..." She moved her hand from her head and allowed him to see the wound. It certainly didn't look fine. Her hair was becoming matted with her blood. "I'm fine. Really."
Hyweth bugled once more. Perhaps to inform J'nes that hers was not fine.
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Hatteth managed to gather what had happened and was briefly very alarmed for His and Hyweth's sakes. But he was distanced enough from teh pain that the worry of it it didn't consume him like the other two. He bugled a short, loud note and sternly said Calm down!to his rider and his mate. I will call a healer. Fussing will not help. He took a momen to call back to the weyr for a healer and give the image of their location. Now sit still and take deep breaths until you are calmer, he instructed them, including J'len in this in case she was getting upset, too.
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Hyweth would have turned and snarled at any other dragon. Hatteth was lucky the crimson liked him today. He really was. I will be calm, she said at once, lowering her wings. Her tail twitched aggitatedly, and gave her frustration away. She wanted to be with her rider!
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Yours will be fine, Hatteth told her. Mine is with her, and a healer and weryfolk are coming. He nuzzled her just a little bit before turning to J'nes. You've treated falls and hurts before. You told me so, when you talked about your foster siblings who got in trouble a lot. What would you do if one of them was hurt?
J'nes stopped and took a deep breath at his dragon's firm but calming tone. "Check for blood and visible wounds. Treat visible wounds if possible, then check for wounds that aren't immediately apparent," he said, as if reciting a lesson. So he looked at J'len's wounds. "Swollen and bruised ankle. I wish I had water to cool it." There might have been some in the lunch bag, but that was lost and he wouldn't go look for it. "So...elevate it." Which he did; he quickly pulled off his jacket, folded it into a rough pillow and gently tucked it under the injured foot. For her head wound he ripped a sleeve off his shirt, wiped off what blood he could, then pressed the cloth to the cut. He movements were still rushed with a slightly frantic air, but were still competent and practiced.
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Hyweth didn't have time to return Hatteth's affections, nor was she in the mood to do so. She certainly wasn't in the mood to concern herself with rather Hatteth's had chosen hers or not. She set her eyes onto J'nes, watching him carefully. Her eyes were an orange color--one wrong move and---well. Hyweth could bluff, right?
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Now that it was evident that J'len was (probably) not seriously hurt, J'nes was starting to calm down a little. He was vaguely aware that some thought was trying to make itself known to him, but he ignored it and focused on J'len. "Ok you said there's nowhere else hurt. Do you feel dizzy? Sick? We chould also move each body part one at a time to see if moving them hurts, like wiggle your hand, then arms, then shoulders, etc." He shifted so that he could look her in the face while still holding the cloth in place on her head.
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J'len slowly sat up, and though slow, it was clear there was no additional pain as she did so. "J'nes, I'm fine," she said, wiggling her fingers to demonstrate that her hands weren't injured. "I've got a nasty headache, but I'm not dizzy. I'll tell you if I feel worse." She attempted to give him a reassuring smile. "Calm down, love. The healers will be here soon."
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Love. The apparently off-handed word made something in his head jump up and down and wave its arms for attention, but he continued to pay it no mind. Time for that later. For J'len's sake he tried to pull himself together and take a stab at his usual lighthearted banter. "Well, I have my own interests in mind," he said, it a voice that was a bit too bright. "Hyweth would eat me alive if I let anything happen to you."
Hatteth was eyeing His thoughtfully. He'd started to suspect what J'nes was studiously ignoring, and was pleased at what he thought it might be.
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J'len grinned, and looked to Hyweth. "She certainly looks like she will," she agreed. "Hopefully you're a good healer, J'nes! She won't be pleased if I won't be able to ride her home." She paused, and put a hand to J'nes' cheek. "Thank you," she said. "For helping me. I don't know what would have happened if you didn't."
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J'nes felt oddly warm at her touch, and took her hand. Without knowing what he was about to say, he opened his mouth. "I...don't know what I would have done if I hadn't been." He frowned slightly. That didn't seem right, but the right words seemed to be eluding him.
Hatteth was watching the pair closely, and here he glanced over to see if Hyweth had noticed J'nes's reaction.
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J'len seemed puzzled at J'nes' reaction, but she smiled, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. "I'm glad you were," she said. "Now, I might be able to get up, if you help me..."
Hyweth had noticed. Her upset at her rider being injured seemed to fade slightly. She lifted her head in interest, before glancing to Hatteth. Yours is acting strangely. Why?
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J'nes was instantly inclinded to worry again. "Shouldn't we wait for the healers? Esoecally if you foot's injured, putting weight on that wouldn't be a good idea." he asked. But after a moment he had to conceed, "Though we can probably get you sitting up and in a more comfortable position at least."
Hatteth was practically wiggling like an excited small child. I think Mine is getting ready to choose! he said to Hyweth in an eager mental whisper
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"Why are you making so much fuss?" J'len demanded, looking to J'nes. "Help me, then," she added, reaching a hand out for him to take. "Hyweth might get upset if I keep sitting here like this."
Hyweth paused. Why did yours wait until mine was hurt? she asked. We gave him many chances.
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J'nes paused at her question, then reached out to take her hand. Why was he making so much a fuss? He helped her sit up and opened his mouth to answer, but a rush of air and a dragon bugle interrupted him. The healers had arrived and were swiftly landing. He closed his mouth, then opened it again and said, "I don't want to you be hurt. Not now, and not ever again. I want to make sure you're not." This seemed closer to what he tried to say before. And then there was no time for more, because the healers were upon them and bundling him aside to examine J'len.
Hatteth was disappointed by the interruption. Just when things were getting good! I do not know, he told Hyweth. We'll have to ask him. He eyed the commotion around J'len and added, After he tells her he's chosen, I think. It would not help now.
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When they arrived at the Healer Hall, it was duly noted that J'len was quite possibly the worst patient they had had within the sevenday. She was stubborn and insistant that she was fine despite the bruising on her ankle. She wanted to be allowed to return to her weyr, where she could sleep and think things over. J'nes had been behaving strangely since she'd gotten injured... Maybe he panicked every time someone was injured? No, that wasn't right. The man had fought Thread.
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J'nes was never far from J'len and Hatteth was never far from J'nes. The dragon would have crowded into the Healer Hall with them if it was possible, but the brown had to content himself with huddling outside it, as close as he could to the room where J'nes and J'len were eventually left alone. He wanted to listen in on the riders, if at all possible.
J'nes was aware that his dragon was acting funny, but paid it no mind. He was trying to think things over himself, between trying to get J'len to cooperate with the healers. Finally they'd had her bandaged, treated with numbweed, and left her lying in bed with her foot propped up and instructions not to move from that spot. And J'nes was left alone with her. He sat on a chair beside the bed and stared absentmindedly in her direction as he tried to sort things out. Why had he acted like that? It wasn't like him to panic, not even when he was little more than a boy and one of his foster brothers had been thrown from a runnerbeast and broken his arm. So why now?
Because it was J'len. She was different. He was fond of his foster siblings, certainly, but J'len...he shifted his gaze to her face, though it was still a bit unfocused as his mind worked.
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"You're awfully quiet, J'nes," J'len commented, looking at him. Having been treated with numbweed, she was no longer in any pain. "Keep me company, hm?" It wasn't like J'nes to be so silent. Was he still worrying? "I'm alright," she assured him, taking his hand and giving it a squeeze. "I'll be up and walking soon! You'll see." She paused, frowning slightly. "Sharding healers," she complained. "I don't want to be in bed for days. But I'm sorry I gave you such a fright, J'nes..."
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He smiled at her when she took his hand. "The healers know what's best for a sprained ankle. They said you have to stay in bed for at least a couple days and take it easy for a while after that, so you'll just have to put up with it for now." Then his smile slipped a little as he started thinking again. after a pause he slowly said, "When you fell, and I saw your were injured...it...hurt. Hurt me, I mean. More than when my brothers were hurt, or if Hatteth were hurt, or if I'd hurt myself." He paused again, his brow furrowed as he tried to sort things out. "I don't think...I'd realized before. How much it would hurt if you were gone." He smiled at her again and squeezed her hand.
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"Now you know how I felt when you and Hatteth were fighting Thread," J'len said, nodding with understanding. "I'm sorry," she added. "I really didn't mean to give you such a fright." What was J'nes trying to say? She'd hurt him by getting hurt?
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J'nes frowned slightly and shook his head a little. No, he wasn't being clear. "No, it's not your fault. If anything it's mine, for not realizing sooner." He paused again and took in a long, slow breath as things finally clicked into place. He gazed into her eyes and said simply, "I love you."
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J'len stared at him for a long moment. She certainly hadn't expected that. After her advances, her attempts to get him to return her feelings... Now was the time he chose to realize he loved her? For a moment, she didn't know what to say. "I love you too, J'nes," she said at last. "I'm glad you finally realized."
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Posted: Tue May 07, 2013 2:46 pm
Now what? (conducted over AIM)
J'nes closed the door behind the old healer, having just seen him off. He was still trying to process the news. J'len pregnant? It had not at all been what he expected. And it was probably something he should talk to his weyrmate about. Turning back to her, he said, "So, a baby..." Then he trailed off, not sure where to go from there.
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"A baby," J'len repeated, confirming the statement with a nod. She hadn't been sure how to bring the subject up after Bereck had left, and now that J'nes had, she wasn't sure how to continue. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you my suspicions," she said with a small frown. "I should have. That would've made all of this much easier." At least, she thought so.
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Yes, it might have. But that sounded like pointing blame, and J'nes did not want to do that. After all, what was there to blame about, really? Aside from him worrying that she was sick. "I'm just glad you're not ill after all," he answered, coming over to sit in the chair by the bed. Now he was stuck for what to say again, so he asked the first thing that came to mind: "When did you start to suspect?"
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"A sevenday or so ago," J'len said with a shrug. "I'm not a healer, but I didn't think a virus could last so long. Especially not with you taking such good care of me," she gave him a small smile. "I'm sorry I worried you."
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J'nes nodded and smiled back at her. If she hadn't suspected for very long, maybe it wasn't so strange that he hadn't, either. He didn't know much about pregnancy, after all; all his siblings had been fosters. "Well, what would you like to do with it?" That was probably the most important thing to determine now.
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J'len should have expected that question, but seemed bewildered when J'nes brought it up. She stared at him. "Do with it?" she repeated. "Oh. You mean--" she hesitated. She didn't want to make a decision he would be unhappy with. "What do you want to do with it?"
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"Whatever you want to do," came the immediate reply. "It's your body, your choice." The idea of being a parent hadn't really set in yet, so he wouldn't be upset it if didn't happen. Probably wouldn't, anyway.
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Well, if he wasn't going to give her any input on what his preferred decision would have been, she would have to decide. "Keep it," she said at last. "I want to keep the baby."
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J'nes nodded. "Then we shall." Though raising a child would not be easy for a rider. Most rider's children were fostered out or, more likely, raised by the creche. Speaking of which..."Would you like the child raised by the creche or not?" 'The child,' not yet 'our child.' It was still too new an idea to sink in yet.
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"I don't know," J'len said, after a long pause. "We'll have to consider that when the time comes." She would have preferred to keep the baby with her, but duties would always come first. J'nes was too busy fighting Thread to really have time... "Maybe in the creche, I don't know."
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J'nes nodded. "We should probably decide before its born, so we can have things ready for it, one way or another. But that doesn't have to be done now." He reached out to take her hand. There was a lot to be decided yet, but the big thing had been. She...they...was having a baby.
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"But you haven't told me how you feel about it," J'len said, frowning slightly. "Are you happy?"
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J'nes had to think about that a moment. He liked kids. And he loved J'len. A child with J'len seemed the bost of both worlds. Though a tough world, especially bringing a child into this mess with the wherholds and all, but that was no reason not to. Pern was tough all around with Thread falling again, and it was no reason to stop raising families. "Yes," he said finaly, and smiled at her. "I just had to get used to the idea. It was rather sudden, after all."
[End]
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Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2013 12:29 pm
A New Addition (Conducted over AIM)
J'nes finished changing Janel's diaper with the ease of long practice, then ticked his son.s feet until the newborn giggled and kicked. "You're my lively little boy, aren't you?" he cooed. The baby only wriggled some more as he scooped the boy up, careful to cradle his head.
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J'len looked over at J'nes, smiling slightly. The first night had been rough, but now she felt she was getting the hang of it. Maybe, like most things, being a mother took practice. "Hyweth wants to see him," she teased. "Maybe Hatteth would like that, too."
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"Maybe we shoudl let them wait a little while," he answered lightly. "I'm having too much fun looking at him myself, just me and you." He crossed the room and sat behind her, offering her the little infant to hold.
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J'len took her baby, beaming at J'nes. "Hyweth's not going to like that," she warned him. "She's been waiting to see him as long as we have." Longer. Hatteth and Hyweth had noticed it long before J'len had. She cradled Janel in one arm, taking J'nes' hand with the other. "I'm sure Hatteth's just as impatient."
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"Let them be impatient," he said, grinning impishly. "If they're that desperate, they can see him though our eyes." He squeezed her hand, then reached out to run a finger along the thin fuzz on the baby's head. "He'll meet them soon enough, when he doesn't spend all his time eating and sleeping."
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"But we should introduce them!" J'len protested, grinning in response. It seemed J'nes wanted to keep Janel to themselves, for now. "That'll be weeks from now. You know how Hyweth is. She'll keep asking to see him, until she forgets--and then something will remind her."
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J'nes laughed and leaned over to kiss her. "I'm just teasing her." he whispered to her. "I bet she's listening, isn't she? It'd be just like her to be leaning as cloase as she coudl get to a window or something."
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"She is," J'len informed him with a grin. "She's rather testy, she says you'll need to bring her something good to get back into her good favor." Hyweth was indeed as close as the crimson could get to their weyr. She had settled beside it. She snorted in impatience. I waited one night. I will not wait another. she insisted.
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J'nes chuckled. "Is bringing her our son good enough to get back in her good graces? That would solve the problem right there." He looked back atthe infant, but his little eyes were closed again. "There he goes," he said softly, so as not to wake the baby. "Like I said, nothing but eat and sleep at this age. And poop. Just like a dragon at that age really, only less chatty."
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"From experience, human babies are much louder," J'len made a face. "Ask less questions, but just as demanding." She gently placed the baby in J'nes' arms, careful not to wake him. "Well, go on," she said. "You'll have to introduce them."
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J'nes gently shifted the baby into a more comfortable hold. "What, you're not coming with me? Leaving me to face her displeasure all alone?" he said in (quiet) mock dismay.
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J'len smirked. "That was exactly what I was planning to do," she said. "But since you seem so against it..." She slowly made her way after him. "She'll be pleased, I think. And Hatteth too, if he's around."
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J'nes nodded, heading for the door. "Could you get the door, then? Save poor old me from running the risk of jostling our little sleeper?"
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J'len went to open the door, propping it open with her foot. "There she is," she pointed, grinning. "She left her wallow to eavesdrop."
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"Nasty habit that is," J'nes said cheerfully as he went out towards Hyweth. "One would think you had no manners."
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Hyweth ignored J'nes' words, instead focusing on the infant in his arms. "It is very small," she observed. Had her hatchlings been this small? She couldn't remember. She didn't think so. She bent her neck to have a closer look. What is his name? she asked next. And why is he pink?
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"Most humans are some shade of pink, haven't you noticed?" Then he looked as his tanned arm. "Until they spend some time in the sun and get brownish, anyway." He very gently shrugged and answered her first question. "His name is Janel."
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I suppose this is a good enough name, Hyweth mused. Are you going to keep him until he finds his, then? Humans did seem to be able to keep their hatchlings longer than dragons. she snorted at J'nes, and as he wasn't making any move to hold the baby closer to her for her to view him properly, she moved to stand behind him. Hello, hatchling of Mine.
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"Yup, we're keeping him," he said happily. "No creche for our boy." As she moved up behind him, he tilted his head back to look at her. "And he can't answer you, he's too young yet. Humans grow a lot slower than dragons, so he won't be able to start talking until he's about 2 Turns old."
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Two turns was a long time. Hm... But maybe that was a good thing. She hadn't been able to keep her own hatchlings--but this hatchling! He would remain a hatchling for a long time. He would need care, and protection--and he would need Hyweth.
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With Hyweth at J'nes's back, Hatteth came over to J'nes's front to look at the baby. Why is he so small? Is he an atypical, to be so tiny?
J'nes chuckled, "No, all human babies are about this size. Some do need help being born, or are born early and need extra help growing for the first couple months, much like atypicals. But he was born normally, is a good weight and perfectly healthy."
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They do not speak for two turns Hyweth informed Hatteth knowledgably. When he does speak, he will say he loves us. They would take care of this hatchling. He would be theirs, as much as he was their riders. She moved to press her muzzle against Hatteth's, rumbling in amusement. "Even if he were an atypical, he would grow to be strong."
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Hatteth rumbled in agreement and nuzzled back. As strong as you, surely. Even if he takes longer to get there.
With the dragon's attention elsewhere, J'nes turned to go in, telling them, "He's sleeping now, and we have to let him rest. Very tiny humans like this need to sleep a lot while they grow a bit, so I'm going to take him back inside now."
Hatteth turned an eye on J'nes as his rider headed inside.
"There will be many laters, of course," he assured his dragon. "And they will be more interesting when he does more than sleep, I promise you that." With that, he went in to lay Janel in his crib.
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