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 Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 5:58 pm
I want to swim so I am going to swim. Irritation edged the crimsons voice. Kibeth never bothered actually asking permission, especially considering she'd be the first to insist that she worked for no one... even her rider. She didn't wait for Rochelle to respond before stretching out on her bit of wallow, huge jaws wide in a dragons yawn. Rochelle scrambled out of her bed, rubbing at her eyes with one small fist.
What are you talking about? It's barely even morning--
It's midday. The sun is high in the sky. Not everyone sleeps until dusk on their day off. Kibeth's tail whipped, whip-thin body quickly in the air and headed for the water. Rochelle followed the shape in the sky, her eyes heavy and short hair hastily tidied under the large sunhat. The huge yellow bow helped distract from the sleepiness, she liked to think, and it even matched the string-sleeved sundressed she tossed on. Lazy, lazy. You think just because you were taken for a little while that you can get away with doing nothing?
I could smother you in your sleep, how about that? Even the silent snark did nothing to ease her irritation, though the knowledge that Kibeth thought her well enough to snap at helped. Rochelle stretched out, relaxing when she saw Kibeth swan-dive to the water. Having fun?
If you are snide, I'll throw an animal into your dress. Swim.
"Hi, my name is Kibeth and I'm bossy as Faranth's a**," Rochelle mocked outloud, her voice pitched high and whiny. "I like to think because I am bigger than my rider that I can boss her around and others will listen to me because I have quips."
(Disclaimer: All actions the dragons + people take against one another have been previously discussed and approved by Skie and myself. biggrin )
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Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 6:09 pm
Sharath was swimming under the water in the lake when a great red thing crashed into her serene escape. The gold's breath bubbled up in surprised as she surged to the surface and roar-garbled in irritation, wings flared from being startled. What is the meaning of this!? You nigh on landed on my head!! The gruffness was in part whine, in part indignity, in part poor attempt to cover her surprise.
Amelia, however, was standing straight up as the fear that surged through her gold surged through her too and half a heartbeat later, she was running. She dropped what she'd been doing and nearly bowled Rochelle over as she dashed down the sands to the water's edge where the gold was puffing and huffing up to the beach, eyes whirling red and orange.
"You alright love!?" Amelia called, wading into the water. She was peripherally happy that she was wearing shorts and a sleeveless shirt.
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Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 6:24 pm
Kibeth shrieked loudly the minute a huge golden beast decided to lunge up as if she were some sharding water dragon. Her wings flared to keep from slamming into the new female, her teeth bared as she continued to loudly verbalize her wordless distaste with this intruder.
"Shaffing <********>--" Rochelle shrieked, hands clutched at her hat. She started at Kibeth only to get a C'tis-sized woman almost slamming her into the sands. "Kibeth! Stop trying to drown people!"
I didn't! the younger dragon snapped the denial to both humans and the silly half-drowned female. That sea wher got in my way! It's called don't hide, lady holder.
"You aren't a bird, you can't see under the water! Stoppit--" Rochelle huffed, following Amelia's example by splashing into the water. "Shaffit-- she's not hurt, is she?" Are you hurt, Kibeth?
Kibeth kept her response private, at least. Only my pride. I hope it drowns.
No you don't, stop it.
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 10:54 am
Sharath coughed a few more times as she whirled on Kibeth, wings mantled and eyes blazing red-orange as she hissed. Teeth flashing and head low to the ground in a decidedly aggressive motion, the gold snarled her displeasure. Wher!? You imbecilic lizard nearly landed on my head! These tropical buffoons teach no manners!
Amelia cursed loudly as Sharath went off on her tirade, the adrenalin fueled fear and hot surge of anger flickering against her mind. The red had truly startled the gold something fierce. She splashed awkward forward as Sharath raised her head proudly and braced herself in the sands, ready to deliver an order.
The tone was unmistakeable as the gold invoked her inborn power on a complete stranger, You sha-
"SHARATH! DON'T YOU DARE." Amelia's bellow was loud and powerful as she finally got between the posturing dragons, arms spread wide and head held high in a remarkably similar fashion to Sharath's. "Calm down you giant wherry, you'll drown yourself if you carry on like that. What kind of queen are you if you get so flustered so easily, eh?" Then Amelia rounded on Kibeth, facing the dragon down with all the confidence and authority of a mother facing a child, "And YOU! Be more careful! I don't want to see two completely unnecessary deaths. Announce yourself before you dive, understood? I've been here less then a sevenday and dragons are already trying to break necks!"
Sharath was rumbling and watching the red dragon warily as she stood in the water, privately throwing insults about Kibeth to Amelia. Amelia, however, was turning her attention to Rochelle and instead of glowering at her, she grinned broadly and waved, "She's fine. Nothing here but wounded pride. Who're you?"
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Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:18 am
Kibeth's head jerked back when Sharath returned the verbal assault, a screech building itself up in the back of her throat. Her jaws snapped, thin wings flare out even further as Sharath started to speak something that did not sound like the beginning of a normal shaffing insult, snarling loudly.
Then suddenly human. Kibeth hissed, scream cut off abruptly at the arrival at one of the rider. Still, the hiss remained, a steady high noise, her eyes the same color as her hide. the crimson remained vaguely aware of her own bondmate splashing closer, her mind tipping on the verge of bloodlust. Only the presence of a human that could possibly be hurt kept her from launching herself at the larger female.
Oh shut up, you two legged nit, Kibeth snapped, baring her teeth once more in an empty threat. If a dragon doesn't want to be jumped out, they ought not be hiding in the depths of the water like a great fat fish. Then again, as a g--
"Alright, you shut that line of thought right the fardles now!" Rochelle's voice cut through anything Kibeth was going to say. The short woman made it to her bondmates leg and pushed at the dark crimson hide with a scowl. She didn't snap at Amelia though, her words rounded out on Kibeth. "You aren't an eagle, you can't see under the water." And just because you're both spoiled little brats doesn't mean you can say s**t like that.
Wher-Flyer has an attitude. Kibeth hissed privately to Rochelle.
Yeah, yeah. Rochelle rolled her eyes and stepped back to turn back t Amelia. More than used to people both stronger and taller than her, all she did was grin right back at her. "Same over here. We've both got some tempers. I'm Rochelle, hi. This here's Kibs - ah, Kibeth. We got a new goldrider?" She slushed over and stuck out her small hand. "Who're you?"
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Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 11:09 am
Amelia shot Kibeth a 'don't mess with me' look regardless of the bared teeth then returned her attention to Rochelle. She happily took the offered hand and pumped it a few times, "Yes, actually. Transferred from High Reaches, still getting settled. There's more opportunity here but at the same time... it's strange to see so many atypicals, let alone deal with the heat and lack of tunnels." She grinned, "I'm Amelia, and this great golden lump is my lovely Sharath. Well met!"
She shuffled and rolled her sleeves up to try to get some of her shirt to keep from being soaked, "Now that we've established both dragons are somehow amphibious, maybe we can converse on the beach?" Amelia flicked her hands to rid them of water and looked down at herself. She'd waded in waist deep in her concern for her dragon. A sigh escaped her, "I hope these boots dry well..." Sloshing through the water, the goldrider let herself drip in the sun as she continued, "I hope I didn't hurt the person I ran into... did you see anyone?"
Sharath, grumbling and hissing a bit still padded over to the opposite side of Rochelle and lay down in the shallows, tail swaying to and fro like an irate cat's as she watched Kibeth, half daring her to make another move at her rider.
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Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 11:22 am
"High Reaches? Shards and s**t, woman, how are you not the color of Kibs yet? I peeled like a fruit for a while when first coming here and that was from Malvren. I wouldn't imagine High Reaches," Rochelle shook her hand, just as firm as Amelia's and approving at the same time. Too many people had weak handshakes, limp wrists and all. "What are you doing here of all places? We've got huge lumps like Kibeth--"
Kibeth hissed and started wading back towards the deeper parts.
"--Who is charming, I know, but we've also got the most, ah, interesting goldriders about. I thought avoiding the madhouse was something encouraged," The glasscrafter scooted back and nodded, lifting the hem of her clothes again with a wrinkled noise. She started wading after Amelia, Kibeth going in the opposite direction. "Stuff something larger than your feet in the shoes while they dry, they won't shrink too tight or mold close. Fitted shoes are great'n all but it's best to leave some wiggle room, ecetera."
She shot Amelia a curious look and... promptly started to laugh, her head shaking with a large grin. "That- that was me, don't worry about it! I don't bruise easy and have plenty of padding. If I colored like a redfruit, I don't know if my boyfriend would even hug me. Just don't go shoving your elbow into anyones breast and you're good, I swear. Promise me that. Unless they deserve it."
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Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 11:43 am
"I don't spend much time in the sun... I've been digging a basement for my weyr. It's too hot at ground level and nobody has a decent tunnel or two." She replied with a laugh then sobered a bit and glanced at Sharath. "Er... well, that's a long story. You can probably tell Sharath isn't the most mellow queen around. We had three golds other then us at High Reaches and the new Weyrwoman was to be chosen by the next Rising gold as per normal."
Amelia frowned, "We thought we had it and, well, we didn't. Two similarly proddy golds in the vicinity vying for Senior Gold status meant things didn't go too well when the other gold rose before us. Sharath's always been a trouble maker, she's got a heart of gold and a marvelous sense of duty but a terrible sense of leadership." The goldrider flicked her hands and smoothed her frizzy hair back, "The trouble was enough we burned bridges, made enemies. Came here for a new start because we heard Trine was doing things differently. Choosing a Weyrwoman based on merit and skill rather then how horny they were since your current one's gone off her rocker." The unspoken, of course, was easy to surmise - this was a pair after power, and Sharath desperately wanted her own Weyr, enough to uproot her rider for it.
"As for avoiding this place, that's the general consensus yes, and I argued that but Sharath was adamant and after the fiasco at High Reaches, well. No reason not to." She laughed loudly and full of mirth at the 'unless they deserve it' comment and grinned at Rochelle, "Trust me, I'm not afraid to put a fist in a face if the transgression warrants it."
A brief silence fell as Amelia watched the grumpy crimson wander away, "Does your Kibeth clutch? I understand they're supposed to but they clutch more runts then golds. Is that a thing? We had two blacks in all of High Reaches."
At the comment, Sharath's head lifted and she growled in Kibeth's direction, as if the only one that should be able to clutch was Sharath. Territorial, possessive, and ambitious, the gold was clearly a handful even as an adult.
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Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 12:05 pm
Rochelle actually listened to the story for once, squeezing out the water from the bottom of her dress. She'd thrown on her bathing suit underneath it and thus felt absolutely no sense of modesty. At least her hat stayed in place. Abigails mention drew a sharp glance from her at any rate, Rochelle's hands temporarily still before she went back to her drying duty.
"She's got problems," Rochelle corrected after a minute. "Like we all do. At least she's not the goldrider who sided with the Revolution while they killed unsuspecting people. The other two are Narisa and Kindra. Don't know them well, really. Kindra's Benden and kind of, ah, intense from what I've heard. Haven't heard much about Narisa but she looked nice enough at the Hatching. There's the one talking about a Weyrhold but we don't count her here at Trine, though I guess Kindra might. Suunath's kid and all." The crimsonrider shrugged and flicked at her dress, grinning again. "Good! Punching is sometimes required. I'm one of the more violent girls going on around here. If you ever fight a girl, chest hurts just as much as punching a guy in the junk. Found that out the hard way though... you might have problems finding girls tall enough to be in tit-punching range. The three off the top of my head don't really have boobs, one of them literally now."
She probably ought not have snickered at that. Ah well. Rochelle glanced over her shoulder to Kibeth, rolling her shoulders at the word 'runts'. "We call them atypicals here. Runt's an insult. I'm gonna guess since there were two blacks only it's not really a known thing in High Reaches. But yeah, crimsons totally clutch. I guess technically they can go more than golds? I've never counted. Kibeth's a fighter, though - she's not the motherly type and I really like setting things on fire."
I chose a life of being useful for something outside of my pouch, Kibeth informed Sharath, her tone snide, smug. You may Rise and clutch at your biological whim but I can still set you on fire.
"Shut up, Kibeth." said Rochelle, both mentally and out loud.
I've been told my clutch-mate is one of you breeders but her rider is a healer. They're best for the ground.
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Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 12:44 pm
"I've met Weyrwoman Abigail briefly at the introduction. They introduced the other two but I've not actually spoken to them formally or informally." Amelia frowned, "I've only gotten bits and pieces of the happenings here but from what I've heard, problems is putting it nicely. At least the open space meant you repelled the invasion, right?"
Another laugh, "A good upper cut will get a boob or sternum, I'm sure." She made a motion, hunched over a bit, and winked. "And trust me, wrestling with whers and other miners means you get a boob shot every now and then. What hurts the most is a wayward hammer or shovel the head. Let me tell you!"
"Aah. They can flame? Well that's useful at least. Sharath can't flame and sometimes I think the world's better for it." She chuckled.
Sharath's eyes whirled orange at the snippy comment and she shot back, You wouldn't be alive if it weren't for golds, brat. She snorted, And I can put your head in the ground without touching you. Seems we're even. There was still a tone of superiority in the gold's tone as she slashed her tail from side to side and fanned her wings.
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Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 1:10 pm
Kibeth yawned from the distance and sunk a bit further into the water. My mother was a crimson, said the female mildly. As angry as she could get, Kibeth always found such pleasure in irritating other colors - especially those larger than her. Golds would have been rendered obsolete turns and turns ago if humans didn't insist on letting hatchlings die in their shells. Here's a tip, precious minority color: threatening to use a function given to you by color because you're having a proddy snit-fit won't earn you any friends. If you want to be Weyrwoman by merit, start acting as if you could be one.
She paused for a single heartbeat. Deadglow.
"We're... we're ignoring them, right? I'm hoping we're ignoring them. I think they're having a dragon pissing contest," Rochelle glanced again. She hoped against hope the gold wouldn't use that command bit; Rochelle had nothing against the largest of the females but their ability made her a bit uneasy. "But with Trine, I don't know how they beat the rebels. I was in the bottom end of Trine at the time, stuck in the infirmary. We ran like a flit from between as soon as we could. Malvren didn't do well."
She grinned at Amelia's wink and wiggled her eyebrow. "We get enough wher wrestling about here. You'll fit right in. Some crimsons can flame - they have a choice between the two. We were never going to be breeders. Silvers are even bigger, though, and blacks are teeny tiny. They're adorable. Personally? I'm waiting for purple dragons. That would be awesome."
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Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 1:27 pm
Aah, the runty offspring of a runt? How unfortunate. You must receive extra attention to make up for that shortcoming. The gold replied matter-of-factly, ice in her tone. Obsolete? Hah. Show me a Crimson mother who can match the health and number of any gold. Dragons would be dead and Pern ravaged if it had to rely on tiny crimson clutches. Sharath's head arched up at and she tilted her head, the hint a smile in it, I'm speaking to you, aren't I? I take no issue with your colour - that you flame and fight is useful, that you speak boldly is good, however you are simply poor substitute for the glory of a gold such as myself.
Amelia nodded, a knowing grin on her lips, "I do believe they are. I can't tell if they're bonding or sewing seeds of hate... possibly both." She mused a moment then shrugged, attentive to Sharath's mood - it was more entertained and prickly then outright angry. "Makes me glad I was in High Reaches, it had its problems but we didn't lose anyone to whers or dragons... just Thread."
She grinned at that, "Aah, understood. I've actually met a black! A fellow by the name of... Viath I think? They are small. I've never heard of a purple dragon! Do they exist here? I've heard rumors of a white dragon somewhere but no purple..." Amelia seemed honestly perplexed.
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Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 11:31 am
Kibeth paused in her splashing about, all pretenses of swimming for the joy of it now gone. While unable to tell from the distance, her eyes switched quickly to a vibrant, angry red, her head lifting from the water. Rochelle explained to the human why the term 'runt' did not have a positive connotation, she knew she did, Kibeth heard it as they spoke.
Any conversation flickered away when Rochelle felt the quiet rage building inside of her dragon. She tried to keep focus on Amelia, she really did, but Kibeth's silent, slow trek back to the shoreline kept her from fully being able to make words. "No purple dragons, sorry, I was joking but - right, I need to go back into the water, I'm pretty sure my dragon is going to try to kill yours. Legitimately, not figuratively. Kibs!"
She yelled out the last part, swinging on her heel and towards the water. What started as a stride turned into a jog and what became a jog morphed into a flat out run, one of Rochelle's hands clasped in front of her chest, the other on her hat with the glasscrafter trying not to fall in the thick fall of sand.
I swear to everything, if you do this, you will die and I'll never be wingleader and--
As if we aren't leaving anyway, hissed the dragon privately. She continued to tread through the water, ever closer, her whip-cord body slicing through it with a disturbing amount of speed for a dragon in water. Protest all you want, I know we're leaving.
How about you not make the decisions and not murder the gold?
Disgusting creatures like you are why the whers rose up, Kibeth turned her thoughts to both of the humans present and Sharath, a cold hiss of a mind voice. Should you ever come into power I have no doubt they'll go around and murder you too. It wouldn't be a waste. You're worthless, drawn into power only because of how pretty your hide is. Without it you'd be nothing but a scrap, fodder for the smarter and witty. Do the entire planet a favor and drown yourself before you spawn anymore arrogant, driveling morons like yourself.
"Kibeth!" Rochelle waved her arms wildly. "Stop it!"
Call me that word one more time and I will burn down your weyr. I will rip your suitors from the sky so they never Chase again.
"How about no? How about we stop? Stop!"
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Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 12:09 pm
Amelia felt the air shift from amicably bitchy to downright dangerous as Sharath's oft-combative personality took it toll on the Crimson. The goldrider merely sighed... The young queen really needed to learn that she couldn't just expect power and respect. At least she had the protection of her command ability. The goldrider nodded as Rochelle walked off towards her dragon, mildy disturbed by the way the other female stalked Sharath.
The gold, in the meantime, had stilled and was eyeing the Crimson. She knew she'd spoken too far, too flippantly, and Amelia could feel that disappointment. Part of her had hoped to gain an ally with the compliments she had paid... now the crimson wanted her blood.
You could apologize, you know. Amelia suggested to the dragon, a little hopefully.
Sharath snorted and stood, squaring her shoulders as the Crimson drew up before her, tensed and ready to take a hit. Disgusting? Do you even understand or wish to know what my desires to with power are? You're too sensitive to the facts. You are born mewling and weak - do you deny it? - as for power... The gold's wings tucked tightly against her side and she lowered her head almost deferentially, the pride still mingled with the tone, I am here, am I not? As I stand now, I have little use, yes, no purpose but what I was born to. I cannot fight as you do, I have not the freedom you do, Crimson, but what options I DO have, I will pursue to perfection....
The gold trailed off as the Crimson continued, her eyes swirling from a blue-orange into a brilliant red as the larger female righted herself and roared deafeningly, surging forward to bring her weight to bear on the Crimson in an effort to pin her. Forelegs pressed against chest and neck, teeth braced against Kibeth's neck without puncturing the skin, and a low, deadly growl issuing constantly from the gold. You are free to argue and insult me, Kibeth, but you are NOT allowed to threaten Mine. Do. You. Understand? I will tear you down before I allow that to happen. I see no enemy in you, it would do you best not to make one of me. The tone was cold, harsh, and carried with it the weight of someone who could and would follow through.
While Sharath continued to pin Kibeth to the ground, waiting for the Crimson to answer, Amelia was running again, shout at Sharath as the dragons played a game of dominance over top of a rider. "You two morons stop it! And Sharath if you draw blood so help me!!" She was wading up to the two, determined to separate them and rescue the rider if she needed it.
She had really hoped this would be a fresh start... they had needed it.
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