[PRP] Messages (Yulaniath x Balizarth)

[SilverLutz]

Twin hearts pounded as strong wings carried the small green through the air gracefully, adrenaline pumping through Yulaniath's veins as she looked this way and that, searching for her quarry. In her sharp talons she carried a very important piece of mail for one of the riders of the Burning Aces wing - one of the bronze riders. Yulan had been called upon to relay an update on the wing's injured and grounded riders and dragons to Balizarth and his rider, U'zan. While the bronzerider wasn't one of the wingseconds, the letter had been entrusted to his care as those in charge were busy.

Shar had just been about to step into a lesson and Yulaniath was going to wait for her outside as always, but when the opportunity came for the young green to do something rather than wait around, both rider and dragon were quick to accept the task. Shar trusted Yulan to follow through with her assignment and it would be a good exercise in being apart and making decisions independently. Their bond was still there and they could speak to one another at any moment, but with Shar focusing on her class and with Yulan's attention on her mission, their connection was little more than a buzz in their minds and the sensation of not being completely apart.

Yulan finally spotted her target and her hearts beat just a bit faster as she circled a few times, picking out a landing spot before descending. Balizarth was an easy bronze to find thanks to his rather striking coloration and his size. The way the sun caught the bright markings along his side had alerted Yulan to his location among those on the ground. Tucking her wings in to dive, she flared them to land gently and neatly near Balizarth's side. While still getting to know most of the other dragons outside of her clutch, Balizarth was one she could pick out and put a name to the face. Not only was he massive, he was the poster child for what every dragon should be. Strong, loyal, unshakable, focused, duty-bound... it made Yulan's wings tremble just at the thought of being in the presence of such a powerful dragon. She tucked them tightly to her body to hide the little shake as she bobbed her head in greeting to the elder dragon.

"Good morning, bronze Balizarth. I am Yulaniath of Senior Weyrling Shar and I was asked to bring you and your rider a letter detailing some injury counts for Burning Aces as your wingleaders and wingseconds are unavailable." She lifted her front leg, holding the small leather satchel that contained the letter (asking dragons to fly around with small bits of paper was a bit silly after all) up for Balizarth to take. She was thankful her paw at least wasn't trembling as well and that her voice had only wavered a bit at the beginning of her greeting. She wanted to make a good impression on her first solo mission and she was sure Balizarth would have something to say if she was anything but professional.  

[ShinosBee]

Duty was all there was—if you asked Balizarth. He had been shelled knowing his place, and bound to his purpose as tightly as he had moments later been to his rider. What affections he had to spare within him were given to said rider, or to his great golden sister when she allowed them. He had little curiosity towards such things as clutch-rearing, and the growing of weyrlings, at least not beyond a vague and distant awareness of seeing that none of them would grow to become problems for the Weyr, or bring shame upon the riders of High Reaches. They were simply more soldiers in training in the fight against the Enemy, nothing special...at least not yet.

The batch that'd come of Rhianth and Fianth was swiftly growing larger, soon enough to join their efforts in the sky. They had had the great fortune to be born not only in High Reaches, but mere turns into a pass—when the world had come to terms with its outlook, and what would be asked of its people in the coming turns, and the right sorts of leaders had had the time to rise to the top. Of course, not everything could be perfect. The display at those poor children's hatching had been unacceptable. He, along with many of the native bronzes, had been more than happy to see the back of their 'guests', and he's quite enjoyed the peace of his home in the months since. Less meddling from outsiders, and less wayward, lackadaisical thoughts about the way things ought to be run to seep in and poison minds that were too naive to realize they were being corrupted.

And thankfully, it seemed, the lack of such interference had helped to make up for the circumstances of their hatching; the half-grown green that had dived down to land beside him seemed to know her job, and to have made no waste about it. She was respectful, tucking her wings tight to not take up more space than was needed, and politely respectful in her greeting, suitable for one who outranked her, but not so formal as would better fit a wingleader or their great golden queen. The bronze, easily four times her length at this age, slowly turned an eye to regard her, plain deep greens of mild appeasement rolling through his eye and nearly matching the shade of her hide.

Green Weyrling Yulaniath, he rumbled after a moment. From atop him descended his rider, still blithely talking to another rider of their own wing, voice rising to a near shout as he crossed over to quickly pluck the message from the green's satchel. The Bronze's eyes tracked him as he moved back to his side, scaled his arm with the ease of much practice, and swung back into his straps... and then drifted back to the tiny green. A job well done. We had expected this, and you have been timely. For just a moment a flicker of blue slid through his eyes, a brighter flash of approval, a deep, barely-audible rumble shaking out from his chest. I have expressed my approval to the Weyrlingmaster.

SilverLutz

 

[SilverLutz]

Yulaniath held still and silent as she was regarded by the much larger dragon, doing her very best to appear professional despite the mix of thrill and terror running through her. Her eyes remained a placid green, though, as she kept her emotions tightly to her chest. Now wasn't the time to let a bronze that had never formally met her before know she was nervous about her first solo mission. Shar was always just a thought away, but her rider was focused on her studies and Yulan desperately wanted to prove she could do this. Should Shar fall unconscious during a fight it would be up to Yulan to ensure they got safely back on the ground, after all. It was important to be able to work independently of one another.

She stood at attention as the bronzerider approached her, not even glancing her way as he plucked the letter from her satchel. Yulan didn't mind at all - he had better things to do than greet her, she was sure - and lowered her paw once the bag was empty. Still standing at attention, both to be polite and to keep herself from shaking, Yulan nearly had a double heart attack when Balizarth spoke to her again. It certainly wasn't needed but the praise and the confirmation that her superior had been informed of her performance was greatly appreciated. She had to stop herself from giving a laugh of delight. Instead, she stood a little taller, arching her neck and lifting her gaze to meet Balizarth's green-blue eyes with her own bright blue.

Thank you, she said, her words tinged with just a bit of a tremble of the contained happiness. Although her posture spoke of a dutiful soldier, her voice and eyes belayed the joy within. I've seen you drill, she added before she could stop herself, her words tumbling out uninhibited. I've been searching for someone to emulate now that I can fly with my rider and your strength and sense of duty are truly awe-inspiring. I know I'm just a green but... but I hope you don't mind if I strive to be like you, Balizarth.

She finally finished her little speech, embarrassment flooding her mind and even her eyes, the blue swirled with just a bit of yellow. It wasn't every day you got to speak to your much higher ranking - in terms of color at least - idol, nor was it every day he said your name and praised you for a job well done. She hoped he didn't think her annoying or silly to try to live up to the ideals of a bronze, but Yulan truly did wish to be like him. Confident, powerful, putting his life on the line for the Weyr and all those within it, aware of the risks of Threadfall but willing to rise against it every time with the same passion and drive as if this time would see an end to the silver rain, willing to give his life if it meant no one else would suffer...

All right. She might have been putting her own ideals on his shoulders, but still! He was definitely those first three.

ShinosBee

 

[ShinosBee]

Oh how the simple words of praise from a bronze affected this little green... it would have amused Balizarth if it hadn't been something he considered trivial, natural and innate to dragonkind, and thus it fell beneath his conscious notice. Of course a green would glow and preen at the recognition of a brown or bronze or gold—that was part of what drove all creatures when they behaved as their nature dictated. He would probably feel similarly if his sister had graced him with a word of approval as well, though with less outward reaction. Still, she was young yet, and those more blatant shows of joy in her voice and her eyes were suitable for the young... and for greens and blues as well, flighty, emotional things as he considered them. It was charming, after a fashion, if he had to consider it at all.

He huffed at her declaration, a half-laugh—to even begin to think that a green could hope to match a bronze's might and skill was laughable—and half considering grunt. But... he could not blame her. And he even approved. A dream such as that, impossible as it might be, was still worth striving for. It was good to see that the youth of the Weyr were coming up right, with the right ideals in mind, the right goals and idols. Perhaps, some small, proud, possibly bored part of himself advised, he might accept this show of respect. Might even encourage it. She had been a good, dutiful green with her little errand, and seemed less flighty than some of her ilk. Perhaps, with time, she would make a fine fighter, and do the Weyr proud. She seemed to want to be able to do so...

Very well. His voice came rumbling, rolling like thunder. For just a moment a flicker of orange licked at the edges of his eyes, melting into a sheen of deep purple a breath later, swirling through the green and blue. Duty is all there is, Yulaniath. You have wisdom beyond your months to see that already. His tone was almost scolding, but whatever ire he held seemed directed elsewhere. Perhaps, probably even with those dragons about the Weyr he deemed irresponsible in the regard of their mission, or as cowards, or weaklings. From his back U'zan seemed to all but ignore the talk between the dragons, busily pouring over the notes they'd been sent and only glancing up as the bronze shifted where he stood, to flare and stretch his massive wings, not wanting to stiffen up from standing still so long.

More than love, more than fear, it can give you strength. If you must do, you will. Even a green has a job to do, a role to play, a purpose to give her strength... Keep up the good work. Praise felt foreign on his mind's lips, but in the moment... well. It did not feel wrong.

SilverLutz

 

[SilverLutz]

Yulan waited with baited breath as the massive bronze considered her statement. She knew it was silly for a green to aspire to be like a bronze, but certainly she could at least try to emulate his work ethic and loyalty to High Reaches to the best of her ability. His half grunt half laugh had her slightly anxious after her confession, but when the positive words followed she breathed another sigh of relief. Her small head bobbed quickly as Balizarth spoke of duty, her hearts beating faster as he confirmed her own thoughts... slightly. There was more than duty, but it was first on her list (only after Shar of course).

Yes sir, Yulan said, standing at attention as she would for the Candidatemaster during their lessons. His praise made her hide tingle with delight and she wanted nothing more than to go flying right up to the sky to fight Thread that wasn't there. Balizarth's praise and little inspirational speech lit a flame within her that only battle could quench. Probably.

I will give everything I have for High Reaches, as will my rider. Thank you, Balizarth, she added, her tone shifting from focused and intent to tinged with shyness. I hope we are assigned to your wing once we've graduated so I can continue to learn from you. Any lesson a bronze has to teach I will willingly take, And if it meant she got to be around the handsome bronze more, well. That was just a perk.

Not wanting to overstay her welcome, though, Yulan shifted to back up, ready to take to the skies once more.

ShinosBee

 

[ShinosBee]

The bronze listened as Yulan spoke—not intently, of course, as she was only a stripling green—but enough to hear her and understand what she was saying. He aplroved of her manners, her soldier-like disposition. Most greens were threadfodder at best; emotional and faint of thought, never quite understanding how seriously they ought to be taking things. It seemed at least one of the lot his niece had produced had a head on her shoulders though. Enough to want to improve herself, to want to emulate her betters.

If you continue to serve with as much focus and understanding as to what is expected of you, with duty, any wing will be pleased to tap you into their ranks. We need fast, strong greens who can think of their wing’s needs and strive to fill them. Perhaps, if you are exemplary in your training, we might— The bronze paused, eyes whirling as he listened to some other, distant, more important call.

Then without pause he flared his broad wings, each alone large enough to encompass the little green’s entire wingspan. One unfurled almost dorectly over her head, briefly blocking out the sun as the huge dragon shifted back onto his haunches, a moment from surging upwards. His long neck twisted round to let him regard her one final time, eyes flicking greens and blues. Again to your duties, weyrling Yulaniath. And we will watch your progress. Then with a mighty effort he threw himself into the sky, his wings pumping and sending gusts of air buffeting the smaller dragon as he gained altitude and then arced away towards whatever purpose had summoned him.

SilverLutz