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Post by Dragon on May 6, 2006 22:35:54 GMT -5
"I guess it really wouldn't matter", he replied to her. He opened his the one visible eye and looked at her. His hands still behind his head as he looked at her.
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Post by Akki on May 6, 2006 22:37:59 GMT -5
She was comfortable with that answer, she would despise him if he said that they were weak or ignorant, but he didn't. He didn't even imply it. "Why?". It seemed like a reasonable question. To her at least, but her curiousity had once again taken control of her mouth.
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Post by Dragon on May 6, 2006 22:41:23 GMT -5
"It just wouldn't bother me", he said to her. Why would he care, atleast if his dragon were mute he would be a little quieter anyway but if he wasn't oh well.
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Post by Akki on May 6, 2006 22:44:56 GMT -5
Not exactly the longest answer she had ever heard but that was okay. "Can I ask you something? If you say yes and you don't like my question, you can't attack me. That's the thing." She said, turning her head in his direction so he could hear her clearly.
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Post by Dragon on May 6, 2006 23:10:46 GMT -5
"I guess. Go ahead", he answered her. He felt he might regret that but what the heck, curiousity didn't evade even him.
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Post by Akki on May 6, 2006 23:14:36 GMT -5
"What's with the knife? You always carry it around. I mean other people have them but they don't always have them, so is there something special about yours?" She asked, preparing herself for a sarcastic verbal blow or another type of blow, physical or verbal.
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Post by Dragon on May 6, 2006 23:21:48 GMT -5
"Yes it is special. My brother gave it to me. The only one I could stand. He is now a bluerider and I haven't seen him for awhile now", he said simply not knowing what else to say.
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Post by Akki on May 6, 2006 23:25:12 GMT -5
She turned and laid on her stomach and propped herself up with her elbows and asked, "What was he like? I have a brother also, and like you I haven't seen him for a while. He's a brownrider however, not a blue.".
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Post by Spirithawk on May 7, 2006 8:40:09 GMT -5
A large shadow passed across the shore of the lake where Dicer and Akki were talking. The shape of a large dragon loomed over the water as the creature dipped in flight to skim enormous wings across the water. The dragon was about the size of a bronze, but the hide was the color of rich dark chocolate. His wings were about twice the length of his body. The rider on his back was easily dwarfed by the dragon's leg.
Mneith executed a corkscrew turn in the air, the rider on his back holding tight to the riding straps, unafraid. The sole female brownrider of the weyr was used to her dragon's antics. She always wore her safety straps and had had the occasion to use them several times when the brown had spiraled or flipped without warning her. She had laughed at his explanation that he might have to do that during Threadfall but that had been years ago.
Rhianna no longer laughed at the notion that she would have to be prepared for anything during Threadfall. She took her dragon's words seriously now. They would know. Dragons sensed the approach of their ancient enemy. Why else would they be working twice as hard to prepare for Threadfall? And were not the Queens rising often and producing larger clutches than they had during the Interval? The Red Star continued to loom ever nearer to the point where it would be bracketed within the Star Stones. Rhia could not ignore those signs as other riders and holders did. She was too much a dragonrider to believe that the riders and their magnificent beasts were simply parasites on Pern.
Rider and dragon flew in perfect harmony, the harmony and grace of long practice. Rhia wore no riding boots and she dropped her helmet and a bag of clothes on the rock-strewn beach of the lake as her dragon passed over it. She wore a light tunic and breeches that she didn't mind getting wet. In her bag she had sweet sand to bathe her dragon. Rhia let go of her straps as Mneith began a lazy spiral that would take him higher into the air.
The large brown was in fine condition. His hide bore no blemishes or signs of neglect during Weyrlinghood. Rhia had always been careful to oil and bathe her dragon properly to avoid the breaks in the hide that would mean death or injury to a dragon between. She would not jeopardize her dragon's health for anything on Pern. The great beast dove, gathering speed until he looked like he was going to plunge into the water at a dizzying speed.
At the last possible moment, the brown leveled out, bringing his tail and wing tips across the water to make a beautiful spray of water in his wake before he rose again. The pair continued their antics for a few more minutes, not realizing that anyone was on the lakeshore. Finally Rhia gave her dragon the signal to hover over the shore. She slid the straps off of her dragon with a maneuver often practiced. She held on to the brown's neck ridges as he shaked the straps to the ground. Rhia also threw her safety belt to the ground.
The brown flew back over the lake and rose. Rhia held on to the neck ridges and clamped her knees hard to her dragon's side. Mneith flipped in midair and Rhia let herself fall. She dove, her slender, well-muscled body an arrow angling towards the deep part of the lake. Before she could hit the water she was caught in the strong forearms of her dragon. She climbed onto the dragon's broad back. Mneith rose again, but did not go as high as he had before. Once again, his rider dove from his back. Mneith followed. He spiraled around his rider as she arrowed down into the water. The brown hit the water with a splash that sent large waves crashing towards either shore of the lake.
A few moments later, Rhia broke the surface to breathe. She laughed as a broad back rose up under her. Mneith began swimming strongly towards the shore of the lake where his rider had dropped their belongings. It was then that Rhia noticed Ebbeth and his rider. She didn't recognize the person that Akki was speaking to.
~Send my greetings and inquire after Ebbeth's health Mneith-love.~ The brown rumbled deep in his chest. My rider sends her greetings to you and your bonded clutch-brother. She also wishes to know if you are well.
Mneith felt his rider slip from his back as they reached shallower water. The lean rider swam to the shore and left the water. "Hello Akki. It is good to see you again." Her rich soprano voice held a not of genuine gladness. She turned to the stranger. "Wingsecond Rhia, rider of brown Mneith." She said with a bow of her head. "I can't say that I know who you are though. I apologize if I interrupted your conversation."
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Post by Dragon on May 7, 2006 9:52:25 GMT -5
"Yes I have heard of you. Wingsecond Rhia, weyrmate to Wingleader G'han. I have heard of you both. My name is Dicer and as far as interrupting my conversation, it is over so it matters not", he said to her. Funny how when he finally started opening up to someone someone else interrupted him. He stood up, dusted himself off and headed back to the weyrbowl, agitated that a decent conversation was interrupted or was it something more than that? He questioned why he started opening up to that bluerider as he walked back to his barracks. He was in no mood to have bit the girl's head off either, he seemed to be in an odd mood today. What is with me today?
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Post by Akki on May 7, 2006 12:16:11 GMT -5
When am I not well Mneith? We send you and your rider greetings too, that is off your done showing off Ebbeth returned, smiling dragonicly as he dipped himself above and below the sparkling blue surface.
Akki watched as Mneith and Rhia dipped and dive as one, admiring their skills. One day Ebbeth and I will fly like that ,she promised to herself, eventually. As Rhia greeted Akki warmly and then did the same to Dicer, she watched them slightly expecting Dicer to leave, which he did. "Hello Rhia, lovely day isn't it? Silent, peaceful and everything else, don't get to many of these around here that's for sure." She said as she greeted Rhia with a warm smile.
She turned her head and watched Dicer leave before saying to Rhia, "He's an odd one. One day he'll bite my head off, another day he won't. I swear one day I'm going to wake up with my throat slashed if I get too curious about him.".
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Post by Spirithawk on May 7, 2006 13:40:02 GMT -5
Rhia watched Dicer walk away, a bit puzzled. "Did he eat some rotten redfruit or something?" She asked, turning away from the retreating Candidate to receive her bluerider friend's greeting.
We were not showing off intentionally. Mneith's voice was amused. You know you and Akki could be better than us if you wanted to be. We practice a lot. Mneith relayed Ebbeth's words to his rider and Rhia smiled.
"I am glad to see that you and Akki are well Ebbeth. It is a lovely day. I decided to take advantage of the fine weather and the fact that I have a break from my duties today to wash Mneith. He needs it. His hide smells a bit mustier than usual." Rhia smiled. Both riders knew that dragons had their own unique smells and if left too long, that smell intensified.
"If the boy is that bad why not tell Christae or Sh'iron. They could deal with them. We have too many troublemakers here. Especially with her High-and-mighty goldrider Miya. Malenie seems to have completely mellowed out though and that is a blessing. We lose one and gain another." She shrugged. "Oh well. I guess we would be fools for hoping that we would remain without troublemakers. Maybe Miya will get transfered or actually grow up or perhaps Dicer will be transfered."
Rhia grinned to show that she was joking and pushed some damp hair away from her face. "The water feels good. It's cool but not too cold and the warm air feels good as well." Mneith waded over. Are you going to talk all day or are you going to bathe me?
"Mneith is demanding that I bathe him. I can talk and wash at the same time and if you want, I have extra soapsand for Ebbeth. I can help you out after I am done with this big lug. Though by the time I am finished you would probably be done. Ebbeth is big, but Mneith is huge."
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Post by Akki on May 7, 2006 18:20:32 GMT -5
"He's always like that Rhia, trust me. Besides he hasn't bitten my head off completely yet so there's no need to bother Christae or Sh'iron. If I have major problems with him than I will, but for now I'm content." Akki said with a shrug and a look on her face that said 'What can you do?'.
Only after a long time of practice. However she said we would get more flying done, she's envious of the others and their flying skills and she wants to become at least an average rider Ebbeth informed Mneith, happy that his mine said that.
"I just bathed Ebbeth a bit ago so he doesn't smell any worse than usual." Akki grinned as Ebbeth said to everyone, Unlike you Mneith, I care about my smell and looks. Besides, Mneith isn't that much bigger than me As he said the last part he tried to puff himself up and stretch his neck to appear bigger.
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Post by Dragon on May 8, 2006 17:53:19 GMT -5
Instead of going to his barracks Dicer headed to the lower caverns. He was feeling a bit thirsty so what better than to get a cup of hot klah. He got his klah and sat down. No one was around besides the drudges in and out, so it was relatively quiet. It wouldn't last long he was sure but even a moment of peace was enough for him. He leaned back in his chair and drooped his arm over the back of the chair. He took a sip of the hot liquid and set it infront of him and allowed himself to savor the flavor for a bit before swallowing.
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Post by Spirithawk on May 9, 2006 7:39:34 GMT -5
Rhia shrugged. "It was just an idea. At any rate, he won't last long if he continues to be such a son of Bitra to everyone. He won't be able to work with anyone and he will have to when we start preparing in earnest for Threadfall. No one will want to work with him or they will start fights and Christae will kick him out."
Rhiamine and I practice a great deal. She loves to fly as much as I do. She took the twin little ones on my back a few times. They make funny noises. Ask your mine if she would like to come flying with us some day.
"I try to keep him clean but it is kind of hard when you have twins and Wingsecond duties. Not that I am complaining, but..." The brownrider shrugged. "I take whatever chance I can to fly and that helps to keep him from smelling too bad. He is a lot of dragon to wash and oil."
I do care about how I look and smell, but I am not as vain as a green. I am simply busy. I keep myself clean. Mneith snorted at Ebbeth's comment about his size. You are a blue my brother and I am a brown. I am as big as some of our bronzen brethren. You jest when you say that I am not much bigger than you.
Rhia burst out laughing. "I think our dragons all have strange complexes or something. They all think they are huge, sweet-smelling, winged humans or something." Mneith stretched himself to his full height. He was easily almost twice the size of a green.
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Post by Akki on May 9, 2006 16:05:28 GMT -5
"K'dan will. Well, he has too right now anyways for the fight between them. That was their punishment, but afterwards, well, it should be interesting." Akki said grinning at the thought of K'dan and Dicer being forced to work together.
Funny noises? Are you sure that's not as you struggle to fly? Ebbeth asked before informing Akki, Mine, Mneith invited us to go flying with him one day, shall I accept? Akki thought for a moment and then replied, Up to you. We will if your up to it.. He turned to Mneith and happily reported, Thank you for the invitation, we accept.
"Rhia, you're not the only one here! If you ever need help just tell me, after all you have tons to do espeacially with the twins. You will get help, whether you want it or not." Akki said. It didn't seem fair that Rhia should have all this to do, and she would gladly help her friend if she needed it.
You may be bigger than me Mneith, but I can do things better than you. Ebbeth said as he once more tried to puff himself up as he stretched his neck to it's full extent. At least I think I can
She looked over at Ebbeth, who was an odd sight as he extended his neck and struggled to seem bigger, and replied, "I think someone needs to tell them that they aren't.".
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Post by Spirithawk on May 12, 2006 8:28:18 GMT -5
"Ouch. I feel sorry for young K'dan." The young rider grinned. "At least G'han taught the lad how to throw a punch. If they fight again he might be able to get out without a black eye." She shrugged.
I will not lower myself by replying to that insult brother drearest. Mneith stuck his wedge-shaped head up in the air, very much like a haughty human. Rhia laughed. "See, they think they are oversized humans." We would be glad to have you.
"Its not that I have too many duties." She shrugged. "I couldn't ask anyone else to take my duties. I was the one who decided to keep the twins instead of fostering them off. They aren't bad children and they love flying so when they are fussy I just put them in a sling and take them abord Mneith. As to my other duties, I can't exactly give them to anyone else. I am a Wingsecond. I thank you for the offer though Akki, I really appreciate it."
We will see if that is true when we compete for Weyr Games my friend. Mneith said in reply to Ebbeth's boast. "You dragons are hopeless. You are not humans and you are all different sizes. You need to learn how to be a dragon." She laughed. "Sorry Akki, Ebbeth looks funny trying to make himself look taller."
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Post by Akki on May 12, 2006 15:53:35 GMT -5
I forgot about the Weyr games Ebbeth replied sheepishly before saying to his mine, Akkimine, we will need to fly lots before that. I want to beat Mneith!
Akki rolled her eyes at Ebbeth, silently promised to fly but said nothing about beating Mneith, she didn't think Ebbeth could do that. She nodded and then replied to Rhia, "I suppose that makes sense, but remember if you ever need anything I'll be sitting around gathering dust.".
She looked at Ebbeth and snorted, "He does look funny. Ebbeth if you are trying to look majestic, you're failing. You just look odd.". Ebbeth huffed and stopped trying to look bigger than he was.
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Post by Spirithawk on May 15, 2006 16:08:28 GMT -5
How could you forget about Weyr games? We have been practicing drills every day for them since the Weyrleader's meeting.
"Actually, Christae sends me on a lot of messenger errands. Sometimes I coud use some help with those that don't need a Wingleader or Wingsecond to do them. Maybe I will take you up on your offer one day." She smiled.
Rhia chuckled when Ebbeth's ego was deflated. "It's ok Ebbeth. We still love you and you are a dragon. You are bigger than everything but your fellow dragons. You are still a fine looking blue." She winked at Akki.
Bath? Mneith's voice was plaintive. Rhai shook her head in amusement and went to her pack. She grabbed her hide brushes and her sweetsand. She attacked the brown's hide with zeal.
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Post by Akki on May 15, 2006 16:16:14 GMT -5
Maybe I am so good I don't even notice we are doing them Ebbeth told Mneith before mumbling Or I just forgot because I have a bad memory
"I'll gladly do them. Besides, it's boring around here sometimes, I need things to do other than being the silly fool that I am." Akki replied as she watched Rhia attack the hide before saying, "Need some help?".
Ebbeth perked up and gloated See Mneith, she said I am a fine looking blue and that she loves me. More than you
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