[Fairytale Clutch Lesson 1] Fallout

[lithle]

The hatching was over. The eggs had hatched. The dragons had impressed. And everything was change. L'vey was still dealing with the shock of it all. Gray dragons. Yellow dragons. Pink dragons. And that shimmery one. It was, well, it was what it was.

It was an opportunity! Prisoners had impressed. It'd been proven possible. And now they had a chance at a new life. A real life. A good life. Their dragons would see to that. Everything was going to turn around.

After the hatching had ended, the new weyrlings had been ushered to the stone barracks. All of them, not just those who had committed crimes.

No, the Warden had spoken to L'vey as soon as the last dragon had impressed. They were going to have to do things a bit differently. A few candlemarks had passed since then, enough for the dragons and their chosen to get settled. Drudges had been sent to get their things and bring them food. They had not been allowed out. No, not even those who were innocent of any known crime.

Now, L'vey approached the door. He was not, however, alone. There were eleven men and women with guard's knots with him. It had been difficult to find so many on short notice, but the offer of an 'easy' chore had been tempting to many.

He didn't bring them in, not just yet. He entered the barracks by the smaller of the two doors. It was really little more than a huge stone room with cots and dragon couches. Each Weyrling had been provided a chest for their things. Perhaps, until the dragons got to big, they could create some sort of 'living area'. A meeting space. For now, there was only a collection of mismatched chairs that L'vey had requested brought in. It would serve for the moment.

Scanning the faces of his new students, he smiled, just a little. This was a happy day. Sort of. Well, they'd figure it out. Leshta had promised a dragonhealer had been sent for. A master, hopefully. Someone who could explain what had happened.

"Hello, everyone," he said, speaking in his usual quiet voice. "If you could gather over here, we have a few things we need to discuss. I'm afraid, given the nature of events, we can't allow the usual day of getting settled."

He waited for them by the odd collection of chairs, patient, still, watching.

[Velcro]

Romethia was still in awe of the snoozing Knighth. Once she had reassured him that she wouldn't leave the room, he had agreeably fallen asleep. She had been able to tell he was fighting it, but he was doing very good job of keeping her safe - at least from the other hatchlings. She smiled tenderly, and she was aware that some of the other candidates might mock her for showing her feelings, but she knew that she was who she was. She wasn't going to change for them, just like her Knighth was her dragon, and that wasn't going to change either.

She was pulled out of her thoughts by the sound of L'vey's voice. She obediently trotted over, standing close enough to easily hear him. What he said made her worry. The events of the day, that obviously meant the unusual colored dragons. Ro wondered why they couldn't afford the new Weyrlings a day to get settled, which was she had been told was normal. The dragonets were tired, surely they wouldn't be starting lessons right away?

Romethia was worried. What if the Warden ordered the mutation colors' wing's clipped, of something like that? It wouldn't be fair! She hadn't done anything wrong since she'd been in here! It wouldn't be fair! Her state of mind woke Knighth, and the larger pink dragon was soon trotting over at a quick pace. He nuzzled Romethia affectionately, and asked her, Romine, what is wrong? You are very upset. I will defend you, never fear, love.[/color] Romethia knelt next to Knighth, looping an arm over his shoulder in a half hug. She looked at L'vey, needing to know. "Sir, are they going to do anything to our dragons?" She paused, then added on, "I mean, the odd colored ones."

[Spiffy]

Having another being watching his every thought was an entirely ew experience for Jareth -- No, J'thir now. Shardit he was gonna have to get used to that, or people may think he was the dragon. For the better part of his life he'd been hiding his thoughts and feelings from the world, it was safer that way, for people to not know what you were thinking, for them to think what you wanted them to think and to feel, to show the world only lies. And now a dragon, his dragon, Golith, had access to those inner workings like no other had before. He could sense what Jareth was feeling almost before he realised he was feeling it himself, and had been quick to bring a few home truths to his rider, in no uncertain terms.

He shut the lid of his trunk, having stowed his meagre belongings in it, and eyes the lock - or lack thereof - suspiciously. He'd have to fix that at some point. Not that he'd had one as a prisoner, but then he'd not really had anything worth stealing; the only object he wanted was wrapped around his wrist. Golith had examined the beaded leather earlier, apparently deciding he didn't want it, not shiny enough. J'thir wouldn;t put it past the dragonet to try stealing something that he did find shiny enough, though, and he knew for a fact that if he ever did get any worthwhile belongings there was at least one other Weyrling in the barracks who may well do the same. He looked at Tiael, then quickly away again. Thief. Golith had told him himself, though the thought had occurred to him. But what did he care, he done his fair share of petty theft before, he'd just not been caught.

This little dragonet was sleeping. It had taken him a good while, he seemed reluctant to close his eyes, but eventually one, then two, and then the final eyelids had shut, and Golith to sleep. J'thir sat quietly on the other end of the bed and watched his dragonet for a minute, but then his attention was distracted by the opening of a door and the arrival of L'vey, the Weyrlingmaster, so he'd been told as they were ushered to the new stone barracks. How mush of a 'Master' to them he would be remained to be seen. Somehow J'thir though he may have more of a problem that he'd bargained for with this lot of Weyrlings.

He was amused at L'vey's request. Oh, so they needed to move? What was wrong with the bunks, they could hear him perfectly well from where they were: the place wasn't exactly roomy. He wondered just exactly what the normal order of things was, if L'vey claimed this to not be it. But he wanted to hear what the man had to say, even if only for the first time. Maybe he'd ignore him later. But if he thought he was going to do something to the 'odd' colours, he better have a bloody good guard to back him up. A good half of the new Weyrlings present would have no qualms about making him think again, J'thir included. And they'd better not mention Golith's size, or they'd have his fist in their face and Golith chewing their ankles. Standing, he made his way over with the others, claiming one of the chairs as his own, even if he only leaned agains the back of it rather than sitting in it. A mere few seconds later he felt a movement, slight, from the chair, and looked down to find Golith sitting in it.

I thought you were asleep?

This might be interesting.Or at least revealing. We should listen to him

My thoughts exactly.

I know.

Shardit, he'd forgotten again.

[Wren]

Sheraz was lying quietly in his bunk with his shining new lifemate, gently stroking her beautiful hide as he told her about his life up ‘til that point. Of course, if she’d wanted to, she could have peered deep into his brain and found out for herself, but she seemed to prefer it if he put in into words for her; made a story out of it. Sadly it was not a happy tale, and she watched his face with wide yellow eyes as he recounted the tragic events. He finished with telling how it had been on the Sands, and how beautiful he had thought her from the moment he had set eyes on her.

But Ridermine, She protested, peering up at him, Everyone wanted me to be a gold, and I'm not a gold.

Sheraz frowned a little, not in anger, but in displeasure that she would think so little of herself. He could feel the uncertainty in her, the reassurances she desperately craved from him. No, but you’re better than one. He told her with absolute certainty. You’re more beautiful and graceful, and besides, if you were a gold, you wouldn’t have me; everyone says golds don’ ever Impress to guys. This last seemed to be a convincing argument, and she buried her head against his chest. Of course, if she had Imrpessed someone else, she wouldn’t know any different, but now it seemed as though the thought of not having Sheraz was unthinkable to the young creature.

At that moment, the pair’s bonding session was interrupted by the entrance of someone Sheraz did not particularly wish to see, L’vey. He tended to associate the greenrider with lessons and work, which was normally alright, but right now, was not particularly welcome. He groaned when he and the other weyrlings were called forward, but he obligingly rolled out of bed and motioned for Iiateth to follow him. As usual, he pushed his way to the front of the throng, making sure that a path was left open for Iiateth; even now she was a little afraid of her siblings and their ridings, and moved in a low, creeping fashion amongst them before catching up with Sheraz and coiling against him for comfort.

Sheraz nodded to a few of the weyrlings he knew from his days as a prisoner-candidate, he even joked with one or two, but mostly he was quiet, hoping that L’vey would be quick about whatever it was he had to say so Sheraz could get back to spending to know Iiateth. He heard Romethia’s comment though, and it made him sit up straight and stare at L’vey. It hadn’t even occurred to him that the ‘oddly-coloured’ dragonets might be treated any differently than their ordinary kin, he’d never been suitably engrossed in dragon lore enough to even be more than surprised by it. Now that it was mentioned though, the thought set his teeth on edge in anger and he put a protective arm around Iiateth.

“They better not.” He stated, half-growling, showing a temper that, in him, was extremely uncharacteristic. He glared at L’vey, watching the man as if he might jump at Iiateth right there and then. Despite his actions though, common sense said that the new colours would not be harmed; if they crippled the hatchlings now, they would have no leverage to prevent the prisoner-weyrlings from misbehaving in the future. Alarmed more by Sheraz’s emotion than an understanding of the conversation, Iiateth squawked and pressed herself more closely against her Bonded.

[nemix]

Sleep can wait.

"You're swaying."

It makes the walls more interesting.

"It also means you're going to fall over soon." Tiael chided the curious Roseth that she'd finally managed to coax into their own sleeping area instead of letting her amble from ares to ares and watching dragons and riders alike. It had taken an almost inhuman amount of talking to get her to leave some alone and once or twice she debated lifting her lifemate up and hauling her across the room; Roseth however merely skittered away any time she considered it though until Tiael gave up and settled for a battle of wits.

Finally, the dragon was on her couch and Tiael had put her things away, noting the cloth thin walls that granted them both 'privacy'. Gosh sleeping was going to be easy....not. She could hear everyone shuffling, the usual milling of people now mixed with the smooth rustling of dragon hide as everyone tried to get settled. Roseth, was avoiding sleep though. Completely. She could feel Roseth preparing another reply, when L'vey's voice cut through the room.

Tiael closed her eyes as Roseth wobbled off the couch and across the room again. "You were almost sleeping." She called after her Green. It was futile though, she was determined to listen, to learn, to be right there with everyone else. A soft sigh escaped her lips as Tiael moved to follow, her leg throbbing lightly and causing her to grit her teeth. Sharding thing. Still, there were things to be learned apparently. Tiael had decided her best bet for the next couple of days was listening, doing as she was told, and scoping out the Weyrling group. So she headed closer, inclining her head slightly to Jareth,..who, wouldn't be Jareth anymore. J'reth? J'th? She'd have to ask him later. Romethis was there also and her concern was written all over her face. What was she worried about? They were Weyrlings now, surely things were better than before?

Drawing close to the group, Tiael sat in a chair near Golith, careful to keep her distance a little from the Grey. There was a weight against her leg, and she watched as Roseth leaned on her while her eyes peered about at the room. Absent-mindedly, Tiael traced the dark green patterning around her headknobs, earning a soft croon.

Romethia's question was interesting, and her hand paused, falling to her lap quietly. What did Warden plan to do? It was clear they were unprepared for so many prisoners to Impress, a thought that filled her with a smug satisfaction. No good were they? Dagons apparently thought differently, thank Faranth. With a peaked interest that was probably shared among the rest of the group, Tiael turned her gaze to L'vey and listened intently.

[ramba]

Reeva was happy she had Impressed, sure. She was happy she had Invidith, as she was such a wonderful dragon. But she couldn't help but worry that some of her fellow candidates - no, weyrlings might hate her, purely on the basis of what Invidith had done at the hatching before she had Impressed. Indeed, Reeva felt sorry for those Invidith was hurt.

Don't be such a softy. They were threats. Now they aren't. Invidith said, her tail flicking lazily as she lay on a stone couch she had claimed immediately as 'hers'. The green dragon had complained about having to share with her siblings. After all, should she not have her own space? She was important was she not?

Reeva had, of course, lurked with Invidith, as far away from any weyrlings as possible. Perhaps it was just the fear of being hated, but Reeva didn't want to talk to anyone. Not yet. The green weyrling pair glanced at each other as L'vey came in. Reeva hoped that the Warden hadn't changed his mind. Hoped that now he had seen so many prisoner candidates Impress, he had decided that the prisoners weren't going to be allowed fully functional dragon after all.

Don't be so silly, Reevamine, no one will hurt me or you. Or I'll claw out their eyes. Invidith said, lazily. Her tone was so relaxed that Reeva felt a little reassured. Then she worried about other things. She would definitely have to find a way to apologise to F'ox and his dragon. Invidith didn't want her to, but she would. Parhaps if she saved up some marks?

Then Reeva's attention focused on L'vey. So what was next?

[twisting]

Settled in their new home Kuriel wiped the last traces of excess oil from Djith’s pale hide. She was quite nicely put together, with clean lines and smooth proportions. She was big though, the healers said she would probably grow to be the largest in this strange clutch. Kuriel would have more scrubbing and oiling to do than some of the others, and her task would take longer. Djith had been content to nap while Kuriel finished prepping her for the evening. As a result, when L’vey called the weyrling’s to him she was rested enough not to fall over herself from fatigue.

Shall we join them Kurimine? The yellow dragonet wasn’t actually asking a question, she started over towards her already gathered clutchmates, content to let her lifemate trail along. Kuriel watched for a moment, considering her options. She had felt the was of anger before, when she’d denied Djith the food she had wanted. The little thing had a temper. But what could one’s own dragon really do to you? She couldn’t kill Kuriel, she would only kill herself. I would never hurt you Kurimine. Her mind voice rich with slightly mocking sweetness. I only want to help you.

Kureil, gritting her teeth finally relented and padded, barefoot, after her dragon. Enough with the mine thing, just call me Kuriel. The idea of being owned by anyone rubbed Kuriell the wrong way, and she had never been one for pet names. The yellow dragonet’s eye flickered orange for a heartbeat, and just as quickly faded back to green. The young woman felt the momentary irritation from her dragon, and knew exactly why it had passed. Now was not the time to pick a fight, the issue would be revisited later. But you are mine, Kuriel. You will always be mine. There was that love thing again. It was a kind of smothering feeling that set Kuriel’s teeth on edge. This was going to take her some getting used to.

Kuriel took a seat between the odd little cowardly pale dragon and the last green to hatch. Iiateth and Roseth Djith quietly supplied their names. Unlike some of the others she was bright and alert. Djith watched the others with a slightly predatory gaze. Measuring, judging and cataloguing they’re potential to her. Even L’vey wasn’t spared her scrutiny.

[S'yal]

Snowth was located on a bed shoved into the corner of the room, hardly noticeable due to it's location. F'ox sat next to her, shoulders hunched and eyes stubbornly focused on the ground to avoid catching the gaze of any weyrlings that might find him interesting enough to look at. The albino didn't move from his bed, rubbing his hands together and trying to avoid being spotted by any of his classmates. They were frightening, bad. Invidith had hurt Snowth- What if their dragons wanted to hurt her too? He wrapped his arms around Snowth's neck, hiding his face against her green hide. I won't let her hurt you again. He promised the dragon softly, earning a croon of appreciation from the Green.

Being not allowed out had nearly inspired a panic attack from F'ox. Even as a prisoner he'd been allowed to get his own food, to go out in the yard, to work. Now he was... even more of a captive then he had been before. It reminded him of the brothel, and just thinking of that made him freeze up. Snowth crooned reassurances to her rider, rubbing her small muzzle along her F'ox's face. It'll be alright, F'oxmine. She whispered into his mind, a soft and reassuring noise that didn't help at all. But she was there, she was alive. She was whole, with the exception of that dreadful injury.

Of their own accord, his eyes found Reeva and the beast she called a dragon. A dragon! It was more of a Wher! A rabid, mean Wher! He hated it, hated it so much that it robbed him of sane thought. It'd hurt Snowth. His beautiful Snowth was scarred, and he didn't even know how long that limp would last. Greens were mean, except Snowth.

However, Snowth had caught sight of something that interested her. She slipped off the bed before F'ox could stop her, her eyes focused on a fellow Green. She moved slowly and quietly, almost shyly as she creeped up to Roseth. She extended her neck so she could touch her muzzle to the other Green. Roseth She greeted in a soft voice. She liked Roseth. F'ox didn't know why.

F'ox's eyes turned to L'vey with an immediate distrust. He was a Greenrider, and he was a man. That meant he was dangerous. "I... I won't let you hurt Snowth!" He snapped suddenly, pulling his knees up to his chest. He felt as if this would somehow ward away punishment, his eyes burning as he focused them on the greenrider. He didn't trust him. The only males he didn't fear were Coreth and Mordanth, and L'vey didn't look like either! "She... she's already been hurt enough! Don't hurt her wings!"

[lithle]

L'vey could almost taste the hostility in the air. It sizzled and pinged and fell from their lips as the new weyrlings made their way over, most with their new dragons in tow. He had thought it might be like this, but he had hoped that it might not. He had hoped that the feeling of a companion, of unconditional love, might soften things a bit.

It would, he was sure. In time.

They would just take it one step at a time. He waited a moment, acknowledging the questions with a glance and a nod, but not speaking until he thought they were done. It was Farrox (he knew, by now, all their names if not their chosen honorifics) who he answered first.

"That's commendable. Snowth will be relying on you for protection," he said. "I don't want her to come to any harm and neither does the Warden."

Nor did Leshta and T'di, but only so many authority figures could be named at one time.

"But we are concerned," he added, turning his attention to Romethia. "And it is, in part, because of the unusual hatchlings. We're calling in a dragonhealer, to look over all of Semith's children. We want to be sure they're healthy."

He rubbed the bridge of his nose, a tired gesture. Hope was not the same thing as optimism, and his awareness of the challenges that faced him, faced all of them, already had him exhausted. He felt like he was already suffering from the sleepless nights to come.

Then, quite suddenly, he sat. Not in one of the chairs, but on the ground, his legs crossed. It put him in a position of looking up at many of them, more on level with the dragons then the riders.

"Allow me to be frank. Out of the clutches eleven surviving dragons, six are of colors never before recorded. We don't know how big they'll get, we don't know if either of the females might clutch. Can they between? Will they be able to flame? Are they healthy? It's all questions."

He was still speaking softly, quite earnest, and very, very tired. "In addition, we have a class of weyrlings all but three of which are criminals sent here to be detained until released by the Dragon Guard. The Guardmaster will not be pleased to discover my-- suggestion worked as well as it did."

"Among you are not only thieves and dust dealers but dust users, a habit which, it should be noted, will kill an infant dragon. Adults can handle it until--" Sorrow was in his eyes, and he swallowed. "Well, until the withdrawals hit. The rider's pain and confusion drives them between. We learned this recently."

"In short, I am afraid the only people you can be sure are entirely on your side are myself, the Warden, and the parents of the clutch. There are some who are calling the dragons abominations. Already. There are some who are calling you a threat. You are not safe."

He looked at them, all of them, one ad at a time. "In time, I'm sure that will change. And once your dragons are larger, we will be less concerned."

A glance at the door, the guards he'd recruited would be waiting on the other side. "Until that time, you will each be assigned a guard, regardless of former status. They will accompany you during the daylight hours. They aren't to get in your way, only to keep you safe and see that no laws are broken. You will also all share this barracks." A glance at Gwynell, then. It'd been she that'd suggested it before, hadn't it?

[Wren]

Sheraz winced a bit at the mention of a medical examination; in his opinion, he would have noticed if there was anything wrong with Iiateth physically, and a quick glance around the room assured him that yes, apart from her colour (and really, what did that matter?) she was no different to any of the other hatchlings present. Perhaps she was a little slenderer than some, but she wasn’t exactly skinny, and besides, it seemed to Sheraz that this made her just more beautiful. He appreciated that those in charge would want to make sure the hatchlings were healthy, but in his present frame of mind, he couldn’t help but think that they’d be overly critical, considering Iiateth’s hide.

He blinked when L’vey simply plopped down onto ground; he found it difficult to feel at angry at anything in so vulnerable a position, and slowly his high emotion faded away. He frowned when the greenrider reported what others were saying, though his displeasure was aimed more at these hypothetical naysayers than at L’vey himself.

Iiateth, meanwhile, shuffled awkwardly and rubbed against Sheraz’s leg, with anxiously swirling eyes, she said, I can do all those things, Ridermine, I can be a proper dragon, I promise.

Sheraz glanced down and petted her, then, picking her up (an even more cumbersome feat now that she’d had her first meal), and lugged her to the nearest seat, which he flopped down on upon with the hatchling sprawled across his lap. I know, girl He assured her gently.

The mention of the guards did little to improve his mood. He’d though that Impressing a dragon would mean he would have more freedom, not make him even more subject to being followed around. He could take care of himself and Iiateth, he was sure of it, and the last thing he wanted was for someone to spend all day spying on him. He put that thought to one side, for the moment, and instead, speaking to L’vey, said, “But you didn’t answer the question. If the healers find that there’s nothin’ wrong wi’ the odd-coloured ones, will they be left alone, or will someone try to hurt them?” He garnered from what the weyrlingmaster had already said that the answer was no, but he wanted to make absolutely certain, and also make it clear to the man that, if this was the intended plan, Sheraz would find a way to stop it.

[Spiffy]

J'thir watched the others wander up with disinterest, face not moving from the scowl it had adopted at the earlier mention of hurting the oddly coloured dragons. He wasn't the only one displeased with the idea, the faces or every other weyrling present showed some mixture of anger or concern, some even voicing their protests. What would they do to us? Golith asked quietly, mindvoice reflecting the anger and worry of the surrounding humans. Nothing, J'thir assured him, they wouldn't dare, and I'd not let them if they tried.

His scowl deepened as L'vey mentioned the dragonhealer. "I don't need a dragonhealer twat to tell me that my dragon's healthy. We can all see that," he all but growled. I'm fine, the dragonet supplied, snorting derisively at the notion for all to hear. "He can tell me that himself," he added.

He was surprised when L'vey sat down, on the floor of all places. Though looking down on someone who was supposed to be his 'superior' was quite a good feeling, no doubt something that was designed to get him on their better side for not looking down on them, they being criminals and all.

L'vey semed tired, though no less enthusiastic for it. He was the one who had suggested the prisoners be allowed to Impress, wasn't he? Something about there being good in all of them? What a sap. Though he had to admit to himself, if he could have got out of the life of a dealer, he would have, though not as a prisoner, if only for Arya's sake. He didn't want his daughter t grow up to the same fate of her father, incarcerated in some good-forsaken prison.

At the mention of Dust killing an infant dragon he loked around at those assembled, wondering how many of themm besides himself were users. He, for one, had no intention of going under the stuff ever again, but he new that that was not to be true for all users. He'd only been light, but he'd seen many buy copious amounts, again and again, however much it ripped their lives into jagged little pieces. He didn't want that, and he certainly didn't want to loose Golith. But what else could he do? The camp of criminals was the only life he'd ever known. He'd had no training in anything resembling a craft, and no craft in their right mind would take him on, especially not with his dragon in tow, and the caravan would only hold the temptation of Dust. But he'd have to go back, find it, if only o get Arya, though he'd no idea where he'd take her. Nowhere but Warden's would accept him, ad possibly not even that. He was well and truly stuck.

He met L'vey's eyes when they came around to him. It won't. Nothing ever changes, he thought to himself. Then we will make sure that changes, his dragonet replied, confidently. J'thir was surprised at his dragonet's conviction. And how will we do that. I don't know, yet. But we will find a way. All of us, Golith replied, and J'thir knew at once that he meant the Weyrlings, not just them. If he'd been in a better mood he may have chuckled at that, but he didn't, settling for a silent 'humph.'

He listened to L'vey's talk of their safety. The guy seemed genuinely concerned. What does he think we are, children? Most of us are bloody criminals. I'd like to see them just try. You may say that, but what of us? Would you really let size get in your way? He felt his dragonet's affront. I thought not, he said, lip curling up in a slight grin.

But assigning them a guard? That was bordering on ridiculous. He'd rather just be given a decent knife and let done with it, but they wouldn't do that, in case it went to his head and he used it to go on a mass murdering spree. Seriously, what did they think they were? Criminals yes, but not psychopaths.

He brightened up slightly at Sheraz's question, if only in interest and not mood.

He crossed his arms resolutely across his chest, drawing a little attention to himself before he spoke, loud enough for all to hear. "They won't get far," he said, looking around at the others gathered, as if searching for their support, "because we won't let them. I won't let them. Just let them try," he turned his eyes on L'vey, cold and hard, every inch determination. "We won't go down without a fight."

Take that and smoke it, L'vey...

[ramba]

Reeva stayed silent for a while after L'vey spoke. staring thoughtfully at the floor right in front of where he sat. Invidith wasn't sure of what to make of being assigned a guard. Truth be told, she thought it meant they were being given a servant to wait on her - and Reeva's of course - every need. Reeva however, wasn't impressed.

'Are they there to guard us? Or spy on us? I seriously doubt anyone's stupid enough' - perhaps with an exception or two - 'to risk their dragon. And there are more than enough guards around to protect us if that is all these guards you're assigning us are really for.' Reeva said. In the back of her mind, she heard Invidith chuckle.

Oh, Reevamine, we shall definitely get along well if you know not to trust the people here. They're all jealous of you really. Invidith crooned. Reeva doubted that anyone was jealous. Angry, most likely, and wanting revenge?

F'ox would likely want to try and get back at Invidith for hurting his dragon.

Reeva didn't care that much anymore. No one would get near Invidith, and even if they did and gave her a few scars, it'd only make her look more attractive. At least, that's what Invidith was thinking. The green weyrling pair glanced at each other again, almost as if they were suprised that they were together. Indeed, it would take a lot of getting used to, being able to hear each other.

Reeva held back a snort. Invidith did no such thing. What do they think they're going to do, Reeva? Fighting off people who want to kill the mutant freaks? I seriously doubt that even a normal dragon hatchling would be able to fight off a few humans. And I'm sure that that man certainly can't. Invidith umbled. Reeva chuckled under her breath, before folding her arms and taking a somewhat defensive stance.

'No one is going to hurt your dragons.' -If that's what you're calling them- 'They made a promise that any dragon that hatched wouldn't be crippled unless a crime was commited. As far as I'm aware, no one has committed a crime since the eggs hatched, have they?' Reeva asked.

[lithle]

"Jarethir," L'vey replied, not affording the man an honorific. He didn't know what he'd chosen, and at the moment, he hardly felt he deserved one. With such an attitude, he wouldn't be a dragonrider long. Still, his voice was soft, unaggressive. "If you intend to be so led by your pride, you may as well reach over and break Golith's neck, you will kill him just as surely."

He kept his gaze on the man, though he spoke now to everyone. "You are the guardians of infants. Weyrlings are intelligent and well spoken. They will still eat themselves ill, and choke on over large pieces of meat if not properly supervised. They certainly have no way of assessing their own health beyond 'nothing hurts'. Our only experience with dragons of unusual color is with whites, and whites almost always have health issues."

"They are freshly bonded to you and do not know how to shield themselves from your experiences. Fight, as you so threaten, and you risk getting injured. Pain often sends young dragons between. As does the confusion brought on by alcohol and dust. Sex as well. You will not drink or touch drugs. You will not have sex. And you certainly will not fight. To do so is to kill your lifemate. If that does not motivate, trust me when I say to kill your lifemate is as good as taking your own life. Few last past the loss of a dragon."

He paused, a moment, allowing his statements to settle, and finally allowed his gaze to shift. First to Sheraz, then to Reeva, where they stayed.

"You are correct on both counts. Our goal is to protect this clutch, not to harm it. We will do everything we can to help the dragons, of whatever color, thrive. This may require extra attention, if there are health issues. We will provide it. No harm will come to any of them, though previous rules are still in place." Which was to say, dragons could still be crippled, no matter how unusual their hide.

"And the guards, as I said, are to protect you and to see that no laws are broken. You will not be considered fully free of supervision until you graduate from Weyrling Training. It would be wise, for your own sakes, to adjust to this idea."

[S'yal]

F'ox didn't move closer, only softly calling Snowth to his side. He knew enough of the reactions of others to recognize that L'vey was displeased. Snowth bared her teeth, puffing up like a snake as if trying to ward away L'vey.

"How are we... the prisoners, supposed to trust you?" F'ox's voice was quiet, easily missed if one wasn't paying attention. It was quite possible that L'vey would completely miss what he was saying. Pink eyes raised, suddenly going cold as he struggled, tried to be strong. "You gave us dragons. But you know what? People gave me money as a prostitute, and I couldn't trust them. How can I trust you?" He looked down at his hands, shaking his head. "You might have suggested that we get dragons... but what if you just want something in exchange?"

He shook his head quickly, his face set in a mask. "I can't trust you. No one can. But you come in here and tell us to trust you, tell those with new colors to let a stranger be so close to their partners. What if the healer hates them? What if he wants to hurt him?" Snowth was quiet, her head tucked against his chest and her small wings half extended. She was too small to hide him from view, though she wished she could. Already that small amount of steel that had shown itself was trickling away, leaving a broken and frightened man in it's place. "I'm tired of being hurt. I'm tired of being just another body to be used, be it as a prostitute or a guard. I don't want to Impress Snowth just so we can spend the rest of our lives keeping people prisoner... She's too kind to do that. But... I don't like talking... I don't like making people angry..." His shoulders sagged, every bit of his body language reading that he was expecting to be hurt. "I'll do it anyway, won't I?"

Then he fell quiet, and Snowth crooned softly to him. She didn't like it when he got like this, soft and broken and hopeless. She didn't know yet what words would comfort him, so she stayed quiet. He had nothing more to say to the Greenrider that came offering hope and lies.

He knew why the guards were there, and he didn't think it was to keep them safe. Prisoners. They were all prisoners.

[Velcro]

Romethia relaxed a hair as L'vey finally said, plainly, that no one would purposefully hurt her odd colored dragon. Unless she broke the law or rules of some sort. She stroked Knighth's head to calm both him and her. It did work, soon, Knighth layed his upper body over Ro's lap, both still where they had stopped by L'vey, already on the floor. It was interesting to see the older rider sit on the floor, subjugating himself to those who had no right to stand above him. Let alone really speak to him like some of the boys had done. It was curious that he was putting himself on their level.

Ro's hand never stopped petting Knighth as she listened. Occasionally the pink dragon would sigh contentedly, nearly asleep, but he kept one eye open in case Ro got herself in more trouble. Despite his best effort though, Knighth was soon dosing. Romethia smiled at him, listening to the talk going on around her. Romethia rather liked the idea of a guard, even though Knighth had sworn to protect her, he was still little. When he got bigger, he would be the only to protect her, but for now all the dragonets needing guarding. It wouldn't bother her to have a watchful shadow, unlike some of the others. Some things could be awkward though, if they had mixed gender guards and new rider, she mused. Ro would deal with such a thing if it occurred.

F'ox, the boy who had impressed first, caught her attention. He had been a prostitute? He was rather... unusual. Romethia had to fight an urge to hug him, she wanted to make him feel better, but she had an inkling that he wouldn't take kindly to any touch she would have to offer. Something about his body language made her think that he was scared of human contact. Romethia didn't want to draw any more attention to herself, and as such stayed where she was with Knighth.

Knighth, however, wanted to protect Ro's interests. He lifted his head, looking to where F'oz and Snowth where, watching as the little green tried to hide her boy. Snowth, mine is just as worried as yours. She realizes that while we need protecting now, we won't forever. We're the ones that are supposed to protect them, right? Soon, we can, but until then, they need others to protect us. I hope yours understands that, pretty green.[/color] Knighth wanted to help, but he might have just confused his own self, let alone the other dragonet he had spoken to! Knight had pulled most of the from Ro's mind to help explain, but he just didn't understand the concept of it, even though he was small, he was probably the biggest in his clutch! He puffed up a bit with pride, but never left his comfortable position with Ro on the floor.