Sharding straps keep losing themselves... (F'ox!)

[Spiffy]

Sh'lon peered around the edge of the tent, Kitath watching with slightly yellow wyes from inside. Have you found it yet? "Nnnnnnnnnnope, not here," he said, running around the edge of his tent in a half crouch, like a bloodhound following a scent. Except, of course, he had nothing to go on.

You've checked the chest? Yep. Under the bunk? Yep. Under the pile of clothes in the corner? Naturally. So, now you've checked everywhere in your hut, everywhere in my tent, and around the edge of the tent. Where do you think you should look now? Sh'lon paused, thinking, unconsciously chewing his lip as he did so. "Further outside the tent?" he added slowly. Where were you when you last oiled it? "Uhh, the edge of the barracks, wasn't it?" he said, coming round the edge of the tent and up to Kitath. Glitter was curled up on the back of her head, between her headknobs.

"Ooh! Maybe I dropped it on the way back from oiling!" he said, jumping outside the tent again, looking around at the entrances to all the other tents that housed his fellow Weyrlings. The senior ones anyway. He began to walk up the rows slowly to where he had been oiling the straps when he spotted something shiny underneath somebody's hut, running over to it with a triumphant "ooh!"

Dropping down to his hands and knees he peered under the hut, unlikely as it was that his riding straps would be under there. But then, this was Sh'lon we were talking about, and who knew where half his stuff ended up or how it got there. He paused sudden;y as he heard footsteps nearby.

"Hey!" he called out without getting up, still peering around under the hut. "Have you seen any riding straps about anywhere?"

[S'yal]

"Snowth, I don't think we should be here..." F'ox's speech was halting and painfully soft, as always. He was trailing his uncharacteristically adventurous green, who regarded him for a moment. "Why are we here again...?" He asked slowly, looking around nervously.

Crypt is missing. Judging by her tone, Snowth was very bothered by the bronze going missing. The poor thing had no idea that he just betweened away for some privacy, and F'ox didn't either. Hence the mission to regain their lost comrade. He might be here. The older weyrlings have lots of firelizards. She paused so she was walking at her riders side, tilting her head to rub it against his hip. Don't worry, F'oxmine! Our guard is right there, no one will hurt us! She tried tor eassure him, earning a frown.

F'ox just about leaped out of his skin as someone called out to him, squeaking. "Uh... no... no sorry!" He paused, frowning. "Have you seen a bronze firelizard...?" He decided to ask, biting his lip. "He responds to Crpyt..." Poor thing, not knowing about between.

He's very small, just a baby. Snowth added as an after thought, her tail swishing back and forth. She was no longer limping, which was good. Otherwise, F'ox would have never brought her out of the weyrling barracks. He was very protective when it came to her.

"Yeah... He's kind of goldish, with weird markings...." I'M GOING TO GET MAULED FOR TALKING TO HIM.

Mine, it'll be alright!

[Spiffy]

Sh'lon sighed when he received a reply. "That's a shame, 'cause I don't think they're under 'ere either," he said, pulling his head out from under the hut and slowly turning around to face F'ox. He jumped when he saw the little green at his side. Then he remembered where he'd seen them before.

"Ooohhhh you're the kid from the flitter hatching, aren't you?" F'ox was actually a turn older than him, but Sh'lon wasn't to know. "I was there miself. Got a lovely little blue out of it. I take it the bronze you're looking for is the one you Impressed then, eh? I haven't seen him about, not that I know of, but then I've likely seen it and not thought anything of it. Happens a lot with me, always missing things," he said, motoring on quite happily. He could talk a lot could Sh'lon, especially when in a good mood. Despite the loss, this was a good mood. He was used to loosing things.

"Maybe Kitath has seen him. Kitath!?" he called out, forgoing the use of mindspeach as he got carried away with the vocal conversation. "You seen a bronze flitt about anywhere?"

Have you found that strap yet? Uh, no. Hmm. And no, I haven't seen a bronze flitter. Is somebody looking for it? she replied, standing and poking her head out of the tent to gaze at the newcomers. Her eyes whirled blue when she saw Snowth. Hello again, Little One. How is your shoulder, better? And I trust this is your rider. Send him my greetings, will you dear?

Sh'lon stared between his dragon and the new pair. How did Kitath know them better than he? That almost never happened, he was supposed to be the sociable one! Hmm, it was amazing the difference in how Kitath treated older dragons and younger ones. Mind you, the little green was rather adorable, and her rider too.

Recovering, he moved closer and held out his hand to the other Weyrling. "M'name's Sh'lon, but you can call me Shea, if you like. This is Kitath. And this, err..." he indicated the little pale blue watching them from Kitath's head, "this is Glitter. Nice to meet you, again, sort of..."

[S'yal]

"Maybe a firelizard took them." It was a poor attempt at humor, but F'ox was going to make it! He had Snowth encouraging him, he could do this. He could be social! Maybe make a friend? The green, who he could barely see, was regarded with worry and just a bit of fear. He really, really hoped she didn't decide to turn his Snowth into a snack. Who knew, with greens? But she seemed to know Snowth...

"Ah, yes..." F'ox trailed off, the albino blushing. "Um, yes. He has a bad habit of disappearing..." He rubbed his arm, nudging the dirt underneath him with a toe. He looked just like a shrinking violet, as if the merest harsh word would make him wilt and begin to cry. Probably because it would, him being F'ox and all. "Ah... well... that's alright..." F'ox didn't hide his disappointment. He was worried about his bronze- after his blue had been killed he worried quite often.

My shoulder is much better, Kitath. Kitath says hello, F'oxmine. Being told that the green said hello made F'ox squeak and look at her with surprise- this was the first time a dragon hadn't talked to him personally and it was a bit confusing for the poor albino. He says hello as well. Snowth supplied, obviously amused. She wrapped her tail around F'ox's leg, leaning against him as best she could without toppling him over.

"Um... hello, Sh'lon. I'm F'ox and... this is Snowth." As if summoned, Crypt popped out of Between and landed on F'ox's head, chittering excitedly about some new adventure he'd had. Oh, F'ox would not believe the things the bronze had been doing. "Crypt!" It took only a second for the albino to seize his bronze and cradle him like a baby, something Crypt squeaked a protest to but didn't resist. "Ni-nice to meet you, too..."

How is weyrling training, Kitath? Mine has been interesting- I had to be oiled by another rider. It was a bit frightening.

[Spiffy]

Sh'lon chuckled at F'ox's attempt at humour - lame as it was, he wasn't difficult to please. "You sure your bronze hasn't run off with it?" he countered. Then he shrugged. "I wouldn't worry about him if I were you. From what I know of firelizards they disappear a lot. I'm sure he'll be back when he's hungry. Faranth knows Glitter is demanding enough," he added offhandedly. The kid seemed to be a bit reluctant to speak, but that'd never really bothered Sh'lon before, and he would have gone on if Kitath hadn't taken the opportunity to give her penny's worth.

He seems a little nervous, SheaMine, and worried. I do not think he likes me so much. Be nice to him, maybe you'll have more luck. He patted her shoulder as she came to sit next to him. I wonder why. You've not said anything mean to him, have you? Have you even met him?No, and no. But I've met Snowth. He puzzled this for a second, was about to say something, then decided against it.

That is good, I am glad that you feel well now, she replied, rumbling in satisfaction and amusement when the little green supplied a reply, so obviously not shared by her rider. He looked quite puzzled. She didn't mind. She wasn't one of those strange dragons that spoke to others' riders, how rude that would be! She talked to hers and hers alone, and to any dragons that happened along, especially the small ones.

Sh'lon was about to reply to the introduction when the missing bronze popped out of between, surprising them both. "Oh there he is! See I told you he'd come back," he said grinning, without a trace of smugness in his tone, proffered hand forgotten even as it was ignored. Aww, those two were so cute together!

We're flying together now, which is nice, and L'vey is teaching us about betweening at last. But that's not quite so fun, because we're not allowed to actually do anything yet. I do not think Mine is enjoying those lessons very much, at least...

[S'yal]

“… Maybe he has.” F’ox seemed to actually consider this- knowing the strange bronze, he didn’t put it past him. “Ah… they do?” The confused albino asked- he’d never had experience with firelizards past his dead blue. “I mean… I don’t know much about them… do you know anything that could help? He… he’s a bit hard to take care of.” He was willing to talk if it meant asking after his strange firelizard. Maybe the senior weyrling could help him? Poor F’ox was at a loss with what to do with Crypt.

I am very glad as well. Snowth continued in her ever proper tone. At first it was very painful to move, but now it does not hurt at all. The healer said I’ll always have the scar, however. Snowth hesitated, looking at the ugly marking on her shoulder. But that is alright, as well. I can hardly remember how I got it, most days. Snowth’s tail flicked as she leaned against her rider, rubbing her head against the shy albino.

F’ox nodded meekly, hugging Crpyt against his chest. He felt guilty for ignoring the hand, but he had trouble touching others. Just the barest contact made him feel as if he was going to panic. He had to stay calm, though. Snowth could get hurt if he wasn’t calm. Crpyt nibbled the albinos chin even as the albino refused to let him go, not willing to let the strange bronze disappear again. “I’m glad… I was worried…”

Flying sounds very exciting. I would like to fly. I do not think I will be taught to Between, however. But that is alright. I do not need to Between, I am happy here. Her tail curled over her back paws as Snowth contemplated Betweening and flying. I have heard that Between is very cold. Is flying cold, too?

[Spiffy]

Oh you poor dear! Kitath exclaimed. I would not like to have a scar. It is not a good thing. But if you're ok with it then I suppose it is not so bad. I think you have been very brave, at such a young age, to have such an injury.

Sh'lon paused to consider the question, casting his mind back to his apprenticeship days. "Have you started trying to train him yet? Can't say I've ever trained one myself until now, but I shouldn't think they're much different to training a canine, in which case I should think food rewards are your best bet. Don't know if you'll ever be able to stop him disappearing, but at least you may be able to call him back when he does. Care-wise, much the same as with your little dragon, lots of oiling as he grows." He shrugged. He wasn't an expert by any means, but then he'd been caring for a dragonet longer than F'ox.

Flying is exciting, especially at first, after so long of just wiggling your wings around it's great to get to actually use them for the first time. Afterwards it's still fun, just not new any more. But then I suppose that depends on what you do, to me it just seems natural now. She paused, thinking. And no, it's not cold, though Mine tells me that it is colder in the northern continent, where ever that is she added. But... why would they not teach you to between? Every dragon gets taught it, eventually, she asked, genuinely confused. Shea, why Faeth's not teach Snowth and Her's to between?

Sh'lon paused, thinking of an answer. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that F'ox is an ex-prisoner? he suggested, only just noticing the boy's yellow clothing, compulsory for all prisoner-weyrlings. That was puzzling, F'ox didn't seem like a prisoner...