Sharding flitts (tag S'yal)

[maggie]

H'lak usually enjoyed long, solitary jogs, runs or walks. It was a time for him to simply let his mind wander and relax as he got some exercise. Today, however, it did not seem like he was going to get to have any rest. There was probably some green flitt in the Weyr close to rising because Lavina was particularly agitated and clingy, which meant that she had woken Aebischer up early and the little blue was in a consequently foul mood. The two of them had been bickering all morning, insisting on doing this in very close proximity to H'lak's ears. Lavina had finally settled into one of her sulks, tail wrapped tightly around her owner's neck as she muttered incessantly. Aeb hadn't calmed and had managed to destroy a pillow, which was why the brownrider didn't quite feel comfortable leaving him alone in the room. Aeb's feelings towards any form of exercise had been made very clear, as he followed H'lak and his Lavina necklace on the rider's daily walk. This had alternately taken the form of screeching or dive-bombing. H'lak was ready to make the two of them into new riding gloves and be done with it. Drydenth was horrified.

They finally both fell somewhat quiet as the brownrider slowed. Lavina launched herself off his shoulder to go and fish and Aeb landed heavily, nipping crossly at H'lak's ear. The brownrider smiled, petting the blue gently as Aeb started snoozing off. He sat down, watching the water for a bit. He wasn't on duty for a little while, he could afford to take a bit of a break. Drydenth landed nearby, staring into the water. I am going to sneak up on the fish![/color] he declared, trying to go very still and pretend to be a tree or something. H'lak rolled his eyes as the brown suddenly jerked up. He raised an eyebrow, though, as Drydenth bugled, greeting someone in the air happily. He wasn't aware that Drydenth had made any friends. Although knowing the brown, he was just taking the opportunity to talk to anyone who would listen.

[S'yal]

Yari knew all about annoying flits. After all, the woman had one of her own. The green firelizard did not often hang around her, Yari knew. But when Jade did, things tended to be... a bit erratic. Like stolen jewelry and dead animals in her bed erratic. Much as she admitted she did care for the firelizard, the creature drove her to her wits end when it was actually around. Like today. The green had curled around her neck, chin tucked under Yari's head and a soft coo coming from her. It was unlike Jade, who usually liked to be out adventuring. It also made Yari suspicious.

Stop being so jaded, mine! Trusith's laughing, cheerful voice echoed in her head. She glanced up, a scowl on her face. The woman hadn't been able to gain her feet after the patrol, and Trusith had -insisted- that he carry her back to the hut. Yari wasn't complaining. You're just cranky because patrolling was hard today. Yari let out a soft hiss, clicking her teeth together in an expression that made her brown quiet. Immediately her anger faded, and she sent soothing thoughts to her brown darling. You know why they're working us so hard. We all do.

Yeah, but- She clung to Trusith's neck in surprise as he was greeted, the brown responding with a joyful noise of her own. "Gee, Trusith! Why not just burst my eardrums while you're at it?" Trusith's laughter echoed in her skull. Yari peered down at the brown below, even as Trusith landed and bent down so she could unstrap herself and slide from his back. Jade shot into the air, leaving gouges in Yari's shoulder and earning a chiding croak from Trusith.

Hello, Drydenth![/b] Trusith didn't know the male well, but he'd remember a hide like that anywhere. In fact, they'd never even talked. Tell your rider to watch for mine! She's cranky today![/b] Trusith reported, as if Yari's irritated mood was something to be proud of. To the brown, it probably was. He adored everything about Yari, and to him her sharp tongue was just another thing to brag about to his fellow dragons.

"Hi." Yari muttered, a bit glum as she addressed the other brownrider. What happened to our nap?

I want to talk to Drydenth! He is very brave and he is from the watch! A pause. I will leave if you want, my Yari.

Tch, spoiled brown. But now Yari was paying attention. Clever Trusith, she thought with a bit of a sulk. He knew she'd be happy to talk to a man from the watch. We'll stay until he asks us to leave, I suppose. But i'm missing a nap because of you.

[maggie]

H'lak could tell by Lavina's shrill trilling that she had spotted another little green like herself. The flitt reminded him of the young women at the Hold, always moving in gossiping, tittering packs. As long as her new friend didn't act too sweet around H'lak or Drydenth, all would be well.

Trusith! I am sneaking up on fish! Do you want to help me fish? If not, I have discovered a very good sunning spot, over here.[/color] He paused. My rider is also cranky. He usually is. He needs more friends, so your rider should talk to him, they can be cranky together while we sun.[/color]

H'lak responded to her greeting with a small nod. "H'lak," he introduced himself. "The other little green yours?" He motioned to where Lavina was busy showing off her flying skills to the other flitt. Aeb had not even deigned to wake up.

[S'yal]

Jade wasn't interested in gossip, persay. She was interested in bragging. She held out her little paws, revealing a shiny rock to the other green which she offered as a gesture of friendship, chittering excitedly the entire time. Friend? Jade certainly hoped so, seeing as Yari didn't seem quite as amazed at her brave exploits as she was sure another firelizard would be.

You are? You must be very sneaky indeed, Drydenth! I will try to help you. Trusith got up, his massive bulk making his steps quite loud. Not a very good fisher, Yari noted with a snort. Ah, she loved the big dork anyway. That is quite good. Maybe together they can stop being cranky. I like it very much when my Yari smiles. The last part was a bit wistful, even as he crouched by the river and stared at the little fishy things in the water. So tiny!

"Yari." Yari greeted, not making any moves to make her greeting anymore friendly. She was watching him warily, all too aware of the sexism that prevailed in some parts of the watch. She wasn't quite sure if this man was the same way, but she was a careful woman. "Jade, yes. Hide your valuables, or she'll take them and you won't see them until she hides them under your pillow... with a few mice." Yari sighed, sounding quite put upon by her green.

Jade was in awe of the other, older firelizard and told her so with a soft trill. Then, her stubborn mind set to it, she rose to try and copy the older firelizard. Sleek and agile though she was, she was still young and inexperienced. She was likely an oaf next to the more experienced green.

[maggie]

Lavina was highly impressed by the shiny rock. Jade liked shiny things? She liked shiny things too! They were going to be such good friends! She went and screeched at Aeb, telling the blue to come and look at Jade's rock. He very grudgingly opened an eye. He had learned a while ago that it was useless arguing with silly greens. He huffed, flapping over to go meet his sister's new friend and approve of the shiny thing.

Drydenth made a small sound of agreement. I like it when H'lak is social too. He likes people, but he runs away all the time, I don't understand why! People are nice! He smiled more when we were back home and the little one was around. She was funny, even when she used to pull on my wings.[/color] Drydenth probably would have felt betrayed if his rider had ever chosen to actually keep his children and care for them by himself, but with only a few visits from H'lak's now and then, the dragon had only ever found her endearing. Kind of like a flitt. She liked Drydenth a lot, and she had even said that she wanted to ride a beautiful, brave brown dragon like him, which stroked the brown's ego. Yes, truly he did kind of miss, the little one...

He smirked at the description of the flitt. "Luckily, I have no shiny things," he told the other brownrider. True, he bought them, sometimes, but they were usually a gift for someone. Or someflitt, and both of his could guard their own pretty hoard. "In Lavina's case, hide anything that could be described as male. She's a little indiscriminate when it comes to species." He shook his head. "They do try our patience, the sharding little things."

Lavina cooed at her new friend encouragingly. Yes, Jade would make a very good fair sister. Together they would impress any manly man around! Aeb let out a small trill of appreciation from where he was safely perched on a rock, before fanning his wings out to sun a bit more. He liked watching them show off.

[S'yal]

Jade cooed in delight as both firelizards came to look at her rock, offering it to Lavina as a gift. An offering of friendship! Aeb was given a curious look, but Jade merely snorted at him after a moment of staring. He looked lazy, she most certainly did not want to adventure with him!

That IS very strange! My Yari does not like company, but she never runs away. She makes everyone else run away. Trusith's head jolted up at the mention of a child, his eyes whirling an interested green. Little ones? I like them very much! But I do not like being around them, because I am big and strong and they are little and fragile! It would be terrible if I accidentally hurt them. The brown quieted for a moment, brooding over the possibility of harming a human. The mere thought made him want to vomit.

"That's good." Yari was still staring at the other rider, much more intense then she meant to be. "They're pests." Yari nodded, trying to keep the fond note from her voice. Jade always managed to worm under her defenses, with her independent nature and strong will. "Jade's impossible to train. She just acts out more whenever I try."

... My rider, I do not want to fish. I do not want to accidentally hurt them.

They're FISH, Trusith.

But Yari! They are little! They haven't done anything to me![/i]

Yari sighed.

[maggie]

If you just stay very still and your rider or someone else is around to watch them and the little flitties help, little ones are hard to hurt,[/color] Drydenth assured his friend. My H'lak has a very nice little one. She would visit and help him oil me, sometimes. And she drew pictures of me! She is very nice. He says we can go visit her, sometimes. And he promised that when she Stands we will go back and cheer for her![/color] He puffed up proudly as if the little girl was his own hatchling. He had never once thought of the possibility of hurting her, even when she was little. It was just impossible, in his realm of reality. Of course everyone had always been very careful and no child in the Weyr had ever been left in a situation where they could accidentally get hurt and H'lak had been doubly careful, setting Aeb and later Lavina to be extra eyes for Drydenth on the ground.

H'lak didn't mind the staing. He was used to being stared at, as a rider and member of the watch and he had learned to shrug it off. Yari's conversation was pleasant and turned around one of his favourite topics, bitching about annoying flitts, so he barely noticed. "Aebischer is the same," he admitted. "And he's so lazy, he never wants to do anything but eat and bite people." He glanced over at where the flitts were playing. "Lavina is a little better, but she needs attention all the time, it's tiring." He shook his head.

[S'yal]

Trusith nodded, entranced by the tales of H'lak's little one. Trusith loved little things! So cute and squishy and nice. Though, sometimes little kids pet too hard when he was little, but that was no issue. They were just kiddos! The brown shuffled his wings against his back, silent as he considered just how careful he could be.

"Jade is just wild. If I hadn't been there at her hatching, i'd say she was feral... but..." Yari gave the crooning and showing off green a glance. "She disappears for days at a time. I'm getting quite tired of finding stolen things in my bed." Yari sighed, rubbing the back of her head and musing her hair. "Sounds like Lavina is the opposite of Jade." A small smile flitted across Yari's face, disappearing just as quickly as it had appeared.

[maggie]

Drydenth shoved his head under the water, trying to catch one of the fish. His "subtlety" failed him and he popped back up without having caught one. He trumpeted in delight. That was fun! He did enjoy playing in water. H'lak used to swim, maybe that's why he loved it so much.

H'lak nodded. "Well Aeb only decided not to go feral because he's too lazy to hunt. I call him Drydenth's flitt," he admitted. "At least Lavina is likable." The blue in question raised his head to give him a nasty look and a hiss. "He is smart, though," he muttered, as if he wasn't sure that was a good thing.

Look! Look your Yari smiled![/color] Drydenth had caught the smile. THis day kept getting better and better.

[S'yal]

Trusith watched the attempt at catching fish with anxiety, visibly relaxing when he saw that Drydenth's attempt to catch the slippery things had failed. The last thing he wanted was to see one of the little things die for no reason. But he splashed in the water happily, trying to sweep a wave of water onto Drydenth's face with his tail.

"I'm not sure why Jade didn't go feral." Yari said, sounding uncertain. "Sometimes I think she is. She's smart for a green, I think." She might just be biased because Jade was her flit. "C'mere, you stupid brat." Jade ignored Yari's command, instead scoffing and tilting her wings so she landed on Trusith instead.

Oh! She did! I am very happy about that!

Yari pretended that Trusith wasn't jabbing in her head about how pretty her smile was.

[maggie]

Drydenth bugled happily, jumping into the river to try and splash Trusith even more. He froze as a wave splashed his rider and sent the dozing Aeb up into the air with an angry squawk. H'lak turned to glare at the delinquent brown. Sorry,[/color] he muttered apologetically.

Lavina swooped down at the wave, catching a fish that had splashed up with it and carrying it off to eat it. Aeb chased her with interest, creeling piteously to try and get her to share the spoils. She hissed at him angrily and he backed off, sulking.

H'lak smirked a bit at Jade's disobedience, ignoring the fact that he was now soaked head to toe. Silly dragon. "Between the three of them, it's a miracle I'm still sane," he muttered. "Children are better behaved."

[S'yal]

Trusith hadn't noticed the glare, so he decided to splash his new friend back! The brown leapt into the river, resulting in poor Yari getting soaked. Jade trilled happily, twirling around to see her now soaked owner. Yari glared at Trusith, resting her hands on her hips. The brown rumbled back, not looking at all apologetic.

Oh, Yari, you are much prettier with a smile and not a frown! Trusith teased, and a part of Yari wanted to snap at him. She didn't. Instead, she smiled weakly at the brown. When he splashed her with his tail, Yari sighed.

"Fine, you massive... thing!" What had happened to her wit? This stupid dragon reduced her to a pile of mush every time. She gave Trusith a massive smile that wasn't entirely fake, before tuning back into H'lak.

"You're at Warden's prison." Yari snapped, a bit more harshly then she meant. She'd softened a great deal since getting Trusith, and she liked H'lak. She didn't want to drive him away. "You're not sane at all." The last part was softer, and obviously meant as a joke. Oh, Yari.

[maggie]

H'lak shrugged. "I can serve Pern better here than elsewere," he told her without mentioning the other reason he had rather hastily left his original Weyr. "And here at least Drydenth can make friends that are on his level." He gave the two browns another pointed glare. "I am here because my dragon is insane."

I said I was sorry, Drydenth muttered mutinously. You see how he is, Trusith? No sense of humour at all. No playing, no splashing, calls me names... He needs so many more firends. Friends would make him more happy. That and more klah. he gets so cranky when he has no klah... Does your Yari get cranky when she has no klah?

[S'yal]

"You're insane." Yari informed him, her voice deadpan. Notably, she didn't comment on the fact that she was also here. However, the seemingly implied suggestion that Trusith was insane made Yari tense up, her eyes narrowing in the fiercest glare she could manage. "Trusith is not insane. He was donated here as an egg." Yari glanced to look at the excited browns. "I won't argue there."

My Yari is always cranky! Trusith remarked, all youthful innocence. He ignored Yari's pointed glare, merely regarding Drydenth with surprise. But she is the perfect one for me! I would not trade her for the most cheerful rider ever. The brown shook himself, trying to free his hide of water. She is less cranky with klah. She says that we spend 'too much sharding time' flying, and not enough napping.

Is your rider cranky when he doesn't nap? A pause. Maybe your rider is confused, and thinks 'insane' means 'best dragon ever'? That must be it.

[maggie]

"My apologies if I offended you," H'lak said with a small, respectful nod. "I did not mean to imply that your dragon was as strange as mine. Drydenth is very unique." There was a small glow of pride, in his voice.

Of course insane means best dragon ever![/color] Drydenth said happily. My H'lak told me that if I was a normal dragon I would be very boring like him and that we would be boring together and nothing fun would ever happen! Because he is very shy and would just hide and lurk and be boring. I make my rider fun! He said so![/color] he purred up happily. And if he wasn't boring, maybe we would be too silly and we would not be able to be good at guarding prisoners. My H'lak says that when dragons and riders are too the same, it isn't very good, it's better when we balance each other. My H'lak is very wise, sometimes.[/color] His eyes were whirling a very pleased green.

He thought about the napping thing. Mine, Trusith thinks that you should take naps with his because napping is good,[/color] he told his rider. In typical Drydenth fashion, what he said was a little out of step with what he actually meant. The statement actually scared a burst of laughter out of the brownrider, however. Drydenth shifted from foot to foot nervously, trying to figure out what he said. You are cranky because you do not nap.[/color]

"Drydenth," he said slowly, speaking out loud so that Yari could guess what had been said and what was going on, "I am not an infant, I do not need naps. And I doubt that Trusith suggested that I nap with his rider. We are not babies in the crèche."