Little Brown Little Bronze [Open!]

[parallel]

P'lel sat on the ground beside his dragonet, his hand resting gently on the brown's pale hide. His dragon. How strange was it to actually say that? To really know that this was his lifemate? That he had truly Impressed? Amemory flitted to the surface of his thoughts. The Touching. Hadn't Revyketh's egg been the first one he laid a hand on? Yes! It had! The midnight blue egg, though not as glamorous as the others, had drawn him to it. He still remembered the wonderful feeling of love for adventure he got from it. And now, here, right beside him, sat that egg's hatchling.

Revyketh stretched his forelegs out in front of him. Will your thoughts continue to dwell on the hatching P'lel? I want to get out of here and start seeing more of the weyr!

P'lel laughed, he couldn't help it. From the moment Revyketh had hatched there was only two things on his mind; food and exploring. He'd already tried to escape to the kitchens because they "smelled delicious", but P'lel had managed to commandeer him over to the Weyrling barracks. However, it was clear now that he was already bored with this place too. He'd seen the sands, a few corridors, almost the kitchen and now the barracks. P'lel had a funny feeling his brown was making a mental map and trying to fill in all the gaps as soon as possible!

Scratching his eye ridges to placate him, P'lel said, "Well what if we got to knkow some of the other weyrlings a little better? Would that be more fun?" Rev whuffed loudly. Well anything would be more fun that what we're doing right now!

Just then, Kialio popped into existence above P'lel's head. He chirped happily and landed on his hair, crooning for food immediately. Revyketh blinked and looked at the tiny bronze. Who is that?, he asked curiously, chirping a little himself. At the noise, Kialio jumped and spotted the brown for the first time. He squeaked and hid behind P'lel, clinging to his back and making little hissing noises.

It's a girl isn't it Rev stated. P'lel wasn't sure if he was being sarcastic or not, surely dragons could smell or sense the opposite gender? If nothing else, all bronzes, whether flit dragon or wher were male.. "No, it's a bronze and he's a he. His name's Kialio." Revyketh snorted, No P'lelMine, it's definitely a girl, trust me on this, I know what I'm talking about. He flicked his tail in amusement and grinned draconically.

P'lel decided that now probably wasn't the greatest time to get into a discussion about it, Rev was being entertained and right now that's all that mattered!

Kialio huffed indignantly.

[HG]

Danuth and G'off were in the boy's side of the Barracks when the young man decided he would rifle through some of the other guy's stuff. No one had much of value but it was fun to look and see what these Weyrbred boys thought important. Now if someone had a shiny or knife that would be something. After putting things back that he had taken out, the boy walked out into the common room.

Seeing Kialio, Revyketh and P'lel there, he wondered briefly why he would be inside on a day like this. Can we go to the lake? The word can, in conjunction with the dragon Danuth was never a question word. He was pretty much saying they were going to the lake. He would drive G'off crazy until he was taken where he wanted to go. so the green eyes boy eventually gave in. He had always thought dragons were evil. now he knew from experience it was true.

Aww come on! The Lake is fun. There are lots of dragons and people and places to sun and places to play...The dragon did have a point. He might be able to find Sorlen, S'len now, while they were out. Plus it could not hurt to oil the blue's hide now. Rather than having to wait till later. Danuth was thrilled to see the other people in the Barracks and spoke to Revyketh immediately upon seeing him.

Hey Revyketh! Mine and I are going to the Lake. Wanna come? G'off kept himself from rolling his eyes. Kids, dragons were big kids. Looking at the other young man helplessly, he shrugged. G'off did not much care about anything either way. He was having trouble keeping up his closed off and cool facade.

[parallel]

Revyketh swiveled his head around when Danuth spoke to him, his eyes whirling with delight. Danuth! Yes! Yes, the lake sounds fun! His tail swayed from side to side and he looked eagerly at P'lel. His rider looked to G'off and greeted the younger boy, "Hey there," he said pleasantly enough, "Are you two really heading down to the lake?"

P'lel was a little unsure how to act around G'off, he was after all one of the Holdless, and unless P'lel was very much mistaken, he had just been rooting through someone else's things. Trust didn't come easily with P'lel. He was automatically wary of everyone until he had time to get to know them and proof that they were reliable. He had neither with this boy.

Oh P'lel, don't be so worried about that now! The weather is good and I want to go exploring, maybe even for a swim! When he felt that his rider still wasn't convinced he narrowed his eyes and said seriously, Danuth chose him for a reason. If nothing else I trust my clutchmate. And besides, we are in our weyr, nothing bad will befall us here! The brown seemed so sure of himself that P'lel found himself nodding in agreement. Looking back over to G'off and his blue he smiled, "Well, if the dragons insist."

Kialio felt completely trapped. Now there were two huge ones to deal with!

[HG]

It will be! He answered the brown and then to his rider he began chanting, Lake,lake, lake, lake, lake, lake... And this went on until G'off responded to him a few moments later. Alright. To the lake. Is your new friend coming? Oh yes. Revyketh is very happy to go to the lake with us.

"Hi. Yeah, Danuth has it in his mind to go. It is very nice outside too. One more bath and oiling can't hurt." G'off could tell that even if the dragon was willing, the rider was less so. It was to be expected, although P'lel was doing better than most by actually saying hey. Danuth was getting very upset that no one wanted to go anywhere with him. He was a chatty, outgoing, charming little blue who loved a good joke and he had no dragons who would socialize with him. It was not the dragons so much as the riders though.

G'off understood why what was. He was born Holdless. As if any of them had any idea what that meant. They assummed what it was like but they had no idea. The only one who understood was Sorlen but he had never been as committed to the cause as Sorlen had been. He had been committed to being the best he could, for the glory and for the appreciation but most of all for acceptance. So far the Holdless had been more accepting than these so called "good" Weyrfolk.

G'off nodded. Danuth had been very insistent. So he let the dragon lead out of the Barracks. "He's been asking to go to the lake and he'll be much happier to have company." The boy said not noticing the Bronze Firelizard at first. "Oh you have a firelizard too? I've never seen one up close." He added. Firelizards were shiny. He wanted one.

[parallel]

Revyketh was pleased that they were going to the lake, it would definitely be more fun than being cooped up in here. He playfully butted his blue brother and bugled happily. We can swim! Can you swim? I haven't tried yet... But I'm sure I could! His eyes whirled greens and blues as he poke.

P'lel smiled down at the two of them. Well they certainly seemed to be getting along at any rate! Maybe he really should listen to what Rev had said, it must be hard for G'off to fit in now, not many people would feel comfortable around him. So P'lel made a decision. Inspired by his dragonet he decided to wipe the slate clean with G'off. Of course he would still be a little wary, but no longer judgmental towards him. It was only fair. If he could Impress a dragon he deserved a fresh start.

Revyketh trotted after Danuth as they left the barracks, happily chirping away. "Revyketh has just been asking to go anywhere really," P'lel laughed, "And he's definitely pleased he has someone to find interesting places with. I swear, he gets so excited about everything sometimes, it's unreal!"

Kialio hadn't moved an inch, even though their location seemed to be changing. He needed to stay with His and protect him from these giant lizards at all costs. But there was another person here too, and Kialio wanted to show him how wonderful he was. It was always a good thing for people to see how pretty and HUGE he was. He chittered over to the boy when he felt his attention.

"Oh ye, this is Kialio. He's a bronze, a very small bronze, but he thinks he's huge which I s'pose is good enough. You haven't? My Dad's a breeder so I kinda grew up with them. Here," he said, dislodging the flit from his back and showing him to G'off, "He's a bit shy at first, but he likes the attention." Kialio flapped his wings and chirped, but then cocked his head at G'off and trilled happily.

[HG]

Danuth went along with his clutch brother. Perfectly content to have someone to be buddies with. I have not tried to swim, but I bet I could too! Swim, swim, swimmy swim. G’off saw how happy his blue was and felt a little relieved. For some reason the blue being sad at having no friends affected him more than having none himself. Although T’mar was trying to trust him and it seemed P’lel was going to give him a chance, he knew himself well enough to know he was not all good. There sides to him that teetered on the dishonest and even some maliciousness when he wanted something bad enough. He could be a trickster just as easily as he had been a thief though the one was more forgivable than the other. Sometimes his compulsions were controllable. Other times not so much.

He smiled, genuinely.“They are new to the world. Although, I would take that over the incessant talking. Danuth likes to repeat words and phrases until he gets what he wants.” Which was happening now. All he heard in his head was ‘swim, swim, swimmy, swim’ over and over again. Redundant would even be a redundant word at this point. G’off would get used to it. Obviously the dragonet was excited about everything in life. Experiencing new things, he only expressed it differently than Revyketh did. How deep can we go, do you think?

Danuth, you will not be going deep. You could drown. What is drown? G’off shook his head. Dragons were not born with the common sense nature gave its other creatures. It means to breathe in water and die. What is die? To die means to cease to live. To become Between. Danuth would become nothing if he swam deep? Exactly. Perhaps we should not go too deep this time. Just far enough to try swimming! He said to Revyketh.

G’off looked curiously at the Bronze who did seem to think he was all that and then some. “Kialio. Interesting name.”He paused, scratching his arm before asking, “People breed firelizards?” The topic had his attention. A miniature dragon breeder? That was something the Holdless knew nothing about or he had not had access to information like that. They are NOT small dragons. They are lizards. the blue reasoned indignantly. He was much more impressive than some firelizard. Danuth, you are much more interesting than a Firelizard but I already know more about you. Don’t you want to know new things too? The dragon would have grumbled if he weren’t caught up in Revyketh’s excitement. The Lake grew nearer!

[parallel]

Revyketh pranced along with Danuth, occasionally stumbling, but happy to chatter away with his new friend. It was good too that P'lel was making friends aswell. He hummed happily through their mind link, letting his rider feel how good today was. P'lel smiled down at the little brown, who was only slightly larger than his brother. He wasn't exactly sure how he'd get used to Rev's almost constant positivity, but he'd have to try! The brown dragonet was just full of enthusiasm about everything. He nodded in agreement to G'off's comment, at least someone else understood what it was like!

"Ye," he said, "It's sweet how they love everything new, but it's trying sometimes too. Revyketh is a fountain of positive feelings, all of the time!"Revyketh looked back to his rider You should try it sometime! P'lel frowned, trying to figure out whether that was sarcasm or not.

They were nearing the lake now, their dragons full of excitement. Revyketh was fluttering his wings, Of course we won't go too deep, he said confidently to Danuth, Just deep enough to prove how brilliant we are at swimming! And with that pronouncement he bugled and made to gallop towards the lake. Race you Danuth!

"Thanks, I liked it", P'lel smiled, "Yep, my father was one, a very good one actually. I wouldn't mind following in his footsteps, but I'd have to get myself a gold from somewhere first... And they're always really difficult to get. Would you ever consider bonding with a flit? They're quite useful."

[HG]

The blue was happy to oblige his brown brother. Ready! Set! GO! Danuth took off toward the lake but much like the average dragonet, found his feet could not move at the speed he wished to go. Walking as fast as his legs could carry him he found himself struggling not to fall over. Falling would look bad although he might make it to the lake first if he tried to go faster. It took a while to get up from a fall. Better to go at a more comfortable speed and not fall.

G’off watched the dragons race for the water. “Yeah, they can’t help themselves.” He thought about how positive he was around his brother and suddenly felt a bit embarrassed. No wonder his brother had avoided him whenever possible. He was like Danuth and Revyketh. The world had been new to him and the missions and the only thing he could do was express his feelings about everything to his brother. The silence that grew then made him even more nervous. To think of himself like a young dragon put some things in perspective for him.
“I suppose we can all be like that when we are young.” And by young he meant younger… not necessarily children. The pace at which he was walking quickened so that he could watch the dragons in the water. “Maybe we should swim too?” He asked thinking it might be nice to get some of the stench of the day off and maybe let his guard down a little. Playing was fun, if he remembered correctly.

“Golds are the rarest like with dragons?” He asked because unlike those raised at the Weyr, he knew practically nothing about the similarities between firelizards and dragons. “Do you think you could get one here at the Weyr?” He wondered how one procured on here. “I’ve never thought much about Firelizards but I suppose now that I’m doomed to die of the other Holdless should find me a Firelizard would be no more incriminating than a dragon.” He took his boots off and his shirt, revealing very little muscle. He was still a boy in appearance, as far as his body was made. Probably because of malnourishment he would be a late bloomer. “I’m coming in too Danuth!” Good. I say water fight. You and I against Revyketh and his. Danuth then challenged Revketh to water fight.

[parallel]

Revyketh had no such common sense and proceeded to gallop forwards at a pace that was bound to end up in tears. He was winning for awhile, considering how careful his brother was ambling, but eventually Revyketh's streak came to an end and he tumbled forwards, skidding to a halt near the water. Shaking himself from head to toe the young brown attempted to stand but was feeling a little dizzy. He waited for the world to stop spinning before trying again. Did.. Did I win?

P'lel nodded in agreement to G'off's words, getting a feel for the meaning himself. If he was truthful, he should really be more like a baby dragon; curious, inhibited, full of joy... Revyketh was so energetic and enthusiastic about everything, it made P'lel want to be too. He chuckled as the little brown tumbled down to the water, feeling that all was well through the bond they shared, and when G'off suggested that they also swim, P'lel grinned, "Sounds like a great idea."

As they undressed, P'lel nodded to G'off's question, "Yep, they have the same ranking system as the dragons, so that makes Golds the rarest. I think there's at least one here at the weyr, so if she flies soon you're in luck!" His frame was a lot more toned and muscled than the younger boy, but he'd had years of travelling and training to get it this way. Looking out on the dragons he mused about what G'off had said. He would rather see the boy happy here at the weyr than hurt by the people who once called him kin. It wasn't his fault Danuth had chosen him, but surely it had been the right decision for both of them. Sliding into the water he watched as Revyketh jumped in, not a care in the world.

A water fight? Oh yes! Definitely! We'll win won't we P'lel?

[HG]

The young blue was not ruffled by not winning. You won Revyketh! Danuth said cheerfully. He was happy not to have fallen on his face and just as happy to have his brother win. Sometimes winning did not matter so much. Geoff became aware through their link that the dragon was just as happy not to be the best out there. Why didn’t this bother Danuth?

He wondered thinking of things he would care about being the best at and realized he really didn’t care much about being the best either. That would mean having people expect a lot of you and look where that almost got him already. He was almost killed because of his position as a spy for the Holdless.

Better to be under the radar and just having a good time. This was going to be good for Danuth and himself as well. He should be more hesitant to do what the blue wanted but he trusted the dragon more than he had ever trusted another human. P’lel and Revyketh were nice and upbeat though so he felt he could play for a bit without the need to check over his shoulder. Hopefully no one was planning his demise at this moment.

P’lel’s answer to his question gave him some hope. He would really like to have a firelizard someday. Although at the moment things were a bit too hectic for him to even consider it. First he had to get used to his dragon milling around his thoughts and then also get used to Petroth’s mind touch too. It was a lot to take in. He was deep in thought as he waded to where Danuth stood in the water. Ready G’off? We will get them very wet!

Ready. The blue used his wing to create a wave that went crashing towards the other Weyrling pair. Oh yeah. The water fight was on!

[parallel]

Revyketh bugled with delight at his accidental win and flared his wings happily. P'lel chuckled a little at the brown's confidence, Does falling over really count as a win? Revyketh snorted at his rider and flicked his tail, head held high, Of course it counts! P'lel got the feeling that his dragon wanted to be good at a lot of things, and wasn't bothered too much by how that happened. He would work hard for what he wanted, but if he succeeded first time then it was just a bonus!

P'lel wasn't as fussed about impressing people as maybe he ought to be considering he was now a Brownrider. But he had his own way of pursuing his passions and he was sure that with time he would adjust his mindset so that they would include a higher ranking position. Perhaps a Wingsecond? For now though none of that need concern him, he was just learning the basics, which indeed seemed to be tiring enough so far! Bathing and oiling Revyketh several times a day was no small task! But he loved his bonded dearly and knew it was needed in the long run.

Floating out towards the pair of dragons, P'lel grinned at G'off, knowing this water fight would be fun.

At Danuth's wave of water, he ducked below the surface, holding his breath until it passed before coming back up. He pushed his own, much smaller, wave towards the young bluerider calling, "Catch!" Revyketh bugled again, whipping his tail through the water and thumping it down with a thwack on the surface, causing a large splash to radiate outwards, soaking His too!

[HG]

G’off did not remember playing much as a child. There were a lot of things he had to do. However he did play when he was very little. As he grew older playing began to get him into trouble. Though he always did have a playful nature, telling stupid jokes to people who did not care. This water fight was already relieving some of his tension. Danuth must be right. Everything the dragon said they should do seemed to push him in a direction that made things better.

He was brought back to reality by the waves sent from the other dragon-rider pair. Shaking his head as water splashed across his face, he took a breath of air. Before Danuth sent another wave, he insisted one thing, Focus mine! Revyketh already won the race. Meaning the blue did not want to lose too easily to the brown.

Laughing for the first time in what seemed like forever the green eyed boy ducked under the water as Danuth used his tail to send water towards the others. He came back up in time to send smaller splashes towards P’lel. “Is that the best you can do?” The Weyrling asked in a taunting way. The blue added to his rider, Oh now you’ve done it. Revyketh is too competitive to let that slide. Brace yourself for big waves

Come on Danuth, we can handle it. I know we can!We can do anything together. Remember that mine. The young man thought about the blue’s words. G’off wondered if the dragon was hinting that there was still a part of him that was not ready to be a dragonrider. There was a part of him which did not fully trust dragons. Perhaps Danuth was right but it was not something that would go away in a moment. It would take time and continuing to get to know Danuth until he fully came to understand that dragons were innately good.

[parallel]

"We can beat 'em Rev! Let's go!"

P'lel heard G'off laugh and it made him smile, he was really having fun! He was so glad Danuth had managed to get through to his rider, the relaxed G'off was a lot nicer and more fun. But then his mind shifted back to business when he saw the younger boy duck under water. Revyketh! Danuth had sent a number of strong waves their way and P'lel was caught up in the swirling water as he mentally yelled out to his partner, trying not to laugh. He heard G'off teasing them as he splashed his fellow rider.

Revyketh bugled as his rider was swept away, calling out to the blue pair, Oh you've asked for it now! Revyketh flared his wings, a draconic grin plastered across his face. Flapping them wildly without much of a rhythm he sent waves and splashes over to the rival pair, pleased with the large amount of water he was stirring up.

Look P'lel! Look what I'm doing!

P'lel ducked under the water and swam over to his dragon, pushing himself up to the surface with a torrent of water. He whooped with joy, completely soaked. Well done Rev! Great job!

[HG]

Revyketh’s waves hit them as G’off came up for air. He felt himself gasping for air suddenly and then coughing. Danuth was instantly aware of the trouble and swam as fast as the poor dragon could to keep his from taking in more water. After coughing up a bit of water though G’off was fine. He felt the blue’s questioning touch. I’m fine Danuth. You’ve got a tube for breathing and tube for eating and drinking. I got the one mixed up with the other. The dragon’s mind was eased and they went back to playing with the other boy and his dragon.

Two can play this game!He took his wings and copied the other dragon while G’off sent his own waves toward the other rider. His small arm outstretched brought water from behind him to the front of his body in one fell swoop. I grow tired. Alright we’ll surrender and let Revyketh have his victory yes?

That will be good. Raising his hands in the air as he got pummeled with more waves from the other rider and dragon. “WE surrender! We surrender!” Danuth was tired and it was to be expected. Him being small and young The twins were small blues and would never achieve a great length. Danuth swam back to shore, his rider behind him. When they reached land, both dragon and boy laid on the sand a few moments just breathing.

G’off realized he was tired too.