I Want you to Want me!! {Gray!}

C’ian looked back at Shirath who was readjusting his wings. He wanted to look his best for the new friends! He arranged himself in as beautiful a manner as possible and then looked expectantly and anxiously at the door. C’ian knocked on the door and then, without waiting for a response, opened it and stepped inside. Good thing he’d managed to get the right room! He practically bounced into the room, Shirath following.
“EZ!!” C’ian half shouted and stepped forward to the younger male, “Hello!”
C’ian bowed to the black and straightened with a broad smile.

Cirrus chirped happily and darted into the room to look at the pink. Oh! There were so many new things in here! And a large black firelizard! How strange! It was strange enough that there was a large purple firelizard hanging around them now but this one was even weirder. And it was with the one His had spent time with! Oh my! So many wonderful new things! Strange creatures and wonderful things to look at and play with! Cirrus took to the roof, fluttering around the ceiling excitedly, chirping every other moment. He turned and flew over to friendHis and chirped a greeting to him before taking off again to search the room. Hello pretty pink! Come play! He trilled to Rhapsody.

Shirath, meanwhile, had spotted the black dragonet. Not what he was expecting but he could certainly work with that. It was a little crowded but Shirath would make do with that. He pulled his wings into his body and turned his head suggestively to the Black.
My you are a handsome, strong fellow.
He tossed he head in what he seemed to think was a seductive manner and then settled down on the floor, tail flicking back and forth suggestively.

C’ian rolled his eyes at the purple and looked back at his friend. E’kiel was what he’d heard from people. The two had impressed together, just as they had hoped and they would be Weyrlings and eventually they would fly together! They would fight Thread together and save Pern! Just like they had wanted. Shirath didn’t seem too keen on fighting Thread, not wanting to get his hide messed up, but C’ian sure was excited about saving Pern alongside E’kiel.
Oh Mine, you were right, I do like him!! I can show him how to be wonderful like me! He will surely want that!
“Oh Shirath! He fancies himself something of a romantic.” C’ian explained to the other Weyrling, “How are you! I am so excited to have lessons! They are going to be so great!!”

He really was going to feel lonely without a roommate. Shirath was wonderful and he loved the purple but it would be so different without another person to go to chores with. Oh well, maybe he and Shirath could sleep over sometime!! He thought that might not be allowed but the thought did make him feel cheerier.

Cirrus seemed thoroughly pleased that the pink was willing to play with him. He too chirped and fluttered about Shirath’s head before rejoining the pink in the air. They were telling one another what interesting things they had found, right!? His had brought back something very interesting to play with. It was very strange. The first night the big firelizard had tried to speak to him in some strange way. Apparently they were now stuck with and had to love one another. Some creatures were so weird! He chirruped to the pink again and then set about the room searching for new and exciting things occasionally flying up to pinkfriend to play some strange version of tag. It basically consisted of him tagging her and then getting distracted by something else.

C’ian almost giggled girlishly as E’kiel bowed to Shirath. The purple probably didn’t even know what had happened he was too interested in the black. C’ian probably should have told Shirath to calm down a little but he was way too excited! He took a seat on E’kiel’s bed without waiting for an invitation and looked at the two dragonets for a moment, noticing the wounds on Aldebarath’s wings.
“Oh! I hope he is all right! I saw that happen. Silly cyan. Well, I’m sure you will heal up nicely and show everyone how well you can fly!”

Shirath just about winked at Alderbarath and slowly crept closer.
I will show you how to fly! It is very simple. I am pretty amazing so if you just watch me then you’ll get the hang of it.
“I wouldn’t listen to him if I were you Alderbarath, he’ll start getting ideas.”
Shirath looked at C’ian with a hurt expression and turned away to sulk, head drooped a little.
But I am making friends! You told me to!
That ain’t gonna make you many friends Shirath.

“Yeah! A boy did impress a Tan. I don’t know his name but word is he’s very much attracted to females.” C’ian explained with a laugh, “Shirath flirted with just about every dragon on the sands before he came over to me.”
It was not flirting Mine, it was being friendly. I needed to show them all how it was done.
C’ian wasn’t sure what it was but Shirath seemed to cheer up and had turned his attentions back to the black dragonet.

“Ah it’s ok, Aldebarath needed to get his wings fixed. That was the really important thing.” C’ian replied kindly.
He knew that it would have been annoying to have to leave or something but at least now Aldebarath would definitely be able to outfly the cyan who had harmed him! He would show them all how great he was, no doubt. C’ian laughed at the comment about Shirath chasing.
“I’ll expect to see you cheering then!”
He wasn’t sure he would truly notice it considering that he would probably not pay much attention to anything other than the Flight itself…

Shirath looked closely at the pink as she flew in close to him. She was also very pretty but a little too small and her thoughts weren’t nearly strong enough for him to actually contact her. No, the black was much more interesting to him. He did watch the pink curiously as she flew up higher and then tagged His’ pet.
Oh no. I do not need lessons. I could just about teach them.
You won’t get off the ground because your head’s too big.
You are jealous that I am amazing. Shirath replied to His.

Shirath seemed to cheer up a little and stopped sulking when he realised that Aldebarath must have liked him! He had not walked off to leave him alone! The black must like him! Definitely! Oh he was so excited. He edged a little closer to the black with a coy dragon smile and a wink. C’ian looked over at the purple with some wariness. He didn’t want the purple to get the wrong idea and scare the black. The other dragon seemed a little anxious.

“Oh dear, I keep forgetting about that.” C’ian responded with a laugh.
Any clutch Shirath fathered would be very interesting indeed. He’d probably try to teach them all the wrong things entirely by accident. It genetics factored into it at all and they wound up with his personality the Weyr would certainly be extremely interesting…

Cirrus turned in surprise when the pink tagged him whilst he was examining a shoe, apparently having forgotten he started the game. He then turned back to chase her, getting distracted every not and then by different things. Eventually he managed to get close enough to tag her back but kept near her looking at her in interest.

It was great to be with E’kiel again if only for a little while. He half wished they could be roommates. If Shirath were only a little smaller perhaps they could have been roomies together. He was pleased that Aldebarath seemed to be getting better. Hopefully the wings would not have any lasting damage but they seemed to have healed fairly nicely so far. Regular check ups would hopefully fix any other problems. Of course, he wasn’t a healer so he could only assume that everything would fix itself.

Of course it will be ok to fly! I shall soar through the air like a beautiful rainbow. None shall be able to compare with my beauty. Do not worry; you too shall look absolutely beautiful in the sky. Your wings are only harmed because you fell from the heavens. Everything will get better.
Shirath winked at the black in what he assumed was a charming manner. The compliments were the best he had. It would take him some time to think of others.

“I think he would be able to. I’m sure he’ll be more confident when he’s older. There are a few whites and grays about that he might be able to chase. Oh it would be great if he and Shirath fathered a clutch at the same time.” C’ian smiled.
He didn’t really think too deeply about what Shirath Chasing would mean for him. Much of that stuff seemed to fly straight over his head.

Cirrus chirped unhappily when he noticed that the pink had tired of playing. He tagged her a couple more times as though trying to convince her to keep playing but then noticed some more interesting things. He took to the roof flitting about the light and then darted down to take a look at some of E’kiel’s things. It was the same stuff he had seen before but they were now in a new place!

What was this? The black had thanked him!? Did that mean the black… loved him? Almost as much as His loved him. Shirath seemed pleased with himself. He flicked his tail about with a draconic smile and then nodded majestically before turning his eyes on His excitedly.
MINE MINE!! I think Aldebarath likes me! I think he loves me! Oh I feel wanted. I am so beautiful that everyone will want me, even that silly orange.

He huffed at the memory of the sands and his sister abandoning him. She, like the iron, would never know ShirathLovin’. Their chance had long since passed. Now he had love to give to every other dragon in the Weyr and they would feel remorse for leaving him behind. He was the best dragon in the whole Weyr. He turned his gaze back on the black.
We shall show all the others how wonderfully we can fly. We will top every class, dear Aldebarath.

He didn’t add in the fact that he would most definitely be the best in the entire class. Aldebarath probably knew that anyway. He was wonderful after all.
That’s great Shirath. I told you you’d like E’kiel, didn’t I?

C’ian nodded. It was great that there were so many dragons to chase.
“Oh yeah! And I bet that our Weyrlings will be the best on the whole of Pern. They’d defeat Thread all by themselves!”
He didn’t know whether they would ever be able to lead together, he wasn’t sure that he wanted to lead ever, but he was certain that any children Shirath and Aldebarath had would be amazing. Hopefully they would impress extremely well. He’d have to keep an eye on all that.

Cirrus finally landed on Shirath and looked into his eye, chirping happily at the purple as though inviting him to fly in the air. Shirath flexed his wings slightly but hung his head when he realised he could not fly here.

Shirath continued to sulk for a while about his wings not being large enough to fly and drooped his head as he watched the firelizard take off into the air. How was it that this tiny creature was able to fly and he could not? He felt the blue land on his back and then run around like a mad wher and cheered up a little upon hearing what Aldebarath had to say about flight. Yes, the black was right! How foolish he had been to get distracted by the blue.
Of course we will! You will be able to blend in with the night sky. The beautiful night sky! So mysterious and unknown just like a certain black dragon in this room.

Shirath winked at his black brother flicking his tail once again in a cheerful way. He seemed pleased with his new friend. It was even better because he felt that the black liked him! He shuffled a little closer until he was a couple of lengths from Aldebarath and stared into the black’s eyes.
My goodness, what is that in your eye!? It looks like a sparkling jewel. Oh. No, that is your eye and it is more beautiful than any jewel on Pern.

C’ian thought the continued flirtation from Shirath was probably wasted but he figured he would probably hear them repeated more than once over the years they would be together. He smiled. No matter what happened he was certain they could help any of the Weyrlings if they needed it!

“Even if we can’t teach them we’ll be able to help some of them out later on. I guess that’s the good thing about being in a Weyr, you do get to meet everyone. I haven’t actually seen too many riders myself but I am definitely going to be the rider who wanders about trying to talk to everyone. Offering useless advice.”

He laughed lightly at the thought of offering harper advice to a candidate or Weyrling. Even if Shirath never managed to have children he would be able to help out the Weyrlingmaster, surely! One could never have too much help after all!

Ohhoho, a challenge? Challenge accepted. He would out charm the black for he was Shirath, amazing and beautiful at Rukbat. His hide glittered like Rukbat’s rays. Well! Shirath saw what the black was doing. He was indeed a worthy opponent, definitely worthy of his time. Well, perhaps he had been mistaken in his assessment those to whom he would devote his time. Aldebarath was proving everything he had thought at the hatching wrong. Perhaps he would not pay attention to the greens and only them. Maybe the Cyans too… Aldebarath certainly served as an example contrary to his former beliefs.

I do think so. I believe that in the shadow of the night you could soar through the air and take whatever you wanted. Shirath purred, Thank you kindly for your compliment. I certainly hope to one-day fly in the same light, above the sea.

He couldn’t believe how enthusiastic he had become over something as simple as his hide being complimented by another dragon! He knew that his hide was wonderfully amazing but to hear it from another dragon lifted his spirits more than he would have thought possible from such a comment. Aldebarath was such a quiet dragon but seemed to be feeling more confident. Of course that was him, it was all him! He, Shirath, was an amazing purple who would teach all others how to do everything!

C’ian grinned, his eyes unfocused while he thought about finally flying on the back of a dragon, a dragon that he was bonded to no less. Now that he had impressed Shirath he knew just how much work it was to care for a dragon but it was all worth it. To see Shirath happy and watch him grow because of the work was something C’ian would love. Seeing other Weyrlings accomplish things they had was also something to which he looked forward.

Even if they didn’t have the chance to actually train them it would be exciting to watch them once more.
“Perhaps we won’t be the youngest in the Weyr soon. Maybe the youngest gold will also rise? Then maybe we can help them out! Shirath and Aldebarath will be a lot older by then. Maybe they’ll even be able to fly!”

Shirath was amazed at his sibling. He had changed his opinion about everything he had surmised about the other dragons during his hatching. This one was intelligent and even though his hide was not as brightly coloured as some of the other dragons it was still good and mysterious. Each new compliment made Shirath determined to try harder but flattered him to no end. He flapped his wings in a satisfied fashion and tried to act bashful, waving a claw as though to wave off the compliments. He turned his head to the side with a wink at Aldebarath.

My eyes will only shine because you are flying beside me my beautiful brother.

C’ian could think of at least three things wrong with what Shirath was saying but didn’t have the heart to tell him to stop, it was far too hilarious for him. What amused him even more was that Shirath didn’t seem to mind that he could hear every word of what his dragon was saying. He would have paid a great deal of marks to hear what the black was saying back. He smiled at Aldebarath, pleased that Shirath hadn’t managed to scare him away. Hopefully he wouldn’t become too confident and edge closer to try out some of his more… physical moves. C’ian was surprised Shirath hadn’t tried more than compliments just yet.

“Yes, she must be pushing on at about three turns now. It will be interesting to see which dragon will manage to catch her. Another junior Weyrleader will certainly be helpful considering how soon Thread will fall.”

He couldn’t believe that he would actually be fighting Thread himself. There were so many riders that had trained their whole lives to never battle against Thread. Of course, he knew it was not merely a case of fighting. It would be dangerous but he trusted those who would teach him and Shirath how to fly and fight. Once Thread had fallen they would be able to fight it with more knowledge. Hopefully they would then be able to pass this knowledge onto others.

Yes! He had won this time! Outcharmed the charmer. Apparently, Shirath had not realised it was he who had begun the charm off in the first place. Holding his head higher he crept forwards a few more paces.

Shirath, buddy, I don’t think you should be trying too hard. Aldebarath isn’t the right type for you.
HOW DARE YOU! ALDEBARATH IS AS MARVELLIOUS AS ANY GOLD!
That’s not what I meant.
But Shirath would hear none of it.
HIS HIDE MATTERS NOT!! How very dare you sir.
Shirath… You won’t be able to chase him in the skies is all I meant.
Why not? I am as fast as any other dragon and will surely manage to catch any I so choose to catch.
Alright then! Have fun but just remember not to worry him too much with your insanity.
I am not insane!
You sure are. You chose me for Faranth’s sake! What does that say?
It says that I have taste. All of that shall also be applied to the most beautiful dragons in the whole of Pern! Aldebarath is one of the lucky few Mine!

C’ian shook his head with a wry smile but turned away from the insanity that was Shirath to respond to E’kiel’s comments about Couineth. It would be strange to watch from the stands this time but he would be sure to turn up. He didn’t know any of the new candidates but he hoped that he might know at least one by the time Couineth’s clutch hatched. Even if he knew none of those there he hoped to pay some attention to the hatching. He almost couldn’t wait to be the one watching as opposed to the one freaking out in the middle of the sands.

“It’ll be good to watch the hatching for once and not be worried about whether or not a dragon will choose us though. Plus, there’s the feast afterwards which will be really exciting!”

You think with your stomach like a hatchling Mine.
Better to think with my stomach than something else.

Shirath didn’t know what His meant but decided to turn his attention back to the beautiful black before him. He wasn’t sure what C’ianHis had meant about Aldebarath ‘not being his type’ but somehow he thought it wasn’t his initial conclusion.
That is quite all right. Is that firelizard yours? That one’s mine.
He turned his eyes on Cirrus who was now investigating Rhapsody with interest, chirping at her as though asking what she was doing.

Shirath had all but forgotten about his outburst and the hideous claims His had made against Aldebarath. At least Shirath wasn’t the type of dragon to sulk for too long when there were compliments to be said and flirting to be done! Shirath was very much aware that he had achieved something here today whether it was merely forging a friendship or developing something more. Holding his head higher he turned smugly to look at C’ianHis.

She is most lovely! Such a wonderful hide but not as luminescent as yours dear brother! I wonder, I do not think I saw you on the sands at our hatching for I would have noticed your beauty.

C’ian rubbed his forehead knowing he would eventually have to address the issue of Shirath flirting with everything that moved. At the moment, however, C’ian was far too enamoured with the purple to do anything about stopping him from his antics. Besides, it was funny! If someone asked him he might try harder to rein Shirath in but until that moment he would sit back and laugh at the ensuing chaos. At least until it came back to him…

“Mumma Lyr? I don’t think I’ve met her. She’s a candidate though? I will sit beside you then and cheer for her! I am certain that if she’s your friend then she will impress,” C’ian grin returned, “either way, I’m sure it’ll be fun to watch. We’ll have to bring klah and food for everyone!”

He wasn’t going to another hatching without food if he could help it, even if it meant he had to sit right at the back he was not going to starve there. None of that now, he would be bringing food and anything else he could sneak in to make the time more comfortable.

C’ian was interested in this Lyr person if only because she was clearly a friend of E’kiel. Any friend of E’kiel could no doubt be a friend of his. Plus, E’kiel seemed to have a good judge of character and C’ian certainly trusted his former roommate and still current friend. He hoped she would impress this time around for E’kiel had made no indication that she had impressed and would be in their Weyrling class. What was more, C’ian had made an effort to remember most of the Weyrlings and he couldn’t remember her name… It was rather unfortunate but C’ian had never had a good memory. Hence why he had failed as a Harper.

He sincerely hoped that Lyr, this friend of E’kiel’s, did impress at the next hatching. It would hopefully mean a lot more Weyrlings to fight Thread, which must have been heartening for the Weyr especially after they lost a great many Weyrlings to assassinations only recently. C’ian had not known those whom had passed but he felt the loss in terms of empathy for those who did know the Weyrlings and the Weyr as a whole. He pushed the thoughts from his mind hoping, knowing, things for their Weyrling class would be much better! They would have only Thread to concern them.

“It will be hilarious! If I had been in the stands and watching some of the dragons from our hatching I would have been laughing myself silly. Of course, I just about did that anyway when I was Standing. Took all my concentration to stay focussed and I don’t have a lot of concentration to begin with.”

Shirath’s head followed Rhapsody as she landed on the Black. He wasn’t sure whether he liked the thought of a firelizard sitting on him. The Blue, Cirrus, didn’t seem to do anything else except dart around near the ceiling in an extremely excitable fashion. Looking up at the creature now he was upside down and trying to walk on the ceiling, wings flapping oddly in an attempt to fight gravity. Plummeting a little every now and again he did, at least, seem to be enjoying himself.

Why, what a foolish Cyan. She must have been so jealous of your wonderful wings she sought to make herself better. Egoistic dragons like that are beneath the both of us!

The irony of that statement was not lost on C’ian as he grinned wryly.