Damsels in Distress {Open}

C’ian sighed a little and subtly wiped more mud on the purple. He was too busy showing off to no one that he didn’t seem to notice the mud. C’ian giggled quietly as Shirath turned his gaze upon him finally figuring out that His had just covered part of his hide.
Noo… That’s not pretty. I am purple and beautiful. This isn’t right. Oh no! I see my beautiful brother and you’ve made me dirty.

Shirath turned his gaze upon the approaching iron and attempted to remove the mud from one of his beautiful stripes. He watched as the iron approached him and got to his feet with a wink. He coiled himself up and then stretched out as though trying to show off all his colours. Rather unfortunately, this meant he managed to get a little mud on his tail. He keened softly to His as C’ian laughed at him.
Getitoffgetitoffgetitoff!

C’ian was practically rolling around in the mud, laughing at the purple. Shirath didn’t seem pleased and pushed him with his nose so he rolled face first into it. It was Shirath’s turn to laugh as he turned his attention back to the iron.
My I better alert the runners to tell the Holds to stop looking for their stolen treasure. I just found it.

C’ian had managed to sit next to Shirath by now and was containing his laughter as best he could. He waved a greeting to the Ironweyrling.
“Ah hello Z’dyn. How’s Baihujinth today?”
Shirath was now trying to act as flirty as possible, crooning every now and again. He should reprimand the purple but, unfortunately, any attempt merely resulted in a very sulky purple.

C’ian grinned as the iron pushed his partner over into the mud and jumped to his feet. He ran towards them and then dropped onto his stomach, skidding in the mud until he landed in the shallows of the water. He could feel distaste from Shirath and turned to see the purple looking distinctly disgusted as he seemed to debate whether walking into the mud was such a good idea. C’ian laughed at Z’dyn and then jumped back to his feet once more and splashed into the water.

“We’re swimming now!!” C’ian called back, laughing.
If you come into the water your hide will shine again.
Shirath seemed dubious but he needed to look brave before his gorgeous iron brother.
Hmpf… I would not need to swim if you hadn’t made me so dirty.
Still… His had a point. He needed to get clean as soon as he could. He closed his eyes and charged towards the water, loathing the feeling of the mud in his claws. He splashed into the water.
Oh. Well, this isn’t so bad. I rather enjoy this.

“AHH!!! DRAGON SHARKS ATTACKING!! SWIM Z’DYN, SWIM!!!”

Shirath looked thoroughly confused, staring at His. He seemed to squeal in shock and then splashed through the water in an effort to escape from the elusive Dragon Sharks. They sounded terrifying and he wanted nothing to do with them. If they caught him he would be eaten for sure! Then how would dragons ever want him. Maybe Baihujinth would protect him!

Except he couldn’t reach the iron, the dragon shark was in the way. It was far too scary for him to handle. But C’ianHis was moving away even further, swimming out of the way of him. Were the sharks following!?
Don’t let them get me! Save me Baihujinth! Save me gallant iron!!

C’ian laughed loudly as he swam away from Shirath pleased that he was joining in, even if it seemed to be by total accident that he had cottoned on to the game. Actually, C’ian was pretty sure Shirath hadn’t realised it was a game.

Shirath shrieked as he went under and started flailing about in fear. Oh no, what was the beautiful iron going to think of him now? He had swallowed some water and managed to push his head back up drawing in a huge breath. Had his brother pushed him down because he loved him? It was the only explanation! The iron must have finally been returning his affections. Baihujinth had never outright rejected him, which clearly meant the iron wanted him!

With that established Shirath seemed to become braver. He was still confused by the whole concept of pretending something was happening but he understood a little more. He had to fight the dragon shark and protect His! Then, with his bravery, he would show all the others how beautifully wonderful he was.
I shall protect you Mine from the dragon shark!

But Shirath didn’t seem to know what to do. He floundered for a moment and then looked over for C’ian but His had disappeared. Suddenly, he felt something grab his tail. He shrieked again and turned to see His climbing along his tail.

“I will stop the dragon sharks from attacking. This purple one seems sillier than the other!”

C’ian felt the confusion of the dragon as he flailed a little but he seemed to finally understand what was going on as he shouted to His and Baihujinth.
Oh yes! I am a dragon shark, and, ah um… I will eat you all!
C’ian laughed as Shirath tried to dunk Baihujinth but seemed to only manage to dunk himself. He flailed again and then turned to wrap his tail around C’ian and drag him under.

C’ian broke the surface spluttering and then swam towards Z’dyn as Shirath tried to chase him.
“They’re everywhere! Swim away, swim away!”

It was odd to hear another voice in his mind, one that was so obviously not Shirath. Shirath was almost lyrical and over the top with his speech so to C’ian this voice was very obviously different. C’ian grinned realising how much of an honour it was to have another dragon speak to him. Sure, he’d heard the Queens summoning them for a clutch but it was rare, and awesome, to have another dragon speak directly to him.

As time passed it became increasingly apparent that Shirath had no grasp of the concept of imagination. He would possibly learn it, shards with C’ian as his bonded he would definitely figure it out, but at the moment he seemed thoroughly confused. He flailed about in the water a moment longer as though trying to keep away from everyone. He didn’t seem to know whether or not Baihujinth was on his side or not. He also seemed thoroughly hesitant to dunk His under the water.
I will show everyone how wonderful I am by ridding Pern of these foul beasts!

C’ian found it interesting that Shirath seemed to be copying his brother as though he thought this may make the iron love him more. Regardless, it made him laugh even harder… until he felt something wrap around his ankle and yank him under the water. He flailed about in shock and managed to free himself spotting the purple dragon nearby. Apparently Shirath had decided that tails could be used for more than flirting.

“Ah they’ve got some sort of invisible hands to grab us! I think they’ve turned Shirath into one of them! No! We’ll be next if we let them catch us!”
Shirath growled playfully as C'ian tried to swim away from the purple.

Shirath bugled triumphantly and flashed a wing out of the water in a manner that he seemed to consider incredibly irresistible. He looked over just in time to see his iron brother disappear under the surface of the water. That looked to be brave. He was a brave handsome dragon… Perhaps he should do the same. He ducked under the water, wings still poking out of the water like two large flags. He paddled under the water with his eyes closed convinced that if he opened them they would be ruined.

C’ian spluttered as he broke the surface of the water and looked about. All the others had just about disappeared from view but, turning, he spotted Shirath’s wings moving backwards through the water and then around in a circle. Z’dyn broke the surface then and C’ian realised that the weyrling must have pulled him under the water. He grinned, rather determined to get him back but stopped when Shirath popped his head out of the water and looked about seemingly confused.

“You’ll not trick me dragonshark! I know what you’re playing at over there. Trying to lure me over.”
Nooo I am hiding treasure. You better not come over here. He broadcast it to the two males and then looked about distracted, But where is my ally…?

Now that C’ian came to think of it, he hadn’t seen the iron hatchling in a little while. He frowned and ducked under the water, trying to see where the dragon might be hiding. He didn’t particularly like the thought of being snuck up on by a dragon that seemed almost twice his size and three billion times as scary but it was impossible to prepare himself for any possible sneak attacks considering that there was very low visibility under the water.

He broke the surface again and looked over at Z’dyn with some worry concerned that something was amiss. Shirath had taken to paddling about, chin in the water and wings waving around like strange, purple flags.

C’ian splashed through the water in surprise and then swam as swiftly as he could away from the dragon shark. Unfortunately, it was rather difficult to get away from a creature that was almost larger than him. He was stuck as the iron circled about them and then looked over at Shirath’s wings as they moved somewhat ominously though the water.

Shirath kept kicking his way through the water convinced he was hidden from view. Perhaps if he managed to sneak up on his iron brother he would be so in awe of his amazing awesomeness. To Shirath, the two followed one another naturally. He was not expecting to be seen by the other dragon and immediately breathed out into the water creating a whole load of bubbles. He threw his head up and snorted the water out of his nose before he trumpeted and swam as swiftly as he could from the larger dragon.

I am the fastest swimmer in the whole Weyr. You are only lucky that you’re such a beautiful looking dragon shark or else I would have won a long time ago.

He puffed himself up proudly and then swam away, closer to C’ian. The weyrling reached out and jumped onto the dragon, lying on his back. Shirath flailed before his back sank and only his head was still above the water.

“Haha! I have subdued one of them. We must be careful to take them to the Weyr for further study! WOAH!”

Shirath had suddenly paddled forwards and flipped about throwing C’ian towards Baihujinth. He flew rather spectacularly through the air while the purple dragon watched on in amusement. Apparently Shirath was slowly becoming accustomed to the actions of His and the make believe game they were playing.

C’ian floated for a moment on the water, attempting to lure Shirath closer to him so he could get back at the purple. Shirath had other things in mind, it seemed, for at that moment he seemed more than happy to show off for Baihujinth once again, flapping his wings and smiling at him in what could only be described as a feline watching its prey. Apparently Baihujinth had been paying some attention to Shirath for Z’dyn was suddenly thrown through the air and landed in the water with what sounded like a ‘smack’.

C’ian cringed at the sound of the other Weyrling hitting the water and watched him with concern as he floated there one his back.
“You right?” He asked with concern but his question was answered almost immediately.
He nodded with a small smile and watched Z’dyn swim his way over to the banks. He wasn’t smiling because the iron Weyrling had been injured but rather simply because they had managed to get dragons to play such a game with them. He would have never ever considered that a sub-king would play like this, let alone a king…

Is yours fine…? Shirath asked Baihujinth doubtfully.
He certainly did not seem Ok… He spotted His swimming over to the banks and then flapped his wings in something of a shrug. Well, if the other human had managed to swim to the banks it meant he was not about to collapse any time soon at least. Then again, he was lying on the banks very still.

C’ian splashed his way out of the water and then collapsed next to Z’dyn, sitting and looking out at the dragons.
“Well, lucky you two came along, Shirath was struggling with the concept of pretending something was real. He had me extremely worried there for a while.” C’ian commented cheerfully.

He didn’t know what he would have done if he had impressed a dragon who happened to be particularly against playing the games he was prone to making up. Shirath wasn’t at all what he had expected, but he still loved the purple.

Woah! C’ian was not expecting such a deep conversation after lazing and splashing about in the water! Then again, he had brought it up. His brow creased slightly in the effort it took to pay close attention to the words of the other Weyrling. Even when he was forcing himself to concentrate as he had done in the hatching other things almost always distracted him. However, this was not nearly as long as a hatching so he didn’t feel that he was not paying attention. Oh shards, what had Z’dyn just said?

Yes he definitely agreed with that. He and Shirath were more alike than he had initially realised. Who would have thought that not having a roommate would have caused him to feel somewhat rejected just as Shirath had felt on the sands when each and every dragon he had approached happily pushed him away. At least Baihujinth was putting up with him nicely. It was rather good to see considering how many times Shirath had been rejected on the sands.

“At first I didn’t really know why Shirath chose me. I mean, there were so many others on the Sands… But the more I get to know him I realise just how similar we are. Not in the same ways, but subtly, under the surface. I’m glad that you seem to have your head screwed on right. If I’m in your wing I will gladly follow you.”

You chose him because his strength matches yours oh mighty iron.
Shirath winked and snaked his neck in what he seemed to think was a suggestive manner. Good choice, but C’ianHis was chosen for his interesting mind. So many different thoughts all at once and most of them thoroughly unrelated to what was happening at the time. Shirath loved it! He paddled around and then rolled in a circle drawing his wings in close to him.

Look! Why, I am flying! This is just like how the dragons fly in the sky only less dangerous for I will never fall!

C’ian had also felt sorry for Shirath, the poor purple was just trying to make friends the only way he knew how, even if he happened to be a little cheesy on the surface. C’ian had the privilege of getting to know him better than most would. The fact that so many dragons had walked past him on the sands actually made him laugh somewhat. Certainly, Shirath had attracted a lot of attention from the candidates if only because he was wandering about doing some of the strangest things.

“That’s the best philosophy to have. My parents always told me, ‘stop playing with your father’s harp, SHARD IT CORIAN YOU BROKE IT!’ but they held the same sentiment. I never dreamed I would be searched but spending time as a crafter in a Weyr did help some. I saw the best and worst of people in Benden. I came to understand what people meant when they said to treat everyone equally…”

Benden wasn’t all that bad but he had certainly seen people impress who seemed far too self obsessed to care about anything but their own interests. Perhaps there was something else he could not see that a dragon could but it had been frustrating to watch others impress from the stands and wonder how such a person was fit for a dragon. He picked up a handful of mud and tossed it in his hands. Grinning he drew his hand back and launched the mud at the two dragons in the water.

Shirath’s eyes widened at the compliment paid to him by the iron. He crooned and then flashed a toothy draconic kind of smile, flapping his wings. Sure he had been practising! What kind of a dragon was he that he wouldn’t even bother testing out his wings!? Maybe he had been worried about actually flying with them just yet but when he was able he would soar through the skies and impress even that stuffy orange.

Yes, the ground does seem boring but it is necessary for allowing us to admire each others glorious hides. My wings shall be the strongest ever. Together, you and I and Mine and Yours will soar, so radiant that Rukbat itself shall become jealous and descend from the sky to see those who would dare steal its admirers adoration.

Shirath turned and spotted something coming towards him and ducked at the last moment, dodging the projectile His had launched.

Anything C’ian had touched as a child had seemed to break without a moment’s notice. Even those things he had been near seemed to just break and any amount of protesting he did to inform his parents and superiors otherwise resulted in an admonition for lying. Then again, his parents had always been a little vague so they didn’t seem to mind all that much. The Journeyman harpers in Harperhall, on the other hand, hadn’t taken all that kindly to his tendency to break things. The only classes he really enjoyed were the movement and drumming ones. He could be as energetic as he wanted in those ones.

C’ian clapped his hand to his mouth as the mud bypassed Shirath and hit Baihujinth on his neck. He stifled his laughter and watched as the iron ducked under the water as though he was about to collect a whole mouthful.
“Oh sh-“
He was about to jump to his feet when the iron seemed to deflate rather comically as one might when they had taken in a whole lot of air and then been forced to release it. C’ian laughed and smiled at the iron dragonet. Apparently Bai didn’t particularly like mud either. C’ian, on the other hand, lived for playing in any form of dirt.

Miiiinneeee How could you do that to the beautiful Baihujinth!? You will apologise this instant!
“Sorry Baihujinth! I was trying to get that great lump of egotistical purple dragon over there.”

He winked as Shirath turned his head slowly back to him. C’ian ignored the purple for the moment, a wry smile practically pasted on his features.

“Yeah, I imagined a Hold would be much the same. Well, I mean, it’s different in that there aren’t dragons flying about everywhere. There must have been a few Whers about though. Can’t say I see many of them as much as I like staying awake at night.”

There was a splash and C’ian turned to see a wave of water flying at him and spotted Shirath retracting his wing. Apparently, using his wings, Shirath had splashed water from the lake in retaliation. C’ian could not help but feel proud of the purple.

“Oi! You realise this means war!” He called, jumping to his feet and picking up another handful of mud readying himself to fling it back at Shirath.

C’ian was the type to notice things but never know what to do about them. Turning back to check whether Z’dyn was out of range of Shirath’s attacks he noticed the seeming distaste in the ironweyrling’s expression. Trying to think back to what might have triggered it C’ian found that he couldn’t think of anything. Perhaps it was merely the thought of getting into something of a war with dragons that had made him do it. He was generally just unable to say the right things at the same time. Perhaps it had something to do with what he was now touching, his marred features.

The two of them were practically scar buddies although C’ian’s was considerably better than the ironweyrling’s. Fortunately for him his scar just tended to drag his mouth into a smile and was not debilitating in any way. Well, whatever it was it could be fixed with a lot of laughter and fun! It just took some time to accept and understand this. Some of those he knew reasonably well tended towards not being comfortable with joking around. Thankfully, Z’dyn didn’t seem that type.

“The monsters are attacking again!!”
He lifted up a whole handful of mud and started throwing it back at Shirath in rapid fire, working hard to try to get the purple.
“Yes! When it’s snowing again we’ll be able to show these fearsome creatures not to mess with this Weyr!”

Shirath tried to duck out of the way but managed to be hit in the face with at least three handfuls of mud. He opened his eyes and stared at the bank of the lake as C’ian let up on the ammunition.
I look hideous now! Baihujinth, my dear brother, I look horrible now, who will ever love me with all this mud? ‘
I will! HAHA

C’ian threw just one more handful of mud at Shirath hitting him on his neck. Shirath had stopped whining at Baihujinth but was certainly fishing for compliments of sorts.