The wind brings clouds and stranger things [Jack]

[Kila]

Sol and Eccolath strolled lazily through the Weyrbowl- merrily on their way to nowhere at all. Weyrling Lessons had been farther apart than they had thought they would be, and they had thus found themselves with an abundance of free time on their hands- which was fine with them! Sol was a hard working girl to be sure, but since she had impressed Eccolath a good deal of the Cyan's personality had begun to rub off on her. She was content to do nothing at all and was somehow more easily distracted by almost anything. And oh the impossible, fantastic thoughts she had!

Today, in fact, the pair were walking with their faces and attention in the sky rather than in front of them. It was almost a given that they would run smack into someone. But instead of looking at the ground ahead of them, they were totally absorbed in the fluffy clouds that were rolling through the sky over the Weyrbowl. The was a pleasant breeze that day and it was blowing the clouds amiably across the sky.

That one looks like a runner, Sol said.

What is a 'runner'?

One of the four-legged creatures that they keep pinned up and you eat for breakfast.

Oh, yes! That one looks like.... ummmm....

That one looks like a tunnelsnake!

What is a 'tunnelsnake'?

Pesky things that live in tunnels. People scream about them all the time, remember?

Oh, yes! That one looks like a dragon, Eccolath said in her normal dreamy way yet with a faint ring of triumph.

Sol squinted at the sky. Ecco, I think that IS a dragon.

[jack]

What the Cyan had seen, was indeed a dragon, as Sol had suspected. Although it was doubtful that either of them expected exactly which dragon it was.

Shoth had been in the air by his lonesome for almost a week, able to stretch his wings at last after sitting and recovering for far longer than he'd liked after over-working the injury on his belly and nearly re-opening it. He'd been grounded for almost two weeks, forced to stay as sentient as possible while the over-stretched muscles and skin relaxed and became flexible enough for him to move safely again. Even after he'd been allowed to wander about and fly, he'd been banned from carrying his rider for a bit longer.

But his punishment time--as he was quite convinced the grumpy lovely had had something to do with his being pinned to one place--was over at last, and he had requested--i.e. demanded and forced--B'rak join him for a flight. So here the pair were, soaring lazily above the Weyr, B'rak peacefully smiling at finally being back in the sky again, and Shoth cunningly devising an acrobatic antic that would probably get him injured again.

B'rak adjusted his grip on the harness as he felt the muscles in Shoth's neck spasm, a tall-tale glimmer in the back of his mind telling him to hold on for dear life as the Bronze arched his back, moving into a smooth flip that was surprisingly...well..not death-defying before giving a pleased cackle. The Bronzerider gave a soft smile, realizing belatedly that Shoth had actually learned from his lesson, and would not be over-working himself just yet. Not that he wouldn't get awful close to doing so.

The runt of a dragon gave a pleased hum and directed his gaze to the ground, his wings throbbing slightly from use. Despite being allowed to fly, even he understood that having been laid off so long, he wouldn't be able to fly as long as he wanted. Disguising his weariness--which B'rak could feel, despite the dragon's insistance that it wasn't there--as boredom he began to glide down, careful to avoid moving his wings more than he had to in order to have the energy to stick a perfect landing. And stick it he did, front feet landing gently as he gingerly lowered his back, claws touching the ground softly before he rested his weight on his haunches once more. His legs, oddly enough, were problematic in healing and still didn't feel right as rain.

B'rak slid from the grumpy dragon's neck with a chuckle, smiling as he patted the monstrosity's side and immediately set to removing the harness. Shoth wanted to lolligag around for a while before heading up to the weyr, and the harness would only serve to annoy him. While he was undoing the buckles, however, he paused with a hand over one of the silver rings, blinking as he turned around to look at the pair he'd only absently noticed before.

A broad grin slid onto his lips as he quickly finished his work, hefting the harness before, without a word to Shoth, he moved over to Sol and her dragonet. "Been a while, hasn't it?" he rumbled, glancing at the dragonet with a bright smile. He hadn't actually gotten to go to the Hatching, much as he'd wanted to, because Shoth hadn't been able to muster up the will to move...and demanded B'rak stay with him. The bronzerider had heard quite a bit about it--a blind white, a girl with a brown, the new color, a new queen--but he hadn't actually gotten a good look at the weyrlings yet.

"I see you Impressed, too!" He gave a soft laugh as Shoth moved to loom behind him, staring at the Cyan with a bemused expression.
....B'rakMine. What kind of dragonet is this? Its color is wrong.
The white-haired man chuckled and looked at the Bronze, clearly a lot happier now that he was wandering around healthy, "Cyan, Shoth. Don't you remember all the fuss that was going on about the new color? This is it." He turned again to Sol, bright and cheerful as he smiled again, "I'm happy for you, Sol. Oh! This is Shoth, by the way."

[Kila]

Sol and Eccolath watch curiously as the cloud-dragon slipped and cartwheeled smoothly through the air. They both stood aghast, enchanted by the way that big brother could move through the sky.

Will we be able to fly like that? Eccolath asked dreamily.

Yeah... I hope so, she said.

They could tell his color only when the dragon flew closer to the ground and prepared to land. I think it's a Bronze, Sol observed. But he looks a lot smaller than Daidoroth... And this was true, for the large Bronze was the only one she had seen to compare this one to.

So maybe he is just very small for his color? Eccolath asked.

But their questions were answered in short order. As soon as the rider of the Bronze in question dismounted, it all clicked. Sol beamed- she would know that white shock of hair anywhere. "B'rak!" she called, waving as he walked towards her, obviously having seen and recognized her as she had him. She remembered him having said that His was rather small on the small side. "It's been too long," she agreed. "Since before the Hatching! B'rak, this is Eccolath," she said proudly, kneeling down next to Hers. "She's a Cyan- a brand new color! Isn't she beautiful?"

Both Weyrling and dragon looked up with wide eyes when Shoth loomed up behind the older Rider. True he was not as big as Daidoroth or Kalith, but to them he was still VERY large.

My color is not wrong, Eccolath spoke up as she stared at Shoth. I am just right, only my hide is different from yours.

"So this is Shoth? I should've known as much," Sol said. "Hello, Shoth," she greeted him cheerily.

[jack]

B'rak beamed right back, hands absently on his hips as he cocked his head to the side and gave Eccolath a good looking over, reminiscent of the one Shoth was giving her as well. The white-haired man shook his head in mild disbelief, still bearing a rare, large grin as he gave a soft chuckle, meeting Sol's gaze, "She really is," he rumbled, reaching up to readjust the harness draped on his shoulders, "You fit one another," He added after a moment, kneeling down and offering his hand to the Cyan for an eye-ridge rub, "I'm sure you'll both make excellent wingriders one day."

Shoth gave a soft rumble--of agreement or disagreement it was difficult to tell--and sidled a shade closer, leaning over B'rak to inspect this new color even more thoroughly. His eyes were whirling with lazy interest, a flicker of challenge--as though he had to make certain this tiny thing would never become larger than he--dashing through for a moment before he inhaled deeply, and blew a wave of hot hair over all three.
B'rak flinched and made a displeased face, waving the dragon's breath away while playfully batting him away entirely. Shoth grumbled and didn't move an inch, instead plopping down into a more comfortable position. Your size is different too. He rumbled obnoxiously, although a slight shift in his chin indicated he was not unhappy about thsi new color. B'rak smiled and turned to Sol, leaning in to whisper.
"I think he likes her."
Shoth gave a loud scoff in retort, his tail whipping around to flick B'rak in the back of the head. The man simple snickered and rubbed the beast's eyeridges when his head was thrust in the man's arms demanding an apology.

Seemingly pleased with B'rak's rubbing, the Bronze glanced to Sol, tilting his head subtly, Hello, half-sized squishy. He replied coyly, quirking his jaw to one side, B'rakMine seems fond of you...but you look like a normal squishy to me. He gave a soft scoff and relaxed, staring absently at Sol now that his attention had waned.

[Kila]

Sol was rather befuddled by the interplay of B'rak's words and gaze. They had been sharing wide, happy smiles after coming together, hers only fueled by his quirky stance and appearance. Sol had appraised Eccolath, shamelessly pointing out her small bonded's beauty, but B'rak had looked at her when he agreed. Coincidence.And was there any implication behind his statement that they fit one another? She quickly resolved to let it go, dismissing any possibility of silly young girl's thoughts from clouding her vision. The older rider was one of a few good friends she had there. Even so, her heat betrayed a little flutter of excitement when he knelt down with her and Eccolath.

The little Cyan crooned and allowed him rub her eye-ridge, not at all opposed to the man's actions but with most of her focus still on Shoth, who she gazed up at with tireless wonder. She was pleased when the bigger dragon sidled closer, snout close to her now. It was close enough, in fact, that when Shoth exhaled through his nostrils on them they could feel it very well. Eccolath found herself warmed by the air rather than displeased as His seemed to be. My size is just right for me too, she attested to his judgment. Sitting up on her back legs while Shoth was still inclined towards her, she touched her tiny snout to his.I don't think I will ever be so big as you, though. The contact was likely to be unwanted by the healing, grumpy Bronze, but was done with all of the innocence and curiosity of a child so that, at worst, he could not be too angry.

"I think she likes him, too," Sol whispered back just before Shoth's tail made contact with the back of B'rak's head. She jerked back and managed to avoid knocking heads with him and laughed when the Bronze thrust his head indignantly between them in His' arms, demanding attention. "Are you okay, B'rak?" she asked, tickled but not enough so that she was completely unconcerned.

And then she was honored by Shoth speaking to her directly. She could tell a certain tone that often spelt trouble in his voice as he greeted her. Nevertheless, she was always fascinated to hear the mind voices of the other dragons. Shoth's fit him. Her eyes widened a bit when he spoke of his rider's fondnesses and she arched an eye brow skeptically. She had already decided she wasn't going to fall for that and opted instead to give Shoth back the same tone. And I am quite fond of him- for she was- but he seems to be just as normal as me, sadly.

[jack]

As B'rak grinned away--a cheerful spike of his own dancing behind his gaze--Shoth gave the little dragonet a patronizing stare, as though unsure whether to be amused or insulted at the assurance that she was indeed perfect for being her. He snorted absently, working his jaw, and his eyes flashed, the touch of the smaller dragon's nose to his own starting a flare of warning that disappeared in a fizzle of smoke before even B'rak had time to comment on the situation.

A distinctly smug look spread into his eyes as they shifted through pleased colors and he gave a short laugh, gently butting the tiny creature's nose back. Indeed, I will certainly be larger. The compliment had clearly hit a very clean mark. But that is alright. He tilted his head, nose still touching hers, You would look unlike yourself were you as perfect as I.

The white-haired man laughed, eyes gleaming happily as he met Sol's gaze, "Oh yes, yes. Don't worry--he's a bit of a bully and I've got a head like a rock." He winked at her, grinning, and gently elbowed Shoth, forcing him out of the rider's arms. "Comes from growing up in the mines--you get to a point where not a lot hurts."

As B'rak set again to offering a hand for eye-skritches to Eccolath, Shoth gave a loud scoff, snapping his tail as he settled himself like an unhappy turkey. On the contrary. Mine is the best...of the squishies, that is. He has much to learn to be on my level...but he is definitely on his way. The dragon glanced at the rider and reached forwards, uncharateristically blowing on the man's hair, smirking smugly at the rider's start-and-glance reply. Mine will be the best. He will be perfect.

[Kila]

Perfect? Eccolath piped up, looking around at Hers, the other rider, and his big big Bronze with confused eyes. But why would you want to be perfect? Then you'd never change... and things would be so dull. Right? she asked earnestly.

Sol looked at her in surprise and then let out a peal of laughter. Leave it to Eccolath to come up with something truly philosophical. "That's true. Perfection is often overrated," she agreed before cutting her eyes quickly over to Shoth. "Except in this King, of course," she added coyly. "But, B'rak, you said you grew up in the mines? Where! What was it like?" Sol asked curiously. They had met out in the middle of the Weyrbowl, so Sol took this opportunity to flop down on the grass as they talked. "I've never been in one before."

Eccolath sat down daintily and curled her tail around her claws. She happily accepted the additional scratches from B'rak and crooned happily, her thoughts still hovering around the odd concept of perfection. Shoth, do you enjoy being perfect? How do you do it? Did you not like your flaws? What were they? Weren't they interesting? she meandered absently.