princesal
Wingrider
salct[M:-100]
Poliwogging it up!
Posts: 429
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Post by princesal on Feb 22, 2011 17:07:58 GMT -5
In the stables again (when wasn't he these days it seemed), Wes had actually been doing some work. He had gotten most of the leavings off the ground, and was pulling down fresh hay, when something happened. It was enough to startle him, and as one of the runnerbeasts reared up, it hit the ladder he had been standing on, and he fell backwards, landing on the ground with a solid thunk. It didn't hurt, but it sure knocked the wind out of him, and laying there for a moment, hay scattered around him, and some spinning to the ground, catching winks of light from the open spots in the roof. "oh shells..."
Ow. Because yeah, he had just fallen from a ladder at a height that was higher than he was. After a few minutes, he sat up, and looked over at the runnerbeast for fault, and stood up, walking over to it. After a few days of having to work the stables, he had started to get used to the smell, but also the equestrian looking creatures. That one looked clearly agitated, and reaching up, he stroked it's face. "If you were trying to break my neck, you're going to have to try again some other day." He could see that it had a wild look in it's eyes that even with his calmest words, it didn't seem to even register Weslin speaking.
The one in the next stable made a sudden noise of panic, and he only had time to move away from the one he had touching, before the stables seemed to errupt into confusion. Noises of fear, some reared, and others paced nervously back and forth. "What is wrong with all of you?" Wes never prided himself on being able to tell a shift of change in the air, and even now he had no idea what was happening, only that the beasts were scared about something. Animals usually had a more astute understand of things, and if they were scared it could have been something as simple as a snake in the rafters, to something more serious.
Wes wasn't willing to hope that it was simply a snake, so bending now, he retrieved his shovel, having gotten bored of scooping stuff up (and because most of it was cleaned up, besides the fresh leavings), he had just let it drop from his hands. Hey, it could have been that something was going on miles away, and they happened to have picked it up, or something could be happening right outside the door, whatever it was, he didn't want to be unarmed. Readying the shovel, he headed towards the door to check outside, and pushing it open with a foot, he jumped out, brandishing said shovel, "Hyah!" A mighty yell, just in case he could scare whoever was there.
Even over his warrior cry (yeah, barely), he was in a place that was close enough that he could hear commotion going on, and it didn't sound good. His only choice is to either go investigate, or ignore it, and carry on with his chores... the runnerbeasts were upset, and if they somehow bolted, he knew it would probably come back to him... somehow.
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Post by veritas on Feb 22, 2011 23:12:16 GMT -5
Fatigued as he was, and with a heavy bundle on each shoulder, Jerrith wasn't nearly as quick leaving stores as he had been arriving, and his progress was noisy; tailing him, and catching up to him, wouldn't be at all difficult. Even as he heard someone coming up behind him, though, he stayed focused on his goal. He shifted toward one side so that whoever it was could, if they so chose, slip past him, but apart from that he paid little attention to the sound.
When that someone came up beside him, he did spare a glance, and was moderately surprised to notice the candidate girl who'd been tidying the stores. She'd not said a word while he was in there, and he'd thought, from that, that she was going to keep at her task. Which would have made sense, too; he could respect that. From where she was, she might not have heard anything about what was going on, and certainly wouldn't have seen it, so why would she drop the things she'd been told to do?
But since she was here, running alongside him, maybe she could help.
"Someone's... attacked the Weyr," he panted. The words made as little sense spoken as they had in his thoughts, but nevertheless, there was no other way to say it. "Need to... bind them." He shifted the rope that was on the same side as the other candidate, sliding it down to the crook of his elbow. "If you can... carry this... to the pool... I can get there... a bit faster."
Jerrith swallowed, taking a few deep breaths. Whether she took the rope or not, more explanations would have to wait. Running with his burden was hard enough without trying to talk on top of it.
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Post by claire on Feb 23, 2011 13:19:36 GMT -5
Nimueth snarled right back, less than impressed by the threat from the younger green. Already in a defensive frame of mind the implicit threat hit all the wrong notes. Wings spread to keep herself steady on three legs, she crouched and bared her teeth, ready to fight if the other dragon attacked. With everyone in the weyr on edge, violence was one false move away. Even with the assassins captured. The tension in the air was thick enough to taste.
"Nim," J'en said flatly, not looking up. He was crouched with one knee planted firmly in the small of the captured assassin's back, preventing any attempt at rising as he bound his hands tightly behind his back. Nimueth growled lowly in irritation but acquiesced to her rider's command. He bound the man's feet too before climbing back up onto Nimueth's back. He acknowledged the young rider who'd provided the rope with a nod of thanks; with one last baleful look at the paler green Nimueth grasped the bound assassin in one foreclaw and launched herself into the air again.
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Post by alix on Feb 23, 2011 14:07:18 GMT -5
Malissa didn't know what to think. She didn't want to believe the meaning of the boy's words, but it went against her nature to disbelieve what anyone was saying; if she was going to even entertain the notion of someone lying to her she'd have to have more evidence than, well... The concept they were communicating being utterly, unthinkably, abhorrent.
So she was torn. He'd said the Weyr had been attacked, and so she believed him with every fiber of her being. But this was a Weyr, and with a Pass soon coming, too! The idea of an attack on anyone was alien enough to the slight girl. The idea of someone attacking the very thing that might stand (no, fly) between them and Thread in the coming Turns was insane! She couldn't quite believe it, yet the idea lodged like a cold, hard, sticky lump in the pit of her stomach.
She was so distracted by contemplating the unthinkable she only barely noticed the boy sliding the rope off his shoulder and holding it out to her. Maybe she should've been offended he hadn't asked first, but, well... in this case she didn't even have to assume he had his reasons. They were obvious. And Malissa wasn't easily offended, anyway, especially not by people she didn't know well.
She accepted the rope with both hands, half-stumbling as she got more of its weight. If there had been time, she'd have liked to stop and shift her burden into place more comfortably, but judging by the other candidate's rush, time was something they were preciously short on. So she hefted it as well as she could, a few more steps that fell more heavily, a bit less regularly, than her ordinary run while she adjusted, and then concentrated on keeping up with the boy.
They weren't going very much farther, and once they'd delivered the rope she could go back to the stores, or wherever else she might be directed. She didn't think she'd want to be in the open Weyr bowl if they were under attack.
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Azhdarchid
Jr. Weyrwoman
azhct[M:-1490]
Totes.
Posts: 1,627
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Post by Azhdarchid on Feb 23, 2011 17:24:16 GMT -5
A scarred green's wings glinted at the periphery of Qosis' upward gaze, his eyes fixed on a more distant shimmer of royal hide till he noticed the smaller dragon's disfigurement. Then he was following her progress, and noticed the growing commotion past the falls, around the main entrance to the Sands. The scarred green was carrying a human-shaped parcel, and seemed to be heading that way. Qosis glanced around briefly for signs of who it was the assassins had made their occupations clear upon. The Weyrlings working to the west were gone, but that was standard behavior for the unarmed in a crisis: run and hide.
He had his broad back set as close as possible to the side entrance to the Sands, but he had not meant to actually reenter the fateful stairwell. It seemed the Weyr knew better than to entertain his earlier idealism, his fleeting interest in the sanctity of the Hatching place. The assassins were being brought there, and he could easily envision the end result of a terse interrogation. Mist off the falls was buffeted his way by the passage of dragon wings, and a fine film of the drops coated him and his captive by the time he spotted his rope-bearing ally.
Or allies. It seemed the harper had brought a friend. Qosis glanced over the second figure briefly: drudge, male was the initial conclusion. Only when Malissa was close did he recognize her, and note that her chest was not completely flat. Qosis spent no time on his surprise at the second misidentification of the day.
"Use any secure knot you know on the feet," he said as he lowered the assassin to the stone, nudging her legs out straight with the toe of his boot. With her lying flat instead of crumpled at the bottom of the staircase, he could identify a swollen bend in her upper right arm. But Qosis dragged her hands out above her head regardless. He seized the other rope bundle from Malissa, not saying a thing to her. The assassin quivered as he tied her wrists together. Walking around the limp body, Qosis checked Jerrith's knots, and tied them himself if the other Candidate proved incompetent. "That was very quick," he said, gesturing to the ropes as the extent of his compliment.
Then he pointed to the weapon bundle again. "You are taking those back down to the Sands," the ex-trader ordered, not without a hint of humor for weary Jerrith's sake. "With me now, come on." He was less gracious to the assassin this time, hauling her up and flipping half of her over his shoulder in a single motion. Her groans played opposite the Weyr-wide snarling of maddened dragons. "You should return to the barracks, or wherever you came from," Qosis advised Malissa over his unoccupied shoulder, and headed down the steps.
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Post by purnip on Feb 23, 2011 18:48:50 GMT -5
"Don't you have something better to do?"
L'am scowled at that, in no mood to take this cynicism from someone he was genuinely worried about. She was hurt. He could see the blood. Now wasn't the time for her to be defensive about every little Faranth-damned thing he did for her. He knew it was stupid to be so angry at her at a moment like this, so he gulped and masked his irritation like the professional puppeteer he used to be. "No. I've got rope, and you've got a captive. I'm exactly where I need to be," he responded. She didn't want it to be about her? Fine. It didn't have to be. But he was going to make sure she had help at the very least. Above all else, her safety mattered the most to him. Why--hell if he knew. These days he had more trouble than ever understanding himself. He'd gotten himself to be just as complicated as the woman he was obsessed with. The more clear that became, the softer he felt. He was uncomfortable with this level of humanity.
Sonia was finally coming out with her status, and L'am was quick to reach her side. He didn't spend a second looking at anything else that wasn't her foot or ankle, seriously attempting to determine what was wrong. But he wasn't a healer. He only had the most basic of first aid training, and that was for Threadscores, not broken or bruised limbs. Behind him, J'en and Nimueth arrived to pick up the rope. He had an idea, but unfortunately he had to peel himself away from Sonia for a second. "Wait right here. Please. Just don't move that foot." With that he got to his feet and made his way towards J'en, picking up the rope he dropped on the ground along the way.
He jerked around when he heard Aimeth screech indignantly, and just in time to see Sonia fall over after attempting to calm her dragon down. Why did that Green hate him still? Had he harmed a bone in her rider's body? It really pained him now, when once upon a time he couldn't give a single damn what a dragon thought of him. If Aimeth didn't like him, he'd never be able to be around her rider. But he wouldn't let that stop him. Being pained, well, it hurt of course, but he was used to swatting away that emotion like a dragon might swat at an annoying flitter. He turned to J'en quickly and practically pushed the coils of rope into his arms. "You can deliver this to everyone far quicker than I can. I'm going to find this rider a healer. I believe a Brownhandler not far from here needs some, as well as Emith's rider, Waroth's, and quite a few more. You'll get more details along the way." He gave J'en a sorry nod, cursing his luck for having to push such an important task away. This could have gotten him some recognition. This could have helped make a hero out of him. But he was giving that away for someone who practically despised him. What a funny old world this was.
Lebeth. Call a healer to Aimeth's location. Her rider is injured.
Lebeth relayed the message to all the healers he could remember...C'fael mostly. He was foggy on the rest and he just hoped the one healer he could remember wasn't too busy right now. Not that many people got hurt, did they? The Bronze hoped not.
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Lan
Weyrlingmaster
lanct[M:-1025]
Nomming ALL the kidpets!
Posts: 1,266
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Post by Lan on Feb 23, 2011 21:43:01 GMT -5
Poseith paused when the words from Ansyth came, a strange dragon he'd never met. If healers were in a direction opposite of where they were headed, he couldn't let his rider continue on the wrong direction. However, before he could speak up Eriputh jumped in front of the pair of weyrlings. F'ton paused. Right. The Infirmary wasn't this way. He would have facepalmed if he could. But there wasn't time nor excess energy available to him for self-deprecation. There could only be movement. He nodded to Eriputh, understanding, and turned so that they were moving instead toward the infirmary. His arms still held tight, although he knew it would be a long way yet to the Infirmary. Adrenaline fueled his strength and he continued on. While he didn't trust himself to full on carry Fahra to their destination, he supported her as much as he could.
The commotion around and the words of dragons speaking quickly to communicate their riders' wishes all echoed in Waroth's mind, making her all the more irritable. She applied more pressure onto her catch, her claws twitching and digging holes into the ground beneath her. The man flinched, but otherwise was silent. Nimara gave the red a warning look and she quieted. Lebeth's has rope. We must bind the spy and take him to the hatching caverns, she relayed to her rider, bloodlust dripping in her words as her eyes swirled faster and faster.
Tell him we are in need of some and relay our location, Nimara replied, keeping her eyes planted firmly on the assassin. Waroth blinked and relayed the needed information, then returned her ireful gaze to her catch. He was so tiny and helpless, hopelessly trapped beneath her one great foot. She opened her mouth to crack a draconic smile at his position. Not so big and bad now, was he? Such a little nuisance causing so much destruction. It would be best to kill him now and watch the lights leave his eyes. A trail of spittle left her mouth, falling down in the culprit's face despite his best attempts to squirm his way out of the gross situation. Waroth held him tighter still, feeling his ribs bend beneath her. However, they wouldn't break. No, that would be too easy. So she held him there, torturing him with her gaze and her tight proximity.
"Waroth!" Nimara checked, summoning up a growl from her mindmate at being chided. The scarlet demon didn't like being corrected. If she couldn't have the pleasure of killing him, like Enlith had with her catch, she should at the very least have the joy of torturing him! With a snort, she gave the man one more squeeze before holding him with a steady pressure again. Where was that bronze with his rope? They never were around when they were needed. She hissed and glanced between the assassin and the sky, anxious to haul her load in like a Queen returning from war with the head of her rival. An echoing, trumpeting roar punctuated their location, in case the King had gotten lost along the way. She didn't have the patience for words right now. They would be given with a fine coating of acid later.
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Admin
Administrator
brect[M:-2154]
Posts: 3,754
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Post by Admin on Feb 24, 2011 0:12:16 GMT -5
You're sick of feeling numb, You're not the only one, I'll take you by the hand, And I'll show you a world.
Sonia continued assessing her foot, having straightened herself out after falling over, as she listened to L'am and the greenrider in the background. Aimeth let Nimueth go with a final hiss, kept in place by the fact she had to keep her captive pinned more than Sonia. Her rider was in a bit of pain, as much as she tried to pretend that she wasn't. She'd been through worse. That, unfortunately, only made for a good tough girl routine; it didn't really make the pain go away. Still, there were more important things than her foot. Her life wasn't in any great danger. She'd live. Raising her fingers to her lips, Sonia let loose a high, piercing whistle. Immediately, six flitters appeared. She already knew which ones. No need to count. "Zola, Esti, go guard the eggs. I need Eulo." The pink and green disappeared. A moment later, they were replaced with a disgruntled, grumpy gold.
"Go help people with captives. Make sure they all get rope and are safe. There's a green. Darker than Aimeth. She has rope. Help. Aid. Rope." Sonia reinforced the orders with her pictures of herself doing what she wanted them to do. With chirrups of understanding, the quintet flew off, Eulo in the lead. A few seconds later, they came sailing down to Qosis and his catch. They immediately picked sides in the group he'd assembled. Ife and Olya landed on Jerrith. Eulo and Ruy landed on Malissa. Jary landed on the assassin, not because he found Qosis to be someone he liked but instead because he wanted to see if maybe he was allowed to remove the eyes from this one. Raising herself to her full height on Malissa's shoulder, Eulo chirruped commandingly. Where were their dragons? Where were their flits? What in the world were they doing?
Her flitters set to work, Aimeth set to seething, Sonia continued her examination of her foot. She thought it was broken, but it was very hard to tell. The entire section of her foot was swelling up. Faranth, if she'd broken more than her toe, she was screwed. She knew L'am was still there and after a bit more wincing, she glanced up at him from her spot on the ground. "Why do you even care so much?" The other greenrider was gone. The urge to keep quiet fell away. She wanted him to leave her alone. She wasn't going to pretend that she was glad to see him. He wasn't even capable of taking care of himself. He used other people. Ugh, why couldn't he have just gone for Dekistee? That bet was open, insanely childish as it was. Maybe he would. Call her a dreamer. "You of all people should know that I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."
As soon as that was out of her mouth, Sonia bit her tongue. She was being stupid. So, so stupid. Referencing that night where Aimeth had attacked L'am was the last thing she needed to do. She did not need to act like he knew her or she owed him anything. That worked for some people, but that was the last thing she needed to do with him. Why was she acting like she had a spine? Because she did, but she didn't need to act like it with L'am! Maybe he'd finally have enough of her. Maybe he'd finally go away. Her tongue firmly between her teeth, she leaned back over her foot, face hidden from view, and gave the injured appendage another poke, almost as if to punish herself. Pain splintered up her leg and she gritted her teeth, catching her tongue in the process. "Shards;" she swore, relaxing her jaw and fighting back a few tears of pain. That hurt.
Kerath and W'al allowed themselves to relax. The weyrlings were safe. The assassins had been caught. That just left the aftermath. Neither of them were quite sure of what do with it, but they would try their best and do their part. All will be well, little ones. We just ask that you might listen to old Altith, Seiseth, Rhyolith, and me a bit more than you usually do; the purple joked to the Skystalkers, tone light and kind. He wanted to put them at ease. There was nothing worse than a panicked dragonet. The pair remained hovering in the air near the wall of the bowl, still trying to help oversee the younglings that were their charges, if not their class. W'al scratched at his face, smiling despite it all. A frown wouldn't do him any good. Things had been fixed. The storm had ended. Plus, he didn't want end up thinking about what the Weyrwoman was going to do to the assassins.
Pain without love, Pain, I can't get enough, Pain, I like it rough, Cause I'd rather feel pain.
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Post by veritas on Feb 24, 2011 0:30:48 GMT -5
Jerrith was bigger than Malissa, that was certainly true, and early life at a fishing hold had let him grow accustomed to labor, even if he hadn't done quite as much of it at the Harper Hall. Fresh, he'd likely have been able to out-pace the girl with his reduced burden.
Winded, it was another matter entirely. Close as they were to their destination by then, it didn't really seem necessary to eke out a tiny bit more speed. He nodded his appreciation and kept jogging, but did keep an eye on her, making an effort to keep the pace.
There'd be time for social niceties later. For now, the urgencies of the moment dictated some things that were otherwise a bit rude - even he, not the most socially deft of people, knew that they were. Emergencies, however, didn't stand on ceremony.
It was with some relief that he let the coil of rope slide down to the ground and started applying it at the big man's direction. He knew nothing about binding people, but knots - knots he knew. One didn't work under a fisher without gaining some appreciation for knots. The rope was thicker than he was used to, so his nimble fingers weren't quite as deft as he was used to; but he treated the assassin's legs like two spars being lashed together, winding the rope around them and then looping a few turns across the windings to tighten them before finally tying it off.
The praise for his quickness brought a swell of satisfaction. He'd done what he was tasked to do and done it well; even having the other candidate check his knots, much as that doubt might sting at on some other occasion, wasn't a problem on the heels of such praise. "Yes, sir," he said in response to the big man's instruction. While he was gathering the implements up, it seemed a little perplexing that he was bringing them right back where he'd found them; but by the time he stood, he could get enough of a glimpse of what was going on that it made sense.
He suppressed a wince at the thought of all the assassins - and their minders, and everyone else - being gathered there on the sands. Buck up, boy, he told himself. If you want to ride a dragon, you'll have to stand there, with people all around, at some time or another.
Having a bunch of fire-lizards appear out of nowhere - or so it seemed, to one who hadn't been watching for the things - shocked him out of that particular reverie, and he tensed as the green and the white actually landed right on him. Those claws didn't look exactly gentle, even if they weren't being applied in earnest...! But after a moment, he found himself smiling. Even if they weren't his fire-lizards and he knew it, it... actually felt kind of nice to be shepherded by them, even if he was a bit unclear why.
As he processed Qosis's dismissal of the third candidate, though, he couldn't help but feel a little guilty. She'd run out to help, shared his burden, and she didn't even get acknowledged? Jerrith rearranged the weapons - and his pole - to get one arm free, as best he could without dislodging the flitters on his person too harshly, and leaned toward her, lagging a bit behind Qosis, but nothing he couldn't catch up. "I'll take that back now," he murmured. Then, feeling a bit awkward, "...Thanks."
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Post by alix on Feb 24, 2011 6:03:02 GMT -5
Malissa gasped when Qosis lowered the assassin to the ground. In part it was because it forced home the fact that the Weyr had been attacked. For all that Malissa might not have met everyone around Dalibor Weyr yet, this woman didn't seem to belong. In part it was the fact that she was looking... unhealthy.
She let Qosis take the rope without protest, and then stood quietly watching the boys tie up the woman. She thought she saw blood, and the intruder's arm didn't look quite right. That was what made unwise words bubble up in her. Malissa knew the question was unlikely to be received well, but it slipped out of her anyway. "Is she hurt?" No malice in her tone, either, just concern. Maybe she shouldn't feel concerned for someone who allegedly had attacked the Weyr, but she did.
It was probably just as well the fire-lizards arrived then, their appearance easing at least Malissa's tension. She might not have one of her own, nor had anyone in her family, but she'd admired them from afar, and been quite willing to sneak a bite or two of whatever food was handy to one if it came begging. And now there were two of them perching on her. Slowly, carefully, she reached up to stroke the bronze, while the gold chittered away. She couldn't know what it was on about, but its presence felt reassuring.
At Qosis's dismissal she backed up a few steps, but didn't leave straight away. She smiled in acknowledgement of Jerrith's thanks, and then looked, well as she could, at the gold flitter on her shoulder, speaking softly to it. "I should go back to the stores now. Is that all right?" It might just be a flitter, but it was a Queen flitter. It might know more about the situation than she did, and either way it couldn't hurt to show it respect. With a smile, reaching up and offering her finger to scratch Eulo's chin, she added. "You're both very pretty."
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Post by willow on Feb 24, 2011 9:48:05 GMT -5
Firane was in the kitchens, looking for a snack between tasks, when she heard the revolted cries of injured dragons and riders followed by the piercing keen of loss. So many at once? Surely that did not herald a lone dragon's death, not when coupled with the cries of pain and calls for help that immediately followed.
Hunger forgotten, she turned on her heels and ran. Soon enough, she had to slow down for fear that her left leg would give out under the effort, and she did not yet know what she was running to. Across the Bowl, a mass of weyrlings and dragons was the source of the pained screaming, but everywhere there were riders and furious dragons.
Pain. Hurt. That she could deal with. The rest didn't matter, the Weyr leaders would deal with it.
Squeezing between two drudges who were staring at the wild mess and blocking her path, the girl jogged out of the cavern. The infirmary was to her left, but she could see healers on the ground already; no need to waste time collecting supplies, she was slow enough as it was. So Firane moved at a half-trot to the middle of the scene, while trying to assess the situation and figure out who was already being assisted. C'fael was directing injured riders toward the infirmary.
Her eyes were caught by the vibrant shade of Helioth's skin. L'ryn was sheltered by a stone overhang, but the arrow protruding from his arm and the way he held onto his dragon told he might not keep consciousness for long.
"Come on, we need to get you to the infirmary," Firane said as soon as she neared him. She might not have traded more than a few meek words with the weyrling before then, but there were things far more urgent than her shyness when she could be useful. "Lean on your dragon and on me."
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RavenSong
Jr. Weyrleader
songct[M:-364]
Posts: 710
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Post by RavenSong on Feb 24, 2011 11:40:54 GMT -5
K'var and Argotath had been bathing when the alarm went out. K'var hastily scrambled out of the water, donned his clothes without care, and went after Argotath's riding gear.
"Good thing we were going for a flyaround after your bath, yeah?" K'var said to his dragon, who snorted at him and shook the water off his sapphire self. Bip flew around the pair in dizzying circles, creeling loudly, her eyes whirling yellow and orange.
There is death, Mine, Argotath said somberly. K'var frowned and shook his head.
"Let's put those Thread drills to the test then," he said. Argotath crouched down and K'var threw his saddle on him, deftly strapping it on. Bip flew down to K'var's shoulder and hung on tightly, keening in his ear. "Shh, Bip. I need to hear." He projected an image of calm to the little green flit, who calmed herself. She chittered softly as K'var leapt into the saddle. "Off, Bip. Go find where to help." He projected an image of himself helping a dragon to her, and she chirped in response. She flew off his shoulder, went between, and appeared five feet away from them. Argotath rumbled in amusement, and K'var smacked his forehead with his palm. "Forget it," he muttered.
There are assassins. We fly now to help catch them, Argotath told his rider as he took off. Bip shrieked loudly and flapped her little wings to try and keep up, but ended up being outdistanced and left behind by the much larger blue. Argotath sailed around the bowl swiftly, exercising much more speed than when he flew for the sake of flying, his eyes whirling red as he scanned the ground. He listened to what he could hear of other dragons, and eventually landed near the Hatching Sands. We are not needed right now, the assassins are all captured. Enlith killed one. I envy her, Argotath said. K'var grimaced.
Bloody today, are we? he asked mentally. Argotath put his snout right in K'var's face and snorted, blowing his rider's hair back.
This is my home! I want to protect it! the blue broadcast, grumping now. He turned around in a circle, then sat right beside the Hatching Grounds' entrance, eyes whirling red. Bip appeared on his head and started chittering, her tone scolding.
~~~
Within the Kitchens, where she'd been peeling tubers, Naraevhyn heard the screams and general commotion. The keening of the dragons made her hair stand on end, and an unsettled feeling settled into the pit of her stomach. She frowned gently and, staying silent, followed Firane over to L'ryn, deciding that she may as well help the other candidate she'd inadvertently followed out of the kitchens. It looked like everyone else had everything well in hand, and as she hadn't been summoned by anyone, she doubted she was needed in any specific place. She came up behind Firane and moved to L'ryn's side.
"Or on me as well," she piped up, bowing nervously to Helioth. "If your dragon will allow." She pushed a strand of black hair out of her face and waited for L'ryn's response.
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Azhdarchid
Jr. Weyrwoman
azhct[M:-1490]
Totes.
Posts: 1,627
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Post by Azhdarchid on Feb 24, 2011 11:48:27 GMT -5
Qosis ignored Malissa's question but for an acknowledging grunt. He expected the words came from a place of empathy-- for an assassin! --rather than a genuine confusion as to whether the broken, swollen body was "hurt." He suspected the stranger would be a lot more "hurt" in a few minutes when the dragons discovered she would not be answering many questions through her broken jaw.
And he might have continued on-duty from that point, leaving the girl to her wonderings and her apparent inability to take good advice, had he not heard a distinctive Pernese trill behind him. The Candidate whipped around to face Malissa once more, apparently not fast enough to dislodge the blue flit that had made a covert landing on the assassin he carried. He did notice the flick of Jary's wings then, and checked the firelizard with a thorough glance before looking to the nearby queen.
"Someone seems to have noticed us at last," he wondered more than stated, for he did not see message tubes strapped to either the gold or the bronze. He did not for a moment believe either belonged to Malissa, a point confirmed when the girl began groping uncertainly at the bronze. Though they were less likely prospects for messages, Qosis did examine the smaller flits clouding Jerrith, and finally the blue atop the catch of the day. None of them had any clues as to who had sent them, or why, nor were they acting as flits sometimes did in immediate emergencies, pulling ignorant humans along to some safe destination or needed action.
No, the firelizards seemed to have been sent purely to wherry them. Or they had arrived of their own pointless curiosity. Qosis frowned. "Sorry love, I don't speak squeak," he said curtly to Eulo before turning around and returning to the steps. He wiped a layer of waterfall mist from his beard, shaking out his wet hand afterward. Tiny punctuations of blood where the assassin had hit the lower steps still glistened as he passed them by. He looked back at Jerrith and found the harper in acceptable proximity, then entered the heated cavern. Qosis allowed his reservations on bringing the assassin here to pass as a barely-worded grumble about the strangeness of the situation.
A tug at his shoulder alerted him as to the blue flit's destination. Qosis glanced between Jary and his ungloved hand. After a moment he tucked his fingers into the flimsy cloth shielding of his sleeve and reached for the blue. Rather than grabbing the creature, he attempted to get his hand under its prickly feet so he could loft it into the air. "Off."
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Post by kitsufox on Feb 24, 2011 15:02:25 GMT -5
Purple Kerath and his W'al are here. The viridian dragon's voice sounded pleased that the pair were trying to help the Skystalkers. This was worse than the time L'ryn had fallen off a runner and broken his rib. He moved slightly, the arrow bumped against the stone and the world spun wildly. For a long moment he thought he might faint.
It was Helioth's croon in his ear that gave him the strength to surface from the haze again. If he'd been healer trained he might have known he was in the early stages of shock. The little dragon, only a season old, didn't know better himself yet. Only that his rider was wrong, and the two that came would take him to those who would make him right again. The two girls spoke and L'ryn remained unfocused and somewhat numb. These two neglect their duties for us. Stand up.
The directness of the command were enough to bring L'ryn back into focus. "Is all duty with you, dragon." But he listened. When you were only half-focused it was easy to listen to the voice in your head over all other things. Helioth helped his rider, nudging him into the care of the two girls. They had hands to catch him if he fell. He would supervise. He arched his neck imperiously at the pair, rattling his wings while his eyes were dominated by shades of red and violet, with just tinge of orange.
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Post by claire on Feb 24, 2011 15:44:48 GMT -5
Nimueth touched down lightly on the sands, the downwash from her wings stirring up dust as she landed. There weren't many there yet. J'en leaned forward in the harness, eyeing the ones standing nearby. Candidates, he guessed; as much from their age as from the fact that no dragon or wher would be anywhere other than at Theirs' side right now. Looked like they'd snagged a captive for themselves too. Not bad going...impressive, actually, given that it was probably more difficult to take down an assassin when you didn't have a dragon backing you.
"Have another one," he said, nodding towards the older candidate; the one whose body language suggested that he'd taken charge of the situation. At the almost flippant comment from her rider Nimueth deposited their bloodied captive on the sands. He gave a low moan but made no attempt to rise. "A little worse for wear," J'en added with callous indifference; "But I hear he's in better shape than his friends."
He hesitated a moment, one hand going to the coil of rope the bronzerider had handed him, now looped loosely over his shoulder. "Got things under control here?" He looked to the candidates for confirmation in a way which suggested the answer had better be 'yes'.
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Post by willow on Feb 24, 2011 15:49:38 GMT -5
Naraevhyn's arrival was more than welcome; Helioth could have helped her move L'ryn, or she could have asked for the assistance of someone close by, but this way was simpler and quicker. They would have enough trouble helping the wobbly L'ryn to the infirmary at a slow pace without delaying it further.
"Thanks, Helioth," Firane said to the fretting dragon as he moved to let the two girls hold L'ryn. She could identify the viridian's movements as that of someone worried for his companion, and had seen several human counterparts of that agitated anguish; besides, Helioth was still far from the adult dragon size that intimidated her and there was no time to be awed by dragon-power. "Don't worry, the healers will take good care of L'ryn." Turning to the rider, she continued, attempting a soothing yet firm tone: "I know it hurts, but you need to stay focused. The infirmary isn't far and you can rest there."
Fortunately, L'ryn was of small build. She stepped closer and hooked her right arm around the weyrling's waist, carefully angling her body to avoid nudging the arrow or applying pressure on the injured limb as they walked. As she figured she was the most able of the two candidates on managing the situation, the young girl tilted her head at Naraevhyn to instruct her on what to do. "Let him hook his arm around your shoulders. We'll have to walk slowly and in unison as to not jostle the pierced muscle too much." Once more to the dragon, "Please, Helioth, talk with him, keep your rider awake, it will help him."
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Post by purnip on Feb 24, 2011 19:20:13 GMT -5
When L'am was through with J'en, he returned to Sonia's side, only reluctant because he knew she would do everything in her power to push him away. He could care less about what Aimeth wanted to do with him. He knew the sort of danger he put himself in every time he tried to get close, but he dared without hesitation. Once upon a time, staying alive was all that ever mattered to him. Now it was a lot more complicated than that.
He couldn't quite materialize what it was that he felt for the girl. Love was such a strong, emotional word. It wasn't safe or smart to fling it at the first feelings you ever have for someone. He wasn't even sure if he liked her. Sonia often caused him more pain than pleasure. She never made him laugh, or shown any common interests. But it wasn't just because she was intriguing to him. It was more than that and by now she was much more than a puzzle. She, like him, was a human being. And like him, she did what it took to survive. They operated on different frequencies, but they were both hiding from something. It wasn't easy to figure out what it was. It started off as a curiosity, but it erupted into an obsession. But what caught him off guard in this case was that he didn't just want to figure it out for himself. He wanted to help her. Every time he looked at her, all he could see was a woman bound. He didn't want to see someone with so much life and so much potential to live and die without making use of it. L'am was also bound. He had rules to go by, self-imposed, so he could meet his goal of being someone important.
When he was a kid, he was sentimental. He would cry, laugh, play, and grieve with the utmost sincerity. Everything changed as he grew older only to find that those who didn't play the poker game of life would only end up working for others and going unnoticed until the very day they die. He didn't want to die in obscurity, or live in it for that matter. He did everything he had to do in order to avoid it. Now, he found something that tempted him to give it all up. In comparison, a responsible life paled to a life with someone you...cared about. How did it get this way? It wasn't overnight. But L'am was so careful. Sonia must have really been something more.
The Bronzerider was silent in his thoughts when Sonia asked her first question. He hated to be in his own mind for too long...but that was long ago. Now he found himself constantly going back, looking for answers. Something must have been stored away to explain why he felt so strongly about her. What did he really know about his Greenrider? Or was this all about what he didn't know?
"You of all people should know that I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."
He was standing over her, looking out for any healer he could find. They must have all been busy. "I know."
L'am glanced back at her foot again to see the bruising located mainly near her toes. Maybe her ankle was fine. He could always help her on to Aimeth's back and take the bit of rope he kept for this assassin to tie him up and stand guard until Lebeth picked them up. He wasn't sure what the Green would prefer--taking her rider to the infirmary or taking the hostage. He looked to Sonia again, expression tired as he ought to be. "Hey, I'm sorry. I can't help it. I care about you. And it's no use asking why because honestly, I haven't got a clue."
He sighed, then turning his attention to Aimeth. "I saved some rope for your captive, but your rider needs assistance from someone who knows what they're doing. She needs to be taken to the infirmary and that man needs to be taken into custody. What do you propose we do?" It was best to ask the dragon to avoid getting eaten. He had been bit by her once before. It hurt.
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Admin
Administrator
brect[M:-2154]
Posts: 3,754
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Post by Admin on Feb 24, 2011 22:17:20 GMT -5
Don't pretend to care, Don't apologize, Don't tell me I'm right, I know what's not mine.
Sonia was startled by L'am's words. She glanced up at him, eyes dark under the shadow of her hair. For once, the surprise wasn't totally horrible. She felt no sinking feeling in her gut. Only shock and worry. He . . . cared about her? Why'd he look so tired? She was pretty sure he was lying, but he didn't look or sound like he was lying. He just looked tired and kind of like he might be a little pissed. He had to be lying though. She wasn't a mindreader. He didn't seem like he was lying, but that didn't mean that he wasn't. Why did it even matter anyway? Even if he was being honest, even for this one stupid question he had decided to not be a liar, she couldn't trust him. Why had he even had to say that? Caring didn't make his motives pure. Caring didn't fix her foot or solve her problems. Still, in the end, she couldn't fault him for honesty. For a tiny bit of humanity.
Internally, deep down inside, Sonia wasn't angry at L'am. Not as much as it seemed, anyway, because she, unlike most, had seen a bit of good to go with all his stupidity. She could forgive him. If he'd left her alone, she probably would have. Not enough to trust him, not enough to like him, but enough to pretend as if she didn't know him, to pretend as if nothing was wrong. That was why she disliked him so much. As much as she abhorred it, he was winning the war, at least as far as she was concerned. He made her remember every shitty detail of her life. He made her remember and remembering that she carried all of that wasn't fun. Deep down inside, she was just a mess of a lot of people she hated a lot more than him, because the world had made her a lot like Aimeth, only with a lot more control and more empathy for others. That second part sucked.
All of that meant that, despite it all, she also cared about L'am. She liked to think she hated him, but she didn't really. Thought he was a complete ass, yes, and didn't trust him a wink, but she didn't hate him. It was her nature to care about things. People. Animals. Even places. She didn't plan on leaving Dalibor anytime soon. She'd never leave Aimeth or her flitters. Over the turns, she had worked hard to act as if she was too scared to ever do anything, but the best she'd ever managed to reached, and that was long before dragons and blueriders and bronzeriders had gone punching holes in her life, was neutral. Impassiveness. Doing what she was told. That hadn't made things better, but she had managed it and it had kept her alive. Now she had L'am saying he cared about her and her thinking that he seemed a bit like a puppy and she didn't approve in the slightest. He wasn't trustworthy. Stupid conniving bastard puppy.
Aimeth did not care for her rider's inner turmoils. That was not the green's element. Instead, she turned her attention to L'am. She fell quiet as he spoke to her, stayed by his logical words. She knew she couldn't gobble him up for dinner, but it was nice to pretend that she could sometimes. She liked honesty herself, but pretending had its place. However, if L'am was going to deal with her like a business partner, she could return the favor, especially if her rider's health hung in the balance. Her rashness had already caused Sonia a great deal of pain. Due to that, she tried to think it out rationally, tail flicking back in forth. After a moment, she reached a solution that was satisfactory to her and perked up, only to be stopped by Sonia. The greenrider, while in pain and incapable of standing up properly, was far from stupid and kept a keen ear on her dragon's thoughts.
"No, Aim, I don't think he means scooping me up with one foot and the man in the other and flying off into the sunset;" Sonia chided the green. With a grumpy sigh, Aimeth flopped down, all but squashing her captive in the process. It had seemed like the perfect solution to her. Despite the stern edge to her voice, Sonia smiled, chuckling beneath her breath. She found her dragon amusing through it all, tolerant enough a soul. "I don't need a healer;" she reminded L'am, not that she thought it would do much good. She knew when to call it quits. If he was only going to drag her to the infirmary if she physically refused, she was going to lose and win the booby prize of a very miffed Aimeth. "Come on, I'll tie up this good sir." The green balked at the idea of letting her rider near the injured assassin, looking at L'am for back up for once, but Sonia was persistent. "Do you want him, the devil, tying up someone that could kill me? Or me, the fishing holder's daughter, tying up someone that could kill me?" With a sigh, Aimeth wiggled back, releasing a bit of the pressure on her captive.
Eulo didn't approve of Qosis's tone. She wasn't stupid! She certainly wasn't going to waste pictures or feelings on him. She ignored Malissa and her words, staring after the boy, but Ruy at least hummed appreciatively, not wanting to be rude. Up with Qosis, Jary shrieked when he was removed from the assassin's back, throwing himself into the air to avoid an unfamiliar touch. Hissing with glee and disgust, Olya and Eulo took flight as well, leaving Ife clinging happily to Jerrith and Ruy sitting on Malissa. A bundled mass of wings, white Olya, gold Eulo, and blue Jary descended upon Qosis and beat at him, harrying him towards the hot sands with their bodies in the way of his visions. Oh, didn't he know where he was supposed to go? Look, they'd help! There is a lesson that should be taught to all children on Pern: don't chided a persnickety gold flitter.
The underhandedness, Oh, the stories that were told, They meant nothing then, Now makes so much sense.
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Boo
Jr. Weyrwoman
booct[M:-425]
Shirath: THOSE aren't spirit fingers... THESE ARE SPIRIT FINGERS!!!
Posts: 1,917
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Post by Boo on Feb 24, 2011 23:25:04 GMT -5
Tedaon had been out and about that morning, not shutting himself in the lower caverns as he usually did. A messenger had come by from his brother, asking about his well being. He needed to at least pretend he was alright. It had been three years now and he was just fine. It was just that when people saw him locked in the Lower Caverns for more than too long then they would usually say something to E'don if it seemed prudent. Which some of them thought it did. He was a little tired of the fact that his brother had taken to practically babying him. Tedaon sighed and watched the Weyrlings at work, sitting tense as he watched the dragons.
He didn't understand how any of this was helpful but here he was, getting some fresh air and unintentionally torturing himself. He sighed wondering what was happening in the infirmary. He looked towards the watch dragon and frowned for a moment as he heard the herdbeasts making strange noises. He frowned but strugged it off a little assuming it was merely due to the feeding beasts. At that moment, he heard a noise and spotted a girl fall to the ground and the dragon beside her wink out of existance. It occurred about nine more times with varying degrees of injury and Tedaon was brought back to that day with more pain than he could have imagined.
He froze, just sat there staring as the riders crumpled to the ground and chaos ensued all throughout the weyrbowl. It was a while before he even blinked, breathing quickly now as he watched the dragons launch themselves after the attackers. He was suddenly filled with anger. He jumped to his feet calling for his Diasith sending a message to his dragon. The black firelizard, accustomed to being called thus, winked before him. "Diasith! We must kill these cowards!"
The black crooned a little and hovered around his head as Tedaon rushed towards those who were injured. "Those sharding, wherry necked cowards!" He shouted, shaking his fist, "Cowards!" Neras growled and hovered around him. The damage was so bad and Tedaon knew he should have gotten into the bowl sooner to help people down to the infirmary or fix those who had already been injured. His heart was beating swiftly and his stomach churned. He almost imagined he could feel the pain of those dragons as their riders were injured or dead and they winked between.
He hurried down to find a rider being carried by another in the direction of the infirmary. He needed to be there, he needed supplies... Something to help them. Tedaon thought he was a weyrling... L'rys or something... L'ryn...? He seemed unable to walk regardless. He wasn't sure how many dragons were injured but he had to do something...
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Corian had been working on clearing out his room, just cleaning things and generally ensuring he could actually walk into his room when he heard chaos in the corridors and the Weyr. He followed the rush and ran outside to discover what was happening. It looked as though Thread had fallen... There were people injured and dragons missing. He knew most of those people who had impressed at the recent hatching and their dragons yet there was at least one pink missing. His breath caught in his throat as he hurried about helping those who needed it and comforting some of the Weyrfolk who were in shock. He didn't want to get in the way and most things seemed under control. If someone called him over he would help, of course, but as it happened, there was little he could have done at that moment in time.
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Kire was already in the Weyrbowl when it happened. She watched in shock as arrows ploughed into some of her friends. Some people she recognised from around the Weyr. She hurried forward and attempted to help someone who had fallen, but others arrived much quicker and picked the weyrling to their feet. Kire looked around what seemed like a war zone and wasn't entirely sure what she could do. She was an ex-dolphineer, not one of her skills would have been of any use to those who had been injured. She looked around, knowing that a great many of the assailants had already been captured from the looks of the dragons. She rushed over to an older gentleman as he touched down on his dragon but he had already found someone to hand his captive off to. She wasn't sure what she could do to help so decided to ask the rider, J'en. "Is there anything I can do to help?" She asked anxiously.
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Post by veritas on Feb 25, 2011 4:02:39 GMT -5
At first Jerrith had respected the older, bigger candidate for taking charge of things. Why not? Jerrith himself had been overwhelmed when everything started happening; none of the other candidates had shown enough initiative to stop the assassin.
Now, though, he found himself getting irritated at the man's demeanor, and the splitting headache that was trying to make a reappearance didn't help matters. If Qosis had directed the candidate girl to something that was directly helpful with the crisis at hand, that would've been fine. If he'd told her to get back underground where it might be safer, that too would have made sense.
But shard it, the girl was a candidate, just like them. She wasn't some drudge to be ordered around like that - not by another candidate! Older or no, the casual disrespect in that dismissal rankled.
But even if it had been directed at Jerrith himself, the middle of an emergency was not the time to be raising a stink over it. Lives came first.
At least the way the man had shooed the blue fire-lizard had prompted the lot of them to make it clear what they wanted the candidates to do. Shifting his own load, Jerrith strode in the wake of Qosis, his burden, and his fluttering guides. He spared a glance over his shoulder at Malissa, then, turning his attention back to where he was going, reached up with his still-free hand to try for a stroke along the jaw of the green still perched on his shoulder. "I'm going," he murmured up to her. You don't need to tell me twice, not with that display there.
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RavenSong
Jr. Weyrleader
songct[M:-364]
Posts: 710
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Post by RavenSong on Feb 25, 2011 9:43:34 GMT -5
K'var watched the candidates being directed to the Hatching Sands quietly, frowning.
"Here. I'll assist," he said, striding forward to assist the candidates with their captive, but turning towards J'en as he and Nimueth sailed in with theirs. "Good catch," he said. "Argotath's a shade jealous of you first responders." As if to punctuate his rider's statement, the angry blue roared loudly at the captives, raising his wings threateningly.
Let me eat them! he said, broadcasting that thought very loudly.
"No, Argotath, I think Kalith would be very annoyed with you if you eat one of these assassins," K'var said, injecting a soothing note into his voice. Argotath lashed his tail around and settled down, a low growl escaping him.
I still wish to eat them, he said. His eyes whirled red.
"I understand, my beautiful friend," K'var replied, patting the blue's neck. He reached down to grab hold of one of the captives. "If they don't give us information, Argotath, what do you think of the Redfruit Effect?" The blue rumbled softly, amused. A slight trace of blue entered his eyes.
Likely the only time I'll ever approve of that foul thing. K'var laughed, then gave Nimueth a smile. Argotath regarded the green warily, then snorted. You can have space on my sunning rocks, he said to her, because you caught one of these tunnel snakes.
~~~
Naraevhyn regarded the viridian dragon warily as she looped one of L'ryn's arms over her neck. She grasped that arm with one hand and wrapped her arm around his waist, holding tight. She tried to take as much of his weight as she could onto her own shoulders and hips.
"I have him," she said to Firane. "His condition does not look good. Do you think... Helioth, was the name? Do you think Helioth could ask a healer's dragon to come help?" She looked at the dragon, then at the weyrling she was supporting. "If a healer meets us halfway, he gets treatment for that arrow in his arm sooner. I think he is losing a lot of blood, it is not good." She inspected L'ryn's face then, her brow furrowed with a concerned frown as her green eyes took in the lad's condition.
"I am Naraevhyn," she said to him quietly. "I will make sure you get help."
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Post by alix on Feb 25, 2011 10:28:29 GMT -5
Malissa felt a brief sting of disappointment as the queen flitter launched off her shoulder, then mentally scolded herself. It wasn't her firelizard, and it had probably been sent to watch over the captives, not over her. She was glad for Ryu remaining where he was, though, carefully stroking the bronze; maybe it was the situation sinking in, maybe it was the angry roar of a dragon nearby, but either way she was starting to feel afraid. The Weyr, what she would've thought would be one of the safest places on Pern, if asked, had been invaded, attacked.
With a shiver, she turned towards the doorway she'd come from. Much better to be sweeping the stores than be any closer than she had to be to this situation. It frightened - it was danger and she would be a fool not to be frightened by danger - and confused her.
"I'm going back to my chores now," she told her passenger, her voice shaking slightly. "Thank you for looking in on us." If he wanted to stay with her, she'd be happy for it, but she wasn't going to assume, not even suggest. He wasn't hers, though especially right now she'd have loved to have a pet to reassure her.
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Azhdarchid
Jr. Weyrwoman
azhct[M:-1490]
Totes.
Posts: 1,627
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Post by Azhdarchid on Feb 25, 2011 12:14:47 GMT -5
"Everything is-- it's-- th--"
Whether it was getting smacked in the mouth with a not-so-errant flap of a wing or whether the wing itself muffled his words, Qosis could not signal to J'en the mostly effortless success of the capture. After a few seconds he stuck his arm out and raised his thumb in a gesture that might convey the same, even if he earned a few bitemarks on the outstanding finger for it. What a day to not possess his fine wherhide jacket!
But the scrappy, loose-sleeved tunic was a better choice for manual labor involving large, stinky clots of algae. And later, assassins, as the day had it. The flits did not seem so interested in clawing at him as he first suspected, and soon the sting of their taut wings dashing off his head became tolerable. With his outstretched arm he felt around in front of him for J'en, seizing on K'var's wrist instead. No matter: one concerned dragonrider was as good as another at this point. Dragging K'var's hand up to the assassin's back, Qosis hefted the killer into the bluerider's care.
No doubt it was only a few short steps to the designated drop-off, but the journey had to be far easier without the constant assault of firelizards. "Jerrith," Qosis hissed softly between wingbeats, proving he did in fact know the names of his fellow Candidates. The noisy harper-types, at least. He pointed in his assistant's general direction, then out to where the assassins were being laid down like so many bloody lines of timber. "Put the-- there!"
A particularly exuberant slap to his head staggered him off the stone periphery and onto the Sands themselves, at which point Qosis planted his feet and inhaled sharply, prepared to take whatever mouthfuls of flying flit parts he earned in getting his message out. "It seems the enemy's firelizards are not taking kindly to her capture," he said, snaring his temper back before it colored his words. It sounded like a genuine observation, and perhaps it would provoke a draconic response. "Either that, or this queen and her fair have nothing better to do than interrupt the apprehension of these murderers."
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Post by claire on Feb 25, 2011 12:47:27 GMT -5
J'en looked down at the candidate girl, a strange feeling of almost amusement passing over him despite the severity of the situation. Really. Only a candidate would ask a greenrider for direction. He hoped he didn't look like he knew what he was doing; that would be giving the wrong impression entirely. But actually pointing this out seemed like it might well be counterproductive, and the sight of assassins on the sands would sober anyone's demeanour. "Keep an eye on them," he said, jerking a thumb at the captives. The instruction was aimed generally at all the candidates hanging around. Even the one being savaged by firelizards for some reason. "You might want to check if they're badly injured, and see about fetching a healer for the ones that are. They're not much use to us if they can't talk."
It was with some relief that he saw the bluerider and his dragon come onto the sands. Thank Faranth, another adult. "Aren't we the lucky ones," he said, though it came out a little flatter than he'd intended it to. A real laugh was startled out of him by the blue's demand to be allowed to eat the captives. Sounded like justice to him. "Very true," he agreed, "I get the impression the Queen would like to eat them herself." A desire shared by every dragon in the weyr, no doubt - and probably a few of the riders - but sadly for the rest of them the Queen got first pick.
Nimueth cocked her head at Argotath's offer, the red beginning to fade from her eyes. Mainly white and yellow predominated still. But there were hints of blue as she replied; That's kind of you. J'en snorted and patted the side of her neck fondly. "Less flirting, Nim, we're not done yet." He nodded to K'var as Nimueth spread her wings and gathered her legs under her. "We'll be back."
Mine has rope, Nim sent as they rose into the air once more; Tell us if you have captives and we will bring it to you. It was something of an inconvenience the conflicting messages going out, but they could hardly help that the bronzerider had apparently had something better to do.
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Post by theknightwhosaysni on Feb 25, 2011 20:16:51 GMT -5
No one had expected this, least of all F'bee. The cyanweyrling had simply been training under F'del when the violent cry came. Eoth! [/i] Came Dorith's cry. Eoth is gone! She won't even get to go swimming![/i] The cyan keened mournfully for her sister, eyes saddened. Before much mourning could be done, however, the next volley of arrows was being loosed. F'bee barely had time to notice Fahra and L'ryn being injured before the explosion of pain bloomed outward from his hand. "Shards!" The weyrling yelped passionately, cradling his arm to his chest. "Shards shards shards shards shards shards shards!" It hurt! F'bee, for all of the pranks that he had pulled, hadn't really been hurt before. Not like this, anyways. He had no preparation to this kind of pain, and looking at the arrow made him feel vaguely woozy... F'beeMine![/i] Dorith's shocked cry kept the weyrling fairly grounded. It certainly kept the wooziness from overtaking him. Following Demeth didn't occur to either of them. Dorith stared at F'bee's hand and at the arrow, eyes whirling with reds and anxious oranges. Mine... You won't be able to swim![/i] The cyan made a distinctly unhappy keening noise. Dorith stared at Cleo as the weyrhealer arrived, tail flicking like an overgrown cat's. F'beeMine needs help.[/i] the cyan declared firmly, eyes fierce. Of course, Cleo was going to help Hers. The fact that she might not didn't even occur to Dorith. ---- The beginning of the chaos was something that Amara and Veejarth missed. Veejarth only truly realized that something was going on when the keens began to echo across the Weyr, reaching the weyr where he rested. The black dragon took up the mournful cry instantly, his own voice adding to the din. There is death in the Weyr...[/i] He spoke softly to his, twitching his black tail against the earth. Why, if Veejarth weren't injured, he would go after the assassins! They deserved to die, for they had killed humans and they had killed dragons! The black snarled, muscles tightening. If he could have gone after them, he would have. Amara gave a soft noise, mind jumping immediately to the few people that she cared about. Oh Faranth, let them be all right... The idea of losing anyone close to her terrified her, so Amara turned her thoughts away from that immediately. "Who . . . who got hurt, Vee? Do you know?"The black was preparing an answer when their door practically exploded inwards. At any other time, her name spoken in such a harsh voice would have scared Amara, but right then, she was scared aplenty. All she knew was that P'rth was there. "P'rth!" Her voice was quiet compared to his, but the blackrider was on her feet, running over to the man and wrapping her arms around him. He was all right. That was important. That was very important. Make sure that T'lar and . . . and Jasra are all right. she stuttered a bit mentally over the redrider's name, but she gave her black the instructions all the same. The black crooned a soft greeting towards Aith before his mind stretched out, brushing lightly against that of red Izkeeyerdath's. For a moment, he was of a mind to speak to her, but the black snorted softly and turned his attentions towards purple Feeroneth. Izkeeyerdath and Hers are all right.[/i] Quickly, Veejarth stretched his mind towards Feeroneth. He found the Purple in his weyr, eyes whirling in a blaze of red as a mournful keen escaped the Sub-King. Dragons and Riders had been lost... Death! Death, T'larMine, death! Your Feeroneth does not like death.[/i] The idea of going after the assassins did not begin to occur to Feeroneth, however. He was content to hole up in his weyr and mourn. The hunting after assassins could be handled by others, ones that didn't care about their appearance. Feeroneth didn't want to get his hide dirty. He had, after all, just taken a bath. All the same, he watched slightly enviously as green Coreth swept past his weyr, eyes whirling crimson. AkiraMine, death has struck the Weyr! Death! I knew that I should not have let you out of my sight! Akira, who had been eating in the Dining Hall, hurried out to meet her dark green. Coreth! What's going on? She questioned of her dragoness, looking more than a bit confused. Dragons have betweened! They are dying! What if you die? I knew that I never should have let you eat.[/i] the green gave a nasty hiss and stared at Hers. Come. We are going to our weyr, where no assassins will touch us. I will not let them hurt you![/i] Coreth snarled, twitching her tail violently. It was confusing. It was more than slightly chaotic. Akira glanced around at the dragons that swept through the air, diving every once in a while. She didn't want to get involved in this. She cared about her Weyr, yes, but . . . well, she didn't want to risk herself. Self-preservation above all else. "All right." she scrambled onto Coreth's back as the green launched herself into the air and flew as quickly as she could back to their weyr. They passed Kjara and Bailarth on their way back to their weyr. Bailarth was hovering in the air, brilliant wings beating powerfully to keep herself up in the air. She had keened for her fallen brethren and she still mourned for them. It was at times like this that it was hard to feel the heartbeat of the earth and Kjara was in charge of comforting the panicked, blindingly colored pink. "Shh..." The girl's voice was soothing. "Let us help the Weyr. We can try to find those who killed our dragonriders. Let's try to find the assassins..." She had lost her mother without a fight. She wasn't going to lose members of her beloved Weyr without a fight. Bailarth gave a soft, shuddering croon and hovered in the air. The pink swung her head around before diving towards the earth, claws extended to rip at the earth below her. All of the assassins have been caught. We were too slow. I am sorry, KjaraMine.[/i] Maybe, if she hadn't frozen up... Bailarth's tail twitched repeatedly, finding the beat that she always found in the earth. "It's all right, Bail." Kjara smiled, stroking the pink's hide. She loved the pink and she really didn't want her to feel unhappy. A moment later, Kjara glanced up to spot a cyan figure sweeping down to land on the earth next to her. The rider of the cyan leaned forward to shout towards her, "They've caught all of the assassins." N'at informed Kjara, a slight frown on his face. "They're being taken to the Hatching Sands." He offered his fellow fighterrider a smile, patting Duermoth's shoulder. N'at was going to stick around for the time. He wanted to make sure that no more assassinations were going to happen. Also, Duermoth was tired. She needed her rest, to be honest. He and Duermoth had been flying when the first assassinations had occurred. Meanwhile, in her personal weyr, Couineth was complaining. Stupid, self-centered assassins! They picked an absolutely horrible time to ruin my day! They really did! I am offended by this! They are very stupid and very self-centered![/i] With a loud huff, Couineth scuffed her foot on the stone, making an obnoxious noise with her talons. I cannot believe how self-centered those stupid people ARE[/i] Couineth gave an impressive flounce and scuffed at the floor of her weyr again, kicking furiously at it. "Couineth! For the love of Faranth, please stop!" Rayna clapped her hands over her ears, wincing. She couldn't think when Couineth got like this. It was impossible. The gold always had to be the center of attention, but when she started throwing a tantrum... Well, sometimes it was easier to just let her have her way, but right then something important was going down. Dragons had keened for the death of their kin. Something was going on. "Listen, Couineth. Stay. Here." Rayna shot the gold a firm look. "No one will be able to shoot you from in here."With that, the girl hurried from her weyr, heading in search of . . . someone. Perhaps Avalle or Fajra, though Rayna still wasn't very comfortable of them. Who she found was not anyone along those lines, though still an important person in his own right. T'kor, the Ironrider that she had made friends with. "T'kor!" her voice was startled sounding and she took a deep breath to grin at the man. "What happened, T'kor? I'm not getting much sense out of Couineth." Well, that was a way to put it... --- Get them.That was the call that awakened every wherhandler in the barracks, summoning them. Many of them had no idea what was going on and awakened slowly and only because their whers were awakening as well. Risk's call only served to make them move all the faster, answering to both of their Queens. The Queen of the Day and the Queen of the Night both asked for their services. They would come. Blue, Green and Gray sprinted out of the barracks at practically the same time. All shuddered at the sudden appearance of the light. Light was not the friend of a wher. It was painful! Too painful! The shadows of the forest were the nearest relief from the ugly, foul light. Forest![/i] Desk informed the other two, growling low in her throat as she picked up the pace, pelting towards the shadows. Whers would stop the killers as well! Whers were just as important as dragons. Or maybe the sunlight was just messing with their brains. That could be it too. ((many apologies for the not-greatness of the post. Just wanted to get everyone in before people had waited for too too long. XD))[/size][/blockquote]
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