Compliments(Boo)

[maruset]

It was a nice day out, and Letorin decided that he had better enjoy them while he could. It was getting ready to turn towards winter, and it wouldn’t be long before the air started to get cool.

So he found himself meandering down to the lake to watch the dragons who liked to linger there. There was a tiny bit of a fishy smell still, but not nearly as bad as it had been when they had first started to fish. Now they headed out towards the ocean, and left the lake alone for the most part.

Which was fine by him.

It didn’t take long to find a good spot to sit, and he studied the dragons that were around. Smiling some, he began to sketch them out. There was a variety of them, and he did like to see the various colors out and about. Absently, he wondered if any of the smaller shapes were one of his friends, and if they would come to say hello. Well, he would see.

Right now, he just focused on drawing the dragons, finger tracing out the arching lines of the ones he could see, shading here and there to get the details needed. This was something relaxing, and it let him think without him actually having to pay attention. It was straight from eyes to fingers to hide, most of his attention elsewhere. Though he did keep his eyes moving, seeing how many of the dragons he could identify and actually name. That would help him keep more in tune with what was going on around him, instead of completely spacing out.

[Boo]

With all that had happened in the past few sevendays, Rayna had been incredibly busy. Word had reached the Weyrwoman’s ears that D’ren’s brother had been in the Weyr and even the smallest task seemed to take her a long while. She had been distracted, working up to meeting with the man but unable to quite commit to the thought of visiting the last kin of the boy whose death she blamed on herself. When these thoughts sought to overwhelm her, she pushed them away and buried herself in more work.

Relationship repaired considerably, Couineth was allowed a little more time to herself, feeling a whole lot more trust from her bonded. Of course, she was still whiny but not to the same extent. The gold snaked her head out of her weyr where she had been lazing about and decided it was high time for someone else to be graced with her presence. The other dragons around the Weyr would surely be missing her.

The gold fanned her giant wings and launched herself out of the weyr, heading down to the lake where there were a great many other dragons. She drew herself back and brought her wings to her body, slowing her massive bulk until she landed in the water. Rayna would have to come by soon enough to give her a wash but that would be a while yet. She could soak in the rays and let the other dragons admire her. Oh how she loved being admired.

A blue swam by and Couineth huffed at the dragon, snorting and flaring her nostrils.
Excuuuuse me.
Hmpf, it’th a free lake Couineth, you are excuthed.
Couineth’s eyes shifted colour rapidly but the blue seemed to be called away by his rider and quickly swam to shore. The gold glared after him for a moment but then relaxed. This was what Rayna had been speaking of. Still, others would admire her even more.

[/blockquote]

[maruset]

It was a rather sedate group, then Letorin caught a flash of gold out of the corner of his vision, and he glanced up and over in time to see Couineth coming in for a landing in the water. Smiling, he quickly took the opportunity to sketch her out. It seemed like it was really rare somedays to see any of the queens out and relaxing, especially after what happened with Kalith.

If he saw Weyrwoman Rayna, he would have to ask he if she thought former Weyrwoman Fajra would want a painting of her copper, or if it would only make things worse. He did not have a dragon, and he wasn’t sure how sharp a pain the reminder would cause. Or if it was something that she would want to have for later.

Something to ask later, and he gathered up his things to move closer to where Couineth was settling herself in the water. She looked quite lovely in the sun, and he wanted the chance to get some more sketches of her while he could. He was quite happy with how the one piece had come out, and he wondered what the Weyrwoman had done with it.

“Hello, lovely one,” he murmured, tracing out the lines, the gold far larger than the blue who had been next to her. The gleam of the hide was hard to catch in a sketch like this, but he did do his best.

Really, he wasn’t even sure if she would notice him, and he was sure that she wouldn’t remember him, so he was keeping a bit quiet until he got her down. He didn’t want her throwing a tantrum at him for not getting her down perfectly if he could help it. It was a bit of a worry, as she could splash quite a bit of water if she wanted to. But she was too pretty to not try to draw.

[Boo]

For a short while, the gold just lazed there in the water, watching the other dragons swimming past. A few greeted her and yet there were others still that seemed to have disappeared as she had landed. Good. That meant there was more space for her to swim about. Sometimes a dragon just needed space to herself to think about things. Couineth closed her eyes for a moment, feeling the sun warm her hide in contrast to the cool water on her underbelly.

After a second or two, she cracked an eyelid, legs brushing against the bottom of the lake. Slowly, she had drifted closer to the edge and it was then that she noticed one of the well-trained candidates. Although the gold didn’t quite remember his name she knew he was amongst those candidates with oh-so lovely compliments. There had been two. One had been stolen before he could stand for her children and this one had not been taken by any. Perhaps he would still be there for the next one.

The great gold lowered her head towards the boy and stared at him with one very large eye. Loathe speaking to any but her rider; she snorted something of a greeting. It was perhaps the most pleasant Couineth could ever be in all honesty and the most civil greeting anyone had received barring, of course, Callistath following the death of Kalith.

Couineth opened her maw and nudged the hide in the candidate’s hands, tilting her head to take a look at it but it was difficult considering her size. Sometimes she wished she were still small that she could travel everywhere in the Weyr with far greater ease. Then even more individuals would have the pleasure of seeing her.

Miiiiiiiineeeeee…
Yes?
When are you coming over heeeeeereeeeeeee.
Soon, be patient.
Couineth snorted again but she had certainly gotten better in this regard. It was just soooo annoying having to wait for things.

[/blockquote]

[maruset]

It startled him when Couineth actually came out of the water towards him. That was not something that he had expected, and Letorin just looked at her. It was quite a bit of awe, as it was always startling how large she was. And she was sleek and golden right now, with the sun reflecting off her wet hide.

"Hello, Couineth. You are looking quite lovely and shiny in the sun today." He shifted, turning the hide so that she could see it. Absently, he wondered how dragons and their cousins perceived the world. Did they see in all the same shades as people? Did they see in more? Maybe fewer? So many questions he had, and he could not wait until he had a dragon of his own who could help him answer those.

"I hope you do not mind that I was drawing you again. You are quite the lovely subject to sketch, and I do find you hard to ignore. Especially when looking like a brilliant golden sun come down to play in the lake."

Yes, he was pouring it on, but she seemed to like compliments, and he was not going to deny her them. Besides, she did make his artistic side want to pose her and do lots of drawings. Though she'd probably step on him if he tried. Still, it was a pleasant little mental image to think on.

[Boo]

He seemed to understand her gestures, which was good enough for her. She would speak to him… Maybe. If he deserved it. Although people should be graced with her voice as well as her presence, Couineth was not necessarily a fan of touching other people’s minds. There had been instances where Rayna had entreated her to bespeak others but, for the most part, Couineth only did so when things appeared pertinent.

Then the candidate started speaking to her in a way that made her most pleased. Yes, she remembered him if only for his honeyed words. He and that one at her clutching had been most wonderful if only one of her children had found them. There had been two that could have… This she remembered even now. Perhaps it was because the thoughts had been in Rayna’s mind for so long.

The gold shifted her head so as to better take in the picture and then wrinkled her nose slightly. Well, it was good enough but she was sure she glimmered more than that. Not that she could see it all that well. Perhaps she should ask for something larger. He could become her own personal artist and draw pictures of her all day long in different positions. Letting the sun reflect slightly off her hide, she shifted her head. This was her best angle after all.

I am the suuuuun Rayna miiiiine! He says I am the beautiful suuuuuun.
Who says?
That candidate who draws pictures of me. You should pay him to draw pictures of me all the time.

Rayna set aside her work and almost sighed. Couineth’s ego would be horribly inflated after this but she couldn’t help smiling. Although she had met Letorin under poor circumstances, she was quickly growing fond of his determination. Deciding it was time she paid attention to her dragon, Rayna started out towards the lake. It was hard to miss the posing gold as she shifted positions to try to show Letorin her best angles.

[/blockquote]

[maruset]

Well, this was going well, and Letorin grinned, quickly collecting a new hide from the ones he carried with him and started to get down the gold in front of him. He really did wish he could afford to get some metal flecked paint, as that would really make any painting of her pop.

"If you spread your wings just a little bit, it will let the light hit them in a way that will make them glow." He did not try to suggest too much, but that would be quite the pretty picture, and he hoped that she would consider the idea. It would be quite lovely, and he was nothing if not an artist at heart. And he was willing to pour on the sweet words if it meant he got a lovely model to draw.

Lazaward appeared, settling onto Letorin's shoulder, followed quickly by his sister. Vitula took her customary place in Letorin's hair, and the rest of the fair slowly appeared as well, settling around the teen. Kuanos took a stance on the rock that Letorin was leaning again, watching the gold was bright eyes, warbling a song out to her with Eskhara and Jasil's help. It did make Letorin laugh, as his newest boy, little Tuon, tucked himself up against Letorin's neck, watching everyone around him silently. Sourtail made him budge over, the pink curling up on Letorin's shoulder. Rolling his eyes mentally at his fair, Letorin focused on getting the lady in front of him down on paper.

"Well, you have struck Kuanos's fancy as well, as he's trying to sing you a pretty song. Which you deserve, as lovely ladies should have art of all sorts made of them." Charm, charm, charm, the heart of harpers for the most part.

[Boo]

For a moment, Couineth paused at the suggestion that she flare her wings. Just for a moment but then she brought them stretched to their fullest extent, the wingspan quite significant creating a great shadow. Yes she was utterly magnificent and it had been far too long since someone had complimented her. They were all reserving their compliments for Jainath. The copper wasn’t even that big! She’d never be as big as Couineth.
“I think he meant to flare them only a little, Cou.”

Rayna had come to stand behind Letorin, her arms folded and a bemused expression on her face. As amusing as it all was, she was pleased all the same that Couineth seemed to have taken to the candidate. The gold was never one for making friends with humans, not really, and it was heartening to see her like this. Although she was demanding attention, she didn’t have to whine to get it. Letorin was giving her attention all on his own.

But my wings are sooooo huuuuugeeeeee.
Yes and he has seen them, dear, there’s no point keeping them there like that where he will hardly be able to see any light.
But I loooooveeeee my wings. They’re the best.
“I think he wants to see how the light reflects off your wings, not have you block out the light."

The gold tilted her head slightly and then brought her wings in until the light hit her hide at just the right angle. Couineth raised her head imperiously and then posed again, head angled slightly and wings flared so she almost looked like a golden statue.
“Beautiful,” she then turned to Letorin, “Wanted to indulge her even more?”
She couldn’t be angry, not at him. She’d spent the past few days being angry and as soon as she was alone again, she would no doubt return to simmering rage but for now, she could afford a moment of quiet peace. Try to forget if only for a time what had happened and what she had failed to do.

[/blockquote]

[maruset]

Letorin did suck in a breathe for a moment, eyes wide as he took in just how large her wingspan was. He quickly made some calculations to get a rough number in his head, based off how broad he had estimated Couineth's chest was, and the spread of the wings compared to that mental number. Then he scribbled those down, and made a very, very quick sketch of her with her wings spread out.

The voice behind him startled him a bit, as he had been focused on the gold, and he turned his head, glancing at the woman with a sound of surprise. "Weyrwoman Rayna. I hope you are having a good day so far."

He wasn't sure what transpired between the pair, but Couineth let her wings settle back to a neat fold and posed herself again. "Your wings are really quite magnificent, Couineth. Thank you for showing me what they looked like spread out. Quite impressive." And they were. He didn't get the chance to see dragon wings spread out like that so close. Usually it was while they were in the air, and they were constantly moving them there, even when gliding.

There was a bit of a chuckle. "I came out to draw some dragons, as I haven't not had much time for that lately, and she was gracious enough to come in closer for me. She is -very- lovely, and make me wish I would afford the proper paint to really get that gleam of gold down."

He shifted some, so Rayna could see the drawing he had of her dragon a bit better, giving the woman a bit of a crooked grin. "I am only able to do so much with sketching tools" Though he had been taking his time on the main drawing, trying to get in as much detail as he could.

"And how have you been lately, Werywoman? I hope things have not been too bad lately, though I know everyone is still recovering from the last events."

He made a mental note to send his uncle a letter to see how many riders were taking up Tillek's offer of safe hunting grounds.

"Would you like to join me and enjoy the sun a bit? It's quite the nice day out here."

[Boo]

It would be uncharacteristic of Couineth not to take notice of the awe she'd seen Letorin show. The gold shifted her wings, pleased that he had been so impressed with her. What was more, other dragons had taken notice of course. Couineth was classy enough not to point them out but she had seen the blue from before glance over at her. She had no need to impress blues of course but all the dragons really should notice her after all. A smug sort of expression seemed to cross her maw as she looked down at Letorin to whom Rayna was now speaking.
They are very impressive. See. They're the best wings he has ever seen.

Rayna refrained from rolling her eyes knowing Couineth would read into whatever she could and stretch the truth as though it were second nature. The gold was a talented paraphraser.
"Rayna is fine," at least in informal settings, "it's a bit better now."
The Weyrwoman positioned herself beside the candidate as Letorin turned the artwork to her so she could examine it. The drawing, even in sketch form, was fantastically detailed as far as she was concerned. Letorin certainly had a gift and she hoped he would not give it up even when he impressed. If he did. She had no doubts but there had been others who had just missed their dragonet. Rayna hoped this was not the case for this particular candidate.

He spoke with animation about his artwork, what he had drawn and other subjects. Rayna thought for a moment and regarded the work again.
"That would be nice..."
Although she wasn't certain what could be used to capture the gleam of Couineth's hide other than perhaps metal itself but she couldn't imagine exactly how that could work.

The next question earned a pause as she continued staring at the sketch without really seeing it. After a moment she looked at him again.
"Things have... Been as they are," she answered carefully, "Neither good or bad. We have some close friends in the Holds who have been rendering assistance."
Yet she did not answer the question about how she had been. The truth was, she'd not been very good but she was strong and she was coping at least as best she could.
"So I guess, I would love to join you in the sun."
With that she took a seat beside him and looked over at Couineth who seemed grumpy.
What about washing me?
In a moment.
That's not soooooon enouuuugh!
The gold splashed her tail in the water, a much subdued tantrum but quieted down into something of a quiet sulk.

[/blockquote]

[maruset]

Letorin did grin some as the gold was obviously watching him some. Well, if nothing else, he had at least gotten from irritating person to someone she tolerated. Though the look that had crossed her face made him grin. The longer he was here, the better he was getting at reading the odd facial shifts that they used to convey emotion. It was different from watching humans, but Letorin did love trying to puzzle out what they were thinking from their face. Of course, he did that with people as well.

"Rayna," he said, nodding at the correction of address. Jasil made curious sounds, the oldest of his greens moving to investigate this new person. Eskhara was right with her, giving a chirp of delighted hello at this new person, though Letorin was able to keep from of them from actually just jumping over onto the woman. Instead, they bunched on his shoulder, and he shifted some to balance them a bit better.

"Shush," he said to Lazaward. "You can paint later. Yes, pretty." That was in a low murmur in regard to the blue's desire to paint the large pretty one, then he grinned at Rayna again. "My apologies, my horde is a curious bunch." At least the others were behaving, though he was not surprised when Tuon took off to go play in the water, too much activity around the youngest of his fair for the black to be comfortable.

Letorin chuckled. "I wish I could afford to get gold flecked paint. Perhaps I can make that a request of my uncle for a gift at some point." He shrugged a bit, careful of the little claws that clung to his shoulders. "It's good that so many Holds have step forward to help." Of course, Dalibor had so many ties to various holds in it's candidates and young riders.

He absently shifted to a new hide, sketching the new expression on Couineth's face as she almost pouted next to the water. "It's amazing how large they can get. Couineth is the largest, isn't she? I haven't been able to take accurate measurements, but it seems like she is a small bit larger than Callistath." He shook his head some, getting a huff from Vitula. "My friend is Iola, and I already tease her some that I'm going to need to lend her my fair to help her watch Jainath. Though she grins and says Gennesk had the right idea and she'll kidnap candis for washing."

[Boo]

Firelizards and pets were something Rayna had never really had time for until recently when P’ryt had encouraged her to consider bonding to a pillie. Sherbie tended to keep herself entertained and at least the pillie did not have the added ability of being able to pop up anywhere. Such a skill, although useful for sending messages, was not one Rayna would welcome with a dragon such as Couineth. The gold probably would not take kindly to creatures popping into their weyr when the pair were supposed to be having some alone time.

“It’s quite all right. I have seen some larger fairs,” her mind wandered briefly to Valha in her own wing, “I did not know many candidates with a lot of firelizards when I was a candidate myself.”
Rayna had also always stayed away from hatchings generally speaking. She’d had a thought, as a candidate, that allowing for a pet to enter her life would only cause her to lose focus on the goal of impression. She’d not been able to confirm or deny her suspicions with regards to herself but others… Well it seemed as though it did not change the odds any.

Rayna nodded slightly as Letorin spoke about the help they had received. Letorin, she knew at least vaguely, was well connected or connected enough to be able to request gold flecked paint as a gift. She redirected her gaze to Couineth and nodded.
“I believe she is larger than Callistath, certainly I have been told she was larger at hatching than Callistath was.” She grinned at the thought of the other gold.
I am also the most beautiful. Because I am large, everyone should aaaaaalwaaaays see me.
Rayna had not yet truly spoken with the newest Queenrider, Iola. She knew how daunting it could be to look at a dragon as large as Jainath would become and realise how much work went into just keeping her clean.
“If I knew Couineth would be happy with the job candidates did I would try it again. As it happens, she found something to complain about…”
Rayna knew it had been Letorin who had washed Couineth along with a few other candidates but that didn’t stop her, Couineth had complained about something inane and she always would.

[/blockquote]

[maruset]

With his flits behaving, for the moment, Letorin was content to let them watch the other person. It was interesting to see them interact with other people, and he watched Couineth for a long moment, just admiring how pretty she was.

"I really didn't mean to get this many. I enjoy watching hatchings of all sorts, because the potential there is amazing. Plus, watching people's faces when they have another living being decide they are worth staying with forever is.... I can and have done whole pictures over that moment." He grinned. "More so with dragons and whers, but there is usually a ghost of the same look at the hatchings for flits and pillies."

He reached up to run a fingertip over a sleek blue head. "And, apparently, sometimes, they seem to think that I'm worth staying with."

He studied Couineth again, grinning a bit. "She definitely stands out among the other dragons. I was curious, because I have only done some calculations from a distance on Callistath, but it seemed to indicated that Couineth was larger." A chuckle. "It has been interesting to watch as Jainath is growing. Not sure how often a queen is hatched, but their rate of growth in general is amazing."

"I'd be happy to help, though I'm sure that I did not do nearly as fine as job as such a lovely lady requires." There was humor in his eyes as he looked at Rayna. "But if she can tolerant my grubbiness around her, it was something that I had fun doing. For all that it was a punishment."

He didn't doubt that Couineth would find something to complain about. She was a first class diva. But it definitely made her interesting to watch.