The Dark Knight (Boo)

[Kila]

Summer, 5th Turn, 11th Pass

The disaster and death that had come as a result of the poisoned
herdbeasts had greatly distressed Praerruth. Despite having heard all of
Dalibor's horror stories from the older dragons, the Blue could scarcely
believe that such a thing had happened right under their noses. He was
no longer a dragonet, but a large and strong dragon, loyal and
protective of his Weyr and his people. When the inevitable feelings of
guilt and responsibility had set in Tr'ayne had had to interject to keep
him from somehow taking the blame himself.

Don't be ridiculous Praerruth, there was no way you could have known
or prevented it. Count yourself lucky that you're still around to
worry. I suppose... but I wish I could have,
Mine. I know, Tr'ayne said, his heart hurting for him,
But you're here with me and they are gone. The others that survived
still need your protection.The thought that Praerruth could have
disappeared like the others made Tr'ayne feel like vomiting. If the only
soul that had ever truly accepted him were to disappear, he wouldn't be
able to go on. Without Praerruth he would be alone. While he cherished
his solitude, he knew that he could not return to it completely after
knowing love.

The pair was rested on the high cliff, wrapped up in such thoughts.
Praerruth had volunteered to be a WatchDragon as soon as he was old
enough, so he and Tr'ayne had lots of time to themselves. In lieu of
sitting in his room, the BlueRider was propped up against a rock with a
scroll in his hands, subconsciously feeling that he needed to be near to
his lifemate. Evening was falling and the sun set romantically over the
ocean. Lost in their own heads, the beauty was wasted on the two males.

Thoughts of wars and betrayal, strategy and defense raced through
Praerruth's mind as he trained his keen eyes on the sky. The Whers would
be out patrolling soon, so he would not need to observe the 'Bowl. It
had been hard for him at first to entrust even a portion of the watch to
his nocturnal cousins, but a good commander knew how to delegate, so he
had learned to accept and appreciate the shared workload. He knew each
patrol's course by heart and oftentimes imagined that it was he moving
them around like tiny toy soldiers.

As the stars revealed themselves one by one Praerruth's thoughts drifted
to his clutchmates. He had bespoke each one of the Stormsingers after
Kalith had betweened to make sure that his brothers and sisters
were all safe. Tr'ayne had sought out V'yeri the following day and the
sight of Vespasiath had overjoyed the usually serious Blue. The others
he had not seen, however, as they seemed to keep to themselves.
Praerruth felt more responsible for them than for any of the other
dragons in the Weyr, and their survival gave him a purpose.
I will protect them, he promised himself.
It was his duty.

[Boo]

Now that he was graduated, S’ven had more time to himself in a way. Of course, his beautiful Qianath would always be there in his mind but she could care for herself in some ways and that gave him time to devote to the runners. His plan to make the best herd could be fulfilled and occupying his mind with something familiar was enough to make him feel better about, well, everything that had been happening. Whilst other riders drew closer to their dragons, S’ven had been more distant from Qianath. Honestly, the newly graduated rider didn’t know what to think and letting himself stop for even a moment brought unbidden thoughts to his mind.

The greenrider groomed Loki in the stables, the mundane nature of this action working to calm his mind and soothe his nerves. He closed his eyes and pressed his cheek to the runner’s neck for a moment before he felt the stirring of Qianath in his mind. The green was waking from her afternoon nap in the dying rays of the sun. Honestly, he’d not spoken with Qianath regarding what she thought on the matter and he wasn’t entirely certain he wanted to. That said, he knew what was stirring in her mind. The green had an intense interest in intrigues and conspiracy theories constantly popped into the dragon’s mind only to be squashed by her bonded.

My brother, the watcher.
S’ven finished brushing Loki and walked out of the stables as Qianath stretched in a feline sort of fachion.
I wonder what he has watched this day.
The rider frowned slightly but said nothing as he walked to his dragon. He communicated far more with emotions than he did words but he followed the green and pulled himself into the riding straps as the green took off into the air.

How now brother? What is it your eyes have seen these past few days?
The green landed beside the watch dragon and S’ven nodded a greeting to Tr’ayne. He knew what Qianath was after. Information. The green snaked her tongue out briefly as she drew her tail around herself, brushing it lightly along Praerruth’s hide.

[/blockquote]

[Kila]

Qianath rose like a dream before Prearruth, from the confines of
his mind to the breezy night air. Qianath! he
greeted her happily, glad to see his sister alive and well. She had
responded when he called out to her and their other clutchmates during
the chaos surrounding the arrival of the poisoned herdbeasts, but her
presence reassured him like her voice could not. When she landed on his
high watch and let her Rider dismount, Praerruth went over to meet her.

There has not been much to see these few nights
past, he said somberly, lifting his dark head to the sky,
But I have watched. Qianath's tail dancing across
his hide brought his glowing eyes back to her. When she had brushed
against him when they were little more than hatchlings she had made him
flustered and bashful. He maintained his composure now because he was at
his post and his heart was heavy with responsibility and grief, but
still his thoughts became muddled. Tr'ayne could feel it and he looked
up warily. He returned S'ven's nod curtly and hid himself back behind
his scroll, not wanting to provoke a conversation.

An enemy that fights in the shadows and would take his foe
by surprise is cowardly, especially one that makes an enemy of the
innocent. But you are safe now, SisterMine. Praerruth continued
confidently, shifting slightly closer to her. My and many
eyes are watching now.

[Boo]

Just as Tr’ayne was not keen to provoke conversation, it took a lot to get S’ven to say anything much. The man took a seat where he could look out upon the Weyr much like the watch dragons themselves, considering how he could further his plans for the herd. It was a simple enough matter if he thought about it but as soon as he needed to find the time for it… In his head, the greenrider calculated all the possibilities and resolved to find a way he could expand the herd.

Entirely opposite to her rider, Qianath was happy for the conversation. Although Hers was quiet a lot of the time and seemed unwilling to draw himself into any conversation, she was able to push him to speak when she so wanted. It just took enough poking and prodding. For now, though, she was paying attention to the blue dragon. Her brother had grown in the turns and composed himself well enough but she didn’t think about her wiles. The green dragon never considered her actions deeply enough.

Your watching is no doubt the reason they would not dare do anything else. Your eyes miss nothing.
If ever she needed information she was certain that one of her blue brothers knew it. Both were intrinsically observant in their own ways but Praerruth was, perhaps, the more reliable source.

I cannot thank you enough for your concern brother. We will, of course, find these culprits.
The green hesitated a moment before speaking again to the blue, Yet I was pleased to hear your voice that day.
Honestly, the green wasn’t entirely sure how she would have reacted had one of her siblings been taken. Even Taceuth with whom she did not get along would have been a tragic loss.

[/blockquote]

[Kila]

With all his muscle and mass, Praerruth naturally stood with
his head held high and his chest thrust out, but Qianath's words made
him stand a little taller and puff out his chest a little farther. The
Green could not have given him a better compliment if she had tried.
What he wanted to do more than anything was protect, and his sister was
here crediting him for the Weyr's safety. It wasn't true of course, or
at least not of him alone. Below the Whers were crawling out into the
moonlight to patrol, and in several hours Praerruth would have to give
up his watch and let another stand in his place. Things in a Weyr were
accomplished with teamwork- no one dragon could defend their home or
fight off thread on their own. Praerruth understood this well, which was
perhaps another reason why he was so close with his clutchmates. Even if
he had defended Dalibor single-handedly he would not boast, however; his
morals forbid it.

You flatter me Qianath, he said modestly, the
pleasure still apparent in his voice. You need not thank
me for my watch, sister. It is my duty to keep you all safe. He
grew somber again when she spoke of the culprits, like a shadow
obscuring the brilliant moon. We will catch them, and they
will pay, he said, not as a question but as a threat. His had
not wanted to take part in the investigations, despite Praerruth's
arguments, but the Blue was confident that there would be more. In the
mean time he was helping however he could.

He did not hear Qianath's hesitation, lost as he was in his thoughts,
but her next words lightened him as easily as the ones before had made
him dark. I was pleased to hear yours, he replied
earnestly. He had not been calm until he knew that none of his siblings
had been lost. Tr'ayne had not been able to keep him still.
It is even better to see you now, he confided.
Though I knew you and the others were well, I was still
uneasy. Between is no place for a dragon to stay. He sat
quietly beside her and looked out over the Weyr, ever diligent in his
duty even as he spoke with her. He was not so presumptuous as to touch
her, but he was subconsciously angled to shield her from an imaginary
foe.

I see much from here, but there are rarely others nearby.
What do you hear among the others, SisterMine? Do they know anything? Do
they grieve or do they heal? Praerruth asked. He was often
alone since he was a Watchdragon, and while he didn't mind the solitude
in the least, he wondered if he missed any information by being apart
from the others. And there were not very many people on the heights for
His to make friends with, which suited Tr'ayne but bothered his bonded.
He glanced over his shoulder to see if the boy was talking to Qianath's.


S'ven's willingness to not make conversation intrigued Tr'ayne. If he
wasn't ignoring or avoiding other people, then they were ignoring or
avoiding him. Comfortable silence was not something that the BlueRider
was used to. After a while he peered over the edge of the scroll to
watch S'ven stare out into the darkness over the 'Bowl. The GreenRider
was quiet, which meant that Tr'ayne could have a go at pushing him
around, but Praerruth was already feeling blue and Tr'ayne didn't want
to upset him more. "What are you looking at?" he said instead. A
blunt and uncreative question, but Tr'ayne had no skill at connecting
with people so it was all that came to mind.

[Boo]

The green, vain as she could be at times, hummed softly at the words from Praerruth and his acceptance of her compliment. Well, in a way, he was honourable and not prone to foolishness as a result of vanity. His acceptance was humble and Qianath was drawn to that in the blue. Perhaps it was because he was everything she was not in some ways.
You serve your duty admirably, of course.
Of all the dragons, she felt confident that Praerruth would manage to find where the culprits were hiding and take them. Prevent them from doing anything of the sort ever again. It would take time though perhaps.

A muscle in the green’s leg twitched at the comment about Between as though a shiver was sent through the dragoness. The thought that the great copper Kalith was trapped there seemed terrifying but she hoped to never wind up in a similar situation. The green didn’t necessarily notice the angle of the blue but she was aware of his proximity as she too turned her eyes out to the Weyr.
Many grieve.
Whilst Praerruth was perceptive, she listened to the calls of the dragons. To the comments and cries, The young dragons need food so many are working together to provide for them. There are others who speak of flying out to find the culprits. I know of a few who cannot but wish to.

She spoke of some of the more volatile dragons who really wanted to snap the necks of any who had harmed their family but, of course, they had been restricted from such actions. She understood the feelings well even thought she knew patience and time was needed to achieve victory. There were other ways to succeed.

S’ven looked over at the comment and then narrowed his eyes as he looked back out over the bowl.
“Nothing.”
It was the truth but he figured he should explain a little more, “Just thinking. About the herds.”
He could offer his services to the herders too if they needed more assistance and at least then he’d feel as though he was doing something to help Qianath, to keep her safe…

[/blockquote]

[Kila]

Praerruth crooned softly to Qianath when she shivered. The cold of between was undeniably a terrible thing, but he should not have forced such thoughts upon his sister with his rambling. The Blue was made for deep thought and rough realities, but he was aware that others were not as adept at weathering such things. That was not to say that she could not, but he did not want to see her hurt. They gazed out over the Weyr together in silence and when the chill had passed their conversation resumed.

Many grieve, he repeated somberly, nodding his head. It did not please them to hear that his Weyr was hurting, but in truth that was how it should be. Such events were not to be taken lightly. He wished that he could chase all their sorrows away, but he would settle for chasing their enemies.

The young ones don't go hungry, do they? he asked with concern. The adult dragons could hunt wild game or fish in the ocean, but hatchlings were almost completely dependant on their lifemates. The Blue had a big heart and it wounded him to think of the little ones without enough to eat. I will go and help hunt as soon as I am free, he decided immediately, speaking more to himself than to Qianath.

I too wish to find the culprits, but they do not want everyone to go. Praerruth could think of a few unstable dragons that would be out after blood and likely compound the situation. The Blue would have been a perfect choice for a search party/ investigation member, but he did not take his exclusion as a slight. He wanted to help in every way he could, but it seemed like he was most useful where he was.

SisterMine, he said very seriously, turning to her. If you help to fish then stay away from the lake. Stay away from the lake in general. I do not think that it is safe. He did not go on to say that it was because he was wary of the pillies. As of late his theory had been met with a lot of scorn. Nevertheless, the little bugs were his current nemeses.

"The Herds? You're a herder?" Tr'ayne asked incredulously. He knew a decent amount about his Weyrling classmates, but S'ven kept mostly to himself and had never volunteered any personal information. "You're people have really been dropping the ball as of late," he sneered, not thinking about the words coming out of his mouth. Praerruth turned around, horrified. Mine! The boy's face turned an ugly reddish purple color. What!? They have! His Blue turned away with disappointment, a lecture for later already complete in his mind.

Tr'ayne rolled his eyes and huffed on the inside. It made him feel lower then a tunnelsnake when Praerruth criticized him. He always felt put on the spot when he was called out for doing something wrong, which made him want to be meaner instead of nicer. "I guess it wasn't your fault specifically though," he forced himself to say, sounding blasé. Praerruth's eyes narrowed and peered at him through the darkness. Shard it.

[Boo]

Sometimes, she wanted to get close to the other dragons and sit close to them but others she just wanted to wrap her wings around herself and hide away. Yet she knew she should not. How would people see her beautifully jaded hide if she were to hide away. No, she had to be there for everyone to learn what she could when she could and thusly influence the happenings of the Weyr for that was the only way to ensure everything went the proper way.
We hunt for the young ones. The night walkers, our cousins the whers, also hunt for food.

However, it was good to hear just how many of the older dragons were willing to hunt food for the younger ones. Being hungry was no fun, she remembered that feeling at times and being able to fly to the pens to take a beast was incredibly satisfying indeed. Qianath nodded her head as Praerruth agreed with her sentiment. Sometimes she felt useless but then she remembered it was better to sit and learn what she could from others. At least for the moment.

The blue’s suspicions about the lake sparked a surprised and curious reaction from the green as she looked at him.
We have been told not to fish overly much… She wanted to ask why and curiosity got the better of the green, I do like ever so much swimming there… Has something happened?

S’ven looked over at Tr’ayne when he spoke, asking whether he was a herder. The man’s eyes narrowed for the briefest of moments, subconsciously bringing his arms across his chest and folding them. He never spoke much and perhaps this was why, people seemed to jump to certain conclusions.
“I herd runners, actually.”

It was said with a cold tone sneaking its way into his words but with a calm touch from Qianath he visibly relaxed. S’ven looked upwards, composing himself before he spoke again.
“Perhaps, there would have been ways though…”
Maybe if he had been there he would have somehow known what he should do. Somehow seen what was going on but at the same time he didn’t work with them and had always worked with runners. They had been and still were his speciality.

[/blockquote]

[Kila]

Praerruth frowned when Quianath expressed her fondness for
swimming in the lake, flicking his wings uncomfortably and folding them
back carefully by his side. Nothing has happened for some
time, he admitted, But I do not think that the
lake is safe. Does Yours have any pillie pets? The Blue had not
seen her carry any up, but that did not mean that Quianath's did not
keep one. Or several. They were discovered in the lake at
the same time as a great, swimming monster. The older Watchdragons told
me about it, he told her in hushed tones, becoming
conspiratorial in spite of himself. It lived in the lake,
no one knows for how long, and began to prey on the people that swam
there. Several Riders and Theirs' were killed before the monster was
caught and the deaths stopped. It was they pillies, they say, that
killed it. Ate it alive.

Praerruth was aware of how fantastical his tale sounded, and he had no
doubt that it had been exaggerated over the turns, but this was how it
had been told to him as a dragonet and he could not shake it from his
mind. Pillies eat their kin too at times, you know. And if
they could devour a flesh-eating monster, what is to keep them from
Ours? Did they come from the lake, or is there a way for outside
creatures to get in? Either way, it seems to me that it makes the lake a
more dangerous place then it appears. And I do not trust the pilliebugs,
SisterMine.

He stopped and held his head high, ready to receive any disbelief or
criticism Quianath might have. He had already attracted enough rebuff to
think that many would take him seriously. With pillies crawling all over
Dalibor, seemingly domesticated, how could they possibly pose a threat?
But it was still Praerruth's job to warn them, despite the backlash. He
would protect them from danger, menacing until proven imaginary,
regardless of the consequences. Even if his sister thought him silly
from then on out, at least she might think twice next time she went for
a swim.

Meanwhile Tr'ayne was feeling abnormally contrite for his tactless
words. The fat boy mirrored his classmate, folding his arms across his
chest defensively. He huffed. So runners hadn't had anything to do with
the poisonings... he had just stuck his foot in his mouth, as usual.
Perhaps that was why he never went out of his way to talk to people; he
always ended up making enemies. "...Sorry S'ven," he said,
squirming as he forced the unnatural phrase from his mouth. Tr'ayne saw
Praerruth's eyes flash back approvingly in the dark. If the head Herder
had been there and neither she nor the Weyrleaders had been able to
neither foresee nor prevent the death of the dragons, then there was a
snowball's chance on the red star that S'ven would have been able to do
anything. Tr'ayne knew this, but he couldn't articulate the comforting
words that his fellow deserved, which left him feeling awkward, stopped
up, and grumpy. The apology would have to do.

[Boo]

The green leaned closer to the blue as he spoke in hushed tones, shaking her head from side to side at the question about pillies. The only pets they had were the runnerbeasts and she could hardly carry them all around with her. Qianath listened intently to his words, eyes widening at the thought that she had perhaps been swimming with a creature that could eat her. Any tale of intrigue well, intrigued her. This was one story that captivated her mind. Although she was certain there was nothing dangerous in the lake, Praerruth was not a silly dragon like Taceuth. Well, as far as she was concerned this blue was far more likely to reveal the truth than her other brother.

I had only heard mutters.
The green made it a point of pride that she usually knew what was going on in the Weyr but she had not heard nearly enough about the pillie bugs. She had very little interest in the creatures as some of the other dragons had and S'ven, her dear S'ven, would never take another pet except a runner. Runners were his second love after her but they had always been a part of his life and this the green understood deeply.
I will heed your advice, BrotherDear and ensure that we never collect one of those bugs but that we also keep away from the lake unless absolutely necessary.
She was a realist, after all, and she knew she needed to wash and bathe at times.

The man looked over at the bluerider, his expression unreadable as Tr'ayne apologised. From what he knew of his classmate, he was not overly keen to apologise for much and never usually thought he was wrong. Perhaps there was some sort of growth here. S'ven had learned to take Qianath as his voice especially when it came to speaking with individuals of the opposite sex. He deferred to her confidence to speak what was on his mind and was slowly becoming more comfortable. Perhaps Tr'ayne was similar...?

"It's ok..."
He knew that the green would not want him to brush aside the apology but nor would she want him to offend her brother. Family was important to the green and it was perhaps an interesting part of their class, that they were all close to one another and valued the importance of family. Qianath rustled her wings in a satisfied manner and then prodded her rider.
"I... See, I work with runners. I want to breed a whole herd for Dalibor. I mean, I was supposed to go back to the ranch and help out there but I can't now. My brother understands but if I could create a new breed of runners here... I could see it being a lot of use."
It was the most he had ever spoken to the other rider and, indeed, the most he had really spoken to anyone in his class but if he ever started speaking about the runners, it was hard for him to stop.

[/blockquote]

[Kila]

Praerruth inwardly squirmed with happiness at Quianath's
response to his tale. She had not regarded it as nonsense like the
others, even though it very well could be. His sister knew him well
enough to take his words as caution if not as the truth. Perhaps it was
their blood that allowed them to coexist with such trust and ease.
I will be glad to see you safe until I find more
information on the matter, he crooned, pleased.

Praerruth fell silent again, scanning the sky with diligence. Even with
Qianath there he would not allow himself to be distracted from his task.
He was dividing his concentration for the visit, but between the Green
and the surprising conversation that had begun between His and Hers, the
extra effort was well worth his time. How is
Yours? the Blue ventured, hiding his mindvoice from his bonded.
From what he had gathered, S'ven was awkward like Tr'ayne, though in a
more quiet way. Tr'ayne was improving bit by bit, but he had yet to make
any new friends. V'yeri, another of their classmates, was still the only
one that would put up with him. He did not know if Quianath's had been
strongly affected by the poisonings either. Praerruth himself had been
outraged, but Tr'ayne was not distressed in the way that other Riders
had been. Empathy was not one of his strong points.

Tr'ayne didn't know if S'ven's acceptance of his forced apology was
sincere. He eyed the other boy skeptically but decided it best not to
question the sincerity of it. He was surprised when his classmate
continued on and made himself stay quiet so as not to interrupt. They
were both going out on limbs tonight, or so it seemed. Tr'ayne had read
about runners, but he had always steered clear of the real deal. The
large boy had no doubt that he would have been the laughing stock of the
stables had he tried to mount one, let alone ride. So, out of fear of
humiliation he had always feigned disinterest. As deep as his
self-deceptions ran, however, he lusted for knowledge; it was the only
thing he was good at and what had set him apart from others as a child.
"How could you create a new breed? And out of just what we have
here?" Tr'ayne asked, trying not to sound as interested as he was.
"How many of them are yours anyway?"

[Boo]

The green further considered the possibility that there could have been something more sinister behind the pillies. Honestly, she found it confusing to think that so many would accept such creatures into their homes if they were dangerous but Praerruth’s words did have logic behind them. If these creatures were able to kill and eat a giant fish that had been killing Weyrlings and riders alike then perhaps they should question the creatures… That was certainly something to consider very strongly. Yes, perhaps some of the others had more information if she could only point them in the right direction.

The next question caused the green to pause and then keep her thoughts private from her rider. He would be distracted and worried, she knew, if he could hear her words. He needed to make some friends and given how prone he was to keeping quiet and staying on his own, it was heartening indeed to see him speaking with the other rider. Qianath was certain, however, that if he became distracted he would cease conversation and this was not something she wanted.
He has been quieter than usual. I know I often speak for him but he has been quiet even to me. S’venDear hasn’t spoken of the issue with me. I think he fears what could have happened. The green paused and then spoke again, But I must support him even if it is without words. How has Yours been?

Now that they were speaking of runners, S’ven’s passion for the subject was showing on his features. His eyes reflected his eagerness as he shifted his body slightly towards Tr’ayne to continue speaking.
“Well, it takes a long while but if you crossbreed different types of runners you can eventually get the best qualities of each one. Eventually, with enough time and care, you can create a hardier breed of animal. For example, if you wanted a faster runner you would only breed the fastest runners with one another hoping to accentuate this feature. I only have three runners myself but my family has more.”

He barely even paused for breath as he rambled off his plans, pleased to broach the subject with someone else for once. Qianath tried to understand but she found the concept confusing to say the least. Now that they had a little more time to themselves, S’ven was sure he’d be able to accomplish this one small goal.
“Or if you wanted a more docile animal, suited better to being around dragons then you’d breed runners with a calm temperament.”
This was his ultimate goal. Breeding runners that could better serve a Weyr.

[/blockquote]

[Kila]

Tr'ayne leaned forward as S'ven spoke, soaking up the
information greedily. His classmate's words made perfect sense, and now
that he said them Tr'ayne recalled reading something similar in a
scroll. He nodded, understanding, as S'ven went on. "What kind of
runner would you want to breed?" he pried, wanting to know
everything now that the subject had been breeched. "A herd of three
won't help you much, but if your parents are nearby you'd have better
chances, and if Dalibor let you experiment with we have... Well, you
could probably come up with something a little different."

Tr'ayne pondered, squinching his face and rubbing a hand in his hair. It
made him look (if possible) even worse than normal, but he was too
caught in the conversation to think about appearances. Praerruth prayed
that Quianath's would not comment on it and ruin the magic. "What
sort of traits would make a runner better suited for a Weyr then for
other places? Or better for Dalibor then for other Weyrs?" It was a
stimulating mind challenge, but Tr'ayne wanted to hear what S'ven had
come up with. He looked at the other boy eagerly, slightly demanding in
his excitement.

Praerruth nodded his heavy head and listened quietly as Quianath spoke
of her lifemate's condition. Mine and I did not speak
overmuch on the matter, the Blue confided. He too
feared for what could have happened to me, but I do not think that he
truly grasps the enormity of the situation. While others had
mourned, Tr'ayne had moved on quickly. It did not haunt his thoughts,
for Praerruth could see them, and he had shown no interest in joining in
on the investigation in any way. He was selfish and Praerruth knew it,
but the dragon could not bear to say it to others. It would wound His
and Praerruth wanted nothing so much as to protect him and see him
happy. It was a pity that Quianath's was not a girl...

Perhaps it is good. That he does not understand,
Praerruth mused, an ancient philosopher on the inside.
What is it that the humans say? "Ignorance is bliss."
Though I know he cannot stay that way forever. Sometimes the
Blue was torn between shielding His and making him face the facts so
that he could be a better man. Wise he might be, but he had only just
graduated from Weyrlinghood and did not always know which course to
take. Besides, Tr'ayne was pig-headed and stubborn and sometimes it just
wasn't worth it. He sighed, stretching out his wings and shaking all of
the tension and sorrow from them. He gave Quianath a rare toothy smile,
feeling apologetic for setting such a somber mood. His told him that he
was too serious, and at times like this he knew it to be true.

[Boo]

S’ven nodded in agreement. He knew that if he managed to get some of the other herders on board then this goal of his would be a very real possibility.
”Well,” he started, “Certainly a calm temperament would be key. Secondly, I think strength might be more important than speed. Usually runners for speed are better served travelling between the holds.”
S’ven had been thinking about this venture for quite some time now, considering which qualities would serve them the best. He had even been examining each of the runners at the stables in order to make a judgement on which ones he might like to use in his program. He almost wasn’t paying attention to Tr’ayne’s actions and certainly not his face, his eyes lit up with hopefulness as they were.

“Key to all of this, of course, is a runner that isn’t afraid of dragons so they can be of use transporting firestone to other areas of the Weyr. It would be amazing if we could get them so calm that they could be part of the ground crew with herders able to use flamethrowers…”
Just another small thing he’d been thinking deeply on. The very thought fascinated him but he was certain to get the runners to that point would require a lot more time than he had. Perhaps not in his lifetime but another…

Of course, the green liked talking things over with others. Thoughts were good and she could understand the thoughts of Hers to an extent but she had always liked talking to him. It made her happy to interject her voice into his mind and for S’ven to take on board what she had to say. She leaned over and rested her head on Praerruth’s shoulder, thinking on his words. It was a casual gesture and one she hadn’t even really considered as she did so, odd coming from a dragon who enjoyed subtle flirtation.
Perhaps… It would be better to be fearless and not understand than scared because you know what could happen.

The green pushed the thought from her mind, as much worried about losing her rider as he was about losing her. She didn’t want him to think about that. Ignorance perhaps was bliss. Qianath lifted her head just as Praerruth smiled toothily at her and returned the smile.
I do not want to live in fear. She said, So maybe we should live in something else.

[/blockquote]

[Kila]

S'ven's answer delighted Tr'ayne and the fat boy smiled in intellectual glee. Having an earnest conversation with someone on his same level was the second best thing he had experienced since coming to the Weyr, the first of course being impressing Praerruth. "Yes of course, they'd have to be strong to haul the amount of firestone we need, but above all they'd have to be comfortable with the dragons. It doesn't matter how fine their breeding or how great their qualities if they shy away from dragons or whers. But that's as much conditioning as it is genetics, I think." Tr'ayne had debated nature versus nurture for long hours. All his discussions and postulations had been with himself however, and getting to voice his ideas aloud was exhilarating.

"You can look for and breed calmness and good nature in any beast, but that only goes so far when they are confronted with something as large and well... predatory as a dragon. Instinct tells them to be afraid. They have to really get used to being in a Weyr among dragons to know that they don't pose a threat. The best way to insure that is to raise them here from birth among older runners who accustomed to the dragons' presence. I don't know how many generations that would take but wow... that's a good idea." It didn't even trouble Tr'ayne to admit it, though he did try to mask some of his admiration. It surprised him, for whatever stupid reason, that there were people at the Weyr who specialized in things other than dragonriding. Of course they wouldn't give up their other interests entirely. I haven't stopped reading or learning, he thought. It was just strange to learn something so big about someone he had spent so much time with. He didn't know much about his Stormsinger classmates, and with the exception of V'yeri none of them knew anything about him. No one did. That was what Praerruth had been trying to tell him, he realized, only in kinder words.

Tr'ayne quickly bulldozed those thoughts, uncomfortable by the sentimentality of them. "You know there are some good scrolls up in the Records Room about runners. Ones about breeding and stuff too. I could dig them up for you if you wanted, or if you ever needed help with something." He grinned awkwardly and confessed "It's sort of my forte. Reading scrolls is the only thing I'm really good at." He waved the one in his fist that he had been reading as a testament.

Praerruth's eyes widened when Quinath rested her head on his shoulder while she thought. His heart seemed to go a little faster, though he did not know why. The Green made him feel funny when she was close- but not in a bad way. The thought of willful ignorance seemed to disturb her too, so they left the subject behind. You should not live in fear, Praerruth agreed adamantly, strong and poised until her smile knocked him off balance again. How did she do that? No need to be afraid. We should all live another way. If not in fear perhaps in joy; in friendship; in duty; or perhaps in love? The noble Blue was too naïve to read into it. When it came to females and relations with females he was just as clueless as his bonded.

He nuzzled her comfortingly and then gazed out over the Weyr, looking for anything that might be amiss while their conversation lapsed. It didn't bother him; in fact it was nice just to have some company while on watch. As much as he enjoyed talking with Quinath, Praerruth didn't need words to keep him entertained. He checked in on Tr'ayne and was thrilled to find His in the midst of a heated conversation. Both boys were excited by the subject and had momentarily dropped their inhibitions. They get along well, he commented, not without a hint of surprise.

[Boo]

That Tr’ayne understood what he wanted to do was incredibly heartening and that he was willing to help was even better. S’ven wasn’t exactly the best reader. He’d learned a little but it was slow going. It was a point of some small insecurity for S’ven as he had met a great many people at the Weyr who knew how to read and write. His mother had tried to teach him but he’d always been far more interested in caring for the runners as opposed to learning those kinds of skills. In some ways, though, he was pleased that he had spent so much time getting to know them.

Tr’ayne’s information about runners was also welcome. It was always better to listen to numerous opinions and views rather than to discount them as useless simply because the other person was not as skilled. It was an important fact he hoped to take into his later life. The more people were willing to listen, the more they could learn. Ironic considering that he’d been relatively unwilling to learn about reading and writing.

“That would be very useful,” He paused before confiding, “I am not that skilled at reading myself. I would be very grateful for your help.”
He’d read some scrolls of course but never something as long as a book. Perhaps it was not too late to give it another try.
“I’m sure it’s not the only thing.”
It was a casual comment but prompted not by him but by the green dragon’s urging. Subtly, she had touched his mind providing kind words that could work to build Tr’ayne. She liked her brother and it would only be right of her to help Praerruth in some small way.

Family is important, Qianath then said to Praerruth, and so are friends.
She very much liked spending time with her siblings, even the grumpy Taceuth, but they were not close to all the other dragons in the Weyr. She was not as close as she might have liked anyway.
Yes, she agreed, looking at the two men, Yours is very clever, he understands much.

[/blockquote]

[Kila]

S'ven listened politely to everything he said and, Tr'ayne
thought, actually seemed interested. The BlueRider glowed, in his
element when flaunting his knowledge. He didn't feel like he needed to
hold it over his classmate's head, so he wasn't pushy or pompous about
it like normal, though he did not notice the difference. He scoffed when
S'ven admitted that he was not a gifted reader, soaring with
superiority, but choked it back as quickly as he could when Praerruth
brought it to his attention. Scorn was a reflex to Tr'ayne and he had to
fight very hard to keep it in control. "It's not a big deal," he
forced himself to say. There were plenty of people who had never been
taught to read or write. "I'll be theory and you can be
practice." He could know, S'ven could do, and they'd make a perfect
team.

Tr'ayne was caught completely by surprise when S'ven accepted his offer
to help. He was even more surprised by the other boy's kind, offhanded
comment. Incredulous even. It was almost like their whole conversation
had been a fun game of make-believe but now the security of the illusion
had been shattered. He didn't quite know what to do. Thank
you, Praerruth urged. "Oh, uh, thanks," Tr'ayne mumbled.
He felt awkward again as their conversation fell into a lull. "Well,
uh, I was actually just about to go to the Records Room when you
came," he lied, climbing gracelessly to hit feet. "I'll find
those scrolls and read up on them... Maybe I'll come down and see these
runners of yours one day. And I'll tell you all of the information I
find." One would think he was asking S'ven out on a date, as
uncomfortable as he was. This of course only made him feel angry at
himself, so he put on his tough face. "Right. See you later," he
said gruffly, gathering his things and stomping off.

Praerruth could not help but laugh. He could read his Rider's emotions
like an open book. His may have ended on a crabby note, but he was only
trying to cover up his happiness. Yours has made him quite
pleased. It is not often that people show Mine kindness, let alone any
sort of respect. He does not know how to feel needed. the Blue
explained. He eyed her with twinkling eyes and echoed her own words.
Friends are important.