Random Encounter [Maru]

[RavenSong]

{desc=Iola/Jainath/Seph/Hemetath}A few days after the chaotic Hatching, Seph was feeling restless. His morning chores had been finished quickly, leaving him with a bit of spare time. He had enough time before lunch to ride, and so he did. He carefully got Heartbrother done up in his tack, got on the runner's back, and nudged him along. Seph was a good rider, and tended his runner carefully. All the beasts in his care were tended to the best of his ability, of course, but since Heartbrother was his the beast got special attention daily.

He rode around the Bowl carefully, letting Heartbrother go no faster than a trot. Even though he longed to gallop away and be alone awhile, he wasn't about to do that. It was a major violation, and after two Hatchings on the sidelines, he wasn't about to do anything else to mess up his chances.

Once he'd finished exercising Heartbrother, as close to a rider as he was going to get for a while, he tended Heartbrother's post-exercise needs, wondering where he'd find the new Copper that had hatched a Turn or so back as he did so. She was getting huge, he thought, and he half wanted to speak to her. Half. He wasn't exactly sure how he'd go about speaking to a Queen dragon, as he hadn't done so before beyond the necessary courtesies at Hatchings. He supposed it wouldn't be difficult, but he wasn't really one to speak directly to dragons. It unnerved him somewhat. He felt like he was disrespecting the dragon somehow, even if he really wasn't. Once he had Heartbrother relaxed and brushed, he headed out, looking toward the lake as he moved.

Somehow, he failed to see the mighty Iron in his way. He collided with the Iron's leg, falling backwards onto the ground. With a frightened cry, he scrambled backwards a bit, staring up at Hemetath.

Apologies, the Iron said to him, the contrition carried along that single word making Seph feel guilty. He just stared up at Hemetath, wondering where the Weyrleader was.

"Wh-whatever it is," he said. "I didn't do it. I swear to you, I didn't do it." Hemetath lowered his head to sniff at Seph, tilting it from side to side to get a good look at the unnerved Candidate on the ground in front of him.

Frightened? Why? Hemetath asked.

"Y-You're huge!" Seph blurted. Hemetath made a rumbling, growling noise, his approximation of P'ryt's laughter. It shocked Seph at first. Focused as he was on the Iron before him, he had no idea if anyone else was nearby.

[maruset]

They had just finished a flight when Jainath's head lifted, glancing off to the side. Iola made a curious noise at her dragon, but the copper didn't respond at first, just angling her path some. Now wondering what had Jainath's attention, Iola moved at a fast walk next to her. She smiled, seeing Hemetath. And then noticed the other who was standing next to the iron.

Jaianth made a soft mental sound. He is the one that the wher hurt badly at the hatching she said, moving to join the pair. Already aware of her dragon's soft spot for children, Iola could guess what might happen next.

And it did. Jainath, once she was close enough, dipped her head down and pressed her nose against Seph. It was her version of a hug when dealing with people, and Iola came up to stand with the pair. She nodded at the iron, smiling. "Morning, Hemetath. How are you today?"

Then she glanced to the side, looking at Seph. "That's her version of a hug, by the way. I know it can be hard to figure out, with the size of her head."

There was a huff from Jainath at her rider, but she was focused on trying to make this child feel better. The fact he was older than her meant nothing. He was younger than her Iola, so that made him a child. One who had had a very cruel trick played on him by a wher who should know better.

[RavenSong]

Seph scrambled to his feet as Iola and Jainath approached. The Candidate bowed to Iola, backing away after Jainath nosed him. He closed his eyes and leaned up against the stables.

"Hello, Junior Weyrwoman Iola," he said softly. "I apologize, this... surprised me." He rubbed the back of his neck, opening his eyes once more, looking embarrassed. His highly expressive eyes showed just how sad he was. "It's... it's a nice day, isn't it? To be startled half out of your skin by the Iron who's one of the Weyrleaders' dragons and the newest Queen, heh. You... you weren't directly looking for me, were you? I didn't do anything wrong. I've just been keeping to myself and doing my chores."

Hemetath lifted his head and trilled when Jainath arrived, clearly happy.

Hatchling, he said lovingly to the Copper, leaning over to nuzzle Jainath. He adored all of the Rainracers and considered all of them his hatchlings, but Jainath in particular was special to him. She was proof that he was strong. Doing well? he asked her before looking curiously to Seph. He lowered his head once more, peering intently at the Apprentice Beastcrafter. Damaged, he said privately to Jainath, worry and concern in his tone. Fearful, too. Must fix. Ideas? He tried to nuzzle Seph, but the Candidate was having absolutely none of that and dodged.

"Err... could... could you please, err... not do that? I still have a ton of stitches and that hurts," he said.

Apologies, Hemetath responded, sitting up.

[maruset]

Iola shook her head. "You can just call me Iola. I'm still not used to the idea of being a weyrwoman, even with Jainath here. And we aren't doing anything official."

Jainath lifted her head to rest it on her sire's when he nuzzled her. It was odd to her that he would show such affection, but he was an odd dragon. Not that such a thing was bad, but it was a bit confusing. However, she did show him affection back. Hello, Hemetathsire. It was a poor hatching. We will see what we can do.

She wanted to nose Seph some more, but did not when he backed away from a second attept. Iola grinned faintly. "You didn't do anything wrong, no. Jainath is something of a mother hen, I'm not sure if you've noticed. She has been trying to check up on everyone who was at the hatching. Especially those who were hurt and do not have a dragon or wher to distract them."

The girl shook her head. "That was not a good time for anyone, really. And she doesn't want to hurt you, promise. I think that is her version of a hug, as she's a little too big to cuddle up easily."

Jainath set her head down, nose within touching distance of both Seph and Iola, and her rider reached over to pet along the copper hide. "How have you been doing?"