The Shape of Things to Come - [Post-Feast/Open]

[purnip]

The atmosphere was super-charged with confusion, fear, and anger. By now, Lebeth was no longer being affected by it. Kalith's roars were no longer as unsettling as the first wave. The young dragon was concentrating solely on L'am as he followed his bonded to the Weyrling Barracks. He was somewhat cheery again, only because His was fine and also seemed to make himself indifferent to this whole mess. That was the spirit. You can't counter such negativity by contributing to it.

The boy neither felt any of those emotions that chilled the air nor contributed to them. He was not afraid, for he was not attacked personally and he did not think he would be. He was not confused; the emergency was as clear as day. Fajra's child was missing and judging by Kaith's fury, it was not a simple case of a boy out of sight in a game of hide-and-seek. He was certainly not angry in the slightest and if he did bear any annoyance, it was in having his conversation with Avalle cut short. His mind reeled to thinking as people began to move for the doors. How could he help? This could be an opportunity to be seen and heard. He couldn't quite be of any assistance himself with Lebeth to care for. That was when a certain blue firelizard came to mind. He reached for the little one with this thoughts. Suede, I need you to meet me at the Weyrling Barracks. I need to talk to you.

Suede was not inside L'am's room at this time. The Blue was already searching for His and had been from the moment Kalith roused him from his sleep. The firelizard, now in tune with his bonded's mind, betweened from the corridor he was racing down to a location just above L'am's head. He called out with a nervous squawk or two before settling on the boy's shoulder. He glanced at Lebeth, but the Bronze did not notice the Blue right away. When he had, he watched him curiously. Thanks for that, L'am thought to himself with relief. Lebeth doesn't seem to hate him.

Why would I hate him? I do not know him well enough to reserve that judgment. But Lebeth wasn't offended--more amused than anything else.

"I'm glad to hear it. I assure you, he is not a nuisance. He tends to bother people more than dragons," L'am explained. He had to get back on topic though. He gave the young dragon a stroke, half in mild affection and half to check the dryness of his hide. He would have to oil the Bronze first thing in the morning. If he was smaller, or followed less of a growing curve, then it wouldn't have been much of an emergency. His hand was withdrawn as he turned his attention to the firelizard again. "I have a task for you."

"Hey, L'am."

The boy turned, regarding Rhysia with a far-away stare. "Are you alright?"

Raeterith gave Rhysia a nudge and she moved forward. The boy made her a little shy, for reasons the Green failed to understand. Hers was not infatuated with him. Why do you stop to speak with this boy if he causes you discomfort? Raeterith motioned in Paralee's direction with her head. You are leaving the Bluerider behind?

There was no time left to think up a suitable response. She didn't hesitate any further to answer the other Weyrling's question. "What are you going to tell Suede to do? You're not letting him run errands now, are you?" She had overheard him. Fortunately for her, Lebeth didn't see her coming and L'am didn't even suspect it.

L'am rose his brow, somewhat surprised that Rhysia had figured that out. It was safer to be himself now that she knew him from childhood, but sometimes she knew him a little too well for his comfort. He would not lie to her. She would see through it. "I was going to ask Suede to help with the search for Osro. They need all the help they can get, I'd wager."

This upset Rhysia. Suede wasn't hers, but he was still a friend. He supported her when she first came to the weyr by keeping her company when she had no other friends to be around. She would not be able to bear it if the little blue flit got hurt. "But he can get hurt out there. You don't think that whoever took the kid wasn't prepared for a backlash? If they catch Suede, they might hurt him, or worse."

L'am frowned at this. Obviously he took preparation in mind, but why did she care so much about Suede's well-being? "I can't stand by while--"

"OH GET A GRIP, LY!" She did not care for the attention this would attract. It'd be about time if any of these people could see through the boy's facade. Her voice did lower however, because the boy actually looked a bit intimidated by her outburst and she didn't want to milk it. Her next words were practically hissed out. "You don't care about Osro. You don't care about anyone else but yourself. That's why you're willing to send Suede out there. I'm asking you..." Her eyes were beginning to swell with tears from all the anguish in the last 24 hours. "I'm begging you, Ly. Please don't send him out there."

Raeterith glared at L'am, slowly becoming enraged by the pain he caused Hers. She did not speak to him though, or his Bronze. The oblivious youngster was numb to every one of these emotional outbursts. He didn't even flinch when Rhysia had yelled. Talking to him would be a lot like holding a conversation with a Wher. It wasn't worth the time. She felt that soon she'd have to threaten the boy, perhaps, in Rhysia's defense. There would be no need for that however.

L'am didn't like to see Rhysia like this, despite the coldness he had been showing towards her. He would miss Suede if something bad had happened to him. He didn't want to be useless, but he wasn't going to make matters any better sending his firelizard into the unknown to search for kidnappers. It would be better, as Rhysia said, to not have others do his dirty work in this case. But there was nothing further L'am could do. He had to choose now. Lose all respect from a childhood friend who knew dangerous quantities about him, or sit by and wait for events to unfold like a good Jr. Weyrling.

"Alright," he said with a sigh, looking away. "I won't send him. I just hope you're ha--"

Rhysia had leaned in to hug him tightly.

"--ppy." L'am gave her a pat on the back in a semi-awkward fashion. Her embrace was over as suddenly as it occurred and Rhysia looked him in the eyes.

"Promise you won't make any stupid plans like that again. You're going to be an important man someday," she told him sternly. With that, she placed her hand on Raeterith's nose and she guided the Green away. The two would look for Paralee and perhaps R'miel again now that a second crisis was averted.

L'am watched Rhysia leave with a neutral expression. Suede, who still stood on his shoulder, knew that whatever task he was going to be given was no longer. He looked up at Lebeth for the first time and chirped in greeting to him. Lebeth greeted him back with a small dragon smirk.

He didn't want to be reduced to this; letting himself become an innocent bystander hurt just as much as being a victim, he was sure. L'am watched as fellow Weyrlings poured in, hoping that he could still prove himself useful, even now. He did not know the entire state of affairs. He hoped they could stay updated, though L'am didn't see the good it'd do.

I rather like the firelizard, MineL'am.

Leave it to Lebeth to kill a topic. It provided relief in the way of letting the helplessness pass. "That's wonderful news, Lebeth," he said, forcing a smile for the young Bronze.

I know. How is that for a change of color? Lebeth replied with a wink.

If only L'am could produce a genuine laugh in response to that....

[heytarsar]

“Bail-Bailarth! Kadassh!”

Flailing her limbs, Kjara moaned in displeasure as her dragon and dog ran through the Barracks, Kadassh barking madly and Bailarth causing a ruckus all on her on. Come, KjaraMine! she yelled in Kjara’s mind, causing Kjara to wince with the intensity of Bail’s happiness; not that it was a bad thing though. There was just so much energy in the pink dragon that it confused Kjara; how can someone, or perhaps, a dragon be so ebullient? Kjara galloped after her dog and Bailarth, but wasn’t able to keep up. More of sooner than later, they disappeared behind a corner. “Oh, Shards! BAILARTH!” she bellowed, only to be greeted with a rumble of dragon laughter. Ever since she had been Chosen, Kadassh had hardly even paid attention to his owner/best friend and has been attached to Bail’s hip. Bailarth, too, had fallen for the young creature, and somewhere, inside, Kjara was amazed at the bondage they had. Shaking her head and giving up, she simply walked around the corner, hoping to find them. And she did. That, and much, much more.

“Uhm…” she stammered quietly, aware that she had barged in on someone’s ending conversation. “S-sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt your conversation.” Suddenly growing very, very shy, Kjara began to slink behind the pink Bailarth, but oh no the dragon would not have that. Sorry, sorry! Bailarth apologized, but that didn’t stop her twitching, dancing, and flicking of the tail. But hello, hello! I am Bailarth! her many faceted eyes scanned the human and his bronze, seeming to vibrate with happiness. Kjara tried to pull her Bail out of the way, but Bail was too excited to meet these new people to move! Turning her slender, feminine neck to look at Kjara, she reached over with her paw and literally dragged her to w here Kjara was standing in front of the pink Bail, her own face flushed with embarrassment and shame. When Kjara’s eyes met L’ams and then his Bronze, her face flushed hotter and she bowed. “I’m s-sorry sir. I-we-we’ll leave if you wish, m’lord.” Where did all this shyness, this weak, stuttering Kjara come from? Kjara hardly ever stuttered. What happened to the hard, cold, and mean Kjara that once lived at Fort Weyr? Where had she disappeared too?

Kjara looked down at her feet, her mass of curly hair falling in her face to hide her shame. Bailarth, on the other hand, was the exact opposite. Do you like to dace, human? Do you like to hear beautiful sounds and sing, too?! I do! Oh what wonderous sounds! she asked hopefully, once again continuing her most known rhythmic beat; the one she started when she first Hatched. Thump thump thump. Thump thump. Thump thump thump. For a moment, it matched Kjara’s heart, and she looked up and into the yellow-eyed dragon, wishing she could be invisible so that she didn’t have to suffer from the shame that was obviously planted on her face. She began to back away again, but Bailarth caught on quickly and stuck her paw out, causing Kjara toback into the pink-scaled female. Kjara, growing a bit aggravated, looked up at Bailarth with a glare. Can we go please? We are obviously unwanted here.

A snort escaped Bail’s snout as she turned her eye to look at her Chosen and flicked her tail as she paused her little tap-dance. You are wanted, Mine. By your Bailarth. Kjara smiled slightly, letting her hand rest lovingly on her Chosen’s hindquarter. She then turned her eyes to Kadassh who was squirming with excitement and snapped her finger once.

At the sound, Kadassh’s ears went erect and he obediently came to her side, but was still quivering with excitement as he looked to L’am and his Bronze. She bowed, once again, out of mere respect to the two, even though she wasn’t sure if he was the Weyrleader or not. “I am Kjara, Bailarth’s rider.”

[/blockquote]

[purnip]

Kjara's appearance, though sudden, was appreciated. Knowing by now that the best thing he could do was stay out of the way of this catastrophe, L'am was receptive to human distractions. It was hard to forget but he had recently Impressed, as well as twenty-two other former Candidates. People were going to be just as talkative as they were for the past couple of days, but this time they would be accompanied by young dragons. The boy glanced to his Bronze, who was still basking in contentment until he finally registered the arrival of new people. Lebeth became more cheerful; strangers seemed to please His and if they did such a thing, perhaps they appreciate living just as briskly as himself. Still, he wasn't sure about greeting one or the other.

Suede fluttered off L'am's shoulder and landed on top of Lebeth's head, startling the Bronze a bit. Lebeth quickly got over it and greeted the flit. Suede responded with a kindly chirp. Eyes swirling with vibrant color, the young dragon communicated excitedly to the firelizard. Suede politely listened, but he was well overwhelmed by the Bronze's over-friendliness to one such as himself. He had half expected the dragon to reject him for landing on his head the way he had, but Lebeth liked the attention. He chattered on about things that he could have easily figured out if he was paying more attention but the little Blue put up with it because he too liked the attention. Dragons weren't his favorite things to talk to, but this one was His's as well. They would be spending a lot of time together so he really wanted to get along with the bright Bronze hatchling.

L'am smiled warmly at Kjara. "There's no need to apologize. Yours was a welcomed interruption." He leaned in a bit, putting a hand to the side of his mouth as if he was telling a secret though obviously too far for it to be genuine. "Between you and I, I just got chewed out and I was hoping the night wouldn't wrap up on a sour note, so as I said, very welcomed."

It was then a voice slipped into his mind, one as friendly as Lebeth's yet a lot more feminine and energetic. He glanced to Bailarth, who had to be the source and indeed she was. "I'm not an expert or anything, but my father made it a point to teach me the basics. As for music, I'd say I could enjoy it." He retained his smile, finding the spirit of these young dragons particularly cheerful so far.

"I am L'am, by the way. This here," he gestured to Lebeth, who once again was paying no hint of attention to their guests. He was busy studying Suede at the time. "This would be Lebeth." L'am gave the Bronze a pat on the shoulder in hopes of getting the young one's attention back. It worked and Lebeth cast his swirling eyes on his rider.

Oh! MineL'am! The firelizard we share is quite a character! He knows how to live, and live he does! But he does try so hard to meet so many people. It sounds overwhelming. To keep track of all those names and faces!

Yes Lebeth, I'm glad you two are getting along, I really am. However, we have guests! L'am glanced back at Kjara with a chuckle. "Lebeth's getting along with Suede just now. I thought most dragons couldn't stand firelizards."

Hello Bailarth! As His was speaking to the human, he supposed he would greet the dragon-guest. His voice was cheerful, as was his disposition, but with Suede sitting on his head he felt a little distracted. The blue could sense this and took the opportunity to take off from his perch and return to L'am's shoulder. Suede's attention was now on Kjara as he studied her in interest.

[heytarsar]

Kjara, though still shy, felt the shyness melt; they didn’t mind Bailarth’s and her company. Pushing Kjara gently and closer to the human, Kjara began to feel a vibrant hum growing in the atmosphere and she turned to look at Bail, whose eyes were closed and tail flicking in glee as she did what seemed to be purring. “I guess I can say I am glad to be here then.” She told him warmly, her cheeks now pink instead of fire red. Her eyes trailed up to the ebullient pink and smiled wider, glad to see that her Chosen was getting along well with some of the others. And Bail, too, was proud that Hers was making friends also. “You like music?” she asked curiously, her eyes gleaming passionately. “Besides herbs and plants, music is almost everything to me. I think that’s why Bailarth chose me,” she whispered happily, her hand gently placed on the craning neck of Her Bail. “We share that love.” She looked up, eyes fluttering as the dragon continued the hum, opening one eye to look at Lebeth, L’am, and Suede. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, L’am and Lebeth.” To the dragon, she bowed once more, turning to see Bailarth actually stand and bow, letting her claws thump the ground in her fidgety way.

When she rose, she eyed the little firelizard with a smile on her face. “I don’t see why firelizards and dragons wouldn’t get along,” she admitted. “I guess that’s just my personal opinion. I find it strange that Kadassh,” she indicated to the hound by her side. “And a dragon would get along, but ever since I Impressed Bailarth, the two have practically inseparable and horribly impossible.” When Suede’s attention was brought to Kjara, she smiled politely. “I’ve always wanted a firelizard. But I have Kadassh and Bailarth; I can’t begin to imagine what having these two and a firelizard would be like.” She watched L’am quietly, her eyes full of glee and curiousity; she wanted to know more of these people, if they were all as nice as this. It was different, being happy and free. No more anger, no more sadness; maybe it was because of Bailarth. Her eyes fell to the bronze Lebeth before back to the lambent Bailarth, her eyebrow quirked at her.

[/blockquote]

[purnip]

"Likewise," the boy said, bowing to Kjara after she had indicated that meeting him had been a pleasure. She couldn't have appeared at a better time. Though Lebeth managed to cheer him up a little, the dragon did not dwell on a particular subject for long and so it was difficult to talk about something that bothered him. Lebeth's mantra seemed to be 'live and let live'; he doesn't bother with the strife that accompanies life in order to live it with a skip in his step. He was truly a gentle sort of beast, which well explained why he did not snap at Suede for startling him earlier. L'am wondered if the Bronze was even capable of being angry.

Lebeth didn't answer to any sort of wondering His was up to. He was busy watching Bailarth with interest, wondering himself about why the Pink moved so much. He only noticed it just now, but she seemed rather fidgety, until she bowed and then started all over again.

"I enjoy music," L'am admit again, "but I can't play any instruments. I listen when others play from time to time." He shrugged. "Yet aside from at the feast, I don't hear it around the weyr often."

He listened to her when she spoke of how she felt about firelizards. Suede's presence always did that; if someone saw the fellow and he felt particularly charming that day, the conversation was usually about his sort. People were often surprised of his attitude. L'am didn't think much of it. He had seen the more energetic ones before, but he couldn't imagine that the majority of them were that way. He wouldn't be able to comprehend why people could put up with them so well. Not to say the boy wasn't patient; he simply had a level of tolerance that shouldn't be exceeded.

But Kjara wasn't only talking about firelizards. She was factoring in her dog who, as L'am glanced about to see if he could spot it, was running around the halls with her Bailarth just moments ago. "Kadassh is the dog that just ran through here?" He stopped looking for the dog and looked back to Kjara with a smile. "Either way, it's great that they're getting along too. There are a couple of people I worry about though. Some of the other Candidates also have pretty interesting pets. I hope all the dragons on the Sands are just as kind as these two."

Suede flew on to Kjara's shoulder, as if he understood. If she wished to imagine what it was like to have a firelizard as well, he wouldn't mind to be part of a discovery. He tried to relay such thoughts to the girl, of course only in image and partially coherent emotions. Firelizards weren't nearly as articulate as dragons.

L'am watched the Blue carefully, wondering what Suede was up to this time. He liked to perch on other shoulders and that he already knew, but he didn't want him to randomly offend someone. L'am could tell that Kjara was a good person and it was best to cultivate friendship with everyone, no matter what rank they may be or become. Just like he wouldn't have stopped trying to be vital to Dalibor even if he had Impressed a Green or Blue dragon, the same could apply for anyone else. That was explicitly true with someone like T'lar, who had Impressed a Purple but would likely not stop there. Though Kjara didn't seem to be the sort to go after power, it was still important to be in everyone's good graces.