Rub-a-dub-dub, A Winter Dragon Scrub [Jack]

[Kila]

MineOwn... don't you think we have hugged for long enough? I love you very much, but I thought we came out here to get clean. Didn't you want to finish quickly for some reason? Eccolath asked quizzically. I don't know why you would, since the air is so crisp and the water is so clear. Is this what the ocean is like, Mine? Will you take me there?

Sol mumbled a garbled response from where she had plastered herself against Eccolath's vibrant Cyan hide. Her arms reached as far around her bonded as they could reach- which nowadays was not very far at all- and her wet body was pressed up against the steaming hide.

What, Mine?

I'm just staying warm, Ecco. It is very crisp out today, and while your hide may be thick enough that it doesn't bother you, mine is a bit less durable. I can stand it, I just wanted to borrow a little bit of your body heat before I plunged back into this whole bath business, Sol explained.

After a few more moments she wistfully separated herself from her dragon and picked her scrubbing instruments from where they were floating in the lake. It was just winter, and cold enough that getting in the water was cause enough to catch cold, but no matter how bad the timing, Eccolath still needed to be bathed. The Cyan was too inquisitive and curious for her own good. She poked her nose absolutely everywhere! Sol could never tell how she got so dirty. It was a wonder Eccolath hadn't gotten her snout bitten by a tunnel snake yet from all the holes she'd poked it in. What a laugh B'nyur would have when they showed up with that injury!

By the time she finished, her teeth were chattering and she fancied her toes to be more than a little blue. Eccolath was still oblivious to the cold, but was bemused by her rider's temperature. How do you get cold so easily? It's only a little water. You'd think you'd gone between, Mine. If we stay out here will you turn blue-ish like me? Wouldn't that be fun, Mine! Eccolath rambled as Sol sloshed over frigidly and again plastered herself against her bonded's warm hide. It was hardly fair.

Hold me, Ecco, Sol groaned, I can't help it, you great wherry-brain. We're clearly not built the same. I don't think I can even move," she said, a tad over-dramatically. Eccolath complied with amusement and raised her wing to block Sol from the wind.

[jack]

These days, B'rak and Shoth had been spending a lot of time outdoors. Neither could quite describe it--as neither were especially fond of winter--but without even prodding the other's mind, they both got up at the exact same time every day and sailed down to the weyrbowl, taking hours at a time to simply...walk. B'rak found great peace in simply walking, his mind able to wander as he kept his hands stuffed in his warm pockets, his natural hardiness keeping him safe from the wind as Shoth's complaints were taken away by harsh winds. Shoth found the walks to be an odd sense of adventure, and his eyes whirled with a pleasant merriness that he'd never before had lurked there. B'rak--while he couldn't imagine why the Bronze was in such a...good mood--wasn't about to complain.

It was on one of these lovely walks, B'rak softly but not majorly bundled up and Shoth staring up at the sky like a dreaming dragonet, that the duo happened upon the growing weyrling and her dragonet. Blinking softly, he let a smooth smile spread onto his lips, as the white-haired man turned, lazily approaching the duo with a relaxed greeting, "You look frozen to death, Sol...are you sure today is the greatest day for a bath?"

A lop-sided grin was on his features as he slunk to the edge of the lake, glancing at the water with a less-than pleased stare before lifting his eyes to Sol, "You need to get out of that water--you'll catch a horrible cold at this rate."

[Kila]

Desperately pressed to Eccolath's hide as she was, Sol did not notice B'rak's presence until he called out to her. She was not eve sure it was him at first- her hears were rather frozen. Turning only her head, she peered over her shoulder and spotted the rider's unmistakable shock of white hair. What did he look so sharding jolly about?

"It-t-t's d-definet-tley n-not-t-t," she chattered. Hopefully he could hear her- he had made his way to the edge of the shore and was staring at her with a charming smile on his face. Damn him! "I am n-nearly f-f-frozen t-to death-th." Duh. "I kn-now I n-need t-t-to get-t out-t-t, but it-t-t's just-t a litt-tle t-too cold-d-d; I d-don't-t want t-t-t-to let gooo!" she said miserably. The sight of it was pathetically comic. She was a sweet thing who had gotten into the situation by her own doing, but one would have to have a heart of cold stone not to pity her. "I'llll b-be out-t in a s-s-second. I j-just need t-t-to get-t a lit-t-t-tle bit w-warmer before I move. D-don't-t-t worry about-t it-t-t!"

Eccolath did not seem to be minding her role as living furnace, and was ecstatic to see Shoth and his arrive at the lake. Ever since she had met the grumpy Bronze when she was small and he was recovering she had taken a particular like/fascination with him. They had established that first day that he was quite perfect for his class (which pleased him immensely and was probably why they got on so well) and she was perfect for her own little color. Besides, the connotation of a King sparked a million lights in her imagination.

Hello, Shoth! How are you? Do you need a bath too? The water is quite refreshing, though Mine can't handle it very well. The wind does make it a bit chilly. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the wind was very strong? Why, it might even blow Ours away! That wouldn't be good, of course, but image how fast we could fly!

[jack]

So she was too cold to get out...but too cold to do any good in the water? B'rak's brows knit together worriedly, and he looked between Eccolath and the water. The Cyan was still young, she didn't understand how dangerous it could be for her Mine to be put in such a situation. Sighing slightly he clucked to Shoth, who shot him a 'you've got to be kidding' look before reluctantly sidling forwards. He slid slowly into the water, touching Sol's back with his nose. He shot back with a snort, eyes whirling with displeasure, and repeated the feel to B'rak. The white-haired man immediately moved into the water.

"You're way too cold." He mumbled, almost as though he were explaining his reason for moving to her side, and scooping her easily up and out of the water. The white-haired man strode out of the lake quickly, setting her on the ground for a moment as he shed his riding jacket, wrapping it around her shoulders before picking her up again. "Come on, we need to get you inside--if you're lucky you won't be coughing too much to move come morning."

Smiling fondly he ruffled the girl's hair, pulling the hood of his massive jacket over her head as he walked. Shoth snorted at the cuteness of the whole thing--squishies were so strange!--but followed behind, a snapping flick of his tail demanding that Eccolath do the same. Water that cold could cause squishies to get very sick. He chastised, fixing the younger dragon with a serious--if incredibly bemused--stare, Which means you wouldn't be able to go out and fly with them even if the wind was nice. He snickered, flicking his split tail lazily, and ruffled his wings, Unfortunately, Mines are not very hardy creatures. If you do not baby them occasionally, they die. And dead Mines make for very...unhappy situations.

[Kila]

"Sh-shoth, you don't-t-t have t-to come in," Sol protested as the Bronze waded in unhappily. His snout was warm when he touched it to her back, though, and she was sad when he pulled away. It would probably be lovely to be sandwiched between two dragons- better than any blanket or fur. But from the disapproving look Shoth was giving her she didn't think it was going to happen.

Shoth must have said something to B'rak, because before Sol knew what was happening B'rak too was in the water and by her side. She had not even had the time to protest! She didn't want B'rak to be freezing cold too! As she opened her mouth to chastise him, he scooped her up into his arms, and her words were reduced to a surprised squeak. None of the normal generic protests- she was too heavy, he'd hurt himself, etc- even had time to register because B'rak holding her to him made her so very very warm. She sighed with involuntary relief and snuggled up to him as he carried her swiftly out of the water.

Sol felt silly to admit it, but she was sad when B'rak put her down safely on shore. Eccolath had often asked questions and made teasing comments about the crush Sol harbored for the older rider. She often riled against it, knowing it was unfounded and unrequited, but she couldn't seem to shake it. What was even worse was that B'rak was, well..... taken.

These flickering thoughts were frightened from her head when B'rak wrapped her up in his riding jacket, bundling her up safe from the cold. He was so kind... She hid her face in the jacket to hide the pleased smile that beamed unbidden from her face. Besides, putting her teeth together in a smile made them chatter all over again. She wasn't about to protest his bringing her inside where it was warm and dry- she would indeed be lucky if she wasn't coughing up a lung and a half in the morning.

Sol could not contain her smile and girlish pleasure when B'rak ruffled her hair and pulled his big hood down over her eyes teasingly. Nothing would come of all this, sure, but it was a chapter straight out of a romantic story scroll. For as much as she tried to hide it, she could afford to let herself to indulge just this once. She snuggled up to him, warming herself in the best way possible. "Th-thank you, B-B'rak," she said in a muffled voice.

Eccolath, for her part, followed Shoth out of the water obediently. Mine could die because of cold water? she asked with uncharacteristic dismay. Oh no! How careless I have been with her... SolMine- I'm so sorry. Thank you for giving me a bath, but we can't have you wet when it's cold anymore.

It's okay, Eccolath, it was my fault for agreeing to it when I knew it was so cold. And I would've been fine if I'd been more careful about staying warm. I thought that I could do it, she replied dreamily from B'rak's arms as he marched her back indoors.

Mine seems very happy for being so frozen, Eccolath remarked to Shoth, following Theirs and reading their emotions smugly. She seems very happy, actually. Ours are so cute, Shoth.

[jack]

B'rak chuckled softly at her thanks, glancing down at the younger individual thoughtfully. She nuzzled against his chest, and he couldn't help the swell of pride that erupted in that same place, his eyes lifting reluctantly to watch the path ahead. He needed to be more careful--what would B'nyur say if he found out just how fond he was of this girl! Probably not much. The blond hadn't been speaking with him much at all as of late.

A very subtle frown crossed the white-haired man's lips, and he adjusted his grip on Sol, unconsciously pressing her tighter against him. Shoth cleared his throat behind him--more to Eccolath than B'rak--and the stress faded from the man's face, his attention once more on the task at hand. "There's no reason to thank me." He murmered, voice lazy and content, "I couldn't very well leave you to freeze to death, now could I?"

He gave a lop-sided grin--an expression more familiar on T'el's lean face--spread onto his lips and he glanced down at her, not bothering to hide the peaceful merriment on his face. "Besides. Its not every day that I get to carry pretty girls around." Chuckling cheerfully, his attention diverted once more to the road. The weyr was right ahead. Soon they'd be nice and safe inside. "Would you like to get something to eat, Sol? Some klah would do you good about now."

Cute? Shoth snorted, took a good long look at the duo, and snorted again, I don't believe any squishy is cute

[Kila]

Sol's heart swelled and nearly skipped a beat when B'rak shifted her- closer. "I'm not too heavy, am I?" she asked reluctantly. She hoped not, but she didn't think so. B'rak didn't seem to be straining with her at all; his arms were strong, and she could feel (in their close proximity) that he was muscled and solid. Why did the man have to reveal himself as more attractive each time they met?

"There's plenty of cause for thanks," she argued softly. "I was in the worst state of affairs out there. It was stupid of me to put myself in that position in the first place. I'm lucky you came a swept me off my knocking knees when you did. You very well could have left me if you'd wanted, but luckily you're kinder than that-" You're always kind to me "-like a knight in shining armor!"

Sol looked up to study his face just in time to see his crooked grin. If she had been standing it would have knocked her off her feet. As it was, it only halted her speech, and she could only gaze up at him as he spoke, her heart and her breath caught in her throat. He looked so happy and at ease. And he complimented her! A deep pink crept onto Sol's otherwise white face, followed by the heat on her cheeks. Well, that was one way to get warm. He thinks I'm pretty! This was all such nonsense! And she was enjoying every second of it. "Y-yeah. Please. K-klah would be wonderful."

Mine is very cute, Eccolath said happily, unperturbed by Shoth's disagreement (his grumpiness was so funny!), But I meant Ours together. Mine is never so bashful, and they both get so happy.

[jack]

"Hm?" B'rak shifted, glancing down at her, and arched a brow at her question, a soft chuckle rumbling in his chest, "Of course not. You're light as a wherryfeather." He smiled, amused with her question, and stared for a moment--musing over who knows what--before slowly lifting his eyes once more, if only to pay attention as he made his way to the Dining Hall.

Shoth stopped well before B'rak disappeared inside, settling himself thoughtfully on the grass.

The white-haired man was just about to settle his load on one of the benches in the Hall--after an extended hunt for it--before he paused, giving her a momentary funny-look. "I wouldn't leave you." He replied, blinking and tilting his head as though he honestly couldn't comprehend leaving her behind. Which, in all truth, he probably couldn't. "Oooh. A knight, hm?" He cocked a grin, laughing outloud at the thought, "I don't know about that. You think I'd look good in armor? Might be a bit too bulky for me. I think I'll stick to good ol' cloth and leather, hm?" Chuckling, he winked at her before leaning down to very gently settle her on the bench. "I'm going to get you some klah. Hang here for a second, alright?"

Shoth, meanwhile, tilted his head, glancing down at the smaller dragon. Perhaps you're right. He rumbled, more to himself than anything else, B'rakMine...tends to relax around Yours. He shrugged his heavy shoulders absently, moving into a stretch, But Mine is odd. He can never make up his mind--he'll need to fix that before he can get anywhere near my level. Chuckling, he turned and spread his wings, leaping up into the air, If you will excuse me, Eccolath. I fancy a nap.

B'rak returned a few minutes later, two steaming cups of klah balanced on a small tray, along with a few other tasty snacks, including a bubbly pie he had--by sheer luck--managed to catch right out of the oven. "We're in luck! The cooks were already making dinner." Grinning ear to ear--and clearly proud of himself--he set the tray and the pies on the table in front of Sol, taking his place next to her. He was worried she might still be cold, and fancied himself to be quite the heater when it came down to it. "Here," He pressed a cup of klah into her hands, "Drink some of this and then dig in."

[Kila]

Sol shrunk into herself as B'rak stared down at her with some unidentifiable thought in mind after brushing away her concern. Light as a wherryfeather. Her big blue eyes, which were opened wide, stared back up at him with similarly mysterious and conflicting feelings. Not surprisingly, it was he who broke the staring match so he could watch the path ahead. Sol was relieved, but disappointed at the same time.

Eccolath settled happily beside Shoth as watched Hers disappear. She was fresh and clean and was enjoying the company of the older dragon. It is admirable that you always have your mind made up, Shoth. I can never seem to make up mine. It wanders so easily, you know? There's just so much to think about and so many options to consider, she said dreamily. Alright. Goodbye. Enjoy your nap Shoth, she said agreeably when her companion decided to leave. He really did always have his mind made. Eccolath, fortunately, was more than capable of amusing herself. And Hers was so interesting to listen in on today!

When B'rak at last located an acceptable bench in the dining hall, he paused to speak to her again. "I wouldn't leave you," he claimed, looking as though his answer was the most obvious on Pern. This response made Sol smile bashfully and cast her eyes down. Her heart suddenly felt a good deal warmer. She could not keep her gaze averted for long, though, we he began to jest. "I'm sure you would look just as handsome in armor," she declared, "Though you might have sank if you'd come to my rescue in the lake while wearing it. Besides, people can look so out of character and odd when they dress up- I know I always do. I like you best in your casual clothes. You don't need to dress up, you're already handsome. The rider look suits you," she said with spirit.

He must have found some part of this funny, for he chuckled at it, gave her a wink, and gently began to set her down. Sol's mind blanked for a moment as he lowered her, and she had to reign in when she felt herself clinging tighter to him. She didn't want him to put her down! Who knew if she'd ever get to be in his arms again. She was happy and comfortable beyond description, and it would be like waking up from a dream. But she couldn't sleep forever.

"Thanks," she said with a half-hearted smile as he put her down, loosening her grip on him and letting her arms slide from around his shoulders. "Klah sounds great! I'll wait right here." Sol watched wistfully as he trotted off. Snap out of it, girl. He's with B'nyur. No matter how much you like him you can't make a show of yourself over it. And from all of this it seems like you like him a lot.... or would never really admit it.

You wouldn't, Eccolath piped up. It's okay, Mine. Don't be unhappy now. I know you wonder like me, but wonder good things! You can like whoever you want to- as long as it's not more than me. You can't help how you feel. Enjoy it, Mine.

Eccolath's gentle advice was calming, and the worried creases melted slowly from Sol's face. Ecco was right- she couldn't help her feelings, and they were just fine. It was just an unrequited little crush. Nobody would know (except for Pratyba- and Sol needed to tell her ASAP!). But Sol was cold now that she wasn't pressed up against B'raks body, and a little lonely. She wrapped his jacket more tightly around her and broke into a smile when she saw him returning.

"Wonderful! That klah looks so good. Ooh, a bubbly pie too! You're good, B'rak; what great timing," she marveled of his tray. Her heart began to flutter when he sat down close to her, but she forcefully calmed it. "Faranth, you're so warm, B'rak. I can feel you from here! That's so unfair," she lamented when she felt the warmth roll off of him. "Why are guys always so much warmer than girls?" She slid over on the bench so there forearms touched and she could share his body heat. It was a legitimate reason. She gratefully took the cup of klah he pressed into her grasp and sipped it slowly. It was very hot. She held it gently between her hands so warmth of the liquid would seep through them.

"So what were you and Shoth doing out there today? I feel like I haven't actually gotten to really see you in a long time, and it was awfully lucky that you bumped into Ecco and I when you did. What have you been up to, B'rak?"

[jack]

The man gave a happy laugh, not bothering to hide his pride at his own lucky streak, and reached out, patting the girl's head fondly. "When it comes to food, I've always been pretty lucky." He chirped, grinning his lop-sided grin before retrieving a rather lovely looking meat roll from the pile of food. B'rak looked about to take a rather nice chunk out of his prize, but paused when he felt her press against his arm. He glanced down at her, a brow arched as he blinked bemusedly, but smiled, lifting his arm and draping it around her shoulders.

He pulled her closer as she talked, taking a bit of a bite of his food before humming softly. "Well...I don't know about all guys. I've known plenty who can't handle the cold better than a flit egg." Dark eyes wandered down to the girl as he spoke, that same old smile remaining plastered on his lips, "But I was born and raised in a mine. Your body gets accustomed to the cold after so many years of it...and just...well...is warmer." He shrugged absently, chewing on his meal, "This weather is actually fairly comfortable to me."

He finished his roll rather quickly, licking his lips happily before lifting the klah to his lips, sipping at it fondly. Aah. There was nothing in the world better than a good, hot cup of klah. Set him back to his digging days, when he'd come up out of the dirt covered in soot and freezing to death, only to have a cup of klah pressed into his hands and a blanket over his shoulders before a nice, hot bath. He smiled absently, thinking back to the days before. It was a nice memory. But he was brought quickly back to the present with Sol's words, and he gave her a thoughtful look before replying. "We've taken to walking around, actually." He shifted, taking a good long sip of his drink, "I think Shoth started to like walking after he couldn't fly for so long--he's been wanting to walk, and well, I'm always happy to." He smiled, unconsciously tightening his arm around Sol's shoulders as he did.

"But in all honesty, things...have been...ugh." He shrugged, setting his drink down to run a hand almost...worriedly through his messy locks. "Oh I don't know. I guess between B'nyur and those dead weyrlings, and the new weyrlings...its just been a bit ridiculous."

[Kila]

Now B'rak's arm was around her shoulders... looked like the story-book dream wasn't quite over yet. She smiled happily into her klah, sipping it as she listened to him chatter. She picked up a meat roll from the platter and munched on it, slowly at first and then ravenously. She hadn't realized how hungry she was! Being nearly frozen to death must pique one's appetite, she guessed. Good thing he'd brought a whole platter.

"Mine work must've been hard," she marveled, again sipping her klah. That would explain why you tough things out so well. I've never been in a mine before..." She peeked up at him as he stared off into nothing with that darn smile on his face. Probably a nice memory.

Sol came close to blowing bubbles in her drink when he tightened his arm around her. I was just a shift, really- he probably hadn't even meant to. She was extremely thankful she was able to maintain her composure. "So Shoth liked walking? I never would have pegged him for it, but it makes sense. He's so proud, but once you get used to something you oftentimes enjoy it," she volunteered.

All of the butterflies disappeared when the tone of the conversation shifted. Sol quite forgot she had been rescued, carried, was currently snuggled under and against B'rak. She pulled back a little so she could look up at him, her eyes full of concern. She shouldn't've been surprised to hear that things hadn't exactly been going well for him as of late- things hadn't been going well for much of Dalibor as of late- but she still hated to hear it aloud. Even his agitated motions gave him away. "Ugh? Well I can certainly understand that... everyone seems to have been down as of late. I mean, the whole Weyr felt that loss," she spoke of the death of her fellow Weyrlings. The thought itself upset her, for she could be a very empathetic, emotional young lady, and her eyes shamefully began to water. She blinked quickly, hoping it had not been noticeable. "The new Weyrlings are, well, out of the ordinary, but they haven't done anything yet. Sure, they were sired by renegades, but a lot of their bondeds were our candidates. I wouldn't worry too much about them just yet. I'm not saying not to keep our eyes open, but there's no reason we shouldn't give them the benefit of the doubt." she said with an encouraging smile and a sparkle in her eye. Among the things Eccolath had given her, faith was definitely one.

"And... you're having problems with B'nuyr?" she asked, her smile wavering but bravely staying on her face. Her friend needed to see a smile. "I'm sorry," she said genuinely. She cast her eyes down and looked at her klah through her lashes, but the friendly smile tenaciously remained. "Do you want to talk about it? What's going on?"

[jack]

B'rak nodded thoughtfully, chuckling as he replied, "Yes, it was hard...but it was worthwhile. I had a great childhood because of it, and even if I did probably cut my life in half from stumbling into one-too-many gas-filled caverns as a kid...I wouldn't trade it for the world." The man winked, his expression cheerful, and took a last swig of his drink, staring almost bemusedly at the empty cup. "I would invite you to see the one where I grew up...but if you aren't used to it, it really isn't a place to visit."

Munching absently on a bubbly pie, B'rak glanced sidelong at Sol, nodding, "I actually think it made him feel bigger. He's used to flying up where half the males are bigger than he is--much as he hates it, he's half the size a Bronze should be. But walking around nothing but weyrlings and humans are around, and he towers over all of them." B'rak cracked a grin at this thought, taking another bite. His dragon was quite simple when it came down to it, although most people had trouble seeing it. He just wanted to be bigger than he was.

"Unfortunately, I can't face the weyrlings with the same optimism that you can." He mumbled in reply, seeming to relax a bit while still remaining a shade on edge. He was not exactly "happy" about the weyrling situations. Either of them. "Shoth and I...we're one of the higher ranked riders, and while we don't have the same responsibilities that poor Fajra and Kalith, and O'sho and Daidoroth have, we still have good reason to watch these newcomers with...well...a careful eye." He gave a soft sigh, but left it at that, not wanting to put any of his stress on Sol, "I'm sure there won't be too many problems--and it certainly isn't anything for you or Eccolath to worry about--but someone has to be ready for the worst, hm?" He winked, smile back on his face, and gently nudged the girl, a failed attempt at changing the subject.

"Ah..." B'rak immediately averted his eyes, a rather lost look on his face as he reached up with his free hand, rubbing the back of his neck in a habitual display of stress. "No, no...I don't think I do." He murmured, glancing at the girl softly, "Its...a matter I'm not quite sure of yet. I don't want to think about it right now." The white-haired man gave a short laugh, glancing away again, before letting his stare avert to the ceiling, "Well...I probably should get moving. Shoth needs to be oiled before the day's out." He turned his eyes to Sol, giving a sweet smile, "Are you feeling any warmer? I can walk you to your weyr if you'd like--I'm sure you don't want to fly as chilled as you are."

[Kila]

Not a lot of people could match Sol's optimism, so she wasn't abashed when B'rak didn't change his mind about the Freedomfighters. At least he seemed a shade more positive. And of course someone had to be worried and keep an eye on them. Apparently it's the Weyrleaders and the higher-ranked riders. He smiled and nudged her, but the smile, she could tell, was half-hearted. She hoped it wouldn't weigh on him too heavily. Maybe she would make friends with the new Weyrlings to show him that they were good people. Hopefully she wasn't wrong.

Shards and shells! I've done it now! Sol kicked herself violently when B'rak turned distressedly away from her question. She hadn't meant to pry, only to help. Again his little actions- a hand through the hair, rubbing the back of his neck- gave away his ill state of mind. What a wherry brain she was... he wouldn't even look at her now. Perhaps it was for the best, though. He clearly didn't want to talk about it, and, now that she thought about it, Sol didn't quite know if she wanted to know. It might've hurt her, sure, but even still she would have listened to ease B'rak's mind. Well, even though she'd made a mess of things now, hopefully he knew he could talk to her because of it.

At last the tense discomfort was broken and they both again looked up, their embarrassed, drifting eyes reconnecting. And there it was- the inevitable reason to go. And yet, he offered to walk her back to her weyr. The delusion was still not over? Yes! "Yes, I am feeling warmer, thanks to you and the klah. Flying probably would be miserable, come to think of it. I would like that... f-for you to walk me back to my weyr... if you don't mind," she said equally softly and paused. "But if you need to oil Shoth I'm sure I'll be just fine. Eccolath feels awfully bad- she's been telling me so throughout our whole meal. I know she'll help me if I need it, so if you want to go tend to him I'll be just fine on my own," she added quickly. It wouldn't do at all for her to be silly and clingy like this. She stood up quickly, grabbing the table for support when her knees knocked and her balance wavered. She gave him a sheepish smile. "You've helped me so much already, I don't want you to go out of your way."

[jack]

B'rak smiled as she spoke, watching her thoughtfully before reaching out, ruffling the girl's hair once more. His hand lingered on her head for a moment too long, but he didn't seem to mind, recalling it slowly before stuffing it into his pockets. "It isn't all that much out of my way. Shoth could easily pick me up from your weyr." He shifted, tilting his head as though he were listening to something, before giving her a lop-sided grin, "Or as he says, I could walk."

A light laugh sounded from his chest and he glanced to the side, staring off at one of the walls rather intently. He gave a soft sigh, running a hand through his hair, and rose carefully to his feet. "Well...Sol, Shoth is getting insistent." He leaned over and drew her into a hug, pressing his lips against her forehead before straightening, "I'm sorry, I'll walk you to your weyr next time, alright?" He smiled, winking, and slipped from the bench, his hands in his pockets as he shuffled along, "Take care of my jacket, alright? I have another, but that's my favorite. I'll see you later, Sol."

And with that he was gone, Jack's unwellness making the ending rather bad. But hey. You'll live with it. =x=

[Kila]

Sol grinned- eyes squeezed shut with a big, goofy smile on her face when B'rak again ruffled her hair. She did not miss his hand lingering on her head. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and stared off afterwords, though. What was he thinking. She refused to indulge any hopes, but at the same time fervently hoped that it was something akin to what she was thinking.

She smiled at his laugh and his habitual running of his hand through his hair. She rose when he did, listening with a tinge of disappointment (but also a tinge of relief) as he explained Shoth's impatience. She froze in her soggy boots when he leaned over and scooped her into a big hug. When his lips touched her forehead her entire face immediately went red. Why must I blush so easily!? It often gave her away. Don't be weird. She reached out and hugged him around the waist dizzily. She suddenly seemed unable to form words- speech alluded her.

She clasped her hands together when he straightened and slipped out from behind the bench with a wink. Take care of his jacket? See you later? The proper responses were all jumbled up inside her head and all she could manage was a grateful smile and parting wave. She lowered her arm once he disappeared, touching the jacket he had wrapped around her. His favorite jacket. She couldn't seem to get rid of that smile. What in Faranth's name had just happened?

Sol sat back down on the bench with a thump. She was throughly hot now. The lake seemed ages ago. She needed to get back to her weyr before anyone found her in such a stupefied state. She knew Eccolath was waiting outside eagerly, ready to twitter and gloat and speculate. Eccolath was full of her own ideas about everything. Sol had best make sure she was the only one speculating, though.

[Cue Pratyba!]

[4horseshowgirl4]

Unbeknownst to Sol, she had a stalker. Said stalker had politely remained hidden while the sexy Bronzerider was still in the dining hall, but now that he was gone, it was time for her to make her move. She reached Sol in half a dozen of bounding, leaping steps, the excitement in her body almost unsuppressable. Well, wasn't this a most wonderful and terrific turn of events! She couldn't wait to get every single detail and thought from her best friend-- for the stalker could be no one but Pratyba herself. She'd almost been willing B'rak to disappear for the past several minutes because she was almost dying to discuss this with Sol. She'd rarely had any good scoop to share with Sol about her own love life (or startling lack thereof) because the boys here were no fun! Well, except F'let. He was fun, but he was also taken. And gay. But whatever-- this wasn't about her, it was about Sol!

The stalking had started with Pratyba and Oorth playing a furious game of tug of war in their weyr. With how huge Oorth was now (in comparison to Pratyba's size, at least, not to most dragons), the game was hardly fair any more, but Pratyba managed to win just as many games as she lost by distracting Oorth at the critical moment. "Hey, Oorth! Look! It's Eccolath!" Pratyba had shouted, and just as Oorth had looked outside, the Weyrling gave an almighty tug on her old Candidate robe (that she was never going to use again, obviously), ready to wrench the makeshift rope out of Oorth's mouth, but, to her great surprise, Oorth had taken another look outside the weyr and let go of the rope completely, sending Pratyba flying in the opposite direction. "Okay, that was low!" Pratyba accused cheerfully, picking herself up. "What was that for?" It's Eccolath and Hers, just like you said! Why are they taking a bath right now? It's too cold!

[/color] Oorth had said.

Of course, Pratyba had to take a look for herself. "Is she mad? She's going to give herself hypothermia!" Pratyba said, facepalming. "Come on, Oorth, let's go to the rescue!" She had swung aboard of the Pink, but Oorth didn't take off. It looks like someone else is already coming to the rescue![/color] she had said, and Pratyba had looked forward to see what the Pink meant. It didn't take but a moment to recognize Shoth-- but seeing B'rak scoop Sol out of the water was quite a surprise! "B'rak... Sol has good taste!" Pratyba clucked approvingly. Leave it to her best friend to be rescued by the best-looking Bronzerider in the Weyr... "You stay here, Oorth. I'm going to go investigate!" And with that, the Pinkrider had been off. "You tell me where they're headed!"

She had slipped out the back entrance of her weyr and wove through the lower caverns, hoping desperately that they weren't heading back to B'rak's weyr-- she loved Sol dearly, but there was no way she was climbing that many stairs to get that high! They're going to the kitchens![/color] Oorth reported from her superior vantage point before launching off of the ledge and pouncing on Eccolath, once the Bronze was safely gone, of course.

While Sol and B'rak were romancing it up, Pratyba had been lurking in a corner, safely out of sight and, unfortunately, safely out of earshot. She couldn't hear their exact words, but the general gist of what they were saying was clear to anyone. Aww, they were SO CUTE! In the back of Pratyba's mind, she vaguely remembered that B'rak was supposed to be B'nyur's weyrmate... had something happened between the two of them, or was the interaction between Sol and B'rak really not as serious as it seemed? Hmm... there! B'rak was gone, so now she could ask Sol herself!

After the whole running unabashedly forward, Pratyba enveloped Sol into a tight bear hug before releasing her. "SOL!" she exclaimed. "First off, I need to be a dutiful friend and ask if you're okay, but I already know the answer to that, so may I suggest that we just skip past that part and go straight to the juicy stuff?" Without giving Sol the slightest moment to answer, she plowed right on. "I knew you'd understand. OKAY, WHAT HAPPENED?! Are you and B'rak, like, going to be together?! Do you like him?! SPILL YOUR GUTS, GIRL!"[/right][/font]

[Kila]

Fail. Eccolath was not the only one destined to have witnessed the events of the past hour and to be speculating about them. Sol was startled from her spacey state of being when Pratyba flew out of what seemed to be nowhere and crushed her into a tight hug. Sol’s absent eyes and lingering smile disappeared and turned into weak flailing arms and stuttering protest. Her face turned from embarrassed pink to a rather blue shade. That couldn’t be good. She was released soon enough, though, and had a few moments to gasp for air while Pratyba launched into speech. Of course it was Pratyba. It would always be Pratyba.

Sol was alarmed at first when Pratyba immediately stabbed straight at the heart of the matter. She saw everything! Oh no! she thought with despair. Sol had hoped desperately that only Eccolath would know, but she realized quickly that she was not surprised that her best friend knew too. Pratyba knew everything- everyone’s business was hers. It made troublemaking easier and more fun. Sol would know- she was constantly doing the same thing. Tell her, Mine, Eccolath urged. She was outside with Oorth, play fighting with her friend and simultaneously relaying everything she knew. It will be good for you to talk about it and for someone else to know. Sol wanted to argue that she could just talk to Eccolath about it, but she knew that her bonded was right. Already the weight of the secret was growing on her chest. Acknowledging the fact that she was keeping it secret made her want to tell it more. And who better than her best friend?! Sol would have searched her out soon enough any way.

”Oh, Pratyba! It was so cute!” she exploded, all of her feelings building up and bursting forth from their mental floodgates. She grabbed the other girl’s hands and leaned forward as she spoke, her eyes bright and her cheeks pink with hesitance and excitement. ”I was giving Eccolath a bath- don’t ask me why, she needed one, but it was stupid- and he came and scooped me up out of the water!” She leaned back and smiled, remembering the event. She had called him her knight in shining armor. He had called her pretty. ”He said I was pretty,” she said bashfully. He carried me all the way inside and got me some klah and food and ruffled my hair and let me wear his favorite jacket.” She paused and wrapped it tighter around her. It was warm, too big for her of course, and smelt like him. She inhaled the scent without thinking- it made her senses tingle and her head go all dizzy.

Sol looked back up, eyes distant again but slowly coming back into focus as the wheels in her head spun furiously. Finally she looked clearly at Pratyba, but differently from the giddy way before. ”I like him! she wailed. ”Oh shard it all, Pratyba, I like him! What am I going to do?!” Her eyes and her dejected posture clearly reflected her distress, and she regarded Pratyba imploringly for some sort of comfort or answer. ”B’rak is B’nuy’s weyrmate! I can’t like him! I’m just terrible for even indulging such thoughts! Were we flirting? We were flirting, weren’t we? Oh no! I’m terrible! What would B’nyur think? And after he brought me here and after all he’s done for me!” Sol slumped down on the bench, staring at her feet. ”What a fool I’ve been. The whole thing is so silly. It’s such a hopeless little crush.” She smiled weakly, trying to muster up and show some strength.

[4horseshowgirl4]

Pratyba gripped Sol's hands tightly in her own and barely managed to avoid bouncing right off of the bench in excitement. Of course, the Weyrling was still capable of far more impressive bouncing on a hard wooden bench than nearly everyone she knew, but how could she help it? She hadn't been this excited since she'd Impressed Oorth! Wait, no, seeing Fajra getting hit with a redfruit was up there on her list, as was her first real flight on Oorth, and lots of other things, actually. It didn't take much to get Pratyba extremely enthusiastic about something, and while her list of exciting events was a long one, this had to be near the top. Her best friend had her first real crush! Pratyba classified it as such because, well, anything before their dragons didn't count. Duh. Candidates weren't supposed to have serious relationships, but at least their dragons were getting old enough that a few forays into infatuation wouldn't hurt them.

B'rak had rescued her. B'rak had called her pretty. And Pratyba had seen what had occurred in the kitchens-- there was something between those two! B'rak didn't seem like the flirty type, so the affection he had shown Sol had to be real, right? Of course it did. Men didn't just wade into icy water to rescue a freezing damsel in distress, even one as pretty and deserving as her best friend. Maybe they'd send in their thick-skinned dragons to go help, but venture in themselves? No chance. And, as far as Pratyba knew, Sol and B'rak weren't close enough friends to warrant that kind of behavior on friendship alone. So, that meant he liked her back, according to Pratyban logic. Pratyba knew that B'rak was bisexual, because of B'nyur and Shoth. Bronzes didn't pick full out gay guys, just like a Queen wouldn't pick a gay girl. (If she knew of an exception, Pratyba decided to ignore it-- that assumption worked wonderfully for this relationship she was planning between her best friend and her dream man.)

"Oh Faranth!" Pratyba exclaimed, trying to keep her voice down and failing miserably. "You are so lucky!" she said more quietly, enough that the people around them would have to really be trying to eavesdrop. Then again, if they cared that much, they'd probably seen how B'rak had treated Sol and knew what was going on already. Pratyba gave a blissful little sigh to accentuate her point. She and B'rak had to get together as soon as they graduated, maybe even before then if they could do so under the radar! (Rules were only made to be broken, after all!) Pratyba wouldn't be Pratyba if she weren't a little bit meddling, but she truly did want the best for her friend. Sol couldn't get any better than B'rak, so, Pratyba had to help make that happen!

At Sol's next words made Pratyba lift her eyebrows. She let go of Sol's hands and playfully cuffed the Cyanrider on the head. "Hey, hey!" she barked, grabbing Sol's shoulders and giving the other young woman a little shake. "'Hopeless' is a bad word around me!" Pratyba teased, grinning and giving a short laugh. However, even she was a little bit daunted by Sol's words. Unfortunately, B'nyur wasn't just some 'Rider whose name they happened to know. He was a nice guy. And, more than that, he was a friend. Shards, it had been Oveth who'd Searched Sol! Pratyba wasn't willing to hurt him to help Sol, and, as she didn't know the exact dynamics of B'nyur's and B'rak's relationships, it would be difficult to gently pry them apart. Hmm. This would require some thought.

Sol would notice her pause, her hesitancy. "Well, you obviously like him and he obviously likes you, even if he is taken," Pratyba mused with a very un-Pratyba-like solemnness. "Relationships aren't my field of expertise, I have to admit!" she continued, more light-heartedly, laughing a little. "And I'd rather not try anything big in case it backfires... I think your best bet is just to wait until graduation and hope that they call it quits before then!" She chewed her bottom lip uncertainly for several long moments, deep in thought, before her eyes lit up and she grinned again. "Although I think we could arrange for B'rak to be 'accidentally' slipped some loveweed in your presence right before Ecco Flies for the first time... and you'll just have to brainwash that dragon of yours that midget Bronzes are really, really hot stuff!" Pratyba said, winking slightly. She didn't know how open Sol would be to the idea, but she was going to end up with someone in her furs, and B'rak would be the best, surely. A Flight was a common enough, innocent enough occurence, but for those involved, it could be a huge event. Therefore, it was perfect! Pratyba liked the idea already. But, would Sol?

[/font]

[Kila]

Pratyba called her lucky, but Sol felt very far from it. In fact, she felt miserable. How was it in any way lucky to be falling for someone who was taken? She couldn’t think of a single reason. Her present glumness was uncharacteristic of her, and obviously startled Pratyba. It at least alerted her to the veracity of the situation. The other young woman cuffed her fondly and took her by the shoulders, doing her best to shake away Sol’s despair with kind words and gestures. Pratyba even spoke with uncharacteristic calm and seriousness of her own in reply. ”It is kinda hopeless,” she mumbled stubbornly, not reassured much. Nothing seemed hopeless to Pratyba, and nothing was out of her capabilities, but the situation was Sol’s own and seemed to her to be completely out of her control.

”Do you really think he does like me? she asked, her head popping up when Pratyba mentioned it. Sure relationships weren’t her field of expertise, and sure B’rak was taken, but did he really like her? That was a start. Sol quickly shook her head to clear away these thoughts and Pratyba’s talk of B’rak and B’nyur calling it quits. ”No, no! I wouldn’t want them to break up over me! I’d feel so bad. I don’t even know what I’d do with all that guilt. Graduation or no, he’s just as much off-limits.”

Sol watched uneasily as Pratyba chewed her lip thoughtfully. It was one of her thinking faces. Sol really didn’t need some high risk, hair brained scheme that involved someone meddling in someone else’s love life. But even before she opened her mouth to speak she was already too late. ”NO! she protested, her face turning bright red. ”No loveweed!” The suggestion of Shoth winning Eccolath’s flight kept Sol’s face hot. She couldn’t deny that she’d thought about it…. a lot. She liked B’rak and didn’t particularly want to shack up with some near stranger, so he was always the obvious pick when she went down the list. And Eccolath wouldn’t need any convincing- she liked Shoth well enough. Shoth didn’t seem to get along with many other dragons or people, but he and Eccolath always got along fine. It was probably Eccolath declaring that he was perfect when she was a much smaller dragon that made things so.

”Don’t you get it, Pratyba? I don’t want lure or steal or whatever him away from B’nyur. That’s just…. not fair. I do like him, a lot, but that would be betraying a friend. And I can’t do it. I need to get over it, not pursue it.” She sighed and pressed her heels to her eyes for a moment. ”Boys are stupid. I don’t want to even be upset over something like this. I don’t need to get worked up or depressed or have my day ruined by a man! –ACHOO!” Her increasing vindication was ingloriously cut off by a loud sneeze that sent her rocking back on the bench. She sniffled pathetically and wrapped B’rak’s jacket around her again.