Another Day {Kila}

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And dreaming doesn't do no good,
Cause I don't wanna lie,
That I'm okay and I'm alright,
I'd rather take it and forget it,
Consider this a warning,
Cause I'll start another fight.

A flash of red and orange in the sky heralded the arrival of the Queen as she blinked out of between high above the Weyr. Flaring her wings wide, she looped around the bowl in a wide circle, steadily swirling blue-green eyes surveying the ground below her. It would actually be they; her rider sat on her back, but she was staring skyward instead. The sun gleamed weakly from amongst the light gray clouds that blanketed the sky, a harsh sort of light that fought to not disappear as winter fought back to take hold of the continent. A brisk, biting wind blew in the air above the protective rim of the bowl but she hardly noticed. She wore a thick riding jacket, wherhide pants, and wool lined boots and gloves, typical riding gear that was designed to help protect her from the cold of even between. It didn't truly help with that though.

Afzal popped from between a moment after Kalith, crowing indignantly at having been left behind for a moment. The lanky, young bronze firelizard darted about the larger copper Queen and she flicked her tail in frustration, dropping several meters to evade him in the process by angling her wings. Leave me alone, you undersized runt; she growled at the flitter. She had no fond love of the proud, chattery little creature, though Fajra knew that the dragoness didn't actually hate him as much as she acted like she did. She couldn't hate anything that her rider loved that much. Her riders good opinion of something was too compelling a reason to like something for her to really go against it; she simply acted as if Afzal was the worse thing this side of Ista.

Afzal, settle; the Weyrwomen ordered before her firelizard could start arguing with the dragoness. He wasn't afraid to try to take the full-sized dragon on despite her being more than forty times his size. The bronze flitter immediately fell silent, knowing arguing with his bonded would only get him ignored and lose him dinner, and darted for the ground far below them. He folded his wings against his back and rocketed towards the ground, quickly disappearing from their sight. Immediately, Kalith turned back to the task of descending and doing it properly. After completing another circle, slightly tighter than the one she'd first done a bit higher over the bowl, she let out a bugle to announce their presence and then swooped downward. Her wings were half closed and she carefully controlled her swallow, downward dive.

The Queen flared her wings, slowing her descent rapidly though she continued to fall slightly. Finally, she tucked her wings against her sides and dropped the final couple of meters to the ground, taking the force of the landing in her knees. It was almost silent, a slight thump when the heels of her feet hit the ground and a slighter clicking when her claws hit something hard. There was something very smug about her when she straightened out her long legs and rustled her wings to settle them more properly against her back. She enjoyed making an entrance; she had the right to make a proper one. After all, she was the Sr. Queen of Dalibor Weyr now, the only Queen of Dalibor Weyr now. A slight pain of loss resonant through her and her rider as they shared a instant of grief.

"I have a lot to do this afternoon;" Fajra commented, slipping off her dragon's back quickly. She refused to let grief actually touch her. Only Kalith would be able to tell that she had felt anything; neither of them had done much to show it, keeping placid, composed expressions. Opening her arms as if they were wings, she landed lightly on the ground by taking the force in her knees, just as her dragon had. She paused after that to straighten out her jacket and brush off bits of snow from one shoulder. They'd been flying north. The Western Continent was harsh but was temperate at worst. Still, finding snow wasn't hard if you took the time to fly up along the islands above it to the frozen, forsaken land up there. They'd been practicing their ability to fly in such conditions, since they'd both been born in the south by the sea.

I need a bath; Kalith replied lightly, angling for time in her busy rider's schedule. Originally she'd been surveying the weyrbowl with her clear blue eyes but at that remark, Fajra turned around to look up at the copper. After a moment, her somber expression turned to one of mild amusement, a little smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. The excuse to spend time with her was pretty weak. The Queen flashed brilliantly in the light every time she moved in its health and cleanliness, muscles rippling fluidly under it. She hardly needed a bath.
I have to look perfect; she continued, trying to be very convincing. She exuded all the innocence she could muster towards her rider, who didn't seem fooled.

"Perhaps this evening. I need to see about making another attempt to track down possible transfers and go over the current housing information." Fajra hardly seemed bothered by the set of tasks before her. The two things on their own wouldn't be to much work for her anyway but something was doubtlessly going to come up this afternoon. There was always something new cropping up for her to attend to everyday. "Why don't you go eat;" she suggested to her dragon, who was seeming like she might be in one of her clingy moods. Just like with training a firelizard, food was a very good way to convince Kalith to do what you wanted. Unfortunately, she was about a hundred times as smart as any firelizard. Anyway, when she was actually hungry, she had a tendency to become very violent and prone to snapping at you.

Why don't I just walk with you? That suggestion from the copper prompted Fajra to try to open her mouth to suggest she just fly her up. She narrowed the outer lids of her eyes dangerously and her rider gave a nod, thinking that a walk might be nice anyway. Brushing a bit of her cropped red hair behind one ear, Fajra set out at the fore; Kalith stalked along behind her, very cat-like but not overly dangerous in her appearance for the moment. They were headed towards the far end of the bowl on one side of the lake, towards one of the entrances to the hatching sands and where the Queenriders' weyrs were. Without a single metallic dragoness out sunny herself on the ledges of the gaping cabes, they looked very stark and empty.

You're kinda cool but I know better than to break the rules,
Of messin' with a lesson that I'll never learn,
I'll go from bad to worse and later back to better,
But I'll never better bridges that I'm bent to burn.

[Kila]

O'sho watched the royal arrival from a seat that any normal suitor would fight and die for. In all reality he just so happened to be sitting in the right place at the right time, but it was a privileged spot nonetheless. The Bronze Rider was seated on the extreme edge of the lip of his own weyr. The Kings weyrs, large in size to those of the Queens, were located nearby Fajra and Kalith's weyr to where the pair was now heading. Earlier in the morning he had come back and settled there, little else going on in the Weyr as a whole. He had only been given the duty of managing the Dawn Wing, and since it had so few transfer members to fill its ranks, there were few people he needed to keep up with.

Legs crossed, back straight, shoulders relaxed, and eyes calmly gazing downward, his stillness had been broken by the sudden arrival of Kalith in the sky. Her brilliant copper hide, so different from anything in the sky except the sun itself, faced no competition in capturing his gaze. He turned his head upward, mind still perfectly clear, to watch the Queen begin her skillful downward spiral. Every movement Kalith made was beautiful to watch- her long, thin body embodying the most picturesque perfection. Even her landing, which she executed quietly and accurately, exuded grace. He did not allow a flurry of inner monologue voices to cloud his head as the scene unfolded, merely admiring each aspect without words as it passed, but if he had, his thoughts would have been something akin to beautiful, graceful, brilliant, respect, and sun.

The majority of these thoughts would have also applied to the Sr. Queen's rider- his Weyrwoman, Fajra. She had a very unique character, and O'sho enjoyed watching her and listening to her speak when she was nearby to try to piece her together. There was nothing half way about her- she had the body and stature of a real woman and the inclination to get things done. Even now, as she dismounted Hers and strode toward her weyr, she carried herself with purpose and with dignity that fittingly matched Kalith's.

Only his own Daidoroth had enough sway to steal his attention away from the two females below him. Feeling the Bronze's presence growing stronger, her turned his attention to the sky just in time to see Daidoroth burst from between and bugle his his presence energetically. His deep, drum-like voice reverberated loudly off the stones of the Weyrbowl, strong and commanding but possessing a clear note of joy. He had clearly been having a lot of fun when or wherever he was before. Like His, Daidoroth zeroed in on Kalith almost immediately, though his actions and motives had some root in ancient, Kingly instinct. He added a call of greeting and respect without hesitation. His hide, even though the sun was scant, and mind were glowing. Seeing his brilliant Queen pushed him into a woozy happiness with life. Wings stretched wide and chest puffed out, he glided smoothly down to his weyrledge.

O'sho stroked Daidoroth's snout fondly as the great Bronze landed carefully behind him and placed his big face next to his. You were near the ocean O'sho deduced, smelling and feeling the salt and seawater on his bonded's hide. It was sandy and dry from the winds. You need a bath, it seems O'sho thought cheerily. He was greatly fond of water and enjoyed bathing Daidoroth.

Yes was all he replied. The response was not nearly as enthusiastic as when the word 'bath' was normally mention. O'sho didn't really need to follow his gaze to know that Daidoroth was watching a completely preoccupied with Kalith at the moment. Maybe you should go talk with her O'sho suggested in a conspiratory tone. Daidoroth snapped his eyes back to his and stared him down for a bit. MineOwn will not talk to Kalith's, so why should it be I who does the talking? he said calmly instead of retorting or getting huffy over the fact that he would not. O'sho nodded, an endearing smile spread all the way across his face. Fair enough. It wasn't that either rider or dragon was afraid to approacher them, it was that it was not in their nature to belligerently hound them. Both knew the responsibilities that a Weyrwoman had, and surely Fajra had more than even those, and did not want to disturb her or make her feel like they were forcing themselves on her. It was a notion of respect. Many a times at Telgar they had seen and frowned upon other riders throwing themselves relentlessly at a tired female rider because of the color of her dragon or its proximity to rising.

[Admin]

Now I'm back at home and,
I’m looking forward to this life I live,
You know it's going to haunt me,
So hesitation to this life I give.

Kalith raised her head when a large, bronze dragon burst into the sky above them and bugled to announce himself. Daidoroth; she murmured mentally, after recognizing who it was, to her rider, who had only gave the new presence a glance. It wasn't important to Fajra; she nodded in response to the comment from her dragon but showed no more interest. Her thoughts were more on new transfers than on people she already knew. She was perfectly capable of thinking of both at the same time, as that was an important sort of skill to have to be able to handle her position, but she didn't really think that it was necessary. What was there to consider about Daidoroth and O'sho?

When the King called his respectful greeting towards her, Kalith didn't respond. She did follow his progress as he glided down to his weyr though, head moving slowly in an a sort of arc so she could keep her swirling eyes trained on him. For a couple of moments, she just continued walking, eyes remaining intent on the location of his weyr. The weyrs that housed mainly the Kings were right next to the Weyrwomens' weyrs, which formed a sort of column of large caves right next to the hatching cavern up on the side of the bowl. On the other side of the sands, the weyrs were mainly for the Sub-Queens and then the Sub-Kings. The rest of the weyrs were just a mixed up jumble for fighters and anyone else who fit in them or made a request for them. It was the mixed-up organization of them, and the fact that there weren't a ton of them built yet given the fact that the Weyr was new, that made running the housing a little difficult. That would be why Fajra would be spending the day working on making sure that the records for them were right and updated.

We should go say hello to him and His; Kalith informed her Mine, rustling her wings again. The movement of the metallic hide on her back made it shimmer as the different colors in it played around each other. Her muscles tensed as she prepared herself to take flight, walking a little more stiffly after that.
No, not right now; Fajra replied promptly, continuing to walk briskly forward. She could feel that her dragon was interested in something and very focused, but she was distracted and wasn't paying her much mind. She was usually better than that, but if there was anyone she felt she didn't need to worry about, it was Kalith.
That wasn't a question, FajraMine; the Queen informed her. In an instant, she was in the air. For a moment, she hovered over her rider and then, all of a sudden, her rider was grasp securely but gently in one of her claws. Surprisingly, the young woman didn't seem bothered as she was lifted into the air.

A moment in the air brought the two of them right up to Daidoroth and O'sho's weyr. Using a light throw with her arm, Kalith let go of her rider and sent her flying through the air right to the far side of O'sho. Fajra landed in the cave rolling and was up on her feet in a moment; she didn't seem any worse for wear from her unorthodox entrance. She turned to face the bronzerider, face firm and set in its pleasant expression. "Hello;" she greeted him politely. That was what her dragon had wanted, right? She didn't have a clue of anything else to say anyway; she quickly fell silent.

After looping around in a tight circle, Kalith came to hover in front of the ledge. There was something very proud about her as she moved every so slightly up and down in front of the cave with her head high and her wings moving elegantly to control her body. Her rider eyed her carefully now but she surveyed everyone in front of her equally. Good day Daidoroth. Mine wanted to drop in for a moment to say hello; she said to the bronze. There was distinctly flirty about her tone, mixed with the slight deadliness she put into her way of speaking to most others. It showed that it wasn't wise to mess with her; it was also generally advisable to take the warning, as the rippling muscles suggested.

"Lying isn't lady-like, Kalith;" Fajra stated, her voice just a bit dangerous too.
Who said I was a lady; the dragoness replied.
"I think you have, at least once;" was the prompt reply.

You think you might cross over,
You're caught between the devil and the deep blue sea,
You better look it over,
Before you make that leap.

[Kila]

O'sho merely sat and continued to scratch Daidoroth's muzzle, feeling the Bronze's attention was very strongly lodged elsewhere. Indeed, Daidoroth allowed his thoughts to be consumed by Kalith and only Kalith. His head at the edge of his weyrledge next to His, he lay down and let his eyes follow the Copper on her route. He could not be seen from the ground, but his view was unparalleled. It did not perturb him that she did not return his greeting, and he had not seen her eyes following his glide. It seemed to him that she had chosen not acknowledge his presence, but he did not take it as a snub. It was not with lust or with seeds of ambition that he watched Kalith pass, but with the admiration and respect he and His knew that all Queens deserved. But her hide! Daidoroth couldn't keep his eyes off of it! It was as though she was fire itself- a flare of Pern's sun....

It looks like it may be she that comes and talks to you O'sho observed as Kalith looked in their direction and lifted herself into the air. He had still been present while Daidoroth had lost himself in thoughts of fire and flames. Slightly startled, Daidoroth peered over his ledge intently. Much to his surprise and happiness Kalith was indeed in the air again. He rumbled quietly, pleased. Neither he nor O'sho commented at first as she firmly took Fajra in her foreclaw and rose towards them. Then,
Daidoroth-
I won't Mine.

O'sho was not expecting the Weyrwoman to become a projectile object, especially so suddenly and without warning, so when she was thrown past him he threw himself backwards away from the ledge and jumped to his feet. His leg had fallen asleep unbeknownst to him as he was sitting, but he nonetheless hop-hobbled after Fajra as fast as he reflexes would allow. He halted quickly, realizing that she didn't need his help at all. She was on her feet in no time, facing him with a polite smile as though she had just arrived in a completely orthodox fashion. "Why hello, Fajra," he returned warmly, dismissing his initial bewilderment and bowing to her genially. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "How nice of you to drop in."

Daidoroth turned his head as Fajra was thrown past him, but seeing His leap to his feet he returned his gaze outward, knowing O'sho would take care of it. Kalith turned and then hovered in front of the ledge, right in front of him. She bobbed in the air, perfectly in control, and surveyed all of them in front of her- her newest domain. Good day Kalith he replied, rising to his feet and bowing his head to the ground. It is lovely to see you. It was very gracious of you and Yours to come and say hello. He had caught that note in her voice and ventured to return with just a hint of the same at the end of his speech, but only after he had shown his respect. You fly with skill greater than your turns, he admired, Would you like to rest here, though? Daidoroth shuffled to the side and settled on the left edge of the ledge, leaving a good amount of room for Kalith to land and lie if she so chose. It is very warm here- me and Mine chose this weyr because it catches a lot of sun. If you wish it I can leave and you would have plenty of room to sun in what light there is. Mine says my hide is salty and needs to be washed anyway he said, cutting his eyes towards the pond.

As Daidoroth spoke, O'sho extended a similar offer. "Why don't you sit down for a little while?" he asked Fajra, extending his hand courteously. "I'm sure you have plenty to do, and a lot more pressing than swinging you feet over a ledge," he preempted, "But a bit of a break outside will do wonders for your mind." He smiled at her fully this time, his eyes creasing and shining warmly. "I can help if you want, but let's just let business be for a while. Sound good?" It was in no way a forced invitation, and O'sho was conscious of her time constraints, but knew a break would do her good. And perhaps, if she stayed, he could get to know her.

[Admin]

Hello, hello?
Is anyone home?
Hello, hello?
Just pick up the phone.

Fajra blinked at O'sho's comment about her dropping in. All she did was inclined her head simply in reply to the bronzerider's bow. That was the proper show of respect. A bow was fitting for her, given her rank as Sr. Weyrwoman. As a wingleader and candidatemaster, O'sho had earned the right to be shown respect from her but not as much as he had shown to her, hence why she simply lowered her head. Being knowledgeable in proper etiquette and conduct such as that was important to her job, though she wasn't exactly known for following such rules. Most of the reputation that she had was built merely on the fact that she got things done. Keeping her polite little smile, most of her attention became fixed on her dragon who she was feeling less affectionate towards than she normally did. However, her anger was compartmentalized and she remained very calm; she was frustrated at Kalith for being as obstinate but that didn't effect her neutral stance towards O'sho and Daidoroth.

When she detected that dangerous edge in Daidoroth's voice, Kalith immediately snapped her attention onto him in order to size him up properly. Still, he had shown his respect and bowed to her first. He would have to be careful though; there was a line that she would not be pleased if he crossed. Of course, that line became a bit farther back when he complimented her. He certainly wasn't trying to be rude. When he asked if she wanted to land on his ledge, she proceeded to survey it languidly while he continued to speak and explained the merits of the location that it was placed at. She could feel the sun on her back, warming her wings after they had been frozen in the harsh, low temperatures of the north and the unbreakable, piercing cold of between. It was a very nice spot indeed and the sun was like a sweet, gentle lullaby to her hide. There was something very serene and peaceful about it.

Thank you. I think I'll rest for a moment; the Queen replied to the bronze evenly. She folded her wings very far back so that they couldn't catch any air to keep her aloft and dropped lightly onto the open part of the ledge. Carefully avoiding hitting anything, she folded them against her back and settled back on her haunches. Then she gave a delicate sniff in Daidoroth's direction. But you do need a bath; she commented, seeing no reason to keep from remarking on the salty odor that he had about him. The scent wasn't that bad though; she liked the smell of the sea. It reminded her of her birthplace; that was the scent that she had smelled when she had hatched, which was a distinct memory amongst many that were more foggy. She could also remember the scent of blood from the girl she had injured and, above both those things, the scent of her Mine. Still, the smell of the sea that hung on people wasn't quite the same.

When O'sho extended his offer for her to sit as well, Fajra looked at him and cleared her throat politely. He was smiling at her and was so logical. How was she supposed to refuse without making some sort of offense of it? Normally, she wouldn't have cared but this was one person she would like to not bother; he was going to be important. Anyway, it would be a little awkward to excuse herself given the fact that her dragon was busy lounging on the ledge of the weyr with no apparent interest in moving anytime soon. But she had so much work to do . . . He'd offered to help though. Of course, she wasn't interested in accepting that offer.

"I don't need your help, thank you." A strong look in her eye and a firmness to her voice hinted that she would much prefer to do her own work by herself. "However, I suppose that I might be able to sit for a short time;" she added politely to her first statement, speaking slowly and carefully. Turning away from O'sho, she strode briskly over towards the weyrledge and then picked her way carefully between the two dragons resting there. She sat down at the edge of it, dangling her feet over the edge. Leaning forward, she peered down at the ground far below. She wasn't afraid of heights or falling; her heart didn't even so much as flutter.

You'll be sorry to hear,
I'm doing fine now,
Sorry to hear,
You're without me now.

[Kila]

O'sho sensed that Fajra had little of her own self behind her actions. The slight bow, more really an inclination of her head, was what befitted him in consideration of their ranks. It was almost as though there had been a creak in the air when she had bent, though. While she knew all the etiquette up and down, O'sho had seen proof of that many times, he had wondered before if she meant them. O'sho himself bowed for many things- chivalry, courtesy, thanks, respect. For him it was an acknowledgment of something- whatever moments or amount of time he and the other person shared together. He was quite comfortable doing it, but he was aware that others were not because it made them feel in some way demeaned. For the Weyrwoman he knew that was not the case; this was just how she was. The way she spoke, her gaze, and her movements were all guarded. She was always polite (he had never seen her rage) but she was rarely present. She clearly always had a purpose, but it seemed to O'sho that she was so preoccupied with it and with keeping up her facade, whatever it was, that it prevented here from fully being there with the people in front of her. A phoenix in appearance, perhaps, but an ice queen in demeanor. O'sho kept all of these thoughts to himself, of course, and never missed a beat. They were mere observations and he would not allow them to bounce about aimlessly in his head and distract them, so he let them go.

He was not at all surprised when Fajra turned down his offer to help with whatever work she might have. The tone of her voice and the look in her eye reaffirmed his preconceived supposition that she would not want his help. She seemed like the type of person who worked well on her own, getting things done meticulously, her way. Though he was a very obedient helper, his very presence may have caused her discomfort, so O'sho was not dismayed. To her carefully constructed refusal he merely nodded understandingly and did not push the issue further. The offer did not expire, so if she needed help in the future she could seek him out, though he imagined it may hurt her pride unless the matter was of extreme importance or size.

Allowing Fajra a slight lead as she delicately picked her way to her seat of choice, O'sho shifted his weight from one foot to the other and wiggled his bare toes. His legs had fallen asleep when he had been sitting previously, and they were still numb and tingly from his quick jump to his feet. It was no matter, he's had worse things lose feeling while sitting for long periods of time and knew that the sensation (or lack thereof) would soon go away. As she settled, he too moved forward, stepping casually but mindfully towards Daidoroth. He seated himself again close to the edge of the ledge, crossing his legs so that his knees were just parallel to the edge. Immediately to his left Daidoroth's huge maw rested against the stone. The Bronze had his body pushed as far to the side as it could fit, mirroring the curve of the ledge, so that Kalith would have as much room as she wanted to lounge. Though compact, he was not uncomfortable, and he glowed so much inwardly that his rider was practically warmed by it when he came near. The salty smell of the ocean consumed O'sho when he inhaled. It was out of place high up in their weyr, clinging tenaciously to Daidoroth's hide, but not at all unpleasant. To the contrary, it was rather refreshing.

Silence pervaded for a while as O'sho gazed out at the Weyr, not in any way feeling inclined to make idle chatter. People were too uncomfortable with silence and their brains pushed about useless information even when their mouths were closed, he'd realized. So instead of dumping frivolous talk on Fajra's shoulders, he merely enjoyed her and Kalith's company. It was nice to have someone else in the big weyr other than himself and Daidoroth. The female duo were so picturesque as they graced the ledge and lent their feminine light and beauty to the stone around them.

"The clouds do not seem quite ready to let the sun go so it can herald the Gather," he finally commented, gazing at the hazy sky. "The chatter in the lower caverns in that everyone is quite excited for the good weather to come so that the Gather can indeed begin." While commenting on the status of the weather was anything but original, the lower caverns had indeed been abuzz with talk of the Gather when he had been there helping out early that morning. The Weyr was slowly coming together, and it was almost as if the event would have a finalizing effect. By then there would hopefully be more transfers, and perhaps candidates would be found while everyone was gathered together.

Daidoroth, more acutely concerned with their visitors than his rider, watched Kalith from the side of his eyes. He enjoyed watching the way she moved, surely because of her dazzling color, but also perhaps because she was proportioned in such a long, elegant way. She too had remarked that he needed a bath, so the lake became a concrete destination in his near future. If his scent was so strong that it was mentioned again he would go at once. Your weyr is good too, yes? Though the sun is dull in comparison to you, surely you would want to be able to bask in its warmth Daidoroth rumbled inquisitively.

[Admin]

I will remember you,
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by,
Weep not for the memories.

Fajra was glad when he didn't press his offer after she refused, merely nodded in response. Ignoring the other rider for the most part, but very much aware of exactly where he was, she surveyed the Weyr, her Weyr. That possessive feeling she felt towards that place might have been a trait passed on from her dragon, who could be very protective and possessive of the things that were hers, but that didn't change where her loyalties lay. This was where she was needed; she felt no other draw to any other place. This was her home. And what a beautiful home it was. There were few signs of life from this advantage point of the Weyr; there were few enough dragons and not so many other weyrfolk either. That only gave it a sort of pristine look, the expansive lake hardly rippling except for where there it formed a pool under the waterfull without a wind to penetrate the high walls of the bowl and a clean, biting, freshness to the cool winter air that hung about everything.

When O'sho commented about the weather, her own gaze drifted up to the hazy sky that was half covered with clouds high above. "I'm glad that they're excited. Once spring begins to take hold, I'm sure the gathering will finally come;" she replied idly without looking at him. To her, the gathering only signified more work; she had to find people willing to stay back for the event and organize who would be taking people from the lower caverns to the hold. The actual event meant little to her, or little that she really wanted to think about anyway. She didn't care for revelries, for dancing and eating and laughing and drinking, nor for spending her time making connections with the important people who would be there.

Kalith fully took the opportunity that was provided for her to lounge and took up rather lot of space on the ledge. Her head remained raised regardless of her stretched out position as she surveyed her domain like her rider surveyed her home. Everything here was hers, hers, hers; she was the Queen, the Sr. Queen, and all were to listen to her. She reveled in her power and authority; she was the best of the best here and very few would dare to defy her on that matter. That was probably for the best in many cases. It was a perfect place, most of the time; all it needed was a few more Kings, or perhaps a few suitable Sub-Kings. Her rider might not have any interest in the males of the Weyr but she certainly did; it was quite plain that soon enough she would rise. Though real signs weren't there yet, she had certainly become minded towards such things recently.

Out of the corner of her swirling eyes, she sometimes choose to catch glimpses of Daidoroth. He was a fine specimen of a King dragon; he was big and strong, deep but glistening in color as he should be. When he spoke to her, she turned her head towards him properly to fix him with her steady gaze. She flicked her tail in a mixture of playfulness and pleasure as he complimented her with his question. Oh, yes, my weyr is very good. It does not get very good sun in the morning but it is perfect in the afternoon and evening; she replied pleasantly. Feeling no need too, she didn't bother trying to be modest and deny his claim that the sun paled in comparison to her. It is a little little large and spacious for just me and Mine though.

A pained expression flashed across Fajra's face and the feeling was echoed in the copper Queen. Her careless comment had stirred up those harsh feelings of loss again. The weyr, the Sr. Weyrwoman's weyr, had been designed to accommodate even the largest gold with plenty of space to spare. It had been meant to be able to fit both Stelinth and Larith when necessary. Paaie was who should have been living there, not them. Thinking about the size of the weyr in comparison to the long, lean Kalith made the sharp pain of grief that she kept deep inside come to the front of her mind. Time healed all wounds, but it had been so soon that they had passed. Even she could still feel their loss; they'd been her friends after all.

Realizing the fact that her expression showed her pain and she was looking far to much towards O'sho, Fajra quickly turned her head to look so that only her brilliant, thick red hair would be visible to the bronzerider. She squeezed her eyes shut tightly and took a deep, subtle breath to calm her sudden break in her usually utterly controlled calm. All she needed was a moment and she schooled her expression once again to one that was purposefully pleasant. With no help from Kalith, who was looking very somber and curled up all of a sudden as she felt the effects of her grief like an arrow through her heart, she pushed her emotions back into check. The past was in the past; she had the present and the future for the entire Weyr to worry about now. Did you know Stelinth and Larith? The Queen's voice sounded almost angry as her rider mastered her emotions and she shoved her somberness back. Her eyes swirled a mixture of yellow and orange to show her anger and uncertainty. Her mood was suddenly foul, and her rider was momentarily distracted, and the nearest target was Daidoroth so he was the one she glared at.

I'm so tired but I can't sleep,
Standin' on the edge of something much too deep,
It's funny how we feel so much but we cannot say a word,
We are screaming inside, but we can't be heard.

[Kila]

She wasn't excited for the Gather, O'sho noted, or at least that was what her voice betrayed. Imagining her in that setting for a moment, indeed he could not see her taking part in the festivities. Drinking? No; perhaps a polite sip of wine. Socializing? Probably not. Dancing? Only with the stiffest of form. Well, he was not one to judge; large events such as the one to come were not for everyone, he supposed. His manner of fun there would be more sedated than the reckless young riders, but he would have it nonetheless. And of course she would be obliged to socialize, being Dalibor's Weyrwoman. Things one were forced to do took away many elements of enjoyment. He would make sure she was not too bored and hounded by important people, he quietly decided as he continued to survey the sky.

Unlike His, Daidoroth watched his companions instead of the scenery, though he was no less (if not more) content. He was not even aware of his very small area on the ledge while Kalith spread out and lounged comfortably. Her happiness was his own for the moment. He ceased to stare at her constantly, only stealing the occasional glace now and then, as not to be rude. His attention was again exclusively upon her in no time, though, when she spoke to him. The Queen took pleasure in telling of how her own weyr too was a trap for the sun. You may come and sun here any morning Daidoroth declared, compensating for her ledges lack of morning sun.

Kalith's next comment, given lightly with no intention of harm, cast an instant cloud over the gathered company. Her words pierced each soul in attendance on cue as though they were falling dominoes. Fajra had heard and been the first to recall the feelings that everyone had so carefully tried to recover from. Feeling Fajra's reaction and probably with instant regret, Kalith also heavied with pain and loss. Daidoroth picked up on her plummet in morale at once, physically turning his head and rumbling with concern. This, in turn, Daidoroth's concern and movement, alerted O'sho, who also turned.

A rare sight awaited him. Fajra's usual calm was nowhere to be seen. The Weyrwoman's face had lost it's guard, her careful composure had shattered for a moment and now revealed grieving and pain. Her whole body showed her inner pain, as did Kalith's, with both of their bodies broken of their normal confident stature. Fajra did not let this slip last long, however, and realizing the break in her facade, she quickly turned her face from O'sho to where he could not see.
Daido, what-?
The old leaders of the Weyr he replied, much better able to read minds than His.

Kalith's sudden questioning and glare snapped Daidoroth back onto his guard and refocused his attention yet again on her. Her eyes and her emotions revealed a muddle of hurt, unpleasant, and unsure emotions. He was clearly the target. He braced himself and raised to a sitting position, so his body revealed it's mass and became the brick wall he too would have to become. Braced as he was, though, his mind and eyes remained friendly and sympathetic. He bowed his head- to her, as an affirmative, and in grief. Yes, I did know them. Larith was very kind to me, and Stelinth was the mightiest of Kings. He raised his eyes to her and let them whirr soothingly. Mine and I grieved their passing deeply. We were very sad. Everyone was very sad. How could we not be when such a loss of friends, of brave King and Queen, was suffered? He paused and tried to gage her mood with concern. Mine thinks about them often, you know. He was very upset at first, but we still had each other to rely on. It is still sad, but it does not hurt so bad now. Larith and Stelinth and Theirs are honored in our hearts every day. But Kalith.... you heart still aches so for them; Daidoroth almost keened. The acute pain that he knew was in his Queen's heart was wrapping around his own. He did not want her to hurt like she had hurt right when it had occurred. Her pain and frustration made him sad, as did his thoughts that ventured back to his old friends.

"It is ok to think about them, you know. Now and again it's even a good thing." O'sho knew the young Weyrwoman would not want to hear this, nor especially to talk or think about that which pained her so dearly, but she need not suffer so much. "They were great leaders, and great friends. They would not want to see you like this. Think of how kind Paaie was- she clearly adored you and would be pained to see you so unhappy." He looked at her gently but insistently. "Fajra," he said, the call of her name intended to procure her attention without words. How she would hate it if he even so much as gently turned her chin towards him. No, she would not want to be touched, especially by a man she scarcely knew. "Fajra, you have done them right. They are well honored in name and memory- they will never be forgotten here. Every time people speak of your Weyr, which will soon thrive and protect, Pern will remember." He lowered his voice and spoke to her assuringly. "I will not tell you to not be sad, but do not try to hide it and do not let it consume you. You are filling their footsteps and are well down the path, and we are proud. They are proud. Why not let them be happily with you in your heart?"

[Admin]

She covers the earth with a breathtaking cloak,
The sun awakes and melts it away,
The world now opens its eyes and sees,
The dawning of a new day.

Daidoroth's calmness and sympathy did sooth the Queen's sudden flash of temper as she slowly relaxed while listening to his reply. He had passed the test; his answer was acceptable to her. Slowly, the stiffness faded from her stance and she went back to reclining on the ledge. Her wrath came quick but it was also quick to fade. The pain was going away as well. As her rider mastered her emotions and quickly pressed beyond the loss again, it was easy for the dragoness to let the memories fade. With the memories, the ache lessened until she could simply block it out all together and forget. It was a dragons way to always be moving forward; many didn't have much of a capacity for memories. That was the riders job, to remember and use the past. Even though she was perfectly capable of recalling moments of her past, Kalith had no want to remember Larith and Stelinth. She had already grieved, sung the haunting keen that dragon's did to mark the passing of one of their own. Her rider rested a hand on her shoulder; they drew strength from each other. Though she knew her rider kept many things hidden beyond the way she normally held herself, she did not worry and she let Fajra's calm settle her raw nerves and fire. She even sort of smiled, as only a dragon can, feeling the warning in the touch that she had better not snap at the other dragon again.

My heart aches because Mine's aches. I remember them but not as she does. Mine remembers much; Mine knows much. There was pride in the dragoness' voice as she spoke of her rider; she had a deep sense of loyalty and respect for her lifemate. Though their time together had only been a few turns and though they didn't always see eye to eye, the connection between the two was strong. The dragon felt pride for her rider; the rider felt pride for their dragon. A symbiotic relationship was what they held and it was through that they could both survive. ]They will be missed, but they have been mourned and mark. The Red Star rises and Mine worries about that far more often. When she spoke the name of the dragon's despised enemy, she bristled slightly, but it was just a natural instinct. The name of the home of Thread was meant to spat out, given no reverence or respect respect by anyone. If you had any sense, you thought of it as something that was evil, something to fight. Her tail twitched from side to side; her interest in just enjoying the sun was waning. The discussions, mainly by her own fault though she would never admit it, had unsettled her. She wanted to fly, to fight, to swim, to do something to fill the time.

Fajra reached back with one had to place it against the warm reflective hide of her dragon; the physical contact strengthened their mental bond. It allowed her to soothe Kalith and to draw strength for herself. Another deep breath to quiet her thoughts, to organize everything that was happening and reach out with her mind to find that calm that was almost always so easy to reach. As she drew her solace, it slipped easily into her grasp again and she fell back into her usual state. The disturbance in her emotion was what was out of the ordinary; what was typical was for her to be as cool as the frozen nothingness of between. She heard O'sho start to speak to her and she listened but she took none of it heart at first. Her gaze remained fixedly in the opposite direction of him and she refused to let the fact that she understood what he said was right actually get to her. It took him insistently saying her name to get her to look at him. Her blue eyed gaze was cold as ice. All of the sadness was gone; it would be impossible to tell that she had been upset a moment before if you hadn't been there. Once again, she was merely distant. But then his words began to stir up a light in her eyes. Yet, that light was not one of understanding or happiness or peace; it was one of carefully controlled fire and anger. His words did nothing to console her, for she no longer felt anything that needed to be consoled; it was nothing that she needed or wanted to hear.

For a moment, she was silent and unmoving once he finished speaking. However, once she was sure that he was done, she stood up elegantly and starting towards the only way down from the weyr on foot, towards the back tunnels that connected the upper parts of the bowl. "I'm sure you've heard the rumors;" she said without looking back at him as she walked forward with carefully measured strides. Her voice sounded a touch amused but more dangerous then it had ever been, betraying more emotion without it's typical politeness to it. "Some say I have no heart." When she said that, she did turn her head to look at him out of the corner of one of her icy eyes. Still, she showed no signs of pausing in her leaving. Suddenly, she felt like she had a score to settle with O'sho; she wasn't quite sure what it was though. Behind her, Kalith stirred and began to rise. If her rider was leaving, she would be as well. She could sense that her rider was upset but these emotions from her stoic lifemate confused her. Normally there was so little to feel from the tall young woman, but suddenly she could detect so much. Getting to her feet, she stretched languidly, rustling her wings on her back. She waited though, waiting to make sure that her Mine would really leave.

Whenever she is raging,
She takes all life away,
Haven't you seen,
Haven't you seen,
The ruins of our world?

[Kila]

If Fajra was expecting to get a rise out of O'sho with her doubled iciness, she was sorely mistaken. All that awaited her silently scathing gaze was O'sho looking serenely back at her over his shoulder with sadness in his eyes. She had not had to speak for him to realize that she was upset by his words; her silence and sudden arisal said it all and more. He should not have tried to comfort her with words, especially so profusely. It was more in his nature, and what he would have done had Daidoroth not had such strong feelings in comforting Kalith, to comfort with presence. She would still have unhealthily pushed her grief to the back of her mind and into a corner of her heart had he not spoken, he supposed, but perhaps now she would not be looking at him as she was.

The Weyrwoman's words proved only to make her mood more clear to the BronzeRider. Her trust was hard earned, he saw. O'sho could only assume that she was alluding to the nasty rumors that had floated through the Weyrs after Paaie and D'bor died and Fajra had assumed leadership in their place. The weyrfolk grapevine could be vicious, and he had heard the best and worst of their suspicions about what had happened at the new western Weyr. It was easy to hear the rumors, and it was easy to choose whether or not to believe them.

I don't believe them; he said, turning his head back forwards. His speech now was not loud and not particularly directed towards her. If she was actively listening she would hear, if not he was merely voicing his thoughts aloud. He reached out and stroked a length of Daidoroth's neck thoughtfully. "Though what would I know about it. I could be wrong."

Daidoroth was immensely relieved when Kalith calmed her temper. Even the mention of the Red Star, which caused him to instinctively bristle, did not upset him. O'sho's touch calmed him further and he nestled his snout up against His. When she moved to leave and follow her rider, his eyes mellowed with disappointment.

[Admin]

I've tripped again and things are,
starting to get interesting,
Don't give me choices cause I can't decide,
My mind is soaked in words,
I've come to terms with all my insecurities,
And purities no friend of mine.

Fajra heard his words despite their softness and the fact he wasn't even speaking towards her; she had excellent hearing that matched well with her general health of youth. "It's the sense behind the words that's what you should believe in. Life is not a game to be taken literally;" she called back to him, words as pedantic as any of his had been. Then she was gone, moving quickly down the steps that connected the weyr to the a lower passage and yet more weyrs. She knew the way and moved briskly onward, refusing to look back or allow herself the slightest pause.

Kalith let out a heavy sigh as her rider left, in a surprisingly good mood despite her rider's fierce temper. She crouched low and then leaped off the ledge in one flawless motion, spreading her wings wide once she was well clear of the ledge to catch her weight upon the winds. After gliding forward for a moment, she circled around to come to face back towards O'sho and Daidoroth. Just like her rider, she had words of her own to impart of them and farewells seemed to be in order. After all, she did want to be able to come back to lounge around some more without it being awkward like this.

Tell Yours that he doesn't know anything about me and Mine; she started sharply, speaking to the human as well despite the fact that she seemed to be largely speaking to just Daidoroth. But I wish him the best of luck in finding out what is right and what is wrong; she continued, less fierce now. And good luck to you, fair King; she finished, a flirty edge coming into her edge as she enjoyed being obscure in her meaning. Then she was gone, just like her rider, soaring off across the bowl in one powerful wingstroke.

You're kinda cool but I know better than to break the rules,
Of messin' with a lesson that I'll never learn,
I'll go from bad to worse and later back to better,
But I'll never better bridges that I'm bent to burn.