Roses Are Red...{Lan}

[hatori3070]

"Shards!" Jasra cursed loudly when she stepped too hard on her bad leg. Iz had really done a number on her a few nights ago, and she probably shouldn't have been trying to carry a bucket of hide oil along with a bucket of sweetsand on her own, but she was sick of laying around. Izkeeyerdath needed a bath and a good oiling, so she was going to do it. Besides, the weyr was still coming to terms with the aftermath of the war, and she didn't want to bother anyone for something that she could definitely do on her own. Her firelizards disagreed entirely, and had zipped off somewhere to explore in protest, but that would just make things easier. Izkeeyerdath had no love for the little things and their antics.

When they reached a nice shallow spot, she set down her buckets with a soft thud. Izkeeyerdath slipped into the water, swimming out farther than Jasra could follow in her current state so she could go completely under. The cool water was soothing on her hide, helping to ease some of the tension from her muscles. The scrubbing of the bath would help more, once she was done with her soak. Her mind emotions were still fluctuating from the stress of being restrained. She now realized that Hers had been right at the time, but she still wanted to get her claws on those renegades. They had killed dragons from her weyr, and deserved to be punished, not welcomed. She splashed angrily and dove under, trying to work out some of her anger.

Jasra was in no rush to get her out of the water and settled on a conveniently located boulder to rest for a bit before getting to work. She took advantage of the lull to roll up her pant leg and inspect her leg, looking for any sign that it had resumed bleeding through the bandages. Seeing nothing, she slid to the sand with a sigh and leaned her back against the warm rock.

It would take time to completely process what had happened the night of the hatching, so she figured now was as good a time as any to start. Dragons had fought dragons. The ancient taboo was broken. There was no telling what would happen now. There would be backlash from the other weyrs making their opinions known, and she had heard rumors that a meeting of the weyr leaders was already in the works. And the renegades. Technically former renegades, but they would remain renegades in her own mind for a long time to come. Dalibor dragons had died, more had been injured, and her dragon had been so enraged that she had injured her rider. This whole situation rankled under her skin, causing her physical discomfort.

All this thinking was getting her nowhere but well on the way to a headache, so she called Izkeeyerdath so she could get something constructive done. Iz, ready for your bath?[/i] The red would have rather continued swimming for a bit, but a good scrub down followed by an oiling sounded better right now. She made her way back to the shore and stretched out near the edge of the water. I am ready. Jasra smirked and stood, carrying the bucket of sweetsand over to where her bonded lay. She took a couple fistfuls of sand and began scrubbing in soft, circular motions. Iz rumbled softly in her throat and lay her head down on the sand, thoroughly enjoying the feeling.

[Lan]

After those days had passed, Waroth seemed to finally be relaxing. She no longer hissed and spat and howled at all hours of the day and night. In fact, she seemed a lot calmer now than she had previously been. It seemed as if the battle had allowed her an outlet for some of her constant anxiety and anger. In fact, she had slept longer than Nimara had ever seen her sleep before. The redrider was sitting in her weyr, sipping some klah and watching the resting form of her loved one. The fiery dragon seemed so much at peace, as if she was finally able to let go of everything that had previously caused her grief. It brought a smile to Her Own's face, and Nim thought that maybe they should do something relaxing for the day (other than the usual anti-social moping about their weyr).

As the sleeping beauty awoke on her ledge, Nimara became increasingly aware and attached to her bonded's mind. 'Hello, beautifuly,' Nimara grinned as her beloved stretched lethal and gorgeous as a southern feline awaking from a benign sleep. Waroth yawned emphatically and resituated herself looking over the Weyr bowl with scanning eyes and a nonchalant air. 'Good day, Mine,' The red dragon's mental voice was even kinder today. Then again, she was always agreeable when she was first awaking. Much like a child after a nap, it was as if her small good temper and overall humor were rejuvenated. 'Have those things left yet?'

[/color][/i] Every day Waroth wondered the same inquiry. She no longer considered the Renegades worthy of so much respect as being considered human beings. She wanted them gone, and she made no attempts to hide her dissatisfaction with their presence.

'No, my love.' Nim replied gently, sighing. She did too wonder about how much trust could be placed upon those that they had fought not too many days ago. Alas, what else could have been done? Such a horrible feud could not have continued. It would have not only destroyed Dalibor, but all of the Weyrs of Pern. What Kalith and Fajra did was for the best. Still, it seemed as if Waroth would never be completely easy for long until she saw that each one of the now Ex-Renegades paid for what they had done. She growled softly and settled her muzzle into her forelegs, now glaring at the day.

'How about we go for a bathe in the lake?' Nim asked, hoping to rouse her weyrmate from another foul mood. The red dragon paused and pondered the possibility for a second, then rose to her feet and seemed anxious to go. 'That seems like an acceptable way to spend the day, I suppose.' Nim laughed as she changed into some light clothes she didn't mind getting wet, then she quickly hopped onto Waroth's back and off they went.

As she circled lazily down to the Weyr Lake, they caught sight of a weyrling bathing animatedly. Waroth, ever astute, relayed to Nim, 'It's Izkeeyerdath and Hers.' The redhead noticed it was another red dragon and smiled. Waroth knew all the other red dragons. She respected them almost as much as she respected Kalith, which went a long way with her. Coppers and Reds were generically okay in Waroth's book, mostly because she thought they were the only ones strong enough in mind and body to get things done. She made to land near the little one, all the while diving and dipping in a show. 'You musn't scare them away,' Nimara said lovingly and with minor amusement, 'Or you'll lose a friend.'

'She will realize how strong I am and love me more, if she had any sense,' Waroth replied haughtily and landed on the shore. Nim dismounted and as soon as she touched ground her bonded leaped off again and all but fell into the water, causing a significant wave that headed toward the smaller red and her lifemate. The stocky Waroth rolled around in the water, then hovered near the surface humming with delight. If there was one thing that brightened Waroth's mood and made her a hatchling again, it was the chance to play about in the water. As she paddled and then walked over to inspect the new Red, Nim simultaneously moved toward the new rider, a pleasant smile on her face.

'Sorry,' She apologized as Waroth was now all but stalking the smaller Red. The crimson dragoness was now peering just at the water's surface (although the rest of her body stuck out like a lump much higher than the water's surface) over at her little counterpart with an intense stare as she made out whether or not she was acceptable. 'Water's the only thing that gets Her in a good mood anymore.' She then curtsied to bright Izkeeyerdath respectfully. 'How lovely you look.' She now addressed the young red dragoness, knowing how Reds enjoyed being the center of attention and acknowledged for their better attributes. All the while Waroth watched like a lurker in the lake, still making up her mind on the little one.[/blockquote][/size]

[hatori3070]

Someone is coming Mine. Izkeeyerdath stretched in a particularly feline fashion, knowing that Hers had finished with the oil. It is another Red. She sat on her haunches and watched the much larger dragon and Hers glide down, with more show than was necessary in her opinion. If she wanted to make a good impression, she should've just been herself. Of course, the showing off might just be her. Iz shifted out of the way of the wave, wanting to wait for the oil to really soak in well before returning to the water, and watched Waroth's antics from the shore. She returned her intense stare, showing that she was unafraid. Why are you doing that? She asked of the other dragon. She looked rather silly, trying to be sneaky while mostly out of the water. The compliment of the rider went unnoticed, distracted as she was by Waroth.

Jasra hobbled to the waters edge to wash the last of the oil from her hands before the other rider walked up. It would be interesting to meet another redrider, and maybe get some advice on how to deal with Iz's worse moods in the future without bodily injury. She laughed at the sight of the large Red behaving like a hatchling, plunging into the water and, what looked like stalking Izkeeyerdath. "It's fine. Anything to have a Red in a good mood." She smiled, knowing the other woman would fully understand. "I'm Jasra, and this is Izkeeyerdath."

((Sorry for the suckishness XD)

[Lan]

'I'm deciding whether or not I should eat you.' Waroth explained, eyes whirling with curiousity. While joking, her tone remained level and serious. 'But I have decided that you would be too tough... not really worth my time.' The red dragon then rose to her full height, snorted definitively, and then proceeded to roll around in the water so as to begin the process of thoroughly cleaning herself off. 'Come, Nim... I'm ready. Bring the other one. You don't always do a good enough job. Maybe with some help you will be satisfactory.'

Nim smiled at Waroth, then turned her attention again at the younger rider. Jasra and Iskeeyerdath. She was sure she heard the name of the girl before, as she had always tried to get to know all the candidates before a hatching, but she had never talked with her before. This was due to Waroth's particularly bad humour for the past several months. She had not been allowed anywhere due to the Red's completely unprovoked wrath.

'Nice to meet you Jasra... and Izkeeyerdath. I'm Nim... and the one skulking over there is Waroth.' She nodded and grinned in the direction of where her lifemate was currently lolling about in the cool water. 'I believe she wants me to wash her now. She says you're welcome to help... if Izkeeyerdath wouldn't mind, of course.' Nim bowed again to the smaller Red, following O'sho's lead of how to deal with volatile dragonesses. She had not dealt with very many other red dragons in her lifetime, much less young reds who she knew to be particularly fierce (or at least Waroth was). O'sho... he was to be in a meeting with the other Weyrleaders sometime around now. She hoped that would go well.

Before Nim could trudge into the water to go scrub down her weyrmate, she realized that Jasra's leg was injured. 'What happened here?' She inquired in a gentle, sympathetic voice, gesturing toward the younger rider's leg.

'She'll be fine... you're taking too long.' Waroth protested, beginning to grow impatient. She gave a sort of huff and glared at her bonded from a spot in the pond. Nim sent reassuring waves of affection her way, though, and she soon returned to staring at the much smaller red dragon. 'You're a bright little thing... you hurt my eyes.' She complained with some jest to Izkeeyerdath, who adorned a brighter shade of scarlet than she.

|| 'Tis not sucky at all! No worries. =) ||

[hatori3070]

Izkeeyerdath snorted in reply to the other Red. It was a joke, she knew, but humor wasn't exactly her cup of klah. Words in and of themselves were rather irksome. She would much rather be doing something, but with Jasra's injury, they had very little to attend to. Certainly nothing pressing enough to warrant a sudden departure from the lake. Besides, she was comfortable where she was. Perhaps humor would be worth a shot, considering she had nothing else to do. I would hardly make much of a meal for you anyway. She said in her attempt at a joke. She thought she had done a decent job of it.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both." Jasra replied, with her own bow for the far larger Red. The idea of walking straight into the water was lovely, but she had been ordered to avoid getting her stitches wet unless absolutely necessary. She gave a slight sigh before realizing that Nim had noticed her leg. "Oh yes. That." Jasra couldn't help but blush slightly at the memory of that night. "It's actually a bit embarrassing. The night of the conflict, Izkeeyerdath was really agitated. She wanted out of our room try and help, but I wouldn't let her. I was foolish and blocked the door myself, so she slashed me." She had tried to word it in a way that wouldn't lay all of the blame on her dragon. In reality, it really didn't fall completely at her dragons feet. If she had been better at controlling her, it wouldn't have happened. You are being foolish again, JasraMine. If you had not done what you did, I may have been injured, or even killed if I had managed to get out of the barrack. I know that. But apparently dragons don't usually attack their riders. I don't want them thinking badly of you.

Izkeeyerdath huffed out a sigh. Hers needed some serious guidance if she could not see the simple truth that what others thought was of very little consequence. Waroth's comment was a good distraction. I did just have a bath. She replied. She was becoming bored with sitting on the sand. The oil had soaked into her hide well enough by now, so she slipped into the water herself, swimming right up to Waroth. Are Mine's always so foolish? Perhaps Waroth would know if they grew out of it eventually.

[Lan]

Nim listened with a kind and sympathetic ear. She knew of the ire and strength of a young red dragon. They were incorrigible, capable of enormous feats of strength and anger. Nothing could contain a small red if she wanted to be free. Nothing, except perhaps the pain of her rider. If Jasra hadn't stepped in the way, somehow Nimara knew that Izkeeyerdath would have found her way past every guard through every corridor to find her way to the battlefield. Jasra was the only one that could have contained her. And, she supposed, at the moment Jasra had acted in the best way possible. Besides, if there wasn't a Weyrlingmaster nearby to help her, what else could she have possibly done?

Memories of her impression of Waroth filled her mind. The scarlet sub-queen had claimed her right out of the line of sight of the one golden queen that had hatched on the sands. She had been hurt that day as well. Her shoulder and some of her chest had been ripped and torn at as she was pulled away from the gold dragonet and onto hot sands by the determined crimson beauty that was now her lifepartner. Not to mention she couldn't hear out of her right ear for two days afterward. Oh, yes, she knew firsthand how strong and undeterred a red dragon could be when she was trying to get her way at something. She felt for this girl and for her leg. But, this way at least the younger red might learn sympathy for her rider. Waroth certainly did after hurting Nim on more than one occasion during her younger years.

'Don't be ashamed... I understand.' Nim pulled at the shoulder of her tunic to reveal scars on her right shoulder that traveled down past what was decent to be revealed. She managed a knowing smile and then righted her tunic again. Her eyes faded off toward her lifepartner for a moment, then back toward Jasra. 'It's not your fault, you know,' She continued, trying to shed some silver lining on the situation, 'You did what you had to. And it's not Izkeeyerdath's fault either,' here she bowed to the smaller red again, 'She was only doing what she believed was right. And red dragonets can be stronger than they have knowledge of being.'

'Indeed, you wouldn't make a decent meal at all. Too stringy, like a newborn wherry. And you're still unnaturally bright, bath or not.' Waroth retorted, her tone sardonic and full of acid, if only to hide she was enjoying herself. She watched her own fumble all over the younger rider and snorted in annoyance. Why must she be bonded to such a fussy rider who was always fawning over everyone she laid eyes on? It was nonsensical and cruel! But she loved Her Nim anyway. Waroth's NimaraMine was just that... HERS. She would never let anyone she felt unworthy claim her. 'Yes, they are always foolish. Silly loving little creatures too. But they are Ours, so we must take care of them... even if it means protecting them from themselves.' Waroth replied to the younger, brighter red, scolding herself for the words she passed along. When did SHE start giving advice? She was not old enough to be wise by any measure, and she certainly didn't want to be considered someone of whom questions were persistently asked. She snuffed again and splashed the water with her tail in agitation.

'Miiiiine... when ARE you coming?'

[hatori3070]

Jasra's eyes widened at the sight of Nimara's scars. From what the Weyrlingmaster had said, she had thought it was rare for dragons to attack the people they were bonded to. Apparently he had been overly harsh that night. No, that was unfair. He was probably just worried and distracted and had spoken without really thinking. Besides, it wasn't as if he knew what a Red was capable of. His dragon was a Purple, fun-loving and with an easy-going nature.

You are too charitable. Izkeeyerdath said with a snort and a small splash of the water. She could and did hold a grudge against the Purple and his Rider for that night.

Jasra decided it was better to not argue the matter with the willful little Red and just let her comment go. "Thank you for saying so. No one seems to really understand what she can be like." She smiled at the older Rider. It was nice to talk to someone who understood fully what Reds were capable of, and who could explain exactly what was typical of a Red and what was not. At this point, she was beginning to be able to separate Iz's uncharitable feelings for F'del from what she really thought and felt about the whole incident, and she decided that it wasn't his fault and their was no reason to hold any type of grudge for the man or his dragon. Hopefully, her decision on the matter would be able to reign in Izkeeyerdath enough for them to be able to work with the pair until they graduated.

Izkeeyerdath snorted and slapped her tail into the water at Waroth's comments about eating her. I can only be what I am. She said, following her gaze to watch the two humans talking. Despite her loving ways and far too forgiving ideas, her Jasramine was good enough for her. Yes, she would need protecting. Especially from herself. What if she gave trust or forgiveness to the wrong person one day? Oh yes, her Jasramine needed her far more than she realized. One day, when she was saved from a bad decision, she would understand. Her Jasramine needed no one else but her Izkeeyerdath.

[Lan]

Nimara granted the younger rider a smile, then focused for a moment on staring out at where now two red dragons occupied the waters. Waroth's darker crimson and Izkeeyerdath's slightly lighter shade of scarlet mixed together like some fire that was boiling up out of the lake. Dangerously beautiful. It was the only way to describe the magnificent creatures that lie before them. Again memories plagued her, like they had seemed to be doing more and more lately. She had certainly wished she had had someone to teach her how to deal with Waroth's violent moods. Perhaps it was good she ran into Jasra. Maybe she could stop the cycle of misunderstandings and emotion-filled evenings lying awake that seemed to be the life of lonely redriders. There were few that truly understood what it was like to play guardian and guarded to such fierce creatures.

'You're quite welcome. Back at Fort, no one seemed to be able to understand the subtleties of a redrider's life-long task either.' She sighed, glancing at Jasra then looking back at the two dragons. 'They're not like other dragons; reds. Beautiful, powerful, and dangerous --sometimes it can seem as much of a burden as it is a blessing... But they'll always do everything they do out of love.' Her eyes turned to Jasra with full attention now. 'Love for their rider.'

At that, Nim seemed to decide she had already said too much and began rolling up her trousers to wade into the waters of the lake so that she could tend to the impatient Waroth, who was now scrutinizing the height of her new little friend in comparison with her own. That seemed to be Waroth's favorite way of measuring up, literally, all who were smaller than her. All that were larger were compared to her muscle mass. Her nose dipped down and she sniffed the top of the little reds head before raising her nose again to snort and toss her head.

'If you ever have problems with anything, or just want to talk, have Izkeeyerdath summon Waroth, and I'll be there quicker than between, okay? But, for now, I must tend to my own hatchling that I seem to have been neglecting.' With a soft chuckle at the ironic joke, she nodded to Jasra and headed out into the water toward Waroth's now very wet self.

'You're somewhat small... and you smell kinda funny... But you are true. You may see me later, if you wish. But right now I'm about to get a bath.' Waroth told the little Izkeeyerdath at her side, her way of telling her goodbye. It was also her roundabout way of telling her that she liked her, and that she would like speaking again. She grunted softly, in case the smaller red didn't get the picture, then splashed about in the water impatiently for Nim, who for all her moving didn't seem to be coming fast enough.