and all the sky's my stage(open)

[yankeegeek]

Danathi and Silth came out of /between/ just above the Weyr Bowl. The blue paused, as they looked down at the new Weyr. A few people were visible walking around, but no one she recognized.
They'd gone slightly east of the Weyr itself, acquiring reference points for the area before coming back the easy way.

Either way's easy for you. I'm the one doing most of the work here, Silth pointed out mildly.
Well, unless we figure out a way for me to grow wings, I'm afraid there's not much we can do, love, Danathi replied, amused. Are you hungry?
No, but hot. Silth began gliding in to land, bugling welcome to any dragons that were within earshot. As usual, he took a spiraling, twisting path down and around, acrobatic rather than straightforward. It might be less efficient, but such wasn't his style when they weren't at work.
It is easier than the Searches, I'll admit, though not as...interesting.
Danathi had to echo Silth's sentiments. The seasons' difference between the northern and southern continents had made for unexpected adjustments on people's parts. Though, if what the Records suggested was accurate, even the coldest season here wouldn't be much cooler than a bad autumn day in the north.
She slid down from his back as they landed, wincing a little at the heat beneath her boots.

[Risa]

A brown dart shot across the weyrbowl among the humans and dragons, trilling with the joy of such quick flight. Kaino was hunting for V'kem, wanting his daily attention that the brown flitt demanded. His eyes fell first on a girl and blue dragon. She would do; any attention he could get, Kaino would take. Slowing down, he circled her head a few times, looking for any place he might land and chatter his need for attention.

You're little one is bothering people again. Teglth was amused by Kaino most of the time, now more than usual. They had reached an understanding, and got along well.

Well, I'm busy with you in this blasted heat. If someone else keeps Kaino busy a few moments, I'll be greatful. V'kem was busy, triple checking the straps on his riding gear. There had been a few slight worn patches in them, but having the gear on Teglth told where those patches were, and how soon he'd need to replace the straps.

I don't know if Silth met your tiny one, and may not like him bothering his rider. Shards, the dragon had a point. Why did Teglth think of things like that?

I'll be back.
Please, take your time. I will be here.

[Lucius]

The arrival of the blue was noted by Tugenth. Nothing ever passed his notice; every dragon, every twitch... Nope, nope, all the Weyr was under the one-eyed dragon's watch. And in his watchfulness, S'las could still feel the fear from the Hatching lingering. Tugenth didn't want to lose his other eye; he was a thin, wispy bronze who wasn't as strong as the others, so if he was attacked--not like he would be, but Tugenth would never listen to S'las on the matter that dragons did not attack each other--he wouldn't stand a chance.

S'las, the blue...
We'll go greet him and his rider?
I was just saying, he's strange.
S'las glanced up from the table where he was writing a letter to his family back at Benden. "Tugenth, what do we do when we see strangers?"
He could sense hesitation in the tenor mind-voice of his dragon. We... We make them not strangers?
"Good boy." He stood up and stretched, happy to let his fingers loose a bit. "Now, Tugenth, this blue will either be a part of our Weyr, or a messenger. Luna's probably up to her eyes in work. And do you expect V'kem to greet him properly?"
...No.
"Right. So, come on, let's head down to the bowl and say hello."

With an exhale similar to a sigh, Tugenth dropped a leg and allowed S'las to sit astride him. Then, the bronze launched himself from his weyr and glided down to the bowl below. S'las dismounted once the bronze hit ground, and, ignoring the fire-lizard out and about, walked over to the bluerider. "Hello!" he called, then noticed the lizard. "I see you've been greeted. I'm S'las, and my bronze is Tugenth. The lizard's name eludes me; he is not mine."

[yankeegeek]

Danathi had begun to loosen Silth's harness in preparation for a
trip to the lake. They'd agreed that a quick swim would be just the thing. The lake was one of the first easy reference points they'd taken. Granted, it wasn't so far away that they couldn't fly straight, but the blue was a tad impatient now.
He lifted his head, looking past her. We have company, he commented. Hello, little one, as something buzzed around Danathi's head, bugling at her.
She laughed softly, holding out a hand. "Hey there." The little brown flit wasn't familiar to her, but at first glance it was too large to be a hatchling. So it must be one of those few already attached to a rider here.
I think he looks to Tuglth's rider; the man there, Silth said helpfully, adding an image of the rider in question.
Danathi glanced around, seeing V'kem walk toward them. She
offered a warm smile as he drew close enough to see. "Good afternoon," she called.
Then she was interrupted by another rider, and half-turned toward him. She was grateful for the introduction. While she'd been at the Weyr for the last sevenday or so, much of it had been
taken up by Search errands or other work. She couldn't claim to know all of the other people here yet. Of course, YET was the key word!
"I am Danathi, Silth's rider," she replied, her smile undiminished
as she met S'las' gaze.

[Risa]

Catching sight of V'kem, Kaino darted off, completely forgetting about the bluerider he'd been bothering. He wanted attention, and could bully the bronzerider into giving it. For as small as the brown flitt was, as he landed on the mans shoulder, V'kem stumbled back from the force it took Kaino to stop.

"Yes, I know Kaino, you couldn't find me." he muttered, offering a scratch to placate the chirping brown. It worked, Leaving V'kem to deal with whatever problems he might have caused. Catching the blueriders name as she introduced herself to S'las, V'kem stepped closer to avoid yelling.

"Greetings Danathi, and blue Silth. I hope Kaino was no trouble for you. He does that when he wants food mostly. I think he forgets he can hunt." There wasn't much for appology to his tone, but V'kem was not an applogetic person. With no warning, Kaino launched off his shoulder, heading to land on Teglth.

He knows you left a meatroll over here. Teglth was laughing at him. But do hurry back. It's too hot to be out testing harness straps.

[Lucius]

S'las felt the urge to ask V'kem to keep a closer eye on his fire-lizard, but swallowed it as he remembered that he and V'kem were equal ranks. It wasn't that he disliked the other bronzerider, not at all. He just had his grievances here and there, but otherwise was content to leave well enough alone. And Teglth was all right, in S'las's opinion. As far as Tugenth went, Tugenth was a bit wary around other bronzes. So while he didn't hate any of the other dragons, they made him nervous.

"Hello, Danthai," he said. "And you as well, Silth." He nodded at the blue. "I think you've been here a while; Tugenth has mentioned seeing a blue flying in and out of here. Sorry for not greeting you sooner." Although he meant the apology and the greeting, he wasn't able to properly express it, and it seemed almost superficial. "I trust you're finding everything?"

[yankeegeek]

Danathi watched Kaino go, with a briefly regretful look, before replying calmly to V'kem. "He's not a problem--is it Teglth's rider?" He hadn't offered his name, nor had Silth. "Pleased to meet you both." Her smile was genuine. As for apologies, she had no need of them. "We just came off-duty, so he's not bothering us. Were mapping out reference points for the lands east of here, for the most part." She thought of offering to have Silth pass them on, but something warned her to wait until he asked. Most bronze riders were a proud lot; they generally preferred to be the ones offering help, not asking for any, even in minor details.
Silth lifted his head, meeting V'kem's gaze as well, his eyes whirling faintly but a calm blue.
"Oh, " she paused to listen, then chuckled. "Silth says we're used to surprises, so no need to
worry on his account, either. True enough."

She glanced at S'las, one eyebrow raised slightly. "Hello, and yes we have," she replied cheerfully. "Search kept us busy, at first, today's the first day in the seven we haven't been
flitting about. Everyone's had their hands full, I notice," she added. " I'd be surprised if you'd had chance to catch us. Oh, I've been finding most everything well enough. Yourself?"
Danathi was the sort more to concern herself with intentions than with tone. She didn't generally fret over trivia; it struck her as a waste of time that could be more happily spent.

[Risa]

Hearing the question about who he was as Danathi meantioned his dragon, V'kem realized he had forgotten his name in dealing with Kaino. It was good to hear though that the two had been mapping. It was something that needed to be done after all. "Pardon, I should have said, I am V'kem of Bronze Teglth. It is good to know someone took the time to get the mapping done."

he was paying little mind to S'las, not overly fond of any other bronzerider. Not that V'kem was hateful, he just had grown to dislike most other riders in general. He'd never found a reason to like any other. Besides, Kaino and Teglth were enough to keep his mind busy, let alone getting involved with other people.

Be nice. She has done nothing to upset you.

Thank you my ever present reminder.

You should thank me, or you would be kicked out of any weyr you stayed in more than a day.

[yankeegeek]

Danathi was unbothered. She tended toward less formality, given the option. Of course, she wasn't in the spotlight as much as one of the higher-ranked riders. Expectations were always higher for them. That was yet another reason she was glad to have Impressed blue rather than gold, as was "proper" for women.

"We made a start on it, at least," she said affably. "I like keeping busy; and for all this is nothing like Benden, it's beautiful country.
Not so crowded either. Shells, sometimes there was barely room to breathe."
Silth's voice was warmly friendly as he addressed Teglth.

We have reference points for east and northeast.
Dana' made sketches, as well, if yours is interested. She'd offer, but she doesn't want to presume. Or to delay either of you further, if you have business elsewhere.
Silth nudged her shoulder gently, adding something in private, and she arched both eyebrows. "Soon, you bottomless pit. You said you weren't hungry just five minutes ago!" she chided, though the tender smile she gave him took any possible sting out of the words.

[Risa]

"We'll have to take the time to explore more. We've kept busy ourselves." So long as the bluerider was being polite, he could manage to do the same. Teglth was right, she'd done nothing to angery him so far. "From what we've seen so far though, this is very beautiful country, so I'll agree with that."

V'kem is too proud to ask, but the only business we have is fixing these harness straps. If yours wants to share, please do. Perhaps we'll get to swim in this heat after all.

Now that Kaino had found the food V'kem left near Teglth and eaten, he made a slower flight back to his bonded. With a happy chirp of greeting, he was definatly more polite after eating. "Sure, now you stole my food, you're agreeable, you brown pest." V'kem grumbled quietly. Looking back to Danathi, he gestured to Kaino. "This is Kaino, now that he's being more agreeable perhaps he won't be in your face as badly."

[yankeegeek]

Danathi smiled at the little brown. "He hasn't been a bother, V'kem," she assured him. "How old is he?" curiosity impelling her to ask. She'd seen flits before, but only rarely. They weren't all that easy to come by.
Her own opinion of the man was going up a notch. Talk was easy enough, so was saying what someone wanted to hear; but the way a person treated those who depended on him, or her? That said a great deal more. She'd seen or heard of pets being treated as little better than tools that just happened to be alive. V'kem's patience for Kaino spoke well, to her way of looking at things.

Silth nudged her shoulder. She blinked, and then remembered..."Oh, right." She had been carrying a bag slung over her left shoulder. Setting it down, she tugged it open to
retrieve the small sheaf of sketches she'd made during their overflight. When she was younger, before she'd Impressed, she'd taken basic lessons with an artist from the Harper Hall. It was a talent she took pleasure in, when she could, and had done her best to keep her skills sharp.
She didn't try to draw people, however. Her "portraits" of humans
tended to bear little resemblance to the original subjects.

There is a lake nearby, and a few smaller ponds or creeks, Silth agreed, projecting the image of the lake's blue waters and sandy shores. Spotted a flock of
avians, too; they taste better than herdstock at times.

[Risa]

Before V'kem could even open his mouth, Kaino sent him a feeling of happyness, fluttering over to Danathi, and attempting to land on her arm. He was searching for food, playing the cute card to his advantage, eyes whirling slowly green. Of course, this made the bronzerider laugh. He knew these antics all too well really.

"Whatever you do, don't feed him, or he'll never leave you in peace. Kaino will be three turns pretty soon. Never thought he'd be a brown though. I was told the egg I got would give me a green." It was an odd thing, that stuck with the rider since the firelizard had hatched. Of course, it was lucky Teglth had taken so well to having a small friend. For some reason, the bronze dragon did not at all like canines or felines.

Well, no better way to escape heat than to swim. Thank you. I am glad they are getting along so well. Mine does not often speak to others. The little one seems happy though. Teglth observed.

[yankeegeek]

Danathi held up her right arm, chuckling. "Sounds like some harpers I know," she observed. Kaino seemed to have quite the same flair for innocent acts, too, she noted. Oh well. Yes, she was finding him 'cute'.
"I'll remember that," though her tone suggested that she might be considering it, nonetheless. She let the little brown land. "Sorry, but I don't have any snacks on me just now," she addressed Kaino directly, offering a friendly pat. "Maybe another time."

Mine tends to concern herself more with what others do, than words or moods, was Silth's matter-of-fact response. Yours may be quiet, but she wouldn't mind that. She already begins to think well of him. At any rate, she can talk enough for all four of us, should she be so inclined.

[Risa]

Landling lightly on Danathi's arm, Kaino began to chirp scoldingly. Why was he not getting food from this human? They always gave him something. Sure, he would accept a scratch or a pat, but she should know he was starving. Then again, he could always bother her later for a snack, so not all was lost.

At a word from Teglth, V'kem sighed. He'd gotten distracted coming after Kaino. "Excuse me. That big lump of a bronze over there wants to get out of the heat."
I heard that.
You were supposed to.
Hurry up. Silth said there is a lake nearby. This heat is far from enjoyable. And don't you dare just walk off and be rude.
With a sligth frown, V'kem shook his head. "Teglth is insisting on swimming. Perhaps we'll run into each other again."

He means feel free to join us. Teglth let this only pass on to Silth. Mine doesn't realize he's being rude. I won't have him hated here like at the old weyr.

[yankeegeek]

We may come try to join you a little later, then, was Silth's genial response. He snorted at Teglth's last remark, faint surprise coloring his tone. He seems kind to the little one, if not talkative, and honest. I don't see...why he'd be hated. I don't think DanathiMine has it in her, to hate, to be true. Angry, sometimes, once in a great while.
Danathi, unaware of their conversation, nodded. "Likely you will,
once Silth's fed. We both find it easier to work if we take a break to cool down midday." She gave Kaino a last caress.

[Risa]

He said a few things in anger that made people... unwilling to forgive. Teglth didn't want to go into tons of detail, and left it at this. After all, if his wanted to share, he would. It has been nice talking though.

V'kem nodded. With a click to Kaino, he held up his arm as a perch for the firelizard. Thankfully, in two turns, Kaino had learned this was his cue to move. Fluttering over to land on the arm of his bonded, he chirped a farewell to the other rider.

You should have at least said goodbye.
Well, it a bronze lump wouldn't rush because of the heat, I might have.
Keep it up Mine, and I'll dump you halfway to the lake.