Blue & Bronze, Black & Red | 73.13.28 (Moo/Open)

[Nicole]

"No creature should be allowed to grow this fast within a month."
I cannot help what I am.
"Yeah, sure you can't."

Knee-high in the water, Elora scrubbed down her ever-growing dragonet as Saphireth rinsed off her face the best she could.

"Maybe you should stop growing."
If I stop growing I will never be big enough to ride and I know you want to visit places.
"Oh, shut up."

Reaching up, she stretched absently, the tank top clinging to her skin and her pants rolled up along her thighs. Her shoes had been abandoned by the lakeside.

Saphireth took that moment to pounce further into the water and leave her Rider soaking wet.

"I hate you."
Metanath said swimming would help. And then I will be hungry and I can eat.
"And then I'll have to clean you again."
And oil.
"I hate you."
No you don't.

[Moo]

“So where do you think she is?”

With a quiet huff, Metanath barely glanced around as they passed though the Weyr. I don’t know. Why don’t we ask?

“Because that ruins the surprise,” he scoffed, and ran a hand through his hair. “And I don’t need directions.”

Of course not. How silly of me to think that, especially when you only ask for directions with her, Metanath teased. But it is not as if we have a lot of time, and I do not want to work too hard finding her when we have to go back and work. He paused in thought, and his eyes spun blue-green as he became serious once more. She is a Rider now, and no longer in the kitchens. No need to look there. N’kio, when we were Weyrlings, where did we spend our time?

“The water,” he replied, “We swam a lot – when you weren’t trying to boss me around, that is!”

Metanath hummed, Ah, I remember that now. I enjoyed myself there. Well, let us try the lake while we still can.

N’kio could not argue with that logic, so he and Metanath maneuvered through the Bowl and to the Outer Weyr without much difficulty. Once arriving at the lake, bits of a half-conversation in a familiar voice caught their attention.

Maybe you should stop growing.
Oh, shut up.
I hate you.

They kept moving forward and found just who they were looking for – Elora and Saphireth. N'kio resisted the urge to stare.

Oh, and in the process of washing up, too. Metanath glanced slyly over to his Rider. This must be your lucky day, am I right?

“Shut up,” N’kio chuckled and nudged him in the shoulder. “Come on, let’s get closer.”

On quiet footsteps they picked their way down to the lake, not wanting to disturb the pair in the water. When they had gotten close enough, Metanath settled down on the shore of the lake and tucked his legs under his body, perfectly content to remain where he was and watch the scene.

N’kio, on the other hand, walked up to the water’s edge and whistled to get their attention. “Well, hello beautiful!” he announced in a clear, loud voice and flashed a cheeky grin.

Metanath groaned in embarrassment.

Then N’kio added, in a voice not quite as loud, “Oh, Elora! Hello! You look nice too, by the way.”

[Nicole]

"I hate you," murmured Elora, turning away from the dragon to look at the red-headed Rider who had joined them.
No, you don't, replied Saphireth again, turning her face away from where the Black dragon lumbered behind his Rider.

"Hello to you too, N'kio." The compliment to her dragon - joking though it may have been, and more directed at her than Saphireth, she sensed - made a grin flash across her face. "And I can agree that she is beautiful. Outshines me by far."

You? But you're so pretty. You know that.
I like you better.
Thank you. Had Saphireth been a human, she would have blushed; as it was, her eyes whirled faster with embarrassment.

"What are you doing here? Haven't seen you since... oh, the Hatching?" Elora turned back to where her dragon had dove further into the water and waddled in after her, stretching upwards get the spots on her back that she had missed earlier.

You are happy he is here. I sense it.
Only a little.
Liar.

[Moo]

“Yeah, I know. Sorry about that. It’s been a while since I last saw you, as well.” Without any further thought, N’kio bent down and began to untie the laces of his boots. “I was just wondering how you two had been doing since our last meeting at the Hatching,” he said, removing his shoes and socks, “and I figured – well, Metanath and I figured – that one of these days, a visit was in order. Just so happens that we’re on our break, so here we are.”

Placing his boots aside, N’kio rolled the bottoms of his pants up to his knees, still grinning. “Why, did you miss me?”

Miss us, he means. Metanath sat up a little straighter once he noticed Saphireth wasn’t looking at him. Hello there! he called to her. Why wasn’t she looking? Umm...Are you enjoying the water?

Keeping his amusement at his dragon's attempts to himself, N’kio strode into the water after Elora to continue their conversation. He could feel his head tilt as he watched her stretch high to wash Saphireth, pausing to take in the sight of her clinging top, her slim, wet body…With a slight smirk, he cleared his throat and focused on Saphireth, deciding that talking was a better move than staring. Almost.

“How have you been?”

He tried not to look as he waded over to her side, and realized that he might not have rolled his pants high enough. “Enjoying being a weyrling? What have they been teaching you so far?”

[Nicole]

He is talking to me.
Then talk back.

Saphireth turned her head and looked at the Black out of the corner of her eye, shifting uncomfortably in the water and sending small waves rippling towards N'kio and Elora. It is water.

"I haven't had time to miss anybody and, at the same time, they haven't been teaching us nearly enough. Or at least not at the pace I would like." Elora dropped back down, turning to face N'kio and leaning against Saphireth. "I probably shouldn't have been so obsessive about reading it all before, because I'm awfully bored now."

She glanced down at where water was beginning to wet the bottom of his pants. Well, he was a sailor. He should be used to water.

She slid her eyes back up to his face, taking a moment to take in the rest of him -- had he become more muscled or had she just not noticed it? -- before flashing him a large smile. "At least Metanath is somewhat interesting, so it'll be a nice break. You - eh, you'll do."

[Moo]

Despite the short answer, Metanath’s eyes spun faster with excitement. Just wait until you can fly to the ocean. If you like swimming here, you will like it even more in the sea.

“Wait, so you’re telling me that you’re bored already? How can that be? There’s still so much more to learn! I wouldn’t be in too much of a hurry. Things will pick up when Saphireth gets older, and then you’ll be wishing for this time again. Besides, it’s best to take it slow at first.”

Those bright, wandering eyes did not go unnoticed. Arching an eyebrow as her eyes moved back up to his face, he mirrored her smile – albeit, his was a bit more cocky. “Oh, I’ll do, is that it? Well then, I feel the same about you. Saphireth seems much more interesting and fun, so maybe I should just talk to her. All you’ve got are those wet clothes,” he said with a gesture to the length of her body, “and those are not interesting in the slightest. Not at all.”

Metanath arched his head at what he heard, but decided to keep his comments civil. Thank you, Elora. I think you are interesting as well. You and Saphireth both.

N’kio gave himself credit for keeping his own eyes above her shoulders. “But, you know, feel free to take a second look – opinion, I mean. Might change your mind, you never know.” He bit his lip momentarily – the whole conversation was ridiculous, he knew, but if she was looking…why not encourage that? It seemed a win-win situation.

“So do you have a favorite thing to do, now that you’re a weyrling?”

[Nicole]

I still prefer bed activities. Elora's mouth twitchd at her thought as Saphireth shifted again underneath her, trying to avoid looking at the seemingly talkative Metanath.

Saphireth, she was beginning to discover, had an awful shy streak, particularly if she thought a person was legitimately nice. Metanath was trying to befriend her, but it might backfire by accidentally.

However, she didn't say the comment out loud -- no need to make the conversation more suggestive than it already was, or to give him ideas about things that wouldn't be happening.

Even if I do miss stretching my body in that way.

But she had Saphireth now and wouldn't do anything that would throw her into a state of disarray.

No matter how much she wanted to 'stretch.'

"Honestly? Sleep. She's relaxed, I'm relaxed, and I don't to do any work. Or think. Or do much of anything, really."

I do not know if I like it yet. It is pleasant, I suppose.

[Moo]

“Hmmm. That makes sense to me. Enjoy it while you can, though – you get less and less of it as you get older.”

Already way ahead of his Rider, Metanath added in a droll voice, Yes, he’s still talking about sleep. They had been down this road before, and he considered talking more about the subject (if only to put his Rider in a compromising situation), but…it wasn’t his place. Not to mention, they were in front of Saphireth. He shifted where he sat on the lakeside, his eyes flickering back and forth from the scenery, N’kio, and Saphireth.

“Yeah, I meant sleep,” said N’kio, absently scratching a spot on his chest as he looked around the lake. “Of course I did. Though I don’t see how you can get any here,” he said, and moved closer to Elora. “Seems it would be too noisy with all of these dragons running around. No offense to you, Saphireth.”

Now standing beside the pair, N’kio leaned back and stretched out his arms, his shirt rising just enough to show some skin – whether he noticed or not was an entirely different matter. “So besides sleep,” he sighed, arms back at his side as he began to crack his knuckles, “Is there anything else you like? Or – wait, I’ve got it. What don’t you like about your lessons? Besides how slow they’re going right now.”

It does seem nice today. Metanath kept quiet after he had replied to her statement. She did not give him much to go on, and it did not seem as if she wanted to continue the conversation. He clawed at the ground in front of him, unsure of what to talk about now – besides the weather, which was N’kio’s expertise, anyway. So was it something he had said?

[Nicole]

Saphireth's thought process twirled around for a second. Elora liked the red-head, and the red-head was Metanath's Rider, so if her Rider liked his Rider, they should get along, yes? Elora would want that.

So she sucked up her shyness and asked, quietly, Where do you like swimming best?


"I don't know what else you possibly could have meant, N'kio." Elora grinned at him again as he moved closer, water swirling around and lapping up her legs. "And I'm pretty good at being able to rest through anything. I'm good at saving energy for more physical activities."

Whoops. It was dangerously nearing sexual connotations again. Damn man. Her eyes flashed downwards towards where his skin showed before turning back to Saphireth. Cursed man.

"As for lessons? I don't know. They're dull, to an extent. And I-" I don't have any friends in them, so there's no way to pass the time. "-don't like having such a big schedule."

[Moo]

Oh – she was talking to him! Tail swishing in the dirt, Metanath brightened as he considered her question. I have always been near the sea, even when I was young, he gurgled, so I am partial to the ocean, even if it can be dangerous. You float better and the sand is warm, most days. There is a beach here you should try one day.

Though it was tamer than usual, N’kio was no stranger to this kind of talk – and her willing participation made him smile. He never cared much for stuffy people and likewise conversations. “Then I wager you’d do well at Cliffside,” he suggested. “There are plenty of activities to do there, and I doubt even you would get bored, Elora.”

Though there is little time to sleep, or have an empty schedule, so perhaps it is not the best place to be, added Metanath, eyes still spinning from Saphireth’s question.

“Nice to visit, however.”

Yes, but I thought the point of downtime was to avoid talking about work, and yet here you are, badgering away…

“Who’s badgering?” N’kio replied over his shoulder. “I can’t help it if it’s a nice place to be.”

Of course not, Metanath resigned, shaking his head at his Rider.

He rolled his eyes and smiled at Elora. “So what would make your lessons more exciting? Let me guess – flying, right? How are you two getting along with the other weyrlings?” He thought back to the Hatching. “Those two Auroras were something else, weren’t they? Certainly not a common color in the South. Seen much of those weyrlings?”

Metanath glanced over at the close couple that was Elora and his Rider. I remember the weyrling Tera spoke about wanting to see an Aurora. I wonder how she is.

[Nicole]

"As much as any Weyrling sees another, I suppose." She turned fully away from him this time, reaching down into the water to splash it lightly over Saphireth's hide.

He does not know we do not talk to the other Weyrlings?
You are shy and I have my... previous reputation. We have our reasons.
But it bothers you.
Of course not.
It does, or you would tell him.

Elora glanced up at the face of her dragon, who glanced at her as it to say that she knew better. Elora shrugged at her. The Blue just shook her head and leaned it into the water, blowing bubbles absently.

"I'm sure she is fine. I'd rather hear more about Cliffside."

And I would rather hear more about how water is dangerous. We are dragons. Saphireth refocued her attention on Metanath, trying her best not to keep quiet. Water cannot hurt us.

[Moo]

N’kio’s eyes lit up the instant Cliffside was mentioned. “What would you like to hear? There’s a lot I could tell you.”

Oh, here we go. Metanath shifted to his other side and adjusted his wings, preparing to spend the rest of the time listening about Cliffside. Elora, you might want to sit down once he starts talking.

“It’s not that bad.”

I disagree, he huffed, But in the meantime, Saphireth, I will tell you why. Though he was not as outwardly gregarious as his Rider about their Hold, his eyes spun an excited teal color as he spoke. Though as dragons we are strong, the ocean is much, much stronger. This lake is contained and safe, but the ocean is immense and open and has many currents that could pull you under. It is wild and unpredictable – it could be calm one moment, then terrible the next.

Metanath looked to his Rider and continued when he saw N’kio nod – a small, almost imperceptible nod, but one nonetheless. It has taken the lives of many people. Dragons as well, and that we have seen personally. He turned back to Saphireth, his eyes darkening to the exact shade of her hide. After all, it is how we took up the Watch, he added in a wry voice. It is something to be feared and respected at all times.

After a quiet moment or two, N’kio broke the silence. “Metanath, you’ve never been so poetic," he teased. "It seems I have made a good impression on you after all.”

The Black snorted and refolded his wings. Does that answer satisfy you, Saphireth? Though I’m sure N’kio will go more into detail, if given the chance.

[Nicole]

Elora glanced at the Blue next to her. Rather than fear, her eyes were whirling quickly and thoughtfully.

I think, she said after a moment, that I shall stay here.

Elora laughed slightly, patting her on the side before looking back to N'kio. The death he had to deal with on a regular basis wasn't something she wanted to focus on, so she swung back to the regular conversation. "You want to know what I want to know? Hmm..."

Where do you live? Is it nice? Do you enjoy it there? How does the population deal with a Rider? Are you sought after because of it?

Those questions were pushed to the side.

"What kind of people live there? Professions? Any prostitutes? It is a port, after all." He didn't have to know why she asked that. "Are there interesting things that happen there, like festivals and such?"

[Moo]

Metanath made the dragon equivalent of a laugh. It is not a place for everyone, but N’kio and I take good care of the Hold.

The comment about prostitutes was…surprising.

“Well now,” he started, eyebrows slightly lifted. “Prostitutes are not something I am usually asked about, but since you’re so curious…There are a few at Cliffside, yes. You mostly see them at the docks, particularly when a new ship arrives, but other than that – when they’re not preoccupied, I mean – they usually keep to themselves.” He wasn’t sure if he should continue talking about them, so he moved on to the next subject.

“We have a Fishercraft Hall at Cliffside, and are always taking on new apprentices. The majority of the men and women at the Hold are sailors and fishers, but that’s more of a general term. Most of the work you can find at Cliffside is related to sea-faring, so there’s ship-builders, accountants, tanners, seamstresses and tailors, and of course traders from all over the Southern and Northern parts of Pern.”

N’kio paused to take a breath, as well as attempt to condense everything he knew into a short-and-sweet answer. “We also have a couple small farms nearby, but those are kept inland and away from the cliffs. About, oh…” he halted, running a hand through his hair, “I’d say perhaps one-fourth of the fish crop we bring in goes to Golden Flight Hold. But that’s neither here nor there. Festivals – yes, we have a few Gathers every once in a while. Just had one recently, in fact, when the road was completed. Though of course, that can be a danger in and of itself.”

Metanath nodded. All those people walking about on the cliffs – it’s a busy time for us when Gathers are held.

[Nicole]

"I can imagine. Crowds of people can be terrifying."

I'm sure the prostitutes get a lot of work, though, she thought with a small smile, motioning for Saphireth to get out of the water. The Blue dragon swished her tail back and forth, accidentally splashing N'kio as she moved her way out.

Elora just laughed.

"I don't mean to be curious. I've only ever lived at the one, and then then it's an awfully specific experience if you're just one person. Makes it hard to judge what Holds are like. And I like seeing things without judgement."

Without looking over at N'kio, she followed her dragon out of the water, watching Saphireth shake the water off.

Is being a Watchdragon fun?