Notes in the Wind (open)

L’en was out enjoying the rather uncharacteristically temperate day for early winter, chasing Elvith around when she prompted him for a game. Nyx had given all the weyrlings an hour of… sort of… free time. The only stipulation, not that any of the weyrlings had objected in the least, was that it must be spent doing something to strengthen the bond between them and their new dragons. And Faranth forbid they get to know each other at all better in the process.

He paused to catch his breath, bent forward with his hands on his knees, panting from all the running around. Elvith padded over to him, nudging him gently, Are you all right, mine?

He smiled lightly at her, “Of course. You’re just wearing me out.” He reached out to stroke the top of her dark head before straightening and tilting his head curiously. The wind carried a song to his ears and the source couldn’t be too terribly far away either. “You hear that, Elvy?” He made his way toward the lake, toward the source of the singing, Elvith sticking close beside him, W-what is that, mine?

L’en snorted softly, resting his hand reassuringly on her head, “It’s just a song, Elvy… nothing to be afraid of.” He stopped a short distance from where Midnael sat with his White, closing his eyes and admiring the other boy’s voice. L’en could never have truly been a Harper, he didn’t have the mind or will for teaching which was a Harper’s main duty, but he could sing and he had a fine ear for others’ voices as well. He had a talent for picking up on sharps and flats that most without Harper training would never notice.

He moved closer, to the side of the other weyrling and still a few feet away, “You have a fine voice.” His tone and the serene smile on his face were both sincere. He sat, not asking if Midnael minded or not. If he did mind he would leave, unfortunate, but otherwise he was stuck with him, “I don’t recall ever hearing that one before.”

Elvith sat on his other side, away from Midnael, peering out from behind L’en’s back at him and his White. Who is that, mine?

L’en glanced at her, “Why don’t you ask your clutchmate? He’s smaller than you, for Faranth’s sake, what do you think he’s going to do?” He was amused more than exasperated by his dragon’s rather excessive fearfulness and scratched one eyeridge affectionately before turning back to Midnael.

Elvith crept around her bonded’s feet and edged toward Norpoth, H-hello… I-I am Elvith and this is my L’en… who are you, and yours?

Elvith had a moment to wonder what Norpoth meant by ‘Finiky’ when the little Green firelizard chirped at her and she started in surprise, hightailing it back to L’en and peering out from behind him again, her eyes whirling in distress, Mine! Mine! What is that!?

“Elvith what are you-… what is what?” L’en was looking a bit bewildered by Elvith’s sudden retreat and then saw that Elvith was staring intently at Midnael’s Green. He laughed, “Don’t tell me you’re afraid of a little flitter, Elvy? She’s not going to hurt you, she’s just a little Green… she’s smaller than him.” He jerked a thumb at Norpoth and gave his Green a gentle shove, “Really, Elvith… there’s nothing to be afraid of, so just go play, all right?” He took her head in his hands and looked into her eyes, “All right?”

She seemed to relax, reassured by L’en’s words and confidence relayed in them, and how relaxed he was at the moment. Certainly her L’en would never take her anywhere scary or dangerous…. With one last wary look at the firelizard, she trotted back over to Norpoth.

L’en sighed, “I suppose… she’s never seen a flit before….” He said it more to himself than to Midnael though. He looked over at the other boy and smiled slightly, “She’s pretty skittish when she meets new people… or dragons… or really sees or does anything she’s never seen or done before. At least she’s not too bad when I tell her it’s okay though, she just trusts me….” He was filled with love for Elvith at that, at the thought of just how much trust his beautiful little Green had in him. He could hardly remember, already, what it had been like without her… but then, L’en had never had a very good memory to begin with, so maybe that wasn’t really saying much.

He watched Elvith butt her head playfully against Norpoth’s side, Will you play with me? and smiled, “So did you ever train as a Harper at all?” His gaze shifted to Midnael. Nyxani had said to try and get to know some of the other weyrlings better, after all… though he had forgotten completely to give his name or ask for Midnael’s.

Mine! Norpoth will play with me! Can I go swimming? She looked pleadingly back at L’en and he tilted his head slightly. If Norpoth could swim then surely Elvith would be okay as well. He nodded, “Go ahead but don’t go too deep….” The Green sprang up happily and bounded off toward the water, Come on, come on! Let’s swim! Little did the Green know what she was getting herself into.

He turned back to Midnael with a slight frown at his explanation. A moment later his firelizard had chirped and he smiled apologetically, reaching out to grasp the other boy’s hand, “I’m Lel-… L’en now I guess. That’s what she calls me anyway so I guess I don’t have a choice in the matter.” He laughed, he honestly didn’t really care what others called him. “You’re not going to shorten your name at all?” It was rare for a male not to, Garrett was probably the only male rider he knew that hadn’t shortened his name. Not that it really mattered what others decided to call themselves, but he was curious anyway.

L’en was not known for his tact, but he felt the subject of Midnael’s mother might be better left alone for now. He didn’t know Midnael and Midnael didn’t know him and it seemed a rather personal matter to talk to someone you just met about. Also, he didn’t do all that great with serious subjects, they just made him uncomfortable.

Elvith bounded happily enough up to the edge of the lake and then stopped, peering at the water as it lapped gently at the shore. Tentatively, she reached forward with one claw and dabbed at it, looking very much like a feline. Her dabbing caused the water to splash up into her face and she gave a squeak and leapt back in surprise. L’en! It attacked me!

L’en turned to look at where the Green stood, a few feet from the water’s edge, gazing back at him with whirling eyes. He couldn’t help but laugh, No it didn’t, you silly thing. Get in there, its fine. Look at Norpoth, he’s not hurt or scared. He sent his Green a wave of affection and reassurance.

Slowly, she inched back to the water’s edge and boldly took her first few steps into the water. She found she liked the feeling of it lapping at her legs and waded in farther. L’en, L’en! I like this place!

L’en chuckled and turned back to Midnael as Elvith waded over to Norpoth. “Protocol… well it doesn’t really seem like too many really care anymore what we call ourselves after Impressing. I guess you’re right about Threadfall….” He glanced back over at Norpoth, wondering just how long the White would be able to last in Threadfall or if maybe he would have his own special job to make better use of him.

He blinked at the question as if he didn’t quite understand it for a moment, “No, no… I’m not Harper material. I’m told I can sing, but that’s about it.” He grinned and watched Elvith splashing around in the shallows.

“Has Impressing a White gotten you a lot of attention? I would think it would, whether you want it or not. Maybe more than Impressing a Gold. Especially after how his hatching went… not likely anyone will forget that in a hurry. I was about to go help him when you rushed over. Everyone was so scared of doing something wrong by helping him…. Did he call you to help him or did you just go? I know I couldn’t have stood there and watched a moment longer if you hadn’t run over….” He was sort of rambling, but he didn’t really care. If L’en wanted to say something he would, though it might come out a bit out of order.