Reminiscing Quietly (Garrett)

[missing]

Midnael sat in the first row of stands of the Hatching Cave humming to himself as he watched Norpoth dig into the warm sands in front of him. Since the Hatching the sands had been cleaned and currently there were no eggs hardening on them so it was a decent place to go for some quiet. Besides, the place held good memories for the boy and the White.

Norpoth seemed to enjoy digging here, Midnael wasn't sure if it was because of the warmth or if it was to prove that he was able to after the fiasco of his Hatching. Fin sat a bit off on the sands watching carefully as if the small White would somehow manage to bury himself. Midnael secretly wondered what exactly Fin would be able to do if Norpoth did indeed manage such a task. He smiled at the thought.

The White had managed to dig himself a small burrow when he decided he was tired and laid down within it, delighting in the warmth around him, Mine you should try this, it's wonderful!

Midnael laughed, "The sands are a bit warmer for me than they are for you, I'd probably burn myself."

Oh I don't want you to do that! Norpoth hesitated Sing for me?

Midnael rolled his eyes before launching into 'The Golden Egg of Faranth'.

[lyonza]

Garrett sometimes came to the Hatching Cave to think. He was understandably surprised to hear a voice drifting down the passage from the Lower Caverns. Someone singing a familiar tune with a very good voice. Iroth picked up on the surprise that she felt from him and she landed on the ledge before sticking her head to see who’s there.

Its Norpoth and his rider, she said to Garrett since he was still standing in the dark corridor, enjoying the singing. Iroth settled on the ledge to listen. He sings very nice, she said. I was thinking the same thing, Garrett answered.

He waited for the boy to finish singing before he made his way towards the stands. His boots luckily kept his feet from burning and the coat he wore outside to keep the chill away, suddenly felt very hot. He shed it as he walked over to Midneal, leaving him in just a shirt over his most comfortable pair of pants.

Watch out! Iroth suddenly said in his mind and he looked down, noticing the little white dragon curled up in a burrow in the sands. He had almost stepped on her, so he gave a little hop-skip sort of step and avoided the disaster. “Oh, Shards!” he cursed and quickly walked over to the stands and sat down. “I nearly stepped on him,” Garrett said as he tried to calm his suddenly wildly beating heart. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I was enjoying your singing and had to come and meet you. I’m Garrett, Junior Weyrwoman and rider of Iroth, who’s lurking out on the ledge.” As he spoke, Iroth came into the cavern and went over to where Norpoth was laying.

She’s even smaller than I thought, Iroth said as she lowered her head towards the white dragon. He’s smaller than my teeth.

[missing]

Iroth is listening to you... Norpoth's eyes whirled with delight as his rider sang.

Midnael acknowledged the comment mentally, but didn't cease. Iroth was due to fly soon, it stood to reason that she might be in the Hatching Grounds making sure things were ready for her.

When he finished his song he looked up to see Garrett striding across the sands towards him, removing a jacket as he did so. Now why would anyone want to wear a jacket to the Hatching Grounds? Then he noticed what the Greyrider was not noticing, Norpoth!

Norpoth burrowed deeper into the sands, the fear from Midnael's terrified outburst causing him to project his fear to those around him. Fin's eyes turned red and she hissed angrily at the Greyrider while moving to cover the White's body with her own as if it would really do that much good.

Midnael had moved quick as between from his seat to scoop up the pair as Garrett narrowly avoided stepping on them. He separated Fin from Norpoth and set her on his shoulder as he stood, Norpoth snuggling into his arms. The dragonet's claws pricked at him, but Midnael didn't mind, "It's okay, I told you I'd look after you..." he scratched at an eye ridge gently until Norpoth calmed down and Midnael felt his own fear subsiding.

Midnael set the White down again and turned his attention to Garrett who was now speaking with him, "Its alright, he's easy to ignore and it's not your job to keep an eye on him, its mine," Fin's eyes were still red as she glared from Midnael's shoulder as if to say that it certainly was NOT alright, Midnael shooed her away to a ledge, "Norpoth told me Iroth was listening but he didn't mention you, he's normally good about being able to tell when others are there..."

I felt someone's surprise, and then enjoyment, but I didn't think it was important I'm sorry. Norpoth looked up at Iroth, She's surprised too, although I'm not sure why. Please stop. He said that last bit to Iroth.

"Well apparently he did feel you, he just didn't tell me," he glanced at Iroth, "He doesn't like being ogled over... He just wants to be treated normally."

[lyonza]

Garrett waved off the words. “No dragon is easy to ignore, I just didn’t expect him to be lying in the sand. I feel horrible about the almost disaster.” He made a courteous nod of his head towards the small dragon. “My most sincere apologies, Norpoth. I really didn’t mean to almost step on you.” He gave the firelizard a wary look. “She doesn’t think it’s alright. In fact, I think she’d love to rend me limb from limb,” he added with a wry smile.

Garrett nodded. “I was just coming out this way to think a bit. It’s my favorite place in the whole Weyr. It’s quiet, warm and did I mention it is quiet?” He tossed his jacket to one side, now that he was inside the Cavern and the cold outside wasn’t biting at his arms.

“Iroth, he’s a dragon, just like you,” Garrett chided the bigger dragon.

I’m sorry, Iroth said to Norpoth. I have never seen a white dragon before and well… I hope you aren’t offended, little one.

“She just wanted to satisfy her curiosity a bit.” He smiled as she lay down on the sands next to Norpoth, taking care to make sure he’s not under her when she settled.

[missing]

I'm fine, your cry just scared me, Norpoth nudged against Midnael's leg until he knelt to scratch at the White's eye ridges once more.

"He says he's fine," Midnael said to Garrett without really looking at him, "Apparently I scared him more than you did." The comment about Fin actually made Midnael smiled, something he rarely did in front of strangers, "She was in fact sending images along those lines. I'm surprised, she usually reserves images quite that graphic for my father. Fin will calm down in a bit, she's a bit over-protective."

Midnael could have sighed in relief when Garrett mentioned quiet, but instead he stood back up and nodded, "As long as the sands are empty and there isn't an angry mother dragon it is a wonderful retreat," he glanced at Iroth, "Isn't she due to rise soon?"

Norpoth shook his head, It doesn't offend, it just feels strange. He settled back into his small burrow, delighting in the warmth there.

"I understand, just he doesn't. To him he's no different from his clutchmates," Midnael sat back down onto the bench, "Never mind I practically had to haul him from the sands myself. Although I don't blame that on his size."

[lyonza]

Garrett smiled down at the small dragon. “Well, I’m sorry nonetheless.” He’s got a nice smile, he said to Iroth. If you say so, she replied.

His face took on a comical expression. “Wow, I must have made a real impression on her then if that’s the level of animosity she feels.” The tone of his words told Garrett exactly how much Fin had liked his father in the first place. “Well, I hope to make it up to her, you and Norpoth sometime.”

“Ah, yes. Angry mother dragons. Only golds are that possessive of their eggs. Iroth is somewhere between gold and green. She’ll protect them, but she’s not loathe to leave them while she goes to eat and thankfully I don’t have to spend all my time hovering over her while she’s watching her eggs. Sabath comes and keeps her company a lot.” He doesn’t say that M’kal doesn’t. “But yes, she’s due to rise soon. I’m not sure when, but not long now.”

Well, you are a dragon just like I am. Her tone implied that her assessment was the end of the story.

“But he isn’t different at all. The only thing that jumps out at one right now is his size and that’s not his fault.” Garrett shook his head. “Not his fault at all. If Orlaith hadn’t buried that egg so deep, he would have been fine.” He studied Midneal from the corner of his eye as they spoke.

[missing]

Midneal watched Garrett carefully, mentally cataloging even the smallest action, something he was long in the habit of.

Norpoth looked up at the Greyrider to see what Midnael found so interesting, He was happy when you smiled.

How do you know?

Norpoth gave a mental shrug, Just do, thought it was strange. Why would that make him happy?

Maybe he just likes seeing people smile, smiles tend to make human's happy.

Should I as Iroth?

No.

"She seems to become very emotional when Norpoth is for some reason so that's probably why. I wasn't aware things like that could carry from my bond with Norpoth to my bond with Fin but I'm new to the dragon thing," He shrugged, "Norpoth is fine, Fin likes red meat though." His tone didn't sound like he was kidding.

"Really, interesting," so far as he could tell Fin was more careful than most greens when it came to clutching, he'd even found one of her clutches to distribute before, but she definitely wasn't as possessive as a gold. So really, it stood to reason that a Grey would be less possessive as well, "You think Sabbath will catch her again?" It wasn't really a question even though it sounded like one. With rumors of Iroth being so close to flying the stories of the Black's violence with any others who tried to chase her were not far behind. And since most people never really thought Midnael was paying attention he also had hear rumors of M'kal's less than enthusiastic view of the situation.

Yes I am, Norpoth said that with pride, Why was Yours happy when Mine smiled? Mine says that humans like seeing other humans smile, is that true?

"Norpoth leave her alone," Midnael looked to Iroth, "I apologize he's very curious about emotions for some reason."

[lyonza]

He could tell that Midneal was always on guard. It made him think of his own childhood and wondered what was the whiterider’s history. He recognized the little distracted look in the eyes as Midneal talked to his dragon. “Well, historically white dragons are much more in touch with firelizards than all the others combined. He grinned at the statement. “I’ll take that under advisement. I guess I’ll have to start carrying around some meat to keep her happy?”

Garrett grimaced. “Chances are that Sabath will catch her again – she hasn’t shown any preference to another dragon and well, he’s been very attentive lately. And the talk is true, M’kal is less than enthusiastic about it as usual.” He shrugged. “I’ve grown accustomed to it.” It was hard to be in the throes of passion during the flight and then having your ‘partner’ avoiding you for a few sevendays after.

Iroth opened her eye to look at the smaller dragon. Mine just liked the way Yours smiled. I’m not sure how it works, but I’ve grown accustomed to not knowing. It’s not something we dwell on. Our partners don’t understand everything we do and we don’t understand everything they do. It works out for both. But yes, smiling seems to create a positive response, unless its mocking or something like that.

The grey dragon just huffed. Tell the younger one that he shouldn’t apologize. I’ll try explain to Norpoth as much as what I understand. I’m just treating him like any other dragon. Am I right about that?

Garrett nodded. “It’s alright, Midneal. She doesn’t mind answering Norpoth’s questions. She said she’s treating her like any other dragon.” Yes, you are quite correct about that, love.

[missing]

Midnael actually laughed at that, half because of the idea of carrying around meat, and half because Fin had abruptly stopped sending him images of the Greyrider being attacked, "As much as I think she would like that I'm fairly certain your nice clothes would be ruined and start to smell. I didn't know that about Whites though, thank you for the information."

Now that he was no longer being bombarded with Fin's image he actually noticed something about Garrett, he wasn't bad looking. In a rare unintentional display of emotion Midnael looked shocked. He quickly composed himself, he didn't know where that particular revelation had come from, he had better things to think about. Anyway, if the rumors are true, Garrett was hopelessly crushing on M'kal. He just wasn't used to a setting where it felt normal to think of a guy as attractive.

Norpoth looked at his rider curiously, Mine? You're all over the place.

Don't worry about it. Your rider is strange.

"Seems like a difficult thing to get accustomed to," Midnael watched Norpoth, "He'll never rise or chase or anything so I won't ever really know, but maybe that's for the best."

Do you wish I would mate?

"No Norpoth you're fine the way you are," he smiled affectionately at his before looking back to Garrett, "At least certain relationships are more accepted here. There were some very angry holdermen who realized after flirting with me that I was a guy." He mentally winced at the memories, but then they had made him a very good fighter.

What's not to understand about us? Norpoth rested his chin on the ledge of sand he had created and watched Iroth.

[lyonza]

Garrett grinned at Midneal. “Anything to stop the scary firelizard from attacking me,” he teased. “I can make a plan to carry meat around, but you’re right. It will be quite smelly.” He nodded his acknowledgement of the thanks. “It’s not something that is common knowledge, but since I get to read all the records I know a little more than common knowledge,” he smiled.

He caught the momentary look of shock and his brow furrowed as he noticed it. “Are you alright?” he asked, just a little concerned. He couldn’t think of anything that had happened that would cause such a reaction and he was worried he had done something wrong.

Garrett smiled. “You will still be in the Weyr when the dragons rise, and believe me that dragon passion affects everybody. It might not be the same but you get an idea.” He watched as the younger man talked to his dragon before continuing. “The Weyr was a haven when I couldn’t believe that I would be accepted. I’ve had my fair share of beatings,” he refrained from mentioning the one that had seriously injured him back in Keroon, “so if you ever want to talk, my weyr is always open.”

Iroth gave a mental shrug. I don’t know what is so difficult to understand about us, she said.

[missing]

Midnael nodded slowly, "What else is in them about White dragons? There aren't any others here, so... I don't even know what to expect really," Pala was currently researching on her own, but at the moment most of her research had involved speculations that she hadn't found any real documentation for. Still, he appreciated the sentiment.

"Oh, no it's nothing," he certainly wasn't going to tell him what he'd been thinking, "I was simply lost in thought about something."

Midnael frowned at that, he had actually heard people talking about the upcoming mating flight in that regard. Many weyrfolk and riders already had plans but at this point Midnael's only plan was to wander into the farthest part of the tunnels and ride it out. He was still holderbred, and he would rather be in control more or less his first time. It was a good thing that Fin had found wild firelizards to mate with up until this point, although he knew it wouldn't be too long before he'd have to confront the dilemma of being stuck in a Weyr during her next flight.

"I learned to be quick and to watch at an early age so I escaped most severe punishments. Then once Fin hatched..." he smiled affectionately at the green who was still brooding over being sent away, "Well not many people mess with an angry firelizard of any color. Thank you for the offer though."

[lyonza]

“The Records aren’t all that clear on what else to expect. We know about the firelizard closeness and that they don’t rise or chase. I’ll have to find out from the other Weyrs if they have someone that will be willing to come and teach you what you need to know. Don’t worry, we’ll get you the training you need.” Garrett smiled reassuringly.

He raised an eyebrow at the statement, clearly not believing it, but he doesn’t say anything to contradict the younger rider. Garrett took note of Midneal’s reaction to the information of the mating flights and made himself a mental note to speak to Nyx about getting the weyrlings out of the Weyr for the first few mating flights if possible, at least until the new riders were accustomed to Weyr life.

Garrett smiled. “I can still run faster than just about anybody in the weyr,” he said. “Luckily you had Fin to help you,” he added, smiling at the green firelizard. “But the offer stands, any time you want to talk about anything.”

[missing]

"Thanks, I really don't want to be a bother on anyone but... what I don't know could affect..." he glanced at Norpoth who seemed to be half asleep in his warm sand bed, "I just don't want anything to happen to him." It wasn't in Midnael's nature to ask for help, and he was clearly uncomfortable doing so.

Midnael nodded, "Sometimes she helps a bit too much, but she's been a good friend," he smiled slightly, the expression deliberate instead of natural, "Thank you for the offer," he probably wouldn't be taking Garrett up on that offer. He might enjoy talking to him, but he really didn't feel like bringing up the past.

"I learned a few skills in fighting, nothing disciplined, but enough," truth be told he was quite adept at predicting an opponent's movements. Everyone he saw he studied and those observations made it easier for him to see what they would do. His speed certainly helped too.

[lyonza]

“Midneal, stop right there. You are not a bother to anybody. It’s our duty to make sure you know everything about your dragon that we can possibly find out. You are as much our responsibility in making you the best rider possible, as you are for taking care of Norpoth. And don’t go all “I don’t owe anybody” on me. It is no trouble for the Weyr to ask other white riders to come and help out a bit.” He fixed Midneal with a mock glare. “I mean it, if you need anything, just ask.”

Garrett grinned. “Sometimes a bit more than a nanny than a friend?” he asked, sort of knowing the answer. “I have little Smoky, my gemtail. He likes to sleep on my bed or with Iroth when I’m not there, prattles Iroth’s name when he thinks I’m in need of some cheering up, but that’s about the extent of it. He’s cute and mothers Iroth much to her amusement. He thinks she’s a hatchling and keeps bringing her food.” He smiled. “She indulges him because he doesn’t know better.”

Garrett chuckled. “Oh, I fight dirty, nothing disciplined. Bite, scratch, kick and pull on whatever is handy, gouge – you name it.”

[missing]

"If you say so... I'm still not entirely used to everything here I guess." It made sense, the Weyrs were supposed to help out the others when they were in need. But then... White dragons were rare, it might be hard for a Weyr to give up one, if they even had more than one.

Midnael nodded, "She seems to think I should be more sociable lately. Not sure why she suddenly thinks so, she was quite happy to let me hide out in my room or on a beach back home. Maybe it's just the better company." He shrugged, there hadn't been many... any holders back home he could open up to. The Harper was nice, but he was a crafter and more accepting of certain things. And he had come to the hold after Midnael's mother was already gone so he didn't have that attachment to resent the boy for. Although Midnael didn't think he would have anyway, "I think at first Fin's protectiveness of Norpoth started as an extension of the same feelings for me. But now she really seems to like him, which is good."

"I usually focus more on quick hits and escaping, no point in making matters worse than they already-" he stopped and frowned, right, not at home anymore.