Valanth awakens with a sudden snort, rolling to the side and nearly tumbling from his ledge. Well, that's one way to wake a dragon. He peeks around the edge of his couch with a sleepy blink, then hoists himself up and wanders over nearer to the oil, giving it a longing look, twitching his shoulder. A chirpy greeting goes to Nver and Baji as he pokes his muzzle closer to the oil vats, rather astounded with the goopy stuff that can feel oh-so-good.

B'ane leans his back against his Bond, the bronze not uttering too many complaints in the process. Previously oiled and fed, the bulge of his craw is the chief indicator.  D'baji and Nverath are watched with a two distant pairs of eyes during their endeavor. B'ane isn't even on scritch duty, for his bronze mainly tends to himself -unless there's the random inaccessible itch.-

Kia had been dozing on her cot honestly but the movement of Valanth and a pause as she giggles "Of course Valanth we'll get you all nice and oiled up now how's that?" hopping down from her cot she skips over to give him a scritching onto one of his eyeridges "That better?" the oiling paddle is dug out from under someone elses cot who had the unfortune of it landing there 

Nverath turns a half-closed eye towards the approaching blue, giving a quick low rumble to him in greeting. D'baji looks away from his circular massaging motion, keeping a finger on the spot where oil has started to absorb so as not to lose his place, and thus his plan of action for the dragon lube rubbing. The bronze Companion to D'baji offers a bit of a warble to Aboleoth as well, and thus pointing out the fact that B'ane is there to his rider, who offers an oily handed wave, which is soon enough turned on Kia. "Good morning?" is offered for the bluerider and then he valiantly goes back to his task of rubbing.

Hytiaf added to your monitor list.
Valanth opens his mouth in a toothy draconic grin as Kia tends to his itch, sending her a look of extreme gratitude. With all the thanks and greetings taken care of, he continues to inspect the oil, tip of his azure maw coming dangerously close to the substance. In fact, he ends up dipping his nose into the hot oil, recoiling quickly and snorting with a shake of his head. How on Pern did that happen? head is swung around to Kia, nosing her slightly, causing her shoulder to also be covered in oil. Oopsie.

Kia winks at Baji "Good morning to you too I guess. I wasn't really sleeping just waiting for Valanth to get up and want something else." oiling is comenced as the 'ling starts of course at the top using the paddle to dip it from the vat before smearing it onto fingers that massage it into those itching headknobs. The startled blue gets an eep as she's smeared "Aww Valanth how'd that happen? Lets just get it nice and rubbed in first k? Didn't burn yourself too much did you?"

B'ane peers over Aboleoth's hulk in regards to D'baji's staunch wave and retorts with a languid nod. "D'baji," and later, "Kia. How're you today?" A muted thunderclap reverberates from Aboleoth's throat in repartee of the greeting from his clutch siblings. Absently rubbing the top of his bald head, he patiently watches anyone for their reply. 

>> Ista Weyr: The watchrider announces the arrival of Naomi.
D'baji finishes with the underside of the wing, pausing, oily hands hovering, as Nverath carefully repositions himself so that the other wingsail might be massaged as well. "Growing," D'baji replies to B'ane, doing a quick double-take for the comment, and gesturing towards Nverath with a nod as he goes for the paddle, and, consequently, more oil to soothe the luminscent, but /horribly/ itchy, hide. "And yourself?" Kia gets a shrug. "Waiting? Terrible for you. Nverath has taken quite a liking to going out into the bowl when he's not itchy, nor /too/ hungry, if he can manage it. He'd rather nap there than on his couch, it would seem." Which is taking it's own toll on the rider, who is more deprived of the sleep than before, as he considers it his duty to stay awake at the bronze's side. Thus the hint of darkness beneath the man's eyes. Joys of Weyrlinghood, and the like.

B'ane shrugs midly, "Can't complain I guess.." He's got his health, his dragon and his dragon's health after all. Leaning forward and fluidly rising to his feet, the weyrling treks over to one of the shelves and acquires an orange fruit from a small wooden bowl designed to nourish the human portion of the barracks. Crisply peeling off the skin, he breaks the fruit into segments and delivers one to his awaiting mouth. He never knew tending to a draggie would make him so hungry.   
[IstaLing] J'den snickers and icks...I'm being kicked off. *sniff*
D'baji hugs J'den! J'den is hugged!

Kia wrinkles her nose "Yup just waiting usually Valanth likes the outside but sometimes he just passes out on his couch. The basin is a really nice place for us /both/ to nap. I'm just glad he's not going to be nearly as huge as you two's lifemates" a nod towards B'ane and Aboleoth, sure there's the arched brow about his lack of hair but that's alright "How're you two lately? Shaved your head? Looks nice. Not that I haven't seen you but you know" she giggles spreading the oil about the rest of Valanth's muzzle and carefully so around the little blue's eyes.

Valanth snorts slightly at Kia, only really to get any oil from his nostrils. Nothing too personal. He settles onto the floor, stretching out a wing slightly for easy oiling access. Eyes half close after the two larger dragons get a glance. It's nice to be small. Easier for his darling Kia to reach those itchy spots, hm?

B'ane graciously swallows the remaining piece of orange fruit before replying to Kia. "Thank you. It beats having to wash it and totally eliminates bad hair days." The latter is stated rather seriously, as though he's had his fair share of 'bed-head.' "Aboleoth seems pretty cooped up in here, but N'ano says that we'll be able to go out in a few days." Thank Faranth.    

D'baji shrugs to Kia, reaching quite a ways to finish with the itching portion of the wing, and going back for still /more/ oil. "You're glad?" An eyebrow is raised somewhat protectively for his big bronze, who cranes his neck with the impression of laziness (really he's just calm, of course) to peek over the tip of one of his wings at Valanth's rider. "I suppose it's easier to wash him and such things," is admitted, and he shrugs, trailing an admiring finger over wispy silvers in the lighter hide of the wingsails. "Oh, I see," is added to Nverath, and he turns to the others. "You've not gone out yet? Nverath was just suggesting we head to the basin..." And Nverath is getting adamant, even enough to get to his feet and end the oiling early. "If you wanna come along, N'ano and them say we can go, if we stay close..."

Down down down you go, heading along the well-worn path to the base of the Weyr's great falls.
Waterfall's Basin
The weyr's fresh-water pool flows clean and clear, almost undisturbed by the river that rests here after crashing down from the heights above.  This small bay is neatly surrounded by a series of smooth stone steps and hidden beaches, a haven from the wider lake beyond before the water drops further to the sea below.
One gnarled, ancient tree has survived the ravages of time and Thread, reaching up towards the cliff above and the water below.  A set of cruide boards makes the climb an easy one.  The beach stretches, wide and warm, the waterfall quite a swim distant.

Valanth arrives from the Weyr-paths, accompained by the crash and tumble of the waterfall.

Aboleoth arrives from the Weyr-paths, accompained by the crash and tumble of the waterfall.

Yulianna stands knee-deep in the water of the pool, arms folded across her chest, "C'mon, ya' /gotta/ get in at some point...I know ya' don't like it, but ya' gotta get /clean/!" she insists, eyes on her lifemate as Miyakath plaintively warbles and dips one talon in the water, jerking it out immediately and giving it a flick to rid it of the water.  Bejewelled eyes peer pleadingly at Yulianna and the girl laughs softly and shakes her head, "No, I can't wash ya' out of the water--it's sorta defeatin' the purpose."

Nverath comes barrelling towards the water, twitching out his wings and flapping to kill his speed as he approaches his intended water's edge, consequently rather near Miyakath and Yuli. D'baji sprints after the over-excited lifemate, a grin set on his face as the bronze turns around to stick his tail in first, to test the temperature. Ah, nice, is decided, eyes whirling a pleased green as he drops his lower legs to come to something of a sitting position, buttocks neatly soaking by now. "You go too fast," is drawled to the bronze as D'baji catches up, offering an inclination of his head to Miyakath, and wave to Yulianna. "Bathing, are we?"

Valanth trundles along behind Kia, pausing for a moment to inspect a very large and interesting bush. With the urges of his lifemate, he continues on giving the water a reproachful look then wandering into the shallows. He gives his rider his permission to go sun or something or swim or do those silly people things that silly people do. Small blue contentedly sits in the water, flicking his tail about, splashing drops of water every which way. Joyous tenor rumble goes to Miyakath and Yuli as a greeting.

Glancing about with a rabid curiosity, Aboleoth fans his pinions out in response to the sun's radiation, his eyes fervently trying to address everything in sight. B'ane watches with a serene patience and smiles at his Bond's first look at the world around him. The bronze inclines his neck to sniff inquisitively at the particles of sand below his feet and when he sees the great body of water before him, he lopes casually towards the gently lapping waves and the three dragons already present.

Djarreth ambles in slowly, great head swinging around as he looks at each and every weyrling present. He does not announce his presence: rather, he sits upon the ground and watches, almost like a protective mother hen. Massive eyes whirl softly as he observes their youthful antics. He doesn't need to run around- these kids have more than enough energy for the entire Weyr!

Miyakath squeezes her eyes shut and wrinkles her muzzle in protest against the water droplets sent her way by the blue, and proceeds to back up a little further from the water.  "Miya!" Yuli wades out of the water, exasperated as she adds, "Aye, aye, I know...Miya/kath/.  Sorry."  She rolls her eyes, but the fondness is more than apparent on her face as she regards her lifemate.  "We're /tryin'/ to bathe--er, I'm tryin' to get her to bathe.  Doesn't like water fer some odd reason."  Ignore the fact that Yuli only likes it when it's hot and has lots of good-smelling sweetsand.  "I take it that yer here for the same." she adds with a grin quirked toward Baji.

Nverath backs in a bit farther, up to his belly, fanning wings out wide and offering a deep, mellow, and just teetering on brassy warble for the Golden. His wings are then ruffled, and he gives a pleased sounding little croon. See, the water is beautiful. D'baji tilts his head towards Yulianna, offering an eye for her Miyakath. "She /doesn't/ like the water? Interesting, is that. Nverath, after his first encounter with the basin here, absolutely adores the feel of it. As I'm sure he's told someone," is added for the bronze's antics. "Ya, we are. His idea, we were oiling, and then, 'poof', he wants to bathe. Again, I might add."

Aboleoth sauters up to the first wave, his pace cautious and deliberate as if the wet substance will attack at any given moment. He's seen water before, just not oceans of it. Like a felid, he extends a front foot and dips it into the saline fluid. Doing the same thing with the other three, the bronze travels up to his 'elbows' and keeps his wings tightly locked to his spine.

Nverath thinks to you, << I bespoke Miyakath with: Nverath sends the softest of thoughts, golden and brown speckles of colour dancing through a generally happy tone. <<The water is of such an agreeable temperature>> is said in a light tenor that can only be found for his mindvoice, seriousness lacing his pleasure, accompanied by a tiny twine of rusty orange. <<It is well worth enjoying.>> >>

Miyakath doesn't look convinced as she eyes Nverath suspiciously.  Who's to say that the bronze doesn't want to lure her out there just to dunk her under the water.  Yuli, however, is distracted, and turns to discuss the ways of dragons with the bronze's rider, "I know that story, I kinda wish she wouldn't wake me up 'fore the crack of dawn to oil 'er, but at least there's not a fight for the oil then.  Wish I could just get /her/ to like water...but it doesn't look like it's gonna happen any time soon."

Nverath senses Miyakath's mind reminds stubbornly stuck on a single point, strawberries lightly flavoring the rich colors of an oriental carpet, << But it's /wet/. >> she insists simply.  << And it will get in my nose and when I get out again the sand will stick to my feet. >>
"Nverath also likes to be up early... But he likes to be /out/ when he's up," is added by D'baji as the bronze wiggles a bit deeper, crouching down so the water can lap up against his golden-hued chest, slowly whirling eyes still locked on Miyakath. "Hmmm... Stubborn for that is she?" is asked, expression going curious again over the thought of a dragon not enjoying bathing. Bronzerider sidles a bit closer, tilting his head towards his lifemate. "Maybe he could influence her a bit? If he's not tried already... He won't always share his intentions."

Valanth suddenly decides to hop off of his lazy little rump and splash a bit further into the water. The riders get a bored glance, the dragons a more interested one. Goodness, don't those other two want to come /swim/? Do something fun. Aquamarine wings snap open to float on the water, fluttering them slightly to create ripples in the water. Hm...Interesting. How did that happen, now?

Nverath thinks to you, << I bespoke Miyakath with: Nverath oozes forward some light golden, to eventually overwhelm the specks and lines of darker colour, simply letting that little stream carry his thoughts as it twists and turns, not unlike the water, really. And that might be on purpose. <<Yes it is. An incredible wet to experience up against one's hide. Cleansing, cooling, refreshing, the type of wet that cannot be reproduced, and must be experienced.>> A smoldering hint of glowing red adds itself attractively to the swirling goldens. <<Exhale through your nose when you enter, it won't come in, and you don't need to go so deep. And sand can be removed, and is reason for the soft touch of your lifemate.>> >>

Yulianna grins a little at something from Miyakath and shakes her head, "Oh, she tells me everythin'." the girl assures the bronzerider, arms still folded firmly across her chest.  "Some times I wish she wouldn't...dreams an' all." she adds under her breath.  She glances at the gold, then back to D'baji, "An' she's pretty stubborn when she feels like it."  Which is usually.  The redhead unfolds her arms, tugging downward at her skirt a little and tugging at the hem of her tunic.  "Of course, I've figured out her weakness." she adds with a wink.

Nverath isn't going to give up just yet, rolling his neck back and forth so as to make his head sway just so, and making quite the show of how beautiful the water is. See, Valanth there? The blue is eyed briefly. He's enjoying the water, it would seem. A gesture is made to the smaller clutchmate for Miyakath. Like that, now. "Nverath, I suppose, is very much himself. The bond is somewhat different from what I would have expected from the talk of some riders," is admitted to the girl, fellow redhead that she is, he feels quite comfortable in confiding. "Oh, she has a weakness now, does she? Is this a weakness you ill share for the wiles of my bronze later-" which draws a snort from Nverath, "or keep to yourself?"

Nverath senses Miyakath's maroon and violet hues draw away from Nverath's a little, stubbornly resistant, and her mindvoice all but arches it's back, the gold's tone somewhat uppity as she thinks, << Cleansing and cooling are not the best feeling on Pern. >>  She would know...seing how she's sooo much older than he is, << Besides, when I get out I will be cold...and Yulianna is not big enough to hold me and warm me up anymore.  Lifemates should not shrink so much. >> is added with a mental sniff

Yulianna raises an eyebrow in amusement at D'baji's question and shakes her head.  "It wouldn't do 'im any good to know."  She turns back toward Miyakath, fixing her golden eyes on the gold's aquamarine ones, and wrinkles her nose.  After a moment of silent consultation, the gold hesitantly moves toward, putting one foot in the water, and then the other, pulling the first foot sharply out, and then the other one, giving the appearance of a prancing runner.  Eventually the gold stands silently in the water, shivvering a little until Yuli places a hand gently on her muzzle and begins scratching under her chin.  "Already plannin' on some pairin's are ya'?" she asks with no small amount of amusement, but carefully keeps her eyes on her lifemate.
 

D'baji shrugs, watching with a sort of fond amusement as his bronze, still eyeing Miyakath, and occasionally Valanth, uses white-patterned wings to send water over his back, giving a bit of shiver throughout his gangly body for the newly retrieved feel of water on his back. He takes a step away from the goldrider towards his own lumiscent lifemate, shrugging over his shoulder to her. "Not really. I mean... Nverath's still young, and he is honestly confused as to why he would want to know things to attract greens and golds." He arrives at the dragon, pants quite well soaked by now, and shirt going to be the same, so he doesn't bother with removing that. "No, Comp?" is added quietly to the bronze, who brings his head to hover right along the water so that it might be attended to first. "But depending on how he turns out, he might want to know," is called to Yulianna with a grin before he goes about rubbing at a headknob.

Yulianna can't help snickering at that.  "An' I thought ya'd already made up yer mind that ya' were gonna have a gold weyrmate or somethin'."  She continues her scritching of Miyakath's chin, and at least the gold doesn't protest any further to being in the water.  After a moment, Yuli turns back to peer at D'baji and ask, "Have ya' heard anythin' about flyin', yet?"

Nverath thinks to you, << I bespoke Miyakath with: Nverath turns his golden stream somewhat turbid by adding some browns in, confused with her response, if not taken aback. <<Perhaps, but it is still a worthwhile experience to have,>> his tenor plods on patiently over the autumnal current. <<And you ought to warm quickly. Rukbat shines for you.>> This is accented with a melodic jab of auburn. >>

Nverath senses Miyakath's rich colors ripple across the water with no small amount of amusement, her mind on a new subject as she thinks, << You don't know why you'd want to attract other dragons? >>  A ripple of laughter, like scarlet chinese silk, whisps toward your mind, << Even /I/ know that.  It's so that you can have eggs! >>

D'baji shakes his head, going dutifully about scrubbing at the next headknob. "I can hardly plan for weyrmating at this time, can I?" he offers perhaps a bit quietly, hand falling from the bronzen headknob to rub up and down over the starting of frothy 'ridges. "And I certainly wouldn't judge by colour. I wouldn't even have thought I'd be with a dragonrider, really. But I wait for Nverath. It's hard enough to explain things to him without getting over emotional about something that mightn't happen."

Yulianna bursts out laughing as soon as she turns back to peer at Miyakath, and shakes her head, "No, love!  /Yer/ the only one ta have the eggs!  The others can't!  Just golds!  That's how the Weyrs grow."  Her laughter continues for a long moment, particularily as Miyakath fixes her with an amazed stare and asks something.  "Nono...just golds.  Yer pop was only on the sands to help Dhiammarath."  She sniffles a little, subduing her laughter, and turns back to offer D'baji a curious look at his soft tone.  "I don't suppose ya' could plan fer somethin' like that.  It's like with everythin' else..." she adds cheerfully, turning back to scoop a little water and dribble it down Miyakath's leg.  "...the dragons decide."  She pauses a moment, then continues, "Ya' seemed surprised that I didn't care who so much as I cared when."  A little hesitation comes into her voice as she explains, "It's different with me anyhow...I won't choose...not even Miya, r--er--Miyakath, really.  The Weyr will decide."

Nverath thinks to you, << I bespoke Miyakath with: Nverath brings out complete innocence of thought with a splendid array of whitened yellows, burnished reds, and hints of sky blue. <<I have been told why. I've no need for such things however, and hardly any desire of eggs.>> The equivalent of a shrug with a sudden swirling of the colours into a centerpoint of green follows. <<And why bother with several, all I would think to be needed would be the few to discuss with. Attracting several... Pointless.>> And his thoughts take on a definate end as far as his opinions are concerned, a wuff of black silencing the green. <<And you /are/ interested in such endeavours?>> >>
 

Nverath senses Miyakath thinks << << I am interested in such endeavors because it is why I am. >>  Her logic is simple, direct, like the hint of pine-scent amidst a whirl of indian spices wafting through a soft pink light.  << It is what will happen.  Yulianna has said so.  And having eggs does not require discussion.  Yulianna said that, also. >>

D'baji blinks, turning away from a frothy neckridge he'd been gazing at so admiringly to raise an eyebrow towards Yulianna. "She expected more than Golds would have eggs?" is asked, a bit bemused, and not at all intened as disrespectful to the young queen. But of course, at least she's not laughing at him this time 'round. "I try not to, So far anything I had at all in the form of a plan has fallen through rather miraculously well. You find yourself hanging, and that's just not always a good thing," he explains, more for his benefit than hers. And Nverath, ever-present Nverath, supportive Nverath, confused Nverath, croons. He reaches a hand out to replace it on the neckridge, not rubbing, however, as her next comment comes. "Well... I was. I mean, if you end up... Y'know, with someone, before Miyakath's first... Ya, well, you can at least chose then. I mean, I'd care, in your position, I'd think. Go for someone I could talk to easily 'bout it, someone I was comfortable with, whatever. I mean, I know maybe my view is altered, I probalby don't have the circumstance to think as you do, but... Sometimes things like that can be big, is all. I'd want to be able to be open with whoever it was, in the end, I suppose," he concludes, and then scrubs rather furiously at a 'ridge with a shrug. "And your Miyakath can probably chose for her first. Unless it's for Leadership or something, I'd think... I'm not an expert, but romantic enough to believe it'd be right."

Nverath thinks to you, << I bespoke Miyakath with: Nverath recoils into a nice cloud of grey, hints of silver shooting out from within this for accenting on certain words thought out. << That, perhaps, is not arguable. One cannot deny the service one must provide. I hardly need worry over such things as eggs. So I have been reassured, and told that I won't worry of that for some time, unless I should wish to. Which I do not. >> Droll little dust devils of cognac convey something of a laughter. << And even if your job does not require discussion, I do for whatever it is worth.>> >>

Yulianna gives a little shake of her head, continuing to splash a little water higher and higher on Miyakath's legs.  "Makin' plans isn't a bad idea.  But ya' can't just make plans--ya' have to be prepared in case yer plans fall through, too."  Yuli quirks the man a grin, conveniently failing to mention that she didn't have any 'Plan B' set up in case she /did/ impress.  "Some times plannin' is as simple as..." she pauses, moving around to the other side of Miyakath, face neatly obscured, "...as decidin' you aren't gonna care about somethin' ya' don't have control over."  Smart.  Cynical.  Realistic. "Dragons are for fightin' thread.  There's no time fer romance fer riders." she states, tone slightly cold and words clipped.  When she speaks again, though, her tone has softened some, "I suppose that's why we're allowed to love our lifemates to much.  I'd be afraid of it, if it weren't fer that..." Miyakath bows her neck around to nuzzle lightly at Yuli's shoulder, the glow of her eyes as soft as the look in Yuli's, both hidden by the gold's body and wings.

Nverath senses Miyakath's tones brighten to a softer pastel pink and lavendar, amusement mingled with a peal of mental laughter, << Discussion is hardly a bad thing.  I enjoy it. >>  Her mindtones deepen again, to a deep pine shade, curiosity for the most part, but a touch of concern as well, << I do not understand.  Yulianna is concerned about something.  She says not to worry, so I won't.  Why do humans think so much about things that they do not like? >>

D'baji hmms softly, more than pleased to have the goldrider well out of view. Cause maybe that way she can't see him either, and that way he can blush and frown and grimace to his heart's content. Well, to Nverath's heart's endurance, more likely. "Yes, well... I suppose in effect, Nverath was my other plan. Not even a plan, Nverath was the turning point. With him I am here, without him, I would have been with Kristi back at SeaCliffs." And there's his big evil bothersome tick. He can't have both yet. "And there is time for romance, there needs to be. There has to be more than the Thread. Oh, I'm sure we will make time for romance," is added with a bit of a passionate tone, Nverath echoing the making time part with a heavy rumble. "And even the goldriders can and have made time for such things. Trust me, if you will, love for a dragon and for another person are different, in their own ways," he adds, and then proceeds to comfort a somewhat distressed dragon with a muttered apology and eyeridge scratchings.

Nverath thinks to you, << I bespoke Miyakath with: Nverath disperses his cloud with what could best be called a mental huff, a flicker of reddened ember left over to grow back to his basic yellow-golden thoughts, bark-brown and a deeper blue dancing overtop with sympathy for the situation of the riders. <<It is good you enjoy discussing. Perhaps we will discuss more as we progress. Yes,>> is started out, a tired mist settling over everything, smudging the emotional colours neatly. <</He/ does that as well. When talking to people he is close to, I notice. So many conflicts they will not share!>> A touch of fire lights the ending in the dragon's frustration. <<So much he cannot explain. He says not to worry, but that is my duty, as I am his and he is mine. They take simplicity to a complicated level.>> >>

"There are things more important than romance." Yulianna repeats firmly, her brow creasing deeply, her hand splashing a little more than Miyakath really cares for, so the gold takes a little step away.  "Sorry, love."  She lays both hands on Miyakath's shoulder, frown still on her face as she continues, "A good Weyrwoman wouldn't spend all her time thinkin' about some bronzer any more than a good trader would spend all her time moonin' over some lordlin'." A determined set comes to her jaw and she stares down at the water, her eyes not really focused on the surface, but staring through it.  "I...I want..." she gives a little shake of her head, "It's my duty to be the best goldrider I can.  That's what's impor'ant.  What I want doesn' matter, except that I want what's best for Miyakath."  She continues to stare at the water for a moment, an almost ferocious look on her face, then suddenly she blinks up at D'baji, her expression softening to something near appologetic.  "An' I hope that yer happy when ya' kin be with yer Kristi, again.  Don't think..." her tone lowers and she steps around Miyakath to peer at the bronzerider, "Don't think I'm this tough on ev'ryone."  She quirks a tiny smile, appology still mixed there, and fully in her eyes.  "Seein' people that I care about bein' happy is what matters to me.  That's why...why everythin'.  I mean, why I do everythin' the way I do...'cause I want to do what's best for everyone 'round me.  That's what's important."  Finally the worry and appology eases it's way off her face and she heaves a sigh, as if having finally gotten something heavy lifted from her shoulders, and she offers a soft smile to the man.

Nverath senses Miyakath sounds a little exasperated in her pink-speckled strawberry tones.  << Yes.  It is not very difficult to work all of that out. Yulianna is happy when she is serious.  So she should be serious, but she should also have fun.  She forgets to have fun sometimes...and forgets to scratch under my jaw. >> is addedin a plaintive tone comprised of dripping honey tones.  << There is not as much conflict as they think, though.  It is simple.  There is thread.  We fight thread.  We lay--no, /I/ lay eggs.  More dragons come from the eggs, like we did.  They choose lifemates and fight thread, too.  In between fighting thread, there is time for fun.  It is simple. >>  Thus speaks Miyakath, triumphant in her simple logic.

Bronze and rider snort simultaneously to that, though for quite the different reason. You can't pursuade the rider, and the dragon will happily go along with Yulianna, at least at this stage. "Aye, well, whatever you say. I suppose it's not left to me to question how you feel," D'baji shrugs, and then peeks up over Nverath's neck. "But go on, please, about what you want. Even if you can't carry it out... I /would/ like to know, if it's all the same to you." And because he also likes people to be happy, just that he's not about to sacrifice his own contentedness for their sake. Selfish man that they've determined he is. "And there's no proof I'll be with her, you know. I could just as easily... I dunno, end up with you, or someone who doesn't mind the thought of weyrmating. Things have an unsettling way of changing." And he finally groans and takes out his frustrations in the cleansing of his dragon's chest, much to Nverath's enjoyment. "And lots of people around you want you to do what's best for you," he adds with a bit of a snuffle, raising a brow. Take that. It's a loop.

Nverath thinks to you, << I bespoke Miyakath with: Nverath quiets his more recent fiery tones with an easy-flowing greenish-orange, that succeeds in not being a hideous clash of colours, but an intriguing patterning, as only Nverath can do. << We have had no problem with remembrance of 'fun', as you say it,>> is mused through twirling brown. << I will not say a thing for Thread until I have experienced it. And you lay the eggs, but we father them as well, do not forget. It is a system, and it works when the bipeds are dragged along with it.>> >>

Yulianna ponders D'baji's response for a moment, continuing to lightly splash the water up against Miyakath's legs, then softly replies, "But what if what's right for me is what's best for the Weyr?  What if I'm not so important in the grand scheme of--" she waves a hand around, "--of Pern?  I think that if anyone had been so concerned 'bout my opinion in the first place, they wouldn't have had me stand."  The second part is said, of course, in good humor.  "I was gonna be a trader, remember?  The best one on Pern?"  She flicks a hand toward D'baji, sending a little spray of water his way.  Then a new thought takes hold and she can't help a little giggle, "An' what, pray tell, if ya' /did/ end up with me?"  Oh, now there's an amusing thought!  And it just might act as enough of a diversion that Baji won't ask her about what she wants, again.  "Be like handfastin' yer little sister, no doubt.  But the dragons deciiiiide." she chimes in a little sing-song voice.  Oh...make him turn red!  It would be so amusing!  And she watches him with sharp eyes sparkling with amusement.

Yulianna grimaces, "I didn't quite mean it that way..." But she's not about to drag /that/ topic out.  "An' it wasn't the candidacy an' the standin' I meant...it was the /rest/ of my /life/."  IE: big gold thing that will get bigger in the future...  But at the reply to her 'little sister' comment, she blinks, and her eyes widen and stare--down at the water.  That was, after all, what she was looking at in the first place.  "Don't...you?"  Ahem.  Well, there's news.  "What d'ya' mean how interestin' would /that/ have been?"  She turns to eye him suspiciously.  She gets the distinct impression that she /really/ missed something, and there's not the chance of a live spore in snowfall that she's going to answer his questions before he answers that one.

D'baji hrmphs at her again, turning a skeptical eye away from the dragon leg he's scrubbing at. "Aye, well, you can't honestly say that the rest of your life... Y'know, nevermind." He isn't about to go doubting things about lives, his or others, so... "Not... Well, not as such, no. You're just Yulianna. And any attempts to explain that are well beyond me, and might result in so much confusion it'd be counter productive." An innocent shrug is given and his eye seek out those talons placed beneath the water. "I mean, like... Well... Oh come on, y'know, just... Ya." Bronzerider is avoiding the subject through rambling about it. Maybe she'll become annoyed with him? Cause he's already turning away from his old way of problem solving. "Well, y'see, it's.. Nothing, really, I mean, it was candidacy, and everything's all thrown out of perspective enough with these winged companions of ours. So don't worry for now. I'll explain later if it's the same, and if not, I just won't explain."

Yulianna is /completely/ intrigued now, and a little predatory look flickers across her face--immediately replaced by a look of almost angelic innocence and mere interest.  "If it's the same...as /what/?"  Yes.  She /is/ asking that...and she means it just as pointedly as possible.

D'baji faces her again, any expression of amusement draining from face, and jaw hanging open just a bit. "The same as... Okay, d'you know how complicated this is? Shards, it's like..." He frowns, hands trailing off Nverath's foreleg, and leaning up against the bronze somewhat. "Alright, let's say... Okay, it was interesting, right, cause there's this barmaid on one hand," that one hand is demonstrated, mind you, "And she's great but she's not there, so with all your confused and lonely little energies you go the this other person who's pretty amazing too, and fun to be around and stuff, here," and the other hand is hefted. "Now, then things settle like so," and the barmaid hand hovers slightly above the 'other' hand. "So there ya go. Now answer me, by all means," is muttered a nice little ears turn a brilliant shade of red and he makes a point of ducking behind Nverath's foreleg.

Yulianna gives a firm shake of her head, watching D'baji's hands intently, and sort of cringing at his attempt at an explaination.  She shifts from one foot to the other, looking puzzled and amused and bemused and befuddled and ultimately trying to keep from laughing out loud.  Finally, though, she gives a little snort and asks, "So yer sayin' I'm fatter than she is?"

"No." This is said with something of a finality to it, and he pokes his head out from behind Nverath's foreleg to eye her dubiously. "You aren't fat. I dunno whose fatter, I don't compare. Depends on how tall y'are, I suppose. No, I mean... You're doing this on purpose aren't you?" D'baji offers her a glare, striding away from the golden-foamy-bronze and towards her, though not getting too close. "Alright, I... Am gonna just say it, so that you answer my question, cause that's how we got onto this in the first place." A few swears muttered under his breath, and Nverath turns a wedge-shaped head his way, and he raises the 'other' hand. "So, as far as friendship goes, and then with the other feelings that can at times go along with this when one is so confused as I tend to be." D'baji's fumbling. And Nverath is taking up on the agitation, tail starting to twitch. "So you like them, and then there's the barmaid. Right? Can we move on, 'fore I drive my dragon to some extreme measure?" this last a plea, and honestly for Nverath's sake. "We can talk about this later. What do you want?" To get back to the point.

Yulianna seems to take pity on D'baji--that's really the /only/ description for her expression...piteous.  "I...still don't understand." she admits--actually being honest this time.  "But what ever it is, you're embarrassed 'bout it," heh heh...she's so observant, "so nevermind."  She shifts from one foot to the other, a deeply pondering look on her face, then she slowly replies, "I forgot the question.  An' Nverath doesn't look nearly so concernt about all this as /you/ do." she quips with a broad grin...and then a /big/ splash at Baji--well, as big as her small hands can manage.  "Ya' gotta learn to lighten up."  Look who's talking.

D'baji drops his jaw and stares at her, not for the first time during this little 'outing' they've been on with their lifemates. "Do I need to spell it out for you?" is finally growled with a bit of frustration, and he shakes his head immediately afterwards. "Later, when they're older, I promise, I'll come see you one day, and tell you all my little candidacy quirks." There, now he's stuck himself in it. Nverath offers a croon, inching closer to the rider, and consequently the other pair as well. "Nverath is very good at not looking concerned," he admits. "He's particularly calm for the bundle of unchecked emotions they claim dragonets to be." He acks at the splash, glaring as he's gotten wet, even if it doesn't really show next to his soakedness from washing a certain Nverath, who now stretches his neck slowly to rest his chin D'baji's back. "The question, my dear, was what it was you want, Weyrwoman duties aside. You had said you'd wanted something when we were discussing the romantic aspects, and you looking for someone before Miyakath... Y'know." He's taken to not mentioning that in front of the dragons. Blame Yulianna. But look how quickly composure was regained?

"What I want..." Yulianna slowly drawls out, eyes lowering to stare through the water's surface, again.  After a long moment, she turns away, placing a hand lightly on Miyakath's muzzle, eyes carefully averted to hide...the tears in them.  "I wannao be...the best goldrider possible." her voice is suddenly rough with emotion, even though her face is turned away.  "I don't wanna let...to let Miyakath down...or anyone else.  An'..."  She shakes her head a little, and clears her throat, blinking rapidly and biting her lower lip. Finally she takes a deep, shaky breath and softly admits, "An' I don't know if I can do it."

Fear of Failure, then? Well, that's certainly not what D'baji was expecting, and it catches him a bit off guard. Enough that he finds himself properly speechless, and leaves it up to Nverath to give something of an anxious croon for her well-being. However, after a few moments which, by his standards, are way too long, bronzerider moves himself forward, with the nudging of his bronze, with the intentions of circling around towards her, though pausing about halfway. Cause for all he knows things have changed since candidacy, and she won't want him to go do his 'big brother' thing. "Come on, Yuli, would Miyakath have chosen you if you would have let her down? There were plenty of other great girls, or young women, however you want to say it, out on those Sands..." And let's hope this isn't in some way going against what he's trying for. "For what it's worth, as well... I think you'll be perfectly able." A rumble from his dragon catches him off guard, the bronze hardly ever speaking for any other than his rider on such levels of reassurance, though D'baji is quick to relay the message, taking on the lighter, and quieter tone of Nverath's mindvoice unconsciously as he offers, "And so does Nverath."

Yulianna sniffles once, and immediately replies, "But what if I mess up?  What if--"  There are just too many questions for her to ask them all, so she resorts to her one possible action left, and two tears trail down her cheeks. She gives a little shake of her head and--amazingly enough--a laugh...but the sound is short and almost a little panicked.  "I want *sniff* to *sniff* to do it right *sniff* but *sniff* I can't even seem to *sniff* to get past--" Oh Faranth, she's crying in earnest now, cheek leaned against Miyakath's muzzle, "--everythin' that I'd wanted. *sniff*  An' I don't /care/ about that all now, *sniff* but I'm so...so...lost an' confused an' I don't even know if I'm puttin' the right amount of /oil/ on her hide."  Another laugh follows this comment, more despairing than anything.

D'baji listens for a good long moment, quite afraid that should he interrupt her, all this 'come on, let it all out' type of thing will be in vain. So he stands rather awkwardly, as she's got a dragon to comfort her, no?, and gnaws at a buttom lip until she seems done well enough. Then, Nverath as his backup with his now-constant crooning, ponders what could be best said to help. "Y'know, we're all somewhat lost. There may have been some who'd been on the Sands before, but no one's ever Impressed before. It's new to everyone, y'know. Just that there's pressure on you, cause you've got the queen. It's stupid to put more pressure on the goldrider. I'm sure she'd know." He snorts at the politics before returning to his less-critical, and hopefully more supportive mood. "But don't worry. Her hide looks positively radiant, Nverath claims, and he thinks, in all his experience, that you're doing a fine job." The bronze's croon hits an affirming note briefly. "But come now, let's not upset her with this, alright? If you want, when she sleeps you can come to our couch and talk with me, and that's good, but we don't want to stress Miyakath too much. If she is affected by that. It's hard to tell, for me, of course." D'baji, rule: don't ramble when comforting.

Nverath is the one to huff this time. The girl is so obviously not alright... But he won't push it, cause he quite enjoys Miyakath's company, and D'baji seems to quite enjoy Miyakath's rider's company, and he won't aggravate it, and only cause his rider tells him so. Mrf. "Of course you'll be fine," D'baji chides, shooting his lifemate a 'look'. "Easy way to get rid of the worry, I find is believe you're doing it right. The dragon'll probably know if it's not done right and tell you, and that's what those Weyrling Master types are for. And," he glances around, as if to make sure no one might overhear his last snippet on this topic of worry, "feed off of other's faith in you. Works wonders." Vampiric, it may be, but really... "Don't apologise either. Shards, Yuli, really. It's no problem, you cryin' or whatever. People do that. It doesn't change anything, and it doesn't matter, and it's important." Listen to the voice of reason from the ancient one. "Alright... And if you need, you know where I sleep, right? Just wake me up. We won't mind." A euphamism for 'I don't really think you are alright and I'd best say something or my dragon will.'

Yulianna nods mutely in response to D'baji's long monologue and turns back toward Miyakath.  "I should...probably finish washin' her.  Don't wanna make her stand out here all night, ya' know."  She sets to work scrubbing Miyakath vigorously...acting as though she'd been doing that all along.  She was. Relaly.  She wasn't crying or anything just a moment ago.

D'baji nods to her slowly, and with a shrug, turns to find himself face to face with the bronze, who is still watching that girl. "Don't even /think/ about it," is hissed to the frothy-ridged one, a sweet smile passed over his shoulder to Yulianna. "No, we wouldn't want to do that. But Nverath is getting hungry again, so we'd best leave you. See you in the barracks, most likely," he excuses himself, silencing any retorts from the bronze one that he is indeed /not/ hungry with wave of his hand, not unlike a conductor cutting off a band, and prods him out of the water. "Oh, you'll dry on the way back," he assures as they depart. "And yes, I'll pick the sand out of your toes."