Xanadu Weyr - Shore of Lake Caspian
The cliffs that run along the shore come and go, various weyrs nestled along the tops of them or dug into the walls, but eventually they recede enough to expose a beach. The white sand echoes the rise and fall of the cliffs with a multitude of sandy dunes, endlessly creating tiny valleys that are constantly demolished and rebuilt by the frequent arrival or departure of dragons. The dunes smooth out as the gentle slope approaches the edge of the deep blue water. The sand darkens, and a shell here and there stands out for children to collect.
The beach narrows to the southwest, leaving a path barely wide enough for dragons in single file before cutting in to a smaller, more sheltered cove. The sands are the same white, the waters the same blue, but they're calmer and more tranquil, more protected from the winds that ruffle Lake Caspian and the currents that tug beneath the surface.
Rough, wide stairs lead up to the meadow above and the road that runs along the top of the cliffs, passing through the fields and heading for the river mouth that can be just barely seen from here. The largest of the staircases up the cliff is located near the docks that jut out onto the peaceful blue waters.
Another day same routine for E'tan. Summer is well established tho which make a little easier for him to cope with all the weyrling duties. At this time of the day, the pair usually goes to the lake for a short break and, if they're lucky enough, a little nap. Of course, Tani brought everything necessary to bathe Saburath. You know. Just in case. With one hand against the young bronze's neck, the young man slowly moves along. He raises his other hand to shield the sun to see which one of his fellow weyrlings make the same move. But then a broad shadow makes his hand useless and he instinctively lifts his head up.
In the skies above a bronze dragon emerges from the cold darkness of between. This trip there are no chaparones, no escorts, no one at all to make sure that they behave themselves. The bronze pair are finally free! The dark bronze turns his gaze to the ground and begins to circle lower, and lower until with a soft crunch they land on the sand. S'dny hops down off the bronzes neck and stoes his flight gear and motions for the dragon to lower his head so that he can check the straps on the dark goggles that the dragon wears over his eyes. All seems secure and the dragon raises his head up and surveys the beach. The pair walk slowly along the beach conversing with each other, "You are going to behave yourself right?" the man asks the bronze. For a good momet the dragon does not respond but eventually says, « I always behave myself. » The dark trees of his dark forest swaying gently in the breeze of his mind. "Thats the thing…you don't always behave yourself. We aren't at home now. You can't go around acting like you own the place. And if you see Kairo I want you to be nice to her ok? Please try." If dragons could roll their eyes he would, instead they flash a slightly darker shade of red than usual « If I meet the Storm she will see how amazing I am. You need not worry about me. You worry about the Innes thing and leave me to my own business. » The man just sighs and shakes his head, "Fine…" he intends to continue the conversation but spots the weryling adn the young dragon. He offers the pair a wave, "Hello." The bronze doesn't bother looking at them at all but just keeps moving up the beach.
Saburath follows E'tan's gaze and, emitting curious crooning sounds, sets the twin gems of his whirling eyes on the huge bronze coming to a landing on the sand. On the beach. His beach. Oddly and maybe for the first time, the hatchling dragon straightens and extends his wings some, displaying their sparkling shades of shooting stars. He is clearly showing off! "Come on, Saburath. It's not a way to welcome visitors." E'tan lovingly scolds the young bronze with a soft chuckle and a shake of his head. Hearing the voice, he also straightens but for different reasons. A brisk salute. A quick sharp look. And the young weyrling speaks again. "Xanadu duties to Monaco and their queens."
"And Monaco's duties to Xanadu and her queens." S'dny returns quickly enough with a smile. If Marzoth was impressed by the display of showing off, or even if he noticed it he doesn't let on but just looks as if he might just keep walking. Syd shoots the bronze a look and motions for him to come back, "Marzoth would you like to meet the sort of youngsters you will be teaching?" The bronze pauses and eventually turns to come and stands next to S'dny. He stands as tall and regally as he can, "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm S'dny and this is Marzoth." he motions to the bronze at his side. Marzoth examines the youngster with a critical eye. « You can't be serious? This is a firelizard not a dragon. » he says to Syd before turning his attention back to the young bronze, « You. » he says with a flick of his head, « Are you even capable of speech? » he asks incredulously.
E'tan's hand softly strokes Saburath's eye ridge causing the young bronze to fold his wings. "What's wrong with you…" he mutters more for himself and his suddenly stubborn lifemate. "I'm E'tan and this is Saburath." the starcrafter replies, a slight concern adding ripple on his forehead. He forces himself to keep his manner and will argue with Saburath later. "A pleasure to meet you too and…" turning to Marzoth he politely nods. "And you too." « You have no idea what I am capable of! » comes the hatchling's replies, strong gust of cosmic wave edging his mindtone, the threatening red star glittering with malevolence in the distance. Tani notices the tension along the muscles of his bronze's neck and it's when he starts to dig his claws in the sand that he frowns. "Ease down Sabu…" « My name is Saburath! » suddenly rushes in the weyrling's mind as well as the adult bronze next to them. "I-I'm sorry…I don't…He…never acted like that before…'
S'dny can only sigh as Marzoth makes the first impression that he typically makes on every other dragon that he meets, "You don't have any reason to apologize. They have minds of their own. Bronze dragon's in particular it seems…" Syd turns his attention to Marzoth, "He is just little you are going to be nice." he says pointing a finger at him, "And he is not your responsibility. I'm sure he has a very capable weyrlingmaster." The bronze holds back for a moment as he studies the young bronze in front of him, « Huh. » Marzoth says with a flick of his tail. He then completely disregards the young dragonet in front of him and turns to S'dny, « He is tiny, opinionated, and full of himself. He may do well. Though if he was in my charge I would put him in his place. » The darkness of his mind spreads outward in gentle, unperturbed waves. He turns his face back toward the young bronze, « And I am Marzoth. » Now to business « Do you know where the golds of this weyr are? » S'dny had been braced for a much angrier response from the bronze but when it doesn't come he smiles to E'tan, "I could tell you that they become less opinionated in time, but that hasn't been my experience."
E'tan calls for all his training and mental strength to ease his lifemate's overreaction. The pair are obviously at the beginning of their lives together but the bond is growing quite fast and deeper with each days. Saburath apparently calms himself tho a brisk snort sound betrays his determination. This one never gives up. « I do. » His answer is as brisk but Tani's effort seem to have paid off as he follows, the red glittering giving place to his usual dark and deep tone. Unfathomable depth. « Who are you looking for? » "Oh he's not like that usually. He's way too much protective…" Tani manages to say, returning the smile. "Looking for someone, Weyrlingmaster?" He finally asks, trying a wild guess. At least wild for him as he doesn't seem to be that good at recognizing ranks. It's blind luck for him to have recognized the right Weyr at first sight.
It is going to take S'dny a good long while to get used to being called that, "I wouldn't worry about it. They can be very protective when the situation calls for it, and even when it doesn't. Especially when they are young. They eventually learn that they don't always have to be so forceful." The ex-harper glances up the beach toward the main clearing before looking back to the weyrling, "I am. You wouldn't happen to know where Weyrwoman Innes is or perhaps Weyrleader Ka'el?" he asks. Marzoth remains relatively indifferant to the young dragon, « I am looking for Luraoth or the Storm. » Which is his pet name for Kairoikyriath, « Either would suffice, though mine would rather I see the Storm. »
E'tan carefully listens, almost lapping everything S'dny says with a undeterred look in his eyes. He's so eager to do well. To act well. Always seeking for perfection he will learn to know doesn't even exist. "I will remember that, Sir." His voice carries all of his gratefulness and he quickly ponders the Weyrlingmaster's question. But then he has to admit, shoulders dropping a bit. "Sorry again but it seems like I won't be of any use. I didn't see Innes lately. As for Ka'el, maybe if you go down the administration area? Want me to go find them?" « The Storm? » Saburath is incredulous and also very young. He may be a bold one he knows not to disturb gold dragons is wiser for him. « Last time I saw Luraoth, she was heading to her ledge. » The previous tension is completely gone, the shadow of the red star vanished from his mind's deep space sky.
"I think I can find my way around. I've spent a bit of time around Xanadu. I'm sure I'll bump into them eventually." S'dny says with an easy smile, "Alright Marzoth. Let's go see if we can find someone.." he waves to the weyrling, "Good luck with your training. Keep up the good work." Marzoth begins to move off silently with his rider, « Yes. Kairoikyriath is the Storm. As you will no doubt see. I will find them I'm sure. »
"Have a good day, Sir." Keeping up the good work. Tani can't help but beams a bit at S'dny's comment. Waving at the experienced pair with a broad, almost goofy smile on his face. Next to him, Saburath gives a finally playful warble at the huge bronze. For just a moment the two younglings look at the slowly disappearing adults, eyes full of hopes. "Come on. Let's go back. We'll have to be qui…" the young man's voice turns into a ticklish chuckle as the young bronze bumps his muzzle right under his rider's arm. « How come I did not meet the Storm yet? »