Lunch {OPEN}

[Reky]

Oh, S'tia-Own, I feel so bad... Just look at them! They're so cuddly.

Aw, shells, Khal... You do this every single time!

Oh, I knooow, the blue whined. I do feel bad, though. I really do. I just want to hug them and tell them it'll be okay.

They're just herdbeasts, Khal! You eat them all the time. Just eat it. I know you're a big softie, but you gotta eat. Don't make me mom you.

With a great heavy sigh, Khalaedeth stared out over the paddock. Inside were grazing herdbeasts, kept nice and fat by the lush grass, perfect for eating. Well, they would be perfect, were it not for Khalaedeth's overly sensitive view of them. They were creatures, too, like him and His. Would they know they were being eaten? Where did they go when they died? He always wondered. You'd think, after eating them his entire life, he'd be used to it, but no. He was just too nice. Too much of a reluctant killer. Sadly, he looked at one of the older-looking ones. He could at least take the ones closer to natural death. Oh, I am sorry, tiny creature, he apologized, and then grabbed one by the head and snapped its neck.

S'tia hang over the edge of the wooden fence keeping the livestock from escaping. Across the field and the road were the runners. Everything was being forced to breed like crazy by the herders, too. Most of the animals had been lost to Thread before and during Ending Fall. They were still flapping their arms about inbreeding, though, with their limited herds. Really, though, shouldn't they be more concerned about quantity over quality right now? Then again, S'tia wasn't a herder.

The blue ate his kill quickly. He just wanted this over with. He felt terrible! He was a killer! His stomach, however, had other ideas, and felt rather happy and full. Oh, how conflicted he felt. Licking his bloodied maw until the evidence of murder was gone, he lumbered towards S'tia at the fence. He snuffled at the man's hair, creating dragon-made wind. Laughing softly, S'tia scratched at the blue's muzzle.

Although, it did look a bit odd. With S'tia on one side of the fence and Khal on the other, it was almost as if the dragon was pretending to be a herdbeast. The effect was rather spoiled by how far away the rest of the herd was from him. Obviously they wanted to get far far away. The dragon had just eaten one of theirs, of course. It was understandable.

[/blockquote]

[Purnip]

A bright Green dragon swooped from the sky, silent and deadly upon the huddled mass of beasts. She was taking advantage of their disorientation after having been herded by fear in attempts to survive the Blue that just took one of their own. Raeterith was not an ambitious dragon. She chose a smaller herdbeast as her victim and fell upon him without a sound. Her teeth had sunken into his upper neck before she snapped it easily. The way she proceeded to eat her fill was with a near reckless abandon. It didn't seem like she cared whether or not she was coated in blood after this. She had gone without for far too long this time. If she weren't such a light eater, she might have taken a second beast. Her rider did instruct her to stick to one however.

"Rae used to hunt maybe...eh...twice a week."

Rhysia was approaching S'tia now, silent as a mouse with the same sort of stealth her Green exercised so wonderfully well. She had her hands behind her head, stretching a bit. She was grinning from ear to ear, feeling great now that Raeterith's hunger was satisfied. Whenever the Green became so famished it would plague her rider as well. Rhysia could eat a full plate at breakfast and find herself craving more despite being quite full herself. "Hello, by the way," she added brightly.

Raeterith was just finishing up, ignoring all the baying beasts as they formed a new group far away from her and somehow far from Khalaedeth as well. She enjoyed the blood the most, leaving any drier meat behind in disdain and prodding the corpse with his nose to turn it in search of more tender meats. Once she was satisfied enough to neglect the dead thing, she started to make her way towards the fence, regarding the Blue with a short bow of her head before returning her full unadulterated attention to her rider. I picked the largest little beast I could find. I should be fine for another sevenday. One was nearly enough the last time, and that one was smaller than this one.

The dragon's memory was superior, especially for a Green's. Rhysia believed her, but she knew that once the sixth day rolled around that ghostly hunger would be upon her again. It's only going to last until the beasts are bred up in number, she reminded herself. The idea didn't provide any comfort. It could take months or turns even. She supposed by then she might get used to it. Besides, if she kept some dry meats on her and fed them to Raetertih when she was about to crack, it really helped. Even the most meager ration.

The girl joined S'tia at the fence, leaning over it. "Rae, you gotta clean yourself up a little girl. I'll take you to the lake when you look a little less bloody."

[bre]

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Isaath stood a distance back from the feeding pens, eying the lowing herdbeasts with a calm intensity. While Khalaedeth and Raeterith had come to feast, the hulking bronze had come only to watch. His rider was busy and he had nothing better to do than dream. He sighed dramatically, eyes whirling with happy colors of amusement. You know, that's only going to make you even more hungry; M'laus commented, catching sight of his dragon across the Weyr's fields. The bronze turned his head to watch his rider amble towards him. So, his rider had been busy and was now done! Done just in time to mock him! Oh, it hurt him so very much to be treated that way! Isaath's tail gave a playful flick and M'laus chuckled quietly to himself, easily picking up on his dragon's carefree thoughts. He stretched his arms languidly upwards as he picked his way between the many paths to the pens.

M'laus gave Isaath's shoulder a passing pat, but he continued passed the bronze to join S'tia and Rhysia at the fence, gazing out at the pair's two dragons. Both of them were younger than him, but he felt no need not to join their company. At the Weyr, everyone knew everyone else. He certainly liked to make sure that that line was true in his case. "They look like they're doing well;" he commented, nodding to the blue and green as he offered the two riders a friendly grin. Isaath himself was more slender and skinny than he might have been in his healthy youth, but muscle did a lot to keep his appearance impressive and large. He wasn't a creature designed to hold much fat when he was training, so a few missed meals didn't hurt him. They only gave him a longing for the satisfying taste of herdbeast or even a stringy wherry in between his sparse snacks, a longing he made sure to hide when he didn't make a joke of it. No need to cause anyone worry on his account.

Picking himself up, Isaath strode forward, using his awkward, hopping gait to follow his rider. He stopped behind the humans at the fence, gazing across to where his brethren dragons were, having enjoyed their meal. It is good to see you, Raeterith, Khalaedeth! The cheer in his voice was stately and sedate but also utterly genuine. It was good to see them, regardless of the fact that he saw them most everyday. What else was he supposed to say? That it wasn't good to see them? That would have been a lie and he did not tell lies. M'laus, ever amused, grin all the wider as he listened in on his bronze. They were funny like that. They somehow managed to be so optimistic and it was probably because they were a twin pair. Their different cheers and amusements entertained each other, lifting them up and driving them forward through it all. Together, they reveled in that simple moment.

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[Reky]

S'tia wasn't surprised when he heard Rhysia's voice out of the blue without noticing her approaching first. Rhysia was good at being stealthy. He was used to it, and the rest of the Weyr probably was, too. The greenrider's knack for suddenly appearing and suddenly disappearing wasn't as startling as it used to be after a Turn of living with her. But while he wasn't surprised, he certainly was happy. A bright, shiny smile lit up his face.

"Khal never eats very often," he said, laughing a little, "even if he should. He's too caring for his own good. Killing food makes him feel guilty for the rest of the day! What a big softy, hey, Khal?" He patted Khalaedeth's nose again, and the big blue whined and gave his rider a full serving of puppy dog eyes. "Hello to you, too," S'tia added on. "By the way."

Khalaedeth looked over at Raeterith, worriedly surveying her bloody muzzle. S'tia could tell he wanted to go mother-mode on her and tell her to wash up, but instead the blue stayed quiet and curled his tail around his legs as he sat down. He still felt so terrible. He'd eaten something that had had a family! A mother, a father, maybe some siblings, maybe some children... and he'd just eaten it, just like that! Suppose his rider had been eaten (oh, what a terrible thought)! His rider's family would all be so sad. All of his friends would be, too. Did herdbeasts feel similar emotions? Maybe they didn't even notice. He couldn't be sure, though, and so he couldn't relax about it. It was a terrible feeling to kill something, even if it made his tummy happy.

"Yeah, they are," S'tia grinned to the newcomer, M'laus. "As well as they possibly can. Isaath looks good, too." He tipped his head to the approaching bronze. "So does Sereldeth! Which is good. She's huge, too. Shells! There's gotta be at least twenty-five eggs in there. At least. It's exciting!" Always the ray of sunshine, S'tia's excitement poured off him in waves. It was infectious, apparently, and Khalaedeth seemed to draw from it and buck up. Sulking would do him no good! Besides, Isaath was coming, and that made him happy. Everyone made him happy.

Hello, Isaath! Oh, and you too, Raeterith, dearie, the blue chirped to the green and bronze, making use of customary terms of endearment. He used it with everyone. Did both of you sleep well? Eat well? Are you feel good?

[/i] He had to make sure. He cared about everyone, so he always liked to know what was going on. If there was reason to worry, by the first egg, he'd worry, but if there wasn't, he could rest at ease. Mother Khalaedeth was always there to make sure everything was fine.[/size][/blockquote]

[Purnip]

Rhysia always had trouble believing in a dragon like Khalaedeth. Until she met this Bluepair, she assumed that dragons were indifferent to the herdbeasts as they tore their victims apart. Raeterith never seemed to mind a slaughter for the sake of a good meal, but alas, all dragons were unique in their own special ways. Khalaedeth was more like a big, sweet Green rather than a raunchy Blue. Raeterith and her rider were quite the opposite. Unable to hold a conversation without subject, the Greenrider remained silent and bright after she was replied to.

S'tia was in an awfully good mood today, though he normally had a bright disposition about him. The two dragonriders didn't spend a lot of time together; only enough to know each other in passing. Rhysia was too fleeting for stable folks. If she hadn't despised the effects of the last Threadfall, she wouldn't have been loyal to any weyr. She just couldn't stand to see all her close friends die off or disappear off the face of Pern. She would have made a much better loner, but strength in this case was certainly in numbers. The last of the dragonriders needed to stick together.

At the corner of her eye she spied the great Isaath and his rider M'laus on the approach. She half turned to dip her head in greeting as Raeterith did the same in a synchronized fashion. The two of them had mixed feeling about the Bronzepair, which was odd for them since they generally shared the same opinions on everything. While Rhysia was rather indifferent about the two of them, Raeterith seemed to have eyes for Isaath. She was never one to throw her flirting at anyone. As a matter of fact, she only flirted when it was time for her Flights. But something about the Bronze seemed to catch her attention. He seemed safe and stable, even trustworthy. A trust that the Green rarely harbored towards anyone else. Hello, Isaath, she hummed slyly. Fetching as always. She might have smirked if she could, but she kept it to herself. She often toyed around with the dragons she fancied. Many of them mistook her flirting for insult.

As close at they were, Rhysia could sense her dragon's sudden change in attitude. She was well aware of the Green's attraction towards the lofty Bronze, but it didn't seem significant to her. Dragons were dragons after all; fickle were their desires, and if there was one thing the duo had in common, it was a fickle personality. She let S'tia reply for them, only because small talk was rather boring to her. She only started to speak to S'tia because he was there and once in a while it was healthy to talk to other people, or at least that was what Raeterith spent a lot of time trying to convince her.

Once Sereldeth's state was mentioned, Rhysia felt a heavy pang in her heart. She hoped another Gold would come of this hatching. It was a shame that Raeterith couldn't contribute; being a fighter most of her life she, like other Greens, had chewed plenty of firestone to render her sufficiently infertile. It wasn't as if being unable to clutch made life any easier. Raeterith still flew every turn. If Rhysia was able to have children herself, she would have had quite a litter. It was a shame the Greenpair would never bear a legacy, but they could make up for it by leaving a big enough impression in history. That was why they stayed and fought with their Weyrwoman. They may not be able to help bring life back, but they could still defend it.

"It is," Rhysia mused, smiling to herself almost sadly. "I really hope this clutch can save us, you know? Maybe that's a little too much pressure to put on the little guys, but if they can't thrive here then what chance have we got? Sereldeth might be the last Gold left." She sighed, leaning her back on the fence. Raeterith sat herself on the other side of the fence, flicking her tail like a cat. The two were thinking, dreaming maybe of a better outcome. One in which the clutch does prevail and dragonriders could make a comeback. "I'll probably stick around when she lays to help keep the eggs safe. I'd die before I let the VT get its grubby bits on them."

Raeterith didn't seem to mind Khalaedeth's inclusion, but her lack of interest in him was obvious. Like a rebellious teen being bickered at by her mother, her reply to the Blue was a little testy. She didn't like to be asked such silly questions. Yes, yes, yes. It has been a pleasant day thusfar. She began cleaning herself off a bit on Rhysia's request, licking the blood off her chops before grooming herself much like a cat. As a dragon she didn't feel shame about it. She didn't want her bright green hide stained anyhow.

[bre]

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M'laus grinned wide at S'tia's words. It was a rather serious conversation, but it seemed insignificant in light of everything they had been through. Yes, the future of Pern rested on the shells of Sereldeth's unborn clutch, but that wasn't so bad. Sereldeth was healthy. She would have many children. There was no need to worry. The worries had been when they were fleeing for their lives. The worries had been when they were watching their comrades died by dozens around them. At that point, the worries were over. They had a future. Even if it was only in dreams, they still had a future. Even if there wasn't enough food to go around, they still had hope. M'laus remained at ease, unburdened by the twists and turns of the subject matter in front of him. Maybe it was just him and his undying cheerfulness, but he had hope. He wasn't worried. That wasn't how he worked.

Isaath returned Raeterith's mannerisms in his own way. She was a pretty green, perfectly worthy of his attentions. A classic bronze when it came to females, he liked to flirt. He didn't have Raeterith's sly playfulness, but he had his own way of charming. Not as fetching as you; he told her, tone cheerful and innocent for the sake Khalaedeth. The blue was present for the conversation and appeared to already have the harsh disinterest of the beautiful Raeterith, so he made sure to treat the smaller male with kindness and manners. He was ever the mediator, more than happy to keep the peace as was necessary. I think everyone is well today, Khalaedeth; he told the blue, tone assuring even though a touch of humor lay in his voice. He was tolerant, but he was not endlessly patient. His swirling, multifaceted eyes remained settled quite happily on Raeterith.

M'laus nodded his agreement to Rhysia for a long moment, letting her think, but his words flowed easily off his tongue when he chose to speak. His smile remained, even when his mouth was open and he was talking. "I think there's going to be more than twenty-five eggs. Thirty, at the very least. Hoping for more like thirty-four or thirty-five. Hey, we could make a bet!" His eyes glance between S'tia and Rhysia, seeing if either were interested or got his humor. Normally, a bet seemed insulting to the importance of a clutch. Right then, it seemed like just the right thing to lighten it up. "I think they're going to live up to everybody's expectations." He didn't sound pompous or like he was quite sure of the future, but he did sound confident. He truly believed that Sereldeth could save them. He was proud to have followed Avine and serve under her.

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