Bath time, Peace Time

It probably is better to stay as we are. Less attention and less chance of you being hurt.

B'run grumbled, knowing Olemuth was right. Rumors of increased punishment for anyone that so much as looked like they were plotting against the leadership or leaving the South were running rampant and B'run, as he always did, ducked his head and kept quiet. Nothing to see here, just a bronzerider. Nothing special! It had succeeded for the time being. He was one of those people that everyone recognized but no one seemed to know. He tended to his duties but otherwise kept his distance.

The pair had headed to the lake with the intention of cleaning Olemuth and relaxing for a time. B'run had brought his riding straps to look over while the big bronze sunbathed and he stashed them out of the way while Olemuth waded into the water. B'run gave a quick look around, making sure there was no one nearby and stripped off his shirt and boots before wading in after the dragon. The man's back was a mess of scar tissue, most old and faded. They paused their conversation as they headed to the water, Olemuth walking out as far as he was able and B'run swimming once it got too deep for him to touch the bottom.

"Lucky, eh? Managed to get done here without any'un else." He smiled at the bronze, who simply fluttered his wings impatiently. He didn't mind company nearly as much as his rider did. B'run shook his head and set to washing, falling quiet and enjoying the silent company and the sounds of nature around them. The water was cold, but the gruff man ignored it as best he could.

There was one big problem with good ideas; sometimes, the person who came up with them wasn't the only person to come up with them. Such was the case today, when greenrider A'liran realized it was probably a good time to go comb the lake for fire lizard eggs. He'd been interested in locating one ever since meeting the little ones belonging to several of his friends. He'd been wary at first, of course, but the little things were charming and  Astoreth wanted one, so in time the greenrider relented. 

It would be a fun project, A'liran figured. It would get him away from the assholes back at the Weyr and it meant he wouldn't have to watch his sharding back for a while. Much like B'run, A'liran had been especially careful since the investigation began. Caution wasn't in A'liran's nature, but he knew with someone like J'ver so close to those in power, the slightest peep of discontent could get him in real trouble. Ali was already  prime suspect thanks to his involvement in Ttsuen's hut-burning and his record of previous offenses, so in the itnerest of his own hide, he'd kept quiet...for the most part. Being scrappy was just in his nature.

Today would be a nice vacation from the tension. Astoreth flew the trip straight, dragon and rider alike enjoying the warm weather. When they reached the lake, however, they were less pleased.

Olemuth is here Astoreth reported. She wasn't particularly displeased; she liked company, especially male dragons. Bronzes were of special interest, since so rarely did they pursue her. It was almost like a little game for Astoreth, who enjoyed cozying up to anything big and strong, but who also couldn't but wonder what it was about her that put them off.

A'liran wasn't happy. Why is it you go right to flirting, you crazy woman? he asked as she circled. While Astoreth saw no reason to abandon their plans because of company, A'liran was wary. He was also frustrated, because the vexing dragon seemed to have completely ignored his question.

I don't really know that guy Ali said cautiously. Bronzeriders in general were not to be trusted, but he was hard-pressed to think of any offenses this one had committed...or think of anything he'd done, really. Ali had been seeing the man around for turns, but knew absolutely nothing about him. Just ignore him, A'liran Astoreth suggested, amused at her rider's caution, but unwilling to scold him for it. A'liran had his reasons, though Astoreth did not quite understand them.

She landed on the sand a couple dragonlenths away, crooning a greeting to Olemuth as A'liran dismounted.  He pulled his goggles off and peered at the bronzerider, his look of mistrust disguised in favor of simple seriousness. Meanwhile, Astoreth slithered into the water.

Do NOT flirt with that bronze

Astoreth huffed. You think I'm flirting every time I speak to a male who is not YOU she pointed out, neither confrontational nor particularly chiding. It was more dismissive than anything else.  A'liran was sorely tempted to toss a rock at her, but he knew if he did, she'd won.

She was right, though. A'liran deflated a bit, realizing he was being more defensive than he probably needed to. He awkwardly rubbed the nape of his neck and waved a greeting. "Hello there. I hope we aren't intruding."

Good morning. Come to bathe?

Olemuth was far more friendly than his rider, swinging his head around to offer a bugled greeting to the pair. B'run shot him a look then followed his gaze, his enjoyment promptly disappearing and his face falling carefully blank. If he'd known that A'liran knew nothing about him, he'd be pleased. That was how he wanted it. To be forgotten about. That way no one could blame him or accuse him of anything. Safety was his concern. He hadn't expected anyone else to be here this early and that someone was threw off his plans.

So much for relaxing, He thought to himself, a frown worrying at his lips. When questioned, he gave a shake of his head, swimming until he reached the shore then standing with arms folded over his chest. He wished he'd worn a shirt. "Naw, you aren' intrudin'. Just scrubbin' Olemuth down 'fore he turns int' a brown." That resulted in Olemuth rising out of the water and crashing back down, sending a wave towards his rider and knocking him over, carrying him to the shore and A'liran. He settled at the man's feet, peering up at him. "I've got my hands full, eh?" A faint smile tugged at his lips.

He pushed himself up and turned back to shoot a glare at the dragon, whom was busying himself with moving farther away from his rider. B'run's motion exposed his back to A'liran and he was too focused on the retreating bronze to realize such. The man's back was a mess. Scars crisscrossed over his skin, giving him a striped look. It was something he normally kept covered.

"Oh no you don't..." He grumbled and began wading back into the water.

Something like that she crooned in a pleasant tone, friendly and perhaps just a bit curious. She floated lazily through the water, propelled by sweeping strokes of her tail, and approached the larger dragon. She nosed at him. A'liran and I were interested in finding fire lizard eggs. Have you or your rider seen any?

A'liran wasn't sure what Asotreth's heavy interest in fire lizards was, or if perhaps she was using it as a conversation starter. He snorted before looking to the bronzerider, who seemed more personable than his initial; body language had suggested. Naturally, A'liran didn't trust him. He smiled just the same, for the greenrider was good at putting on a perfectly believable facade of civility until something came along to trigger his temper. How different his reaction might have been if he knew B'run was struggling as well!

Of course, A'liran relaxed slightly at the fact that the bastard wasn't condescending him. Ali lacked the poise and politeness that a greenrider was expected to show to a bronze, and shards if he was going to start now! The only bronzerider he asskissed was his wingleader, and that was pretty much on a case by case basis. Ali liked to think it made him edgy, but it seemed that reality was not in agreeance with him.

Don't let him worry you so much. He's done nothing to harm you Astoreth insisted, though one wary eye still fixed itself on the bronzerider. Astoreth always watched out for her hot-tempered rider, but like many cases, she didn't understand why he was being quite so defensive.

A'liran heeded her advice and relaxed a little more.  He pulled his flight goggles down and watched as the bronzerider turned and headed into the water. The scars were very eye-catching. He walked down to the water's edge and looked out across it's shining surface. "You're B'run, right? I've seen you around."

"Yeh, I'm B'run..." He paused, turning back to study the man. "A'liran, right?" He recognized dragons better than he did people and Olemuth was no help, having little interest in people other than his rider. "Pro'ly seen you 'round, too. Don't socialize much." He drawled his words, speaking in a slow, steady tone that was normally reserved for the dimwitted. He hardly appeared slow, however, and a Bronze certainly wouldn't pick a dim rider. Maybe he just put thought into what he said... Yeah, right. If he did that he wouldn't be so battered or jumpy. "You want us t'move off a bit? Give you two some room?" Give them less space to watch him and his dragon and make up suspicious activity. The man was paranoid. "Though, they seem t'be gettin' along jus' fine." He watched the pair of dragons as A'liran replied before diving back in after Olemuth.

We haven't seen any. Perhaps we should look. B'run could use company besides me. It would do the man some good, too, Olemuth knew, to care for something other than the two of them. The big bronze swung his head around, watching as the man swam towards them. He huffed air from his nostrils and ducked his head down, bubbles rising as he swung it towards the man underwater. Olemuth lifted his head... With B'run on top. Letting out a yelp, B'run tumbled off and back into the water with a splash, leaving Olemuth looking far too pleased with himself.

Eventually he'll get tired of trying.

He knows my name

Everyone knows your name

It's because of  YOU and your damn flights

Or because of your wide mouth...

The banter, while rough, was harmless. Astoreth rumbled with joy, causing the water around her to quiver. Why do I get the feeling that their of them care to speak with one another? And yet they're both all smiles the purred delicately, amused by the humans' careful little game. Of course,  she didn't know much of Olemuth's rider, but she could try to find out!

A'liran doesn't trust bronzeriders she said, running the tip of her snout along his side. But he isn't hissing and howling at your rider yet, so perhaps there is hope for them yet. Her tone was flat, but amused.

Back on the shore, Ali just shook his head. "You aren't bothering me," he said. He was lying, to a degree; the presence of the bronze and his rider sort of ruined A'liran
s planned activities, but sliding down the lake a bit wouldn't change that. He and Astoreth would just have to resume their search another day. "Just here for a break from S'kef and Tsuen's damn wherry hunt." He figured if the other man could related to anything he had to say, it was that. Everyone was tired of it. Everyone was tired of the fear.

A'liran raised a brow, watching curiously as B'run swam across the lake. Astoreth dipped underwater and watched the man swim along, easily lifted from the water by his dragon's head. She wasn't large enough to do that with A'liran, and as such, the sight amused her. You scared him away she said to A'liran, who got a throaty laugh out of the little joke.

He decided he may a well enjoy the beach and peeled his shirt off, tossing it aside. Ali had his scare of scars on his back as well, but nothing like the bronzerider's. Ali was fortunate; most of his lashings had been done with a cane, by his wingleader. Only once had his skin been broken. Of course I did, baby girl. Of course I did.

Astoreth raised her head from the water and craned it upwards towards B'run, sniffing at him delicately. Before she had much of a chance, though, the man toppled back into the water. Astoreth rumbled again. Nice trick she purred.

B'run doesn't trust anyone. Olemuth rumbled quietly, watching as the man floated on his back, catching his breath from his repeated dunkings. If dragons could smile, Olemuth would be all grins. Maybe they will be friends. Or at least companionable enough to talk now and then. He doubted it. B'run didn't have friends. Olemuth couldn't understand how the man could endure being so lonely all the time. But he could hope that, maybe, the man would eventually find someone to talk to or at least someone to endure long enough to let him enjoy some company.

B'run floated back towards A'liran, looking much like a hunk of driftwood. "Good. Glad we ain't botherin' you... I don't like bein' in the way." Quite true. Being in the way meant people complained about you and watched out for you. And B'run didn't want that. He wanted to be forgotten about until these lashings stopped and things went right again. Their weyr was oddball enough without people being afraid all the time. Shards, he had enough worry for half the weyr as it was without the worry of being lashed on top of it.

This is the man that fights when his green flies, isn't it?

She mentioned him not trusting bronzeriders. I believe you are right.

Lovely. Don't chase her, eh? I don't need anymore scars.

I make no promises...

Of course you don't... B'run sighed, lifting his head to watch the bronze exchanging sniffs and conversation with the green. "Think they're plottin' against us." He murmured to A'liran as he floated by. He rose up, treading water. His eyes lingered, not in the way a man inspects a woman, but in the way a man inspects a threat. Casual respect and wariness. He didn't eyeball the other man long, turning to watch the dragons again, seemingly unconcerned with the other man's presence.

A'liran, still sprawled on the sand, opened his eyes and gazed past B'run. His eyes fixed firmly Astoreth. "Of course they are," Ali said incredulously. Plotting dragons, the story of his life! Astoreth, however, didn't seem quite so convinced. A'liran, who do you take me for? Larrikith? she inquired. Astoreth wasn't exactly scandalized by his little quip, but she put on a show of mild indignation just the same. Plotting against him?! Had she not always stood by his side, no matter his idiot decisions?

She turned her head away and rubbed her nose against Olemuth's hide again. Ali is in an exceptionally good humor she said in deep amusement. The best part? It was the truth. He was being such a good boy today!

A'liran smirked. He liked that calculated spirit and the shadow of a temper he saw in his green. Love you, baby girl he said, sitting up in the sand and looking back to the bronzerider. For an exceedingly awkward moment, the greenrider's calculating eyes met with the bronzerider's. They stood in mutual assessment, Ali sizing B'run up as much as the bronzerider was doing the same for him.  It was strange, and Ali wasn't sure if he liked it.

He didn't want to look away, though. A greenrider look away from a bronzerider's gaze? It was practically an act of submission, and that would not do. At least they weren't too physically close. Of course, A'liran's paranoid nature was doomed to bubble t the surface.

"Don't get any funny ideas," he said, cutting most of his usual hostility in exchange for pure wariness.

B'run snorted. "Yer not my type, boyo. Sorry t'disappoint." He didn't seem hardly as concerned as A'liran was with eye contact. He floated along, enjoying the sun. He closed his eyes, basking in the momentary peace. Soon enough he'd have to be on edge again and it would come far more quicker than he wanted it to. It wasn't that he was a bronzerider and A'liran was a greenrider, that thought hardly occured to B'run beyond Olemuth being interested in Astoreth. No, it was mostly the thought that if it came down to it, he assumed he could get out of the way should an attack come or could hold his own in a fight.

And then there was the bonus of having a very large, very protective bronze backing him up. But that was a secondary thought.

As is B'run. Normally we would have left by now. Odd. The bronze looked pleased with the attention the green was offering and returned it wholeheartedly, lowering his head and snuffing at her neck. The bronze made no denial of the fact that he was plotting against B'run, but his riders was used to it and didn't argue.

B'run treaded water, cocking his head and watching the other man. "You can stop watchin' me like I'm goin' t'try t'kiss ya or somethin'. Already said: You ain't my type."

A'liran blinked. Okay, so he'd been called out. No big deal, right? Well, it wasn't a big deal, but it was awfully unusual. Shouldn't there be some sort of drama by now? Shouldn't that bronzerider be groping him or hitting him, or at least threatening him? What was his angle? Was he waiting for A'liran to turn his back or show some sort of weakness? Was he sizing him up some more before going in for the kill? Creating a false sense of security?

Well, it appeared not. By the time A'liran had finished going through all the possibilities in his head, the bronzerider had scolded him a second time. The greenrider was, in spite of himself, almost insulted. Not his type? Is there something wrong with me? he thought incredulously. Astoreth huffed in the back of his mind and prodded him, reminding him that vocal complaint would essentially translate to 'asking for it'. That wouldn't be so unusual, though. Ali often landed himself in bad situations using nothing but his own mouth. If he suspected there was a fight to be had, he enjoyed getting in the first blow.

It seemed as if B'run had cut his enthusiasm, though. A'liran instinctively looked away. Damn bronzerider, telling him what to do! "I didn't say you were," A'liran sassed lightly, not so much a challenge as a grasp for the remainder of his pride. He didn't like looking vulnerable in front of bronzeriders, but this one seemed content to just...float around and mostly ignore him, aside from telling him not to stare.

How weird. A'liran wasn't sure if he liked it or not. He was used to villains and crusaders, not indifference. He frowned a little. He didn't like things that didn't make sense!

I suppose it's just a good morning all around  Astoreth said, crooning softly at the bronze dragon's nose on her neck. He was so big and strong, and friendly too! Astoreth would have liked to fly with more bronzes, but rarely were they swift enough to snatch her before a blue did. But flights were not dominant in her mind at the time. It was a passing thought, but for now she preferred the company for company's sake.

On the shore, A'liran rose to his feet and kicked his shoes off. It was too sharding hot, and some part of him was curious to see if this bronzerider really was as...gentle? No, indifferent. Was he really as indifferent as he seemed? He wriggled out of his pants, stripping down to only his undergarments, and waded out into the water.

I'm comin' for you, baby girl

Astoreth knew it was partial truth, partial showing off, but she didn't let on. She crooned softly and angled her head towards him. Farewell she said, allowing her thoughts to leak towards Olemuth as well, and slowly sank under the water.

B'run could have groped or hit or threatened if A'liran wanted, if only Ali had spoken up and told him that's what he wanted. The Bastard did live to please. But a fight would see them both punished and he wasn't keen on that... Besides: He had no reason to want to fight A'liran. That was just silly.

His eyes followed A'liran as stripped and he quirked a brow. For a man that had been so leery of being eyeballed  he hadn't wasted time stripping down in front of him. B'run wouldn't complain.

Have fun... Olemuth replied, mourning the loss of companionship for all of five seconds before he dropped his tail near B'run and soaked the man, making him sputter and throw himself into the water and swimming after the dragon. "Come here, you!"

Olemuth didn't put up much a fight, eager to be cleaned by now. He settled down and B'run set to work scrubbing his hide. The man hummed as he did so, keeping an eye out for A'liran and Aseroth as he worked. Just because the man had accepted a couple barbs didn't mean they were friends. Though, it had made B'run far more accepting of the stranger.

A'liran paddled out, watching warily as his dragon sank below the surface. "Hey! Come back, skank!" he called in a snappish, unwieldy voice. He paid no attention to the bronze and his rider as he scanned the surface, searching for the telltale dark shape that would betray Astoreth's return.

Jumpy Astoreth said gently, rising suddenly from the water. A'liran found himself resting on a solid surface as the dragon rose beneath him. Hhe laughed, clutching lightly to her spines as she leveled out on the surface, and gave her a solid pat. The green crooned, pleased that her rider had trusted her in spite of the quip.

Ali stroked her hide for a moment before looking to B'run again, who seemed perfectly pleased to wash his dragon in silence. Ali didn't exactly mind it. Silence could be a good thing, and in this case it felt much more like acceptance than forced chatter would have. He smiled, stretching out lazily on his stomach and trusting his green not to discard him into the water.

The comfortable silence persisted for a while, until A'liran's mind wandered to a question that had flickered past him earlier. What was this guy doing out there? The same as him?

"Sucks, hanging out in the Weyr these days," A'liran said lazily. "How long do you figure before  S'keffy goes mad with power? I think M'bal should be Weyrleader..."

Probably a sensitive topic that he shouldn't express his opinion on to strangers, but honestly, who cared? Everyone knew where he stood anyhow.

B'run tensed as soon as the conversation came up. There were too many chances resting right there. A'liran could easily be of similar mind, frustrated by the goings on in the weyr... Or he could be trying to lure B'run into a false sense of security only to report back what he said. But he was so tired of hiding. And it was better that he take lashings than those that couldn't handle them. He'd endured lashings before. He could handle them...

"I haven' got an opinion on who should lead." Anyone but him. "I keep my head low my nose clean. Don' get involved 'till I haven' got a choice." A good, neutral answer. A safe answer, he hoped. He scrubbed at Olemuth's hide, ducking around to get the dragon's chest. "I'm not big on people t'begin with, eh? Prefer bein' out an' about or workin'. Doesn' leave much time fer socializin'." It was true. B'run couldn't remember the last time he'd sat down and chatted with his fellow riders. Sure, there was the kitchen worker he took to his bed now and then, but that was usually when he became desperate for company.

But as long as they were bein' open...

"Yer the greenrider that attacks bronzeriders in flights, right?" He glanced over his shoulder. There was no anger in his expression. Just curiosity. "Why?"

The answer surprised A'liran. He wrinkled his nose a little, eyeing the bronzerider from a short distance away. Astoreth rumbled beneath him, encouraging and yet curious. How different this bronzerider was from the average! Or was he? Katila seemed to have a lot of reluctant bronzeriders; it was common knowledge that D'ren had been hesitant to accept Weyrleadership at first, and a number of the others actively avoided appointments to wingleader positions and whatnot.

Astoreth found it a pure curiosity, but A'liran's interest ran deeper. Was it because of the plague? It had been so many turns now, but many still carried the scars. Were the bronzeriders particularly jaded, having been in positions of power before?

He entertained the idea for a long moment, but ultimately dismissed it. That would assume that a decent number of them were modest, and Ali didn't like anything that interfered too deeply with his worldview. Must be a coincidence.

"That's the best anyone can do," Ali murmured, but he couldn't keep the spark of hatred out of his voice. He'd always despised D'ren, but S'kef was even worse. What else might be in their future, though, if not him? M'bal? N'gelt? Were they any better?

Ali was having a hard time keeping his head down.

The next question sparked a little more reaction from him. He tensed up and shot into a sitting position, not having expected such a personal question. He almost took it as a challenge. He frowned slightly, glancing across the water at the bronze and his rider. "Do you know how many broken bones I got through flights when I was a weyrling?" he asked, responding to the question with a question of his own.

B'run had perfected going unnoticed. While, if it came down to it, he'd take over leadership, he preferred that he didn't have to... Especially with people getting killed. That made him want to stay unnoticed even more. He'd tend to his wing and everything else could go on without him being involved as far as he was concerned. He'd let others worry about it and just hope that Olemuth never caught a Queen. Though, he knew very well that the dragon would try.

He simply didn't want to be in a position where he had to choose between helping and getting more people hurt. Sure, he could have protected more people if he stuck his neck out, but that also meant more punishment for him... Maybe one day. For now, he'd fly low and hope no one looked down.

Bronzerider glanced back at the greenrider as he responded, a frown etched in his features. "They broke bones?" Anger was evident and he balled his fists. "They hurt you?" His words came out a snarl of rage, his previously calm expression was contorted with anger and frustration. "Did they not have any damn idea how to treat a greenrider in a flight? Yeh, lust runs high but you don't attack them..." He sat down in the shallows, needing a moment to think. "You don't hurt them. Shards, some of the best flights I've been part of have been male greenriders." Some of his best friends had been greenriders, though B'run really had no friends worthy of note, especially not now.

A'liran instinctively recoiled when he saw the bronzerider's frown. He drew up, watching the man with mistrust, only to find himself surprised at the response.

Now, Ali knew a good rant when he heard it. He went on his own rants all the time. He loved to spit fire at all the things in life that frustrated him, but most of it was little more than harmless smoke. He was used to even his fellow greenriders or others he wanted to protect, groups like women and northerners, laughing at him. Bronzeriders especially enjoyed laughing at him. Now, seeing this one apparently get angry at his casual account of violence, was surprising. Yet again he wasn't sure what to say.

I think he's serious Astoreth said before Ali could even ask his question. The green dragon purred, then began to float slowly towards the bank. A'liran sat up on her back, riding her like Pern's laziest barge. "You're surprised?" the greenrider asked, curious eyes flashing to B'run once he felt like it was safe to speak.

"Shards...my maiden flight ended in a broken nose," he said, sour at the memory. Astoreth's eyes flushed red for a moment as she latched on to his recollection of the event. And to think, that day had been so lovely otherwise!

I'm sorry I allowed that to happen to you she said, almost sullen. She didn't regret the flight itself, but it bothered her to think of how often her cycle got him hurt. Of course, she was also of the opinion that he wouldn't get hurt so badly if he'd just lay back and enjoy it...

"Happens all the time," A'liran said, to both of them. He gave the dragon a pat and sighed. He looked to B'run, expression finally softening in recognition of the bronzerider's words. "You would be one of the few who feels that way, I'd imagine," he grumbled.

"It shouldn't happen at all," B'run snapped back, anger still lingering in his gaze. "You don't see Queenriders getting roughed up. Isn' any different... Not that you're a woman, mind, but that it's a moment overridden by dragonlust an' violence shouldn't be directed at the greenrider. The green gets chased and caught, not savaged an' violated. Same goes for the riders."

Olemuth growled, following his rider's agitation. That caught B'run's attention and he sighed and shook his head, dragging a hand through his hair and calming himself. He ran a finger through the water, watching the ripples quietly for a moment before finally opening his mouth again.

"Sorry. I try not to get worked up over... Well, anything." He glanced up at the greenrider, watching him with those dark, brooding eyes and ignoring the loose strands of hair that fell over his face. Olemuth snorted in his direction and B'run hauled himself up, apologizing to the dragon, too.

I'm not clean yet. You can argue about flights afterwards.
I know, I know. Sorry.

He leaned against the great beast, resting his forehead on the dragon's leg before moving around to finish scrubbing his rump.

Ali frowned, not at B'run's words but at a realization that occurred to him partway through. "You didn't see Jada after her maiden flight, then," he hissed softly, thinking back to the rumors that flew around immediately afterwards. "That S'kef beat the shards out of her. Everyone was cracking greenrider jokes about it," he said with sour disapproval. It had been dramatic for the first few hours, but not so unusual that the scandal lasted for long. It was what everyone expected after a flight like that, with a man like that.

He deflated somewhat, finally calming himself after his initial uncertainties. B'run spoke with enough passion and legitimate disgust that Ali found himself believing the man, even if the notion of a compassionate (or at least grumpily supportive) bronzerider seemed strange. Ali imagined he would have stumbled upon it sooner, were B'run not so quiet and Ali himself not so inclined to avoid bronzeriders. Most of them were arrogant fucks. This one reminded him oddly of himself. Shards, was that good or bad?

The others are only being bronze Astoreth offered 'helpfully'. She'd never understood Ali's disdain of hierarchy. It was natural in her eyes, and she chose Ali because he was green at his heart. Shouldn't that be sign enough that he was exactly where he belonged? Still, her argument was mild, for she knew how strongly her rider felt on the matter and perhaps she also felt a tinge of guilt. A'liran was no bronzerider, but she didn't want to be the one to tell him that he couldn't be. She purred at him as he stroked her neck reassuringly, letting her know that she held no blame. He wouldn't have traded her for all the riches of Pern, just like any other rider.

Ali frowned for a moment. Maybe he should thank B'run for not being a jackass. But would it be weird to say something now after this pause? He decided to go for a middle ground, giving the bronzerider an approving nod. There we go.

The others were being bronze and B;run was being bronze in his own way: By looking out for the people he could very well command. He growled at A'liran's comment, focusing on finishing Olemuth's bath. "Guess I should start bein' 'round for flights..." As opposed to hunkering down in his hut and getting friendly with his own hand. "Olemuth could win his share, I think."

You need to chase someone. Maybe it will make you less grumpy

The rider smacked the dragon's hide with a glare. "Yeh, chasin' don't suit me. You win the pretty ladies. I'll scare 'em off." He smiled at the big bronze, who crooned affectionately and swung his head around to nose at his rider, nearly knocking the man over. B'run ignored A'liran's nod. He wasn't doing anything he didn't feel was the right thing to do.

"Yer girl need washed? I ain't got anything else t'do. Might as well lend a hand t'clean a pretty green." His duties had been taken care of and he had the day to himself. Apparently that meant spending time with A'liran. Olemuth glanced down, looking smug.

You made a friend.

Did not. Made a 'I can endure you.' Whatever you call one of them.

A'liran looked lazily towards B'run, honestly surprised that his stories seemed to inspire the man to join in on more flights. Ali certainly wouldn't have protested, and that was something of a miracle; he was quick to chase bronzeriders out of his bed, for he hated their entitled ways and smug attitudes, but they were a rare sight. Not all bronzes were inclined to chase greens, and those who did had difficulty catching the quick smaller dragons unless they out-muscled them early on. Ali grinned a little. This bronzerider didn't seem half bad...

Now who's scheming?

Get it right, girlie. I accused you of flirting, not scheming

Is there a difference?

Sure is, honey. Flirting is innocent

The pair shared a mental laugh before B'run's comment roused Ali from his daze.  He glanced over to the bronzerider and shrugged, appreciating the offer but finding it unnecessary. "Washed her the other day, but thanks."

Astoreth didn't agree. She tossed her head, sending water spraying about in a dramatic fashion. Excitement filled her. No, A'liran! I want an extra bath. Why would you turn that down? Her tone was playful, but Ali could also detect a hint of indignation. He laughed and gave her shoulder a slap before looking back to B'run. "Ast doesn't agree, though...bitch!" he joked, watching as the dragon bristled in faux-aggravation. Ali laughed at the equally sharp insult she slipped into the very back of his mind, her own no more serious than his had been.

"I guess she's getting a bath, then. Cool," A'liran said. Astoreth floated lazily back into the shallows, where Ali could dismount and stand in the waist-deep water to wash her. "So," he said, glancing back to the bronzerider that just happened to be pretty good company. "You seen any fire lizards around here?"

"Ain't seen a one. But then, I ain't been lookin' too hard. Prolly should. Could use one of the buggers to set on Olemuth to get him to shut his gob." He patted the dragon's chops, earning a dunk into the lake. The big bronze swiped at his rider, shoving him under the water and swimming off before the human could get his head above water, much less retaliate. The man came up sputtering and scowling. Olemuth hunkered down behind Astoreth, as though she'd hide his hulking form.

"Yer bad at this, love."

Am not. I'm just distracting you with a 'pretty green.' The bronze's eyes swirled a happy blue and he tapped Astoreth with his snout.
He's impossible. I'm shocked he's taken to your rider as he has.

B'run swam out scrambled up the bronze, offering a polite nod to Astoreth before asking, in his gruff manner, if it was okay if he helped wash her. He knew she'd already given the okay, but he'd been trained to always ask permission and always be polite towards another's dragon and he was going to do just that.

As soon as he had her permission, he dove into cleaning with a gusto, though his motions were almost too gentle and a frown worried at his face. "Fergit how big Olemuth is 'til I'm beside a green. 'Fraid I'm goin' t'hurt you, little girl. Tell me off if'n I do, eh?" His drawl held an amused tone and a smile touched his lips just barely.

These were the moments he lived for, surrounded by dragons and getting along with their riders. No concern for rank or one's own safety. Just the smell of dragonflesh and man and quiet companionship. As he worked, his gaze drifted to A'liran now and then, studying the man and trying to determine just where he stood in the... Well, in the everything. The controversy that filled the weyr, the chaos that never seemed to go away... He knew the man's stance on greenriders and bronzes, who didn't? But he'd taken to B'run well enough... Or so it seemed.

Not many people made Astoreth feel special, aside from A'liran of course. There was Aveleth, the sweet blue. Astoreth liked him well enough, but A'liran tended to run her away fromhim. She supposed she could understand why when she took a moment to inspect his memories. A'liran's mind held only wicked recollections of Z'ia. There was also  Zeianth, in his cold and distant way, but Astoreth wasn't so naive to forget that much of her attraction to him was fantasy. Zeianth was arrogant and often quite rude, but Astoreth loved to subtly tease him just the same, for he always responded in interesting and unpredictable ways before reminding her of his strength.

But who else was there? There were green friends, of course, but not much beyond that. To get the attention from bronzes that she was getting now, especially non-sexual, non-objectified attention, was a treat indeed! The green purred in delighted amusement as Olemuth attempted to hide behind her. In an effort to help, she fanned her wings outward. She was still unable to hide him, of course, but it was a playful gesture that amused her. She hoped it amused him, too.

She crooned softly as B'run started to help wash her. Ali was on her other side, his light, familiar touch a welcome sensation on her hide. B'run's touch was much firmer, something he soon confirmed himself. It will take more to hurt me she purred, pretending to sound indifferent, even though she was quite tickled by the gesture. Her amusement rang lightly in her voice.

"Yep," Ali said, patting the dragon's neck as he peeked over her spines at B'run. "She's a pretty study gal, I think," he said. In truth, Astoreth was a middling green, neither particularly petite nor particularly sturdy. Ali liked to think of her as the strongest green on Pern, of course, and Astoreth saw no reason to correct him. She preferred to think of herself as a quiet beauty, but there was no reason she and her rider couldn't maintain different fantasies!

She rumbled softly, melting beneath the humans' hands. Ali could sense her pleasure and paused to press his ear against her neck. He hummed softly and let out a relaxed sigh. "...She doesn't get spoiled very often," he remarked. "At least by anyone other than me." It was a subtle thank-you. Astoreth deserved to always feel special.

"Bah. She needs spoilin'." He winked at her, leaning back and slapping Olemuth's leg. The bronze shifted so that backed up and gave them more room. "B'sides, it's good t'remind Olemuth that he isn't the only thing I can give attention to."

I try to get you to show attention to other things, thank you. You simply don't. Because you are stubborn.

B'run chose to ignore his partner and continued his work, moving to get the green's legs and biting back a smile. It was quite a change to work on cleaning something so small! A pleasant change, though, and one B'run was happy to undertake. Change was good now and then and it was a nice reminder that he wasn't alone, no matter how hard he tried to pretend he was.

Replacing me already? The bronze splashed his tail, showing that he only joked.
Never. Not for all the greens on Pern.

While not many made Astoreth feel special, not many made B'run feel comfortable. Most had him on edge, worried that he'd say something off and wind up lashed or being questioned about insubordination. A'liran, for whatever reason - Likely his willingness to let B'run help with Astoreth - had gotten the man's guard down and B'run found himself genuinely relaxing.  He'd probably regret it later, of course.

"You know, I don' hate you." He sounded surprised by his own statement.

A'liran smiled back and fell quiet, content to enjoy silent companionship as he worked on Astoreth's other side. The green yawned happily and slumped to her belly in the mud, enjoying the humans' touch and trying her best to hold still for them, no matter how much she wanted to move around and encourage attention for her particularly itchy spots. We'll get to em, baby girl  A'liran assured her. But you've gotta stand up so we can do your legs

She was reluctant, but it was worth it. She crooned and stood up, inching just a bit more out of the water so she could be sufficiently cleaned. Ali wrinkled his nose at all the sand she was getting on her newly-cleaned left side, but oh well. Can't win em all.

Then, the bronzerider spoke. Ali looked up at him, wary for a split second before deciding it was okay to smile. "I don't hate you, either," he replied, almost as a realization as much as a statement. Ali had never gotten along particularly well with bronzeriders and tended to actually be very prejudice towards him, but this one had ignored his defensiveness and actually seemed like a decent person. A'liran was cautiously optimistic.

Astoreth purred once more and rolled onto her back without warning. She fanned her wings, which Ali had to leap to one side to avoid having them crash into his shins. The dragon crooned in amusement and allowed her feet to stick up in the air comfortably, obviously imploring the men to rub her belly next. A'liran smiled and placed his palms on her stomach, rubbing softly. "Look at you, big baby.." he said sweetly, forgetting for a moment that he was in company.

You used your 'daddy voice' on me she pointed out, gaze flickering to B'run, sincerely hoping A'liran was about to be made fun of. She wasn't a hatchling, so he deserved it!

You're a wherry!

Ali gave her belly an open-palmed slap, but it seemed to have hurt him more than it hurt her. He frowned a little, comically ruffled, before looking back to B'run.  Ali was...a touch embarrassed.  New topic time!

"I can't imagine washing that one," he said, cutting his eyes towards Olemuth. Shards, that dragon was huge.

B'run wasn't quite so lucky as to dodge out of the way. He took a wing to the leg and was promptly bowled over for what seemed like the umpteenth time that day. He crashed backwards into the water, hidden beneath a wing, which sent Olemuth into a bugle of amusement and moving away so as not to get a slap from his rider.

Once he'd wrestled free of Astoreth's wing, B'run flashed a sly grin at A'liran. No new subject for him. B'run was dwelling on this one, thank you very much! "Lookit you. Tryin' be some hard ass. You've got a big squishie 'eart 'neath that layer o' ice, don' you?"  He kept his distance, eyes darting to A'liran's fists. He wasn't sure how far he could push the other man and didn't want to shove him too far. After all, they'd only just agreed that they didn't hate one another!

He, less than tactfully, followed up on A'liran's topic change. "Eh, he ain't so bad to clean. Takes some time, but gives you plenty o' time t'think an' talk with 'im." Olemuth crooned and his eyes swirled a happy blue from where he stood, still a good distance away should B'run retaliate from his earlier amusement. "I'll hunt you down next time he needs a scrub an' set you t'helpin', eh?"

Shards, he'd been caught. It was too hot to tell if he was properly blushing, but he probably was. It he wasn't, it was sunburn. Both options sucked, but he supposed he'd prefer the latter.

"Absolutely not," he said. He didn't bristle in anger, but there was a certain measure of defensiveness there. Ali didn't want to appear weak in front of this bronzerider, but after a moment of awkwardly staring down at his hands, he realized he was being exactly as stupid as Astoreth had suggested earlier. If B'run wanted to jump him for showing weakness, he'd had plenty of chances already.

In the end, all Ali could do was laugh somewhat pitifully at his own situation. He put his hands on Astoreth's belly to prop himself up ans shook his head. "Who isn't a babbling softie for their dragon, though?" he countered, thinking his comeback rather clever. He grinned and slowly looked up, pleased to see that the bronzerider wasn't coming after him or anything along those lines. He relaxed and laughed a second time, this time much calmer and more natural.

"Maybe," he said, glancing at the bronze. Ali was somewhat intimidated by the creature's size, but while he'd always mistrusted the damn things, Astoreth seemed comfortable enough around him. He won't hurt me Astoreth reminded him, almost haughtily.

Ali gave her another slap and moved down to another section of her hide. "Ast, stop being a cow," he said playfully. "You gonna actually be a decent lady now, or are you gonna toss him in the water again?" He glanced apologetically at B'run and shrugged.

B'run chuckled, grinning crookedly. "Softie," he teased, winking at Astoreth. He shoved water at the greenrider, laughing and flopping backwards into the water. He floated on his back towards Olemuth, bumping into the bronze and propping himself up on the dragon. "Ain't nothin' t'blush over. S'cute." That isn't the word he wanted. "Endearin'." Better, but only barely.

He watched A'liran's gaze travel over Olemuth. "Aw yeah. Makin' you wash him now. Jus' t'see that look of desperation in yer eyes." He laughed and kicked water towards the other man. That didn't come out how he wanted it to at all. He really was bad at this conversation thing.

"I'm going to get tossed in the water again, aren't I?" B'run sighed, accepting his fate.

Are you flirting? I think you are.
I am not. I don't flirt.

Cute? Endearing? Desperation? Was he being flirted with after all? A'liran stared blankly at the other man, conflicted but mostly just confused, having no idea that Olemuth was confronting the man with the very same argument, albeit in a much more lighthearted way. Astoreth chuckled dryly in the back of A'liran's head, her own relaxed demeanor gradually working it's way into his tense body and softening him up again. It had been a day of ups and downs for Ali, but nothing had gone wrong - and that was excellent.

"Desperation?" he asked indignantly, turning his nose up a little bit in a classic example of Ali-denial. He had a hard time taking compliments or teasing lightly, at least on the outside. He always had to put on some sort of show to protect his carefully-manicured pride. "I am most certainly not desperate....and was that  an order, bronzerider?"

He appeared deadly serious for a few long moments, before the hard expression melted into a smile. It was a devious, sly, accusing smile, but it revealed that the greenrider wasn't angry at all, and had thought it would be amusing to try to pull one over on the bronzerider. He smirked for a couple long moments before letting out a chuckle.

"You're all right."

"Yeh, desperate." B'run retorted back. "Desp'rate t'get outta cleanin' Olemuth. Who wouldn' be desperate t'gettin' outta cleanin' that big lug?" He waved a hand towards the dragon. He scowled as A'liran asked if it was an order, expression falling into it's usual grump. "You wanna make it one, Greenrider?" His mock seriousness was quickly broken by a laugh and he slapped water towards the other man. His fingers were getting wrinkly. Olemuth was a step ahead of him, heading towards the shore, more than ready to rest in the sand and soak up the sun.

B'run followed his dragon, choosing a patch of rocks to settle on so as not to get covered in sand. He stretched out, enjoying the sun while he could. "You ain't bad yerself... Fer a greenrider." He flashed a smirk, hoping the man realized he was joking. It was true, though. He had found himself fond of the man in a very short time. B'run the Bastard had a friend!

Told you you'd make friends if you tried.
I didn't try, now did I?

Is your rider this difficult? Olemuth asked Astoreth, lifting his head to watch the green swim.

Now, Ali was naturally sensitive towards color politics, but he wasn't adverse to the occasional joke either. His sensitivity did ensure that he ruffled up for a moment, but once he caught the bronzerider's smirk and the little spray of water, he felt like a proper idiot. He deflated a bit, face flushing red as he looked away and idly slapped water back at the man. "Orders, huh. Good thing I don't follow orders!" he retorted, determined to keep the playful argument going. It was fun, and it was a nice way to converse without the bracing, vulnerable honesty of a real conversation.

Ali waded a couple feet out in the water and kicked it back towards B'run, his version of trying to get the last word in. He smirked self-importantly and seated himself on Astoreth's neck, a position that the green dragon held without complaint, though her eyes did flash blue with a sense of amusement. Ali's sense of mistrust and even shock that a bronzerider was bothering to talk to him had passed, and the other man's  visible paranoia helped soothe his won as well; if B'run was plotting to destroy him at any moment, would he be constantly watching Ali as if he feared the same fate? Probably not!

Now what, though?  Ali crossed his arms and crossed one leg over the other, looking almost serenely at the bronzerider and shrugging. "So if I manage to find a fire lizard, are you gonna freak out if I bring it around?" he asked, his roundabout way of asking if he was welcome at all.