22.Dec.18, 10:35 AM
Xyxyth’s own excitement disappeared as he realised the bubbly girl was no longer bubbly but instead seemed to be crying. He cast a glance to his rider even as he lightly nuzzled against Madiquel. A’tay currently wasn’t much help as he paused in his own merriment and cocked his head to the side as he watched his best friend quietly sob against his dragon. Was it happy tears? It didn’t seem to be the case and it was only when he thought about her father killing him for making Madiquel sad that A’tay realised the issue.
Jajojin had been a bronzerider and while A’tay couldn’t remember Denath’s appearance that well thanks to being young and not spending as much time around the large dragon like Madiquel did, he knew there was some similarities which was obviously enough to affect Madiquel. Of course he had to get the dragon that made the girl he liked cry on sight! He wasn’t lucky enough for it to be a classmate or even his brother. Nope, it wouldn’t be his luck if something worked to his favour. He took a moment to explain Jajojin, Denath, and the resemblance to Xyxyth and loved his dragon all the more when, after Madiquel took his hand again, Xyxyth crouched low and leaned his head to butt against her side gently to show his affection wordlessly. Xyxyth seemed to like most everyone but those that A’tay liked a lot received a bit more affection out of the bronze that sometimes acted more blue or green.
A’tay laughed at not being recognised right away. It wouldn’t do to be hurt over the confession when they didn’t see each other regularly and especially since he knew he had changed in appearance. “It’s okay. I grew a bit over the summer and Mylorah says I lost a lot of my ‘baby fat’,” A’tay did air quotes to show he was quoting his sister with the term, “and have started toning up a bit because of Xyxyth’s constant oiling. He just had to grow faster than everyone else and make me work harder.” Not that he ever thought being a dragonrider would be anything other than hard work, especially in the early days. Even fully matured, Xyxyth would always need baths and oilings, though perhaps not as regularly as when he was growing, but it would keep him busy.
A’tay frowned when Madiquel continued on about not seeing each other. Could one be dumped without ever being in a relationship? He was pretty sure that was about to happen no matter how excited they had both been minutes before but then her words explained an exciting opportunity and not the kiss of death for his feelings—even if she did let go of his hand right then. “Madi! That’s so… I’m so… I can’t even find the right words to say how amazing that is!” He laughed and was about to throw his arms around her for another hug but stopped and took hold of her shoulders and bent at the knee enough to make them eye level like they were not that long ago.
“Really, it is amazing and nothing to be afraid of because you’re, well, you. You’re good at everything you attempt, you pick things up quickly, you have so much passion for things that you enjoy, and you make friends easier than anyone else. They’ll love you there.” A’tay knew the Halls were more for men but he also knew the Healers were a bit more tolerant of women in their Hall. Not that he had any idea if they were given the same lessons or treated differently. Holders were weird and he was going to have to write a letter to his Aunt Eridella to ask her more about Halls.
“I mean, I was mauled at a Hatching and still went back out there and ended up Impressing to a dragon that seems to be doing okay so far.” Sure, his pinkie finger twitched sometimes from light nerve damage and he had some scars on his hand, but he made it through one of the scariest moments in his life to keep going after what he wanted. That alone was a good inspirational story since A’tay didn’t think highly of himself in terms of bravery or most things, really. “If I can conquer being afraid, you’ll have it beat into submission before you even leave the Weyr.” And nothing anyone, including Madiquel, said could sway him from thinking otherwise.
Jajojin had been a bronzerider and while A’tay couldn’t remember Denath’s appearance that well thanks to being young and not spending as much time around the large dragon like Madiquel did, he knew there was some similarities which was obviously enough to affect Madiquel. Of course he had to get the dragon that made the girl he liked cry on sight! He wasn’t lucky enough for it to be a classmate or even his brother. Nope, it wouldn’t be his luck if something worked to his favour. He took a moment to explain Jajojin, Denath, and the resemblance to Xyxyth and loved his dragon all the more when, after Madiquel took his hand again, Xyxyth crouched low and leaned his head to butt against her side gently to show his affection wordlessly. Xyxyth seemed to like most everyone but those that A’tay liked a lot received a bit more affection out of the bronze that sometimes acted more blue or green.
A’tay laughed at not being recognised right away. It wouldn’t do to be hurt over the confession when they didn’t see each other regularly and especially since he knew he had changed in appearance. “It’s okay. I grew a bit over the summer and Mylorah says I lost a lot of my ‘baby fat’,” A’tay did air quotes to show he was quoting his sister with the term, “and have started toning up a bit because of Xyxyth’s constant oiling. He just had to grow faster than everyone else and make me work harder.” Not that he ever thought being a dragonrider would be anything other than hard work, especially in the early days. Even fully matured, Xyxyth would always need baths and oilings, though perhaps not as regularly as when he was growing, but it would keep him busy.
A’tay frowned when Madiquel continued on about not seeing each other. Could one be dumped without ever being in a relationship? He was pretty sure that was about to happen no matter how excited they had both been minutes before but then her words explained an exciting opportunity and not the kiss of death for his feelings—even if she did let go of his hand right then. “Madi! That’s so… I’m so… I can’t even find the right words to say how amazing that is!” He laughed and was about to throw his arms around her for another hug but stopped and took hold of her shoulders and bent at the knee enough to make them eye level like they were not that long ago.
“Really, it is amazing and nothing to be afraid of because you’re, well, you. You’re good at everything you attempt, you pick things up quickly, you have so much passion for things that you enjoy, and you make friends easier than anyone else. They’ll love you there.” A’tay knew the Halls were more for men but he also knew the Healers were a bit more tolerant of women in their Hall. Not that he had any idea if they were given the same lessons or treated differently. Holders were weird and he was going to have to write a letter to his Aunt Eridella to ask her more about Halls.
“I mean, I was mauled at a Hatching and still went back out there and ended up Impressing to a dragon that seems to be doing okay so far.” Sure, his pinkie finger twitched sometimes from light nerve damage and he had some scars on his hand, but he made it through one of the scariest moments in his life to keep going after what he wanted. That alone was a good inspirational story since A’tay didn’t think highly of himself in terms of bravery or most things, really. “If I can conquer being afraid, you’ll have it beat into submission before you even leave the Weyr.” And nothing anyone, including Madiquel, said could sway him from thinking otherwise.