[PRP] A Hint of Morning Sun [Marty/Talis + Dergs?]

[demon_pachabel]

There was something about the sun reflecting off of freshly oiled hide first thing in the morning that made such starts so pleasant to Martirae, who after feeding her young lifemate had allowed the gold to settle her head sleepily against her shoulder. Anakumath would never be a morning dragon, and allowing her just a few more minutes while the others fed and oiled their own before the first lesson of the day would hopefully perk her up just a bit more as the day continued on.

Stroking the half dozed face rested against her, Martirae again found herself drawn into that love that was offered so purely. Certainly, it was a natural response to the fact that they were now each other, but she couldn't - wouldn't - think that it was merely a selfish thing. Not from Anakumath, who even asleep could bring such a rare smile to the young woman's face as she looked her over.  

[Meepfur]

Holleth was not a slow starter, but nor was he among those he demanded an early start, or was immediately up and about with great vigor. He had little to no inclination to gambol about like some of his classmates, either, and certainly not to race or wrestle unless asked in just the right way by just the right sibling or cousin. Otherwise, he preferred to go about his morning business at a steady, but very efficient pace.

He was meticulously scrubbed and oiled, a state which quite pleased him. Though he might not strut so openly as some, he did enjoy looking his best, and His enjoyed the task. She did tend to be an early riser, as much out of habit as out of work ethic, and had a tendency to sleep lightly and be easily roused regardless. But she got enough sleep to function properly and think clearly, and that was what mattered.

There was time yet before lessons began, and while neither dozed, they were, as usual, quiet as they sat together. Neither was antisocial by any means, but didn't speak just to fill silence, especially as silence was actually rather rare, with such an enormous group of weyrlings, even when split in two.

demon_pachabel

 

[demon_pachabel]

As Anakumath dozed - not truly asleep, but certainly not as bright and perky as some of the others were - Martirae took stock of everybody, still grasping around for solid ideas on who her fellow Weyrlings were. A few months was not nearly long enough for a solid idea. Especially when she was pulled out of more and more lessons that simply weren't meant for a non-fighting dragon. Non-flaming, perhaps.

Some, it was just hard to get a read on because like herself, they weren't forthcoming at the drop of a hat. Some had their guard up like Martirae did, and she respected that. Talis, for example, seemed that way from what she'd gleaned of the young woman seated with her blue. He was looking well - perhaps as diligently tended to as even she was to the task.

Catching the other woman's eye, Martirae offered a nod of greeting, stirring Anakumath just enough that she cracked an eye open to peer sleepily at her cousin, a soft cheep of greeting burbling from her chest.

Meepfur

 

[Meepfur]

Talis and Holleth certainly found some of their fellow weyrlings more interesting than others, and their opinions were often much the same. They treated everyone with all due respect, of course, but some they privately found more or less appealing than others when it came to those they'd be most willing to keep company with outside of lessons. Some were much too loud, or too full of themselves, or too eager to pry. All things they could cope with gracefully enough, but certain types required more effort than others.

Talis, for her part, had to admit to some surprise that the young woman who'd Impressed Holleth's golden cousin wasn't one of those high-maintenance types, counter to at least some stereotypes about goldriders and their bondeds. The clutches had their share of others who did meet stereotypes, but Martirae and Anakumath were not among them, from what they'd observed.

When the other caught her eye, Talis returned the nod, while Holleth responded to the cheep with a gentle mental touch and altered his posture just slightly into one that was more alert. Cousin.

demon_pachabel

 

[demon_pachabel]

Martirae was almost sad when Anakumath lifted her head from her shoulder to look more attentively on Holleth, returning the mental nudge with one of her own. Her tired eyes brightened, her near permanent yellows flecked with blues and greens as she looked upon him. The morning is treating you well, she greeted with an alertness that was still tinted by sleep. You and yours fare well, I hope?

She'd never have considered it prying, but Anakumath had found the border that Holleth had built around himself and had taken to sitting as close to it as she could without putting a toe over it. His comfort zone was important, after all, so she'd respected it. If he needed her to come farther in, he would offer.

Unlike her bonded, though, Martirae did not offer such idle small talk - Anakumath was invested, of course, so it wasn't as though she was simply filling space mindlessly with her inquiry...but it would have been so for the young woman. Talis was hardly the worst person that she could have found herself in the company of without a word, after all.

Meepfur

 

[Meepfur]

And you as well, he returned with somber politeness, his own gaze holding a calm and steady green. Anakumath did look to be in good order, though it was no surprise that she would be so well-tended to, and he supposed that he could or perhaps should offer a more effusive compliment than to return the one she'd given, but he did not have the same sort of...appreciation for her that some of his siblings and cousins doubtless did. It was a lack withim himself he was very, very well aware of. She was yet, however, one of his preferred classmates, providing easy company that never pushed past his comfort zone. We have no complaints. It is a fair morning, and our lessons should be as illuminating as always.

While neither was what they would themselves deem studious, they were dutiful, careful learners, with deep respect for the import of what they were learning. Talia stroked idly down his neckridges, aware of the dragons' conversation and content to let them at it while she and her fellow weyrlingsat in companionable silence for now.

demon_pachabel

 

[demon_pachabel]

Holleth's less starstruck attitude about her was actually to great relief. He offered no grander interest towards her than he did any of the others (and in fact, perhaps less than some) and in that, there was comfort. There was a lack of need to perform to the status of her hide. I am glad to hear it, she'd not reiterate that he could come to her if he needed anything - she'd said it more than once, and that had been plenty. No need to push it. Are you awaiting any lesson in particular?

For only a moment, Martirae excused herself, pausing only to assure Anakumath she could remain. She would return with two cups of klah, offering one to Talis without a word before sitting again. It would be best to make sure everybody was feeling a bit more...bright and alert.

Meepfur

 

[Meepfur]

The drills seem the most useful of our lessons lately. Not that geography is not important. Is there anything in your lessons that you prefer? There was no undercurrent of jealousy in the question - he was merely curious.

Talis gave little thought to Martirae's departure, simply noted it and continued to run idle fingers over her dragon's hide. When the young woman returned with cups of klah, it was unexpected, and she blinked up at her for a moment before accepting a cup with a wordless noise...but leaving it exclusively at that would border on rude, so she did add a quiet, "Thanks."

demon_pachabel

 

[demon_pachabel]

It has been a lot of history and meeting those who lead our Weyr. Your mother and hers are very kind to us in our lessons, all of the pomp and circumstance was honestly a bit much for her, unknown eyes peering down at her, pondering their futures before they'd already lived too much of the present. Martirae quickly reached out mentally to smooth down the riling nerves of her beloved. Geography will be important when it comes time to go Between.

Martirae nodded towards Talis as she sipped from her own cup. "Mmhmm," she acknowledged, perhaps not much more polite than Talis had been trying to not come off as. It was a lot of pomp and circumstance as far as she understood.

Meepfur

And I just realized around this time are the fun 'Mating Flight Discussions' to add some good ol' anxiety poor Holleth ;A;

 

[Meepfur]

A little whisp of purple might have swirled through his eyes at the mention of Fianth. Little Holleth did love his mother, ever so much, but did not see as much of her as his hearts might desire. But that was fine. He was, after all, only one little blue with dozens of siblings and cousins, many of them more deserving of Fianth's time. Like his sister, and Anakumath. He did not need his mother's attention the way some did, only wanted it. It was no great hardship to go without, or so he told himself. Mother is very kind, he agreed, successfully avoiding any hitch or hesitation in the words. I'm sure you will learn a lot from her.

A tiny dark tendril of...something...snaked at his hearts, but he ignored it, turning his head to press against His' side. Fingers crept up along his muzzle, over an eyeridge, then wrapped gently around a headknob. But you are right, of course. The geography will be very important, one day.

demon_pachabel

just what he needs, stuff to be anxious about. XDD

 

[demon_pachabel]

If he hadn't seemed so withdrawn from such things, Anakumath would have eagerly reached out to boop her cousin and shower him with love so very much like his mother would have even without him asking. But she let it be, not wanting to poke at raw ends he hadn't offered up to her to see - respecting his privacy much as Hers wished for such things.

Just as you already are, dear Holleth. Please let me know if I can ease your worries, there was no command - it was something she would have been hesitant to use to begin with and never upon one so beloved to her hearts. I will always be here for you.

Meepfur

 

[Meepfur]

There was the slightest quizzical tilt to his head at Anakumath's offer to ease his worries if he wished, born both of a difficulty understanding why someone would want to and how they might. And how she knew. But Anakumath was more attentive than most, even if it made little sense to him that his golden cousin would be interested. There were dozens and dozens of them, many of whom would have been been far more readily receptive of attentions - and with hides tradition would have deemed more deserving.

He had long noted, though, the way she sat just outside his walls, even if his feelings on her doing so were quite conflicted. She never pushed, but she was...there. He was of two minds about whether or not he liked that. I appreciate your kind regard, he answered diplomatically. And he did appreciate it, even if he didn't fully understand why it would be offered. I have few worries at present, though if that changes, I will keep your words in mind. Honest enough, but by no means a promise to share. Simply a possibility.

After all, his cousin did not deserve to be burdened by him any more than his mother did.

demon_pachabel

 

[demon_pachabel]

There had been nothing for her to know, only an offer that was extended whether she knew of anything or not.

I am pleased to hear that. I will hope it stays that way for you, dear Holleth, Anakumath kreeled softly towards her cousin as she leaned into Martirae's side, lifting a foot to rest it on the woman's knee. Without even a half thought, she dropped her hand to rest it on top of the golden foot, idly stroking it with her thumb.

Martirae took another sip of her drink, quietly assessing how the other Weyrlings were doing on their morning routine.

"Soon," she said, knowing Talis would understand. The others would join them and lessons would begin soon enough, and such idle conversation would give way to more studious talk.

Meepfur

 

[Meepfur]

Similarly, if you need anything...I am here. He doubted that she would, of course, but to offer was important regardless. Perhaps it was the mark of a guilty conscience full of worries that he took her general, generous offer had him jumping to conclusions, concerned that somehow she knew. Talis noted his discomfort and stroked his neck soothingly, though she made no fuss of it, and continued sipping at her klah.

"Mm." She looked up when Marty spoke, gaze following the goldrider's. "Another thrilling day of geography." Not that she disliked the lessons, or found them unimportant, but the subject matter was definitely rather dry.

demon_pachabel

 

[demon_pachabel]

Thank you. I am lucky to have your shoulder. If he'd seemed more inclined to it, Anakumath would have leaned in to offer a nuzzle, a gentle boop to dear Holleth. But she respected his privacy - more than perhaps Mictecath would have. Oh, their clutchsister was a wonderous and magnificent dragon and Anakumath would and could never think ill of her, but it was too easy to imagine her pulling her brother under wing against his will to smother him in the affections he did so deserve.

"Better to learn it in bits, than have to cram it all in before they teach us to Between," Martirae sympathized. For her, the maps were fascinating - not what they contained, but the craftsmanship of them. It was her own craft, after all.

Meepfur