Who

Zavyr, D'ex, Nynnth, Zynth

What

Before D'ex actually locates Naneska o deliver her Dead Cat, he runs into a few Other Old, Way Too Familure Faces. Or just one, and one new, unwelcome Face.

BACKDATED, Cussing, Lots of References to Past Events

When

It is midday of the eighth day of the eighth month of the eleventh turn of the 12th pass.

Where

Crater Lake, Igen Weyr

OOC Date 19 Aug 2017 07:00

 

zavyr_default.jpg drex_default.jpg
nynnth_default.jpg zynth_default.jpg


Crater Lake

Four centuries ago, a chunk of the very comet that drove some Oldtimers forward crashed to the desert near Igen Weyr, collapsing the original inner caverns and breaking through to a new spring that now feeds into Igen's underground aquifer. The result? Beauty from destruction - a long, crystalline lake of brilliant sapphire blue. Sharp sandstone rings the water in jagged peaks, where sparse desert shrubs cling to steep, sandy slopes and reflect darkly on the pristine, mirror-like surface. Out in the midst of the lake, a small island pierces the glassy plane, umber from azure in a near-perfect cone. A startling break in the stark desert and savannah surrounding the Weyr, the crater lake sits like a jewel in the rough - a picturesque, inviting respite from the rough, dry terrain beyond.


The heat of Igen is nothing short of horrific. Even firelizards are finding shelter this day, and the air above the hot sand bowl shimmers with heat as so many thermals rise, only to be replaced with marginally cooler air which itself becomes too-quickly heated. The lake shimmers like a jewel, appreciated by the crowds of dragons and people below. Little in the way of martial training appears to be going on; much of Igen turns diurnal during these months, and lounging dragons may lend a sense of lazy. A few Weyrlings are, though, yet under some instruction - they are also engaging in bathing and oiling dragons. To the far end of that group, lined along the beach, is a particularly pale blue dragon who seems much more attentive than his fellows, and he watches those that come and go with a keen awareness.

Over the lake a hypnotically, unwavering blue form will blink into the heat. A canvas tarp is tied up and bound to the dragon’s front claws, some large, heavy object cradled within. As those aura-pale wings angle toward the shore, a small molten green lizard will dart down among those lounging on the beach, her bright eyes scanning for the person who matches that image in her mind. Not here? She knew they were here! The blue backwings once, landing on the sand on his back legs and only shifting down enough to let his rider dismount and start untying the ropes. Too hot. It’s a dry heat. The red head will turn and cast a wary eye toward the more crowded end to the beach, “You sure she’s here?” There is a hint of doubt to the man’s words, eyes skimming over the group without bothering to actually study any one dragon-rider pair. « Lady said here. So We are Here. » That ice is a relief from this heat, but it is not enough to take away how ridiculously hot this place was. Why does anyone live here again? Nothing is green.

It’s the first hint of cool, and only Zynth will feel the brush of cool air, the hint of wide-open expanses framed by ragged-edge rock, and the roil of a waterfall somewhere, distant. Gravel-and-honey voice, the sort that one might associate with a dragon the size of Dhioth, murmers, « Usually the dragons who arrive, announce who they are and from what Weyr. What do you carry in the bag? » No recrimination there, just an observation and oh-so-much curiosity. The intent eyes of the palest blue are fastened on Zynth, with that spark of ‘here I am’. Beside him, a figure matched equally in slenderness and grace, dressed in the tell-tale weyrling black and yellow.
.
The great expanses of rock will be mimicked, an open tundra of snow and ice as Zynth’s attention turns to the younger blue. His response mild, but confident in it’s tone, « I am not here to stay or here on Weyr business an- » The collected response is scrambled, snow swirls in a delight as whirling eyes lock on the pale slip of the rider, « You Have A Zavyr. » There is a warmth to the words now, a playful breeze of delight bringing a crisp nip. Snow will reach out to the weyrling, a happy message to his Zavyr that he was inexplicably here. The cold flakes with brush the mind with as much care as Zynth had offered the first time that he’d met the Fool and now with a respect that this mind he had collected a Turn ago now had another mind claiming it. « Fool, you should introduce me to your’s. » D’ex’s efforts with the rope are successful, the bag flopping to the ground just in time for Zynth himself to twist and drop down, a half a bound closer to the weryling pair, “Hey! Zynth! You can’t just leave this! Where is your-No. Oh no.”

Straightening abruptly, Zavyr looks around, then catches sight of Nynnth’s intent stare and follows that. Zynth’s so-distinct, so-blue color is instantly recognizable, even moreso with the unreal distinction between his uniform solidarity and Nynnth’s roany, almost-textured, swirls of so many blues. And, well. There’s D’ex. “Zynth!” Zavyr steps forward at a quick pace, Nynnth hopping in behind her, trailing with an odd gait and half-outstretched wings, his eyes whirling. « What is the object? What did you bring? I do have a Zavyr! The Zavyr. I picked her. » This last, smug. Zavyr and Nynnth speak at the same time, then, jumbling their words, “Nynnth, this is Zynth. Zynth, my Nynnth.” « I am Nynnth, dragon of Zavyr. » D’ex - D’ex is ignored. Even Zavyr’s lizards come winging down to whip circles around Lady and lure her away to the lake.

« Good Pick~ She’s a good one. I knew. I knew she’d be Someone’s. That is a dead cat.» Another graceful bound and Zynth meets the pair, head lowering to Zavyr’s level before eyes will again skim over the younger blue with more interest than before. « Hello Zavyr and Zavyr’s Nynnth. I am Zynth and that is my D’ex. » Though the redhead has not followed his dragon, nor does his dragon acknowledge the pouting that has commenced from the ex-pirate. Arms folded, foot tapping as he stays by the canvas, glowering after his bond an-wait, even that useless fire lizard was abandoning him?! Damn them all. « Wonderful to see you Fool, though you are not a Fool now, are you? Wonderful to meet the Rider and Thier’s.» Snow swirls in gracious winds, the tundra of ice reaching out to touch the craggy peaks of the younger dragon. « Is all well with the you and you?»

Delighted with the older dragon’s approval of his choice of lifemate (though he always knew he was right all along), Nynnth shifts himself so that he’s half-crouched, but his forelegs are off the ground, and his wings cape around them all, casting at least the business end of things into shadow. « She has … Things she must worry about, that are a waste of time, but she is delightful and will learn. You have a D’ex? » The paler blue now examines the red-head, even as Zavyr shifts to draw absent fingers down Nynnth’s wing, “So you’re a far distance from Southern, Zynth. Why do you have a dead cat?” She makes the supposition that Nynnth had failed to - that this is a large cat. And she also greets, “Hey, D’ex. Who is the body for?” All the lizards flip about, trying to lure Lady to the lake, where at least the moisture when tipped up with wings, is cool.

Lady does not need much more luring, the green is gone in a heartbeat, chittering happily, though her usual hours are of the more nocturnal kind. « I have a D’ex. He is an ass hole, but we are working on that. » There is a note of fondness to Zynth’s words, his attention flicking momentarily back to the large tarp bag, « It is for my Naneska. She wanted a Stripy one.» D’ex himself stays where he is, arms folded and glaring, “Some trader girl who I’ve apparently met before. Zynth had this thing *leaking* all over my ledge. How the *hell* did you Impress? Seriously?! Don’t they want people who are not likely to die on dragons? How are you even *alive*?!” « D’ex. Be Nice. This is My Zavyr. »

Ah! A kindred spirit in attitude, at least, about this! Zavyr brightens. “I’ve been telling him he messed up. But he doesn’t listen. Very stubborn sort he is. I’ve even given him suggestions of all the other folks he could have Impressed. But…” She shrugs and Nynnth blows air over Zavyr’s head, proving a small local straight-wind styling opportunity of the short white-blond hair. “Yeah. I don’t know. I think someone forgot to read the rules to at least one section of the eggs, before they hatched. So. You had a leaker and thought you’d bring it to Naneska. Because she wants a dead cat. I guess I should have anticipated that, yes. Of course.” Zavyr nods sagely, and Nynnth looks at the bag, before stepping forward. He wants to see the dead cat! Hell yes!

D’ex hisses, stepping back as the young blue’s interest shifts to the bag. He kicks back a flap, careful not to actually touch the carcass, but the tarp will flop over to reveal a large striped feline, stiff and dead for quite a few hours now. “This was not my idea. Zynth arranged it. Speaking of-” One hand waves out to the beach and lake, D’ex’s attention turning to his dragon, “Where is she?!” Zynth’s head will twist around, he didn’t know where Naneska was, «Perhaps Lady was wrong. But we are good to be here. See? Seeing Zavyr and Meeting Nynnth. Good things from a mistake. » The blue’s head will dip again to Zavyr, « You are have a good one and a good one has you. There are no mistake bonds. Ever. »

“WELL.” Zavyr dips into a bow to Zynth, rising with a quick grin, “He is blue, which is the finest color a dragon could be, thinks I. Not quite as blue as you, but never-the-less an intriguing and marvelous shade of blue.” She steps up and points across the bowl, “The trader caravans are that a-way, and I suspect that you’ll find Naneska over that way, D’ex. But it’s hot yet and a bit of a walk. Definitely better to fly. And damp, except I expect you’ll be going between. Soon. How are things at Southern? You’re finding dragonridering to your liking? You’ve a marvelous lad here, I think.” She does look Zynth over, though, perhaps comparing him to the mental image of Nynnth - and then the reality of the smaller blue. “Do you think Nynnth will reach Zynth’s size?” That’s generally spoken, “And you didn’t get him any more firelizards?”

« Best of Colors. Yes. » Both D’ex and Zynth’s heads will turn toward the trading area, a quick thought to Lady and the green breaks away from her new friends, looking again for the blonde who Zynth owes a dead cat. “Dragonriding is very dangerous, tiring, and requires me to deal with all sorts of people I have no interest in dealing with.” « He loves it.» D’ex will hiss again, starting to tie up the canvas, movements fast and irritable. “Come here Zynth, let’s get this done with.” As the blue makes his way back and sits up again, front claws offered forward, a soft, amused hum starts up, « Perhaps soon. Another one soon I think. I am working on it.He needs another lizard. » The blue’s sharp head with turn to study the younger dragon, « Nynnth will grow until he is done growing. And then he will stop. Perhaps he will be bigger. Perhaps same. Perhaps smaller. It does not matter in the end. » “No. No more firelizards. One is damnable enough. And you-” A finger will find it’s way accusingly toward the weyrling, “Have you even told your Aunt you Impressed? This-” The finger moves to Nynnth himself, “Is sort of a big deal. And You-” that accusing point returns to Zavyr, “Are kind of high maintenance.”

“I did write her a letter.” Zavyr admits. “I think I mentioned that. And how would you know I’m ‘high maintenance’? Not only have you never tried to ‘maintain’ me - and I promise you I wouldn’t give you the opportunity, but I am actually a fellow of few needs. And, given that, it follows that as a gal I have far fewer needs than other gals. To whit,” she runs her fingers through her hair and drops the strands almost instantly, “Short hair. No makeup. Few needs and nearly no money. The dragon,” Zavyr glances fondly over at Nynnth, but then addresses her words to Zynth this time, “Is delightfully capable of killing his own creatures now and doesn’t even eat that often. So I resent this remark, Orderly. But how has Weyr life been treating you? I hear you’ve a new shake-up with that volcano.” To Zynth, Zavyr grins and winks, “Seems like just his thing - all the rules and regulations and Thou Shalts and Thou Shalt Nots. I think the lifestyle totally suits him, yes.”

“Anyone who is trying to die every fourteen minutes is high maintenance.” D’ex doesn’t want to ever have to ‘maintain’ Zavyr. He wouldn’t be able to handle all the thisness. A hand waves dismissively as the fool lists their traits, “Dragon, yes, they say all that matters now is that one is a rider, but they are liars.” The pirate-thing was still held against D’ex, though he doesn’t do much to redirect such negative attentions. “They still point and say bad and everyone thinks they know better and NOW there are all those people from the volcano and I have to work with a dolphineer.” Words are emphasized as if they taste bad in D’ex’s mouth, his arms fold again, leaning back into Zynth’s shoulder. « Weyr life is Wonderful. And how have you been taking to the Change?» “You know what, Kid? You need to eat more.”

« She is a wreck. » Nynnth volunteers to Zynth’s question of his rider. « Even though I explain to her that we will have much to do and every day is an adventure and the drills and the rules and the rest is not a- » “Nynnth!” Zavyr hears that! She straightens and speaks to Zynth first, “I’m fine. All is grand. Except I hate catching firestone sacks. The rest.. - It’s alright. We can’t wait to fly more. Lots. And flame!” To D’ex, Zavyr dips into a quick bow, “I’ve upped it to only about once every three days that I invite others’ homicidal tendencies; Igen has strict rules against killing Weyrlings.” BUT she does agree with the man, surprisingly, “Yes. They do say that, and it is wher-crap. Nothing matters once… Right. You are so right, D’ex.” She scratches her neck, though, and glances herself up and down, “I’m doing fine on the eating. They feed us quite a bit here. That part is nice, too.” Returned questions: “What are you doing with the dolphineer? That sounds…Lovely. I’ve not met any dolphins. Did you meet dolphins?”

« It’s okay. I think that’s normal. My D’ex was too. » Though, D’ex had his head around the idea of being a rider by they time they were Senior Weyrlings. Zynth’s attention will turn politely to Zavyr as she peaks, « Wonderful. You will get better at the Firestone. And at The Rest. » Wow, Zavyr is agreeing with D’ex. And D’ex isn’t offended by it. Wow, first time for everything, right? “I’m going over ship’s logs and maps and I point out everything suspicious and she ignores me.” D’ex nods, arms folding. His personal assignment was going splendidly. “I’ve seen folks try to skin dolphins. Can’t imagine Odesse letting me try my hand at it.” D’ex is not a fan of dolphins. Zynth is. « I’ve met dolphins, they are lovely creatures. Odesse can call them with a bell. You and Nynnth should come meet them.»

Both Nynnth and Zavyr are quite on board (pun intended) with meeting dolphins. “Once we are cleared to go places, we will. That sounds lovely. You will introduce us, Zynth?” Zavyr asks, with Nynnth all but echoing her words with his resonant tones matching syllable for syllable. But Zavyr turns to D’ex, “Why do they have you do it, if they just go to ignore you, D’ex? Is this…Busy work? You causing trouble and this is a way to keep you out of the way? Nynnth seeks images from the other, of dolphins. « What do they look like? Call with a bell? How? » Valor and Joy land and situate themselves on Nynnth’s head, while Hope careens in for a landing on Zavyr’s shoulder and Grit goes chasing after the new green lizard. Because she’s pretty and he’s basically a teenage male.

« Of course! » Zynth flashes images of the sleek grey creatures coming to docks, a bell hanging at the end of the dock and the shrill whistle of the odd shipfish. They were a fascination to him and the memory might be tinted with that curiosity. “It’s not busy work. Though we’d get a whole lot more done if Odesse wasn’t a pain to work with!” Or D’ex is a difficult person to work with. Or D’ex makes no effort to work with the lady at all and they pair just happen to be working on the same thing in the same general location, sometimes sharing resources. However one likes to see it, they are probably right. “Smugglers, Illegal Miners, there WILL be a link, and seeing as the whole world travels by boat, we will find it.” This, D’ex is sure, regardless of the hopeless partnership he finds himself in during this assignment. Granted, D’ex out of the way might be nice too, for Odesse? Maybe?

Nynnth just invites himself right into close proximity to those images with an open, ingenuous curiosity that takes in all detail, as much detail, as Zynth will supply. « And they fly underwater, like the fishes, yes? » Flashes of fishes - the few tiny ones that yet survive in Igen’s lake, are shared. Sad affairs, those small and lonely things; predation is far too high to sustain much of a population. “Link to what? What exactly are you looking for? More pirates? Thieves of some other stripe?” No particular accusation there, Zavyr having been at least one of those titles. “I haven’t met Odesse. “And if you need anyone to open any locks for you… I’m stuck here, but not for too much longer, I think. Sounds fun. Especially if it’s official business.” She grins.

“Official Business is terrible. Sweeps at least allow some leeway, but I have to be there at the same time every blasted day or she complains. And the ONE day she’s late. I get in trouble!” For other, unrelated things like bringing Zynth into the CraftHall, but we are not going to get into that. “We’re looking for smugglers I think. Some sort of illegalness with all those refugees from the volcano. If any locks need picking, I’m pretty sure I can do that myself.” D’ex’s arms fold, frowning at her and her grinning. No it was not fun. « Yes, underwater. Very quick actually. Clever things. » Zynth will display some mild interest in Igen’s fish, perhaps to be polite, then will return with more images of the dolphins at sea. Whole pods racing below him as water stretches out on all sides like plains of blue wheat.

“But, Orderly,” Zavyr argues, “You would WANT to be there every day at the same time, wouldn’t you?” She just seems to grin brighter as he frowns more - rather like a sibling relationship, when one totally figures out the other’s buttons and pushes them. “I am sure I am a better lockpick than you are, D’ex. Positive. Would be willing to bet on that.” The glove is thrown down, there. Nynnth revels in the images that Zynth shares, imagining himself into that picture - a sleeker version of his current weyrling self, of course. He’s all confidence and cheer, is Nynnth. « Do they speak to you? Or the lizards? » Nynnth has been quick study on the uses of firelizards; the four of Zavyr’s do his bidding constantly. And he also has access to Neryk’s bronze.

“Of course I would. If it wasn’t required.” D’ex almost seems to wilt at her brightening. Stop that. Stop that Smile. And now a challenge, “Kid, I’ve been picking locks longer than you have existed. I can break into anywhere.” Challenge Accepted. « They do Speak. They Chitter and Chat and it is… . » As the older blue fishes for the appropriate word his eyes will shift over across the lake, checking in on Lady and her task, « It is Odd. But Communicates just fine. They are useful things, the dolphins. » Though his rider might not like them, Zynth is a fan.

« We will come as soon as we are cleared to do so. My Zavyr speaks of Southern ever-so-fondly. » Nynnth admits, and flashes some of Zavyr’s Zavyr-eye-view memories of the beaches and rocks and oceans of Southern, as well as some of the Weyr itself. Even one of Zynth and baby Lady. « We will come and you will show us the dolphins! » He is beside himself with delight at the prospect. Zavyr laughs, “But you had other things to do during your life. I lived in a hole with little other entertainment. So. Find yourself some fair judges and some good locks and we shall see.” She winks, but then turns to Nynnth, drawing a hand down the blue’s sleek neck. “Yes. As soon as we can. I’m sure D’ex and Zynth would love to show us around.”

“No we are not showing you around! Look, lock picking contest! That’s it! And not in southern!” Because D’ex has babysitters and a tattle tail dragon. “I’ve had a well rounded life while you lived in a hole and rotted, no one is complaining! Good! Zynth, we’re leaving now.” « Come to Southern. You can be our guests. We will show you around and I can introduce you to the pods.» D’ex is tying up of the bag agian turns to the dragon half of this endevor, “Zynth. Leaving. Now. Come on.” He starts to mount up, without the help of a lowered shoulder or even any sign that Zynth has heard him, « And the Big Cats. They are better when Alive. You should come see those too.»

Nynnth seizes on the idea of Big Cats. He likes little cats. He’s heard of some of the bigger dragons hunting Big Cats. « Big Cat! And Dolphins! And Zavyr says the beaches are full of wild firelizards. And the oceans are full of fish! And the tunnelsnakes are HUGE. » While he and Zynth plot out the Tour de Flora of Southern, Zavyr grins again at D’ex. “You know. Usually it’s the dragon who, in the final tally, will or will not decide to leave. Or, are you just practicing for a time when he might listen to you?” She is teasing, but isn’t sure that D’ex gets it, so will point this out to him: “That was a joke. Ribbing.” Zavyr then intrudes again on the dragons’ conversation, “We would love to come and visit you. What shall we bring as a host-gift? I can try to track down another firelizard egg, Zynth.” Zavyr has always enjoyed playing with fire.

“You need to work on your jokes. Jokes are supposed to be funny.” The last of the bag is secured from Zynth’s back, knots far messier than they had been when they arrived. D’ex’s frustration at this whole situation not allowing the man to focus on the one thing that mattered here; tidy knots on the bag holding the dead cat deliver. « Yes. All of That. And Yes. Another green if you can manage it. Such things are so polite and kind if we are to be showing you ar- » “HELL NO!” The rider turns on the blue, finger waving as menacingly as it can, “No! No more lizards! No visiting! No vacation to Southern! No!” The waving finger will turn on the weyrling pair, “No! Okay? No! None of that! Zynth. Let’s GO!” His attention shifts to leg straps, done hastily despite Zynth’s total lack of any sign of leaving. “Zynth. Leaving. Dead Cat.”

Deadpanning for a moment, but with that bright aura of barely-suppressed humor dancing about her eyes and threatening to curl her lips, Zavyr returns, “You need to work on your sense of humor, D’ex. Humans are supposed to have a sense of humor.” She almost points out the untidyness of the knots, but instead nods to Zynth, “I’ll see what I can find. There’s usually clutches around and Joy’s due to go up soon.” Oh, but she does have to stop, to watch D’ex’ finger-waving fit with what is perhaps a perverse joy, even while Nynnth kind of wobbles his head in time with D’ex’ finger. To Zynth, Nynnth comments, « I can see why you picked him. He is wonderfully amusing.»

« Isn’t he though? We are working on him. » Zynth was working on molding his D’ex almost constantly, not that D’ex was aware of it most of the time. Now, D’ex didn’t care, nor was he aware. “I’ll have you know that I have a fine sense of humor. I’m hilarious. You are pathetic, keep your flying rats!” If he had the means of making Zynth move, perhaps he would be using them all now. As it is, the red head can only turn to the blue again, “Leaving! Zynth!” This time, the dragon will start to rise, wings loose and opening, « Lady has located my Naneska. I bid you good bye now. Until Next time Zavyr of Nynnth and Nynnth of Igen. » Rearing up again, the blue will balance a moment, wings held up to keep him from swaying.

« Clear skies to you, Zynth! When I may Between, we shall come and visit! » -At the same time that Nynnth’s greeting touches, Zavyr is saying, “Clear skies to you, Zynth and D’ex. So nice to see you again too. You have no idea how happy it makes me to see that Impression has not fundamentally changed you. Have the finest of days and you’d best start practicing on every lock you can find, bluerider.” She even salutes - Zynth, not D’ex - before stepping back to Nynnth’s shoulder, to give the bluepair room to take off. Four lizards come to escort the blue to his final destination, before they race back to where Zavyr and Nynnth have resumed their water play.

Add a New Comment