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Oh, certainly a sign of good things to come. I think it means the Weyr is finally ready for the best pair of dragons to find one another. I think-

Broleith? Where have you gone?

Broleith stopped mid-sentence as Trissa's soft voice echoed in his head, drawing him to a slow halt. He didn't remove his wing from over Meihuath's back, though he did glance back in the direction they'd come from. Was dinner really over with? He heaved a sigh, his lungs releasing a little squeaky sound as he did so, but he sent Trissa an image of where he was and who he was with and his feelings went right with it. He was happy, he was reluctant to go, and yet he wanted Trissa to meet the speckled wonder beneath his sails.

Mine is calling, he said reluctantly, perking up just a bit at the warm reception Trissa sent back. Would you like to meet her? I think you'll like her very much. She is small and cute and very kind, just like you. He didn't hesitate to flood his words with nothing but affection and hope, eager for Meihuath and Trissa to gain each other's approval. He had no doubts they'd get along and the more he thought about it the more he wanted it to happen.

If you wish, of course.

Meihuath's enthusiasm bolstered Broleith's delight and he lifted his head to let out an ear-piercing trumpet, drawing the ire of a few dragons already tucked into their wallows for the evening along the sandy shore. He paid then no mind, though, and gently urged Meihuath to turn around so they could head back to the main area of the Weyr.

Come on, then! he said, eager for the two to meet. He tried not to rush her too much since Trissa still had to make it to the shore and he wasn't sure how steady on her feet Meihuath was after losing her eye. She was clearly still getting used to having only one and the last thing he wanted to do was end up sending her toes over tail into the ground.

Trissa, for her part, followed the mental snapshot Broleith had given her and made it to the shore. She spotted Broleith and a speckled dragon making their way towards her. It was clear Broleith was pleased just from the way he was carrying himself and she had to hide a smile behind her hand, beyond delighted at how he was clearly fawning over his new companion.

Oh! There she is! Trissa, this is Meihuath. Meihuath, Trissa. His tone was beyond pleased and pride was swelling his chest quite a bit. Trissa gave her blue a fond look before turning to Meihuath, a warm smile on her face.

"A pleasure to meet you, Meihuath. Broleith wasn't lying when he said he'd found a pretty dragon on the beach."

Trissa's pale skin flushed slightly at Meihuath's declaration, though Broleith was radiating nothing but delight and pride. For his new beau to appreciate his rider so readily, to see how good and perfect she was validated his decision out on the sands when he'd first hatched. Of course he knew he'd picked the best one, but for his selection to be confirmed by other dragons was an honor few could lay claim to.

You did find me first, he agreed, more than eager to give her that victory. And she is. Don't let her tell you otherwise! She's too modest for her own good.

"A little modesty never hurt anyone, Broleith," Trissa said gently, though the smile from before was still on her face. She reached up a small hand to press her fingers lightly along Meihuath's cheek, the bright green hide very alluring. She was very soft to the touch and from that alone Trissa knew her rider cared quite a bit for her. The obvious injury had probably cut him deep.

"Oh, that's lovely," she said, giving Meihuath a little rub before pulling back. She didn't want her rider to come up to a stranger with her hands all over his dragon. Though she had been born and raised here at Western it was impossible to know everyone's name, and since she'd only been standing for a year she hadn't had the chance to meet many other Candidates. Ko'zenn didn't sound like a name she'd heard before but she knew it was one she would get to know quite well.

Great! Broleith seemed just as excited, not a bit nervous or worried. He'd impress this Ko'zenn as he had impressed Meihuath and prove he was worthy of the green's affectionate gaze.

Broleith stood a little taller, holding his head high as Meihuath's rider jogged into view, ready to make a good impression. He didn't spare him nor Trissa a passing glance as he reached where they all stood, though, his attention focused on nothing but Meihuath. Had it been any other dragon Broleith might have taken offence - he was here to meet them after all! - but with Meihuath's recent injury and her sweet nature he couldn't possibly be upset that he and his rider were ignored.

Trissa, for her part, didn't get in the way of Ko'zenn and Meihuath. She stood by Broleith's stocky leg, a hand on his neck as she watched the older rider fuss over the green. She couldn't help but smile as she watched, her assumption correct. It seemed Ko'zenn was more worried about the state of her eye than Meihuath herself was.

Upon gaining his attention, Trissa gave him a little wave. He looked a bit anxious and put on the spot but she was tactful enough not to mention it.

"Nice to meet you, Ko'zenn. I'm Trissa. And I'd say it's well within his rights as your rider to worry about you," she added, wanting Ko'zenn to know he had an ally. It seemed Meihuath's ideas about what a rider should and shouldn't stress over lined up pretty well with Broleith's.

Speaking of the devil, the blue lifted his head high as he was introduced, shuffling his feet to take what he thought was an impressive stance. He was a blue, he was a small one at that, but he was proud and quite pleased to have been caught by the green beneath his wing, thank you very much!

Quite well, Ko'zenn, never fear. Your darling Meihuath will always be safe and sound when I'm around. He lifted his wings to prove his point, his stocky chest and shoulders rippling with muscles as he showed off. He quickly turned his head to nuzzle Meihuath's cheek again, wanting her rider to be absolutely confident in his ability to protect and to be kind. He wasn't some brute, after all.

She is the shining gem of the Weyr. No, all of Pern!

Trissa had to cover her mouth a bit to stifle her giggle. Broleith had always been one for a bit of flare and dramatics.

"He really is a good blue," she said softly. "He looks a bit rough around the edges...he's a bit loud...but he's got good hearts."

As Ko'zenn puffed up and put his hands on his hips Broleith puffed up as well, the wing that wasn't over Meihuath arching just a bit. It wasn't a challenge but a meeting of protective males. Broleith could appreciate the way Ko'zenn fretted over Meihuath since he'd be doing the same, though her wound wasn't of concern to him as it seemed to be to her rider. Broleith knew the healers were skilled and trusted them to ensure each dragon was in fighting form and they would ensure Meihuath healed nicely.

The 'threat' made Broleith trumpet in amusement, his nasally, high-pitched tone hardly a nice noise, but the emotions that came with it assured both riders and his fellow dragon that he was certainly not offended by Ko'zenn's assertation.

Her hearts are safe with me. And the rest of her. None shall lay a finger or claw on her so long as I'm there. His promise was quite grand but again, his tone was earnest. He truly believed he'd shelter Meihuath from anything that may befall her short of Threadfall. He lowered his head finally to nuzzle Meihuath affectionately, clearly delighted that he had her fussy rider's blessing. He cooed quietly - this a much more normal sound - and let his tail twine with hers. Who would have thought today would end like this? Not him, that was for certain.

Trissa gave a little sigh, part exasperation at her blue's rather grand way of speaking, part delight at seeing the two so happy. She was glad Broleith had someone to focus on that wasn't her. She loved him dearly, of course, but he could be a bit stifling at times when she was doing anything he considered dangerous.

"Certainly his loss," she agreed, giving Ko'zenn a little smile as he turned to face her. "Trust me, he could use a little smack now and then. Very headstrong. But I'm confident he'll treat your Meihuath with the utmost respect and devotion...and if he doesn't he'll have both of us to answer to." Trissa was a wisp of a young woman, slim and delicate and honestly it didn't look like she could harm an insect let alone threaten a blue dragon. But there was a little glint in her eye that promised Broleith would certainly get it from her should he dash Meihuath's hearts.

Broleith was glad Ko'zenn seemed to give them his blessing and puffed up his chest again as Meihuath complimented him. Trissa could feel the confidence and happiness dripping off her dragon and while she knew he always had good intentions at heart, she knew she'd probably have to remind him that Meihuath didn't seem the type to appreciate good-natured teasing. Sometimes Bro would get a bit carried away and, while she understood it was from a good place, not all others did.

I'll be your sky and you shall be my morning star, Broleith proclaimed triumphantly. And you shall brighten all my days!

"What am I, chopped wherry liver?" Trissa asked, teasing her dragon with a tiny grin. Broleith was quick to try to stammer a reply - obviously nothing was greater to a dragon than Theirs - and his attempt to correct himself drew a light, delighted laugh from his small rider.

"I'm only teasing, Broleith. I know there's no comparing the two." She glanced at Ko'zenn, her smile settling into something a bit more mild.

"I suppose I'll know where to go if he's reluctant to give up where he's scurried of to," she said with a knowing brow raise. "If he's ever bothering you, Meihuath, or getting in the way of important things you have my full permission to chase him off."

Meihuath's enthusiasm and delight soothed over Broleith's mild conflict, not wanting to insult his rider nor his new lady by saying one was more important than the other. Of course Meihuath knew Broleith would always put Trissa before anything and everything - it was simply how things were - but he didn't want to say it aloud and possibly make her upset. While Broleith was rough around the edges to most, sweet and gentle creatures like Trissa and Meihuath wormed their way right into his hearts. Hurting them at all would be a fate worse than death.

The brightest. You outshine it without even trying, he insisted, shading his eyes with the wing that wasn't stretched over her back, occasionally bumped as she bounced on her front feet. He began to copy her movements after settling his wings against his own back once more, sending sand flying as his pounces got more and more enthusiastic.

Trissa hid a smile, then a little giggle as Ko'zenn voiced Meihuath's dialogue that was apparently running between dragon and rider. Trissa was biased as well and did consider her blue to be the most handsome dragon, though she did know it was all objective.

"Oh no, he'll behave himself," she promised, watching the two dragons bounce around in the sand. "He's very pleased he caught the eye of 'the prettiest green'," she added, changing her tone to deepen it a bit in an attempt to mimic Broleith's voice. "He won't be pushing his luck any time soon."