[SRP] A Difference of Opinion (Dehka, Dynzrak)

[Tsunake]

It was hardly uncommon for candidates to gather in their barracks during their free hours, talking amongst each other. These days, there was less griping about chores and more excited chatter of the clutches to come. Not one, but two--that meant everyone’s chance had gotten that much higher when it came to Impressing a dragon. Dehka was lingering quietly among the outskirts, listening to the talk without quite being brave enough to jump in. A clear, confident voice suddenly cut through the chatter, and the boy couldn’t help but listen.

“--says not even would he be happy with a green or a white, but a confused gold, to boot! Why in Faranth’s name would a gold be confused? Unless he’s got something he’s not willing to share.” Laughter rose after the statement, and the boy found himself biting his lip. The speaker was a man with bright red hair who carried himself with an easy confidence. They were undoubtedly talking about someone nearby judging by the way that clustered candidates kept casting their eyes off to the left with unsubtle snickers and jeering expressions.

Dehka swallowed thickly. He wasn’t one for confrontation… but bullying wasn’t something he could stand, either. “W-Why is that bad?” He winced, his voice squeaking on the first word. The room fell silent, and boy felt sweat starting to bead at his temples. “I mean… We all want a dragon. And everyone dragon is important. So…. so they all have to Impress someone…” His rambling trailed off, and he felt his mouth going dry.  

[Tsunake]

The sudden, piping voice was enough to make Dynzrak turn, arching his brows at the small, freckled kid who’d spoken out. The redhead absently drew himself up and pulled his shoulders back, emulating the very image of a young, haughty noble even as he looked down at wide green eyes. “Why,” He said, his voice warm and lilting, “Because who in their sharding right mind wants to be at the bottom of the totem pole? Yes, yes, every dragon is important.” He flipped a hand dismissively. “But the truth is that some are more important than others. Is that not true?”

Idiots, all of them. Better to aim for the top from the get go, rather than instantly being prepared to settle.  

[Tsunake]

The way he was spoken to immediately made him feel small, and he did his best not to hunch his shoulders. Some dragons were more important…. That could be argued for, in a way, but Dehka wasn’t sure he agreed. “But without as many green dragons… or even whites, there’s no way that the bigger ones could be quick enough to flame all the Thread that was falling.” He tried not to mumble, averting his eyes once before he forced himself to focus on the boy’s face.

“And… and if a gold wanted me, I’d take her too. Or any dragon.” He said with sudden conviction, curling his hands into fists in an effort to stay strong.  

[Tsunake]

Laughter broke out at the boy’s words, and Dynzrak was among them. He shook his head incredulously, holding out his hands as though to clearly display his disbelief. “Listen, kid.” He said, still chortling even as he deliberately stepped closer. The younger candidate tried to step back, but he easily slung an arm around his shoulders to keep him where he was. “Don’t be an idiot.” Dynzrak told him frankly, offering a small squeeze. “You know what’s going to happen if you get a green? Or a gold?” He rolled his eyes, the gesture playful. “That means that whenever she rises, you’re going to be at the whim of anyone who catches her. Oh, sure, you can resist it and get a sharding headache for your trouble, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t going to feel it. So, do yourself a favor--maybe look to get yourself a nice big brown, huh?”

Grinning at the other, Dynzrak let him go and headed off towards the mess hall. It was about time for dinner, and he certainly wasn’t going to be late.  

[Tsunake]

It was the close contact more than anything that rattled the young man, and Dehka found words failing him as the redhead spoke. He made it sound so simple, so easy--and he found indignation welling up in his throat even though he lacked the will to speak. Then, it was over, and the candidate was left standing by himself once more in the barracks. He hardly heard the hushed whispers and giggles around him, too caught up by those words. Would other people think the same way?

His father never would, Dehka was certain of that…. But… would Kahbrohm think he was lesser of a person if he was happy to Impress a green? He thought of Y’qua and Heimdath, and the only feelings there were of admiration and awe.

Why was it so bad if his soulmate turned out to be a green?

His thoughts continued to haunt him, even when Kahbrohm finally showed up from the last of his chores. Silently, Dehka accompanied him to dinner, troubled and unsure.