[PRP] Importance of Family (Bossuth, Skerath & Riders)

[Hattaki]

Classes were surely interesting, all the things that he could learn, but it was even more interesting to see all the dragons and how they and their riders paired up, how they'd grown. Bossuth had been growing day after day, not getting as big as some of his siblings already were, likely they'd be much larger than he, but already he was up there compared to some of the greens. Including one of the greens that R'iz remembered... very well. He had no prejudice against her, in fact the redhead loved greens, but he bore the marks across his face of the pain she'd been in through that hatching. That didn't mean that he had any interest exactly in reaching out in any way, he wasn't that type of person.

His dragon on the other hand, was absolutely that type of dragon that would toss them together in the interest of closure. Bossuth had been needling at R'iz for the past week to reach out to her rider or Skerath herself who he insisted endlessly was a wonderful dragon.

I'm not arguing that she's not wonderful, I'm just saying that it might not be the best idea. Just because you're super affectionate and love everyone doesn't mean... But she's fantastic! She wants to protect Pern from thread as much as you do. Wouldn't it be good to be friends? Bossuth made certain to cut him off before R'iz could offer up another reason not to. Though the little bronze knew that his rider needed someone to push him the rest of the way to actually reach out to others past the prickly armor he showed the world and he was completely willing to do that. So it was that the pair had found themselves waiting outside in the hall after their most recent lesson waiting for Skerath and her's, not exactly bickering but coming to terms with what one baby bronze wanted to see happen.

Adding stress to the situation was the fact that R'iz still couldn't talk, or at least not well, since his jaw was still healing up. He had it bound and it was due to come off soon enough but just hadn't as of yet. So how the shaffing shells he was supposed to actually 'talk' to anyone was beyond him, he couldn't keep talking through Bossuth like some sort of filter. Especially since his beloved dragon tended to sugar coat his words or just blurt them out in the most blunt of ways, innocent as could be because he didn't understand at all the meaning of 'inner voice vs outer voice'. I don't even think she'd want anything to do with me? Probably doesn't even remember that it happened and it doesn't matter because she wasn't impressed. I'm not holding a grudge Bossuth!

That's not the point though! You should befriend more people, meet others, she's in our wing so we should get to know her and her rider. Bossuth responded as he watched people filter in and out of the classroom patiently, all but glued to R'iz's leg because despite wanting his rider to meet Skerath and her's he was shy. What if his cousin didn't actually want to even officially meet him let alone his rider? Bossuth knew he wasn't exactly worthy enough to talk to his strong cousin.

Tsunake

 

[Tsunake]

Skerath's time on the Hatching Sands had been memorable, to say the last, and the finely-boned green was entirely unrepentant about the damage and panic she'd caused. Iathe, for her part, felt similarly. Though she certainly hadn't wanted anyone to get mauled, many Candidates had behaved so poorly that she cringed even now to think on their actions. It was little wonder that Skerath had reacted so viciously... and, as the green felt fit to inform Hers, she hadn't killed anyone. Not that she held it against her brother, of course. On that point.... well. Iathe hadn't let herself dwell over the boy's death. It had been a tragedy, only compounded by the loss of the little green, but they had to look to the future now.

They'd risen after lessons, and it was Skerath who informed her rider that someone was expecting them. The blonde blinked with surprise, and the little green snorted even as she resettled her wings. Bossuth and His have been sniffing after our heels. She hadn't spared much thought for her bronze cousin. His brother was a pompous idiot at times, but his hearts were in the right place.... mostly.

Iathe frowned to herself. R'iz had been one of those who Skerath had injured quite badly. Was he holding a grudge, she wondered? One hand dropped down a bit protectively to stroke the green's head knobs, and dragon leaned against her leg for a moment. Well. If he was, Iathe thought grimly, she'd set him straight. She didn't hesitate to stride out of the room, and sure enough, there was R'iz and bronze Bossuth.

"R'iz. Bossuth." She greeted cordially, and Skerath eyed both of them with orange-tinged eyes.

Hattaki

Thirty years later!

 

[Hattaki]

From the look in Skerath's eyes and the way that Iathe greeted the both of them, R'iz wasn't exactly worried overmuch that they even remembered what had happened, which would have been great if they'd both forgotten. Really it had been his own fault that the brilliant green's claws had hit his face and chest, if he'd not hesitated then he might have thrown his arms up in the way and his jaw wouldn't have been broken, so the redhead blamed absolutely no one but himself for his injuries. Maybe that was why seeing the little green leaned up against her rider's leg with those orange eyes hurt just a bit, because he had nothing but respect for them both.

"Iathe and Skerath. Sorry about..." Cousin! Bossuth cut R'iz off just a bit and his bright blue eyes showed that he was excited to finally get to meet her face to face since he'd sensed her brave hearts. "... this." the redhead finished and covered the unscarred part of his face with one hand, eyes rolled to the ceiling. "He's wanted to say hello since we were able to come to lessons and he discovered we shared them."

Iathe herself was no mystery to R'iz, they'd stood as Candidates together for two hatchings but he'd been around the Weyr long enough to have built up a healthy respect for the taller woman. Her work ethic alone had built up a level of respect in him, not to mention how she held others accountable for quite a bit, it reminded him of his best friend quite a bit. While he himself had always just worked harder to make up for the slack from others, she didn't back down and let them walk all over her. Never once had he gone up to her and told her all of that, she likely wouldn't have cared to hear it any more than R'iz would have cared to tell her, for at least he was more concerned about work than about making tons of friends.

Even if they all somehow found him.

Maybe that was where Bossuth came in, his neverending love for all of his family more than made up for how his rider wasn't overly forthcoming with things. Sorry cousin, but I wanted him to meet you so he could see how fantastic you are, because he really likes greens a lot. His whole body wiggled just a little bit, but his voice was a little on the shyer side when he said it rather than his early greeting. There was still a nervousness beneath the surface, for even though he wanted them to all be friends and fight thread together he was afraid they'd just simply walk away, or maybe that was R'iz's general feeling... Either way the little bronze simply was trying his best and his green cousin was the best!

Tsunake

An EON later. Xx;; omg I'm so sorry.

 

[Tsunake]

The depth of Iathe's surprise mirrored itself in her delicately-built green, for she'd hardly expected this sort of reaction. It was shockingly sensible--a baby dragon without it's bonded could hardly be held responsible for its actions, after all--but she still found herself warming immediately towards the pair. A slight smile pulled at her lips, and her no-nonsense stance softened a touch. "Don't be." She assured him. Skerath would never admit to weakness, but Iathe knew how those little hearts sometimes longed for the easy friendships that seemed so natural to others of her family.

The green in question was temporarily frozen, taken aback by such compliments. She sensed no malice within Bossuth's tone, craning her neck out as though to better observe the ungainly bronze and his chosen companion. He has good sense. She finally replied with only a touch of her usual asperity, some of the orange fading from her multifaceted eyes.

"It's sweet of him to want to visit. How are your injuries?" Iathe asked after a moment, feeling that it was safe to breach the subject. "A broken jaw was nothing to sneer at, and he would certainly have scars for the rest of his life. Still, scars were hardly uncommon at a Weyr, so R'iz would forever be in good company. "And I never did get to say congratulations," She nodded towards Bossuth. It was true that the two of them knew each other by working in proximity as Candidates... but R'iz had always been a reliable person, and she could both appreciate and approve of his ability to handle whatever tasks was thrown his way.

The green dragon studied the young man's face for a time, assessing him silently. After apparently finding what she was looking for, she dropped her attention to the bronze once more. I have done nothing of merit yet for you to sing my praises. Though a rebuke, it was surprisingly mild; Iathe's good mood had shifted her own.

Hattaki

Don't be! We are slow pals. <3

 

[Hattaki]

Some of the stiff concern for their abrupt meeting eased out of R'iz with Iathe's assurance and he chose to consciously ignore the look of surprise on her face. Never in his life had he so much as blamed one dragon for the actions that occurred before they were bonded and he wasn't about to start now. No, as Bossuth claimed, it was obvious that Skerath was going to grow into quite the threadfighting wonder and just the memory of living through Thread falling on him actively made him all the more grateful that she would be, once grown. Seemed he would have to at least listen to Bossuth's affirmations in the future, for he seemed to read others well even if his excitement was likely a little too much for them all and it made him almost laugh to think that later the little bronze would be self deprecating again.

All things with time, he supposed.

"He loves all his clutch siblings quite a bit, so honestly... you can expect he'll be back to see you both at some point in the future as well." R'iz gave a chuckle at last, glancing down at his affectionate dragon. "But don't worry about me, the healers in High Reaches saved my life before this and this wasn't even life threatening. Just my own stupidity for not blocking or going right to them." Or rather the stupidity of others had caused Skerath's outburst of pain and it was those particular individuals that he'd never once forgiven, even if one or two of them had become Weyrlings alongside both himself and Iathe. Time would tell if their foolishness might be tempered by their dragons; a baby dragon could be forgiven, a candidate with training not to act that way could hardly be.

Shrinking just a bit with Skerath's words, Bossuth continued on with his usual open heart and his eyes swirled purple. Yes he does, but he needs help like everyone to get past some barriers. Though his own barrier is sometimes himself. A choking noise escaped R'iz when he realized that his dragon had projected that out to the entire group. You don't have to share everything, bud.

Shaking his head slightly, R'iz coughed a bit to get past the thought of his dragon's own admission and turned his attention back to Iathe. "And congratulations to you as well! I wasn't even able to say it much to anyone that day or after, but you Impressed to a great dragon."

You see~! Bossuth chirped happily, a wing used to sweep at his rider as if to repeat the words without saying them. You're the fiercest of us all and if your claws can do that then just think of what your flame can do to Thread when you're ready! Certainly he wouldn't be nearly as good as his cousin and would have to watch her skills for himself, carefully so as to not get in her way. He knew deep down he wouldn't be the last to see greatness where it was growing, to give admiration where it was due.

Tsunake

<33 Gooood~