Bathing Duty
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: AL, Devin
Date Posted: 30th October 2009
Characters: Z'ku, Meledei
Description: Z'ku and Meledei bathe the dragon of an injured rider and get a chance to chat.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 5, day 9 of Turn 5
"Looks like we're on bathing duty today." Meledei piped up as she slid over to Z'ku. They had arrived at the infirmary and it was somewhat quiet considering everything. Meledei pointed to the doors. A brown lounged outside but hovered near the doors so they could see his tail twitching whenever one opened. "His rider was scored last Fall and he's in need of a bath and oiling."
"I much prefer this to laundry or cleaning," Z'ku said. He headed over to the supply area to gather what they needed.
"Soon our dragons will be that big." Except maybe Elleth. With the way she was growing - or not growing a the case seemed to be - Meledei was beginning to wonder if she was going to be bigger than a brown. "We still don't have to do quite that much." The girl followed Z'ku, then took up a pail from the supplies. "And it's warm today. In another month or so, it won't be quite so pleasant."
"I think some cool weather will be nice for a change." He pushed open the door and held it for her.
"Only when you're dry." Meledei pointed out as she gave him a smile of thanks. The pail rocked in hand and occasionally the handle squealed. "I don't like being cold and wet." Unfortunately it would sometimes be necessary.
"It's hard to imagine Dolphin Cove being cold."
"It doesn't get _cold_ cold, but it gets cool enough that you don't want to be wet." Meledei explained, "It will be cool and beautiful weather, but get in the shade or get wet and you'll be shivering."
"I guess it will remind us to appreciate the warmer days." He smiled as they approached the brown.
"It definitely will." Meledei lay a hand upon the brown's warm hide and the creature swiveled his head to gaze upon the two weyrlings. Meledei put down the pail and got the sweetsand. "Come on, let's get to work on this big fellow."
"Hello Orryth." Z'ku smiled at the brown. "How is your rider doing?" He grabbed a handful of sweetsand while he waited for Xemroth to relay the answer. The bronze was on a ledge nearby, watching.
}:He is improving.:{ Came the answer to the smaller bronze. The brown shifted himself to a position that would be easier for the weyrlings to get to his scratchiest spot. Of course, it would have to be cleaned before he could be oiled. Meledei took the hint and began to lather the hide.
"He says his rider is improving," Z'ku told Meledei, after Xemroth had passed it along. He chuckled a little at how complicated conversations with dragons other than your own could be.
"Too bad we can't hear him ourselves." Meledei commented as though she might be reacting to Z'ku's thoughts. "But I'm afraid I haven't that sort of ability."
"I think things would be rather noisy around here if you did." Z'ku shifted to reach a different spot. While he'd been nothing but friendly toward her, inside he still stung from her rejection. It was silly, really. He was still closer to her than any other bronzerider, save maybe Ri'len, and the older rider might hold back with thoughts of his weyrmate.
"I wonder how people with that ability deal with it." Meledei mused as she continued to lather the brown beast. "Noisy is right. What is it like to be able to hear it all? I think I'd go crazy."
"I heard they learn to ignore most of it, the way we can ignore the other conversations in a crowded room."
"But would they still be able to hear all those voices?" Meledei paused in her ministrations, but only for a moment. "Is there just a constant buzz?"
"Hm, I don't know. Dragonsfall's former Weyrleader can hear all the dragons. If you meet him, you should ask him." The brown leaned against the brush as Z'ku scrubbed.
"Oh yeah." Meledei had heard that but it had been a long time ago. She hadn't given the matter much thought. "I'll do that if we ever meet - if I remember." They were working despite their conversation and more and more of the dragon was getting clean - they still had a ways to go. "Do you think if we finish early, they'll let us go early and we'll have more free time?"
Z'ku paused as he considered. "I don't think they'd make us clean another dragon ... if we finish our duty, I don't see why they wouldn't let us go."
"Well let's hurry and see. If they don't find something else for us to do, that means more time for us!" With that thought in mind, Meledei began to scrub more quickly, though she was careful not to miss any spots.
Last updated on the November 3rd 2009