New Perspectives

Writers: Chelle, Heather K
Date Posted: 1st May 2012

Characters: Blayre, D'lorn
Description: Blayre asks D'lorn if he needs some help
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 7, day 24 of Turn 6

**Stand still please?** the greenrider asked the dragon who was trying her
best to shake off the dirt.

}:I can?t. It makes me itch:{ Villith replied, growling at the indignity of
it all.

**I know that. That's why I need to wash it off, then oil you** D'lorn soothed,
hoping she could settle down so he might get the job done as soon as possible.

It was one of the warmest days in a while and Blayre was taking the
opportunity to take a swim outside during some down time. He had been
keeping busy as of late organizing the Weyr's own winemaking facility. As
he walked into the cool waves of the weyrlake he couldn't help but notice
the company around him. Several dragonriding pairs had also come out to
enjoy the day. One green pair in particular caught his eye. The rider looked
as if he was having an argument with his very dusty looking lifemate. Not
one to be shy Blayre waved at the man and said, "Hello there, need a hand?"

Looking over at the person asking to help, D'lorn was expecting to see a
candidate and was surprised when it seemed to be a grown man. "Ahh...well...
I will once I can get her into the water."

Villith's head came around to eye this newcomer. She would not be managed.
Distrust swirled in those whirling eyes. }:Ask nicely:{

The weyrlingmaster sighed and looked back at his dragon. **Villith, the
loveliest dragon on Pern, will you do me the honor and please get into the
water so I can bathe you?**

Making a small little noise of satisfaction, she turned and headed into the
water, submerging her body as gracefully as she could.

Ignoring the rider's gruffness, Blayre followed the green into the water.
He extended his hand to the other man in greeting, "I'm probably not what
you were expecting in a helper but I was just feeling adventurous today."

"Have you done this before?" he asked easily. Having taught many weyrlings
how to wash their own dragons, teaching a crafter wouldn't be hard. However,
Villith was far different than washing a dragonet.

"Not really no. I've just watched, never participated," Blayre admitted
bashfully. It seemed like everyone in the Weyr had experience with dragons
even if they weren't bonded to one. He supposed that's why he was doing this
so he too would have his own dragon story.

"Basically, we take this rough brush, dip it in the suds, and then bring it
up to her and scrub. Once you think all the dirt's off, you go to another
spot. We can't miss anywhere since that'll leave dirt and it'll make her itch.
After we're finished scrubbing, she submerges and rinses and then the oiling begins.
Villith won't allow anyone near her underbelly and hindquarters except myself
though, so you'll need to stay away from that." D'lorn hoped the vintner took the
warning to heart.

"You've got it," Blayre replied with a mock salute. Taking a brush from the
bucket and picking a spot somewhere in the green's shoulder. "Am I scrubbing
hard enough?"

"Depends, is the dirt coming off?" D'lorn asked easily. If it was too hard,
Villith would let him know. Her thick hide could take a lot however, he'd learned.
Going underneath his green, he started on her undercarriage.

Inspecting the spot he had just scrubbed, Blayre found it to be shiny and
brilliantly green as he splashed some water on it. "It appears to be. She really is a
lovely color."

"Thanks, though I have to say I am partial to her hide. Especially when it's
clean which means I don't have to bathe her anytime soon." D'lorn chuckled to
himself as he worked. "So I'm D'lorn and you are?"

As he moved onto another patch, Blayre answered, "I'm Blayre. Journeyman
Vintner for the Weyr. I assume you've sampled my work?"

"Highly likely. Course I don't consider who made it, I just drink it." He
smiled quickly before finishing a section and moving on.

Blayre hummed and hawed to himself. **Story of my life,** he thought to
himself. Keeping up appearances though he smiled back. "I'm sure many people
do. I suppose it's no different for you dragonriders. You all fight Thread and get
little individual recognition. Well, as far as I know that is."

"Yep except maybe the Weyrleaders and maybe Wingleaders. Everyone in the
Weyr usually knows them." D'lorn didn't care about being recognized. Villith
was all the reward he needed. "The way I figure it, you do a job because you
love it-not because you want a pat on the back for it. That's why I work with the kids-I
like seeing them learn and become good riders."

"Ahh, I didn't know you were part of the Weyrlingstaff. That must be
rewarding work," Blayre replied. Meanwhile, he suffered inner turmoil at
having stuck his foot in his mouth with his seemingly prideful words. Seeing no true way
to correct himself he chose to move on. Besides, he doubted having any
prolonged interaction with this man again.

"It can be. Hard to see them get hurt so young, though." He gave a very deep
frown. A lot of weyrlingmasters got burned out because of that. It was
necessary to learn how to separate yourself from your charges. D'lorn was
still working on that.

Blayre hadn't considered that part of weyrlinghood. "I'm sure it is." A
moment of silence passed between them. "However, I for one am grateful for
your commitment to our young warriors in the sky." He hoped his words were
enough to distract the greenrider from his sorrowful reverie.

"Mmm dragonets are funny creatures to watch too. They're a lot different
from what they turn into. If you knew how they thought...Ah but I suppose
you won't."He changed to another section, checking spots. "I'm sure a lot of
folks are grateful for the wine."

Stepping back to admire his work, Blayre found that he had made quite a bit
of progress without really noticing it. Washing a dragon was easier that he
had expected but then again he hadn't really gone into this endeavor with many
expectations. "Oh yes and I'm usually told so when they've enjoyed a bit too
much wine. It's a worthy craft I think. I bring people joy and good taste when I
can. It's worth all the time mucking about in damp, dark cellars and waiting Turns
just to drink one barrel of wine."

"I don't know what I would have done if I would have been a crafter. Maybe a
harper or something." D'lorn hadn't thought about it much. Especially since
the Pass had started since it was practically impossible.

"Thankfully it hasn't come to that and you have your beautiful green
lifemate to thank for that. And might I add that she is looking rather clean. Might I
guess that we're about done here then?" He hoped the answer was yes as his arms were
getting tired and he imagined that people working on the new winemaking project
would be starting to notice his absence.

"You are but I'm not. Now she rinses and I begin the process of oiling all
of this." D'lorn smiled ruefully thinking as she headed into the water, he would too
for a quick dip. It was awful hot.

"I'll leave you to it then. Don't need me slowing you up any longer. It has?
been a pleasure, D'lorn. My thanks to you and your green," Blayre gave
a mock salute as he trudged out of the water. He could now check dragon?
bathing off his list.

Last updated on the May 5th 2012

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