Jasperth, for his part, was curled tightly on his couch, his head tucked under his wing and his tail curled over that. He'd hardly left the dragon-sized bed--let alone their home--for some time now. The only times he got up were to allow his bond, Maohli, to scrub at him, as well as to pick at the heard beasts that his sister, the talking green Emeraldth, brought up from the pens near the base of mountain-side Weyr. Ever since his previous--and first--flight, where he'd been defeated and humiliated, insulted and injured, Jasperth had refused to even look another female. Ever since he'd been brought home, bandaged and bruised, his rider and his sister had been trying to cheer him up. He didn't talk much anymore, not like he used to, anyways. Where before he'd been fiery and uncontrolled, now he was as dark and pathetic as a long burnt out piece of char.

"Well? C'mon, speak up. The least you could do is come out and fly around with me. There's a whole load of new weyrlings to chase and holler after, and a few new transfers who I think you might want to meet." The large green had craned her neck around to keep an eye on the black-green, but now she heaved herself to her great paws and padded back into the dragon-sized chamber, right up to her brother's couch. "Come on, you. Stop hiding under there."

I'm not hiding. A sulky voice filtered up from the green-winged-black. I'm trying to sleep. Leave me alone.

"I don't think so. You know what, you're the one who's supposed to be bugging me." She flicked her tail with its many scars--most of which were inflicted by him when they 'play fought'--in emphasis. "If I have to pick you up by your pinions and drag you around, I'm going to. You know I'm big enough to do it." Her voice, which was a rolling bass by human standards, was tinted with just a hint of a laugh.

You wouldn't dare! the black's wings rustled.

"I would, and I will!" With that, Emeraldth had pounced on her brother, and was physically dragging him by his wing-shoulders off of his couch. She was more then half-again as big as him, so it didn't take much effort, (though her claws managed to dig a nice set of holes over his fleshy, muscle-bound shoulders) and soon Jasperth was shrieking and heaving himself to his feet of his own accord.

What in bloody blazes do you think you're doing?!

"Getting you to get up! And it worked!" Emeraldth cackled at him, her jaw gaping as she danced backwards, out of range of his snapping teeth.

What's going on up there? their bond's voice came to their attention suddenly, as the young woman felt Jasperth's rage and embarrassment wash over her. She wasn't in the weyr with them, not when there was work to be done in the main caverns, but that didn't mean that she wasn't every bit as likely to know their moods and hear their words.

Jasperth's back to his old self again, Emeraldth laughed, speaking across their telepathic link. The black-green was charging her, attempting to doze her over and teach her a lesson.

Somehow, I'm not sure whether or not this is a good thing. Maohli replied, her voice small compared to Jasperth's bellow as the pair of dragons wrestled about the room.

You'd better believe it's a good thing, the black-green retorted, grabbing Emeraldth's tail and preventing her from escaping. To his sister, he said, fine, we'll have it your way. Let's get out of here.

"Bua ha, now that's the spirit!"

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Look, down there! Emeraldth said as she circled with her brother, high above the main landing strip of Darkling Dawn. The both of them looked ungainly with their heads craned down and their wings spread wide to catch the updraft that constantly assaulted the southern-wall of the great mountain. They'd been out and in the air since the great green had managed to coax her brother into the open, she, introducing him to new dragons, and he, taking all of the new names with amazing humor, considering his previously down-and-out state. Now they were both staring down at a great Starry dragoness, obviously a new-comer to this land of between. Look at that hide glow! I'd say she's about ready to take off any second, wouldn't you?

Jasperth snorted. She's too big.

Pfft. Since when does size matter?

Since I'll be flying with a bunch of giant males! You know what happened last time! They used me as a sharding volleyball! If it wasn't for giant brutes like that, I wouldn't have had my leg broken! The black-green flapped his wings to gain altitude; as if by putting physical space between himself and the Starry, he could prevent a future accident.

Now that's no attitude. Emeraldth climbed with him, and then the two of them had levelled out again. Hell, she said, borrowing an off-worlder's expression, you're twice as fast and many times as classy. I'll bet if you went down their and introduced yourself to her, 'unlike last time', she didn't say, She'll practically be throwing herself at you! And not in a bad way!

The black harumphed again. How could I keep up with her, even if I didn't get sandwiched between giant, testosterone-driven chasers? I'd run out of wind before I could catch her!

The big green let out an explosive sigh, which was ripped from her maw by the wind. Do I have to cajole you into everything? Why don't you just go down and talk with her? Or am I going to have to make you? This last bit was said in an ominous tone.

Since when did I become such a pushover? Jasperth replied, making no move to descend.

Since you stopped fighting every minute of every day! Not that you've actually become a pushover though, right?

Of course not! the black let out a low roar. I'm going down and talking to her! I'll show you! And he tucked his wings into a stoop, leaving a very smug green to circle high above.

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Excuse me... ? Jasperth called to the Utopian queen, having dropped to the ground in a neat, clean landing. He approached her even as he settled his olive green wings to his back. The size difference between the two of them was appalling: he was only half as tall as she, maybe even shorter then that. How ridiculous to have to crane his head back to look her in the eye!

Yes? She asked, looking down at him nervously. Her hide was definitely glowing with more then its usual starry tones.

Jasperth grinned politely, gave a swift dip of his head and flair of the wings in a bow, and returned to his previous stance. I'm Jasperth, resident Weyr-guide, not that every dragon here could as easily give this giant of a dragon a tour! Still, it was what he had to work with. You look a bit lost! Can I help you?

I'm Zetaorionisth, the queenly dragon replied, ruffling her wings and giving the slightest of nods. And, well... I'm waiting for my rider. She's looking for a friend that was said to live around here. Her voice revealed that there was more going on then what was said, and Jasperth decided that it probably had to do with that sparkling hide.

I see. Well, if you have some time to spare, I'll show you to the feeding pens and such. This time of the year is best for feeding: the cows are fit to burst! This earned him nothing but a rather irritated look. Oh, she was going into heat all right... Honestly, Jasperth continued, And, you're probably going to swat me into next week, but you look like you could use a nice kill or two to calm you down!

Excuse me?

You seem nervous, is all. Jasperth backed up a pace, as if it were he who was making her so. If you don't want me around when you rise, I'll hit it and go, but I like you. Now Zetaorionisth was outright staring at him. He hurriedly continued on, Not a lot of dragons around here sparkle like you. Either their as flat-coloured as me, he lifted his matte-coloured wings, or they shine so bright it hurts your eyes. You've got class, I think. You're very pretty.

Well thank you, the starry said, her tone completely flat.

Jasperth wasn't sure if she were going to beat him or break out laughing at him, but he continued doggedly on. I may be small, 'midget-sized' would be a more appropriate term, probably, but I'm fast. I'd probably be a different kind of challenge from your usual towering brutes... Anyways, if you want something to suck on before you rise, the pens are this way. And now he turned and padded off, his heart leaping in his chest, but his movements calm and collected. He was making an ass of himself, yeah, and he'd probably get smashed up again. But... well, he was doing something, dangit. At least he was trying.

He cast a brief glance over his shoulder, sure that he'd see the queenly dragon sitting where he'd left her, bawling her eyes out from laughing so hard--but to his surprise, she followed him! He quickly looked straight ahead, hoping she hadn't noticed him. Maybe this flight wouldn't be so bad, after all...