The Weyrlingmaster was still terribly busy with matters much more pressing than a lesson, so once more, C'ben would have to take the stand. The new weyrlings were already bringing their dragonets into the bright sun of the afternoon. Not much time had passed since the hatching, but it had taken a full hour to get everyone out into the sun with all the feeding and caring for injured dragonets that had to be done. The dragonets were dragging their feet, their new riders coaxing them along. The sight brought a smile to his face, and he waited for most of them to get settled, or at least within earshot before he began to speak. "First off, I'd like to extend my congratulations to you all. You have Impressed, and this is a joyous time that you and your dragon will remember for the rest of your lives." Indeed it was true. Sometimes the dragons wouldn't remember all the details, but never could they forget the event that brought them and their rider together.

C'ben had to compose himself for a moment, laying a hand on his brown's shoulder. Yes, he had Leovenath stay nearby, since one never knew when a dragonet would need an older dragon's mental touch to get them to comply to something their rider couldn't get them to do. "Now," He continued, "Your dragons are now full, and covered in fat, gristle, and blood from their -delicious- meal. You must now clean them so they don't smell rancid in the morning. This is important, since meat and blood can infect wounds, cause chafing, and overall be a very unpleasant experience for both you and your dragon. Now, your dragons aren't much bigger than a shepherd's canine right now.. except for those bronzes back there.. whoo! What are they? Up to your navel already?"

A sleepy laugh emanated from the crowd, and many of the new bronzeriders beamed proudly or blushed fiercely at being pointed out. "But overall, they aren't too big just yet. I'd expect You'll all be done within the hour. Right now, I don't want you all scrubbing too hard on their sensitive hides. They'll be cracking, so I just want you all to take some sweetsand, lather it up good in your hands, and wash your dragons from nose to tailtip. Make sure you have your dragons close their eyes so as not to get soap in them, and use a soft lather and work it in with your fingers to get all the blood off. Then, help your dragonet rinse in the shallow water. After you are done, call out and I'll get you oil and a rag to apply it.. and those with injuries to your dragons, be mindful of those areas and don't scrub the sweetsand in too deep. I think we all know how much that smarts when it happens to us people."

-------

Nako was one of the dragonriders there to aid the Weyrlings, and she was quickly passing out the small buckets of sweetsand to the young men and women. It was no more than what would be needed to bathe a human, but then again the dragonets weren't all that big at all yet.

-----

"The water is very shallow here, and this is where you should keep your dragons. They know how to swim, but their middles are weighed down by food and they're tired, so don't make your dragon exert any more energy than they should." He beckoned for them to go into the water. "If you have your sweetsand, go ahead and pick a prime spot by the shore and wet them down and start scrubbing! Half your dragons look like they won't be able to stay awake through the process."

((My post kind of jumps through the different phases of cleaning and oiling.. seemed a better idea than tediously explaining how each and every one of them does whatever they are doing in each little detail. Instead you got just about the entire phase of washing a dragon, each portion of the story told by different characters.. well I cheated and put T'bai back in with J'san, but oh well XD ))

Zaela

The water was actually quite chill despite the warmth of the day, but it hardly bothered Zaela. She'd lived in the area all her life, and was used to the cold mountain runoff. Neliyuth didn't seem to mind. In fact,she hardly even noticed it. Plodding obediently into the water, she wallowed about comically, wings flopping and flailing before she stood up again and plodded happily back. She thoroughly soaked her rider when she pressed her cold head against Zaela's chest, but truly she didn't mind. How could she mind anything that her lovely green did.

Even as she leaned against her rider, the green nearly dozed off. "Oh no you don't." Zaela chuckled, righting the green. "You heart C'ben. He said if we don't get you clean, you might end up getting sick." The worry in the woman's tone caused Neliyuth's eyes to whirl with worry. Don't be upset. I will let you wash me. I'll stay awake as best as I can. Oh, what a good dragon she was! Thank you.

It was startling how she could do that, but still so wonderful. "I can't hide anything from you, can I?" I'm afraid not, but then again, you should never have anything to hide from me. Can you hurry up and wash me now? I'm sleepy. "Oh! Of course, I'm sorry Neliyuth." She quickly began to administer the soap, eager to get the job done yet do a thorough one as well. Oh, and where did Jalderyk run off to? Did he honorize his name yet? He probably had, but if he had told her, she had already forgotten. Usually she was good at remembering such things, but she was easily able to forgive herself given the circumstances. He had still been feeding when she hastened to move the green along, explaining she'd end up falling asleep if she didn't move her.

------------------------------------------------------------

T'bai

"Yunaleth, I can't wash you if you don't stay still!" T'bai wailed, frustrated by how his green thrashed so. Ooooh, but it itches.. right there! Ah... just scratch right there... The sleepiness hadn't quite kicked in for the little dragonet yet, having been one of the later hatchlings. With a purr, she arched her back against his hand as he scratched between the wings. It felt a little flakey there. "We'll get that when we oil you, but you're covered in blood... let me wash your face!" The green gave a sigh, staying still as he lathered up around her maw, the stuff foaming up profusely. When T'bai laughed, she snorted. What is so funny? Between giggles, he managed to say. "You have a beard!"

Her head lashed out, but only to transmit some of the foamy stuff onto her Chosen's face. Now you have a... beard. A beard is soap on your face? She inquired. T'bai shook his head, wiping the pink-tinged foam off of his face. Mmm, blood flavored.. loovely... "No no.. I'll explain it to you later, Yunaleth. Right now, we need to get you washed so we can do something about those itches" Yunaleth liked the sound of that.


-------------------------------------------------

J'san and T'bai

It took rinsing off for the new brownrider to see all the flakey patches on his dragons hide. Was the beast growing that rapidly already, or was it from the stretch on his body the food caused. Before he could even utter a call, a pail was set beside him. Looking up, he saw Taibe.. or rather T'bai. That's what J'san assumed he went with since it's the one he said he had already chosen even before hatching. "Thanks." How nice of him. Ronuth said matter-of-factly, leaning into his rider's lap to urge him to administer the oil. J'san happily obliged.

T'bai's green let out an audible sigh as he administered oil to he rmost itchy spots first, rubbing his knuckles between her wingshoulders to alleviate that pesky itch. For a while, the two lads sat in silence, enjoying the company of their dragons and reflecting upon the events that had transpired. That was a private thing, after all, and even T'bai would stay quiet for a moment. The silence would be broken though, when they were almost finished. "What honorific did you go with?"

The brown weyrling looked up, mildly startled because he had been mentally speaking with his dragon. So strange, that connection was. Their entire conversation was that of testing one another and trying to read each others thoughts. Little did they know, that would actually become a lesson in the future. "J'san. J'syn just didn't sound right to me. Too much like my own name. I feel too different for it to sound so similar." He saw T'bai beaming at him in mutual understanding, and allowed a wan smile to creep up onto his own lips.

J'der ... ((oh, blast the shell and sear the skin! I like it longer, I can't help it. Gonna have to change my mind. Sorry, Rose! I didn't mean to create more work for you in editing your post. I just love his name long, kind of flows the way T'gellan does, to me. Ahem. Do-over.)) J'deryk had his hands full the first few minutes of Colieth's bath. The little blue was covered snout-to-tail in smears of meat and blood, testament to his voracious appetite. And to make matters worse, he wanted nothing to do with the water.

It smells funny, he said, sniffing suspiciously at the lake's edge while circling for the umpteenth time to hide behind his rider, who was trying to coax him into the lake.

"Colieth!" J'deryk's legendary patience was nearly at an end, and he had resorted to speaking out loud in the faint hope that it might make more of a firm impression upon his willful little blue. "You're the one that smells funny! Didn't you hear C'ben? No one will be able to sleep tonight for your stink, if you don't let me wash you!"

Colieth poked his masked little face cautiously out between J'deryk's knees, extended his neck toward the water, sneezed, and quickly withdrew his head. This nearly overbalanced his rider in the act of trying to lift his feet over his dragon's neck in order to come around behind him and bodily push him to the lake's edge, if he had to.

No way, said Colieth flatly. It smells cold. And the hatching sands were warm!

"You great wherry!" J'deryk exploded, waving his arms around. "You're a dragon! You'll fly between one day, and that's colder than any lake! Stupid, lunk-headed, goofy blue!" He snatched up his pail of soapsand and stomped straight into the lake, making as much of a show as he could, shouting and waving his arms, splashing water all over the place. "Fine! Stay on the beach! I'll just help wash somebody else's dragon, then!"

He closed his eyes, standing knee-deep in frigid lake water, and began to count slowly. At six, he felt something gently bump into the back of his knee. He waited another beat, then turned around slowly. There was Colieth, up to his belly in the lake, jeweled eyes whirling frantically orange. His earknobs were flattened to his head as he gazed beseechingly up at his rider. Okay, it's not as bad as I thought, he conceded in a small voice.

J'deryk bit the inside of his cheek to keep both from laughing out loud and letting his triumph show mentally. But his ruse had worked! Rather than use force, he'd managed to coerce his stubborn little dragon into the lake.

"That's right," he said gently instead, and bent down to caress Colieth's eye ridges. The blue dragonet crooned, rubbing his head against J'deryk's hands. "Now wait till you feel the sand; you'll love it." And he splashed water over the dappled hide, then began to rub the sand in by hand, careful not to damage the fragile young skin. Colieth's mind pictured bliss, though the dragonet hadn't learned the word yet, and he could feel his blue begin to relax and enjoy the bath.

Soaped and rinsed once, Colieth looked and felt much better. I no longer itch, he said with some surprise, and J'deryk grinned. "Hey, let's go see how Zaela and her Neliyuth are doing." He'd caught sight of her on the far side of the curved beach where they were, but both weyrlings had been too absorbed in their dragons to get closer together. Colieth followed his rider willingly as J'deryk threaded his way around other pairs, nodding to each one, until he reached his friend.

Zaela had her back to him, so J'deryk tapped her on the shoulder. "Don't jump and whack me with your pail," he pleaded. "C'mere, Colieth, you and your sister can get a good look at each other now that you're not covered in slime. Though you still have a few bits on you, don't you?" Reaching again for a handful of soapsand, he beamed at Zaela. "She looks half asleep. Did you see how much trouble I had getting him into the lake? Wish he was more like Neliyuth. I thought the weyrlingmaster would yell at me for sure."

S'mer and Tedyluth basked happily in the afternoon sunlight. Although the Hatching Cavern had been plenty hot enough for both of them, the sunlight relaxed their tense muscles, and it was especially wonderful combined with the light breeze ruffling through S'mer's hair. It was difficult to focus on what the Weyrlingmaster was saying, because being out of the stifling Hatching Cavern was so nice. But he knew that what they were being told was important, so he made himself concentrate. Tedyluth reluctantly did the same.

//Rancid?// the brown frowned, looking down at his full little belly and then up at S'mer. He licked around his maw, which was, sure enough, covered in wherry blood and the shiny liquid from his recent Hatching. //Not me!//

S'mer crouched down to scratch his brown's delicate eye ridge, beaming as Tedyluth leaned into his fingers affectionately. Sure enough, he did smell a little sour from his first adventure, but that would be remedied quickly. **You're very cute,** he told Tedyluth, **but you do need a little bit of cleaning up.**

//Oh, alright...// Tedyluth obediently shut his eyes so that S'mer could wash his face and neck with the lathered sweetsand.

***

Meanwhile, beside S'mer and Tedyluth, Olly was doing the same for Zamuth. She tenderly scrubbed at the green's speckled wings, admiring Zamuth's gorgeous hide for what seemed like the millionth time.

//That tickles!// Zamuth giggled, shivering happily. Her shaking splattered some wayward sand onto the breeches that Olly had worn beneath her robes, but the girl just brushed them away absentmindedly.

**Sorry,** she said, scrubbing a little more gently. She was careful to get the tender hide on the insides of Zamuth's joints, especially at the wings where the green herself couldn't reach. Zamuth realized this from her actions and loving thoughts, and twisted around to look at Olly over her shoulder.

//Thank you, mine...//

Olly gave Zamuth a lathery pat on the head. **Of course, darling.** She had never used that affectionate term before, but it felt quite natural to use it for Zamuth, who was, of course... her darling. She smiled and cupped some water from the shore in her hand to lather up some more sand.

((No worries!!! I like it longer better too! *questions sentance structure, but leaves it*))

E'nki had barely grabbed a bucket before Cerboth was plodding into the lake, dipping his stocky body deeply, nearly up to his eyes, before coming up snorting. His eyes whirled vibrant green and gold. ~Whew! I am awake now!~ Cerboth called the other's into the lake, wallowing happily. Erneth, having had more time to digest, squeeled in delight as he scrabbled frantically to the lake. As the two males frolicked happily, Zalyteth took her time, wrinkling her snout to bare her front teeth in a draconic grimace. ~Marowa, mine, I know I need to wash, but do I have to do it in the cold water? Cant they warm it first? Oh, why wasn't I hatched on a warmer day?!~ Marowa sighed. "Look, Zalyteth, I know its not fun, but it has to be done. You aren't terribly dirty, so it wont take very long. Let's just get it done, ok?"

Nirva, already elbow-deep in softsand, poked Erneth teasingly. "Yeah, Erneth, did you hear? Zalyteth isn't very dirty... There's only a little bit of blood on the side of her face. What did you do, roll in it? You are covered from nose-tip to tail-tip!" Erneth snorted and drew himself up hautily. ~At least I enjoyed my meal. Zalyteth eats like a wherry. She PECKS.~ He illustrated the point, bobbing his head at the water. Apparently, he was using the broader mental voice: In response to his comments Zalyteth bugled in anger and charged into the water after the blue. Erneth laughed and darted away, bigger and more confident in the water than his sister. Zalyteth snorted and lifted her chin, holding still while Marowa scrubbed her pebbled hide. Erneth huffed in laughter, and Nirva giggled in tandem. As she explained to E'nki: "At least she is in the water now!"

L'vair was fidgeting even more than Yulieth, who was actually sitting fairly placidly, save for a few yawns. 'Can't they just hurry up and let us wash? I already know how,' the weyrling thought impatiently.

~We have to pay attention or someone might get hurt,~ reminded Yulieth.

L'vair grinned. "Yeah," he whispered, because C'ben had just finished. The two rose and L'vair held the box of sand loosely, looking down at the blue, who had some flecks of fat and blood but wasn't as messy as some of the others.

---

~I don't want to,~ protested Enorath. ~I'm sooooo sleepy, Kai, don't make me do anything else.~

{But you're positively putrid!} Exclaimed the Healer. {Don't you know how important it is to be cleaned up a bit? You can't really be healthy unless you're clean, and I don't want you to get sick.}

~Do I have to?~

{Yes!}

The blue grumbled, but followed the platinum-haired weyrling as she waded out into the water. "It's not so bad. It'll feel good, then you can go rest, alright?" Kai grinned in bemusement and prepared herself for weeks of sleeping, eating, bathing, and oiling.

"Hey, Aeryn!" Called Kai, waving to the girl. "Nice job there on Impressing!"

---

Erein dipped her hand into the water and moistened the sand, then rubbed her hands together vigorously, creating a foamy lather. "Ready, Danoreth?" The Green hadn't been the most graceful of eaters, since it *was* her first meal. "You got quite a bit on you, didn't I?"

The green spread her wings and looked over her shoulder, trying to see herself. ~I don't feel particularly dirty.~

"No? Well, you *will* feel clean," said Erein decisively. The many-hued green dragonet was far too messy for Erein to be comfortable with. "We've got to work on your eating manners, too," she added as she began gently spreading the lather across Danoreth's shoulders.

((The rest to come-- gotta take a break.))

Zaela

The new green weyrling was massaging oil into the wing-shoulders of her mind-bond when the green lifted a sleepy lid. Does he follow you everywhere? Zaela laughed, already knowing who her green was speaking of.

I suspect he might, but he's my friend. He really is a good person. She was relieved when her mental tone was received without any issue, her dragon obviously hearing her as well as if she had spoke aloud.

Oh, I know he's a good person. The green said matter-of-factly, raising her head and crooning a greeting to her brother out of courtesy.

"Oh, it seems she is quite the oddball of the group!" Zaela admitted, covering her mouth as she giggles. Everyone else's dragonets were so hesitant about getting into the chilled water. Neliyuth gave a snort similar to laughter. If Colieth was more like me, he would have Impressed you. Maybe he is whiny like his dragon? There was a hint of mischief in her tone, and Zaela relayed the message to them with good humor. "I'm pretty sure she means it as a joke. Is that normal, for dragons to make jokes?"

Have your boy oil you, Colieth. It is the best. He's probably not as good at it as Zaela is though. It seemed that Zaela would indeed have some magic fingers, working the muscles carefully, yet also doing a fair job of smoothing the oil over the skin. She hadn't ever trained in a healing profession of easing tired muscles, but it was certainly something she had picked up. When one worked with tired, hard working men, it was a good thing for a woman to learn, and her mother had taught her much about how to work tired knots out of the muscle without causing a person discomfort. She couldn't wait to start dragon anatomy classes. The way her dragon was built was so fascinating! The exchange was heard by Zaela though, and she scolded her green gently. "Now now, his rider is as perfect for him as I am for you. Don't start bickering." Zaela could see what dragonriders meant when they said dragonets could be possessive at first. Contritely, Neliyuth apologized.

((

LOL))

Back up on the sand, the three weyrlings carefully spread the oil over the dragonets. Ernneth had his eyes closed in bliss, slowly extending a wing here, a leg there, as Nirva made her way along his body. He crooned low in his throat when she spread the hand-warmed oil over his forehead and sensitive eye ridges. Cerboth's eyes were likewise closed, and he leaned against the pressure of E'nki's hands gratefully. The stoney blue sighed happily. E'nki had worked up quite a sweat, rubbing the blue's muscles gently but firmly, guiding Cerboth's limbs to better positions and taking tender care of the shoulder with the thin shell sctratch.

Zalyteth was a different story... She stood, wings spread and body posied and flexed as Marowa scrambled to oil her. Her graceful neck swivled to keep her in the line of sight as the girl massaged, calling out "helpful advice". ~No, silly, you missed a spot back there... You aren't rubbing hard enough... No, wait! That felt good, do it some more...~ In frustration, Marowa threw the rag to the ground and glared at her dragon. "Enough! I fyou think you can do such a good job you can oil yourself you goofy wherry head!" She wasn't really angry: Just tired, and near the end of her rope. Zalyteth was immediately contrite, fawning over her rider. ~Oh, Marowa! Zalyteth is sorry! Don't be mad, I was trying to help! Look, see how helpful I can be!~ The green, her eyes whiling in distress, seized the rag at made a go of scrubbing her foreleg. Marowa couldn't help it: She burst out laughing. ~Silly green! I'm not mad, I love you! Give me that, let me do it.~ ~You're really not mad?~ ~Of course not! Just give me a chance, ok? I'm really trying, but it's going to take a while for me to get a hang of it!~ The green bobbed her head in agreement and nuzzled her affectionately.

(Est le blah... i had a good pic in my head, just too tired to execute it))

Mishaea had fed Rovelth as placidly as the girl could have been around raw meat; perhaps being squeamish wouldn't serve her so well... Now, however, she looked over at the blue, who was splashing in the water, and felt her stomach turn over. Handling raw meat had been OK only because she had actually been able to /feel/ her dragon's hunger. Now, however, it was a slightly different matter: /cleaning/ already-congealed, raw refuse from the meal was slightly nauseating, but she knew she had to do it.

Biting her lip, she took the foamy lather she'd had in her hand and swallowed hard, massaging at the Blue's flanks and swallowing as the foam turned pink from the blood it was lifting. She felt some squishy piece of something, and squealed involuntarily; Rovelth placidly dunked himself, eyes whirling as he turned to survey his rider. ~Misha, I'm tired, and I itch,~ he said.

Mishaea looked at the spot and was relieved to find it clean. {We'll oil you once I'm done cleaning you, Rovelth,} she promised.

--

Meanwhile, Chiarth was scurrying out of the water, icy blue hide shining with moisture. "Hey," called Selena as she caught up, jogging. "Wait for me!"

~I itch,~ the blue whined.

"Well, let's sit over there, then, and let me oil you!"

Chiarth gamboled over to the indicated spot of curving shoreline, and Selena finally obtained a tub of oil. Gingerly she sniffed it, reveling in the familiar scent and the trail of memories it evoked; however, her dragon's plaintive croon brought her back to the present, and contritely she hurried over, sinking to her knees.

"Mind if we join you?" Selena looked up to see Ro'lan leading his brown over.

"Yes."

~Hello, brother,~ Vetusonth ventured.

~He-- do you itch as much as I do?~ The blue was scrubbing his back on the ground while Selena worked furiously on the pot's lid.

"Well, Vetusonth says he'd like to meet Chiarth, if that's OK."

Selena scowled. "I don't want to talk to you or be your friend. /Why/ do you keep following me?"

Ro'lan shrugged. "You look lonely," he said, as he effortlessly uncapped his oil pot and dipped his fingers in; the first flaky patch he spotted was on the wingsail, so he began to gently but firmly apply the oil, and Vetusonth sighed in his mind.

Selena frowned. "I'm not alone." 'Anymore,' she thought.

"Well, I want to be friends."

"I don't," the raven-haired weyrling said shortly.

"Come on, give me a chance?"

"Look, Ro'lan: You move into my cubicle against my wishes, follow me everywhere, axpect us to start a relationship, and-- we have baby dragonets! There's none of this going on."

"I know," said Ro'lan cooly. "I'd /never/ risk Vetusonth." The brown crooned at his lifemate as he began work on the sensitive skin around his talons.

"What's more, I have a blue and you have a brown."

"You don't have to stay weyrmated to the rider of a dragon--"

"I know, wherrybrain, I'm from Fort, remember? Just leave me alone."

Ro'lan shrugged and continued working, and although Selena shot him an annoyed look, she focused on getting Chiarth oiled, only vaguely listening to Ro'lan's occasional comment, so focused was she on her dragon.

--

Dr'gon was also oiling his beautiful, strong, bronze Gerosuth. Removed from the rest of the weyrlings, he was finishing up by going over the Bronze's shoulders again, and the wing joints.

~You should go meet some of the others,~ Gerosuth suggested.

{Well, I'm happy here with you,} Dr'gon said calmly, rubbing his palms in a circular motion along Gerosuth's back.

~Alright, but we should meet them another time,~ Gerosuth continued. Dr'gon shrugged, not really caring to think about making friends. Gerosuth was all he needed, and would ever need.

((Hey Nako, it looks like a canine-like pose! So cute <3))

She's sittin' pretty! =D That's Spindle, Alesia's gold flitter that everyone thought was dead in that firelizard hatchingly thing. Maybe after the Weyrlings are a few months old I'll be sure to have some firelizard eggs for some people =)

Z'per listened closely as C'ben spoke, but as the lecture went on, he felt a sense of supreme awe welling upside of him. He frowned in puzzlement- why was he feeling awed? Obluth shifted minutely beside him and Z'per suddenly understood. The feeling was coming from the blue! He followed his dragon's gaze to where it rested on C'ben's brown Leovenath. He's gigantic... Obluth breathed. Z'per smiled. Yes he is, but you'll be that big someday, too! He paused and thought for a moment. Well, maybe not that big, but big enough for me at least. Obluth looked quizzically at the older brown before awkwardly craning his neck to try to peer at himself. If you say so... He replied uncertainly.

With a start, Z'per realized that C'ben had finished his speech and the other Weyrlings and their dragons had begun to scatter towards the water, most with varying degrees of reluctance. He looked down, ready to begin to coax Obluth to approach the lake, only to discover that the blue was already waddling over as fast as his stuffed belly would allow him to go. "Hey, wait up!" He began to trot after the dragon, skidding to a stop when he realized he had forgotten his bucket of sweetsand. Retrieving it, he rejoined Obluth, who by then had already ventured into the water and was peering around with interest. It's wet. The blue observed. Well, yeah... Z'per replied, unsure how to describe water. But he was spared the effort as Obluth merrily jumped to another subject. I itch. Right there. And over there. And under my wings. Do hurry, Z'permine. And oooh, what's going on over there?? He began to wade toward one of his siblings just as Z'per reached out to begin lathering him up. Losing his balance, the boy almost tumbled into the water, catching himself just in time. "Stay still!" He blurted. Sorry... Obluth replied contritely. I still itch. When are you going to bathe me? He continued plaintively. Z'per rolled his eyes, hiding a smile. "Sorry, right now." And with that, he got to work, paying meticulous attention to every inch of hide.

((Meh, and now, I prepare for sleep. I'm going apartment hunting with a friend bright and early tomorrow, but I'll try to fit in a post or two before I collapse in bed again! And of course, anyone is welcome to approach Z'per. I haven't had a chance to have him interact with anyone else yet.))

Eagrith bounded into the water, sticking to Aeryn like her shadow. The little blue blinked and snorted as he felt the autumn chill of the lake, then lowered his muzzle beneath the water's surface and snorted again. Bubbles frothed and Eagrith let out a squeal, rising to his haunches and spreading his wings in surprise.

Aeryn, who had dipped into her soapsand bucket, began to laugh.

It's fun! Eagrith announced, and ducked his head to blow again.

Just don't breathe in while your head is under there, Aeryn advised, a little worriedly. Her blue caught her tone and raised his head to peer up at her.

I wouldn't do that. It's all thick and moving, not like air. I don't think it would breathe too well.

Giggling at her dragon's logic, Aeryn began to scrub him methodically, if a little clumsily. Well, she was brand new at it. No doubt she'd be a pro soon.

She heard Kai's call and saw her wave, and after a moment's hesitation decided to join her friend. "C'mon, Eagrith. Let's go see them!" Aeryn slogged her way across to Kai and Enorath in waist-high water, Eagrith paddling happily alongside. "Hi, Kai! Thanks!" She stopped rather breathlessly a short distance away from the pair, mindful of C'ben's instructions and their dragonets' long, claw-tipped wings. She didn't want them snagging and hurting each other accidentally. With a shy smile, Aeryn asked, "What's your dragon's name? He is so beautiful." She glanced from Kai's blue to her own. "Isn't it amazing how many different shades of blue there are?"

Eagrith nudged her hand, and Aeryn returned to soaping, careful to get all the egg fluid and assorted crusties off the folds behind his elbows and earknobs.

((Good luck with the apartment, Wolfie!))

Colieth put his head to one side, considering without speaking all that Neliyuth was telling him. J'deryk grinned hugely as Zaela translated, laughing. "Look at them," he said. "He doesn't mind one bit that she's bossing him around. He's a goof, and she's the perfect big sister." Then he turned to Neliyuth, and bowed. "You're right, young lady. I'm sure some oil would feel wonderful, and no doubt Colieth would love to get out of the water."

I would not! his blue retorted, snorting in J'deryk's direction. I like the water! Always have.

J'deryk pointed at him, eyebrows raised. "Zaela, can you believe he just told me he's always liked water? Talk about short-term memory." He patted his dragon's head with exaggerated gentleness. "Maybe that crack into the other egg addled your brains more than I thought, buddy." Remembering C'ben's instructions, J'deryk called out for an oil rag, which was brought with alacrity, along with a large pot.

He dipped the rag in and started on Colieth's nose. The blue dragonet relaxed at once, his eyes shading toward greeny-gold, his body relaxing as he leaned against J'deryk in appreciation. Oh, I don't know, he told his sister in a sleepy voice. This feels gooooooood...I think J'deryk is quite good at it.

*****************

M'dak, like Dr'gon, had found himself a spot well away from the other weyrlings on the crescent of sandy beach. He kicked off his boots before wading thigh-deep into the cool water. Segrunth frolicked beside him, alert and interested, ducking his head beneath the water and slapping it with his wings. Before M'dak could even start with the soapsand, he was soaked head to toe by his bronze's antics. Which was fine with him, because Segrunth sloughed off a lot of the caked blood and egg fluid, leaving his rider with less scrubbing to do.

He wasn't feeling particularly antisocial, but he wanted this time alone with his bronze to explore and revel in their bond. Now that Segrunth's frantic hunger had eased, M'dak could concentrate on caring for his dragon's mind as well as his body. He scrubbed the hatchling thoroughly and caressed him with his thoughts, telling him how strong, and big, and lovely he was; telling him of all the wonderful things they would discover together.

Segrunth, for his part, quieted down once the scrubbing began. He crooned and leaned against his rider, obligingly lifting his leg or wing or tail to allow M'dak better access to the most itchy parts. Once the washing was done, M'dak led his dragon back to shore to start the oiling process, and found himself content, now, to talk to the other weyrlings. Dr'gon kept to himself, and though M'dak had half a mind to approach him, he thought it best to wait. The other bronze weyrling gave off a definite aura of self-content.

Instead, he caught sight of Selena, the lovely black-haired girl who'd Impressed the clutch's first blue. She was talking to another boy whom M'dak scarcely knew, and who had Impressed a rather large brown. Segrunth was feeling good: his hide was washed, his belly full. What better time to get to know his fellow weyrlings? M'dak secured a rag and oil pot from C'ben, nodding his thanks to the brown rider, and then approached Selena and Ro'lan, oblivious to the exchange he was interrupting.

"Hey there," he said cheerfully, dipping in the rag and nodding to both as he began oiling Segrunth's dark, sun-kissed hide. He admired the whorls and swirls on Vetusonth's hide, and the striking ice-blue color of Chiarth's. "They're both terrific; congratulations." He gave Selena a slow smile. "It was great to see you Impress, Selena. Gave me heart that I'd make it, too."

Segrunth peered curiously at his brothers, head erect. He extended his nose first to the blue, then to the brown.

Zaela laughed, agreeing. "Something tells me this is merely the beginning of the amusement and joy they will bring us." She took a thumb and rubbed between Neliyuth's headknobs, distracting her from any retort she might have been about to come up with. "Eager to please, they are." Oh, speaking of between the headknobs, Zaela frowned with worry. "Is he tender where he bumped his head? It doesn't seem to be bothering him now, but I wouldn't want him to have a terrible sore spot there in the morning" Leaning slightly, she looked at his head from a safe distance. It wasn't good to crowd a dragon, even her friend's dragon.

"Look at that.. a straight lighter blaze right between his eyes... well, it'll help you see it better if it bruises." Neliyuth took it upon herself to look also. I think his head is too hard for running into stuff to hurt him. "Neliyuth, mind your manners!" Manners? She wasn't sure if the dragon was genuinely confused, or was joking again. Colieth knows I'm not being mean. It's good to have a hard head.

"Are you going to the Hatching Feast afterwards?" Zaela questioned conversationally. Lunch had yet to have been served, and now that Neliyuth's hunger had been abated, her own was now raging. The feast would probably end up running when the day became dark, but thanks to how long it would take to finish taking care of the dragonets, putting them to bed and getting ready, it would probably just barely enough time.

Olly left her boots on the shore and hiked up her pants legs to follow Zamuth into the shallow water of the lake. She had scrubbed with sweetsand on every inch of the green's little form, and she laughed with mirth as Zamuth ran and dove headlong into the water. The sweetsand bubbled and foamed as she twisted in the clear lake, sending up a little stream of bubbles through the breaths exhaled through her nose.

//Look at me, look at me, Olly! I'm swimming!//

Olly beamed; Zamuth's happiness was contagious. **And now you're clean, too! Isn't that nice?**

//I suppose...// Zamuth came up for a breath, then dove back down. The water was so clear that Olly could see her dragon swimming only a few feet away, looking like a big green fish. //Will we get to swim every day?//

**Maybe, if you're good.** Olly grinned and sloshed towards Zamuth, tying her hair behind her in a messy bun. **Now, come on, time to dry and oil you.**

//Oh! Oh! Yay! Alright!// As if she were diving backwards, Zamuth leaped from the water, toddling to Olly and letting the girl lead her back to the shore.

***

S'mer and Tedyluth had already been in the oiling process for some time. Tedyluth preferred the sunny shore much more than the cool water, and he was still shivering as S'mer oiled his wing joints, if only for comic effect.

//It was soooooo cold!//

**It wasn't sooooooo cold,** replied S'mer, sticking out his tongue. **You were so eager to go in, you even pulled me in with you!** It was true; S'mer's boots and shirt lay drying on the ground in a sunny spot a few paces away. The boy's long blond hair was still wet, and he had to keep flicking it out of his face to watch Tedyluth.

//That is true.// The brown stopped jiggling then, simply enjoying the feel of the oil on his hide. He yawned, then started, frowning at S'mer. //You missed a spot, on my jaw. I felt it when I yawned. Oil, please?//

**Of course.** S'mer obliged, dipping the cloth in oil again and using the very tip to apply oil to the hide on Tedyluth's jawbone. When he was done, the brown's mouth glistened, and Tedyluth's eyelids were drooping.

**Don't fall asleep yet! We still have to go back to the Barracks. You can sleep there.**

//Okay...// Tedyluth yawned again, then opened his eyes as wide as he could. //There! If I keep my eyes open, I won't fall asleep!//

S'mer laughed, eliciting a stare from the redhead and her green beside them.

**Boys!** Olly rolled her eyes at Zamuth, who giggled, shining like a polished emerald in the sun.

J'deryk peered closer at Colieth's forehead, rubbing the oil in carefully over the bump. "Does it hurt?" he asked his blue. In answer, the young dragon rubbed his cheek against his rider's forearm, eyes glistening. J'deryk made a wry face at Zaela, then laughed. "I can definitely feel the bump, but there doesn't seem to be any pain. And as much as he let me know how hungry he was right out of the shell, I'd say he wouldn't be too good yet at masking a hurt."

Finishing with the last of the oil, J'deryk stood back to admire his handiwork. And laughed at the imperious look on Neliyuth's face. "I don't even think I want to know what she's saying right now," he told Zaela. "But, wow, they sure are beautiful, aren't they? And yes, of course I'm going to the Hatching feast. Doubt very much my family could come; it's autumn, after all, and they'll be busy moving the herds to lower pastures, especially now as they're short a hand." He grimaced briefly, then waved it off. "But I hear tell a Gather's coming before long, and for sure they'll be down then. Anyway, I'm hungry enough to eat a whole beast. I think Colieth's contagious." And he stroked the small neck ridges, where one day he would sit, strapped to his blue's neck and fighting Thread.

It was quite a concept, and it kept him reflective as he said absently, "Time to find out where we're sleeping first, I should think, and get ourselves prettied up." He stood, and bowed deeply to both Zaela and Neliyuth. "See you later, lady green."

Kai continued scrubbing at a particularly stubborn piece of gristle the little blue had gotten stuck; he'd temporarily forgotten about his sleepiness in the presence of a fellow dragonet, and was busy dunking his head into the water, and watching Eagrith with just his eyes peeking out of the water. "His name's Enorath." She smiled involuntarily at the sound of his name, and then smiled again. She was glad Aeryn had Impressed. "Yes, quite. We did have a lot of blues in the clutch, but... oddly enough, none of them are really even that close in coloration, you know?" She was busy rinsing the last of Enorath's suds off; he was still preoccupied, and she was finally satisfied with his cleanliness. "And who's that one you have there?" She admired his smooth coloration, the subtle way the blue faded from dark to light, so much the opposite from Enorath's dark hide speckled and brindled with brighter, paler blue.

((Actually, Eagrith's picture is beautiful. Eagrith, Chiarth, and Enorath are my trio of blues... because blue's my favorite color, and those three are, in my opinion, the prettiest of all the dragons that Hatched! <3 Thanks again Nako, I'm so thrilled that I got 2 of those 3 =D I just *love* blues!))

----

Selena looked up into the eyes of one of the new Bronzeriders, and smiled vaguely, waving. He'd been standing next to her, on the Sands-- although it wasn't through her own doing-- and seemed nice enough. Much better than wherrybrain Ro'lan, at least. "Hi. Really? Ouuuu, that's good, but I didn't really *do* anything, you know," she said candidly, flushing slightly at the attention. Nobody before today had paid her much mind-- first Chiarth, and now another weyrling-- a Bronzer, no less.

She smiled, a little more genuinely, at the compliment. "Thanks. I think he's wonderful..." And once more fell to admiring his pale hide, before bringing her eyes back up. "Of course, your Bronze is very handsome. Well done! Your parents are probably proud, right?" Then she winced inwardly, for family was a sensitive issue with her, and possibly was with him too, so she continued. "Well, so what's his name? And you're not Amadak anymore, either..."

Ro'lan was watching, mouth slightly open, as more words flowed from Selena's mouth in five minutes than he'd gotten her to string together in the past many months. Inhaling, he narrowed his eyes very slightly. "Thanks. That Bronze's quite fine, too."

Chairth crooned happily at the Bronze, and Vetusonth imitated the action, gently touching noses with the Bronze.

Aeryn beamed at Kai's blue, and her own, so happy that words temporarily escaped her. She noticed how Enorath's hide gleamed in lighter splotches all over his body, as if he were lit from the inside. But she was too shy and too overwhelmed by all the good things that had happened today to be able vocalize this properly. All she said was, "He's so pretty! And this ... is Eagrith." She repeated her own dragon's name almost shyly, which was strange. Aeryn wanted all of Pern to know her dragon's name; to know that she was no longer a frightened little sister, but Aeryn of Eagrith. A dragonrider. At the same time, she felt it was in poor taste to boast. She added, "Eagrith, say hello to Enorath, and to Kai."

I already know him; he's my brother, after all, her little blue informed her with an air of exaggerated patience. It is wonderful to be bathed and oiled after all that food, isn't it? Eagrith directed his question at his larger, jewel-patterned brother, but made sure his rider could hear him too.

** **

After making certain that his dragonet was behaving himself with his brown and blue siblings, M'dak gave Selena a measured look. "Maybe you didn't do anything," he told her, "But you were there, and that was enough for your blue."

He nodded to Ro'lan; the other weyrling didn't seem too happy that he was there. Just as M'dak realized he'd interrupted some sort of tableau between these two (although Selena seemed happy enough to see him, which was confusing), Selena innocently mentioned his parents. M'dak stiffened involuntarily; he couldn't help it. He'd followed in his dead father's footsteps, Impressing a bronze. And in doing so, he'd gone against the express wishes of his only living relative - his mother's sister.

Swallowing hard, M'dak struggled to maintain his casual air. "Unfortunately," he said, and though his voice gave him away by cracking on the second syllable, he forged on bravely. "They're no longer living. But I think they would have been proud." Seeing the look on Selena's face in combination with his thoughts was almost too much. And Segrunth's mind was agitated; the little bronze was confused by the sudden chaos in M'dak's head. He had to get out of there.

"Anyway, no matter. He's Segrunth, and I think by now I'm as hungry as he was when he broke shell. Time for me to get pretty for the Feast, or at least put on some trousers." He sketched a wave to both weyrlings, but found it difficult to meet Selena's eyes. "I'll see you two there, all right?"

As he strode off, trying to calm his thoughts and reassure Segrunth that everything was all right, he realized that he'd forgotten to tell Selena his new name.

"Eagrith? I beth they'll be great friends," Kai said brightly, watching as Enorath blew bubbles at Eagrith.

~It feels good,~ agreed the flecked Blue. ~I do like this... water.~


---


"I guess it was, wasn't it?" Selena marveled quietly, dwelling only for a moment.

"Ah... sorry..." And she berated herself for not thinking before she'd spoken. "Sengruth? Nice to meet you," she managed to get in before he took off, although she didn't miss his look in Ro'lan's direction.

"Did you have to do that?" Selena snapped as soon as he and his bronze-- Sengruth-- had left earshot.

"Done what?" Asked Ro'lan defensively. "I didn't even say anything except a compliment."

Selena shrugged. "I don't know-- whatever he looked at you for. Really, you say you want to be my friend, but why is it so hard for you to let me make other friends, if they want to approach me? I don't want to always be with only you, wherry. Why'd you have to make him leave?" She finished the last part of Chiarth's hide in seething silence, and then left with her blue, stalking away from Ro'lan, who watched in silence.

De'noran couldn't help but smile as he watched his Bronze, Zeiloharth. There hadn't been a dull moment since he'd first announced his name, the time afterward spent trying to get him to come to the lesson.

What are we doing here De'loranMine? A soft, sweet question as his bonded tilted his head to one side, watching the others lead their dragons to the water, and then become covered in pink bubbles.
"It's a lesson, we have to wash you." The reply was amused, though De'noran instantly wished he'd phrased it differently. Zeiloharth despised actually having to do anything. That much De'noran had figured out.
Oh... I don't want to though. Can we play instead? Oh that would be fun! Just as he'd suspected, Zeiloharth's reply was less then pleased until it mentioned playing.

Later, I promise. Into the water, we'll play a game while I wash you. De'noran mumbled, testing out the habit of speaking through the mind, it felt natural. It was just a matter of doing it, sometimes he would, other times he'd speak aloud. Hopefully, with time it would become second nature.. Zeiloharth instantly brightened at the prospect of a game, trotting ahead of De'loran to the water, squirming when the sweetsand was first rubbed into his hide.
"Stand still, just for a moment."
Oh, but it tickles Mine.

Zeiloharth was less than pleased with the lesson, he'd rather be playing with His, oh but he would be patient... Enough. Annoying as it was, he could wait to play. His had said they would play, and Zeiloharth believed His. Always.

~

"Hop in the water sweetie." Crys whispered, her voice confident when she spoke to Joleth, who crooned softly and nudged her stomach before doing as she was told. Her tail flicked, wetting Crys slightly as the girl moved to rub sweetsand into her soft neck.
Now you are wet like me, you are CrysMine, and we are the same. The green sounded absolutely delighted at that, cooing softly and touching her nose to Crys' cheek briefly.

How could she have gone from someone with nothing and no one to having a dragon so quickly? How could her life have been so empty, and she hadn't realised it? Joleth was everything Crys could ever hope for in a friend, but she was also more. Friends didn't make ou feel like you would burst with love for them, or come with th knowledge that life would mean nothing without them.
Empty? Well, then it is good that I will always be here. Always, alwaays, always. No one will ever take you away from me CrysMine. The green had remained fairly silent up until this point, turning her head so Crys could scratch her eye-ridges.

"It is good isn't it?" Crys whispered, laughing at Joleth's protective manner, honestly, she acted like someone would walk past and sweep her away, and Crys would never go anywhere without Joleth now... Just the thought would send a shiver down her spine, well it was that or the water that was making her shiver.

Tracey frowned slightly as Dinalith managed to splash her yet again, though had to hide a smile at the same time. For Dinalith it seemed to be everything had to be done quickly, if not well.
Can we Hurry Mine? I don't want to do this. Dinalith stated, turning her head to regard Tracey with annoyance. The girl nodded, trying her best to react as though she cared nothing for the Green, she hadn't wanted a Green. Never the less, she'd gotten one. And she did love her.. With all her heart it was just... A green!

"I'm hurrying." She hissed softly, noting the annoyed twitch of her dragon's muscles. Yes, she wanted to be off, doing something else playing if she could.


Acacia laughed when Gevaileth splashed her and Caeser, wrapping her arms about the dragonet's neck.
"Stop splashing sweetie." The order lacked any kind of authority, though Caeser did chitter at her, already as attatched to the green as Acacia herself was.
Why? The sweet tones were questioning, curious as Gevaileth turned her head to observe Caeser on her back, making a trilling sort of giggle as he tickled her soft skin.
"Because then I can get you clean." Acacia answered quickly, scratching her eye ridges gently.

(i need sleep)