Breakfast Buddies - Ny'x/Muze

[kevna]

Ny'x ~ Blue Nimocith

Why are we doing this again?

[/blockquote][/font]“Because I need to eat too?”

Yes, but why now?

“Because I slept in, then you were hungry, and now I need to eat too. It’s called the natural order of things.”

But isn’t it the normal mealtime? Won’t there be other people at this time of morning? Maybe you can eat later?

Ny’x stopped mid stride, pivoting on the balls of her feet to give the small blue dragonet a glower, trying to reign in her hungry anger. “If you get to eat, then I get to eat. Next time, I can eat first, and maybe we won’t run into this problem.”

Of course, mine, you should eat, but maybe we can sneak into the kitchens, you can grab some food, and we can go to the infirmary for you to enjoy it.

“I think not. This is mealtime, so we will eat in the dining caverns, maybe chat with some of your siblings, make some breakfast buddies.”

I enjoy me and you time more.

“I know, I do too, but I want to sit and eat with other people, like normal people.”

She pivoted again, and started moving towards the dining cavern, Nimocith so close he brushed against her leg as she walked, like a tame tunnel cat. They moved through the entrance of the dining cavern, the noise of the crowd of breakfast rush running over them instantly upon arrival. She felt the fear creeping into her mind from her bonded and Ny’x sent calming thoughts. It will be okay, Nimo.

She went through the line, gathering some sausage, red fruit, berries and cheese. She debated the fishrolls, and grabbed a few to share with Nimo.

Are you done yet? 'Yes, I am done grabbing food, now it’s time to sit.'  Okay, but where? It’s all so crowded. How about over there? It’s less crowded over there.

The brunette refrained from rolling her eyes. “Okay, Nimo, let’s sit there.”

He practically led the way, weaving out of people’s way to get a good boundary between them. She took her seat, and the little blue scrambled under the table, and in between her legs. 

tovaana

[tovaana]

Rylath at a couple months old

Weyrling Muze :: Green Rylath

She shifted in her sleep, Coyli protesting as she flipped sides. She crawled over Muze, and burrowed in her arms, practically purring in the warmth of her human. Was it the darkness of the caves or her new lifestyle that had her getting up later and later? She groaned, knowing by the shuffling of others in the room that it was about that time to get up. Muze pulled the sheets up to her face, and peeked out of her covers at the sound of shuffling at the foot of her bed.

A pair of whirling eyes looked back at her. A warmth chilled through her, smiling behind her sheets. She, Muze, was a dragon rider. Well, not a rider yet – but she would ride Rylath one day, and she’d fight thread, and she’d contribute to society once more. It was hard to see how she was contributing at the moment, when all she had to do was care for her little speckled green. Well, she was little – but the largest of the greens, she reminded herself. And it was no walk in the park, learning a whole new skill, along with others she never thought she’d have to.

Good morning Muzemine!

She lay there moments longer, making sure this was no dream that she still needed to wake up from. She could feel Rylath’s gentle and caring presence in her mind. No, this is no dream I think, but you do have lovely dreams. This took her aback a moment. “Didn’t you sleep Rylath?” Oh yes, but I wanted to check on you during the night, the way you moved in your sleep. “Oh.” She breathed, slowing pushing up, a puzzled expression on her face. “I’m supposed to take care of you.” Ryalth tilted her head slightly, almost dog like as the dragon considered her rider. We take care of each other. She said after a long pause.

Coyli protested once more as Muze got up to get dressed, chittering at Rylath as if it were her fault. For a while after the hatching Coyli tried to hide from the green, but had finally realized that the dragon was going nowhere.

She’s jealous that you spend so much time with me. Muze pulled on a plain shirt for the day and combed through her growing hair, she peered at the flit – who still appeared flustered. “Coyli, you can spend more time with me – but I have to spend time around others.” The pale flit landed on Muze’s bed, finally silent, but had curled up in ball. Muze sighed and finished getting ready by pulling her hair back and tying it high on her head.

“Hungry Rylath?”

But, aren’t you hungry?

“I am…but you were up all night, let’s feed you first, then I will eat.”

Rylath relented and let Muze guide her to the kitchens where there was somewhat prepared food for the young dragons. Muze still had to cut it into sizes that Rylath could handle – which was thankfully larger than when she was born.

Then after cleaning herself and her dragon, it was Muze’s turn. Rylath followed hers to one of the tables with less people – including a girl she recognized who had also recently impressed. She wouldn’t have noticed the blue under her feet if it hadn’t moved a couple of times.

Muze took a seat nearby. “Hi there. How’s your morning going?” She took a bite of red fruit and glanced over to the brunette with a friendly smile. Meanwhile Rylath peered under the end of the table and crawled under the table to where Muze sat. She craned her head, spotting her blue brother. Good morning Nimocith! Did you get breakfast this morning?

kevna

[kevna]

Ny'x ~ Blue Nimocith

I think they are going to sit near us. Quick sprawl out, make it so it looks like there is no room! The young healer looked up to see a smaller girl with a green dragon in tow indeed approaching them.

No, silly. They should sit next to us, that’s your sister.

I know it’s my sister, but that doesn’t mean we have to talk to them.

Ny’x chuckled and chomped into the fishroll, slipping the other fishroll with her free hand, trying to distract him with food. Which would only work for a little while. She was mid chew when the younger girl casually greeted them and swallowed quickly.

“Hello, it’s going well thank you! I was running a little late for breakfast and I’m just glad I didn’t miss out on the fresh fruit. I’m Ny’x, and this is Nimocith.”

Nimo peered out from between her legs and nodded at the green which had joined him under the table, as if answering an unvoiced question.

I did, thank you Rylath for asking. Did you get your breakfast this morning?

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[tovaana]

Weyrling Muze :: Green Rylath

“I do like fresh fruit! We didn’t get a lot of it in Eastern Hold, a lot of fish things and some fruit, mostly locally grown things.” She looked at her own plate with her portion of fruit. She grabbed a piece and plopped it in her mouth. As she chewed she glanced down under the table at the dragons congregated. She smiled, seeing her speckled green peer back up at her with loving whirling gaze before looking back to her plate.

In the next moment there was a small pop and a creeling over head. “Oh Coyli.” She gasped, surprised by the sudden appearance of her small green flit. She flapped in a circle around the table and then dove into Muze’s lap, nearly tipping her plate over. The green flit curled and was suddenly silent.

“Sorry about that.” She said, her face reddening for a moment. “I’m Muze, Rylath is under the table, and this… is Coyli.” She said, plopping a small piece of fruit in her mouth, enjoying the juices that came from it. “Have you been in Mavros long?”

Under the table Rylath could hear Coyli’s appearance made known. Her head tilted up, as if she could see through the wooden slate over her. Then she looked back down to her brother. Oh, good! I am glad! What has been your favorite activity with your N’yx? I like it when she washes me, or when we go swimming – that is nice too. Or eating, I do like to eat, but I’m not sure I like eating more than swimming… Having just eaten and not hungry, the little dragon couldn’t make up her mind.

[kevna]

Ny'x ~ Blue Nimocith

“Wow, that’s nice. I didn’t grow up with much fruit available, but when I was a journeywoman healer we went to the southern continent and let’s just say I was spoiled by all the fresh fruit we could pick off trees.”

Ny’x reach down to itch the ankle that Nimocith had wrapped his tail around, and gave him a reassuring scratch, and took another bite of her fishroll. The taller brunette jumped a little when the small flit suddenly appeared, and she coughed to clear a chunk of fish that had lodged in her throat.

“No, it’s fine, just caught me off guard.” She rasped, watching the young girls face get red with embarrassment. Ny’x took a quick swig of juice to clear her throat while the other weyrling introduced herself, and her companions. “It’s nice to meet all of you, and aren’t you a pretty firelizard?” She cooed, peering over at the green flit.

“Not too long, just over a month before the timing back, I was lucky to be Searched when I was, or I would have missed all of this.” She gestured around her and popped a fruit into her mouth. “How about you? What brought you to this small island for a chance to Impress?”

The small blue’s tail wrapped even tighter around her ankle, and he settled down. I like to eat too. But sitting in the infirmary while Ny’x teaches me the herbs is my favorite.. Thank you for asking. Do you like lavender? It's my favorite smell.

tovaana

[tovaana]

Weyrling Muze :: Green Rylath

“Oh wow! I’ve never been anywhere except Eastern and here…” She said with awe, trying to imagine fruit growing on trees and being able to eat them almost whenever.

She looked down in her lap as Coyli’s pale head popped up at the compliment. She only chirped and then burrowed back down, cupping her triangular face under Muze’s hand that was in her lap.

“That’s around when me and my brother Vavit- uh, V’than were searched. A couple months or so just before we timed back. I was just busy in the fishing craft when I was searched… I’d dreamt of something different, but I’d never thought I’d be searched!” She sighed, almost dreamily as she picked at her food. “Did you have a craft before you were searched?”

Rylath shifted to lay, her neck craning so she could see Nimocith better. Herbs? What are herbs? What is lavender? It’s a smell? I do like smells – but I don’t know if I’ve smelled lavender!

[kevna]

Ny'x ~ Blue Nimocith

The journeywoman had never known a life without traveling and had never thought it was an advantage of abnormal but thinking back she could see the benefits of moving around a lot. Getting to experience different climates, cultures, and people had helped shape Ny’x’s understanding of life. The brunette perked up when hearing the brownrider’s name mentioned, and it pleased her that her new friend just so happened to be siblings with V’than. She had sat next to him at one of the lessons and he had been quite the eye candy to behold. Maybe she could get to know him more…

She refocused and imagined the little woman fishing, and it made her smile. Her companion was just so small.

“I am a journeywoman healer, although I’ve put my journeying to a halt so that I could be a candidate and dragon rider. I would say I never thought I would be searched either, but I can’t imagine life without my Nimo. I still practice healing, and have shifts in the infirmary, so if you ever need a salve or some thing I can whip something up for you or Rylath. Don’t be afraid to ask.” She reached down to scratch Nimocith’s itch, which he relayed to her quite urgently as right under his eye ridge. But peered back over the table; 

“What would you have wanted to do if not fishing, and before you were searched? Maybe you can still do it as a hobby! I know that healing and mixing salves keeps me on my toes.”

Nimocith sighed happily as his human relieved the sudden itch that had accosted him. Herbs are plants used for medicinal or food things. Lavender is one of these herbs, and it smells really good. Mine likes to mix it into the oils she uses on me and it helps me sleep and be calm. He felt more comfortable while teaching his sister something new, helping him forget about the bustle above the tables. I think I still smell like it, here, smell my tail. And obligingly he offered his tail for his sister to smell. 

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[tovaana]

Weyrling Muze :: Green Rylath

Healer? Muze looked at the girl – or woman, in a new light. She hadn’t realized that the woman was so much older than she, age boundaries seemed to blur as all the candidates that impressed seemed to be in the same boat. Not completely though – this woman was still practicing her other trade regularly. It wasn’t like fishing did her so much good – in the beginning it had been nice to hunt for Rylath, but now she was learning to catch fish herself – not much, so she could continue to do so…Later as she grew, she’d be able to hunt for herself. What could fishing do to help her dragon?

You may always hunt for me. Rylath offered, but she her thoughts seemed distracted, but she couldn’t make out what it was without ignoring Ny’x, so she kept her mind in the moment on the blue rider. That was also something that was different between the two of them – N’yx was a female blue rider, untraditional in her father’s mind, but it was a female blue rider who had searched her and Vavithan.

“That’s really cool! I will let you know. Wow, that’s cool that you’re able to care for your dragon in a more personal way.” She said, trying to keep the envy out of her tone.

“Yeah, I dunno. I probably would have continued the fishing trade, just done it elsewhere. I haven’t known anything else… Maybe you could teach me some things about healing?” She asked, wondering if she would be any good at it.

“I still fish and tie knots, I try to keep myself refreshed in my trade… it just doesn’t seem so relevant as the healing trade is.”

Rylath listened intently to her brother. Oh, yes, let me smell! She shifted in her spot and reached her nose toward the offered tail. There was the smell of oil – and of something else. Something somewhat sweet – but not like a sweet roll, it wasn’t that sweet. She blinked her eyes, trying to memorize the scent. Lavender. She said, repeating the name of the herb. Oh Muze! You must get some of this lavender for the oil you use on me. It is very nice smelling!

What else Nimocith? Tell me more!

[kevna]

Ny'x - Blue Nimocith

Ny’x blinked in surprise, she had never thought of her healing that way, an extra advantage when taking care of Nimocith, but the young girl was right! Her salves and herbs benefited Nimocith in a way that many weyrlings couldn’t. It disappointed her slightly when Muze failed to come up with another trade. Where was her ambition? Or even her sense of imagination? Then the question hit Ny’x, and her mouth popped open in surprise, and then the compliment of the relevance of her profession made it so she just couldn’t say no.

“Oh, yeah I could! I’ve never had anyone take so much interest!” She though for a moment about a few easy concoctions she could show her new friend and made a mental note of them. “I can show you a few things in the infirmary when you have some free time! Show you how to prepare simple oils and salves for your Rylath and Coyli.”

Suddenly Rylath peeped, exclaiming excitedly about lavender, and her desire for some, and Ny’x laughed, her pride boosting even more. “I guess we will start with lavender then.”

Ny’x shifted in her chair, and had to add, “I should add, I don’t think fishing is nearly as irrelevant as you suggest though, I mean Mavros nearly thrives on the fishing trade, and maybe one day you will have input on something big that could help!” For a moment she imagined Muze in front of a big crowd talking about fish and new water routes and it made her grin. “You never know when your own talents will come into play!”

“So, tell me about Coyli! Such a cute name, how did you get her?”

Underneath her Nimocith shifted as well, pulling his tail back, pleased his sister appreciated the oils that his human had worked so hard to prepare for him. He tilted his head in thought, but suddenly feeling more pressure. Well, there is basil, which is very good at helping with anxiety and helps with respiratory problems. But it doesn’t smell as good.

[tovaana]

Weyrling Muze :: Green Rylath

Muze beamed at the girl, taking another bite of food and chewing and swallowing as quickly as possible without choking. That’s when Rylath had spoken up about lavender. She had heard of the word and herb, but had little experience with it.

‘What are you two talking about?’ Muze questioned Rylath quickly. She had learned that her dragon was very impressionable, and she needed to remember to follow up with her, even in seemingly innocent conversations.

Herbs! Came the quick reply, obviously still engrossed in whatever conversation they were having.

When N’yx mentioned the fishing trade being relevant, she remembered offhandedly a conversation she and her brother had had with the Weyr Leader. He had thanked them for the fish they contributed to the Weyr….but Ny’x was also talking about just the knowledge of fishing coming into helpfulness one day. Muze wasn’t mature enough it seemed to have that sort of vision, because the more she tried to imagine it, the only thing she could think of that being of any help, is if she had impressed to a gold and was in some sort of leadership position. Right now, her goal was to be the best dragonrider in Pern – and right now fishing for her little Rylath seemed the best she could do.

Adding some lavender to her oils seemed the next best thing – and learning all she could from Ny’x. She also seemed kind, as she tried to make fishing sound better than it was. “True, I guess I won’t know till later.” Still, feeling quite confident that it wouldn’t help much.

She looked down into her lap at the pale green puddle that was trying hard not to be noticed. “Thanks. She was quiet, kinda coy, and like I liked how her tail coiled around my finger. I found her on my 16th turn on an adventure I went on.” She said, still looking at the firelizard, remembering that day well. It hadn’t helped with her daydreaming, as it had given her a taste of what it must be like to impress to a dragon. Coyli had taken her to places and heights she had never been before – while only in picture. “I guess you could say that’s when I realized how much I’d want to be a dragon rider… and now I am!”

Muze picked up another bite of food, but paused. “Where were you last journeying, before you agreed to be a candidate?” She asked, remembering N’yx said that she had been a journeywoman. She put the food in her mouth, chewing and glancing up at N’yx expectedly.

Cool, basil. I think I like lavender more. Rylath said, as if by Nimocith’s word alone she had enough experience to know better. You have learned a lot. I’ve learned about fishing… She paused, glancing through Muze’s memory, and Muze looked down curiously as she felt her dragon sifting, then back up at N’yx. Oh, yes! How she ties string into knots to make a net, or puts things on the end of string to lure fish. But she says that is not how we will hunt when we get bigger.

[kevna]

Ny’x – Blue Nimocith

Ny’x took a moment to imagine all the adventures she had taken, and yet she had never been so fortunate to come upon newly hatched firelizards, nor eggs. She had trampled across the world it seemed, and this small-town girl who had never travelled had been lucky enough to find a firelizard. The brunette wanted to hear more about this adventure, maybe she could become so fortunate. Sometimes all it took was the right friends and connections, right? She was reminded of her small bonded as he wrapped his tail tighter around one of her ankles. The taller girl peeked a look at her dragon, but he seemed comfortable enough.

“I was journeying through Southernboll, and then called out to help in a farming village not too far from there that had come down with fevers. I was there on my own until I was relieved by two more journeymen that came a dragon back via Kenessia, which is when I was searched by happenstance. It took a bit of convincing from the green rider, and a night of sleep to think on it, but I just... I just couldn’t let such a rare and amazing opportunity pass. I didn’t even know I wanted to be a rider till I was standing on those sands praying to whatever God was listening to let one choose me. I guess one was listening.”

She smiled in remembrance of the rainbow eyes that had captured her heart and soul and stopped the memory there. That moment also started the anxiety, fear, and unending hunger from her Nimo, and not all of those feelings had been pleasant. In fact, in the moment they had almost been overwhelming.

Ny’x shook her head, and then brushed her short hair to fall over one side again and tried to divert the attention back to the young girl. “How were you searched? Did Kenessia find you too?” She honestly wasn’t sure how normal Searches took place, since she had been Searched on accident, nor who normally did the Searching.

I like lavender more too… Although mine has not tried putting basil in my oils… Nimocith was proud his sister thought he had learned much. He had indeed tried to put some effort into watching his bonded as she worked in her infirmary. He took great care in learning and being knowledgeable. This might be why Nimocith began to feel uncomfortable listening to Rylath discuss fishing. He indeed did not know one jot about fishing, and the anxiety began to creep back in. Oh. That’s nice. He didn’t know what else to say… Can you fish? 

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[tovaana]

Weyrling Muze :: Green Rylath

Muze tried to eat while Ny’x spoke, listening to her experience. She couldn’t imagine being a journeywoman, but she did imagine it would be hard to convince one to give up their journey and start new at something different… in fact, she wasn’t sure she would have given it up. Her hands glided along Coyli’s back, contemplating the thought as she listened. If she had had Coyli while being a journeywoman, perhaps she would give up being a journeywoman… but what about otherwise? It made her feel grateful in that moment for her humble upbringing; it had made her choice easy. At the same time… had it only been to escape? She bit the inside of her cheek as the guilty thought hit her, but it dispersed as she realized that the blue rider had not just kidnapped her – but had searched her. The dragon had thought she had potential as a dragon rider. And she had impressed too, Rylath had chosen her.

Muze nodded, both at her own thoughts and at Ny’x’s musing about a god listening to her. She wasn’t really sure she believed in a greater power, her logic told her that Ny’x really had that thing that searchers looked for…whatever that was.

She had stopped eating and was watching Ny’x’s expression and she couldn’t help but remember that moment too. It had been out of Muze’s realm of understanding and something one could only experience to fully comprehend it.

“Kenessia? No… I don’t think I’ve met her. No, it was Rachel with her Blue Aslith.” She said with a grin, realizing she was talking with a female blue rider at that very moment. “I guess she was just visiting my small hold and she… found me – us I guess, she found me first. My brother joined the conversation – and suddenly he was invited to come too…” She paused, wondering how often that happened. Were there a lot of siblings? She knew that in weyrs there were children of riders were put on the sands… so it made sense…

Muze then grinned sheepishly, “I kind of just left then and in that moment. We didn’t even tell our family…” She half shrugged, taking a bite of bread and chewing thoughtfully. “But Vavithan wrote to them…” She paused again, eyes trailing from the distance to Ny’x. “Do you know how to write?” Muze had been practicing, but she had avoided it since she had impressed to Rylath. Perhaps it was a silly question, since writing would probably be essential to being a journeywoman. 

Rylath’s sensitive nature noticed her brother withdraw as he quietly withdrew with his simple response. He still politely asked a question, but her desire to please shortened her own response, reigning in her excitement to share all she knew about fishing. I like to watch the fish, and play in the water – but… I’m not very good at catching the fish yet. She said with humor in her mind voice. Maybe we can practice fishing together! Rylath offered helpfully, not sure why exactly her brother had withdrawn, but was eager to please.

kevna

[kevna]

Ny'x - Blue Nimocith

Ny’x ate quickly, realizing the tightening of her blue’s tail could mean he was losing patience with being here in the dining room, and she really didn’t want to starve during her shift in the infirmary today. The weyrling perked up though in hearing about another female blue rider. They weren’t unheard of, but they certainly weren’t popular either, and she could use a friend when they all returned to present time. She listened to Muze’s Search experience, finding similarity in the fact that the search had been random in nature for them. What if she hadn’t met Kenessia that day when she was dropping off the patients, and she hadn’t decided to stay? Ny’x absently reached down and scratched a hind leg of her bonded, extremely grateful for chance or a kind God.

Muze suddenly turned shy, guiltily admitting her lack of informing family of leaving, but there was something strange when she conceded that her brother had written them. Maybe it wasn’t all guilt Muze was feeling. The question that she threw at her made clear the real feelings behind the words. Maybe the girl couldn’t write!

The lithe woman swallowed quickly, nodding her head. “Oh yes, just part of the education for healers, so that we can write notes on patients we are caring for, or herbs we have in stock or need to stock, write letters to those who can help us restock, and writing answers to those who write to us requesting aid.” She nibbled on a piece of fruit, and quickly added, “I was lucky to learn as young as I did, as both my parents were healers, and most of the time they used me as their scribe.” She shrugged, as if it was unimportant, hoping she didn’t offend the girl or make her feel small. That is, if she couldn’t write. And she didn’t want to just come out and ask that, it would appear rude, right?

Instead she asked a easier question, deeming it safe; “Do you miss them? Your family? It must have been hard not being able to say goodbye to them. I wasn’t able to say goodbye to my parents either, and I miss them terribly. It feels wrong that they know nothing of all that has transpired while we have been here.”

The young blue’s tail remained tight around the ankles of his bonded while he politely listened to his sister. He tried to imagine playing in water, and seeing fish up close and personal, and then trying to catch them. Finding this unknown intimidating, he felt his anxiety rise more.

I am not sure when we could do this, but you are very kind in offering. Mine has a lot of work to do in the infirmary, and as such we usually bathe here in the bathing tunnels. But I would not be adverse to you showing me what you catch, I am sure you are much better than you think, and will continue to get better with practice.

He upturned his face to look through the opening of the table. Are you almost done eating yet? I believe we have had sufficient time here to eat and be done. I would like a nap now, in my corner.

He turned his face back to his sister, trying not to be obvious in his desire to be done.

tovaana

[tovaana]

Weyrling Muze :: Green Rylath

Of course she knew how to write, and from a young age. She didn’t feel bitter toward the more experienced and older girl, but she did feel a little jealous. She wondered if she could ask N’yx to teach her to write, so she wouldn’t have to bother her brother – but she was also interested in learning about how to make a few oils and things for her dragon… She didn’t want to seem too much a bother to the girl, she needed friends – not mentors, though maybe she could be both? She bit the inside of her cheek lightly as N’yx continued.

Muze blinked as the blue rider changed subject back to her family. “No.” Perhaps she answered too quickly and her cheeks reddened. “I mean…” She took a hasty bite of food as she stumbled for something to say. “My father isn’t the most supportive father, I think he wished I’d been a boy like Vav- I mean, V’than… So, I don’t think he really missed me, maybe V’than though.” She sighed, shrugging, glad to have it out there. “Besides, I’m really enjoying being a rider, it’ll be a nice surprise for them, maybe he’ll be more proud of me as a rider too, my father I mean.”

Eager to turn the conversation back to N’yx she moved a question toward her. “You did a lot of journeying, so you probably didn’t get to see your family much after you left, right?”

Rylath listened to her brother’s indifference. The way he thanked her and told her that they probably wouldn’t have time, but at the same time he wouldn’t be adverse? She blinked at him, feeling her own anxiety slightly rise at not knowing how to please her brother. So, he did or did not want to go fishing?

Or, or… or I could just come and visit you with Muzemine in the infirmary to learn more about lavender and oils! She said, sure she was being more helpful.

kevna