Bad Days {Open}

[Akira]

Es’ra was silent as he walked through the Weyrbowl. But the look on his usually impassive face let those that saw him know to stay away from him. He has never really been a social man but the fact that his status had yet to improve wasn’t helping him any. Nor was the fact that Wraith was being particularly annoying as well. Neither of them was happy that they hadn’t won either of the ranking flights that had taken place during the course of the winter but for some reason the older brown dragon had decided to dwell on the fact and that was what had originally caused the young man’s foul mood. But the fact that he now believed most non-dragon rider people in the Weyr were little more than totally useless only helped to worsen his mood. In all reality he just wanted people to stop acting like total idiots.

Wraith knew when to keep his thoughts to himself, but that didn’t help to fix his hurt pride or the painful wounds on his back from another dragon during gold Izanycorth’s maiden flight. He wasn’t sure who it was that had caused the painful gashes, but he kept telling himself that it had been the golden queen and not one of those lesser males. Whether or not this was true was uncertain, but at least it helped sooth his hurt pride a little. He was still unhappy that he had lost both ranking flights though. Oh well, there was little he could do about that now. The thought of getting rid of that young Kaith had played through his mind more than once, but after a lengthy argument with his rider he pushed those thoughts aside. He just needed to find a non-troublesome way to let loose some of his anger and frustration.

[jovia]

A young girl was just walking through the Weyrbowl herself, she didn't have anything to do really. As she tried to figure out what she wanted to do while so many people were out and about, her fair followed her as they circled above her. Hana and Rorce however were on their customary perches on Linda's shoulders. Sure having six of them might have made people look at her, but she just ignored them as she went on her way.

What she couldn't ignore however, was a brown Dragon that she saw walking in the weyrbowl.... His back had such painful looking wounds that weren't even properly taken care of!!!! Instantly her feet broke out into a run as she chased down the dragon and what looked like his rider. "Excuse me is this your dragon? Who healed his back?!?!" If she ever found out who did so poorly on this poor brown's back she would really tear them up over it.

While she waited on the answer, and as she had run up, she had taken a careful look at it. It was more of a job then her meager supplies in her pouches could take care of. A soft whistle and images were sent towards her fair, and the colors of their hides moved off as they went to try to get her more supplies of numbweed, and other things she would need. Even if Linda had to tie up this dragon's feet and possibly his rider, he was not going anywhere till he got treatment!!

[Akira]

Es’ra and Wraith both stopped and turned around to see who it was that had spoken about the wounds on Wraith’s back. He is mine, and no one. Es’ra was a little shocked that this young girl had just walked straight up to him and had demanded to know who it was that had healed his dragon. Wraith was quite amused however, and temporarily forgot his woes. They watched, equally confused, as a fair of firelizards flew off and they both shared a look that clearly said they had no idea what was going on. What concern of it is yours who has looked at him? Es’ra’s voice was a low growl in his throat. No one but Wraith ever demanded anything from him besides his Wingleader and the Weyrleaders and Weyrwomen. Nor did he allow them to do such a thing.

(((OOC: Sorry it's short, I'll do better my next post.)))

[jovia]

So the guy she spoke to was the brown's rider, that was good since she was going to need his help to fix him.... Wait if he was his rider what were they doing just walking in the Weyrbowl instead of sending for a healer? He even said no one had looked at him, that's when she started to have a low growl in her voice to match Es'ra's own. "Concern of mine? Of course it is, I am a healer! and he is a Dragon, YOUR Dragon. You should be ashamed of yourself!! Putting him through pain and not even sending for a healer! Do you want him unable to fly or have you ride on him? Or worse infection to death?!" Even though her voice wasn't to the point of yelling or screaming, she was furious at Es'ra and it echoed it.

Her fire lizards slowly brought back supplies after supplies together, small things really like bandages. However Linda walked over to Wraith and looked up at his back. "Sorry Great Brown, but may you try to lower yourself so I can get to your wounds? I have experience with clawing such as this so no worries alright?" If it wasn't enough of an insult to the rider about how pissed off and lectured him... Now she had on a gentle and tender look and smile as she addressed his brown while she ignored Es'ra... Her voice was even soft, one could see that she preferred Dragons more then likely to humans, or that she was just that pissed off at Es'ra.

[Akira]

Es’ra raised his eyebrows in surprise when she started scolding him. Who did she think she was scolding him like he was some child. Wraith was more than amused now. He had never seen anyone behave like this around his rider nor himself. He wasn’t exactly like the other browns and most people avoided him for that simple reason. But this young girl had more spunk than he had seen in his seven turns of life. Wraith could have easily gone to see a healer if he wasn’t so worried about his damn pride! It’s his own fault if something happens! Es’ra’s voice had grown darker as he spoke, but he knew he couldn’t lash out at her physically. It wasn’t even her fault that he was originally upset, but then again, it wasn’t his fault that Wraith hadn’t gone to see a healer either.

Wraith snorted at his rider’s words, and even though he knew he loved the man, there were times that he did get on his nerves. He lowered his large, skull-marked head until it was even with the girl, and turned his swirling gaze on her. He studied her for a long moment before shaking out his wings and lowering himself to the ground. Now see Mine, why can't you be as respectful as this little child? There was obvious amusement in the ghost-like voice of the large brown dragon that looked emaciated, but there was still no kindness in it. Es’ra knew that there wouldn’t be, Wraith almost never spoke to anyone with any sort of kindness, not even him. But he has had seven turns to get used to it. But they both doubted that this girl wouldn’t be at least a little shaken by the almost dead voice in her mind.

[jovia]

Linda frowned a bit and just bowed to the Brown "Pardon me, let me take care of your Rider really quick." With that the young girl walked over to Es'ra, her eyes narrowed as her hands were placed on her hips. If she was a feline her hair would be on end and bristled with ears back and growling... well she was already having a low growl. Soon as she got near him however she lashed out with her hand as she tried to slap him, as hard as she could to leave a nice bruise if she made contact. "Doesn't matter if he didn't go!!! You are his rider!! You are responsible for caring for him!!! If infection had set in and gotten into his blood, I don't know about other healers, But I couldn't stop him from dying!! Your as idiotic as a 3 turn old, no wait even they know better to take someone to a healer who is hurt whether they want to or not!!!"

With that Linda went back over to Wraith's side, seething inwardly. Even her fair's eyes started to whirl red but still did as they were told to get supplies. She didn't even flinch or anything as Wraith looked down at her, though she did blink a few times as he seemed to be not eating that well either. Then his voice entered her head, it didn't freak her out or anything it just rather made her a little sad. Wraith didn't sound all that good, even with the amusement... Something bad must have really happened, Linda didn't know and she knew about bad pasts so she didn't ask. "Thank you Great Brown Wraith, now I am going to have to put in some medicine to counter any infection that may be in there. I don't know if there is any or how much but it might be painful. If it gets too much, you are welcome to swat me away, but I will try to put on some numbweed first." Linda quickly got out some of her stash of Numbweed as she started to get to work.

[Akira]

Es’ra watched the girl carefully and duct away from her quickly when she went to slap him. Even though she had missed his face she had hit his shoulder. No doubt it would bruise slightly and it did sting a little, but he paid it no mind. He wasn’t about to let her know that he had hurt him. Hey he’s old enough to take care of himself. I ain’t a damn nurse! His voice was a hiss but he had a feeling that she wasn’t even paying attention to him anymore. He glared at her, and if looks could kill she’d be in a million pieces spread all over the Weyrbowl for the wind or any scavengers to pick up. He stood straight and tall at his five-foot-ten-inches he was taller than most in the Weyr, even this child who seemed to think she had the right to yell at him because he didn’t physically drag his dragon to a healer.

Wraith watched the interaction between the two humans with sheer amusement written in his draconic eyes. Hmmm it is not often we meet someone who does not shy away from the sound of my voice Mine. I think she would make a nice little toy don't you? He rumbled with amusement and it made his deathly voice sound even more bizarre, and would surly have scared more than half of the riders in Trelis had they heard it. Not because it sounds dead, but because it had actually amusement in it. Everyone knows that this strange looking brown gets amusement by torturing people and it would have made more than one of them wonder who he had harmed this time. But the fact that he was getting such sheer pleasure out of seeing his rider fight with a child who was obviously much smaller than himself wasn’t something that was “normal”.

Es’ra shook his head at his dragon’s words and ran a hand through his short black hair, wondering what on Pern had gotten into his dragon. You can play with her all you want later Wraith. I will be waiting in the weyr when you two are done. His arms were crossed in front of his chest as though he were getting frustrated with a small child. Yet another one of the traits the strange pair had made a custom over their many turns together. Awe come now Mine, don't be a spoilsport. He growled, a strange sound that was something of a mix between a normal growl and a strangled dragon. Many people have run from that sound, and so far only one person as stood, unblinking, without a hint of fear of the large brown dragon that so many people associated with death.

[jovia]

As Linda got down to business, she blocked out that frustrating human's voice so even if he did speak up she wouldn't hear him. Carefully she slathered her hands in medicine to make sure she didn't cause infection, then slathered up the numbweed. Carefully she went to run her hands over the brown's hide, she preferred using her bare hands like this because then she had more control and feeling over the procedure. Slowly she spread the numbweed along the sides of the wound, trying to layer it up enough to hopefully numb most of it inside. It wasn't the best though, she had to get the medicine inside before she slathered the numbweed on top.

"Okay Wraith that should help dull the pain at least if not get rid of all of it. Time for the medicine then I will put more Numbweed on top, then wrap it up. Make sure to keep an eye on the bandages and get them regularly changed. Also checks for any infection, once there is no infection and it heals far enough you can let it breathe and go with lighter bandages then none alright?" Her voice was soft and as gentle as she could get it to be as she spoke to the brown. Her hands moved and worked just as she said she was going to with the medicine now. If she had heard Wraith she didn't really respond right now, nor really care or freak out about it.

A few whistles, and images, came out from Linda towards her Fair who fluttered and landed nearby. Linda had what she needed for now, but if she needed more she could send them... They couldn't help more then that of course since their claws weren't really made for healing but tearing. Hana softly chirped a warning over at Es'ra though before she settled down and watched him carefully. Rorce though started to shift a bit and move his wings but a sharp whistle command from Linda and a glance from her made him huff and rest again. She wasn't about to let her Garnet go attack Es'ra, he might be one of the worst riders in the history of Pern but that didn't mean Rorce could still do what he wanted.

[Akira]

Es’ra watched silently as this strange little girl attempted to treat his dragon’s flight wounds. He wasn’t a healer but even he could see that the marks would leave a nice sized scar. Now that he actually looked at the marks, he could see that they were not even tears, but jagged gashes that more than a few places were completely missing the brown hide that covered the rest of Wraith’s hide. The gashes weren’t deep, but where the hide was missing and the muscles were showing just seemed...wrong. Have you learned your lesson now you over-grown wherry? Despite all the insults that flew between the strange pair, it was obvious they actually loved each other, but they really did have a very strange way of showing it. If they were both human they would probably beat each other bloody to show their love.

Wraith shook his head at his rider’s words and snorted. Do not talk to me about lesson's Mine. Have you learned yours? All the amusement had left the dragons voice, and had Es’ra not been used to the dead, empty, cold voice he probably would have shivered and ran in the opposite direction. But he was used to it, and knew that the large brown wouldn’t actually do anything to harm him. You know me better than that Wraith. You already know the answer. There was a slight smirk the young man’s voice though there was no emotion on his face or in his cold brown eyes. The brown dragon didn’t have time to say anything else to his rider before he heard Linda speaking again. Hmmm yes, I shall keep an eye on it. He turned his head so that his swirling gaze could take in the site of the child that was now on his back.

She had wrapped the bandages on Wraiths back, and it amused the brown to think about how many people would have been afraid to come near him, let alone be close enough for him to snatch up in his bone marked jaws. Do not worry Little Child, Mine might seem heartless but he is smarter than he appears. Though there still wasn’t any warmth to the dragons voice it was a little lighter than before. Though it still was an unsettling, hair rising, spinning tingling, empty voice, it held a little bit more life to it now. Wraith looked at his rider, and if dragons could smirk he would. Now Little Child climb up to my neck. We shall show you how dragons repay their debts. Es’ra knew that he had no choice now. He glared at his dragon as he walked over to get ready to climb up on to the large male’s neck.

Wraith might have been injured but he could still carry humans and fly, after all people sat more on his neck than his back between his wings where the wounds were. Wraith turned his head and waited for both of the human’s to get situated, but Es’ra had to wait for the child to climb up onto the brown neck before he could climb the male’s leg and situate himself behind her and one of Wraith’s back spines. He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at both the girl and his dragon as he waited. Remind me to hurt you later. The venom in the man’s mental message to his dragon was obvious, and it made the large brown rumble loudly with amusement. Both of them knew that there would be pain shared between the two of them before moon rose that night.

[jovia]

It was a good thing Linda was ignoring most of what was around her, as the little tiff between the Rider and Brown went on. Now however she was done with the work, she had wiped her hands once already before using the bandages. But now she wiped her hands again just to make sure she had nothing else still on them. A quick cursory glance over the wound and bandaging showed her it was good enough at least at the start. Inwardly she hoped Wraith keep his word and keep an eye on it, or at least his rider. But it didn't take long for the brown to comment on his rider's intelligence and Linda couldn't help but let a smirk tug at the corner of her lips. "Well I am glad to hear that for your sake."

Thankfully there was something right with the guy or else this brown probably wouldn't have chosen him right? She just had to keep thinking that of all the riders here and hope that she didn't cause too much trouble. Wait would they now get mad at her for trying to slap him? Nah with what has been going on he was probably too prideful to let people know a girl hit him... like rider like dragon sometimes. But then it came, the brown thought he was repaying a debt or something? It didn't take her long to realize what he meant... flying.

Visibly anyone could see just how much Linda's face brightened, and eyes widened a bit... The only thing Linda didn't really get to experience was flying from a Dragon's back... Her beaming smile as she nodded and moved a bit so Wraith could get situated, she completely ignored Es'ra and his moody cloud of doom that seemed to perpetually surround him. At least she knew how to get up the side of a Dragon, she saw it many times... but frankly it was far different. As she crawled up to Wraith's neck, she was kind of slow and hesitant as she made sure she didn't harm him or fall off. "Just try not to hurt yourself okay? Well if you did I guess I am here to help..."

[Akira]

Es’ra shook his head at the little girl and sighed exasperatedly as he slowly climbed up behind her. I suggest holding on to that spike in front of you and try moving with his body. Not against it. I’ve seen a lot of people fall off and die because they didn’t move right. He held on tightly to the spike behind him with one arm, and with the other held on to the girl so that she wouldn’t actually fall off even if she moved wrong and slipped off of Wraith’s neck. The large brown didn’t really wait for them to get settled comfortably on his neck before moving to stand. He rocked back and forth to get himself back onto all for paws again before turning his head and neck to try and look back at his passengers. I am stronger than I appear Little Child. Ask Es'ra, he'll tell you. Despite the fact that his voice was cold, it held a bit of the pride the brown felt.

Wraith knew his strengths and weaknesses and always made sure not to push himself too hard. He spread his bracken colored wings and carefully gave them a few test flaps before launching himself into the sky with enough force to make Es’ra himself bed from the force of the air pushing him down. It no doubt would surprise the girl at how much downward force was actually exerted when a dragon took to the air liked that. But once Wraith leveled out and began to flap his wings normally Es’ra released his hold of the girl, but made sure to keep an eye on her just in case she showed an inkling for going over Wraith’s side. Wraith angled slightly so that he would be heading towards the feeding grounds, and Es’ra knew exactly what he had in mind and an evil smirk played across his face.

[jovia]

So he really did have a little bit of brains, soon as she sat down up where she was supposed to Linda grabbed the spike. Not enough time to get comfortable before Wraith started up either. However she felt Es'ra get hold of her and instantly she tensed up. Her hands almost let go of the spike to go grab at her belt but she caught herself just intime. It was only proper to try to not let a passenger plummet to their death in the weyrbowl.... It would cause a bunch of mess for everyone, that is what Linda kept telling herself inwardly as she took a deep breathe. ".. That sounds like what my oldest brother might say with his." Her voice was soft and monotone as she quickly got herself under control.

More of her attention though went with making sure she followed his instructions... It would be best really if she didn't do something wrong and die really. Once they were up and situated Es'ra even let go of her, visably she relaxed but she was on guard for it now. Eyes looked around to take in how everything looked different from up in the air. It was really something different, something that only riders really got to experience a special side of. Gently she let one of her fingers go near the base of the spike and try to pet the brown's hide gently in gratitude. She would never be able to get a dragon or have this happen so....It really was a once in a life experience, the thoughts almost brought tears to her eyes but she quickly batted them away.

It took Linda a bit though to realize where they were heading, everything looked too different up here. But wait he wanted to go feed? probably just stretch his wings to try to get some exercise but she merely chuckled a little bit. "Wraith if you were hungry you didn't have to do this for me you know." Dragon feedings didn't bother her in the slightest. She was already used to taking care of her fair and those wild felines and their kills. Nevermind she had been here and seen it a few times.... But how would she feel watching a Dragon she knew eat? Well they had to survive too, it was just survival after all.

[Akira]

Es’ra ignored the fact that she had tensed when he wrapped his arm around her. He just had to remind himself that she wasn’t a rider and didn’t know what to expect from a dragon like Wraith. There were times that the large male even surprised him, and he’s known him since he hatched. So she had a sibling who was a rider. He wondered who it was and if he knew the man. Oh well, he’d deal with that later. At least it appeared that she was listening to what he had told her. So just maybe he might get her to the feeding grounds in one piece. He smirked when he noticed just how excited she was about flying on Wraith’s neck. Wraith snorted and shook his head and neck when he felt the child pet him. He wasn’t like those little flying things that seemed to cling to the girl and didn’t need petted.

Es’ra laughed sarcastically at the girls words. Wraith is always hungry child. Don’t let his emaciated appearance fool you. All he does is eat. Underneath all the sarcastic bitterness was a hidden pocket of pride in the man’s voice. It would just take someone who was paying very close attention to hear it. That is not all I do Es'ra. If that is all I ever did then I would be a useless roll of blubber. His voice was as cold and dead as ever, but the growl that emitted from deep in the dragon’s chest and vibrated through his entire body gave it an otherworldly characteristic. Es’ra shook his head at his dragon’s words but didn’t feel like going into detail around a child that could easily get them in trouble for what goes on in the privacy of their own minds.

I suggest holding on tightly. Es’ra leaned forward slightly and put an arm around her stomach again and held her tightly to the brown dragon’s neck. Wraith growled and lowered his head so that they were aiming straight at the ground and the small speck that was actually the herdbeasts in the feeding pen. Es’ra was used to riding his dragon without any straps and was used to using his thighs to keep him on the dragon’s neck. But he had a very strong feeling that this girl had never experienced a dragon that was going into a sheer dive over a group of unsuspecting herdbeasts. Use your legs to keep yourself in place. There was a warning, and a sense of excitement in the twenty turn old man’s voice. This healer girl was about to experience a feeding dragon from a front row seat.

[jovia]

Linda was not about to have anything dampen her day right now, considering she could feel the dragon underneath her. Such a different feeling then riding runners or being on a ship... any other form of transportation that is. But then again none of them were as fast as a Dragon, and none of them could fly or breathe fire. A grin spread across her face, now she knew why her siblings were so happy nowadays.

Linda couldn't help but laugh at the two and grin, she was actually being more friendly and civil to a human then she had... her whole life she knew of. "That just means he is healthy, good to know." Inwardly though she now had a favorite dragon, well besides her brothers and sisters... But they weren't at this Weyr and Wraith is, so here he was her favorite now. Of course she didn't say it though, she was a healer and she helped him and he just repaid it is all. She had to be unbiased with her patients... at least what others knew.

Linda's ears caught Es'ra's instructions, along with tensing at his touch again but she instantly held on tightly to the spike in front of her. Her leg closed in around under her to hold on as well. She wasn't the best of course, but she did feel more secure now. Did many riders ride their beasts when they fed? or was it once every now and then or a lifetime? Questions kept bubbling up within her but Linda kept her mouth shut, even though a little giggle did escape from her grin. Would Wraith be attacking his prey like her fire lizards attacked theirs? How was it different? Did they employ strategy since they had more to them mentally and physically?

[Akira]

Es’ra felt Linda tense at his touch and wondered what her issue was. Wraith felt the girl cling to his neck spike, and felt her legs tighten on his hide. He rumbled with mild amusement as he selected one of the herdbeasts. It was a young male, just reaching his prime. Wraith opened his bone marked jaws and roared as loudly as he could, scattering the entire herd. He quickly swooped down and grabbed the poor, screaming beast in his claws before taking to the skies again. Es’ra was holding on tightly, both to Linda and the spike that was behind him. Wraith’s wings were beating the air, and it was plain to hear that he hadn’t yet killed the beast in his claws for its terrified screams could still be heard. If he hadn’t experienced this before Es’ra wouldn’t have been so calm and relaxed.

Wraith slowly leveled out and dropped the screaming beast and dove after it. This is what he considered fun and exciting. If he really wanted to he could reach out with his sharp toothed muzzle and easily finish off the herdbeast. But he was physically quivering with the excitement and adrenaline rush he always got when he played with his food like that. Es’ra watched as the ground quickly grew closer, and sub-consciously tensed against what he knew was coming. He had done his so many times before alone with Wraith, and scooted just a little bit closer to Linda’s back and reached around her other side to clutch the spike ahead of them. He knew his dragon was planning on letting the beast fall to its death while landing nearby with a bone jarring, sudden stop on the ground.

(((OOC: If it helps you any, you can powerplay Wraith a little, and the herdbeast as much as you want. I know it is against the rules but you have my permission if it helps you post. )))