The problem was that he absolutely loved it.
There was endless touching, grooming, whatever. It didn't matter that the beard didn't suit him in the slightest, it was more about the victory of successfully growing one. R'ose had always been so sure he'd never be able to grow facial hair, so this sparse and ugly thing on his face was a symbol of pride.
Sahrawith, however, was willing to pay anyone all of their wages for the past Turn to see it gone, and maybe that was why the green dragon sat out in the Weyrbowl on alert, searching for anyone who might come to her rescue.
Spockat