[PRP] The Only Crime is Pride [R'him, Yunara & Dergs]

[Uta]

His life was completely, utterly, changed.

The Barracks had quieted down now that the Feast had begun, but R'him was not ready to make his entrance. He had changed out of his white robes and into his Gather Best, which--unfortunately--was not entirely suited to High Reaches Weyr climate. He had been able to add a little extra material to it the past-seven day since his arrival, but unlike some of the Candidates, he had no family to get him luxuries, or send an odd mark his way. He had saved up some marks from Candidacy, which admittedly had been more money than he'd ever had during his days on the road, but he hadn't ever managed to spend it on good clothing. Instead, he had hoarded it, just in case he ever wound up back on the road.

He had learned from an early age that nothing would be handed to him, and the only way to survive was to fight. While his childhood hadn't been horrific like some, there had been little enough stability, and he'd needed to grow up fast. Under threat of abandonment and neglect, he had learned the hard way that the only way to be truly comfortable was to be at the top of the food chain--and the only way to do that was to fight his way to the top.

So he had. There had been good times, there had been hard times, there had been days he'd starved, and days he'd been well-fed; he had learned to use his skills and talents to make sure the Caravan wouldn't leave him behind. He had been well on his way up the ladder when Thread came and dashed his dreams completely and utterly... For a while he had remained Holdless, as much a refugee as most of Pern--shocked, traumatized, and very much alone. But then he'd been Searched and taken to the Weyr, and he found a life most unexpected. Not only did he have three square meals a day, but luxuries given freely to him simply due to his status as a Candidate. Even the four Turns he'd been there, it still had felt like a dream... and though he liked to claim a dragon would find him in due time, he had never forgotten how precarious a ledge he walked.

Without Candidacy, he had nothing.

Acrobatics and a good-looking body didn't pay marks when there was no troupe to support you. He had no Hold, no affiliation, and finding other entertainment caravans in the current political climate with Thread's return didn't sound appealing. He'd always been wise to the reality--that if he aged out, or worse, was kicked out--he would be back to square one. So he held onto his marks instead of squandering them, meager though they might be. He was a realist, and had wanted to be prepared for the worst.

But today...

Today everything had changed.

The bronze dragon had his head rested upon his knee, eyes half-lidded as R'him stroked his cheek and headknobs. Impression had shook him to his core, and after all the feeding and oiling, he had sat on his new cot within the Weyrling Barracks and simply admired his beautiful boy. His colors ranged from the palest cream to the darkest brown, and he wore a shall of glitter upon his shoulders. He was the most beautiful sight he'd ever beheld, and he couldn't have thought poorly of him if he'd tried. The events of the evening were practically a blur, but he would never forget those eyes whirling rainbows.

....

Unfortunately, he would also never forget what Hybreoth had done.

Rumor had it the man taken down by his beloved did live, although his condition was critical. The pride and oozing love he'd felt for his dragon--HIS--was rather shrouded with mixed-feelings at the situation. Hybreoth seemed to think of the affair differently, and refused to concede that there had been any wrong-doing; but R'him's heart was torn. It was an unfortunate situation, surely--but his hearts were rather divided. Of course no one could blame a dragonet for injuries on the Sands... it was all but expected! But another part of him did wonder at their reception.

Oh, R'him didn't care if they thought poorly of him, and he knew Hybreoth could handle any slight or ire send his way. The bronze had made it clear that most were far below his own station, and their opinions hardly mattered one way or another. But R'him's own pride so badly wanted others to truly see his bronze for what he was! He was magnificent. Strong, clever, charming... He was the most beautiful dragon he'd ever seen, and somehow, he was His. He wanted someone to look at him and see him without the shadow of an accident dimming his light. It was important to him because R'him had no one to cheer for him, no one to miss his absence, no one to care for him... but he now had Hybreoth, and he simply couldn't accept someone thinking poorly of him. It truly would not do.

Hybreoth gave a small rumble, finally opening his eyes fully to regard His. He had been more than content to stay close to His and enjoy the pride and praise that His was exuding--it was a mutual pleasure, after all--and the dragonet was more than generous in ensuring His knew he was the best of them all. But the little baby was also already testing his, looking for vulnerabilities, and either making note of the cracks, or trying to fill them with his greatness. For he was a great dragon--one the world had yet to see. Forget about them. He ordered, lifting his head from R'him's lap and giving a toothy yawn. It is done, and it was done for the best.[ now come, mine. it is time to meet our court.

R'him gave an amused snort, even if he had some objections. Still. He wasn't going to fight... Not today. Not right now. It was clear they would not see eye-to-eye on things, but what else was he to do? He'd table it for now and consider his dragon's view later. For now.... "We can't keep your clutchmates waiting." Besides which, R'him was rather hungry--and there was food to look forward to that wasn't just fish.

It didn't take long to leave the Barracks, and the Lower Caverns were already crowded by the time he and Hybreoth arrived. Craning his neck just so, the blue-eyed bronze was in no rush. Let others see him--for he was showing off HIs as much as he was showing off himself.

Mr Cheri

 

[Uta]

R'him was still getting used to having another's feelings flow through him. He could tell something had changed with Hybreoth, as the bronze's eyes whirled a brighter green, and he craned his neck just so. He knew he was looking for his sister, even without the bronze giving vocal confirmation--and it was the damndest thing in the world to feel.

Sure enough, a golden queen stepped through the crowd. She made a line directly towards them, extending a wing over his bronze quite readily. Hybreoth did not mind such attention, and offered a croon of greeting himself. He at least seemed perfectly at ease with her, not minding her attention, nor her claim. He might have been a proud creature, but he was perfectly amiable when he chose. If that is what you please. He spoke, more than happy to oblige. Why shouldn't he take a turn with her? They would make a fetching pair, after all.

R'him didn't know who the pale-haired woman was, but it didn't matter. She was clearly the girl who got the gold--or one of them. Honestly, he didn't remember much of what happened after he found Hybreoth. "Indeed, he is a handsome beast. Your gold is a beauty as well--like rider like dragon, clearly," he mused, paying Yunara a compliment as well.

Mr Cheri

 

[Uta]

Hybreoth was not at all put out by the queen's suggestion, and let his eyes whirl a bright blue-green. His golden clutchmate was well favored, but then again, she had come to his defense when so many boys had denied him his due. While he would never admit to needing assistance in society, he had appreciated her intention. They were both a handful, but understood one another with ease. The Weyr will be all the better for it, I'm sure, for our magnificence cannot be understated. He was quite a catch, and she a golden Queen. If only Damahath and Lareseth had been near, so as to complete the set. Mihrath.... Well. Hybreoth had no intention to spend a single thought on him.

Come, Mine. He ordered His, before trotting beside his sister and leading Theirs through the throng. Let them follow if they wished--he was more than happy to be his clutchmates escort.

R'him smiled at her reply, his expression congenial and self-assured. He didn't know who she was, but he had a feeling they would be seeing one another often. As Yunara pointed out, Theirs seemed to be good friends from within the egg--far be it for him to get in the way of continuing said bond. "Hybreoth seems happy to humor her, at least--whatever they might be." Friends sounded right to him, but he was well aware a queen could do as she pleased... and the same went with his bronze. The Hatching Feast was keeping the bronze well-humored, but R'him was well aware his new love was going to also be trouble.

"Did you stand long before finding Her?" He asked, even as he navigated the crowds to follow the metallic pair. He wasn't about to let Hybreoth off the leash yet.

Mr Cheri

 

[Uta]

While Ardoxshoth had taken her role as a regal and gracious newborn royal, Hybreoth had already settled into the part as a proud bronze. He was more than eager to take a turn about the crowds, and with the two of them side-by-side, there was no question they would draw the eye. Perhaps some might look upon him with ire, perhaps some with envy, or admiration; perhaps some might not look at him with much thought at all, but it didn't matter... He was secure in his position and well knew his great worth.

Eyes still whirling a bright blue, the bronze gave a little rumble of approval. Then let us take the scenic route, so they might cherish the sight. The crowds certainly would not stand in their way. Those who refused to get out of the way would find themselves forcibly--

Hey now. You go around, otherwise there won't be any parading at all, understand? R'him had heard his bronze--though he hadn't quite heard his voice so much as sensed his motivation. It was the most peculiar thing to know something that wasn't ones own thoughts, or to hear his dragon without being verbally directed. He also felt a flicker of surprise through the link--a miscalculation and change of plans.

Privately to His, the dragon finally consented. I suppose it would be better to move around the people, instead of getting too close. I wouldn't wish anyone to sully my hide, after all. Yes. A change of plans, really--let them all be hungry for more, or yearn to let the bronze so near. Yes, that would do quite well for the likes of him.

"Er, I'm sorry," R'him realized he'd gone quiet, probably longer than was polite. "Trying to keep that one out of trouble," he explained, hoping she understood. More certain that his bronze wasn't going to suddenly step over some Holder's toes or push himself between any couples, the man could better focus on Yunara. "I don't mind whisking you along with the two of them. Honestly, I'm still turned around in this place, and we haven't even left the Dining Hall," he confided. It would still take some time to get to know High Reaches Weyr, but it was, unequivocally, home now.

"Well met, Yunara. I'm Rahi--R'him," he corrected. "This was my first at High Reaches, but I've been a Candidate going on not-quite five Turns now. Never saw myself as a mountain man, but I suppose that's going to change." Nothing against the Weyr, certainly not--but the climate wasn't ideal for a man of his old profession... and it was an old profession. Who needed firespinning when Hybreoth and he would be flaming down the silver Thread?

Mr Cheri