He was his father's son, whatever that meant. Sathanaseth had heard that comparison many times, from other dragons as well as the occasional human who dared venture near enough in an attempt to have a rousing conversation. Never with him of course, as he'd not even think of giving them the time of day, but with his Haveli who eagerly lapped up the gossip and words like a hound starving for meat. She thrived on company and conversation even more now that she didn't have that underlying urgency, or at least that was what Haveli once told him.

Despite her general nature, Haveli had said, she was something of a people person. Now though, with Sathanaseth at her side, she just didn't need to be a user of people and conversations could simply be that - talking. Gossip, proper exchange, just even idle banter.

So it was common in those conversations that Sathanaseth's looks were often brought up, as were his antics on the sands. Apparently his sire had done something similar during his hatching, going after a bronze brother and shedding so much ichor everywhere. He'd heard the story so many times that when the brown closed his eyes, he was probably able to accurately picture it as though he was there when it happened, rather than being born so long ago. Haveli had been there when it happened, she later told him, which was why she was so amused when Sathanaseth had come out and promptly kicked around his brother.

I suppose the fruit stays close to the tree when it drops. Was what she had said, and the words had irked him in ways he didn't fully understand. What he did know was he certainly didn't like being compared to a dragon who had nothing to do with him (apart from, well, siring him) and to an event that was entirely unrelated to him as well.

Perhaps that was why Sathanaseth more or less avoided any interactions with the older dragon, even more so than he would usually. Whenever his "parents" would appear at lessons, or just to see their offspring, the surly brown kept to himself even as his rider went off to speak and plot and whatever else it was she did. Their bond was strong enough now he didn't need to painfully endure the company, and she also wasn't so forceful as to command him to mingle.

Today had him relaxing by himself, Haveli having finished oiling him earlier and now in mind with errands to run. The sun felt wonderful on his wings as he spread them out, taking care that the spot he selected wouldn't dare be intruded upon. It was far enough away from the crowds that anyone who came over clearly would have had an agenda, and that was just the way the brown liked it. Alone, but contented.

Tsunake