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- and when that little white needed help getting out of his shell and Impressed His! Who was one of the Candidates who helped! Oh, my hearts melted. Wasn't that wonderful? It was wonderful.

Bajeth emerged from Between, picking up where he'd left off chatting away to S'ian on his back as they returned from Western and the hatching. Seeing little dragons fumbling around on the Sands was one of the ways to raise Bajeth's spirits no matter where they were shelled, be it at home, at Western, or even off on some tropical island where Khamaith had been hatched. Babies - human and dragon alike - worked their way into the bronze's hearts so easily that it gave both Bajeth and S'ian a temporary relief from the constant ache in their chests, the hollowness that seemed to cling to them still.

S'ian, for his part, hadn't wanted to go. There were things to do here, training to get done, beds to sleep in, but he knew how much his bronze adored seeing a good Hatching and Khamaith certainly didn't disappoint. The babies had been so cute, they'd Impressed fairly quickly, and other than one little green tumbling over her paws and tearing her wing and a few Candidates catching some talons, there hadn't been much by way of injury. No deaths which was also a bonus. No Betweening.

They landed and S'ian slid off Bajeth's back with practiced ease. He lifted a hand to start undoing the buckles of his harness as they walked when a voice called out to him. He paused and turned, brow slightly raised, and watched as a young man and his blue trotted along after them to keep up. S'ian wasn't the best with names and faces of those that weren't in his wing, but he'd certainly seen the other rider around given his rather distinct skin tone and hair. What was his name?

"Ky'ess," he greeted, glad Bajeth was better at names and faces than he and had supplied it helpfully. The question made him tilt his head a bit, waiting for Ky'ess to get to what he wanted, and when the actual query came out - how did the hatching go? - he gave a tiny, practiced smile.

"Pretty well, actually. Lots of healthy dragons, everyone Impressed, no deaths, no Bewtween'd babies. Khamaith seemed happy and healthy as well so I'm sure Western will get strong clutches from her in the future." He knew there was some tension still between the Weyrs but S'ian was not concerned with the drama of politics.

Bajeth, for his part, was squirming a bit with delight at the question. S'ian always downplayed how cute and sweet the whole process was and when Hiraeth spoke to him he had to stop himself from pouring every bit of delight he felt onto the blue.

Oh, it's so nice this time of year! Warm and sunny, such interesting things to smell and see. I never get tired of making the trip. You should have come, he added gleefully. Though S'ian and Bajeth didn't know the bluerider duo personally Bajeth was always very jolly and social which turned strangers into friends quickly. He fondly remembered Hiraeth's hatching and to see him all grown and fighting Thread made him feel as proud as if he'd been the dragon to sire him.

Next time, perhaps. I always cajole Mine into going, he always gives in. He knows how much fun I have. The laughter was clear in his voice but so was the love he felt for S'ian. He knew his rider was still struggling to find things that made him happy but he would certainly indulge Bajeth in the things that brightened his spirits.

S'ian's brows rose a bit as Ky'ess explained why he'd been inquiring, though he wasn't sure he should ask why he hadn't gone to see for himself if they were related. The 'apparently' let him know this wasn't a sister he'd grown up with and probably didn't know at all and asking would probably make the already nervous man shut down completely, so he wisely left that pile of uncertainty alone. He did nod, though, to show he'd heard, bottom lip jutting out a bit in a 'that's impressive' kind of way.

"Very well, nothing out of the ordinary other than it was a fairly calm ordeal. Khamaith is a pretty calm gold from what I understand so it must've rubbed off."

Bajeth gave a little croon of understanding as Hiraeth voiced his desire to go to Western. Obviously he wouldn't go without His - Bajeth wouldn't dream of leaving S'ian behind even if it was just for a brief visit - but the longing in his voice made the bronze wish he could whisk away to Western with him just to show him the sunny beaches and the wonderful weather.

The little slip-up drew an amused snort from the larger dragon, a teasing sort of sensation joining his words as he spoke. Oh yes, the babies. Very cute. Very cute adults as well. But High Reaches has our fair share as well, can't sing their praises and leave us out. He was joking, of course, certainly not one of those bronzes that held High Reaches in such high regard that they could do no wrong. He had a fondness for this weyr since it was here that he was shelled and hatched, here that he'd lived his whole life with S'ian, but he enjoyed visiting Western quite a bit.

Next time indeed! I always go when there's hatchings. Perhaps I can talk him into it, he can sit with Mine in the Stands so he doesn't feel out of place. S'ian's nose wrinkled as he heard Bajeth volunteer him for something, but he'd let it slide for now. It seemed Ky'ess was trying to make a quick escape.

A low chuckle left the older rider as he was called out for looking tired. Well, wasn't that something?

"Afraid that's how I usually look," he said, his tone teasing and just a bit self-berating. "It was a long day but it's not quite time to hit the sheets. I was going to get something to eat, you can come if you'd like." He left the invitation open for Ky'ess to take or reject, but he did nod his head in the direction of their dragons who were clearly enjoying conversing with one another. S'ian didn't mind a bit of company while having dinner so long as said company wanted to be there.

Like his rider, Hiraeth seemed a bit nervous to be chatting with Bajeth. The bronze would have never let on if it were easier to hide emotions, but the little swirl of yellow in his eyes and the tone of the blue’s voice was impossible to ignore. He didn’t mention it, of course, and continued to offer delighted waves of welcome and enjoyment to Hiraeth. Bajeth rarely had to force a smile or good mood and he was more than happy to chat with the blue.

Sometimes all they need is a little push. Humans can be so silly sometimes. Think they know what they want even when you know it’s not. You’d think they’d listen to us more! His words were accompanied by a soft honk of laughter and S’ian had to roll his eyes. Even though he wasn’t privy to the conversation he had a hunch he knew what had tickled Bajeth so.

“Early sleep? Never heard of it,” he said as Ky’ess spoke, a quirk of his lips hopefully conveying that he was teasing. Of course early sleep was a thing. He did it frequently. Though he’d been trying to be better now with his promotion his bed still called to him daily and when he wasn’t doing his duties as a wing second, he was in bed.

“Great. I’m starving. The feast was all right, I usually duck out of those pretty fast. Grab some food and go.” Parties were never his thing and getting dressed up was definitely not on his list of things he had fun doing. He jerked his head in the direction of the dining building and gave Bajeth’s leg a pat before setting off.

“Oh, there were a few that were nice to see. There was a little gold and that’s always exciting, seeing her pick Hers. And there was a white that needed some help getting out of his egg and it turns out his rider was one of the ones to help.”

Watching the pair walk off, Bajeth turned to Hiraeth and nodded. I’m always hungry, Hiraeth. I think a little snack before sleeping wouldn’t be amiss. Leave the humans to their dinner, we’ll get something on our own.

Bajeth gave a hearty mental laugh along with Hiraeth’s more nervous giggles, a loud honk of a verbal laugh to go with it. He could tell the blue wasn’t in his element talking to him like this but he’d do his best to make it enjoyable for him. Both Hiraeth and Ky’ess seemed a bit anxious but there was really nothing to worry about, you see! Bajeth would show his new dinner companion he was in good company when around the bronze pair.

I like when the clutches are laid in the colder months. It’s still cool at Western but not nearly as freezing as here. That’s the best time to go, reminds you of when things are bearable here. A fan of the winter Bajeth was not even with his extra padding. It was then that he missed his former mate the most and he knew S’ian was in a similar mindset.

He had no time to walk down that particular path, though, as Hiraeth booped his shoulder and took off towards the feeding pens. The challenge that was issued drew a little laugh from the bronze again and he opened his wings to beat them a few times, trying to give himself a bit of leverage.

Not even going to give me a head start! Not fair, you’re too quick! And indeed, Bajeth was left in Hiraeth’s dust. The bronze did his best to keep pace, at least, and when he reached the pens it was clear the little blue had won.

Shells, you’re quick! Shame you’re not in our wing, we could use speed like that. His tone came with a mental wink, all teasing and good natured.

S’ian watched his chunky bronze stomp off in a poor attempt at running, his expression bland and tinged with disbelief. He’d never seen Bajeth run before. How very odd. It was like watching a dolphin trying to squirm up the beach to get a fish that had jumped a little too far out of the sea. Ungainly, ungraceful, and very awkward.

“Feasts are nice for the food. I don’t tend to stay long at Western just because of all the political baggage that goes along with being from High Reached. Not my cup of klah.” He’d enjoyed parties before everything had gone to s**t, of course. But now he ate his fill and left before anyone could bother him.

“Very lucky,” he added, turning to look where he was walking again now that Bajeth was out of sight. “Four queens will bring in lots more clutches, lots more dragons...be interesting to see how those twins rise. They’re just about of age now, I think. Maybe a little young still but they’re not far off. And yes, it was a very endearing moment. Towards the end, too, and everyone was watching. There was one little bronze who hatched first and Impressed last, cheeky thing. Tucked himself right back into his shell, too. It’s worth a visit, just don’t tell Bajeth I told you that or he’ll never let me live it down.”

Bajeth, for his part, didn't show up to the pens huffing and puffing. While he wasn't the fastest bronze out there he certainly had stamina in droves as was befitting his color. He could run or fly endlessly it seemed. So long as you weren't in a rush to get somewhere, Bajeth could definitely make it to your destination without a break.

I think even a fair race would see you the winner. Long legs are all well and good but if you can't move them fast enough they don't do much more than short legs. Bajeth stretched out one of his legs which was as long as Hiraeth was tall, wiggling his talons to show them off. Oh yes, quite a few did! They're all wonderful thus far, very hard workers. He lowered his foot again and peered into the pens, sizing up which herdbeast looked the fattest. He had a hankering for a bit of chew along with his dinner tonight.

Oh you must go. I'll take you there myself, Mine will help rope Yours into it. There's nothing quite so wonderful as coming out from Between into the warm, humid air of Western after a snow storm here. It truly does rejuvenate you. Which one do you think you'll take? His last question was posed to their options in front of them, not wanting to take Hiraeth's if he had his eye on the same one.

S'ian was starting to really feel his hunger and he knew Bajeth was looking over his options. He could withstand a lot of things - pain, sadness, failure, boredom - but hunger was something he couldn't ignore, especially when his dragon was starting to salivate. The smells coming from the kitchens made him close his eyes and take a deep breath, exhaling with a content 'mm'. Whatever was on the menu tonight smelled delicious.

"Oh, you know...maybe a dozen Turns or so ago I was. Wasn't ever good at it, mind you. But that's half the fun sometimes." Ever since the loss of his wife S'ian hadn't danced, though not for lack of being asked to do so. His friends tried hard to get him to do the things he enjoyed, but he didn't have the heart to do it yet. It was either training and fighting with Bajeth or trying to sleep. Granted, since his promotion he'd been trying to be a bit better, poking around the wingriders in Burning Aces to make sure they were keeping up with training, seeing how injured riders and dragons were healing, that sort of thing. It was...helping, he supposed. A good distraction. But once it was just him and Bajeth in their Weyr it was a lost cause all over again.

"Oh yes, the stands were abuzz when those two hatched. Never seen anything like it myself." S'ian bulled his way politely through a crowd of Candidates all gathered at the entrance to the large room, talking excitedly about the two High Reaches Candidates that were now Western junior weyrlings. "It certainly will be interesting to see who rises first. I bet there's loads of wagers placed on who goes first."

Glancing over to the younger rider, S'ian raised a brow with a little smirk on his face. Keeping secrets from dragons was pretty much impossible, but they could certainly play like it was for the sake of their mutual agreement. "Why don't you? You have a free day, there's plenty of areas on the continent that aren't Western proper. You could even go to one of the islands."