K'ei and Juxankyth

Kouei gave his version of a glare at the other men and boys around him as they working in the candidate class. He had never been good at making friends, Mirala only could be considered as such because she put up with him. Needless to say he'd quickly earned the reputation of the big, tough quiet guy that no one really wanted to talk to. He snorted as a smaller man than he couldn't lift the bag of firestone. Standing nearly seven feet tall, it was no problem for Kouei.

"Alright guys." The Weyrling Master saw that most of the other men had stood back and were now letting Kouei do the bulk of the work since he was, after all, the bulkiest. "Let's call it a wrap."

The other candidates let out sighs of relief, but Kouei just finished carrying the firestone and began walking to the candidate barracks. He didn't stop to talk, or look at anyone else.

Dian chirped sadly and nudged his head against Kouei's. The flit was the big man's only conduit to emotions, if you knew how to look for it. And by looking at Dian you could tell that Kouei was lonely.

The big man almost let out a sigh as he flopped down on his bed and stared at the ceiling. He noticed with a sad sort of irony that his feet hung over the end of the bed. As much as he hated to admit it, he missed Mirala. And he never would admit it.

Dian chirped sadly again and lay down on Kouei's chest. Somehow the flit knew that his owner was mostly to blame for his condition, after all, it was Kouei who refused to play nice, but the flitter still felt sorry for his owner. Kouei almost smiled as he stroked the brown's head.

* * *

"Candidate! The eggs are hatching!" A drudge poked his head into Kouei's room and woke him from the nap he hadn't planned on taking. Correction...the sleep he hadn't planned on taking...the sun was shining and it was obviously a new day.

Without saying a word, or outwardly showing that he was upset to have slept so late, the big man walked to his trunk and got the candidate robe he'd been given. He noticed that it only reached to his knees. At this point in time he actually did sigh, a rare and marvelous thing for him. What kind of dragonrider will I make...looking like this... He took a brief look in the mirror and disliked what he saw. Any sane human female would have loved what he saw. Kouei was easily seven feet tall and was built like a tank. He worked as a fighter, guard and pretty much anything else that involved physical violence and he'd obviously reaped the rewards. His hair was a light brown and kept only two or three inches long. His eyes were dark green, giving him a mysterious sort of air....if only he showed some emotion once and a while. But emotions were definately not Kouei's strong suit.

Dian on the other hand seemed to be overflowing with feelings. He nervously sat on Kouei's shoulder and batted at his own tail. Kouei blinked once at his reflection in the mirror, noting how comical he looked in the too short robe and made a mental note to pound anyone who commented on it. He left to join the rest of the candidates, hands steady, course not wavering. No one would think he was the least bit uncomfortable. Dian flew in a zig-zag pattern, chirping and twittering behind him.

* * *

The first thing the ever-practical Kouei noticed was how small the hatchlings were. It was kind of sad really that with all the emotion and beauty around him, he still could not stop dwelling on the fact that one of these was supposed to grow big enough to carry him. It seemed impossible. He didn't move, or worry, or flinch or anything as the Sands cleared and other people left happily with their new lifemates. Dian sat with the other flits nervously nipping at any who got to close.

This was a bad idea. I've done nothing but make a fool of myself. He wasn't upset or disappointed...at least he wouldn't let himself think that. He was just making a note for future reference. I will not do this again.

As if responding to that comment, an egg shattered spilling a blue dragonet into the world. Kouei realized he was the only man left on the Sands, but he knew blues could chose girls just as easily. He didn't get anxious...Dian was practically a nervous wreck.

Finally the blue dragon walked over to Kouei and sat at his feet. I am Juxankyth, I want you, don't worry once I am full grown you won't be so big for me.

And that was that. People snorted and shook their heads at how unemotionally K'ei called out the name, "Juxankyth", picked the hatchling up and carried him off the Sands. The question of how he could seemingly not care flitted around the stands. Most believed he never should have impressed if he really didn't care.

Dian chirped loudly, driving the other firelizards insane, and followed his master doing loop-de-loops and twirls.

* * *

Read K'ei's candidate story.
K'ei impresed Juxankyth at Moon Shadow Weyr.
Dian's picture is from Caer Mystrach.
Background is from Myrror Images.