And Jealousy Reigns

Writers: AL, KC Free
Date Posted: 15th March 2011

Characters: Meledei, T'aesh, F'dehn
Description: Jealous rears it's ugly head
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 1, day 13 of Turn 6

Meledei gave her lifemate long scritches and nodded as the healer gave his
report. "Everything's fine." He stated without hesitation. "Colour's
good, eyes are good, you've done a good job keeping up with any dry
patches, didn't find a single one. She's a fine and healthy dragon."

"But...she's still so small." That worried Meledei a little. Granted,
she was still as big as a bronze, but there were a few select bronzes that
were bigger than she was. Compared to the other golds, she was definitely
small.

"Every dragon is different. Just like every person is different. We have
some people who are extremely tall, extremely big. Then we have some who
are very short. But that doesn't mean anything is wrong with them.
That's just who they are." The healer gave the gold a gentle pat. "She's
fine. And she may grow a little more yet. Even if she doesn't, I don't
think her size will affect any clutches she might have. She'll perform
just like she's supposed to."

Taeshin tapped his foot impatiently as he listened to the Dragonhealer and
Meledei discuss Meledei's Queen dragon. The last person he wanted to see
was Meledei. He just knew that she was probably gloating on how she had
finally Impressed, and a Queen no less; while Taeshin was still without a
Dragon partner. They had stood before as Candidates on the Hatching Sands
a number of times, but about a turn ago, Meledei had left those sands with
the golden Elleth at her side, while Taeshin had been left standing alone,
again.

As Taeshin thought about that particular Hatching he turned his gaze to
the little golden Queen and his expression changed. As much as he hated
being around Meledei right now, he could never dislike her dragon, or any
dragon for that matter. It was true that as far as Queens went, Elleth
was on the rather small side; but she was nonetheless a beautiful dragon.
Well proportioned with a beautiful gleaming hide, small or not she was
exceptional.

Taeshin looked back at Meledei and sighed in disgust as she voiced her
concerns about her Queen.

"Who cares what people say, you're a Queenrider." he said grumbling a
little louder than he intended.

The healer cast a sharp glance at the apprentice, but when he turned back
to Meledei, it had softened into a smile. "You're doing a good job, she's
healthy and there are no problems with her. If you have any concerns,
though, feel free to come talk to me or another healer."

Meledei nodded. "Thank you F'dehn. I appreciate it." The healer gave
Meledei a playful salute, then turned to go, though one more glance was
spared for Taeshin and it was none too friendly. The goldrider leaned
into her dragon, one arm draped over an eyeridge. Smaller than other
golds she may be, but Elleth was still big enough that Meledei's arm
wouldn't go all the way around the ridge. She caught sight of a familiar
face and managed a small, hesitant smile. "Um. Hi Taeshin."

Taeshin gave Meledei a quick once over before he gave her a slight nod of
his head. "Hello Meledei" he said, his voice and mannerism a little
strained. His hands were clasped behind his back, and his body was tense.
The only time he relaxed was when he bowed low to the Queen dragon, a
sense of genuine kindness entering his eyes and voice as he greeted her.
"And good day to you Elleth."

The dragon's head shifted so she could turn her eye toward the young man.
She made a sound, something like a sigh and the blue went milky as an
eyelid lowered, then opened. "She says hello." Meledei shivered, her
hands nervously scritching Elleth where they still rested behind her
eyeridge, the girl staying with her dragon even at the small movement. At
least Taeshin was being civil. Maybe that meant progress. "So...um. How
are you?"

**As if you care** Taeshin thought to himself as he looked at Meledei and sighed.

"I'm doing just great Meledei. Can't complain, happy as a Bronze in a Weyr full of Golds." he said, sarcasm dripping for every word "And how are you oh exalted Queen Rider"

Without waiting for her to answer Taeshin began to walk around Elleth, looking at her up and down. He nodded and grinned in appreciation of her beauty. Once he had completed the look around of the Queen dragon, he stopped face to face with Meledei. His hands fell to his side, but his fingers worried at the material of his green tunic, showing how uncomfortable he was.

"I don't think I ever said this so...congratulations on Impressing Meledei" he said, forcing the words out trying to sound sincere as he possibly could.

Any trace of a smile faded from Meledei's expression. "Why are you snapping at me? What did I do to you?" It didn't make any sense. When they were candidates, they didn't have any problem, but lately Taeshin had been so cold and downright rude lately. "I would say thanks for the congratulations, but I know you don't mean a word. I've never done anything to you!"

Taeshin's eyes flashed with anger. A vein throbbed in his neck as his fist balled at his side, tugging hard at the fabric of his tunic. He wanted to snap back at Meledei, but decided it would be better not too. She was a Dragon Rider after all, and a Queenrider no less. Small Elleth may be, but she was still more than a match for Taeshin. He simply starred at Meledei for a time, his eyes smoldering with anger and jealousy. Then he looked at Elleth, and though the anger left his eyes a little, the jealousy didn't.

"Yeah. You didn't do anything but Impress" Taeshin said. He gave both Rider and Queen a curt nod and turned sharply on his heels and walked quickly away.

"As if *I* had any control over it!" Meledei snapped to the young man's back. "Oh! He's so infuriating!" She growled to her lifemate, then leaned into her.

}:Jealousy is not pretty.:{

**No. It's not. And I don't understand his attitude. Ugh. He needs to grow up before he Impresses a dragon.**

Elleth made no comment to that, but nuzzled her rider lovingly. Meledei turned the still candidate out of her mind. She wouldn't think about him. He wasn't worth thinking about.

Last updated on the March 20th 2011

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And Jealousy Reigns