Firelizard Recon

Writers: Shawna, Steel
Date Posted: 6th April 2025

Characters: V'tian, Cirina
Description: V’tian tries to convince Cirina to reveal firelizard locations; Indith helps.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 5, day 20 of Turn 12

V’tian sighed, brushing sand off his clothes and regarding the sand caked on Indith’s claws with another sigh. “Well. That was kind of a waste of time.” He told her. “There were no firelizards and now we're both all over mud. We'll have to find someone who has a better idea of where they are.” he told her, brushing some more sand off and looking around the Weyrbowl.

“You two look like you've been digging for treasure. Make sure you clean her off before you take her back up to your weyr or you'll be sweeping sand out of your place for days,” Cirina advised as she passed by the pair on her way back to the candidate barracks.

“You're telling _me_.” V'tian muttered. “At least she doesn't need a bath _every day_ anymore. But I can't go as far as I want without her, so. If I want to find one of those firelizard things, we're stuck with _sand_.”

Indith sneezed.

“Firelizard things?” Cirina looked amused. “My friend Aydhara looked for months before she found a clutch, but they’re out there. Or you and Indith could sign up for transport work and save up.” Reaching up to her shoulder, she coaxed Digger down into her arms, “My parents found a merchant with a gold that was selling eggs, and look at what a strapping brown I got.” Digger puffed his chest up proudly at the compliment.

“... Firelizards, then.” V’tian conceded, a little stiffly, but his gaze followed the sleek brown as he moved. “I’m not going to just hand over my marks. I’m going to find my _own_.” he added, then paused. “... Where did your friend find the clutch?” he asked, next.

}:You are very cute.:{ Indith told Digger, leaning in to regard him as well.

Accustomed to Aeoluth’s lack of personal space, Cirina didn’t flinch when Indith got close, and Digger himself gave a happy little trill at the attention.

“Uh, I could probably show you on a map, but they just cleared that nest out, so you probably won’t find anything near there for a while. I know of a couple of spots where I’ve seen some wild ones. Never found any eggs, but they have to be there somewhere.” Cirina reached up to scratch under Indith’s chin.

Indith froze, surprised and delighted at the unexpected contact, eyes whirling happily. }:Mine!!:{

V’tian turned to look at her, and by extension Cirina. “If I got you a map, can you circle all the areas you know?”

“Uh, sure, I can do that. Why this new obsession with firelizards? I mean, they're great, Digger is super useful, but you have a whole dragon.” She was still happily scratching the green.

“It’s not _new_. Or an _obsession_.” V’tian muttered, but Indith was crooning delightedly and he couldn’t hold onto his offense. “Why not? The chances I’ll impress a green _twice_ are really low.” he rationalized. “I’ve been looking long enough, and Indith is helping me, I’ll find a nice big nest for _sure_, and take my pick.”

Indith tipped her head to the side a little, leaning into the scritches. }:But think how a little green would be able to blend in with me?:{ She offered. }:They are all cute.{

“I mean, I think the odds are 50/50 there, too,” Cirina pointed out. “And there’s nothing at all wrong with greens.” Leaning her weight into scratching the green, she said, “Indith, you should have picked me. I think you’re absolutely lovely,” She was weyrbred enough to know it didn’t work like that- V’tian’s dragon could only be V’tian’s dragon- but she thought Indith could use the praise.

“All dragons are important.” V'tian said stiffly. “But if I find a whole clutch of firelizards, at the _least_ there should be one bronze. That's how dragons clutch after all.”

And then he frowned, cheeks darkening. “Indith is _mine_, not yours.” And it didn't even _work like that_.

Indith let out a gusty sigh but pulled away, regarding Cirina solemnly, before turning her head away and nuzzling V'tian. }:I love you, Mine.:{ V'tian‘s expression softened, if slightly, and stroked her nearer eyeridge, his temper settling again.

“I know, I know, but that’s why you should appreciate her more. Yeah, if you can find a gold’s clutch you should be able to pick a big one. And that’s not a bad idea. Digger is big enough to drag my boots to me. I don’t think a green could do that.” The brown’s chest puffed up even more at the mention of his great skills.

“You think I don’t appreciate her?” V’tian’s frown deepened; Indith nudged into him still more firmly and he took a deep breath, released it. Everything was fine. He was getting what he wanted. He looked at Digger, and then at Indith, and back again. “... was he easy to train?” he asked finally, almost grudgingly.

Cirina coaxed Digger down her arm again, as if needing the visual aid for this, “It was rough at first. His attention span was like five seconds and he shredded everything he could get his claws on. Once he was a couple of months old he got a lot easier to train. He’ll basically do anything if he thinks he’ll get a treat, the trick is just trying to make him understand what I want. He can fetch and carry messages and find people like a champ. Oh, he once bit someone for grabbing my arm too rough.” She gave the brown an affectionate scratch on the back of his head.

“... huh.” V'tian said. “... Well. Indith when she was a baby wasn't the easiest either. All eating and sleeping and slinking around.” He petted green hide absently. “Digger looks good though. Nicely oiled hide.”

“Thank you. He’s a lot easier to take care of than a dragon. Although you probably don’t have to clip Indith’s nails,” Cirina grinned. “Once you find an egg, I can suggest some supplies you should get.”

“A sand bucket shouldn't be too hard to find.“ V'tian said after a moment. “And raw meat to stuff their face, right?”

“I meant for the firelizard itself,” Cirina rolled her eyes. “Stuff for the nails and toys they can play with so they don't shred your things and all that.”

“... That could be useful.” V'tian responded, then relented a little bit. “... thanks, I guess.” He added.

“What are you going to do with the rest of the eggs when you find them? If you sell them, I think it’s only fair I get a finders fee for helping if it’s from one of my spots,” Cirina said boldly. “Twenty five percent.”

“If I find enough to sell, and if the nest is from a spot you knew, you can have… ten percent.” V’tian countered.

Indith lowered her head, peered at Cirina and gave a soft croon.

Cirina grinned at the green, but countered confidently, “Fifteen.”

“Twelve.” V'tian responded, instantly. “I might have been holdbred but I'm not an idiot. And I'll be doing _all_ the work.”

“Deal,” Cirina held out her hand to shake his. “Bring me a map and I’ll tell you where I know there’s firelizards around.”

“.... Fine. Deal.” V'tian sighed, and shook the offered hand. “Meet me back here in… four candlemarks.”

Indith spread her wings at V'tian's prompting. }:Are we going to use one of our maps?:{

“Alright,” Cirina said happily, already fantasizing over what she was going to do with all her marks.

Last updated on the April 22nd 2025

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Firelizard Recon