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Post by hrsegrl on Feb 25, 2007 14:55:29 GMT -5
The stables were bustling with the normal early morning chores. Unfortunately Telaro had been charged with the task of bringing the canines out to work the herdbeasts out of their winter grazing to the summer grazintg pastures. Now that the weather was nicer it would be easier to keep the animals a little further from the Weyr where there was superior grazing.
As he let the four herding canines out he noticed that his personal favorite was lying on her side and taking in many short breaths. She was a young one, a few turns old at most. She was black and white with alert eyes and a flowing coat. He knew immediately that he had no idea what was going on here. As much as Telaro appreciated his training, he was not really gifted when it came to canines. He ran to get the journeyman who usually trained him.
What could possibly be wrong with her, Telaro fought with himself over the possibilities. After all he wasn't exactly the smartest person in the world. He came back with the Journeyman but waited as the man examined her.
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brimstone81
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Post by brimstone81 on Feb 25, 2007 15:15:56 GMT -5
D'lon strode into the stable, not sure what was going on here, but he had been brooding for the last few days. Mostly because he had found out that Elske was seeing a bluerider now. Not that they were seeing eachother for more than a night, but, shard it! He liked her, though mostly her body, because they didn't do much talking that night. Maybe it was the fact that she already moved on an he, a fellow greenrider hadn't yet. He grumbled. He should find some one else, maybe a bluerider to compete? That is fine with me. Tamurath rumbled, I do not like Isleith like Reinth does. The green was perfectly happy with Hers finding some one else. After all, Isleith was green, not blue or brown. Tamurath liked blues and browns.
D'lon found himself in the stables. He had heard some commotion, but he generally liked runners so that's why he visited. He rode as a kid, but since Tamurath hatched two turns ago, he rarely had time. He saw that most of the horses must be out today. And he saw the dog. He had seen females before giving birth, and it was not unlike this dog, weird breathing laboring like that. He leaned on a stable door and said nonchalantly, "Shard it, is that dog pupping?"
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Post by hrsegrl on Feb 25, 2007 15:34:49 GMT -5
The journeyman replied before Telaro could interject. "She shouldn't be..." He grimaced. The canine was not due to have her pups for another couple weeks. Telaro looked about to see that the others had gone to take care of the canines who were out. Telaro explained more in depth to the rider, "She shouldn't have her pups for another couple sevendays. Still if you want to stay and watch feel free. I'm sure no one will mind." Telaro wanted to see the birth himself and assist the journeyman.
The female canine was as watchful as ever. Telaro would change any woman in the weyr for a female canine. They at least listened and obeyed... and some of them were actually quite intelligent. The young man watched as the journeyman helped the female into a better position. This was not going to be an easy thing for her and it was very likely that the pups were dead.
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brimstone81
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Post by brimstone81 on Feb 25, 2007 18:34:58 GMT -5
D'lon pursed his lips together, though births were always hard. Couldn't be as bad as a tough human birth. He had seen it twice before, it was his father's second woman, the girl who replaced his own mother. Well, she wasn't much of a girl, close to thirty, really, but even so, she could never carry a child to turn. He remembered the last time she gave birth early to a dead child. She sobbed and cried, and would not leave her rooms for days. His father tried to woo her and be sensitive, but even he was getting frustrated. He remembered that he went in to give his stepmother (you could call her that, even though D'lon was never sure if the union was cemented with ceremony or if she was just a live in woman like his mother) her dinner and she threw it at him, cursing the fertility of his mother and cursing him too. It was very hard to deal with. D'lon's father, the Steward at Ponaa hold, had wanted another child, maybe even a better son than D'lon had been. Seeing the second woman not able to bear live children was almost pleasing-his father could never replace him. And this whole scene was bringing back such memories.
He stared blankly at the dog, he felt horrible for her, but knew that she would never sob all night or curse everyone for her miscarriage. She would breed again. D'lon nodded, he would stay for a while. This young man was actually kinda cute, for a boy, and he seemed compassionate. Interesting.
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Post by hrsegrl on Feb 25, 2007 20:10:32 GMT -5
It seemed the young rider would be staying to watch. He wondered if the man was any older than he was. Telaro doubted it. Many saw him as still a young one but at twenty he was definately considered an adult. The Journeyman beckoned Telaro forward. There was little time to really speak as the dog birthed the first pup with great difficulty. They watched as she licked the sack off of the baby. After what seemed candlemarks the second pup came, so far both were dead. It might be as they feared.
"Poor darlin'." He stroked the canines face with a calm, gentle hand. The next three pups were also dead. Something had clearly gone very wrong. Telaro was not one to get emotional but this was very hard for him to see sometimes. It reminded him of how precious life could be and also how easily some people dismissed it.
As they begin to think she was done a sixth pup was born, very much alive. Telaro took him instantly and began to rub him as if his mother were licking him. When the pup began to make more noise and become more lively Telaro set him down next to his mother to begin suckling. He was her get alright, hungry and smart. The next two pups were also born alive but it was all Telaro could do to save them. They just didn't have the strength to make it. The last pup was born backwards and ended up also by some miracle to be alive. She was smaller than her brother and a little more greedy about the food.
Smile on his face Telaro looked up at the rider. The Jounreyman took the dead animals to be examined, leaving the young man to care for the dog and her pups. "If you could watch them a moment, I'm going to get her a clean bed, food and water."
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brimstone81
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Post by brimstone81 on Feb 26, 2007 14:34:04 GMT -5
D'lon wasn't sure if he could stand to see all these still born pups. It was then that by some miracle that a live one was born, and a hungry little bugger. It made the rider smile. He inched closer and knelt, watching the pup with awed silence. How the little guy made it was beyon D'lon. He wasn't an expert in the field of birthing. Of course he had a son, but Venaru probably would have killed him if he wanted to come in and watch.
Then two more were alive, and it was hopeful, but they didn't make it. Then the last one was breech and it seemed more ravenous than her brother, it made him smile even broader. They were the only two who made it. Well there should be plenty of milk for the both of them. Or he would have assumed. He remembered his step mother 'aching' to hold a baby among other things after her still borns. It was pretty lucky there were two left. Well they'd grow out of their runtiness and grpw fat, he wagered. "Me? Watch them? I suppose."
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Post by hrsegrl on Feb 28, 2007 7:34:20 GMT -5
"I'll only be a moment." He replied and dashed out of the room to find what he needed. The sooner the better. The two pups had no trouble staying near mom. Since they couldn't see yet they had to rely on their sense of touch. The warmth coming from their mother was easy to detect and kept them nearby. They had not moved much when Telaro returned with the necessary things.
"Okay, if you don't mind giving me a hand, we need to get her onto clean bedding." The rider probably had other things to do but Telaro didn't much care. His first priority was making sure the animals of the Weyr were healthy. If they didn't keep up with the little things the Weyr wouldn't be able to remain self sufficient.
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brimstone81
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Post by brimstone81 on Feb 28, 2007 21:27:43 GMT -5
When Telaro was gone, D'lon had gotten even closer and pet the mother softly, "There's a good girl. A nice girl, you've got some nice looking pups, if I do say so myself. What a good momma you're gonna make." He was a little afraid of touching the babies himself. They looked wet and too delicate. Just like Devon had been as a baby. With out the wet part. He was still amazed and wondered if he would ever have another son or if Devon would be his only. It all depended on his weyrmate. If it were a guy, well then most likely not. Unless D'lon had a bunch of lovers, like he wanted. He shrugged, he would cross that bridge when he got to it.
Telaro came back quickly and asked him to help with the mother dog. "Okay, I'll help you."
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Post by hrsegrl on Mar 1, 2007 9:26:25 GMT -5
The young man looked at the other a moment. "If you'll just hold the pups for me..." He handed him one then the other. Telaro placed a dry blanket on the warmer side of the small room. Then he picked up the darling canine and moved her to the dry blanket. Then he brought her food and water. Mostly she was thirsty but that she still had an appetite was a good sign. "Now if you place the pups next to their mother, they should have no trouble staying warm."
Telaro moved out of the way and picked of the rather disgusting blanket. He could not imagine ever having to go through an ordeal like that himself. That was one reason he was glad he was not a woman. Of course for the men of the Weyr he sometimes wished he were. Then he could have a chance at one or two of the attractive Bronzriders...there were so many good loooking riders. He only hoped he could stay at the Weyr forever.
"Thank you, for the help. I'm Telaro, sorry for not introducing everyone earlier. The canine is Dia. We use her for herding mostly. One of my favorites actually. Who are you adn what brings you to the stables?" Telaro asked thinking the man might have stuck around to get help with something. Or maybe the rider had nothing to do.
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brimstone81
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Post by brimstone81 on Mar 1, 2007 16:28:51 GMT -5
D'lon had ever so carefully picked up each puppy as if they were about to break if he moved to quickly, and held them close to his chest to prevent any harm. He smiled as he heard them kind of grunt and lightly whine for the their mother. One of their wet noses tickled D'lon's chin and he laughed. He set them down one by one next to Dia, and gave them a soft pat before standing and brushing himself off.
He looked at Telaro and grinned, "No problem, always like to feel useful from time to time. She's a lovely lady. Any canine would be lucky to have her," He said as in jest, "And I am D'lon, just looking for the runner beasts. I used to ride, and I still find myself fascinated with the creatures. I didn't have anything else to do."
His green popped into his mind, and said bossily, Introduce me. So D'lon smirked, "I was just graced by the presence of my dragon. She said to introduce her. So, I guess I am supposed to tell you that she is named Tamurath."
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Post by hrsegrl on Mar 3, 2007 14:19:19 GMT -5
There wasn't much that he could say about Dia's mate. He was of good lines, as was she. Their offspring would have done well here but fate seemed to have other plans in store. Telaro smiled at D'lon for a brief second, "Ah, well we do have a few that need a nice walk. If you are interested in that sort of thing..." He trailed off, as he was much more interested in D'lon and his dragon.
He rode a green that much was now obvious. "Tamurath is a pretty name. I'm sure she is a sight to behold as well. Green dragons are quite lovely to look on." Telaro liked greens and blues. Though blue dragons were his favorite... they did get to fly greens after all.
"I've stood for a couple hatchings myself. I don't really think I'm cut out for the dragonriding life. Runners and herdbeasts need looking after too." Telaro said, not purposefully making his job seem important. He valued his occupation as much as any man. If one had no pride in what one was doing why bother doing it?
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brimstone81
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Post by brimstone81 on Mar 5, 2007 23:45:41 GMT -5
I like him. Tamurath loved to be complimented. She didn't care if it was over done or too lavish or anything. If you complimented her, she would come. The green sent a whirl of happiness to her rider, or was it vice versa? D'lon liked Telaro's smile, and he was giving D'lon the chance to spend more time with runners-it was what he wanted, right? "I'd love to help with the runners."
"And my green is quite a pretty gal." What rider wasn't proud of his dragon? Especially such a green like spunky Tamurath. D'lon grinned happily. Tamurath loved admirers as well. She hadn't flown yet, but to be sure, the green would have plenty of blues and browns after her. Probably more blues, but she loved attention either way. "Tamurath would love for you to come see her some time."
He spoke of standing for hatching. D'lon felt a little sorry that the guy didn't Impress. There were a few hatchings coming up, surely then he would have a chance? D'lon wanted to cheer him up, there was nothing better than being bonded to a dragon. "There will always be beast crafters. I'm sure you'll Impress soon. Keep your chin up. Tamurath likes you, I'm sure other dragons do as well. I bet you could Impress. Would you like to see my green?"
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Post by hrsegrl on Mar 6, 2007 8:52:51 GMT -5
Heh... what did the dragons know? He was supposed to impress before and he hadn't what would make the next Hatching any different? He was contenting himself by making a new life and then the dragonriders, high and mighty as they were, made him feel inadequate and that he shoudl stand since the only life was one with a dragon. If that didn't make his blood boil...
Still Telaro smiled and politely declined the offer, "I really can't today as I've been assigned to look after these runners." Telaro showed D'lon the list. It wasn't horribly long but it was time consuming. Ten runners and a lactating canine was enough for him.
"If you want you are welcome to ride any runner on my list most of them aren't too bad. One or two have some vices I could tell you about before you ride..."
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brimstone81
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Post by brimstone81 on Mar 7, 2007 23:02:20 GMT -5
D'lon frowned, reflecting what the pair felt. Tam loved visitors and admirers. D'lon smiled none-the-less, "Well that's too bad. My greenie would have liked to meet you, or so she tells me. Maybe another time." The greenrider looked at the list and nodded, the beastcrafter had too much to do than spend the day gazing at young dragons.
The rider's eyes lit up, he'd love to ride, for it had been about 2 turns since he had been ridden, "That'd be fabulous. To ride, I mean."
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Post by hrsegrl on Mar 8, 2007 8:43:26 GMT -5
Telaro didn't wish to keep D'lon unhappy so he went into the tack room to grab a bridle and saddle for him. "Well if you walk down this way..." He led to the end of the barn. "These last ten are the ones I'm looking after today, take your pick of any of them." Telaro might actually join the rider. Then technically he would be doign his chores but he would be taking a little extra time on one runner.
As long as his chores got done, no one could complain. Telaro convinced himself. "If you don't mind too much, I might ride with you."
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