Work Shirkers [Phlox]

[nineofswords]

It was a typical day in Chopin squad. N'ost and Kleeth had been assigned to help in constructing a new outbuilding for extra storage. N'ost rolled his sleeves up, carefully folded and draped his jacket over Kleeth's foreleg, and then got to work hammering boards together. Supposedly, he was supposed to have others come help, but he wasn't about to complain about being left to handle this task alone.

It's too hooooooot, Kleeth whined from where he was lying in a sunbeam. As usual, he didn't much care who heard him whining and moaning.

"Then move to the shade, Kleeth," N'ost told him simply.

But then I'd have to move, Kleeth complained. And if I got too cold I'd have to move again.

"Well, I'm not completely certain what you expect me to do about that situation," N'ost pointed out. "You're far too large for me to lift you up anymore, and I have work to do."

Someooooone! Kleeth called, lifting his head like it was the most difficult task in the world and giving a half-hearted draconic roar towards where the rest of Chopin were working that day. Someone, come help! We need assistance over here!

N'ost sighed. Great. Now they were going to look absolutely incompetent for being unable to handle a simple building project themselves.

No need to thank me for finding you help in hammering things together, Kleeth told him smugly. And maybe whoever comes can get their dragon to help move these tired old bones around, eh? Best result for us both!

"You are not even a decade old, Kleeth," N'ost said for what felt like the thousandth time.

[FirebrandPhlox]

Pothecath lifted his head, looking in the direction that the call for help had come from. That was the general vicinity of the shed they were supposed to be helping build.

Ygbir, c'mon. We have to go to work before we get in trouble.

His rider was laying in the shade near the lake, a bag of tools left forgotten next to him. Ygbir's feet were dangling in the water, his eyes closed in a dozing state. He looked content, and absolutely not like someone who was supposed to be working right now.

"Just ignore it, we won't get in trouble." Ygbir said, keeping his eyes closed. "It's not like they need the whole squad to build a shed, anyway."

Pothecath frowned down at his rider. No, but we are some of the few that were assigned to do it. If we get caught shirking, we'll just get assigned more work.

"Ugh, fine!" Ygbir groaned, pulling his feet out of the water and sticking the wet appendages straight into his boots. "We'll go build that stupid shed like you want to!"

Pothecath lowered himself so Ygbir could scamper atop him. "It's not that I want to build a shed, it's the work we're assigned to do. It's better than having to hunt spotties in the jungle or fight thread.

"Yeah, whatever," Ygbir grumbled as Pothecath took off for the construction site. He didn't bother flying, since it was only a few minutes walk. The pair came up to the site, another bluerider pair already at work.

"Alright, we're here now. What do you want?" Ygbir asked, sliding from Pothecath's back. He made no indication that he was actually going to pick up a tool and start working.

[nineofswords]

N'ost straightened when he heard someone approaching, holding himself ramrod straight and standing at full attention. Even though it was just another member of his squad, he was going to treat them with the utmost respect, especially since they were coming here to help him. He gave them a polite bow when they got closer and addressed him.

"Apologies for the rude summons," N'ost said as he straightened. "I certainly have the task well in hand, it's just - "

I need heeeeeelp, Kleeth whined from where he was lying in the sun. N'ost winced at the blue's interruption. Oh, don't make faces, Nossie, if I left it up to you, I'd be cooked by this wretched Semacan sun before you got to the point. Yes, hi, hello there, I need help. It's far too hot in the sun, and I'm far too weak to move myself into the shade. Be a peach and help me out, would you?

N'ost felt the need to explain. "My bond is exaggerating that he needs help," the man said, "but he isn't the most steady on his feet, so I believe some assistance would not go amiss since you are here." He turned to the other rider. "You are, of course, welcome to assist me in this task if you wish, but as I said, I do have it mostly in hand if there are other tasks you need to complete at this time. I'm sorry we have troubled you over something so trivial." He gave another bow.

You see? What did I say? Kleeth said, all but rolling his eyes. Takes him forever to get to the point.

[FirebrandPhlox]

"Oh, you just need your dragon moved? Score!" Ygbir said, throwing the pouch of tools to the ground with unnecessary force. "Hey Pothecath, you can do that!"

The blue grumbled slightly at Ygbir immediately shirking all responsibility and turned his attention to the other dragon lounging on the ground. Looking at him, he certainly did look kind of sickly and frail. So, do you need me to crouch down and support you, or push you, or what? Pothecath asked Kleeth. He was willing to help, but wasn't sure how the thin blue wanted him to assist. Kleeth was looked so thin that Pothecath was afraid a wrong move would injure the other dragon.

"So you're N'ost?" Ygbir said, leaning against the wall that he was supposed to be building. "I'm Ygbir, that's Pothecath." He looked around the construction site halfheartedly. "Just you working over here, huh? No squadleader to supervise or yell at you to work faster?"