Paalonyth nudged at his sleeping rider gently but insistently. Wake up already, Rei! My stomach is empty! I'm going to die of starvation!

Reija rolled over and opened one eye. Not likely, seeing as I just fed you a few hours ago.

Sooo? I'm still very very hungry, Paalonyth insisted, adding a pitiful creel for effect. You wouldn't let your poor little Paalonyth go hungry even for a moment, would you?

Reija reached out to give the her dragon's eyeridges an affectionate scratch. Of course not, and since your evening feeding was only hours ago, you can't be hungry. Just go back to sleep, the time will go faster that way.

Paalonyth snorted and sat down, discouraged and hungrier than ever. It suddenly occured to him that he was very tired. He yawned and Reija chuckled. That's not funny! he snarled as he snapped his jaw shut, glaring at his rider.

Reija tried to hide her chuckles in her pillow. I'm sorry your so hungry, Paalo, but I don't think the food's even ready yet.

Couldn't we just go find a snack in the kitchens? the blue insisted. Maybe some of the firelizard food?

The weyrlingmaster would have my head if I allowed you to snack and the headwoman would have my head for taking meat from the flits, Reija reminded her blue, though she was starting to feel a bit hungry herself as a result of Paalonyth's very real hunger.

What if you went and got a snack and I stole some from you? Paalonyth asked impishly, dragon-grinning up at his rider.

Reija returned the grin. Then it wouldn't be my fault, would it? You know I'd never have dreamed of a late night snack before you, Paalo.

Well this is a good time for you to learn then, Paalonyth told her with a decisive nod for emphasis. Can you please go? I'm hungry.

Reija pulled on some warmer clothes and tiptoed out of the weyrling barracks. The weyrbowl was silent, her feet the only sound. She hurried across to the kitchens and snatched a few meatrolls from the plate set out. Some drudge was probably going to miss them, but it would be easy enough to replace three. Meatrolls in hand, Reija dashed out and back across into the barracks.

Paalonyth was waiting for her at the door and Reija, not able to see where she was going in the dark, tripped over his tail. The blue squawked, Reija fell, and the meatrolls went flying through the air. Paalonyth quickly ran after them, catching each one neatly as it fell.

I was planning for one of those to be mine, Reija complained as she shucked her extra clothes and climbed, shivering, back into bed.

Paalonyth grinned. But I'm the hungry one here, remember?