"You better get used to jokes, Domi, I never run out." Finally sitting back up again, Nec shook himself and brushed away the sand sticking to his back. "Wanne keep walking? Long beach and the weyr is in that direction." Probably why they, or at least Nec, saw that dragon a little while ago.
"I don't think it could hurt to be out a little longer. I have to be back before evening though, or they might look for me," Dominic answered with a small smile, referring to the rest of his companions while they waited at the cabin for his return. He was getting a bit hungry, if he were being truthful.
"Not that cold yet." And with the weyr- okay pretty far, they wouldn't get there before dark. And it might be a bit much for Dominic still anyway. "Nice having someone to come home to, eh?"
"Yeah, it ish," Dominic answered with a small smile and then, realizing what he had let slip, covered his mouth and looked away. He shouldn't have paid closer attention to what he was saying and now he probably looked stupid.
Necthan's words didn't make Dominic exactly feel any better. "I don't like it. It made me feel unintelligent where I came from..." he muttered, frowning a bit.
"Ah. Well you shouldn't." Though it was understandable. And habits were hard to break. "You're not any less intelligent just because of something like that. But yeah, I know some people easily think that, just cuz your slightly different."
"Didn't matter to the faculty or other people I had to go there with," Dominic murmured, sighing a little. He was glad for Necthan though, his words made him feel a little bit better about his speech impediment. "I'll try, though. It will be difficult..."
"I know. It's not easy when people don't know." Losing the light tone he put an arm arou d Dominic's shoulders. "I can't guarantee nobody'll make fun of you or bug you here, obviously there's a lot of people and not everyone can be nice, but let me know if they're not."
Dominic glanced up at his friend, and then back down at the sand though he gave Necthan's hand a gentle squeeze. "Thank you," he murmured, his cheeks flushing a little. It was good to know that he had someone who would help him if trouble arose, not that Kimasa and the others weren't helpful but he wouldn't want them fighting on his behalf. Sure, he didn't like the idea of Necthan doing it either, but he was capable enough to hopefully not get hurt.
Dominic didn't know yet, but Nec had never been afraid of telling someone exactly how he felt. At least people he didn't know or care about. Friends and family, now those were complicated!
