A Place to Call Home (Muze/Lo'qui)

[Alyx]

Melana and Gold Sularenth
(takes place directly after Orchestrated Beginnings )

Melana had her reservations about leaving a young and fairly pretty candidate like Riasu in the less then trustable care of Az’ael, but it wasn’t like she really could object to it. If she’d been Senior, like the pair had mistaken her to be, she very well could have. But she wasn’t, was she? She frowned deeper, the bitter bite of the truth still souring her mouth. In hindsight, she should have called S’bol as well; it would have eliminated the randy Weyrleader’s chances, at least for the moment. Shard it, she should have thought of that before they’d taken lifted off the Plateau.

Jarath was quick enough on Sularenth’s tail, the pair of mammoth dragons painting the water below with even larger shadows as they moved. It was easy to direct the man and his cargo heavy dragon to the door for the Kitchen, and Melana had let the Headwoman, Shennah, take it from there while she had taken a quick flight to the Weyrwoman’s ledge to access the records. It was odd to have the quarters empty, but Melana rather liked that she didn’t have to deal with the woman for the moment. Wherever Karredy was, it wasn’t here, and that’s all Melana carried about.

The proper hide in hand, the next task was finding something that would fit the over-sized Bronze. I like his size. Melana shot Sula a look. ‘I’m sure you do, he’s as big as you.’ Indeed. The tone in the dragon’s voice was almost enough to make Melana smile. Given the mood the Gold had been in since their return, it was nice to have her in at least a somewhat pleasant mood. Anything close to ours? The slightly hopeful tone didn’t hide well under her attempt to seem disinterested in the spot the new pair would call home, but Mel didn’t call her on it.

‘Hm... Possibly?’ Melana ran her finger over the list of private (more like semi-private in most cases) weyrs, scanning those marked with ‘colors’ rather than names of those residing in them. One open Bronze with currently open Blue and Green attached with it. No. ‘Oh hush.’ Double Bronze, Bronze and Green. Bronze, Brown, and Green clumped together. No. ‘I told you to hush.’ Melana tapped her finger against the list, frowning. She would have to guess which would fit Lo’qui’s Jarath.

He was far larger, Melana believed than any other Bronze the Weyr currently hours. G’rett’s Bronze had problems with some of the Weyr, so for Jarath, it would almost be better to send Sula to check them herself since the pair were about matched in length. The woman sighed roughly as she pulled her fingernail along the hide, hoping something would leap out at her. A moment later, she smiled. ‘Got one.’ Does it have a Green in it? ‘No, you fickle beast.’ Rolling the hide up, she quickly returned to where Sularenth waiting.

A moment later, the Gold pair were gliding to rejoin Mavros’ newest Bronzerider; he’d been waiting for them, but from the look of it, not very long. Come with us. Sularenth didn’t land, instead banked over the Bronze and wheeled back around to line up on the private weyr Melana directed her too. Sula touched down long enough for Melana to slip off and step clear, then pushed off and cleared the path for Lo’qui and his Bronze to land. Call me when if you need me. ‘Of course.’

The Gold winged away. I am going to sun. You may join me if you wish, Jarath. Melana rolled her eyes, making sure she was out of the entrance for the Bronze to land. “I opted for bigger is better, in this case? It’s technically rated for one of our golds, but we have a few of them open in the size range, and I figured it Sularenth could fit, Jarath would hopefully find it comfortable.”

tovaana hope its a okay starter?

[tovaana]

Lo’qui :: Bronze Jarath

Lo’qui rolled his eyes as his sister asked for help – who had just a moment before others had showed up – had claimed her independence. As she turned toward him he gave her a warning look, the ‘behave yourself’ look, but it relaxed as he gave her a wink and smile at her last phrase. Inside he was cringing, but he wasn’t too worried about his sister wondering how he had swindled so much from D’min…and he now had time to think about what he could tell her. He would need a story that would make sense and one he could remember. The best way to do so was to tell the truth – in a roundabout twisted manner.

His brown eyes moved easily from his sister to the gorgeous brunette goldrider. He caught the end of a smirk and a look toward her gold dragon; an inside joke they were missing, he guessed. Lo’qui blinked at the second phrase, as she asked the Weyrleader to behave himself. He blinked again, a frown tugging ghostly at his lips as he glanced at the leader. His composure was never lost, just a bare response to her strange warning to the leader… a junior goldrider telling the Weyrleader how to behave. He didn’t know either, so he couldn’t tell if she was teasing at all – or if there was any merit to the accusation in her warning. He gave the young man a quick look, before glancing at his sister, trying to catch her eye with a sharp look. No funny business, they didn’t need any drama as they had just arrived. He wished his sister could read his thoughts like she could read dragon's.

He turn to watch distractedly as Melana started her exit. Jarath nosed his rider who almost fell over from the gentle gesture from his dragon. What the large dragon thought was gentle, didn’t account for Lo’qui’s two legs to keep him steady instead of four like a dragon. He was just glad Melana had already left, so she had missed his stumble. He didn't really care what the Weyrleader thought, he had a large bronze of his own - and he wasn't going to feel ashamed of the largeness of his dragon, even if he didn't know his own strength. You shouldn’t keep a gold waiting. Jarath rumbled in his mind, crouching to hurry along his tall rider who climbed upon his large dragon. The bronze seemed in such a hurry that he was still belting his straps on when the dragon leaped over the edge to catch momentum and air. ‘We aren’t that far behind them, calm yo’self.’ Lo’qui responded with pursed lips, holding onto the straps tightly as his dragon pumped harder to catch up with the bright gold dragon. The dragon hadn’t responded, but also hadn’t slowed down.

Lo’qui enjoyed being directed by the goldrider as they got set up to unload their gifts. He made sure to flash her a smile when he could and simply complied with any direction she gave. It would be helpful to have a goldrider friend to start out with, and it helped that she was easy on the eyes. He kept hoping for a moment to talk to her, both to get to know her and to ask her questions – but there was never a chance. He unloaded the dragon, handing large bags over to the head cook who was pleasantly surprised about the gifts, asking about the contents. While it seemed Mavros wasn’t ‘poor’ by any account, by the cook’s response he guessed they didn’t always get the sorts of herbs and foods he had snuck out of Ierne.

Jarath was impatient in the unloading of the cargo, his tinged yellow eyes whirling as he looked in the direction Sularenth and her rider had gone. He nearly thought his dragon would leave without him the moment he told him they got it all off. The dragon hurried him on again and once more they were in the air and for some reason hurrying – You shouldn’t leave a gold waiting. The bronze interrupted his impatience as they soared to the bright glimmer of gold. My, she was bright. Yes. Jarath responded privately, but rumbled a greeting to the queen as they landed.

Not too long after Melana joined them, and they were in the air once more. Finally, they could get settled. He didn’t like that they had moved – there was a lot he had left behind, but at least he had his sister. He started thinking of ways he could draw his children over to Mavros without sparking the anger of their mothers. The youngest two would be easy… The flight to his new weyr didn’t give him enough time to come up with any concrete solutions.

She’s invited me to go. ‘I need to unload my things.’ Hurry, then. He would have responded with something snarky, but he anticipated getting settled.

Lo’qui slid off, shaking his head a little at his bronze’s sudden impatience. He knew the golds at Ierne had liked him, but he didn’t remember his bronze responding to them in a similar manner… or maybe he just hadn’t paid much attention. He sighed and grabbed a first bag and turned to Melana, then glanced around the Weyr. “He does find it comfortable. The only reason why he’s in a hurry to get out – is because Sularenth invited him to cuddle.” He said with a grin as the bronze carefully tipped to lay on his side to make unpacking easier, and quicker.

“Thank you for your help.” He paused, turning to Jarath and started to untie the largest cargo that was left – a large chest with a carving of Jarath on the lid. He glanced back at Melana. “Not that I don’t appreciate your lovely face, but uh, can I ask why the Weyrwoman didn’t welcome us, is she unwell?” His voice was smooth and casual. Faster fingers. Jarath growled, and Lo’qui turned back to the ropes as he rolled his eyes, pulling them from around the finely carved wood.

Alyx

[Alyx]

Melana and Gold Sularenth

Melana was pleased the larger Bronze had found the weyr she picked comfortable, but she couldn’t help to arch an eyebrow at the man’s words. Sula did what? Since she had impressed the sour mooded beast, she had never heard Sularenth use the word ‘cuddle.’ She wasn’t even sure the word was in the Gold’s vocabulary, given how fickle her moods had become as of late. Melana found the smile catching the corner of her lips, but shook her head and said nothing. It wasn’t her place to warn the Bronze what he might be getting himself into by reading too much into Sularenth’s invitation. Good. ‘You better be nice.’ I am always nice. ‘Right. And I’m a Master Harper.’

The Gold didn’t snarl back, seemingly focused on finding a sunny spot big enough for herself and the Bronze that would soon join her. Melana quickly pulled the curtain back between the ledge and the weyr itself as Lo’qui pulled his packs from the Bronze’s harness, tying it so it wouldn’t get in the way when he, and probably her as well, set about hauling the packs inside. She was just taking a moment to add his name to the hide when his question reached her.

She groaned, not a happy noise. She had known the question was coming, honestly, but she didn't want to answer it. She folded her arms, leaving the hide to dry on the abandoned table that had come with the weyr to return to the doorway to the ledge. “With luck, the woman is someplace she can’t cause any more unneeded drama.” The words escaped her lips before she could think better of them, but she didn’t really fault them too much. Lo’qui would learn sooner or later if he truly planned to remain in Mavros for any length of time. Her features darkened simply at the thought of Karredy.

“I’m sorry, that was out of line for me to say.” The words were sweet and bitter in the same tone as if Melana was worried she might choke on them. “I’m supposed to say something like ‘Aye, yes. She is unwell and is resting most of the time. We try not to stress her health, so the Juniors have taken to covering most of her duties so that she may rest and hopefully recover enough to reassume them.” She huffed a soft sigh, the smile returning to catch the edges of her lips. “There, was that believable? I’ve been working on saying it with a straight face. I think I still need practice, honestly.”

tovaana

[tovaana]

Lo’qui :: Bronze Jarath

His head turned and eyebrows lifted in curiosity at her groan. I will leave here with your things half attached to me. The bronze threatened and Lo’qui turned back and undid the last knot and slid the wood chest off of him. Instead of finding his treasured piece a place in his new home, he started to unpack his few other bags so that his dragon wouldn’t leave with them. He was just glad that this gold that his bronze was taking a liking to didn’t belong to the Weyrwoman… and from the quick quip of the brunette, it sounded like he was glad for multiple reasons.

“Oh?” He asked, intrigued. Even his dragon was somewhat interested – or at least he didn’t get after him for pausing the short moment again when she announced her hopes. He resisted rolling his eyes, Jarath was just as bad as flits when it came to gossip. Luckily with Jarath’s poor memory, he didn’t do as much damage as a flit could.

Lo’qui smiled at the apology, hearing the slight sarcasm that her sweet apology presented in contrast to her earlier tone. He pulled off another bag and chuckled. “Well, I do appreciate the honesty in your first reaction, and your tone does speak to your true feelings still… So, I guess for the sake of the weyr, maybe a tad more practice would make for a…proper response.” But then he smiled after this, “but I’d miss the honesty, honestly.” He pulled another last bag down from Jarath.

“There, you’re free, beast.” Jarath growled in response. I’m no herd beast. He announced to the two of them, eying his rider with blue green whirling eyes. His voice was sharp, but he was too excited that not only was he about to sunbathe with one of the Mavros golds, but that there seemed to be plenty of gossip to go around. Lo’qui knew his dragon would be paying attention to their conversation if Sularenth didn’t distract him enough. The bronze rolled to his feet and huffed at the pile of belongings that Lo’qui had released in a pile next to him.

The bronze then turned and fell from the ledge in one fluid movement, his wings catching at the air and pulling him back up the cliff’s face to find the brilliant hide of Sularenth. I apologize for making you wait; my rider seemed distracted while unpacking. Lo’qui rolled his eyes at this, his hands felt raw from handling the rope so quickly. Still, he was grateful that Jarath had carried so much for the journey.

“Would it be rude to say that I’m glad she had reason to not attend me? I wouldn’t have met you so soon.” He glanced toward the ledge while grabbed a few bags to take deeper into the weyr. “I’m sure Jarath appreciates it as well.”

However, he did note that her earlier wording of ‘drama’ and being ‘unwell’ didn’t quite match up. Because of her earlier groan too – it was obviously a sore spot, something he did want to hear more about, but didn’t want to rub it raw with a potential friend. He wanted to ask about the Weyrleader too, but thought it be best to break up the conversation with something more personal to the lady. As interested in information (rather than rumors he knew he'd heard about the weyr), he was equally interested in Melana herself. “How did you come to Mavros?” He asked, hoping the question was less taxing, tossing one of the bags over his shoulder as he moved into his new weyr. 

Alyx

[Alyx]

Melana and Gold Sularenth

At least her blunt words hadn’t offended him? Lo’qui’s reply to her sarcastic apology got a rush of soft laughter from Melana. She watched as he worked to free his Bronze from the packs he had carried here, hoping that Sularenth would go gentle on the man’s dragon – for the Weyr's sake. They needed riders; the timing clutch was still young, and the other weyrlings were still babes. They needed the bodies to fly. It helps that they are an attractive pairing. Sula’s voice threaded into Mel’s mind, and the goldrider frowned softly. ‘Just… be nice. Please.’

“Well, if you like honestly, I have a problem with randomly being too honest. We should get along fine.” Melana watched as Lo’qui turned Jarath loose, the Bronze’s voice echoing in her mind as he corrected his rider before dropping off the ledge to track down the mammoth Gold. The Bronzerider’s words did catch Mel a little off guard but in a good way? She felt the smile broadened on her lips, the soft chuckle rolling over them. Not met her so soon? Oh we were still flirting, were we?

“Hardly rude for not wanting to deal with Karredy, in all honestly. You wouldn’t be the only one, I’m sad to say.” She watched him collect a pack and stepped back out of the door as to not block the path for him. “A number of turns ago, Karredy fell quite ill; so much so, the healers actually pronounced her dead and she was buried. Her Gold was on the Sands with a pair of Gold eggs, everyone expected she’d Between after they hatched. A few days after the Burial I think, Zalmaranth – that is her Gold, sorry – goes into a rage, bellowing like a raging herd bull.”

As she spoke, Melana drifted a few steps into the weyr, watching the man carefully. She wondered for a moment if he would believe the tale or not. “Come to find out they’d put her rider in the ground alive. Karredy woke up, panicked, and Zalmarath sharding near deafened the whole Weyr getting her dug up.” Melana shook her head. “Karredy hasn’t been the same since. Scattered in the head a bit, falls ill off and on for no real reason, and spooks like a wher at a sunbeam. Recently it’s gotten… quite a bit worse. The Juniors have started to take on more of her duties to make sure things get done, and hopefully to keep Karredy from doing any damage honestly.”

Melana gave a little shrug; she didn’t really want to lay out all of Mavros’ dirty laundry, but at least the man should know the open issues? It was no secret Karredy was off her rocker, he’d have heard that sooner or later when he started to venture about the halls of the place. The Weyrwoman’s unbalanced condition was regular gossip chatter and hard to miss. She glanced at the pile in the entrance, then back to Lo’qui.

She was relieved when the conversation shifted and gave a soft shrug. “Like most I suppose, I was Searched.” She took a step out, catching one of the packs from the stone and hauling it up to cart it into the quarters of the weyr. “Well, I suppose not like most – I was Searched from High Reaches Weyr so to speak.” She flashed the man a grin, dropping the pack gently on the bed. “Those two gold eggs I told you about when Karredy supposedly died? One was Sularenth. Mavros asked for help to get enough female candidates on the Sands to Impress both the eggs if they hatched. Been here ever since.”

Mel turned, leaning to sit partly on the edge of the bed. “Your turn; What about you, Lo’qui?” She pinned him with a gaze. “Very few people come to Mavros’ Weyr by choice. Your sister isn’t here, neither is A’zael or anyone else.” She shifted a hip, bringing a hand up to push her hair back over her shoulder to face him more clearly. “So just you and me… why here? Why leave there to come here of all places?”

tovaana

[tovaana]

Lo’qui :: Bronze Jarath

Wow. That was…quite a story. Melana didn’t seem the type to exaggerate, but still. What, what? Jarath’s voice was too eager and Lo’qui had to be careful to school his face to not include his reaction to his nosy dragon. ‘Shouldn’t you be entertaining a certain gold?’ I can multitask. The man smiled and shook his head. The Weyrwoman died – but then came back? Like those stories that boys told each other to scare each other? Of the undead? Obviously, not really like that…

“Don’t know how to react to that story. It seems a bit… bizarre.”

The corner of his lips tugged up. “Is that where Mavros gets its reputation then?”

It made him think of the Weyrleader and the teasing comment she had shot toward him. With how blunt she seemed to be, perhaps it wasn’t just a joking remark…it made his stomach squirm that he had personally took his sister, it made sense that he would take the time if he wanted a little more than company from his sister…who was too power hungry for her own good. "Or is it from the current Weyrleader?

Twin golds? He eyed Melana as he plopped his things down on the cot that quickly filled it up. He appraised the bed once more and shook his head in a ghostly movement. Lo’qui turned his full attention back on the goldrider. It was only fair that she turned the question on him. This was the moment when he decided how to tell anyone who ever asked him. She had added that there was a confidence between the two of them – as if he could trust her so quickly. He wanted to, so that was something.

“Ah, well. You make Mavros sound a little like a castaway island.” Was he a castaway? Perhaps D’min thought of him as so much.

He pursed his lips, standing there in his new home. He could be vague about it, but another part of him wanted to call D’min out for the colorist that he was. “Long story or short version?” He asked, managing a sadistic smile. “Maybe the short for now, I’ll save the long version for another time. Perhaps for an outing with the two of us? Evening meal?” He shot her a wink and sat down on the bed, frowning as he did so. His knees folded up, as if he were sitting on a chair made for a child. He pushed himself back up, feeling that sitting like that was… unbecoming, that and uncomfortable.

“It was the Weyrleader. D’min. He and I don’t see eye to eye. He’s wanted me gone for a long time. Whether it was he or Jarath that was the problem…I guess you’ll find out.” He said as if he definitely wasn't the problem. He said it with a shrug and chuckle. It had been D’min of course. Wherry headed fool.

“So, uh – when’s the next gather? It seems I’ll need to make a few purchases for my new home.” He didn’t have a lot, not with his kids who was constantly pleasing and doting upon, but he’d have enough for a nice bed and bed frame at least… maybe haggle for a rug… whatever else to match the décor he already had. “That, and perhaps I could freshen up my dancing skills.” His dancing skills were fine, but he had already asked her on a date of sorts, he wanted to just throw the last part out, ladies almost always liked being asked to dance.

Alyx

[Alyx]

Melana and Gold Sularenth

All in all, Melana thought he took everything she dumped into his lap quite well. Well, he didn’t exactly jump for joy, but at the same time he didn’t call his dragon back and start tossing his pack’s back onto him; not that Sularenth would probably give him his Bronze back at this point, but that was moot. She smirked. “I would say it’s a bit of both, honestly. We have a habit of finding little things that make us a bit more different; though A’zael doesn’t exactly help with some of his antics. It is what it is.”

She didn’t go into much detail – she’d dropped enough on the poor man’s plate; and his sister was off with the scruffy beast, so best not to talk too much about A’zael. Lo’qui did dodge her question about why he’d come here, making her narrow her eyes playfully at the man. Dinner… just to know why he’d come? She considered him a moment, But he didn’t hold out on her completely. She listened with interest; it wasn’t often people came to Mavros for fun – or willingly.

He had said short, but she expected a touch more. Still, she didn’t pry – though she wanted to. ‘Sularenth?’ Yes? The Gold didn’t sound annoyed, and for that, she would welcome the man and his Bronze happily. ‘If you happen to have the opening in the conversation with your new friend, would you drop a query or two as to what brought them our way? His rider isn’t really giving me details.’ If you insist. Okay, now she sounded a little annoyed ‘Please and thank you?’ Better. The good tone was back. Good.

Filing away the name D’min for later to do a little digging on her own, she nodded. “Short version at least gives me something; I suppose I’ll have to make dinner plans to get the rest of the story.” Melana laughed softly, then nodded. “We have a Gather coming up in a few weeks I believe. One of our Lord Holder’s is getting married, and the Weyr has been invited to attend. Ceremony first, but then shops and festivities.” Melana uncrossed her arms and stood off the wall she’d been leaning against. “I think there will even be Dragon-racing if you are interested in that sort of thing.”

“But I’ve taken plenty of your time, I think. I’ll get you into the records and file your transfer properly. A’zael will probably have your wing assignment for you by tomorrow morning, noon at the latest – he’s pretty good at that thing. Thread is…well, one of his strong points, I suppose.” She reached for the Gold, pulling the reluctant Gold to come collect her. “If you need anything, I’m sure it will be a short relay – just have Jarath tell Sularenth, I assume they will be keeping each other company for some time if either has a say.” Her voice was pleased, clearly amused by her normally growly Gold’s new interest.

“I will leave you to settle in and unpack.” The scrapping of talons on stone announced Sularenth's arrival on the ledge; Melana turned toward the passage, tossing a smile over her shoulder. “Welcome to Mavros, by the way. I hope you find it to your liking, Lo’qui. I will see you later, yes?” She left the man to sort his new room, quickly pulling herself aboard the massive Gold's shoulders. Sularenth barely waited for her to settled before the Gold launched off the ledge-less perch and spiraled toward their own weyrs entrance.

I assume I am free to go again? The voice was annoyed, which was expected, but still more pleasant the Melana expected as she slipped off the beast's back. "Yes, you are. Thank you, Sula." The Gold turned and launched away without another word to return to her new Bronze 'friend', leaving Melana to her own devices for the rest of the afternoon.

(tovaana there you go, one closer. Respond if you like, but I promised something on my end. Fun thread. Thanks!!)