my home is where ever your heart is [Riasu/Kev]

[tovaana]

T2761 P10 T6, Early Month 12

V’than :: Brown Saruth

He knew that Riasu wanted to impress, but once she had a dragon of her own, he was sure she’d want to ride her own dragon than ride holding onto him on Saruth. It had also occurred to him that if she impressed, she’d be stuck at the Weyr until the dragon wasn’t so young, and… he’d thought of other things they wouldn’t be able to do. But that wasn’t a current thing, so he didn’t worry about it, he contented himself that she was riding Saruth behind him, and would enjoy every intimate moment until a dragon chose her.

Muze had blinked from between behind them, and now they were hovering over the coast. Rylath’s speckled coat darted below them, starting a quicker landing than he would have imagined. Muze hadn’t been… excited, not at all. After a few conversations with Riasu, he’d realized that he should tell Muze, that his fears about hurting Muze would be worse if he withheld information. She’d been unhappy, but understanding… at least, she seemed to have been. She had only decided to come with him, because their mother was very pregnant, and due to have their new sibling come either this month or next. As much as Muze disliked their father, she loved their mother – and he knew she was anticipating their new sibling, perhaps more than he was.

They spiraled down and landed a ways away from the hold, then offered to help Riasu down, even though he knew very well she was capable. Old habits died hard. He was never put off when or if she didn’t accept his help, he knew she was capable, but he had developed the desire to protect her if he could, like his sister… though both seemed like they didn’t need him in that capacity… so why did Riasu need him? He pushed the thought aside, his confidence filling in unanswered questions. He could feel his old confidence now, especially as he had seen people in the hold start to point and gather at the sight of them.

There were some people running toward them, but V’than waved them aside with short greetings, especially since they were mostly kids who had come to gawk at the dragons. Muze lingered behind, encouraging the young to come and pet Rylath and to say hello.

V’than had had the thought that his parents were at the hold, and that he’d want to say hello – and that he’d have Riasu with him. What would it look like to them? What would they tell him… that he was courting her, he supposed. Though the thought of her in bed with him… it was like he’d forgotten how looked down upon that sort of intimacy was before marriage, and had remembered it in the faces of the hold people as they looked at him and Riasu.

“Here, my boat is this way.” Guiding her purposefully in a way that he was confident they wouldn’t bump into his parents, especially if they would be looking for him, as word was surely out that the brown and green dragon was there. He fingered her hand, finding comfort and encouragement in the gentle grip.

“Here.” He pulled her into a large cavernous warehouse like building that was close to the shore – it had a dock built into it that blew in a chily salty breeze, making it easy to bring in damaged ships and getting the new ones out. “Mine is… here.” He let go of her hand, his fingers seeking out the smooth raw boards that he had worked on bending and gluing and pounding together. It would make a find addition to his father’s fleet… someday. He had a hard time asking for too much help, of course there were things he couldn’t do by himself, but he couldn’t bring himself to ask people to work on it while he wasn’t there, especially since his father had left it alone.

[kevna]

Riasu - Candidate

Riasu had had the thought a this morning. That they were going to his home, and that it was likely she would meet his parents. In the Weyr, it felt less strange. Normally you already knew your lover’s parents or at least knew of them. She only knew what she had gleaned from them. One thing she was sure of, was that they were traditional holders, which meant marriage before intimacy was strictly required, and she and V’than had been… not traditional in the least since the night of his graduation. He had held out pretty long, but she was glad he had given in. Marriage was rare in the weyr.

She rested into him, her hands at his waist, her chin leaning into his shoulder and her nose brushing his neck ever so gently. She loved the smell of him, the sea salt and musk always seemed to draw her in. She also liked teasing him, tempting him, and driving him back into bed with her, so her position had more to do with that than anything. She loved the way he growled when she hit her mark. As they blinked above V’than’s home, she backed off a bit, mostly to get a better look.

Her eyes surveyed the small hold carefully. There was an anticipation about seeing this boat V’than was making. Something he was passionate about and skilled with. She was learning more and more about him, and one thing she could say for certain was that she loved the way he committed to things so deeply, even if she didn’t show it as readily as others.

When they landed, V’than dismounted first. There were people running and pointing, they could see them as clearly as she could see them. There were little girls among the crowd. It was the reason she ended up not taking his hand when she dismounted, that need to show the crowd her capability as a woman, overpowering any acceptance she had of his kind offering, at least this time. But once both feet were on the ground, she passed him a flirty smile and took his hand, interlacing her fingers with his. She didn’t mind public displays of affection like others did.

When the kids milled around, Riasu smiled broadly at them, waving with her free hand and offering simple ‘hellos,’ and ‘nice to meet you’s.’ One girl gave her a shy smile, and she winked and gave her a compliment, because she couldn’t help not doing it. Soon enough V’than had maneuvered the children towards the green dragon, and the two of them away from the crowd.

“Okay.” There was excitement in her tone, and she squeezed his hand, allowing him to take the lead as he lead her towards and then into a warehouse.

He let go of her and reached out with almost a worshipful hand. She couldn’t help but look at him and the way he soaked it in first, a small, fond, smile on her lips. Before he could catch her, she shifted her attention to the boat, allowing herself to study it. “It’s… You did all this?” She moved to put her own hands on it, studying it intently, circling around the large ship. She shook her head when V’than came back into view, “It’s… I lack the word. Spectacular? Even more so it’s amazing that you can make something like this. May I?” She motioned up; her intention clear. She wanted to climb up it, to see it from every vantage she could.

She waited for his approval, shimmying up it. “How long have you been working on this? This had to take ages.” She marveled as she continued to explore his creation. “You know, I’ve never been on a boat this big before, in the water or out of it, but it’s amazing to think you have been on long voyages on ships like this, and someday, this one will take a voyage and carry fishermen through storms and adventures of all sorts.” She shook her head, envisioning it all with an excited fervor, her expression filled with awed wonder.

[tovaana]

V’than :: Brown Saruth

“Yeah, well, I mean… there are parts to the ship that I couldn’t do on my own, but I’ve directed and have been part of the creation so far.” He didn’t want to take all the credit, but he was the mastermind, he felt confident of that. His head turned to see her approach the ship, and he took a step back so he could better watch her admire his handy work. He simply nodded to her, watching her get aboard the large rudimentary built ship. The base, sides, and top deck were done – but there was still plenty to do with below deck and the details that made a ship actually sail. He moved, drawn to her, and followed her aboard – climbing as she had.

Her praise had his other worries about his family and otherwise slip out of his mind. At the moment it was just them, and as she petted his ego and he had a moment to feel proud, he came up behind her, wrapped his arms around the high part of her waist. “Mmm, it took a while… but uh, I’ve been otherwise distracted lately. Dragonriding and all.” He held her against him, his neck craning so he could talk quietly in her ear.

V’than didn’t want to think about another Captain sailing his fishing vessel. He didn’t want to think about the adventures on this ship not being his own. A wistful part of him wondered what it would have been like if he had stayed and had had Riasu there with him, so he could take her out on the ship, have a family in their hold… but Riasu or a woman like Riasu would be hard to come by in a hold. His life would be different, so as much as he wanted to fantasize about a life in the hold with Riasu, he was grateful he’d found her at all, especially Saruth.

His hands slid down to her hips and tugged her around to face him. “If I wasn’t worried about someone coming in, I might take you for its first ride.” His body felt alive with her so close, sharing something that meant so much to him – and that she cared at all about a boat at all, when Weyr life seemed to be so much more interesting or important. He remembered the way she had teased him while they were on Saruth’s back, and how she had flirted with the little girls in the crowd – everything about her was so… colorful, full of life, and beautiful. He didn’t have to bend far to kiss her gently on the lips, holding back the desire that shivered through him.

Muze :: Green Rylath

“Go on, she won’t bite. Dragons can’t harm people.” She said, simplifying the knowledge for the little girl who held back in the group who was petting Rylath’s speckled hide. She smiled, holding out a hand in a crouched position as the girl came hesitantly forward. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for parents to round up their children that had strayed, casting wary and their own curious glances back at the speckled green. She smiled at all of them with a proud and beaming gesture. Rylath was hers. Her dark brown gaze glanced and watched the retreating forms of Riasu and V’than, in no hurry to follow, feeling an unease as they went hand in hand.

She sighed, wrapping her arms around her green’s neck that had arched down to be near her. How can I make you happy? Or feel better? The green asked, feeling the mixture of feelings from their bond. ‘You already have. The day you chose me.’ Muze communicated, pressing her face against her warm hide to warm up her chilled cheeks.

Muze wanted to find her mother and see how she was faring… She chewed lightly on her lips as she strolled along, Coyli appearing above her when there were no crowds. Coyli hovered lower, chirping quietly, shyly.

“What do you think Coyli?” The sickly pale green made a questioning crooning noise. “Yeah, I dunno either.” She really didn’t want to bump into her father alone while searching her mother out. It would be better if she had V’than and his lover to distract their father… lover, that was what Riasu was to him, wasn’t it? She groaned to herself in frustration of everything, using the same back path V’than had used to avoid the most people.

She opened the door, confused at first when there didn’t seem to be sign of either V’than or Riasu. She opened her mouth to call out, when slight movement on V’than’s boat attracted her gaze.

“Auugh!” Her face contorted in disgust, and she turned, leaving quickly out the door she’d come in. Her face burned with embarrassment from walking in on the tender moment, jealousy of her brother having found a significant other, jealousy that V’than cared so much for the candidate, and anger… just, anger at it all. She let out a frustrated noise and kicked at a rock near her foot. She kept walking, steering toward the shore, instead of back into the buildings to find her mother like she’d originally planned. She didn’t want to run into either her parents in such a mood. 

Muzemine, I'm coming to get you! 'No, no, no - it's okay, I'm fine... no... it's not okay, I'm not fine...' She sighed, dragons were somewhat more simple, not understanding the undertones of the complexity to human relationships. 'I just need to cool off.' She insisted, slightly horrified with the idea of Rylath trying to find a spot to land in the town or in the bay. There was a beach down further, but it was smaller. She shook her head, as if her dragon could see it, 'really, thank you though.' She wanted to block Rylath from her tormented thoughts, but knew her dragon would find that more distressing after she'd been so upset. So she took measured breaths as she walked, trying desperately to calm her rising temper. 

[kevna]

Riasu - Candidate

She listened to his modest confirmation with an indulgent smile. “Well, it’s amazing.” She said with some awe. For all the power he had and his obvious talents, he was far too humble. She was tempted to see what the conditions were like below deck and would have found some way to find out if not for his arms wrapping around her and pulling her close. She hummed in pleasure, relaxing into him as he whispered in her ear, causing her to shiver.

“Hmmm, well you are quite the dragonrider.” She murmured seductively, tilting her head to further encourage nuzzling. Suddenly he was turning her around, taking her mind completely off ships and voyages. Apparently she wasn’t the only one imagining things for this ship, and her smile widened at his words.

“Well don’t jinx us!” She teased, tilting her face to better receive those lips. Now someone would assuredly walk in on them, which was too bad, because now she really did want to give this poor ship a taste of a real ride. He was obviously trying to be gentle, but she wouldn’t let his teasing go unpunished. She deepened the kiss, running her hands up from his waist to his chest before knotting them in his hair. He could always fix it later. The hunger grew and she felt herself getting lost in it-

The loud disgusted noise broke her from the pleasant moment, and she pulled away from him, looking to where the noise had originated from and finding no one… Though she had her suspect on who it could have been. Muze. She supposed she should have let the gentle kiss be, but in the end they had only been kissing… Why had she run off like that?

“Wow, you really did jinx us. Oh, was that…?” She asked quietly, amused, thinking the implication of his sister plain, and then chuckled. “Should we go after her?” She smiled, trailing a hand down his arm and taking his hand in hers. She did feel bad that she had embarrassed the girl, but she would have preferred staying right here and trying to convince V’than of that first ride this ship so obviously needed. Too bad they hadn’t had a little longer.

She tilted her head as she overheard Rylath’s concerned voice in her head, and she grimaced. “Oh, we may have disturbed her more then I thought… Rylath sounds concerned.” She gave an apologetic smile, and allowed V’than to take the lead.

[tovaana]

V’than :: Brown Saruth

There was a bit of unease, as if him just saying it would jinx them as she teased, but the thought was drowned by thoughts of Riasu; her lips, her body pressed against him, her hands in his hair pulling him deeper into the kiss. His own arms tightened and his lips sought hers mindlessly, not thinking of others that might come upon them, because he was also thinking about how he might direct her into the wall of the boat, to give him something to press her up against…

And then there was a sound, but he was too lost to consciously register it, instead woken up by his lover pulling away from him. He let out a stifled disgruntled noise, looking down at her, slowly registering her words and glancing where there was no sign of the person who’d seen them. Could it have been his sister? It would make sense… though he had sort of guessed he would go after their mother, giving him some time with Riasu…shards all he wanted was some more time with Riasu. “Hmmm…” He said, groaning as he pulled her into him for a hug, mourning the lost moment before releasing her and letting her take his hand.

His brows rose curiously as he looked down at Riasu. Oh, yes, how could he forget that special gift that she had? “I guess that means it was her, huh?” He sighed, rubbing his face with his other hand and then rubbing back of his neck. The conversation with Muze probably needed to happen without Riasu, but it wasn’t like he could leave Riasu alone in the warehouse, that also seemed out of the question. Still, would anything be resolved with Riasu there? Muze didn’t know her very well, and he knew his sister probably wouldn’t open up… though, would them alone for a couple minutes do anything either?

V’than sighed, feeling his head and body ache - wishing he could just… make everything okay. This trip hadn’t been supposed to be dramatic, not in this way anyways. Why was Muze overreacting? Or maybe that’s just all she did, overreact.

“Yeah, though, we might want to let her cool down first… she has… quite the tongue when she’s upset, and I’m not sure we’ll be able to do anything right now…” He squeezed her hand gently and then let go. “I think we should get off this boat, though it is nice to know she approves of you.” The man grinned, his hand motioning to the ship when he said ‘she’.

He slid down from his ship. “I know Muze wanted to see mother, that was why she came mostly. Maybe we can go see if we can find her for Muze.” He waited until Riasu got down, consciously refraining from offering help – since she’d not wanted it before. He knew she was capable and he supposed she wanted to be treated as such.

“My mother is a gentle soul, you’ll like her.” He said, ignoring the feeling in his stomach, hoping his mother wouldn’t read into him bringing Riasu. V’than was courting Riasu, he supposed, but they hadn’t spoken of marriage, he knew marriage was different in the Weyr – as in, rare and not as important.

[kevna]

Riasu - Candidate

She chuckled at his obvious dislike of the idea, returning the embrace. Yes, she mourned the loss of their moment too. When he released her she felt even more. They were still in the early stages of a relationship, they didn’t share eachother often, and often allowed themselves to get lost in the moment. Life hadn’t once tried to come between them yet and she relished that, wishing to keep it that way. Still, this opportunity, to be here with him, meet his family, it would be good. Strengthen their relationship, deepen in. That was the only thing that kept her from pulling him back into an embrace.

She nodded, smiling ruefully at V’than’s question. Yes, it had had to be her. She still couldn’t understand what had disturbed the girl so deeply. They had only kissed. She rubbed his arm with her free hand, wishing she could soothe the agitation he expressed by sighing.

She chuckled at V’than’s statement about Muze and her sharp tongue, “Don’t all women? Being here must be difficult for her.” There was a tenderness in her voice. She was going to give the girl a pass for her strange and naïve reaction. She was young, and she had lived with impossible expectations from a father who would never love her for who she was. Riasu could only imagine how difficult coming back would be. Of course his sister had sought V'than out. 

I think we should get off this boat, though it is nice to know she approves of you.”

She laughed at that, and as she moved, she brushed her hand over the wood. “Well, I like her too. Good thing we’re sure to see eachother again. Okay, so where to?” She asked as he slid down from the ship.

“I know Muze wanted to see mother, that was why she came mostly. Maybe we can go see if we can find her for Muze.”

“Then the hunt is on.” She said resolutely, slipping down after him and landing nimbly on her feet and brushing off herself. His comment about her liking his mother wasn’t what concerned her. She was more concerned about them approving of her. She wasn’t a simple, modest hold girl. She was weyrborn, and she celebrated that part of her freely. They would either choose to dislike her for that, and bringing their son to her level, or they would accept V’than for what he was, a dragonrider, and accept her as well. She would live with whatever choice they made when it came to her, though she was slightly concerned about how it would affect her and V’than… “I know I’ll like her, she gave me you, in an indirect way at least.” She winked at him, moving to exit the warehouse. She couldn’t help looking over her shoulder at the ship, blowing it a kiss and waving at it.

“Okay, so where will she be at this time of day?” She asked, completely at a loss as to what hold women did during the day. "Or would she just be home, preparing for the baby?"