nothing but speckled hide [tagged/kev]

[tovaana]

Muze :: Green Rylath

Muze hugged herself as her green came into the weyr with a hovering land, shaking herself of the icy lake water on the ledge before entering the weyr, still dripping. Though cold, Muze moved quickly with the towel she’d been holding onto, wanting to lessen her dragon’s chill as quickly as possible. Not that the cold seemed to bother her dragon like it did her, but Rylath was so often trying to make Muze comfortable and happy, Muze found herself trying to do the same, but always feeling at a loss of what she could provide.

She ran the towel over the green as she crouched and curled her tail around her, human hands drying off her now damp hide, prime for oiling. As she toweled, she made sure to look for dryer areas – as it seemed the cold brought in dry air and made dragon hide more prone to drying out too much. It didn’t help either, that Rylath’s speckled hide hid blemishes. It was fine for small Thread knicks, and if Ryalth was ever going to scar, at least it wouldn’t be noticeable…but it made checking her green for dry spots almost impossible, especially when Rylath was so passive and secretive when it came to how she was feeling, not wanting to be a bother.

“Where is it most dry? We’ll add multiple layers to those spots.” The green made a comical shrugging motion, too human. I’m fine, one layer is fine. “Rylath, where does it itch most?” Muze asked, more firmly, feeling irritated that her dragon was so worried about giving Muze extra work. Really, Muzemine. I want you to have time for fishing, or whatever you want to do. She sighed, pursing her lips as she considered her dragon. “If you don’t tell me where it itches, I will coat your entire body in multiple layers of oil to ensure you are completely oiled. I can’t have your hide cracking for Threadfall – and if we went between? No, I won’t let you be harmed by my lack of attention.”

The green considered her rider and seemed to give in, thinking that more than two entire coats would be longer. Why did her rider have to be so stubborn? Under my legs, parts of my feet, and…she moved her body, trying to be honest in her own assessment. Parts of my back… She finally admitted, and Muze noted that it was probably where her riding gear sat on her. She nodded. “Alright then, thank you.”

And she went to work, the movement of oiling her dragon warming her up better than any sweater or coat would have. The menial work kept her mind busy and off sensitive topics, like her brother, her pregnant mother, or just men in general.

[kevna]

Kekoa - Candidate

It felt strange not playing his gitar as he walked over. Of course, he had it on him, slung over his back, but it was covered to help protect it from the cold weather. He had just done some upkeep on it, and wanted to protect it as he could. He moved along the beach at a quicker pace then was his normal, since he wasn’t playing and it wasn’t distracting him as he went. He noted a speckled green dragon land and then enter her weyr in the distance, and he thought it looked like Siorreya’s weyrmate’s dragon.

Well, at least someone was home. He wondered if Siorreya would be within as well. She was his target. He was concerned about their last encounter, about how she’d been acting. He was pretty sure she was avoiding him now, and he realized he had pushed too hard for her to talk. The little woman wasn’t one for talking all that much as it were anyway, and he should have known better. It took a little while longer before he was finally before the weyr entrance, and he stepped up onto the ledge and called out.

“Hello in there! I seek shelter from this dreary weather, would you harken an insignificant beggar such as I to your presence?” He called out and bowed dramatically, gesturing with one arm while the other held the covered gitar with the other, even though he wasn’t sure whether or not they could see him.

[tovaana]

Muze :: Green Rylath

The voice had her hand pause mid rubbing of oil. She leaned back and glanced outside where a man, or boy? Adolescent? Whatever. The male species was at their ledge asking in his ridiculous way to come in.

“Come in if you want, but Sio isn’t here.” She called loudly, since the renown Kekoa was known to hang out with her roommate. In fact, he seemed to buzz like a bee around most pretty girls, like Ceela and Yvinka – others friends, though, she wasn’t sure if they’d consider her a friend. They were more like Sio’s friends, and sometimes Muze was there. She didn’t know much about Kekoa, other than he was handsome and flirtatious – and didn’t seem to take much of anything seriously. She imagined, since he was a dragon candidate, that he’d be the type to impress a blue dragon… because he just didn’t seem the responsible type to lead Wings and Weyrs. He also played music, she recalled as she a recognized a shape on his back that curved like his gitar. He walked around playing the silly thing, singing women into his bed – or at least, that was the rumor. She mentally chided herself for assuming things without really knowing him.

She continued working, realizing as she rubbed oil into her lifemate’s tail that she had just invited the male species into her weyr – and Sio wasn’t there to buffer or distract him. He’d probably leave though, because Sio wasn’t there, still her brown eyes lifted, unsure if she was ensuring that he was going to leave, or curious if he was going to come in.

[kevna]

Kekoa - Candidate

Her welcome was almost a dismissal, but he didn’t balk at it, and instead stepped inside. “And maybe I wish to keep you company, is that so hard to imagine?” He said with a broad, happy smile as he took in Muze and her speckled green. “Why, don’t you look beautiful, Rylath.” He half bowed to the green and put his gitar down in a safe, dry spot of the weyr. His eyes assessed the situation, the rider was obviously oiling her dragon. Her reaction to him informed him that she was either shyer then her weyrmate, or she didn’t like no-nonsense. That was fine, he was adaptable. His morning duties he had mostly watched others do while he played tunes to keep the energy in the room high, so he had some energy he could work out now.

“May I assist you in your work? I do like to keep my hands busy.” He lifted his hands, showing his willingness as he approached her. He really hadn’t meant it as a sexual innuendo, even though as he said it, he ran his eyes along the small young woman, taking in her freckles and her dark soulful eyes. She was small, with little curve to her figure, which hinted at possible youth and innocence. “Plus, I enjoy the company of lovely women, so being here would achieve both of those goals.” He winked, coming to stand beside her, but not too close to scare her away, just in case she was shy.

He dipped his hand into the bucket once he got the sense he would be tolerated, and got to work, going for the higher, more difficult areas while also trying to maintain a level of closeness with the greenrider. "Did you know that freckles have been called Faranth kisses? You must be highly favored with all those kisses sprinkled along your nose and cheeks." He glanced down briefly to Muze, a flirtatious smile in place before looking at Rylath. "And you too, of course Rylath, peppered as artfully as you are. You and your rider were made for eachother."   

[tovaana]

Muze :: Green Rylath

Muze rose an eyebrow at his entering words and blinked. “Yes, actually.” She said quietly, not caring much if he heard or not. Her stomach did a funny squirming thing, the fact that he had come in knowing Siorreya was not here to entertain him... She certainly wasn’t entertaining like Sio was.

Oh, you think so? Thank you! Muzemine cares well for my hide. The green preened under the compliment, her eyes whirling happily at their new company. Muze felt uncomfortable at the attention the green drove back to herself, as she’d felt better about Kekoa talking to her green rather than to herself.

She looked up at him, surprised at the offer, especially since earlier she’d been just thinking about how irresponsible Kekoa seemed – and also seemed to be the type to impress blue. The last part of his statement had her cheeks blush ever so lightly, though she didn’t know why, maybe because it was the way he was looking at her. Though, that seemed silly too, since people looked at one another when they spoke.

Muze paused when he came next to her, having rolled her eyes at his talk of lovely women while not looking at him, and now glanced at him. And then without asking again, he just… went to work. For a moment she watched him, a little stunned, but eventually started to continue her work, feeling distracted with Kekoa working by her side. It wasn’t like she hadn’t had help before. She shook off the feeling in her gut that tightened whenever he worked in the same direction that she went – when she wanted to put just a bit more space between them.

“Faranth kisses?” She echoed, confused by the topic he chose. A dirty hand went to her face, but it stopped before actually touching her face, remembering the state of her hand. Her hands went back to work, glancing up at him in time to catch his smile – it seemed so...directed at her that she felt her cheeks heat up, and she looked away. Shards, this man was flirting in a way, if not more forwardly, as A’zael had – and she remembered her girlish fantasies that had been aroused when she arrived at the Weyr. But that had been turns ago, before she had impressed Rylath, before she’d had the even ruder awakening of being a green rider with a green that rose and was caught.

Rylath shifted happily, her neck craning to look at the candidate again. Oh, artfully, like a piece of art? That’s very kind! And yes, I thought so too. We match Muzemine! She let her gaze linger lovingly on Muze for a moment before settling back. Her green was paying very close to Muze’s feelings and she could tell she was more uncomfortable since the nice man had come in, though she couldn’t fathom why. She was dutifully trying to figure this out and how she could help her rider.

“You… are very complimentary.” She said, carefully, but then not quite as carefully. “Aren’t you in love with Sio or something?” He was clearly flirting with her and she wanted him to stop, especially since she was sure he was just teasing her, but she wasn't a fool... well, she tried not to be. It was so hard to tell when a man was genuine, and everything Kekoa said was with passion. Did he make every woman think he was in love with him? He couldn't very well think she was actually pretty, she didn't get the same attention other pretty girls did - like Sio or Ceela or Yva.

[kevna]

Kekoa - Candidate

He only hummed in disapproval, lifting an eyebrow at her muttering. Well, that just would not do. He would get her smiling and laughing if he could help it, and he would make her feel cherished. Every woman deserved it, and he hated the idea that Muze would think so low of herself (or himself) that he wouldn’t want to spend time with her. Did she not have gentleman callers? Or friends? Family? Someone had to make her feel this way, surely? Tsk, it didn’t matter, he would step in and fill whatever void she needed. It would be a pleasure.

Rylath’s pleasure at his compliment was just the start. “Yes, well the evidence speaks for Muze’s capability, doesn’t it? Absolutely magnificent.” He liked flirting with greens, so many of them preened when given compliments, and it was adorable. It also usually softened their riders too, something to do with the bondmate assuredly. If he could get Rylath on his side, surely, he could get Muze as well. There was an innocence with Rylath that he didn’t get entirely from Amagetith (possibly due to all her pranks), and he wondered if that had to do with the rider, or just a likeness with rider that dragons shared. Would his own dragon be much like him?

His eyes were caressing the slight flush to her cheeks, which brought him immense gratification, or he would have missed the rolling of her eyes at the compliment. Hmmm. This would be difficult, but he enjoyed challenges, especially in his women. She didn’t back away from him, nor try to send him on his way, though he sensed her surprise when he got to work without the express permission. He just continued working, a small smile in place as he remembered that faint blush and wondered how he could deepen it. When she resumed her own work, he kept near her, persistent in keeping her nearby. He would ease off only if he sensed true agitation from her, and shyness didn’t count.

His topic seemed to bring out a delight in the green as she considered his words and celebrated them with them. Kekoa noted Muze’s confusion and came to a conclusion about her. She didn’t like to be messed with, and there were some obvious trust issues that her behavior towards him suggested. He would just be careful not to agitate that in her. Which was made very difficult at Muze’s next words, her hesitant, distrust plain, and then… In love with Siorreya?

It took him by surprise that he stopped working and had to work immensely hard not to smile in amusement at the very suggestion. Shards, he’d barely kissed the girl. He did hang around her often enough, and Sio was showing signs of some sort of love issues… Maybe Muze had picked up on that and assumed him. Shards, but it was funny. He made a half-strangled sound as he cleared his throat, successfully not smiling as he looked at Muze, allowing the obvious surprise to be on his face.

“Ah, well. I care very deeply for Sio, she is quite the woman, isn’t she? Lively, beautiful, jubilant. Yes, she is absolutely radiant, but no, I am not in love with her. I value our friendship deeply though, just as I value all the friendships I form.” He tilted his head, carefully studying Muze. “Though I suspect she is in love with someone else, so I can see where you would have made such an astute assumption.” He dipped his hand in the bucket again and went back to work. Still highly amused. Outwardly respectful.

“And I am complimentary, because I believe all should share what they see. Art is in the eye of the beholder, but how is one to know it is art, unless someone else appreciates it? I am nothing but candid and open. Just as I sense you are as well, and I believe it to be a powerful and worthwhile attribute.” He sent another friendly smile her way, moving just a little closer as he worked, making his presence as innocent as possible. If he could brush his hand against hers, get her used to his touch, it would be prime, but he waited, calculating her response to him first.

There were many types of women. Women like Yva, freely giving, and ardent lovers. Women like Ceela and even Siorreya, teases, who took more persuasion to get into his bed because they loved the chase as much as he did, and then women like he suspected Muze to be. Shy about intimacy, unsure, protective about their hearts and bodies. They were the greatest of all challenges. His favorite was showing them the beauty and fulfillment found in lovemaking, watching them blossom. He wondered if being a greenrider had ruined this wonderful thing for her, which disquieted him. He would have to be gentle with her, careful not to push, and willing to give her space.

"Tell me, what do you value in your friendships, Muze?" He asked softly, reaching up on his toes to get a particularly high and dry spot, working the oil in, and then adding a coat to the area while itching it. Amagetith seemed to like it when he did that for her. 

[tovaana]

Muze :: Green Rylath

Muze only sighed quietly at Kekoa’s comment, confirming her fear at directing the attention back upon herself. Still, he was talking to her green, not at her.

She stopped when he stopped, looking at him calmly – but with brow raised in confrontation. There seemed to be a mixture of feelings at first, and the sound he emitted was strange, but as surprise smoothed his handsome features – she supposed it had just been surprise at her boldness. That wasn’t surprising to Muze, people were often off-put by the way she just said things. It just seemed to make things simpler, with no room for miscommunication… something she hadn’t been doing with her brother – and perhaps it was time to clear the air with him.

Her eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke of friendships, bringing her back to the current topic. She didn’t have a first hand account of Kekoa getting a girl to sleep with him, perhaps… the rumors weren’t true? Then why were there rumors at all? Perhaps the same reason she had thought he was in love in Siorreya. Muze nodded and looked down at the comment about her being in love with someone else. She had been acting different, but Sio wasn’t the type to open up, and though Muze was bold, it wasn’t necessarily in figuring out what others were feeling, more of what she was feeling herself.

A hand with her rag rested on her dragon’s warm hide, but it didn’t move when Kekoa went back to work. A flurry of feelings bubbled in her stomach as she considered if she should be embarrassed or not, but how could she have known without asking?

She was on the edge of ignoring the embarrassment when he starting speaking again, something about art and boldness. Muze eyed him. “So… do you compliment all women then?”

As he got closer, it spurred her back into action in oiling her green, glancing over as he spoke and reached one of the dry spots on the back that Rylath had mentioned earlier. She felt her green shift with pleasure at the movement and felt her own heart soften a little toward Kekoa. The question was weird, but she supposed she had mistaken his friendship with Sio, so perhaps he was seeing what she thought a friendship looked like. Her eyes lingered on her green’s hide, finding all the various colors and trying to count them as she thought about his question.

“Uhm…” I don’t have friends. As bold as she was, she wasn’t about to admit such a thing. At one point she and Joia had hung out, but they hadn’t in a while. There was also Ny’x, but it wasn’t something she sought out on a bad day… Other than that, she wasn’t the sort of ‘kind soul’ that people gravitated toward, and she wasn’t bubbly like Sio and her friends… she’d been self absorbed in her own problems, like finding men in her bed after Rylath rose and being bitter about her brother… Friends seemed to take a backseat. She didn’t even know what she’d want in a friend. “You first… what do you value in friendships?”

[kevna]

Kekoa - Candidate

She had stopped working, her face showing signs of stubborn resolve. What, did she think he would chide her for her assumption? If she was more relaxed, he may have teased her, but the young lady had too much tension in such a little frame, and he didn’t want to ramp it up any further. He could think of a few ways he could help her relax but didn’t think she was quite ready for that. Not yet anyway. The way her eyes narrowed at him as he denied being in love with Siorreya made him think further that she didn’t trust him. It didn’t bother him, he would either win her trust, or he wouldn’t. He was patient.

He noted her lack of moment as he started working again, and he used the patience to see how she would react. She asked another question, still bold. She was a curious little creature. He wondered how far her curiosity spanned, and if he could use that to both of their advantages. Kekoa looked at her sideways, raising an eyebrow at her. “When I see something that I admire or that gratifies me.” He said, noting how his close proximity spurred her back into motion. So easily spooked. It would only be all the more satisfying to soothe her. 

He wasn’t put off by her deflection, though he was interested in why she deflected. Her little ‘uhhm’ could mean so many things, but his mind went back to her muttered words when he had asked her if it was really so hard to imagine his being there for her. He contemplated that as he answered her.

“Well, if my lady commands it.” He sent her a mischievous smile, and a half bow, hoping to catch another look into those dark, fathomless eyes. They were muse inspiring. Muze. Muse. He had to keep himself focused on the question, not the chords wishing to come to light. “It normally depends on the friendship, but generally… What I value most are people who accept me for me, flaws and all. I appreciate honesty, and passion-“ he gave her devilish smile, “because it brings out such stimulating-conversations.” There was a brief pause after stimulating, but his gaze returned to the speckled hide and he continued working on Rylath’s hide as if his words weren’t filled with innuendos of any kind.

"And you? What does it take to be your friend, Muze?" He asked softly again, moving just a bit farther from her to see if she'd follow. Women liked to chase as much as men, and sometimes proximity was addicting. The whole of flirting was giving and taking. She may not be ready, but that didn't mean he couldn't test her. 

[tovaana]

Muze :: Green Rylath

She felt a strange tingling at his answer. “When I see something that I admire or that gratifies me.” He hadn’t been over complimentary, just dramatic, and only with her freckles, which meant he had admired them. She supposed her freckles were nice, her mother had complimented them since they reminded her of her mother. Muze wondered if her freckles reminded Kekoa of anything, or if he simply liked the look of them. It wasn’t like they were very dark, not like they were during the sunny season. She simply said, “huh,” at his response, taking his response in and these other thoughts about freckles, wondering if it was the only thing men thought pretty about her. Fishermen had teased and complimented her, but she had never taken them seriously – she had been young, and obviously just making good fun of her, and only when V’than was no where near.

Her brows furrowed and glanced over at him at such a response. She bit back the retort of not being his lady, only because she was realizing she wasn’t quite understanding this harper. The look he gave her and his bow was obviously not real respect, just teasing – laughing at her. This she was used to and understood. She shook her head with a small smile as she listened to the rest of his answer, hoping it would spark ideas for what she wanted in a friendship. Acceptance. Honesty – honesty she could give and take… the next one though… passion? Her eyes flicked over in confusion, since she always imagined passion in intimacy. There was something about his smile and the way he emphasized ‘stimulating’ that made her squirm and cheeks flush ever so slightly. How could he make something so innocent as friendship feel… so intimate? Was that what it was? He had gone back to work though, leaving her wondering. Her own eyes moved back to Rylath’s hide.

Inwardly she was squirming because of his mannerisms, but some confusion had been cleared anyways – passionate conversations, that made more sense. “Oh.” She said, feeling breathless – from working on Rylath, but she wondered if it was just Kekoa’s affect in general that he had on women.

“I prefer honesty…” She started, sensing rather than seeing that there was some distance between them, more than had been before. Her brown gaze shifted momentarily to see what was different – he had moved away from her. She hadn’t thought that there was anything palpable between them, but it was like she could breath easier with the distance between them… but it had been sort of exciting with him so close, so she just paused in her confusion, moving up and down Rylath rather than continuing on. Besides, she was supposed to be thinking about friendship, not Kekoa’s curly dark hair.

“I guess acceptance too, which is probably why I don’t have many – I tend to speak my mind and people don’t usually like that. My brother has counseled me to be more careful, and I do try… and I’m not sure about… passion.” She said the word, and it gave her a thrill, even if they were talking about friendship. “But I guess acceptance…honesty… and loyalty…” She gave a hopeless shrug; giving up and feeling slightly empty since she couldn’t think of anyone except for her brother that would probably consider her a true friend, and even he had tested their bond of friendship. Did that speak about others? Or herself? Since she saw others fall into easy friendships, she could only assume herself.

She decided she didn’t want to linger on that topic, so glanced at where he had stored his gitar, and then back at the handsome harper-dragon candidate. “You seem to really like being a harper, why would you give that up for the chance of being a dragonrider?” She asked, slowing her circles down so she wouldn’t have to continue around her dragon since he had reversed.

[kevna]

Kekoa - Candidate

There had been a reaction to his words, the innuendos he had casually thrown out, of that he was sure. He felt an answering thrum of excitement which he pushed aside. He did like the naïve and gentle ones. How they could blush and… He had to stop that line of thought, because it wouldn’t get him anywhere. Her reaction had been one of innocence. He refused to look back when her breathless ‘oh’ reached his ears, instead just clenching his jaw, and allowing the space he was putting between them measure out his next move.

When she finally started sharing her own treasured values of friendship, he allowed himself to casually look over at her. He allowed her to talk, just listening patiently. When her voice trailed off, the hesitancy clear, “…and I’m not sure about… passion.” He couldn’t help the interested, enticing “Oh?” That slipped out of him, or the way he raised an eyebrow and looked her over again. He could help her find out if she was sure or not. He didn’t mind being the test subject. If she thought Kekoa would let it drop there as she continued, and then changed the subject, she was sorely mistaken. But he could lull her into complacency. For now. He wanted her to relax and pushing her too quickly would not do. It was promising that she hadn’t moved farther away, but telling that she hadn’t gotten closer either.

Her question was no surprise, many asked him the same thing, giving him scathing looks, as if he wouldn’t meet up, or enjoy dragonriding. Well, then a dragon wouldn’t choose him, would they? He smiled cheerily and shook his head. “I like to follow my passions and do challenging things. Being a Harper wasn’t much of a challenge anymore. Besides, music is so much a part of me, I could no more give it up then you could give up those dark, soulful eyes that you have. It'll just join with me and dragonriding, should I be chosen for it.” He turned his attention on her as he said the last, moving to the bucket and picking it up so her could transfer it to the other side. “Did you leave much of yourself, or what you did, behind when you became a dragonrider?” He moved to stalk around her, brushing by her ever so softly all the while keeping the bucket, heavy as it was, in one hand. This would force Muze to remain near him, so he kept the bucket in one hand, and continued on Rylath’s neck, a gentle, “Would you lower your head a little, please, my speckled friend?” Murmured out so they could reach better.

[tovaana]

Muze :: Green Rylath

“Oh?” She glanced at him, her jaws tightening to reign in any uncomfortable emotions. She was confident, but not when she was so completely out of her area of expertise. In these cases, she faked it – hoping not to be called out as a fraud. It had been easier at home, but in the culture of the Weyr, just like her brother, she found she floundered a lot more. She simply shrugged, the raising of one eyebrow questioning her, but she wasn’t sure how to expound. But then, maybe she did. “There seems to be a lot more… passion… in the Weyr.” She simply stated, unsure if this was good or not. In some ways it did, but it grated against everything she’d grown up with – like waking up with men in her bed, even if it was as innocent as a green dragon raising. She felt her green push comfort in on her and she glanced at her green with a small smile.

Her eyes flicked to the man, and for the briefest of moments she purposefully tried to see and feel like Sio – with passion… but it just didn’t come naturally, she felt guilty thinking about him with her – she had a hard enough time waking to men from her green flights, it seemed so absurd to do it otherwise.

And there he was again, talking about passion. Her eyes snapped up as he surprised her with a comment about her eyes. “Soulful?” She echoed in a confused quiet murmur, but she felt more conscious of him thinking of her and what she looked like at all, than being confused. But it had her wondering and she had the urge to go look in their looking glass to see if she could see what ‘soulful’ eyes looked like. Did that mean he could see her soul through her eyes? But that sounded rather ridiculous. But, so did much that came from his mouth – all flowery words with no purpose other than to ruffle women up. She had to remind herself that he did this with all pretty women, but it was hard to think that as he rounded around her, brushing against her shoulder in a way that had her tense immensely. It was as if there were some force between them that was palpable- something that she’d sensed lightly before, but now she couldn’t ignore it. It had her tongue tied for a moment; working in an overly repetitive circle as she gathered her wits… did she have any wits left in the moment?

Muze knew he had asked a question, but she couldn’t seem to break the strange tension… attraction? Shards, men were so… so… she gave up trying to think of a word, feeling frustration build up to burry the things she could not explain. Her frustration turned more to being flustered as he spoke to Rylath, softening her heart a little at the kind way he spoke to his green. Of course, of course! The green lowered her head to look at the harper, glancing at Muze – and she couldn’t help but feel the very conscious presence of her dragon in her mind, trying to figure out if there was anything she could do – or if she should do anything.

She then remembered the question and sighed. For some reason, she felt like she could open up to Kekoa, in fact, she wanted to. What a strange effect he had on her- she wished Sio was there, she wanted to ask if he had the effect on her too. Maybe she would ask Sio, to make sure she wasn’t going crazy. “All I left, was a shadow of my potential… I left behind being a disappointment, in exchange for freedom and opportunity.” She chewed lightly on her lips, realizing she had to scoot closer to him, into closer proximity to keep working. She maneuvered to get to a spot, her back slightly to him – but it didn’t change the tension she felt between them… was it just her? Or was he aware of what he did? “I was a fisher, but my father wouldn’t let me sail with the men, because I’m a woman. So… I may have left behind fishing, but I couldn’t have done more than I’d already been doing. I still go fishing in the mornings, or during my breaks where I have some free time.” Shells, she was talking a lot. It made her think of Tak’ril – how they had been fishing in the mornings sometimes – there was no tension between them, it was more comfortable, friendly… unless Muze said something out of turn, as she usually did. But the tension was more of Muze feeling bad about being outspoken with Tak’ril who was so kind – and with Kekoa… she shook her head minimally, feeling like her breathing and heart rate were picking up, and was unsure if it had to do with the way she worked – or if this was more of Kekoa’s powers at work.

[kevna]

Kekoa - Candidate

“There does. More acceptance too.” He smiled brightly. Weyr life was so much better, more exciting, less rigid. Yes, he was finding his time here to be far more enjoyable than the harper halls. Traditions seemed less valued and freedom more widespread. Women were more likely to accept a simple fling, and he had found himself slapped a lot less. It was nice he wasn’t making girls angry too and it was an added bonus of course.

Her soft, confused murmur had him nodding absentmindedly, and answering automatically. “Yes, your eyes have this incredible capability of expressing deep emotion, and then in the next moment being voids of fathomless darkness a man could easily drown in. Soulful and fathomless, you are quite the conundrum.” He loved puzzles, and she was certainly turning out to be one, wasn’t she? Would her eyes unlock the answers or continue to elude him? He would certainly spend the time to find out if she allowed.

“Why thank you, pretty one.” He murmured to the green, and got to work on her face and neck, making sure to spend extra moments on the eye ridges, since dragons seemed to like that. Holding onto the bucket seemed to be the trick, as it indeed finally lured her closer to him. He couldn’t be sure, but she seemed at a loss for words until his question finally prodded her into speech again, though her answer was more delayed.

“All I left, was a shadow of my potential…” His mind caught onto the words, and he found them peotic and muse inspiring. The shadow of potential. How often could the shadow elude one? His brain sought to place haunting chords over words as they popped into his mind-he scolded himself. It wasn’t polite to compose music while a lady was speaking. He glanced at her when she started speaking again, realizing with appreciation that she was even closer now. His pleasure at her proximity faded with an irritation he felt in regards to the girl. He put down the bucket and found a cleaner rag which he used to wipe his hands off on, before walking back to Muze, who was finishing her words.

“I’m sorry your father didn’t appreciate you for your worth.” He said softly, though his irritation was plain in the tone. “In a world that sought to hamper your growth, you found a way to evolve.” He reached for her cheek, to softly stroke it. “That’s what’s important, the way you reacted to your circumstances and overcame it. Not what anyone else thinks. It’s remarkable what you did.”

[tovaana]

Muze :: Green Rylath

Acceptance? She supposed that was true – women were viewed with less disdain than they were back at her hold, and she supposed most holds were the same… at least, she had no reason to think otherwise. She didn’t really understand why a harper would want to be more accepted, but she couldn’t really understand much about Kekoa anyways, so it was a thought easily given up.

She had a hard time looking at him, but she tried a couple times before giving up as he spoke about her eyes. The woman didn’t like to think she was easy to read, but at the same time, she was all honesty – or tried to be… so perhaps it was a good thing… yet in the moment, thinking that Kekoa could see her emotions or ‘drown in her eyes’, made her cheeks heat up, unreasonably so as she tried to turn so he couldn’t see the feelings on her face… or in her eyes.

There was movement behind her and she risked a glance behind her as she spoke, wondering why he was cleaning his hands – was he done? Had something she said scared him off? A part of her thought she should be glad, as he’d been making her so uncomfortable, but the aching part of her was disappointed – and that part of her made her start working on Rylath faster so try to block out the silly feelings. She tried to repeat what she was pretty sure she knew was true about Kekoa: he did this with all the girls, he did this with all pretty girls – but did that mean he thought her pretty? Ah! Who cared? He did it with all the pretty girls…

But suddenly he was back. Her brows furrowed in momentary confusion, but her eyes widening at how close he dared come – but his words… she swallowed as they stirred her own angry feelings, sensing his sympathy through the hint of irritation. His words started out sympathetic, then rose her up into the clouds like a dragon would – as if she had accomplished something great. Somehow, even though she often felt bad or cowardly for running away, he had made her feel empowered.

There was a single tear – how on Pern had that gotten there? – when Kekoa had reached for her cheek. She didn’t dare move, and the pounding in her chest felt so loud that she felt like she couldn’t speak. If any other man had dared touch her, she was sure she would have slapped him for his impertinence, but he had done it in such a way that had felt like he really understood her, cared for her – and he barely knew her… she had only glanced into his eyes barely, but he was taller than her, so it was easy to avoid his searching and emotional face. Her own hands were oily, so she felt trapped as she had turned slightly to face him, so instead she just looked down, so his hand would hopefully fall away.

She couldn’t bring herself to acknowledge his words, the moment was almost too tender, and she didn’t want to let any other tears fall to show weakness. “I guess so.” She murmured with a shrug, turning almost reluctantly back to cleaning, but with a little more shake her movements. “Uhm, thanks for helping clean Rylath, too.” And for your words, but she didn’t dare add something like that, they would invite more closeness, and… she already felt a vulnerability in the moment that she thought would make her shatter if let it stay as it was.

kevna

[kevna]

Kekoa - Candidate

Her wide, doe eyes captured him, and again he was caught in how much depth they surely held. So hard to catch-only fleeting moments at a time would they meet his. He had unnerved her-his actions had surprised her, and had been risky, though he hadn’t even thought of the potential repercussions. He hadn’t really though much at all, only reacted. He was good at that. The tear that slipped from her eye couldn’t stay there, suspended on her cheek, so he gently wiped it away. When her head dropped, he let his hand follow suit, falling away from that freckled cheek.

Muze merely dismissed his words, turning back to the task at hand. Cleaning. Oh, but he had so much muse now, so much music that demanded release. His hands ached to play the tune, for the words jumbled in his head to find their order. He smiled at her gratitude, nodding, “It’s been a pleasure-and as much as I would like to help you finish, you've inspired me. A dangerous thing to do to a musician. Would you mind if I played you a song while you finished up? You have inspired a tune, and seeing as you are the inspiration, I feel it needs be shared.”

He watched her carefully, unsure how she would feel being left to finish the work-and yet he so desperately wanted to get this semi-intense and triumphant tune out into the open. “A shadow of potential-it’s quite lyrical, and very motivating.” He backed toward his gitar, realizing how much he had missed it on his back, in his hands. He picked it up, strumming the beginning chords of what nearly pounded to get out, tilting his head in query.

He waited for some sign of assent before he continued the chords, letting them progress. He softened the music to better allow his voice to take over, letting the words roll forth with the power and feeling they deserved in kind. 

"Preserving, suppressing, deserving, possessing
Her, they, she, them,
The battle derailing, the winner prevailing
And who but she? To fly away free?
As far as they strived, bent, and connived
Possessors can’t hold her,
Suppressors won’t fold her
Past the existential, she flew ‘or th’ shore
The shadow of potential, to cling no more."

The last words faded off, and the music ended in companion with it. There was so much more needed to the song-but for now this felt right. Remembering his muse worked while listening he looked up, hopeful. Music was a good way to a woman's heart. "What do you think? It's just a rough draft." He added the last bit for modesty purposes, though he wasn't feeling all that modest.

[tovaana]

Muze :: Green Rylath

She was able to relax into her work, even as she was strangely disappointed that he distanced himself – with distance between them, it was easier to think. She could see why women would get caught up in his words and his passion and just… lose themselves. Her stomach knotted up and she felt sick that she’d done the same thing… and yet… there was a part of her that wanted to get lost. She was so sick of being responsible – as if in losing herself she could lose the parts her father that drilled into her. If she wasn’t so frustrated with her brother and father – the men in her life, she probably would have realized that her mother had instilled the hard working and responsibility in her as well. Yet, all she wanted to do was push against those things that had stolen most of her life away and see what more of her there was. Could Kekoa show her? It was hard to think that his antics were purely selfish, she wanted to think he actually cared, but logically she knew there was disconnect and it was frustrating her. Why did it matter? Why did it matter that he would flirt like this with any pretty woman? Because it meant he thought she was pretty. Because… she wanted to be loved and cherished. So, why couldn’t it be someone like Kekoa?

The brunette was a bit lost in thought, frustrated by her feelings, frustrated at men in general. Her brown gaze shifted up and over her dragon’s back as he started to sing… he hadn’t prepared anything, he was just… winging it. This was passion. And he was singing about… her. She had subconsciously stopped what she’d been doing, frozen in awe… the words seemed too good to be hers, and yet…

“Wow, uh… I mean… it didn’t seem rough…” She said, shaking her head, glancing at the goosebumps that had prickled up her arms during the song. It sounded beautiful! The green added on, eyes whirling in happy hues, finding the music pleasant to listen to. After clearing her throat a little she worked on the last bit of Rylath that was left, and moved to the chest while Kekoa plucked away at his instrument. As she finished on her knees and turned to rest against her large green and looked at Kekoa with pursed lips.

“Kekoa?” She started before she knew what she was saying, but it was too late now. She sighed, where was the confidence she once had? The confidence that had stolen her away from her old home, the confidence that had won her such a song as Kekoa had created? She opened her mouth, as if to force it out of her, but it eluded her and she sighed. “Could you write the song down for me? I’d like… a reminder of what I’ve done so far.”