settling in [tagged kevna/riasu]

[tovaana]

Lo’qui :: Bronze Jarath

He shifted his wooden carved chest to the end of his bed and paused- his long fingers tracing the carving of Jarath on it. It has cost him a lot, but had been worth every mark. He stood up, glancing around his weyr, decorated as it had been in his last weyr. He had stripped the whole thing back in Ierne, from the rugs to furs- the collection of items a mix of his own things to things that had belonged to Ierne. The brown Weyrleader wanted him gone? So he was, but Lo'qui hadn’t made it easy or cheap.

Jarath was laying near the entrance, his long neck stretching out into the bit of sunlight that trickled in their direction. The large beast hummed, pleased with the warmth on his muzzle. Lo’qui smiled. It wasn’t too difficult to keep his Bronze happy. There were plenty of golds, a surprising number for a small and disowned Weyr, for him to flirt with. The day were growing warmer- so it wasn’t Jarath that was on his mind.

She’s nearby, would you like me to call for her? The bronze hummed, not moving an inch as he reacted to the worry that pulsed from his rider. ‘No, I should find her myself.’ I am comfortable where I am. The Bronze hinted, not quite ready to give up his comfort. ‘Wouldn’t you rather cuddle up with a Gold?’ The Bronze considered this option, his head turning up to the cliffs, searching for the shimmer of gold. The idea was tempting. The Bronze blinked and his attention shifted away from the cliffs to his favorite human – Riasu. Lo’qui was too distracted to notice, collapsing on his bed and staring at the stony ceiling. Maybe his next big purchase would be a nicer bed. One that could fit two comfortably.

kevna

[kevna]

Riasu - Candidate

It was hard to walk with purpose when one did not know where she was going. Riasu huffed, and looked around, trying to determine if she was going the right way, and wishing she had had someone take her to his weyr personally. But being stubborn and independent, she hadn’t thought she would need help. Not that she had been here long enough to know the ins and outs of the weyr.

She also hadn’t seen too much of Lo’qui and she suspected that was because he was avoiding her, though why she couldn’t imagine. She needed to know how he had swindled so much from D’min, it had been bothering her to say the least. As a brownrider, the weyrleader often felt defensive against bronzes, and had taken a strong dislike to Lo’qui in particular. It had been the one downside to her relationship with D’min. And why hadn’t she thought to take as much as possible from him as Lo’qui had? It would have been a sweet revenge. Had Lo even asked permission? She secretly hoped not. But she needed to know.

Riasu chose a route, it felt right, and opened her mind. Maybe she would be able to sense or hear Jarath. She strolled along, trying to look like she knew where she was going, smiling and nodding to those that passed her by. She looked up at the caves high above her that were the entrances to the gold weyrs, or so she hoped. It was then she heard Jarath’s question, she was close, and headed in the right direction. She smiled proudly, lengthened her long-legged stride, knowing her needed path. She stopped when she heard Jarath again, looking up and seeing just the hint of his unique bronze hide. Hah. Who needed someone to show her around when she could hear dragons?

Are you too comfortable to come get me, big guy? I could use a wing up from my most favorite bronze! She cajoled the bronze, waving up at the entrance.

[tovaana]

Lo’qui :: Bronze Jarath

He was amid wondering about ways he could earn a quick extra mark for a bigger bed when suddenly Jarath stood and fell from the entrance in one fluid movement. He turned his head toward the cave entrance and frowned. ‘I didn’t mean for you to abandon me here.’ He scowled, and turned to look at the ceiling once more.

If Jarath had remembered the way Riasu had bathed Bronze Fath with compliments, he would probably have delayed and fished for more compliments before gliding down. However, he was eager for an eye ridge scratch from his second favorite human. Well, his only other favorite human. He pulled up from his fall and glided the rest of the way down, landing far enough away to give his wings room, but close enough to bathe the young woman in the strong bursts of wind that stirred up debris nearby. The bronze turned a whirling blue eye down on the windblown human and hummed, pleased to see Riasu. He crouched as low as he could, bringing his head closer to tall young woman to help her up, also expressing through his mind that he hoped she’d scratch his eye ridge. He was too proud to beg, but – if she wouldn’t mind…

It took a moment of Lo’qui lying there to realize that the bronze had gone down, not up to the cliffs where he’d find the golds. He blinked, turning his head toward the entrance and trying to gather from his dragon’s feelings what was going on. He nearly rolled his eyes at the gentle request from the dragon to Riasu. He was used to the way his dragon reacted to his sister now, but it still irked him sometimes, and it almost seemed… unnatural the way he responded to her. There was no other human Jarath had ever communicated with. Lo’qui pushed aside his bother; mentally composing himself and readying himself for one of the first private conversations he and his sister would have since arriving at Mavros. She hadn’t talked to him or told him why she had changed her mind… but he knew.

Jarath was careful on his ascent, it took longer for them to get up than it had been for Jarath to land. They circled up until they were finally level with his weyr and he came in for a landing. The large bronze lowered once more, letting his rider slide off.

kevna

[kevna]

Riasu - Candidate

Jarath’s response was almost immediate, which pleased Riasu more than a little bit. She watched him fall from his weyr but flew out a bit to give himself landing space. She could feel his anticipation, the desire for the scratch in his favorite spot above the eye ridge. The tall woman gave an indulgent smile as the dragon landed, throwing her hand up to catch at her hair which she had allowed to fly free. She probably should have put it up, because now it was going to be a mess. A really hard mess to tame.

Riasu gave an indulgent smile to her brother’s bonded approaching the giant bronze’s downcast head. Of course, I don’t mind, my dapper bronze. The candidate reached up and gave a hearty scratch, leaning her head onto his for a moment and enjoying his closeness. You really are so amazing Jarath. Thanks for the wing up. She continued the scratch for a few seconds longer, and then launched herself up onto Jarath, climbing to the lowest neck ridge and expertly placing herself for the ride.

She was comfortable there, even without the leathers, she had ridden with him so many times, and knew the feeling of his neck muscles and shoulders under her like the back of her hand. Jarath launched and used his strong wings to get them higher into the air. When they landed in the weyr Riasu looked around, taking in what would be her brother’s home for a long time.

“Thank you Jarath, my gallant bronze.” Riasu scratched his neck ridge, and then slid off. “Oh brother, brother, look at this place! It’s… quaint.” She tilted her head, turning in a circle to take it all in, all the while moving closer to Lo’qui. She skipped the last couple of feet and jumped onto the bed, oofing as she landed half on him. “Oops, either this bed is smaller, or you are bigger.” She chuckled and poked at him, and then settled into the bed next to him, a pretty tight fit if you considered that both of them had longer than life legs. She laid on her side, keeping her head propped up with her hand so she could keep her eyes on him.

“Did you have fun with Melana?” She placed emphasis on the goldrider’s name, moving her eyebrows up and down, “because I haven’t seen you in ages it feels like. I’m sure it took forever to get that hoard you brought with you where it belonged.” She pinned him with her stare, narrowing her eyes. “How did you wrangle that hoard from D'min?”

[tovaana]

Lo’qui :: Bronze Jarath

Jarath had hummed deeply at her compliments. Of course I am. And he hummed again at her thanks when they landed. He had been tempted to go find a gold to flirt with, but now he was more interested in the humans in his home. The large bronze found the spot he had previously been lying in and settled down, his head once more dipped outside the entrance in order to bath in rays of sunshine.

“Welcome to my humble abode!” Lo’qui called out to his sister with a grin. He let out a bark of laughter. “Well, I did say humble. Nothing a few purchases at the next gather won’t fix.” Not that he needed much. The bed was definitely going to be the first change though, and his sister reiterated that when she half landed on him. He let out an ‘oof’ and shifted to his side to allow her more room. He propped his own head up with a hand and arm.

“Hah, yeah I guess it took a while.” Sensing her curiosity and the direction it was going before she voiced it. “I did enjoy myself, and you? Getting a tour by the Weyrleader, himself? He seems pretty young to be Weyrleader.” If she was fishing for more details, she'd have to try harder. He rather she wonder and dig more at the interaction he had with the goldrider, than how he had swindled D'min.

He gave a half shrug and a frown. “You know how D’min wanted me gone, so he sweetened the price a bit.” He grinned. “How could I refuse?” It was a lie of course. Lo'qui had been the one who had fished the deal, but he knew his smart sister who had noticed all the goods, would perhaps start to wonder if she had been part of the deal. She was quick, but also distractible.

Lo’qui didn’t dare bring up why she wanted to leave in the first place, not yet. “How are you enjoying candidacy at Mavros?”

kevna

[kevna]

Riasu - Candidate

“I bet it did. And Oh, just please take me to the gather, you could use a woman’s touch in here." 

She interjected teasingly after he admitted how long it took them to put away the bounty he had brought, “Plus you have never had much taste when it comes to decorating.” She lied blatantly, poking at him again. He had great taste. She was a little disappointed when he did not mention anything about Melana. She never got the details from him. His gentlemanly, ‘never kiss and tell’, demeaner was so frustrating sometimes. Maybe she could find out by listening to Sularenth… Though she doubted she had the skill to wade through all the voices of the Weyr and pick out the one she wanted. She was still too unfamiliar with the dragons and knew it would take her a while. She half wanted to dig into Lo a little harder, but she had more pressing questions. She smiled at the mention of the weyrleader.

“Ooooh I did enjoy myself; he is so incredibly handsome. He is young, probably around my age. I think it is just so impressive that he has taken on such a weighty responsibility. He must be very… powerful.” Riasu said the word slowly, imagining just how powerful he could be with such attractive arm muscles. Her eyes narrowed even more when Lo’qui casually mentioned D’min’s offer. Then he tried to distract her, but she wouldn’t let him get off that easy.

“Yeah yeah it’s fine, there are a lot of female candidates, which is strange, but it’ll make for easy friends.” She waved her free hand dismissively at him.

“And yes, see that’s just it, I do know D’min. I knew he was foolhardy when it came to you, but I didn’t think he was so desperate that he would stoop to bribery.” She tilted her head and raised her eyebrows at him. “So, he made the offer?” She put extra emphasis, still having a hard time imagining the weyrleader conceding enough to make the offer. Then another thought came to mind, and it sparked the anger.

“Did… Did he mention anything about me?” She asked reluctantly, feeling like her mouth was full of sand. Bruised pride. Stupid man. He wouldn't know what hit him when she became more then he thought she could. 

[tovaana]

Lo’qui :: Bronze Jarath

With a feigned shocked and hurt expression he put the free hand to his chest to ham it up. “I’m hurt. You just want to spend my marks.” He accused with narrowed eyes, his hand going back to his side.

She might have wanted more details from him, but he did not want any more details. “Alright, alright.” He said slightly wincing, as if it physically hurt him. “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.” He lied, not glad that she was falling again for yet another Weyrleader, but he hoped it was just because he was Weyrleader. He’d only know if A’zael’s dragon ended up not catching the Weyrwoman’s gold next time it rose.

A lot of female candidates? That was slightly strange, but at the same time, times changed… Females were impressing to blues and browns – as long as the dragons got their lifemate at hatching, it didn’t bother Lo’qui.

He scoffed as she called him out on his lie. “Yes, he made the offer.” He then shrugged. “I may have counter-offered. Can you blame me?” He gestured around him. “He wanted me gone to here. I wanted the man to hurt a little, if he wanted me gone so bad.”

Lo’qui’s brown eyes considered his sister when she asked the final question. Shards it was so hard lying to her. He knew she was hurting, but she deserved better than the wherry brained weyrleader and his brown pride. The man had felt threatened by Lo’qui; it was the only explanation. “I asked if you could come with me.” Well, he hadn’t asked. He was glad she couldn’t read his mind thoughts like she could read dragon’s mind voices. “He didn’t seem happy about it, said if you wanted to.” He arched an eyebrow. “You haven’t said why you wanted to, I thought you wouldn’t want to come with me.” Partial truths were always easier than outright lies.

kevna

[kevna]

Riasu - Candidate

She smiled and nodded big, of course she just wanted to spend his marks. It was better then spending her own marks, and she could usually get a cute outfit out of it; her brother was such a softie. She laughed at the obvious discomfort Lo’qui felt while she spoke about the weyrleader. Talking about any boy would probably set him off, he was just too protective. Riasu was growing though, and that meant he would have to start getting used to boys. Though… Maybe not for a little while. She could use a break after D’min.

It still rung wrong in her mind-but it made a bit more sense that Lo’qui had wrangled more out of him then his original offer. “No, I can’t blame you at all.” Lo’qui had given up a lot to leave Ierne, he had had a lot of influence and respect with his fellow riders. There had even been talk that Jarath would catch the queen next rise. Maybe that’s what had spurred D’min into the offer. Riasu had doubted it, Aercie and her gold were boring, not at all Lo and Jarath’s taste, though Jarath may have chased just to put D’min and Solith off. “I am surprised you decided to leave at all. But, I am glad you made him hurt-It’ll take him a few seasons to recuperate from your pirating abilities.”

Her interest was piqued. Lo’qui had asked, and D’min had been unhappy? That surprised her. She thought he would be relieved to have her gone. The young woman sighed, twisting her lips and looking away from her brother. It wasn’t a question, but it was. It required her answering. “Well… I didn’t. Not at first.” She looked away, despising the tears that suddenly threatened. She swallowed them back forcefully, sighed, and shifted, turning onto her back, pressing on shoulder into her brother’s chest. It was a comforting thing, feeling his solidity. But it was also a tight fit.

“But I think D’min cheated on me. The deadglow came in, that day that he had the fake threadfall for the weyrlings, trying to pick a fight, an old fight. He wouldn’t tell me why he was really angry, or what had spurred it on, and it was… well it was the only obvious reason. I accused him of cheating, and of course he denied it, but I’m not flitter-brained. So there wasn’t a good enough reason to stay, and getting away sounded nice. Plus, I couldn’t let you have an adventure without me, who knows what trouble you and Jarath could get into.” 

She finished her words, trying to make her voice lighter, teasing. She didn't need pity. Her pride was bruised as it was. 

[tovaana]

Lo’qui :: Bronze Jarath

He hated the way Riasu turned away, he could feel the thick emotion swell up in the silence and waited until she turned and twisted in the bed. He was definitely getting a bigger one. This one wouldn’t do. But his thoughts were more focused on his sister, he needed to be paying attention, since D’min hadn’t told him what he was going to do specifically to convince her to leave. The fool hadn’t even done the job properly it seemed, it had been his sister’s pride that had sensed the man’s lie and had told her own story, giving the weyrleader a story and an out. The idiot. He’d only been lucky that Riasu had jumped to her own conclusion.

Jarath felt Riasu’s hurt, but even knowing Lo’qui had orchestrated it to some point – he also held his rider in the highest regard. He agreed that D’min didn’t deserve Riasu if the man was to agree to Lo’qui’s terms. The bronze rumbled in his chest, touching the girl with his mind to comfort her. You deserve better. He told her in a matter-of-fact tone.

Lo’qui on the other hand wasn’t going to sympathize with her, he didn’t want her to catch any false tones in his voice – since he wasn’t sorry at all about her joining him. “Trouble? Nah, besides, it sounds like any trouble I could get into would be dwarfed by the trouble and rumors that Mavros already has.” He said with chuckle.

“It was hard to leave, but D’min didn’t give me much of a choice.” He left it at that, not wanting to bring up the grievances he had against the man. He wanted his sister to have her own reasons to hate the man, not his. “I’m going to go get Rho and Rhu in a couple of weeks, maybe right before the upcoming gather I’ve heard about. I didn’t want to make a bigger deal of me leaving – or else their mother would have forbade it.” He wondered if that would cheer her up, the idea of her niece and nephew. “I think I’ll bring the older ones to watch hatchings, too, any excuse to have them come.” And impress. He could only hope for one to impress and have a reason to stay on Mavros. Perhaps he’d ask if they could even be on the sands… or he guessed he could talk to their mothers about them coming to Mavros…. He cringed mentally at this. He avoided them as much as possible, no need for drama…

kevna

[kevna]

Riasu - Candidate

Riasu leaned mentally into the voice of Jarath as he sought to comfort her. His voice was always a comfort to her, a rock amidst the thrum of dragon voices. Thanks Jar, you’re the only one for me. She said genuinely, throwing the sweet bronze a small smile over to him.

“You are full of it if you think you won’t outbid the chaos. I know better.” She inserted smoothly, winking at her brother. She loved how at ease she was with him, he had never let the age gap keep them apart. She wanted to drill more out of him, in desperate want to know how D’min had chased her strong brother. But it would be like rubbing sand in his eyes, and loved him too much for that.

“Really?” She sat up a little, her smile growing warmer at the thought of her Rhu and Rho coming for a visit. “Hah, I would like to see how that goes over with Rhuliana, she has a tight leash on those two for a woman who forgets about them all the time. I bet you won’t be able to convince her until after the gather.” She chuckled at the thought of Rhuliana. “I still find it hilarious that your immense bronze caught her green enough for her to suck you in with two children. Not that I’m complaining. I love the niece and nephew Rhuliana gave me.” She leaned back into the bed again, oofing a little at the tight fit.

[tovaana]

Lo’qui :: Bronze Jarath

Jarath hummed, pleased with Riasu’s compliment. Lo’qui glanced at the beast, feeling like he had missed something. There were moments like this that reminded him of how unnatural his sister’s ability was. He was glad that soon she’d have a dragon to distract her from the problems with D’min. Also – impressing to a dragon at Mavros meant that they’d have even more reason to stay, at least two turns stuck away from Ierne.

He chuckled at her jab. He’d like to at least avoid the drama for a turn or two. Having a large dragon like Jarath, it was hard to avoid attention.

Lo’qui winced at the thought of Rhuliana. He wasn’t afraid of her, especially now that Jarath couldn’t chase her green anymore at Mavros…. Though now there was a new sea of greens for a Jarath to chase… That thought made him uncomfortable. It usually sparked the uncalled for drama.

He gave her a sly smile. “I mean, if she notices they’re gone…” He ventured with a shrug. “Those kids need my love.” He continued with confidence and a smile, thinking of the trouble that Rhoqui would get into if he weren’t there for her. She still got into plenty of trouble, but he hoped that he’d be able to curb that. It was why he tried to keep his kids busy having them help him with Jarath when possible. It also was nice to have the help since Jarath was so large.

“I want you to be happy Riasu.” He said after a pause, his face had turned more serious. “Let me know if you need anything, we’ll be here for you.”

Yes, always. Jarath chimed in.

kevna

[kevna]

Riasu - Candidate

She laughed outright at the casual suggestion-part of her believed Lo'qui would never, but the other part of her? The young woman shook her head smiling. If it were her children that her man stole she would be furious, and that man would not survive. But Rhuliana? The obnoxious woman would probably only make a huge stink to get attention. "Well, make sure to involve me in your devious plans mister, I could use a little adventure. Although I don't like the idea of that woman in my face at all." She sighed. 

When her brother turned serious she started to feel uncomfortable. Even Jarath's sweet promise didn't help. She sat up and smiled directly at her brother. "I know." She shrugged though and looked away, jumping up from her position. "Good thing too, because who knows what trouble I could get into." She winked, giving a sly smile. She was trying to make the mood light, she didn't need or want their pity, though she knew it came from pity. 

She stretched her arms, making fun of the cramped position she had just escaped from. "Well, I should go. I've been avoiding unpacking myself, so I should go and do." She blew a kiss at her brother, and turned to the bronze. "Would you be a dear and let me down Jarath?"

[tovaana]

Lo’qui :: Bronze Jarath

He smiled at her, but didn’t want to promise anything. He still wasn’t sure how he’d do it. He was sure he wouldn’t run into the mother, but he also didn’t want rumors to spread about the two missing weyrbrats. Their mother would find out quickly through the rumor grapevine, the more people that knew – since most people knew him.

Lo’qui could see that he was losing her as she hopped out of the bed. His eye narrowed at her stretching. “Next time I’ll push you out… When I get a nice cushioned rug to go next to the bed.” He said, pushing himself up to watch her leave. He wondered idly if her procrastinating unpacking was a part of her who hadn’t wanted to leave. Well, she had decided to come on her own, even if Lo’qui had pulled a few strings, she could never accuse him of making her do anything.

“I’ll keep a look out for you at meal times!” He promised. Jarath was shifting to make the ascent up his large body easier for Riasu.

I guess, if you must leave. He said with a sad humming noise in his throat. Lo’qui watched as his dragon fell from the ledge with his sister on top. Well. All that needed to happen was to get Riasu impressed to a Mavros dragon, to give her more reason to stay.

kevna