Flirting with the Wind [Kev/Sio]

[Zen]

10th Pass, 6th Turn, 10th Month
Turn 2761, Autumn

A'zael

At least once a sevenday, A’zael enjoyed starting his day with a run on the beach. He was lucky it was warm enough he could still strip down to nothing but shorts; he enjoyed the feel of the sea breeze as he ran, though the winter made it far less enjoyable. Though he thrived on social interaction, the solitude and the activity were somewhat meditative, allowing him to clear his mind for a little while of all the planning and worries that plagued him daily. It was like a sort of reset for his mind and it helped in a myriad of ways. He enjoyed exercise, a good thing since riders did so much of it. On days like today he would wake up, watch the sunrise with Fath because it made the bronze ridiculously happy, and then head down to the beach for a nice long run. A soak in the bathing caverns would come after, followed by breakfast, which he would have worked up a decent appetite for. Wing drills wouldn’t begin until the afternoon. But he wasn’t thinking about that right now, or much of anything, which rarely happened these days. He thought about things entirely too much, but not while he ran. There was just the cool autumn sea breeze and the crash of the waves and the slowly growing burn in his legs and lungs the more he pushed himself. Just a bit longer.

When he reached one end of the beach and turned back to head the other way, back toward the Weyr, and the bathing caverns, he spotted something in the sky he couldn’t quite place. What was that? It wasn’t that large but it wasn’t shaped right to be a flit. Jogging closer, it became more apparent what he’d been looking at. A young woman and her green dragon were on the other end of a kite. He recognized the green as one of the weyrling dragons from the timing it venture, though he couldn’t remember her name, or that of her rider. He’d watched them during their drills but hadn’t been properly introduced yet. She wasn’t one of the greenriders that had attended his leadership lessons either.

He slowed his run as he neared the pair, wiping the back of his hand over his brow before excess sweat could drip into his eyes, his breathing a bit ragged from the exertion. He might have just run past them and continued his run if he wasn’t nearly done with it anyway, but he was curious. He’d never actually flown a kite before. As a weyrbrat he’d never much seen the appeal, especially after watching some of the other brats struggle to even get one in the air. He figured he didn’t have the patience for it.

“Hey there!” he waved, still a bit out of breath, “Good day for... kite flying?” He wouldn’t know, though it seemed to him the wind should be a certain way for the best sort of kite flying days. Maybe today was one of them. His run left him at ease, relatively relaxed, made him feel like a normal person for a while. He had a bit of time… if she’d let him, maybe he’d finally try his hand at flying a kite. He took the waterskin from his belt and took a long drink, then grinned at her, “Is it sad to admit... I’ve never flown one before?”

kevna

[kevna]

Siorreya - Green Amagetith

So… This is supposed to be fun?

Siorreya was intently looking up, following the wind. She had just gotten he kite into the air and the dragon already sounded bored.

Yes, you thought it was fun last time we did it.

I don’t remember that, are you sure we did this?

Siorreya took a steadying breath. No need to get angry, even if the dragon was being actively annoying. They had argued for almost an hour after Amagetith had awoken her at dawn trying to get her up so they could play at the beach. Sio had just wanted to sleep a little bit longer. The happy medium had been the rider getting to choose the activity. Siorreya had thrown on a simple blue blouse that was tied up just above her belly button and her riding trousers, and in an effort to be fast thrown her hair up in a messy bun, so that the green couldn’t go back on her word. When the blonde had informed Amagetith what the activity would be, the green had been slightly interested, and then more then a little disappointed. Well, they were both disappointed this morning.

Yes, I am sure. You know, you could just answer that and remind yourself. You don’t seem to have any qualms going through my memories. She was referring to the incident with Podrell a few days before, though she doubted the green remembered that. It had been too long, but Sio thought of the memory and reminded the dragon herself. Just the thought of the lordling send a slight shiver through her, but she convinced herself that it was the outfit. Not the best choice for an early morning during this particular season.

Right… Well, then I wouldn’t get to annoy you by asking questions.

Siorreya wanted to roll her eyes, but instead kept them focused on the kite.

You know, this was the closest I came to flying before you.

Well, thank Faranth I came around then. Can I try it?

I thought you said it was boring?

No, I asked if It was supposed to be fun. Those are two completely different things. Please?

In a minute. It felt nice to be able to hold onto the tugging of the kite, following the wind, and feeling for any changes that could suddenly occur in the wind. If she wasn’t careful, it would tumble right down. Normally, Sio wasn’t all that patient, but with kites, there was a calming nature that kept her interested. Plus, she liked the look of them in the air. Mimsy crooned from her shoulder pad, her tail wrapped around her tightened a little, as if she were agreeing. Well, at least the smaller green appreciated the activity of choice.

We are being approached. The green dragon seemed interested, and Siorreya allowed her eyes to drag away from the kite, landing on a shirtless runner. She enjoyed the sweat sheen covering his half naked body for a little too long and shook herself out of it. It was A’zael, the Weyrleader. Well, she had just checked out the weyrleader. She gave herself a chuckle. Well, he was handsome.

She returned his greeting raising her free hand, and causing Mimsy to shuffle and chirp at her irritated. “That it is, A’zael. Errr, Weyrleader.” She quickly corrected herself, giving an apologetic smile. “I’m not so good with titles.” She said it with a dry chuckle, and shard it, an unheeded picture of Podrell came to mind. She stuffed it down, suffocating it in her frustration. He could shove between. Instead, she focused on the half-dressed man across from her. He was pleasing on the eyes, and a good distraction. Shards, such a good and necessary distraction.

Sio made a dramatic gasp at his statement, placing her hand on her chest which caused the kite to drop. “Oops,” She giggled, glancing at the kite sticking in the sand. “It’s very sad, but I would be glad to teach you a thing or two…” She gave him a brief one eyebrow raise, a twinkle in her eye. She would definitely be willing to teach him a thing or two. “Mimsy.” She said, and the green understanding her intention launched from her shoulder flying and landing to rest on Amagetith. Sio jogged over and picked up the kite, then walked back so she was just a little closer to A’zael.

While Mimsy transitioned, Amagetith warned the man. It’s not like you are missing anything.

“Oh please, kite flying is very satisfying. Amagetith is just allergic to sharing the fun.” She stuck her tongue out at the green.

The dragon stood and stalked toward the ocean. If it was fun, I wouldn’t be going for a swim. Mimsy, once again disrupted from her position, flew up and started flying around the green, her consternation plain as she flew around the larger dragon chiding her.

“Excuse my lovely greens, they take after me, constant trouble.” She said, shaking her head. “So, do you know anything about kite flying, or do we need to start at the basics?”

[Zen]

A'zael

“I’m not so good with titles.”

A’zael waved her off with a laugh, “You and me both, then. And here I was trying to pretend I wasn’t Weyrleader for a while. You ought to make it up to me for breaking into my fantasy with that silly title.” He flashed a grin at that, taking a decent look at her and deciding he didn’t mind her breaking into his fantasy at all. In fact she was quite welcome in it. “I would prefer to hear my name from the lips of a beautiful woman rather than a title that could refer to any man.” Titles were so impersonal, they put distance between people. Which maybe wasn’t always a bad thing when he was dealing with weyrlings, but… her class was nearly graduated. And he was just flirting harmlessly. It would be fine.

She gasped dramatically at his admission and he laughed again, as her kite came crashing down into the sand. She’d be glad to teach him a thing or two, would she? “Wonderful… I’m sure you’ll find me to be quite an eager student who desires nothing more than to please my teacher.” She went to retrieve the kite and her green warned him of her own thoughts on kite flying. He chuckled, “It’s a new experience for me. I enjoy trying new things. Though I wonder if I'll have the patience for it.”

“Excuse my lovely greens, they take after me, constant trouble.”

A small laugh escaped him at that, more at his own expense. It seemed they had that in common as well. He was quite talented at finding trouble wherever he went, or making it himself where it was not. But not here. No. He glanced over at the two greens, “Oh, don’t worry… I’m used to trouble.” What trouble could he possibly get into flying a kite? He held up his hands, moving closer to her, “I’m afraid you’ll need to begin with the basics, I don’t know the first thing about kite flying. It looks simple enough and yet I’ve watched plenty of people struggle to even get one in the air, so clearly it isn’t.”

kevna

[kevna]

Siorreya - Green Amagetith

She was relieved that A’zael wasn’t interested in protocol. The last time a man had craved his title-or hoped to be soon-title from her lip’s things had gone... Well, awry. She preened visibly at the compliment. “Well, A’zael it is. I’m not sure kite flying alone will make it up, but I’m sure we can figure something out...” She quirked a half-lipped smile. She was always up for the challenge.

She had shivered a little when he had proclaimed himself eager to please, and she hoped that was indeed true. Siorreya also enjoyed how relaxed he seemed to be with her. Some men could just be so uptight. But A’zael didn’t seem to have any expectations. The blonde faced him kite in hand and smiled widely. “That sounds like a challenge, A’zael. I’m a pretty good teacher, I’ll just have to keep it interesting to stave off any impatience.”

She liked his easy laugh, seemingly instantly forgiving her greens for their petulance, while at the same time enjoying it. Well, trouble was all he could get around her and her bonded. He proffered his hands and stepped closer, so she closed the distance and placed the kite in one hand and took the other. ”The basics it is. First, we start with the… anatomy of the kite.” She gave him a wicked smile, and took his hand and traced the kite as she explained each aspect of it.

“This is the cover of the kite,” outlining his hand over the kite’s material, then prodded him into turning the kite over. “This is the spine.” She had their fingers slow their movement down the longer stick and looked up at him quirking a teasing eyebrow at him. Her hand had him continue down to the ribbon tied at the end of the longer stick, “And the tail.” Shards he had to be at least a foot taller than herself. “This is the spar, it carries the brunt of the force of the wind.” She had his fingers commence over the shorter stick covering with width of the top of the quadrilateral. She dropped his hand and grabbed the ropes, lifting it. “Finally, the bridle, for control of course, which connects to the reel, so we can... enjoy it.” She gave him a wink, and transferred the string to him.

“No questions about that, right? I didn’t move to fast... or slow?” She tried her very best to look at him innocently. "I wouldn't want to encourage any impatience. We can move on to the more exciting part if you are ready."

[Zen]

A'zael

With a grin, A’zael shrugged, agreeing, “Kite flying is a start, at least. We can just go from there until your debt is paid.” He was glad to find someone so willing to set his title aside and just let him be a normal person. She seemed decently at ease. Some people remained… rigid around him, afraid of overstepping or something. It was frustrating. He laughed again, “A challenge? If you want to take it that way, be my guest… but I’m sure you’ll have no issue keeping me interested….” He was about to use her name, but realized he didn’t know it. With a soft laugh, he asked, “Ah… shall I just call you Trouble, or is there another name you go by?”

”The basics it is. First, we start with the… anatomy of the kite.”

He returned her smile with a suggestive smirk of his own, “Well, I have always been rather adept when it comes to anatomy… and I’m always eager to learn more.” She took his hand, guiding it over the parts of the kite, and he was all too happy to follow where she led. He hadn’t been expecting the contact, but he wasn’t at all disappointed about it. She was right, she was a good teacher. She made learning the parts of the kite something of an intimate affair rather than a simple lecture. And A’zael had always done better with hands-on learning.

He was mildly disappointed when she let go of his hand, though was forced to remind himself of their actual purpose. Kite flying. Right. At her wink, he chuckled, “Mm, I think I’m already enjoying it.” He considered the kite for a moment when she asked if he had any questions, “No, I don’t think so. As you said, you are indeed a good teacher… your pacing was perfect. You seem to be rather in tune with my needs.” He grinned, taking the string when she handed it to him, “Please, continue. You’ve got me excited for this lesson to reach its climax.”

kevna

[kevna]

Siorreya - Green Amagetith

Shards, why was she always forgetting to introduce herself? “Well you probably shouldn’t call me that in front of others, what will they think of you?” She teased, and then shrugged, “Sio or Siorreya at your undivided service. And that troublesome beast is Amagetith.” She flapped her hand in the direction of the swimming green.

She had chuckled at his suggestive remark, wondering if he would be showing her just how adept at anatomy he was before launching into her creative description of the kite. She was enjoying this lesson far too much, and was glad when he admitted to his own pleasure. “Well, just let me know if there is any need I miss.” She stepped in front of him so her back was to him, but not quite close enough to rest against him. She’d leave that up to him.

One hand reached for the hand with the kite, and the other the reel and she presented them before her. “Well, we are just about there, but this part is by far the most difficult part. You must convince this obstinate… Kite, to take to the air. They are much like women, very fickle.” She smirked over her shoulder. “Now point us in the direction that the wind is going,” She waited for him to do so, “Then hold the kite like this,” She manipulated his hand to correctly hold the kite. “Make sure you have some slack, but not too much of the reel.” She again manipulated the string he held, measuring the appropriate amount. “Once the air takes it you will want to go hand over hand with the reel, very carefully, to allow the kite to climb higher; don’t hold her back. She’s quite adept at flying.” She chuckled, shaking her head. This was by far the most interesting kite flying lesson. Her mind was definitely not on the task at hand. “Then lift the kite into the air, open your hand, and see if you’ve met all her needs.” She let go of the hand with the kite to allow him the height he would need to get the kite into the air. She turned around to face him, her other hand slid from his with the reel and held the reel below his hand. “It’s just a matter of whether you have the magic touch now. There’s only so much I can do for you from here on out.”