Dare to Dare [Sio/Maz/Pod]

[kevna]

Siorreya - Green Amagetith

Siorreya was arm and arm with her half-brother as they walked to the dining caverns. It was so strange thinking of him that way. Her brother. It also felt a little alarming. She had never thought herself as one to settle down with one man, but blood family was supposed to be different. Right? Blood takes care of blood. She thought of her grandmother, the only woman she had trusted. Her grandmother had loved her, taken care of her, reared her. Now she walked arm in arm with her brother. Well, half-brother. Closer blood then her grandmother, so… More responsibility? She would have to think on this, maybe even bring it up. She had done her very best to avoid thinking about G’der’s visit, and hadn’t sought out Maz’ru after. Maybe that’s why he had intercepted her on her way to the dining caverns?

Mimsy was flying in circles lecturing her on the fact that she expected to be fed as well and it wasn’t just mealtime for them. Her consternation helped Sio blink out of her speculations with a giggle. They were walking through the doors of the dining hall, and here Mimsy was making a spectacle. The images the small firelizard was coming up with to convey her feelings were hilarious. “I know Mimsy, I know. Maz’ru won’t eat all the meat, I promise.” Siorreya teased, bumping her younger brother with her hip playfully. The green acted alarmed at even the idea and turned the brunt of her harangue on the younger man. Sio put her arm up, hand motioning for the firelizard to calm down, swooshing her away from the younger man.

“Mimsy, you are making a spectacle, I was just kidding. Come here, leave poor Maz alone.” The green landed on the left shoulder with the pad on it immediately. Mimsy didn’t like making spectacles. Plus, to her it made sense that Maz’ru wouldn’t actually eat all the meat, she just had to think it out. The green firelizard wrapped her tail around the young woman’s neck like a necklace, much calmer to the eye. “Sorry, Maz. So, was there something you wanted to talk about.” She chuckled at her brother and bumped him again, secretly hoping he wouldn't want to talk about G'der. She gave him a companionable squeeze of the arm with her free hand, and then let him go, focusing on getting through the line for her meal. She made sure to pile the meat on her plate high, so she would have enough for the stubborn mini-dragon under her care.

Once her plate was loaded, she began searching the tables for a place to eat, and more interesting companions to eat with. “Where to where to?” She half mused, half asked Maz. She would let him guide her to a table this time, since he always seemed to be dragged by her. Her breath caught while she looked over the tables and spotted him, and mixed feelings flooded her. Humor, dismay, anticipation, triumph, doubt. Luckily Amagetith was still distracted by her gossip with whatever dragon she had roped into speaking with her, or she probably would have been teased… She waited for Podrell to notice her, an eyebrow raised in challenge, a small confident smirk on her lips. Daring him. 

tovaana Zen

[tovaana]

Weyrling Maz’ru :: Blue Quilath

As they walked through the crowds that were going to and fro, the two siblings arm in arm, he felt awkward in their silence. He’d never felt awkward before, not with Siorreya (minus a certain occasion...). He sighed quietly, glancing down at her from the corner of his eye. He really hoped she didn’t feel differently about him – he enjoyed their friendship. Maybe this would just be a phase until the strangeness of it all wore off.

There was a soft pop above them as Mimic joined Mimsy. She had ‘heard’ through Maz’ru that the green was present and wove through the air, chattering happily the latest gossip.

Maz’ru chuckled and shrugged helplessly, “I dunno, I’m pretty hungry.” And winced with another chuckle as the green flapped alarmingly in front of his face. Mimsy made almost ‘cooing’ noises to try and calm Mimsy down as well, both to comfort her and to get her out of her person’s face. Once Mimic was on Sio’s shoulder she lifted high and found a part of the dining hall where a small group of firelizards had gathered and were sharing stories.

“Ah, no – not really. I guess I just wanted to see how you were, or are...” He did want to talk about other things, but the noisy dining hall seemed hardly the place to do so. Also, he and Siorreya had never had many ‘deep’ conversations. It was why neither had spoken about their father or other things of the soul. He wouldn’t mind and he did want to talk about it, but Sio didn’t seem like the serious type… ever…

He sighed noiselessly again, scooping food onto his place and was surprised at how noncommittal Sio was being for where they should sit– since she usually had a preference for everything. He started to guide her when she stopped, something seeming to catch her attention. “You okay?” He asked, curious about the strange look on her face.

[Zen]

Podrell

Podrell had thought it wise to start visiting the Weyr side of Mavros. Though the Weyrfolk had no vote to sway, it would be important to know them, and their leadership, if he was to be Lord Holder. He couldn’t deny he was also curious about Weyr life in general. It was one aspect he had never spent much time learning about, in all that he had studied thus far. It hadn’t seemed like it would ever matter terribly much. He had never imagined needing to interact with riders on a regular basis. A slight miscalculation on his part, it seemed, and one he was determined to rectify.

The best place to learn about the Weyr, he figured, was in its dining hall. He could find an agreeable table to join and hear about the Weyr from its residents. Facts, gossip, rumors… all would have some use to him. Information was a powerful weapon. So he had sat with a few riders, a few of the Weyr staff, who were welcoming enough. At first he had mostly listened as he ate, thinking that the Weyr seemed to have a better selection as far as foods went. In the fisher caverns, unsurprisingly, fish seemed to be served with just about every meal, in one form or another.

Eventually he started asking a question here and there. He learned some things about the leadership of the Weyr. About the abdication of the former Weyrwoman due to her apparent mental decline, and about the Weyrleader’s many indiscretions. One of the riders had leaned over to tell him of the goldrider that was supposedly a man masquerading as a woman before one of his companions smacked him on the shoulder and told him to shut up about it already. That seemed a little much to believe. Everyone knew golds only Impressed women. Seemed more like a rumor a jealous girl had started because the gold had spurned her. He did not comment on any of these things, except to ask a question or for clarity here and there. There was quite a lot of information to take in.

But eventually the riders and staff at his table had finished their meals and had work to return to, and began to trickle out. Podrell was left to consider whether he ought to find someone new to sit with or set about exploring the Weyr a bit more. The decision was made clear when a green firelizard making a bit of a scene at the dining hall entrance drew his eye. Immediately his stomach dropped as the dare that lingered between them was the first thing he thought of, watching as the green came to land on Siorreya’s shoulder. And then he noticed her arm linked with… a man’s. There was some small part of him that suddenly felt annoyed at the sight. He couldn’t help but to size the man up. He looked younger. Surely there was no real comparison between them.

He shook his head. Shells, but what did it matter? Siorreya was just some meaningless fling that could never be more even if either of them wanted it to be. And neither of them did. She was a frustrating woman, even if…. No. No. Enough. He didn’t need to get lost in those thoughts again. How many times did the memory of their passion have to plague him in a day? He was here for a reason, and that reason was not Siorreya.

“I dare you to kiss me, on the lips, if you see me again. The very next time. No matter where we are or who we are with.”

He ran the words of her dare over in his mind. Perhaps if he could escape the dining cavern before she noticed him, it would be a moot point… but he would know. Technically, he would lose if he took such a coward’s way out, and though Siorreya would never know, it wouldn’t sit well with him. But then… he smirked. She had thought she was so clever, specifying where he was meant to kiss her. But she had forgotten to specify enough of the dare. Perhaps she would learn this time.

She noticed him, her brow raised, challenging as she met his eyes, so sure of herself. It would be amusing to allow her to think she had won for a time. He would have to play the part properly, be just the right amount of annoyed about it, pretend he had lost, that he wasn’t willing to meet her dare. But so long as he kissed her before they parted again, he would still win. She had not specified when during their next meeting he had to kiss her, simply that he must do so on her lips. If he could get them out of the dining hall, even just the hallway outside would be less crowded, less public, then he could kiss her and be on his way… after turning the game back on her, of course.

He forced himself to look away from her, played a look of frustration over his face, and eventually approached her, and her… friend. His gaze traveled over the younger man again before shifting back to the most frustrating woman he’d ever met, “Siorreya, how lovely to see you again. Who’s your companion?” He looked back to Maz’ru, dipping his head in polite greeting, “I’m Podrell, here trying to win over Mavros to be it’s future Lord Holder. A pleasure to meet you…?” He trailed off, awaiting a name, his tone polite and perhaps just a little too cheerful for Siorreya’s sake. Let her think he was putting on a show, trying to hide his frustration over his loss. He also couldn’t help his curiosity over the relationship between the young man and Siorreya, and that was annoying. He shouldn’t care, and yet he did.

kevna tovaana

[kevna]

Siorreya - Green Amagetith

She was relieved when Maz’ru avoided the subject that she was so obviously trying to avoid. She didn’t want to talk about G’der. “Hmm, yeah, I’m fine.” She brushed off the feelings that obviously her brother had wanted to talk about, distracted as the subject of her focus looked away from her, looking… irked? Her self-satisfied smirk grew. She had known it! He wouldn’t dare, which meant she had won. She barely heard Maz’ru’s question over her inner celebration. “Just a pesky ghost from the past.” She said with a quirky smile, turning to look at her friend-brother and allowed Maz’ru to finish guiding them to a table.

Her eyes narrowed as she sat, watching him get up and walk over to them. Her breath caught as a visual of him holding her against a rock flashed through her mind, and she mentally slapped herself. Shards. Why did he have to have the beard still? Was he changing his mind? Is that why he was heading toward her? He wouldn’t dare. Not in front of all these people. He didn’t look like he would… But he also hadn’t seemed the man to pin a woman to a soil floor and make love to her in the middle of the woods. Suddenly she felt really warm again. He had a good poker face shard it all. She looked to the bluerider beside her as if to warn him, but she had been too caught up in her mental battle, and suddenly Podrell was before them.

His voice sounded way to perky and put her one edge, confusion abounding. Was he going to launch himself at her, or was he trying to hide disappointment? She didn’t stand, she wasn’t going to make it easy on him if he decided to go through with the dare. She felt frozen to her chair anyway. “So lovely and unexpected.” She said smugly, raising her eyebrows and scrunching her nose at him, her eyes still bright with her challenge. Mimsy, not getting fed, interrupted her from introducing her companion, obviously not interested in the human interaction. She gave a piece of meat to the firelizard slightly distractedly, and she opened her mouth to introduce Maz, but before she could say anything, Podrell rolled right over her, looking to Maz’ru as he introduced himself and obviously still prodding for the bluerider’s name. He could be so aggravating.

The way he was sizing Maz’ru up confused her… Suddenly she sported another amused grin. He didn’t think…? Why did everyone just assume??? Well, she hadn’t told anyone that Maz’ru was her brother, and she very well wasn’t about to introduce him as so now to Podrell. She had barely had any time to really solidify the idea in her mind anyhow. He could mind his own business. Or Maz’ru could inform him. Not that Podrell actually cared, other than mild curiosity. Sharding politician face. Still, it both bothered her that he would think that Maz’ru and her had a relationship outside of familial, yet it amused her as well. She was a sun-crazed wher, and he was driving her to it without doing anything at all.

She looked to Maz’ru waiting for him to introduce himself. He was a grown man, her... brother was perfectly capable.“So then, what are you doing here Podrell?” In my domain, she added silently, "Thinking of giving up the fight for lordling for the rider life?" Her voice said it all just what she thought of that. She quirked another satisfied smirk, and coaxed her little green onto the table in front of her with a piece of meat, and then offered Maz'ru's Mimic one as well. 

tovaana Zen

[tovaana]

Weyrling Maz’ru :: Blue Quilath

Maz glanced at Sio curiously at her wording. Pesky? And her smile told a story, but he wasn’t sure what kind of story it was. He glanced in the man’s direction as he came toward him, and the blue rider wasn’t sure if he was surprised or not that the man had come to say hello. If he was pesky, usually that meant he was hard to get rid of, but there seemed to be more out of his reach and it was slightly infuriating. Perhaps she fancied him? She didn’t seem like she actually did, but girls were just confusing enough that it could be a possibility.

One eyebrow lifted in curiosity – he’d heard rumors about Mavros possibly gaining a Lord Holder, but he had never expected to actually meet one of the candidates for the position. “Maz’ru.” He finished Podrell’s open ended inquiry of his name. “Maz’ru of Blue Quilath.” He amended. And at the mention of the blue’s name, he felt his dragon’s presence meld with his own, so the dragon could see what his rider was seeing. Every now and then Quilath would join Maz’ru, but there had been no recognizable pattern for the ‘why’, and when he had asked, Quilath would simply put that he was curious. “Well met, Podrell.” He said politely, glancing over at Sio. He wondered if he should introduce himself as her sibling – it seemed like what people did when meeting acquaintances. But Maz’ru and Sio were still figuring out what it meant to be siblings, that he didn’t feel comfortable announcing it in public as a thing to flaunt.

The blue rider smiled lightly at Sio’s words and tone, glancing at Podrell as well. Then it occurred to him how strange it was that the two knew each other. How would Sio have met and seem so… familiar? with a candidate for the Mavrosi Lord Holder? “How did you two meet?” He asked, feeling like it was more substantial to the conversation anyways, contrasting Sio’s smug words. He didn’t like feeling left out of whatever inside joke he was missing.

He is a candidate? The blue's voice surprised him a little, but didn't not enough to show it. 'Not for the Weyr, for the Hold - to be Lord Holder, the leader of the Hold.' He explained. The blue's curiosity didn't waver, staying present in his mind. 

[Zen]

Podrell

He focused mostly on the young man, quite deliberately, trying to make it seem as though he didn’t particularly want to look at her and see her smug face over her supposed ‘win’ of their game. A fleeting glance here and there told him just how satisfied she was with herself, having given him a task he could not complete. He couldn’t wait to turn the tables on her, to see the look on her face when he pointed out to her how her carefully chosen wording hadn’t been careful enough. He was certain her intent was to force him to kiss her before anything else, but she hadn’t stated it that way. Let her feel smug and superior, he would rip it away from her eventually, and it would be even more satisfying.

“Well met, Maz’ru,” he responded as the bluerider introduced himself, smiling easily. Another rider… perhaps Maz’ru would prove to be a better contact for learning about dragons. Anyone would be better than Siorreya, as he wouldn’t have to worry about losing control of himself again. He shot her a quick, mildly annoyed look as she asked what he was doing here. It was carefully played, he forced the annoyance away almost as quickly as he had allowed it onto his features. Long enough for her to notice. His gaze narrowed at her slightly as he leaned on the table between them, “Well I don’t need to fight to be called a lordling, not when you use the term quite liberally with me. Though if all goes well you will be calling me ‘Lord’ again soon.”

He couldn’t help how the memory of her begging him to kiss her just forced itself to the fore of his mind, triggered by his own sharding words, and was all too happy for the distraction Maz’ru gave him, asking how he and Siorreya had met. “The glasscraft Hall. We were apprentices together there for a time,” he responded simply, taking a seat across from the pair, “I hope I’m not interrupting anything if I join you. I came to the Weyr today to get to know more about it but I’ve a curiosity about dragons as well. I’ve not spent much time around them and, obviously, if I’m to be Lord Holder of Mavros I will be in rather close proximity going forward. I would like to learn more about them, firsthand. All the better to work with the Weyr in future.”

His gaze shifted to Siorreya briefly, before refocusing on Maz’ru, “Siorreya and I recently… bumped into each other, near the beasthold. Her green is the first dragon that has ever spoken to me. Is your blue Quilath as friendly? Before coming to Mavros I was under the impression that dragons only spoke to their riders, and each other.” He was doing his best to simply ignore Siorreya, both to help keep memories of their time together from popping up unbidden and to play on his supposed frustration at having lost their game. But he was interested in Maz’ru’s blue, and how he might differ from Siorreya’s green. It was a unique opportunity he had to learn about dragons up close and personal during his time at Mavros, whether it became his new home or was simply an extended visit.

kevna tovaana

[kevna]

Siorreya - Green Amagetith

Siorreya enjoyed the frustration that played across his face a little too much, though her heart rate picked up as he leaned on the table toward her-them. She liked annoying him. She wanted to say something snarky about never in Between calling him Lord again, but the memory of his sharp intake at the title rolling of her lips stayed her. “Hmm, I only use titles when I’m getting something out of it.” She raised an eyebrow, a secretive smile on her lips. She did wonder that he had left the “my” out of what he wanted from his title. She distinctly remembered him calling it a requirement. She shivered at the memory of his low tone. Shards. She slipped Mimsy a few more pieces of meat, trying not to look at Podrell so as not to stoke that particular memory.

The blonde turned to Maz in response to his question, but again, Podrell beat her to it. He had a nettlesome flair alright. She pulled her eyebrows down in confusion as the lordling sat before them, confused. Why was he sticking around? She hadn’t thought Podrell for the meek losing type. In fact, she was surprised he had approached at all, instead of just leaving with his tail between his legs, waving the white flag. She chewed on her lip unconsciously as she pondered the man before them. Her brain stopped when he stated his “close proximity” if he became Lord Holder. If. Sio really hoped he didn’t. She also was catching on that Podrell was ignoring her. It seemed her mind couldn’t make up its mind about the obnoxious lordling.

Siorreya liked to think she was very hard to ignore and felt the need to prove her point, so as Podrell was speaking about his 'oh so important impression of dragons,' she did so. She unclasped her firelizard padding from her left shoulder, stripped off the long sleeve she was wearing and then reclasped her padding to the left shoulder. She wore a simple green halter top underneath, which was for the beach later, perfectly modest. But the idea of undressing was usually all that men needed. She laughed as if not missing a beat. “That’s because most of them do only speak to their rider’s and eachother. Ama just likes to hear the sound of her own voice and share it with all. Quil is as quiet as a mouse, isn’t he?” She elbowed her half-brother teasingly, then stood up and tied her shirt around her waist. When she sat down, Mimsy was demanding more food, to which Siorreya gladly gave.

Her rider saying her name seemed to draw Amagetith into the conversation. I do not like the sound of my voice. Yes you do love. Well it is a nice voice, but there is much to share and gather! How can I gather interesting information if I do not speak with humans? I know, I know.

Oh, he is there. Amagetith seemed to suddenly notice her company, and Sio thanked Faranth she wasn’t here to actually broadcast that. Yep. You dream of him. Sometimes. Sometimes means often? Shards. She felt her cheeks heat and she shushed her dragon. Can we talk about this later?

tovaana Zen

[tovaana]

Weyrling Maz’ru :: Blue Quilath

There was clear tension of some sort between the two, though as he explained their history some of it made more sense, and yet no sense at all. For Sio’s verbal jabbing there was something not being told. Sio should not call him Lord, if he is not a Lord. He is a candidate. By Faranth, his blue was far too involved and interested in the conversation. It made him even more curious about Podrell. He tried brushing it off, thinking about what life must be for the man who wanted to be Lord Holder. Surely much different than his rider life that was already set for Maz'ru. But then he brought Sio back up, how they were reacquainted and an eyebrow rose. A strange place to accidentally bump into each other, but he did suppose Ama could and would take Sio anywhere and everywhere.

My name is Quilath, could you inform Amagetith’s. She seems to forget this often, if your memory serves rightly. Maz’ru smiled at both Sio and at Quilath. Also, I am not quiet, I am respectful. Amagetith is undisciplined. You can clarify that, if you’d like. ‘If you want something clarified, you should do it.’ But, that is not proper! Speaking of proper, were you going to tell Sio not to use the title Lord with the candidate as well? She should probably be reminded. He tried to tune his dragon out.

Maz’ru chuckled. “He’s… only quiet to others. There’s a whole one sided conversation that goes inside my head. Commentary, I suppose.” It wouldn’t be one-sided if you responded to me. ‘It also wouldn’t be if you weren’t distracting me in the middle of a conversation.’ “He is friendly, and polite. He hasn’t spoken to anyone besides me, that I know of, or that he can remember...” He added with a grin.

Does he want to meet me? Maz’ru blinked in surprise, looking down at his food. ‘Does he seem like he wants to?’ Well, if he was intelligent enough to be curious, he might want to meet me. Also, I am a far better example of a dragon than Amagetith anyways. Go ahead, ask him. Maz’ru just sighed and looked back up, fairly confused at his dragon’s insistence. “Would you like to meet him sometime?”

Next time you should specify a time, it is only polite. 

[Zen]

Podrell

He leaned forward slightly in Siorreya’s direction at her response about titles, a self satisfied smile pulling at his lips, “Mm, well, you certainly got plenty out of it before, didn’t you?” Shells but it was difficult not to think about it, being around her again. The way her skin felt against his and the sounds he could draw from her lips- All of a sudden she started removing clothing and Podrell’s jaw clenched. It was perfectly obvious she was doing it on purpose to get to him, and he was annoyed that it was working. The feverish, desperate way they had stripped each other bare returned to his mind despite his best efforts to stamp it down.

It took him a moment to register her words when she spoke. Shards and shells. Not a lady indeed. He really didn’t need to be thinking about such things here, in the middle of a crowded dining hall. It would have been better to let the dare go, let her win. It wasn’t like it really mattered. But something in him absolutely refused. And besides, even if he had been planning to let the dare go, he wasn’t about to slink out the room like a kicked canine after she had seen him. Perhaps it would have been better to play it off as though he didn’t care, but he’d already committed to the route of frustration and changing it now was out of the question. Besides, it clearly fed her feelings of triumph, which would make completing the dare all the more satisfying. He just had to get them out of the dining cavern without her catching on.

Maz’ru’s voice broke into his thoughts as he added on to what Siorreya had said of his dragon, forcing his focus back to the bluerider, despite Siorreya’s best efforts to be a distraction, something she had always excelled at. It was beyond aggravating that she did it so effortlessly. He’d never been so caught up on a woman before that simply being around them was enough to make it difficult to think straight. Dangerous, he couldn’t help thinking again. She was dangerous to his efforts at Mavros. She was like an addiction. Now that he’d had a taste he craved more, no matter how terrible it was for him.

He cleared his throat softly, trying to shake her from his mind to no avail, dragging the current conversation back to the fore of his mind with some effort, “Ah… interesting. So it’s more a personality thing then? I suppose it makes sense for dragons to have unique personalities, even simpler creatures do….” He was more allowing himself to think out loud to keep himself safe from the thoughts trying to take over in his head. He’d never really thought about dragon personalities, but Ama sure had one. He recalled the green confirming her existence and nearly laughed.

Maz’ru’s offer to meet his dragon was a welcome surprise. He had actually considered asking when he’d first asked about the blue, but he thought it would be a bit too presumptuous as he had just met the rider. Not to mention that Siorreya may get a bit suspicious if he was too obvious in his attempts to get them away from the public eye. But this had been Maz’ru’s idea, not his, and it would be terribly rude to turn down the offer. In fact, considering how he had stated his interest in learning more of dragons, and considering how much dragons tended to mean to their riders, it could very well be taken as an outright insult if he refused. He did want to meet the blue regardless, but if meeting him could also help his plan to get to a more private location, then all the better. “I would love to meet him,” he replied with a pleased smile, “Perhaps after you’ve finished your meal, if it isn’t an imposition for you? If you’ve other duties to return to I understand, but it would be convenient, so long as I’m here already.”

kevna tovaana

[kevna]

Siorreya - Green Amagetith

“Mm, well, you certainly got plenty out of it before, didn’t you?” 

Warmth flooded her cheeks as unbidden came the passion they had shared on that forest floor. She certainly had gotten plenty out of it, but she didn’t deign an answer for him. He didn’t need to know how much she had appreciated what she had gotten out of it. She also didn’t need her half brother knowing anything about her intimate life. Shells, he really didn’t need to know.

She felt very gratified with herself as she gained more of his attention with her attention seeking move. She did have a way, didn’t she? She was so smug she missed the warning signs she should have been paying attention to. Before she knew it Maz’ru offered for Podrell to meet Quilath. Her head snapped to her brother and her eyes widened. Was he sun-crazed? Couldn’t he tell who the obvious enemy was? She gave him an obviously unhappy look, which she directed back to Podrell as he slowly started speaking again. Siorreya had a hard time enjoying the obvious struggle with word’s the lordling was having.

I want to meet him to, mine! I want to meet dreamy man.

Oh no, we are not calling him that! He is either the little lordling or Podrell.

I like dreamy man.

She thought quickly. Too much time with the insufferable man would only make her crave more time. It would give her excuses to get him alone. At the same time, she didn’t know how she could get out of it. Although… It wasn’t like she had to join, did she? In fact, she could make a break for it, claim Amagetith wanted to spend the last of the daylight hours on the beach before their betweening coordinate study later that evening.

But I want to meet him!

You already did, remember? She directed the memory of their original meet to Ama, trying to stay focused. “Hmm, yes you two can have fun with that, I’m afraid Amagetith is already bothering me to get to the beach. We have all sorts of games to play before tonight’s coordinate lesson.” She threw it out there so carelessly and chewed on the meat she had in her hand. Then gave another piece to Mimsy. She was suddenly not hungry, and wanted to escape now.

Wait, he helped me win! He should come play, you could invite him!

He’s going to meet Quilath, remember?

Maybe Quilath wants to play too!

No.

I’m going to go find Quilath. I will ask him myself.

Shard it, Amagetith. Let’s just spend the time as the two of us. Please?

Fine. But she wasn’t happy about it. What was it about Podrell that put her and then subsequently the green dragon on such an edge? She started eating faster, trying to finish her meal before Maz’ru, so she could make her escape. Away from him and the memories that seemed to surface more frequently and fervently. Away from the temptation. No man had ever been such a temptation to her, especially after she was through with them. There was something else going on too, a pit in her stomach… Disappointment? There would be no reason to see him again, ever, now that their little game was done. Not that she would seek him out on purpose, no, definitely not. She should feel relieved… Why didn’t she? Why did she crave for his obnoxious banter and easy laugh? She stuffed more food in her mouth. By Faranth, she hoped he lost the vote for Lord Holder and left Mavros, never to be seen again. But she didn’t. Her confusion leached to her green.

What is this?

I-I don’t know.

[tovaana]

Weyrling Maz’ru :: Blue Quilath

Got what out of calling him Lord? Maz’ru felt lost in the conversation and inside jokes. He wasn’t sure if the tension was good or bad. When he invited Podrell to meet Quilath, he had been just trying to pacify his perfectionist and nosy blue, he hadn't thought at all how Sio might feel about it. His eyebrows rose to catch her venomous glance. It was almost as if he’d betrayed her in something, but how was that his fault when he didn’t even know who he was to her! She had said he was pesky, but she wasn’t treating him like she treated her father. Her despise for this man was definitely different… oh. He felt a little foolish and not seeing it before. While he didn’t know exactly what happened, he could guess something intimate must have happened… or something in their past? Maybe he broke her heart? Though, he wasn’t sure breaking Sio’s heart was at all possible.

He glanced at Sio who was looking for an out and shoveling food as fast as she could. He sighed slightly, feeling like he was failing this friend-brother relationship they had. His eyes narrowed on the man, wondering if there was a way to take back his offer to meet Quilath. Wait, what? Why? It would not be respectful, or right to do so. ‘Sio doesn’t feel comfortable, I don’t want to make her feel more uncomfortable.’ But, you said I could meet him. He glanced down at his food, chewing thoughtfully on a bite. ‘No, you wanted to see if he wanted to see you.’ The blue mentally shrugged. It would be rude to retract your offer.

“Yeah, you don’t have to come.” Knowing very well how weak her excuse was, and that was all it had been – an excuse. He sighed and glanced at Podrell, wishing Quilath would stop acting like his conscious so he could tell the man to go find some other blue to meet or jump off a cliff for making his new sibling relationship more awkward. Quilath was too present in his mind to not notice these thoughts and ‘eyed’ him, so to speak. Yes, that would be unkind. He sighed quietly and glanced up at the Lord Holder candidate. “As soon as I’m done eating, now would be fine.” He kept his voice cordial, glancing at Sio.

[Zen]

Podrell

Siorreya was suddenly shoveling food into her mouth with increasing frequency and Podrell mentally cursed. Had she caught on to what he was trying to do? From what little he knew of her green, the excuse seemed at least plausible, but he doubted it was that simple. Perhaps she suspected. He couldn’t let it show, and any attempt to convince her otherwise would only prove any suspicion she might have. There was no good reason she needed to go with them when he met Maz’ru’s dragon. He would have to come up with something else or he would lose. Perhaps he could follow her if she left, just for a moment… an excuse. Yes. He could catch her in the hall, if he had to. It would be far better than the dining cavern, at least. Not ideal, but it would work.

His gaze settled on Siorreya for a moment as Maz’ru confirmed that she did not need to accompany them, “A shame. I’d enjoy seeing Ama again. You’ll have to give her my apologies that I can’t join in your game this time.” His tone fell a little flat as he tried to insinuate his surrender in plain terms, taking a bit of a chance on it. It could make her relax a bit if she suspected, or it could just lead her to be more suspicious. Maybe he should just let her go… let her win this silly game and be done with it. It would be easier… perhaps he could work on forgetting the annoying woman then. But that idea only had the desire to meet the dare rising. If he let her win that would indeed be the end of it. But if he met the dare then he could turn it back on her. It would be her turn to choose, her turn to act on whatever question or action he would give her. It could be an excuse to see her again… an excuse he stupidly, desperately wanted. And so he couldn’t help but toss out something of a challenge, in the hopes it may yet keep her from leaving prematurely, the smallest of smirks tugging at his lips, “And here I thought I’d be the one slinking away.”

He didn’t want to let her go. She was the first woman that had ever drawn him in like this, that made him want more. Why did it have to be her? Why did it have to be here? He should be focusing on winning the Lordship and instead his mind was preoccupied with her. Why hadn’t their time in the forest been enough? He had been so sure in a day two she would just be a pleasant - unpleasant? - memory that he would leave behind, that he would have gotten her out of his system. Instead she continued to distract him even when she wasn’t there and thoughts of her kept him awake some nights with a simmering need for her. It was ridiculous. Why did he want to spend anymore of his time with someone that drove him to such frustration? Not to mention how she somehow managed to strip him of all control of himself. And yet he craved that too, the release of his tight hold on everything he said and did, the chance to just be and act and react on whatever whims took him. She was… she was freedom of a sort he never allowed himself.

His internal war continued as he turned back to Maz’ru at his confirmation that he would be able to meet his dragon, “Wonderful. I appreciate your time, Maz’ru, and that of your dragon. I promise not to take up too much of it.” He was doing his best to focus on the bluerider, to pretend that Siorreya's hurry to depart meant little and less to him. After all their game was supposedly over, so what more use could he have for her?

kevna tovaana

[kevna]

Siorreya - Green Amagetith

She glanced to Maz’ru, sure he had to know at this point what the man was talking about. His voice had been polite, not the normal Maz’ru voice. He probably realized her discomfort from the look she had thrown him. At least he had backed her up.

Siorreya’s chewing came to a sudden stop when Podrell gave his condolences for missing out on their game, and another flash of them hiding underneath the tree came to mind, her legs straddling him. He was baiting her on purpose. She tried to blink the memory away and swallowed, trying not to choke on the less chewed food. It felt much heavier in her throat. Amagetith came to the rescue, completely ignoring her rider’s distress.

Oooh, but I want to see dreamy man again. Please, mine, pleasepleasepleaseplease! I promise to let you sleep in tomorrow.

“What?” Her surprise rocked her, and her response accidentally surfaced as verbal. She couldn’t remember the last time Amagetith had let her sleep in. Never. She had never let her sleep in.

Do you swear?

Yes, I swear, I swear.

Okay, but promise you won’t call him dreamy out loud.

There was silence...

Ama?

“Here I thought I’d be the one slinking away.” She would have harangued a promise out of her green, but his words distracted her. She turned her eyes back to the lordling, surveying his smug face. Why exactly wasn’t he the one slinking away? Why in Pern was she the one retreating? Technically she had no reason to… She should be the one feeling the power! She felt her anger surface and swallowed back a quick retort. There was something up with him. He was too sharding comfortable. If she left now, she wouldn’t know what he was thinking.The green had given her an excuse to stay, Should she take it? Part of her screamed to run. Just run. It wasn't worth one morning of sleep. But she had been missing out on a lot of sleep recently. All the.. dreams.

“I thought so too.” She said warily, but she had slowed her eating. If she had continued at the pace she was going she’d probably choke anyway. “Actually, seems I’m stuck with you for the time being, your condolences were passed and Amagetith is quite insistent to see you again..” She handed a piece of food to Mimsy, pretending her brain wasn’t going a mile a minute, trying to better understand him. Maybe they could play some sort of prank on him? That might make her feel better about sticking around.

Amagetith picked the idea out of her head and began brainstorming. She always did love a good prank.

“Besides, you did interrupt on my quality time with my Maz’ru.” She looked at her brother and refrained from tousling his hair. Is that what a sister did to a brother? Even if they were half-siblings? As if to completely ignore the other man, she turned her full attention to the green-eyed man. “Do you want to go over coordinates before class, show everyone that we are the one’s to beat? You can come to my weyr. I promise, no pranks.” She smirked and put her hands up as if proclaiming innocence. Her intention was to be clear. She was not sticking around for Podrell. She was doing it for Amagetith’s sake, and Maz’ru’s. Still, there was a thrill that she would get just a little bit more time, just a little, with the Lordling. As long as Maz’ru was with her, she was safe from herself and from him, so what could be the harm?

[tovaana]

Weyrling Maz’ru :: Blue Quilath

He glanced over at Podrell as he spoke of Ama and some sort of game. He felt a pang of jealousy, though he wasn’t sure of what. He knew that because of both Sio’s nature and Ama’s – that the two gathered friends like bugs to glow lamps. Maybe it was the tension that was palpable between the pair, a tension that he and Sio had never had. He supposed he should be glad, since they ended up being siblings… shards if it had gone a different way. He cleared his throat after a swallow of food and took another bite, glancing up at Sio’s verbal “what” but didn’t seem to directed at either of her companions at the table. He wondered what had surprised Sio – he thought nothing could surprise Sio about her dragon anymore.

Then he glanced warily as the Lord Holder candidate spoke more gibberish. Slinking away from what? He breathed a sigh through his chewing, refraining from an eye roll. It seemed Sio agreed with him about the slinking away. It didn’t seem to be gibberish to Sio. He thought about calling them out on it, but seeing as Sio’s discomfort, guessed that as a brother he should keep his trap shut for the time being.

And then… Sio changed her mind. Well, she said that Amagetith had changed her mind, which could be true… And suddenly she was paying attention to him again and he gave a half smile and then shook his head doubtfully at the ‘no pranks’ promise. “Not from you maybe.” He said shaking his head with a chuckle.

Then thinking of pranks, something came to mind. Sio was uncomfortable with this man, and he didn’t know they were siblings. He swallowed his last bite and looked at Sio with a smile, putting an arm around her and squeezing – letting it linger a moment before dropping it. “I’d love to. I’m sure Quilath would love to say a thing or two to Ama before the lesson, to get it out of his system.” He said, with fondness and then amusement in his voice. It was anything Maz’ru wouldn’t do otherwise, and he made sure not to overdo it – since they were siblings and he didn’t want Sio to think he was being weird. But perhaps Sio would catch on, and if she wanted – could carry it on or shut him down. He didn’t mind either way.

[Zen]

Podrell

Siorreya’s sudden question caught him off guard. What? But she had that odd sort of look that he was pretty sure meant she was speaking to her dragon. Podrell watched her curiously, because the habits of riders and their relationship with their dragons was still very much a mystery to him. He couldn’t help but wonder what they might be discussing, though it seemed her green was rather fond of games, so that was probably a safe bet. Though it didn’t really explain her sudden confused outburst.

He blinked in surprise as she admitted that her dragon wanted to see him again, a wry smile finding its way to his lips, “Oh, is she?” His brow raised slightly and he wondered if she was still making excuses for her own desires. Perhaps his poking at her running away had changed her mind. Or perhaps the green really did want to see him. Or both. His gaze shifted back to the bluerider as Siorreya informed him that he had interrupted their quality time. Her Maz’ru? “Well, if I was interrupting, you could have sent me away. I’m sure you’d have no issue doing so,” he tossed back at her. Her companion seemed well mannered enough, but he had no doubt Siorreya would tell him to shove Between without a second thought if she really didn’t want him there.

His fingers tapped on the table in a quick, irritable gesture, before he pulled his hand away and clenched it into a fist in his lap to stop it. Honestly, what did it matter? These obnoxious feelings needed to stop. It wasn’t like she was his, or that they were… anything to each other. It was just a game, this entire thing they had going between them. A meaningless game. One that would stop, at some point in the near future, because he would either be Lord of Mavros and would have no more time to waste on her, or if not, he’d likely be going home to Cove and they’d never see each other again. And yet when Maz’ru put an arm around her, their conversation turning to matters that concerned only dragonriders, shutting him out, another flash of irritation went through him.

Of course, he realized he’d also been having a sort of half conversation with Siorreya that Maz’ru could not participate in. He normally wouldn’t have been so rude as to do such a thing, but Siorreya’s very presence seemed to make him do things he would never do otherwise. Like now, he was considering how to get himself back into the conversation when it clearly didn’t involve him. He should just keep his mouth shut and let them discuss whatever plans they wanted to hash out. And it occurred to him also that if Siorreya did have some sort of… intimate relationship going with the bluerider, that stealing that kiss from her in front of him had the potential to go very poorly. They certainly seemed close, seemed like there was something more than friendship there, but he couldn’t be sure. And it wasn’t like he could ask. Siorreya would see that for what it was immediately, this damn inexplicable hint of jealousy. He didn’t need to give her any further weapons against him. She had quite enough as it was.

kevna tovaana