Payback [Podrell/Zen]

[kevna]

Siorreya - Green Amagetith; Asirikai - Lord Holder Candidate

She was standing on top of a rock, her arms out, and her face pointed toward the sky. The wind had picked up and was causing Siorreya’s loose, bright blue long sleeve blouse to flutter in the wind. “Well, I probably could fly right off this rock.”

“You could sure try.” The wry voice spoke from below her. Shards but he had been so dull and polite. She had only stuck around this long because he was a Lord Holder Candidate, and she was trying to see if he could help her forget the sharding Podrell. They were of the same class, so surely, he would be similar? One lover for another. She didn’t think she would have a hard time forgetting Asirikai, she just hoped he was up for the challenge. He hadn’t been overly flirtatious though, and it was like pulling teeth. Or how she imagined pulling teeth would be. She just wanted her dreams to end. They needed to end. She was still so angry at the man in her dreams, for tricking her, manipulating her. He had done it so well, it kind of scared her. She couldn’t fathom why the dreams continued. So here she was. Playing with another want to be Lordling. Even Amagetith had grown bored within the first half of the weyr tour and had grumbled as she trudged off that a nap was more preferable to this man’s presence. It’s not that he was truly that awful, he was just not… just not what she had expected or hoped.

Asirikai stood on the sand looking up at her, his hands on his hips, and a small smile graced his lips. “I could catch you if you fall.”

“Why, do you have no faith in my abilities?” She asked, her hand on her chest, a look of scandal as best she could display it upon her face.

He chuckled, giving a small shrug. “I don’t even know you.”

Well, they could fix that if he would relax a little bit. Siorreya mocked the dark-haired man by imitating his stance, hands on hips. “Well, I just showed you my whole home, you know a part of me well I would think.” They had just exited he weyr via the cliffside shore and were heading toward wherever Asirikai’s next destination was. He was mildly annoyed because he hadn’t been able to shake the young blonde after she had bumped into him. The encounter had been amusing and pleasant enough, he enjoyed flirting with pretty women just fine, but after introductions, she had been insistent on showing him around the weyr. He had hoped to hunt down the weyrleader for introductions, but she had been persistent. He wasn’t used to moving his plans around, but he supposed it would be ill-mannered to refuse. She was very pretty. And at least the perky green had left them alone for a while.

“Aye, that you did. So, will you be flying down, or jumping, my lady?” He asked, holding his arms out.

He was definitely not averse to holding her in his arms for a brief moment. She seemed to consider him a moment, and then gave an impish smile and jumped. He caught her easily and was surprised by how light and wiry she was. He set her down with a flourish, and she giggled.

“The ground for you, Siorreya.”

“Why, my Lord, you are quite the gentleman, aren’t you?”

Zen

[Zen]

Podrell

Podrell was apprehensive to say the least as he headed along the beach toward the Weyr. The chances of seeing her were slim, weren’t they? Surely she had plenty of things to do rather than lurk on the beach to run into him? He blew out his breath at the ridiculous thought. As if she would want to run into him after how he had left things. He ran a hand through his hair and wished he could stop thinking about her. It was about all he could think about as he made his way toward the Weyr. He blamed that as the reason. She was a dragonrider, after all, and one of the few he knew. Why wouldn’t he think about her, and what had happened, as he made his way back there? But he couldn’t put all his plans on hold just for the fear of running into Siorreya. He still meant to meet with the Weyr’s leadership, and even if they had no time for it today, he could at least get meetings set up for the coming days. They had no proper Weyrwoman right now, from his understanding, but it wouldn’t hurt to acquaint himself with the goldriders that may soon have the position. He could only thank Faranth that Siorreya was a greenrider. He couldn’t imagine her as a goldrider anymore than he could imagine her as a Lady.

And why was he imagining her as anything at all? He sighed, looking out over the water as the chill autumn wind blew in, driving white capped waves against the shoreline some distance away. It would have been relatively warmer out of the wind in the caverns that led to the Weyr… but it was also more difficult to avoid people in the caverns. He didn’t know his way around well enough to take any detours. The beach was wide enough he could give anyone he didn’t want to interact with a wide berth. Like Siorreya. And as he turned his gaze back ahead of him his eyes narrowed at the sight of a woman standing on a rock, a man beneath staring up at her, and it didn’t take long for him to recognize either of them. Shards and shells why? It was as if his thoughts on how unlikely it would be to run into her had summoned her there just so she could prove him wrong.

He would have just kept walking, he could have ignored her, but he couldn’t ignore that she was with him. Why was she with him? Had Asirikai somehow found out about his… whatever it was he had, with Siorreya? Had Siorreya heard that the two of them were related? Was this just another one of her games to rile him up? Or was Asirkai trying to use her to pay him back for their previous encounter? Great Faranth, why? Why were they together? Was she just planning to sleep her way through all the Lord candidates to make him jealous or something? He had no reason to be jealous, that was stupid, why would she even think of that? He rubbed his hand over his face as he tried his hardest to force his feet to keep moving, but they were taking him closer, because what were they doing together?

Walk away, walk away, he urged himself. There was no way this could go anything but poorly for him. Hadn’t he learned anything from what had happened in Maz’ru’s weyr? He couldn’t trust himself around her, and being around her and Asirikai at the same time? If he lost control of himself around Asirikai, there’s no telling how his uncle could end up using it against him. Yet his feet kept carrying him closer. She jumped down into his uncle’s arms and his hands closed briefly into fists at the sudden flash of annoyance before he forced himself to relax again. Except he was close enough to hear them now. “Why, my Lord, you are quite the gentleman, aren’t you?” His teeth clenched at hearing her call him my Lord so easily. What, there was no Lordling for Asirikai? By the first egg.

“He’s no Lord yet,” he couldn’t quite keep the growl out of his tone, his composure tenuous and wavering already. He wanted to tell Asirikai to keep his hands off her and had no idea where these intense feelings were coming from. He hadn’t felt this strongly when he was considering the greenrider’s relationship with Maz’ru, something he still didn’t have any real details about. He wanted to pull her away from him and demand to know what the shell she was doing with him, but in the end it really wasn’t any of his sharding business. Shards and shells, but he did not like how he was feeling. Anger, real anger, more than annoyance, frustration, or irritation, was not something Podrell could honestly say he had ever felt much in his life, and yet he could feel it simmering beneath the surface and the two of them hadn’t even done anything. It was irrational, he knew it was irrational, and yet he still felt it.

He should have kept walking.

kevna

[kevna]

Asirikai - Lord Holder Candidate

Asirikai had placed her so her back was to the quickly approaching man, who he recognized immediately. Podrell. He couldn’t help but be confused, the way they had left things had been quite poor, so he couldn’t understand why the shells the man was coming up to them. He looked at the small blonde in front of him and gave a small chuckle at her words. The title seemed so right and sent a thrill right through him. He could get used to being called ‘my Lord’ for the rest of his life. Podrell growled out his comment, ruining Asirikai’s moment with the small, fiery woman. He watched Siorreya’s eyes widen right before the twirled around to see him. “Aye, that’s true. Not yet. But it does sound good coming from your lips.” He shrugged as if it didn’t bother him, his eyes returning to the woman who’s back was too him, but he wondered at the tone. It wasn’t normal, the man was usually so very composed, but there had seemed to be anger in those few words. Interesting.

“What can I do for you nephew?” His tone relaying that Podrell was interrupting.

Siorreya – Green Amagetith

Her eyes widened at the voice, the tone not lost on her at all, and she twirled to face him. What was he doing here? She expected the anger she had been grappling with since their last encounter to spike when she saw him next, but his cold demeaner suddenly dissipated the extreme anger, leaving her boiling instead. Why the shells was he angry? She was the one who was supposed to be angry. And she hadn’t thought of a truth for him, and now here he was. She mustered a small smile, pretending as if it didn’t matter what had occurred between them just days before. Pretending she was unaffected. She hated the affect he had on her. Though, she still held on hope that it had something to do with Ama for whatever reason. 

She smiled sweetly at obvious flirtation Asirikai threw her way, backing away from Podrell. “I don’t remember you complaining when I called you Lord.” She said innocently, and then hid behind Asirikai, leaning into his back a little and peering at Podrell with a sneaky smile. She looked at Asirikai when he called Podrell nephew. Nephew? Shards, she had to have been born under a red star for all her luck. She laughed lightly, noticing Asirikai’s intense gaze on her. “Nephew? My you look good for being an uncle Asirikai.” She teased lightly. Then looking at Podrell. “You aren’t going to kiss me out of the blue again are you Podrell?” She stepped out from behind the other man as if hesitant to. “I wouldn’t want to make Asirikai uncomfortable.”

Asirikai looked to Podrell, his eyebrows raised, a bark of sharp laughter escaping his mouth. “My dear, you have the wrong Podrell. This one doesn’t do anything out of the blue, he’s normally so very dull.”

[Zen]

Podrell

Hearing Asirikai say anything about Siorreya’s lips sent a bolt of disgust through him. He could stay the shell away from her lips. And every other part of her too. He wasn’t quite sure what he expected from Siorreya after how things had gone during their last encounter but he supposed he had at least expected some anger. Instead she was playing games with him, but shells when was she ever not? She backed away from him, put Asirikai between them, and it took about all he had not to allow his hands to clench back into fists again. Hearing her call another man my Lord was just too much, particularly when that man was his uncle. Once more he couldn’t help but wonder if one or both of them had somehow planned this, but Siorreya’s genuine surprise at Asirikai calling him nephew ruled her out of the equation.

He couldn’t very well speak freely in front of Asirikai and so he bit back any response to Siorreya’s prodding about her calling him my Lord. What could he say? That was different? That was a sexual game she wasn’t allowed to play with other men? Shells, what was he even doing here? And so he really had no answer for Asirikai’s inquiry either. None he could say, though plenty he wished to. You can stay the shell away from her, that’s what you can do. He spread his hands in mock innocence, and did his best to keep his irritation out of his tone this time, “What? I can’t greet my uncle when I see him on the beach?” He reasoned that it was only Asirikai that was making him feel so intensely about this. Clearly it was, because Maz’ru had not elicited the same response in him. It had next to nothing to do with Siorreya. He was sure he’d feel the same about any woman he’d been with if he saw them with his uncle.

He knew that was a lie just as soon as he’d thought it. He’d never cared what women he’d been with might do after he grew bored of them. Perhaps that was it. He simply wasn’t done with… whatever it was he and Siorreya had going yet. His uncle was intruding on… something, something he didn’t have a name for because there was clearly no love between him and the silly, impulsive woman. But it was more than a simple attraction because otherwise he would have been over her as soon as she’d left him in the woods and never given her another thought. Instead she occupied his mind at all sorts of inconvenient hours of the day and even managed to slip into his dreams, too sharding stubborn to be forgotten.

Siorreya was doing her best to play innocent and it was honestly laughable. His uncle’s surprise and mild confusion at her accusation had him rolling his eyes at the insult that followed and he all but ignored the man, his gaze shifting to Siorreya. Well, there was no reason to hold back too much about the fact that they clearly had something going on, as Siorreya was all too eager to share it with his uncle, apparently, “This timidity hardly suits you. As I recall you told me to kiss you. I don’t believe that makes it ‘out of the blue’. So strange that you forgot that part.” She may not have told him to at that exact moment, but it had been what she’d asked him to do, “Perhaps you shouldn’t ask for things you can’t handle.” His gaze shifted to Asirikai then, his eyes narrowing in the slightest, “Is that why you ran to Asirikai? If I’m too much for you then I’m sure he’ll prove more to your tastes.”

kevna

[kevna]

Asirikai - Lord Holder Candidate

He shook his head with a frustrated smile. That was no answer, but then again, Podrell never gave a straight answer to any question directed to him. So then why had he approached them? They had little love lost between them. So it was for her? He looked over his shoulder at the small woman, intensely curious as to what exactly was between the two. He realized quickly enough from the banter between the two that he had obviously stepped into something he hadn’t even stepped in. More like the woman had commandeered him into marching and his nephew was now intercepting. Shards, and here he could have been meeting with the weyrleader at this point.

He felt ignored, which bothered him even more. Siorreya had been the one to insist on taking him around, and now here he was-though obviously he had done something right if he was bothering Podrell.

Siorreya - Green Amagetith

The anger just continued to simmer, his words dropping with little effect. If anything, her increased heart rate was from excitement, she was having more fun then she had had just taking Asirikai around the weyr. He really had been so very dull in comparison. She threw her head back and laughed at the insults, shaking her head. “I thought you liked my games Podrell. As I recall, I dared you. Quite different from asking from my point of view, but whatever brings you comfort to you in your delusions.” She gave him a sympathetic smile, “I never bite off more than I can chew, maybe you just aren’t meeting all my needs.” She glanced at Asirikai who had stiffened at the last insult, turning to face him ever so slightly. “And I didn’t run to anyone, I may have run into him while coming around a corner… I am sorry about that” She chuckled, thinking about how she had run into Pod and refused to take responsibility for any fault and shrugged. “Hmm, you don’t seem that tame, my Lord, do you think you can meet my needs?” She said with a sultry smile, moving ever so closer to the uncle. There were so many more options with Asirikai that there hadn’t been with Maz’ru-but in the end, she didn’t understand this need to make him jealous. As if she could even make him jealous. His words seemed to convey annoyance. So, having his uncle near her annoyed him? Maybe he didn’t like the man and that’s all this was… Shards, why did she care?

Asirikai - Lord Holder Candidate

Asirikai had his eyes dart between Podrell and Siorreya, feelings of annoyance for both of them beginning to cloud his judgment. They were such children. Podrell’s last insult directed at him had been petty, and while insulting, he found himself slightly amused as well. Podrell had riled him up more then he cared to admit, maybe it would be nice to return the favor. Though, there was the pressing question as to why was Pod even bothering with the greenrider?

There was something predatory in the way she stepped toward him, and he had to admit it was alluring… And the way the title rolled off her lips… Yes, he didn’t think he’s mind meeting her needs at least once. Especially if Podrell wasn’t up for the challenge. He gave a smirk to Siorreya, his hand raising and gently caressing her jawline, though his eyes then darted to Podrell, challenging him. “I would like to think I’m more qualified to do so, but I’m not one for audiences.”

Siorreya gave a small trill of laughter, turning her eyes towards Podrell as Asirkai’s hand caressed down her neck. “I’m sure you wouldn’t want to watch anyway…” She sighed, “I guess I’ll just have to wait. Or… We could get the matter of our game over with, and then you could leave. What was it you picked again? Truth?” He ground his teeth. They were actually playing a child's game.

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Zen]

Podrell

“And from my point of view I see very little difference at all. You wouldn’t have dared it if you didn’t want it, so it seems to me a dare is nigh on the same as asking,” Podrell shot back, glad at least she wasn’t trying to put on a show of innocence over the matter anymore. Where she was concerned, he hadn’t done anything wrong. She had dared him to kiss her the next time they met and he had. It had even been her specific words that he had to do it wherever they were and whoever they were with. If she hadn’t wanted such a result then she shouldn’t have made the sharding dare in the first place. She didn’t get to act like some sort of victim just because it hadn’t gone her way.

It was his turn to laugh when she suggested that he wasn’t ‘meeting her needs’. He had no doubt he’d met her needs quite well back in the forest. They’d only shared a short kiss since then, so it wasn’t as though he’d had any further chance to meet her needs in any way. He hadn’t expected there to be another time. They’d both given in to a sort of raw lust and he’d been sure they’d both walk away satisfied and go on with their lives. But he still craved her. Even with how poorly things had ended last time, he couldn’t put her out of his mind. He had been planning to avoid her for a while, because he couldn’t afford to let another incident like the last happen, he couldn’t risk what she did to him, how his better judgment slipped around her, but here he was. With her and his uncle, who could use anything he did against him. There was still a small voice in his head telling him to walk away, his reason, but it was always so quiet and easy to ignore around Siorreya.

Another flare of anger pulsed through him as she once more called Asirikai my Lord, moving closer to him, and he gave a cold bark of laughter, his tone icy, his words impulsive and slipping past his lips before he could stop them, “Just how many men do you require to meet your needs? Are there not enough blueriders in the Weyr for you?” The accusation left a bitter taste in his mouth as soon as the words were spoken. This was why he should have walked away. He never thought before he acted around her and this was the result, words spoken in anger that he could not take back. And yet right now, watching Asirikai play into her little game, he didn’t really want to take them back. Shards and shells, why did she have to meet him of all people?

When his uncle touched her, he took a step forward and it was all he could do to stop himself there as the urge to shove the man away nearly overtook him. It took all the willpower he had, he didn’t even have enough left over to school his expression, to unclench his fists, it all went to rooting him to the spot so he didn’t get physical with Asirikai. What was he doing? He felt ready to snap. He couldn’t remember a time in his life when he’d been this tense, this furious. He had been in a few fights over the turns, but he had never thrown the first punch, not ever. But here and now he wanted nothing more than to punch his uncle squarely in the face. He wanted to grab his hand away from her and shove him back, pull her behind him so he could keep him from laying a hand on her again. And yet if she wanted him then who the shell was he to deny her? Walk away, that small voice urged him again, but how could he leave her there with him?

He had completely forgotten about their game of truth or dare, his gaze shifting suddenly to Siorreya as she mentioned it. His stomach dropped a bit. What would she ask him in front of Asirikai? At least he had no ridiculous dare to perform, but depending on what she asked it could still end up being… not great for him. Focusing on her for a moment rather than Asirikai somehow helped and he forced himself to take a step back rather than forward. Best to keep a slight distance between himself and his uncle or the next time the urge to throw a punch tried to overtake him he might not be able to stop it. Leave, he should leave. Preferably before she asked her question. “Truth indeed, though games can wait,” he forced out, trying to keep his focus on her instead of pinning his uncle with another glare, but the anger was still there, “If you’re so desperate for a man’s touch far be it for me to keep you from it, no matter how poor your choice.”

kevna

[kevna]

Siorreya - Green Amagetith

“Just how many men do you require to meet your needs? Are there not enough blueriders in the Weyr for you?”

Her eyebrows descended in confusion, both at the icy tone and at the words… Blueriders? She had only ever had two blueriders in her bed, not that it was his business, but where… Maz’ru, obviously. She almost rolled her eyes at herself. He had basically alluded to her being a slut, then why was she so amused? Because she preferred brownriders? Maybe because he was way off base about her experience? Before she and Podrell had had their moment in the woods, she had been able to count the number of men she had taken to bed on one hand. Or was because his words sounded… Jealous? She had hit a nerve for whatever reason. She opened her mouth to bite back something, but Asirikai’s hand on her jaw had made her pause.

Asirikai - Lord Holder Candidate

He enjoyed the profuse anger in Podrell’s face, his lack of control as he stepped forward. This was so new-the obvious attachment the man had for the woman, it was far too easy to get a response now. His hand on her neck fell away, he was prepared for the younger man’s attack if he ended up losing control further.

“My dear, what ever could you have done to earn such derision from by nephew?” Asirikai’s voice followed after a moment’s pause, he had tried to gauge her feelings over being called a whore, she had looked confused more than insulted. Siorreya looked back to Asirikai, an eyebrow raised. “Why, I introduced him to Maz’ru, bluerider, and… Brother." He watched as she threw a smug face to Podrell at the word brother, then glanced back to him. "Though I may have left the brother part out.” She whispered the last sentence and shook her head with a grin. Asirikai threw his head back and laughed. Shards, at least the woman had made up for delaying him, all annoyance wiped so very suddenly away. This was the most fun he had had in a good long while.

“Do you treat all the women who spurn you for another this way?” He wiped the tears from his eyes, and Sio’s eyebrows rose, “Unless it’s just because it’s me that’s bothering you Pod, and if so, I will gladly take the remaining insults to spare the little lady.” He looked from Pod so Sio, and could swear the woman was more attractive now, her energy far more enlivening then annoying. If a gentle caress had caused him to lose his normal poise, what would another, far more intimate touch do?

He wasn’t sure he was ready to let Podrell leave just yet, but he ended up not needing to say anything as Siorreya’s face hardened.

Siorreya - Green Amagetith

She turned to face Podrell. He had come to throw insults at her and then leave? Was it the fact that she didn’t want him to leave? No. It was the game. That was not how their game was going to go if she had any control in the matter. “I am NOT at your whim, Podrell. How dare you come up and interrupt our perfectly normal conversation just to throw insults, baseless, fact less insults at me, and think you can leave just like that.” She marched up to him, her eyes narrowed in a glare. She shoved a finger at his chest angrily. “I think you owe me an apology, journeyman. Your assumptions do not become you. How dare you to judge me for anything when you know nothing. Either we play now or you withdraw and you can finally slink away genuinely.”

She angrily shoved her finger again and jumped when suddenly she felt hands on her upper arms, pulling her back. “I like the slinking option.” There was amusement in the tone, and she could feel his lips close to her ear. She wasn’t sure how she was supposed to feel about this. Instead of being the one taunting, Asirikai was now using her to taunt… She almost felt uncomfortable, and realized maybe she was a little out of her breath with the lordling relatives. Shards, what had she gotten herself into?

[Zen]

Podrell

Brother…? Shells, but she had played him. He had had his suspicions that something wasn’t right after the two of them started getting affectionate with each other but he’d just thought she was playing it up to annoy him. He never would have guessed that Maz’ru was her brother. Though it explained why she hadn’t gotten terribly intimate with the younger man. Honestly that should have clued him in, looking back on it. If she wanted to try and rile him up over it, why hadn’t she kissed the bluerider? Because he was her brother, apparently, rather than a lover. His jaw clenched in annoyance as she shared his mistaken assumption with Asirikai and his uncle found it all terribly amusing.

Shards, but he’d said such a crude thing in front of her brother? He was suddenly incredibly surprised the bluerider hadn’t thrown a punch. If some strange man had said something like that to one of his sisters he wasn’t sure he would react anywhere near as calmly. Of course, Siorreya was no sheltered young lady either. She could take care of herself. He nearly rubbed at his cheek at the memory of her slap. She certainly hadn’t held back at all. But his uncle was speaking again and the fact that Maz’ru was Siorreya’s brother ceased to matter for the time being.

He really hated how obvious he was being. He was never like this. He could stay calm under so much pressure, so many insults, but here and now he couldn’t even begin to claw back any semblance of calm. It was ridiculous, and stupid, and illogical. Asirikai had said mildly insulting things about his parents and he hadn’t even batted an eye, but seeing him touching Siorreya made him lose all control? How had she become his biggest weakness and how could he have allowed himself to all but announce it to Asirikai so the man could use her against him? The entire situation just infuriated him more.

Siorreya didn’t really give him any time to respond to his uncle, and he wasn’t much inclined to anyway. This time when she marched up to him he was more prepared for the possibility of her slapping him, but instead she just shoved a finger into his chest, thankfully. While her admonishment did bring up some guilt over his accusation, he was far too angry to be issuing any apologies as she said she was owed. What else was he supposed to think anyway, when she had purposely led him to think there was something between her and the bluerider? And then he’d found her flirting with his uncle after that. And considering how quickly the two of them had ended up naked on the forest floor, was it such a far fetched thought to think such behavior was typical for her?

“Fine then, ask your question,” he growled, bracing himself for whatever she might throw at him, but Asirikai was there, pulling her back, and Podrell went rigid again. Her surprise at the touch didn’t really help soothe his anger as Asirikai was so clearly using her as a pawn to get a reaction out of him. Even though he knew it, he couldn’t help but give his uncle what he wanted as he took a step forward again and grabbed for the man’s wrist, intent on breaking the contact between them. “Keep your hands off her,” he spat, surprised at the venom in his own voice. He ground his teeth. Shells, but he was giving his uncle far too much power over him. This shouldn't matter to him this much, but he really couldn't stomach seeing them together, watching him touch her. He wanted to ask Siorreya if she knew how she was being used, and yet that would mean giving voice to the fact that for some reason he cared enough that she could be utilized as a weapon against him in the first place. Not that he wasn't being rather obvious about it anyway, but he couldn't quite bring himself to say as much.

kevna

[kevna]

Asirikai - Lord Holder Candidate

Asirikai laughed outright as his nephew launched at them, Podrell’s hand just barely missing contact as Asirikai dropped the targeted hand. Siorreya had stepped sideways to stay between them and turned so one hand was warding off Podrell to continue forward, and the other hand of hers placed on his chest as if to do the same. He had regretfully lifted his other hand so he could have both of them up in front of him. “My, my, my, Pod, I didn’t realize she was your pet.” He said sarcastically, and a sharp glance was thrown his way from the small woman.

Siorreya - Green Amagetith

Podrell launched at her-them-and her heartrate spiked again, and she gasped quietly at the suddenness. The voice, the fury, all of it was so sharding confusing. It wasn’t Podrell at all, she had never seen him in such a state, even when they were at the Glasscraft Hall. His reaction to Asirikai’s actions also gave her a strange thrill that was completely foreign to her, but she found his actions, as confusing as they were, strikingly attractive. Maybe she liked jealousy in a man? Siorreya inserted herself between them, her brows furrowing to hide the sudden desire coursing through her. Between with Asirikai, she would just have to have Podrell. Just one more time. Maybe that’s all she needed to get him out of her head.

Her laborious breathing was distracting, and Asirikai’s words claimed her attention, her gaze sharp. “What is with you two?” Siorreya shook her head and looked to Podrell with just as sharp a look, “That is not my question, mister.” Now her eyes turned back to Asirikai. “I am no one’s pet. No one’s.” Her voice was low and intense, and she made sure to give Podrell another biting glance. She could take care of herself, and he had no business getting in her way to do just that. No matter how strangely attractive it was. Asirikai placed his hand on his chest with an apologetic look, picking her hand off his chest and turning it so he could kiss her palm.

“My sincerest apologies, I don’t think of you that way, my dear.” There was still amusement dancing in his eyes, and Siorreya just shook her head, a small smile on her lips. His beard brushing her hand reminded her of Podrell’s beard on her skin and she shivered slightly. Shards. This was a mess. These two had problems, and somehow, someway, she had stepped into it without even trying.

[Zen]

Podrell

Asirikai really seemed to be enjoying himself, and why wouldn’t he be? Podrell was playing right into his hands, he knew he was, and yet he couldn’t, didn’t even want to stop. He just wanted to get Siorreya away from him. He was into it too deep now to walk away, that tiny voice urging him to do just that all but buried beneath the screaming rage in his mind. All his carefully practiced stoicism was gone, melted away by the heat of the fury coursing through him. Keeping himself calm and composed was something he had practiced for turns, it wasn’t his natural state of being, only a habit he had formed. But he’d never had to try and stay composed through this much anger. Shells, why was he so sharding angry? He’d like nothing more than to pummel his uncle into the sand.

It was probably a good thing Siorreya kept herself between them. Asirikai’s constant use of his nickname was incredibly grating. As if they were close or had any sort of proper relationship for him to be using it. And, hypocritically, he was offended for Siorreya when he called her his pet, as if he hadn’t called her worse already. What sort of childish nonsense was this? Only he was allowed to insult her now? Shards and shells. But Siorreya came to her own rescue. Indeed, she certainly wasn’t a woman who would be anyone’s pet. Perhaps he liked that about her. Her independence was somewhat new to what he was used to, and refreshing, and intriguing. Not that he would tell her that.

Siorreya was quick to clarify that she had not used her question yet, though to be honest their game was the farthest thing from his mind right now. If she hadn’t clarified he wouldn’t have caught it anyway, but there was some small, vague amusement that she had. She was learning from her previous mistakes to watch her tongue better with him. He might have commented on it, actually given her some credit where it was due, but Asirikai made that impossible for him when he promptly ignored his previous warning to keep his sharding hands off her. It was only her hand, and yet seeing his lips on her skin had him moving forward again, shoving himself between them and into Asirikai’s face. At least they were of a height with each other so he didn’t have to look up at the man as he snarled, “Was I not clear?” It seemed his mind could only replay the moment Asirikai’s lips touched her skin and from there only imagine him going farther, which was something Podrell just could not allow, “Don’t. Touch. Her.”

His uncle was trying to escalate this. He wanted him to lose control. Podrell’s nails were biting into his palms from just how tightly his hands were clenched, holding onto the last dredges of control he could muster. “I know what you’re doing, uncle, and you will not use her like this. She is not a toy.”

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[kevna]

Siorreya - Green Amagetith

Suddenly she was getting pulled away, brushed away really, as Podrell again reacted to Asirkai’s baiting. She stumbled back and caught herself from falling just barely. Just because she liked Podrell rough did not give him the freedom to control her. Or who touched her. Then why did she have another thrill rush through her? She put her hands on her hips, narrowing her eyes at Podrell’s back as he basically claimed her for himself. Why exactly couldn’t Asirikai touch her? Podrell had seemed just fine with leaving her to his whim when he had almost left them at her teasing of needs. The only reason he had stayed was because she hadn’t allowed him to get away.

Shards. It wasn’t like Asirikai was dangerous-it could be the only reason to Podrell’s anger though, right? He was afraid of his uncle taking advantage of her? Please, she could take care of herself when it came to men. And bullies. Plus, Asirikai had seemed tame before Podrell had showed up, so everything following his arrival was Podrell’s fault in the end. She doubted she would have been able to convince the man of a kiss, let alone more.

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Asirikai - Lord Holder Candidate

His smile widened as the woman was ripped from his grasp. How very intriguing. He held himself in preparation for an attack, on the balls of his feet, his eyes glancing down obviously at the hands held in fists. “Oh, I heard you.” He said with mirth. “But why, nephew? I mean, but minutes ago you seemed willing enough to leave her with me. How did you say it, Sio?” He glanced over Podrell’s shoulder to wink at Siorreya. “To meet your needs?” His eyes glanced back to Podrell, a smirk on his lips. “A toy? No, nephew, it’s not me who has used her like a toy from the sound of it...” It was as blatant an insult as he would go, farther then with most, but it was far too satisfying riling the man up. He just needed to hit the right note, Podrell needed to take the first swing, and he would finally get the satisfaction of teaching the self-righteous man a lesson.

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Siorreya - Green Amagetith

Siorreya wondered the same thing, why? She wasn't his, in fact he had seemed satisfied and through with her, just as she wished she could feel. Sharding dreams. She wanted to second the question but didn’t want him to construe that as her question. Though she wasn’t sure she would get anything from him in this state. Not while Asirikai was nearby. She caught Asirikai’s wink and shook her head with a rueful grin. She didn’t say anything, the last thing she needed was to feed whatever was going on between the two. This had spun out of her control and she was trying to figure out how to reel them back in. She approached Podrell and was grabbing at an arm, trying to pull him away from Asirikai when Podrell called her a toy. She stiffened, her own hand squeezing angrily.

“What is with you sharding men? Pet? Toy?” She huffed over Asirikai’s words, missing them entirely. If anything, they were her toys, the porcines. “I thought you were supposed to be gentlemen.” She laid the sarcasm on heavily, ripping her hand away from Podrell and backing away. She had half a mind to leave them there to work out their issues… Shards, why was she hesitating?

[Zen]

Podrell

Podrell was so used to fighting his battles with words, and yet he found himself completely at a loss for them here. Why? Why indeed. Why did he care? If it were any other woman he’d ever been with, he wouldn’t have even given them a second glance on his way by, much less stopped to cause a problem. There was a sort of sinking feeling in his stomach as he was finally forced to admit there was more to this than he had originally thought. He didn’t understand how, or why, but he… he felt something for Siorreya. It was more than simple attraction because then she wouldn’t be stuck in his head like she was, he wouldn’t continue to crave her, he wouldn’t be here now allowing his uncle to goad him into losing all control of himself over her.

But realizing it didn’t mean anything. She was a dragonrider and he was trying to become Lord Holder. Not to mention he had no doubt in his mind that she felt nothing for him beyond base lust. How he felt didn’t matter, it wasn’t as though he could ever act on it or work to explore it further. Their casual game was all they’d ever have, and even that would have to stop eventually. He would either become Lord of Mavros and find a wife eventually, a wife that could never be Siorreya even if she had interest, or he would return home to Cove and they’d never see each other again. This was….

He’d lost himself to those thoughts for a moment, but Siorreya’s grip on his arm and his uncle’s accusation that he was the one using her as a toy brought him back. Was the man right? Because he didn’t want to use her. Shells. He glanced back at Siorreya as she tore away from him, throwing angry words at them both, and he started to feel like Asirikai was right. Was he really treating her any differently than his uncle? He continued to act on her behalf as if she wasn’t there and could not speak for herself. His uncle was using her as a tool against him but what was he doing? She was not one of his possessions he could choose not to share.

He was still angry, but it wasn’t as intense, dulled by confusion and guilt and the knowledge that Siorreya meant something to him. He cared about her in some capacity, for some sharding reason. She annoyed him, frustrated him, made him lose himself, but she also intrigued him, excited him, and he felt more free with her than he’d felt in a long time. He took a step back from his uncle, also realizing that he was the one that allowed Asirikai to use her against him. If he hadn’t reacted in such a manner, the man would never have known she could be used in the first place. He could not control what Siorreya did, nor Asirikai, but himself? He could control himself. Should be able to, rather.

Swallowing back his anger, he wrangled some control back and turned toward Siorreya. His uncle didn’t matter. She shouldn’t either… but she did. And it was really turning into a problem. But so far he’d been doing a rather poor job of treating her like a grown woman rather than a child or a possession, as she had so angrily pointed out, leaving her desires and opinions out of the conversation, if one could call it that. So as difficult as it was… he was resolved to let her live her own sharding life because he had no right to stop her from doing anything. Even if the thought of her with Asirikai made him sick.

“Forgive me, Siorreya,” he met her eyes, his tone nothing but genuine, “You’re right. You shouldn’t be treated this way.” By either of them. He cast a quick glance back at Asirikai. If his presence here was only going to end with Siorreya continuing to be used then he would remove himself and the problem would resolve. And he would try not to spend the rest of the day thinking about them together and working himself back up, which would be quite a feat. “Ask your question then and I’ll… be on my way,” it was a difficult thing to say, to stomach, leaving her here with him, “If that’s what you want.” He owed her no less after how he’d behaved, and how he’d treated her. It was annoying how it had taken Asirikai pointing it out for him to realize it.

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[kevna]

Siorreya - Green Amagetith

She gave an involuntary wince as he apologized, and she impulsively folded her arms as if to ward the words away, unable to hold his gaze for more than a few moments. She quickly gave a wry smile and shook her head a few times, trying to hide her initial reaction, and ignored Asirikai’s apology. “I think that is the first time you have ever apologized to me.” She raised an eyebrow at him. The last man to apologize to her had been her fath-G’der. Not for one moment had she believed a word that had escaped his mouth-it wasn’t in his nature to be a father-to be anyone that could be relied upon. No one was truly reliable, except maybe Amagetith. But Podrell’s voice, his eyes, they seemed so… genuine. The feeling the apology resonated in her was a stark difference from G’der’s, and it confused and frustrated her more than it comforted her. She felt… uneasy. Men weren't trustworthy... Then he was offering to leave… The normal woman would just ask the sharding question and let him. Why did he care what she wanted? What did she want? What did he want?

Her eyes shifted to Asirikai, and then back to Podrell. She very well didn’t want Asirikai. “I think you owe Amagetith an apology as well. I had a downtrodden dragon when you stood her up.” She smirked, re-taking the steps she had originally retreated, her arms dropping from their crossed position to her hips, looking up at him with a sparkle in her eye. “I will forgive you for both if you walk with me down the beach and forego whatever it was you were going to do. I can ask my question later.” She tilted her head with a mischievous glint in her eyes. When they were alone.

Asirikai - Lord Holder Candidate

The transformation took place before his eyes as Podrell took in his question. Shards, he had said the wrong thing. He hadn’t meant for introspection; he had meant to push him over the edge… Shards and shells he had miscalculated and now he had lost his moment.

Siorreya’s anger was plain in her words, and he felt a twinge of guilt. He hadn’t been very polite, but he had tried to gear the insults more toward his nephew then the woman, so he hadn’t realized how rude his comments still were. He wasn’t surprised when Podrell failed to answer the questions, he never answered questions anyway, and turned to the small woman. Maybe he had miscalculated how much the man liked the woman… He didn’t think he had ever met a woman that Podrell had true interest in… Not that they spent much time with eachother.

He watched Siorreya as Podrell apologized, noticing a… flinch? The woman shook her head, and he wondered if he had imagined the movement. He considered his options. “I forgot myself, dear lady, I do apologize.” His own apology trailing after his nephew’s seemed a little less genuine, though he was sorry, he was more annoyed that he had lost his moment. He gave a small bow to the woman, but her eyes were only for Podrell, and he had to swallow his annoyance. He realized pushing Podrell back to the anger he had had would be near impossible without saying something truly horrendous, like how he didn’t want his nephew’s sloppy seconds anyway, and he preferred not to do that with the woman present. Maybe later. Maybe.

He watched the small blonde approach Podrell, her interest in Asirikai completely gone, and he clenched his jaw, taking a few steps back. Shards, at least it had been fun while it lasted… And it was a future weapon. One he would wield better next time. Perfect Podrell had a few imperfections in his wall and he was sure he could get it to crumble now. Siorreya’s voice was practically a purr, and he wanted to roll his eyes. Maybe she was a whore. He had to swallow the anger that threatened to bubble to the surface at so quickly being tossed aside… “Ah, I can see I’m not welcome here…” He said a little sharply. “But when you aren’t interested in games anymore, let me know.” He directed to the tiny woman. He gave one last look to Podrell, and began walking away, back toward the weyr. He would try again to get his appointment with the weyrleader and maybe the interim weyrwoman. At least he could get his original plan back in motion, and Podrell would be out of his way. 

[Zen]

Podrell

Podrell cleared his throat lightly when she pointed out that it was the first time he’d ever apologized to her. Well, he’d had no reason to do so before. None that he could recall. That entire mess in Maz’ru’s weyr had been a result of her dare. It was as much her fault as his and he wasn’t going to apologize to her because it hadn’t gone how she planned for it to go. Maz’ru was the only one owed an apology there, and he had issued one, whether the bluerider accepted it or not. But he had spoken and behaved rather abhorrently. He was capable of recognizing when he was in the wrong… even if the recognition was delayed.

He was rather surprised when she made her way back toward him, and he let out a soft laugh at the mention of her green. “Well, I didn’t exactly have time to ask you where your weyr was, nor did I imagine I’d be welcome after….” He trailed off with a glance at Asirikai, having no desire to discuss much of anything with him around. Then she was in front of him and… she didn’t want him to leave? After how he’d acted and what he’d said? She sure was full of surprises.

Forego whatever it was he was going to do? Shells, but he’d forgotten. At least he hadn’t actually had any meetings set up yet. He would have had to deny her, and he did want to make it up to her. A walk on the beach, huh? Was that really all it would take? She still had her question to ask as well. He opened his mouth to respond, but Asirikai spoke first. He cast an annoyed look back at his uncle, but it seemed he was excusing himself. Finally. He laughed outright at his uncle’s parting comment. It would be a warm day between before Siorreya was no longer interested in games. If that was what the man was waiting for then Podrell wouldn’t need to worry about the two of them ever again.

With Asirikai gone, he finally felt some of the tension leaving him. Some, but not all, because now he had a whole new problem. Just what was he supposed to do with Siorreya? With these feelings he had? He ought to avoid her, do his best to crush whatever this was, but she’d asked him to take a walk with her on the beach. He sighed, gestured down along the beach in the opposite direction from where Asirikai had gone, “Lead the way then.”

After a moment he eyed her and asked, “Was Amagetith really disappointed or were you just saying that to make me feel bad?” He would have imagined after what had happened, the green might realize he wouldn’t be there to play with her the next morning, or that Siorreya would have… well, why would she have said anything to the green? He seemed to have to comfort the dragon every time they interacted. He folded his arms over his chest, “Not that I feel bad. As I said, I could hardly make good on the offer when I had no idea where your weyr is.” Not that he would have gone anyway, after she’d slapped him and all the day before. But he did feel a little bad.

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[kevna]

Siorreya - Green Amagetith

She narrowed her eyes at Podrell’s laughter in response Asirikai’s words. It would be a warm day in between when she would lose interest in her games. They were… Safer than no games. But he very well didn’t know her well enough to know that… right? It’s not like she was an open manuscript. Shards, at least she tried not to be. Siorreya took the lead, moving in the direction he had pointed, pointedly away from Asirikai. She gave a wry smile at his initial question, shaking her head, and rolling her eyes.

Amagetith hadn’t said anything to Sio directly, probably because of her rider’s anger toward the man, but the green was an open book. She had been left to her own devises the morning she had allowed Siorreya the chance to sleep in, and she had so desperately wanted a play mate. His folding of his arms and defensive remark only made her laugh lightly.

“Of course, you don’t, that’s why you asked, right?” She teased lightly, looking at him sideways as she strolled, her hands intertwined with each other behind her back. She shook her head again. “Amagetith was very… mournful to miss out on your company, though she didn’t actually say anything to me. She feels things very… Deeply. It can be quite unsettling, so thanks for that. Dragons don’t make connections like you not knowing where our weyr is. So, it’s all your fault in her head.” She looked at him and shrugged, “She won’t remember it by tomorrow. But as you said,” She gestured to him, “You don’t care.” She gave a challenging smile. Her eyes turned to the cliffside, measuring just how much farther till her destination.

“I don’t know why you would think I would intentionally make you feel bad.” She said with false innocence, more as an after thought. Siorreya knew he referred to the insults, and maybe even the manipulation. And while her insides still roiled at the thought of how easily he had maneuvered her into that last kiss, she normally wasn’t one to hold onto grudges. They only slowed her down. The insults had barely bothered her, in fact, Asirikai and Podrell being so focused on eachother had bothered her more than the insults. She didn’t like being ignored. “I do prefer to inspire merriment, excitement, and… Pleasure.” The last rolled off her tongue and she gave him a seductive smile. Her plan now was to get him out of her system, and out of her dreams. This was the best course of action she could think of, but a little nagging voice in her head told her it was a foolish notion… She ignored it.