Dawning of a Brighter Future [N&D Graduation Feast]

[Zen]

Sk’lar :: Blue Ikkamath

Enjoying the food at celebrations was really the only reason Sk’lar ever went. There were dishes and desserts that otherwise were rarely seen, particularly at Mavros, and Sk’lar was keen to sample every option available while he had the chance. Hm… I suppose that is some form of fun… but even that is kind of boring, Sk’lar. There was a sort of mental sigh from the blue as he was quite present in his rider’s mind, eager to try to force him to interact, make friends, and have some fun for once. Sk’lar was mostly ignoring him, but deigned to respond to that remark. You don’t even have any idea, you silly beast. The fun is really in the making of food, but there is enjoyment in appreciating the work and the effort that went into the making as well. He had actually helped with some of the dishes, the kitchens eager for any helping hand to get everything ready in time. I don’t understand how you seem to find work fun. For his rider had indeed quite enjoyed being in the kitchens, helping prepare the vast selections available tonight. I hardly expect you to understand, he replied dryly, taking a bite of a crumbly berry tart.

Sk’lar glanced over as someone sat beside him, taking a moment to recognize K’zar, hardly expecting the other man to suddenly join him. He took a moment to swallow his bite of food before speaking, “Oh, hey. Congratulations on graduating.” He wasn’t really planning to say anything else as he returned to enjoying his food, even with Ikkamath pressing for him to do just that. He’s eating. I don’t want to bother him. Well he won’t be eating all night. I might. Ugh. There’s more to life than food, mine. If you get too fat I won’t let you ride me. Sk’lar returned to ignoring the blue.

No’va :: Brown Alduntulath

Shells but it was nervewracking waiting for her answer and it seemed like she took forever to speak, when in reality it was a perfectly normal amount of time. Better for his nerves was the way she jumped up after him, agreeing enthusiastically and grabbing his hand. Relief flooded through him as he grinned. In the back of his mind he felt Aldy’s amusement, You are overthinking it all. Hush, no one asked you. More amusement. No’va tried to ignore him as he shot a grin at Joia, “I’ll be back for you!” He moved with Vitra to the dance floor, hesitating for a moment before placing one hand at her waist. Shards, now he was nervous again. What if he messed up and stepped on her foot? Or tripped? Or forgot the steps? There you are overthinking some more. He shook his head slightly, as if to clear both his dragon and those obtrusive thoughts from it.

With a small, only slightly obviously nervous smile, he pulled her gently into the first steps of the dance and tried to think of something to talk about so there wasn’t just an awkward silence, “So uh… we’re real riders now.” Duh. Why was he so nervous? He was never like this around her. But then again, it was only recently he’d realized he was starting to feel things for her. Maybe that was why. “I mean, yeah, but… are you excited to fight Thread for real? And not have lessons anymore? It’ll be a weird change… it’s like we’re all grown up now or something, right?” He laughed softly, rambling a little, and thought of something else, “Is it weird? Being the last of your siblings to Impress and the first to graduate?”

Mizao

She gave a small nod at his explanation about herbs having power in the mind as well as the body, though of course she wouldn’t know anything about it. He clearly did, so if he said so then she had no reason to doubt him. “I would be quite grateful then, to be able to try it out with Wendiloth and see if it helps him at all. I’m certainly willing to compensate you for your efforts,” Mizao added on hastily, as she didn’t want to assume that if it worked he would just keep doing the work for free. She could accept a gift of it the first time, just to see if it worked, a sort of experiment, but if he continued to gift it to her after, it would feel too much like taking advantage of him, which wasn’t something she wanted to do.

A soft smile met his response to her own offer, “It will likely have to wait until after my own graduation, but I should be freer to find materials and a forge to use after that.” It would be nice to be able to craft something now and then, when she was a full rider with the freedom to travel Pern as she pleased. He shifted a bit, reaching for her wrist, and she released her light grip on his shoulder so he could better see the bangle she’d brought to his attention. She was quite pleased with the work and that he thought it was unique was high praise, whether it was personally his style or not. She enjoyed creating one of a kind pieces and working outside of what might be popular at the time, though realistically it wasn’t fiscally responsible to do so very often. One had to create for what others would buy, and certain styles sold better than others, which meant the market was generally saturated with similar designs.

“I think there is something rather charming about raw stone… and as you said, it isn’t something you see much of, since cut and polished is the preferred style. But I suppose I might just have strange tastes,” she replied as he released her wrist and they resumed a proper dancing position. His question drew a soft sigh from her, somewhat wistful. “I do,” she admitted, though she generally tried not to think on it too much, “I was curious, when I was Searched, though I didn’t really think I’d Impress…. But it felt wrong to turn down the opportunity, though it was just as hard to leave…. There aren’t many women in the smithcraft and I still wonder if I-....” She cut herself off, unsure for a moment, but eventually decided to continue, “I wonder if I did my sex a disservice, leaving… rather than staying so I could help others have the same opportunity that I had. I thought being Searched, Standing would simply be a chance at an experience and then… I’d go back to the Hall. Instead Wendiloth found me. I suppose I might have been a bit childish and a bit impulsive in the decision.”

But there was nothing that could be done about it now, and she didn’t regret Impressing Wendiloth. And now that she was a brownrider, one of so very few, she had a similar opportunity for advocacy for girls as she would have had in the Hall. It wasn’t something she’d really wanted for herself, to be in the spotlight as an outlier, but she had been, and she was… and so she thought she should try to use it for the better.

Yvinka

L’rey asked where she’d been and she grinned, “Oh, here and there… trying to find some trouble to get into. A party isn’t a party without a little mischief~” The last was said in a bit of a sing-song voice. She giggled as her cousin told her not to get his dragon a new addition to his hoard, “Well I’m not going to bring him a smelly bone, if that’s what you’re worried about.” And because she knew the bronze could hear her, she couldn’t help but lay on a little flattery, “He can get those quite well for himself, being such a fantastic hunter and all. It would be rather insulting for me to bring him a bone like he hasn’t the skill to claim his own trophies.” And then she giggled again, always finding it rather amusing to stroke the big bronze’s ego.

It wasn’t at all surprising and yet still disappointing to find that neither of her cousins knew how to dance. She sighed dramatically, “You boys are hopeless. Just what am I supposed to do with you?” She hm’d thoughtfully, glancing between them, her gaze settling on L’rey for a moment, “And you’re a bronzerider now… you really ought to know how to dance. You’ll probably be involved in Weyr politics soon enough, y’know? What if you turn down some important lady for a dance and she takes it as a slight from the Weyr?” She was teasing, really, though she did think a bronzerider should be a decent dancer. After all, they were so good at everything in stories, weren’t they? Always the dashing, charming heroes, though it was difficult to think of L’rey in such a manner.

“I suppose I’ll just have to teach you-” she was cut off as Siorreya suddenly appeared, insisting they do something bad, or a game, or both. Well that sounded like a lot more fun than teaching her poor hapless cousins to dance. Besides, she should probably teach them privately so they didn’t embarrass themselves in front of the entire Weyr. But what could they do? It was hardly a heartbeat later, it seemed, when Ceela and Kekoa joined them, and she couldn’t help but giggle softly, “So glad you kept your promise to find me again, Kekoa… we’ll surely get into plenty of trouble if you join us.” She cast a quick look around for inspiration, her gaze settling on the drink table, and she grinned, “Oh I have just the thing!”

She considered for a moment inviting Treyvin and L’rey to join them, but L’rey was hardly old enough for such games and she didn’t want to steal Treyvin away from him and leave him standing there alone. She wiggled her fingers at her cousins in farewell, “Try to have fun without me, boys, afraid your lessons have been postponed!” With that she took Sio’s and Ceela’s hands both and tugged them with her toward the drink table, trusting that Kekoa would follow. After all, he was supposed to be chasing her.

Taxx Alyx tovaana kevna

[kevna]

Vanisha – Daughter of Tidewalk

Brave? She blinked as he explained he reasoning behind the compliment. ‘Never ignore the presence of another’ had been drilled in her by her mother. She hadn’t been trying to be brave at all, just respectful. In doing so, had she stepped out of the bounds of propriety? She didn’t understand the dragon world at all, and she could have made a gaff in trying to be considerate. She dipped her head minutely as if in thanks or apology, for she meant it as both. “Oh… I was merely trying to be considerate of his presence. Forgive me if I overstepped in any way, the etiquette of dragons is outside my knowledge.”

Vanisha listened with hidden wonder, her gaze continuing to meet and break his regularly, maintaining the proper amount of interest, but not too much interest. All she wanted to do was stare and listen, forget about the art of socializing altogether, but her years of training and the mob of eyes kept her on the correct path for her. His flit would hum along. To think of the dragon world… It was so otherworldy and magnificent. “How charming.” She murmured politely and smiled at him.

His answer to her question was enlightening, and it naturally opened up the possibility of a compliment, which she met readily enough. “Quilath must be quite gifted to have been able to Search without the class. You must be very proud of him.”

It was now her womanly duty to come up with another appropriate topic, and she was just forming an idea when Maz’ru started illustrating his search a little more clearly, taking her by surprise. The words were said so casually, the smile natural, yet those words seemed a bit sad. He had lost an angelic voice? “Oh, I’m sorry. But you do have a pleasant tenor sounding voice, it must be quite dulcet.” She offered softly, giving a sweet, and encouraging smile.

Vanisha continued to listen, and she had to admit she didn’t see the question coming, though she should have. She felt herself pale a little, her eyes widening fractionally, and she looked around them as if her parents could hear the conversation. What would they think? Especially if they overheard her admitting she had thought or more fantasized becoming a dragonrider? Would they be disappointed? She turned her attention back to Maz’ru, debating her answer. Surely it would please him to hear the truth, and he had been kind enough to open up to her. But it possibly wouldn’t please her parents… She just had to be careful with her wording.

“I have.” She nodded once, and felt her cheeks warm a bit at hearing the admission out loud. “It’s hard not to when you have a brother as a dragonrider. It seems so… extraordinary.” That was a safe enough word and could be taken either way. “It seems like a remarkable way of life.” Again, safe enough. Now would be a good time to veer off of her, and focus more on him. “Though, I admit, I don’t know much about it.” There. That could do it. He could tell her about him more, and forget about her and the questions that could possibly disappoint her, while at the same time hopefully pleasing Maz’ru.

Riasu – Candidate

V’than took the lead as they exited, toward his weyr, and she smiled at his assertiveness. She didn’t mind the man taking control. She hummed in agreeance when V’than mentioned how loud it had been. She liked the noise normally; it was a good distraction from the numerous voices of dragons. But today was a good day, and she didn’t mind the loss of noise. She preferred it. If she went through those weyr doors and V’than reignited the spark they had every single time they kissed, she wouldn’t be able to pull away. She knew it. But where did that leave her in her conundrum? Stay or go? Why leave? There was still a lot going for her here, a good job, a clean slate (except with Lo’qui), her growing number of friends, and… well, V’than. There were so many positives, and her current Lo’qui situation was the only major negative. She liked it here.

She allowed her free hand to come up and caress the hand holding her’s, and then tugging softly on his to slow them down. “V’than… I know the culture of the weyr is loose. But I’m not… and I don’t like to share.” She crooked a smile at him, trying to discern if he understood her meaning. “I want you to be all mine, or not mine at all.” It was a bold statement, but was better to be upfront from the beginning. She didn’t balk at asking this, he would either accept or he wouldn’t. It would disappoint her if V’than chose to not be all hers, but her ideals followed after her parents. They had found love and they had had to choose eachother. That’s what she wanted. She wasn’t in a rush to find it, and she didn’t even know if she would find it with V’than… She had thought she had found it with D’min, but in the end he hadn’t chosen her as she had him.

tovaana
Siorreya – Green Amagetitith

The small blonde had cut off Yva without meaning to, and she noted then the other’s standing with her. “Oh, hi fellas.” She offered with a short shrug, her disinterest in them plain. She could feel her irritation towards Podrell still, and she turned her focus on L’rey, even as Yva exchanged pleasantries with Kekoa and he with her... She wasn’t a huge fan of L’rey, not since their whole sparkly oil debacle. His reaction had been childish and since she was already irritated, she couldn’t help but poke fun at him.

“How does Codrath look? I hope our oil didn’t stain his hide too terribly. Or does he still sparkle like the stars?” She smirked, remembering the extra shine to his coat. He had looked ridiculous. One of their better pranks in her own opinion.

Yva’s exclamation brought her attention back to her original intended target, and suddenly her hand was grabbed and with an excited laugh and a couple skips she allowed herself to be led to their next adventure.

Taxx
Kekoa – Candidate

Kekoa nodded, giving a chuckle. “Aye, I was exploring and happened upon her and her pretty Amagetitith doing some… acrobats.” It was the best explanation he could give their actions at the lake. Obviously, they had been up to something, and as interested as he was, he wasn’t one to dig. Well… Most of the time. “I think she has a man.” He whispered and winked. He was digging, he loved gossip, and the way Siorreya had reacted to his soft kiss had him beyond curious. If anyone knew, then wouldn’t one of her friends?

He was extremely pleased with how well she followed every move he threw at her. Though her laughter, and the way her cheeks darkened delectably was far more pleasing then her dance abilities. Kekoa had noted the way her breathing had accelerated, and it had given him a flash back to the beach, when their noses had brushed… The desire to kiss her as the song came to a close was strong, but his self-control was stronger. His suggestion was a safer path for now. He was in it for the long run when it came to this sun sprite, his very own siren. Oh, how he loved the way she rose her eyebrow at him.

As they approached Yva and the youngsters surrounding with her, he overheard Siorreya’s question. Perfect timing on their part. Yva’s eyes fell on him, and he smiled broadly and lifted the hand not on Ceela’s arm with a gesture that landed on his chest. “I always keep my promises.... My hopes exactly.” It wasn’t exactly how he imagined finding her later would play out, but it wasn’t anywhere near the end of the night, and he didn’t mind waiting a little longer. Especially if it meant some trpuble inbetween. He noted Siorreya teasing one of the lads, and quickly put a name to the other. Treyvin. One of their fellow candidates. His mind wandered to ideas of just what kind of trouble he could drag three beautiful women into, willingly, though Yva seemed to beat him to it.

Without warning Ceela was ripped from his hand, and the three women were departing from them. Oh no they wouldn’t. They couldn’t escape him, not tonight. He had been invited after all. He followed quickly after, a grin on his face. He loved a good chase.

tovaana Zen

[tovaana]

Khrowlos;

While Khrowlos was interested in making a few extra marks, he also didn’t want to make it seem like he was heartless. Especially with the feminine gender, but he did like to help – especially that of his new friend and female brown rider.

“Well, we’ll see if it helps first. It may take a period of me switching it up to see if it helps at all… If anything he’ll smell fantastic.” He also would need to do some research, he had always been more interested in how herbs worked with humans, since humans could pay… but he hadn’t really thought that the riders would be willing to pay for their dragons. Where would he put a cream on a dragon? Or would oils prove better for their hide? Would ingestion of capsulated herbs be more fruitful? These were new thoughts, something he’d have to think on, and perhaps wait to see if his ventures with Wendiloth proved fruitful at all before getting too ahead of himself.

“When do you graduate? I’d like to make a note to be sure to make it to your party as well.” Not that he’d ever miss a party, but didn’t women like to be remembered? Or be thought of specifically?

“No such thing as strange. Just, not conformed.” He murmured almost as an afterthought, thinking it would be a consistent thing in his life in Mavros, trying to help people break from the boxes they grew up in. If he did anything influential, helping Mizao fully accept herself as she was would be enough… along with a new savings of marks for something unique to add to his accessories.

Her sigh had his mind tuning in more to what she’d say next. The sigh felt like something genuine, and she was about to confide in him – like a friend? Was he making his way into her friendship circle? It was too bad he could tell they were heading toward the end of the current song, it was not kind to take too much of a lady’s time, but it was rather tempting to see if she’d be interested in another dance. Or perhaps they could continue talking without dancing. It would be too bad though, since her delicate hands felt comfortable on his shoulder and hand, and under his own hands as well. 

The cut off words and pause had him quiet, listening, silently urging her on. Then he considered what she had said, even more intrigued by the young lady. “Perhaps.” He mused, looking down at her with a thoughtful look and shook his head a little. “But, even if it had been childish, as you say, or impulsive, it doesn’t seem like you’re situation to serve your fellow women has changed at all. In fact, I think you could do more. Just because you have a dragon, doesn’t mean your life has to be stuck in the caves. I think as a brown rider and with your talents, you could do just about anything you wanted, if you wanted.” Now, that was the key, wasn’t it? You couldn’t force anyone to want anything. Influence, maybe, but never force, he’d learned that in his fight to ‘overcome’ habits of his own. Ones that still haunted him, if he let them.

Maz’ru :: Blue Quilath

His light colored brows pulled momentarily in confusion as she apologized when he had complemented her. “No, I- uhm.” It had baffled him so, especially since this woman and Sio were completely opposite, it had been a long time since he had interacted with a lady, even his blue as polite as he was, wasn’t… like this… “No, I meant it as a good thing. I liked the way you spoke to him, even when he’s not actually here – I’ve never had anyone do that before… usually they just sidestep around the subject…” Now he was rambling. He sighed.

Maz’ru was starting to feel like this whole thing was pointless, he felt like a commoner in a Princess tale, her polite comments didn’t seem genuine, but planned. Or was that just because Sio didn’t know what it meant to put on a mask, as least, not the polite kind.

He gave a half shrug at her complement at his voice and supposed musical tone. It was amusing she could give a complement when she hadn’t even heard his voice in song. Sio used to have him sing a lot more – back in time when they had walked on the beach and done fires on the coast. He could sing without shame, but it still seemed to shadow the voice he used to have.

Her surprise was apparent, a muted shock – or embarrassment at something that he couldn’t even imagine. Why was she looking elsewhere? Was she worried about what others thought? Was that why she acted the way she did? Suddenly her life seemed… shallow. It was almost like he could see through her delicate façade and he had the strange urge to somehow punch threw it. Her response was measured, each new response seemed… safe? He wasn’t even sure why she was being so hesitant.

“All new things take learning…but, Quilath imagines you could be a rider, a good one at that.” And there it was. He could almost here a sigh within, not realizing at first that it wasn’t him, but his blue.

I don’t mean to intrude on your conversation, but I would like you to hear it from me, I think. I do think you would make a good rider – but it is only an invite to be a candidate. Also, I would like to get to know you sometime, you should come say hello before you leave, if it’s not out of the way for you.

Maz could tell that his blue wasn’t talking to him, though had let him hear the personal message to the woman. He bit his lip, half hoping and half scared that she’d do something like slap him.

V’than :: Brown Saruth

He felt the tension in her hand and slowed his step, glancing down at her as she started to speak. It took a moment for his mind to register what exactly she was talking about. It seemed out of the blue, but at the same time, fit in to what exactly where they were going and what might happen. There was a flare of indignation at the ultimatum, his jaw tightening and eye brows pulling together for the briefest of moments as the thought of losing her.

Then his face relaxed and he nodded, adding in a shrug. “I uh… I’m new to the Weyr and its ways, and sort of to… this…” He took both her hands in both of his, his thumbs rubbing the backs of hers as he came to a complete stop to make emphasis. “I had a friend…” His mind went back to Ny’x and her hurt look and he felt a little foolish. “…kiss me shortly after I kissed you.” He cleared his throat, feeling sheepish as well and foolish. Women seemed to complicate life immensely. He sighed, “it made me realize that…” his eyes had been looking at the way her dark skin constrasted with his own, but now he looked up to meet her gaze. “I only want you, I want to figure out what this is between us.” Would it be enough for her? He realized that in a hold it would be proper to ask for her hand in marriage, had she meant that? He swallowed while watching her features intently for her reactions.

Ceela;

“Oh?” She asked, giggling at the idea of Sio and Ama doing acrobatics. She wouldn’t put it past them, but now she was curious of what they’d actually been doing, because usually such things were attached to some sort of game. Her face stretched lightly in surprise at his next words, not seeming attached to how they had met, but knowing Kekoa and his way with women, perhaps he had not been so successful with Sio. Her momentary surprise narrowed into a scrunching of her face. “Sio, a boy? Perhaps.” Her own curiosity was peaked. She knew Sio to be a flirt, but she hadn’t said anything about any certain man in particular.

The exchange of comments between Yva and Kekoa seemed strangely intimate, especially since she still had Kekoa in arm. She shrugged off the feeling, feeling comfortable where she was at, her attention turned to Sio momentarily at the comment she made and small smirk. Ceela was still breathing deeply, quietly catching her breath as she made sense of the sudden interactions going on around her. She let out a breathy laugh, glancing momentarily behind her when she was ripped from Kekoa’s grasp – not realizing that she had been somewhat leaning on him for strength. Ceela motioned for Kekoa, not that he needed any other beckoning. Ceela was in a bit of a giggling fit as she was drug away.

@kev Zen

[Taxx]

K'zar : Green Lepsuth

He hadn't expected to find Sk'lar sitting alone when everyone else seemed to be visiting- dancing, singing and stuffing their faces with food; making the most of the celebration. Here and there he spotted glimpses of his fellow graduates among the crowd, but aside from a glance or two, not many seemed to realize he was even there. Which was how he preferred it, honestly. He wasn't about to jump to his feet and make a scene to draw attention to himself; he liked it much better this way.

Sk'lar's company, which he knew would be uncomplicated, was as far as he'd go to not being entirely alone. The bluerider gave him a glance, a nod and a short sentence about his graduation, and he returned a nod of acknowledgement as he took a bite of fish. "Your turn soon, isn't it?" He couldn't remember if Sk'lar was part of the class closer to graduating or not; he didn't bother to keep track of stuff like that. It wasn't important to him; all he knew was that the bluerider was as of yet still a weyrling.
Zen

Vitra : Blue Tucseth

Dancing was fun. It could be easy, or difficult, based on the steps, but Vitra had enjoyed the lessons and done her best to master them. Turning it into something fun helped, rather than simply suffering through them as something she had no choice in. Which she hadn't, so at least trying to enjoy the lessons made them less of a nightmare. For the briefest moment she wondered... what would her life in Benden be like, now- or in a couple Turns' time- when she came of age? This had never been part of the plan; her future had been intended for marriage and life as a wife, a mother, the keeper of her eventual husband's house and home...

Faranth, what was she doing? Those were all no longer things she needed to concern herself with. She needed to focus on the present; on No'va as he led her onto the floor and the celebration going on around her. T'vil and Arvia were her past; Mavros in all of its wonder was her future. And Tucseth: her glorious lifemate, who wiggled in delight at his rider's happiness. This is what you deserve, he crooned to her.

Vitra grinned at No'va and nodded, falling easily into step with him. They were! She'd been overjoyed to receive her new knots, had stared at them for a good hour before finally daring to set them down in a drawer, carefully placed out of reach of possibly destructive firelizard or gemglider jaws. The next question made the smile fade, a touch of uncertainty rearing its head. "I'm worried, mostly. I know we've practiced, but... well, bits of rope and powder aren't Thread." And Thread did horrible things to riders, even those who were careful and experienced. Who knew what would happen? We can do it! Tucseth cheered, ever happy to be the voice of encouragement. We've practiced, right? We'll be the best at it.

Far happier to focus on a topic that had nothing to do with Threadfall, Vitra pulled the smile back and gave another nod, her gaze briefly flashing to where T'vir was leaning over a table, sorting through the remains of a wherry for any remaining meat worth taking. "It is, but it was lucky too. Like, really lucky." A difference of one day could have destroyed everything, and she didn't like to focus on that possibility. "I think T'vir might be considering tacking 'little sister' onto every conversation we have just to make sure I don't forget that my place." Her grin returned, bright as ever at the comment, and she glanced back at No'va. "What about you? Any siblings- or maybe cousins?- that you're suddenly older than?"
Zen

L'rey : Bronze Codrath

Yva and mischief went hand in hand; L'rey only rolled his eyes in fond exasperation at her cheerful intent. And at her shameless inflation of Codrath's ego, but he was starting to get used to that too. It wasn't like he was going to be able to stop her, not with Codrath himself so keen on the idea of receiving some treasure from his favorite not-rider person.

L'rey grimaced at the idea that he would have to learn how to dance, solely because of his position- and grimaced again at the offer of being taught. It couldn't be that big of a deal, could it? Sure, he was a bronzerider and all, but he was just out of his weyrlinghood, and there were plenty of other, older bronzers a woman could ask to dance. Right? Faranth help him, he wanted no part of that part of it. Gross.

His halfhearted shrug in response to Yva's offer was thankfully cut short as others arrived, one of who earned herself a glare which only deepened when she had to open her mouth. Codrath's rumbling growl, sadly confined to L'rey's mind, was joined by a curt crossing of his arms and a frown aimed at the greenrider. She didn't stick around, though; Yva waved a farewell and the four headed off. Possibly for the mischief his cousin had mentioned. L'rey watched them go for a moment and then turned back to Treyvin. "Something not smelly would be great. What were you thinking? Silver he enjoys just as much- shiny things appeal to him, see?"
tovaana Zen

[kevna]

Vanisha - Daughter of Tidewalk

He sounded confused and seemed to struggle for words so that she suspected she had blundered in some way. He seemed to finally be able to explain, and she nodded slowly, understanding dawning on her. How rude! Why would people side-step around the fact that there was an actual, living, breathing dragon looking at them through their bonded’s eyes? It was so.. uncivil. “I see. Thank you, Maz’ru. It seems impossibly strange anyone would want to ignore the possibility of speaking to a dragon.” In fact, she just couldn’t fathom it. How could you ignore the fact that two different gazes were coming out of one set of eyes.

His sigh made her think that this dance wasn’t going very well at all. She wasn’t pleasing the bluerider, and all she wanted to do was that. She hated disappointing him, disappointing anyone really. He had been her savior after all, hadn’t he? She was doing everything correctly wasn’t she? Being polite, asking about him, complimenting him. Yet her concerns of pleasing him had gone out the window when he had asked his question. Vanisha had considered her answers carefully, and done her best to change the subject, and now only for this! Her mouth fell open the slightest in shock. Her first thought was that she hadn’t controlled their conversation at all.

Maz’ru’s admission hadn’t hit its mark, at least not until she heard the other voice… It spoke into her mind, foreign, yet familiar if she considered Alduntulath’s brief communication with her family. Unfiltered wonder lit her face, her eyes widening, and her hand on Maz’ru’s shoulder lifting to rest briefly on her temple before returning to his shoulder.

“Quilath?” She said softly, looking up into Maz’ru’s eyes to confirm that what she had just heard was what she thought she had just heard. He thought she could be a candidate, a possible rider? And he wanted to meet her? It felt so unreal, yet even then the hope surged through her at even the possibility he-well they-had offered her. They offered her freedom. She wouldn’t have to marry the heir of Igen, she wouldn’t be held to the same standards of proprietary as she was now… Or would she? Reality seemed like a slap in the face, and she swallowed, the wonder dying and a small somewhat sad smile replacing it. “I… thank you, both. It would be an honor, though I am not sure how possible it would be for me to accept your invitation to be a candidate. It would not be up to me.” She wanted to shrug, even if just to shrug off the sadness that seemed to creep into her belly but refrained. “Though I would find true delight in getting to know you Quilath, I will seek No’va out to escort me to you during my visit, as long as Maz’ru also welcomes my company.”

It still felt so strange talking to Quilath but looking at Maz’ru’s soft green eyes. The redhead didn’t consider this dance to be successful when it came to pleasing the bluerider, and she truly wondered if he would welcome her company again. She didn’t think her mother would find it inappropriate to visit with them, not if No’va attended her. Her father would be leaving though, and if she wanted to bring up the possibility of staying as a candidate she would have to work fast. And she would need help. No’va would undoubtedly come to her aid, but even then, she could only allow a shimmer of hope. She had allowed hope to take root too much of late, and nothing had gone her way. If her father was displeased with the idea enough, she couldn’t stay.

Riasu – Candidate

For a moment she couldn’t tell if she had displeased him with her words, or irritated him, with the way his jaw tightened, and his brows sewed together. She felt a flare of disappointment, that maybe she had assumed incorrectly about V’than, but then his face relaxed and he nodded. She felt his shrug more then saw it, her attention on his face taking precedence. She was still trying to discern what he meant by ‘new to this’ as he had grabbed her hands and rubbed them. To physical intimacy? Her brain forgot that line of thought as it registered on his halting words.

"I had a friend…kiss me shortly after I kissed you.”

“Oh.” She said softly, wincing ever so slightly and looking down at their hands. His words repeated in her mind over and over, and for a moment she wondered if this, whatever was between them, was a bad idea after all… But his friend had kissed him, right? Not the other way around? She had never been one for insecurities, but D’min’s betrayal… It had hurt. And for all that V’than seemed like the opposite of her last lover, she had a moment of doubt. A moment to wonder if he had kissed her back, if he had liked it... Yet even as these thoughts coalesced into one another, she looked up as he admitted he only wanted to be with her. With her. Doubts disappeared and cleared the fog away. A brilliant smile overtook her face, and without thought she closed the distance between them, pressing herself firmly against him, her lips seeking his.

She showed her appreciation of his words and his desire with her lips, molding them to his, her hands untangling from his in order grip his shirt and pull him closer. Before she let herself get lost in his warmth, and his taste, she flattened her palms on his chest and pushed them apart, her breathing somewhat heavy. “I only want you.” Riasu murmured, her hands tracing over the front of his shoulders and down his arms, fingers twining with his.

“I can show you how much…” She whispered, starting to pull him again in the direction of his weyr, a playful smile lighting her face and a glint in her eyes as she fought the desire to just push him into a dark corner and show him there. She understood some patience…

[tovaana]

Treyvin;

The little he knew of Yvinka was mostly from her energy and desire to try new things. He was hardly surprised when suddenly she was gone, along with her offer to teach them to dance. Treyvin wasn’t sure if she was the type of person to remember and try again later, but he hoped not. Dancing meant touching and through touch he’d found even the weakest of feelings palpable. He’d avoid it as long as he could; it was not a priority in his life at the moment.

He let out a sigh of relief when she was gone, along with the others – the energy of their feelings were as potent as too much drink. It was easier to think and he turned his attention back to L’rey, realizing that some of the relief he’d been feeling hadn’t been all his own.

Treyvin nodded as L’rey started to come up with ideas for him. He nodded thoughtfully, looking at his simple shoes as he pondered his humble state. He couldn’t afford anything like silver, hardly for himself – let alone for a dragon. Treyvin did want the beast to like him though. “What if I carved something for him? What would he like? A wooden bone?” The last suggestion had Treyvin grinning a little bit at the thought of a bone that would not smell – but it probably wouldn’t hold up to his massive teeth either.

Taxx


Maz’ru :: Blue Quilath

He simply nodded to her thanks, thinking again how impossibly polite she was being. At least with Quilath, he got an undercurrent of his actual feelings when he was being polite… but with Vanisha, she had this façade that was nothing but polite, so he felt like he couldn’t get a good reading on how she actually felt, or who she really was. Politeness was not authenticity; he was starting to realize his stubbornness when it came to his own dragon.

His dragon, though, had seemed to reach through her veil and pick out a flower of awe as she listened and realization slowly dawned on her face. It was momentary, and suddenly it was gone and replaced by a small smile, one that did not give him hope as he listened to her then refuse, just as Podrell had refused. Not exactly as Podrell had refused, he mentally corrected himself, since Podrell had his own goals in life, while Vanisha’s excuse seemed to not even be her own. He didn’t quite understand it; even hold-born he’d always had the freedom to do as he wished, as long as he’d had the means to do so.

An escort? He frowned thoughtfully, not making the connection that her being alone with his wouldn’t be looked on well, instead he tried to ignore it, instead wondering what No’va would think about Quilath thinking his sister was candidate worthy. He hadn’t heard him speak much about his family, but it didn’t mean that he didn’t love his family.

“Of course.” His subtle frown shifted into a soft friendly smile. While the dance hadn’t been as romantic as he’d been hoping, it had still been nice to get to know the woman. And as if on cue the music came to a soulful end. Maz’ru wished he knew how to artfully dip the woman, but instead he lifted one and offered an ending twirl. Being conscious of being ‘polite’ because of the specific interaction, he offered his arm to escort her back to where he had retrieved her.

“Thank you for the dance Vanisha. Uhm, No’va can use Aldy to let us know when you guys come by, if you do.”

V’than :: Brown Saruth

Her, “oh,” felt as if it would steal his future with her. He hardly knew her, but the idea of losing her was too much. Almost like losing his ship before he had had the chance to finish it. He hoped that as he spoke, it would allow him the chance to finish what they had started, to discover what it was that intrigued him so about the candidate woman. It was agonizing not knowing what exactly she was feeling as he explained to her what he had discovered.

Then, his last words seemed to bring her out of her thoughts, her smile sending a little thrill through him. He hadn’t messed up anything. Relief relaxed his muscles so that when she came at him, molding against him in her appreciative kiss, and he felt a flash back to the fire that he had felt back on the beach when he had wanted her. But this time he had nothing telling him to stop, because she had initiated it – and he didn’t want to stop. Her hand pulling him in only heightened his emotions, a small noise of appreciation as she reciprocated his own desire, no – fueling his.

He was tense as she pushed herself away – because he didn’t move an inch as she placed her hands between them and created space. He was left wanting, but at the same time – her words fueled something more emotional, both admitting that the other only wanted the other. Her last words left him back with his animal self, wanting her there and then, but there was enough gentlemen left in him to restrain and follow behind. The masculine part of him didn’t like that she was leading him to his own weyr, subconsciously as they reached the door he slid his hand away from hers and around her waist, scooping her up in both arms and taking her into his Weyr. It allowed him a few gentler moments as he watched her face as he took her to his bed.

-faaaade-


kevna