any day is a good day to fish [tagged/Kev]

[tovaana]

Muze :: Green Rylath

Fishing in a bay was different than right on the ocean. You had to think about different things, different tools. She’d gone around the edge of the forest and had collected sticks and thick grass to weave the sticks into a cone with a small opening on the tip. Small enough for smaller fish to get out, but to keep the larger fish inside. She inserted another smaller cone that the fish would go into, but then not come back out. She’d gone along the shore and dug up sea snails and other little critters that would attract fish and stuck them inside her trap and then placed it at an angle in which fish would be coming in with the tide. She also had her fishing pole with her that she’d made, but she was more interested in her trap at the moment as she wedged it between two rocks and then sloshed back out of the bay and flopped on the sand.

Part of the annoying part of fishing was how long it took. At home, patience was an easy thing, but when she only had one free moment of the week to do a little fishing – patience was a lot harder to muster. She sighed and leaned back with her arms propping her up as she looked out across the bay and growing light of the day. It was very early, and somewhere behind her a green speckled dragon was dozing after having helped Muze dig up some clams for the trap. The morning was a peaceful time, quiet – since it was usually only the fisher folk that were awake to leave with the tide that had come in.

She thought about her folks – especially her pregnant mother and the baby growing inside her. Even though she knew better than to wonder about the gender of the baby, she couldn’t help it. A girl or a boy? She wanted a sister, but she also didn’t want a sister under her father’s thumb. Then it’d be a boy, that was safer, but left her wanting for that sister. She pursed her lips and started chewing on the inside of her lips in thought. She was also hungry, it wasn’t quite time for morning meal, but she should have grabbed a fruit or something on her way outside.

kevna

[kevna]

Tak'ril - Bronze Agureyth

He had gotten into the habit of waking up early and going for a run. Agureyth was very serious about their health in being able to lead and fight thread. Duty was beyond important to the bronze, and it was strange how his teasing dragon could switch tempos so easily. Just running wasn’t enough anymore, and Agureyth had insisted on Tak’ril carrying weights while he ran. Instead, he carried his fishing gear. It was slightly awkward, especially for the long poles, but he had figure out that carrying them across his shoulders, and having the rest of the gear hanging in a pack along his back made running doable. Carrying the fishing gear meant that when Agureyth had deemed the run long enough, Tak’ril could breakoff and finish the morning with some fishing. He didn’t do it every morning, but he tried.

His breathing was coming out harshly, he had worn enough layers to make the cold morning bearable, but sweating through them only seemed to make the chill more bitter. He had brought a lighter sweater to change into once he got to his fishing spot along the bay, but it was just another weight for him to carry.

Tiring old man?

Tak’ril raised his eyebrow and looked up to where Agureyth flew. What’s that word mean again?

He could feel the bronze’s amusement even across the distance they shared. You have run far and well, and I have stretched my wings. Are you ready for breakfast?

Tak’ril shook his head, knowing his dragon could feel the movement through their bond, even if he couldn’t see it. I’m going to fish, do you want to join me? He loved having the bronze with him, but generally the large dragon scared the fish away, and inwardly he hoped the bronze would stay away.

I think I shall nap. The bright colored bronze veered toward the weyr and Tak’ril nodded, his feet carrying him closer to the bay, though at a slower rate. No need to scare the fish before he got there. He came through the brush and hit the sand. The first thing he noted was something was out of place. Or someone, more like. A small girl-woman-he recognized well enough as Muze was sloshing out of the bay carefully, and then flopping on the sand, right where he normally sat. He considered his options. This really was his favorite spot-but did he really want to cut into Muze’s fishing time?

He stood on the precipice of decision, then gave in. She probably wouldn’t mind some company. He turned back to the forest and stripped off his extra layers after he pulled his sack from across his back and pulled out the clean sweater. Once half naked he pulled the clean article of clothing on. He used the soiled layers to mop at his face, then sat the layers at the forest edge and turned back towards the small woman, moving quietly along toward her. “Hey Muze, err mind if I join you?” He said it quietly, unwilling to scare the fish. His rods were still slung across his shoulders and the sack in one arm, his free arm motioned to next to her, but he waited on her approval.

“You, uh, picked the best spot in the bay.” He gave her a half smile and still spoke low, even if most of the fish were farther out. It was ingrained in him to be quiet when fishing.

[tovaana]

Muze :: Green Rylath

She’d been lost in her thoughts, or maybe she would have heard him approaching, or maybe not – with the quiet way he moved in the sand to the side of her. Muze glanced up quickly at his voice, blinking away her surprise, leaning forward and pulling her warm sweater around her, as if to protect herself from the way her heart had jolted in shock. Her heart calmed and she offered a small smile, taking in who he was after he had asked the question. She blinked up at Tak’ril’s familiar face with his fishing gear over his shoulders and it took a moment to remember that Vav had mentioned that Tak’ril had originated in the fisher craft, much like their family had. It took a moment extra, one where embarrassment creeped to her cheeks as she realized she hadn’t answered his question and shook her head.

“Uh, no.” She offered another small smile, since she was sure her words hadn’t sounded so convincing.

Muze started shifting a little, leaning more forward and unfolding her pant legs to cover her cold legs that were covered in goosebumps. She was used to the cold and her legs had long gone numb, but she needed something to do as she recovered from her shock and the idea of not spending her morning so alone. That wouldn’t be so bad. He was both Vav and Joia’s friend, or… was he more than a friend to Joia? She’d seen couples before, she hadn’t seen them act like that, more like couples in the hold… but even then, she wondered if something had happened between them. Not that it was any of her business, so she pushed that thought away, crossing her legs and glanced up into his kind face when he suggested she had found the best spot in the bay.

“I thought so.” Her eyes grazed over the bay in the soft morning light, her smile turning into a grin. “Did I steal your spot?” She didn’t make a move to get up though, she’d gotten there first and he didn’t own any part of the bay as his own. “Snooze, you lose.” The comment was bland, but she was still smiling even if her grin had faded. Even though she hadn’t spent much time around the man, it was easier than if it had been a stranger. If both Joia and Vavi like him, then she could trust he was a good person, someone she didn’t have to worry about.

She had also kept her voice quieter, to match his own careful voice. “Been mostly doing sea fishin’ on the beach. We don’t have this large of a bay back where I'm from, besides, it was always crowded too.” It was probably why she hadn’t bumped into him if this was indeed “his” spot, since she had focused on doing sea fishing from the shore. One of these days she'd borrow a small sailing ship and go out with Vav. 

kevna

[kevna]

Tak'ril - Bronze Agureyth

He felt a moment of guilt when she started, and then when she hesitantly ceded to his desire to join her. Yet he couldn’t quite give up this spot. “Err, thanks.” He nodded at her and got to work. It was like his lucky spot. He swung his poles down, checking their stringing, baiting then with expert precision and efficiency. He checked the casting spoons ties, bright red wood he used to attract the fish. He took the longest, sturdiest pole, and with the strength that previous long voyages had helped him build, and Aggy had helped him keep, he threw the line. Far it soared, and he noted with pleasure the casting spoon set atop the water, sure to attract his intended victims.

He noted her movements from the corner of his eye, concerned she was getting chilled. Her murmur of agreement had him look to her with another smile as he planted the larger rod in the sand, and then he prepped his smaller rod, repeating the actions. Her question caught him off guard and he almost floundered his throw; still, it flew far enough, and this rod he kept in his hands as he sat, looking at her and actually floundering for a response.

“Uh, well…” It wouldn’t be respectful to tell her she had, would it? Her dry humored comment took him off guard, reminding him a little of her brother, and he chuckled. “I didn’t snooze. Agureyth tortured me through a long run.” He offered with his own grin, then remembering her actions that betrayed her chill, he planted the pole between his legs and took off his sweater, revealing only the long sleeve black shirt he wore. “Errr, I didn’t wear it during my run… and it might smell still, but it’s warm.” He offered quietly, and somewhat lamely in his own opinion. He was used to the cold and being wet. Days at sea and through storms had given him a thicker skin. Tak had learned quickly that he preferred being cold, then hot.

He nodded, listening to her comment. He had mainly done deep sea fishing on large fishing ships in his youth, though his father had taken him on smaller boats and along the shore a couple of times during their off time. He preferred deep sea normally, but he had found this spot during the fall, and watched ship fish playing in the bay. It had kept him coming back for more.

“I normally prefer sea fishing as well. But I-err caught shipfish frolicking here, and it’s had me-well-I like to watch them while I fish. I see them now and then.” He offered. It was hard to admit he had a fascination with the creatures since the time another boy on one of his ships he had worked had been saved during a storm. Plus, it would take a lot of words, and he wasn’t the smoothest talker around. Especially around women.

“Who taught you to fish? Uh, if you don’t mind me askin.” He offered the last a little quickly, feeling like he could be asking a personal question, and unsure of how much she was willing to share.

[tovaana]

Muze :: Green Rylath

Her eyebrows rose in slight amusement and surprise at the idea that his dragon had gotten him up to run. She didn’t know his bronze, but he didn’t seem anything like Siorreya’s green that also got her up to do… whatever it was those two did. Was the bronze worried about how fit he was? She glanced at him in reaction to this thought, just as he was taking off his sweater and her cheeks heated up and what seemed like a random thing to do in the middle of the cold season. Her eyes darted away, even with the shirt that covered him, her eyes trailing back when he offered the sweater to her and she took it in numb shock with one hand, slightly confused. Her earlier movements in unfolding her pant legs had been mostly to keep herself busy, so she struggled in making the connection between him noticing that she’d been cold.

“Oh, okay…” She said lamely, holding the sweatshirt as if she didn’t know what to do with the article of clothing. “…but it’s warm.” He had said, had he noticed she’d been cold? It seemed sweet and something her brother would do – she’d never had anyone offer her any sort of similar gesture before. She’d never have questioned the gesture from her brother, but Tak’ril, he wasn’t her brother… maybe the man saw her as a sister? It was warm, she fingered the cloth that she placed on her lap, feeling like she should decline, and if she’d been in the right mind, she would have, but he started talking again and she got distracted by the idea of shipfish.

“You do?!” Her brown eyes widened and darted to the bay surface, as if his words would make the creatures materialize. Her lips pursed in disappointment when there was no sign of them, and perhaps it would be for the better, since they’d probably frighten the fish… but maybe that’d be a good thing for her trap. They’d head to shallower waters where her trap was if there were ship fish about.

Muze glanced at him and shook her head, a wry grin on her lips. He must have had the thought that women weren’t normally taught to fish. “Nope, I don’t. Vav did.” And at that she remembered the sweatshirt that he’d offered her. It must be a brotherly thing to do. Determinedly, she tugged the sweatshirt on, a little warmth was still trapped in the fabric and she sighed reflexively. The stubborn independent part of her felt reluctant, but he’d surprised her enough earlier that it would have felt more rude than honest to give it back. Just because she was used to the cold, didn’t mean she’d rather be warm. She hugged herself, relishing in the warmth. “He’d teach me in his spare time before he left to learn how to make boats. Then I just watched and copied others. I really wanted to prove to my father that I was just as good as the men – so I could join Vavi on his boat when he finished it, or even at all.” She never had. Not officially anyways. She’d gone on small sailing trips with V’than, but never deep sea fishing. “I’ve only seen shipfish from a distance. I imagine you’ve seen them closer.” She eyed his long sleeves, they didn’t seem so warm, but he had said he’d gone on a run, maybe he wasn’t all that cold. That was it, she determined, mentally rescinding her offer to give the sweater back. Her eyes went back out to the bay, her eyes actively scanning to see if a fin or blow spout would betray the spot of a shipfish.

[kevna]

Tak’ril – Bronze Agureyth

She took the sweater hesitantly, and he picked his rod back up, lazily watching the waters. When she had explained her preference for sea fishing he had turned his attention back to watch her. His sister had always teased him that he couldn’t listen very well if he was ignoring her. Her excited exclamation at his own offering of knowledge had him nod. He didn’t miss the twist in her expression as she looked about.

“Less now the cold’s here, but I suspect they’ll be back in full force come spring.” He offered with a shrug. He wondered if this is where they birthed their offspring, for he did remember quite a few youngsters joining in the fun.

He was relieved when she didn’t seem offended by his question. Had V’than mentioned teaching Muze? Not that he remembered. Tak’ril only then noticed the small woman pulling his sweatshirt on, which he found odd, but didn’t offer up that opinion. Women could be touchy; his sister and mother had taught him that. He was completely oblivious to any internal struggle she had with the offering of the article of clothing. The smaller woman continued to explain when and how her brother had taught her, and he listened quietly.

Taselin had never showed any interest in learning how to fish, always loving the chance to ‘play mom’ with all the cooking and sewing and cleaning she did. Had she wished to learn? Had he never given her the opportunity? She had never asked, but he had never offered… Tak’ril didn’t miss the way she worded her desire to prove to her father that she could fish as well as any boy, and wondered at it… “Did you? Er, prove it to him?” He was also impressed that she had been willing to teach herself that which V’than hadn’t gotten around to doing. He didn’t know many girls that enjoyed fishing, nor that had the patience for it.

He scratched her head at her musing, wondering if her musing was just that, musing? Or was it more of a question? He nodded and cleared his throat. “Uh, yeah, a couple times. One time some shipfish saved a young boy that worked on the same ship as me. He was thrown overboard, and by the time we got the ship turned around we were sure he’d be drowned. The shipfish were just keepin him above water.” He was looking out at the water, remembering the scene and the wonder of the discovery.

He understood her desire to see them up closer, he had had the same one, and they were magnificent and intelligent creatures. His mind wandered back to when he had noticed Muze coming out of the bay, and looked to the area, not seeing much, if maybe some wood… “What were ya doin out there?” He asked, motioning with his chin. He had a hard time believing she was wading in the ice waters for the fun of it. It was far too cold out to enjoy that.

[tovaana]

Muze :: Green Rylath

She felt a little silly when he informed her that the shipfish wouldn’t be there during the cold weather. That was something she should have known, but hadn’t. She felt a blush touch her cheeks momentarily, feeling warm in the cold weather- but it was fleeting and was replaced with a false sense of confidence, something she had used more back at home when she had been around men that had known more than her.

“Oh yeah, I forgot.” Muze said, though, she really hadn’t forgotten – because she really hadn’t ever known. She’d never thought of it as lying, though now, with nothing to prove, the statement settled awkwardly in her soul. She didn’t have anything to prove. She kept thinking this stubbornly, as if trying to cleanse her mind from her whole life trying to prove herself…

Her eyes snapped over at him as she felt familiar old anger flair up, her calming thoughts turned ash in the flame of the emotion, and it hit her mouth before she could stop it. “I don’t need to prove him anything.” Then she realized that her father wasn’t there, it was just she and Tak’ril – he had seemed nice, offered his sweatshirt, and here she was snapping at him.

Then her face flushed a little and she glanced down at the sand, “er, not anymore, anyways.” She didn't answer his question, because it hurt too much to say outloud. She'd never prove herself to her father, she'd never be enough. "Couldn't, even if I wanted to. I'm a girl." She said airily, with a slight sour flavor to it. 

Her felt soothed by the story of the shipfish, but still completely embarrassed. Earlier the white lie had been harmless, but her snapping… that was uncalled for. Surely not how he’d want to spend his morning, perhaps she should leave.

Are you alright, Muzemine? Muze stiffened, her green had been roused at the earlier emotions and was paying close attention to her rider. ‘I’m fine.’ She snapped, and inwardly sighed at herself. What was wrong with her? She pulled her knees up and wrapped her arms around them, creating a bubble of safety. It was almost like she’d forgotten that she shared her mind with her dragon, talking with Tak’ril about her past. ‘Sorry, Rylath… I’m fine, really.’

“Hmm?” She made a distracted noise, her eyes drifted up to his distinguished face that motioned to where she’d been. Glad for the distraction she made an attempt at a half smile.

“Lazy fishin’.” She rocked a little, feeling more comfortable talking about fishing than her past – unfortunately the two were intertwined. “It’s a trap, the kind fish go in and can’t come out, since they can’t turn well in it or swim backward.” Her cheeks felt warm again, of course he knew that, she didn’t need to be explaining to him that. “Anyways… been making it in my free time, thought I’d give it a go today…”

[kevna]

Tak'ril - Bronze Agureyth

Tak’ril only nodded at her admission of forgetting, seemed believable enough for him, his brain automatically moving on to the next thing as she explained her learning. His next question had been more curiosity, but it had hit a nerve. Her sharp tone had his eyebrow’s raising. If a man had spoken that way to him, his temper would have flared. But Taselin had had moments like these, and they had been revealing of the abuse she suffered at the hands of her husband. He clenched his jaw in anger, though not at the small girl next to him, but more for her father. Had he hurt her?

She seemed apologetic with her next words, and he only nodded in agreeance, because she shouldn’t have had to prove anything to him. Confusion replaced the protective anger. What did being a girl have anything to do with it? If anything, his own parents had treasured Taselin because she had been a girl.

“I’m sorry,” He murmured quietly, looking out to the bay. ‘Don’t you pity me.’ He could hear the anger still when he had made the mistake of looking at her sister during one of her ‘moments.’ He could learn from his past mistakes. “All men are right fools.” He said it with a shrug and looked over when he had a grin in place. “Least, that’s what my ma and sister used to say.” He was bad with words, he always had been, but they weren’t. He didn’t have anything better to offer, he didn’t know how to be consoling, so silence or a change of topic was always safer. Especially in that order.

His curiosity getting the better of him again may have led him to the change in topic, but this one seemed more acceptable for Muze. He watched her cheeks warm after explaining her trap, but he only looked interested, and nodded. He whistled low, impressed, forgetting his mother’s admonishing that that wasn’t an appropriate way to compliment a lady. She really did know her stuff if she could make a trap as she described. “Well, I’d love to see it when it’s not in use. Those can be might hard to make.” He hadn’t made one since he was younger, using nets and lines had been more of his normal when he had lived in Tidewalk.

[tovaana]

Muze :: Green Rylath

She glanced up at him in surprise at his apology. Sorry, what did he have to be sorry about? Her forehead creased in confusion.

“You’re sorry I’m a girl?” She blurted right after his apology, and she was mostly teasing him, but there was bitterness in her tone that she couldn’t keep out. The corners of her lips twitched in a sort of momentary wry smile to dispel any bitterness he might have detected. She was glad too – because his next words made more sense. He was sorry that she’d had a terrible father. Her cheeks reddened in a flush again, at the idea that he pitied her. Her jaw clenched and glanced at him again, actually biting her tongue from saying something else to offend the man, who she was sure, was just trying to be nice. Did that make him a fool? She’d wanted to ask, but shifted her words.

“You don’t seem like a fool. I mean, you impressed a bronze, right?” She wasn’t sure if the color of a dragon really meant that, but in her mind it seemed to make sense. Also, if she’d left it with just the compliment, it had felt too vulnerable, like she needed some evidence behind what she was saying… without saying something stupid like, V’than thinks you’re swell, or Joia seems to think you’re a good guy.

When Tak’ril mentioned that he’d want to see her trap she couldn’t help but feel the red in her cheeks again. Her jaw tightened, angry at the warmth his simple desire spurred and of her own pride of her creation. It was a good trap, but it wasn’t like she had spent the normal time on it that she would have or could have at home. “Oh, uhm, sure. Yeah, if you want.” She wouldn’t apologize for it, she didn’t want to give away its weaknesses… besides, he’d probably forget or something. What were the chances of running into him again in the evening, outside? Part of her did want to show him, but another part of her worried that the tide or a large fish or canine would destroy the trap… and then what would she show him? A pile of sticks?

To distract herself from those negative thoughts, she asked a somewhat random question in her panic. “What’s your favorite fish?” Her insides twisted. What was his favorite fish? She buried her face in her knees for a moment, rolling her eyes at herself. What a fish-brained question, perhaps she should just leave and stop making herself look like a sun-crazed wher. After a small moment composing herself she glanced up with a forced slight smile. She imagined Tak'ril going to V'than and telling him about this awkward encounter. 'By Faranth V'than, your sister has quite the tongue! And she's quite... awkward.' She let out a slow breath, trying to clear her stupid worry and gather the confidence that was more comfortable and normal - dismissing the awkward fish questions and the desire to please this man, just because he was well thought of by her brother and friend.

kevna

[kevna]

Tak'ril - Bronze Agureyth

Tak’ril grimaced at her quick response to his apology, her tone confusing. “Of course not.” He said it softly, if also a bit stiffly. Why was if so  sharding hard to talk to a woman? It was as if they were another species. He also had to berate himself. Of course, if she had grown up with a father who cared little for a daughter, she would interpret his response that way. He was gather-fool, he should have led with the words from the womenfolk. Or… not.

His jaw clenched and he looked back toward the bay, his grin vanishing at her question. Her question hadn’t meant to hit him where it hurt, and it was his own fault, wasn’t it? He had said it and opened up that basket of worms. If anything, she was probably trying to exclude him from his own words. Answering honestly would open up more worm baskets then he felt was absolutely necessary. He could try avoiding it, right? Or making light of it… His father had been good at that. Yet when he had tried it had never worked on Tak’ril’s mother. He could make it work, he was sure.

He shrugged stiffly, not a good start. “Err, well dragons are far more… forgiving and accepting of weaknesses then humans, don’t you think?” He was too proud to say he was a foolish as any other, but he was sure his family thought him a fool. A fool for the duel, the killing, the exile. His actions had been based off of shock and anger, so in a way he could see how they would think him a fool. It was one of the reasons he hadn’t gone back yet.

He noted the reddening of her cheeks at his query, and he wondered what could have caused it. Surely, he hadn’t asked anything embarrassing of her, right? Surely not… He felt like apologizing, even though he didn’t know what he was supposed to apologize for and was grateful when she accepted his request, dispelling his concerns. “Thanks.” He gave one of his crooked grins, relieved he had read into her reaction, and turned his eyes back to his baits.

Her question caught him off guard, though he didn’t think it too strange a one. They were fishing. He itched at his head, thinking. “To eat? Probably Flatfish. Though, uh catching and gutting Packtail is more fun.” Tak’ril gave her a sheepish grin, and a half shrug, sure he sounded like any other guy with that admission. He liked the challenge. “You?”

[tovaana]

Muze :: Green Rylath

Of course not. Her own voice resounded with his own, feeling a little silly she’d said them at all, especially with his own soft response. Of course not. She had to remind herself that not all men were like her father, but then again, not all men were like her brother or Tak'ril, or her father wouldn’t be the way he was. She had the odd thought, wondering if her father had always been the way he was or if he’d gotten there slowly over time. She couldn’t imagine her father young, and it bothered her, both trying to imagine it and that she cared at all to do so.

Muze noticed the slight shift in demeanor, but was too self-absorbed in her own thoughts to take it seriously. Had he not wanted a bronze? Or… she really couldn’t fathom why her words had stirred the emotion that worked behind his jaw muscles.

She blinked at him, taken aback by the direction of his thoughts. Not that the color of the dragon meant anything to him, but that a dragon had chosen him at all. He was going off what they’d been talking about, men being fools or not. The corners of her lips pulled down in a thoughtful frown.

“Yeah. Annoyingly so.” She said, glancing back at the sight of her resting green, then back at the man as her self-absorption moved back to him. Rylath was all-forgiving, and far too pleasing to the detriment of the dragon. Apparently there was something that Tak’ril believed his dragon had forgiven him of something, or had accepted his weakness… which, every dragon seemed to do to a degree… she was having a hard time connecting that Tak’ril meant something more serious, and instead said, “don’t we all though? Humans, I mean… no one is perfect. The people who don’t, don’t have real friends.” She shrugged lightly. “But I suppose dragons do have a somewhat canine quality in the way they love their rider. My canine at home, she loved everyone, no matter what… well, almost no matter what.” She stopped at that, thinking about how her canine was more wary of some people. “But… maybe dragons are like canines too, knowing who is truly good or bad. I think animals are good at that, and dragons are animals, if not extremely more intelligent than most…which would mean they’d probably be better judges of character, right?”

She’d been talking her thoughts aloud, completely unaware that she’d run on in her words embarrassingly so.

Muze gave him a side glance at his gratefulness for her accepting to show him her trap. It seemed… like an odd response. What was he thankful for? To see it? Why? He wouldn’t be gratified if her trap had caught nothing, or worse, if it was in shambles from a wild animal or canine.

He answered her question about fish as if it were naturally part of their conversation, so her embarrassment subsided and she listened with more interest and curiosity. An eyebrow lifted and he looked at him in surprise. “Really!?” She’d never gotten cut while gutting Packtail, but she’d seen it happen enough that she knew she didn’t want to experience it. Since she’d been young, Packtail usually went to the more experienced women to gut and prepare, but she wasn’t about to admit that. “Huh.”

“I like Whitefish, common enough, but good. Redfin too, but we don’t really Redfin back at…where I was born, tried it here though, I haven’t tried it raw – I hear it’s good that way too. I guess they’re native to Southern area, I guess I could to a day trip to Southern and see if I can catch one, eh?” She smiled at the thought, realizing that she’d never been to Southern, or a lot of the world… and with a dragon, so much more was possible than being stuck at her place of birth under the thumb of her father.

[kevna]

Tak'ril - Bronze Agureyth

He gave a wry smile at her grieved concession. He had expected that to be that. Suddenly she was talking again. It almost sounded like she was trying to prove him worthy of his bronze. He understood the hierarchy. The power bronzes had over all dragons aside from the gold. They did make sense. To a point. What about people like Th’ron? The bronzerider tormented fellow riders that didn’t measure up to his expectations. And Tak’ril had killed someone, wasn’t that the opposite of good? Yet still, bronze dragons had chosen them. He looked at Muze, concerned at her evaluation. Would she trust every bronzerider just on the fact that they had impressed a bronze?

“Aye…” He said hesitantly, “I see yer point.” He said the words slowly. He was bad with words, and he had already angered her once without even trying. “But I reck’n… Er, I reck’n V’than to be a better man then some bronzeriders..” Agureyth was more his redemption then his right. Or the balance of losing Tasy. Faranth’s work, he was sure. He didn't consider himself a 'bad' person, but was he really good? He had let his temper and thirst for vengeance control him. “Just uh, don’t go trust’n a man based on the color of his dragon.” He winced and rubbed his neck. Shards, that sounded bad, didn’t it? But the idea of Muze trusting and getting caught up with someone like Th’ron… “I uh, just mean, your judgment would be a better way to measure who t’trust as good or bad.” He wasn’t looking at her, but at the water, feeling beyond awkward about the conversation.

When it eventually segued out of it, it was easier to relax. Her surprised ‘really’ had him nodding. It really was so much easier talking about fish. “We, uh-used to have competitions when we were gettin packtail in the nets, see who could come out unscathed. They like to sneak in with the rest, and getting cut is easier when yer not payin attention. Lot a bubbly pies were given to the victors.” He patted his stomach, happily remembering the swearing and laughter when the nets would fill and the fun would begin.

He heard the way she cut off her words and restarted again. He wondered at her aversion of saying home, instead of her ‘where I was born.’ He didn’t like thinking about home too much either because it reminded him of why he wasn’t at home, and preferred the fish topic. “I hear they are more easily caught in rivers and lakes, so at least you wouldn’t need a boat.” He mused, imagining the trip and it’s needs. “Might need to eat it there, wonder what between would do to fresh fish. Might be more enjoyable cookin up your own catch over a fire.” The more he considered it, the more appealing a day in southern, fishing and eating the catches, sounded. Plus, the heat would be a nice change of pace. "Never been 

[tovaana]

Muze :: Green Rylath

She glanced over at him, hugging her knees close to her chest, pushing herself to rock every once in a while as she listened to him struggle to voice his thoughts. He was not as sure as some men, like V’than was confident – well, like he had been at home. She’d seen him in waver in the Weyr, and slowly rebuild the confidence after impressing to Saruth. Muze didn’t understand what V’than being a brownrider and being better than bronzeriders had to do with dragons choosing good people. Then his second comment brought the message home and she felt her temper flair at a man telling her what not to do, and how to think – but the following statement brought the flame within her down and her jaw relaxed.

“Well, there are some nasty dragons, I mean, not so kind. The black green? She gives me the creeps. What if one judged a man on his dragon? Not all canines are sweet either.”

She looked out at the bay, somewhat irritated, but realized it wasn’t at Tak’ril that she was irritated. How did one tell how good a person was? There was a lot of confusion in the culture of dragons – with the natural hierarchy in their colors, then translating to how the riders of such dragons were treated. On one hand, it was important for dragons when fighting Thread to be able to trust that the bronzes and browns to help guide their Wings – and yet, many blue and green riders were determined that they were just as good, so why not them? Muze leaned toward the group that broke tradition, because she wanted to be the best green rider she could be – and not treated differently just because she impressed to a green. Just like her father had treated her differently just because she was born a girl.

His talk of fish distracted her nicely and she grinned wide as he patted his stomach. He sounded like he’d been a good fisher… why had he come to Mavros then? And impressed? And here he was, fishing in the morning – was it to reach into his past to what was comfortable? Or was it so part in his blood that he couldn’t part with it completely. For Muze, she knew it was something she was good and comfortable with, comforting when the world and culture around her was so different than she grew up with. “You sound like you were a good fisher. Do you regret leaving to be a dragonrider? I mean, I know you could never regret impressing to your dragon, I know that. But, in another life, would you have stayed?” Her curiosity was voiced almost before she realized she'd done it, the words came out, her curiosity truly was the bane of her. V’than had told her that people didn’t like personal questions asked, not when you didn’t know them well. This was the first one-on-one interaction with Tak’ril, she should be more polite, especially if she wanted to come back and fish in this location if he was going to be there.

She bit the inside of her lip, worrying at it as she instead thought of his musings of a Southern trip. He was making it sound magical. “Oh, yes – I was planning on eating it freshly caught, there.” He sounded as interested as she was and she looked over at him. “Maybe we should go.” And she realized how brazen that sounded, especially since his dragon wasn’t old enough for such trips. Her cheeks felt warm when she added casually. “I bet V’than would love to go too. I’ve never been, so I don’t think V’than has ever either… I think his apprenticeship had been in Northern or something.” She wasn’t looking at him now, instead eying the taught line of his fishing thread. Muze decided she would lower her voice a little, hoping she hadn’t been too loud, but couldn’t bring herself to apologize for enjoying herself.

[kevna]

Tak'ril - Bronze Agureyth

He only shrugged, thinking of a few other responses, but surmising that that he had gotten his point across. Muze was still young, she had been quite a bit younger when he had first met her, but still young now. Getting into an argument over this was probably unnecessary.

Over time he had been asked by many what had led to him being a dragonrider. It was a common enough question, especially for people who had lives, who were settled. It was a much easier question then the less often asked, ‘what brought you to Mavros.’ It was all about the wording, because they were both very different answers, and one was far more touchy then the other. Muze’s question was neither, and yet both, now wasn’t it? He considered it for a moment.

“Aye, I’d like t’think so,” He gave her one of his quirky smiles, “I know I enjoyed it plenty. The lifestyle suited me. So, then it depends on the other life then.” He rubbed his jaw in thought. He would answer as if it were the first question, because it was one he had given more, and he had come to better grips with it. “Dragonriding wasn’t my dream, it was my sister’s. I accepted candidacy ‘cause she never could live her dream, and I wanted to honor her. I s’pose if she had lived and followed that dream, instead of the one she endured, nothing could have called me from the sea.” There was the pang of sorrow that still touched him when he spoke of her, and he supposed there always would be.

“’Cept maybe Tasy, she may’ve bullied me into it. She was a scary woman to say no to. I guess she’d’ve led me to my bondmate either way.” He gave a small chuckle at the thought of his spitfire of a sister, hands on hips, telling him not to be a fool and pass something like this up. Yes, she never would have allowed him to miss out on his bronze heartmate. He could feel Agureyth was considering the conversation he was having with Muze. Thoughts of Tasy always seemed to bring his dragon’s attention, and he suspected it was because of his feelings leeching through their bond.

I’m good. He informed his dragon softly. Yes, the pang of sorrow would probably always be there, but her memory was still lighter. I know. Was the answering, soft voice of his dragon. He turned his mental attention back to Muze. It was customary to ask in return, something much like that wasn’t it? But it didn’t seem like a kind question, making her think of her father when she so obviously had poor memories of him. Dreaming of a kinder father that would never be, would be plain torture. Dreaming of a living breathing Tasy on a pretty dragon was torture, but Muze hadn’t known that asking that would bring that to mind.

He looked over her, surprised by her invitation. It had sounded like a trip she wanted for herself, so her offer was unexpected. “Oh, uh yeah. We should. I, er, wouldn’t be able to go for another month, with Aggy.” Well, that sounded awkward. It was still so strange, because the first time he had met Muze, she had been a candidate, a young girl. Now she was a full blown dragonrider, two years older, able to go as she pleased. Much had changed for many, and yet almost no time had passed for him and Agureyth. Muze continuing, venturing that V’than would want to come, made the trip seem more viable. Less awkward.

“V’than’s Riasus could come too. I think she may have visited Southern. Then we wouldn’t all be lost.”

[tovaana]

Muze :: Green Rylath

His smiles made her feel like he was enjoying himself, or at least she hoped he was. She enjoyed fishing alone like the next fisher, but sometimes it was nice to share in a joined pleasure. This smile spoke to the bit of confidence that he did have – fishing. With the way he usually spoke, sometimes as if he’d break something if spoke too surely, she wondered why he seemed so uncertain. Muze couldn’t relate, not always, she liked speaking her mind – it made both parties more at ease… well, unless they didn’t like what she said, but at least they’d know she was honest, right?

She took in his story and the way he felt about his sister. It was interesting… “So…” She spoke softly, both for the fish and the sensitivity of the topic of his sister, who obviously had passed away. “You’re living her dream, because she can’t… but who will live your dream?” She realized that might sound calloused, just because he was trying to honor his sister. “But, Agureyth is kinda like…your connection to your sister. I can’t imagine losing my brother.”

Her face widened with a grin. “I like the sound of your sister.”

She’d known that. She known that he couldn’t fly with his dragon to Southern with her, what had she expected? Him to fly with her? That send blood to her cheeks again, since in a hold it just wasn’t proper, even in a small hold like she’d come from. She just said, “right… well, Southern isn’t going anywhere. I’m sure your bronze would want us to wait, so he could come too.”

Then she stopped her slow rocking at his next words, confusion rolling in and discoloring her happier thoughts. She wasn’t a fool, she’d seen V’than with a woman – especially at meal times. It meant that she saw him less, because… well, she wasn’t sure. It wasn’t like she was frightened to meet the woman. She didn’t lack the boldness to interrupt their meal times together…but, V’than hadn’t spoken to her about the woman either. There’d been a mixture of jealousy and irritation and suspicion. Now, Tak’ril cleared up at least one of those points. She didn’t know why she expected V’than to keep to traditions of the hold while living in the Weyr…it wasn’t like she as a green rider could live up to those expectations, but she was a green rider. To her knowledge, Saruth hadn’t chased yet… that woman was not a rider… V’than’s – like he owned Riasu.

For a rare moment she was stunned wordless. “…oh.” Was all she could muster, while she regained her dignity and realized with a flare of anger why else she should be bothered. Tak’ril knew about Riasu, her name and that she seemed to be belonged to V’than, while Muze had only seen them together. V’than had confided in his friend before his sister. Her lips pursed and she hugged herself tighter, feeling her hands dig into her ribs.

Rylath’s head rose, looking at her human who was closer to the bay. Instead of speaking, she offered her rider comfort, since before she had seemed touchy. Muze felt the tug of her dragon and slowly released her tension, except for her fingers that tried holding onto the familiarity that she had left. The change and coming to the Weyr had been good, but all change came with the unexpected parts, parts that even Muze couldn’t have foreseen.