Stepping On Toes [Pod/Isha]

[Zen]

Podrell, Rellirra

Podrell had spotted Sio shortly after he’d walked in with his sister at his side, and also quickly noticed that Yva was in her company as well. He had no desire to get caught up interacting with the girl, nor to subject his sister to her, and hoped he might be able to catch Sio away from her friend later. Otherwise he’d just have to wait until he returned Rellirra to Pollifa and deal with Yva’s… odd behavior then.

Rellirra wouldn’t settle but for a dance immediately so he let her have it, leading her in an upbeat quickstep to start out the night. After that he’d insisted that they eat, now that they’d worked up an appetite. Rellirra surprisingly didn’t seem terribly disappointed by the Weyr’s lack of splendor at such an event. She was too caught up in the romanticism of the day, it seemed. He’d been sure she would be disappointed by her first Weyr event.

After taking a sip of juice, Rellirra looked over at him, “I heard that Lord Divano has a son who is a rider here. Do you know him?”

Podrell blinked down at the girl, wondering where she’d heard that information, “I know of him. He’s rides brown Alduntulath, you might have seen him, he’s quite distinctive with his black markings. But I haven’t met him personally.”

Rellirra sighed, “I was hoping you might introduce me…. He might be enough of a gentleman to ask me to dance.”

Her continued concern on the matter had Podrell fighting not to roll his eyes. “As I told you, you’ll be asked,” he told her reassuringly, “If I get a moment with Vanisha, perhaps she can point him out to me.” Even as she was considering whether he was reassuring enough, a boy of similar age to her approached the two and awkwardly asked her to dance with him. Podrell recognized him as one of the newly Impressed brownriders, and Weyrleader B’rax’s son, from all the times he’d boasted of it. Baranix, or apparently B’nix now, as he introduced himself. Rellira looked to her brother hopefully and it took him a heartbeat to realize she was asking his permission. “Go dance then, don’t keep the young man waiting.”

She grinned and stood, giving the boy a little curtsy before taking his hand and introducing herself in turn. He led her away as Pod shook his head. She really was something else. He took a moment to watch the two of them, smiling a little at how happy she looked, even if B’nix didn’t seem terribly adept at dancing. He could only hope that would put her worries aside at last. Though it might not be a terrible idea to see if he could find Vanisha’s brother and ask him for the favor of dancing with her as well. Rellirra only had a limited time to enjoy the celebration, he wanted her to have a good time.

His gaze traveled back toward where he’d last seen Sio and her friends, spotting them still chatting, and a few of the new dragons… dancing? He watched that with some odd fascination for a few moments before shaking his head, his gaze shifting away and landing on Vanisha, who seemed unoccupied for the moment. He left his seat to make his way over to her, “Vanisha, congratulations again on your Impression. It suits you, I think.” Much better than Asirikai does, he thought smugly. “I would be honored if you would allow me a dance, greenrider.” His emphasis on the term was wholly respectful, and spoken with a friendly smile on his lips. He was happy the young woman had found her lifemate, and even happier it had probably ruined his uncle’s day.

kevna

[kevna]

Vanisha – Green Sabellath

She felt like her nerves were raw. This had been a long feast, and yet it had only just begun. Starting off with a Search though, and they, so new, and naïve. It didn’t help that Sabellath was very hyperfocused on whether or not the blonde green rider had snubbed her. Or the truth of the matter? The green had asked so many people, and she was close to a conclusion, or so the green kept telling her after each encounter. This wasn’t exactly how she had imagined getting to know her fellow riders.

Sabellath seemed to have found someone else to ask, and was heading that way. Vanisha, afraid to let her out of her sight was about to follow, when Podrell came up to her. She smiled, hiding any disquiet she felt about Sabellath speaking with someone without her. She needn’t be rude, no matter her nerves. She lifted her skirts and curtsied, and blushed when she considered again if that was the wrong move to make as a rider. And here he was complimenting her, saying it suited her, and she couldn’t seem to understand what to do with herself. “My thanks, Podrell.” It felt strange, saying his name without ‘Lord’ in front of it, but there was a little euphoria with it.

No, the actual euphoria came with hearing her new title. Greenrider. Her smile widened into one of her uncontained, genuine smiles, lighting up her face. “I would be delighted to, Podrell.” If her mother heard her say that, delighted, about a man, she would be scandalized, but she was riding the euphoria, the freedom. She let him lead her out onto the dance floor, and into the dance with her practiced elegance. “It feels different, so real.” She said, almost giddy. The realizing she had said it aloud, and she felt herself blanche. Podrell had stood on the sands, had even protected her from getting mauled, and not been given his own bonded. Now here she was, rubbing it in his face. How disappointed he must have felt. 

“I am so sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I didn’t mean to rub my success in your face. Truly, I am sorry. Surely your bonded will be in the next clutch.” Vanisha shut her mouth, realizing she was rambling. Her mother would be so disappointed. She felt shame start to creep in, the euphoria gone in that instant.

[Zen]

Podrell

Her real, genuine happiness was so apparent, so in contrast to the behavior he was used to from her. She seemed to keep herself hidden, her reactions and emotions muted by expectation and duty, from what Pod had gathered throughout their time as candidates together. She was always so proper. It was refreshing to see her true joy escape from behind her mask of propriety. He knew quite well what it was to wear that mask, though it took a wildly different form between a man chasing his ambitions and a lady playing the role she was trained for. He took her hand and led her out among the other dancers, wondering at this glimpse of the real Vanisha. It seemed Impression suited her even better than he had originally thought.

Her joy did not last, however, as she seemed to withdraw again, uttering apologies. He shook his head slightly, his features softening with sincerity so that perhaps she would take his words more to heart, “Please, Vanisha, I need no apology from you. I do not begrudge you your victory, nor any other who Impressed today. It is for you we celebrate. Were I so sour I would have avoided the festivities rather than inflict my mood on the revelries of others. Do not diminish your joy on my account, for then I should feel all the worse.” He laughed lightly, lowering his voice as if to impart some secret, “Would that you would grace Pern with such bright smiles more often, we should all forget our disappointments.”

Though he meant it playfully, he truly did enjoy seeing her smile so freely. The two of them had a great deal to learn, and unlearn, about expressing themselves freely without care as to who saw or what they thought, it seemed to him. It made him feel a sense of kinship with her, even if she had no idea. Perhaps he would tell her one day, the similarities he saw between them even as they were so very different. Faranth willing, dragons were perhaps what they both needed to break down the walls they had both carefully crafted around themselves. At least with Sio he had some assistance in the mean time, while he waited for a hopeful eventual Impression of his own.

“Now that you’ve had a bit more time with her, I would love to hear more about your green… Sabellath, wasn’t it?” It took him a moment, but he was pretty sure that was the name Vanisha had announced to him on the sands. With how she had apologized for a simple comment about her Impression, he doubted she would talk about the green on her own, but perhaps if he asked directly, showed genuine interest, she would feel more comfortable sharing about her new lifemate. “What sort of dragon is she? I’ve met several sorts since arriving at Mavros and the vast differences in personality between them is still quite intriguing to me.”

kevna
-1000th post weeeee

[kevna]

Vanisha - Green Sabellath

Podrell was so kind with her misstep. He merely brushed it aside and refocused on her. It made her blink in surprise, mostly because most people didn’t do that. She still felt awful for rubbing her victory in his face… He leaned toward her, and his whispered words had her eyes widening and her face blushing that sharding red color that was so hard to hide. She let out a little laugh, her smile, perhaps not as bright as before, if only due to embarrassment, hidden as she ducked her head. “You are… too kind. Truly.” She looked at him again, “I thank you, Podrell.” Then in an attempt to veer attention away from herself she asked, “What brought you to candidacy? Are you liking it so far?”

Sabellath took that moment to intercede. He is funny? He has just made you uncomfortable, though I am having difficulty discerning your actual feelings.

He is very kind. I’m merely embarrassed by his kindness. I didn’t think before rubbing my bonding with you in his face.

Why would he care? I am yours, not his. He could not have been mine, no, he would not do as mine, not like you do. You should not feel bad about sharing our wonderful news.

Vanisha wanted to sigh, her green was so clever, and yet she didn’t understand the complexities of life, and others emotions. Before she could add to that particular conversation, she added. Also, I asked this tall one what they thought of our previous interaction, and they agreed with me. It was not kind. Have you asked the one you are with? Ah, this looks like an intelligent one.

She didn’t know to feel embarrassed that her green was interrupting another couple mid dance to ask her question, or relieved she hadn’t tromped through the whole dance floor to get tot them and ask Podrell about their experience with the greenrider. Podrell brought her back to their dance, and she inwardly kicked herself for allowing herself to be distracted. It wasn’t like her at all. His question did assuage some of her previous guilt, seeing as he brought Sabellath up himself, and her bright smile returned at the opportunity to speak about her bonded.

“They do. Interacting with all the hatchlings has been an eye opener for me. And yes, Sabellath, you remembered correctly. She is… clever. Beyond clever, and perceptive. Very protective and a little stubborn.. Though I admit she has little tact, almost to the point of-” Here she looked toward the green before looking back at Podrell with an embarrassed smile and whispered, “well, the point of rudeness.” Then before he could take her bonded for actually being rude, she added quietly and in a rush. “She means no ill by it, she can be quite sweet, she just seems oblivious to how some comments and questions come off. She-she is young.” The very last she said a little uncertainly. She wasn't sure this was something Sabellath would outgrow or not. She bit the inside of her lip, worrying it with her own obvious worry. Asirikai had just come into view during their turn, and his eyes looked so dark as they met hers. She shivered, wondering just what her little green might let slip if they were to encounter eachother.

[Zen]

Podrell

Perhaps the playful compliment had been a little too bold for one such as Vanisha as she seemed thoroughly embarrassed by it. He would have to remember to reign himself in a bit in future so as to make her too uncomfortable. When she turned the subject to him, he let the conversation shift and gave her time to recover, “Mm… like is perhaps not the right word. I don’t dislike it… it’s new, different. I enjoy learning new things and my knowledge of dragons has been sorely lacking… I’d never really thought such information useful to me. But it does rather remind me of my apprentice days, if a bit less constraining. Starting over is not a feeling I particularly relish… but it has kept my interest.”

He considered the first part of her question as he answered the second, not entirely sure just what he felt like divulging on that matter. He led her out into a gentle spin and back to him again before he continued, “As for what brought me to candidacy… I was Searched, of course.” A grin pulled at his lips, barely contained, and a chuckle escaped him, “Ah, truthfully… I’ve been restless for most of my life… seeking a purpose which could ignite a passion in me. I did not accept candidacy immediately upon my being Searched, but after giving it some thought… I had to consider that perhaps it has been a dragon I have been missing this entire time. I only hope I have not arrived too late to the conclusion.”

Twenty one was somewhat late to be Searched, and did not give him long or many chances to Impress. Had he ever seriously considered the path in his youth, he could have been presented to one of Monaco Bay’s searchdragons when they came to Cove. What was done could hardly be changed, and all he could do now was hope his dragon had yet to break shell. “I must say that leaving my fate to the decision of an infant dragon is very likely the maddest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” he finished the thought with some amusement, “I have always been very much in control of my life, and letting go of that control has been… difficult for me, though I admit also oddly exhilarating.”

Podrell couldn’t help but wonder what had made Vanisha accept candidacy. She hardly seemed the sort to be drawn to the dangers of dragonriding. But perhaps that was part of the mask she wore, the way she had been raised, trained to be a proper lady. He was interested to see if she would open up a little more as her dragon grew and she learned to be a dragonrider first and a lady second.

Fortunately, his question about her new lifemate seemed the right direction to take. He had yet to encounter a rider that did not light up when given the opportunity to talk about their dragon. Perhaps some existed, but he hadn’t met them. He chuckled at Vanisha’s hurried defense of her green, “Of course. One can hardly be expected to have the best manners upon birth. I imagine she will learn in time, particularly with you to guide her. I’ll not hold it against her, should she deign to speak with me.” His thoughts couldn’t help but slip to Siorreya and Amagetith, in stark contrast to Vanisha and her concern over her dragon’s lack of propriety. It was impossible for him to know if Amagetith simply hatched the way she was or if her behavior was encouraged by her rider. Surely a rider could have some influence on their dragon as they grew? Human children were very impressionable, molded by their surroundings and circumstances. The same ought to be true of dragons… but with his still limited knowledge of the creatures he really didn’t know.

Past Vanisha, he caught sight of his sister still enjoying her dance and was reminded of her inquiry about Vanisha’s brother. “Hm… I’m afraid I do have a bit of an ulterior motive for approaching you,” he admitted with a mock sense of shame, though he did not hold it long before another soft laugh escaped him, “I’m currently accompanying my younger sister so she might enjoy a bit of dancing, and being the young lady she is, she has done quite a lot of fretting about being asked to dance. I was hoping you might point me in the direction of your brother, No’va, so I might ask him for the favor of dancing with her for a song… if you think he would be agreeable? This is her first experience at a Weyr celebration… I just want it to be enjoyable for her.” He didn’t admit that it was Rellirra’s idea, certain she’d be mortified, because a lady waits to be asked.

kevna

[kevna]

Vanisha - Green Sabellath

She listened attentively to Podrell, he didn’t dislike candidacy? She found it interesting, but the way he described it hadn’t been unlike her feeling towards candidacy. Vanisha had enjoyed it, it had been difficult, but breaking from everything she had known and learning of dragons and dragonriding had highlighted how much she had to grow and change; change had never been necessary before. Even looked down on. Ladies were constant. Yes, candidacy had been uncomfortable.

His hand led her into a spin, and she wondered briefly if he had purposefully avoided the first of her questions, even as she obediently spun with sure steps. She considered how she would steer the conversation next, away from what he obviously didn’t wish to speak of, even if she was so very interested-when she was securely back in his arms he spoke again. Restless? Seeking a purpose. She looked at up to see his eyes, even if just for a moment before modestly dropping them away from him and back to over his shoulder. She had felt trapped. It’s how she had always described it to herself, but what if she had just been seeking a different purpose then the one automatically placed on her at her birth? She had definitely had to train the restlessness out of herself-she wondered if she would ever feel that adventurous again. The way she had felt on that wild ride she had broken her arm. She considered Podrell’s concern of arriving too late, and her soft, endearing smile flittered over to her dragon. In this, she could comfort him.

“I do not believe there is such a thing as too late, when it comes to finding your bondmate. Sabellath claims I have always been hers, and she has always been mine. Perhaps your conclusion has been waiting for you to find the intermediary.”

His following confession made her smile-though in her case, her little dragonet had given her control back over her life. She couldn’t very well disagree with him, it would be obscene to contradict him. Her smile widened though when he admitted to the experience being exhilarating. It was. And impression was euphoric. “Like the hatching-terrifying and thrilling all at once.” Her words would sound like agreeing, without actually having to lie in any way. 

The conversation moving onto Sabellath felt so freeing and safe-but she couldn’t help but wonder if she had said too much about Sabellath. Her green wouldn’t mind, surely. Sabellath loved honesty, and she didn’t seem to take correction personally. But perhaps it was poor etiquette to speak such a way to Podrell. He did sooth her concern about Sabellath’s tendency to be blunt. Though, Sabellath didn’t feel like a child, she was young, surely she would outgrow it, or learn better… Surely.

Of course, there will be many things I’ll learn. How very exciting to think of all the things there are to bring to light, and discover! Sabellath had chosen then to start listening in, obviously she had finished with whoever else she had asked about the greenrider. I think one more opinion should help to make a conclusive answer to whether that rider was being rude. We should ask the one you are with. Bring him over here, I cannot get on the dance floor, there are too many people. After the dance, it would be considered ill manners to stop mid dance. Well, I guess I could try to come to you. The green sounded as if she was seriously considering that, and Isha tried not to panic. Don’t do that, please. It’ll be over soon. Just wait there for me. She was pleading inwardly, fearful her dragon would ignore her and enter the dance floor. Not too much longer? Alright, it can wait, but not too much longer. It could have been a threat, but her dragon said it so calmly and straightforward, she gleaned the green hadn't meant it in that particular way. 

She realized then that the pause from his comforting words had grown to an awkward moment. “Oh, forgive me, I-that is very gracious, Podrell.” She had been about to give an excuse, which there shouldn’t have been an excuse good enough to ignore her dance partner. “She looks forward to meeting you, she loves speaking to others.” She couldn't believe what what had done. She nodded to the green crouched on the edge of the dancefloor watching them avidly.

Just tell him you were talking to me. It is not rude to talk to me. It is natural.

It’s still rude, because he was ignored.

I do not see why. I shall have to ask about this as well.

Vanisha couldn’t help but be dismayed. I really wish you wouldn’t.

The truth is important. Perhaps you assume it’s rude, but the one you are with will think otherwise.

I don’t think- She was mid sentence answering the green when Podrell spoke again, and she looked up at him to show him she was actually listening to him. Not ignoring him. An ulterior motive? She felt confusion, murmuring an “Oh?” quietly, again to affirm her listening to him. Her eyebrows rose and she smiled, holding back an automatic giggle. That wouldn’t be appropriate. “Ah, well that I can assist you in. How gallant a brother.” She said, and scanned the room for where she had last seen him. “He’s in the corner near the meal table, speaking to that young lady. Would you like me to reintroduce you to him after we speak to Sabellath?” It seemed the polite thing to do, though also a little strange. She didn’t want to hamper a “male” conversation. She could just introduce herself and then part, though.

Siorreya - Green Amagetith

She was twirling when she noticed that vibrant, soft looking red hair again, and she paused mid spin. She was out on the dancefloor being spun by none other then… Podrell. She swallowed, her eyes narrowing. “All the sudden, I’m terribly thirsty.” Sio placed a hand on her forehead, sighing. K’oa opened his mouth as if to offer to get her a drink, and Siorreya quickly interrupted. “I’ll be right back.” Before he or Yva could intercede, she was skipping towards the fruit punch, her soft dress dancing along her legs with every move. Her eyes were drawn repeatedly to the dancing couple, she almost spilled the punch as she attempted to scoop it into her cup.

She moved a little closer to the dance floor as she watched them gliding along the floor. The redhead didn’t have any pounce in her step, instead she moved like wind over water, her dress kicking up in gentle laps as she twisted and twirled with Podrell. The tall woman-a greenrider-really did move like a lady. She swallowed another sip, watching over the brim of her cup. Her eyes still narrowed. What was Podrell’s game? Was he trying to make her jealous? Possibly his lies had finally caught up to him, showing his real intention of “moving on” from the feelings he had claimed. She studied Podrell’s face, he looked… like he was enjoying himself. The woman couldn’t seem to hold his eyes, glancing at him and away like a-a-coward. Or a submissive pup. She realized she was grinding her teeth, and forcefully opened her mouth and wiggled her jaw around to loosen all tension, then took another sip of her fruit juice.

She heard the murmuring. And the words, “The redhead?” and “Yeah, tha’ un.” She looked over to the two men, fishermen perhaps, holders of some sort maybe? She followed their gazes back to Podrell and the redhead. Now she couldn’t help but be curious. They were murmuring so quietly that she couldn’t help but move closer to them, trying to look for all the world as if she was waiting for a dance partner.

“Are you sure that’s her? I can’t believe she impressed.”

“Yeah, tha’s her. Ih’ was on the downlow, but I hurd tha’ our new Lord wan’ed her for his Lady. She’s the Tidewalk’s daughte’.”

The man rubbed his chin before shaking his head. “Ya didna hear ih’ from me.” “No of course not-” They were moving further away heads together as they continued to murmur. She couldn’t follow them without it being obvious that she was listening in. Huh. Her eyes returned to the pair. So Podrell was dancing with Asirikai’s hoped for bride? She chewed on her lip, remembering the way Asirikai and Podrell faced off constantly. She searched the crowd and found Asirikai among a crowd of men, all of whom were ignoring him as he did exactly what she was doing, watching the lovely couple on the dancefloor. His eyes were dark, and he wasn’t his normal public smiling figure. So… what did that mean? Was Podrell luring Vanisha into his arms as payback to Asirikai? Or was he… had he and the redhead been planning this all along? Become riders and hurt people along the way? But Podrell had failed to impress and… and she had never seen him with her before. Could he be that vengeful towards Asirikai?

The image of Podrell holding her in bed as her fever had raged, the way his hand had stroked her back, and how he had forced those awful concoctions down her throat, talking about his parents, his siblings… Something in her rebelled from the vision, turning from the dancefloor to discard her now empty cup, her eyes closed to force the vision away. Could a politician be that good at lying? Was she far more naïve then she had thought? No. She wasn’t that naïve. Perhaps he had merely discovered the Lady he had always desired in the redhead and she was becoming a rider and followed suit… Though why come to Siorreya and claim such-such-fanciful feelings? Her mind again whispered ‘Vengeance… you were the reason he didn’t get his Lordship.’ The blonde rubbed her head, shaking it, feeling that oh so familiar confusion she always felt around him. The fear. Her lip hurt, and she realized she was still chewing on it.

She turned back to the dancefloor, further back, and safer from view. She forced a small huff of laughter, bravado. Why did it matter why Podrell did anything? Or what he did? Who cared who he danced with, or slept with, or… It didn’t matter! He was very good in bed, he was fun to battle words with, and if he wanted to try and play into her feelings, she would just… just take advantage of the fun he could provide and continue to disappoint him in whatever other game he played. It would secure her victory in that unknown game, wouldn’t it? The anger she felt towards him was merely the challenge he presented, not anger, but determination. The anger toward the woman…? She studied the redhead. Was unnecessary. The woman may be a lady, but she wasn’t Siorreya, and the redhead would be sorely disappointed if she though Podrell couldn’t be lured from her bed. Especially now that she couldn’t keep his attention in that area, not for a while at least. Her smile returned, it felt more real and she ran her hands through her curly, wispy blond hair. She continued to watch them, the anger toward the redhead dissipating, even as the determination to prove herself right grew...