Pennalyn huddles into her coat as she ambles along in the company of Avila and Ilesyn. "This had better be a _very_ cute guy, Avila, or my frostbitten toes will have been frozen for nothing..."
Avila turns to Ilesyn. "And I thought you might want to help..." Obviously the tail end of a conversation. She smiles, waving to L'in and Thera as they cross the bowl, but at Pennalyn's comment, she stops, turns and knits her brows. "I told you! That's all over! You're a candidate now!" There's a glance L'in's way. No, she's not corrupting the candidates... really!
"I'm fascinated, I admit," responds Ilesyn, as she walks, "Although - what's this research of yours?" She's an expert on research - brand new Journeywoman and all - and thus, allowed to be interested. Her stylus is tucked behind her ear, indicating that she's no longer going to threaten poking at anyone with it as she walks, her hair tossed away from her face. "Honestly, must you think of nothing but boys, and sharding *glory*. Who'd want to be a rider, and die?"
Thera lifts a brow at L'in, but rages. " From all my riding experience that I've taken these last few turns perfecting, which /C'daer hasn't/!" Is fumed, but her voice takes on a lighter tone as she pauses from the Aanti-C'daer rage and inquires: " Why?"
Pennalyn pouts slightly. Doesn't mean I can't _look_..."
L'in was examining Thera's biceps, or at least trying to when.. lo and behold! Could this be real? Is he imagining this? The look that takes over his face spells out d-e-l-i-g-h-t! Females! "Well now! Heya! Heya! Heya!" The guy's reaching down to tug at his jacket but, alas, there is none! Pennalyn, Ilesyn, and yes, even Avila is carefully appraised, as the brownrider stands taller though flight-misted eyes haven't changed. Thera's question goes unanswered as he dons his best smile.
Thera snorts irritably. " Well, now I see the true light of things. Avoid him ladies, flight make-up for attention in the process," the bluerider grumbles. " If anyone wants me, I'll be with my dragon." Is stated irritably before she slides past the group and toward Rilareth.
"Oh, you know. I'm researching for writing romance scrolls. I want it to be accurate. And S'villen has agreed to an interview." Avila nods with a cocked brow to Ilesyn. All things /she/ would appreciate. She opens her mouth to answer Pennalyn, but it stays open as she hears L'in's voice, and turns to such an appreciative look? And such a beaming smile? "Well, hello, L'in. You're in a fine mood today." It seems Thera's words slipped right by her, and she's looking a bit confused. "You know Ilesyn? This is Pennalyn. A candidate."
Pennalyn takes a thoughtful look at L'in, smiles politely as she echoes "I'm Pennalyn," and adds to Avila in an undertone, "Don't worry about my Candidate virtue, it's in no danger from him."
Ilesyn, exciting L'in? Must be her companions; she's way too ugly for anything else. "It should," says she, shortly, Pennalyn's comment met with a roll of her eyes. "*Honestly*."Avila's response is met with an understanding nod; she remembers, now. "That's right! Of course. I'd love to assist you with that, although my last intereview with S'vilen was less than satisfactory." She'll have to rectify the situation. "L'in," she agress, head nodding.
L'in turns a quick look to Thera, calling out to her. "Hey! Where're you going? Not polite to leave so quickly, you know!" he says with that big grin, just before turning to the others. "So nice you could drop by, hmm?" he asks, reaching up to brush some rain droplets off his brow. A couple steps take him to Ilesyn's side where he reaches down to pinch her forearm lightly. "How's it going? I've missed seeing you lately, you know? Doing any more exams?" A wink is sent to her then he brightens his smile even more for Pennalyn and Avila.
Avila's eyes slide over to Pennalyn. "Don't underestimate him," she mutters softly. "He may be a little rotund, but... he's got talents. Not that you'll know... while you're wearing that knot, anyway." She's grinning at L'in's comment. Yes, she was there to watch Ilesyn's exam... and she's beginning to pick up on the situation. Lost flight is the only explanation. "Lessee... I'm betting you're missing little Fratni in the kitchen, hmmm, Ravisha in laundry - well, of course /everyone/ has something to say about Ravisha in laundry - but you'd probably even tell poor Repella you're thrilled to see her at the moment, hmm?" Avila teases lightly, but not with malice. She's heard about this state... one that a greenrider mercifully never has to deal with.
Ilesyn attempts to yank her arm away, L'in's crazed state met with a cool gaze. "Go to bed, L'in." Her eyes roll, the stylus taken down from behind her ear as if she intends to threaten the brownrider with it, as she adds, very calmly, "I've been busy. Finishing my paper, doing--yes, the usual exams." She smirks, turning her gaze away so that she can eye-roll towards Avila and Pennalyn. Men. Avila's words meet much amusement; she doesn't even bother to stiffle her snort of laughter.
Pennalyn muffles a soft laugh. "Oh, _that's_ his problem..." She considers what Avila mentioned about 'talents'. "I don't suppose I could resign being a Candidate until tomorrow?" she asks facetiously, sharing Ilesyn's eye-roll.
Thera stops and turns around, looking to Pennalyn. " No!" She barks before she turns to Avila. " Are you putting that romantic nonsense in the heads of my candidates?"
L'in pats his palm against his chest twice before answering Avila. "This man knows premium women when he sees them! And I don't mean in the kitchen or laundry!" While he's saying this, he sidles up to Ilesyn, slipping his arm through hers. "Bed?" he asks her with an appealing smile given, then leans down to whisper something to her as his free hand attempts to grasp the stylus. The bark distracts him though, eyes glancing toward the bluerider before winking at Pennalyn.
L'in mutters to Ilesyn, "That... would it?"
L'in whispers "That bed wouldn't be /yours/, would it?"
Avila considers Pennalyn carefully. "There's a lot more than a quick turn in the furs with a flight crazed brownrider that you'll have to give up, candidate. If you don't think it's worth it, you might want to reconsider." She turns pointedly to Thera. Did she catch that? See? The co-weyrlingmaster isn't corrupting candidates... kinda making up for the other co-weyrlingmaster at the moment, hmm? Ah, but this bit with Ilesyn might well be worth watching. "It occurs to me, Ilesyn, that this might be another research opportunity. I think he's probably quite malleable at the moment, don't you?"
"No." Ilesyn's ever-so prompt to respond, adding, "I was thinking that yours might be yours." Pause. "Mostly empty." Her arm is lifted, slipped out from L'in's arm with a firm, deft yank. Stylus, however, is released without a fight, fingers releasing it without even so much as resisting a moment. "Reconsider, Pennalyn. Not for the brownrider - just because you don't want to die, and you know it." Eyebrows raise, Avila's comment considered; "Malleable. He might well be. Research has appeal."
Pennalyn soothes Thera and Avila immediately. "I was kidding...a dragon's worth a few months of celibacy. Or even Turns." Sure, she says that _now_. "And I don't _plan_ to die. If nothing else, for the sake of all the malleable brownriders in my future."
L'in reaches out one fingertip, gently tapping each freckle on Ilesyn's face - or attempting to. "One little freckle, two little freckies, three to touch before you get.." he pauses then grins, "speckled?" He glances toward the guest weyr, and sighs, happiness momentarily leaving. "Think I could go and get my jacket in there?"
"Well considered, Candidate," Avila nods with satisfaction at Pennalyn before she turns back to Ilesyn. "I think that discovering some of the psychological effects of flight on a brownrider might be worthy of your time. The primary effects are well documented, but... " she pauses, watching the freckle count. "I think that there are quite a few things that no one quite understands. At all. And no, L'in. You'd be disruptive. Are you cold? We could go inside... sit down, get comfortable, and continue the conversation?"
Ilesyn doesn't manage to pull away in time, and thus resists the natural reflex motion to slap L'in; instead, she justs stands there, allowing the freckle-tapping with another roll of her eyes. "Too late, L'in. I'm already speckled?" Her eyes roll upon Pennalyn's comment, comment dry, "No one plans to die. It's the riding that does it, though. -- Ah! Yes. Interesting idea, Avila. We should discuss this more, shouldn't we. Inside, so that L'in doesn't get cold."
Pennalyn murmurs, laughter still audible in her voice, "I doubt they'd notice him. Being otherwise occupied at the moment and all." Ilesyn's pessimism is graciously ignored.
L'in perks up, even though he had taken a step toward the guest weyr before Avila's comment hit him and the freckle-count ended. "We could go inside? Get uhm, warm together? Sure! Want to come to my place? Or??" A glance to each is given, a very hopeful look added as his smile returns.
Thera nods sharply. " Good, good. And I don't need anyone filling your head full of romance. It's not like some tall, dark, and handsome bronzerider is going to sweep you off your feet," she grumbles with contempt, " Actually, pray to Faranth that it's not a bronzerider, pesky things they are..." She snorts softly then turns to L'in. " L'in, if you want to see the light of another dawn, you will not wink at my candidate again. And what in the name of Faranth are you all researching now?"
"Ilesyn? If you want a compliant interviewee, you need to develop a rapport. There has to be a warmth, a ... relationship of trust and sharing, you know?" Avila quirks her mouth to the mindhealer. "I don't think you're being very warm and ...inspiring, if you know what I mean." She turns to smile at L'in. "We could go inside... all of us?" Safety in numbers, you know. She'd make a rebuttal to Thera, but it doesn't seem as though she's much in the mood for logical arguments. It doesn't seem the time, place nor company for Avila to delve into her bronzerider experience. As for Thera's question? Avila does answer it. Sheepishly. "Romance. We're researching romance."
Ilesyn isn't pessimistic. She's realistic. At least - as far as she's concerned. "Oh. Of course, you're right, Avila. This needs to be a control experiment - can't do anything that wouldn't make it...realistic." Warmth. With Ilesyn? This could be a learning experience all round. "Inside is good," she agrees, via both green and brownrider, voice lowering - although if it's intended to be sexy or romantic, it's not much good. "All of us. Because it'll have to be a joint experiment."
Pennalyn nods cheerfully. "Due to my current rank as lowest-of-the-low, I can be the impartial observer."
L'in most likely has a different idea of numbers than Avila does, or then again, maybe he doesn't. A rueful look is given to the guest weyr and his missing jacket, and once again, he sighs. "That was my best jacket too! Faranth only knows what /they'll/ do with it! Probably be all nasty and..." he stops, probably a Very Good Thing. Clasping his hands together, he rubs them and goes back to that bright smile. "So! Where shall we go?"
Avila turns to Ilesyn. "I do understand that going to a place where the interviewee is comfortable is best. They have to be relaxed, in a trust-inducing environment. Perhaps his weyr then? Or the Living Caverns? It depends on how many he wants involved." She turns to L'in with a sweet smile. "Would you care if there were more than just us involved?"
Ilesyn's head nods, Avila's comments met with pure agreement. "Certainly. We don't want to threaten him in any way, or make him feel--unwilling to participate to a full extent. It could convolute the results." Perhaps, idly, she feels sorry for Pennalyn, but her attention is otherwise occupied; she's fascinated. "You can get your jacket in the morning, L'in. When you're not busy helping us out."
Thera stammers over words of shock as Avila makes such a suggestion. " His weyr?! I think not! Not with her anyway!" The bluerider looks terrorized by the very concept. " Do you know what he...what he /is/ right now?!" She demands. " Take the mindhealer if you must, and Pennalyn can look at the results later if she needs! Until then, Pennalyn is coming with me, let's go," she jerks her head toward the Southern Bowl with her fiery gaze locked on the Candidate.
Pennalyn blinks several times. She's being rescued from this heinous evil she was unaware of. Wonderful. "Um...yes, ma'am." That seems to be the safest thing to say, and she moves slowly towards Thera, shooting Avila and Ilesyn a baffled look.
L'in hmms, bringing his palm up to his chin to stroke it. "Oh, I really don't care how /many/, naturally all would be welcome!" A thoughtful pause, then, "You did mean /females/, didn't you, Avila? Well, actually, hmm. Either?" Another pause, then a laugh comes. "Nah. Either would be just too... wierd." Thera? Well now. A big hmmph! is sent her way as thoughtfulness turns to mock indignation. "Just what do you mean? What /he/ is??"
Thera snorts contemptuously at L'in. " You know sharding well what I mean. Trying to lure young woman into your weyr, you can do what you like with these two, but anyone who lays a finger on /my/ candidates must answer to me." She rumbles, as she's not the person to push right now, no she's not.
Avila nods to L'in. "If you'd be more comfortable with just females, why then, of course. And we could go to your weyr if that's what would make you happy." Avila tosses a glance to Thera. "What he is right now? Well, that's exactly what we /do/ want to know. The full extent of effects and all." Avila snorts back to Thera. "No one's laying a finger on anyone, Thera. Do you really think L'in would want to with me? And Ilesyn is merely interested in research. Right, Ilesyn?"
"You're far too uptight, Bluerider," says Ilesyn, her head nodding towards Thera. "Take your candidate, if you must. It's only an experiment, something my craft does a lot of. In fact, this is craft-sanctioned." As far as Ilesyn's concerned, anyway. "Play frigid and boring yourself, if you must, but I'm sure Pennalyn would have gained a very nice education on the subject of romance. Exactly, Avila. Research." She draws her hands into her pockets, thumbs slipped out the top edges to hold there.
L'in's flight-drugged eyes turn to Avila and Ilesyn, and it's clear he's not thinking of 'research' right about now. "Uhm..." he begins, eyes trailing in a top-to-bottom scan. Preoccupied, to say the least. Finally, turning to Thera and Pennalyn, he offers his best smile. "Sure you won't come to my weyr? I've got some of my best brew in a cabinet there. Don't tell just /anyone/ that, either!"
Thera shakes her head. " He's extremely lusty, that's what he is, Avila, and I don't need one of my candidates in his personal weyr to add more anxiety to my day." She looks to Pennalyn and motions for her to follows as she stalks off, then whips around to face Ilesyn. " I'm doing my job in keeping a candidate out of some place that could cause problems. It's not right to have a potential future dragonrider in the weyr of a sexually frustrated man. you both are free for that, but she /is not/. I am by no means frigid and boring, /resident/, mind your tongue. And Romance is not at all a subject. She can read the hides if she must, but I will by no means have her in the weyr of a man in L'in's state." She turns to the brownrider and nods in his direction as an example.
Pennalyn mutters to Avila, "Can... a... scrolls..."
Avila tilts her head towards Thera, catching Ilesyn's eye. "I think she has issues herself. A little frustration, no? Actually, I'm thinking maybe we should take Pennalyn away and let Thera conduct the research. Might do them both a bit of good." Avila steps aside, gallantly sacrificing her research for Thera's well being. Well, that's how she sees it, anyway.
Ilesyn's is a very firm, sage nod. "So it appears. Should I be able to use her as a research subject, I'm sure I could work wonders in Mindhealing her. A different kind of research, of course, I suppose." Her eyebrows raise, gaze thoughtfully returning towards the bluerider, then back towards L'in. "What a good idea. Thera, take L'in. We'll take the candidate, and watch from afar?"
Pennalyn nods seriously to Avila, then tries to look sober and respectful. She is a Candidate. A well-behaved one. Who would never think of bending, twisting, spindling, or mutilating the rules. Riiiiight.
L'in just plain.. blinks. Several times. At each of his companions. Things seem to be breaking down here. Just plain confused, he looks at Avila, Thera, Ilesyn, Pennalyn, then over to the guest weyr. Maybe /that's/ where he should be! At least he wouldn't get clobbered that way. Or would he?
Thera arches an eyebrow curiously. It's all a conspiracy isn't it? Mm-hmm. " And what exactly would you want me to /do/?" Is inquired in a doubtful voice.
Avila turns towards Thera. "So it seems, yes. I'll just be taking Pennalyn back to her quarters, and you can... well, observe L'in's symptoms. Take notes... please?" All must be well documented for proper research, after all. "Good to see you again, L'in," she smiles, turning to head back to the caverns. "But I think that this will probably work out better for all concerned."
"Take notes, yes," agrees Ilesyn, digging her hands more deeply into her pockets, a step back taken. "Or, if you like, I'll take notes, and you do what you think ought to work. It'll be an educational experience for all round, I'm sure."
Thera blinks and waves at those leaving. " Wait! What are you doing?! You can't just leave me here to....research, L'in!" She demands. Oh the indignation. She turns toward L'in, eyebrow's raised.
Pennalyn says plaintively, "I want to watch! I'll just observe. Really. No active participation at all."
L'in is totally confused, still doing the blinking-thing. "Uhm?" he offers, looking from Thera to Ilesyn and Pennalyn. After a few moments, he tries to salvage this by sidling up to Ilesyn's side and placing an arm around her shoulder, offering a beguiling smile. "How about we all go to my place and relax a little?"
Thera blinks at the other trio of females. " That's nothing to take notes on! He's lusty, he wants..." She trails off and just shakes her head. " That's the sum of it!"
Ilesyn, with L'in's arm about her shoulder, shrugs charmingly - smile toothy - upon Thera's response. "Yes. But there's still much to be learnt. Are you interested, or will we have to give up the--originally planned experiment?" She uses one hand to pat L'in's arms comfortingly, "I get the feeling that Thera's not interested in relaxation, silly bluerider."
L'in denies everything! "I am /not/ lusty!" he says firmly, taking a strong stance next to the mindhealer. He's not mentioning those fingers curling about in her hair, is he. Oooo! Ilesyn's being charming? Well now! All righty! He draws Ilesyn closer, even tugging her in the general direction of his weyr. "Awww. C'mon now. Wouldn't you like a nice drink, Thera?"
Pennalyn starts innocently, carefully sidling step by step closer to Ilesyn and L'in.
Thera narrows her eyes at Ilesyn. " No, I'm not interested in relaxation when I hear one of the Weyrlingmaster's assistants offering to take one of my candidates into L'in weyr. Not at all!" I tell you what, Pennaly, you go do help the other candidates with kitchen duty, Ilseyn, shoo and leave my charges alone. I'll get you your sharding notes. L'in, I'll settle for that, drink, let's just get out of here!" She reaches for the bluerider as she watches the Candidate. " I saw that!"
Pennalyn immediately stops sidling. I wasn't goin' nowhere, ma'am. "So...I'm dismissed back to the kitchens?" Just to be clear.
"We'll share," decides Ilesyn, using her own arm to wrap about L'in's waist; it's easier to join in than to resist - and far more interesting, not to mention satisfying. "I still think you should allow Pennalyn a chance to come to her senses about being a candidate, and join us. But, at any rate, hurry up! L'in's in a hurry."
Thera snort softly. " Nonsense. She's not having any part of this." She raises a dark eyebrow at Pennalyn, " Frankly, woman, I don't /care/ where you go as long as you stay as far away from L'in as possible 'til sundown tomorrow."
L'in snatches Thera's hand as it extends, but doesn't relinquish his hold on Ilesyn. No way. "Hurry? Oh, yes. Definitely in a hurry!" Now the brownrider's very, very happy. Two out of four isn't bad and he's thrilled. "This way!" His chin points toward his weyr as he struggles to pull both women along with him.
Thera acks as she's pulled along. " Just stay in the Weyr area and away from men!" She turns to Ilesyn. " See what you got us into?"
Pennalyn sighs, and watches the little parade forlornly.
"I see." Ilesyn's not frowning, is she? Doesn't look like it. "Does it look like a mind?" No objections to L'in's struggles from this Journeywoman.
L'in takes off down the bowl with the rider and journeywoman in tow, muttering to himself, something about where he put that last bottle he had. "See you, Pennalyn!" though tomorrow may bring a lapse of memory. Hopefully.
Pennalyn calls after Thera and Ilesyn (since no sense can be expected from L'in), "I expect a detailed report! With diagrams if necessary!" before she trudges back to the candidates' quarters. Sniffle, sob.
L'in bustles off, the brownrider actually beginning to whistle some nondescript tune. Happiness comes in two beautiful packages! Homeward bound!
[Scene changes to L'in's Weyr]
L'in makes a beeline straight for a small cabinet he has near his bed. Out come several clean glasses and a bottle that's tinted a light blue. Maybe that hides what's in it. "Here we are!", he grins, pouring out very full glasses.
Ilesyn tosses her hair behind her ears, as well as behind her shoulders, following L'in towards the cabinet, which she eyes carefully. Now she knows where to come, when L'in's out. She settles herself comfortably in a chair, hand outstretched to recieve one of the glasses. "Wonderful."
L'in takes Ilesyn's hand in his, leaning to plant a light kiss on her hand just before giving over the full glass. "Thera? Hon? Care to have a seat? If you wait long enough, my lap will be available." A wink is given while her glass is offered.
Ilesyn twines her fingers through L'in's, squeezing his hand. A long sip of the alcohol is taken, and swallowed -- "Good offer. Thera, I'd take that up, if I were you. Worthwhile." Not that she'd know from experience, of course.
Thera just watches L'in curiously. " Mm-hm, right," she states quickly as she takes the glass, giving it a small sip. " I'm sure I can wait...Ilesyn, you can...go right ahead...I've all the time in the world, really."
L'in sits right down next to Ilesyn without bothering to let go of her hand, the other patting on his available lap. "There now. See? Just right for warming me up! You still want to, don't you?" That's said to both Ilesyn and Thera, of course.
"You really need warming up?" retorts Ilesyn, taking another long swig at her glass. "I'm here, aren't I?" She glances at Thera once again, her eyes rolling as the bluerider refuses the lap. "Fine." If Thera won't, Ilesyn *will* - and thus makes to hop into the empty lap. She'll take her chances as she can; being less than attractive teaches one that.
[People went to bed - scene fades to black]
Posted by Louise at January 29, 2003 10:55 AM