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16-10-01: Catching Up
Relian, sans ever precious hide, strides across the Living Cavern with the confidence of one that hasn't as yet noticed...

Relian, sans ever precious hide, strides across the Living Cavern with the confidence of one that hasn't as yet noticed Serafa; that is, he's not yet been reduced to a bumbling mess of blushing skin. He serves himself a beaker of juice, carefully restraining himself from spilling even a single drop, turning to seek himself a seat at one of the corner tables. Safe, relaxed, cool.

Serafa flounces into the caverns with a distinct bounce to her step. All be it a silent bounce seeing as she is currently hunting. Spying her quarrie she sneaks up behind him getting close enough with out him noticing to whisper "There you are Auri" In his ear, tonight she wont be polite.

Relian jumps -- quite literally, and quite possibly an inch. "Serafa!" Eek! Turning his head to face her, he comments only, "Don't sneak up on me, huh?" There is, however, noticably, a blush to his cheeks. Desperately seeking something, he grasps at his juice, taking a long swig.

Serafa giggles behind her hand, the only visible signs of mirth are her twinkling brown eyes. "I'm sorry Auri I pormise I wont ever do it again" She flutters innocently. Pull the other one. "So what are you doing unattended, alone in the living caverns?" she asks this time simpering for variety

Relian adds, with an emphasis on patience that sounds forced if anything, "And it's 'Relian'. Please don't call me Auri." That's pain, there, in his voice. Don't make him beg. "I'm drinking my juice," he notes, firmly, and this time without a blush. "I think I'm old enough to leave my quarters without an escort, don't you?"

Serafa smiles and settles down in a seat beside him. "Annoying isnt it?" She asks before making her point. "Almost as annoying as someone who blushes deeply and runs off for no apparent reason at all." This time she watches him expressionlessly, waiting for his comphrension.

"I can't help that!" The blushing, presumably. Relian does it again, as if to prove his point. "And I didn't know what to say, or what to do, and--Faranth's pointy tits, I promise I'm not that much of a loser." Really.

Serafa chuckles at curse, as she struggles to say things diplomatically. "Thats okay we've all been there trust me." She rolls her eyes at the memory of her own first kiss. "But I really dont think that its giving me much of a chance to get to know you" She smiles reassuringly. "And I'd kinda like to get to know you better.....But not in a way that will make you blush." She pauses and murmurs. "....Unless of course you want to"

Relian is going to blush until forever, no matter what she says, which might make this difficult. "I always blush. My brothers tease me for it. The girls back home thought I was cute, and kissed me for it. But that's just what I do." He nods, firmly, adding, "As a friend. I'd like to get to know you as a friend. Because I'm not much good at anything else."

Serafa would really prefer it if he let her make those decisions, but she shrugs. Seduction form friendship is always preferable. "We still on for the gather?" She asks. "I'm still wearing red, you still wearing green?" She gently directs the conversation away from other blush-worthy topics.

Nonetheless, Relian gives a wry smile, and a pink-hued blush. "Certainly, if you're still willing to let me take you. After all, we did all that dancing for nothing, otherwise." Nervously, he fiddles with his beaker, never raising it to drink, but running his fingers about it nonetheless. "Most certainly. Unlucky or no, I think it suits me, and it'll match you."

Serafa suddenly snaps to attention. "Speaking of dancing you still hafta practise those dips boyo!" She challenges, her eyes snapping. "We are never gonna impress those holders unless we are perfection in its entirety" Ok Serafa seems to be a little enthused about the dancing.

"Perfection personified, huh?" retorts Relian, dipping his head charmingly towards Serafa, pink cheeks notwithstanding. "They're hard; *you* should try one, sometime, and see what I mean. Besides," he adds, stretching out lazily, his feet shifting towards an empty seat nearby, "the caverns are far too crowded right now for us to consider it at the moment."

Serafa seriously considers asking all those in the caverns to leave so that they may indeed practise thier dancing, but seeing as she is just a lowly apprentice and they were all big important riders she didnt want to risk it. "Some other time then?" She asks. "Oh which reminds me I couldnt find mention of your great-uncle but I promise I will keep on looking."

Relian's expression is clearly discernable as relief, although his hurried attempt to return to a placid nod is even moreso evident. "Some other time," he agrees, brightening his face with a wry smile. "You couldn't? I seem to be finding dead ends all over. Never mind; thank you for trying."

Serafa frowns at him "I said I will keep on looking I mean it isnt entirely fair that I get a dance partner while you come away empty-handed" She ponders for a moment. "Apart from your family tree circle thing was there anything that you really really wanted to know?"

Relian's immediate reaction, conscious or not, is to flush, which is exactly what happens, and he notes, "Thank you for that, too. I really do appreciate it." His eyebrows raise, while his hands come to a relucant, restless hold at the table's edge, his comment curious, "Like what?"

Serafa shrugs it was a long shot but she was starting to realise what made this boy tick. "I mean like anything, preferable about people, but I am in a unique situation dontcha know, raised in a beasthold, crafter with the healers and posted at the weyr. I've seen a bit in my time." She pronounces slightly awed when she sumerises it like that. "Go on ask me anything"

Relian's head shakes, his brow contorting with confusion, as he notes, "I still don't really know what you're getting at, if you're getting at something in particular. There're no burning questions in my mind, except exactly what your motives are at this particular moment."

"Motives? Why must there be motives?" Serafa asks in all innocence blinking and fanning her chest. "If you dont choose to believe my word than that is no-ones fault but your own" She sniffs, she had stated why she was doing it, and really didnt like having her word questioned, espically by a boy.

Relian blushes -- just to change the trend -- and lowers his head. "Sorry. I just wasn't sure what you were on about. I *am* a holder kid from the back of beyond, remember. I'm probably not used to subtlety and feminine wiles." His eye twinkles, but he's not entirely teasing.

Serafa gasps and flounders. "Shardit I /was/ trying to be bloody honest and upstraight with you!, perhaps its you southerners that are all wiley and stuff" Nice arguement no? "I mean all that blushin of yourn may actually be some cunning ploy" The objective which she hasnt worked out yet.

Relian's eyes remain downcast. "Sorry!" he tries again, apparently genuinely contrite. Women confuse him. "It's not true! We're very honest, and blush about everything, because we're usually so sunburnt at home that it doesn't matter; no one can see."

Serafa snorts and starts to tap her fingers in a rapid tattoo against the table top. "So! you havent given me the benifit of the doubt so why should I give it to you? Go on give me one good reason!" We'll just conviently forget her ploys of the last couple of nights shall we?

"Because I'm cute, and innocent, and really red in the face?" Relian raises his eyes, looking contrite, and manages a wink. "And, besides, if you get upset at me you'll be without a date, and I'd hate to stand you up like that."

Serafa rolls her eyes. "Upset at you? Like I care I have riders lining up to take me places..." deep breath, remember she is playing the cards close to her chest, or so she would like to think. "Besides being all cute and innocent and all you are as annoying as thread, and so sharding arrogant its amazing you can think straight" This is said with a wry smile, she's nt as angry as she seems.

Relian snorts, his posture straightening as he comments, "Then why are you bothering with me at all? I'm just some younger son of a minor holder, and a mere resident at Ista, and, apparently, as annoying as thread, after all. Not to mention arrogant. I might as well leave now, and save you the trouble."

Serafa's eyes flash "Oh no you dont you arent getting out of it that easily!" Really the nerve of him....or something, with memories of the last arguement she had in the living caverns very vivid she hisses instead of screaches. "Trust a holder to try and sneak out of a deal!"

Relian yelps, evidently not quite expecting this reaction. "Hey! I was just trying to agree with what *you* were saying. A holder is only unfaithful to his deals and oaths when he is required to be; we believe that breaking an oath is disloyal and wrong, at least, I do." Perplexed, but also frustrated, his brow furrows. "What exactly do you want from me?"

Serafa shrugs "I dont really know" There thats so honest it hurts. "What. If anything. Do you want with me?" After all she knows that holder girls are much more pretty and pleasant than she is.

Relian, honestly, admits, "I don't quite know, either. So you'll just have to accept me as I come, because I can't do much better than that." Giving a half hearted smile, he adds, "You'll have to excuse me, I'm afraid. I *do* have things I have to do."

Serafa folds her arms and scowls, "Fine run away then, I didnt say that I didnt like you as you were but you cant keep on runnin away like this, its not very polite" Did she mention that she always had to have the last word?

"I'm not running away!" insists Relian, blushing furiously. "I really do have to go. We'll talk soon, I promise."

You go to the South Caverns.