All references to worlds and characters based on Anne McCaffrey's fiction are copyright © Anne McCaffrey 1967,2000, all rights reserved, and used by permission of the author. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, by Anne McCaffrey, used here with permission. Use or reproduction without a license is strictly prohibited. For more information, visit the Worlds of Anne McCaffrey.
30-10-01: Truth and Wisdom
You walk west across the bowl, emerging on the plateau. Relian's footfalls make light thuds upon the plateau, as he,...
You walk west across the bowl, emerging on the plateau.
Relian's footfalls make light thuds upon the plateau, as he, his hair flopping in his movement, makes his way out from the bowl, digging his hands into otherwise empty pockets. The clear evening is met with a raised glance, his gaze flickering across the horizons, then removing itself back to the path in front of him - tripping would such not be a good look.
Serafa wanders out under the star looking for soneone, he musta got past her when those blue-riders forced her out of the living caverns, cos she knows that he isnt in the barraks at all. Of course whats even scarier than Serafa stalking somebody is the fact that she /thinks/ that someone is stalking her!.
Nyla's steps are as much noisy as they are brisk, her breath -- despite the Istan heat -- making small puffs of mint-white in the night air as the girl shuffles along the grassy prairie. Throwing a glance over her shoulder, the candidate perks a 'brow, stopping and clutching her sides as she lets out and takes in short quick breaths. "Who's out there?" She calls, seemingly in front of the two.
"Relian!" calls the young man by that name, peering through the evening darkness in an attempt to pick up exactly who is calling to *him*. He stumbles, rights himself, and then digs his hands out of his pockets, to use them to shield his face - yes, from some daytime sun that isn't visible. "What's that?"
Serafa jumps six feet and has kittens, well at least thats what her pounding heart seems to think. "Er--Serafa, but there's someone else out here too" She whispers spookily. "You of all people should know better than to sneak up on a girl Au--er--Relian"
Blink. Nyla tosses her hair from one shoulder to the other, (OOC - think Marcia Brady. Ugh. ;) still grasping at her sides and yet managing a few steps leftwards to attempt a squint at either of the people. "Relian? You followin' me?" Weaver calls out with a snap, waggling a finger through the darkness and then chewing on her lip as she hears the second name. "You followin' me too, Serafa?" Well. She's had a good day, hasn't she?
[Gap in play - I disappeared for ten minutes, came back mid play]
Ilara sneaks out onto the plateau. Sneaksneaksneak. See, that's just a shadow over there - not the quiet candie who may have earlier been seen with tubers in the kitchen. Just a shadow, nothing more. Sneaksneak. But a very curious shadow, you see, for in the evening light, its trying to get closer and find out whats going on... /without/ interrupting or being spotted. Its a shadow that doesn't want to be handed any more chores this evening, too. Besides, now, there's the shadow's fellow candies, talking to riders and dragons, and... well, it could be interesting. Or important. Or maybe they're plotting against Ilara.
Relian has - in case it matters - been standing here for several minutes, in the half dark, talking, albeit quietly, to Serafa and Nyla. "Dear Faranth," he comments, now, "It's like a big party," and everyone is invited?
"Briganth got bored," is Teza's simple answer, hand resting comfortably on Kita's arm, winking over at her wingmate. "Briganth says Djarreth has lovely-- wings." Amber sparks flare playfully in dark eyes as she says that, drawing it out teasingly before glancing at the candidates again. "And you can call me Teza," she says, as her dragon behind her all but stretches cat-like for the brown's benefit. Dragon posing, the backdrop to a late-night Istan party? Go figure.
Nyla glances away abruptly, restraining a rather rude comment by sinking her upper teeth into the plump redness of her bottom lip. Finally, after a few hesitant moments of her eyes darting this way and that, the same appauled expression planted on her face, she offers a simple, "You /cannot/ talk, strange girl." To Seffy, that was. Hee. Then, her eyes dance to Ilara, and she offers another filthy glance. Why? What has happened to our little angel? (Ahem.) Turning to Kita, she points at her for a while, attempting to word an opinion but snickering at Teza before the word came to mind. "You're just weird, Teza. So is your green."
Serafa grins "Well I'm not in denial at least" She chortles, she appreciates the honesty really. "Well met then Kita and Teza" Frowning at the Brown rider she grins, cheekily, almost wickedly even. "We have met before Kita" She wonders if the brown rider even wants to remember than incident.
"Thanks Faranth there aren't any blueriders here," Kita mutters as she looks to the two flirting dragons. As luck would have it, one of the bad-boys of the Weyr happens to be flying overhead on their blue, and picks out the two riders below. "Woo hoo! Go for it lovies!" he calls out, noticing their proximity, but obviously not able to see that they merely have their arms linked. For once Kita doesn't respond, just hugs Teza's arm a little tighter for support and looks to the Candidates. Her eyes narrow slightly as she ponders why there are so many of them in one place at the one time.
Jayden walks into the Plateau to find - gasp - a few people he knows! There are candidates /everywhere/ these days... He quietly walks towards the group of people and swears he heard his name... Shrugging it off, he makes his presence know. "Good evenining Serefa, Ilara, Nyla..." He pauses for the next name, racking his brain. Aha! "Relian..." And then two riders he hasn't met. Well then.
Relian's head tilts in brief greeting to both green and brownrider -- known, now, and met with a grin. "Ooh, Nyla, you've got an admirer!" The resident slips hands into his pockets, one foot sinking deeper into the grassy plateau thanks to a depression in the otherwise flat area upon which he stands. Head turns, at Jayden's entrance; "Evening, Jayden -- I think? Sorry, my grasp on names is hopelessly...well, less than perfect."
"Love you too," greenrider purrs Nyla-wards, free hand blowing a kiss over at the girl. Teza's eyes then turn back over at Serafa, curiousity flaring at the words and grin. "Why Kiiiiiiita," she sing-songs, tugging on the other woman's arm. "Why didn't you ever tell me?" Bluerider above gets a derisive call from green and a smirk that goes unseen from rider, a gentle patpat going on Kita's arm with a faint chuckle. She nods curtly in Jayden's direction, giving the young man a lingering once-over. "Oh, so -that's- the Jayden boy they mentioned!"
Ilara isn't plotting anything, there in the shadows. What could a shadow do to a nice big pair of dragons and riders anyway? Shadows certainly can't pull pranks, after all. But shadows can look briefly startled at being directly addressed - and momentarily annoyed - before scuttling further into darkness. Sharding annoying 'phincrafter.
Tossing her sight Kita-wards, and giving the two arm-link'd people an odd sneer, she remarks to the browner, "I am /not/ with them." She coughs, jerking a thumb Serafa-wards. Even Relian-wards. Ilara and Jayden are indifferent, at this point in time. Pine-needle green orbs glower, her head shaking at Serafa. "You are obsessed, with /him/." Him? Jayden? Aye. She shifts her finger to Jayden, putting her nose in the air and completely ignoring the greenrider. Shuffling more into the murky darkness, she flicks a bug from her bare shoulder and wordlessly makes her way back to the Barracks.
The riders are forgotten now as the object of Serafa's affection (Well for this seven-day at least) makes his presence known. "There you are Jayden" She gushes, all glares and the like ignored. "Where /have/ you been hiding?" She grins as she starts to lop her arm about his own. "I missed you" flutterbeam
Kita is about to respond to Teza's antics, but stops as she notices something going on. Is that a shadow she sees before her? Looks remarkably like an innocent Ilara shadow actually...what would a perfectly polite, respectful girl be doing skulking in the shadows? And Serafa and the male Candidate Jayden...is that eyelash batting the brownrider sees?! Kita's sense of propriety kicks in, and she opens her mouth to tell the girl that relationships as a Candidate are not allowed thankyou-very-much! Then she stops, and looks up to her more experienced wingmate. "They're not allowed to do anything...well...you know," she asks, Holdbred upbringing shining through.
Ilara decides to skirt around the group entirely, finding nothing of interest (to her) being discussed at the moment. So she creeps around the people towards the relaxing dragons, curious about them as much as she is about their riders. Though likely blatantly obvious to the dragons, Lar sneaksneaks up towards them to get a closer look. See, the one she was on, ever so briefly, rather kidnapped her and dumped her here so fast that she didn't have time to admire her... uh... dragoness. Yeah, that's it. So both dragons are peered at, from slightly behind and between them, by a skulking shadow. A very innocent one, remember.
Teza clucks her tongue at Serafa and Jayden, thoughts for once running along the same lines as Kita. "Now, now - behave over there or I'll lock you up," she calls, twisting her arm to rub her hands gleefully with a devilish smile. Skulking shadows are noted as well, then dismissed with a faint grin as Briganth proceeds to pose not only for Djarreth but Ilara as well. Isn't she pretty? Isn't she perfect? Isn't she just preeecious? Teza seems to think so at least, judging by the soft smile she casts at Briganth; it's a look one really won't see otherwise on the greenrider, or at least very, very rarely.
Relian positively stares at Serafa, and his eyes roll. "I've been passed over for a--for a--" He trails off, then laughs, still shaking his head with amusement. After Nyla, he mutters, "Of *course* you're not. You're here on your own. What else would you be?" Digging his hands deeper, so that a stray finger pokes out from his pocket with an idle wiggle, he glances about, shuffling his feet cheerfully.
Jayden /knew/ he'd heard his name. Hah, he has right. And he can't help smirking a bit when he hears the rest of it. "Obsessed with me, huh?" Ahem. The girl moves quickly. A little too quickly. He looks at Serafa warily. "I've been working. As in chores." He shakes his head at her rather blatant gushing. He's not shrugging her off, exactly...just wary. He glances up at Teza, grinning. "Oh, don't worry. We'll behave." See, he's fine as long as she doesn't kiss him...
Serafa runs her fingers along her other arm, thats all she was going to do. Yes. "Well kinda, I like it when you blush" Aw isnt she sweet? "I werent doing anything Kita, Teza. I was just saying 'Hello' Honest" She pleads using her big brown eyes to thier best advantage.
"Why are you asking me?!" Kita asks of her dragon, twisting around to look at him with a frown as he continues to admire the green beauty that is Briganth. "I'm not really into dragons that way Djarreth sweetie...I'll leave that all up to you." Kita turns back with a sigh and another roll of the eyes - she's gonna get a headache at this rate - and a shake of the head. "Is Briganth always so...?" Kita asks of Tez, waving her hands around as she tries to find a word to describe it. Djarreth glances down as he sees a shadow- dragon eyesight is a little different to human and can pick out things humans can't see. He finally lowers himself to the ground, following Ilara with his big eyes as he spreads one wing to shade Briganth from the light. Not that there's any light, but it's a good excuse...
"Mmm-hmm. See that you do," Teza says archly, eyebrow curving upwards in echo of smirking lips. Big brown eyes have no effect on this rider, as she uses that particular look herself far too often. "You always say hello like that?" Kita's question serves as a distraction, head turning with a faint smirk. "Always so..? Well, actually more or less. But I think she's getting on the edge of going proddy so she's a bit worse than usual." This earns a call of disagreement from the green, sharp and near-ear piercing as it always is when she restorts to something like that. "Shells, -watch- your volume!" rider calls back, harper-trained lungs raising her over the dragon who quiets sulkily, looking to Djarreth for consolation.
Ilara realizes, belatedly, that she's been more or less spotted. Sigh. Well, so much for shadow skulking. She blames Jayden though. Its all the 'phincrafter's fault. Glare. Giving up on the shadow routine, she walks the rest of the way out between the two dragons (from behind, as mentioned), blinking up at them. A slight wave is offered to both the green and the brown, though she doesn't really say anything. Not that she every does anyway, but what /do/ you say to a dragon? Djarreth's movement causes her to stop, hesitant, and blink at the wing-sheltering of the other dragon.
"Ow," mutters Relian, at Briganth's -- cry? He winces, commenting, "That's *loud*. Methinks we'll have to stay away when she's really proddy." All-knowing Relian bobs his head knowledgably, snickiner at Serafa's reaction. "It's the blush that gets you, obviously, I guess. Remember that, Jayden, if you want to really keep on her good side." Ilara, in the shadows, is given another nod as she comes into his line of sight.
Djarreth provides consolation, as all hunky heroic males are prone to do. Offering a mute croon of sympathy, Djarreth extends his head near Briganth's nose, his muzzle only inches from hers. His eyes gleam in the darkness, and if one didn't know better one would think he seemed almost pleased at the thought of Briganth rising? No surely not...he is being all sweet and sympathetic afterall...a tail snakes out to playfully prod Ilara: even though his attention is on Briganth, he knows she is still there. This dragon can multitask. Kita keeps her back to the draconic pair, not wishing to see any of their flirtatious antics. "Any idea when she'll rise?" she asks in a whisper, trying to keep herself apart and distant from what her dragon, and the two Candidates in front of her seem to be indulging in.
Serafa raises a brow, torn between flirting with Jayden, her favourite or challenging this green-rider further. "Not every one gets greeted like that, just the special ones" That answer seems to please both urges. Turning on Relian she retorts sweetly. "You're just jealous, admit it"
"Isn't she?" Teza all but purrs, a fond look slanted back at Briganth. The green behind her all but attaches herself to Djarreth's side with a low, playful croon, eyes gleaming happily. Ilara? Nope, we'll let the brown pay attention to that kind of thing, the green's too busy being a darling. Rider turns attention away to return it to Kita with a wink: "Why, going to make sure you two are around?" Serafa drags attention away next, head canting to the side thoughtfully. "Special ones? Mmm-hmm. Just behave yourselves, or, uhm, else." Riiight. Good threat.
Ilara jumps up and whirls to face the prodding... tail? Blinkblink. Okay, so that's not exactly what she expected, but certainly fairly nonthreatening. So Lar does the logical thing. She reaches out, slowly, and experimentally prods the tail back. Aha! The other dragon's screech moments before was, amazingly enough, completely ignored.
"Yes," agrees Relian, mock-serious. "I am. Exceedingly jealous. Here I am, a free man, and you're--Sob." He breaks off, his upper lip twitching with little suppressed mirth. "I guess I'll just have to satisfy myself with someone--more obtainable." Alas. Ilara's movements catch his eye, and he chuckles, the grin on his face split by his partially parted lips.
Jayden doesn't blush. Really. He catches the dragon's movement out of the corner of his eyes, and slightly raises a brow. He sends a perfectly innocent smile towards Ilara. She couldn't hide, not with Jay around. Muahaha. "Looks like you're back to your quiet self, Lar. Any chance for a repeat of last night?" Is he button-pushing? Maybe. But an outburst out of her would make it worth any pain that would follow.
Despite the goings on around her, Kita is unable to prevent the small smile etching it's way across her features at Teza's wink and words. "I don't think I'd have much choice in the matter," she answers evasively yet kindly, glancing to the draconic pair without malice. And she remains curiously silent on the human factor of proddiness... Suddenly Kita looks stricken. "Could you imagine if Brigant rose and Djarreth caught? Oh, those horrible, horrible blueriders..." and Kita holds her face in her hands in despair. After a moment one eye peeks out from between two fingers: she's just keeping an eye on Serafa and Jayden is all...
Djarreth's tail seems to have a life of it's own: it actually jerks back and seems to rear up at Ilara's return poke. It then lowers to the ground and creeps forward ever so slowly. That done, it reaches out once more, gently poking Ilara on the ankles. Then it leaps back, and crawls forward once more. A little bolder, it pokes a few more times. Djarreth's head in the meantime is totally committed to Briganth. He croons smoothly to her, swaying his great head steadily from side to side.
Serafa glares loftily at both the boys, fine be that way see if she cares. "Sooner or later someone is gonna shut that big mouth of yours up Relian" Not her of course, but someone. She blinks at Jayden, looking a little forlorn, perhaps she really likes this one.
Ilara is noticed. She's noticed by males, at least one of which wants to do evil things and mess with her mind. But she's not falling for it, see? This is Ilara, between two /large/ dragons (compared to the candies, at least), ignoring the evil 'phincrafter! So what do you think about that, huh? Jayden recieves a brief glare across the distance, but he's not going to poke her into panic /that/ easily. Besides, she has this nifty new thing called a tail here, entertaining her so... She skitters away from its movement while it pokes her, actually grinning quite broadly and seeming to enjoy this tail-teasing and dancing. She follows its movements, seeming to be attempting to mimic it -- when the tail is on the ground, she crouches, and when it creeps, she creeps, etc. Yes, the quiet ones are always the weird ones.
Relian is still amused; it's the kind of thing that doesn't go away, when the event that precipitated the whole thing is still going on - "I think you've made a new friend, Ilara," is his hapless comment, made whilst he fiddles with the hole in his pocket still more, as if intentionally discovering exactly how wide he can make it with the efforts of one, not especially rude, finger. Serafa's comment is met with a mock-gasp: "Oh, Faranth's nosehair, I'm going to live in fear, now."
"Chastity belts for all of them," is Teza's stage-whispered note to fellow rider, candidates eyed. "We weren't this bad back in -my- day, I just now it." Actually, they were with her the worst. "Briganth rather fancies Djarreth, y'know. I wouldn't be surprised if he did catch," she answers matter-of-factly, watching the interplay between the two dragons. Briganth's all but swooning like a young girl in Djarreth's direction, eyes all soft and blue, just short of fuzzy and warm. "Kita, I think that they need a good ice bath," she drawls. "So do Brig and Djar, for that matter." Not that -she- ever does.
"She does?" Kita blinks for the second time that day, looking at the pair over her shoulder. She sees Ilara's game, and smiles. "I've known Djarreth's feelings on Briganth for a long time...I just never thought she could be interested. He's..." and Kita begins to look a little uncomfortable, "...sometimes kept me awake at night thinking of her, and then proceeds to tell me all about it." Kita seems to have gone all shy all of a sudden, flattered that a dragon may fancy her own- it's almost personal. The brownrider shifts her weight slightly, and changes the subject. "Oh yes, I think a bath is definetly in order for those two...hey Ilara! Watch for the stray wing! He'll sweep it under you when you're not looking!" Kita calls out, receiving an irritated look from her dragon. Spoil his fun why don't you...
Jayden pouts. So he's not going to get any buttons pushed tonight. He settles for giving her and her tail dance a rather strange look. Not that he thinks she'll notice, but it's worth a try. And just for fun, he shoots one towards Seffy. Perhaps Jay's just feeling mean tonight.
Rowann comes out onto the plateau from the Weyr bowl.
Serafa's heart is broekn, really....or not. "Where do you come up with those things Relian?" As if Dragons have nose hairs. "Is there something illegal about one candidate standing next to another?" She asks the Riders innocently. "Hatching is gona be fun then isnt it?" She's full of questions this one.
"What things?" retorts Relian, his hands pulled out from his pockets in order to put his hair into place; it's a matter of locks not dropping over his eyes, rather than vanity, honestly. "Eh, you better hope you don't get up to anything at *hatching*, since I'll be watching y'all from the galleries, and will notice if you so much as...Well, do anything." He's going to nod, and smile, and look really intelligent, here.
Teza latches onto this fact with delight, turning an amused glance up at her fellow wingrider even as Briganth does the exact same with Djarreth. One thought echoes through both of their minds, Tez speaking it for all to hear: "He keeps you -up-? Do tell," she all but purrs, dragon and rider as one with that, both flattered and faintly amused by it. Teza snaps out of it with a laugh for Briganth's insistance on the subject, a look turned on candidates. "Cold, cold, and colder for the dragons, I think, with cold and cold for that girl there and cold for the boys. Imagine, a girl worse than the boys." As if she's completely innocent? But of course. "And there's certain standing -distances- you see, that prompt certain -questions-," she answers Serafa with a wink; although she stands rather close to poor Kita, it's different. They're riders. Duh.
Djarreth sidles a little closer to Briganth, extending a neck and risking all by lightly brushing his neck against hers. Then, as soon as the contact appeared, it is gone. Somehow in the midst of all this, a certain brown tail jumps about eagerly, attempting to outwit Ilara by dodging and gently attacking. Not that it's getting many strikes in, since the owner of the tail isn't even looking. Suddenly a wing opens out, hovers for a moment and sweeps low at about ankle height. This is a trick often used on his rider- who knows whether a certain Candidate will have the same fate.
Rowann trundles in, letting her feet seemingly glide through the masses of grass beneath her. A hand slips from her side to offer a curious wave of acknowledgement towards the few she knows and a warm smile of welcoming to those she is unfamiliar with. Her litling soprano is carried high by a slight breece towards the small gathering, "Serafa!" She grins broadly, setting her sights firmly on her tuber-peeling-buddy, "Hey!" With the barest gain of speed she skims across to stand close to her. Waves of crimson-brown bob up and down as she nods her head towards the riders in respect. roww then takes it upon herself to introduce herself to Relian, "Hello. Rowann's the name." Pranking is the game. Mwuhaha. A seemingly-more-so-tanned-hand than yesterday boldy reaches out as Roww takes upon the guesture of introducing. Wink.
"Um..." Kita begins, lightly rubbing the back of her neck and looking /extremely/ uncomfortable, "I think I'll leave that to Djarreth to tell Briganth." Kita gives a significant, meaningful glance to the Candidates and attempts to regain some control of the situation, and thus herself. Her face assumes a look of authority, and she sharply claps her hands to gain attention. "Who's up for a late swim?" she calls out to everyone, stopping to stride over to her dragon and give his upper lip a sharp tug. "You," she states firmly, "cool off and set a good example." Djarreth glances to his rider, lowers his head to give her an affectionate nudge that knocks her back slightly, then returns his attention to the horny green. Sigh for Kita.
Ilara shoots another annoyed look at Jayden. Its a good think looks can't kill, because that's.. what, the third or fourth time this evening? He'd definatly be at least fairly mauled by this point, if not crippled. Leave the poor girl alone! Unfortunatly, her glaring sidetracks her from the game of copy-tail, and she gets flicked on the arm on accident. The bright side, though, is that brings her attention back to the silly little dance, in time to hear the warning shout and see the wing coming. So Ilara jump!s into the air, squeeking in surprise to avoid the sweeping wing. And she almost makes it, but she comes back down half a breath too soon, slipping on the wing as it goes beneath her feet. Annnnd with that, Lar tumbles ungracefully to the ground, crumpling into a weird position with her left foot at unnatural angles.
Relian is more or less taken aback at Rowann's forward gesture, but in true Relian style, he recovers gracefully, his head tilted forward in a moue of greeting as his hand reaches to grasp hers into a tight handshake. "Er, Relian, Resident, here. -- I take it you're another of these candidates." They're everywhere. His attention, however, is distracted as Ilara falls, and his face goes blank. "Er, Ilara? Are you --" Pause, "Okay?"
Serafa pouts "I'm not standing that close" Just to prove her words she stumbles up to Rowann and gives her a big hug "Evening Rowann, I've missed you" Of course the words dont have the same feeling as the squeal she greeted Jayden with, but its all a sham to get the riders off her back. Relians exclaimation alerts her healer senses as she spins around to look at the sprawled mess that is Ilara. "Are you okay Ilara?" She asks all flirting put aside as she crouches beside the candi.
Sigh for Kita, but smirk for Teza. Said green is all but wrapped around the brown in delight, earning a faint laugh from her rider as she takes a mental step back to watch those gathered. "Oooh, a late night swim sounds delightful. It does get awful warm in the summer, after--" A blink goes to Ilara and the greenrider rolls her eyes at the other Firestormer: "Oh dear. You just injured the first one," she drawls. The first? Yes. Mwuah. So much worse to come. Serafa's revised greeting -does- manage to drag her attention back over, finally registering. "Mmm, but do you do that to the -girls- too?" That's the telling point, you see.
"Jayden get her to the healers" Serafa directs as soon as she assesses the situation, she's not a healer any more but its the least she can do. *tack this on to her other pose*
Djarreth quickly moves his head- only something truly disturbing could tear him away from Briganth. He is instantly at Ilara's side, crooning despairingly as he quite obviously wonders whether he hurt her. "Oh shards," Kita mutters through gritted teeth, and strides up to assess the damage. "You have to remember Djarreth, non-riders aren't as nimble as us. What would knock me off my feet could hurt someone." Djarreth suddenly throws his head back and howls, distraught at the thought of hurting someone. Keeping a hand on his hide, Kita asks: "Serafa, do you think there is any damage?"
Relian, with a shrug, leaves the injured party to the ministrations of the healers back at the weyr, commenting, "Not my scene. Injury, ugh." Pain, double ugh. Serafa's Rowann-hugging earns a raise of his oh-so-fine eyebrows, but for once, he resists the urge to comment. Muttering, he decides, "I think they *all* need a nice, cold sponge-off. As long as I don't have to do the sponging." This much is clear enough.
Briganth winds her neck against Djarreth's consolingly as her rider pads up alongside, with a faint sigh for her dragon's seemingly one-track mind. Ilara was dismissed after being noted as 'alive', although Teza hovers behind Kita with half her attention on the fallen girl and a laugh for Relian's words, the subject of the rest of her attention. "Mmm, I agree on both counts," she calls over at the younger man with a playful wink, unable to help but add, "But will you wash my back?" An impish grin and she returns attention to Kita with a mutter, "Let that boy take her to the Healers. It's the best thing to do. She doesn't seem hurt badly, however. She just needs to learn to be lighter on her feet if she ever wants any chance around a real live dragon of her own."
Jayden slowly begins to shuffle away from the gathering, purposely ignoring the murderous looks Illara's sending in his direction. A small rush of kindness runs through him as he chooses not to comment on her - err - tumble. Instead, he follows the others to her side. Ouch. "Are you all right?" My my my, there's actual concern in his voice. He nods to Serafa's orders. "Yes'm." And she does /not/ have him wrapped her finger...yet, anyway. He lifts her up, leaning her weight almost entirely on him as slowly starts walking towards the infirmary. He'd pick her up but most likely would accidently damage the ankle more in the process, knowing him. He waves the best he can to the others as he exits, calling out a goodbye. We're off to see the Healers, the wonderful Healers of Ista...
Jayden walks up toward the central bowl.
Serafa nods solemnly why else would she send the girl to the healers. "I didnt like the way it was angled like that" She frowns, answering the brown rider, all business now that someone is hurt. To the green she just smiles, wickedly to be sure but much more seriously. "Perhaps, I dont know havent met a girl I would --er--greet like that" Her attention is still focused on the departing pair. "If you promise not to be nasty I will come for a swim" This is directed at Relian, who was starting to get a little too annoying.
Relian sticks his tongue out to compliment Teza's words, announcing with a - somewhat wobbly - bow; "If that's what you wish, Teza, I'd hardly object..." A wink; he's good at those. "It's got to be better than cold sponging, any day. Marginally." Hands are flicked back to pockets in a semi-reflective movement, as with a charming smile he responds to Serafa; "I'll try, if it means so much to you, Seffy."
Rowann raises one eyebrow, then another! A hug? Then Ilara tumbles down. Roww looks on with utter disbelief, "Are you alright, hon?" Woah. Wordlessly she watches, "That's gotta hurt..." A nod is given to Serafa, "You handled that really well." A snicker can be heard beneath the disguise of her words. Of course Seffy is already... stalking the boys. Right. It was to be expected of course. She deftly swings her hand down to tug a blade of long grass from the ground - using both hands to pluck off the edges neatly. Chores seem to have gotten the best of her at the moment, as the darkness under her eyes seems extremely noticeable today. Hands fumble in an attempt to open a pouch hanging from her belt. Though - to her dismay the entire thing seems completely stuck, "Shard it!" She curses loudly for all to hear, then as an explanation she adds, "It was stuck." Yeah.. Y'know. An azure tainted eye follows Jayden with interest as he makes his way towards the bowl. Oh well. The first? Uh-oh... "A swim?" Faranth, "A swim??" Uh-oh. Roww hasn't been for a decent swim.. in ages! Thanks to the 'Reaches! Lemme at it!
Djarreth quite gladly accepts Briganth's offer of sympathy, his loud cries turning to muted whistles of concern. Seeing he is under control, Kita leaves him and sidles up to her stronger wingmate. "I guess you're right...no, I know you're right," she agrees. "Especially if she Impresses and has to cope with a weyrling. I just hate seeing people get hurt...and so does Djarreth," she states, glancing up to her magnificent brown whose eyes are closed tight, pressing himself against the green to gain comfort. Actually, it looks as though he might be making out that he's more upset than he actually is, since Briganth is being /so/ nice and all... Kita can't help the surprised look as people talk about swimming after this event. Maybe she thinks it is worse than it actually is. "Um...you all sure?" she asks hesitantly.
"Lovely! To the beach, then!" It appears decided that all are going for a swim, Teza, although not calous, knowing when to leave things in the hands of those better capable - like Healers. "Kita, she'll be fine," she adds in an undertone, laying an hand lightly on the younger woman's arm with a faint grin, sending similar sentiments to Djarreth through Briganth. A flutter of her eyelashes are turned in Relian's direction, a simple, "I so wish," said with a light smile. "Then - shall we walk down? It isn't that far, after all, and I think Briganth is quite cozy here," she adds, a most -decided- smirk in her voice this time as she rolls her eyes back at her dragon affectionately.
"The beach it is," agrees Relian, shifting his feet, then stepping off in that direction. "I'll look forward to that, Teza!" he responds, laughing, although his head shakes minutely. "Faranth's eyeballs, Rowann, was it? How long've you been here, and you haven't gone swimming, yet?" Almost real horror spreads about his expression, as, once again, his head shakes. "First place *I* went, more or less."
Serafa smiles. "Stick some numbweed on it and she wont even know she hurt it" Well duh thats what numbweeds for. "Thank you Relian, I supose that you aren't all bad" Now she teasing gently, as if her brush with her former life has restored a little sense to her. "Come on then, seeing as we are all agreed"
You head down the trail to the beach.
Teza slinks quietly down the trail from the plateau.
Serafa flounces down the trail from the plateau.
Teza doesn't get it: what's so great about the water? "Don't you ever bathe?" greenrider asks dully, blinking at the trio curiously with a roll of her shoulders in anticipation. Aaah, water. An island's -real- treasure. "It's a good thing the moons are out or you wouldn't be able to see fit to swim," she comments idly, slowly peeling riding leathers from her body and dropping them in a trail towards the water. Glove. Jacket. Other glove. Pause. Turn and smirk. "Last one in get's to help scrub Briganth clean sometime in the next sevenday."
Relian laughs; "Note to self: get in quick." Without wasting a moment, his boots are off -- still tightly laced, and simply wiggled away from his feet -- as are is socks, and his shirt is pulled over his head. He hesitates over his breeches, but in the end, they remain snug on his body, as he ducks towards the water. "Oh, but swimming in the dark is just as much fun, I'm quite sure."
Well thats it, Serafa likes dragons and all but mucking out the Weyr stables /and/ srubbing a dragon would just kill her. Scrambling out of her clothes her other cheeks wink merrily as she runs into the water. Squealing at the slight chill, Serafa continues her plunge until she's all the way wet.
Teza sheds the leathes the cling so determinnedly to her thighs and calves, leaving the rider in a loose red shift the flutters loosely around her thighs. That's peeled a tossed at the water's edge as she joins the others with a laugh, declaring, "Unless your friend back there's an aversion to water, I think she loses." And nod goes to Relian as well as the greenrider moves her way deeper, grinning faintly. "Doing -anything- in the dark always has a certain charm to it," she drawls faintly, innuendo just -dripping from her tone.
For the briefest moment, Relian is apparently disappointed that he didn't strip off his breeches as well -- but it's possibly just as well, all the same. Now, instead, he splashes deeper into the water, tossing water aimlessly with his cupped hands. "But of course," he responds, eyebrows not quite waggling - since that would be more than a little obvious. He ducks under, submerges, slinking out to a point where he's in water up to his chest, shaking out his floppy hair.
Serafa splashes about in the water joyfully, ignoring the others for a moment as she reveals in the feel of the water on her skin. "Teza, do you really think the amount of light makes a difference?" She asks dreamily, content just to float as her need for water is slowly disolved.
Lazily heading deeper, fingertips trailing along the surface of the water, the greenrider takes her time in submerging. A light laugh is startled out by Serafa's question, Teza's answer simple: "Not at all." She continues after a moment, pausing with the water at the bottom of her ribcage. "The light's the least important part of it, actually. Really, I much prefer -seeing- what I'm doing in all things." A smirk curves her lips as she scoops water up in her hands, then submerging with a happy little sigh. "Oooh, this is delightful. Whose idea was it again? Remind me to thank them. And -you-, my dear," she adds, head lifting to spot Relian with a grin. "You owe me next time I catch you in the baths. Don't have any sweetsand to wash my back with here, after all."
Relian ducks under as, heading deeper, a wave threatens to drown him without warning, rising up to the surface with a lazy kick of his leggy limbs to push him into a floating position. "Light adds -- ambiance, I suppose. Or takes it away, depending upon the type of light," he concludes, listening with a lazy push from his right foot, his hands stretching up behind him as he bobs. "I shan't forget, Teza, have no fear. It's a date - for whenever. Besides which, I don't think it's as much fun, soaping in cold water. Nor as cozy." Lascivious wink is made - although he's teasing more than anything, by the expression playing up his features.
Serafa rolls her eyes "Oi dont forget theres an innocent candidate bystander standing by" Or something, of course it isnt fair unless they flirt with her too. "Like moons light Relian?" She asks guilelessly, standing up for a moment to lazily splash the pair, she's not really trying, so the ripples she makes barely reach them.
"Mmm, that's a point." Lulled by the waves and the cool water, Teza's voice has adopted a near trance like drifting tone, the rider obviously too content to be ruffled by much of anything. Relian's words do draw more of a resonse from her, again a smile appearing on her lips as dark eyes find him across the water. "There is -that- as well. More of a lather in the hot water, and muscles are -forced- to relax, and it's just utterly delightful." She doesn't need the wink; her tone says it all, dropping to a purr on delightful with a grin flashed over at Serafa as well. "Oh, that's right. I'm supposed to making sure -you- behave, aren't I, m'dear? Any suggestions as to how to go about that? And really, you're simply incorrigable." Like, well, Tez is?
Nyla dances down the trail from the plateau.
"Moonlight?" Relian watches the moon and stars above him lazily, continuing as he kicks lightly, "Yeah, I suppose the moon makes pretty good light for--more special occasions. It's romantic." This is, indeed, important. Kicking once more, as his hands lazily flick through the clear waters, Serafa's second comment is responded to. "You're right. Got to be thankful that *I'm* not restricted from such--activities." Teza's comments are greeted with a low chuckle, his head rising from the water just in time to avert drowning by an errant wave. "Oh, most certainly. Warm water -- sheer bliss."
Ah. Lovely night. Weaver-turned-candidate wipes a hand across her forehead, fingers sweeping the droplest of moisture from her temples and dwindling down her chin, where her fingers simply drop, allowing the breeze to caress o'er them with cool ease. Nyla's a little disorientated at the moment -- thus the unrecognition of the three before her, and after pushing her feet into the sand and wiggling her toes, she looks up. Blink. "What are you three doing here?" She stammers, horrified. Here she is, attempting to have a moments peace 'n quiet, and these three have followed her to the beach. Ahem.
"Dunno how I ever survived candidacy," Teza comments idly, flowing easily with the waves and playing against them rather than near-drowning in them even once. Of course, anyone who knew her Back in the Day could tell you she was far, far tamer in many ways. "Never have much use for romance, myself. Got my full of it back in my apprentice days, and Briganth is making my choices for me half the time." Her eyes roll at that, before distracted by Nyla's call. Finger's wiggle cheerfully and she calls, "Halloooo dear! Fancy meeting you here. Care to join us?" Yes, let's invite the whole weyr down for a comparitive discussion on 'light'!
Serafa shrugs and stands, placing her her hands on her hips cocking her head facitiously "Spank me?" No she really doesnt mean it, but well its fun to say. "Um no really , I'm not all that bad I only wanna collect them, I wouldnt really know what to do with them otherwise" This coming from the girl with a bronze riding ex.
Relian chuckles, raising one hand out of the water -- he's floating, on his back -- to greet Nyla lazily. Teza-wards, however, he comments, "Oh, romance has its time and place. Cold hard--interaction does, too, of course, but that's beside the point." He laughs once more, adding, "Candidacy, like apprenticeship, seems to come at the worst time in a person's life; just when they're getting into the other sex." His eyebrows raise, although it's hard to tell, at Serafa's comments. "Er, riiight."
Nyla simply can not believe her eyes. These three - two of them she's been zealously attempting to avoid, just.. here. The irony of it. Hesitant in her scant clothing, she cuddles the towel to her body, and turns just a little, disdainfully glaring at Teza. "Not now. Not that /you're/ here. You'll try and hit on me." We're going for the subtle look, right, 'La? Continuing, "How would *you* know, Relian?" Nyls snaps, and with a huff the girl drops to the ground in a sea of pale lavender and towel-fabric, the sand billowing softly.
An amused look is shot over at Serafa, Teza impishly drawling, "Don't tempt me," in reply to the girl's suggestion. A vague flutter of her fingers on the surface of the water serves to impart some vague, Tez-emotion. "I know what you mean. Always collectible, people. But you're under orders to behave," she reminds impishly, attention returning to Relian with that. "You're telling me! At 14 I was an apprentice, at 21 -just- as I turned Journeywoman I was Searched. I weep for that young me, I truly do. How I ever had fun is beyond me." Romance talk catches her attention a bit later, registering with amusement: "I suppose I could see going witht the whole wine and dine bit with a girl, flowers and poetry and such even. Still-- it gets silly in the end." Oooh, more distraction! A flutter of her eyelashes is sent in Nyla's direction, rider slipping to water that comes to thighs where she blows a kiss. "Try and hit on you? Why Nyla, you question my tact and skill? I -hit- on people. But not you. -You- have to behave." Rub it in a little more?
Relian's brows raise, as he retorts with absolute cheerfulness, "I guess I'm more objective than any of you -- it's nothing personal, as far as I'm concerned. Of course, Serafa here is more than enough to be truly annoyable, now; she's way too sensitive, I think. Must be what happens when you're deprived from numbweed." Ouch. Splashing lightly, with his hands, the young man comments, "No matter, Teza, you're as you are. -- Hitting on poor Nyla, and all. Ooh, yes, wine, and flowers, and all that; Celira writes nice poetry, although she hasn't written any about me, as far as I know, yet." Pout.
Serafa nods at the green-riders words "Okay I promise I wont collect anymore while I'm a candidate" There sheisnt /completely/ unreasonable. Relian just gets a glare. "Yeah well as I said you are sneaky and you lie!" She's never used numbweed in her life, Fellis on the other hand....."I think its suddenly gotten too crowded here, and I certainly wouldnt want to disturb any romance" she sneers for the benefit of Relian before tacking a "And you dont keep your promises holder" to the end of her little speach. Before you know it she's out of the water picking up her clothes and trotting back to the weyr
Pine-needle greens dart towards Relian, both 'brows lifting as her shoulders slump, forefinger pushing in and out of the sand. Sniiiiiiiffffff. Now she can't go swimming. Nyla flops over on her back, pushing the towel under her head and pressing 'lids closed tiredly, even ignoring Serafa as she shuffles close to her and then straight past. Yawn.
Serafa scrambles up the sandy trail to the plateau.
Poor Nyla? Lucky Nyla! It's not like Teza hits on everyone, after all; Serafa's been mostly safe. "Some of the poetry though is just attrocious. The wannabe poets ought to be -shot-. Then again, I had one of my Harper friends write a rather amusing tone comparing the need for klah to his need for me after I impressed. He found it horribly amusing I impressed green." Gee, wonder why? Serafa's abrupt departure earning a blink. "My, she's a touchy sort isn't she?" the greenrider comments dryly, if such a word can be used in relation to one dripping wet yet. Speaking wet - while Nyla's not... A faint sound can be heard as she moves silently from the water, bending over to cup the chilled water in hand. Not watching? Too bad. Here comes Tez, and -there- goes to water, tossed lightly at Nyla's face while the rider heads for her clothing an instant later.
Relian, mildly, raises his eyebrow. "Good night, Serafa. I love you, too." He's hurt, really. Sniffing, although only in jest, the resident decides, "I think I better stay away from that one; I don't think she likes me anymore. That's what happens when you try and have a friendly debate with a person, I think." Nyla is watched, as he slips over onto his front, paddling through the water; "What, not coming in, Nyla, dear?" Pouting, he, too, moves towards the shore, commenting, "Oh, well done, Teza," as he wades in.
Zzzzzzzzzz. What say you, bully Nyla? Ahem. (OOC -- too much Shakespeare. Aiee.) Why, nothing. She's quiet, possibly asleep, because her breathing is just that little bit more audible, and rather than the quick, tentative heaves she takes around bizarre kooks (like Teza) her chest is rising and falling somewhat in a rhythm. Until. "Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Squeal? Water quickly runs down her chin, and over her shoulders, until it dribbles off. Meanwhile, the Candidate has risen, and she's bolting after Teza, blaring obscenities and fists cutting through the air. "Teza, I will murder you!" And she's serious. "Get back here, you sharding.. woah!" Tripping over a rock, Nyla lands in the sand, face-first. Wait. She's feeling deja-vu. Grrrrr.
Nyla's aborted chase gets little attention once the greenrider discovers there's no immediate threat, a faint grin thrown at the poor girl. "Thank you, Relian-dear," Teza calls cheerfully as she bends over to scoop up tunic, close fitting leathers, then jacket, gloves completing the assembly. Short hair is roughly dryed with the poor tunic, as is her body, leathers tugged on and left loose as she tucks the now wet tunic and gloves in the crook of her elbow. "And perhaps Serafa is just disheartened you haven't fallen for her charms," she offers as she dries, a smile turned on the younger male. Right, now. Nyla: "Oh, and are you okay over there, dear? A bit of respect for the riders, please. Sharding is a strong word, after all."
Relian laughs as he drips water up the beach, grabbing at his shirt to begin mopping off his body; "Quite welcome, Teza-sweet," he responds, laughing--"She may well be. Silly female." He tosses up hands in disgust, eyeing Nyla warily a moment, then ducking away -- injuries; bad. "Fare well, good night, and happy dreamings!"
You scramble up the sandy trail to the plateau.