Coming Clean (Akki)

[mc16neo]

Kegin had been thinking about what Akki said. How he tells everyone everything. That he isn't mysterious. Maybe he could show her just how much she really doesn't know about him. Kegin kind of liked talking to her. She was nice to him and somewhat seemed to understand him better then others. He decided that maybe he should talk to her and come clean.

Kegin thought the best way to find a Rider would be go where dragons like to be. The only place to think of was the Lake. there was water, sun, warm sand so it seemed to fit. Kegin made his way there as soon as he could. He was a bit nervous. She did face Veran and lived. What if he told her and she hated him. Angry with him because of who his brother was.

He decided it was worth the risk. Maybe if one person knows, Then he might have a friend in the Weyr. Maybe she might help him. He needs to learn to fight better. Though he learned how to fight from almost dying multiple times he needed real training. Maybe a dragonrider could give him that. The only problem was finding Her.

Kegin searched the Lake from the sky to the ground. for some reason a smile came to his face just thinking about it. He realized he kind of liked Akki. She was open with him and told blunt truth. He needed someone like that.

[Akki]

Akki was, in fact, not at the lake.

Or at least not yet.

As luck would have it, she was on her way down there. A little green blur whizzed by Kegin, a firelizard screeching joyously as he dipped and dived through the air. Another thing whipped by Kegin, this time it was Akki. The bluerider was running full speed, laughing loudly as she chased after Sargon; who was also enjoying this game. Ebbeth ambled after his rider, a draconic grin on his face as he plodded past Kegin.

It was an odd looking game of tag and no one was really sure why it started. Sargon had flown past Akki and the rider ditched the klah she was drinking and ran after him. They ran through the Weyrbowl where Ebbeth joined along and now they were successfully past the lake. Sargon flew above the lake and chattered away while Akki skidded to a stop at the shore line, hands on her knees as she gasped for breath as Ebbeth snaked his head beside her, lightly tapping the tap of his snout onto her back.

Tag. The dragon looked quite pleased with himself.

“Yeah, yeah. You two win.” Akki huffed, her cheeks slightly flushed from the run. Sargon flittered back and perched himself onto her shoulder, screeching his victory. Ebbeth joined in, his head lifted to the sky as he parted his jaws and let out a hearty bugle. Actually, a silent bugle considering him being mute and all. It was just a puff of air that slipped out from his mouth, but in Akki’s mind she could hear him roar victoriously.

She flopped onto the ground, first sitting and then laid down fully. It was then that she noticed Kegin, “Whatchoo you doing at my lake, boy?”

[mc16neo]

Kegin spun a bit to keep the flit in sight. Then he spun once more to watch Akki. When her dragon walked by he couldn't help but start laughing. He watched the game and kind of wanted to join. But he was happy with just watching. This woman was odd but he liked her all the same. Once the game was done he continued to follow her. When she laid down he stood over her. "I was looking for you actually." he said. "I wanted someone to talk to and you were the only I could think of." He smiled at her, letting her take that as she wanted. He chuckled a bit.

"So how was the game? I think your dragon won." he said. He looked at the Blue with a smile and nodded to him. He looked back to Akki and lifted a brow. He liked the way she looked laying there. "If you are not busy i could like someone to talk to. Unless you have some other guy that actually wants to be near you long enough to enjoy your company. Other then me of course." Kegin smiled and chuckled a bit.

[Akki]

Akki straightened, running a hand through her blonde hair. He was looking for her? Very rarely did people seek Akki out; unless they were going to yell at her or something or cause trouble. Her curiosity was definitely piqued. “Probably because I talk too much.” She grinned, a snicker following a second later.

Sargon peered at Kegin, chirping and chittering away before taking pieces of Akki’s hair into his mouth and pulling on them slightly. He clearly wanted to play still. Akki frowned and waved her hand in front of the critter, trying to get him to stop.

Akki pursed her lips and crossed her arms, clearly not happy with the results of the game. She hated losing. “I let him win.” She sniffed, acting oh-so-generous for letting the blue catch her. Ebbeth snorted hot air causing the riders hair to blow around slightly. Ebbeth lowered his head, staring at Kegin.

Candidate?

Akki patted the dragon on the tip of his snout and nodded, “Candidate.” Content with this answer, Ebbeth lay on the ground – quite content with soaking up Rukbat’s rays. Akki looked back at Kegin and grinned, “Few people can stand my company for long. What did you want to talk about? I’m all ears.” And mouth and snarky comments and you get the point.

[mc16neo]

Kegin chuckled. "I don't mind that at all. If it was one sided it would be boring now wouldn't it." He watched her flit and smiled more at her comment. "Well you know what I am glad you are so generous. Would you like me to hold you as you sulk your losing?" He chuckled. To Ebbith he bowed his head in respect. When she asked what he wanted to talk about he smiled. "I am sure i can set the record." he commented. "I wanted to talk to someone about a problem I have. Since you have dealt with Veran you were the only I could really trust. Or at least talk to."

Kegin sat next to her and looked at her. Parts of him knew she wouldn't understand. But he just wanted someone to be close to him. Even for a little while. "Veran is part of a Renegade Group called the Black Thorns. I know a lot but not everything. And anything i learned wasn't without a price." Kegin took off his Tunic to show his scarred back. "But for you to really get the full story I will need to start from the beginning."

Kegin sighed and began to talk about how he was part of a small family. That turns before his parents had a son name Rogin. They put him for fostering but something happened. He hated their little family. When Kegin was 5 or 6 turns the Black Thorns attack the caravan heading to Darkmoon. His family in it. Rogin killed his mother and Father. He then tried to kill Kegin but he managed to get away. "It was a massacre. Rogin is the Leader with the Black Thorns. Besides Veran he also has Konta, his right hand man. There is also two girls. One is Talavi the other i do not know. Veran is low on the ranks. He is a Torture Master. Loves to inflict pain and watch bleeding. He knows the body as well as, if not better then, any Healer on Pern. They are ruthless and cunning. Rogin wants me dead. They already have tried many times." he said.

Kegin looked to Akki wanting to see if she at least understood what he was afraid of. "Rogin tends to make sure I am alone. He attacks any I get close to. Konta has a Canine named Ferik, vicious creature, and Rogin has a brown Flit, also nasty. Spike is the Flit and he normally is used for information gathering. He even comes to the weyr. I think it is by pretending he is just curious and looking around." Kegin sighed and waited for her to respond or even tell him he is being childish for worrying about it. He heard it all before.

[Akki]

If there was one benefit about Akki’s inability to refrain from talking, it was definitely that things never got boring. Terrible plans that seemed like good ideas always seemed to be slipping out of her mouth with little caution. V’ian was almost positive that she had some sort of disease that paralyzed her rational thinking. She laughed at his holding comment and then grinned as he bowed to Ebbeth, “Don’t show him respect kiddo. He doesn’t deserve it.”

Ebbeth mentally snorted but lifted an eye open to stare at Kegin when the name ‘Veran’ had come out of it. He didn’t know the whole story about Akki being attacked; she had carefully kept it blocked from him. But the name Veran had been floating around in her mind every now and then and Ebbeth was curious as to who this man was. This seemed like a good opportunity to find out. Obvious distaste flashed through his eyes when it was made clear that this stranger was part of a renegade group – nothing good came out of that.

Akki listened carefully, and astonishingly quietly, with a slight frown plastered onto her face. Her brows furrowed slightly. If there was a renegade group who held no problems with attacking riders, then the Weyr would be up for some trouble. The group didn’t sound all that large so surely they had enough riders to protect Dark Moon if it was called for. However, she remembered Veran’s words about knowing how to attack dragons and that was a bit unnerving. There was a possibility that she would have to talk to Christae and tell her what was going on. At the same time though, she didn’t particularly want too. The Weyrwoman had enough on her plate, she didn’t need this also.

She leaned against Ebbeth, thoughts churning in her head. “Don’t get caught alone. Make sure you’re near someone at all times.” Akki said with her lips pursed. She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees as she continued, “Don’t worry about the canine. No pup will stand against a dragon, no matter how feisty of a thing.” Canines were stubborn fellas but dragons were large and armed with bigger claws and teeth. “Tell me if you see the firelizard about.” She nodded towards Sargon, “He’s a sharding bad fighter but he’s scrappy and can hold his own if we need to chase the brown away.”

She drummed her fingers along her jawline and peered at Kegin, “You’re not so bright kid, you know that? You’re in Dark Moon Weyr now; we take care of our own.” The last bit was said with her infamous crooked smile playing on her lips.

[mc16neo]

Kegin looked at Akki and smiled. He was surprised she stayed quiet for so long. "If i was such a fool then I wouldn't be alive. But as you can see I am quick to learn so alive I stay. As for being caught alone, easier said then done. How can I be near anyone if they just run away. Unless you are offering to stay with me." he chuckled and winked. He was enjoying just talking to her about this.

"From what I have seen they train their Canines as pups so they are more afraid of the master then of dragons. Knowing the strategies of my brother so far I believe the Canines are just decoy. Konta is a Beastcrafter that specialized on Canines. As for the Flit, I would rather not have your flit involved. If he can't fight then Sargon would either come back crippled or dead. I have dealt with alot but I won't do that." Kegin shook his head and had a crooked smile of his own. "In case you haven't realized Akki I have a problem trusting people. You are actually the first I have tried to trust about this. Maybe the only."

[Akki]

”Maybe you’re just a lucky fool.” Akki shot back with a wink and a grin. She was a lucky fool too, thankfully. If it weren’t for the luck, she’d probably be dead by now. She wasn’t sure if that thought was unnerving or brag-worthy. Or neither. “You just need to be in view of someone else.” Akki nodded and then smiled, “Or you can just shout my name. I’ll come a running. Well, more like skipping – I’m not a good runner.”

Coordination? Not her thing! Running was dangerous

“Well the canine hasn’t met me and neither has this Konta.” Akki sniffed, winking. “I’ll show them that they can’t go around messing up my Weyr.” Was it obvious that Akki was protective of Dark Moon? This place was the only place she really could call home. She had family here, blood related and non-blood related; she had no intentions of letting stuff hurt them if she could stop it.

“Oh come now, Sargon can be vicious. Can’t you Sargon?” She cooed. Sargon hunched over and let out a series of loud, angry hisses as if to prove her point. Once the point was made, the hisses were turned into loving chirps as he nuzzled his head against Akki’s. Akki beamed. “All you need is me, boy. I can take anyone down!”

[mc16neo]

kegin chuckled. "Well then I am glad to be a lucky fool. If I wasn't either i wouldn't be here talking to you now." He gave his own wink and chuckled. "And I would compare you and Konta to Ferik and Ebbith. Konta being your dragon." he chuckled a bit. "Don't underestimate his slow mind. He is unique. Pray that Veran doesn't get you and drug you. he can do it so you won't focus enough to send anything to your dragon but you will always feel the pain." Kegin looked at Ebbeth "No offense." he said.

He couldn't help but laugh when he heard about the skipping. "I think you might look cute if I saw you skipping to my aid." he chuckled and looked at her. He watched her to be sure she wasn't offended. Most of the things he already said she didn't seem to mind. She actually looked like she liked how he talked to her. But then again he didn't know her well. Kegin was going on what he saw.

[Akki]

Akki frowned delicately as she considered his words before shrugging her shoulders. “You met me so maybe you aren’t so lucky after all.” Akki had that type of extreme personality. You either liked her or you didn’t, there wasn’t much of a between for her. She was content with that actually; it avoided having those people who you weren’t sure if they liked you or if they were waiting to stab you in the back. Handy.

When Kegin wrapped up his spiel on Veran and threw a ‘No offense’ to Ebbeth, the dragon moved. He lifted his head off the ground and extended it so his massive blue noggin was right in front of the boy. Ebbeth blew hot air into his face when he exhaled and calmly said for everyone to hear, I don’t know who this Veran is but if I ever see him near Mine then I will use my teeth and claws to tear him apart. Slowly. If I lose contact with Akkimine for more than two minutes, I will assume it is him and be there and it will not be pretty. He shrunk back and placed his head back onto the ground.

Akki frowned and patted the blue on his side, “You’re a protective lil guy, aren’t you?” Akki didn’t doubt his words though. Ebbeth had been close to tearing apart another man and that was because he had hit her. Faranth knows what Ebbeth would be like if he did indeed meet Veran. Like Ebbeth said; it wouldn’t be pretty, that much was sure.

She rolled her eyes, “I don’t know if my skipping would be very reassuring.”. She leaned against Ebbeth once more and closed her eyes, “In all seriousness though, if I see a renegade near Dark Moon? I won’t be pleased.”

[mc16neo]

Kegin smiled at her. "Well I do like you. I enjoy talking to you and I feel like you will be honest with me no matter what it is. I would enjoy being by your side whenever I have the chance." He smiled at her. It was odd to see her so calm. She didn't seem hyper any longer. It kind of made him sad. When Ebbeth looked at him and spoke he smiled. "I am sure you would. Any dragon who loves Theirs would do it. And I can tell you what to expect before you go." He smiled wanting to keep the blue a friend.

Kegin looked at Akki as she spoke of the skipping. "Well if I ever had a woman skipping to my side I would rather enjoy it. Seeing as none do, and you offered I am pretty sure i would enjoy it. In a way you are kind of like me. So I guess I can put up with most of the things others can't.' Kegin chuckled. Kegin got serious about the Renegades in the Weyr. "They are coming soon Akki. Rogin will be coming for me again. And I am sure Veran will be there as well. But be smart. Don't think just because you have a dragon and you are a rider would help. And just because you are a woman they will make a point not to go easy on you."

He looked at Ebbeth, "Beware the Mountain man. He is not what he seems. If you see him and a shorter man going to Akki you make her leave. Don't risk anything with her. I know you can protect her but that doesn't mean Protecting her means fighting for her. If it comes down to it I will delay them." His mind caught up to his mouth and he froze a bit. He slowly looked at Akki turning slightly red.

[Akki]

Akki laughed loudly, “You’ll get sick of me sooner or later kid. I have this thing where I can’t keep my mouth shut. Everyone gets tired of it eventually.” The ‘thing’ would be called foot-in-mouth disease. It wasn’t curable, in case you were wondering. “Go out there and Impress and then you can join me in the rider ranks.” She beamed. She was thoroughly enjoying the idea of all these new riders – the Weyr was in need of them.

She winced at his words, “Trust me, you don’t want to be like me.” Being like Akki was never a good thing. Not unless you wanted some dramatically failed relationships and dangerous situations. She placed her hands behind her head, looking quite comfortable as she lounged on her blue. “Me being a rider has nothing to do with me wanting to beat them silly. I want to do it because I have a thing called ‘You carve a letter into me and I will smack your head in with a pan from the kitchens, you dirty jerk’. It’s a serious problem, you know.” Plus Akki wasn’t a real woman. It was a well known fact she was more like a guy than a gal.

Trust me, candidate. I will keep Akki clutched in my claws and fly away with her. Ebbeth huffed, adding a silent And then I will come back to finish them off.

Akki leaned over and pressed two fingers on Kegin’s cheeks, squeezing them together to give him fish lips. “I will kick your bottom so hard if you think for two seconds I’m going to let you be a ‘delay’.” She let go of the boy and turned to Ebbeth, “Be a dear and grab Kegin in your teeth when you’re flying away with me?”

Done.

[mc16neo]

Kegin couldn't help but laugh. "I have dealt with them enough to be fine. I just might have a new scar to have to my collection. And there is no way I am riding in a dragon's mouth." He was still a bit red when she had his cheeks. "If you think I can't be a delay you can feel free to test me. In fact is was part of the reason i was looking for you. I know how to fight but I would like to be trained formally and I thought of you. if you don't mind being around someone that is a bit more marked on his head then you." Kegin chuckled. "You can't get rid of me. You talking alot is actually what i like. So try me." he said.

Kegin looked at Akki. "If you are tired of the guys you normally deal with then why don't you deal with one you never had before?" He looked at her with a wink and a twisted grin. He was kind of cocky but he didn't really feel it. He didn't mind playing her game. She enjoyed to be cocky and thinking people don't want to be around her so he could enjoy the game with her.

[Akki]

”Oh come on.” Akki rolled her eyes, as if Kegin’s refusal to ride in a dragon’s mouth was irrational. “It’s not like he’d bite down or anything.”

I make no promises.

She snickered and flicked the blues hide before turning her attention back to Kegin as she stuck a few strands of blonde hair behind her ear. “There’s a bronzerider I know, he’d be a good teacher if you want to learn how to fight ‘formally’ as you put it.” Akki nodded, her thoughts drifting to G’han. She frowned slightly when she remembered the bet that she had to seduce him within a sevenday. She’d better get on that. Akki blinked, letting herself focus. “I do scrappy fighting. And dirty fighting.” She grinned crookedly.

When she was in a fight, she was like a cornered feline. She’d twist her body around and lash out. Was it the prettiest way to fight? No, definitely not. But it was effective and that was all that really mattered to her. She could hold her own for the most part. “In one turn, I’ll have talked off your ear.” The bluerider promised.

A loud laugh, definitely underlined with amusement, slipped out of her mouth as she reached over and patted Kegin on the shoulder. “You crack me up kid.” She snickered. “I’m afraid I’ve already preyed on the candidates though, it didn’t end up so pretty.” She grinned. She drummed her fingers against her knee, “T’was fun though.”

[mc16neo]

Kegin laughed. He looked at the blue and shook his head. He would rather face his brother. He looked at Akki when she spoke about the candidates. "What do you mean by that?" he said with a lifted brow. And he thought about having his ear talked off. "At least I would have someone to talk to till then. And as for the fighting, I think scrappy would be the safest way to go. If you think about it the only way to fight a dirty fighter is by fighting dirty yourself." Kegin looked away from Akki and out at the Lake.

Something seemed to be off to Kegin. He didn't want to let Akki know but all he could really do was hope she wasn't very perceptive to others. (Well it was worth a try.) He thought. Kegin grinned and sighed, "Well at least I can make one person enjoy my company. But kinda think it doesn't matter what others think. Ok that isn't true. I am tired of dealing with my brother. I just keep feeling he is coming soon." He said. A grin coming to his face. "And I can't wait. It might show myself who I really am. I could be a coward or I could be brave and Fight as I have always done."

[Akki]

Sargon slid off of Akki’s shoulder and moved onto her lap, nuzzling her hands. With a few insistent chirrups, the bluerider scratched his eye riders as she grinned almost fondly. “The last guy I was with,” Well, maybe not the last. That would be Rafe. But the last relationship she had, “Was a candidate, I wasn’t. Candidates can’t be in any sort of relation so things got a lil hinky. He ended up Impressing though and it was all good but then he got up and left the Weyr one day. Not even a goodbye.” The fondness in the smile froze up and soon became strained. It went back to normal though as she shrugged her shoulders and laughed softly, “You win some and you lose some though, right?” She was talking like she was an old lady and it annoyed her. It wasn’t like R’xis would be the last guy she would ever be with.

“I would so win against any dirty fighters then.” She snickered, looking down at Sargon with a crooked grin as the green firelizard continued to coo for attention. She was all about the elbow jabs, clawing and hair pulling in a fight. Maybe one day she would get G’han to teach her how to actually fight. Then again, maybe that wouldn’t be such a good idea. The bronzerider would probably use it as an excuse to cop a feel or something and then beat her into the ground.

Her brows became furrowed as she scowled at Kegin. “I don’t care if you want to see if you’re brave or not; if you are in a bad situation I want you to run.” That was the bad thing about guys – they always wanted to prove how manly they were, with fights and junk. “Dark Moon needs all the candidates it can get; I can’t let you go off getting injured or something stupid like that.” She shifted, trying to get more comfortable against her blue. “Figure out who you are before or after his arrival, yeah?

[mc16neo]

Kegin heard her but he didn't really understand. He never understood why Candidates had to be alone. But then during gold flights nobody cared. It was an odd standard. He shrugged. "I wouldn't know. So far I have only lost. Or I haven't tried." Kegin looked at her flit and grinned a bit. He didn't really like flits but he liked how the flit made Akki look. She looked like Sargon made her happy in a way a person couldn't.

Kegin chuckled. "I am sure you might think that. I learned the hard way never to underestimate anyone. It doesn't matter if it is a stick of a guy or girl to a husky guy. The more caution you use the more likely you will survive." He scratched his head and thought of things he had done.

Kegin looked at Akki. He didn't like her scowling at him. "I don't think I can do that. It isn't about pride or anything. It is about taking responsibility. He is my brother and he is after me. As such it is only natural I am the one that needs to deal with it. I won't let anyone get injured because of me. I just can't do it. Friend or not Rogin is my job to take care of." Kegin was very serious. "I guess this still makes me mysterious. Not even you can come close to understanding someone as completely dim as me." Kegin grinned. He didn't seem to mind that he might get hurt. But he did like her trying to care for him. "One can not find who they are unless they are tested through hardship and trying times."

[Akki]

”Well, you’re too young to be caring about relationships anyways!” Akki laughed. She made it sound like the boy was twenty turns younger than her when in reality; there as only a few turn difference between them. The bluerider was rather hypocritical, she had thought about relations and the like when she was a candidate and a weyrling. “Rumor has it that one of the current weyrlings got a lil action.” She said, nodding her head. “His dragon got all snippy and junk, normally she was a sweetheart. It was crazy.” It was also understandable, the dragon was too young to understand and then overwhelming emotions had thrown her off.

Ebbeth stirred, his sides vibrating as he made silent noises. He turned his head towards Akki, a large draconic grin on his face as he spoke to everyone, You’re not capable of being cautious! Akki twisted her lips into a snarl and used a hand to push his snout away, his laughing still echoing in her head. “I wish I had Impressed a green. You’re nothing but a broken blue.” She huffed. She always teased Ebbeth about being mute but it was all in a good nature – everyone knew that the girl wouldn’t trade Ebbeth for anything. Which was good, Akki on a green was a frightening thought; she was promiscuous enough without one!

She rolled her eyes at Kegin’s heroic behaviour. “Friends help friends, durr. It’s not like everyone will ditch you and you have to deal with him on your own.” Sargon bugled in agreement. “I dunno about that last bit. I’m pretty sure I found out who I am and I didn’t have to go into battle or anything.” Actually, did she find out who she was? She was pretty sure she had, she felt complete when she had Impressed to Ebbeth but maybe she wasn’t. She shook her head slightly, blond strands of hair flying up from the movement. Nah, she was happy with who she was right now and that was all that mattered.

[mc16neo]

Kegin chuckled. "Well then I will let you know as soon as I make any friends." He shook his head and stretched. "And for the record I am not too young. Aren't we just two turns difference." The one thing that was good about not having any real social experience, in a situation like this he wasn't embarrassed or as some would feel, he didn't feel like his heart was breaking. He just didn't care that she more or less meant it wasn't going to happen.

"So then what should I expect. The only thing i really know about myself is that my older brother wants me dead. Then it was my fault he killed my parents. If I tried to make friends he would try to find ways to kill them. So maybe it is best that there isn't any for me. It is safer. Well this was rather enlightening. Now to just keep my eyes open for him."

[Akki]

Once again Akki placed her palm on his shoulder and shoved slightly, “Oi! You’ve made friends! Or at least you better consider me a friend!” Most people considered her a nuisance but in her mind that meant the same thing as buddy. She took her hand back and hunched her shoulders forward slightly, “Gah, why do I feel so oooold

---

Admin's Note:

[/hr]” The last word was drawled out and italicized with a mixture of disgust and shame. She was young, hip and with it! So why did it feel like she was sprouting grey hairs all over the place?

“Having a dragon apparently ages you quickly.” She snickered. Ebbeth huffed in disagreement. It’s having a rider like you that ages me He shot back with ease.

“Come on now. This brother of yours has got nothing on me! I’ll whoop his bottom if he tries to take me down for being friends with you.” Akki vowed as she pantomimed a few punching actions. She shrugged and winked, “Or, you know, I can talk him to death.[/center]