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Post by Spirithawk on Oct 17, 2008 8:52:50 GMT -5
Christae set her quill down and stretched. Chiron was in the corner playing with her sand table. She didn't need it at the moment and if it kept him quiet so much the better. N'kal was meeting with other Weyrleaders to discuss something or another, and for once, she didn't have to be there. Her Queen's wing would be meeting that afternoon to go over some flight drills but it was early yet.
Christae had risen early, like normal, even though she could have slept late. Chiron had been still asleep when she left her weyr. Kaith was sunning herself on the fireheights and looking rather pleased with herself. The Weyrlings were in their classes and the few Candidates left were helping with the dragonets and getting first hand experience on what they would be dealing with should they Impress at the next Hatching. Kaith had finally calmed down and gone back to her normal sweet self with her rider. She was still a bit stern with the other dragons but that was just her nature. Everyone knew that she was just a serious dragon when it came to her dragons.
How is the lake looking love?
Ever since the devastating hurricane, the Weyr's lake waters had been high and full of debris. Christae had warned the riders and dragons to be careful and suggested that they take their dragons to the coast or one of the freshwater streams to bathe.
Still a bit murky. Most of the debris seems to be out or sunk by now though.
Fancy a swim at the beach? The Queen contemplated it.
Perhaps after a while? The sun was just right on her hide right now, not too scorching but nice and warm. She would enjoy a swim later when the sun was higher but for now she was content.
Very well love, later then. The Queen went back to her sunning and Christae glanced around the room. A lot of the riders were taking advantage of the fact that there were no drills until later but a few were up and about. Christae decided to go and see who was around. She wanted to keep abreast of all that was happening in her domain.
She picked up anything that Chiron could get into and sent the lad off to play in the Lower Caverns. Birinj was sent to keep an eye on the boy. He would likely find Rhia's twins and play but she wanted an extra eye on him just in case. As she left her office she caught a glimpse of bronze hide and that triggered a memory.
"Oh no, J'red." In the hustle and bustle of the Flight and the new Weyreader and the Hatching she had forgotten about the bronzerider that had lost the flight. It had been close and she didn't know how it would have come out if Kaith hadn't made a mistake and flown right into Asuth. She knew he had left the Weyr for a while and when he had come back she hadn't seen much of him.
Perhaps you should go find him.
I will love. Christae walked to the Dining Cavern and sent the word out that she was looking for J'red. She hoped he hadn't been sent out of the Weyr for anything.
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Post by kestrel on Oct 23, 2008 10:25:22 GMT -5
He'd attended the hatching, as well as the hatching feast. Admittedly it was because he owed that to the Candidates standing, to his Sr. Queen and her rider, and to himself as a Bronzerider of Dark Moon Weyr. It had been the first time back since he'd left, but now, as he sat in the Weyr that had been vacated for the past few sevendays, he still managed to feel uncomfortable.
Questions made his mind busy as of late. About his feelings, his position in the Weyr, and his new Weyrleader. He needed to get himself straightened out. To him, he was rather disgracing himself and his bronze by running away from the problem, rather than accepting that this was how things would be. As a person who didn't let his feelings get in the way of his duties, however? He was doing a pretty shabby job of being such since the flight.
*You can't keep hiding away forever. Dark Moon is our home, and we are needed here. There will always be next flight, mine. You saw as well as I that Kaith did not make the choice of N'kal's bronze over me.*
J'red had been lying flat on his back in the bed that was his, and now he sat up, swinging his legs over the side of the bed, and said with a hint of bitterness in his tone that he couldn't quite hide, "yes, Kaith did not choose this time. However, a woman may choose to go to a man she prefers or knows over a stranger...she didn't even spare me a glance, and trust me that I was near enough for her to have made a choice."
*You would blame the Weyrwoman, then? No one is ever quite themselves in a flight. You of all people know this. I have been in flights before, even if I had not chosen to fly a gold.*
J'red cringed a little inwardly. Did he blame Christae-no, the Weyrwoman? He wasn't sure. It wasn't his pride that was stung, though-it was his heart. He had made sure he was in clear view of her the entire time. Flight or no flight, were the arms of a stranger who'd just shown up at the moment of the flight really preferable to someone who you at least knew had feelings for you? He wasn't sure, he was simply heartsore that he'd placed too much faith in Hikanth's winning the flight. As Christae's Weyrmate, he wouldn''t have to hide his feelings as much behind the pretense that he was not the victor of the flight. He was not sure of her feelings towards N'kal, and truth be told, he had only glimpsed the man at the hatching, and at the feast. No more than a glimpse, and he had tried to avert his gaze.
He sighed, flopping back on the bed, arms behind his head with legs still over the edge, staring at the rough stone ceiling and trying not to think anymore.
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Post by Spirithawk on Oct 24, 2008 22:39:10 GMT -5
Christae had glanced through the Lower Caverns when a drudge mentioned that no one had seen the bronzerider come from his weyr and his dragon was sunning himself on the ledge. Christae thanked the man and headed up the steep steps cut into the cliff wall. When she reached J'red's weyr she nodded to the bronze.
"Good day Hikanth. I am here to see your rider." She poked her head in, ready to avert her gaze if J'red wasn't fit for company. "J'red I'd like a word with you." She felt a little uncertain. For Faranth's sake she was the Weyrwoman! She shouldn't be feeling so nervous. She had faced down the Weyrleaders who had wanted to close down her Weyr. She had borne a child. She had run a weyr by herself for almost a Turn. Why should talking to a bronzerider shake her?
Because you are daring to care again. The Queen's simple statement stopped the WW in her tracks. Sh'iron had torn her apart in more ways than one. She thought she was over letting men rule her emotions. She supposed that was just something she couldn't control.
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Post by kestrel on Oct 31, 2008 23:11:36 GMT -5
Hikanth heard someone approaching before they'd actually shown themself. However, he was bemused to see that it was not whom he might have expected it to be. He raised his head and gave a sort of polite bow of his head, replying back politely, *and to you, Weyrwoman.* He turned his head now, to face J'red, who had sat up almost too quickly at the Weyrwoman's voice. He hoped she hadn't noted that-or that she'd take it for him simply being startled at the sound of a voice unexpectedly coming from the entrance to his Weyr.
It couldn't be said that J'red was 'indecent'. He simply was without a shirt, though he wore his usual black trousers, made of wher-hide. His boots were on his feet, though they were unlaced and made him look almost like a boy who had forgotten to tie them. He was likely a lot more surprised than his bronze to see Christae come to speak to him. He hadn't even spoken to her since...well...a day before the flight. After that, he'd gone, and come back during the hatching, keeping out of sight for the most part. Hikanth was notable, but who'd notice another bronze amongst the many-including visitors? No matter if he was the largest there or no, no one was paying attention to the dragons already impressed.
He knew he must find his tongue. He didn't have time or the frame of mind to sit there wondering what she was doing here-probably just coming to assign some task, make sure he was still around...if she'd noted he was gone. She must have had a lot to deal with, with the clutch...and the new Weyrleader. If he cringed, then, itw as only inwardly. He mustn't think about that, not now. He had to act the part of the bronzerider that he was. Treat her with respect that a Weyrwoman was due, and try and be as distant as any other rider in referance to their Senior Weyrwoman would be.
He wasn't really heeding what he wore or did not wear. Instead, he stood, turning to face her and hiding all too well how he might have been feeling at the moment about seeing her here, for the first time since the flight being face to face. Instead, when he responded, it was not cold, but neither did it display anything of what he felt.
"Good day to you, Weyrwoman. What is it you'd like to speak with me about?" Did he sound perhaps too business-like? Too distancing? How had he wanted to sound?
*Be yourself. See what she wishes from you, and take it one step at a time. You will be fine. I am here with you, always.* Hikanth's voice was consoling and reassuring. He even managed a hint of a smile-let Christae think it was directed at her or no, it was at least friendlier than his formal words.
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Post by Spirithawk on Nov 6, 2008 23:51:53 GMT -5
Christae caught the forced politeness in his tone and flinched. He couldn't have done worse if his voice was cold. She wondered if that meant that he didn't care. But if he didn't care then why had he run from the Weyr? Why avoid her like the plague?
"I..um..." She stammered. She cleared her throat and took a deep breath. Recklessly, she plunged in without preamble. They both wouldn't be fooled by small talk and it would be better just to get it over with quickly. "I wanted to talk to you about the flight. I know you were upset. Otherwise you wouldn't have left. Why?"
She bit her lip. This wan't how she had imagined it. Why did things have to go wrong when you needed them to go smoothly? She had a great deal of experience with handling awkward situations but you wouldn't have guessed it by the lack of poise and finess she had in this situation. She just needed to know if J'red's sulking meant anything more than wounded male pride. Otherwise she would feel like a fool.
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Post by kestrel on Nov 7, 2008 0:12:15 GMT -5
Was that a flinch he saw, or was his mind seeing things that simply weren't there? J'red couldn't be sure, couldn't afford to read into things that were perhaps more imagined than real. It was almost as if Christae-the Weyrwoman-looked unsettled in some way.
He had been in the Weyr long enough to know that she wasn't a woman to become so uncomposed like this. Was she bothered because of his unsettling behavior? He supposed he was a rider, under her command, and one of the few bronzeriders in her Weyr. Likely, she was simply checking in to see if he was all right, and was ill used to him responding in such a distant mannerism. Well, he either tried to stay a bit distant or behaved in an unwarrented mannerism. He wasn't sure of her feelings for the new Weyrleader. He didn't een know if he wanted to be sure. Finding out that they were engaged in a relationship...it was none of his business, but it would have stung more than he cared to think about. So, her next question caught him completely off guard.
He wasn't quite able to stop his eyes from widening a little-what sort of question, by the first egg, was that? Seriously she could not have missed the way he had been showing his interest in her since he'd arrived? He might not have been overly bold about it, due to her position and his own. Due to the upcoming flight that might not necessarily end with him as victor. But had she altogether missed his intentions? She was too smart for that, he'd wager. Then why did she find need to ask such a question? Did she have doubts, perhaps? Did she just need a confirmation to smooth things over in her own mind? To handle the situation, as she was Weyrwoman and had to make sure things in her Weyr were kept in check?
Did he even dare allow the hope that she somehow reciprocated his feelings, and he had been the one not to see? Assuming would get him no where, but he wasn't sure how to reply. For a moment, the silence between them could have been cut like a knife. He would not lie to her, but suddenly it was as if his tongue were made of stone, a dead weight in his mouth that hindered him more than anything.
He was suddenly aware of a gentle sort of prodding in his mind. Of course, Hikanth...who else could be strong where he felt weak. The bronze reminded him that this was a chance to speak up about how he felt. Whether for good or no, he needed to at least get it out there-say it just the once. However, what sort of spot would that put her in? Would speaking out make things more difficult on her? He didn't know. Torn between wanting to say what he needed to because now might be the only chance he was given, and making things more difficult on her...
He looked away for a moment, taking a moment to draw in a deep breath of his own. What had he to lose? Nothing. Everything? Why was she really here? A voice in the back of his mind whispered questions which he himself had need of to be answered, and finally, he spoke, trying to keep the bitterness out of his tone. He didn't want to sound like some sullen, sulky, Weyrbrat. He was a grown rider, even if he was young enough still. He had to remember that...
"I didn't leave out of pridefulness, if that's what you were wondering," he began, once more facing her, forcing himself to look her in the eye, no matter how his heart gave a painful twinge as he did so. "I should have thought it obvious, Weyrwoman. Or was I perhaps too subtle about my intentions towards you?" There, it was mostly out and said, and not one to ramble, he said as levelly as he could manage, "I left because my behavior might have otherwise become inappropriate. Yes, I was 'upset' about the outcome of the flight...I couldn't bring myself to do my duties to my Weyr with the way I had been-and still am, admittedly-feeling about it. I am sorry if my actions caused you any trouble..." He stopped himself from saying the other things on his mind. Such as 'how could she turn to a stranger when he'd been so near at hand'
Admin's Note:[/hr] Or, 'do you even have any feelings for me, or was it just something I wanted to believe, and so fabricated it in my own mind'
Admin's Note:[/hr] Again...why was she really here...
Admin's Note:[/hr]
He glanced once more out the window, a feeling of awkwardness settling in, unwanted. He felt like a bit of a fool, confessing he'd been so hurt by the outcome of the flight, by his feelings for her that had been stamped into the ground when she'd turned instead to the newcomer transfer bronzerider.
[/font]
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Post by Spirithawk on Nov 10, 2008 21:26:48 GMT -5
Christae clenched her teeth, forcing herself to look him in the eye. She didn't want him to think that she was too cowardly to face him. She closed her eyes briefly when he said he had not left out of male pride. She had hoped that would have been the reason. It woud have made things easier for her. She forced her eyes open.
"Intentions?" Her voice came out almost as a squeak. "Wh..what do you mean?" She stammered.
Oh Faranth, what a tangle she had gotten herself into. She respected and genuinely liked J'red. She had hoped that he would win the flight. She had been too afraid to explore her growing feelings for him but if he had won the flight she wouldn't have had to, or so she had reasoned. It was faulty reasoning, but she couldn't make herself think past that to find the underlying reason behind her thoughts and fears. She didn't want to end up like she had after Sh'iron had left. Perhaps it was a good thing that he hadn't won the flight. She didn't know, and probably would not know because as of right now, N'kal was the Weyrleader. She didn't know if he would win the next flight. Thus far he was shaping up to be a fine Weyrleader. She certainly couldn't ask for more. But she found herself longing for more. She and N'kal had remained friends after the flight, friends and work partners. He loved Chiron but she found that she couldn't view him as anything else. She wasn't sure if that was because she was still jaded from Sh'iron or if it was because of the fact that she kept thinking about J'red. N'kal didn't really seem too concerned about the fact that she hadn't shared his bed since the flight but he came from a larger Weyr. She suppposed that he was used to such things. In a small Weyr like Dark Moon, things were a bit different.
"I'm sorry. If you want to transfer to another weyr, I will draw up the transfer request." She lowered her eyes. She didn't want him to leave but if he felt he couldn't perform his duties because he had lost the flight then she wouldn't make him stay.
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Post by kestrel on Dec 2, 2008 20:22:38 GMT -5
He watched Christae's face for expression, any nuance in it that might let him know how she was feeling, what she was thinking, and how she was taking what he was saying. She closed her eyes breifly, and then he couldn't have known why, but speculated that perhaps she had thought his pride was the reason he'd gone off like he had. When she spoke next, he was also unsure.
Did her voice crack like that because she was nervous about hearing it said out loud? Or perhaps it was that she seriously hadn't known? Well, if she hadn't known, then chances were that she didn't feel the same way. So why was it that he couldn't believe that? She hadn't openly said a word about her feelings-or lack of-towards him. However, she'd certainly been a tad flirtatious, and sometimes he could have sworn she was looking at him, but he didn't want to be egotistical and be mistaken. NO! He wasn't stupid, he ought to stop questioning it. He knew there was something there, but he just didn't know to what extent, or maybe not even what.
When she said she'd draw up a transfer, he noted she didn't sound happy about it. Once again, he didn't want to try to read between the lines. He didn't know if she was merely upset to lose a rider, or if she didn't want him in particular to leave. Why did things have to turn out the way they did? If he'd only won, the truth of the matter would have came out. Now he was left to grasp at straws, and he didn't know what to do. He didn't want to leave. N'kal won but he'd merely been lucky. He'd never dare to ask her feelings for the man, he was her Weyrleader, no matter what the case. If she hadn't bedded him, he might have simply ignored the fact that he'd won, paying tribute to him as Weyrleader but not completely giving up his pursuit of Christae. It just figured the woman he'd fallen for was a goldrider.
*So what if you have good tastes? I wish that I had won Kaith, as well,* came the sympathetic voice of Hikanth, and he sighed. How could he explain to Christae his 'intentions'
Admin's Note:[/hr] He could hardly get the words out, they even muddled in his head.
Impulsive? Was not usually a word to describe J'red. But he couldn't think, and when you couldn't think sometimes you acted instead. It was the most risky and rash thing he might have done, but at the same time he was only going on what he was feeling, since he couldn't express it in words.
He closed the distance between them in what only seemed like one stride, though it was likely about three or four. Then, without pausing, he pulled Christae close, and kissed her. He put all his feelings into the moment his lips met hers, as he might only get tot do this once, and she might even resist. No thought that he might be asked to transfer just for doing this entered his mind. If it had, he might not have proceeded to do this. He was gentle in holding her, but with just the right amount of force.
Hikanth was caught off guard, and stunned into silence, until J'red pulled bacik and said quietly, "yes, intentions..." he waited for a reaction, any reaction, searching her eyes imploringly. [/font]
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Post by Spirithawk on Dec 2, 2008 21:59:03 GMT -5
Christae couldn't bring herself to look directly at him as the silence began to stretch out between them. She was startled by his sudden movement in her direction and fell back a step. She was stopped by the hard band of his arms grabbing her and pulling her to him. For such a strong man, he was surprisingly gentle as he held her in place.
The emotions raging through her were far from gentle, however. Kaith let out a loud bugle from the watch heights as her rider was lost in a swell of emotion that knocked her off balance. The kiss was over before she could react.
Wow Was the only thought she could get her muddled brain to come up with. She didn't realize that she had spoken aloud. She took another step back, putting her arm out to brace herself against the cold stone of J'red's weyr.
Her eyes were a whirl of confused emotions. There was no denying that he was attracted to her now. But was she ready to risk her heart again? So soon after Sh'iron had torn it apart and nearly destroyed the weyr that was her home? Could she risk her heart? What about her son? He seemed to like J'red, but he liked just about anyone who showed him any attention. He adored N'kal but the gruff bronzerider doted on him.
Say something.
"That was um..." She broke off, still unable to form a coherent thought. "Oh shards."
"Um...I have to go..." She waved in the general direction of nowhere. She couldn't think straight and turned to bolt from the room.
"What on Faranth's green Pern was I thinking?" She turned back to him and before she gave herself the time to talk herself out of it she kissed him hard.
"Ok, I'm making a mess of things. I'm going to go for a walk to try to clear my head." She hurried back out of the weyr, past a stupefied Hikanth and down the steps.
Are you going to just let her get away like that? Kaith asked J'red.
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Post by kestrel on Dec 10, 2008 6:53:52 GMT -5
J'red himself found himself rather lightheaded after kissing Christae. That hadn't ever happened to him before...sure, he'd felt things kissing other women-or girls, for the most part, since the last one he'd kissed had been a green flight and he had been eighteen, and she sixteen...but it had never been like this. It was like the room was almost spinning, and he was lightheaded, but not in a bad sort of way. It was more like he was half dreaming, half awake. Whatever it was? He'd never felt it before.
He was snapped out of his reverie somewhat by the word 'Wow'. Wow? He forced himself to regain some semblance of thought, enough to wonder what 'wow' could possibly mean. Wow as in, wow that was something else? Or wow as in, wow, I can't believe you just did that to me? Everything that happened next happened so fast that all J'red could do was try and let it hit 'recognition' mode in his brain. Hikanth was beyond that, staring at his rider and Christae in sheer stupification. He knew his rider well, but this was the strangest situation the pair had ever gotten themselves into. Neither one had prepared or expected this to play out in this manner. Not that this was the type of thing anyone could prepare for...
She started to say something, and then muttered a curse, turning to go. Well, he'd expected that as one of the outcomes, but he no longer had time to register that she was leaving, than she'd turned around and kissed him again! Now it was his turn to be muddled in the head even more, as right after she did that, she said she had to leave to clear her head! Women...were they all so confusing? Was she staying or going or-okay...she was heading out of his Weyr.
He didn't know what to do, Hikanth only started at the woman as she walked past, and the most hilarious expression was on the bronze's face. His mouth hung slightly open, and his eyes were wider than normal, if possible. He wasn't offering any useful help, that was for sure.
Kaith's mental tone cut into his head and gave him yet another startlement. Was he-what? Kaith approved of this? Oh, shards, but he'd just complicated things! Obviously, Hikanth heard, and was stunned as well. N'kal's bronze-whose name he didn't even know!-had won. He would be Kaith's Weyrmate...or did that have to be the case...
Admin's Note:[/hr] He'd sired her clutch, but that clutch was hatched and what was the standing between N'kal and Christae, and their dragons? Well, Kaith had a point. What was done, was done. If he let her go now, she might regret what had happened, and that would just put them back at square one. No-that wouldn't do.
His mind struggled to piece together what to do, and random ideas began to weasel their way into things. He didn't want to make her uncomfortable, but he wanted to know where they stood. She'd kissed him...it had to mean something, right? It certainly hadn't meant nothing! So, mind made up, he silently thanked Kaith for snapping him out of it fast enough to do something about it.
He walked out seconds after Christae did, and caught up with her easily, placing a hand on her arm to alert her to his prescence. He felt bad for not giving her the 'time to clear her head', but it had been sort of both his and Kaith's idea not to do that...and so, before she could get nervous or anything, "I think we might need to talk..." he trailed off, and then, "how does lunch at the beach sound?"
Where on earth had that come from? Well, he reasoned, it couldn't be by the lake, where any person might see them. Could cause unwanted chit-chat amongst the more gossipy persons in the Weyr. It needed to be somewhere they could be alone, but that he thought might make her a little more at ease. The ocean always did that for him, at least. Their dragons could come along and sun on the warm sands, and bathe, and be oiled and even go for a swim. She'd not have to feel trapped in any way, and well...it was an idea. He quickly went on, "you don't even have to do much talking, if you don't want. I need to talk, I think, though." Then, after a pause, "if you don't want to, I understand-but I'd regret it forever if I just let you go right now, without making sure I at least let you know where I stand, and find out what you make of all this. I realize this was all sudden for you-I'm sorry if I put you ill at ease...but I'm not sorry for doing it," he said with a quirky sort of smirk. No, he'd never regret that.
He paused another moment, and then said, "no pressure. But if you come, I make a mean citrus juice and I'll bring the food along-maybe if nothing else Kaith and Hikanth would appreciate a swim and an oiling?" he suggested, giving another purpose to it, if that might put her more at ease.
Hikanth finally sent, *that was...unexpected.* Then, after a long silence, *I hope she will come. I expect you will stick to oiling me even if she does not? And I would like a swim. The sun on the beaches is very warm, and I will sun there after my swim and oiling.* Well, at least some things were consistant. He felt his chest tighten as he awaited her answer. He'd given her a couple of options, and an easy way to make the outing 'friendly' if that was all she wanted. However...unless he knew for sure she had no interest in him? He couldn't give up now.[/size][/font]
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Post by Spirithawk on Dec 10, 2008 10:31:44 GMT -5
"I must have lost my sharding mind." She muttered under her breath as she hit the end of the stairs and started across the weyr bowl. His hand on her arm startled her out of her reverie and wide brown eyes turned to see who it was. She didn't really need to see, she knew his voice and his hand on her arm made an electric tingle.
"Kaith's been wanting to go for a swim." She mentally kicked herself for not just admitting that she wanted to have lunch with him as well. Instead, she accepted with a cop out. The beach was far enough away so that if they walked a bit they would not be disturbed. She didn't really care if anyone saw her. It's not like she was involved with anyone who would take offence to her going to the beach with J'red.
A ghost of a smile flickered across her face. What did she have to lose? Her heart. She pushed that thought to the back of her mind. Life was not without risks. She took one every time she stepped onto Kaith's back.
You know I would not let anything happen to you.
I know.
"I just need to run to my weyr to get a few things. I don't think we want to oil the dragons on the beach because the sand will get all over them but we can oil them in the Weyr Bowl after." She didn't give herself time to change her mind. She hurried off to her weyr to grab her swim suit and a towel. She darted into her bathroom and changed into it. She pulled a sundress over it and pulled her shoulder-length cropped hair into a runner-tail. She slung her towel over her shoulder. J'red had said he would bring food but she didn't want to come empty-handed. The cooks often sent her pastries and other sweets that they were experimenting in and she grabbed a basket. Kaith's oiling and bathing supplies went into a small sack. She slid her feet into sandals and headed out. Kaith was waiting for her on the ledge. She slid onto her back for the short glide to the beach. She didn't bother with straps though she would have tanned the hide of any weyrling or young rider that she caught doing something like that.
The sand was warm, even through her sandals as she slid of her dragon. Her dress hiked up a bit on her thighs and she hurriedly pulled it down. She glanced around looking for J'red. It hadn't taken her long to gather her belongings.
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Post by kestrel on Dec 11, 2008 21:21:28 GMT -5
J'red was a little concerned she'd say no to his offer. However, he'd had to ask, he couldn't just let her run off and it was enough of a friendly activity that no one would really question it too much...well, sort of. They could just assume they happened to be there at the same time as one another.
*Do you really care what they think, mine? I know I do not.*
J'red smirked a little, as Christae gave her answer. Well, that wasn't exactly a 'sure, I'd love to', but it was certainly not a no! So, he nodded in agreeance with her, a little surprised that she wouldn't mind being seen alone with him in the Weyrbowl. Maybe it was him who was being too uptight? No one would think much of it, except for him, right? Maybe what bothered him is that he'd been gone for a few sevendays, and then all of a sudden, he returned, with people knowing he'd left right after the flight, and was seen alone with the Weyrwoman. It was her he was concerned for, however-not himself.
*She is a big girl. She knows what she is doing,* Hikanth reminded him.
He smiled, agreeing. Hikanth was right. She was the Weyrwoman, for Faranth's sake. She could do whatever she wanted and it was no person's right to tell her that she could not. A flight was a flight, it didn't mean feelings had to be involved. He would put aside the fact that she'd bedded N'kal. Maybe there was some explanation as to why. Maybe she'd been too caught up in Kaith's emotions to register his prescence. Lots of maybes.
He never got the time to say anything more, as she was rambling quickly about going to get her things, and then was gone. Seeing as how they'd been near his Weyr, he gathered his oil, gathered his bathing things for Hikanth, and then his swimming trunks. He was hurried about it, grabbing a towel for himself, then a huge beach blanket which he stuffed into his pack for them to sit on. Once he had done this-all in a matter of a minute or so-he went to the kitchens, and got some meatrolls, fresh from the oven, some citrus juice, and some other food. He prepared some roast wherry sandwhiches with fresh bread from the oven, as well. He didn't know what Christae would feel like, so he kept it varied. He didn't take long, considering he was hurrying. Once he was through, he simply went back up to his Weyr, where he took off on Hikanth for the beach.
It was a lot easier to spot someone when there was a large, gold dragon present. So, Hikanth did a neat backwing, landing close enough but not close enough to send up a whole lot of sand on Kaith and her rider. His stance told J'red he was 'showing off' for the golden queen. His posture practically radiated, 'look at me, aren't I a fine bronze?' He smirked as he slid down off of the bronze's back and landed rather neatly himself. He wasn't surprised that neither of their dragons wore riding straps...usually it was something Weyrlings and riders got scolded for, but not everyone wore them all the time.
"I'm sorry if I've kept you waiting long," he said as he approached, tone apologetic. He nodded at Kaith, in part thanking her for the fact that he'd made up his mind to go after Christae. In truth, he hadn't known whether he should or not. Was that some indication that Christae liked him just as much in return? After all, dragons did not bespeak another to advise them in pursuing their rider otherwise...or so he figured, anyways.
*Lovely and radiant as usual, golden queen,* Hikanth sent, bowing his huge head in deference to the senior queen of the Weyr. However, J'red could have sworn there was a certain 'twinkle' in the bronzes eyes, and bit his tongue as he didn't know whether to laugh or sigh in exasperation.
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Post by Spirithawk on Dec 20, 2008 2:30:48 GMT -5
"Kaith and I just arrived. That was a neat landing Hikanth." She had watched them fly in and land. Most of the newer riders would have thrown sand but she figured J'red had a good deal more flying experience on his dragon.
Kaith returned J'red's nod with with a wink of her jewel-faceted eyes. Christae did not see the gesture because she was facing J'red. She didn't know that her dragon had had a small part in J'red's coming after her.
Not so bad looking yourself my fine bronze. There was no doubt in anyone's mine that Kaith was possessive over "her" bronzes. Any visiting Queen always treaded carefully in regards to Kaith's males. She was the largest Queen on Pern now even though there were records of one or two larger Queens in history.
I will leave you two to talk. The water looks inviting. Come Hikanth, let's let our chosens speak to one another. The Queen moved away from her rider and launched herself, kicking up a bit of sand with her tail. She had moved far enough away so that she didn't throw sand on the two humans. The water made a small tidal wave from where she dove into it as she powered upwards and then dropped gracefully but swiftly into the deeper waters just beyond the shore.
"I brought pastries." She said as she put the basket down. Christae nudged her sandaled toe into the sand, suddenly nervous. "So um...what did you want to talk about?" She reached down to take her sandals off and stand barefooted in the sand.
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Post by kestrel on Dec 22, 2008 22:21:47 GMT -5
*Thank you, Weyrwoman,* came the bronze's reply, as he turned his attentions to Kaith. It was no secret that Kaith was protective of the bronzes in her Weyr, but, being a bronze, he took every compilment straight to his ego. It wasn't that Hikanth had a large ego, it was simply that he was a bronze, and a compliment from the gold he favored made him puff up with pride. So, when she bid him to come swim with her and leave their bondeds to talk, he had no qualms about turning tail to follow her into the salty sea water.
For a dragon of her size, Kaith was surprisingly graceful in the water. However, not to be outdone, Hikanth all but pranced on over to the water and then dove under, going deep enough to give himself momentem to use his tail and wings to propel himself upwards towards the surface, and do a dolphin-like dive back in. He loved to swim as much as any dragon, and it showed. He twisted and spiraled under the waves like a large torpeodo after Kaith, obviously showing off for her.
J'red noted that Christae looked nervous, and didn't want to make her uncomfortable or put her on the spot. He smiled and replied, "pastries are definately good. As for what I want to talk about, shouldn't it be obvious?" His eyes had a sort of mischeivous twinkle in them, as he answered his own rhetorical query. "You, of course,' and then, "I think you know where I stand on my feelings with you-and anything you are unsure about, you can feel free to ask for clarification. However," and here he paused, "what concerns me more is your own feelings. I can say without doubt that there is something here, but not for certain what it is. I don't presume to know what's on your mind or in your heart. After the flight..." he trailed off, leaving plenty of a hint there, letting her absorb what he said, and letting her think, not wanting to overwhelm her.
He had no doubts she was strong of mind. He also had been informed of the last relationship she'd had. She had son, and that didn't bother him in the least. He was good with children, having had younger relatives, and the fact that it was someone else's didn't phase him. Chiron was well liked by the entire Weyr, after all. He was good kid, and really sharding cute, to boot.
J'red looked up at the sky, the soft, fluffy clouds drifting overhead in the gentle breeze. It was beyond a doubt a perfectly beautiful day out. He inhaled deeply, and then exhaled, feeling much calmer and collected than he'd expected, just enjoying the moment, the company...trying not to think about anything beyond the here and now.
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Post by Spirithawk on Jan 3, 2009 21:52:47 GMT -5
"You're welcome." She murmured as she watched the two dragons cavorting in the water for a few moments.
"J'red." She breathed in deep. "To be completely honest with you. I don't know what to think anymore. I feel like there are things stirring between us but I don't know if that was just whistful thinking on my part. We barely know each other and how do I know if this won't wind up like Sh'iron did. I can't afford to let my weyr suffer because I am interested in a man. I don't even know if I want a relationship or how I would handle it. I like N'kal but we are partners and I don't know if I can become anything more than that. Yet I am tired of being afraid and holding myself aloof. My people suffer when I am aloof because I don't open myself up. I worked myself to the point of collapse before the flight and the weyr is still not set to rights. I can barely manage to keep track of all the new transfers and my wings are in shambles. I haven't even practiced with the new Queen's wing members and the old Weyrling wing is still unassigned even though we have new Weyrlings."
She stopped and dropped to sit in the sand. "I don't even know if any of that made sense. I don't know what to think or feel or do anymore."
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Post by kestrel on Feb 9, 2009 0:41:46 GMT -5
J'red looked thoughtful a moment, his blue eyes a little troubled. He could understand where she was coming from-but trust had to be earned, especially to someone who had had that trust betrayed before. Still, beyond his own feelings he wanted to help Christae. It seemed like she was carrying the entire weight of the Weyr on her shoulders. That had to be hard. Most Senior Weyrwomen always had a Weyrleader by their side...it was rare to ever hear of one who didn't. It made him admire her all the more, but working herself to the point of collapse? Was not good, to say the least. Still, she had been honest, and he would be so in return, and try to help her feel at ease.
"I can understand that," he began, and then went on, "I'm sure your people know you do your best, but doing it alone? No one should have to run an entire Weyr alone. Have you thought about enlisting some bronzeriders or senior riders to help you out? Assign them some of the workload? I'd be more than glad to help out where I could." How to address the uncomfortable matter of N'kal? He'd never even met the man, and though his heart was glad that she referred to him as 'partner'
Admin's Note:[/hr] The hard fact of it was that he was Weyrleader. So, carefully, "N'kal...does he seem like the sort who will step into the leadership rule to help you out as much as he can?" And then, "I am not Shi'ron, by any means...but you're right. Trust should be earned, and I can only hope I can earn yours. I would hope my actions thus far have at least shown you that I am not the kind of man to take advantage of you or the type who lusts after power..." his eyes were sincere, looking her full in the face as he spoke, before he added, "it is not the Weyrleadership position I want...it's you. I won't lie-part of what attracted me is the way you run your Weyr and deal with your people. But were you suddenly to be a Greenrider instead of the Senior Weyrwoman? It would not change my feelings...I hope you can believe that."
He had noted that there wasn't really any Weyrling training going on, so suggested, "have you thought of a transfer? I had heard you had a female brownrider doing both Weyrling and Candidate training...that's a large load, however. Perhaps find a qualified transfer, send word out there?" He shrugged lightly and then said, "transfers are good...we have scarce few dragons to make up even the smallest of regulated wings. We could use them, as I'm sure you know."
Back to the matter at hand, he said gently, "I'm not trying to pressure you into a relationship if that isn't what you want. However, I would have been a fool to not tell you how I feel about you, and let you get away forever. At least now you are aware, and may do as you wish about the matter." He sat down beside her, one leg outstretched while the other was bent, elbow on the knee, regarding her with apparent fondness in his expression. [/font]
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