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Post by Memorie on Jan 2, 2007 23:31:42 GMT -5
You're taking this too far to heart. It's not that important of a thing, especially not in the Weyr, the marturing golden Amenth told her rider. Tujal ignored her. The news she'd heard from another rider was disturbing enough for the young woman to block out all thoughts from all dragons, including her own. Generally, she could hear and talk all dragons, but she also had the amazing ability to block them out. At least, she thought of it as a power. Others told her repeatedly it was because her thick skull. Either way, the job was done, and the girl was kept from insanity.
Tujal revisited the events in her mind. Three days ago, she had bespoken a new transfer from Fort Weyr. The fact that he was new accounted for his ignorance of two things: one, that Tujal was the unspoken mate of I'slen (although whether or not that relationship had been consummated was still up in the air), and two, Tujal's own temper, in all it's red-hot glory. He had, attempting to impress Tujal, glibly informed the weyrling Goldrider of all I'slen's old habits. Apparently, according to the younger bronzerider (who was about twenty-six years in age), I'slen had had more than his fair share of daliance's with Fort Weyr's women. Tujal supposed some of it had to be excused, due to Mating Flights and I'slen own handsomeness. But his apparent licentiousness was absolutely shocking. Tujal was apalled. She had made up some flimsy excuse to get away from the new transfer, and then had spent two days avoiding I'slen altogether.
The two days included staying in her weyr and not attending classes, eating at odd hours, and generally staying away from places he frequented. Amenth had hunted in that time, and had had a bath each day, but at times of day when I'slen couldn't find the two of them. Amenth, of course, had been hanging about with Weseanth, but had been sworn to secrecy by her rider.
Now, however, she was done hiding away. She figured it was her Weyr too, and she had the right to be wherever she wanted, even if her promiscuous lover found her. And if he did, boy, was he in for a world of pain.
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Post by LyricalBlue on Jan 3, 2007 3:07:38 GMT -5
I’slen wandered down the hall, wondering exactly what had come of Tujal. He hadn’t seen the girl much for days and when he had, she’d been short with him. And for the life of him, I’slen couldn’t remember what he had done wrong. Had it been something he’d said? The bronzerider honestly couldn’t remember. Even Weseaneth wasn’t having any luck with the girl which was a rarity indeed. So here he was about to go beg after her and see if he could figure out exactly what it was that was bothering her so.
He stopped in the Weyr Hall for a quick bite to eat while he figured out exactly what he was going to say to her. As he glanced about the Hall his eye rested on a form that he knew ever so well. I’slen sighed and Weseaneth buoyed up his mood. It couldn’t be too bad, besides Tujal was mad at him more often than not. The bronzerider had half a mind to thump Wes for that thought, if of course, he hadn’t been exactly right.
He grabbed a cup of klah, and as he bent, Feya dug her claws into his should to hold on and I’slen sucked in a breath at the sudden small pain. He straightened and stroked the little gold back to calmness, then turned back towards Tujal and walked over to where she sat. He had to talk to her, at least as Weyrling Master more than anything else. She really couldn’t skip classes. The lean rider sat down across from her and his grey eyes glanced over her worriedly. “Tujal?”
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Post by Memorie on Jan 4, 2007 22:08:15 GMT -5
"Tujal?"
The young woman glanced to see worried, stormy-grey eyes confronting her. His lips were twisted into a troubled frown, and his eyebrows were knitted with unease. Everything about his posture told her that he was at least a little perturbed. Good. She met his glanced with an angry face. Her own lips were pursed, eyebrows were arched, and her posture spokes volumes of choler. "Yes?" she practically spat. Everything she had been wanting to say to him for two days began to well up in her throat. All that she had learned about his salacious past, and all that he had conveniently kept from her, such as the fact that he was from Fort! And of Weyrleader parentage, above all.
He's never lied to you either, Amenth told her. This was true. Tujal relented the tiniest bit. Still, though. She was angry, and he would explain himself to her.
Her chocolate eyes met his storm-cloud ones. "I've learned some things about you, I'slen. And I do not like what I hear."
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Post by LyricalBlue on Jan 4, 2007 22:39:17 GMT -5
The bronzerider did a double take and then groaned aloud. His past... oh that was never a good topic, especially when it involved a woman who he was a little more than intrested in. He raked his hands down his face than held them out palms up. What could he possibly do now? "My past? I'm not proud of it. By the fact that you're flaming angry now and haven't been to your classes I presume it wasn't flattering." He smiled weakly and shrugged. "So ask what you will m'lady. I spared you the details before but now I see it was not the wisest course of action."
He sat back and disengaged Feya from his should and began to stroke the little gold lizard. As much to try and calm himself as her. He would not... absolutely would not make a scene in the middle of the Hall. Feya crooned and closed her eyes, content for the moment to ignore the tension flying between the two people.
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Post by Memorie on Jan 4, 2007 22:49:32 GMT -5
"Too bloody right it wasn't flattering. And what's worse, I had to hear it from that disgusting new Fort transfer, F'reyin." She sighed. She knew she couldn't stay mad at him for long. But she really had to get her point across. "I'm not as angry as I was, and not as angry as you think. I just want you to be open with me. I won't be near as angry if you are." Tujal looked at him, and almost all her rage dissipated. He really had done what he thought was right, even if he had been mistaken. "If I find out from someone else, I'll be Fallish. But when I find out from you...well, I'll be mad...but not as much."
She quickly picked up her cup of klah and sipped. She needed a moment to catch her thoughts and to let him reply.
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Post by LyricalBlue on Jan 5, 2007 16:00:46 GMT -5
He sighed deeply again, at least she was being reasonable. Lucky for him he hadn't caught her any sooner or he probably would have ended up missing a limb or two. Course that was probably Amenth's influnence on her, the Queen at least most times, had a rather level head. He chalked it up to good old dragon logic. I'slen took a sip of his klah and mulled the situation over. If it was F'reyin she'd talked to the account was likely to be even worse and even more embelished than the real events. Of course, those were bad enough most of the time as it was. He set the klah back down and shrugged, I'slen had considered asking her what she did know. But rather than bring that up he decided to simply give her his own verison.
"Well then, the long and short of it is I was the second son of J'mier and Lare. I was always the screw up, J'mier always ran a tight ship and his kids were no exception. I never even wanted to Impress, but I did and as it turned out Wes was as much of a rebel as I was. We graduated... barely and discovered women, enough so that mother thought it would be best if I transfered to another Weyr." He chuckled softly then, who couldn't be proud of the fact that his dragon flew so well. The bronze had won four Queen flights in a row and had produced a Queen egg. He couldn't not be proud of such a feat, few bronzes could boast of such. "I came here and took the Weyrlingmaster job and I've been here since." He shrugged again, painfully. Some memories really should stay as just memories burried in the back of his mind. "Any questions?"
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Post by Memorie on Jan 5, 2007 22:29:46 GMT -5
Tujal frowned. "No. I don't want to discuss it anymore. It was stupid of me to even bring it up. You obviously don't want to talk about it." She turned away. This whole conversation was inane. She didn't even want to embarrass him with it now. Really, she had some nerve harassing him about his past, when he was the only person in the Weyr willing to put up with her. Still, though, how could he?
Aren't you just a bundle of nerves?
Shut up. She turned back to I'slen. "Anyway. F'reyin's a nosy busybody know-it-all who thinks his own gossip and therefore ignorance will Impress the local goldrider. You should watch who knows your business closer." Tujal peered at him through squinted eyes. "Or did you care? There's a difference between discreet promiscuity and open whorishness." What is wrong with me?
Who knows? You're being rude. Stop it. Amenth began to sound worried, but in a very self-assured way. Almost bossy. Domineering, more like.
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Post by LyricalBlue on Jan 6, 2007 12:21:28 GMT -5
Once again I'slen was baffled by Tujal's reaction. What in the name of Faranth was going on with this girl? There had to be something going on besides he learning of his family and.... earlier doings. His jaw hung open as he stared at her in a remarkable immitation of a fish out of water. Weseaneth was sharing a similar confusion and for once had no smart quibble of dragon logic to add to the conversation. He in fact, bore an expression similar to that of I'slen's; at least as similar as a dragon's face could come to immitating that of a human's.
The bronzerider ran a hand through his hair and made a valliant attempt to cover his poise. In that time Weseaneth finaly did find that he had something to add, though it wasn't quite what his rider would have suspected. She.... is very... healthy looking. At that comment, I'slen did a fast double take. The bronzes always knew such things often before the golds or their riders figured it out. Wes, you mean? The bronze rumbbled an agreement and I'slen focused once again on Tujal. That, would explain everything.
"Tujal, how old is Amenth now?" As far as her comment of discreet promiscuity versus open whorishness he decided to simply let it slide off. Weyr life was Weyr life and Tujal knew it whether or not her holder rearing let her.
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Post by Memorie on Jan 6, 2007 18:39:46 GMT -5
"O-ho, some great teacher you are. You don't even know the age of my dragon's clutchmates? Don't you train them in the ways of the dragonrider, or something? Don't you follow some age-based schedule of lessons?" Tujal rolled her eyes and laughed derisively. Really, the man was something else at times. But he was really wonderful. One of a kind, certainly. But she could help the rising frustration she felt for him. "I don't know why you're even asking, but she's a year, eight months, and three seven-days."
Outside, Amenth preened in the sunlight. Her hide gave off very goldenrod tones, and her darker spots were appearing almost bronze. She really was in very fine health. She stretched her neck out to catch the optimal amount of sunlight. It had suddenly become very obvious that she was not the same sort of dragon she had been even four months ago. All the leginess was gone, replaced by sleek muscle. There was virtually no baby fat (although some of that could be contributed to the wasting disease she had gotten from poisoned meat so long ago). In any case, she was looking very mature.
Tujal sighed. She didn't know what was wrong with her lately. She was frustrated with everything and everyone. Even the meekest of brownriders had managed to get on her bad side. And she went from moments of euphoria to the highest levels of anger in no seconds flat. Maybe I should ask I'slen.
Maybe. The dragon sounded very pompous.
Nah. It's too fun to harrass him. Suddenly, she felt a rush of joy and happiness for the man sitting in front of her. "Aw, I'slen. You're so handsome." She smiled widely. It was the smile that most people feared to ever see, for Tujal was much more predictable when frowning. "I'm so glad you're here for me to bother." [/i]What is wrong with me?[/i] she wondered for the second time.
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Post by LyricalBlue on Jan 7, 2007 18:43:04 GMT -5
The bronzerider listened and the whole while his expression never shifted from that fish out of water look. Weseaneth had to be right. Tujal's moods changed as drasticaly as the wind on a good day, but this, this was something else entirely. He reached out with his mind to touch the bronze and got an eyefull of exactly what Amenth looked like. Why did it seem, no matter how Queens aged, that that last step to adulthood was always a huge surprise to everyone.
Weseaneth was virtually humming, all arches and wing-spreads; and generaly doing his d**ndest to look like the best bronze in the Weyr. Which, in I'slen's opinion, he was succeeding at. Now if only Amenth would agree on that note. I'slen turned his focus back to the goldrider sitting before him and did his best to smile gently. She had to be told, and it was his job to prepare her for such things.
"Tujal... dear, check Amenth's mind. She is ready to rise, shes mature now. Weseaneth is hovering over her like children over honey. Thats whats going on." He reached out to touch her hand and smiled. "Take a deep breath, all goldriders go through this. Its just your Queen projecting her change."
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Post by Memorie on Jan 7, 2007 20:13:47 GMT -5
Tujal rolled her eyes. What was this man on about? She shook her head and laughed. "I'slen, you're not making any sense. She's far too young yet, not even two full Turns. You're crazy." Still, though... She did as she was instructed, and reached out to the young gold's mind. She found stubbornness, determination, and a will to prove herself, but that was all normal. After all, those were Tujal's own traits. But mixing around in there was a certain something. Almost a passion. Rising lust. Tujal instantly lost her smile. Here she had been, giddy as a Harper's Apprentice, and to blame for her oddness was the very being she loved most. "Char it all."
You are not pleased. The ever-observant Amenth.
"Too right, I'm not pleased. It's too soon for this. I can't handle it." Tujal was suddenly frightened. The cavern appeared too large for such a small being, and it seemed like everyone around her was staring at her in an obscene manner. "Uhm..." She tried to take a deep breath, but she found it stuck in her throat. I will not pass out!
Tujal glanced back to I'slen, wondering if he'd noticed her little episode. Surely he had. "I'slen, what am I going to do?" she whispered softly, ducking down behind her hand, as if telling a secret.
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Post by LyricalBlue on Jan 7, 2007 20:42:21 GMT -5
I'slen gripped her hand and took it in his own, doing his best to be reassuring as much as Weseaneth was doing his best to dissuade the attentions of other bronzes. The lanky rider smiled, his grey eyes softening. Wes had flown plenty of queens. But they'd never had to deal with one going into her maiden flight. Much less, one that they cared more than slightly about. "You'll do everything you were taught to and you'll do just fine."
"Take a deep breath and relax, you can do this. You wouldn't have Impressed Amenth otherwise." Weseaneth reached out to Tujal and sent the girl as calming and loving thoughts as he could, backing up his rider's words. You are her's and she is yours. I'slen nodded again and smiled softly. "We're both here for you." Weseaneth knew quite well that catching the Queen was half involved with catching the rider, and he was quite happy to give I'slen a boost in that direction. They both wanted this pair, and they wanted them long before Amenth's flight would actually occur.
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Post by Memorie on Jan 7, 2007 20:51:59 GMT -5
"That's not what I mean. I mean, what if Weseaneth doesn't catch her? What if someone cheats? What if...well, you know." Tujal blushed a pretty pink. What she meant was, what if I'slen didn't win? But he wasn't always a dense man. He would catch her meaning. I'slen, as much as she harrassed him, was the only man she would abide. And she knew I'slen would very much hurt any man who had her besides him. He had, after all, almost done away with her would-be raper. That thought almost made her faint. "What if it ends up like that incident with that man in the Weyrling caverns?"
It won't. I'll have no other but Weseaneth. Amenth sounded smug, but she also arched her neck over Weseaneth's. He was a good, powerufl bronze, and she was a beautiful gold. Weseaneth added in his thoughts, but Tujal felt only slightly reassured.
"I'm worried," Tujal replied, to all of them. She knew that there was probably nothing to worry about. But still. "Oh, I'slen, I'm sorry I've been such a hag lately." She turned a sad face to him. Her eyes shimmered slightly. "But it's not getting to get any better until you win Amenth's flight." She rose. "You probably won't want to hang out with me much." She looked away.
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Post by LyricalBlue on Jan 8, 2007 13:52:37 GMT -5
Smiling a cocky smile, that brought back decades that I'slen had long thought he'd forgotten, the bronzerider stretched back on the bench. "My dear, the fact that you so abhor in us might just make the diffrence on that account. But you shouldn't worry about that. If you really want us to win, then we will." He smiled wryly and winked at her. "If you had been to lessons the last couple of days you would know that."
Outside, Weseaneth puffed out his chest so far onlookers could swear the bronze dragon would pop. Luckily though, he didn't. Instead he just preened and crooned to Amenth, letting her know just what a wise choice that was indeed. After all he was the largest and strongest bronze in the Weyr, and a proven sire. Choosing any other would be sheer folly. Not that Amenth was capable of folly, but well... to choose any other would be. Wes decided thought that Tujal might needed to br reminded of this again though, his mental voice was a virtual purr, just several tones darker than I'slen's own. I am the best bronze in the Weyr, Amenth is smart, she knows it.
I'slen bit back a chuckle, dragon logic won the day again. "Really Tujal, don't worry on it. Just keep your nose clean and I'll fend off all the unworthy suitors, which would be any other than myself." He smiled that cocky smile again and took another sip of klah. Really though, it was true, he wouldn't so much as let another bronzerider breath amourously in Tujal's direction. Not while he was around, no sir, and he planned to stick around for quite some time.
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Post by Memorie on Jan 8, 2007 14:23:01 GMT -5
"Uh-huh, and you're worthy, are you?" She laughed derisively. "You're crazy. You should know that there are none worthy of my affections, not to mention Amenth." She sighed, and sat back down. This mood swing thing would really have to be dealt with. She was being stupid. "You know I don't mean that. It's Amenth's state, messing with my brains. I'm sorry."
You are being a little silly, her gold told her. Amenth snorted at Weseaneth's acts of handsomeness. Oh, you are so charming, my bronze. She was serious, even if he was being a little overdramatic. And yes, I am smart. And so are you. We'll make good choices, Tujal.
"I hope so. This is stressful. Maybe I'd better talk to Lyrai." She considered. "No. I'll handle it on my own. And don't you think for one minute," she said sharply to I'slen, "that I missed your little barb on missing classes. It's your fault I did so, so don't even go there." Ah, that's a little more like me. She was feeling better already.
But his assurances that he'd keep away other suitors was calming. She knew he'd keep an eye out for her. He was good for that sort of thing. Keep my nose clean? "Why do I have to keep my nose clean? I mean, she'll rise whether or not I'm in trouble with authority."
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