Solitary Sitting (Open)

[Crimson]

R'dir sat quietly at his wing's table with a tall glass of Benden red wine. It was late afternoon, after work, so he felt justified in having the beverage. And he wouldn't have more than one. His father had drank massively, and in the end, it had killed him. Well, R'dir had killed him. But the basic factor of it was alcohol. One could understand why R'dir generally did not drink and did not like people who did. But this was a new vintage Benden in, and R'dir knew how to appreciate and respect alcohol in a way that most people never learned. So, he never got drunk, and he never got a hangover. Just the way R'dir liked it.

Wing practice that day had been very extensive and rewarding. R'dir, who loved that accomplished feeling, never had any problem putting in enormous amounts of work to better himself. He actually had more problems with inactivity. Inactivity made him think. R'dir hated to think. What was there to think about? Himself? Boring. Family? He had none. His dragon? He already knew it all. There was nothing. At least...nothing he wanted to confront.

He sipped his red, fully enjoying the taste.

[brimstone81]

Panthea had known she was not supposed to be wandering where she was not welcome, but she was looking for a rider to escort her and Toya fishing. Where was she to find an appropriate rider? Well she had been by where the alpha wing was and didn't find many people there. Those that she did, she didn't care for. She entered tentitively, and her dark eyes fell on R'dir. Well, it was a place to start. And he was a bronzerider, so three people plus a fishing rod wouldn't be much of a strain. And he was an adult rider, she judged.

The candidate stepped closer, almost hesitant, she didn't want to bother him if he was waiting for some one or if he was relaxing. She knew some riders could be cranky after wing practices. As came up to him, her eyes fell on his drink. If he were drunk, her task would be easy, but oh how she hated the drink. That red demon of an influence caused nothing but problems, in her little experience with it. It was hard enough that her friends did it, and once or twice got her to drink, but the second time when she got the worst hangover of her life, she vowed not to drink. At least not for a long time. Panthea sat next to him, and as if an afterthought, "Do you mind if I sit here?"

Yes, Panthea could be polite when she wanted to, but she could also be bold and every so often push her limits. She smiled, looking at the cup. She often got chores in the lower cavrens and organized pantries, so she knew the inventory, "Benden, I presume?"

[Crimson]

An amount of weight dropped into the chair next to his own, but he did not open his eyes. No doubt it was some other woman, come to court his affections. It wouldn't happen. R'dir didn't have time for such nonsense. "Do you mind if I sit here?" a tentative voice asked. He looked out of the corner of one eye. A young girl. No, woman, he judged. Probably a candidate.

She rides no dragon, Lornath confirmed.

"I suppose, since you are already seated, that no, I do not care if you sit there." Another sip of red.

"Benden, I presume?" she asked, trying to make conversation. She must not know the man very well. His guess was that she had come looking for someone to bother, and her eyes first fell on him.

"Yes, a good vintage of red." He sat the glass down, sat up straight to his full height, and looked down at her. "What do you want?" he asked, getting directly to point. Even in his youth, R'dir was never one to mince words. And this girl was a candidate, and had little right to address him at all. But he would entertain her question, whatever it was.

[brimstone81]

Panthea's eyes widened just a bit, but she checked her temper, he was a bronzerider, afterall, and she was almost nothing. Probably nothing to the likes of this man, so used to the attentions of women older than her, a mere sliver of a woman, just coming into her body. She sat where she was, her eyes went as steely as she dared, and she spoke evenly, not backing down like a more fearful candidate might, and should. "I was just looking around for a rider that might like to accompany two candidates on a fishing tour. I'm sorry to have bothered you, for you seem very intent on ruining your guts."

She had said the last part because those whom she had known to drink often complained of sour stomachs, puked, and then whined about sore abdomens. Panthea knew she was over her bounds, and would be lucky if the bronzerider didn't report her insolence and lack of 'respsect' to the Candidate Master. She stood up slowly, her back straight, her chin up, he didn't seem like he would like to be bothered much more, and she wouldn't waste his time. As he sat and she stood, she looked down at him, "I pray you have a nice evening sir."

She had started to walk away, she promised herself to not look back, but she wanted too. Even though he was such an unfriendly thing it intrigued her. But he didn't want to even really acknowledge her, and she knew when she was not wanted. Finally, she couldn't help it. At the entrance she turned to him, "I am sorry I have been such a nuicance. Blame it on my sex." Men were always blaming things on women, and why should this be very different? Well now she apologised. Hopefully he wouldn't say anything to the Candidate Master about her talking back.

[Crimson]

R'dir's eyes widened at her amount of cheek. Most people were very turned off by his usual behavior, and he knew it. He also knew that the average reaction to his attitude was not what she had just exhibited. This girl, a candidate, no less, had quite a bit of panache. "Come back here, and stop your childish babbling," he told her, ignoring all words about "blaming" her sex. R'dir knew better than most that behavior was generally a result of upbringing, and not of gender. He sipped another sip. Ruining my gut, indeed.

I would like to go to the beach, Lornath said quietly. It was a simple enough wish, and R'dir hadn't been out to the beach in a long time. I know. I think it'd be good for you to go. I want to go, he repeated.

"My bronze, Lornath, informs me that he would like to visit the beach. I will take you and your friends fishing, if you wish." And you intrigue me, was the unspoken thought. That old bit of him shined through; he had always been a people-watcher. And observer, of sorts. And she was worth watching.

He downed the last bit of wine left in the glass. He hadn't been having much anyway, and it was getting warm. R'dir hated warm alcohol. Setting the glass down on the table, he rose. "Let's go. Now."

<<Heh, sorry to rush things along. I got an "emergency" PM telling me to get a move on. ^Chuckle^ You women around here are as impatient as Lessa was.>>

[brimstone81]

Panthea grinned triumphantly. She had won, or Lornath had won, his support. She eyed him carefully. She did not really know him, but would not protest learning more of him. Her winning smile ebbed ever so slightly and she motioned to him. "My, my, what a change in heart. Meet me in the Alpha Weyrs, i have to rustle up my friends. Give me a little time though, bronzerider. They will be pleased."

She turned to go, and the she looked over her shoulder, "Thank you, very much. I appreciate it. So meet me in the Alpha weyrs when you are ready in an hour. Is that enough time?" Without waiting for a reply, Panthea dissapeared out the door to meet her friends.

((continues in the alpha wing thread.))