Whispered Rumors (Tujal)

[hrsegrl]

It was a quiet evening for the early hour. Most people would be at the Weyrhall this time of night, he supposed. Unfortunately the Weyrwoman thought he had been slacking of late and he had to set matters straight. To avoid any problems he had gone to the records room to find something to help him with his obvious issues. After researching the better part of five candlemarks the young Bronzerider left the room in a hurry.

After walking only a few feet he ran into a beautiful young woman. He was always running into beautiful young women at the Weyr. F'dan managed an apologetic smile but found the young woman was in no mood to talk. She seemed angry about something. As F'dan could read the females of the human species better than any straight man ought to be able to he stayed walking with her.

It wasn't long of course until he put a name with the face. "My lady, is something troubling you?" He knew as well as any self respecting Bronzerider would that she was often in the company of Weyrlingmaster I'slen. Rumors in the Weyr ran more rampantly than those in the Hold even. The young woman would not know he knew and he would never tell another soul. The more he knew the better for him but only a fool would give out knowledge that would help his competition.

[Memorie]

"Oof!" Tujal shook with the impact, but caught herself and twirled around. "Oy! Watch it, Bronzerider. Can't you see where you're walking? Or are you as absolutely blind as the rest of your ilk?" she taunted. It seemed like all bronzeriders had lately been makign excuses and reasons to run into her now that Amenth was showing. Tujal rolled her eyes. She had been pretty sure that the next one who touched her would have a dissembled cranium, but she had proved too slow to that. So she yelled instead. "Are all bronzeriders blind and dumb? Or just the ones at Ponaa?"

She turned and resumed walking, dark brown hair trailing long behind her. Maybe he was as intimidated by her as most people were. She was sharp of all tongue, wit, and mind, and while many people found this very attractive, those put on the losing end of those attributes often found themselves lacking in reply. She laughed derisively. "No, the only thing troubling me now is a clumbsy bronzer, milord," she said. "Like you care. You're a bronzerider."

[hrsegrl]

He raised an eyebrow at her words. So it was all Bronzeriders that bothered her. "Ah, I see. Well in the future I will remember that Queen riders needn't look where they are going, that it is everyone else's job." His retort was more like a slap in the face than a reprimand.

"You do seem insistent that Bronzeriders are the problem. Well I'm afraid I cannot change the color of Roderith's hide. It would be like asking Amenth to change to a green." Yes everyone knew that Queens resented greens. They were lower and besides that they had more freedom.

"I think you are covering up the real problem. You are afraid and not of Bronzeriders." F'dan said quickly and without a hint of regret. He could handle being yelled at. He was no little boy running off to his mother. Her attitude didn't phase him in the least. The truth being he could have a short fuse at times himself though he did a good job of hiding it.

[Memorie]

How infuriating. She stopped and slowly turned. "Ooh, and you're so tough. Putting me in my place, are you? Well, listen to this, Bronzer." She took a step towards him, lips pursed, and face betraying her anger. "First of all, you ran into me. Not the other way around. Therefore, your fault, not mine. Second, no, you can't change your bronze's hide. It's not the hide of the dragon, but the attitude of the rider. And bronzes all seem to be attracted to one attitude: arrogance. Therefore, Bronzeriders are the problem. I didn't realize you were too thick to follow that procession of thought. Apparently, Roderith chose someone not only arrogant, but stupid as well." She laughed derisively at him. "You're so big and awesome, aren't you?"

Really, she was on a roll today. Many bronzeriders had been the object of her wrath, but this was the only one who offered resistance. Any other day, that would have impressed her. Not today. "Yeah, you must be right. I'm scared. Frightened, really. Look, I'm quivering in my little brown sandals. Oh, what I need is a big, strong man to save me." She rolled her eyes. "Not."

[hrsegrl]

He watched her with wide eyes. She was scared right out of those sandals whether she chose to see it or not. As for himself, he couldn't care less what a little, hot headed goldrider thought of him. In fact it was this sort of temperment he found amusing. While she continued to rant at him he laughed. It wasn't a nice laugh either, it sounded nearly evil in its perfection.

"Finally someone sees all my faults. Arrogance is bred in my family and if you think I'm so terrible I would hate for you to meet my Lady mother." He was either going to be a Lord Holder or impress Bronze. "Just as you were searched for the qualities of a Goldrider, I was searched to impress Bronze. It isn't often heirs to Holds are searched for the Weyr and allowed to leave." It was a bitter subject. "The point is, whereas I do not deny my arrogance, you have your faults as well. I do not go around saying I hate Queenriders because they are prudes with too much pride."

At her big strong man to save me line he smiled cooly, "I wouldn't save you if you were threadscored and the last goldrider on Pern." He spoke without a thought to her temper.

[Memorie]

"You have no idea why I was Searched, thanks. So stay out of my business." Tujal didn't bother mentioning that she knew exactly how Lords Holder families were bred, since she was Ruathan herself. "Well, no, because if you went around talking about Goldriders like that, you'd betray your foolishness. And no one wants that." She crossed her arms. This man would apparently just keep talking until he was done. And she intended to see him through to that. She calmed herself to a point that she could think clearly.

She laughed at his last line. "That's okay. There are plenty of other, real, men who would." She smirked. "If you think that way about a goldrider, any goldrider, you don't deserve the bronze hulk you ride. And hiding behind your parentage for your own shortcomings is lame and childish. 'I'm Ruathan so I'm hot-headed!' Whatever. I recognize my own shortcomings, and realize they are a part of me, and that I am to blame for them. Whoever your mother is, I bet she would've died of shame if she heard you say she was to blame for your haughtiness."

[hrsegrl]

He just listened to her with an arrogant smile, if she thought he was going to sit back and take that talk from her she had another thing coming. "Ah. Now I see I was right. You can't stand to have anyone stand up to you. Well I would hate to dissapoint you and your temper." He wanted to laugh, until she insulted his dragon.

His eyes which were a calm hazel, were now molten caramel. "You would do well to remember that not all the men at the Weyr are here to do your bidding. Or perhaps you have forgotten your superiors. Lady Lyrai and Lady Ruet have more class than you could ever dream of and more than that they have more respect. If you are Ruathan then I was right that you were chosen to impress a Gold. "

She pretended to know his family. HAH! His mother wouldn't care if he were killed in brawl in some gross tavern in front of his sisters. As long as she could see herself all was well. "I should say the same of your hate towards Bronzeriders. You are going to be stuck with us forever, whereas I can mate where I choose, you have to mate Bronze."

[Memorie]

"Interesting that you pull the two senior goldriders into a conversation that concerns only you and I." She smirked. Good, so one of her many jibes had hit close to home."All I have to do is feed my dragon and die.And actually, I don't care if you stand up to me. I think it's rather cute, actually. Especially as you'll never win. And here's why." She turned and started to walk away. "This arguement has been fun, but I grow weary of your retorts. And you." She laughed easily. Really, this whole mood swings thing was working in her best interest. She had gotten angry enough to yell at the man sufficiently, and then calm enough to walk away. Excellent, really.

But had he had something with her being afraid? She missed a step in her pace, but quickly recovered. Maybe. She and I'slen never really tried to hide the time they spent together. She was sure more than one astute person had picked up on it, and now that Amenth was close to First Mating, Tujal could be sure that more bronzeriders would pick up on it. This could turn nasty. But she couldn't afford to show fear, and she was pretty sure that underneathe all that arrogance of F'dan, some sort of intellect was hidden. Afterall, all the others she had yelled at today had just cowered and took it. But not him. "Interesting." And Tujal was most interesting in the interesting. After all, everything else was boring.

[hrsegrl]

"Oh, well you seem to have that under control. The feeding and dying part." He didn't care if she thought he was crazy. F'dan had the instincts of a feline and he knew where he was coming from. She might deny it but he knew he had left an impression on her and that had been the aim, hadn't it? Of course it had. He let her move ahead of him though he was close enough to hear her easily enough.

"You thought it was about winning?" He looked at her with a smugness that would put any dragon to shame. It was one of those I know something you do not know looks. F'dan knew if he left it at that she would be more interested. Saying only a little and reeling her in would be best. Of course he would not say anything about her current relations. As much as he could have said during their yelling fest he had refrained from bringing up her lover.

You sure know how to impress the ladies.The dragon's sarcasm was not lost on his rider. Maybe not but she will not easily forget me or what I have said or have not said. Above all I have to remain one step ahead of our sharp minded Goldriders.

[Memorie]

"Whatever." Tujal waved a hand over her shoulder dismissively and continued on to the Weyrwoman's quarters. She would not rise to his bait, no matter how much she craved it. She knocked on the Weyrwoman's door. "Lyrai? Are you in?" No answer, even after a minute. "Weyrwoman?" she tried again. She had to get advice for the mating flight, and she couldn't go to Ruet. Ruet practically hated her.

Tujal went back down the hall. As much as she despised having to rely on this man, she had to know where Lyrai was. "F'dan, do you know where the Weyrwoman is? I need to ask her for...something," she finished. It was none of his business what.

[hrsegrl]

He could choose not to answer her of course but that would be inconsiderate of him. "At this time of day would suspect her to be dining or spending time with Zhariath." F'dan didn't know for certain of course. It wasn't like he stalked the Goldriders. "Of course that would just be where I think she might be. She could really be anywhere except here and the Records Room."

Perhaps if it was so important he could help her. "If you really need to speak with her can't you contact Zhariath?" Everyone knew she was HAD but he would have contacted Zhariath through Roderith if he needed to speak to the Weyrwoman on important issues. He did not know what the young woman wished to discuss.

"Is there anyone else you can ask?" Personally he'd like to know what it was she was avoiding saying outloud. Obviously it was something she wouldn't talk to I'slen about. That made the wheels of his mind turn. It had to do with Bronzes too from the way she had been speaking. He knew what was going on but never for a moment had he thought she would be so close to mating.

[Memorie]

"Yes, I could contact her through Zharieth if I chose to be completely rude. It's not polite to talk to other people's dragons. But you might have something." She concentrated, trying to hear Zharieth's voice among the many others. When she couldn't, she called on Amenth. "Amenth," she said, letting F'dan in on the conversation for reasons unknown, "where are the Senior Queen and her rider right now?"

Can this wait? I'm getting attention lavished on me right now.

"No, you impertinent thing! I need to know where she is. You know why, you silly gold."

Amenth sighed internally. Zharieth is down at the lake. I don't know where Lyrai is. That would be helpful enough.

She looked back at F'dan with his next words. "Oh, I could presumably ask any greenrider. Or Ruet. But I like Lyrai." She grimaced. "I get pretty specific. And some things...well, they just need to be kept as secrets. I'm sure you understand."

She would never guessed that the man didn't know she was close to her mating flight, and so she thought she was being fairly obvious with her unspoken questions. "Amenth says the Senior Queen is down at the Lake. More than likely, Lyrai is there." She didn't know why she asked, but she did. "Care to walk with me?"

[hrsegrl]

"Hmm. Yes. I can see why we need to find her. Though she won't be pleased to see me." F'dan said casually. The Weyrwoman was already angry with him. Though he couldn't be expected to do ranker work if he didn't hold a rank. "A secret has never left my mouth, for in my experience humans are the worst gossips imagineable." He would tell his dragon but Roderith was not going to tell anyone. He didn't much care for the company of the other Bronzes and he wasn't welcomed among the Queens. Lesser colors were just that, why should he speak to them like equals?

F'dan was not much different from his dragon in most ways. He was social but not in a personal way. He had detached himself from people in all ways that would matter. "Ah, well perhaps this is going to be fun." A light smile graced his sensuous lips. Lyrai would not be working if she were at the Lake and he would get a chance to catch her in as akward a state as he had been in when she came to visit him.

"It would be my pleasure to escort you to the Lake, my Lady." He had never lost his Holdbred manners though once in a while he let them slip. He offered her his arm though she could refuse if she wanted, he would understand that perfectly. It wasn't as if the Weyr had the same standards as the Hold did when it came to social protocols.

[Memorie]

Every once in a while, it was refreshing to be able to follow Hold procedures, and because of her upbringing, she almost always expected to be treated as graciously and proper as in Ruatha. She had found the Weyr dismally lacking for those kind of manners. This is not to say the Weyr was full of boorish men and whorish ladies (though it was, of the latter), but things were just simply different. And Tujal had never really liked "different." She took his arm. "Well, I see that your mother, for all that you appear to dislike her, taught you how to treat a lady."

They walked down the corridor together, arm in arm, like two old friends. Tujal wondered why she was doing this with him, and decided that Amenth's even mood had affected her again. She frowned, but didn't pull away. I wonder what I'slen would say. "So why won't Lyrai be happy to see you, F'dan? Been naughty lately?" GAH! Cut it out, Amenth.

Heh, sorry.

[hrsegrl]

He was only too happy when she did take him up on his offer. Holdbreds might as well keep up basic manners. "My mother taught me nothing, this I learned from my Nanna." He grinned. "Older Ladies are much stricter on etiquette." He would not delve any further into his family relations. He abhored them more than any rider even his exes.

"Naughty would be more fun. In actuality, she is under the impression that I am slacking off and not doing enough for the Weyr as my rank demands of me." This was not true, well not entirely. He did work, just not what other people did. He wasn't born to labor in the sun all day. His skin could attest to that. F'dan spoke again a bit more serious, " It seems with all these transfers coming in, I have my work cut out for me. It is hard to become any rank right now for a Bronze at Ponaa, and a young one at that." He wasn't very young but he wasn't old enough that the transfers would not affect him. "I was born to lead..." He trailed off, hazel eyes growing distant as he said it.