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Post by Memorie on May 24, 2006 0:28:51 GMT -5
Tujal sat in the cold, springfed lake, cooling off from her day. It had been very hot that day, and humidity had been through the Weyrtop. To top it off, she had done a lot of rehabilitating work with Amenth, and her mind wasn't quite what it was before she had gotten sick. Her abilities to block out or ignore the dragons' voices wasn't what it was, but by Faranth's Egg, it would be soon. Tujal vowed it.
Lifting the cup she had brought with her from the kitchens over her head, she tipped the cold water within it onto her hair. "Ahh," she whispered to herself, relieved. Her hair, as thick and heavy as it was, had retained the heat of the day and her own body's heat as well. The combination was enough to make her hot enough to boil wherry eggs on. Now she reached for the sweetsand behind her, treating the refreshing dip in the Black Lake as a bathing experience as well.
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Post by LyricalBlue on May 24, 2006 0:39:56 GMT -5
Weseaneth was fair bouncing on the weyr ledge by the time I'slen got to him. "Alright alright lets go." The bronze dragon's wings fluttered and he held out an impatient forefoot for his rider to climb up. I want a bath. "I know I know, you great big baby of a dragon." As soon as I'slen was settled, Weseaneth leaped off the weyr ledge and dove straight toward the lake. Their weyr overlooked the lake being as close to the Weyrling Barracks as it was. So the rider and bronze dragon often sought solace there after a long day.
Weseaneth spread his wings and cupped the air, backwinging to a landing that only a dragon strong and in their prime could manage. He trilled happily, eyes whirling blue in the rapidly fading light. I'slen stripped and left his clothes in a neat pile far up the shore. Then he and the large dragon bounded into the cold water at once. The icy chill hit him and shocked him to his bones, but oh how good it was. The cold cleared his head.
Two more trills and small brightly whirling eyes announced the arrival of his two lizards. Feya chirped orders to Bey and soon both gold and green lizard were cleaning Weseaneth's hide with vigor. I'slen popped back up and smiled at the bronze dragon. Perfectly proportioned and one of the largest in the Weyr there was no finer beast than Weseaneth. The bronze turned one bright whirling eye to wards him. This is very true.
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Post by Memorie on May 24, 2006 0:51:53 GMT -5
Tujal came out of the water just in time to here Weseaneth's voice growing closer. The faint command for bathing made her smile, but a few seconds later, when she was swimming, the voice was much, much closer. And if Weseaneth was nearby, so was I'slen. Tujal resurfaced from her dive and looked around. Lo and Behold, and there was I'slen, top-naked, and probably bottom too, if I guess it well, she thought, smirking. She stood for a moment, in the shallower water, unsure if she should approach him and embarrass him, as she was so fond of doing. Then she remembered.
She was completely naked. "Well, there goes that," she mumbled to herself, thoroughly disappointed and put out at the lack of embarrassment from I'slen.
Or maybe she could approach him now, away from his friends and fellow riders, and at his vulnerable, and talk to him about...the lessons!
Is that the new word for emotions now? Amenth asked. She was freshly awakened, and completely non-plussed at her rider's conflicting humor.
Hush, you, before you give me away, the woman replied, smiling.
You should just be honest. I like Weseaneth.
I know. I know that, actually, believe it or not. I get to hear those conversations, thanks. Tujal focused back on the scene, and Amenth did not reply to the jibe, wisely ignoring it. "What to do...what to do...."
She ended up wading to a shallow enough part for her to sit and still be hidden neck-bone down in the water. It didn't matter that it was becoming dark enough so that it'd be hard to see her anyway. Besides, what if he saw her? Or if Weseaneth did?
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Post by LyricalBlue on May 24, 2006 1:05:43 GMT -5
Wes rumbbled happily as both firelizards and rider cleaned him throughly with sand. "You know, this would be alot easier if you were a green." The bronze dragon snorted at the thought, as if he could possibly be anything but his magnificent self. I'slen slapped the wet hide, darkened to a deep rich bronze color. And in response Weseaneth blew bubbles, something he did everytime he got into water deep enough. His rider shook his head and ducked under water once more. Grabbing some sand he rubbed his scalp throughly then washed it back out. Wading towards shallower water, he grabbed another handfull and attacked Wes's rear with hard scrubbing. Feya continued to order Bey arround, convinced the green wasn't doing as good as she should.
Wes turned his head so that bright blue eyes regarded Tujal. Goodevening. I'slen looked up and around. "Goodevening what? Oh!Shaffit!" He quickly scurried around the otherside of Wes and thumped the dragon. "Thanks alot;" he muttered quietly. He went back to scrubbing Wes as if he had planned to move there all along. "Tujal shouldn't you be back in the barracks." He leveled a cool grey stare at the young woman, forcing himself not to think about the fact that they were both alone... and wet... and had the lake to themselves... Weseaneth crooned to that thought and the rider thumped him again. For goodness sake, what in the world was wrong with him.
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Post by Memorie on May 24, 2006 1:12:47 GMT -5
Good evening, Weseaneth said. Tujal winced; she should have known that would happen.
"Hello, Weseaneth. I see you are looking as fine as ever," the goldrider complimented, raising an eyebrow at the scuttling I'slen.
"Tujal, shouldn't you be back in the barracks?" he asked her, grey eyes staring her down. She returned a fierce brown gaze.
"Maybe, but surely our esteemed Weyrlingmaster wouldn't begrudge me a cold swim after an extraordinarily hot day? Back at Ruatha, days never got this hot, you know," she said, jibes covering her incredible urge to go to him and look into his lovely cold eyes and make them warm. "And my hair is covered with oil from taking care of Amenth today. It must be washed." She had preferred to keep her hair a little longer than shoulder length, and usually back in a plait. Right now, though, it was loose and flowing in the water, thoroughly cleaned from all the dragon-oil that she had rubbed in it by accident.
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Post by LyricalBlue on May 24, 2006 1:22:32 GMT -5
Weseaneth crooned happily, letting both humans know exactly what her thought they should be doing. I'slen turned scarlett, if it had been any other woman... but no, it was Tujal. He shook his head and coughed, forcing such thoughts back. She was his charge as were the other 100 odd Weyrlings Ponaa housed. Riders were far more open than Holders but still, she was half his age. This really was nonsense. Forcing his head to cool, he glanced back down at the dark bronze hide.
"There are showers in the barracks, you know those are alloted for all the Weyrlings to use. Really Tujal its past lights out, I'll have to write you up for this one." Be stern, be stern, he had to be... Shards and shells! But he hated this, if she so much as twitched an eyelash he'd crumble. She'd come so far from the little brat he'd first met, Amenth had done a wonder on her. I always pick the right ones. I'slen took a breath and looked up at Weseaneth, the bronze was right. Not a candidate he'd searched hadn't Impressed. The dragon's skills were the boast of the Weyr. At least the water was nearly freezing, that prevented other certain embarassments.
He raised his eyes to Tujal once more and repressed a shiver. It was just the cold he told himself. "Now get back young lady or I'll have Wes eat you." The bronze snorted, sending up a burst of bubbles. As if he would ever hurt a hair on the Weyrling's body. I'slen caught that thought and sighed, she did have a very nice... Shaffitt! There really was something wrong with him tonight.
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Post by Memorie on May 24, 2006 1:30:36 GMT -5
Tujal laughed nervously at the croon, giving a little cough at the end that barely concealed her embarrassment. Besides, I'slen was twitching like a feline's tail in the air, what was his problem? Tujal didn't dare get her hopes up of returned feelings, not at all. "Yes, of course there are showers in the barracks," she replied, anger rising to the occasion. "But they don't get cool enough. And I didn't feel very well, so write me up if you must." She blinked at him, and stuck her tongue out foolishly. It seemed like the action fit the occasion, and she laughed.
I always pick the right ones, Weseaneth told I'slen. Tujal smirked.
"From the mouths of dragons, no less. And if Weseaneth eats me, it'll be less trouble for you, won't it?" she said, teasing him now. Ah, her favorite pasttime...and she had been able to embarrass him. Inspiration struck. She grinned. Weseaneth, do you want more help getting you bathed?
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Post by LyricalBlue on May 24, 2006 1:45:31 GMT -5
I'slen sighed, this was terrible, he was terrible. This girl could walk all over him and Wes would tell her to do it again. Really she was going to drive him over the edge, as if his other responsibilites wern't enough. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. The Bronze dragon would have grinned widely if he could. I don't need help bathing, mine does. I'slen's jaw dropped, of all the low down, wherry brained ideas... Weseaneth stood and waded out of the water, once on land he gave himself a shake and then leaped into the air. I am going to bed. I'slen stared after the bronze, speechless. Why it was true, everyone really was out to et him.
Suddenly he was all too aware of his nakedness and that of Tujal. Oh brother... Feya fluttered down and chirping happily, the little gold landed on his shoulder and twined her tail about his neck. Bey cheeped and landed on Tujal, not pressing the older gold lizard. I'slen sighed again and sat down heavily in the water. He should quit right now, was it too young to retire?
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Post by Memorie on May 24, 2006 1:59:11 GMT -5
Tujal blushed, and turned away, pretending to be immensely interested in the nearby thrushes. That did not work out as she had thought or hoped.
That's what you get, Amenth told her, smugness shining in her voice.
Hush you, I say. This is bad! Amenth didn't answer, just letting silence do the talking for her.
I'slen's green firelizard landed on her bare shoulder, and she grimaced. "Ouch, Bey, that hurts. Easy on the claws, you green wonder," she told the green, loosening the firelizard's grip on her skin and petting her at the same time. Absentmindedly, she stood out of the water to be able to get a better grip on the green's claws. After she had stupidly stood all the way up and messed with Bey, she gasped, remembering that I'slen would still be sitting there. "Shards'n'shells!" She sat back down quickly, crashing to the sandy bottom of the shallow end. She refused to meet her Weyrlingmaster's eyes now, only fiddling with her fingernails and watching schools of fish swim quickly away from the spazzy girl.
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Post by LyricalBlue on May 24, 2006 2:12:58 GMT -5
As Tujal reprimanded Bey, he glanced over and his eyes nearly fell out of his skull. Quickly looking away, the bronzerider busied himself with petting and caressing Feya. The gold lizard crooned happily and I'slen gulped forcing his mind not to think about... Oh Faranth he was in trouble now. Weseaneth crooned sleepily from his ledge. You two are acting like smokeless weyrlings. I'slen shot a dark look in the dragons direction and sighed once again. This couldn't end well, still keeping his eyes averted I'slen spoke. "I can leave, but you really need to get back to the barracks miss."
By the first egg he had gotten himself into deep trouble this time. Not only was she his charge and half his age, but she was a Weyrling Gold rider and a Lord's daughter to boot. Why couldn't he have gotten besotted with one of the Weyr's many greens. Next flight he would be sure to take part. I do not plan to. Face screwed in curiosity, I'slen looked up at the ledge where Weseaneth was watching them with half open eyes shining like glows in the dim light. What do you mean Wes? The bronze yawned and stretched before resettling. I must save my energy for Amenth. I'slen's eyes bugged out again and he stuttered in jibberish.
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Post by Memorie on May 24, 2006 2:22:40 GMT -5
Tujal heard Weseaneth make fun of them, and she frown. Yes, well, while you and Amenth have been plotting my downfall, I've had a little plan of my own. "I will not return to the barracks until I have had a proper bath, and that is all. You can sit and stare if you like, I don't care," she said. She was becoming congested from sitting in the cold water, which was only getting colder now that the moons were shining down on it instead of a hot sun.
I do not plan to. I must save my energy for Amenth. Tujal's jaw dropped, but she quickly hid it behind a handful of sweetsand from the bag floating close to shore. She hummed as she faked washing her face, and she stole glances every so often from the dragonrider that was so close to her. Uch, she thought, if only he'd come just a little closer, I could see his face. I wonder what he's thinking.
Shall I ask?
"No!" she replied, outloud and in thought. Amenth got a little angry.
I wish you'd stop fretting so about this man. It really gives me bad color, you know. Tujal smirked; that was her gold alright.
"Besides," Tujal said, smirk filling her face, which was already covered in water/sand suds, "who's to say I won't look at you as you leave?"
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Post by LyricalBlue on May 24, 2006 2:33:51 GMT -5
Once again I'slen's jaw dropped. She must just be joking really she must but then there was nothing like the present. The bronzerider stood, carefull that the water came above his waist. He was as handsome as any man could wish to be other than the threadscore scaring that twisted down his shoulder and side. He'd been badly hurt in the first threadfall, but then many had. The whole of Pern had been caught unprepared and she had suffered the consequnces. His grey eyes measured the young woman before him. Young woman for certain she was hardly a girl anymore. Well if Wes was that determined... He walked over to her slowly and sat down behind her. Taking a handfull of sweetsand he reached out to scrub her back.
It was probably as close as they had ever gotten other than when they had first met and he'd been forced to tackle her to keep her from running away. "Look all you like Lady." Locks the color of his dragon's hide flipped in front of his face and he pushed them back. He would really have to get his hair trimmed, but he hadn't the time. A cold knot formed in his stomach, colder even than the water they sat in. But she was his charge, he'd take care of her then see her back to the barracks. Weyrlings didn't have time to get sick from a chill.
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Post by Memorie on May 24, 2006 2:48:55 GMT -5
At first, she was very confused when he stood...oh, a Threadscore...she had a mental image of herself, nursing the wound and applying the numbweed salve, and when she felt his hand on her back, she jumped. The gritty feeling of the sand solved the itches in her back, and she felt his weight on the ground behind her. Her nagging mind came up with several arguements against this...but he was finally near to her, just where she wanted him.
"Look all you like, Lady," he told her quietly, and her nagging mind voice shut up real quick. His hand felt almost reluctant, and it made her wonder under which emotions was he touching her. Fear for her health? That was appropriate, her and Amenth were not all better, even now. Concern? Also appropriate. Perhaps a little infatuation? Not bad. Lust? Tujal shuddered. She hoped not; the stories ran abundant of girls tricked into relationships and sex by men they thought liked them. Tujal didn't want to be one of them. What to do?
You know what to do, Amenth's reassuring voice assured her calmly, but with some force. Tujal nodded, sitting up properly. She had been leaning forward, thinking and enoying the feeling of not only the sand and the cessation of itch, but of his strong hand causing the contentment.
Doing a bit of quick decision making, she sighed, and then took a very deep breath. Mustering all the courage and hope inside of her, she leaned back against I'slen's torso, carefully controlling her breathing against the shivers and sighs that threatened to ruin her.
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Post by LyricalBlue on May 24, 2006 3:00:03 GMT -5
Maybe he finally had this under control, I'slen let out a breath he hadn't known he'd been holding. Above them Bey and Feya whirled, responding wildly to their man's emotions. Trying still to calm himself he continued to scrub at Tujal's back and for the first time he wondered about Amenth and what her first flight would bring. Tujal had been to those lessons by now, she would have been told it was better not to go into the experience virgin. Some men could get quite rough and that thought nearly brought a growl to I'slen's throat. He'd throttle any who dared lay a hand on her.
But somehow he doubted that she'd really listened to the lessons. She was holdbred as his half brother was. Adjusting to Weyr ways was not easily done for some. Those thoughts were abruptly halted when she leaned back against him. Emotions whirled into a horrendously conflicting storm but then Weseaneth was there soothing him, the dragon was his rock to which I'slen desperately clung to. He felt her shiver and his instinct to protect took over, I'slen wrapped his lean dragonrider arms about her waist. When he spoke, it was quietly as if to keep everything else at bay. "Lets get you back."
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Post by Memorie on May 24, 2006 3:15:20 GMT -5
"By the First Shell," she muttered, angrily. She rolled her eyes, and her lips resumed their angry purse. She was reluctant to leave the comfort of her body against his, with his arms around her hips, but Sear it! "You just don't get it, do you?!" Sighing and shaking her head angrily, and sadly, she removed his arms from around her. "I swear on the Egg of my Gold, so shard-headed are you!" She waded slowly out of the shallow water, onto the bank. Giving him the most exasperated look she could manage, she became speechless. There he was, sitting there, protective and yet...unsure of what to do. Her heart urged her back to him, but her anger said otherwise.
What's wrong? Amenth asked, worried. All she could sense was her rider's growing displeasure and fear, mixed with embarrassment.
Leave me alone, you. You and your bronze consort are to blame for this, she replied angrily.
Then it happened. She sneezed. It was very hard for her to look angry after sneezing. She grabbed up a towel and wrapped it around her torso.
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