After Practice (Tujal)

[brimstone81]

He was particularly hard on his wing today, and was sure all his men, and women, were tired and achey. He had the riders run and do excersize to make sure all their sorry butts were in shape. He'd have no indiciplined rider among his ranks. Work, work, work. Of course they for the rest of the afternoon they had practiced drills untill they did it right. One brown definately needed to work on his manuverability. He'd keep that in mind. One greenrider had a smart mouth he didn't appreciate and the rider drove him nuts with every word that came from her mouth. Today was a tough one by the first shell. G'del sat in a soft chair to relieve his aching calves and thighs. Not to mention even his arse was a little sore from sitting in the saddle for those hours.

The room was warm and the food was good. He wondered if tonight he would have a quiet evening. He remembered that he had once promised Ruet to help her out a bit so that she could have more study time with the healers, but after the flight, G'del had silently thrown himself into his work and had tried to forget about that. Let her weyrmate help her then. G'del took a drink of klah and closed his eyes for just a second, reveling in the silence.

[Memorie]

Tujal, for once in her life, was actually in a decent mood. She had eaten particularly well since Amenth began showing signs of flight, since she figured that for her dragon to be in decent health, she had better be too. The nutrients from the food uplifted her mood, and thoughts of Amenth made her happy as well. She was now out for a stroll around the Weyr while I'slen taught the younger class of weyrlings. She guessed they might get together that evening, but she wasn't sure. Anyway, he'd been very clingy since the time he'd figured out that Amenth was close to rising. Well, he's been clingy ever since he first kidnapped me. But whatever.

Can you blame him? A woman as beautiful as you deserves the attention she wants and needs, a seemingly familiar voice said. Tujal was pretty certain who it was, but she didn't want to guess. She only smiled and went upon her way.

She came upon the Weyrhall in her wanderings and sauntered in. It was warm in there, as befitted the cooler winter and early spring date. After looking around for someone to sit near, she spotted G'del, and decided upon him. The lucky wherry. His eyes were closed, and he appeared to be very tired. It was not unexpected, of course. She'd heard that he worked his wing like canines in drills today, through some gossipy greenrider or another.

Tujal sat down softy next to him. After a few moments, she looked at him. "What's wrong, Wingleader? Are you okay?"

[brimstone81]

G'del's eyes snapped open, he knew that voice. It was a goldrider, the younger one. Well he supposed he should be cordial to her since she out ranked her, or would very soon with her graduation. Pretty thing, he allowed himself the comment but he wouldn't be a love sick boy throwing compliments at every goldrider he saw. Maybe another time he would comment on her beauty, but not at this moment. His eyes swept over Tujal's face and nodded, "Nothing's wrong, milady. And aye, I'm fine, just resting after a long day, yourself?"

Amenth is close to rising, Mine. Solarith said eagerly, wanting to redeem himself his loss. He should have been better. . . The bronze showed His an image of the gold and G'del nodded. It wasn't just a random comment, this was Tujal's goldie. The bronze, not wanting to be unfriendly to the glowing girl, said sweetly with words of honey, How are you, Amenth? You looked absolutely radiant today.

When did you see Amenth today? I always notice Amenth. Like I always noticed the golds of Fort and Southern. They deserve to be seen and appreciated. So here I am, appreciating. Ah. Just don't seem too sweet. That can be seen as a weakness. Yes because the whole strong silent type thing is working so well for you. And that was the end of the silent conversation.

"Forgive me, Tujal, I was just having some words with Solarith. You know my bronze, right? Beastly thing. . ." Ha ha. The bronzerider wasn't sure if he should comment on her gold's color or not. Of course she'd be aware and he'd only be teasing a bit, but she might not appreciate being teased by him. He drank some klah for more time to think. "So are you excited for Sharieth's clutch coming up?"

[Memorie]

"Wandering about, really. Passing time." She smiled at the man. They talked before, in passing, especially when he first was transferred to Ponaa. He was a good enough sort, and pleasant enough to talk with. And his dragon, Solarith, was funny. But the smile was wiped from the young goldrider's face when she heard one-side of the mental conversation.

At the end of it, Tujal laughed. Especially at the "Strong and Silent" line. The rumor around the weyr went that after bronze wingsecond K'leren had won Ruet in Sharieth's mating flight, G'del had gotten quietly drunk. "Amenth did look magnificent today. But she always does. She's practically glowing lately, and apparently, all the bronzes know why." She shot a wink at G'del. Apparently, the man did not know her special skill at understanding any dragon in the weyr. The power was limited to dragons that openly spoke; Zharieth, for instance, always spoke only to Lyrai. Most dragons, however, did not give a second thought to whom they spoke. And so, Tujal heard them. Solarith was obviously one of those dragons.

"I'm rather a big fan of the strong, silent type, myself. But I don't know that you're silent, my good Wingleader," she said, practically flirting. She schooled herself. This upcoming mating was making her weak. And the last thing she needed was for I'slen to think anyone else interested her.

[brimstone81]

G'del flushed very slightly before he could stop himself from showing his embarassment. He had not knowns he was a hear-all-dragons. Well now he knew. I knew. Solarith noted triumphantly, almost, as if he could, with a smirk. no You didn't. Yes I did. No you. . . Well this is stupid. I'm not talking to you. Not until tonight. You'll break down and speak to me. You always do, you poor little sucker. then there was the equivilent of a dragonic chuckle. G'del grunted. Looking at Tujal, "I s'pose you heard all of that."

With out waiting for her to nod, he grinned slightly at her banter. "Well you will notice that I am not that talkative." Especially since we didn't win- I thought I told you not to bring that up? And I thought you weren't talking to me? G'del went on with out aknowledging that Solarith spoke. "For if wasn't so silent I might have a line of women after me." He chuckled lightly.

Solarith wanted to make a retort so badly, that since G'del wasn't going to do anything, and knowing now that Tujal heard him anyways he decided to talk to her. Yes, notice that he goes back to our weyr by himself every night. I shudder to think what would happen if he opened his trap more than once in a while.

[Memorie]

Tujal chuckled. "Yes, I did...sucker." She almost laughed. "No, you aren't really talkative. But you should be. And if you want to meet a woman, you have to get out and talk to them. Push your comfort level." She smiled. "Oh, that old thing. You do know that K'leren and Ruet were in practically love way before Sharieth was due to fly? And that idiot F'sen practically pushed her into K'leren's arms." There was a fine line between truth-telling and gossiping, and Tujal knew she was toeing the line. Oh well.

You're as bad as a green.

Yes, notice that he goes back to our weyr by himself every night. I shudder to think what would happen if he opened his trap more than once in a while, the bronze said. Tujal laughed.

"Yes, maybe he should get more talkative. We'll have to see what we can do, aye, Solarith?" Tujal said. She hadn't ask to talk to the bronze, but she didn't count on G'del caring. Especially as Solarith had bespoken her first.

[brimstone81]

G'del smiled lightly, "I'm afraid that Solarith is the talkative one amongst us. Perhaps the more flirty."
I could have any green I wanted. G'del snorted at that too. "Perhaps even the most confident of us too. It takes me a bit to get used to new waters. But Solarith here, well he'll talk to nearly every one. Usually the bronzes and golds, but yes, he'll flirt or talk to any that's willing." G'del laughed, "I did not know what was between them. It's never come up. I guess I'm not taken with gossip too much. And speaking of love, I hear she's not the only one." He hoped that he hadn't crossed lines there. He didn't mean much by it, and it didn't imply too much, but in either case he transitioned smoothly, "I wouldn't know a thing about love, though. Never really found a woman who didn't annoy me some how."

I tried my best to get him out there. He's too afraid of rejection. So yes, we'll have to see what we can do. I am not too afraid. Yes, you are, and you can speak out loud. Tujal is allowed hear anything you have to say to me. . . well almost anything.

G'del chuckled, "Yes, I keep forgetting about your ability, milady. Sometimes I wonder if women can fit into my schedule. I'm a very busy man, not just an eligible bachelor."

[Memorie]

Tujal laughed. I bet you could, Solarith. Why don't you try more? "I can see that he might be the more flirty of your pair, but why more talkative? Surely there's something going on in your head that merits discussion with someone." Her eyes narrowed at his love comment, but she didn't take his bait. He probably hadn't meant anything by it anyway. "Could it be that you haven't been looking hard enough?"

G'del apparently tried to speak privately to his bronze, and the retort that came with it made her smirk. "It's just fine. Most people find it hard to forget." She smiled and looked away. "Yes, well, there are other very busy men in this weyr who find time for pleasure." Tujal looked at him meaningfully.

((*laughs* Sorry! She couldn't resist and I hate to reign in my characters.))

[brimstone81]

G'del looked blankly for a moment at her last comment. Well, sure it had just been an excuse, but it was a good one that, he assumed, many men used. He knew from time to time even his own father used the excuse. All in all, it wasn't the whole truth. G'del was looking for some one special, not just any girl would do. He was even starting to suspect he'd never find the a girl good enough. G'del had high standards and expectations, perhaps it was why he Impressed so well. And so far none of the greenriders he'd mated lasted with him for very long. They all seemed to possess wandering eyes, and one was just kind of lazy. G'del was athletic and was looking for a girl who go running with him or riding, either runners or dragons. This bronzerider was not one who wanted to just 'settle.' If he was he wouldn't be in the place he was today. People saw him arrogant for this, and G'del hates gossipy old hens so he never really realized it.

So G'del didn't know exactly what to say. Usually it was he who made the woman silent with his comments and such, not the opposite. "And maybe, my dear lady, the diamond I am looking for cannot be found. Maybe this gem I seek is possessed by another man. I might just be wasting my time."

I know you're ambitous, Ridermine. That's why I like you. We could go far. But if you can't find the right diamond, why not take a ruby instead? I've flown greens before when I desire golds like any other bronze. They're nice too. Jeharzath was friendly enough, though she wasn't the most open or talkative green. Get off your mountain once in a while, G'del. Solarith said, not scoldingly, but actually a bit pleasantly. Then he gave another little snort of draconic laughter, Besides, baby G'dels might be cute.

The bronzerider laughed at the last comment by Solarith. That would be something. He knew he sounded arrogant, but he could be picky, couldn't he? And if it were meant to be, then it would. "I know, I know. Get out there once in a while, eh? Settle for what I can get? I've heard it all before." He muffled down into silence. He wasn't sure he liked where this conversation was going. . . "And don't think you're going to set me up with anybody-"

What a brilliant idea. Try outs to be G'del's weyrmate! Solarith snickered. Well I just hope whoever she is might have a handsome, intelligent dragon.

[Memorie]

"If your diamond is possessed by another man, then you steal her away," Tujal replied, smiling. She listened to Solarith's comment. "Or a ruby. I prefer red, myself."

"I know, I know. Get out there once in a while, eh? Settle for what I can get? I've heard it all before," he said, sounding more than a bit dejected. Tujal frowned, her eyebrows knitted.

"No, don't settle. Settling is bad. I usually try hard not to wrap myself up in other people's business, but maybe you're not looking hard enough?" His next comment surprised her. "My dear Wingleader, I wouldn't try to set you up with anyone, even if I thought the woman was the diamond of which you speak." She snorted. "With your standards, it'd be difficult to even think of anyone you'd like anyway. But Solarith's right, at least in a way." She smiled, and her cheeks tinged red. She was not used to giving advice. "Have you tried courting anyone?"

[brimstone81]

Steal her away? Easier said than done. Perhaps the lady should be the one to leave or to notice him more. How else was he to know if a woman, especially a taken one, like him at all? Maybe G'del expected too much from women, but they were, after all, said to be full of romantic notions. At least that was what this bronzerider heard from the elder males in his life. Then Tujal answered his last remark not at all as he expected. His mother and her friends were always looking out for potential mates for G'del and his sister. He had understood women to be matchmakers, but apparently he was wrong. G'del chuckled, a man with his standards, yes, well she would be something, wouldn't she? At least she didn't have a scheme to put him together with some single girl who was probably looking for different things. At least she wasn't telling him to settle, because that was one thing he could not possibly do.

Then she asked if he had tried to get a woman. G'del stiffened a bit at the words. If he had tried to woo a woman, he was sure he could win her. But he had never gotten far with females because he did have high standards. He would not stand for a woman who was promiscuous to stay long in his bed, in fact, it was Jeharzath's rider who has a liking for sampling all kinds of men. They stayed together for less than a sevenday. In fact, after Solarith had won the woman's green, the couple lasted about five days before he found her shamelessly flirting with a bluerider. G'del demanded faithfulness. G'del was also a bit distant, so any woman who might have gotten close to him found his exterior too cool for their liking. He was not a flirt by anymeans, but he knew he could be a tender and caring lover, to the right lady. G'del sheilded his heart, and so not just any woman would do for him. He, to his embarassment, placed love as a precious thing. His view on love was not a manly, take take take kind of thing. He was almost afraid of letting anyone know that, lest they make fun of him for that sort of sensitivity.

But frankly, he never really met a woman who made his heart flutter. G'del had yet to find that woman that he just had to have, despite the costs. He said, "No, I have not even attempted tor really court a woman. I usually approach women, test the waters, but if I notice something I do not like, or if they seem happyly mated, I back off. One day I will find her."

[Memorie]

"Faranth willing," Tujal agreed. The man was nice enough. And successful. "In any case, it's good to have exactly what you want. Settling is bad for relationships. I think, anyway." She shrugged.

Tujal, please come take a nap with me, Amenth said. The dragon sounded super tired. Tujal sent her living mental caresses and smiled.

"I hate to cut this conversation short, but Amenth is calling me to come lay down with her." The young woman smiled. "Ever since we were sick last year, I tend to give her what she wants when it comes to relaxing. You wouldn't believe how many pendactyl claw massages I've given in a year." She rose. "We shall continue this conversation."

[brimstone81]

G'del would not stop her from staying with his dragon. Just as he was certain that no one would ever stop him from tending to his own. He liked her company, and not to mention that she was a very pretty woman. She seemed to be of a good sort that he wouldn't mind getting to know better. He hoped to see more of her. Maybe he should ask her to dinner some time?

Just do something without over thinking it. Just ask her to hunt with you. Go ahead. Chase her.
Fine. But-
No buts. Just do something spontaneous.

"Tujal, wait a moment, perhaps we could continue this conversation over dinner sometime?" G'del rose with her, not one to stay sitting while a lady was standing. He wasn't sure why that was either, but he supposed it was because he learned it because his mother's good etiqutte rubbed off on him. The bronzerider guestured while he spoke, "You don't have to if you don't want to, but I wouldn't mind the company and, well, I really enjoyed our chat today."

That wasn't awkward or anything. You could have just left it at your first sentance. Solarith seemed to chuckle

[Memorie]

Tujal paused. She thought about I'slen. What would he say? "Sure, that sounds nice." He had stood when she did. Nice touch. "When did you want to have dinner?" She was sure her cheeks had a bit of rose in them now, but it didn't matter. Plenty of men had shown an interest, however appropriate or inappropriate, in Tujal. But besides I'slen, G'del was so far the only one she thought was interesting enough to reciprocate. Maybe that was Amenth talking, but she doubted it. Solarith was oddly silent, and Tujal was willing to bet the bronze was directing conversation towards his rider only. She smiled. This is certainly interesting. Part of me wonders if this is just because of Amenth's coming Flight or if he's actually interested in me.

[brimstone81]

G'del smiled, and relief flooded over his face. He couldn't help but be happy that she accepted his proposition for supper. He half expected her to deny his request. In fact, he was pretty sure she'd decline. G'del thought rapidly, what was the right thing to say? The first thing that comes to mind. Solarith said to His. To Tujal he said, He usually eats when I tell him to. Well, not all the time, but most days.

G'del didn't want to sound too controlling. He didn't want to think about it too much or be, how did Solarith so eloquently put it? "Awkward." Well, he would say what he thought for once. The bronzerider smiled softly and inclinded his head, he spoke, "You are the lady, I'll eat whenever you do. Just give me the time and I'll be there."