Searching for Staff (K'houry)

[anhydrous]

It was high noon by the time I’dalyn had calmed his nerves enough to attempt to call a meeting with K’houry. He had fretted away the morning running through possible candidates in his head, eventually settling on the only senior rider that he was especially familiar with. He regretted that he only knew K’houry through his father, but that couldn’t really be helped.

The greenrider was a smart man, practical and well-versed in the ways of the Weyr. That said; if anyone would be irked by I’dalyn’s promotion it would probably be him. The brownrider remembered the man well enough and could easily recall his tendencies to reject change. If K’houry could be persuaded to accept I’dalyn as weyrlingmaster, perhaps his contemporaries would follow suit. So far he hadn’t done anything to bring his seniors’ disapproval. A few days had passed since the hatching, and all of the weyrling pairs were alive and well, so they had little to complain about so far.

Daisulyth stirred from his position on his ledge, following I’dalyn’s dizzying thoughts and offering his own when applicable. His green, perhaps, would be willing to help us, he suggested lazily. I’dalyn nodded slightly, walking out to the ledge to watch the coming and goings down in the bowl. He let his gaze settle on Daisulyth for a moment, the brown opening one eye to thoughtfully watch him back. “Request a meeting,” he said finally, the grim settle of his features lifting slightly, “would you, love?”

It took a moment of searching, but Daisulyth eventually managed to locate the green. Brushing her consciousness indolently, he delicately bespoke her. I’dalyn humbly requests a meeting with Yours. He paused for a moment, not sure if he would be required to move. At your availability, of course. His ledge had more than enough room for two dragons, but it would be best to let the lady choose where.

[Xinnai]

K'houry was sulking again, as he was often prone to do. He sat at the thick wooden table within his quarters, scowling down at the flat surface that he leaned over, his green eyes brooding and surly. The nerve of that boy! He fumed, cursing sourly under his breath, his leathery face twisted with his self-righteous anger. He'd just gone down to the kitchens to get some food to eat and that little condescending child had sneered openly at his knots of rank and moved off, as if he couldn't bear to be seen near him! What in the shards was that all about? Were elders not deemed to be respected now. He mumbled choicely. Well, was it really any surprise? What with the boy Weyrleader and then the new Weyrlingmaster, a boy himself?

K'houry shoved back from the table to stalk around his living cavern, arms slashing tightly through the air, his booted feet stomping. He was a swirl of tastefully selected green and brown as he whirled to pace in the other direction. Well. He'd just see about that. He'd see how they lasted. Did they think they would? Did they think they could make a difference? He had lasted through pestilence, disease and heart break and was still here! Did they really think they could?

He came to a stop, his stocky frame quivering with his outrage, his blue-veined hands balled up into tight fists. He would just see about that, he just would. And when they came groveling on bended knees, moaning and groaning for his help and those of his ilk, he'd turn them away and convince the others to do so as well. That's just what he'd do! They'd get no advice from those who had already been there and seen it. They wouldn't.

Just then, he felt Finneth and couldn't help but feel a little bit of happiness leak through the towering black rage he was in. She always had that affect on him. He frowned though, graying brows pulling over the light green eyes sunk within his seamed face. She was usually sleeping about now. So why was she reaching out for him?

Finneth's mind lightly brushed across his, her voice light and playful. Miine. We are being requested to visit. But only at our own convenience of course.[/color] There was a delicate rumble, as if in laughter. I say we go now though because I am curious to see what this is about. Can we K'houry?

He shrugged, shoulder jerking back. Her energy was infectious and he could feel the bad mood dissipating. Who's asking for us?

Daisulyth and his Mine. Still, I am curious. You must ask yourself why they are asking for us! Let's go, Mine.[/color]

K'houry's teeth snapped together and he shook his head, a violent twist from side to side. "No," he growled aloud and mentally. "NO! Finn, darling, they're out to ruin Telgar just like that idiot boy," he continued, obviously referring to J'fel. He could feel the anger returning, though directed at a different set of apparent injustices. "We won't go at their beck and call!"

But you see, by going now, we're doing the exact opposite![/color]

K'houry was silent for a few moments, his brain struggling to think of a way out and finding none. To his logic, Finneth was right. He sighed, irritated that the green had outsmarted him. It seemed to happen frequently.

Fine, fine. Let's go then.

He felt Finneth's delight and exultation and waited impatiently at their ledge, foot tapping, eyes rolling, for her to come and get him. When he slid astride, feeling utterly comfortable perched against her neck, he reached out to scratch at a funky scale of hers, a remnant from times gone. Old habit. They reached the Weyrlingmaster's ledge soon enough and K'houry was stalking forward, silver gleaming in his oaken hair as Finneth excitedly announced their arrival.

[anhydrous]

Daisulyth watched with satisfaction as Finneth made her way to his ledge, a content rumble sent in the direction of his rider meant to announce their presence. I’dalyn frowned at the familiar sound of wing beats, looking down to the table in front of him as he realized that the Greenpair had wasted no time in responding.

Surprised at the swiftness, I’dalyn went about making his simple oak table more accessible for a guest. It would be in poor taste to seem so unprepared. As of now there was a pair of chairs perched across from each other, but a vast collection of records and other scraps of hide separated the two sides of the table.

I’dalyn was busy clearing a large stack hides from his table when the greenrider entered, and he absently gestured towards the chairs with a nod of his head, his hands quite full. “I apologize for interrupting your day, K’houry.” He said by way of greeting, depositing the hides on a different table and returning to take a seat across from the other rider.

As he settled into the chair, the brownrider offered a sincere set to his features, severity mixed with humble respect, no smile tugging at his mouth. “I called you here because my father held you in high esteem,” he began, wasting no time on trivialities. There was no grief at mention of the bronzerider, demeanor stiff and professional. “He always described you as an astute man, and I am very much need of someone with a level head.”

Daisulyth watched with slight interest from his place out on the ledge, the majority of his attention trained on the green who had graced him with her presence. Mine is grateful for your swift reply,[/color] he said absently, his curled tail twitching. As am I, he added after a momentary pause, his gaze carefully considering the pretty little green. He wasn’t quite sure yet if she would be interested in helping them, but if not, perhaps she could be convinced.

[Xinnai]

K'houry grumbled as he stalked into I'dalyn's quarters, his face irritated and agrieved at some slight or the other. It wasn't much different than how he was seen most days. He sent a sour look at the table, at the records and skins piled there. His scowl deepened. The man could at least have the decency to have cleaned up properly.

K'houry nodded at the comment for his swiftness, settling into the chair across from the brownrider, swifty glancing over him. Young, as so many seemed to be. He looked like a boy still and that irritated K'houry to no end. This was the new Weyrlingmaster? He would have snorted if he could gotten away with it. Instead, he settled for responding to the rider.

"You've Finneth to thank for that. The girl just gets so excited. You'd think she was still a weyrling." Voice was gruff, but tone grudgingly admiring. Talking of his green always softened him up. He listened to I'dalyn for a moment, one brow arching, creating minor wrinkles within his forehead at the motion. So, old I'den held him in high esteem? He doubted that, but he'd take it. It was a nice enough thought.

"So, the old bronzer spoke highly of me and you need someone intelligent. This is all I'm getting out of this, brownrider." K'houry was polite, distant, though gruff and he sent another green-eyed glance of distaste at the disorganized mess he'd presented with. How could anyone stand such mess. "What exactly are you asking me for?"

Finneth looked at Daisulyth, her bright eyes whirling with excitement, though it didn't take much to get the green to such a stage. She skipped agiley towards the brown, head tilted to the side in curiousity. She was close now, much closer than before and very, very much wanted to play at something with the brown. She was such a child at times.

You'll have to thank me for that. K'houry didn't want to come at all. She pouted fairly well, considering she was a dragon, eyes whirling much slower and turning the melancholy colors of her disappointment. He spoils things often for me. Does Yours do that often?[/color]

[anhydrous]

Then I thank you for convincing him, the brown responded automatically, surprised that Finneth was sliding towards him. He nodded in agreement as he watched the little green dance closer, his tone understanding and warm. We assumed that he wouldn’t want to, Daisulyth responded carefully, adjusting his position to have a better view of Finneth. Yours is lucky to have such a clever dragon, he purred, muscles rippling across his back as he adjusted his wings, or he might miss out on all the best opportunities. The last words were said with the draconic equivalent of a smile, eyes whirling pleasantly inside of the brown’s skull.

I’dalyn was unaware of the games his dragon was playing, listening intently to the greenrider’s curt words. Apparently flattery wasn’t going to faze the man. K’houry had barely been there for a minuet and already I’dalyn was growing tired of the nasty glances thrown around his chambers, so he waited for the Greenrider to finish and then cleared his throat offhandedly.

“Quite plainly,” he replied calmly, hands folded in his lap, “I’m requesting your help.” There was no smugness in that voice, no plead, just a simple statement of fact. “I’m offering you a position on the weyrling staff because I want your advice.” I’dalyn’s features gave no hint that this wasn’t entirely true, but inwardly he groaned.

He didn’t want advice. He didn’t want this man’s help, or his respect. He wanted the senior riders to stop hassling him, and involving them was the only way that he could think of to achieve that goal. Those unsavory sentiments remained silent, the spoken words drifting between the two men quite civil in comparison. I’dalyn eyed K’houry politely, tracking his reflection in the other man’s eye. “The experience of your generation will be priceless when teaching the future riders of our weyr.”

Back on the ledge and with an agreeing twinge of annoyance in his expressive eyes, Daisulyth offered his reply to the curious green. Mine is very busy with his new work. That often spoils a good day. Perhaps if I had some better company, he suggested coyly, his tail twitching mechanically back and forth, I wouldn’t be upset about his absences. With the briefest of pauses, Daisulyth let his gaze wander down the graceful slope of his companion’s neck. I dislike being alone, he said finally, the soft tone of inconsolable sadness creeping into his voice.

[Xinnai]

Finneth could have crowed in delight. This was turning out to be such a game! Instead, she eyed the brown, inching just a bit closer, claws whispering softly as they scraped across the stone. Yes, we do miss out on the best of oppurtunities sometimes. Mine is very stubborn, so it is good he has someone like me for him.[/i] She shifted closer, wings unfurling slightly, held out to her grassy sides, though not for warning. It helped her keep balance as she reached up to the very edges of her height, curling in on herself, head dropped just below Daisulyth's, eyes whirling. You think I'm clever?

K'houry wasn't paying attention to the green or the games she was playing. He was more focused on the boy in front of him, eyes narrowed slightly as he listened to him, thick frame almost quivering with the intensity of his attention. Those eyes narrowed all the further as the brownrider spoke of him assisting with the weyrlings, so closely mirroring K'houry's thoughts just minutes before that the man wondered, fleetingly, if there were some way for I'dalyn to know that.

He smiled, the gesture starting out tight and polite though it quickly turned smug. So, they wanted his help, did they? Well, he wasn't going to give it to them. He wasn't! They could beg and plead but there'd be no getting any of his wisdom. Not at all.

Finneth straightened with alarm at K'hory's thoughts, her eyes whirling with sickening speed. She practically bound her mind to his, her usual playful and laughing voice turned severe and cold. K'houry, you cannot do this. I will not allow it.[/i]

Eyes unconsciously went wide and the rider in question leaned slightly from the table he was out, wincing slightly at how close Finneth's consciousness was to his. It wasn't pleasant, feeling chained to her like this.

Think what?

We get older all the day. K'houry winced slightly at this but the green was plowing on. We get older and they do not care much for us any longer. There is not much for us to do, Mine. We sit about, just getting all the grayer and creakier. We need to do this. If not for you, then for me. We need this...[/color]

He scowled for a moment, eyes darkening with the anger he rarely directed towards his bonded. It just wasn't fair when she said that! He knew they were getting old and he knew she wanted this. It was just completely unfair. He gave an inward sigh.

Fine.

He looked over at I'dayln, back from the mental conversation with his green that had taken but moments. He traced the thick, puckered scar beneath his right eyes, an unconscious gesture of nerves and distaste for a task that could not be avoided.

"I...suppose we could help," he muttered sullenly, though for once this black humor was not directed at the human in front of him, but rather the dragon whom had forced him to do this. "We don't have much to do now and we would...like to help."

Finneth kept her cry of exultation down, though it bubbled within her, bursting to get free. She caught Daisulyth's comments, her head twisting to the side on her sinuous neck as she sidled all the closer. I do not like being alone either. But it's okay now. I think we will be seeing a lot of each other now. With that, with the faintest touch, her jaw touched his for a moment before she was pulling away. Always the flirty green, Finneth was.

[anhydrous]

Daisulyth floundered to keep the sudden amusement out of his voice, looking down to the green who was using every bit of her flexibility to reach his height. Of course you are clever, he replied in earnest, dipping his nose so very slightly in order to keep it just within Finneth’s reach. This feisty little green was such a treat. His eyes glowed happily, the hurried whirling attributed to both the female’s proximity and his own inward thoughts.

I am almost entirely sure she will help us, Daisulyth asserted, I’dalyn’s lip twitching in accord to this bit of information. He had been watching K’houry’s expressions, the unmistakable signs of a private conference drifting subtly across his face. This green had her rider wound tightly around her finger… which was very good for Telgar’s newest weyrlingmaster.

Don’t you do anything to offend her, I’dalyn commanded, his sternness a bit unnecessary. The anticipation of K’houry’s answer was bothering him, even if it seemed that he was going to comply. Daisulyth’s consciousness twisted darkly at the order, irritation plainly clear in his terse thoughts. Of course not, he snapped sharply. The last thing we need is a force like that turned against us.

Relief flooded to I’dalyn’s features as K’houry finally replied, an unavoidable smile breaking past his serious exterior. “I am delighted to hear that,” he said genuinely. I’dalyn didn’t much care that the man still seemed cold and sullen… he had accepted. That was one less position on the staff that he would have to struggle to fill.

“If you’ll stop by the barracks tomorrow morning, I will have the appropriate records collected for you to look over.” Swift and efficient once again, I’dalyn rose fluidly and set both hands on the edge of the table. Inclining his head in the closest thing to reverent gratitude he could manage, the meeting was adjourned.

Daisulyth caught these last words from his place on the ledge, matching them to Finneth’s and rumbling contentedly. So he had agreed. She had convinced him. The whirl of his satisfied eye only quickened with the slight touch, the brown’s mind lingering on the sensation as he watched Finneth pull away in time for K’houry to stalk out of their weyr. Always a pleasure, he rumbled, clearly delighted with both himself and the clever little green that he would soon be seeing again.

[Xinnai]

Finneth was finding Daisulyth alluring, just the littlest bit coy and was horribly excited for the game was turning out very well indeed. She'd be looking forward to what would happen once more. Eyes were spinning just the slightest bit faster when the brown lowered slightly down towards her. Her head turned slightly, one eye regarding him. Her tone put forward the image of triumphant grinning. Why, thank you.[/i]

Finneth felt very smug indeed now for certain. She'd gotten K'houry in on the game, in to a scheme that would make their lives more interesting by far. It was so boring just sitting around all day doing nothing. And they were hardly old! They wouldn't be old even when they went on beyond between.

K'houry watched I'dalyn carefully, noting the younger man's slightest twitch or movement, wary for any sort of trickery about. The youngsters today didn't understand how very valuable an elder's words were, how they could help them with the problems presented before them. But no. They didn't want it.

Was it any wonder why the Weyr was going to such deterioration?

He listened to I'dalyn carefully, trying to keep his expression neutral. It was Finneth's light presence on his mind that was keeping him the least bit cordial. He watched the smile flash across the boyish face and sighed. Was this really a need or something political? He wasn't sure, but did feel rather well, considering he'd be able to help teach the new weyrlings the real ways of rider life.

He nodded curtly, standing at the Weyrlingmaster's words, facing him across the table. "Yes, of course." He saluted the other man rather halfheartedly, just two fingers pressed to his temple, but it was what was expected. The other man's rank demanded it.

Feeling slightly put out, but still warmed by the general idea of this new position, K'houry stalked out of the weyr if only to maintain his decorum. Finneth pulled away to a more acceptable distance from Daisulyth as her rider appeared, though her brilliant jade head was turned ever so slightly. The look on her draconic face could only be termed wicked. And it always will be.[/color]

The green allowed rider to ascend and then she turned, taking off with little preamble, wings snapping out and leading them away. K'houry straightened upon her neck, suddenly beaming. "Well," he announced, voice bright and cheerful. "We showed them, didn't we?"

Yes, we did. Finneth couldn't quite keep the amusement from her 'voice' as they made their way back to their own little section of home. Her Mine was such a funny, contradicting person.

[anhydrous]

Daisulyth watched Finneth depart, the intensity of his stare earning a questioning glance from his rider. What? He barked defensively, a frown creasing his tone. I’dalyn just shook his head in reply, glancing down to the table in front of him with a heavy sigh. The antics of his brown were usually endorsed, but not when an eternally brooding greenrider was attached to the dragon in question.

As of now, I’dalyn’s mount didn’t much care what he thought. He no longer dreaded the next weyrling lesson that would take his rider away from him, that was for sure. How could one be upset with such a lovely little tease carefully studying your every move? Without another word Daisulyth shifted into a comfortable position and drifted to sleep, his mind still tracing Finneth’s elusive form.

[[scene closed]]