Damsel in Distress (open)

[anhydrous]

With a large wherhide bag slung over one shoulder, Althesia hurried quickly around a bend in the hallway. Her knots were wadded in one hand, her appearance entirely disheveled as she all but ran away from whoever’s weyr she had just been in.

The rider had still been asleep when Althesia had ducked out of his quarters, but something told her that he wasn’t going to stay that way for long. Perhaps it had been the curious stare of his dragon, a slight disdain whirling in those ever-shifting eyes. They could have just as easily been whirling in indifference, but Althesia wouldn’t know. Either way, she sought to put quite a distance between herself and any dragonrider’s quarters. She had an appearance to keep up, after all.

Stuffing her knots into the bag so that they might be hidden from any onlookers, Althesia set a brisk pace down whatever hallway she was traveling. She really should learn her way around, but now was not the time to be choosy with the destination. It was time to go, time to walk, and time to escape consequences.

On the way to wherever she was headed, the harper pulled back her hair and straightened her clothes, each fluttering of her busy hands tucking and tugging until she could pass for presentable. Untangling the signature blue ropes, Althesia fastened them in the correct pattern just as the bright sunlight of the bowl hit her directly in the face.

Oh. So this was the way to the weyrbowl. Pausing in the archway to glare back down the path she had come, Althesia blew a bit of hair out of her face. She really did need to learn her way around. Shifting the bag to her other shoulder, the lively young harper glanced around for someone who might show her to the lower caverns. Damsel in distress, over here.

[dragon]

J'rad was making his way from the lake to his weyr. Bathing J'rad was quite a task and one he would never really learn to enjoy. Though, J'rad hardly enjoyed anything. One would think he couldn't just to uphold a reputation, though he had one. Most people learned not to deal with the bronzerider outside the line of duty. J'rad was not a social person, infact he detested company the majority of the time.

As he passed into the weyrbowl, some that recognized the bronzerider purposely took a detour from their intended path to avoid him. One such person did not, however, and was in J'rad's way. The two bumped shoulder's and the young man who did not take a detour like the others stumbled a bit, though managed not to fall. The man looked around and made himself scarce, quickly. J'rad simply grumbled to himself.

He continued his path until he found another obstruction. A woman, and she looked lost. J'rad raised an eyebrow, half irritated but half wondering just why she looked so lost. "Can I help you?", the bronzerider asked, the tone stiff, but aggitated as usual. The bronzerider's arms were crossed with an eyebrow still raised. His bronze was pestering him, however, to adjust his attitude. If not to stifle the annoying beast, he could atleast see if he could get this woman to the right place and more importantly out of his way. Of course, the latter his bronze would not know about. J'rad had his intentions but he'd leave that part out solely so his bronze wouldn't annoy him even further.

[anhydrous]

One couldn’t miss J’rad’s approach. He was flanked on both sides by frightened weyrfolk, everyone who knew what was best seeming to give him a wide berth. Althesia smiled pleasantly as his eyebrow shot up, almost satisfied to have become a hazard in someone’s path. The pair faced each other solidly, the harper’s mouth just beginning to open as J’rad queried her.

It wasn’t hard to spot the irritation, but it was deftly ignored. Althesia’s plesant smile remained, lips parting carefully as she shifted under the weight of her bag. “I certainly hope so.” Her eyes met his for a moment, his gruff exterior ignored. He seemed distracted, she could see it in his eyes. Perhaps just irritated in general, not so much at her, but more trivial things. It hardly mattered, but she noted it regardless.

Without blinking, Althesia’s wary lips offered a terse request. “Could you show me to the lower caverns?” There was the slightest hint of amusement in her voice, although it would surely seem misplced. Had someone less angry-looking had greeted her, she might have said something to match the cheery undertone. Although this man hardly seemed one to care why, she added the reason after a second of consideration. “I need to speak with the headwoman.”

Her manner was kind, expression well-managed, but inwardly she dwelled on the shady dragonrider before her. It was her job to analyze, and although outwardly her face was a mask of geniality, she certainly didn’t shirk her duties. With one of her own slim eyebrows quirked in curiosity, the harper subconsciously matched his stoic posture.

[dragon]

J'rad wanted to mutter and grumble to himself about how easy it was to find the lower caverns and anyone should be able to find it but, well he did anyway. A grumble could be heard but nothing could be understood beyond his irritation. "Follow me", the bronzerider said tensely. He obviously didn't want to, but since he was stupid enough to pose a question then he might as well follow through.

J'rad would say no more as he turned on his heels and headed to the lower caverns. He seemed to completely ignore her reason to go there, nor would he care to know. As he walked, a path once full of people now cleared for him bit by bit. One or two were dumb enough to stand in his way but they were either bumped or pushed aside. His muscular build showed he wasn't one to mess with and the look and attitude he gave off complemetned the tone well. J'rad had little respect for anyone beyond his superiors and even then the respect was held only in his duty. Otherwise, he had his own opinions of them. He had many opinions, most were negative. It would seem his enjoyment was looking at the world in such a negative way and perhaps J'rad had convinced himself of that. He continued his walk in silence and even though the crowd thinned, there were still enough people to consciously clear from his path.

[anhydrous]

With the slightest frown creasing her features, Althesia followed close behind the bronzerider. People were feigning left and right, their eyes cast downward so as not to meet J’rad’s angry stare.

Although her ears weren’t keen enough to catch the subject of the grumbling the cause of his dissent was obvious. “Excuse me?” She questioned, not really wanting him to repeat what he had said but at the same time attempting to clear her name.

“If this is too much trouble for you,” her tone clearly implied that she thought it wasn’t, “I can have someone else show me the way.” The rider hardly showed any sign that he had even heard her words… what a discourteous man. Perhaps she should have waited for the next person to pass by.

[dragon]

J'rad turned his head ever so slightly as he continued walking. If I had thought such a thing, I wouldn't be doing so now", J'rad spoke, his tone calm for such sharp words. "We're almost there anyway. It would be a waste to turn back now", he added as he continued walking. J'rad was trying to settle the irritation he was feeling at being asked such things. J'rad wasn't one to really waste his time over unnecessary things.

J'rad stopped mid-stide and turned to face her. "Yet I have a question of my own. Why were you leaving the direction of the dragonriders weyrs? You're no dragonrider", J'rad stared directly at her and perhaps a rare hint of amusement was in his eyes.

[anhydrous]

Althesia stared curiously down the corridor at mention of their proximity, quite baffled as to how she would ever learn these paths. All the stone walls looked exactly the same, every intersection they passed an exact replica of the one that came before it.

She frowned at the painfully patient tone that was being used by the dragonrider. She wasn’t an idiot. Hell, she shouldn’t have said anything. His grumblings and silence were better than his patronizing words.

Surprised at the pause in his step, Althesia nearly bumped into J’rad. The amusement in his eyes was not lost on her, the terse words paling in comparison. What kind of a question was that? He knew full well what had been going on... and if he didn’t? Then dragonriders were a dense lot.

With a quick once over to make sure she wouldn’t regret her next words, a smile tugged at the corners of Althesia’s lips. Instead of embarrassment, her unabashed answer held a note of tempting indifference. “Maybe I’ll show you some time.” With one hand on her gracious hip, Althesia waited sedately for the dragonrider to continue walking.

[dragon]

J'rad simply rolled his eyes. "I figured it was pretty obvious. But better to be sure", the bronzerider said plainly, clearly not tempted by the woman's charms and as if his tone implied it would be obvious that one such as herself would be found there. Not that J'rad didn't like women, but J'rad just didn't like most people. It would take alot for the bronzerider to stand being around a woman for a whole night, or even a few hours. J'rad simply turned around and began his march, yet again, to the lower caverns. He would almost want to laugh, a woman who dared try to charm him or even act in such a way towards him.

Arcaith, now stirring from his slumber after his bathing was venturing into his bonded's mind. Amusement J'rad love? Since when have you learned such a thing? The bronze had to admit this was a rare feeling and even in the dragon there was amusement in his tone. He liked the idea of his rider in better spirits. He only wondered what it was that he found so amusing, even if it was only slightly. I'll tell you later, nosey bronze. Was J'rad's tense and aggitated reply. The bronze had to admit though, it was calmer than his usual replies. Though even Arcaith knew how much he could annoy his rider. Arcaith, however, seemed to enjoy doing such things.

[anhydrous]

Althesia was unaffected by J’rad’s disinterest. Chuckling at his response, her lips were loosened by her companion’s new-found sense of not being a bore. “So you’re not into that?” The harper queried casually. She’s heard that a lot of riders didn’t prefer women… something about the sexes of their dragons… her thoughts trailed off indifferently.

More than anything she wished they were close to the caverns so that she might find the headwoman and have a place to set down this sharding bag. The thick strap was cutting into her bared shoulder, her sleeve having been pushed down by the weight of the wherhide sack. Was that the top of her ample bosom peering out from the neckline of her blouse? She shifted the bag to the other shoulder awkwardly, sighing against the weight. She had all of her oils, canvas, brushes, stretchers, clothes, and other miscellaneous crap stuffed in there. Of course it was heavy.

That was just like the young harper. Don’t dwell on the awkward conversation, just on the fact that your bag is heavy. And damn, was it heavy.

[dragon]

"I'm not into men, if that's what you're trying to imply", was the bronzerider's reply in harsh tone. "Simply unaffected", followed after with a sound of disinterest. He was certainly no easy game. A woman would have to try far harder if they wanted J'rad. The man was like heavy stone, hard to budge.

After some time of walking, they were at their destination. "Here", J'rad said simply, noting to her just where they were at. He had stopped his walking abruptly as well, standing and waiting for her to either leave or converse with her. Though for J'rad, he'd favor the former. Though, sometimes he wasn't so lucky.

[anhydrous]

“Unaffected?” she mused, her pace slowing incrementally. “Interesting word to choose, dragonrider.” Inwardly she was giggling, mostly at how quickly the man had made his clear his preferences. Was there a trace of unease in those harsh words? She didn’t really care. It didn’t seem that this rider was as keen to play games as the others she had met since her arrival.

With the greatest of nonchalance that made clear her true intentions, Althesia sidled closer to J’rad. “That might lead a person to believe that I was attempting something.” She smiled, mostly teeth, genuine emotion gone by this point.

Any other thought she was going to share were dashed to bits at the sight of the lower cavern’s entrance, and she inclined her head graciously towards the bronzerider. Finally. “Thanks, love. Althesia’s the name.” She was all set to turn away when it occurred to her that he wouldn’t give a damn. “Not that you asked,” She called over her shoulder, “But it might come in handy one day.” With that she was gone, her skirt’s hem twitching as she walked off in search of the headwoman.

[dragon]

"It's obvious you were attempting something" the bronzerider answered bluntly, not desiring to hide behind words or dance around anything. He didn't care either. Let her try to flirt with him, let her try anything. J'rad was no fool and he wasn't quick to fall for the charms of any woman, no matter how she threw herself at him.

J'rad wanted to sigh in relief as the woman left after thanking him. Love? What a meaningless word for such a woman to use. Though he did turn his head to give her notice as she left. She was starting to learn. No, he didn't care what her name was. Would it come in handy later on? He doubted it, and he didn't care whether it would or wouldn't. The bronzerider, however, couldn't help but give this woman a slight interest in some of her responses. She didn't prove herself an entire waste or annoyance. J'rad simply shrugged his shoulders and walked off.

J'rad? Arcaith was dying to know what was going on. The bronze was as nosey as ever. I'm heading back to our weyr, I'll tell you then. Be patient. J'rad's voice was a grumble, irritated at the bronze being so impatient and nosey. Though, like J'rad was to talk. The bronzerider wasn't one for patience. But as for this woman. Would they cross paths again? More than likely.

[anhydrous]

[[scene closed!]]