Sketching and Seething in the Sun (open)

[Xinnai]

K'houry beamed and nodded, accepting the sketch eagerly and looking at it reverently. He looked up again at the girl and the nodded once more, rapidly gaining control of himself. He'd be embarrassed for himself later. For now he was just delighted by this child's toy and the promises that accompanied.

"Right, fine. That sounds acceptable." He nodded, smiled at her tentatively and then dashed off to Finneth. He shoved the sketch under her nose, almost hopping with glee. "Look, darling, look! It's you and me."

Finneth bent closer, eyes whirling with happy colors. She gave her dragon's laugh, head curving over her rider's shoulder. I look quite pretty, don't I? She's very good. I like her.[/color]

"Yes, well," K'houry muttered brusquely, "she's quite good with some tools and fiddling but she still looks like a-"

K'houry-mine, I don't think it would do to call her such names anymore. She was quite good to you, considering you looked like some raving lunatic over there. And she did do a splendid job.

The crotchety old rider sighed and then nodded, still looking at the sketch. "I suppose you're right," he muttered. "And she did promise to do a painting of you."

Really? That'll be wonderful!

"It will, won't it?" K'houry beamed and then carefully slipped the painting into a pocket in his tunic, very careful not to fold it at all. It was going to be treasured until he died. And then some.

[anhydrous]

Watching K’houry saunter off, Althesia picked a place where two boulders met and carefully hid her sketchbook. It wouldn’t do to get it wet (or stolen), especially with her bronzer’s dragon steadily approaching. The previous splash had clearly not been forgotten. Leaning against a rock with a careful sigh, Althesia glanced back to J'rad's sulking form.

He spoke just loud enough that the girl heard him, and she wasted no time answering him quite sternly. “I’m looking at you, of course.” With her hands on her hips, the harper let a smile break through her frown as she turned her attentions to the much friendlier boy. “Although,” she called out to the dragon warmly, “I’d much rather look at that big beautiful bronze of yours!” She waggled her fingers at him happily, hoping to draw the dragon nearer.

If there was a way to spark her bronzer’s attentions, loving up his dragon would have to be it. It was clear that dragonriders were quite attached to their mounts. Hell, that insane greenrider had been placated by a mere reproduction of his lovely girl. “So,” she directed at J’rad, “would you like my help or not?”

[dragon]

"I was talking to Arcaith", J'rad said with a grunt. How unpleasing his face could look. He'd definently be one to scare small children. Which he did, actually. "You can see my bronze now, can't you?", was his rather blut question. That was J'rad, never one to mince words, simply say it how it is. It was a rather straight forward attribute equipped to his feeling of disinterest in pretty much everything.

Arcaith, however, started to approach the girl. You are quite an interesting female. I must apologize for my rather...anti-social rider. The dragon's voice was smooth and pleasing, yet still as demanding and bold as any other bronze. The bronze was practically out of the water now, much to J'rad's discontent. Ridermine. Would you allow this one to help in washing me? The job would be done in record time if you allowed such a thing. Would this not be a wasted effort if you didn't do such a thing? The bronze certainly knew how to appease his rider when the time called for it and the clever Arcaith just opened a window of opportunity for his rider, poor J'rad just didn't know it. But Arcaith knew his rider would warm up in time and this girl was going to be his key to doing so.

"Yes. Arcaith agrees. You can help wash him", J'rad looked over to Althesia, finally, and nodded to her. He then turned to look at his dragon and wave him back into the water. The bronze complied with his rider and walked gracefully back into the water, obviously showing off for this woman. He did enjoy being complimented and attention was always something pleasing. J'rad followed his bronze into the water, waving for Althesia to follow. He then began scrubbing the bronze yet again, still not happy with what the dragon did to him earlier, but most of his anger starting to settle now. If nothing else, he got a helping hand out of all this and that would just mean this would go even quicker. The bronzerider had to admit, Arcaith did have his moments.

[anhydrous]

Althesia was unprepared to hear Arcaith’s words in her head, the sound enveloping her consciousness like liquid metal. “Thank you, Arcaith,” she said breathlessly. Fending off the apology, the harper was overcome with the want to please this great beast. “Don’t worry about our love,” she said with a wink as she picked up a cloth, “He’ll come around eventually.” It was with a satisfied smile that Althesia offered an upturned hand, meaning to give the dragon’s eyeridge a scratch while she scrubbed a small portion of his serpentine neck.

It was strange to feel so beholden to the bronze, having heard nothing more than a sparse sentence. She was accustomed to being completely dependent, and she wasn’t quite sure how she felt about the new sensation. It was unfamiliar, although not entirely undesirable. Her gaze softened fondly as she studied the intense whirl of the bronze’s eyes.

Arcaith was commanding, domineering, and yet kind. For a moment she let her thoughts wander into dangerous territory, eyes glazing as she attempted to consider just what it would be like to be bound so completely to another individual. She would never know. She wasn’t good enough. Guarding her jealousy carefully, Althesia let her eyes wander to J’rad’s oblivious form. He would never know just how good he had it.

[dragon]

J'rad's expression showed annoyance at that term. "That term again. Using it so loosely", the bronzerider spat out the words. His stomach churned at hearing her say such things. Did she really get so much pleasure out of using such a term? It's not like she meant it or it held much meaning to her. It annoyed him to no end. But mine. You allow me to use such a term. Arcaith spoke solely to him. J'rad sighed mentaly and nudged the bronze's mind. There's an obvious difference between the way she says it and the way you say it. For her it's just a meaningless term, a game of hers. You actually have meaning behind it when you say it. J'rad explained to his dragon as he scrubbed away on the dragon's back.

Arcaith moved his head so that the woman could scratch him, as she offered. How he enjoyed the attention of this one. If only J'rad would allow her to give him similiar attention. You can't know that for sure. You assume many things, silly rider. You're so quick to assume the worst in others. The bronze argued back, still keeping the thoughts between him and J'rad alone. J'rad scrubbed a bit harder. And I'm usually right Arcaith. He paused for a moment to look the woman over. Nice figure, to be sure. She could definently please any man, that was obvious. But J'rad wasn't just any man. He then looked away and back to scrubbing. And I am right about this one as well. The bronze snorted, displeased with his rider's answer. So proud. So sure of yourself. You'll be proved wrong yet. The dragon snapped back, but J'rad said nothing more. He decided, instead, to focus on cleaning this beast and be rid of the chore, allowing the rest of the day to be a relaxing one.

But boy was it hot. J'rad almost wished Arcaith would throw him back in the water. Is that a request? The bronze was happy to chime in. No, it most certainly is not! Beads of sweat began to form as he scrubbed Arcaith. He unknowingly wiped away a few forming on his forehead, as if it were simple reflex. He would be done with this area soon though, and would be back in the water. He just needed to hurry and finish.

[anhydrous]

Althesia was pleased that Arcaith had dipped his head to her, and she obliged by scratching quite thoroughly at the offered ridge. His skin was soft to her touch, and significantly more pleasing than the rough words her bronzer was spitting. “Loosely?” she replied absently, turning her attention away from the dragon and towards his rider. “I haven’t said it to anyone but you,” she assured sweetly, mockingly batting her eyes.

With the softest sigh she studied J’rad, leaning against Arcaith’s hide with the soaked cloth in her hand. “Perhaps if I knew your name, I could call you that instead.” Would he even tell her? She hadn’t the faintest idea. This bronzerider was made of something different, something angry and stubborn. Distracted, or perhaps hoping to spare herself from another irritated glare, Althesia glanced down to her soaked skirts and plucked at the fabric plastered to her legs.

[dragon]

"Oh? Is that a fact? You'll have to excuse the skepticism then", were the bronzerider's taunting, sarcastic words as he looked over the woman yet again. Could she be so serious? Her words didn't seem valid to him. You'll have to excuse my rider. He's not use to such attention. Arcaith spoke only to the woman, but his tone was a teasing manner, no matter how true it may or may not have been. If J'rad's posture wasn't so sour then perhaps females would be all over him. His rank and power alone would attract numerous women. Though, was J'rad so shallow? Certainly not! Did he expect others to be so shallow? Yes he did. Arcaith let out a pleasing croon as Althesia scratched him in just the right spot.

"You choose now to ask my name? I thought you were so content with the one you gave me. Change of heart?", J'rad asked, obviously placing some hidden emphasis on the last question. Perhaps the emphasis was on just how she did feel about him? Perhaps. J'rad wasn't one for games and teasing after all. The bronzerider was blunt, straightforward. Deciding he had enough of washing Arcaith's back, he slid down beside Althesia. If she annoyed him so much, then why endure her company? It was certainly something no one would expect of J'rad. He didn't keep anyone around him long enough unless he was business. Maybe it was because she was so interested in the only love of his life, Arcaith. That seemed likely. But was it something more?

He bent his knees and splashed some water across his face, cooling himself off then stood up again to scrub Arcaith. This beast certainly had hide to spare, it seemed. So much scrubbing, J'rad never did enjoy this. Yet he stood side by side to the woman helping him and Arcaith. The moment of quiet seemed to give away the obvious fact he did not give his name. Certainly J'rad wasn't one to drag things out and it would only be an annoyance in the future if he didn't. But he did not give out his name. He simply parried the request with questions of his own, avoiding the strike like this were some fancy fencing match. What purpose lay in not giving out his name? Surely J'rad had one.

[anhydrous]

Althesia ignored J’rad’s testy comments, instead focusing on the happy response her scratching had evoked. Even if her bronzer didn’t like the attention, it was clear that his dragon did. “I’m sure he could get used to it,” she whispered upwards, not sure it was polite to talk inwardly with someone else’s dragon, -or if she would even be able to.

The fact remained that J’rad wanted little to do with this flirtatious woman. She knew it, so why did she stay? Was it the challenge? Or maybe it was nice, for once, to meet a man who was unaffected by her charms. Althesia didn’t quite know, her own mind running circles around the possibilities of why she was so drawn to stay. Scrubbing gently at Arcaith’s forearm, the harper chose silence to answer J’rad’s parrying questions. She didn’t know the answer.

After a moment she glanced sideways, a quiet thought traveling the short distance between them. “Perhaps I’m not trying to change my own heart.” It was innocently spoken, without the sarcasm or implied humor of her usual words. Whether it be the mood or the company, something was making the harper act quite strangely today. She almost regretted annoying her bronzer, almost.

[dragon]

Oh yes. I agree. Replied the ever talkative bronze. His voice seemed like a brazen whisper, as if the gossip was to be kept only between the two. Like J'rad could hear him though. The bronze was keeping his side of the conversation strictly between beast and woman. He's just a tough man to get through to. The bronze added in afterthought to her. Arcaith had tried for so long to get J'rad to change and it had only produced slight results. But now, he seemed to have found a partner in crime. He cared not if the woman somehow ended up staying with J'rad. Even if it were only briefly, if they played right, the change could be made. And in the end, that's all Arcaith wanted.

J'rad grunted in disapproval. "You sound like my Arcaith", the man spoke sharply, as though that weren't an entirely good thing. True enough he had such pestering conversations with the bronze, but had Arcaith roped the girl in some plot of his? That couldn't be it. J'rad nudged off the thought and continued scrubbing. You make that sound like a bad thing! The dragon spoke in a form of mock surprise at his rider's words, allowing both man and woman to hear him. Truth be told, he expected such a thing from his rider. J'rad couldn't help but smirk. "It is", he spoke roughly, though amusement obvious in his tone. The bronze beast simply snorted at his reply.

[anhydrous]

Althesia listened carefully to the way the dragon and his rider bantered, more than happy to be included in the carefully managed smirks and terse disapproval. The subtle amusement that colored J’rad’s last words was enough to coax her into digging for more. There was something distinctly sweet about his strong features when they weren’t set in a scowl.

With her cloth dabbing at the bronze’s sickly sharp claws, the harper mused inwardly with a satisfied smile. "Interesting that he compares me to you,” she shared privately with Arcaith, hoping that J’rad was too busy distracting himself with scrubbing to notice.

It seemed that Althesia had stumbled into a private argument that the two had shared for turns, and she was quite content to play devil’s advocate. “Why do you suppose he’s so sardonic?” she asked Arcaith, this time loud enough to include J’rad in the conversation. She was interested to hear the dragon's reply, considering he knew her bronzer better than anyone else could ever hope to.

[dragon]

"It wasn't a compliment", J'rad spoke simply. He was now focusing on one of the dragon's legs, bending his knees to scrub better. Arcaith lavished in being scrubbed by two people. This, by far, had to be the best washing he had.

"Sardonic? Now why would you ask such a thing?", J'rad spoke up, easily overhearing her. What business was it to her? Perhaps he would humor her? Maybe with a bit more prodding, he would. "If you expect me to answer such things, it won't be in such a public setting", he replied, as if answering his own question. Was he asking to see her again? J'rad? Couldn't be. But Arcaith sure was pleased enough to hear such a response. Truth be told, the bronzerider really had no hidden meaning behind it. It was simple fact, he wouldn't answer such personal questions in such a public area where these things could be overheard.

[anhydrous]

Althesia’s answer was just as sharp as J’rad’s question, her words stinging in their obviousness. “Because if I hope to cure you, I must know what ails you.” She stepped back, carefully folding her washcloth and draping it over Arcaith’s now gleaming forearm. Her mind buzzed as her bronzer snapped his various qualms, and she struggled not to frown at him.

With a hand on her hip, signaling that she was quite done helping wash this great beast if the man she was assisting wasn’t even going to talk to her, Althesia stared in J’rad’s stubborn direction. “If not here, then where, do you suggest?” She didn’t dare twist the question into a sort of suggestive drawl like she usually did, instead matching the bronzer’s impatient tone. Perhaps if she spoke in his language, he might be able to understand her a bit better.

[dragon]

J'rad raised an eyebrow at such a statement. "Cure me? What makes you think I need such a thing?" he asked arrogantly, as if there was nothing wrong with the way he was. Arcaith only snorted in dissatisfaction. He had so enjoyed being washed and getting so much attention, now his rider just had to spoil that.

J'rad stuffed the cloth in a pocket of his shorts and crossed his arms. "I'd make a suggestion but you may take it the wrong way", J'rad spoke sharply, letting Althesia know exactly where and what he was talking about. He wouldn't be so foolish as to say his weyr outright. He couldn't have her thinking the wrong thing, for J'rad didn't desire such a thing. But if she wanted him to talk of such private things, it would have to be in a place he felt secure and that was his weyr. Anywhere else and someone else, unwanted, might would hear. J'rad didn't desire such a thing. Arcaith was now clearly annoyed that the two stopped scrubbing him, desiring the attention he wanted. Though, the beast knew that the washing was pretty much finished. There weren't many more places to scrub clean. Still, he felt such attention was nice while it lasted.

[anhydrous]

Althesia let Arcaith’s dissatisfied snort answer J’rad’s arrogant question, and leaned against the bronze’s hide with a quizzical look glazing her features. “Are you inviting me to your weyr, bronzerider?” The way he spat his words made it quite clear that he would appreciate no advances, but this was certainly a step in the right direction.

Inwardly, Althesia fretted. She didn’t really know what she was doing. For the first time in a long time, she was second-guessing herself. Why did she care what this bronzerider thought of her? Why was it so important to change his mind, what did she care if he thought her intolerable? The woman sighed at the muddle of questions sloshing around in her head, an unplaceable buzzing in her chest making thinking all the more difficult.

[dragon]

J'rad rolled his eyes and huffed in irritation. "I should have expected such a response", he answered her question with frustration. Couldn't she be serious even for a bit? If she was so intent on "curing" him then perhaps she should be a bit more serious about it. "Don't get any ideas. It's not as distasteful as you make it sound. If you wish to "cure" me of whatever you think ails me, then it'd do for a bit of seriousness on your part" he added, clearly not liking her response and clearly stating his own opinion. She must enjoy irritating him so. But he couldn't help but question why he'd invite this woman to his personal space. He'd never done such a thing before. Perhaps it was because she was the first who seemed truely interested in who he was and not what he was? Such a thing certainly wasn't displeasing to him in comparison.