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Post by Xinnai on Jun 24, 2008 11:31:38 GMT -8
She watched him, grey eyes dark within her face as she mirrored his pose, chin in hand, though her other arm stayed close to her side, laying across her lap as she nodded, looking fairly attentive, though the position of her mouth suggested her humor. Her hair slid down her shoulder with her movement, tumbling to puddle at her waist.
"You were right," she murmured, set to go on, but he continued speaking and she listened, eyes like melted mercury, deep and warm as she watched him, slow smile spreading as his words continued. "No, I don't think they would be," she retorted lightly, almost aloof, except for the husky tone voice had taken on.
This was dangerous territory here now. She considered it as his next words spilled out, terribly inviting, nearly irresistable. Except that she was a weyrling now, and that carried certain...responsibilities of nature with it. And the fact that the entire Weyr knew that the young weyrleader was in hopeless adoration and love with his older weyrwoman. But he didn't seem to be thinking about that right now. Still, careful, careful...
But not tonight.
The junior Weyrwoman pressed closer at his invite, that soft and solemn mask gone for now. She was bright, vibrant, alive with the game she was a key participant in. She still cupped her chin within her palm, eyes bright over the slender fingers. "Do tell me these bronzerider ways," she whispered, eyes holding his.
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Post by Omnia Munda on Jun 24, 2008 12:18:02 GMT -8
A grin appeared on J'fel's face, the flash of white teeth bright between those pretty lips. This was promising. It was better than promising - it was certain.
"Well," said the young man, pretending to be demure in dropping his gaze, lifting his chin so he could consider a single outstretched finger: the first point of several, counted out. "There's the hands, to begin with." He stretched out all of his fingers, then - his hands were broad, his knuckles smooth, tanned from flying and soft from oil - and closing them again, raised his gaze slowly, smokily to Salina's.
As he spoke and acted, a small part of his mind replayed the high of satisfaction and achievement he'd felt the day Jordeth flew Pelegaoth. He mustn't be greedy - mustn't presume to think, or lead himself to believe, that such thrill could come from both weyrwomen. But that small part of his mind refused to toe the line: it was dreaming, and the dream brought a lovely color into the weyrleader's youthfully rakish face.
He glanced, as if surreptitious (though what did he care if anyone saw? He was weyrleader here; let the other men know what roost he ruled), left and right - then fixed his endless eyes on Salina's once more. "Maybe," he grinned, voice rich and smooth, "this isn't the best place to tell all our bronzerider secrets."
Not that he'd let her go that easy. J'fel straightened a little and let his hand drop to the table, curling lazily around his drink. His voice lofted a little louder and his smile became less hungry, as though his happiness was merely congratulatory.
Salina would have to draw the connection between his manner seconds ago and the words he spoke now on her own: "I could walk you to the barracks later, when you're ready."
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Post by Xinnai on Jun 24, 2008 12:33:47 GMT -8
Salina grinned and then subsided, teeth clamping onto her bottom lip to keep the action from repeating herself, needing to look solemn at this display, the not so secret convening of Weyrleader and Weyrwoman-junior as it were. She nodded, looking as if she were being considerably impressed even as she felt that hot hunger gnaw at insides as eyes were lifted to his own, his like hers only by definition rather than color.
"Oh yes, the hands. Those would be important, wouldn't they?" A small smirk and she shifted slightly, one shoulder moved towards him. It was a small movement, but displayed her interest as well as getting her even minutely closer to the pretty man. She caught those eyes as they lifted to her and nodded slowly. "Perhaps...not."
She shifted back as he did, leaning into her chairback and nodding, flashing a vibrant smile. For show, for genuine. She settled her hands demurely into her lap and nodded. She understood. "That would be pleasant, thank you." She purposefully put herself back into that solemn, soft-eyed girl even though the one that had been shown just moments before strained against the confinement. She wanted to play and frolic, not act all dainty and fragile.
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Post by Omnia Munda on Jun 24, 2008 13:14:48 GMT -8
Salina understood. The weyrleader was certain of it, and his blood thrilled through his heart at the certainty. He remembered Jordeth's first night - the beast had slept like the dead. He could not presume too much upon the weyrling, of course, but it could do no harm to find out the taste of her lips at the least.
Like the weyrling, J'fel made himself proper. Or if not proper, at least acceptable: only a wicked flicker of desire shone in his eyes to give his intentions away. "It would be very pleasant," he agreed, the words not nearly as weighty as their meaning. "Will you excuse me until then? I trust you can find me when you're ready to go."
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Post by Xinnai on Jun 24, 2008 13:25:48 GMT -8
Salina nodded, her eyes glinting and flashing, remnants of that creature she'd been moments before. His words did not even come close to what she was sure might happen. Her entire being was craving for it. "Very pleasant," she added and then had to cup a hand over her mouth to stifle the laughter. "Pleasant" didn't even come close.
She subsided after a few moments and nodded. "Yes, of course. That I will do." She stood in a flash of blue, skirts swirling. Her eyes were mischevious to the point of evil. "Thank you for your congratulations, Weyrleader."
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Post by Omnia Munda on Jun 24, 2008 14:19:01 GMT -8
J'fel rose too, taking the cue in a split-second's time from the weyrling weyrwoman who held so much of his keen attention.
"And thank you for accepting my luck charm," he said to her by way of farewell - however short a time that farewell might be for.
He tipped fingers to his temple in salute - nothing could be more proper for a new weyrling to see from her weyrleader - then scooped up his glass and departed the table they'd briefly shared.
A turn and more. Well, it would be time enough for her to - mature, thought J'fel, not that he was at all displeased with the junior weyrwoman as she was. Was she naïve? Perhaps, but that could be nothing to him but a benefit. Was she playing with him? Perhaps, but if so, better she be so young, that the advantage in such a game be his.
J'fel downed the rest of his drink and strode through the crowd, working a crooked and weaving path that would take him eventually back to the table he'd first chosen for himself and the weyrwoman, where Genet had addressed him. Aderes, he was sure, would find him there.
Aderes, he thought, and felt the contribution of Jordeth's distant satisfaction to that musical, beautiful name. There'd be more clutches between them, he was sure, and more weyrlings to raise. Maybe by the time Salina was - carnally available, he'd no longer be a single man.
Either way, he was going to be the winner.
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Post by neopanther on Jun 24, 2008 14:34:23 GMT -8
Ez'ki had slunk off a little, she had noticed him, but the weyrleader had approached her before he had had a chance, he decided that now could, and probaly was the chance to gleen information on how the pair were, on what he thought on her, afterall, he already had growing suspicions. But, she'd never admit it. And he knew that. He would learn for himself, confirm what he already knew.
As he watched, he seen her open herself to him, like she had with Ez, just, different, she opened up to J'fel, like he dominated her existence. Which was immensely odd for the new blue rider to see, he could never imagine Sassie conquered by anyone, yet J'fel had her eating from his palm. She done exactly what was asked of her, and responded, perfectly. In J'fels boots Ez'ki would have felt that he had already staked his claim on that one.
He watched, J'fel actually corenered her, had her exactly where he needed her, and then - almost as though he felt Ez'ki watching them, he puled back, no. It wasn't that he seen Ez'ki, it was a tactic. He was actually using this to draw her in. He felt slightly flabberghasted, but there was little he could do, the weyrleader was retreating. Part of him seethed at the man, Salina was sixteen. Sixteen. Yes she was mature, but she was still so young, and J'fel was abusing that. She was a queen rider, and he just seemed to get his kicks from it. Did the man fancy himself as claiming two queens or something? Formulate his own Hareem of golden riders.
He could feel his anger boiling under the surface, he was between two minds, one told him to go after the weyrleader, tell him what he was doing was wrong, that Sassie didn't deserve it, even if they did like each other, that Ez'ki would never allow it whilst J'fel was 'weyrmated' - sharing or not - to Aderes. He could see himself losing his temper before succeeding in that plan though. He could sense that perhaps he would clout the Weyrleader before he managed to get all the way through is speech, especially if the weyrleader began to act dumb - which J'fel would blatantly be the type to do.
Ez'ki sighed, he knew he couldn't go to the weyrleader, that he would end up sore, that hewould end up with a broken fist, and a grudge to rival Faranths'. So instead he made his way over to where J'fel had sat.
"Weeeeeell," he said with elongated syllables and unimpessed tones, droping himself into the seat, and lounging back, judgement riffe on his features, "seems there's already one oaf of a bronzer after you, Sassie." He said with a meaningful glare, he divulged the meaning just incase she didn't quite catch it, "Yes... I did see, all of it, every second. So, there's no weedling out of this one my dear. Senior to me or not, you're still my little Sassie." He smirked, lifting his hand to toy with the blue feather that she wore in her hair today. A slightly more gentle expression gracing him.
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Post by Xinnai on Jun 24, 2008 15:09:13 GMT -8
Golden head dipped at the salute and Salina smiled. "Yes. Thank you for giving it to me." She watched him for a moment before turning and sitting in her chair, staring at her klah mug silently for a few moments, trying to covince herself that what had just happened had really indeed happened. She inhaled deeply, holding the breath for a few beats before letting it out in a whoosh. Just a little more than a turn...
She shook her head, reaching to pick up her mug when Ez'ki slid into the recently vacated chair. Fingers closed about the pottery and she turned to look at him, eyebrow arched and her eyes carefully innocent. "I don't know-" She stopped as he plowed on, face going incredulous before her teeth snapped together audbily, gritting against one another. She inhaled deeply, trying not to angry as he fiddled with the feather in her hair.
It was with eyes closed and teeth clenched that she asked him, "Just what...exactly did you see, Ez?" He was right. There was no squirreling out of this one. Confound it all. Why couldn't he have taken just an extra ten minutes to get ready? He would have missed it all and they could go on being happy...
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Post by neopanther on Jun 24, 2008 15:29:45 GMT -8
Ez’ki’s lips tightened to the side, in an obscure expression. What did he see? Did she really need him to go repeating it back to her? He sighed, “I saw him try and lure you in. I saw you fall in. I saw him walk away. And I saw the emotion you feel for him.” Ez’ki stopped, paused, feeling that those four small sentences summed up the entirety of what had just happened. He felt his anger heat within him again, he really was beginning to dislike J’fel, and he hadn’t even met the guy. Ez’ki felt slightly guilty on that respect, but he knew J’fel’s sort. Faranth’s sake he was one of them. And he cursed mentally kicking himself for letting Sassie get involved with such a sort.
He looked at her with pleading eyes, “Sassie... you know I want you to be happy. I’ll tell you now, he won’t make you happy. He might in the short term, but, trust me here... long run, it’ll be hell.” He shook his head, he couldn’t meet her gaze, for he felt like she might actually explode at him, full on volcano style. “He’s... well, and I’m not trying to govern you, but I care is all.” He shrugged feeling really self conscious all of a sudden, perhaps this was the first time he’d actually said this to someone who wasn’t of his own flesh and blood, after all, Jisier did not count.
He felt sorry for her, she was slowly falling into a pit, a pit where at the bottom laid a billion tunnel-snakes, all just waiting to get a good grip on her. And J’fel was one rather large Snake, just waiting, already salivating over the meal he was tempting in. “I’m sorry.” He added finally. Face looking rather guilt trodden, those golden brown eyes just laced with distaste for the situation, though there were subtle hints of his anger. It wasn’t aimed at her, but just looking at her, and thinking of what J’fel was doing to her, made him angry.
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Post by Xinnai on Jun 24, 2008 16:14:14 GMT -8
She had to inhale to not see the red that was threatening to enroach upon her vision, even behind closed lids. Her hands curled into tight fists before she relaxed them. Was that really how it had appeared? She sighed and eyes opened, watching Ez'ki as his eyes pleaded with her.
He continued on, not babbling, but not really finishing the majority of his thoughts either. She frowned, feeling still minorly irritated until he said those two magic words-"I'm sorry." She felt herself soften a little and then there was his entire face, just looking thoroughly guilty. She sighed and reached towards him, hands cupping his face and lifting his eyes to hers. She smiled.
"Ez, it's okay. Thank you for caring about me. Really." She smiled again, trying to hide her own guilt. She felt wonderful that the bluerider cared so much for and that just made the guilt all the higher, because she had no intentions of turning away. Not right now. Head tilted invitingly. "You look gorgeous, as always. What took you so long, you little demon?"
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Post by dragon on Jun 24, 2008 16:32:39 GMT -8
"Pay it no mind. I am simply out of my element", J'rad said plainly. By now his stomach growled a bit. He remembered he hadn't had a thing to eat for quite some time. Arcaith was well and fed, that's for sure. That dragon wouldn't miss a chance at filling his stomach when it pleased him. However, his thoughts were interrupted by the weyrwoman's response. "I see. I should have assumed that was the case. I was simply wondering if anything out of the ordinary happened", J'rad responded in like turn. By now he felt his stomach turning in knots. If he hadn't scolded Arcaith to keep up his side of the deal, then the bronze would be on his case yet again. J'rad paid mind to the weyrwoman's apology. "Think nothing of it. There is no need for an apology", J'rad spoke as he stood. "Pardon my interruption. I don't wish it to come off as though I do not enjoy your company, but I'm afraid I must get something to eat", J'rad gave a polite bow and wandered off to get something to eat.
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Post by neopanther on Jun 25, 2008 0:41:25 GMT -8
Ez Smirked, she was already trying to sidetrack him. She re-assured him that she was fine, that there was no necessity to his worry, and then drifted on to comment on his appearence. But, he let her, otherwise his temper would rise again. He was close to telling her how he honestly felt about the situation and that he was rather inclined to introduce his fist to J'fel - somewhere. But he would hold his tongue for a while.
"Thanks. Yes, yes Xyruth was a partial element of my problem, the other was my sheer attention to detail, and such" He shrugged, there was little other he could say, yes Xyr had been a huge distraction, but it was his own vanity that kept him in the room.
Whilst upon that subject, Ez'ki felt for Xyr's mind, it had oddly taken a backseat in his mind, which, was pretty difficult when the hatchling was as vibrant and electric as he was. He generally felt a slow breathing from the beast, that was all, sleep? You mean that dragon could sleep. Ez'ki felt a little bewildedred at the idea, but sustained it. His mind came back to the situation in hand - he hadn't quite mananged the dragon riders' art of conversing with both human and dragon yet.
"As do you, my weyrwoman" He spoke as if to remind her of something she would not be able to forget, He took a casual glance at her appearence, "You look stunning, I can see why J'fel wants his claws in you." Ez'ki smirked, knowing that it would most likely make her feel awkward. Not because of the subject, but because of how she felt for the subject.
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Post by Tabula Rasa on Jun 25, 2008 4:36:53 GMT -8
Aderes nodded as J'rad stood and excused himself and his gurgling stomach, keeping her expression serene until the man turned his back and headed for food. Only then did she allow one brow to lift slowly. Etiquette. They really had to begin teaching their bronze weyrlings etiquette right from the start. Perhaps she'd have a word with I'dalyn about that.
For now she had a hot plate in her hand and still hadn't chosen a place to sit. Be rid of the first or find the second, she chastised herself. And where was her little Weyrleader, anyhow? The weywoman could hardly be seen to be eating alone.
"As do you, my weyrwoman."
The title, or perhaps the possessive, or perhaps that the words were not directed towards her, caught Aderes's attention. Turning her head just a little, she observed what seemed to be a heated conversation between Telgar's newest weyrwoman and one of the bluriding weyrlings.
"You look stunning, I can see why J'fel wants his claws in you," the boy continued on, smirking smugly at his own daring.
She balanced her plate carefully so that she might pluck up a single bit of roasted tuber with her other hand's fingers and nibble. Seemingly occupied, gaze turned out towards the crowd, Aderes kept one ear out for the new girl's reply. Let's see how much work we have yet to do with her.
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Post by Invisible on Jun 25, 2008 6:37:38 GMT -8
He had considered not going at all. He would have been just as content remaining in the barracks with the slumbering brown dragon that would be sharing the rest of his life with him. But his mother would be there and K’mar owed it to her to show up and let her congratulate him. Even if she had tried to talk him out of standing. The weyrling wondered if she would apologize for it. Probably not, but at least he could feel quietly guilty for trying to talk him out of standing. K’mar had taken a little care with his clothes although mostly at the urging of Volsteath. A brown shirt was worn tucked into brown pants with a red vest laced up over his shirt to give a splash of color.
There was no one he sought out when he entered the living cavern. Looking about he noticed that many, if not most, of the candidates had already arrived. K’mar’s eyes tracked this person or that and he wondered if his father was present. To be honest, which he rarely was with himself, he was not sure he would recognize him without him being pointed out. For now he drifted towards the food tables. Volsteath’s hunger had awakened his own and that one had yet to be assuaged. While he waited for a chance to get something to eat he peeked in on his sleeping brown.
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Post by Omnia Munda on Jun 25, 2008 12:16:08 GMT -8
Unaware that he was sought by his weyrwoman, the little weyrleader went on through the crowd toward the table where Genet had had her words with him. He cast an eye along the way over toward the feasting tables, beginning to feel his appetite return - hours spent in the heat of the hatching cavern always killed it and its resurrection was slow - but resisted the desire to detour.
He didn't know Aderes was looking for him, but he hoped she might be, if she hadn't been waylaid too long by her adoring public.
Looking at the food had an unexpected consequence, however: J'fel noticed Kon - K'mar, he corrected himself - drifting toward it.
Finally, thought J'fel, just as he'd thought during the hatching, though this time without the smile of delight. This time, the bronzerider's satisfaction for K'mar's impression was tainted not by that sense of something long overdue so much as the faint anxiety of concern.
He tried not to think it, the obvious thing that would make him feel better. He pressed it down into his subconscious, that inappropriate and selfish thought, and after a moment's concentration found that he'd stopped walking.
"Oh, B'santer," said J'fel as a cover, for the tall bronzerider was standing very close to him with a brow lofted and his chin tipped down. He was a good guy in J'fel's esteem, and his height certainly wasn't his fault. The pair exchanged quick observances about the hatching and a comparison of bets won and lost; then J'fel tipped a nod toward the table he'd been headed to and said, "Well, I should go save a seat for the weyrwoman. If you see K'mar - you know, Konamar - point him my way, would you?"
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