Perhaps a little too routine. (J'fel)

[neopanther]

Chores done, lessons over for the day, and a day of laundry a day past, Ez'ki was starting to sink back into the regular routine he and Xyruth had struck up. There was a particular rock in the weyrbowl, about five hundred yards from the weyrling barracks, that Ez'ki found to be a rather peaceful place, it was out of the way of the comings and goings - just out of sight of the entry of the barracks, not protruding enough for it to be in t he way off a landing dragon, so it was rather well situated for a quiet respite.

Xyruth would usually accompany him – depending on how harsh the days’ weyrling training had been for the blue. This evening, however, Ez’ki was not graced with his bonded’s company. Ez sat silently on the rock, looking out at the sun as it began to slowly dip towards the horizon, wind picked up a little, played with his currently waving long red hair – having had it all tied up for the fighting practice was giving the red locks waves. A fact Ez’ki didn’t like but he would cope – it was better than the option of cutting it all off.
The sky was just beginning to darken, it was perhaps six, maybe seven, but it was hard to tell considering the way Ez could totally lose himself in his thoughts. His knees drawn to his chest he gave a long sigh, stretched out his arms, and arched his back stretching out any kinks that had formed from his statuesque pose. He drummed his fingers against the rock for a moment – still gloved, his hands were too dry from washing and bleaching the other day. The night was just beginning to turn cold, he was in two minds to just sit there regardless of the decreasing temperature, or to go back in, have a laugh and a joke with the other weyrlings before he turned in. Shards but his life had become rather dull since arriving here. He was in his cot most nights before midnight, and risen around sunrise. And in comparison to before, when he was lucky if he was home before sunrise, let alone in bed before such a time.

He yawned, absent minded, but he was tired, though it wasn’t a looming imperative at that moment, he knew it would be best to wait, else he’d be up even earlier. And then he’d be grouchy-er tomorrow. He had been a little skittish recently, his moods swinging intermittently, from one to another with little warning, but he wasn’t showing it as much. He had a funny feeling it was to do with the over flowing amount of energy supplied by his bonded.

His mind had settled for staying just a little bit longer the colours of the sunset would start drifting into place soon, and that was always pretty this time of year.

[Omnia Munda]

In his spare time, Jordeth surveyed his domain. He was interested in the activities of his wingmates, of those riders outside his wing, of silky-subtle Pelegaoth... and especially the comings and goings of the weyrlings. He made a habit of watching them all now that he had the weyrleader's ledge, though the one he'd had before had afforded a better view. It was a habit, he felt, that befit his station.

So Jordeth knew other peoples' habits, too. He knew, for example, that Ez'ki and Xyruth preferred the flat-topped rock for watching the sun sink behind the wall of the bowl. Though his rider was content in the knowledge that Salina's perspective would be revised by conversation with Aderes, Jordeth was not; he wished for more than a junior weyrwoman out of this deal. He wanted another riding pair in his gold-and-smoke dragonhide pocket.

They'd discussed it before and J'fel had given in. "Let me at him on his own," the weyrleader had grumbled. "Without Xyruth." The bronze was not ecstatic about this arrangement, but he let it stand - and true to his word, when Ez'ki went to the rock alone, Jordeth notified J'fel of his chance.

The sun was half-gone behind the wall of the bowl, casting ruddy hues across the sky, when the telltale sound of boots on dirt announced to Ez'ki the approach of another person. J'fel watched for the likely turn of head, the raise of eyes; he had a salute and a grin ready for reply.

"Looks like it's going to be a great sky tonight," he said. "Mind if I join you?"

[neopanther]

He winced mentally. Shard it. He could recognise that smooth voice from a mile away. J’fel. He kept his posture as relaxed as could be, showing no signs of irritation by the other males presence. But J’fel asked if he minded him joining him, but it wasn’t as though Ez’ki could turn around and say ‘actually, I do mind, bugger off. Though it was close. Bang went his peace and quiet.
“Sure thing.” He said, enthusiastic words with no tone to match. Ez’ki didn’t comment on the other part, he knew that was idle chatter, it was just odd how the Weyrleader was catching the same thoughts as he himself was. It made Ez’ki a little uncomfortable, he glanced around as he stretched himself out of his curled position, sitting in a relatively normal manner now. Ez slid both legs down left his hands where they were, palms against the rock, though he shifted his grip slightly, so he gripped the edge a little better, it might stop him from getting to irritated at whatever this gentleman had to say. He forced himself not to even think bad things about the Weyrleader it would only aggravate himself, his currently sleeping dragon, and guarantee to make the situation a lot more difficult. If he had to endure the presence of this man he would do it, and he would try his darned hardest to be civil, it would only satisfy the man otherwise to have a good excuse to be rid of him.

But as he’d looked around, he’d spotted, no dragon. So the Weyrleader had come down alone had he? Wise or otherwise, Ez’ki found the idea odd, the man was rarely seen without his bond, and he almost certainly wouldn’t have been seen without the brutishly sized bronze if he had any intentions of picking bones with Ez. His mind was working a little too hard on the matter, but he took it as a good sign.

[Omnia Munda]

Ez'ki's lack of enthusiasm was evidently lost on the weyrleader - or, more likely, J'fel did not deign to take note of it. Instead he took up a place beside the rock, glanced down to spot a place where his hand could rest without being too close to the weyrling that was there first, and put his hand there. Thus supported, Jfel leaned. He stared into the sky, watching the colors change. It was exactly as his words and actions had promised: the illusion of companionship, if not the truth of it.

"Nice to have a little quiet," he observed, and then allowed a little more of it.

When he felt there'd been enough quiet, J'fel asked, "What've you got against me?"

He didn't move, didn't look over. He hadn't even taken his eyes off the sky.

[neopanther]

If it was nice to have some quiet why was the Weyrleader so intent on disturbing his? Ez’ki glanced sideways, a smirk formed, he shook his head, a bemused huff off a laugh escaped him for a moment. What did Ez’ki have against him? As though the Weyrleader didn’t know! What did he care anyway?

He looked down at the grass for a moment, scratch at the back of his neck not sure how to respond, “it’s not that I have anything against you, I just.” He paused, “I just don’t like what you’re doing. That’s all.” He relented into his peace and quiet being broken, “I don’t know you, I’m not going to judge you, shards it’d be stupid to do that to the person who’s roof I’m effectively sleeping under.” He shook his head, “I’m no fool, I might seem it because I’m arrogant and prideful, but I’m no idiot.” His tone was deadpan. He opened his mouth to speak again, closed it, shook his head and diverted his attentions to the floor, it would pay to be a little candid around t he Weyrleader shards the only thing that was keeping Ez on track was the man’s rank.

But not a word of it was a lie. He didn’t dislike J’fel, he just hated what he was doing to Sassie. He wasn’t stupid enough to go making an enemy of the man who could turf him out easier than an old pair of socks with no questions asked. “Is that why you came here? To ask that?” He queried in return. One question one answer, and a question in return, fair was fair was it not?

[Omnia Munda]

J'fel stood as if impassive, as though quite enchanted with the colors of the sky. It was that display he watched, not Ez'ki's; little details like the opening of a mouth and wordless closing of it, shakes of head and scratches of neck were lost, it seemed, on the weyrleader. His expression was unconcerned - yet it could not be said he looked distant. He was listening, and it was only when the blueling asked a question that J'fel seemed to feel he'd been invited to turn his head and look at Ez'ki. This he did.

"In part," he replied readily enough. There was a hint of a smile in his gaze, but he'd kept it off of his lips; the result was a warm kind of seriousness. "I also came to talk about weyrling training, about your fellows in the barracks, and other things that might concern us both right now."

He allowed, suddenly, the smile. "But I'm not ready to change the subject yet." The smile disappeared; its purpose had been only to warm the gentle rebuff inherent in those words. J'fel's expression was serious again when he lobbed the next question in their volley.

"Were you lovers, before the hatching?"

[neopanther]

He had left his attentions with the floor, not turning to return the gaze of the Weyrleader, He didn’t feel comfortable with the man, and it kind of showed in his posture. He listened, apparently the man was there to talk of what little ‘common ground’ they shared. But as he moved on, Ez’ki found himself flabbergasted. His jaw hung slack for a moment in pure shock of what the man had said. He found his head shaking slowly from side to side without him even realising it, he gave a bemused laugh, what a conclusion! Though he could gather the fact that they were incredibly close and that conclusion could have been drawn.

“No.” He finally added as his senses were coming around to him again, as opposed to the overwhelming incorrect question posed by the Weyrleader. “I ... don’t see her like that, maybe when I first met her I thought it.” He confessed, then with a shrug, “But when we started talking it just wasn’t like that, we were to close, despite having never met before then.” Now he met the Weyrleader’s eyes, making a strong statement that was a challenge as much as anything, “She’s like my sister.” If the Weyrleader had the mind to figure that Ez’ki was referring to Salina before now, he must recognise what that statement conveyed, that he was going to protect her from whatever would hurt her, and he seen J’fel as one of those. Ez’ki shook his head again, looked away from the man, Again he returned his question with another.

“What about you?” His tone degenerated, and he felt his fists tighten on the edge off the rock, he still didn’t look over at him, he didn’t trust himself depending on what answer J’fel gave. He cared for Sassie too much, he truly did think of her as like his sister, obviously she was an addition to his family, and she’d never replace his own little sister, he was just incredibly close to Salina, in ways he didn’t usually get close to girls. She was different to him. When he had kissed her, she wasn’t the same, there was no trill, there was no lust, nothing, it had confused him initially – like for a while he thought he wasn’t working properly anymore or something. He found the idea amusing now.

But no matter what – he wouldn’t see her hurt if he could do anything about it.

[Omnia Munda]

Such a small question, thought the weyrleader as he took on the task of listening once more, yet such a long answer. There was more to it, he was certain, that Ez'ki did not share - or himself understand or admit. For now, however, J'fel contented himself with hearing every word the blueling saw fit to share, his head tipping a little through the process to convey his attentiveness. When a question ended Ez'ki's reply, the bronzerider smiled.

"Not before," came the answer, easily. "We'd barely met. Of course, I'm at I'dalyn's mercy now: Salina'll have no lovers at all, least of all me, for months." His mouth twisted; his smile had become rueful but amused.

"She's really a woman grown." Now J'fel turned his head away, lifting his gaze again to the painted sky. This time there was a sense that he was extra attentive to his peripheral vision, fully aware of the weyrling's tells. "How does she take to you being the big brother?"

[neopanther]

Not before? But he certainly had been grooming her before the hatching, and at I’dalyn’s mercy? Shards to that, it sounded as though he’d have had her by now if it weren’t for the fact she impressed! But now that was just an added convenience. Another gold rider, so if he and Aderes didn’t get along, then he had another for back up. He added a cimment to what the weeyrleader said,

"I don't think Sassie wants a lover, she wants some one to love her," He only knew that because the girl was a typical sixteen year old, she wanted the attention, to feel loved and wanted, she hadn't got to that stage yet, physical was a sideaffect, and she probably didnt realise it herself but she only wanted to feel loved.

But – he refrained from saying this aloud, it would probably offend the guy, not that Ez’ki personally cared, but he could make things very hard for them if he so desired. But then he smirked, still looking at the grass. Remembering the ‘fight’ the pair off them had had. “mmm, it was a little hit and miss. But, that’s because to begin neither of us were used to each other, but we were just really too close to be friends.” He explained in a limp-wristed manner, not overly like himself at all, his eloquence failing him a little. He stretched, “It’s strange when you get thrust into a relationship where you feel closer than your knowledge of the other person should let you be,” He shook his head, “Though, I will confess we had an argument, over you actually.” He smirked glancing sideways to see how the Weyrleader would take that. Saying it as though the last part was going to be a revelation to the Weyrleader. Likely it wouldn’t, but he’d like to see the reaction anyway.

[Omnia Munda]

It was good timing for staring at the sky. Doing so helped J'fel keep his expression mannered, no matter how much he'd have liked to snort. For a moment he had a vision of repeating the weyrling's words - 'doesn't want a lover, wants someone to love her' - to his agemates in the wing and of the great waves of laughter it would bring. He pushed it away: a weyrleader was above such things. He'd neither make a mockery of Ez'ki nor deride Salina's heart, but that didn't stop him from having to work a little to keep his mouth from curling up in amusement at the hackneyed phrase. "Mmm," he said through those closed lips, as though he gave the notion thought - and of course he did, for experience taught him that what Ez'ki said was true of most girls, however corny the words.

All of this distracted him for some time from the fact that Ez'ki had called the weyrwoman Sassie.

What he noticed instead was the fact that he was being baited. The weyrling said they'd had a fight, he and his sisterly friend, over him. J'fel let his gaze slip sideways, and now he allowed himself to smirk.

"Why," he asked, too droll to be serious. "I thought it was Salina you were jealous about, not me."

Then it hit him: the contrast in what they'd each called the girl in question. Abruptly the bronzerider's brows flew up, crooked in their surprise. "Wait," he said, turning his head, more serious, his very action proving (if it wasn't obvious before) that his jest about jealousy had been only that - a jest - and that it was no real topic of talk. But this was. "You call her Sassie?"

[neopanther]

Ez’ki’s eyes momentarily widened in some descript of horror. Then he laughed, he had thought the Weyrleader had been serious for a moment, shards but this was an odd conversation to be holding with the Weyrleader. “Yes, sir,” He said with a slightly edgey tone, similar in respect to J’fel’s “it’s something like that sir,” too demure for Ez, he smirked and shook his head, a light laugh escaped, “No offence Weyrleader you’re not my type.” He laughed again. Shards but Salina would find that funny. He wasn’t into guys, that didn’t really appeal to him. J’fel was a good looking guy but not quite what Ez’ki might on an off day consider.

Ez’ki found himself blushing a little for some unknown reason, at the next question. Well less unknown, more that no one had ever raised it before, he did call her that, it had just slipped in, and stayed. “Yeah.” He looked away. “it’s just a nickname. I don’t mean anything by it, not like she’s sassy.” He tried to explain himself and failed – again, where Salina was concerned, he didn’t find it very easy, less so around J’fel, to explain himself. He shrugged, perhaps there was now a tone of jealousy present with the Weyrleader? Now wasn’t that a turn of events. “You never had a nickname? Aww, no one loved little J’fel-ly enough for that?” He said with a smirk, coddling the bronze rider with his tone.

He looked at the floor, bemused smile on his lips, a short ‘ha’ came from his lips, he didn’t expect a reply to the last part, at all. He mused for a moment, perhaps J’fel wasn’t as bad as she had thought, Ez would never see him near Sassie, but like this, he was okay. He felt a small pang of guilt – minute as sit was he thought he should address it, for being off with him during lessons. “Here. Eh, J’fel? I did mean to be rude to you in lessons, but you’re like me, you’d probably have done the same. It’s not a normal thing for me to be lectured, let alone by someone who’s about my age. You might have guessed but I’m not used to having to obey authority, rules and such.” He shrugged, that was as close to an apology as J’fel was going to get, and besides now Salina would be happy that he wasn’t sitting there glaring at J’fel every time he entered the room. He cleared his throat. “Come on then, tell me about you, what did you do before you were a rider then? Before you were J’fel, when you were Jafel, or Jusorafel, or whatever your name was before you impressed to Jordeth.”He didn’t care much for idle talk, but it couldn’t do anything but help to know something of the Weyrleader.

[Omnia Munda]

J'fel's expression turned dark at Ez'ki's jest; for a moment he was silent, and then he raised a brow. Little J'fel-ly did not, evidently, win marks with the weyrleader.

He felt they'd said enough, and he was just beginning to think about saying a farewell and departing when the weyrling started in with that awkward 'Here.' On that, J'fel looked over again, and as the bluerider seemed to be so earnest, he put on his 'listening' face, solemn and attentive. That this speech was not an apology was not lost on him - but he hadn't come seeking apology.

"But everyone obeys authority, Ez'ki," he objected, "Even the rich." Take that, he thought. I know more than you think. It was a childish satisfaction, but J'fel felt satisfied nonetheless. "Your parents, if no one else," he offered with a shrug of his own to answer the weyrling's.

He broke a grin, then, and offered as if it was a secret between them: "And I would have saved my rudeness for a time when the weyrlingmaster wasn't watching." A flicker of those thick but agile brows punctuated the remark.

"Janifel," he offered. "And I was nicknamed Jan." Two answers for the price of one.

[neopanther]

“Parent’s?” Ez’ki questioned, brows furrowed, “not really” Ez shook his head at the weyrleader’s tone, recognising that J’fel was trying to prove a point, Ez’ki would prove his in return. “I’ve pretty much been let do what I want throughout my life, it’s just the way I was reared, older brother was there to take over the family business, and my gorgeous little sister was there to be gorgeous and coddled, side-effect of not being needed I guess.” His tone was ponderous but uncaring, “no, I’ve rarely ever had anyone that I’ve actually listened to, maybe one or two who’ve earned my respect. I don’t see why I should respect someone who I do not feel warrants that respect.” Ez’ki shrugged, “Besides, I actually like I’dalyn, you – however didn’t create a great impression before I was in your company.” casually gliding over the fact that J’fel hadn’t seemed to impressed at his attempt of a nickname.

“Janifel? A bit convoluted, but guess its no bad name.” Ez had a strange thing about names, it was easy to tell, and to judge a person’s strength by the strength of their name, Janifel didn’t sound particularly strong, but it wasn’t too much the other way either. “Depending on who you talked to with me depended on what they called me,” He winked, “I’ll spare you the details.”

“so you’re here for idle talk?” E’ki added again filling a bridge in his mind, “I’m not generally appreciative of small talk sir, that is, if there is a more pressing matter at hand.” Ez'ki looked over at J'fel. A little bored perhaps, but he had a feeling there was something the man wantedto say that he hadn't quite got to yet.

[Omnia Munda]

What J'fel was hearing troubled him. His mind raced, hunting for words I'dalyn's father had said while Ez'ki went on about his name, his 'small talk.' Inattentive, he scribbled in a mental notebook. Self-righteous. But still he struggled to think of what I'den had said about respect.

"You're the one that asked after my past," he noted absently, his interest apparently no greater than the bluerider's - that the weyrling had tried to dismiss him was noted also, presumptuous, and then he remembered the old weyrlingmaster's words.

J'fel drew a great breath and turned toward the weyrling. His expression was solemn again - even disappointed.

"There's a difference between respect and behaving respectfully, Ez'ki. Respect is held in your heart. Respectfulness is in your mind and your manner. A confident man won't let his behaviour undermine his relations with those who might yet prove to be his allies."

He drew another breath. "So take your time letting people earn your respect; I don't mind. But so long as you want to remain in this Weyr, you'll be respectful to everyone you meet - strangers most of all."

The weyrleader's mouth was grim. "It's sundown. Go to the barracks."

[neopanther]

“Oh that I know, but you were the one who said that you had other things to ask, or converse over. However.” Ez’ki stood, gave a low, yet ironic bow, standing straight he was easily taller than J’fel would have been even when standing. “Those questions or whatever you intended to talk about are obviously unimportant.”
He started to walk, before he turned again at J’fels further words. “Sir, hate to say it, but you’re about the only one I’ve not been civil to upon meeting, and I think I was a little justified, even if the situation wasn’t quite correct, you’ve had my apologies, I doubt any other has had a problem with me, I’ve not been rude to anyone else. I know how to tend the flower of alliance where I feel it necessary. I’m no fool.” Except for being rude to K’mar, but K’mar started that. And well he really didn’t count. Not in Ez’ki’s opinion.
“I’ll admit my faults, I may be a little pompous, arrogant, uncaring – no that’s not even the right word, unconcerned for those who are not involved with me, but I’m rarely rude, unless someone warrants it Weyrleader – sir.” Ez felt riled again it was like they were too similar to get a snippet of conversation going. “The sun is a long way from set sir, but never fear, I had no intention of leaving my bonded for any longer.” Lest for your company, Ez felt riled. He was irritated by him, it wasn’t exactly fair that he could just dismiss someone like that. If anything the Weyrleader was as similar to Ez as possible only he had the advantage that he was a king rider, and the Weyrleader. That made things a lot easier.
Despite feeling like he was being baited, he couldn’t help but feel he wanted to prove him wrong. Prove that he wasn’t. But he couldn’t swallow his pride enough to do it. He could so snarky – and over compensating, in a way that made it obvious. But, that would likely be a bad idea, perhaps he should talk to I’dalyn. He was okay with that man. I’dalyn was strong in ways the Weyrleader wasn’t. Everywhere that J’fel wasn’t in fact, at least in Ez’ opinion.