So We Need to Talk ||ALL Southern Riders||

[Zero]

Ar’rex paced back and forth, eerily illuminated by the dimglows scattered throughout the vacant office. It was late. How late though he wasn’t quite sure as keeping track of the time was the last thing on his mind at the moment. A letter had arrived the other day from Southern and it wasn’t a overly pleasant one. So naturally Rex wasn’t in a very pleasant mood at the moment, his pacing most likely being a clear give away.

Are you alright, Mine? Ar’rex groaned as his companions voice broke into his thoughts. No, he wasn’t alright. Far from it actually. His pacing slowed till he came to a stop in the center of the room and turned his head towards the window, absentmindedly playing with the leather cuff around his wrist. Sithorath, talk to your Southern brothers and tell them to tell Their’s that I wish to speak with them…now.

The blind male rumbled from the ledge outside His’ weyr but willfully gave into the request and reached for the browns of his home Weyr. Gormyth, Amiith, Sypharelth, Geth, apologies for the late intrusion but Mine wishes me to request the presence of Your’s this night. He has something of importance he wishes to discuss. After passing the message, along with the image of where Ar‘rex was currently, the blind WeyrKing settled back on his ledge with a quiet yawn after resettling his wings against his thin frame.

I have told them, Ar’rex. You should expect them soon. Ar’rex passed along feelings of thanks to his lanky companion before his pacing started up again. Scrubbing at his face, he snatched a fresh mug of klah from the platter he had called in from the kitchens and took a cautious sip of the hot liquid as he waited for the arrival of his Riders.

[Zirin]

Syphraelth had been lounging sleepily, on his couch when the call came in from Sithorath. He shifted, mulling over the message slowly before finally turning to look at his rider. The man had fallen asleep at his desk, his head resting on the reports he had been writing. He was loathe to wake his rider up, knowing how much the man needed to rest; he had been staying up later and later each night, drinking his fellis-klah . Duty called though, And Syphraelth was not one to ignore his superiors. Sithorath, Mine and I will be there shortly. GarMine, you must wake up. Sithorath's has called for us. J'degar jerked awake, confused at first as to what was going on. The cheek he had been sleeping on was numb, and his body sluggish from the effects of the fellis. Just us? He asked sleepily, to which the brown responded with the names of the other Southerners. This must be important then. Rising with a stretch, he reached for the cold mug of klah and gulped down the rest of it before making sure he was dressed well enough for the meeting.

Syphraelth angled his wings to prepare for a landing on Sithorath's ledge, though he contacted the brown before doing so. Good evening, my King. Might I share your ledge? He landed, staying still long enough for Gar to dismount before shuffling off to the edge to make room for anyone else. If Sithorath wanted him off the ledge, however, Syphraelth would be quick to leave.

J'degar entered the room, stopping only to salute Ar'rex. "Weyrleader, Sir. J'degar reporting."

[jillianna]

G'lwein straightened up from where he'd been crouching in the shadows watching the younger blue weyrling in the fields. She'd done this nightly walk with her dragon the last four nights and always chose the same path. they walked out into the middle of a field and lay in the grass, studying the stars. Somehow the girl intrigued him. She'd been among the weyrlings to have stood up to J'degar during the flight lesson. And that brute of a blue seemed more aggressive than your normal run of the mill blue. Over the time they'd been here, he'd watched the weyrlings, mentally cataloging their personalities and their actions. She had to be his favorite so far though.

It amazed him, this Trelis. A small smile flitted across his features as the girl disappeared into the grass and her dragon curled up. The weyrlings of southern were more militaristic and rigid. This one, while she showed restraint and mostly propriety in public, had moments of real carefreeness that he wasn't used to seeing. He turned to go back to the weyr when the large dark form of his dragon landed a few feet from him.

"Sithorath's own has called all my bretheren and theirs. It seems that our fearless leader has need of you."

G'lwein sighed. What now? Of course Ar'rex could have been contacted by their old home... That could prove troublesome.

He climbed up easily onto Gormyth. "Well lets go gor, cant keep the king waiting after all can we?" The normally silent brown rumbled a deep laugh as he launched himself into the air.

" You usually are the one wanting to make him wait. "

After the short flight back, Gormyth landed on the unoccupied space of Sithorath's ledge. He didn't announce their intention to actually come to the meeting. His brown brothers knew he rarely spoke when it wasn't needed to anyone but His own. He nodded to his brothers, settling on the ledge with them as G'lwein slid to the floor brushing himself off.

"Well well. J'degar. Ar'rex. To what do we owe the pleasure of the nighttime summons?" He wasn't fooling anyone. He could still see the lingering daze of sleep in J'degar's eyes and the red mark on his cheek. He looked as if he'd been awake for hours and just begun his day. He offered a half and non stuffy salute touching a finger to his brow and lounged against Ar'rex's wall.

[Zara]

Samara frowned when Amiith relayed the message to her. "Really. And where did Gl'wein go...?" Ah well... he always had late nights and early mornings. He was always keeping a sharp eye on everything. And he did a good job too. She just hoped she would actually get to spend some time with him at some point.

She sighed and stood, dressing and pulling her hair back into its customary ponytail. All her weapons were in place on her body, as always... she pulled on her gloves. Time to get going. Couldn't keep Ar'rex and the others waiting, now could she?

Should I come as well?

Samara smiled. "I think not, my darling. The ledge will likely already be full. And I think that I will be fine with Gl'wein and Gormyth around."

Amiith snorted. Sure, he trusted them. He knew his was safe because Gormyth's loved his... or so it seemed to him or whatever it was you wanted to call it... he was at least protective of her. But that didn't mean he liked the others.

Samara could feel the inner turmoil of her dragon, but she only smiled back at him and continued out the door and towards Ar'rex's weyr, stepping through the door and bowing (though, honestly, she didn't want to or feel it should be entirely necessary) to Ar'rex. "You called?"

She smiled at Gl'wein, moving to stand near him, giving him a very special and warm smile that only he would ever receive from her. It was meant only for him.

[Zero]

They’re here. Sithorath’s voice was low as he spoke to His, lifting and turning his head to regard Syphraelth as he landed on the ledge beside him. Of course, Syphraelth. The WeyrKing rumbled his greeting before shuffling over to make room for the two new arrivals as a few moments later Gormyth joined the fray as well.

Ar’rex glanced up as the first arrival strode into the room. It was J’degar and looking a little worse for wear if Ar’rex was honest. The brownrider sighed and scrubbed at his own weary face. Really he hated having to call this little gathering so late but hosting it in broad daylight wasn’t ideal either. Well they knew sacrifices had to be made and this temporary lack of sleep would just have to be one of them.

“Evenin’ Wingthird J’degar.” He returned the offered salute out of common respect though his current tiredness left his movements less sharp and precise then usual. He gestured lightly to the platter of mugs on the table, knowing full well that the man was a fan of the drink just as much as he. “Help yourself.” Ar’rex lifted his own mug to his lips and took a small sip. He wasn’t going to say anything now that he would only have to repeat later. No. Best to wait till everyone showed.

Minutes passed till anyone else showed but at least they showed. He would have hated to have sent Sithorath to track down the Southern dragons in person. G’lwein was the next to show and he was followed almost immediately by Samara. Good good, they were all here. Well mostly that is. That young bronze jockey hadn’t showed yet. Rex clenched his teeth as he felt his limited well of patience shrink. “Junior Weyrleader G’lwein, CandidateMaster Samara..” He saluted lightly and inclined his head to the woman as they entered and stood off to the side together.

Now that formalities were out of the way they could get down to business, hopefully T’sshin would show soon. “Now that I have you all here… Have you all completely forgot why we’re here in the first place?!?” His voice was uncharacteristically harsh as he snapped at each of them. Eyeing them each in turn, Ar’rex took a deep breath before he was able to calm himself enough to continue. “I received word from Southern. Somehow she‘s got wind of our less then cherry welcome and safe to say she’s not happy.” Of course by she Rex was referring to their former Weyrwoman of Southern.

“Know I know these Trelis Riders have been less then accommodating, especially from what I’ve heard of the weyrling lessons but…” Another weary sigh and he massaged his temple. “All I’m asking is that you just put up with their crap a little longer, maybe even start converting a few to see things our way…”

[Zirin]

Syphraelth rumbled his thanks to Sithorath and settled comfortably on the ledge, though he did his best to ensure there was more than enough room for the others to land. As the others soon showed up, he offered a short, polite greeting to them before lowering his head, hoping for a bit of shut eye; he was as tired as his rider.

"Thank you, Sir" The gratitude on the brownriders face was unmistakable as he helped himself to some klah and happily down a large gulp of the stuff. He made no move to fill the silence, well aware that Ar'rex was likely until everyone was gathered, and when they finally entered the room J'degar gave a tired nod of greeting, since Ar'rex had already saluted. Then finally, they got down to business. It wasn't that J'degar was an impatient man, he was simply too tired to waste time on waiting and pleasantries.

His eyes narrowed as he snapped, wondering how the Weyrwoman had been tipped off. Fire lizards perhaps? Or maybe the bronzer who had come with them... Well no matter, she knew and there was nothing they could do about it.

"Easier said than done," Gar replied to the comment of converting, "They don't want to hear anything we say." That was a half lie. He had properly met Iirla, and he had no doubt that she had a good head on her shoudlers, but there was no way she would bend and let them do what they wanted. "How do you propose we proceed?"

[Lark]

She had been sitting there watching from the WeyrHeights. Iliath, the Istan green. Her eyes flashed an angered and devious red, and yes purple. It was her time, and she had waited as long as she dared. The green's head tilted to the side as she listened to the riders below. They were so...inferior, so easily manipulated by their Weyrwoman at Southern. That showed the power of a girl though. All you had to do was snap your fingers and most males would come running. Or at least that's how Iliath saw it.

Her sensual, purr-like croon rumbled from her throat as she licked her bloodstained jaws. The red shown against the toxic green hide in a cast contrast, but in the dark of the night it was a little dulled. Oh well, there would be more blood she was sure before the night ended. Or she hoped there would be, Iliath had been looking forward to it for a time now. Hers was restless in her weyr, but had recently woken. The green felt Panille jerk awake, looking around for whatever had bothered her. When the rider finally understood and saw that her green was not on the eldge, she ran out to find her.

Iliath...please no. The greenrider snapped the words mentally to her dragoness, but Iliath had other plans. Flaring her wings, she took off and swooped low over the Southern males' heads. Come now boys! Which of you can catch me? Do you Southern Males even dare to try? She was careful to only broadcast her flight to the males in the Bowl. There was no use in other Trelis dragons coming and ruining her fun. Oh no, this was a Southern invite only. Climbing again, she hissed at the browns. Aren't you coming lovies? Or are you scared of a little green like me?

(Ooc: Yeah..she just went there and did that. Have fun, as you can maybe guess though, the whole point of this is to cause chaos among the Southern riders and make them angry at each other. We have to get through the flight before the final part of the plot is set up. Then we can move on to the hatching. )

[Zero]

Sithorath yawned lazily as he attempted to get comfortable. No easy task when there were two other full grown browns perched on your ledge along side you. Oh well, the sooner His finished up with this little meeting the sooner he could get to sleep. You’re going the right way to waking the whole Weyr, Mine. The blind King crooned lowly in an attempt to sooth the man who’s shouts could easily be heard out on the ledge. There was no telling who else could be woken by them.

Ar’rex huffed to himself at his dragons thoughts but said nothing in return as he was too caught up with catching all the remarks that his little group was making. Well this was getting no where. Dragging a hand across his face his eyes shot to J’degar who piped up with a question of his own. “Besides corralling them all together and forcing them to submit you mean?” This wasn’t his real answer of course, that was made apparent by how he muttered under his breath. The truth was he really had no clue how to proceed with these Trelis folk, especially the weyrlings. Calling them a different breed wouldn’t even begin to describe this fiasco.

Sithorath made the draconic equivalent of a sigh before shifting his gaze to the night sky. It was a common pose for him to strike when he was contemplating whether or not to fly off in search of a meal. However something was about to quickly change his mind. A quickly swooping figure darted dangerously close over the browns head, causing him to balk and growl as his footing had nearly slipped off the edge. Was it an attack? Or some youngling playing foolish night games?

His eye burned red for a moment as he craned his neck to search the dark sky for the perpetrator. His answer came soon enough though, in the form of a deviously sensual voice snaking into his mind. His tail twitched and his blind eye caught the light from the glows in his riders weyr, giving him an eerie look in the darkness.

Oh but a green was rising?! The lanky male twisted his position on the ledge so he could get a better look at the acrobatics of the little green. He really shouldn’t. Sithorath glanced back to where His was even as his eye faded from complete red to gain a touch of purple as instinct began to set in. His might need him to stick around in case things got out of hand.

Well, maybe just this once… Stretching his wings completely above his head, the brown quickly hopped away from his fellow brown brothers in pursuit of this sweet talking minx. He snapped his wings out and with a single fell propelled himself skyward and in pursuit of the lovely green.
I take your challenge and I will chase till the ends, little green. Sithorath gave a light roar to affirm his place as one of her suitors.

Meanwhile, back in his weyr, Rex glanced out at the ledge just in time to see his companion quickly fly off before the beginnings of a very familiar feelings began to wrap around his sleep deprived mind.
“Oh no….”

[Zara]

Samara frowned. "Conversion would be difficult. Putting up with them. That is nothing." Samara's smile was devious. Perhaps a bit too devious. "After all. At least those I teach have come to like me very much." This was meant as a comment toward J'degar. Even if he didn't teach, he failed at getting any of the younglings to like him. Of course, she was really just doing it to poke at him.

She sighed. "There is no easy way to convert them. It may not be worth the trouble. but what seems to me to be the best course of action would be... subtle manipulation. If it is overt or outright desire for change, we have seen what has already happened."

But, of course, her little... lecture? Tirade? Didn't last long. Sithorath had been the first to react. Amiith... Don't...

But, of course, she was too late. From his, a ledge that, somewhat, he shared with Gormyth. It was a bit... odd. But whatever made his rider happy, he supposed. Although he refused to share a couch with the other male for any reasons... Ah well. There was a green he was interested in tonight and he was going after her. Now.

Lovely green... I chase. He bugled loudly before beginning his song, his wings rising and falling. She was beautiful and devious and... sly. Oh yes. This would be a fun flight tonight. His brown hide would twine with her green in the sky and it would be absolutely beautiful. His could have her mate, but he wanted this chance.

Lovely lady... please turn your eyes over here... It would be a great favor. his words were coy, light, and playful.

[Zirin]

J’degar didn’t have anything worth saying as Ar’rex mumbled. The man was stressed, it seemed. For good reason of course. J’degar had gotten a lot of hate for simply sitting in on lessons and letting his words get ahead of him from time to time, but Ar’rex had to deal with the combined hatred of everyone. J’degar was, in a way, glad he hadn’t been the winner of that flight. Syphraelth rumbled a light agreement from the ledge. That aside, what the Weyrleader said was true; short of forcing them to submit, there wasn’t much they could do to get quick results. Samara’s comment made J’degar narrow his eyes, already sick of her holier-than-though attitude.

“So it seems.” His reply was curt, well aware that if he made any comment it would be quickly snuffed. Yes, the weyrlings hated him, or at least most of them seemed to… Iirla had said she didn’t hate him, but he doubted she had been entirely truthful that night. “As much as I hate to agree with you, I must.” He was going to say more, but a sudden flurry of activity from the ledge caused him to pause and look in a moment of confusion. As the two other browns took off, he could see Syphraelth readying himself for his own jump. Don’t you DARE! J’degar yelled mentally. Syphraelth turned his head to look back, his movements otherwise paused as he warred with himself. He had to listen to His... but… he turned his head back to look at the eloquent shape of the rising green. You are stressed GarMine. You need this as much as I. Join me in the air and let yourself be free for once. He dipped off the ledge without so much as a second thought.

His long wings beat quickly, powerfully, as he sped to catch up with the others. I will play chase, Oh Mistress of the Moon. He had always preferred greens to golds; they were more fun and exciting and His would but out of it when greens were involved. He could chase because he wanted to, not because he had to. He could feel Gar already feeling the same lust he himself was.

J’degar grimaced, realizing there was nothing he could do to bring the brown back, and much like Ar’rex, he was too sleep deprived to fight the lust very strongly. He wondered briefly who the rider might be. A man? A woman? Most likely a woman.. There seemed to be an abundance here. J’degar didn’t care really, the lust already overpowering most of his mind. By the time the flight ended he wouldn’t even be human anyways. Maybe Syphraelth was right; maybe he did need to relax.

[jillianna]

"So she has shoved herself into the plans again? Not that she doesn't have my respect... but that woman harps and snaps too much.How does she expect loyalty if she doesn't even trust her hand chosen riders... " His statement was flat. Dull. Feelingless. His expression matched it perfectly even though in his own mind gormyth's jaws dripped with blood just as his blade did. That 'weyrwoman' was some of the reason he hated Southern. They'd been able to stomache her before. He would do it again.

"For my part, the ones i've met have seemed more receptive and the more we speak the easier it is. They're becoming easier and more open to subtle suggestions." His eyes found samara and lightened for a moment.

"Samara's younglings are coming along nicely. J'degar's group of weyrlings... they're headstrong and subordinate... but they just need a dose of 'nice' to help them over their mistrust of him. The young bronzerider proves at least semi pleasant... as far as the others, I've not had a large sampling."

Kicking away from the wall he shoved his hands in his pockets with a restive growl that seemed to come from his dragon as well.

"This would be a lot easier.. ar'rex if you would give me a specific target or at least a group to win over rather than the whole sharding weyr..." He felt a familliar stirring from behind him and sighed.

"Well wonderful... that's all we need...Go if you must Gor."

He slipped his arm around Samara's shoulders with a smile meant just for her before turning his eyes back to the other men in the room. He was usually not terribly affected by gormyth's lust, but he wouldn't sit idly while other men might move in on what he had going. Gormyth's growl rumbled through the room as he launched himself rather violently from the ledge after Samara's Amiith. Golds didnt hold much interest for gormyth. The odds of a brown catching a gold were slim and he didnt like them. Now greens on the other hand.

The smaller more agile females captured his interests much easier than their royal sisters. They were fiesty. Not as conceited as their royal sisters, and much more entertaining. He roared at her challenge and soared close behind her.

Come come green beauty. Not every male is a coward. I will give chase and prove that.

[Lark]

So her plan had worked then. Iliath let herself make a happy purring croon as she looked over her shoulder at the males. Her hide gleamed slightly in the dark, the light from the torches and moons casting a luminescent shimmer to it. The dragoness was, well pun unintended, winging this a bit. Sure she had had mating flights before, but never like this. Never one where she had to stay in control of herself as much as possible. She had to play things right!

Circling around quickly and diving down, Iliath spiraled back up, past the larger forms of the browns. Well my big brown Sithorath, I accept your offer to chase. Don't you think these other browns are a bit....I don't know, intolerable for you? After all, it is you who is the father of Loraketh's eggs. You shouldn't have to prove yourself to anyone but me in this flight...yet there they are, challenging you in your glory. Iliath spoke the WeyrKing's mind only, slipping in and out as she paused for effect.

Suddenly, she tumbled downward again, flaring out her wings to jerk to the other side of the group near Amiith. Oh my dear Amiith. You're such a strong and fine brown to be chasing little me. I don't think I'm so worth it....I'm kind of scared Amiith, these big brutes going after me. You won't let them win, will you? I can't just choose you yet though...and that Sithorath! He's already caught the Queen...surely he's only doing this to prove his superiority over you and the others.

Darting away again, she back-winged slightly and twisted to slip her mind into the next brown's. Oh, this was fun! Syphraelth , oh my lovely brown. Your words flatter me to no end. How dare you let the others try and take you down though!?! Have you not heard the aweful things they've been telling me about you? They say you are weak, that you and yours are not worthy...that you should never have even hoped to catch me let along my golden Queen. Hissing at the male, she flicked her tail, moving to draw it across his flank. Then she sped onward.

She took them on a chase that green Iliath. Up, down, over and out. She moved and flew with the Spring breezes. Finally, she looked back and went to the last of her chasers. You say you are not a coward, yet I think differently. A true champion of mine would beat these inferior males out of the sky! She snapped her jaws, lashing her tail as she drew her mind out from his. Oh yes, this was turning to be quite fun. Now to just see what the damage was...and she had only just begun.

Pan ran from the WeyrBowl, instantly deciding it wasn't the safest place for her. Red hair trailing behind, she took random turns. Nothing was familiar anymore, and flashes of brown echoed in her vision, cutting paths off as she thought they were walls of hide. Finally, she found a weyr....but when she opened it expecting her own, she was face to face with a room full of brownriders. "Oh shards and shells!"