Into the Abyss (Touching)

[Zara]

Iirla blinked in surprise and stared at D'rian. Had he... really just... just... KISSED her? "Um... that's good, but... um..."

Then her knight in shining armor was there. She smiled at S'bel. "D'rian... this is S'bel... S'bel, you apparently already know D'rian..." She smiled and turned towards the rider who she had come to love and stood on her toes, giving him a gentle kiss. She looked at him. She felt awkward now that D'rian had kissed her. but.... she felt better with S'bel's arm wrapped around her.

"S'bel, darling... don't be upset with him. He didn't know we were together yet. After all... we have been trying to keep it quiet..." She smiled slightly at D'rian. "I'm sorry... I didn't tell you D'rian." she said with a small smile before turning her eyes towards S'bel again. She hoped he didn't hate her.

Izanycorth crooned and moved over nearer to Maerath, crooning. MearathMyLoveOwn. She crooned softly. Greetings KelathDearestBrotherMine. She crooned softly and settled beside her big Bronze and giving her brother a croon in greeting. she didn't think too much of it...

[jillianna]

D’rian felt like he’d been punched in the gut. She’d been flirting with him the other day. All the while being with this… Flitterbrained idiot? Really? To start something in the stands above a Gold’s touching? How many turns old was this… man? As much as D’rian wanted to rip the man’s arm off for even touching her, he was not enough of an idiot to start a confrontation in the stands above a clutch.

Kelath’s muscles tensed as he bared his fangs at S’bel. His feelings for Izanycorth aside, this human dared to threaten his? He latched onto the protective and icy feeling of rage that poured into him from His and stalked from his ledge. He didn’t spare izanycorth a second glance. Could not. Would not. See her so close to that one. Before he could make himself heard with a threat of his own, to his immense surprise, Keegan straightened from his position in the stands.

The boy had more color than he’d shown since they brought him here and a fierce light lit his features as he stepped in front of D'rian.

“As you hope to remain breathing mister, Keep. Your. Distance. Lay a finger on my D’rian and I swear there won’t be a cloud high enough for your dragon to hide you.”

The Beastcrafter clenched his jaw and his fists, when D’rian was threatened, dragons or no dragons, he would not stand down. He loved him after all.

D’rian’s soft smile was almost tender as he reached down and took Keegan’s hand.

“It’s not worth it here younglove.”

Turning his defiant eyes to S’bel, he rolled his eyes in disdain.
“You’d think a ‘man’ “ he stressed the word as his own eyes went dead “Would know better than to start this above a gold’s clutch. And I will NOT be bullied by a man who won’t let the woman speak for herself. I have a friend down there, and I will Not be going anywhere. Better get used to it.”

He was not just speaking of the touching. And s’bel and Iirla would both be fools if they thought that was all he was speaking of.

High above them, on the upper most ledge Gormyth’s strong voice roared in the minds of the gathered group, leaving the candidates and those involved in the touching in silence. The malice and pure strength of the dragon poured over the mental link to humans and dragons alike. Kelath merely twitched his wings. That was a voice he knew. One he respected even though he was a brown from the south. D’rian’s eyes flashed. He hadn’t seen the pair anywhere, but The larger than normal brown landed on the ledge Kelath had just vacated with an angry hiss.

“Well well well.”

The Junior weyrleader’s voice seemed to come from nowhere but shadow until he stepped from them into the midst of the weyrlings and gathered who’d not noticed him standing there the whole time.

“What have we here gormyth?A Bronzerider… and wingleader, who should know better… “

His voice was dark. Quiet and dangerous. His movements were fluid and stalking. Like a carnivore on the hunt. He was a predator after all. His face held no humor. No emotion at all save bloodlust.

“You will remember your place during this event Bronze Rider. Or it is you who will vacate. Willingly or unwillingly makes no difference to me. But do not think that just because the woman has feelings for you and the fact that she is junior weyrwoman, that I will not do my duty to the queen and these candidates, by removing you from this place.”

His voice was quiet, his eyes were dark. He was hoping for the bronze rider to make a mistake. To issue the challenge. He had come to have a bit of a soft spot for the young bronze pair, much like he had with the young blue rider the boy was friends with. The hidden blades that crisscrossed his back itched for the taste of blood again. They’d not drank since they left southern, and they egged him on to taste this bronzerider’s.

[Zara]

Iirla bit her lip, feeling such guilt, which showed in her face as she looked down. This was just... a bad situation. "Let it go S'bel... please." Her words were soft, even as she looked down at the ground. Ama and Trivol appeared, hissing at all involved in the situation. Who had upset theirs?

Ama snapped at S'bel first then at Gl'wein. Iirla just stood there quietly. When she raised her eyes, there was a dark, far away look in them. She should be upset with D'rian, right? But she... couldn't.

Izanycorth watched Kelath go, feeling a sore spot forming. Her brother was very important to her and he... he didn't want to be with her. He didn't want to show her his love now... but... She sat up again, crooning at first, which then turned into a soft keen. She hadn't meant to hurt him... No.... not at all.

Samara sighed. "Amiith. Take me down there, won't you, darling." The Brown was silent as he fell down to the lower ledge beside Gormyth and let Samara climb down and head to her weyrmate. "My love..." she said softly, stepping up beside him adn wrapping her arms around him. "I know what you want. I know what you hate... But let's not make this a moment of blood shed above the clutch darling, alright..." She gently pulled his hands into hers a small smile on her face. She had her own arsenal of weapons on her body.

Iirla felt sick. Very sick right then. "I'm sorry... I'll be back later, I think..." she said softly and turned away from the men and women there and headed out of the sands, covering her mouth. Though she didn't make it far before she turned away, being sick. Oh.... the stress was really getting to her... REally really getting to her. She wasn't surprised she was getting sick. She didn't want to faint, but she was sure that if she didn't make it to her weyr soon, that could be what was just about to happen.

Izanycorth crooned and took off, flying out to wait for her rider. Mine is sick. What have you done to make her so sick? She hissed irritably as she tried to get as close as she could to Iirla to support her. "Iz... It's okay... It's stress... this... all this on top of everything else is becoming too much..." Her voice was a bit... faint...

[jillianna]

D'rian felt worse as he saw Iirla's dear, beautiful face pale. Ignoring the uppity little ama, he kept his eyes trained on her. No matter that she was 'with' this old man. He loved her and he wouldn't let some man tell him what he would or would not do when it came to her. She looked like.... well like she was going to be ill honestly. She covered her mouth, made excuses and left.

Kelath settled himself on the farthest ledge from those two as he could get. He'd not interrupt the ceremony for his Izanycorth's choice. Her keen hurt him more, as if someone had taken his wings and his ability to speak. He almost turned back to her to assure her that she still had his heart should she wish it, but he couldnt. His chose that moment to contact him. A wordless question.

Go mine. I'll watch over Andra and Keegan and keep you posted. He needed something, anything to keep his mind off of it.

Without a second look at any of them, D'rian dropped Keegans hand and shoved past s'bel, not bothering to say a word to the man as he rushed after Iirla. He should apologize. But more than that he had to make sure she was okay. Seeing her like that made him want to protect her, and take care of her until she was smiling and well again.

After a few moments, he caught up to her. She looked like she was about to.. Ignoring izanycorth altogether he scooped her up into his arms before she could faint right out.

"Iirla..."


~~Meanwhile back in the stands above the touching.~~

Keegan paled again with the arrival of two more fully grown dragons. At least one of them being none too happy. He battled his instinct to run away and D'rian's hand on his strengthened him a little bit, then D'rian left him to follow the Queenling's rider. He looked around himself feeling slightly more uncomfortable. Kelath's voice, oddly enough, was curiously welcome in his head at that moment being faced with the prospect of two angry men and their fully grown dragons.

You know what would help you out Keeganboy?

What Kelath? What could possibly ever make me strong enough to not only deal with a man, but a dragon as well?

Simple. Find your own dragon. Then when he or she grows up, You'll be more than a match against any here. The bronze's voice was amused, but it was strained as he kept his eyes locked on the blissfully unaware Alessandra for His.

Keegan's eyes widened.

"You're mental kelath! I'm not. I repeat NOT going down there."

Gormyth's mind touched the young man's and he could have sworn he felt the large dragon chuckle, dark and menacing. With a confident nudge against kelath's mind, the brown seemed to say I can help with this one. He leaned down until his large head was just inches away.

"It's either down there with the eggs, little morsel... or up here with me..."

Keegan gritted his teeth. All he really wanted to do was run. back to his runnerbeasts. The dragons were right though. If he were going to be strong enough to protect anyone in this world of theirs he had to do something. But did it really have to be THAT? Was there really no other choice? He balked one last time, his knuckles going white.

"I will NOT DO IT!"

[Zirin]

J'dol grinned as Iirla came into view and offered up a friendly wave to the girl. He didn't have a chance to greet her verbally though as first Keegan seemed to melt into his seat, his face pale as a ghost, then D'rian just broke off mid sentence to ge give Iirla a 'real' greeting.

Kayath rumbled in amusement. I could carry him in my mouth if I wanted to darling. No matter, Loraketh's children likely don't want a chicken. If one does, it'll find him anyways. We always know where to find Ours. No, she was sure there was something to the boy... if only he could get over his fear!

"OOoooooh," J'dol called out teasingly, "Someone's got himself a cru~sh!" It was all playful, of course. J'dol had known for a while that D'rian was quite fond of the young gold rider, and it seemed sincere enough. He wasn't persuing her simply because she rode a gold. The addition of another bronzerider, one who obviously didn't take kindly to this, was one J'dol hadn't been expecting.

This was the man that Ara had chosen. With another woman so soon? Well, she was a sharding dumb git sometimes wasn't she? Giving him all her commitment and this is how he repaid her? Even if they weren't together anymore, it hadn't been THAT long had it? Well, apparently it HAD. S'bel and Iirla seemed like quite the couple didn't they? 'Darling'? Well now, this just screamed trouble. J'dol remained quiet for the time being, though his eyes narrowed dangerously at the man. A sudden change in Keegan however, made him blink in surprise. So THIS must have been what Kayath saw! Well, he WOULD make quite the rider one day wouldn't he? Well, no time to think on things. He had a sharding bronzerider to glare at.

"Oh come now bronzerider. What's a little kiss between friends eh?"

[Akira]

Akira watched silently as everything seemed to go to pieces. She shook her head, and wished she was anywhere else. I think you’re all stupid. What if Inali found out about a full-fledged rider and a weyrling huh? I bet she would kick both of you out. She hadn’t meant to upset anyone, but since it seemed as though everyone else had been allowed to add their two cents, why couldn’t she? After all, she had seen everything, and was very capable of going off and telling the Weyrwoman herself about what was going on.

Oridith crooned and backed away. He wasn’t much of a fighter, and preferred to keep himself and His out of it. If only the girl had kept her mouth shut. Mine, don’t you think we should just stay out of this? Oridith’s deep voice sounded very concerned, which made Akira unhappy. She didn’t like it when her dragon got upset. It’s ok Ori, we’ll be just fine. The thought was sweet and soft, which made the blue croon gently.

Why don’t you go with me and Oridith down to the sands? Just to check and see how everything’s going? You don’t have to get close to him if you don’t want to Keegan, but I think it would be better if we let them sort this out. Normally she wouldn’t have said anything at all to the boy. But for some reason her gut was telling her to get him out of there, and try to find a way to defuse the situation before it became a blood bath.

[Lark]

Loraketh had not missed the dragons going to the scene in the stands. She watched it carefully, not happy that so much was taking attention from her eggs. You're all stupid and need to keep your jaws shut! Quiet down or get out! She hissed and snapped her teeth together with a sharp click before shaking her wings irritably. She would not tolerate them much longer. Nudging her eggs a bit, she fussed over them. Time to intervene Mine...send that one down here though please, get the boy too.

Inali had not completely been unresponsive to the conversation either. She was not stupid after all. The Weyrwoman crept over to where the riders and weyrlings were gathered, and crossed her arms. "S'bel, a word?" Her voice was slightly amused, but mostly frustrated. The bronzerider should know much better then to start a fight on her gold's sands. "As for the rest of you, play nice, and send for a healer to see to Iirla...she isn't always the healthiest of weyrfolk." The Weyrwoman cast a worried look toward the Junior Weyrwoman, torn between dealing with whatever issue there was and going to her to take care of her.

Turning away, she stopped and looked at Keegan then at Xaemia where she had left her. "Loraketh wants her down on the sands, you will take her." She pointed her finger at Keegan, the look on her face leaving no room for protest. "She will back away even....which means that the sands are the safer place." She looked at the Queen who hissed but backed away to the other side of the sands. Get your butts down here, I won't stay away for long.

[Zara]

---In the Past---

Iirla blushed at the teasing, though she never got a chance to answer or stand up for herself, because as she was about to open her mouth... S'bel had appeared... and things started to get off to a bad start. And... The next comment. Friends didn't kiss. But she was already feeling so sick... And confused...

That was when she excused herself to leave and head for the Caverns... and not long after... was followed by D'rian. Who was the real knight in shining armor...? Because it all just got more confusing.

--The Present--

Samara bowed to Inali upon her arrival and turned to Gl'wein tugging his hand gently. Sending feelings that simply begged him to relax. "Forgive us lady Inali." Samara gave a slight bow and turned to her dragon who was speaking o the senior queen in a somber tone.

My apologies Loraketh. Mine and I were hoping to stop this before it grew... But it seems we failed.

Samara turned to Akira. "You're a brave one girl. You should train with me. What is your name?" She smiled warmly as she waited for an answer. The Weyrwoman would handle S'bel.

Mine would like me to offer our services in keeping an eye on this Bronzerider and his dragon and ensure the safety of the young queenlet. If that is permitted. We shall only do so if you wish it. His tone was submissive as he spoke to the angry mother. He had a hard time speaking to riders. It was not the way of Southern.

"I think... D'rian has it well in hand, but... J'dol, call a healer and have them sent to Iirla's weyr will you? And find the Weyrlingmaster. I don't know that the young Junior Weyrwoman will be attending to lessons or chores for the next few days." She smiled pleasently at him. It wasn't so much an order as a suggestion, and her tone said as much, though her words were far more... demanding. Simply because... He had a rather angry eye fixed on teh Bronzerider adn it was best he left this situation so that it would not further get out of hand at this point. What a sad state of affairs for this Weyr which seemed so strong.

"Inali... I would like to speak with you at a later time if that is permitted?" she asked the Weyrwoman quietly before she left with the errant Bronzerider by name of S'bel.

Xaemia stood. "Um... yes m'lady. And of course my queen!" She was so startled, but her face was alight with the excitement of the possibility. The only problem, was... SHe couldn't see. "Inali knew... didn't she?" Oh wow... no one had ever been that quick about figuring it out before. "Please... Will you take me down there...? I can't see to go myself..."

Samara frowned. "Keegan, if I'm right about your name. Loraketh has backed off for now and she wants you to take this girl down there to her eggs."

[jillianna]

G'lwein calmed under her touch. His samara always had that effect on him shard her. Out of every person he knew Cross two weyrs and all the holds, she was the only one to ever make him regret any of it.

His smile touched his eyes as he leaned down and kissed her forehead .

" Do not worry my love. I'm completely in control I assure you. I meant to simply escort him from the sands if he could not observe the proper etiquette for a candidate touching Ceremony. ".

He sighed and held her hands between them as he heard loraketh's perturbed voice from the sands below and grinned. Well here we go.

". We're playing nice my lady. I'm here to ensure that. I'll be sure to send a healer to Iirla. We need her well." He gave iinali a bow. " will there be anything else m'lady?". His easygoing mannerisms had clicked back into place and his boyish charm was back.

Gormyth meanwhile crooned a deep apology for having disturbed the queen.

"I simply wanted none to begin fighting when all te adoration and attention should be on you and your children my lady."

-------Keegan

Keegansighed when iinali came up. The worst Possible situation. He was being forced onto the sands. At leastthe queen was going to back away long enough for him to satisfy their needs.

He reached out and took xaemia's hand then grabbed the blue rider's hand as well. Akira ? Well. He didnt know what he was supposed to be doing and she had offered to come with him , so....

"fine. I'll go. But only to prove I'm not a coward. Shall we ladies ?" with that little speech out of the way he began leading them from the stands to the sands with mixed feelings of confusion and trepidation as he reached out for the first egg. Wayward friend.

[Akira]

Akira felt a small shiver run down her spine when Inali showed up. We’re all in trouble now. She felt Oridith’s constant presence, and settled down a little. Things seemed to go into fast-forward for a moment, and the next thing Akira knew, her hand was being held by Keegan. She wasn’t exactly comfortable with the touch, but she didn’t shake him off either. She had offered to take him down there, and she figured this was his way of being brave.

Mine’s name is Akira, and she’s not comfortable talking to strangers. Oridith’s deep voice popped gently into Samara’s mind, and even though he preferred not to talk directly to other humans, he had decided on the more direct approach. He knew his wouldn’t answer her, and so he had for her. Over all he felt rather pleased with himself when he saw His accept the touch of the little human boy. She really had come a long way since they had first impressed.

I should beat you. Akira glared up at her blue dragon as she walked past him. He had conveniently forgotten to keep his chatter from her when he had spoken to the brown rider. She shook her head at him, and walked with the two kids down to the sands. If you behave Oridith says he will help you with your fear, and even give each of you a ride. Ok, so the dragon hadn’t actually said it, but she had felt the excitement well within the blue.

Oridith had a soft spot for the young. So when His said that he offered them a ride, he crooned and walked happily over to the sands to wait for them. Of course, he made sure to keep well away from the eggs and their mother. It wasn’t that he was afraid of hurting the eggs, but he was afraid of their mother hurting him, or His and the little ones. He crooned to the larger female, and hopped that she wouldn’t be mad at him for sitting where he was.

[Zirin]

J'dol raised an eyebrow as one of the Southern riders enetered the 'fray', though it was the woman everyone seemed to be okay with. J'dol stretched and rose from his place. "Can do, I suppose I wasn't helping at all anyway and it wouldn't surprise him if Samara had seen the anger towards S'bel in his eyes. " He looked up for Kayath and the topaz snorted down at him to show she was watching. He passed on a message to her. Bearith. Mine has asked me to bespeak you on behalf of Izanycorth. Hers appears to be sick and may not attend lessons until healthy.

"Excuse me for interrupting, Sirs and Ma'am," Yufa approahced quietly, graceful as always. "I have some training and my firelizards are already on their way to the infirmary. Please allow me to see after My Lady." Iirla was her friend, first and foremost, and she was worried about the girl on a mental level as well as a physical one. Perhaps all the gold weyrling needed was a friend to talk to?

She ran off then after waiting a moment for a response, and J'dol walked lazily behind her. He'd stop by the healers to make sure one had gone to help, but he felt Iirla would be fine with D'rian and Yufa.