What's Wrong...? {Derek (S'bel)}

[Zara]

((After Ara and S'bel's confrontation.))

There was shouting. She looked up from what she was reading with a start. "Stay here Iz. Keep Ama and Trivol here as well. Don't let them out of your site. I'll be right back."

Be careful Mine. Please. Izanycorth was on her feet, crooning at hers, though her eyes swirled red with alarm. That sounded like... S'bel's voice...

She stopped at the door, somewhat... if not rather confused. She tried really hard to just... think of turning back, but... she couldn't. He had been... Well... She knocked on the door rather softly. "S'bel?" she called, her voice unmistakably concerned. What had him so upset? "S'bel... it's Iirla..." She was still speaking softly and rather hoped that no one else heard or noticed her. Dear Faranth... this could be very bad.... She looked around her, but she wasn't going to leave him.

Maerath... Mine is concerned for yours. I am concerned for yours and for you.

Her tone was gentle, soft, almost pleading. Maybe she should try to go up there... maybe... Stay there Iz. I'll call you if I need you.

She was tempted to try to open the door herself, but she didn't, instead, she stood there, still hoping no other riders would come out into the hall or be alerted to what was going on. She was concerned, though...

[derek]

Even after Alyara had fled from his Weyr, S'bel went on yelling. He threw things. He kicked things. He scattered all the papers from his desk and then over-turned it. He cursed. He screamed.

Munch, his brown fire-lizard, was so distressed he actually chattered and hissed before going between to somewhere more peaceful where he could sleep. Meanwhile, Maerath alternately roared and hissed, his tail lashing, as his bonded continued to rage.

It was a wonder that he didn't miss the knock on his door, with all of his yelling, but somehow he caught the soft knock and Iirla's gentle voice. She was obviously concerned, he could tell from his voice, and in any other circumstance he would have been flattered, but now he was just angry.

He yanked open the door, only then realizing that he was dressed in nothing but breeches. While that had been acceptable with Alyara, who he had, after all, slept with, it was untoward with Iirla, a Weyrling not even six months bonded with a Queen dragon.

Again, in any other circumstance he would have cared, but just then... it didn't really matter all that much to him. His ice blue eyes snapped fury, and he stared at Iirla for a few moments before turning and stalking back into his Weyr, leaving the door open as a silent invitation. She could stay or she could go, it didn't matter to him.

Maerath crooned gently to his, who... kind of... seemed to be calming down. Mine is upset. Another... female...[/color] he hissed the word, Has... left him?[/color] The bronze dragon was a bit confused on how to explain, and wasn't even sure he should be explaining in the first place. Yours being here will help. I hope.[/color]

[Zara]

The door finally opened and Iirla was almost afraid of the man who opened it... though she did not show it, instead, her eyes, though full of concern, were full of a deep rooted resolve. She let out a soft breath and took a step into the room, shutting the door, then moved into the room stepping over things, righting others. "S'bel..." she said very softly, very concerned. "You don't have to say a word... but... I would like it you would talk to me..." she said, coming close to him and speaking softly to him, carefully, gauging his reaction, before gently touching him on the arm, for the moment, not noticing that he was only wearing breeches. She was concerned for him. "S'bel." Her tone was soft but insistent. She wanted him to look at her. She wanted him to either talk to her or at least give her his attention.

She hoped that he would be alright... and... well... she wasn't sure what else.

I hope you are right, Maerath. And I am sorry that he has been left by another. IirlaMine will not leave him alone. Especially not like this... she crooned softly, she was still worried and she was somewhat startled by the hissed word. I will come if you want me to, Maerath... Oh Iirla would kill her for that... She knew better.

Iirla couldn't help it... she gently wrapped her arms around him in a rather... unsure... tentative embrace. She didn't know how this was going to work out... she didn't know what else to do... "S'bel..." she said his name again softly, very softly.

His eyes were so stormy and distraught... She wanted to help him. He had been willing to come and help her and her dragoness explore... and to teach Iz to learn to fly... and... he was kind... she... she liked him. He was a good teacher as well.

[derek]

She shut the door behind her. Why did she shut the door behind her? S'bel was confused until Maerath cut into his thoughts. You're being rather loud, S'belMine.[/color] Oh. That made sense, then. Okay.

And then she was speaking. Why was she speaking? S'bel was wrapped in a state of confusion and anger, and her words barely reached him. It was as if he heard them, but they just went in one ear and out the other, without his comprehending them. He was aware that she was speaking, but he didn't know what she was saying.

You should stay... not that I don't want you here, but yours asked you to stay...[/color] The bronze trailed off. His could be potentially dangerous right now, too, which was another reason for the Gold to stay away. If S'bel lost all reason, Maerath didn't want Izanycorth anywhere near.

While her words had no effect, her touch on his skin made him turn toward her, and then she was wrapping her arms around him in a tentative embrace, whispering his name. His eyes, swirling almost like a dragon's, suddenly hardened. Iirla was putting him in a very difficult position... and that was what cut through his anger more than anything.

"Iirla..." He spoke for the first time, lettins his arms encircle her gently. He pulled her against him, his eyes cold. What did he do? What could he do? Well, first he had to explain.

"I told her I loved her, but was still bound by duty... and she left me." To his great embarrasment, he felt hot tears sting his eyes. "She left me!" His voice broke, as if he couldn't believe it. "She left me because she knew, by my duty, I would have Maerath chase Izanycorth when she rose... she left because I like you, because I..." he choked, unable to continue.

"She left because I've wanted to kiss you since the moment I laid eyes on you."

[Zara]

She swallowed slightly, pulling back just enough to see his face. "S'bel..." That was all... one hand found its way to his cheek, gently brushing away a tear. "Oh S'bel... Even weyrmates cannot be exclusive in a Weyr most of the time. I'm so sorry...." He wanted to kiss her... since... since first seeing her... Then why didn't he. Wait... she remembered why. She was a Weyrling... and... Izanycorth. Oh Izanycorth. "S'bel... I... I'm sorry for your pain... I'm sorry that... That this happened... but..." She couldn't help it, she very gently pressed her lips to his cheek, which was a bit of a stretch. "You do have a duty as a Bronzerider. And as Wingleader... but can you put someone you really love first...?" She pressed herself against him a bit more, content to rest there in his arms. "I don't want to be the one to come between you and... and... someone you care about."

She felt so bad. He liked her... he wanted to kiss her... and... Alyara had left him because of it? As much as she liked him... as much as she liked being here, but... but... he cared for someone else. "Duty... it isn't everything, is S'bel...?" it was her question, asked gently. She was almost crying herself, but she wouldn't, she couldn't.

She stayed there, her embrace becoming more and more steady, less and less tentative and more and more solid. She... She... she knew she shouldn't do this. She shouldn't. Izanycorth... SHe lvoed Izanycorth more than anything...

Iz gave a soft croon. Maerath...? It was a question. She was worried. Her rider was so... conflicted... and... there was another feeling... a lot more.... something she didn't understand. She didn't want to interrrupt... but... but..... She was nervous... a bit... scared even.

[derek]

Her hand on his cheek made him close his eyes. "You didn't come between us," he whispered. And it was true. He and Alyara would never have worked. She was too young-- even younger than Iirla! She had made her choice... and it was time for him to make his.

"Duty... is what I was raised on. And the love I feel for her... I felt for her... is gone. And holding you in my arms... isn't duty any longer."

Her embrace became more steady, and he knew he shouldn't, but couldn't stop, couldn't bear not to.

Maerath's tail-tip twitched. He would interfere if things went too far, but so far nothing had happened that would hurt Izanycorth. Stay. Everything is fine.[/color] He knew she must be confused, possibly even scared, but that would pass.

S'bel tightened his grip on Iirla before bringing his lips to meet hers, locking them together in a deep kiss. The man moved until Iirla's back was against the wall, but he did not stop kissing her.

After all, Alyara had made her choice, and this was his.

But it wasn't even out of spite or revenge... he truly liked Iirla, and wanted to-- someday --be with her. It wasn't duty any more, it was something else...

[Zara]

"How..." she stopped. Did it matter? "Are you sure, S'bel..?" She was... not entirely sure... This wasn't right... but... But she had no power to say no. She wanted... Or... She felt confusion, but at the same time she... She wanted to be there with him.

At first she was slow to return his kiss... but soon she let her eyes slip closed, returning it with the equal amount of passion and fervor he gave to her. She hardly noticed as he moved so that her back was against the wall. She had kissed no one for quite some time.... but.... this felt so good... and so real. She liked him. Was that wrong? Maybe so.

She found that soon, she couldn't breathe and she had to pull away to gasp for breath. She looked up at him again, her arms still wrapped around him. He was older than her. He was a wingleader and she was weyrling... But... she couldn't quite... quite make it click.

Please, Maerath... don't let them do anything... stupid... she was so worried. She was more than worried. se was scared and concerned.

She moved one hand up to his face, gently stroking his cheek, looking at him deeply, almost as if... she was searching him.

She stretched up to kiss him again... but... she preferred the kiss he had started. She rather... liked that he had kissed her... kissed her so fervently, passionately... so well.

It wasn't duty now... Was she seeing things.... hearing things... She was Jr. Weyrwoman... or would be... everything in her life seemed to revolve around duty... even most relationships she would have. sure there was pleasure... love... but... Iz would always decide... wouldn't she....?

[derek]

She returned his kiss, but eventually pulled away to breathe. S'bel felt his own chest rise and fall rapidly. Was this wrong? Yes. Did he care? No. She went to kiss him again, and he bridged the gap between them, kissing her briefly before pulling away.

Why did all of his relationships have to be so complicated?!

She had looked as if she were searching him with that intense gave, and maybe she was, but he didn't care about that either. All he wanted to do was kiss her, and more than that, too!

At that thought, he kissed her again, deeply, passionately, his fingers fumbling at the hem of her tunic.

Before he could do so much as think those thoughts, however, Maerath screeched a sound S'bel had rarely, if ever, heard the bronze make. The rider's head snapped to the side to find Maerath's great wedge-shaped head right beside him, his eyes swirling a rapid, deep red.

Stop. Now![/color]

S'bel hastily backed away from Iirla. "He's right, Iirla. We can't. Izanycorth is too young. But I promise you, when she rises, Maerath will catch her! And until that day, we'll go on being friends, go on flying together. This I promise."

[Zara]

Iirla's eyes closed again as he kissed her, her arms moving up his chest around his neck, one hand stroked his cheek while the other rested on the back of his neck as she stretched, pushing her lips to his more tightly, more intensely. She hardly noticed anything but S'bel at the moment.

It was Maerath's screeching noise that made her stop, releasing him, although she was there. Her eyes were wide even as she brushed her hair back and smoothed her tunic. Oh... Faranth. Iz! But... Iz was alright. Maerath had been looking out for her.

She felt her cheeks burn, but she smiled softly. "S'bel..." She said his name softly, but she didn't move. "You really promise...?"

Izanycorth gave a soft croon and sent questioning feelings towards her rider and Maerath. Hers was alright, right? She was still confused for the moment. She had never experienced this before. Iirla hadn't kissed anyone since Impressing Izanycorth. Or even before that.

Ama and Trivol were sitting on the gold, but she hardly noticed. She was more concerned with Hers.

But... wouldn't this make it difficult between them... More difficult than it already was? Iirla squashed those worrying thoughts. It was better to take things just... a step at a time.

[derek]

Maerath had indeed been looking out for the little Golden Queen. He had taken to her more than usual, and he wasn't going to let His screw it up. In another few months, maybe, but she was far, far too young, and Maerath knew it. While His might get carried away, he would not.

Dropping from the ledge of the Weyr, eyes still swirling red, Maerath landed on the edge of Izanycorth's Weyr to make sure she was okay. Crooning to the young Queen, he watched her carefully. Are you okay?[/color]

S'bel shook his head. Maerath rarely got so angry. He took another step back from Iirla, his blue eyes stormy. He didn't even know if Iirla had ever been kissed before Impression, let alone after. How could he have put her in that position, especially with Izanycorth being so young.

Her question, however, stung, and his eyes hardened. "Of course I promise!" he exclaimed, resting his hands on the young woman's shoulders. "And I always keep my promises."

True, things would be difficult until Izanycorth was old enough to deal with Iirla being romantically inclined, and even still until she rose. But S'bel did keep his promises, and this was one he was unwilling to give up.

"I promise."

As do I.[/color]

[Zara]

Her eyes were soft, almost vulnerable as she looked him in the eyes. "I know you'll keep your promise, darling... I know you will." her words were soft and meaningful and gentle. She lightly brought a hand up to one of his that rested on his shoulder, wrapping her fingers around hers very gently.

Izanycorth crooned to the larger bronze and walked over to him, extending her neck to nuzzle him as she often did with her own brother. Yes. Yes. Thank you for looking after them Maerath. She was flustered and a bit worried still, but at least she knew that... that everything would be okay.

You will promise me to me from you, won't you, Maerath, that you will be there the day that I fly..? You have promised and I believe you. She wanted him there. Just like she knew her brothers would be there, but she wanted him to promise her. Like His had promised hers.

She had to control herself to keep from attempting to step forward and wrap her arms around him again. No. She had to think about Izanycorth. She had to be more aware of such things.

Her eyes never left S'bel's face. He had promised her and she felt a place in her heart grow to take on a place for him and for his promise. "Your promise means a lot to me, S'bel..." she said softly. Yes. Things would be difficult. Very difficult. Until Izanycorth was older... and flew. It was going to be a challenge. SHe was doing her best to keep in mind her dragon.

She was truly grateful for Maerath now. For them both. Maerath had protected her though. He certainly seemed to have a great soft spot or place a great importance on Izanycorth.

[derek]

Her fingers around his made him smile. She was quiet, almost timid... but he knew she wasn't always like that. She and her dragon both would grow into strong Queens to rule over Weyr and Hall.

Maerath hummed when the little Gold nuzzled him. You're welcome.[/color] He stated simply, extending his own neck to nuzzle the other dragon. He needed to protect her from Theirs until she was older and could deal with their amorous affections for one another.

At Izanycorth's next question, Maerath's head shot up and his eyes swirled madly. I promise not only to be there the day you fly, but I promise to catch you![/color] His voice was strong and hard. He truly meant to catch the little queen when she rose.

S'bel smiled as she started forward and then stepped back. She was thinking about Izanycorth, he knew, which was good. Just a little longer, and they could be together.

"My promise will mean nothing until I follow through, and Maerath flies your Gold," he said with a chuckle. "But I do promise." He smiled again, and laughed. Things were going to be quite interesting from now on, that was sure!