Alone Time......or not (derek)

[Lark]

Ara yawned and took a long stretch under the shade of her tree. Being weyrlingmaster for a nonexistent group of weyrlings was pretty good actually. She didn't have to do anything right now except for wait for the eggs to hatch and the babies inside to impress. The work right now was up to K'tor. Ara was perfectly fine with that. Humming a favorite song of hers, the green rider got to her feet. Are you going to dance AraMine?!? You know how much I love dancing! See, I'm doing it right now even!

The green in question crooned as she spiraled in the air again before corkscrewing down to the treetops. Going out over the wide river, Avirith let her darker wings trail in the water as she glided toward Hers. Nudging the 17 turn old, Avirith wiggled impatiently. Oh, come on AraMine! We're alone right now. There is no one to see....though personally having admirers is soooooooooo very much better.

Nodding her head as if she were an opposite entity agreeing with her own logic, Avirith flicked her tail. Rolling her eyes, Ara sighed and fully got to her feet. Her mother had taught her dances, and Inali had too when they had roomed together once as candidates before Loraketh and Avirith's hatching.

Raising slender arms above her head, the girl opened her mouth to sing the song louder in what Avirith could only call a soft soprano voice. Ara closed her green hazel eyes and let her body relax before stepping out in the first of the movements. Around and around she went, dipping and coming back up, twirling very much like how her own green danced. Kierah, the local Harper had taught her this particular dance though, and the simplistic moves were performed easily enough.

On a low tree branch, Aries trilled happily. Hers wasn't paying attention to her now, however the orangish gold didn't care much right now. She loved it when Hers danced. If Big Green danced, she couldn't care less. When Ara danced though, it was something Aries loved. Flapping down from her perch, the good firelizard started to mimic Hers' movements. Ara smiled and let out a laugh, temporarily cutting her song short before she started up another song.

[derek]

Trelis was a lot different from that life had been like before. That wasn't to say that it was bad... it was just different. The lay of the land, the river, the people, the dragons. It was different. But this was what he had been trained for, and he would do his duty by his Weyr as Wingleader with Maerath, and by the First Egg he would do it well!

Sitting in his personal weyr, the bronze rider leaned back in his chair, yawning. Shaking his head (this is why he didn't let emotions in to his mind, he got distracted) he turned back to his papers. The words blurred in front of his eyes, and as he looked up, he heard someone call the hour. It was late, but he wasn't tired. He wanted to go flying, or something. He felt hemmed in here at Trelis for some reason. He could go as he wanted, fly where he wanted, come and go as he pleased but for some reason he felt he had to stay close, to prove himself worthy.

Raising his great head, Maerath also yawned. He had been calm all day, and wanted to stretch his wings. S'bel shook his head and grabbed his riding gear. By the first egg, he was going flying! Shrugging into his wher-hide jacket, he quickly did the flying straps on Maerath, heart beating rapidly the entire time. It was getting dark, but the dragon could see perfectly well, even if the rider couldn't. This would be fun!

Slamming his helmet onto his head, S'bel vaulted onto Maerath's broad back. The dragon hummed and launched himself from the weyr, gouging deep claw marks into the rock. Pumping his broad wings, he soared out across the Weyr Bowl and into the sky beyond. S'bel closed his eyes, leaning on his dragon, his one true love.

Maerath winged out over the bowl, his great bronze wings striking the air rapidly to hold him aloft. The river water would be cold this time of year, and the air was cool, but his furs, riding jacket, and his body pressed against Maerath's kept the rider comfortable. The dragon's hide was nice and warm, and S'bel leaned forward to wrap his arms around his bonded's neck, though he could not get all the way around. It was nice, just flying, getting away from the sharding politics of the Weyr.

In all honesty, he didn't mind. It was nice to get away from the Weyr for awhile and go explore. He was a very private person and liked his alone time, and though he had friends among the riders of southern, he was just flying aimlessly.

Suddenly Maerath banked hard to the left, jolting S'bel out of his thoughts. "What on...?" The dragon dropped low, letting his talons scrape the river water, his large body in great control of his flight. They were steadily moving closer to a patch of land. The dragon roared and shot upwards, his tail brushing the water. Climbing steadily higher, he corkscrewed through the sky, flying for the pure joy of it. Finally he leveled out before turning in slow circles to land. As Maerath rolled over backwards, executing a loop, S'bel noticed a green... ah. Showoff... he mentally told the Bronze, who only snorted happily.

Touching down, his great wings caused the sand to stir and rise in little swirls. Crouching so S'bel could dismount, the behemoth sized dragon curled up, for all the world looking like a great pile of rocks. Patting the dragon, S'bel stretched and removed his helmet, his navy eyes looking over across the water. They were at the river, obviously, and S'bel smiled. Hardly anyone would be here at this time. He could relax for once! Leaning against his great bronze, he sighed a sigh of contentment, looking up at the sky.

The green twirled again, and S'bel looked to his left, then right. He knew that green! Alyara must be around here somewhere. Squinting, he grinned as he just barely saw her down the ways a bit. She too was dancing. And... singing? S'bel made his way towards her. She didn't notice as he approached, so instead of announcing himself, he gently took his hands in hers and spun her. "Dancing, without a partner? My dear Ara, that's unheard of!"

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[Lark]

Ara let out a surprised squeak as S'bel took her into his arms and spun her around. "S...S'bel, what in Faranth's name are you doing here?" She had been alone before, blissfully, wonderfully alone. Now he was here!.....SHARDS HE SAW ME DANCING! Avirith crooned from her spot near the river. Of course he did AraMine. He heard you too. Gulping, Ara faltered slightly in her next few steps. He had heard her sing, no one had really heard her sing before though! A moment before she started hyperventilating, the girl calmed herself.

The green rider went into the next move, making idle chit chat the whole way. "So, how have you been S'bel? It's different than your old Weyr I'm sure. Did you see Loraketh's clutch yet? No queen egg, but by Faranth there's something different. Avirith felt it too, didn't you Avi?" The green crooned in agreement before turning her head up to where Maerath was. Hello Lovely Bronze. Avirith's half trill was sweet as usual but laced with a cool flirting, prancing over to the larger bronze, Ara tried hard not to laugh.

"It's amazing how much smaller she is. I think the only way this could get more entertaining was if she were white instead of green." I'M A GREEN THOUGH! The dragoness protested against her rider's words. Hissing, the dragon flicked her wings open then tucked them in again. Do you not see my hide AraMine? It is green, not white, not gold, GREEN! "I never said it was anything else sweetheart." Ara rolled her eyes at the dragon's tantrum as she went into the next spin of the dance. "I'm glad Kierah taught me this. Avirith has been bugging me to learn more for ages."

She tried to avoid the subject of her singing. It was something she was insecure about, always feeling like any audience was judging something much too personal to display. Aries trilled from her place above the two riders. She was being ignored again, and now not just by two but by four! Not one to let this go on long, the gold dove down low till she ran her claws in Ara's hair. "OW! You sharding....argh!" Rubbing her head, Ara sighed. At least she hadn't pulled any hairs out or made her bleed.

Avirith snapped her jaws at Aries then as she made a circle by the two dragons. She really behaves badly of late Maerath. Dodging the jaws that went for her, Aries trilled and dove at the green. In response, the dragon tried again only to fail as the smaller and faster firelizard dodged. "Avi, Aries enough!" Yelling at the two, Ara narrowed her eyes. In response, the greens looked up and warbled in embarrassment. I am sorry AraMine. I didn't mean to be bad. She started it though. Aries trilled angrily as if saying it was Avirith who had started this not she. Interrupting, Ara snapped at the two of them. "I don't sharding care who started it, I'm ending it right now. I swear these two cannot be much worse than a group of weyrlings. I'm going to be amazing at my job...I hope."

[derek]

He surprised her, and she squeaked. S'bel chuckled. "I'm just taking a break," he admitted with a shrug. "You were singing very well, by the way. You shouldn't stop." She faltered in her steps, but he paid it no mind as he led the dance, eyes dancing wickedly.

And of course, she chatted. That was Ara. "I've been all right. It is different here, but it's not bad different... just different. As for the clutch, yes, I did peek in and take a look. It'll be the first Hatching I'm here for. And yes, those two eggs are rather strange. I wonder why?" He pondered this and watched as Avirith trilled to Maerath, plainly flirting. The bronze flicked his tail and yawned. Hello, silly Green.

[/color] He greeted, plainly joking.

Listening to Alyara, S'bel stayed quiet. Avirith threw a fit, but that was to be expected. The green was headstrong and independant, but she was also moody. S'bel was glad, not for the first time, that he had Impressed Bronze, not Green. Ara was talking again, and he turned his attention back to her. He liked dancing with her, and that was what she was chattering on about. He nodded, and spun her as the dance directed. "I could teach you more," He said calmly.

There was another distraction then, as Aries tangled her claws in Ara's hair. Then the flitter and dragon were at it again, and S'bel sighed wearily. He was glad his own pet wasn't nearly so demanding as Aries. His flitter, Munch, was far too lazy to do much anything else but eat, hence his name.

As the fight ended, Ara let something slip. She seemed worried about whether or not she would be good at her job. She had added that "I hope" to the end, so he knew she wasn't very confident. "You'll be great at your job," he told her sternly. "And if you're not, it'll be because you're spending too much time dancing with me!"
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[Lark]

He thought her singing was good? How was that even humanly possible? Ara hated others hearing her, it was too private to close to her heart. He thought it was good though! He liked it! The green rider was like a school girl in "love" with the older college alumni. Of course, here in Pern they would have no clue what that connotation was meaning, but still that's what it was like. Ara beamed up at S'bel before blushing and looking down again.

Avirith mean while was having an interesting time. Silly!?! You think me silly? Upset, the green hung her head and moped by herself under one of the taller trees. Of course he thinks me silly mine. I'm not one of those perfect Golds he so desires. Avirith said the last part with burning sarcasm and envy. It was like having thread scoring your mind, and Ara didn't doubt that S'bel and Maerath heard it too. The crafty green wanted the bronze to comfort her. Wincing from the pain behind her dragon's words, Ara looked up at S'bel confused.

"Wait, first you say you'll teach me. The. You say it's bad because I will be too busy to do my job?" Ara knew he was teasing, but she gave it back in spades. The coyness might have worked to if she hadn't tripped on the last part of the dance and fallen toward S'bel. Avirith made a surprised warble as she moved to Hers. Ara knew though that either she would fall on her face, or she would land in the bronze riders arms, mere centimeters from his face.

Which was better, she didn't know. On the one hand falling would be terribly embarrassing and on the other so would coming that close to him. Ara made it a rule to never get that close to anyone really except for Avirith and Aries. Speaking of the gold firelizard, she squawked as Hers fell, racing down to "catch her". By the time she got there though, the damage had been done one way or another and the gold was left to hover a foot above S'bel, and hopefully Ara's head.

[derek]

Alyara seemed to lose herself for a moment, and S'bel looked away. She was blushing, and he knew that she liked him in a more than friendly way. He, however, was a bronze rider. Even if they were to be together (which was unlikely), he would eventually have to chase a Gold. S'bel was a man of honor, and he didn't want to lead her on like that.

Maerath rumbled softly in his chest. Avirith was playing the part of a green perfectly. She wanted him to comfort her, and he wasn't having it. No, you are not perfect, but you are acceptable. Your hide shines in the sun like emeralds, but you are no Gold.[/color] S'bel nearly laughed. His bronze was playing hard to get!

The rider laughed as Ara teased him back. He knew she was a girl that could handle his teasing. He liked that about her. But still, he couldn't do anything about it. He was a bronze rider, no matter what... He had to chase Golds with Maerath! It was his duty as a bronze rider and as a Wingleader. He had to chase Golds. He couldn't get hung up on Alyara and her green, no matter how much he wanted to!

And then she stumbled. S'bel, caught off guard, wasn't exactly ready for what happened. She fell forward, and he moved to catch her, but as his arms wrapped around her, her lips met his. Thoroughly taken back, he let himself enjoy the kiss for just a second before he pulled back. His cheeks were flushed a dull red. "Ara... if you wanted me to kiss you, all you had to do was ask..."

[Lark]

She hadn't meant to kiss him, she really hadn't! As S'bel broke the kiss off though, Ara found herself happily dizzy. She...had...oh did she actually have to think right now? Sighing a bit, Ara relaxed until S'bel made his comment. Jumping up in his arms, the green rider shook her head furiously. "I...I...I didn't mean to...I just....we were...and then..I....fell." Wow, she had such elegance with words didn't she? Sighing again, Ara backed away a bit relunctantly. It was no secret that she fancied the bronze rider. Come on, just look at him! Crooning, Avirith nudged Hers back in S'bel's direction before turning to hiss at Maelath.

Emeralds are much prettier than Golds...and...my hide isn't that dark! Is it....Turning this way and that to catch a glimpse of herself, Avirith hissed. No, it is not! I would say I'm more like Jade. Much better than Gold. Making a face as if she were disgusted by the thought, Avirith fluttered her wings. Not that there is anything wrong with Loraketh of course. I like her. Snorting, the green looked off in the direction of the Weyr, wondering if the WeyrQueen was listening in on her conversation. Well, I hope she is not AraMine. That would be utterly, terribly rude!...Besides, she has Stallorth, she's taken. That last part was for Maelath, and the green partially hissed it in a crafy tone.

Shaking her head, Ara sighed yet again. "She....does love our WeyrQueen...she just...she's Avi. What else can you expect?" At that, the green in question crooned and flapped her darker wings. I wish to go dancing now Mine! Can we, can we, can we? Laughing, Ara rolled her eyes as if her point had been made. At least this was a way to get the discussion of of their kiss right?

Nodding her head, the green rider straddled the neck that was bent to the forest floor. "Come on now S'bel, think you can beat us in a race?" Challenging the bronze rider in a soft voice, Ara kissed the green neck she was on. Let's show them how it's done Avi my dear. Warbling in agreement, the green arched her back and arced her wings out around her. There, they were beat down toward the forest floor, launching the pair into the air. Come chase me Maelath. Have Yours, chase Mine as well! Blushing, Ara tried not to think of the implied connotation in that message.

[derek]

She looked... happy? S'bel drew back, his arms still around her to steady her. He had known she fancied him, but... she was so young! She was still a baby, a fetus, to him. He was almost forty turns, and she wasn't even twenty! She was young, innocent, naive, stupid (sometimes)! She still had a whole life to live, and his was already half over. But he couldn't help but like her...

She was young, but she was also composed. Funny, nice, easy-going, and good looking to boot. He couldn't help but like her. But she was a baby. Torn between duty and desire, he pulled totally away, his eyes downcast. He honestly didn't know what to do or say. He wanted her, he really did, but he couldn't have her. His duty was to chase Queens, not Greens and their fetus-Mines. He sighed unhappily.

Maerath stayed silent, for once. His needed to make a decision, and he felt powerless to help. The green mentioned dancing, and Maerath turned his great head towards His, eyes swirling. S'bel looked at his dragon and shrugged. Of course Avirith loved Loraketh. Who couldn't? All dragons were honor-bound to her. But Alyara was right. She was Avi, so what could they expect?

S'bel tried to keep his eyes off of Ara as she climbed onto her dragon. And then she asked for a race. Baby or not, he couldn't turn down a challenge! Vaulting onto Maerath's broad back, he did up the riding straps, grinning the whole time. "I don't think I can beat you, I know I can!" To Avirith's message, Maerath roared loudly, shaking the forest around him. S'bel, also noting the connotations, shrugged as his dragon took flight.

[Lark]

Avirith crooned as she heard Maerath's roar. Well then, if he wanted a challenge.... Sending forth her own higher pitched cry, the green swung around the bronze, folding in her wings as she plumeted below him suddenly. "Avirith, I am up here you know." Ara warned her green, the dragoness snorted in return. That's no fun though AraMine....fine though. Snapping open her wings, Avirith warbled at the slight pain. It felt good though and she beat her wings up in a strong stroke so she could twist around Maerath's form again.

Keeping up well Bronze? Avirith's voice was teasing as she corkscrewed in front of Maerath's path. There is none that can dance better than I! These are my skies.......well...mostly. Avirith laughed happily, Ara echoing her dragon's happiness. Glancing over at the bronze rider, Ara pointed to a nearby rock structure. Tell Maerath we're to circle it twice and see who can come back here first. Relaying the message to the bronze, Avirith set off, letting her smaller, faster body take her in front of the male.

This would be interesting, would they follow or stay there? After all, Ara thought, they could just as easily give up and ignore us. Snorting, Avirith twisted slightly in the air, revelling in the powerful grace of her wings and body. She was a Queen in her own right! Above the dragons, the sun was starting to set. Its golden rays tinging everything in shades of red and orange. However, the two dragons were dark blimps among the setting sky.

Aries, down on the ground trilled unhappily. They had left her! Hers and Big Green left her! That wasn't right, and that certainly wasn't fair! The gold fluttered her almost orange body. The sunlight made it even more so, and if it were not for her obviously femine side, one might mistake the flit for a bronze. Flapping her wings, Aries trilled again. She did not like being left out one bit!