so many bright lights to cast a shadow (Sel'n)

[Ember]

Nephele was actually somewhat...happy. Sort of. At the very least she wasn't moping about for once. The cause was a certain brownrider's arrival at Burimyu. She wouldn't lie; she was actually rather fond of her former Weyrlingmaster. Just like she was growing ever more fond of E'rro. Was it something about brownriders than endeared themselves to her? She didn't really know and she didn't care. The greenrider was startled when Mother arrived suddenly from his little scouting mission. He landed on her shoulder with a reassuring brush of her mind. Found him!

Nephele was well aware that having her pet search for someone might count as a little creepy but she didn't really care. Was it so bad to want to see someone without finding out where they were from their dragon? Besides, if she jsut showed up most people would be too polite to shoo her away immediately. Unless you were someone like Iskierka and you couldn't give a damn. She had Mother direct her (via direct flight, following picture directions from a firelizard was insane) towards Sel'n.

When she got there she dismissed her firelizard before approaching Sel'n. It was a little awkward to approach him considering the last time they really talked (if one could call it such) was when she tried to stop him from taking fellis. Yup, definitely awkward. But, hey, she was an accomplished little actress. If she could no longer ignore a little discomfort she was no good anymore.

"Hey there," she said easily enough outwardly, coming from behind at an angle. "Oh, where'd you get the good stuff? And why are you drinking it all alone?" Drinking was generally not on Nephele's to-do list since she really couldn't handle much. The last time she drank was when she really didn't suspect it. She ended up making out with her best friend...not something she really wanted to relive so she'd avoided drinking. She figured a drink in the current circumstances would be nice though. Besides, if it was with Sel'n she probably wouldn't have any major regrets. It was a good looking guy, after all, and if he got all awkward both of them could easily just blame it on the alcohol and move on.

[Rei]

Sel’n was sitting on a damp ledge next to one of the many small waterfalls Burimyu boasted. The cool spray across his face felt good and absently a hand ran through his slightly damp hair fingers recoiling as they touched the roughness of the stitches still in his head. Of course thoughts of the stitching brought his thoughts back to the cave in and S’rei. He was glad that the bronzer would live. Very glad. He had been ridiculously worried about the man. Not something the brownrider would ever admit to but when you spent months with another, well he supposed they started to grow on you. That’s how Sel’n rationalized it anyway.

Or maybe you have a secret crush on him. You want Salenth’s body don’t you Selmine? With the bottle halfway to his lips the man laughed the sound echoing as it bounced off the stone. "Oh yes terribly." He remarked in a amused tone. I knew it. You’ll have to start sending him flowers instead of lurking about the infirmary like a gaunt and haggard shadow. Chuckling the brownrider gently shoved against the brown’s mind. Get outta here wherface. Don’t you have napping to do? Why? You’ll miss me if I am gone. The dragon remarked before fading to a gentle presence at the back of his rider’s mind. As he coiled up on one of the many rocky ledges above and half lidded his eyes he gave a contented sigh. Not Selenitas no but it would do.

The fire lizard’s presence had gone unnoticed as Sel’n gazed thoughtfully at the cascading water before him bottle again rising to meet his lips as he took another pull. There was a lot running through his mind currently and no perhaps drinking wasn’t going to solve it. But it’s what the brownrider did when he didn’t want to think anymore. Worked well on occasion. At least for awhile. Movement from behind him caused Sel’n to tense but he relaxed as the voice came across. Female and familiar. One of his old weyrlings.

Nephele. His only student to have actually made it onto Legatus. Which in and of itself gave him mixed feelings but nevertheless he was proud of her. As he was all his students really. Half turning to watch her as she approached the older rider offered her a light smile. Oh he remembered their meeting in the dead of night back at Selenitas. Roivao had been there to. That had been the first time be had tried to quit. It had been unsuccessful but he remembered being surprised that they would even care. Especially Nephele. Water under the bridge now really.

Gesturing at her with the bottle in his hand he smiled. “I’m a pro at hoarding. That’s where I got it from. Bit of a bad habit but I always leave some stashed in the bags I keep on Kaaoloth.” That’s where this particular bottle had been anyway. Seemed like a good time to break it out. He had been saving it to share with Kali if he remembered correctly but well Kali wasn’t here and desperate times called for desperate measures. “As for the alone part well that’s something normal for me.” Giving her a wry smile he motioned to the stone next to him. “If you want to join me I won’t complain. What brings you out here Nephele?” It was an honest question and Sel’n was curious. He hadn’t exactly picked a location that was easy to get to at all. That had been done on purpose so he could be alone. So that meant the greenrider would have had to have worked to find him. That in and of itself made him very curious. Had she sought him out? And if she had for what reason? Bah probably just over thinking things again.

Offering her the bottle The brownrider shrugged. “Either way I’m not alone anymore am I?”

[Ember]

Well, it seemed he didn't mind too much that she was bothering him so she returned his smile with one of her usual ones. She liked Sel'n well enough but that didn't necessarily mean she trusted him. That still didn't come easily for her when it came to men. "Ah, I see. Even bad habits come in handy sometimes," she said with a playful wink. Alcohol was a precious commodity at Burimyu. Come to think of it...Nephele wasn't even sure if there was any at the weyr. It certainly wasn't something they needed, no matter what some people might think.

The greenrider took a seat on the rock that Sel'n indicated. "I've got nothing else to do." As for what she was doing out there...she paused consideringly before shrugging and adding, "I'd heard you and S'rei had been found but I hadn't seen you around. My little spies are useful for finding people." Said spies being her firelizards, of course. Although Charming wasn't exactly the most reliable when it came to asking him to do things. He only did things if he felt like it. Mother and Sweetheart were good for anything, though.

With a slightly more genuine smile, Nephele took the offered bottle and nodded. "Nope," she responded simply before taking a swig before passing it back. They could take turns. "I'm kind of surprised to see you here, actually. I didn't think anyone but our little group got out of Selenitas in time." It was a subtle attempt to figure out where he'd gone and such but what she said was true. She hadn't expected anyone with less special training to get out of the weyr on time, unless they were already out of it to begin with.

[Rei]

Sel’n gave a light chuckle at Nephele’s statement. “Yes I would wager that bad habits like this do come in handy from time to time. Like now for instance.” With a light smile, purely for her benefit, he went back to watching the water cascading down the rock. Turning his attention back towards the greenrider as she continued to speak he made a thoughtful noise in the back of his throat. “Hmm so curiosity brought you here then? I’m afraid I’m not the most interesting person in the world. Then again you know that already don’t you?” Considering that he had taught her as a weyrling she should anyway. The brownrider considered himself a rather dull person whether he was or not wasn’t really important in the long run. Again you are far to sweet to yourself. Kaaoloth commented sleepily. Again aren’t you supposed to be sleeping? I’d rather watch you fail at being decent company to a most lovely lady. Giving a mental snort the man mentally pushed the dragon away.

In thoughtful tone Sel’n continued. “Haven’t had much experience with fire lizards. Vanity unfortunately has been my one and only for a long time and now she’s gone too. Although I’d suppose I’d know by now if she was dead.” He mused thoughtfully as he watched Nephele take a swig. Well at least the greenrider wasn’t afraid to drink. Except watching her do that made him miss Kali. Bah. As he took the offered bottle back he idly swirled it and gave a small half smile.

“I almost didn’t go anywhere then I remembered S’rei. I figured someone had to notify him and I had no way of knowing if anyone else knew where he was.” Shrugging he raised the bottle to his lips and tipped his head back taking a long draw. That hadn’t been a difficult decision although he did feel quite guilty for, in a sense, abandoning his wing. Not that he could do anything about it now. At least a couple of his riders had made it here by some miracle anyway. He just had no clue what really happened to the rest of them. It was hard to get information here.

Offering the bottle back to Nephele he gave her a soft smile. “Quiet here isn’t it? Not enough people to fill all the empty halls.” His words where a quiet and contemplative murmur. Yes it was far to quiet here. A loner and hermit the brownrider may be at times but even he occasionally missed the hustle and bustle of a full weyr.

[Ember]

Nephele hummed agreement when Sel'n asked if it had been curiosity that brought her out there. In a more proper response to his words she said, "Don't sell yourself so short. You're interesting enough, Sel'n. What kind of uninteresting person stashes drinks in their saddlebags?" She teased lightly. She could understand his mindset though. She thought her real self was rather boring too, more suited to housework than riding a dragon. Or perhaps that was what she occasionally wanted to be?

"Hmm, it seems quite a few peoples' salamandyrs got left behind. Not much to do about it right now though." Much as she migh like to help such people. That desire was linked to the fact that at least two of those people were people she actually liked. "As for firelizards, I've had five of the little brats," she said wryly. She was half tempted to summon them to have them bug them a little but decided against it. If Charming came he might well choose not to leave and just make trouble.

Nephele listened to the explanation and considered that. None of Legatus had thought to find out where their Weyrleader had been at the time. The man was not a Leader any more, of course, but he was still respected quite a bit...when he wasn't mooning people. Oh yes, she still remembered the time Baoth gave her whole class a view of his butt. It had been very funny at the time - still was, actually. There was a slightly wicked grin on her face for a moment before she recalled that she had company. "I see," she responded simply.

Taking the bottle again she gave it a gentle swirl and contemplated what Sel'n said. "It is," she agreed slowly. "Although I kind of like it that way. It's a nice change of pace from the bustling places I'm used to." From a house full of siblings, to a Weyr, to a major Hold, and back to a Weyr...All of her life she had been surrounded by many people. It got to the point where she would actively seek out quiet places rather than interact with people she couldn't care less about. She smiled slightly before drinking more from the bottle.

[Rei]

Sel’n gave a chuckle. “What kind of person indeed? An old drunk perhaps?” Yes it was terrible but the rider had no qualms about picking on himself on the occasion. He was used to it. And besides that the words where a bit true. He was an old drunk. Not the worst drunk and not really all that old but still the phrase fit. Watching the waterfall before him the brownrider leaned back on his palms and have a half smile towards the younger greenrider. Decent company Nephele was being at least. Her curiosity had to be spent by now. So what was keeping her around? The drink perhaps? Hmm in any case he was curious.

“Left behind hmm? Well I took Vanity with me when I left actually. But she clearly couldn’t take it, the separation from her mate. I had to let her go in a brief stop we made at Blossom.” He grimaced. “I don’t know if she made it back to Selenitas or not. But it’s been six months. I’d hazard a guess that she’d be dead by now if she hadn’t.” Sel’n trailed off. He wondered how Lust had done with the separation. Wondered what his Vanity would get back to, if she managed to make it back at all. He tried not to think overly much about it. It wouldn’t be good for him to. Eyes flicking back to Nephele he raised an eyebrow. “Well that’s quite a few firelizards. Sounds like you could have almost given R’wign a run for his marks at some point.” He had never felt a draw towards pets at all really. Had only got Vanity through Kaaoloth’s trickery in fact. He wouldn’t trade her. But he didn’t desire anymore. He had enough emotion on his hands with the single mandyr at times.

At this point he was openly watching Nephele, amused really that she was still sticking around. The grin caught him off guard but she rectified it so quickly that for a moment Sel’n wondered if it was just his mind playing tricks on him. He surrendered the bottle in silence giving the greenrider an approving smile as she tipped it back and took another swig. Yes the drink was keeping her. The brownrider always did like to err on the side of pessimism. It was safer. Her words got a light chuckle. “You should. Sounds as if you’ve always had a crowded life. I can understand the need for solitude.” He had been there himself. Many a time. But it did get lonely. Terribly so. Sel’n didn’t need friends. Not really. But he did like knowing there where people about. It was…odd.

Reaching for the bottle he gave her a lopsided grin. “Hey now. We’re supposed to be taking turns little lady. That was two drinks. Give it up.” Sel’n tried for stern but his tone was playful, amused. Little drunkard. Weaseling him out of his alcohol. Naughty girl.

[Ember]

Nephele giggled slightly and shook her head. "It's a good thing that no old drunks are around then," she said with a good deal of amusement. So he was that type, huh? Oh well. They could be interesting to be around too. Besides, her words weren't entirely false. Sure he was probably twice her age or so but that didn't necessarily make him...no wait, that did make him kinda old. Huh. Well still...not that old. She'd met older and far weaker than Sel'n was. At least he was still active.

The greenrider was surprised and it showed briefly. Let one's mandyr leave on its own? She considered that thoughtfully. She didn't know much about the specifics of salamandyrs, avoided them when possible. None of her current three firelizards disliked the creatures but she couldn't say that was always mutual. "I can't say I know much about the mate bonding salamandyrs do, but I can kind of understand considering one of mine left their mate behind." When Sel'n mentioned R'wign the woman laughed gently. "Well, I've never had more than four at a time. If I'm the Firelizard Tamer, he's the Firelizard Whisperer."

The greenrider noticed Sel'n watching her and she turned a smile on him. Something interesting about her? She made a slightly disgruntled sound at the mention of a crowded life. "You wouldn't believe how crowded," she said with a sigh. "Here's to loners." She took another drink. The drink was loosening her up in more ways than she expected though she couldn't find a reason to really care at that point. When he scolded her for drinking twice in a row she relinquished the bottle with a slightly more genuine grin. "If you take two as well then there's no harm done." As she responded she let herself shift slightly and lean against him lightly. She called herself a loner but even she missed having Erilena around.

[Rei]

Firelizard whisperer? That was an interesting thought. R’wign muttering senseless things to the creatures so they flocked to him. Kind of like some women. Whisper them sweet little promises and they’d follow you anywhere. Eh. Tilting his head back Sel’n caught Nephele’s gaze and gave her a smile. Little lush. Still hadn’t given him back the bottle and there she went taking another draught. At this rate she was going to be drunk and he’d have to baby-sit. Joy. Hmm. Here’s to loners she had said. It made little sense for such a pretty young thing to want to be a loner. She had so much life left before her. So much promise. So why the desire to be alone? The brownrider understood his own desire for solitude. Knew he had his issues. But one so young shouldn’t have near the issues a forty turn old man did.

Accepting the bottle from her he laughed the sound surprisingly loud as it echoed around the canyon. “Losing count on numbers already? That was three Nephele.” Still Sel’n grinned at her when she leaned against him, shifting to accept her weight. It didn’t really bother him in the slightest. Her right to lean if she so chose. Swirling the bottle in front of him he tipped it back and took a long draw. Long enough that it should count nicely for her three. Really should consider cutting her off now. But the brownrider liked the company and even if she did get drunk he was positive she wasn’t anything he couldn’t handle. Thus he pressed the bottle back into her hand.

“So tell me. What do they have you doing here at Burimyu? I’m afraid I haven’t gotten much even resembling an assignment yet.” Which maybe they where waiting until they knew what to do with him. Couldn’t blame them for that he supposed. He had gotten the same instructions as everyone else. No fire, feeding schedules for the dragons, buddy system (which he had already been ignoring obviously), and the like. He understood the need for it but eh. He really missed the freedom. Nudging her playfully with an elbow he chuckled. “Should put in a good word for me.” With her being on Legatus and all.

[Ember]

"Detaaaails," she drawled playfully when he called her on her third drink. Well see, his swig was good enough to cover all three of her smaller drinks so he couldn't really complain. Nephele was rather pleased that he didn't tell her to get off of him. Without Erilena around the only ones she came close to trusting were E'rro and Sel'n. The former wasn't too fond of physical contact so she avoided it to spare him.She supposed she ought to at least make an effort to find some female friends she could trust but...meh. Maybe that Bevany girl would be worth it...?

Nephele didn't drink immediately when the bottle was given back. She was actually slightly surprised he had given it back. She chose to answer his question first instead. "I'm still a Searchrider, though it's gotten more difficult to find candidates. But I...hmm," she trailed off. There was no real need for him to know that she actually found the danger of Searching rather exciting. To cover up her abrupt stopping, she took a drink and passed it back. "Other than that I've been working in the infirmary, learning from E'rro. Did you know that he changes in the infirmary?" She asked with a grin.

She laughed at his suggestion. "I could do that," she commented lightly before her tone took on a teasing note. "There's quite a few things you could do. Don't suppose you're good at cooking? I'm sure Haoyamae would looove the help." She stopped to giggle before continuing, "'Course you could always ask to be Weyrlingmaster again for Jingth's babies. Iskierka was, in her words, "put to better use" and I'm not sure about M'kai. He was originally an assitant, though. Hn." She gave a one shouldered shrug, though she continued the motion to brush some hair behind her ear when it fell into her eyes.

[Rei]

Sel’n smirked. Details indeed. The brownrider grinned openly at Nephele. He was actually enjoying her company a surprising deal and that wasn’t the drink talking. He knew that because he really hadn’t had that much yet. He missed his students really. Missed that interaction. Missed Kalierre. Even missed sharding F’lix and that annoyance F’ur. So it made sense that he liked the company. Didn’t really want Nephele to leave just yet. Didn’t it? Adjusting himself more comfortably for the leaning greenrider he titled his head and listened to her speak. Searchrider eh? Probably a difficult job for her. Especially considering the stealth and trickery needed to do it. Couldn’t search from the hold proper obviously. So they where likely searching at the surrounding cotholds. The candidates would be needed for Jingth but it was dangerous work. Hmm.

Thought on the subject where detailed abruptly when Nephele passed back the bottle and continued on about the infirmary. That wasn’t very interesting. Not until the part about E’rro however. The brownrider changed in the infirmary? Sel’n gave an actual laugh his head dipping toward the greenrider. “He does does he?” The older man managed to make his tone sound almost conspiratorial. “And how do you know this? I’m intrigued. Do go on.” It was harmless fun really. The younger man was good looking after all. Nephele obviously saw this and the older brownrider could appreciate E’rro’s….particular brand of beauty as well. It wasn’t like anything would ever come of it but mutual appreciation wasn’t really wrong was it? “I obviously have to start paying more attention to such things.” The rider commented with a little wink.

He took her teasing in stride even managing a few chuckles here and there. “Cooking hmm. I don’t know. There’s that whole thing about not starting fires. I think I’d be kicked out before I barely began.” Sel’n was a terrible cook. Managed to burn just about everything. He could cook on an open fire but when it came to anything even remotely complicated? Well then he was pretty much doomed. Then she was mentioning something about the position of Weyrlingmaster and he paid strict attention.

“Hmmm. I see.” He would have to find out who he needed to speak to about that. Probably the new council. It may be a long shot but…he had more experience than M’kai. Maybe…just maybe. The didn’t mind keeping the lad on as help of course but. To be Weyrlingmaster again…. He gave Nephele a wide grin as kissed her cheek. “You my dear are simply to nice, humoring an old man like me.”

[Ember]

Oh, how considerate. That was a good deal better than before and she murmured a quiet "thanks." The brownrider's apparent interest in the turn of the conversation was met with a slightly wicked little laugh. "He doesn't exactly try and hide it, though you don't get to see too much," Nephele admitted, disappointment clear in her tone. Too bad. "But the tight black shirt he wears underneath? Mm, you have to see it for yourself."

She was amused further by Sel'n's admission. "Cooking is definitely a lot harder without a proper fire. Well then, we should leave it to the professionals, right?" She considered herself a fair cook but she wasn't so sure she could be useful in the kitchen in the current circumstances. It really would be best to simply leave it to everyone's favourite cook and what staff she had. She'd just focus on giving the poor woman more mouths to feed by finding candidates.

Nephele was quite surprised when Sel'n kissed her on the cheek. She couldn't complain about it though. "I am nice, aren't I?" She asked rhetorically. She stopped leaning on him for a moment so she could raise herself up a bit and return the favour, kissing dangerously close to his mouth, lips curving up slightly in a faint smile that Sel'n may or may not feel. No harm in testing the waters, was there? She leaned against him again (hey, he was warm and comfortable) and reached for the bottle.

[Rei]

Well then. Sel’n chuckled in slight amusement at the wicked little laugh Nephele voiced in response to his comments on E’rro. Eyes betraying that amusement he openly grinned at her. If it was a little weird to be talking to a former student about a mutual attraction to the same man, the brownrider sure didn’t show it. No, all that was reflecting in his eyes was amusement. “Pity. The man needs to obviously show more skin. I swear he wraps himself up tighter than one of Mae’s meatrolls.” Giving a light snort he shook his head in a gesture of disappointment solely to see if it would make the young woman laugh again. The comment about the tight black shirt though had Sel’n tilting his head back and giving an actual laugh. “Hmm yes that sounds promising. I’ll have to make time in my oh so busy schedule to catch this spectacle.” Sad part was that he was only half joking. He had thought about offering assistance in the infirmary anyway. If he got a little eye candy out of the deal? Eh that was nether here nor there.

“Oh yes definitely should leave it to the professionals. Simple peons like us would just make Mae go even greyer and then where would we be? Would be a right shame to give that wonderful woman any more wrinkles. I think S’rei has given her enough through the turns.” Chuckling at that he swirled the bottle. Damn they had gone through more than he had thought. Still was his turn though. He was about to take a long draw from the bottle when the greenrider leaned in perilously close. Her breasts brushing against his arm. Well it was hard not to notice them, uh her, obviously. Even harder when she pressed that kiss so dangerously close to the corner of his mouth.

And here Sel’n was faced with quite the dilemma. Nephele was being nice. She was young, a pretty little thing for sure, and had quite a ‘presence’. Though Sel’n was bisexual and tended to gravitate more towards men, he had quite thoroughly enjoyed the company of a woman or two from time to time. Not always in flightlust either. It had also been a terribly long time since he had participated in a good roll. On the flip side Nephele was a former student of his, turns younger, and quite clearly tipsy if not near possibly drunk. The brownrider on the flip side was barely buzzed. It would certainly be taking advantage of her. Tch. Damn morals.

Chuckling as he felt Nephele reach for the bottle Sel’n moved it just out of reach and used his other hand to press gently on her shoulder. There wasn’t much strength in that arm so it was more like a gentle touch than anything else. “Just after my booze eh? I knew it. Well aren’t you a tricky little lush? It’s my turn love. Don’t be greedy now.” He teased before bringing the bottle to his lips and taking a pull. Pulling it away he gave her a grin and swirled it near her head. “Now it’s your turn love.” Hopefully that would distract her from her games of seduction. Not that he minded her all over him. Not at all. But he knew that he’d feel guilty if he gave into temptation.

[Ember]

Sel'n was greatly mistaken in thinking he was a boring man, Nephele thought. That or the wine made everything funny. Doubtful, considering that wasn't the usual effect it had on her. She laughed openly at the comments and disappointment the older man had. In a little more serious tone (though still not very) she said, "You'd be welcome in the infirmary. I could use someone to chat with." She wasn't lying about that, either. She didn't particularly like big crowds but she'd gotten so used to not being completely alone that it was slightly uncomfortable to be alone, no matter what she might claim.

The greenrider grinned faintly at the idea of the cook getting more wrinkles. Poor woman, forced to deal with all the weird demands of dragonriders. She was probably already getting more wrinkles from having to prepare food with the limitted resources they had at Burimyu. When Sel'n paused before drinking she smirked inwardly. So he did at least think she was attractive. Or...well, the alternative didn't need thinking about anyways. She was a little too inebriated to elaborate those vague thoughts.

When Sel'n stopped her from taking the bottle again she grinned at him. Alright, alright. But he was taking a little too long, wasn't he? His words, though, earned an innocent "Lush? Me?" and a slight smirk that was entirely not innocent. She accepted the bottle again though she simply stared at it for a moment before taking a small sip. She probably should stop. The drinking, anyways. No one liked to throw up and she was probably already pretty close to her tolerance for alcohol. Once she drank past that point everything went downhill very fast.

Nephele passed the bottle back to him. In fact, she might as well make her final offer and either be on her way or not. She was a bold enough person to begin with but she took it up a level by maneouvering briefly onto Sel'n's lap and giving him an entirely serious look. "I should be going. Unless, of course, you want me to stay?" She tilted her head then, parting her lips ever so slightly. Did he really want her to go?

[Rei]

Tilting his head Sel’n smiled. “Speaking for the infirmary staff now are you? I’ll definitely keep it in mind.” He would too. The infirmary here was severely understaffed. Yes they didn’t have a large population but still putting everything on the shoulders of only a few people was probably a bad thing. Besides it never hurt to have an extra pair of hands that could, at the very least, follow directions. Thank you Kali. The brownrider gave Nephele a grin. “Yes you. I don’t think there is anyone else here. Where did you learn to drink like that anyway? If I didn’t know any better….” The older man never finished the sentence. Because suddenly he found his hands…..er lap full. Well sharding Faranth. Remember that moral dilemma he had? Yeah well now it had just gotten about ten times worse.

Blinking at Nephele Sel’n gave her a light smile. Really? Now he had a very clearly drunk and attractive young woman right in his lap. Straddling him even and parting her lips, acting every bit the seductive temptress that she apparently felt herself to be. The tone she chose to voice her statement in didn’t help either. Unless of course he wanted her to stay. Someone up there was having a good laugh at his expense. The older rider had to fight against chuckling. Oh it would be all to easy to accept her clear offer. Fortunately or unfortunately, however you chose to look at it, the brownrider did have morals. Nephele had more than a couple strikes against her really. She was his former student for one, very drunk, and also young enough to probably be his daughter. Fate just loved to laugh at him didn’t it? Literally dropping things into his lap here lately.

Placing one hand on each of Nephele’s arms Sel’n gently eased her back to gain a little breathing room. “Darling I’d like to say you should say but we’d both regret it in the morning. You more than me if I had to guess.” With another faint smile he took the bottle from her and set it beside him. “I’m cutting you off. When you start trying to seduce men that are old enough to be your father and are hideous besides it’s time to stop.” With a light chuckle he began to gently extract her from his lap so he could stand. “I will however walk you home and put you to bed. Can’t have you wandering drunkenly through the halls and getting lost.” That would be bad. The brownrider didn’t need that on his conscious either.

With a gentle prod to Kaaoloth he held his hand out for Nephele. “May I walk you home love?” Even if she refused he was still going to follow her to make sure she got there safely. Best if she made it easy on herself and just accepted. The three legged brown gave a yawn and arched his neck to view the two humans. Rumbling in amusement he reached out to Nuoth. I am sorry to disturb you Nuoth but Selmine needs directions to your weyr so that he may safely return yours to you. I hope you do not mind giving me directions?

[Ember]

Hmm. To cover up the sting of rejection - even if she didn't really mean it, rejection hurt the greenrider under any circumstance - Nephele smiled, though she didn't manage to keep a slightly devious edge out of it. "Less than you'd guess, I bet," she commented off-handedly. Not that she didn't appreciate that her former teacher wasn't a sleezeball. Quite the opposite. But still. "Not ugly," she muttered as she let herself be removed from his lap. Truly, the south was a nice place to be when guys didn't want you anymore.

The offer to coddle her and actually put her to bed amused, annoyed, and warmed her all at the same time. She wasn't a child anymore but to say she didn't miss it occasionally would be false. With a gentle sigh and an even gentler smile she shook her head and said, "I'll be fine, but thank you." She touched his hand briefly in farewell as Mother popped in to be her guide. If he could guide her here, he could certainly guide her back to her own room. Hopefully. Before she left, though, she looked back at Sel'n. "See ya 'round the infirmary sometime." Just so he knew she wouldn't be awkward or anything.

Nuoth was roused from a nap by Kaaoloth's words, though she was mildly disoriented by Nephele's drunken state. She took a moment to work out what happened before responding to the brown. Hers thought she didn't need an escort but she hadn't said anything to the green about not allowing Kaaoloth's to follow. Nor was the location of their weyr any great secret. I appreciate you and Yours helping NepheleMine out. I only hope she hasn't been up to too much trouble during my nap, the green said by way of apology before proceeding to give the brown his desired directions.