And everything you know is falling (Els)

[Avu]

We were /just here/.

That’s not true! A’emi objected, which was completely a lie. We were actually like…five meters sideways before.

The only answer he received was the mental equivalent of an eye-roll. Kyrahth fanned out her wings, banking around in a tight circle. And okay, A’emi conceded that he didn’t actually deserve much more of a reply, but really, it wasn’t like he’d expected to just casually fly up to Burimyu on accident that easily, since clearly they’d done a pretty good job not being wiped off the map so far. Besides, while the gossip up North was absolutely fascinating and occasionally downright disturbing, it didn’t really have any decent facts other than, who knew, Southern continent. And tithe train, which was considerably more helpful, but Kyrahth couldn’t exactly make like a tithe train and fool Burimyu dragons into showing up.

At least they were flying again. He’d missed flying. It was also probably the only reason Kyrahth was only mildly exasperated with him; the green was positively spoiling for something to do. A’emi didn’t blame her—it wasn’t like his life had been particularly thrilling of late either, but at least he hadn’t been rotting in a forest with nothing to do but chase butterflies, except Kyrahth was too stubborn to chase butterflies anyway.

We could check up on Darkling, he offered after a minute.

Please. As if the brat wouldn’t have come back the minute she saw, scared, ate, heard, or /imagined/ anything, Kyrahth answered immediately. The green flared her wings, skirting a low cloud and coiling around the next, her wing-strokes measured. Should leave her here when we go back. The malicious undercurrent to her tone made it anything but kind.

Or not. A’emi rubbed the heel of his hand against Kyrahth’s neck. Hey—you see movement?

Kyrahth tilted her head to one side, blinked. It could be a very fat feline, she said at last.

Optimistic, A’emi observed. And ever the flatterer. Let’s go take a look.

Flicking her wings closed, Kyrahth rolled mid-air, starting a slow descent; her eyes were cautious yellows, her mouth slightly open. The movement had supposedly been within the forest itself; A’emi expected there was a clearing of some sort. If there wasn’t, Kyrahth was still possibly small enough to fit on her own, but it would be dangerous—and in any case it would mean there wasn’t another dragon down there, so it didn’t matter anyway. Could be a person, he supposed, but he could handle a person on his own, provided Kyrahth could drop him off somewhere without simultaneously breaking bones with the fall.

You could do a general broadcast—?

And scare someone into thinking they’re under attack, yes, A’emi, love, that sounds like an absolutely splendid idea. I’m sure the knowledge that we found civilization will console me greatly when I have a bellyful of arrows.

Well, it’ll console /me/. A’emi pushed himself up as Kyrahth flicked her wings to carry them above the trees, coiling in a tight circle to pinpoint the location of the ‘movement’, cupping one hand around his mouth. “Hellooo? Is there possibly intelligent human or dragon life down there listening because I could really go for an actual confirmation that I didn’t just spend forever and a day flying around looking for nonexistent people and—hold up, Els?”

Who? demanded Kyrahth, already whipping herself back around in a tight upward loop.

You, uh, liked her?
Stop lying.
I’m not—okay! Fine, you hated her guts, is that /better/?
Not exceptionally.

[Rei]

He is going to be sooooo angry with you. Onyth remarked with a hiss from her coiled position among the trees. Her head was slung low as her talons flexed and drug though the dark jungle soil. You are not very good at this obeying thing sometimes. Elysia didn’t comment from her spot crouched on the jungle floor her fingers tracing over the paw print that had been pressed into the soil some hours prior. He only said I couldn’t /hunt/ them by myself Onyth. Not that I couldn’t track them. The darkly colored green snorted, her nostrils flaring in the next moments to scent the air. Trail is old anyway. Candlemarks old. They were obviously just passing through. I do not see how one is not the same. If you ran into them… Whirling eyes then caught movement from above. A warning was flashed through her bonded’s mind even as Onyth shrunk back into the foliage and her jaws parted in a partial snarl. Above.

Elysia gave a mental nod her hand hovering over her whip as she froze. What and how many? Dragon. I do not recongnize her. Cursing softly the Benden woman hazarded a glance at her hiding green. The foliage was thick above. Onyth had wormed her way this far after they had dropped into a clearing but getting to the air from her current position would be difficult if not impossible. They would have to between from the ground back to Burimyu. The greenrider was all set to sprint to Onyth when a voice hailed her and she froze dark eyes flicking up to the sky above. She could just make out the dragon though the leaves above. That voice. She knew that voice. “A’emi?” He couldn’t possibly hear her from where she was but the name was uttered in her surprise. A’emi? I do not remember an A’emi. You wouldn’t it has been almost two turns now. Besides Onyth had not much liked the rider at all and by default nor had she liked his dragon. Best to not remind her of such things.

What are you doing! Onyth exclaimed in the next moment as Elysia grabbed a low branch and hoisted herself onto it. I’m going to answer him. Are you insane?! The dragon hissed, eyes taking on displeased shades though she didn’t move just yet. How do you know they are friends? I don’t but I know he was among the ones missing from Selenitas and K’sel had mentioned that they had traveled together. I do not like this. Neither do I really but why would he be flitting around here unless he was looking for something? A soft growl resonated in Onyth’s chest but she made no further comment, her muscles simply twitching as she watched her bonded. The dark female wanted to simply tear hers from the tree and force her back down where it was safer but she didn’t want to tip the airborne dragon off as to her location either. So still she stayed.

Climbing as high as she could safely Elysia cupped her hands around her mouth as well and shouted out. “A’emi?” A pause to get an answer then. Best to play this as cautious as possible.

(I am soooo sorry love. I promise I won't make you wait so long for another response. I AM EXCITED!)

[Avu]

It had been a while since anybody had actually called him by that name, and although in retrospect, if it was Els, then obviously she would call him that, A’emi blinked and went still, startled. But it definitely was Elysia, he thought; her voice was fairly distinctive. And she’d actually answered him at all; A’emi supposed that depending on who he found, he would’ve been lucky to get sneakily ignored, if he found anyone at all. Maybe these crazy hobo riders weren’t quite as secretive as he’d expected, but A’emi figured he was mostly just very, very lucky it was Els, of all people.

“Hey, yeah,” he answered, as soon as Kyrahth came within range again. Not very eloquent, but whatever. “Yeah, it’s me—we’re going to land, okay?”

We are? Kyrahth asked, reluctant and sulky.

Yes, we are, A’emi replied sternly. It was all kinds of foolish and stupid and he knew that, and he distinctly remembered that while he liked Elysia a lot, he’d never really trusted her. Not that she’d ever done anything untrustworthy (to him—he didn’t really care about what she’d done to other people), but he still hadn’t. And probably shouldn’t. Go on, he added, when Kyrahth showed no signs of actually descending.

The green grumbled in her throat, but she obediently slanted her wings forward, dipping in a slow, unthreatening swoop downwards towards the trees. Less innocently, she raked her claws down a tree, coiling her body around the main trunk and ignoring the sickening sway of it under her weight—she refused to give up the altitude advantage, not to mention that navigating down into the actual trees would require much more attention than Kyrahth was willing to take off of the other dragon or the Rider perched in a nearby tree.

“Els,” A’emi said, smiling brightly as he shaded his eyes to look at her, “Gorgeous as ever.”

Not, he didn’t add, that he had much actual basis to go by; he remembered Elysia enough to recognize her without a doubt, but he didn’t actually remember many of the details and what have you. He also hadn’t had much to base the concept of beauty off of lately, either. None of which really mattered; she was (still, he expected) stunning. If appropriately hobo-ey. Side effect of being one, probably.

I know why I didn’t like her, Kyrahth stated unhelpfully, fanning her wings out carefully and bracing her hind legs against a sturdy branch. In fact, I also know why I didn’t like /you/.

You love me, A’emi corrected absently, and tilted his head, not taking his eyes off of Elysia. “Impressive stuff you’ve been up to,” he commented, bracing his forearms against Kyrahth’s neck ridges. “I mean, you wouldn’t believe the stuff the rumor mill comes up with. You guys didn’t actually set people on fire, did you?”

[Rei]

Elysia waited in a partial crouch on her tree limb, heart hammering as she waited for an answer. There was always the possibility that she was wrong and it wasn't him. If she was wrong she would have to act fast to avoid getting impaled or flamed or something probably. In hindsight shouting back at all was actually probably rather idiotic. When the other greenrider doubled back and responded though she relaxed slightly. Good. It was him.. Though that didn’t necessarily mean that everything was turning up roses. While she doubted that Selenitas would let A'emi back in after hoboing around with K’sel and F’ur that didn’t mean he hadn’t tried to go back to Fort. Though again, that avenue was rather closed off to him as well wasn’t it? More then likely he was just forced drifting around. One could only do that for so long before they were forced to again seek company again right?

To be honest Elysia wasn’t sure. But regardless this was here and now. Dark eyes flitting up to the hovering form of Kyrahth she shouted back. “Yeah sure.” And then proceeded to press back against the trunk of her tree as A’emi’s green started her descent. Below, in her position on the ground twined between two trees, Onyth stayed crouched. The female’s entire form was still as death as her eyes fixed on the smaller dragon. When Kyrahth found a perch coiled about a nearby tree she titled her head slightly to regard the other female. She is too close to you. I hope you know what you are doing.

Elysia didn’t immediately answer her green though instead pushing off of the trunk to give A’emi a better view of her. Offering the other rider a rather sultry smile. She responded in her normal playful tone. “So wonderful to see you darling. You don’t look half bad yourself. Very Northern. I’m jealous.” Only then did she reply to her own dragon, keeping the friendly smile in place for A’emi. Relax Ony. If he came down this far he’s not planning to run me though or something silly. Why don’t you ask that large metallic couch of yours if S’rei will let me bring home a pet? I don’t think I approve. Why should I bother Salenth with it? Onyth we can’t leave him out here all alone. He’s too close. Better he comes with us then stumble across the weyr on his own yes?

A unhappy soft rumble left Onyth’s throat at the final words but she obediently brushed against Salenth’s mind in query, one whirling eye still fixed on Kyrahth in distrust. Content that her dragon was doing as asked Elysia placed a hand on her hip and flicked her now rather long ponytail over her shoulder as she listened to A’emi. His comment caused her to outright laugh and she fixed him with a rather amused expression. “Oh yes. Onyth likes her humans well done. Plus it amuses her when they run around like living torches.” Another smile took at least a bit of the morbidity out of the return comment. With practiced ease the greenrider leapt to a closer branch her feet finding the perfect perch with the ease of someone well used to traversing this way.

Straightening back up Elysia then leaned against the trunk in a relaxed manner. “So I’m assuming that since you were listening to rumors and sweeping random deep jungles you have been looking for us?” The Benden woman tilted her head to get a better look at his face. “Getting lonely darling? You might be interested in hearing that one of your other homeless friends has joined our merry band of thieves.” Her dark eyes flicked to Kyrahth for a moment before going back to the rider. “One K’sel of Pettahth?”

[Avu]

Meaningless, mindless flirting. It simultaneously reassured him and put him further on edge, if only because flirting was the kind of thing he always fell back on to buy time, test the waters; A’emi tilted his head and smiled broadly at Els, keeping his body loose, carefully watching her as Kyrahth twitched her wings under him, the green blinking evenly at Onyth. She didn’t expect the dragon would try anything; her Rider was too close to Kyrahth, after all, and based on A’emi’s current mentality, the greenpair was anything but stupid. And there was some kind of camaraderie there. Or had been. Kyrahth’s tail coiled around the trunk of the tree, securing her own perch, her claws tightening around a branch.

“Of course,” A’emi answered, one hand pressing against Kyrahth’s neck in automatic assurance, “Medium rare just isn’t classy anymore, is it?”

What are you even /talking/ about? Kyrahth grumbled, her head coming around warily as Els approached closer, the green’s teeth clicking together anxiously in the barest of an instinctive snarl. The tree-jumping had her muscles twitching, A’emi blinking in half-amusement and half-surprise. What, used to hopping around in the tree branches, Els? That wasn’t an entirely normal mode of transportation, especially given the fact that there was a perfectly functional green dragon below them, but okay, sure. If that was what floated her boat, then fine.

He shrugged one shoulder, had the grace for an apologetic smile. A’emi knew his poking around was blowing their cover, after all, but that wasn’t something that could be helped, exactly. “You’d be surprised how interesting the grapevine gets,” he answered instead of an outright yes, since that would probably be highly unnecessary. One eyebrow rose at her mention of K’sel, though, and A’emi couldn’t quite help the soft snort of laughter, his mouth curling up in a wry grin. “Of course he would be.” He remembered K’sel, F’ur, and F’lix most acutely of the South—less because he had been exceptionally fond of them and more because they had been his last memories of the South at all.

“I’ve come to accept that anywhere there are hobos, K’sel will eventually appear,” he added easily. “No F’ur? Or F’lix?” When he’d left the three of them had been together still, an awkward sort of trio to be sure since F’lix’s arrival (and a factor to his subsequent departure), and he hadn’t imagined they would break apart any further, though in retrospect he imagined F’ur and F’lix would probably be better off on their own anyway. “No stray wanderers from ye olde Selenitas, I assume.”

A’emi, Kyrahth said, softly, as if Elysia could possibly overhear. The green brushed against his mind lightly, continued, Cease the small talk, please; remember that the green below us is more than capable of calling for backup. I may have the advantage of her but I won’t if others come from above. A surprisingly constructive comment, actually; A’emi resisted flicking a glance over his shoulder just in case, trusting Kyrahth to warn him of any dragons’ approach.

“Room for another?”

[Rei]

Feigning that she was completely at ease was not something out of character for Elysia. Did she trust A’emi? Nope. But she was willing to bet that neither did he trust her. Which put them on a level playing field in a way. Both were carefully, though not outright, distrustful. She didn’t miss the clack of Kyrahth’s teeth and the greenrider stayed still in her place, moving no further forward. No sense in making the dragon even more jumpy after all. Onyth too had caught the instinctive snarl and the dark female had only barely resisted the urge to rumble threateningly up at the other green. Instead she tensed below and made sure her gaze was fixed strictly on the lighter colored female. Diffusion to the situation was needed before the building anxiety made Elysia want to twitch even more. Pulling mentally away from Onyth more wouldn’t be smart however so the woman just redirected her dragon to keeping up the conversation with Salenth. Tell him we need a clear answer please love.

Dark brown eyes flicked back up to Kyrahth and A’emi then and she offered the rider an easy return smile for his apologetic one. “Oh you’ll have to tell me all about what kind of interesting things are spreading around about us. You have me quite curious now. If we are already setting people on fire then I can only imagine what other dastardly things we are doing.” Elysia remarked with clear amusement before tilting her head to better catch his next words. A soft chuckle left her lips then. “Oh yes quite the wanderlust that one seems to have. He gets along smashingly well with the rest of us poor hobos. I dare say he seems content enough right now though.” She trailed off as F’ur and F’lix were mentioned and she raised an eyebrow and then shook her head. “No I have seen either hide nor hair of that pair. K’sel had mentioned that he broke off from the rest so I would imagine they have by now fled up north or something.” With a shrug she continued. “Not surprising. I never chalked those two up to being very loyal sorts.” Especially not F’lix that one had always been quite a bit off in her opinion. With another little shake of her head she chuckled. “No. No one from Selenitas either. I can’t decide if Wasteland really has that much of a hold or they are all just a bunch of cowards to be honest.”

Trailing off she prodded Onyth for an answer, the dark green rumbling in displeasure. Salenth says that you may bring your pet. But he must be watched. You are sure he is not a Selenitas spy? Elysia smiled down at Onyth. Pretty sure yes. Can’t be a hundred percent but about eighty at least? Dark eyes traveled back to A’emi and she chuckled. “Always room for more hobos.” She responded brightly. “I just got clearance to bring you so give me a moment to get to Onyth and we’ll take you there.” With that she began to carefully descend from her perch. Leaping to the ground with a soft grunt she made her way over to her dragon and mounted swiftly. I do not like this. It is not a good idea. Hey we need all the help we can get and it’s not like be won’t be under surveillance. We can't just leave him here. Sure we can he can go back to where he came from. And what if he finds us on his own anyway? It's better this way. Stop it and give her the coordinates love. Discussion is over.

With a snort Onyth uncoiled from her tree and flicked her gaze up to Kyrahth. There will be a member of our council waiting to speak to you and yours when we arrive. She said evenly though not coldly to the other green. I will pass you the coordinates first and we will be right behind you. With that she sent the set of coordinates Salenth offered her and waited for the other green to disappear. She would have to follow from the ground anyway. I hope you know what you are doing. The dark female offered to her rider with just a twinge of unhappiness to the tone.

[Avu]

He let Els talk, his smile turning faintly amused at her response to the rumors; A’emi nodded, a wordless promise to fill her in later—once things had settled, because even if he could’ve slipped easily into gossiping with Els before, there was just no way that was going to happen right now. At least she was giving him news of K’sel though—K’sel A’emi still trusted, even if it was only not to kill him given orders to do so, probably, not that the circumstances would ever arise that it would be put to the test. Not quite surprised about F’ur or F’lix, though; the North was a likely place for them to go. He had gone North, after all, and surely F’ur had been South long enough for his notoriety to have died down enough to manage up there.

“Maybe they just don’t have the survival training and figure getting old and fat with Wasteland is better than dying from starvation in the jungle…” It seemed like a pretty legitimate deal to him; he’d gone through survival training and what have you but the Southerners sure hadn’t and it wasn’t like smacking into Burimyu was the easiest thing ever.

Plus: It was nerve-wracking; A’emi smiled, appropriately grateful, at Els’s words, offering her an ironic two-fingered salute and a lighthearted “Aye, aye” as she started back to Onyth. This made it or broke it, essentially; they could be going between directly into an ambush or anything else and A’emi was decidedly not looking forward to it; Kyrahth could maybe hold her own for a while but given overwhelming odds, there was no way. And it wasn’t like she had had the freedom to fly around for a long time either. He tightened his legs around Kyrahth’s neck, brushing his thumb down the curve of her neck lightly. Ready?

She gave no response, and maybe that was for the better. Instead, Kyrahth merely blinked at Onyth imperturbably, curling her wings around her body warily as soon as Elysia was out of her immediate range, quietly passing Onyth’s words on to A’emi, One of their council will be waiting for us when we arrive, and we are to go /between/ first. She wasn’t sure if she liked it better or not that way; it implied something potentially violent on the other side that Onyth wasn’t to be caught up in on accident or it implied just a regular safeguard, and she wasn’t nice enough to assume it was the latter.

Thank her, A’emi instructed softly, slouching casually against Kyrahth’s neck.

Kyrahth obediently, neutrally, responded to Onyth, A’emi and I thank you and Yours, before she pushed off of the tree, whipping herself around in a tight circle and blinking between to the coordinates Onyth had given her—fast so neither of them could have second thoughts about the general stupidity inherent in this entire thing.

[Requiem]

The coordinates were to a spot not too high above the hidden weyr, within sight of the watch dragons. You still couldn't see it for all the foliage but it didn't take any great amount of insight to discern that something was there. Kyrahth, Salenth greeted warmly, though they'd had little enough contact. The massive bronze circled once more above the treeline. His rider was conspicuously absent. We must ask you for one more leap of faith, the male commented with amusement. Please follow.

Salenth twisted into a neat dive, plunging down straight toward the trees. If you didn't know about the tunnels below you'd think he'd gone mad. The bronze descended through the stone roof by way of the tunnels, spinning into a lazy glide as he cleared the wide open space above the dragon ledges and settled neatly to the base of the weyrbowl by the lake. It might seem like he had a good deal of trust placed in Kyrahth, but it had more to do with trust in Onyth to watch his back, and it was no coincidence that Salenth chose one of the spots most exposed to the other dragons of the Weyr, just to be safe. If you'd both join me?

S'rei was not far off, perched on a boulder and sketching idly. His eyes flicked up to take in the approaching dragons, then back down to the paper on his knee. Only when the two dismounted would he set it aside and flash a smile at both greenriders. (If you were particularly observant you might notice that there was a slight difference in taste between the expression given A'emi and the one Elysia, but most people didn't know the bronzerider well enough to pick that up.)

"A pet, Elysia? He's rather large...I don't think he'll fit at the foot of our bed. We thought you might turn up after K'sel did," S'rei added, tilting his head slightly to one side. "You went to ground with him, as I understand."

[Rei]

Onyth slipped out of between and into warmer air just a few dragon length above Kyrahth and immediately brushed her mind against Salenth’s to let him know that they had just arrived. The dark colored green watched the other green impassively as her mate circled. Eyes only for Kyrahth at this time. If the green sought to pull anything she would be on her in an instant. She did well to keep all but a slight tenseness out of her frame however. Elysia watched Salenth noting the absence of S’rei from his back as the large bronze dove to enter the tunnel leading to the weyr interior. The green pair waited for a few moments for A’emi’s green to begin her own dive into the tunnel before following. Close enough to watch the other pair and far enough back not to crowd them.

Banking into her own easy glide Onyth’s eyes still focused primarily on Kyrahth before the other green landed. Of course. Came the light reply to Salenth as she approached the male and waited for the other green to land. Only then did the female neatly back wing to a landing herself. Briefly crouching to allow hers to dismount the female raised her head and shifted to give the other female dragon a little more space. As nervous as Kyrahth seemed before it would not do to crowd her now. Instead Onyth shifted to place herself closer to Salenth, her attention half on the bronze and half on their ‘guest’.

Elysia moved to meet A’emi as the other greenrider dismounted, giving him what she hoped was a reassuring smile before gesturing with a toss of her head in S’rei’s direction. Sitting upon his boulder and sketching. As they approached she caught the bronzer’s smile and offered one in return, the expression not as open as it would have been had they been alone. But it was still a quite genuine expression. Especially in comparison to the usual smiles she offered. When the man spoke Elysia snorted and raised an eyebrow. Though she waited for him to finish before speaking in a tone that was just a touch too sweet. “You said I could keep him. No going back on that now. Besides he’s sooooo cute.” A playful glance was given A’emi before she half returned her gaze to S’rei, letting A’emi say his piece to the bronzer.

[Avu]

Kyrahth coiled instinctively upon arrival, curling closer to herself to minimize any potential target she was offering as she cast a quick glance around warily, skipping over Salenth as possibly the fattest bronze on this side of Pern and therefore unlikely to do anything sneaky immediately. She only knew his name because A’emi recalled it, and even so she did not respond to his greeting mentally, dipping her head in silent acknowledgment and addressing A’emi instead, Down there? It’s covered. I can’t see anything. She flicked a wary glance at Onyth, flaring her wings to draw herself sideways, away from underneath the other green. He says to follow, she added, her eyes sliding into anxious yellows.

So follow him, A’emi replied soothingly, and stroked a hand down her neck again as the green hesitated underneath him before she obediently threw another glance at Onyth and then swept in after Salenth, careful to keep a decent space between herself and the bronze, slower because was he aiming for the ground.

He wasn’t.

A’emi registered a faint, momentary surprise before he shifted his hand automatically to check Kyrahth’s flight, an unnecessary precaution as the green had already arched to follow Salenth, neatly for all the unfamiliarity of the descent. She hesitated again before landing, eventually settling cautiously on the ground and half-crouching, tense in prepared liftoff. Fortunately, neither Salenth nor Onyth seemed like they were going to crowd her. Less fortunately, A’emi seemed to have gotten the memo of basic manners, and slid down from her neck without so much as a by-your-leave, stepping forward to meet Elysia and S’rei with a deliberately casual stride and an easy smile.

Please don’t die, Kyrahth said, sounding almost comically horrified; the dragon flared her wings once nervously and then settled, blinking watchfully at Onyth and Salenth—fortunately both of whom could be simultaneously in her line of sight, or she might’ve gone cross-eyed trying to. It’s far too early to die. I hate you.

Relax, love, A’emi replied, tilting his head at the exchange between S’rei and Els. Their bed? Not that it mattered now. He snorted a dry laugh at Els’s response, murmuring a dry, “I try,” before answering S’rei (although that was definitely a phrase he wasn’t familiar with, hooray for complete bullshit guessing), “It’s been about a year since I’ve seen K’sel, but we did play hobo together for a while, yes.” Plus a F’ur. But F’ur’s reputation wasn’t quite anywhere near clean, even by K’sel standards, and he wasn’t there anyway, so.

[Requiem]

He wrinkled his nose good-naturedly at Elysia and gave her the patented we'll discuss this later look, mostly for A'emi's benefit and the bronzerider's own amusement. What? A day could get terribly boring around here if you let it, with all those council meetings. It was Ka'rys' and Meira's brainchild, though, and E'rro at least was determined to hang onto it. He saw the advantages even if it was terribly limiting in some respects. Like having to discuss things with people constantly. Fortunately this decision hadn't required much discussion.

"Ah, yes. Playing hobo. Did that myself with our resident ray of sunshine. Just for your information, don't go spelunking with Sel'n; he brings down the ceiling with his shrieks. Literally." S'rei tilted his head to one side, glancing about the ledges arrayed around them, then nodded toward a section. "Those there are mostly empty still and relatively close to the dining hall, kitchens and other common areas. And far enough from the infirmary not to smell the numbweed. Take your pick. We've plenty of space."

No, this wasn't meant to be an interrogation. A'emi was here. The risk had already been taken, though in S'rei's estimate there wasn't much of one. Fort didn't generally look well on deserters and he was pretty sure that the greenrider hadn't orchestrated Kyrahth's near death at the claws of a Selenitas dragon just to get on the good side of the least threatening Weyr Pern had to offer. He might be able to return north, but not to Fort Weyr itself, unless R'anatar's disposition had changed a good deal since the bronzerider first knew him.

"K'sel's integrated nicely. He might be a good point of contact if you have any questions, or you can come to E'rro, Darya or myself. Or Elysia if you find that more comfortable. In terms of wings, we're still working those details out, but I'll be sure to let you know once those are set. If you'll show him where things are, Els?"

[Rei]

Elysia’s eyes traveled from A’emi to S’rei and then back to A’emi when he responded. The other greenrider sounded maybe just a tad nervous, not that one could blame him for it. If she was in his shoes she’d be nervous too. It reminded her a little of when they had been offered on loan from Benden. Distrusted and disliked on principle. At least he didn’t have to teach people who hated his guts on sight how to fight. That had been fun. Dark eyes flicked back to S’rei and caught his look. The greenrider smiled before turning one back at him. Oh we will. As the bronzer continued to address A’emi Elysia let her attention wander a bit. Boring. The benden woman glanced back at the dragons and couldn’t help a smile when her eyes set upon Onyth. Didn’t she look impressive today? The dark green brushed light amusement against her bonded’s mind but kept her whirling eyes fixed placidly upon Kyrahth. Little nervous thing wasn’t she?

Returning her attention to S’rei Elysia waited till the end of his little speech and smiled brightly. “I’d be more then happy to show you where things are. And answer any questions you may have.” Turning the woman lightly trailed just her fingertips over A’emi’s jaw and purred. “This way ‘pet’.” She teased him lightly before linking an arm with him. “In all seriousness this place is a veritable maze. I can at least give you a head start on figuring it out. Would you like to make Kyrahth comfortable before we continue?” As she spoke the greenrider gently tugged at him to follow before giving the bronzer behind her one last playful glance. No worries love. She’d behave.

Turning back to A’emi Elysia regarded him playfully. “So lets find you one of the better weyrs hmm? You have an insane amount of choices. Perhaps one of the higher ones near a waterfall? They afford such a nice view.” As she spoke she headed across the bowl and toward the stairs that would lead up into the first higher ring and so the weyrs. “I have to say you’re very lucky that we found you.” Lucky indeed. It helped that A’emi was one of a select group of riders that she could actually stand. She didn’t mind him one bit.

Watching hers leave Onyth stretched and lightly rubbed her head against Salenth’s shoulder before trotting away to launch herself into the air and wing for one of the sunning ledges above. A glance was given to the other green below before the female finally accepted that for better or worse the other would be staying. Welcome to the weyr Kyrahth. Onyth said simply as she coiled up on the sun warmed rock. Didn’t matter if she got an answer or not. She had done her duty.

(Feel free to do an end post vu ^^ <3 Welcome A’emi and sorry that took so long xD)