Sleepin' In Our Autumn Beds [Rei!]

[Lotty]

A scruffy cover for his salad days, proudly admired in the mirror - oh how vanity was such an appropriate term - before a hand ran through the dark bristle and moved up to flick at a an equally black lock of hair. The Weyr was asleep and this mountain man of a rider - or hobo, or whack job, or ratty brownrider or whatever you wanted to call him - was not far behind, straggling after only long enough finish the last of a few necessities like teeth brushing and face washing. Rumors be damned, K'sel did care enough not to fall victim to tooth decay or blemished swollen pores, and so with the last wringing of the hand towel, and the shedding of his day time skin - tossed aside into a pile of other non-descript shirts waiting for the laundry - he took the all important steps towards his bed. He was looking awfully glorious in those heart printed undergarments he had stubbornly hung on to for so many turns.

Pettahth had fallen asleep before his bonded even hit the covers, ritually cooing out a Goodnight K'sel.[/color] before slipping into a draconic snore on his stoney couch. Beaten by a barrage of drills it was no wonder that the tiny little brown was quick to count sheep. As for the firelizards...well who the shards knew where they were. Fracas he swore he hadn't seen in a sevenday, and as long as she was fed she was unlikely to come around. Eyesore was curled up on his wardrobe and curiously glaring at the door while Mojo picked a curiously low spot in the room - quite out of character, but K'sel was too tired to notice - on the foot board of his bed. He was distinctly up to something, though smart enough to not let it on to the drowsy rider.

He was unaware. So so unaware of what was in store for him despite being very aware of the general opinion of his current derelict style. He liked it. He was amused that people were so bent out of shape by a little bit of facial hair, as if it was something unusual. Even his mother wrinkled her nose as the sight of her son stating, "Most people try to look younger..." But K'sel saw nothing glamourous in being twenty, and he would stubbornly hold onto his thin veneer, his act of being wiser than he was, and curled under a thin linen onto his side, wishing himself into slumber, and hoping that in the safety of dreams that maybe a day's work would wash away from his tired bones. As his eyelashes flickered closed a bronze body lifted from it's quite spot at the end of the bed, doing nothing but squeaking out a deviously laugh like chatter before vanishing into the night. He was left with little else than the blue Eyesore to keep watch.

[Rei]

Daybreak found Erilena sitting on K’sel’s bed, straddling the brownrider with a bowl of tepid water on one side, a razor in her hand, and lather coating his beard. The thing had to go. Nephele thought so, she thought so, and most important of all K’sel’s mother thought so. So obviously if all three woman where of the same mind it had to be done. Badgering him about it constantly hadn’t done the job and so that really only left her one choice didn’t it. Nephele better appreciate this. It was a good thing the greenrider was good at making plans and follow through really.

It had all been planned at least a week ago, including the bribes. More importantly the only one who knew of it was her. Made it much less likely for someone to slip up and tell him. If they didn’t know they couldn’t tell. Although she had told one person where she was going to be. Albeit it was a very quick, ''R’ven I’m going to work but first I’m going to stop at K’sel’s and shave his beard.' Spouted out in a quick sing song while her boyfriend had been more or less half asleep and snuggled in his furs. That still counted right? Right.

Feyrianth was doing her part perfectly. Sprawled on her back the four winged green was going her level best to ‘wrestle’ with Pettahth. Upon arriving she had gone on about how much she had missed him before pouncing him in play. Now forelegs locked around his neck, back legs kicking harmlessly at his underbelly, she looked for all the world like a kitten locked in mortal combat. She was being sharding adorable and she knew it. A tiny portion if it was doing as hers wished but the majority of it was the overwhelming desire to play with the brown. Liked him she did. Pettahth was a favorite. Although to be honest Erilena was quickly losing track of Feyrianth’s favorites. She was collecting far too many. Trilaranth, Pettahth, Behruth, Craivaruth, Ioth, Nuoth, Phremath, Eveyth, Hepaticath. And that was just a small part of the list. Pretty much anyone who played with her or was nice to her. The green was full of love for everyone.

Bringing the razor up Erilena swiped it down the side of her adoptive brothers beard and smiled at the rewarding scritch sound. Holy Faranth this thing was thick. The greenrider exchanged a glace with Mojo before grinning and giving a light croon to the bronze. He was her favorite of K’sel’s flits. Had been since he had stolen her tuber on the first chore duty. K’sel’s other flits had been bribed with food but the bronze didn’t have to be bribed. He was her partner in crime. If anything she would hazard a guess that he was getting more amusement out of this that she was.

With an intense look of concentration the weyrling got to work, being very careful not to create too much noise. It was a good thing her brother was a heavy sleeper. But even the heaviest sleepers seem to stir when you have a razor close to their neck and just as she got to the halfway point K’sel stirred. Erilena froze but her knee accidentally knocked into the bowl of water, when she shifted to take some of her weight off K’sel’s midsection, spilling it onto the furs and her 'victim'. Shards. Wide innocent eyes flew to her brother’s face as his lids fluttered and finally opened. “Uh morning?”

[Lotty]

A succubus. Or something like it, and since K'sel was not as strong of will as to try and fight the temptress off - chastity say what? - he allowed himself to be seduced and pinned by the weight that pressed down upon him. Swipes of the blade were only mistaken for feather light teases and the man couldn't help but grin from beneath his dwindling cover, murmuring in that deep morning time bedroom voice and delivering playful quips back to his invisible mistress. He wasn't talking to Erilena...no he wasn't exactly talking to the girl he so adoringly called his little sister - as scathingly he might drop the term he really did regard her as such - he whispered to another whether the greenweyrling wanted to hear it or not.

A slight twitch as the razor flicked down and cut cool against his skin and then a subtle laugh, "It's colddd..." he purred before digging himself deeper and deeper into a not so unfamiliar territory: awkward situations. Fortunate for him he knew no such thing as shame, "Nephele...Nephele...thats sooooo kinky..." This was headed nowhere good, and whether it just be coincidence or for the sake of the girl's ears, his voice drifted off as he slowly turned his head away. The guy, was not making this shaving task easy for his sister. Maybe the beard had taken over...maybe the beard just didn't want to go. A resistance!

Not so much of one from the firelizards. Mojo hopped down to the girl with a clean wash cloth in tow, ready to hand it off to her for when she needed to wipe the last of his shaving cream away, all the while being perfectly silent, tilting his head to watch the blade swish against his bonded's face. This was really for the best the bronze agreed, and flashed her a recent image of the young man with his face cleanly shaven although with fuzzy focus and glamour lighting generously added of course...hey he had to give his pet some help after all! Pettahth though...well boys will be boys and being tackled by Feyrianth first and foremost resulted in a croon. He had missed her too, and for a few moments was more than happy to play with the four-winged green. It was at some point, as he tried to slither out of her death grip, that he nudged her, muzzle to muzzle.

This was probably not the best of ideas. Fey-one, I would love to play, I would, but is it not almost morning? What are you doing up so early? Will mine not be up soon and wanting to prepare for work? And what about yours? It is imperative... oh be was sooo proud of himself for learning such a tricky word. See how smart he was!? At least twice as smart as the average bronze, but he would never upset the normal swing of things by pointing it out, imperative to work hard so that then we can play.[/i]

But K'sel woke up, and the edge of a blade against his skin registered much faster than his eyes could gain their senses...water against his body was as heavy as blood and instinct took over with a throaty roar and a hand shooting up to grasp the girl's wrist, he refused to die there in heart patterned underwear. It wasn't until the voice crossed the synapses did he dare to let go, and even then he gritted his teeth in confusion. Eri? What was she doing here?

"You have thirty seconds to explain yourself before I screammmm incest and rape. GO!"

[Rei]

It was a good thing for K’sel that Erilena was forced to concentrate lest she injure him. As such most of his words where filtered out as mere background noise. Unfortunately through Nephele’s name being muttered caused her to pause once in surprise and the weyrling tilted her head to better catch his words. Pulling back a blush colored her cheeks. Okay that was just…it definitely was /not/ something she wanted to hear come from her brothers mouth. Yes she encouraged the two to get along. Was even quite beyond sure they had feelings for each other but well…K’sel was like her brother. The greenrider no more wanted to think of him and Nephele involved then he likely wanted to think of her and R’ven. That was just ewww. She felt Feyrianth’s amusement at her reaction and gave a soft snort before turning her attention back to her work and trying for all the world to ignore his mutterings. Sheesh he couldn’t make this easy could he? Faranth forbid.

Mojo’s obvious desire to help caused a smile to flit across her face and she had to choke back a laugh at the image he sent her. That really was priceless. Biting her bottom lip Erilena continued her work, stealing glances at the bronze flit every now and again as they shared in their secret amusement. Amusement that soon became anxiety at her brother’s waking. K’sel’s desperate roar and the death grip he had on her wrist caused her to shriek in response, the sound very girly. The weyrling almost lost her balance, her other arm flailing in the air for a moment before she regained her perch. The slight blush sprang to her cheeks before his words even registered.

Incest? Rape? For Faranth’s sake dramatic much? Did she look like the type of person who would rape someone? Trying to gather her shattered nerves and still her now rapid heart beat after her scare. Erilena tried to fix an innocent look on her face and probably failed miserably. “You know thirty seconds gives me like no time at all. This sentence in fact is probably more than thirty seconds. You are being quite unfair.” Okay maybe that was a little wrong. She was the one shaving him in his sleep and yet he was the unfair one? Yay for female opinion.

Feyrianth tried to stare at the end of Pettahth’s muzzle as he spoke and probably ended up looking quite comical as her eyes attempted to cross to view it better. A soft croon emerged from her throat as she lapped affectionately at his face. It is indeed almost morning but mine was up very early. Ven makes a good cuddlemate but she had plans before work and I am being her helper. The four winged green said this with obvious delight and wiggled back to sit on her haunches in an attempt to look slightly more dignified. How could she explain this without giving it away?

Her wings twitched and then settled back against her spine. Mine does not have to be at work until the tenth morning candlemark. I am not sure when yours has to start his work but she wanted to give him something before she went to work. Which wasn’t really a lie. Hers had said Petta’s would have a new face. Feyrianth was not sure how this worked but hers had been excited about it, so surely it could not be something terrible. Tilting her head Feyrianth rumbled. Distracting yes that was what she should be doing. Petta anytime can be playtime when you are around the Fey-one. She replied in a happy tone. Why should we work first? That seemed a tad backwards. If there was time for play, well then they needed to take advantage of it. No one was currently working after all.

Her dragon doing an excellent job of distract the brown, Erilena settled her weight more firmly on the brownrider’s stomach and gave a glance to her captured wrist. “If I bruise I swear the last thing you will have to worry about is an explanation. Mind letting me go now?” She still had a job to finish and by the golden egg of Faranth that beard was going down before she left. The weyrling scrunched her nose in distaste. “Unless you like the half finished look that is.” Reaching forward with her other hand she gave a light tap to his now bare cheek. That enough of an explanation for him? A innocent smile was fixed on her face. He couldn’t really be angry with her right?

[Lotty]

With the green on her haunches, finally the brown could get up a little and breathe, but not daring to wipe away the slobber that was left on his muzzle from her affectionate licking. He'd rather not go and offend sweet, darling, Fey-one after all, despite how confusing she was being with all these vague words and talk of being a helper. The brown just couldn't seem to put it all together, Helper? But how are you helping Yours when you are playing with me? He assumed a sitting position much like her own, and looked at her squarely, Give him something? Like a present? It's not his turn-day and he hasn't done anything nice for anybody in so long... It was pretty bad when the dragon couldn't fathom why anybody would want to do anything nice for their rider. Work is very important Fey-one, we all have duties and if you play first you will forget about duties... Like fighting Thread and drills. If one were to forget about something like that, it would be bad.


Reluctantly he let go of her arm, though not without his trademark quips, "Fair? Fair!? Life isn't fair! Now what the shards is going on here?" He paused for only a moment, feeling her hand touch his cheek without the resistance of prickly mess he had been growing for the past week. For just a moment, in the corner of one of the young man's blood shot eyes, a small tear could be seen welling up. Evil wench of a sister! Luckily, what came out of his mouth was much more..diplomatic, "You didn't..." he accused her as weary waking eyes caught the gleam of her implement once more, finally recognizing the lather that had amassed on the side of the blade. There was silence....a painfully dead one as a hand felt around his bed furs, feeling for the puddle of blood...no...water that was soaking into his mattress. So she wasn't in the business of taking lives per say, but she did take away a little bit of his soul there, as he realized what she had done.

Both hands came up to cup his face, one was greeted with that familiar bristle, while the other was reminded of younger days and that first time a blade shore away at his silky skin. Saddening didn't quite cover it, and though he knew that it would just grow back - as was the nature of hair - it didn't do much to calm his nerves, "If you receive a bruise then you DESERVED IT! And how will you explain it anyway? 'That meanie Kasella bruised me after innocently straddling him in his bed...'" He mocked her in the latter half, throwing his voice up as high as he knew how. K'sel arched an eyebrow at her, did she really expect him to be hunted down by R'ven if he were to hear the truth? The other brownrider was the least of his concerns at the moment, "Or is it you who I have to be worried about? Are you going to beat me up after shaving me in my sleep?"

Mojo gave a little bounce and nodded his head at the man as he scowled. The rider jerked and an open hand gestured over at the bronze firelizard, "And what is....HE was in on it too?" Frustrating, but he should have known...had he somehow forgotten that the whole world was out to get him? Did a few good days out of the many worse ones convince him to be anything other than suspicious and untrusting? It would be long before he would ever make that kind of mistake again, and mildly, or at least in a calmer tone that he had been using before, he asked Erilena, "Why did you do this to me? Why should I let you finish? I'm of half a mind to let it be, just to spite you..." and don't ever doubt that he would. K'sel cared little for if the weyr thought he was a dimglow with a half beard, he'd just be sure to follow the girl around with it...so that it could bother her much much more.

[Rei]

Feyrianth tilted her head as Pettahth spoke, allowing her body to tilt with her head until she had flopped down on her side. Her tail tip twitched with suppressed mirth and a soft rumble left her throat before she rolled over to wiggle her back against his ledge. In this position she quite resembled a large canine rolling about happily in someone’s yard. Pettafriend. I am being a helper. The green said happily. There was no need to keep quiet about it now. Pettahth’s was already woken up so the advantage of surprise was lost. Lenamine needed me to talk to you so she could shave the scruffy off your bonded’s face. She didn’t want any distractions. But alas yours has awoken and is making it hard on mine. She was only trying to be good clutch sister and keep him from looking like a creepy thing. Feyrianth rolled over onto her stomach and sprawled out, her maw parting in a dragon smile. It is a gift in a sense. It will help him not scare the littles or Nuoth’s. Tail tip flicking she examined the small brown. I would never forget the work that is needed of me in favor of play. But you forget. Work can easily be turned into something akin to play if you have the proper mindset. A sage nod was given after those words. See she could be smart to.

As K’sel let go of her arm Erilena stiffened her posture, waiting for the disproval she knew was coming. Was it to much to hope he would be mature about it? Yes. It was to much to hope. This was K’sel after all and he made everything into a production. Sigh. Carefully the greenrider examined his face watching the change from sadness to something like anger with a stoic expression that she hoped was enough to disguise her unease with the whole situation. She really hadn’t thought he’d get quite this upset about it. It was only hair for Faranth’s sake. It would grow back. Perhaps the weyrling should have felt bad because he did look very upset. However she didn’t. The beard had to go. It made him look like some creep. She hated it, Nephele hated it, Marina hated it, and half the woman in the weyr probably thought he looked like a hobo. See all she was doing was helping him. Tch. He could be grateful but no, then again he wouldn’t be K’sel if he was grateful.

So Erilena continued to sit upon his stomach, rubbing her wrist and letting him vent at her. One eyebrow rose at the ‘deserved it’ comment. Oh she deserved a bruise for helping him? How nice. Jerk. Her eyes narrowed momentarily in her irritation before she spoke up, diplomatically ignoring his mocking of her. Although it did make her want to snap back at him. “Who else would you have to worry about besides me? I’m not going to bring R’ven into this. He doesn’t fight my battles for me Kasella.” The words where sharp and contained just enough of her irritation to clue him into the fact that he wasn’t the only one who thought they where being treated unfairly. “How else am I supposed to get you to shave that mess on your face. You refuse to listen to any of us. Nephele and I think it looks horrible and creepy and we won’t even go into what your mother thinks. If you want to be alone and without a girlfriend for the rest of your life that’s your prerogative I guess but all I was trying to do was be a good sister by helping you.” The weyrling made a wild gesture, waving the razor about. “There is no need to be a raging idiot about it. Excuse me for loving you. I didn’t think that was a crime. My mistake. Please accept my humble apologies dearest brother.” Okay so that really came off just a tad bitchy but he was being a dick so fair was fair.

The greenrider’s eyes defaulted for a moment to Mojo as K’sel implicated him. Poor little bronze didn’t deserve such treatment for trying to help his. God K’sel could be an ass. “He was only trying to help you. Don’t you start yelling at him to.” Maybe Mojo didn’t need defending but Erilena was going to defend him anyway. The bronze was such a sweetheart. He didn’t deserve his bonded’s ire anymore than she did. As he brother took on a softer tone the weyrling shifted her weight a little and crossed her arms. At least he wasn’t yelling anymore. “I told you already you looked like some creepy hobo or worse. So it needed to go.” Mildly she eyed him clucking her tongue. “If you think I’m going to let you leave this room while I’m only half finished, then you my darling brother are crazy. You are not going anywhere until that mess is completely banished. I mean it.” Cue another wave of the razor. “Now we can do this the easy way or the hard way.”

[Lotty]

At first the brown dragon couldn't help but almost melt at the sight of his almost clutch sister rolling around. He wanted to roll around and play too, and maybe, just maybe he could pounce her once or twice without His paying much mind. Bowing his front end and wagging his tail in the air, he was about to do just that when the green revealed to him Her bonded's sinister plan. He halted and sat back down again. Ohhhhh noes! Pettahth's eyes whirled with worry and concern, an off yellow color weaving it's way into his blues and greens. This was not good, not good at all! His was going to be soooo upset...and to be honest he felt it already. But, but Fey-one, it is not good to be tricksy like that! The small wherry that K'sel was growing on his face might not be exactly in vogue, but His liked it very much, and the brown knew how upset his rider would be about it's end. The brown laid down and covered his face with a paw, Mine will be most unhappy now... Though he did perk up at the thought of Nuoth's not being creeped out, it would please His greatly...hopefully. For good measure he was sure to throw in a threat or two,K'selmine, don't get yourself in a tizzy, or I will chomp you. Nuoth's will be happy to see you are not growing into a wild canine. He broadcasted evenly throughout the little weyr.

This helped, if only a little bit. K'sel could at least attempt to be polite despite how little respect he had for so called civility. After all, she did effectively do away with half of his facial hair, he had that much left of his caveman card left, and much too often it was all or nothing for the young man. Sighing and maybe even revealing a little bit of a soft side as well - careful treading young man - his scowl turned into a softer frown, "You love me?" Even if she meant it in the most sisterly of ways, hearing it made something of an impact on him. After all, he was just a boy in need of a hug sometimes, it was just a shame that he always seemed so reluctant to get too close to anybody...people tended to die on him. A lot in fact, and his typical response was to be a general ass in the face of what should be some short lived mourning, "And do you think it was really creeping Nephele out? This isn't fair, why do I have to cut my beard when there are other guys my age running around with flowing red locks. Way creepier."

As for the firelizard...he'd just have to deal with Mojo later. The bronze wasn't nearly the saint his dear sister thought he was. There was nothing helpful to him about what was done, but just because he helps her out with avoiding chores and shaving his face off, he was just the greatest. Guh. There was just no winning for Ka-sharding-ella now was there? It seemed, that his only option left was to glare at her something hideous and let her finish the job. Maybe. It wasn't as if he didn't have plenty of tricks up his sleeve to wrangle himself out of this, "You do know that I ammm crazy right? And difficult. Thats sort of my modus operandi if you will," he gave her a cheeky sort of smile, "So what is the hard way?" he was stalling, because he didn't really want to lose. Not totally anyway, and so he needed a little bit of revenge on the girl. Nothing bad of course, just something silly. A trick that he had learned a long while ago, and as soon as that was done, she could continue on her merry way and shave the rest of his beard right off. He thought it was a fair enough compromise...even if he was going to give her no choice but to agree with it.

Now, just how was he going to get around that razor in her hands without losing a finger?

He reached forward again carefully, "Erilennnna, you should be much, much more careful with that weapon of mass destruction. You're liable to cut off my nose, and unlike the childhood tale, lying will not grow it back..." the story of the puppet who wanted to be a real boy, was most definitely K'sel's favorite and so the reference flowed seamlessly into the conversation, as he tried to move the instrument out of harm's way...solely so that he could you know, flip positions. With a roll of the shoulders and a twist of his torso he turned his bed into a wresting ring and pinned the girl down as lightly as he could. Only long enough to stick out his long and lick the side of Eri's face. Letting go, he rolled back over into his indention in the mattress and flicked his tongue at her again, "Ewww you have boy cooties on you now..."

[Rei]

Feyrianth watched with whirling blue eyes as Pettahth crouched in a play bow, her muscles tightening in reaction as she waited for his pounce. Already her mind was working out how to use his weight to her advantage. However she was vastly disappointed when the small brown sat back with worry whirling in his eyes instead and covered his face with a forepaw. The green gave a concerned coon and belly crawled over to the sandy colored male nuzzling his paw in slight concern. Oh. I am sorry. I did not mean to cause undue upset. Lenamine was just worried about yours. She likes her clutchbrother scruffy face and all, but she much prefers him unscruffy. I am sure others do as well. The dragon flicked her tail tip in thought. I am sure she did not want to make him unhappy. In fact I am positive of this. Almost lazily she looked back at the entrance to the weyr as if she could conjure up the humans in question. Feyrianth had just turned her head back to regard the brown when he made his announcement to the small group causing the green to grin wider, clear amusement whirling through her eyes. A canine? Yes even if he does follow Nuoth’s around like a puppy that is no need to become one. The words where offered in a teasing tone and she felt the amusement coming from her bonded immediately followed by a surge of annoyance. Oh dear.

Erilena blinked down at K’sel as his tone suddenly softened. Did she love him? What kind of question was that? A soft smile graced her face nonetheless. “I’m kinda offended that you even have to ask that Kasella. Of course I love you. You are the most annoying brother I have and I one of my best friends. Tch. I can’t help but care about you.” It was the honest truth. She didn’t feel for him what she felt for R’ven. Not even close but she did view him as a brother figure. Even with his difficult moody ways and oddities. That was what brothers where anyway. Difficult and odd but you could tell they cared all the same. Blinking down at him the weyrling nodded enthusiastically at his next question. Who her manipulative? No of course not.

“I know for a /fact/ that it was creeping Nephele out. She liked it when she could actually see your face and I don’t blame her. How do you expect to her to kiss you when she can’t even find your mouth without drowning in hair.” The greenrider made a face. “That’s just gross.” The comment about long flowing red hair made Erilena giggle though and she promptly forgot to look irritated. “You mean Cr’oph? He’s creepy enough without the hair and he is an asshole. Besides do you really want to be lumped in the same category as him? Weyr creeps? That’s not exactly where I would prefer my adoptive brother to be grouped.” Which begged the question. Where did the greenrider want him to be grouped. Because as much as she cared about him K’sel, he was really in a category all his own. Which even the weyrling had to admit quite suited him.

Shifting of the body beneath her quickly turned Erilena’s attention back to K’sel. Idly she wondered just what he was up to because his words and the grin he gave her made the weyrling quite sure he had something up his sleeve. Giving him a look of warning she shrugged. “I know you are crazy but that doesn’t mean you have to go around looking the part.” His drawn out question gave her pause, just what in Faranth’s name was he trying to pull? “The hard way? The hard way is I tie you up and finish the job. How I am going to accomplish this I’ll never tell because then you would know how to stop me.” See she could be just as sneaky as the next girl. Besides perks of working in the infirmary and having a Kali as a master meant she had access to all kinds of sedatives and the knowledge on how to use them correctly. Not that she normally would ever be that manipulative, but well you had to play hard ball with K’sel. Otherwise you would never win. Case in point his next move displayed quite well just how vindictive he could be.

When the brownrider reached for her Erilena pulled back her arm out of reflex but his ridiculous words stopped her just long enough for him to gain the upper hand. What did a childhood story have to do with this? Did her brother really think her clumsy enough to injure him that badly. She was about to say so when he grabbed her wrist and proceeded to try and pivot them. What came out of her mouth instead was a very undignified squeal as she fought back. Unfortunately K’sel had not only the advantage of surprise but also mass and there was little the greenrider could do to avoid being pinned. As he stuck his tongue out she squeezed her eyes shut, which did little to prevent the sensation of his tongue caressing her cheek. He knew she hated that! Arrgh.

Fortunately he let go immediately afterwards and she sat up quickly, throwing a glare in his direction before wiping his slobber off with the back of her hand. Ick, so gross. “Now are you going to submit and let me take off the rest of that monstrosity?” Erilena asked pointedly trying to ignore the tongue he waggled in her direction. She absolutely refused to comment on the topic of cooties. Especially not when K’sel was around. He was immature enough without putting childhood topics into the conversation. Carefully she regained her sitting position and wrinkled her nose at her lounging brother. “Put that thing away please. I still do have a razor in my hand. I would think you would like to keep your tongue.”

[Lotty]

Awwww. It would be alright, the dragon was more concerned about putting up with his rider's complaints for the next few days than anything. K'sel was good and all on his best days, but on his worst he was an absolute battle the whole way, and Pettahth would have it no other way. He loved His all the same, and his antics just made him that much more unique as he has heard from time to time. It will be quite alright Fey-one I promise. I am sure you and Yours meant best... he nodded his head along with the statement for added emphasis...but all seriousness was lost when the green made the most hilarious of comments. Or at least it was very funny to him, probably because it was true and nothing was more funny than the jokes based on truth of course, Sooo smart you are Fey-one...and observant. He crooned to her approvingly. Mine spends much too much time Chasing. I am afraid he will never Catch her... He closed his eyes while he talked in that oh-so smart way he had seen people do.

Kasella...erm...K'sel was going to oh-so kindly ignore the fact that she - along with everyone else who knew his full name - liked to forget his honorific and call him by that oddly feminine form. He was growing used to it he supposed, a little tired of the fight, or maybe he just secretly liked it a little...who actually knew? The brownrider certainly wasn't going to be the one to spill the beans either way. Instead he focused on her smile, the gentle way she reprimanded him...shards he knew that he could never really get in trouble with her now could he? "And you are the closest thing to a replica of my mother that I have," he replied to her sweetly. The last thing he needed was another version of Marina in his life, one man could only be nagged at so much, but he still meant it in the most complimentary way, "But seriously...I'm trying to level with you. Or to put it in girly terms I wanna trade secrets..." In a round about way, yes, that was what he was trying to do.

Reclining back into his little burrow of blankets and pillows he pinned his hands behind his head. It made him a little bit susceptible to being tickled, but he doubted that she would do that and besides, this was a sign of his treaty, a symbol of good faith if you will. As long as he was lounging as he was, it would be a it hard for him to try and retaliate. Needless to say, he was going to agree to her proposition. He was going to let her take the rest of his beard away, but that didn't mean he couldn't object a little bit to her observations for just a little bit longer. It was just a little bit fun after all, his sister always had some pretty entertaining retorts for him, "And just so you know, you can find my lips. I did trim the dang thing, its not like I was planning on being Father Time," right away, that was a look he was saving for when he was like thirty. Supposing he lived that long, "But that's not the point..."

So what was it that he was trying to say, "I don't think anything is going to help me get a girlfriend. Do you know my girlfriend track record? That aside... I'm about to give up Erilena. Just give up... I'm a deeply flawed s.o.b, so actually that does put me in the same club as Cr'oph. I'm not even good enough looking to make up for it either, and not to mention too self absorbed to change," if he could shrug he would have, instead he sighed and decided to let the girl get on with it, "Alright, enough of my whining, go ahead and get on with it..."

Mojo was sooooo glad that K'sel had finally shut that trap of his. Sometimes his mouth was nothing more than a perpetual motion machine that spouted on and on about how depressed he was. Cheer up mopey face! The bronze gripped his towel again and disappeared between just to reappear again above the rider's head. He'd help Lena out if it was the last thing he did! The waded up cloth was stuffed into his master's mouth before he could even bat an eye at it.

[Rei]

The approving croon drew a excited wiggle out of Feyrianth her tail thumping happily against the stone like an over exuberant canine. It was nice to be complimented. Normally she did all the complements but all the same it was nice to get some of her own. Especially from her Pettahth friend. Wings twitching she rumbled her own mirth. Yes yours does spend an awful amount of time chasing. She will get bored if he keeps that up. Perhaps it is time he attempted a catch? The dragon nodded. Lenamine thinks so. Nuoth’s likes yours and yours like Nuoth’s so why do they play these games. Humans are prone to them I’ve noticed. They can be very silly about the simplest things. Another head bob was given after her words as the green agreed with herself. With a chirp she nuzzled under the older brown’s jaw happily. They should be more like us sometimes. It would be less confusing that is for sure.

Erilena scrunched her nose up and put a hand on her hip as K’sel compared her to Marina. For a few moments she wasn’t sure whether or not to take that as an insult or a compliment. She liked Marina well enough. The woman was like a second mother really. Totally willing to take her under her wing and teach her some more things about cooking and domestic matters all the while treating Erilena like her own daughter. So being compared to her was welcome and yet not. The greenrider didn’t want to be compared to an older woman at all but if it had to be Marina it was better than some other woman he could pick. Likely he only said it to irritate her anyway. Bratty brother. Light hazel eyes examined the lounging brownrider as he spoke again. He wanted to level with her? Trade secrets? A lazy smile crossed the weyrling’s features and she clucked her tongue. “Hmm I think we can come to some agreement about things dear brother.” Providing he let her take the rest of the beard she was prepared to level with him. Within reason of course. To that end she kept her eyes on his face and politely waited. See she could be good.

As K’sel further reclined and placed his hands behind his head Erilena tilted her own. He was leaving himself terribly open now wasn’t he? It would be a small matter to pin him and complete the rest of her task. Even if he resisted, while in that position she would have the upper hand. Although with enough effort he could probably wrest it away from her again. Battle scenario’s went through the greenrider’s head as she watched her brother carefully. Until he spoke anyway and then she giggled. “Could have fooled me. Was hard to even see you speak and mumble with all those bristles in the way.” An eyebrow rose then. “You had some err interesting comments my dear brother Kasella. Better hope I don’t feel the need to repeat them.” A bright smile lit her face then. Oh why hadn’t she thought of this before? She had blackmail now! To bad the weyrling could never bring herself to use it. Blackmail was just mean. Then again K’sel didn’t have to know she would never repeat it. It would be more fun to make him think she might. It would certainly help her cause further. Although maybe this was something better saved for a rainy day? Yes Most definitely.

Erilena was drawn out of her thoughts then as the brownrider started to speak again. The smile fell from her face after a moment and was replaced with a sober expression as she regarded him. No, she really didn’t know his track record with woman. But she could bet it wasn’t very good since he acted like a dick a lot of the time. His comparison had her shaking her head and as he sighed and told her to ‘get on with it’ as if she was going in for the kill or something. Still the same old dramatic K’sel. The greenrider snorted and was going to speak when Mojo stuffed the rag in his bonded’s mouth and instead she collapsed into laughter. It was hilarious. The look on the bronze’s face showed his smugness with the matter and K’sel’s reaction was entertaining as well. Regaining a bit of her composure the weyrling wiped away a few tears and then bit her bottom lip to keep from dissolving into a giggling fit again. Okay, needed to concentrate. Intentionally Erilena took a deep breath and crawled forward to straddle her brother again settling her weight on his stomach before titling his head and continuing her interrupted work. Being absorbed with not cutting him helped her composure and she clucked her tongue idly.

“Now that your trap is shut I can speak uninterrupted, kinda nice.” The greenrider smiled as she drew the blade down his face again. “I don’t know your girlfriend track record no. But I do know that Nephele likes you a lot. I don’t know why you guys play this hot and cold game with each other. It’s like you both circle but no one makes a move cause your both scared of what could happen.” Giving a soft sigh she refilled the water bowl from a skin she had brought with her and cleaned the blade before bringing it back to his face.

“So my advice to you is this. Stop circling and make a damn concrete move. You can’t win unless you risk losing. Believe me.” Erilena offered a soft smile to her brother. “K’sel she does like you, but if you keep pussyfooting around someone else is going to come around and you won’t get a shot. Quit wasting time and for once do something about it. Tell her you like her, take her on a concrete date, kiss her. Anything but these little games.” You just need to try and make a catch. End the chase. Came the sing song reply from her dragon outside, offered to the small weyr at large. Erilena couldn’t stop her amused smile. “See even Feyrianth gets it.”

[Lotty]

The little brown's eyes whirled happily. He was glad that Fey had taken his compliment so well! Pettahth had by now figured out that he was awake - as awake as anyone could get - and there was no point in even trying to go back to sleep. This was of course ok when his alarm clock was the spunky green. Oh yes. I am afraid that I do not remind him of this too often, but he would not take the blame for K'sel being the way he was. The blame game never did anyone any good in these types of situations, But I agree. He should make a try for a catch. If he fails he can try again...later. I have learned these things myself.[/i]. Pettahth after all had tried at a good handful of flights now, and although he had yet to be successful it didn't mean he was totally going to give up - even though he was awfully mopey himself after Nuoth's. Stretching in preparation for whatever the day may bring the dragon couldn't help but ask, Are you busy with Yours today? We should go out in the sun soon, maybe fly. He didn't know how well the green could manage that. He had never thought of her wings before or rather it wasn't something he actively noticed. Friends were friends after all, regardless of size or shape, and if K'sel didn't need him for anything today then he would be more than willing to spend time with friends. As long as work was done.

It was probably good that K'sel had the wash cloth stuck in his mouth. Sure, he did give the bronze something of an angry glare and muttered audibly from behind the gag, and even Eyesore was distracted by it long enough to look up from his snacks and scold Mojo with a short, curt, chittering sound. Not that the firelizard was likely to care - smug little thing took great pride in the stunts he pulled, whether they were on others or on the brownrider himself - if anything the bronze wanted to rub his victory in with a brief hop over to the side of the man's face so that he could nuzzle against the now naked skin that was found there. A very good job that Erilena was doing, but even when she was done with this part there would still be a bit of work to do. He shared with the room his idea, the image of some after shave....very classy for a rather classless man. Mojo was sure that it was in one of his dresser drawers surely, he was a very big firelizard, but he doubted even he could tote over a mostly full bottle of the solution.

Obviously the brownrider was hardly keen on this idea. One could tell by his eyes alone, wide open and aghast with the idea of his evil sister patting down the sides of his face with the stuff. It stung! See, there were ulterior motives in keeping the beard. If you don't shave, then you don't have to deal with the pain of nicks and cuts and rubbing glorified cologne into the wounds. Maybe if he stayed quiet, maybe if he was a good boy, or maybe if he just didn't bring the subject up again, the woman sitting on his stomach wouldn't remember to inflict him with that little extra bit of pain. Of course he doubted this. Since this was essentially an exercise in prettying him up for Nephele, there was no reason for the blonde not to try and go overboard. Shards, he was surprised that she didn't have plans to hold him hostage for a manicure, give him a new wardrobe, and cake his face with make up. Of course, that is where he would have to draw the line. Rouge on the cheeks or kohl around the eyes was grounds for immediate excommunication, he was sensitive enough about Kasella and using the term was an honor that he bestowed upon people.

All of her blackmail be damned, he just would not go some places....but wait. What? Comments? Hmmm must have been talking in his sleep, but what could he have possibly said? What did he even dream? While he distinctly remembered him and Pettahth battling their way through the gum drop forest and then...oh. Yeah. About that. There was good reason to believe that he probably said something stupid. Out loud.....touche dear Eri. Touche.

He couldn't very well respond to any of this. Not when he still had his tongue tamed and a sharp tool near his face. Really he was stuck hearing the girl out much to his dismay. What was K'sel with out his ability to make snippy, smart ass remarks to everything? A whole lot less fun if you were to ask him. Still, he listened, and complied, moving his head along with her touches so that she may get to harder to reach spots. If she was going all the way with this then she might as well be granted the chance to do a good job. He didn't even move to take the cloth out of his trap. She could do that when she was done, the work seemed to speed up with it in and his mouth not moving, so all in all it was good for him really. To have to face the facts and not be able to hide under his sassy fronts all the time. It wasn't until the dragon spoke that he even made much of a noise, rumbling out in muffled tones, "Are you done yet?"

Blech, this was a whole new take on the term cotton mouth. He started trying to spit the rag out without having to move his hands and therefore jerk his head around, mostly unsuccessful he murmured out some more, "I'll make a move, I'll make a move...a little help here?" He needed to ask at least one more thing after all. How was he supposed to repay her? Or return the favor may be the better term. She might say this was all nothing but sisterly love, but he would always, always, be suspicious of people's motives. Habits died hard.

[Rei]

Feyrianth gathered her feet under her but did not immediately rise to her feet, instead tilting her head and listing to the brown speak. A good listener was the green. She prided herself on it and her ability to not interrupt as some where wont to do. Pettahth’s questions however drew an excited chirp from the four winged dragon and she half unfurled her wings in a gesture of almost uncontainable excitement. No I am not busy with mine for quite awhile. She has work at the sick place to do and I always just lay around there. Sometimes I play with Phremath or speak to Hepaticath or Jingth but sometimes they are not around and I am alone. I would love to spend time with you. The happy excitement in her tone meant there was absolutely no doubt as to the truthfulness of her statement. Her eyes whirling in pleased green and happy blue she nuzzled Pettahth again. I do not mind which you chose to do. I do like sunning but flying is just as well. I have been practicing lots at flying. I am much, much better than I once was. I can even play tag well now. Feyrianth was extremely proud of the progress she had made in the area of flight. Oh there was probably always room for improvement, but she was a far cry from the small scared hatchling who had refused to take her first glide.

Erilena carefully concentrated on her work even as Mojo moved about her area rubbing against his bonded’s face and then being helpful enough to send along a image. Aftershave? Who would even guess that K’sel even had anything of the sort. A soft snort left her and the weyrling tried really hard not to giggle as she continued her work. Her unoccupied hand however reached out to rub one of the bronze’s eye ridges a soft mock coon coming from her throat as she pressed upon the bronze flit how helpful and wonderful he was. Humming the greenrider went back to work. Doing her level best to ignore the haunted look on the brownrider’s face. One would think she has murdering him or something what with the way he was acting. Apparently boys could be drama queens to. Madly amused by this Erilena continued with her work being quite pleased with how it was turning out. See not so bad after all and she hadn’t even cut him or anything terrible. Which to be honest had worried her, especially considering he had been sleeping when she first started.

Although now it definitely helped that her brother was cooperating with her. It would be done that much faster and smoother thankfully. It was however tempting to slow down just to enjoy his silence for a little while longer. Thank Faranth for Mojo and rags. Now K’sel had no choice but to listen to her. Well really he did have a choice but the easier one would be to listen and her brother seemed the type that liked the road that took less effort. One final swipe and then Erilena gave brisk nod to his muffled question. “Yep all done. Thanks for being such a good sport about it.” She remarked dryly as the brownrider jerked his head and attempted to sit out the rag all the while still garbling out muffled sentences. Too bad quiet time was over.

Reaching over the weyrling plucked the rag from his mouth at the same time rolling off him to sit cross legged on the bed. “I am going to hold you to that K’sel. You whine far too much about things you can change. Believe me make a move. Bet you’ll be glad you did.” Smiling broadly she looked over at Mojo. “What do you think buddy? I think he looks much, much better. Now he doesn’t look like some creepy rapist or something.” Reaching forward the greenrider took a final swipe over the side of his face with the rag that had previously been in his mouth. “Now what where you saying?” Cue exaggerated tilting of head.

[Lotty]

Oh good! Things were looking up for Pettahth indeed and he in turn also unfurled his wings a bit in excitement. Crooning to the green he told her Good! There is much fun to be had Fey-one, mine doesn't need me for quite a while, he starts his morning with a run. The dragon contemplated the possibilities, We should even drop by and see if Nuoth would like to join us...or if she can't we can ask the others at the sick place. They must tire of sitting around there too, and we won't travel away too far, in case our peoples need us. Seemed like a perfectly good idea to him, though he reflected for a moment and realized that maybe Fey would be offended by his forward thinking and seeming insistence to invite others along, so for good measure he added, Of course. It is up to you friend what we do. I am rather agreeable I think. At least more than his rider was anyway.

Mojo loved Erilena. Very much so, and he was going to strive not to forget this and pull pranks on her anytime soon. Favorite human person by far, and if he could have Impressed upon another, he would have happily chosen her. Not that K'sel didn't already pick up on this notion a long while ago. Sort of made him feel cheap and bad and like a misfit toy that had been tossed aside in favor of something prettier, which made him think of something even funnier if not a little random and off topic. With the way they threw around terms like brother and sister he wondered if people thought them serious, it wasn't as if they looked very similar - he would gladly tell anybody that Erilena was the one with the looks - though he didn't look too much like his real brother either.

That was nothing but a passing thought however, as he felt the last of his hair be swiped away on the edge of the blade. He sighed through the cloth one last time before it was pulled away from his mouth. Such a sad day and it had only just begun! He was sure he would trot off to drills and at least one person would have some kind of comment about his looks. Great. He could only hope that Erilena was right and it would be positive feedback. As soon as she was off of him, he rolled off of his bed and headed towards his mirror, stretching out his limbs with a groggy sort of lethargy. Finally it was time to examine what damage had been done. Looking at himself he rubbed his chin and felt the smooth skin all the while frowning. Step two of his makeover would have to be getting him to smile more often, but all in all...she did a good job.

He turned around back towards the girl and the bed, leaning his back against the dresser and bracing himself with two hands. K'sel was just a little bit offended by the whole rapist bit, "Hey now. Nothing about me looked like a creepy rapist. I don't know about you, but I picture them with horrible mustaches as opposed to very masculine and sexy beards..." silly girl needed to get her facial hair stereotypes right. Although he did sort of give himself the idea of trying to grow a very humorous handle-bar mustache for a few good laughs. Nothing he'd get attached to so that if she tried to take that from him it would only be a burden for her. But now down to business, "Alright sissy. How am I supposed to thank you for this? And don't tell me the satisfaction of seeing me getting the girl..." He shifted his arms to cross them across his chest.

[Rei]

Feyrianth bounced to her feet, all four wings flaring in response to Pettahth’s delight and her mouth parted in a draconic smile. Oh yes she was very excited. So much that it was hard for her to stay still and so she settled for flicking her tail tip in excitement her wings giving the briefest of trembles. I think it would be very nice to invite Nuoth along. We can invite the infirmary dragons as well. The more the better right? We will all have such fun I am sure. Bounding forward the green gave an excited tongue lap to the small brown’s snout. So wise was her Petta friend. She should have thought about inviting the others. The more the merrier after all and everyone deserved some playtime now and then.

With a soft bounce Feyrianth gave an excited chirp and her tail found the underside of Pettahth’s chin, brushing against it in a clear flirtatious gesture. Come my friend and catch me if you can. With a sudden spring forward she leapt from the ledge, all four wings capturing the air as she worked briefly at gaining some altitude before giving a slow twirl and another flick of her tail in the brown’s direction. Hurry, hurry~ The green chorused in a bell like sing song as she angled her wings towards Nuoth’s ledge with a brush to her bonded’s mind in explanation.

As K’sel headed for the mirror to examine her work, Erilena reached forward and began to lavish attention on Mojo cooing and making a fuss over him. Such a wonderful bronze her brother had. Smart, gorgeous, and kind. K’sel should be more happy about what he did have, right? Each thought was gently pressed upon the flitter as she scratched his eyes ridges and rubbed down his back and wings. “Come to my place later love and I’ll oil you. We’ll make a date of it how bout that love?” Yes Mojo had just gotten yet another affectionate nickname from her. With a final scratch and a quick kiss to the bronze’s head the greenrider’s eyes flicked back to her brother. He hated it when she made a fuss over Mojo. Why he was so dismissive about his pets she had no clue, but she adored his firelizards. Well the one she lavished with attention anyway. Eyesore the weyrling admired from a distance and the green she never got to see.

The brownrider’s lounging stance caused a smile to flit across Erilena’s face and in response she drew herself up pulling her legs underneath her to sit properly with her hands on her lap. One eyebrow slowly rose in response to his words. “You are kidding right? That beard wasn’t sexy in the least and although no one could mistake you for a woman with that monster on your face I wouldn’t call it very masculine. More like a breeding ground for Faranth knows what.” The greenrider gave a sage nod after her words. A motion, no doubt, picked up from K’sel himself or maybe his dragon. Who really knew?

A bright smile lit Erilena’s face at K’sel’s last comment. “You don’t owe me anything Kasella. Just seeing you finally not single is enough of a ‘thank you Eri’ for me.” Yes he had specifically asked her not to say the satisfaction of seeing him get the girl but just because he said that, she couldn’t resist being a tad bratty. Giving a giggle she winked. “Whoops you said not to say that didn’t you?” Swinging her legs over the edge of the bed the greenrider titled her head. “If you do really want to thank me you’ll have to get creative and surprise me because there really is nothing I want right now. Except maybe flowers once and awhile.” Because what girl didn’t want to be surprised with flowers?

[Lotty]

Already? Fey was so fast when it came time for play, and the brown felt like he barely had a moment even to blink before the green was hoping around and ready to go. Not to mention licking him on the muzzle in her ever affectionate way. The whole time he sat still, resting on his haunches, and looking a little baffled at all of the excitement. Did he really have that good of an idea? Hmmm, he must have since the green flicked her tail under his chin and beckoned him to follow her along. He didn't have to be told twice before he was up on all fours and edging to the edge of the ledge and springing after her...Coming right behind....to Nuoth's we go![/i]

Mojo meanwhile chirruped happily. It was so nice to be paid such positive attention to and he just might take up Erilena's offer to an oiling. It was such a nice offer after all, and K'sel tended to miss spots after having to deal with caring for Pettahth and Eyesore both first. When the greenrider gave him a little kiss his eyes whirled with an extra bit of spunk and the bronze not so nicely stuck his tongue out at K'sel...hmmm it was a wonder where the guy picked up that little habit from now wasn't it? The brownrider was tempted to throw the gesture right back, but gave up when he was the firelizard curl up next to Eri... presumably to catch up on the sleep he missed out on when helping pull off the big beard shaving ploy.

He did roll his eyes at his sister's retort though. Beauty was in the eye of the beholder was it not? He was going to hold true to the opinions he had...the beard was sexy and one of his best ideas ever. He imagined himself at war with the Northerners and not a single one attacking him for fear of his man-tastic beard and the fear of what a guy wearing one would do to them, because though he wouldn't agree to looking like a rapist, he might concede that he truly did look like a mountain man, "Fiiiiine. Mark my words, you'll miss that beard one of these days...some situation will come up where I would have needed that thing..." He couldn't really think of what situation that would be though. Hmm.

"Flowers?" He arched an eyebrow. He wasn't so sure about that idea, "What kind of flowers are brotherly? Seriously, I just don't want any lovers beating me into a pulp you know..." he thought about it. Roses were definitely out of the question, and lilies were still too formal. Chrysanthemum was a no-no for the suspicious types who reserved it for memorials and hibiscus was much too bold and garish to be any kind of gift from him. Tapping his chin he knew exactly what was perfect - and low cost and effort for him - sunflowers and daisies with all kinds of forget-me-nots as filler. He knew well enough were they grew and well, he'd keep up with his part of the bargain and surpise her, "You know, I got it. Don't worry about it. As soon as I succeed at getting the girl anyway..."

He stretched one more time and patted his dresser, "So are you going to let me get dressed or are you just wanting to see me prance around in my undies all day?"