Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
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Post by Requiem on Nov 18, 2007 2:43:21 GMT -5
"I can't believe you got me to do this."
"What? Come out for a bit of fresh air? You're completely pale, Muta, and sulking if I'm any judge. It's almost as if you think you're the first one to ever break a foot."
The small candidate scowled at his shameless friend, who even now was lying face down on a broad, flat rock, his nude body drying by the heat of the sun. Better than the view earlier. Z'hin had started his sunbathing on his back...In Mutasim's frank opinion - and he was always frank with himself - men were not attractive creatures below the waist. That should always be covered. If not surgically removed. No, the candidate had no love for that particular part of the male anatomy, even on himself. At any rate, one would think the weyrling would at least cover himself in public. Sure, they were alone now, but that wasn't to say anyone couldn't just walk up and get an eyeful.
Another part of Muta noticed that Z'hin really was rather - handsome. The sort of man who might have made it with the rowdier types in the Bitra sweathouses. The sort of man who was just so perfectly masculine that some sick creature would find pleasure in dominating a being who was so obviously meant to dominate by the gods themselves. Wouldn't it bother the brownrider to learn that such thoughts went through Mutasim's head? It wasn't as if he could help it; turns in that place had cemented these things in his mind, and now Muta found that he almost always objectively evaluated each person, judging whether or not he might have been chained alongside them, had they ever been enslaved in Bitra.
"You've got that queer look on your face again." Z'hin had drawn himself up on one elbow, regarding Muta pensively.
The boy just shrugged. "Don't you think you're dry now? Look. Jess has even fallen asleep waiting for you."
Following his friend's gaze - Mutasim was still fully clothed and hadn't gone into the water for a swim, as it probably would have been a bit foolish with his foot the way it was - Z'hin regarded the great brown mass affectionately. "Oh, he usually falls asleep after swimming. I guess I tire him out. Actually, a nap sounds nice. This rock is really warm..." Stretching his limbs a bit, the older boy grinned at Muta. The muscles stood out still more as he stretched, a nice display of bodily strength without looking like some muscle-bound knuckle-head. Again, the candidate's thoughts drifted back to Bitra. Maybe it bothered him so much because this position would have been highly dangerous there. If not for the sweathouses...such power would be appreciated in the mines. Mutasim forced himself to relax. This was not Bitra. This was a Weyr, where nudity was commonplace.
Oh, shards. He'd forgotten that, briefly. The brownrider regarded the candidate, his expression turning concerned for the first time. "Hey, if it bothers you, I'll just get up." Of course, he probably assumed Mutasim was nervous, half-expecting to be assaulted. The candidate didn't bother to disabuse him of that notion. Z'hin stood, moving a short distance before he looked around, brushing the hair from his face. "Where did I put those clothes again? The current must have carried us downriver apiece."
Mutasim rolled his eyes. Only Z'hin could swim and lose track of his clothes. Honestly.
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Post by evendar on Nov 20, 2007 7:58:21 GMT -5
"Narn, please! I know somethings wrong, why won't you talk to me?" N'vis asked his sister as she stalked down the Riverside. Reenith swam with them down stream, the skinny dragon at home in the water. She was much strong than she had ever been, but she couldn't walk for long. Swimming however was a different story.
"I'm Fine! I told you I slipped down the stairs to the docks. That's all!" Narna said angrily turning to walk backwards, her hand swiping in a cutting motion to end the discussion.
"Thats not all Narn, you've been quiet and unresponsive and I just know theres something you're not telling me." N'vis was worried. His sister had never acted like this before. The girl was always so strong, so good at hiding her emotions. To catch her crying twice, in a place anyone could find her no less, was a rather disheartening and questioning turn of events.
The girl spun around so N'vis couldn't see the tears of rage and sorrow on her face. How could she tell him she'd... been raped? How could she tell the one person who still saw her as the strong one, the useful one, as a week little girl who could be dominated by a loser like the Benden Weyrleader? She couldn't. She began to stalk away, N'vis groaning as he followed.
Reenith, oblivious to the fight her rider and his sister was having, chirped happily as she let the current carry her along. She was enjoying herself. The little green executed a small circle in the current, squawking in surprise and joy.
Mine! Mine see what I did! Look! She said, turning to her stalking rider.
"Not now Reeni. I'm busy." N'vis said waving his hand at her. He usually supported his green in her small victories, but right now he was busy.
But mine! Its fun! Look what I can do! the green dragon executed another circle, chirping happily.
"Great Reeni." N'vis said, glancing back quickly before returning to watching the back of his retreating sister.
You didn't even watch! Reenith whined. Picking up her pace to keep up with her rider.
Narna ignored the draconic exchange, trying to put as much distance between her and her rider brother. She came out of the trees and walked practically into the nude Z'hin.
"Sorry," she said tartly, walking past him without a second glance. She couldn't even look at him like she would have once before. The very thought of looking at a man that way disgusted her at the moment. She was about to race on when she noticed Mutasim.
"Muta!" she exclaimed, running to him. Finally a face she could hide behind. "How nice to see you," she said, trying for nonchalance.
N'vis came gasping up behind his sister, stopping to rest his hands on his knees to help catch his breath. "Narn," he called one final time, looking up and getting a clear view of Z'hin in all his... glory.
N'vis stood fast, blush covering his face so quickly he couldn't stop it. A vision of Z'hin in a much more... interesting pose came to the forefront of N'vis mind. "Sorry," he muttered, one hand reaching up to scratch his neck.
Reenith screeched in terror as she felt the flare of embarrassment and slight lust from her rider. She cowered in the shallows, her eyes whirling yellow in fear.
Please Mine, don't. I'm scared. the green said, and N'vis mind was instantly back in his head. Without a second thought he dashed to the green dragon, rushing through the water to her side.
"I'm so sorry sweety, its alright. I'm here, I won't do anything to scare you. I love you Reenith. Shhhh." he crooned to her, scratching her eye ridges and rubbing her sides. The tiny green shivered as she leaned into her rider, her fear palpable to everyone.
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Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
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Post by Requiem on Nov 20, 2007 18:11:51 GMT -5
Mutasim was nothing short of amused that Z'hin had managed to run into the very situation he'd warned the brownweyrling of. Not that it really seemed to bother the older boy, from what the candidate could tell...He shook his head, exhaling through his nose in something that sounded suspiciously similar to a snort. The boy blinked at Narna's joyful greeting, knowing that they'd connected in a way that few others had, but still surprised that anyone would be that happy to see him. For any reason. Mutasim recovered quickly. It was a testament to just how comfortable he was with the majority of the people here, that he said anything. Still more unusual, the words actually contained a trace of humor, though of course he couldn't quite make it the brighter joking that Z'hin seemed to favor.
"It's nice to see you, too. You're certainly a lot easier on the eyes than what I've been forced to look at most recently."
Z'hin darted him a playful glare, before turning his attention back to the greenpair. He hadn't caught N'vis's expression; his gaze had been on Muta and Narna, intrigued at how well the two seemed to get along. Now he was just trying to figure out why the little green was putting up such a fuss. A hand went to the back of his head. He truly was shameless, as holdless people tended to be. There was no avoiding nudity within a family that rarely saw privacy. It was such a natural, commonplace thing to Z'hin that it never occurred to him what problems he might cause.
The younger boy rolled his eyes. "Z'hin. Weren't you looking for something?"
That seemed to do the trick. The weyrling's eyes widened, and then, with a short laugh, he disappeared into the brush, working his way back upriver to find the discarded clothing. Jessereth hadn't once stirred from his position, curled up around the trunk of a tree as if he were guarding it, the sleeping brown's flanks rising gently with each inhale. No, it was obvious that the brownpair was very much at ease.
Mutasim shifted over on the rock he'd been resting on, making room for Narna if she wanted to sit. "So, how have you been?" His bandaged foot had come to rest on his knee, twitching with all the energy the boy could not quite expend now that his mobility was significantly handicapped. Of course, it hurt to move it even that much, but the candidate had come to appreciate pain. It was not dehabilitating. In this instance, it was showing him where his limitations lay, which he might need to know somewhere down the line. Misfortune came in threes, after all. Or, for Mutasim, in long, endless streams.
Not more than a moment or so later, Z'hin reappeared, fully clothed and just as at ease as he'd been a few moments ago. He called down to N'vis, who was still in the water, "Is everything all right down there?" Hopefully nothing had happened to Reenith.
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Post by evendar on Nov 20, 2007 21:07:42 GMT -5
Narna sank down to the proffered place, only sparing her brother and the brownrider a glance. "Well, you know. Pain comes in waves." she said rather morosely. She didn't want to really dwell on the instance. She was furious in the fact that it was sevendays later and she could still feel his cold hard hands on her body like it was yesterday. The bruise on her cheek had become a rather nasty looking yellow welt, and the cuts and bruises on her body were almost gone. But it didn't erase the feel, and she still woke up at night with nightmares of his disgusting body grabbing her, pulling her to the floor.
She shook her head, realizing she had zoned out, staring into space. She noticed Mutasim's bandaged foot and quirked her head in question. "How'd you hurt your foot?" she asked, glancing back briefly as the brownrider came back from the brush, fully clothed. Thank Faranth for that, at least she could look at him now without feeling the need to retch. She really wasn't ready to see a man like that, not for a very long time.
N'vis looked up, Reenith's shaking finally sedated and sighed in relief. He was clothed then. "Yeah, she just saw a bug. Crazy little thing." he said jokingly, patting her head.
You know I don't mean that right dearest? he asked the green silently.
Yes mine, I do. But please don't look at them that way anymore. It scares me. I don't want to loose you like I did that day. Reenith couldn't remember the details, but she knew that day was a day of terror for her, something she'd ingrained into the very soul of her being. With a smile of reassurance N'vis led his dragon from the water.
"Perhaps you'd like to go sunbathe by Jessereth?" he encouraged, shooing the little green off. She went about halfway, but no further. She didn't want to be near a male dragon.
Here is fine. I like the sun. she said, though N'vis guessed otherwise but said nothing. He turned back to the brownrider, Z'hin he was.
"Now that thats settled." he said, blushing again. He couldn't help the quick glance to Z'hin's lap, his mind breifly imagining what he'd seen only a moment ago. Fortunately for him, Reenith was already asleep, or she would have protested. "So, what brought you down here with, in such a state?" he asked. Faranth he had to get better at talking to people.
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Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
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Post by Requiem on Nov 21, 2007 0:07:48 GMT -5
He hadn’t expected quite so direct an answer. Mutasim would have settled for something more superficial, or even a shrug, confident in his ability to read other people. It was strange to be trusted this much again. Most people seemed to be repelled by his cold exterior. They probably should be. His eyes searched her face in her distraction, though he remained silent. What more was there to say? Pain like that didn’t fade for awhile, and it never completely went away. There was nothing words could do. A part of him, however small, wanted to touch her, to offer at least that level of comfort, but it was outside Mutasim’s usual range of actions. And, truly, there was no guarantee she would act favorably now that she was no longer distraught.
Instead, his hands remained lightly on his ankle, far enough from where the broken bone had punctured his skin though there was still a twinge in his injured extremity at even that little pressure. “You mean this?” He looked out over to the river, watching the interplay between the weyrlings curiously. “I fell out of a tree.” Of course, it was that sharding blue’s fault, flying so low, and had it not been for his quick reflexes he’d probably have ended up with a lot worse than a broken foot. It hadn’t exactly been good as it was. “Gina found me soon after. Good thing, too; I couldn’t get the bleeding to stop.”
It occurred to him that Narna may not know Gina, even though they were both candidates and couldn’t live far from each other. There had been such a flood of hopefuls lately, now that Aslath’s clutch was on the sands. Mutasim deliberately forced his mind to other things. His own chances of Impressing were low enough as it was, and only growing dimmer as they drew closer to the hatching.
Z’hin’s brow rose. “A bug?” Reenith may be a skittish, small green, but truly she was significantly larger than an insect four months into her growth. It seemed pretty unbelievable. The brownrider respectfully ignored this, however, allowing N’vis his secrets.
Of course it didn’t escape him when Reenith kept her distance from Jess. Not that the brown would likely protest, had he been awake to notice. Jessereth had ever been something of a withdrawn hatchling. He didn’t much care for interaction with his clutchmates, self-contained and fully content to simply spend his energies with Z’hin. It was unlikely that was going to change anytime soon, too.
Though the older boy certainly wasn’t oblivious enough not to notice N’vis’s wandering glance, he didn’t actually track it, assuming the boy was looking at his bare feet. Was the greenrider truly unaware that Z’hin went just about everywhere barefoot? He’d even been barefoot on the Hatching Sands. Almost kindly, he uttered, “Don’t worry. I didn’t wear any boots. They’re not lost.” Though he did blink at N’vis’s question, a bit confused. What was the greenrider trying to ask? “Ummm. Well, Muta needed some sun after being cooped up for so long, so Jess and I brought him along when we took a swim. There’s really nothing more to it.”
Mutasim, still watching the exchange despite the fact that most of his attention was devoted to Narna, found it amusing that his friend couldn’t seem to realize the obvious. Shards if he’d be the one to tell him. This could be fun to watch for a good while yet. The candidate immediately sobered, though. Thinking of N’vis reminded him of the way the twins had come upon him and his friend. “Is everything all right between you and your brother?” he asked quietly, genuinely concerned.
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Post by evendar on Nov 21, 2007 17:49:14 GMT -5
Narna looked over at her brother and the brownrider and frowned. "Honestly? I don't know anymore. I... he knows somethings up with me, but I can't bring myself to say it." she said, looking down at her hands. She couldn't even tell Muse her reason for not telling N'vis. It was selfish she knew, and conceited. But she couldn't let her brother's opinion of her fall in any way. Especially not like this. It was still to painful, still to raw for her to even voice aloud. Mutasim wouldn't have even known if he hadn't guessed. And she didn't want to dwell on his foot, she herself would hate it if someone kept on about something like that. This conversation was hitting a wall very fast, but she didn't care. As long as no one found out her reasons for keeping things from her brother, then she was fine.
She had to smile a bit at the brownweyrlings idiocy. He honestly thought her brother was looking at his lack of shoes? Men.
"Shoes? Right..." N'vis said under his breath, deciding not to stretch the subject. The greenweyrling glanced back at his sister and her friend on the rock. The lad did look a bit pale. And what had happened to his leg? N'vis didn't dwell on it. He wasn't much interested in the candidate who seemed to be much more interested in his sister. He'd focus on something else. He was still annoyed that Narn was being so avoiding lately, but he didn't want to invade on the conversation she was having with Muta. One, because it was rude. Two, because he didn't really feel up to talking to two people at once. And three, because he knew Narna would just keep avoiding the subject, or even throw his incessant prodding in his own face. So much for family. He instead decided to further his ability to converse with people.
"So... the waters nice huh?" lame. N'vis felt himself falling asleep at the very thought of replying to that question. "I mean... you been at the Weyr long?" there. At least that question had some depth to it. N'vis' blush only deepened at the prospect of continuing this conversation. He really wasn't good at this whole talking thing.
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Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
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Post by Requiem on Nov 23, 2007 13:24:18 GMT -5
She obviously didn't want to dwell on this subject anymore. Truthfully, Mutasim was not a loqacious person by any stretch of the imagination, and found himself at a loss when it came to small talk in particular. He was generally content with silence. Whoever was around him, however, did not necessarily find the quiet comfortable. It was one of the things he liked about Z'hin. The brownweyrling seemed just as happy with silence as he was with banter, capable of keeping a conversation going all by himself or not breaking a pleasant quiet for hours at will.
Jessereth stirred, cracking an eye to look about him. He and Z'hin, who were already very good at reading each other's emotions and even 'sharing' each other's senses, were now in a little war to see how much they could mask thoughts and sensations from the other. At first it had been very difficult. Impossible, even. But now, at least Jessereth was discovering that, if Z'hin was already distracted by something else, it was easier. Now His still thought he was asleep. The brown was careful not to let his amusement leak through.
The brownweyrling blinked at N'vis. This was certainly awkward, wasn't it? And what had he been looking at, if it wasn't Z'hin's feet? The older weyrling looked down, trying to figure it out, before giving up with a mental shrug. Wow. How could he have allowed the conversation to stagnate like this? Comments about the water being nice...Most people didn't have this much trouble talking to him. "Oh, about six months," he replied simply, smiling down at the boy. "Seems like forever, though. Is it just me, or do these weyrling lessons seem to drag on until eternity? I'm surprised no one has died of sheer boredom yet."
He was thinking about just what to say to get N'vis out of his shell when Z'hin noticed movement out of the corner of his eye, instinctively turning to confront the barreling brown mass that even now was leaping over Reenith's prostrate form, his wings flaring to get him just that little bit more lift to clear the green entirely. The brownweyrling mouthed an 'oh!' as he leapt backwards in response, the dragonet catching him full in the abdomen and throwing his rider into the river with a boisterous splash. Jessereth backwinged, managing to stop before he hit the edge of the water, then calmly sat and coiled his tail about him with smug deliberation.
Got you. Z'hin came up spluttering, annoyed to be wet again after having just dried off, and just a bit sore at having been hit so hard, though the fact that he'd been in the air at the time actually served to lessen the blow. "Jess, I swear," he growled, coming up onto the bank, clearly aggravated. If you call me Jess out loud again, you'll be back in the river. Z'hin glared at the brown sullenly. Then, after a moment of silent eye daggers, the man broke out into a chuckle. "You're getting good at this, you know!"
A swell of pride settled in Jessereth's breast.
Mutasim shook his head. Those two never stopped. Almost to himself, he murmured, "Sometimes I wonder what it would be like, to have a connection to another living thing like that." Although he certainly could go without being thrown into a river and swiped at every waking moment. Still, they had something he could only guess at, could barely imagine. It was something he wanted. And something he knew he was never likely to get. The candidate sighed, before turning a wry half-smile on Narna. "So...want to place bets on how long it will take for Z'hin to notice your brother's interest?"
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Post by evendar on Nov 26, 2007 7:08:44 GMT -5
"Its certainly a novel thought." Narna said as she watched the pair, answering Mutasim's practically silent comment. "I watch the two of them sometimes and I wonder what it would have been like had I Impressed Reenith. If it would be me over there flirting with Z'hin and Nev sitting here..." she stopped herself. She didn't want to wish her fate on anyone, especially her brother. She bit her lower lip to stop from sobbing and brushed her eyes quickly as Mutasim brought forward another question.
"Bet? Theres no contest. N'vis is so shy he'll never let on and it seems to me Z'hin is so daft he wouldn't figure it out if N'vis was strutting about with a sign on his chest reading 'I love Z'hin'." she said, glad for the change of topic. Dragons and Impression had become a touchy topic with the young woman. Some days she wanted a dragon in her mind and soul more than anything in the world. While others she felt that bonding to a dragon would only lead to her downfall. She saw those greenriders and their flighty ways. Look at the Weyrwoman with her haughty demeanor, even Paryal, the weyrling queen, was something Narna never wanted to be. And the fear of when her dragon rose... Narna shivered compulsively at the thought.
N'vis pulled his arms to him in shock as the brown dragon barreled down on them, and couldn't help but laugh at the sight of the wet Z'hin. "You look like a drowned rat." he said between gasps of laughter. The thoughts of Weyrling lessons, and how he generally spent them, glancing at male weyrlings, disappeared from his head at the sight of the smug brown dragon and his wet rider.
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Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
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Post by Requiem on Nov 27, 2007 2:18:21 GMT -5
An eyebrow rose at her statement. No, he couldn't see their roles reversed, at least not exactly. They were two very different people. Although he could understand why her thoughts might be going down this road. The 'what if's' were always so unforgiving...
Mutasim shook his head, chuckling softly at Narna's comment. He'd actually laughed. "He's really not as stupid as you think, though I can see why you'd get that impression. Z'hin is just one of those people who has little imagination, and doesn't see what he can't imagine. It probably would never occur to him that he might get interest from males as well as females."
Unaware of what was being said about him, Z'hin was busy attempting a retaliation at his vastly stronger better half, when he noticed a strange sound. Laughter. No, it wasn't the laughter that was strange, but who it was coming from. He turned to N'vis curiously. His lips twitched at the boy's panted words. "Well, at least someone's getting some amusement out of it." The twinkle in his eye belied his disgruntled tone.
Then, advancing on the greenweyrling, Z'hin grinned a wolfish grin. "Although I have no intention of being the only one here looking like a soggy rodent." The young man surged forward almost preternaturally fast, reaching forward to catch N'vis with the full intention of thrusting the boy into the river.
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Post by evendar on Nov 29, 2007 17:40:38 GMT -5
Narna nodded, watching as the brownrider lunged for her greenrider brother. She thought about the idea of warning N'vis, but decided against it, opting for the idea that he could use the excuse to get closer to Z'hin. "You have a nice laugh," she said after a pause. "Why don't you use it more?" she asked innocently, though she had a hunch.
N'vis let out a rather feminine screech as Z'hin wrapped his arms about his waist. He fought valiantly, but the lad was doomed to fail as he tumbled into the river with Z'hin. He came up sputtering for a moment, but the sputtering turned quickly into a laugh. N'vis' laugh was rather contagious, a sort of bubbly thing that would put a smile on the heaviest of frowns, even Narna's.
The greenrider's sister began to chuckle as she looked at her sibling sopping wet and laughing. Her laugh wasn't as giddy as her brothers, more subdued. But it was certain to lift ones heart if they heard it. Narna was surprised she could even laugh at all anymore, what with all that had happened recently. A slight grin appeared on her lips as her chuckle built up into a proper laugh. A rather light and giggly kind of thing that once it got strong enough would leave her snorting for air and embarrassed. But the mere aspect that she could still laugh had set off a chain reaction and she felt it build in her, almost lifting one of the great weights that had settled on her shoulders. For the first time it didn't feel as if she was the only one carrying them at any rate.
N'vis meanwhile waded the distance to Z'hin and pushed his head under in retaliation for his soaking. "Now who's the soggy rodent again?" he asked coyly as he tried to push the brownweyrling beneath the water. He was enjoying this. It wasn't awkward at all, this playing thing. The smile that split his face held no hint of embarrassment or awkwardness as he continued his attempt.
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Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
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Post by Requiem on Nov 30, 2007 0:04:54 GMT -5
Mutasim had frozen, staring at Narna blankly. A nice...laugh? Most people found his laugh disturbing. Then again, he rarely laughed at all, and when he did, it was usually at the sheer stupidity of whoever's company he was keeping. There was nothing particularly kind or light about the majority of his laughs. Even if this one had either or both of those qualities, which was possible, he still found it hard to believe she'd think it was nice. And her question? It was one he really couldn't answer. Laughter was not natural for Mutasim. It likely never would be.
The candidate blinked as he heard that girlish cry, eyes going to the two weyrlings splashing about in the river. A slight smile touched his lips, tight and slightly bitter. These - people - had a freedom of spirit he'd never known. Was there really so much difference between he and them? Had someone thrown him in the river, they likely would have been met with his dagger for their troubles. Leaning back on the log, he closed his eyes, tilting his face toward the sun and allowing the warmth of its rays to wash over him. At least he wasn't alone in being incapable of this joviality.
It had worked. Z'hin's laugh rose to join that of N'vis, his amusement only heightened at the sense of annoyance he was getting from Jessereth who, true to form, didn't much like the fact that His was paying attention to anyone but his dragon. The brown was getting better about this jealousy issue as he aged. Still, Jessereth wasn't good about it. You just picked on him because I'm too strong for you. Yup! Z'hin responded cheerfully, giving his dragon a mischievous glance. Jess might have tried a new tack then.
Except it was at that moment that N'vis took the brownweyrling by surprise.
Normally, that amount of force and weight wouldn't have been enough to submerge Z'hin, but he hadn't expected it, and his feet slipped in the silt of the riverbed. The young man went under, flailing wildly and sending up splashes all around the two. Then he'd regained his footing, crouching amidst the slow current, and swiftly grabbed the boy's ankles, standing up to break the surface of the river and hopefully pulling N'vis under in the same motion. Catch him by surprise, would he?
As the mini river battle continued, Mutasim found a strange emotion welling up inside of him at Narna's laughter. Envy. Somehow, he'd thought that this girl was like him, incapable of such light moments, such happiness. Misery loves company. Worse, the candidate was ashamed that he felt that way. He should be overjoyed that she was overcoming what had happened to her, at least a little bit. Muta looked away, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable around all these people. He didn't fit. Had his foot not been injured, he likely would have risen and walked off without a word, but, as it was, that was not an option. Perhaps that was fortunate. He couldn't be running away from moments like this all his life.
Yet, however irrational it was, Mutasim felt as if Narna had betrayed him. Maybe it wasn't really that at all. Maybe...he'd thought to substitute her for one of those he'd lost, and now the illusion was forever shattered.
Narna was not like Mutasim. Not really.
He glanced at the girl, his dark eyes inscrutable as she continued to laugh. Strangely, he found a small, sad smile come to his face. Good. Much as it made him feel lonely, he would never wish anyone to be like him, to live life as he did. Especially Narna.
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Post by evendar on Nov 30, 2007 6:29:25 GMT -5
Narna caught the glance Mutasim passed her and her joviality ceased instantly. "What happened? Did I do something wrong?" she asked, suddenly worried she'd lost her final confidant. The one person in this Weyr who knew what she'd been through. An awful lot it would seem by the way he hinted. She put a hand out reassuringly, a fear gripping at her heart she didn't know could grip. She didn't want to loose Mutasim.
For despite their differences they were a pair of sorts, she had something of his, and he of hers. She was scared her simple laughter had triggered something Muta had rather forget, or that her joviality had sparked in him a closed minded setting she'd held for so long. This moment of laughter had reaffirmed the belief in Narna that she might heal, one day. Might be able to look back on all this and find herself a stronger woman. She suddenly wanted the same of Muta. She wanted him to grow beyond his past and move on. If she, a rather weak minded girl who'd lost herself to a man who didn't even know her name could move on, then perhaps he could at least learn to laugh a bit more.
No matter what Muta did, she didn't want to loose him, not now, not ever.
N'vis yelped again, though this time it wasn't as screechy or feminine as he was pulled under by his ankles. Even he had been surprised that his assault had worked, knowing his own strength would normally not pair to the brownweyrlings. He thrashed about under the water for a moment until Z'hin released his legs. He floated serenely to the top and let the water break over his head as he tried to stare Z'hin down. Narna was the one with the death glare, the mere feeling of her gaze on you sent shivers down your spine and made you want to apologize, even if you hadn't done anything wrong.
"That wasn't very nice," he said in a calm voice, trying to keep his happiness from coloring his voice for effect. No wonder Narna liked talking so much. N'vis was having so much fun, and he wasn't even thinking of Z'hin in that way. At least not right now.
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Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
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Post by Requiem on Dec 1, 2007 14:32:39 GMT -5
The laughter had stopped. Mutasim blinked, instantly regretful that the sound was gone, and that it seemed he was the reason it had disappeared. Why did she pay such close attention to him? Most wouldn't have noticed the silent boy in their mirth, wouldn't have caught the flicker of sadness in his eyes. It was almost frightening to him to find that Narna could read that little bit into his soul. They were different, yes, but maybe not too different, if she could see this much.
"Uh..." He looked down at the hand she'd extended to him, unsure, at first, what she meant to do with it. His eyes met hers for a moment, then traveled back down to the hand, his own arm hovering uncertainly for a moment before he reached out to take the hand she offered. It was a foreign gesture for him. Mildly uncomfortable, the boy glanced away, though he didn't release her hand. "No. Nothing wrong. I just - " He just what? Mutasim couldn't finish the statement, and left it at that, suddenly frustrated at his inability to convey even the smallest things.
None of this had to be spoken in Bitra. Everyone endured the same thing, and everyone understood, without a word, what was going on inside the others around them. Some reacted differently. Some sought only revenge. Others lived in abject fear. Some clung to whoever they thought might protect them. A few thought only of themselves and survival. There were a small number like Muta, who endured in silence and tried to make it easier on the rest, electing to further isolate themselves. But all instinctively understood each other. The boy had never needed to put anything into words, to explain himself. He couldn't. Though he wanted to, all he could do was attempt a paltry reassurance.
"Don't worry, Narna. I-I like it when you laugh." Truth, though he hadn't realized it until the laughter was gone.
Success! The brownweyrling chuckled, smiling down at the glare N'vis sent his way, completely unaffected. "Not very nice? I suppose not." His grin broadened. The young man sent a splash the greenweyrling's way, in dismissal of such a statement. He wasn't trying to be nice, now was he?
Jessereth was done watching. His should be paying attention to him, not some thin little human. The brown slipped into the river, surfacing between His and N'vis, sending a tidal wave of water down over both of the weyrlings. Z'hin spluttered, shaking the water from his hair and glaring up at Jessereth. The brown had gotten so big in the last months. Throwing his superior size around like that. The two stared at each other, waiting for one or the other to make the first move. It was a well-known sight to any who had watched the dragonpair; they were about to engage in another tussle.
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Post by evendar on Dec 15, 2007 0:19:12 GMT -5
((OMG I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SORREH REQ!!! This one was one of the ones I REALLY missed in my Real Life induced absence. IT MUST NOT DIE!!!!!!!))
Narna smiled a really weak smile. Her heart wasn't in it anymore. The simple act of looking in Muta's eyes, the reflected pain in them, caused her not only to remember her own trauma, but that he too had suffered it. He'd been there, a lot. That was why he was her confidant, a friend N'vis could never be anymore. She squeezed the hand Mutasim wrapped around her own, slightly surprised he'd grabbed it. It had been only a placating gesture, but she didn't want him to let go now. She let their hands fall to rest on the rock below them. This was safe, she could handle this, holding hands. There was no commitment to it, no chance it could take her over.
She blushed slightly when he mentioned how much he liked her laugh. "Thanks, I like yours too remember?" she said, trying to make it nonchalant. She glanced back at her brother and his new friend in the water and saw Jessereth inundate the pair of boys in water.
N'vis again came up from his inadvertent dunk sputtering. He looked at the brown and his rider and stepped back. The brown was easily twice the size of Reenith and twice as active, though the green grew stronger every day. Now that he was far enough back N'vis finally saw Z'hin wet, his clothing clinging tightly to his body in their damp state. He looked back down at himself, seeing he didn't look much better. Deciding it was time to leave while he was still ahead, or at least standing anyways, the greenrider began to wade out, wringing his tunic as soon as it was free of the water and running a hand through his hair to try and get some of the water out of its thick redness.
He tried his darnedest to not look back but he couldn't help but glance again at the sight of Z'hin dripping wet, waiting for his dragon to strike. He was more attainable than the bronzeriders, and he could certainly add spice to ones life. This was the only time N'vis could think of these things, as when Reenith was awake she would protest the mere glance at another boy. It was only while she slept that the greenrider felt daring enough to think about a future with a mature green. She'd Rise someday, and he'd have a man to pick. He'd never been with anyone before, especially not another guy. And someday soon they'd be in the throws of uncontrollable lust together. Would Jessereth want to Chase such a sickly green? Would any male? N'vis hoped so. With a plop and a slight squelch as air left his damp clothes he sat on the ground near the waters edge, wringing what water he could from his clothing.
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Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
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Post by Requiem on Dec 17, 2007 2:07:45 GMT -5
The small boy was currently staring at their hands, in something like disbelief that he should have accepted this level of touching at all. It was fascinating. The small, dark hand that rested in her lighter, longer one. He would almost have thought that - No, that was not a thought he wished to pursue, as it brought back memories of Bitra far too strongly. Yet, still, the ring adorned that hand, and it stared up at him accusingly. Though just being with Narna tended to bring back his past in full force, the ring itself promised that he would always be willing to endure the reliving of that pain for her sake. For a smile or laugh from her. How many had he pledged a similar bond to? It no longer mattered. They were dead.
At Narna's words, he looked up at her, having let slip that curtain that always stood between him and the outside world. There was an unfathomable shyness behind those eyes, a deep uncertainty, as if he were unsure just how much of what he had done and what he was doing could have been avoided or different had he simply been another person in those same circumstances. Shyness, uncertainty, and something else, too. Understanding and a lonliness that must eat him up inside - even if he himself was not aware of it. Mutasim saw it as a burden, to thrust himself and all that such an action entailed upon anyone else. Had he known just how open his expression was at that moment, he would have turned away to spare her that.
There was nothing whatsoever lighthearted about the boy. A flicker behind his eyes marked the shift, and then again the curtain fell, leaving only the old, wearied gaze that she undoubtedly was quite familiar with. "I'm sorry...that I don't...laugh...more often," he finally replied, oblivious to her attempt to bring the starkness back to a normal level. Nearly a turn since he had left but, unlike Narna, his hell had lasted two turns, not just a few hours. To expect him to be merry was really too much. At least at this time. Maybe...always. He could be there for her, could be the one who knew what she'd endured and stand steady for her, but he couldn't be her joy. Somewhere, deep inside, that bothered him, but it was not a thought that he was aware of at this time.
The two squared off, scowling at each other, but Z'hin kept Jessereth in check while N'vis cleared the water. The brown would never hurt His, and he certainly wouldn't purposely injure anyone else, but the fact remained that he was quite large by this point, and more than strong enough to accidentally trample the other boy. Not that Z'hin would ever have drawn attention to the concern he had for N'vis. It was unnecessary. That same concern would be awarded anyone, and he didn't care to have any comments about it.
What began next was a strange game of speed and strength, made still stranger by the fact that dragon and rider knew the thoughts going through the other's head as they played. Not once did the two touch each other as they splashed and dove. It was a powerful dance. A dance of deep understanding. Z'hin gradually took on more primal movements as his mind fused with Jess's, the dragon becoming more devious, and though the two tried to gain that element of surprise, to land the first spurt of water against their opponent, they were too strongly connected to ever succeed. If any had mentioned to them that this was bond training at its finest, they would have laughed it off. It was merely a game to them. But the truth was - Z'hin and Jessereth rarely spent a waking moment without taking their connection to a deeper level, and this was the deepest they had yet attained. Only Flightlust had the potential to draw them closer.
It was no wonder, then, that Jessereth was so very jealous of Z'hin's attention. It felt like he was being robbed of part of himself, and he hated it.
At last, the dance drew to a close, both seeming to stop through some tacit signal. Panting, the two climbed onto the bank, Jessereth flopping down on his flank as Z'hin sunk against his brown's belly. He didn't notice the wetness of his clothes or how they pulled against his frame, merely took comfort in Jess's touch and smiled wearily at N'vis. "He's worn me out, this brute," the man commented affectionately. "Come. Talk to me. How is Reenith doing now? She seems to be much stronger."
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