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 Oct 19, 2010 7:26:39 GMT -5
He submitted to the sling with about as much grace as he had R'wign's obssession with smearing lotion all over the stichwork, which was to say with silent ill humor. M'ta understood the purpose of the sling. It kept him from pulling on his chest too much, and he was far too active - the rather unique stab wound too deep - to avoid doing otherwise. The man really just didn't like the visual admission of the injury. The nice purple/green bruising on one side of his jaw was evidence enough. Indeed, any fuss over the slowly healing - brand, for lack of a better word - put the brownrider in the sourest of moods. He hated it there, and hated it even more that his weyrmate was hyper-focused on it. Even if he understod why. M'ta didn't want to feel like he'd failed R'wign somehow every time his friend's attention went to the letter carved into his chest.
It was probably not entirely surprising, then, that M'ta didn't go home to that fuss and the guilty feeling right away. There was a small amount of guilt involved in this, too; he was letting R'wign believe that drills were going on this long. No, it wasn't a bald-faced lie, because he hadn't said as much, but he was definitely letting his husband believe it. Of course, that was likely in his head, too; R'wign had too many flitter spies to really believe that the Weyrhealer didn't already know where M'ta was spending his afternoons these days. The woodwork was the only place he could find some semblance of peace, though, concentrating on the wood grains and each cut. Right now, though, he was carefully splitting a log, straddling it as he placed each peg, tapping the split wider.
PMS was with Teri, as he usually was, but the other two members of M'ta's small entourage had both curled up on the edge of the river not far from the clearing the brownrider used as his outdoor workshop, all within sight of the canyons and waterfall. Sneak was making small huffing noises in the dip of Behruth's snout. Both were...exhausted. M'ta's nightmares kept them up as thoroughly as they did M'ta, and he was actually a little relieved they'd found a chance to sleep. 'Ruth was hard to deal with when he was going on none. Tugging outward on the sleeveless undershirt plastered to his torso by sweating in the Selenitas summer heat, M'ta took a pull of his water flask and finished the last couple of pegs. He blinked at the swimming logs, not quite able to focus on them.
The brownrider pushed himself upright, thinking that it would be good to walk around a bit and get some blood pumping through his limbs...and he actually did get a few steps before he noticed how nice the grass looked, and wouldn't it feel good beneath his back? Yes, yes, it did. Sprawled there, he let the heat wash over him, the quiet peacefulness of his sleeping mindmates. If only he could sleep so easily. Bitra followed him like a ravenous shadow since the occupation, and the dreams...He draped his free arm over his face. He'd just rest his eyes for a few minutes and let the suns warm him.
M'ta was in a deep, exhausted sleep within seconds.
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Rei
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Woooo~ I am a fox!
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Post by Rei on Oct 19, 2010 22:20:19 GMT -5
Z’ves was actually pretty content for the moment. Content with the way the little Selenitas kittens scattered before his feet. Too bad he hadn’t the chance to kick any yet. That would come with time. Had to get them used to his presence first. Then offer them little tidbits and inklings of affection. Then when they where nicely trusting. Break them. Oh yes he had a few that looked very promising already in fact. If only Lucith would stop harassing dragons in the attempt to get a lash back. I apologize Master Z'ves. I just want to taste their agony. The pickings here are boring. Too skittish. Do none of them own a spine? The slate colored dragon shot overhead and whipped up into the air, twisting in a complex pattern. The man wrinkled his nose at his beast. In time things will open up. For now you will be patient and stop that. It’s annoying. Obediently the blue dipped into an easy glide and said nothing more. Irritation of his was something the scared blue avoided at all costs. Things did not go well when his soul mate was irritated. Had to be a good blue.
Leveling out over a clearing Lucith suddenly pivoted and shot upwards so as to not throw a shadow on the sleeping man below. Z’ves growled from where he had been watching his dragon. What did I just tell you? There is a man below. He is sleeping. I did not wish to startle. His mindmates to nap. So peaceful. So unfortunate for them. Sleeping outdoors all alone. Shall we teach them the folly of such actions? There was an almost wistfulness in Lucith’s usually unemotional tone that had the man considering. We’ll see. Picking up his pace into a bit of a faster walk the bluerider kept glancing up at his now circling dragon for location. Also making sure that there was a mental rein in case the blue took it upon himself to act. Which he highly doubted, Lucith knew better, but better safe than sorry. The dragon had been a bit off ever since the takeover. Not enough blood nor ichor for his tastes. Perhaps next green rise he would let the demon loose to play a bit. Depended on how he behaved.
Stepping into the clearing with a light step Z’ves paused, a smile lighting up his face. Well! Fortune did smile upon him on occasion. If it wasn’t ‘Mmtuh’. Brushing his hair back with one hand and stepping lightly over towards the small man, the bluerider squatted down near his foot and poked it with a nearby discarded stick. Above Lucith kept a watch on Behruth, preparing to intervene should such become necessary.
“Ooooooooh Mmtuh wake up.” A harder prod with the stick this time on the brownie’s ankle. “Should know better than to sleep out in the open. Don’t you know predators stalk these parts?” His blue eyes flashed with amusement even as he shifted his weight to spring back at the first sign of true movement from the other man. Looks like he would get to ‘play’ a little today.
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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 Oct 22, 2010 22:39:24 GMT -5
Prodding at his foot. M'ta's eyes shot open, the man lashing out with a heel rather ineffectually. He was on his feet, long hunting knife drawn, and springing toward the man with the blue eyes that he could never fail to recognize. Z'ves. The brownrider was a fast creature even on his worst day, and Z'ves was moving backwards. Pretty stupid to use a stick to poke at a man you'd forcefully carved your initials into. He hadn't even had the presence of mind to arm himself first. Mistakes like those were not ones that the Bitran was in the habit of making, even if some part of his mind did register that falling asleep out in the open like that was definitely a foolish mistake. Fortunately, the bluerider was either too stupid or too arrogant to properly take advantage of it.
The point of the blade held steady beneath his jaw, a small trickle of blood creeping down his neck from the firm pressure there. M'ta's dark eyes narrowed for a moment as they studied the other man's face. Must think all southerners were soft little fluffballs to push around as he pleased. Well, the brownrider's apparently southern looks actually came from Telgar stock, not southern, and even though he'd been raised in Bitra, the stereotypes held true for the most part. Fierce, passionate and stubborn, he would have fit right in amidst the smiths and runner breeders. Sneak announced himself with a warning hiss and lighted on M'ta's shoulder, sharp teeth bared. Behruth's calm blues were focused on the pair of riders. Clearly unperturbed, the smaller-sized brown yawned, stretching his wings. I trust you'll keep Yours from doing anything stupid. He directed the words to the circling blue without bothering to lift his head.
"Were you referring to yourself?" he questioned softly. His face showed no emotion, save perhaps the faintest hinting of wry amusement. "It's a little different, isn't it, when I'm not bound and being held in place by one of your little cronies? Do a little bladework of my own..." The dagger traced the trickle of blood down his neck, just enough to part the skin ever-so-slightly. M'ta's eyes never left the bluerider's, ready to slit the man's throat and twist aside should he go for a weapon or if his dragon thought to give Behruth any trouble. Explaining a dead rider to the new powers in place would be problematic. It was really the only reason he was settling for a threat. Nevertheless, M'ta wouldn't hesitate to defend himself definitively if the message didn't get across in this more...civil...fashion.
"I've seen your type before. Get off on it, don't you? Well, Z'ves." Yes, he knew the bastard's name. "I won't tell you to stop, because that would be pointless. Like telling a fellis addict to quit. But you'd best be a very sneaky predator; come after me, any of mine, or leave traces of your games lying about and I promise you-" It was his turn to smile, a distinctly cold expression. "You'll find yourself starring in a disappearing act." He removed the hunting knife from Z'ves' neck, only to bring it slashing back across the man's cheek in a violent gesture that sprayed a few drops of blood off the edge of the blade as it arced. He wiped it on his trousers and sheathed the weapon, giving Z'ves onle last disdainful look before returning to his tools.
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Rei
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Post by Rei on Oct 23, 2010 21:52:43 GMT -5
Z’ves had been expecting a reaction. An explosion really and he wasn’t disappointed. He was however a tad surprised at the speed and violence behind the reaction. Perhaps he had underestimated the little man. Still as he danced backwards there was no fear in the rider's gaze. Merely acceptance and perhaps a thin thread of actual amusement. Definitely hadn’t been the first time someone came at Z'ves with a knife. Besides’ that the bluerider held really no fear of anything. The man had learned to master fear at a very young age and now the emotional part of most encounters was overshadowed by simple reaction. Blue eyes flashed as the tip of the blade pierced the skin below his jaw. Oh dear caught him in a mistake didn’t he? A wry smile was given the little man as Z'ves brushed his mind with calm against Lucith’s. Stay.
The slate blue in turn wound through the skies and then brushed Behruth’s mind with cold humorless laughter. I have no control over the actions of my bonded you realize? He is my master. I but his humble and obedient servant. The dragon’s voice was deadpan and completely calm. Totally at odds and perhaps a bit indifferent to the scene below. It is you who will have to temper yours, not the other way around. I have no more control over my rider than the passing of the day. Circling again talons extended and Lucith slashed at the air. Perhaps the small blue seemed totally unperturbed but he was ready to react at a moments notice. Lucith did not plan to let his go between alone if things played out that way. No. he would be taking these other’s with him kamikaze fashion before he took the dark plunge himself.
Sneak was ignored, Z’ves locking eyes with M’ta and actually smiling at the brown rider. It wasn’t as if the man hadn’t been threatened or held at knife point by an angry person and he was, in truth, amused and a tad surprised that the knife had not done in deeper. Not killing him eh? Probably because the brownrider was unsure to the repercussions of such an action. The ex Legatus rider wasn’t sure what consequences would come from killing him. It was cute almost. Poor baby so worried about others that he would pass up his possible only chance to end his life? Amusing definitely. Z’ves remained silent, not even really twitching as the blade was traced slightly down his throat. The bluerider wanted to laugh. The urge to do so almost undeniable but he would risk his throat if he laughed now. Instead Z’ves remained still, bright smile almost mocking the rider as he spoke. An eyebrow rose at the threat. Hmmm.
To say he saw the slash coming immediately would be a lie, but the rider was able to turn his head just enough so the slash was shallow enough in nature. Facial wounds still tended to bleed a lot anyway. The smile never faltered. Little man still had bite. Was it wrong that he wanted to push more buttons? See how hard he could bite? Only when M’ta started to turn did Z’ves finally laugh outright, the sound almost maniacal in nature. “Mmtuh you amuse me. A lot actually. You want to give me a list of these untouchable ones? On second thought. Don’t. Will make it so much more suspenseful won’t it. Our own little game? I look forward to it.” Eyes dancing in amusement the last sentence was voiced in a purr. Hand coming up to wipe along his cheek the bluerider licked the blood off his hand almost seductively, eyes till locked on M’ta and stick still held loosely in his opposite hand.
Z’ves dropped his still bloodstained hand to his waist, his blade now in reach just in case. “Jumpy aren’t you? You should learn to sleep with an eye open.” With feigned interest he examined the clearing. Heh. Was he tinkering with things? How droll. “Somehow you don’t come across to be as a person who works with ‘wood’ guess you learn something new everyday.” Clucking his tongue against the rood of his mouth the bluerider twirled the stick around in a circle. “So what are you making?” Genuinely friendly the tone was, an attempt to draw the other into conversation. Maybe get under his skin with how passively calm he was? Yeah that to.
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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 Oct 24, 2010 10:31:22 GMT -5
Was he really that used to having a knife at his throat? Stoicism was one thing, as was patronizing amusement - all masks - but the bluerider's pulse wasn't even elevated. He was some sort of freak. Great, M'ta had managed to catch the attention of a psychopath. Well, maybe the correct terminology was sociopath; he was pretty sure there were people who would call the short Bitran psychotic, particularly other Bitrans. The laughter made the hair on the back of his neck prickle. Amusing? Maybe that was the key. If he simply didn't give Z'ves anything interesting, the bluerider would go away. Easier said than done when the mere proximity of the man made him want to kill something. Hated predators, hated predators, hated predators. Hated how it made him jumpy and bordering on the edge of hysteria to be close to one. That knowledge would be worse than amusing Z'ves. Couldn't give the enemy ammunition, couldn't lose control of himself, and the only way he knew to do that was to fight.
He glanced at Z'ves out of the corner of his eye. His eyes half-lidded at the attempt to get under his skin, a soft snort dismissing the gesture. Sicko. "Not really interested in playing with you." He set one half of the log back on the flat stone that doubled as a work table. Stakes were lined up, the first hammered in to begin the split. He didn't respond to the jumpy comment. The man didn't need to know how much he'd been effected by Z'ves. Already paranoid, he was back to waking up at every movement, not sleeping at all until exhaustion won him over, and then there were the dreams...He was irrationally afraid that R'wign was beginning to find him too needy, too. M'ta took any excuse to be touching him lately in pure neurotic fashion. No, Z'ves didn't have to know any of that.
The brownrider glanced at Z'ves again. Digging? The emphasis on the word suggested as much. Good. That meant he didn't know, which meant R'wign was not in the bluerider's sights. He lifted his hand, holding up five fingers - and incidentally flashing Z'ves the joining ring. Let the man draw the natural conclusion as to his sexuality from that. He didn't acknowledge that meaning behind the comment, though, taking it at face value. "Five turns. Started with carving and basic repair work." He hammered in the next stake, splitting the log further. "Then I started taking things apart. Now I do furniture, too. Nothing too fancy." And nothing too interesting, either. Operation bore Z'ves out of his mind was in progress. If small talk was the price, he could manage. See? He could even lie convincingly. Granted, it was only the number he'd lied about, shortening it from seven to five for the purposes of the misdirection, but it was still more of a lie that he ever really gave.
"Don't really know yet," he responded truthfully. "First the wood has to be cut. It's better to...let it take shape than to force it into something it was never meant to be." M'ta liked the simple solitude of working with the wood, and that didn't change just because it was harder with one arm in a sling. Once the half was quartered, he began stripping the bark from the quarter section with a broad, flat blade. It required steadying it in the curve of his knee and thigh, but he managed. "You work with your hands?" Keep it mundane. Boring. Don't show unease. He could do this. Behruth had already returned to his sleep without paying the bluepair any more attention. It was strangely...soothing. Sneak hadn't left his shoulder, though, his tail wrapped loosely around M'ta's neck.
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Rei
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Post by Rei on Oct 24, 2010 12:25:49 GMT -5
“No? Who says I am playing at anything?” Another friendly smile before the bluerider approached again, cold blue eyes watching for subtle twitches that always proceeded movement. “Maybe I’m just curious. That ever occur to you? Probably not.” Despite the wording his tone was very friendly. Jovial even. The stick held in Z’ves’ hand tapped a beat against his thigh as he stopped a few feet away from M’ta. Easily able from this distance to read the subtle clues in body language he needed to. Plus it doubled as a way to heighten discomfort. What too close? Sorry. Really.
Almost completely silent the man watched as the smaller brownrider went back to work, his consciousness idly brushing against Lucith’s. Down. Without a return word the slate blue snapped his wings shut and plummeted towards the clearing, leveling out over the trees before back winging to a neat landing. Not a sound was voiced, the blue remaining silent as he folded his legs underneath him and sank onto the grass. Lucith’s reward was a very subtle and light pulse of approval. Calm whirling eyes fixed themselves on the riders before moving to Behruth clear on the other side of the clearing. Turning his head back from the brown the blue yawned.
“You like taking things apart? So do I. Something in common there.” A amused smile was given to M’ta. The flashing of the ring was noticed and it caused Z’ves to inwardly chuckle. As if he cared that the other was joined. Never mattered before, why would it now? Significant others in fact created a very interesting dynamic to exploit. Sometimes anyway. At the very least they could sometimes be used as leverage until they where…disposed of. His tongue wetted his lips before he trailed a finger down his neck, staining it with his own blood. “Forcing things can be interesting though. You never know what kind of reaction you’ll get out of it.” Blue eyes flicked to M’ta and then the log. “So what do you do with your creations when you finish them? Admire them? Gift them? Destroy them? Keep them?” Bringing the blood stained finger up he examined it with quiet disinterest. "You could definitely call your work ‘art’ no? What I like to do could be called art as well I suppose. I like to change things, collect them.”
The question had Z’ves smiling brightly and he chuckled. “Do I work with my hands? Yes. There is something satisfying about using your own two hands to craft something. To work it into something close to perfection. Just as there is also something satisfying about destroying that creation when it doesn’t turn out like you imagined. Starting fresh. A clean slate. Everyone deserves a couple clean slates in their life don’t you agree?” Leaning forward the bluerider tapped the log with the stick he was still holding. “The only real difference is what one chooses to work with. Some people choose logs, some metal, some leather, some….other things. There are numerous ways to create but destruction is all the same.” Smiling he gave M’ta a wink. “You see. You and I are not so very different in ways are we?”
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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 Oct 26, 2010 18:40:05 GMT -5
M'ta resisted pointing out that he'd just said something about enjoying the 'game.' No, he hadn't been talking about playing at all. In fact, M'ta resisted responding to Z'ves verbally in general. He also was making it a point not to notice how close the bluerider had drifted. It was making his chest ache sympathetically, though, and he quite determinedly continued scraping the bark off in slow, smooth strokes.
Something in common? His eyes flicked up toward Z'ves, their expression unreadable. They certainly were not talking about the same things. The bluerider definitely was barking up the wrong tree here. He'd already revealed his hand with M'ta, and the brownrider couldn't read what he was saying in any other light. Not that he wouldn't have been uncomfortable anyway, even if this was their first meeting. The bluerider had a certain silkiness about him that the naturally paranoid Bitran found slimy. His eyes returned to his hands determinedly at mention of forcing things, his jaw tightening slightly.
"I'm usually making them for someone else," he responded to the relatively safe question, answer enough, he figured. The brownrider was too much of a perfectionist when it came to his work to actually get to the point of completion if the quality wasn't good enough to give to someone. The only one he'd destroyed was the one of Meira and Meisk...he'd finished it right before the Siege. And when he woke up? Meisk was dead. For a long time he'd kept it, wondering if she might not want it anyway, but in the end he hadn't wanted to hurt her by asking.
Another twinge in his chest. "Not much of a collector." Pack rat might be appropriate, but that had more to do with having next to nothing for so long as opposed to any real need to keep them for the sake of keeping them. It was also a habit he seemed to be growing out of. Much to his chagrine, considering the small hoard of things collected during his turns of candidacy was buried in the jungles somewhere. With throwing knives. Which he would much like to find, considering these people hadn't deigned to give him his knives back.
And after he'd surrendered so peacefully, too. Ingrates.
Sharding hell. Z'ves was oozing right now, and right up in his face, too. M'ta's eyes narrowed as he continued talking about destruction and clean slates so cheerfully. He kept himself in check remarkably well, all things considered. Until, that was, the wink and the words: "You and I are not so very different in ways are we?” His lip suddenly curled back from his teeth and he stabbed forward with the wide blade meant for scraping bark off logs. Right for that damned winking eye. Did he mean to kill him? Not necessarily. It was reaction more than anything else, though he definitely would not mind it if he caught the man flat-footed and put him out of everyone's misery.
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Rei
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Post by Rei on Oct 28, 2010 20:29:18 GMT -5
Well now Mmtuh wasn't being very friendly was he? The bluerider kept applying the pressure through, knowing that eventually it was highly likely the little man would lash out again. If he did it gave him more options. One couldn’t blame him for defending himself. Especially when, as of yet, the bluerider himself had not lifted a finger against the man. He made them for other people then. Z’ves smile got a little wider at that. Figured. At least he had even answered the question
The brownrider was quickly becoming a very interesting toy. So many fun reactions. Best part was one never knew what they where going to get. It created a type of thrill that was addictive. Predictable got boring after a time and most woman always reacted the same way. M’ta was different. He was a bit of a wild card. A bit dangerous certainly. Especially considering since just moments ago the man had quite nicely displayed just what he was capable of doing under pressure. Still the brownrider hadn’t made the death blow. Z’ves smiled. Fatal mistake. He Didn’t intend to let his guard down around the ex Legatus rider at all now. Not that he had completely let it down at first but he had been decidedly more lax than he was ever likely to be again.
Tsking Z’ves switched his hold on the stick he was using to tap the log and continued to watch M’ta with the same near amused gaze. The narrowing of M’ta’s gaze was the first clue that something in his words had hit a nerve. The second clue? The blade heading for his eye. Fortunately he was expecting something of the kind and so there was no panic, although there never was, simply instant reaction. The bluerider was all too used to having to move fast and had become something of an expert at avoidance. If he hadn’t learned he’d be dead by now.
Z’ves turned his head sideways as he danced backwards and further out of range, at the same time swinging the stick for M’ta’s hand in the attempt to knock the blade off it’s mark. Lucky the brownrider was still straddling the log and the attack had been at the edge of his range anyway. If the man thought to further pursue, the bluerider had quite a few extra moments to get his bearings.
His hand coming up to brush against the shallow scratch now added to the side of his face, Z’ves calmly wiped the small amount of blood away. “Easy with the facial wounds pup. I like my face.” Giving M’ta another calm friendly smile he shrugged. “What has your fur all in a ruffle Mmtuh? You’d think I’d just insulted your mother or something.” An amused chuckle. Before he again stepped boldly closer to the brownrider still avoiding drawing his own weapon although the stick stayed in his hand and ready. “I’m merely creating pleasant conversation and you’re jumping out of your skin. Why don’t you put that thing away before you hurt someone or yourself?” His voice was level and clam, almost soothing. The same tone he used with the more flighty females the first time he caused them pain. Soothe them a little and they started to think they where the ones that where in the wrong.
Lucith hadn’t moved an inch through the entire exchange. In fact the blue seemed to be almost bored. Calm whirling blue eyes examined M’ta with disinterest before the dragon stretched out to place his head on his forepaws. Privately he brushed against his bonded’s mind. Like a cornered rabbit isn’t he? You have but to speak and he jumps. What games did you play with his one? I forget. Z’ves smiled. I didn’t play much. The old man got in the way before I could continue. I think I like this one. Lucith gave a non committal mental shrug and half lidded his eyes. As long as you avoid acquiring too many leaks. A lazy flick of his tail. Maybe you can get one of the pretty infirmary girls to help stop your leaks. That’s the plan.
Cold blue eyes again went to M’ta. “So who is lucky enough to get your next creation?” Because obviously their conversation wasn’t over. Even if his current companion had just tried to stab him in the eye. Nope still friendly conversation to keep alive.
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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 Oct 29, 2010 9:36:51 GMT -5
Very swift reactions the man has, a dry voice commented in the back of M'ta's mind. Most people weren't quick enough to keep up with the brownrider. Though at least Z'ves had not gotten away without a scratch, despite those swift reflexes. The younger man dropped the knife as the stick contacted solidly with his knuckles. It was mere reflex to lean forward and catch the blade between his fingers, eyes locked on the bluerider's face as he wiped away a new trickle of blood. The smile was a little unnerving considering he'd nearly planted a blade in the man's brain just a second ago. Pup? Eyes narrowed into a glare at the patronizing nomiker, but he simply went back to shaving off the bark, otherwise not responding.
So he was beginning to think that his paranoia was taking over. Had Z'ves actually said or done anything at all provocative? No, not really. If it had just been an attempt to get the coordinates out of him...M'ta finally noticed Sneak's near urgent crooning, the brown rubbing up against his jaw earnestly. Could have been seeing something in the eyes that wasn't there. And the cut? It had been interrupted. Seeing 'z's' in what was probably just random slashes. Maybe. He forced himself calm, but that didn't keep him from lifting a foot to place it firmly against Z'ves's stomach and push him back. "Why don't we try for pleasant at a distance? Take a hint: you smell terrible. You'll have to forgive me if I don't trust your pleasantries after our last meeting."
Really? Was the bluerider this interested in winning him over? An attempt to repair bridges, maybe. M'ta let his leg fall, twisting the log about. Fine. He'd play nice. A small, guilty part of him suggested that he probably wasn't giving Z'ves the chance he deserved. Considering the man would have been well within his rights to retaliate or get one of his buddies to help and hadn't? Yeah, M'ta could try to avoid stabbing at him, at least. "Anniversary's coming up," he finally responded, somewhat reluctantly. Another long coil of bark was stripped from the section of log. "Two turns together, one Joined. We've known each other...I don't know, maybe seven. Known each other well for five. But I'm not really sure what to make...or even if I should make him something else at all. Might be getting bored of this sort of gift."
He didn't notice the slip that revealed his weyrmate as male, instead focused on the problem of always making something for R'wign. It was probably time to change it up a little. M'ta didn't want the man thinking that he'd stopped putting thought into things already. "You said you make things, didn't you?" Change, technically, but it sounded like a craft of some sort. M'ta pushed the nagging thought aside. Let go of Bitra. Not every man wanted that. Hell, most of them didn't, and it was commonplace to question prisoners roughly, wasn't it? "Maybe you have some ideas as to what to do for a gift?" There, playing nice, even if it was likely that the man couldn't give him much to work with, as he didn't know the Weyrhealer at all.
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Rei
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Post by Rei on Oct 29, 2010 22:29:25 GMT -5
Noting the glare with passive interest he continued his forward movement. Especially when the brownrider simply went back to his work. Really? All that fuss and he just went back to scraping bark? The poor little man was either very touched in the head or simply just very moody. It was intriguing. From one extreme to another at the mere flip of a switch. Mmtuh did not know just how exciting this made the game. How fun it made him to poke. It was like a child’s toy. A jack in the box or whatever they where called, you never knew at which turn of the lever the ugly would pop out. Yes. Amusing. The foot suddenly pushing against his stomach? Less amusing.
Eyes flashed with a momentary spark of irritation but just as quickly it fled to be replaced by cold calm. Letting himself be pushed back the small distance., although that fun it would have been to simply grab M’ta’s foot and flip him off that damn log, Z’ves gave a light chuckle. “You wound me. I just bathed yesterday surely I’m not that offensive yet. I haven’t even done anything resembling hard work today. Lucith did it all.” He flicked a dismissive gesture in the blue’s direction. “Although I will give you the first impression thing. I’m simply terrible at them.” A amused smile before he drifted closer staying just out of range of touch. Hovering if you will on the edge of personal space. Purposeful it was to keep the brownrider slightly on edge. “Remember before when we where speaking of clean slates? We have to live in the same weyr. Breathe the same air. Eat the same food from the same tithe trains. Fly in the same sky. Surely we can put aside such trivial things as a few exchanged words and slights in a hostile takeover situation? Had you been in my shoes you would have followed orders just as I had.” Sticking one hand in his pocket the bluerider shifted his weight to a more open stance, the stick tapping out another beat on his thigh. See? At ease solider.
Ah see there much better, Mmtuh was speaking again even being nice enough to answer his question and in a damn near pleasant tone to. Hmm. Z’ves slightly tilted his head eyes remaining fixed on the smaller rider. Had his soothing words really had that much affect? Or maybe he had accidentally flipped another switch. So intriguing. It almost made the bluerider want to take the little rider apart piece by piece just in a desire to find every little button. Unfortunately that would have to wait. Attention focused on the other rider he merely nodded the wheel sin his head turning.
Anniversary? How disgustingly sweet and oh! Now that was an interesting tidbit. His weyrmate was a man. That brought up all kinds of questions. Raised northern Z’ves should have probably felt immediate disgust in the fact that Mmtuh was not heterosexual. However the bluerider himself had never really had an issue with it. He preferred females but males worked out just as well at times. Still the fact that the brownrider did have a same sex partner only made him more interesting. Who was the more feminine one? Who was his weyrmate. All things he would have to find out eventually if he wanted to continue the game. Outwardly however Z’ves just gave a light smile. “That’s very sweet of you. Surely something you create means so much more to him than something you could ever purchase.” He intentionally put inflection on the gender solely to assure M’ta that he hadn’t missed that little tidbit. Even if it had been voiced on accident.
Although he could care less how long the two had been together her feigned interest his eyes instead defaulting to watching the other rider work. The question however earned an almost genuine smile. “That I did. Although make isn’t the correct word for it. I prefer create.” then tear apart slowly analyzing every tiny piece and enjoying it oh so thoroughly. The brownrider’s next question however actually managed to surprise Z’ves and his eyebrow rose almost to his hair line. Really? Mmtuh was asking him? How unexpected. “Hmmm.” The bluerider played up this through process even putting in a pacing spell or two as if he was actually giving the question thought although really he was just testing reaction.
“I’d go with something completely unexpected. If you have gifted him something of the like before. What exactly does this weyrmate of yours like. Maybe I’d have a better answer for you.” Was he intentionally milking the other for information? Most certainly.
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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 Oct 31, 2010 0:27:01 GMT -5
All he really had for Z'ves was a grunt of agreement. Master of understatement, wasn't he? Yes, those nasty first impressions. People just never took getting stabbed and cut up in the right light. Tsk tsk. "Is that what they were? Words and slights? You're right, by Faranth, I'm just being so unreasonable, aren't I? Can you ever forgive me?" Okay, so no one ever said he wasn't a sarcastic little twit. If Z'ves thought the words were just going to smooth everything over like he was some sort of nervous beast, though, he was a fool. M'ta didn't bother to respond to the bluerider's declaration that he would have done the exact same thing. Blind obedience was not exactly something M'ta did (just ask Ka'rys) and he was pretty sure that Z'ves had no outstanding orders to interrogate anyone given what little he'd caught of Ba'sun's words. But sometimes it was better not to point out such things. Let the other man take the silence as acceptance.
Emphasis on him. Now what was the reason for that? If it was meant to put him at ease - which seemed to be the current goal of the bluerider - he was kind of failing. By a lot. Since it didn't make sense that he was using it to make M'ta nervous, the brownrider decided he must be doing the typical northerner thing and piling on the disdain. Amusing. He wasn't going to be baited on that one, thank you. Just made him tempted to comment that Z'ves didn't know what he was missing. M'ta was good, though. For him. Again, he didn't say anything.
Oh, now wasn't that just suitably dramatic. Did he really think M'ta would believe he was so interested in the question? The brownrider had phrased it as mere courtesy - making pleasant conversation, that was what the bluerider wanted, right? Yes, and then, after all that pacing, all that careful showmanship, the best Z'ves could come up with was an 'I don't know'? Fail. The question itself, though, was innocent enough. Or, if not innocent, harmless; M'ta was of the opinion that if it didn't bug him to talk about it the bluerider would switch to something else shortly. He had no intentions of saying anything that would give R'wign away. Still, even if it did, all it required for anyone to find out was a question. Not too many homosexual couples at the weyr, not too many Selenitas dragonriders who didn't know who M'ta's weyrmate was. If anything they might just forget his name. M'ta? Who was that again?
He shrugged with one shoulder, stripping the last of the bark and setting down that blade before pulling out an even broader, flatter one. "Blankets? I think we've got hundreds. Though I couldn't say for sure, never been bored enough to count them all." Dry humor there. R'wign and his blankets. And whining about messing up his blankets. (Nevermind that M'ta hadn't touched them in months.) "Likes bathing. Dousing himself in smelly things. Trying to convince me to use scented soaps, too. That's a bust, though. Anything I got for him on those lines would be worse than what he gets for himself." Yes, choosing his words carefully there. No 'make.'
"Likes pie. Most people do, though. I'm trying to watch that sweet tooth of his." More shavings were falling into his lap, M'ta cutting out curves along the grain of the wood in mindless habit. He'd see something in it eventually. "Piercings." That one was solely to see what reaction he'd get. M'ta remembered Z'ves pocketing the ring. Keeping the nice bloody floor clear of jewelry? Yeah. Sure. "Furniture." A smirk, at that one, his eyes on the log and not Z'ves. "Preferably flat and about...oh...waist height." How much would that get the judgmental prick twitching, hm? "And a handful of other things. I don't really expect you to figure it out for me, you know. Just thought you might have a couple of stabs in the dark and that I might actually like one of them." He looked up and offered a smile that was almost genuine.
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Rei
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Post by Rei on Nov 1, 2010 16:47:56 GMT -5
A soft chuckle at M’ta’s words. Kid was really a mouthy one wasn’t he. No wonder he got into the situations he did. The man was simply snarky and had a bad temper. Had Z’ves himself not been the one to find him in the hallway during the takeover who was to say the little brownrider would not have died? The man had far too much fire and not enough control. Or maybe it was the paranoia that was thinning the kids control? The bluerider prided himself on his ability to rub people the wrong way when he tried. He still obviously had the gift. Either way the rider was amused.
Part of him wanted to pick back at M’ta but Z’ves simply pushed the impulse aside. He was sure he would have plenty of opportunities in the future. No sense to exhaust it all on one go. Nope he would savor this for as long as he could. Instead the man just gave the brownrider a calm look, titled his head, and replied simply. “You are forgiven.” There see? He chose to take the sarcastic comment as a serious one. Of course he forgave Mmtuh. A slow smile spread across his face as the bluerider busied himself with tossing the stick from one hand to the other.
Shifting his weight Z’ves suddenly decided he wanted to sit. Put him in a more vulnerable position but. At the same time, M’ta was straddling the log. Would take him awhile to lunge into an attack from that position to. Seemingly completely at ease the bluerider sank down to the grass, sitting cross legged, stick balanced on one knee. Leaning back he palmed the grass on either side and ran his fingers through it. Tilting his head Z’ves pretended to pay careful attention. Really he was just looking for subtle clues. He didn’t really care about Mmtuh’s weyrmate. Not one tiny bit. But there could be something in the information he could use someday and that was what he was concentrating on. Thus he plucked a piece of long grass from the ground and stuck it in his mouth. Idly chewing on the stem he just nodded. Booooooring. Damn the brownrider’s weyrmate sounded worse than a woman. The bluerider never had liked perfumes. Ick. Made him sneeze. No he much preferred the odor of fear and all that came with it. That was much better than some disgusting flowery scent.
Moving the grass with his tongue to the other side of his mouth Z’ves kept the interested look up when in the back of his mind his attention was shutting down. Nice to know some of these things, perhaps. If he ever planned on meeting Mmtuh’s weyrmate that it. But well currently he didn’t so he could care less about this nameless man. The word piercing caused one corner of the bluerider’s lip to twitch upwards a little. Piercings where fun. But then again the brownrider already knew that.
Z’ves purposely ignored the comment about the furniture. Really the little brat felt the need to throw that little bit in? He could care less about their sex life. Didn’t bother the rider one tiny bit. He’d participated in and seen enough sexual acts in his turns that such things didn’t really matter. No matter what the pairing. All that did matter was the connection between him and his chosen victim. The bending and destroying of wills, pain, screams, begging, control. Yes the sex was only a tiny part of it. The rest was more satisfying to him. Damn. All this talk was really doing was reminding Z’ves that he lacked a partner currently.
He would have to be fixing this soon. Maybe Lucith could draw him in a pretty next rise? Nah. He’d rather look for one on his own. See what the southern population had to offer. Sitting out the grass he gave M’ta a return friendly smile. “Well sorry to disappoint you. I can blindly shoot off things if you want. However, the gifts that I give normally aren’t physical in nature so I’m a bit bad at them. I prefer more meaningful gifts. One’s that create memories for the rest of their lives rather than simple pieces of jewelry, furniture, or something that someone else made. And that I really can’t help you with that because I don’t know your weyrmate. Can’t fashion something personal without knowing the person."
Leaning back on his hands Z'ves considered for a moment before commenting again. "For example there was a woman I knew that loved islands. So I took her to one and we spent the day there together. I'm sure she never forgot it.” Oh that one had been fun. Tracking her though that jungle was one of his favorite memories. Poor Tiana. It was too bad that she had felt the need to take herself from him. She had had the nicest smile.
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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 2, 2010 12:17:09 GMT -5
It was surprisingly easy to ignore Z'ves' own version of sarcasm and the little twitch to his mouth at the mention of piercings. They could mean almost anything, after all. And, even if the bluerider did have some sort of fetish for causing pain, M'ta was growing increasingly confident that the man would not be attempting anything else with him. Whether it was the initial reaction to being awoken, the lunge for his eye or something else, Z'ves was being pretty careful. Laughing eyes and mildly creepy smiles aside. M'ta's original assessment that he was too cowardly and weak to take on anyone head-on was returning. This certainty had his eyes straying to the northern rider less and less as he continued to shave off sheets of wood, looking for the natural shape it held at its core.
The small brownrider ignored any insult that might have been offered when Z'ves got on the subject of meaningful gifts. M'ta knew that something physical could be meaningful, too. A chest for blankets, a rack for the herbs and spices that were so much a part of R'wign's life, the pendant of the dragon that vaguely resembled Checkoth, office furniture for the office R'wign had finally gotten for himself after nearly six turns of sharing with and playing second fiddle to Kalierre. None of those had been meaningless. It was nothing like the book of handwritten stories R'wign had made, a book that M'ta kept beneath his pillow still, but M'ta couldn't do anything like that. He was reading better, now, but it did nothing for his illegible handwriting.
Still and all, Z'ves did have one passable suggestion in all that, which made M'ta pause in his careful prepwork. "I don't suppose we could get permission to go to Southern for a day, could we?" he commented wistfully. No, why should anyone allow it, with a curfew and their movements restricted to the area around Selenitas? Though it was no doubt tied to the memory of R'wign's lip piercing having been yanked from his face, it was still the place the older brownrider had chosen to flee to when dealing with the effects of that attack. M'ta remembered finding him there, fishing off the end of the dock. It was also where they'd been Joined. Then, because Ja'kin had guaranteed the healers' safety and it was suddenly something he really wanted to do: "Even if the Weyrhealer requested it?"
That really didn't necessarily mean his weyrmate was the Weyrhealer, anyway. Could just be a friend. Nevertheless, the Bitran waved the words aside. "It can wait for another time. If nothing else, we've both been far too busy lately. I'm sure just stealing some time to ourselves would be a better gift than anything I could make." He absolutely was not going to mention the children to any Wastelander who didn't already know. Particularly not Z'ves. This did bring him back to another topic, thouch. "Where did my throwing knives go? Can't go out to get new ones elsewhere. If you people trust me on a wing, why not return the knives? I'm far more useful with them." Not that Z'ves likely had any clue where they'd ended up...
Not bothering to look at the seated man, the brownrider set down the broad knife and picked through the bundle of carving tools, taking his time selecting the next one.
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Rei
Administrator
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Post by Rei on Nov 4, 2010 22:32:19 GMT -5
Uh. Yeah still bored. As Mmtuh feel silent and went back to his work Z’ves spent a few moments carefully watching the other rider, solely so the brownrider could get that wonderful ‘watched’ feeling. How utterly boring this was becoming. Oh if he wanted to the bluerider could ask questions about the work. Involve himself in friendly conversation but the interest to do so was rapidly dwindling. The man was almost tempted to start pushing things again just to get some of the paranoia back. Watching Mmtuh squirm had been fun. This was decidedly less than fun. This was downright boring. Grabbing the stick from where it had been balanced on his knee Z’ves rolled it across his palm calm blue eyes flicking up to the brownrider every once in awhile to give the illusion of interest. He even furrowed his brow as if thinking about asking something but then let it drop. Obviously he was letting things get a little too calm. Time to fix that.
With a soft grunt the bluerider rocked back onto his feet and tilted his head as the smaller man started to speak again. There was almost a hint of longing in Mmtuh’s tone when he mentioned leaving and that was certainly better than boring conversation about a lover Z’ves didn’t care the other had. A shrug was given the brownrider. “Not sure if you could get permission or not. Probably something you could ask your Wingleader if you where really serious about it. If you planned it all in advance I’m sure they would work something out with you.” The man gave a short laugh. “Not like you’re jailed here although it might feel that way for awhile. Once everyone adjusts I’m sure more freedom will open up to you all. Within reason of course. For now I assume they are just trying to cut down on possible runners.”
Really Z’ves didn’t care if any of them ran. I they did he might get the opportunity to hunt them down and wouldn’t that just be lovely. Even Lucith perked up a little at that thought, a soft croon rolling across the little area. An amused look was given his dragon. Anything for a little ichor or blood spilled. The thrill never did get old for the blue. The bluerider didn’t care to reason why that was.
Weyrhealer? The word caught his attention and the man raised an eyebrow. Hmm. “Well if the Weyrhealer requested it I suppose it might hold a little more weight depending on the reasons voiced.” Stepping forward and back towards M’ta, and the rider’s personal space, Z’ves nonchalantly brushed a hand over the wood in front of the brownrider. “Your knifes? Hmm If I remember correctly P’tol kept them. You could ask for them back if you wanted but I rather doubt you’ll get them back. Spoils of war and all that.” A shrug. “He’s probably already re-sold them anyway. Man’s a vulture. Knowing him he stripped what abandoned weyrs he could immediately after being dismissed.” Smacking the stick against the surface of the wood to create a distraction and possibly cause the other man to sit back up, Z’ves then whipped the point of the stick towards M’ta’s chest. Prodding carefully around the area of his ‘brand’ a sinister smile lighted his face.
“Talk of healers made me think. How is your wound healing Mmtuh? I’m curious to know.” Cold blue eyes sought the other rider’s for a moment, dark amusement clearly visible within his own. “I want to know if my freehand work is still as good as it used to be.” Enough of the boring. The bluerider wanted something. Even just a tiny spark of irritation, just a hint. Memory of the brand should work very nicely. If that failed he had another few ideas bouncing around but this first.
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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 14, 2010 14:46:11 GMT -5
Didn't get the concept of personal space at all, did he? M'ta sideglanced at him, still picking through his tools. He'd lost his train of thought as to what he was going to do now, though. Shame. Had to start over. His fingers went back to the first of them, discarding each systematically.
P'tol was his name? It would be easy to remember, at least, considering it was the same as Paryal's brother. M'ta hadn't really known the girl - at all - but P'tol was a twink still trying to figure out why he was interested in guys and blushing at every stray little naughty thought. So yes, the brownrider had noticed him. P'tol. He would need to talk to this P'tol. Even if Z'ves seemed to think the knives would have already been sold. M'ta really didn't care about the bluerider's speculations. All it did was confirm he needed to talk to the other man sooner rather than later.
His eyes flicked up at the rap of wood, and he straightened, eyes narrowing as the stick jabbed into his chest. M'ta's face stilled for a moment, not registering any pain, though there undoubtedly was some. Then a small smile touched his lips. As the bluerider continued to speak, he laughed aloud, the hand not in the sling shooting up to grasp the stick firmly. "You just couldn't keep up the facade, could you? Who does this actually work on? Women? Children?"
Another laugh, and he shoved the stick back at Z'ves. "Go play with someone else. I'm out of your league." He reached down for one of his carving knives, still rather...amused. Did someone who required a gang of men and rope to do anything, not clever enough to keep up the innocent act for more than a few minutes, really think he could intimidate M'ta by prodding at his chest with a stick? Oh, so he was being a twisted little snake, was he? Yeah, M'ta was just trembling. If he had any bite behind the bark he wouldn't need his mates to push around an injured man half his size.
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