Everyone knows I'm in over my head (F'lix)

[Rei]

Sel’n wound his way through the gather crowd in a surprisingly good mood. Perhaps it had something to do with the glowing mandyr displaying cheerfully from his shoulder. Or perhaps it had a to do with his current mission? Really it was anyone’s guess. Vanity chirped from his shoulder, tail winding about his neck as she scanned the crowds before her. Dummymine look for Simper’s darling yes? She said sweetly to him nuzzling up against his jaw. No the green didn’t particularly like it when hers paid attention to anyone that wasn’t Lustpet, however she was in a horribly good mood having been spoiled and so she was willing to overlook it this once. Never mind that she was glowing. She was always in a horribly cheerful mood when she glowed. The brownrider just grunted at his pet trailing a finger down her back affectionately before returning his attention to navigating the crowds. “Yes harpy. That’s who we are looking for.”

Finally he caught sight of the bluerider. Eyes narrowing in thought, he slid to the side of a stall and examined the crowd around F’lix. Content that there was no F’ur in the area, he moved. It wasn’t as if he was doing anything he ought not to be. It was the fact that F’ur was so damn overprotective that had him worried. Sel’n had no desire to get stabbed. None at all. This was merely the return of a favor from last gather. As the Weyrlingmaster drew closer he cleared his throat. No need to startle the man unnecessarily. “F’lix. Are you busy?” Busy is Simpers? Come back later? Vanity asked sweetly from her position on his shoulder. She threw in a frill for good measure. Look at her wasn’t she gorgeous? Ignoring his pet, for the most part, Sel’n rolled his eyes and gestured to the bag he was carrying. “Ignore her please. I feel the need to repay a favor. Would you give me a few moments?” F’ur be damned for now. Oh the brownrider knew instinctively that the bluerider would show up. It was just a question of when and where. He would rather it not be in a crowded area.

Moving away from the gather crowd he gestured with his head toward the eating area. The meaning behind the action clear. Meet me there? Vanity frilled cheerfully and leapt off the brownrider’s shoulder to F’lix’s. Hello Simper’s. Beautiful Vanity. Agree you do yes? She asked with a purr. Sel’n made a face and reached for her, earning him a venomous hiss and a few soft bites. Mandyr safely in hand he snorted and swiftly made his way to the tables. Damn proddy harpy. Once there he leveled a gaze at F’lix and gestured to the chair, awaiting the blue rider’s company before reveling the reason for his sudden appearance.

[rii]

The bluerider in question was standing in front of the starcrafter stall, a faint furrow to his brow as he scowled down at the display of various scopes. Inside he was having a fierce debate about whether or not he should buy one to replace the ..thingamajig.. he had accidentally stepped on at the weyr. It wasn't the same item, but it was close enough to call it even. Common courtesy aside, replacing an item that his weyrmate was unlikely to ever use again – an item that shouldn't have been left out on the floor – seemed silly.

As usual these days, F'lix hair was pulled back in a runnertail and he idled a moment longer at the table, head tilting in one direction then the other as he weighed either side of the internal argument. The soft attention grabbing noise made F'lix slowly pivot around, "Can I see–err." Blink. F'lix had been expecting the stall keeper, because who else would interested in earning his attention. "Sel'n?"

Remembering the man's name by face had more to do with the whole ordeal with Fort than recalling the brownrider from the previous gather. F'lix had been undeniable drunk that night and much of the evening was a blur in his memory. He remember something, surely, but what stuck out more was waking up with a piercing headache. F'ur hadn't made any mention of the night so F'lix had never pondered over the matter other than to vow to not drink – as much. His mandyrs didn't seem to handle well the effects.

Ignoring the green salamandyr wasn't difficult, as F'lix's inquiring narrow of eyes had yet to stray from Sel'n's face. The talk of repaying some favor had yet to click with understanding in his head – as far as he knew he had not done anything for Sel'n (unless it had been something mean, which could have been likely and F'lix could understand repaying that sort of favor). Curiosity rising, and the former scowl smoothing out, F'lix head turned automatically for his eyes to examine the area in the gestured direction.

Vanity appearing on his shoulder earned little reaction, but the sudden reaching hand had F'lix's own arm snapping up – stalling half-way upon realizing Sel'n was retrieving the green and not attempting some odd version of hey look over there! tactic to catch him off guard. Beautiful, came the obedient reply, a sullen voice of the dark blue salamandyr that remained curled against the back of F'lix's neck and trying to use the runnertail as a means of shade from the sun. Agreed. Glow lovely does Vanity.

F'lix had only a moment to be thankful that he had left Lilitu back at the weyr (other than the fact she refused to be near Simper and his wallowing of Aliene), otherwise he would of had a right out green mandyr brawl right there on his shoulder. Lilitu would be fine alone, F'lix could tolerate her wrath. He was more afraid of leaving Simper alone for any amount of time and having the blue decide to just.. disappear. And then the brownrider and his green were moving off and F'lix found himself inquisitive enough about the whole ordeal that he followed without voicing the questions.

Sit. F'lix lightly clucked his tongue, opting to lean against the edge of the table next to Sel'n instead. Arms loosely crossed over chest as he waited for the brownrider to reveal his hand. The golden hued eyes made another searching pass over the older man as F'lix kept a handle on his welling curiosity. He had a few ideas beginning to form, but for now his mind was busy sorting through memories to try and figure out what favor Sel'n wanted to repay..

[Rei]

F’lix’s surprise was not unexpected and Sel’n half smiled in response. The confusion was duly noted as well. It wasn’t really that much of a surprise. F’lix had been nearly plastered at the last gather. Resisting the urge to chuckle at the attempted block, a bit jumpy wasn’t he, he just walked ahead of the other rider towards the distant tables. Vanity however was just stoked that she had an admirer. Simper good is. Recognize Greenqueen pretty. Good boy. She purred and bit Sel’n violently between his fingers. Swearing the brownrider let her go out of instinct. Gliding to the table Vanity skittered across it to latch onto F’lix and scamper up to his shoulder. Once there she frilled and did the mandyr version of a catwalk to Simper, frill flared fully. Wasn’t she just gorgeous. What a good blue for recognizing her vast beauty.

The Weyrlingmaster just shot a dry look at his mandyr. Now he had the urge to parade around for F’lix. So awkward. Blasted mandyr and their tight bond. “Easy there pet Lust might get jealous.” He remarked before sitting in one of the chairs. If F’lix didn’t want to sit that was his prerogative. With a half amused look at the younger rider he reached into his bag and pulled out a bottle of Benden red. Setting it on the table he gave the rider an amused look. “You might not recall but last gather you provided me with a unique way to ignore my headache. This is the favor I’m repaying. I dare say I drank you out of house and home.” Chuckling slightly he pushed the bottle towards the younger man. His blue eyes danced with amusement and he shook his head. “Must say I thought I was in trouble when your boyfriend showed up. Tell me now how is F’ur. It’s been awhile since we really had a conversation. Turns really.” If that didn’t perk F’lix’s attention he didn’t know what would.

It was a bit underhanded maybe but eh. Who really cared. He wanted to know what kind of man this F’lix was. If his memory was correct, and it often was, Sel’n had enjoyed his company last time. Something that for the brownrider was a rarity. He didn’t actively like people. Not normally. It wasn’t as if he planned on trying to bed F’lix after all. His curiosity was justified. Or it should be anyway. Sel’n was no poacher. If he wanted a friend who could fault him. Even if that thought was an odd one. Friend. He didn’t have many. If F’ur didn’t like it he could go shove off. That thought made him smile. He remembered the possessive attitude of the other bluerider at the other gather well.

Vanity frilled at her bonded and hissed. Lustking not worry. Vanity love. Never hurt Lust. She spat with venom at hers. So what if she liked to be complimented. Simper was her slave after all. Being the Greenqueen of Selenitas made Simper her subject. If he wanted to fawn over her he could. With that thought in mind she crooned. Simper sad is? Tell why? Greenqueen Vanity listen yes? She shot a warning glare at her bonded who was too fixated with Simpers to notice. Tsk pot calling kettle there.

[rii]

In the past F'lix may have found himself brushing the nuisance green clean off his shoulder. He didn't like salamandyrs – but owning his own quirky pair that liked to carry out their dramatic relationship on his shoulders made him impartial to Vanity's displays. At least she wasn't harassing Simper. That would have brought forth a nasty reaction from the bluerider.

There were far more interesting things to pay mind to, self-absorbed salamandyrs aside, and F'lix head slowly tilted to the side as his attention remained intently on the brownrider. Wine? F'lix brows rose as one arm extended to touch the bottle and turn the labeling toward himself. The brows went higher to nearly meet his hairline – the gaze snapping briefly to Sel'n before going back to the bottle. Benden red. The implications there were not lost on F'lix.

"I remember," He did, now, even if the details were horribly fuzzy. A small smile quirked at the corner of his lips, and with half-lidded eyes F'lix let the molten gold color sweep over the face of his present company. "I believe what I gave you was a swill that was just on this side of poisonous. You must of woke up with a headache even worse than you started out with. I know I did.."

Teasing, playfully, the way his words had transformed into a near purr said it all. There were still soft, meant only for his present company. The bluerider paused at the mention of F'ur, again delving back into his memory to remember that.. yes, F'ur did show up. What had happened then? F'lix.. couldn't remember that much. He mulled over the words, again settling a most curious look on the older man – who knew of his involvement with F'ur and still felt the need to seek him out and gift a bottle of wine.

"He's better, more so that's he out of the infirmary." F'lix amused himself by wondering if Sel'n really was inquiring after F'ur's health, or attempting to voice the usual questions of courtesy before further testing the waters. "Turns." He repeated the word with sly touch. F'ur had been here.. three turns now? "Since you two were back at Fort, if I were to venture a guess. Your accents are.. near identical."

The words trail off with light lift, leaving it up to Sel'n whether to elaborate or not. "Can't imagine why you'd think yourself in trouble." No, not at all – again his lips tugged into a smile. "You look better, as well, Sel'n. I seem to recall thinking you looked about ready to crawl back into the nearest grave. But perhaps that had more to do with the wine and being surrounded dancing faces of grinning death. Today is bright, I'm sober.. and maybe you resemble a sailor just happy to have survived this shipwreck?"

His hand gestured to the themed stalls before falling to a rest ontop of the bottle. "No glasses?"

Simper slowly crawled onto the shoulder occupied by Vanity. A strong dark blue creature marred with various white scarring due to his peculiar taste in what he deemed 'fun'. Fool, this one. Good simpering fool. He sidled up next to her, bowing underneath her glowing glory and being absolutely unafraid in how he nuzzled the underside of her jaw. Simper had always been a friendly creature. Hate just did not make sense to him. Sad, so sad. Simper love, and love gone. No say bye, no come back. Lililove hate this fool for being sad. Say be gone. Simper.. sorry.. don't want to leave.. but if he must..

[Rei]

Sel’n actually attempted a smile at the other’s reaction to the gift. Good. He tilted his head and nodded at F’lix’s words. He remembered now. That was a good thing. It would have gotten awkward fast if only one of them remembered anything. The comment about the headache also made the rider chuckle. “Yes that was one horrible morning. Especially because Kaaoloth was upset at me. You would think he would have cared enough to be silent but no all he wanted to do was make it worse and call it a lesson.” Snorting dryly the older rider gave slight shake of his head. “Poison or not at the time I don’t think I really cared. If I remember correctly the company was good even if the drink wasn’t.” The playful lit on the end of the word mirrored the younger riders. He couldn’t quite match a purr so instead she just settled for sounding amused.

The Weyrlingmaster settled back into his chair and ran his eyes over the rider appraising him for a moment before nodding lightly. “Good. I was worried about him for a bit actually. Getting plucked up by a dragon like he did. It pissed Kaaoloth off royally.” Despite the fact that F’ur and him had ended turns ago Kaaoloth still had a liking for Innocenth. Fort bred loyalty probably. To be honest though the nasty blue had never really bothered his brown and Kaaoloth was protective by nature. To answer F’lix’s question Sel’n gave a small nod. “It has been quite a long time. Although we have had the occasional run in.” He flicked his wrist in dismissal, being intentionally vague. Yes he had seen F’ur in passing but they really hadn’t chatted or really had much of an interaction since Fort. It was odd knowing the rider was that close but yet so unapproachable. To be fair they had both changed. A lot in some ways.

Sel’n actually laughed at the blue rider’s comments. To be honest F’ur was just a tad overprotective in his opinion but to each his own. Amused he tilted his head up at the other rider. Oh he never came unprepared. “Join this shipwrecked man in a toast to survival?” He offered, producing two glasses and another bottle of wine from his bag. He waved F’lix’s bottle away. “Keep it. You might need it sometime. It’s better to have some good stuff stashed away for when you need it.” Winking the brownrider uncorked the bottle and poured a decent amount into each glass. Raising the glass he gestured for F’lix to take the other. Swirling it around he smiled. “To what exactly should toast? Continued good fortune in matters of survival?” Oh he was distinctly amused.

Vanity crooned softly as the blue nuzzled her. His sadness touched her. She was very pleased by the way he fell before her glory. Good boy this one was. She approved. To such end she moved to snuggle against him in motherly concern. Simper not allowed leave. Greenqueen demand he stay. Vanity sorry is. It was surprising but she was. She had almost lost her Lust once. She knew the pain and the unbelievable joy of returning to him. However for Simper there would be no return of his love. She knew his mate to be dead. It was sad how many minions Lust and her had lost. Lilli is fool not Simper. She offered with a croon nuzzling him briefly. Drawing her head back she then nipped him a bit hard. Must not be sad forever. Need be happy. The queen had spoken. Simper must not be sad when he had a queen such as her.

[rii]

Good company, the term left a wry smile lingering on F'lix lips. He could count on one hand all the people that might claim they enjoyed his company. What he could have possibly done to leave a good impression on Sel'n remained questionable. Typically older men didn't seek him out because they were interested in having a conversation. Besides, F'lix really did fail horribly when it came to small talk..

"He's a lucky man," F'lix added softly in regards toward F'ur's healing injuries, but leaving the tone hinting at.. nothing really, but stirring out comments from others had always proved interesting. The bluerider liked seeing which thoughts a person's mind jumped to if only guided by a simple tone.

Glasses, and another bottle. F'lix held back his mirth – amused at the gall the brownrider had for gifting the pricey bit of wine and insisting he take it back to his weyr. Just when did Sel'n think he'd be needing the wine? Either it was a friendly gesture to share it with F'ur (despite his weyrmate refusing to drink) or.. a bit of an underhanded stab at the other Fortian.. F'lix wouldn't be able to decide on that little matter until he saw F'ur's reaction first hand. The dark-haired bluerider was beginning to think there was something between these two older men that he had yet to learn – oh, but he was curious, increasingly so.

"Methodical, Sel'n." F'lix lazily looked between the two glasses, the amusement never leaving his voice. "You weren't planning on drinking alone. I hope my company sober can compete with what it's like when I'm drunk." Lightly shrugging a shoulder, F'lix shoo'd the two salamandyrs onto the table before picking up the glass meant for him. He had not intended to drink at the gather, but the temptation had been there, and he could hardly let the man drink alone, right?

"To a shipwrecked man I would pray for a quick death if someone isn't coming to his rescue, before the sea's water can drive him mad." He toyed, easing more firmly against the table's ledge instead of taking the adjacent chair. "But since survival is often a matter of luck, let's toast to that, may his lucky stars be out and watching his back." Playful, more than a touch cryptic, let the man hear what he wanted to hear. F'lix lightly toasted the glass to the air above Sel'n before bringing the glass to mouth.. the red touch his lips but he didn't take a sip; feigned so, but one could never be too sure.

Even after being moved off the warm perch, Simper didn't stray far from Vanity. Her bite had been so pleasant, and he happily stay coiled near her side – never rising up too much and blocking her wonderful glow from being seen by all. His tail curled around one of her front legs as an achor. Hard. How be happy? So sad.. no love to be happy. So much hate. Why?

[Rei]

Sel’n didn’t comment on F’lix’s admission that F’ur was lucky. The other rider had always been something of gifted on the luck side. Idly his eyes passed back over his present company evaluating him. He could tell the other rider was interested and that was enough for now. A slight smile crossed his features at the methodical comment. Yes it was a bit methodical he supposed but really he had way too much time on his hands these days. He had no weyrling’s under his care at the present and no real friends to spend lonely hours with. He had nothing to do but plan. You need a hobby. Kaaoloth commented lightly but fell silent after that almost as if he was brooding. Don’t get too drunk either. He brown withdrew after that and Sel’n raised an eyebrow but didn’t prod. Silly beast.

His attention went back to the bluerider as he shooed the mandyrs, amused at Vanity’s compliance with it. “I’m sure you sober can’t be too bad. It’s probably me you have to worry about. I’m not known for my charm and wit after all.” The comment was slightly self deprecating but the brownrider shrugged it off and snorted dryly. He watched with half lidded eyes as F’lix picked up the glass and made his toast. Shooting an interested look at his companion Sel’n picked up his glass. “If those stars should cease to shine may death’s embrace be sweet relief from the perils of life.” He said in addition before tipping the glass back and draining it quickly. Settling it back down he winked at F’lix before interlacing his hands and flicking his gaze back out to the happy gathers.

He had caught the fact that the other man had neglected to drink. That was his prerogative. Sel’n wasn’t out to try and capture anything belonging to F’ur. He was just curious about F’lix. Had been since last gather. Before he even knew who the bluerider belonged to. Pity that he had to belong to the one man who he didn’t wish to ever cross again. Purely because some part of him actually regretted the actions he had taken in his youth.

There was a lot of regret on his life. Far too much actually and he was only adding to it. Running a hand through graying hair he examined the younger rider’s posture idly wondering how long her would stick around. “It’s funny how gathers always seem to bring out the oddest things.” He commented drolly suddenly feeling a surge of protective affection for F’lix. Vanity. Damn proddy harpy. The sooner she ran the better.

Vanity trilled softly to Simper well aware of how he had intentionally posed himself. Simper she decided was now her favorite slave. He was complimentary, completely obedient, and more than willing to play her up. Yes he was met with approval. She would have to let Lust know what a good slave he was. The older green considered the blue's words briefly before her tail curled around to brush against Simper’s back. Maybe need new love to chase away sad. She replied softly. New love. It was a bizarre concept to her. She couldn’t see anything besides Lust. But she had plucked the thought from watching the interactions of others so maybe it was worth voicing. She frilled at hers as he set his glass down and then turned her attention back to the blue. Hate? Hate bad is. Hate ugly wing flits. No hate for Simper. Must love. Love make better always. To demonstrate she licked the top of his head and then nipped him to gain his attention again. Understand?

[rii]

"Which raises a question. What are you known for then, Sel'n?"

F'lix watched as the other man's wine disappeared before finally taking a sip of his own. "And what you are trying to make disappear drinking like that." Could hardly plan to drug or poison a man when sharing the drink and downing it at a faster pace then the intended target. F'lix clicked his tongue, savoring the familiar taste on his tongue. Benden red, it had been a good while since he tasted the stuff. Always been plenty of it back at Benden, and.. he had drank his fair share of the stuff. A shame drinking usually came after something bad happened, leaving it a mere vain wish to try and drown out the memories with the alcohol.

He had paused with the rim of the glass touching against lips, golden eyes dulled as he mulled over the thoughts and memories that refused to fade with time. After a quiet moment he snapped back to the present and swallowed a good mouthful. A brow lifted at the last words, F'lix settling a humored look on the older man. "Is that so?"

Edging a spot closer, purely to reach over and retrieve the open bottle and fill Sel'n's glass. He picked it up while setting one foot against the bottom bar of the brownrider's seat. The newly filled drink was held out to the older man. "What, exactly, are these odd things you are noticing?" He was willing to bite at the baiting comment, to play into whatever the man was planning – because how else would he learn anything about Sel'n?

Be new love? He inquired of the glowing green. Simper couldn't help but to ask, he loved all – oh and she was just so kind to this simpering fool. A crooned sounded as she nipped him, Simper responding by coiling more closely to Vanity. He rubbed the top of his head against the underside of her jaw again. Again, again. No hate flyers. No hate fuzzball.

The debate of what to hate was softly put, as Simper just didn't hold any feeling of ill toward any other creature. Vanityqueen, Simper fool understand, but.. He sunk down again, laying his body flat against the table in the same forlorn posture he had taken on the past sevendays. Simper so sorry.. how can let know.. too late, but still so sad, so sorry..

[Rei]

Sel’n raised his head from his hands to View F’lix with thinly veiled amusement. That was a good question. What was he known for? Nothing really. Anything he had held claim to in the past was burned and buried. Now he was just the Weyrlingmaster. A position surely but not one he had ever seen himself in. “Well I suppose I would now be known as that old wash up that teaches the brats their lessons.” He replied immediately with a slow smirk. “As far as what I am trying to make disappear? Well that’s the golden question isn’t it?” He raised an eyebrow and shook his head slightly. “The question is not what I am trying to make disappear. It’s what I am trying so hard to forget.” Half lidded eyes watched as the younger man refilled his glass. Reaching for it he lifted the glass and swirled the contents before staring into the liquid as if it held some answer he just couldn’t grasp.

Taking a sip the Weyrlingmaster chuckled. “Well for example I heard rumors of a fight between a holder and one of our weyr. Who or what the fight was about is unclear. I am upset that I missed it.” He tilted his head and chuckled. “I would have thought that people would be on their best behavior at Southern but it seems I was wrong.” He chuckled. “Not only that but Darya seems to be a bit lax with her students. There is a whole lot of them here with absolutely no chaperone to be seen. Young people just can’t be trusted.” Sel’n sighed. For that matter there where a whole lot of older people you couldn’t trust either.

“Gathers tend to bring out facets of people you don’t normally see. I don’t know what exactly it is about them that attracts insanity. T’rid disappeared at a gather. Things happen when you put holders and dragonriders together and mix them with competition and alcohol. Recipe for disaster.” Sel’n gave F’lix a rather searching look. “Try to avoid them normally but lately I find myself drawn to them purely for my own amusement. You’d be amazed what you can get away with in crowded places like this.”

Vanity chirped in admonishment as Simper spoke. Fliers ugly evil dung eaters. She responded with venom her tail lashing out across the table. Silly blue didn’t he know that? If he didn’t he should. Mention of a fuzzball caused her to tilt her head in consideration. Fuzzball? Fuzzball can be much dangerous. No hurt good. Hurt bad. She said silkily before biting him just behind the shoulder. Hurt good yes? Fuzzball can kill dead. No good hurt there. She scolded softly.

This blue slave was much like an errant baby he would have to be protected and watched. The glowing green nipped Simper again and then licked the spot once before speaking. Tell sorry. Love will hear. Be sad yes. Not forever sad. Sad for time okay. Sad forever not okay. Sad forever make sick. Make Greenqueen sad. He wasn't aloud to be sad forever. Not if she had anything to say about it. Simper belong Vanity now. Is Vanity slavepet. Vanity baby Simper. The green had decided to adopt the blue as her own personal slavepet. He was lucky. He was taking Valiant’s place. Val could no longer walk and this one was far more obedient. Lust would approve she was sure. If not she would just have to convince him.

[rii]

"I guess that is to be expected," F'lix commented quietly while swirling around the last bit of his wine, golden eyes intent on the dark red. Had to be careful he didn't drink too quickly. Benden wine was more potent than the other swills floating around the gather. The last thing he needed was to end up tipsy, or flat out plastered around a man he.. didn't trust. A man he felt had ulterior motives behind his actions and biding his time before revealing them. "Most people don't care to look beyond skin deep. Either obsessed with outer beauty, power, or only interested in what you can give them. I'm sure all the youth of the weyr does only see an old man whose sole purpose, at one time or another, was and is to graduate them to their own weyrs. Self absorbed, all else be damned." He lightly shrugged one shoulder before emptying his glass. "Most people."

The faint upward curve of his lips spoke enough that he didn't see Sel'n that way. Using the foot perched against the bar of Sel'n's chair, F'lix pushed up so he could sit on the edge of the table without jarring the bottles of wine. He moved that same foot up to a higher spot, setting it on the lip of chair next to Sel'n's thigh. Elbow set on the upbent knee, F'lix lightly rested the side of his features into upturn palm and looked out toward the moving bodies. "Am I being such poor company, Sel'n, that you are trying hard to drink yourself into a stupor just to forget who you are with?"

There had been a fight? F'lix brow rose, but he opted not to comment on the matter. He doubted whatever had transpired could be barely be referred to as a fight by his terms. "Probably some guy getting bent out of shape over another guy with hands on his girl. Don't be too upset you likely missed a sucker punch." The list of oddities didn't really strike F'lix as odd, and maybe some part of him was thankful that his run with Lilitu didn't get mentioned in the list. He heard he had put on quite the show.. but the part he remember was who he woke up to, reeking of alcohol.. a muted shiver ran down his spine and F'lix snapped his attention to Sel'n's last words just to push the rising memory aside.

Playfully, he leaned forward toward Sel'n with a sly smile in place. His voice lowered to a private volume, purring to urge the brownrider on. Part of him wanted to be close to him, to touch and nuzzle, but that was a feeling trickling in from Simper – F'lix was being to worried about the blue to make him stop fawning over the man's green. It was nice that the blue was starting to show signs of life after over a sevenday of nothing. "Amaze me then, show me what you can get away with in such a crowded place."

Simper deflated, or he would have if he wasn't already pressed flat against the table. She had not said no, or yes, to his initial question. But all was forgotten with the nip, and the dark blue crooned while arching against her glow. Ever so gently he licked her hide in return of the attention. Yes, yes, that hurt was good. Her next comment had him suddenly shrinking back down near her feet. No no. Not make Vanity sad. Simper want Vanityqueen happy.

[Rei]

Sel’n smiled slightly as he listened to F’lix talk. He slowly sipped on the wine in his hands and offered no comment. It was one of his favorite wines. He drank enough that it would take more than two glasses to make him tipsy and he was stopping after this one. The brownrider was painfully aware of the fact that he needed to keep his wits about him this time. There was a time to get wasted and now wasn’t it. He found himself concentrating on the tone of F’lix’s voice more than the words trying to subtly pick up clues as to the other man’s temperament. The bluerider was something of an unknown entity and although Sel’n had enjoyed his company, from what he could remember, last time that didn’t always mean anything. Besides this was F’ur’s pet. It made the brownrider a bit more reserved than usual. He wasn’t sure what all F'ur had told the other man. If anything.

“Most people is right.” The Weyrlingmaster drawled softly. “Humans are self absorbed by nature. You’ll have trouble finding a person who doesn’t have selfish tendencies.” Painfully true. He could count the number of unselfish people he had ever met on one hand. They didn’t last long at a weyr either. Then F’lix moved and Sel’n’s eyes went straight to the younger man. He didn’t move nor even really twitch a muscle as the bluerider angled himself so he would be seen. The brownrider was aware of where F’lix had placed his foot and wondered if it was intentional. Where they playing games now? Sel’n tipped back his glass to empty it completely again and then flung it over his shoulder. His blue eyes sought out F’lix’s golden ones and he smiled. “Bad company? You? I think you have that turned around.” He said playfully before his eyes flicked to the moving shoppers and back. “It takes more than a few glasses to induce a stupor in me anymore. I’ve built up quite a resistance.” He winked at that and Vanity hissed. Is crippled drunk. No like. Cut off. Done. No more. She demanded before turning back to whatever she was doing.

Sel’n outright laughed at the mandyr's comment before turning his attention back to F’lix. “Yes I don’t think the fight was really anything worth watching. However I’m a nosey sort. I want to know who was involved. Curiosity will kill me one day ~” He said with a playful musical lit. The wine had been just enough to mellow him out a bit. Soothe some of his more paranoid tendencies. Self medication had it’s perks. Then F’lix was leaning in very close and the Weyrlingmaster fought the urge to draw closer as well. He wanted to reach out and stoke the man’s face and then scold him for being so irritating. Wait that was wrong. Vanity was bleeding over too much. He would have to watch that. The wine had weakened his control over her feelings vs. his quite a bit. Instead he chuckled and his eyes danced merrily. “What do you say we make a game of it. I’d like to see who can get away with more.”

Vanity had been momentarily distracted by her bonded but confident that he would listen, (if not she would bring the brown one into it), she turned back to Simper. Good boy. Simper not make Greenqueen sad if listen. Must listen what Vanity say. Know best does. Her head dropped and she nibbled hard on his frill. Observant the green was and she had noted that he liked it when she was rough. Strange little one. Flaring her small wings she unwound herself from Simper to perch on the edge of the table and pose. What Simper see now? Find new love soon? Vanity help. She had Lust after all. She could help her little pet find love if he wanted it. Her tail lashed back to softly tap against Simper. Come. With that she leapt onto the wine bottle and from there to F’lix.

[rii]

F'lix set his glass aside as he listened, splitting his attention between the seated brownrider and a throng of people wandering past. Selfish, quite true, F'lix was as selfish as the next person. Yet he wasn't so self absorbed as to not try and look beyond the masks people presented, or the generalization the mass would place on an individual. Admittedly he often found people too hollow, uninteresting, behind those masks that had slowly taken over and destroyed what had once been inside. Where people saw old, F'lix saw experience. Older men tended to be well set in their ways; knew what they wanted, knew how to get it, knew their limitations.. It was that steady state of being that typically attracted F'lix. He needed that solid base in his life since he tended to be all over the place.

Brows suddenly rose, F'lix shifted his attention back to Sel'n when the glass was carelessly tossed. See, the man knew his limitations. The thought drew a small smirk from F'lix, golden eyes narrowing with amusement. A shame it appeared Sel'n would not be prompted to drink any further – for now. Wine tended to loosen lips and actions. The bluerider was ever so curious of the man's intentions. He might have commented about the man's strange idea of what was considered good company but Vanity's interjection caused F'lix mind to go off track with a faint narrow of eyes. He.. honestly didn't notice anything wrong with Sel'n to call him crippled – but a sitting man was often hard to read.

"You and me both," F'lix mused quietly to the curiosity comment. Did the brownrider know him well enough, at least by simple observation, to know he had a terrible sense of curiosity. F'lix imagined not. But, a smile was shot at Sel'n, F'lix was certainly counting on the man's inquisitiveness to get a few of his own questions answered.

One arm curled around his leg, F'lix's head tilting to the side as he visibly considered Sel'n's offer of a game. What could one get away with in a crowded area. F'lix could.. murder someone, theft.. and that is where the list ended. Creativity was more of F'ur's area when it came to these silly things (the bluerider highly doubted Sel'n wanted to see how silently and quickly he could make a person die).

Knows best, Simper chimed while staying where Vanity had left him. His eyes followed her every move. It wasn't until she beckoned him to follow that he moved. Crawling up the back of F'lix shirt to perch on the opposite shoulder and peeking around at Vanity. See? See beautiful Vanityqueen. He scoot closer to F'lix's neck and dared a quick survey of the area before honing his attention back on the green. See many others, Vanity will help. Tell fool how?

F'lix, for his part, hardly noticed the addition of salamandyrs. Vanity was just taking the spot of his demoness. A prideful green with a blue simpering at her feet? Nope, nothing different about that. "Alright." Plucking up the open bottle, F'lix put the stopper back into place. He slipped off the edge of the table, both bottles in hand, and set them both on top of Sel'n's thigh. Benden red was too expensive to lose if a set of greedy fingers decided to nab the bottles while they were out.. playing.

"But I insist you go first, set an example for this youngling."

[Rei]

Sel’n feel completely silent as F’lix considered his offer of a game. Idly his eye’s went from the mandyrs, back to the younger man’s face. Vanity caught him staring and frilled once before commenting privately. Careful my cripplelove. Didn’t need to tell him twice. He was being careful. Ok so maybe not really but he was so tired of predictable. The Weyrlingmaster had been quite the hermit since the Fort attack. Stir crazy he was going really. A bit of a game wouldn’t hurt anyone. Or rather not hurt him. His eyes flicked to the gather crowd already picking out a suitable target. The brownrider smirked the expression decidedly amused as he found a decent target. Perfect in their position too. People watching often came in handy. He could see the story behind the movements easily enough.

His eyes flicked to F’lix as the bluerider moved. Good he was accepting. The wine bottles where plucked off his thigh with his good arm. The weaker one had improved drastically through therapy but even the weight of a full bottle might be too much and he didn’t want to drop his purchases. Too expensive. Vanity missed the sling he used to use constantly but Sel’n didn’t. Tucking the bottles into his bag the Weyrlingmaster sent a silent request to Vanity and she trilled sweetly before turning to Simper. As his green turned to the blue Sel’n grinned crookedly to the younger man. “Fine. I’ll give you a decent enough example. Remember the object of the game is not to get caught.” With a wink he slid into the crowd.

Vanity frilled and turned to her new pet. Play mine wants with yours. Ask watch funny water. Come. Watch will. Learn something mebee. With that the green made a leap from Simper’s to hers. Rubbing against him briefly she scrambled down Sel’n to glide to the bag. Turning around she made herself comfortable and crooned to Simper. Come will answer question now. When the blue arrived she grabbed him roughly by the frill with her teeth and pulled him close. Releasing him she placed a forefoot on his shoulder her claws just barely poking him. Hmmm how would her new slave go about finding someone to love? Her talons tapped out a beat on his hide. See Vanity glow? Glow means love. Simper need glow and run. Far fast. Find new love. It made sense to her. That was how she had met her Lustlove.

Having found his targets before, it was easy to wind his way to them. The holder pair where clearly on some type of outing and from the body language he could tell that the female part of the pair was very unhappy. The male was far to expressive and pushy and the girl was quickly becoming fed up. Sel’n made his way through the crowd meshing in so he was as inconspicuous as the next patron. Drawing up close to the pair he idly perused the wares the stall was offering.

Waiting for the perfect moment his hand shot out to quickly grope the woman’s butt. Releasing her he turned a disproving look to the male beside her who was attempting to engage her in conversation yet again. Catching the look Sel’n gave her ‘date’, the woman growled and then slapped the man hard enough to draw the attention of a few people. "Yarold you are a implusive sharding...." Trouble caused Sel’n slid quickly out of the situation. Their raised voices carried on behind him as he literally almost bounced halfway back to the tables. Catching F’lix’s eye from his place among the crowd he smirked. His turn.

[rii]

As Simper trekked down his arm, F'lix caught his tail before he could drop down after Vanity. The hand fisted around the squirming blue, a faint narrow to F'lix's golden eyes – but that expression was so typical on the bluerider it was near impossible to decipher the cause. Lixhers, please, Simper pleaded privately to his while managing to worm his way free and drop the rest of the way to the bag to join the lovely green. The blue had just made himself comfortable, considered her suggestion, when F'lix hand swiftly nabbed him once again. This time the salamandyr met the dark inside of pocket with little hopes of escaping as F'lix weaved into the crowd to silently mirror after Sel'n.

Brows rose and lips parted in a show of muted surprise. It lasted a moment before F'lix emitted a short, scoff of a laugh. The amused smile was there even as he shook his head at Sel'n, who danced away from the scene in a barely contained boyish glee. A hand came up to cover the smile that refused to fade, eyes shimmering with the silenced laughter. Who knew Sel'n had it in him to be— oh it was just— honestly. F'lix had to wonder if he just brought out the inner child in older men. The mischievous nature of it reminded F'lix strongly of his weyrmate. In fact, it was a bit too much like what he and F'ur might do to during an idle moment.

The thought was sobering, and F'lix kept the hand over his mouth to hide the fact that the former smile was gone. The playfulness was ebbing away. F'lix didn't want to have this sort of fun with Sel'n. It was a good time and.. strangely enough F'lix felt like it was cheating on F'ur if he partook in the little game. Toying around with Sel'n was one thing, but being open, the smiles, that genuine good feeling.. F'lix only wanted to share it with F'ur.

Winding around the bodies between them, F'lix came up alongside Sel'n with his back half turned to the lover's spat. A cattish flick of gold went up to the taller man. "Full of surprises." F'lix settled his weight over one foot, letting his hip tilt slightly in that subtle body language as he cast a brief look over his shoulder at the increased volume of voices, his own quiet and amused. "No one would ever suspect the quiet, mild mannered man of such misbehavior."

Although the man being blamed for the groping seemed to be searching the gather for the true perpetrator. "Either you really are disappointed at the lack of fight and wish to spur a fresh one, or just looking for an excuse to grab someone's ass." F'lix turned, bumping Sel'n's arm as he past as a silent gesture for them to vacate the area before the peeved man connected the dots. "I tend to attract trouble. And.. my acting skills are not up to par. I don't think I can afford getting in trouble at another gather.."

[Rei]

Vanity flared her frill wide as F’lix sought to prevent Simper from following her. When the blue escaped on his own her temper was mollified. Only until her new slavepet was snatched away again. Uncurling from her comfortable position on the cloth back she spat like a feline arching her back. Her tail whipped back and forth in an aggressive display as she flared her frill outward again. Bad Simpers. How dare take slavepet. Give back! But unfortunately the bluerider was already into the crowd and moving away from her.

Immediately she considered following but she had promised hers she would watch the funny water and first and foremost he wanted to obey him. In a display of aggression she latched her teeth into the fabric of the bag and whipped it back and forth. How dare they. Badbadbadbadbadbadbad. Dunglicker. The green spat with venom to F’lix. Her mood immediately took a turn for the worst. Oh a good day Vanity tended to be angry when she was denied. On a proddy day? She was nothing sort of furious.

Sel’n caught the barest trace of F’lix’s laugh and he chuckled in response. A surge of anger so not his washed over him however and he paused momentarily to try and quell Vanity. Bad timing. In the time it took him to sort through his amusement and her anger, at the same person, the younger man had already drawn close. Shaking his head the Weyrlingmaster put a hand on his temple and shot the bluerider an amused look in reaction to the comment. “Full of surprises. That’s a new one.” He chuckled and flicked a glance in the direction of his mandyr. She was still in a sour mood. Needed to rectify it before it started to bleed over to much. “Of course. I would never do such a thing. That type of behavior is reserved for the more unrefined human beings.” The brownrider drew himself up and fixed F’lix with a serious look. “Your eyes must be playing tricks on you.” The amusement in his voice clued the man into the fact that he wasn’t just being a tad sarcastic.

A backward glance was shot over his shoulder to track the movements of the angry male. With a snort of dismissal the brownrider took a step forward towards where they had left Vanity. “Spur on a fight?” He raised his eyebrows and smiled. “Maybe as long as I’m not one of the participants. That would set an very good example for my weyrlings wouldn’t it?” As far as the ass grabbing comment he declined comment. That wasn’t a reason. (>> sure Sel’n I so believe you). Just a perk. (*facepalm*).

As the pair drew closer to the table Vanity hissed. Left Queen you did. Bad dummymine. Should punish. Lucky love you does. Sel’n bent down to offer his arm to his pet as he commented again. “You? I think you are pulling my leg F’lix. You act very well when you want to.” The words where soft and informal with no inflection on the tone to interpret how he meant them. Immediately the brownrider turned his attention to the glowing mandyr who had ascended to his shoulder. He turned his head and cooed to her. “Now now darling. You did such a good job and I didn’t leave you for too long. However can I make it up to you my harpy love?” Immediately Vanity sunk her teeth into the mans lip. Bad cripplemine. Want new shiny. Mebee forgive. If lucky. She said sweetly only releasing him after she tasted blood.

Sel’n just licked his bottom lip after she released it. “Oh surely you didn’t get in that much trouble last time. I apologize if it was due to me.” The Weyrlingmaster wasn’t sure if it was the drunk meeting or his green mandyr’s run that F’lix was referring to and he didn’t want to bring up the latter because of the awkwardness it might produce. Mandyr runs where chaotic sometimes. Take Vanity’s maiden run for example. Picking up his bag he shouldered it before turning to the bluerider unsure of what would happen now.