Consolation? (Rei)

[Requiem]

Harperlove best, stupid two-leggeds no see, no understand. Much stupid, she cooed at him, rubbing up against his neck in what he supposed was meant to be a reassuring manner. "They see just fine, Dementia. I'm a skinny scrap of a kid with a girl's face...only a horsey girl's face so I don't even fit into the 'cute' category. And now they think I like to listen to their drivel. Why does it have to be so hard to land a girl? One night's all I'm asking for. Shards, ten minutes." Attempts at seduction hadn't proven particularly successful tonight at other people's dinner, his breakfast. Or the night before that. Or the night before that. He'd acquired many 'friends' who thought he was a 'good listener' and an 'adorable kid!' but that wasn't going to warm his bed or take care of what had come to be dubbed the 'virginity problem.'

At this rate he was doomed to having his first time be a wher or salamandyr run. Delightful. The girls he might have had a chance with all ended up weyrlings and now he was stuck playing a field that had far too many strong, dragonrider-able men to make him a serious contender. And no, chopping off his hair wasn't going to help anything; he'd still look young and pretty in that not quite female way that was more odd than attractive.

Images of Nautic - cue shuddering here - or being mounted playing distastefully through his mind's eye before he shut them down, Dmitri stroked Dementia idly. "At least my girl doesn't think I'm a freak, eh?" Harperlove bestest freak, she responded adoringly, to his sigh as he finished undoing the long braid. It fell as a sort of robe around him, making a towel unnecessary...one small benefit to ridiculously long hair. Harperlove chase, catch Dementia when runs? Mate forever. He snorted. "I'm afraid I can't give you a clutch, Dementia. It's a nice thought though. Thanks."

Hard to stay cross at a creature who loved you constantly, loudly, and without conditions. Even if she did go into fits easy enough that it was clear she enjoyed it. He sunk into the warm water with a sigh, watching in bemusement as Dementia slipped from his shoulder to play in and out amongst the floating strands. Silly little gold, but adorable during these moments alone, certainly.

[Rei]

It had been a long sweaty day and Elysia was looking forward to a hot bath. I do not see why you just cannot bathe back at our weyr. You do have a private bathing room. In fact I think I remember you insisting on one. Onyth remarked from her position outside the bathing house. She watched her bonded enter the structure and flicked her tail tip. Because the communal ones are closer and who knows, maybe I will get lucky and have a bit of company. Her bonded returned in a matter of fact tone.

The green didn’t comment. She had long ago resigned herself to her rider’s less than reserved ways when it came to flight. Silly hers. Idly the dragon scanned the area for anything remotely amusing. She might be stuck here awhile after all. Although she didn’t relish the idea of flying in the dark, Onyth knew how to do it well enough. That wasn’t what slightly worried her. Don’t fret love. I won’t be here too long. If you would rather, you could go to our weyr without me? The dark green snorted. No I would prefer to stay. I still do not trust these southerners and I would much rather be present if something where to happen. Inwardly Elysia smiled as she padded softly though the steamy hallways. Of course darling. Make yourself comfortable then. Warm water was such a wonderful luxury. She was looking forward to this. Onyth settled herself to wait, whirling eyes the only spot of color in the darkness.

Stepping into the room a small movement caught the green rider’s eye and she paused mid-step. There was already someone in the water. Someone with amazingly long hair. Oh goody a possible playmate. Idly she started peeling off her tight fitting gear. Garment by garment Elysia dropped it to the floor before finally stepping away from the pile. All the while she kept her eyes trained on the mystery figure. From this angle it was hard to tell the gender of her bath mate. Hmm. The benden woman’s fingers traced the leather of her thigh sheath as she debated. Finally she unclasped the weapon as well and dropped it with a barely audible thud onto her clothes. She didn’t need it. If push came to shove Elysia was confident in her ability to drown the slight figure before her.

Stepping around her discarded clothes the rider tossed her head back and strode elegantly towards the pool. By now her “companion” certainly could see her, as she had stepped into line of sight. However she didn’t give Dmitri a glace. Instead she concentrated on the image she portrayed. She didn’t ask for attention, she commanded it. Turning, she stepped gracefully into the steamy water only then glancing at her audience through long lashes. Male, young, probably naïve. Oh this could be fun. The brief glimmer of gold caught her attention again and Elysia tilted her head at the tiny creature. What in Faranth’s name was that? Managing to keep her surprise off her face she smiled, the gesture looking almost feral.

“Hello doll. I wasn’t aware I had company. Surely you can forgive my intrusion?” Blinking her lashes once slowly for impact, she sunk into the water allowing it to only half cover her chest.

[Requiem]

Movement out of the corner of his eye, and his head instinctively turned before he registered what it was...turned and stopped. He was fairly certain that his eyes were popping out of his skull and his jaw was somewhere around his ankles. Fairly sure. Of course, he couldn't feel his face, presently, so for all he knew it could be frozen in shock. (Perhaps a bit more likely than unhinging jaws and eyeballs bouncing around.) The woman was gorgeous. Beyond gorgeous, really, though he didn't often see so much woman, and the thought flashed through his head that she probably thought him a girl from behind or something. That thought sent the blood to his cheeks, which at least kept it from all going to one part of his anatomy that he was grateful the hair and water hid. The light scarring only intrigued him further, and he forced himself to stop gawking like...well, like a teenaged boy with a beauty sharing the bath with him. So awkward. She was going to laugh at him.

Unable to decipher her look, the flush climbed higher. Hello doll. I wasn't aware I had company. Oh this was worse. She hadn't mistaken him then. She was mistaking him for a girl now and hadn't even noticed him a moment ago. "Uhh," he cleared his throat, eyes lowering in his embarrassment and falling on...oh shards now he was staring at her breasts?! They darted back up to her face and suddenly he was scrambling up and out of the water, gathering his hair with one hand to help conceal him. Small blessings. Although wet hair concealed about as well as wet clothes, even in thick curling masses. It clung to the graceful lines of a body that belonged more to a pre-pubescent girl than a man - excepting the obvious difference of course - and even flustered he moved gracefully enough that the feminine air was complete.

Even as he dropped the towel he'd snatched up and bent to retrieve it - winding it around his waist and turning back slowly, his pale skin registering his embarrassment fantastically.

The grey eyes focused unwaveringly on her face, and he got the vague sense of drown- Shit. Dementia. The little gold was flailing, too upset to even shriek, and had made it to Elysia and was clawing up her breasts before sinking her teeth into one. Scare harperlove, try to drown Dementia, will eat and maul and kill dead, then command back life, then kill dead again, she raged. Dmitri shook his head with a growl. Shardit, all wrong. It was all going terribly wrong. "Dementia," he hissed sharply. "Stop that!" Stalking forward, he snatched the gold from the woman's breast, the salamandyr still growling obscenities at the dragonrider. "If you're...quite finished, whoever-you-are, I'm not a girl or a woman and this bugger makes me want to slap you so bad..." A deep breath, helped by Dementia's nuzzling and cooing of Harperlove love Dementia, rescue from big wet and nasty gorgeous, over and over, Dmitri calmed enough to be thoroughly embarrassed again.

"I'll just...uh...find another pool, then." Damn his husky voice. He was waiting for the laughing to start. Although she was probably just pissed about her breasts. It took all his self-control not to 'check' and 'make sure they were okay'. Being essentially holdbred helped in that department, though. A bit. No. Nasty gorgeous green. Less. Dementia and harperlove stay, nasty gorgeous go, she insisted. "Will you hush?" The gold fell silent, licking at his neck and glaring fiercely at Elysia.

[Rei]

Elysia was amused. Was that wrong? She watched as the young boy scrambled out of the water and tried valiantly to conceal himself. He was obviously frightened. Poor thing. Dmitri’s obvious discomfort had the green rider writhing happily inside. Oh he was almost completely innocent. How delicious.

The woman’s amusement was dulled a bit by the sensation of something pricking her left breast and she barely restrained the urge to grab the little gold creature and fling it against the nearest wall. Thankfully her owner quickly rescued her. Elysia raised her head as Dementia left her breast and seductively licked her finger. She listened to the boy’s words before trailing the digit around the bite to remove the tiny dots of blood left by the creature. It hadn’t really hurt and it wouldn’t scar. No harm done. The little gold menace must be a mandyr. The speaking proved that. Not how she wanted to go about meeting one, but that couldn’t be helped. Perhaps ignoring it would be best.

Before answering Dmitri she stood up, allowing the water to trail down her body unchecked. “My name is Elysia darling, and I don’t remember ever thinking you where a female.” The woman smiled and not so subtly allowed her eyes to caress his body and travel downward, pausing at his waist. “No most definitely not female.” Letting her eyes travel slowly back upward she focused on his face. Blushing made him so cute really. So Innocent. She wanted to ruin it.

Exiting the bathing pool she stalked over towards him. She circled to the left purposely, much like a feline positioning her prey. Finally she had effectively placed herself between him and that horrible exit. “Another pool? Now why would you want to do that?” Her lips made a pout. “If you left I wouldn’t have anyone to help with washing. You don’t really want to leave do you?” A step forward. “If it is me your worried about don’t be. I’d love the company and relish the help.” Cue seductive smile.The words left her lips in a smooth purr and Elysia took another few graceful strides forward.

Dmitri really had only two clear options. If he stepped back, he would go directly back into the pool. If he didn’t, there would be little more than an inch of space left between them. Decisions, decisions. Dragon was in his weyr now. What would he do with it? Personally she hoped he kept running. The pursuit was half the fun. Especially with the awkward types. Sometimes the pursuit ended up being the best part.

Game time was so fun. Mandyr included. However the creature might quickly become a nuisance. Surely he could get rid of it if it came to what she was planning? Revise that, taking him with a mandyr nibbling on her might be interesting. If Dementia behaved. Pain could be such a delicious thing if used correctly. Maybe she would get the chance to show him that. Oh Elysia could be gentle if that was what he preferred. But gentle was never quite as fun.

Onyth did the dragon version of a heavy sigh as she realized hers had found a new toy. Pity she would be here longer than she thought. Plus there was no dragon around for good conversation. Grumble. Don’t break him too badly please minelove. He is still a young thing. Partypooper….I’llbe good.

[Requiem]

Wh-what was she doing? Lick blood, blood eater, yummy blood, Dementia supplied helpfully. "I can see that, Men," he murmured to his shoulder companion. It was how she was doing it that bothered him. No like, she continued insistently. Nasty gorgeous bite harperlove, drink blood dry. Blood eateeer. This was stated at mandyr whisper volume...which was to say Elysia could still hear, but it was obvious Dementia didn`t mean her to.

Staring at her again! Dmitri meant to avert his eyes. He truly did...but hers traveled, and if he`d been red before he was doubly so now. Was she? She was. But why? Just to tease, like as not, make fun of him. What other uses did a grown woman have for a less-than-impressive boy? He wasn`t self-delusional; if he couldn`t even sweet talk a drudge, it was ridiculous to believe a northern dragonrider - oh yes he recognized that Benden accent - would have any interest in him. At least not good interest. The thoughts drew his chin up a touch, eyes hardening slightly, and the flicker of a wry smile touched his lips, though the flush still clung faintly to his skin.

Shards, what now? Dementia hissed warningly at the circling greenrider as Dmitri watched her warily - and appreciatively. What? He couldn`t help it; she was beautiful. The disdainful expression that he`d so carefully cultivated firmly in place by now, the harper stood his ground though he felt like a feline was stalking him. Half a foot shorter or no, there was no doubt as to who was doing the hunting, and he knew better than to give her something to chase down and sink her teeth into. Unfortunately, Dmitri was all too used to this game. Well...minus the gorgeous naked woman bit and his rebellious anatomy.

Maybe it was Dementia`s dislike for her, or maybe Dmitri wasn`t quite naive enough to be completely overwhelmed by the heavy seduction on the air, but when he opened his mouth to reply, despite the betraying rasp, the words weren`t particularly friendly. "I`m sure you can manage to wash yourself, grown woman that you are," he responded coldly. Don`t run, Dmitri, or look uncertain, don`t. He kept his place when she advanced by dint of will alone. Toying with him she was...this couldn`t end well.

Or he meant to hold his position, but then she was far too close and his mind was shutting down in favor of registering her proximity and little else. Couldn`t think. Had to get away...his foot slipped and he fell gracelessly into the water, eyes wide. Dementia shrieked, clawing up to the top of his head to avoid getting `drowned` again. Cue erratic hopping up and down with a fully flared frill. Nasty blood eater kill dead! First try drown Dementia, then try drown harperlove! No let eat blood. Go, go, go!

The boy pushed himself upright, eyes flashing and not noticing the towel floating nearby. "What`s wrong with you? Aren`t there like...hundreds of other people you could bother?" He gestured vaguely, sending water arcing through the air. "I`m not stupid. You`re way out of my league...so what are you after then, a laugh? Go ahead. Haha, look at the funny, naive boy bumbling around. If Yoalla set you up to do this, I do not have a lot of marks for anyone to steal. Asking tends to work better than this nonsense, anyway." Dementia had fallen silent, gleefully listening to Hers rage at the bad one.

"Just...leave okay? Bad enough without women rubbing my nose in it. Should be ashamed...Elysia or whoever you are."

[Rei]

Elysia couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face as Dmitri spoke back to her. Capable of washing herself? Of course, but that wasn’t the point. Silly boy. Still, she was impressed that he was managing to speak coherently at all. This one was intriguing. Before she could so much as utter a word however the boy had lost his balance and gone into the pool with a spectacular splash.

The small laugh that escaped her was unintentional and purely in reaction to his expression as he fell. Priceless. Titling her head the green rider stayed silent through his little outburst. She put her hand on her hip and raised an eyebrow slowly as he continued. Oh dear. He wanted her to leave did he. She should be ashamed? Shaking her head in amusement she strode carefully, (not wanting to slip on the wet floor) to the edge of the pool.

Gracefully she sank down onto the edge of the pool and dangled just her feet in the warm water. Silently she regarded him, allowing the silence to stretch just to the point of discomfort. When Elysia finally spoke her voice was calm and controlled, lacking most of the heavy seduction that had been present before. “Nothing is wrong with me.” Her eyes flashed dangerously at those words but softened a moment later. “This has nothing to do with leagues or anything of the sort and as far as a Yoalla is concerned… The name means nothing to me.”

Setting her hands on either side of her Elysia leaned back and looked up at the ceiling, examining it as if it contained some kind of truth. Finally she brought her eyes back to Dmitiri. “If I was trying to get a laugh I would be laughing now no?” Idly she took a length of her own hair and twirled it around her finger. “What exactly do you think I am trying to rub your nose in?” She asked her voice now predominantly curious. Oh she wasn’t done yet. But if talking would allow him some small bit of comfort. Well then she would give it to him. “maybe if you explain it to me I can quell some of your fears. What is it about me that makes you so quick to reject?” Was it perhaps the mandyr? She didn’t know enough about them admittedly. They where ugly and spoke. That was the extent of her knowledge of them. Never having bonded to even a firelizard Elysia had no idea what a bond with a mandyr would be like. Not so different from a firelizard surely?

The object of her game was not to terrorize him. At least not yet. She could feel her dragon pressing curiously at the back of her mind and rider quickly filled the other in. Attention predominantly on the harper to prevent any attempt at escape. As expected Onyth was uninterested and withdrew quickly with a light loving touch. Never quite as interested in these games was her dragonic soul mate. Sighing Elysia dragged her feet through the water and regarded her waterlogged toy and his golden pet. Even if nothing happened now, she was content. He was amusing and that in itself was enough….for the moment.

[Requiem]

That was not leaving. Dmitri being Dmitri, it didn’t bother him to state the obvious. “The exit is the other direction.” The previous emotion behind the words was now gone, as the wherhandler had recovered from Dementia’s most recent outburst. His gaze met hers flatly, the boy refusing to be cowed or show any discomfort. Any more discomfort, anyway. The gold was making small huffing sounds and pushing at his hair to make it fall in the ‘right’ place. Ignore the unworthy one, yes.

He snorted at her comment. Nothing wrong with her? Oh, there most definitely was something wrong with her if she was coming after him. Or deigning to play tricks on a teenager. If nothing else, she needed more things to keep her occupied. Dmitri gathered himself to leave, wringing out his hair with one hand and winding it idly around his shoulders to keep it out of the way. If she wasn’t going to go, then he would. Simple enough concept, right? Other than the whole having to walk past the naked woman thing. Wicked, eat face. Harperlove want Dementia eat Wicked’s face? “Killing is bad for people, Men,” he told her quietly. “You’ll get me in lots and lots of trouble if you eat her face. Wouldn’t want to get me in trouble, would you?” The gold whined and nuzzled him, perhaps aware that he was manipulating her, though if she was she’d never fault him for it; her harperlove.

Elysia’s question deserved an answer…though even if it didn’t, Dmitri wasn’t one to ignore questions in general. “Fears?” His eyes narrowed upon her, pausing in his forward motion through the water. “I’m holdbred…more or less. You’re coming on awfully strong, lady. I’m not afraid of you. It’s awkward to have a woman nearly my mother’s age (slight exaggeration probably but he didn’t care if it offended) prancing around naked and throwing herself at me.” That said, he climbed easily out of the water, casting about for his clothing. Dmitri wanted nothing more to do with this. She was laughing at him. Constantly.

“I don’t find the joke terribly funny,” he added coldly. “Maybe your wingleader will give you something to do if you inform him of how very bored you are.” Clothing located, he tugged his pants on, deciding then and there that the boots and shirt could wait in favor of booking a hasty retreat before she got any ideas.

[Rei]

“Note to self. Come on less strong next time.” She murmured, purposely loud enough for him to hear. Turning her head slightly, she watched as he began to dress. More out of curiosity than anything else. “Pity really. There is so much I could have taught you. Have fun on your wher’s first run.” She commented pleasantly. The knots had been seen on his discarded shirt earlier and Elysia prided herself on her observant nature. It had kept her alive on more than one occasion.

Oh she had heard the comment about being as old as his mother. The woman had just declined to comment. Surely she didn’t look that old. Tsk. That was a low jab. Poor thing had his feathers all in a ruffle. So now he was striking out. Speaking of striking out. That mandyr was a horrible annoyance. As if it was physically capable of eating her face. The implications of that where almost laughable and she smiled.

The green rider stood as the harper began his exit. She didn’t move in his direction, just quietly stood and appraised. Pity he was so quick to dismiss. He might have been fun to play with. However Elysia saw a lost cause when she saw one and any more hassle from her was likely to turn into resentment. The northern woman didn’t want that. Not because she cared about him but because she cared about her status in Selenitas. Benden already had a horrible image here and for good reason. Not that she cared overly much about that but J’lorin did. And if he cared she cared solely because it was her job to care. She hadn’t been sent here to cause problems. Contrary to some peoples beliefs.

Shrugging in dismissal she stepped into the vacated bathing pool. If Dmitri left she saw it as his loss. She still had a bath to perform. “If S’rei has some job for me to perform, I’d be more than grateful to do such for him. Contrary to popular belief we are allowed free time.” Elysia drawled before lazily picking up a handful of sweet sand to begin her bath. So sweaty. Yuck. Getting clean sounded nicer than sex to her right now anyway. Quietly she kept tabs on Dmitri as well. Would he really leave? “You keep going on about this being some sort of joke. Pretty hard on yourself aren’t you? No wonder your lacking in a bed partner. Try having some confidence. It works wonders.” Giving advice? Yeah sure why not? It wasn’t like he was listening and she liked the sound of her own voice.

Onyth rumbled quietly from her position near the bathing house. Hers was being rejected? Well it wasn’t a first but it was always slightly amusing. Normally she didn’t react near as well. Perhaps it was because this one was young. Hers chalked it up to his being naïve. Far be it from Onyth to burst her bonded’s perfect bubble. Silly beautiful lovely hers.