Two New Arrivals

[Administrator]

Against the setting sun, a dark silhouette appeared in a dim shadow. Upon closer inspection, the dark shape appeared to be a dragon, carefully easing his way beside the Main Hall to drop off its two passengers. First off was another dark silhouette, harder to recognize because of the man's own dark appearance. He blinked. Ah, Selenitas. It'd been a while. D'vin looked around, and held up a hand. "Arina," he murmured, "We've arrived."

He was more of a silent worker that few at Selenitas knew of, so it would probably be best if no one saw him right away. He was working out an arrangement, though, so it appeared he may be at Selenitas longer than usual. He hoped he wouldn't get too many stares; Wingseconds so rarely transferred from the warring Weyrs that he was sure to be treated with prejudice. Yes, he had killed dragons and humans in his time, yet he couldn't be the only one here. Wasn't this place a home of refugees?

Mine, do not worry. Nobody will care whether or not you are a Wingsecond or not. Do not forget our agenda. What happens here matters not, his brown dragon, Hiriarth, replied. D'vin blinked. Hiriarth was correct. They needed to take care of his matters above anything else- and one of them included settling in this girl.

"How are you feeling?" he asked gently, in a way he often used with the escaped slaves. He knew some had lots of trouble adjusting, and many would try killing themselves now that no one was holding them back, the women in particular. They, moreso than the men, were treated like scum found between the cracks in the wall, used only free entertainment for men. At Fort, he supposed, it was better than women slaves at Benden, but he could do something for them some other time. "I can get you checked in with Shmee, then I'll help you find your way to your new quarters. Hiriarth," D'vin added, looking back up to the brown, "Go settle in a weyr. I'm sure there are many free ones."

[evendar]

"I'm fine." Arina snapped, pulling her arm away from the brownrider. Just because he'd helped her escape the world she now detested didn't mean she was about to fall all over him in gratitude. She looked about at the oddly constructed Weyr. Wouldn't Thread eat it? she wondered. From her shoulder Sirca hissed at the brownrider. It didn't matter that he'd saved her mistress, he was still a dragonrider, one of the ones who'd killed her mistresses Keliath.

"Lets just find this Shmee." she said tartly, glad she didn't have to play the hollow slave a moment more. She could help here, she could help others to escape, perhaps even her family. Not that they would want to come, they were in awe of the power of Benden and wanted nothing to do with a cowardly weyr like Selenitas. But was it truly cowardly? Here sat a Weyr that had no war, no dying dragons or heartless riders. It seemed almost like a dream to the former fighter. She walked briskly into the Main hall, surprised at its grandeur despite its being in a tree. Who knew a tree could support this much? She realized about two steps into the Hall that she had no idea where she was going. Rather than admit to this weakness she turned back to D'vin and scowled.

"You coming?" she asked, not wanting to show anymore weakness, and yet, not wanting to alienate this rider who could help her further her plans to undermine the Northern Weyrs.

[Administrator]

D'vin blinked, but said nothing at her rage. She had a right to it. She was missing her one love, and it was because of his home Weyr. So he let her snap. Nodding, he briskly walked after her, heading up the stairs to find where transfers checked in. Shmee would be expecting him- and he had had Hiriarth warning Aslath that a dragonless would also be coming. Silently, he lead her through, not confessing that he knew that she probably had no idea where to find the offices.

"Brownrider D'vin," a voice said evenly. Looking up, he saw Shmee, and marvelled at the change. Her features were smileless, and saw her harsh gaze flicker over to Arina. Her hair was now so much shorter, and it was clear that something had happened. However, he knew better than to ask. He knew his place. "And... who is she?"

"Arina, m'lady," he replied quietly. Shmee nodded curtly.

"Well," she said, showing no warmth to the two riders. "Welcome to Selenitas." Shmee deliberately made a point to show that she was not giving either of them special treatment. She pitied the woman for the loss of her dragon, but both of them were fighters- and if this woman was a slave of Fort, she must have originated from Benden...

Benden. Her gaze frosted over, and she had to restrain herself from giving both of them a look of contempt. D'vin, who was a Wingsecond at a warring Weyr, actively participating in battles despite his support of Selenitas. Then the slave girl, one who came from and fought for the Weyr that tried to kill her. Neither of these two would ever be friends of hers.

"D'vin," she said, and he stepped up. "Go find yourself a weyr, let me know the number. A... Arina," she added, struggling to remember the name. Despite her many changes, names were not easy for her still. Determined to get better, she was now actively trying to remember them. "You will come with me. I'll teach you how to use a boat and show you to your quarters."

Mine, be courteous,[/color] Aslath warned, and Shmee's lips pursed. You must not forget that despite your hatred of Benden, Salenth's also was a leader there. Do not hate the girl or Hiriarth's. The girl has suffered more than you could ever imagine, and Hiriarth's is helping us. Never forget.[/color] Shmee did not replying, not wanting to admit that Aslath was right. What else could one expect from a proddy queenrider, just out of sick leave, who had just come to understand the reality of war? No- she was not going to admit that she was in the wrong. This Weyr needed to understand that she was not going to take any stupidity and domination from anyone. She would prove her intelligence and her capability. She was Weyrwoman, and she was going to show them.

[evendar]

Arina expected no less from the Weyrwoman. People were naturally suspicious of her for her past deeds. Yes she had killed people, dragons too, but she had realized that that was wrong, that dragons shouldn't fight, and she would do all she could now to stop it. Sirca and Kio, on opposing shoulders, hissed at the queenriders antipathy and opened there wings slightly. Arina shushed them, looking at the Weyrwoman with her chin high, her slightly pain blurred eyes hard. Her days of taking orders were over. She nodded to the woman.

"Alright then," she said, not wanting to alienate the woman who obviously already hated her. She nodded for the woman to lead the way, not even giving D'vin a goodbye. She couldn't afford to alienate anyone here, she realized. She needed the Weyrwoman to keep accepting dragonless men and women, even a few riders who were willing to leave, and she needed D'vin as transport. If her plans were to succeed she needed them both, and this rather odd, yet strong Weyr.

Sirca crooned at her angry mistress and rubbed her head against her cheek, forever the comforter. Arina couldn't help but let the slight smile come to her face as her flits comforted her. Her last and only connection to the world of dragonriders. A weak and fragile substitute for her missing Keliath. The smile vanished in an instant as she removed the emotion from her heart and mind. Emotion only let in more pain. And she couldn't afford more pain right now.

[Administrator]

Shmee pointedly ignored the flitters. They were probably reflecting their bonded's emotions, which irritated the Weyrwoman further. Ungrateful woman. If it wasn't for the fact that she wanted to undo the wars, she would probably close off Selenitas. People came and immediately assumed themselves as the top of the Weyr, and it was her job to make sure that they learned their place. She longed to snap at Arina, but she resisted at Aslath's urging. Selenitas didn't need further conflict.

D'vin nodded, retreating back to the shadows. Shmee was so much different than he last remembered. Her hair was long, and she had tried flirting with him. She had been obnoxious, quite frankly. And now, he would never have recognized her for the same person. Carefully tucking that information away, he called up Hiriarth, who had chosen a cozy, vacant weyr. They would have a lot of work to do.

The Weyrwoman now walked briskly down the stairs, saying nothing to Arina. She didn't really want to. Even now, she still had nightmares concerning her Benden experience- despite how she was now, Arina had helped take part with Benden's war, fighting alongside C'leon. If Arina still had her dragon, she thought darkly, she would probably have supported C'leon's attempt to kill her. Her heart hardening against Arina even further, her pace quickened. Let the woman fall behind if she couldn't keep up.

Mine, stop this at once,[/color] Aslath said sharply. I will call someone else to lead her on if you keep acting in such a way. Save your anger for those who deserve it. She's suffered enough.[/color]

Scowling, Shmee paused, turning to see if Arina was following. Taking a free boat, she undid it. "I'll send someone to teach you how to use these tomorrow," she said shortly. "For now, I'll just take you there and find you a map. I trust you know how to use one."

She shouldn't have come out of sick leave yet, Aslath thought with a grumble. However, Shmee was insistent. Making a mental note to find someone else to welcome the transfers, she shifted on her stone couch. Her hide was getting so much brighter- any day now was the speculation. She had such a strange desire to talk amongst browns and bronzes. Perhaps even tomorrow! Yes, that's it. She would display herself tomorrow on the canyon edge that every male would want to come and admire her long and lithe form- the form that was glowing enough to rival the sun itself.

[evendar]

Arina struggled to keep up on her short legs. She wouldn't let the woman best her like this. It wasn't her fault her home, no her past home, was so cruel. She knew now that what the Weyrs did was wrong and that was what mattered. Her frown deepened as the woman made a smart remark, and no matter how much she longed to slap the woman for impertinence, she simply nodded, putting a more pleasant expression on her face.

"Thank you. I'll look forward to learn how to properly traverse this unique and special weyr." she knew how to flatter, and how to kiss up. She'd done it quite enough in her earlier days. The Weyrwoman was right, she would have supported C'leon's actions had she still had her Keliath, but she didn't. And it was because of the loss of her dragon that she was able to see how cruel and heartless the Weyrs were, and she would do all in her power to stop it.

Silence spread as she sat in the boat. And she was so tired of being silent for higher rankers. The Weyrwoman's antipathy further confused her. Best to clear up what she could right now. "Look," she said frankly, Kio settling into her lap to be scratched. "I don't know what the Weyr's did to you to make you hate me so much. It might be simply because you hate what they've done to dragons. But you should know that my life is fully devoted to stopping those Weyr's and the beasts they call Leaders, by any means possible." her voice was cold, her resolve firm. She would stop the Weyrs, even if she had to do it alone.

[Administrator]

Shmee scowled, picking up her oar. Kissing up may have worked once, but no longer did she preen. No, she wasn't going risk being taken advantage over. Who did this woman think she was, thinking sucking up would get her into a good spot with the Weyrwoman? In her eyes, no one would be able to be able to be seen well. Kaegan couldn't; Kaegan was what sparked Benden's interest in Selenitas. She couldn't say she knew Paryal well, but the girl annoyed her well enough, so she wasn't seen with good eyes. No, everyone pried. Everyone was not worth her attention. The only creature who was worth anything to Shmee was Aslath.

She began rowing, following along the familiar dammed channels. Arina would live with other weyrfolk, perhaps with some other dragonless as neighbors. They could support each other, perhaps keep each other from suicide. A month ago, one poor woman from Benden had cast herself off the Falls, and that had disturbed the Weyr. An ex-greenrider, she thought bitterly. She would destroy these Weyrs.

It took her a while to even realize that Arina had said something. "What?" she asked absently, going back through what the woman had told her. "Oh." Eyes not betraying anything, she just continued on. Not responding for the longest time, Shmee sought out another tall tree. A few glows were lit in them, she could see.

"Tell me," she said suddenly, coming up toward that tree. "D'vin, I know, is Fortian, so if you were a slave there, you're from Benden, correct?" She let her tone change temperature even further, plunging into subzero cold. Perhaps the woman would see now what she hated.

[evendar]

Ah so she hated Benden especially. Arina hadn't the foggiest why, they never told slaves anything. "I was..." she said, looking out into the distance. "A lifetime ago. It means nothing to me now. Nothing." she spat. How she hated Benden, Fort too, but especially Benden, her former home. How dare they spin webs of splendor of being a rider. How dare they wrap her up in their homicidal ideals and stories, making her believe it was right to kill. How dare they give her Keliath only to take her away...

She brushed the tears away from her face angrily, turning to look down at the adorable Kio in her lap. She scratched his stretched belly, making the small bronze croon. She hated Fort for killing her dragon, but Benden was the one she hated most, for letting them corrupt her. For letting her think she was wanted. They'd never wanted her, she was just a pawn. Utterly expendable. Her and her darling Keliath. She would never get over the loss of her dragon, but her vendetta against the Weyrs kept her going. Gave her purpose. And Sirca and Kio of course. They were her saving grace.

Sirca, ever the diplomat, fluttered from her mistresses shoulder to sti between the two women, looking from one stubborn face to the other. She rubbed her head against Arina's knees, then chirped at Shmee questioningly. Arina had to smile. It seemed despite a less than genial welcome, this new Weyr was changing Arina for the better.

"Whatever Benden did to you I appologize for." Arina felt it was the right thing to say. She knew she had no right to appologize for C'leon, but she felt better for saying anyways. "I'm sure it was unwarranted and cruel." But at least you still have your dragon... she thought bitterly to herself.

[Requiem]

Wrenth backwinged, hovering for a moment before continuing his circle above the weyr. There, LanMine. On that inlet. Do you see? The bluerider shaded his eyes against the setting sun. He nodded toward the shadow of a boat on the waters, the man at his side following his gaze as he leaned leisurely against a tree. S'rei had enlisted F'lan in his vigil a tenday ago. The bluepair impressed him. They were intense, well-trained, and probably the only ones who could manage an escape below the treeline without getting anyone hurt. They were also, incidentally, beneath the notice of Shmee and perhaps Aslath. After all, the Weyrwoman still called F'lan F'loof, and Wrenth and Aslath were clutchmates.

After the incidents that led up to the hold and what had occured there, S'rei and Salenth had been conspicuously absent from the goldpair's side. Part of it was a matter of Shmee's moodiness. Though, truthfully, the bronzerider had grown up with a very moody sister, and he could handle women like that relatively well. His main concern was the spy he now knew was in Selenitas. Both he and Shmee were being watched. He didn't want to give anyone any reason to feel threatened, and as S'rei and Shmee were the only two C'leon had attempted to murder thus far, he felt it best they keep their distance from each other.

It was hard. And he still worried for her. Besides which, Salenth did not quite agree with his thinking, and the bronze was currently sulking. Aslath and Salenth had grown close over that time in the hold, as well, and Aslath was obviously approaching the time of her maiden flight, which of course had the bronze more interested than he normally would be.

"Two," S'rei counted, trying to pick out the figures in the distance. "Two women," F'lan ammended. He had the better eyesight of the two men. Wrenth made one last pass, before deciding another might give him away. He banked into the trees, serpentining around the trunks in a show of nimbleness that would leave many dragons envious, if any had been there to see him. The blue ended his landing in a run that came to a halt not far from his bonded and the bronzerider that F'lan seemed to have befriended. That wasn't to say that the two really got along all that well...

The bluerider was actually far more serious and intense than his companion, which put a strain on their relationship; F'lan felt that if anyone should have a serious take on life, it should be a bronzerider. Not to mention the fact that, as a defected Fort dragonrider, he knew the former Benden wingleader on sight. But his sense of duty gave them a shared purpose, and, for now, that was enough.

[Administrator]

Shmee paused, stopping her rowing for a small moment. She felt slightly guilty for letting her anger out on this dragonless woman, but she was just so incapable of controlling her emotions. It was these same emotions that also made her too prideful to apologize. She pursed her lips. Figuring it was better to just say nothing at all, she resumed the rowing, almost as if she had never heard Arina speak, as if she hadn't been about to apologize. Aslath grumbled from her weyr. Her rider was normally so much more agreeable about this sort of thing, but she didn't blame Shmee for her bad mood. Curling up into her ball, she would have reassured the dragonless woman with mindspeech, but it might prove to be too traumatic if she had done so. Irritably, she settled back down, wishing she could apologize for her rider's behavior.

Shmee's eyes flickered down to the green flitter, and an eyebrow went up. She didn't know what the flitter was trying to accomplish, but she was rather cute. Shmee sighed. "Look. Benden's just trying to cause trouble for us and I haven't been a fan of anyone who's worked for Benden," she finally admitted, putting down the oar. Except S'rei- probably the only person from Benden she could trust right now, but she hadn't seen much of him. She missed him, but she couldn't seek him out. For practical reasons, of course, but she wouldn't know what to say to him if she did see him. Grimacing, she stepped daintily out of the boat, she gripped the side with one hand, and seized a rope to the dock with the other, tying it to the bow.

"This is where you'll be staying," Shmee announced, pretending not to hear the apology. When she got an apology, she hoped it would be from C'leon himself, not for someone who lost half of her mind to him. "Your quarters are on the second floor, apartment 2-C. Small, but plenty of windows. Tomorrow, you can inquire to any of your neighbors about using a boat. They're easy to use. I'd recommend you find someone right away, so you know how to get to the Main Hall. Any questions?"

[evendar]

"What will I be doing to help?" she asked first, her mind burning to ask more. "I came here to help destroy the Northern Weyrs, Benden especially. For taking away the greatest thing in my life." it was truly Fort that had taken her dragon, but she blamed Benden for giving Keliath to her only to be taken away. They knew either or both of them would probably die out on the field, and they still sent them out there. "I'd like to help the new slaves brought in. Unlike the rest I still have most of my wits, I can help them move on." she felt that for now that was what she should do. Though the ultimate goal was to bring down the Weyrs, she had to start somewhere.

Arina felt slightly rude for asking it, but she needed to know all she could about what Benden had done to others if she was to bring them down. "If I may be so bold, what did Benden do to you for them to earn a Weyrwoman's scorn?" she asked, only a hint of pity and remorse in her clouded eyes. If she let more in she knew she would break down, and she couldn't do that.

((Arina's asking for trouble! Uh-oh!))

[Requiem]

Of course. Shmee had to be coming to an apartment just east of the treeline, close enough that they could make out most of what the two women were saying. S'rei was content to maintain the silence with F'lan; he'd never been one to fear the quiet, as some seemed to. And the bluerider wasn't talkative at all. That, at least, was a matter that remained comfortable between them. Still, S'rei wondered if these ladies couldn't hear the gentle breathing of the men not so very far away, couldn't see the gleam of Wrenth's eyes flash briefly through the foliage. It had him just a little on edge. Not that it would be so horrible if Shmee knew S'rei was keeping a watch on her. It was the matter of keeping news from traveling, which was best kept by not making any news to begin with. He didn't want their names together for awhile longer.

F'lan glanced at his companion. In the darkness, the bronzerider's expression was unreadable. S'rei's name was comparable to a curse at Fort. He was the bronzer who'd abandoned the weyr and come to be a wingleader amongst their enemies. The prevailing rumor was that he was too afraid of Fort's collective malice toward him to show himself on the battlefield. From what little he'd seen of the bronzerider, that seemed untrue, but F'lan wouldn't put it past the man to be working some devilry at Selenitas for the benefit of who knew who.

S'rei caught the slight tilt of the bluerider's head, shaking his head in the negative. He couldn't risk a retreat now. They'd be sure to hear him. And, quite frankly, the conversation intrigued him from what little he'd gleaned. New...slaves? The Weyrwoman had mentioned no such thing to him. Not that he'd been around to talk to, but - eh, it still kind of bothered him that he hadn't known. Too proud for your own good, Salenth grumbled grumpily. Why would she ask you anything? You let yourself get tricked and nearly killed, and now you're avoiding her. I wouldn't tell you anything.

S'rei ignored Salenth's testiness. It would probably last at least until after Aslath's flight was over, whatever the outcome. The bronzerider had yet to discuss with his lifemate his intention to hold back from the flight. The only thing he could think of worse than rumors that he and Shmee were in each other's confidence was the off-chance that Salenth actually flew Aslath. That would probably be enough to plunge them into a war indefinitely.

[Administrator]

Shmee sighed. Was this girl incapable of shutting up? She could just go and mope about with the other dragonless for a while, but no. Arina was now attempting to get herself back into the war, even though she'd had her love torn away from her because of it. Couldn't the stupid woman see that she simply wasn't needed? She was useless in a war where dragons fought each other in the skies. However, at Arina's request to help other dragonless refugees, Shmee was silent for a long moment. Arina could probably connect with them better than she could. The Weyrwoman could tell that she was already botching up the welcoming of the dragonless, so perhaps she should leave it to someone who knew what she was doing.

"Fine, help the dragonless," Shmee replied curtly. It would be less for her to deal with. "Let D'vin know that you'll be the one greeting them from now on. I'm sure he'll be planning his next trip back to pick some up."

She turned to walk away, but paused as Arina asked yet another question. Scowling, she turned back. "It is none of your concern what happened," she replied coldly. Once again annoyed at Arina, she silently fumed. As if she would tell her! No one else knew, let alone S'rei, and that idiot was never around. Just thinking about S'rei made her feel more and more irritable. He could at least just drop in every so often, letting her know he was all right. What if the poison had had a... delayed effect?

No, Mine. Salenth's is just fine, Aslath replied. Thinking fondly of the bronze, the queen reached out to him, strangely desiring the company of males. ShMine is missing Yours,[/color] she informed him innocently, unaware that Salenth's was watching Shmee as she spoke.

[evendar]

Arina took both replies silently. She figured the woman wouldn't answer her second one, it was a rather personal question. "I'll inform him as soon as I get in then." she said, patting Kio's head lightly. The bronze flit chirped. As to Shmee's inner thoughts, Arina's resolve to undermine the Weyrs by removing their source of labor was vital. She would bring down the weyrs. Not through battling, but through strategy. "2-C right?" she asked in confirmation.

It was then she noticed the glow of dragon eyes upon her and the Weyrwoman. Her first thought was spies, and with an angry chirp Sirca jumped between to deal with them. Arina cocked her head and debated telling this ornery Weyrwoman of their watchers. She decided it was best to keep as little from this obviously dense Weyrwoman as possible.

"Um ma'am, I believe we have some watchers." she pointed to the faint glow of dragon eyes that looked so like her Keliath's. But that glow would never shine again. She was alone, and she had to deal.

[Requiem]

Today just wasn't his day. He could sense Salenth's aggravation, and a spike of mischief. S'rei closed his eyes for a moment against the burgeoning headache. What are you up to now? Salenth's reply was smug. A bronze can't lie to his Queen, Mine.

And he couldn't. Although, honestly, omission wasn't exactly lying. It was beyond omission, however, when he deliberately went out of his way to deceive her. And in this instance he was toeing the line. Salenth was of the mood to let S'rei fend for himself. No, the two hadn't been getting along so well since the hold. They very definitely didn't agree. Salenth figured that, if Benden or Fort was worried enough about the the two to attempt to kill them, that meant they would make a dangerous team. That was good. Nor did he want to keep his distance from Aslath. Or anything from her. I don't know why she would worry about him, my Lady, when he hasn't been further than ten dragonlengths since our return.

A flitter! The bronzerider glared at the creature. How he hated the things. F'lan actually jumped. The blue, however, merely cocked his head at Circa. It's all right, small one. S'rei considered disappearing and leaving the bluerider to explain, but the damage was already done, and he knew Salenth must have at least given something away.

Arina's obvious comment was followed immediately by a wry chuckle, S'rei moving out from the treeline to stand, one hand perched on his hip as he shook his head. "I'm afraid so." With a small smile, he gestured toward the shorter, wiry man at his side. "Weyrwoman, I'm sure you remember F'lan. Wrenth is the dragon the flitter spotted." He nodded toward Arina. "I'd say it was a pleasure, but I'd managed to keep myself hidden until you came along. No offense, of course."

There really was no sense in pretending he was doing anything other than what he was doing.

F'lan stood, arms crossed, watching the scene and quite frankly waiting for Shmee to blow up at the bronzerider. The Weyrwoman tended to be a bit on the moody side normally; she was even moreso nowadays. And even the surly bluerider knew it was rather rude of S'rei to avoid all contact, especially with someone he seemed to care enough about to keep a guard on. F'lan briefly wondered if that caring was returned. No matter. All there was left to do was try to fade into the background as the fireworks started.