Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
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Post by Requiem on Oct 24, 2007 1:24:33 GMT -5
Her voice nudged at his concentration, drawing S'rei's gaze. He found his eyes lingering on the expanse of thigh, mildly annoyed that the shirt managed to conceal just enough to tantalize him, and then she was pulling on the rest of her clothing. The shirt gapped as she bent. Sighing, whether from relief or disappointment he couldn't quite be sure, S'rei found that she was now fully covered. This could be an interesting work relationship, to say the least, when just the tiniest hint of flesh managed to awaken a burning heat within him. It seemed that with the release of his hard-fought control and long celibacy, S'rei couldn't get enough of Shmee.
Thank Faranth she managed to bring his mind back to business with her next question. He chuckled wryly at her comment, an arm coming out to wrap around her waist as he drew her into the chair with him. "It is and it isn't." His smile was self-deprecating, mild humor lacing his voice. "I figured I needed to make up a list of things that needed to be done and considered around the Weyr, so that, in the morning, maybe I can just put a little direction into this flighty head of mine. Probably won't work, though." He kissed her nose lightly, just as he had that night at the hold. "You'll just have to give me one of your patented wake up calls." His eyes flashed teasingly.
Oh dear. It was pretty obvious where his mind still was, wasn't it? At least his need for her wasn't physical just now. S'rei was content simply with half-holding her on his lap, feeling her warmth against his bare chest as he scribbled down a few more notes. The shift in his thoughts was palpable. There was a slight tightening in his arm, as if he sought to protect her from something, and his expression had turned pensive. "So," he uttered, after a moment. "What did you want to do about C'leon? If anything, he'll just come at us harder. It's personal now."
S'rei didn't mention the simple fact that C'leon and Marsroth had never lost a Flight. Ever. Now Aslath was the gold who'd gotten away. If the Weyrleader of Selenitas knew C'leon - which he thought he did - Benden's Weyrleader would feel the need to take what he'd lost. And there was no doubt in the bronzerider's mind that this man probably wanted to see both him and Salenth die a slow, shameful death for humiliating him so. The danger had heightened exponentially.
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Post by Administrator on Oct 24, 2007 8:52:52 GMT -5
((And you're telling me to be good. *snort*))
Shmee laughed lightly as S'rei pulled her to him, and she fell into his lap happily. Nestling against his chest, she looked back down at his scribbles before refocusing back onto him. "Ah," she replied, smiling impishly. She was pleased he was this organized- even with her rage againt Benden, she still had the horrible habit of doing only what came into her mind, and never planning ahead or keeping track of things to do. She rolled her bright eyes as he told he told her he didn't think the organzing would work. "I know it will," she replied confidently, her voice retaining a gentleness that she would not have managed pre-Benden.
She smiled teasingly as he kissed her. "Well," she replied, her smile never fading away, "If you would like a wake-up call anyway, I'd be happy to provide it." She winked, amused that he no longer was pushing her away from his- as well as her- needs. It was remarkable how bright things seemed for her now, despite how the relationship with Benden may have disintegrated into something that could possible be quiet warfare. Yet knowing she wouldn't be in it alone seemed to make up for it. Wriggling against him instinctively, she felt his grip tighten ever-so-slightly.
Her smile vanished in an instant. C'leon. Everything about him had seemed so surreal until S'rei had finally spoken of him. She looked down, racking her brains. Though leadership here was secure, she had a feeling from her visit to Benden that C'leon would not take it lightly. "I think," she finally said, slowly, "we need to oust him from Weyrleadership somehow. Then at least the leader of Benden wouldn't have a grudge like this against us..." She did not add, however, that if C'leon was forced from Weyrleadership, he would probably attack Selenitas on his own, even if he didn't have his buddies to help. She looked back up, the fiery hatred for Benden sparking back into her eyes. "We also need to figure out how he knew Aslath was Flying at that moment. It's too much of a coincidence."
Shmee's body stiffened against S'rei's. Her blissful image changing drastically so quickly, she leapt up from his lap, flying over to the desk and scribbling on a scrap of hide in a shaky, compact script, easier to read than S'rei's, but vague. "If," she stated, her voice quivering in excitement, "We can get spies, maybe they'll figure out how to do him in..." Making strange notes about 'weyrlings' and 'dragonless,' she seperated them into different categories. She paused, and added a hasty afterthought at the bottom, stating something about Benden weyrlings. Perhaps the image of that blue weyrlingrider was branded too hard into her mind. Whatever she was thinking of, however, she connected that section with the blank 'dragonless' category by a long line. In the middle of the line, she scribbled the word 'refugee.' "We also are going to house dragonless refugees here, as I've already started doing," she informed S'rei matter-of-factly. She paused, as if to add something else, but she decided against it, focusing back on her work, not clarifying anything else.
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Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
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Post by Requiem on Oct 25, 2007 0:57:19 GMT -5
((xD he only made a few suggestive remarks, and he was very, very good otherwise, yup, yup; whaddaya expect from req? after all, i'm extremely flirty myself))
She obviously didn't know how he was in the morning, if she thought lists were going to keep him on track. He was lucky that he didn't drown himself or walk straight out of the tree and break his neck some days. Okay, most days. It really did get that bad. A good hour usually had him set straight, but woe to anyone who might try to break through his stupor during that time, because they'd just meet with a whole lot of frustration.
He'd broken the mood with his question. S'rei didn't quite regret it. There were some things that simply couldn't be put off, at least for too long, and this was one of them. He cocked a brow at Shmee as she talked about ousting the Benden Weyrleader. The bronzerider knew for a fact that many had tried to take the weyr from C'leon, and in the end this only solidified his hold, as now most who didn't agree with the man were deathly afraid of the violent repercussions that accompanied anything that might question or threaten the weyrleader. It would be quite something to succeed where so many had failed. Yes, if all the people who didn't want C'leon in power simply rose up against him, it wouldn't be difficult. But many wouldn't do anything even if there was nothing much to fear. It took a certain personality to actively rebel. Most people in general were content to simply follow the crowd and complain.
Her next concern echoed the question that had been bouncing around his skull ever since he was awake enough to notice it. The obvious answer was that someone had been spying on them. Aslath was obviously close to Rising; the entire Weyr knew that. But the speed with which Marsroth arrived on the scene implied that, whoever his informant, they'd been fairly close to Shmee or Aslath at the time. That did not sit well with S'rei at all.
Then she bolted. It was so sudden, the absense of her warmth seemed almost like a physical blow to him, the Weyrleader overcoming the shock quickly as a small chuckle escaped his throat. Shmee certainly had a habit of shifting emotions with little warning. Climbing to his feet, he carefully tucked the bit of parchment in a trouser pocket, striding over to where she stood. S'rei threaded his arms about her waist as he looked over her shoulder, careful not to get in the way of her writing. Most of it was too obtuse for him to glean much from, though he figured she must be thinking of that incident with the blueweyrling - it had shaken her so horribly. He was disinclined to bring that back up for that reason.
"Yes. Met a few of them," his tone was rather clipped, though not directly because of Shmee. S'rei had a hard time around dragonless, beyond the usual level of awkwardness that seemed to exist between dragonriders and those who had lost their better halves. Salenth and S'rei had come about as close to losing each other as was possible without actually going through it - a thing that they recovered from very slowly. He had a much better idea of what life would be like without Salenth. And that, truly, was a frightening place to be.
Thoughtfully, he murmured, "Arina is pulling together some sort of spy network, as I understand." She was perhaps one of the few he could abide, and then only for a short while. The woman seemed to have generally handled the loss better than most. You could almost forget..."Maybe we should talk to her, see how she's progressing? Might as well use the foundation if it's already been laid."
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Post by Administrator on Oct 25, 2007 10:33:14 GMT -5
((Can't expect much from you, can I? xDD))
Shmee almost jumped when she felt S'rei's unexpected hands slip around her waist. Pausing in her writing, she smiled. One hand resting on one of his, she slid her other hand back to caress his cheek with the back of it, smiling. Gently, she brought her lips to his for a moment. Somehow, this managed to calm the woman slightly, who withdrew her hand and began to write with more of an easiness about her.
"I think," she said, sounding as though she weren't even speaking to him at all, rather muttering to herself, "Arina and her people can work around here, to locate the spies that are tailing us... But I need spies at Benden. Something C'leon would trust. Someone who can connect with trustworthy people. Someone who would seem to be a perfect vessel for C'leon to allow into his inner circle..." She paused, turning her head slightly to look at S'rei. "Young. Strong. Preferably bronze. Obviously not you," she added with a laugh. Not just because S'rei was Weyrleader, but because she hated the thought of someone who she was this close in Benden's clutches. "Any suggestions on that front?" In her mind, she was already forming a plan, one that could work, but also one that could backfire and kill them both. However, she dared not suggest it. Especially after seeing the poor treatment of the weyrlings at Benden, it made her extremely hesitant. But if one were to play the part well, would it work?
Placing her ink down, she sighed, tipping her head to the side. "Does C'leon have any weakness that you know of?" she asked tiredly. She longed to just be able to not be the one doing all this work, to not have to worry about being assasinated or having her Weyr attacked. It would have been nice just to throw everything to the ground and live till the end of her days blissfully with S'rei at her side. However, she couldn't. Different times called for different measures, one that Shmee knew of all too well.
"I also think," she added slowly, "is that we need to get as many holds as we can to support us. Not just in the South, though it would be a great start... but if we got holds in the North to agree with us rather than the other Weyrs..." Sitting back up slowly, she looked blankly at the scrap of hide. "I just don't know how to go about doing that." Trying to mask the frustration and bitterness on her face, her thumb stroked the hand about her waist for comfort.
I can try and persuade low Benden colors to join us, Aslath stated sleepily from where she lay nestled with Salenth. Shmee smiled sadly. I'm sorry, pet, but we'd have no idea who to call to. Grumbling, Aslath cuddled back up to Salenth, half-listening to Shmee's thoughts, but half-asleep as well.
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Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
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Post by Requiem on Oct 26, 2007 1:08:24 GMT -5
Mmmm. He'd forgotten how much he liked kisses in the morning. S'rei let his head rest lightly on her shoulder, listening to her as she spoke. Shmee certainly could arrange things very neatly in that pretty head of hers. In fact, he had to kick himself to get his own thoughts in order so that he could follow her. They would have to talk about her kissing him during business; it was far too distracting.
The bronzerider waited for all her thoughts to tumble out before replying to any of her questions. If she was at all like him, any interruption might send those thoughts in all directions. He couldn't say he liked the idea of sending anyone into Benden to spy, much less a dragonrider. S'rei had always been the protective sort, to the point of rashness. "I don't know, Shmee. Newcomers will be watched closely, particularly those from Selenitas. And you'd have to give him up if they ever found out. We couldn't allow C'leon to use him as leverage." S'rei frowned. "In effect, you'd be saying 'Go, spy on Benden for us and by the way, if you get caught, you're on your own.' " The bronzerider sighed. "It just doesn't seem right to me. But I'll support whatever decision you make."
There was also the fact that her suggestion might be completely necessary, unavoidable even, if they wanted to protect the weyr. S'rei had always had a problem with asking others to do what he wouldn't. And he most certainly wouldn't attempt to spy by infiltrating Benden, although there was no doubt it wouldn't work, given his past history with C'leon and the event that had occurred just today. No particular bronzerider came to mind, either. He'd mostly steered clear of them, and knew little about these men he'd now be relying on. Now if that wasn't lack of foresight, he didn't know what was.
"As to C'leon's weaknesses...He's prideful. He'll try to destroy anything that hurts his pride, and that plays to our advantage simply because it's predictable. He rules by fear. Few would follow him if they weren't afraid of what he'd do to them otherwise. If we could take the fear element from him - we might be able to oust him without too much effort." S'rei shrugged. "Truly, though, he's strong and ambitious, and he won't be easy to get rid of." The bronzerider smiled ruefully, though she couldn't see it. "Physically, he wipes the floor with me, and I'm not exactly a weakling. Facing him head-on is rather out of the question. This isn't an easy task you've set for yourself, Shmee."
"The holds shouldn't be as difficult. They've lived in the shadow of C'leon's terror, and Fort is hardly any better. They're sick of blood and dragonriders and dragons in general. I know several people at Fort Hold - well-placed people. It wouldn't take long to spread the word, and after one major hold sways in our direction, more will follow. In fact...get the holds to cut off supplies to Benden and Fort, and that might be a better way to wage this war. The weyrs can't survive on nothing."
Okay, so it was unlikely that they'd be able to arrange a complete siege, and maybe S'rei was being just a bit too optimistic of his influence at Fort, but he figured it was worth a shot. It certainly sat better with him than sending one of their own into the lion's mouth.
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Post by Administrator on Oct 26, 2007 21:44:58 GMT -5
As the bronzerider lay his head on her shoulder, Shmee stroked his hair absently as she listened to his words. She didn't like how S'rei made it sound, making it seem as though she were forcing someone into Benden and cutting them loose for no gain. "It's not like I'd be deserting them. We could do like someone here does- he's like a double agent, reporting minor things to Fort but reporting the major stuff to us," she told S'rei, grimacing. "Maybe then C'leon wouldn't be so... suspicious." She sighed, running her fingers through S'rei's auburn locks. "From the looks of things, we're getting into a war whether we want it or not. We may as well start ahead," she told him softly.
She racked her brains. Should she tell him her ideas, or should she just let it go unspoken? They disturbed even her, but she had no other choices. Pausing for a long moment, she decided to at least put the idea out there. "What I was thinking," she suggested softly, "is that we might send up a bronze weyrling. One armed with spy skills and a believable reason to hate Selenitas." Young, so that C'leon would take into the consideration that he would be impressionable. Intelligent, to be able to have quick lies to evade detection. Male, so that C'leon wouldn't terrorize him so harshly.
For a long moment, she considered S'rei's words. To make people be less afraid of C'leon... She frowned. She had no idea how to go about doing that. Embarass the Weyrleader somehow? Surely he was embarassed for losing the Flight, but people weren't any less afraid of him. Rather, Shmee was actually more frightened of what he could do because of his loss. She backed into S'rei ever-so-slightly, now realizing the full impact of what C'leon might do since he had lost the Flight. "Do you have any idea what he'll try doing?" she asked S'rei nervously, turning around so that her blue eyes met his. "You said he doesn't like his pride getting hurt. Would losing Aslath count as that?" She needn't have asked, for she already knew the answer. She hugged herself uncomfortably, already seeing C'leon's angry face emblazoned in her mind.
At plans for the holds, she nodded firmly, if a bit distantly. "That's a good idea," she replied softly. She hadn't thought of cutting off supplies. Such a quiet way to weaken the warring Weyrs hadn't even come to her head! It seemed Shmee thought only action was the answer, and felt guilty for it. That was what Benden and Fort thought. "So we sway the major holds, get them to cut off their tithes. Yes. Excellent idea."
She was once again pleased that S'rei was Weyrleader, managing to find alternative ideas to things that would have gone unnoticed by her alone. If C'leon had won, she probably wouldn't even be having this conversation, she thought darkly. She would probably not even be talking at all, too much like the invisible Weyrwoman of Benden, Arga.
Do not think of these things,[/color] Aslath told her rider firmly. I have been Caught by a dragon so much better than that Morsrath. Do not think about what might have happened, for it is irrelevant. Now is all what matters.[/color] These words reassured Shmee, who sent back loving emotions to the queen, but still mildly unnerved. [/size]
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Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
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Post by Requiem on Oct 27, 2007 15:10:58 GMT -5
S'rei frowned, allowing himself to consider the possibility of allowing a spy into Benden. Shmee seemed bent on it, as it was, and he knew she wasn't a particularly pliable person once she had an idea in her head. He understood what she was getting at, with this bronzerider thing, and C'leon did have a wing of just the young riders he'd lured into his nets...but Shmee was missing something. The last one they'd want to send was a bronzeweyrling. A brown or blue, maybe - most male greenriders wouldn't have the temprament to deal with the stress - but C'leon never trusted bronzeriders. They had the ability to take his power from him. Even if they didn't have to desire...the Benden Weyrleader could not afford not to watch them closely.
And, actually, a female greenweyrling might just be their best bet. C'leon was horrible with women. On the other hand, he regarded them as nothing, and that would only work in favor of having a female spy. They were so far beneath the man's notice to ever meet up with anything resembling close scrutiny. Of course, the thought of putting one of the young women in a position to be caught spying at Benden sat even worse in his stomach. S'rei didn't even want to picture how C'leon would handle that.
After thinking it out, S'rei commented quietly, "If we really want to consider this, I think our best bet would be one of the girls who Impressed a green." He would have said one of the ones who Impressed a mutated green, but only Kali had, and there was no way C'leon would believe for an instant that she had defected. Nor would S'rei ever allow her to attempt to infiltrate Benden. Besides, she was too old for what they needed. "Girls are beneath C'leon's notice, and might learn more because of it, and have just that little bit more freedom. Or possibly a blue or brown weyrling. If you were to ask me, I think the weyrling who Impressed the photosensitive would have the best chance. He seems solid, intelligent, and he'd have plenty enough reason to seem to hate Selenitas. He's already causing some problems here, as I understand, though nothing major. It would be believable."
Her question had, however, caught him slightly off-guard. S'rei's arms tightened briefly around the Weyrwoman. "That may well be one of the biggest blows to his pride he could sustain, Shmee, but we'll deal with it. It's better than the alternative." He was not the sort to sugarcoat things. There was no doubt in his mind that C'leon would try to reclaim what he'd lost to S'rei and Salenth, and not gently. Aslath and Shmee had become a challenge. Objects of hatred and intense desire. The emotions were one and the same to C'leon. S'rei had seen it play out on a lesser scale countless times. The Benden Weyrleader would want to bend them to his will, until there was no spirit left in them - to reclaim his lost status (or lost status such as he perceived it.)
They will come after us as well. And I wouldn't expect anything as nice as poison this time. When had Salenth awoken? Don't worry, Salenth. We're putting things in place to prevent his surprising us, and without that...we can handle him. There was a lot more confidence in that statement than the Weyrleader felt.
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Post by Administrator on Oct 28, 2007 10:29:43 GMT -5
Shmee looked down at her feet when S'rei started suggesting the use of female greenriders. Though she knew that girls would probably be better at spying, she did not like the idea. From what she saw of Benden, women were treated as though they were lower than dirt. A girl spy would be subject to this treatment; an expectation to do the dirty work without stopping, abuse, rape... "I don't know if I can ask one of the girl weyrlings to do something like that," she replied softly, shaking her head slowly. "So many female refugees from Benden come back with some sort of mental scarring from brutal treatment. They have such a high chance of being abused or raped, and I don't want them to risk that. Boys have a lesser chance of that kind of attack," she replied uncomfortably. No, she couldn't ask a girl to risk it. She did not want Benden to latch their paws into her girls, unknowing that one already had.
However, the idea of sending the blue weyrlingrider with the photophobe seemed better. She had heard he was causing trouble, so now it seemed to work to their advantage. And perhaps he could also blame Selenitas for giving him a photophobe. It could certainly be a believable reason that Benden would fall for. Slowly, she nodded. "That just might work," she told him thoughtfully. The only drawback was that the dragon's photosensitivity may be the weakness that Benden would be unable to stand. However, if Benden could decide to 'use' him to 'spy' on Selenitas, they wouldn't have to deal with it much and they could think it was valuable. Shmee nodded, more firmly. "All right. I'll ask him after the promotion dinner."
Shmee said nothing as S'rei wrapped his arms tightly around her. Leaning her head against his chest, she wrapped her own arms back around him. However, the blood had drained from her face. The biggest blow to his pride? That did not bode well, even if it was better than the alternative. He would, without a doubt, try and take Selenitas by other means, probably punishing her in the process. Her mind was running through means of protection already- she did not want to be alone anymore. Leaving the Weyr without a guard no longer appeared to be an option for her and S'rei. Aslath, for now, would be fine. It wouldn't be long before she was bound to the sands by a clutch, but Salenth would probably also need to be protected somehow. Her heart had picked up speed against her chest, unnerved by what C'leon could do to them.
"We need to get rid of C'leon somehow," she told him, softly and decisively. Well, at the very least, they needed to get him out of Weyrleadership. However, that was impossible. C'leon didn't let anyway except Morsrath hit the skies when Arga's dragon Flew. Although, if they could the blue weyrling to convince a different bronzerider to give it a shot... "When does Arga's Baith Rise?" she asked suddenly, moving her head to look up at S'rei with a quiet fire.
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Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
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Post by Requiem on Oct 28, 2007 18:25:04 GMT -5
Shmee seemed to think that the patriarchy that was Benden reserved it's biggest risks for women. That wasn't completely true. The problem with anything male-dominated - particularly when it was a physical dominance and power that was respected - was that no one really was all that safe. Those who tried to keep in the shadows were considered weak and taken advantage of in every way imaginable. Those who threw their support behind the leader were greeted with wariness by both the man who dominated through fear and everyone who feared that man. And those who opposed the tyrant were quickly suppressed or stamped out. It was a delicate dance, one that required a man or woman to appear dangerous without being so dangerous that the ruler felt the need to be rid of them. That was the dance S'rei had managed successfully until the very end. C'leon and S'rei had maintained a grudging, wary respect for one another, leaving the other man to his own devices so long as they did not meddle in his. In the end, it had been S'rei's growing tacit support base that made coexistance impossible; something was going to break, whether S'rei headed it up or not, and in his name.
But all of this the bronzerider kept to himself. He wasn't sure he wanted Shmee to know just how deeply he'd been immersed in Benden politics - and just how much that disgusted her about the weyr he'd known about and turned a blind eye to. S'rei had always been something of a practical man; there was no hope of him changing anything if he were dead. And so now he lived with all the things he'd allowed during his stay at Benden. Including the death of his first love; that pain was still raw enough to stagger him at times. It was a heavy enough burden without having to endure the reproachful gaze of the Selenitas Weyrwoman. Reproachful gaze? She was more likely to start flinging things and screaming at him. Shmee didn't seem the sort to be willing to take the long, more practical route. She was too soft-hearted. And too impatient to remove the threat and the cruelty.
The Weyrleader wasn't sure he was glad that she accepted his suggestion. He still didn't really think the benefits were worth risking the young man's life, though he seemed the sort who just might be able to pull it off. Uu'n was enough anti-authority to come across as completely genuine. Now all they needed to cement it as truth in Benden's eyes was a nice little scene involving the blueweyrling...And, unless S'rei was dead wrong, he doubted that was too far off without any help from either him or Shmee.
Cocking a brow at her statement, S'rei thought about it. He still couldn't find an easy solution to ousting C'leon, short of seeing to it that man or dragon or both fell ill during Baith's Flight. He didn't know if Shmee was thinking along the same lines as him, but her question seemed to suggest she was..."Shards," he responded curtly. "He always arranged it so our wing was out of the weyr when she Rose..." C'leon was certainly intelligent enough. Morsrath would chase any gold, solidifying his supremacy over the other bronzes, but they never risked the senior queen in the off-chance that some crazy fluke would set another bronzerider as Weyrleader; every bronze that might have had the gumption to compete with Morsrath was conspicuously absent whenever Baith grew close to rising. Racking his brain, he finally replied, "It would be shortly after the Hatching of Aslath's clutch. Maybe a tenday or so. I'm sorry I can't be more specific."
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Post by Administrator on Oct 29, 2007 20:28:21 GMT -5
For another long moment, Shmee said nothing. She moved her head back against S'rei's chest, unwilling to leave his comforting aura. He smelled good, she thought vaguely. He had just bathed, so his smell was good. She should probably bathe soon, she thought irritably. But they needed to figure out this business first- once they decided what to do about C'leon and plan against what he might do to them, only then could she relax and sleep. They needed to prepare for anything now. "Do you know how to get bronzes close to Baith without being stopped by C'leon?" she finally asked, not looking up at him, but rather closing her eyes. It was a strange feeling, being surrounded by warmth, but thinking thoughts that would almost certainly end in violence.
However, she was very aware that there were definitely risks should a new Weyrleader come to power. He may be worse then C'leon. He may try to attack Selenitas with harder force than C'leon. Speaking of C'leon, he would still be a threat. No doubt he would threaten Selenitas if he were ousted. Nobody could stop him, even if no one helped him. Strange images of him coming to the Weyr in a rage and murdering people as he slept came into her head, and another disturbing picture forced itself into her mind: She saw Aslath, just as the little blue had been, her throat slit... An involuntary shudder wracked her body. Opening her eyes a little, she told him, "We need to figure out how to put bronzes in that Flight before Baith Rises... And perhaps let Arga know of our intentions. From what I've heard, she's broken by C'leon; she has no will to fight. But maybe this could restore hope in her..."
Breaking free from him once more, she darted over to the scrap of hide once more, writing down that idea. "If we get Arga to go along with our plan, then we'll have a better chance. Baith is supposedly Caught by force every Flight, but perhaps if we get a dragon to just fight Morsrath in the Flight, it would be distraction..." However, that thought also sent chills down her spine. She didn't want to force a dragon to fight another. Aslath's injury was bad enough, and that had been unintentional.
Mine, I feel fine,[/color] the queen reassured her rider. It is just an ache. Besides, Salenth's warmth soothes it.[/color] At this, Aslath crooned, twining her tail with the bronze's as she snuggled closer to him, a nearly impossible feat considering she was pressed against him hard already. Like Shmee had been against S'rei, she considered the warm air around Salenth a loving aura, one that comforted her even though she felt worried for the times ahead.
Shmee sighed, pulling the chair out and planting herself in it. She stared listlessly ahead of her for a moment, different thoughts flying in and out of her head. They were in the war now- for real. How much longer until they would have to fight Benden's dragons? she wondered. And no doubt Fort would try to make Selenitas their ally if they ever found out about Benden. Sighing, she placed her elbows on the desk and put her head in her hands tiredly. "What in Faranth's name are we going to do?" she asked, so many emotions filling that one sentence. Guilt, exhaustion, frustration, grief, anger, all of them summed up in one short statement.[/size]
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Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
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Post by Requiem on Oct 30, 2007 0:50:33 GMT -5
That was a very good question. Had S'rei known how to do that, he might well have been the Weyrleader of Benden rather than the Weyrleader of Selenitas. Not that said distinction would make much of a difference in C'leon's eyes; either way, Salenth had shamed Morsrath, and with C'leon still in charge at Benden, that wasn't good. The bronzerider maintained his silence, merely cradling her in his arms and trying to rack his brain for a way to protect Shmee from his rival's wrath. Rival. Yes, they had always been rivals of a sort, hadn't they? Too bad he seriously doubted either he or Salenth could stand against C'leon and Morsrath in a fair fight. Resolve hardened in his belly. The next time they met, he was not going to be smacked around like a woman. He and Salenth would work hard to become stronger than the Benden rulers. Anything less than that was unacceptable.
"No." This, at least, S'rei was sure of. "You cannot allow anyone to speak to Baith or Arga. To the Weyrwoman, she is convinced she will never be free, and her fear knows no bounds." The bitterness in the man's voice suggested he had experience with this. "She will turn you and your plans over to C'leon sooner than any of those loyal to him. Baith and Arga may welcome a new Weyrleader, but they would never risk C'leon and Morsrath finding out that they knew something of an uprising against the bronzepair and didn't speak up. Nor would they believe there was a remote chance that it would work."
A fight. It would have to be a strong bronze, one who could ignore the queen's pull and the dragonlust, and could also stay Morsrath long enough for one of the Benden bronzes to catch her. A blue or green would have no issue with a gold's flight, however they couldn't hope to be anything more than a mild speedbump to Morsrath. And, truly, if more than one dragon engaged the king of Benden, there would be open battle, and Selenitas did not have the numbers to field so many. What bronze was capable of - I could, Salenth interjected. I could challenge him. We can defeat them. I know we can! S'rei frowned. We have a duty to this weyr, Salenth. A duty that forbids us to treat our safety that callously.
Do we not also have a duty to do our best by Selenitas? To eliminate any threats? Who else can stand against Morsrath? Salenth's mind-tone was growing stronger by the second in his conviction. And you know that, if I challenge him, Morsrath will forbid any interference for his honor's sake. That isn't a guarantee with any other bronze. It is the only correct choice. S'rei's eyes had withdrawn into themselves, his fingers curling and uncurling. The problem was that Salenth's words made sense. Perfect sense. Yet the very thought of pitting Salenth against that behemoth of a bronze, enraged and filled with dragonlust, sent a cold thrill of forboding through the man. Don't you believe in me, ReiMine? The Weyrleader's eyes closed. Yes, yes he did. If anyone could pull it off, it was Salenth, but still the idea pained him. We'll speak more of this later.
He missed Shmee's warmth immediately. An unreasonable unease took him as soon as she was out of his arms, as if, even with that tiny distance, she had stepped beyond safety. Her voice sounded so weary as she spoke. "I'll tell you what we're going to do," S'rei stated, knowing somewhere deep down that what she needed right now was confidence. Direction. "You're going to call a meeting of the Lordholders. You're going to find out just where they stand. I'll rouse the movers and shakers at Fort Hold and get that underway. Then we're going to enjoy the Promotion Dinner, and tomorrow - tomorrow we'll begin drilling the wings in combat. Tomorrow we'll start setting our spynetwork in place with Arina's help. But tonight -" He smiled at her, a cocky grin. "Tonight I'm going to help you forget about C'leon for a few hours. Worrying never did anyone any good," he added, softer, running his hand lightly over her cheek.
A flitter spoiled the moment. With a healthy flood of invective, S'rei flung the pen Shmee'd been using at the green divebombing his head. "Laurie!" he growled, even as he caught Zephyr in a grip that was surprisingly gentle given how very annoyed he was at the creature at this moment. His sister, apparently taking his angry snarlings as an invitation, swept into the weyr. Her eyes settled scathingly on the Weyrleader. Almost like a weyrbrat, he reluctantly released the flitter, who fled to settle around the neck of hers, chastising the mean giant all the while.
Lauranna managed a deep curtsy to the Weyrwoman, despite balancing her Miguel in her arms at the same time. "May I borrow my brother, my Lady?" She seemed pleasantly oblivious to the fact that she was intruding on the privacy of the two who now led the weyr. And why should she worry? Even at his angriest, S'rei would never do anything against his pixie, and Shmee would have to be a fool to express more than annoyance at the sister of her new weyrmate.
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Post by Administrator on Oct 30, 2007 7:23:53 GMT -5
Shmee sighed. So, talking to Arga was out of the question. It bothered her that someone was weak enough to turn in anything that could help her- wasn't she supposed to be grateful for any kind of help? "I don't understand that," she told him, shaking her head in frustration. Nevertheless, she decided, she was going to make it so that Arga would have no say in the matter. It would probably be so strange for her, to wake up after her Flight in the arms of a man different than C'leon... She frowned, pity for the Northern Weyrwoman taking over. It was unimaginable for Shmee to have been so close to waking up with him just once-- but Arga was forced into it again and again...
If she had known what S'rei was thinking, she would have put her foot down right away. However, Shmee was blissfully unaware. Surprised at his sudden take of charge, she simply nodded with his instructions, seeing no fault with them. She would meet with the holders. She would call a meeting, and try to get them on her side. There were a couple holds beholden to Selenitas that she knew were more hostile than not to them, but she had to try and adjust that mindset. They needed as few problems as possible. Then, of course, the holds that weren't beholden to them needed to be swayed. Benden and Fort needed to be weakened, and she was positive that the Holds would be pleased with not tithing and preserving their resources, though it might anger both Weyrleaders. That fear might prevent the weaker holds from going along with the plan...
She blinked at S'rei's sudden suggestion, then smiled. Standing, she nodded. "All right," she said softly, relieved to have something different to think about. It was hard to imagine she could be doing something so simple, so loving, in such a time of turmoil... Her hands slipping around his waist beneath his shirt to meet the warm skin, she willed her body to relax as her lips sought his.
...But her lips never made it. Shmee frowned, jumping back as a green flitter appeared from nowhere. Irritated, she didn't move her hand, prepared to get right back to business once this little creature was gone. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be. At S'rei's exclamation, Lauranna entered, and Shmee hastily removed her hands from his sides. Clearing her throat, she went back to the desk, leaning against it as she looked at the greenrider was clear, but desperately masked, irritation.
Borrow S'rei? She sighed. She remembered this woman was S'rei's sister (her name still escaped the Weyrwoman), so she knew she had nothing to be jealous of. However, she still felt a twinge of reluctance to let him go. She sighed. Perhaps she should just try to plan more things out. "Fine," she replied in a slightly clipped tone, determined to not let S'rei see her annoyance, but failing dismally. This woman was a greenrider. Surely she knew it was impolite to bother people after a Flight? Reassuring herself that they would have time together later, she added, with a small gesture of her hands, "Go ahead."
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Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
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Post by Requiem on Oct 31, 2007 1:17:59 GMT -5
Sharding flitters. He sneered at Zephyr, the green suddenly losing her spirit and darting behind Lauranna's neck, peering out at the mean giant fearfully. His sister's brow rose, jade eyes flashing with annoyance, but S'rei merely shrugged. How would she like it if he'd interrupted a kiss of hers with a flitter? Or with anything? His own glare was fairly pointed. Brother and sister stood silently for a long moment, locked in a battle of wills, before Laurie finally shook her head.
"I'll give you another minute. Happy?" the woman grumped. And, for the life of him, S'rei couldn't figure out what it was that she had to be annoyed about. Ah, sibling love. Though he was a veritable tree at 6'6" and Lauranna was a tiny blonde pixie, the passion in their eyes and the arrangement of their features as they squabbled made it apparent that these two were related.
"Not inordinately."
Shmee's curtness drew S'rei's gaze, a mild smile turning up one corner of his mouth as he regarded her. She was rather cute when annoyed. Especially when she tried to hide it. He didn't - quite - wait for Lauranna to leave the room before he swept the Weyrwoman into his arms, kissing her deeply. One hand pressing her tightly to him, the other cupping her breast, he pulled back a little breathlessly, gray eyes clearly amused. "A little taste. We'll pick up where we left off soon enough." Or not soon enough for his tastes, but S'rei had always been fairly good at teasing a woman to distraction when he actually bothered to play the game. The man affected a nonchalant stride, humming tunelessly as he left the weyr.
And was caught in Laurie's chastising gaze. "You haven't changed."
He threw her a cocky smile. "Neither have you. Eavesdropping again?" Drawing the woman to him, with special care not to hurt his nephew, S'rei ruffled her blonde curls. "Never have learned the meaning of the word 'privacy,' have you?"
And then the siblings had turned a corner, out of sight and earshot.
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Post by Administrator on Oct 31, 2007 8:30:05 GMT -5
Shmee watched curiously as S'rei and Lauranna stared each other down for a moment, slightly amused, mostly annoyed. What was amusing was how the two acted so... cute. She had never had a brother or sister to act this way with (save for a babe that she didn't know that well), and it was very interesting to her to see how comfortable they were with each other to act this way. Shmee would never get to know this sort of interaction with other people. Not that it mattered much to her- being an only child for most of her life was fun.
Her lips pursed into a restrained grin of satisfaction as S'rei seemed to be just as annoyed as she was with the interruption. At least she wasn't alone in her feelings. Looking over at him as Lauranna allowed them one last minute, she smiled. At least they could do something that hadn't been so abruptly interrupted by a flitter. Her arms slid up his shirt along his back as he kissed her, knowing they couldn't do as much as she would like in a minute, but her body responded in anticipation of what would be a longer wait. Her kiss was returned to him with passion, wishing they could draw it out, growing more irritated with Lauranna for her interruption, but not showing it in her kiss.
She sighed as S'rei pulled away, smoothing out her hair as she waited to catch her breath. She was unable to suppress as small smile as S'rei called it a little taste. Determined to hold him to his promise, she sat back down in the furs, hoping Lauranna didn't need him long. Pushing herself back, she lay down amid the furs, wanting to lie down and think about what they needed to do about C'leon. Not only him, she thought guiltily, but all of Benden. Shard it- why couldn't Arga actually have a backbone? No matter, she would find a way to get different bronzes into the Flight even if it was the last thing she did.
She paused in her thinking for a moment, her blue eyes flickering back over to the entryway. Smiling with light mischief, she pulled the neck hole in her shirt over her shoulder slightly, revealing her pale skin in the opening for when S'rei would return. It was still strange for her to imagine that he was her Weyrleader now- that he actually wanted her. It was a relief to her, strangely. After coming back from Benden, and how they took care of each other there, she found it strange to try and imagine someone else in his place- especially C'leon. Shards, what would she have done if it was C'leon that she had awoken with?
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Requiem
Weyrleader S'rei WM M?ta Rider A'nd Harper/Handler Dmitri Weyrbrat Miguel
Posts: 2,861
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Post by Requiem on Oct 31, 2007 16:40:37 GMT -5
As soon as they'd gained a modicum of privacy, Lauranna stopped, her expression serious enough to give S'rei pause. He caught movement out of the corner of his eye. As his sister took a step back, crossing her arms, he found Kalierre's hands running over his ribcage. The dragonhealer seemed tired; he hadn't seen much of her since the hatching. Little Phremath was pressed to her thigh, peering at him curiously. "Nothing broken," the woman pronounced, satisfied.
One of his brows rose. "You called me out to see if I had a cracked rib? Honestly, Lauranna. I'd know it if I did. And there's no reason that we had to leave the weyr to do it." He smiled down at Kalierre, though, the woman avoiding his gaze. "Thanks, though." She didn't respond. Frowning, he drew her chin up. "Hey. You alright?" Strangely, Kalierre just pulled away, quickly retreating while Phremath scurried to keep up.
"That's why I had to drag you out here. Any fool with eyes in their head would know there was something between you and Kali - and I doubt she could handle looking at Shmee." Lauranna waved aside his protest. "Let the woman have her pride. And no, I don't think she'll get over the fact that she was second best. We also need to talk."
"We?" he muttered rebelliously. Lauranna seemed to be doing all the talking.
"I take it that was C'leon's doing?" The greenrider had gestured at the bruise on his cheek. At his nod, she sighed. "I thought as much. Now you listen here: the Weyrwoman is known for her caprices. She likes to play her games. You may be the bronzerider of the day, but that's all you are, and I know you too well to think that you're just riding the wave. We're going to need a strong Weyrleader until Aslath rises again. That means that when she tosses you aside - which she will, little brother - you can't let the rejection get to you. I'd distance myself now. Everyone knows flights don't mean anything when it comes to the bond between riders."
S'rei could feel the blood rushing into his face. He was so angry at the moment that he couldn't trust himself to speak. The meddlesome - Lauranna met his glare impassively. "Remember, you're the only father figure Miguel has. Don't get all noble on me. I know you and Salenth tend to do those things. I can't lose another brother, S'rei." Her voice was tight.
Some of the ire melted with the anxiousness in her gaze. He looked away. "I know you're just being the older sister, but Shmee's not like you say. I wouldn't worry about me and Salenth, either."
Suddenly Lauranna was embracing him, though she was sure not to squish poor Miguel between them. "I hope you're right about her," she whispered, though, from her voice, he could tell she didn't believe it. "And you'd better hope they kill you if you do anything stupid, because if they don't, I will!" The small woman gave him a parting squeeze, before turning to march out to where Reysalth must be waiting. S'rei stood in her wake, mildly dazed. It was always like this with his sister. Everything would seem stable, and then all of a sudden, along comes Lauranna, and you felt like a hurricane had come and stirred up your cozy life. Why did she have to plant these thoughts in his head? And Kali - he'd have to talk to her later. How could she be taking this badly? She'd said she could never be his second choice, hadn't she? Women.
He didn't even notice Shmee's bared shoulder when he came back into the room, the man settling bonelessly into the chair, his eyes brooding. The bronzerider hadn't so much as considered Shmee's interest in him until now. She'd been so flirty when they first met. Then, he'd known she was just out to play with all the bronzeriders. When had he lost sight of that? The night at the Hold? Yes. Was it possible, though, that the Weyrwoman might have fallen for him, even just a little? He darted a glance at her. Maybe, but the truth of the matter was that it was far more likely he'd fallen for her, and she was just playing on his sensibilities. Wasn't that normal for a goldrider?
This was unfair, he told himself silently. Unfair to Shmee, that he should be thinking such things, but the thoughts wouldn't go away. Salenth allowed the train of thought to play out, partly because he was half-asleep anyway, and partly due to the fact that he knew his rider was beyond reasoning with at the moment. S'rei would have to verify it for himself. That was the nature of the man. Humans. The bronze snorted. They made everything so complicated. He nuzzled Aslath, crooning happily as he wriggled up closer against her warmth.
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