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Post by randi on Jun 23, 2008 2:10:27 GMT -5
Noting Dohulth's discomfort, Aorath attempted to calm herself. She'd get them back for hurting Alaid, K'von, all the others they'd brought harm to. She was content with that, even though her rage at the northern Weyr remained. We will not. It is a long road, but they will be fine, in the end. But, she wondered, what about the other weyrlings, candidates, 'riders who suffered from the cruelty of the north? Could they do nothing for them either? That, as a thought on its own, was disheartening. Even if they were happy forever, she did not want others to continue to suffer. However, the knowledge that she would not be able to do much to help them only made her anger fade more to be replaced by a feeling of helplessness which she shook off. She could concentrate on others later. Right now, Alaid needed saving.
Driven off before, they had been driven off before, they had. K'von had a point. But the numbers, if Benden attacked multiple times in quick succession, then there's not a chance that Selenitas would be able to stand... but then the losses that did come would be bound to open them up to an attack from Fort. They had a chance. Really? It seemed impossible. Yet, reviewing everything in rapid thoughts only revealed the exact same results. Faranth help them, unless Benden either got incredibly lucky or stupid, they had a chance.
He looked like he was thinking, but it was surely a joke. She knew what to expect. He knew ahead of time what he should want, or else he would not have said anything, not that there was a particular line of deep thinking process between any of the terms she had ever heard of. Being a slave tended to be the general trend. Alaid blinked. Two conditions? What did he want from her that didn't extend under the other one? Her grip on the shirt tightened as she nodded.
His first condition made her eyes return to normal, blinking in confusion. Smile? And the second... The second just served to extend the confused part of her brain. He wanted to give her something? There had to be a catch to this. "Oh...okay." She might as well just play along. When he decided to quit playing games, she could worry more. "Now?"
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Post by kysseh on Jun 23, 2008 2:32:49 GMT -5
She was calming herself on purpose, Dohulth thought, but he opted to not bring up that detail as he stood and gave himself a good all-over shake. His would want to return to the weyr proper soon, he could sense, and the brown wanted to stretch a bit before that happened. He would need to get to the edge of the jungle in order to take off; his wingspan was too great to launch from here. //That is what we are here for... to make sure they stay on the right road. And to make sure they do nothing stupid.// the brown added, shaking his head at his rider's "skillful" handling of the frightened girl. Well, at least she was not looking more scared than before.
She looked so confused, and K'von gave a mental sigh at his own expense. Really, was he this rusty? He must be. That, or he had just never encountered a young woman so severely emotionally damaged by... well, perhaps best not to think about that. He grinned at her, seeing that her grip on the shirt had tightened. "You can keep that, if you want, though I'm sure it's far too big on you," he chuckled faintly, his brown eyes crinkled slightly at the corners with cautious amusement. He did not want to be too jovial so as to scare her off, but lightening the mood made him feel better.
He stood and dusted himself off before glancing around for her clothes to get for her, finding her boots near where his had been and bringing them back to set them next to her. "No, not now! I still haven't figured out what I'll get for you," he said, grinning and tilting his head to look down at her. "Come on. Get dressed and I'll make sure you get back to the weyr safely. We don't want to be out here near dusk. Felines out and about," he said, waiting patiently for her to get herself settled and in order. It dawned on him then that she might want privacy, and he quickly turned around to allow her that. "Oh... sorry. Thought you might want to get dressed in peace." //You'll only watch her get dressed through my eyes...// Will not! I have more dignity than that. ... Is she done yet?
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Post by randi on Jul 4, 2008 2:08:36 GMT -5
As Dohulth got up, the green remained stretched out, comfortable. Oh, she knew they would probably end up going back to the Weyr momentarily, but, as it stood, she was comfortable. She would have a quick stretch and then she'd be ready to go.
At the brown's comment, the young dragon couldn't help but disagree. Her job was to be potentially stupid. As it stood, Alaid would be content to hide out in the barracks for everything except lessons and chores, letting dust settle on her, get up, bathe, and get back to letting the dust settle. Aorath couldn't have that. Yet, she was not about to admit she was the dumb one of the pair, so she gave a nod after the slightest pause. What would they do without us?
Alaid didn't intend to keep his shirt, but his offer to let her keep it seemed enticing. It was safe. She liked safe things. Safe things were good. They were, well, safe. His laughter made her nervous, but no moreso than before. He was being nice. However, she was content to go along with him. She felt relief when he told her that he did not want to give her whatever he intended to now. It delayed any unpleasantries for now, though it promised future encounters. Honestly, she couldn't say how she felt about that. He hadn't hurt her yet... No, it was stupid. The way things are are the way things are. Nodding slightly, she stood before he turned his back, letting his shirt drop before his back was turned, barely noticing his promise of privacy.
Collecting her clothes from where they had fallen, she got dressed quickly, more concerned that he might get impatient with her than a need for her own privacy. Shards, he had seen her completely, and even Alaid knew she didn't have anything to hide now, nor a sense of embarassment. He was a hunter, he had a right to see people like her. As she got dressed, she picked his shirt back up, looking at him, her head tilted to avert her gaze the moment he looked her way. Did he want it back or did he want her to keep it? Not confident enough to voice her confusion, turning her eyes down to the thing in question, gripping it with white knuckles.
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Post by kysseh on Jul 4, 2008 10:39:52 GMT -5
Dohulth looked down at the smaller dragon, noting that she was quite literally unmoved. Perhaps she had gotten the more comfortable spot on the leaves, which was better, considering she was female and to be treated with some respect. Besides that, he could never sleep out here for long. Not enough direct sunlight for him, since he was spoiled rotten by a Turn out in the open. They would not survive. Mine would not, at least. he stated plainly, idly arching his back in a gesture reminiscent of a feline's and then relaxing it a moment later. Yes, it felt good to stretch a bit, but he was starting to miss the comfort of his weyrledge. I keep telling mine that we need a little pet-thing to keep him company while I am asleep, but he has not listened yet. Silly little human. Did he not know that Dohulth was usually right?!
K'von had enough sense to hear the rustling behind him, and he fervently hoped she had not been carrying a knife on her. He did not fancy a knife to the back whilst being polite. He could not really do anything about that wish, though, so he just shifted his weight from foot to foot and patiently waited for her to be finished, liking the feel of the bits of sunlight on his bared torso. The scars on his back were protesting such vigorous activity as he had participated in, so he made it a point to not disturb them. It seemed some salve and a bath was in order for that.
When there was a momentary pause in the movement, which stretched into a prolonged pause, he tilted his head to one side. "Errr... you done?" he asked curiously, turning his head for a look at her. His eyebrows furrowed a bit as he saw the intensity with which she was gripping his shirt, wishing heartily that he could beat the brains out of half the Benden riders. "Guess so. And you can keep it," he said softly, noting that her hands seemed to be clinging to it for dear life. "I've got plenty more." And you seem to be in greater need of it... he added silently. He looked toward Dohulth, who seemed to be finally alert enough to fly. I've been ready. You are just slow. Dohulth teased him, idly itching beneath his own chin with a wing.
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Post by randi on Jul 5, 2008 0:11:54 GMT -5
Nodding, Aorath did agree with him there. Alaid... Alaid needed her to survive. Why, without the green, she never would have ended up here. She'd still be at Benden, cowering in every shadow, fleeing to her mother the moment anyone looked at her for more than a few moments. How she had held out for so long, the green did not know. Alaid had just needed one hard shove and she would have been lost to the dragon forever. The thought made Aorath's head whirl. Alaidmine would not. Not in her current state, in any case.
Dohulth's suggestion at a 'pet-thing' made Aorath's head raise, drawing her out of her thoughts. That's not a bad idea, she admitted. A smaller cousin, hopefully smart, would be a grand thing for Alaid, a distraction, someone to cling close to her in places Aorath could not. Yes, the idea was... enchanting. Not a salamandyr. The few she had seen or heard about seemed to be trouble waiting to happen, but a firelizard would be nice. Not a bad idea at all!
"Yes," she answered his question softly, but it was an answer. Her eyes remained cast down. He had been... benevolent so far. She did not want to tempt him to be anything otherwise, even if it meant alleviating confusion by making things align with the way things were. Alaid listened to him, nodding. He was suggesting that she keep it. She would, if, for no other reason, that she liked it. Not because he said she should, or suggested it to her, but she felt safe with it, certainly like a child with a familiar toy.
For some strange reason, Alaid was reluctant to leave the jungle. This place was safe. Just here, her, Aorath, and the other strange pair. It was safe. Aorath crooned to her gently, standing and stretching out careful of everyone else. She would be safe elsewhere as well. However, knowing that Alaid felt safe here made the dragon feel better. This encounter hadn't scared her from the forest forever. One step at a time, Aorath assured herself, nuzzling at Alaid as the girl crept closer to her, trying not to alert K'von to her movements though, for all her lowered eyes could see, he could be looking right at her.
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Post by kysseh on Jul 6, 2008 9:29:50 GMT -5
Dohulth crooned softly, flicking his wings a bit in anticipation. Well, they have each other now, and we can force them to talk to each other. It will be good for Mine and Yours. the brown affirmed, surprised by the sudden attention that the green was paying. She was interested in a pet-thing too?! He arched his neck a bit in delight. I think it is a very good idea. It would be good company, and Mine needs company and something to keep him busy besides me.
Her answer cheered K'von, regardless of how short it was, and he turned to see that she was staring straight downward. Oh, well, that was not a step in the right direction, but at least she had answered him. He considered this a victory. She seemed to like the idea of keeping his shirt, so he just let her keep holding on to it. The sound of crooning alerted him that Aorath was up, and he turned slightly to watch the green. She, like Dohulth, seemed to be preparing to fly, and movement out of the corner of his eye told him that Alaid was inching closer to her bonded. He looked straight at her, seeing her eyes still fixated on the ground, and his shoulders slumped a bit. She still didn't trust him, did she?
He broke his own mood by moving closer to Dohulth to give the brown's eyeridges a scratch, to which Dohulth eagerly responded with a deep croon. "I told you I won't hurt you, Alaid," he said softly, disheartened a bit by the girl's lack of trust in him. He was not a bad man, not by a long shot. "But.... we can continue this conversation another time. Did you need help up?" he inquired, moving closer with his hand extended to help her with that very action. True, Aorath was not Dohulth's size, but being courteous was always a good way to get in a woman's good graces.
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Post by randi on Jul 8, 2008 1:21:26 GMT -5
The green's head turned toward the brown, nodding slightly. They'll be good for one another, she agreed. Leaning her head down as her bonded backed into her, she nuzzled at the girl gently, crooning softly to ensure her that she was fine. Her eyes lifted, one hand risking letting go of the shirt to scratch at Aorath's eyeridge, a sweetness overcoming her features as though she had forgotten about the other's presence for the briefest of moments. The attention was met with by a contented hum, a brief smile lighting up Alaid's face, only to fade when K'von spoke again.
As Alaid withdrew, Aorath listened to Dohulth, agreeing. And they can be useful too, she reminded, going back to thinking about her own with one of them. It would give Alaid another creature to unconditionally trust. That may be a key... Hmm. She'd have to try it, maybe.
He said he wouldn't hurt her. Instead of instantly letting her gaze fall back to the ground, she was looking at him again, cautiously peering over him, though her gaze definitely lacked the complete intensity from before. Gratefulness passed over her face for being released, though she wasn't exactly sure what to think about the promise of a next time. At the offer of help, she instantly wanted to refuse. She had been able to get onto Aorath for what felt like forever. However, she was too afraid to act on this knowledge and nodded, taking his hand to steady herself as Aorath held out her leg for the step up, which Alaid took carefully, glad for the break of contact between her and K'von, and certain hapiness that the brief contact had not yielded the same emotions as before. Nothing had changed. Yet, somehow, she could feel Aorath's disagreement with that statement. Silly dragon.
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Post by kysseh on Jul 13, 2008 0:44:06 GMT -5
The brownpair watched the two weyrlings interact, Dohulth's eyes whirling gently while K'von looked on with a smile of gentle amusement. Both males pitied the poor weyrling pair, mostly because they remembered what it was like to be in those weyrlings' shoes and footprints. The pair looked so relaxed, so content with each other, and K'von minded even less giving up the shirt to Alaid when she seemed so at peace.
Very, very useful. And good for scratching itches, apparently. Dohulth added wryly, noting that Aorath was considering that option. Dohulth had been considering it for Turns upon Turns, and he was eager to get his a permanent sort of companion like that. K'von needed that, if only to keep the brownrider from sinking into one of his moody and contemplative moods. K'von was wont to do that on occasion, which was a terrible thing.
K'von was quietly thrilled when she continued to look at him, even she was more than a little wary of him. He waited while she considered, breaking into a smile as she accepted and nodded at him. He felt like he was taking a step forward, a step away from Benden and the cruel things it had imprinted forever on the back of his mind. Foolish and cliche as it sounded, he liked that idea, liked the thought of becoming himself again without the horrible memories, or at least learning to deal with those memories. He provided only that slight assistance to her in mounting and then released her hand before she could become anxious.
Dohulth nosed his way up beside his rider and extended a foreleg, and K'von turned and mounted with practiced ease, settling himself aside the small brown's neck. The brown snorted happily and straightened, padding over toward the edge of the trees, aiming for a large clearing he knew was nearby. Come, little greenlings. Time to return to the weyr. he said gently to both dragon and rider. He fairly pranced, eager to be airborne again.
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Post by randi on Jul 14, 2008 23:45:23 GMT -5
Alaid settled in familiarity on Aorath's back, sighing quietly. This felt like a big trip, even if they were just heading back to the Weyr. The last big trip had ended up with her in a strange place, some place she had never been before. She hadn't wanted to. Alaid's eyes dropped to the green hide below, her hands moving gently in patterns. It soothed her, like a familiar song.
Aorath looked up at her, but Alaid's focus was still towards the darker mark, now tracing the edge, only a ghost of the feeling remaining. She liked it here. Even if Aorath believed it safe, which she knew better, she still liked it better here. If she had to be afraid someplace, she guessed she liked it better here. Even if her mother wasn't here.
Her mother... If she were here, what would she think? After all that time spent hiding, all that time in the shadows, cowering, and then she had moved someplace else and the first goldflight had found her in the arms of a stranger. She'd be shocked, that was for sure... Would probably hate her for not being strong enough to hide, to resist the lure. Before she could sink too far into self loathing, however, Dohulth's speaking brought her out of it, what had felt like another sleep.
Aorath nodded, shaking herself slightly to draw Hers out of whatever train of thought was making her feel down again. I suppose it is time, she said, glancing up towards the opening in the trees that fed light to the clearing. Heh, she could make it through. Still. After you.
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