Yet Another Chores Thread [Tags Anyone]

[ryanne]

((I would have joined another one...but I had muse for her doing this at night ))

Zylia sat by the fire, legs crossed and hands bracing her body behind her back. The look in her eyes was oddly contemplative as she stayed still, for once in her life. It was late at night, but she wasn't tired. She'd been on duty for the past couple candlemarks and she still had two to go. Her chore wasn't hard; keeping all the kitchen fires blazing, but it was boring, so her mind had drifted.

She was wondering why her foster mother did what she did. She knew that the woman had been beaten and raped repeatedly and she had lost her child, but she didn't really understand how she made it through all of that. Zylia had issues looking at a man in his eyes after one attempted to rape her and then making it through weyrlinghood with the shame of riding a fighting dragon. It hurt everytime someone pushed her or laughed at her, told her that she was undeserving. How Tiyara opened herself up to it by taking in female children, Zylia couldn't even begin to understand. She wasn't sure that she could be that strong.

It was an oddly serious topic for Zylia to be thinking on, but it had been bothering her for turns now. Especially now that she had made it to Selenitas, made it to freedom, her realization of how awful Benden had been was growing. This place was different. She wasn't frowned on for being a greenrider. In fact, people thought that she had rank, status. But she was only a woman! She didn't know how to deal with it. It was easy with women, she could just laugh and joke and be herself. But when men treated her as an equal, she didn't know what to do. She was below them, that had been ingrained in her all of her life. How was she supposed to laugh and joke with them? It didn't make sense to her. It was such a change!

She shook her head, standing up to walk across the kitchen to add another log to the dwindling fire in the far left corner. It was way too late for such thoughts. She just needed to focus on her task and maybe she would figure it all out later. Maybe when she got more used to the happenings on the weyr, she would understand. Because right now, she really didn't.

[mashiara]

It was strange.

If not entirely unpleasant, no of course it wasn’t unpleasant, but it was so very strange that M’kier wondered if the shock would ever fade. He seldom acknowledged or fretted with his own emotions-they were such illogical needless things-and now he had a storm of emotions and feelings and thoughts inside his head. Even as the blue slumbered M’kier could feel the dragon, a part of his mind and soul forever connected to the handsome little blue.

Only it was strange.

And selfish as it was M’kier enjoyed the solitude of night. Splotch was curled up somewhere not far from Tepidoth but not terribly close either. The brown flit was still deciding it’s opinion on the blue and Tepidoth seemed fit to ignore the matter or fret over it-depending on the mood and hour. A sigh escaped the amber eyed young man and he realized with a start that a part of him missed the dragonet. Such a troubling thing that presence was…but even if he could M’kier would not wish to be separated from the blue.

Brushing back long raven bangs the youths face settled back to its usual stony detachment before he adjusted the baskets at his side. One contained glows that had faded while the other contained a fresh load to replenish the baskets that had dimmed. Wouldn’t do for someone to fall in a dark hallway and snap their neck. No, that would certainly be a waste. Throwing fresh glows into a basket M’kier resisted the urge to try and rouse that sleeping mind. Tepidoth always woke in a ravenous mood and M’kier was in no mood to go hunting around so late for meat for the beast.

Entering the dining hall M’kier checked a nearby basket. Having done the task a hundred times now the journeyman mechanically removed the dead glows and deposited fresh into the basket. It was mindless work really. Yet even with his talent and intelligence no weyrling was above mundane chores. No matter, he had suffered through the nonsense as an apprentice. At least weyr work was safer-and less messy for the most part-than the glass-smith hall. Closing his basket M’kier became aware of another someone, sharp amber eyes darting around the empty hall before settling on an unknown figure.

He should continue with his own duty and leave this individual to theirs. Certainly he wasn’t the sort to eagerly make idle chatter but…well maybe a little of Tepidoth had rubbed off on him.

“Hello there” it was simple and not a terribly great conversation launch but...well the tall youth wasn't used to such things.

[ryanne]

Zylia threw the log on the fire, watching as the pile of logs errupted into a small crackling of sparks and renewed flames before it died down once more, taking up a steady flicker that mimicked the other three fires that covered the kitchens. It was comforting and constant and it helped that she knew that all she had to do was keep adding logs to keep it alive. She didn't have to fight it or talk to it or interact with it at all besides to feed it to keep it flickering. It was constant, and warm. She didn't know why it helped or what it meant, but she liked it.

But after adding the log, her chore resumed its mundane existence. She could add a log every candlemark or so, but other than that, she was left alone with her thoughts. And at this point in time, she wasn't sure if that was a good thing. She wasn't a particularly deep thinker, but her transfer to Selenitas had given even the most dim-witted of drudges more than enough food for deep thoughts. She laughed a little at herself, unsure if she was happy that she was thinking more deeply or concerned.

She was distracted from her own confusion, though, by the footsteps of someone entering. Automatically, she pushed herself into a smaller position, withdrawing back into a shadow a bit. It wasn't that she was scared of everyone during the night, but she was definitely cautious. At Benden, being caught alone at night was not a good idea. Even some of the women who thought themselves superior to her would leave her with a few bruises and cuts if they found her alone, but that was preferable to the punishment she'd receive from a man.

That was just her luck. It was a man. A tall, rather imposing looking man. It was all she could do to keep from squeaking and running away. A part of her reminded her that Selenitas was different, she didn't need to be scared, but the rest of her screamed to run and hide. To get away from this man that could easily overpower her and easily hurt her. Her eyes were wide and her body language was unmistakable. She was going to run if given half the chance. And she was hoping and begging Faranth herself to make him not notice her.

Curse the shards of the great queen's egg. He noticed her. His simple greeting wasn't necessarily frightening or anything else of the sort, but with the way her mind was working, he might as well have screamed it. She pulled her knees up to her chest, huddling on the hearth, breathing quickly with her eyes wide even though she wanted like hell to push them shut. She kept reminding herself that she was by a fire. All she would need to do was grab a burning log from the flames and use it to push him back. But her body wasn't responding. And technically he hadn't tried to harm her yet. Shards!

[mashiara]

A wiser figure may have been able to puzzle out the reason for the girls fears. M’kier was not wise when it came to people. He certainly didn’t have the slightest clue why the girl was afraid-he at least understood that much. Though her fear only made him scowl and look about the room. No one around so…she was afraid of him? Those lips twisted into a deeper grimace as M’kier tried to figure out what he may have done to startle the girl. People were so odd, he hadn’t by his estimations done anything wrong yet the girl was acting as if he had.

Holding back a long string of mutters about how odd and irrational people could be M’kier took a step forward than paused. This was nonsense. He had chores to do. Yet curiosity and a tinge of concern kept the youth from just continuing his tasks. Setting the baskets down the youth pushed back his bangs. Those amber eyes settled on the poor creature before him trying to puzzle her out like a puzzle.

Had she been a riddle or a blueprint the matter would be over quick. Yet people were a weakness for M’kier. They never acted in a reasonable manner always being swayed by unpredictable passions. Women seemed to be the worst of all-though he’d long since learned not to voice THAT particular thought. He’d gotten quiet snapped at for simply stating the opinion and once was more than enough. The memory stirred a bit of irritation in the weyrling.

“Is there a reason you are huddled up like a cornered tunnel snake?” deadpan tone and direct. M’kier rarely bothered to try and flutter words like a harper. That was not his talent and any attempts to be anything but directed usually ended up even worse. Watching her for an answer the blue weryling idly rotated his shoulder. The bags were not too heavy but he’d not taken a break yet.

“I don’t suppose you’re a dragonrider. Not saddled with this chore. No, I’d say not acting that way….” Trailing off thoughtfully M’kier shook his head. He meant no offense, he was simply puzzling his puzzle out loud. He couldn’t imagine a full fledged rider being so startled or any in the lower caverns. So she was new…but a new what?

“Well whatever you are there’s no need to be alarmed. I’m M’kier by the way and I have the privilege of taking care of the glows tonight” he didn't seem to wonder that his words might offend her or that they wouldn't sooth her. But than was that really surprising coming from the out of touch weyrling?

[flupine]

K'dran left Risith sun bathing as he walked toward the Main Hall to fulfill his kitchen duties. In the time that had elapsed sine K'dran impressed Risith, both had become used to each other, adjusting with amazing speed to the nuances of each other's personalities. K'dran was surprised at the speed to which his life quickly began to revolve around Risith even if Risith was not. Then again it did not seem that anything that revolved around Risith, surprised him. In fact the opposite seemed true for the Bronze dragon. If life did not revolve around him he was surprised.

Returning to the Kitchens felt almost like a homecoming, he had escaped for a little while but now he was back. In fact if not for the fact that Risith ran around though his head, talking nonstop, K'dran would have feared that the Hatching, the Impression was naught but a dream. And even through Risith's attack on the Hatching Grounds, K'dran would not have wanted to trade a moment. Well maybe he would of like to try reaching Risith before he attacked the girl but one simply could not help some facts. going straight back into the Kitchens, K'dran started up his old routine. Unloading some bags of food, chatting for a few minutes with other kitchen workers, cleaning tables, bussing food, chatting with people who were eating there. Or at least he chatted with the females who arrived there. K'dran had not yet warmed up to many males yet. Unpleasant experiences and all.

While K'dran moved through the Main Hall, finishing tasks and helping where he could, Risith awoke, rumbling in K'dran's head. K'dranmine, you are working so hard and there are females there. risith's voice snaked through K'dran's mind in comforting sleepiness evident. You just woke up from a nap didn't you?Of course not! I have been working hard! Even though risith's voice did sound much better and a tad indignant, K'dran knew better. His had been asleep. Keeping up the mental bickering, K'dran could feel his mood lifting. He had Impressed, he now had Risith, he now mattered.

Taking a pause in his practiced uniform, K'dran took the time to really look about the room for the first time. There were other Weyrlings working here also. There were girls here that he had not even tried to flirt with. How had he managed to get so caught up in his old routine to not even notice? With Risith's chuckle rining in his head, K'dran approached other Weyrlings that were working, one moving about keeping fires lit and another near her, changing glows. A male. For a moment, K'dran's enthusiasm waivered but Risith quickly raised them. Is mine afraid of boys? Teasing and challenging his at the same time Risith knew exactly what it took to get K'dran to march or more, swagger over to the couple. Attempting to look serious, K'dran introduced himself quickly. "Hello, I am K'dran. Can I help?" The look failed miserably when K'dran grinned infectiously, making him look like a young boy. Perhaps one not even old enough to impress. Just the look he was -not- going for. But he did manage to look relatively cute.

[ryanne]

Zylia bit back a whimper when the imposing figure in front of her scowled. She'd done something to make him angry. She didn't mean to. She didn't know how to make it right, what to say to make him not angry so that she could get away. It was like her mind had shut off and all that was left were the murmurings of fear racing through it. All she knew was that she needed to leave, run away, but he was blocking her escape and she couldn't risk him reaching out and catching her. He would get really angry if she ran and then he'd make it worse when he caught her. So she sat there, frozen with fear.

At his question, Zylia tightened her grip on her knees. It sounded like he was making fun of her. He knew that she was afraid of him and he thought it was funny. He was going to laugh at her and then hurt her, humiliating her even further. This drew a whimper from her lips, one that she wished she could have held back. And, on top of all of that, he'd set down the baskets. This male had noticed her, set down the baskets, then made his way towards her. She was right, he was going to hurt her. And there was absolutely nothing she could do about. It took everything in her to keep a stream of tears from leaving her eyes, but she was on the edge.

At his determination of her not being a dragonrider, she balked. She most definitely was. It shocked her, to think that he dismissed that idea so quickly. Of course, at Benden they all knew who she was. They knew that she was one of the few female dragonriders, open for mocking and threats and comments on her worthlessness and how she was wasting a dragon. But he didn't think she was even worthy to be a waste of a dragon. "I am a dragonrider," she murmured, her voice shaky and almost inaudible. There was about a half a chance that the boy would actually hear it, but it made her feel a bit better to have said it.

But then she realized what she'd done. She'd contradicted him. That was almost as bad as getting up and running and getting caught. She wimpered again, trying to avoid the thoughts running through her mind. Mine! Why are you so scared? the voice resonated through her mind. Her Vivieth was confused. She knew that Hers was upset and the fear racing through the weyrling's mind was enough to wake up her bonded. Zylia, paralyzed with fear once more, could only answer back, I'm fine. Sleep love. She didn't want her dragon to be awake if he...hurt her. She didn't want to injure her green's mind.

The boy's next words puzzled her. She didn't need to be alarmed? Was he making fun of her again? He even offered up his name. Most didn't do that. What was the point of telling the victim their name? Not like it would really make a difference anyway. Well, it wouldn't at Benden. It might at Selenitas. But before she had a chance to figure it out, another male entered the room. Could it get any worse?

Zylia put her head on her knees, trying to make herself as small as possible. One was bad enough, but two would hurt worse. There was no thoughts of the second male being help running through her mind. In her fearful head, she saw his offering to help as being directed to M'kier, offering to help hurt her. Are you sure they're bad? Vivieth asked, puzzled by Hers' fear. The little green couldn't understand why she thought the boys were going to hurt her. Zylia just continued to tremble, hoping irrationally in her own mind that they would just go away and leave her alone. That they would grow bored before it hurt too much and she could get back to Vivieth.

[mashiara]

For a moment M’kier simply stared at the girl. What HAD he done? Irritation bubbled again. He had acted rather civil hadn’t he? And this little creature was acting as if he had grown fur and fangs! Certainly her demeanor seemed more like a girl trapped by a wildcat than say a weyrling making polite chat. This is EXACTLY the reason I don’t trouble myself with such…such nonsense! The youth thought darkly. Here he had stopped what he was doing and actually troubled himself to be friendly and what did it get him? This creature before him making him feel like a tunnel snake when he hadn’t-he hadn’t!-done anything wrong.

Luckily the dark look that swept across M’kiers face faded to its usual stoniness when a new face appeared. He didn’t know the youth-but then M’kier hadn’t bothered to make too many friends in the Weyr. Casting a glance at the girl huddled in the corner he felt absolutely no one had any right to throw nonsense at him about it being important. Foolishness and wastes of time! Irritation glittered in those amber eyes a moment before he smothered the feeling down. Just because this girl was acting the wherryhead didn’t mean HE would. No, he was in control of his emotions. Though if the lad was able to look at himself he would have seen a scowl on that face.

“Hello K’dran, I’m M’kier and maybe you can….”trailing of the weyrling idly waved a hand toward the girl. He didn’t understand her fear. To make it worse she was making HIM feel as if he did something wrong…which was just illogical. He hadn’t done anything to cause the girl to panic so.

“I’m on glow duty tonight and stopped in the hall when I found this frightened little wherry. Wont say a word to me. She doesn’t look hurt-though I admit I haven’t checked much. If I got any closer the girl would probably press herself through the wall. Perhaps you can figure out whats wrong with the creature…”shaking his head M’kier paused and look away. Had it not been dark one might have seen the faint color tinge his cheeks. He disliked admitting it but…“I’m not very good with this sort of matter. Put me near a forge or a book and I’m well but such…nonsense is beyond me” He directed a faint grimace in the girls direction before looking away again. It was nonsense and her foolishness was starting to infect him.

“Any chance you know her? I thought maybe a drudge or candidate but…” brushing those bangs back again M’kier settled his gaze on K’dran. The fellow seemed friendly enough and had a look about him that reminded M’kier of one of the apprentices back home the girls always fawned over. It didn’t make sense than and it didn’t know but if the boys smile could make that girl act normal M’kier wouldn’t mind. Ashes women really WERE odd…

[flupine]

K'dran looked back and forth between the girl and boy, a bit confused. He was not exactly sure of what was happening here, he had simply walked over to introduce himself and here she was, acting like she was trying to imprint herself on a well and the boy looked just about hopeless. He smiled a little at the other male, he felt nearly in the same situation. But K'dran usually spent most of his time with females, some of it chasing them, but who was counting? Nodding to the boy he looked back at the girl. "Nice to meet you. She does not look hurt but I have never seen her. Have you tried talking to her?" It did seem odd to talk about her as if she was not there but K'dran got the distinct impression that she would not be talking to him even if he did ask. It did seem nonsense but then who knew what she was thinking. Personally though, if he was a lonely girl he would probably be afraid of M’kier either.

K'dran's mind did scramble around trying to find a solution though, but how could he help if he did not even know what the problem was? K'dran was never the most sociable person but perhaps that was because he had never been given the chance to be and he did have a bit of a bad reputation. It was hardly his fault that everyone wanted to fight him. Looking up to M’kier, K'dran decided that maybe he could look a bit scary. Surely with his size he would not be intimidating. Standing back with M’kier, he eyed the girl carefully. Maybe I could try talking to her... Trailing off, K'dran took a half step closer and quickly crouched down to the ground so that he was on level with the girl. Shards how did he end up in a position like this? The most socializing he usually did was to get into a fight with someone. Slightly beyond his realm, he watched the girl with careful eyes, she seemed frightened.

K'dran was hardly thought of himself as frightening fellow although he did not know how the girl felt. He knew that he bear a few scars across his face and a obvious crook in his nose from a broken bone but that was hardly something scary. If anything on his boyish face, it looked out of place, so clean and such wicked cut looked disproportionate for sure. Slickin a hand through his hair, K'dran searched for the girl's eyes though she probably wanted nothing to do with him. Hoping that for once size would help him, K'dran shamelessly used his looks to look ridiculously safe and youthful. "Hello there. I am K'dran!" He pruposefully made his voice upbeat and cheery, What's you name? Rocking back on his heels K'dran shot a look up quickly to M’kier before focusing on the girl. She seemed frightened if anything. K'dran could understand that feeling.

[ryanne]

Zylia looked back and forth at both of them, trying to calm her own heartbeat. If she could just inch away, if she could just run, it would all be okay. Mine! Vivieth called, finally getting a small grasp on the situation, You're being silly. They aren't going to hurt you! The small green didn't remember the terror of Benden. All she knew of that place was the it had hurt Hers and it still scared Hers. She didn't know that the fear that raced through her bonded's body was a memory. A memory of a time where she was trapped, almost raped, and hurt. She didn't know that it wasn't really M'kier and K'dran that scared her, but the thoughts of who and what and where it had been before.

She didn't like being called a creature though. Through her fear, a small bit of anger flared. It gave her enough strength to loosen her hold on her knees a little bit, the fear subsiding only slightly. Slowly, she tried to listen to them, tried to understand their words instead of focusing on the meaningless motions that raced through their bodies. They weren't being that intimidating. They didn't try to get any closer. They didn't look like they were going to hurt her. Sure, the first one didn't exactly look friendly, but the second one, maybe he was nice.

Shit, it was Selenitas. A small gasp let her and then her heart slowed suddenly. Stop being silly! Vivieth ordered again, trying to push some reason into her bonded's mind. If even she could figure out that they weren't a threat, then Hers could regain her sense of self. Slowly, Zylia began to shake her head, trying to draw herself out of her silent shell and back into the present, into the real world. She opened her mouth to talk, to apologize, to ask them if they were going to hurt her, but then shut it abruptly. She didn't want to offend them. No she couldn't offend them. Then they would really hurt her. Her foster mother had always told her that if she was cornered, just to keep her mouth shut and accept it. Maybe her lack of struggling would turn them away and not make them hurt her more. So that's what she did, she stayed silent.

When K'dran approached her, his friendly manner almost overrode the fact that he was getting closer. Something about him standing over her was frightening, but the fact that he was closer and on her level was worse. She felt trapped, buried in a situation that she couldn't grab a handle on. If she could have run away without brushing against the weyrling in front of her, she would have at that moment. Instead, she opened her mouth again, trying to will out the words. After a moment, something finally came forth. "Ar-are you going to hurt me?" she asked, her eyes filling with fear and the shine of unshed tears. Her foster mother had taught her to be brave and strong and it was all falling away. She was supposed to be silent, not cry, and simply be indifferent until she could get away. But she had to ask. She had to know. She didn't want to be hurt, but she couldn't just sit there and let them decide what they were going to do to her.

[mashiara]

M’kier watched with curiosity as K’dran went about trying to befriend the girl. For some reason the notion that this boy would succeed where he failed stabbed at the journeyman but he shoved it away. Perhaps it was the late hour-or maybe this girls antics were infectious-but the amber eyed youth was more irritated than usual by this social misstep he had made. Usually when he erred the worst that would happen is a tongue lashing or worse some silly girl crying because he had told her that why yes, that skirt did make her look a bit plump. Shards! Why ask a question if you didn’t want a real answer? However the amber eyed youth didn’t focus on his musings long. Rather he found himself caught up in K’dran’s attempts to urge the girl out of her shell.

Crossing his arms M’kier watched as the other rider approached and lowered himself toward the scared creature. Well she hadn’t screamed or shoved herself through the wall so that was good right? Oh this was pure nonsense! Only before he could mutter grumpily it seemed the other weyrling had managed to ring a response from the girl.

The blue weyrling didn’t know what he had been expecting. Maybe she got frightened by a large tunnel snake or burned herself? Maybe she’d fallen asleep at the hearth and allowed a night terror to grip her… Only it had never occurred to M’kier that she was well and truly fearful of him. Afraid of something yes but…to hear such fear in her voice and know she was talking about them! It took a moment for the lad to recover from his shock.

“Why in the Dawn Sisters would we hurt you?!” the surprise and indignation made M’kier voice rough. He was tall true and not lacking muscle from years as a journeyman in a smith hall but…but he wasn’t violent. The last time he’d hurt someone was a turn ago when he accidently dropped a box of metal rods on a fellow journeyman. He’d felt rather bad even if all Terrioni had received was a bruise. Hurt her! What did the little wherry think he was? The very notion offended him. He was not the rough sort and didn’t condone such barbaric behavior in the least.

“I have no business with you little Wherry and only said hello to be polite-though I will remember not to in the future. Hurt you…oh all the stupid things…as if I’ve got no sense in my head…as if there’d by any reason to bother with you…creature doesn’t have a lick of sense…Bah you’d probably go between if someone gave you a shaking you might deserve for being so foolish…” M’kier did not like the implication he would hurt someone. And a woman at that! It went beyond being illogical it was…it was insulting to his person! So what if he didn’t smile much or have a handsome face like K’drans? That didn’t give her a right to vilify him.

Hmph the...she really WAS a wherry! Flightly and not having a feather of sense in the pretty little head.

[flupine]

K'dran pulled back at her question. Hurt her. Really now. Moving back but still in his crouched position, K'dran eyes the girl in a very confused manner. He did not understand, he was hardly going to hurt her, he did not even look intimidating or at least he did not think he did. Shards, he was small especially for a male, K'dran held no illusions as to how he looked. Why would she be scared of him. Wiping a hand across his face he wondered if perhaps the few thin scars tracing along his nose and cheek bones threw her off but she had seemed scared before that.

Before K'dran could spout off his own rattle about what ridiculous idea, M'kier had picked up the conversation. K'dran winced at the other weyrling's words and ever felt his own ire rise up not only in agreement but in defense of the girl. K'dran had just stumbled into the situation, into the conversation. But the Weyrling was being a bit harsh, she was scared after all. But K'dran did agree, though he kept this to himself. Listening to M'kier talk he almost felt like nodding but instead cast an aggravated glance upwards. K'dran always seemed to get mad about everything. Perhaps he was a bit moody but he would never admit that.

Well shards, I agree.. for the most part but you don't have to be so harsh about it. His look to Zylia was much more softer and he took another crouched step back. Keeping his eyes on Zylia for the moment he added his own thoughts on her terrified question. We, M'kier and I will hurt you. We just wanted to say 'Hi' since we are all doing chores and all. Lost for words, he looked up to M'kier. No he doubted the boy had any plans on hurting her, he seemed a little too affronted at her very thought that he might do something. And well he should be.

Maybe we could start again. You're a dragonrider? Well so are we. Well, Weyrlings at least. I am Weyrling of Risith. And M'dier here... K'dran dropped the sentence to let the other finish it as he pleased. Perhaps with tensions rising, K'dran could help cool things back down. Standing up, though against the other Weyrling, his lack of height was definitely seen. Oh well, grinning a bit to cover his slight embarrassment over the situation, K'dran waited. Maybe things would cool down, maybe the girl would see they didn't mean to hurt her. Or maybe she would make a run for it.

[ryanne]

The sound of his voice frightened her, but somehow the words managed to get through. She looked up at him, her eyes still full of fear, but at least she was able to look at him now. Something about the roughness of his voice fit her schema of what was supposed to happen. Zylia expected it so she could hear him, focus on his words. Shock replaced fear momentarily. Maybe, just maybe, they really weren’t here to hurt her. She opened her mouth, trying to figure out how to explain herself, but she was still frozen.

“I’m sorry,” she murmured before looking back down and a tear scooting down her face. She couldn’t help it if she was terrified. It was night and she was cornered. Selenitas was different from Benden but sometimes she couldn’t tell them apart. She still looked at men with fear in her eyes when she knew that she couldn’t get away. It was just the dark and the fear. It was overbearing. “I was scared,” she continued, not knowing how to explain herself. She couldn’t just tell a bunch of strangers that she was scared they were going…going to beat her or …rape her just because she was there and female and it was dark.

His words cut, but they were true. She had no reason to think they were going to hurt her. It was ridiculous. Letting another tear fall, she loosened her hold on her knees a bit, looking at K’dran. He was safer to her than M’kier. Something still scared her about him and K’dran had brought her back down to Pern a bit even though M’kier had shocked her out of it. “I—I’m Zylia of the green Vivieth,” she introduced herself, her voice very shaky.

She felt awful. She’d let herself have an overwhelming panic attack just because someone had tried to say ‘hi’ to her at night when she didn’t feel secure. It was insane. She needed to get a hold of herself and learn to adjust. She wanted to apologize again, but she didn’t know how. So instead she attempted to offer an explanation, “I just transferred from Benden.” It wasn’t an explanation, but it was something. Maybe they would understand what she was saying…but they probably wouldn’t.

[mashiara]

K’dran was right. M’kier didn’t have to be so rude. Only rarely did the youth consider his bluntness rude, what good came out of flittering away from honesty? It was a waste of time to lie and more logical to simply be sincere. All too often M’kier took that belief a bit too far and stomped on egos and feelings with equal ignorance and disinterest. He was not mean-never intentionally anyway-and rarely wished ill on others. Yet all too often people concluded the tall youth was much colder than he really was. It didn’t help that M’kier tried to avoid sentimental and emotional situations where his ignorance was only tremendously embarrassing.

So as it was M’kier simply scowled at K’dran and looked away to hid the faint blush. He didn’t like being thought of as rude. He simply focused more attention on studies than people and so frequently fell a few steps behind. Maybe dragon lengths would be more accurate. In any case the barely audible mumble that made up M’kier’s apology was the best of the thing the girl would get. The Red Star would drop gold marks before he could bring himself to do more.

With a full belly and deep in slumber Tepidoth was ignorant to his rider’s trouble, dragon dreams keeping him happily asleep. Instead it was little Splotch that was roused by the two legs trouble. Appearing from between the little brown gave a rather loud yawn and settled on one of M’kiers baskets, looking at his human before uttering a soft curious chirp. Idly-and without looking at the others-the young man scratched the small creature’s eye ridge. At least Splotch didn’t make him feel a fool…at least Tepidoth understood him. His blue knew him as well as he could know himself and accepted the parts of M’kier he couldn’t fathom.

“I’m M’kier of Tepidoth and there’s no need to keep that nonsense up…” he tried to keep his voice gruff but he couldn’t keep a bit of affection leaking into it when he spoke of the napping dragon. His dragon. Why did that silly creature have to be sleeping? “You’re in Selenitas and I don’t imagine the nonsense those fools do would be tolerated here. If anyone ever thought to bring such idiocy here…No, you’re safe from that, safer than most being here” It made M’kier angry. An irrational feeling but…he couldn’t help but dislike the northern weyrs. They were cruel and harsh, allowing passions to sway them so they abandoned all sense and forced all of Pern to pay for their poor judgment… Since Impressing Tepidoth his anger at their actions had only increased.

“Think little wherry you are in Selenitas. K’dran said it well enough…we won’t harm you and I doubt anyone here would stand idly by if someone tried” There! He’d kept his voice level and hadn’t glared-or looked back-once so K’dran couldn’t hold his words against him. Hmph he could be as civil as anyone…