Evening Stroll... (Open)

[Ivy]

Azrain trotted a dragon's length ahead of Ruliana as they went for their evening walk. It was not quite night time but the light was definitely fading - the perfect time to be out and about. His tail wagged proudly in the air with every step, his fur bristling slightly as one of the herdbeasts came close to the fence. A low growl sent the beast back in with the others away from the perimeter. A roll of her eyes and a chuckle, "Good thing you are here 'rain! Without you they'd surely all escape, it would be chaos."

The humor was lost on the canine as he continued to walk ahead of her, only pausing to sniff here and there and relieve himself on every third or fourth fence post. Over her shoulder was the tether she had for him, she'd connect it to his collar if needed - though in his age and with the training he'd been given he rarely needed it.

You should not wander at night. Amalath worried from where she laid out on a ledge, stretched out lazily.

There is nothing dangerous here, love. And I have Azrain! He would not let anything happen to me.

Do not be out much longer, Ruli-love. The green rumbled back, disapproving Her's choice of timing for the walk, but unwilling to argue about it. Hers was strong willed and stubborn.

A soft, slight smile curled her lips as she stopped and leaned on the fence to watch the herdbeasts. Azrain glanced back and saw that she had stopped, so he trotted back to lay at her feet, "Good boy."

[Requiem]

It was a testament to his maturity (nearly 30 now!) that situations that turns ago would have had him growling at people in barely contained anger that was his way of dealing with worry were now met with a good deal more patience. Or, at least in this case, he only stayed worried until he saw her with his own eyes near the herdbeast fence.

M'ta couldn't help the mental and physical alertness out here in the open. Even after so many turns of relative peace...and of course he hadn't really been involved much in the war anyway once Selenitas finally stopped waiting for people to come to them...the brownrider was still very much a product of his past. He wasn't worried. Not anymore. Neither was he paranoid to the point of actually thinking there was any danger out here. He was just...well, ready in case. Just in case.

He approached her silently. No doubt Azrain would react to his presence anyway, though, so he wasn't concerned about startling his weyrmate. "Ruliana." So maybe the arm that threaded around her waist was a touch possessive, but she had worried him when she was out later than usual, so it was to be expected. "You shouldn't be out at night," the man commented in unwitting mimicry of the greenrider's own dragon. See? It really was so much better than a growling rant. No untoward twitching, no belaboring the topic.

Instead just the mild reproof and the step up onto the lowest wooden slat on the fence to steal a kiss. M'ta then completed his ascent by seating himself on top of the fence entirely and kicking his legs idly much like a weyrbrat. If he knew the image he presented it didn't seem to bother him any. "Didn't get a chance to take your walk earlier?"

[Ivy]

The canine's ears lifted and swivelled in the direction of the approaching brownrider, his head lifting slightly until he recognized the man both by scent and sight. Head nestled between his paws once more he made no noise as he recognized his owner's weyrmate - and Ruliana had failed to notice his movement. Her savior from being overly startled was Poe, who alerted her very softly to M'ta's approach. The greenrider's body stiffened only a moment as his arm wrapped around her waist and she turned to look at him with a soft smile. "M'ta."

She watched with veiled amusement as he stepped on the bottom rung to step up and kiss her gently, a kiss she was more than happy to return. "You sound like Amalath." Her voice was soft, tender, and had a teasing tone to it. She knew he worried, much too much, but she knew his worry stemmed from how he cared about her so she appreciated it.

Watching him perch on the fence she moved to stand between his legs after a few kicks, silently musing over how child-like he appeared at times despite his age and often serious nature. Hands move to slide along his thighs up to gently rest on his hips, "I was catching up with Samael and time got away from me. It isn't too dark yet, and I'm not alone you know." Winking briefly she leans in to seek out another kiss from her weyrmate. "I did not mean to worry you."

[Requiem]

M'ta wrinkled his nose peevishly at his weyrmate, though rather the response was to her expression at his use of the fence to gain height or the teasing quality of her words it was impossible to say. Just as possible that it was in response to both. Of course, that little rebellious expression probably didn't do anything to disrupt the childlike image he was presenting. Even had the weyrlingmaster been more aware of what he looked like he probably wouldn't have minded; Ruli didn't care, obviously, and he was secure enough with her to not worry about appearing weak or vulnerable. Which was as it should be.

Not like most anyone had seen him as a child even when he was one, much less now.

"Amalath is very smart." And if Ruliana had minded M'ta's lip, she wouldn't have stuck around this long, either. Anything childlike about his expression promptly vanished as his weyrmate approached and ran her hands up his thighs, the all-too-familiar appreciative gleam in his eyes saying better than words that she had his full, undivided attention. He even put off his normal smart ass remarks to claim the kiss she was offering instead, pulling her against him and the fence with no compunction for any onlookers. It was dark enough it didn't matter anyway. His grip on her loosened a little to indicate she could step back if she wished though he didn't mind one bit keeping her this close as long as she was willing to be.

"Then I guess I can forgive you," he stated solemnly, with false reluctance. The look in his eyes betrayed him, of course, but it wasn't as if he really wanted Ruliana to think he was serious. Bringing his lips near her ear, he added, "Definitely not alone now," punctuating the words with a small nip to her earlobe. Really couldn't help himself. Woman was intoxicating. "So the kids, in case you were wondering, are up plotting evil for us when we get back. Should we pretend not to know or surprise them?" Mischief in his eyes.

[Ivy]

Fingers tighten against his hips as he pulls her in closer, one hand moving up to cup against his left cheek as they kiss. His grip loosens as the kiss ends but she keeps herself pressed closely against him, her face speaking volumes of the adoration she had for him. His hot breath against her eat made the greenrider shiver and she gave a very quiet sound of approval at the nip to her earlobe. "Behave..." She breathed out, though there was no scolding or real conviction to her tone.

Closing her eyes for a moment she relaxed as he spoke, "Evil, you say? What sort of evil? And I think it is best not to let on - let them have their fun. We don't want them to know we always know what they are up to, now do we?" She gave a soft chuckle before opening her eyes once more to gaze into his.

[Requiem]

Okay, she absolutely had to know that telling M'ta to behave was the best way to ensure that he didn't. Sure enough, his teeth closed over her pulse, sucking just long enough at the spot to tease. If asked he'd just say that where she was standing and her cute little sounds were what he was listening to. Yup.

So it was to be playing along. Nice. "Now who's being evil?" he commented, smiling into her eyes. M'ta made a show of thinking. Naturally, thinking wasn't his strong suit in positions like this with his weyrmate, but the little brownrider did make an admirable attempt at it just the same. "Weeeelll...how good of an actress are you? I don't know that you'd be able to act surprised and outraged if I told you. Maybe I shouldn't," he concluded with a smirk and a light pinch to her ass.

[Ivy]

A low gasp sounds from the greenrider as his teeth come down on her neck, her body shivering from the attention. Her hand slides back from his cheek to his hair and her fingers tease through those locks as she tries to ignore the butterflies in her stomach. He was the only man who had ever made her feel such a way, her whole body was tingling. Gently biting on her bottom lip she watched as he made a show of being thoughtful, smiling as he finally spoke.

"I am an amazing actress, I'll have you know!" Her free hand squeezed at his hip as she fake scowled for a mere moment. "Besides, what is it they have planned that 'outraged' would be a proper response?" There was worry in her voice, but just a tinge.

[Requiem]

M'ta grinned wickedly at his weyrmate. "Oh, all manner of nasty, evil, messy things," he commented delightedly, enjoying withholding the information from Ruliana way too much. He reached out to brush her hair behind her ear, fingers lingering along the line of her neck for a few extra seconds before dropping towards her chest without touching and finally skirting over to settle lightly on her arm while the other remained hand remained at the small of her back.

"I don't know...I think you're going to have to prove your amazing acting skills to me if you want to be my partner in crime. This is quite the challenging role, you know!" Enjoying himself way too much. But he always loved doing things like this with Ruliana, because it was a side of her that few people got to see. It made him feel very special to have this woman as his constant playmate. And, yes, to see how his touches effected her just as much as hers did him.

[Ivy]

"Well perhaps then, I do not wish to know." Two could play at this little game of his, and she gave a shrug as her face fell into that of disinterest. Only her eyes gave her away as the corners of them crinkled just slightly and seemed to laugh.

After a few moments of being as serious as she could muster the practiced stoic face broke back into a smile as she leans forward to kiss him again gently. "If they are up to no good and you know all about it, doesn't that make you an accessory to their naughtiness? Doesn't that mean you'll be in just as much trouble when we get home?" Her voice was low, lips just inches from his as she ran her hand from his hip down his thigh slowly then back up again.

She gave no thought to the fact they were out in the open where any one could happen upon them acting like giggling teenagers. She paid no mind to the herdbeasts on the other side of the fence as they milled about, most of them settling down for the evening. She hardly noticed that the light had all but faded from the sky. She was with M'ta, and he was all that mattered. She was with M'ta and could drop the serious face she often wore, because with him there were no walls or masks to hide behind. Leaning into his arms she felt Azrain nudge at her leg, "I think we should head home, it seems someone is ready for a late dinner."

[Requiem]

The exaggerated face fall into a pout was purely for comedic effect, and if it had the added bonus of reducing the amount of time Ruliana could maintain the serious act, all the better. Returning the light, almost teasing kiss, he resisted the urge to reclaim her lips when they were so close, if only because her murmured words were having their desired effect. M'ta swallowed as her hand traced the length of his thigh, that clearly distracted look that meant his brain had all but completely left the building obvious in his face.

"Mm." He grunted. He'd wanted to say something along the lines of Ruliana just wanted an excuse to pass sentencing but all that came out was, "Mm." The brief flash of annoyance at the dog's interference translated into feigned annoyance as M'ta slid off the fence (which caused him to very wickedly slide down the weyrmate still pressed in close to him as a form of retaliation) while he reiterated an oft-repeated pretend argument. "And so it's all about the dog again," the brownrider grumped. The moment he spared to ruffle the dog's fur gave the lie to the false irritation.

And as he wormed his way out from between the woman and the fence he took her hand gently in a more honest display of his feelings for the woman than his usual games (though of course those were lots of fun, too) and started for their weyr. Of course he'd engage in conversation with her if she chose to continue speaking or playing with him, but M'ta was actually in such a pleasantly happy mood at the moment that he was perfectly content to walk beside her in silence, hand intertwined with hers and enjoying her physical presence at his side. So maybe he was a hopeless romantic. As long as his weyrlings never figured out he was really just a grumpy, midget softie, no harm no foul.

[Ivy]

The slight involuntary shiver and biting of her bottom lip were the only obvious reactions she gave to M'ta's sliding down her front as he got off the fence. A soft huff of breath came from her as he wiggled past and ruffled Azrain's fur. A knowing smirk lit up her face as her fingers laced so comfortably between his and they fell into step, "Yes, it is always about the dog dear."

A light squeeze is given to her weyrmate's hand as they walk side by side, "Are the children really up to something or were you being a prat again?"

[Requiem]

"A prat?" His voice rose in mock outrage. "Again?!" He glanced sidelong at the tall woman at his side. "I'll have you know I've never lied to you. Exaggerated, maybe, but..." He shrugged a shoulder expressively here. M'ta wasn't much for lying anyway so that didn't necessarily make it special that he told Ruliana the truth, but whatever. Of course, sometimes people simply didn't get sarcasm. Wasn't his problem, though, if they didn't.

They now were entering the tunnels to the Weyr itself and the window for warning his weyrmate as to what she might be walking into was closing fast. "They most definitely are up to something. Quite giddy with it, too." So naturally he continued to play his keep things from Ruliana game in the interest of seeing just what sort of reactions he might be able to goad out of her.

[Ivy]

It was all she could do to surpress a giggle as her weyrmate feigned offense at her accusation, she knew all too well the difference between real angry M'ta and fake angry M'ta. Leaning towards him she gives a quick peck on the cheek as she smiles softly, once again squeezing his hand. "If they are making a mess, I'll have you know it is your job to clean it up."

Her words were soft but spoken rather matter-o-factly, with some teasing to them as well. She knew he was going to put off telling her until the last second, then finally he would give in. Sidling closer to him she made their arms brush against one another and looked to Azrain who padded on her other side, "Home 'rain." That was all the canine needed to hear and she dashed down the tunnel ahead of them, she knew her way and would arrive there before the pair of riders to wait patiently.

[Requiem]

It really didn't happen all that often considering the circumstances, but occasionally Ruliana would say something shockingly close to what R'wign might have said nearly ten turns ago now. M'ta squeezed the woman's hand lightly as she pressed closer to him. There was no comparing the two, really. He never could have gotten up the courage to so much as kiss this woman or any woman like her even on the cheek back then. R'wign was rambunctious and irritating, mouthy and unbelievably smart, and bonded to Behruth's most beloved dragon on all Pern (which honestly was probably the biggest piece of that puzzle). He'd drawn M'ta right out of his shell.

Ruliana, though...she was everything that a woman should be. Beautiful, smart, gentle, patient, soft-spoken...strong in that quiet, long-suffering way that so often got overlooked. He hadn't weathered R'wign's death or Behruth's depression well, nor the Wasteland takeover that ultimately left him all but alone in a den of enemies. Only someone like Ruliana could have broken through all that muck. He'd needed a R'wign as a teenager, but as a man Ruliana was exactly what he needed. He couldn't be more thankful.

The response might have been quite delayed, but that wasn't altogether unusual for M'ta; he got lost in his head frequently. "Oh, I'm not cleaning up a pair of nine-turn-olds' mess. That's their job. It should take them quite awhile, too," he concluded with a wicked smile, nudging her slightly. "Quite enough time to get into a little mischief of our own." They were now entering the last hall before their weyr. So close now.

[Ivy]

He was quiet, but she was used to that. A glance to her weyrmate and she recognized that look he had when he was thinking. When he did reply she couldn't help but roll her eyes a bit and chuckle. "Oh is that so? You're letting them make a mess?"

While Ruliana was not overly stern or tidy, her upbringing had led her to appreciate order. She wasn't really annoyed or upset though - she never did have it in her to get truly upset with family. Still she wasn't entirely fond of the notion their weyr may be in ruins when they finally made it to the door. Studying his face she found that while she was good at reading the man when others were not, there were still times when he was a complete mystery to her. Narrowing her eyes slightly she gave his hand a squeeze and then smiled. They were nearly home. "And what kind of mischief did you have in mind, hmm?"