Solitude... (M'gnum)

[Ivy]

Finding a secluded area of the Weyr aside from her room was a difficult task, but Cami had managed to do just that. Tucked away in the corner of the records room with some parchment, a quill, and some ink she had intended to work on a story but instead found herself doodling. Large elaborate hearts decorated the corners of the paper while swirls and other shapes covered the rest. A soft sigh left the girl's full lips as she tucked one of her twin braids behind her ear again, regretting the decision to go with the pigtails instead of one singular braid as she usually did.

Shifting a bit off her stomach she tugged her shirt down a bit, the cool stone floor on her stomach giving her chills. With her legs bent at the knees her calves and feet were sticking up crossed as she bounced them back and forth in the air - her skirt was a modest length when she stood but in this position it threatened to show off more skin than she had planned. Settling back down she leaned on her elbows and continued to doodle a bit.

A name found its way onto the parchment, M'gnum. Over and over it was scrawled in various styles. Some very curly and girly while some were in bold block letters. She hadn't been sure it was him at first when she saw him on the Sands her first time standing at Inverness - but after some asking around she learned it was the same Bronzerider who had visited the creche so often back at Fort. She had been trying to find a way to meet up with him but so far all her ideas had seemed silly - he was a Bronzerider! And she a mere out of place Candidate. Cami had seen him at least a handful of other times as well, twice on the Sands as she stood and failed to Impress at a clutch his Bronze had sired.

Another sigh from the girl and she leaned her head on her hand as she daydreamed of other ways to meet up with him.

[Aftershock]

M'gnum opened the door to the records room awkwardly, balancing a pile of parchments in his arms. Running a Weyr took a lot of paperwork, even more so in a post-Summit world where it was necessary to keep track of tithed Candidates that returned to the Holds, and orders/inventories of equipment due to the lack of access to in-Weyr Crafters. Enough paperwork had piled up that M'gnum had taken it upon himself to archive the older documents in the records room before the clutter made organization during meetings more impossible than it already was.

Finally getting in the room, the large pile of papers obscuring his vision, M'gnum began walking across the room to a desk near the back where he could sit and properly file the massive glut of documents when the sleeve of his dark-grey tunic caught on one of the decorative prongs sticking up out of the back of a chair. He tried to readjust as the arm inside the caught sleeve was tugged to the side, but it was too late, and his entire armful of parchments was soon scattered across the floor... directly on top of a young woman who was lying there. M'gnum would have tripped over her, had the chair not stopped him, and now she was covered and surrounded by a snowfall of paperwork.

Sputtering an apology to the girl, not realizing he was not alone in the room due to his restricted field of view when first entering, M'gnum gave a slight bow and said, "I'm sorry, m'lady, I did not see you there. I apologize for interrupting your work, and if you give me a moment to collect my papers, I will leave you to continue in peace."

[Ivy]

So caught up in her own little world of daydreams and doodles the young woman failed to notice when the door was opened and footsteps made their way towards her. It wasn't until the other person was right on top of her, quite literally, that his presence was noted - just as a load of parchments and scrolls were dumped on top of her prone form. A sharp gasp and giggle came from Cami before looking upward to see who her 'attacker' was. Just as her blue eyes moved upwards her ears were met with a very familiar voice, a voice she knew from her childhood.

Pushing up with one hand her body twisted slightly on the ground so she could see the man looming over her and as her azure eyes met his a smile lit up her face. Her other hand went to flipping over the doodling and paper covered with his name as she pushed herself up completely and offered a few of the scrolls he'd dropped, "It's alright, Num-num."

Her tone was soft and teasing as she used one of the few nicknames the Fortian weyrbrats of the creche had come up with for the bronzerider. Staring up at him with one leg now bent and crossed over the other she waited to see if he recognized her - though it was doubtful with how much the turns had changed her body between the time she was twelve and now.

[Aftershock]

M'gnum was stopped in his mental tracks by the name the young woman used to refer to him, and it took him a moment or two to realize he had heard that before... a long time ago, in another Weyr. Fort Weyr, to be specific, and as his memory latched onto that fact, it began to fill in the blanks around it, as memories of telling stories to and playing with the creche children of Fort Weyr ran through his mind, and the playful nickname they had given him.

"It has been many, many turns since I've heard that name," M'gnum said, his voice a mixture of amusement from the happy memories and confusion from how this young woman would know that name. Narrowing his blue eyes, he looked over her more carefully, and suddenly things started gelling in his mind... reduce her hips here, add some more baby fat to her face there, reduce the bumps on her chest that were being dangerously revealed by her position relative to him (a revelation that caused him to quickly move his eyes back to her face), and... "Cami?" he asked questioningly. Could this truly be the little blonde girl who had always been so eager to hear his stories in the creche, always the first to show up when he arrived, and always the last to leave when his story was done... always begging him to stay when he had to take his leave?

[Ivy]

Blue eyes light up with excitement as the bronzerider recognizes her. Oh she noticed his gaze pause and perhaps linger a bit on her chest before moving to meet her eyes once more and that knowledge led to a knowing smirk from the young woman. Shifting she slowly stood, making sure to lean forward a bit more than was needed to give him some more to glance at her 'goods'. Then she was standing straight up and dropping the scrolls she'd picked up in favor of throwing herself at him, arms wrapping around his neck in a hug.

"You remember me! I was so afraid you didn't, we've seen each other a few times before but you never seemed to notice me. I should have known you just had too much going on - still keeping up with all your adventures? Do you visit the creche here too, or were we special to you back at Fort? I've never forgotten your stories you know!" All of this was said in practically one breath with very few pauses as she continued to press her slender and petite form against his more masculine one.

[Aftershock]

M'gnum was forced to drop the scrolls he himself had collected as suddenly he saw the petite young woman throwing herself at him, and as her arms wrapped around his neck, their height difference leaving her feet dangling off the floor like she was some kind of living neckwear, he automatically wrapped his arms around her waist to help support her. He grunted a bit as he took on her weight, though more from surprise than effort, considering his well-exercised and muscular form had little trouble supporting the weight of the minuscule teenager.

"Er, it's nice to see you, too, Cami," M'gnum said after her breathless torrent of words directed at him. Regaining his mental feet a little, he then added after a moment, "I'm sorry, you've changed so much, and so much has happened since my time at Fort... I did not recognize you until today. How long have you been here? Oh, and to answer your questions, I barely have time for adventures with my duties as a senior bronzerider, but I do still visit the creche, just as I did in Fort... though do not let you think that means you were not special," he concluded, smiling down at the beautiful young girl dangling off his neck.

[Ivy]

"A few turns really, ever since Fort was... well you know." There was a bit of a hitch to her voice when she spoke of Fort but it quickly smoothed over as she continued talking, again in her rather quick pace, "But at least the fighting is over! You're the first face I've really been able to recognize from back home, its so good to see you!"

Not bothered at all by the fact she was dangling from his neck, well not so much dangling now that his arms were wrapped around her, she continued to hug on him. A sly grin spread across her lips before she quickly leaned in and kissed him square on his lips. Pulling back she finally released his neck so she could stand on her own feet again, a light blush coloring her otherwise pale skin.

"Sorry... You're special too, you know." A drastic change from her fast paced speech from just moments before, her words were now slow and deliberate as she avoided looking into his eyes - clearly afraid of him rejecting her.

[Aftershock]

"Indeed," agreed M'gnum, himself skipping over the subject... he had been there at the fall of Fort, of course, and the young girl didn't need to know the messy details of the ground-based takeover he had led into the Weyr while most of the riders were out fending off the Benden-Selenitas alliance force. His brow furrowing a bit, he said, "Yes, I myself have met few former Fortians since I left Fort lo those many turns ago, but for me it is little bother... I never did have many close associates during my time in Fort. You children were some of the few in Fort who actually respected me and my knighthood." This last statement brought a wry twist to his mouth, though it was quickly replaced by a smile as he remembered the looks of wonder upon the faces of the Fort creche children as he told stories of knights and quests and damsels... and one little attentive blonde girl in particular.

As Camille kissed him on the lips, M'gnum stiffened a bit in shock, then relaxed once more as she loosened her grip on his neck, letting her slide down his chest and stomach as he lowered her carefully to the ground. The young woman did not seem to be making a big deal out of it, so neither would M'gnum... as was proper, as she was young enough to be his daughter. Smiling paternally down at Cami, he responded, "Thank you, Cami. You, in particular, were always special to me as well. You were always the most attentive during my stories, and were always the first to greet me when I arrived, and the last to accept me leaving for my duties when I was required to go. Trust that I did notice, and appreciate, your attention."

[Ivy]

"Oh." The word left her lips slowly as she attempted to hide her disappointment as he failed to recuperate her feelings. Looking to the ground she gave a half-hearted nod, running her hands over her short skirt to smooth some of the wrinkles there. Biting on her bottom lip she chanced a glance up to the much taller man, "I remember your stories of damsels in distress - yet they've not come true..."

Shoulders slumped and a sigh escaped through those full lips as she stood there obviously feeling awkward and defeated. If it were any other man she wouldn't care, but this was the one. Their re-union was not going as she had planned. No the way things should have gone had played in her head time and time again and this was definitely not it.

A determined look suddenly spread over her features and she nodded to a nearby chair, "Tell me a story?"

[Aftershock]

M'gnum frowned, confused by the young woman's sudden change in temperament. Watching the young woman avert her gaze and feeling the awkwardness suddenly in the air, he furrowed his brow in concern as she suddenly mentioned damsels in distress. Putting a strong, tanned hand on her slight shoulder, M'gnum asked, "Are you all right, Cami? Why would my stories about damsels in distress apply to you?"

She did not reply immediately, which concerned him, combined with her seeming to deflate from the vibrant young woman who had first greeted him once she had recognized him. He was about to repeat his concerns about her when she suddenly requested a story, a request that caught him as off-guard as the kiss. Noting the sudden look of determination on her face, he decided he would drop his questions for the moment and acquiesce to her request... she was a lady, after all, and a true knight serves a lady first and foremost. Moving over to take a seat on the chair, deciding the paperwork on the floor could wait, he waited for Cami to take a seat on another chair nearby to begin his story... one of her favorites, he decided, about a brave knight and his steed rescuing a damsel from an evil Benden dragonrider.

[Ivy]

She waited for him to sit down and get comfortable before moving to sit as well, though not in the other chair. Quickly and gently she moved so she could sit on his lap, her skirt riding up a bit as she did so. Grinning up at him with a mischievous smile she played with one of her twin braids, "Is... this alright? Comfortable?"

He had only known her as a child, so of course he had ignored her previous attempt at his affection. She had to show him she had grown up since they were last together at Fort - that she was no child anymore, she was a woman. Leaning in she whispered against his neck, "I'm ready for my story..."

[Aftershock]

A look of confusion (and slight concern) crossed M'gnum's face as she moved to sit on his lap... Camille was less than half his age, but she was an adult by most standards, so her seemingly childish behavior threw him off. However, perhaps she simply wished to simulate a simpler time, when she was young and she had his stories to make the world magical and wondrous... far be it from him to disappoint her, then.

Cradling the young woman's head in one arm as she leaned against his neck in a paternal, protective fashion, M'gnum began the story as he always had. "One day, Galek the knight was riding his brave steed Artrix through the forests near Fort Hold..." he began, and soon M'gnum was fully into the story, making sweeping gestures with his arms and trying to catch Cami's eyes during particularly exciting parts, telling of Galek's battle against the evil dragonrider, not letting his lack of a dragon stop him from defeating the evil Bendenite, his loyalty and discipline helping him win the day against a foe with superior physical strength and maneuverability.

Winding the story down at long last, with the maiden saved and rewarding her savior with a chaste kiss on the cheek, the story ended as it always did, with Galek riding with the fair maiden on the back of his steed, returning her to her home and fully prepared for what quests awaited him next. As the tale concluded, M'gnum looked down at Cami, curious as to what the young lady's reaction to her favorite story would be, now that she was a child no longer, and certain realities of the world might have jaded her.

[Ivy]

He continued on telling the story without giving a second glance to her! It was as if he didn't notice her low cut blouse, her short skirt, or her cute twin runner tails. Really? She could have walked anywhere else in the Weyr and have any other man checking her out. But when it came to the older bronzerider there was no hint of a lewd thought to be seen twinkling in his eye. Sighing she closed her eyes while he told his tale, remembering almost word for word the story of Galek. It had been many turns since she'd heard it, but still she found herself mouthing some of the parts as he spoke. When he finished and looked down at her she gave another soft sigh and pouted.

Obviously she needed to make a more direct approach with the man. This called for drastic action if she wanted his attention and affection. Looking around quickly she noted they were still alone and had been the entire time - a visitor was unlikely. Sitting up she spread her legs so she was straddling his lap, her skirt riding more up her shapely thighs as she did so. The sultry young woman bounced slightly against him as she grinned, "M'gnum..." She practically purred his name, "Have you noticed how much I've... grown up?"

A glance was given downwards as she spoke in an obvious 'look at my body!' move. He'd have to acknowledge how much she'd grown up now, he'd have to see she was a woman now and not a child. He'd have to want her now... right?

[Aftershock]

M'gnum froze in shock when Cami suddenly twisted around to straddle him and began to bounce on his lap, his face flushing as his brain locked up at the young woman's blatantly sexual behavior. Recovering after a moment, he jumped to his feet, accidentally dumping Cami off his lap in the process, though he automatically reached out to catch her before she could tumble to the ground and steadied her before stuttering, "C-Cami! What are you doing? This is far from appropriate!"

Backing away from the young Candidate a few steps, M'gnum took a moment to catch his breath and get his mental feet underneath him again before he began, "Cami, you are not an unattractive young woman, but this just isn't appropriate at all! Not only are you a Candidate compared to me being a bronzerider, but you're less than half my age!"

Crossing his arms and moving behind the chair to hide his body's reaction to Camille's maneuvers, he continued, "I'm honored by your attention, don't get me wrong... if I were younger, and I was not in the political position I was in, and I was not already pursuing another woman, I would find you a very alluring prospect. However, this cannot be... I am sorry."

Clearing his throat uncomfortably after his speech, M'gnum watched Cami's face carefully, unsure how the teenaged young woman would react to his rebuff of her affections.

[Ivy]

For a moment she thought it had worked - a moment. Then she was tumbling towards the ground, nearly hitting it if not for him catching her and setting her on the ground. He moved quickly, running from her as if she was some terrible beast meant to eat or maul him. Confusion was the first emotion to flash across her face, as she had felt his reaction just before he dumped her to the ground and ran away. What was wrong with this man?! He was speaking and she was hardly listening now.

Appropriate? Her age? What did any of that matter? They were alone! She opened her mouth to say so, to assure him she could keep a secret if that's what he prefered, but then he was talking again. There was the mention of their age difference again, was he afraid he couldn't keep up with her? Politics? What did that matter?

Then everything else he said faded from her mind as the real reason came to light - another woman. He was interested in someone else! The confusion changed into rage, and then into pure heartbreak. There was someone else he wanted more than her... probably a Goldrider no doubt, since he'd mentioned politics... and her being a Candidate. She wasn't attractive because she wasn't a rider then?

Tears welled up in her eyes before falling down her cheeks in a rapid flow, rivers down her cheeks as she turned her face away from him. "I un-understand."

Brushing her skirt off she turned and ran from the room, unable to face him after humiliating herself in such a manner.