The Touching -- Galactic Clutch

[paryal]

"Oh, have I angered you Weyrwoman?" Paryal's eyes widened until she looked positively vapid, as if she had no idea she was interrupting a conversation, and was just a poor, innocent Candidate. If you looked closer at those wide eyes, however, you could see that hint of mischief. The Weyrwoman's quick temper would be her downfall one day, unless she found a way to change. In the meanwhile, Paryal was content to provoke it bit by bit, content she could handle the woman. The Senior Weyrwoman (a title ironic enough) could hardly be more than a Turn older than Paryal herself. Likely less. Underneath that exterior was a simple teenage, burdened by the responsibilities of running a Weyr. That was interesting, but the petty child beneath that was far more amusing. Oh, Paryal knew she had plenty of that herself. Her temper was likely as quick as Shmee's when provoked, but she wasn't being provoked now, was she? Instead, she contented herself with being mildly annoyed that the Weyrwoman attempted to pull rank on her. Now that was a silly move.

Turning back to the bronzerider, Paryal continued to be amused by his own playing with the Weyrwoman. It was almost cruel, but not quite at that level yet. It was simply amusing. Did the Weyrwoman realize she was being toyed with? Feeling superior, Paryal lost it all the moment that the bronzerider called her a child. A child? Hardly! The Weyrwoman had the advantage of a few months or sevendays on her, but no more. That hardly qualified her as a child! Angry, Paryal was fully prepared to retort, before calming herself and breathing deeply. He didn't really think of her as a child, did he? If he did, she would show him what a child was capable of. He would want no other woman in his furs after she proved to him the full extent of the abilities of a mere 'child'. Not that Paryal had ever practiced such things before- she simply assumed that she would be rather good at that aspect of romance. "I'm not flirting Weyrwoman. I'm getting to know this bronzerider. It is hardly my fault if he finds me so appealing that he responds in a tone you might call 'flirtacious'." Paryal's voice was a bit harder than she intended, but she was angry.

"And 'Rei', I am no child. I am seventeen Turns old. Hardly younger than our own Weyrwoman, I should think." She tossed her hair in a haughty way, before calming down and placing her grin back on the bronzerider. "You may call me Paryal. And I care not who you place your bets on, so long as you end up winning money on that bet." She wasn't about to share his furs, but she did find the idea of 'Rei' placing his bets on her intriguing. Maybe she would reward him for that one day, if he truly did as he said. Even if she didn't Impress the Queen (a slim chance, considering the large amount of female Candidates), she would feel an obligation for him voicing a confidence in her. Likely he was just joking, but if he wasn't... Caught up in the allure of S'rei's words, Paryal turned her attention rather belatedly back to Shmee. "Perhaps you should place bets too, my lady. After all, you should know best who a Queen dragon would choose." A sickly sweet grin spread across her face. The idea of the Weyrwoman betting and losing money was quite amusing. She would not bet on Paryal, not with the Candidate working her up so much. Perhaps her anger would lead her to make a stupid bet. Ah, but that would be too funny!

[saberlin]

Rilliana had briefly turned her attentions away from the eggs, her hand slowly falling off of the surface of the Queen Egg. The hand moving from the warm welcoming feeling of the egg, to her much less warm side. It was obvious that the other girl didn't fancy her a Queen Rider. That was fine, she would show them one day. For now her attentions turned to the brat girl that was talking in such a rude way to the Weyrwoman. As vapid or not as the woman seemed to be Rilliana would at least always extend courtesy to her, until the woman was outright rude enough times to just wear through her polite exterior. The girl obviously didn't know any better.

Well she hoped the girl got what she deserved, a short drop to the sands and the face of a green. Which given her attitude she almost seemed more likely to Impress. But then again somehow the Queen that was now here seemed fit in picking Shmee to be her rider. What a strange place this was. And the eggs here were so malformed, she thought to herself once again. What sort of dragons would hatch of such ill looking eggs. Would it even be worth it to stand on the sands that day?

Then her mind transfered back to the day that she was searched. If only for the politeness of thanking the Green rider who had found her would she stand. The Queen Egg as well still held her interest with its lovely dragon who waited inside. Surely the queen would hatch out alright. Maybe it was just the Queen who had laid the eggs was the problem, but her offspring would come out fine. Yes, that would be a pleasant thought to hold onto in the coming days before the hatching.

Rilliana was now done with this touching and moved over to where the group was standing, comprised of bronze, gold and the girl, "Pardon my intrusion, but I wanted to thank you for letting me attend this touching of the eggs. Thank you Weyrwoman. Bronzerider.." and she bowed to the both of them and merely looked at the girl quizzically as she walked out of the sands, head held high on her shoulders.