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Post by neeuqtar on Oct 4, 2008 11:37:46 GMT -5
He had a lot of money to spare. For some reason he'd seemed to collect it while at Selenitas, probably because of that whole "junior weyrleader" thing. And so the man had gotten Rath to drop him off at Blossom Hold so he could burn some of the money he'd been collecting. What did one even do with 23 1/2 marks? Buy a homestead??
R'non certainly didn't need any more animals, so that was right out. Dunk was a powerful runner, built for strength as opposed to speed, but R'non didn't ride much anyhow. Flirt might appreciate a little friend to play with, but neither Thunder nor Lightning had ever appreciated the brown firelizard. The two canines were a bit territorial about "their" human. He glanced down at them with a fond grin. Both the females were well-trained, and loved to go new places with him. So did Flirt, perched on his shoulder and keeping a constant commentary running in excited peeps and trills.
Maybe he could get some gossip from the stall in the back, the one H'krel had told him Benden ran from afar, a "random" stall. Depending on how exorbitant the prices, he might be able to get a dragonless boy to help him with Rath's upkeep. Bathing and oiling the dragon as often as the bronze demanded was just plain time-consuming. He was heading there when a blast of lust hit him.
What the--- Faranth sharding NO!! he cried as he realized what was going on. Beating back the powerful emotions of Flight--luckily Rath wasn't Chasing yet, or it would have been a fight indeed--R'non dashed the rest of the way to the Random Stall and grabbed the hapless shopkeeper.
"Dragon... Flight... need..." he gritted out through his clenched teeth, rapidly losing control in the face of his dragon's desires.
He lost it.
"Where's my green?" R'non hissed at the man, whirling away, eyes scanning the morning crowds. There were people everywhere, and in his mind he saw them all as dragons. Dragons everywhere, green blue brown bronze gold! But where was his green?! "CALISTOTH!" he yelled as Rath bugled to the green, frantically searching for who he knew should be there.
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Avu
Weyrleader Ce'thian Rider A'emi Handler Sena Harper Matteo Weyrbrat Riaren
Posts: 2,439
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Post by Avu on Oct 4, 2008 11:45:27 GMT -5
Why on Pern she had come was slightly confusing to Meira, considering that she had no marks with which to buy even a simple drink. But the festivities were irresistible, even if hitching a ride to get there hadn’t been particularly lovely; while she enjoyed the sensation of flying, having been given a ride a-dragonback by a Greenrider, between had been stifling and for the few seconds they remained there, she had wondered whether Zesa had even been able to follow them. She had never been to the Blossom Hold before, after all—surely she wouldn’t be lost between or left behind? Her anxiety ended after they reappeared; Zesa was hovering as always nearby, twirling and swooping around the green dragon, just out of range of her wings. They’d landed shortly and Meira had thanked the Greenrider before wandering into the Gathering crowd, Zesa on her shoulder, snuggled between the dark curtain of her hair and her throat. She had come garbed in a slender, soft emerald-green dress, tight-fitting, without being too exposing; now she felt underdressed in comparison to some of the others around her.
She’d wandered around for quite some time, just skirting the crowd, letting Zesa become used to the crowd. The young flitter seemed quite happy to stay perched on her shoulder, tail twined around her throat, although now was one of the times that Meira wished the gold coloring of her hide was not quite so vivid; she was drawing a lot of curious looks and since Meira hadn’t worn her knots, she felt even smaller as some frowned, apparently confused as to why a fourteen-Turn girl had a golden fire lizard with her. The stall with animals in it—herdbeast, runners, ovine, felines, canines—caught her attention and she wandered to it, picking a spot near the corner of the stall as not to be seen or in the way of people interested in buying, and swung onto the fence, lacing her ankles around the lower rail and resting one arm around a nearby pole, watching first the animals, and then the people milling around her.
Zesa chirped curiously next to her ear, peeking out from behind her hair and eyeing the animals with great curiosity. She had seen, out of the many arranged, only runners and herdbeast before; the assortment fascinated her and she cocked her head, studying each creature with intense interest. The felines and canines seemed to attract the young queen most—perhaps because they were young, and so much smaller than the others. She hummed softly to them, and then quizzically chirped at Meira, whose thoughts had been wandering to Meisk. Pity the blue wher would only get images of this, instead of seeing the real thing…
As the stall-keeper threw her a sharp look, Meira slid off of the rail, plunging back into the crowd again. Where to, now? She avoided the food stall; she had no marks to buy anything with and didn’t need to tempt either Zesa nor herself…a bit of wandering took her to the Random Stall. The items there were…odd. They didn’t seem—
Any thoughts she had considered were abruptly cut off as a man, a Bronzerider by his knots, pushed by everyone else and grabbed the man running the stall, speaking a bit incoherently at first, and then yelling “Calistoth.” Calistoth? Meira shrank backwards uncertainly, Zesa chirping anxiously next to her, pressing against her throat as both eyed the man. What was he doing? He looked completely crazy. It took little time for most of the people to edge away from him; Meira was very seriously considering following, but…she hesitated, quite frankly bewildered as Zesa’s tail tightened around her throat. “Um,” she said anxiously, as the man—well, he looked rather as if he was searching for someone. “Is something wrong?” That was a stupid question, she berated herself mindlessly. Of course something was wrong. But still.
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Post by neeuqtar on Oct 6, 2008 20:28:00 GMT -5
A voice. A voice. R'non's head whipped to the side, lust-crazed eyes locked onto the female figure who had made the foolish decision to talk to the Flight-locked bronzerider. His mind locked in. This. It had to be his Calistoth. Had to be his Calistoth. Because she had to be here. Where he was. HERE.
He growled softly at the girl, advancing on her with a gleam in his eyes that had everything to do with a vision in the skies and nothing to do with the actual image before him. "Calistoth," he growled at her, "My Calistoth." His lustful gaze shifted into a smile, and he jumped forward and to the side. "Fly for me!"
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Avu
Weyrleader Ce'thian Rider A'emi Handler Sena Harper Matteo Weyrbrat Riaren
Posts: 2,439
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Post by Avu on Oct 7, 2008 15:31:32 GMT -5
It was the look in the Bronzerider's eyes that first alerted Meira to the fact that something was very wrong indeed. She swallowed, inadvertantly taking a step backwards. The lust-crazed expression was...quite frankly, terrifying. Zesa trilled in soft anxiety near her ear, her tail tightening around the girl's throat as the queen cocked her head, staring at the Bronzerider uncertainly. Clearly, the flitter was as bewildered as Meira was.
And then he growled at her. Her throat tightened - even if her mind didn't know exactly what was going on yet, her body certainly did - as he advanced towards her. That could mean nothing good...her mind felt completely numb; Zesa trilled next to her ear again, her wings lifting, tangling in Meira's hair, and then settling again uneasily. "Calistoth. /My Calistoth/." As he lunged at her, Meira instinctively changed the direction she was going, away from him; she stumbled in her haste and Zesa squeaked fearfully in her ear, alerting her to the fact that the gold flitter was still there.
If the lust written all over the Bronzerider's face was anything to go by, Zesa definitely needed to get out of here before - anything - could happen. Meira hesitated, and then turned her head slightly, hissing through her teeth at the queen. "Get out of here, go back to the Weyr!" she ordered. The flitter trilled uncertainly, and then obediently launched herself into the air, twisting between.
And she was alone. Or rather, she wished she was alone. Unfortunately, there was still a lusty-looking Bronzerider only a few feet away. And she still didn't want to turn her back to him, especially after he'd jumped at her like that. She glanced around at the surrounding people, but most of them had already mysteriously disappeared. Clearly they were much more intelligent than she if they knew to get out. Meira moaned uncertainly under her breath, still stepping backwards, keeping her eyes on the Bronzerider.
She should say something. Or do something. She should stop him. But she wasn't entirely sure what to do. Shardit.
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Post by reqqy on Oct 7, 2008 17:01:56 GMT -5
Z'hin shook his head, growling through his teeth. He'd left Kalerary to Ka'rys - much as he hated the thought of doing so! - as soon as the Flightlust intruded upon him. The brownrider stalked through the crowd, desperately trying to get away from all the people, outside the walls of the Hold itself, before the lust became too strong for him. He could fight it. He had to. Jessereth's cold maliciousness helped, if only by giving Z'hin someone to rage and swear at, but he felt himself slipping with each passing moment. This couldn't happen here! No one seemed to have the intelligence to get out of the way. With his luck, he'd end up jumping some highly placed holder and getting all of Selenitas Weyr banned from Blossom Hold for good.
Ah! That was strange. Why did everyone seem to be vacating that stall? No matter. He clearly wasn't going to get much further as he was, and if the place was mostly empty, it was ideal. Z'hin staggered, almost drunk with the effort it took to beat back the lust from his mind, to keep his wits about him. But fate was cruel. Just as Jessereth and Rath became entangled in the air, adding rage and battlelust to the emotions already pumping through his veins, he heard that voice. Rath! Sharditall, what was he doing here? Z'hin couldn't seem to force himself to turn back. Some small part of him was still aware and terrified of what was about to happen.
Then the small form stepped back into him, and that was it. Z'hin's consciousness fled, thrust somewhere unreachable, and it was entirely Jessereth looking out of his dark eyes at the advancing bronze. His lip curled up in a snarl, flashing teeth at the other man. "Mine..." he hissed. It didn't once occur to him that this creature was any other than Calistoth's. Why else would Rath be advancing on the green? "My Calistoth. Leave." Sure, she hadn't chosen yet, but she was backing away from him, and Rath was trying to Fly her early! That couldn't be allowed. Could not.
He was tempted to throw his arms around her in a show of possession. He resisted. Barely. His tone brooked no argument, though. He wanted Rath gone. And he would not hesitate to enforce that desire if necessary.
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Post by neeuqtar on Oct 9, 2008 12:50:41 GMT -5
Jessereth! Trust that obnoxious creature to be here, too, taunting him. It was war. He stepped forward as Meira backed into the brown. He would not allow that brown to steal his prize!
"She is not yours, brown," R'non snarled, baring his teeth in a fashion which would have been much more terrifying if he was a dragon... but was still pretty scary on a human. He leapt to the side, the human part of him arming himself with his belt-knife in a subconscious action. "You cannot have her!" Always unusually lucid in speech during Flights, Calistoth's Flight was no exception. He was Rath... AND R'non. Man and dragon, united in a figure who was full of fury and lust.
He reached the duo, and slashed at Z'hin as Rath feinted in the skies, jerking backwards as Jessereth attacked back. His free hand crooked into claws, and he snapped a kick at Z'hin, keeping one eye on Meira-Calistoth, ready to run after her should she lead them on a better Chase. But for now he would fight for her, and fight to rid himself of the pest which stood/flew before him. Another swipe; this one intended to connect with Z'hin's chest. "Die!"
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Avu
Weyrleader Ce'thian Rider A'emi Handler Sena Harper Matteo Weyrbrat Riaren
Posts: 2,439
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Post by Avu on Oct 9, 2008 14:56:31 GMT -5
There was only room for one thought in Meira's mind, and that thought was get away. Unfortunately, it was easier said than done when she was afraid to turn her back to the Bronzerider. So she just kept stepping backwards, too nervous to look away from him, one hand outstretched behind her in a vague attempt to grasp at something to defend herself with. She was now fighting down the urge to scream, but the desire to keep attention away from herself was warring with that; she'd opened her mouth to warn the Bronzerider away, but she collided with something. Someone. The first feeling was one of, ironically, relief. Here was someone who was not going to be able to ignore her and pretend that she wasn't in trouble. Here, at last, was someone who would help her, yes? How could he ignore her after she'd run into him? Meira spun, one hand closing around the newcomer's wrist as she twisted, seeking safety.
And then he snarled at the Bronzerider. It could have been a possibly good sign, but the snarl was more animal than human, in her opinion, and that in itself was - rather scary. "Mine... My Calistoth. Leave." Something clicked, vaguely, and Meira jerked away, heartbeat accelerating as she stood between the two. Bronzerider and Brownrider...her eyes darted nervously between the two, her entire body tense as she willed herself to run, and yet, oddly, she froze as the Bronzerider snarled, too. "She is not yours, brown. You cannot have her!" Did she not get a say in this? She didn't want either of them. A flash of steel drew her eye and she shuddered in horror as the Bronzerider drew a blade - and then lunged on the other.
There was a voice in her mind, now, urging her to move. I should move. I should /run/. While they're distracted... And she did. The girl forcibly loosened her tightened muscles, spinning on one heel. In her panic, she chose the least crowded passage, where she could run fastest - towards the stables. She'd get a runner, go back to the Weyr, get out. Pleasepleaseplease let them just keep fighting behind her, don't let them notice she was gone...a doubtful note started in her mind, but she only willed herself to run all the faster.
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Post by reqqy on Oct 9, 2008 15:28:20 GMT -5
Perhaps it was the buried human side of him, but Z'hin instinctively stepped back from Meira and towards R'non, pivoting to face him, and putting the girl completely out of the line of fire. Where R'non was explosive power, he planted himself in stubborn defiance, clearly unwilling to be moved. Knife was met by slender blade, the stiletto revealed at the last moment in what had seemed to be merely a last-ditch effort at defending himself. The guard caught the brunt of the force, though blood trickled down his knuckles where the knife had grazed them.
His eyes narrowed. Jessereth was faster than Rath, but Z'hin...was not faster than this man. A trace of confusion flickered behind his gaze. It vanished behind a renewed surge of rage, the man growling deep in his throat. He stepped forward and to the side again, inside R'non's kick, crouching low to stab upward towards the man's stomach just as the knife flashed again at where his chest had been a moment ago. Now on eye level. He aborted the stab within a hairsbreadth of R'non's gut to throw himself backward, lashing out at the other man's planted leg with a foot, fully intending to shatter R'non's kneecap.
The action brought the fleeing girl into his line of vision, though. Without waiting to see R'non's state, he shot forward with the full power of his muscled legs, grinning a feral grin and trailing blood behind him. Perhaps people recognized the girl's plight, or perhaps they were generally oblivious, but Z'hin found himself shouldering his way through the crowd with all the strength of his not inconsiderable bulk. How he wanted to just lash out at these people...His fingers tightened around the stiletto, and he veered to one side, leaping up onto a moving cart. Z'hin had to pause a moment to get his balance as the wheels jolted over the ground, but then he sprung forward over the length of the flatbed, jumped to the seat, and flung himself over the edge and into a less-crowded area.
Z'hin rolled to his feet and continued at a speed just short of a sprint, pursuing the fleeing green. Oh, he'd catch her, and prove to Rath just who was the best. Arrogant brute.
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Post by neeuqtar on Oct 13, 2008 8:24:54 GMT -5
R'non bared his teeth in delight. A fighter. He wanted to break him, to see his green ichor oozing out of his ruined body, plummeting to the ground with wings shattered and fierceness destroyed. The man blocked Z'hin's shot to his knee with a rapid strike down with his hand, hoping to throw the brown off-balance. Then Calistoth-Miera was running, flying away, taunting them. The brown took off after her, and R'non followed, weaving the sparse crowd with ease. People fled from the crazy man barrelling down at them, clearing his path to his beautiful green.
He leapt onto an old, decrepit stall, cutting across a shorter distance, leaping through the rotten back and right at Z'hin, intent to kill clear in stance and expression. His. Calistoth. He swiped at Z'hin, missed, and went to attack again.
Then! In the air!
A collision! Jessereth forced away from him by the green Calistoth! R'non snarled, circling on the edge, before flinging his knife down and stalking away, the force of lust and anger still strong. His eyes caught another person. They would do. Grabbing the smaller figure, R'non dragged them into the nearby jungle. He would have his green. He was strong, and the other person was not able to break his crazed hold, to stop him from taking what he needed. R'non spent his lust in them, then fell asleep to dream away the powerful emotions.
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Avu
Weyrleader Ce'thian Rider A'emi Handler Sena Harper Matteo Weyrbrat Riaren
Posts: 2,439
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Post by Avu on Oct 13, 2008 15:11:42 GMT -5
Meira was quite honestly doing her best to keep running, but, completely by chance, it seemed, people kept cutting her off inadvertantly, slowing her down as she pressed wearily on. She could hear their footsteps behind her, beating sharp staccato notes that were much faster than her own footsteps. The tiny, pessimistic part of her mind that remained told her she couldn't keep up - she had neither the speed nor endurance of a Dragonrider, trained as they were over the Turns. She would loose. One of them, possibly both, would "have" her, as they put it. She chanced a glance behind her and almost groaned. They were not only keeping up, they were also managing to fight - or attempt it - while chasing her. Odd tactics.
Ahead. The Stables. A runner. By now, Meira had slowed considerably. She wasn't in bad physical shape, but neither was she particularly quick, or able to run very long - her breath was coming in sharp spurts as she reached the stables, glancing around behind her again. One of her...attackers...the first one that had come - he seemed to have completely given up, grabbing another figure from the crowd and dragging her? him? away to the jungle. Meira shuddered at the thought, briefly pausing for breath as she stepped into the stables, running into the first stall she could find, which contained -
Nothing. It was empty. Meira stopped sharply, the pain in her side warning her she could run no more. Someone had already taken this runner out, or there had never been one - it was a completely clean, bedded stall, empty of any life except her. And, shortly, no doubt, that other man. The Brownrider. Unless, in some freak coincidence, he too had given up? She could only hope...that hope probably wasn't going to happen. But...she glanced around, wondering if there was something with which she could arm herself. Nothing. A water bucket, empty, a food bucket, also empty. The stall's bedding. No loose boards, but perhaps she could...throw a bucket at him or something? The thought was not a particularly enlightening one. The window. The window? It was high, and closed, damp wooden shutters keeping out sunlight.
She was crying. Or rather, she had been crying, but only now was she aware of it. Meira was absolutely certain she wasn't going to be able to outrun or fight off the Brownrider. He was stronger, faster, had more endurance - impossible odds. And what was more, he seemed out of his mind. Shardit. Just her luck, wasn't it? But perhaps she could use that to her advantage? Could...hide from him, or something? Another wild glance revealed nothing. Who knew? Maybe he'd just bypass the stall she was in entirely. Or something. Meira sank down desolately next to the door, trying to catch her breath and not breathe loudly - although she was aware it was completely audible - sliding the door closed and locking it. The lock was on the outside, but...maybe. Just maybe...?
((Not much to write? xD;))
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Post by reqqy on Oct 13, 2008 22:39:38 GMT -5
Z'hin snarled, skipping sideways in a move to put him out of the reach of the slashing blade, and preparing to lunge back at the bronze. Rath was trying to fight him? Really fight?! Well, he could take that foo- A shoulder slammed hard into his chest, sending the brownrider stumbling a few paces. The fleeing figure came back into view, and with it the knowledge that Calistoth was his. No, no, no. This was wrong. She shouldn't be running from him! Not when she'd already chosen. The brown snarled, ignoring Rath to sprint after her again, this time piling on the speed until he was flying over the cobbles. This time - no one tried to stop him. His green, shimmering as she tried to elude him. Calistoth, devilishly clever and evil as always, to play with him when she was already his. He whined softly, pacing outside the door to the stables for a moment.
"Calistoth," he grated, stepping through the doorway and into the aisle between the stalls. It sounded far more feral than the man ever sounded normally. His hand traced lightly over the doors, hunting for the devilish beast. This wasn't funny anymore. He needed her. The mostly buried human part of Z'hin was frantic. Why would she do this? It was hard enough, being part of a Flight and desperate, but now it wasn't simply Jessereth's lust driving him. The brown was twined with Calistoth in the air, and he needed Calistoth's on the ground. The separation of the two realities were enough to have him growling in confusion - and anger. Where was she?!
One door didn't move. He stared at it curiously. If there was one place she would hide from him in...Though he could have unlocked it from outside, such a consideration never passed through his mind. Z'hin stepped back, before slamming his foot into the door with all his strength - and he was, in the end, anything but a small man. The door splintered around the lock, the brown pushing it slowly in, his dark eyes searching the shadows with a manic gleam. He almost missed her, shining in her green glory, at his feet. Pausing for a moment, he stared at her, but that moment of confusion passed swiftly. He needed her now.
What was she doing kneeling? Z'hin lifted her, snarling at the clothing in the way. The dress tore beneath his hands, the brown pushing her back into the wall and claiming her mouth. His Calistoth. Oddly...female, when some part of him was aware that Calistoth's was male. Flightlust must have made him female, so he could be Calistoth's, Z'hin's mind supplied, no longer caring if it made any sense. The need was too great to consider anything else.
***
Z'hin stirred, groaning softly. Softness, beneath him. And...strangely...it took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the light, and when they did, he was still more confused. What the-? A stall. Why was he in a stall with a young woman? The brownrider lifted himself on one elbow, taking the portion of his weight that had been on the girl away. He blinked at her. Face down. Slender figure, tall for a female, dark hair spilling down part of her back. Pretty enough, though he tended to like a few more curves. His eyes continued down, and then he blanched.
Blood.
It came back to him in a rush. Jessereth, at the weyr, chasing and catching Calistoth. But he was stuck here at the Gather. Shardit. Shardblast it all. Had he raped her? There was blood...you had to be kidding. Clearly, he'd taken her as if she were Calistoth's - as if she were male. Z'hin knew nothing about this girl, either. Probably a holder. Shardit. He cast about the small stall, looking for something to clean her...or at least cover her with. Shreds of a dress. He'd torn that too? A splitting headache had erupted in his skull by this point.
There, his shirt, off to one side. It would have to do. He snatched it up, throwing it over her body, even as he tried to puzzle out what to do. He couldn't well leave her here. Z'hin sighed softly. There was nothing for it but to - but what if he scared her? Not even taking a moment to consider his own nudity, the brownrider tugged lightly on her shoulder, rocking her body a little. "Girl. Hey, girl. Are you all right?" Shells! What was he thinking? Of course she wasn't all right! "Wake up. Come on."
You're dead, Jessereth. When I get back... But the brown only offered a wave of smug glee in return.
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Avu
Weyrleader Ce'thian Rider A'emi Handler Sena Harper Matteo Weyrbrat Riaren
Posts: 2,439
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Post by Avu on Oct 14, 2008 15:24:09 GMT -5
Meira was confused, among other things - but confusion was dominant. Not surprising, considering her half-conscious state. For one, she couldn't move. Two, she was oddly sore, which, unless she was much mistaken, did not normally occur when one went to Gather. And three, she wasn't sure at all where she was. As weight - she hadn't noticed it until it was lifted - fell away from her, she still didn't move, although she was a bit more conscious - she was cold now. Why cold? No, not cold, just not as warm as before. Something softer, lighter, fell over her, and quite abruptly, she was being shaken. Her eyes fluttered open; she automatically mumbled a defensive, "Don't," her voice still rather vague, as she rolled away from whoever was shaking her. And then she realized where she was.
A stall. A stall? That was...not normal, surely? What was even less normal was the fact that she was naked. Well, except for a shirt that clearly belonged to the man who had been shaking her, who was also nude and - she was bleeding. Or, no, she had bled. Meira reacted instinctively. So what if the shirt had belonged to the one who'd just raped her? At least it offered some sort of cover. She clutched it to her, curling her legs upwards, pulling the fabric against her chest as she half-scrambled, half-rolled backwards until she felt the wood of the stall at her back. Her heartbeat had gone from relatively dormant to incredibly fast within a second, it seemed; she drew her hair over her shoulders, struggling to conceal herself - rather in vain; hair and a shirt offered little cover. Meira stared at him wordlessly, doing her utmost to keep from letting her eyes stray anywhere but his face. The last thing she needed to see was his...male parts.
She was trembling. Meira forced herself to keep from clutching the cloth quite as intensely - the last thing she needed was for it to rip or something. And crying - she was crying, too. The girl averted her eyes altogether from Z'hin as she bit her lip to keep the sobs silent, tilting her head forward so her hair fell over her face, concealed it. Now what? Was she going to be stuck in a stall with a rapist? She certainly couldn't go out with only a shirt on - and her dress had been...savaged. Wordlessly, she glanced at the stall door, which appeared to have been...demolished. Great - that was just great.
A quiet trill made her look up, pale gray eyes anxious and bewildered as Zesa fanned out her wings, her eyes whirling anxious shades as she veered around Z'hin and crooned anxiously, completely ignoring the Brownrider as she landed on Meira's bare shoulders, carefully curling her talons to keep from piercing the girl's skin. Her tail twisted around Meira's throat as she thrummed softly, pressing reassuringly against Meira's throat. She wouldn't bank on it, but perhaps the fact that Zesa was a flitter who would possibly protect her from attack would keep her from being...hurt again? "Z-Zesa," she murmured, a bit too preoccupied keeping herself adequately covered to stroke the queen even as she dropped her head again, still biting her lip. The queen's presence did offer her courage, although she would have been a lot braver had she had a robe on and a knife in her hand. "I - um." She swallowed. "Do you - could I give you your shirt back - um, later?" Faranth, she felt so stupid and helpless. That was not the way you addressed someone who had just raped you. But he certainly didn't seem like he was going to kill her, or rape her again. So...it was good to take a chance, yes...?
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Post by reqqy on Oct 14, 2008 15:57:08 GMT -5
Don't. That...made sense. Z'hin withdrew slightly to allow her to sit up, but she didn't right away. The brownrider bit his lip lightly. For all his professed promiscuity, he'd never been in a situation quite like this before. Sleeping with anyone who caught his fancy was not at all the same as taking a girl against her will. Such a young creature, too. Probably a holder. By the laws of probability, there were far more holders around than weyrfolk, and he couldn't imagine ever being able to explain that this was...a mistake. A natural side-effect of idiot dragons chasing when their riders were somewhere else. In the end, though, did it matter whether he'd done it in his right mind or not? The result was exactly the same.
Well, yes, it did matter a little. If she had been a rider, or at least familiar with the whole thing, he might be able to help her better. His conscience wouldn't allow him to just...leave her in his shirt. Who knew what might happen then? Probably nothing, but if anything did, he'd be the one responsible. Her back was up against the wall, her eyes boring into him, the terror clear. Z'hin made no move for the longest time. He had no idea what to do. Then, remembering himself and how modest these holders often were, the brownrider stood and tugged on his trousers, a mild frown touching his lips. Ah. There. The stiletto. It was a fine blade, and someone was likely to step on it if he left it lying in the hay, anyway.
The deep feline scarring was glaringly obvious in this light, crossing a massive chest that was unusual for the generally leaner-built dragonriders. He looked up at her words, his dark eyes uncharacteristically sober. "Of course. You can keep it entirely, if you wish. I wouldn't expect you to come to the Weyr to return it." Hrorek slid lithely over his shoulder, having come from Between somewhere behind the man. Z'hin instructed the creature in quiet tones - too soft to reach the girl's ears. The blue disappeared as silently as he came.
Z'hin crouched low, then, still at a distance from Meira, as he didn't want to scare her more than he undoubtedly already did. "Hrorek will bring one of the vendors," the man stated, softly, keeping his tones even and calm. "I know it doesn't make sense to you right now, and you can't possibly trust me, but you don't want to be wandering around the Gather like that. Stay here, okay? I'll be back in a minute."
True to his word, he was, the brownrider's purse four marks lighter as he shrugged into a new shirt and knelt to deposit a pair of pants in the center of the stall. "I didn't know your size, so they're probably...a bit big," he commented, apologetically. And immediately withdrew, standing just outside the door to the stall with his back to her. Z'hin ran a hand through his hair and sighed heavily. "I don't...really...I'm sorry you got mixed up in all this. Jessereth chased, and somehow I must have thought you were K'lir. It doesn't excuse it, but...really, I don't do these things. Do you want me to take you to a healer...shards. I don't know your name, either, do I?"
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Avu
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Posts: 2,439
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Post by Avu on Oct 14, 2008 16:42:35 GMT -5
He...didn't move. Zesa shifted uncomfortably on her shoulders, now staring at Z'hin, too, her eyes still confused, as she pressed comfortingly against Meira's throat, tail tickling her shoulder. The girl still clutched his shirt uncomfortably around her, her entire body tense. As the seconds passed and the Brownrider still didn't move, she swallowed uncomfortably, forcing herself to relax a bit. When he did move, Meira jumped visibly, her breath catching in her throat before she realized what he was doing. Putting his pants on, which meant...she was...safe. Safe-ish. Not entirely safe. Except - a blade. She remembered it slightly, from the fight. Fight...so that meant...Bronzerider. Where had he gone? He'd just disappeared, too. Well, to be quite honest, she preferred him gone. That was just fine...besides, with one of them gone, they couldn't try to murder each other anymore.
Meira found her eyes inadvertantly sliding from his face downwards as if drawn by a magnet. She couldn't help it - it seemed to be a natural curiosity. However, fortunately for her numbed mind, they stopped on his chest. Shardit, what had he done to himself? Or, rather, what situation had he put himself into to get that? She might have asked, but this definitely wasn't the time. Instead, she completely dropped her eyes, focusing on the hay a few inches away from her feet as she pressed her chin on her knees, a rather awkward position - almost a vertical fetal position. Meira raised her eyes again - feeling completely ridiculous - as he spoke. Go to the Weyr to return it? But...? "I - um." She paused, wondering how exactly she ought to voice the fact that she lived there. "I'll get it back to you," she responded uncertainly. How awkward that sounded. And - Meisk? Meira stiffened as the implications dawned on her. Surely he was all right? Her dear little blue wher wasn't hurt? Still sleeping. He was still sleeping. That was better than if he'd been awake, wasn't it...?
Her thoughts were dispersed by the arrival of a blue flitter. He wouldn't have been noticed had Zesa not chirruped softly, something between a greeting and a question, although she didn't move from her position, twisted around Meira's neck like a golden scarf. Meira bit her lip, nodding wordlessly at Z'hin. She wasn't quite stupid enough to go streaking away from the stables at top speed without wearing anything. She might have, but common sense had returned. She couldn't outrun him; that much was certain. There was no point in trying. She'd just have to trust him at least slightly, despite her dislike of doing just that. As he left, she pulled the shirt entirely over her head instead of just pressing it against herself, momentarily displacing Zesa. The queen reclaimed her position, cuddled in the crook of Meira's neck, as soon as possible, crooning a soft reassurement. She wasn't sure why Hers was so scared of that man, but she was here. She wasn't going to let anybody hurt Hers.
By the time Z'hin returned, she'd managed to stop crying, although she still did have her face buried in Zesa's soft hide, taking comfort in the flitter's loving croons. She'd discovered the shirt was big enough to drop just below her waist - a good thing. She nodded silently at him when he deposited the pants on the floor of the stall, grateful when he left her to get dressed herself. She shooed Zesa off of her shoulder; the small gold obediently landed on the rather bruised stall door, crooning quietly at Meira as she pulled on the pants. At last she felt slightly safer, covered entirely. They were rather large, but it was better than nothing. Only then did Z'hin's explanation really register. Jessereth - a dragon? Chased...yes, that would fit. She swallowed, uncertainly. What was she supposed to say? It certainly didn't make the rape forgiven entirely. She didn't blame him as much - wasn't as frightened - but - still. Healer. "I'll be all right," she murmured, exiting the stall - the mutilated door was rather disturbing - and letting Zesa take up her perch on her shoulder again. "I am a Healer; I know what I need to do." Meira shrugged. Her name? Did it matter? "Meira, Bluewherling of Meisk," she answered automatically. "And if you don't mind telling me where your weyr is, I will be able to return your shirt." She didn't particularly relish the idea of going into his weyr alone, but she'd take Zesa and perhaps she could ask either Ferneth or Mutasim to come along as well.
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Post by reqqy on Oct 15, 2008 9:56:26 GMT -5
He didn't much relish looking at her. A large part of Z'hin just wanted to leave her behind as fast as he could and forget about the entire thing - or try to. It was awkward and wrong. The whole situation was very wrong. He knew that it would have to be someone. If not her, then someone else. The brownrider may not have the highest of morals in regard to certain things - his sex life being one of those - but rape was still something that made his stomach turn. His anger at Jessereth was building to a small inferno. That idiotic brown decided to chase because Z'hin was at the Gather. If Jessereth wanted to pull petty stunts at Z'hin's expense, that was one thing, but it had crossed into another realm entirely the moment Meira became involved.
The brownrider rubbed lightly at his temple, closing his eyes against the image of the crying girl. He heard her behind him, now to one side, but he didn't look at her. Not just yet. Z'hin's head did turn to regard her out of the corner of his eyes when she mentioned being a healer. Meira...Meisk. Clearly, from her next words, she was from the Weyr. Dismay and relief warred inside him. At least she would understand a little, even if that didn't change the facts, but now he'd likely see her again. Oh shards, a healer. Kalierre and Rawign would have his hide if they found out. That was when the last bit of information filtered through his frantic thoughts. Bluewherling.
Z'hin couldn't stifle the curse. Her wher was back at Selenitas, perhaps freaking out right at this moment. "I can force Jessereth to come," he stated, through gritted teeth, his anger at the brown more than clear. "We can take you back to the Weyr. Is Meisk all right? If you want, I can get someone else to do it, if you don't want to go with me. I'm pretty sure Kalierre and Phremath came." This was just perfect. A wherling. He supposed it was better than jumping the Lordholder, but not by much. The question of his shirt didn't really even penetrate. Z'hin could care less at this point in time. Probably wouldn't care later, either. It was lost to everything else.
Hrorek, his duty having been discharged, flew from behind Meira to circle lazily around the young gold. He hovered for a moment before her head. Z'hin watched him for a moment, his mouth twitching slightly in a soft frown. The blue seemed responsive to even that small a move; he immediately withdrew and took up residence on the broken stall door, still regarding Zesa curiously. The mute creature's tail flicked slightly, just the tip, like a cat's.
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