|
Gossip
Mar 16, 2009 14:12:43 GMT -6
Post by cerise on Mar 16, 2009 14:12:43 GMT -6
"I always knew it - that Northern queen was going to be bad luck for us, didn't I tell you!"
The weather-worn voice of the eldest goldrider still alive in Southern crackled through the buzz of the dining hall, loud during the somewhat subdued evening meal; no one had thought it appropriate to have a feast after the terrible events of the Hatching, and few enough people had even come down to the dining hall to eat. But Phaedra was there, rambling on about all the bad omens she had seen before the eggs even hatched with a wicked glee. It was a good day for the old woman when things went wrong for the current queenrider; she didn't think Norali was good for anything, particularly not as a Weyrwoman!
"All those deaths, and that green that'll never fly - oh, Faranth, and those strange colors! Mark my words, they'll be even worse for us than the Northerner was..."
Whether or not anyone was really listening did not matter to her; she was perfectly content with hearing herself speak. But others were not going to simply sit there and accept her insults; in particular, Halmari was not going to allow her to speak of the Hatching in such a manner. People had died there - couldn't this woman show some more respect?
"And that new queen'll be just as bad, wouldn't you know..."
That was the last straw for the younger woman. She had always been taught to respect her elders, but respect also had to be earned, and the old goldrider had just lost any safety from her younger counterpart. "Enough," she hissed, rising to her feet. No one was going to insult Trelath in her presence, especially not someone who in the same breath was insulting Norali, Phaelith, and all of the clutch!
Silence fell as the two queenriders faced each other down, and then Phaedra laughed, a loud, ripping cackle of sound. "Oh, settle down, little girl. If you knew all I did, you'd think it to - and you'd take that ill-fated hatchling and yourself between, save the rest of us the trouble you'll cause!"
It took a great deal of restraint for Halmari to keep from saying something even sharper back, or better still, lurching across the tables at the older woman. Some vestiges of the rage from the Hatching still remained - after all, she and Trelath had been cheated of their vengeance. And if the dragon were awake now... but if this woman awakened Trelath from her first true slumber, from a near-coma with her belly stuffed with food, there would certainly be hell to pay.
| ooc: Whee! Conflict! |
|
|
|
Gossip
Mar 16, 2009 16:02:44 GMT -6
Post by Khay on Mar 16, 2009 16:02:44 GMT -6
Az’re was also sitting in meal hall, enjoying quite a meal, until the old coon came in and started speaking. He respected his elders, of course he did. And he knew to respect Weyrwoman, but this woman wasn’t even a Weyrwoman anymore. She no more of a rider than he was, and here she was rambling on about things that would only end with people upset. It pissed him off to no ends, hearing people go on and on like that. There had been death, there had been blood… Almost everything that could have gone wrong, had gone wrong at that hatching. There simply hadn’t been enough betweening to make it a real horror story.
It was when he heard the woman start to badmouth the gold that wasn’t even out of her weyrling hood that his head came up, and he stared at the goldrider harshly from his seat. He felt his fingers curling as his nails started to dig into the palm of his hand. If he didn’t react soon, he’d be kicking himself for it. No one should have to take such an insult without have earned the name.
“Leave it, Az’re…” Another rider spoke to him, placing a hand upon his arm, seeing the taunt lines in his jaw. “It isn’t worth the punishment. You already don’t have your wing anymore.” The man added, trying to keep the bronzerider under control.
He would have none of it. “I’m sorry gentlemen, this food has no taste...” The bronzerider mumbled as he pushed away his plate, sighing deeply. This had gone on for long enough, especially once the Weyrling stood up to defend herself, and the oldtimer spoke back. That was his last straw, there would be no more respect earned from Az’re at this point. The woman just kept pushing. No one liked her anyway, but because she was a Goldrider, they wouldn’t speak up. Well… Az’re had no qualms with the authorities. She wasn’t the Weyrwoman anymore, she was nothing. He could get all the chores that she could give him, once she was gone, it would be forgotten, and he could bow before Norali without having to worry about anyone else.
“By your dragon’s pathetic egg… Shut up you old coon!” He called out as he pushed his chair away from the table, and brought himself to his feet. “Your gold is of no more use to us. All it does it take up precious weyr and Ledge space from the actual working dragons.” He spat out to her as his eyes narrowed into a glare. He would show his support to the younger ones, he had been down that road before. And if there was something that every oldtimer should know, it was that the younger generation was all that they had.
|
|
|
Gossip
Mar 16, 2009 19:39:25 GMT -6
Post by cerise on Mar 16, 2009 19:39:25 GMT -6
It didn't take much for Phaedra's attention to turn away from the weyrling goldrider - after all, a full fledged dragonrider had spoken back to her! The woman would not tolerate such disrespect, particularly when Az're turned to acidic words against her queen. If she only knew how hypocritical her thoughts were, that she had done the exact same thing to Norali and Halmari mere moments ago... but the Oldtimer was, as always, convinced that she was completely in the right. She had age and experience on both of these upstarts!
"At least I still know how to fly a proper wing," she hissed between clenched teeth, but did not bother to stand; she'd actually look less impressive up, with the stoop of age, and besides, they were not worth the effort. "You don't even have that anymore, do you?" She knew all about Az're's history, as she knew about everyone; an ex-Wingleader, not even capable of keeping his position, was vastly beneath her notice. He was lucky that Iyernath wasn't near enough, or the gold herself might be taking a snap at him.
Halmari, for her part, was fairly glad that someone was taking her part in this absurd argument. And a full dragonrider, the one who had been trying to help on the sands, trying to keep the newly Impressed pairs away from the murderer... for a moment she was ashamed, knowing that she should have taken his advice, that it was her rashness that had gotten her injured in the first place. But she would apologize for that later, once this stubborn Oldtimer had been backed down. The young woman simply could not comprehend how someone could be so cruel after such tragedies as the Hatching had occurred, and how she could be so insulting towards the Weyrwoman who had suffered her to live in her weyr, provided for her as best she could. Norali was above censure, to Halmari.
"You've no idea what you're talking about," she spat, shaking her head angrily. "After all that the Weyrwoman has done for you - you witch, you oughtn't dare to raise a word against her, or her clutch. At least we are young, will fly and fight Thread for Turns more and more... your time has nearly come, Oldtimer. Perhaps it is you who should take yourself between." The words were bitter, biting, and she knew it, but she could not feel ashamed for them. This woman... she may have been an elder, but she deserved them.
|
|
|
Gossip
Mar 17, 2009 9:35:43 GMT -6
Post by Khay on Mar 17, 2009 9:35:43 GMT -6
The bronzerider was watching her, judging her on the spot. She had never been a woman that he could stand. The old Queenrider had always grated on his nerves, and more than once had he simply hoped that her and that dragon of hers would simply perish. She had nothing useful to add to the Weyr aside from some flamethrowing techniques, and he knew very well from working with new riders almost every turn that they always thought that they were invincible until their first burning. Yet the thoughts of the past weren’t going to haunt him today. Thus, the bronzerider merely shrugged them away, and placed his hands into his back pockets, staring at the ‘dear’ old oldtimer before him. What a wherry.
A sharp, almost bitter bark of laughter escaped Az’re’s throat as he looked at the Goldrider before him. Where he didn’t want to talk about it, here she was attempting to throw it back in his face, giving him no excuse as to how he could escape it. This was just perfect. The bronzerider’s face only turned into a wicked smile, his eyes darker now than they had been for a while. Part of him just wanted to wrap his arms around the woman’s neck, and snap the fragile little thing. He was safe to hide those thoughts from his dragon, and he knew that he would never act upon such thoughts, but ridden the Weyr of Phaedra was always a more welcomed approach to anything that anyone had ever thought to do. He couldn’t wait for the day that she would be gone.
When the Weyrling’s words escaped her lips, he leaned back casually and looked at her, his eyes gleaming with darker mirth at her words. Of course, she was right. And he was letting her see it from his eyes. However, he also knew the trouble that she would get in with Phaedra, even the Weyrling Master. Hopefully, she would know when to back down, and decide that enough was enough.
“You? Lead a wing? HAH!” He barked out, smirking darkly. “Dear Phaedra, if I asked the Weyrwoman for even your position, I’m sure she’d gladly give it to me.” He told her with a wicked glint in his eyes. He was having fun, this queenrider, telling him off, deciding that he was going to be part of her cruel words also. If she wished to harm him, she would have to try harder than that. Unfortunately for her, his history at Benden was practically lost. Only his impression at Telgar, and the fact that he lead a Wing, and whatever other notes were giving on his transfer form. The rest, he spoke not of.
“I don’t want one.” He answered her question, Az’re’s midnight eyes were locked upon the old woman. “Enough talk of things that you do not understand, old woman. At least these new dragons will be more productive than your Queen has ever been since she came to our time. Now, people have died, dragons have been wounded. Respect is to be showed for them. Or have you forgotten where your position lies as a dragonrider?” He challenged, his eyes narrowed, his back tense. If the woman didn’t silence herself, he knew that his dragon would certainly feel his agitation, and that would get the whole Weyr involved.
|
|
|
Gossip
Mar 17, 2009 13:50:11 GMT -6
Post by cerise on Mar 17, 2009 13:50:11 GMT -6
The gold weyrling was vastly above herself, that was certain. But it was the mention of Iyernath's literal "unproductivity" that struck Phaedra silent; the woman's face went absolutely red with fury, but she sputtered, speechless. No one, no one, spoke of her dragon that way! It was hardly the gold's fault that she could no longer clutch - it was that blasted four hundred Turns between time, that awful Lessa, now so thankfully deceased! Hands grasping the edge of the table, the Oldtimer shoved herself upward, glaring venomously at both of her opponents, before shoving herself away from her chair and storming out of the dining hall, a cloud of arrogance and rage following her as she departed. The eyes of many watched her go, faces going slack with relief when she disappeared from view, and left the dining hall in silence once again.
Halmari did not sag in relief, though, did not show that sort of weakness, for anger was still boiling through her veins. It was very newly discovered, this pit of rage in her stomach, and probably had some connection to her Impression of Trelath, or at least the events of the Hatching. She had never been so outspoken against an elder, one who should have deserved respect. But every thought against the woman dripped bitter truth: she was cruel, to take so lightly the deaths and destruction wreaked upon the Weyr, and deserved nothing more than the cold of between. The weyrling had never thought of the consequences of her actions, she had just spoken on impulse, because the words needed to be said.
A low sigh fell from her lips, and she offered a quiet apology to those who had been sitting near her, not for her actions, but for the fact that they'd had to witness such a spectacle at ll. Then she was pushing back her chair, appetite gone, and crossing the small stretch of space in the dining hall to approach the dragonrider who had helped her to neutralize the old woman, whose comment, in fact, had sent the ancient goldrider out in a huff.
"Thank you," were her first words, followed immediately by, "And I am sorry. This... should not have happened." Halmari shook her head; but there was no controlling Phaedra's actions, though perhaps she could have kept a tighter rein on her own reactions. Of course, then this dragonrider would have been the only one in the argument, would have had no backup... Another sigh, faint, as she glanced at the man. "But at least she's gone." This statement was taut, stern, almost daring him to correct her by saying otherwise.
|
|
|
Gossip
Mar 17, 2009 16:23:34 GMT -6
Post by Khay on Mar 17, 2009 16:23:34 GMT -6
The golden-brown haired man watched as the goldrider stood herself up and stalked out of the room. It wasn’t very surprising for him that she had deemed herself insulted enough to walk out. Her mouth had gaped like that of a fish on land before she had left too. It was for the best. He didn’t even want to hear what she had to say on his behalf anymore. He knew that by tomorrow, he would be pretty well damned in the Weyr, and people would go hush when he walked by. Let her have her fun, once she left, and he proved himself, the reputation wouldn’t stick. That, or he could always go back to Telgar, it was a dull option, but one indeed. He liked being this far from Benden.
He felt his back let out faintly, but he was still by far, very much tense. Slowly he allowed his fingers to flex stiffly, what a day. It wasn’t the type of experience that he had wanted. Instead, he just pushed in his chair, and leaned against it for a moment of silence, bringing a hand to his brow. He had just gotten himself into more trouble than he wanted to chew. Oh well, that was what he got for being stupid, and picking a fight with a Weyrwoman.
“Good job there, Wherrybrain!” The dragonrider laughed as he shook his head, and pushed the other man his tray. “Now go give the drudges your dishes, I’m not going to be your slave.”
Az’re smirked at the comment, shaking his head as he picked up his tray, only to turn around and find the Weyrling not too far from him. He smiled faintly at her, turning his smirk into something more polite, less mischeiveous. Already he was falling into the idea that she would be a leader of the Weyr, and he would have to bend backwards to make sure that she didn’t expel him from the new place that was a kind of home.
“Hello young queenrider.” He spoke formally, half way wishing that she wouldn’t be a leader so he could just say ‘Oh heeeeeeeey.’ It wasn’t going to happen, but hey, at least it was something that he could work towards. As her apologize came off her lips, he already had an idea of where this was going, however he didn’t choose to stop her. Tempted, but at least she would get the words off of her chest.
“Hey it was my pleasure. She’s always picking a fight, anyway.” He stated with a faint shrug. He was used to it. Phaedra was always talking about things that didn’t concern her… It was like they didn’t give her enough work to do in the Weyr. Honestly. At the statement that followed, he chuckled.
“Gone for now.” He corrected her, hearing the tone of her voice. “She’ll be back tomorrow… And by the time that morning hits, the whole Weyr is going to have some lie of some sort about us traveling from mouth to mouth.” He chuckled. It was easier to admit that it was just going to happen then to try and fight it. It was fighting it that got one in trouble. “However, as an assistant Weyrling Master, I’m forced to tell you that you should respect your elders.” He winked. He was proud that she had the guts to stand up against her. Not everyone did.
|
|
|
Gossip
Mar 17, 2009 16:36:31 GMT -6
Post by cerise on Mar 17, 2009 16:36:31 GMT -6
It hit her immediately that this man was an assistant to the Weyrlingmaster; she'd forgotten, actually, or had not really thought about it. Now the weyrling worried about getting into some sort of trouble, about having offended someone of rank... But you have rank of your own now, she reminded herself. She didn't have to be afraid of that, not anymore. With Trelath... with Trelath she was safe, could rise above those who had the potential to use her. She was the new queen's rider, after all!
But it did not make her feel any better to be addressed as such, at least not while still so new to the weyr. "Please. It is just Halmari, especially as you are one of those who is to teach us." Now she was lapsing back into formality, considering it safer ground. Closing herself off, as it were, locking the seed of rage away with a will of iron, refusing to let it surface again. What must these people think of her? The dragonrider, at least, did not seem upset, in fact seemed pleased that she had stood her ground. And upon looking, she could see smiles, nods of recognition from some of those around her; those who did not outright condone her actions were neutral, not meeting her eyes. Perhaps she had not ruined herself in the eyes of the weyr.
Head tilted slightly at the man's light-hearted warning, brows furrowing. "She'll spread rumors, just because we stood up to her?" It wasn't an unfathomable action. Faranth only knew how many times Halmari had heard gossip about others, even about herself, damaging rumors that had never been quite true, but could have been, and so hung whispering in the brain. The Hold had been like that, too. She'd thought dragonmen and women above that. Apparently she was wrong.
Straightening her spine, she faced the minor reprimand, refraining from letting the smile she wanted to display cross her features when she replied. "I do respect my elders, sir. But I don't believe that woman qualifies as my elder... anyone that inhuman cannot truly be respected, can they?"
|
|
|
Gossip
Mar 17, 2009 17:19:47 GMT -6
Post by Khay on Mar 17, 2009 17:19:47 GMT -6
As soon as she lapsed back into formality, he knew that she had recognized him for what he was. It was horrible really, he didn’t want the position. Weyrlings were just too much hassle. It wasn’t like he could joke around with them and have a good time when he was supposed to be their corrector. It took away a lot of the fun that was available to him, besides, teasing the little kids were always good times. A lot of them, unless their candidate training was proper, didn’t know what to do with a dragon. In his mind, it was better to be the ‘friend’ that they could turn to, then the teacher in front of a class. You learned squat about your students when you were a teacher. Nothing.
“Oh please, no formalities are needed with me, Halmari… And I can guarantee you that if ever you see me during a lesson, it’ll be sneaking out of the back row.” He smirked as his midnight eyes swept over her face. She had been brave to stand up to a Queen, a bit stupid too. A lot of people let it go to their heads once they had a Queen dragon that they were without opposition, some even thought that they were invincible once they had a dragon. These were all things to be corrected, all things that he noticed, but that he couldn’t care any more for correcting.
“Yes, she’ll spread rumors for the simple fact that we stood up against her. That we dared to voice our own opinion. Heck, she’d do it because we aren’t of her generation” He spoke seriously, his position still one of mirth as he shoved his free hand into a pocket, balancing himself upon the balls of his feet. “ And thank Faranth we weren’t! She hates my guts already.” He muttered to himself as he took interest in his boots for a second, trying to keep that comment as much to himself as he could. The less people that heard that one, the better.
Seeing her straighten her spine, he recognized the sign of stubbornness. She would be one to not mess with, he was deciding. Definitely a person to make sure that she was always kept busy. A good Queen rider, but a pain in the rear to have under your wing.
“All righty then… Let’s continue this outside, shall we, Miss Halmori?” He inquired with a laugh at her words as he gently hovered a hand behind her. He wasn’t touching her, holding it only a bit away from her mid back, however there was enough of a presence for it to be sensed. He’d answer them when he wasn’t within the hearing of the whole dinning hall. The last thing he needed was someone reporting back to Phaedra, and to have more junk shoved on his shoulders. He silently slipped his plate next to his friend, tucking his tray under his. Let’s get this young rider out of the dinning hall before he got reprimanded by those higher than him, and he was forced to actually play his rightful role.
|
|
|
Gossip
Mar 17, 2009 18:59:00 GMT -6
Post by cerise on Mar 17, 2009 18:59:00 GMT -6
A slight nod as he told her, much as she had him, not to waste formalities on him. Apparently he wasn't one of those who pulled his authority around, lording it over people and using it to give orders... not that Halmari had really expected such, given his words to Phaedra, but she had wondered. Worried, more like. But there was one slight problem with that. "If I'm not to use formalities, than what am I to call you? I don't know your name, after all," she added with a slight quirk of one brow, unapologetic. She had not been here long enough to have memorized the names of every rider.
And then another nod, understanding. She knew the ways of women who used gossip to destroy. The best thing to do was just ignore whatever came out of the Oldtimer's mouth, whatever whispers with her name in then went around the weyr. They would not be able to knock her down with mere talk, and she'd prove those who believed the rumors wrong, in due time. With any luck, the majority of people would simply dismiss the elder goldrider's talk. No one seemed to like the woman all that much, which seemed a bit sad, considering she was a queen's rider, and should have been held up as important, adored.
The very faintest touch of a smile quirked her lips as he asked her to step outside; no doubt she should have held her tongue in front of such a wide audience of people, since many of the diners were watching the pair, straining their ears. The damage was done now, and she expected once she was gone to receive another reprimand, but she would not have changed so much as a syllable of what she'd said. Perhaps it had been unwise of her to speak her mind so very openly and bluntly, but... what had passed was past. "Certainly," she said quietly, allowing the hand a few inches from her back to guide her towards the exit, away from the masses.
|
|
|
Gossip
Mar 17, 2009 20:39:37 GMT -6
Post by Khay on Mar 17, 2009 20:39:37 GMT -6
As he saw her quirk a brow, he realized that he was forgetting something. His name. He hadn’t given her a name, especially as the words flowed off of her lips. It caused him to chuckle faintly, amused. By the shell, he really had forgotten. Slowly he was shaking his head, more at himself then at the woman. “You may call me Az’re, Halmari.” The bronzerider said with a grin. Slowly he ran his hand through his messy hair. He shouldn’t have expected her to have known his name. Of course, knowing that she recognized him as a Weyrling Master, he had simply assumed, even if for a a moment, that she already knew his name. His bad. He knew better for next time.
As she started to walk towards the exit, he smiled faintly, nodding to the people that watched them leave, sighing under his breath. They always had to cause a scene. People simply didn’t know what was good for them anymore. Not to mention that they were trying to listen in to the conversation between the two. What had happened to respect, anyway? Had it been lost through the ages? Or was it going to slowly come back some day? He had no idea, but it would be nice to know. He longed for its presence again. It had been far too long since he had felt safe in his own home, now he was certain that someone was going to shank him in his sleep.
As he felt the cooler airs of the cavern leading to the dinning hall, he took in a deep breath. “By Faranth I hate that woman…” He cursed, shaking his head as he allowed his hand to drop towards his side. His hand was once more clenched into a fist, and his jaw was tense. Slowly he rolled his shoulders attempting to get the pain from between his blades. He had never felt so violent in his life as he had today. Well, he had a couple of times, but never because of what someone had said. He would have to keep that anger in check. If people saw him mad, they’d think him abusive. Last thing he needed.
“Thank you, everyone in there would have been listening, and passing our words through a flit chain, whispering to one another. I didn’t want to have deal with them. Now to answer you question, you do have to respect her, at least outwardly. If she ever does anything bad to you, come to me. You’re a Weyrling, you have the most to lose.” He spoke in a calm voice, staring at the wall for a moment before his sly smirk appeared upon his lips once more, and he glanced at her with a cocky smile. “Besides, she has nothing on me!” He chuckled, but he knew the opposite of his words.
“So… What’s your Queen’s name?” He inquired, trying to think of some light conversation that they could take on without bringing that woman, or the hatching directly into their minds again. Talking about her dragon was a safe bet… For the most part. Just didn’t have to mention the fight.
|
|
|
Gossip
Mar 18, 2009 15:06:06 GMT -6
Post by cerise on Mar 18, 2009 15:06:06 GMT -6
"Az're." She filed the information away, memorized it in that instant, making certain that she would remember. Another time she would have to find someone to drill her in the names of every Southern rider, but for now, it was just important to remember this one. He would be a strong figure in her weyrling training, after all, and since he'd been the one to assist her, standing up to Phaedra alongside her... well, he bore remembering.
She managed a light smile at his words once they were beyond the ears of a listening mass, a glint in her eyes that was steely and not at all pleasant. "I don't blame you." But Halmari said nothing further than that, allowing the older dragonrider to go on speaking. The young woman also didn't want him to have any cause to discipline her further. She'd hold her tongue, now that she wasn't entirely enraged, and capable of keeping silent.
Grey eyes remained solidly on Az're as he spoke, not the slightest movement coming from the weyrling, nor the most fleeting of emotions crossing her face. She was in control now; she didn't know what had happened earlier, but she was in control now. Halmari had always been quite good at keeping herself closed off, anyway, of preventing anyone from knowing what she was thinking. It seemed that talent would be coming into play at the Weyr a lot more frequently than she had expected, from what the dragonrider was confiding.
"I will be respectful to her, as much as I can, then, but... I am not afraid of her." Gossip could do nothing to her that had not already been done. It was kind of the dragonrider to try to protect her, but Halmari did not need it. She was strong enough on her own, and stronger still with Trelath by her side. There was nothing to lose that the Oldtimer could truly take from her. "Though it is... nice of you, to offer to help me. I am capable of dealing with the consequences of my own actions." The girl's voice was firm, unwavering. She meant every word of what she said, and was not about to bend on any of her points. Firm as steel, she was.
The change of topics let her allow a smile again, this one fond and open at the thought of her queen. "Trelath," she murmured, the adoration in her voice saying everything.
|
|
|
Gossip
Mar 22, 2009 22:19:44 GMT -6
Post by Khay on Mar 22, 2009 22:19:44 GMT -6
OoC Sorry! I failed hard! T_T
IC He could only shake his head faintly hearing her words. Already she was trying to be the Weyrwoman that she wasn’t. Already she was planning on doing things without the help of others, which wasn’t going to win anyone’s side. The only reason why a Weyr would function properly was because it had the riders that it needed to function properly and that the help system between them would be strong enough to support itself. Besides, with the way that she was showing formalities upon him, it seemed as though she didn’t catch his teasing hints, or the fact that he was only saying what he was saying because he didn’t want her to get her. It was sad how many people lost everything because of what that old woman could do.
Dark eyes stared coldly at the woman as she mentioned that she wasn’t afraid. He didn’t blame her not to be, the woman only had bark these days, however there was simply something that she wasn’t catching on. If she refused his help, he wouldn’t offer it to her again. There was no point if it was going to go unheeded. Besides, there would come a point where she would simply view him as any other bronzerider. It wouldn’t be too far in the future either, he was sure of it. She was already closing up, something that made the Weyrwomen less human in his eyes. Perhaps it was just his point of view on things. Ah well…
“Whatever you wish, Goldrider,” he spoke, voice clipped, falling into his rank as he merely walked on. If she would act like the stuck up goldrider, he would act like the bronzerider. As she mentioned her dragon’s name, he smirked faintly. Yeah, it had had the affect that he had wanted, and it was nice that she already adored her dragon, of course, who didn’t?
“What’s she like? Usually they have quite the personality upon hatching.” He inquired, keeping his attitude in check. He could give her trouble at a later date.
|
|
|
Gossip
Apr 7, 2009 17:21:04 GMT -6
Post by cerise on Apr 7, 2009 17:21:04 GMT -6
It was not that she was trying to be stubborn, nor independent to prove a point; Halmari simply did not believe in relying on others for help, not if they had not yet proved themselves trustworthy. And as much as her mind was trying to tell her that a dragonrider, any rider, but particularly those of any rank like this assistant Weyrlingmaster, were worthy of being trusted... she simply couldn't believe it. Not yet. It was her nature to be solitary and untrusting.
"I thought we were not standing on ceremony, Assistant Weyrlingmaster?" If he was going to try to insult her by using her rank rather than her name, she would do the same. Halmari did not usually take kindly to such things. She truly had not been trying to offend him by refusing his help, it was just... not her way. But she could not go about explaining that; she doubted that the man would be willing to listen. He seemed the type that would withdraw all offers of help after she rebuffed them once.
Ah, well. She could handle rumors by herself, for they were the warfare she had learned in a world of women. They were merely words, which could not hurt her. And perhaps she would later end up apologizing to the Oldtimer in order to stem the torrent of damaging suggestions, but likely not. Either way, it would be something she would do on her own.
The topic of her dragon was much more pleasant than musing further on this situation, or on the temperament of her current companion. "She is rather quieter than I am, which must be relief to some... but as willful. A stubborn dragon for a stubborn woman, I suppose." There was a faint, self-deprecating smile on her lips, and she shook her head ruefully. Trelath was hard to explain to someone who had not encountered her. "And what of your dragon? I would not presume to stand about talking only of myself and mine when there is company present."
|
|
|
Gossip
Apr 9, 2009 21:14:24 GMT -6
Post by Khay on Apr 9, 2009 21:14:24 GMT -6
Az’re chuckled faintly as the Goldrider countered back, just like the kids that he knew. There was honestly something about that dragon that seemed to get to their head. Ah well, there was nothing that he could do if Queen’s like the headstrong, stubborn ones. He’d wash his hands of it. The only time he’d have to worry about it was during Flight, and god forbid that his dragon would be interested! That was a disturbing thought in his mind. Because no matter how he looked at it, they were all children that he’d have to see in the Wings, making mistakes that they would make, and these were the Weyrlings that would get burned and badly hurt when they started for practice. It was how it worked, the same story over and over again.
“Dear lady, it isn’t an insult to call you by your dragon’s colour… It should be an honour, Halmori.” He listened to her, his eyes flickering in her direction as he watched as she spoke. There was something about him that stated that she had his attention no matter what happened in the conversation. He wasn’t the type of person to simply stop listening to someone. It wasn’t his way. He preferred to get along with those that he could, and avoid those that he couldn’t. It was the way that this bronzerider worked. As a faint smile appeared upon his face, Az’re shoved his hands into his pocket, smirking. Sounded like a Queen to him!
“My dragon?” He asked, eyes widening faintly, taken off guard. First surprise of the batch, a Weyrling that didn’t prattle on and on about their dragon. He found that part of the conversation to be more easily followed. When he had to describe his dragon, he couldn’t help but think of the days back at Benden, the days where they had soared with the Wing, the days where they hadn’t been limited by death, but he allowed those thoughts to vanish swiftly enough, not wanting to appear like a dimglow in front of her.
“He’s… Spirited, you could say.” He mentioned with a certain spark in his gaze, a certain longing of times that might never come again. It would be nice to be the risktaker that he was, but now in Southern, he hadn’t really gone up into the air and allowed his dragon to simply be himself. He’d have to set the bronze on that sometime in the future. “He’s a sweetheart, but he most certainly has a mind of his own… Not to mention that he likes excitement.” Az’re shrugged his shoulders. She’d have to meet him, on a bad day, to understand the dragon… Oh well, she’d hear his flirting when she was older. Faranth have mercy on her dragon!
|
|
|
Gossip
Apr 11, 2009 21:52:43 GMT -6
Post by cerise on Apr 11, 2009 21:52:43 GMT -6
"It may be an honor, but I prefer being called by name. When you retreat to titles, I feel like you're trying to reprimand me for something." She was an acute observer, the young goldrider, and knew full well that this man wasn't completely pleased with her. So either he was more arrogant than he came off, or her thought she was; either of those would be a disappointing assessment. Halmari was not fond of the arrogant, and she didn't want people to think such a thing of herself. The female truly wasn't as self-assured in all things as she tried to act in company.
A slight smile quirked her lips upward - so he was surprised someone as 'arrogant' as she was would bother to ask about his dragon? Well, he would be in for more than a few shocks, if he kept conversing with her. Halmari preferred to learn things about others, not babble on and on selfishly. She was not, admittedly, very good at talking about herself, and that attitude seemed to extend to her dragon as well. Of course, that could have just been some of Trelath's reserve rubbing off on her, even in the first few sevendays of their bonding.
Spirited. Well, one would certainly hope that was true of a bronze, as well as the comment about him having a mind of his own... they were supposed to be the male leaders of the weyrs and wings, which meant the brief personality sketch exemplified what a bronze dragon should be. The weyrling listened with slight nods where appropriate, eyes fixed on the elder rider's face, giving him undivided attention. Perhaps by listening well she would be able to dispel some of his beliefs about the nature of her character. Unlikely, but she would certainly try.
"What's his name?" Much as the rider had forgotten to expose his own name earlier, the dragon's name was still a mystery to Halmari, one she rather wanted to know. He was a bronze, after all, which meant that Trelath would be acquainted with him at some point; if the girl were lucky, she could persuade her dragonet queen away from that particular bronze. The young woman was entirely sure that she didn't want to end up with this man as a partner after her bondmate's maiden flight.
|
|
|
Gossip
Apr 12, 2009 0:14:38 GMT -6
Post by Khay on Apr 12, 2009 0:14:38 GMT -6
Az’re nodded at her words. As much as he wanted to act the arrogant Bronzerider… Well… He was acting the jerk bronzerider too. Ah well, it was best that she stayed away from him anyway. He was just trouble, he knew it, his dragon knew it, the Weyr knew it. Heck, if he kept his arrogance, then at least she’d be ready for the bronzeriders that would treat her like the piece of meat that she was in some of their eyes. If she was lucky, she would never have to live through that, she would never have to face being ignored by all the older people around her. However, he wasn’t going to hope for such a thing. When a person was a ranking rider, there was never a thing such as ascending with ease to your rank. There would always be trials, and challenges.
“You’re going to have to get used to it, little Lady.” The blue eyed stated with the faintest of cocky smirks. He wouldn’t allow his thoughts to portray themselves within his appearance. Besides, why should she know that he actually wanted to look after her? “People are going to pull title on you faster than you can blink.” He added with a shrug of his shoulders as he shoved his hands into his pockets, taking a casual stance.
Rank… Rank wasn’t really something that he had wanted in the first place, and when she asked more about his dragon, he couldn’t stop the thoughts that crossed his mind. Does it even matter if I tell you or not? You’re not going to see me much anyway… There was something within his eyes, a darker glint, a more serious tone to his follies. It faded quickly, replaced with that grand assurance that a Bronzerider was known for. Hey, he had stood up against the Oldtimer, had he not? By his dragon’s egg, he was lucky that he didn’t have a rank in this Weyr, he would have lost it quickly!
“Xitherlyth,” it doesn’t matter… You want to avoid me, I’m going to avoid you. It honestly doesn’t matter… “that’s his name,” he smirked. Swiftly his eyes traveled towards the heights, watching the large bronze unfurl his wings, stretching them out. “The lump of hide with what looks to be wings.” Az’re added with a smirk.
“Did they teach you how to take care of the little darling at all yet?” The bronzerider inquired curiously. There were some candidates that were blindly thrown into situations. He was guessing she had already been given the tour of the Weyr, and he knew that they couldn’t stray too far from where her bonded would be.
|
|
|
Gossip
Apr 12, 2009 0:31:10 GMT -6
Post by cerise on Apr 12, 2009 0:31:10 GMT -6
The title of 'Lady' struck her harder than the reference to the color of dragon she rode; in the small Hold from which she had come, calling her 'Lady' had been worse than an insult, a reference to the low standing from which she had come and the unpleasant position of service to the Lord Holder which she had once occupied. Even now, hearing that title applied to her made her wince visibly, though she turned her head in an attempt to hide it from the bronzerider. She would have to get used to it. She had the rank that went along with the title now, turning a once-insult into an honor. It would still take a great deal of getting used to, and Halmari would never be completely comfortable with it.
He was right. People would either be referring to her deferentially or using her rank as a way to mock her, most likely for the rest of her life. That was the price that came with Trelath's Impression, and she would accept it, though at times she was sure she'd rage against it. "People, yes, but I had believed we were past such things. Ah, well; it's back to 'Lord' and 'Lady,' 'Goldrider' and 'Bronzerider' then, if you insist upon it." Despite the grave solemnity of her voice, there was actually a well-hidden hint of humor in her face, though she doubted Az're would pick up on it. Halmari had a peculiar sense of what was funny, to say the least.
Turning back to the easier topic, she gave another, more solid nod, committing the bronze's name to memory. "Xitherlyth," she repeated, grey eyes following the other's turn, falling to the bronze dragon spreading his wings. Well, now she knew whom to warn Trelath away from, though the golden dragonet would likely do as she pleased when she was of an age to be attracted to the bronzes of the weyr. Ah, well, the queen's rider could but try to impose her own limitations on her dragon, even if such a thing was impossible.
The girl fought back a glare at the rider's question; did he think she was completely incompetent? No, no, he was just trying to be courteous, or something of the like. Faranth only knew she had come into the weyr completely out of her element, unsure of what to do. "They have, to some extent, though the Weyrlingmaster seems to be taking things rather slowly," she managed to respond politely, the part of her mind irrevocably linked to Trelath reaching out to feel the gold's consciousness. "Of course, right now she's asleep, outgrowing her hide from today's meal, undoubtedly..." The roll of her eyes didn't match the fondness in her voice, but the dragonet was growing at an alarming rate. That meant a great deal of washing and oiling, and a great deal of food sacrificed to the dragon's jaws.
|
|
|
Gossip
Apr 12, 2009 0:50:41 GMT -6
Post by Khay on Apr 12, 2009 0:50:41 GMT -6
She winced… She bloody winced at the name! Az’re held back the groan that wanted to escape his lips as he noticed it. It wasn’t that obvious of a movement, however, he had been trained in noticing anything from the falling of threads in the sky, to the faintest tremor in a wing that warned that another dragon was getting tired, and it was time for them to switch out. Here he had been going to call her kid! He didn’t even want to know what she would have thought about that one! He would have never heard the end of it, or she would have walked off in a huff before he even had time to explain that he was trying to lighten the mood. Urgh… It was the ‘children’ it must be the children. When she was older, and her dragon was fully grown, he was sure that they’d get along fine. She merely had to make herself a part of the Weyr. A Weyr that he still felt a stranger to…
Slowly his eyebrow cocked upwards at her words, and a crooked smile spread upon his lips as his eyes glinted maliciously. There was something about her naming all the titles that they had used that brought amusement to his eyes. “Well, if that’s the case, let’s go through all of them, shall we ‘Headwoman’?” He joked faintly, briefly showing his playful self. He wasn’t meant for these roles of seriousness. Shards, he was meant to be upon his dragon’s back, doing barrel-rolls until neither of them knew up from down. He was meant to be riding without straps through the whole thing, hoping that he would survive until he landed. That’s what he should be doing! Not standing here talking to this woman who was obviously sick of his presence.
She was memorizing his dragon’s name, he knew that she was. And slowly he allowed his mind voice to travel towards his dragon. Xith, you lazy lump of hide… When the New Queen grows, you’re not to chase her, got it? He warned the large creature, watching as his dragon’s mind touched his with a sense of amusement. It wasn’t as though the dragon was going to remember it for that long either way. The Bronze knew it, the rider knew it, they all knew it. But, at least he could have warned the dragon, and keep warning him. There was something about spreading the gene pool that Xith simply took too seriously.
He saw her eyes go to narrow, the faintest movement of muscle. Greeeaaaaat-tttttt... He could hang his head right now. Better yet, he could walk to his Weyr, make a noose, and jump… Possibly after tying it to something. They wouldn’t even get along when she was a fullrider. Scrap the getting along! It wouldn’t happen! EVER! “You know that I only said that, because I could have gone to show you around, right?” The brownhead inquired with the faintest of smirks. “And she should be… And I can tell you, within 6 months, she’ll be over half the size of her full grown self…” He added, brow quirking at her eyeroll. Did she not like feeding her bonded?
Another wicked smirk. There was always one or two of the bunch that couldn’t handle it.
|
|
|
Gossip
Apr 12, 2009 1:18:07 GMT -6
Post by cerise on Apr 12, 2009 1:18:07 GMT -6
It really was unfortunate that he was so bloody observant. The instinctive reaction had not been due to the bronzerider himself, merely for the memories associated with a title. Still, Halmari could practically see the man's view of her getting worse and worse as minutes passed. Clearly, the pair of them were just not meant to get along, no matter what people might say about gold- and bronze-riders. Not all of them were compatible, and this was a very obvious example.
But he was... had he actually gotten the joke? Or was he merely making a mockery of her on his own, as he seemed so prone to do? Cautiously the girl smiled back, a hint of a smirk tweaking the corners of the more innocent expression. "Oh, please don't tell me that means I have to go back to calling you 'Assistant Weyrling Master,' that's far too great a mouthful." She was teasing lightly, testing the waters as it were, though she was fairly certain the man would be happier to be rid of her than to continue conversing. Maybe she really ought to be going elsewhere.
At the mental touch Trelath stirred slightly, not waking but silently reassuring her rider as to her presence. Still watching the bronze on the fireheights, Halmari almost wished the dragonet were awake, just so she'd have reason to depart from the company of the infuriating older rider, but not enough to actually coax the creature into consciousness. The gold needed her sleep, and the young rider was loath to interrupt it, knowing how ill tempered Trelath could be when woken early.
Again, the other's skills of observation were to be her downfall. Hastily she ducked her head in a somewhat respectful nod, as though trying to make up for the momentary almost-glare. "I did not know that, actually. And it is a nice offer - I've been led through the weyr before, but thank you. It's... good of you to try to help me out." Well, now she felt like an utter ass. Things were just not working out the way the young woman intended today. She cautioned herself to just shut up, but the other's next words startled a response out of her. "She's going to be bloody enormous," the weyrling said fairly tactlessly, before biting her lip to stifle words again. Shards and shells, she was not doing well on the social front.
|
|
|
Gossip
Apr 12, 2009 1:43:25 GMT -6
Post by Khay on Apr 12, 2009 1:43:25 GMT -6
Honestly, if caution was needed, he wouldn’t be speaking as bluntly as he was. She was still taking her good ol sweet time noticing his joke. The young man looked at her, terribly amused for a moment as he saw the corners of her lips twitching upwards. He had no idea whether this was because she was trying to humour him, or if she had actually wanted to participate in some playful banter. Besides, it was best for them to stay on lighter grounds before they jumped at each other’s throats like wild felines who were starved from the drought.
She spoke back, and it brought his smirk wider across his lips as he chuckled softly under his breath. “Please, I always called mine ‘Ass’.” He stated, rolling his eyes before realizing his words and coughing faintly. “When they weren’t standing right beside you, of course. Then it was AsstWem.” He shrugged his shoulders. “If your good enough at just barely pronouncing the Tee, they barely realize that it could be an insult.” He was joking to an extant… His Weyrling Master and his Assistants had been utter dimglows. He hadn’t enjoyed lessons at all, but they had been worth it in the end.
“Pffft, please. A.W.M. Is nothing like Lady Weyrling Halmori Queenrider of Trelath. Now that is a mouthful.” Speaking lightly was his area of comfort. Serious discussions were meant for behind doors, not when they were outside after having aided each other in outmouthing an oldtimer. They should be celebrating! Not that they could without getting the rulebooks thrown into their faces, but they had done a serious double team when it came to words against the old coon.
Her head bowed, she went out speaking politely. She had gaffed. Lovely, at least she realized that he wasn’t trying to be the utter arrogant bastard. But at the tactless words, he couldn’t help but chuckle aloud, smirking as he looked at his bronze, then looking back at the future weyrwoman to be. “Aie, that she will!” She was embarrassed? It was about time that she had let her hair down! “Possibly about 50 feet, I’m guessing. And for a good while, 33 feet of that is going to have to be oiled every day. You’ll be a strong one in the arms you will.” Az’re stated truthfully. Queenriders had it tough.
|
|