Home for a Visit (SaiDalTam/Open)

[saidalshuin]

Zoril had started out his morning walking out of Fort Hold and now a few candlemarks past he was arriving at the Northern Weyrbowl. A demure smile sat beneath his nose, greeting any he came across. The man's outfit seemed to be created mostly from the creatures near Fort Hold, save for his shirt which was a dirtied cotton. His pants were of some lighter skin. A dark brown vest was worn neatly over his shirt, clearly made of hide. A belt hugged his waist and dangling from it were a sheathed belt knife, a stiff tall pouch and a small, worn crossbow that had clearly seen far better days and a second softer pouch.

The man looked around the Weyrbowl to take in anything of note.

[saidaltam]

T'rel had been enjoying his afternoon. He'd set it aside specifically to oil Vijaith, which had taken surprisingly little time, with the dragon helping at every turn, and now found himself without immediate duty, so, as was his preferred custom, he was wandering the bowl, a handful of small, flat rocks bouncing in his palm, and debating meandering down to the lake to skip them. Skipping stones had always helped clear his mind.

When he noticed the unfamiliar face standing just inside the bowl, he paused, canting his head to the side, and looked the younger man over. 'Vijaith? Ever seen this one before?' he asked the dragon.

Yawning widely, Vijaith hopped down from the ridge and circled low, his green-kissed bronze hide shimmering brightly under the sun. The dragon cast an appraising eye over the visitor, then huffed and flew back up. :No. He should stand for the eggs, though,:[/color] Vijaith replied, making himself comfortable again. :Tell him I said so.:[/color]

Taking the dragon's advice, more out of a desire not to listen to him gripe than because he particularly felt that his dragon gave great advice, T'rel meandered over to the man. "Lookin' for something?" he asked cheerfully.

[stolenhart]

Ilayria liked nothing more than spending time with her dragon. Nothing was as relaxing as Astoth. The gold loved her despite her selfish tendencies, her wayward ways and immature backstabbing. Truthfully Ilayria had not backstabbed many, those times had happened when she was a child. All children did that, she supposed, and she must have outgrown it or she wouldn't be where she was today. With a gold, with Astoth. Quit being so melodramatic. Really. You are such a female, the dragon sent, poking her nose at Ilayria. "Beast! You are the one being so touchy", the woman teased back, wading out of the water as a shadow passed above. Instantly she took a step towards the gold, It's just Vijaith. He was after his rider, Astoth looked over her rider's shoulder towards T'rel and a newcomer.

Something about the newcomer drew Ilayria's eyes and she narrowed them wondering if she had seen them before. "Do I go see what they are up to?", she was always suspicious of the candidates. You couldn't tell a spy from an actual candidate and she was nervous. With a new clutch coming up she didn't want to risk the eggs being stolen. Wait. Maybe they will come to you, Astoth urged her. No one would think to attack Ilayria with the gold behind her. They would think twice anyway, even if she didn't have the gold. Ilayria moved with the grace of a fighter and the shortsword by her boots was further proof of her skill.

[saidalshuin]

Zoril stopped walking when he was approached vocally. He turned his smile to the man and raised his hand in greeting, "Just thought I'd come by for a visit with my sister. Figured I'd get around to catchin' up with her. It's been a while since we pair have had a good talk." He had since lowered his hand and hooked its thumb into his belt. "Figured that afterwards I might just go trackin' what I may to bring a present back for her in the evenin'."

He was silent for just a moment, but there was a slight tension in the air that was not quite done speaking. That silence was broken with, "Might just stand around the sands while I'm here. No real harm in tryin', I reckon." His smile never faded through his short speech.

[saidaltam]

T'rel smiled. That was half his work done for him. "Well, they're not hatching, yet, but if you're up for trying, Vijaith thinks you've got it in you." He gestured up toward the sunning dragon, who, aware he was being looked at, made a show of stretching, wings flaring backward and neck arching prettily. He always had been a bit vain. Something to do with being a bronze, T'rel supposed. "Stick around, though--don't want to miss out on an egg just because you couldn't stay for the hatching." He paused, pursing his lips.

'Vijaith? How long does Astoth estimate the eggs have left? If anyone can guess, it'll be her.' he inquired.

:I will check.:[/color]

While Vijaith did so, T'rel cast an appraising gaze over the candidate. There was nothing overly revealing about him, really. He seemed... genuinely middling. Something about that worried T'rel, but he had a kind smile, and anyway, if they were careful... well. They'd just have to be careful.

:Astoth?[/color] Vijaith inquired with deferential politeness. :Mine wonders how long you expect it will be before the eggs are ready to hatch. He says that you would know best. :[/color]

[stolenhart]

Astoth visibly preened at the compliment, of course she would know best, she was a gold dragon. "Get over yourself and get out of the lake", Ilayria mockingly scolded the dragon, slapping her shoulder with the wet rag. Both females waded out of the water, Astoth dripping golden tinged droplets and Ilayria just dripping. Ilayria had rolled her breeches up to her knees but they had still gotten wet. Thank the egg her shirt wasn't wet. You get over yourself. Days yet, Astoth replied to the bronze, shaking herself.

"Come, let me get some oil on you", Ilayria said, slipping on her sandals. She rarely wore boots when she was taking care of the dragon. Boots were just impractical to be running in and out of water after a dragon. That would be heavenly. Why do you need to know about the eggs?, Astoth asked the bronze, watching him from her spot in the bowl. She couldn't pay attention to the dragon and the new boy though, so she gave up and turned back to the stranger. I wish he would hurry up and come over here. Ilayria laughed, the gold was afire with curiosity but would not go to him. She'd wait until he came to her.

[saidalshuin]

Zoril seemed amused by T'rel. It was a sparkle in his eye that flickered for just a breath. His entire demeanor seemed to be tailored to putting those around him at ease. It was a combination of things. His posture, his smile, and a multitude of other, less tangible traits. "Oh, don't worry, I'll stick 'round, got more reason to do it now that you n' yours seem to think that I oughta. His eyes had long since drifted back down from surveying the bronze dragon and had slid right over to the gold which had made its way out of the water. "You seem to think that the eggs'll be hatchin' soon?" He returned his vision to the man with which he spoke. "Oh, and do you reckon the word might be passed along to my sister that I've done walked all this way to have a chat n' maybe a meal with her?"

[saidaltam]

"Consider it done," T'rel replied with a grin. He had kin here. That was encouraging. "You know her dragon's name? Otherwise, hers would work." As he spoke, Vijaith was relaying the information about the clutch to him. He sent the dragon a wave of gratitude and affection, adding seamlessly, "Astoth estimates it'll be a few days before the eggs hatch, and if anyone would know, it's her."

:The candidate. Mine wished to tell him. I think he'll do well,:[/color] the bronze added.

'Vijaith? Would you have Astoth ask Ilayria if she'd mind meeting this fellow? I expect it would probably give her some peace of mind. There's something very comforting about this lad.'

:Of course there is. I picked him,:[/color] Vijaith agreed, then turned his attention to the gold. :Mine wishes to know if yours wishes to meet the boy.[/color] This last was said in a far more polite tone than he was wont to waste on his rider. T'rel knew him too well for it, anyhow.

[stolenhart]

Astoth didn't even relay the question to Ilayria, she pounced on it herself. Yes. Bring him over here this instant. At the very least he can help oil me and your's as well, she subtly ordered the bronze as she lowered her head so Ilayria could oil around her headknobs and face. "You seem smug", Ilayria pointed out, staring into the dragon's eye. Astoth gave a slight purr and tried to jerk her head away but Ilayria held on.

She shouldn't have been able to but she did. The candidate is coming to offer you his help, whether or not that was true was beyond the dragon but it was how she precieved things. Ilayria however was used to the dragon's short cut method of getting what she wanted and simply rolled her eyes. She'd welcome the help of course but she highly doubted that was why the candidate was coming over anyway.

[saidalshuin]

"Emateith. Her dragon's name is Emateith."

He removed his thumbs from his belt and stretched his legs, they were a bit weary after his long walk. It would be a small blessing to finally get off of his feet. A goal which seemed to be growing further and further away from his immediate grasp.

He seemed to be caught up in a gentle reverie. "I don't suppose it would hurt none to stay around a few days." The smile on his face widened for a few moments before he snapped his attention back to the matter at hand. "I suppose you got better things to do than stand 'round waggin' tongue with me all afternoon..." He allowed this to trail off, with the mildest hint of dejection thrown in for flavor.

[saidaltam]

"Actually," T'rel replied, mildly surprised the younger man was interested in his company, "I've the afternoon off, and with Vijaith already oiled, little to do but skip stones." He tossed a few of the ones he'd gathered into the air for good measure, catching them again as they fell.

:Astoth says bring him, and she wishes that you come, as well--to help oil her.:[/color] Vijaith sounded conflicted about that one, both proud of the honor for his rider and irritated at having to share. T'rel found it quaint, and just a little amusing.

'Alright. Have Emateith tell her rider that her brother is here, won't you?' T'rel answered.

:What am I, a messenger?:[/color] Vijaith replied with feigned irritation, but T'rel knew he'd relay the message, and replied to his quip with a wave of affection.

"And anyhow, Ilayria'd like to meet you, and no rider's got the authority just now to tell her no," T'rel added, grinning at the man. "Besides, I think Astoth would like an extra pair of hands oiling, and since I'm already in my oily best..." He flashed a devilish smile up at the younger man. "I'm T'rel, by the way," he added. "And Ilayria's a junior weyrwoman, so be polite, eh? She's... well... a bit..." He paused, fishing for the right word, before concluding, delicately, "Temperamental." Gesturing for Zoril to walk with him, he started heading over to the queenrider and her gold.

[stolenhart]

Tempermental did not really cover Ilayria but it was perhaps the best that anyone could come up with. She could be tempermental it was true, but she could also take the extreme opposite and be cold-headed, vicious and without emotion. It just depended on what day you caught her on. Whoever won Astoth's flight would need to be careful with her. Her last two flight winners had wound up having a vicious brawl the day after her second flight. Of course Ilayria had done nothing to stop it or start it, she had merely watched it peter out. Then, because they had embarrass her, swore neither one would ever fly Astoth again. Tempermental might be a good word after all.

You know for some reason I don't think many people like us, the gold told her, snorting happily. "They love you dear, especially during skirmishes. It's me they don't like. But I am happy with that, it keeps me on my toes so I can keep them on their toes", she replied, letting go of the gold's head so she could move down to her feet. Astoth's face, feet and wing joints always needed oil but then they were the parts that were constantly in motion and movement. They were also the easiest places to get to. I think they come to see me, the gold preened, arching her neck and half opening her wings.

[saidalshuin]

Zoril let one hand rest cocked on his hip and the other he let hang at his side, “I can’t rightly figure why she’d want to do that. I’m not exactly interestin’.” After a brief pause he seemed to register names had been handed out, “Oh, I’m Zoril.” His smile slithered back into place as he began to walk along beside T’rel, “You don’t reckon that this’ll take too terribly long, do you? I mean, it is quite a walk to get here and I would like to take myself a nice sit.” He clasped his hands before himself, “And it would be nice if I could get out and a bout after talkin’ with my sister t’ catch somethin’ fresh for the two of us,” he mused.

Zoril fell silent when the pair hit what he deemed to be ear-shot.

[saidaltam]

T'rel chuckled dryly. "There are plenty of places by the lake that have been regularly usurped into seats over the years. You're welcome to claim one. You're also welcome to join the rest of the Weyr in the dining hall for meals, if you want to. Otherwise, I believe the lake is kept stocked with fish, though I'm honestly not sure." As they drew closer, he raised his hand in greeting.

"Weyrwoman! Your lovely Astoth said you might want some help oiling her." He gestured toward his tall companion and added, "This is Zoril. He's here to see his sister, Emateith's rider, and has decided to stay and stand for the eggs. Vijaith," he added, "seems to think he'll impress well, and would have had me on my knees, begging him to stand, if he hadn't been so keen to do so already." He smiled with dry amusement at that.

[stolenhart]

"She thinks I cannot do as good a job now as I could when she was smaller", Ilayria made a wry face at the dragon who shook her head and looked oblivious. It was completly obvious that the gold was listening to the conversation though, despite her attempt at hiding it. "I am Ilayria", she introduced herself with a smile on her face, dimples as deep as they would go. She really was a pretty woman despite her short hair. She would proabbly look better if she let it grow out but then it wouldn't fit under her riding helmet.

"It's always nice when the candidates come to us instead of us going to them", she smiled, handing T'rel an oiling rag. "Sit, you must be tired Zoirl. T'rel can help me", she semi-ordered turning back to the gold who had spread her wings at an unspoken question. "We are just doing the basics today T'rel, I have so much to do today I don't have time", she added, climbing up on the dragon's leg to reach the wing joint.

[saidalshuin]

Zoril lowered himself to the ground, adjusting the crossbow which dangled from his hip as he went, and sat with his legs folded beneath him. “I’m not as tired as I could be.” The demure smile fixed itself on his face after that and he closed his eyes. The man’s hands came to rest in his lap. “What’s on the agenda, if you don’t mind my pryin’?” He would let his head sink down towards his shoulders as he began to relax and settle in for what he figured would be a sharding long monologue.

[saidaltam]

T'rel gave the dragon a quick, cursory examination, then nodded briskly and propped a hand on Astoth's rear leg. With a quick, practiced movement, he hoisted himself up, the way he did when he was doing this for Vijaith, and started down the dragon's tail. The whole length of it could probably use a good oiling, if she was anything like his big bronze boy, tail constantly whipping this way or that.

As he attended to oiling the beast, he made a point of paying keen attention to what was being said between his Weyrwoman and the new candidate. Vijaith rarely bothered noting anyone as a viable candidate, though he was capable, and for him to notice this boy made T'rel very, very interested.

[stolenhart]

Astoth helped T'rel very little as he tried to oil her tail. She wasn't used to being still, unless she was asleep, and holding her tail long enough for him to oil it was quite trying for her. "Astoth, quit, he's trying to oil your tail", Ilayria said, slapping the dragon's shoulder. The gold turned to look at her, blinked solemnly and looked away, studying a green that flying in the distance. After a few more moments her tail began to swish again. "Astoth!", Ilayria said once more then sighed. "Alright, T'rel she won't let us oil her at the moment, I suggest we go talk to your friend there", she climbed down and set her oil cup out of the way along with her rags.

"So, Zoril was it?", she asked, picking up her sword from where it lay a few feet away. She sat on the ground a bit away from the stranger so they could have a friendly conversation. "Where are you from? Fort, Ruatha?", if he was from Ruatha maybe he could tell her about Lailya's new Southerner.

[saidaltam]

T'rel chuckled dryly. He was used to these sort of antics from Vijaith. Whenever he'd oil him, the big bronze would be stone still, every inch of him, except his tail. He generally ended up plopped down, one arm wrapped around the last bit of tail he'd worked on, inching his way down and griping at the silly beast the whole way. It was an absolutely ridiculous sight, and it was probably just as well that Ilayria wasn't asking the same for Astoth. He'd have felt utterly silly clinging to the gold's tail like an oversized burr.

Setting the oiling supplies he'd been using aside with the rest of Ilayria's, T'rel pulled himself up onto his personal favourite stone beside the water, fishing out his nigh-forgotten fistful of skipping stones and piling them next to himself. "Hate to intrude, Astoth, but might I ask you to indulge my and take one big step to the left?" he asked the gold, holding up a skipping stone for her to see.