What Light -Zen-

[stolenhart]

It had been a good flight, Ilayria had been happy about it. Even Astoth was happy about it, the dragon quietly curling up on her couch as she came in from the flight's aftermath. Ilayria never heard her come in though she knew the dragon was safe. The previous flight, Astoth had been upset and grumped and complained until Ilayria had gotten out of bed and seen the bronze rider removed from the weyr. That was when her previous catcher had come along and proceeded to start a fight. No the last flight hadn't been fun at all.

Ilayria came awake slowly, muscles complaining about yesterday's rough exercises. She froze for a moment letting those muscles re-relax into the warmth of the bed and the man beside her. Once she stopped hurting again she turned her head to study the man in bed, except she couldn't see much as he was almost buried in the blankets and furs. Ilayria hadn't removed her winter blankets yet. "Alright", she said, climbing to one elbow, "Let's see who won", she added, pulling back the blankets to reveal....

[maiwolf]

The man had the distinct feeling that something amazing had happened yesterday. He could feel the ache in his muscles, though he knew he had done nothing, at least not until the end. The end had been masterful, sexual even. He remembered only bits and pieces, only what his tired mind permitted him to remember. He rolled over underneath the furs, feeling those furs slide gently over his naked body. He had either won, or he had lost. This great sense of accomplishment, though, made him think he had done the former. He felt his mind-link with his dragon intensify for several seconds while he remembered the flight. The strain on the dragon’s wings, but the elation in his heart as he chose the queen. But, in reality, the queen had chosen him, and he knew that because she had not struggled. She would not struggle.

B’oone felt the woman next to him stir. He thought he heard her say something, but he couldn’t be too sure. But he did feel the covers slide off his face. The warmth of the Weyr felt the same as the warmth of under the covers, and he did not shiver. He opened his eyes, his brown eyes, and smiled. Then B’oone propped himself up, stiffly, on his forearms. The rest of his naked body was concealed by the furs, and that was good. He smiled at the Weyrwoman that was bonded to the golden queen that Brennanth had caught. “That was some flight.” He said finally, “I’m glad Brennanth caught your Astoth.”

[stolenhart]

She recognized who he was the moment he opened his eyes. She narrowed her blues eyes at him wondering what she should say or do. Ilayria even opened her mouth once or twice to say something then closed it. Finally she just shook her head and gave a chuckle. "Why is that exactly?", she asked, lifting one slim eyebrow in question. How he answered would determine where he'd spend that night. "Why are you glad? I am rather hard to get along with", she smiled at him, sitting up in the bed, keeping the furs covering her body. "Not to mention my two previous Flight winners might be waiting outside for a repeat performance of last turn's flight", she added. That had been fun, not.

Don't me so hard on the man mine, Astoth was slowly waking up. She'd probably have to eat today having burnt off all her energy yesterday, It's not everyday he wins a mating a flight, nosing Brennanth rather pointedly with her nose. True I suppose. "I apologize. I am always a little surely in the morning and this being a Leadership flight, it had me on a suspicious edge", she admitted, reaching out to touch his face with one finger. "But I would still like an answer to that question".

[maiwolf]

B’oone looked down at Ilayria, at her vibrant blue eyes, her blond hair. She was wonderful, lustrous, beautiful. But she knew that, didn’t she? She knew she was a stunning person. He listened to her ask those questions, pulling her furs about her as if she were innocent. Maybe she was, because, after all, it was her dragon who was making her join with men, not her. He watched as she sat up, still keeping the furs around her. And he smiled all the more. What fun jokes could he say now? For the sake of your life, B’oone, don’t say any.

[/b] Said a sleepy voice. B’oone laughed, unexpectedly. He had to explain. “Oh, Brennanth just said I should not tell you any of my jokes. He said, ‘for the life of me.’ I think he thinks my jokes are bad.” But he rolled over and sat up, too.

Brennanth, sleepily, nudged Astoth tenderly back. She was larger than he, but not by much. He prided himself with his largeness. He was, quite easily, one of the larger—if not the largest—Bronzes of the Weyr. He lifted his head and blinked the sleep away from his multi-faceted eyes. B’oone could briefly see the image of both Astoth and Ilayria. A leftover from last night. “Why should I not be glad?” He answered finally, tilting his head slightly to produce a look of slight confusion. “Brennanth has caught your Astoth, and … besides the fact that I am Weyrleader … I am glad that it was me and no one who has not had experience leading things. And you should not have a duplicate of what had happened the last time you flew. I suppose every person knows what happened.”

B’oone smiled lopsidedly, “And I hope none of your former captors have found their way conveniently to this Weyr after Astoth’s flight. I may have to protect you from them.” He realized that was stupid, she could protect herself, and it was really only him they had been after, but he did not care. And he wasn’t particularly aiming to impress her, this bright woman, but he was aiming to get conversation going. The sooner they knew each other, the better the rest of his Weyrleadership would be, however long that was.
[/blockquote]

[stolenhart]

She knew she was beautiful, since before she had Impressed Astoth men had told her she was and afterwards it had only gotten worse. The bronzeriders had been the worst, assuming it meant they could win Astoth's flights, which was not the case. No, Ilayria didn't want to hear she was beautiful, or intelligent. Maybe useful would work, or that she had a messy weyr, or a million other things but not a compliment. "I know about your jokes", she told him, amusement making her eyes stand out just a bit more, "They really aren't that funny, we could have a Healer take a look at you?", she teased gently, unsure if that was an acceptable tease or not.

"Just being Weyrleader?", she murmured inwardly sighing. So he had been one of those types, aw well, at heart most bronzeriders were she suspected. Not something to cry about, if he did his job the Weyr would benefit. But would she? She wanted, well she wanted something that didn't exist between the Weyrleaders unless you were a legend. "I've even heard songs", she added to his comment about what happened at her last flight.

She did laugh at his comment about protecting her though. "No, you won't need to protect me", she reached under her pillow and pulled out a knife. "I was kidnapped once because of who my father was", she explained the knife putting it back where it belonged. "And the sword", the scabbard was laying at the foot of the bed on top of chest, within easy grabbing distance. She was accounted a good sword among the riders though certainly not the best, she could hold her own. "Protection is the last thing I need". No she needed a good man to help her lead the Weyr and maybe, no wouldn't think it.

[maiwolf]

B’oone could tell she didn’t like flattery. He would keep that in mind. She was serious; he knew from experience—though not exactly very much hands on experience. But all serious people could be broken with a good joke. Or something more. B’oone realized that she was lonely. A lonely Weyrwoman? Why not? Weyrwomen were graded apart, a whole life different than normal dragonriders. And she had been separated from dragonless people since the beginning. Since she’d Impressed Astoth. Ilayria probably hadn’t been ready to be forced into Weyrleadership.

‘Love,’ B’oone realized quite suddenly. Ilayria’s been caught by bastards in the past. Men who did not love her had caught her. We’re different. Came Brennanth’s voice. A small smile touched B’oone’s lips. It was not a sly smile, such that normally adorned his face. No, this smile was tender, a smile that he usually only showed to his dragon. But this one was meant for Ilayria.

“I need no Healer.” He replied to her sarcastic question, “And I’ve heard the songs, too. Just men who only want to lead the Weyr, they are. They’re all for the fame.” Then, he, too smiled. His dagger was in his pants, which had been thrown carelessly across the Weyr during last night’s charade. Instead, he decided to make a joke. “I don’t need swords or daggers!” He joked, and held up his hands in a fighter’s stance while crisscrossing his legs to keep balance. He fake punched, “I’ve got arms and legs,” he winked, “and teeth, if need be. They’ll never get a punch in edge-wise.”

Then he settled his hands, and turned back to Ilayria. She had a sad look, as if she feared what was to come. She should fear things, but she shouldn’t fear her Weyrmate. Weyrmates should be able to trust each other, always… like Lessa and F’lar. “But I’m not all about Weyrleadership.” He said gently. “You caught be off guard with that question. See,” and here he’d chance it by saying his true feelings. If she didn’t want what he wanted, then he’d be screwed. “I’ve, well, ogled over you for some time now. But since Weyrwomen really only bed with their Weyrmates, I couldn’t say anything, couldn’t do anything.” Another smile, this time a lopsided grin, the trickster’s grin. “That’s why Brennanth tried his hardest, even though he got hurt.”

You didn’t tell her my feelings for Astoth! ‘Tell her yourself. It’s your right, dragon.’ B’oone thought happily. He was looking into Ilayria’s eyes, judging her reaction.

[stolenhart]

The man really did have the corniest jokes, she rolled her eyes, doubting his teeth would make any would be attacker think twice about attacking. How did he wind up with a bronze? Really he should have been on a light-hearted blue or maybe a serious brown, not a bronze. Give him a chance. They say you are too selfish for me, too cold-hearted and malicious, Astoth pointed out. Ilayria frowned, she was none of those things, well she was but certainly no worse than the next person. And she more than made up for it with other things or she wouldn't have Astoth. Maybe there was something underneath B'oone's clowning character, maybe it was just a facade.

She gave him a disbelieving look. Those riders not about the Weyrleadership didn't fly, so obviously he either was about the leadership or other things. And if it was other things he should have went and caught a greenrider, still, perhaps there might be a chance? "Ogled? I have been ogled by you", she gave him a disbelieving smile and shook her head. "I doubt it. I never saw you and you hardly ever saw me. When did you ogle me?", she asked then added, "As for bedding, it only caused problems so I sorta abstained", she replied, blushing a faint pink at that announcement. "I didn't need anymore would be lovers fighting the current one and Astoth", she rolled her eyes, "she's not the easiest person to share a head with". She was babbling and she knew it but she couldn't stop herself.

"Astoth was sorry about that by the way, she didn't mean to hurt him". Yes I did he was being too pushy, the gold replied with a snort, though she did turn to nuzzle the bronze apologetically. In her mind he won so it was all good, no need to apologize for him having won. "Your jokes always made me laugh, even though I never have heard one straight from you. The other riders were always telling them to me".

[maiwolf]

B’oone’s smile flashed wider. “Oh, yes, ogled. You might not have seen me, met me, but I’ve heard about you. And I watched you from after. You could call me a stalker if you wish, but am I stalking you now when I’ve gotten what I wanted?” Of course. But that had come out slightly strange. She’d probably knock points off of her roster of him for that. ‘Stupid B’oone!’ He chastised himself. Brennanth was quick to come to his defense, It wasn’t your fault. You’re still groggy from last night.

[/b] ‘Tell her that.’

At the Astoth mention, he laughed, and looked toward the great golden form. “She is pretty, though. I can’t imagine sharing a head with a queen dragon, but I guess it might get a little weird after a while. Okay, a lot weird for a guy to share a head with her. I, however, am perfectly content with Brennanth.” You’d better be.

Brennanth huffed and flexed his stomach muscles, trying to see if the scab would break. The scab held, and he nudged Astoth back, a thank you gesture mostly. But he was careful, tender, like B’oone was with Ilayria. B’oone wasn’t controlling. Not by a long shot, unless he was leading his Wing, or now, the Weyr. “Brennanth said its fine, all for Astoth;” Brennanth turned to him in what could have been surprise. The Bronze had said no such thing, but the two were so linked in mind that B’oone knew what Brennanth was going to say. He turned back to Ilayria, “So, have you had enough time with me, are you ready to kick me out?” A joke, but he had no idea how she’d react to it. “Or can we stay here for a little bit more and learn more about each other? I find that the more one knows about his—or her, in your case—current Weyrmate, it helps in the long run.”
[/blockquote]

[stolenhart]

A stalker hmmm? Well some women had all the luck, she thought to herself. It was nice to be stalked for herself though and not because of Astoth. That got old after awhile always being chased because of her dragon and not herself. It'd get old though if she was being chase for herself as well. Heck being an available female was getting old. Ilayria smiled crookedly, "For the most part everything is the same but then she veers off on some unknown tangent and I get left picking up the pieces", she shook her head and leaned forward, the furs still covering her. "It is always exciting", she shrugged.

She narrowed her eyes, gold lashes bright against her dark blue eyes. "Yes. Please get out", she told him, "And don't let the door hit you", then she rolled her eyes. "I have work for you today, after you go get my gold egg, she waved a hand at her weyr. "All of this has to be moved into the Senior Weyrwoman's weyr and that weyr has to be cleaned. But", she added, giving him a shy smile, "We don't have to do that now it'll keep ask your questions", she laughed, "I promise not to scream unless you deserve it", she winked.

[maiwolf]

B’oone smiled at her, “yes, stalker.” He took the top most fur, one of the ones that had bunched more on his side, and warpped it around him. He peeked his eyes out, secretive-like. “I made Brennanth spy on you!” He said, laughing, and heard Brennanth make a snort of protest and say, jokingly, to each of the inhabitants of the Weyr, You did not, I did so of my own accord. B’oone laughed and unfolded himself from the blankets.

And then he listened to what ilayria said next, and sighed. “Fine, I’ll get out, and you’ll never see me again until later today.” HE joked at her, making a show of beginning to remove his covers. He didn’t get far enough to reveal anything. “Oh!” He joked, turning back to her and smiling wryly, “I was going to actually leave.” But he wasn’t. Brennanth wouldn’t let him.

B’oone turned back to Ilayria, and a twinkle erupted in his eyes. “The question I like to ask all my current Weyrmates is possibly my favorite question.” He stopped, and wondered what she was thinking. Probably she wondered what question he was going to ask. Brennanth knew. “At Astoth’s hatching, how did you feel when your beautiful gold Impressed to you?”

[stolenhart]

All joking aside Ilayria sobered up when he asked about her Impression. How to formulate that wonderful feeling into coherent words? "It was raining that day and cold", she'd impressed at the tale end of spring when Fort recieved quite a bit of rainfall and all of it cold. "Ph'in was here so I had been visiting him, writing down things for him while he played the gitar when the first egg cracked shell. We never got any warning", he might remember her Impression it had only been a few turns ago, five actually. "By the time we knew there was a Hatching there were three dragonets already on the Sands. They were highly upset now that I think about it, each one demanding attention. It took us forever to get sorted out and when we finally did they quickly Impressed", she smiled at the memory.

"I missed Astoth's egg cracking, I was chasing this little green around the sands, trying to get her attention. I didn't want a gold at the time, didn't think I'd enjoy the chores that went with one so when she knocked that green out of my path and charged me I thought I'd done something to offend her", Ilayria still had the scar from where Astoth had scratched her leg up. "She called me ten times an idiot for chasing a green but I'll never forget Impression. It was like falling off a cliff but I knew she would catch me. I'd never been alone, someone was always around me and I never liked it but when she invaded my head, I didn't mind never being alone again", she added wistfully. "Listen to me, I sound like some half-grown hold girl in love", she said falling back onto the bed with a soft plop.

Current Weyrmates. It bothered her that he might already have a weyrmate it really did. She didn't love him yet, she barely knew if she liked him or not, but she felt she had the right to at least see if she wanted to live with him without someone else influencing the decision. And if he did have another Weyrmate, well Ilayria wasn't going to attempt to steal him, that kind of thing bred ill-will among the wings. She had to be above reproach and animosity in her Weyr.

[maiwolf]

B'oone smiled at her story. "Well, Brennanth's Impression to me wasn't as lighthearted as yours, I'm afraid." He frowned at the memory; he didn't like telling this story, and yet he did so every time. It was as if every time he told the story, he relived it. Then he sighed, "No, mine was not as good as yours at all. In fact, it has death in it."

Then, because he felt that if he held out any longer, he would not tell her, B'oone launched into his story. "We were lucky to be Searched all at the same time. I had a twin brother, Manoone, and a younger sister, Manna. We had all been Searched--Manoone and I by a Green dragon and Manna by its Weyrmate, a Blue. We went to the Weyr, and almost a day afterward, we were aroused by the hatching. We didn't care that we were all tired, who does care on the day of a hatching? We lined up in our lines, but Manna, being shy, had to stay with Manoone and I. She would not go over to the female lines, not even when the Candidate Master yelled at her to. She seemed so small and fragile in her too-large white robe.

"The eggs started cracking, and two Impressions were made before two more eggs hatched: a Green and a Brown. The Brown, reckless, charged forward. He rammed into another boy, and that gave the Green enough time to Impress herself to Manna. Manna was in the middle of exclaiming her name, but she never finished. I will never know what her dragon's name was... its beginning was 'Lor--,' but the Brown charged into her next. He got caught in her over-large robe, and started slashing. It took only thirty seconds for Manoone to charge in and get the Brown off of her. He Impressed to the Brown.

"But Manna was slashed so bad that she died. The Green shrieked and went between nearly a second later. Brennanth Impressed to me near the end of the hatching. I was so distraught that I thought no dragon could Impress to me, but I didn't want another mishap, so I stayed on the sands. Brennanth Impressing to me would have had to be an up-point to the hatching, since he was the last Bronze to Impress. But, though I was happy to have Impressed, I knew I would never forget that hatching--for more reasons than one."

Finished with his narration, B'oone smiled. "And it's okay to be in love with your dragon. I love Brennanth more and more every day." Having told the Senior Weyrwoman about Brennanth's hatching, he felt a lot better. He liked telling her things. It wasn't as awkward as telling, say, a male those things. Males wouldn't be sympathetic at all--and he really didn't expect female dragonriders to be, either. But at least he had gotten it out.

[stolenhart]

She scooted closer to him. Deaths at Hatchings were an accepted fact but rarely did it involve a newly Impressed weyrling. She'd read, and copied, the records of past Hatchings and she knew the Hatching he had Impressed at. She was required to know about the deaths at Hatchings, a gold rider's search to minimalize those events. She hadn't even connected the fact that she had been his sibling, afterall that was no recorded in the records, just the fact she'd been killed, dragon name unknown. It was the unknown and needless deaths that always touched Ilayria's heart, it made no sense. But then what would his brother feel?

"I didn't say I loved my dragon. I am not sure love is the correct word to apply to our lives", she said solemnly, wrapping her arm around his waist. "There are days I hate her, can't stand her, wish her between. Then there are days I can't bear to have her out of my sight, I have to be around her all day. My emotion for her', she sighed, putting her head on his shoulder, "goes so much deeper than love. Besides", she smiled, "if I said I loved myself you would think me vain". His Hatching had been traumatic and she did sympathize but a note of something other than sadness was called for. "But then I'm a woman so my relationship has to be difficult".

[maiwolf]

B’oone felt her arms wrap around him, her head lay on his shoulders. He wondered if her feelings for him now were remnants of the dragon flight. Right now, though, he liked it. He liked that Brennanth had caught a female rider. Being with a male rider was never as good as this, and those relationships never lasted long. Not for the first time this morning did he wonder if this relationship would last.

B’oone shrugged the best he could with her head on his shoulder as well as the awkward position he was sitting in. “I wouldn’t think you were vain if you said you loved yourself. I would understand. Brennanth is almost like me, so almost like me that I’d call him myself, too. Would you call me vain if I said I loved him, and therefore loved myself?” Then he smiled wryly, “It’s difficult because you’re a woman? At least your dragon can’t be caught by a woman-ridden Bronze, not like that will ever happen.”

[stolenhart]

She laughed, "You are vain then as vain as my gold is". It felt good to tease someone and know they wouldn't be taking offense at it or would get mean in teasing back. And it was nice to be with someone who wasn't playing on her emotions trying to get her to fall in love so his dragon could catch her's and gain notoriety and power. At least B'oone hadn't approached her before the flight to try and get to know her, he was just talking to her after his dragon had already won and he already had power. And so far, in the last few moments, he seemed like a decent man.

"No. Women have different types of relationships it's a love hate thing. We like to fight and argue and make-up", she explained a smile on her face, "and then certain times of the month", she shook her head not willing or wanting to explain. "You don't like the male riders? I'v eheard rumors some of them are very good between the furs", she lifted her eyebrows quickly as she teased him. "I suppose I don't blame you there anyway, the thought of winding up in bed with another female", she shuddered moving way from him. She climbed out of the bed, taking a blanket with her until she found a shirt. It was his, the first clothing she came to, and she picked it up. "I'm borrowing this", she said, sliding it on. It came down to her midthigh and she tossed the blanket back on the bed. I am coming to see you, she told her dragon before telling B'oone, "I'm going to check on the dragons". Astoth grumbled sleepily having just fallen asleep before her rider woke her up.

[maiwolf]

B’oone batted his eyes when she said he was vain. He held up a pretend mirror, and fixed his hair, “Does this hairdo look good on me?” He laughed, and watched as she got out of bed. When she pulled on his shirt, he grinned at her, “You know, that shirts’ just a bit big on you.” He slid out of bed, too, when her back was turned, and pulled on his undergarments and then pants. He also pulled on his overshirt, not knowing that that would help him in the long run. The only thing he did not pull on was his boots, which lay in a dejected pile at the end of the bed. It seems those were the first things he pulled off in his mad lust last night.

He walked into the room to stand back while he looked upon Illayria. The golden queen that looked to be sleeping again dwarfed B’oone and Illayria both. Brennanth was close to Astoth’s size, but the queen was still larger than him by a lot. The Bronze’s head was up, and he surveyed Illayria with some curiosity. She does seem to be pretty by human standards. To which B’oone had to laugh. He laughed softly, though, as to not disturb the near-sleeping queen any more than Illayria was. “Brennanth called you pretty.” He explained softly, and Brennanth added, Not as pretty as Astoth, though. When B’oone relayed what his dragon had said, still laughing softly, he saw his dragon blink. He stopped, for Brennanth had become suddenly still. “What’s wrong, dragon?”

I am not sure, B’oone. It feels as if eggs were hatching, but none of them are even close to it, yet.

[/b] Brennanth huffed, Do you think the South Timed it?[/b]
[/blockquote]