Strange Faces and Morning Klah (Open)

[Lady Smara]

Sakorai rolled over in the single fur left upon her bed. Upon reaching the new weyr that had been prepared for her, Sakorai had taken certain adjustments into her own hands before she crashed upon the bed. Exhausted as she was, there had been energy enough to store away the riding harness, see her Queen comfortable in the stone couch, open the skin of wine she was pleased to find upon a center, low table before she turned to her own bed.

If anyone had been watching, they might have been confused as the gold rider continued to take off each and every carefully placed pillow, discarding them with a careless toss toward an empty corner before she turned her attention to the furs. Each fur had been tested for its weight and discarded in a similar manner as the pillows until there was nothing left upon the bed beyond its cover and the single, lightest fur in the whole bunch.

At this point the gold rider and drank herself to sleep upon the bed to sleep well into the mid morning of the next day, her own biological time clock very off to the southern continent over a hundred turns and who knows how many random candle marks into the future. Even so, it was with a moan and a mental nudge from her gold Issarith that Sakorai finally kicked the light fur from around her legs and stood to fumble with the chest of drawers within her sleeping quarters to see if they had also supplied her with clean clothes.

Pleased to find that the basics were in fact there, even if a little loose fitting, Sakorai pulled on a beige pair of slacks and a white tunic who’s v-cut neck should have been laced up, but the blond didn’t bother as she checked the wine skin to make sure it was empty before grabbing it and waving at her gold as she made her way through the bright WeyrBowl toward the WeyrHall.

Successfully finding it, she let out a whoop as she found the Klah pot, filled a mug and found the nearest drudge to ask for a refill of that southern wine they had. Of course, this left the drudge looking strangely at her, but Sakorai was not one to answer questions that were not voiced, so she made her way to a nearby couch, and crashed upon it with her Klah as she turned over the events of the day before in her head. She had, after all, had no choice but to accept the bad dream as reality when she had woken in a bed that was not her own, in a Weyr that did not yet exist in her own time.

[HG]

Last night was a good night. After seeing to it that Sakorai’s weyr was set up, he had made his way to grab a quick meal and take some time for himself. The aftermath of the attack, Rhiannoth’s return and the appearance of the mysterious Issarith was a little much for him at the moment, emotionally. It had taken him some time to recall whether or not it was one of the nights he had volunteered to look after Hinuk. His foster parents needed a break from the boy who caused so much mayhem in the Lower Caverns.

Honestly, D’seus could not blame them and it was good for him to bond with his son. Kind of made him wish he had some sort of relationship with his other children. Luckily for the Bronzerider, he did not have any kid duty that night so he went up to his Weyr and sat on the ledge with his dragon looking up at the evening sky till he fell asleep.
Unfortunately sleeping on rock was not as comfortable as it used to be. Especially not upon waking when he felt his back cringe at standing upright he decided to skip a run that morning. M’nor would probably be happy the Bronzerider wasn’t knocking on his door.

The morning had come swiftly and seemed to have gone just as much so. There were a lot of questions at Drills that morning but D’seus reassured his riders more would be revealed about the mystery Queenrider later. He had no intention of spreading more rumors than were already circulating. There was no precedent here in their time for what was going to happen. Two adult Queens, one tried and one untried, vying for the leadership of the Weyr whether they wanted to be senior or not. They could not simply give it to one woman over another.

In the past this was decided via whichever Queen rose to mate first. That was probably the less stressful way to handle this situation. Though this decision was not his to make whether he wanted it to be or not. A’lez was going to have a lot on his plate for a while. D’seus was trying to be a good support system for the Weyrleader since the other Bronze riders were so much younger. There was no Weyrsecond here though it seemed common place in records to have a second much like in a Wing that would help the Weyrleader with whatever he needed.

D’seus entered the Weyrhall after realizing that he had once again skipped a meal. He was so busy in his brain sometimes that he completely forgot that he was hungry. The kitchen drudges were all so accommodating though and made it a point to help him before he even went to get food for himself. Whatever they thought was best. He smiled to himself, quite the cocky little smirk too, before finding that the newest member of Refuge was sitting alone.

“Good day, Sakorai.” His voice was not loud in case that wine he provided had given her a headache. Happened all the time to M’nor and he did his best to be loud around the man to get him to let go of the drink a little. He didn’t personally believe drinking was bad but moderation was generally a good idea and M’nor was trying to give up the lifestyle that seemed to surround those who drank a lot. D’seus saw no reason why, after the news she was given yesterday the woman couldn’t have a drink if she wanted. Even if the healers frowned upon it. “Finding everything to your liking thus far?” He asked before gesturing across from her. “Mind if I join you?”

As he said it one of the drudges placed a glass of water in his hand. “Thank you.” He said kindly which somehow sent the girl off blushing. Ahh, another young girl with a crush. So long as they didn’t expect anything from him it was okay. He was not in the habit of seeing women that much younger than himself which had been his initial concern when Rhiannoth’s arrived. She was so young. Then again it was he that was getting older, the women of the Weyr seemed to stay the same for the most part.

[Lady Smara]

Hearing her name spoken, Sakorai finished swallowing the current mouth full of the spicy Klah before looking up to find the tall blonde rider who had been so quiet yesterday for the short time he had been in her presence. A bronze rider if she remembered correctly, though it was not until Issarith helpfully offered a name that Sakorai responded with a bit of a smirk of her own.

“D’seus of Bronze Zorometh.” She replied in a way of acceptance as she nodded toward the rest of the couch that she sat upon. Drawing her legs up so that her feet rested on the edge of the seat, she rested the mug of Klah on her knees as she looked at the man. He was certainly not hard on the eyes, in fact quite the contrary and when he was handed a glass of water and the young woman scampered off with a blush upon her cheeks, well Sakorai knew what such a blush meant.

“I fear I find everything thus far rather overwhelming, but I must say the wine here is at least enough to settle the nerves.” The smile grew on her own lips as she took in his physique. He was certainly everything any sane woman would desire in a bronze rider; tall, muscular, sculpted and without a hint of fat or flabbiness. Oh yes, defiantly NOT hard on the eyes at all.

“Tell me, Bronze Rider, how much of an uproar have I stirred within the Weyr?”

[HG]

“I was hoping that wine would be appreciated.” He smiled casually before sitting down across from her. He nodded though he could only imagine how shocking and overwhelming all of this had been for her. “It is a lot to take in but I don’t see A’lez rushing you into leadership duties till you are ready.” He added, personally he, being that he was a workaholic, would want to go to work straight away, even if his dragon thought rest was in order. Not all people were wired that way so he kept an open mind.

“It’s a great opportunity to spend some time to get a feel for the place and take trips to the beach. If I could spend more time there I would. Somehow my plans are always interrupted.” He smiled. If there were not so many responsibilities here, one could just see him, sitting in the sand with a wine skin, arm around some pretty young woman. Or at least, he could see it!

“Emera, our Headwoman, would be happy to talk with you whenever you feel it convenient. She’s been holding down the Weyr for some time now and knows all the ins and outs. She probably has the scoop on all the Bronzeriders too. Especially me.” He said, chuckling a little. D’seus was trouble most of his youth and then he became mr. suave Bronzerider and got himself into a different kind of trouble. Womanizing was supposed to be a good quality, right?

D’seus smiled broadly, “You’ve certainly got everyone talking. Oh the gossip mill is turning out some outrageous ideas. My wing has been told nothing about where you are from. I’d rather no one tried to Time it seeing as we need every rider in the Weyr. Although I suspect some people are siding a little with Rhiannoth, feeling that you stool her thunder. ”Gold drama was sure to get the Weyr rooting for one or the other. Seeing as they were waiting to see which Gold would fly first.

“Were you the talk of the Weyr back where you came from?”

[Na Qaiah]

Issarith's is the weyrhall talking to Zorometh's[/i][/color] Achilleth passed on to his waking rider. He really wanted his to get to know Issarith's rider Sakorai. This could their chance.

A'miri had to admit his big fella was right. He put the finishing touches on his grooming and headed down himself. Once he got there he found the pair at a table. Grabbing a cup for himself and a fresh Pitcher of Klah, He headed for the table.

"Good morning, May I join you? I bring fresh Klah" he said as he bowed to the two. "D'seus" he greeted the other Bronze rider. "My name is A'miri of Bronze Achilleth, you would be our newest member of the Weyr. Sakorai and Gold Issarith if the gossip was right. Would you both care for a refill?" He asked politely carefully waving the fresh pot of Klah around.

A'miri had been out on sweep when the pair had popped between. He had heard they caused quite a ruckus. The Gold was smaller then any he had seen, but no less scrappy. From what he understood, she had wounded a dragon and almost tore a part the infirmary trying to get to her rider who had passed out when they arrived from the past. What a journey that must have been. He wondered what had caused the Queen to goof and come forward.

He had heard of course that timing was possible, but they didn't do it because of the dangers. So he never tired it himself. He wanted to live. He hoped this woman and himself could be friends anyway. Plus the addition to the Weyr was a blessing. He hoped she would stay.

"I hear you caused quiet a stir when you appeared. I'm sorry Achilleth and I weren't here to greet you. We were out on a sweep." he offered as an explaination to why she hadn't seen him before.

[Lady Smara]

“Mmm…” Sakorai replied to the idea of beaches and relaxing as she sipped at her Klah. She had to admit, she had loved the beaches that she had explored with her team 100+ turns before, when they had searched for suitable sites for new Weyrs should the tension in the North continue to grow. While she had enjoyed them then, she was not sure what sort of reaction she would have to them now. How greatly would they have changed? The bowl here, after all, had changed greatly.

“Beaches and sunshine are always welcoming to a woman from Telgar, though I fear there are things on my mind that I need to get settled before I can completely relax.” Seeing his smile and regret to not make it to the beaches more often himself, she could not help but return the smile with a coy smirk of her own. “Perhaps, we will be able to interrupt the interruptions some time so that you may show me how these beaches have changed since I first explored them.”

Hearing the headwoman’s name and how the bronze rider referred to her having the inside scoop on bronze riders, Sakorai could not help but raise her eyebrows, though the smile never left her face. Emera. That was another name she needed to remember and seek out within the next day or two. At the mention of stealing the other gold’s thunder, Sakorai gave him a curious look that was clearly a question, though at his next one she could not help but take her own turn with a chuckle.

“Oh, I think saying I was the talk of the Weyr might be an understatement.” Sakorai said, her eyes sizing up the bronze rider again. She found herself easy in his company – Relaxed. Even so, she chose her words a little more carefully now not sure how much of her past she was ready to hand forward. Perhaps she should have looked at those hides more carefully – how much would they already know of her and her… ahem… tendencies. It was clear enough that they did not care for her with the records never mentioning a search being sent at her disappearance.

“Let’s just say that half the Weyr loved me, the other half was not so fond.” Giving the bronze rider a wink, she found her attention caught to the side as another man joined them. Introducing himself as A’miri of Bronze Achilleth, Sakorai wasted no time letting her eyes wander up and down his body too. A’miri was clearly younger than D’seus, though a few inches taller. Even so, a bronze rider was a bronze rider no matter the age – and it wasn’t like Sakorai technically younger than 130+ turns if you went by the dates. Even so, at his offer she held out her nearly empty cup of Klah.

“Thank you, Bronzerider.” She replied with a smile before sliding to the middle of the couch, closer to D’seus as she patted her other side for the other bronzerider to join them. Taking a sip of the warm Klah, she looked between the two men, taking in the differences. “Oh, it might be a good thing you were on sweep. Issarith was in a foul mood at first. Speaking of which, do either of you know how the Weyrleader’s bronze is fairing this morning?”

[Na Qaiah]

Filling the Goldriders cup before setting the pot down A'miri returned her smile. "I did hear something about that." he said sitting down next to her but not to close. He didn't want to crowd her. At the mention of the weyrleaders bronze his eyebrows lifted. "Ummm isn't that something that Issarith could answer better then we could?" He asked sipping his own Klah.

"Did I hear you both talking about beaches? Achilleth and I don't get much time for enjoying them, at least not at the same time. It's a good thing he likes to be clean for that is when I take time for sunning myself." He added taking time to look around.

He noticed that the place was starting to get a few more people. He wondered who else would be coming to join them. It was good to meet the new Goldrider. About that time a small popping sound and a puff of cold air wafed over then as Loghan's little Gold Precious made her appearance. She circled around the trio a few times chittering excitedly before landing on her friends lap. She sat politely and looked at the woman she didn't know turning her head from side to side.

Ignoring at the antics A'miri decided he better introduce them. "Sakorai, meet Precious. She belongs to Log an the Captain of the Dragon Shield. Precious this is our new Goldrider Sakorai, her dragon is Gold Issarith. Please be polite and say hello." He finished with a grin. Precious inched closer to the woman then held up her right front leg. "She shakes hands to greet you, and so far she doesn't bite. Ummm unless threatened or someone she feels is a friend is anyway. Log an must be here too." He whispered as he watched to see what Sakorai would do next.

[HG]

((Naqaiah, how does A'miri know Precious? He doesn't own her so I'm going to ignore that part of the post. Unless you meant for Lohgan to arrive and join them?? ))

Ahhh, now here was a woman after his own heart. Beaches would be a fun place to go for a couple of people who had little free time on their hands. "Zorometh and I would be happy to show you and Issarith around the Southern Continent whenever you would like. The terrain near the water has probably changed the most because of the ebb and flow of the ocean." Sand was likely moved from one place to another. The best beaches right now would not be so in a few hundred Turns. D'seus drank his water slowly.

"There will always be those who value different things at the Weyr. I do not doubt there are people here who don't like me much. Although between you and me, most of them are probably men and in a different Wing." Envious, moral or just judgmental of how he handled his wing, it mattered little what the reason was. There would always be people who judged him to be bad for the Weyr and those who judged just the opposite. "If we were all the same the world would be a lot less interesting."

As A'miri joined them he nodded to the younger Bronzerider. A'miri was Wingsecond of Illume Wing so he worked more closely with A'lez. As A'miri refilled the Goldrider's cup, D'seus' new admirer had brought him some food. She was much too young, he reminded himself as he took the tray. "Thank you." He said again and began to eat. While A'miri continued conversing with the Queenrider.

"From what I've heard, Neinoth is recovering well. He's a rather upbeat dragon. I doubt an injury would keep him down long, not when there is a Queen dragon around for him to charm." It was clear from the good things he said about the dragon that D'seus thought highly of the pair. It might be that he found A'lez to be closer to his equal than the others or because he felt the two of them had been leading the Weyr strongly through all the changes in Golds.

He finished his food in silence and found someone ready to take his plate before he had to lift a finger. D'seus was feeling a bit over-privileged at the moment though he soon noticed the number of people standing around and came to an appropriate conclusion. They wanted to get close up to Sakorai.

"It seems the Weyr really is a-buzz." D'seus chuckled. "Unfortunately I must attend to work." He said as he stood up, stretching his body out a moment after getting up. "Feel free to call on Zorometh and I for anything you might need. Nice having a little chat with you, Sakorai." He then looked at A'miri acknowledging his part in the chat. "A'miri, see you at the meeting tomorrow."

As he turned to leave he looked back over his shoulder, "If you were interested in seeking Headwoman Emera, any of the ladies working in here could take you to her and would probably consider it an honor." He smiled slyly. She should use her power over the Weyrfolk right now to her advantage.

[Na Qaiah]

Loghan wandered up as D'seus was leaving. "Leaving so soon D'seus? It's good to see you." He said to the bronzerider. Turning back to the pair sitting on the couch he noticed his little gold flit Precious sitting on A'miri's lap while she seemed to be greeting the woman beside his friend. Oh yes this was the new Goldrider Sakorai if he remembered right, now what was her dragons name? Ah Issarith that's it.

"There you are Precious, are you being a pest?" Loghan asked the flit pretending to sound stern. "Hello, you must be Sakorai, my duty to you and your Gold Issarith." He bowed to the new rider. "A'miri, greetings to you and Zillath. I see you are being pestered by Precious. I'd apologize but it wouldn't do any good sense she likes you so much, silly thing." He spoke to the bronzerider sitting there. He bent down and picked up his little flit before settling into the chair D'seus had just left.

He noticed a extra cup on the tray and poured himself some Klah. "I hope you are settling in well Sakorai and that you and Issarith will be happy here. It must have been quite a shock to find yourself here?" He asked. Precious settled herself on her persons lap looking like she was understanding every word said. She still waited for the goldrider to say hello.

..................
A'miri nodded when D'seus spoke to him. "I look forward to seeing you there." He answered. When Log an came up, he was glad to see him. Little Precious was digging her tiny claws into his legs in her attempt to get Sakorai. "Ahhh, her is Loghan" he whispered just before the man spoke himself. "Hey Loghan, glad to see you. Precious isn't a pest at all. I rather like her company." He answered relaxing as his friend settled into a chair with Precious and pouring himself some Klah.

[Na Qaiah]

When Loghan joined them, K'dan decided it was time to take care of chores. He had taken the pleasure of meeting the young rider but it was time to get back to business.

"Well, I hate to drink and run." He said with a sad smile. "But it is time to get back to taking care of Osirith. Loghan, I leave you in beautiful hands." K'dan added as he stood up. " Sakorai, my duty to you and your Issarith. I hope you will be happy here." he finished with a bow toward the rider he had been sitting next to on the couch. He nodded toward Loghan then turned to leave.

.....................................

"See you later K'dan, have fun with Osirith. Precious, come here pretty one and leave the lovely lady alone." Loghan responded as he gathered up his little gold flit. He started to rub her favorite itchy spot on her eye ridges to help settle her down.

"How do you two like it here so far?" He asked Sakorai. "Is Issarith getting settled in?"

[Lady Smara]

“It was a pleasure, D’seus.” The blonde goldrider almost purred from her seat as she watched the wonderful example of a bronze rider retreat from her grasp. Ah, he would be one that she hoped to bed sooner rather than later. It was as the bronze rider was leaving, however, that Sakorai found herself with yet another wonderful piece of eye candy, though to hear that this man was not a dragonrider, or at least one with the dragon not tagged to the name, had her perking up a little bit. He certainly had the looks of any great dragonrider…

Sakorai had eyeballed the gold flit with almost a look of distain and discomfort before finally holding a hand out, palm up to it for the little thing to inspect – though to be honest the gold rider half expected the little pest to bite her. Even so, she lifted her eyes back to the man who joined them, Loghan as A’miri introduced him.

“It had been quite a shock, but the southern wine has helped to calm the nerves quite a bit.” She said with a smile to the man as he sat down and the flit moved further away from her to sit upon his lap. Good – less chances to be bitten. Hearing A’miri mention that he was leaving the man in her beautiful hands, she gave him an award winning smile as well in a silent thanks for his compliment.

Hearing the question as to weither or not they were settling in, Sakorai settled herself a little further back onto the couch as she sipped at her Klah and laughed. “Oh, Issarith had no problems settling herself in right away with the bronzes as soon as she knew that I was okay. Thankfully the Weyrleaders bronze had no real inhibitions about being bitten by Issarith.” Pausing there, she sipped once more at her klah before continuing, her eyes pausing a moment on the little flit.

“I think I will warm to it with time. After all, there is not much choice that I have in the matter. I cannot return to my time and I cannot return to my weyr – neither exist anymore.”

“Please, I fear that I am not familiar with the knots on your shoulder, Loghan. What title do you call by?” she asked. While she had heard of the dragonshield slightly by A’lez yesterday, she had yet to meet a member of it nor see the knots – so it did not connect in her head that the man sitting before her was in fact the captain of the dragon shield.


((Sorry it took so long for a reply.))

[Na Qaiah]

"I hope you like it here even though it is quite a shock. The Weyr needs you. I bet its quite a change from just being a beautiful cove to a full working Weyr. If you were scouting this out where you came from, is it as good or worse then you imagined?" Loghan asked. He thought about how hard such a shock on himself this would be.

Sipping his Klah a bit, deciding on just how to answer her question about the Dragon Shield. He knew she wasn't stupid and that she would find out later all about it. In fact he was surprised she didn't already know. He did notice her reaction to Precious, and it made him wonder why. Were flits nasty little things to be avoided where she came from. He decided he would just go simple with his answer.

"The dragon shield are a group of people that are dedicated in protecting the Weyr , dragons and surrounding areas. We train hard to hone our skills. We have regular patrols in and around the weyr and the area we consider the Weyrs land. Its hard but rewarding work. During the holdless attack, we were a bit of everywhere." Loghan replied.

"Don't you like flits? Precious is very friendly and doesn't bite unless she is hurt first or I'm threatened. Were they pests where you come from?" he asked, hoping to change the subject. He really didn't want to talk about the Shield.