Getting To Know Her Suitors! [Tags Within]

[parallel]

((Tags: Any available Bronze or Brown riders and their dragons ))

Elynth stretched out her wings as she lay in the sun on a large flat piece of rock in the 'Bowl. She wasn't normally inclined to rest and do nothing, but today she had invited the browns and bronzes out to share the afternoon with her. Marlaey had been mortified at this but her dragon had been persistent. I want to get to know these dragons who shall soon be chasing me she had said with a draconic grin. so here they were, sitting together and waiting for someone to arrive.

Marlaey bit her lip nervously. What if none of them come? And what if they do? What on Pern will I talk to them about? I love Or'yn Elynth! Her golden queen rumbled as she snaked her large head around to face her rider. I know you do Little One, but I must see what the others are made of. What if it is not Rath who catches me? Do you want us to be with a stranger? Marlaey shook her head, but she was still nervous, even her bonded couldn't take that away.

Looking up at the blue sky she sighed, hoping that Or'yn wouldn't hate her for this. It hadn't been her idea at all! Elynth's plan was to settle here in the weyrbowl and have her suitors come to her while Marlaey sat with their riders and generally made small talk. Of course she should really make an effort to get to know them better as well, but right now she was worried that her heart wasn't in it...

[Inadua]

((Eh i haven't messed around with how to use the diff font colours yet other than what's already there. Please excuse that.))


Any call from a queen T'shiro and his handsome Bronze would answer. Though, he wasn't really sure what gave rise to the occasion, he assumed it had to do with the fact that Elynth was maturing and Marlaey would soon be granted the official title of Junior Weyrwoman. Certainly she knew that a Bronze's time, let alone her own as a Queen, were typically in too high a demand to call for a meeting without some other reason behind it; so T'shiro stuck to his assumptions.

"When she rises, are you sure you'll be OK with me chasing her? If I catch her, ... you like Vaylee, don't you?"

T'shiro grinned and chuckled at that, turning his chin down to his chest as he appreciated the fact Crucluith was so considerate of him. "I like her, but do as you like. Vaylee's a rider, too. She understands flights and that as a Bronzerider there are certain duties you and I must fulfill. Producing new clutches is one of those duties.
"What if hers rises? Will you fly Cupith because of me?"

"I would."

The Bronzerider accepted that, but said no more.

Arriving first, T'shiro made his way across the bowl toward Marlaey, as Crucluith circled in a lazy downward spiral before backwinging to land near where Elynth lay sunning herself.

The stalwart creature, broad and well-muscled, shone an intriguing shade of dark brassy-bronze that glinted under the sun's rays with an extraordinarily healthy glow. Crucluith moved to settle himself near Elynth, but not intrusively so. He didn't want to disturb her where she was comfortable and wanted to be at just enough distance to appreciate that sunny-gold hide. The Queen's colouring was exceptionally appealing.
Large draconic eyes whirled in pleasant, happy colour, regarding her with intense interest. The Bronze greeted her with a relatively uncustomary croon, expressing his pleasure at being there by slipping a few words to Elynth's mind, "Mine and I are pleased to be invited to join you."

At just that moment, the his rider came jogging up to Marlaey's side, with that slight, mischeivous grin still in tact.
The Bronzerider was notorious for avoiding formalities where he could. Fancy words and all that simply weren't his strong suit -and when he tried them on for size, he wore them awkwardly. But that didn't mean he was disrespectful. T'shiro was just a bit more relaxed about certain things than most Bronzeriders -except while in the presence of his Winglead, D'seus. In the eyes of others however, his attitude either made him feel easier to approach, or left him in the eye of scorn and disapproval of those who appreciated formalities more than he did. That became a inner-battle for him when it came to Queenriders who expected pomp and circumstance. The Bronzerider hoped that Marlaey wasn't that type. If that were the case, this would wind up being a long, arduous afternoon outing.

T'shiro waved amicably to the Goldrider, only taking the time to offer a slight bow at the waist once he'd reached her. "Marlaey. Sorry if we kept you waiting. I brought something for you, if you don't mind. Please accept this."

In hand, he held a gift for the Goldrider, wraped in decorative purple cloth, knotted at the top in a bow.
When she would unwrap it, Marlaey would find a small ornamented box with metalic plating. The container was taller than it was long. And when she would open the box, inside of it stood a pale yellowish gold glass bottle with a little glass-bauble top. Etched into the side of the bottle wasan artful display of what could easily be recognized as a queen dragon lifing off into flight.

Though the slender bottle contained a perfume scented lightly of rose oil, within the bottle was the little rose itself. Probably a dwarf variety, nevertheless, the small flower must have bloomed inside the bottle before anything else had been placed within.

Privately, the Bronzerider wondered if Vaylee would be ticked off at him to know he'd given a nice gift to another woman. Would she feel left out if she didn't get one, too?Inwardly, the man delighted in the thought of Vaylee plying him for treasures. Of course he wouldn't give her what she wanted. In any case...

T'shiro's thoughts turned back to the young Queen, probably looking a bit sheepish as he handed the gift over; gifts weren't really his thing, but when it came to a Queen, he'd do just about anything -even things that just weren't natural for a guy like him. Sometimes he wondered how much of that trait was his own sentiment, and how much of it had rubbed off on him from his dragon.

Siglith was the next to land on that hot stoney ledge that baked under the afternoon sun of early summer. Unlike his rider, the sinuous form of the lean brown dragon arrived promptly. His dark hide was similarly coloured to that of Crucluith, but the dark sienna brown lacked the gleaming undertones of metalics that the Bronze possessed. Nevertheless, the brown was long and lean and looked absolutely dashing! He moved with the same sense of prowess that his rider did, eyes always alive and alert.

The brown gave a vocal call to the Golden queen in greeting, transfering the warmth of his feelings for her with his words. There was something comfortable about the way he felt toward her...comfortable and confident. "A thousand sunrises could not compare to the allure of the exquisite Queen before me. You look stunning, Elynth. I am greatful Mine and I have been invited to join you."


T'gir on the other hand, who never seemed in any rush, walked across the bowl with hands in his pockets, making a lazy path toward their place of meeting. He watched T'shiro arrive and dispense of his gift, smiling gently at the gesture, knowing such a thing as gift-giving was rather atypical for the Bronzerider.
Removing his hands from his pockets, T'gir approached the two of them quietly, offering a genteel bow.

"It was so thoughtful of you to invite Siglith and I this afternoon. In fact, I am told by Siglith, that if this is the type of kind consideration we can expect from the future Junior Weyrwoman, that we'll be well off. Aaand, I think I can agree with that." The Brownrider smiled at that, and then turned his gaze to T'shiro, politely inclining his head to acknowledge the other rider.

"I'm sorry if I interrupted the conversation."

[♥Rizu-Chan♥]

J’ldaem of Tseravith
Weyrleader && Pyralis Wingleader

”I see riders and their bronzes and browns conglomerating around the new soon to be Junior Weyrwoman. Anything you forgot to inform me, Tseravith?”
Not at all J’ldaem-Mine.
”Then why are they gathering like moths to a deadglow?”
Elynth wishes to meet her suitors better.
”And we are not there right now why, exactly?”

The silence that followed as the bronze sunbathed on his ledge made the brunette Wingleader tap a foot against the stone in slight impatient. He already knew the answer Tseravith had to withhold the information – as well to seem so hell bent in not going. J’ldaem just wanted to draw it out of the bronze directly, the man could not understand for the life of him why his dragon was so thread-bent on chasing after Sakorai’s gold only.

Granted, at least he was going after the highest ranking gold and the one that held the most power in the Weyr. It was probably that fact alone what kept J’ldaem from trying to push Tseravith too much to chase other golds. He was only interested in the rank and power that came from being the Senior Weyrleader of Refuge; no other title was befitting of him.

You know very well why, my J’ldaem. I’ve made my point time and time again and will not repeat myself.
”You sharding stubborn bronze wher, you’re going to be the end of me one day.”
She is senior and highest ranking dragon in existence of this Weyr, as you are more than aware of. That alone should be enough for you.

Sharding thing being able to see into his mind, sometimes he disliked it if but for a split sliver of a second. With an exasperated sigh the rider finally relented, moving to scratch the whirling eyes of his bonded affectionately. He was glad Sakorai was not clingy, the relationship they both shared was more than free and simple enough – they would work together for the good of the Weyr and support one another; but he was free to have his private life and run it as he pleased just as much as she was. That he found himself in her weyr now and again was an added perk to the job, nothing more.

Now if you’ll excuse me I wish to see Issarith. Besides, Marlaey is far too young for your taste.
”Oh sure, I’m too old for her says the dragon dating the century old queen.”

With a faint slap on the neck for affection and farewell the man watched his bronze lift and jump from his ledge, soon enough reaching Issarith’s own ledge and eventually disappearing inside of it to probably coddle his queen.


[OOC:// Quick in and out mostly, but no real direct interaction. Tseravith’s dead set on flying Issarith and only her; much to J’ldaem’s usual dismay. XD]

[HG]

Rath, whatever is the matter? He asked in response to the dragon’s lack of comment thus far that day about any of the things Or’yn was doing. The dragon lived his life correcting Or’yn and also guiding him in the ways of a Bronzerider. Although at times it was an annoyance having a dragon who cared so much about outward appearances, at this moment Or’yn wanted him back. Whatever had the dragon down it was something he would not be likely to want to share with his rider.

It is nothing mine. I’m thinking.
About?
You will be angry at me if I say.

[/color]
Come on, out with it. I won’t have a sulking Bronze dragon who is afraid of his own rider’s reaction to something that is probably quite trivial.
You are going to regret this shorty.
You will still be telling me what I want to know and you’ll do so now.
I was thinking your profession of love to young Marlaey might be a bit premature.[/color]

Or’yn scowled but said nothing. The dragon had been against it from the start. He was beginning to think the Bronze had reservations about the girl or possibly Elynth but then he always treated them in a proper fashion. It was no secret that Rath often spoke of his dislike for Issarith’s snappy, waspish ways and Rhiannoth’s more demanding, stately ones. He actually had not been fond of any Golds except for Elynth. Perhaps it was his influence on the dragon creating it? Whatever the case he needed to get to the bottom of all this.

Something had triggered the Bronze to sudden melancholy and thoughts of unrequited love. Personally, Or’yn felt that was completely unfounded. What makes you say that? Hmmm?
You won’t like it.
How can I believe you if you will not tell me why you are thinking about that of all things?
I did not want you to find out. Thought to spare you the hurt. Elynth is meeting with some of the other Bronzes. I’m fairly certain we’re not invited this time.[/color]

Or’yn was quiet but he didn’t lash out or get upset at all really. He just walked over to where Rath was laying and plopped down on his forearm. “She has to prepare for the worst I suppose.” He only hoped she saw past his charming and handsome competition. Rath had actually thought he would be more upset. The dragon pulled his head down so that Or’yn might scratch his chin. Yes. Elynth’s flight should not be far off. What the Queen dragon does is very wise. You are very wise too today.

“Not quite as wise as you are most of the time but maybe someday.” He was stroking the dragon’s chin and looking out at the blue skies. He trusted her; it was those lecherous philandering womanizers he was concerned about. His thoughts about his competition were suddenly not so forgiving. Or’yn never imagined himself to be a jealous sort and normally he wouldn’t care if she was around a bunch of men but the particular men she was calling for were his equals or higher. You do have a competitive side after all.

Rath, do not tease me. You know my feelings are true and honest and do not stem from any will to have power over anyone else. I would love her if she were a lowly drudge. These others are only after position. It upsets me that she has to play this game with them but she really must in order to get to know who will be chasing Elynth. Perhaps we shall be studying them too… He paused before getting up off the floor. Or’yn had other things to do than sit on his ledge with his dragon. He needed a distraction for a little while anyway. Maybe his sister was around? They could have a chat and he would get the report on how their parents were doing.

Rath can you relay a message to Elynth for her rider please? Before the dragon could reply his lips spilled out the words, Tell her I love Marlaey and that I understand. There was no point in ruining their relationship over something so small, even if he did want to go and watch these men flirt with his Marlaey he knew better. Instead he went for a walk, meandering the lower caverns until he found his parent’s residence. Sometimes one needed their mother, no matter how old one became.
[/blockquote]

[parallel]

Elynth felt the stirrings in several minds as dragons relayed her request to their riders. She hummed expectantly, awaiting their arrival. Perched on her great foreleg Marlaey looked around apprehensively. Her dragon's mind washed over her, Calm yourself Marlaey love, there is nothing to fear. You must be composed now, the riders need to see that you are worthy of being their weyrwoman. Marlaey nodded absently and started when she heard the first tell tale wing beats of a large bronze.

Elynth followed Crucluith's descent, her enormous head snaking after him as he spiralled don to join her. Pulling back her wings she made room near herself for him and returned his croon affectionately. Greeting Crucluith, we are pleased that you came. She took a moment to admire his healthy glow, the dark bronze hide glimmering in the sun. Her lip twitched in a shadow of a grin.

Marlaey had been quite absorbed in the first bronze's arrival and found herself taken aback by how quickly T'shiro had managed to sneak up on her. She relax into a comfortable smile at his approach. He was a wonderfully familiar face and a person she knew shared her dislike and uncomfort around formalities. She waved back to him, slipping off her dragon's paw and walking over to meet him. She gestured to the seats and table that had been arranged outside for her. "You're not late at all T'shiro, you're the first to arrive! And I'm glad! Can you imagine if I had to sit on my own through a lecture from a snobbish old bronzer?" Not exactly ladylike, but then, Marlaey was herself and never really tried to be anyone else. She felt her gold's warm approval, but knew that she would have to be a little more formal once more riders arrived.

She was surprised when T'shiro offered a gift to her, she hadn't been expecting that sort of thing at all. Taking the beautifully wrapped box she gently undid the bow, eyes wide with genuine wonder. Glancing up at T'shiro, almost as if for his permission, she tentatively opened the ornamented box to find a long elegant bottle inside. Lifting it out she gasped at the intricate etching and the delicate rose inside the perfume. It was so.. beautiful... where were her words when she needed them most? Finally tearing her eyes away from examining the exquisite masterpiece, she looked up at the bronzerider. "It's.. I can't even describe! Where on Pern did you find something so gorgeous?" She wasn't really expecting an answer, she just beamed at him, breaking into a gleaming smile, "Thank you T'shiro, I will treasure it always.."

Before they could talk further, Marlaey's thoughts were captured by her dragon's. Together they looked up to find a brown dragon landing next to the two on the stone slabs. Elynth flicked her tail and arched her neck, letting the sun catch the orange undertones of her hide. Show off.. Marlaey murmured, but Elynth ignored her, she was too focused on Siglith in all his lean and feline glory. His confidence impressed her immediately and she growled pleasurably to herself as he spoke to her. You flatter me Siglith, let's hope your rider can do the same for mine, she said humorously.

Marlaey turned her warm gaze to T'gir and invited him to sit with her an T'shiro. It still felt strange that they all bowed to her, but that was her rank after all. Pushing back a few stray tufts of her short hair, Marlaey smiled at T'gir, "We're so pleased you could come T'gir, you are always welcome to sit with us you know. Hopefully our afternoon will be an enjoyable one." Picking up the fruity wine bottle that had been left on the table along with a couple of others, she poured the two riders glasses and then filled her own. Just because she was a queenrider didn't mean she had no manners! There were sweet breads and cheeses for everyone to enjoy and later on she had ordered for some more substantial food to be brought out to them.

Marlaey was just starting to feel a little more comfortable around her present company when Elynth slipped into her mind. My love... the golden dragon whispered, knowing that this message was going to upset her rider and wishing she didn't have to relay it right now. Hmmm...? Rath sends a message from Or'yn... At once Marlaey sat up straighter and looked around, eager to see her bronzerider walking towards her with his easy gait. But he was nowhere to be seen... nor was the great bronze, Rath... No Mine.. He says that he loves you, and that he understands.. Elynth curled around Marlaey's thoughts, supporting her as her rider felt guilt and love tear through her. At the table she bent low on the pretext of fixing her short loose trousers and scuffing her bare feet.

She had known Or'yn wouldn't join her today, but it wasn't until Rath's message that it truly became real to her. Her mind was a sea of emotions, but as a queenrider she had her duties and she knew that Or'yn understood. She loved him, so much..

Elynth bespoke her feelings to Rath, asking him quietly so Marlaey couldn't hear, if his rider would meet hers after this meeting to comfort her.

Shaking herself mentally, Marlaey drew strength from some unknown place inside herself and looked up at the riders before her and sipped her wine, smiling. She would not forsake their company, they deserved her invitation here and she would honour them happily.

[Inadua]

"You're not late at all T'shiro, you're the first to arrive! And I'm glad! Can you imagine if I had to sit on my own through a lecture from a snobbish old bronzer?"

The Bronzerider was laughing at her mention of old, snobbish Bronzers, and dually happy that she hadn't been left waiting long.
"That must be the one thing they never warn you about in training as a Queenrider. Crabby old dragons making one last vie for a young Queen's afftections?"

T'shiro's eyes gleamed with an excitement that matched her own as she opened the gift he'd brought, but that smile began to fade. He hadn't really thought through her reactions to receiving something like this, and now the whole situation made him uncomfortable to some extent.

"It's.. I can't even describe! Where on Pern did you find something so gorgeous?"... "Thank you T'shiro, I will treasure it always.."

Swallowing hard, T'shiro turned, angling himself away from her, trying to hide his own fluster. For a moment, his brows furrowed, and in the fashion of nervous habit, both hands dug into pants pockets.
In all truth, the Bronzerider really didn't know how to act in such situations. Psh. That miffed him. And now he wondered how he'd ever decided on giving a gift to begin with. His voice carried that mix of emotion, and though he tried to play it off cool, he was sure he'd revealed the truth of himself; he was a person not only awkward with sentimental circumstances, but awkward with sentimental words. If he was lucky, perhaps that trait could prove endearing, "Ehh. Don't mention it. I don't really remember where I got it and I don't need it...so...I figured you should keep it."

Ahh, but that was his way.

In any case, T'shiro didn't like to admit purposely doing someone a favour or doing something nice. It all just led to awkwardness for him. He wasn't an unkind person, but 'real' nice people had to say nice things and he didn't know how to say those kinds of words...So, this is how he played it off.

Realizing now how terrible those words must have sounded to her ears, he'd grumbled to himself, tossing his dragon a few mental thoughts to blow off some of the steam of his insecurity. Oh, sure! You sure know how to play it cool with no problem. Just look at you. Why don't you share some of that with your rider? I could'a really used some of that inherent Bronze-confidence a few moments ago. You'll just have to make up for it now by realllly working a number on Elynth. Uhg. Marlaey must think me the most disrespectable Bronzerider ever.

T'shiro took a seat near Marlaey, shooting Crucluith a sidelong glare. The Bronze was certainly radiating oodles of masculine Bronze confidence. T'shiro watched for a moment as Crucluith lowered his head to nuzzle against Elynth, pleasantly preening the beatific Gold in hard-to-reach spots close to her head. He was certianly appreciating the glorious, healthy shine of her hide under the sun, and though he was not a dragon of many words, Crucluith imparted those feelings to her in other ways.

The Brown Siglith lounging next to him and Elynth was hardly a concern in Crucluith's mind -because he himself was a Bronze...and of course Bronzes produced better clutches so they were far superior, and Queens knew that.
Crucluith simply uttered a gutteral response, letting his rider know that he wasn't all that concerned. My rider should share every bit of confidence that I, a Bronze have. You are MY rider after all. If you were weak or incapable, I wouldn't have chosen you. If you feel you cannot speak properly, then show her how you feel by your actions...

Crucluith's words took him aback , but it didn't take long for him to retort, Oi! That's enough outta you. ...Of course I know how to speak properly.

The great Bronze fabricated an expression of draconic laughter.

Anyway, that little exchange seemed to depleat the rider's nervousness and return him to normal. The man helped himself to the wine Marlaey offered, along with a cube of mild soft cheese. Briefly, he caught Marlaey's glance across the bowl, as if someone else were about to join them....but there was no one there. Pausing over that for only a moment, he then looked across the table to the familiar face of T'gir.
"Yo. It's been a while, T'gir."

"You flatter me Siglith, let's hope your rider can do the same for mine"

"I have faith that Mine will acomplish as much."
Siglith's expression became that of a toothy draconic grin as he found repose upon that warm stone ledge. Giving his wings a bit of a shake, he preened beneath them before situating them across his back again.


As the four legged ones engaged themselves, T'gir managed a soft smile, taking a seat with Marlaey and T'shiro.
"Thank you for the wine, Marlaey." The Brownrider reached for the plate of sweetrolls, offering one first to the Goldrider present. "Would you like one as well?"

T'gir hadn't missed Marlaey's glance across the Bowl, and expected to find themselves with more company, but as that furtive gaze spied in the direction the young woman'd indicated,...there was no one. Which probably meant some telepathic mention had led her to believe another suitor's arrival was imminent. By the telling look in her eyes, it was someone she eagerly anticipated. Did she have a preference already? And she still invited them here? Maybe her preference boiled down to an unrequitted love?

The Brownrider watched the light that had come into her eyes every so briefly, flicker away.

Placing a sweetroll on his appetizer plate, he broke the bread for the first bite. Stormy grey eyes turned to T'shiro across from him, hoping to elicit some sort of response from either of them that might answer the questions bouncing around in his head, "Yes. It has been a while, T'shiro. But Crucluith looks as strapping as ever. They'll be a good match for eachother come time for Elynth's Flight.

"I wonder who else plans on Flying? Certainly the list of those who admire Marlaey and Elynth is not so short. If that is the case, we'll just have to keep our little secret that they've all overlooked one of the finest gems Pern has to offer."

T'gir shot Marlaey a winning wink before taking that first bite of sweetroll and sipping on his drink.


Wondering again if she really didn't already prefer another rider, T'gir thought about how he'd go about this meeting of theirs now. After all, T'gir was the type who would never impose on Elynth and Marlaey's relationship with a preferred other if they made their preference clear. Without knowing who she preferred though, how would he gage the sincerity of that relationship? If he knew the truth of how Marlaey and Or'yn felt toward eachother... But he was not aware of the depth of the Queen rider's feelings at present... and until that time, his intentions could only be geared to accomodate for what he did know.