Graduation Celebration (All Weyr members invited!)

[Lady Smara]

Prontin heard that voice, smooth as silk and she felt her heart flutter. It had been quite some time since she had been able to speak with the northern harper and she could not help but remember how much she had enjoyed his smooth words and the way his voice added so much color to them. There were times she wondered if it even really mattered what the words were that he spoke, it was always the way he spoke them that made her want to simply listen.

Sitting up straight in her chair once more, she turned her head toward the blue rider’s voice and felt herself blushing slightly once she finally forced herself to listen to the words and not just the voice. “Few of those handsome men would think the blind could dance, fewer still would think to ask.” Pausing, she listened to the music and despite the commotion in the room finally bit her lower lip in decision. “If you will lead me, Harper and Bluerider J’zen, I would enjoy a dance.”

She held her breath hoping that his statement had truly been an offer to dance and not him simply being polite. To dance with another harper, she couldn’t think of a better dance partner at that moment. Setting her violin to the side carefully, she held up a hand, hoping against hope that he might take the challenge of leading the blind in a dance.

[Yuu Kanduet]

Wingrider J'zen of Blue Tyreth

J'zen's smirk grew and he crouched down so that he could level with Prontin's face. The girl really was quite stunning, and J'zen rarely thought people things of beauty. Too bad her eyes were useless, he would have liked to know what she thought of his dashing good looks.

"It would be my pleasure and privilege to lead you in a dance dear harper. If you would but take my hand, I shan't let you go."

Although J'zen raised his hand, he knew that he would be the one to take hers rather than the other way around. The younger man had every confidence that Prontin would be a natural at dancing. Dancing was just playing music with your body rather than a harp or a lute, something slow and sensuous. Even though Prontin was a drudge by all rights, she had a soul of a harper, and that was the only thing J'zen would ever call her.

"A crying shame we cannot partake in a dance to the haunting melody of that violin of yours, so your father will just have to do. I only hope he can live up to you, or better yet me but that's unlikely."

The last part of his words were a jest and J'zen gave a low chuckle to show that he meant no disrespect. Even if he did mean them on some level of the competitive musical playing field.

[parallel]

Marlaey

Marlaey was always a little nervous about dancing with other people, she got embarrassed too easily. But when B'ren whisked her off her feet and began to twirl her around she lost some of those inhibitions. Her short hair danced too as she spun around the Bronze Rider. It was a lot more fun than she'd anticipated and she couldn't help laughing in delight as they moved about the floor. Her soft orange dress flowed with every gesture while they danced, her eyes sparkling with enjoyment.

As B'ren executed a particularly deft switch between her dancing partners she found herself face to face with Or'yn. So this had been who he had in mind? She beamed at the young BronzeRider, "Or'yn!", she exclaimed, once she'd caught her breath again. They had continued the dance smoothly and Marlaey was surprised but genuinely impressed with how well Or'yn could lead. She allowed herself to let go and relax in his company, much more so then she would have in B'ren's. She knew Or'yn, he was a good friend, and by the looks of it, a good dancer too! What else did she not know about him?

Smiling at him she blushed a little when he mentioned she was pretty. That was unusual. He was a friend, why would that make her feel all warm and giggly inside? Maybe B'ren had spun her around too much. Yes, that must be it. But she agreed with Or'yn, "Yes, it was a surprise, but a welcome one! By all accounts the evening is starting out well," her voice had a lilt to it now as she swayed with the bronzerider and the music.

For some unknown reason she felt nervous, but excited at the same time. Her stomach fluttered while her eyes sparkled.

Yes, the evening for her was definitely starting out well.

[freya]

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Rinkin was tired of the sandwiches and dancing then decided to take a break along a wall. He sat down in a chair and looked around at the different people then went over to get a another cup of the punch. The candidate hadn't had much luck except for a few girls and still had eyes for the dragon shield woman. He knew that a candidate who wasn't that old wasn't what she was looking for yet maybe at the hatching he'd impress something great and that would show them. A smile escaped his lips as he went over to sit in a chair and drank the punch.

He hoped for something that would get him noticed and not be passed over. The young man knew that there we're more girls then boys and maybe this would work in his favor. Rinkin had to try to be positive about everything and knew that positive thoughts with a good attitude was the way to approach life. A negative attitude would show his feelings and drive away a future dragon.

[Yuu Kanduet]

Wingrider D'isk of Green Kalith

"Then I said it's tunnelcatty!"

D'isk cracked up on his own joke so hard he had almost been unable to get it all out before dissolving into hysterics. The nondescript crowd of drudges and riders looked unimpressed with his joke, but a few did chuckle at how hard the Greenrider was enjoying his own humor. Wiping tears of mirth from his eyes, D'isk wheezed a bit as he attempted to stand straight once more but slipped into light chuckles that caused him to remain slightly bowed.

One of the other riders patted him on the back in an attempt to help calm D'isk, but ended up with the large man hanging on them for support instead. Only after a few moments of uninterrupted mirth was D'isk finally able o fully compose himself.

"Thanks for the arm my good man. I probably would have ended up on my face had I been left to myself."

Waving a cheery good-bye, D'isk stalked a drudge carrying a wineskin towards the feast table. D'isk had been sober long enough. It was time to get a good haze going. He had to be careful though, otherwise he might get totally drunk. This was bad because D'isk hated hang-overs. Hopefully he'll have someone to entertain him in order to avoid getting completely sloshed.

[Ise]

B’ren watched Or’yn and Marlaey dance for a moment, just making sure that his fellow bronze rider didn’t embarrass himself. Aside from those first few steps where he had been at an utter loss for what was going on, Or’yn didn’t look too bad. One good deed done, now he was going to have to find himself another dance partner.

First he had to go and get himself a bite to eat. And drink. That was the important one. He headed to the food, looking around to see who was hooking up with who on the dance floor. He sipped a glass of wine as he watched, finding some pairings are more interesting then others. R’gar and Kyrah? What was it with their brown riders and Shield women? And of course there was a dance off going on between N’var and Razia. He felt a little bad for their partners and wondered if Eira and C’mar had known what they were getting into.

Though it was amusing to watch, B’ren had no interest in just sitting back and letting everyone else have all the fun. He watched the dance floor, a little smirk rising to his lips as he spotted just the person he was looking for. He walked to the edge of the dance floor, waiting for the current song to be over and the couple to stop dancing for a moment before he made his move. He tapped the slightly older green rider on the shoulder, giving him an apologetic look.
“Would you mind if I took this young lady out for a spin? You’ve been monopolizing her all evening.”
The green rider glanced at Trelia, making sure that she seemed ok with the idea before giving B’ren a chance to dance with her. The bronze rider took one of her hands and placed his other hand on her hip and started to dance when the next song began.
“I hope you aren’t too upset about me sending your dance partner away. But it’s a special night for me and you looked quiet pretty dancing with him that I just couldn’t resist.”
He gave Trelia a charming smile as they danced around, B’ren leading them and trying to keep them out of the dancing duel that was going on.

While he wasn’t much of a party person, having Jarshan made it a little better. Well a lot better. What guy didn’t like having a beautiful woman next to him? And one who was interested in him too.
“Well I don’t know how A’lez will be tomorrow but I’d assume that he’d work us hard. It’ll be the first day of training with a bunch of new people being added to the wing. If I was him I’d make sure I’d be working people extra harder, maybe even harder then normal just to set the pace.”
He shrugged a little and took a sip of his new glass of wine, figuring that it would probably be his last one for the night. What a shame, it was bad stuff. He rose an eyebrow slightly at Jarshan’s comment and shook his head.
“No, I just thought you might want a drink of your own instead of the last bit of mine. I’m trying to be a gentlemen tonight, not a lecherous rider.”

Trying not to be a lecherous rider but failing at it. Jarshan just looked too incredible. And he hoped that she was only joking about stealing the dress. He didn’t want this to be the only time he got to see her so dressed up. She always looked beautiful to him, even when she just returned from some mission and came back a sweaty mess. But at least right now no one could deny that he was dating a gorgeous woman.

At least he was dating someone so long as he didn’t put his foot in his mouth again. He saw the look his comment got him, one that would make most men run in fear of Jarshan. He knew that if they were in private he would be suffering but with all the people around all she could do was glare at him before storming off. D’ero cringed at her reaction and quickly followed after her, trying not to make a big scene as he push people aside to try and catch up with her.
“Jarshan, come back here please. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be such a runners ass. Please stop.”
Shards he hated parties.

Razia grinned at C’mar, he was cute and such a sweet talker. Perfect. At least she got to dance with someone she liked while N’var was stuck dancing with some woman instead of the brown rider he was infatuated with. Things only got better when it turned out that C’mar could dance, and dance well. It was not as graceful as what N’var was doing but it was far more fun and flashy. And well Razia did like flashy things that brought attention to her. Especially if it meant less people were watching N’var.

The green rider moved easily under C’mar’s touch, keeping up with his fast pace with ease. Even with her gaze focused more on N’var and Eira, Razia kept up with C’mar and all his quick steps and twirls. As they switched from one dance to another as the songs changed, she became even more impressed with the blue rider. She had been hoping for a good dancing partner but this was even better then she could have hoped for! She watched N’var from over C’mar’s shoulder, giving a satisfied smirk at the other green rider. This was a far safer way to try and shame N’var then their duel had been, less chance of getting blood all over her dress and the wingleaders couldn’t say much about this.

As the next song started up, closed what little distance there was between her in C’mar, glancing up at him and giving him a playful little smirk.
“I’m impressed, not only are you smooth with your words but on your feet as well. Plus, you’re far more exciting to dance with. Poor Eira, I almost feel bad that she got stuck with N’var. I think even N’var is jealous of how good you are.”
That last bit was a lie, she was fairly certain that it was impossible for N’var to admit that anyone was better then him. But she was having too much fun with C’mar and truly thought he was the better guy to be dancing with.

Zayten easily whisked Vaylee around on the dance floor, their dance matching the music perfectly. He kept them moving around, never staying in the same area for too long, he wanted to make sure everyone had the chance to see them. Well, mainly to see Vaylee. Poor girl, two turns of being a weyrling. He would have to make sure that she found a dance partner that wasn’t him soon enough.

Of course trying to find her someone was going to be the hard part. All the bronze riders were out for one reason or another. And half of the brown riders seemed to be taken as well. The blue riders were the ones he was most unsure about.
“Hm? Oh a few here and there. I’ve more been watching what strapping men give you more then a passing glance. Especially the ones that do a double take of you. Tonight is all about you. Tomorrow I’ll be trying to hit up some of the nice guys here. You did have some very cute green riders graduating with you.”

He twirled Vaylee around in a much more ladylike fashion then some of the other dancers were doing. For the few people in the Weyr who didn’t know his own personal tastes or the fact that the two where half-siblings, he didn’t need to give them the wrong idea. Zayten simply wanted to make his sister shine on the dance floor so she could have an easier time finding a dance partner more to her tastes.
“Anyone special that you have your eye on? I’m sure I could have a little misstep and let you fall into some handsome man’s arms…”

[HG]

--- N’var---

The young man smiled, “You have a good point. If we all were to get along it would be boring, I suppose.” Since the beginning of the Expedition he had been hated by many people. Especially of the lesser female variety. People did not like to take orders from someone around their age and seen as a spoiled Lord Holder’s son. N’var knew they disliked him for far more than that. He was after all, a little self absorbed at times. For instance right now, he cared more about his challenge with Razia than making sure that Eira had a good time. Although seeing as he had saved her from a fate worse than dancing, she did not seem to mind much.

He swept Eira around the dance floor with a practiced ease and fluidity that only truly accomplished dancers could master. N’var always had an eye for details in dance routines and in normal everyday life. He had been almost obsessive about Nemesyth’s hide during baths in his need to make sure not one spot was missed. Looking briefly over Eira’s head, the greenrider met Razia’s eyes agin. Oh, it was on. C’mar the jokester was not going to out perform him. Although there was something to be said for a good looking man who could dance.

“At the Weyr you should have more freedom than anywhere else on Pern. Especially when it comes to bearing children. I was a bit shocked when I learned what some women do here to rid themselves of unwanted pregnancies. I mean where I come from its unheard of. You are quite lucky to be here. My mother would have you married off and bedded as soon as she could if you were her child. When I came home from the mission I was going to be going through the same thing with women. I would have had to live a lie for my entire life.” He had never really known for sure when he was young that he preferred men.

How could he know when women were constantly thrown his way and never men? The fact that he had never bedded a woman whereas his brother was quite the philanderer should have given him a clue. At home he could have had his pick of the ladies and once married would have had to hide his love for men or a particular man. He’d never been so close to anyone before and doubted ever would again. His parents would never understand. The Weyr was much more liberal about things of this nature.

“I’m sure she really wants you to feel you are at home here and have family here. There may be some concern for your well being in general since you seem to be on your own a lot of the time. I’m sure she is not as interested in your having children as she is about you feeling this is where you belong. A lot of belonging to a place ties in with belonging to the people there.” The songs changed and thus the dance did. N’var being suave was able to change his moves as the music did. He had kept his promise thus far and had not damaged any of her toes.

---Or’yn---

Marlaey’s blush did not go unnoticed. Feeling that perhaps he was not the only one who was shy on the topic of relationships made him relax his nerves a little more. “He must have seen that I was searching for a familiar face to dance with.” This was to convince himself why B’ren had actually brought Marlaey over, whether or not it was true. Keeping things on a friendly level, he added, “Tonight is pretty awesome. I mean, they actually let me Graduate for one and for another it’s a party. Good food, drink and wonderful companions. What more could anyone ask for?”

The young Bronzer danced well enough for Weyrbred boy, but he was nothing compared to the Northerners dancing nearby. C’mar and N’var were really good. N’var’s form was so precise but C’mar’s dancing a bit more over the top. He was glad that N’var was occupied enough not to cause any problems. Keeping his attention off of his nerves helped him relax even more. Marlaey was a good friend and would never want him to be uncomfortable near her. That much he knew to be true but then what was the blush about? He decided just to enjoy the evening and not over think his situation.

His hold on the girl’s body did not change but his muscles relaxed slightly. “I don’t suppose you like bubbly pies?” Or’yn loved bubbly pies. He could probably wolf down about five of them by himself and not feel at all sick or gain any weight. He still had that wirey leanness of youth. Some day he hoped he would not look so much like a young boy and look more like the man he was becoming. For now though, at least women didn’t feel the need to flirt with him because of his looks. He liked it better that way for sure!

---Kyrah---

Since the young man made not objections, which she had expected she walked back towards the dancing. The music had changed was the first thing the red head noted. The second was that there were a good number of people still dancing. This was a good thing. Less people would notice her then and when she was done she could slip out of the busy room to her quiet quarters. The very tall man would also help in hiding her smaller form from the view of many people.

She turned to face R’gar, setting herself up for the dance. Knowing that this one dance would take forever, she tried not to let her face show her repulsion at having to dance near so many people. “Ready?” She asked, as she noted that the blind harper was dancing too. She was a nice girl but Kyrah was rarely around long enough to have talks with people.

Kyrah had never been one to have talks with people anyway but her job helped to isolate her further. In order to make things less awkward she spoke up again, “Congratulations on Graduating.” The polite remark would likely garner a polite response which was all she was prepared to hear. R’gar’s quiet nature suited her just fine for the moment.

[blue]

Eira smiled back up at him as he agreed with her. While she didn't hate N'var in anyway, she can see how some would dislike him. He was a little snobbish in a way, but, he seemed kind enough. How she seen it, he just grew up a certain way and was used to it. Honestly, even if this was a competitive 'match' between N'var and Razia, Eira didn't mind. Seriously, she didn't seeing as he saved her from a fate 'worse' than dancing. Besides, she liked to dance and she didn't get many chances to do so.

As she was swept around the dance floor, she kept up to the greenrider's fluidity the best to her abilities. While she was a good dancer, and possibly better than some others, Eira was no where near the skill level of her dance partner. At the very least she was keeping up with him and he was keeping up with his promise of not stepping on her feet too. He spoke of her having more freedom in the Weyr though, especially with bearing children too. Sighing, she nodded her head in agreement. “That's true, granted, some women do not even know they're pregnant at the time it happens. I can see how it's unheard of where you're from though.” She mentioned and let out a small laugh as he told her what his mother would of done with her.

“Honestly, I'm thankful my parents didn't think that way. My mother had always wanted to make sure i married someone I loved instead of just for the sake of giving her grandchildren. My father never remarried after she passed and simply treated me like he would anyone else. I guess you can say he did not care about if I born a son or not.” It probably also helped he did have brothers and the like, keeping the family name alive was not a priority for him. Nodding as he mentioned about living a lie she nodded a bit. “That is one good thing, doesn't matter here. A cousin of mine, she happens to like other women and I think that is how my aunt came to the conclusion I happen to like women in that way because I'm not married yet or have a sweetheart.” Eira told him with a chuckle before nodding in agreement as she changed her dancing along with him.

“I think you're right that she wants me to feel at home. I have plenty of family here though and being alone is nothing new for me. I would not mind a husband or children for myself one day but, I just haven't had much luck in finding that special someone is possibly the best way to put it.” She mentioned softly. As she danced along to the song with him. She may have not been suave enough to change her movements when the music did, but she was fine enough to change with her dance partner.

{bllah suck post x-x}

[Marnark]

Jarshan eventually slowed to a stop at D'ero's behest. For a moment she considered just walking out and disappearing into the jungle on him, but at the plaintive sound in his voice, she supposed maybe he had paid for his comment. He really did sound worried. Silly boy ... she really did have him all tangled up, didn't she?

Slowly, she turned around and looked up at him, one eyebrow lifted as she maintained an unhappy look. Even if it was slightly difficult given the way he looked just then. But she was trained Shield. She could torture people and hold a straight face. Vaguely some part of her wondered if this qualified as torturing D'ero. If so, it was the gentlest and certainly most non-physical torture she'd ever exacted in her whole life.

She looked him up and down once, and then sighed. "Grow a spine, D'ero." She poked her wine at his chest. "You owe me a dance for that."

---

"What's the deal with you and N'var? Are you two having something of a lover's quarrel, or something?" C'mar asked, not breaking a single step or missing a beat. She was not only paying more attention to N'var, but now she was back to talking about him again. It was a little frustrating, to be completely honest.

A guy didn't sweep up a pretty lass to dance her around the floor only to be serenaded by comments on another guy's dancing. Murrf.

Even if she had complimented him greatly, it had only been in the face of tearing N'var down. While, C'mar didn't really care for N'var at all, and didn't mind that in so much, he really would prefer if she noticed him for him, rather than comparing him continually to someone else. Especially someone so ... so ... distasteful? As N'var.

As the song changed to the slower tune, C'mar whirled her in close, and locked her in close with an arm around her waist for a bit of belly-rubbing dance. Much slower. He also started steering her about so that she couldn't see so much of N'var.

Attention; right here.

---

R'gar danced the dance that Kyrah demanded of him, but was swiftly distracted very soon afterward. He left her where she was without hardly a word, he was so distracted and concerned over what he was seeing. It was two fold, though he wouldn't quite admit to half of it.

He'd seen some fellow take Prontin from the Harper's group, despite how he'd been trying very hard to not be aware of her. Some small hidden part of him was vaguely jealous, true. But what really spurred him into action was his Healer craft. The idiot was making her dance! Not only was she blind, but she had a hurt ankle. Either one all by itself would have been difficult by itself, but the two together was only going to spell disaster!

Cutting through the dance floor, winding between the couples on the floor, he made his way swiftly over to where Prontin and J'zen were dancing. He placed a staying hand on J'zen's shoulder, bringing the youth to a sudden and abrupt halt. "I really hate to interrupt." He began, not about to take no for an answer, but definitely going to try to be polite about it. "But as Prontin's Healer, I have to inform you that you can't dance with her." R'gar informed him in a tone that left no room for bickering. "Her ankle is not well enough healed for the activity." He offered, by way of a succinct explanation.

[Lady Smara]

Hearing the silky voice of J’zen accept her as a dance partner, her stomach fluttered as she felt his hand take hers. Allowing someone to lead her through the hallways and even the Weyrhall was so very different than now. The commotion was louder and more erratic; and their own path was not a straight one, but circles. She had let him guide one of her hands to his shoulder and to her surprise he turned out to be much taller than she had anticipated – as tall, in fact, as another rider in his class.

While her steps were not as smooth as an experienced dancer, Prontin would later admit that she had been very proud of herself for not stepping on J’zen’s toes. He was a great leader to the song and his smooth words made her feel as if they were the only two on the dancefloor. His comment about her play of the violin had left her a little flushed and rosy in the cheeks, but she gave him a smile all the same.

“J’zen, you flatter me. Perhaps sometime we could – “ But the words ended halfway through the sentence as her leader stopped leading. Her heart stopped and her breath caught as she heard another familiar voice interrupt her dance.

Not yet healed? Not yet healed! At that moment Prontin was not sure if she wanted to yell or cry. For the past few days she had been moving around on her ankle of her own accord and it had never even grown sore. The salves R’gar had given her had healed her wonderfully – but she believed herself to be just that, healed. She had even had her brother look at it to make sure there was no swelling compared to her other ankle and she too had felt it carefully. All of the tenderness had left some short time ago.

On the same hand, with her inability to actually look at it and her own lack of training on the subject, perhaps R’gar could see something that she could not. He was a healer after all and she had always been taught to listen to her healers. But did she have to listen now or could she listen another five minutes from now?

This was the first chance she’d had to dance with a partner outside of her own family – and the first time she’d had a chance to dance on her own two feet during a celebration instead of her father carrying her as a child. Shard It, she wanted to dance! She wanted to be part of the celebration too, this didn’t seem fair!

Her face clearly showed her disappointment and disapproval of the intervention and she frowned with a saddened look finally taking over her features. Perhaps she should have asked first, but where was there time to ask?

“R’gar… I feel fine…” she said barely above a whisper, her face was still turned toward J’zen though it now hung a little. Part of her hoped she could continue to dance, though she knew pretty firmly that no matter which way the cards fell, the dance would be over.

[Yuu Kanduet]

Wingrider J'zen of Blue Tyreth

J'zen had led Prontin to a nice secluded area of the dance floor so that she wouldn't feel pressured by the press of bodies as others twirled around the hall with abandon. Luckily the starting song was a nice simple melody with a lot of uncomplicated maneuvers, and Prontin caught on quickly, matching his pace and moving remarkably smoothly for one in her condition. When she smiled up at him, J'zen couldn't help but playfully tug her a little closer during the next turn.

Just as Prontin was about to say something about another something, something J'zen would enjoy doing with her regardless of its description, J'zen felt a firm hand on his shoulder. Stiffening, J'zen's face slid from sincere enjoyment to cold fury, closing off completely as he stared unwaveringly into the level eyes of R'gar. How dare this man challenge him.

"R'gar I do believe you are mistaken, on all accounts."

Pulling Prontin against his chest protectively, J'zen positioned himself firmly between his opponent and his dance partner.

"First, you left your pretty date to come over here with a look of thunder on your face, so it is quite safe to say you felt no inhibitions in the interrupting and spoiling of a more than pleasant dance. Worse yet you waste this song and my time with darling harper Prontin so that you may order me to back off. Prontin complains of no ill and has yet to so much as stumble as we moved together with a smoothness you so obviously envy. It is fact that working a healing ankle does more help than harm, yet you march over here spouting nonsense."

Flashing a cruel grin in the guise of a simple smirk, J'zen closed his eyes and pressed a soft kiss to Prntin's soft brown hair atop her head.

"Tell me healer, did you come here for any reason other than jealousy? For I see no other purpose for your sudden appearance. If not, please allow me to return to someone of far more importance than you."

Looking back down into Prontin's expressive face, J'zen brushed his finger across her cheek softly.

"What say you my dear? Do you still wish to dance with a possessive Bluerider like myself?"

[Marnark]

Anger flashed in R'gar's gaze at J'zen's answer. If he hadn't been a Healer, he might of well have broken the bluerider's face for that. Though being a Healer was part of what caused him to be that angry with him. "My interest in this situation is purely professional." He answered, tersely. "Given your blatant disregard to her state of health even after being made aware of it, I would advise her to not persist in your company any longer." Really, that was what pissed R'gar off more than anything. Even after being told that dancing with her was going to hurt her, he wanted to dance her anyway. Just what kind of belligerent self serving asshole was he anyway?

"I am only protesting your dancing her. I did not care if the two of you socialized, visited, or otherwise entertained yourselves. But as her Healer, I am obligated to ensure that she does not harm her healing injuries. If you insist on dancing with her in this condition, please do allow me to break your ankle first. Then you may dance as long as you see fit."

"Last I checked I am the Healer here, and not you. So I trust you will both trust my judgment on the situation and desist from this harmful activity. Unless you would rather I go find the Master Healer, and have him tell you the same thing." R'gar offered, though the whole time he had yet to release his hold on J'zen's shoulder. He wasn't going to risk the bluerider whisking away with Prontin, and possibly hurting her in the process. "Wait at least three weeks for any dancing activity. And then you can dance to your heart's content."

If necessary, he just might hurt him too. If he insisted on activities that were not cleared as being safe for Prontin's healing ankle. Especially since she was blind ... that taxed the joint even further than normal. "Let me put it to you this way. If you keep going, and her ankle does give out under the strain - which it likely will - she will more than likely be crippled for life. Is that something you are comfortable living with? Knowing that you crippled her?" Shrinking her already tiny world to an area even smaller. Only as far as she could reach with her fingers. It was already sad that there was so much she had not known, had not seen, or done. But to be stuck in one location as well ... that was torture.

R'gar was pretty sure, beyond all sensible logic and reason, that J'zen wouldn't rise to a challenge. Mostly because of the obvious size gap between them. They might be similar in height, but R'gar by far outmassed the smaller Bluerider, sporting the build of his Smithing family and background. Between that, already having a hold on him, and knowing just exactly where things were and how they worked on human bodies due to his Healer training ... R'gar could and would put him down efficiently if that was what it took. It wasn't his first course of action - indeed he had opened this with a mere warning. But J'zen was apparently going to make a stink over it.

No matter, R'gar's opinion and estimation of J'zen was more or less permanently soiled. That he would want to continue to put anyone else at risk to any degree for his own pleasure really torqued R'gar's gourd.

[Lady Smara]

With a warm chest in front of her and a steady hand behind her, Prontin was glad to have somebody holding her up as the words left the Blue Rider’s mouth. Satin smooth as always, if she had not been listening to the conversation and the words used she would have almost forgotten it had turned toward ugly. Even so, as he spoke, she soon realized she would not have stayed where she was if he had not been holding her.

Prontin was not sure what she feared most in this moment; the pure and easy to hear anger in R’gar’s voice, the smooth reply that egged him on, the fact that she was firmly caught in the middle as the topic of conversation, or the idea of being crippled more. She had instictivly leaned toward J’zen for his warmth and solidity as she listened to the words shared between the two, but as he turned his attention back to her, she made a feeble and light attempt to push away and hold herself back up again.

Did she want to dance? Of course she wanted to dance… but she did not want to be any more cripple than she already was with her lack of sight. She enjoyed his satin smooth voice, flowing like silk over her ears, but the anger that flowed between the two of them made the tension tight. Perhaps it was because she could not watch the scene unfold, but in her dark world the two had already thrown their fists in the form of words…. And… over her?

It made her shudder, a shiver running coldly down the length of her back. It was suppose to be a simple dance, maybe two. That was all she had wanted, but she had not realized it had the chance of taking away one of her few freedoms in life. Her desire to move about on her own accord, her desire for her own independence, outweighed her desire to dance… barely. Feeling a finger slide down her cheek, she turned her face upwards toward J’zen as he directed that smooth voice to her once more.

"What say you my dear? Do you still wish to dance with a possessive Bluerider like myself?"

“Oh, I do.” She said softly, her voice a little shaken. “But not at this price. Please do not be angry.” The second comment that left her lips was directed to the both of them. From everything she could hear, well she rarely heard anyone so angry and the tension was high. Even what she could feel through J’zen’s body was now much more tense than it had been and the idea that she might hear any form of blows land between the two… She did not wish to be here when that happened; if that happened.

Quiet. Timid. Afraid. Prontin was beginning to wonder if coming had been a good idea at all.

[Yuu Kanduet]

Wingrider J'zen of Blue Tyreth

Bristling internally, J'zen fought off his urge to start a fight with the healer. He knew he could hold his own against this man. J'zen had learned to strike fast and accurately taking down much larger opponents with a single strike. It helped that J'zen was the youngest in his family of brothers-in-law who enjoyed making fun of his slight frame. Unfortunately, in order to smash the heel of his hand into R'gar nose J'zen would have to let go of Prontin. Not to mention the fact that the blow if executed properly would most likely kill the other rider and that evidently seemed to be frowned upon.

"If the injury was nothing more than a straining of tissues as you seem to suggest than physical therapy is always best. Besides, these things are progressive. Prontin would feel the pain and we would stop. Her ankle wouldn't just cave. As for your quick assessment of crippling, you are only half correct. The ankle could become weakened to a state where exercise is restricted to easier activities unless she is wearing some sort of structural device to support the ankle, but she would never lose complete function like you suggest."

Before J'zen could finish taking a breath to prepare his next onslaught of insults and healing facts Prontin's timid voice reached him. She beseeched him to desist in his arguing, and J'zen had never been one to deny a beautiful young lady anything.

"Dear Protin, I am not angry. It is your body. I will respect your wishes."

Thus saying, J'zen swept Prontin up into his arms. He held her tightly to prove to her that she was in no danger of falling as he walked swiftly off the dance floor, ignoring R'gar as if he didn't even exist. J'zen had moved on to something he enjoyed more than the argument, and to him, R'gar really had stopped being of any importance. Of course, there had been that moment where J'zen had been forced to free himself of the other rider's grip, a movement that had consisited of him rolling his shoulder suddenly and then wrenching free when R'gar's grip loosened as a result. Now that he was free however, he could go back to making sure Prontin was okay.

"Tell me if this makes you uncomfortable, and I will put you right back down. If you are content with it, then please, where do you wish to go? To sit at a table, back to the harper stage, or perhaps to the buffet for a snack or drink?"

They were now off the dance floor and a good distance from the previous conflict and J'zen had slipped back into his easy manner and soft tone. J'zen wasn't the type of person to hold a grudge. He had already forgotten that he was angry with R'gar. By tomorrow, he would have completely put the whole thing behind him. Being angry and holding grudges took effort that he was unwilling to spare.

[Marnark]

J'zen was a fool. A self important fool that thought he could make judgments on someone's condition without knowing the case specifics. Worse, he thought he could do this, without even being a Healer. J'zen ... was dangerous. For those reasons. Worse, he was more than willing to place someone at risk for his own pleasure. These things made R'gar seethe on the inside as he watched the bluerider carry Prontin away.

But at least she wasn't dancing anymore. Walking she could handle, she was healed enough for that. Dancing was like asking a barely healed ankle to run a marathon. It just didn't work.

R'gar didn't trust J'zen to not take her back out again though. As such, he didn't feel comfortable leaving the party anymore. If for no other reason than to keep an eye out and make sure nothing untoward happened to his charge.

Retreating off the dancefloor with a few muttered apologies to interrupted dancers, R'gar found himself a weary seat and rested an elbow on the table there. No, he didn't want to be here. Worse, he didn't like that he couldn't trust the other people to behave themselves in his absence. What was the world coming to?

He pinched the bridge of his nose and grimaced. As long as J'zen didn't dance her on her abused ankle, R'gar had managed to convince himself that he didn't care what they did.