What To Do? {Open}

[Akira]

D’tri stared at the ground as he walked along the beach, water splashing lightly over his feet. The water was cool, but no so cold as to be uncomfortable to the young man. This was the first time he has been allowed to have some time for himself in quite a while. Though, his mind wasn’t really his own and in truth, hasn’t been since he has left Trelis. He looked up as Chahaturth landed on the beach in front of him, and smiled when she crooned. You haven’t crooned in quite a while young lady. What are you plotting? He walked over to her as he spoke, and lightly slapped her large leg. I am not plotting anything Mine, I am merely happy to be able to come to the beach and relax. Chahaturth’s voice always had a way of clearing out his mind, and he was always glad for that.

I guess you are right, but you know the truth, we can never really relax anymore. D’tri knew that they had to be careful, and had to keep a close eye out for any signs of trouble. Chahaturth laid down and lowered her head so that it was resting on her front paws. The young Lieutenant climbed up onto the female’s large topaz claw, and scratched her eye ridges. It is alright Mine, no one will bother us out here. She seemed so confident about what she said, and D’tri wanted to believe what she said was true, but in his heart he knew that things weren’t so simple. He leaned back against his dragon’s large head, and stared at the sky. I wonder what it would be like to be a bird. At that the large topaz snorted and looked at her rider as if he was starting to go crazy.

[Zirin]

Oh how sweet was the taste of freedom? To Ari, nothing could be greater than the feeling of the wind in her hair or the salty taste of being near the ocean. The Weyr had felt so stuffy as of late and though it was dangerous, Ari had felt the need to visit the beach. It wasn’t for any particular reason, she just felt like the sounds of the ocean would bring her wonderful ideas for music.

The trek had been long, and she knew she shouldn’t have come out alone, but she supposed no one would really notice if the mute harper had disappeared. She sighed silently, dipping her feet in the water as she got comfortable on a rock. Had she known that D’tri and Chahaturth were just around the corner, she likely wouldn’t have been so comfortable. On her shoulder, Harmony chirped quietly and rubbed her nose into her owner’s cheek lovingly.

Smiling warmly, Ari spent another quiet moment staring out over the waters before pulling out her pipes. A song had sprung in her mind and needed to get out. Holding the pipes to her lips she allowed the first note to waver slightly, giving off a quiet, lonely feeling before growing in strength. With the crashing waves as her beat, the wind as her harmony, and her firelizard joining in with her own voice, there was no doubt that the lonely tune would travel far. Far enough, in fact, that D’tri would likely hear it.

[Wish]

If they come any closer, I might have to hurt them.

Eiko sighed and opened her eyes. She had come down to the shore to be alone, well alone with Nimarath. The Obsidian was somewhere under the waves, her small form blending in with the dark sand and warm water. You won't. It would take too much effort on your part. The dragonet snorted in her mind but otherwise agreed. She didn't like to be bothered by anything or one. Even Hers was annoying most of the time and she actually liked Eiko.

That Topaz is there. Why doesn't she and Hers just convince her to be the head? Why us? It's so....boring. For once Eiko agreed with her lifemate. Sitting up, she didn't even care that black sand stuck to her back and peppered her blonde hair. It would wash out in the ocean if she decided it was too much to deal with. For now it was just nice to not have to worry about everything.

Rindell Island was a relatively safe place for the rebels, and Faranth knew they needed safe. There was a cave with hot sands near where they made their main camp, and everyone knew it wouldn't be long before one of the Sub-Queens would be due to clutch. It wouldn't be Nimarath though, not for seasons yet. It just was another reason many scoffed at the idea of her being the head of the lieutenants. There wouldn't be a Commander in a while, and the General had died in the fighting.

Music broke through her thoughts though, alerting Eiko to another person. After all she was almost certain D'tri didn't know how to play an instrument. Not wanting to deal with whoever was there though, Eiko hid herself more behind the sand dunes, hoping to escape notice. When a black and real shape rose from the waves though and shook off her wings, it was a little hard not to know she was here too. Thanks a ton Nim. The Obsidian snorted and flicked her tail.

Like I care. You need to get out more often anyway. It's annoying me. Either stay on your own or start being social; either way stop complaining. It's giving me a headache.

[Akira]

D’tri smirked at his dragon’s snort, and even started to chuckle for the first time in quite a while. There is nothing wrong with dreaming about freedom Chahaturth, and you know it. Again, all Chahaturth did was snort at her rider, and really started wondering if all the pressure was starting to make him crazy. That’s when they heard the music, and the topaz raised her head, wondering where it came from. D’tri hopped off Chahaturth’s large claw, and started looking for whoever it was that was making such lonely sounding music. He peered around a bend and felt as though his heart had stopped, and he had died. He couldn’t believe his eyes at what he was seeing. D’tri quietly walked up behind the woman he believed looked like Aridani. Aridani, is that you? Are you really that blind Mine? The young lieutenant ignored his dragon’s words, and smiled broadly when he saw the sapphire blue firelizard that was sitting on the woman’s shoulder.

There was only Sapphire that D’tri knew off, and that was the one that had hatched from the egg his own gold firelizard had clutched. Iona at the time was sleeping on Chahaturth’s back, and just really didn’t feel like being bothered just yet. Chahaturth rustled her wings, and lowered her head so that she was almost literally breathing down the woman’s spine. Well, what could one expect with a dragon as unpredictable as Chahaturth? At least she wasn’t trying to be scary or mean. It was obvious to Chahaturth that the two humans hadn’t realized that they were being watched just yet, but she knew someone was there. Should I ask why you are hiding like a scared wherry? There was respect in her voice, and even a little hint of teasing playfulness in her voice as she spoke to the Obsidian dragon.

[Zirin]

Had she been able to speak, she likely would have screamed at the sudden voice behind her, having been so absorbed in her own music to notice the approach of the large topaz dragoness and her rider. It was the chirp of recognition from the sapphire flit on her shoulder that made Aridani take a good look at the man, realizing then that she KNEW him. Him and Chahaturth. A few tears leaked from her eyes as she looked at him. The first person in a long time to treat her like a normal person, to show her kindness and caring. But he had left without any warning, abandoned her to return to her life of quiet solitude.

Suddenly feeling angry she glared at the man, picked up a small stone and hurled it at him. How DARE he come near her after leaving like that. How dare he show up smiling like an old friend. Harmony took off from her owner’s shoulder, screeching and sending feelings of anger at D’tri, as if he needed more proof that Ari was angry.

You! YOU! Her eyes seemed to yell. Angry that she couldn’t actually yell at him, she did the next best thing. Storming up to the topaz rider, she leveled another glare before giving his arm a good punch. THAT would show him!

[Wish]

I'm not hiding, she is.

Nimarath shook out her little wings, snaking her neck around to check her hide for any bits of ocean debree. Satisfied that she was alright, the Obsidian padded over to where the much larger Topaz was. Looking up, she sat down and curled her tail over her front paws, observing the other dragoness. Everything was taken into account, from her mannorisms to her appearance. Strengths, weaknesses, flaws, they were all put away for future use and then she flicked her tail and moved off a bit.

Even now Nimarath was not one to socialize much, but unlike her rider who could not socialize, Nimarath chose not to. Eiko gulped as the others got closer, and the strange flit started to make a loud noise. She almost laughed at the scene she saw, peeking over the sand dune. Thankfully she was wearing muted colors, but her hair certainly stood out among the dark sand. Finally deciding she was being ridiculous, Eiko scrambled to her feet and brushed off her hands on her pants.

"Ummmr...hi?"

[Akira]

D’tri felt his heart swell with joy when he saw Aridani, and even felt a few tears trying to break free from his eyes. He was so happy to see her again, but soon that joy turned to frightened shock when Aridani started glaring at him. He ducked just in time to dodge out of the way of the stone she hurled at him, and felt the breeze that it created as it passed over his head. HEY!!! Watch it! His voice almost squeaked as he yelped at the girl. He looked up at the Sapphire firelizard when he felt the feelings of anger she was sending at him. What did I do?! Why are both so angry?! Then Aridani punched his arm, and he yelped and grabbed his arm more out of shock than pain. Really Mine, you should know exactly why she is angry. Chahaturth’s matter of fact voice had the young Lieutenant glaring at her with frustration.

You need not be so angry with him. It was my idea to leave in the middle of the night. As amused as this entire thing was making Chahaturth, she had to defend her rider. After all, what she had said was the truth; it had been her idea to leave. She couldn’t stand being under the leadership of that Gold and the “other” Topaz. Then she turned her attention to Nimarath after hearing the Obsidian’s words. She turned her large head around to watch as the other dragon padded over to where she stood, and watched her curiously, but cautiously. Why do you choose to be so unsocial? Are you not supposed to be next in line to lead the Rebellion? Curiosity was all that was in the Topaz’s voice, and she looked at the younger female with innocent curiosity.

D’tri looked over as Eiko revealed herself; he had figured she must have been somewhere close when her Obsidian dragon had appeared. He didn’t know much about the girl except for the facts that neither her nor her dragon wanted to take over the leadership of the Rebellion, but at that point, he didn’t think she had much choice. After all, Noita and her Obsidian Sylencath had started this Rebellion, and from what he had found out about everything, it was their decision that another Obsidian should take over when she was unable to lead. Which wasn’t something that sat well with a lot of people and dragons, his own being one that…how do you say…is…unhappy about the entire idea of such a young dragon who doesn’t want to lead, taking over such a large operation.

[Zirin]

Why was she angry? WHY? Because she felt abandoned, betrayed, left behind by the one person she had been beginning to trust. Not a word, not a letter, not anything to tell her that this idiotic twat of a man was still alive and well. She had thought him dead! She knew dragonriders had been killed in the threadfalls, but she had never really learned who it was that perished… and now… now he was in front of her again. Smiling like the last heartbreaking while had never existed. In the back of her mind, she was glad he had dodged the rock, she would have felt beyond guilty if he had actually been hurt. However, with the way he yelped and jumped back from her punch she had to stop and stare at him in disbelief. Had her weak little punch actually hurt him? She jumped as a strange voice entered her head.

Who said that? She thought to herself, unaware that the topaz could likely hear her thoughts. The idea that anything she thought could be heard by anyone or anything besides her darling flit was something beyond her normal thinking. She blinked up stupidly at the dragoness, as if in complete disbelief that a dragon, a real dragon, was speaking to HER! Shock aside though, the fact that D’tri needed his dragon to defend him was even more angering.

Once again forgetting that the topaz could listen in on her thoughts, Ari ranted in her mind. It was meant more for herself than anyone, but her thoughts usually were. I don’t care why he left. I thought we were friends! I thought maybe I was more than just the dumb mute girl. But lo and behold, yet another person to just run off and forget I existed at all. The anger was slowly disippating from her posture though, leaving a sad, vulnerable looking young woman in its place. Harmony too, was calming down; the sapphire fire lizard landing on her shoulder and crooning sadly. D’tri probably hadn’t even kept the necklace of Iona…

Aridani blinked as movement caught her eye, and cocked her head to the side as a young woman appeared. Oh no… had the girl seen her angry display? How embarrassing!

[Wish]

Wing off, it's none of your business.

Using a helping of, I will bite you no matter how big you are, in her tone Nimarath flicked her tail irritably. Her black hide was still shining from the water, and she licked it, savoring the taste of sea salt. So she was a bit odd, like she cared that others took notice. We staying or what Eiko? Flicking her gaze briefly to her rider, the dragonet heaved a heavy sigh when Eiko simply didn't answer. The weyrling was starting to get withdrawn again, greeeeaat.

She says good day, and to go on with whatever it was you two were doing. Sorry, she's weird, a bit touched perhaps too I'm afraid. Terrible tragedy that is, but oh well. Nimarath's voice was dripping with sarcasm, acidic almost in the way it scratched at Eiko's mind. So the Obsidian was being bothered by something. Knowing Nimarath though, Eiko would be lucky to ever know. It wasn't often that the dragonet took comfort in her rider.

"I'm not touched Nim. She's the one who's...well, interesting. Go do whatever it is you do, and leave us alone. You're a dimmer on conversation anyway, everyone knows that." The Obsidian simply shrugged, swatting her rider playfully with her tail, or that's how it seemed. Eiko knew that inside Nimarath was enraged that Hers had dismissed her so easily, but she didn't want to bother with a temper-tantrum. That was too much effort. "So, what brings you two out here?" Eiko tried to think of conversation starters, only able to think of that one thing. It was weird enough meeting strangers, it was worse when they apparently knew each other already too.

[Akira]

D’tri looked down at the sand beneath his feet, and gently scratched at whatever it was that was weighing against his neck and chest. That’s when he realized that he hadn’t taken off the necklace Aridani had given him since the day she had given it to him. Well…that’s not entirely true…he does take it off when he bathes but that’s another story. Please don’t be mad at me! I haven’t forgotten about you, I swear! See?! I haven’t taken it off since you gave it to me. He pulled the necklace out from under his shirt, and held it out for her to see, and stared at her, pleading with her. He didn’t want her to be mad at him, but at that point in time he wasn’t sure just how to prove to her that he had tried to spare her the pain of what might happen after he left, but he was starting to see that that might have been a bad idea.

Chahaturth snorted at the young female Obsidian, and shook her head. Of course I can listen in if I truly want to, and if you let me stupid girl. She ignored Nimarath’s comment, and spoke to Aridani like she was stating a fact that was common knowledge. She sat down and wrapped her long tail around her legs, and continued to watch the humans with growing amusement. Then she heard the young female’s voice once more, and looked at her with a strange look of curiosity and mild amusement for the way she spoke of her rider. She had never experienced a dragon speak of their rider in such a manner, and she wondered how it would be handled. She turned her large head to stare at Eiko with her swirling gaze, and tilted her head to the side, waiting for the young woman’s reaction.

Both D’tri and Chahaturth were thoroughly impressed by the way Eiko handled the situation with her dragon, though both of them believed there was more what looked like a playful swat to Eiko from Nimarath. Chahaturth shook her head at the exchange, and had completely forgotten about the golden firelizard that had been sleeping on her back. Iona was now thoroughly irate with the large dragon. She was flying around her head roaring, screeching, and bellowing loudly at Chahaturth. HOW DARE SHE INTERUPT IONA’S NAP?!?!?!?! At this point D’tri was too distracted by all the anger that he was getting from his firelizard to really pay attention to much. So if Aridani really wanted to hurt the young man, now really was her chance, and whether or not she took it was up to her.

ALRIGHT THAT’S ENOUGH! D’tri yelled at Iona, and pulled on her through their bond with all of his strength. She really was a handful at times, but he just couldn’t imagine his life without the pain in the butt firelizard. Iona growled at Chahaturth as she flew down to perch on Hers’ shoulder. She really was not happy with what had happened, and was too engulfed in being angry that she hadn’t even noticed all the other people that were there. I really am sorry about her. She’s not always this bad. D’tri rubbed at his face with his hands, and when he placed them by his sides once more, he looked much older than he really was. He was only twenty-one turns old, and he probably looked at least forty. All the hard work he had been doing trying to prove himself as a Lieutenant really was wearing on him.

[Zirin]

She was still angry, but seeing him pull out the necklace simply broke her heart. He hadn’t forgotten her… he was still a jerk for leaving without a word, but just knowing he had kept part of her with him made Aridani’s anger lessen. She felt guilty now for not having given him a chance to explain himself.

I… I…. Aridani didn’t quite know how to respond. Never before had she ever spoken to anyone, or anything for that matter, aside from her own firelizard. Even with Harmony, it wasn’t a true conversation as much as it was an exchange of emotions… but this… Chahaturth had heard her! Her! The girl without a voice! The tears fell then, completely unchecked, and even though she was doing everything she could to wipe them away, she couldn’t stop them. M-My lady… I’m so sorry… to cry after having such an honour.. I’m so sorry! She ran then, as D’tri forced Iona into behaving. Not away though, she ran to D’tri, wrapping her arms around him if he let her.

I was so scared that something had happened, that you both would be gone forever. I was so scared! How many nights had she spent restlessly worrying that those she cared about were dead. She couldn’t imagine the stress that D’tri and Chahaturth may have gone through during their absence. Even now, she hadn’t want to admit to herself how haggard he looked. Trying once more to hide her tears she peaked out at the newcomer shyly, feeling not only embarrassed, but also ashamed for how she was acting.

[Wish]

Eiko blinked curiously at the two who were greeting each other. At first she had thought they had only known each other a little bit, but after all this? The weyrling stepped back as the girl flung herself at D'tri, both apparently ignoring her question of what they were doing on the beach. I guess I don't make conversation well. Nimarath simply snorted, going away still a bit and curling up near the warm waves. Even in Autumn it was still nice here, not that it hadn't been nice at Bay Weyr either.

"I....I...ummmr...." Eiko blushed as she watched the two, not sure if she should leave or not. Her dragonet wasn't giving any helpful hints either, in fact Nimarath was doing her thing again. By her thing, it simply meant that the Obsidian was using the ability that was common in all of her color. Just as Topaz dragons had the ability to draw attention, Obsidians could divert it, and Nimarath was exceptionally good at that talent. Eiko had a hard time keeping her mind focused on looking at her, and that was with her being the dragonet's rider and use to this sort of thing.

It wasn't so much that your mind couldn't perceive her being there as it easily became distracted by everything but her. In Eiko's opinion, it was like trying to watch one specific spot in a river, you could keep looking at where it should be, but that bit of river was long gone making you move with it. A strange way of explaining it, and probably not the best either, but its how the girl's mind worked. Still feeling awkward though, Eiko blushed and cleared her throat hoping to draw some attention to the fact that she was still there.

Nimarath simply snorted at her rider again. If need be she'd do something, but she was supposed to be acting upset with her.