A little break --> Zi'axe/open

[twitchie]

Zi'axe made his way past the many food vendors, finding his belly growling. Nimae let out sharp trills of hunger, Rallie tried to thieve food, and the puppy Monroe made lazy squeals in his arms.
"You are hungry. I know. So am I."
The 19 year old bought a large amount of meats and cheeses and breads and divided it between himself and his pets.
And he smiled as they ate, laughing of how they acted so starved, even though breakfast was not that long past.
Zi'axe wiped his cheek with his hand,arching his back in a stretch. He despised the power his dragon's feelings had over him. How they intruded every thought. Those powerful lust driven feelings...
Zi'axe shook his head, watching people pass by. As much as Zi'axe pretended not to, he needed some company..

[Wish]

Are you leaving already? I expected you to at least last a biiiit longer...boring. Seems that "clutchsibling" of mind will be winning this bet after all.

Eiko ignored Nimarath's taunts as usual, moving through the crowd as a silent shadow despite the looks that turned her way every now and again. Why did she have to have sharing purple hair?!? Honestly she was going to...she would, oh when she saw that Trader again she'd....You'd do nothing you spineless girl. You know that as well as I.

The Obsidian curled up tighter on her place back on their home of Rindell Island. The rebels, many in fact, that were still at the Main Camp were tiny trundle bugs compared to her all the way above them. With an approving rumble, Nimarath tucked her head under her wing and pushed out that oh so convientant influence Obsidians had to make others ignore they were around.

Back in Trelis' Weyrbowl, Eiko was starting to get more and more antsy. She hadn't ever come back from her little detour while getting food for Alyara and herself. The greenrider would just have to apologize for her absence from J'dol's kissing booth. Wrapping her cloak tighter around herself, the girl cried out softly as someone bumped into her and sent her tumbling forward.

Throwing out her hands to catch herself she hit a table next to another figure, pitching over slightly as her knees gave way. Smooth, you just fell in front of one of our Knights. Eiko snapped her head up from her half standing, half fallen over position a harsh blush arcing across her cheeks. "I....Im..."

Would he recognize her even with her hair died as it was? Would he know who she was? She thought all the 1st Knights knew about her coming here, but what it he didn't? After all, she hadn't exactly heard much consent from all the Knights when Noita mentioned her little plan.

[twitchie]

Zi'axe had finished his own meal now, just sort of watching the action of the people. The chubby puppy Month was sleeping in his lap, stretched lazily out.
Zi'axe gave his hair a bored ruffle, his muscular figure was relaxing.
But suddenly, a young women slammed into the table he sat at, causing shrills cries of anger and fear from the groggy Nimae.
A normal man would have Lesotho to his feet to assist the young girl, but Zi'axe stared at the purple haired newcomer.
He didn't smile, his hard face simplely studied her. Not only her hair, but took in all the little details. His deep golden eyes gazed for a long while, as if trying to place a face. This confusion did not appear on his face.
His hand scratched the back of his neck, and he looked as though he might speak.
"Has your hair always been such an..."
Zi'axe paused in his question, gaze faultering s moment.
"interesting color?"
His deep voice ended with a clean finish.

[Wish]

Say something girl, don't just stand there!

Shocked into action, Eiko pushed her hair back from her eyes, the bright blues staring wide at the man. "Ummr...not really...Uh....I mean." She blinked a few times in quick succession, closing them suddenly and giving herself a blunt shake. Get a grip! Opening her eyes once more, Eiko swallowed through a dry throat and reached for an unmanned wine goblet. Nimarath was old enough for her to have some of this right? Right?!? ....are you?

Snorting in unbelief that Hers could be so flustered into complete inadequacy, the Obsidian gave her a confirmation, silent as ever. Good, because I'm going to need it. Drowning the small amount within the goblet she took a deep breath and sat down. "S....sorry, just sort of jostled I suppose from the crowd." She gave him a forced laugh and then looked elsewhere. "No...it's uh, died. Zi'axe, do you really not recognize me?" One would think you'd know my rider Kasprth's Own.

[twitchie]

Zi'axe could feel Kasprth creeping into his head, watching and listening to this.
With his hand running through his hair he sort of sighed, licking his dry lips.
"I don't spend my time memorizing every human. Not to be rude.
His words came out flat, and he look away.
That's Eiko, Nimarath's own. I don't get why humans must change their colors so often... I'd be confused too, except for how all of you smell of unique.
Kasprth's words came into Zi'axe's mind, and Zi'axe nodded so faintly.
"You are Eiko, right? Rider of Nimarath?"
He stared hard at her face, changing her purple hair to more natural shades of color.
Then he had some idea of what he had missed.
His lips were dry, he felt... hunted. Like if he made another mistake it could cost him his rank.
Mine, just focus. Do you think I'd let another human hurt you? You have your own strenght too... Fought in a war for several years! If you are threatened or attacked, I'll be on my way. [/color]
That seemed somewhat comforting for Zi'axe, though it was ironic. He was a tall, intimadating man, yet he just couldn't get over this hump...

[Wish]

It shouldn't have bothered her that he didn't know who she was, however somehow it did. Eiko wasn't the type to be forward or even one to care much if she made it past the second row spotlight, but the fact that a Knight of all people could be so clueless as to who was around him...Well he does have a point. Do you know everyone's names? The Obsidian sent the message to her with a distinct lack of caring what the answer was. However, it still had a desired effect on her rider. Still, he should know me. It's just rude not to know the person that is second only to Noita herself. Not to mention he's a Kingrider...he could be my Commander if he won your flight Nim.

That shut the dragonet up, but more in contemplation than actual inability to retort back. Instead, Eiko focused on the man, nodding as he mentioned her name and that of her dragon's. Of course he had just had that glazed look in his eye that said he had talked to his dragon, and he hadn't mentioned the rank so naturally he was still clueless, and Eiko just had to correct him on that! "Yes, I am. However, I'd keep my voice down Zi'axe. I'm only here because Noita thought it'd be good for me to get off Rindell for a while."

She pushed the died hair from her face again, smiling when she found a strip that had somehow escaped from the punishment of purple chaos and stayed the perfect platinum blonde it was normally. Sighing, she slumped against the table, letting her head fall to rest on top of her crossed arms. She was so done with all of this. The girl didn't have any talent for leadership, and she certainly didn't want to be involved with the rebels, but she had to because of who she had bonded with. Not that she would ever change that, as hard as it was sometimes to have Nimarath as her lifemate.

I'd have Yours try again Kasprth. My rider unfortunately isn't as confident as she may...okay well she's worse than she even appears which isn't much. It will make her feel better if he knew who she was, which is only right any how. Or perhaps it would jog your memory Bronze to see me, her dragon? The dark dragonet flapped her wings, just a few months grown into the state of flying. Testing them with a quick flap, she glided off her chosen ledge to where the Bronze was curled up, searching him out quickly and landing daintily behind in the shadows as her color often was known for. Hello Kasprth.

[twitchie]

Zi'axe did not know exactly what to make of Eiko's emotions. The kinder part of him felt as though he should do something, but he was fairly clueless as to what.
Awkwardly, he slid on the wooden seat closer to her, and with a look of half hidden uncertainity, he placed one of his strong hands on her shoulder.
"I...I didn't mean to upset you."
He frowned, suddenly angry at how soft his voice grew.
Hell. I can't do this dumb chit chat... But...
His golden hued brown eyes looked over Eiko's slumping figure, smiling, well trying to smile. The corner of his mouth turned up, inviting a smile, but not fulfilling it.
His thoughts wheeled as he racked his brain for anything, anything he knew about offering comfort, and he exhalled sharply as he could come up with nothing.

Kasprth, on the other hand, lifted his bronze head from its resting place, shifting into a proud sitting position.
Greetings Nimarath. [/color]
He greeted the dark female with a dip of his head, stretching out his wings almost lazily. His eyes whirled peaceful tones of blues and greens.
He suddenly went stiff, and he reached out for his rider once he realized both his and his bonded's mistake.
Mine. Please listen to this now. It is quite important you, we, correct ourselves. Eiko is bonded to Nimarath, Second in Command, Lieutenant Eiko. Sound familar? [/color]

Zi'axe ,too, went ridgid as his eyes glazed.
Damnit. For once I need to learn who is who...
He cursed silently, closing his eyes, and sucking in air.
"Forgive me, Lieutenant Eiko. My memory of rankings fails me."
His words were sheepish, and he frowned more. This day seemed to get worse and worse.

Kasprth shifted his weight again, suddenly uncomfortable.
Do you think Yours will understand? [/color]

[Wish]

He. Was. Touching. Her.

Here we go again.... The obsidian twitched her tail, slightly amused by the emotions that played over their link between rider and dragonet. Giving only the slightest inclination of her head to show she acknowledged the Bronze's presence, Nimarath yawned wide and flopped down onto the ground in a small mass of black and cyan hide. Was it the most graceful of movements? Not quite, but it was Nimarath performing them so it was all as should be expected.

Back in the gather, Eiko had frozen in her spot the moment he touched her shoulder. Just short of hyperventilating it couldn't be more obvious that the contact alarmed her, made it almost unbearable in fact. No one touched her, no one even came near her except a select few! She didn't even know him and he was trying to comfort her? Sweet perhaps but to Eiko's anti-social mind it was something entirely incapable of being understood. Why would he want to do such a thing? Then it hither the moments motioned her title. He was in it only for the power! That had to be it!

Oh give me a break! Youre pathetic sometimes Eiko. Nimarath hissed irritably at her rider though they were miles upon miles away from one another. To Kasprth however her tone became less frustrated and more of its usual bored and melancholy self. If he backs away from her she'll be fine. NO! Wait a moment actually have him do that more, she could use the push to actually grow a backbone for once.

[twitchie]

Zi'axe hadn't realized what he had done, but the moment Eiko stiffened, his heart raced.
His first reaction was to pull back, but the keen presence of Kasprth stopped him.
Eiko won't do a thing, I doubt. You've surprised her. Connect the dots, mine. [/color]
"Eiko, what.. what is wrong?"
Two firsts in one breath, an uncertainty, and a worry.
His hand remained lightly on Eiko's shoulder, and at the moment, he made no attempt to remove it.
He hated this. A sick feeling in his stomach bubbled inside him. What was this kinder self? This comforting part of him? Zi'axe had locked and lost this years ago ... Why was it coming back?

The bronze watch the obsidian with neither interest, nor boredom. He seemed satisfied. Somewhat atleast.

[Wish]

The girl couldn't believe her ears. He was being nice? He was acting concerned? It had to be an attempt to manipulate her! It just had to be. She wasn't the sort of girl who men just went out of their way to try and please and comfort. She had never had that attention before she impressed. So, why would this differ? Despite the small romanticized hopes that fluttered in her chest, Eiko shoved them down into what she deamed to be a far safer place.

She would never just open up to someone. She wouldn't, she couldn't. So instead of telling him what was on her mind, she let her head fall down further, wiped the tears that had collected at the corners of her eye but had not yet spilled, and took a deep breath. "Nothing is the matter. I am perfectly fine." Cold, to the point, all business. Eiko stealer away her emotions for that sort of response despite herself and held to it firm. She would never budge, she couldn't afford to.

Nimarath listened intently to her rider's thoughts somewhere between approving and observant. She was the ever watchful mirror that always told the girl the truth no matter how hard that truth was. It was mostly dosed with a heaping of sarcasm and bitterness, but it was still true. That is, unless you wanted the truth then she would just change around her answer to be the opposite. It was always just a game. It was one Nimarath liked to think she played well.

Watching Kasprth with the same cool air of indifference he gave to her, the Obsidian curled her tail around her paws and laid her head on the top of it. She didn't speak, she didn't move she just simply was. Her rider was much the same, prickly and yet there was still an air of fragility to Eiko. Almost like glass that had been half hazardous glued together to look whole yet was ready to shatter once more with the slightest of touches.

[twitchie]

Zi'axe hated how this was changing him. How he was being... soft. But the way it felt to touch Eiko's warm shoulder, the sensation of the gesture gave him some sort of... thrill. He always had pretended to be strong, to have a hard heart. That was for his protection. Friends were not real. Happiness was not something of his life.
Maybe it was his longing for a friend, to be close to a real person, to be able to actually live his life for something, or someone.
Perhaps it was the real Zi'axe, the happy innocent 19 turn man who grew up way too fast. Maybe this was what Zi'axe was truely, a kind man. A caring man.
His face contorted in anger, though he was certainly not angry. He was scared. Terrified. What was Eiko doing to him? What was this that made him queasy inside, made him so weak and shaky?
Why couldn't he just let go of Eiko's shoulder and walk away?
Why couldn't he forget this...?
Zi'axe cleared his throat, heart racing, head feeling unnaturally dizzy.
His chest was rising and falling more quickly than normal, and he silently cursed.
Where had the strong solo Zi'axe gone? What was happening now?
"Wh-Why...?"
He was breathless, and he felt like he was going to faint.
He suddenly slumped backwards, as if recoiling from a burn.
"What...the Hell....?"
Mine? Mine? What is going on?! [/color]
Kasprth went ridgid, jaws opening in a growl of frustration.
Inside, the beast was confused, perhaps frightened. What evils were taking over his rider? His thoughts were confusing, his mind closed off.
His wings snapped open, his claws scratched against the stoney cliff.
Something was happening. And Kasprth was torn. He didn't want to overreact... But...

Zi'axe put a hand to his brow, feeling like he was ill.
"I...I don't feel well..."
His proud figure was sagging, his temple was collecting sweat.

"I..I think I must retire.."
Zi'axe was scared. Was it something he ate? That wouldn't explain his weakness... his lose of control..
What was Eiko? Some kind of witch? A shaman? A demon? Not that he believed in such things. But hey, that sounded better than becoming soft, right?

[Wish]

Well now, he certainly is a bucketful of joy and pleasantness isn't he?

The Obsidian watched the Bronze hiss, his body tensing and releasing as claws dug into the soil beneath them. She was surprised, but most certainly in a good way. It showed strength, in the best possible form. One that was easily manipulated by emotion. It was the way she went about things, always observing not who was around her, but how she could use them. The Obsidian was darker than most her color, yet she still had the same sharp, militaristic mindset and the poised presence. She knew that to be effective she needed to know how to play the field, even if she never actually bothered to do so.

Eiko, do something you little girl! Don't just let him leave.....or do, I don't mind. Either way just make up your mind and do something.

The inability to act on the weyrling's part was the thing that grated against the Obsidian the most, and it had her just as tensed as her Bronze companion at the moment. Lashing her tail briefly, the only true sign of her agitation, Nimarath quickly and quietly reigned herself in, refusing to let herself be ruled by her rider. Instead she gave the girl the equivalent of a sharp smack. Flinching, Eiko shook herself, backing away from Zi'axe as he did the same. It was odd, the closeness between the two of them. They behaved much the same, but it could all just be an act.

Swallowing and breathing steadily, the weyrling got to her feet and clutched the egg in her robe's pocket carefully to be certain it was still there. "I uh....ummr....." Her facade of poise and assured personality was fading fast, and Eiko scrambled to resemble it and hide her emotions. "It was good to see how you were doing Zi'axe...." Her voice trailed off, and then she did something that surprised her. It wasn't until now, seeing him almost scared in his anger that she realized she had met him before.

"How...How is your daughter?"

Okay...that I wasn't expecting.

[twitchie]

Zi'axe took a deep, slow breath. He was fine. He was strong. You can think a million things, but not believe a bit of it. Zi'axe was losing himself to these gentle soft emotions.
No! He told himself. This was not how things would work. But with each passing moment, Zi'axe felt less himself.
But when the question was raised, he felt himself grit his teeth.
Add salt to my wounds. That's the last question he wanted to address. If only he could play dumb! But he did not have the energy left for such a game.
"Good. She's a fine--"
Wait, wait, wait! Since when did anyone know the child existed, much less was of his blood? When would he get relief?
Like a dream, it came back to mind, the babe, and Eiko. Now he remembered. She had been there. Smart girl. That was certainly respectable, however much it displeased him.
"Domi's fine.. Fussy and difficult, but fine."

Kasprth growled angrily at his rider, feeling cut off. It was hard to not be in his rider's thoughts..
He caught Nimireth dyeing him, the way she studied his body pleased him. He was a handsome beast. Yes. It was good to know she was atleast somewhat interested.

[Wish]

Eiko nodded her head as she saw the recognition pass in front of his eyes. "Sorry I used my mother's name when we first met. It was....an experiment." So that was a half-truth. It had been an experiment of sorts but not in the most common sense. She had wanted to see what it was like being normal. Not bonded, or placed into a ranking position, just normal. She had never wanted that more than now. Sighing, she pushed hair behind her ear and looked around.

"So she will be staying with us or in the Village?" It was a question that was ligitimate, most parents had to decide between the rebellion and the village nearby for their child's reading. To be honest most chose the village though Zi'axe could always break that mold. Inspecting her nails, Eiko picked at an imperfection and bounced a leg against the ground as the foot came up and down again and again.

Im not sure what else to say Nim. Except she did, she just thought it personal. Would it be though, her position did entitle that sort of inquiry. Thinking about her options, Eiko finally gave herself the okay to ask. "So, what brought you here Zi'axe? Only a few Knights dared come since they're more easily recognized later." Even Eiko had had to be careful and always give out false information, personalities, the whole works. She had to become a new person for each person she met. There had never been as tiring a task as this in her life.

[twitchie]

Something about how Eiko wove her way into Zi'axe's head irked him.
It disturbed him deeply.
It scared him. No one ever broke him like this. Nothing was so contantly brought back into mind... This... this.. was wrong.
Zi'axe opened his mouth to say something, but he shut it again.
Eiko had some sort of control over him. He hated it. This new.. weakness..

The bronzerider exhaled, rubbing the back of his head. He hadn't really cared to think about the child who had been thrust upon him.. Yet another thing Zi'axe had a certain distaste for..

"I've heard the women say she's a handful. Fiesty little tot. But I..."
What was this sense of emotion in his gut? Like he had been forgetting something? Guilt perhaps? Was it wrong to have not really planned on how his daughter would be cared for? Or where she would stay?

"It might be good for her to grow up in the Rebellion. Have the cause raised into her?"

It wasn't really a question for Eiko, rather a statement or question for himself. Domi was his child. He really should care more... Would it change her fate if he were to visit her?

He licked his lips, feeling like a fool. Eiko must certainly think he was not worthy of his rank! But he valued his work... He just was not the one for small talk..
Did that make him a bad leader? Or even a failure?

Zi'axe refrained from spitting curses, but his face showed what he wanted to say. Damn these petty questions! This is the reason why he disliked conversations in the first place... They always ended the same...

"I think, however, she will grow up in the Village."

Zi'axe nodded to himself, somewhat satisfied.