A Vacation? {Open}

[Akira]

Skye rolled her eyes as she walked through the gather. She wasn’t there on vacation, no she had a job to do. But she had to admit that she was very tempted to join in on the celebration. All of the excitement and over all merriness of the place seemed infectious. It didn’t help that her green was constantly chiming into her mind with little ideas of her own. If you don’t stop I’m gonna find a way to permanently muzzle you. As much as the poor girl loved her dragon, there were times that she just wished she could have her mind completely to herself. Please Mine, it would be nice if we had a little friend. For the past five minutes the green had been trying to convince her rider to buy a pet, but so far no luck. No Kivith, we don’t need any more responsibilities. The young woman could feel the sigh that came from her dragon at her words.

Skye rubbed at her temples when she felt a headache coming on, no doubt caused by her and her dragon arguing. Maybe she should just give in and have a little fun while she was at the gather. Maybe then Kivith wouldn’t be such a pain, and she could always relay the information she had gathered if she happened to pass by either S’vrin or Ar’rex. That seems like a nice idea Mine. Of course you would say that. Her voice was little more than a whisper for only herself to hear. She knew her dragon had heard what she had said, simply for the fact that she had also spoken to her over their bond. The only thing that remained now, was for the young woman to decide what she was gonna do first. She could visit a few stalls and maybe pick up a nice necklace, or maybe get something to eat first.

[Kitsuneko]

Having just bought a pair of eggs himself, B'den was carrying them through the Gather crowds to tuck them into a safe place when he spied a familiar face. He may not have known her well in the time he'd been at Rindell, but he at recognized the face of the greenrider. He tucked his two eggs into the crook of his arm carefully and went over to talk to her.

"Having fun?" He asked her. "I know I've seen you around the village. I'm B'den, of Green Kohenkyoth."

Do you have to do this? Kohenkyoth sighed. I'm getting bored here, I want to go home. Besides, is she even important enough to be of any use to us?

You never know, Kohenkyoth. Rank's not everything. Besides, she's cute. The green gave a snort at that, and B'den smiled.

[Akira]

Skye watched quietly as a familiar looking face approached her. The fact that she didn’t know all that many people in Trelis made her wonder if this guy was from the Rebellion. If so then she would have to be extra careful about how she preceded. I am Skye of green Kivith, and I guess you could say that. Her voice was soft, she didn’t want everyone knowing she was part of the Rebellion after all, especially since she didn’t know exactly who was listening in on their conversation. Do you know them Kivith? The green dragon sent her a picture of B’den and his dragon and she gave a mental nod. She had seen the two of them before, and she wondered if his dragon was back at the Rebellion just as her’s was. Oh well, that was a conversation for another time.

So what brings you here? Skye looked the man over, and realized he was at least two turns older than herself, but not much more than that. Which made her wonder how long he had been impressed to…what was his dragon’s name again? Kohenkyoth Mine. Kivith’s deep voice sounded as though she was making fun of her rider for having forgotten the other rider’s dragon’s name. She mentally shrugged it off, and would deal with her dragon later. So how long have you been with Kohenkyoth B’den? She tilted her head to the side a little as she spoke. From the way he looked it didn’t seem like he had been bonded for very long. After all, she knew she had changed quite a bit in the two turns that she had been with Kivith. But most of the change was in her personality.

[Kitsuneko]

"Nice to properly meet you," B'den said with a cordial nod. He raised his arm slightly to show off the eggs before answering her question. "Today I came to pick up some pets; I've never had the chance before, and with Kohenkyoth getting older I figured now would be a good time to hatch and train them. I've heard they can be useful."

With the conversation turning toward his dragon, B'den smiled a bit more easily. He gave a lop-sided grin and answered, "I'm still a weyrling, actually. Can you tell? Kohenkyoth's just a little over a turn old now...I Impressed later than most, I guess. It seems to have worked out alright, though. How about you? How long have you been a rider?"

[Akira]

Skye returned B’den’s nod, and glanced at the eggs when he seemed to show them off. Again she felt Kivith in the back of her mind, but was relieved that she had stayed quiet. After all, her rider was very well aware of the fact that she wanted one of the little flitters, but there was no way the young woman was going to deal with one of the annoying little pests. I hear they are more trouble than they’re worth. She crossed her arms in front of her chest and leaned more of her weight onto her right leg. She hadn’t missed the fact that once the conversation had turned towards his dragon, his smile seemed to come a bit more easily. She figured that meant that he was particularly attached to his Kohenkyoth, well he would learn that all good things come to an end eventually.

She hasn’t flown yet then has she? I thought you seemed a little…innocent for lack of a better word. I’ve been a rider for two turns now. Skye tilted her head to the side as she spoke to B’den, and wondered just how long he would have till his dragon rose. She had learned from experience that greens rise earlier than the other females, but then again, there was always the possibility that she could have risen earlier than normal or she could even rise later than normal. Nothing was written in stone about it after all. She tilted her head to the other side a little as she realized she was actually enjoying talking to this weyrling. Normally she wouldn’t have even given him a second glance when she was supposed to be reporting to S’vrin or Ar’rex. But there was just something about B’den that seemed to capture her attention.

[Kitsuneko]

At least I agree with her about that, Kohenkyoth commented. She didn't particularly care for the flitters she'd met, and wasn't likely to change her mind about these unless and until they proved themselves to be more of a help than a hindrance.

The comment made B'den chuckle though. "Kohenkyoth agrees with you, actually. But I figure it's worth a try, anyway."

He chuckled again when Skye called him "innocent." Did he actually give off that impression? It wasn't like he hadn't been with women when he was still a journeyman. "Ah, Kohenkyoth still has the idea that most males are useless."

Kohenkyoth agreed, Present company excluded, of course.

"It probably won't be long now, though...innocent, really? I wouldn't put it that way...Well, unless you're volunteering to teach me." He raised an eyebrow suggestively, but he hoped his grin would let her know it was more of a joking flirtation than a serious suggestion.

[Akira]

Skye nodded her head when he said he thought the firelizards were worth a try. I suppose if training began from the moment they hatched then they might be useful, but my opinion of them still hasn’t changed. The last bit was more for her dragon than B’den. But seeing as it had already come out of her mouth before she had realized it there was no way to take it back. Oh well, she guess she would just have to explain herself if he asked. Smart dragon you have there. It was meant as a compliment, even though she had a feeling that it hadn’t come out that way. She wasn’t so used to being around guys who rode female dragons after all. Trust me, you’ll know what I mean after Kohenkyoth’s first flight. She shook her head as she spoke, remembering the first time her own female had risen.

I’m sure the men and women of the dragons who chase her will take good care of you. Skye smirked knowingly as she spoke, and reached out to pat B’den’s shoulder encouragingly. She smirked and wondered just how much he would remember from his green’s first flight, and wondered just what kind of person he would end up with. Oh the joys of riding a female dragon. Don’t worry too much about it, from what you’ve told me Kohenkyoth is a smart dragon and will do her best to take care of you. Though don’t think she will actually listen to you. Even the laziest females can have the tempers of golds when it comes to rising. She shook her head at the memory of Kivith’s flights, and just how mean the normally friendly green became.

[Kitsuneko]

Something about the way she spoke made B'den think she was talking more to her own dragon than to him at first, so he didn't reply. It did make him wonder if Kivith shared her rider's opinion of flitters, though, or whether the green actually liked them. Giving a slight shrug, he let it go as the conversation turned towards Kohenkyoth's upcoming flight.

He couldn't help the slightly skeptical lift of his brow before he answered. "Well, I was warned--repeatedly--by Weyrlingmasters and other riders about how flights work, so I think I have a fairly good idea of what to expect. Besides, it's only one night after all, and I am--conveniently--quite single, so who the winner is won't matter that much to me."

Of course, he still would prefer a female rider if at all possible--just because he rode a green didn't mean he was interested in men that way. But it was just a one night stand and apparently he wouldn't necessarily remember all of it once it was over, anyway, so did it really matter? So he kept telling himself whenever he thought about it.

Either way, Kohenkyoth's bored sigh at the subject of his thoughts let him know that he still had a while before the flight was a real possibility.

[Akira]

Skye hadn’t missed the skeptical lift of B’den’s brow, which had her raising her own eyebrows in response. Be careful with that B’den. I have seen many men and women start out like you, and then are never the same after their first flight. She herself was much different than what she had been before Kivith’s first flight. She had been so naïve then, but now she knew better, now she was much more careful about certain things. Anyways, you should have plenty of time to think of that stress later. After all, isn’t this a Gather? And aren’t Gather’s supposed to be fun? She tilted her head curiously as she spoke. Seeing as she didn’t have anything actually important to do, she might as well have a little fun while she was at Trelis. And who says she wasn’t due for a vacation anyways?

Mine you should pick up some more oil and maybe a few new rags as well please? Even though Kivith’s words were formed in a question, there was no mistaking that it was more of a statement. I guess I am off to find someone selling oil and rags. Would you like to join me B’den? She cocked a brow curiously as she spoke. But she didn’t wait very long for him to respond. For soon after she was finished speaking she was walking off towards where the more densely packed stalls were. She figured she wasn’t going to find what she was looking for right away, but she might as well browse to see if there was anything that might catch her fancy. She glanced back behind her from time to time to see if B’den was following her or not. She wasn’t sure why, but the man amused her.

[Kitsuneko]

B'den shrugged his shoulders dismissively, though he regretted it when he remembered she had first-hand experience with what she was talking about, and he didn't, after all. "Maybe you're right," he admitted, though he still had his doubts. "I guess we'll just have to wait and see."

He grinned at Skye as she continued. "That it is. So let's have some fun!" He couldn't resist a slightly flirtatious smile, but the other greenrider mentioned getting oil for dragons, and he nodded. "That would be good; Kohenkyoth can always use more oil, even if she is almost full-grown by now."

The fact that she didn't wait to hear his response but immediately took off, expecting him to follow, actually amused B'den, rather than annoying him. He actually like Skye, from what he knew of her so far. The fact that she was a fellow greenrider and more experienced than him intrigued him. He kept pace with her fairly easily, though the crowded aisles made it necessary for him to stay a step or two behind Skye most of the time.

[Akira]

Skye nodded her head as B’den spoke. It apparently doesn’t matter if they’re full-grown or not. At least it doesn’t with Kivith. All it means is you need to keep more oil and rags on hand. There was a slight smirk on her face as she spoke. She didn’t know if Kohenkyoth would be smaller, bigger, or close to the same size as Kivith, but she knew from experience that the larger the dragon the more oil and rags a person will have to buy. She couldn’t help but giggle when she noticed that B’den was staying at least a step behind her. She paused next to a stand with more than a few jars of oil and wondered how many she should get. What do you think Kivith? She felt the green dragon in question push into her mind and see things through her eyes, and wondered what she would say.

Why not get a few of each size Mine? Kivith crooned and sent her rider a picture of the oil that had a pair of each of the three sizes the stall owner had on display. Could I have two of each please? Thank you. She handed over the marks and thanked him as he handed her three pouches that held the six things of oil she had purchased. So what are you getting? She tilted her head to the side curiously as she spoke, a playful smirk playing with the corners of her lips. She reached out to pat B’den on the shoulder before turning and walking off. She glanced back a few times wondering if B’den would follow her or not. Either way she was on vacation now that she had what she needed and she was ready to have a little fun. Whether or not her chosen toy wanted to play with her was still yet to be seen.

[Kitsuneko]

B'den goaned in disappointment, and his tone was wry as he answered. "Aw, thanks, and here I was hoping I'd get a break from oiling once she was full-grown. I bet it doesn't help that Kohenkyoth's on the large end of the scale for a green, either, huh?"

Kohenkyoth snorted at that. There are advantages, too. I'm stronger and hardier than many of my sisters. All the better for when we join the wings.

That's true, B'den allowed. I just wish it wasn't so much work.

By now they had arrived at a stall selling oil and rags. He waited as Skye bought six of the jars, and then stepped forward to get his own order out of the way. "Hmm, I'll just have three of the largest jars," he said, readying his marks. His oil supply wasn't desperately low, so that would last him at least until another good shopping opportunity came along, even taking into account Kohenkyoth's vanity.

Once again, Skye didn't wait long on him, and he was almost convinced she was trying to get rid of him. Except she seemed friendly enough and not rude at all, so B'den decided to take his chances. He jogged a bit to catch up to her and then kept pace with her. He nodded his head towards the center square where the sound of musical instruments emanated from.

"Well, as it happens, I'm also a Harper by trade, so I'm naturally fond of music." He grinned. "I'm also a decent dancer, if you're interested."

[Akira]

Skye glanced over at B’den out of the corner of her eyes and couldn’t help the small smirk that stretched her lips. He was persistent, and she was actually quite happy that he had decided to continue to walk with her. Most people would have given up by now but there was something about this young man that seemed to draw her too him. That’s when she heard him speaking and pulled herself out of her thoughts. She raised an eyebrow at his words, she had never been asked to a dance before. I’m a rider by trade, I’ve never really danced before. She didn’t know why, but she felt her face redden a little as she spoke. For some reason she was embarrassed to admit that she had actually never danced a step in her life. She figured it had something to do with B’den being an actual Harper.

[Kitsuneko]

B'den grinned hopefully when Skye smirked at him, but it was a pity to hear her say that she'd never danced before. "Well, I wouldn't want to force you into anything you're not comfortable with, but I could try to teach you--though I make no promises about my teaching ability." He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. He'd always been more interested in being the student than the teacher.

Skye's comment did spark his curiosity, though. "But anyway, obviously you haven't been a rider your entire life. What about before you Impressed? Did you never go to dances as a child?"

[Akira]

Skye raised her eyebrows at B’den’s words, amused. She had never let anyone force her into anything before and she thought it was actually quite cute that he thought he could. She tried to muffle a laugh which came out more of a snicker and then stopped to turn to look at him. You would teach me to dance? She had taken his words as a challenge, and she never backed down from a challenge. Her hands were on her hips and her expression was serious. Come now Mine, surly he didn't mean it like that. Kivith’s words relaxed the green rider just a little, just enough to make it look like she was playing at being serious rather than actually being serious. Her hands dropped to her sides and she looked away from him when he spoke about her childhood.

No, I haven’t always been an actual rider. But my parents often let me help them with their dragons...after that I became a candidate and had devoted myself to everything I had to do to impress. Skye didn’t like talking about her past, but she figured that since he had asked it would only be polite to explain that she had been more interested in dragons than she had being an actual child. She turned her head to the side and looked away from him. She felt embarrassed that she hadn’t been like the other weyrbrats who had been more interested in having fun than working on actually impressing a dragon. She felt Kivith tug on the bond that they had and knew she was trying to cheer her up. She sighed then shyly looked back at B’den, wondering if he would laugh at her.