Don't Bother Me Today {Assaila}

[Bellatora]

"You aren't most riders, though." That was all she said, giving him a small smile. And that was part of why she liked him. He wasn't most riders.

He could frazzle and dissapoint her so easily... she guessed he had never really realized that before. "HA! Not even close, J'degar." She grinned at him. He knew better than that.

She was a little surprised as he straddled her. "Nnn... There..." she arched her back slightly against his fingers. It felt wonderful. Extremely wonderful. And his hands were warm. As he massaged her back and even as he slowed down she wasn't as cold as before. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling of his hands working over her back, working out the knots, though she was sure he had had more.

"Why I picked a grumpy brown rider over a nice crafter?" She laughed slightly. "No 'nice' crafter could ever love me, J'degar. After all... I'm not some nice woman... And... well... It's just harder I guess to look for someone to trust there... Besides. You are strong and, despite everything... you are a good man who wants to protect the women around you. And I admire you." She bit her lip, her eyes opening slightly. "And... besides that... You are kind in your own way. And you are capable of loving someone... And you are kind to my daughter. Besides that... I've come to like the Weyr." She did her best to look at him as he sat on top of her. "I guess... I just have a lot of faith in you and I know that if anyone could protect me or Annaliese... it is you. No crafter could truly protect the two of us... and no other rider would really do... Besides that... I just like you... quite a lot. I guess because we both have our demons in part." She sighed and laid her head back down. "Besides that... Anyone who can work with weyrlings at all has to be pretty darn brave." It was a half serious joke, which was fairly obvious in her tone.

[Zirin]

He couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped him, so light it was barely noticeable, as she arched into him. He was content to work away the knots, few as they were as he listened to her explanation. He supposed it was understandable why she had picked him of all people… though to pick a rider, who could die any day, over a crafter who would likely stay with her for the rest of their lives, seemed silly.

“And the truth comes out. Assaila is only using this poor, naïve brown rider.” He joked, though his tone held a seriousness. “Riders don’t love the same way a crafter does, you know that. You want protection and came to the least reliable career. Thread can tear a rider from you faster than you can imagine.” Not that he was particularly afraid of getting threadscored; he job as a weyrlingmaster tended to keep him in the safer wings. Even still, there was always a chance. “Between Thread and duties a rider is rarely around. Not many can handle that, yet you would still choose a rider over a crafter? A foolish choice, if you ask me.” He stopped in his massaging to give her a concerned look. His expression saddened once more at the mention of him being able to love. He had been… once… but was he able to do it now? Well… if not love, at least he could protect; it was his sworn duty as a rider, and as a friend. The sadness he was feeling disappeared almost instantly at her final comment though, and he actually let out a true laugh.

“Assaila, I’m not a weyrlingmaster by choice! There’s a lot of things I would rather be doing than teaching a bunch of snot-nosed brats which end of their dragon to feed. Brave you say? More like mental. I don’t know how anyone could WANT this position.”

[Bellatora]

She looked at him again. "Using you? No. I'd never dream of that." She was entirely serious and she bit her lip. "I... I guess that I fell for you hard... and you aren't falling for me... and that just makes you seem to be even more amazing than I thought you were to begin with. And... as much as a crafter might make sense to most women... as much as they may prefer that security... I prefer you..." Her voice grew softer and softer as she spoke. "Whether as just a friend..." She didn't finish the sentence, groaning as he hit just the right spot and her back arched into his hands again. "You said I was good at this..."

She looked a little worried. "I know, J'degar... I know the duties you face and the dangers... Or know about them I should say... But... I'm willing to live with that... I didn't just come to a rider first, you know... But.. I have hard time trusting men with what has happened... and then I met you and things were a little different because you were different. I've been used and manipulated more times than I care to count. I suppose I'm being a woman and letting my emotions guide me and not my head... but it really doesn't change much..."

She grinned. "I know. I was joking. But you're still brave." She grinned and laid her head down again. "Well... I suppose there are some people who do want it. Like K'lin, am I right, Weyrlingmaster," she said coyly.

She enjoyed her time with him... but a lot of things had been said and a lot more were likely to be said before their time together came to an end. Though if she were to admit it to herself... she really rather it didn't come to an end... She liked being with him. More now than before...

[Zirin]

Well that was a confession if he ever heard one. She had said words of praise and affection before, but never so bluntly. “I’ve had practice,” He replied, thinking back to his days as a wingthird. It had become common practice to work out the muscles of fellow wingmembers from time to time after considerably difficult drills. The flesh of a woman was much preferred to that of a man however.

He gave a grunt of acknowledgement to her little ramble, not really knowing what he should say. There was nothing wrong with liking him, persay, he just thought she was silly for picking him. There were plenty of stronger riders, and of the handlers he knew a few incredibly loyal ones. Yet of all them she had picked him. His massaging became gentler and gentler, until it was more a back rub than a massage.

He snorted at the use of his title. He supposed he should correct her. “Oh you want to play THAT game eh?” There was an evil twinkle in his eyes as he made sure the way he was sitting would keep her pinned. “That’s Assistant Weyrlingmaster to you!” His hands drifted from her back to her sides and he began trying to tickle her. He wouldn’t stop until she begged him to! If she was even ticklish at all of course.

[Bellatora]

He was thinking. She was pretty sure of it. His massaging had slowed down to a back rub, which was not unpleasant. She remained quiet and just lay there, leaving him to his thoughts for the moment. But... of course things didn't stay that way. She had used his title... not the technically correct one... But she was considerably startled as he started to tickle her.

"J'degar!" she yelled, doing her best not to laugh as she wriggled and writhed, but she found that she couldn't get away. She had her successfully pinned. She kept wriggling and she was starting to laugh so hard she was nearly crying already. "J'degar! PLEASE!" she begged him. He was bigger and stronger than her. And she was definitely stuck. "I hope you're enjoying this, Assistant Weyrlingmaster!" she said between fits of laughter. She was on her elbows now, trying to free herself.

She wondered in the back of her mind what had possessed him all of a suddden or if she had somehow said the wrong thing. But she really had a hard time talking or wondering. She really didn't want to beg... but she supposed it was in good fun really... Or was it? She grabbed at his hands for a moment, but she couldn't help but continue to laugh. Her hands were weak against his hold and his hands which played along her sides. "J'degar!" there was pleading in her tone... though she couldn't say she wasn't enjoying herself... but this wasn't exactly what she had had in mind. She really didn't' like being tickled honestly... But she was sure he wasn't expecting her to like it.

[Zirin]

Ahh, her pleading voice, like music to his ears. He gave an almost vicious grin as he simply tickled her more, enjoying the way she desperately tried to escape. He tickled and tickled until finally she called out the proper title, at which point she was trying so desperately to stop him that he finally allowed her to breath. He rolled off of her, settling on the bed beside her with a satisfied nod of his head.

“If you’re going to use rank, use it properly. I hope you’ve learned your lesson.” The fact she had used his rank at all was oddly pleasing; not many people he had run into in the area seemed to understand the importance of showing respect for rank. He wondered if it was because she was from the Hold instead. In another part of his mind, he recalled the way she had whispered his name last night, before he had given into the dragonlust. This girl’s voice was dangerous, he decided after a moment, and with how often she seemed to like saying his name, he wondered how he had managed to fight her off at all last night. He stared up at the ceiling and it was obvious he was lost in thought again.

[Bellatora]

Asssaila lay there beside him, laughing softly still. "J'degar..." her voice was soft and she was still laughing every now and again, but her eyes were alight. She had had fun. No matter how torturous it had been. She was grinning. "Of course... Assistant Weyrlingmaster," she said, still smiling as she lay in his bed alongside him.

She reached a trembling hand towards hid and very gently touched the back of his, though she did nothing else, looking at him somewhat searchingly. She was still grinning. "You're thinking again..." It was a statement. she was a little worried that he was about ready to ust throw her out of his room already. "I hope I haven't tormented you too badly this morning."

She didn't say anything for a long minute, closing her eyes and just laying there on her side, facing him.

She was comfortable and happy... but as to what he felt, she really couldn't say. He did seem to be enjoying himself.

Well... She wondered what would happen next, but she was stills miling with her eyes closed. She hummed softly for a minute or so. "Answer me one question... Just honestly. Have you had worse mornings than this one?" she asked him, opening her eyes. She felt a bit frustrated, but she didn't let it show. She wanted him to hold her or kiss her or... something. She felt like she belonged to him in that she loved him and yet... he didn't seem to feel the same. She supposed that was alright, though... For a man who had gone through what he had... It was to be expected. For a woman who had hated her husband to begin with and not loved her second... she didn't think she could hold herself to the same expectation.

[Zirin]

He was broken out of his thoughts more by her touch then her words. “Oh you are horribly observant aren’t you,” He replied with a bit of a drawl, since she had stated the obvious. “You hope you haven’t tormented me? I thought that was your goal in life.” Oh yes, he liked to skirt around questions whenever possible. Her next question demanded an answer however, and J’degar gave her a searching look before finally sighing.

“Many.” Too many bad mornings to count really. Men and women alike running out before he had truly woken was the most common, though he didn’t mind that much. But there was the occasion angry rider who would hit, slap, whine, and do every possible annoying thing in the morning out of hatred. No… waking up next to a woman who claimed to love him was pretty far from terrible. He huffed as a particular memory stood out.

“I woke up next to K’lin once,” he began, though his brow furrowed. “The morning itself was fine…. Until that psycho weyrmate of his decided to find out and make it her life’s goal to castrate me anyway.” He shuddered at the memory. He could take on any woman if he had to… but that particular one he planned on staying far, far away from. “I would gladly have mornings like this again.” He wouldn’t be surprised if it went to her head, but it was the truth. Calm mornings of innocent fooling around was nice every once and a while.

[Bellatora]

"No... Why would that be my goal in life, hmm...?" She grinned at him. She still had her hand gently on the back of his. "Of course... if you believe the things children say... if someone is mean to you are tries to torment you... it's because they like you and aren't good at showing it.." She turned a shade of red again and pulled the nearest sheet over her, feeling the heat from their bodies still infusing the thin piece of cloth.

"I'm sorry to hear that..." She said, grimacing. Maybe she shouldn't have asked.

Assaila blinked, wide eyed and opened mouthed. It wasn't that he had slept wit ha man - he didn't even know what he was doing for one - and she was in no way homophobic... but that his weyrmate wanted to... castrate J'degar. She didn't say anything for a long moment, a frown on her face. "She really is crazy then. It happens in a Weyr, after all."

She sighed and shook her head. Then she smiled a very small smile. "So would I J'degar..." That was all. She didn't allow it to go to her head. After all... he might not mean with her specifically. She slowly moved her hand from his and pulled at a pillow to position it under her head. "You know I won't leave unless you tell me you want me to." It was a statement of fact as she looked at him with soft blue eyes. Soft warm and nearly pleading, though she tried to keep that feeling hidden. She wanted him to want her to be there with him...

[Zirin]

“Those are old wives tales and you know it,” he replied, still looking at their hands. “If that were true I’m pretty sure every mutant rider would be sleeping with S’vrin.” He couldn’t shake the feeling that she was hoping for some heartfelt confession from him, but let’s face it, J’degar could be horribly stubborn when he wanted to.

He had to bite back a laugh at the look on her face at the mention of castration. “Try telling that to her. I’ve dealt with some insane women before, but she takes the cake.” Yet another reason he didn’t like women on dragons; he had to trust her in Threadfall. “It seems to be the common belief here that flights matter, for some reason, despite the riders not truly having a say in the matter. I would have thoughts she’d know that, as a greenrider… “ J’degar stretched as Assaila spoke again, and once more it seemed she was trying to force an answer out of him. “I find that hard to believe. You’ll get hungry eventually and this room doesn’t have a chute.” He quirked an eyebrow at her in a ‘take that, I’m winning your game’ motion. “But since you seem to be so stubborn on wanting an answer to that,” He trailed off, pretending to think.

“I suppose, since you haven’t bothered me yet, I have no real reason to forcibly remove you from the comfort of my bed. Unless you want to leave of course, in which case you don’t need my permission anyway.”

[Bellatora]

She laughed heartily. "Now that is something we will never see." She knew quite well it wasn't at all true, but it was just fun, after all, at least in her mind. She grinned and gently placed her hand on his again, just the most tentative touch. Her hands weren't as soft as they once were, having had to learn to work and do harder labor as time had gone on... she wasn't quite as soft in that respect as before... but her hands were still softer than his. She was looking down at them. His hands were HUGE compared to hers. She was thinking for a moment. But she didn't have the longest time.

She sighed and lay there for a long moment. "Well... maybe things changed. I don't know." She shrugged. "My understanding was she was pregnant at that time... she would have been emotionally... unstable to say the least to begin with." She shrugged and yawned, closing her eyes again.

She laughed. "I know that... I'll have to go eventually." She waited for his answer, looking at him stubbornly for a moment, but there was a softness to it. Like all she really wanted to know was... did he hate her now. Which was exactly what she wanted to know... only she really couldn't ask that question.

"I don't think you'd have to forcibly remove me, J'degar... just say you'd like me to leave now..." she said with a soft smile. "Well... it is very comfortable." She grinned and just lay there, closing her eyes and giving a soft sigh as if just to prove that point.

[Zirin]

“I still don’t know if she wanted to kill me, or simply stop me from reproducing.” He shrugged. He had managed to avoid trouble since that morning and figured he would be fine now. “Either way, being pregnant isn’t really an excuse to go on a murderous rampage over a flight.” He quirked an eyebrow as she feigned sleep in his bed. What a silly woman. J’degar could feign things too.

“Force sounds like more fun.” He replied, rolling out of bed and scooping her up in the blink of an eye. She was actually lighter than he expected, which would make this all the more easy, as he didn’t doubt she would start kicking and screaming. “Now what are the options… I could stick you on the ledge to roast in the sun… or I could drop you in the hall butt naked. Your choice.” He was truly grinning at her though, and the twinkle in his eyes showed he was joking. Either way, he wasn’t going to put her down until he wanted to, if he could help it.

[Bellatora]

"Can you blame me for trying to find some redemption for her... After all... I am a woman too." She grinned, and her tone just made it obvious she was joking. Though, for some reason, she kept her eyes closed. And then... she was being scooped up. She blinked in surprise and then became indignant. "Butt naked!" She crossed her arms and looked way from him. "You'd condemn me!"

She wasn't kicking and screaming... yet. Instead she was purely indignant... for the moment. But if he moved towards the door or the ledge, she would doubtlessly be kicking and screaming in a moments notice. "GAR! Put me DOWN!" she shrieked and a little involuntary kicking may have come into play. What was in his head?! Was he messing with her! She certainly hoped so! She could do with a lot less teasing though.

"GAR!" She was light. And that was probably a blessing as she started to struggle more. He was just being mean now, or so she thought. She didn't really know what he had up his sleeve.... so to speak.

[Zirin]

“I can see that,” He replied, giving her a look over since she had nothing to really cover herself with while he was carrying her. She may not have been kicking and screaming, but hearing her yell out his nickname was almost as good. She began struggling a bit, though it was by no means enough to make him drop her or even loosen his hold at all. “Oh come on! You can put up a better fight than that woman!” He taunted, taking a step, then another, towards the door.

“I think that’s the first time you’ve called me something other than my actual name or rank,” He commented, though by no means did the realization make him stop what he was doing. With each shriek she made he took another step towards the door, and soon he had her pressed between the door and himself. “It’s just on the other side. Your doom. Any last words?“ He grinned down at her. he knew he was being mean, and a little childish, but it wasn't often that he actually got to fool around some someone.

[Bellatora]

"Do you WANT me to fight harder!" she shouted at him, her voice shrill as she looked at him. She started to fight him more, arching her back, kicking and flailing. Even attempting to force him to drop her a couple of times... but all to no avail. He was so much bigger and stronger than she was.

They were at the door and she gave a little whimper. Would he really throw her out like that. "Gar... Please..." she said, softly, looking up at him. She had stopped fighting for the moment. At this point there seemed to be nothing she could do. He had just said he wouldn't throw her out. Had he been lying or was he just teasing her. If he was just teasing her, then this was really mean... and childish. She never would have thought he would do that.

She fought back again, hitting him in the chest with her fist... though it likely didn't hurt him as she neither hit him hard nor was that strong to begin with. "GAR!" She kept using his nickname. She had totally ignored his earlier comment a minute ago... but it was true. She never called him by his nickname... Generally, she called him by his full name or a title.