a dirty man {OPEN/ZI}

[Elessar]

The Blue and his rider had been out on the Outer Plains for a moderate amount of time, simply enjoying the sun. It was a nice day, without very many clouds in the sky, and the lush grass felt good under Myth's clawed feet, even if his Bonded complained that they were wasting time lolligagging when they could be doing drills.

After all, threadfall was quickly approaching, and though Myth was fast and agile in the air, and strong enough to last an entire fall, K'dri didn't like to get out of practice.

Myth, however, had other ideas. The pair had practiced endlessly, or so it seemed to the dragon, so he lay in the soft grass, letting a cool spring breeze play across his scales, his eyes half-lidded, competely ignoring K'dri who was, for lack of a better term, sulking. The rider was the kind of man who needed hard, dirty work to feel accomplished, and he didn't like to stop working until things were perfect.

Unfortunately, Myth didn't always feel the same way.

Just as K'dri was turning a corner (he had been pacing for some time), Myth rumbled, and the next thing either of them knew the Blue had sifted his tail, causing K'dri to trip, literally falling over his dragon's tail. Yelling in surprise as he was suddenly flat on his back, eyes to the sky, K'dri found himself suddenly very dirty as his dragon chuckled.

It didn't take long for K'dri to recover and jump up. "Idiot! Who said you could move your tail there?" Myth, who swung his head around to regard his life-mate with one large, brilliant sapphire eye, said nothing, for he didn't need to.

Striding out around the other side of his Bonded, his face schooled into an emotionless mask, K'dri rested a hand on Myth's neck, watching the ground angrily and just as intensely as his dragon, who was following his lead and copying him, almost as if to make him angrier.

"What do you think you're doing, Myth?" He snapped. "Didn't anyone ever teach you how to behave?" His voice was angry, and he cut an intimidating figure at six feet of height, with scars across his arms, and a multitude of daggers shoved into the belt at his waist. Of course, he was not nearly as intimidating as his dragon, who turned his head to K'dri and seemed to sigh a dragon's sigh. Why could His never be more calm about things?

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[Zirin]

I do not understand why you didn’t just fly with me, Nym Iyiath’s droll voice droned on in the weyrling’s head. Nymari knew, without looking, that her amethyst was far above her in the sky, swerving in and out amongst the clouds just out of sight. She had chosen to walk, simply because she felt it. It was nice sometimes to just wander and think. She rarely got a proper chance now that she was at the Rebellion, save for when she skipped out on chores. Today, however, was a rest day and she was ready to spend as much time away from camp as possible.

There is a blue up ahead NymMine, She glanced up in time to see a flash of her dragon’s pink hide before he disappeared into the clouds again. She took his warning to heart and glanced towards the other pair. It would be safest to skirt around them, at least to give them space. It was hard to tell who was a friend or foe around here most of the time.

Her form was tense as she started making her way past them, her hand ready to grab one of the numerous daggers she kept on her being if she needed to. Hopefully he was a rebel and wouldn’t pose a threat of any kind. She kept an eye on him, ready to give a brief nod of greeting if he glanced her way.

[Elessar]

Mine. There is someone coming. And an Amethyst flies above us. Can we make friends with them? K'dri turned to his dragon, blond eyebrows raising. His dragon seemed to want to make friends with everyone, but the Rebellion wasn't a place where you could just make friends. The rider was just about to explain that to his wayward Blue when Myth reached out his mind to the woman approaching and the Amethyst above them. Myth had never been a dragon who thought he should only speak to his rider.

Hello! K'dri put a hand to his brow. Damn his friendly dragon! Shards! Watching the woman, he noticed her hand stray toward a dagger at her belt, and K'dri's eyes narrowed. If this girl-child thought she could best him at knives, well, she better be ready for a challenge! He let his own hand slide to a dagger, gripping the hilt loosely. The girl looked no more than Weyrling age, and as sad as it would be for the Rebellion to lose a rider, let alone one of their few Weyrlings, he would have no problem killing her if it came to it.?

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[Zirin]

Nymari kept a wary eye on the pair as she moved, wanting nothing more than to be able to pass in peace. That was certainly one thing she missed about Fort; back there she had been able to wander the Weyr and surrounding territory in relative peace. It wasn’t like here, where one wrong step could be your last. She jumped at the intrusion of a voice in her mind and glanced to the blue. Did this mean they were friendly?

She turned towards him, giving a brief wave as Iyiath landed and snaked around her, his eyes whirling in curiosity. Was this a potential friend? The amethyst hoped that was the case, but he knew better than to be too friendly when His was being so wary. Nym’s eyes narrowed the bluerider’s hand moved to grab his own dagger.

Hello… friend? Iyiath dipped his head to the blue, speaking only because he worried they would be in danger otherwise.

[Elessar]

The woman glanced over, but K'dri noted that she was still incredibly tense, and seemed uncomfortable with the whole situation. He supposed a woman would have to be wary at a place like the Rebellion. She wouldn't have near the skill a man would have at protecting himself... and her dragon looked weak. Besides, they were still Weyrlings. One wrong step with the wrong rider could get them killed.

K'dri noted the woman's eyes narrow as his hand shifted to his dagger, and his snorted in derision. "Please. You go for your weapon, I go for mine," he snapped, blue eyes flashing dangerously. The Rebellion was no place to play nice, as his dragon obviously had failed to notice. Myth was moving forward, his own eyes swirling.

Yes! Hello, friend! I am Myth, and this is K'driMine. He's not very nice sometimes, but he thinks Yours is pretty!

K'dri could have killed his sharding dragon right there, as the Blue broadcast his speach to not only K'dri and the Amethyst, but the Amethyst's rider as well. You could have gone our entire lifetime without saying that! K'dri snarled mentally, slamming a fist against the Blue's hide. His dragon could be so stupid sometimes! Myth just heaved a sigh. His could be so unreasonable! All he wanted to do was make a friend!

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[Zirin]

He was right, there was a disadvantage to being a girl around here, but Nym was moer than confident in her abilities. She was a professional, despite her young age, and she was positive she could protect herself if need be, especially now that Iyiath was getting closer to reaching his full size. Despite her confidence though, Nym knew there was danger at every corner here, and she was willing to show her distrust if she had to.

"Sorry, you don't scream 'friendly neighbourhood bluerider'. Better to be safe than sorry." She called back, if anything looking more tense than she had before. Iyiath, however, visibly calmed as the blue started speaking to him, even rumbling in amusement at the tidbit of information that shouldn't have been shared. He didn't speak though. He always had a hard time opening up to normal colours. They didn't understand him and Nym always worried when they ran into other dragons.

The young woman flushed at the blue's words and straightened up, pulling her hand away form her dagger and holding her hands up to show she meant to harm. Of course, there was a smaller dagger hidden up her sleeve if she needed it, but he didn't need to know that.

"I'm Nymari," She spoke loudly, focusing on the blue more than his rider, "This is Iyiath. We're just passing by."

[Elessar]

A slow grin spread across K'dri's hardened features. The expression almost looked awkward on the man, as if angry was the only look he could wear well. "That's because I'm not the friendly neighborhood bluerider," he told her, a dangerous flash in his eyes.

His expression changed back to moody and mean in mere seconds as Iyiath rumbled in amusement at Myth's comment. Even though the comment was true, the sharding Weyrling and her itty-bitty baby dragon didn't need to know it. Besides, the girl couldn't have been older than fifteen, maybe sixteen-- not even half K'dri's age! That meant the Amethyst... the oddly... male... Amethyst... was most likely only a turn old. Myth was fourteen turns old! It was absurd!

No. He couldn't let himself think she was attractive in any way. It just wouldn't do. Then again, K'dri was never one to try very hard not to do something... He nodded as she took her hand away from her weapon, and he did the same, though there were still a good number tucked in his belt... up his sleeves... in his boots... He suspected she had a dagger hidden somewhere, too.

When she spoke, K'dri knew it was to Myth and not him. "Why not stay for a bit, kiddo? That's a nice dagger you've got there. Why not swap fighting tips?" Unsheathing one of his daggers from his belt, he flipped it over in the air twice before catching it by the blade and offering it to Nymari hilt-first. "Go ahead. Take a look. I wouldn't mind looking at yours, though it seems it needs to be sharpened." His eyes glittered dangerously.

Yes! Myth repeated, clearly wanting the pair to stay. Please stay, Iliath and NymariYours! K'driMine needs a friend, Iliath! I like making new friends, too! The Blue cocked his head to the side, eyes focused on the Amethyst. Will you be my friend, Iliath? And will NymariYours be friends with K'driMine? He needs a friend! As usual, K'dri felt that he could have murdered his Bonded on the spot, for the Blue was still broadcasting his thoughts for anyone and everyone to hear. The man, however, did not move, but rather stayed, dagger extended, waiting for Nymari to take it or leave it.

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[Zirin]

She didn't like the look in his eyes, not one bit. He screamed danger and, truth be told, she would have happily left if it wouldn't require turning her back on him. Oh come now Mine... maybe they're not so bad? This Myth fellow seems nice enough... Myth's rider must be nice too. The amethyst reprimanded his rider. He just wanted friends, same as the blue, he just had a hard time opening up about it. Nymari was not as willing; she knew that dragons and riders could be polar opposites and she felt no reason to relax and play friends with the older man.

Her fingers ghosted along the hidden dagger as he unsheathed on of his again, her eyes clearly showing her distrust for the bluerider. Nym watched the quick little display, catching more from the simple movement than some might; she could see how comfortable with daggers he was, could see the subtle skill in the movements. That little flip told her all she needed to know; this man was a dagger specialist. The only question was whether he was close combat or ranged. She didn't return the display. She could, but she'd rather let him underestimate her abilities.

"I hope you won't be offended if I reject the offer. I'm afraid I'm horribly protective of my knives." There was no way she would hand over one of her prized possessions, especially since she didn't want to get THAT close to him. The twenty Turn old woman did move a bit closer though, so she wouldn't need to yell to be heard. "I assure you they're sharp." Very sharp in fact. She had made sure they were before she left her little hole of a weyr.

Iyiath cocked his head to the side and stepped hesitantly closer to the blue, his neck outstretched to sniff in greeting. I like friends too. We don't usually run into anyone out here. What brings you and yours out here? The amethyst's eyes whirled in curiosity. The teasing hadn't started yet (not that e was thinking about it) and so far everything seemed to be going well, so the pink dragon was happy. There as a defiant look in Nym's hazel eyes as she watched K'dri, making it very clear she didn't trust him at all.

[Elessar]

Ohh, itty-bitty baby Weyrling was onto him! He could tell she didn't like him one bit, but was loathe to turn her back and leave. Itty-bitty baby Weyrling knew he was no one to mess with, and that just because his dragon was friendly was no reason to trust him, oh no! She was crafty, this one. He liked that.

K'dri's eyes followed her movements sharply. Dagger up the sleeve, then? Of course. She was too young and foolish to try any better hiding place, and too foolish to guard her movements better. He was almost surprised that he couldn't see the print of the dagger under her clothing... well, he supposed she had to get something right.

The rider snorted again as she declined his offer. Protective of her knives? Yeah, right. More like didn't want to be unarmed. Of course, he was handing over one of his knives, but there would be that brief second, as they were exchanged... K'dri smiled, twirled the dagger between his fingers, and slammed it back into it's sheath.

"You don't trust me one bit, do you?" He asked, stepping closer to the Weyrling. "Not one bit?" A cruel grin spread across his hardened features again. Oh, no. She didn't trust him at all. Assuring him her knives were sharp... he almost wanted to laugh! She was obviously intimidated by him. He would toughen her up, teach her to stand her ground! How, though, he wasn't quite sure yet...

Myth extended his own neck in greeting. Mine and I decided to take a break from training. We don't normally run into anyone out here, either. What brings you and Yours out, if you do not mind my asking? Well, there was one thing K’dri could say for the Blue… he was certainly cordial, most unlike himself. What an odd turn of fate brought them together. Then again, they went along as pleasantly as two unlike creatures like themselves could, which, in K’dri’s opinion, only strengthened their Bond and their Love… if he wanted to believe sissy crap like that!

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[Zirin]

If K'dri believed the dagger up her sleeve was her only hidden weapon than he was underestimating her just as she wanted. No, aside from the daggers on her belt and the ones up her sleeves, she had plenty of daggers hidden throughout her clothing in various sizes to ensure she would always have something to use. She watched him as closely as he was watching her. When he put his dagger away a second time she didn't relax at all. He could, without a doubt, whip out a dagger in a moment's notice. No, this was a man who shared her 'craft', he was not one to relax around.

"Give me one good reason why I should trust you," She replied, her eyes still narrowed in distrust. How had such a man ended up with such a seemingly kind blue? She didn't move as he stepped towards her. She couldn't. Stepping back would only she how intimidated she was by that grin, not to mention it would break her stance and she felt no interest in showing her fear. The defiance in her eyes grew stronger the closer he grew. "Don't come near me, rider."

Iyiath's eyes whirled nervously. He could feel how uncomfortable His was and, in response, he sidestepped to block the way for K'dri slightly. Mine wished to go for a walk, perhaps practice if we had time. Yours is.. rather forward Myth... Nym brushed her light brown hair out of her eyes, trying to feign a look of relaxation. "Let us pass, please. We just wish to get some exercise." Maybe if they were lucky the bluerider would back off. Somehow though, she doubted it.

[Elessar]

"One good reason?" K'dri asked, raising his eyebrows again. "Well, I can't give you that. I don't think there are any reasons why you should trust me. Befriend me, however? Oh, there are many. We share the same craft, the art of dagger-fighting. We're in the same place, a dangerous place: The Rebellion. I could be a powerful ally, if you chose to take it up."

Oh, didn't want him coming near her, did she? K'dri smiled again, eyes like ice. "why?" He asked, taking another step forward. "Are you scared?" He had no doubt that she was intimidated, though he had his doubts about scared. This girl looked like she could potentially hold her own in a fair fight... not that K'dri ever fought fair. As well as being accomplished with weapons, he was fairly decent at hand-to-hand combat, too.

Myth sighed and gently nudged Iliath, indicating that he shouldn't get between the two humans while they were doing... whatever it was they were doing. Why not practice flying with me, Iliath? Ours can practice something, too! And yes... Mine can be rather... forward... The blue looked at the amethyst, eyes swirling slowly. Please say you'll stay and be my friend?

K'dri crossed his arms, eyes cold. "Look. I'm not going to hurt you. My dragon wants to be friends with your dragons, and anybody's side he's on, I'm on. So quit acting like I'm about to stab you or something. I don't need to add Weyrlings to my count of people I've killed, and quite frankly, I have no reason, nor desire, to kill you. But I'm not going to let you pass. Myth wants to be friends with your dragon, so I'm going to let him."

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[Zirin]

Well, at least he was honest. She had to give him credit for that. In fact, he actually caused her to give a light chuckle. So he would be her ally would he? “I’d be a fool if I passed up such an opportunity,” she gave a brief smile, though it was clear it would be a long time before she had any sort of comfort and trust. Her gaze narrowed once more as he continued to step forward, confident that he was trying to see how far he could push her.

“Scared? I suppose a healthy dose of fear is only natural. Any girl out here claiming to be fearless is an idiot.” She shrugged and stepped towards him, an indifferent expression on her face. He was going to keep approaching until he was happy so she may as well hurry the process up. “You make it sound like I should run up and hug every random stranger who happens to cross my path.“

Iyiath was a protective dragon, at least when it came to his rider, so the idea of moving out of the way and letting the large man with the sharp knives near her made the amethyst nervous. Go ahead Iye, if I can’t keep myself alive here we won’t make it very far. With a soft croon, Iyiath spread his wings. I do like to fly! Will we play too? Mine doesn’t always let me play, but you sound fun my friend. He launched off the ground and spiraled up towards the sky, bugling at the older dragon to play. In the end Iyiath was still a young dragon.

“So tell me, K’dri, do you make a habit of trapping young women or am I a special exception?”

[Elessar]

"Yes, you would be." He told her, blue eyes glittering. He knew she would still be undeniably uncomfortable around him, and definitely wouldn't trust him for a good long while, but regardless, he did look out for his dragon, and maybe this girl-child had some tricks he didn't know about knife fighting.

...but he doubted it.

He was rather impressed, however, when she stepped forward. K'dri almost smiled, but didn't, instead schooling his face into an expressionless mask. "You're right," he commented cooly. "So you've effectively dodged being both a fool and an idiot. Do you expect me to congratulate you?" His arms crossed, he took another step forward.

Myth watched as the Amethyst spread his wings, shot into the air, and called down to him. The Blue turned his eyes to K'dri, knowing what it was costing His to try and befriend or... something... the Amethyst's rider, just so he could make a friend. Thank you. He whispered into K'dri's mind before spreading his own wings and jumping into the sky. Yes! We will play, and fly. But you must go easy on me, friend! I'm fourteen turns old, and not as agile as a young Weyrling like yourself!

This, of course, was a bit of a hyperbole. As a lithe, limber blue, Myth was still capable of graceful flight, though perhaps he was not as fast or strong as he used to be. Returning Iliath's bugle with one of his own, the blue turned into a dainty spiral to catch up to his new friend.

K'dri grinned at the girl wolfishly. "You could call it a bad habit, I suppose. But only when the girls are as pretty as you are."

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[Zirin]

“Expect? No, but I wouldn’t be sad if you did,” She replied with another shrug, a slight grin on her face. She couldn’t quite sure if she liked this man or not, distrust aside. He was definitely… interesting, and as long as he wasn’t trying to hurt her he wasn’t too bad. Not to mention, his dragon seemed to be getting along with Iyiath and that alone was reason enough to put up with his rather creepy aura. Faranth knew the amethyst could use any friends he managed to get.

Thread doesn’t go easy on you, does it Myth? Surely you can keep up with someone as inexperienced as I am. The amethyst swooped around, gently nudging Myth, trying to pull him into playing a quick game of tag. He was young and quick, but had little endurance as of yet. It was something that would come in time.

Nymari flushed at the compliment, fighting her instincts to turn away from him. She wasn’t going to take her eyes off him if she could help it, not when his eyes always had such a foreboding look and his smiled looked so unnerving. “Well aren’t you flattering. Thank you for such sweet words.” She, without a doubt, believed he was just pulling lies, but it had caught her off guard anyways. She wondered how close he planned on coming before he would finally stop. “So what happens to all the pretty girls you corner out here? A quick chat while the dragons fly and you let them go on their merry way, I hope.”

[Elessar]

K'dri couldn't help it-- he laughed. "Well congratulations then, Nymari." Surprisingly, his laugh was not creepy, icy, or cold, but had a rather warm and musical sound to it. While odd for such a cruel man, the laugh seemed to take ten years off of his lined face, but it lasted mere seconds before he was back to schooled blandness.

Myth nearly crashed into the Amethyst as he heard His laughing. It was something that rarely happened. What had Iyiath's done to make him laugh? The Blue shook his head. Couldn't worry about that now! Of course thread does not go easy on me... I go easy on thread! To best the menace, one must be quick, and able to pass between with ease! To illustrate his point, as Iyiath "tagged" him, he disappeared into the cold of between, only to reappear briefly beside the Amethyst, tag him, and then pop away between again, coming out a good deal away.

K'dri's sharp eyes noted her blush, but got the feeling that she didn't believe a word he was saying. He gave a mock bow. "You're very welcome," he replied, eyes bright. "All the pretty girls I corner?" He asked. "Well, normally I take them back to my Weyr for a night of fun, and then let them go. ...if they behave." He added with a shrug. Of course, he was kidding, and he suspected the girl would figure that out, but why not have some fun with it?

Besides, he definitely wouldn't complain if she did come back to his Weyr. Another stepp brought them even closer, and he shrugged again. "But if that's not your thing, I suppose we can always do something else." Looking up as Myth popped in and out of between, he sighed. "Oi! Crazy-Blue! The damn Weyrling can't go between yet, so play fair!"

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