Hidden Meanings

[Mirror]

[glow=Teal,2,300]^Rise to the Challenge.[/glow]

The wind was colder than it usually was at home, but Serath was enjoying the change in scenery. The usual rain forest that carpeted the landscape was replaced with coniferous and deciduous trees, as well as a sandy beach. This he knew. Back at Southern, there had been plenty of beaches, all of finer quality than this one. But neither he nor his rider cared about his. They only care for the Weyr that held the last two queens on Pern. One of which they hoped to bring back to their own Weyr. But first they would have to meet at least one of them and create a relationship with her. Serath was drawn from his thoughts as his rider spoke with him. {Ser, set us down over there, if you will.} Rumbling in response, the great, shining bronze circled into a little cove on the north end of the beach, his great, shining form a beacon in the sky. What would they tell the gold's rider when they met her? They certainly couldn't tell her that they were the Weyrleaders of Southern, the outlawed Weyr. Back-winging, Serath set down on the beach, where he let his rider, K'lan, down into the soft sand.

Will you remove our riding gear? I think I'll go for a swim while you ponder what we will tell the little gold and hers when we first meet them. Or what you will say. I already know what I am going to do. K'lan chuckled at his bronze as he unbuckled the riding straps of the five turns old beast. Slapping his dragon affectionately, he watched as the large bronze ambled out into he sea, his true bronze hide marred by only a few darker dappled along his haunches. But Serath had a point. What was he going to say? This trip had been compulsive, and somewhat dangerous. No one form Southern had been north in a great time, and K'lan had to receive coordinates to this place from a firelizard. But he was Weyrleader, and he needed to restore his Weyr. And that meant getting a queen, some way or another.

Ser, who was relaxing the lapping currents of the ocean, bugled his agreement, his brassy voice bringing joy to K'lan's handsome face. His features were quite tanned from his home-Weyr, and his light blue eyes stuck out even more. He had removed his riding gear already, and it was in the sand next to his dragons riding leathers. Maybe a swim would help him clear his mind... He was soon stripped to only his breeches, his clothes strewn around the pairs leathers. K'lan rushed towards the waters, diving in. The jarring cold woke him from his mind-numbing state of thought, and he was soon romping with his giant bronze. The pair, tired from the time change, were soon napping, K'lan resting on Serath's back, the bronze curled in the sand. Neither where aware of their surroundings, but in a place where you are outlawed, you really should be more careful.

[bronzedragoness]

Narissa was strolling on the beach with her gold. It was the only place outside of the Weyr where she was allowed to go. There were always riders around. She was taking time to relax from her weyrling lessons, and didn't happen to think of her vulnerability-which was unsual. With her guard down, she was looking at a shell half sunk into the sand. The young queenrider looked out at sea, We seem to be alone now. Terath was chasing the tide when the tiny soprano bell voice rang in Narissa's mind, On the contrary, Mine, there is a bronzerider near. He just landed.

Narissa stiffened and stood up straight. She narrowed her eyes and peered out to the rider. She became a little apprehensive, but took a step forward. Was it N'way, I'tal, or R'sand? She couldn't tell. So she and her little gold hid behind some rocks, though with Terath, she felt a little obvious even though the gold looked well hidden.She gasped as he took off most of his clothes, a hold-bred habit, but she grew out of her bashfulness, and let her eyes wander. He jumped into the water. He had come out soon after, as if in temperature shock. That was funny to her, wouldn't you already know the water was cold. She allowed herself to laugh. He was resting next to his dragon by the time that she decided to make an appearance and come out of hiding. Now she was fairly sure that she knew this man, and in a teasing manner she came up with Terath, smiling, "R'sand?! What are you doing here, I thought I told you not to follow me!"

It was then that she noticed the bronze. That was not the dragon of R'sand. His bronze was more coppery, and smaller. She stopped in mid-step. They were relaxing in the sun, but no doubt they would see her now. She was caught because of a stupid mistake. She scolded herself, but could not find words to speak. Her gold, was much more bold. In a small but commanding tone, Terath said with majesty and flourish, Who might you be, gentle bronze? I hate to admit that we do not recognise you.

[Mirror]

[glow=teal,2,300]^Rise to the Challenge.[/glow]

The pair was lounging lazily when the bronze woke his rider with three calm words. {One has come.} To the bronze and his rider, that statement could only mean one thing: They had found one of the gold twins. Or rather, one of the twins had found them. K’lan almost jumped to his feet, eager to get his clothes back on and introduce himself to the queen and her rider. However, Serath warned him back, only letting him go once the girl had announced herself. K’lan, rising as if unsure who the voice was coming from, looked eagerly in the direction of the call. She thought she had recognized him, but there was no way that that was true. He walked leisurely towards the gold and her rider, who was wandering towards him as well. Ser followed his rider, waddling in the way of dragons when they walk.

Serath rumbled a greeting to the gold, eyes swirling a blue-green. She seemed very healthy, with a clean hide and no flaking places. He was healthy as well, his hide a true shining bronze, but a layer of sand covered some parts of his body, from where he had been dozing. Regal queen, I am Serath, of K’lan. Who might you be?[/b][/color] K’lan, somewhat more charming than his dragon, spoke to the gold’s rider, his short, military-style hair dry from the sun and eyes laughing with good natured humor.

“No, my fair queenrider, I’m afraid not. I am K’lan, not… R’sand? But it still a pleasure to speak to you.” He wasn’t trying to suave, but instead keeping to his regular speaking habits. He needed to gain the trust of at least on Gold and her rider so they had more of a chance…

[bronzedragoness]

Narissa took a step back, her eyes looking him over. She did not recognize him in the least bit, and it took her with surprize. Maybe she was freaking over nothing. Becoming very business like and almost automated, she said "I see that you are not R'sand. K'lan," She said slowly, putting it in her mind. She would remember him in the future so that she would not look like a fool. He must know her because how else did he know that she was a queenrider? Oh yeah, the queen that was next to her. She would be cautious around him for now. "I apologise for the mix up."

The gold, unaware that her rider would test the man, spoke to the bronze with no restraints, pleased that he called her regal, she happily introduced herself, I am Terath, and Mine is Narissa.

Narissa cringed, now for sure the bronzerider would know her name, so she could not test him. She could not think of an excuse to why she would have to be excused from this conversation, so she stood her ground and said politely, hating to make small talk but a bit forced into it, "So, beautiful weather today, eh?"

[Mirror]

[glow=teal,2,300]^Rise to the Challenge.[/glow]
K’lan tensed at her automated voice. He had heard that one of the queenriders was more inhuman than her sister when around strangers, but he had figured they had been rumors… But apparently, he had been wrong. At her apology, he bowed his head in acceptance, before replying to her cautious words. “Your apology is most accepted, Queenrider. Serath, who was gazing down at the growing Gold, rumbled at his, telling him that he should get some clothes on. A blush ran up K’lan’s youthful body, and he smiled sheepishly.

But Ser left his rider to flounder on his own, and returned all of his attentions to the Gold Weyrling. The Pleasure is mine, Terath. Please ignore my rider’s lack of clothing, and apologize to your rider for me. He is still young. [/I][/b] Flaring his wings in a lazy stretch, he flicked his tail peacefully. He wasn’t agitated, just… doing it. For no reason. Meanwhile, K’lan apologized to Narissa, his dragon supplying him with the name. “Narissa, please accept my apology, I wasn’t expecting company… If you would please excuse me for one moment…”

Scurrying over to where his clothes and riding gear were laying, skewed by his mad dash to get them off, he scooped them up, and juggling the rest of his clothes, he pulled his breeches on, followed by his loose fitting, white tunic. A goofy grin was on his face, the blush already gone. He once again deposited his boots and riding gear in the sand, next to Serath, whose riding straps where also among the fray. {Mine! Don’t you get my straps dirty. I am already in need of a bath.} K’lan mentally chuckled at the bronze, slapping his hide affectionately before returning to Narissa. “Thank-you for your patience. Now, I would have to agree, the weather is quite… nice.” Shards. He had almost said cold. And to him it was, but to say that to a Northerner would be highly suspicious. A smile played on his lips as he watched her through his klah colored eyes, a friendly look hiding his future intents.

[bronzedragoness]

She smiled watching him trying to get his clothes on for her. He seemed friendly enough. But she wouldn't put her guard down just yet. Narissa reguarded him with curiosity. Perhaps another bronzerider around her for protection wouldn't be a bad idea. She looked at his bronze and the way they interacted. She saw that they worked well and he was kind to the bronze. A good outward relationship was always a good sign. "Yes, it is. So, how old is your dragon? He is absolutly huge. . " She said in wonderment, and even pondering if her gold would ever surpass the great dragon.

[Mirror]

[glow=teal,2,300]^Rise to the Challenge.[/glow]
K'lan smiled as the grin cracked on her delicate face. {So she does know how to smile...} The bronze dragon snorted at his, his tail halting its flicking. {You are really something.} K'lan chuckled at the bronze, running a hand over his auburn hair, it's short cut bristling against his calloused hands. Scanning the area around the quartet, K'lan rose an eye brow at the queenrider's question. She thought Serath was huge? Wait until little Terath grew to her full length... Ser was large for a bronze, however, all but the smallest golds were larger than the beast.

"Serath is five turns old, as of two sevendays ago. Yes, and he has an ego to match. But I predict Terath will grow to be larger than almost all dragons, as she is about average for her size." K'lan paused as Serath spoke to him through their link. "He thanks you, Narissa, for the gracious comment."

K'lan then spent some time watching the little gold, observing, as his dragon had, that the hatchling was in fine condition, with a near perfect hide. She seemed a little chubby, but most queens were when they hatched. Terath would grow up to be a fine gold, as long as she kept being raised as she was now. Ser, in turn, began to watch Narissa, and concluded that she seemed to be a fit queenrider, in both body and mind. Finally, the great brozne spoke to his rider, eyes swirling blue with anticipation.{They are a good pair, from what I have seen. They will grow up nicely.} K'lan agreed, before turning back to the raven haired woman.

[bronzedragoness]

Narissa slightly blushed at her silliness. Of course, queens were the largest dragons in the Weyr, hence why they were indeed called queens. Yet she still thought that if her dragon could get bigger than Serath, well then Narissa would still be surprized. She knew full well that Terath would be a big girl, other bronzeriders and even the Weyrling Master had told her so. She looked up lovingly at Terath, who was the size of a horse by now, and pat her wedge shaped head softly, so thankful that she was chosen to ride such a pretty beast. "Well, your bronze is welcome to it, he deserves it."

Serath, you really are mighty. We both admire you, [/color] The queen crooned softly, she liked attention from any bronze.

Narissa, who now was looking a bit more like herself-calm and collected, turned from her dragon at the precise moment K'lan had turned to her. She was a touch startled for only a second, as they had both seemed to look at each other at the same time, and offered a mere hint of a smile. "Well, K'lan, you seem very knowledgable, and five years in training probably gave you your wisdom, but I feel compelled to ask," She paused, feeling the need to speak in a very diplomatic and lady-like manner, "If you had hailed from Weyr or hold?"

It was a silly question, even she would admit it, but she could again, find very little to ask, and since she was not the flirtatious kind, this seemed to be the next best thing.

[Mirror]

[glow=teal,2,300]^Rise to the Challenge[/glow]

The hint of a smile that Narissa graced upon her lips seemed to suit her, as both rider and dragon agreed. Serath, arching his neck at Terath’s comment, replied to her in gracious tones, deep and brassy. Thank-you, Gold Terath. You too, are something to be admired. I am sure you have many admirers back at your Weyr.}[/color][/I] K’lan rose an eye brow at his beast’s comment, but said nothing, knowing the bronze loved to flirt. He didn’t mind it either, but the rider before him seemed to be more… serious. The moment that had hovered between them was broken at her words, but he knew she was warming up to both Ser and himself. This was obviously a good sign. However, he could not help but let his gray-blue eyes widen at her following question. {Ser, do you think she knows?} The bright bronze just shushed him, and continued to speak with the gold weyrling, his eyes a content blue.

“Why, thank-you, Narissa. I have… I have hailed from Hold. A small hold near the Southern tip. Not in the South, of course, but…” He knew his lie was forced, and could probably be picked apart. For example: Why wasn’t a bronze at the Weyr? Or: Why are you so tanned, even from the southern tip? Nevertheless, he continued anyways, struggling though and grasping at straws. “Yes, I was visiting my home hold, and ended up staying longer than planned. I haven’t been to the Weyr in a long time, and wanted to go swimming before I did.” Ser rumbled at his, telling Terath the same thing, but with a more refined air. Technically he was not lying, as they had come from a more Southern direction and they had not been here in a long time. Or ever, if you wanted to get technical. K’lan ran a hand over his short, dark hair, waiting for Narissa to pass her judgment, or let loose her fury at being tricked whatever came first.

[bronzedragoness]

My Weyr? Isn't it your's as well? [/color] The gold said, still flattered with the bronze's comments. I hope to see you around there more often, [/color] Terath added sweetly. Her eyes too whirled with contentment. She absoultly loved bronzes, no others deserved her attentions as much as bronzes, and of course Xenath.

Narissa reguarded him with calculating eyes, "I am a bit surprized the Weyrleader let you leave, with the Weyr so understaffed as it is. Surprizing. You must be a good friend of the Weyrleader, aren't you? Why else would you be allowed to leave then, eh?" She did not completely trust him, but then again, only one person in her life earned her trust-and that was her twin. It was not exactly a bad thing, but it would take a while to gain her trust, because she did not easily give it away. "It is a beautiful day to be swimming though. I grant you that."

[Mirror]

[glow=teal,2,300]^Rise to the Challenge[/glow]
Yes, of course. However, as you are a Queen, it will be under you command one day. Or your sisters. Serath knew he could cause trouble with that comment, but there was not any negativity in it, so he decided not to try to fix it. I too, would wish to see more of you, pretty Terath. This queen was a sharp one, and Ser enjoyed speaking with her. Hopefully, when the time came to put their plan into action, he would be the one to fulfill it…

K’lan kept his own, soft eyes, on Narissa’s, not being worried by her stare. He did not become Weyrleader so young by giving into harsh or calculating looks. Friend of the Weyrleader? The man probably did not even know him, let alone trust him. However, he was a bronze rider, and would most likely be welcomed into the Weyr, as long as he answered the questions correctly. “I must just be lucky. I asked and he said yes. I believe it was just before the clutch, and he was probably very busy looking for you and your twin.” K’lan felt her distrust, and smiled slightly at her, his blue eyes doing their best to offer his dependence and friendship.

“Yes, it is a wonderful day for a swim. Do you and Terath swim?” He was redirecting the questions to her. He had to find out more about her, for if she was the one to become Weyrwoman at Southern, or at least be deemed worthy. K’lan ran a hand over his cropped, chocolate brown hair as he waited, his tanned skin evident as he moved, as was his muscular frame. He was fit from five years or riding Serath, and that would be passed off easily. However, his tan once again worried him. What if the Weyrleader got to asking too many questions…

[bronzedragoness]

Ah, I would like to command a Weyr, I think . . . [/color] But she was not sure. Commanding seemed like work. And Terath liked to have fun and flirt. Xenath can deal with all the stubborn dragons. Terath can take care of the bronzes. Her way of thinking might have been silly, but all her other thoughts at this time dealt with getting food and a bath, and being oiled before her hide was too dry.

Nar's features softened. Seemed plausible. Seemed. "Well, then let me be the first to welcome you," She smiled again before she realised it. It faded from her lips quickly, "And I am greateful for having another rider around to keep an eye out for Southern. There have been some threats, but some say they are empty." She shrugged and turned out to look at the water's edge. "I like to swim, yes, but Terath just likes to chase the tides."