Logs:Symmetry of Straight-Talk
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| RL Date: 5 June, 2013 |
| Who: Alida, Ilicaeth, K'zin, Rasavyth |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr |
| Type: Log |
| What: Alida and K'zin take a trip to the hot springs and catch up. |
| Where: Hot Springs, High Reaches Weyr |
| When: Day 23, Month 12, Turn 31 (Interval 10) |
| Mentions: Aishani/Mentions, Azaylia/Mentions, Barnabas/Mentions, C'wlin/Mentions, Devaki/Mentions, D'kan/Mentions, Edeline/Mentions, E'sren/Mentions, Jo/Mentions, K'del/Mentions, Meara/Mentions, N'gan/Mentions, N'hax/Mentions, N'ky/Mentions, Quielle/Mentions, R'co/Mentions, Sabella/Mentions, Telavi/Mentions, Z'ian/Mentions |
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| Hot Springs, High Reaches Area Even further north than the Weyr itself, a short flight between crags and over crevasses that even a wing-scarred veteran of Fall might undertake, a cluster of clearings lies low in the shelter of hardy trees and ancient stone. The outer two clearings might have been lost to more stubbly trees Turns ago, if it weren't for the centre-most: a natural pool of warm, softly bubbling water several dragonlengths across, with enough space for perhaps a half-dozen people and their lifemates. Though the air is cold all Turn round, and snowdrifts frequently whiten the ground, the geothermal activity heats the mineral-scented water to such a consistently comfortable heat that it becomes a refuge for those who don't wish to travel further afield to wash their dragons. Of the clearings that abut the spring, the nearest is only a few steps away, though it's small enough that only a few dragons can lounge at once. A steep trail descends to its substantially larger neighbor, a gravel-strewn crescent with enough space to spread out and enjoy the crisp air and the mountain range's admittedly spectacular views.
It might've taken only a little dragging. K'zin was cooped up in the infirmary too long, and now he's back to taking care of his own dragon instead of getting help with the task. So Rasavyth helped with a little nudge of how nice a proper bath would be. It's true that he's still coughing every now and again, but it's improved, and most of his healthy coloring has returned. No betweening, but he's definitely getting better. Closer to all the way well. He's strips himself down, wearing short, silky swim shorts (always for bathing Rasavyth after that embarrassing incident at the lake), and leaves his gear and Ras' straps in a pile next to where she set hers. He moves at a quick pace through the chill air to climb into the pool after the bluerider. The bronze is following suit. There's a blissful sigh as he slides into the hot waters, apparently unbothered by their intense heat. His eyes slide closed almost immediately, expression relaxing muscle by muscle. She's usually not one for much talk, especially chatter, but since her buddy's only recently been allowed away from the healers, Alida's kind of keen to yak Waki up. Note her pointedly not looking at him and his bobbling junk within those skimpy, silky shorts. Nuh-uh. A companionable bit of a warble from blue to bronze echos about some on the moisture-laden air, Ilicaeth submerging himself up to his chin, his heavily-ridged green eyes appearing rather like limpid jewels in the mists. As the dragons enjoy their watery wallowing, the blonde lets the quiet, intensified acoustics of their current environment carry her mellow alto over to the nearby K'zin. "Any word uv' when they might letcha' start the between lessons?" In this context, at least, the way the silky shorts wear is certainly not something he consciously means something by. Or perhaps is even aware of. K'zin's in the water quickly enough though, so Alida needn't worry herself overmuch. Rasavyth returns a croon to the warble, equally companionable, moving side to side so he makes little waves that scurry toward Ilicaeth. "I'm hoping by the end of the month. At first I thought I'd not mind putting it off to give Quielle some company, but it looks like N'hax and C'wlin have that covered now." His tone is droll, but really, it's not that funny. Not even to good-humored K'zin. "Any idea what the shells they thought they were doing with all that? I feel for E'sren and Telavi having that happen under their watch. Glad it wasn't me." In a playful mood, Ilicaeth plays submarine, only the upper half of his head above the waves as he rows back and forth around the entering Rasavyth...until the bronze sets those mini-waves at him. Immediately, the blue's eyes inner-lid to protect them from the waters cresting at them, a quick duck of head and outward spray of waters from his nostrils making him a kind-of gigantic dolphin...his spray inundating his brother in droplets. As for the already-damp humans, "They just might be there longer'n her 'n her former pretty boy." Snert. "I b'lieve the word 'think' didn' really factor inta' their minds when they were plottin'." Smirk. "Behavin' like traditional bronzers, sadly." Alida's voice doesn't even bother with trying to be droll, the sound of it more wintry, disgusted. "Like I told Jo, I thought N'hax'd be old enough not ta pull somethin' so badly thought out." Surprise. Quietly, "I figure they wanted ta' take a looksee around, maybe in the Weyr's interest...but they fucked it all up from the get-go." Eyeroll, sigh. Rasavyth is occasionally playful. Occasionally childish. But... water coming out Ilicaeth's nose and then dropping on him? Gross! Rasavyth submerges. It's like peeing in the pool. Poor form, Ilicaeth. The bronze's mind radiates mild distaste. There's a willingness to play there too, though. The line is crossed when it gets gross. "N'gan'll get out soonest. I think. Well, other than me. Weyr can't keep having bad relations with all the Holders. First Tillek, then 'Reaches. They'll have to get N'gan to a place he likes and use him for the politics. Or maybe they won't, but it'd be the smart play. Though, how to get N'gan to stop being N'gan and be helpful..." He shrugs. "I guess I can at least be grateful that C'wlin and N'hax just made me look real good by comparison." He sighs, not finding this to be a true bright side. He's not that kind of guy. "How's Jo? Haven't seen her since she came to check out my new place. What's her take on all this?" « Scoooore... » Ilicaeth laughs in his full-toned baritone, the rasping sound of his desert-dry 'voice' holding ample humor and a hint of brotherly triumph. He 'got' his younger bro with the gross tactic. Hahaha! Well, gross to Rasavyth, anyway. And then the blue goes fully-submersed, speeding up in the warm waters, intent on playing a game of 'tag' with the lithe bronze. Nosebump to belly: You're IT! "Who knows; mebee Aishani'll dump 'im on Tillek at their watchrider ASAP." Snicker. "Y'know...there's a whole potential barrel uv' cats at him producin' a potential Hold heir, though. Gotta see if Quielle's brat survives, uv' course." No humor there, either. As for the dunderingly-dynamic duo: "Nothin' like rubbin' it in with the Holders." Eyeroll, headshake, sigh. "Gettin' us all settled in as the less crazy, inept riders." For their little 'coup.' Snerk. "She's busy, as usual, but okay. Took me 'n 'caeth fer a little hop-skip 'n jump around a few bars across Pern...ones she knows." A wicked grin and curl of fists beneath the water for the remembrance transitions into the blonde's clipped, low, "Made us a bit uv' money off some wagers...busted a few bones." Chuckle. "All-in-all, a great time." Tag? Tag, Ras will do! It is perhaps most surprising to the bronze himself (and by degrees others) that after two sevens of sitting in the bowl waiting for K'zin to get well, he's eager for the chance to get physical. The chase is on! "That'd be stupid." K'zin doesn't bother to put it diplomatically at the idea of making N'gan a watchrider. "Surest way for the Weyr to never know what Tillek's up to ever again. You've met him." Likely more than once, even in the eight months they've all been living and training with one another. "Would you trust him to keep his loyalties where they ought to be?" To the Weyr, he means, of course. "With the way he treats Quielle, I'd not be surprised if the Hold didn't want to acknowledge a bastard. Bastards aren't historically the ones the Blooded turn to. Though there have been instances, of course. Is Devaki one?" He wonders this aloud. Maybe she knows. "Sounds like it." He says, tone a touch jealous at the experience. "What do you make of her?" The question is asked casually. K'zin shifts in the water to move out where it's a little deeper. Great flurries of dragon limbs! The water rises and falls with the motions of the blue and bronze under there, chasing and tagging. Meanwhile, "Exactly what I meant." Snert. "As in, maybe things'll get so bad off that she'll have ta consider mollifyin' at least Tillek by puttin' 'im there, temporarily." A look over at Waki presages Alida's slightly biting, "I think you oughta' know by now the relationship between me 'n trust." Indeed. She'd no sooner trust N'gan than any other barely-known classmate. A shift to ease one leg beneath the waters, and a slow stretch make the bluie sigh in pleasure at her growing relaxation, her head quirking at mention of Devaki. "Not really sure. Apparently he's got enough Blood t've put 'im in the runnin', what with the lack uv' an heir from the former Lord 'n Lady." Shrug. "Even bastards become tenable when y'have little choice." Liptwist. "Uv' Jo? Heh!" Yes, that's a low, honest, and somewhat darker laugh from Alida. "Two-edged sword, toots. She's a force ta' be reckoned with, that's fer sure. Fun as all get out, but that goes without sayin'." At least the other bluerider's fun in the guard's parlance. The blue weyrling is just as casual in speaking as her bronzeriding counterpart. Watching as Waki goes a little deeper, the woman finally inquires, "How bad d'y'think the boys got it? Punishment, I mean." Doubtless, K'zin takes in everything the bluerider says. "Don't know that they'd ever get that bad. There'd be no tactful way to remove him once it started." He briefly submerges then, head popping back out of the water and reaches to slick a hand back through his hair. "And hot. You forgot that Jo's hot." It's a critical part of Jo as far as K'zin is concerned. "She hit on you yet? I mean, I'm assuming not, since she's not dead." The words are teasing, and his expression gets a goofy sort of playful, very reminiscent of the time before Impression. "Good that you're having some fun someway. I was worried you might die of all work and no play." He goes so far as to stick his tongue out at the blonde now, childishly. There's a shrug for the matter of N'hax and C'wlin's punishment. "Depends on whether they did it on their own or someone put them up to it. Depends on how long the Hold's mad about it for. How long the goldriders are." "That's an unknown we'll likely never know about," Alida comments of Devaki and Blood, the bluie keeping a subtle eye on K'zin as he submerges, re-surfaces. "Her attitude c'n be hot, yeah. She's not really my type." Shrug, smirk. Only low chucklings greet the other weyrling's words of Jo hitting on her, and not being dead yet..." the blonde enjoying this moment, and splashing a palmful of water over at K'zin's stuck out tongue. "I've earned my fun, damn it." A firm nod and even firmer expression overcome the bluie. "Pern better not get in m'way on Graduation evening." The devil is in her eyes with that expression of perhaps just how much the guard's been holding back. Snork. "With the amateur-ness uv' it, I'd say on their own. Either that, 'r the youngest weyrlings set 'em up to it." Pause. "Man, I'd think that both uv' 'em - 'specially Shani - gotta' be very pissed right now." "Maybe." K'zin allows about Devaki. Bloodlines aren't exactly private affairs when it comes to the Holds. But he's shrugging, the topic not continuing to hold his interest. "No? Who is your type, then?" K'zin asks, surprised, likely by the idea that anyone could find Jo not appealing. He moves back toward the woman. Not too near, but despite their apparent aloneness, it's not a topic you shout about from ten feet or so away. "Sabella? Telavi? Azaylia?" He suggests one after another, and then with a crooked smile, "Aishani? They're all attractive." Beat. "Or do you prefer men?" He's near enough now that he's not in her space, but close enough that she can reach out and smack him if he likes. He seems to be expecting it, although there is something genuine in his inquiries. "Almost into month 9. There's bound to be flight business sooner or later." He quirks a smile. "So you're the one I should've come to about doing a drinking tour of Pern come graduation, huh? Too bad I won't be graduating with you after all." There is a touch of real regret for that. Then N'hax and C'wlin's botched move has him thinking, "Could be someone just put too much faith in their abilities to execute without specific instructions." Beat. "Or, could be the other side that put them up to it." He runs a hand through his hair. "Think about it. New Lord at the Hold... gets a reason to short-change the Weyr which means his people have a bounty and a better economy for trade with wanting riders. That's a sharding good way to make a first impression as Lord of the Reaches. Especially since I guess there're some even at the Hold that aren't thrilled about his appointment." Indeed; Bloodlines are boring, and for Alida, intrigue that doesn't involve her isn't terribly interesting, either...so it's on to other topics for them both. She's a little schtum for some moments when Waki inquires that of her, the blonde not twitching, however, when he gets closer to be a little more conspiratorial. Finally, with some definite reluctance, the bluie shares in soft voice, "Zay, some. Maybe Tela." It comes with some baggage from the past to admit that, but she's no longer in a hold. "Attitude's more attractive th'n looks, enough times." As for preferring men, well, the blonde looks out and over at Ilicaeth, who's rising above the waters like some benthic horror, and playfully trying to headbutt his bronze brother in the shoulder. "Guys're nice, too." Word of mating flights makes the guard tighten up a little, but since her body's under the water up to her collarbones, it's mostly unobservable. The rest is more fertile ground for speaking of, though, and after a couple of moments to get her bearings again, 'lida replies with a murmured, "Sure...as much as I c'n know uv it, anyway." Of Pernese bar coordinates. She finally does look back over at K'zin, though, when he expresses regret, the young woman reaching up and trying to clasp a firm grip around her buddy's bicep. Squeeze. "Missed ya' too, toots." Grin. As she lets her grip fall back away towards her own spot, "Y'think?" is artlessly inquired around a faint narrowing of greens towards N'hax and C'wlin potentially being plants of Devaki's. "It...doesn't feel like it, ta' me." To her gut; but that instinctual thing has been known to be incorrect, now and again. Not often. "Man, anything with 'High Reaches' in 'r on it somewhere's all sorts uv' fucked up." Including the weyrlings. Headshake. "You shoulda' seen the looks in some uv' those Lords' eyes when it was announced at the Hold." Ohhh yeah: not everybody is pleased with Devaki being the new Lord of 'Reaches. To get even that much of a response from Alida sobers K'zin, realizing that she's showing trust in him for speaking of it. "They're both pretty hot. Might even be available, that way. Maybe Tela more like than Zay. But I don't think either'd laugh if you came onto them. Or maybe they would, but like, surprised laugh, not mean laugh. "What do you mean by attitudes?" The bronzerider is quietly curious, watching the bluerider's face. The headbutt to the shoulder is borne easily and a slap of his bronze tail to blue hide in exchange. Probably the only bit that would sting is the bit that's out of the water, and it's certainly not hard enough to do damage. They're playing. "So guys too. Hm? I hear the ladies are abuzz about N'hax. You with them? Or more someone like C'wlin or N'ky? Or K'del?" There's a thoughtful pause then to consider the next matter with due seriousness. "I bet Jo could give you the visualizations to all kinds of bars. You should ask her. Or I can. But you'll be able to use them before I can." The squeezed bicep and sentiment of missing receives a roll of the eyes, "I didn't say that." But he might have meant it. "Though it was sooo boring in the infirmary. Except when someone visited." His brow furrows a bit. "Everything from back around then is pretty hazy. I think I had a fever most of that time. You were there, right? With the pirates and all?" Indeed, the blue knows they're sparring, and would likely take a much more solid hit from the bronze, as they're both just dinking around like brothers might, anyway. As it is, Ilicaeth rumbles with good humor at that tail slap to his body, utilizing his own tail like a rather unwieldy dagger, darting and thrusting it at various points upon Rasavyth's body, hoping to make contact. That Waki knows more about Zay and Tela than she is reason for Alida to peer at him indirectly, out from under long lashes, though she soon enough flicks her gaze back to their dragons to note, "Personalities...but more specific. How they handle themselves." She tries thinking of more of a response, but winds up unable to grasp the words, the blonde finally shrugging, shaking her head. After a moment, "Y'think Zay's...she wouldn't object ta' somethin' with the right gal...without a Flight?" Word of N'hax apparently being somewhat of a ladies man has the woman twisting her lips a little, remembering something. "Guess I don' mind the strong thing...but he ain't my type." Smirk. "B'sides, don'cha' remember back before we Impressed, at the Snowasis? He was close ta spittin' on me, in effect." With words of more and more guys from K'zin, the blonde quiets, and soon seizes on visualizations as a way to hopefully divert the conversation. "I won't take any coordinates blithely, right now. Still too new at it." The whole /between/ thing. She's very serious about it, as a matter-of-fact. "But yeah, Jo'd be the knowledgeable one. Know a couple, now." Snerk. "Yeah, suuure..." is snarked off to the young man's response to her grasp and words, the guard then nodding her pale head a few times. "Y'seemed with it when I visited, but the Healers booted me out after only a minute 'r two. Probably fer the best." Dodge, dodge, riposte! Some strikes make it through, of course. The bronze responds in kind. His dagger is fairly accurate, really. His tail has always been one of his nimblest limbs. K'zin's response to the peering is to quirk a challenging brow, the set of his lips pursing slightly, daring Alida to ask the question. "And how do you see each of them handling themselves? So I can get a sense of what you like? I make a great wingman when I want to, you know." He grins at the bluerider, likely picturing one of the many fanciful scenarios of the pair of them trolling for tail. "I think... I think Zay is a thoughtful, kind person. With an appetite." And he doesn't just mean for food. "I can't say for certain that she'd be up for it, but I am certain she wouldn't make you feel stupid for asking or for talking to her about it. Just-- you're not looking for someone who wants only you, right? 'Cause if you are, neither Zay nor Tela are the right direction to go. They're more of my inclination." Beat. "Tela asked me if he-" N'hax. "-were my type. Only, I don't know what my type would be that way, if I even have a type." This is his exchange. His vulnerability for her own. The words are spoken genuinely and there's a blush as further proof of their truth. "I'd forgotten about that." The bronzer admits. "So what about N'ky? Or K'del? Or D'kan? Ooooor Z'ian? Or..." And here he cracks a wicked smile, tempting the slap-hand, "Bones? He could probably throw you 'round something fierce. Or R'co? He looks like K'del, but... pretty." Though perhaps some would argue that K'del looks pretty too, but... that's not under discussion presently. "Definitely for the best. They started giving me something for the coughs and it made me out of it. And silly. Rasavyth was not pleased." This last is said with a mixture of amusement and chagrin. Perhaps unlike his often blunt self, Ilicaeth is quite apt with his tail, too, though not quite to the degree that Rasavyth is. « We need ta' practice more. » With their tails. Never know when the unexpected and exact use of them might come in handy. He's having a blast doing such, no matter! As for Alida, well, she won't inquire... this time. But she does murmur, "Easy-going, seem ta know what they like. Fun, but capable." She struggles internally with trying to express more, and the effort is seen in the darkening of the woman's greens, the slight twisting of her lips. "They're...female." Well duh. "Girls...women, without needin' ta be silly or hard." That's about the extent of Alida's ability to explain, right now. As for Azaylia having an 'appetite' and possibly turning her down, well, the bluie simply grunts and nods a quick pair of times, then shaking her head quickly at the thought of permanence. "Not now, anyway." Who knows about the future. For what Waki shares with her of Telavi inquiring of how he'd 'enjoy' N'hax, the blonde once more focuses upon her cohort in 'crime,' her gaze widening a hint, and a faint grin touching her features as K'zin blushes. For once, she doesn't bait him, though. All those other male name mentions, though, do finally earn him body contact, though - this time - it's with her foot suddenly lashing out beneath the water, and thumping soundly against his lower calf. If there wasn't water slowing her, buffering the kick, it'd leave a large and somewhat painful bruise. Still, around a snerk and a glare, the guard mutters, "Maybe...kinda like Deke's, Nick's manners." Thought of the older men almost make her blush, too, except that the young woman finds mention of R'co brings out a sneer on her face. "That asshole. He's replaced Z'ian in havin' that unofficial nickname, in my book." Pause. "Fer now." Smirk. "Fellis?" 'lida inquires curiously, grinning softly once again at the bronzer's former tripping frame of mind. "Yeah; that stuff knocks y'for loops." « As you like. » Rasavyth is amenable. He likes using his tail. Certainly some of it's dexterity comes from practice at precision. It appears to be quite deft in striking the exact point he aims for, less so with a moving target, but that's to be expected. "Mm." K'zin responds, thoughtful at her explanation. "Makes sense. Do you look for the same thing in a guy? Like, should I look for what I look for in girls with men?" There's confusion there, showing on his face until the kick arrives at his calf. "Augh! Girls slap cheeky men, not kick them, 'lida. Kicking is for when a guy's trying to pick you up. Or when you're a bratty brat." So descriptive. He wobbles as he lifts his leg to rub at it as she makes her admissions of the men. He loses his balance then, of course and reaches out to try to steady his fall. His hand brushes down her arm grasping, but then seeming to realize this might not be a good idea, he releases the grip and splashes the small distance into the water, surfacing moments later, coughing. Then coughing. Stupid pneumonia. Fantastic! Something his eggheaded brother and he can share: their mutual love of precision strikes! « Deal. » "I...think there's maybe some overlap. But not exactly the same," Alida murmurs in answer of what one might look for in guys versus girls. "Uh...maybe like two sides uv' the same coin?" She's not going to admit to him that she's still a virgin; nope. As for the bronzer's reaction to her kick, "I'm no girl, like I told ya before." She's a woman... a very dangerous and highly-trained woman with forcible 'proclivities.' Smirk. With K'zin's almost-grab and fall over into the water, his spluttering and that telltale coughing, the bluie's lurching over to her wingmate, bracing him up against those horrid, leftover pneumonia coughs that wrack his form. "Fuck it, Waki; quit suckin' more water thatcha' don't need." Her words end up compounding the problem. Because then he's sort of laughing, but also coughing. K'zin does actually reach out his hand to rest against the nearest part of her, which happens to be her hip, to help brace himself more. Cough, cough, cough. It takes time before the fit passes. Alida is given a weak smile of sheepish gratitude for the needed assist as he catches his breath, then: "Guess we know why they're not letting me between yet, huh." It's not really a question. And then he seems to realize his hand is on her hip. His hand releases. "Maybe. So I should look for the opposite? So... everything's opposite would be... nothing. Or I guess just very ugly men." He tries to lighten what turned for him to be a tense moment. She finally makes out the hint of laughter within the coughing, and Alida simply butresses her buddy against his spell, not really noticing his hand placement. Her skin, though under water, seems soft enough, though touched with some scars, of course. "Yep..." her humored, clipped alto notes around a smirk, her own grasp of the weyrling bronzer not relenting until he's well and truly able to firmly support himself on his own. "Nah, not the opposite. Same coin, remember? If they were truly opposites, it'd be some freaky, multi-sided shape - all lopsided - 'n made outta'... oh, I dunno', compressed 'n dried runner shit, 'r somethin'." How's that for a reach at the definition of 'opposite' of coin?! "Pretty on the outside'll only getcha' so far, my da' said. Outer beauty's temporary, so rely on the stuff inside." Maybe that's where she got her perhaps strange 'ability' to ignore her looks, given what they are. "Pretty on the outside doesn't hurt though," K'zin isn't saying Alida's dad was wrong. He leans toward the bluerider, manner mockingly conspiratorial. "Depends on if you want them for only a night or more. You look for different things, I guess. And especially if you're looking to get feelings mixed up in the whole thing." Which, from that, she might easily guess that he doesn't. Or perhaps can't. "So long as the beauty lasts through the night..." He gives her an impish smile, tilting his cheek up, almost asking for a slap. Of course, he's been pretty much asking for a slap since the first day they spoke, seeing how far he can push the line before he gets hurt for it. "Apparently it doesn't...but anyone who's gotta' real effin' head set square onner' shoulders knows better'n ta' rely on outer beauty," Alida responds unwaveringly. That night or two comment triggers a low snark from the woman, who disengages herself from holding up K'zin, letting him face the world on his own. "Who says I'm lookin' t'get feelings mixed up? I dunno' what's thrity turns down the road, so I sure as shit can't claim with absolute certainty that I will not settle down." It's logic, to the blonde. Eyeroll. For the tilt up of his cheek, the bluie gives him only a little of what the bronzer seems to be begging for, giving him a wet clap upon the nearer side of his face...the sensation not really stinging at all. It's more like a 'bro'-cuff, but for faces. "You kinky, 'r somethin'?" is impishly inquired back. "Beauty and brains if you can get them together," K'zin agrees. "But if it's just a matter of a night and not a matter of friendship or many nights, I'll take the beauty over the brains." Because he's a little shallow. Or maybe it's really because he's the Brawn of the Brain and the Brawn (tm) pair. He'd struggle to keep up with some brainiacs, certainly. Where once the question of kinkiness would've elicited a blush from him, now there is just a roll of his shoulders, and a slight, secretive sort of smile on his face. "Sometimes. Depends on what the lady's pleasure is. I'm given to understand that there's a lot more to experience in time and with the right sorts of partners. Though I've been warned explicitly not to spring things on the new or unsuspecting." A strange sort of Look (tm) slowly eases over Alida's features as Waki continues to speak, the blonde finding his way of looking at things a little off, given how they once were conversing. And when that 'T.M.I.' moment is shared - though she did sort-of ask for it, in a way - the bluie simply and quietly resumes her former seating arrangement, where the two riders aren't close enough to accidentally or even intentionally touch. Not without effort, anyway. She's not blushing, but this is likely due to the heat of the water having already opened up her capillaries enough to give the guard's very fair skin a pink tone all over. It's abrupt enough a shift for K'zin to notice and he watches after the bluerider, brows furrowing a moment. He is indecisive for a moment and then he moves after her. Not in pursuit, so much as moving to her side, though staying an arm's length from her. "Sorry, 'lida. You asked. I thought it was a real question-- since we'd been talking for real, instead of teasing and stuff. I'd unsay it if I could." His tone is truly apologetic. "Didn't mean to go too far. Just saying it like it is." "Yeah..." the blonde murmurs in a husky tone, not meeting eyes with Waki, her greens fixed on their pair of still sparring dragons farther out in the pool. She's not going to gainsay him, at least not right now. After a little inner lip chewing, the bluie finally answers back in something a little more like her usual tone, "Guess I'd rather have someone sayin' it that way, than dancin' all around it." She's not super good at teasing, given K'zin's response. "I'm reaching for your hand now." And he does. K'zin narrates it so he doesn't get drowned. Whether he finds it or not, he goes on to say. "'lida, you know we're friends, right? I know you haven't had many, but what that means is that I'm gonna always do my best not to judge you for anything. To help you when I can. To give shit to you straight. And give you shit when you need a laugh or some encouragement or whatever. So don't ask questions you don't want to know the answer to. We don't have to talk about sex. Ever, if you don't want. But if you ask me about it, there's probably a good chance I'll answer, unless it violates someone else's privacy. You know?" There's nothing but a minute twitch when K'zin takes up her hand beneath the water, Alida's features remaining guarded, her own hand limp in his. At first, only vague nods answer the bronze weyrling, but finally, the pragmatist in her comes out, makes the bluie's lips twist up some, her head, gaze finally turning to somewhat more directly meet K'zin's dark eyes. "I know, now." A faint sigh stirs from her lungs, and a sudden, firm squeeze is given to his hand. "Thanks, Waki." Unspoken: for being decent, really effing patient...and there. The hand had begun to withdraw again, expression showing concern, likely that he worried he might be making her more uncomfortable for the contact. But the squeeze is felt and he returns it, with a firm, steady pressure of his own. "Anytime, friend." K'zin grins at her. It's the victorious grin, the one that he always gives her when he calls her a friend. "Ready to head back to the Weyr and oil them up?" He tosses his head to indicate the dragons, giving another littler pressure to her fingers before starting to drop his hand away. "Yutz..." is how Alida answers that 'friend' of his, the woman making of her smirk a twisty thing, though her eyes chuckle. Once her hand's free of Waki's own mitt, she's lifting it up out of the water and flipping him a pointed, if lazy bird, then replying archly, "What; can't handle the heat anymore?" Still, the blonde's slowly climbing to her feet on the ledge their pair of butts are settled on, and it's noticeable that her pink skin is showing signs of pruning. A hand is offered to the other weyrling, the bluie's feet placed wide to aid in hauling him up, if he wants. She probably would offer him a hand, if she'd made it out of the pool. As was, the moment she asked a question and started to rise, K'zin's hand flashed to wrap firm fingers around her wrist - surely not painful, but enough to still her advance as his body follows until he's quite close, definitely in her space, muscular chest pressing against her arm, knee brushing her own. His baritone purposefully husky and soft as his lips draw near her ear, "What'd I say about not asking questions you didn't really want to know the answers to?" There's sexual overtones in the way that the words roll off his tongue. But it's all a ruse, no intent behind it, so if he's not injured before he gets a chance, he'll be relinquish his hold and give her a wicked grin. Who can't handle the heat now? With anyone other than a person who'd gained enough of her precious little trust, Alida likely would've either dodged that sudden motion to grapple her, or applied some painful force right back to break the hold. But, since Waki's been working overtime to soothe the savage beast...all he gets for his efforts at humorous sexual innuendo are a slow smirk, firing green eyes, and a laconic, "Isath's gonna go up soon. Ras should be good 'n ready ta fly 'er." If that doesn't douse the bronzer's playful fires, then perhaps nothing will. "Gross, Alida. You and Ilicaeth both. I hope Ilicaeth chases her and wins." Why's the bluerider gotta go and ruin a perfectly good joke by bringing up flight-sex with their teacher who is old enough to be their grandmother. Consider K'zin soaked. He's moving then to climb up onto the ledge, not looking back at the blonde. "It'd serve you right, just for that." He says as he goes, retreating through the now extra-chilly-by-contrast air to the clothes and gear. She's lucky he's of sound enough mind in this moment to correct the impulse to steal her clothes and head off. Ras is on his way out, too, after playfully feigning a dramatic death at one of Ilicaeth's last strikes. Soon enough, all is settled and they're on their way back to the Weyr. |
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