Logs:The Brain and the Brawn, Part 1: A Bargain Struck
| |
|---|
| |
| RL Date: 17 March, 2013 |
| Who: K'zin, Rasavyth |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr |
| Type: Vignette |
| What: K'zin and Rasavyth had a talk that was in the makings since Impression. A bargain is struck. |
| Where: Rasavyth's Couch, Weyrling Barracks, High Reaches Weyr |
| When: Day 2, Month 4, Turn 31 (Interval 10) |
| Mentions: N'ky/Mentions, Sabella/Mentions, Madilla/Mentions, C'wlin/Mentions, Iolene/Mentions, Tiriana/Mentions |
| OOC Notes: This vignette immediately follows Logs:What Weyrlings Think About a Day Later. Also my first vignette ever. So... Yay! |
  |
| Rasavyth is not pleased. None of the others would know it; his sprawl on his couch is the picture of ease and comfort. Outwardly, his mind gives no sign either as it oozes calm, comfort, and charm. It merely seems to all others that the bronze is maintaining a companionable silences, though he never misses a chance for a friendly exchange; after all he's everyone's friend. Behind the carefully crafted, many-layered mental mask, he is a tempest of temper. His rage is awesome, and terrible. There's an edge of childishness to it; his first childish act since ensnaring K'zin's mind. There is some part of K'zin that is relieved. He was beginning to believe he'd been paired with a full grown adult trapped in the body of a dragonet; the second coming of Iovniath or Ysavaeth rather than a proper new-born dragon. After all, what else explains Rasavyth's intelligence? His presence? His independence? He might have been inclined to think he was simply misinformed and that baby dragons are just waiting for their bodies to grow to match their minds, not truly babies at all. In observing the others, however, it became obvious: Rasavyth is an exception to the rule. An amazing, terrifying exception. If he's like this now, he will weave the fabric of destiny when he's full grown. Seeing him babyish for the first time is comforting, but, shells, couldn't the expression of his youth be wanting to be held or endless questions like some of the others? It is K'zin's luck to have a dragon who throws a temper tantrum only inside his head. It's not even a normal temper tantrum. The former-Smith feels as though someone were twisting both ears and the mental pain and discomfort of it only subsides when he finally draws near his dragon's couch. For a moment, the pain swells, and K'zin is brought to his knees before the slope of cushions that form the couch. His ears are released, and the tempest that raged abruptly dies. K'zin immediately wishes it back when Rasavyth's cool, calculated words touch his mind, « Now, be a good boy, and close the curtain. » Gulp. The quiet shhh--shhh--shhhhhhhh of rings riding over the rod that extends to provide some privacy to the rider pair sounds ominous to K'zin. He could fight the request. He could refuse. But refusal will only make it worse in the end, he knows. The weyrling's mind spins as he drags the heavy fabric, this is just intimidation. What does it matter if the curtain is open or closed? He will look the same. Then it dawns on the lad, too slowly; Rasavyth doesn't want anyone seeing K'zin during what comes next. Stunned by this realization, the teen lingers at the end of the line. Not looking at Rasavyth does no good. « Clever boy. » The applause and cheers from the Hatching Galleries echoes in K'zin's mind. « I didn't think you would work that out on your own. » The dragon's tone holds a tickle that tingles pleasantly up K'zin's spine, but that turns icy with the next words: « Now, turn around, K'zin. » The frantic, fearful reaction of the weyrling's mind prompts the bronze to add, « Be calm, K'zin. I would never hurt you. » in a quietly chiding purr. The words are true. He might correct the boy or encourage him in a way that might sting, as with pushing a slow runner to faster pace with the gentle reminder of a crop to the hind-quarter, but never truly injure. K'zin draw a deep breath before turning to face the whirling eyes of his lifemate. The red-orange of anger is mixed with calm blue in a bizarre and uncomforting pattern that hint that Rasavyth's mood could go either way. « When I chose you, » Ras begins, his words each being delivered with carefully thought out measure and weight, « to be my secret keeper, K'zin, that was not a choice I took lightly. There is no question that you are the right man for the job, but your methods are now under question. Did you think that the fact that I have secrets was exempt from what you are not to so blithely announce to others? » K'zin's stammer is enough to confirm that the lad did not see it that way. "I thought everyone has secrets." He manages at last, brow furrowing as he struggles to see what Rasavyth is trying to explain to him. "Don't they? I didn't think it was a secret that-- you know, that you do also?" An image flashes to K'zin's mind: Madilla, with her endless patience, tolerant and amused smile on her face; it is a reflection of how Rasavyth feels in this moment. « Oh, my dear, sweet, K'zin. » Laughter ripples as blood rushes to flare into the boy's cheeks. « You've so much to learn. The best way to become everyone's friend is to appear as though you have nothing to hide. No one would ever want to tell me anything if they thought I was simply filing it away in your brain for future use. Dragons and people depend on dragons to have short memories, so we play this to our advantage in this game. » "What game?" K'zin's baritone is curious, and he approaches the couch once more, settling himself at its edge, legs hanging over the sloped edge. For all that the bronze seems to think of his weyrling's brain as a wide open space for him to fill for his own more-often-than-not nefarious purposes, the former Smith is eager to learn and understand. « Why, the only game that matters. » Rasavyth's chosen expression this time is Sabella's face, sly smile with something hidden behind that pretty face. « You don't need to concern yourself. Just play your part. You are to aid my cause, not hinder it. Now that crafty whelp of Athimeroth's has reason to question me and my motives. Do be more careful in the future, and the wisest course is always to err on the side of silence, at least where my business is concerned. Do you understand, K'zin? » A small hesitation on K'zin's part brings quickly the burn of a twisted ear and he yelps in surprise. "I understand! Shardit! Don't do that, Ras, or I'll tell everyone everything. Being your secret keeper, furthering your agenda, playing in your game. Those are your terms, and I've agreed to them, readily enough. Telling C'wlin about your secrets was a mistake - simple and innocent and you know it. So now, it's your turn to listen. Here are my terms." A hand comes up to tick them off, as though he had them prepared before this moment. He draws a blank. In that blank space in K'zin's mind, Rasavyth's laughter begins to rumble and the dragon chuffs aloud. "No, wait. Just-- hang on!" The weyrling demands, biting his lower lip. "Okay, I've got it. First of all, you've got to treat me with respect. I'm not your puppet, I'm your partner. I get to have my own life which I share with you, but you don't get to tell me everything I get to do. And Nicky." Beat. "I know you don't approve of my friendship with him and think it's too dangerous for us and too pointless for me. But he's my friend. He's been my friend longer than you've been my lifemate. So you leave that alone. Entirely. In exchange, I'll dress as you like me to, I'll try to learn to speak as you'd like me to, I'll put up with your meddling in my other friendships. But you leave my and N'ky's friendship alone, you respect me, and I get to have my own life. Understand?" He's obviously not aware that he repeated the same three twice, for six ticks of the fingers have been made. More chuffs of laughter greet his words, and the tone that oozes into K'zin's mind sparkles with real enjoyment. He likes this power game they're playing. « Is that all, K'zin? » To which the boy responds too quickly: "Yes!" « Very well, » the dragon is quick to grasp a close to the matter. « It seems a fair price to pay. » His words are serious, though faint amusement glitters around the edges of his touch, leading K'zin to suspect perhaps he's gotten a raw deal after all. « Now that that's settled, I'd like another oiling, if you please. » The way he says the phrase isn't quite the same as actually using the word please to make a request, but at least it's more like one than the previous directions given him. K'zin takes the small victory and pushes himself to his feet, waiting for the bronze to clamber out of the bed. He reaches out a hand to stroke across his lifemate's head. He doesn't say aloud what they both know: that they are each glad to have found the other and know that this pairing of theirs is right. As the pair walks down the center aisle, K'zin swears under his breath. "Red Star boogers. I should've said no ear pulling either." Chuffs and mental laughter greet his words, « Too. Late. Now. » Each word is punctuated carefully. As far as Rasavyth is concerned, the bargain that will govern all their coming days has been struck, and he shan't be changing it... well, not unless it benefits him. |
Comments
Comments on "Logs:The Brain and the Brawn, Part 1: A Bargain Struck"K'del (K'del (talk)) left a comment on Mon, 18 Mar 2013 01:35:16 GMT.
Rasavyth is terrifying.
Mave (Mave (talk)) left a comment on Mon, 18 Mar 2013 01:39:02 GMT.
Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeest.
Aishani (Brieli (talk)) left a comment on Mon, 18 Mar 2013 01:45:11 GMT.
Terrifyingly Awesome, you mean.
Azaylia (Dragonshy (talk)) left a comment on Mon, 18 Mar 2013 01:55:17 GMT.
Rasavyth scares the crap out of me in the best way. Like, oh my gosh. More than once was I too scared for K'zin to read the next lines. ;)
For your first vig, this was fantastic. I love how unbalanced this pair seems, but they work so well together. Brain and Brawn indeed.
Zian (Zian (talk)) left a comment on Mon, 18 Mar 2013 01:58:04 GMT.
I am officially afraid of Rasavyth. XD
Nicky (Nicky (talk)) left a comment on Mon, 18 Mar 2013 02:37:28 GMT.
Rasavyth, bromance buster.
Nicely written!
Alida (Alida (talk)) left a comment on Mon, 18 Mar 2013 04:21:42 GMT.
Omg....eviiil! Wicked! It's a good thing Alida's learned to be not-so-trusting, just so she can protect Ilicaeth and her own stake. Hahaha!
Alida (Alida (talk)) left a comment on Mon, 18 Mar 2013 04:23:07 GMT.
Did I also forget to mention that I immediately thought of 'Pinky and the Brain' when I saw the title? ;D
Leave A Comment