Seeking Approval of Parental One (Sim/Chan)

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

74.11.15 | Not long after dawn

As a matter of technicality, it was, in fact, light out. The sun had yet to rise, and it was drizzling rain in a fashion that boded ill for comfort in the coming day, but it was still possible to navigate without using a light source… barely. Naturally, there was already a certain amount of noise, as well as several people moving around, drudges beginning morning tasks, cooks starting on the breakfast, weyrlings starting to get ready for the coming day.

K’tar had hardly been able to sleep the night before, for planning how to effect an introduction between Chantrea and Lord Famoran, who, though it’d be harder than pulling a dragon’s tooth to get him to admit it, he thought of as something of a foster father. That was particularly true for something like this. He really wanted Famoran to approve of her.

With that in mind, K’tar slipped across the WeyrBowl, then along the main path through the jungle until he emerged at the stables. Sure enough, as he’d reckoned, Lord Famoran was there, along with a couple of the other men. All three of them were checking over their runnerbeasts, a sight which made K’tar hurry forwards, Altahyr unnoticed at his heels. They couldn’t be leaving already, that would ruin his planned introduction. Surely they were at least going to stay for breakfast!

Slowing to a quick walk, K’tar entered the stable where Lord Famoran was and leaned up against the door of the stall where the Lord was currently cleaning one of Hawk’s hooves. He had intended to wait for Famoran to finish, but he’d reckoned without the man’s uncanny ability to know where people where. Well, that and the fact that Hawk recognized him and nickered, stretching his neck forward slightly in hopes of a treat.

Lord Famoran glanced over his shoulder, then set Hawk’s hoof back down. “Well hello K’tar,” he said, his quick keen gaze flicking over K’tar, hovering for a brief second over the miss-buttoned top flap of the Weyrling’s jacket before returning to rest easily in contact with K’tar’s eyes.

“You’re staying for breakfast, right sir?” K’tar asked, forcing down an urge to fidget under that bright sapphire gaze.

Lord Famoran smiled. “Does this, perchance, have anything to do with this mysterious Chantrea that you keep trying to introduce me and Jatheiron to?” He paused for a second, then continued: “Or do you need me to intercede on your behalf because you nearly trampled Lord Ser Ralt again?”

“I didn’t know it was him! And I only did it the one time.” K’tar exclaimed, before he realized that Lord Famoran was teasing him. He paused for a second, gathering himself. “I was hoping that I could introduce you after breakfast,” he said, pleading Lord Famoran with his eyes to say yes.

Lord Famoran sighed, but he was smiling at the same time. “Well, since we are staying for breakfast, I don’t see why not,” he answered, grinning as K’tar thanked him and raced out of the stables, doubtless to go inform the girl that the introduction was a go.

————
Upon reaching the barracks where the youngest Weyrlings (as judged by the dragons’ ages) lived, K’tar slipped inside, ignoring the fact that he wasn’t supposed to be in here this early in the day. Reaching the room where Chantrea, along with an unknown roommate, lived, K’tar knocked on the door.

“Hey, Chan, it’s K’tar,” he said as loudly as he dared. Which wasn’t very loudly, as both a boy and a Senior Weyrling, he had no business in this area at all. “Come on, Lord Famoran’s going to be at breakfast and I can introduce you then.”

Waiting for her reply, he shifted his weight from foot to foot, subconsciously trying to burn up some of his nervous energy. He hoped that she’d wear something nice, maybe the blue dress that she’d worn to the last Turnover party.

[Simile]

Chantrea was up and dressing. She knew Lord Famoran was here. She also had every plan to avoid him... but of course... that wasn't K'tar's plan... and... she trusted him that he was a reasonable man. more reasonable than she thought he was... She was certian hew ould tkae one look at her and either want her dead, hate her, or try to diswade K'tar from even so much as being her friend, a thought that hurt a lot more than she was ever going to admit. At least right now. she looked at Valhauth who gave a soft croon and rose. She looked down at her dress. the soft yellow matched the pale color of Valhauth's hide and the charcoal gray touches she had spent so much time on finding and having added - not to mention the sheer amount of marks nad time it took to earn them - were all in place. She had been working on this since she first Impressed. She wished she had had this dress completed for the hatchign feast. She looked at the lining of her sleeves, neck, and bodice and looked down at the skirt which wasn't full, but rather fell gracefully and simply around her. She put her necklace on - the one that her grandmother had left behind for her and considered what to do with her hair.... Which was the time at which she heard the knock outside the door and K'tar's soft words. She quickly moved over to the door and opened it, tugging him inside. "K'tar! You're going to get me and you in trouble!" she exclaimed, though she tried to keep her voice low. She was rather glad she didn't knwo hwere her roommate was at this itme. though she was probably getting her own breakfast.

Chantrea brushed her hair back behind one ear and looked at him, suddenly feeling awkward, her cheeks flushed. She couldn't stay mad at him for more than a couple second and sighed. "I'm guessing... we're going to meet him... K'tar you know he probably won't like me... I look like my mom and she was accused of... harming someone at Stormy Plains... remember, I told you?" she said, fidgeting nervously and, without thinking about it, starting to pace. Valhauth gave another croon and walked over to hers, looking up at her rider. She would soon be looking down towards her. What an odd thought. It is his loss if he does not like you, Mine.

Chantrea smiled and scratched the dragonets eyeridges as she looked at the lovely little thing. You'll come with me as far as you can? The only reponse was an affirmative nod.

Amp and Zigfried chirped in agreement and she smiled, walking over to K'tar and, without a thought about it leaned her head against his shoulder. "Do you relaly think that this will be okay?" she asked him softly.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

K’tar knew a brief moment of startled almost-panic. What if Chantrea’s roommate saw him? However, it vanished as quickly as it had come; the room was empty excepting him, Chantrea, and Valhauth, so his only visible response to Chantrea’s first words was a grin. It didn’t matter that she was simply stating what he had been thinking only a few seconds before, the thought had been a minor source of concern, but now it was nothing, nothing but amusement.

“But you’re not your mother,” K’tar pointed out. He’d heard the argument several times, but, well, he didn’t know why he didn’t give it more power, maybe he simply couldn’t admit that she might be right. Besides, Lord Famoran had never objected, well, not much anyway, to Farnaj and Keralt, and both of them had questionable connections. “He’ll give you the benefit of the doubt, don’t worry about it,” he assured Chantrea, all while ignoring the small voice in his head that pointed out that he couldn’t be completely sure.

“It’ll be fine,” K’tar promised, snaking an arm around Chantrea’s shoulders for a brief moment before letting it drop. Just one more Turn, he reminded himself, though it would really be a little bit more than a Turn before Chantrea could dwell on feelings. Pivoting, he opened the door a crack to check that there was no one in the hallway, then stepped out and walked down the hall towards the dining Cavern, checking to make sure that Chantrea was following.

------
Lord Famoran had watched K’tar slip into the room, accompanied by a young woman who was undoubtedly the mysterious Chantrea that had been mentioned in a couple of the boy’s letters. Indeed, no sooner was he done eating than he noticed K’tar walking over to stand, with a casualness that was patently false, at the edge of conversational distance. Lord Famoran sighed mentally. It wasn’t that he disliked the fact that K’tar trusted him like this, it was just that if Razoren had a care in Thread what happened to his younger son, than K’tar wouldn’t consider this at all necessary.

Then he got a look, a real look, at the girl for the first time. He knew that face, though the last time he’d seen it it had belonged to a woman that he knew was a criminal, though there had never been any proof. K’tar, what in Faranth’s name have you gotten yourself into? he wondered. The look he shot K’tar said, plainly, that they needed to talk, soon, in private.

K’tar had to bury a wince at the look Lord Famoran speared him with. Maybe I should have warned him in advance, he thought, but there was nothing for it now. “Lord Famoran, this is Chantrea Haldernon of Moonlight Valhauth; Chantrea, Lord Holder Famoran Telakes of Stormy Plains.” He completed the introduction without any hitch, but this was not going according to what he’d thought, he could tell that from the look in Lord Famoran’s eyes.

“Pleased to finally make your acquaintance,” Lord Famoran said smoothly. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, I believe K’tar and I have something to talk about.”

[Simile]

((Please not that while I am on my computer, dragon speech will be indicated with {speech} because my computer at work doesn't even show me if I havethe colors or not. x.x))

Chantrea sighed and brushed her lips against his cheek fora moment. "I hope you are right, K'tar..." she said softly, giving him a brief hug, which, in her opinion ended too soon... and he let go too soon as well. {Do not worry mine. I am sure that Viarth's is right- besides. I do not see why anyone should dislike you for something you didn't do or would not even have been involved in. You were not very old then. I'm sure if he knew the full story, then he would not be harsh on you at all.}

Chantrea followed K'tar, though she wasn't planning to stay in his shadow as she trotted to catch up and walk next to him, one hand hooking under his arm as they walked in order to help her keep up with him and stay close as they headed for the dining hall. Zigfried took up a place on her left shoulder and Amp on her right, both keeping a careful watch out for whatever could be harmful to theirs Zigfried was already bristling and showing off his wings and trying to make himself look big, bad, and protective. Which, he could be, quite honestly.

------
Chantrea swallowed as they approached the Lord Holder, standing close to K'tar's side, and watching the man for any indication he did not like her... which was not long in coming. As soon as he had looked her in teh face... she saw it. It said he didn't care for her or didn't trust her or didn't want her around K'tar or something of that nature. Zigfried started hissing, but she raised a hand and hushed him. Amp was pressing his little head against her jaw in a comforting motion, nearly purring in order to make her feel better.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Sir," she said, bowing deeply as she had been trained to so long ago to the Lord Holder, showing the utmost respect for the Lord Holder. She swallowed and looked at him as he speared K'tar with his eyes and reached over, giving the young man's hand the faintest squeeze.

"Certainly m'lord..." she said softly. "I will be waiting with Valhauth and Viarth in the Weyrbowl, K'tar." She seemedto think for a moment. "K'tar... i will understand..." she said softly and then hurried on her way to give them some privacy for what undoubtedly would be the Lord holder trying to tell K'tar that she was not to be trusted and what her family was and... that he didn't approve. And K'tar... what would he do or say? Would he still be her friend or would he abandon her... She wondered what he would say if he knew that her family actually watned her dead because there were at least three crimes she could positively get them punished for. But she hadn't yet. And she didn't know why. maybe because... they were family?

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

K’tar was still holding back a smile at Zigfried’s protective act, right up until he got impaled on Lord Famoran’s not particularly pleased stare. Still, for all that, at least he got through the introduction without stumbling over his words, like had happened when he’d tried to introduce Keralt to Lord Famoran. What is it about me, that I have this gift for picking the exact wrong time and place, and method, to introduce people to him.

Again, the hidden wince, the slight stiffening of the spine, as he watched Chantrea slip away, granting Lord Famoran the freedom to talk about… well, K’tar reckoned he could guess, pretty accurately too, what Lord Famoran wanted to say.

Lord Famoran waited patiently while K’tar watched the girl leave. He hated getting put in this position, but, someone had to be in it, or K’tar would find himself real trouble with no idea of how to get out of it. Of course, from the slightly lost look on the young man’s face, K’tar was already well on his way towards real trouble.

As soon as Chantrea was outside, K’tar turned back to Lord Famoran. He opened his mouth, intending to demand why Lord Famoran had acted like that, even though he knew Lord Famoran hadn’t done anything even remotely impolite, but before he could actually say anything, the Lord Holder cut him off with a raised hand. He wasn’t even paying attention to Viarth’s puzzlement, radiating between them though it was.

Confused, Viarth looked towards Chantrea. Chantrea-friend-of-Mine, what has happened? You are here, and Mine is still in there, and Mine is feelings-bad-hurt-no-body-pain and angry and confused.

“Not here, especially not with that look on your face.” Lord Famoran’s tone booked no argument.

K’tar closed his mouth. He tried glaring at Lord Famoran, but the overall effect was rather like a small puppy trying to threaten a large watchwher; if Lord Famoran even noticed K’tar’s attempt to start a stare down, he gave no sign of it, simply scanning the room and then walking towards one of the back corners, telling K’tar to follow.

Reaching the corner, Lord Famoran stopped and turned back to face K’tar. “That girl is trouble,” he stated.

“How would you know that, you’ve barely even spoken with her,” K’tar retorted, his voice increasing to the upper limit of acceptable conversational volume.

“Because I have met her family, or rather, members thereof, and her mother stood trial for attempting to murder someone,” Lord Famoran replied, his voice growing quieter. Dangerously quiet, really, he only spoke that way when he was angry.

Normally, the quietness of Lord Famoran’s voice would have served as a warning to K’tar, but he wasn’t in a mood to heed it. “How do you know it was her mother?” he demanded. “It could have been anyone…” K’tar’s voice trailed off as Lord Famoran crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. He knew that look. “Ok, it was, she told me about it,” he said quietly, studying the ground at his feet. He’d blown it, really blown it. If there was one thing guaranteed to make Lord Famoran angry, it was lying to him. Strangely, that was not the response he got.

“She told you about it?” Lord Famoran asked, curious despite himself. After all, it wasn’t his experience that those related to criminals willing told on their relatives (at least, without being threatened).

“Yeah, er, yes sir, she said that she was there…” K’tar’s voice trailed off once more, this time in confusion. He’d glanced up at Lord Famoran’s face, only to see him look a mixture of shocked and sickened. What…

“How old is she?” Lord Famoran asked, his voice intense with some train of thought.

“She’s about two Turns older than me, so eighteen Turns” K’tar answered. “She was born on 3056.12.05, so, two and a half Turns older than me, really.” As he finished speaking, he had the interesting experience of seeing Lord Famoran look stricken.

“Oh, no,” Lord Famoran breathed. “The girl, the one that woman attacked…” It fit, it all fit too well. The girl, Chantrea, must have done something to anger her mother, right when or immediately after the mother went to attack the man, and so the mother had attacked her, doubtless to scare the child into not interfering the next time. Lord Famoran sighed.

“I was wrong to judge her by her mother,” he said, turning and walking back towards the main entrance, through which Chantrea had disappeared not long before.

K’tar stared after him for a second, then followed him out into the WeyrBowl. His eyes were drawn to where Viarth and Valhauth were, and to Chantrea, standing nearby.

[Simile]

When Chantrea reached her dragonet and Viarth she knelt and hugged the young Moonlight tightly, patting the purple gently. "It will be alright, Viarth... just wait, alright. He is worried because the Lord Holder does not like me... and he is upset...." She scratched Valhauth's eyeridges lovingly.

He is ridiculous to treat you so and I will tell him! The moonlights words were forceful as she arched her neck up and tried to make herself look big and imposing. He was going to hear it and he was goingot hear it straight and right away! No one had the right to treat hers like that. The dragonet snorted and shook her head, her tail lashing.

"Calm down Valhauth... that isn't a good idea. He is a Lord, after all... We are just Weyrlings."The dragonet snorted.

And that means what exactly?

Chantrea sighed and patted the young dragoness. She had a good heart, but she was not good at expressing her ideas and vies on te world without being insulting, haughty, or high and mighty. IT was something that Chantrea had learned rather early on as soon as she had seen it her duty to correct her fellow Weyrlings adn even some of the adult dragons who taught them. But she loved her all the same.

I wonder... if he remembers me... at all... Or if he just sees my mother's face. Chantrea looked towards the Dining Hall, certain that either a very angry and irate K'tar would come storming out... or a rather sad one... with bad news for her.

He will not come out with bad news for you. I know this. He would never. Would he Viarth?

The dragonet gave a plaintive croon as she looked up at the much larger purple dragon, a hopeful tone in her voice. Chantrea stood quietly, one hand on her dragoness's head which was pushed up against her side while she leaned against Viarth, gently stroking one large foreleg affectionately. "If it isn't... we may not see very much of each other after this." She sighed and watched for them quietly. She had no idea what was being said.

But what she saw coming out of the Dining Hall was not at all waht she would have expected. Lord Famoran himself was coming out here now... was he going to leave K'tar alone... no... she didn't think so... the look on his face...

You! You dare judge mine when she did nothing! How horrible can you be! She didn't do anything! It is unfair and wrong! Bad thing wrong! Her mother is a bad person! Mine is not a bad person! She is a good person! Sh-

"Valhauth! Shush." She looked at her dragonet who looked at her, tail still lashing but nodded and Chantrea gave a soft smile and scratched her eyeridges adoringly. "I apologize for Valhauth's quick and sometimes rude tongue..." Chantrea bowed again to the Lord Holder, holding that bow for a little bit longer than she had the first one when she first met him. She looked at K'tar who was just behind the Lord Holder. He looked confused, which made her feel confused and uncomfortable and she fidgeted closer to Valhauth, a hand still resting gently on Viarth. Zigfried was hissing again, crouched low and protective with wings spread to make himself larger... while Amp was curled tightly against Chantrea's neck, attempting t comfort her.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

K’tarMine would sooner die than hurt Chantrea-friend-Yours, Viarth assured the younger (and much smaller) Moonlight. He didn’t bother to examine how he knew this; it was just true, like the fact that chores were bad and tedious and exploring was fun and interesting. He nosed, very gently, at Chantrea-friend when she rubbed his leg, wondering why His felt so confused-frustrated-unsure-angry-upset. Seeing His approaching, along with powerful-friend-Jatheiron-father-Lord-Famoran, Viarth raised his head to watch them, the tip of his tail slowly twitching. Regardless of the confused welter of feelings that was K’tarHis at the moment, he was glad that K’tarHis was now nearby, rather than out of physical reach.

K’tar was sincerely wishing for death. He’d thought that Lord Famoran might be about to completely change his mind, but then, no sooner had he and Lord Famoran drawn near Chantrea, then Chantrea’s little Moonlight decided to say something to the Lord Holder, which was doubtless, from the weyrling’s body language, not very complementary. K’tar had to wonder how Chantrea managed to seem every inch a perfect lady, even while apologizing in a situation this ridiculous. This could have been avoided if I’d just listened to her, K’tar thought, tensing himself in anticipation of the situation going downhill once more, and then Lord Famoran laughed.

“What is there to apologize for?” Lord Famoran asked rhetorically. “Your Valhauth simply stated the truth of the situation; I was wrong to judge you by the actions of your mother.”

“Lord Famoran!”

Lord Famoran glanced over his shoulder at the caller, one of the men that had come with him and the tithe, and sighed. “I guess I should be getting ready to return to Stormy Plains,” he said. “I bid you both farewell then, and,” he glanced over at K’tar, “since you seem to think you need my permission, you may consider it granted. Although if you do anything that will hurt your dragons, I might reconsider that stance.”

With that, Lord Famoran turned to leave, seeming to ignore the fact that K’tar was doing the next best thing to staring at him with a gaping mouth. Just this once, I’ll let him get away with it, he thought, even if it is socially unacceptable. He walked a couple steps, to give himself time to get his smile under control, then paused and glanced back over his shoulder, looking, not for K’tar, but for Chantrea.

“Oh, and Chantrea, that time when your mother nearly got arrested, was that your father, or a brother that claimed you where his?” Lord Famoran asked. It was mostly due to curiosity, but there might have been a buried edge there, hidden from ready view. He wasn’t too pleased with himself for not having tried to check up on the little girl who’d been so injured, and thereby letting her fall back into the hands of those who would simply injure her further, but he was even less pleased with those who would so harm a child.

K’tar caught the subtle edge, but he didn’t say anything. He’d already decided, just based on the way that Chan sounded when she talked about her family, that if he could do anything to get them in trouble without hurting her, he would do so. He reckoned that Lord Famoran setting the guards on them would count towards that goal.

Good-things happen? You are happy-pleased now, Viarth asked.

Good-thing accomplished, and possibly more good things to come, K'tar replied. No, he wouldn't regret what Famoran might arrange at all.

[Simile]

This is a very good thing. A wonderful-good-thing. Chan gave a sigh of relief and patted Viarth's leg again, affection radiating off of her. Though... she wouldn't want him to die or anything of that sort. If anything... she wanted to protect him.

Chantrea did her best not to wince, ready to take whatever was going to come her way. She stood tall and straight, looking him in the eye ready for whatever might come. Valhauth stood at attention, her tail whipping back and forth... but what she had expected well... it didn't come. "Th-thank you, m'lord." She said, bowing once again. She looked at the man calling him from teh corner of her eye. she did not dare take her eyes off the man in front of her. despite how kind he seemed now, she was afraid that... if she turned away he might change his mind yet again.

Chantrea couldn't help the smile that lit her face at his words. "We won't allow anything to happen that might harm them." She said, placing a hand over her heart and bowing again. "Not ever." she grinned at K'tar, her brown eyes sparking with mirth.

Chantrea was watching Famoran go when he turned. She expected him to say something to K'tar... but it was her that he spoke to. She swallowed, feeling a hard place in the pit of her stomach and Valhauth crooned softly, wondering what this feeling was... this pain... this dread. She butted her head against her rider and, without thinking, Chantrea placed her hand on her dragonet's head. Shh... Love... She said even as he gathered her thoughts.

She took a deep breath and finally spoke. "It was my eldest brother... Caevriel." She watched him quietly. Se was certain that something was about to happen and this man was going to start it. She watched him. "They go by Seraph... but they are called Haldernon..." She added softly, bowing to him again. She just wanted to feel the elation, but she knew that the unpleasent bits were not over yet. Not yet.... K'tar... he deserved to know... "He doesn't know about that part..." She told the Lord, looking at him meaninfully. She hoped he understood what she meant. That he didn't know what had happened to her in that situation or afterwards. That he only knew she was there... and what her mother had tried. She would have to tell him now. she looked at K'tar.

Valhauth crooned and spoke to the larger dragon and his rider, though she did not block out her rider.

Viarth and Viarth's Mine is very happy... but she is also scared. She is scared because of something... something very bad that happened to her. I don't want her to be scared. I want her to be happy. She deserves to be happy, yes?

Chantrea gave a mental grown. Valhauth... the moonlight dragonet did not respond. Viarth and Viarth's were the best help that there was for her rider adn thus she wouldg et her the best help that there was fr her. that was that. hers had odd-good-love feelings toward Viarth's Own. Affectionate is what she thought they were called. He could help her. She knew he could. And she could help her rider.