Blue & Bronze, Black & Red | 73.13.28 (Moo/Open)

[Moo]

Metanath couldn’t help but move around where he lay, trying his best to help Elora find her balance, not certain if he was helping her at all. He did admire her thoroughness, though.

You forget that we live different lives. He sniffed loudly and decided to watch the ripples on the lake. The ocean can be more dangerous than you may think. I have seen men and women leave in ships in the morning, only to not return in the evening. With things like these, sometimes it is better not to know first. Just to act. A leap of faith, like flying for the first time.

However, he didn’t feel satisfied with that answer, so he took after his Rider and continued to talk. In his mind, he doesn’t know if tomorrow will be his last day or not, so he is comfortable with the idea of letting you do this. It is no secret that he likes you. Metanath exhaled heavily, not needing to turn his head to know where Elora sat on him. Does that scare you? If it is too much, I can speak to him.

Meanwhile, N’kio was oblivious to the conversation his dragon was having with Elora – only knowing that it had gotten awfully quiet on their side of the grass. But that suited him just fine. He didn’t need to hear anything.

“How are we doing, Saphireth?” he asked, leaning back slightly to catch the DarkBlue dragon’s eye. “Everything alright?”

[Nicole]

Saphireth blinked at him and nodded her head. You are not Mine. But you are doing well. There was a moment of awkward silence before she added, I hope it is not too unenjoyable. I can only imagine it is dull.

The amount of effort it took to talk to him voluntarily was astounding.


Elora chose not to answer him for a moment. For things like this, it was best to think before answering.

He had no reason to trust her, no reason to like her, and yet he did. That was not what surprised Elora; men had liked her, trusted her, inexplicably for the longest time. That was how she got into bedrooms.

It was how... different this was to that. The trust was not in what she wouldn't do but in what she would do. Would take care of Metanath. Would be honest. Would be interesting.

And he was different. The men before him were lavish and spent money and planned for years in advance. They lived cushier life styles, knowing that today would be one more day of many. But to not know that if today would be your last - and the fact that he was spending his free tie with her, of all people.

And, for the first time in a long time, Elora was honest with somebody besides herself.

Would it be strange, Metanath, to say I don't feel worthy?

[Moo]

N’kio smiled at her. “I appreciate that. Thanks, Saphireth.” When she stopped talking, he stood up, back cracking as he did, and walked around to her other side. It was only when she added her second comments that he paused. “Oh, it’s not dull for me,” he replied. “I actually enjoy this. For one thing, you’ve got a pretty hide, and second, you’re smaller than Metanath – so it’s easier in that respect as well.”

Without another word, he retrieved the oil bottle and began to rub more oil along the side he hadn’t attended to yet, making certain to avoid the ticklish underside of her wing as he worked.

Metanath was quiet when Elora spoke, and continued to be for a while after she finished. His tail stirred slowly in the grass, and he sat up further on his forelegs without trying to disturb her balance. Hers was not the response he had expected. It seemed quiet, and small, and sounded delicate. This was no ordinary response, he could tell. And for that, it deserved an equal reply.

Would it be strange, Elora, to say that I feel the same way? It wasn’t something he usually admitted, and it was more often than not to keep N’kio from getting a bigger head than he already had. But it felt right to say it now.

After all, it is why I Impressed to him in the first place. Because I knew he would be a good Rider.

[Nicole]

Saphireth rolled herself to the side as N'kio worked. I would think it would be dull. It is just pouring and rubbing and pouring and rubbing. Do you really think my hide is pretty? She turned her head to look at him with one eye, eyes whirling contentedly.



Metanath's moment of silence had Elora wondering if she had said the right thing -- honesty was never usually the thing that made people happiest -- but his answer put a small smile on her face.

All dragons think their Riders will be good Riders, Metanath. Elora arched her back and dug into the upper muscle of Metanath's leg. Or else why would they pick them? Being a good person, I think, is different from being a good Rider.

Elora could be a very good Rider. It was the whole person thing she was worried about.

[Moo]

“Oh aye, it may be that, but if you like the company you’re with, it isn’t nearly as bad as you might think.”

He couldn’t keep from grinning as Saphireth rolled to her side, and when she turned her head to look at him, he nodded emphatically. “Your hide is a very pretty color. It catches my eye.” Taking a moment to look over her hide, N’kio added, “As a matter of fact, the color reminds me of the skies before a storm at sea – which is something that anyone who is anyone will take note of. It’s a very powerful color.”

Oh, you’re good at this. Metanath crooned his contentment when Elora dug into his muscle. As far as he goes, well…He already was a good person. Confused and afraid at first, maybe, but still a good person. If you are a good person, then you will make a good Rider. It is not the other way around.

He could sense that there was more to her statements than she let on. It was his job to know, after all, and it was much easier when they spoke like this. I find you a good person, Elora. You are secretive, like Saphireth, but that is not a bad quality. He stretched his wings far, enjoying the feel of muscles tired after a good morning of work.

I feel you could grow into a good Rider.

[Nicole]

I am a dragon. Saphireth settled her head down again, curving her body to look at N'kio. I am powerful.

She stretched out and fluttered her wings - a surprisingly delicate move on her part, but it was only to shake off the extra beads of oil dripping down.


Elora ducked her head as she worked, bronze hair draping around her face. It wasn't as if Metanath could see her reaction, or N'kio, and Saphireth was distracted enough by N'kio not to ask. But she couldn't bare for anybody to glance over and see her like that - lips pressed together tightly, eyes lidded, a basketcase of emotions that she needed to hide.

It wasn't that she thought she was a bad person. She had met plenty of bad people and thought herself above them (and for good reasons). But good? Her life revolved around her. What pleased her, what she enjoyed, what she wanted. Good people took other people into consideration.

Maybe now that she was a Rider, now that she was finally considering other people and dragons and her dearest Saphireth, maybe then she would be a good person.

You do not know me, Metanath. I am merely a person. But being a Rider might make me good. Elora swallowed, mentally yanking the mask over her face. She forced herself to relax - smooth out the brow, smile with the lips, and put forth enough enthusiasm to make her eyes sparkle. And that is all I can ask for, isn't it?

Too personal. This was way too personal, too close to the chest, everything she didn't want to talk about.

Would you like your back done or... Her question to Metanath trailed off as she tucked her hair back again, looking over at where Saphireth sat contented.

[Moo]

Shielding his face with his hand from the flying droplets of oil, N’kio bowed his head until the shower had passed. “There’s no mistaking that point,” he chuckled, and met her eyes again. “And, no doubt, you will be an awesome sight when you’re older. Just promise to take your lessons slowly, alright?”

He wasn’t sure how eager she was to start flying, but the moment she fluttered her wings reminded him that he meant to ask. “I know Elora would like to move faster, but it really is crucial to only go as far as you’re allowed. After all, you two have to see the world. Can’t do that by pushing too hard, too fast.” He finished up on her side and moved, finally, to her chest, neck, and headknobs. “Just be sure to visit Cliffside first,” joked N’kio, a smile in his eyes.

“Now, do you usually get your face oiled as well, or do you two skip that step?”

#

You do not know me, Metanath. I am merely a person, she had thought to him.

This is true. I do not know you, and you do not know me. But I can tell you mean well. I can feel it. Metanath refrained from asking about how tense she had felt a moment ago. He wasn’t quite sure what was happening then, but he instinctively felt that it was a distressing moment for her. Best to err on the side of caution with that.

But being a Rider might make me good, she had added. And that is all I can ask for, isn’t it?

A deep, satisfying sound rumbled in his chest. You say that as if you don’t deserve the title. I think you do. And for now, the personal conversation was over. He did not mind it; after all, he enjoyed Elora’s company as much as his Rider did, and would not push her to continue if she did not want to.

If you could oil where my flight straps sit against, that would be nice, he suggested. Otherwise, there is nothing else that requires attention. Thank you.

[Nicole]

I am content to take things as they come. It is Elora who gets bored. Saphireth folded her wings against her back, tilting her head ever so slightly. She likes to think or move and the Lessons are monotonous for her. She knows most of what is said while I get to flex and learn.

She wriggled her body around in a small circle, dragging herself so that she was facing N'kio - head pointed directly towards him and the rest of her body laid out in a straight line against the ground. And I do not like having my face itch, so if you could oil that I would be happy. Especially above my eyes.

Her tail thumped once against the ground for emphasis. And why would Cliffside be first? I would much prefer places where this is no ocean to rival my hide. Amusement tinged her voice.

#

Elora tore her gaze away from Saphireth as the dragon began to wiggle about and swung herself further onto Metanath's back, working at the top of where the flight straps sat. She was trying to keep his comments from echoing about her mind, but it was hard.

With Saphireth, of course she was good; Saphireth was perfect, and if something so perfect could choose her, of course there had to be something decent in her. But Saphireth's perception of her, Elora knew, was as biased as Elora's perception of her dragon. It mattered more because it was her, but it didn't mean more in the real world.

To hear it from a dragon who wasn't her own-

I am glad I could help, that's all. If it ever acts up while you're on duty, you just confuse N'kio and come straight to me, okay?

She slid down his side, oil sliding down the back of her arm, as she began to finish the where the flight straps sat.

[Moo]

“You should tell her to pay more attention to your lessons. It’s one thing to be book-smart, but it’s another thing entirely to do something so many times until it’s committed to memory,” said N’kio, who happily obliged the DarkBlue dragon and applied the oil on her face with practiced fingers, paying special attention to her eye ridges. “Though she is very smart, I’ll give her that. Still, you two are weyrlings, no matter how much you think you know.”

He moved from her eye ridges, to the knobs on her head, and then down to her jaw line. “When I was learning to sail for the first time, I started at a very early age. I was taught by my father, and began learning even before I was old enough to take on an apprenticeship. I thought I knew it all. One day I went out sailing, not yet twelve turns, and ignored my father’s warning to dock the ship. A storm was near, and yet I figured I knew enough to get by without too much damage.”

N’kio ran his fingers over Saphireth’s nose, working with a seemingly random order as he spoke. “Well, the storm came and went, and in the midst of it, my ship veered into rough currents – something I thought I knew how to handle – and I crashed against some submerged rocks to the west of the Hold. Shattered the hull and split the rudder, and I was too far away to swim back on my own without help. If it weren’t for the WatchRider at the time, it’s entirely possible that I wouldn’t be having this conversation with you now.”

It seemed a heavy topic, now that he thought about it, and so N’kio pulled back and took a moment to look over her face, making sure he had covered all that needed to be. “So the moral of the story is to always listen, even if you think you know it all.” He glanced at Elora from her spot near Metanath, but returned his attentions back to Saphireth once he remembered she had said one more thing.

“Cliffside’s first because I’d like to see the two of you before you go off on your adventures,” he smiled. “I promise you, while the ocean is beautiful, it has nothing on your hide.”

#

Metanath was slowly rousing from his relaxed state, now that thoughts of work began to trickle back into his mind. He glanced up at the sun with a resigned expression – the time to return was growing ever nearer.

You are very kind to say to, Elora, but I could not abandon my post simply for my sake. No, we at Cliffside learn to accept pain when it comes along. It is required for all those who live by the ocean.

[Nicole]

"All the more reason for me not to live near by the ocean."

Elora stepped back and looked Metanath up and down, skimming his hide for any patches that might be problematic for him in the sun later on. Satisfied that there was nothing she had missed, she absently cracked her fingers and took another step back.

"I much prefer pleasure over pain."

Saphireth eyed her Mine from her spot in front of Elora. You sound worried. Do not worry about her. She is obsessive about what she must know and practices constantly. She pulled her head back, settling it on her front legs. For all of her airs, she does not let anything slide by her. She refuses to be anything but the best. Even if she does not see it.

Saphireth's eyes changed color slightly, an amused tone tinging her words. And I am pleased you are here, N'kio, and not eaten by the ocean-that-is-not-as-pretty-as-me. I am sure Elora is as well.

Elora twitched her head towards her DarkBlue, certain that she was being talked about. "Is it time for you to go back, N'kio?"

[Moo]

N’kio would agree with you on the pleasure aspect, but…it’s not so bad once you get used to it. Just a different lifestyle, Metanath yawned. With a loud purr, he rose to his feet and stretched out his body like a cat that had just woken from a nap. He took a few steps around in the grass, testing his leg and making sure to twist at his hide to see if he could feel any discomfort from his approaching sunburn.

When he realized his hide didn’t pull, or his leg hurt anymore – at least for now – his eyes spun appreciatively in her direction. Oh, it all feels much better. Thank you, Elora.

#

He turned to watch Elora once Saphireth did, but he listened to her dragon’s words as she spoke. At the mention of him worrying over her, a faint smile crossed his lips. “I am a little, though I suppose it’s just my upbringing that’s doing the talking. I was always taught to keep a weather eye, even when it seemed everything was going well.”

Once she pulled her head back, N’kio reluctantly turned away from Elora and back to the DarkBlue dragon – he knew Metanath would consider it rude if he did not pay attention. “That’s reassuring to hear. And if it helps at all, I’ll try not to worry over you two. At least, not too much.”

Then he heard the last comment she made. He brightened at the gesture – it had not been such an easy start, his conversation with Saphireth – but now that he had her talking, he was glad that he tried. “That means a lot, thank you. I’m glad I haven’t been eaten by the ocean, either,” he admitted with a light laugh.

N’kio wanted to ask more about Elora’s feelings on the matter, but right at that moment, she asked him a question of her own. With a quick glance to the sky – noting that high noon had already passed, and was well on its way to an hour past – he closed up the oil bottle he was using and stood up with a stretch.

“Unfortunately so, yes,” he nodded, taking slow steps over to Elora’s side. “But it’s been nice seeing you and Saphireth. She and I had a nice conversation. I hope Metanath wasn’t too much for you.”

[Nicole]

"Metanath was fantastic, as always. You actually got her to talk?" Elora grinned at him. "She barely talks to me. Quiet one, she is."

Why talk if I have nothing to say? Saphireth cocked her head to the side, glancing between N'kio and her Rider.

"Because it's fun." Elora shifted her gaze from her DarkBlue back up to her sailor before leaning down and snagging the empty oil bottles, handing them back to N'kio with a smile. "Metanath says he's feeling better, so I'm glad I could be of some use."

What did you two talk about?
Just stuff. What did you two talk about?
Just stuff.

Elora and Saphireth both shifted their gaze to look at each other before Elora grinned at her. They could talk about their discussions later.

"Stay safe at Cliffside, mmmkay?" Elora's eyes landed back on N'kio's face, eyes dancing over his face for a moment before smiling slighty. "Metanath says it's quite dangerous for the two of you."

He said the same in our conversation.
Oh?
Yes. He also worries about you rushing things. But I am already forgetting some of it.
Do try to remember for me, dear.
You could always ask him.
Not my place.

"Would hate to see something happen."

[Moo]

“Is that so?” His eyes lit up as he looked from Saphireth to Elora. “In that case, I’m honored. I hope we can do this again sometime, if you’ll have us.”

Metanath, though still a little envious of his Rider’s conversation with Saphireth, nodded his agreement. It was a very relaxing break, indeed. He ambled toward the spot where N’kio had deposited their riding grear, but when he finally processed the first comment about him, he ducked his head from embarrassment and his eyes spun an appreciative indigo. Elora was so nice.

As he retrieved the empty bottles from her, consequently moving a bit closer in the process, N’kio smiled at her concern. “Stay safe at Cliffside?” There were a great number of responses he could reply with, though none seemed to fit the sincerity of the moment, and it wasn’t every day that he almost wished he lived at the Weyr. Almost. Shifting the bottles into one hand, he scratched the side of his beard and nodded. “I’ll try my best,” he settled on with a small smile.

‘Would hate to see something happen.’

Suddenly he was grateful for how close he stepped in to get those bottles. “Ah, yes, well...the feeling's mutual. You will be sure to mind your lessons, won’t you? I'd hate it if anything happened to you as well.”

Unable to resist the opportunity -- standing so close and all -- he let his eyes wander over the curve of her lips, her nose, her cheeks, her jaw line, again to her lips, and then back up to those large, blue eyes. You could get lost in those. She really was something else.

Dropping the riding straps right beside N’kio (who, he did not forget to notice, jumped at the sudden sound), Metanath was more than comfortable sitting down right next to the pair as they shared a moment. It was time to leave, after all, and those ships weren't going to unload themselves.

I am also in agreement with him. Be careful, the both of you.

With a roll of his eyes, N'kio snatched up a saddle bag, dumped the empty bottles inside, and then began to re-tack the large, Black dragon beside him.

"Thanks for the well-wishes, by the way." He glanced over to Elora. "It means a lot coming from you."

[Nicole]

Elora didn't miss N'kio's eyes drifting over her face and resisted the urge to smile; the corner of her lips turned up slightly as his eyes met hers. It would be so easy, she thought, in the quiet recesses of her brain, to lean forward and give him a kiss on the cheek goodbye. It's not like I'm against physical contact. It's not like he would mind.

They stood just inches away from each other and, before Elora had made her decision, Metanath dropped all of the riding straps next to them. N'kio pulled away and Elora took a step back absently, shaking her mind free of any thoughts of soft lips on bearded cheeks.

"There's nothing you need to worry about from us," Elora quipped, watching as N'kio leaned down and snagged a saddle bag. She found her gaze drifting down and following the seam of his pants all the way down to his feet and back up, resting at a rather inappropriate place until N'kio turned back around and her eyes snapped to his face.

"It means a lot, coming from you."

She resisted the urge to smile, not wanting her pleasure at his pleasure to show on her face. Metanath might have seen her weak - weak? Perhaps not the word for it, for emotions and insecurity had their place and time in everybody, but Elora was not a fan - but she didn't need N'kio to see her like that. Not yet. She quickly fixed her own thought process. If ever.

"It would be terrible if something happened. Who would oil Saphireth for me?" Now she smiled, because it added to the sentence, because it showed what she wanted to show. Not because he could influence her. Of course not. Not at all.

While N'kio and Elora had been suitably distracted by each other, Saphireth had been staring intently at the saddle stuff. Quietly, she turned her head towards Metanath and mustered a little courage. Metanath, does the saddle weigh a lot? It looks... cumbersome? Is that the word?

[Moo]

Reaching across Metanath’s side to detangle one of the straps, N’kio smiled over his shoulder. “Oh, I don’t know about that. Metanath seems pretty satisfied with the job you’ve done. It’s all he’ll be talking about now.” With the ease of practice, he untwisted the leather bridge straps and buckled them into place along the chest strap. “Unless you’d like me to come back and oil her, of course.”

Was she…talking to him? Arching his neck and turning his head, Metanath looked across to Saphireth. She was! His eyes whirled a midnight blue. Yes, that is a good word for it, actually. It does not weigh a lot to me now, though it did when I was still a weyrling. It was difficult to walk around in at first, but now it’s comfortable. Well…as comfortable as something like this can be.

Privy to the conversation, N’kio laughed suddenly from the other side of Metanath. “Hah, you should’ve seen him! He waddled like a duck when he first had his saddle on. Granted, most of the other dragons did the same, but his was much more amusing to see. Oh, I’ll never forget the sight of that.”

You try walking around with a saddle on you, and then we'll see who waddles!

Reappearing around the front of the dragon (and avoiding a swipe of his claws at the same time), N’kio tried to hold his laughter as he made a once-around and determined that everything appeared in place. “I suppose that’s everything,” he announced, and buckled a saddlebag into place.

“Now, you two will be careful?” N’kio turned and leaned against Metanath as he faced Elora. He wasn't sure what else to say; all he knew was that he didn't want the conversation to end. Cliffside could wait a few minutes longer, right?

“I know you said I don’t need to worry, but...I do.”