She's a rebel, she's a saint. || 74.07.30 [Moo]

[Nicole]

Elora hung on every word he said, the passion behind it evident in the tone of his voice and the glimmer in his eye.

It was poetic. The most dangerous thing in their life, the thing they wanted most, the thing they would give up anything for. And that's what he was comparing her to?

The smile on her face wasn't the wicked grin she normally wore, or the contended smile of a newfound lover, or just one of a generally happy girl. It was the smile of a woman completely enamored with the person in front of her.

Elora didn't realize it was on her face, even if she did acknowledge the bubbles of happiness bursting in her chest and spreading warmth throughout her entire body.

"It makes a lot of sense, actually." Her fingers shifted slightly, brushing the skin at the base of his back, right above where his pants hung on his hips. "Would it be wrong to say I feel honored?"

He thought her a danger worth fighting for.

Her lips were back on his before he had a chance to answer.

[Moo]

N’kio stirred beneath her fingers as she brushed them along his back, sending shivers coursing up and down his body. He bent and picked Elora up again, her legs wrapped around him, her hips pressed against his abdomen, and this time he had no intention of letting her go.

With his lips against hers, he kissed her long and hard, his breath intermingling with hers as he took her bottom lip lightly in his teeth. Supporting her up with one arm, and using the ocean as a balance, N’kio let one hand wander up her body to twine itself in her long, dark hair as they kissed. He exhaled softly and continued to ignore the tightness in his groin. Maybe if he didn’t pay it any attention, it would eventually just go away.

Serves you right.

Pulling back again from their embrace, now that she was in his arms, N’kio couldn’t resist looking her over once more. His smile now permanent on his face, he let his eyes wander as he had let his hands – over the slopes of her shoulders, the curves of her breasts, the smooth expanse of her stomach and abdomen.

“Shells,” he swore, “Elora, you’re absolutely beautiful.” N’kio looked up, warmth cascading through his body. “You know that, right?”

He wasn’t just saying that, either – she was gorgeous – and it wouldn’t surprise him in the least if she had heard that before. He hoped she had. He couldn’t help but wanted all of her, wanted every last part of her.

You will do no such thing, came his dragon’s taciturn response, along with an image of him flying to Cliffside without him.

With an inward groan, N’kio moved his hands back so that he held Elora to him with both arms. As much as he wanted to go further, would have preferred it, he knew Metanath was right. He couldn’t allow himself to jeopardize her place in the Weyr.

“So tell me, dragon-girl, what happens now? What d'you want to happen?”

[Nicole]

As he pulled her into him, it took all of Elora's willpower not to let out a delighted giggle; she tilted her head as they both deepened the kiss, back arching and pressing against his with a shiver as he took her lip between his teeth. Her hands curled into his back as his slid into her hair.

Why had she waited to do this, again? She certainly couldn't remember.

She certainly couldn't think.

The willpower to stop the giggle became the willpower to stop a groan of disappointment as he pulled back from her, but seeing the smile on his face was worth stopping. She moved her hands upwards, lightly skimming his back before wrapping them around his neck.

The compliment made the smile on her face - when had she started smiling? - grow even wider. "I've been told. I much prefer hearing you say it, though."

A moment of distraction in N'kio's eyes and she knew that it was only her dragon who had remained silent during the entire escapade; for that, at least, she was grateful to Saphireth. Though part of her worried about what she would say, she knew that if she had truly minded, she would have intervened at the beginning.

Or maybe she just was really asleep.

N'kio slid his hands back down to her waist as she dropped her legs from around him, the two of them resting together in the waters, perfect pieces of a puzzle.

"So tell me, dragon-girl, what happens now? What d'you want to happen?"

Arms still curled around his neck, her fingers brushed the spot where his hair met his skin.

What did she want to happen?

Well, might as well keep going with the honesty thing. Had worked so far, it seemed.

"I didn't exactly plan. And I've never done anything like this before. So..." Elora shrugged, shoulders moving up and down, chest brushing against his. "If you have any ideas, I'd love to hear them."

She certainly had an idea, but unless she wanted to get in infinitely more trouble than would already be if somebody found out, she supposed she should wait.

If it weren't for your plans, you wouldn't even care about the trouble.
Saphireth's groggy comment about her desire to teach about dragons would have had her nodding in agreement if she weren't so focused on N'kio's answer.

[Moo]

N’kio laughed softly and shook his head, her enthusiasm infectious.

“None that I can share with Metanath listening in,” he grinned, silently reveling in the feel of her chest against his. “Maybe I’ll share those ideas a bit later. But as far as these things go, I’ve never done anything like this either,” he admitted.

“At least, now that I’m slightly older than I was before. Just to warn you, Metanath likes to keeps everything on the strait and narrow, so we’ll have to watch out for him as well.”

You know I can tell what you’re thinking, right?

Doesn’t mean I can’t still talk about you when you’re not here, next to me.

Rude.

He glanced over toward the beach, still appearing as empty as it was before. He hoped that were the case. “I didn’t exactly plan anything, either. Hoped a little, but that’s not the same thing.”

N’kio looked back to Elora. “There doesn’t have to be a plan, if that’s easier. I expect that’s how it’s going to have to be, if we’re going to make somethin’ of this. I did also promise Metanath that you and Saphireth would come before anything else. That leaves you to set the pace. If you’re interested, that is.”

His eyes wandered over her face, as if searching for an answer to his not-question, his fingers brushing along her lower back. “Does that sound fair to you, Elora?”

[Nicole]

"Saphireth is the same way, for rules that make sense." Elora's smile curled up her face as her fingers wrapped themselves into his red hair, eyes drifting down his face to his lips. "She doesn't understand this rule any more than I do."

The urge to kiss him again was overwhelming; her tongue darted out against her lips, a wet sheen decorating them as he spoke.

If I'm interested? Perhaps I do need to kiss him again, the fool.

His fingers along her lower back sent a shiver up her spine and she pressed herself closer to him.

"That sounds fair to me." She wove her fingers tighter into his hair, curls wrapping tightly around his fingers. "Let's just... do what we will and see how it goes."

Elora dipped her head, brushing her lips against his exposed collarbone before drifting back up, resting her head against his. "Is that alright by you?"

There was a lot they would have to tell each other, and a lot she would have to overcome, but for now, he was hers.

He was hers.

Saphireth?

It took a moment for her dragon to respond, a groggy but curious word floating into her mind. Yes?

Is this alright by you? I've been assuming, and you haven't said anything, and-

You like him. He likes you. You are happy. I am okay with it all, unless he hurts you. But I do not think he will.

Thank you, my heart.

[Moo]

“It does seem a strange rule,” N’kio murmured, voice husky as he watched her gaze sink lower, her tongue wet her lips. “But it’s…” he hesitated, distracted by the feel of her silky, slippery body against his chest, his mind veering into thoughts he quickly hid from Metanath.

“It…it shouldn’t last forever.”

For a moment, he wasn’t even sure of what he had just said. All he could think about was that she had a face and lips that begged to be kissed, and as often as possible.

A shiver snaked up his back when she wound her fingers tighter in his hair, and despite himself, he moaned softly. He had forgotten how nice something so simple felt. His smile grew wider at the kiss on his collarbone, and he rest his head against hers when she moved back up.

“Of course it’s fine by me, lass,” he replied, his arms wrapped loosely around her waist. “I don’t expect any more or any less; you’re more than worth the wait, Elora. We’ve waited this much, haven’t we? Besides, I know would be a fool to try and tie you down.”

N’kio’s eyes wandered down her face.

“But before I do let you go…Can I kiss you again?”

[Nicole]

His words brought a honey of warmth seeping into her bones; a smile slowly spread over his face as his comments.

And then he asked to kiss her again, and she bit her lip to hold back the giggles. But they burst out of her, high-pitched laughter that echoed throughout their secluded area.

Elora's eyes gleamed as she ducked her head, ribs shaking as she composed herself. And when she looked back up, the smile on her face had the power to outshine the sun.

"Nobody's ever asked me that before."

Her fingers curled around the tendrils of hair spiraling down the back of his neck, softly stroking the rough skin. "But I suppose the answer would be yes. If you must."

[Moo]

N'kio's eyebrows lifted.

"Never?" he asked, more surprised by her admission than her sudden burst of laughter. "You've not been asked before? Not even onc…well, hmm." He paused in thought, and let the fingers of his left hand run light over her cheek and under her chin.

"You're still very young. I wouldn't worry." N'kio wasn't sure if saying it aloud made him feel any older. "Besides," he added with a slight smile, "you weyrlings aren't supposed to be physical." He glanced down to her lips and involuntarily licked his in response. "Yet, here we are."

I'll be there in a second if you don't hurry up. You shouldn't linger.

But something else caught his attention. "You suppose?" he repeated, his brow creasing. She meant a yes, right? "I don't want you to suppose, lass. You should be sure of things like that." The pad of his thumb brushed over her lower lip. "And as far as if I must kiss you…I'd like to kiss you, but only if you'll have it."

All the same, he placed a kiss on her forehead. "Next one is up to you," he smiled.

If I wanted to keep a lookout I would have stayed home! Hurry up or I won't watch out anymore.

The cool voice in his head made him want to roll his eyes, but he caught himself before it seemed too out-of-context. She hadn't heard Metanath, after all. N'kio cleared his throat and nodded his head toward the beach.

"Come along. We've stayed far too long, I'm afraid. Not that I minded, but…it wouldn't be best if we were found." As he untangled himself from her embrace, a slight smirk lifted the corners of his mouth.

"I'll be sure to cover my eyes when you get out," he said and, with a wink, trudged out of the water and back to the beach. Snatching up his shirt and boots, he shook them free of sand and held them strategically in front of his pants, as if he only meant to put them on later. Keeping his back toward the ocean, N'kio thought it best to start some normal conversation - if anyone else were to hear it, that is.

"So what're your thoughts on that Dark Mists Weyr rumor? Especially considering that Hatching you had here. The Hold was going mad with firelizards and messages about that Abyss."

[Nicole]

He had taken her comment in an entirely different meaning than what she meant. His assumption was so far from the truth that she couldn't help but smile, and his lips brushing against her forehead made it spread wider.

At the rate she was going, she would split her face, but this kind of happiness could only be smiled out.

She glanced away absently as he climbed out of the water, his own acknowledgement of their supposed indecency - she saw nothing indecent about it - the only reason she looked away. With a small sigh and a kick of her legs, she slipped through the water to join him back on shore, giving him just a shout of warning before she climbed out of the water. It cascaded down her body, leaving a trail of water droplets and wet footprints as she moved back over to her clothes.

He could peek. She didn't mind.

"Saphireth and I both agree that its not best to judge something based on their reputations. I don't think anything of the Dark Mists rumor and you shouldn't either." She tugged her shirt on over the wet skin, the fabric plastering against her. "She's done nothing wrong yet, and saying she will might push her to do so."

The unexpected fire in her voice woke up the sleepy Saphireth, who picked up her head and glanced absently at the big Black nearby before responding to her Rider. This is not a feud against you. He does not know.

People shouldn't judge anyway.
I know, mine.

[Moo]

"Oi, steady on! Hadn't realized I hit a nerve," teased N'kio, though apparent confusion colored his expression and smile. "I had no idea you were carrying a torch for your little Queen. What was her name again? Sun…something?"

Sunvoiath.

"Right. As I was saying, I wasn't judging anyone - but even you can't ignore the fact that it was an odd Hatching."

He shrugged. "Even if the Hatching wasn't off, you can at least see why the rumors have appeared. Right? You've surely read or heard stories about Dark Mists Weyr. Tell me, how long has it been since anyone's heard of them? And now there are rumors on the docks of men and women recruiting Weyrlings?"

N'kio shook his head. "I've heard many things working on the docks and on ships, but hearing from multiple people that Dark Mists is recruiting again? I mean…there are stories, and then there are stories. I don't think this something you can - or should - ignore, lass."

He looked over his shoulder at Elora. "Even if the rumors did come from superstitious sailors instead of your fanciful harpers," he said with a wry smile. "Either way, don't you be getting any ideas about joining."

N'kio scratched under his chin and shifted his bundle of clothes in his arms. "Mind you, even if the Abyss will grow up to be like any other dragon…it's the people you have to worry about," he added, and began to walk slowly up the beach and back toward the Weyr. He frowned slightly as he crossed the threshold from sand to soil. "From what I've heard, not many are too thrilled for the return of her color."

Meanwhile, Metanath, who had been listening in on his Rider's every word, deemed the topic appropriate enough to calm down - for now. He could not abide rule breaking. Eyes swirling yellows and greens, he snorted, settled down on his haunches and forearms, and waited.

[Nicole]

"Pardon me if I don't care what the general populace says." Clothing back on and toes buried in the sand, Elora leaned over to the side and began squeezing out her hair. "They haven't done anything yet; the Abyss hasn't done anything yet. Don't judge by rumors. They're never true."

Hair curling slightly, she turned back to him, eyes flashing with - something. She worked too hard to hide it, so while her emotions could be seen in her eyes, she knew they weren't discernible. It could be sadness or irritation or anger or upset. She felt all of them. But she didn't let them show.

And she certainly wasn't going to start telling N'kio why she was getting so defensive now.

Why not? He likes you. He will not judge.
He's making it clear he does. And just... not yet, heart.

Saphireth didn't say anything, sleepy and curled up in the sun, but her disagreement with her Rider made her eyes whirl quickly under their lids.

"And people change their minds as rapidly as they make them. Or they're prejudiced. Either way, it is nothing to worry about yet. And spreading the rumors aren't going to make them better."

With an expert flip of her hair, she casually tied it into the bun and followed after him to the dragons.

[Moo]

"Easy, now, it's just hearsay," cautioned N'kio, as he stepped up to the large bulk that was Metanath. "Not more than that, I'd wager." Once he reached his dragon's side, he set his boots down and ran a calloused hand over the dragon's thick neck in appreciation.

"I'm sorry if I've upset you, Elora. Wasn't my intention at all," he said, absently picking at a small, flaking patch of hide to keep busy. He knew he couldn't just let the topic go - it was also part of his job as watchrider to keep the Weyr informed on matters he might overhear…N'kio glanced over to her.

I think, for now, it would be best to keep this particular topic to yourself. At least with her around. Metanath turned his head and eyed his rider. She seems rather upset over this.

N'kio returned the dragon's gaze. Well, I had no idea she would act like this. It was just a bit of conversation. He frowned to himself and dropped his eyes back to the uniform black of his dragon's hide. Why d'you think she did?

It must be something with rumors. That is how this all started, yes?

He glanced to her out of the corner of his eye. That could be something to go on, he considered. Wonder what she's hiding?

Squinting from the sun, N'kio took hold of his shirt and began drying his face and bare arms from the water. "If it makes a difference, and I can only speak for the Hold, but the majority of us over there care little about pasts. I mean, we all have them, it's just that work is more valued there. Gossip's all well and good, and has a place of its own in the hold, but on the docks it's just as embellished as a harper's song."

A wry smile turned up his lips as he thought of a particularly good fisher's tale. "Most of them, anyway. But as far as that Weyrling pair goes, well…In my opinion, as long as they - or anyone, for that matter - can make a good place for themselves in their Weyr or hold, I see no reason why their past can't be your own. As long as it's not more of a harm than good."

At that thought, N'kio glanced around - just because they weren't swimming didn't mean they were out of the ocean.

I haven't seen anyone yet.

"Also…" he started, taking a small breath, "If anything does happen later on, if you and I are rumors of our own…I want you to put the blame on me, if I haven't said that already. My position as a watchrider means little if you were to be held back in your classes, or even sent away."

What? Metanath arched his neck, eyes spinning a suspicious yellow. You can't be serious.

"I can find work where ever I need to - I have a trade of my own and can read the skies as well as the seas. I don't want anything to happen to you, Elora. Understood?"

[Nicole]

His first comments made her smile and the silence that followed was comfortable; it was the silence of a Rider speaking to his dragon and another Rider understanding. And what he had said, the apology; that meant a lot to her. Most people she knew just shrugged off comments.

Perhaps most of the people she knew were terrible people.

It wasn't until he started talking about backgrounds that Elora really paid attention; she stopped relacing her boots to raise her head and watch him, eyes bright with interest. And the smile on her face grew wider as he spoke and, for a moment, just a moment, she was tempted to tell him everything.

And then he said he'd take the blame.

And the happiness faded as anger flared up her spine, squaring her shoulders, straightening her back.

No, no. This wasn't a one way relationship; this wasn't her doing things because it was what he wanted; this was what she wanted, what they wanted; she had seen them as equals, sharing this, working towards something that would work.

But this changed it. It took the power from her - no, not the power, the sense of a real relationship. Yes, there were risks if they got caught, but she had known that going into this. Known that going into anything she had done. And he might be seeing his actions as noble or as what he needed to do, but it wasn't fair to her, wasn't fair to him, wasn't fair to them.

Curses hung on her tongue, but she bit them back, the brightness in her eyes from an angry fire, not a delighted smile. She pushed herself up from where she had plopped onto the ground and stood to face him, collarbones a sharp line underneath the straightness of her mouth.

She took a deep breath.

"Sorry, but not understood. And that's not a deal I can accept. It's not fair to you, and it sure as - as - well, it's not fair to me. And if those are the terms of this, then you better turn away now, because that's not something I'm okay with."

She paused, eyes flashing as she twirled away from him and stalked over to where Saphireth now sat upright, eyes whirling intensely. She pressed a hand against the dragon's warm skin before turning her head back to N'kio. "Understood?"

[Moo]

At the abrupt change from Elora, N'kio and Metanath froze, their faces a perfect mirror of each other's surprise.

I...wha...what?
Yeah, you...you said it all.
That was...
Unexpected? I'll say.

Metanath recovered first with a derisive huff toward his Rider. I like her all the more for it. Keeps you from going all soft on me. You may be a sailor, but I'm a flyer. I'd much rather keep my spot on the hill watching ships, thanks.

N'kio knew he would deal with his dragon later, but first, a more serious danger was present and needed accounting for.

"You're right," he admitted, nervously scratching the back of his neck.

"It's not right of me to assume, though I am glad to have misjudged you. Sorry, again." Then, with a little laugh, "Can you tell it's been a good while since I've done this? I don't mean a relationship, by the way, I meant more…this." He gestured to all of Elora.

He means Weyrling, Metanath offered.

N'kio didn't even mind the interruption. "It's a bit different now that I'm not a Weyrling, too," he admitted. "I've gotten used to rules. Metanath's seen to that." He felt a brief sunburst of pride come from the large, black dragon - which he largely ignored.

"Should probably stop thinking like a fa--"

Eyes swirling intensely, Metanath interjected, --fardling piece of Threadfodder?

An uncomfortable expression skimmed his face as he paused - only for a second, long enough for there to be a break in the conversation - but long enough. Oh, that was close. Then he realized just what that dragon had said.

"Yeah, somethin' like that," N'kio said with a thin smile, hoping she didn't take much of an interest in what wasn't being said. He wasn't ready to tell her yet, to show them to each other. Soon, perhaps, but not now. He didn't want to scare her off, and it wasn't like they visited every other day. He patted Metanath on the neck in a silent 'thanks', and then moved closer to Elora once she asked her question.

"Aye. Understood," he repeated, minding Saphireth as he stood before her rider. "I'll try my best to remember those terms of yours. It'll be harder for me than you, I think, but I'll try. I don't think I could walk away even if I wanted to."

N'kio's smile turned brighter, more genuine, as he looked at her face, her eyes. They were full of fire.

"But we'll have to be careful."

[Nicole]

Elora was many things. Angry, fiery, beautiful, sexual, short-tempered, stubborn, smart. One thing she was not was stupid.

And whatever word that N'kio had been going to say, it certainly hadn't been fardling. There was only one word she could think of that fit that description.

She turned her head back to Saphireth as he brought up them being careful, wondering if he could do that when he couldn't even keep his own secrets.

It may not be what you are thinking. But even Saphireth's comment sounded weak. But Elora tried to come up with other explanations anyway. Fairy. Fatty. Fantasy. Fatalist.

None of it really made sense.

But if he was - what she thought he might have been alluding to, and he didn't want to bring it up, well, he could have his secrets; she certainly had hers. It was the little bit of stinging that she didn't expect, the knowledge that somebody she liked very much was harboring secrets from her.

Even if they had just started liking each other; even if she shouldn't be upset when she was keeping secrets herself.

She had been quiet far too long.

"I'll be as careful as I always am." She still hadn't turned back, trying to bring the brightness back to her eyes, the smile back to her face. She didn't want to end what had been a magnificent, wonderful day on an argument and a worry.

No. None of this mattered. The kiss, the promise; that mattered, and was all that mattered, until the other things mattered.

And they didn't matter now.

Her body uncoiled like a spring and to anybody who wasn't Saphireth, it would have just looked like she wasn't angry anymore and that she was forgiving him for his comment. But it was the worry that uncoiled.

And she turned around with a smile on her face and a brightness in her eyes.

"But we'll see if you can resist spreading gossip to your sailor boys."