Minuet of Forest (Nicole/Open) | 75.08.10

[Moo]

Orabel needed a break.

Not anything like running-away-to-Stormy-Plains-for-a-sevenday kind of break, just something close and off the beaten path where she could relax and not have to look at all sorts of people. She trudged past the Lake with a tatty blanket rolled up under her arm, her boots squelching noisily in the mud. After all that had happened - recently with the kidnappings, and earlier with the people in the woods, it probably wasn’t the best idea to find a quiet spot in the jungles.

But they wouldn’t be here long, and the greenery and peacefulness of the jungle, she discovered, refreshed her more than any nap could ever hope to do.

Sensing the Pink dragon following her every move, Orabel minded her head as she slipped through the twisting vines and across overgrown tree roots, trying to pick a route where her dragon could follow. Immediately after moving past the leaves, the strong, earthy scent of the jungle assaulted her senses. She grinned.

“How’re you doing back there, Ali?” she called out over her shoulder.

Right as rain! This was a good idea. I’m glad you told me where you were going. I like it here!

“Who knew a beach girl would love the jungle so much?” She laughed, full and loud, and flock of birds chattered overhead at the disruption. “Yeah, I thought you’d like a break, too. The Weyr’s nice and all, it’s just a little…”

Busy? No nonsense? supplied Alineshith, maneuvering through the tangle of jungle after her rider. Her eyes spun faster as birds and creatures alike – both nearby and faraway – added their ululating, rise-and-fall songs from the canopy and its subsequent levels.

It does have a way of being like that. Though the Weyrleaders do have their reasons, as we both know well. At least we’re not straying far from the main path, in the event that anything does happen.

“Which it won’t,” Orabel reminded, stopping to take note of where they were. Alineshith was right, as usual – she could see the main jungle road not far from where they were standing. “At least I hope not. Teel would be very upset,” she added, peeking in the satchel against her right hip.

Curled up inside a nest of cloth was her new firelizard, his cloudy hide shadowed in the darkness of the leather. He had been sleeping in her room earlier, but she brought him along in case he got hungry while she was out.

“Wouldn’t you?”

Lifting his head, Teel pushed back the satchel flap with his snout and peeped in various tones, his eyes bright and curious as he surveyed his surroundings. His rustled about in the small bag, excited by the new scenery and noises.

With a smile, she stroked the top of his head and continued on, pushing past large, overhanging leaves. Further ahead and off to the west was a secondary pathway that led from the middle of the Bowl to the main road, and it was near there that she would stop. It was far enough in the jungle where they could be away from the noise and commotion of the Weyr, but not too far in where Alineshith couldn’t follow. Even she had her limits.

At last, they reached their destination. It was a small thicket, sheltered from the sky and any rain by an overgrown canopy. The air was humid and dense, even for this time of turn, and Orabel was suddenly glad she had decided on a thin shirt today. Unrolling the threadbare blanket and placing it down on the dirt, she sat down with a sigh, tied her hair up high on her head, and relaxed against the smooth trunk of a nearby tree. Teel crawled out of his nest and onto her lap as Alineshith joined them shortly after.

This is good. Very relaxing. The small Pink settled down on the jungle floor, tail flicking over dead leaves. She lifted her head upward and watched the small, multicolored birds flit about.

Do you...do you think they would enjoy a song?

“I think they would love one,” Orabel murmured, eyes closed and one hand resting on Teel. “It’s probably been a while since they’ve heard a dragon sing, anyway.”

Pleased at the response, Alineshith crooned. You're absolutely right! And without further introduction, she began to warble out a song, vying for an audience among the birdsong and howling beasts of the jungle.

[Nicole]

There was a song in her jungle.

Well, it wasn't her jungle, anymore than Rainbow Mists was her Weyr. It was an entity that ran itself, that was a part of her and she apart of. And while Rainbow Mists gave her a home, the jungle gave her a break from it, to cleanse her mind and relax and refresh and be ready for another round of chattering and making friends and just... being.

Chatorth enjoyed it, as it was the only time he didn't have to watch the things he said.

Please tell me it's not a Pink. Pinks are so perky, and they're just-
Exactly like me?

Her Black snorted, eyes whirling as he turned his head towards her. But he had no way to respond to her comment, as it was true. Evaine, personality-wise, was probably more suited to a Pink than to her beautiful Black.

But still, she and Chatorth were rider and dragon, and they were perfect together.

"Let's go meet them." Evaine leaped down from the tree she had been dangling from, feet hitting the ground with a solid thud. Chartorth shook his head, but as his Rider took off towards the song, he found that he had no choice but to follow.

On the path that Evaine and Chatorth had long-stopped sticking to was a Pink and her rider, her boots covered in mud. Evaine's eyes lingered on her more than the singing Pink in front of her, mildly enthralled by the serene expression on her face.

You think she's pretty.

And ignoring her dragon's obnoxious and accurate response, she politely cleared her throat to let the rider know she was there.

[Moo]

She tensed at the sudden sound, the wrinkles across her forehead betraying the calm she wanted to project. There was someone else here. Even Ali had paused her singing, something she didn’t normally do. Her thoughts ran fast through her head, and though she had her eyes closed, she took stock of what she had with her. No knife, of course. Stupid!

So had they followed from the Weyr? From deeper in the jungle? Why hadn’t Ali warned her?

Orabel lifted open one eyelid. “Woah!” she gasped, eyes wide as she scrambled to her feet. “I don’t…Oh. Hey, wait a minute! You don’t look like any bandit.” Her gaze lingered on the girl’s shoulder knots, as well as the accompanying Black, before shaking her head and meeting the girl's inquiring gaze. “Shells, that’s what I get for being so worked up. Sorry.”

Peals of laughter rose from her throat as she tried to shrug off her shock. “You got me pretty good, though.”

Teel hissed his discomfort at being jostled around and climbed his way up to her shoulder. In the midst of catching her breath, she tried not to wince as his sharp claws scratched her skin and focused on the tall girl in front of her. She thought she had seen her and her Black around the Weyr more than a few times…though her name was a mystery.

She gestured lamely to the surrounding area. “How long have you been here, anyway?”

Alineshith watched the exchange – and the other dragon – for a moment before speaking to her rider. Not very long at all, though they did interrupt my singing with their trampling about. Her eyes turned a distinctive, mock gray, only to be replaced by green a moment later.

Orabel’s lips twitched as she tried to hide her amusement. Only Ali would be concerned with a song. Some things never changed under pressure. Yet, there was still the matter at hand. Now that her heart had stopped racing, and the situation was clearly under control, she could take stock of the whole thing. Well…this retreat hadn’t really gone according to plan - and it looked like this girl had been sought her out, one way or another.

So much for leaving the Weyr behind.
Be nice. She probably had the same idea.

“What’s your name? I know I’ve seen you around, but I don’t think we’ve ever met. I’m Orabel – Orabel Seryn.” She gestured to her dragon. “Her name is Alineshith, and this little guy on my shoulder is Teel.”

[Nicole]

A bandit? The girl thought she was a bandit? That could be fun to pretend to be, maybe, but bandits were usually much larger, and didn't have dragons, and also would sneak up on people instead of clearing their throat.

Perhaps she was stupid.

Now who's the blunt one?
Shut up, Chatorth.

But she smiled anyway as the girl laughed, because Evaine was a smiley person by nature. "You must not spend a lot of time out in the jungle, if you're so easily startled! Don't worry. You'll get used to it."

Her eyes drifted over to the tiny firelizard on her shoulder. Cute. Lucky to be able to afford such a little guy, unless he was a gift. From a suitor?

You just met her.
She's cute!

"And I've only been here a few minutes. Chatorth and I heard your Pink's song and decided to come over to see what was going on." She took a step closer to the group, bouncing on her heels.

Chatorth, meanwhile, wore the draconian equivalent of a scowl. Don't drag me into this. This was all you.

"Your name is Orabel?" And with the introductions there, Evaine bounced past the Pink, leaning forward to stick her hand out toward the girl. "I'm Evaine. And like I said, that's Chatorth. Alineshith," and Evaine turned her head, her hand still extended for shaking, "you have a beautiful voice."

And now you're a liar, too.

[Moo]

Reassured by the new girl’s friendliness, Orabel relaxed and shook her head. “Yeah, me and Ali don’t visit very often. We want to, but after all that’s happened at this Weyr, and especially after what happened to that Weyrling at Cliffside…we’ve just been a little nervous to venture out.” As she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her smile mirrored the other girl’s. “I’m glad that it’s not all bad. It’s nice out here – I was hoping to visit again sometime. It’s nice to get away.“

At the mention of the Black dragon’s name, Alineshith turned her head to look in his direction. He didn’t seem very enthusiastic about the whole ordeal, but that was all right. Conversations weren’t everyone’s forte. Perhaps an encore would cheer him up…? After all, they both had come over once they heard her singing. Certainly one song wouldn’t kill him.

“Mmhhm, yeah, that’s me,” Orabel nodded in confirmation when her name was mentioned. Her smile turned into a grin as the girl bounded up and introduced herself as well. “Evaine? Nice name,” she said, and shook her hand when it was offered. “And you said his name is Chatorth?” she asked as she glanced over. “He’s a handsome boy.”

Alineshith, only just now catching what Evaine had said, swung her head back around in surprise. Why, thank you! I have been practicing, you know. Perhaps you’ve heard a song or two of mine around the Weyr? Though I must admit…terribly bad of me, I know…this particular song isn’t mine.

Her eyes spun yellow-green. I was trying to copy the birdsong. It is most interesting.

“Copy? Very shocking,” Orabel added, a hand over her chest in mock surprise. To her credit, Alineshith snorted her displeasure and said no more on the subject. Orabel resisted the urge to roll her eyes before turning back to her new friend.

“So, Evaine…you come out here for the same reason as we did? To get some peace and quiet away from all that?” She made wide gestures in the general direction of the Weyr, and then laughed again. “I don’t know how much quiet you’ll get around us, though. Ali’s always coming up with new songs, new tunes. She’s actually pretty good when she’s done warming up.”

Orabel sings as well, you know.

“Ali!”

[Nicole]

Of course I'm a handsome boy. Chatorth kept the thought private between he and his Rider, though pleasure at the compliment whirled his eyes and started a near-purr rumbling in his chest. You'd have to be blind not to see that.

With an absentminded promise to remind him to stop being rude, Evaine flashed a smile at Orabel as she answered Alineshith's comment. "Well, you were doing a spectacular job at copying."

But then Orabel teased her, and Alineshith snorted her displeasure, and Evaine refocused her attention on the beautiful young Rider in front of her.

"Oh, I don't mind noise-"

And then Alineshith betrayed her Rider's own singing, and Evaine leaned forward with bright eyes. "Oh, do sing!"

Oh, don't sing.
Shut up, you rude little-
Mine!

[Moo]

Alineshith wiggled at the compliment. Oh, thank you. You're sweet to say so. She swung her head around to Chatorth. After a contemplative pause, she rose from her seat and moved over to his side, plopping down beside him like it was no big deal. She brushed her tail against his and examined him with a critical eye.

Orabel's eyed widened considerably at Evaine's request. "No!" she gasped, startling Teel into a squawking fit. Trying to juggle the wriggling Cloud, she released him on the ground and let him tramp around to get his energy out. "Oh, no, you definitely don't want to hear that. I sound like a dying wherry, and it'd call the whers over to see what had happened, and it-it just wouldn't be a good idea. Haha, sorry. Nope."

You sell yourself short, darling. Don't listen to her, Evaine.
"You sing, then!"
I wil!

Orabel shook her head at the thought, and opted to change the subject to something more interesting. "So what do you like to do for fun, Evaine?"

With an embarrassed smile playing on her lips, Orabel glanced over at the Rider beside her. She wasn't pretty in the traditional idea of the word, but there was something about her that worked. She also had really nice hair - the short hair looked good. Of course, she kept those thoughts to herself. She didn't know this girl enough to say those things - and, of course, she might give Evaine the wrong idea. That wouldn't be good for a potential friend.

Alineshith focused her attentions back on Chatorth, finding the thrum in his chest a nice, deep sound. She nestled down and looked up at him, her eyes revealing her playful mood. What do you like to do, Chatorth? Do you ever sing? You might have a good voice, you know.

[Nicole]

Chartorth, as a rule, often didn't speak to other dragons. His Mine was right - he had a mean streak, a rude streak - and being asked whether or not he sang was enough for it to come out. He? Chatorth, do something as silly as sing?

But Evaine glanced at him, sensing his mood, before he had time to snap a reply. He took a breath and huffed it out before speaking in a very polite tone. I do not sing. I like to fly and hunt.

Chatorth, as far as dragons go, was quite ordinary. Evaine was not. So when Orabel asked what she liked to do for fun, her eyes lit up.

"Oh, a lot of things! Exploring the jungle has been my latest pet project. Flying on Chatorth's back is the best, of course - it reminds me of when I used to race back on my family's farm. I need to visit them soon," she mentioned as an afterthought, though she was certain she wouldn't remember to do so by the end of the conversation. "I like visiting other Holds and Weyrs. I like talking to people. Oh, dancing is fun!"

[Moo]

Alineshith took no notice of the Black's huffy attitude, and decided instead to attempt to keep a conversation going. You don't sing? Oh dear…Well, flying and hunting! Those are…those are… She grasped for the right turn of phrase to say, her mind already on overload at his confession. He didn't sing? What made that poor fellow decide that? To be sure, most dragons didn't sing like she did, but there had to have been some…Oh! The right words came to mind in an instant.

Let me rephrase. What is flying but a song between you and the sky? And what is hunting but the death-song of the prey? So you see…you sing already, Chatorth. The fresh thought invigorated her. This wasn't so bad at all!

I would like to fly with you sometime, if I may. I bet you are a great flyer.

Orabel listened, rapt, as Evaine explained her some of her favorite things to do. "Flying is really fun, especially over the thermals," she added, still smiling. So far, so good. Even though she had wanted to spend time alone, it was good that she had met Evaine - she didn't want to jinx anything, but she had a feeling they could be really good friends.

Alineshith's mind brushed against hers in agreement, though she was primarily focused on Chatorth and not his Rider.

"Dancing! So much fun! If there isn't any dancing at the upcoming Hatching feast, I'll be disappointed. I like to get all out on the floor," she laughed. "And, of course, talking is like a hobby of mine. We have a lot in common!"

[Nicole]

"You and I must dance together at the feast." Evaine would have reached forward to grab her arm like she did with so many others had Orabel not been so nervous earlier. Instead she flashed her a huge smile. "And I wouldn't say talking is my hobby - talking to air is silly!"

But she liked how much they had in common - that Orabel was a little silly and a little funny, and a little nonsensical, and she liked that in a person.

Chatorth was no on the same page. The analogy for singing was silly. Why did everything in the Pink's life have to be about singing, anyway? She wasn't a Harper. She was a dragon! She could sing, but that shouldn't be all she did.

But he knew that would be rude, so he tried to keep the annoyance out of his tone. Flying with you would be fun, I think. So long as there was no singing.

[Moo]

"Yeah, totally! We'll make everyone jealous by how good we are," Orabel replied, encouraged by Evaine's interest. She laughed when she realized her mistake, and scooted closer to talk better. "Hahaha, whoops. Well, maybe I don't talk to air all the time, but you know what I mean. Right?"

She couldn't stop smiling - like, it felt more than normal. Had it really been so long since she had a good time with someone?

Alineshith couldn't help but trill out a few, excited notes. Oh, truly? Yes, yes, I think we would have good fun. Do you race at all? Because you know - and not everyone does - I do enjoy racing. When do you think we could fly together? It was times like this that she wished she wasn't deep in the jungle - he wanted to fly! With her! The thought was so delightful that she was already composing a special song for him in her head.

"Evaine - you've been here at the Weyr as long as I have, right?" Orabel shifted positions and tucked her legs to the side. "What do you think of everything that's been happening here?"

Still a hissing, spitting mess - more for fun now than actual anger - Teel crawled over to Evaine and scratched at her lap, broadcasting waves of neediness. He flared open his large wings and, creeling loudly, balanced on his hind legs and nipped at the air in front of Evaine.

Orabel tried to arched an eyebrow. "Okaaay…he either really wants you to pick him up, or he's gotten hungry. I haven't actually been able to figure that one out just yet."

[Nicole]

"I understand, don't worry!" Evaine's smile stretched wider across her face as Orabel moved closer to her, the other girl's eyes sparkling in the shadows of the jungle.

Even Chatorth's bitterness at Alineshith's excitement didn't distract Evaine from her happiness. She loved new friends.

Chatorth... not so much. But at least she had stopped talking about singing. As soon as there is a nice day and neither your Rider nor Mine has chores, I suppose. Flying was fun. He'd probably be better at it than her; she'd get distracted by some bird and go chase it to learn its song. What was singing to flying?

Evaine turned her head to glance momentarily at her Black. If anybody else had looked at him, they'd see a normal and maybe even mildly interested dragon, but she could see the tension in his wings, the way his claws dug into the ground. He'd have to learn to make friends better. He couldn't just talk to her forever, even if the things he said were interesting.

Orabel's question had Evaine's head turning back to the girl, and then her Cloud firelizard crawled onto Evaine's lap and earned her attention. Like the cats at home, he creened and tried to bite the air in front of her face. As Orabel raised her eyebrow, Evaine reached forward and started scratching the back of head, nails rubbing against his hide as she looked back to Orabel. "Everything's a mess, I s'pose. Not sure what we can do about it, though."

[Moo]

"I always thought Weyrs would be safe. They were when I was growing up." Orabel smiled as she spied Teel settle down under Evaine's touch. He was a finicky little creature when he wanted to be. "But this one's different." She chuckled, "Of course, it would be the one Weyr I decided to Stand at."

She took a moment to stretch, her arms lifted high above her head as her back popped multiple times. With a satisfied expression, Orabel lowered her arms back to her sides. "I just wish there was something I could do. You know? Like…maybe talk to the Weyrwoman and…I don't know, help figure things out. Draft up some battle plans or something. I want to help make some kind of difference here. I'd rather not have another Weyr War in my time."

Alineshith twitched her tail and stared up at the overhanging, light green leaves. Her eyes took on their color as she mulled over his response. He was polite, that much was clear. But he sure wasn't talkative! Maybe he just wasn't in the mood. Or, perhaps, she hadn't touched on the right subject.

I look forward to flying with you, Chatorth.

She pondered the possibility of flight talk. It wasn't something she had paid much attention to during Weyrling lessons, not really. She couldn't remember much about things like wind shears or inversions. She could instinctively react to them while flying, but having a conversation about them was not something in her repertoire. She tucked her head against her chest. Yes, that was a much more appropriate conversation for Ancalanath to conduct. He was a good flyer.

For a moment, she considered the topic her Rider was talking about. It was a troubling matter for the both of them, because this Weyr was her home as well. But perhaps the subject was best left for another time. Why couldn't everything just be peaceful? Alineshith gave a great sigh. If everyone sang more, perhaps it could be.

She turned her gaze back toward Chatorth and decided, for the first time today, to be silent. Perhaps he would start a conversation, or perhaps not. She could not think of anything else - a bad habit, her Rider had once said. But if there was no music, then what was there?

"But…I talk too much. So you tell me more about yourself," said Orabel. "What sorts of Weyrs have you visited? Have you been up North?"

[Nicole]

"I don't think there will be another Weyr War in our time," Evaine murmured absently, eyes focusing on the tree behind Orabel's head as she thought about the situation they were in. "Too many people are still worried about it. Things are tense, but it won't be dragon on dragon fighting this time."

If normal people fought them, could they fight back without feeling guilty? Set innocents afire with dragonflame because they hated the beasts that they were bonded to? She couldn't. The Weyr couldn't. How could you win a war that you couldn't fight properly?

Chatorth brushed her mind with his. Stop thinking like that. We will all be okay.

My optimism is rubbing off on you. Evaine smiled absently before refocusing her attention on Orabel, her grin sharpening as the girl asked about her life.

"No, I haven't been up North. I'm a Southern girl, always have been, always will be. Spent my life basking in the sun and don't plan to change it for northern skies now." Evaine ran a hand through her shaggy black hair absently, leaning back against a tree of her own. "Did you come from the North?"

Chatorth, content now that his Rider was focusing on normal, happier things, placed his head on the ground and glanced at the now-quiet Pink dragon across from him. He knew Evaine would encourage him to talk to her, but... silence was comfortable for him.

Still, maybe he should try. He cast his mind about for an appropriate topic and suppressed a sigh when he could only find one. What makes you like to sing?

[Moo]

Alineshith's eyes brightened, and for a moment she couldn't find the words to reply. He had really asked her a question? Perhaps he wasn't so stony-faced as she had thought. Her tail knotted with pleasure as she considered her response, but then found it…more difficult to sum up than she had anticipated.

You know…it's silly, but I'm not quite sure of the reason. Why, if I don't sing, then I don't have a good day. It just feels as natural as flying, like I am Impressing all over again, each time. It makes me feel good, even if it's a few notes here and there. Surely you feel a certain thrill when you hunt, Chatorth? I would say it's…it's kind of the same feeling.

Listening intently, Orabel nodded as Evaine explained her thoughts on the current situation, her own past, her travels. She decided to push the thoughts of fighting out of her head. It was why she had come out here to the jungles in the first place - to escape. So, she refocused and listened closer to Evaine. She couldn't fault her judgement, though. She wouldn't trade this sun and those beaches for a spot up North, either.

At her question, she shook her head. "No, not up North. I'm a Southern girl, just like you. I came from Monaco Bay Weyr, and let me tell you," she said, brushing a stray lock of hair out of her eyes, "it feels a lot smaller there compared to this Weyr."

Her own smile broadened as Evaine's did. It was a good feeling, connecting with someone else like this. Most people felt too annoying to spend any amount of time with - probably due to the added stress of the Weyr conflict, but still. Take the latest bunch of Weyrlings, for example. Attacking that Abyss like that? Annoying and dumber than a wherry. But Evaine was different. And smart. And pretty.

"What Weyr did you come fro--"

Just then, an obnoxiously loud roar came from her stomach. A blush crept over Orabel's face and turned her nearly as pink as her dragon. "Hahaha, that's not embarrassing at all."

Sorry, dear, most of that was from me. I'm hungry. I think I need to hunt something, said Alineshith, broadcasting her message to the group. She not-so-slyly looked back to Chatorth.

Orabel leaned in closer and picked up Teel as he crawled from Evaine's lap and back to her own arm. "Hey, I know it's kind of sudden, but Ali's getting hungry and so am I. Do you want to go grab lunch or something? We can keep talking in the dining hall, or wherever you'd like to eat. It might be fu-uun," she smiled, making sure to emphasize on the fun. Everyone liked fun.