Bored Candidate, Idle Time (3073.9.5)

[Moo]

“Oh, that’s wonderful,” N’kio’s smiled, eyes widening a second later at the realization that he hadn’t specified which comment he was referring to. “Wonderful that you will go flying, that is. I think you will enjoy it. And yes, though I shan’t deny I find you attractive, I really mustn’t stare.” He shook his head. “It’s hardly the proper thing to do, even despite your permission – which I must thank you for, by the way. Even as a lowly WatchRider, I should be the one setting some sort of example.”

He considered her dress next, and tried to be tactful about looking. “Are you in possession of any heavier clothing? I only ask since we will be flying soon, and what you are wearing now would not be…appropriate.”

Pushing himself up into a sitting position, Metanath refolded his wings and gave a jaw-cracking yawn. You do not normally act so…tame. Why?

He looked over. I am getting to know her more now?

Is that a question or a statement? Besides, when has that ever stopped you?

N’kio gave this some thought. She is still very young. If she were to start Weyrling training soon, well…you know how that goes.

Oh yes, Metanath agreed. Only all too well, I’m afraid. You nearly drove me mad, you know. There were restrictions in place for a reason. But I agree, she is rather young. You should be mindful, and keep a clear head. After all, this is not Ista.

Mmhmm, he thought, a glint in his eye. No, you’re right. It’s not. And that was all he said on the matter. He brought his attention around to Elora once more. “If you have any more of that brute left to do, you needn’t finish. I’m sure he would be fine.”

Says the one who moans and then condemns it the next, oh, fine indeed, was his snarky reply. When we return to Cliffside, go back to your former self. It would not do if you suddenly became me.

What, ugly? grinned N'kio.

Metanath narrowed his eyes. Formal. I do not know if I like it. You are the one who gets into things. I fix them. It would get very boring if we agreed on everything all the time.

I agree.

The Black huffed his annoyance. Glad to hear of it.

[Nicole]

"He shall do for now." Elora gathered up all the things that needed to be brought back to where she ahd found them. "And I can change if-"

Wait, lowly Watchrider? Elora swung her head towards N'kio, a flash of anger moving across her face quickly. "I did not just hear you insult yourself, did I?"

Though he had complimented her as well, so the sentence didn't have the normal annoyance that it did to Elora when people insulted themselves, especially when it was just their stations. People were who they were; if they didn't like it, they could change it, but to insult yourself? That was tantamount to disliking one's self, and from a person who very much liked herself - even if she didn't know what self she was quite yet - she would not have that.

Especially not with somebody as seemingly kind as N'kio. Or who had such a nice dragon. She tied the oil bottles up in the smock, dropped it to the ground next to her, and faced N'kio head on, crossing her arms. "Did I?"

[Moo]

He was caught off guard by her response. “I beg your pardon?” he asked, brow furrowed. When did I ever…Ohhh. N’kio nodded when he realized just what she was talking about. “Aye, I suppose I did,” he shrugged and replied in an off-handed manner. Then, it struck him just how peculiar her comment sounded. “Is that…a problem?” he asked. He found no harm in it. “If that has offended you in any way, then you would do well to steer clear of Cliffside.” He looked down at her as she stood forward, arms crossed and him, and he chuckled and ran a hand through his hair. “You would hear far worse there.”

That is an understatement, interjected Metanath, who spoke so Elora could hear. He is absolutely foul aboard the schooners with the other fishermen, and insults are traded as much as fish. My Rider is keeping his tongue reigned in with this business flight.

“Jests, they’re jests, not insults. Spoil all the fun, why don’t you?” he smirked and elbowed the dragon, who drew himself up high and lazily swatted back at him. N’kio shook his head and when he looked back to Elora, his eyes glimmered with amusement. “We are no regal Bronzes, that much is clear. No harm in admitting a lower status. It is what it is.”

He cracked his knuckles and shifted on his feet. "To be sure, we are the only pair of our kind at Cliffside. Pride runs deep at the Hold, and vanity, for the most part, is looked down upon. I try to remain as humble as my upbringing. If you grow too proud, you become lazy, arrogant. Pride will kill a man in a tempest."

[Nicole]

"It is one thing to let others insult you in jest; it is another thing entirely to insult yourself offhandedly, as if it's true." Elora stared at him for a moment before leaning down and scooping the apron back up. "Excuse me. Gotta bring these back before we fly, right?"

Her voice was chipper and perky, as it had been before the comment. But she whirled around, not angry at him - people were people - but angry at herself; that was the first time she had truly said what she was thinking since she arrived at the Weyr, not just in terms of thoughts but on something that connected to her.

She could imagine how the conversation would have went had she stayed to continue. He would have said something along the lines asking her why she cared. She'd ignore the comment; Besides, there's a difference between vanity and pride. Saying you're lowly acts as if you have no care for your station! You're a Rider; maybe not a Bronze, but you're far from lowly. Besides, even the lowliest people have pride.

She would know, wouldn't she?

But then he would have asked why, or something about why she thought that.

She slipped into where everything was kept, carefully putting it all back exactly as she had found it. No sense in making everybody else irritated at me while I'm at it. Even if he didn't mean it, it's frustrating to hear other people insult themselves. Sometimes they're all they've got.

She sighed and ran a hand through her hair as she put the empty bottle onto a table, puffing her cheeks out and letting all the air out quickly. See what happens? You start acting like yourself and emotions overrun. Eggs, what he said wasn't even bad. Time to put the mask back on, I think. If she could. N'kio had already seen her without it, and it was so hard to keep back on, especially if he chose to pry.

Hopefully, he wouldn't.

[Moo]

“Right,” he agreed, though hadn’t much time to actually consider just what Elora had said before she walked off. N’kio followed her with his eyes, the slightest smile on his face. Metanath nudged him with his nose, and he took the hint to look away. Wait, wait a minute. I think I’ve got it. Hear me out.

Oh goody.

Why was she so concerned about what I had said? It’s not like it was truly that bad.

Most people are…not like you, N’kio.

Why, thank you! Now as I was saying, why would she care about what a complete stranger thinks of himself? Seems a bit peculiar, don’t you think?

No. You give yourself far too much credit.

Be that as it may, she acted different. Didn’t you notice? From when we first started ‘til now, this time was different.

What is your point?

I think she likes me.

Metanath snorted loud. Is that all? He swished his tail around and mulled the thought around in his head. Even if she did, what is your point? What are you trying to get at?

Haven’t a clue. Well, nothing coherent.

Some things never change.

N’kio folded his arms and stuck out his tongue. She keeps herself well guarded. Her expressions, what she says…there is something there, I know it. The only question is, what? And I haven’t a clue as to what I should do next. He leaned against Metanath and looked up at the dragon.

The Black pulled his head back and looked straight down, tucking his head against his neck like a bird. There are some things, Mine, that you cannot try to solve or fix. Instead, let her. Do not pry into her life; there must be some reason you see her as guarded. Do not make it worse. Let her open up to you. That is what I recommend. Perhaps this flight of yours will do just that.

It was never my intention to use it like that. I just wanted to be nice, that’s all, he replied, and glanced toward the spot where Elora most likely was. There are no ill intentions here.

You are learning, yet, there is still much you can figure out from this. That is, if you decide to look for it. What they are, I do not know. You’re smart. Figure it out, if it troubles you so.

[Nicole]

Elora bounced back outside, a small smile on her face. (Despite the fact that her emotions and thoughts were all over the place from thinking too much about her life; this, perhaps was a prime example of why she shouldn't give into the thoughtful part of her nature. Too much stress.)

She rejoined N'kio and stood there for a second. He glanced at her a moment later. "I have to go grab clothes from my room. Would you like to stay here? You can walk with me, if you'd like. I don't know how long it'll take for Metanath to dry off." Her voice was downright perky, with just the right amount of sultry thrown in with the invitation.

[Moo]

Whatever had just happened, Elora seemed to have forgotten entirely – or was very good at hiding. Which ever was true, he was not going to pry, as Metanath had suggested. N’kio nodded when she invited him along. “Aye, if you don’t mind, that is. It would be nice to walk around on land for a change,” he said. “If I’m not in the sky, I find myself out at sea – not that I’m complaining.” Her inviting tone of voice did not slip past him.

Metanath shifted and relaxed on his side, a wing lazily draped across his body. Keep an eye on yourself, he told N’kio.

It’s not like I am thinking of –

No, but I know you.

There are rules.

Many of which you flouted when you were a Weyrling. Don’t think I don’t remember.

Oh, I certainly remember them.

Be good.

Alright, alright, he replied. “Now,” N’kio said to Elora, as if this were a commonplace occurrence for him, “Which way are we to be going?”

Eager, are we?

Ah, turn blue.

[Nicole]

"This way." Elora turned on point and began sashaying towards where the Candidate hall was, her own natural tendency to sway her hips kicking into play. "So what is it like out at sea? Sounds lonely, to be honest. Even if you are on a ship full of people."

She was downright pleased that he hadn't commented on anything; she needed to feel like herself again for now. She could deal with the rest later.

Eventually.

[Moo]

He followed without question, looking around every so often to adjust his bearings. They were heading further into the Weyr, toward the Candidate barracks. It had been quite some time since he had been in one, and he did not think he would be allowed in one now. Nor should I, he thought as he caught his eyes wandering back to her body, to that sensual roll of her hips. But when Elora asked him about the sea, his heart skipped a beat, and any distraction she might have provided him would be of no further use. She held his attention in a different manner now. N’kio smiled at her question and considered his answer, keeping his pace beside her.

“It is a difficult topic to approach,” he admitted. “If you have not sailed, you cannot begin to fathom just what it feels like. It is different for every sailor. For me, though, being out at sea, it’s…an incredible freedom. Perhaps even more so than the bond I share with Metanath. Sailing gives me the chance to explore and discover, and I do love the challenge. The sea will always test you, whether through the strength of your back or the courage in your heart.” N’kio chuckled, “Not to mention, your ability to withstand being soaked to the bone for days. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve sailed with naught a dry piece of clothing to my name, with all the tempests and storms I’ve been in.”

He glanced at Elora. “You are half right, though. It does get rather, ahhh…lonesome, while you’re out at sea. Depending on your definition of lonely, that is. If you don’t mind being alone with your thoughts, then you’ve nothing to worry over. If it is company you seek, well, that can be arranged with relative ease…provided there are ports along the way to stop at.” N’kio returned his eyes to the path they travelled on, his thoughts elsewhere, for a minute or so, as he recalled a few of those stops, and he smirked to himself. “Yet,” he added, in a softer voice, “once you know you are bound to return home, you know then you never want to leave the ship, even if it meant level ground and a bed to sleep in. The normalcy of life after that does not compare in the slightest. Land becomes foreign as you make your home in the sea.”

[Nicole]

"Normal life? What's that?" Elora's lips twitched with amusement as they slipped through the halls, her mind trying to picture N'kio on a ship. And Metanath on a ship.

The idea of the Black perching on the edge of a ship caused a small smile to flash over her face. "I do love a challenge. I don't think the sea and I would get along too well, though. We both sound too... demanding." The sentence wasn't supposed to sound suggestive, but - as it usually tended to happen - it did. "It sounds nice, in it's own way, though. You sound like you have a home no matter where you go."

[Moo]

“For me,” he replied, hesitating a moment as they weaved through the halls together, “it’s any life on land. You make a fair point, though.” Her next comment made him smile.

“Demanding,” N’kio repeated, amusement in his voice. “That I have yet to see, miss Elora. “ He wondered just what sort of demands she gave out. That could get interesting. “Again, you speak true. It is more of a home to us than any other we have. Many I have known built ships and left these lands, either to live with the sea or travel north, so strong was their tie to water. It is unfortunate I cannot do the same. Metanath and I must either remain on land or in the skies, as is our responsibility. Yet if a choice were given, I would never leave the sea. First love and all.”

N’kio nervously scratched at his jawline and kept an eye out for anyone of higher rank. He did not know the rules at this Weyr, and was not keen on flouting them. After all, he was here on business, and was the representative for his people. “I am unaware of the rules here,” he added. “For propriety’s sake, I do not think it wise for me to follow you the entire way. Seeing as how you will be…dressing. Where should I wait for you?”

[Nicole]

Couldn't you theoretically build a ship to hold a dragon's weight? Then you could get the best of both worlds. Elora held her tongue as N'kio described his attachment to the land, a small smile tugging at her face. He seemed to love the sea as much as she loved-

She resisted the urge to laugh at his keen desire to be proper. "I don't think the rules have anything against a Rider going into Candidate quarters when invited, but you can wait here if you'd like." She turned and glanced at him, eyes sparkling. Her hands slid behind her back, linking together as she swayed back and forth. "I shouldn't be more than a minute."

She bounced away from him without waiting for a response, slipping quickly into her room and tossing what she was wearing to the side, grabbing warmer clothes. They still clung to her figure, though. Everything she owned clung to her figure.

She tied her hair back for good measure - wind and all - and trotted back out of the room, pulling the door firmly shut behind her before rejoining N'kio. "Will this do?"

[Moo]

Elora had left and returned in what seemed only an instant, now dressed in her warmer clothing, her hair pulled back. The first thing he noticed, however, was her face -- he could see it better now that her hair was tied. She's beautiful, he thought to himself, eyes wandering across the slope of her nose, her temples, the strong curve of her jaw. There's no denying that...she will break a lot of hearts on her Flights, when that time comes.

When she asked for his opinion, N’kio faced her fully and looked her over with a scrutinous gaze. He promptly found himself distracted by her choice of clothing, and tried his best to avoid staring at certain parts of her body for too long. Even that proves to be a challenge...but, I suppose, now is not the time to divert from the question, even if she is quite something to look at.

He stepped closer to Elora and brought a hand up to her sleeve, touching the fabric and rolling it between his fingers to feel the thickness. He let his hand linger on her arm a moment longer, before he pulled away and placed his hands in his pockets. “It will do,” N’kio said at last. “It may be a bit colder in the skies than what you are used to, but it should not be too terrible, if the weather today holds. By the way, you’ll be sitting in the front, if you wanted to know,” he smiled. “Can’t have you falling off – that would be rude of me.”

[Nicole]

A smile flashed over Elora's face as he pulled his hand away. "You just want an excuse to wrap your arms around me." Her eyes twinkled mischievously as she slipped past him, purposefully brushing up against him as she moved. "No need to pretend."

She resisted the urge to laugh as she trotted down the hall towards the outside, the feel on his hand still lingering on her arm. It really has been too long since I've been with a man. Or maybe he was just different.

Either way, it didn't matter; that had nothing to do with what was about to happen. She was going flying. Flying! On a real dragon! I mean, sure, I daydream about it, but I didn't expect to ever actually fly unless I impressed.

She made a promise to herself to pay attention this time. She couldn't waste this chance.

[Moo]

He drew a sharp breath when she moved against him. He looked down at her with wide eyes and saw her face, impish and bright, as she replied to him. Oh, she is impossible, he thought, his stomach warm and fluttering. Once she slipped past, he took a moment to check himself and chuckled at her boldness. He watched her walk ahead of him, his head tilted ever so slightly, and then caught up to her in a few long strides. “Well, safety does come first,” he said without any sort of denial, and glanced to Elora as they moved further outside. “I do not think I could pretend with you…you are far too clever for that,” N’kio added, a lilt in his voice.

He focused on the sky the moment he exited the hall – more out of habit than necessity – his eyes narrowing as he considered the time and the weather. “Is there any place in particular you would most like to see?”