Definitely Unexpected / 3073.09.24

[Moo]

High above the Weyr, on top of the clouds, a black dragon burst from Between and into the early morning sun. He looked down below himself and started a slow descent to the Bowl. Could not keep away, could you? You could have at least, he paused, breath steaming in the air as he gave a sleepy yawn. At least waited until I was a bit more awake. Some of us did not sleep as well as you.

“Oh, poor thing. Such a shame.” N’kio smiled. “Why did you not sleep well?” he asked, shielding his eyes from the sun. He did not even have to glance over the side – he knew where they were going.

Your dreams were very distracting.

He snickered and lowered his hand as they dipped below the clouds. “Which ones?”

You know which ones. They’ve been on your mind all morning. Frankly, I’m surprised at how creative they were. You are so boring otherwise.

“I…will take that as a compliment,” he replied, and then laughed to himself. “You should know they are not the only reason we are here today.” He pushed up the sleeve on his left arm and absently began to pick at a gash that had begun to scab over. He had already gone over the scratches on his hands. “Actually, they aren’t a reason at all. Just coincidence. Definitely unexpected.”

This whole trip was definitely unexpected, Metanath replied, the colors in his eyes rolling with sarcasm. Yes, yes, I know, we need leather. But you enjoyed them all the same, which could not be said for me. Some of us actually do work and need the rest, and do not want to be distracted by…by that. I don’t even… Metanath snorted in annoyance, but his tone was light. It is clear from your thoughts, at least, that you are still interested. I’m curious. Why? You barely know her.

N’kio shrugged and continued to work at the cut, noticing with a certain zeal that this one might turn into a scar. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “I just like her. And before you ask, though she is beautiful, that is a lesser detail. She just…she interests me. Maybe it’s the fact that she actually takes the time to learn, and not because she’s instructed to. She doesn’t even have a dragon, and yet she knew more than the average Candidate. There’s just…more to this one than most women. I don’t know. Why are you Black?”

Metanath rumbled his amusement. Why are you so annoying?

At the same time, they answered, Because it is what it is.

Fine then, keep your secrets, Metanath added, the ground rising up to meet them as they touched down on the Bowl. He sniffed and shifted on his feet – the ground still had a chill from where the sun had not yet warmed it. As well as those dreams of yours.

“You do not tell her a thing.”

IF we see her, I will not speak a word. Most inappropriate, anyway. Far better suited for someone like you to explain. Now hurry up. Though there might be fewer awake here, the same could not be said for the Hold. We have work to attend to.

N’kio removed his ties from the riding straps and slid off Metanath. “As with every day, I know. Harra said she would send Aeolus if there was a problem.” He looked up at the sky. “Clouds should clear up in a bit. May be some rain today, if we’re lucky.” He patted the dragon’s shoulder and ran his hand over his forelimbs. “You got hit too, it seems,” N’kio murmured, fingers brushing over the new, clean scratches that marred the dragon’s hide.

It is to be expected. They don’t hurt, though. He shuffled on his claws.

“Let me know if they do,” he said, and tied up the loose straps that hung off Metanath. His eyes wandered to the small saddlebag, which had been stuffed full with an extra riding belt. The smallest of smiles lifted his lips, but then he turned and looked around at the Bowl. “Now that we are here, where can we find…leather?”

Ooh…there’s more than one meaning in that.

You hush.

[Nicole]

Being awake had definitley not been in Elora's plans.

Well, it had been in her plans in terms of she-would-be-waking-up-at-some-point, but certainly not this early in the morning. But noooo, chores had to be done while everybody else in the Weyr was blustering around or sleeping or just existing. Only a handful of much loved Candidates had to work.

And by much loved, she meant the ones that gave the most trouble.

It wasn't Elora's fault, really; it was just that being a Candidate was so very boring. She didn't want to be doing chores or be at lessons for things she had already read about (even if she would never admit to it), or be doing anything besides what she liked doing. So skipping out on it seemed logical. It didn't really hurt anybody, right?

Well, apparently it hurt everybody, which meant hurting Elora's sleep schedule.

One day, when I am a Rider, perhaps I shall apply to become a Candidate Master. Should this numbskull retire. Then I can encourage people to think for themselves. And maybe do some chores. And certainly not judge them because they're teaching themselves! Elora smiled, even as she knew that was ridiculous, even as she knew why she had to do chores, and why it was important, and that skipping out on lessons was rude. Still. Elora ran her life her way.

Her hair, thrown in a messy bun, began to fall around her face as she walked through the halls, lugging a broom behind her. Sweep out the kitchen? Fine. But it will take me all of ten seconds and if you don't like it, well, you know what they say - you should have done it yourself.

As she passed one of the exits to the Bowl, she glanced outside quickly, taking in a deep breath of the morning air - and stopped in her tracks, looking in surprise at the black dragon sitting there. Even if she hadn't spent a good amount of time massaging him, she would have recognized him by the scar on his leg - and by the bright red Rider next to him. Back already!?

Well, never mind that. She had things to do. She swung the broom over her shoulder and set off mildly more determined towards the kitchen. He was here on business. No need for her to be involved, nope, no reason at all...

[Moo]

Hmm. Surely there must be someone awake. After all, the Weyr has to be kept…running… Metanath let his voice trail off as a flicker of movement caught his attention. He turned, peered across the way and noticed, with concealed excitement, just who he had seen watching them both. His eyes turned indigo at the sight, but before N’kio could spy what he had seen, Metanath turned back around and began to examine his claws. He took note of the direction she left in. Where do you people normally spend your time?

“Well…There could be a number of workers up,” N’kio said thoughtfully, scratching his beard.

That there could, he acknowledged, voice a touch smug.

His Rider seemed to not have noticed. “I wouldn’t know where the Wher handlers would be at this time of day, so I couldn’t find them. I know where the Weyrwoman lives, but this seems much too trivial for her. Maybe I could check–”

Just then, an incredibly loud rumble came from Metanath’s stomach. Lifting his head, the dragon blinked in surprise and looked down to the origin of the noise. Oh! Excuse me for that.

N’kio chuckled. “Why are you apologizing to me? You’ve just helped me figure out where to look – the kitchens. Everyone likes food. There’s bound to be someone there.”

Metanath nodded sagely. How lucky that my misfortune helped you. If you need me for anything, I will be on the Heights. I want to warm up before we must leave. Lots of work that needs to be done!

He rolled his eyes at the dragon. “Can’t wait for it. See you later,” he smiled.

Once Metanath took off to the Weyr Heights, N’kio followed suit and headed in the direction he thought he remembered the kitchens were in. He hoped he would find someone there who might be able to help him locate a tanner, but at this early in the morning, he did not put much stock into it.

I think you will find great help, Metanath chimed in, apparently keeping an eye on his thoughts.

Umm…thank you? he replied, and at that moment, located the entrance he was looking for. He slipped in and peered around the corner – this was one of the places he was entirely out of his element in. He walked in and looked around, making certain to keep his hands to himself. Do they even have a tanner at this Weyr? he wondered. He was about to find out.

[Nicole]

Elora swung into the kitchen, determined to keep rugged sailor-Rider out of her head. She threw herself into the work that the kitchen gave her - mainly the sweeping.

Amazing what one man could do. A few minutes ago, she had wanted to get out of here as quickly as possible. Now it was quite possible that she could spend the entire morning in here, blocking out her thoughts with the physical work of cleaning. She could sweep and then maybe even wipe down the counters. Maybe even rearrange and clean everything in there.

He shouldn't be getting to me this way. She swept the broom back and forth against the floor. Yes, he was nice and gave me a ride. I shouldn't still be dwelling on this.

It wasn't just him being attractive; she had dealt with attractive - and frankly, more attractive - men before. Maybe it was because he hadn't tried anything. He had just been kind. That was so rare.

No, no, no, shut up. Um. Focus on something else. The average size of a Gold queen is roughly 43 feet. She chanted the sizes mentally as she worked, trying not to dwell too long on the size of a Black dragon.

The average size of a Pink is 27...

[Moo]

His face lit up when he saw her. He had not expected to see her quite so early, if at all. He grinned and watched her clean in silence, more than content to remain where he was. So this is what he meant. Sneaky dragon.

Always looking out for you…Oh, you might want to actually talk to her. Some time today would be nice. She cannot read your thoughts.

Aren’t you the lucky one, then.

Unfortunately.

The sense of annoyance from Metanath nearly made him laugh, but N’kio remembered where he was and kept quiet. Still smiling, he leaned against the wall nearest the exit, eyes fixed on her as she attacked the floor with the broom. Candidate chores. He hated doing those at Monaco. With another mental nudge from his dragon, however, N’kio cleared his throat to announce his presence.

“Hello again, Elora.” He tugged down the sleeve on his arm to hide the new scratches, just in case. “Fancy meeting you here,” he added with an air of nonchalance, as if he had planned the meeting.

You definitely did and you are such a bad liar. I can even tell you are excited to see her again. It’s clear in your voice.

This time he could not help but laugh in response. You’re ridiculous. Thank you for the support, really, I am just overwhelmed by your generosity.

[Nicole]

What is he doing here he has no business being in the kitchens Greens are an average of my god why is he behind me can't he just leave. Her thoughts scattered as his voice echoed throughout the empty room. She had heard him come in, of course, but she hadn't know it was him.

And she had been doing so well at keeping him out of her head.

"Well, well, if it isn't N'kio." Her voice dripped with sarcasm. She kept her back to him, quickly working on composing her face and continuing her attack on the floor. Maybe if she seemed busy, he would leave. "You just can't keep away, can ya?"

In a rush, she was aware of everything about herself - the messy bun, the slightly loose work clothes, the way she was curled slightly around the broom, how she moved as she swept. Damn it.

[Moo]

He laughed again, this time at her response. The sarcasm in her voice was not lost on him, and either she truly swept the floors that hard, or she was a little flustered by his presence. He hoped it was the second.

“No, it appears I can’t stay away,” he shrugged. “There’s just something about this place, I don’t know. A nice change of scenery – after a while, the ports grow a little tiresome.” N’kio moved closer and took care to avoid any piles of dirt she might have lined up on the floor. The way she was working, he might end up swept away as well.

Too late.

He groaned internally. Now who’s at it?

Hey, I took that one from you. I don’t make up cheesy lines.

The memories of their last visit made him smile. He looked over to Elora. “I kind of like it here,” he announced. “Maybe I should stay. Or would that be a bad idea? I would hate to distract you from your chores.” He bit his lip and waited, wholly entertained with the fact that someone else was doing work and he wasn’t.

[Nicole]

"Oh, I'm positive I couldn't stop you if you wanted to stay anyway." There. That light tone was back in her voice, the mask firmly slid into place. She could pretend she wasn't flustered due to -- she wasn't sure, actually. But she could pretend, at least for a while.

She stopped sweeping, swinging herself around her broom to look at him. More of her hair fell out of her bun, but she didn't bother to put it back into place. "I'm certain you came here for a reason. Some sort of work or something, hmm? You don't just fly out all this way nilly-willy."

She paused. "Well. You might. I don't think Metanath would. How's his leg been?" She tilted her head to the side and widened her eyes slightly, the perfect specimen of a curious woman. It helped, of course, that it was a topic she was actually curious about.

You shouldn't be encouraging conversation if you want him to leave, part of her brain nagged.

But he'd leave in his own time, right?

[Moo]

I am well, thank you for asking, came Metanath’s reply. I hope you don’t mind, I was listening in. I am on the Heights now. He sounded awfully pleased with himself.

N’kio rolled his eyes good-naturedly. “His leg has been as well as can be, though he says it troubles him when the weather grows colder. By the way, Elora, I feel I should thank you – I am now quite good at massages. Once Metanath explained to me how you did it, he insisted I do the same.” He smirked. “Spoiled dragon. He still prefers you over me, but…Well, I suppose you can’t win them all.”

He cleared his throat. “Anyway, now that you mention it, I would visit nilly-willy, though I would be walking if I did. Metanath already thinks I slack too much at work, so he would tell me to walk if I wanted to go anywhere. He has a great sense of humor. But today, I am here – again – on business. Well, personal business, actually.” He gave her an appraising look. “You wouldn’t happen to know if I could find a tanner here at the Weyr, do you? I will be needing more leather soon, for repairs.”

[Nicole]

"A tanner? I wouldn't know. Dragon-wise I wouldn't need it yet, and personally I've always preferred cloth to leather, though I do know some people who favor otherwise."

Whoops. She hadn't meant for that to come out and sound so very not appropriate kitchen talk. Actually, she hadn't meant for that to come out at all. Her personal preferences should not be coming up and encouraging a conversation in which she wished N'kio would leave.

Even as she wished he wouldn't leave.

So she quickly changed the topic back to Metanath, speaking out-loud as she thought towards him. "And I'm glad you're feeling well, Metanath."

Hopefully he wouldn't dwell on that too long. Or pry into why she knew the preference of other people's... clothing.

[Moo]

N’kio’s eyebrows shot up, and he could feel Metanath grow curious. They had not expected that response. Normally it was he who was the inappropriate one among friends, but nevertheless, he now found himself surprised by what he had just heard. He scratched at his sleeved arm and wondered just what sort of situations she had found herself in where a preference of leather would come up in. He had a few ideas, but none he was brave enough to ask about. Yet.

“Most, ahhhh, intriguing.” N’kio tried to keep from smiling as he replied. There was certainly more he wanted to know, but decided not to press the subject, as she changed it just as fast as she brought it up. “Well, Elora, that’s quite a shame, because I wouldn’t know where to find one, either. I guess that means we’ll be staying a little longer than expected."

He could almost hear Metanath groan with disappointment.

"Just until we find what we're looking for," added N'kio quickly, as if to placate the spying dragon. "I hope we won’t be a bother…?”

[Nicole]

"Of course you'll be a bother. I presume that's what you do." She grinned at him, turning back around and continuing her sweeping. "Besides, you're not going to find what you're looking for in here. Wouldn't it be best to wander around the Weyr until you find somebody who a, knows the answer to your question or b, happens to actually have leather?"

Perhaps he would leave, then, and she could get back to work and clear him out of her head. He shouldn't have stuck. One interaction, that was it.

But even now, even here, there was something about him that made her want him to stay. She was certain it was just because he was nice, and she hadn't often been exposed to purely nice people, and even if he wasn't purely nice he certainly tried to act that way, and it was probably just that she was curious.

Or, she thought. I just like him the way girls are actually supposed to like guys.

A crush? Oh, nope. No. That wasn't possible. Elora didn't believe in relationships. Or exclusivity. They were for people who... felt less. Felt more. Felt something. Or who knew less. Or more. Or something.

Or at least knew what they wanted.

"I doubt that there's leather in the kitchen."

[Moo]

He grinned. “Of course that’s what I do. Or at least, what Metanath will tell you, I’m sure.” He continued to watch her clean as he considered the options she gave him. “Well, okay, I suppose that might be best if I truly were the all-business type that Metanath wishes I had turned out to be. Fortunately, this is not the case, so…” He stepped closer to Elora and spoke slowly, choosing his next words with care. “I think it would be a great idea if you came with me.”

“You know, to show me around a bit. Help me look. Two eyes are better than one, or however it goes.”

If you are trying to be obvious, I commend you on your skill, Metanath reminded his Rider, making certain to keep their conversation private.

N’kio crossed his arms over his chest and continued. “And I will admit, the company would be nice as well. Metanath can be incredibly boring at times.”

Oh yes, I'm the boring one, of course, he spoke aloud.

Oh, go sun yourself.

Gladly. You'll be walking back.

Fine.

Fine.

Fine.

“After all, I wouldn’t imagine anyone would question you if you were with me…and if they did, I would take the blame.” He glanced at the floor, and then brought his eyes back up to Elora. “It really shouldn’t take you, ohhh…any more than ten seconds to finish here. If you were just sweeping.” He smiled politely.

[Nicole]

There was no denying the adorability factor of N'kio. His blatant obviousness, his tendency to look away when he wanted something, the conversations with Metanath; Elora had always noticed details, and that's what she had noticed about him.

It made it hard to make him want to leave.

"I had planned on actually cleaning. It would have gotten me off of other chores, maybe. Or at least back on the Candidate Master's good side." She swept a pile toward another, glancing at N'kio out of the corner of her eye. "And I thought sailors were good at directions, hmmm?"

She was stringing him on, and it was wrong, but he didn't know whether to go or not. Going would imply that she wanted this relationship to continue. And she didn't. Did she? Ugh.

[Moo]

“Oh, you’re right about that. We are good.” He nodded to emphasize the point. “Except on land. Our only downfall.” He rested against one of the counters. “Just give me a ship and a star to sail her by, and I’ll have you up North in no time. Even on dragonback, which I hope you will learn – if you don’t know already,” he smirked, “You can find your way with ease, even through Between. But on land?” N’kio shook his head. “I never took the time to learn the middle ground. That is why I need you.”

He scratched at his jawline and began to crack his knuckles. “And unless we are summoned back,” he started, raising his eyes to Elora’s, “I have all day. So I can wait until you are done.”

No you cannot. We have work.

Then go if you want.

Hmmph.