Connections? By the Light of Balior and Temor

[Dizzy]

(A week or so before Inbur Gather, Turn 2507)

The night was thick and restless, sultry. Votum and other nocturnal insects set up their sunset din, droning setting a background to the rise and fall of a living breathing Lateo...

Sleep would not over take the rider as she tossed upon her net covered sleeping couch. It was more than hot for early spring in Lateo, it was a sauna. The gold rider had long since removed her sweat soaked sleeping gown and now lay there with her sheet tangled about her ankles, Skye clad skin sheening with beads of perspiration. Her arm thrown over her forehead, Kyparla stared at the ceiling counting the beams of the high ceiling. Rico was on one of those beams the goldrider absently noted, sleeping soundly. She could envy him.

'Fardles... its burning up in here.' Kyparla turned over onto her side and bundled her hair up around her head, trying to catch a breeze that was nearly non existent.

It isn't much better out here, stuffy and no wind. Savath usually wasn't bothered by heat or humidity, but her restless rider was keeping her from being able to sleep.

Faranth, where is the sea breeze? It should be stirring by now... Sorry, love. I'm not meaning to keep you awake. Sighing, Kyparla set up, finding a barely cool pitcher of fruit juice she poured a glass and took a long sip.

You could always catch up on those records... The gold didn't like her rider focused on work so much but tonight she was ready to suggest anything that might ease her's enough to allow Savath easy sleep.

It's too hot to even attempt that, I can't focus on anything. Savath blew out a long sigh, so much for that bright idea.

[E]

E’mion watched his bronze dip down, appearing only a shadow against the starry night sky before splashing into the black waves tipped white by the two moons high in the sky. Reaching his arms over his head, he grabbed the back of his collar neatly pulling his light tank top off. There was just enough of a breeze here to remind the wingleader just how humid the air was and how sweaty it made him despite having been laying outside in the grass next to Malekith for at least a candle mark now.

Finally they both had agreed on a swim. Rarely did the bronze manage to talk his rider into such a thing, but it was night now and the Weyr was quiet. Despite how rarely the bronze seemed to get along with E’mion, he was pleased he had talked his rider into it – or prodded him into it rather. He just knew his rider would feel better afterwards.

Surfacing, the dragon let out a soft rumble – that too being rarely seen from the scared bronze as he made a point of appearing to be harder than the rocks of his couch – to his rider encouraging the man he loved above all else. There, alone in the dark the two actually gave up their dominate natures and actually showed the love that only a dragonrider knew.

Smiling gently to himself, the hardened man kicked off his boots and pulled the drawstring to his pants – light sleeping pants that nobody would have guessed a man never seen out of leathers would have owned – before stepping into the dark waters of the night beach.

The oceans cool water made E’mion take a soft breath as he paused letting his skin adjust before finally diving in from where he stood. Letting his muscled body sink a moment as he adjusted again to the shock, he pushed himself toward the surface before paddling lightly toward the bronze figure who let out another soft coon.

[Dizzy]

Standing up, Kyparla made her way to her clothing chest. She wasn't going to stay in a hot weyr any longer, if nothing else she could sleep in the hammock outside on the porch... It had to be cooler. Letting the loose tunic slid down over her head Kyparla wondered out the open door of her weyr, bare feet slapping against cool rock. An all too brief breeze ruffled her hair and brought the scent of the ocean combined with Fellis blosom... she changed her mind. Would a swim feel good tonight darling? It might help us both sleep.

Savath raised up on her haunches, brushing against the nearby tree limbs and raining Fellis petals down on the sand of her wallow. Her voice brightened at the idea of the water. A swim would feel lovely. It had been too long since they had last swam together.

The slap of bare feet turned to the swoosh of a woman walking through sand, Kyparla scratched her Gold's eye ridge as a hello and with one mind the rider was on her dragon's back and the gold was in the air.

There is another down there... Savath recognized the bronze but didn't want her's to change her mind so she refrained from mentioning who. Land us farther up the beach, that way we don't interrupt them. Kyparla would have been more surprised to find the beach deserted in this heat, it didn't keep her from being slightly disappointed though.

Savath ceded but only slightly so... she wouldn't mind Malekith's company, but first to get settled.

Landing close to the water, Savath settled her wings to her back and waited rather impatiently for her rider to drop her tunic out of the tide's reach. It felt like it took forever before the gold could make her way into the cool sanctuary of the ocean. Patience was not Savath's strong suit. Half shuffling, half galloping into the surf the gold trilled out her happiness even as Kyparla let out a choked shout. The splash of cold water against bared skin sent a shocking jolt though her slight frame. It was only a few moments and the gold had reached deep enough water to cause her to have to actually swim. Feeling this change, Kyparla slipped from her dragon's back. She used the gold's lean side to kick off from and within a few strokes was away from Savath's churning legs.

[E]

The large bronze whirled around his rider in an easy arc beneath the water before breaching its surface again. The much smaller man – though larger built than other humans – continued his steady strokes following the bronze a little farther behind. Reaching the bronze once more, he placed a hand on the side of the bronze neck to steady himself in the water even as he reached up to caress the eye-ridge quickly made available. He did enjoy these quiet moments with Malekith despite everything.

Even as the bronze closed another set of eyelids purring enough to make water in the vicinity vibrate at his riders gentle touch, he was aware that their solitude was not going to be theirs for much longer. He recognized the feeling of the gold as she drifted above them to continue farther down the beach, but not much farther.

Even as the natural tug to adore the gold as she deserved to be adored began to tug at his mind, the large bronze made a point of ignoring it at least a few moments longer. This time, here with this man… Malekith was willing to ignore even a gold for just a few moments of this… Just a few moments longer of bliss.

E’mion, the man receiving that rare affection from his bronze remained ignorant of the pair to join them. Like his bronze – he was completely relaxed and content for at least the moment.

[Dizzy]

Enjoying themselves in the water sport the gold and rider didn't notice the cross current or the slight drift carrying them down the shoreline toward their late night companions. Savath dove under the water, going far enough down to scrape her belly along the rocky sea floor. It got itches that most of the time went unscratched... she only wished the shipfish would come.

Didn't realize I neglected you so love... Kyparla let out a laugh as the gold resurfaced, but ended it quickly in a coughing fit as waves splashed over her head. It was a reassuring sight to see Lateo's Weyrwoman and her Sr. Gold at play, even if some would have considered it undignified for their rank.

Malekith, I hope you and yours are well tonight. Savath could no longer stand being ignored...

[E]

The bronze let out a mental sigh sounding for the world like his rider as he finally felt to gold call out to him. Natural instinct was for the wherries, he decided even as he replied to the beautiful gold, admiring the way she looked bathed in the moonlight. Better tonight than usual dear Savath. What brings such a lovely queen out at this time?

E’mion felt the sigh as well as the attention withdrawn from himself and placed elsewhere. He did not need the head turning to glance toward the gold to tell him that he had been replaced once more from his dragons affections. Ah well, if people were around it was probably for the better.

With his dragons head where it was, the bronze rider was still unaware of who it was with them. Deciding that if his dragons attentions was on whoever it was he could at least formally dismiss himself first before heading back to his own quarters.

“I see the night’s heat hasn’t kept only me up.” He called out even as he pushed his way out from behind his bronze. The golden hide bathed in the moonlight was not what the rider had expected to see and his stomach instantly knotted. Why – of all the brooding greens Malekith could have choosen to be distracted by did it have to be that bloody gold?

Suddenly the water felt much colder on his lower regions as he was reminded of just where he was and what he had been doing.

“Ah… Kyparla…” he said, his voice not quite audible as it had been as he called out from behind his dragon. His eyes hadn’t taken even a moment to find the rider who’s red hair haunted his sleeping hours as often as the screams of the dying. “Malekith hadn’t told me it was you.”

[Dizzy]

Such a burden to see me then Malekith? You are reminding me more and more of Your's. Savath's tone was mildly haughty as she cocked her head in the opposite direction of the bronze in effort to try to keep her rider in sight.

I could ask the same of you love... although it is fairly obvious that most of the Weyr is restless tonight. The heat has kept mine from sleep and therefore I must suffer the same fate. She is loud at times. The gold let out a slightly put upon whiffle We were of the same mind... a swim should ease us both.

"Aye, tonights not fit for sleep nor work. " It took a moment for the disembodied voice to register with the gold rider, she was far enough away for it to have a slight echo to it. Once though she put a face to that voice she had to catch herself as she went under. 'Anyone but E'mion. Great Faranth, couldn't it have been anyone but him?'

Saltwater stung her eyes as she came back up coughing and sputtering. From the sound of his voice the gold rider guessed he was no more eager to see her as she was to see him.

"Nor did Savath mention you." Kyparla sounded cold even to herself, it was well past time to leave...

[E]

You are never a burden sweet Savath. the bronze replied, smoothing his voice and sending pleasant feelings toward the gold. And you shouldn’t worry my lovely queen, my riders heart is not so cold, the warmth is just a little harder to find.

E’mion did not hear his dragons words, but he did see the slip of the weyrwoman as she dipped beneath the surface. Without hesitation he moved forward to stop only a few feet from where he had been once she came up again sputtering. Despite the years and the distance he forced himself to put between the gold rider and himself, he couldn’t help but find a slight twinge of concern.

It was the cold tone to her voice that knocked sense back into him.
E’mion winced.

The hardened man who lead a wing trained in bloodshed and sweat had let his dragon coax him open only moments before the woman brought her icy blade of sense back to him once again. It did not have to happen twice for him to realize he needed to put his guard back up. Turning that wince into a hardened scowl, he frowned before nodding to her and turning to the shore.

“Well I’m sorry for finding myself in your way, Weyrwoman. Perhaps next time we should both keep our own eyes open since our dragons fail at such details.” With that, he raised his arm and started slow, measured strokes back to shore – not even bothering to dragon the bronze away. Unlike E’mion, his bronze was able to perform his natural duty of catering to a gold.

Where are you going?
Back to fetch my pants.
But... The bronze sounded slightly hurt - another rare thing from Malekith.

[Dizzy]

Cut, definitely. E'mion's words had that effect even as the gold rider was digesting them... it was a hard one to chew.

...'Yes, time to leave and the arrogant son of a wher beat me to it.' Kyparla kept to the irritation of being interrupted. She kept telling herself that it would be the same had it been anyone else intruding.

I think Malekith and his were here first... Savath crooned soothingly to her rider before turning her attention back to the large bronze. You should have told me who was here. Kyparla's mind voice was accusing and hurt, feeling betrayed by her lifemate.

Savath was irritated as well, snipiness bleeding thickly into her voice. You didn't ask.

Leave dragon logic out of it. Trying to avoid facing the fact that E'mion's words could still sting, Kyparla took a couple of settling strokes toward where she and Savath had entered, swimming at an angle to the shore. She wasn't ready to evaluate that part of herself at the moment. She just wouldn't do it. Savath had found company in the bronze and deserted her, she was on her own. The bronze rider had spoiled a perfectly good swim... 'Perhaps I should go finish up those records now. Fradles, Fall no...' A cool glass or two of wine was more to the situation, too bad she hadn't had the fore site to bring a skin with her.

The light colored gold shut out her rider after that and nudged the bronze playfully with her nose before blowing water out in a streaming spray. Glad to hear you are not so cold, bronze. It would be a shame to waste such handsomeness on a heartless brute.

Swimming until her arms began to tire, Kyparla came out of the water a good dragon-length or more away from where she thought E'mion should have emerged. She didn't want to run into the Helios rider yet again tonight, or ever if she had a choice. Setting her feet on the sea wet sand Kyparla struggled, slugging through the tide until she reached dry beach. The gold rider wiped at the tears flowing freely as she tried to remember how far away her tunic was, Kyparla couldn't make that midnight walk through the Weyr in nothing but what she was born in... Taking a step or two in what she thought was the right direction the goldrider felt a sharp excruciating pain shoot through her foot and up her leg. "Bloody char!"

[E]

Malekith, being attentive this night, didn’t fail to catch the short change of tone in the gold before she turned back to playfully blow water at him. Dipping is water just beneath the surface and returning the blow, he sent another soothing vibe toward the queen. My rider bothers yours, doesn’t he? Perhaps its time for a remedy.

A short flap of his wings sent the large bronze through the water as his tail guided him to circle around the gold, crooning to her even as he spoke to his rider. You don’t hate her.

Why would you say something so random Malekith? The bronze rider countered as he finally found his footing, walking the rest of the way onto the shore where he soon found the soft material that was his sleeping pants.

Why would you leave such a lovely night so suddenly? We both know you won’t sleep yet when you get back. A glance toward where the gold’s rider was headed, the bronze coninuted, knowing he couldn’t just flat out tell his rider to talk to her – he was a stubborn man. Why don’t you at least take a walk up the far end of the beach? When you come back we can fly to our weyr together.

Despite the unusual amount of thought the bronze seemed to put into the statement, a look around left E’mion completely clueless as to why. As far as he could see in the moonlight, Kyparla wasn’t to been found and he assumed she’d still be out there. After all who wouldn’t enjoy the water tonight? Ah well, the bronzes idea wasn’t a bad one and to be truthful E’mion didn’t want to walk up all those bloody steps.

Tying off his pants, he picked up his light tank before starting to walk through the sand unknowingly toward the woman. Just as his skin felt dry enough to put the shirt on, he heard the curse come clearly through the night air. Looking forward and letting his eyes adjust, he found Kyparla there right in front of him.

By the shard.

Even as he turned around, he felt the weight of the bronze on his mind. Your being ridiculous!
I hate you sometimes.

Giving in grudgingly, he looked over his shoulder to find the woman lifting a leg slightly from where she had placed it. In wonderful timing this was also when he noticed she was also wearing nothing. Turning around again slowly, he took a moment to tilt his head and watch the shift in her backside as she balanced on the one foot before moving forward and grabbing her arm to steady her.

“You alright?” he asked, even as he put his shirt in her hand.

[Dizzy]

Savath's curiosity peaked, she would have smiled if dragons could when she deduced what Malekith had suggested. Mine is hurt... but not badly so, as long as you can promise yours will take care of her I stay. Turning her head, the gold watched with flashing jewel toned eyes while the bronze rider approached Her's.

Fighting back a scream of fright at the rider's touch, Kyparla awkwardly turned to face E'mion. "It's not bad, at least I don't think it is. Shell or rock. Hurts like a scoring though. What's this for?" The Weyrwoman took the offered shirt with one hand, perplexed at what she was to do with it. The pain of a cut foot and the start of finding a familiar hand on her arm had caused Kyparla to forget for a brief second that she was skye clad. It was only the briefest of pauses though before she was wriggling the scant material over her slightly sun kissed curves, a soft blush tinting her cheeks.

"Thanks...' The Weyrwoman felt like an erring child at that moment, unable to meet the Wingleader's eyes. "I really should set down and take a look at my heel... If you need to go, I understand."

[E]

E’mion could not help his eyes as he watched her smooth skin move to allow the material to slide over it covering the necessary areas. Taking her hand again without waiting for consent, he helped her sit and he merely shook his head.

“I have a feeling Malekith would score me if I left without him this night.” He said simply. At the moment, he couldn’t really find words, his mind a mess and emotions knotted.

Of course I can promise the good care of your rider. Mine just needed a bit of a nudge. He’ll take care of her now, just as I shall take care of you my beautiful queen. Gently he pushed his nuzzle at the curve of her neck, letting his hide slide against hers, feeling the smoothness as he crooned softly.

The bronze rider, in his single pair of light material breeches, kneeled before the woman looking into her eyes for a moment before placing his calloused hands beneath her knee. Taking her leg as gently as his rough hands could allow, he let his fingers slide slowly down her calf until he cupped her foot light, lifting it enough to see by the moonlight.

The moonlight – seeming to become brighter the longer they remained in it – did not show only her foot, but the man before the gold rider as well. With her wearing his shirt, E’mion’s chest and back were open to the world. He knew full well that from her vantage point she would only be able to see a margin of what was his new features. Three marks barely curving around his hip to dip a few inches into his pants disappeared from view up and behind his back. He was ready to put his shirt on now, the breeze reminding him of what would be visible to her if she cared to look.

[Dizzy]

Kyparla sighed and quit tugging at the light material it was a lost cause trying to keep her round arse covered from view. Instead the Weyrwoman crossed her arms, trying to keep from falling out of the loose shirt. She protested only marginally trying to retain some dignity, it was far too easy though to turn her care into the hands of the strong rider before her. For so long the gold rider had to depend only upon herself, and tomorrow's light would bring little change to that situation. Right now it felt good to leave even such a small amount of decision in the hands of another.

So it would seem, Malekith. Answering the bronze's croon, Savath returned his affections happily, for the moment content to float next to the large male.

Closing her eyes at the feel of his rough fingers sliding down her leg, Kyparla fought the urge to sigh again. "How bad is it? When it took a moment to answer, the gold rider opened her eyes focusing them on the man kneeling in front of her. Shock ran through her veins at the marks marring his skin and fear clutched at her belly - all unpleasant, unwelcome feelings. How many times had E'mion met with death? Those scars were proof it was more times than Kyparla wanted to think about. Not wanting to stare, the redhead made herself pull away from the marks trailing away under cloth and brought her eyes back to his face.

[E]

The feel of her skin once more beneath his fingers was almost intoxicating as the bronze rider fought to keep attention on the task at hand. It was defiantly bleeding as her entire foot had become moist with dark liquid with that all too familiar texture to it. Letting out a soft sigh, he let himself fall back, moving his leg beneath hers and putting her foot on it as he grabbed at the bottom of the material on his other leg, ripping the light fabric easily.

“I don’t think its too bad, but it is bleeding.” He said, bringing the material up to wipe the blood away – forgetting briefly that she was a woman and not one of his men. Making sure to keep hold of her small ankle easily in his hand, he lifted her foot up again to look at it once more. The cut was about two inches long, but not very deep – just enough to bleed at the initial.

Having enough practice with cuts, he knew all it needed was some pressure before it would stop, though it would remain tender and quite possibly easy to open.

[Dizzy]

"Bleeding's good... cleans the dirt out." Kyparla relaxed a little in the rider's company, grimacing and tensing only slightly when he brushed cloth across the wound. His firm hand kept her foot still though. "I'll keep it right?" The gold rider tried to make light of the situation, not wanting to think too long about her close proximity to E'mion.

The longer she sat their though the more curiosity peaked. Those marks had not marred his hard body when she knew him. Every line of his body had been impressed upon her memory... they hadn't been present at the time he'd shared her bed. "The scars E'mion, when did you get them?"