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Post by brimstone81 on Feb 24, 2008 23:44:55 GMT -5
So Ionuth had won his first queen, Saharth. And J'var had made a promise, one he had intended on keeping. His convidence had peaked after that, and he didn't want to make Laszreen think that he was a user. He wasn't. He didn't try to be anyway. Okay, well maybe he could be a user sometimes. But this was not one of those times!
He had gone through some trouble to get this trinket, thank Faranth that his uncle was a trader and his mother was in frequent negotiations with traders! He had asked his mother for jewelry for Jenafa, to keep her interest, and his mother agreed. He wasn't totally lying. He did pick out a silver bracelet with purple stones. When his mother looked away, he swiped a ring. It had a plain silver band with a small, but pretty, smoothe turqoise stone.
Now all he had to do was find the girl. If she was even going to see him in the first place. Maybe she was now going to hide from him. But she had said they could still be friends, and that would be nice, wouldn't it? But if she ever got involved with another man, he might not be able to stop his jealousy. He shrugged it away. If she impressed she was not to be touched for two turns. It was better the way it was.
Now, the only place save the Barracks he could think to find her was in the dining hall, around the weyrfolk's tables. He saw a girl and advanced, that must be her, mustn't it?
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Post by hrsegrl on Feb 26, 2008 22:12:28 GMT -5
The small young woman had finally made it to the Weyrhall, after some chores and Candidate lessons. As if she needed lessons. Worse, they had her doing drudge work. The very idea that she, a Minor Holder's daughter and relative to a Lord Holder, should be forced to do such mundane and mindless tasks made her skin crawl.
She was looking forward to a decent meal. By decent she meant edible for she doubted highly that Weyr food had improved any since breakfast. After grabbing a roll, a red fruit and a glass of water she walked toward the weyrfolk tables. Upon setting her tray down, she decided she wouldn't mind a meat roll and went back to get one. This time, she passed a familiar person, J'var.
Laszreen was glad he hadn't seen her. No one would notice her in these drudge clothes. Itchy fabric. If she had to wear a dress it ought to be one made of finer fabrice. Her soft, lady's skin was unaccustomed to coarser (cheaper) fabrics.It definately wouldn't help her situation to be seen in drudge clothes.
The brunette hoped he wouldn't cause any trouble for her. She knew he had not taken it well that she didn't want any relationships right now. Good thing too since he had flown Saharth. She of all people did not want to be competing with Jenafa. Surely a Goldrider could hold a man's attentions longer than a Candidate, no matter how well bred she was. She sat down, unaware that anyone was following her.
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Post by brimstone81 on Feb 29, 2008 22:31:46 GMT -5
He had missed her the first time, and would certainly have expected her to be in better clothes, but she was not his woman, just a candidate. She had the audacity to deny him?! He had never been rejected before. This was a near fatal blow to the male ego. Fortunately he had a queen win to remedy that. If they were going to be just friends, he'd have to work on that.
"Laszreen?" He looked at her rough cottony clothes, so unbecoming of her, and in a rather drab, ugly color, too. Like the common drudge. Ich. Should he be seen romping around with her? He was the Weyrsecond now, and that came with some responsibility and a certain amount of respect. But now was not the time for such vain pride. He had something to deliver to her. And despite her position she was the same girl he had fought with those few days ago. He sat next to her in a fluid movement and smiled coyly, "Laszreen, I do believe I owe you something."
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Post by hrsegrl on Feb 29, 2008 22:42:30 GMT -5
She had just taken a sip of water when she heard her name. Swallowing quickly she turned to see J'var. Of course he would find her. Why was he even bothering with her right now? Didn't he have a Goldrider to impress? She raised her left eyebrow and waited as he sat down. "Good day to you Weyrsecond." Her eyes belied her amusement at the title.
Laszreen was not in the best position to be making fun of the Bronzer but she was the one who said he could do it. "I'm glad to see you don't forget those who aide you." Her smile was one of a courtier, no feeling, only for show. She was so formal it was almost cruel. J'var was the one who said she should mind her station at the Weyr.
The small woman wondered what he had brought her. She never got gifts from men so she had no idea what to expect. So long as he hadn't gotten her anything that Jenafa or Shaye would notice she was safe. Her eyes took in that he looked well. Much better dressed than she and as handsome as she remembered.
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Post by brimstone81 on Feb 29, 2008 23:26:41 GMT -5
Of course she didn't seem warm and receptive, he didn't really expect her to be. She was cool and brisk, he noted, all business. Not at all as if they were old friends, which they weren't- but that was beside the point! Maybe he should just throw the ring at her, but on the other hand, what was he expecting anyways?
He shrugged the insecurities away and pulled from his pocket the ring. He thought it was sensible and pretty. J'var opened his palm up to reveal the little trinket, "You can put the stone on the inside of your palm to make it look like just a silver band to hide it from the others." He watched her face to see if she liked it.
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Post by hrsegrl on Feb 29, 2008 23:47:48 GMT -5
The ring he pulled out was beautiful. She had doubted his taste before, though not his ability to get his hands on a trinket like this. The color was amazing. Instead of taking the ring from him to put it on, she looked at it from afar. "I would not like to hide so beautiful a thing." The ring was a gift for helping him but it seemed to her that a man only gave jewelry to women who they wished to impress or court.
Her voice, warmer now because she was not controlling it, "Thank you, J'var. It really is lovely. " Her dark gaze went from the ring to the man again. She would seem sweet or kind but here she was trying to be as polite as possible while containing her joy at having a beautiful ring. One that he could have given to Jenafa instead.
Laszreen held out her hand, "Would you like to put it on me?" It was the way she had been taught to recieve a new ring. Her father always put the ring on her finger. Her parents said it was the courtly thing to do.
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Post by brimstone81 on Mar 1, 2008 0:20:21 GMT -5
He smiled, genuine, even. She liked it then, he thought she would. Maybe his intentions were more than just in thanks for some advice, or even on a deeper level for her friendship, but he would never admit that to anyone. And especially that he was pleased that she liked it. J'var tried to play it off as if it was just something that he was obligated for, "Well, it was nothing, really."
Even though of course it was something. These things just didn't come by every day. His mother must have bartered for them or something. Even if his uncle was a caravan leader, these small trinkets cost money somewhere. He grinned when she said it was lovely, "I'm glad you think so, since I hope to see you wearing it."
Laszreen held out her hand like a lady would and asked him to slip it on her dainty ring finger. It was an intimate move, J'var thought but needless to say, with his left hand, he tenderly took her hand and with his right slowly slid the ring up to the base of her finger with ease. "It doesn't pinch, does it? I looks like a good fit to me." Which was miraculous in itself, since he hadn't really sized her hand.
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Post by hrsegrl on Mar 1, 2008 21:25:07 GMT -5
She of all people knew that a ring like this was not nothing. It was a very special thing indeed. Laszreen had never been the type to act the love-sick girl and therefore tried not to see the ring as more than it was intended to be. Her emotions were well hidden in her courtier's mask of indifference.
"I will wear it every day. Though not when I'm working. I'd not want it ruined or lost." The ring was probably the first gift she recieved that hadn't been tainted with her father's thoughts and deeds. She wasn't thinking when she had held out her hand to him. Obviously she hadn't considered the intimacy of such a thing.
His hand took hers smoothly. The feel of him gave her shivers. He hopefully felt none of that. Laszreen watched him put the ring on her and breaking her courtier facade she smiled warmly at him. Wide eyed she responded."Perfect fit." Which puzzled her more than anything. Her hands were small, just like the rest of her. Of the rings she had gotten before, all of them had had to be resized. "How did you get the size right?"
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Post by brimstone81 on Mar 1, 2008 23:14:30 GMT -5
Well she did not seem very greatful did she? And he could not tell it was a mask, for all he knew she genuinely loathed him. He wondered if he had wasted a gift upon her, since he clearly had no positive effect from his more than generous offering. She had talked of politics in their last meeting, and now wondered if she was thusly employing them now. Why, if she were so ambitious, would she stop her attentions at just a ring? But he, in response to her courtier's face, put on distant airs. When she explained she would wear it every day, except for perhaps chores, and he nodded, knowing it was a polite answer, "Of course."
Then Laszreen pulled a fast one and actually looked warm. He was confused, was she playing with him now? First so rigidly formal, and then challenging his nerves with a more intimate smile what was he to think? A vexing female such as Laszreen might be the end of him, J'var could be sure of it. To her, he could reply with all the sweetness and eloquence he could muster, but he could not help but suspicous of her, so he could answer coldly and beg her leave. Laszreen, I have memorized every line in your figure, and every size of your hand. But he did not say such a thing, he would never say such a thing. Pride and vanity prevented his lips to move, other than to reply, "With luck, I guess."
He looked away, hoping she wouldn't notice the flicker of softness in his eye. He must not fall for a woman, queenrider or candidate, for that would weaken him. They could have their way with him, and he would be able to say nothing, in order to save his unworthy heart. . . Laszreen had chosen her path, and he had chosen his, it was about time he would have to follow it. No use making it any harder than it had to me. J'var cleared his throat, "Well, ah, I guess that would do it. Uh, is there anything else I can do for her ladyship? Er, I mean, uh, whatever a bronzerider can do for a-a- candidate. I would hate to intrude on your dinner any longer than I had to." He stood and looked down at her slightly expectantly.
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Post by hrsegrl on Mar 2, 2008 13:21:55 GMT -5
Brrr. The coldness in his voice reminded her of herself. She hadn't realized how much it could hurt other people to be that distant. Why it should bother her at all, well she didn't know nor did she want to. If this was how he wanted it then fine. Her dark eyes remained fixed on the ring for a moment. It was simply a trinket he had gotten her in exchange for her advice.
Once again his response was formal at best. Laszreen had not a clue how to respond to his short and to the point answers so she reamined quiet. He got up to leave and she refused to look up at him. Unfortunately that meant she missed the soft look in his eyes. How could he be so indifferent to her? Then she thought it was fairly obvious. He had to shower attention on Jenafa, not a Gold Candidate with no sure future. Ambition would be his ruin if he wasn't careful.
Something in what he said sounded unsure. It was endearing in a way. The small woman spoke and suddenly looked up to meet his expectant gaze, "J'var, you are welcome to join me. I did say I wanted to be friends. There is no need for you to hurry away like I set a pack of canines on you." No need for him to go at all.
She didn't have any friends here and he was the only person who took any notice of what she might want. He had called her lady which would only help her mood. She hated her current status. This was apparent in every chore and lesson she attended. It was vile to be so base...and set to work with others who were well below her own bloodlines.
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Post by brimstone81 on Mar 2, 2008 15:03:39 GMT -5
It was awkward between them two, with neither one looking at the other for a moment. Tension, perhaps, that one might cut with a knife. Both too proud to admit any wrong doing, both too cautious to be vulnerable for the other. Had they doomed their relationship, if it were ever to start? J'var didn't really care. She was just a girl, nothing more, so why did she have him so besotted? He knew, her, but at the same time he didn't really know her. So why was he so dissapointed?
She told him he could stay, and strangly it made him feel better. If they were going to be friends, they both would have to be receptive at least to eachother. And he'd have to get over his little crush for her. It was unconventional, and obviously not recipricated, so all he was doing was hurting himself. So he sat, he really did like talking, or debating with her.
He chuckled then, lightening up considerably, "No pack of canines? Could have fooled me. So, dear friend, how was your day?" Considering what he knew of her background, of her being a lady and all, he figured it wasn't so good. And girls liked to talk about themselves just as well as guys did.
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Post by hrsegrl on Mar 2, 2008 15:35:07 GMT -5
Laszreen became a little more friendly when he sat back down. The awkwardness seemed to dissapear as well. "Come now, if I needed a pack of canines to get rid of people I wouldn't have been sitting alone." The small brunnette didn't smile but did offer the Bronzerider some of the food she had brought with her. "Hungry?"
She didn't feel bad about how she thought of her working as a drudge but she did think it would offend quite a few people. Including him. "It wasn't too good. I don't like working as a drudge with drudges." She said it as if it were beneath her and at home it had been. "But I have no doubt that after recieving such a wonderful gift my night will be far better."At that she looked down on the ring again. Laszreen truly did like the gift. It was well thought out on his part.
"And you? Weyrsecond duties must be keeping you busy..." Laszreen actually wondered briefly if she had prevented him from eating at the Head Table but brushed the thought aside. She picked up the meat roll and took a bite out of it, as lady like as possible.
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Post by brimstone81 on Mar 2, 2008 16:09:47 GMT -5
"Oh, thanks," he was going to refuse, he didn't really want to eat right now, but considering he was sitting at a table, and he didn't want her to think that her food wasn't good enough, he pinched a little chunk off her bread roll. He tossed it in his mouth and chewed slowly-using this time to get something intelligent to say. She spoke, and he was further excused from speaking.
"It gives me great pleasure that you think so, about the ring, Laszreen. Oh, I don't imagine so. Even the word 'drudge' implies mental, ah, well it doesn't imply anything fun." He didn't want to finish his phrase and in turn imply that Laszreen was deficient in any way, least of all her mental glows. He gave a half grin and looked down at his thumbs for a moment when she asked about his own duties, "Well I haven't really gotten into them much. I'm sure that soon all will be explained and I shall be a very busy man. I'm looking forward to working more with A'stin, he seems like a great man."
Wouldn't any man like to know what it is like to fly two queens? A bronzerider would be lucky to win one queen just once, and he had won them both multiple times. Not to mention he was a good leader, respected, and seemed like a nice guy. Even he knew looks weren't always what they seemed. But from his brief meetings with A'stin, J'var was sure they might at least get along for a while.
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Post by hrsegrl on Mar 2, 2008 16:27:39 GMT -5
The tone of his voice had changed now as well. Thank Faranth... she hadn't wanted them to be cruel to one another. Not that she was going to become miss happy sunshine but she was going to attempt to not be so cold. Other people may not get the same treatment but he had attempted to be nice to her and therefore she would attempt the same.
She surmised from what he had said that the Weyrleaders weren't sure he would be able to do what was needed. He ought to meet with A'stin sooner than later. She thought like a woman and knew that Jenafa would think him too young and that were she in the same place, would go to her senior. "Ahh. I see." Her mind was working while he talked. "You don't think thats a bit odd? Them delaying your duties?" She wasn't sure if she had not understood Weyr policy or if J'var was being blinded by the Gold rider.
Laszreen gave a very sly smile at the mention of the Weyrleader there were many glamorous rumors about the man. "I hear he is the handsomest man at the Weyr and most charming. Not to mention he's rather cunning, ambitious..." She was thinking about what to say next. "It's no wonder he was able too have both Weyrwomen. From what I've heard, the Weyrwoman put as stop to all his philandering though." Her voice was nearly wistful but her eyes were mischievious.
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Post by brimstone81 on Mar 2, 2008 16:53:11 GMT -5
Well, he did think it was odd, oh, he had dwelled on it often enough. Now reminded he felt stupid for waiting and hoping they would honor his title themselves. J'var better take a stand and demand his title and everything that came with it. He was not going to be just some puppet, even if they all thought he was too young. Well he was intelligent, and strategic, and he wasn't too proud not to follow orders, namely A'stin's. He just wasn't going to be walked all over on or used. Laszreen inspired him to go and seek audience with the Weyrleader, and he told her, "You know what? I think I'll go over there and speak to him right after we're done here."
Then his strong, noble, warfront brave attitude was dissipated by her dreamy speech about A'stin. Jealousy darkened his face, his brows furrowed, his eyes narrowed and he looked off into the distance, his lips in a frustrated frown. Well, he was good looking too! And he could be charming when he wanted to be, and he could be cunning, and Laszreen already knew him to be ambitious. He scoffed, "And I suppose you want to sleep with him too?" Oops, he said that a little harsher than he meant to. They were friends, certainly not lovers, he had forgotten again. His face relaxed a little, "Well, I'm sorry, I - I - it's nothing I'm sure you wouldn't be the only one, that is if you did want to have a little roll in the hay with the man. He is what you say-desirable."
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