Dark Pair ((Open))

[FireThorne]

The Zahra Wing had just finished their drills for the day, and the Wingleader had decided to do some research on Thread fighting techniques. There were plenty of record skins for him to poor over at Telgar, and he was taking advantage of them now. Caidenth had insisted upon a swim, though, so man and dragon had reached a compromise. The bronze would swim, and his rider would bring his records to the bowl to study them there. Seated, his back propped against the rock wall of the bowl, E’riol made short notes on the blank skin he had brought with him, sketching out a few ideas he would like to try. The man never reached a time he did not conjure something new to attempt. Naturally, he and his dragon would try out the maneuver before practicing it with the wing.

You need a female. Or at least to fly one. The dark voice of his bronze, heavy and low, intruded upon his thoughts, interrupting a stream of patterns working through his mind quickly.

The tall rider scowled, shooting the bronze a black glare as he cut through the waters of the lake. He was getting rather habitual about making comments such as that lately, and it was beginning to grate on the ex-soldier’s nerves. E’riol had a wing to deal with, and between researching flight patterns and playing pranks on Triveni, he had no time for romantics. No….No, he certainly did not. Shut your expansive mouth, my dear bronze, and have your swim. I have a few maneuvers for us to try later. With that, the dragon should have realized he had pushed far enough, but Caidenth was obviously not in a mood to obey.

Perhaps you should try out a few maneuvers for Flight instead of flight patterns. I think the fault is yours that I have not Flown a gold. The bronze sounded resentful, and even a slight angry. Coming out of the waters, the large dragon snapped his wings open, causing small beads of water to fly about. Bunches his great haunches, the Wingleader launched himself into the air, effortlessly gliding to his ledge. I will sun until you are ready to fly.

Arching a brow, E’riol did not look up from his skins, smirking a little to himself. Well, Caid was sure feeling salty today. If you think the fault is mine, think again. I’m not the one flying. The bronzer returned, satisfied by the angry snort he received. Standing, stretching high to work out the kinks in his back, the tall Wingleader shook his head and ran a hand through his hair, feeling fatigue pull at him. ‘Perhaps I have been pushing us too hard.’ The guard thought, a scowl upon his features. It seems he wore that expression constantly anymore. “Alright, get your bronze bulk down here, Caid. I want to try that maneuver.” He spoke aloud, thinking none were within earshot.

[hrsegrl]

"NOTE!!!!!!" She shouted. Her voice often carried for quite a distance. Voice training did make one better at that. As always the Candidate/Harper had her gitar slung across her back. By her side was a tri colored collie type canine, running far in front of the candidate was a black canine with pointy ears. "NOTE! GET YOUR LITTLE FUZZY HIDE BACK HERE!!!!"

The canine heard her master but the look in her eyes told Amneris that she was up to no good. The canine ran around, not tired in the slightest. The blonde finally just sat down in the middle of the bowl. She was tired and besides, she hated having to put so much effort into the canine when she was misbehaving.

Today she would try something new. She took out her gitar and waited. The song was simple, seeing as Amneris learned the gitar from her father, not the Harpers. The Harpers only used women where they saw fit to place them and as such, Amneris was only there to become a singer. It was a common ballad, nothing fancy and it was sort of soothing in its melody. Her voice lilted with the gitar. Tipp had taken her place by Amneris while Half Note came trotting back toward them. Oh was she in for it.

[FireThorne]

E’riol lifted his eyes skyward, watching as his bronze slowly rose from his ledge and opened his expansive wings. The dragon made a great show of it, stretching out his wingjoints so his sails looked larger than life, the sun glancing through them so they appeared afire. Caidenth was a great, dark bronze, and with the sun as it was now, his hide almost appeared to be a red flame. Showing off, are we? The Wingleader asked, smirking at his dragon. He always was full of himself.

For the golds. Caid replied, his voice arrogant and very full of himself. Standing at the very edge of the rock, the large dragon paused, his wings lifted, and bugled. Of course, it was not nearly impressive enough. The bronze said slyly, then launched himself from the ledge, disappearing in a blink as soon as he hit open air.

The Wingleader sighed, shaking his head at his dragon’s arrogance, amazed at how self-absorbed the bronze could be at times. Striding forward, the bronzer paused, the sound of a lilting voice reaching his ears. It was a lovely sound, and E’riol turned, his cold blue eyes resting on a woman sitting in the bowl and singing. The rider quirked a brow and crossed his arms, leaning casually against the rock wall of the bowl.

He was waiting for his bronze, who suddenly made an admittedly spectacular, yet alarming appearance. In a rush of cold air, Caidenth burst from between right above the floor of the bowl, the sun flashing against his hide and painting the dragon in red. Both man and beast noted at the same time, however, that he had also appeared right before the woman, and the bronze gave a short trumpet of surprise. “Caid!” E’riol snapped, and his bonded acted. In the dazzling acrobatics Zahra was known for, the dragon snapped out his wings, catching the air in a wing-popping gust. Hissing, he shoved his haunches downward, digging his talons in the dirt below and braking his forward motion. Forelegs crashing down, the bronze’s chest was a mere two feet before the singer. Snorting, Caidenth lowered his head, nose right before her face.

“Striking entrance, Caid. Might I suggest you not do it again?” E’riol said darkly, his voice low and cold as he strode up to his bronze and the woman A thin amount of amusement upon his features, however, contested his harsh tone. The Wingleader turned to the seated girl. “I am sorry, my lady. My fool of a bronze did not harm you, did he?” He offered her his hand.

[hrsegrl]

The harper paid no attention to the events surrounding her. As usual, she was off in her own little world. When her canines cowered behind her, she stopped playing and stood up. Her gitar, she placed back behind her. When the Bronze dragon landed but two feet in front of her, the girl was covered in dust. When her canines finally came out of their fear, they began to bark at the dragon. She of course shushed them, immediately commanding them to sit at her side. It was apparent in their own simple expressions that they were loyal to her and generally listened well.

To the Bronze Amneris said loudly and "Spectacular entrance! Truly you are the most brilliant dragon ever!!!!" Amneris was so excited she had not even noted the rider striding up to apologize. Of cuorse she said all this not knowing that she was probably feeding his ego. When the words the rider had spoken finally reached her off in dreamland mind, she turned to face him. The front of her pretty much brown with dust.

"No sir. He was brilliant. Did yyou see the way he back winged... oh if only I were a painter..." She was much to happy about this. Most probably would ahve gotten angry but Amneris enjoyed seeing something out of the ordinary. "What's his name? He must be one of the most agile Bronzes... I mean they aren't supposed to be anywhere near as agile as greens. He must win a lot of green flights with that agility." The fourteen turn old hadn't really equated green flights with the rider mating lots of people and hardly cared if he took offense. She was a bit chatty when she wasn't singing.

[FireThorne]

Caidenth regarded the canines with one jeweled eye as they began vigorously barking at him, considering giving them a good snap on the tail to silence them. He was a bronze, after all, and who were these lowly beasts to yap at him? However, the girl silenced them well enough, and the dragon’s ego was appeased. After all, his rider was already angry enough at him after his little stunt….no need to add fuel to the flame. Snorting again, the Wingleader arched his neck haughtily as E’riol approached, not appearing sorry in the least. The girl was unhurt, the canines silent, and so there was no harm done. There was nothing for him to be sorry for. However, his attention was pulled away from the approaching man when the singer before him suddenly spoke, very loudly and clearly in awe of his impressive feat. His rider was completely forgotten.

Spreading his wings, the bronze preened at her comment, clearly very pleased with the admiration he was receiving. After all, he was a very brilliant dragon, and he rather thought he should be told that more often. Arching his neck even more, Caidenth lowered his head right before her face again, eyes whirling a very delighted blue. I AM very impressive, am I not? He said, speaking directly to the girl. He did not see any reason to involve his rider in this, after all, since she had directed her comment at him, not E’riol. I am sure I am the most magnificent dragon in Telgar. Usually, Caid did not like speaking to anyone but His, but this girl was obviously unusually intelligent and rather perceptive. Her, he liked.

Quirking a brow, E’riol could not stop a mildly amusement smile from tugging at one corner of his mouth. This girl was clearly a very unusual person, for the rider was expecting her to be angry, especially since she was covered in dirt. He let his hand drop, noting that she was obviously fine and did not need any help in standing steady. Clearly, she was not shaken in the slightest. “By careful, my lady, or you will feed his ego.” The Wingleader cautioned, unaware of the conversation that had transpired before he arrived. When Caid let him in on it, the man stared at his bronze with thinly veiled amusement and exasperation. Was there no end to his arrogance? Still, the singer’s awe was amusing, and different. Chuckling, the bronzer crossed his arms, shaking his head. She was quite the vocal little thing. “His name is Caidenth, my lady, and we transferred here from Fort. And yes, even I must admit he is very agile, though Faranth knows he is aware of it.” Because it is true. “As far as Flights go…he wins a fair few.” She asked many questions….but since it was his bafoon’s idiocy that got them into this, Hey! he felt obligated to answer her, even the more…ahem… ‘private’ questions.

I am, naturally, the victor of many Flights. Caidenth bragged to the girl, and this time E’riol could hear. The rider quirked a brow as his dragon continued. Of course, when the lady queen flies, I will naturally-

“I never did ask your name, my lady.” The Wingleader interjected, silencing his bronze with a glare. “I am E’riol, Wingleader of Zahra.”

[hrsegrl]

Never hada dragon bespoken her before. She was enthralled. "Well naturally. I mean only a Bronze as great as you could have attempted that and not killed anyone." Anyone being her. Amneris wasn't one of those people that was concerned with death. Everyone would die, when it was their time to do so. "Only two dragons would possibly be greater and that is simply the nature of Golds. Since I have not met, either Beynath or Adeloth, I will agree that you are the most splendid dragon I have yet to come across."

The Canines were cowering behind her again. This Bronze was scary to them, even if it seemed he was harmless. She turned to see the rider of the dragon. " Oh, I think its too late for that Bronzerider." The girl pulled some of her hair out of her face. She hoped he wasn't angry that she had been talking to his dragon. They must be intelligent to be Wingleaders and very capable of leading. Perhaps he would fly the Queen.

"Of course. You ought to give chase to the Queen. Its probably marvelous fun, out manuevering the other dragons to win the leadership of the Weyr. It sounds perfectly thrilling. I would only like to take part so I could write a song..." She grinned. "May I write a song about you?"

She stopped her questions and thoughts long enough to hear E'riol. " A pleasure it is, Wingleader E'riol." She held her hand out to shake his hand, her blue eyes, briefly making contact with his as was natural when greeting a person properly. "I'm a Candidate and an apprentice Harper. Though they mostly have me sing. Call me Amneris or Neris." She looked down at her two whimpering canines. "These two are Tipp and Half-Note."

[FireThorne]

Caidenth basked in the words of the girl before him, his wings stretched to their fullest extent and his neck arched so much it was exasperating. He was obviously very full of himself at that moment, preening before her compliments. Well, the lovely lady golds were excluded from that statement, of course. The splendor of the queens can not be matched, even by me. The dragon was completely besotted with Adeloth, and he admired her deeply. He even adored her above himself, which was certainly saying something about his attraction for her. I am the most magnificent bronze, though. There are no others that can compete with my flying. He was obviously eating up every sugared word the harper gave him, and he fully believed every haughty sentence he spoke. Such was his arrogance, though. Splendid, she called him. He liked that–splendid.

“So I have heard.” The rider agreed, watching the girl’s canines cower. Yes, it was indeed far too late to refrain from boosting the dragon’s massive ego. You are scaring her canines, Caid.

Of course I am. I have that effect, since I am so intimidating. The bronze stated, blinking at the tall man. He did not even consider moving back so the two creatures would calm down. After all, it was not his place to move. If they did not like him, they could move, or get over it.

Should I just leave you two alone? E’riol asked, quirking a brow.

Perhaps. I like her better, anyway. The dragon said, then rumbled his amusement. He was jesting...for the most part. When Amneris continued her praise of his brilliance, the bronze completely ignored his rider, turning his gaze back to her face and humming his pleasure deep in his chest. You may of course write a song about me. After all, I am brilliant enough to deserve a song of my own, am I not? You must put how clever I am, and what a splendid flier I am. Naturally, you will have to watch me in the queen’s Flight to capture my full glory. Caidenth was starting to get besotted with the girl before him, which was a dangerous attraction. The bronze certainly did not need one such as her to feed his already mammoth ego. Telgar was not even big enough. You are certainly an intelligent girl to realize my magnificence.

Shaking the girl’s hand, E’riol wondered at the conversation transpiring between the harper and his bronze, amazed that she would continue to feed his arrogance so. Caid was not helping matters, either. “The pleasure is mine, Lady Amneris.” His blue eyes met hers as well, as he always did when meeting a new acquaintance. It was the action of an honest man. “If you are not careful, my lady, you are going to end up stealing my own bronze away from me.” The Wingleader gave her a half-grin, pining his dragon with his gaze. “He certainly is enjoying your praise, arrogant beast that he is.”

[hrsegrl]

The girl was laughing not at the dragon but just because she found it all very amusing. Besides she wasn't sure what was going on between dragon and rider but no doubt she had caused some sort of mishief. She looked down at her canines, they were calming gradually.

"The song will tell of your strength and cunning. Even your daring manuevers and when you catch the Queen it will tell of that as well." The fourteen turn old was not as arrogant as the Bronze but she did have her own amount of pride. "Oh, well it does take a special type of person to see true brilliance."

To the rider she smiled, "Oh, he wouldn't do that. A Bronze would have no need of me. He can't win Adeloth and Elisha without you." She reasoned, sounding as logical as a dragon. All this flight stuff obviously did not bother her and being less than trained at proper weyr ettiquete she was probably overstepping what she should say.

[FireThorne]

Caidenth stretched his wings out, and in his opinion it was a very intimidating gesture. The blood-hued bronze knew that when the sun hit him just right, his dark hide looked like the red flames of a watchfire, making his whole body blaze. As the girl spoke, he preened, eyes whirling faster. The song sounds as if it will be very fitting. Only one as perceptive as yourself could write a song that truly matched my magnificence. You will sing it for me when you are done?

Arms crossed, E’riol listened to the conversation transpire between the dragon and candidate, bemused. His bronze would adore none more so than Adeloth, but it seemed he was becoming rather fond of the girl. It was no wonder, however, considering how much she was feeding his ego. Amneris’s smile seemed genuine, but her words surprised the Wingleader, and he quirked a brow. Outspoken, is she not?

She speaks truth, rider. Caid said, his voice thick and low, though he sounded amused as well.

Truth or not, it is too bold. “Lady Amneris, whether we win the Flight or not is upon the Queen’s whim, but it is not to be spoken casually of.” E’riol said softly.

Lowering his head, the large bronze snorted, sending a great gust of air rustling the human’s clothes. No other bronze could defeat me. Caidenth said forcefully, where both candidate and rider could hear his mindvoice. We may speak of it as we wish, for it will be. Why not? He ask, dragon-logic forever far more practical than a man’s.

[hrsegrl]

"I will sing it for you when I finish it. First I'll have to write it." Amneris did not have a long attention span. In fact it seemed like she never paid attention. Her eyes focused off in the distance seemingly at the horizon. More untold stories were out there. She thought about travelling but that would take more effort than she could give right now.

When E'riol did speak to her, she was shocked a bit at his words. While she wanted to say something back, he was a man and he had rank. What could she say? Amneris turned away from him completely and sat down on the ground again. She hugged Tipp a moment, trying not to let his words upset her. He acted like she knew all about the Weyr. How was she supposed to know it wasn't casually talked of like everything else?

The girl didn't speak another word to the Bronzerider. She just took out her gitar and began to play as if he did not exist or she could play away what he had said.

[FireThorne]

E’riol watched with veiled amusement as the girl turned from him and sat, obviously stung by his words. If there was one thing the bronzer was good at, it was hiding his emotions. His spectacular temper was held in constant check, and he maintained a strong hold upon himself. The Wingleader hardly ever allowed others to see what he was truly feeling, outside of amusement and determination. Those with his rank did not have the luxury of acting upon their emotions and allowing themselves to be carried away. They had to present a composed and firm front. I supposed her to be young, but she is truly a child. The man told his dragon softly, watching as she hugged one of her canines close. The rider did not like to hurt a lady, but she really had crossed the line.

Feeling a gaze upon him, the Wingleader flicked his cool blue eyes to the side, arching a brow as he saw Caid’s whirling yellow regard. A child who cannot be expected to know. The great bronze returned, sharing his thoughts with his rider alone. Though the dragon was an arrogant one, he had his times of marvelous revelation. He could be kind, when he so wished.

Yes. Though the bronzerider did not appreciate her turning her back to him, he was also sympathetic to her. He himself did not have to suffer as a candidate very long at all, since he Impressed mere sevendays after being Searched, but he did remember how hard it was adjusting to weyrlife. Perhaps she herself did not have much of a history at Telgar either. Although, an apology would have been nice. Walking around her, E’riol kneeled with a warrior’s grace before the candidate, watching her fingers play over the strings. “Nothing goes away just because you ignore it, young Amneris.” The Wingleader said, loud enough to be heard over the guitar. “The Weyr is a place of glory and honor, true, but it is also full of rules, protocol, and etiquette.” Decorum was a part of a soldier’s life as well, so he was well used to it. “It is something we all had to learn, young harper. Even me.” Standing, he once more stepped around her and strode away towards the lake to collect his record skins. He doubted the girl would appreciate his lecturing, but he had been gentle enough. He still doubted she would be pleased with the lesson, though.

Watching his rider stride away, Caidenth mused silently to himself. The man constantly surprised him, even though they had flown together eleven turns. He had not expected the cool Wingleader to be so calm, or understanding. He did not, however, anticipate Amneris to appreciate the words. She was young, impulsive, and entirely too bold. He liked it--she reminded the great bronze of himself. All well, little one?

[hrsegrl]

There were always moments like these. Amneris was still trying to figure out a world that she was never really a part of. In fact she wasn't trying all that hard to fit in here. At home she had automatically fit in and was loved. When she was sent away to the Harpers she didn't have to work too hard at it really. The only issues she had were based on her being female. That didn't stop her where actually performing was concerned. Her day to day life had required her to put on a tough front. She had to be better than the boys by a lot just to be recognized for her work.

Coming to the Weyr was hard for her. The hardest move yet. No one here had lived her life. They didn't understand her love of the Harper Hall. She had come into a place that was changing as much as she was. No matter what she did here she did it wrong. It had only taken her a couple days to realize, she didn't belong here. SHe was out of her league. They were all dragon obsessed. all the Candidates wanted to impress more than anythign in the World. Neris wouldn't settle for that cop out. A dragon would be fine but she had her own life to put in order and if she didn't impress she was going to be perfectly fine.

She had played till the end of the song and then just sat staring out into the distance. Only replying to the dragon, "Yes. Thank you." She had intended her voice to come across as sweet but there was something in it, determination. Amneris was determined to make the people here love her. She wasn't going to be talked down to or treated like some common drudge. Amneris was made for greater things, which she believed more with every passing moment.

[FireThorne]

Caidenth had heard that tone from humans before. His rider carried it often, but never more so than when he was speaking of his wing or his duty. It was a thing shared by dragon and man. Tilting his head, the bronze watched the girl as she spoke, staring out into the distance. Most girls he had the displeasure of being around, goldriders excluded, would have swooned when the Wingleader offered them his hand, but not this child. She seemed pretty unaffected by his rider’s rank.

Come, Caid. I want to practice those maneuvers I worked out while you were swimming. E’riol had gathered the skins by the lakeside, tucking them securely away, and was now buckling up his well-worn flight jacket. The bronze straightened.

See to it that you stay that way. The dragon remarked to the harper girl, nose almost right in her face as he said his farewell. Here we part, but we shall meet again. You must sing about me. Caidenth turned and began to make his way towards his rider, but not before tossing one more private comment to Amneris. And we will not invite Mine. He chuckled.

Angry, is she? The Wingleader asked, stepping onto his dragon’s outstretched foreleg and swinging up with a practiced ease that came with eleven turns of riding. Taking hold of the riding straps, E’riol steadied himself as the bronze lifted himself in the air, climbing effortlessly above the bowl.

She is fine. She is strong. Caidenth said simply, awaiting the man’s next command. His flying was impressive as ever.

[hrsegrl]

With his face so close to her, she took the moment to scratch above his eyeridge as she had seen countless numbers of riders do. "I will." She laughed a bit, "The song will be ready for you next time." The great Bronze was right though, it would be better without the Wingleader around to stop their fun.

Amneris watched the dragon leave and went back to dallying with some chords, and putting some words to them. She was still working out kinks to this new song but it had a fairly nice start. As the sun was beginning to be too much for her she decided it was time to head back to the barracks.