Exploring what was once a Hold

[L'yst and Woreth]

L'yst stood beside his blue, watching as others came over to join the exploration party. Not only would they survey from the sky, but they would also survey the land on foot as much as possible. That's why they were taking more than just riders on this mission.

The others are coming, Woreth told his rider.

"Yes, we'll be off soon. We've got alot of land to explore, the more we have the merrier." L'yst replied to Woreth, patting the dragons foreleg.

He had no idea what they would find, but truth be told, he was glad for something to do with his day.

You could have scrubbed and washed me. That would have satisfied me. Woreth reminded his rider.

"I just did that yesterday. You know you're fine."

I can always use a scrub and oiling. I like it.

"I know you do, we'll see to that later then, my Woreth," L'yst reached up to scratch the eye ridge that was perfectly placed for just such an action. Woreth loved to encourage L'yst to do such tings and L'yst could not refuse his life-mate whenever possible.

He looked up as he saw others heading their way.

Any!!!!

[S'ren and Kasalith]

S'ren had been been oiling Kasalith when a rider stepped into his weyr and invited him to join the others on a trip to explore the hold. At first he had wanted to decline the offer, but Kasalith begged him to go. She wanted to stretch her wings a bit and perhaps, if she was lucky, warm up to a bronze. It's always about you, S'ren had joked with her before finally agreeing to go along. He wanted to go explore too. Being inside the Weyr left little room for sightseeing and after a rather dry morning he needed a good laugh and a bit of socializing.

Changing into something a bit more loose fitting, S'ren and Kasalith took the to sky and landed unceremoniously near the sands where they'd been told to gather. When Kasalith touched down, S'ren slid off her back and stroked her hide.

They made their way over to a large blue and it wasn't until he rounded the dragon did he see L'yst standing near its side. Kasalith grunted and stepped a bit further ahead to put herself between them, but S'ren placed his hands on her. "It's okay. he thought, looking up at her face. Kasalith grunted again and shifted back.

"If you say so, mine."

She had heard his thoughts about L'yst and had to witness his less than happy mood after their morning together. She was protective over him and if that meant keeping S'ren away from the blue rider she would.

S'ren approached L'yst. "Are you leading this party?" He asked. If so he wasn't so sure if he'd join. Kasalith grunted uncomfortably behind him.

"You're going to let him ruin our day, Sorenmine?"

S'ren's hands flexed at his side and he bit his lips. No, he wouldn't, but then he didn't want to be stuck with a man who wanted nothing to do with him either. Hopefully other riders would show up to liven the mood of the exploration party.

Tag: L'yst, anyone

[L'yst and Woreth]

"Are you leading this party?"

L'yst looked S'ren in the eye and felt almost as if his breath had caught in his throat. For a moment he stood there, staring at the man who'd shared something intimate with him. L'yst tried to remind himself that that was simply the way life in the Weyr could go. Yet, that didn't have to mean he could not look back on that moment favorable. S'ren had been a wonderful partner.

Finally, realizing he'd been staring, Woreth nudged him with his head and L'yst blinked, clearing his throat a bit sheepishly.

"I'm not leading it, necessarily, S'ren. Maram simply asked Chloe and I to start gathering people. Then we can decide whether to work together or split our efforts." L'yst found himself being drawn into S'ren's eyes once more and he had to physically restrain himself from reaching out a hand to touch the other man.

"It was nice to meet your friend yesterday. He seems very...." L'yst struggled for the word. He wanted to say the other man was so sharding lucky, but that would not sound right. "nice," he finished lamely, feeling his shoulders almost sag a bit in defeat at not having got across the message he'd anticipated.

Kasalith, your hide seems to shine today. Woreth told the green, admiring her beauty. It helped that he knew his rider was interested in hers. Woreth contemplated telling her, but decided that L'yst would figure that out for himself.

L'yst turned an almost pained look on his dragon as he picked up the blue's thoughts. He had sensed an almost cool attitude from S'ren and wasn't sure what he'd done.

Then, turning back to S'ren he blurted, "I'm sorry if I've hurt you in some way. I'm happy you have someone like your friend I met. I...enjoyed...our time." Then, letting out an almost exasperated puff, L'yst stood there, feeling a tad foolish. Normally he could just let such flightlust moments go by, but he had spent the whole of the day yesterday thinking such high hopes that when he'd seen S'ren with who he believed was he partner, he had felt as though the joy had seeped out of him.

Tag S'ren/Any/All who want to come!!!

[S'ren and Kasalith]

When he didn't answer him immediately S'ren quickly assumed that he was ignoring him again. He expected him to pretend that he wasn't there. L'yst seemed to only talk to him when he made the effort to talk to him first and even then he made up some excuse to leave. Why should this be any different? S'ren's eyes moved to the blue dragon and watched as he nudged L'yst. His brow kneaded and he looked back at L'yst. Did his dragon have to make him talk to him now?

"I'm not leading it, necessarily, S'ren. Maram simply asked Chloe and I to start gathering people. Then we can decide whether to work together or split our efforts."
[/i]

S'ren's large eyes darkened and he flexed his hands uncomfortably at his side. He wasn't sure if he was relieved to hear his answer or disappointed that they may be split up when the other riders gathered. Lost in his thoughts, he was brought back to his surroundings by L'yst's next words.

He didn't immediately know who he was talking about and then, as if a lightbulb went off in his head, he muttered an exasperated 'oh'.

"C'ton? Yes, he's quite...unique," S'ren responded, watching L'yst closely. He and C'ton were very close actually. He knew C'ton fancied him more than he ever would the other man, but that was beside the point. Why did L'yst bring him up? Could it be he found the other man more attractive? Great! That's exactly what he needed...his best friend sleeping with his...he wasn't even sure what L'yst was to him anymore. His lover? No, that name described someone he'd sleep with again, not a one time rump because of flightlust. His friend? They were far from it now...

"You should take a closer look, Woreth." Kasalith extended her neck so that the blue could get a better look at her smooth texture. She knew she should be ashamed of herself for trying to impress the blue, but could you blame her? Woreth was quite eye catching!

A puzzled look crossed S'ren's face as Kasalith's thoughts dived into the gutter. He felt her shift at his side and his eyes darted toward her briefly before turning back to gaze at L'yst. He wasn't sure what to say to him. His emotions were running wild. He still liked him and standing in front of him he felt like a teenager in love. His attraction to the other man ran deep, very deep, but what did it matter if L'yst didn't feel the same way?

"I'm sorry if I've hurt you in some way. I'm happy you have someone like your friend I met. I...enjoyed...our time."

Talking about C'ton again are we? He fought to keep his expression nonchalant. S'ren looked toward the ground. "I enjoyed it too..." he said feebly before he could really think about what L'yst had said. He looked back into his eyes and frowned.

"That I have someone like my friend... What does that mean?" He asked, taking a step closer. Kasalith's eyes snapped downward to her rider and she warned him to take it slow. S'ren stopped in his tracks and waited.

Tag: L'yst, anyone!!

[L'yst and Woreth]

He sensed that he'd again done something wrong. It was just a slight change in S'ren's attitude. He had hoped they could at least be friends after what they'd shared, but perhaps S'ren was not inclined to think that way. It seemed almost as though he was annoyed. Perhaps being in L'yst's company reminded him of their brief respite and he did not wish to be reminded of that.

But S'ren's next words quickly belied that conclusion "I enjoyed it too..."

L'yst looked up. Maybe there was hope that they could build a friendship. It wouldn't be all that he'd considered yesterday, but a friendship would be nice.

"That I have someone like my friend... What does that mean?"

You are stunning. Woreth told Kasalith as he sidled a bit closer. If our two could join together I could admire you more often.

L'yst turned and nearly glared at his dragon. He's already taken. He told Woreth.

That does not mean I will not fly her when the time comes. Then you could be with the one you like as well.

L'yst wanted to tell Woreth to lay off the topic, but he loved his blue so much that he couldn't do such a thing. He knew Woreth was right. Perhaps he could hold onto the hope that Woreth would fly Kasalith, but that could just lead him up another foolish track. L'yst turned back to S'ren.

L'yst shifted from foot to foot a bit uncomfortably. He was never one to dwell much or talk much about other's personal weyr decisions.

"Um, well," he furrowed his brow a bit, wondering what he was supposed to say.

"C'ton seems like a good mate. That's all I meant. I don't really know him well, but I think you two make a good pair. You seemed happy when you were together." L'yst seemed to nod his head a bit as if affirming his own statement.

Tag S'ren/Any

[S'ren and Kasalith]

Kasalith sidled closer to Woreth and brushed herself up against him a bit. She was playing coy. It was how she was. Flirty and teasing. She hadn't met a male yet who hadn't liked that about her.

If our two could join together I could admire you more often.

Kasalith closed her eyes and pondered that. That should not take very long. She told Woreth without thinking first. S'ren locked eyes with her and she shrunk just a bit under his gaze. Sorry, mine.

S'ren shook his head. Say nothing more. Kasalith agreed, but still she rubbed herself against the blue.

"C'ton seems like a good mate. That's all I meant. I don't really know him well, but I think you two make a good pair. You seemed happy when you were together."

S'ren breathed out through his nose as if appalled by the very thought of 'being with' C'ton. It all made sense now. L'yst thought he was already taken so he was distancing himself. To think that he may have walked away from something due to some misunderstanding was quite alarming.

Should he tell L'yst the truth or should he let him continue to ponder? Like Kasalith, he liked to be coy. He invited the chase. Yet, there would be no chase if L'yst believed he was already seeing someone else. He'd give him a hint and let him decide on his own. That way his feelings wouldn't be on the line if he was once again deciphering L'yst words wrongly and L'yst would be free to pursue him if he chose to.

"We're very happy together," S'ren said turning to stroke Kasalith. His right hand lingered on her side as he looked back at L'yst. "Not quite as happy as I was during our time together however," he said, smiling softly.

Tag: L'yst, anyone!!

[L'can and Tanemoth]

Trust a weyrbrat to interrupt the moment. Lorcan had been happy to hear that non-riders were welcome on this project and he was eager to help with the survey. He would also get to meet some of the blue and green riders, which was a relief. Spending time with nothing but his father and his bronze riders was no fun at all.

He trotted up to the group of riders, smiling at the blue and green riders who were already there. "I'd like to help with the survey, if I can," he said, speaking to both since he wasn't sure who was in charge.

Tag L'yst/S'ren/any

[L'yst and Woreth]

"We're very happy together," S'ren said turning to stroke Kasalith. His right hand lingered on her side as he looked back at L'yst. "Not quite as happy as I was during our time together however,"

L'yst's feature held an almost hopeful expression at those words. What exactly did S'ren mean by that? If he was happy with C'ton, then that was that, but yet, his other words seemed to convey something more...perhaps there was more of a chance here than he'd realized.

He would have said more, but just then, others began to arrive. Sending an almost quizzical look S'ren's way, L'yst knew that this conversation was not over. Perhaps he could find some time to talk to him alone again soon, and find out exactly what was happening.

"I enjoyed it as well, very much," was all he said, before the press of the others made such a private conversation inappropriate.

"I'd like to help with the survey, if I can,"

Turning to the young boy, L'yst smiled. "Of course you can join us. Many others are as well." Looking around he saw that quite a few had gathered.

"In, fact, I think we can get started." Since it seemed that everyone was looking to him for direction, L'yst gave the signal to mount. "Come, you can ride with me," he told the boy and offered him a hand-up. Before they took to the skies however, he turned and cast a long, longing look in S'ren's direction. He had no idea if the other had seen it, and truth be told, he didn't care. S'ren had given him a hint of hope, and L'yst intended to find out if there was anything more than a hint...if anything could be possible.

"Alright, hang on," he told the boy, and then gave the signal for all to rise. Soon the dragons were airborne and flying up and out of the Weyr. They soared down over the side of the mountain and began the journey to see what, if anything, they would find.

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[Echo and Anayeth]

Echo didn’t know what she was going to do, truly. But L’yst the Weyrlingmaster had asked her to come along, and Echo, having nothing much better to do, decided to do it. She had quickly retreated to her Infirmary—the Infirmary, not hers, what was she thinking?—and had gotten the supplies she’d need for a stay somewhere else. Oil, of course, for Aloenna, and numbweed and fellis and bandages and needlethorn and other small things of the sort was all put in her handy bag. She stuffed everything but the oil in, and took some time to practically dip Aloenna in the oil, for all the parts on the firelizard she needed to oil. Aloenna practically purred, which sounded so nice, comforting almost, to the girl.

Thus packed, Echo pulled the bag onto her shoulder so the bag hung on the opposite hip as where the holder was placed on her shoulder. She patted it almost unconsciously before letting Aloenna climb to sit on her shoulders. The little firelizard’s claws were sharp, but she knew how to keep them from hurting Hers. She did not like to fly; instead, she folded her tiny wings to her back, pressed them tightly there, and had not yet lifted into the air once except to jump.

Echo hurried out of the infirmary, clutching her bag so that it would not bounce around, and feeling Aloenna’s tinny claws pinch into her shoulder. She arrived just as the Weyrlingmaster launched onto his Blue. A boy she hadn’t met before went behind L’yst. Echo stopped, nearly breathless, and Aloenna offered a cheep of surprise. She looked upon the large green with wide multifaceted orbs, and then lay down, coolly, on Echo’s shoulder. “Oh, I do hope I’m not too late. Sorry for making you wait, Weyrlingmaster.” Echo said, bowing slightly to the man seated on the Blue. “You asked me earlier if you wanted anyone to join you, and I think it’s best a Healer go, just in case.”

Then Echo grinned, “Plus, I really want to see what land there is outside the Weyr.” She shrugged, to which Aloenna had to lean into the shrug and looked very much like a parrot that sat on a pirate’s shoulder. All she needed was a cracker and a squawky voice, then maybe some feathers, and she’d look very much like a parrot… Echo, on the other hand, looked nothing like a pirate in her form-fitting light brown shirt and skirt… okay, so maybe she looked sort of like a pirate. “Can I still go?”

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[S'ren and Kasalith]

"I enjoyed it as well, very much."

S'ren's heart swelled and he smiled brightly. Kasalith stomped around, pleased with her antics as well. When a boy arrived S'ren finally took a look around them and noticed that, while he had been in his own world (one where only he and L'yst existed) others had come over. Ashened face, he turned to Kasalith.

"Ready?" He asked her. Kasalith inclined her head. She loved flying, almost as much as she loved Soren. Any opportunity to stretch her wings would be an opportunity she would take. Especially if it gave her a chance to show off in front of the other dragons, especially the males among them. She knelt and S'ren climbed up.

“Can I still go?”

L'yst must not have heard her for he and Worth took to the skies and others followed his lead. S'ren looked up and then down at the girl. "Let's assume that was a yes. Climb on." He offered her a hand, all the while curiously looking at the firelizard atop the girl's shoulder. Kasalith eyed the tiny lizard too.

"Now we're babysitting, Sorenmine. I want to fly fast and I can't with the baby aboard.

You'll fly on your own soon enough, S'ren said to her, patting her on the back. Kasalith sighed and remained quiet.

Tag: Echo, anyone

[Echo and Anayeth]

Echo was good at reading most people’s facial expressions. ‘Most’ meaning not her father’s, and possibly not the facial expressions of those who kept their feelings wholly to themselves. She doubted anyone could read her father’s expressions. But the expression the man gave her when he helped her onto his Green was one of … well, curiosity as well as some disappointment. It was like he was disappointed in something, maybe flying, maybe having to have someone else on his Green. The curiosity was wholly for Aloenna, who stayed firmly on Echo’s shoulder even as she mounted onto the Green’s back. “Thank you, Greenrider.” She told him.

Underneath her, Echo could feel the dragon sigh. It was strange, really, that a dragon would sigh like that. So it wasn’t the man who was disappointed, it was the dragon. But for what? Did the dragon think that Echo would blow away because she was inexperienced at riding with a rider? Or was it because of Aloe? No one, not even dragon, had been disappointed when meeting the little Green for the first time, and it puzzled Echo. Thus, she took Aloe off of her shoulder and stuffed the Green inside her shirt. Aloe didn’t really like it, but soon found that the shirt was warm and cuddled up close to Her’s stomach.

“Uhm, I stowed Aloenna—my firelizard—away, so you don’t have to worry about her.” She spoke up to S’ren, her eyes shining with the thought of riding a dragon again. She hadn’t ridden a dragon since they’d landed in the Weyr a couple days ago, and she loved the feeling of the wind through her hair and her weightlessness.

Aloenna was perfectly fine with laying around her-big-pink-thing’s stomach. She had eaten, and was oiled, and felt fine. Actually, she felt better than fine, because she knew fine was just after the period of time when she’d eaten and no longer felt full. No, she felt superb. And this was all just a sort of game, wasn’t it, going into her-big-pink-thing’s shirt? Sure, Echo didn’t do much like this before, but Aloenna hadn’t really been along for that long. So Aloenna amused herself with finding room inside Echo’s shirt, and lying there. She had to, too, because she didn’t want to rip the girl’s shirt—she was much more considerate than that. So Aloenna lay there, opened her mouth to reveal a green tongue, and yawned. Echo could feel the movement inside her shirt and a small smile crept over her face as she gripped S’ren with one arm and petted Aloenna-that-was-inside-her-shirt with the other.

Tag S'ren/Any

[S'ren and Kasalith]

S'ren helped the girl up and then turned to look ahead. "Lets go Kasalith." He said, rubbing her gently.

“Uhm, I stowed Aloenna—my firelizard—away, so you don’t have to worry about her.”

S'ren turned and glanced back at the girl. "Why should I worry about your firelizard?" He said, frowning. He had purposely avoided getting one so[ he wouldn't have to tend to another soul. Aloenna, though she looked innocent enough, was not his responsibility and he couldn't understand why the girl would think so.

Perhaps she can read my mind. Kasalith chimed in before she took to the sky. S'ren pondered that. It was possible.

Or perhaps your emotions are a bit too obvious, Kassy.

Kasalith narrowed her eyes. They caught up with the others fairly quickly, though they lagged behind because she did not know exactly where they were going.

They both kept their eyes out for ruins or anything below that could be of interest.

"We'll follow your lead," S'ren called out to L'yst.

Tag: Echo, L'yst, anyone

[L'can and Tanemoth]

Lorcan settled onto the dragon's back easily. He wasn't nervous at all, since this was far from the first time he had ridden a dragon. He glanced back at the rider, just in time to see the man throw the greenrider a "look." Lorcan turned his attention away, pretending to study something in the distance as the Bluerider mounted. He felt like he had interrupted something now, but that was silly, because the riders had been expecting others.

The affairs of blue and green riders were easily forgotten as the dragon took off. Lorcan grinned, watching the ground recede below them. Flying was wonderful. If he closed his eyes, he could imagine he was riding his own dragon. Maybe he would Impress a blue like this one, or a green like the graceful female flying beside them. Or maybe something completely different, a bronze like his father's. Lorcan didn't care, he just longed to Impress.

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[Chloe and Alorath]

Chloe and Alorath cut through the skys on the mission of exploration with their three passengers. A big man and two tiny firelizards.

They flew over stream then the mill and it's little pool they'd found the day before. She rubbed his knee again when they flew over the site they'd discovered the day before and his hands made themselves known as well.

She leaned back against him as they continued to fly toward something closer to the coast she'd seen the day before but hadn't had time to take a closer look. As they drew closer to the coast she thought she saw a seam of cliffs or a crevice of some sort.

She pointed and turned her face toward him. "Whats That" she asked.

"Alorath please tell Woreth's we have found something that looks like it may be a firestone mine. Tell him we're going to investigate."

She could see the bigger blue with another green on the horizon and while she couldn't quited make out the rider. They spiraled in for a landing.

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[L'yst and Woreth]

"We'll follow your lead,"

Let's go Woreth, they're counting on us to take the lead here, L'yst told his dragon with a pat on his back. Soon they were gliding out over forested areas. Thread had obviously not touched these islands yet and that was a true blessing.

I see something mine, Woreth said, turning sharply to the right. L'yst gestured for the others to follow. It wasn't long before he, too, caught sight of what looked like the remains of a half-finished Hold. So, not only had these mysterious riders begun work on a Wery, they had also tried to establish a Hold on this island.

Just then Woreth relayed a message from Chloe.

Tell them we think we've found the Hold itself. If the need help where they are, let us know. Otherwise we'll explore here.

Woreth relayed the message to Chloe and soon L'yst was guiding the blue down to land a safe distance from what appeared to be the Hold.

Once they'd landed, L'yst turned to the boy on Woreth's back. "This could be interesting. Come on." Sliding out of his riding harness, L'yst climbed off Woreth's back and waited for the others to do the same.

Once they were all gathered, he spoke, "I think no one should go off on their own. Everyone should at least stick with a buddy or we all stick together. We have no idea how long these tunnels have sat unused and things could be unstable." There was a glint of adventure in his eyes however as he looked to the giant opening carved out of stone.

The doors that had once held it shut seemed to have been damaged a bit over the years as one hung side-ways off the hinge, leaving the Hold exposed to the weather and any stray animals too.

"Just be careful everyone," L'yst added, before some of the explorers started towards the opening.

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