Domestic? Not so much...

[Kiletri]

Since Kiletri had stationed herself at Crashing Seas Weyr it meant that she was required to pitch in along with everyone else. She didn't care as long as most everyone else minded their own business when it came to anything else. Kitchen duty was actually something she minded the least. All in all she was a pretty decent cook. Her specialty was stew, mostly because it was easy and it was something that made for good leftovers and kept well. Not to mention it was a whole meal in a bowl and the least effort the better. This afternoon it was heardbeast which she preferred over wherry. She liberally added various vegetables as well as seasonings, and she kept tasting and augmenting while it simmered the needed amount of time until she was absolutely satisfied. Kiletri had gone out on a limb and had baked some fresh loaves of bread to go with her hearty stew.

Before Kiletri had become a starcrafter, and long before she had ever become a dragonrider she had dreamed about having her own family. For a long time Kiletri had harbored a secret longing for whatever the Pernese term for 'knight in shining armor' would have been, but of course she had been whisked off to the star craft instead. She didn't mind that her life had taken the route it did, but she hadn't really given up on the idea of her own little patch of family paradise until she had impressed Jaraith which of course she wouldn't have traded for anything. Not to mention once she had integrated herself into the star crafting society then eventually weyr society, and gotten older her desires had drastically changed. In the end the only enjoyable memory was cooking with her mother, and kitchen duties had thus become the most relaxing of duties. It was a connection to the past that she could remember fondly and without regret.

Kiletri almost laughed to think of it. Her? A holder's wife? The idea held a certain repulsive quality for her at that point. Cooking was enjoyable, blindly being someone's servant and calling it love wasn't. She knew what real love was.

I love you too Kiletri-mine.
I know dear heart.

As if to prove she was anti-domestic she was now languidly sitting in a chair, with her feet propped up on a table that seemed to be more for two. It was kind of out of the way of the rest of the tables, and closest to the hearth. The loaves were freshly sliced and covered with towels, resting on the hearthstones so they would remain soft and warm. The stew was slowly bubbling underneath a lid with a ladle (the handle wrapped against the heat of the metal), and there was also a fresh pot of klah as well as pitchers of juice. The bowls and cups were stacked within easy reach, and everything was perfectly prepared. Kiletri was going to hang out until everyone had eaten and then the cook would eat last. Besides she had tasted it enough times that she almost felt sated. She was drinking klah though so maybe that would take the taste off her tongue by the time everyone else had filed in then she could enjoy it more.

Kiletri crossed her legs and sank a bit lower in her chair not caring what anyone thought of it. She didn't expect anyone to sit with her at any rate. Most of the time she came and got food and brought it back to her weyr. It was only when it was her turn that she hung around, and most didn't approach her for conversation. It wasn't that she was taciturn it was just that she didn't have much to say about herself, and so that was a pretty quick way to end a conversation. She wasn't sure what she would do when her kitchen duty was done, but she was sure she'd think of something as she had some time on her hands.

[Deleted]

Ra'shin entered the hall. Unlike most, the brown rider went out of his way to interact with Kiletri. Despite his efforts to talk to her and get to know her better, since technically they were weyrmates, he still felt stimyed by her behavior and personality. Not that he was any better with conversation or interacting with people, he had just by the nature of the beast been forced to get better. As the one the committee had appointed to be the Wingleader, and therefore the closest thing that Crashing Seas had to a leader. Ra'shin had the opportunity and obligation to interact with every member of the Weyr, whether they were dragonriders or not. It put him in the unique position to converse with a lot of them and know their stories.

This being the case, he was well aware there were some who were former Syndicate members and had a pretty good idea there were some who were that simply weren't telling him. However there were two people (at least) who stubbornly refused to speak to him about their pasts with any sense of depth other than what was required to pass the interview that would allow them to stay in the Weyr. Kiletri and the one who called himself Traitor. To him Traitor was someone to look up to though the brown rider and Weyr's Healer was retiring and quiet, because he had been the one who had protected Crashing Seas from the scouting Syndicate while Ra'shin and (other guy) were elsewhere. He was also the one who found the Weyr in the first place and gave Ra'shin the suggestion to go here. He had known Traitor for nearly four Turns, and even so knew very little about him. Still he trusted the other dragonrider with his life.

Then there was Kiletri. She was quiet and reserved simply because of... what reason? Ra'shin had no idea about her or her past, just that she was interesting and didn't want to reveal it. She was a Starcrafter and that was all he knew. Yet he wanted to know more because it seemed to him there was always a reason the female dragon chose the male dragon. Some sense of deeper emotional bond between the two, something... or maybe it was just his Hold roots talking. They might not mean anything at all except the female could sense which one would make a better Sire for her clutch, even if she was a green so there would be no eggs.

Sorenyth reached out to Jaraith, speaking in his deep mental voice. Hello how are you faring today? How's is yours? He sent her waves of gladness for the time they had shared and the fact she had chosen him.

Meantime Ra'shin entered the dining hall and looked around. He went to the bread, taking a slice and inhaling the scent of the freshly baked food. He laden himself a plate of food and crossed over to the table Kiletri was lounging on. Obviously by the fact she was here it was her turn on kitchen duty, and he was grateful for it because she was a decent cook. He was a terrible cook, so much so they had simply started to skip his turn so the Weyr could actually eat the food that was prepared.

Coming up to her, Ra'shin cleared his throat and looked down at Kiletri. In the light of the fireplace and glows the scar on the right side of his face, the one thing he refused to talk about, stood out. "Mind if I sit here?" Technically... she was his weyrmate... not that it prevented her from being an enigma to him. Not that it prevented her from just sitting there any saying nothing when they happened to be together. Not that it meant she warmed his bed or his heart or even just spoke to him anymore than anyone else.

[Traitor]

Of those who avoided her one mayhap stood out the most in her mind. Not for any great difference in attitude toward her, unless avoiding her with more obvious gesture was a great difference instead of a minor one. Rather he might stand out in her mind the same reason he stood out in most. He remained the only one in the Weyr whose face no one knew. Always was he swathed in brown, leaving naught but suggestion of facial features and hands for e'en his fingers in gloves were covered. Rumors of his origins abound, gossip and tales whispered throughout the Weyr, yet none knew what or who he truly was, only that he was one of the three founders of the Weyr.

Each time he entered a room with Kiletri he avoided her with the same intensity one avoids someone with a contagious disease. He neither spoke nor interacted with her to any degree, and if their eyes and cowl should meet, quick he was to turn away. Not downward his head to indicate his submission but rather sideways and away simply to avoid her gaze as if she might discern some terrible secret from his dark eyes.

For those with dragons, Traitor's brown spoke glibly enough to them and even gave his name, Luezairaith, yet ne'er was the name of his rider revealed save to be called 'mine' and naught else. Indeed he was one of those who chased after Jaraith but did not win, his voice adding to her Chase as his recited poetry of his own creation to her in gentle tones. No matter t'was not in the brown dragon's nature to feel sorrow or envy for his friend. There would be other Flights, and too he was already the weyrmate of the green Ireykanth. She the green belonging to the Dragonhealer Lynn, transferred but a few months back with her apprentice and her womb heavy with child. Twins these turned to be, twin girls, possessing their mother's auburn hair and their father's dark eyes. So did the mysteries surrounding Traitor continue to advance and swell for this was not a shroud penetrated easily.

He moved with long strides across to the table, selecting a few items here and there, and adding them with careful placement to his plate. No matter whether t'was his turn at kitchen or not, he never stayed to eat with the others. The fact that humans needed to eat was the only reason one might assumed he indeed partook of nourishment on occasion.

[Kiletri]

Kiletri only glanced up briefly to note Ra'shin's entrance, and if she watched him after that it was hard to say as she kept her eyes half-lidded and they were further veiled by long lashes. She at least acknowledged his presence.

Hello Sorenyth.[/i] Unlike her rider, though still serious minded, Jaraith was much more of an open book, but of course when it came to poking into anything concerning her rider more than surface details she became quite close lipped herself.
We are very well, what about you and yours? Jaraith was in most instances naturally friendly with all of the other dragons quite willing to be social when it came to talking about dragon things.

Kiletri's eyes closed completely as she blinked, and then she looked up at him the ocean colored irises falling in shadow making them look more darkly blue than usual. She seemed to look him right in the eye. Kiletri might have been secretive, but she was hardly bashful. The scar didn't seem to catch her attention even as it stood out.

"It's more your table than it is mine," and she shrugged as much as her very slouched posture would allow, and that would be as much of a 'yes' he was going to get and a small enigmatic smile to accompany it.

Kiletri really didn't think of them as weyrmates, but he wasn't bad company all in all. As far as she was concerned Jaraith had just so happened to be flown by Sorenyth. She wasn't the type to believe that meant they would be weyrmates and live happily ever after. It wasn't like Ra'shin was her first, and she doubted he would be her last. Of course if continued to hang around then Sorenyth was really the only one to chase Jaraith's tail. Luezairaith seemed happy enough with Ireykanth at least of course that didn't mean it would stop him really.

"Don't be a stranger, stranger," Kiletri called to Traitor a bemused look crossing her face.

She had no idea why he avoided her like the plague, but attempts to discomfit him couldn't be passed up. Kiletri took another sip of her klah and smirked as she waited for any reaction if one was to come. Luezairaith was friendly enough with Jaraith on the occassions they would speak, but 'Traitor' avoided her completely. Kiletri couldn't figure out what the aversion was, but mostly she was quite content to leave him to his own business except for the days she was feeling more feisty like that day.

She turned her attention back to Ra'shin, wondering what he was going to say to her or rather why he wanted to sit with her. Maybe he was making an effort for Sorenyth's sake. Jaraith was fond of the brown, but Jaraith always missed draconic contact when they were on their own so she was really enjoying the Crashing Seas thing. Kiletri took another sip of her klah, such distractions weyr life afforded her.

[Deleted]

Truth be told Sorenyth cared little about how Jaraith's was doing. It was her he was interested in rather than her rider, it was simply customary and polite to inquire about the human half of a dragon-pair. So when she replied quick to his question he rumbled happily and replied. Good... we both fare well. After this part of the conversation it always fell short. He tried to make more conversation but he was not good at it like Luezairaith. You are looking well, your hide is shiny. Are you hungry? We can hunt... A final valiant effort to get her to interact with him more.

Ra'shin grunted and shook his head, "These tables are everyone's. If anything they are not my tables either. I merely repaired them and cleaned them when we moved here." He set his plate on the table's surface across from Kiletri, far enough away so not to interfere with her posture and not be bothered by her boots. Being that it was her turn for kitchen duty, she along with their sparse drudge population ... all three of them... would have to clean the tables after the meal. He knew the mud would come off and did not worry about it. There had been far worse things than some dirt on the tables when he and the others arrived.

He pushed his food around and took a sip of his klah. As she shouted toward someone, he turned to see Traitor. His eyes followed the other for a moment before he turned back to Kiletri. Ra'shin knew well there was no happily ever after for most weyrmates, but some actually became friends and interacted with each other. Ironically as he was the leader, and she was his weyrmate she was currently the closest thing Crashing Seas had to a Weyrwoman. "Kiletri..." He blew on the hot drink, watching it steam as he spoke rather than looking at her. "You know you have lived here for some time. You help with the duties assigned, your dragon Rises, you fight Thread with the rest of us. You are as much part of this Weyr as anyone else." Briefly he glanced up at her and regarded her over the rim of his cup.

Then he dropped his gaze back to the klah. "Even if you do not wish to admit this, you are part of the Weyr. You know your background is of no consequence... it is only the loyalty to this Weyr that we ask. To defend her against outsiders and others who would take her from the free people who live here, alter our ways and force us to be as the others are..." Ra'shin did not like the idea of Crashing Seas becoming anything like a 'real' Weyr. Regardless of whether or not it was run by the brown riders for all time, or at least until the Committee decided otherwise, he did not want to see the goodness that Crashing Seas had become fall into the hands of the Syndicate... though they were not much of a worry... or anyone else for that matter who wished to change the way he had chosen to live. "You might want to consider coming to a Committee meeting, perhaps it will help you feel like you are more part of the Weyr?"

[Traitor]

What intention ill or good she might have had when speaking with Traitor, he responded not at all. Not even pausing in his current task to acknowledge her words or cast glance over brown-clad shoulder to indicate he heard her remark, possibly humorous, possibly not. Whilst he sought to laden his plate with the food he required, his staunch ignoring of everyone else in the room, in particular Kiletri continued. Food enough for himself, he took an additional plate to cover the top of his meal. Placing hand over the cover to secure the items within the effective if make-shift container, he turned away from the tables. The edges of his brown cloak swirled as with light treads he exited the Dining Hall. Thus leaving Ra'shin and Kiletri to their own devices.

[Kiletri]

Freshly oiled.[/color] Jaraith explained proudly, sometimes Kiletri liked to tease her dragon and compare her vanity to that of a Queen dragon.
I would like to hunt I meant to yesterday, and today I am very hungry.[/color] She sounded appropriately enthusiastic at least which was a good sign for Sorenyth.

Maybe Kiletri had some variety of decorum or perhaps she was simply trying that thing called 'politeness' as her boots thumped on the floor a moment after he sat down. She also straightened up, thinking it wouldn't have been much longer before her back had been protesting her sitting position anyway. A hand wiped away any bits of dirt that she may have inadvertently left on the table.

She shrugged at his words. Either way she figured he had the right to sit at whatever pieces of wood he wanted whether he'd repaired them or just admired them from afar.

Kiletri watched Traitor go as silently as he had come. How very anti-social of him.

"Bye then," she called in a tone that was so over sweet that it had to be some form of sarcasm.

Her head came around to watch him even though he seemed rather intent on not looking at her as she heard her name fall from his lips, and she took a sip of her klah waiting for the inevitable follow up. Kiletri listened without saying anything and met his gaze before it went back to his own klah. At the end she resisted the urge to roll her eyes and somehow she managed to win. How many more ways did she have to say or indicate that she just wanted to be left to her own business? Weren't women supposed to be the clingy 'oh we should be involved with the community' ones? Kiletri took another drink of her klah to put off her answer for a moment.

"I don't think that organization and I really mix, and maybe I'm a part of the weyr for now though it doesn't mean it's going to stay that way," she said, 'settling' wasn't really in her vocabulary, or it hadn't been so far anyway.

Something else of his words caught her attention, "Background?" she raised an eyebrow rather bemused, "Don't think I'm here because I killed someone do you?" Kiletri joked.

Maybe she had done some other questionable things, but there were circumstances at least. At least for the more recent of them, but she had done other less questionable things in the name of survival. Kiletri was a very sort of 'whatever it takes' kind of gal whenever it came to taking care of herself. She looked over at her stew she'd give it a few more moments before she collected some for herself, suddenly she was having a hunger pang.

[Deleted]

Sorenyth gave Jaraith an admiring stare as she presented her newly oiled hide with pride to him. He was looking forward to the day she Rose again, for he was one of the only other males in the Weyr and (obviously) the most worthy. Was he not the highest ranking dragon here? There were no bronzes, so it was he that was the best here. Sitting up taller, he expanded his chest and did a little posturing of his own. Where then shall we hunt? Extending his wings he looked upward and around the sky above the Weyr in preparation to launch into the air. By the lakes? The ocean? The mountains? What savory morsels shall we find? No tithes at all coming into the Weyr meant the dragons had no easy task of merely plucking a fattened herdbeast from the pens. Those were few and far between and usually reserved for using to get milk rather than meat. That meant that both dragons and humans alike needed to hunt... truly hunt... outside the Weyr.


Ra'shin glanced at Kiletri's boots as they slid off the table and then toward Traitor again as the green called after her. Why does she harass him so? He was one of the privileged few who actually had seen the man without his covering on and understood why he hid himself. Even here among those who would understand and those who professed to be their allies, the disguise was for the best, at least Ra'shin thought so and the other brown rider agreed.

By the sound of her voice he could tell the subject was not particularly one she wanted to discuss. Still as the voice of the council... among numerous other things... it was his job to seek her out. She just happened to be his weyrmate sort-of, which made the conversation all the more awkward since their relationship was basically nill.

Though Kiletri did not roll her eyes, Ra'shin did as she replied, "Oh come now Kiletri, you are a Crafter and by being a Journeyman you have seen organization enough. Certainly no one is asking you to stay, we're merely seeking more people to sit on the Committee and you are one of the people who has been here the longest, almost as long as ... Traitor, Seamus and I." Those were the three that were well known for being the kind of 'founders' of Crashing Seas though most people realized that K'ivan of Great Cliffs had something to do with it as well, the actual role he played was unclear.

He snorted at her last answer and waved the question off, "You probably have and if you haven't you're one of the few who hasn't." Arching an eyebrow he gestured toward the scar on his face. "Didn't get this from a feline... it was a Syndicate member who thought he'd steal my runner. Turned out after he was dead he had friends." Inhaling a sigh as his thoughts fell into reminiscence of the past, he shook his head, took a sip of his klah, and then turned his attention to her again.

"Obviously its up to you, but your isolation puts a strain on many people. You're neither the only one that has been wronged or the only one who has done something ... perhaps a little unsavory... in their past. There are members of the Syndicate here and it doesn't matter. This place is a place where anyone can find a home. As long as no one fights or brings their outside politics here, anyone welcome." A grave and serious thing to say considering the circumstances surrounding most of the residents arrival. If there were both victims and victimizers at the Weyr it might be a surprise that the relations of almost everyone were so easy and there were no major strains.

Taking a spoonful of his stew, he added, "Consider it. Another voice would be quite useful." Then he slid the spoon into his mouth and proceeded to chew the meat and vegetables chunks therein as he watched her, waiting for a response.

[Kiletri]

Near the lakes. They go there for the water, it's easier to pick them off in a more open space.[/color] Jaraith responded brightly, and besides she had learned not to be terribly picky so she could make a quick kill and eat up.

Kiletri harassed Traitor only because it amused her to do so, and besides he never seemed to mind her if she was completely silent or being totally flippant so what was the harm? Well she supposed that she had the ability to make him avoid her more than he already did, but she didn't really care about that. Kiletri was just curious to see if she could get a response. It was like a game, and she enjoyed games so very much.

"Notice how I never became a master or stuck with a more traditional weyr," Kiletri pointed out.

"Hmph, I might have to take offense at that statement, though I'd hate to disolve my dangerous mystique," she retorted back.

Kiletri didn't say anything in response to his story. The Syndicate wasn't a matter that she enjoyed speaking of though she supposed most shared that sentiment.

"Look my 'isolation' is my business. It's not about being 'wronged' or whatever maybe getting involved is just more trouble than it's worth," she said, because as far as she was concerned Jaraith was her only priority and her only 'obligation'.

"I can show up if you want, but I can't guarantee my voice is going to be useful," Kiletri did have a love of being the devil's advocate.

[Deleted]

(Short, I know. Out of inspiration I'm afraid...)

Then we should go there. Sorenyth agreed congenially with her, opening his wings in preparation to follow her.

Ra'shin grunted at her responses. He spooned a few more bites of stew into his mouth as she spoke, listening to her brief sentences. Chewing slowly he finally waved off her responses. "Its up to you Kiletri. I suggested you come for the reasons I stated. If you do not want to come, that is your decision. However you are welcome to come and voice your opinions. We don't have anyone representing the green riders." Currently the counsel consisted of two brown riders and two Weyrfolk. They hoped to have two representatives from each color dragon as well as the Weyrfolk. If there had been Wher Handlers, he would have included them as well.

"Oh, and why you don't go to traditional Weyrs is your own affair. As long as you abide by the rules of this one, you know you are welcome here."

[Kiletri]

(And like Yoda you talk, lol)

Jaraith uncurled herself and stretched on her ledge opening her wings and giving them an experimental flap. She dropped of the ledge almost lazily and then her wings snapped open and in broad strokes she soared upward, spiraling up to show off some. She paused, hovering, needing to orient herself a moment after she had reached the proper altitude, and then she winged off in the proper direction sort of zig-zagging around playfully. It felt good to stretch her wings.

Kiletri observed Ra'shin as he spoke again. Why did he want her to step up? Maybe she would go, and then they could see just how unsuited she was and then she could retire into peace. Besides wouldn't Traitor be on the council? Almost certainly. He wasn't going to be pleased to have to be confined in a room with her, and actually discuss things with her. That was almost reason enough to go by itself. It would be an amusing way to pass the time even though she doubted she would have much to contribute. It wasn't like there were many people to represent though she was probably the oldest of the bunch. She was surprised that nobody was bothering little miss former Lady Holder. Not that she probably had much experience either. Even as distant as she was from everyone and everything else she still knew that the only reason Feyotlian got married was so he could punch out more kids.

"I'll come, I'll voice, and then we'll let the cards fall how they will," she said more decisively.

Kiletri stretched until a single bone popped and that seemed to satisfy her, and then she stood, "Be right back," she said and then went and collected her own food since she had drank enough klah to be able to enjoy her stew without the numerous taste tests distorting her perception of the final product.

She sat her stuff on the table before perching herself back on her chair, but with much better posture that time, "So now that I'm going to go what kind of things are we going to want my opinion on exactly? I'd prefer not to sit there and go 'uhhhm....good question?'."

It was funny the avenues that Kiletri's mind wandered down, and how it operated. Apparently, once she had set herself to do something then she at least took a modicum of interest in the 'what, where, how, why, when?'. She was probably no doubt encouraging Ra'shin which was not her intent, but, though she'd never admit it, maybe she was more interested in the goings on of things than she would betray. Kiletri's natural curiosity probably had some distinct drawbacks, but it had served her well in other places. Maybe she would turn out to be an asset after all in her own way.

Kiletri turned her mind then to something else that was tugging at her awareness.
Where are you going?
To eat.
I thought there was a reason why the table was beginning to look appetizing, good luck.
Don't need it, I'm good at this.

Kiletri kept the wry grin off her face though Ra'shin might wonder at the sudden humor dancing just beyond her eyes. She took a bite of the stew to distract herself. Shards, when she was good she was good.

[Deleted]

Sorenyth waited for Jaraith to take to the air before he too unfurled his wings. He turned his head to examine a healing tear in his sail where he had encountered a wild feline. The feline had been more vicious than others he had tangled with, attacking him despite the size disparity. Of course the feline came out the worse for it though the brown had spared the creature’s life. The tear was still at least a sevenday from healing completely but did not hurt any longer and more importantly did not impede his flight. Bunching the thick muscles in his hide legs, he turned sky-ward and leapt into the air with a powerful down-stroke. Tail lashing out to help direct him, he banked to the left until he found a wind draught, and caught it, sailing upward to Jaraith’s altitude.

When Kiletri started to speak, it was obvious by Ra’shin’s expression he was ready to continue discussing the matter with her in attempt to persuade her. So she could gain the satisfaction of seeing the surprise on his face when she spoke. He smirked and nodded. “Good, thank you.”

While she was gone, Ra’shin took a moment to close his eyes and catch a power-nap, albeit brief, just closing his eyes did him some good. He was ready to go to sleep even though it was early in the evening still. Between Weyrling Lessons and Candidate Lessons he was always busy. Eh, eventually someone will step up for that too. There were few enough people in the Hall to hear her steps as she came back at which point he opened his eyes and leaned back as best he could. Cupping his drink with both hands, he looked up and stared at the wall while she settled in.

“Well, a lot of it is boring because most of it is about running the Weyr. Topics like gathering supplies, both from where and how much we need… planning Wing practices… right now the main topic on the table is whether or not to help Great Cliffs investigate the disappearance of their tithe caravan. They haven’t received their supplies, and the Guardians are investigating. No one has asked for our help, but since we are their neighbors and… generally have people who are skilled in stealth.” That was a delicate phrase for having some former Syndicate members among them. “Our abilities might be helpful. We’re also talking about who would make good Candidates for Great Cliffs up-coming Clutch because there are enough for us to send a few kids over. So far we only have Talist, who stood last time but didn’t Impress.”

The fact she was going to be there at all made Ra’shin happy. They only had three riders on the Council at the moment, and no green riders. It would be nice to see a green rider there, at least to represent the color though certainly Kiletri could not speak for them all. He thought about it then added, “You’ll be the only green rider on the Council, so one of the things I’d appreciate you considering is talking to the other green riders to see if there is anything we can do to improve their lives here.”

He did notice the glint of humor in her eyes and wondered at it, but assumed one of two things - either she was laughing at a private joke because she was humoring him and being amused at his excitement or she was talking to Jaraith. Either way he was going to continue speaking about the Council until she blew him off again. He had interacted with his weyrmate enough to know that persistence usually worked to get her to listen, and if she truly wanted to be left alone she would either leave or tell him the equivalent of 'piss off' (though she was a bit more subtle about it).

[Kiletri]

Would you like to lead or to see how it's done?[/color] Jaraith teased Sorenyth a little, but it was a good natured teasing that wasn't laced with the same barbs that lurked in Kiletri's quips. She was very good as she was used to eating on the move, but she wanted to see what her weyrmate could do.

Kiletri was quite satisfied with the look on his face, but she wasn't sure she liked the smirk. It wasn't like he'd won something...had he? No matter.

Hatchings and tithes didn't perk her interest, but stealth was something she could bring to the table. Never mind that stealth was connected to tithes, but she was good at sneaking around.

"You can sign me up for that one." Kiletri quickly volunteered perhaps to his further surprise. She was antsy for some action. Crashing Seas wasn't exactly her definition of exciting most of the time.

"There are quite a few of us I guess." Going around and playing nice wasn't exactly something she was looking forward to, but she supposed she could spare some time for her fellow green riders. Why not humor him a little if she got to go out and about.

"So...what would this sneaking around entail? Give me all the little details." Kiletri steepled her fingers, willing to be patient for once.

[Deleted]

When he was in the air he was satisfied that his wing was healed enough not to do him injury and so ignored the injury after that. It would heal on its own, he did not have to tend to it or fuss about it. Unaware of her intentions to 'see what he could do', Sorenyth crooned at his mate. By all means, show me fair one. His words were both filled with amusement and a mutual teasing. She might know where to find food here or she might simply fly around in circles until she allowed him to lead. Either way, he got a rare view of her backside, which was quite a view.


Ra'shin had a feeling this particular task would entice her into cooperation. Given a few more assignments like this one, she might be open to doing other things provided he handed her the juicier ones when the came up. Being the representative of Crashing Seas who had some how become the leader, he discovered that honey was the best way to achieve what he wanted and utilizing everyone's abilities no matter how unorthodox was the best way to achieve the odd harmony that the residents here lived in. Most were refugees and somehow he had been handed the task of ensuring they could live together without killing each other. It helped that the Guardians were backing them and that Crashing Seas residents, dragonriders and Weyrfolk alike, did not tolerate ill mannered new comers. No one had died yet but... well, there was always a first time.

He nodded when she volunteered. "I appreciate it. You are the second person I thought of for this task." Ra'shin wondered if she'd ask about his first choice. Then he leaned back, ignoring what remained of his stew as he began to outline the plan.

"I want to know what's going on. We need to find out why the tithes are being stopped, and if there is something more ... sinister behind it.... this could just be Feytolian's way of rebelling against, oh whatever he is rebelling against this time. Or it could be something else rising up again. Maybe the Syndicate?" Ra'shin did not realize he lowered his voice when he said that last word, as though speaking the name of the group might summon them. It was an unconscious act.

"So the idea we came up with at the last meeting was to send two people into the Hold in disguise, without shoulder knots or with misleading ones... just for the sake of finding out what is going on. For now... if there is something further then we'll talk about getting involved for the sake of gathering information..." He watched her reaction carefully, attempting to judge what she was thinking. "What do you think?"

[Kiletri]

As you wish.[/color] Jaraith hoped they would be where she found them last time, but if not she was confident she could find them. It was a nice fat herd, and it was large. Since the Great Cliffs dragons had no need to hunt their lands, and there were no holdings it was one of many wild herds that had prospered. They were one of many she hunted from; careful not to over cull any one particular herd. She increased her speed, wanting to feed before she drove her rider to second helpings. Jaraith glanced back to make sure her mate was following.


He'd indeed uncovered her weakness for cooperation, but it would be up to him to see if he could make it work to his advantage. Kiletri was also contrary by nature so there was no guarantee that giving her the juicier assignments would make her any more cooperative, unless he planned on threatening her with boring things.

"Second you thought off? I suppose I could be offended I'm not the first, but did you ask this first person?" She teased gently, wondering who he thought of first, hoping he'd realized that she was actually most qualified instead rather than an afterthought, intending to discover the first person on his list later.

Kiletri snorted, as if part of the reason he was rebelling wasn't contained within their weyr... oh wait.

"I doubt it's the Syndicate though I'm sure they've got leftovers that Feyotlian could hire for a price if he's feeling particularly devious. However, he's been lord holder for a long time and it's never been secret his dislike for dragonriders, I'm sure it's no surprise he'd surround himself with similar sympathizers who would of course advise him to take drastic action." Kiletri had no fear, reverence, or any other inflection but normal when she invoked the name of the old organization.

"We'll have to pretend to be legitimate crafters to get in. He's going to be on the lookout for people spying, and very suspicious. It might be better to take a dirtier role and be drudges, sneak in undetected and work in manual labor in the hold. Lords and ladies tend to be less careful about wagging their tongues around the help, especially if they think the help isn't very bright. If we could get someone on the inside to accept us as legitimate members of a family then that would be best if questions are asked, or become part of an entourage for anyone who might be planning a visit soon, something to check into."

"Who's the other candidate for this job, and how reliable is...well I'm going to presume -he- because most of the other females around here are more babies than women." She smirked, no offense directed at them, but she clearly considered herself the most worldly of the bunch, certainly the most mature.

"Even with information what is Great Cliffs going to do about it? It's not as if they can barge in and make demands, and even if they withdraw threadfall support and get the crafts to pull support also they haven't made themselves look good by absconding with their lady holder and one of his daughters. Rather you or Traitor perhaps absconding with one, and a dragonrider from Great Cliffs absconding with the daughter who wasn't crazy but instead could hear dragons."

Kiletri buffed her nails on her sleeve lazily. It wasn't as if the projected futility of getting information to do nothing with it was going to keep her from doing it to get away from the droll action of the weyr, but she was curious.

"Great Cliffs no doubt compounded its misery by allowing its weyrleader to flit off, and if my well connected ears prove truthful, which they always do, there are more transfers out of the weyr than in."

Kiletri held up a finger to forestall any questions about her sources, because if he thought she was spending all of her time in her weyr alone just to avoid people then he was mistaken. There were some people that it paid to know and she knew them. She softly 'tut, tut-ed' the mismanagement of the entire situation.

"Not saying that I'm not in, but really, I'm curious as to what Great Cliffs plans to do about it."

She fell silent, letting him digest all of that.