At the weyrlake...[Open, sympathy encouraged]

[S'yloa]

He was devastated. The fact that he had a perfect life was beyond him until it was over, and now it was, no matter what Engmyth said, nothing was going to be right again. S’yloa couldn’t believe after all these Turns of catching Engmyth consistently and all his promises of staying with him together forever T’roy had gone off to chase some Fort Weyr floozy and her barely matured strumpet green! S’yloa threw himself over the rock on the shore of the Weyrlake. His hair, currently unbraided and tossed around his shoulders glimmered with droplets of water. What a terrible time to learn, while he was enjoying bathing his beautiful green.

The Search rider had himself a good cry, sobbing unabashedly and without caring who saw or heard him. Lawsh and Lemora stayed clear of their owner, having seen this before when A’ther left him, and S’yloa was equally devastated. Charmer on the other hand clung to her own in confusion, chirping her sympathies and even going so far as to offer a trundlebug she caught for comfort food. Its fine mine, there will be others. Engmyth's attempted sympathy fell on 'deaf ears', S'yloa was beyond caring. I was sad when they left too, both of them. She meant 'both' as in the pairs, T'roy and A'ther and their dragons. Even his dragon's words didn't help though. Life was over. It was his Hold upbringing, he had been in Rivers Crossing Hold long enough to have the idea of a ‘family’ securely in his head.

Although in theory he would get over it in a few sevendays, going back to the dragonriders’ life style of moving from one mate to another as it pleased the dragons, S’yloa’s inherent desires to have a life-time weyrmate resurfaced from time to time. Of course, if he had stayed with his family, he would have been ridiculed for his desires to touch and caress well… Engmyth had chosen rightly when she Impressed S’yloa.

For now he spent his tears and continued to lay sprawled out on the rock. He was in only his trousers as his shirt was simply too far away and too much effort in his current state. T’roy was gone, and without a weyrmate S’yloa felt very alone.

[J'raya]

Tsu-YourLove seems to find it so amusing when you do that.

The hulking bronze's normally reserved tone was amused as he trundled beside his rider, doing so with more ease than his bulk might allow because of his longer legs and almost too-long tail. The reason for his amusement was apparently unclear, though J'raya knew better; he'd just finished a rather ritualistic looking stretch of his limbs, from fingers to neck to toes. It was just something he did; it kept the kinks and aches out of his large, broad form, alleviating aching muscles and uncomfortable legs and shoulders often kept somewhat slouched in that manner often taken upon by much taller men (most, anyway) so as to avoid knocking into doorways or branches that were too sharding low, or, more amusingly, to prevent one's self from being noticed in the crowd.

Though at a sound six foot five and already with a shock of silver-white hair on otherwise young (or relatively young) features, J'raya found that just a little difficult to accomplish. Still, he merely shrugged in response to Gamath's comment, rolling his shoulder experimentally as they continued their walk to the weyrlake before letting it settle. The movement caused his Flight Leader knots to come into vision, and the bronzer crinkled his nose slightly at the fiddly things as much as his next comment.

'Tsu-Love' thinks it's hilarious because she's got it into her head that I was raised by giant felines before they spirited me to Igen Weyr. The bronze rider's tone was droll, but for Gamath at least, there was no mistaking the almost reverant adoration for the tiny blonde Healer who was his weyrmate, and had been for nigh on twenty Turns.

On his shoulder, a small green firelizard cheeped, her eyes fixed on the mug her owner held in his hands. Muse was an insanely curious little creature, and it was only the desire to keep her occupied that kept J'raya from letting her see what was in the mug. She no doubt thought it was some kind of sweet beverage, but really, it was only water he'd taken on the way out of the Caverns, with the intention of bringing the mug back later.

While J'raya and Gamath were talking (or bickering, whatever worked), though, Muse found her attention was taken elsewhere. More specifically, by her much larger green cousin, and more specifically, her Mine-thing sprawled most strangely out on that rock. Eyes whirling in bemusement, Muse squeaked and left J'raya's shoulder for S'yloa, finally alerting her master to his whereabouts. Or rather, who was thereabouts.

J'raya frowned slightly when he did notice S'yloa's appearance. What on Pern was wrong with the man? To be sure, J'raya was no psychic, but clearly the green rider was upset. And being the recipient of a broken heart a few times (by the same woman, ironically), J'raya was one of those few who could be bothered recognising anything close to it. Oh indeed yes, he remembered vividly the days he had secured himself tightly in the hulking but loving embrace of his bronze, silently glowering at whatever was before him (normally a lake or desert sands) and either ignorant of the frustrated, hurt tears making tracks down the scars on his cheeks, or angrily brushing at them to the point where it caused pain.

Still, he paused, his male instincts (and a healthy respect for moody green riders) warring with his natural desire to be kind and compassionate to others, within reason. It was something that had made him a good Wingleader, after all...attempting to be empathetic of those both equal to him and under him, but within reason. The problem with remaining 'within reason', though, was that you could never quite tell when it was safe to approach, and when it was best to retreat.

Gamath was no help, either, immediately quieting in the presence of others, though his eyes whirled in faint bemusement. Muse was far more helpful, though; she made the decision for her rider with her own actions, her curiousity getting the better of her as she plopped with a strange delicacy on the rock, her small, gaunt form twisting and wings flaring to keep her balance as she attempted to peek a look at S'yloa's face, squeaking enquiringly all the while.

Well, there was nothing for it. Sighing in his head, J'raya at least thought it best to keep any questions to himself for the moment, and thus, made his way to the rock. Crouching beside S'yloa, he half raised an eyebrow, though there was a faint, sympathetic smile twitching at one corner of his mouth as he held out his mug of water and a cloth taken from one of his pockets in a silent invitation to take them if need be.

[S'yloa]

Though not as tall at J’raya, the rider slouched across the rock was still tall. His physique was tenser, taunt muscles and he did not possess the broad shoulders and thick biceps so many riders did. A large swath of damp hair dangled in his face, the rest hung to his shoulder blades. While not advised to have long hair, the occasional rider did and this one refused to cut it shorter than he already had, the silken locks were a deep auburn.

Muse found herself the subject of three sets of eyes as two fire-lizards, both green, appeared in the air above her. They swirled in unison and two settled on the ground not far away. The remarkable thing about these two fire-lizards was their appearance. They were exact clones of each other, identical twins, an incredible rarity among draconic kind. They seemed unaffected by the fact Gamath was in the clearing with them. It did not take long for them to decide it was time to leave again, and they hopped away, unfurling their wings with each hop before they gained enough air to vanish back from where they’d come.

While Lawsh and Lemura cared little for the goings-on, the incredibly bright green head of Engmyth slid out of the water as the great bronze approached. Here was a lovely specimen of dragon-kind. While Gamath’s appearance did not completely wash away her sorrow for losing her former weyrmate, he made a good potential. She waded far enough out of the water to expose her chest and the upper part of her front legs. Hello there. Her mental voice was sultry and soft, filled with suggestion, still at the moment there were undertones of sadness.

Charmer continued to cling to S’yloa’s shoulder, her tiny claws digging into his flesh as she rode the waves of hiccups and sighs. When Muse landed on the rock near S’yloa’s head, Charmer gave her a chirp of greeting. Then she turned, peering not at her owner’s face but rather upward at the approaching bronze rider’s countenance.

Charmer’s curiosity alerted S’yloa to the new arrival more than the footsteps had; he assumed others would simply leave him alone. Most knew of the tragic betrayal, and terrible catastrophe that had befallen him. They left him to wring his sorrows out on the boulder. So when someone crouched nearby and from the corners of his perception he saw both mug and cloth, S’yloa’s head jerked upward. Large gray eyes, brimming with tears regarded J’raya in surprise. He blinked and sniffed, his gaze falling to the water and the cloth. He stared a moment, taking them both half-hearted.

S’yloa took a sip of water, sniffed again, and held the cloth loosely in one hand. Then he sighed, staring down into the water. A few tears fell into the mug’s contents. He swallowed, watching his reflection break up in the tiny ripples the water in the mug made. Then he dropped the mug, which fortunately did not break, and lunged at J’raya. He threw his arms around the man, or rather intended on doing so; clinging to the bronze rider with a desperation only the worst tragedies can create. If he missed, he’d simply lay where he fell and sob, fresh tears flooding his eyes.

[ruckseite]

*Muttering curses to himself and the mess that had arisen from one sharding green Rising at Fort at THE WORST moment made T'roy want to pull his short brown hair out. He sincerely doubted however that S'yloa would appreciate that new look, so he balled his hands into fists as his bronze wheeled into the Weyrbowl.

"Ori, I'm going to have to leave you to let the drudges unstrap the new leathers while I go find S'yloa. As greens gossip he's no doubt heard about that sharding green that Rose over at Fort," he tone was frustrated and slightly apologetic to his bronze who simply bobbed his head in understanding as they touched down near the storage halls. As if summoned with a hidden cue, a number of drudges and Record keepers filed out of the stone building that jutted out of the Weyrbowl's packed dirt like a defiant statement to the sky. Nodding to them, he tossed the nearest Record keeper the bound hides that gave the totals count and receipts of the shipment he had carried over.

As he dismounted his bronze Orikath swiftly and began his speedy trek towards the Weyrlakes where Orikath said he heard rumor where Engmyth was bathing at, T'roy pulled off his riding helmet with a grimacing sigh. They had had to take the long way home, since he wasn't able to risk the newly tanned leathers to the extreme cold of between before they'd been properly cured for the jumps in reality. Already delayed with the long trip, T'roy's urgency was almost palpable as he picked up a jog to close the time and distance to the soothing waters of the Weyrlakes.

He didn't know if he'd actually find Engmyth there, dragons and firelizards sometimes spread rumors for sport around here, but it was his best shot right now. He hadn't seen the Searchrider and dragon on their weyr's ledge as he'd circled with Orikath to the 'Bowl's floor upon arrival.


After a relatively short time he neared the glittering Weyrlakes and spotted a familiar emerald green as she emerged partway from the water. Seeing the water rippling around her he was reminded of how hot and dusty he suddenly felt after the long flight here and the jog to the 'Lakes. Belatedly he hoped he didn't smell a fright if S'yloa let him near him after the bad news had no doubt reached him. On his honor however T'roy could say and was probably sure he had an alibi if needed that he never consummated the Flight. Just his sharding bronze did. The man grumbled a bit to himself with the distance closing to the water's edge. Almost tripping in mid-step he saw another bronze and his rider there already with the form of S'yloa that he'd just made out among the blue backdrop of the Lake.

Swallowing hard he could see the visible distress his mate was in and it pained him to witness it and that another rider had gotten there first to console him. Eyebrows drawing down, eyes narrowing as a low growl surged in his chest, his stride became more determined, more dominant to the scene than previously as he wasn't about to let another man move in on consoling his love. Closing the distance he could have smacked himself when he realized it was J'raya. The man had a mate and a child already! T'roy shook his head at his own foolish jealousy and he slowed his pace to take in the figure of his S'yloa forlornly clinging to the other man for comfort. The muscles in his jaw flexing as he grit his teeth at the image, he softly cleared his throat and stopped about ten feet from his weyrmate and J'raya.

Eyes trailing behind S'yloa for a brief moment he dipped a respectful bob of his head to Engmyth's gleaming form. "S'yloa.." he began softly, yet loud enough for the other man to hear. "You'll catch your death if you let yourself get a chill." he scolded his lover half-heartedly. Sure it was blazing dusty hot outside, but he hoped the line didn't sound too completely lame. He lamely argued with himself that a wind could pick up and chill the water-sodden man enough that he'd be---Shaking his head a tiny bit to clear it of its nervous ramblings, T'roy took another few steps closer to his ailing mate, eyebrows turning up with worry for the pain he'd unintentionally caused him. "I'm sorry if I worried you love.." he continued on, trying to fill the silence which was broken by the sobs of the green rider. T'roy couldn't bear to hear or see his mate cry and the grimace on his face spoke of the agitation he too was feeling as he warred with himself to keep some amount of distance with the other man in case he didn't want him there, or optionally running to his mate and burying him in a comforting hug.

[J'raya]

If there was one thing that was entirely accurate in T'roy's thoughts, it was the fact that J'raya had a mate and a child. Anyone who had a depth of perception would see that the Flight Leader practically worshipped the Weyr Healer only second to Gamath, his dragon, and twenty Turns as weyrmates (and longer as friends) very much spoke for itself. He still looked, like any man, but that aside, he had eyes and devotion for no one but the blonde haired, amber eyed Tsunade.

Still, his dominant male instincts, as well as his dislike of being challenged by those lower than him for no reason, made the large man stiffen in preparation when he saw the other bronzer stalking towards him, though he settled slightly when T'roy relaxed not ten feet from them.

Still, he wasn't about to relinquish his hold on S'yloa (he had indeed caught the green rider, despite his initial shock) until the green rider moved; he was extremely upset, and while Enygmath did not seem too troubled, J'raya always had a genuine concern for his wingmates, regardless of colour, status or gender. An ailing rider of any kind could be detrimental to a wing, or their dragon, no matter what the situation.

That, and admittedly, he had a protective side. He knew these two were mates, and T'roy had caused this by leaving, clearly. It was all J'raya could do to retain a more serious but something like his normally friendly looking countenance, and it only stayed so because his own good sense knew that if these two needed to talk, sort things out, then it would be best to step back.

Ultimately though, it was up to S'yloa, and after giving T'roy a brief version of his normally frank smile in greeting and assurance, J'raya placed a large, calming hand on S'yloa's back, lifting his own form up and thus, gently forcing the green rider to his feet, murmuring his name gently to further get his attention, should he somehow not hear T'roy's voice.

Gamath, for his part, was ever the gentleman, and when Enygmath greeted him, the bronze dipped his head serenely in response, content to grace her efforts to look alluring with a lingering look before turning his head to regard T'roy with the same frank curiousity as his rider and Muse, the green firelizard, who had plain curiousity on her little green features as she looked between the humans, chirping at the emotionally fraught situation but content not to intervene otherwise, lest J'raya be threatened in some manner.

((Sorry guys, am at Aunt's and typing on the fly with a cousin hanging over my shoulder, so it's probably not that good.))

[K'ivan]

((Hm...I just realized this thread is a bit awkward since it takes place just after T'roy left....))

[J'raya]

((Yeah...I'll admit to scraping with a lot of difficulty that post to even make it seem half right...should I just...maybe delete mine or something, or...?))

[K'ivan]

((Er.... maybe Crem you can delete yours and then modify the awesomeness that is T'roy to post somewhere else? That'd be better ... stay 'in time' too. -nodnods-))

[ruckseite]

(*headdesk* I suppose I could ehhhhhhhhh split my post up v.V though I'm just wanting to get it going again and fore-go the time difference. blegh. though in my mind's eyes i kind of see this post as timed relatively after he flew the green since news only goes so fast on Pern, and that in that time he'd gotten the order together and had flown back, almsot as if storming off after the Flight since he was 'mad' at Orikath? )

[J'raya]

((I'll be honest - being new, I'm extremely confused by what you're talking about, Crem. But from what I've deciphered so far, the whole timing thing with this isn't working. I've offered to go, but it doesn't seem right, and it's making it awkward personally, and Echo's offered his suggestion. Wouldn't it just be easier to modify accordingly and then take it up in a different thread with T'roy and S'yloa later?

And if you want to get going again, there's a thread just done with Minato on the Rim, if that helps. You could post in that, maybe? Just an offer. ^^))

[K'ivan]

((I concur with Sammy, its just easier to keep this between J'raya and S'yloa. News on Pern travels as fast as the speed of thought. For example: Engmyth says 'hello' to T'roy's dragon and he tells her he just flew so-and-so. She could have gotten the information from another dragon as well.

OOC wise - this post was written in February. Its been slow going since Sammy and I both have had little inspiration.

Overall, I think the best thing to do is close this thread as it was about eight months ago ICly anyway... ))