|
Post by M'kel on Mar 4, 2009 16:07:14 GMT -5
Life was over.
It's not over.
There was nothing left.
I'm here.
He was nobody.
You are mine.
And yet, relief.
It had been only a sevenday since he'd been stripped of his title. Sitareh had vanished, without warning, and no one knew where she had gone. Tirenth had tried to contact Aviciath, but he couldn't locate her mind. Every drudge and dragonrider in the Weyr had been questioned. Finally, the pronouncement had come. The Weyrwoman was gone. And without a Weyrwoman, there could be no Weyrleader.
M'kel was just...M'kel, now.
What about Bronzerider, mine? What about Wingleader?
M'kel, just M'kel, appreciated his dragon's efforts. He sent back silent love, but no thoughts. His mind was blank and yet full of emotions. He had fought for Turns to rise in his Father's eyes, to be chosen to take over the Hold at his Father's passing. Then, he had fought for Turns to catch Sitareh's eye, to be chosen to lead the Weyr in this new time. Ambition had always been his trademark, and it had paid off. He had lived well, unable to resist hordeing his power over others. But it had gotten him few friends; the other bronzeriders resented if not outright hated him.
And since Threadfall...that disastrous Threadfall with so many injuries, due to so little preparation...
Well, since that failure had been blamed on him, the resentment had mounted to bitterness, and M'kel had found himself more isolated than ever before.
So now...now that he was nobody, no longer Weyrleader, no longer with power...M'kel was lost. He couldn't figure out which emotion was stronger, the pain or the relief. He had failed, something he had sworn never to do, and yet the responsibility was no longer his. This way, he couldn't fail again. Wasn't that better?
Regardless of all that, M'kel knew one thing. He couldn't stand to see the looks the Weyrfolk gave him as he traversed the corridors of Araelen. Tirenth had been discharged from the Healing Cavern, the bronzerider's sanctuary for so long, and his rider had been thrust back into the life he had been hiding from. The looks ranged from pity to bitterness to triumph, and M'kel was sick of it all. He had pondered leaving the Weyr himself, on occasion, but Tirenth wasn't healed enough for such a trek.
So, for now, M'kel sought his solitude, his peace, where he could.
Today, he was peering into the Hot Springs Cavern, furtively studying each of the steaming pools for the presence of others. He had stripped down to his shorts already and was making one final check to ensure that he was alone. Satisfied at last, the man darted out, slipping into the nearest pool with a sigh at the wave of warmth that washed through his limbs. This was almost enough to rinse his worries away, he thought, closing his eyes and settling onto the rocky ledge with only his chin above water. He could just slip away, forget it all, enveloped in this warmth.
Taking a deep breath, he let his back slide down the stony rim, submerging his head so that his entire body was encompassed by the soothing waters. Yes, this was just what he needed.
|
|
|
Post by Skye on Mar 5, 2009 13:02:33 GMT -5
Skye huffed to herself as she slipped away from the drudge intent on talking her ears off. She didn't mind talking to the lower cavern people, but she was tired and cold. She had finished her chores for the day and she wanted to do nothing more then relax and get warm. She went by her weyr where Calith was curled on her couch. The days were so cloudy lately that her poor green couldn't get the sun she wanted to warm herself.
Skye sighed and shook her head as she changed her top then pulled on her thicker flight jacket. She put her hair up into a sloppy ponytail as she headed back out of her weyr. She slipped by other riders, nodding a greeting, but not stopping as she made her way to the cavern with the hot pools of water. As soon as she reached the entrance she sighed in delight at the warm steam surrounding her.
She took her jacket off and laid it aside, wearing a older shirt underneath that fit snugly. She pulled her pants off, wearing a pair of shorts. She didn't even bother to look around before slipping into the water, closing her eyes and making a contented sound as she sank into the water up to her neck. She leaned her head back against the edge and relaxed.
She let her thoughts wander, puzzling over the mysterious disappearance of the Weyrwoman, not that she had even seen the woman since her arrival to Araelen. She shook her head and shrugged to herself, not at all caring that the woman was gone, the problem of not having a Weyrwoman would be resolved as soon as one of the two Junior Queens was caught. She was worried about M'kel though, the poor man had been stripped of his position simply because the woman was gone, the Weyr still needed a leader, not two young women who had no idea how to run a Weyr. Two young women who had been raised in this time period at that.
She snorted to herself and shook her head again, pushing those thoughts away as she relaxed in the warm water. She could feel Calith's sleep thoughts and smiled softly as she sent loving thoughts to her green.
|
|
|
Post by M'kel on Mar 13, 2009 0:10:23 GMT -5
As soothing and wonderful as the water was, his lungs were starting to ache and remind poor M'kel of that annoying human need for oxygen. For a moment, he pondered staying under the water forever. That would be an easy way out. Except that it hurt way too much!
And with that, M'kel burst out of the water, gasping in a deep breath of air and reaching up to shove the dripping blonde strands of hair out of his face. After giving his head a slight shake, he finally registered how his surroundings had changed, and froze. His solitude was no more, for someone else had entered his quiet pool. Someone very familiar.
"Er...hi, there, Skye," M'kel murmured meekly, sinking back against the stone rim behind him. He reached up to brush back his hair again, casting his eyes down. He didn't want to see how she looked at him, if her gaze was as accusing as everyone else in the Weyr. Although he would certainly deserve it.
"I um...I don't want to interrupt your...relaxation time," he muttered, shifting to make ready for exiting the pool. M'kel was pretty sure that no one would want his company at this time.
M'kelmine, don't be silly. You could use a conversation with someone other than me, Tirenth prodded gently, though M'kel kept quiet on that regard.
|
|
|
Post by Skye on Mar 19, 2009 14:22:22 GMT -5
Skye gasped in surprise as M'kel came bursting out of the water, standing up and holding her hands up in a defensive stance, her heart pounding as she looked at him. She laughed softly as she realized who it was. She brushed stray tendrils of hair out of her face as she settled back down into the water, smiling at him.
She tilted her head as she regarded him and his down cast gaze, sighing softly. "Hello M'kel," she said softly, reaching over to put a hand gently on his arm as he shifted to leave.
"Don't go please. Its me that intruded on you and I can go if you want, but I really would like your company," she said with a soft smile, her hand light on his arm if he wanted to pull away. Her gaze was soft as she looked at him, in no way accusing or upset.
She knew that he was upset and confused about his current position and couldn't blame him after that selfish woman who in no way deserved to have ever been the weyrwoman just up and disappeared.
"I hope that you and Tirenth are feeling better after that time you spent healing," she kept her voice gentle, tilting her head slightly as she tried to get M'kel to look at her.
|
|
|
Post by M'kel on Mar 26, 2009 23:27:05 GMT -5
As Skye's hand fell upon his arm, M'kel looked up and paused in his motion to exit the pool. Her eyes held none of the resentment the rest of the Weyrfolk directed at him. There was only welcome there, and...security. She didn't hate him for what had happened, even if a part of her might think it was his fault. That was enough for M'kel. He was simply thankful that someone in this Weyr wasn't criticizing him.
"All right," he murmured, settling back down. "I'll stay."
Good, Tirenth decreed.
I don't need you listening in on all of my conversations! Nor thoughts!
Then don't think so loudly! the bronze chided in turn.
Realizing that his face had gone blank during the exchange, M'kel smiled quickly, though faintly, returning his gaze to Skye. "Healing?" he repeated, frowning slightly. It reminded him of the vertical scar now running down his left cheek, something he tried to forget as often as possible. Instinctively, he reached up to touch it, closing his eyes at the memory of how it had been inflicted. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just fine." It was true, the scar had healed. Emotionally, he wasn't doing so well.
"Tirenth is much better. It's still a bit hard for him to eat. I cut up the 'beasts for him; smaller bites are easier for him to chew." The pain in his voice, speaking of his dragon's hurt, was still raw. Tirenth was injured, because of him. "You and Calith, you made it through all right, didn't you?" he asked, feeling suddenly guilty for not knowing. He would have heard, certainly, if there had been something serious.
A chirp sounded above him, and M'kel glanced up just in time to see Pixie spiral down to dive neatly into the water. Bubbles rose to the surface where she had disappeared, but the lithe green form failed to reappear. The bronzerider's eyes narrowed slightly. His little green was sweet, true, but she could also be a real pest...
He gasped suddenly as she flitted through the water over his legs, tickling him with his tail. "Brat," he muttered, although his smile came easier this time.
|
|
|
Post by Skye on Mar 29, 2009 15:38:01 GMT -5
Skye relaxed and smiled gently as M'kel agreed to stay and settled down. She settled back into the water herself, her hand brushing along his arm before she moved it away, almost afraid he would suddenly change his mind.
She tilted her head slightly as she listened to him, frowning in true concern for him and his bronze, and she reached out to touch his shoulder gently. "Yes, Calith and I managed to get through unscathed other then the usual singes and ash inhalations," she assured him.
"If you need help with preparing the beasts for Tirenth let me know and I'll be glad to help, I'm sure that great beast of a bronze eats a ton. I know dragons can tend to eat more when they are healing," she said with a soft chuckle and a shake of her head. She tilted her head as he reached up to touch the scar, thinking it only added to his handsomeness.
At the arrival of his green fire lizard she laughed softly at the little creatures antics, glad to see the smile that came more easily for M'kel. She relaxed back against the edge of the pool. Her own blue chirped a greeting as he settled down on the rock behind his person, nuzzling his small head into her hair, thoroughly entangles himself in her hair. Skye laughs softly and holds still, allowing the tiny blue to peek through her hair, chirping to M'kel as he rests his front claws on the back of Skye's head.
"They may be brats at time, but you can't help but love them," she said with a soft chuckle.
|
|
|
Post by M'kel on Apr 5, 2009 23:09:10 GMT -5
As Skye described how she and Calith had fared in the first Threadfall, M'kel nodded absently. His brow creased slightly at the reminder of that event; he could almost taste the very ash she spoke of. He nearly shuddered at the thought, making an effort to focus on Skye and not drift away into those memories.
"Thanks for the offer," he murmured. "But I don't think you'll need to get all bloodied up on my account. The Beastmaster's quite willing to lend me a few apprentices, and sometimes I scrounge up a candidate or two. I'm sure they're honoured to slice up herdbeasts for a bronze like Tirenth," he added sarcastically. Then he grinned, for it was nice to know he had some authority left in this Weyr, even though he was no longer 'leader, and it was rather amusing seeing the looks on candidates' faces at the sight of all that blood.
When she brushed his cheek, however, M'kel did shiver slightly. He looked at her warily, wondering what she thought of the ghastly red scar. He had yet to determine whether it was a rugged sort of scar or the kind that made people uncomfortable to look at.
"Ah!" he gasped again, as Pixie sprang out of the water in front of him. She fluttered for a moment, chirping in invitation to the blue fire lizard before diving once again. "Yeah, real loveable," M'kel grumbled, rolling his eyes. "Tirenth seems to like the little creature, for some reason." Despite his disdainful words, M'kel was rather fond of the little green.
|
|
|
Post by Skye on Apr 6, 2009 13:09:14 GMT -5
Skye chuckled softly as she thought of the looks some of the candidates must have when asked to help, but it would be important for them to learn. "They should indeed be honored to be allowed to even touch the meal of such a great bronze as Tirenth," she said, not at all sarcastic and completely honest.
She arched a brow slightly at the wary look that he gave her when she touched his cheek. She shook her head and smiled. "M'kel, you needn't look at me like that. I know how others have been treating you and they are foolish. They seem to forget that even though the weyrwoman is gone doesn't mean the Weyrleader is no longer that. Without a senior queen the weyr still needs a leader and who better for that then you my dear M'kel. You know the workings for the weyr and the interactions with the holds better then those two foolish junior queen riders," she said, flicking a strand of hair from her eyes before gently extracting Lucky from her hair.
The little blue trilled as he slid into the water himself, giving chase after the green. Skye turned her full attention back to M'kel, looking at him seriously. "I know you have been healing and have been worried about your Tirenth, but you really shouldn't listen to the gossiping of the drudges, you know how they lie. And nearly all the riders are from this time, its not any fault of yours, or any rider that tried to teach them that they didn't truly believe that Thread was coming back. They panicked because their little fantasy world of having a dragon but not having to fight Thread that wasn't coming was shattered. We full riders were injured because of their panic and inability to remember training that was given to them," she said, frowning slightly.
She sighed softly and rested a hand lightly on M'kel's shoulder, offering him a gentle smile. "I'm sorry I vented all that to you M'kel, but you have to know that the Weyr needs a leader until one of those two golds rise and who better then you who already knows how to weyr is run?"
(I just remember that in Dragon Flight that the Weyrleader was still in charge until the next Queen rose and decided the new Weyrleader.)
|
|
|
Post by M'kel on Apr 28, 2009 13:44:13 GMT -5
M'kel's brow creased slightly as he listened to Skye's proclamation, expression thoughtful. He didn't even twinge when she touched his shoulder, finding that he was slowly relaxing in her calming presence. Still, the bronzerider was not entirely convinced by her assertions and shook his head slightly, eyes falling to the gentle ripples that traced the surface of the water, which were stirred up by the chasing game of the two flitters below.
"I may be more qualified," he murmured, "but things work differently here at Araelen." He tried not to grimace over the next part. "Sitareh made sure no man would ever lead the Weyr without the authority of a Weyrwoman. The two Jr. Weyrwomen are right to claim leadership, and frankly..." His voice lowered, and his hazel eyes rose reluctantly to meet hers. "...I'm kind of glad. I don't know that I'd want to lead the Weyr after everything that's happened. Knowing they all blame me for what happened in that Threadfall."
Having finally spoken the words that had been hassling him for days, M'kel found that he suddenly needed some kind of validation. "Is that...is that okay?" He couldn't help wondering if she thought he was crazy, being somewhat relieved by the loss of Weyrleadership. Although the bronzerider felt sure that his ambition would once again take hold after his confidence had time to bounce back, for the moment, he wanted nothing more than to stay out of the Weyr spotlight. Not to mention the gossip circles. Yes, those he would like to avoid as well.
|
|
|
Post by Skye on May 3, 2009 13:15:48 GMT -5
Skye frowned as M'kel explained how Sitareh had manipulated the leadership of the weyr. She sighed and shook her head, closing her eyes briefly. She could feel the playful fire lizards skimming over her legs in their play.
She opened her eyes again and turned slightly so that she could face him, resting her hands lightly on his arm as she smiled up at him, laughing softly.
"M'kel, of course thats alright. You have every right to do as you please. I honestly can't blame you for wanting to step down, not at all. You are a strong, wonderful man M'kel and you deserve better then you have had here under Sitareh's reign of idiocy," she said, still smiling softly at him. "Besides, if you want to try for the position again, Tirenth can always try for the next gold to rise," she said gently.
"In the mean time though you should relax and rest," she said, reaching up to brush finger through his damp hair, ruffling it playfully as she smiled brightly to him. "And smile! It will make you feel better and if you don't I can always tickle you!" She said teasingly, waggling her fingers toward him, not sure if he was ticklish or not, but perhaps a playful mood would help him smile, he was so very handsome when he smiled.
|
|