No Tension Here!

[D'gellin]

((Calling M'kel! XD))

Amber wings flashed in Rukbat's glare, little diamonds of water flowing off the wet fire lizard hide. The rest of Ronin's dampened body, a dark brown, seemed to sparkle in the light. He chirped endearingly to his chosen person, his voice a musical trill of delight.

Trilia smiled up at her fire lizard, offering an arm out for the proud little dear to land on. Currently the two were splashing about in the refreshingly cool waters of the Lake; a fine escape from the heat which seemed to have chased much of the weyr folk inside. But the twelve-turn-old girl didn't mind in the least. She grinned as Ronin rested his tiny forehead against hers, his affectionate, musical thrumming a constant.

Perhaps since being denied her opportunity to Stand at Araelen's first Hatching, she'd turned to Ronin as her close companion, and even substitute for the dragon she'd never been able to Impress. Hatchings...Trilia's smile tugged down at the corners, her face flushing slightly. The memory of that horrible screening process before the Hatching still burned in her mind. And though she was upset over being dismissed, it wasn't so much that as the injustice that frustrated her. But! Trilia took a practiced breathe to calm herself. She was beginning to learn how to stave off those hostile emotions. Glaring daggers at anyone of position in the weyr didn't appear to be getting her anywhere. And the constant recurrence of those memories only served to upset her.

Pushing away the disconcerting thoughts, Trilia returned her attention to her dear Ronin. She gently ran a finger over his soft head then took a breath and ducked under the water for the fire lizard to chase her. There was no reason to be unhappy right now, after all. And there was certainly nothing and no one else here to stimulate those unwanted emotions!

[M'kel]

Despite Trilia's carefree morning, M'kel's had not been so cheery and bright. It had started off as usual, with a lazy, late awakening in a tangle of lush furs. The heat had been building, and M'kel had thrashed about in the too warm furs as a result. Now, after he had peeled himself out of them, his only desire was to escape from the steaming rocks of the Weyr to seek the waters of a cool cove to relax in for the rest of the day. Tirenth had been quite agreeable to this plan, but his stomach had diverted them from an early start, as the bronze decided to do some hunting first.

M'kel made his way down to the Feeding Grounds, yawning, and watched the bronze circle above the stampeding herd, gradually dipping down to crush a slow herdbeast under his massive bulk. He wasn't even picky enough to go for the strongest ones, desiring only a quick bite before departing. It just so happened, though, that a pair of green dragons were present in the Feeding Grounds also, watching the bronze. Thus, Tirenth had felt the need to show off, and he tried to swallow the beast with as little chewing as possible...which had resulted in a scene that hadn't occurred since the foolish bronze was a Weyrling.

M'kel had to race out to where Tirenth was swinging his head, trying to dislodge the mangled beast that had caught in his throat. He was still able to breathe through his nostrils, of course, but the herdbeast's leg was stuck in his teeth while the rest was already on its way down, which resulted in a very unpleasant situation for the bronze. Thus, the Weyrleader found himself elbow deep in his dragon's mouth, pulling on the legs of the beast in an attempt to remove it. By the time the task was done, M'kel was thoroughly drenched in blood.

While Tirenth sheepishly chewed on the herdbeast's bulk once again, swallowing tiny pieces at a time, M'kel made his way in wooden movements towards the Lake. He was highly embarassed by the event and hopeful that few had witnessed it, as most were inside avoiding the temperatures. A cursory glance of the unbroken surface assured the bronzerider that he was alone, and he plunged in, quickly splashing water all over himself. Blood began to twist and curl, staining the water red, and the Weyrleader shook his head in exasperation. What would the Weyrfolk think if anyone saw him like this?!

[D'gellin]

Ronin burst out of the water, a little amber/brown rocket. Immediately the scent of blood drew him over, and he chattered excitedly as the thick substance swirled about in the otherwise unmarred lake. Trilia popped her head out a moment later, spraying water out of her mouth with a disgusted expression. "Uhg, that tastes horrible!" She complained, rubbing her eyes free of the tainted red water. "It almost tastes like - " The little girl paused, one hand in mid-wipe of one eye while she starred in wide-eyed horror at the scene in front of her. "...blood..." She mouthed faintly.

Now, Trilia had been given reason to suspect her Weyrleader of murder in the past. His suspicious activities shortly after her arrival to Araelen had been queer enough to earn a label of 'abnormal'. But abnormal was more than the word for what Trilia saw now. Mouth slightly agape, she looked quickly down at the sickly reddish water then back up at M'kel. All the blood was coming from him! And he wasn't bleeding!

Self preservation warned her to just sink back into the water and make a hasty escape. But try as she might to turn away, she was rooted to the spot. And it would be ethically unsound to walk away (or in this case swim away) from a potential murderer. If he really had committed such a heinous crime (and the blood which he was drenched in seemed condemning enough in itself) then he should be dealt with swiftly. But what was she supposed to do? The man was obviously mentally disturbed. That was the only explanation Trilia could come up with. And she was by no means prepared to interrogate a murderer.

But something had to be done. And she had already been seen, being as close as she was to the man.

Trilia blinked rapidly, inching backward a fraction of an inch. "Nice weather we're having, huh?" She squeaked out, her voice much too high to be natural. She doubted her attempt at a smile was any more convincing. Ronin swooped by overhead, chittering irritably at the little girl's distress.

[M'kel]

Muttering under his breath, M'kel continued to swat angrily at his weyrhide jacket, ignoring the fact that it was likely already ruined because of the staining properties of blood. He sloshed water on his face, thus missing the appearance of Trilia and her fire lizard. Despite the ruckus he was causing, though, the high-pitched voice that pierced the air did not go unnoticed, and the Weyrleader froze in horror. Momentarily unable to see (he really needed to cut that hair!), M'kel attempted to guage the proximity of the girl and was miserable to realize that she was likely standing right in front of him. As she choked out a greeting, his fears were confirmed, and the bronzerider resigned himself to the need to explain his bizarre appearance after all.

Taking a deep breath, M'kel pushed back his dripping blond hair and straightened, plastering an amused and sheepish smile on his wet face. His mind raced in an attempt to invent a plausible explanation for the blood without revealing the embarrassing predicament of the Weyrleader's own bronze, until he recognized the girl in front of him. Of all the Pernese who could be standing before him, it had to be Trilia. She was the Weyrbrat who had already caught him in an awkward position, when clothes strewn about his room and a mound of furs on his bed had suggested the presence of a woman in his Weyr at the time he had been vying for Weyrleadership.

Although he had attempted to brush it off at the time, her accusing eyes had haunted him for days afterward, and he had been certain that the gossip would soon have traveled the Weyr. It didn't, but perhaps he was just lucky. What were the chances she would keep her mouth shut this time? Especially after her dismissal from Candidacy. Oh yes, M'kel was confident that the blow to her pride still smarted, and as the one to have delivered it, he wouldn't be surprised at all if she sought revenge. This would, of course, be the perfect occasion.

Realizing that he had been silent for quite some time with an idiotic grin stretched across his face and bloody water still dripping from inch of his exposed form, M'kel cleared his throat and brushed back his hair once again. "You're...Trilia, right?" he queried, squinting slightly in an attempt to convince her that he hadn't initially recognized her. "This must look pretty strange." He added a small laugh for emphasis, but it sounded hollow in his own ears. "Hey, I was thinking, would you like to visit a cove today? Get a ride on a bronze dragon? Spend some time with your fire lizard on an isolated beach? Wouldn't that be nice?" Children always succumbed to bribes. If his plan panned out, the only thing this girl would be blabbing to her friends tonight would be the wonderful trip the Weyrleader took her on.

[D'gellin]

((Oh woah. D: I am so, so sorry. I didn't realize how long it had been since you posted here. I'm embarrassed now. o__o;; Especially after all the great stuff you gave me to work with here! ;__; It made me laugh so much!))

The longer M'kel stood there silently grinning, the more Trilia wanted to flee. Was he trying to intimidate her with his creepy maniacal smile? Because he was doing a very good job of sending shivers down her spine that had nothing to do with the cool water temperature! Her nose crinkled unpleasantly, as though she'd smelt something bad. Well he wouldn't get the better of Trilia! Ronin chirped and settled himself on her shoulder, thin tail winding it's way around her neck possessively. Both fire-lizard and Trilia eyes watched M'kel with wary suspicion. And she was acutely aware of every drop of innocent blood that dripped off of the Weyrleader's jacket

When he finally spoke the girl nearly jumped out of her skin. Her eyes widened to saucers as he recalled her name. And his attempts to play it cool only made her skin crawl. Something about his shifty look and squinting eyes just didn't sit right. Stay calm, Trilia! She gulped convulsively as he continued blundering on, her expression slowly changing to one of mute terror as he talked about going away with him. Alone. To an isolated beach. She should have run while she had the chance! Trilia inwardly kicked herself. Her desire to bring justice would be her undoing after all! At least she'd die a fairly noble death, in her failed attempts to bring a murderer to justice. But she was too young to die! No, no, no, no! -

"Me?" She asked at length, feigning innocence as she pointed to herself with histrionic incredulity. "On a real bronze dragon? To a - " She paused a moment to keep her face one of awe. "a pretty secret cove?" It sounded false in her own ears, though perhaps no more awkward on the tongue than M'kel's invitation. If she was going to get to the bottom of this mystery murder, she was going to have to be smooth about it. Resistance could lead to immediate death! But perhaps if she played along for a little...she'd be able to find a way. Find a way to do what, though? Trilia steeled herself for what was to come. She wasn't sure, but hopefully, whatever she did, she'd be successful at it. M'kel would be exposed for what he really was!! A cold-blooded murderer! At least, that's what she told herself.

[M'kel]

The cheesy smile was still eagerly fixed upon M'kel's face as he gazed benignly down at the young girl. Absently, he began swishing water onto his arms again, aware of the horrible feeling of drying blood. He even sank into the water somewhat, nearly reaching Trilia's height, in order to better rinse himself off. He thought that if he removed the obscene imagery, Trilia might feel a bit more comfortable in his presence. However, the bronzerider doubted that any new images of him would ever remove that one of his clothing-strewn weyr. What must she think of him?

The girl's eyes appeared to widen even more, although the utter horror had shifted to an appearance of wonder. M'kel thought he caught a touch of falseness in those eyes and in her tone, but he was anxious for her to accept his offer and alter her opinion of him...and forget about this latest, awkward encounter. Thus, the bronzerider chose to ignore this doubt and nodded emphatically at her queries. When she didn't ever confirm her desire to go, his eyes narrowed slightly in disappointment (although it might certainly appear to be anger), for he had hoped that her excitement would outweight any lasting misapprehension.

"Yes, you, silly!" M'kel replied, forcing a small chuckle. "You and I are friends...of sorts...after all!" Right, after he dismissed her from the opportunity to stand at the last Hatching. Yes, she probably thought of him as her best buddy. He reached awkwardly forward to grip her shoulder, attempting a 'reassuring' squeeze. A silent beckoning call had been sent to Tirenth, and the now satiated bronze winged in, landing on the beach, muzzle still stained from the blood of his messy breakfast.

Unwilling for the girl to change her mind and attempt to leave, for M'kel was determined to show her that he was a decent Weyrleader and didn't spend all of his time in the beds of greenriders, he maintained his grip on her shoulder and attempted to steer her up the beach to Tirenth. "Come along then! Look how excited Tirenth is to fly with you." The bronze swiveled his head, blood-flecked muzzle dipping slightly as he watched the girl with whirling eyes.

What are you doing with that girl, mine? She seems frightened.

Nonsense, she's just intimidated by your great bulk, that's all.

[D'gellin]

Though her hands trembled slightly, Trilia was very proud to say that she stood her ground. And honestly, what kind of an actor was M'kel? If he was going to try to be nice, he should really use a smile that didn't look so...She crinkled her nose as he grinned and washed off more blood. Not exactly a comforting combination. Trilia found herself petting Ronin's tail for reassurances as M'kel sunk deeper, to her own eye level, and the tainted water swirled much too close. He must have done quite a job to get so messy... She stroked Ronin's tail at a slightly more panicked pace, working to keep her face serene. For a moment she thought she glimpsed anger in the deranged weyrleader's eyes. She really hoped she was wrong.

Trilia gave a slightly nervous laugh when M'kel said they were friends. Friends? Since when? Since he hid his poor victims in his weyr? Since he stole her chance to Stand at the last Hatching? - Ronin chirped the indingnance that Trilia struggled to keep from view at that thought. - Since he showed up covered in innocent blood? Since he conspired to do away with her in a deserted cove? Trilia's heart sped up fearfully as M'kel grasped her shoulder. Given her current train of thought, that certainly hadn't been a good move on his part. His hand was heavy, and she could feel the strength of his tightened muscles grasping her petite form. What was she thinking? She didn't stand a shell of a chance! She was still very young, still very small, and still very suited only to skip around charming bubbly pies out of the easily enchanted kitchens' folk. For a moment, every fear that M'kel could end her life without breaking a sweet played across her face. She was better suited for diplomacy, or using her wits. But this didn't seem like much compared to an adult male's brute force. Not to mention that her wits seemed to be failing her at the moment. And at the sight of a blood-bathed Tirenth, Trilia was on her last string of confidence.

But with M'kel steering her along, her futile attempts to back away probably went unnoticed. If there was one thing Trilia knew, it was that dragons weren't normally violent. And since there were no greens or golds in Flight today, there should be no reason to fear Tirenth. But the blood, the blood, the incriminating blood! Didn't anyone else see it? Wasn't there still some on M'kel? Wasn't anyone going to stop him? Trilia's mind reeled for an escape, only half registering M'kel's next words. Excited to fly with her or excited to eat her? "I should tell my father where I'm going!" Trilia blurted out finally, her voice much too loud in her anxiety to get the words out before it was too late.

[M'kel]

The girl's nervous laugh was easily mistaken for awe, in M'kel's mind, for any Weyrbrat would be astounded at such an invitation from the Weyrleader and his handsome bronze. Her resistance to his guiding hand was just as easily interpreted as the slowing effect of walking through water, so he simply pushed more firmly against her shoulder in an attempt to aid her. As they proceeded up onto the sand, Tirenth crouched obediently, and the Weyrleader made to grasp the girl's waist to hoist her up.

He paused suddenly at her outburst, a thoughtful expression flitting onto his face. M'kel nodded slightly, for it was a valid point. Most parents wished to have a general idea of the location of their children, and Trilia was quite young. As the bronzerider was unwilling to encourage the wrath of Q'tris, a thus far loyal dragonrider, he pondered this for a moment.

Suddenly, the idea came to him, and he beamed benignly down at the girl. "I'll just have Tirenth inform Minth!" M'kel chortled, for it was an easy solution, and he was eager to be off. The sooner he could prove to this girl that he was a decent Weyrleader, the sooner his image would improve amongst all of the Weyrfolk!

Obligingly, Tirenth called out to Minth. Please inform your rider that M'kelmine and I will be taking his young one to a cove for the day. With it came a mental shrug, as the bronze communicated his lack of understanding for the reason behind this.

With that taken care of and unwilling to delay any longer, M'kel made to hoist the girl onto Tirenth's lowered back. The great bronze was by no means small and accessible, so the bronzerider had quite the struggle ahed of him, even if his load was unresistant.

[D'gellin]

Trilia let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. For an agonizing moment she'd thought M'kel would deny her the chance to let her father know where she was going. Temporarily placated, Trilia smiled a "Thank you, Weyrleader." and she stole a glance at Tirenth. It was easy to tell when riders talked to their dragons but dragons were more difficult to read. So it was quite a relief when Minth's mind touched hers, this proving the message had indeed been sent. Q'tris is very pleased to hear you've taken to the Weyrleader. And he suggests using this time to appologize. Minth relayed to Trilia before thanking Tirenth for informing them.

Trust her father to be more concerned with keeping the Weyrleader happy than asking why she was even with the M'kel in the first place. Trilia rolled her eyes. Stubborn and self-riteous to the chore, appologzing for something that she felt was justified was just not going to cut it for her. Even less so now that she knew for practically certain that M'kel was a devious murderer!

So when M'kel made to pick her up, she was a little startled. At first she didn't realize what he was doing. Her legs automatically went to swinging helplessly over the ground, body fidgeting in his grip. But then it dawned on her and covered it with one of her charming little smiles. "Sorry, guess I'm a little excited. I've never flown on a bronze before." She supplied quickly, hoping to enchant any suspicion out of him. The last thing she needed was M'kel to catch on to her knowledge of him. Once she was within reach she pulled herself up on the harness with a familiar skill. Although, she noted as she glanced over her shoulder at the drop below, Minth was a considerable bit smaller than Tirenth.