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Ashmere nearly dropped her cup of hot klah when the youth rushed into the study that she had borrowed just for the private lesson, a bit of a frown pulled at the edges of the thin woman's mouth but slowly she set her beverage down then stood and made her way over to the girl; quickly wrapping her in a tight hug.

For a moment Ashmere savoured the feeling before she pulled away and gazed at the girl whom was head level with her, the perfect height, she did not need to look up or gaze down, shards it was amazing how near exact their stature was!

Clearing her throat slightly the older of the two let the girl stepped a full stride back then just laughed slightly, the sound coming deeply from the back of her throat, it too seemed musical, everything about Ashmere was that of a harper, through and through.

"No saying sorry, and don't use my title, Ashmere is fine. And it is what I prefer," sweetly worded the petite framed brunette in a sweet tone, it was one of correcting but at the same while it was friendly. "Now, I do have some bad news, being tardy tends to come with some prices, and by the look on your poor face, you already know that." Ashmere cleared her throat again, she did that often, at times, as if it were a habit, her messy brown bangs were once again obscuring her light gray hues, there was something beautiful and charming about the way she hide her face, it almost made her alluring in a mysterious dainty way.

"You see Safira, we will have to find somewhere else to practice, there are some evening classes that are about to start, but" she stressed that word firmly and with a large fanged grin. "I did find us a lovely little spot outside, it is far enough way from the herdbeast and the feeding grounds that your lesson will go without disruption I am sure. Come now my little harper, gather your wits, we do have enough time for at least one full cup of klah."

Grinning a bit more the older girl took hold of the girl's arm and walked her slowly towards the table where there was indeed another cup waiting to be filled with the small pot of dark brew.

Smiling as the younger of the two seemed to settle down a bit, the older harper took a long drink of from her cup, smile over the brim she locked her softly coloured gaze on that of Safira.

"We are going to the beach," chortled Ashmere, with a small yawn she finished her klah then stretched slightly, the pale cream of her stomach lightly peeked out from her blue shirt that she wore, she lacked a tunic to hide away under, the chores she had to attend that very day caused her to sweat, an action the seemingly frail girl hated. "Is that alright with you Saffy? If you don't wish to go to the beach I can try to claim a room for us again a few days from now, but I really think the salt air would really do wonders for your voice." Wholeheartedly stated Ashmere as she stood from the table and slowly sauntered towards a water basin some feet away, idly she began to wash her hands and face in the cleansing blue liquid, she even when walking didn't give the girl her complete back and now while she was relishing the coolness of the water she had given Safira her profile, all the while a smile on her face and one eye focused in the younger harper's direction.

As she finished Ashmere pulled a small folded towel towards her and began to dry her face and hands, she was certainly one of the types that didn't enjoy being dirty. Turning completely towards the girl she smiled brightly, she polity waited for the redhead to let her opinion known.

Ashmere chuckled slightly, the sound was something close to a hum in the back of her throat as she watched the girl knock over the beverage, she herself was at the girl's side in a matter of moments, this was not her room and she had to make sure the spill was properly managed, lightly the meek girl reached out and laid her slender hand against that of Safira's to cease her from cleaning, Ashmere's natural left tenderly moved to sweep a bit of red locks away from the younger girl's pretty face.

Blinking slightly Ashmere gentle pushed the tresses of almost silk behind that of the girl's ear, her hand lingering longer than what it needed to, she grinned warmly; the corners of her pale pink lips pulling up to show long eyeteeth that were seemingly fangs. Her facial features too were darkening in hue with a deep blush, she lightly shook her head then refocused on the task of cleaning.

"There is no need to get all flustered over spilling things, you my little harper need to learn to relax a bit more, now just let me clean this, and if you could, my lute is on the table in the corner, can you hang it on the wall-hook that has my name on it, and fetch my pipes instead, the reed ones, the sea air might be good for voices but it really does nothing of benefit for the varnish of my favourite instrument." Ashmere found herself breaking eye contact with the younger harper, her face was starting to hurt from blushing so deeply. Why oh why did Safira have to have such an effect on her? Smiling slightly to hide her inner turmoil the thin brunette wiped the mess quickly and with very little effort. She was pleased that the girl wanted to go to the beach, maybe if she did well, they could go for a brief swim after practice. The thought of seeing the girl waist deep surrounded by waves of blue caused a light chortle to escape from her throat again, she absentmindedly pulled her hand away from the towel and lightly stroked the lower part of her scar with her thumb.

The petite framed harper allowed her cheeks to cool before she dared gaze back up at the younger girl, the spill of klah even with the lack of effort she put into it, was completely clean, in fact the spot she had mopped up looked better than the rest of the table.

She too had felt it, the pang of loneliness when Safira had moved her hand, as she walked away Ashmere had almost felt as if her heart was breaking, why was that? She had only ever felt like this once before, and that was with her journeywoman; unknowingly the thin brunette found herself frowning, the expression seemed sad. How long had it been since the drummer woman passed away? Ashmere almost violently shook her head, now was not the time to reflect on that! Intensely the harper turned her gaze onto the girl and brightened her whole demeanor with a smirk, that was somewhere between amused and excited.

Extending her pale slender slender, almost frail hand she reached out for her piles, lightly she snaked her fingers so that they trailed along the Safira's equally dainty hand as she gripped the old pipes, they were her apprentice reed working, they played sweet with age but hit lower pitches due to light water warping near the fingering holes, the sound however Ashmere found enchanting and simply refused to give them up even if they played wrong, to her they there just right.

Coyly the older girl removed her pipes and with the retraction stole another small touch, this time a small stroke at the girl's wrist. Shards, how she enjoyed the feeling of having Safira near her, her warm skin just made all her daily stress melt away. Again out of habit Ashmere cleared her throat before she stood, with ease she attached the pipes to her hip with a small leather strap, she found herself wordlessly walking over to a table and gathering her teaching supplies which were packed in a rather large hide covered sack that pitched together with back straps, making it easy to tote.

With even brisk strides Ashmere simply looped her arm around Safira's and held it, giving it a light squeeze of affection as she began to walk with the young red-haired harper. She wanted to be more bold and hold the only slightly younger girl's hand, intertwine their fingers, but she found herself pushing that idea aside as she lead the girl down the twisting and turning paths of the Weyr.

"Thank you, by the way Safira," Ashmere squirmed slightly as she and the girl headed towards the beach which was only moments away. "For using my name, without title. That I think I am quickly finding myself fancying you." she stated absentmindedly, as soon as the words had left her lips Ashmere realized, the inward reflection had been given outward voice, shells!

Ashmere stopped instantly in her tracks and stood in front of the girl, wearing a deep frown, there faces were only inches away, how terribly she suddenly wanted to kiss the girl in front of her, she forced herself to resist and to press the matter of why she looked vexed.

"No, no, my dearest, please do not call me ma'am, I am certainly not that old yet," she stated in a small voice whiling wagging her thin finger as if she were disciplining a small child. "And even if I am that old to you, I use my rank to keep you from calling me that." she teased as she lightly stuck out her tongue and bit the very tip of it, the action was incredibly cute and seemed to fit her disposition well, even if it was a bit childish.

Ashmere leaned forward and tenderly pressed her soft pale lips against that of Safira's heated cheek, a spark, and a flutter of wings in her stomach convened her that being alone with the girl unmonitored would truly be a test on her self control. Pulling at the girl's arm she resumed their stroll towards the beach.

"Today Saffy, we will be learning, the basics all over again. Then maybe we will work on your lung strength, or maybe your mental focus for preforming. I think all of those would be good for you." Huskily stated Ashmere, her tenor was slightly deeper than what it normally was, clearing her throat she gazed straight ahead, the slightest bit of hue lingering on her pale cheeks.

The remainder of the walk was in silence as the two girls headed towards the evening beach shores, it was peaceful and had the slightest of breezes pushing away the heat from the sun as the ocean waves rushed inward then ebbed away just before the harper's could get wet.

Smiling softly, Ashmere seemed to be lost in thought as she stared out towards the sea her small pale hand unknowingly laced fingers with that of Safira's, their hands were like puzzle pieces, they fit perfectly together as they intertwined like that of lovers. It took several moments before Ashmere pulled herself away from thought, turning her gaze towards that of the young redhead she released their hands as if she was not aware she had been so fondly clinging to her. Her smile slowly became less lethargic and seemingly brighter as she set her hide sack down on the sand, from inside she pulled a wide belt out and draped it across her shoulder before she stood back up and chuckled.

"Alright my Safira, if you don't mind, please start with some scale work, basic take in a few deep breaths before you start, I want to see just what all that pitch of yours can do." she wanted to tell the girl to sing just for her, but that would be too bold and very selfish of her, without much thought Ashmere pulled a small wool blanket from the pack and spread it down for the two girls to sit on, she would not let the sand touch anything more than just her feet, she outright refused. Quickly taking a seat she pulled out her pipes and began to work the scale to match the tenor in which Safira herself used.

Tonight would be a beautiful night, she was so glad that she brought a lamp with some extra glows, she had permission of course there was no need to use glows that were unnaturally dim anyhow, but the soft shimmer they produced was enchanting and pleasant for the relaxing atmosphere.

"Focus!" Ashmere snapped, the sound was not heated but rather adult like, it was the tone she took when disciplining the young ones, she peered at Safira then cranked her neck so that she could see what the girl was looking at so intently.

Oh, that cave. I wanted to explore it with the girl, but we have barely even started practice. Maybe in a bit, yes, in a bit, actually, the acoustics would do wonders for her volume. Maybe, we should go inside. Hmm what to do Ashmere, what to do.

Mentally mused the brown haired harper as she turned back to the younger girl, instantly she felt her will melting under the blue stare she met. Lowering her pipes she chuckled softly then shook her head causing her locks to obscure her pale face.

"Alright, let us harpers have our fun, but then you owe me your full attention." Standing from their spot she gazed towards the cave's mouth, she had been in it earlier that day, the Master Harper had told her that once sometime ago firelizards used to clutch in the lower chambers of the cavern but it had been ages since then, it seemed the cave flooded often and made it ill suited for hatching grounds.

Holding out her hand, the girl pulled the redhead up, then without much effort she slung her sack onto her shoulder and picked up the small lamp with the dim glow in it, somehow her pipes were already tied back at her hip, when had she done that? It didn't much matter, they were tied and that was the important thing.

With even strides she pulled Safira with her and into the cave, there was not much exploring, the cave only went twenty yards back before it closed off.

The musky sink of the cave was already enough to make Ashmere want to turn tail and run away, for some reason it smelt more strongly at night than in the day, she was curious about that but simply pushed the thought to the back of her mind, as they slowly walked the harper couldn't help but feel like something was off, something was not right----

RUMBLE----WOOSH!!!

Suddenly as if on cue with her gut feeling, the cave floor cracked under their feet, it seemed as if there was thick amounts of dried mud that had kept it in place for so long, but now with their gathered weight it gave way, instantly Ashmere found herself protecting the younger harper as they fell, her arms were firm and tight, even though she was not the strongest she willed her arms to be iron as she clung to the girl, she was the journeyman; there was no way she would let an apprentice get hurt under her watch, especially not Safira.

It was a straight drop from where they had been standing, and as they hit the hot sandy floor underneath Ashmere rotated her body so that she took the full force of the fall, her hands had hold of the back of the girl's neck to make sure it would not be hurt; she had reached to hold her back as well but her arm didn't make it in time to grip the girl protectively, Safira had landed completely on top of the older harper and would be alright; a touch bit scared but certainly alright.

The lamp and glow had found themselves several feet away from the two however it left just enough light to see each others softly lit faces but nothing else. Ashmere herself felt fine, which was shocking considering they had by the looks of it had just fallen about elven feet straight down, she did find it an odd sensation coming from her left arm, her natural arm, at the joint of her elbow, it felt numb. She had more than likely hit a nerve on a rock, it however was not the lack of feeling in her arm that had her attention but rather the red haired girl on top of her and how dangerously close their faces were to each other, her hand was already on her neck, how easy it would be to just lean in and seize those soft sweet lips of hers. Ashmere forced that thought from her head, but still their noses were slightly touching, the position they were in, she never wanted to move from it, even though she knew that they both must. Eventually.

"Ar-r-re you al-l-l-r-r-right?" The brunette stuttered softly, maybe the fall had more of an effect on her than what she thought. Longingly she gazed into Safira's blue hues, her lightly gray coloured ones shimmered in the very faint light of the dim glow.