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 Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2010 3:54 pm
Tanda's voice barely registered in Jericho's ears over the wail of the wind as he took a further look around the drum heights. He peered briefly over the edge, and while he didn't feel ill, or like he might fall off, it definitely wasn't a sight one like to focus on for very long. Instead, he turned his gaze to the massive drum, taking a moment to examine it before he looked out at the view, smiling absently to himself.
He turned to look for his companion, wondering why she wasn't also enjoying the view, only to spy her by the door, shivering, and not in a "damn its cold" way, but more in a "holy crap thats a long drop" sort of way. Jericho could have punched himself. Of course she wasn't enjoying the view, she was afraid of heights. Their prior conversation came back to him all at once and he turned and went back towards the shivering woman.
"Shards, I'm sorry Tanda, I completely forgot that you don't like heights." He said, frowning at his lack of attention to these things. "Lets get below again, I've seen enough."
The man gently led her through the door, stopping inside above the stairs to remove the vest he had been wearing over his tunic and placing it over her shivering form. "Are you alright?" He asked, concern in his blue eyes "Should I carry you down the stairs?" he asked, with a slight quirk of a smile at the corner of his mouth "or are you able to make it down okay?"
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Posted: Wed Jan 20, 2010 6:21 pm
Tanda didn't watch as Jericho approached the edge to peer down. It was a sad but true fact: if he fell, she wasn't rescuing him. She might call on Rath to see if he could get to Jericho before he hit the ground, but it wasn't likely. Rath wasn't as young as he liked to think he was, and his initial horror at her presumption in addressing him would cause too much of a delay. Tanda squeezed her eyes shut tightly and hoped that nothing happened to Jericho. She didn't want to have to explain to the Weyrleader why he was short a candidate.
"It's fine," she said, her voice made high by nervously tight vocal chords. With a colossal effort she opened her eyes and looked at him. "Really. I suggested this, didn't I?"
And that was the truth. She had suggested this. The fact that her head was spinning, her heart pounding, her stomach churning, and her knees threatening to give out was all her fault. Just the same, she had probably spent too much time up there. The last man who'd brought her to the heights had taken her down far more quickly. Of course, he'd been somewhat more attentive to her than the sheer drop, amused at first by her fear, and then upset by her intense reaction. Word had gotten 'round that as romantic spots went, the heights would be unsuccessful with Tanda every time.
She was faint with relief when Jericho suggested going inside. She felt for the door handle and couldn't find it without moving, which her body didn't want to do at all. If Jericho hadn't led her through it, she probably would have stood there, petrified, for hours. It was a nightmare of hers that she would freeze and die on the heights and no one would discover her. Logically, that was improbable since the harpers would have had to pass by her at least twice in a day, but fears and horrors were not logical.
"Thank you," she whispered once they were safely indoors. "I had forgotten how badly I react to that. I don't think you'll have to carry me. But if you could give me a moment?"
She slumped against the wall, recovering herself. She wasn't so fond of the steep stairs from this direction, either, but they weren't nearly so bad. She could handle them without being carried. A voice in the back of her head pointed out that this was probably one of the worst attempts at impressing a man she'd ever pulled. With the exception of the time she let herself get so drunk she threw up in someone's lap. Not the lap of the man she was trying to impress, but it didn't make much different. Kissing people who have recently vomited is disgusting. Ridiculously, Tanda began to laugh.
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Princess_Feylin Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 9:56 pm
Jericho felt horrible for not having remembered sooner about her fear of heights. He supposed the way she had suggested it first had thrown him off, made him neglect to recall their previous conversation.
"Of course." He said, leaning back against the opposite wall himself while he waited for her to collect herself after her attack of nerves. He was slightly tensed though, just in case he had to suddenly jump forward to catch her from falling headfirst down the stairs. He raised both eyebrows as she suddenly started laughing, wondering if it wasn't just a nervous reaction to the sudden release of no longer feeling like she was in immediate danger.
"Ah...how about we sit down a moment?" He suggested, leaning forward, and pulling her gently down onto the steps, sitting beside her, hoping she hadn't cracked on him.
"You alright?" he asked again, after waiting a moment for her to calm down.
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Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 6:32 pm
Tanda allowed herself to be pulled onto the steps beside Jericho, amused now by his solicitude. She'd allowed herself to forget briefly that he was several years her junior. It probably would be worrisome to him that she was just laughing. It was a hysterical release in a decidedly less disturbing way than screaming. She'd been pleased with herself for not screaming. For the sake of Jericho's nerves she pulled herself together with a sigh.
"Sorry," she said, propping her chin on his shoulder. "I didn't mean to worry you. I'm fine."
She removed her chin and cocked her head to one side. Possibly she could have taken advantage of his concern for her, but that would've been a bad idea in the long run, she was positive. People could only be manipulated up to a point before they became resentful. Tanda didn't like being resented. She got enough of that from her father, when he could be bothered to notice her at all. Clearly she'd been born female just to spite him. Egotistical idiot.
"So, you liked the heights? Other than my little crisis, I mean. I don't want to bore you on this tour, you know." Not likely at this point. But if she was lucky he wouldn't come away with the sense that she was a silly, hysterical female.
"Want to see the weyrling barracks? There shouldn't be anyone in there at this time of day." And if there was someone, she could claim to be looking for B'shir.
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Princess_Feylin Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 8:27 am
"It's fine."Jericho said with a slight smile, relieved that she wasn't going crazy on him. He smiled more brightly down at her as she propped her chin up at him, raising an eyebrow at her as she did "Yeah, the heights were great, now that I know where they are I'll probably go up there more often. If only for the exercise I get going up and down the stairs." He said bemusedly.
He watched her pull away again and look up at him as she spoke once more "The Weyrling barracks? I've seen those already actually." He admitted, remembering the day not long before he had met Tanda herself when he had visisted them with Amelia, the new gold rider. "The new gold rider, Amelia, showed them to me a day or so before I met you, actually." He said with a smile. He turned thoughtful then, trying to think of something else around the Weyr he would like to see, but hadn't yet, but nothing came immediately to mind.
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 7:35 pm
"You mean you don't get enough exercise doing the chores they assign you? Clearly they're being too soft on you candidates," Tanda teased. "Speaking of, how are you here, anyway? Aren't you supposed to be performing menial labor with the rest of the hopefuls?"
Tanda pretended to pout when Jericho told her that he'd already seen the weyrling barracks, crossing her arms over her chest in just such a way that her breasts would be pushed together and upward. That was a trick she'd practiced with her girlfriends when she was much younger and none of them had any breasts to speak of. It was more effective now that she'd left puberty behind her. She also turned her face away from him, as though she didn't want to look at him.
"I see how it is. Well, I certainly can't hope to compete with a goldrider. I may as well just go back to work. I think there's some time left on my shift that I can do." She sniffed for emphasis. It was a disdainful sniff, the sort that conveys wounded pride, although Tanda really didn't care much.
"She's nice, isn't she? I've not had an opportunity to speak with her, but everyone I know who has says she's very down-to-earth." And then most of them hastened to joke that it was probably because she'd been a miner before she Impressed. Tanda couldn't understand people's fascination with Amelia's origins, really. Everyone came from somewhere, and she was still of the Weyr. They should be happy for one of their own Impressing.
"Well, I could take you to the records room, but it's really dull. Hardly anyone goes there except immediately after a hatching to record the events. It's actually a popular spot for people trying to find a place to be alone." She made a face. "Maybe not the best place to visit unless you have a pressing wish to see it."
"I could show you the lower caverns, where we non-dragonfolk live. You've probably seen portions of it while doing laundry and the like, but that's still considered the public area by most of us." She shrugged. Tours weren't really her forte. Most of the time the people she dealt with knew their way around perfectly well.
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Princess_Feylin Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 4:54 am
"Don't worry, I'm not skipping." Jericho said with a chuckle "I just got done early. I was sent to help out in the laundry and when I told them I could sew a little, they set me to mending things. I'm quite good at that so it took no time at all. I figured there wasn't any point in letting the candidate master know I got done early..." he smiled slyly at her "So I came and found you instead."
Jericho rolled his eyes when Tanda started pouting. He'd been around the Weyr, and thus weyrwomen, long enough now to recognize that she wasn't being serious. Had she tried that when he'd first met her though, he probably would have panicked. "Yeah, she is quite nice." Jericho said with a nod "I think she'll do well. I was kind of surprised when I found out she was from the Weyr. Don't gold's normally prefer girls from outside the Weyr? Or is that just a myth?"
The man looked thoughtful as he mulled over his options. He wouldn't mind seeing the records room, however, he would mind seeing anyone who had gone there for some 'alone' time. "The lower caverns sound good." he said with a smile. It probably wouldn't be all that interesting, but he wasn't really here for the tour so much as for the chance to see Tanda.
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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 9:54 am
"It's none of my business if you are or aren't, actually. It's something you'll have to work out between yourself and the candidate master all on your own." Tanda shrugged with relative indifference and then smiled quickly. "I'm glad you did come find me. The break in routine is much appreciated."
Tanda noted with approval that Jericho seemed to have grown more accustomed to the manners of women around the Weyr. Not that she'd had anything to do with it, but she felt a swell of pride in his accomplishment similar to what she felt when a child first realizes that one and one will always equal two, and that one and any other number will always be the next greater number. He was learning. That pleased her, though she was also given to wonder what sort of experiences he was having. Nosiness, she reminded herself, didn't become anyone.
"I don't know, actually. I mean, I know I'm ancient, but I haven't been around for that many hatchings with queens. I really don't think it has much to do with anything, where a person comes from. It just makes a prettier story to tell holders that dragons like new blood, I think. It convinces them to give up their sons and daughters more willingly if they think their chances are better somehow." Wow. That was cynical of her. But she really did think it was something like that.
She was relieved when Jericho chose the lower caverns. The records room was dull, as far as she was concerned. But then, she really didn't care much about history one way or the other. Every so often, when she got too full of pride at her little brother, she'd go there and find his name under the list of people who Impressed and then smile to herself for the next day or two, but that was really the extent of her interest in the place. She was too old to use it as a make-out spot. One of the privileges of being an adult was access to truly private spots.
"Lower caverns it is," she said, standing up and dusting her skirts off. Making her way down the steep stairs she kept one hand on the wall for balance. The stairs were better than the heights, but they were still a steep incline and she didn't much enjoy them for that reason. She would have put her other hand on Jericho's arm or shoulder, but she didn't want to force him into contact. He got to initiate it next time.
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Princess_Feylin Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 8:56 am
"Glad to know I can rely on you not to snitch." He said jokingly with a smile. The courtesy that his mother had all but beaten into him as a child kicked in, then, as he recalled how shaky his friend had been only a minute ago after her scare, and offered her his arm to lean on.
"Here, lean on my arm. Can't have you tumbling down the stairs after your scare earlier." he said with a smile, a quieter one than his one a moment ago, given in jest. This one spoke more of concern, at least until he laughed at her calling herself ancient.
"Well then, if you are ancient, you are certainly looking good for your years, old auntie. I would hardly peg you for more than a few turns over twenty." Jericho said, flashing her one of his charming grins that stood out so against his dark skin.
He chuckled and then nodded his agreement when she answered his question about the queens impressing girls from outside the Weyr. He'd never particularly believed it himself, after all, would a dragonet really care where one came from? Did it really matter? "I have to concede that point to you...though it certainly take the the fairytale romanticism out of the manner to cast it in such a cold light." he said, bemused as they made the long trek down the stairs.
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Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 9:44 am
Tanda grinned and bumped his shoulder. "I am many things, but not a snitch."
She accepted Jericho's offer by tucking her hand into the crook of his elbow. With a feigned cackle she said, "You're so nice to an old auntie. Maybe this new generation isn't so bad after all. Though, I tell you: in my day, it wasn't rare to find a person with respect for their elders. Polite young men like you were a dozen to the eighth mark." She waggled one finger at him for emphasis.
"And flattery, too!" she exclaimed, dropping the creaking auntie's voice. It wasn't something she could keep up long without her voice feeling all nasty and scratchy. She picked it back up again to point out, "Well, it's only because I ate all my vegetables as a young person and did all my chores. Otherwise I'd be positively wizened."
She shook her head and placed her feet carefully. Walking arm in arm with someone was a special kind of challenge. Going down stairs was more of one. If the timing wasn't exactly right, someone always ended up being dragged. Though at least there wasn't the issue of longer legs meaning she had to half-jog to keep up. Why did so many riders have to be so tall? It could make things so very awkward for a woman of Tanda's size. They were nearing the bottom of the stairs now, so there was that.
"I'm sorry if I've taken the magic out of it. Please remember, I've never stood on the sands and never even Impressed a firelizard. I'm not exactly an expert. And it's not like there aren't plenty of stories of deserving, overlooked holder girls getting whisked away and Impressing a gold."
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Princess_Feylin Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 5:57 am
Jericho chuckled at his companion's impersonation of an old auntie. She did quite a good job at it, much to his amusement. He kept his eyes on the stairs for the moment though, making sure he didn't miss a step and end up dragging both him and Tanda headlong down the stairway.
Finally they reached the bottom and he turned and smiled at Tanda "Hey, we made it in one piece!" he laughed "And don't worry, I'm sure things will be just as magical when I stand on the sands, despite your attempt to ruin the moment with your cynicism." he said jokingly. Jericho opened his mouth to speak again, but was diverted when someone called his name. Looking around, a younger man ran up to him, panting.
"Oi, Jer! I need your help with something..." the lad began.
"I am not helping you finish your chores again." Jericho said dryly, raising his eyebrows.
The boy frowned up a the older candidate, and then seemed to take note of Tanda "Fine, but i'll tell the candidate master how you've been spending your free hours, with some woman."
Jericho frowned fiercely, a almost startling contrast to his normally smiling face. It faded after a moment though and he rolled his eyes. "Fine, but you'll owe me one."
The younger lad's face lit up and he reached out and grabbed at Jericho's arm, towing him away. "Great! Fine! Whatever! Just come on!"
"Sorry Tanda!" Jericho said with a helpless wave "I'll catch you later!" he called as he was towed out the door by the younger, shorter lad.
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