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 Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 4:23 pm
She had been watching him for weeks. Ever since they had come back from Benden, tracking his actions, watching his routines, even keeping an eye on what he ate and drank. And she made sure that he knew she was watching him.
After all, it would make it all the easier when time came.
Even her beloved green had assisted in this, making sure his knew that she thought him a handsome and clever dragon. Strong already and one who would have no problems leading a wing... Or a weyr. A thinker just like his rider.
Smiling, Canoake looked down and smoothed her tight fitting shirt down to her loose flowing skirts. Now would be the time. With Malvren and Trine pulling such a petty and risky stunt, Benden could once again get the upper hand. Not that she could do anything about it now nor anytime soon. After all, they were still just learning to fly and glide. But with the right members thinking along the same lines, the job would be so much easier. And speaking of which, "A'nos! So good to catch you here, alone. So hard sometimes to find just a few moments of peace. May I accompany you?"
As below, so above. Tatath made her move. Acriculeth, so nice to see yourself sunning on the rocks. Hopefully not paying any of those silly over sized golds any mind. May I join you? I do so enjoy the company of a large handsome dragon.
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Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 4:56 pm
"Of course."
"Of course."
"We wondered when you might speak to us."
"We wondered when you might speak to us."
A'nos swirled his glass of wine and looked up at the setting sun. This out of the way corner of the weyrbowl was, as the lovely lady no doubt knew by now, one of his favourite haunts. Its most interesting feature, in his opinion, was one he had crated himself.
Lines.
Chalk lines, marking out the ever-growing length of his dragon. Acriculeth was growing to be a magnificent bronze; longer than average, but rather less massive. Sleek, handsome, determined... And where did Canoake fit in?
"Please, come and sit," A'nos smiled up at the green rider, "I'll send my firelizard off for a second cup, if you'd like a little wine." He still never drank more than a cup or two, but then he never had. He liked to be in full possession of his senses... What did they want?
Good question; what did they want? "At the moment, there are no golds who would care to give me the time of day," Acriculeth said with a deep rumble, "they lack foresight, intelligence, grace... Perhaps these are qualities that you do have within you though? Perhaps that is why you two have come to us." What did the green pair want, and how could he and His profit from that? Only time would tell, but when time did tell he would be ready. They might only be green, but even common greens could rise in power and come to have influence. If His wanted to be friend them, he would not hinder that. After all, Tateth was rather lovely.
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Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 3:14 pm
Canoake appreciated his candor and smiled before sitting and settling herself nearby. Not so close as to be misunderstood but not so far as to be uninviting. "A flit. How convenient to have a little creature at your beck and call. Watching, learning, reporting... Must have taken some time to train him or her."
Her smile was a sweet one, one she reserved for her best plots and her best ideas. She was a green rider by no fault of hers or Tatath's position on Pern. But that didn't mean they had to be satisfied with just that. And now, if she planted the seeds early on, if she could use A'nos to both of their advantages. "I am surprised we have not spoken before. After all, we share so many similar tastes. But yes, I was wondering, how you have been with all this madness with the New Weyrs and sudden craze for the ancient craft, and if we both are reading the same skin."
Meanwhile, Tatath was sitting just as close to the bronze, her eyes whirling slow and sultry. Keeping her tail moving from slowly from side to side, the green thought about her answer. It is true that they lack what I obviously have but what I have is nothing compared to you. Perhaps, you should remember who is willing to give you more than just time. Mine has come to yours to speak about what they both have in common. What you and I may have in common. Being remembered, being in command. Getting what we want.
Canoake continued out loud, finishing both of their thoughts. "After all, what we want is to be more than just another wing rider or a green rider. What we want is power."
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Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 6:17 am
Humm, she hadn't answered his question. Well, he wasn't about to press her on the matter; let her bring it back up herself if she did decide she wanted a drink. "It did take a little while, I must confess," A'nos said with a chuckle and a slight nod of his head, "but the effort has been worthwhile; she's a lovely friendly little thing, and unlike so many firelizards she earns her keep and behaves herself... Humm. Yes. Time and effort put in do bring rewards..."
Trailing off again, the former harper regarded Canoake thoughtfully. After a moment, he appeared to reach a decision and nodded again before continuing. "I confess, I am attracted to... Power? Perhaps not so much that," a damn lie, but told as smoothly as though it were the honest truth, "but certainly to success. When I was a harper, I intended to be a master one day. Now that I'm a rider... Yes, I do want more than the default rank. Acriculeth certainly does, but he's rather more frank there than I am, and considerably more brutal. Not one to mince words or hold back from unscrupulous actions where it will get him ahead, my dragon. I wouldn't change him of course, but it does make it harder to get on with people, and it's wearing being the conscience for two at times."
For his part, Acriculeth regarded Tatath with no pretence at all; he swept his eyes over her once before giving a snort of amusement. "Feminine wiles? How original. If I'm to be swayed, Tatath, I'll be swayed by words not a pretty swaying tail... But I am curious, what do you want? You could occupy a position of some importance one day, werylingmaster or similar perhaps, but the most powerful roles are barred to your colour. What do you seek then, an alligence with me and Mine? If so I certainly hope you have something to offer us, because when I rise to glory I shall not be carrying any dead weight." She was lovely, and he would certainly chase her one day, but that would be that unless she or her rider did have something useful to contribute.
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Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 6:20 pm
Canoake dropped her act and looked him straight in the eyes with calm nerves. It could be unsettling to those who did not know her or did not understand that she was determined to make something of herself. Hands on her hips and chin up, she replied coolly. "Do not lie, A'nos. You have the same glint in your eye when you look up at the Weyrleaders table that I do. The only difference is that you can obtain it. Tatath and I must be resolved to settle for a default position such as Weyrling or Candidate Master. No green rider in this present time has done anything to be remembered for.. And even if my name is not written on the skins, I will not be content to be some face in a random wing. But maybe in the Weyrleader's wing as his choice... That is what I want."
Tatath stopped her tail and gave him the same glinting eye. Like rider, like dragon was the phrase. Eyes tinged red slightly with anger and passion, she snorted at the larger bronze. I want to be in charge. But I can't. My skin is not the right color nor will I be the right size, you are correct. But as a green rider, Mine and I are overlooked. Ignored. People and dragons gossip around us. Providing little tidbits of information that may be useful to a potential Weyrleader and his dragon.
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Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 5:00 am
As Canoake spoke, A'nos gave her a very sharp look and set aside his cup. "I am not lying," he replied firmly, "it isn't the power I want, it's the success. I think being a weyrleader is more or less the pinnacle of success, don't you?" The dark-eyed man paused then and took a deep breath, apparently reigning in his temper. "Sorry," he said after a moment, "that was uncalled for on my part... There's honor to being a weyrlingmaster, or a candidatemaster and they're by no means default positions but... To be remembered," he gave a slight nod, "maybe that's something I'd like too. Success, and to... to have made an impact on the world. Yes. I can understand that, and to want it but to be one green among so many..."
He would. He would make an impact, and his name would be remembered for at least a few generations. Hoping for complete immortality, to be known for all time was unrealistic, but to be known in his time and for a time after that... Yes. He had the skills to lead, and the will to get into a position of authority. What he really needed was a young impressionable queen rider, one who would want Acriculeth to catch her gold in every flight... But he also needed people like Canoake.
"Becoming a weyrleader isn't a matter of skill really, I know that," A'nos said tentatively after some moments of silence. "I think Acriculeth with stand a strong chance of catching queens when he's grown though, he has that killer instinct in him... It seems unfair for you and Tatath to be denied successes because of her colour. Were I to become weyrleader some day, I'd reward the merit I've seen from you two in lessons, and give you a chance to show it to everyone else too." Keep this one close. If he didn't, she could well become an obstacle.
"Humm," Acriculeth rumbled deep in his chest, looking Tatath over thoughtfully once more. "Yes," he said eventually, "that would be useful to me. Mine might like to reward whatever overlooked merit the pair of you have for its own sake, but I would rather use that merit at the same time. As I have said, I will carry no dead weight," the young bronze's eyes flashed vivid green, "but those with skill shall rise with me... So it's a place in our wing when we are weyrleaders you want; what else?" Negotiation at this stage was key; he needed to know where he stood with this green.
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Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 11:30 am
Canoake let a smile play on her lips, hands still on her hips and listened to his passionate outburst. She wondered what other emotions and actions he had smoldering just below the skin. She tossed her hair in a fine display of temper and nodded. "To have my name written down in on the skins for others to remember. I shall be honest, I do not plan on being stupid and giving myself up in some display selflessness for I am a very selfish creature. But perhaps, once we are cleared for flying Between, there can be scouting expeditions, or I can make myself handy to the Weyrwoman. Perhaps even befriend an up and coming junior gold."
She gave him a sly look at that. "Perhaps, whisper in the ears of other riders about who seems to have good leaderships skills. Quick wits and a smart mind." Canoake knew that riders gossiped and banded together just like in the Lower Caverns. Did anyone really outgrow childhood habits?
Tatath listened to Acriculeth and bobbed her head in agreement. Yanath listens to me. And there are others who will listen as well. Blues are so easy to move like dragonmen pieces. We want a place in your wing and we want a position of importance. WeyrlingMaster. I should like to influence those riders yet to come. Perhaps persuade them what a fine rider yours is.
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Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2011 7:47 am
"Ha, well I'm certainly not going to complain about being spoken well of!" A'nos grinned and raised his cup again, making a small toast in Canoake's direction. "Nobody wants to be forgotten," he went on, "and if they really do have something to offer it would be a crying shame if they were... Yes, I think they two of us could be a good team; we want the same sort of things, if not for exactly the same reasons." Their reasons, so far as he could gather, were more or less exactly the same. He would never be content to be a nothing, and neither would she. They would get the best out of life, no matter who they had to step on... Maybe one day he could trust her with a bit of the truth about himself but then again maybe not, he didn't doubt that she would turn against him if it ever looked profitable to do so.
"I see," Acriculeth gave a draconic grin, his eyes sparkling bright green, "that sounds to me like an arrangement that would benefit us both. See to it that yours acquires the skills necessary to take on the role of weyrlingmistress, and I will see to it that Mine gives her the post when we become Weyrleaders." When Tatath rose, Acriculeth decided, he would catch her; she was a very fine green, very fine indeed. Beautiful, bright and deadly. What more could he want in a female?
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Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 10:56 am
"I will take that glass of wine now, A'nos. And a toast to what should be a most profitable partnership." Canoake smiled confidently, letting a small play of sexuality cross her face. Not that they could act upon such urges now. Bold she may be, but she would never endanger Tatath. "A meeting, once a sevenday perhaps, just to catch up with weyrlife. As friends of course."
Tatath straightened herself up with pride for herself and her rider. Canoake will have those skills. Not only will she see to it but so will I. And we will make sure to pass along any gossip of interest to you and yours.
The bronze would make a fine weyrmate but he would never settle for green. Still, Tatath decided, it would be interesting to see if he could keep up with her once they both reached their full growth.
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Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 3:16 am
She really was an interesting young woman. A'nos returned the smile more or less like for like and poured a small glass of wine for his companion. "To the future then; may it be both profitable," he raised his own cup, "and... enjoyable." She was very attractive too, which helped matters of course. Yes. A close relationship with her couldbe a great deal of fun indeed. It was certainly a good plan to keep her close and keep her on his side, far better than having to deal with her as an enemy: that would cost time and effort he could put to better use elsewhere, and in any case it would be a great shame to waste her talents.
"I'm glad to hear that," Acriculeth nodded, "it is a shame so few of our clutchmates - and indeed dragons in general - show the promise and drive we possess. Still, better for them that they don't try to compete with us, wouldn't you agree?" She was a sly green with a sly rider, it was definitly in their best interests to work with the pair rather than against them. Besides, she was rather lovely as well as driven and sharp and that helped matters of course. When she started rising he would definitly be chasing.
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Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2011 3:06 pm
Leaning forward, Canoake took the glass and drank deeply. She had learned early on how to get a head for wine and ale, it came in handy when dealing with older and more inebriated riders. "Well, I must thank you for the conversation, A'nos. And the glass of wine, next time I think a nice white Benden shall do for both of us. Maybe in celebration, perhaps..."
She let her voice trail off as she sat the glass down. Giving him a slight nod of her head, she would never bow or curtsey to anyone who was not of a higher rank, Canoake let him assume that she would let him fly her Tatath. If, of course, Tatath wanted such a thing. "If we take leave of your company, I believe the two of us can start working on these plans we spoke of... Come along Tatath."
The green got up and stretched, showing off her wings and lean muscle. "Tis a shame indeed but that means they will be all the easier to lead. Any who would try to compete against US, would come off the poorer. Good day to you Acriculeth, may you skin stay soft and bright.
And with that, the green pair sauntered off, confident that they would get what they wanted.
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