Who

A'lira, Beris, R'ku

What

R'ku and Beris have a date at the terribly romantic runner tracks; A'lira joins the Wingleader and girlfriend. Good things drills were conveniently moved to later in the day….

Between one of us on a phone, one on a grumbly iPad app, and all three of us slow, we did a scene \o/

When

It is morning of the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth month of the eleventh turn of the 12th pass.

Where

Runner Tracks, Igen Weyr

OOC Date 18 Sep 2017 23:00

 

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Runner Track

Dust is the order of the hour in this empty section just outside the
bazaar. Crude stadium-like seating has been established out of a rocky
formation, allowing spectators to look around at the entertainment
below. Runners trot under the watchfull eyes of grooms and
runner-riders. Can't you feel the excitement of the race-track?
It is the twenty-eighth day of Winter and 40 degrees. It is a bright,
sunny day with a gentle wind.


The day is nice, winter ushering in cooler mornings and milder days. It's morning now at the Weyr, and the runner tracks have stands half full with patrons, ready for the next race. Most of the people there are clutching tickets for their bets, and Beris is one of them, feeling particularly flush today and deciding to drop some money on a race. The teen is wrapped up in a long coat against the fresh chill of the air, a woollen scarf tucked in the top of the collar. She's sat up in the seating, empty seats all around here - the place isnt particularly busy yet, probably too early in the morning for some people.

As someone who grew up in the Bazaar, R'ku can appreciate a bit of betting now and again. Especially when it gives him an excuse to meet with his girlfriend - two birds with one stone and all that. Thankfully for him, wing drills are not until later in the day, giving him a wide open morning to watch runner races in the chilly morning air. He's bundled up in his usual riding leathers, though he's added a thick woolen scarf of a deep red around his neck for warmth. The end of the scarf flaps idly in the stiff breeze as he makes his way towards the stands, eyes squinting against the glare of the sun to try to spot Beris. It doesn't take him long to spot her, of course, and he starts up to the stands towards her, his face lighting into a wide, toothy grin, "So - who did you bet on?" He asks this as he settles comfortably onto the seat next to her, his voice full of mock conspiratorial tones.

Beris is just about to stand and wave to R'ku when she spies him coming into the track, but he's spotted her already and is making his way up, so she settles back in her seat, re-examining her ticket for something to do. There's a grin on her face when she looks up at him as he joins her, leaning in to show him the betting slip. "A quarter mark on 'Flights of Fancy'. The odds are kind of above my head, so I just pick the names I like," she admits. "How about you?" That smile on her face just won't go away when he's around!

There's always time for a little fun, even for those whose days are packed with duties; A'lira has stolen a little time to observe the goins on at the track, well mufgled against the morning chill in the usual rider's gear. And oh, look, there's otherz about, placing their bets! He'll wander over to join Beris and R'ku, settling in with a gentle greeting for them both. "Who looks good?" He asks, not having had a chance to look the runners over.

R'ku leans in close to Beris to view her betting slip, using the movement as a ready excuse to slide his arm around her comfortably. He's all smooth and everything, after all. "Good strategy," he muses, with a rumble of a laugh, "I usually go for the ones that have interesting colors." He adds in a bit of an undertone, "I don't know the first thing about horses. I'm usually better at betting at the Pit." He starts to dig around in his pocket with his free hand as he brings his voice back to normal volume, "I took a look at the runners before betting. There was a dappled grey one that I liked the look of." He's still busy rooting around in his pocket one-handed when A'lira shows up. He blinks a moment in surprise and then flashes his wingmate one of his usual grins, "Hey, A'lira - taking advantage of the later wing drills, as well?" He finally manages to free his betting slip and then, realizing his manners, he hastily introduces Beris, "This is Beris, my girlfriend." He pauses to give Beris a smile before looking back to A'lira,"She's S'rael's sister." Because S'rael is also in Sirocco and A'lira probably knows him, at least. "As to the runners … well. I bet on the grey one." Because he still can't quite recall what the name of the runner was.

Beris is not arguing about that arm sliding around her if anything, she leans in closer to R'ku. "Dappled grey, huh?" Her gaze shifts to the race track below, where the runners and their riders are coming out with the numerous assistants who seem to be needed. Where's the grey one R'ku's bet on? Her eyes are looking over the various animals, trying to find the right one - there are a good dozen animals approaching the track. A'lira joins them, and Beris lifts her attention to him, with a nod. Then she wriggles her betting slip. "Flights of Fancy is mine. The man said he's a good choice," buuuut men taking money will say anything, won't they, and Beris seems to know that. She just seems happy to be here, for some UNKNOWN REASON. A'lira is interesting though, as another wing mate of her brother's, so she'll study him for a moment while waiting for the race to start.

A'lira is all too happy about drills being later in the day, for it gives him so many opportunities! "Yeah, good deal on that one!" He confirms for R'ku before offering Beris his most charming smile. "Good t'meetcha." Oh, he has met S'rael in passing, and is amused that R'ku is so quick to claim Beris. Ah, young love! He settles his gaze on the gray, admiring the creature as he goes by. "Looks good to me." He has no betting slip, gor he uses his marks for other things; but still, races are fun to watch.

"Funny how that happened," is R'ku's quip to A'lira, accompanied by one of his grins. He totally didn't schedule drills a bit later in the day to have more time to hang out with Beris. No sirree. "There's a bit of a weather system heading in closer to the afternoon that'll kick up some wicked winds. I wanted to take advantage of that," he explains, perhaps realizing that this whole late wing drills and hanging out with his girlfriend may be suspicious considering he has the power to change the drill time, "You can already feel it a bit now. See the clouds?" Indeed, the wind is a bit chill and brisk and there are brief gusts. R'ku goes into Wingleader mode for a moment and points to the clouds, which do seem to be moving a bit faster on the horizon. Then the runners start to come out and R'ku perks up, pointing with his betting slip at the dapple grey in the back, "That one!" He finally remembers to squint at his betting slip, "Iron Fast." He furrows his brow slightly as the name churns around in his brain and heaves a sigh, "Whoever owns them seems to enjoy puns. Iron Fast - I Run Fast?" He shrugs one shoulder and casts a grin over at A'lira, "Not betting then? I only put a mark down .. but .. it's all in the fun of it." He adjusts the arm that's still around Beris before glancing back to the runners, "Flight of Fancy? What color is he?"

Beris turns back to the tracks to hide her smile as R'ku and A'lira talk Wing things, her boyfriend seemingly giving good excuses for why drills are late today. If it's because of her - well, she'll just find it sweet, rather than berating him for delaying things for his riders. Not that it seems to be an issue for A'lira, given it's allowed him to come watch the race, too. "Oh, right," Beris will give R'ku's runner a good stare, though she doesn't know the first thing about a good horse, and is too far away to tell even if she did. Just watching then?" They get people like that at the Pit sometimes, but there she can usually convince them to spend something on drinks at least, even if they're not betting. This isn't her domain, however. "Oh - that one, the black one with the white on his face," she replies to R'ku, pointing out the fine-looking animal that's in the middle of the pack. The runners are splitting off to their starting gates now, a few looking especially restless, including a fine palomino that's damn near breaking away from the assistant leading it.

"Pfft," A'lira chuckles, not caring in the least about R'ku's motives. The man has every right to take some extra time with his girl. But he'll accept the "official" reason, dutifully examining the incoming clouds and nodding his understanding. "Looks like Kyp's fav'rite." The golden horse earns a whistle of admiration. "That one's a hanful and a half…" He laughs. "Nah, gotta different wager in mind, that's all." He is Bitran after all. No use in denying his interest in betting, since it's bred into all of them as a matter of home pride.

R'ku clutches his betting slip a bit tighter as another swirl of wind nearly pulls it from his grasp. Not wanting to relinquish the slip should Iron Fast prove successful, he tucks the slip safely back into his pocket, "I nearly bet on that one." He indicates the rowdy palomino, "He seemed a bit uppity, though." He winces at the thrashing of the runner, "… hope none of the attendants get bitten or kicked." A'lira's words drag is mismatched eyes from the runners and he arches a brow in the man's direction, "Another sort of wager? Do tell?" He glances back to Beris, his grin returning, "I think if Iron Fast wins anything, I can use the winnings to get one of those feline furs." Apparently he may have been picking up some dropped hints somewhere. "There's a stall in the Bazaar selling some nice ones." He squints at the dappled grey Iron Fast, who is tossing his head in agitation but not nearly as much as the palomino.

"I thought he was too feisty. Handsome though," Beris says of the horse that has been successfully led to the gates, where he stands restlessly as the remaining runners are lined up. Nobody's been bitten or kicked, but who knows what might happen during the race? "Oh?" Beris is all innocence for the mention of feline furs, though there's bright interest in her eyes as she looks at R'ku, with a little smile. But, A'lira's mention of his own wager has her interest, so she'll look at him when R'ku queries it. And then…with a bang, the race starts down below! The horses are off, urged on by their riders, and Beris can't help but look down, heart in her mouth. The betting slip in her hand is clutched so tightly it crumples.

A'lira merely smiles egnimatically. "Oh, nothing important." There's always time for mischief with this one. He keeps an eye on that wild palomino with all his shenanigans, amusement brightening his gaze. That one's certainly got some spice to him. "There's a Zingari lass I got my eue on, is all." The bet? To see who can exhaust whom. In whatever way they can — so far, it's been a draw, but they're both winning, so there's no problem as to payment.

R'ku starts slightly at the bang of the race beginning and gives a rumbling laugh at the excitement. "Come on, Iron Fast - live up to your name!" His deep voice is probably drowned out amongst all the cheers, whistles and shouts from the rest of the crowd, but he's enjoying himself and all. Besides - he needs a new feline fur. "Zingari?" R'ku's attention on the race is drawn only slightly by the name of the Bazaar family coming out of A'lira's mouth, "They're pretty flexible - good luck. Would it be someone I know?" R'ku's not a Zingari, after all, but he probably knows a fair few. His eyes don't leave the racing runners, though, his arm still looped comfortably around Beris' waist.

The palomino is indeed spicy, practically leaping from the gate and leading the race. Flight of Fancy lags somewhere behind, but Iron Fast is near the front, powering forward. With the possibility of a fur if R"ku's runner wins, Beris is as much invested in that one winning as her own. "Come on!" she shouts, joining in with the noise of the crowd as it grows. She's less interested in A'lira's bet now, and the Zingari mention, and more in the race and who's going to win! Betting slip clenched tight in a white-knuckled fist, she's tense in R'ku's arm as she leans forward to watch intently as the runners sprint.

It might be difficult for A'lira to get a word in edgewise at this point, as the crowd around them is starting to roar and whistle. R'ku even adds in his own piercing whistle, urging the runners on, "Faster, faster! You're a lot better than that palomino!" R'ku scoots forward to the edge of his seat, one arm still wrapped around Beris, his attention focused on the race.

"Igraine." The answer is absently given, for A'lir is now caught up in the race, his cheer for the palomino, for he always did like the wild cards of life. He adds his own whistle to the raucous sounds of the crowd. All in all, it's a great way to start the day.

The roar of the crowd nearly drowns out the thunder of the runners' hooves as they storm around the trac. At times they're so close together than a tangle seems imminent, but somehow they keep on, the palomino wild and leading all the way. Then another rider urges his horse towards the front, but it trips, stumbles into the palomino, and the two go down, taking a third runner with them. Iron Fast takes the lead now, with Flight of Fancy too far behind to be a serious contender for first place. The end draws near, and Beris is on the edge of her seat metaphorically and physically. "Come on!" Her shout is lost amongst the whistling and shouting.

R'ku adds his voice to the sudden chorus of 'Ooohhh's that ring through the crowd at the sudden fall of riders and runners. "Oh shards - I hope they're alright," R'ku manages to get out, wincing in sympathy at the pile-up. Though his attention is inexoriably drawn to the finish and … his runner is in the lead, "Shards - almost there!" His gaze flicks between the racing runners and the injured ones further back, trying to keep his attention on both scenes. He's a bit distracted, but he manages to call back in response to A'lira, "Igraine? Don't think I know her … but … good luck, man. Take her out for a good meal somewhere, eh?"

That's the plan, eventually! A'lira glances back to the downed trio, suddenly more Healer than spectator. He rises, making to head down there and offer a hand with the detangling and assessing. "Yeah, I will." And them he's off, unworried about the race's outcome.

Beris isn't as concerned about the downed animals and people - she's focused intently on the runners at the front of the race. Fast Iron is being flanked by a chestnut runner, the pair neck and neck up til the final moment when the chestnut squeaks ahead and is called out as the winner. Beris flops back and into R'ku, pouting. "Damn." Her runner's placement isn't even noteworthy. "Do you get anything for second place?" She asks, half hopeful and half teasing. A'lira's absence is noted then, though it does mean she's alone with R'ku (albeit in the audience), so she doesn't overly mind.

R'ku is half-standing with his excitement by the time the runners gallop across the finish line. He lets out his breath in a groan of disappointment and flops back down onto the seat, "What a sharding tease!" He gives A'lira a farewell wave as he heads off, one last worried glance sent towards the tangle of riders and runners in the distance, before his gaze flickers back to Beris. "Oh!" he starts to dig in his pockets for his betting slip, "I forgot you can win a little bit if your runner wins in the top three … if I put in the right bet." He was so distracted this morning he probably completely forgets what type of bet he placed. He finally manages to dig said betting slip out, reads it, and then lets out a whoop of happiness, "I win a little for him placing instead of winning, I think!" Grinning, he'll try to sweep Beris into a celebratory kiss. "Shall we go pick out that feline fur anyhow?" A pause for thought before he adds, "Are you working late tonight?" Probably an ot too subtle hint at asking if Beris is able to stay over that night.

Beris is watching not particularly subtly as R'ku finds and examines his betting slip, and then she's grinning at his delight. "Maybe I'll have better luck next time." But she's not sore at all, not with the promise of going to look at furs with her man. She'll stand, holding out her hand in her usual blunt offer for him to take. "Let's. And no, just an early evening shift tonight." The look she gives him is knowing!

R'ku rises from his seat and reaches out to take Beris' proffered hand in the same motion, his lips spreading into a warm grin, "Perfect. It's going to be cold tonight. The new fur will come in handy." His grin may turn a bit sly at that. Clutching his betting slip in one hand and Beris' hand in the other, he weaves his way through the milling crowd. Time to go collect his bet and buy a fur. Thank Faranth for late wing drills.

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