Who

Amani, Va'os | Zymuraith, Tsiroth

What

Amani and Va'os have a brief little heart to heart chat on the beach…

When

It is noon of the thirteenth day of the twelfth month of the fourteenth turn of the 12th pass.

Where

Beach, Southern Weyr

OOC Date 09 Sep 2018 04:00

 

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Beach

An eerie mirror, the glass-quiet Sea of Azov: the clear waters stretch along the dark-pebbled shores, and along this narrow beach. Here the faintest lap of waves belies the calm beyond; here the rocks have been ground down into finest, softest sand - those observant would mark upon the similarity between it and the sands of the hatching grounds. The soft sand soaks up summer sunlight as a sponge; painfully hot during the warmer months, it is only truly pleasant at wintertime. Rocks rise to east and west, lichen-limned and green against the abyssal darkness of stone.


The surf is gentle along the shores of the Azov today - an irresistible beacon for those looking for a moment of peace despite the oppressive humidity. Southern's new Senior Weyrwoman is such a one, finding lunchtime to be the opportunity for just such an escape. Though dressed in an indigo sarong draped from one shoulder to her ankles with swimwear quite evident in places, the goldrider doesn't move to go in the water just yet, opting to remain in Zymuraith's shadow as she looks out at the sky-mirroring water. It's been a hectic handful of days, and it shows in the tiredness around the young Weyrwoman's eyes, the distractedness of her gaze betraying that she's in counsel with her lifemate about it all. Zymuraith, being sly as she is, decides to clue Tsiroth and therefore Va'os in to her whereabouts, subtly suggesting the bronzerider might conveniently wander by. Apparently the queen thinks there may be a bit of benefit to her rider giving voice to what's on her mind to another person, and who better than the man she's going to be working the most closely with?

Tsiroth will respond with a summery tune to Zymuraith’s sly nudge and if a bronze could imply a roughish smirk along with it, he would be the one to do it! They were likely heading that way already or that much is implied in the brief agreement to the young gold. While Tsiroth chooses to glide in from above and drift out over the shallows, Va’os will make his arrival by ground. He’s dressed casually, as the humidity won’t permit much else unless he wants to be ridiculously uncomfortable for the sake of fashion (which he doesn’t). Holding up his hand, he’ll wave to catch Amani’s attention before making his approach. He dips his head respectfully to Zymuraith, reserving his best lopsided grin for the goldrider herself. “Looks like we both had a little escape on the mind, eh?” No mention that this was somewhat orchestrated by their dragons. Nope~

Zymuraith appreciates a good tune - and a roguish bronze, whether she'll admit it or not - and so is content to tune in to Tsiroth for the time being, watching him do his circling over the waves with a happily crackling white bonfire in the backdrop to show her contentedness. It takes Amani a bit to notice Va'os, klah-dark eyes blinking rapidly a few times to help her pull out of her depth of contact with Zymuraith. There was likely a mental nudge involved, too. The gold does pause in her attention to Tsiroth to give the bronzerider a rumble of acknowledgement, leaving the humans to their chatting now that her job is done. "I suppose so," she answers with a rueful smirk and a sharp sidelong glance to her dragon. "Though it may have been on four minds, two more on purpose than the others." And now she's starting to sound like Zymuraith. With a little shake of her head, she focuses on Va'os with a soft sigh. "She's determined to make sure I talk to more than just her. Which she's right about."

Oh, that bonfire is inspiration of its own and Tsiroth changes his tune again to a simple melody of an acoustic guitar being lazily strummed. Calming, soothing and yet uplifting all in the same song. He’s content to wheel above the waves and while that seems innocent enough, it wouldn’t be beyond him to use this as a way to ‘show off’. He’s just being polite and less brash (and lets face it, awful) with his “woo’ing”. Which is a relief to Va’os, not that he isn’t a massive flirt on a good day either. “Maybe!” he agrees with a chuckle to Amani, only to sober in the next breath and furrow his brow. “Something on your mind, then?” He’s going to pretend he can read through the lines here… if there are lines to read between.

Zymuraith settles onto her stomach without detracting from the shade she's providing her rider, seeming to watch Tsiroth with almost passive interest. But she's enjoying herself, and Amani leaves her to it, giving a hum of affirmation to Va'os' last. "Yeah, though it probably isn't difficult to guess what," she replies, smirking faintly before turning her gaze out to the water again. "There's never really any being ready, is there? It just happens, and you either handle it, or you can't. But they seem really good at choosing people who can, whether or not we see it in ourselves."

And since Tsiroth is behaving and not harassing the young gold, Va’os will leave him be as well. He sighs heavily, when Amani’s answer confirms what he’d already guessed. His mouth twists into a grimace, but rather than a look of pity, it’s a look of understanding. “No, there’s no being ready for it. We kind of came to rank in different ways but it’s the same kind of start. Abrupt and sudden… One day you’re happy where you are and the next you’re foisted somewhere you didn’t think you’d be — if ever.” At least in his case! He never expected to be Weyrleader and not even as long as he’s been! “Are you feeling overwhelmed?” It’s asked a little quieter, as if to ease the bluntness of which it was delivered.

Amani quietly absorbs Va'os' confirmation, nodding subtly. She isn't sure why she needed the confirmation from him if she knew the likely answer. Perhaps just the ability to commiserate is what she needed to confirm, in this case. She appreciates that he doesn't beat around the question, though her reply is a long moment in coming. "Yes." The admission seems to cost her something, judging by the slightly grudging tone and the frown that tugs at her lips. "I'm not supposed to be overwhelmed, not so that anyone can see it. I'm doing my damnedest to keep it to myself, Va'os, but there are moments…" Only three days, and the moments have accumulated. If it wasn't for Zymuraith, she'd be a mess, she's certain. "Why do they never stay?" The question, seemingly tangential, is uttered quietly, almost under her breath, and she shuts her eyes for a moment. "There's always somewhere more important to be - another Weyr, the other side of life… I know the last bit can't be helped, but I don't really understand the first. I'm by myself. That was never a problem when I was out there just trying to live, but now…I'm not enough by myself. Not for all of Southern." Her jaw is tensing against a surge of emotion as she meets Va'os' gaze again. "I wish…I was that strong."

Va’os is patient and doesn’t press Amani when she lapses into silence. The only movement from him is the occasional glance down the beach to be sure no one has ventured too close. So far, they’re being left well enough alone. His brows furrow deeper and without even realizing that she may not appreciate it, he goes to reach out to place a hand on each of her shoulders. “Amani, listen to me… You are human. Don’t ever forget that part, okay? Your feelings are valid and I know they’re gonna put you up on some high level and expect everything and anything from you but you have to watch out for yourself too! If you try to make everyone happy…” He relents a little then, with a grim set to his expression. “It won’t work.” Whatever that means? For the rest, he can only sadly shake his head. He’s been through several changes with the shuffling of Weyrwoman; some as sudden as death, others like a slow, unstoppable change with them along for the ride. “I don’t know, Amani,” he sighs. “I wish I had an answer for that. Mayte was a good Weyrwoman and I know we had our differences but…” There’s only a shrug to finish that statement, before he’s peering at her. “Who is saying you’re not strong enough already?”

Though Va'os' gesture is surprising, it isn't something Amani flinches away from. If anything, it makes her focus in on him more acutely. "I'm not out to make everyone happy. I just want everyone to have what they need and to know we're still strong enough to protect them," she reasons, but she knows that some of the unreasonable expectations still slip in from her own quarter. She can only nod along to the Weyrleader's sentiments about the Weyrwomen. She hadn't really expected a definitive answer, needing simply to vent more than anything. "I know," she says quietly. "Things are what they are and there's nothing to be done except what we can." His last question makes her blink. "Mostly me," she admits with chagrin. "Though I've had a few of the Holders look down their noses at me over the past few days. It's…going to take a while to get them to stop seeing me as just a girl barely out of weyrlinghood." Never mind that she's been out of weyrlinghood long enough for Zymuraith to have clutched…and to be due for another soon, most likely.

“That’s making everyone happy!” Va’os counters in his typical (and infuriating) manner when he won’t relent that what he’s trying to describe doesn’t make sense. “Looking to everyone’s needs and ignoring your own is what I’m getting at!” Kind of. He’s leaving a lot out but he’s never been good at articulating himself properly and doesn’t care to change. His scoff should be answer enough and he flicks a hand dismissively. “Who cares what a few Holders think? Do they really know you? No. And I bet they look down their noses at everyone! Don’t let a few hard asses get you beating yourself up for no reason!” Sobering, he gives her another pointed look as he shifts his weight and crosses his arms over his chest. “Y’know, I had the same happen to me in a way. Tsiroth and I were both fresh into being full riders. What made us qualified to lead an entire Weyr? And y’know what? I tried to be like the ones before me and it sucked. So I just went with how I am and it went much better!” There’s a pregnant pause and then he clears his throat. “… well, I mean, for the most part?” There were some definite snags and turbulent times but hey! He’s still sane~

"People can have exactly what they need and have Thread kept of their heads and still find reasons to be miserable. Don't tell me you haven't noticed," Amani scoffs in turn. To the rest, she just throws up her arms with a sigh, clearly frustrated. "I'm not ignoring my own needs!" That she's aware of. Someone may have to point out whatever she is neglecting. Sometimes the finer points of things are what need tending to, and she's not always the best at paying attention to those. Still, she's not so frustrated that she can't pay attention to the Weyrleader's last, and ends up smirking deeply in the span of that pause. "It wouldn't be the Southern I know without you being how you are," she notes wryly, folding her own arms. "Which I suppose means we're going to be alright in the end."

Va’os laughs, a touch dryly. “Uh, yeah? I’ve noticed that for a long time…” he remarks with a smirk. “And I used to be holderbred myself. Got to see it from both sides!” As Amani throws up her arms and is clearly frustrated, all the bronzerider can do is blink at her. What’d he do? “So what’s eating so bad at you then? If you’ve already got the answers…” He may mean to come off as supportive, but his words could be taken as a purposeful goading. Never know, with him! There’s a nod of his head in agreement, however and a faint grin. “I appreciate that you don’t think I’m a complete idiot and that Southern’s doing half decent with me at the helm — but it hasn’t just been me. Y’know? There was always someone to help me along. Bailey, Mayte if we’re gonna stick to naming weyrwomen. There’s D’wane,” Who honestly does a lot of the leg work here, let’s be honest! Va’os leans too heavily on him sometimes. “And I never stop anyone from offering their insight.” Hint, hint! He gives Amani a pointed look.

"I don't have all the answers, else I wouldn't be after any!" The breeze picks up at that moment, whipping Amani's hair along with the sheer gold scarf she's tied it back with into her face. It's enough to make her sputter, and she blushes in the wake of clawing it back into submission. "I'm just…afraid. And I'm frustrated with myself for letting the fact that I'm the only one left right now do that to me, because I know you and D'wane and others are there." That last look from Va'os deepens her blush, and she nods, dropping her eyes for a moment. "I'll adjust. I always do," she finally asserts, squaring her shoulders. "Maybe there's part of me that's stuck on not being ready when I really do have all I need."

Va’os is bold enough to reach out again, though only with one hand to her shoulder and more in comfort. His grip is firm, but he’s careful to keep space between them and not invade any further, unless she makes the move first. Her words have him smiling a true, honest smile; no kidding around or grimness underlying it. “It’s okay to be afraid, Amani. We’re all afraid, especially when things go completely sideways and wrong. We’re just all… afraid together. We gotta put the brave face on for the masses, but between us?” He’s including the rest of leadership too! “We can admit it. Being afraid is good, I think. I think we need to be scared of the ones who aren’t…”

The smile Va'os gives does much to help Amani relax a bit, and she sighs simply to release some tension. "Fear keeps us from taking things for granted and appreciating what we have. I know," she says softly. She regards him thoughtfully for a moment before deciding to step closer, giving him a hug that seems to be asking permission despite being sincere. "Thank you," she murmurs before pulling away, tucking back a bit of hair behind her ear. "I'll settle in soon enough and…we'll do right by our Weyr, together." She glances up at Zymuraith, smirking. "She already likes Tsiroth well enough, so no worries about that end of things, at least."

The hug comes a little unexpected but Va’os returns it all the same and heartfelt at that. He’ll release her once she’s ready, not lingering and taking a small step back. “Anytime,” he murmurs with that care-free grin of his; he means it! Anytime she needs an ear, he’ll try to be there. Even for the way he acts half the time and his own blunderings… he IS a decent listener. “And of course we will! There’s gonna be a few rough days ahead but we’ll get over ‘em.” A brow quirks and he glances out over to the water, but Tsiroth has long since landed some distance away. Turning his gaze back to Amani, he chuckles and shrugs his shoulders. “I’m glad he hasn’t outright insulted her yet!” Give it time. “And… guess we’ll see when the time comes?”

"If he ever does, he…won't enjoy the way she'll set him straight, I can tell you that," Amani remarks with a wince. With as abstract and complex and confusing as Zymuraith's mindscape can get, the chances that she'll leave Tsiroth with something unpleasantly memorable are high. "Anyway, yes, we'll see. For now…we'd probably better not stay disappeared for too long," she says with a smirking, turning to eye the path back toward the Weyr from the boardwalk. "Should we head back?"

Va’os snickers under his breath, “She can try, but Tsiroth isn’t that easy to chastise and actually learn from it.” he warns in turn. The bronze likely has no idea what’s in store for him if he should ever cross Zymuraith the wrong way! When Amani reminds him that their absence will be noted, he gives a teasing pout. “Do we have to? You look like you’d plan to swim. Why not a quick one?” He juts his thumb towards the water. “It’s not like the Weyr’ll go anywhere for another handful of minutes…” Grinning, he doesn’t step towards the paths but rather walks backwards towards the shallows. See? He’s going to be bad and shirk ‘duties’ for a little longer… not that they’re needed urgently for anything. “It’ll be good to cool down anyhow!” Whether or not she joins him, Va’os will actually follow through on his words and, once he’s shed his shirt, will dive into the waters.

Fortunately, Amani doesn't take much convincing, especially when Zymuraith looks down at her and gives a pointed huff. Chuckling, the goldrider shakes her head and gives her sarong a few tugs, leaving it near her dragon before joining Va'os in the water. It's all part of tending to her own needs, she tells herself. If that means a few more moments spent to fit in a swim, so be it. The odds that something dire will happen in that time are low…even if it is Southern.

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