Quiet and isolation make a good setup for watching the sunset… if that happens to be the purpose for being here. The Standing Stones are a sight themselves too but it's not the natural formed pillars that have I'dre casting out far from his usual haunts. The bluerider is in a mood, not terribly surprising there either. Mhiruth soars on by ahead, but the blue is merely returning to his ledge and not, by chance, attempting a risky landing to pick up his brooding rider. I'dre should know better too than to pick these paths so distracted, as the tricky footing ends up to the expected end: his footing slips and it's by sheer luck he doesn't end up flat on his ass (or worse). From his cursing, it's evident enough that spooked him. It's a near thing! And it's definitely jarred him out of his head, as he carefully picks his way back to stable ground and brushes off his pants and… does his best to pretend that didn't happen. No one saw, right? Caprines can't talk.

As it happens, enjoying the sunset and oiling her fair is the reason that Naneska has climbed her way up here from the lake shore. The ruddy wind-sculpted pillars have an appeal all of their own, and truthfully, most times there are only the caprines for company (Naaaaate!?~ ) So the sound of dislodged stones has her startling for a moment, one hand clasped to her heart even as she tries to locate the source of the disturbance. There are clues, such as the cussing, and then the blue-rider makes an appearance. "Are ye okay?" Comes the inevitable question, because it's the polite thing to do, what's not so polite is the dance of laughter in her eyes. "Ye gave me a turn!" ALL HIS FAULT!

Damn it! I'dre doesn't say it, but it's written all over his face that he's cussing all the more internally at Naneska's voice. He's not going to look at her either when she's clearly laughing at him (with her eyes). Pride? What's that? His is definitely bruised. See that color on his cheeks? It's not the sunset. "Yeah, I'm fine." Clipped response, along with a heavy sigh. He picks his way a little further up, if just to give him that much more distance between them. "Didn't mean to scare you. Just lost my footing, it happens." Yeah, let's go with that. Finally, he'll turn to look at her with narrowed-eyed curiosity and wariness. "What're you doing here anyhow?"

Naneska really can't help it, the laughter, the dance of her eyes, and the mischief that shapes her bronzed face. It's just the way she is made. "I know th' words, if ye want to keep swearin'. No harm done." Whats a few expletives between random strangers? At his sudden interrogation question she laughs for real, a throaty, earthy thing. "Most times, this place is deserted. I come here to seek some peace when I can't wander too far." Then she HOLDS up the bottle of oil. "Also me firelizards tend t' hunt here. Easier fer me to go to them." That being said, those firelizards aren't really making themselves known.

"Eh, I think I'm good." I'dre will save his colorful oaths for another time! He's too busy bristling over his bruised pride and Naneska's not-quite-laughing at him. Don't mind his fidgeting hands, as he smooths down his clothes for the tenth time and adjusts them. Now she really is laughing and he's pinning her with a mock glare. What now? "Can't you call them to you?" he mutters, but he's one to talk. He has ONE firelizard and the bronze is aptly named Wibble Wobble for a reason. Realizing he's being an ass to an otherwise decently nice stranger, he forces himself to check his temper. "… this place is good for getting away."

Naneska nods her head solemnly. "Aye, n sometimes they even listen." Today, at this time with the sunset and the chill wind of winter ruffling her hair, this is NOT one of those times. "Of course, it could all be a cunning ploy on my part." She admits quietly. "As ye say, this place is good fer gettin' away." And winter is not a time for travel for a trader, it is a time to build up stock and repair for the travels in finer weather. "Naneska, trader." She holds out her hand (Not the weird oily one) in introduction.

"What kind of plotting would you even get up too?" I'dre loves his questions! There's also the implied 'you're a woman' buried somewhere in his tone, but mostly unintentional. He smirks as she turns his words back on him and adds a little more. "Also tends to lead to unusual meetings. Trader, huh? Guess you're stuck for the season." Weyrbred as he is, his grasp on Traders and their livelihood isn't the best but he's not entirely ignorant. He'll take her (not oily!) outstretched hand and grip it firmly, while a little more of that initial bristling ebbs away. "I'dre," he offers, letting go. "Blue Mhiruth's rider. Dragonhealer trainee." It has a better ring than 'Mirage Wingrider'.

Naneska probably wouldn't judge anyway… her recollection of the various wings is about as solid as his understanding of Traders. But with the increasing exchange of words, comes the urge to sit so she's going to meander to a conveniently tumbled boulder, one that overlooks the Weyr bowl, and hazy purple and red shadows of the sunset. With a grin, she pats the stone beside her, another invitation, but one easily refused. "Oh, ye might be surprised! Don't make marks sittin' around lookin' pretty" She has plots aplenty! Just ignore the fact she's currently just sitting around and looking pretty.

I'dre will take up Naneska's offer because maybe he really was bruised in that near-tumble of his and sitting will be a welcomed alternative to standing. Still, a guy his height means he can't quite do so comfortably but he'll make it work. "Uh huh," he'll peer at her again, a wry smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Isn't that what you're doing right now?" Did he just call her pretty!? If he did, that was also unintentional on his part too. Because he isn't giving off the usual cues a guy would give when in the presence of a pretty lady and is trying (and failing) at flirting. "I don't think 'oiling firelizards' counts. No profit in that… speaking of. You belong to one of the Trader families, then? What'd you normally trade?" It's small talk. Safe talk, as far as he's concerned.

Naneska remains pretty relaxed for someone who was moments away from death by fright a few moments ago. Clearly she takes things in her stride. Including I'dre. "Nice o' ye to notice." However the wink that comes from those dancing hazel eyes gives no clues to if she means the inadvertent compliment, or the fact that oiling her firelizard isn't profitable. "Ah, but there is. Regular maintenance ensures reliable service." And there is totes marks in that, and that comment clarifies her earlier one nicely! "I'm Reika originally. But now, I'm on me own. Trading in little bits n' pieces." It's hard to explain exactly what she does, but she must be doing alright if she's independent. "I always thought dragonhealers were old." Not that she really had given much thought to the professionals.

"You're welcome," I'dre quips back and his earlier broodiness is replaced by something more at-ease and almost friendly. Part of him is still wary, but he's not at risk of biting Naneska's head off at any given moment. "Guess if you put it that way, then it makes sense. That and it'd just be cruel not to oil them. They're nuisances as it is but doubly so when something's bugging them." He sounds gruff but really, deep down, he loves the lone bronze he has; even if the poor thing moves like he was dropped on his head as a hatchling. "Huh. A woman as an independent Trader? You don't get flak for trying to do your own business?" It's genuine curiosity! He's never leaned too far to the conservative side, but he's not blind to how the Bazaar can be. Scoffing, he actually smiles crookedly. "I'm not a full dragonhealer! Just a trainee. Think of it like an Apprentice… only not, since it's not a Craft. Just — it's a lot to learn." And complicated to explain.

"Aye." Naneska agrees with the assessment of firelizard fickleness. "But they're cute buggars." Unlike his almost unfriendly tone, hers is full of indulgent pride for her erstwhile felines with wings companions. Of course that can't last forever, and when he gets round to asking her how her independence is received she sighs. "All the live long day!" She groans before dropping her voice. "Ye unnatural whore! Ye dastardly thief! Ye stay away from me sister!" Her imitation is pretty spot on, even as she grins. "Figure th' best way t' shut 'em up is t' be successful." And Nan will be too! One way or another (Probably both, and a few more tricks besides, she does have her plots after all.) "Says more about 'em than it does about me." She's learned that much over the turns at least. There is a frown at his explaination, but it fades quickly enough. "Ye're doin' somethin' important. Stick with it." Random encouragement from a random is random.

I'dre's expression falls to something blank as his mind struggles to catch up to just how freely Naneska is throwing out the insults that had been thrown at her. It's difficult to say what gives him the .exe is no longer functioning look but, there it is! Blinking, his eyes narrow as his expression turns sour. "Seriously? What's anyone's sister got to do with it?" Yeah, apparently THAT went over his head! He snorts, "Good on you for sticking to it! Folk like to think they've got someone all figured out." he grumbles next, as though he can grasp that much. "That they're bullies and scared old men?" Okay, there's women who share similar thoughts too but STILL! He smirks crookedly, until he gives her a puzzled look. "Um. Thanks? That's the plan." Awkward thank you is awkward.

If there is one word to describe Naneska, that would be FREE. "Oh apparently, I'm rabble set out t' seduce naive young ladies who spill me nuts…" Look it probably is way more innocent that Nan is making it sound, but it's funner this way. "I didn't understand that one either." She admits, with a shrug. "But some Herder apprentice got her knickers in a twist over it." So no! Not just bullies and dirty old men! There is a companionable grin nonetheless. "I bet they've barely got them ownselves figured out. Easier t' point fingers than to pull thumb yeah?" In other words, Nan is too busy sorting her own shit out to worry about the shit of others (unless it is a 16 turn old being pressured into marriage, then she'll sort that shit out too). "Ye can do it!" Nevermind that they've just met, Naneska believes in you…I'dre!

"Yeah. Yeah, I get that," I'dre truly does as he's STILL trying to get his shit together and hasn't really so much as attempted to try figuring out anyone else's. He probably should have done this before agreeing to Stand but… he'd not trade Mhiruth for the world; even if it means never being a fighting rider. There's another scoffed bit of laughter and he grins vaguely, glancing at her sidelong. "So can you." A relaxed silence will fall, I'dre closing that moment to collect his thoughts before pushing off the rock and to his feet (without incident!). "I know it's early yet," He's talking about the hour of day without realizing it could be misunderstood as something else. "Want to go get a few drinks? First round's on me." Given he so rarely seeks out company, Naneska should be flattered that he even wants to just keep hanging around to shoot the breeze!

It is early in their acquaintanceship yet, for he has no clue how many of Naneska's nights start with 'Want to go get a few drinks?' (Spoiler: NEARLY ALL OF THEM!) But there is a grin and a shrug even as she abandons her oil on the seat they so recently shared. "Aye, I think I can go a round or two…" There is a bright grin before a wink. "If ye're paying fer the first round, I'll get the second." And hopefully by that stage, who's buying what will be a happy muddle. "I jist had a new drink recommended to me. Porter, with a splash o' vanilla." But it is a long walk back to the bazaar where the drinking establishments are, so they'll have plenty of time to shoot the breeze too.

I'dre would be rightly horrified FOR her that so many of her nights start with that terrible pickup line! Really, she has nothing to fear from him except for two things: his terrible handle on humor (lots goes over his head) and his temper. The last one being unlikely, as his earlier bad mood has all but vanished. "Fair enough," he agrees, stepping back so that she can lead the way ? if she trusts he won't go slipping on the path again and take them both down! "Huh, that sounds like a weird combination…" he admits, nose wrinkling slightly. "But I'm willing to give it a shot." Since the end game is that he ends up drinking and getting his alcoholic buzz on.

Naneska likes charity cases riders! and is about as easy in temperament as she is to bed. There is no fear as she starts down that path, just a broad grin, and an offered hand (just in case!). "It's not so bad." She admits. "O' course if you've got suggetions I'm willin' t' give it a shot too!" Regardless of what else happens this evening, they're bound for a boozy taste adventure! "Have ye seen a wagon before?" IT IS SO INNOCENT THAT QUESTION.

He'd be quite the charity case to take on! I'dre hides a lot of baggage, that just manifests in terrible outbursts but… that's not the concern at the moment! She won't end up in the wrong sort of tumble either, as he smirks and brushes aside her hand. "I'm not that much of a klutz! I'll be fine. I'm paying attention," He'll shoot her a crooked smirk all the same and to prove a point, navigates a tricky part of the path without making a fool of himself. See? "Oh, I've got a few favourites, if you're okay handling the harder stuff!" I'dre used to make much of his life all about drinking so… he's familiar with some of the better stuff to be offered! "Huh?" He stops a bit to peer at her, before continuing on down after her. "Not up close. You got one?" SO INNOCENT (no really, it is)! There's going to be much of that sort of conversation and his continued obliviousness over at minimum two rounds of drinks, as promised!

Naneska looks at her hand, looks down, and then looks at the rider before giving a shrug and letting her hand drop. "Aye, me own wagon." But that is for later, when it is time to pass out from the booze. But first! They must imbibe and converse, and if they do end up on the grand wagon tour, she's probably resigned herself to the obliviousness before seeking her own somewhere comfy.