Fun with food

[Thorney]

Putting a hand to her cheek, Raelwyn was horrified to find her skin hot to the touch, much more so than she thought. By Faranth, she was blushing like mad! Lifting her eyes to her companion, she found his grin slowly fading into a smile that was very sweet, and the girl felt a smile curving her lips as well. It was embarrassing to hear the compliments the weyrling gave, but at the same time, it was also very kind of him to say such things. L’mar was by far one of the most pleasant personalities she had ever encountered, and the candidate found she liked him. A lot. Of course, Rael did not know too many people at Cerulean very well, only acquaintances, and those she could truly call ‘friend’ were few indeed. She was enjoying her time with the boy more than anyone so far.

Tilting her head to the side when the weyrling thrice said her name, the candidate felt a warm feeling in her chest as he continued, a bright smile on her face. His best friend? That thought delighted her greatly, for she certainly felt the same way about him. “Then I will learn it well, dear L’mar, since being your best friend would please me to no end.” Of course the harper caught the ‘best friend’ comment; rare was the occasion that she missed anything. Grinning in reply, Raelwyn thought his words were indeed very gentle and kind. “And I am honored to experience such a rare occurrence.” Winking, the girl had a feeling that something great was going to come of this, something beyond the fledging friendship. How often before had Rael met someone with whom she felt so natural, so…right? Something between she and the boy just seemed to click, and everything flowed so easily it seemed they had been friends for the course of her life. Best friends indeed. More like…inseparable friends, if the harper got her way.

Laughing lightly, the girl shook her head, green eyes bright. Oh Faranth, L’mar had her flitter pegged so well, it was enough to tickle her. “That you aren’t, my dear weyrling, but then again I’ve not met many who were the equal of Tydus’ ego. Perhaps a bronze dragon or two, yet I find even they oft have a hard time matching his level of narcissism.” Ty was snoring away through their conversation, though, oblivious to the words of His and her companion. Occasionally, the flit would let out a small snort or trill, his tail twitching. Grinning, the candidate wondered what he could be dreaming about.

Smiling at the boy’s reply, Raelwyn knew his dear green was the most important thing to him in the world. No, not just that; she was his world, not only the center of it, but everything within as well. The candidate had lived in a working weyr for four turns, and the blood of a bronzerider was hers and flowed through her veins. For turns, her family had traveled at the side of her Journeyman father, finally coming to rest at the Harper Hall, but never had she felt truly herself until being Searched and taken to Fort. It was there Rael had found her real life, her true calling. Reverence for dragonkind was a part of her, and a natural respect and understanding of weyrlife had easily followed. L’mar nodded in reply as she thanked him for his sweet words, and the harper felt that she could truly be herself with him, that she could say things she dared not to others. Well, after all, he was her best friend, was he not?

Blinking, the candidate stared at the boy for a moment, her green gaze intense. Though she already thought the weyrling to be quick-tongued, he had also proven to be rather perceptive and impressively wise with those words. “That is a most poetic statement, L’mar, and rings true indeed.” Raelwyn smiled. She had not expected such a reply, but it was beautiful, nonetheless. “I shall gladly stand, and pray to meet Mine; green, blue, or any color that sees me as fit.” Pausing as her companion spoke once more, Rael was struck silent once more, gazing at the weyrling for a moment before replying. Her smile was grateful and soft. “You are too kind, L’mar. Your words are comforting. Thank you.” Hesitating, the candidate almost spoke again, revealing some of her fears, and her doubts, but decided against it. They had been enjoying a lovely evening, and the harper did not want to ruin it with her somber thoughts. Instead, the girl brightened, and then laughed. “Well, I would certainly try to be a fit Weyrwoman. Your confidence is most kind. But be careful, too. My head cannot grow too much larger or I won’t fit through the door.” Inwardly, Raelwyn was confident that she would be a good rider, but wondered if a queen candidate should have such inner doubts about Impressing. After all she had stood on the sands many times, and had yet to meet Hers. At the same time, she knew that without fear, there could be no courage, and so wondered if her slight doubt was a good attribute, instead of not.

Brow arching, the candidate grinned wickedly at the weyrling’s reply, inwardly certain that he did indeed leave quite an impression on any he met. Raelwyn could play his game, but she knew that he was the master. However, the girl could hold her own, and she planned on keeping things interesting between them. After all, wasn’t that what best friends were for? Laughing in delight, the harper shook her head, slipping her companion a wink. “Oh, I find it quite hard to believe that a man with your charm leaves anything but a favorable impression on others, good L’mar. Perhaps there are those jealous of your wit and clever tongue, but that must be it.” Eyes narrowing in on the last bits of his roll as he raised his hand, the girl prepared to duck. Ah, he was eating. Relaxing, Rael chuckled, nodding her agreement. “Oh that he is, at least in his opinion.”

[Kaemi]

No running, no quiet prayers. Hm. It seemed that she accepted his 'best friend' status. Silly girl. Honestly, though, L'mar was very pleased at her reaction. The smile on her face was shining and her words were playful, yet honest. She really was going to be his best friend! Of course, no matter what her reaction had been, she still would have been. But he'd have had to be more creative about it. This way, he would only have to use said creativity when he wanted to mess with Rael. Nodding in response to her wink, he said, “As you should be. See, that's what I like the most about you, dearest Raelwyn. You appreciate me!” He chuckled quietly before sincerely smiling at her. The weyrling, truthfully, didn't think he'd ever been comfortable with someone this quickly. She was unlike anyone he had ever met, and he liked that.

Eyes fell on the bronze flit, stirring every so often from his slumber to swish his tail and make random noises. He didn't seem nearly so pretentious in sleep. “I have another theory,” L'mar told her with a small smile. His eyes were twinkling- always a bad sign. “Ego is directly related to body mass. Tydus can have a very large ego because he is a smaller creature, and it doesn't make such a large interference on karmic balance. On the other hand, bronze dragons are so large, that if they had as proportionally large of ego as your little king, here, it would upset the balance of the world, and everyone would die.” He nodded to emphasize the morbid end to his statement. “Therefore, not even a bronze dragon will ever have the great ego that surrounds Tydus... and no other creature other than a bronze dragon has the capacity to hold such a narcissistic presence. Ty is a very special creature, indeed.” Grinning widely at Rael, he shrugged and winked, as though this was the way that it was, and there was nothing anyone could do to change it.

Usually he didn't have such a large amount of theories. But these were just too good not to share!

With any other person, L'mar had the feeling that he would have been severely uncomfortable after having said those words. They just sort of... came out. So he wasn't sure which was more of a testament to his comfort level with Rael: that he felt completely comfortable after saying it, or that he had felt comfortable enough before hand to not entirely watch what he was saying. Either way, it was a good feeling. “I can see it now: Raelwyn, the first female rider of Bronze in all of Pernese history,” he said with a small accompanying laugh. That would be... interesting, to say the least. And beyond amusing, he was sure! “And then you could still be a weyrleader!” Impossible prospects that were all too much fun. His smile grew even wider when he rolled his eyes at Rael and reassured her, “One: I have yet to find a semblance of an ego about you other than natural self-confidence. I'm your best friend, and I should know these things. Two: If Tydus can fit through the door, I think you'll be fine.”

It was nice to be enjoying the company of one so like-minded, in that they smiled often and didn't mind jesting. Yes, the weyrling quite liked being around Rael, and he found himself wanting this meal to not end, as well as wishing for it to end so that they could set a date to meet at the beach. That, he was sure, would be great fun. He would teach her how to juggle, and she would teach him some form of instrument-handling. He wasn't sure of the ins and outs of harpering, but he was willing to learn if it would mean that he could have some form of the comfort level they had had today. This was quite nice. And L'mar wasn't at all jesting when he said that Raelwyn was his best friend.

Oh, she had no idea. He lifted his eyebrows playfully as a smirk played on his lips. “Ah, yes, my charm. More people than you may think are unappreciative of my charms. Whether it is due to jealousy or not is not my concern, but there are a few who actually don't appreciate me.” L'mar heaved a sigh. “It's alright, though, because plenty of people like me well enough.” A pause, and a wink. “Or, at least, plenty of people that matter, such as lovely jewels like yourself.” He wasn't even lying- a lot of people weren't fond of him, but the ones that did like him weren't bad people in the least. And then, well, then there was Rael, who was his best friend and in a class of all her own. Raelwyn was sort of awesome, if he did say so himself, and she was delightful to be around. He wouldn't be surprised if he could just sit and talk to her for candlemarks, jesting and joking.

Actually, how long had they been sitting there? The rolls were gone, Tydus was asleep, Dalisth was getting antsy, and he would bet that the sky was beginning to darken. “Rael... how long have we been talking?” he asked with a large smile. “People are starting to come in- I think it might be time for supper.” L'mar's eyes were laughing. He was usually very conscientious of time, especially since Dalisth needed to be fed on a rather strict schedule. Apparently, his new best friend and the discussions they had were a bit... consuming. Are you hungry, sweetheart? he asked Dalisth. He didn't want to leave, but if she was, then they would have to soon. His green was, after all, his first priority, above all other things. Thankfully, Raelwyn seemed to understand that.

[Thorney]

Chuckling softly to herself at the weyrling’s reply, Raelwyn grinned, delighted with his constant good humor. She had not yet had the opportunity to make any true friends at Cerulean, and now to have such a clever and quick best friend was utterly delightful. “Who could not appreciate you, my good L’mar? You make it very hard to resist.” Smiling mischievously, the candidate’s eyes were bright and filled with mirth. Though, inside, she truly was very grateful for the boy, more than he would have likely guessed. It was so easy and natural with him, and she cherished the chance to have such a close relationship with another person again. Her family was back in the North, at the harper hall, and all of her friends at Fort Weyr, and she had been lonely for the last half-turn. Now, L’mar had burst into her life, sharp and full of humor, and his company was more precious to her than he could know.

Blinking, a half-smiled curved the candidate’s lips as she rested her chin on her palm and leaned in, listening conspiratorially to L’mar. That half-smile grew into a grin as he spoke, and by the time he was done it was all the girl could do to keep herself from collapsing into a fit of giggles. Laughing delightedly, Raelwyn had to press her hand to her mouth and recite The Golden Egg of Faranth in her mind before her amusement subsided and she could speak properly. “I suppose he is…very special then, indeed. That is quite a sound theory.” She agreed, shaking her head as her green gaze fell to her bronze and then lifted once more to the weyrling’s face. Smiling, Rael regarded him, wondering how he managed to turn her into laughing goo so easily.

The mental image of herself riding a bronze dragon was…both amusing and so very very wrong, and Raelwyn shook her head, laughing. “Interesting, or a disaster. I’m not sure which, just yet.” Grinning, she leaned in further, speaking conspiratorially with her companion. “To be honest, I’m not really sure the world could survive such an occurrence. Not on my part, you understand, but with Tydus. Should I Impress a bronze, and still be bonded to this little fellow here, the resulting clash of egos and struggle for male dominance would be too much for the landscape. That I’m certain of.” Nodding quite sagely, the candidate straightened, her serious expression slipping into a grin as she did. His next reply was so unexpected, Rael began laughing again, rather certain he was right. “Thank you, L’mar, that is sweet.” She said, smiling.

Oh, ho, the girl was beginning to recognize that look on the weyrling’s face, and she prepared herself for more of his quick wit. If she did not, she would likely collapse into laughter before he finished. Biting her bottom lip to keep her mirth in, Raelwyn shook her head, eyes practically dancing. “I cannot imagine those who do not appreciate you are very perceptive individuals. Those who cannot value your wit must be dour people.” Nodding, expression utterly serious aside from her bright eyes, the candidate sighed alongside him. However, she felt herself smiling, then, that SHARDING blush tickling her cheeks. ‘Lovely jewel’ was the last thing Rael thought of herself, but it was still the sweetest thing to hear L’mar had such an opinion of her. He was the loveliest person she had yet to come across, and what’s more, he was quick, clever, and possessed quite the talented tongue. He kept her on her toes, and yet he made her feel comfortable and cared about. It was unusual, and wonderful.

Pulled from her musing at his next words, the candidate pursed her lips, eyes widening as she looked around and realized he was right. “Good Faranth, I didn’t realize how late it was getting.” She laughed, grinning at the boy. “Sorry, Dalisth must be hungry! It’s just been so fun, I didn’t even think of how much time was passing.” Actually, it would even be curfew for candidates soon, and she would have gotten in trouble had the boy not pointed it out. Still smiling, Raelwyn grew serious. “It has been lovely…it’s been a while since I’ve had such fun. Thanks to my new best friend.” Eyes shining, the girl stood, stretching her arms and feeling her back pop deliciously. “Do you want some help feeding Dalisth? I feel terrible for keeping you so long.” Leaning down, Rael nudged her bronze gently, waiting for the flit to stir.

[Kaemi]

He fluttered his lashes exaggeratedly. “I am quite irresistible,” L'mar agreed, overt in his flirtation. It was impossible to hold, however... Rael was quite a pretty girl, and around his age. She was determined, quick-witted, and charming. She understood him, put up with him, respected and understood his Dalisth. She was his perfect match- in a best friend. Maybe it could have been more, but his attraction to her was completely platonic. Actually, that fact was quite disappointing. He hadn't left out, after all, that she was a gorgeous girl. He had to be favoring the boys if he didn't completely want to jump on her, but you know, she was his best friend, and it'd get kind of weird if he just wanted to have sex with her. Awkward, much?

Ah, how he loved his theories today. L'mar was quite proud of them: he thought that they were ingenious, and if he wasn't joking, then he might actually think that they were true. Interesting thought. But no, he was completely in jest, and his theories weren't meant to be considered seriously, so he wouldn't even attempt to do so. It was true that the only real reason he was even mentioning them (other than their pure genius, of course!) was to put that look on her face, that look of utter delight that she couldn't contain. He loved it absolutely. He didn't think that he had ever been able to make someone look so happy: it was something that he had valued more than he would have previously assumed. “My theories are always sound, dearest Raelwyn, and it won't take long before you realize this.”

Despite the fact that he had brought it up, the weyrling was a little disturbed by his own crafted image. Rael riding bronze... with Tydus on her shoulder. No, as she said, that just wouldn't be a good idea. The little king would probably torment the larger one in between with his fierce egotism and jealousy. “You're right, yet again,” L'mar told her. “See, what would I do without you to curb my ideas? I might have snuck onto the Sands when the next clutch was laid, and whispered to all of the largest eggs about my best friend, and how breathtakingly spectacular she was. Of course, because I am me, and I wield such spectacular influence with all man and dragon kind, at least one of these eggs would have hatched bronze and decided that you are their mindmate forever!” The large grin on his face dissipated into a troubled look as he continued. “This, of course, would mean that the battle between the two bronzes- your little king, here, and your supposed dragon- would have ensued, throwing the Weyr into eternal turmoil. No, your warning is much appreciated.” Still, he shook his head sadly. She would have made a fantastic bronzerider!

There it was again. The happiness, the joy, that lit her eyes when he began on one of his wickedly-humorous (if he could say so himself... oh, who was he kidding, of course he would say so himself!) rants. Ooh, the blush, too? That was success. He wasn't entirely sure why she was blushing- he had only been teasing, as usual, and the topic had been focused on himself, anyways. His brow furrowed for a moment, before relaxing. What it the 'lovely jewel' comment? It had to be, there was nothing else he could catch! Silly girl, acting all bashful around him. He shook his head, but refrained from commenting. They'd work on her self-esteem later. Or, maybe, they could avoid the topic altogether and have it just gradually build from his incessant, offhanded compliments. Yes, that could work too. Ignoring the fact that all adolescent girls had self-esteem issues, there was no reason a girl as lovely as she should have a problem like that... especially one would was his best friend! L'mar wasn't that conceited, but he still didn't want Raelwyn doubting herself in such a way.

L'mar still couldn't believe how long they had sat there, discussing anything and everything. Shells, they'd managed to fit the weather into their completely unconnected topics of conversation. “You and me, both,” he said as he, too, stood. A little bit of remorse was written on his face as he shook his head at her inquiry. “No, no, it's fine. I was a candidate for turns and turns- I know how strict the Candidate Master is on curfew, and when you first meet Dali, I want you to have all the time you need to charm her.” Granted, it being Raelwyn, she wouldn't need much time at all, but still. The weyrling chuckled a bit, waited until she straightened, and moved to pull her into a hug. “This is the most fun I've had in a long while, best friend,” he told her cheerily. “We'll meet at the beach sometime soon, alright? You have, after all, this erratic notion that I could be decent on instrumentals, and I have the intense urge to teach you how to juggle.” There was a pause. “I'll see you soon, lovely Rael, but if I don't see you again before the hatching, good luck. Don't get yourself mauled by any angry dragonets!”

[Thorney]

Though it was not quite meant in the same way, Raelwyn rather thought the weyrling was right. He was indeed irresistible. He had the amazing ability to make her laugh constantly, or more accurately, to turn her into a puddle of laughing goo that was helpless against his humor. The harper had made friends at Fort, of course, but somehow she had never had quite the same feeling as she did with L’mar. With him, she felt at ease with herself, as if she could be just exactly who she was and not have to worry about anything. He accepted her completely, and that was a rare and wonderful gift. It was amazing to have such a relationship with she someone she had just met that night, but…the candidate wasn’t about to deny how she felt. There was an effortlessness between she and the weyrling, and it was perfect.

Sighing, the harper nodded almost as if to herself, looking rather sage and experienced. “Naturally, I am indeed right. My dear weyrling, I should think I am quite the expert when it comes to Tydus.” Unable to keep up her charade for long, a grin slipped across her lips as the girl laughed, green eyes dropping to the aforementioned bronze. He was snoring away peacefully, unaware that he was the center of attention at the moment. Of course, in the flit’s mind, he and His should always be the points of attraction, so there was that. When it was put that like, Rael reasoned, he really wasn’t missing out on anything, was he?

Eyes lifting to the weyrling, Raelwyn felt the corner of her lips twitch in a potent desire to break into a full grin, but she fought the urge valiantly. Why was L’mar so sharding good at keeping his emotions under control while he spun such wild tales? Unable to fight the sensation long, the candidate broke into an utterly amused grin while she pressed her lips together to keep from laughing aloud. Green eyes bright, she could so easily see the boy sneaking onto the hatching grounds and doing just that! Oh, her stomach hurt from keeping her mirth in, but she did not want to laugh over the weyrling and his utterly, wonderfully absurd stories. Rael didn’t want to miss a minute. As he concluded grandly, the harper pressed her hands to her stomach as she practically collapsed into a fit of giggles, the mental images far too amusing to ignore. “Oh, quite so.” The candidate agreed, her voice unsteady as she tried to master herself long enough to reply. “I cannot imagine anyone with the ability to ignore your immaculate wisdom and undeniable persuasion. Those bronzes wouldn’t have stood a chance.” Grinning, Rael shook her head and winked at the weyrling. “I would fear for Trith catching you, but I doubt even she could stand against your sound logic.”

Although the harper did indeed want to Impress gold, there was a humbleness to her that would never go away. Perhaps that was the single reason she had not done so yet, but she could not find it in herself to ever be conceited. There were several good points to the girl, and yes Raelwyn realized that, but at the same time she knew she had her faults. The candidate was indeed quite confident in herself and her abilities, and she knew that she was a very determined soul, but on the other hand she also had times she doubted she was even fit to Impress at all. Rael knew she was not gorgeous, perhaps cute, yes, but…she never saw herself as being that greatly attractive. There were plenty of other beautiful women out there, far more enticing than she. The harper was, however, a cheerful person who was utterly good-natured down to her last toe, and she was quick on her feet and decidedly clever. The candidate was determined and willful, but she was not a commanding presence at all. Did that make her unfit to Impress? Maybe so, and so she had an underlying fear that she never would.

Part of the harper did not want to leave, but the other part of her, the candidate part, had a very good reason why she should. As a matter of the fact, the weyrling had just hit the metaphorical nail on the head with his comment about V’mio. It would not do at all to break curfew, especially with the hatching so very soon. A little smile breaking on her face, Raelwyn nodded, privately thinking that he had quite a good point. She wanted to make a good impression on his little green upon their first meeting, and if that took her candlemarks, well…she was willing to spend them. Dalisth had every right on Pern to be jealous of her chosen, but the harper was going to prove to her they could all be great friends. At least, she was going to endeavor sincerely to do so. “I hope she finds me to be a fitting best friend for you. Faranth knows I won’t be able to go on without you now.” Rael said, grinning. Tydus awoke at her gentle prodding, giving a sleepy cheep as he did. With what appeared to be great effort, the bronze hauled himself to his feet and leapt upward, landing on her shoulder softly.

When the boy pulled her into an embrace, the candidate smiled warmly and wrapped her arms around him, happier than she had been in a long time. “I have an intense urge to learn!” She laughed, smiling as they parted. “I shall see you soon as well, my dear weyrling, and thank you.” Eyes bright and shining, the candidate laughed, waving as they went their separate ways. “I shall endeavor to avoid that!”

And well, we all see how that turned out, don’t we?

(End thread :3)