Xanadu Weyr - Beach
The unerring range of subdued white rises and falls in a multitude of sandy dunes, creating an endless amount of tiny valleys constantly demolished and rebuilt by the frequent arrival or departure of a dragon. Smoothing out as it slopes gently to the edge of the deep blue water, the sand darkens and a shell here and there stands out for children to collect. The beach itself is set along a low cliff - the height lessoning as one heads eastwards, blocking a portion of the beach from direct access.
The wide wide stretch of water opens up to the east, the far distant shore way beyond the horizon and the beach curves ever so slowly round to east and west, distant arms of land embracing the wind-ruffled Caspian Lake. East leads up to the mouth of the Rubicon River, where the protecting cliff is merely an arms length higher then the sand, and beyond that, a winding road leading out of Xanadu's territory. Westwards, the beach narrows as the cliff swings out, leaving a path wide enough for dragons in single file before cutting in to the sheltered cove designated the Weyrling Beach. However, cut in the cliff face to the north are a variety of rough, wide staircases, providing access to the clearing and to the meadow.
Neferennu is taking a swim before it starts to get too cold to have them. Her body is only covered with her bikini, a red one at that. For now, she is floating on her back looking up at the clouds with a small smile on her face.
Perianth pops in from Between, and quickly backwings to a landing, a short distance from the water line. M'gan slips down off his back, and quickly works at unfastening the straps of the lanky Bronze. "Ok, go get your bath, and I'll be waiting right here." He does notice Neferennu floating in the surf, but makes a point of not staring at her.
Neferennu's eyes notice the bronze come in from between, watching briefly with a thoughtful face. Unfortunately the bronze doesn't seem to be identified until M'gan's voice is recognized and her smile grows even more. Yet she continues to float, eyes going from the clouds towards the bronze, waiting for the inevitable wave sent her way when the dragon wades in no matter how carefully.
And here it comes, although Perianth makes a definite effort not to let it happen. Still, he does come over to where you are, eyes whirling green as he whuffles you.
Neferennu laughs as the wave washes over her, luckily not over her face, and she lets her legs drop back under the water to wade in place. "Hey!" Though it is accompanied with a giggle and she reaches up to pat Perianth's muzzle before turning to look towards M'gan. "Hey, what brings you back to Xanadu?" This is called out to him, yet she doesn't move from her position.
M'gan smiles, as he carefully puts down the straps on top of a large driftwood log to keep the sand off of them. "Actually, I have to admit I came to see you.
Neferennu tries not to look surprised but really isn't succeeding. "Came to see me? Why?" Not that she isn't happy of course, and swims back into the shore until there is land under her feet and she can stand in the water. Still, she stays far enough in to keep the water around her chest so she doesn't start shivering.
M'gan smiles, as he looks around for your towel to give you should you come ashore. "Well, I….er, I wanted to see if you were all right, make sure there wasn't any trouble over you staying in my weyr the other night.
Neferennu pahs and waves her hand as if it was no big deal. "Eh, no problems. I happened to run into Niva with that hangover though, but once she learned it wasn't L'ton I was with, there was no problem. Oh shells though, did I have a headache. I swear that going between once drunk and again while recovering only made it worse. How you guys do it I don't know…" With that she begins to walk ashore, motioning towards her towel on another log once she realizes he is looking for it. "I left it over there so I didn't get a bunch of sand in places it would be annoying to have it in." A large grin and then a chuckle as she continues to walk out, kicking water up onto the beach as she goes.
M'gan chuckles, and grabs the towel, moving over to meet you at the edge of the water. He can't help but notice your bikini, and how attractive you are, but blushes, and looks away again. "I'm sorry.
Neferennu raises an eyebrow as he turns away and takes the towel from his hand before wrapped it around her waist. "Why are you sorry? I'm the one who somehow in a drunken stupor asked or agreed to go back with you to Ierne. I don't even remember leaving tavern, so…" Her hand reaches out to squeeze his shoulder and then she leans over to kiss his cheek, missing and kissing the neck instead. "I don't regret it though, just the overdrinking part."
M'gan blushes again at the kiss. "It's all right. I carried you back to my weyr. I figured you'd be safer with me than if I'd left you there, Nefe. I mean, I wasn't going to take advantage of you." He turns back to you, still pink. "I… Well, I can't say the thought didn't cross my mind, but I'm not about to ever do that sort of thing."
Neferennu sighs and shakes her head. "Well, I appreciate it. Last time I passed out drunk, R'miel and Ysa made sure I got to bed with no one taking advantage. Then again, they saw me pass out too…I think." Her brow scrunches up and her lips in a frown, then a shake of her head to shake off the memory. "Well thank you for not doing anything. I probably would've been very upset with you over it." The towel is unwrapped and she begins drying herself off, her arms and chest having goosebumps. "So how have been things at Ierne? We haven't really talked about you much."
M'gan thinks. "It's been going all right." He notices the goosebumps and turns, rummaging around in a carrying bag, and pulls out his spare riding jacket, and holds it out to you. "Here you go, dear. This'll help you get warm.
Neferennu smiles more. "Thanks." This is said as she takes the riding jacket and wraps it around her shoulders after drying herself off. "So have you been kept busy?"
M'gan nods. "Yes. Oh, how's the keg of oil working for you? I got the right variety, didn't I?" He settles down on the log again, even as Perianth climbs up out of the waves.
Neferennu nods and walks over to sit next him, then absently brushing the caking sand off her feet. Not that it will do any good. "Oh yes, it has worked well! Well, from what I have used of it anyways. I only have so much room to myself in the stores and so I've used only a little bit of the new keg, but yes it tasted and felt like the correct variety. Just let me know if you want a bottle of anything and I'll make it for you, free of charge." Her hand finds its way to his knee as her head turns to watch Perianth climb out of the water. "Do you get warm weather turn-round in Ierne?"
M'gan smiles, and idly puts his hand on yours, squeezing it softly. "Yes, although of late it's been cold and damp. Nothing like winter moving in." He turns, and looks at you for a moment.
Neferennu sighs and shakes her head. "Yeah, I know. I figured today was the last day the lake would be warm enough to really enjoy a swim." Her hand returns the squeeze and her eyes return to look at him. Realizing he is looking at her, she grins. "Yes?" With that innocent little girl tone.
M'gan blushes, and chuckles. "Just enjoying spending time with you," he says, his voice quiet. "I really like you a lot." He sighs and shrugs.
Neferennu giggles and turns her head to lay it on his shoulder. "Well…" Speechless for a moment as she just looks out over the waves. "I like you too, though if you asked me why, I couldn't tell you…" A small sigh and she begins to relax, finally warming up enough that at least her legs are as tense as they were.
M'gan nods, and wraps an arm around you, squeezing slightly. "I like spending time with you.
Neferennu mms and closes her eyes. "I enjoy it too, even if I don't get much free time. You probably get more time then I do." Not that she knows how much time a rider actually gets to himself.
M'gan nods, smiling. "It's not so much that I don't get the time, but that I'm more alone so much of it." He shrugs. "Getting to spend time with someone is a change, particularly someone that I like so much
Neferennu nods slightly and sighs. "That is so true. Though I almost always end up meeting up with Ysa or one of the other riders to talk. It makes a difference though when it is…well you said it."
M'gan nods, and doesn't say anything more. Instead, he just squeezes your hand again, enjoying your company
Neferennu squeezes your hand in return and just sits there, watching the lapping of the waves with her head on his shoulder.
M'gan sighs, and apparently is thinking about something at the moment, even as he squeezes your waist again. "Neferennu, I…" He seems a bit nervous.
Neferennu lifts her head off of his shoulder to look at him. "Yes? Do you need to leave?" An unconcious look towards Perianth, then a squeeze of his hand.
M'gan squeezes back, shaking his head. "No… I was just wondering, why do you like spending time with me? I mean, I'm so much older than you.
Neferennu sighs softly and drops her eyes to her feet. "Well…" A bite of her lip as she thinks, her face thoughtful even though it is partially hidden by her wet hair. "I guess it is because you are older. It seems most of the guys near my age are pretty immature, really only wanting one thing. Now that one thing can be sex, or it can be just waiting around to be asking to stand and impress. Some of them just seem to skirt any duties at all. At least you don't shirk your duties, plus you also aren't after every woman you can see. Surely you could get any woman you wanted, but you decide to come see me instead. Don't know why…but you do. Plus, you listen when I blabber on about how things are going in my dragonhealing training, and don't seem to mind. Yet you also seem so elusive…" Her head turns up to smile at him again and then she slouches, putting her head back on his shoulder.
M'gan nods, and squeezes again. "Well, I never expected to hear some of those things… Although as a Bronzerider, I guess I am a bit unusual, since most Bronzers do seem to chase anything female." He sighs, and squeezes your hand again. "But I can see your point. When I was your age, I was immature as well, and I'll admit it.
Neferennu chuckles and leans in to him. "I guess that's why I have never really been with anyone. I always felt like I was mothering them more than anything else."
M'gan nods… "Well, is that how you feel about me?" He seems truly curious, but not likely to be offended by any answer
Neferennu laughs. "Uh…no. Though I do get worried sometimes that you may be needed at Ierne when you are here. I don't know how far dragons can hear other dragons." A shrug and her eyes return to looking out over the water.
M'gan chuckles. "Dragons can hear each other at the distance of thought, dear. And I'm of little consequence at Ierne. Just another independent rider." He sighs, and holds you close again. "I'm actually getting a bit tired of it in fact, and thinking I might just want to settle at a weyr again.
Neferennu raises an eyebrow and lifts her head momentarily to look at him, then lays it back down. "Oh?" The tone is one of curiosity. "Which weyrs were looking at transferring into? I've only been to Igen and Ierne that I can remember, but I've been told I've visited others for hatchings." Her hand is still on his leg and she squeezes lightly.
M'gan blushes. "Um….Xanadu, actually.
Neferennu lifts her head to look at him directly. "Here huh? Surely not just because of me. Besides our almost all good weather year round, what attracted you to here?" She is still smiling, but her face embues the curiosity behind her questions.
M'gan thinks. "Well, partially because it is different from Southern. I mean, even though Ierne isn't the same, it's still the original site of Southern Weyr, and there are some unpleasant memories tied to the place
Neferennu is even more curious and her smile fades a bit at the news. "Unpleasant memories?" Either she isn't remembering her history or she just let it go in one ear and out the other. Despite wanting to face him, she is hesitant to pull away from his embrace.
M'gan nods. "I left Southern because of my Wingleader. He and I never got along, and it got even worse when we were both interested in the same greenrider." He sighs, and shakes his head. "The thing is, she wasn't interested in either of us. It didn't matter to me, but he was always a vindictive sort.
Neferennu wrinkles her nose and snorts. "Ugh. Well I wouldn't have blamed you for leaving. So how long has that put you off being a weyr?" Meaning how long has he been independent. "What kind of job do you think you would like to do if you did get approval to move here?"
M'gan thinks for a moment. "Well, I used to be on the police wing at Southern, I could easily see myself doing that. But, by the same token, I know they need transport riders here at the moment.
Neferennu laughs and play punches him. "Probably because I told you why Niva had a fit in the caverns a while ago." Yet she then cuddles back up to him, wrapping an arm around his waist. "Whatever you want to do. Just let me know where you go so I know where to send my firelizards." Giggle.
M'gan nods, and absently cuddles up against you. "Of course." He can't help blushing, though. "I can't lie, though. I have to admit that if I do transfer here, it would be partly because of you.
Neferennu sighs and nods into his shoulder. "I understand that, but as long as it isn't just because of me that's fine. I don't want you to move if you wouldn't be comfortable here afterall." A look over to Perianth. "What would he think of you moving weyrs?"
M'gan looks at the now sleeping Bronze. "Oh, I don't think he'd mind, particularly. He's never really cared where we lived." He sighs, and then, impulsively, kisses your cheek
Neferennu blushes but doesn't move. "Well, that is good at least. I've heard rumors of dragons being very particular of being in a certain weyr."
M'gan shakes his head. "Not Perianth. He could care less." He blushes as well, and looks down. "I'm sorry… I shouldn't have…"
Neferennu shakes her head and hugs him closer. "Don't be sorry. If I don't complain, I probably enjoyed it." Then she falls quiet, letting out a soft contented sigh.
M'gan nods. "I did too, honestly." He smiles.