Rina is checking the straps on Melantath since dismounting. She is a perfectionist about her straps... she checks them often because she has seen what happens to riders who are not careful!

B'neron leads the way out of the infirmary weyr, although it's pretty certain it was not because Rajalath was injured. No, the rail-reed bronze slinks as usual after his rider, fishbone tail rattling comfortably. "Just make sure Sulayeth tells us exactly where they are, bro...I'll punch Ali if she doesn't get some rest...." The bronze snorts, and his rider amends "Oh well ok, so I won't -punch- her, but I'll be really cranky.." Without warning though, Rajalath suddenly sweeps past his rider, awkward gait marching him ahead, at a rather quick pace, towards a familiar green dragon. The weyrlord's a little slower on the uptake and begins to jog to catch up "Man! Slow down, wassa rush?"

Melantath> >> Rajalath is all dense plumes of rich havana smoke <<Melantath>> he purrs along the mindlink <<You are looking very fine today indeed>> <<

Rina hears a familiar voice growing louder behind her and turns to see Rajalath quickly moving towards her and Melantath. "Hi there Raj! How are you today?" She steps out of the rushing bronze's way for fear of being trampled and looks for the rider sure to be close behind. She grins at the Weyrlord and blinks her eyes "So... you're going to punch Ali? I'm not sure she'd like that!" She chuckles, watching as Melantath's eyes swirl faster in happy blue-green tones.

Melantath >>Melantath watches as Rajalath rushes towards her. <<Rajalath! You, too, are especially handsome today>> <<

Rajalath pulls up by Melantath, offering her rider a quiet husky snuffle before coiling back by the green, curling ridges snapping with the movement. "Hi Rins!" Ben's enthusiastic if not a little puffed as he slows down to close the distance between him and the greenrider at a more sedate pace. "And yeah, um, we're just worried coz Ali's workin' herself to the bone and yknow, a weyrlords gotta take care of his people." Or perhaps it's more like protective clutchbrother syndrome. In any case, he ruffs a hand through his needing-a-trim hair, grinning goofily "You guys off somewhere are ya?" He's noticed the straps of course.

Melantath> >> Rajalath is as smooth as Carey Grant in silk sheets <<Thank you, it's funny you should agree with Sulayeth. I'm beginning to think all greens like to tell me sweet things>> Another chuckle as cigar smoke coils around the link in humour. <<

Rina chuckles as she watches the interchange between the dragons. She quickly turns her attention, though, to Ben. She grins uncontrollably as Ben comes closer to her. "Oh really? I keep telling her to not work so hard... but she doesn't listen at all to me either. I think she likes working hard!" She looks towards the infirmary door, and shakes her head. "I am worried about her." Then she looks back towards the rider, "Nope, just coming in. I always check the straps after a flight. Gotta make sure they stay in good shape." She realizes that her helmet-hairdo probably looks terrible and reaches up to re-braid her long hair.

Melantath >>Melantath gracefully turns her head towards the larger bronze <<You are most welcome, Rajalath. It's not coincidence that we have both recognized your good looks!>> She whuffles in amusement. <<

B'neron gives a tired shrug "No matter how much I tell her either.." he sighs. "Nevermind, we'll fix her one day, Rins.." The young man reaches out to gently tug a strand of hair from the greenrider's forehead to tuck it behind her ear "So where've you been? Selia would say I should know where my riders are.." There's a nonchalant shrug there "But then there's no suprises eh? You hungry? Or maybe you're tired and just wanna head up to your bed, coz I can shut up now, or not..depends.." Ben trails off, cheeks reddening.

Melantath> >> Rajalath clatters his boney tail in response <<Surely all greens recognise them, Melantath...>> There's a pause as he picks up conversation from his rider <<Are you're wings strained after that flight? Did you eat? You're straps are not rubbing are they?>> Like rider, like dragon apparently. <<

Rina chuckles and reddens as he tucks the hair behind her ear. "Yeah, maybe we can gang up on her and /make/ her rest for a while!" She smiles at him, losing her thoughts for a second, "Um, I just got back from another healer lesson in Igen with Tyrin. I'm trying to make sure that I have enough training for the EMT wing... all of the other riders have a lot more training than I do... so I catch any of the healer classes I can. I'm also taking dragonhealing classes with K'chiko whenever she can spare the time." She grins up at him, tempted to invite him to her weyr and wondering if he'd actually go this time.... "No, I'm not hungry. I had something to eat there, before coming home. I am thirsty though." She holds up a finger telling him to hold on while she walks over to Melantath and pulls out a wineskin from one of her strapbags. She waves it with a smile towards Ben, "I got some Benden while I was in Igen. They say it's better than what we have here... though I'm not so sure. Wanna try some? I think I have some glasses in my weyr, or we could just go to the caverns..." Ok... she doesn't want to be too forward if he doesn't want to go to her weyr... but she hopes he does. Her face reddens to match and then surpass his.

Melantath >> Melantath looks at Rajalath matter-of-factly and states <<Yes, we all recognize a handsome male, but some of us are much more in tune than others.>> She whuffles in amusement as Rajalath makes his inquiries. <<I am fine, thank you for your concern. Rina takes good care of my straps, she doesn't like them rubbing any more than I do.>> She is amused by his concern, though quite touched as well.<<

B'neron puffs his cheeks "See? All this studyin' and learning everyone else gets to do while I'm stuck yknow organising everythin' else..." The weyrlord gives a half-grin though. He was never one to be hidebound. "But K'chi'll teach you good, she's great, though Raj is a bit standoffish with Shujoth." He frowns at his dragon, whose so involved in chatting to Melantath he doesn't notice. As Rina procures a skin of wine, the bronzerider rubs his hands together "You got Benden? Man, not even me, weyrlord, gets benden anymore.." He turns to glance up towards the riders weyrs "Might aswell go back to you're place coz there's a wing in the caverns taking up all the room..yeah"

Melantath> >> Rajalath burrs, honey-soft <<I just like to make sure our dragons are well, Melantath...>> as if defending his questions he says. <<I don't think I or mine could ever fault the care your rider takes of you though. No green's hide can match yours, my lovely>> <<

Rina looks towards the caverns, "Ah, I thought it was kind of noisy there. Well, I got the Benden at a good price, or so they said. I think I paid too much for it, but you only live once!" She grins as she looks at the skin then back to the Weyrlord. "You honestly dont' get Benden? I thought as the weyrlord you'd have vats of it on hand. Well, we'll just have to judge for ourselves then!" She walks towards the weyrs looking back to make sure that Ben is indeed following her.

Melantath >> Melantath sweetly responds <<Ah yes, I see. As Sionth's mate, and lifemate of the Weyrlord, is your concern professional?>> She has the tone of one that is batting her eyes flirtatiously.<<

Melantath> >> Rajalath floods his voice with dark rich maple <<Indeed, my green, utterly professional>> <<

B'neron lopes over towards Rajalath, batting at the bronze's muzzle as he turns to inspect his rider "I usually end up with buckets of ale from the holdsmen, Rins..." he says as he expertly scales using handholds on Raj's straps up onto dragon neck. "Not that I mind though, I haven't forgotten where I came from!"

Rina nods at B'neron and mounts Melantath, she thinks back in her mind hoping her weyr is clean!

Rina, dismounting from Melantath, meticulously removes the straps out of habit, hanging them from a peg on the wall. There are several pegs available for guests as well, if they are planning on staying a while. Reaching inside her jacket, she pulls out the skin again and grins. "Ok Mel, We're going inside. Let me know if you need anything?" She turns to Ben and smiles, "I've got a few glasses in my room in the cabinet. I think the roving Weyrparty was the last time I used them. I guess I don't get too much company here." She quickly looks around, inspecting to make sure the place is clean enough for the Weyrlord to visit.

Rajalath cruises in after Melantath, backwinging slightly awkwardly with his massive wings. Ben hops down quickly, smacking his dragon's shoulder in thanks. He doesn't de-strap Rajalath, in fact the dragon's probably used to it. "You stay outta trouble..." he tells his dragon with a grin as he moves to follow the greenrider "Don't worry, Rins...it's only me." he calls after her as he heads inside.

Rajalath stoops, so B'neron scrambles down his foreleg to dismount quickly.

Rina walks further into her weyr and to the cabinet. She opens the doors to the cabinet and pulls out two glasses and fills them both. Offering one to Ben, she grins. "Well, I guess I am doing the right thing to be sharing such a buy with my weyrlord!" She grins, wiggling her eyebrows to show that she is just joking about the 'Weyrlord' bit. "So... I guess we should just drink up?" She sits on the end of her bed with her legs crossed, leaving enough room for Ben to share the end of the bed, and takes a sip. "Wow... this Benden sure is good!"

B'neron takes the offered glass, turning to dogde a tiki torch. "Dunno how you don't burn y'self.." he mutters before chuckling and tossing himself onto the end of the bed. Practice it seems, means he doesn't spill a drop from his glass. He watches the greenrider with a smile as she takes the first sip, and his eyebrows raise at her appraisal of it "Good...we'll see.." and then he lifts the glass for a quick gulp. Swallow. Nose wrinkle. Glance back at Rina "I think ale's more my drink!"

Rina watches Ben's approach to her bed and holds her hand out with care not to let the wine spill as he lands. She watches him take a sip and laughs at his response. "Ah, I see why you dont' keep any Benden around! You're an ale man. I guess I remember what my last ale experience was and avoid it." Yes, she remembers getting trashed after the graduation ceremony and vaguely remembers Alisha helping her back to bed, glad the greenrider didn't stay the night though. She knows that Alisha likes her, but is not sure just how much... though she won't share that thought. Turning back to her guest, she grins, "Well, Weyrleader, we need to make a civilized man of you. I know that other Weyrleaders and Masters around Pern adore Benden, and you'll have to learn to drink it with the best of them! I hear that many of the rankers swear by this!" She takes another sip, demonstrating the care of drinking the wine, though she's not an experienced drinker either.

"But Rins, I don't care what Masters and Lord Holders think of me. I'd rather the holdsfolk who tend crops and hearths like me and want to do as their Weyr asks of them..." B'neron notes with some degree of intelligence. He gives her an earnest smile and sips more gently from his glass this time. "You're right though, I probably could get used to it.." The bronzerider stretches out on the bed, balancing his glass in one hand on his chest. He glances aside to the greenrider "Yknow you make me awful nervous, Rins"

Melantath> >> Rajalath settles down as if any ledge in this Weyr is his own domain <<Our Khalidamujath rose, my dear green, I think you were out of the weyr when that happened, or so B'neron remembers...>> There's a subtle shadow undermining the ebb of his words <<That Vokhanth caught her...but I did not chase>> As if to say, had he chased, Vokhanth would not have been successful. <<

Rina laughs, "But Bennie, you need to care what they think! Like it or not, you ARE the Weyrlord! Being liked and respected by all, rankers and holdsfolk alike is definatly a great goal... one that you are probably much closer to than you think. Everyone likes you!" She watches as he sips from the glass more carefully and smiles. "Yes, Benden is definatly worth getting used to. I'm not sure I could get used to ale... the taste makes me sick now... after that last time." Turning and repositioning herself so that she can still see him as he stretches out, she too makes herself comfortable on the bed laying on her side and looking at the bronzer. She begins to feel her face flush as he notes his nervousness. "/I/ make /you/ nervous? How can I make you nervous, Bennie?" Of course, if she let go of her glass at this moment, her hand would be shaking as well.

Melantath >> Melantath settles herself more comfortably and turns to her guest. <<I assumed that she would rise and was glad to be away. Ah, Vokhanth caught her... yet you did not chase? Why is that, dear Rajalath?>> She enjoys the flirtatious banter as much as he.<<

B'neron snorts "You think they really do like me, Rins?" he asks, obviously clueless as to how much of a people person he is. "Aww well, got a knack that's all..." He swishes his glass experimentally, eyeing it as he notes "I'll remember not to ever offer you ale then, not even the good stuff from Tillek.." There's a few moments of silence as he sips again, and props his head up on a pillow to smile at the greenrider "Course you make me nervous! And you're blushing..." he teases, one eyebrow lifting again "Duh, anyway, a pretty, strong, smart rider like you would make any guy nervous. What if I stuff up huh?"

Melantath> >> Rajalath purrs, the shadow filling his voice, but it's warm and cosey there <<I do not chase the females beneath me, Melantath.>> The pride swells <<I am Rajalath, we are Weyrlord and mate to golden Eshaleth!>> Bravado recedes to gentle wavelets again <<I am not brown or blue, darling green. I can select who I will catch, some catch my eye>> <<

Rina laughs nervously. "Of course they do! I've done enough riding around and talking to people in my EMT flights as well as during healers classes. I've not heard of anyone who dislikes you. I've only heard good things about you... then again, as a rider, I guess they might just say that around me." Not to mention her fierce determination when among the other riders of backing him up and not allowing any badmouthing, even as a joke. At his mention of ale, she makes a sour face. "Well, I'll thank you for not offering it! Then again, if I can get you used to drinking wine, I suppose I could suffer to make an effort to like ale. She taps her foot nervously as the silence fills the room. "Yes, I know I'm blushing... and I think you are too!" She grins as she notes the coloring of his face as well. "You think I'm pretty, smart and strong? Wow... I never thought of myself as that. I never thought anyone as cute, honest and trustworthy as you would ever think that of me!" She looks down at her glass, taking a deep breath. Ok.. she finally admitted it to him! "I'd be more likely to mess things up than you! I"m a clutz!"

Melantath >> Melantath's voice caresses offering fond feelings. <<Ah, you chose who you chase, dear Rajalath? Would that I could choose my persuers as you choose whom you chase. And what catches your eye, dearest Rajalath?>> She asks with an amused tone<<

"Cute?" Grin "Honest?" Chuckle "Trustworthy?" The weyrlord breaks out into hearty laughter "Rins, no-one ever thinks I'm like that! I'm dopey and according to Selia a lousy layabout goodfernothing bronzerider who just happened to win Esh's flight!" He props himself up onto one elbow, the other hand still occupied with the glass. "And you're not a clutz. You're wonderful! You've always been wonderful..." B'neron points out, with all seriousness "I'm just not sure whether I say the right things or if I'm taking my time wrong or something, yknow.." he shrugs, dropping eyecontact to chuckle "Alisha would be shakin' her head at me right now!"

Melantath> >> Rajalath let's his mindvoice roll through the link <<I could not give away all my secrets, Melantath or I will have females lined up on my ledge with bribes so I chase....>> The bronze rakes a talon across the ledge floor <<And when are you going to start glowing,lovely green?>> <<

Breaking out with a bed-shaking laugh, Rina shakes her head. "Of course you're all that! I'd not have said it if it wasn't true! You are not a 'lousy goodfernothing bronzerider'. Rajalath had the /skill/ to catch Eshaleth. He is a powerful flier, as well as having you to guide him!" She grins, thinking of how skillfully he assuredly guided Raj to the catch. Laughing again, "I surely am a clutz! I'm constantly tripping, saying the wrong things and walking into things! Ask anyone! Kij and Ali tease me about it constantly!" Of course, she knows she was thinking of him at each of the times she did those things... but doesn't mention that at all! She looks up into his eyes and smiles, "You think I'm wonderful? I think you are too!" She tries to make eye contact with him and grins, "I think you say the right things at exactly the right time. As far as Alisha goes, I'm sure she's making up all kinds of stories about what is going on in here... She can see my ledge from hers and has probably already seen Raj with Mel. She may already be telling people that we're together up here..." Her face flushes again... and she takes a sip of the Benden to try to cover it.

Melantath >> Melantath's mindvoice fills the recesses, sultry and silky in nature. She whuffles in amusement, though. <<Ah, so you take bribes? What could possibly bribe the most dazzling Bronze in the weyr?>> She knows her time will be coming soon, and is testing the mood of the banter to see if he will indeed chase and catch as his lifemate made the promise so long ago.

B'neron sits up and sets his glass aside onto a bedtable. "Aww, thats awful nice.." he interjects after the compliment, colouring pink again. But the bronzerider shrugs "Well if Ali makes up stuff about us, then what can she say when people notice Rajalath on Sulayeth's ledge hrm? I might be lucky, but I don't think I'm -that- lucky.." he teases, reaching out to fob at her shoulder. "There's always gonna be gossip though, but I don't like confirmin anythin that's not true" Ben rubs a hand along the back of his neck as if trying to work out how to say somethjing else that's clearly on his mind.

Melantath> >> Rajalath coils his boney figure closer <<Bribes do not work on a bronze that chases with heart and not just strength, my green.>> His answers are never straight forward are they? <<But I will give chase if my B'neron is interested aswell.>> <<

Rina, blushing at her thoughts, smiles. "It maybe nice, but it's all true. I really feel that you are a truly handsome and wonderful man!" She looks back down at her drink, hoping that the last of it will give her courage to say what she is really thinking. She finishes off her glass of wine and blushes, thinking of what Ali is probably telling the others. "Rajalath visits with Sulayeth too? Then she shouldn't be thinking..." Though she knows Ali knows the feelings that she has for Ben. She murmurs quietly, half hoping he'll hear "Of course, if there are rumors, it could be true..." She shyly looks back up at him as he begins to rub his neck. "Does your neck hurt? We learned how to do some great massages in my healing classes today. I can rub your neck for you?" She sets her now empty glass on the floor and leans forward, offering to rub his neck for him and jumping at the chance to get closer to him.

B'neron scooches over towards the greenrider "I won't pass up a free neck rub..." he vouches, turning to her. "And, gosh, Rins..." he adds, almost remonstrating her "Rajalath visits Sulayeth because he has this...protective thing for her. And that's because Ali's like my sister, yknow? So any rumours about me and Ali you hear you know are wrong right? She's great but she's not you at all..." Ben can sound so utterly sincere sometimes it's a wonder he manages to "extend" the truth to other weyrleaders when duty calls! "Plus, I visit Ali to ask her about girl stuff, sometimes I need a bit of guidance yknow, this charming exterior takes -some- effort.." He jokes.

Melantath >> Melantath moves the tip of her tail closer to Rajalath, caressing his hide as she 'stretches' it. <<Ah, so you chase with your heart? And with your rider's heart as well. As we both know better than our riders how they feel, I take it that means you will chase me? Rina has told me a number of times that she wishes your rider to be the one to catch her, therefore you to catch me. I feel we do not have to wait long for this chase, though I will give you a workout!>> She whuffles in amusement<<

Rina gets off the bed, walks to the cabinet and picks up a bottle. She then gets back on hte bed and walks on her knees and sits next to Ben. "Alright, lay down on your stomach. If you take off your shirt, I can reach it better." She begins to open the bottle and put lotion on her hands, warming it so that it won't feel cold when it touches his body. "So you ask Ali about girl stuff? She's not me? Yeah, I guess so. I guess I ask Kij a lot of guy questions too... though I wonder if he really gives me answers for me or for himself!" She looks at him, "Yes, you are charming, and I can't imagine that it takes you any effort at all to maintain it! You ready for this? The lotion's ready when you are."

Melantath> >> Rajalath >> curls against the warmth of Melantath's side <<I can only hope that when you rise our fair Eshaleth does not have a hold on my time>> He purrs simply, dropping his head beside the greens <<Is Rina proddy? I do not understand female riders. They are not like B'neron>> No-one said dragons were -smart-. <<

B'neron wrinkles his nose at the sight of the lotion "It's not gonna dye my skin is it?" He asks. Smells too girly for him. But he obediantly begins to unbutton his shirt as he chatters on "You ask Kij? Aww but Rina!" the bronzerider discards his shirt with little embarassment and rolls neatly onto his belly "He's like permanently proddy, I can't even imagine what sort os stuff he's been tellin' you!" He props himself up onto his elbows, and glances over at the girl, shaking his head "No wonder it took you so long to mention -anything- to me about liking me. Least Ali's a girl like you...I'm not green like Kij.." But he softens the words with a cheeky half smile. "Alright, on with the pampering then!"

Melantath >>Melantath curls up against Rajalath in turn. <<I do not choose when I rise, though I can try to draw it out until you are available, which is what my rider wishes.>> She moves her head so that she is touching his. <<Humans do not get proddy. They mate as they will. She is trying to convince him, but does not have the confidence that he wishes the same thing.>>

Rina chuckles, "Yeah, Kij is definatly permanently proddy and has given me many ideas that I could not even imagine doing... he is much more outgoing than I am. Much more direct..." She blushes thinking about some of the advice that he has mentioned. "And no, this will not dye your skin or anything. I tried to pick out something that was not too perfumy, but I like the smell. And as the Weyrlord, you deserve pampering." She leans over him, applies the lotion and slowly begins to massage the tension out of his neck. Closing her eyes, she feels through her hands the structure of the muscles that she is working on, not mindful of the fact that she is leaning forward and probably giving him an eyeful if he happens to be looking in her direction.

Melantath> >> Rajalath seems to sigh at his own lifemate, but thoughts soon turn back to the green <<Yet does yours not realise she is green and he is bronze? They are to mate then, as our kind do. I do not understand all their strange ways, my dear Melantath. Maybe we aren't supposed to>> <<

B'neron rests his chin on steepled fingers "Well I wouldn't say being as direct as Kij is a good thing, Rins.." he notes, voice slowing as his muscles are worked. "You reckon you just learnt this today?" The bronzerider glances over his shoulder to see what the greenrider is doing and turns furiously red. He snaps his gaze back to the pillows mentioning "And remind me not to let Raj hang out with Khali, I dunno where he gets his ideas from!"

Melantath >> Melantath snuggles closer to Rajalath <<Of course she realizes she is female and he male, but she is nervous and unwise to the mating of humans. She has been relieved that I have yet to rise. She was desperately hoping for something like this between our riders before I rose, which has been holding me back until now. I hope it is no longer a barrier, dear Rajalath, for my time is not long in coming. I understand her feelings, but not the reasoning behind them. Humans are complicated.>> <<

Melantath> >> Rajalath swirls darkness in amongst the plumes of caramel in his voice <<You are very mindful of your rider's feelings, Melantath. But how will she learn if you do not make her? B'neron was very nervous when I first gave chase so long ago, he remembers this for me. It has made him strong and good with mating now, though.>> See? simple! <<

Rina smiles, eyes still closed, "Yes, that is why I had not told you anything... I could not see myself being as direct as Kij, or even saying some of the things Alisha suggested. That is just not ... not me. They both have been pushing me to tell you, but I was just too nervous." She laughs as she imagines the ideas that Khali must have from his rider. Her hands continue to massage his neck muscles, then she continues down his back, feeling the tension between his shoulderblades melt away as she works the muscles below her hands. "So, do you think I'm doing this well? Tyrin said I showed a lot of talent in this particular class, and I think I noticed alot of my classmates suddenly in line at my table. I'll have to admit, I was so busy with doing the massages that I didn't get one myself, but giving them is fun. It gives a certain pleasure to feel the stress melt out of someone's muscles as you work with them."

"I guess they dropped a lot of hints to me too" Ben adds in, when their clutchmates come up. His eyes are closed and his head is dropping though, as the massage relaxes his body. "You are real good at this, really. I bet word will get out and you will have so many appointments after sweeps come in all day.." He reassures before shaking his head to clear away tiredness. Slowly the bronzerider reaches around to snag one of the greenrider's wrist and then swivels about so he's sitting up once more "Have you really kept Melantath from rising?" he asks her then, now that he's facing her. And there's an uncharacteristic set to his jaw "That's what Raj's just told me, Rina..have you? Do you know how that could affect her?"

Rina smiles as Ben admits that Kij and Ali have been hinting to him as well. She feels his body relax more as she continues to work the muscles in his back, up and down his spine. "Thank you. I really think I enjoy this.. maybe not as much as you do getting the massage, but I like it!" Still working with her eyes closed, she is surprised when she feels him sitting up quickly and grabbing her hand. "What? No! I haven't. At least I don't think I did.. I don't know!" She looks towards the door to Mel's ledge then back to Ben. "I've been worried about her not rising... then again, I guess I'm worried about her rising too... I mean... When she rises, she mates... and so do I. I didnt realize my apprehension of that was stopping her." She glances worriedly again towards the ledge. "Do you think I am keeping her back?"

B'neron keeps the greenrider's hand in his "If what Raj is telling me is true, you're worries have been holding her back, Rina.." The bronzerider tells her, voice gentle yet firm "You shouldn't do that, it might make her ill, who knows? But you have to let her rise, it's important, she's green.." He tries to explain, but sighs and shakes his head "Are you worried that my bronze will catch her?" He's obviously read into his dragon's tellings the wrong way. "Shells, I didn't know. It's ok, I'll keep Raj away, I control him well enough, he won't chase if I don't give a say-so.." The weyrlords shoulders hunch forward "It'll work out ok, you just gotta stop worrying so much, flights really aren't bad- well none I've been in anyway."

Rina shakes her head, "Oh no! I never meant for this to affect her!" She keeps looking back at the door to the ledge and is beginning to cry, realizing that her fears have been possibly hurting her lifemate. "I know... I never realized. What? No! That's not it at all!" Now she looks back at Ben and bites her lip - obviously what she is about to say is hard for her. "No, Ben. I was worried that Raj /wouldn't/ catch her. You see, my mother never really taught me about... well... mating." She is blushing furiously now but goes on. "Kij, Ali and the other riders just assumed I knew. I was only 13 when I came here and I always knew when riders paired off what they meant to do... but I've never done it. I'm not sure I know how. I wanted my first time to be with... with someone I love." As she feels the tears now running down her face, she wipes them away with her free hand.

Alisha snugs Rina! Rina feels someone sneaking up to snug her, and ducks so that Melantath can lick your face... you've been licked by a green dragon! :)

"Don't cry, Rina, don't cry.." B'neron coos, reaching up to brush tears from her cheeks with a thumb. "You haven't harmed Melantath yet, she's always had good colour and everything, she's ok." He shuffles over to curve an arm around the woman's shoulder, pulling himself against her for comfort "Shhh, it's ok, you didn't know, and it's not your fault you're nervous and a bit scared but I promise if you want, Rajalath will catch her, and I'll keep the other riders away even if I have to knock their teeth out myself.." He smiles, trying to lighten her mood "And if you want to" The weyrlord dips his chin to her shoulder to plant a kiss on her cheek "we can be together before Mel even thinks of rising....butonlyifyouwantto"

Rina tries to stop her shoulders from heaving as she cries, realizing that she /has/ been holding Melantath back. "How could I be so dumb! I'm such a terrible lifemate! I can't believe it! I don't deserve to be a rider." She puts her head on his shoulder as he puts his arm around her. She tries to not cry all over him, but it's hard when you've just realized that you are the reason that your dragon hasn't risen yet! She lifts her head to look at him and smiles as he promises to have Rajalath catch Melantath. "Oh, would you? I know you promised that ages ago, but I wasn't sure you actually meant it." She laughs through her tears as he threatens to knock out teeth. She feels him kissing her cheek and turns her face towards him, returning the kiss, hoping for more. As he makes his offer, she begins to cry softly again. "I'd like that. butonlyifyouwantto... I don't want to force you or anything... I've already messed up Melantath, I don't want to force you into doing anything you don't want to do... I would certainly appreciate... a lesson." Her eyes are closed at this point, and she has buried her head in his neck, waiting for him to turn her down, as she feels he will do.

You paged B'neron with: if at any time you want to just say 'the lights went down and they spent the night together'... that's fine with me... as both female players, we certainly don't need to go into details! :)

From afar, B'neron was just putting that on the end of my pose!! :)

You paged B'neron with: hehe... :) Great minds think alike! :)

B'neron puts his other arm about her now, circling the greenrider against his chest. "You're not dumb, you just didn't know......and if I say Rajalath will catch, Rajalath -will- catch. He's the best bronze in the weyr and he has not lost a flight since...since I don't know!" He's tryihng to be macho-ly reassuring "If Melantath even looks slightly glowy you have her call Raj, and no matter where we are we will come straight here, Rina" And out from the ledge there's a resoundingly deep bass rumble from the bronze in agreement. The bronzerider just takes a slight breath and hooks a finger under the greenrider's chin to lift her gaze up to him "It wouldn't be a lesson at all, don't even think that, it's because I adore you, my little greenrider" And he leans down to kiss her oh-so-romantically. ***fade out***

[Pern] Rina: night all! :)

Thanks for coming to Dragons' Dusk. Come back soon!

*** Disconnected ***