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Post by Kendrall on Jul 22, 2010 9:04:16 GMT -5
G'rett groaned as he drifted towards consciousness. He couldn't sleep very well, either, in part because his head hurt so badly. The Bronze Rider knew he had too much to drink, but Q'del punching him in the jaw didn't help, either.
To add insult to injury, he and Toniel had an argument before he stormed out of the dining cavern. He accused her of breaking his heart and letting Q'del steal her away from him; she retorted that she never loved him in the first place and she'd rather commit suicide than to let Aylinth choose Coth. He told her she'd better get used to the idea of Artemth being the equivalent of a Gold; she told him he was no expert on dragons and accused him of wanting to ascend to leadership by being with Quindara. His final shot was to boldly mention Toniel's love life in front of everyone, but never gave her a chance to reply. Instead, he chose to temporarily ground himself for a sevenday, giving B'selion command of the wing for now.
Truthfully, he'd be fortunate if he didn't remain grounded permanently, nor if his rank as Wingleader was stripped from him for his actions. G'rett wanted to set the record straight with Cybele, but the Weyrwoman wanted to wait until the following morning to speak with him. It would be up to her to decide if his own self-imposed punishment would suffice, or if other measures were to be applied.
Rising to his feet, he stumbled groggily into his personal bathing chamber, then eased himself into the warm waters. It felt good, allowing him to fully come to his senses. Taking some sweetsand, he scrubbed himself clean from head to toe, then rinsed himself off before exiting the bath and using a towel to dry himself. G'rett then pondered over what he would wear in Cybele's presence, then settled on a white swordsman's shirt and breeches. He took his time getting dressed, then pulled on his boots before tying his hair back in a runner's tail. The whole time, Coth had been watching him, but said nothing out of respect for his bonded. Giving the Bronze a friendly, thankful pat on his back, the Rider left his quarters and walked over to the Weyrwoman's.
G'rett knocked three times on the doorjamb, and waited.
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Post by Kit on Jul 22, 2010 14:09:13 GMT -5
The fight at the Hatching Feast had troubled Cybele all the long night. She slept fitfully and had still not had any idea what to do with any of the participants. After a bath, she'd decided to leave Toniel out of it entirely. She had only gone to break up the fight, and her screaming at G'rett, after what the Wingleader had said about her. Quindara, she would leave for G'fal for the moment. Once the girl's punishment was over, she'd take her in hand personally. Part of what G'rett had said had been right. Judging just on the silver's size, it was fair to assume that Artemth would be wasted as anything other than a laying Queen, and that meant training Quindara for that rank. It could not really wait until the silver matured, because right now the dragonet was impressionable. With guidance, the rider's temper could be soothed, and that would affect Artmeth. And really, considering her strong will, Quindara would be an excellent Queenrider if she could be taught to keep her emotions more under control.
Cybele was still not sure what to do about the reds....but the pushed that thought away. A knock sounded on her doorframe. That must be G'rett, she'd spoken to the battered Weyrsecond about a half-mark earlier and sent the man back to his rest. He'd certainly steer clear of the wine from now on.
"Come in."
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Post by Kendrall on Jul 22, 2010 15:00:56 GMT -5
G'rett entered and stood at parade-rest a few paces from Cybele, his feet shoulder-width apart and his hands clasped behind his back. He kept his eyes forward, not daring to look into the Weyrwoman's eyes unless she specifically ordered him to do so.
"Weyrwoman," he said, his voice neutral. He really had no excuse for his actions last night at the Feast. G'rett knew he had too much to drink, and he never should have goaded Q'del into a fight. Nor took a shot at Toniel the way he did. Still, it rankled him to know the Weyrwoman's Second never had any feelings for him in the first place. That, and he was accused of being with Quindara solely for the fact she had Impressed to a Silver, and was now in line for a leadership position. Toniel had never been privy to his beloved's fears, never knowing just how much it hurt each time she Stood and failed to Impress. Quindara had been a balm to his wounded heart, and he promised himself he would be the one to bring stability back into her life. He would fight for her time and time again if he had to, no matter whom his opponent was.
But part of him knew that Artemth was the equivalent of a Gold. It was more instinct, really, but he couldn't shake the feeling. Toniel had refused to teach Quindara what it took to be a Queenrider. Perhaps Cybele would take it upon herself to do just that.
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Post by Kit on Jul 22, 2010 23:30:00 GMT -5
"G'rett, the way you behaved at the Feast was unexcusable. Q'del may have over-reacted to your relationship with Quindara. Chandrath assures me that Artemth is not troubled in the least. I believe he was acting truly out of his concern for her welfare, though obviously he could have been more tactful on the subject. He's been grounded for a sevenday, though frankly I didn't even want to punish him that long, but he insisted on it. He already has a concussion and frankly, we cannot spare him just now." She frowned.
"But you, I can spare. You needlessly provoked him, knocked him out cold, and then said things about my second that I feel like punishing you for just for thinking them, let alone airing them in a public place. You will not find it easy to get Toniel to forgive you for that, and I pity you if she tells Q'del what you said. He would be well within his rights to challenge you on those remarks, though I doubt he will. But it wasn't a smart thing to earn his antipathy. In any case, I was temped to demote you, but he has argued against out of fairness' sake. And truly it would not serve the best interests of the weyr. So, you are not to drill with your wing for two sevendays and will instead, fly patrol over South Sands. Quindara has been punished by G'fal and will be confined to the Barracks for the next month, during her craft lessons, she will be instructed personally by me." She fixed him with a probing look.
"I have no wish to interfere with your relationship. Arktos has already spoken to me on that quarter, he believes your feelings are sincere and that Quindara benefits from your support. So, after the month is over you'll be permitted to see each other again. Q'del has suggested that we might relax some restrictions a little early because Quindara is older, as long as we monitor Artemth closely. He seems to think his sister might have a difficult time adhering to those rules and Artemth could find that at least as upsetting as the breaking of them. This I will consider after the month is up. Now, what do you have to say for yourself?"
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Post by Kendrall on Jul 23, 2010 7:06:07 GMT -5
"I have no excuse, Weyrwoman. Even I was aware I had too much to drink and overstepped my bounds, and B'selion has already been given temporary command of Stardust Wing by my own order. I've also grounded myself for a sevenday, though if you feel my own punishment isn't enough then I'll fly patrol over South Sands." G'rett had to keep his face and voice neutral, even though it hurt. South Sands, he knew, wasn't exactly the safest of places to be. Sandstorms could crop up at any moment, and the locals in spite of their small numbers couldn't be counted upon for a rescue operation. He supposed if anything were to happen to he and Coth, getting blown off-course would be the least of his worries. Crash-landing in the middle of a sandstorm, on the other hand, could very well result in his demise and forcing Coth to go between.
Regarding Quindara, however, G'rett knew she wouldn't be happy to be confined for a month, not able to see him nor talk to him. At least his beloved would be personally trained by the Weyrwoman. Oddly enough, Q'del was actually arguing in favor of relaxing the restrictions being placed on his sister. At least he's smart enough to know how his sister will react in the face of her punishment, he thought wryly. The Bronze Rider knew how much his beloved would pine away for him, and he suspected Q'del was thinking along those same lines.
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Post by Kit on Jul 23, 2010 21:06:16 GMT -5
"Yes, you will fly patrol over South Sands," Cybele said, seeing the man's reluctance. She didn't know what he was so worried about. It was hot, boring, and very sandy yes, but Patrols were flown there fairly often, and of course, a bluerider had just searched two from there a few weeks ago. She put it down to arrogance, perhaps he didn't feel he ought to be punished more than the Weyrsecond. Well, too bad.
"Furthermore, Q'del has agreed to stay out of Quindara and your affairs, after I promised I would take her in hand. But you are to do the same with Q'del and Toniel. I realize that you cannot avoid each other entirely, but it would be in your best interest to steer clear of them, especially of Toniel. I believe she was very hurt by your accusations. That is all. I will speak to you and Quindara about relaxing weyrling restrictions early after her period of punishment is over and i have been able to assess Artemth's maturity. If you have nothing else to say, you may go."
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Post by Kendrall on Jul 24, 2010 10:12:46 GMT -5
G'rett just stood there, impassive, as Cybele pronounced her judgement. He really didn't like the idea of flying patrol over South Sands, and with the rainy season just around the corner...the former Wingleader was worried a sandstorm would pop up at an inopportune moment. If anything happens to Coth and I lose him, I know I'll be partially to blame because I wasn't at my best. The rest of it will fall squarely on Cybele's shoulders. Then I'll get to deal with the heartache and frustration as others will court Quindara when Artemth Rises. I've already told her that I wouldn't share her with any other man, but I may not have a choice if I'm without a dragon of my own.
On the other hand, if anything happens to us both...I wonder just how much responsibility Cybele will take for it. Quindara will be furious and will push to find out what happened, as will Kiyoni and possibly Arktos. M'lym also. I don't foresee Toniel doing anything about it, but if Q'del is smart enough he'll try to assuage his sister's grieving and do what he can to help. Perhaps some good will come about in the wake of our demise. Maybe Toniel, Quindara, and Q'del can finally get along with each other. Though I have no idea how Quindara will be able to move forward.
Skies, I hate this!
G'rett continued to keep his eyes forward as Cybele continued. Q'del, at least, would stay out of his sister's affairs and his own, but he was to leave the Weyrsecond and Weyrwoman's Second alone. It won't be easy to avoid them entirely. But then again, if I'm dead and gone, it won't matter. Furthermore, both he and Quindara would stand before the Weyrwoman after a month, provided Artemth was mature enough. When dismissed, G'rett simply saluted Cybele, but when he turned he couldn't help but letting a single thought run through his head...
Flying patrol over South Sands is like betting against a Bitran. By the Egg, Cybele, if Coth and I perish out there or go missing, you'll have an uprising on your hands if you don't watch your step. Quindara will see to that personally.
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