[6.21.2707] Surprise, Surprise (attn: G'rett)

[Kit]

Quindara smiled a smug smile as she made her way along the weyr corridors. It had taken some doing, but she had managed to find out when G'rett's birthday was. Then she had managed to win enough marks a dragon poker to get him a really spectacular present. All day she'd had Shadow lurking outside his weyr, waiting to report when the bronzerider was in. She'd had to beg Arktos to give her the day off today, but the Candidate Master had been had asleep when she'd asked him, so he'd only assigned her a five hundred word essay on the proper caare of riding harnesses. She'd work her stint in the dragon infirmary late this evening.

Now it was time to put her carefully laid plan into action. She was dressed in some of her best clothes, wherhide pants that fit her perfectly and a dark blue embroidered tunic that hugged what little curves she possessed. Her coppery was, this once, allowed freedom to sweep down to her waist in silken waves. She had the present, Shadow had been sent back to the Barracks, everything was perfect. So, taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door.

[Kendrall]

G'rett was sitting at his desk, double-checking the latest reports he was about to file with Q'del. In spite of the rivalry he had with him, the Wingleader had to admit the Weyrsecond was a very capable leader. Though he knew the man would never replace J'nel. He really didn't think anyone could. G'rett had heard rumors Chandrath would be Rising soon, which meant the Weyr leadership would be up for grabs. He wasn't sure if Coth would give chase, but he wouldn't put it past the Bronze.

He also didn't know just how he could relate with Cybele if he happened to win the flight. Especially in light of a certain conversation he had roughly two sevendays earlier with a Candidate named Quindara. G'rett had vowed he would push Coth to chase Quindara's Green or Gold when she Rose. That was how much he'd come to like the redheaded woman, and gave the idea of asking her to become his weyrmate and lover when it was the appropriate time added merit. He knew it had to be mutual between Quindara and him, but there would be an added bonus: It would stick in Q'del's craw. If Quindara likewise chose the Wingleader freely, her brother couldn't do a sharding thing about it.

There was only one problem at the moment. Quindara was still a Candidate and would be Standing at the Hatching soon. Which meant if G'rett let the redhead have her way with him, she probably wouldn't be allow to Stand.

Coth was laying on his stone couch, watching his bonded work. It seemed boring to the Bronze, but he understood that with the new rank meant new responsibilities. But it did little to relieve the monotony. Until now.

Both Rider and dragon looked in the direction of the door when they heard someone knock, then they looked at each other. Are you expecting anyone, my G'rett? Shaking his head in response, G'rett rose from his chair. "Not that I know of, Coth. Though you do recall what today is."

It's your naming-day, isn't it?

G'rett nodded in response. "It is, yes. But I'm not expecting any visitors..." He opened the door then turned to see whom his guest was, and his jaw dropped in surprise. It was Quindara, and she was dressed in tight clothing that accentuated her body. Her hair was also flowing freely down to her waist, only adding to her beauty. G'rett also noticed she was carrying a gift...which could only mean it was meant for him...but how did she find out when his naming-day was?

"Quindara! This is quite a surprise. Unexpected, but still...I'm happy to see you. Do come in."

[Kit]

G'rett was looking as delectable as ever when he opened the door and Quindara smiled at his look of surprise. She had to restrain herself from rushing up and embracing him, mainly because her hands were full with present. "Happy naming day, G'rett," she said, as she took him up on his invitation to enter. "I even got you a present."

Quindara was very proud of this present. It was something the smiths called saddle stars, though dragons had no saddle to speak of. They were metal embellishments that could be clipped onto the buckles of the dragon's riding harness. She'd had them make some with the stardust wing insignia, three stars with a tail of stardust behind. The smith had done a good job, they were nice looking as well as durable. Smiling, she handed G'rett the cloth wrapped bundle. "I suppose in a way, these are just as much for Coth as for you, but I thought you would like them." She hoped he would. She was serious about this pursual, even if she had to wait a while.

"Have you and Coth been well? I suppose you've been busy with your new duties." Quindara had been proud that G'rett had advanced, but she couldn't help wondering if that would somehow change what was between them. Granted, it was very little, at least in tangible terms, but she had really felt something during their one kiss. Something she'd like to repeat.

[Kendrall]

G'rett watched as Quindara walked past him and into his private weyr, then gave him a smile as she wished him a happy naming day. "Thank you, Quindara...but how did you know?" As far as he knew, he didn't say anything to her about when his naming day was. Still, to see her again was a gift in of itself...regardless if she actually had something to give him.

He shot her a cool look as she handed him the present. "Just seeing you is the best present for my naming-day," he said with a grin. "Which means I'll have to get something for you in return." Unwrapping the bundle, his eyes widened considerably. Custom made saddle stars? Crafted in the Stardust Wing insignia? Just exactly how much did Quindara spend to have these made?

"They're...they're beautiful," he said, after looking over them. He looked into Quindara's green eyes. "Just like you," he said softly with a wink. G'rett then turned to show the saddle stars to Coth. "What do you think, Coth?" The Wingleader walked over to where his Bronze lay on his stone couch, and the dragon's head was perked up, his green eyes indicating curiosity. I like them. They are rather fitting of our new rank. Coth then turned to look at Quindara and blinked at her. Thank you, young one.

G'rett turned around to set the stars onto the table, and sighed. "You have no idea how busy I've been," he said. "Apart from teaching Stardust Wing how to split into wingpairs to deal more effectively with Thread, teaching them new tactical maneuvers, filing paperwork, and reporting to your brother...I've had little time for anything else." That was an understatement, his new duties demanded the majority of his time these days. He just didn't want to make any critical errors in his judgement, as that would give Q'del - or the new Weyrleader if Coth didn't win Chandrath's upcoming Flight - ample reason to strip him of his rank.

But seeing Quindara again was a much welcome, and much-needed, distraction. Something to take his mind off from work. He reached out a hand, inviting the redheaded woman to take it so he could draw her closer to him. "Come here. I'd like to thank you." G'rett recalled fondly the first time Quindara had kissed him, and he wanted to repeat the experience.

[Kit]

She returned his smile somewhat coyly. "Weyr gossip is an amazing thing, I wouldn't want to give up my sources." Then she laughed. "Actually, I overhead Cybele remind my brother to give you the day off that day. She, apparently, feels it is unfair to make someone fly drill on their naming day when there's no Threadfall." It had been Shadow who'd actually heard the conversation, but she didn't want it to get around that she used the little black to gather information. Then people might start watching out for him.

Then she blushed at his double compliment. She had been told she was beautiful before, but from him it seemed more genuine. "I'm glad you think of me as a present, but its just as much of a present to myself. Besides, if I hadn't needed to get you a present I wouldn't have had the pleasure of fleecing all those people at dragon poker," she added playfully.

She followed G'rett as he presented the saddle stars to his dragon. Somehow Coth looked even larger within the weyr than outside. "You're very welcome Coth. I'm sure they'll look very striking against your hide. I've heard that it used to be that all riders had their own saddle stars made with their personal sigil, but it had fallen out of fashion for a while and its just now starting to get popular again." Actually, the smith had told her that with Cloudlung, more riders wanted to have a physical memento of their dragon like that..just in case. She had known about them from the Candidate Master, who wore one of Bjornth's saddle stars on a chain. But he was a smith and had likely made them himself. She didn't know of many others that had them though. "Maybe you'll start a new trend."

She listened as he described his hectic schedule. It certainly didn't sound like any fun, but maybe she could get him to forget about it for a while. Quindara took his proffered hand, enjoying the roughened feel of it on her slightly smoother skin. She allowed herself to be pulled against his body, "Oh, that sounds like fun," she said, her voice gone slightly husky.

OOC-sorry I have just noticed that I am having some sort of brain related spelling disease in the last couple posts. I think I did all right this time though.

[Kendrall]

G'rett gently pulled Quindara close to him, then he placed her arms around his neck and his around her waist. He arched an eyebrow at her when she jokingly said she didn't want to give up her sources, but instead claimed to overhear Cybele remind Q'del to give the new Wingleader his naming-day off. "At least Lady Cybele is reasonable," he replied. "I'd hate to have to fly drill on my naming day when there isn't any Threadfall as well." He grinned. "And I wasn't aware you knew how to play dragon poker. Skies, I haven't played it in, well...it's been a long time. Probably the last time I played it was when I was about fifteen." G'rett really didn't want to tell Quindara just exactly what circumstances that particular game had been under.

Coth merely blinked at the couple, his blue eyes studying his bonded and the young woman whose arms were wrapped around each other. G'rett and Coth had spent many long nights conversing since the day Quindara came into their lives...and the subject was typically about the redheaded Candidate. In spite of Coth's poor memory, he was at peace to see G'rett like this...but gave him a mental word of caution.

There's no need to rush this, my G'rett. Though I would like to see you truly happy with a weyrmate and lover, remember this young one is still a Candidate.

G'rett heard his bonded's warning, but his eyes were gazing into that of Quindara's. I know, Coth. But what would you think once Quindara Impresses to a female dragon? What would you say once her dragon Rose and you caught her?

Difficult to say, since that is still only a possibility. But it's clear how much you care for this young one. I do not wish to see her hurt, my G'rett. Take your time with her.

G'rett leaned in close, just a fraction of an inch from Quindara's face. "You really didn't need to bring me anything for my naming-day, Quindara," he said softly. "Just seeing you was good enough for me." He studied her green eyes for a moment. "When I told you a few sevendays ago when you Impressed to either a Gold or Green, and you graduated as a Rider...I told you that I would push Coth to chase your dragon every time. That's because I can honestly say that I want you as my weyrmate and lover, Quindara, not just once but for as long as possible. I know I have to wait for you. I'm willing to do just that. I know that Coth may give Chase to other Golds and Greens, and may or may not win every Flight. But my heart will always belong to you no matter what happens."

He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I won't push you to make any decisions now. But I would be honored - humbled, even - if you willingly chose me as your weyrmate and lover in return after you graduate."

He leaned in a bit closer, his lips slowly closing in on Quindara's...

[Kit]

She let G'rett guide her arms to rest around his neck, enjoying letting him take the lead. It was usually the other way in her relationships, mainly due to her rather forceful personality. Quindara thought she could definitely get used to a change. "My mother didn't consider it a proper amusement for a lady. So of course, I had to do it behind her back." She might have idolized her mother as a child, but that didn't mean she always obeyed her.

Lips curving into a smile, she looked up into G'rett's brown eyes. There was something about them that was warm and honest, seeming to lack most of the hardness that most dragonriders she'd been with. It disarmed her, even as part of her shouted a warning to be careful. She ignored it. "I'm glad you feel tht way, but I like giving presents so you'll just have to put up with them."

As she listened him openly declare himself, she might have gasped, but at first could not think of anything to say, she was so taken aback. So, she rose up on her tiptoes to meet him, kissing him with all the feelings she felt roiling inside her. eventually, she broke away, feeling a bit breathless. "I don't know what to say. I feel selfish holding you to such a promise, and I'm a little afraid. But I want this. Now I can only hope I Impress quickly. It is a long time to wait," she admitted wryly, before pulling him down for another kiss.

[Kendrall]

G'rett had to chuckle slightly when Quindara admitted she played dragon poker behind her mother's back. "Anytime you're up for a match, Quindara, let me know. I think we can make the stakes very interesting." He gave her a playful wink as he looked into her eyes. He could tell his future weyrmate was enjoying this. Future weyrmate? Sure, why not?

As for her giving him presents... "I suppose I'll have to get used to you giving me presents. But you won't get away with it that easily." He gave her a winning smile which only broadened when she kissed him. "You'll Impress, Quindara. It might not be now, but after Chandrath clutches. But don't feel selfish holding me to a promise. I've already decided to give you my heart, that it will always belong to you no matter what happens. Even if Coth does wind up Flying Chandrath or some other female dragon, and I should wind up in someone else's bed. Truthfully, I'd rather wind up in yours every time after winning your dragon's Flights, and no one else's. I want you, Quindara, by my side. You want this. I want this." He let himself be pulled down to her for another kiss, but he pulled her even closer to him to feel her slender form through the fabric of her clothes, his hands starting to slide their way down towards her hips. He felt a stirring down below, and knew he was becoming harder by the second. He hadn't felt this way in a long time, and part of him wanted to scream a warning. The other part of him wanted this ravishing redheaded beauty, to give himself wholly to his future weyrmate and lover.

[Kit]

"Hmm.. That does sound enjoyable," she murmured against his lips, feeling the warmth of his skin seeping into her. It ignited a different sort of warmth in her body, on that sent fire burning through her veins with every heartbeat. Quindara knew this was dangerous. If she were to get pregnant, she wouldn't be able to Stand until after the birth, and that would ruin all their plans. But she had never wanted anyone quite so much, and, to her surprise, she realized she wouldn't mind restricting herself to just one lover if that lover was G'rett. Even more shocking to her was the realization that she wouldn't at all mind having his child.. Or even children. So even as allowed herself to be pulled still closer, part of her was nearly numb with amazement.

"I know you can't restrain Coth from chasing, that would be unfair to him. So I'll try not to be too jealous if he wins. But once my dragon is mature, we'll keep hum so busy he won't have time to even look at another." Her tone was playful, and that was how she had meant it, but her eyes were fierce and passionate. She knew weyr life made it hard to have expectations, but she didnt't want to share G'rett with anyone save Coth.

They were so close now that she almost felt they could merge into one being at any time, and Quindara could now clearly tell that he wanted her as much as she wanted him. Het lips curled into a michievous smile of their own accord. She let her hands travel down his back as she kissed him, until they reach the hem of his tunic. She slid her hand under and slid them across the smooth skin of his back, feeling the play of muscles underneath skin.

[Kendrall]

G'rett simply chuckled softly in his throat as he deepened his kiss. He felt Quindara's hands slip underneath the hem of his tunic and begin to embrace his powerful back muscles. He only broke his kiss momentarily, looking into his future weyrmate's eyes, giving her a smile worthy of a well-fed predator who'd just caught its' prey. "I hate to break it to you, love," he said softly, but playfully. "When it's just you and me at dragon poker, the only thing to bet with will be our clothing." G'rett nibbled softly at Quindara's bottom lip with his own teeth, then let his lips meet hers. He wanted to explore her mouth with his tongue, but first bent at the knees and lifted her by her waist, wanting her to wrap her legs around him and finish peeling off his tunic to reveal his torso. G'rett could feel his manhood now fully at attention, only his breeches were preventing its escape.

He gently probed her mouth with his tongue, slowly at first, wanting to drink in the spicy sweetness of her kiss. Oh sure, he had kissed other ladies before, including Toniel when he courted her during Aylinth's Flight. But what he couldn't get from Toniel, he'd be sure to get from Quindara...and lay claim to it. He was, after all, the Wingleader of Stardust, and very few individuals would be able to challenge that claim. He pulled back for another breath of air before resuming, giving his future weyrmate a roguish grin.

"Coth will give Chase to whomever he wants," G'rett said softly. "I really don't have a whole lot of control over whom he goes after. If I know him like I think I do; once your female dragon matures, he'll effectively stake his claim on her and won't give her up so easily. The same goes for me. After you graduate and Coth Flies your female, you're mine." He studied Quindara's face for a moment, then looked into her eyes. "I get the feeling just by looking in your eyes you really don't want to share me with anyone else. You know that will be difficult at best. But it'll be a warm day between before I share you with any other man in this entire weyr, Quindara." He punctuated his last sentence as much as he could, but kept his voice soft. "I know dueling has been forbidden for many turns, but if I have to fight for you, I won't think twice."

He slowly leaned into his future weyrmate, and lost himself once more in her kisses before starting a trail down towards her chin, to her neck, and finally in the hollow between her neck and upper chest.

[Kit]

Oh! He called her love. No one had ever called her that before. Her heart did a little flip-flop of its own accord. A small part of her was still rebelling, telling her that this would end badly, as all her other relationships had. But its voice grew quieter and quieter. "Sounds like a win-win situation to me. but this time I suppose you can have my clothes for free." she replied, laughing suddenly as he lifted her up and she obliged him by wrapping her legs around his waist while continuing to kiss him. She let his tongue explore her mouth while her hands explored his bare chest.

Oh, how she wanted him. There was a tightness in her loins that she was quite familiar with, but with it was something new..a fluttering feeling in her chest, a joy so intense she could not find words to describe. A sigh escaped as he broke off the kiss, but she had to smile at his grin.

"I know things might not go exactly as I want, but I will try my hardest not to let anything come between us." She laid a slim hand on his cheek. "I don't want you to have to fight for me. I'll make sure my dragon knows it too. As long as you always come back to me, I'll try not to beat up other girls if Coth wins their Flights." She did say try...she was well known for her temper.

G'rett began to kiss down her neck, sending a shivery thrill down her spine. She ran her nails lightly down his back and bent over to flick his earlobe with her tongue.

[Kendrall]

G'rett felt his pulse quickening when Quindara's hands started to explore his now-bare chest, her legs wrapped around him while their tongues explored each other's mouths. He had to grin, though, when she laughed at him lifting her up and she told him he could have her clothes for free. "Darling," he said playfully, "I just might take you up on that offer."

He relished the touch of his future weyrmate's hand on his cheek, and looked into her eyes when she told him she would try her best not to let anything come in between them. At least he thought she understood there wasn't much control over dragonlust as a result of a Flight, but gave her a warm smile after being told he wouldn't have to fight for her. "I've already given you my heart, Quindara. I want you by my side and in my bed as my weyrmate and lover once you receive your Rider's knots. And I'll always come back to you no matter whose Flight Coth wins. Though I wouldn't put it past him to become particular as to whom he Chases." That much was true; dragons were sometimes known to be preferential on their potential partners. "But I'll talk with him after your dragon matures."

He chuckled in his throat as Quindara flicked his earlobe with her tongue while he was nibbling on her neck. Slowly he made his way towards his bed, and laid down on his back, gently pulling his future weyrmate on top of him. He stopped and looked into her eyes, brushing back a lock of copper hair.

His next words were hard to say, but he knew he'd have to say them. He had to tell her how he felt. "I love you, Quindara," G'rett said softly. "You have no idea how much I love you."