Waterfall Pool - Ista Weyr
     Shaded by several leafy trees that insist on finding purchase at the rim of a large pool, this is indeed a lovely little nook - an oasis in the stone interior of the Istan bowl. Grass has even taken to lining the ground around the pool, creating a soft green carpet that leads all the way to the edge of the pond. The water itself wells up from a natural spring deep in the heart of the mountains, heated by the quiet volcano to a pleasant temperature that accommodates the tropical atmosphere. Issuing from the bottom of the pool is the barest shaft of eerie illumination, as if the water may well be lit from beneath. Shaded as it is by the overhanging branches, it is only that much more inviting.
     Occasional boulders and a stone lip that rims the pool create perfect resting spots for those who seek bathing or recreation within the water itself. Facing northeast to the sea, the edge of the water spills down the side of the mountain a length or less in a small spray of water that lands in a smaller pool which tapers into a stream filtering into the sea. A comfortable little haven, flowers have been set to growing here as well as herbs and other useful items the Weyr find to be daily necessities.

** Drat. It would be nice to track down the source of all of these Catriona's Weyrmated rumours. Ah well. Sighing, the rider cuddles back against the dozing Reiseth and remarks, "None of them. I care about all of them, and it would be unfair to pick one over the other." Not to mention less fun. "But if I had to choose, I suppose I'd pick... Yari! Hi! And lovely, lovely Nediath!" Such a convenient distraction. A happy wave is sent the riding pair.

** Anson strides into the refreshing water of the waterfall pool and coughs up water as he hears Catti. "You'd want to be weyrmated to T'yari!?" he exclaims, looking to the other greenrider in question. "Wouldn't Nediath and Reiseth feel like the other would be....I don't know....cramping their style?" he asks Catti, giving a wave to T'yari while looking back to Rei's lifemate for a response to his question.

"Oof. You could be more gentle about that, luv," T'yari chastizes gently as the green lands rather bumpily, set upon shaking up her rider in more ways than one. Then: "Oh. /Figures./" T'yari's spotted the others by this time and let out a small sigh, muttering, "I said I'd rather /not/ be around people, Nediath." He does, however, put on a wan smile and call his own subdued greetings while shimmying down from his perch: "Hi." Nediath's the more vocal of the pair and croons a warm, whimsical note; anyone who flatters her earns good things in her book. T'yari shoots Anson a startled look before turning a more wary one upon Catriona. "What?"

Check. Another notch is added to the mental belt Catti keeps. Another point with Nediath. They're surely going to come in handy eventually. Grinning cheerfully, she calls to Anson, "Oh, Rei and Nedi get along famously, they really do. And Yari's not so bad, when you get to know him." To the other greenrider, she explains, "Anson was asking if I had to weyrmate someone, who would it be." That's allowed a moment to sink in, before she teasingly reassures, "But he just misunderstood. I called hello to you before I could answer him. Don't worry."

Anson eyes both greenriders before chuckling softly. "If I was still the way I was a couple sevenday ago, I'd be so scared of you both, I don't think I'd be able to get out of the water. Luckily, however, you two don't intimidate me any more. Proddy or not." he comments, though he does eye Nediath's lifemate wearily.

Nediath happens to have an incredibly short memory, however, along with a propensity for changing her mind just to be contrary. For right now, she's content to slink closer to the water, lounging around; the message's clear when T'yari glances back towards her in the hopes that she'd like to carry him off into the wild blue yonder -- she's not going anywhere. So, with trepidation, the greenrider turns back to the other two and tries not to sputter or blush too badly. "Uh huh. /Thanks,/ Cat." This last is said with a faint, bemused hint of sarcasm, although he accepts the latter explanation with a cautious nod. Anson is just given a dirty look.

"Nothing to be scared of, Anson. All of the other guys seemed to actually rather like being around me," Catti remarks, oh so innocently. "You're welcome, Yari." Nevermind that smug look in her eyes, the one regarding the fact that she neatly avoided answering just whom she'd weyrmate. And if it's asked again, she'll be just as slinky and stubborn as Nediath in sidestepping the answer. "Just /what/ have you been oiling Nediath with? She's gleaming like one of the stars Zaedrial was going on about earlier..." When one is dealing with a short memory, one packs in as many compliments as is possible.

Anson wrinkles his nose back at Catti. "I'm not scared, I told you." He rolls his eyes at Catti too, "You're not my type Catti. I prefer non-flirting -women-." He says pointedly while glancing at T'yari again, before glancing at Catti, "So trust me, even if I -did- think you're cuddeable, it's not like I'd do anything about it. I'm just a candidate."

"*I* like being around you, Catti!" Wow. Gretchen's voice was heard before any thunking. That's new, yes? But when her form comes into sight, edging around Nediath in the process of getting to the pool's edge, it's clear she's not *wearing* boots. She's in that midnight-blue bikini again, with a towel draped over both shoulders. Nevermind it's evening. She's Gretchen. She gives T'yari a once-over, and then sniffs once. "He's alright. I guess." Gaze sweeps to Anson, and she smirks playfully. Be afraid. "Anson, on the other hand..." Tease, tease.

"Catti scares me," T'yari remarks, putting in his own small opinion. So does Anson, for that matter. He switches over to a relatively safer topic, though, peering back towards Nediath briefly as she smugly shows herself off. "Normal oil?" he states. "Yeah. Normal. She's just...normal." You know. Non-proddy. Yari, meanwhile, inches a little bit farther away from that candidate. If there's anything he'd not like to be reminded of, Anson managed to hit it right on the nose. Gretchen provides a welcome distraction, though, and he quirks a vague half-smile in her direction as she appears before promptly blushing.

Wait just a minute, there. -Women-? Stressed like that? Eyebrows shoot up, quirk into surprised and disapproving arcs at Anson's comment. "Anson, on the other hand," Catti drawls slowly, "Obviously has no idea of what he's talking about. Frankly, candidate, you're too young, inexperienced, and lacking in any sort of common sense for me to even cuddle with." Ouch. Gretchen is given a welcoming smile directly afterwards, along with a chipper, "Lovely outfit, that. I have a white one just like it. Doesn't she look lovely, Yari?" As for scaring anyone... well, she just ignores that nonsense. In Catriona's World, she is Adored. Worshipped. Loooooooved.

Anson grins at the greenrider studmuffin before glancing from him to Greta. "Gretchen! Don't encourage the greenriders!" he rolls his eyes as he enjoys the water. "I do know what I'm talking about. I'm just stressing the fact that I don't like guys." he states, eyeing T'yari again before glancing in Gret's direction, "How're you doing anyways, Gretchen?" he asks the other candidate.

Gretchen flicks her eyes to that greenrider, the blushing one, and one eyebrow stretches upwards. Blushing, hm? She could play around with that. Indeed. "Why would Catti scare any of you? *I* think she's just perfect." So there. Look at that. Her tongue even pokes out. Mature? What's the fun in that? Towel slips from shoulders to ground, and she herself slips into the pool's water, back pressed against its edge. "I'd cuddle with you, Catti, but...I'm a girl." Sage-like nod, and she again turns her gaze to Anson. "Encourage them? But...but...it's *fun*." And that's the name of Gretchen's game. Fun. If she can't find it, she'll make it. "How am I doing? Fine, Anson-dear. Just fine. Hearth duty, but...it was alright. What about you?"

Too bad T'yari doesn't inhabit Catriona's World. Anson is awarded a faintly superior look, and although Yari doesn't vocalize it, his tacit commentary runs along the lines of: hah. So there. "Who said I liked guys?" the greenrider snaps defensively, shooting a small glower towards Anson before allowing his attention to drift back to Gretchen, obligingly replying for Catriona: "Yeah, sure." Blush. Blush. "Um. A lot." An accusatory look is directed towards the other greenrider, but he doesn't elaborate.

"Uh-huh." Pardon the skeptical tone from Catriona's corner, following Anson's explanation. Shifting around, she nestles into the hollow between the base of Rei's neck and both stretched forelimbs, curling up just as comfy as you please. "Perfectly alright, Gretchen, I understand. And thank you." See? Catti's perfect! Beaming with pleasure, the rider folds her arms across her chest and just basks in the glow. "Psst... Yari... you can come hide over here, she's wicked good with that towel," she hisses a moment later, grinning and gesturing the other rider over.

Anson shrugs again to Greta, "Laundry detail again, Gret. And stop calling me Dear!" As the stablehand-candidate watches the male greenrider, the candidate blushes lightly as he hears him. "No one. I just thought..." he pauses, frowning, "If you don't like guys, then you like women? What woman do you like? Or do you like anyone?" he asks the male greenrider with a grin.

"Oh, good. You know, if I was some oh-so-handsome brownrider or something I'd cuddle with you." A nod, and Gretchen's smirk returns. That Evil smirk. It's patented, you know. "Towel? Me? Naaah." Sure. Nevermind she's keeping close to it. It's within reaching distance, matter of fact. Anson is granted her attention again, and she rolls her eyes expressively. "I'll call you dear forever and ever, Anson...*dear*." So there. Again. At her fellow Candidate's run-on questions, an eager glance is offered to Yari. "Yes. Answer them all." Now.

"What?" Discomposed, T'yari considers Catti for a minute with a perturbed expression. "What are you talking about? Towel?" The poor innocent greenrider hasn't the faintest clue exactly what she's talking about, but he does step towards Catriona like the good, guileless rider he is. He pauses, pivoting, to flush as he hears Anson's words. "What --I --but--/bah./ I don't have to tell you anything." Hmph. "Don't ask me anything." Because if you pester him long enough, he's liable to break. He's notoriously bad under pressure. Unless Nediath decides to help. But she's lounging around and not paying much attention to the perils her lifemate's in. "No!"

Catriona is hardly about to admit that she was waiting with bated breath to hear Yari's answers too. Not surprising that he's putting up a fight. So... she jumps in, with characteristic Catti cajoling. "Oh, it's all in good fun, Yari. You know... " A scheming look is given Gretchen. "This could be fun. Yari tells, then someone else tells a secret." Plastering on her most earnest expression, she presses a hand to her heart and adds, "But we all have to promise not to let anything we say go beyond the boundry of this pool."

Anson raises a brow at the other candidate, "If you were a brownrider you'd cuddle with me, Gretchen?" he asks the boot-stomping candidate before glancing to Catti. Squirming, he agrees with a quiet "Alright...alright...As long as T'yari starts. He has to tell us who he likes..." he states to everyone.

Gretchen is all up for games. Games are good. Games are fun. And now we all know what Gretchen's 'take' on fun is, yes? "Oh, what a splendid idea, Catti!" She'd use words like 'splendid', too. Anson is granted a curious look, and she shakes her head rapidly. "Not *you*. Catti. And yes...Yari should go first. So go. Now." This time she *said* it. Oo and stuff. "This'll be fun." There's that word again.

"No!" Whimper. T'yari shoots a pleading, plaintive look towards Catriona, finding this the perfect time to bring up, "Remember your promise?" Hah. He knew that'd come in handy some day. "I'm not going to play," he protests. "And I'm not going first." Rebelliously, he adds, "It will not be fun."

Catriona, being highly cuddleable, awards Gretchen with another beam. But all too soon she has to turn back to convincing Yari that this really would be good for him. "I remember my promise. And I'm changing my mind." Being female and all, she's allowed to do that, right? "Besides, this doesn't count as flirting, this is just fun, like Gretchen said. Just tell, Yari, and then Anson will go, and then Gretchen... really, it's not as if we haven't heard secrets before."

Anson sighs and soon announces: "If T'yari's not going to go first, I'd be willing to go first if someone wants to know a secret or two of mine...Granted, they wouldn't be as juicy as T'yari's, but it's still a secret." he eyes Catti, "If you're here, you'll have to participate too, Catriona."

Dragon> Nediath senses that Reiseth creeps into the periphery, all sweet sunshine and swirling mist. << Nediath? Catriona wants to ask a really, really big favor of you. >> While Reiseth may not approve of such tactics, her rider obviously is not above using them. Provided a certain green doesn't turn ornery.

Dragon> Reiseth senses that Nediath is curious and so decides to play along -- for the moment. << What favor would that be? >> she inquires lazily, responding with a drizzle of honeyed tartness and a tangy mixture of sugary mint and sour apple-green. << I could consider it. >>

Dragon> Nediath senses that Reiseth is anything but tart. She's the sweetening they put into bubblies to cut that acid. Poor dear. << She's so curious about what your lovely T'yari would answer to that question, she was wondering if you could... nudge him, just a little? >> Even asking obviously leaves a foul taste in the green's mind, but she's such a pushover when it comes to properly phrased requests.

"No!" T'yari practically wails. "You're not supposed to change your mind. You can't go back on a promise." He scowls over at the other greenrider, snapping, "Then I won't give you lessons. /Or/ ever give you an answer." People who break their promises aren't worthy of lessons or answers. "No. No. No." He's getting better at this refusal thing. He waves a hand towards Anson. "Make him do it. Not me." Vindictive, he adds, "Or maybe /Catti/ should give away all her secrets."

"Of course I'm participating." Catriona flashes an easy grin. "Not that I have many secrets. I talk /way/ too much, or so I'm told." Wink wink nudge nudge. "But I'll answer any question put to me." She's a champ that way. Casually swinging a foot, back and forth, back and forth, the greenrider looks to T'yari and quirks a questioning brow. Is /he/ game? "Anson said he'd go first, Yari. Maybe you just need to listen a little, and /then/ you can answer?" she suggests sweetly. "I won't demand those lessons if you play along..."

Dragon> Reiseth senses that Nediath slides from sweet to sour as she considers, mulling the inquiry over and prolonging any response in an effort to make Reiseth as anxious and ansty as possible. At last, after sufficient deliberation, she replies, << Weeeell.../maybe./ Maybe just a little. >> She pauses, then coyly phrases a question of her own. << Although I don't see how it makes much difference now, anyways. >>

Anson sighs, shaking his head. "I didn't say that you wouldn't do it at all, T'yari. I just want you to feel comfortable that we won't let these secrets go out of the waterfall pool." he nods again to the coaxing of the other greenrider before looking to T'yari, "Is that better? I'll answer any question asked to me and then you can go, T'yari."

Dragon> Nediath senses that Reiseth actually manages a mental fidget, all sorts of little white-sparky impulses jumping here and there as she awaits the answer. Honestly, this is just /horrible/. << Oh, you're so very nice, Nediath, really. Thank you. >> Now maybe her rider will let her nap, instead of having to.. uhoh. << Well, she gets so very curious, and it just /eats/ at her. It's not a nice feeling, really... >>

T'yari is a push-over. Especially when Nediath starts pushing, too. "Well -- I'll play, but only if that's not one of the questions," he states stubbornly. They'll just have to find another way to get him to unknowingly drop clues. Or phrase it in a different way. Yari eyes the other greenrider. "You won't?"

Gretchen flicks her eyes to Yari, and sighs lightly. Pout. Whimper. Quivery bottom lip. "*Please* play, Yari?" she croons, scratchy voice carrying a smoother tone then usual. "So someone ask him a question already," she demands once he's agreed to play. Fun. Oh, fun! "I'll do it," she volunteers suddenly, eyes narrowing upon that greenrider's form. Watch out. Pick someone else to ask you.

Catriona nods in a most emphatic manner. "I won't." Of course, she has the memory of her dragon, and is prone to going back on promises, so who knows how long that'll last? "I think Anson was going first," she reminds Gretchen with a soothing chuckle. All things about Yari will be known in good time, ahhh yes. Have patience, young one. "Do you need a question, Anson, or did you already have a secret in mind to share?"

Dragon> Reiseth senses that Nediath is won over by the compliment in the end, and her tone slides into a more vibrant range. << Don't mention it, honey. I just couldn't let you suffer. >> Yeah /right./ << Oh, yes, well, I see. However -- I don't see how that's really fair to my dear T'yari. >>

"But..." T'yari is left groping at straws. "Yeah! What she said." He nods towards Catriona, relieved. "I'm not going first. And...uh..." Does he /really/ want Gretchen asking a question? Or anyone else, for that matter; they're all pretty awful.

Dragon> Nediath senses that Reiseth's poor quivering mind is strengthened with a good ol' dose of proper nudging from guess who. << It could be that my Catriona has her own secret to share, if she hears what he has to say. But she does want to be sure, first... >> Sure of what? That's left dangling, tantalizing.

Dragon> Reiseth senses that Nediath can't resist. << Sure of what? >> the gossip-monger asks, vocalizing what was left unsaid and smoothing down her peppered tone with an extra dose of liquid sweetness. << You can tell me, dearling. I'll never tell. >>

Dragon> Nediath senses that Reiseth retreats into precious etiquette. << Oh, I don't know if it would be proper to tell. I'm so sorry, Nediath, but Catriona might be upset with me and I do /so/ hate to make her upset. You know how unpleasant that can be. >>

Dragon> Reiseth senses that Nediath dismisses that idea with a swift brush of disapproving lime. << Oh, she'll never have to know. You just tell me and don't tell her. She won't suspect. And neither will mine. It'll be our own little secret. >>

Dragon> Nediath senses that Reiseth is just so terribly indecisive, this being a matter of manners and whatnot. << I'm not sure, it just doesn't seem polite at all to talk behind their backs. I'm sure you understand, you're so very smart about such things, Nediath. >>

Dragon> Reiseth senses that Nediath is a master at getting what she wants, however, and pulls out another of her tricks: guilt. << Ah, but if I tell you, then that's not really fair. I don't think that my dear lifemate would want you and yours to know, after all. So if I'm going to help you out, don't you think I should get something in return? That's only fair. >>

Dragon> Nediath senses that Reiseth is highly susceptible to guilt, no matter what sort of mental struts her rider may be propping her up with. Hesitating only briefly, she finally gives in the misery of one who is surely going to get into trouble. << You're right, of course. But I thought you knew that Catriona wanted to know which your rider liked, since she was so fond of him. >>

Gretchen almost seems to sulk at Catti's 'info' as far as the question-asker goes. "Oh, fine. Anson can go." Sulk. Pout. She's so good at them all. A wonderful array, yes. "I wonder who'll ask mine," she mutters, idly, tone absent. "I wonder who'll win that bet. About the eggs. Maybe you, Catti. Or Alyssa. Or..." Hm. More idle pondering.

"Oh, I always win," Catti remarks, all airy and such. That kind of overconfidence just has to be a sham. Right? "How about you, Gretchen? Any good secrets lurking around behind that pretty bikini?" Ooooh. Naughty, naughty Catriona. Grinning, she ammends, "I mean in your head."

Dragon> Reiseth senses that Nediath probably forgot. She does that a lot. << Ooh. Do tell. So. Your Catling likes my dear little Yari? >> Just wait until she dangles that in front of Yari.

Dragon> Nediath senses that Reiseth is shocked. Just shocked. And here she thought her lifemate was being far, far too blatantly obvious. << Of course she does, Nediath! That's why she wanted dance lessons. And got him a present. >>

T'yari ponders Catriona's statement for a minute, eyebrows quirking upwards faintly. "Do you?" No, there's no suggestion attached to that. "Maybe I don't want to play," he reconsiders, rather scandalized.

Dragon> Reiseth senses that Nediath must've forgotten all about that. It doesn't help any that her lifemate is completely clueless when it comes to innuendos. << /Really./ >> It just gets better and better. << Oh. >> Nediath feigns a yawn. << What did you want to know, now? >>

Dragon> Nediath senses that Reiseth ventures a tad closer, nudging up with a breath of cooling silver. Must stay awake, now, there are questions to be answered, and prompting to be done. << Not what I wanted to know, but my Catriona. She wants to know who your rider likes. She's trying to think of a good way to ask, so he'll answer. >>

Catriona's lower lip sticks out in a pretty poor excuse for a pout. It's hard to correctly pout when you're trying not to grin like a fool. "Really, Yari, you already said you'd play. You can't go back on your word now, that'd be... rude." Thank you, Reiseth, for supplying a rather weak description of what that would be. "It won't be so bad. How about I ask Gretchen a question, and you'll see how easy it is to answer... " Turning to the girl in question, the greenrider inquires, "In your heart of hearts, Gretchen, what do you think will happen to you out on the Sands?" See? Innocent question. Soothing, right?

Dragon> Reiseth senses that Nediath takes her tantalizing time, deliberating and hesitating before she doubtfully answers, << Now, is that really fair? I wasn't going to tell my Yari. And maybe I should, if you're going to go tell your Catti-doll everything I say. >>

Joncara enters the oasis-esque environs, leaving the bowl behind her.

"*Good* secrets? Well...there was that one time back home. In the haystacks." Gretchen's arms fold atop the pool's edge, and her eyebrows furrow deeply. "Hmmm..." The greenrider's *actual* question brings about quite a few rapid blinks, and an actual uncertain expression graces her features. "Um...well...I don't think I'll Impress." Chin lifts, and she nods once. "I don't."

Joncara bounds in carrying a modest supply of sweets, which she munches as she listens to what the 'old' people have to say.

Dragon> Nediath senses that Reiseth has to stop and reconsider. Really, it's so much easier to follow a script in social situations, but...Nediath is so good at shredding the least hint of a script. << I suppose it may not be completely fair, but she did ask me to ask you, and I can't lie to her when she wants tohe answer... >>

"You do it all the time," T'yari points out mutinously. "If you can break promises, so can I." The bit about his being rude weakens his resolve, however, and he fidgets for a moment before blushing again in respect to what Gretchen says first. Even though it's completely unrelated to him. "Mmf. Maybe this isn't such a good game."

Old? Hardly. Catriona has a whole 'nother month before she officially becomes old. So there. "Really?" she asks, cocking her head to one side. "Huh. Most candidates at least hope. I'll be cheering for you anyways." Gretchen is given another grin before she turns back to Yari. See? Not so hard. "How about you ask me a question, and then you'll be asked yours, and you'll be done?" Oooh. "Jon! Cmon over here, sweetling. What'd you steal from the kitchens this time?"

Dragon> Reiseth senses that Nediath probably believes that life would be boring if there wasn't some improvisation every once in awhile. It adds spice. << Sure you can, >> she replies, wheedling. << It's easy. Just say: dearheart, I'm just so sorry, but I just couldn't get any good information from that loverly green over there. >> So what if her scripting is tainted with the unmistakable ring of Nediath-phrasing?

Joncara grins and moseys over, offering Catti a frosted cookie. "Gotta whole handful of these." is what she says.

Gretchen is still all into the whole 'proud of her answer' mode, chin still lifted, eyes narrowed, eyebrows furrowed. Yes indeed. But Catriona's next bit of words gets another blink or two, and a genuine smile curls her lips somewhat. "Aaaw!" she manages, eyes moistening. With fake tears. She can't help it. They just happen. "*Thank* you, Catti," she offers, before attention slips again to Yari. "Yea. Ask her a question." Joncara is noticed then, and Gretchen practically leaps from the pool, but ends up halting, the edge of said pool digging into her abdomen. "You! I missed you! Can I have one?"

Dragon> Nediath senses that Reiseth is, once again, shocked. Not an uncommon occurance whenever she decides to converse with the aforementioned Nediath-phrasing. << Oh, I couldn't! I'd feel so horrible. >> A good three seconds go by as she considers the situation. << She would find out, I'm just sure of it. She would. And then she'd be mad at me. >>

T'yari probably looks like an overgrown teen with his blushing. "Um. I don't have any good questions," he declines. He doesn't want to know about Catriona's personal life and end up with more information than he bargained for. "I bet Gretchen can think up better questions." Somehow, he managed to learn the candidate's name; that's the nice thing about slinking around in the shadows. You learn names.

Joncara blinks at Gretchen, offering a cookie to her as well. "Missed me?" she asks, almost bewildered.

Catriona snags the cookie before Gretchen can make it over -- her cookie! -- and settles back to happily nibble around the edges. "Thanks, Jon, you're a dear. This is lovely... hmm? But you have to ask, Yari. Go on, just blank your mind and ask the first thing that pops into your head," she encourages, "And I swear on Rei's shell that I'll answer truthfully." Goodness, but she sounds sincere. This would be tempting to anyone who wasn't a complete coward about probing into personal lives.

Dragon> Reiseth senses that Nediath lets out a gust of forlorn sensuality, receding briefly before returning long enough to slip in a few comments. << She'd never know. And besides -- if she did, you could always blame it on me. I'm just so sorry, dear, but I don't see how I could betray my darling lifemate like that. It just wouldn't be right. >> Since when did Nediath ever care about what was fair and right? << But I can help you think up a good way to have her ask questions, maybe? >> she suggests. << And I could..prod. >> The truth comes out: telling straight-away is just too easy.

Gretchen nods rapidly, and continues to reach out for that cookie. "I used to be your Nanny, dear," she informs, but only ends up blinking again when her cookie is stolen. Watch out, Catti! Never get between Gretchen and her sweet things. "Hey!" Pout. But it's dropped soon enough, as Yari *again* gets this Candidate's attention. "Ask, Yari. C'mooon." More crooning, there.

Joncara frowns "I don't remember you from the crafthall."

Dragon> Nediath senses that Reiseth brightens immediately. Perhaps the situation is not lost at all, and she can avoid the dreaded Being In Trouble. << Would you do that? Really? You're such a wonderful friend, Nediath, really you are, I'd be ever so grateful. >> Gush gush gush. Nothing guarantees a grateful Reiseth so much as providing less distasteful options.

"Are you really never going to sleep with people again except for flights?" Well. That was blunt. And definitely not something Yari would normally ask. Indeed, he reddens as soon as the words are out, hastily adding on for self-defense, "You said the first thing..." Nediath takes interest for the first time, craning her neck over towards the people to regard with her own brand of amusement. And with Nediath, that always means trouble.

Joncara arches an eyebrow at Yari. Mmm hmm. NO COMMENT. She contemplates cookies instead.

Oh my. Catriona blinks, at first, at the given question, then slips into her biggest grin. "Well... you know, I was thinking about that not too long ago," she says slowly, choosing her words with gleeful care, "And to be honest... if the right situation presented itself... no. I'd definately sleep with a person, outside of a flight." The cookie being nibbled on is broken in half, one portion being extended towards Gretchen.

Dragon> Reiseth senses that Nediath can always find a way out if she tries hard enough. And besides - little is better than embarrassing her embarrassable rider. << Oh, oh. He is /blushing./ >> She relishes it and his internal consternation. << Have her ask something blunt. If she wants to know things about Yari, build off that question. >> She allows a moment for smugness. << I helped with that question. He wouldn't have asked if it wasn't for my push. >>

"Oh. Okay," responds T'yari in a small voice. He's not here. Maybe he won't be noticed if he wishes himself invisible. And maybe they'll just forget that he's next for the dreaded questioning.

Dragon> Nediath senses that Reiseth knows which side her bread is buttered on -- best to go along with Catti's promptings, as it provides the barest semblance of a script. Just ignore the tiniest of mental whimpering at being involved in this at all. << Catriona says it was lovely. She recognized your work... >>

Gretchen has disconnected.

Ah yes, the dreaded question. Catriona considers, letting the silence drag out into levels of fidgety anxiousness, as she continues to nibble on the remainder of her cookie. "Well," she finally says, "Let's try... if you /had/ to choose someone to win one of Nediath's flights, any rider, no matter what dragon they look to... who would it be?" Blunt, and yet subtle enough she can plead ignorance if called on it. Ha.

Dragon> Reiseth senses that Nediath relishes the praise, then dips into disappoint. << Oh, that's an awful question, >> she mutters. << He'll just make up someone. I thought your Catling could do better than that -- something like 'would you sleep with me?' Awful, awful. >> Cough. Nediath lacks the finer talents of tact.

Dragon> Nediath senses that Reiseth, stunned into absolute silence, can only boggle at such wickedness. Then... she sputters. << But... but... >> Pardon, while she relays all of this to the unfortunate Catriona.

T'yari doesn't like that question. At all. He'd probably like Nediath's suggestions even less if she would be so kind as to share her inner wickedness. He's spared that, however, and dodges around the question with the grace of an expert. "Oh. I don't know. I don't like flights," he informs. "They're just flights. And they're not real. They don't count."

Catriona /was/ awaiting Yari's answer with something akin to pure delight. And here she thought she was being clever. Then something causes her to actually choke on a mouthful of cookie crumbs, sending her leaning forward to sputter half-chewed sugar cookie onto the ground. Gasp gasp choke. It takes a minute or two for her to regain her breath, but when she does, her face is positively flaming. "Don't worry about ir, Rei, you tried... uh... so who would you choose if it did count?" Forget the whole one question rule. And ignore the unhappy look she just gave Nediath. Even /she's/ not that blunt. Mostly.

Dragon> Reiseth senses that Nediath thought it was a perfectly good question. << The only way to get a straight answer, >> she states severely, << is to ask a straight question. >>

Dragon> Nediath senses that Reiseth will just conveniently forget that particular life rule, thankyouverymuch. But, gracious as ever, she acknowledges it. << That does make quite a bit of sense, I suppose. But Catriona already does that so much, really, there should be limits. >> Good taste is not a passing fad, after all.

T'yari forgets that he's supposed to be trying to run around right about now to gaze over at Catriona with both puzzlement and concern. "You okay?" he inquires carefully. "Are you choking? Do you need to see a Healer?" But once she speaks, he leaves off that questioning, figuring out that if Catriona's well enough to speak, she's not in immediate danger. "But it doesn't," he points out. "So it doesn't matter."

"I meant who would you choose if it /wasn't/ a flight!" Coming that close to choking on a sugar cookie has left Catriona a little frustrated and short-tempered. She honestly should have thought of the right question to start out with. Better late than never, though. "/Really/ Yari... would you ever sleep with me or not?" Nevermind the little. And nevermind that she's really not an attractive prospect at the moment, covered in damp cookie crumbs and all red-faced like that. At least she asked.

Dragon> Reiseth senses that Nediath borders on indignance, informing haughtily, << I know how to make good questions. Do you really think that polite ones are going to get /anything/ out of my darling lifemate? Or vague ones? Or dodgable questions. Look -- he's dodging again. If you and yours were smart, you'd ask my question. Or if that's too much for you, ask...if he'd ever consider it. That's politer, isn't it? Or if he'd /like/ to sleep with her. Or... >> There's just too many good choices. << /Ooh./ She's learning. Congratulations. I approve. >>

Dragon> Nediath senses that Reiseth just cringes with each suggestion, ducking lower and lower inside of her own head. She doesn't want /anything/ to do with this. << It's so... so.... rude! Really. This just isn't done. >> In spite of the fact that it was indeed just done. << I'm just going to have to speak with her about her manners... >>

For once, T'yari doesn't redden. He pales. The dark complexion drains of a good amount of his coloration as he falls into a state of shocked silence. When the greenrider recovers enough to speak, he shoots an accusation towards Nediath. "She put you up to this, didn't she?" The green shifts and rumbles once in warning: if he doesn't answer, she's going to do it for him. So, helpless, Yari avoids looking at Catriona as he mumbles, the epitome of embarrassment, "Well, probably." Nediath -- also known as the dragon who doesn't have a home for a sevenday -- conveys her smug satisfaction with her lifemate with another rumbly sound. "Shut up, you," he snaps at her.

Dragon> Reiseth senses that Nediath positively gloats. << Who cares if it's rude. It gets answers, doesn't it? >>

It's amazing how a person can go from completely frustrated to ecstatic in half a second, if that. Amazing, but completely possible. Just watch the change in Catriona's expression if you're not a believer. "Really? Really? Ooooh! Thank you, Nedi, you lovely, lovely creature!" Catti vaults off of Reiseth's leg and actually does a scuffly sort of 'too much energy' dance. A quiet rumble -- of relief, let it be noted -- comes from her own lifemate. Yeah yeah yeah, so Nediath was right in this case. Rei is still going to claim that good manners should take precedence. "Thank you, Yari, I was hoping you'd say that. I didn't think you ever /would/, but I've been hoping."

Dragon> Nediath senses that Reiseth is back into prim mode. << Sometimes it would be better to go without answers. >> Pause. << But she's very happy. Thank you. >>

Catriona and her dancing scare T'yari. It didn't help any that he's already frightened of her and has just shared Way Too Much. Neverless, with another ire-filled look at his insurgent green, he is obliged to convey: "She says 'dearheart' or 'darling' or 'sugar' -- she especially likes sugar -- is her name, not Nedi." Nediath forgives this transgression, however; she likes being called lovely. Reiseth is awarded another smug look from the green while Yari attempts to make an escape, inching away from the greens and Catriona.

Reiseth ignores the look. She Is Above Such Things. Really. Showing just the tiniest bit of mercy, Catriona grins at the poor lifemate-afflicted T'yari and remarks, "She /is/ a dearheart. And so are you. But I really should get going now..." Could it be? She's not going to poke and poke and poke at this newly found weak spot? Looks that way. "It's late and all. Thanks again, sugar! You too, Yari." Tripping her way back to Reiseth, she clambers up onto the green's neck and adds to Joncara, "Don't stay out too late. Stealing cookies is one thing, but losing sleep's another."
Catriona steps up to Reiseth's bent foreleg as the  crouches low with a gently whirling eyes. Catriona swings up easily and settles between two neckridges.

He Who Says Too Much And Ends Up Being Traumatized blushes. He's very good at that. "Um. Um. Okay. Bye, Cat." T'yari makes the most of this non-exploitation before Catriona can change her mind and flees, ditching his lifemate; he'll manage to persuade someone to give him a lift. Nediath's officially been kicked off the ledge. That's what she gets for sharing things. Nediath, aka sugar, would probably purr at the other greenrider if she could, but contents herself with a honeyed croon.

Joncara grins and winks at Catti "I'll remember."