Participants:
| Date: | Jan 20, 2011 |
|---|---|
| Location: | EW: Lakeshore |
| Synopsis: | Kaskan learns more about Paerin's fragile temperment, especially when her brother's arrival sparks a drastic reaction. |
| Rating: | PG-13. |
| Logger: | Kaskan |
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS:
Kaskan
Thick wisps of ebony fall in half-hazard lengths to shadow rugged features, over-long layers typically in disarray as they feather pale blue eyes, flare about his ears and tickle the nape of his neck. Full lips precede a square-ish jaw, which often bears a dusky shadow of its own. Scars from too many fights mar what would be a handsome visage, most notably one that splices across his left brow stopping just short of his eye. A slight hitch ends his left ear in an oddly curved shape, though it's usually hidden beneath his hair. Darkly intense, his bearing is defensive and watchful, wiry muscles having filled out to create a solid, sturdy frame. Not overly tall, he is a grounded, immovable rock - just as thickly guarded on the inside as he is thickly muscled on the outside - a deceptive impression that suits him well for the panther quick grace that's displayed when he's on the move. —19 turns
Paerin
Paerin is at a decent height for a girl her age, not too tall but not too short. She is generally shorter than most men. Her hair is long and a little curly when not combed and brushed constantly. In the summer seasons her hair tends to a lighter color while in the winter it strays to the darker shades. Generally, though, her hair is a dirty-blonde as it hangs well to her mid-back. Her eyes are a bright blue, chilled and icy in appearance but bright. Her figure is slim, flimsy and not strong at all. There are hardly any muscles for her to speak of.
She wears a fine dress, modest around the neck as it does not dip in at all to reveal any skin. Around the waist is where it cuts in to a well fitting dress and then begins to taper off around her hips, flowing freely as it hangs. It is made from the finest fabric and is a rich shade of maroon. Upon her feet are fine fitting boots, clean and new and comfortable to wear. —15 turns
Harson
From under a playful sweep of black hair shine an azure blue as bright as cove's pristine coastal waves. There's mirth and mayhem in that steady gaze, enhanced by the sly curl of his mouth. Or perhaps it's the dimples. Struggling out of boyhood into the man he will be, he's still growing into the strong lantern jaw and often looks belligerent as he throws his chin out and puffs out his chest. Likewise his body is still growing and developing. Gone is the baby fat and the gangly growth spurt and has been replaced by the efforts of physical labor. Muscles have taken over where coltish awkwardness had been, though sadly the clumsiness has remained. What he lacks in grace he certainly makes up for in brute force; a veritable bull of a lad, still getting used to his strength and how best to use it, perhaps not the best combination in a seventeen turn old.
He's dressed in dark sapphire blue breeches and a clean, long sleeved tunic with a high collar. Silver buttons oak leaves embellished on them twinkle in the light. Thigh-high boots in shinning black leather clad his feet and a matching belt encircles his trim waist. On his shoulder he wears a knot of the weaver craft that shows him to be a senior apprentice. —17 turns
ROOM DESCRIPTION:
[ Eastern Weyr: Lakeshore ]
With the brightest of contrasts, what once was a desolate, dry and empty scoop in the ground is now a full and luscious lake. Water laps against the shoreline in a gentle internal current, while in the very center, it seems almost eerily calm. A small sign hung on the highest bit of twine states 'LAKE HOPELESS' in forcibly fancy script, yet there doesn't seem to be any apparent reason for the title. Maybe one of the residents knows.
LOG:
Morning is breakfast time, and once breakfast passes the kitchen staff normally begins preparation on lunch. But they'll be missing one staff member this evening, not that she was meant to be working in the first place. But, Paerin's shoes are notably on as she is settled by the lakeshore, skirt all neat and proper as she sits upon a blanket and is reading quietly. Not too many others are around and it gives quite the feeling of a serene area, even the girl herself seems to be in quite the calm and peaceful mood.
Kaskan moves along the beach with none of the serenity Paerin enjoys. His steps are quick and firm on the sand while he twists and turns in fluid movements precise enough to give the impression of long-practice. A squish of air follows the blur of a staff as it spins and twirls about his body, then is jabbed at the air with a gutteral grunt. As he nears Paerin, one particular turn brings her into his view but the force of his swing continues to cross the incoming tide and send a splash of water flying… perhaps in her direction.
Unfortunately, Paerin is far too lost to even consider looking up at potential arrivals. Most likely expecting them to keep out of her business and well away from her area. Serenity is not hard to shatter, not when there's a shrill cry following a certain splash of water in her direction. And then she's looking up and slamming the book shut to glare at the offender. "How rude!" Comes out first before she slowly registers who it is. "Oh… It's you."
Kaskan cringes and pulls the staff back, albeit too late. "Sorry 'bout that," he offers, planting one end on the ground and leaning on it. Breath quick, he swipes the other forearm across his brow, clearing his vision of damp, over-long bangs. His pale blue regard flickers over her sitting form, taking in the book and boots. "Skipping again?" he asks with a wry twist to his lips.
Paerin wrinkles her nose, turning it upwards just slightly. "You should be." Comes out in a harsh snap before she frowns and considers the lakeshore quietly. Then, notably she begins sitting less straight but still horribly lady like. "Skipping what, exactly?"
Kaskan takes an exagerrated moment to look to the left, then to the right. Casting Paerin a wink he says, "Whatever you were skipping the last time we met. Chores, I assume? Or is it just avoiding your brother in general this time?" Starlight limns his frame in a silver web, reflected off a thin sheen of sweat from his workout. Sleeveless shirt scoops low, as well his trousers are shorter in the southern style.
Paerin lets out a soft huff, "I work properly. I don't just do /chores/. I am not a child." There's even a hint of being offended in her tone before her eyes consider him. "I'm avoiding both of my brothers. One cannot face the fact that I am kissing and the other simply hates me." A soft sound comes out, close to disgust as she keeps her tone in a higher more annoyed pitch. "Says I will become like the lower cavern girls. And get pregnant. From kissing."
Kaskan is hard put not to laugh at that reply, but seeing her angry demeanor he turns the urge into a thoughtful-sounding grunt and lifts a hand to scrub at the back of his neck. No way is he going to get into a discussion on the birds and bees with this girl, even if her brother's seem to be botching the job. "Have you been doing a lot of, uh… kissing?"
Paerin rolls her eyes, "I know how people get pregnant." She snaps, "but apparently my brother doesn't and he is older." And finally, she slumps her shoulders and mutters softly under her breath before moving to open the book again. "I've done as much kissing as I've wanted to."
Kaskan gives his chin a jerk, habitual gesture swinging some ever-wayward wisps aside. A random breeze off the lake curls about the beach and it's occupants, picking at hair and clothing as it passes. "Why don't you explain it to /him/ then," he suggests with a straight face. "Sounds like he needs it."
Paerin sighs softly, "I'd rather not. He'd never leave me alone again and I'd never get any freedom… And then what would have been the point of coming here?" She sighs again and looks up at him. "I don't want to be trapped. Even if I keep doing it to myself." Though that is said even softer as she stares at him with an intense focus.
Having three younger sisters himself, Kaskan can relate. But he left home before his were old enough for such things, so 'annoying' still remains his most prominent adjective. "Well quit doing it then," he replies flatly, again with a pointed tilt to his chin. "Though seems like you have quite a bit of freedom to me."
"Why would I stop doing something I like?" Paerin returns softly, "just because at home it would be indecent and improper…" She trails off and wrinkles her nose. "I do. But you wouldn't understand."
"You like trapping yourself?" Kaskan clarifies, sensing a missed reference somewhere. "And you called /me/ weird." White smile flashes briefly amidst the dusky shadow of growth on his chin and jaw. "Guess that makes me uniquely qualified to understand, being a fellow weirdo." It could be the added adrenaline still coursing through his veins from training that has his sense of humor at an odd kilter this eve. Or a full moon. Something.
Paerin blinks and turns a dark shade of red, shaking her head. "No. I don't…" She mumbles, "it's… Hard to explain. And…" She gives him a look, frowning. "You are weird. You're the only one I can talk to and not feel like I need to be a brat around." Though that is blurted out before she's glancing away. "Weirdo."
All semblence of seriousness is lost as Kaskan barks a hearty laugh, deep tone echoing in the still night air. Casting his blue-eyed regard in a sidelong look of patent disbelief he looks her over again. "Are you saying this is you being /nice/? Good Faranth, save me now!!"
Paerin sighs, "I could get worse. I could be like mother…" She grumbles softly under her breath and quirks him a look. "I want to be nicer… But.." She shrugs and leaves it at that. "You don't care. So… Never mind."
Kaskan relents of a sudden, knowing full well the frustration losing control of one's own situation engenders. She has no idea how well. Lifting his staff from the sand he gives it a twirl and steps closer, dropping to the ground beside her. "I could use a break," he notes off-handedly, not asking if she minds. One knee crooked upward he sets a forearm across it, staff lain askew along his outstretched leg. Hesitating briefly he lets the silence grow comfortable, then says, "She can't be worse than your brother, eh?"
Paerin looks to him as he settles beside her, letting out a soft huff of breath but she doesn't reject his company or attempt to shove him away, merely staring at him for a long moment. "Mother… Is worse than my brother in the sense that.." That ends as she presses her lips together before continuing. "Mother thinks that I am fragile. That any little thing can make me mentally break down and start crying. She thought that I was horribly damaged by him getting married recently… Even though I planned my running away. Mother thinks that I deserve the best things and the most perfect things. That I should be married to a distant distant distant blood relative of some Lord somewhere. And that I should scream and cry and yell until I get what I want. She constantly does this to father… And my brother and she expects me to do the same. If I don't, then she acts like I'm sick or blames father for not getting me something I wanted."
Kaskan manages to wrap his head around most of that, something about a recent marriage itching at the edge of his recognition like it should mean something to him but he can't figure out why. "Hmm," he notes when she finishes, bobbing his head thoughtfully. "Sounds complicated. No wonder you ran away." One hand rises to poke at her shoulder as if testing, which he confirms with a serious expression that doesn't quite agree with the teasing bit of humor feathering a few crinkles about his eyes. "You don't seem so fragile to me."
Paerin wrinkles her nose, "it is complicated. And now my brother expects me to act like that. And if I don't, he gets… A weird look on his face. And when I do, he gets all… Like he always is and hating me. And I can't help but act that way most of the time because… That's how I'm supposed to act. Except you're a weirdo so I don't have to act that way around you. You already know my secret." Running around without shoes like she does. The poke to her shoulder only earns a slight blush from her and she shakes her head. "I don't want to be fragile. I'd rather be a boy…"
"Can't blame ya there," he notes with amused sincerity to her last. "Women are nothing but trouble. So I'm glad to hear you don't want to be one. Stay a weirdo and we'll get along just fine." His gaze shifts to the slow, steady rhythm of the incoming tide for a moment before he continues, "I don't know your brother, but I doubt he really /hates/ you. My little sisters drove me insane sometimes, made me so mad I'd wish them gone…" His voice hitches just slightly. Be careful what you wish for. "… But I never really hated them. That's just how it is with siblings." Breadth of shoulders rise and fall once as he shrugs, tone muscles across chest and arms shadowed now with the breeze having dried his skin. The cooling effect of the lake is one reason he likes practicing his drills on the beach in the evening.
Paerin gives him a look, her nose wrinkled just a little bit more. "I'm only going to be weird when we're alone. When we're not, I am going to pretend I don't even know you. Or… Or… If not that, then you can pretend you are my boyfriend. Hari deserves to be bugged a little more." She's still angry at him, obviously. A look is given and she shrugs, "I think he hates most women. I'm surprised that Healer even fell for him… He doesn't talk too much." Her eyes roll before settling on him again, watching him still.
Kaskan shakes his head slowly from side to side, tongue clicking softly. "Well that's a shame," is noted at first to the loss of her weirdness, but that expression is quickly eclipsed by the arch of a dark brow and doubt-filled amusement at her suggestion. At last - a name! No knowing any Hari, and not connecting it as a nickname for the man he's met just briefly once, he continues on blissfully ignorant. "Hates women?" he muses with no little amazement. "Is he into men?" If she mentions Jonavan then that'll clinch it. Being hold-bred, Kaskan hasn't much experience with such things but the whispers of what happens when a male bonds with a green are among the sordid hormonal tales of lecherous weyrlife.
"It is not a shame. You're just weird." And she'll continue to state this the whole time if he argues. Paerin folds her arms across her chest before laughing. "No. He married a woman! She's a healer here." Her expression reads: Duh.
Kaskan nods, not surprised he got the details mixed. "Ah, the other brother hates women then." His draped hand rolls once in gesture. "Got it." Caught up in good humor, he turns his pale regard to her, full grin suppressed in hopes of supporting the soundnese of his reasoning. "But it is a shame! You should be like me and not hide your weirdness. Dare to be weird all the time. Life is much more amusing that way." Not that he's had much to be amused about lately, but it sounds like good advice. Finally the connection strikes and he blinks, gaze narrowing and voice rising, "Wait… he married a healer recently?? Is /Bowen/ your brother?" Tapered fingers tighten around the staff on his lap unconsciously.
Paerin shrugs, "I don't like girls near Hari…" If that counts for him hating women. Her eyes narrow as she considers his logic, "maybe." But nothing more than that before she stares at him. "Yes. He married a healer recently." Pause, and then she nods. "Bowen's my brother and he hates me."
It takes a moment for Kaskan to soak that connection in, his mind going back over the things she'd mentioned previously. It didn't mesh perfectly with what he knew of the tanner, but then again, hers was a much different perspective. "Well I'll be a watchweyr's uncle," he growls. "If he hates you then that makes two of us. Yet more we have in common."
Paerin laughs, "because you were messing with his wife?" She teases and leans over towards Kaskan just a little. From anyone just arriving this morning, it would look like a lover's meeting at the lakeshore as the two are settled upon a blanket and Paerin is leaning in a little too closely to the man beside her. "We seem to have a lot in common."
Harson is coming along the lake shore is less than a good mood. Really. He carries a basket of bath-goodies including towels and scrubbies and a variety of sweet sand and even some children-toy-floaties. He hears his sister's voice first and cocks his head in that direction. What he sees doesn't improve his day. A blink and he sizes up the situation: Sister + boy-sitting-too-close = Trouble. The basket is tossed down to clatter against a rock that spills out the various items into the sandy mud. A couple wide strides carry him to the lover-avians and he fixes Kaskan with a dangerous glare. "Well, what's going on here?" He doesn't seem to mind that he's standing on their blanket and intruding on their get-away.
"She wasn't his wife yet!" Kaskan clarifies, spine straightening as he sits up a little. But as she leans toward him he crooks his head, adding unaware to the possible illusion by lowering his tone. "Wanna know a secret?" he whispers. Knowing they're alone he doesn't bother to glance about in case of easedroppers, but the nearby clatter of something falling stills his tongue. Blue-eyed gaze turns just as Harson arrives, lifting with casual nonchalance. "Who wants to know?" he drawls, fingers curling around the staff laying along his leg.
Paerin is quite oblivious to her brother, again, but not because she knew he was there already.. But clearly not expecting him to come out right at this moment. Especially when she's so enthralled with Kaskan. "I see.." And the mention of a secret has her leaning in just a little closer until Hari is showing his face and she's casting a look onto him. "Hariiii. You come at the worst times. Always!" It's a shrill tone of annoyance that she uses to snap at her brother and then, she's pulling Kaskan closer without any sort of hesitation and kissing him firmly on the lips. Rebellion at it's best? Or maybe just trying to piss her brother off for ruining her chances of hearing a secret.
Harson's eyes narrow, sparkling dangerously as he puts himself closer to Kaskan and the girl. "I want to know." He rolls his shoulders and makes fists with his hands dangerously, flexing them and then rubbing the knuckles of one hand into his palm as though to get it ready for action. "Do you know how old this girl is 'Sir'? I mean, I don't know who you are, but I can tell by your voice that you're not a boy…and I can't imagine you'd have this GIRL out here at the lake if you knew she was a child and not some lower cavern…." He makes a strangled sound as Paerin lunges in to kiss the stranger and reaches out for her shoulder to yank her away from him, "STOP!!"
Physical evidence doesn't weight much in Kaskan's favor. Having been practicing his drills when he happened upon Paerin, he's wearing a reed-thin, muscle type shirt that shows off more well-defined muscle than it covers. Southern-style, shortened trousers are loosely comfortable and cross-tied at the waist. Night's shadows make identification more difficult, Kaskan's dark features not helping in the least. If the lighting /were/ better, Harson might hesitate over the stark confusion that crosses Kaskan's expression. He just learned Bowen is her brother. She'd said the name Hari before but he didn't make the connection… to Harson, whom he only met briefly once in the bar. "You're…" he starts, but the rest is left unsaid as Paerin claims a well-placed kiss and negates any further possibility of speaking. Shock alone slows the guard's reaction. Battle is one thing, where his reflexes are razor sharp, but this is quite another!
To say Paerin had a plan after the kiss would be quite the lie. Especially not a sudden one like this with the "weirdo". She doesn't linger, however, as her brother is yanking her away from Kaskan and his hands are prying her's away. She doesn't try and cling to him, instead she's turning a glare at Hari. "I hate you! You're being such a child. Why do you always do this?! Why do you treat me like I can't take care of myself?!" More angry shrill cries though the rest is entire incoherent.
"I should drag you porcine-tied back to the cothold and FORCE you to get handfasted." Hari shakes Paerin
to get her to stop shreaking, glaring at her and then fixes Kaskan with a dark look, fired up. He isn't a practiced fighter, but it's not going to stop him from throwing himself into the mix all the same. "And what are -you- up to? Do you like little girls man? Do you know how old she is? What's wrong with you?"
Kaskan is on his feet the moment Paerin is hauled backwards, staff already in hand and arms braced to use it. "Let her go!" he shouts, not caring what the man's relation is to her. Shadows only add to the narrowed darkening of his expression, slate blue regard fixed critically on the other young man. Common sense would dictate to keep his cool and explain calmly what is an obvious misunderstanding.
Unfortunately Kaskan lacks all those qualities once his temper rises"Old enough to know what she wants and make decisions on her own and /not/ to be pushed around by an overbearing older brother!" he growls tauntingly back.
Paerin lets out a soft whimper at the shaking, but not letting that deter her. "No! I am not getting wed to that old ugly beast of a man! This is why I left and didn't tell mother!" All attempts are made to pull away from her brother, "I only kissed him because you made me angry! I don't love him or anything or want to have sex with him or anything! It means nothing!"
Harson releases his sister after the shaking doesn't do anything but make her whine at him. "I'm writing her." Oh, so much more he wants to say to his sister, but he's too mad to put it into words now. The assurance that she's not going to sex up the young man only seems to make it worse for him, perhaps he doesn't believe her at all. Then again, just because she wasn't planning that doesn't mean it wasn't on the other lad's mind. Hari's head tips to one side, his neck cracking slightly as he takes a step towards Kaskan, "So, you think she's old enough. But you're wrong, she's just a child and you're sniffing up her skirts like every other tom around these parts." Oh sure, what a way to flatter his little sister. He eyes the staff with a smirk but his attention quickly fixes back on the other's face as he takes another step closer fearlessly. "You better make damn sure that if you swing that thing, you make the strike count, cuz I sure ain't going to take kindly to getting clubbed by you for protecting my sister's honor."
Paerin's situation becomes clearer as she shouts at her brother, but that doesn't negate the sputtered choke that escapes Kaskan at her reassurances. Love? Sex? How did those come up?? He blinks several times beneath a thick frown. Confusion is swiftly swallowed up by spiking anger, the guard's attention switching back to Harson. "Making a damn fool out of yourself is more like it," Kaskan snaps back. The staff is shifted with a roll of one hand, silently threatening. "Spouting off about things you don't know. Just give me an excuse and I'll show you how hard it can count!"
"Like I care! She can't make me go home! You can't make me go home! None of you can! Bowen's wife," note she never says Cheusia, "would stand up for me!" Or, so she hopes. Paerin doesn't jump into the fray, however, being the frail delicate girl she is and what with the possibility of unsightly bruises, she remains carefully out of the line of fire, arms folding across her chest. "You're being horribly foolish, Hari. What would mother say if I wrote her a letter telling her that you made me cry? And that you've given me some horrid memories that have sparked my condition and now I am scarred?"
Harson gives another roll of his board shoulders, watching the weapon but not with the same sort of respect that others might have. "Oh, you call me the fool? I'm not the one out here making out with a little girl." Yeah, because that's what it looked like to him. So he waits there, bracing for the other man to take a swing at him as he makes fists of his hands, glowering. Frowning he looks over his shoulder, anger and disgust fixed on Paerin now, "You know what you would do if you found me out here lip-locked to some girl every time you saw me." It's not a question at all, "And you can just hold your tongue about your 'condition'. I can't believe you…." Yeah, suddenly he's seeing his sweet little sister in a completely different light. "Shards and shells." Throwing the guard the same disgusted look he throws his hands up, "Fine. I'm done with you."
Seeing Paerin's firm stance and that her brother isn't going to physically accost her anymore, Kaskan looses some of his initial anger. A glare is still firmly in place as he keeps an eye on Harson, more than ready to lay the boy flat if he has to. Fists are noted, keeping him on edge, but the more things are falling into the realm of sibling rivalry the less inclined he is to get in the middle. As Harson appears to give up he merely cocks a glance toward the man's sister, waiting to see what the sharp-tongued girl will do.
"T-That is completely different!" Paerin stutters out, cheeks going a certain shade of red but hard to be seen in the light. And then there's the guilt that completely rushes over her when her brother relents. "Hari…" It's a soft, dejected tone as she speaks and the walls break down of her trying to save face or put on an attitude. "Hari… I'm sorry… I was wrong." There's an obvious quiver of her shoulders as she begins to cry. "I don't want to go home. I don't want to get married… I just like kissing boys and… I'm not going to get pregnant…"
It would take a bit even to take down the un-armed Hari, even if Kaskan might think otherwise. Still, it doesn't come to blows, the disgust has replaced the anger and even the girls' tears don't do the usual trick on him. "'I don't want to get married'" He mimicks the girl in a pitched voice. "No, of course you don't. Because that would mean you have to be responsable for once inyour life. No, you want to play around with boys like they are a bunch of toys for you like some…." he can't even put the word to voice. "Well. Fine. Bowen was right. You're no longer my concern." He takes a step back, glaring at Kaskan, "Knock yourself out."
Kaskan turns the staff on edge, planting one end in the sand as he shifts to brace one arm holding it. No, it's pretty obvious now that he isn't going to need it. Paerin is garnering more of his attention, albeit in the form of surprise, at the sudden turn of emotions displayed. Still, his hackles rise at Harson's seemingly cold response. With a snort he shakes his head, then jerks his chin to shift over-long bangs from his view.
"That's not it…" Is her soft protest, "I am being responsible. I have a job here…" The cold dismissal only has Paerin letting out a soft cry, but soon muffled. There's no other response, no attempt to chase after her brother. And once he begins to take off, if he does, the sobbing begins.
Harson shoots Kaskan a look again as the staff is planted. Perhaps he's checking to make sure the swing doesn't come when he turns away from him and back to his broken little sister. His voice is quiet, "Responsable about work. It's not what I mean though." Frowning he takes a step back, head shaking, "I am sorry for intruding on your evening." Seems a little lack luster to say it now.
Oh no. Not the tears. Kaskan can't stand a crying female, even if she was just screaming moments ago. Now it's his turn to cast a look of disgust at Harson. Has the boy a heart of stone?? Voice tuned low with controlled heat he starts, "Paerin," while still looking at her brother but then turning to her, "Let him go. /You/ know the truth even if he doesn't wanna hear you out."
"I never liked any boys back home, Hari… I just…" Though Paerin gives up on her defense there, at Kaskan's prompting, and remaining uncharacteristically quiet. Only a slight nod follows in response.
Harson has a heart of stone and a head of brick. Must be a family thing. He grumbles to himself and picks up the bath things that he dropped, as best he can in the dark and walks off into the dark.