Ista Weyr - Main Beach(#3773RJas$)
The famous black sands of Ista spread out about the great cove upon which the weyr has been built, gleaming under the rays of both sun and moon, like diamonds in their own pristine beauty. Caught between the brilliance of the deep, verdant greens of the forest, and the crystalline blues of the shallows, gradually deepening their colour deeper into the great ocean, the beach is no less striking, truly beautiful in its own way.
The hot, heavy rays of the sun reach deep into these sands, forever blazing underfoot, although the water remains cool and refreshing even upon the hottest of days, never quite reaching the point of being tepid. Off to one side, coming from the plateau, a small, thin waterfall, empties into a catching pool that runs off into the water through dark sand and pebbles.
The weather is clear, the rays of sun causing the black sands to be hot to the bare skin if one considers walking without protection - especially if they are not walking near the water - and Arisa is settled upon a blanket on the beach. A book is draped over her face and the woman is completely enthralled in whatever it is while also providing shade for her face. A plate of cookies is settled near by and occasionally she's reaching over to eat one. This prevents her from reading as the book closes when one hand is gone, however, she is rolling over onto her stomach to end this problem.
With the weather clear and the sun warming the sands, it's perfect conditions for an aged green and her rider to soak up some warmth and relax. Rysith lazily circles down, back winging a fair distance from where any weyrfolk or residents may be to avoid scattering sand onto them. There's a low rumble that ends in a gruff chuff as the green waits for her rider to dismount. The second Anoryn is on the sand though, Rysith is off, lumbering in a slightly slower gait to the shallow waters and settling down with a relaxed sigh. Anoryn is dressed for the weather in a sleeveless tunic and shorts. The hot sands don't seem to bother her much, though she is wearing sandals. On her back, she has a small bag with a rolled towel on top, which she promptly reaches for as she approaches Arisa. The plate of cookies is given a curious glance, a faint crooked smile coming to her lips. "Not often I see folk reading on the beach. Or eating cookies." Anoryn muses by way of greeting. Her own spot is picked it not far from Arisa and the towel is unrolled and shaken out before being spread over the hot sands.
Arisa is drawn from her reading as Anoryn approaches, fixating the woman with a pleasant smile and inclining her head in a way of greeting before she's shifting to place the book under an elbow as she nibbles her cookies. "The beach is a good place to read. Do you want a cookie?" They're all shaped like various animals and other cute things. Her gaze is then drawn to the green in the water, suddenly completely distracted. Her head tilts this way, and that before she's nodding her approval and reaching for another cookie. Suddenly, she remembers she's not alone and blinks at the woman. "I'm Arisa. I've not met you, yet, so it is a pleasure to meet you." A glance towards Rysith. "She's lovely."
"I guess it is, though I figured most would use it for swimming." While Arisa is distracted, Anoryn considers the offer of a cookie while settling herself comfortably on her towel. Eventually, the greenrider deems it harmless and reaches over to take it, smiling as a way of thanks, though the dragonhealer isn't even looking her way. The animal shaped cookie is giving a curious glance before Anoryn promptly beheads it. "Mhmm." Is all she murmurs at first, before finishing off the rest of the cookie. "Where'd you get these?" she asks, before realizing that Arisa is still distracted. Politely, she waits, a bit of a tense smile on her lips. "I'm Anoryn. Well met, Arisa." There's a bit of a chuckle. "Rysith sends her thanks." Truthfully, the green seems to be asleep from where she sunbathes. But that could all be a ruse.
"I guess that's what beaches are mainly used for, huh?" Arisa blinks, though still rather distracted from the tone of her voice. Another cookie is snagged and she nibbles there, staring out at the water and namely Rysith as she's there. Her head tilts a little more before looking back to the other woman and coloring a faint shade. "Well met, to you and your Rysith. She really is lovely, she looks to be in wonderful condition." Rather than let herself be drawn in by staring at dragons, she sits up to face the other woman. "I made these cookies this morning. I'm glad you like them." Brows furrow, briefly. "Are you new to the Weyr? Well, not that I'm not new, myself."
"Usually yes." Anoryn muses, giving Arisa a bit of a strange look when the girl drifts off distractedly. No doubt the greenrider is beginning to wonder if she's either shy - or has had too much sun. The attention she gives Rysith isn't lost on her either. She frowns, about to comment on that, but then Arisa is turning to face her again and the frown quickly switches to a smile. "She is, considering her age and all we've been through." Turning so that her feet rest on the sand and the rest of her on the towel, Anoryn leans forwards to undo her sandals, slipping them off one by one. "You made them?" she asks, sounding mildly surprised. "It was good. Though… why the shapes?" Clearly that seems to be the real issue. Digging her toes into the hot sands, Anoryn sighs a little, smiling crookedly. "I'm new to Ista, yes. Rysith and I just transferred." Glancing up to Arisa, she tilts her head a bit to the side, blue eyes studying the girl curiously. "So you're new too? What brings you to Ista?" Rysith continues to sunbathe in the shallows, half in and half out of the water. While she feigns sleep, the old green is no doubt well aware of what's going on, but chooses to simply remain quiet for now.
At this point, a very long distance down the beach a shirtless man can be seen to be walking along; wearing an old pair of khahki colored shorts and his hands in the pockets. He can't be very old, certainly no more than twenty and there is a content look on his face that suggests one who is well-adjusted with life at the moment. Being some distance off still, it will take him a few minutes of walking to reach the trio.
Arisa is just easily distracted, though the heat may add to it as there's a light flush of color to her cheeks. Luckily there is a skin of water near by, though likely warm from all the sun beating down on it. "I haven't actually swam yet, since getting here. I should." Poor swimsuit, going unused even if she's wearing one. "How old is she?" Her tone is entirely polite, no intention of asking the rider for her own age, instead she merely smiles and inclines her head in a sort of nod for her question of the cookies. "Mhm. I made them. The shapes are cute." Answered point blank, she doesn't seem inclined to answer anymore than that, leaning over to fetch herself another cookie. "I see. Ista's a great place, everyone's rather welcoming." She bites part of the cookie, then uses it to cover her mouth as she chews. "I'm new. I was sent here to better my skills as a dragon healer. I'm grade three, currently but I still have a lot more that I can learn. I'm lucky that I got picked for Ista, though. It's very nice here." Attention is again drifting away, starting with only her eyes before her whole head is turning to consider the figure that is walking along the beach.
With her toes still digging away into the hot sands (that can't be too pleasant, truth be told), Anoryn chuckles dryly. "It's not a requirement to swim, I think, at any beach. I was mostly just teasing." Which is true, given the greenrider doesn't seem to be in a swimming mood either. Arisa's question must catch her off guard, because Anoryn's gaze slides away from the girl to regard the "sleeping" green for a heartbeat before she glances back. "That has to be a first." Anoryn points out, with a bit of a smirk. "I'd probably put her at about forty one Turns now. Yes… that's about right." She admits after a pause, one hand coming up to quickly tick off some inner calculations on her fingers. Now a brow is quirked up and Anoryn is giving Arisa a long look. Cute? "That's your reason?" she asks, still unbelieving. Cute food? Shaking her head a little, the greenrider leans back onto her elbows, attention still curiously fixated on Arisa, no matter how unusual the girl is to her. "They have been rather welcoming. It's nice to be back in a Weyr." Now Arisa really has her attention though and suddenly a few things click into place. Anoryn grins, "A dragonhealer, hmm? Grade three is still quite impressive." So now she has someone to hunt down when Rysith's age catches up to the green. "Well, good luck with your studies then! Not everyday I casually meet a dragonhealer." There's a bit of laughter there, and the approaching shirtless figure isn't spotted yet as Anoryn's thoroughly distracted by Arisa.
Pity, Catallian has the bestest chest ever. Okay, so he really doesn't. He's quite pale, or would have been — he's actually pinkish colored now due to excessive sunburn with a long scar that runs from clavicle to navel on his left side. He's not really paying attention to either women or the green, just seems to be off in his own little world; feet in the surf and his hands in his pockets. Not a care in the world today, really. He comes within about fifteen feet of Anoryn before he seems to come out of the daze; smile fading. "Am I interrupting anything?" He wants to know. He peeks past the rider and the green, and catches sight of Arisa. He doesn't hesitate then — not for one second as he makes a sudden lunge for her in an effort to steal her cookies and make it three steps past her before turning, happily eating one of them. Apparently the dash was just for show, because he hands the plate back politely.
"No, I guess it isn't. But wouldn't it be something to say you have swam at every beach on Pern?" Arisa laughs at that, mostly to herself as she shifts positions and leans back slightly, one elbow propping her up as she's reaching for another cookie. "What's a first?" Confusion is evident but she's considering the woman's lifemate with a curious furrow of her brows that lasts for only a moment before attention is drawn back to Anoryn. "She is rather old, but she looks like she's moving fine. Entirely healthy." A firm nod of her head, the woman is pleased. "Mhm. Cute things are better to eat." Entirely serious, she smiles at the other woman before she's nodding idly to the comment about Weyrs - though it likely goes over her head - before she's focusing once more. "Thank you. I've worked hard to get where I am. I still have more to learn, I want to learn all that I can." A bright laugh and she sits up a little straighter. "I guess it is odd to run into us casually. Thank you for the well wishes." She bites into her cookie and then is blinking in confusion as Catallian comes running up and stealing her plate of cookies! And then he's handing them back so she merely stares at him before resettling it and patting her blanket. "Sit down, Cat. How did your meeting go?"
Anoryn says "That would be quite the boast. Not all of Pern's beaches are as nice as this… or as warm." Anoryn's attention is pulled away long enough from Arisa when Catallian asks his question, the greenrider turning to glance up at the shirtless young man. "Not at all. Beach is a free place to mingle." She says with a short burst of chuckling. It's short because it's abruptly cut off by Catallian's sudden move to steal the plate of cookies. Even so, the greenrider has tucked her legs back up under her and now sits cross-legged on her towel, peering at Catallian with a wary, but curious look. But then Arisa's snagged her attention again and Anoryn slowly brings her blue-eyed glance back to the dragonhealer. "No one has really asked Rysith's age." She admits with a smirk. The next comments from Arisa earn a snort from the greenrider, though she doesn't seem offended, just a little awkward. "For her age, I agree. Though she's surprising me still." Anoryn admits with a shrug of her shoulders. Back to the mention of cute food, she frowns a little again. "Seriously? I figured food was just… food." She remarks a touch bluntly. When Arisa mentions her studies again, Anoryn politely bobs her head, a few strands of her grey-tinged hair falling forwards. "Good that you're so enthusiastic about your work." She says, with a bit of a smile."
"Nobody should be asking Rysith's age." Catallian chips in. "Everyone ought to know it's not polite to ask a lady her age." He seems to beam at Arisia when he says this, as he reaches for another cookie. "Is she going on about the cute food, again?" He asks Anoryn. He's grinning more broadly as he says this. He doesn't elaborate on it, but there is a certain knowing humor in his eyes that suggests he knows all about it. Then he just shrugs. "She likes it when you cut oranges into star shapes for breakfast." He says no more though, and flops into the black sand beside Arisa with a flumph sound. He takes a moment to stare back at Arisa, and then continues. "Eh, it went all right I suppose. Still only vauge hints of work and odd jobs here and there for coin."
Anoryn's gaze turns back to Catallian sharply and she gives him another long look, as if not quite sure he can trust him. Even after all these Turns, she's not relaxed around men, even though he poses no threat considering the age gap between them. "Oh, I don't mind." She drawls out, trying to appear casual and uncaring, even if moments before she was pointing out how odd the question was from Arisa. "I think I brought up the cute food part." Anoryn notes, sitting up straighter on her towel now and out of old habit, reaches up to push her hair back behind her ears. Her gaze darts between the two, the greenrider catching on pretty quick to the connection there. Unlike most though, she doesn't keep her opinion to herself. "I'm going to assume you two know each other?" she muses, a grin slowly creeping across her features. But even before she can get that answer, Rysith is suddenly rising to her feet, stretching out and then giving herself a good shake. There's a loud chuff given to her rider and Anoryn sighs. "Well, it's been fun and all." She says, slowly getting up from her towel and then reaching to grab it, shake it out and hastily roll it. Her sandals are reclaimed as well. "But I'm needed elsewhere. It was nice meeting you Arisa." There's a polite nod given to her, but also Catallian and then she's turning away, striding down the beach and towards her waiting green. Moments later, she's mounted and they're off and gone.
"I imagine some could be quite cold. Arisa laughs once more, but it'd be something fun to say." The dragonhealer finishes off her cookie, thoughtful. "Well, I was having a hard time guessing from this far away. I suppose it is an odd thing to ask, but… I like knowing, good knowledge for later, potentially." Her position shifts to draw her knees in, wrapping a single arm around her leg as she nibbles her cooking more. "Dragons are very interesting creatures, they're always full of surprises. People are, too, but that is an entirely different matter." Anoryn earns a smiles and tilts her head. "Food is better when cute." Entirely simple, she leaves it at that. Catallian earns a brief look from the dragonhealer, entirely blank faced before cheeks colors a faint shade at the mention of shaped oranges. And then the greenrider is heading off and she waves a farewell. "And you, take care you two." Entirely cheerful, she reaches for another cookie and begins to nibble. "What work are you doing, Cat?"
Catallian actually doesn't have a whole lot to say in the conversation between Anoryn and Arisa. Though, he does nod to the greenrider as she abruptly dissapears. "Take care." He says to her and then rotates his head to look at Arisa with a bit of a cheeky grin, though it fades as he stretches out on the sand. He really is quite badly sunburned. "Oh, right now helping out the smith craft by sorting ore. It's boring and stupid but at least it gives me some money of my own." The frown increases. "Did I, uh. Did I interrupt something and scare her off or something? She kind of left a little abruptly after I came here."
Arisa returns his cheeky grin with her own before slowly stretching out on her blanket. "You should get some numbweed for your burn if it starts to bother you." She peeks at him before her arm crosses over her eyes and she takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "Sorting ore? Are you sure you don't want to be my assistant? But, I guess if you're glad to do it…" The woman chuckles softly then peeks from under her arm. "Mm. Nope. It wasn't you. Maybe she was called. Or Rysith wanted to be oiled."
"Are you sure about that?" Catallian asks her; seeming to be rather concerned about it. "I'd hate to think I smell or I said something wrong or the like. I'm still getting used to Weyr culture and always worry that I'm going to put my foot in my mouth somehow." Her question gives him a little pause. "I, uh." He is hesitant in the extreme. "I really like you, and that's why I don't want to be your assistant, because if I'm your assistant I'm going to screw things up or something won't be right, and we're going to have something to argue over and I'd rather not have to worry about not only saying something stupid but doing something stupid too." He tilts his head, face concerned as though he was saying something he was expecting to offend her.
"I'm quite sure." The tiny dragonhealer laughs, "you don't smell or anything. I don't think you've really put your foot in your mouth, yet. But, don't worry so much. Holds are a lot more strict than Weyrs, and they won't really care so much." Her head tilts again to consider him, her arm shifting away from her face and Arisa grins at him. "I told you I'm not going to be mad if you mess something up. I promise. But, I'll respect your decision." She shifts over, wiggling closer and then holding out a cookie for the younger man. "Don't look so worried."
Catallian looks left. Then he looks right. Then he looks left and right again to make sure that nobody is watching and reaches out with his teeth to pluck the cookie from the other's own hand. "I know that you said that, but still. I worry alot." Yes, yes he does. He worries about everything. It would probably be endearing if it wasn't so damn annoying at times. He's still thinking though, and finally he blurts out what he has in mind the way he always seems to. "I was worried it would be strange talking to you, I'm glad it isn't. I think I'm finally relaxed and comfortable, and happy. I might even stay around Ista. I'm finding, not just yourself, but most of the people one meets are quite friendly."
Arisa laughs as he takes the cookie with his mouth, grinning. "I know you worry. You're a worrywart, y'know." Though her tone isn't scolding she sounds quite amused, actually - and then she leans her head down to rest on the blanket, folding her arms around her head and sighing softly. Silence lingers until he blurts out, her head lifting so that she may stare at him. "That's normal." Her head goes back down and her eyes close, peaceful and relaxed. "That's good. I'd like for you to stay. People in the Weyr are welcoming, I've felt welcome since my own arrival." Her lips curl into a pleased smile. "Do you want another cookie?"
"I will probably worry until I stop breathing." Catallian says ruefully before he even considers much of what she says. He watches the cookie dissapearing from her lips as he arrays himself to lie beside her upon his belly; resting his chin on one elbow. His back appears more burnt than his chest does. "I'll pass on the cookies for now, I'm going to end up with a belly if I keep eating any more of them." This oddly seems a very legitimate concern to him, like it's something that really does worry him. "What's normal?" he wants to know. Did he forget what he'd said already? "I suppose . . I COULD try being your assistant for a day or two and see what happens, but . ."
"Poor dear. I wish you wouldn't worry so much." Arisa grins at him, then rolling onto her back and watching with her head in an odd angle. "You can work out, y'know. Running. It is how I stay small." Laughter slips from her lips and a hand moves over to poke him in the side. "It is normal for you not know what to do, or what to say after." She sits up again, peeking at him and then crossing her legs to fold her arms across them. "We could. I won't push you, though. You can do whatever you want, Cat. You're quite free to do whatever you want."
It is at this point that a small blue firelizard appears; carrying a tiny letter in his hind talons. He flits back and forth, looking for something or other but Catallian pays him no heed. "Oh, I know." Catallian is saying. "I'm free to . . yeah." He trails off, and then he looks out to the sea; thinking for a bit. "Can I stop by tomorrow night?" He wonders. "I'll make you supper, or something. I really am a good cook." He is about to say something else when the lizard spies him and comes along, landing atop his arm and dropping the note. "Hrm." Catallian says, unfolding it. "Ah, shards. It's a note from the minecraft, I need to go get to work. Unexpectedly heavy load and all that." He rises then, and looks hopeful. "See you later?"
Arisa is instantly distracted by the firelizard, tilting her head and then cooing softly in his direction. Catallian draws her attention again and she blinks at him as if she's forgotten he was there. "Oh, right. Ah. You can come over whenever. Tomorrow is fine." A laugh and she grins widely. "Dinner would be nice, you can gook for me." She promises. The firelizard draws her attention again. She coos softly again, then is drawn away once more. "Yes. Later. Have fun." She also offers a cookie for his departure before she's drawing back to lay down and stare off at something or another.
