[PRP] Ellianarelle & N'var - Coming Home

[Dragon Berri]

It had been a long time since Ellianarelle had seen Western Weyr. She still wasn't sure this was what she wanted, but Thread was falling again after so long. She was a dragon rider, and as such she had responsibilities to her Weyr. Oh, she had wanted to shirk them. To stay with her troupe of entertainers, but Ashtoreth had other plans. Her precious Gold, as much as she loved entertaining, knew they needed to go back and join the fight.

To be truthful, Ellia hadn't fought against her much. There was someone at Western she worried about when she was gone. Someone who meant a lot to her, though she didn't want to admit he was anything more than her best friend. As Ashtoreth circled the bowl to land, Ellia wondered what N'var was up to and what he would say when she told him she was home to stay.

Home...it had always been a nebulous concept to her. She was born at the Starcraft Hall, became a journeyman at Courtesan Hall, and traveled with an entertainers' troupe for Turns. But Western Weyr was where she'd Impressed Ashtoreth and it was here that she felt the most comfortable.

Once Ash had landed, Ellia slid off her rather large golden hide, a thought which caused her darling to rumble. Large I may be, mine, but I am no less perfect for my size. The gold's chiding was full of affection and Ellia pressed a kiss to the shimmering head that swung her way. Of course you're perfect, my love, you're mine. Maybe you could find Licerth~? I'm going to find N'var. Ellia grinned, teasing her dragon. "See you soon, love."

Pressing another kiss to Ash's head, Ellia left her to her own devices to find her friend.  

[Thaliawen]

Licerth wasn't hard to find. The brown was often watching the skies in hopes of a glimmer of gold. Ashtoreth was a special gold; he'd made fast friends with her when he'd been a weyrling. He knew his rider had feelings for Ashtoreth's, too. And his rider's happiness was important enough that he kept watch.

And--that gold had landed! Was she back for good? Ashtoreth, you've returned! The grumpy brown couldn't keep the delight from his voice. I have missed you. Will you come swim with me?

N'var was more difficult. He was eating in the dining hall. He had mashed tubers and several meat rolls, and a bubblypie, but that'd been pushed slightly to the side.

Mine, Ashtoreth's is looking for you.

N'var wiped his mouth with his sleeve and looked around widely before running a hand through his hair to comb it. Ellia?! Where?!  

[Dragon Berri]

Ashtoreth huffed a breath out through her nose. She should have known he would be watching for her. Like a hatchling canine, that one. He wasn't bad though...for a brown. Greetings, Licerth. She sounded haughty, even in her own mind. She had to admit she was pleased that he had missed her...and if she were truthful, she had missed him, too. I would like that very much, she told him. Because she was dirty. Not because she wanted to spend time with him alone. Of course. Ahem.

She hadn't spotted him in the weyrs, so Ellia's next stop was the dining hall. Partly because she was hungry and partly because she realized it was about mealtime here. She paused at the door and looked around, smiling when she spotted him. He was looking around so Licerth must have told him she was coming. "N'var!" she called and waved both arms before making her way to where he sat.  

[Thaliawen]

She would?! Of course she would. Licerth took a calming breath and said, You may join me, then. Shall we meet on the beach? He was looking forward to spending time with her. We can wash there, not that you need it. Your hide is gleaming, as always!

N'var stood. He closed the gap between them. He didn't care about his meal now--Elia was here! Elia was here, and--he needed to tell her how he felt. He needed to tell her, and his tongue felt heavy in his mouth. Shard it. He wrapped his arms around Ellia. "You came back," he said. He wanted to say he'd always known she would; but no. He'd worried that she never would. "I've...really missed you."

He leaned in and captured her lips briefly. A quick kiss.  

[Dragon Berri]

The large gold preened slightly at the compliment. Hers did take very good care of her needs. Lead the way, she told him. It was only proper that a gold have an escort, after all. Plus, when they were finishing swimming they could sun on the sand. That might be nice...

Ellia grinned up at him, something she didn't get to do often especially when she was wearing heels, and hugged him tightly. "I missed you too, Navvie," she said. And then he kissed her. Right there. In the middle of the dining hall. She was surprised for a second, a bright pink blush covering her cheeks, but she just smiled and returned his kiss. "Missed me that much, huh?" she teased him lightly. Her heart beat so fast and hard she was sure he'd be able to hear it.  

[Thaliawen]

Licerth led the way to the beach. This is my favorite sunning spot, he said, gesturing with his tail to a specific spot in the sand. We can share it today, if you would like. Maybe not the most subtle dragon, but he did appreciate her golden hide. Ths water is nice.

Er. Yeah. He was surprised at his own boldness and hastily stammered out an apology, that would've continued if she hadn't returned his kiss. He was stunned for a moment, before rediscovering his ability to speak. "Yes, I did." Encouraged by the kiss, he captured her lips in another. He'd always loved her, really. For turns. He'd never had the courage to tell her how he felt.  

[Dragon Berri]

Ashtoreth followed behind the brown, remembering her home landscape as they went. It was good to be home, and she was glad Ellia had decided to stay for good this time. As much as she had loved traveling, with Thread back it was their responsibility to help the Weyr she was born in. Ashtoreth rumbled a response as Licerth pointed out his favorite sunning spot. That might be nice, she allowed. While the gold did have a preference for this particular brown's company, she was not about to make things easy for him if he wanted to win her heart.

Ellia laughed softly when he apologized. "I'm not," was her response, leaning into him as he kissed her again. "I missed you, too." She'd known N'var had always liked her but she didn't know how much until now. Ellia would readily admit that she'd found him highly attractive since they first met, but for two Turns they were unable to do anything about it due to first her status as a weyrling and then his. After that, she had still wanted to travel with her troupe.

But now she was home to stay, and they were both far from being weyrlings now.  

[Thaliawen]

N'var didn't know how to react, at first, when he pulled away. He stammered another apology. But wait, she wasn't sorry? ...Was it possible that she held the same feelings for him as he did for her?

"Licerth says you're back for good," he said. "If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to see you more."

Licerth continued leading Ashtoreth to the water. I like watching the water when the sun is on it, he said, It reminds me of how bright your hide is. Of course, seeing you next to it, I know it was a poor comparison. You are far more beautiful.  

[Dragon Berri]

"Licerth is correct," she told him with a smile, laughing softly. "After a welcome home like that, I should hope you would!" She enjoyed teasing him, but tempered her words with a kiss to his cheek. N'var had grown even more handsome during her time away...or was that just because she had missed him? Whatever the reason, she was happy to be home.

Ashtoreth cut a look to the brown as he led her to the water. She knew what he was doing, flirting to get in her good graces. You are correct, of course, I am much more beautiful than sun on water. Her tone was even, but she couldn't deny the compliments pleased her. A quiet rumbling noise almost like a feline's purr came from her chest.  

[Thaliawen]

"Where are you staying? Do you have a weyr yet?" What made him ask that? He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "You could stay with me?" He suggested, and then continued, "Our weyr is plenty big, and it's nice..."

You truly are. Do you want to swim?  

[Dragon Berri]

She laughed softly as he looked so nervous. So cute. "I just landed and came to see you first, so I haven't been assigned anywhere." Ellia smiled when he suggested she stay with him and Licerth. "Plenty big, hm? Big enough for my giant gold?" She grinned, wondering what Ash would think of rooming with Licerth.

I would love to swim, she said and slid into the water once they reached the edge. The water felt wonderful over her sun warmed hide.  

[Thaliawen]

"We might have to squeeze," N'var teased. He smiled at Ellia. "Plenty of room," he repeated. "And if not, they can give us a bigger weyr."

Licerth slid into the water beside the gold. Mine says when I was a hatchling, we'd come here and I'd try to catch the sun glimmering on the water. I know better now.  

[Dragon Berri]

Ellia laughed and hugged him, stealing a soft kiss. "I'm so glad to be home," she said. She really could not believe how much she had missed this place. How much she had missed N'var. "Can we eat? I'm starving," she said and grinned. "And I interrupted your meal!"

Ashtoreth snorted softly. She fully believed it. Young ones of all kinds do the same. She was not admitting to doing that when she was young. Not really. She was much too regal for such a thing.