Can't win score every time

Writers: Ang, Len
Date Posted: 10th March 2012

Characters: N'ki, D'ret
Description: The candidate quickly develops a crush on a tired bluerider
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 6, day 25 of Turn 6
Notes: Mentioned: S'vin, G'win, A'lin

Ever since his conversation with S'vin, Daret had been wondering about
bluerider N'ki. The man was positively gorgeous and apparently well
endowed but he was over twice Daret's age. Would he even be
interested in being with a candidate?

For days, he'd been quietly watching the man in the dining hall,
trying to see him in the inner lake when he was there and to generally
be around for any type of help the candidates were required to give
the dragonriders. So far, it wasn't going well but Daret was known
for his persistence.

Luckily, he finally got his wish to at least 'talk' to the man when he
was assigned to help the bluerider after Fall. His heart was
hammering in his chest as he quickly made his way to the man and his
blue who still reeked of firestone. Shells, but the man was still
gorgeous even when filthy.

Sliding to a stop before the pair, he shifted his hip slightly to the
right before he nodded. "My duty to you, sir. I'm Daret and I'm here
to help with whatever you require this evening," he said a bit
breathlessly and in a tone that had many of his lovers wanting him to
talk more.

N'ki, being on one of the larger blues, had flown out the entire Fall
and it showed in his tired face and posture. Once down from Veriath
he leaned against his lifemate's shoulder for a minute and took
pleasure in the simple act of breathing. Veriath nuzzled him and in
the background he vaugly heard Daret's voice. Rather a breathy voice
at that. Taking one last deep breath, he straightened up and turned
to look at the young candidate.

And look he did. This boy was a rival for Weyrlingmaster's Assistants
G'wen and A'lin in size though, like G'wen and very unlike A'lin, he
was slender and pleasing on the eye. Chuckling inward at the boy's
stance and voice, he asked, "what can I do for you kiddo?"

Daret blinked his big blue eyes and reached up to brush a lock of his
blond hair behind an ear before he smiled. S'vin did say he wasn't
the brightest bulb but who cared when the man looked as he did. "I'm
here to help you with whatever you need," he answered, eager to please
and hoping he wouldn't be the type to brush him off because he was a
candidate ... or too young ... or .. well, any other excuse he
couldn't think of.

He shot a quick glance at Veriath to see if there was any feeling to
get from the blue but he wasn't that adept at reading dragons yet.
Daret only hoped that the blue wouldn't talk his rider out of his
help.

Veriath had no intention of doing so. All he wanted--and he told
N'ki--was a nice bath and some sleep. **You always want sleep!**

N'ki chuckled at him and turned back to the lad before him. "You up
for helping get this blue beast washed? It's the one thing he's vain
about, his hide."

"Well, of course he is! Handsome lad that he is needs to look good
for the ladies now, doesn't he?" Daret said with a grin, more than
happy to help clean him up. It gives them both a chance to get wet
and things seem to … happen … when two bodies became wet.

"Shall I meet you at the inner lake? I need to get the supplies."

"Sure thing." N'ki grinned at the lad before he and his blue walked
away to the Inner Lake.

Flashing the man a brilliant smile, Daret spun and raced to get the
supplies needed to bathe the blue. He hadn't even asked for the
dragon's name and he hoped that wouldn't upset him. Daret generally
liked blues since they're the ones that most often ended up in his bed
after failed flights. He'd correct that slight the moment he
returned.

It wasn't more than a quarter candlemark later that he trudged into
the inner lake cavern with a welcoming sigh. He loved the warmth and
when he found N'ki, he made his way over only juggling the bucket and
brushes once. One of these days, he'd be able to handle everything
easily. "Hello again! Sir, what is your soon to be lovely blue's
name?"

"It's Veriath." N'ki chuckled, as the boy was certainly enthusiastic
enough. "You have any flits or anything?"

The large blue leaned down to nuzzle Daret at the kind words. He was
exhausted and it showed.

"My duty to you, Veriath. Let's get this done quickly, shall we? You
need your beauty sleep," Daret said as he stroked the blue's
eyeridges. "If you'll step into the water, please …"

At the question of the flits, Daret shook his head. "No, I never had
the opportunity to get one but I'm sure he could call some to help if
he wanted. Was it a hard Fall today?" He was worried he wouldn't be
fast enough today but his anticipation of potentially being with N'ki
kept it from showing.

"Very hard. Windy up there." N'ki took a moment to rub his face as
Veriath moved into the deep waters. His lifemate smiled as he felt
the blue's enjoyment of the hot thermal waters. In an aside, he added
to Daret, "we may never get him out of there now, you know."
Daret grimaced at the news of how windy it was. No wonder they were
so exhausted! "I doubt it. His vanity will override his exhaustion.
Give him a moment and we'll needle at that desire to look his best,"
he said with a conspiratorial wink as he set the supplies out in
preparation of Veriath's return. "You can head in to relax a bit if
you wish." Of course, he had an ulterior motive in seeing the
handsome man dripping wet.

"Thanks but no, I like to want to get this fella washed and
comfortable and then go have a drink with some mates." He waved at
his blue to come back to get washed.

Dejected, a look of hunger crossed Daret's face as he watched N'ki
call out to Veriath since he knew there would be no chance for them …
tonight. He wasn't one to give up easily though so before the
bluerider turned back to him, he mastered his expression and bent to
wet the scrub brushes. Someday, he would be in N'ki's furs … "Sounds
like a good plan. I'll be sure to be quick."

"Thanks lad, it'll mean a lot for Veriath." He clapped the boy on the
shoulder. "Ah, here he comes now. Let's get to work, eh?" He
grabbed a brush and some sweetsand, ready to wash his lifemate down.

Daret nodded, unable to speak because he was afraid of what he would
say. He worked hard to get Veriath sparkling clean and told N'ki that
he would clean up if they wanted to go. It was bitterly disappointing
when the rider and his blue did that very thing.

Last updated on the March 15th 2012

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