Food for Thought [Rekka]

[E]

The water dripped off the tip of his nose as L’nuo walked out of the lake toward his things. Running a hand over his face to brush off the water, he looked back and smiled as the brown flapped his wings showering the area around him. Now that your clean, don’t go getting dirty again. He sent to his dragon as he bent for his shirt.

Now why would I chose to get dirty when I could be sunning myself after such a wonderful swim?

“Ah but of course, Menith, whatever was I thinking.” The rider said out loud for nobodys real benefit. Laughing to himself, he used his shirt to dry his legs as best he could before pulling on his slacks. Drills had been done early and the rest of the afternoon given off. Why exactly was beyond L’nuo but he wasn’t about to ask questions when it meant free time for him. “Well since you said earlier that your not hungry, I’m going to go get my own food. And don’t you think of asking me to bring you leftovers.”

The brown gave his rider a look that spoke too clearly that the rider was obviously being stupid before taking wing toward his ledge. What would I want with YOUR food when there is a whole herd of beasts available to me? L’nuo did not dignify his dragon with a reply and instead laughed to himself as he tossed his shirt over his shoulder. Pulling on his belt, he picked up his boots and walked to the WeyrHall.

Entering the large cavern, he paused in the doorway to let his eyes adjust to the slightly dimmer light before moving toward the food table. Twice he stopped to slap a friend on the shoulder with a friendly smile and easy words. As he reached the table L’nuo found himself standing next to a familure female green rider and gave her a friendly squeeze on the rear before dishing out his food. The woman jumped and laughed at him before heading toward a table.

Tossing her hair back as she went, she shouted back, “L’nuo, you rascal, come eat with me.”

“My dear greenrider, I haven’t even my food yet and your already commanding me to eat! Give a man a moment!” he told her back laughing. Turning his back to her, he reached for a bowl and stub of bread.

[Rowen]

Most of the day had gone smoothly, there had been a minimum of problems and they'd easily been fixed. Rekka was enjoying the day, at least until she saw HIM walk in. Her immediate instinct was to run, to be anywhere but here. She saw him come in but a group of riders who had started drinking earlier that day caught her attention immediately afterward. They were getting loud, it wasn't uncommon, but this early in the day they really should go to their rooms before they did something stupid, or someone got hurt.

Rekka tensed and watched as they all seemed to notice her watching at the same time. They were all clearly beyond common sense and Rekka wasn't even sure they recognized who she was. The looks she was getting set off alarms in Rekka's mind, she resisted the urge to fetch someone stronger to help her squire the intoxicated riders to their rooms and stood her ground as one of them stood up and stumbled her way. His breath reeked of wine, and his words were slurred. "Why don't you come join us? Pretty lady.." Even as he spoke he started to reach for her and Rekka found herself backing away.

"You should go back with your friends to your rooms." Rekka said calmly, she knew where all the tables, chairs, benches, and every stool were set at. Rekka's mind ran through servreal options as she felt a chill sliding through her veins. Her focus was completely on the man wavering in front of her. Rekka could only hope he'd fall over drunk, but he seemed to have a focus on her as sure as her own.

"But the fun hasn't started yet. You should join us, it's going to be fun..." The words weren't loud and Rekka's hadn't been either. However the tables closest or those few who saw what was happening watched with curiosity. The words being too low for any to hear, none was aware of what was going on between the rider and Rekka. He reached for her again his reflexes were slower allowing Rekka that extra bit of time to slip out of his reach but his fingers grazed her arm sending goose bumps up her arm in alarm.

"Go back to your room." Rekka said more firmly even as she edged around a table and continued backing away only to bump into something warm and hard. Rekka jumped and froze in place, if it was one of his friends she was in trouble and would have to call for help, if it wasn't.. She just hoped they would understand what was happening.

[E]

L’nuo had finished dishing out his food and pouring himself a glass of water. Turning around, he found a peculiar sight. It wasn’t uncommon for riders to start drinking early when given half a day off with the following day a full rest day. In fact it was similarly common for them to harass serving girls while having a good time. Most girls, however, did not back away but rather enjoyed riders company. This woman was obviously not ready to enjoy herself with him as she continued to back away.

Turning back to the table for a moment to set his bowl and cup down, he turned back just to catch her backing into his chest. Putting his large hands on her arms, he gently moved her to the side so that he was squarely in front of the rider himself.

“The lady said its time for you boys to go to your rooms,” he said, his voice taking that solid, confident tone only to lighten instantly as he added, “Or have you already forgotten where they are with your lightweight drinking?”

Apparently the man did not enjoy the interruption as he took a moment to narrow his eyes at his prey being moved aside then to the man who had moved it. “Don’t you go buggering off with my women, L’nuo. You steal enough of our good women.” As he spoke he motioned back to the table with his fellows nodding a hearty agreement.

“I steal nothing that is not willing to be stolen.” L’nuo could not help but give the lady beside him a wink as he laid his arm easily around her shoulders. “Now as you can see, she’s clearly not interested in you rider.” Turning his voice into a mimicking one he added, “So ‘bugger off’ as you so nicely put it.”

[Rowen]

Rekka's eyes widened, and she felt like a small heard beast who'd just been spotted by a feline. She'd heard that voice several times, but never this close.. She knew much about this particular rider, and heard a few rumors, seen a few things for herself. But had avoided him, he'd been the one who she wanted to initially run from when he walked in, now he had her by the shoulder. Spotting his bowl and cup she looked back at the rising anger in the riders face and reached for the bowl even as the man drew back to hit L'nuo she splashed the contents of the bowl into the riders face letting the bowl drop to the ground.

"I said go to your room! I don't like repeating myself!" Rekka was startled at the loudness of her own voice... The whole room was firmly focused on her and what was happening and this made Rekka's temper flare, if the stupid man had just listening to her the first time none of this would have happened and Rekka could have remained nicely invisible and unnoticed by L'nuo, she'd after all been doing it for years. Now she felt too close to him for her own comfort. "Now who do you think you are?" The rider said turning his anger on her and Rekka found herself glaring.

"Rekka, your Headwoman, now get out before I have you removed!" Several drudges from the kitchens, and a few women of the lower caverns stood in the doorway to the kitchens watching the scene, a crowd was gathering, and this made Rekka even less happy. The man blinked at her his eyes focusing on her more clearly and he continued staring for a moment. Rekka lifted a hand and pointed toward the door. "NOW! And take your friends with you." The man stared a moment longer before he started trudging off wiping sauce from his face and noodles from his shoulders.

Rekka gritted her teeth as she watched him and his comrades leave a space was cleared and they left. The room was deafeningly quiet. Rekka turned on them with narrowed eyes that sent the room into a loud bout of talking. Kneeling Rekka picked up the bowl and started putting the noodles back into it to make cleaning easier. "Sorry, he wasn't in a listening mood." She didn't look at L'nuo when she spoke to him but remained focused on picking up the noodles.

[E]

The brown rider had raised his eyebrows as he heard her give her title and name. Thoughtful for a moment, he let his arm slide off her shoulder as she moved. Hadn’t the headwoman been an older lady? Unsure now, he knelt beside her, his fingers scooping up the messy noodles to put in the bowl even as he took it firmly from her hands.

“Let me get this for you.” He said, picking up another small wad. Turning his smile to her, he sat a little straighter on his heels. “You know, last I checked the headwoman was a little older.” His voice was light and teasing as he finished with the noodles and stood, never taking his eyes off the pretty lady in front of him.

The standing motion seemed to be enough to let his rolled shirt slide over his shoulder and to the ground. He stooped for it easily and as he rose again to throw it once more over his shoulder he gave the woman a good look. She was dressed simply, but it was obvious to tell she had been working in her clothes. Her hair too, was a bit of a mess, but it only seemed to make her more womanly in his own eyes. In fact, despite the clothes, the woman before him was not skinny but not fat either. Just enough meat on her bones to give her a figure he bet was hiding beneath.

[Rowen]

Rekka jumped at his voice and as he took the bowl from her she had to fight the urge to take it back from him. She slowly stood her gaze sliding up to his face and his watching eyes. Her throat tightened and she had to force herself to swallow to clear the way to speak again. "She's dead, I've taken her place." The instinct to run was making her muscles cramp, she wasn't comfortable at all with being this close to L'nuo she'd had a few close calls but never had he seemed to notice.

Rekka wasn't sure if it was a hobby or an obsession perhaps? She had seen him one day, and been captured by his smile, his laugh, she'd never seen any other this way. Rekka admitted to herself right then that since it had lasted years, it must be an obsession, and one she should rid herself of. She didn't have time for day dreaming anymore and needed to be focused on the world around her now. Rekka kept her expression calm hiding her thoughts as she took a step back.

"You should let me take the bowl to the kitchens." It was more of an excuse to get away from him then any real desire to go to the kitchens, though she should check and make sure everyone was back to work instead of spreading the word of what had just happened. There wasn't a doubt in her mind that the wyerleader might hear of what happened, but it was doubtful he would do much. The rider had been punished by humiliation, it was enough for Rekka.

[E]

L’nuo’s mouth dropped open in honest surprise at hearing of the old Headwoman. Closing his mouth, he bowed his head. “My condolences, I had not heard.” Hearing her ask for the bowl, he willing handed it over. Tilting his head, he attempted to remember if he had seen her before. He couldn’t be sure, but considering they were in the Weyr he highly doubted she was from the outside, so few people were. If she had been one of the women who always worked in the background and never served, however, he could see how he may have missed those pretty, dark eyes.

Picking up his glass of water, the brownrider was only a half step behind her, his own lunch forgotten momentarily. “So you said your name was Rekka?” his smile was a comfortable one as he followed her. Allowing himself another halfstep back, he took a moment to give her back end a glance before ducking into the kitchen with her as if he was suppose to be there.

“Have you eaten yet? You owe me a lunch together you know. That was defiantly my bowl of noodles you threw in his face. Certainly no way to treat your champion.”

[Rowen]

Rekka jumped when she heard his voice following her, she clenched her jaw to keep from screaming, but forced herself to relax, her leg muscles were starting to relax now that she was using them, but the urge to run was still there. She shot a glance over her shoulder just as he followed her into the kitchens. Was he honestly going to... He was Rekka realized, he was toying with her, she'd seen him do it for years and knew he was one not to play with lightly. It's why she had taken pains to remain out of his sight as much as possible...

Rekka set the bowl with the other dirty bowls and cups before turning back to him. She was tempted to say she hadn't eaten but when she opened her mouth her stomach rumbled telling her she wasn't going to get away with being dishonest. "No, I haven't eaten." She eyed him up and down clearly letting him see her scrutiny. "Champion? I clearly remember being the one to throw the food in his face..." Rekka folded her arms across her chest as she spoke waiting to see how far exactly he was going to go to get her to eat with him...

[E]

L’nuo let out a full hearted laugh as she questioned his champion-ness. Taking a drink from his cup, he leaned his back against the nearest counter and smiled down at her. It dawned on him that he had been going for too easy of pray lately. Women who had already fallen for him, but had no intention of settling down anyways so there was no challenge in talking them into their one night stands. Perhaps he was due for a good challenge again, and what sort of challenge could a Headwoman possess? Rank always brought its own challenges.

“My dear, if I had not been there to your rescue there would have been no bowl of food within easy reach, I was the one who provided your ammunition.” His smile widening he continued, “Second, you threw as he began to swing, do you think he would have been sufficiently distracted for such a maneuver if I had not come along?”

Leaning forward, he brought his face level and near to hers, letting his brown eyes lock with her own. “Surely you wouldn’t have preferred to eat with that untactful, drunken excuse for a dragon rider over me? Because if you’d prefer that I’m sure I can find him again, he was of Beta’s Wing if I remember my blueriders correctly.”

[Rowen]

Rekka felt her face heat and was fairly sure it was visible as she sidled away from him and out of his reach which was quite a distance since Rekka had seen the full extent of his reach when he reached for things. Rekka cleared her throat then looked around making sure they weren't being watched the few who were watching she gave cool glances that sent them back to work. "I don't believe he had eating in mind." Rekka said turning back to L'nuo. She felt that she should start making excuses, knowing she did indeed have things to do didn't make her feel any better.

"As it is things happen for a reason." Rekka lifted a shoulder in a half shrug as she continued to regard him. "You were there, and I did use your bowl, but I don't eat in the hall for obvious reasons." Rekka said as she uncross her arms and moved to a pot that was unattended. "If your going to eat with me, you have to eat where I eat." Rekka fought the smile that was threatening to curve her lips, he might just regret eating with her. It would serve him right Rekka thought to herself, she couldn't stop the mischievous glint that appeared in her eye, but hoped that since her gaze was lowered to the pot as she stirred it slowly that he wouldn't see it.

[E]

L’nuo leaned back once again with a shrug. No the rider didn’t have eating in mind, but it wasn’t really the point. L’nuo seen himself as much more preferable company and most women didn’t argue the point with him. Tilting to watch her turn her back to him once more and stir the pot, he found himself imagining again just what sort of curves lay hidden beneath the simple and uninspiring clothing.

Seeing an open opportunity, he spoke up quickly. “Your right, things do happen for a reason. That man backed you right up into me for a reason. To have lunch with me.” Hearing her give just a little, L’nuo smiled almost wickedly. “And where is it you would require me to eat, M’lady? As everything seems to happen for a reason, I guess I can’t turn down the offer to eat lunch with you no matter where it happens to be.”

Smiling, he took another drink of his water, completely oblivious of the people around them. His focus was on the woman before him and the more he spoke with her the more intrigued he became by her. While there were a lot of things that were average about her, there was certainly nothing average about her mind. It was a juicy morsel to chew thoughtfully on.

[Rowen]

Rekka schooled her expression into one was mocking curiosity as she turned back to him she lifted her brows. "Do remember you said that.." She moved off but only to retrieve clean cups and return with them, she dipped them into the pot blowing lightly on one as she held the other out to L'nuo. "I don't eat in a specific place usually. I eat where I need to be, and right now I need to go check the latest supplies in the caverns." Rekka blew on her cup again cooling the top noodles and sauce.

She set the cup down near L'nuo then started for the door pausing only long enough to pick up a fruit in her free hand as she tilted the cup back taking her first 'bite' of her lunch. She slurped the noodles that didn't completely fall into her mouth in, and licked her lips as she looked back at L'nuo with raised eyebrows. "Coming Champion?" She smiled sweetly knowing all to well she was baiting him. She'd never played a game like this before and it had her stomach fluttering, she'd watched these games and knew... Rekka just couldn't help herself.

[E]

The brown rider felt the wicked grin spread firmly across his lips as she told him they were going to eat in the supply caverns. How convenient that the one easy to slip his eyes thus far would drag him out of sight of everyone else so quickly and efficiently. I guess there is a reason they made her Headwoman.

You are excited, is there a flight L’nuo? Only if I fly well enough. I have confidence in you. The dragon let out a yawn as L’nuo watched the woman’s back side once again. Are you coming to the Weyr with her? Not this time, Menith. I think she has other plans…

Hearing her call out to him, he smiled an award winning smile back as he pushed himself off the counter and picked up the cup left there for him. “I wouldn’t miss it for the Weyr.” He said, pulling his shirt off his shoulder to hold in his hand as he walked he too took a ‘bite’ from the cup in his hand. Following her through the lowercaverns was easy enough, his attention fully focused on the sway of her hips. Ah, he needed to find a way to get her into some better fitting pants, or out of them completely.

Finding them in a storage cavern, he motioned for her to lead on as he took another sip from the cup. His eyes looked around the large room curiously before he finally spoke up again. “Ah you are a busy woman aren’t you? Are you going to count all of this now just to pretend that I am not here?” Putting his shirt down on the nearest object, he lifted that hand to lay it palm down on his chest. “I am hurt, M’lady.”

[Rowen]

Rekka took another bite of her meal as she looked at him from the corner of her eye. She swallowed and licked her lips clean of sauce again. Her count all of this when he was there? He was truly confused. Rekka set her cup down even as she moved toward the immediate supply of food she eyed it, and by eye she could tell it would suffice, and they would be able to put a bit of it in storage for when the cold came. Rekka could have easily had another count this, but she much preferred to do it herself.

She turned to give him her best winners smile. "Oh no you have me mistaken for another woman I think. You're going to help me count it L'nuo." She reached for her cup and tilted it back for another bite, she didn't much enjoy the noodles and sauce and would have to work on the flavoring of it later, at least for her own serving, but at this moment she found amusement in watching L'nuo's expressions.

She'd been 'eating' the whole way there and her cup was already nearing halfway empty, she was glad then that she'd brought the extra fruit with her. Rekka eyed L'nuo's cup wondering if he would have to go back for seconds if he did, she wouldn't be here when he got back.

[E]

L’nuo had raised a single eyebrow at her mention of his counting. Taking the moment to throw the last of his noodles back, he swallowed and made a show of licking his own lips. Twice now he had watched her tongue slip over her lips and he could feel his own need to taste those lips growing. Putting down the cup with a good thud, he moved forward; effectively penning her in between him and a crate.

“Ah, you think of me as a bright man.” He said, his face holding a playfully disappointed look on it. Holding up his hands and wiggling those long fingers, he sighed. “But I am a simple man with only so much to work with…” Lowering his hands, he took another step closer. “Perhaps you can help a simple man, and offer your own fingers to help him out in his ‘counting’.”

Reaching out, he took one of her hands gently in his. Lifting it, he gave it his undivided attention as he carefully coaxed her fingers to spread. Kissing the tip of her first finger, he lifted his eyes to her own dark orbs. “One…” he spoke, barely above a whisper before lowering his gaze back to her fingers to kiss the second one. “Two…”