Sound of mind, sound of body (Maru)

[Kila]

Autumn, 6th Turn, 11th Pass

D'lios pushed forward dutifully, calm as the Weyr rose and fell around
him. It was dark still- so early in the day that there were visible
traces of night lingering in the sky. Dawn was D'lios's favorite time to
run, and Autumn his favorite season, so he was quite content as he made
his way around the island that played host to Dalibor Weyr. There were
plenty of weyrfolk that also made the circuit: ex-runners, exercise
enthusiasts, and those trying to build their strength. Not all came so
early though, and the Lord Weyrleader had scouted out a less travelled
path so that he saw very few other people while he carried out his
morning routine. He preferred to do his conditioning in private, but
where it had been easy at Western it was nigh impossible here. He was
only mortal after all, and he told himself that it wouldn't hurt him to
let others see.

Perbiath sailed happily above his bonded, marking his progress in the
same way as if he'd had a kite tied to him. The Brown loved going out
with His every day. They seldom spoke much while D'lios ran, but
Perbiath loved sharing in his activities. While the jaunt was little
more than fun for the dragon, it was solid exercise for his man. D'lios
kept a fast, even pace and ran until his body would allow no more.
Sound of mind, sound of body, his father had lectured him,
insisting that his son be in both peak physical and mental condition.
That lesson had stuck, as well as so many others. There was vanity to
it, to be sure, but D'lios crafted and cultivated his appearance for so
much more than people might think. And they think a lot of me
here, he reflected with distant amusement. None of it good.
But the thought rolled off his shoulders like the wind in his path- gone
and forgotten in a heartbeat. He had made peace with all of that and for
now was just a man out enjoying a jog.

[maruset]

The easiest time to do her version of the run was early. Less people to dodge, more space to go over, and plenty of things to work around and over. Plus she had others join her during this early morning run, and it was something she enjoyed sharing with them.

However, this was also one of the few times she could really relax and do something she enjoyed. Most of the other times, her own training and the lessons she had gotten since Impressing Jainath had her well aware she was in the public eye. While she wasn't nearly as observed as Rayna and Avalle, she knew that might change as the copperrider and her dragon graduated.

Right now, though, she was just moving, going up, over, and around the obstacles in her path, both the ones that she knew and the ones that Jainath was happy to put in front of her using the copper's own body. This was what her attention was focused on, and she moved easily through a flip that would let her land on the next spot. Then she felt the tension rise up in Jainath, and the copper shifted, playfulness fading away.

Startled a bit by that, Iola finished the jump she had started, and once she landed there, she settled, glancing around to see what had....

Ah.

"Jainath...." she said, just loud enough for her dragon to hear. "Behave."

I always behave Jainath retorted, which just got a snort from Iola. That was a flat out lie, and they both knew it.

"Be polite," she clarified. While Iola didn't expect to actually interact with the man, she knew that it would be easy for Jainath to make a snide remark at the brown who followed his rider. And she did not want Jainath to start something, intentionally or by accident.

[Kila]

Just as Jainath was first to notice Perbiath, Perbiath was first
to notice Jainath. What is it, Perbiath? D'lios asked absently
when the Brown suddenly surged with surprise and excitement.
It's Jainath and Hers! he exclaimed. That got the
Lord Weyrleader's attention. D'lios slowed his jog and looked back over
his shoulder. The Jr. Weyrwoman ran every morning so it was not a
surprise to see her, but it was rare to encounter her alone. It was
early enough, he supposed, that the others had not yet emerged to join
her. D'lios had found out as much as he could about her (along with the
other Weyrleadership) but he had never had the opportunity to speak with
her. Well Perbiath, why don't we see if they want some company?
His lifemate was thrilled by the idea, eager to get to know the young
Copper. D'lios held his slow pace until Iola caught up to him.

"Weyrwoman Iola," he greeted her cordially, picking up her pace
so that they proceeded side by side. "Nice to see someone else up and
about so early in the day." He kept a healthy distance between them,
not wanting her to feel uncomfortable and become defensive. He was not
well loved among the other 'leadership, but they were worn down and hide
bound. Iola however was young and unscarred by past politics. If she was
reasonable and logical there was a chance that he could win her support
(or at least tolerance), which would make his reign that much easier.
Both his and the weyrfolk's best interest were the same, and
consequentially his aim, so it was foolish of them to rebuff him as they
did.

Perbiath was far less reserved in his approach, though he had more cause
to be than his Rider. Hello Jainath! he trumpeted,
swooping around back so that he could fly evenly with the young Queen.
He admired her colors, his eyes whirring happy shades of green and blue.
Coppers were as rare as Golds, and apart from Kalith she was the only
one Perbiath had ever seen. His had said that there was a Copper
hatchling that betweened for lack of a lifemate, but such
irrelevant information was hard for him to recall. Your
hide is very pretty, he complimented her with sweet innocence.
Even as a Weyrling she was larger than him, but he had caught the Queen,
so his inner grandeur made him worthy of her company in his mind.

[maruset]

"Hello, Weyrleader D'lios. Or would you prefer Lord Holder?" Iola was polite, because it never hurt to be so. "I am used to seeing a few more people around, but I think that some of them are having issues keeping up with my more....acrobatic routes. And how are you this morning?"

She moved smoothly, willing to listen to what the man had to say. It would not hurt, and she might not be a member of a large hold, but her father had ran not only the lands they took care of, but helped keep everything organized with their trader families. Communication was key, and backing D'lios into a corner by not being willing to talk to him more than necessary was not going to help any of the Weyr.

There was a moment when she had to clamp down hard on Jainath's instinctive response, so the reply that Perbiath was much calmer than it would have been. The copper did not say anything rude, but she also did not really sound overly warm to the brown either.

Perbiath she replied, cool and her eyes flickering with red before Iola soothed her some. Still, she did not offer the brown more than that. As far as she was concerned, he had proved he did not care about the weyr or else he would not have caused such discord. And the copper wanted things to run smoothly, not this agitation that both rider and dragon had caused.

[Kila]

Iola returned his greeting carefully. D'lios chuckled when she
asked which title he would prefer she used. "You needn't use
either." They were in the same category, and just as he would not
continue to address her as "Weyrwoman" he did not expect her to continue
addressing him as "Weyrleader" or "Lord Holder". It was time consuming.
In some circles "Lord" was synonymous with his first name, but he only
forced the title on others if they acted in a way that suggested they
needed to be reminded of their place.

"I have seen your acrobatics and am not left shocked to find that not
everyone can keep up. It is an excellent routine to have though; when
you graduate and take on the responsibilities of Weyrwoman you will not
have much time of your own. Putting the needs of others before your own
is taxing. Keep it up if you can." He digressed, running along
easily beside her. People generally did not take kindly to being
lectured and he did not want it to seem like he had come to pontificate.
"But I am doing well today, thank you. It is my favorite time of day
and time of year to be outdoors. I do wonder, about your acrobatics, is
that something that you came up with or was it Jainath's idea?" If
her Copper was anything like Kalith then she had plenty of ideas of her
own.

It was hard for Perbaith to miss the chill in Jainath's reply. While not
surprising, it was still disappointing. Don't give up so easily,
D'lios said privately when he saw his lifemate sag slightly. It was one
thing when people were rude to the thick-skinned Lord, but entirely
another when the harshness extended to his sensitive lifemate. He could
not sympathize with his Brown's fixation on friends, but was exasperated
with the mood rejection put Perbiath in and was growing angry with the
treatment Perbiath was receiving. It would certainly not be Jainath he
rebuffed for this however. The Queens could do whatever they wished,
whether they had a right to or not.

You're right, Mine, he said, mustering his
optimism. Perbiath was proud- he would not be put down so easily.
It is wonderful that you keep Yours in shape, he
said cheerily, attempting conversation once again. She
must really keep on her toes, especially when you surprise her and make
her jump over you. It's very clever.

[maruset]

"D'lios it is," she said calmly. Well, at least that was good to hear. Iola was perfectly willing to be polite as long as it was returned, which it was. That would make things go much smoother, and she was curious what the man was actually like. She knew that Jainath disliked the man on principle, and that there were plenty of angry folk who thought that the hold and weyr needed to be separate, but there was still no call to be rude.

"I try to keep up with it, it is something that all the children in my cothold were taught." She chuckled faintly. "You can see easily what the favorite obstacles are back home due to things being run smooth with all the people over the turns who have made their own paths over them. Once I got here, one of the first things I did was start finding places to keep my skills up to speed. Once I got Jainath, and she grew large enough, she took it on herself to add in some variety to my run."

She sent another stab of be polite at her dragon, which just made Jainath huff at her partner.

She keeps herself in shape, she said, tone still cool. We have a duty to our weyr, which Iola understands. Better than some.

[Kila]

D'lios could only image the fabled cothold that Iola had been
searched from. He smiled as you young woman chuckled fondly to herself
in memory. The Lord Weyrleader was picturing a queer, disordered village
full of children running and hopping about. It was surely not that, but
he saw no need to undeceive himself. It was pleasant chatter, but in the
end it was irrelevant. His duties would prevent him from ever visiting
such a place.

"The ability to leap large objects in a single bound is not one of
the traditional requirements for Weyrleadership, but I think it is quite
a useful one," he joked. His air was still slightly stiff and
formal, even when attempting a casual conversation, but it at least was
not fake. A friendly chat was quite out of the norm of his usual
interactions. You are doing wonderfully, Perbiath
said with encouragement, a bit enviously even. He wished His would be so
pleasant all of the time. D'lios could become anyone he needed to be for
another person, if he wished it. It made Perbiath proud of his bonded,
but not very happy. I understand duty very well, he
said to Jaineth with a sigh, missing her slight.

They jogged on in comfortable silence, a few passing comments and small
laughs interspersed, until they reached the place at which D'lios had
started. The 'Bowl was before them there, inviting them back as Rubkat
finally began to climb the sky. "I'm afraid I must leave you
here," D'lios said suddenly as they approached it. "I have work I
must do. It was good to finally get to speak with you though. If you
should need anything, please let me know. It has been a pleasure."
He bobbed his head in the semblance of a bow and veered away.
Goodbye Jaineth! Perbiath echoed, parting from the
young Copper Queen. I will help too, if you ever need it.
It was nice to talk to you! Enjoy your run!

It was an abrupt ending perhaps, but besides legitimately needing to
start his work D'lios wanted their meeting to be a simple thing. To his
knowledge he had neither said nor done anything to make Iola loathe him
in the last hour, and that was all he had hoped to do. From there the
girl could draw her own conclusions. It was a political move and
potentially a risky one, but D'lios had things to do at Dalibor and
allies would not come to him on their own.

[maruset]

"It's not a traditional requirement for most things," Iola agreed easily. "But it is a very interesting skill to have, and surprisingly useful." It would allow her to get out of most situations in unusual means, and that may make a difference in surviving something or not.

This conversation was going surprisingly well, and she wasn't really surprised or bothered by any air he was giving off. The man had been getting a lot of grief lately, and some people were just always formal, even when they wanted to relax. Not that she though he wanted to relax here. Honestly, she'd be surprised if he relaxed anywhere other than in his own private quarters. While she didn't think any of the riders would go as far as to try to harm the man, there were plenty of non-bonded people who might think that scaring D'lios off would work.

Or maybe Iola was seeing possibilities that were more morbid than normal. Either way, her thoughts were roaming to weird places.

Jainath decided ignoring the brown was the best course of action, and simply pretended he was not there. Otherwise Iola was going to yell at her for rudeness yet again. Not something that she really wanted to get into once more.

It was an enjoyable run, though she did hold off on the more athletic of things, simply running and interacting with the man. It was interesting to actually see him up close, and listen to how he spoke. She hadn't seen the man much, and no matter what happened, she was curious to see how things were going to go from here. Was sure that it was mostly political maneuvering, but Iola was curious on how things were going to go from here.

"Have a good day. Hopefully it will not be filled with too much stress," she said with a wry smile. "It was good to actually get to speak with you finally."

She nodded as he headed off, and sighed internally as Jainath continued to ignore the brown. That was still rude, but not nearly as bad as the queen could be. So Iola would take that as tolerable.