gone crazy from the moment.

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tag; Nia!

[Nia]

Dalibor Weyr was interesting. It was far different than the Lower Caverns of Telgar, where Kio had spent most of his life. And the best part of it all was that he was free to do whatever he wanted. He could inspect and explore every part of Dalibor without worrying about his mother punishing him for it later. It was a great feeling. And the only thing Kio had done since the moment he'd arrived was explore and look at everything he could possibly get his hands on. His very first exploration of this place had been the Hatching Sands! Discretely, of course. While everyone else had been fighting, Kio had thought he'd be smart and try to figure out where they'd taken the Weyrwoman's child.... It hadn't worked out very well, to say the least. But he wasn't going to give up. Because in his mind, Kio was the greatest detective that ever lived... and no one was going to tell him any differently. Or if they did he'd just stick his fingers in his ears and shout about how he couldn't hear them.

So he'd taken it to explore outside, specifically the Weyrbowl. It was rather empty at the moment, just a large, empty space filled with rocks, dirt, grass, flowers, etc. It was a typical Weyrbowl. Not that Kio even knew all that much about typical Weyrbowls, since his mother didn't let him outside much. He could only go where she'd allow him to go... tch, annoying woman. But he had to stop thinking about her and her rules, because now he could do whatever he wanted! He could even let his absurdly long hair out of it's low ponytail and chop it off... but he'd never do that, because he did happen to like his hair. At least he'd inherited good genes from her.

Kio pushed on, picking up various rocks and throwing them in different directions, detecting just how wind affected his throwing, or how it affected the dirt from the landing. These types of things interested him far more than they probably should, but he was the detective... it was his job to know absolutely everything. Even things that seemed stupid, like rocks. He was distracted momentarily by a dragon that flew overhead. He stopped to look up and watch it as it disappeared between. Ah... between. One day he'd figure out it's mysteries. And then his genius would finally be known to all of Pern! Just the thought of Pern-wide fame and glory made him smirk widely. He was the detective. He was Kio! And he was the best there ever was... so don't you forget it.

As he continued on his journey to inspect the Weyrbowl, he spotted another person. No dragon this time, just a lone boy. Kio didn't recognize him, but that was normal. He had only arrived not too long ago and hadn't met many people. So the boy intrigued him, especially since he seemed just as interested in the rocks around them. At first this kind of annoyed Kio. He was the detective, and what was this guy trying to do, steal his spotlight?! But then... he thought, maybe this boy could serve as some sort of assistant. Yes... every good detective needed an assistant! So Kio marched towards Ezra, a smug, self-assured smile taking over his face. "Hey, you!" he said as he got into earshot, but he didn't wave a greeting. The boy was crouched down. Aha! Good, he was already interested in the knowledge Kio had to offer... even if he hadn't said more than two words yet. He could just tell these things. "Stand up, you've been chosen for a huge honor," he all but commanded, smirking smugly. Just let him think about that for a moment... "The honor of... being my assistant!" he proclaimed, unable to hold back his "good news", even if he hadn't fully gotten the other boy's attention yet. ...or his name. But useless things like that didn't matter.

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[/b] He accepted, though he doubted a verbal agreement was required. He hadn't been asked to be an assistant, he was told.[/size][/ul]

[Nia]

The one word answer was rather disheartening, and made Kio frown. He'd expected this boy to be much more... you know, excited! Anyone chosen to be his assistant should be extremely excited. Perhaps he just didn't know about how amazing Kio was. Well, at least he'd listened and stood up... though he didn't seem happy. Maybe just a little confused. Whatever. Kio didn't really care about this boy or his needs, just that he seemed interested in what was around him... and for an information-lover like Kio, that was more than enough. He could end up using him, at the very least. But Ezra's grin made Kio grin as well, though his was more of a smirk. Okay... good. He supposed he should probably explain what being his assistant ment, shouldn't he?

"Good, you agree. Well first things first, I'm Kio," he didn't wait to give the boy a chance to say his own name... and Kio honestly didn't care all that much. He was far too self-absorbed to care about the other boy's name... though he'd probably ask for it in the end, if only for the sake of having it. "I guess you're wonder what that job entitles...?" he phrased it like a question, but it wasn't really a question, "Well, I like to know things... and I want to know absolutely everything about this Weyr and all it's people. Following me so far?" he paused, but if Ezra wanted to say something, Kio didn't care, and continued regardless, "We can use that information for... various means. Sell it to people... or blackmail them, if you're into that." To be honest, Kio was making this up as he went along. He'd kind of made up the job of "assistant" on the spot as well.

He paused for a moment, then asked, "Oh... uh. What's your name?" He sounded almost embarassed to ask, but he wasn't really. Just excited at the prospect of running such a "business" out of Dalibor Weyr. It was a good idea, though. Kio was quite interested in other people and his environment, and he did love the feeling of superiority that knowing more than other people gave him. It was a rush and he loved it. His parents sure had raised him with some great values, hadn't they?

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[/b] he replied, finally taking the time to straighten up a bit - not that it really did much in the way of giving him some command via his height. But then his expression resumed its visible confusion of before and he brought his hands together in front of him, idly swiping the drying mud across his skin with fidgeting fingertips. "We're not really gunna blackmail anyone, are we?" He questioned a little uncertainly, and yet already speaking in the plural to acknowledge their apparent partnership. "I mean, that sounds sorta mean." Maybe it was just a joke. Catching on to humour had never been a particular strong suit.[/size][/ul]

[Nia]

Well, this boy seemed... a bit lost. Kio watched his reactions carefully to his little... mini-speech, and rather than excited he just seemed confused. Not disgusted with Kio's various descriptions, just confused, so that was a good thing, he supposed. Better to be confused than hateful. Still, could he trust this boy to keep his secrets and work along side him if he couldn't even keep up with a simple explanation? At least there'd always be someone to do the grunt work. That was really what the job of assistant entitled anyway. Good! So he wouldn't need to keep up with Kio, he just had to pick up the pieces in the end. ...or keep him company when the world of information finally deserted him. But Kio wasn't thinking about that.

He put his hands into his pockets and slouched, a bit in thought, not out of dispair. Ezra didn't seem to like blackmail, though Kio wasn't all that fond of it either. A good way to make a few extra marks, he supposed, but if Ezra didn't want to blackmail people... well, that was fine. They were partners... almost. Kio still ran things, and was quite hesitant to actually call someone his partner. Assistant was a much better word. However, he grinned slyly as Ezra used the "we" rather than just you. Perfect! He was definitely on board, then. That was better than nothing.

Kio was taller than Ezra at 5'8, but when he slouched, they got closer in height. He didn't bother to straighten his posture, as he looked a lot cooler and more relaxed this way. ...not that Kio cared about looking cool or relaxed, anyway. He just ended up looking that way without trying. The other boy wasn't very... intimidating, though. So no using him as a threatening device... hmm. He really was just going to have to pick up on all the grunt work that Kio didn't want to do, though that was fine. It wasn't like there was going to be much work at all. Ahh... no blackmail made it harder to find work. He supposed they'd just have to deal with either stalking people or solving their unsolved dilemas. That was fine.

"....I guess we don't have to, if you don't want to, Ezra," he shrugged, using the boy's name to acknowledge that he'd heard it, "There are other things we can do. Find out things for people too lazy to do it themselves. Or be like... detectives, and figure out mysteries." His face suddenly dropped it's rather cocky smirk into a more genuine, if small, frown. He turned around, "...not that this Weyr has many mysteries..." he muttered, sounding genuinely sad about that. While this Weyr was interesting... it wasn't like what he'd imagined it would be. His expectations had been set way too high. But not wanting to look stupid in front of his future... partner... Kio spun around, the usual sly smirk back on his face.

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[/i] of mysteries around here,"[/b] he announced happily, hoping to reassure the boy on that. He didn't like the sound of sadness in anyone's voice, but to hear it in the voice of a 'business' partner and thus a potential friend? It was heartwrenching. "Like, I mean, they're probably just hiding really well otherwise." He nodded along with his words as if to push them forward as more and more likely, his eyes drifting off to the side as he spoke as if he'd be able to spot one of said mysteries peeking around a bush. He snapped his gaze back to Kio shortly though, his brow knitting together a bit as he tilted his head. "How long have you been here?" [/size][/ul]

[Nia]

So it seemed the idea Kio had thought up of on the spot was rapidly becoming more and more possible. This boy really seemed into it, afterall. Well, at least he hadn't tried to laugh in Kio's face about his crazy idea. He'd really only been half serious about it in the beginning, but this Ezra's enthusiasm was making him like the idea more and more. Actually being the detective of a Weyr...? Complete with assistant? It was, admittedly, Kio's dream come true. Not that he was going to be convinced that this Weyr was interesting so easily... he still had his doubts. From all he'd explored, it seemed almost average. Almost, at least. There was still the mutations thing, perhaps they could investigate that?

For once, Kio actually gave Ezra a genuine smile. It held no arrogance, but almost excitement about what the future was going to hold for their new little business. And... well, to be honest, Kio had never really made a... friend before. Not a good one. He was manipulative and generally mean to others, which made them not want to be his friend. Sure, he'd had something akin to followers at Telgar... but nothing like a friend or even a partner. He didn't even feel like making fun of this boy anymore for how slow he might have seemed. That was a start, at least. Maybe he was becoming a good person...? No, Kio doubted it. Obtaining the ability to make an almost-friend didn't mean much in terms of his personality.

He paused for a moment after Ezra spoke, thinking. But then he nodded, though slowly. He agreed... they could find something. This was the Weyr that caused the Cyan mutation, was it not? And there were bound to be more where those came from. "You're right," those words felt strange coming out of his mouth... he rarely ever admitted anyone was right, "It'll be a challenge just to find those mysteries... though I suppose that makes it more fun," he was talking almost to himself there, but at least his usual, arrogant tone was back, as was his cocky smirk.

"I arrived here right as the Renegade fight was over," he said after another pause, "I wish I could have arrived just a bit earlier, though.... Such a harsh display of humanity! It was a once in a lifetime experience!" he furrowed his brow in annoyance at the thought, but it was only for a moment, "But it doesn't matter. When did you get here?"

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[/i] to be here earlier for the fight? Why ever for? It was, just as he said, such a harsh display of humanity! Ezzy could suppose it was vaguely interesting, in a morbid and detached sort of way, but to arrive for it? He'd surely have been right in the middle of it, it would have been terrifying. Unless... Kio had wanted to help in some way? Maybe he hoped he could have Impressed in time to fight in the battle! The boy certainly seemed strong. He was confident and tall. Ezzy had the imagination to picture it, and he was optimistic enough to believe it could be true.

"I just arrived. Today. Like, a candlemark or so ago, maybe." He estimated with a nod, glancing off as he considered all that had passed between his arrival and this very moment. In the end, he figured it all meshed nicely into about the stretch of a candlemark, so he nodded once more in confirmation of his own thinkings before looking back to the boy. "Are you a Candidate too?" He questioned with a crease of curiosity in his brow. [/size][/ul]
( ooc | sorry it's taken me so long to reply! xD )

[Nia]

There was something about this boy that Kio really liked. His need for approval? His trusting nature? Whatever it was, Kio liked it. Though, he liked it in a way that wasn't... you know, normal and good. He liked these things about Ezra because it made it easier for Kio to manipulate and control him. If he craved approval, then Kio knew just how to wrap the boy around his finger. Easily. But he'd restrain himself for now. As tempting as it was to give this boy what he craved most and then snatch it away... well, Kio could wait for that. Ezra was his potential partner, lackey, and employee, all in one. He had to be careful what he did. Afterall... they had only just met.

And he'd only just arrived at Dalibor today...? That meant Kio was one of the first few people he'd met. Good! That was good. Kio wasn't quite sure why it was good, but he just knew it was. He was one of the first to make an impression on this boy... hah. How funny. Not that Kio represented any part of Dalibor at all, except maybe the underground, so it didn't really matter all that much. And he was a Dragon Candidate, which was what Kio assumed he meant by saying "Candidate". Wher Candidates weren't really the first thought that came to one's head at the word Candidate, which made Kio's smirk falter a bit in annoyance. He didn't like dragons. He much prefered Whers. He'd be raised by Whers. But... he supposed having a partner inside the dragonriders would be very beneficial. Perhaps he could somehow train this boy to be worthy of Impressing a King....

"Today...?" he repeated, tilting his head to the side with an amused smile, "I would have pegged you as being here longer. You didn't seem all that lost," Kio rambled almost to himself. It wasn't often he was taken by surprise... so even little things like this were rather... well, it didn't matter. "Sort of. I'm a Wher Candidate," he said, smirk playing across his face again. Idle chit-chat did bore Kio. He glanced up at the sky, watching it for a moment before looking back at Ezra. "Well, looks like it's about time for me to get going."

Kio turned around and began walking back towards Dalibor, raising one hand out of his pockets to wave good-bye to Ezra. "Nice meeting you, Ezra! Don't forget about our... partnership," he wasn't going to forget. Kio hadn't been so excited about a plan in... ages, really. If Ezra forget... well, then, he just wasn't going to be a part of it. But Kio was fairly sure that the other boy wouldn't forget. Kio laughed lightly to himself... this was going to be fun.

ooc: Hah... same. xD; I think the thread is essential over now, though~

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