Midnight splashes (Open)

[dotta]

It had been a few days since that eventual day where candidates from all over Pern came to step upon the sands. Their only object was to touch the eggs and Talo hadn't found that too eventful. The idea of invading the sanctity of dormant eggs to violate their unborn bodies never struck her as exciting. Granted, it was unnerving to grasp hold of these shells, barely sensing the movement within. That moment made her almost feel giddy, imagining that one of those dragons would be hers...

Talo shook her head, wet strands flinging against her face. With a soft sigh she sank into the warm depths of the springs and rested her head against the edge of the pool. Steam rose from the surface of the water, caressing her form and warming her with their subtle touches.

Talo was partaking in her nightly ritual. Afraid of her deformity being seen, she waited until the night was dead and everyone asleep to cleanse herself. So, far she had been undisturbed during the two years she had practiced this. Now, she did have many close calls. But her ears were ever alert upon hearing unnatural noise and would spring up and escape upon-or even possibly hearing them.

She closed her eyes and let out a satisfied sigh. It was doubtful anyone would linger here at this hour, so she oculd rest at ease.

[bookworm]

Every once in a while, R'nul was struck with insomnia. One those nights, he lay awake, thoughts running through his head and making it impossible to fall asleep. He had a routine then--first a glass of warm milk in the kitchens, and then a comforting bath. Usually, he was able to go asleep after that, but too often the ritual took him until morning, making it useless. Ah well, it was better than staring up at the ceiling worrying about things.

Writh was asleep, lucky girl, and R'nul patted her shoulder as he passed, using a glow to light the way down to the lower caverns. After his soothing drink, he went down to the bathing room, a towel in hand. He wasn't expecting anyone else to be in the bathing room, but he thought he heard splashes as he walked down the passage.

He almost turned back, but decided he should at least see who it was. It might just be a fire lizard or a canine splashing around. Shielding the glow so he wouldn't startle whatever was in the bathing cavern, he quietly crept forward.

[dotta]

These splashes that were heard was Talo lathering herself up. For someone who wasn't fond of her given form, she was very attentive to it. She made sure to cleanse every area of her form from her neck to her secret domain. When the girl had to soap her rear and legs she stood in the thigh deep water and did so. She rubbed the soap into her hands and set it down so she could cleanse her face. But as she turned to do this, she saw a figure standing before her.

The man was certainly taller than her as most people where. This chin length mane was the color of flames, like hers. However, she could see whatever hair was caught in the glowbasket's light was more fierce and intense than hers.

His soft features and petite form spoke of young, yet there was something about him which made the man seem older.

Soapy suds now forgotten, dripped quietly from her delicate hands. Her face was now a ghostly as she stared wide eyed in fear. No one was suppose to be awake at this hour! Who would think to come here? Had she been caught?

Talo by no means was one to embarrass easily. She could take hits physically as well as mentally. Well, not so much physically on account of her womanly form. Curse, this body! So, Talo would have never had such a reaction at being seen bare had she had the same assets as this man here.

But she didn't so, with not so much as a breath, dunked within the watery depths. Perhaps if she stayed down long enough she'd drown? Well, her body didn't agree with this request and rose to the surface, inhaling a deep breathe. Regaining composure, she did whirl around and slide down the wall of the pool until only everything above her nose was visible.

[bookworm]

When R'nul walked into the bathing area, he thought he recognized one of the candidates. But when the figure turned, he realized it was a girl, not the boy candidate he thought he'd seen. As she stared at him, he stared right back, confusion showing on his face. The person's face did look like the male candidate he had seen around, but this was definitely a woman's body.

Shards...maybe he was just tired...but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was up here.

Then, the girl turned and dove into the water. R'nul realized how rude he had been to stare at her, and a blush colored his cheeks. He hurried to the edge of the pool, hoping she wasn't going to do anything harmful, but then he saw her face above the water. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize anyone was in here," he apologized softly. "If it makes you feel any better, I'm just a greenrider." He realized he should probably just leave, but his curiosity about this mysterious candidate was too strong.

[dotta]

Talo felt the dim light of the glowbasket hovering over her head. Which meant that man had in fact decided to remain. Wasn't a peek enough for him? Grateful the wait hid her red tinted cheeks, Talo closed her eyes. Perhaps if she wished hard enough the man would just...vanish.

She vaguely heard the man's apology. Quite frankly, she was too caught up in her embarrassment to listen. However, her eyes snapped open when he could her he was merely a greenrider. Greenrider...People like that..well, males impressed to greens.

Talo had grew less tense upon realizing that. There was still the problem of her...well, he wasn't alarmed. He didn't accuse her of playing a false role. Did he even know who she was. This was perfect, she thought. To him, Talo was merely a girl. If she played her cards right, she'd be able to get out of this. If she happened to see him on the streets another time, she'll deny, deny, deny this situation every happened.

Talo's head turned in his direction then and rose a few more inches above the surface, so her lips were visible. How could girls talk, Talo quickly thought.

"I-it's quite alright..." She almost squeaked. "What brought you here?"

[bookworm]

R'nul breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the girl resurface. So he hadn't caused too much damage. She had just been surprised, like anyone would be. As for his suspicions...he would voice them later, but he didn't see any reason to bring it up just yet.

"I couldn't sleep, so I was hoping a bath would help. You too?" Surely that was the only reason someone would be at the pool in the middle of the night, unless they were trying to hide something. R'nul began to smile, then quickly turned his expression serious again. "If you don't mind me being here, I think I'll continue with my plan."

[dotta]

He wanted to cleanse himself to help sleep? If one wanted to become tired wouldn't a brisk walk do the trick? Talo knew it wasn't unheard of for people to duplicate the same action as this Greenrider. The warm waters did cloud person's senses. She just thought walking, viewing the stars would be more effective. Well, he had wished the man he thought that so he wouldn't be here now. When he asked them same thing, believing she couldn't sleep as well, Talo gave him a quick nod.

"Yes." she mumbled quickly.

Now the man asked for permission to remain here. Talo sat up until it was comfortable to her, the water level now just above her creavage. The man had already seen her, so what more could he hide from him. Besides there was more reason then one of him being green. As long as the Green rider didn't suspect Talo, she would be fine.

She gave him a small smiled then. "Well, you've already come this far. It would be a waste of effort to not do so."

[bookworm]

"Thanks." R'nul quickly stripped down and slipped into the water, hopefully without showing much to Talo. This wasn't so much for his sake but for hers. He didn't know if she was Holdbred or not, but if she was, she would probably be embarrassed about nudity of any sort.

"I take it you're a candidate. Have you got your eye on the gold egg?" He asked, half teasingly.

[dotta]

When Talo saw the man grasp his apparel, she immediately averted her eyes. She wasn's sure it was odd to stare while one was undressing in this type of setting. It had the name common bath for a reason. She still felt like she would have been seeing something she wasn't suppose to. But then she thought, she was a male, but had never really seen it.

In her home Weryr everyone still regarded her as a female. And the boys didn't show it off as they did to one another in their games. Certainly the boys here were a little too old to play the same game. They did however, but Talo retreated before it was her turn to do the same.

And she never bathed with anyone else, so this was her first chance to see...it. Slowly her gaze crept back toward the man, eying his pants. Her heart was thrumming in anticipation.When he had rid himself of that, a furious blush threatened to surface. Her brows furrowed and she looked away. There was no need for her to be flustered! After all, had she been in her right body she would have the same thing.

The girl quickly retreated from her thought when she let the water make way for the man's weight. He didn't take much time to grow accustomed to the waiter's temperate and was soon throwing questions at her.

She immediately shook her head and replied,

"No, I have no interest in the gold."

But catching her mistake, she grew wide eyed. Looking away, thinking quckly she returned her gaze to the Greenrider. She gave him a bashful grin.

"N-no, I'm much too modest to wish for a Queen."

[bookworm]

R'nul was oblivious to her surreptitious inspection as he lowered himself into the water. He raised an eyebrow in surprise when the girl answered immediately and emphatically that she had no desire for the gold. Maybe she preferred girls, then. He doubted Lenia was the only young lady of that preference in the candidate pool, although the others weren't as outspoken about it. Then, she followed with a why explanation of modesty.

"I see," he said, hoping she wouldn't hear the doubt in his voice. He found it hard to believe that any eligible girl would turn away the gold. "Oh, I just realized, I never introduced myself. I'm R'nul, rider of Writh. And you are?" His mother had told him about most of the candidates, and if he didn't recognize her name, he would know for sure something was up.

[dotta]

Talo didn't caught wind of his doubtful response. She was too worried about herself. Her mind hurried quickly in forming calculations, to his possible inquiries. She didn't even feel her act was convincing, so she needed to try harder.

Great, another question, Tao thought. She'd surely be able to answer this question easily. Question now revealed, Talo's mind cease function and she grew uncertain. Why was it so difficult for her to answer him? Was it because she knew she wasn't going to be honest? How hard could it be to tell one? Obviously, it was the hardest task on person because Talo was barely capable of spewing one.

Oh, a name, a name. What kind of names would do? Her mind quickly flew to R'li. No, no. Talo didn't want to tarnish the greenrider's reputation. Wanka? Wait, was that even a name?

She grinned,

"R'nul? Well, I'm Loreena. It's a pleasure."

'Loreena'? That was the best she could come up with? Her mother's name?

[bookworm]

The name was plausible enough, but R'nul thought the candidate took a trifle too long to dig up her own name. And, come to think of it, he hadn't heard Tarana mention her before. Maybe the candidate was just new, or inconspicuous, but then again, maybe not.

"Loreena..." he repeated, trying to decide how to put this. "Call it dragonrider's intuition, but I have a feeling you aren't telling me the whole truth.

[dotta]

Talo gazed at R'nul for a moment; watching, as the man took a moment to ponder her given name. Had she conjured a well enough name? Perhaps, R'nul made no explosive statement saying otherwise. No, Talo suspected that R'nul would always be a calm and reserved man. One never knew how a man like that had thought. And, that frightened Talo all the more.

So, when he tested the name upon his lips, she had suspected that was a death sentence for her. She been found out after all, it seemed. And so easily. No, not quite. Perhaps if she was more herself, she'd be able to charm this man.

Talo grinned then and looked away from the man. A hand came up, to wipe a few strand of hair that had plastered itself upon her eye.

"Or, I could merely be a foreigner - one of those daughters here for the egg, but not really wanting it."

She returned her gaze to him.

"Is that not possible?"

[bookworm]

"It's...possible," R'nul conceded with a small smile of his own. He certainly didn't know all of the candidates, and maybe this one was just well behaved enough that his mother hadn't told him any stories about her. She certainly seemed honest, not very nervous at all.

"It's just that I thought I saw a candidate who looks just like you, but he's a boy," he admitted, deciding to just admit his confusion. "Hey, you don't have a twin, do you?" He asked suddenly. That would certainly explain things.

[dotta]

Talo's smile grew soft then, but her eyes tickled with mirth. All she had to do was be herself. This was alot easier than what Talo was making it about to be. The man had agreed, but she didn't feel he was quite convinced since he couldn't to pry. With a light sigh and a shake of her head she said,

"R'nul..R'nul..In life one will come across a twin at least once. I have no siblings." She then flashed him a grin. "Unless you have come across my long lost brother?"