Contemplation (kovac) (N17+)

[Shayth]

Shayth lowered her head as she smiled, unable to help the warm feeling in her stomach as Kovac squeezed her hand. Walking side by side with the avora, she entered the kitchens with an air of supremacy, as though she dared anyone to make a comment. It wasn't overly busy in the main eating hall, but it was spattered here and there with people. Picking a round table, Shayth strode over to the food line, pushing back her hood to expose her thick red hair and the new braided feather. Glancing around with piercing blue eyes, she acted as though nothing was out of the ordinary. Looking at the line, she was thankful it was so short. Briefly, she allowed her mind to wander. Like a soft tickle, she reached out to Turiska. The eagle was asleep, dreaming of eagle-y things. Turning on the spot, she looked at Kovac, a small smile on her lips.

As the line moved, she turned back, unsure what to say to the archer. The public venue made her heart jump a beat, and the fact Kovac was right behind her only served to enhance the feeling. Endal and Avora, perfectly fine to socialise. Friend and servant in the eyes of society. But mate...or....bed-mate...again a smile came to her lips.

Reaching the front of the line, Shayth ordered herself a serve of roast with bread, gravy and a cup of mead. Pointing out the table they would be seated at, she turned away from the kitchens and seated herself at a round table off to the side. Crossing her arms, she waited for the archer.

[Kovac]

As Kovac entered the Kitchens with Shayth, he could almost see her persona shift from the playful woman to the authoritative Endal. Once that air of superiority would have irritated the Avora, but now he found himself secretly enjoying seeing her exercising her dominance. Shayth was a dynamo of passion and attitude, quick to change mood and oozing confidence. She was hard to resist, and Kovac had not found enough reason or will to try. Watching her strut into the hall, he had to suppress a grin. Kovac fell in step behind Shayth as she entered the line for the meal. The Avora looked around the great hall curiously, wondering if anything about he and Shayth's behavior belied their true relationship. The idea of it thrilled the archer, and he was tempted to touch the tall red-head inappropriately just to stir things up. He thought better of it though, quite sure Shayth would strike him soundly should he attempt such a bold display of affection. Instead, he all but ignored her, a difficult task given what they had just experienced and her presence so close in line. After glancing over to the table the Rider indicated, Kovac finished getting the meaty ribs and mashed tubers he selected and grabbed a cup of wine before heading to join Shayth at the round table, his eyes remaining on Shayth and avoiding the other patrons. Kovac settled into a seat next to Shayth, shooting a sidelong glance at her, accompanied by a smarmy grin that spoke volumes of what still lingered on his mind. He suddenly raised his wine cup and looked at Shayth. "To Riders and Hunters, together may they long serve the people of Wind Reach." Stifling a laugh, the Avora gave the statuesque Rider a wink.

[Shayth]

Lifting her mug, Shayth smirked back at the archer, well aware of what his smile indicated. Tilting the mug to his own, she looked him in the eye.

"Together. Indeed." She said, an eyebrow raised, before she took a deep drink of the mead. Putting down the mug, she tore off a piece of bread and dipped it in her gravy, leaning back in her chair.

"So, here we are." The redhead said simply, glancing around the room for effect. Looking back at Kovac, she narrowed her eyes.

"You know, I've been thinking. My archery really needs to improve, and since your around...maybe you could be my teacher. I mean," Leaning forward, she picked up her mug, a sly smile on her lips.

"You'd have to hole up in the aerie. And Turiska would understand if I explained it to her. Many endal take up an avora to assist them. I even have a spare room - that she can't get in to." Shrugging casually, she tipped back the mug. Her heart was beating heavily in her chest. The aerie she shared with Turiska was taken over from a rider previous. The main doorway stretched into a large round common room, containing stone benches carved directly into the ground and thick embroidery rugs. Around the walls, shelves had been carved and on them sat fine glass trinkets, left behind in the move. Warm thick furs covered the stone seats and a candelabra hung from the ceiling. The room was cold and unlived in. Shayth never used it, never had guests to worry about. Branching off from the common room were five archways, two of them leading to similarly decorated guest rooms - one of which Shayth had turned into a storage and weapons hold. The third door led to her private bathing chamber, a luxury only privileged to the endal.

The fourth led to the main bedroom, somewhere Shayth rarely went. Inside, the floor was covered with a thick rich rug, woven around the stone carved bed. Warm, soft hides and full feather pillows devoured the bed and small niches in the wall held soft tallow candles. When lit the room glowed a soft orange. A fireplace was carefully carved into a side wall, dead ashes never re-lit since Shayths occupany. An elaboratly carved wardrobe sat against the other wall - empty inside. Around the room, there were hangings and decorative glass creations of all kinds. Clearly the last tennant was close to an artist.

The final archway led to Turiska's quarters, the only room in the aerie ever used. It was in direct sight from the front door, and led into a huge open room. In the right hand corner, Turiska's nest sat - created by the bird herself with branches, hay and hides. Soft wind chimes hung from the ceiling, constantly tinkling with the breeze or when Turiska was feeling playful. Dried grasses and flowers hung on the walls along with bright glittering lamps, and right at the edge of the room a stone perch was build for easy launch. Beside Turiska's nest, a pile of fur's belayed Shayth's sleeping place. The endal was too lonely by herself, so she slept with the eagle in her room. It wasn't the warmest or the most comfortable - but it was better than sleeping alone.

Lowering her mug, the rider picked up her knife and began slicing the tender roast. Chewing, she shrugged again, not meeting Kovac's eyes.

"A thought, anyway."

[Kovac]

Kovac grinned glibly as he clinked cups with Shayth, putting on a faux front of innocence for those around them. He drank deeply of his wine, his eyes on the Rider's. He tore a chunk of meat from a rib with his teeth, leaning forward as the redhead leaned in. Training. Yes, he was more than qualified to coach the Endal in archery, which would provide a rational excuse for them to spend time together. He returned her suggestive grin, his green eyes glinting. He raised his cup again to sip at the wine. Then she voiced her plan. Live with her! With Turiska! The shock of the suggestion forced Kovac to spew crimson liquid across the table. He coughed, turning a surprised glance towards Shatyh. Once he gained his composure, he spoke in a hushed tone. "Are you serious?" Kovac looked into the woman's sharp blue eyes. Once he locked that gaze, he realized those eyes had already captivated him. He allowed himself a moment to consider her suggestion. If he could tear his eyes from hers, he could have used logic to object to the plan. But the Avora knew he could not refuse the beautiful Endal, the prospect of being so near to her sent a heat through his body. Kovac's mind wandered at the implications. It was, in fact, a perfect plan. Kovac's wide-eyed startled visage melted to his more typical smarmy grimace. Shayth could see that she was getting to the man, his resolve buckling. "Are you sure Turiska would approve? Remember, she tried to kill me." He gave her his sly smile, betraying his full understanding of what the Rider had proposed.

[Shayth]

Shayth blinked as wine spluttered across the table, keeping her face cool. She expected he might just about die from the suggestion...but it wasn't as if she had said 'I adore you, move in with me and be my mate.' It was just a...living arrangement...to further develop her...archery skills and maybe get Turiska more comfortable with the avora. Plus it just made sense if he lived in her aerie. His tiny little room was all the way down in the commons, which made the travel time just a right pain. Plus it meant Turiska could trust her a little more, with the fact the man was right under her nose. From her room, the eagle could quite easily watch them on the range - ensure that Shayth was safe in her birdy opinion. And well...like she'd said...Turiska couldn't get through the doorway into the guest room. And only her head fit through the doorway into the common room. Kovac had plenty of places to hide.

Meeting his forest green eyes, the endal chewed another piece of meat as she lifted the rest of her mead. As he asked her if she was serious, the rider shrugged again and sipped her drink, displaying a casual nonchalance at the situation. In reality, her chest was about to explode in nervous fear. Perhaps she weighted his answer more heavily than she could admit. Rejection...did she fear it? From Kovac, most certainly. But petching hell, she would never let him know that. They weren't....in love or anything. That was for coddling, wooing endal teenagers who read far to many romance novels.

If that was true, why did she feel like she was holding her breath?

Resting her cup against her cheek, the redhead nodded a little as Kovac brought up the main obstacle in her plan.

"Mmm, that is a problem. The killing I mean. Reality is, I will have to talk it over with her. I foresee arguing and maybe, the need to tie myself to something grounded. However, I think she can see the benefit of a teacher. And the logic of having you close. In fact, she would probably like the idea more than you think. I mean, keep your friends close and your enemies even closer and all that." Finishing the mead, she put down the mug and folded her arms on the table.

"If she agrees, I wouldn't suggest trying to make friends with her or anything like that. And be on your toes, give the archway leading to her aerie a wide berth. Her head can fit through there. And don't trust her...yet. Turiska is very very smart. And vindictive. Petching bird, I love her, I do. But be careful is all I'm saying. Eventually, I'm sure she'll begrudgingly warm to you...in the meantime, just don't do anything stupid." Shayth smiled a lopsided grin, before leaning back to finish her meal. She'd said what she needed to say, the ball was in his court now.

[Kovac]

She was serious. Shayth seemed convinced Turiska could be persuaded to agree to the arrangement. Kovac looked at the Rider carefully. Her demeanor was casual and off-hand, treating the proposition as if it were a business deal. And, of course it was. Kovac took a swig of wine and a mouthful of mashed tubers, placing his hands on the edge of the table and leaning back in his chair until the front legs were off the floor. He tried to play off the excited twisting in his gut at the thought of living with Shayth. He surveyed the dining hall again, noting the knots of people gathered haphazardly around the large room as he contemplated the idea. Moving in with Shayth would be a good move for him. The quarters afforded to the eagle riders were spacious and well furnished, and had their own private bathes. Kovac may be aloof and anti-social, but he was not prideful, and had no problem with the idea of Shayth as his benefactor, he taking the role of obedient Avora. It would allow for more intensive archery training, making Shayth a better hunter, and Wind Reach as a whole would benefit. Moving in with the tall redhead would serve to better all Inarta, how could he be so selfish as to say no? Having to avoid Turiska would be a small price to pay to serve his community....and to be so near to the intoxicating woman next to him. The half-breed tilted the chair forward until it again rested on four legs. Folding his arms, he leaned on the table. "Very well, I think this arrangment would be mutually beneficial. Speak to Turiska about it and let me know what she says." With a wink and a grin, Kovac stood, turned and strolled out of the room.