Thesy slips in, her shawl drawn closely around her shoulders against the chill of a spring's evening. Seeing Ragis at his usual table, she gives the others a quick nod by way of greeting before she grabs a mug and settles into a chair at his side. "Evening, Ragis." she says in a low voice, smiling at her friend, "You seem to spend an awful time alone here lately. Everything fine?"

Ragis glances up and smiles as he sees Thesy. "Evening, Thesy...oh yes, everything is just fine. I like the quiet, plus I get the fresh klah and muffins and rolls too." He grins and toasts her with his mug before taking a sip.

Thesy chuckles and raises her mug too but doesn't drink. Hers is still too hot. Instead she leans back, making herself comfortable, "Good. So, how's Delian doing? Settling in already, making a few friends?" She smooths a fold in her skirt and glances at Ragis, "I'm looking forward to getting to know Khay's little brother, y'know."

Ragis sighs softly and looks thoughtful. "Well, he's settled, whether he's settling or not, I'm not too sure. He definitely hasn't made any friends yet....I sure hope we can get him to feel like he belongs here. It will take a while I'm sure. He's such a sweet boy, an absolute delight....I think you'll like him, Thesy." He gets this oddly tender look on his face when he talks about Delian.

"If he's anything like Khay," Thesy grins, suddenly becoming aware that she has no idea how Kh'et had been at Delian's age, "Well, I think he must have been a charming boy. Anyway, I haven't been around kids much since I impressed Sardrinth. Only see them here with the nannies."

Dama smiles, "at least you have dragon! I only have Eliscar, and nothing else.

Ragis nods as he sips his klah. "Delian is a charming boy, just like Khay....and he's nothing like the children the nannies care for. He's going to come out of that though, I'm very sure. Did Khay tell you about how talented he is? Violin and voice lessons are what we'll be starting him with....and whatever Aife feels he's ready for." he murmurs.

"Really? Amazing at his age, no?" Thesy nods, then a first sip of her klah is risked, fortunately having cooled down sufficiently as not to burn her tongue. "I suppose it runs in the family then." Again she pauses and casts Dama a slightly surprised glance, "/Only/ Eliscar?" Right now the rider can't understand how someone would put it like /that/. "So Aife has decided to teach him then?" She turns back to Ragis, "He really must be very talented then. Aife wouldn't take someone who isn't, not even Khay's brother, I think."

Dama grins sheepishly

Ragis nods and smiles. "According to his Grandmam he's a violin virtuoso.....the only way the boy was able to express himself the past few turns. He and Khay play so beautifully together, with Telynth joining them.....makes me wish I played an instrument." he says. He takes a long drink of his klah and settles back in his chair, crossing his legs primly.

Thesy grins, tilting her head at the young man, "Never to late to learn it. Maybe Aife will accept you as a pupil as well?" Never mind that she has no clue how talented Ragis is.

Dama falls asleep.

Ragis smiles and says, "She's invited me to attend the classes and to sing with them. I'm just getting the nerve up to sing in front of people....but I don't play any instruments"

Thesy returns the smile, "But your voice is an instrument too and a very precious one even." She lets the shawl slide down to her elbows, warm enough now for not needing it any longer. "I hope you'll accept Aife's offer. You see, I'm no harper, I don't even understand much of music. But I've been told that a voice, even an outstanding one, has to be trained."

Ragis blushes and nods. "I've already been to a few lessons before Delian came...I was with him all day today since Khay didn't want him to be alone during the Fall and I sing with Khay and Telynth...and now Delian when we are in the weyr together. I'm surprised that you haven't noticed a difference already. I mean, it isn't easy for a Tenor to change all that much, but Aife seems to think so." he murmurs as he sips his klah.

Pyrene arrives from deeper in the Weyr.

"Well ... yes", Ragis gets a rueful half-smile as Thesy nestles at her shawl, "You don't notice it that much when you speak, you know." And the bluerider has been way too engaged in her own affairs lately to have noticed the singing. "So, will you join Khay in his performance then?"

Ragis shakes his head even as he waves a greeting to Pyrene. "I don't think so....I'm content to sing with him and Aife for now....I'll not be joining the Harpers either, I don't think I could handle the separation.....besides Delian needs me too much." he says.

Pyrene yawns on entry, "Performance? Khay's going to entertain us?" she wonders absently. Juice naturally is acquired and then she takes a seat near Thesy, pulling her legs up cosily. "Yep, Delian needs you... Faranth knows you don't want to leave him to the tender mercies of the nannies," she adds, by way of observation.

Thesy nods but can't help but grin at Pyrene's sarcastic remark, "Hey, Pyrene! Finally got rid of the brats and able to enjoy a quiet evening for a change?" The shawl gets another rearrangement, she still has to get used to wearing such fancy clothes. "How're you?"

Ragis frowns slightly at Pyrene's comment, unsure how to take it since he has never said anything derogatory about the nannies and hoping that she doesn't think that since he's not in the bratcave that it is a slight to her skills. He sips his klah and remains silent till he knows whether he offended her somehow that he doesn't know about.

Pyrene grins. "I always lose the brats around this time of night, as if you hadn't noticed. Mind you, I'm seeing you around a lot more at this time of night... always in those pretty clothes--and always with Ragis. If I didn't know better, I'd say /he/ was your mystery man." She flashes a wink at Ragis, completely unaware of his uncertainty over her previous comment. "Where is Khay anyway?"

Ragis sighs and smiles wryly in her direction. "He's asleep, he was so tired after his long day that we didn't get moved into the new weyr....perhaps tomorrow." he murmurs. He glances at Thesy and shrugs. "Perhaps I am......she does seem to like my company, and she does look quite lovely in those clothes......" He lets the comment trail off.

So news haven't made it over to Pyrene yet. Good. Thesy leans a little closer to Ragis, "Thank you, m'dear!", she chuckles, "Oh yes, I do enjoy your company and ... well, if things were different, I think I wouldn't mind you being my /mystery/ man as Pyrene likes to put it."

Pyrene waves one hand airily. "Well, of course Thes. I need a little mystery in my life to keep me going." The ongoing trauma that her existence is, you see... this breaks it up. "So, you and Ragis are having an illicit affair in the wee hours of the morning. And yet, I /don't/ remember Ragis being gone for a few days to some tropical beach." She eyes Thesy again, "I'm going to find out sooner or later... you may as well tell me now."

Thesy gives Ragis a wink, "Awww ... too bad! She's found it out!" She laughs softly, raising her mug to Pyrene, "Because he wasn't with me that day? Well, good hunting then. I won't deny you the triumph of finding out all by yourself."

Ragis smiles and lays a slender hand lightly on Thesy's arm and murmurs, "Ah, but how do you know, Pyrene? I could have started that rumor that I had pneumonia and gone to the tropical island with dear Thesy anyway....After all, I haven't changed skin color since I was born...." he says, indicating the golden hue of his skin. "And I've had plenty of sun."

Pyrene stares oddly at Ragis. "Now I'm getting worried... because I've not seen you teasing before," she comments lightly. "But still... if you /were/ having an affair, you wouldn't be hinting at it now. And I don't think either of you are bold enough for the double bluff...." She winks. Don't try to outfox the master.

But maybe that's the trick? To admit the affair so everybody would think they're only joking? "We're not?" Thesy grins and tenderly brushes her hand over Ragis' on her arm, "All right, if it isn't Rage here, then who do you think it is?"

Pyrene chuckles and shakes her head. "Oh, well... that's the catch. I'm almost certain it's not a rider, but that still leaves everyone from.... Vesell to... Lethan. Being able to exclude Ragis doesn't help /that/ much..." She purses her lips again, regarding the pair of them for any giveaways.

Ragis sighs and lifts her hand to his lips, a mournful look on his face. "We've been discovered, Thesy dear. We may as well admit it......" he says as he leans toward her and places what seems to be a passionate kiss on the blueriders lips.

Pyrene rolls her eyes. "You two should be in the brat caves the way you play games. What wouldn't I give to have Khay walk in /right/ now..." she teases.

Ragis pulls back slightly and raises an eyebrow and asks, "Why? Do you think he'd like to join us?" He glances at Thesy and can't hold back a grin.

Startled but having herself in total control, Thesy stifles a laugh and slips her hand around Ragis' neck, pretending to return the kiss as passionate as it is given. Teasing the nanny is just too much fun to not play along with him. After what seems like an attempt to get her breath back, she grins back at Ragis, "I think he might ... after a while, pet."

Pyrene groans and shakes her head. "Then I'm just glad /Delian's/ not around. That would really make him feel like he's come to a steady environment, hm?" she points out, going below the belt in an attempt to get the gossip back on track.

Ragis's demeanor is shaken by that blow as tears start to his eyes. He sits back into his chair, trembling and murmurs, "That was too low, Pyrene......as if I'd do anything to hurt him. I was only teasing after all, to get back at you for all the teasing you've done to me....." he murmurs. He lifts his mug in a badly trembling hand to take a long drink.

Pyrene waves briefly to Dama but further greetings are interrupted as she starts up at Ragis' reaction. "Shells, Ragis, you know I didn't mean it! I'm sorry... Really I am... And I won't tease you anymore..." She darts an anxious glance to Thesy. That might have to involve not teasing her either, although she'll probably manage to dig at the bluerider nonetheless.

"Really, Pyrene!" Casting Ragis a worried glance, Thesy turns to the nanny, "Was that necessary?" Without hesitation she pulls an arm around Ragis' shoulder and hugs him, "It's ok, I'm sure she didn't mean it like /that/!" and Pyrene swiftly gets another angry glance. "C'mon dear, no one would think you'd do anything nearly like that, no?"

Ragis nods and takes another drink of his klah before setting the mug on the table. He folds his arms across his belly, though one hand rubs at his temple for a moment. "It's okay.....I sometimes forget that things aren't always meant the way they sound." he murmurs. He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly.

Pyrene is used to dealing with grouchy riders and annoying brats with skin as tough as a dragon's hide. Doesn't train do much for your subtlety. "I'm sorry..." she offers again, weakly.

"Oh, all right," Thesy is too relieved to see that Ragis seems to be coping to go on. "Just think twice before you talk from now on, please, Pyrene?" The young man's shoulder gets a little squeeze before she pulls her arm back and reaches for a mug. "Lets just forget about it, ok?"

Pyrene shuts up, officially reprimanded. She sits there quietly with her juice and doesn't even try to pry into Thesy's affairs further. Her eyes flit about enough to prove it's still on her mind, but she doesn't say anything. Impressive, isn't it?

Ragis sighs and drains his mug before he stands. "I need to go back anyway. Nite, Thesy. Don't worry about it, Pyrene. I'm not scarred for life...." he murmurs. As he passes the nanny, he squeezes her shoulder before strolling out to the bowl and home.

Ragis exchanges the protection of stone for the bowl outside.

"G'night, Rage!" Thesy calls softly after him, giving a little sigh. That guy is just too touchy sometimes but Pyrene's remark was really nasty. Oh well. "What a quiet evening it is." She says to no one in particular, It's just an attempt to get the conversation going again. Maybe not even a good one.

Jacquia prowls lightly in from the Central Bowl.

Pyrene pulls her shoulders in slightly. "It is quiet...." she replies. Fascinating conversation too. She glances to Jacquia then, "Hello? Can I help you?" Pyrene's nice, really! She just.... /slips/ sometimes.

Thesy cranes her head at the sound of footsteps in the quiet of the almost empty cavern, "G'evening." Jacquia receives a little nod and the bluerider returns to staring into her mug, a faint smile playing around the corners of her mouth. Sweet memories ...

Jacquia drifts in, casually scanning the cavern until Pyrene's question grabs her attention. Offering a lazy smile to Nanny and Rider she shrugs. "Perhaps. Right now, I'm just looking for somewhere to sit and a mug of hot klah."

Pyrene chuckles. "Well, you've come to the best place within an hour's journey for that. Although the conversation's not up to much right now..." She's back to teasing again and lightly prods Thesy with one foot.

Thesy looks up as Pyrene's foot touches her and nods, the smile still there, "Aye, not much, really." Jacquia is regarded with some curiosity and a hand waved invitingly at one of the empty chairs, "Have a seat then. Klah's fresh and the brats, fortunately, all asleep." At least that's what she hopes.

Jacquia chuckles softly and shakes a stray lock of hair back from her face before settling into an empty chair. Klah mug is reached for and as she pours herself a mug, she speaks. "Conversation... That's a luxury. First I had chatter fit to drive me insane and then days on the road has left me hungry for the murmur of voices."

Pyrene snorts idly, blinking for a moment. "Well, I doubt they're /all/ asleep, but they're not awake enough to disturb my lizards, so we're probably safe," she affirms. "Where've you come from then?" This to Jacquia. "It's a trek up here without a dragon...."

Thesy tips her head at Jacquia and laughs, "Well, we'll do our best to entertain you well then? I hope you didn't have a nasty trip up here." She nods at Pyrene, "Especially in spring with the roads partly flooded and patches of ice still around."

Jacquia mms softly. "Started at Crom. My mother decided I needed a nice long trek to recover from Ista. Carried messages for High Reaches Hold, and for the Weyr. Handed them over the Guards when I arrived." She half shrugs, adding some spices to her klah. "Ah, the trip wasn't bad. I've ridden in worse - had a good runner."

Pyrene shrugs and grins. "Reaches will help you recover from Ista alright. A few days here and most people forget they were ever warm. We have good cookies though." And with that she stands. "But it's late and I'm on the morning shift tomorrow. I'll see you all later."

Pyrene goes home.

"Aye but we had a couple of accidents lately. Last one had a trader's, no -tinker's- wagon turned over and some of our riders had to go rescue them." Thesy takes a sip but pulls a face as she notices that her klah's gone cold. Filling another mug from the fresh pot, she gives Jacquia a smile, "And how long will you stay?"

Jacquia quirks one eyebrow and shakes her head. "I don't know. My ultimate destination is Tillek but how and when I get there don't matter so very much." She sips her klah, openly savouring the spicy taste and the warmth. "Ah, wagons are dangerous. I've seen too many slip, pitch over or the like. Give me a runner to ride instead any day."

Thesy folds her hands around the mug, blowing softly at the its steaming surface, "I agree but from what I know the wagons are their home, so." The bluerider gives a faint shrug, "Besides, they need them to transport their goods, no?" Then she chuckles, shaking her head at herself, "But, dear, where /are/ my manners. I'm Thesy, blue Sardrinth's rider. I don't think we've met?"

Jacquia lets her lips twitch, awarding Thesy a quiet smile. "True. And my manners have turned up no better it seems - I'm Jacquia. Messenger for the Minecraft, normally attached to the Tillek MineHold." That said, she drops her gaze and concentrates on her klah, reducing the level in the mug significantly. "No, we haven't met before."

"Well, it /is/ late, so I guess our manners are tired." Thesy winks and holds up her mug, "Welcome to the 'Reaches then, though I suppose you've been here before." She settles back in her chair, pulling up the shawl as a draft arises and takes a sip. "The weather's been fine lately, si I think you'll enjoy your stay."

Jacquia mms softly. "Once before. I got sent up here to deliver a turnday gift from Master Lachien to Weyrwoman Lani. But I wasn't here long then, only a single night." The draft reaches her and she shivers, yet seems to be almost unaware of it. "Fine. I'll take your word for it. But I'm still not used to northern weather again."

"Yes, a lot of people seem to have difficulties to get used to the climate." Thesy laughs softly, "I myself needed some time since I've been born and raised in Keroon." She pauses for a moment, her eyes darting to the entrance, but no, no one's there. "However, here we tend to enjoy spring and summer a lot more with the winters lasting so long. And it's so beautiful up here then."

Jacquia smiles again, her lashes dipping gently as she nods. "Aye. The one thing I must say I like about the north is the springtime flowers... particularly up in the mountains."

Thesy nods in return, "They are marvelous, only they last for such a short time." She smiles at Jacquia, "And the sky is a special blue up here and the air also has a special quality." She grins a little lopsidedly, "Sorry, if I get sentimental but I've grown to really love the place."

Jacquia only laughs softly. "Oh, I don't mind." She returns the smile again, with a quick one of her own. "I'm sorry... I'm still rather subdued. Too subdued. Although, I will agree the sky is a lovely lovely shade, and there is something about true mountain air that's... unforgettable?"

Thesy winks, the laughter remaining in her eyes, "Oh, tell me again the day you'll have to leave." The rider takes another sip, then smooths a fold in her skirt again. "I hope you can at least stay a few days."

Lethan arrives from deeper in the Weyr.

"Unless I suddenly get word to get moving, I can certainly stay a few days. Provided the Weyr doesn't mind me imposing on their hospitality." Jacquia says the last in a teasing tone, a sparkle surfacing in her dark brown gaze. "I understand Master Lachien visits High Reaches at frequent intervals; I can't account for his orders."

Thesy raises a brow, "Well, we certainly don't, the 'Reaches are famous for their hospitality, aren't they. Just find yourself a place in our guest quarters." A soft tap-tap at the entrance from the inner Weyr makes her flash a swift look over, and recognizing the lanky figure, brings a smile on her face though she doesn't call out for him. Her voice will probably bring him at her side anyway.

Lethan halts a moment, at the sound of the blueriders voice, in his quest for klah. But then he realizes he shouldn't really do that and presses on. He's slow about pouring the klah, even gets a little food to munch on before tap-taping with his staff his way to Thesy's side. He's been a bit distant lately.

Jacquia nods, not at all surprised. She does indeed know of the 'reaches famed hospitality. A few moments later and her gaze turns to Lethan for a moment, regarding him with silent curiosity. "Aye. I'll take up residence in the guest quarters for a while."

For once Thesy is glad he can't see her. The smile, warm and welcoming, the glow on her cheeks and the brightness in her eyes, revealing how glad she is he finally came. She's been all too aware of his keeping his distance a little more since that evening. So she tries hard, and manages, to keep her voice as equably as possible, "G'evening, Leth! Have a seat, the Reaches have another guest. That's Jacquia here, Messenger to the MineCraft, and staying for a couple of days. Jacquia, this is Lethan, one of the rescued tinkers I told you about."

Lethan bobs his head a little, "Evening....So wh-" He pauses and the question is answered before he can finnish getting it out of his mouth. "Well met Jacquia.....Which location are posted to?" he sets the staff in his chair, then puts the klah and bowl of stew down on the table before sitting down.

Jacquia continues her observations, and draws her own conclusions before long. "Evening Lethan." she offers gently in greeting. "Nice to meet you." She does too know her manners. "Which location? Normally, Tillek MineHold. However, in the past two sevendays, I've been on a route from Crom. High Reaches is a stop over on my way back to Tillek."

"We've just discussed the special quality of the warm seasons here," Thesy interjects in a conversational tone, smiling but her eyes take on a faintly worried expression. Shells, she still could slap herself for ... well, can't be helped now, he'll have to accept it ... or not. Yet the shawl gets drawn closer, for the young woman the draft seems to have grown stronger.

Lethan nods, thinking. "If you don't mind waiting a full sevenday, you could travel my nephew Carian and not travel alone....have good company and good cooking each night...." He shrugs a little at the nonchalant suggestion, as if it's not important one way or the other. He smirks lightly, "I know of people in Igen who get High Reaches mud shipped down to them for bathing in....."

Jacquia only chuckles softly. "I'll remember your offer, Lethan. And thanks for the company Thesy. But tiredness is catching up and I wish to seek a wee bit of shut-eye." Saying thus, she rises from her seat and quietly exits the living cavern in the direction of the inner caverns.

Jacquia steps into the shadows that lead back into the Weyr.

Lethan after saying the goodbyes to Jacquia (*beats his slow player), Leth leans over that bowl and slowly starts to eat. It's not so much that he doesn't want to talk, just that....for once, the Tinker doesn't know what to say. He seems to be thinking, mulling over the 'problem' in his mind.

Thesy can wait. Sitting there all quiet she just watches him eat, for all of her worries happy to have him around. At least he doesn't avoid her. Her mug gets a refill and she takes a sip ... the seconds ticking away, only the distant murmur of a little group and the little nightly sounds keeping them from sitting in utter silence.

Well, he sort of does, since he's managed to 'legitimatly' keep himself busy, and has been talking alot with the latest set of Tinker in the bowl at the moments when their schedules could overlap. But when they are in the same room at the same time he doesn't avoid her. He eats slowly, taking his time to very thoroughly chew the food. This is going to go on like this for a while.

Ragis strolls in an unconsciously seductive manner in from the Central Bowl.

Kh'et slips quietly into the room more from his nature than attempted stealth, in from the Central Bowl.

Although the elongated silence does start to unnerve Thesy, she keeps her mouth shut but finally glances down at her hands, clasped tightly in her lap. She doesn't want him to notice her staring at his face. She can be just as stubborn or headstrong or whatever you want to name it. She's done no wrong, not in her eyes, at least. But even the arrival of Kh'et and his mate goes unnoticed.

Ragis glances at Kh'et and asks, "Klah? Anything else?" He keeps his voice pitched low so as not to wake the sleeping boy in the bronze rider's arms.

Kh'et and Ragis actually come down from the Crafting Area, having apparently spent some extra time with Aife. Khay's carrying a sleeping Delian, the boy's head laid against the scarred shoulder. "Please....uh...something to eat, I'm not picky....Thanks love...." He comes over to the blue-tinker table, at first not noticing the tension there. "Hullo Thesy, Lethan...."

Ragis nods and moves to the hearth. He pours two mugs and a pot of klah and then gets a plate of meatrolls, fixing a second plate of roast wherry, tubers and greens as well, since he's not too sure how hungry Kh'et will be. He turns and carries this all to the table glancing from Thesy to Lethan, a frown on his face as he senses that something is not right.

Lethan isn't trying to be stubborn or headstrong -intentionally-. He's just rather preoccupied with finding the 'out' in this situation. These are ropes he's not having much luck escaping, since they have no physical qualities. She can't be in love with him, it's just not right....For some reason he can't lie to her, or well, tell her things she wants to hear that he thinks aren't true. He's wholely believed every word he's ever spoken to her. "Hello Kh'et....Ragis....and...little one?"

Thesy starts at the soft voice of the bronzerider and glances up. A lopsided half-smile appears, "Oh, Kh'et, Ragis! Sorry, I didn't hear you come." Her glance sneaks around the rider, searching for Ragis. She hopes he's got over Pyrene's nasty remark. Returning her gaze to the bronzer, she looks curiously at the small figure in his arms, So, this is Delian, yes?" But no matter how hard she tries to appear her usual self, the glow has gone by now. She sighs, very softly, when Lethan gives his greetings to the new arrivals. She doesn't really understand his reaction. She's asked nothing of him, she's only told him how she felt and she neither regrets telling him nor is ashamed of them.

Ragis smiles at Thesy though it is rather concerned as he realizes that she isn't the same as she was when he visited with her earlier. He sends a rather sharp glance toward Lethan, thinking that the Tinker might have been the cause. He sighs softly before taking a quick sip of his klah.

Kh'et nods in response to Leth's question, "Aye...." He says eventually, when he remembers the nod's not a response that Leth can get. "This is...we've tried him out though.....it's good he hasn't got my lack of sleeping tendency...."

Of course he's the cause, but he's got a rather uncomfortable feel about him as well. Though with his head down for eating, his shaggy hair hides his face. Demands made or not, Thesy's said the 'l' word and meant it before he was ready to hear it, much less say or feel it himself. Don't get him wrong, he likes the bluerider, and alot....enough that he's gone with her on 'Drinth.

Thesy draws a deep breath, and after another anxious glance at Lethan, turns to Kh'et and points to the broad bench running along the wall, "Put him there. I think that'll be a lot more comfortable than having him in your lap. He's a rather big boy and they do grow heavy when they're asleep." Ragis gets a little smile in return and the rider falls quiet again, too distracted by her disturbed thoughts. Which are moving in circles.

Ragis sips his klah as his eyes flick from Lethan to Thesy and back again. He finally asks, "Pyrene didn't keep at you after I left did she, Thesy?" His eyes show how concerned he is for her.

Kh'et looks to Ragis, wondering if that's what Ragis would rather. Delian is a bit on the tall and heavy side like this. He glances about, feeling rather out of the loop on what's going on. Not that's unusual, of course.

Ragis glances at the bench and then at the boy and nods. He's just lucky he still has his cloak and Delian's cape. He folds his cloak and lays it on the bench, motioning for Kh'et to lay the child down. He then drapes Delian's cape over the boy to keep him warm. "He'll be more comfortable there I'm sure. And it'll be a bit more quiet for him too." he murmurs.

"What? Oh, no, no." Thesy grins, at least she hopes she does, not to sure about it. "A messenger of the MineCraft came just in time to keep her from prying further." Her hands now hold her mug as if it were the only safe thing left, her nerves tense like bow strings. Lethan's silence and a longing for him make the rider touchy, yet she does her best not to show, unfortunately not being too good at it. "There's a couple of cushions over there, Ragis", she hints, keeping her voice low as not to wake the lad.

Kh'et nods, and gets up to lay the boy down. He returns before asking, "She still trying to figure out the name of the man in your love life?"

Ragis nods his thanks and fetches a cushion for the boy's head and tenderly caresses the sleeping child's brow and kisses him before returning to the table. "She was poking and digging the entire time she was here, at least before I headed back upstairs." he sighs. He settles between Khay and Thesy and leans toward the bluerider and asks, "What happened? Or should I not ask?"

Lethan gives a bit of a clue as to what's wrong when he winces at the word 'love', especially since it's connected to him. "Nothing..." He fibs with a shake of his head.

"Yes, seems to annoy her enormously." Thesy's reply comes in a flat voice, "which made it all the more fun to tease her." She shrugs. She would have hugely enjoyed telling Kh'et about it, if things were different, if Lethan ... oh, well. Ragis question though makes her tear her eyes from the poor mug and give him a look in which worry, pain and, last but not least, anger are mingled, "I've told him how I feel and now", another shrug, "now he seems to feel uncomfortable with me, obviously he doesn't feel the same but trapped in something he didn't want." she whispers in a crackling voice, audible for Ragis only. "He ..." her voice trails off, the rider obviously lost of words.

Lethan winces again as Thesy makes a liar of him. Well, alright, proves him to be, semantics...really, it's all just semantics.....He sighs heavily. "I wanted to avoid hurting you when I leave in the fall.....now there's no way around it."

Ragis sighs and lays a gentle hand on Thesy's arm. "I'm so sorry, Thes.....But there's no accounting for taste sometimes, you know." he murmurs, just a tad louder than her voice had been. "Still, shall we tell Khay and Lethan what we tried to do to Pyrene? Or would that be too uncomfortable?" Concern and anger war in his eyes. Seem that bronze lump of a dragon was right.

That bronze lump of a harper-dragon knows his men. He does, oh yes, he does. Khay, having had some experience of being in love with a tinker just listens, gathering information as he eats those greens that his love hates.

"If you want to, Ragis ...", Thesy keeps her voice just as flat, yet now after Leth's last words, she's trembling with the effort to appear calm. Flashing him a quick glance, she says, still in a low tone though the flatness is utterly gone, "So? We both knew from that morning up at the Star Stones that you didn't intend to stay here." And she never intended to ask him to do so, knowing too well that he would not have been happy. Her eyes return to the mug, almost crushed now between her hands. "I ... I'd never have asked that from you." Or anything else. Only to enjoy their being together as long as it would last. Life's too short, particularly for a dragonrider, to give too much thought to the future.

Lethan turns his head, "But that doesn't mean that I intended to hurt you....or incite feelings like -that- in you....And I haven't said you did ask anything.....I just...there's an implied responsibility when you say something like that, from the person you're saying it too...."

Ragis shakes his head and glances at Lethan and sighs softly. "The only responsibility implied when someone says 'I love you' is that you be truthful with them and with yourself.....you don't have to love them back, you can only like them.....but you don't push them away." he murmurs as he studies his mug.

Lethan frowns, lifting his head, "No, you don't say something like that if you don't want to hear it in return. I care more about Thesy than I have for anyone else in a long time, and I enjoy being with her but....now there's an inequity and it's one I don't handle well. How would you feel, holderbred, if your bronzerider said he was in love with you and you didn't feel the same way about him? How would you react?"

Ragis laughs softly and says, "Exactly as I did winter before this past one, Lethan. I told him I loved him, but not in the manner he wanted me to. He was sweet, but I was not ready for a relationship yet......" His voice trails off, a sadness creeping over his features.

Lethan says, "And didn't it make you feel like the lowest of grubs having to say that...not being able to honestly say what he wanted to hear? Great Faranth, I'm not even comfortable saying the word conversationally....."

Ragis sighs and after a moments thought says, "No, Lethan....because he wanted the truth. He'd not have been pleased if I had said that I loved him and didn't really......it would have been a.....betrayal. So no, I did not feel like the lowest grub to say the opposite he wanted to hear...." He takes a long drink of he klah.

"So ....", Thesy just stares at Lethan, having followed the exchange with anger, gratefulness for Ragis and now surprise, "Is that how you feel, Leth? But ... but ... that's weird." The rider's still trembling, her eyes fixed on him and her voice is barely more than a whispers when she adds, "I am sorry .... I've had no ... idea." Tears start to form on those unfairly long lashes and she sits back, once more glancing down, unable to face him any longer.

Lethan answers Thesy in lieu of Ragis, "Yes. It's because I do care about you, and I don't want to hurt you....and I know the hurt of loving someone who didn't return the feeling. I also know the hurt of being lied to about it. And I swore I'd never put someone else in that position.....And here I've done exactly that.....Oh please don't..." He sighs and shakes his head, leaving the spoon in his bowl. Twinges of guilt and panic seem to shoot from him as he wrestles with this. Comfort or flight....? Panic wins out and he suddenly takes up his staff and moves as fast as he dares out of the room muttering, "I can't deal with this....."

And that, of course, brings Thesy's head up sharply, "Yeah, right! Run, Tinker, riders are a dangerous breed!" She calls after him, not caring who might overhear this, feeling rejected and hurt, "And it's your own fault, too! All I did was calling you love but you /had/ to ask, no?"

Ragis ducks slightly as Thesy yells her frustration after Lethan and sighs softly. Sorrow etched deeply into his face is slow to clear as he murmurs, "I'm sorry, Thesy......I should have stayed quiet........." He sips his klah ad sinks back into his chair, trying to become inconspicuous. There Telynth, proof that being too caring is dangerous.

Lethan points out before he makes it to the bowl, "I wouldn't have asked if you hadn't called me that to being with, woman. Something you didn't need to do." And with that, he's out, likely heading for that nephew, Carian he'd mentioned to the miner's messenger.

Lethan exchanges the protection of stone for the bowl outside.

Thesy takes the last blow rather bravely, only sinking back into her chair. "Damned man," she mutters, feeling nothing but emptiness and completely worn out. "It wasn't your fault, Ragis." She continues after a few sips of her now cold klah, having to hold the mug with both hands since they're shaking. She gives an irritated little shake of her head, "And you know what's the best?" Her eyes dart from Ragis to Kh'et and back again and a faint sob makes her chest raise, "I'd not intention of telling him then. But when he asked ...."

Kh'et reaches for his mate's hand and squeezes gently. "No one's blaming you Thesy....." He can't say the same for Lethan, since Ragis is blaming him for that whole problem.

"If you'll excuse me ..." Thesy stands but has to grab the back of her chair to steady herself, her knees shaking and she can already feel the beginnings of a nasty headache, "I'll better go now. I have to put my name on the roster." Another sob, heavier than the first one seems to choke her, "No point in prolonging a holiday a I won't enjoy." The bluerider nods hastily down at the pair, the only thought she has right now is to get out of here and back to her weyr as quick as possible before she breaks down with an audience.