Bump in the Dark

Western Weyr - Large Storage Cavern
A huge cavern that serves as a warehouse for the Weyr. There is a loading dock for wagons and supplies of all sorts are stacked neatly on huge shelves. Several smaller passages lead to various rooms used for storage. Sometimes one will see one of the smaller dragons helping lift things to and from the shelves with the rider directing the operation.


The day's tunnelsnake hunting assignment sees a group of candidates on late evening duty. Having been told to report to the storage caverns after dinner, Rousseaux is there with her fellows being handed the necessary tools to go forth and slay the mighty — well, to clobber a few tunnelsnakes and rid the Weyr of a few more pests, anyway. Assigned a partner each by the person in charge, Roux doesn't look at all disappointed to be set up with Theicher; she saunters over to his side and winks. "You and me, eh?"

Theicher rests his club on the top of his shoulder, twisting around to catch Roux’s eye and offer her a flirty twist of his lips. “It appears that way. Are you a big tunnelsnake hunter?” He removes his club and gives it a little expert twirl, “This used to be my favorite thing to do as a child.” Is admitted as he starts creeping over to the darker side of the storage cavern. They gotta be hiding around here somewhere, right?

"Ryeokie calls me huntergirl," Rousseaux says with a cheeky wiggle of her eyebrows and a bump of her elbow into his side. She walks alongside him with a surprisingly soft step, carrying the pointed tip of her tunnelsnake spear low between them. "It was always one of my favourite things back home, yeah. There's even more of the bastards in Ista Weyr than there were there though - it was like tunnelsnake /heaven/." She muffles a chuckle, then holds out her hand to grasp Thei's wrist, attempting to stop him as she points with her spear. "/There/." And she's going to let him have the first kill, too!

Theicher isn’t about to try to take the first kill from the girl, what is he, some kind of brute? Well, he is, but he’s not that much of one. “Huntergirl huh? Did you used to do a lot of hunting back at Ista? I’d have thought the weyrs were pretty flushed out of the darned things, with all the firelizards and what not that populate them, but I guess not.” He does however eye the spear with a bit of a weird look. For being the weyr’s hunter, he doesn’t look thrilled at the idea of stabbing at ‘em. “I normally just club ‘em into unconsciousness and release them out in the jungle away from the weyr.” He admits before her fingers meet with his flesh and he pauses to look where she’s pointing. “Awful small.” He admits and motions for her to do what she’s gunna do. He’ll follow suit.

"You mean you don't /kill/ them?" Roux seems a little disappointed that he's labelled her first find as 'awful small', but she stalks forward and jabs out quickly with her spear, driving it through the little creature. "There's gonna be no releasing after /that/," the former-Istan-former-'Reachian admits with a shrug, holding up the spear with the still-wriggling critter on the end. "Wanna club it? Put it out of it's misery?"

“Well don’t get me wrong, I love a good hunt, but something seems wrong ‘bout killing something we aren’t gunna then eat.” Theicher admits, looking a bit sheepish at the way she’s saying stuff. And then she’s gone and stabbed the poor lil bugger and Theicher nearly sighs at the sight. He always thought tunnelsnakes were fun to capture but killing them, that totally wasn’t his idea of a good time. “Yeah, I don’t think there’s recovering from that.” He shakes his head at her offer, “You wounded it, you can finish it.” And then there’s movement he catches out of the corner of his eye and quickly moves away from her. A moment passes and a *thump* noise before Theich is coming back with an even smaller ‘snake held ‘round it’s neck before he carefully lowers it into a burlap-like sack he’s brought along. “Not as messy either.” He gives her a cheeky smile.

Rousseaux wrinkles her nose at the sight of Thei's tunnelsnake. "Yeah, but once you release it, it'll only come straight back, won't it? That's what dad always used to say." While he was off she whacked her own tunnelsnake against the wall, either knocking it out or killing it, since it's still now. A little click of her tongue though and a fair of three firelizards appear above her, one of which snatches at the floppy little corpse when the candidate girl tosses it up into the air. "It's not like it's going to waste, anyway. My three /love/ them. See how fat they are?" The two browns and one blue are a bit on the plumper side.

Theicher chuckles, a deep rich laughter that rumbles through him. “Well, yes, if you’re stupid enough to release it too close, but I stray pretty far from the weyr anyway, and I don’t think that a tunnelsnake is gunna be able to get all the way back here.” At the appearance of her trio, he nods, not having thought about feeding them to the firelizards. “I just impressed one of those, so I think it’s a bit small to be feeding tunnelsnake to. I’d still rather release ‘em. But I swear I’m not a pansy, give me a good wherry hunt, or hell, even one of those giant felines, and I’ll be more than happy to hunt it down and drive a spear through its heart.” See, he’s still got dangly bits between his legs! “You ever train them to hunt? I haven’t got the first idea bout training ‘lizards but Keely suggested I try maybe. Since I got stuck with the lil pipsqueak.”

Rousseaux does give Thei a look that suggests she thinks he's perhaps a little softer around the edges than he believes, but she reaches out to squeeze his upper arm with a grin rather than say as much. "Take me exploring, when we're done on the Sands? Soon's we can. Either if you're a weyrling or I'm a weyrling or we're /both/ weyrlings or both left standing. Whatever happens, yeah? It's fun to go alone, but it's always better when there's someone who knows the way home." Her blue alights on her shoulder, eyes whirling bright green in the gloom that surrounds them. "They're trained to do some stuff, but I've never really trained them to hunt. They just know to hang back and be quiet until they're called for."

Theicher flexes said arm when she gives it a squeeze. The good thing about being a hunter and always running around all day, is at least the young man’s built well, right? Right. “Exploring? Sure thing. This island or the big one a bit north of us? We could get lost for months on that one.” He offers a crooked smile, and the dimple in his left cheek appears. “Might be a little more difficult to get away if one or both of us get saddled with a baby dragon though. But sure, why not?” Because there’s nothing more that Theich loves than the great outdoors. The candidate has fallen into lazy mode though and he makes no more attempt at the moment to go hunting for ‘snakes but instead is content to just standing here chatting with Roux. “Hmm, well maybe you could give me some pointers when mine gets a bit older. I’d like to make sure he’s well trained. He kinda seems like a pansy right now. Cowering at my fingers. That’s definitely gotta go.” Because Theich can’t have a coward for a pet!

"You've gotta remember he's just a baby, Thei. He's probably scared shitless of the whole world that's so huge around him, yeah? Give him a chance to grow up a bit." Roux, too, seems content to lean against a wall. "Let's do the big island - I fancy getting lost. We'll be good though, yeah? You and me? I reckon we'd get on pretty damn good, don'tcha think?" She clicks her tongue and winks one honey-coloured eye at him, before pushing off the wall and squeezing his upper arm again. "You gotta good bit of muscle on you, Theicher. Girls've gotta like that… guys too, since you're into that. Right?"

For someone who was raised with a whole weyr of weyrbrats, he sure seems rather perplexed by the idea of something being a ‘baby’. So he tilts his head to the side and eyes Roux as if she’s speaking a foreign language. “I guess.. that makes sense.” Theicher admits, bobbing his head. “Yeah, you don’t seem overly girly so I think we’d be good. And I don’t see any issues right now.” As long as Rhab isn’t around at least. However, it’s that last comment that has him getting a bit stiff and less laid back in his mien. “I’m not sure I’d go as far as to say that I’m into that.” With that vein of thought he makes a move, slipping closer to Rousseaux, before he manages to sneak his head closer and press his lips to hers. It’s not a long, nor is it a deep kiss, but it’s still hot enough to get Theich’s blood going rather fast. Well. He’s definitely /not/ gay. He pulls back, trying to put a little bit of distance between them. “Sorry.” He quips, but refuses to avert his gaze or do anything else. “Just wanted to make sure.”

Rousseaux is certainly surprised by that move - her brows raise high on her forehead, and she's just about to return the kiss when Theicher steps back. "Huh," she says softly, looking at him curiously. "Just making sure you're still into girls, or…?" Space is given if he wants it, as she touches a finger to her lips, then draws her tongue along the lower of the two. "I think I've had more covert kisses since I got here than I've had in my whole /life/, y'know." And then she's grinning, holding out her hand towards him and jerking her head towards the darker recesses not yet explored. "C'mon. I think I heard a tunnelsnake that way. Either we can chase after it, or you can make even /more/ sure while we're down there."

“Pretty much.” Theicher admits rather shamelessly. “I.. have feelings for Rhab.” As if the tension between them the other night wasn’t thick enough you could take a knife to it. “And I’ve kinda never had feelings for a guy before.” Theich loves girls, and he totally still does. So it’s very confusing for the poor hunter to have to figure out exactly what this all means exactly. A lopsided grin is given to her about the kisses comment, “It makes it all that much more interesting, when it’s forbidden, right? Although technically it isn’t kisses that are forbidden, it’s what kisses tend to lead to.” He starts moving off to the direction she indicates though, but he doesn’t seem overly concerned about putting as much space between them as he was a moment ago.

"I've never had one, either. Not one that's lasted more than a few strung-out nights, anyway… and that's not /really/ a relationship." Roux shrugs her shoulders gently, curling her arms around Theicher's waist. It's a comfortable, loose hold, with her hands knotted together behind his back. "Western's been full of surprises. I snogged a girl… naked, in the Tiki Lounge. All for a free drink for her - I did it for /citrus juice/." She chuckles, shaking her head. "I gotta bit of a crush on a starcrafter, who's ilved in the same Weyr as me for turns, yet we never saw one another. I've been propositioned and flirted with and had my arse squeezed more times than you'd know - but it's all good, y'know? I like it. I've asked Zi'on if I can stay, with or without a dragon… he's said yes. " That splurge of words is coupled with her leaning closer, pressing her ample chest and soft tummy to his leaner form. "I'd like to get to learn you better. With or without shagging, don't matter to me. You're my typa person though, y'know?" And she's up on her tiptoes, attempting what would be another kiss - when a shaft of light cuts through the gloom and lands right on them. "Oi! No mackin'!" Then the owner of the voice is gone along with the light, and Rousseaux laughs, unhooking her arms from around Theicher's waist. "C'mon then, hunterboy. Gotta go catch us s'more tunnelsnakes, right? My fair's hungry." She grabs her spear, reaches out for his wrist, and tugs him deeper into the tunnels to continue their tunnelsnake purge.

"For Rhab, huh? He's fucking /hot/. I can see that. Wanna see who can get into his pants quickest?" Roux turns around to wink at Theicher, clicking her tongue in challenge. "For all he made me that offer and whacked you with his book, I reckon he's somewhat into you. That's what girls do, isn't it? Beat up on the boys they fancy?" She reaches back to capture his wrist, tugging him closer as the darkness grows ever more so around them.

Theicher must trust her, because when she asks who can get into Rhab’s pants the quickest, he comes to an abrupt halt and turns around to face her. The smirk on his lips really should say way more than words ever could. “I don’t know exactly how he feels, well no, that’s not true. He just wants something no string attached.” Theich’s brows crease and there’s a thoughtful look that flickers across his face. “But..” And then he shrugs, not really sure how to express himself. ‘cause he totally told the teen that’s what he’d give him, but at the same time Theicher isn’t so sure that’s possible. And then she’s tugging him closer and he blinks, growing impatient with how slow his eyes are adjusting to the lack of light. “Scared of the dark?” There’s laughter bleeding into each word.

"Terrified," Rousseaux lies (badly). "That 'but' sounds a pretty heavy one, Thei." Perhaps she's picking up on what it means. "No strings. That's the best way for it. See, right now? We could fool around and we'd know that once those eggs decide it's their time, we'd have to put an end to it. I don't mind so much flouncing a few rules /now/ - not that I /have/ - but there's no way I'd risk a dragonet for it. No /way/." She shakes her head, standing close enough now for the rise and fall of each breath to /just/ cause her chest to brush against his. "If we're left without our lifemates, though… if Ryeokie Impresses and you and I don't… then you wanna step into his place and scratch the itch I've had building since I took this knot?"

Theicher laughs again at her lie but quiets as she continues and he nods his head, even if she can’t rightly see said nod. “I know that’s the best. But knowing it with your head doesn’t always mean your heart is gunna follow, you know?” As for the rest, “I wouldn’t put a baby dragon in harm’s way either, you know. But there are people who’re weyrmated and in relationships already when they’re searched and then impress. So I guess I don’t see what the big deal is, as long as I can control myself then, if I impress.” It’s that faint flutter of sensation against his chest, the warmth bleeding through his shirt that catches his attention and his arms drop down her, almost lazily to pull her close. “I would be interested. But I really should sort my feelings out with Rhabel first. I think. I don’t want to hurt people. I mean, I totally want to..” And to prove it, his hand wanders down to cop a feel on her plushy behind. Ahem. “But I’m totally entering uncharted territory here.” At least the guy is honest.

"It's all good." Roux giggles a little when her backside's squeezed, curling her fingers around Theicher's arm. "Though I warn you, if you and Rye both get dragons… I'm going after Rhabel." She winks, reaching up to boop him on the nose. "I'm meant to be Ryeo's girl, y'know. I'm sure that's what he said. That we were dating, or summat. Never dated anyone before though, so… I dunno. Would this be so wrong, if we /were/ dating?" She rises up on her toes to steal a little kiss. It's nothing more than a quick peck, really. "So many damned temptations, hunterboy."

Thicher’s brows shoot up at that little admission, “Oh, you better be careful about treading there, miss Roux. I’m not sure I quite feel like the sharing type.” There’s amusement in his voice, but there’s surely a grain of truth there that the hunter isn’t fully ready to admit yet. “Hmm. If you guys were dating, and it was understood that it’s exclusive and all, then it would be wrong. So perhaps, if you ever do start dating, that you make things clear, if you aren’t ready to commit to just that one person.” He pauses, licking his lips the moment before she’s managed to steal one of his kisses now. “I’ve never done that, dating exclusively, but to be honest I haven’t really had what I’d consider a real relationship either. I like learning different people.” He admits shamelessly as he reaches up and runs fingers across her brow to tuck some stray hair behind her ear.

"I've never had one, either. Not one that's lasted more than a few strung-out nights, anyway… and that's not /really/ a relationship." Roux shrugs her shoulders gently, curling her arms around Theicher's waist. It's a comfortable, loose hold, with her hands knotted together behind his back. "Western's been full of surprises. I snogged a girl… naked, in the Tiki Lounge. All for a free drink for her - I did it for /citrus juice/." She chuckles, shaking her head. "I gotta bit of a crush on a starcrafter, who's ilved in the same Weyr as me for turns, yet we never saw one another. I've been propositioned and flirted with and had my arse squeezed more times than you'd know - but it's all good, y'know? I like it. I've asked Zi'on if I can stay, with or without a dragon… he's said yes. " That splurge of words is coupled with her leaning closer, pressing her ample chest and soft tummy to his leaner form. "I'd like to get to learn you better. With or without shagging, don't matter to me. You're my typa person though, y'know?" And she's up on her tiptoes, attempting what would be another kiss - when a shaft of light cuts through the gloom and lands right on them. "Oi! No mackin'!" Then the owner of the voice is gone along with the light, and Rousseaux laughs, unhooking her arms from around Theicher's waist. "C'mon then, hunterboy. Gotta go catch us s'more tunnelsnakes, right? My fair's hungry." She grabs her spear, reaches out for his wrist, and tugs him deeper into the tunnels to continue their tunnelsnake purge.

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