//Sorrow\\ - Alyx

[Flame]

Tiaris was wearing a skirt, a long one to. Dark brown. Her mother said it matched her eyes. Her bodice matched and her white chimise, well... was white. The dress swirled around her ancles as she moved with a basket on her hip. Her face was neutral, stony even. it had been about three weeks since her brother had been Impressed. Tiaris was lonely, but surviving, as she was wont to do. The tall woman moved with learned movements there was no energy in them.

She was about to start hanging laundry. There were no men around, being that they were out in the ocean, but children's voices could be heard, as well as other women tittering. Though there was a masculin voice inside. Another suitor for Tia. As soon as she and her family had gotten home they'd swarmed. She knew her mother was doing her best to sort the good ones from the bad, but still.

She'd known as soon as she'd gotten home that she was going to ahve to place her weapons, and leather's in a chest, and never open it again. That wasn't her place. Not any more. She sighed as she hung the large basket, her eyes distant. She'd been called ungreatful by her mother, and sulking by her father. her siblings had treated her as if they couldn't wait to get rid of her. Though that had never changed. Her grandmother had understood as had Derien. The harper had comforted her, and her Grandmother had refused to give her consent on any man who came. Even if Tia's mother thought he was good. After all, the Matriarch did make the desitions. The only reason Tia would want to have her own family, was to be like her grandmother.

[Flame]

He was right, he'd been seen, though her little brother hadn't told her whome he'd seen, and had gone streight inside. Her sisters came out. All of them. Well all three. The youngest, the sixteen year old, twittered, in her blue dress. Her blue eyes showing up easily. The Harper was also in blue, tub she didn't seem to care, she was watching her younger sister wih amusment. As if the Heir to Darkened hold was here to speak with Kyrisin.

Tia's head snapped around when she heard the voice. She saw the horse first though. Raider. Dammit. She'd been trying to not think about him. At all. Minak. Holder Heir. Her friend. Or at least something like that. He asked for her, and she could hear her older sister Tyarem (the harper), stalling. "Well, Lord Minak, isn't it a lovely day for you to visit? Shouldn't you introduse yourself before asking for one of the girls of the house? it's only polite." there was no admonishing, just trying to keep protical doing. Tyarem had noticed her sister's reaction, an had given her time to react. Tia was greatful, as she finished the peice of clothing she was on and went turned towards the group, moving quietly until she was at the back.

"There is no Lady in this cot hold, Lord. Though I am Tiaris." she said formaly, as she felt her grandmother leave the large house behind her. Followed by her mother, and a man about thirty, blond, tall, and hansom, though something about him was off. Her grandmother moved past the girls, using her cane. Her silver hair was long and flowed down her back, and her sharp grown eyes looked the red headed holder over. "You must be Lord Minak. Welcome to the Lost Dragon Cothold. Tia? Go inside and get the refreshments, that means all of you girls. Kyaris? Stay. And you Gabnis. I believe we are done. You've been rude to me twice. Just because I act the dottering old fool doesn't mean I am now. Now leave. Let someone else fall for your charms." she sai as all of the girls but the mother, filed back inside, lead by Tia. Both the grand mother and the mother were beautiful, their eyes matching, in darkness, and it was obvious that even if the old woman was bent over a cane, she'd been strong and call like her daughter. "I am Kyramina. This is Kyaris, Tia's mother, though I'm sure you know that. What brings you here? This is no frienly visit, so don't try to say it is."

[Flame]

Kyramina and Kyaris watched the tall young man with a slight look, that was shared between the two. Kyaris nodded as he spoke. She held up her hand to her mother, who kept still. Though she had been about to speak. "She's missed the Weyr. We welcome you to our home Minak, though you are a Lord, just not a Lord Holder." the woman said, her eyes sparkling just a little. What? Matchmaking was fun!

Just then the group of four girl excited the house, Tia being jostled, and it was a good thing that she wasn't carrying anything. Her little sister was poking her, and the brunnet was snatching at her hands. The sixteen year old laughed with way to much joy, and it was obvious why. The girl's twin, was giggling near their mother, as he watched them. Though he seemed to disapear a bit as Tia got closer. He at least had notice that her bond with her twin was no where near as strong as when she'd left, and had decided to not try to open up that wound.

"Stop it Kyrisin! I can talk to him by my self!" her half snarl was carried over the slight breeze, but she didn't notice, as she finally caught her sister's hand and held it in a vice grip. Even in a dress she was strong. She gave her sister a rather dark look and let her hands go. The younger girl continued to tease, not wanting to give in, but her hands stayed by herside. She'd gotten hurt from Tia getting to annoyed with her, but teasing was ok. Tia wasn't aloud to react to that.

The harper smiled a little, as she was carrying the plate with glasses of water. "Grandmother, mother, Brothers. Minak. Welcome to Lost Dragon Cothold." she said as she stopped by each person, the last she grinned at him, before moving off. Their mother motioned to Tia, who'd been unsure what the hell she was supposed to be doing. She looked rather lost, though her hands were behind her back.

Kyramina chuckled as she touched her favorite granddaughter's shoulder. "You have a very good lookin' friend there Tiaris." her whisper got Tia to blush and she gave her grandmother an exasperated glare.. "Hi. 'M fine. Why'd you come all the way out here? it's like across the continent from Darkened." she asked crossing her arms as she stood before him, wanting a answer. You send a message if you miss a friend, and she knew it. They had messengers through all the time, the stupid family was growing. Her big brother (who stood near the back, just watching him,) was getting married, her little sister was also getting suitors, as was her older ones. And her little brother was corting. Though Pa had refused to let him get married just yet. He didn't need Lost Dragon to get THAT big.

Kyramina chuckled at her granddaughter's voice. "Now Tia. Is that how you greet a friend? Minak, please come inside. Rismin, can take care of your horse, I promise he'll do well, and The rest of you, stop it." she was nice when she wanted to be. She turned and headed back inside, the entire clan following her... except for Tia, who watched Mika and the horse beside him. A loud bark from behind her brought Jarvis bounding up, slapping into her legs, and then into Mika's, wagging his tail, and barking inssesently. She flailed her arms trying to regain her ballance, stepping back, stpped on the brown skirt, and fell over. She glared at the dog, who turned, and bound over to her, licking her face. "You stupid hound. You make it difficult to hate you." she muttered.

[Flame]

Tia's mother chuckled. "But you are M'lord. Though if you are a friend of Tia you are a friend of the rest of us. We don't care your place as long as your willing to help when we ask it." she said with a grin. Her dark eyes flashing a bit. She liked her daughter's 'friend', though if he came all the way here she was more than that. At least to the older woman. She followed everyone inside, leaveing them alone.

Tia shook her head. "I tried to leave so you wouldn't follow. It makes all of this easier, at least for me." she said softly, her voice dropping. Why was she saying this? She was overjoyed to see him, more than she probably should be. She wished he'd ask her to come back to the hold. But her place was here, this was better, at least for her family, if she stayed put and did as told. "It's... not becuase I don't like you... it's because you repreisent, what I can't have..." she blinked frustraited, as she glared at her hands.

Her hand lifted to touch the horses nose, comfortable on the ground. The dog moved back to Mika whining and then flopping on his back, his belly up. An obvious SCRATCH MY BELLY!!!!! The tall woman looked at him again. "What you see here is what I have to be. At least for their sanity. I let myself dream about being a Rider, but now I have a duty to my family. We are tecnically one of the largest Cotholds on the Western Continent, and that means I have to do right by them..." she said softly. She looked away from him, embarrased. "Though it is nice to see you Mika. You have no idea how much." she said softly, lifting her eyes to his light blue ones, refusing to react outside of friendship. "When my brother impressed... I felt it. I also felt his bond with me sever. Well almost, but it's dieing slowly now. I'm not sure why you are here Mika, and even if you are here just to see me, my grandmother will get ideas. Like your mother." now she was talking nonsense, trying to understand what she wanted from him.

[Flame]

Tia sighed. "I was hoping you'd send a message or something... I apparently forgot that you were insistant." her voice was soft, and there was something behind it, but she didn't push it. Tia looked away.

She stiffened. She was pretty in a dress? Well duh. She looked up at him. "That was rather the point Mika. I have to dress like this, men don't like women who walk around in leather's, and weild swords. It's unlady like." she was obviously quoting someone, though oddly enough it was her mother. Her grandmother would have let her wear the sword, but her mother had nixed it.

Then he stood up, spoke and held out his hand. She took it and stood up. "Dreams and reality are two different things. I can't keep dreaming." she answered to him saying she wasn't happy. "Won't that set off my sisters. Sure."

[Flame]

Her dark eyes laughed. "Never said I'd hit you. Unless you gave me a really good reason." she muttered, half glaring at him. She moved with light steps. She moved off towards the beach. She ignored what she knew was her siblings having heart attacks inside the house.

"Oh really? Didn't know that Me in leather's meant I was happy or that it was important." she teased lightly, but she didn't stop moving. He didn't understand. "You have a reputation almost as bad as Z'law. You seriously believe they don't think you don't have plans?" her voice was a tad sharp, but not much. It was softened by something different.

SHe obviously wasn't worried though, and it was quite obvious. She watched her dog take off after the birds, and he was joined by a blue, and silver flit. She sighed as she watched Jarvis. "Dreams are just that dreams. They get you no where. So... no. No more dreams. None that matter. I'm resigned to my fate Mika. I will do as my grandmother, and mother wish. AT least Grandmother is at least trying to find someone who isn't a brute, or old. I don't really have a choice. I can't do much else. There's not much you can do, unless you can convince my mother and grandmother that I belong somewhere else."

[Flame]

She rolled her eyes. "So either i'm a happy tomboy, or pretty woman. not a choice I'd ever think you'd make." she said softly, her dark eyes distant. So he perfered her before. Well sadly for him, he wasn't going to get that.

She snorted. "He's never broken a bone. At least not since he joined Darkened. He's a player. Tarith is the one who breaks bones. Z'law's just intimidating." she said softly, admonishing him for saying such. She'd seen the similarity's between Desi and Z'law. Thinking about them made tears start to prick at her eyes, and she stopped moving, forcing herself to forget. She'd spent a year there, and now she was home. At least she tried to convince herself of such.

She nodded, as he asked her about the blond. "He's not a goon. He's a good dancer. And yes, he is. He's one of the main ones. He's got the most to offer, and the best track record, of course Tecnically I'd be his first wife, so he doesn't seem to have any faults yet." her voice went dead as she spoke about him. She didn't want to be there, or to hav to think about her suitors, but it seemed even he wanted to talk about them.

[Flame]

She looked up as he moved. Snapping back to the present. Her dark eyes narrowed, and she looked a bit more like herself. "Hurt him? He's done nothing wrong! Gabnis has been a perfect gentleman as far as I can tell!" she rose to her feet.

Then he said he was going to leave. She snorted, anger blazing up, but she caught it before it could get farther than her eyes. "Fine then. Leave. What does it matter? I left so quick for a reason." she had no idea why she was so angry, but she was, and the hiss above her head told her that Sparti agreed. At least with her emotions. The silver then suprised her when she moved with a flowing movement towards the red head, and glanced at hers. Then with a quick flip landed on Mika's other shoulder. She sent the red head a picture of how Tia was really feeling, a image of her scared, not the impasive person standing before him. She locked eyes with the man, daring him to turn away now.

[Flame]

She glared at him as he spoke. She couldn't really say anything, though she continued to glare at him, at his back. She wasn't sure why she was so angry that he was walking away, and sadly she could do nothing about it. Her skirt inhibited how fast she could move, and where. So she stayed put, until Jarvis came up, and touched her hand, which until then had been balled up.

Then she glared at Sparti, though the silver just kept looking at the human, before he turned, she latched on, nipping at his hair, and pulling away, as he grabbed at her. No one could touch her like that, unless it was Tia. She flitted off to land on her's shoulder, watching him with calm eyes. A deep green.

Tia eyed the man before her as he turned around. He looked angry, and his voice was to. She looked down as he spoke. It was true, this wasn't her, but it was who she had to be. Then he said His Tia. What the hell? Her head snapped up and she eyed him carefully. His Tia. "And what do you know about who I am? Hm?" she was rising to the bait obviously.

She hadn't expected him to get that close, and grab her wrists. She growled angrily and tried to yank her hands away, not that it worked. Stupid males. Even when she KNEW how to get out of situations they were stronger than her. It just wasn't fair! Then he put her on the spot. She looked away, over his shoulder. "Do I have a choice Mika? The only reason i was at the Weyr was because of the eggs. I don't like feeling useless Mika. What the hell would I do if i went back there? Wait? I can't do that any more." her voice was sharp, and hurt. She was not happy, and it came through. She looked him in the eye. "I'm already locked in place here Mika. There is literally nothing I can do, i'm not about to alienate myself from my family! I c-can't do that." she refused to cry, but she still stuttered as she fought back the tears.

[Flame]

She eyed him. "Sometimes I wonder." she muttered, pushing back her tears. She didn't know what else to do. She was lost, and at the moment he wasn't helping.

She watched him unsure what she wanted. More so now than before. At least before she could pretend that at least this was what was needed, now she couldn't. She closed her eyes. She knew that she'd die, on the inside, if her family's plans went through. She knew part of it was because they needed her to help carry on the genes, being that only one of her older sister's had a family and had only one child, and couldn't have any more. She was their next best bet. Besides her eldest brother, who wasn't exactly into a family.

She looked up at him. "It's that or go insane. At least that way I can pretend that It'll all be fine in the end." her voice was nearly silent, and it was sad. She was bairly speaking above a whisper. She shook her head. "You think i'd BE in this situation if I knew a way to get out of it? The only way i can get out is if my mother, or father tell me that I don't have to do this. My father has pretty much stayed away from me for the last three weeks, not sure if it's because I'm a reject from the sands or he's not wanting to deal with my mother. And while my mother is well meaning she's... my mother." her voice was quiet as she spoke.

Of course she hadn't noticed a very tall dark haired man come up behind them, and cross his arms. "So what are we talking about? Is your grandmother trying to force you into a mold? And you must be Minak. Welcome. I'm Teamin."

[Flame]

She snorted. "Never said you did. You just assumed." she shot back, relaxing just a little. The blue flit chirped softly as she leaned into his hug. Though she did glare at him at his next shot.

"I don't want to know what would happen if you did that." she said with a slight giggle. The idea was amusing, being that she wouldn't fight to hard either. She shook her head. "I doubt you've gotten your self as stuck as me. Plus your parents haven't really forced you into this kind of thing..." her voice faded as she thought about when he would. Jeliousy was not a nice feeling.

Of course her father's voice, and then Mika's reaction suprised her. She was now pretty much pressed up against the red head, with her back to her father. She turned around, looking at her father. "Papa... I don't want to do what they want me to... Only you can stop mama and grandma from forcing me to." the tall man eyed his daughter, locked in the Heir's embrase. That looked back, but she hadn't blushed, nor had she acted as if she'd done anything wrong. Then again, he never knew. He gave the boy a long look, his dark eyes sharp. His hair was graying, but it didn't take away from his being. He was one of those people who were THERE, and you noticed them. "Well knowing your reputation, Minak, I'm not likely to trust you, but my daughter is smart, even if she's more likely to run into the ocean durring a storm." the smile at her, made her relax. "So. You want to not be married? At least not to any of the cotholder's around here? You know I haven't let your mother, or her mother decide anything, and your grandmother is trying to find one she trusts. But you want me to tell them to stop? And if they don't? what will you do?" he watched his daughter's face change from hope t horror. "Ah. so you hadn't thought of that. you know your mother and grandmother are strong women. There's a reason I stay out there. most of the time." the tall man admonished her, keeping his arms crossed. He didn't mention that the pair looked very fitting together. Out of the corner of his eye he could see the family watching them. He had no doubt plans were being made inside.

He gave the red head a piercing stare. "You'd have to help. Even if you have a reputation, you have clout. If you can convince my mother-in-law that Tia doesn't need to be married off to the highest bidder, than I just might let her do as she wishes. But it's up to you." Tia could see he had a slight plan. She wondered what. Teamin was thinking about how the boy was going to be his Lord Holder some day, and that it was impertinent that he learn that it was going to take work to get what he wanted, evne if he didn't know he wanted it yet.

[Flame]

The man watched Mika carefully. He raised his head a bit as the boy spoke. He wondered if Minak had noticed that he hadn't let his daughter go. He waited for the boy to finish, fully. Before responding. He waited a moment, keeping his eyes on his daughter, who was angry yes, and Mika was a safe place to be angry at. Her twin was taken away from her, you didn't yell at his wife or his mother in law, and her siblings wouldn't help. He hadn't been around (He'd tried to stop them, but they'd taken things into their own hands, and wouldn't listen... got him kicked out for a night, then he hadn't really returned) enough for her to turn on him, not that she would. Dereian was stuck worrying about his wife's knew baby, and oblivious to everything around him. So had her aunt, if her aunt had been paying attention this wouldn't have happened.

Teamin nodded to him. "Good points My Lord. But you forget, Can you tell your mother no? Really tell her no? How about your grandmother? It's simple for you to see, but not so much for my daughter. And your right, I don't exactly trust you, but what father would, if he found his daughter in the arms of any man he didn't know?" he gave a pointed look to Mika's arms which hadn't left Tia. Tia blushed, deeply. Her eyes lowereed. She hated it when people spoke about her when she was there. But she understood why. "I have seen the Lady Hannak, she is not someone you say no to. Neither is my Wife. I wanted to see if you'd do the hero thing or not. To answer your because. Yes it was a test, before you get angry at me, understand this. If we do convince my wife, and her mother, that this is only hurting Tiaris, She may have to leave. Kyramina doesn't take well to being thwarted. She's a good woman, and mean's well, but she hates it when her plans are ruined."


His dark brown eyes held the red head's own blue now. "So now I ask you. She needs support. Will you help her? It must come from her, but she can't do it alone, and i know for sertain they won't listen to me. I've already been told that I have no say in the matter of who Tiaris marries, and then told to leave until I was willing to agree with them. Haven't done it since. hence why you haven't seen me Tia. And if i knew how much trouble it would have brought I'd have done something different. But we are in the now, not the past." he was going to let his daughter say she was sorry to Mika b ut now wasn't the time for that eather. Tia was scared, and Mika was the first thing to attack.

[Flame]

Teamin knew that Minak was correct. This was her fight. He watched his daghter now. "Tecnically I am part of the choices. Tecnically I get to say nay, or yay. There's no one here I like, and I've told them that. So now it's down to them chosing what I get." came Tia's voice, quiet. There was no emotion there, just neutral, She pulled away from Mika, watching her Father now. "But you knew that." she said sharply to him before she turned and glanced at Mika. Sparti took up residence on her shoulder, nuzzling her cheek, and getting a small smile from Tia, as her eyes went distant as she felt the emotions from her oldest friend.

"I can't face T'mis. At least not now. It's better if he doesn't notice me. That brown of his is to important to the Weyr. I won't jeopardize that. That's why I'm letting them do as they want. Ty is the Dragon Rider, I'm not. Obviously there's something wrong with me." she said with a snarl. A little brown blue flit popped in over her head, squeeled at her, and laned on her other shoulder. The blue was on the tree near them, twittering. The small brown blue watched the newcomer with interest, not sure about mika. he'd been feeding, and only the emotion that came along with her last statment had brought him to her.

Teamin closed his eyes and dropped his arms. Ah. There was the problem. And telling her there was nothing wrong with her wasn't going to help any either. But he moved forward and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her forhead. "That is not true. You know that. Remember those stories of Master Harper Robinton? He could have been a rider but wasn't. Doesn't mean that you can't do other things. Being a rider isn't everything. I'm a testiment to that." he said as he let her go. She glared at him, anger keeping her stiff. Teamin could tell he hadn't gotten through.

[Flame]

Long brown hair slipped over her face when he grabbed her. She turned to look at him, anger flaring, as she yanked her arm away. How dare he grab her! She raised her head in what could be contempt. "Listen to your own works Minak." her words were angry, but they were said calmly. She turned away. Anger making her shake. "Why should I trust that statement when it comes from you Minak? you who go to every single Hatching in hopes that a dragon will sweep you out of the Stands? You who run from your responsibility? But your right. And I hate that." she turned looking at him, this time not angry, just defeated.

She held his gaze, but refused to let him touch her. She stepped back when his hand went for her chin. No. Not right then. She was willing to face her destiny, as a house wife. It wasn't a bad existence. But she felt anger from the little blue/brown on her shoulder. He hissed at her, and she turned her head to look at him. he growled at her, before leaping off her shoulder and disappearing. Sparti seemed to agree following. Bwi didn't care and took her vacated shoulder. He'd do what ever she wanted. He always had. The red dog at her feet humphed as he layer down.

She sighed, she felt Sparti and the little blue/brown shut off their attachments to her. Well the bond was closed for now. She didn't know where they were, and her dark eyes closed as she felt that. Teamin reached out quickly and grabbed her shoulder, steadying her. Even if she wasn't destined to be a rider, she was still sensitive to bonds. So was he for that matter.

He nodded to Mika, his half answer. He looked at her, and her brown eyes opened, locking on her fathers. She nodded. "It's agreed then. Tia will go with you to the Hold. You'll at least keep ehr from getting to banged up, and I'll see if getting her away will get my wife to stop thinking about getting her married." he said quickly to Mika, before turning his attention back on her. "Your right, but he's not ready to face that. now be a good girl, and help him. he whispered to her. She ignored him, anger flashing through her. "Fine. I'll go." She was privately happy about this. She wanted out of this house. "But i'm not leaving today." she said before she walked away, into the house.

Teamin looked at Mika. "Well. Guess you got what you wanted, but don't expect her to be cordial."

[Flame]

The tall man sighed. "There's no excuse for her words. But I have to thank you. And wait it through. girl's are difficult. I'll be sure to get you when she's ready. I expect she'll want to get back sooner than later." he said softly. The tall man watched him mount, before going back after his daughter.

He caught up to her, and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. They didn't speak as they walked into the house. She was bombarded with questions, but Teamin stopped them, telling them that she was going to the hold. Everyone was excited and it took two hours for Tia to convince everyone that she was taking two bags. And that she didn't need help to get ready to go.

She sat down on the edge of her bed and sighed. Three bags. Shaman should be able to carry that much. She closed her eyes and then suddenly felt the emotions of her two flits, the little blue squeeking as the blue/brown and the silver came back to her. "Sparti? What Am i going to do? I can't stay there my entire life, no matter who much I want to! I don't know..." she cried cradling the silver flit against her. She felt scared, and backed into a corner. What her mother and grandmother wanted would still be there. She wasn't gonna run from it.

She moved about her room grabbing things. Two dresses (not including the one she'll be taking off in a moment), lots of shirts and pants, shoes, books, a few other things. She could feel her flit's worry. "Sparti go find Shaman." she told her silver. The flit shot off out the window. She spent the next hour saying good bye. Her father told her where Mika would be. She needed to say sorry to him. But not right now. She heard the thunder of hooves and she grabbed her bags and slipped outside.

Standing there was a stallion. Shaman was standing tall, his build ready for anything. She dropped the bags and wrapped her arms aound him. He was a runner that she'd trained. She'd let him go when she'd gone to the Weyr, and had decided to leave him wild. She closed her eyes as the stallion nuzzed her neck. Then he whinnied as the flits whirled around him. "Come on Sha. Lets get you saddled. Your takin' me to the Weyr. I know you wanted to come with. Well now you get to." she lead him to the stables behind the cothold. There were plenty of horses in there, but she went for his tack, and brushes, which she shoved in the last bag to go into his back. The stallion snorted as she pulled herself into the saddle.

Teamin stopped her from leaving fully. "I'm gonna miss you, Tia. Don't be a stranger. I know they arn't the greatest thing in your eyes right now, but they love you. You know that." he said patting her leg. "I love you. Now go. Make the right choice. GO!" the man slapped the gray's butt. The stallion shot out, but she stopped him pretty quickly turning to look back at the house. She waved, feeling... lost. She touched the stallion and went for the copes of trees. She stopped outside of it... looking worried. She'd changed into her leathers, but she felt odd in them. She'd been wearing a dress for a month now.

The gray stallion snorted, his ears flickering as he caught sight of the black. They were the same height. The gray bobbed his head, not angry, but waiting. This wasn't his area. Not right now. "Mika? I... I'm sorry."