The Spark is Fleeting (1/2)

Writers: Aaron, Sia
Date Posted: 4th April 2025

Characters: E'tariax, S'kand, Kariskan
Description: Kariskan reminds S’kand of an episode from his past, wherein E’tariax and S’kand had an absolutely amazing time during Aphirith’s first flight, but they find the spark just isn’t there when they give it another shot without the dragons.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 3, day 11 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: Oskalle, Ristalle

S’kand wiped his brow with the back of his wrist. He could swear he was doing most of the washing, despite a gaggle of his children ‘helping’. One of them had invited a friend, and Kariskan was already having trouble leaving him alone. He spent more time trying to chat with him than did Ishkali, the child who had actually brought the poor boy.

“So,” said Kariskan. “Wanna go make out after this?”

“Kris!” Ishkali snapped. She was not one of Ristalle’s, but S’kand insisted all of his children treat each other the same. So, of course, she was just as quick to chastise him as Oskalle would have been. “Rantoch is _my_ boyfriend!”

“Oh. You didn't say that!”

“You couldn't tell?”

“No! How could I tell?”

“Who all noticed Rantoch is my boyfriend?”

All of the other kids raised their hands.

“Aw, beans…” Kariskan kicked the sand.

By the First Egg, S’kand had no idea where Kariskan had buried all the manners he and Ristalle had tried to teach him. Or where he got his horny attitude.

[Flashback to i10, t1187 at Thayan Peak Weyrhold]

}:She is different,:{ said Jagobroth. S’kand had never known him to be terribly interested in greens, especially after the flight was over. But Jagobroth was still cuddling with Aphirith.

S’kand was hardly complaining. He had never had his mind blown quite like that before. Of course, he had never been particularly attracted to men before, either. E’tariax was handsome enough, he supposed. But that was not the important part. What he could _do_ was. For that, he could get past a pesky little thing like ‘a complete lack of attraction.’

The next day, S’kand decided he was going to broach the subject. With a woman, he would have tried to turn on some charm. But that felt strange with a man. He was not trying to romance him. He just wanted half an hour or so of his time. For… personal reasons.

But he still wanted to treat him with respect. His parents had not taught him to be a boor.

“A good morning to you. And my duty to Aphirith.” S’kand grinned at E’tariax. “Yesterday was pretty wild, wasn’t it?” Well, at least he had said a proper hello first.

E'tariax cocked an eyebrow. "It was something, that's for sure." The greenrider said smoothly, though curiosity shone in his dark eyes, "I hope Aphirith isn't being a bother. She would never admit it, but she's quite smitten with your boy. I told her not to put out to the first one that brought her a treat. You see how much I'm listened to."

S’kand laughed heartily.

“No bother at all. Quite the opposite, actually. I told _Jagobroth_ he would have more luck catching if he actually spoke to a female once or twice. This is the first time he’s listened so far.”

"She should have played hard to get, then. She's not setting a good example for the golds. The bronzes won't learn otherwise." E'tariax teased.

“Oh, I have a feeling it'll be a while before Jagobroth is as good of a gold-chaser as he thinks he is.” S’kand paused for just long enough that E’tariax could have had good reason to believe it was his turn to say something before he continued,

“So. Been thinking. What if we didn't wait until her next flight to take another swing at it?”

E'tariax had started to say something else, but the question caught him off guard. A curious grin tugged at his handsome features, "Do you think you're up for that kind of excitement, S'kand?"

S’kand burst into laughter once more.

“Skies, but don’t I want to find out?” He was left with a grin as the laughter faded. “Shells, I don’t think a man on this world has ever known… whatever it was you did to me in that flight room. So. I’m up for anything if it gets me another taste.”

"I didn't think you liked men."

“Well. I didn't either. But, shells, you remember what we did, right? I liked _that_. So. Wanna?” S’kand waggled his eyebrows.

"That's awful bold of you. Didn't even ask the greenrider out for dinner first." E'tariax deadpanned.

“Ahh, it wasn’t as good for you, was it?” S’kand wrinkled his nose, both a bit disappointed and embarrassed that he had assumed it must have been equally enjoyable for E’tariax. “Well, that’s all right. Sorry for assuming. You wanna grab a bite anyway?” He had nothing on his schedule now if E’tariax was not up for shenanigans.

E’tariax huffed out a laugh, shaking his head. "I didn't say that, exactly. But I do appreciate a bit of finesse. I'm not just a service, you know."

“Well, no, but. Shells, I wasn't going to just leave you hanging.” S’kand laughed. “Don’t worry about it. Let’s eat and then we’ll see what happens.”

"I'm not worried. I know a bronzerider when I see one." E'tariax teased, looking S'kand up and down. "Why it's up to us greenriders to teach you bronzeriders manners, I'll never know."

“Well, don’t tell my mother. She’ll tan my hide,” S’kand laughed. He certainly never would have treated a woman that way…

Last updated on the April 22nd 2025

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The Spark is Fleeting (1/2)