Testing the Area

Writers: Paula, Yvonne
Date Posted: 1st November 2014

Characters: Sh'dori, Ricker
Description: Sh'dori wanders over to see what Ricker is up to, and offers to 'help'
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 9, day 11 of Turn 7

Ricker dropped the last of the wooden poles into a neat pile at the top of the little hill that would hold his windmill, and stopped for a moment to catch his breath and wipe the sweat from his brow before it fell into his eyes. Dolphin Cove Weyr shimmered in the heat, mimicking the glimmer of the waves on the sea. At least there was a breeze. And he had a hat.

Ricker tipped his neck from side to side and was pleased when he felt a satisfying *crack* as vertebrae realigned themselves. The top of the hill had already been shaved down to a level plane to form a stable base for the windmill -- or, for now, a windsock to monitor the winds. Once the windmill was up, Ricker would tie the structure in with guy wires and reseed the area he'd cleared to help deal with erosion.

Like everyone else, Sh'dori had heard about the technicians and their project. Being crafter himself, a woodsmith, he was naturally curious about it. So, when he had a free time, he walked over to see what exactly they were doing.

"Hiya," he greeted, keeping respectable distance so not inadvertently mess up something.

Ricker looked up and squinted into the sun's glare to try to make out the man's knots. "Good afternoon, dragonrider," he said after a moment.

"Afternoon, journeyman. What are you doing here?" Sh'dori greeted with friendly voice and asked with obviously curious tone.

The Journeyman glanced at the stack of lumber. "Building a windmill. I'm with the Craftsmen who are here to electrify the Weyr."

"I presume it's not the grain-variety?" Sh'dori grinned and walked closer. "I heard they've got one up and running in Technician's Hall."

Ricker nodded. "This one will be up and running soon enough, but it'll only generate enough for our own quarters and workrooms. Think of it more as a demonstration project."

Sh'dori nodded. "How about the hurricanes, how have you prepared for them? One could blown will send the blades flying everywhere," he asked.

Of course this place had sharding _hurricanes_. Ricker glared at the wood. "Dolphin Hall's here. If there is a hurricane, I expect enough warning to batten down the hatches. So to speak." They could take down the blades for the duration, but it made it more important than ever to ensure that the frame was sturdy. Besides-- what he was working on was just a test.

"They usually do give us enough time to prepare," Sh'dori remarked.

"Enough would be good enough." It _was_ just a test. He made a mental note to stop putting off writing to the Technician's Hall for information on hurricane-proof free-standing structures.

"It is. Don't they have hurricanes in Jade Harbour Hold?" Sh'dori asked. He was relatively unfamiliar with that particular part of Pern.

The Technician shrugged. "Maybe. I've never been to the Technician's Hall there. I'm northern trained."

"Oh. That's what you get from presuming," Sh'dori grinned.

"Can't tell a northerner from a southerner until he opens his mouth," Ricker said with a grin, "But I'm a trick, since I've been south so long. What was your name, dragonman?"

"Sh'dori, rider of brown Rahmuth. I'm pleased to meet you," Sh'dori replied.

The technician tipped his hat to the brownrider. "Senior Journeyman Ricker. I'm sure I'll see you around, Sh'dori."

"Probably, since I like to watch other people do work," Sh'dori grinned. "Do you need help with those?" he nodded towards the wooden poles. "I do happen to know a bit about wood work."

The technician arched an eyebrow. "Says the man who admitted that he likes to watch others work, rather than work himself. I'll keep the offer in mind."

Sh'dori just grinned impishly.

"I'll pass," Ricker drawled. "It's been a pleasure, brownrider, but I _do_ have things to electrocute."

"I'll leave you to it then," Sh'dori said with a shrug.

Ricker tipped his battered hat at the brownrider. "See you around." And if he did see him, he'd be sure to say hello.

Last updated on the November 30th 2014

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Testing the Area