Be Nice

Writers: Devin, Estelle, Suzee
Date Posted: 21st May 2021

Characters: N'vanik, R'enh, Ashela
Description: N'vanik congratulates R'enh on the Hatching, but isn't so pleased to meet Ashela...
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 8, day 9 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: Cyradis, Talryne, K'ran

N'vanik

R'enh

Ashela

The crowd was larger than usual, not surprising with two clutches on
the Sands and thus more Candidates-- and their families-- than usual.
Probably a few curious folks wanting to see two Queens on the Sands at
the same time, too. They'd certainly gotten a show, but in the end all
had turned out alright.

When people saw N'vanik's Weyrleader knots, they quickly moved out of
the way, but with so many people he was having some difficulty making
it through to see his friend. "'Scuse me. 'Scuse me."

"N'vanik," R'enh saw him coming and reached out through the crowd to
clasp forearms with the Dolphin Cove Weyrleader and pull him in
closer. "So good to see you!"

"R'enh!" N'vanik wrapped him in a quick, firm hug. "Congratulations!"

"Thanks," R'enh grinned and pounded his friend on the back. "Great to
see you. How's Cyradis? Talryne?"

"Tal is good. Cyradis is feeling a little under the weather, plus
Panitath just clutched, so she couldn't make it today."

"Yes, well. I remember that Panitath is a bit demanding of her time,"
he smiled. "I'd like to introduce you to Ashela," he nodded and
brought him closer to where the goldrider stood at his side.
"Ashela, this is N'vanik, Dolphin Cove's Weyrleader and my very good
friend."

"I haven't heard about your gold maiming any bronzes lately," N'vanik
said to Ashela. "Maybe that's a sign your control is improving." He
didn't think he'd ever forgive her for causing Rogueth's injury and
costing K'ran a Weyrleadership.

R'enh's brows drew together in a mock frown and he punched his friend
in the shoulder. "Be nice," he said with a snort. He and Ashela had
spent time together and he knew from their talks that she'd been
supremely sorry for what had happened at Barrier Lake so his first
instinct was to defend his clutch's co-parent.

Ashela had half-drawn a breath to speak, favoring the newly met
bronzerider with a dazzling smile. If anything, it became only brighter
as he spoke, though there was a sharp glitter in her eyes. "Weyrleader
N'vanik. It's a pleasure to meet you at last," she said, her voice
smooth and warm. "I've heard _so_ much about you. You used to live here
at Dragonsfall, didn't you?"

Did she want to play games, then? "I'm sure you've heard plenty,"
N'vanik said. Then he looked at R'enh. "Just be careful. I don't want
another one of my friends getting hurt."

"I can assure you, the Wingleader is in no danger from me." Ashela moved
a little closer to R'enh. "I've learned from my mistakes. As I hope we
all do."

R'enh put his arm around Ashela and smiled at his friend without
malice. "There. You see? I'm sure we'll all be just fine," he nodded.
He reached out with his other hand to clasp N'vanik's shoulder. "I've
missed you."

"Missed you too." N'vanik definitely didn't like how cozy R'enh was
being with Ashela. Maybe they were putting on a show for the guests,
or maybe that tunnelsnake had him fooled.

The goldrider looked up at R'enh with gratitude, and a hint of adoration
in her gaze. "Hatchings are a wonderful time for old friends to reunite,
aren't they? I suppose, with both of your duties, you don't have much
time to meet." She smiled. "I imagine you both had some good times here,
before you had the responsibilities of rank."

N'vanik gave her a long look. "Hm. Me and R'enh met after I became
Weyrleader. I gave him a promotion practically the minute he walked in
the door."

"But we became the best of friends," R'enh added without hesitation.
"Almost from the beginning." He smiled at Ashela. "You know how it is
when you meet someone and you instantly bond in a way you can't
explain?" He smiled at N'vanik. "It was like that. For me at least."

"Oh, it's wonderful when that happens," Ashela said warmly. "So often,
we hear about bronzeriders being rivals and competing for rank and
status. It's nice to know that you can be friends and trust each other."

"Maybe a few goldriders could follow our example," N'vanik said.
"After all, their rivalries could be deadly in certain circumstances."

"Maybe." If that comment had struck home, it didn't show on her serene
expression. "Although, sometimes a little competition is healthy, don't
you think? It can inspire us, to strive for success. I'm sure Mnoranth
wouldn't have won Aglayath without it."

R'enh gave Ashela a tiny squeeza of support and approval for trying.
Though he knew there were some times that N'vanik could seem
impossible. But even then he couldn't help but grin at his friend.
"Say," he said trying to diffuse a bit of the tension. "Are you guys
hungry? I hear there's a feast for some reason."

N'vanik wanted to go for another swipe, to see if he could make the
goldrider crack. But. . . this _was_ supposed to be R'enh's
celebration and N'vanik shouldn't be spoiling his friend's day. "Did
you have them make anything special?"

"I've heard the head cook has been trying out some new spicy meatrolls,
a new recipe from the Baker Hall. Just the thing to warm you up if
you're finding our climate too chilly, Weyrleader," Ashela replied, her
eyes glinting with amusement. She'd have left them to their
reminiscences, if she hadn't thought her presence would be far more
annoying to the Dolphin Cove bronzerider. "This way."

"I got them to make the porcine ribs we used to get at Dolphin Cove,"
R'enh smiled. "You remember the headwoman's spicy sauce? So good!" He
shook his head. "She gave me the recipe before I left." He turned to
follow the gold rider. "Oh and some tuber salad. I know you like
spicy," R'enh smirked.

"Oh yeah, the ribs. Good choice." N'vanik imagined how good it would
feel to shove Ashela onto the table full of food, to get sauce and
meat smeared all over her fancy dress. The image made him smile.

"Those sound delicious. I'm partial to a touch of spice, too," Ashela
glanced back over her shoulder at the men, a note of mischief in her
voice. This evening _was_ going well. Two handsome bronzeriders
following in her wake, and one of them a Weyrleader. She hoped the other
goldriders were watching...

Last updated on the July 21st 2021

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Be Nice