From Rider to Candidate

Writers: Curious, Devin
Date Posted: 13th September 2021

Characters: K'mai, K'aur
Description: K'mai meets one of the new candiates.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 8, day 5 of Turn 10

K'mai

There was always a flurry of Candidates arriving when there was a
clutch on the Sands, but with _two_ there were more new faces around
than even K'mai could keep up with. Although the particular new face
he'd just spotted was handsome enough that K'mai wanted to get
immediately acquainted. "Hello there. I'm K'mai, of blue Sebeth."

Kesricaur was quick to cover the surprise that flashed across his
expression at the rider's approach. "Hello," he returned, flashing a
near-lazy salute in time with a grin. "I'm Kesricaur. Nice to meet
you, bluerider."

The transition from living were you were born and knowing pretty much
everyone's face to living in a strange place filled with unfamiliar
faces was not to be understated. Even so, Kesricaur figured he was
handling it pretty well. It helped that most of _these_ faces didn't
have any solid reason to think themselves better than him.

"Since I know practically everyone in the Weyr, I'm going to guess
you've recently arrived," K'mai said. "Where are you from, Kesricaur?"

"I am," Kesricaur confirmed. "I was searched from Amber Hills Hold a
few days ago." He couldn't quite stop the hint of emphasis that leaked
into his tone at the word _search_. An already-bonded rider might not
care much, but shards, he couldn't help it. He'd probably be a _rider_
soon!

"Welcome to Dragonsfall, and good luck at the Hatching." K'mai hoped
he might be the type to attract a blue or a green.

"Thanks," Kesricaur said, "but I don't think I need much in the way of luck."

A bit of unease churned in his stomach at his assertion of confidence.
He pushed it down as soon as he caught it and widened his smile a bit.
After all, he'd already come so far. All he had to do now was impress.
A bronze would be ideal, an undeniable way to prove everyone wrong
once and for all, but a brown would also work would for what he
needed. Either way, he refused to start doubting himself _now_.

"Ahh, confidence." K'mai smiled at that. "How are you enjoying the Weyr so far?"

"Confidence will serve me better than doubt or cowardice," Kesricaur
remarked. "The Weyr's... Alright." Because he _wasn't_ about to admit
that it was nice not to have people looking at him like he was less
human than him. Not on his life. "I haven't been here long, so I can't
exactly say I've _done_ anything, but nothing bad's happened so far."

There. That was a nice, neutral thing to say, right?

"Is there anything you _would_ like to do now that you're at the
Weyr?" K'mai asked. "Aside from Impressing, of course."

Kesricaur faltered. "I'm not... Really..."

He caught himself at the last second, putting an air of vague, aloof
interest on. "I mean, what is there to do at the Weyr that doesn't
involve dragons?"

K'mai chuckled. "Just about every craft except dragonhealing for a
start. You could try a hand at any of those if you'd like."

Kesricaur waved a dismissive hand. "I think I'll pass," he said.
"There's no point in trying a craft when I'm going to be too busy for
it after I impress."

"I successfully avoided Crafting myself. Luckily Sebeth found me
before I had to fulfill any promises to my parents."

Kesricaur chuckled. "That _is_ fortunate." He paused then, a
thoughtful look crossing his face. "What's it like? Impression."

K'mai smiled and got a faraway look. "It's hard to describe. It's like
finding a piece of yourself you never knew was missing. It's like
every bit of happiness and love you've ever felt in your life all
happening at the same moment." K'mai sent love across his bond and
Sebeth, sunning on the heights, sent it back -- a small echo of the
day they found each other.

Kesricaur nodded. Truth be told, he couldn't begin to fathom that, but
he wasn't about to _say_ as much.

He supposed it didn't matter anyway. Once he impressed, then he would
understand.

"I see," Kesricaur said. "I should probably get going now, still need
to settle in and all, but it was nice to meet you, K'mai of...
Sebeth?"

"Yes." The bluerider smiled. "And it was nice meeting you, Kesricaur,
soon-to-be-a-rider."

Last updated on the October 1st 2021

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