Sampling the Local Flavors

Writers: Heather, Shawna
Date Posted: 8th June 2024

Characters: H'riv, N'kevyn
Description: Some bro bonding, directions, and lessons in local cuisine
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 9, day 25 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentioned: Aydhan

N'kevyn

N'kevyn had gotten pleasantly lost on his way to the Dininghall, and
it was a little later than the usual lunch time when he wandered in.
It was still active enough that he spent a moment glancing around,
trying to decide which Weyr citizen to bother today.

He spotted a familiar face from his introduction to his new wing and
headed his way towards H'riv. "Mind if I join you? I hate eating alone
in a public place, make's people feel sorry for you. You're... H'rav?"
His voice lifted in a question. There'd been a lot of names thrown at
him this past sevenday.

“H’riv,” the brownrider corrected automatically, but with a welcoming
smile as he gestured to the empty space near him. “Have a seat. How
are you setting in?”

"Well, it's a very nice place to be getting lost in, at least. You
just heard how well remembering all the names is going," his tone was
light, though. The fun novelty of a new home hadn't worn off yet.

"So many names," H'riv agreed, tossing a small, battered and fried
vegetable into his mouth. "When we all first came here, a hodge podge
of different riders from all over the Southern Continent, names were
real tricky. I got to learn people's names as I was working, though.
I'm a technician and helped wiring lights in several of the weyrs."

"I'll have to let Aydhan know I met one of the light technicians,"
N'kevyn said, tone amused, "she keeps playing with them. We didn't
have anything that fancy back home." He picked at the pile of food in
his plate- even that was a little different, so he'd taken to trying
some of everything.

H'riv eyed the bronzerider's plate, noting that he'd put a scoopful of
some greens on there. "You, uh, you let me know what you think about
those," H'riv said, pointing to the vegetables with a barely concealed
grin.

"I like new things," N'kevyn said in a cheery tone, scooping a big
bite into his mouth. He chewed... Paused. Chewed slower, swallowed
hard, coughed harder, and put his fork down. "Is that supposed to
taste like bitter dirt? That can't be food."

The brownrider laughed out loud. "So it's not just me that thinks
that? I didn't want to warn you and taint your opinion before you had
a chance to test it out for yourself."

N'kevyn pushed the rest of the greens to the side, "Certainly won't be
trying that again. Might try serving it to the children at the next
family dinner to see which one of them is willing to humor me and
choke it down." Probably neither. Probably they'd both already
learned, but it would be funny anyway.

“Better yet, set your weyrmate up for a romantic taste testing,
blindfolded of course,” H’riv was laughing at the thought. Shells, he
loved a good prank.

"I can think of a lot of fun things to do with my weyrmate
blindfolded, but that is not one of them. I don't want to get shipped
back to High Reaches!" He didn't seem overly worried, joking, "I'm
already the 'ex-husband'."

H'riv cocked an eyebrow. "Oh, really? How does that work?"

N'kevyn waived a hand dismissively- the hand with a ring on it,
"Private joke, sorry. I got her to marry me before Tym- Tymborikath,"
he corrected himself, "hatched, but 'married goldrider' offends all
kinds of sensibilities, so now I'm the ex-husband. What about you? Any
family?"

"Ah, yes, a semi-large one, actually. My slightly younger brother is
Hallmaster at the Dolphin Hall near Dolphin Cove. Then I have a sister
who's a greenrider at Dolphin Cove. My mother and younger sister are
also dolphineers. My father and older brother are both seacrafters...
Is it obvious my family loves dolphins and the sea?"

"Dolphins, that's exciting. What brought you here, then? Not a fan of
the dolphins?" N'kevyn pushed his still half full plate to the side,
though he'd sampled at least some of everything. Talk of dolphins was
better than food.

"Oh, I like dolphins, and the beach, well enough, but I am a
Technician by craft. I specialize as an electrician, so when the
opportunity came to help build the electrical wiring around this place
from the ground up? I couldn't pass that up. All I was doing at
Dolphin Cove was fixing a light switch or bulb here or there, not
exactly very thrilling work. This, however," he gestured with his hand
at the Weyrhold around them, "has been a welcome challenge."

"Never met a dolphin. I'm hoping Aydhan gets us invited to some events
at Dolphin Cove so I get the chance." N'kevyn chuckled, "I guess I
didn't think about that- working with the new and fresh is probably
more exciting that random maintenance. You want some real excitement?
Head to good old High Reaches- the aesthetic is "antique"."

"I think working here has cured me of wanting to take on large
projects for a while," H'riv admitted. "As far as the Dolphin Hall
goes, you don't need an invite. You can show up there any time you'd
like. For educational purposes, for health reasons, or just to visit."

"True. And people make a fuss when Aydhan visits places for some
reason, and that was before she was a 'second. Maybe I'll pop by on a
rest day some time. And if I cause any trouble, I'll make sure to tell
them you sent me," he threatened jokingly.

"Be sure to," H'riv laughed. "My brother is always looking for a
reason to scold me, especially since making Hallmaster."

"Well, I appreciate the tips. I have to say, everyone's been
pleasantly helpful. I wasn't sure what kind of welcome I would be
getting. Everyone's excited to see a goldrider, not always excited
when she comes with a bronzerider."

"Oh, that's the best part of being a brownrider, honestly," H'riv said
with a shrug. "It's not like I'm going to challenge you in a flight
for the Weyrleadership." He leaned in and muttered under his breath,
"Not that I'd say that in front of Uuketh, you understand. He leaned
back and resumed his normal voice volume. "I'm not concerned about
things like rank or mating flights, or whatever other people hold
against bronzeriders. I have zero desire to be in charge of anyone
other than myself."

N'kevyn snickered, "Oh, no threat of me taking over, I'm with you on
not wanting to be in charge, but some people make assumptions. But
its not like the weyr is crowded. That helps."

"The space is nice," H'riv agreed. "Dolphin Cove was bursting at the
seams. Everyone wants to live at the Weyr with the tropical water, and
sand, and dolphins and things. Too crowded for my taste."

"Could have used your insight when Aydhan and I were making the
pro-con list before she got the transfer," N'kevyn joked. "I haven't
disliked anything I've seen in the south so far, so I'm sure I'll
enjoy it."

"Let me know when you need more guidance. I've got plenty to say about
Rising Moons as well...."

Last updated on the June 11th 2024

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Sampling the Local Flavors