One Less Candidate (1)
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: AL, Rochelle
Date Posted: 31st October 2009
Characters: Briata, R'syl
Description: R'syl introduces himself to Briata, and they commiserate about the Weyrwoman's universal Standing policy.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 5, day 15 of Turn 5
The breeze played over the ebony locks of the young woman as she stood in the bowl. She was quite still, face turned to the sky with her eyes closed. The last rays of the sun spread their waning warmth over the sky, the colours stronger than the heat they afforded at that time of day. It was still warm despite the sunset, the haze of heat a blanket over Pern as the sun bid its farewell for the evening.
A shadow passed over her and the girl's eyes opened to fall upon the bronze that flew over her then landed not far from where she stood. The dragon was longer than he was big and Briata greeted him politely before she let her eyes close once more.
The distant echo of Usaeth returning a greeting managed to break through R'syl's dismal thoughts, confusing him for a moment before he realized exactly why it had caught his attention. The bronze had already done a general greeting to the other dragons while in the air. This one had been directed toward someone specific.
**Friend of yours?** He asked, unfastening himself from the broad neck.
}:The woman greeted me.:{ Usaeth sounded puzzled at the question, almost defensive.
"The woman?" Startled, R'syl began looking around. Usaeth hadn't used a dragon name, and there weren't many people who could speak with dragons without having a dragon of their own. **Where?**
}:There.:{
The girl in question still stood there, eyes closed. She had not heard what the dragon said, for she was at practise, her attempts to learn to control her ability and not get inundated with dragon voices the very reason she remained the bowl. It was the only reason, she felt, she had been able to keep from going crazy. She spent time every day, even if it was only a few minutes, focusing, tuning.
R'syl slid down the proffered forearm, and unfastened his helmet to get a better look at the woman Usaeth had indicated once he hit the ground. She looked young, and very much unaware of him with her eyes closed. He debated briefly for a moment, then tucked his helmet under his arm and strode over to her.
"Enjoying the evening?"
The eyes fluttered open, concentration interrupted. There was the swell of presence, but the noise of voices was a murmur compared to what it had been when she had first arrived. She turned and smiled politely at the dragonrider who approached. "Yes, thank you."
"I don't believe I know your name, Miss..."
"Briata." The practise was over, for now anyway. She might as well enjoy a pleasant conversation. "And you are?"
"R'syl." The woman was obviously not from the weyr after that question. He was wearing his rather painfully obvious knots on his jacket. But to be fair, he hadn't recognized her immediately either. Now that she'd mentioned it, he knew her name fairly well from teaching the weyrlings the local holds. "And the bronzebait I just landed on is Usaeth."
"Hello Usaeth." It was really unnecessary as Briata had already greeted the bronze, but he didn't know that. "Well met to you both."
"Yes, well met." He echoed, trying to ignore the sudden lump in his throat. For just a moment as she'd turned her head, Briata had reminded him of Oroma with her long dark hair, but the lady was most certainly not his lost daughter. "It looks like it's going to be a beautiful night."
"It is." Briata agreed, turning her face back to the sky but with her eyes open that time. "This is my favourite time of the day, when things slow down and I can breathe a bit more easily."
R'syl smiled. "I can understand that. Even the weyrlings slow down a little in the evenings. At least, while they're young they do. Once they've been bonded two months or so they stop collapsing at the end of each lesson and then my staff and I have to figure out where to put the extra energy." He said lightly.
Briata giggles lightly. Weyrlings sounded very much like very young children. "The current group is almost about to graduate, isn't it?" Briata wasn't sure, she'd not really kept up with their schedule.
"And another one preparing to hatch." R'syl grimaced. Normally the prospect of a new clutch to teach energized him. Now he was simply wondering what other ridiculous demands the Weyrwoman might decide to impose on him. He glanced sideways at the young woman. He couldn't remember her age, but she couldn't be over twenty yet...
"You don't seem too pleased about that." He was the Weyrlingmaster, shouldn't he be looking forward to having a new group? Briata tilted her head and regarded the older man. "Why?"
R'syl sighed. "Don't mistake me. It's not the weyrlings, I really do enjoy my job -most of the time." He forced a smile. "I'm just... not particularly thrilled with the Weyrwoman's orders to make everyone stand." He admitted carefully.
"Really?" Briata couldn't help it - she smiled. "You aren't the only one. I love dragons, but I don't feel like I am meant to be one."
Last updated on the November 15th 2009