Sturdy Girls

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 2nd March 2010

Characters: Uetia, Sabonus, Tamah
Description: Uetia is asked to take Sabonus out to a ship in need of help
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 7, day 16 of Turn 5

"So, I hear Tamah has asked you to lend us a hand," Sabonus said with a
small smile of greeting as the greenrider approached. "Or, I suppose it
could be that I suggested you."

"I am on transport duty, so I think this is part of it," Uetia said,
cocking her head quizzically. "What exactly does the Harbour master need
us for?"

"The 'Reef's Lady' ran against some rocks and they're taking on water.
It's not too bad, luckily, and they have all the supplies to fix it.
What they don't have, though, is a ship carpenter since he had to put to
shore at their last port for some legal trouble, and their schedule
wouldn't allow them to wait for another." It had seemed their luck
hadn't extended that far. "They put into a sheltered cove and sent
Tamah a request for some emergency repairs."

"I'm to take you there," Uetia deducted.

Sabonus's lips cracked a smile. "Well, dragon wings would be a bit
faster than rowing a boat, yes."

"Do we have visualization of the place?" Uetia asked.

"Unfortunately not," Tamah replied her, walking over to them. "She's in
anchor in one of those uninhabited coves between White Sands hold and
Merreck's bay," he handed her a piece of map.

"Great," Uetia grumbled, "That means straight flying until we find it."

"Well, I personally am looking forward to it. I always see the
landscape from ship or shore, but by air is a rare treat for me." But
he could see how after spending that long in the sky, and having that
amazing ability to blink /between/ places, a straight flight might sound
tedious.

Uetia nodded absently and studied the map. She knew White Sands Hold, so
it was logical place to start. Tamah had marked the estimated location
of the ship to the map. "Good thing that Sirjath is strong flyer. Shall
we go then? Do you have all the tools you need?"

"I have a couple bags, if your green won't mind," he said, indicating
the bag in his hand and the other slung over his shoulder.

"She can manage it, she's a sturdy girl, like me," Uetia smiled.

"Good. I like sturdy girls," Sabonus said, the corner of his lips
curling into a smile as he adjusted the bag on his shoulder.

Uetia found herself blushing. She busied herself by walking over to
waiting Sirjath and fiddling with the straps.

He liked the way she blushed, he decided. She wasn't exactly pretty,
but she certainly was charming in her own way. He liked the fact that
she could look him in the eye, their height just about matched. And he
liked her nose. Too many girls had plain little cute noses. Hers had
character to it. Sabonus handed her his bag, making sure to give her a
grin as he did so, hoping that she might blush again for him.

Uetia was feeling like 15 turns old, instead of confident
journeywoman-dragonrider. No man ever had this effect on her. She
attached the bags. "Do you know how to attach yourself to passanger
straps?" she
asked.

"I haven't done it in a while, but I learned," he nodded. It had been
part of their Candidate training to prepare them for when they Impressed
their own dragons. "Could you ask your lifemate to give me a boost?
That's the part I have trouble with." And he really didn't want to look
the fool or he would be the one blushing.

"Sirjath?" Uetia asked and the green obediently moved her front leg to
form the steps.

"Thank you." Sabonus stepped up and swung his leg over to the other
side. It was not as smooth a motion as he would have liked, but he
didn't have that much practice. He reached down a hand to help her up,
though he knew she would not need it. His father had always taught him
to be a gentleman to the ladies and the thought of holding her hand for
a brief moment was not completely unappealing.

Uetia accepted his hand and was soon seated in front of him. Checking
the straps, she warned Sabonus:"Hold on," when Sirjath pushed herself
off the the ground and into the air.

His arms wrapped instinctively around her waste as he felt the momentum
push him forward. "Sorry, that always sneaks up on me."

"That's all right," Uetia said and heart thundered in her chest. She was
so aware he was pressed against her back! She tried to recall the
visualization for White Sands, but other thoughts intruded. Like the
fact that White Sand's main visual clue was lone rock standing out in
the water right in
front of the hold. It was generally called The Lone Finger, but Uetia
knew that sailor's had ruder name for it.

}: If I follow that visual, I don't know where we end up. Probably our
insides out. :{ Sirjath complained.

** Sorry, I'll do better, ** Uetia apologized and cleared her head,
pushing out all thoughts of male body parts. She got the visualization
down right and they went /between/.

Sabonus lost all sensation as they went into the black cold. It was
still an unsettling feeling! He didn't realize when they had popped
back into the sunlight that he had squeezed her even tighter against
him. "Sorry," he murmured close to her ear, so that even though it was
barely more than a whisper the wind didn't carry his words away. "I
could use a warning next time."

"My bad," Uetia replied, turning her head so he would hear her. "We are
flying straight from now on."
** Follow the coastline,** she instructed Sirjath.

"All right. Just give me some warning if we're going to make any sharp
dips or turns, or I just might squeeze the life out of you." Not that
an excuse to wrap his arms around her was an unpleasant prospect.

"I'll warn. Although I don't break easily," Uetia promised. She was
enjoying the feeling of strong arms around her.

"Good." He leaned forward to whisper in her ear, "Neither do I."

Uetia found herself blushing again for some reason. Fortunately the wind
against her face hid it.

Last updated on the March 19th 2010

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Sturdy Girls