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To Meet Important People

Writers: Dana, Elaine
Date Posted: 29th August 2005

Characters: Toriat, Traelyn
Description: Literally having a 'run-in' with Toriat, Trae takes him up on his bold offer to share dinner with him
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 7, day 7 of Turn 3


Toriat had just finished off with his duties for today. He had been held through lunch to keep the tanning going for something one of the cavern workers needed fast. So he was starved, only have gotten a quick bite during the afternoon.

When he reached his room and thunked down on the bed for a moment. At least in return he was off early, but too early to meet up with his usual dinner crowd. He turned over, thinking he'd wait, but his wailing stomach wouldn't leave him alone. *Fine!* he thought, getting up and changing into something a little less stained. He thought for a second, then slipped on his best boots, giving him a few more inches, putting him at above average female height at least.

He strode out, in half walk/jog, his stomach forcing him to move faster.

"Woah there!" Traelyn laughed as he rounded the corner, nearly running her down. She tried to quickly sidestep him, but not before her right shoulder collided with his left. Hard.

Toriat had dashed around the corner too fast. He barely registered Traelyn before colliding. He yelped as he spun out, his left arm smarting.
"I'm sorry," his stomach growled again, audibly, "I wasn't paying attention." Not recognizing the woman he had bowled into his eyes flicked to her shoulder knots. "Oh shellcrack! This is not how I like to meet important people."

She grinned at him and flicked a hand in dismissal. "Don't worry about it. I'm sure you were heading somewhere very important." The look she gave him was knowing. She'd heard that rumble of hunger.

Toriat had instinctivly clutched his stomach. Sheepishly he shrugged, "Missed lunch." He began circling Traelyn so as to continue on his way, again not looking where he was going, "so, at the moment, very important actually." He smiled, a bit nervously, torn between simply and rudly running away, and his hunger pains.

Then, he had a bold idea. "Join me?" he asked. "It'll give me a chance to appologise, and start off on the right foot when I'm a bit more myself." He outstretched his left arm, in an open offering gesture, but winced, forgetting the recent hurt it had gotten.

Trae smiled at him. "I was just heading that way myself." She slipped her arm lightly through his, accepting his offer. "And there's no need for apologies. It's not a problem."

He couldn't help but think this was the one of the least likely things he expected to happen today. Maybe being eaten by a firelizard would have been more unlikely, but not by much. The thought of food made his stomach ache again. "Thanks, lets move a little swiftly, and hope we don't run into anyone else Traelyn, it is Traelyn right?"

"Yes." She glanced at his shoulder knots. "You're a Candidate?" She knew she'd seen him before...but she couldn't remember his name...

"That I am, Toriat, searched from the Tannercraft hall at Opal Cove,"
Toriat rattled off swiftly, having said the phrase many times over the past couple months.

"Is this your first Turn here at the Weyr?"

"Yes," he replied, "Only recently searched." He raised his free arm in half shrug, "Maybe I'm a late bloomer, as far as the dragons are concerned."

"Maybe." She gave him a friendly smile. "But you're here now."

Toriat laughed, since at that same moment they arrived at the dinning caverns. "And the 'here and now' is what really matters to dragons isn't it?" his stomach gurgled. "I'm not usually here this early, Traelyn where would you say is a good spot?"

She pointed to her favorite corner table across the room. "That one's free. I'll go snag it while you get your food."

"Alright!" He nodded towards where she indicated. He began to run towards the food, then turned around. "Oh, what would you like?"

"Whatever you're getting is fine. I'm not a picky eater," she smiled before she made her way towards the empty table.

"Ok, got it," he bobbed his head a few times before turning to go towards the serving area. Being early he was able to have his pick of the the fruits and a nice combination of greens. He then snagged a few slices of roast werry and a round loaf for bread.

"Are you sure you can handle all that?" said one of the kitchen workers, shaking her head at him.

"Mmm yes I seem to have it all," he replied, balancing everything out. He began to walk away then stopped short, "drinks! Ahhh. Shell crack, I'll just come back later." He then toddled carefully off to where Traelyn was sitting.

"If you can give me a hand setting this down" He said moving some plates in her direction. "I forgot the drinks though. I'd probably grab some water, would you want anything stronger?"

She grabbed the plates for him. "Water's fine," she smiled. "Thanks."

"Ok, good," after making sure everything was settled on the table, and stuffing a hunk of bread in his mouth to appease his wailing stomach he rushed back to the serving area. He grabbed a pitcher and two mugs, walking back at a more appriopriate pace, so as not to spill the water.

"Here," he said, putting down the mugs and then filling them. "Can you pass me some of those greens, I'm afraid to put something too heavy in my stomach first. I hope the selections ok." He flicked a slice of the werry onto his plate, the first of much food to touch it.

"They're fine." Traelyn passed him the greens, then moved to fill her own plate. They ate in silence for a while before she broke it, "So, Toriat, tell me more about Opal Cove."

Toriat had downed nearly all the greens and was halfway through the slab of werry roast. When Traelyn spoke he akwardly gulped what was left in his mouth, and used his thumb to unobtrousivly clear the fruit juice drippling from his mouth.

"Well, I've actually stuck pretty close to the Tanner hall since I apprenticed at tweleve. I grew up there though, I just, " he paused, his mind think. He still was not on the best terms with my father. It was not a big deal, but Tobhal, his brother was just a clone of his dad, he barely know Tathel his younger brother, and Aryn was searched a few years ago. There had been little reason to return home. "I was just so wrapped up in my craft I guess. Youth's folly."

"What stands out most is the construction. Its an impressive ediface, as if a stone cavern brought to the sight. There is so much detail to the stone too. I remember spending many a sunny day as a child running my hands, feeling the detail. Oh, have you heard about the windows?"

She shook her head, intruiged. "No. Tell me."

Toriat finished the piece of bread he had popped in his mouth and leaned closer. "Murals, colored glass murals." He arched his hand above, "Epic scenes of dragons fighting thread. Gold, green, blue, bronze, brown, and brilliant red oranges searing the sickly pale threads. Seeing the sun shine through any one of those scenes, just makes one heart lift a bit.
Its really inspiring."

"I bet they're just beautiful," Traelyn replied. And she could just see in her mind's eye what he was describing. They sounded spectacular. "And they must be huge!"

"Well they are to scale of course, but still, impressive. When thread started falling, protecting those windows were one of the holds most forefront concerns." He paused to think, "There must be painted replications somewhere, but you should see them in person sometime. Theres a big difference between seeing a picture and having it shine on you."

She nodded. "I can believe it." Then she gave him a smile. "Maybe one day I'll get a chance to see them. I'd like to. They sound incredible."

"You must also get restdays? You could just take a quick peek sometime."
He gave her a quick mischievious smile. "I'm sure you could fashion a reason to go down there."

"As a queenrider of Dragonsfall?" She grinned back at him. "I'm sure I could, Toriat."

Toriat looked a bit abashed, but he was grinning. "Well yes, there is that I suppose. To be able to go anywhere, in a blink of an eye? Ultimate freedom on golden dragonwings?"

"It is _the_ way to travel, for sure," she winked. "But with that ultimate freedom comes the ultimate responsibility."

"Is it worth it?" Toriat asked. He knew it was a little tackless, but she didn't have to answer if she didn't want to. "Is this where you imagined you would be when you were young?"

She was quiet for a moment as she studied him, the look in her gray eyes thoughtful, then turned more serious. "Yes," she told him quietly. "It's worth it. All of it - the good and the bad." Then she leaned back and a small smile whispered across her lips. "When I was a little girl, I wanted nothing more than to be a dragonrider - like most of the Weyr's imps." She shrugged an eloquent shoulder. "I couldn't imagine being anything else."

Toriat was stunned silent for a moment. Not by the words themselves, for it was not a suprising response, but the momentary change in Traelyn. The small admission made her seem more approachable, in a way. More sweet, more womanly. Even though Toriat thought himself forward thinking, it was still an adjustment to see women in positions of authority, and see them retaining their femininity.

"It is good to see, that little girls' dreams do come true sometimes." He replied, but continued, thinking of his sister. "I don't think it happens often enough."

"Here in the south?" She shook her head in regret. "Not nearly as much as they should. Especially for the girls living in the Holds and even some of the Halls."

He nodded solemnly in response. "I half suspect my sister, also a candidate here, wouldn't mind if she doesn't impress again, as long as shes allowed to stay."

"We don't ever kick people out of the Weyr, Toriat. Surely she was told that by others?"

"Oh oh, yes she knows," Toriat reassured, "but, before she picked up a craft she didn't feel like she was contributing so much. I also don't think she quite as fine as she acts that our father has practically disowned her."

"Because she was Searched?" The attitude of the majority of the holders _still_ appalled Traelyn sometimes.

"Well, I can't say for sure. I'd been at the crafthall for years at that point. But I suspect yes, it wasn't proper, she wouldn't be able to help our mother, or be used... in barter." Toriat spat out the last word.

Trae let out a rather inelegant snort. "Barter. That's exactly what they should call those so-called 'marriages' in the holds and halls," she responded dryly.

Toriat was quiet a moment. "Well yes, so, that why I'm mostly sure.
She'll never admit it, but I think she's glad to have me around, to keep an eye our for her. Although its been more of the reverse lately since shes been standing for a lot longer then me."

She smiled at him and raised her mug. "Well, I hope that at this Hatching, both you and your sister will Impress."

He smiled back also raising his mug. "Thank you, Traelyn. For your words and company." After taking a long sip he stood up. "Its time for me to be off though. Have a good evening."

Last updated on the August 30th 2005


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