Glad I Met You

Writers: Avery, Yvonne
Date Posted: 1st August 2015

Characters: Ikalis, Alina
Description: Ikalis talks to Alina after Threadfall.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 13, day 14 of Turn 7

Alina

Threadfall was done. The first thing Ikalis did when she had a moment to
slip away was dash down to the Infirmary to find out who was there. She
hadn't seen Alina there, and Wavecrest hadn't seen Imarith at the dragon
infirmary. That boded well. That meant she'd lived. Surely Ikalis would
have felt it somehow if Alina had died.

At least the gossip in the kitchens was interesting. She did hear about
one of the weyrlings who had been scored. It was a brownrider she didn't
know very much about and it had only been on his dragon's wingtip. The
only fatality had been C'juris who was older anyway and probably should
have been retiring, or so the auntie next to her had scoffed.

Finally the main meal prep was done and it was her chance to eat before
the dinner rush. Ikalis grabbed her plate and slipped out into the
dining cavern to find a good seat.

It wasn't until much later that Alina slunk into the dining cavern, her
eyes downcast as she tried to make her way through the crowd without
being recognized. A few people -- dragonriders she didn't know, but
might have delivered firestone to -- clapped her on the shoulder in
congratulations. She managed a weak smile in response.

If it hadn't been for hunger, she wouldn't have come down at all. But
weyrlings didn't have the luxury of ordering food to their rooms like
some of the other dragonriders did. She was planning on taking a tray
and disappearing somewhere quiet when she saw Ikalis' wave, and she
turned her steps toward where her friend sat and slid into the seat
beside her. "Hi."

Ikalis had started to doze off, but it was Wavecrest's chirp that
alerted her. She jolted up in her seat and grinned at Alina. "Hey
yourself. You look okay. You two are fine?"

Alina nodded as she put down her plate. "Yeah. Just tired."

"Not even any dust burns? Good job, both of you. Let Imarith know I'm
happy," Ikalis said sincerely. "I worried."

That provoked a small smile. "Thanks. I will, once she wakes up. She's
exhausted."

"She was doing hard work. It always tires my sister out too. You didn't
give any firestone to her. That was N'val."

"Oh." Alina shook her head. Had N'val delivered firestone to Ikalis'
sister? The only thing she'd been thinking about was Imarith, Thread,
fire and char. The first day of her Blooding had passed in a blur.
"Sorry. You know, you've never introduced me to your family."

"I was going to do that," Ikalis said, sitting up a little further. "I
know weyrlinghood is tiring and you're busy... Obviously you're too
tired now, but this restday maybe? Unless you have plans to go see your
family."

"I do, but not all day," Alina said. Although her family was happy to
see her, the rest of the Cothold wasn't as enthusiastic when they saw
Imarith's wings. There was more of an anti-dragonrider sentiment than
she'd remembered. It probably had more to do with the colour of her
dragon's hide than anything, but it still felt like a personal snub.
"Maybe I could meet your family in the morning?"

"I'll set it up. You'll like them, and they'll play nice. Idali will
probably try to flirt with you," she added, wrinkling her nose at the
thought.

Alina paused with her fork half-way to her mouth. "Idali... that's
your brother, right?" The thought of someone flirting with her was
anxiety-inducing. She had started her Blooding and Imarith would rise
soon, and everyone was watching and waiting for her to sleep with
someone. _Anyone_. No matter what her preferences were. It was worse
than an arranged marriage, because at least then you knew who you had
to approach.

"One of two," she confirmed. "He's a good kid, he just never met a
woman he wouldn't compliment."

The weyrling snorted, feeling relieved. "So many people at the Weyr
are so insincere. No offence to Idali."

"He has no idea how to be cool around girls he _really_ likes. Not
like..." She broke off before she could say too much. "Oh, and uh. I
got you something."

"You did?" Alina said, surprised. "But it's not my birthingday..."

Under the table, Ikalis' feet shuffled around. "Well...it's almost
Turns' End. And it's a big moment. Here."

She reached into her pocket, fished out the little cloth-wrapped
package and handed it over.

"You really didn't have to..." Alina protested weakly, even as she
reached for the package. The green cloth was held in place with a bit
of twine, which was quickly untied. Inside the knot of fabric was a
little lumpy bit of wood-- Alina turned it over in her hands and saw
that it was actually a little dragon. A little green dragon that
looked a whole heck of a lot like her own Imarith. The wood was
carefully carved and sanded to a satiny finish, and it fel twarm in
her hands. A lump rose in her throat. "Oh Ikalis... you really
didn't... this is so lovely. Where did you find this?"

"I know a woodcrafter," Ikalis said lightly. "I just thought it would
be a good idea for you."

"Oh." Her eyes were getting a bit blurry. The past few weeks had been
so hard, and she'd felt so drained and alone. But she'd always have a
friend in Ikalis. "Thank you. I can't thank you enough. This is too
much." Leaning over, she pulled Ikalis in for a tight hug.

Ikalis' arms automatically went back around her. Alina might have
still smelled a little like smoke and dragon, but she was still soft
and warm, and she wanted to press a kiss to the other girl's forehead.
But now wasn't the time, not in the dining hall.

"I just hope Imarith likes it as much as you do," she joked.

"I don't know if she'll understand," Alina admitted as she pulled
away. She looked down at the little figurine in her hands and tried
not to cry. "But... thank you."

"It's no trouble." Ikalis was quiet for a moment after that. "This is
what friends are for, right? Cheering each other up and being there
when it's hard."

"I'm really glad I met you," Alina admitted.

Ikalis gave her a soft smile. "Me too."

Last updated on the August 1st 2015

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