Fine
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: Paula, Yvonne
Date Posted: 20th November 2015
Characters: Ciendra, Alina
Description: Ciendra and Alina catch up... and talk about mating flights.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 2, day 8 of Turn 8
"Hi Alina," Ciendra greeted. "How are you? How does it feel to be a full dragonrider now?" Since Alina had been on weyrling class above hers, Ciendra had learned to know her. They have similar background and lot in common.
Alina looked up, then smiled when she realized who it was. "Come sit, stranger!" she said, scooting down the bench a little to give Ciendra room. She pushed the notes on Wing formations she'd been studying aside into a neat pile and set her mug of klah on top of it. "It's good to see you. And Wingriding is... well, there's more free time?"
"Free time would be nice. I barely remember what it is. If there isn't a class, I'm washing or oiling Lialeth," Ciendra replied. "She still has growing to do."
"Mmm." Alina sighed. "I still can't believe Imarith was ever that small. At least all the oiling keeps your hands soft."
"So true," Ciendra replied. "Did, did Imarith already Rise?" she asked, looking uncomfortable when asked it. "How was it?" she was filled with kind of morbid curiosity.
Alina flushed and looked down at her plate. **She has to know.** A green rising didn't usually go unmarked-- no matter how much she'd want to hide it. "She did. It was... fine."
"I'm glad to hear it wasn't bad," Ciendra said. "The thought of Lialeth's Mating Flights make me terribly nervous," she confessed.
Alina bit her lip, unsure of what to say. If she told Ciendra that flights were nothing to worry about, she'd be lying. But flights were also inevitable. For the first time she understood why her instructors had spoken the way they had about mating flights. As much as she wanted to protect Ciendra and shield her from what was to come, walking in eyes open was better than having it be a horrible surprise. Instead she reached across the table to give Ciendra's hand a squeeze, feeling like the worst person on Pern as she did so. "People are nice here. Whoever catches Lialeth will be nice, I promise. The bluerider who caught Imarith was."
"I know people are nice," Ciendra said. "I also know that if I had stayed in Green Valley, my aunt would had married me off by now." She shrugged a bit. "The way I see it, I still got the better deal."
**Of course.** Sometimes it seemed like Alina was the only one at the Weyr who had come from a normal Hold life. "You'll be fine."
"Thank's," Ciendra smiled. "I always have Lialeth, she makes me happy."
"I'm glad of that. She's perfectly lovely, you know."
"She is, she is the best. I'm pretty sure you think of same about Imarith," Ciendra grinned. "We would do anything for them."
Alina smiled, although it was a little forced. "Yeah." She'd proven she'd do anything for her dragon when Imarith rose. The question was, who would do the same for her?
Last updated on the November 24th 2015