Catching Up Again

Writers: Avery, Chelle
Date Posted: 23rd November 2015

Characters: Nokala, K'ran
Description: Two friends reconnect.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 2, day 25 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Genna, A'kua, G'nir, Chioneth, D'ale

K'ran

K'ran was looking for a place to sit in an unusually-crowded Dining
Cavern when he spotted a familiar face. Now, that wasn't as unusual in
itself. He had traveled so much that he could say he knew people from
many places. It was nice to be able to feel at home nearly anywhere just
by spotting someone he knew. But he usually expected to find them among
dragonriders, since they were prone to transfers.

The bronzerider angled towards the end of a table and stopped by the
figure. "Nokala, may I have a seat?"

Hearing the voice calling her name, she brought her head up just enough to
see a rider coming near her. It had been a very long time and she almost
didn't
place him at first but harpers had good memories and they knew people. Her
smile spread once she had it. "Well sure! And where have you been stranger?"

"Ista, Dolphin Cove, all over half of Pern it feels like. What brings
you to Dragonsfall?" he asked, setting his tray down and pulling out a
chair.

She reached over and gave him a small hug before settling back down. "Ah
well you know...harpers can never stay in one place if they hope to advance.
And anyway, I heard tall women don't stick out quite as much here." Well
maybe
she still stuck out, but it was allright. "I froze to death my first
winter but I'm still
alive!"

"The climate seems to breed them hearty here. I'm not looking forward to
this next winter," he agreed.

"Good big strong men aye. Very nice excuse to get under the furs and
share the
warmth." She didn't wiggle her eyebrows but her smile said it all. A
certain Weyrleader
came to mind at the mention of that but she put some grog into her mouth
to keep
from dwelling on that picture. "As long as you wear enough clothes,
you'll be fine. And
it's heated inside the Weyr. It's just the outside that's the problem."

"Flying up in the cold, when it's about to snow, is pretty terrible. And
so is walking out in it," he agreed. "The Tanners and Weavers get pretty
popular for making warm clothes."

"I imagine so. Good thing I don't have to do any of that." She gave him
a pat
on the shoulder. It was a subtle reminder that he had Impressed while
she had
not. She had accepted her lot though and was happy. "One of my apprentices
just Impressed bronze in the last Hatching. I'm very proud."

"Really? Is that A'kua?" he guessed.

"Ummhm. He's a good boy. Will be a fine rider if I do say so myself.
Told him
so but he didn't believe me." The harper giggled once then looked over
at him.
"So what's new with you then?"

"Not very much. Been busy with Wingleader duties, which has been a
challenge. On the personal front, something's been developing there."
It was still novel to him.

"Do tell. Congrats on the new knots by the way. I knew it would only be
a matter
of time." She herself wasn't too concerned with making Master at the moment.
Nokala was just enjoying teaching and if she worked on her mastery she
wouldn't
have as much time for that.

"Thank you for that. I think this is the highest I'd like to go,
professionally."

"Why do you say that?" Lack of ambition was a strange thing in a
bronzerider.
After studying G'nir for several months it was very odd to see such
difference in
another. Although knowing K'ran from way back when they had been young
it made
a little sense. His dragon probably didn't agree though.

"Rogueth is small and hasn't caught a gold. I doubt we'll get the top
spot. It's not his fault, and I don't mind. Wingleader's still a
respectable post."

"If he's small then he's faster. So that should give him an advantage.
And anyway just because he hasn't yet doesn't mean he never will. Maybe
he's just waiting for the right one." Nokala knew if K'ran was a
wingleader then his Rogueth could fly a full fall. And if he could do
that then he could
last long enough for a goldflight.

"I'd hoped it would work out with Lissath." His tone went a little sad -
because of how he'd felt for Genna, he'd thought they had a chance. "I
suppose we'll see how Chioneth's next goes."

"Why the young one? You'd gain no rank there." Of course there was prestige
in catching any gold and he might have better luck with a young one, but
Nokala
didn't understand the preference. Of course she knew Genna well from
their lessons
but she didn't mention it, catching the difference in tone.

"We have a bit of a connection," K'ran admitted. "I think we both
hoped Rogueth would win her - she's a nice girl, wanted it to be
someone gentle."

The harper could read several volumes into that but she chose not to
at that time.
"Ah well I don't think Lissath made a bad choice in the end. Worked
out for the Weyr.
And maybe someday will be your boy's day. So who are you working with
in your wing?
Anyone of note?"

"I like my wingsecond D'ale. Good man with a steady head on his
shoulders. I think there's a good group, given that I generally let
Weyrleader have his pick first."

"Wise decision." Then again she was sure if G'nir wanted to pick first
there wouldn't
be much K'ran could do about it. She didn't bring that up. "Sometimes
you have to bargain
to get what you want. Of course, I think you can get a good group out
of most as long as you
motivate them right. And staying alive is powerful motivation."

"Indeed. I enjoy bringing in the weyrlings, too. Overseeing their
transition to the wings and watching them become confident is
something I didn't know I'd enjoy this much."

"You sound really good." The observation was a small one. The Pass had
taken its toll on many riders but apparently K'ran had thrived. Nokala
herself
had lost a few cousins but no immediate family so far.

"This has been a good place for me. Is Dragonsfall treating you well?"

"Sometimes yes. When it's cold though it can get hard. And of course I don't
see my family as often. No beaches. But...it has its benefits. Heartier
food.
And the people who don't have pretty bodies have them covered up so I don't
have to scrape my eyes out." Giving a wry smile, Nokala shifted in the seat,
picking up a roll and spreading butter on it.

He laughed. "Something I don't miss about Dolphin Cove."

"Good to see you K'ran. Don't be a stranger. I've got an office now
with students
and everything." It was said with humor but underlying it was a tinge
of pride. She
was a senior journeyman now and it meant something. Nokala was proud
of her success.

"An office of your very own? I'll have to see for sure," he promised.

"Follow the singing when you have free time and you'll find me." She got up
and gave him a brief kiss on the cheek before heading off. She had a young
candidate waiting on her.

Last updated on the November 24th 2015

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Catching Up Again