Shining Young Faces
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: Heather
Date Posted: 5th January 2024
Characters: Rasme, Phaemra (NPC), C'ris
Description: Rasme laments having to be shadowed at work.
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 12, day 15 of Turn 11
"Do I have to go?" Rasme groaned, stretching languidly.
"You _are_ one of the senior dragonhealers here at Barrier Lake... And did I mention, you're a goldrider?" C'ris nibbled lightly down her neck.
"Retired goldrider," she inserted, lifting a finger for emphasis.
The bluerider rolled out of bed, patting her fondly on the bottom as he did. "Why don't you want to go to work? You love work."
Huffing, Rasme blew a strand of hair out of her face as she slid her legs over the side of the bed. "We have possible future dragonhealer apprentices shadowing us today. My _least_ favorite day."
"Aw, a bunch of shining young, hopeful faces will be around you all day," C'ris crooned teasingly.
"Ugh, I hate pre-teens. Maybe even more than teenagers." She began digging around in her wardrobe for clothes.
"Says the mother of _six_." He grinned toothily, wrapping his arms around her, his face coming into view beside hers in the mirror.
"My children were all perfect darlings, of course." Even as she said it, she couldn't keep the corners of her mouth from twitching with the urge to smile. Her sons had been quite the tricksters and her daughters sassy and independent like their mother. The daughter she shared with C'ris was still sweet but quickly approaching that pre-teen age that Rasme dreaded.
"I love you even more when you're grumpy and argumentative, you know," he murmured in her ear.
"Then you must love me a _lot_all_ the time." Rasme turned in her lover's arms. "When will I see you again?"
"It'll be a fortnight or longer."
"You're sure you don't want to move to Barrier Lake yet?"
"Maybe someday."
This was their usual conversation, both knowing that C'ris wasn't coming to Barrier Lake any time soon and that Rasme liked her independence too much to push him. They also knew that if she really asked him he would do it because he loved her.
~*~
Rasme's mood was more resolved to the torture of the upcoming day once she arrived at the dragon infirmary. Just as planned, there was a small group of youngsters waiting to be divided up among the senior staff. These young faces might one day go on to apprentice to the dragonhealing craft. Pern would need them. These were all things she recited to herself as she pasted on her best smile.
"Phaemra, you're paired with Journeywoman Rasme."
She looked at the ginger-haired girl who was nudged in her direction. Her freckles stood out starkly on her pale skin, framing a pair of blue eyes that nearly took over her entire face.
**OK, well, at least she's a cute kid,** Rasme thought grudgingly.
"Well, future apprentice Phaemra, let's go, we have quite a list of patients to see today. You'll need an apron," she grabbed one and fashioned it around the girl's slender waist. "Dragonhealing can be messy. Is that a problem for you?"
Phaemra's chin raised. "No, ma'am."
"Good. I like a little mess myself." Rasme reached up and adjusted the patch over her left eye socket. She realized now that the child hadn't taken her eyes off of the patch since being introduced. "That's why they assigned you to me," Rasme said, bending down and speaking conspiratorially. "You'll be my extra set of eyes," she winked her remaining eye at Phaemra.
"Yes, ma'am," Phaemra replied, showing the tiniest hint of a shy smile.
"Good, now keep up. I walk quickly," Rasme barked over her shoulder as she sailed away toward their first patient of the day.
Last updated on the January 6th 2024