Brownrider Bonding....Sort Of
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: Francesca, Heather
Date Posted: 11th October 2024
Characters: L'rin, N'kayden
Description: L'rin attempts to engage in brownrider bonding with N'kayden.
Location: Barrier Lake Weyr
Date: month 1, day 3 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: Casmari, Kailis, Ketlyn
With what looked to be a coming storm, the Weyrlingstaff had decided to have the weyrlings sort and bag firestone before the morning lecture. L'rin supposed the threat of rain gave them incentive to move quickly. He had strategically placed himself near some of the brownriders and, when it was time to pair off, turned to N'kayden with a smile.
"Want to hold the bag first while I shovel?" L'rin considered taking off his shirt but decided he did not want firestone residue on his chest or back.
"Sure," N'kayden said amiably. He gathered up the sack and held it open. "This stuff is so heavy. I'm trying to imagine what it will be like tossing it far enough, and good enough, for another rider to catch it."
In another situation, L'rin might have bragged about his own muscles. However, he was trying to make friends. "I'm sure we can toss it far enough," he said confidently, putting a shovelful of firestone in the bag. "Doing it while flying will take a lot of practice though."
}:We'll be able to do it:{ Yasanth chimed in.
"Yasanth things we'll be fine. Does Aberath agree?"
}:I will be _perfect_, of course. But your arms might need some work. They're a bit... _small_:{ Aberath whispered the last word in his mindvoice as if someone might overhear.
N'kayden made a face. No one had warned him that you could be roasted by your own dragon.
"Aberath says he will be fine. He's not so sure about me. Sounds like I'd better put in some extra weightlifting time."
L'rin could not help but feel good about being stronger than N'kayden but, again, this was not the time to boast about it. "It sounds like we'll have plenty of practice. Besides, the girls will need to be able to do it. I'm honestly not so sure they can. Casmari, Kailis, and Ketlyn are so skinny."
A laugh burst from N'kayden so fast that it caused him to snort. "Oh man, I dare you to say that to Kailis and Ketlyn's faces."
That was not the reaction L'rin was expecting. Did N'kayden like one of them? He shrugged. "Well, it's the truth." He added another shovelful of firestone to the bag.
"The truth according to _you_." N'kayden could see it now, the way Kailis's face would look while she was driving her fist into L'rin's nose. Shards, now he hoped L'rin really would tell Kailis or Ketlyn that he didn't think they were strong enough to toss firestone bags, purely for the entertainment value of the moment.
Why wasn't this conversation going to plan? They were both brownriders. They were supposed to be bonding. "We'll find out pretty soon." L'rin almost felt sorry for them needing to face their physical limitations. He tried to think of a safer topic to discuss. "Where's the first place you're gonna go when we can go /between/?"
"To the Dolphin Hall," N'kayden answered without hesitation. "My dad met this brownrider here whose brother is the Hallmaster. He said you can just go visit the dolphins any time. I've never seen a talking fish before. I think Aberath might find that interesting, too."
}:Are they for eating?:{ Aberath questioned.
**No,** N'kayden said with a mental laugh. **I think they're supposed to be too helpful for eating.**
}:We'll see,:{ the brown said.
"I've seen dolphins from a distance, but never up close," L'rin admitted. "Do they really talk?" He couldn't imagine a big, talking fish.
"I've never seen one up close either, but I guess they must talk since there's a whole crafthall dedicated to them." N'kayden couldn't quite picture it himself, a talking fish, but he was looking forward to seeing if the dolphins lived up to their reputation.
He supposed conversing with Yasanth in his mind was more far-fetched than a dolphin talking. It was still strange though. Returning to the question he had asked, he mused out loud. "I don't know where I'll go. I've always lived nearby. I guess it would be interesting to go somewhere completely different from here, you know? I'm not sure where that would be though."
"Maybe you should go somewhere totally opposite from Barrier Lake. Ista Weyr is in the desert, you know," N'kayden said.
"I like that idea." He imagined a desert would be like a beach but with no water. He wasn't sure how interesting that would be to visit, but it certainly would be different. "And, I'd like to see another Weyr." Someone on the Weyrlingstaff called for them to switch roles and L'rin handed over the shovel. "If you keep up the pace, I think we can beat everyone else." That would show the girls, and the other guys.
Last updated on the October 20th 2024