Something Meaningful to Do

Writers: Ambrosia, Eimi
Date Posted: 3rd January 2008

Characters: Aryn, U'kaiah
Description: A restless Aryn looks to U'kaiah for inspiration
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 7, day 18 of Turn 4

The bronzerider spouted water as he lifted his head. His feet could easily touch the bottom now as he rose to his full height, water lapping around his waist. U'kaiah shook his head, sending a spray of little dropplets in all directions. He wiped the water from his eyes and ran his fingers through his dark, curly hair. Shards, that was a good swim he thought, still slightly out of breath from the exertion. Looking towards shore he caught the eye of a young greenrider who happened to be looking his way. He grinned and waved at the familiar face. "Hello there Aryn! What brings you down here?"

Caught! Aryn tried not to flush, wishing she could melt into the sands, but she put on a wry smile she hoped looked nonchalant and stammered out a greeting to the object of her perusal. "Oh, hi U'kaiah!"

**Brilliant one, Aryn** she chastised herself. **Be a little less obvious next time you go ogling, a Wingleader no less! But by the Egg, he sure is a work of art!** Her eyes were relentlessly drawn to the ornate Thread-scarring along his powerful left shoulder and muscular back, only adding to his epic allure.

"Viyanth was feeling a little stiff this morning, so we came down for some exercise." She glanced across the way at her dragon, who was floating lazily in the temperate waters.

"Yeah, I was working off a little stiffness myself," he said, rolling his shoulders for emphasis. "Yesterday's Threadfall felt like it was never going to end."

Aryn caught her breath and looked at her toes, trying not to stare at his rippling physique like a dumbstruck schoolgirl. "You can say that again! Down on the lower level time really drags by - we just don't get as much action in the Sienna Wing. Not that we're complaining that you all do your job so well, but..." She gave a little self-conscious laugh. "But it must be so exciting to be up there in the front lines!"

"Oh, I don't know about that," he chuckled, skimming his fingers along the top of the water. "Its exhausting and dangerous. A lot us spend time in Sienna Wing at some time or another." U'kaiah missed it, but only because they were so desperate to get as many riders in the upper levels as possible. That was the way it was in the beginning...

Gazing at the concentric circles in the water, Aryn sighed and shrugged her shoulders. "I know you're probably right but...
We just want to fly!" she said suddenly, looking up with embers sparking in her dark eyes. "It's been so frustrating, with Viyanth's stressed tendon taking so long to heal. I wish she hadn't tried to show off during the Blooding. I can't help wondering... why _did_ we get assigned to the Sienna Wing, did it have something to do with that?"

U'kaiah was surprised by what the greenrider had said. "Flying in the Queen's Wing is not a punishment, Aryn. You are helping to protect one of the most precious and important pairings on Pern."

Aryn flushed - the last thing she wanted was to seem ungrateful. "Oh no, I didn't mean it like that... it's just, I don't know." She paused, looking down through her dark thick lashes. "I really like Teseada of course, and Kapera is a great leader. But it seems that they always have so many important things to do, and we just... I don't know," she concluded lamely. "I guess I'm just antsy - it seems like i'm always waiting for something... meaningful to do."

"Ah, now don't think that way," the bronzerider smiled encouragingly.
"You're very meaningful Aryn. The Weyr needs pairs like you and Viyanth."

Some of the flash had returned to Aryn's eyes as she met his friendly gaze. *I think the Weyr needs more gorgeous charmers like you* is what she was thinking. What she said was "Well, we'll prove our worth one of these days, you can bet on that! Viyanth needs to get a little stronger first, though... "

*and honestly, so do I* she realized, suddenly conscious of how quickly she tired just wading through the shallows. She didn't take Viyanth swimming nearly often enough, perhaps that's the reason she was taking so long to heal.

}:I'm stronger than you think!:{ Viyanth picked up her head. }:Just because you'd rather spend your time gazing at handsome bronzeriders than working up a sweat doesn't mean you should blame it on me!:{ Viyanth snorted, rising up above the pair and blowing a gushing stream of water out her nostrils, showering Aryn pointedly.

"Uh oh," U'kaiah laughed, watching the water drip off of the greenrider's klah colored tresses. "I take it she disagrees?"

"Pffffft" was the best Aryn could manage at first, shaking her head and wiping her eyes. "She seems to think _I'm_ the one that needs more exercise!" Aryn sputtered, glaring in Viyanth's direction.
**Thanks, doll - I think I'm quite capable of making a fool of myself on my own!**

"Well, you look strong enough to me." Though he could use another player now that Futra has turned up pregnant... "Do you play waterball?"

Aryn bit her lip thoughtfully. "Well, I've never tried... " Her stomach flip-flopped.
*Hmm, exercise _and_ U'kaiah-gazing, now that's an interesting combination...*

"but I think I'd like to learn... do you offer private lessons?" She grinned disarmingly, almost shocked herself at her impudence - almost.

"Hmm," he hummed thoughtfully, crossing his arms across his chest, though his eyes twinkled with amusement. "I might be persuaded..."

"Well, then you might just have a new player," Aryn laughed, flipping her wet hair over her shoulder. Putting her hands on her hips, she took a deep breath. "Let's see... I'm a quick study, I have lightning reflexes, and you won't find my match for determination anywhere!"

She paused, smiling, and raised her left eyebrow. "Need any further persuasion?"

Last updated on the January 4th 2008

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Something Meaningful to Do