Cude and Cuddly, Please

Writers: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 28th November 2005

Characters: Theyzen, Kiyan
Description: Theyzen and True make a new friend in Kiyan
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 9, day 2 of Turn 3

True ran on ahead of Theyzen, enjoying the chance to get out of their small rooms and into the outdoors. Smelling something in the air, the canine gave a little yip and made an abrupt turn straight into the heart of the vineyards.

"True!" Theyzen called. **Silly canine** he thought affectionately as he followed his pet between the nicely pruned rows. Up ahead he could see a golden tail wagging enthusiastically as his canine watched a man at work.
"I'm sorry if he's bothering you," he called to the vintner as he approached.

"Bothering me?" Kiyan finally turned away from his work and noticed the canine for the first time. "No, not at all!"

Theyzen smiled. "He likes people, and there are so many new ones for him to meet, he can get a little excited."

Kiyan sat back on his heels and reached out a hand. "What's his name?"

"True," the woodsmith answered as the canine brought his cold black nose to the vintner's hand, wagging his tale furiously and panting in his excitement.

"Hello, True." Kiyan reached out to scratch the canine's head. "He's friendly, isn't he?"

"Always has been since he was a pup," Theyzen beamed as he squatted down next to his friend. He scatched his back fondly, running his fingers through the soft yellow hairs. "Have you much experience with canines?"

"Not really," Kiyan replied absently, smiling at True. Maybe he could find a canine for Fayne. Having something small to love and cuddle with might perk her up. "I've thought about getting one, though." "Best beasts on Pern," the younger man replied with a decisive nod. "Save for dragon's of course, but I never thought of them as beasts."

"Where does one go about getting one? I'd want a young one..." Kiyan grinned up at Theyzen. "Something small and cute that my wife could cuddle."

"Perhaps as the herdcrafters would know. I brought True with me from the Woodcraft Hall. But herdcrafters sometimes use canines in their work."

"Hmmm... maybe I'll ask Aivorn," Kiyan mused. "He'll know if there are any puppies running about, I imagine!" The woodsmith nodded. "I wish I could be more of a help but we're new here."

"I haven't been here all that long myself," Kiyan admitted with a smile.
"We came from the Vintner Hall half a turn ago or so... we originally came so I could work on the vineyards, but my wife's found a place in the Hold that she enjoys."

"The Vintner Hall? Then we were neighbors!" Theyzen smiled.

"I suppose we were!" Kiyan gave an embarassed grin. "Honestly, I didn't get out of the Hall much... I spent my time in the vineyards, but when the new Hallmaster took over... well, my wife wasn't feeling terribly comfortable there." "Ah, yes," the woodsmith smiled. "I have heard there is some... mixed feeling about the Vintner Hallmaster."

Kiyan snorted. "Forgive me for saying it, but he's quite an unpleasant man."

Theyzen laughed. "He is _your_ Hallmaster. I have no right to disagree with you."

"Mmmm, that he is. And a lot easier to deal with from a few thousand leagues..." Kiyan winked. "Well, how do you find it here at Emerald Falls?" Theyzen had to admit, he still wasn't so sure about the place. There were a lot of rumors flying around about guards starting the fire in the Harper Hall and dissention at the Hold. Perhaps they were just rumors and nothing to worry about, but as the head of a young family, he felt it his duty to find out for sure.

"We've settled in well. I think it will be a good place to live." He had to think so with the Headwoman as his wife. "I've... I've heard rumors that the Lord Holder was involved with the burning of the Harper Hall. Do you think that's true?" His wife had come originally from that Harper Hall, and he knew that she and her family had a very personal connection to that particular incident.

"It couldn't be," Kiyan replied firmly. "It's simply not possible."

"Well, do you feel _safe_ here?"

"Yes." There was no hesitation in Kiyan's voice, and he looked confident as he rose to his feet. "Lord Enrizial is a young man, and young men sometimes make mistakes. But he's a _good_ man. I know that."

Theyzen nodded. That helped ease his mind a bit. The last the thing he wanted was for anything to happen to his family. "Thank you, Master Vintner. That information is a comfort." "Oh, I'm not a Master." Kiyan held out his hand. "And call me Kiyan." "Good, I'm not a master, either," the woodsmith smiled as he took the vintner's hand. "I'm Theyzen."

Last updated on the November 28th 2005

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Cude and Cuddly, Please