Bronze Riders and Their Charming Ways

Writers: Ames, Len
Date Posted: 16th January 2011

Characters: Cardella, T'bel
Description: T'bel looks for Galwen and finds Cardella, and decides to talk to her a bit about her relationship with J'nev
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 12, day 7 of Turn 5
Notes: Mentioned: G'wen, J'nev, Aileyan

Cardella

That Galwen! Where could the midget be? T'bel was up to his eyeteeth with his weyrmate's sad faced child. He had looked for the boy in the classrooms but of course, as usual, he wasn't in class. Nothing new there. T'bel wondered if the child would actually Impress, given that he had missed out on so many classes. Yes, if he didn't, a bloody bronze Flit egg was definitely on the cards, not that the boy deserved one. At least that's what T'bel told himself. Truth be told, in his own way, he was just as worried for the child as the boy's father and foster mother were.

He entered the kitchens, where Galwen would most likely be if he wasn't in class. Or in F'neb's weyr. T'bel smiled to himself over that bit of gossip. At least that had worked out. Oh, how G'waren was upset over that bit of news! T'bel loved his weyrmate, but sometimes he wished the man would grow up a bit. And just because he had been with most of the greenriders in the Weyr in his day that didn't mean that his child was going to have either the same appetite or be picked out by some blue rider for the same sort of attentions. He wasn't that sort of boy.

Scanning around T'bel didn't see the boy but he did spot one of his friends. What was her name now? Cartin? Carbella? No...Cardella! That was it. Lovely girl, he mused, walking up to her.

"Hiya sweetie, have you seen Galwen around anywhere?"

Cardella looked up when she heard him approach. She recognized him immediately from all her chats with Galwen. "Sir, I haven't seen him for the past few candlemarks," she told him, "he wasn't in class today. Should I try and find him for you?"

"No, no it's okay, I think I might know where he is. I just wanted to see if he's okay on his birthingday today. I've got him an IOU present if he doesn't Impress this go around. And sir...?" He smiled at the girl. "I'm not a sir, sweetie. You can just call me T'bel."

"Today's his birthingday!" Cardella gasped, how had she missed that fact? She vowed to gather up some of her friends and make sure to help him celebrate later tonight, just as he'd helped make her day extra special.

She blushed slightly at his correction of her use of sir, "Yes, sir...I mean, T'bel. I hope we both Impress. It would be marvelous if Galwen and I could go through training together." He'd been one of her closest friends since she'd come to the Weyr as a candidate. She couldn't bare the thought of not having him nearby, that was _if_ she even Impressed.

"Oh, I'm sure you will. My Fanth's a pretty good searchdragon and she's certain it'll happen. We just haven't told Galwen." He winked at her and tapped the side of his nose. Looking down at what she was making he asked, "so what have we here? Are you the girl that's making us all fat with her lovely pastries? I'm sure you get snapped up by some lovely boy soon with_that_talent!" He grinned at her in case she didn't know how to take his humour.

Cardella smiled, feeling more at ease with T'bel as he praised both her and her baking skills. "I am!" She replied proudly, beaming a smile as she turned the tray to him. "These ones are fresh out of the ovens. A nice sweet, fruity flavor. If you'd like to try one. I even studied at the bakercrafthall before I came here." T'bel seemed so nice, Cardella thought, she wondered why Galwen always seemed to be avoiding him and his father.

"Ooo, thank you!" He did pick up one of the pastries and bit into it. "Lovely, we'll miss you in a few days, I'm sure. Your fella like these as well?"

"You mean, J'nev?" Cardella asked. "I think he likes them." She paused, "I'm hoping I'll Impress a pretty little green, but if not you'll still see me making lots of pasties here in the kitchen."

At the girl's words, T'bel almost spluttered over his pasty. Putting it down, he asked, "did you say your fella is J'nev?"

She blinked, wanting to pat him on the back as he choked on the pastie. "Yes, J'nev. Do you know him well?" She asked, her smile and almost starry-eyed look evidence that she adored the boy she spoke of.

Seeing the look on her face, T'bel wanted to punch something. That wretched boy was with_her_? Answering her question, he said, "yes, I know him," through gritted teeth.

His voice had changed. Cardella looked at him concerned. "Are you alright T'bel?" She, of course, had no idea what was bothering him.

Trying to hide the anger inside him, he said, "I'm fine." He look a deep breath and picked his pastry back up. "So how long have you two known one another?"

"Um, just a few months now," **Long enough,** she thought, her face blushing just a hint of pink at that thought. "I take it you know him well then? Are you friends?" Cardella had a hard time imagining that any of the riders might not be friendly towards one another, something she clearly still had to learn about life in the Weyr.

He wanted to scream 'bloody shards no!', but seeing the look on her face, knew he had to go slow. "I know his father..." Trying to think of how to let her know what a little arse J'nev was, he added, "with you going for a green dragon, have you had a chance to meet any of our lovely green riding ladies? Like Aileyan...have you met her yet?"

"Oh, he hasn't mentioned anything about his father. Is he here in the Weyr?" Cardella found it odd that J'nev had never mentioned him, but then again, she didn't know how people handled family in the Weyr. "I've seen Aileyan, but she and I haven't formally met yet. You think I should try and get to know some of them?" So far Cardella had stuck mostly to her fellow candidates. She really hadn't branched out to really get to know all that many of the actual riders.

"Yes sweetie, you should know as many green riders...and blue...as you can. They can help you ease into the life you may be choosing...and help you with some of the pitfalls. Particularly Aileyan. She's a lovely girl, close to your age and also Holder-bred." He eyed her closely. "And she's wise to the ways of bronze riders and their charming words."

She understood what he was talking about, she'd heard so many others say similar things, but she _still_ blushed slightly, knowing his meaning. "Bronze riders and their charming ways?" She asked. Yes, J'nev was charming and he'd been sweet to her. Cardella had no reason to believe any of that would change. "They can be charming," she added, a dreamy look coming to her eyes as she smiled.

He nodded, despairing at the innocent look in her eyes. "Yes, bronze riders and their ways. Particuliarly their ways of using women. And dumping them when they're done with their little games."

Cardella blinked, quite taken aback with his words. Her face fell as she tried to reason that J'nev could not possibly be doing _that_ to her, could he? Doubt, however, had entered her mind. In a small voice, her eyes unable to hide how much his words disturbed and pained her, she asked, "Do you think that's what..." her voice broke and she lowered her gaze. Had she been _used_? Her heart hurt at the very thought. She had given her hurt to J'nev, but, what did he really feel about her?

Placing an arm around her shoulder, T'bel said, "I don't know sweetie. But you need to keep your eyes open and don't get swept up in any Hold tales of romance. Unfortunately, the Weyr doesn't seem to work that way. Particularly to pretty girls who don't have their wits about them." He gave her a reassuring squeeze. "Now promise me you'll go and look up Aileyan as soon as you can and ask her questions about bronze riders, about what exactly is it like to be a greenrider, and maybe even about your fella. Chin up girl, no doubt you'll be the lifemate of a pretty green dragon in a few days time and this conversation will be the last thing on your mind!"

Cardella had a lot to think about, but she would do with T'bel asked. "I will, T'bel. I promise." Maybe Aileyan could shed some light on the things that were now worrying the young girl. "Thank you for the advice," Even though she hadn't liked all that he told her, Cardella knew this talk had been important. If nothing else, it made her think twice about her relationship with J'nev.

Last updated on the January 23rd 2011

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Bronze Riders and Their Charming Ways