The Ties That Bind

Writers: Anaria
Date Posted: 23rd April 2011

Characters: Daishii, Tykra
Description: Daishii responds to being Searched.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 1, day 20 of Turn 6

SEARCHED!

The word echo'd through Daishii's mind as she skipped happily through
the corridors of Dolphin Cove Weyr. She'd already spoken with the
Headwoman, turned in her token, and found out when her candidate
classes would be. She had her evening printer classes in a candlemark,
but she didn't think that she'd be able to sit still through them.
Finding herself alone in a dark corner of the lower caverns, she took
the moment to giggle giddily to herself.

"I'm going to Stand at the next Hatching!" She said to herself, her
voice filled with awe.

It certainly wasn't something that she'd planned on happening. The
greenrider had just happened to wander in to the section of the Weyr
where the Printers were working to drop off some metal parts from the
Smith hall. When Daishii had went out to help him bring the parts into
the Weyr, his green had sniffed her quickly, then looked her over
carefully. Her rider had happily announced that his green thought she
had what it took to be a candidate, and handed over the token.

Taking a few deep breaths to steady herself, Daishii resolved to at
least go back to the apprentice barracks and talk to her bunkmates.
Wouldn't they be envious!

She was met at the doorway by Tykra, another printer apprentice, who's
eyes were wide as saucers as they surveyed Daishii. "What did that
greenrider want? Did he take you back to his weyr?" She asked.

Daishii laughed. For some reason, Tykra managed to remain ignarant to
the way things worked at the Weyr. "No, silly. Greenrider boys don't
like girls," she said, rolling her eyes.

"Oh," Tykra said, disappointed. "That's sad, he was quite attractive.
What did he want with you then?" It was evident that the other girl
had lost interest in the story since Daishii had explained that
nothing romantic had come of it.

"Well..." Daishii said slowly, drawing the matter out. "He told me
that his dragon liked me, and said that I would be allowed to stand as
a candidate at the next Hatching!"

Tykra had been in the process of putting a pastry into her mouth while
Daishii was talking, and she dropped both the pastry and her jaw in
surprise. "What.... really!?" Tykra said, jumping up and down. "You
have to tell me what you did!"

"Um... I don't think I did anything special," Daishii said, pausing to
consider. "I mean, I offered to scratch her eyeridges while I helped
her rider unload our shipment from the Smith Hall, but other than
that, I don't think I did anything different from normal. I mean, I
didn't even flirt with her rider!"

Tykra sighed heavily. "But you can't go off and be a candidate without
me! We've done everything together since you came to the Printer Hall!
There's got to be some way you can help me learn how to attract a
dragon. I mean, c'mon. You taught me how to attract boys, and I used
to be terrible at that!"

"I don't think it's that simple," Daishii explained. "I mean, I don't
think the dragons look for who has the nicest hair, or the prettiest
features. Or even what clothes you wear. I think there's something
that's indescribable that they look for." She shrugged, not really
certain what else she could tell her friend.

Tykra looked forlorn. "Oh," she said softly, turning away.

Daishii sighed, sitting down heavily on her cot before pulling her
knees up to her chin. "I know that we've done everything together
since we were both very new to the craft, but I don't know if it's
possible to make yourself be a candidate. I mean, I know that all Weyr
residents are permitted to stand, but I don't know what that means for
those of us at the crafthalls here. Why don't you try talking to
someone to see?"

"I guess I can do that," Tykra said, her voice still resigned. "It's
just hard, you know? We've been friends for 7 turns now, and we've
done everything together. It's weird to think that we might be split
up."

Daishii walked over to Tykra's side, and wrapped her arms around the
other girl. "Don't worry, Ty. You'll always be my best friend. And
just think, if I _do_ Impress, I'll be able to introduce you to all
sorts of cute dragonrider boys."

Tykra grinned deviously. "Do you think that you could handle not being
able to have a relationship while you're dragon was little if you did
Impress?"

Daishii rolled her eyes. "I don't like dating boys, I like using them
to further my plans!" She exclaimed, giggling wildly. So long as I can
still get what I want, I think I'll be alright!" She didn't want her
friend to know the truth - that she'd never actually been with a guy.
Daishii talked big - bragging about her exploits to the less
experienced Tykra. But in truth, her relations with men had been
relatively chaste, and she often got what she wanted far before she
had to give anything up.

"Riiiiggghhht," Tykra said in disbelief. She had fallen for Daishii's
stories because she didn't know better. Daishii's eavesdropping
skills, combined with her storytelling ability made her quite the
convincing little liar.

"But like I said, don't worry about it. You'll always be my best
friend," Daishii said, hoping the sentiment would change the subject.
"A dragon won't change that."

Last updated on the April 27th 2011

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The Ties That Bind