Zoophobia

Writers: Kenya, Sunrose
Date Posted: 8th February 2006

Characters: Jer'ic, Illiana
Description: Jerric finds Illiana working with some of the animals and he doesn't respond kindly.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 10, day 1 of Turn 3

Getting used to his new life at the Weyr, Jerric realized that being at the Weyr wasn't too much from different had he gone to the Hold as a Journeyman as he had planned before being Searched. He was still able to continue his craft here. He had finished the hides he had been recopying as a scribe in the Records room early than he had hoped. He enjoyed the dusty smell of the rooms surrounded by archaic information that hadn't been touched in so many turns that it was more like myth than truth. The Weyr's hides were a lot more interesting than the Halls too. Leadership changed with each flight, unusual Hatchings...Of course, the history of River Bluff Weyr only went back to when it opened three turns prior the end of the ninth Pass, but nevertheless, every bit of it intrigued Jerric.

Remembering that Illiana was a beastcrafter, Jerric tried to get some of the dust off of him as he crossed bridge. He assumed she would be at the stables for that seemed like the most likely place to find a beastcrafter, wouldn't it? He just hoped she wasn't too busy. His knowledge of the area was limited, having never really been around animals or beastcrafters, whatever the difference may have been. Hopefully his search for her wouldn't take too long.

And sure enough, Illiana was at the stables, her duty for the day was lunging some of the two turn old runners. Helping them to develop those important muscles to help them bend and become supple. The one she was working with when Jerric came looking for her was a sweet little bay filly who had a very long stride and seemed to float across the ground. Clucking to the filly she went into a smooth trot and moved around Illiana in a perfect circle, she didn't tend to pull on the line like some of the other colts, Illiana hoped to round pen her later.

Jerric chose to keep quiet when he approached. He had never been a very out spoken person before anyways. He didn't get very close as there was a runner running about Illiana and Jerric didn't feel like getting attacked, for that was what he assumed might very well happen if he ventured too close and frightened the creature. "Hey!" he called out to Illiana after he had been standing what his idea of 'close enough' was for some time.

"Whoa." Illiana said as she raised one arm (the one not holding the leadline), she chose not to use a whip when training, as she didn't feel as if it was really needed. She then lowered her eyes and turned her back on the filly who after a moment walked over to Illiana and touched her nose to her back. Smiling Illiana walked towards Jerric, the filly following right behind her without being asked to come. "Hey there Jerric, are you finished your chores already?"

"Yeah, I got done earlier than I had expected. The Weyr had some interesting hides and I went through them quicker than normally," Jerric said, a bit uneasy. He distrusted the runner which was, in his eyes, quite large. "I thought I might come see you," he explained, taking a step back.

Illiana looked over her shoulder. "You're not scared of little Nola are you?" She asked as she turned and scratched the fillies soft nose. "She really is harmless," The Beastcrafter said with a grin, "and she will follow me anywhere right not too." Illiana demonstrated taking a few steps to the side, and sure enough the bay filly followed.

Jerric didn't look so sure about this. He hadn't known Illiana long but it seemed like she was always finding some sort of animal to introduce him to and scare him with. "She's just so... big," Jerric said. He didn't step forward but he didn't take another step back though either.

"She is still young, and is sort of in her lanky, disproportioned stage,"
Illiana said with a grin, "Wait until she is four turns old and has had the chance to fill out. And I do promise that she is completely harmless, just reach out your hand and feel how soft her nose is." An encouraging smile was on her face as she stepped to the runners left side.

"I don't really like getting bitten," Jerric said. He had a desperate sort of look on his face. "Illiana, I told you, I just don't really like animals.
They make me nervous. I have just gotten to where I will let Dasha sit by me." Perhaps coming to visit Illiana hadn't been a very good idea after all.

"Alright, alright, I won't push." She promised. "But you have to get used to them somehow." She added as she indicated for him to walk beside her back to the stables. "I was just finishing up as well, just need to put Nola in her stall and give her some hay and check her water." She explained.

"Good," Jerric replied gruffly. Following a good distance away from the runner, he watched as she put the runner away and gave it food and water.
"Why do I have to get used to them? Its not like I plan to become a beastcrafter anytime soon. No offense, of course," Jerric said with his folded across his chest as he looked on.

Illiana latched the stall door and turned towards Jerric. "No, you might not plan to become a BeastCrafter, but you never know when you might come to rely on one in the future." The young woman said with a little smile.

Jerric looked on at the mysterious girl for a moment and then the two walked out of the stables together. "Let us just hope that moment doesn't come about anytime in the near future," he said with a sigh.

"Well, what now?" The Candidate asked as she shoved her hands into her pockets and kicked at a pebble.

Jerric shrugged. "I thought you might be hungry since it is nearly dinner time. Perhaps a bit early I suppose," Jerric suggested. The Dining Caverns would be less crowded if they went now and they could spend the evening doing whatever the pleased.

"Food sounds good. I'll race you there?" She took off, without even waiting for an answer.

Why was she always wanting to run everywhere? Regardless, Jerric was happy to get away from the stables of animals and he took off after her.
Remembering her advice from their previous race, he did manage to keep up this time but in truth, Illiana was quite fast and he wasn't as athletic as he would have liked to have been. With a push, he arrived just behind her at the Dining Caverns.

Last updated on the February 8th 2006

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Zoophobia