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 Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 8:08 pm
 
<<There are...so many people. Just look at how happy and busy they are?>>
Tseka leaned against a back wall, as all around her the air buzzed with excitement. People laughing and singing and dancing, merchants calling out and selling their wares, flits chirping, a dragon's bellow every so often in the distance. It was, as Tseka liked to put it, organized chaos.
So many happy people. So many candidates...to think that she was one of them! It had been...odd, spending time at the weyr. People there...weren't prejudiced, like she was used to. Smithing was such a male oriented craft...it was so strange to come to someplace so new, and so...relaxed, and happy. No one looked down on her (Figuratively of course, literally, almost everybody looked up to her) and they were so...welcoming. No one cared what she looked like, what she'd done, or all of that stuff. No one doubted her. In fact...they seemed happy to have her. Ready for her to show her potential. She was a candidate, instead of a problem, they saw possibility. She couldn't even begin to describe the high that gave her. Finally being accepted, and welcomed, after yearning her entire life for even a drop of care. It was true, her father cared. But one man...was not a society. But this was! And it was respectable too!
Even little Xythe and Daeok were enjoying themselves. Tseka no longer felt inclined to keep them in sight, though they often chose to hang around with her. The pair were off somewhere, each getting into their own versions of trouble. They were free to go as they pleased now. Daeok's constantly stuffed stomach proved that. And Xythe was beginning to amass quite a hoard of shiny, pilfered objects. Needles, coins, buttons and the like.
It was...so nice. And it had done wonders for her anxiety as well. Meals were being eaten regularly now. Her hair was...well, not great. It would take time for it to recover fully, but it was better than before. Although that could also be attributed to not spending hours by the fire. She was...happier. More aloof. Open. At least to a degree. It would take years at least to undue all the psychological stress and negative thinking that the smith hall had ingrained in her. It seemed unlikely she would ever be able to relax or settle down completely. But she didn't bother or worry about that. How could she worry, when her fantasy had become real?
People cared about her. Not as an individual, she didn't really have any friends, but they liked her. That was...more than she ever thought possible. This was life! And it was...beautiful...
}~{Feel free to have Kellesa run into Tseka, recognize her as another candidate, or whatever you want. I tried to leave it open ended for you >.<}~{
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 8:17 pm
Kallista had just finished her run to Ista and was thrilled that her father had given her time off. Though just an apprentice, she was constantly...well...on the run. With a few half marks in her pockets, the teen girl made her way through the vendors and crowds, simply enjoying herself.
On her mind lately was the fact that she had been asked to stand on the Sands come Hatching. Her father had no objections and Kallista was generally interested in the Weyr but she wasn't sure if she was ready to give up her entire being to a dragon.
Her keen eyes caught sight of a taller girl whom she had seen not only at the Smith hall but at some of the Candidate trainings. Her memory never allowed her to forget a face or where she had seen them... And... sure enough! A green and bronze flit were close by. Now if only she could remember the girl's name. Moving lightly, Kallista stopped and got two small bubbly pies. It would be nice to move through the crowds and observe with another person.
"Hey there! Nice day for a Gather and for a pie, is it not?"
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 8:33 pm
Tseka's turned her head, suprised at being adressed. This girl...knew her? Tseka's mind turned, trying to identify her, but no such luck was to be had. Unfortunately, because of her size, a lot of people found her memorable. She was not afforded the same luxury. She was never good at remembering people anyway. Show her a thing, an object, and she would remember it any day. But people?...until recently, she hadn't even liked people. It would take some getting used to, to remember everyone. But she was willing to admit that she could never know everyone in the weyr. So it wasn't that big of a deal. And besides...she was new. No one could really blame her.
Her mouth turned up at one of the corners, as she offered a smile. Hesitant, almost. But Tseka was never really hesitant. She was steadfast and confidant. The whole smiling at people thing was just...new to her. She was trying to get used to it. But it did offer nice results. People seemed a lot more friendly if you smiled at them.
"It is a brilliant day. I can recall few that have been this nice." she couldn't comment on the latter, seeing as this was her first gather. And she couldn't lie, because that was against her values. Maybe the girl wouldn't press it? The bubbly pies in her hands looked good. Tseka had to admit that she rather enjoyed them. Almost as much as Daeok. The little bronze loved bubbly pies. But then again...he loved just about anything. Anything edible and within reach was only there for a moment, before he was shoving it down his gullet. The cute little thing. He was oddly endearing, despite his gluttony.
Tseka remembered her manners, and extended a hand for shaking. It generally seemed to right thing to do, and it was respectable. "You seem to know me already," she stated, smiling a little more. "Even so, I was always taught to introduce myself. I'm Tseka. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
This girl...maybe...maybe Tseka did remember her. Didn't her name start with a K? She was another candidate, wasn't she? Maybe Tseka's memory wasn't as bad as she thought. It was probably her hair that sparked that bit of memory. Her hair was quite lovely, in Tseka's eyes.
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 8:51 pm
Kallista took in the girl's movements and mannerisms. It wasn't like she was trying to be rude but it was second nature to her. Runners, like Traders, often acted like the eyes and ears for Hold and Hall alike. The girl had a few inches on her but it mattered not. After all, her brothers and father were all of decent height. Taking a step back so as not to strain her neck, Kallista nodded.
"Any day when the sun shines is a good one. Though soon, I am sure, they will be calling for rest. Tis tradition for Ista due to the noon heat. My first Gather on my own, though I have come before on business and with family."
Kallista easily shifted her mannerisms to help the girl, Tseka, feel more comfortable with her presence. The little bronze seemed to have his eye on the bubbly pie. Carefully, Kallista offered one to Tseka and bit into the other for herself. Hazel eyes dancing merrily, she enjoyed the juices exploding into her mouth. Just perfect. "Mmm.... I am Kallista. I know I have seen you with some of the other candidates. I am one myself, though because of my trade, I am not there as often as I should be..."
Indeed, the day was starting to get hotter and already Kallista was wishing she had grabbed one of the iced fruit drinks. However, half marks were half marks and only went so far. With Kienal's naming day around the corner, she wanted to pick up something nice for him. "You are a smith, are you not? Or at least, your father is? I have been to the Hall once or twice, there are not too many women who take to Smithing."
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 9:20 pm
Tseka wasn't used to being offered things, either. But she had come to accept it as common, in the weyr, where meals were passed out for free, and the idea of buying things was...unpracticed. To say the least. She accepted the pie with a little nod of thanks, breaking off a piece, specifically for Daeok. He was sitting on top of a stand, a dozen yards or so away, and he had been watching Tseka the whole time.
<<Come get your pie, you doof>> she teased. He needed no further prompting. He swooped in, alighting on her hand like a trained falcon, and snatching up the piece, which he gulped down like a starving man. <<Say thank you, Daeok. Kallista here was nice enough to give this to us.>> Daeok chirped at the girl, giving a Flit version of a bow, before nibbling at the edge of the pie, not waiting for Tseka to offer him another piece. Tseka could only smile. Bothersome as they were...they were wonderful. Tseka couldn't remember what she did without them.
<<Xythe, hurry up and come here. I want you to come say hi to someone.>> She got the general impression from Xythe that she was busy, but would come shortly. How finickey and fickle little Xythe was. When Tseka wasn't getting a headache from the little green, she was usually laughing.
"Thank you for the food, Kalista. It is much appreciated. Especially by Daeok." she gestured to the little bronze, who, if left undisturbed, would eat the entire pie. Tseka wouldn't let him eat the whole thing though. Generous or not, she wanted at least a little for herself. She broke off a piece, giving it to Daeok, who held it gingerly in his little hands, while she took the rest in her free hand, enjoying the fruity, savory flavor herself.
Tseka notticed a little change in the girl. The way she almost seemed to...adjust herself. Tseka had gotten used to reading people, but it seemed Kallista had beaten her to the punch. Oh well. It wasn't like it mattered much. There was no need to try and one-up people, or manipulate them. If she did impress...and Kallista did...why, the two of them might end up on the same wing even! She would have to make an extra effort to be nice to all the people she met at the weyr, especially all the other candidates. She didn't know who she would have to work with. If she impressed. If...this whole thing...all of it, could come crashing down. At 17, she was nearing the age limit. But if she failed this time, there would still be more tries, right? More clutches. And she was talented. She was of service. Even if she reached 21, and failed to impress, she had been told she could stay at the weyr...that was good. But...she still felt as if she would be a burden. Could her conscience survive that and remain healthy?
"Ah, indeed. How are you taking to Candicy? To Weyr life? Assuming you spend a little time there, or course." Tseka liked to gather other people's opinions on her paradise. It seemed that not everyone enjoyed it quite as much as she did. But that was to be expected. They weren't leaving the same kind of unhealthy situation she was.
Observant, wasn't she? Tseka laughed to herself. Whether Kallista actually remembered her father or not was up in the air. It was easy to guess she was a smith, weren't those shoulder knots the sign of it? Or perhaps Kallista was honest, and really did remember. It didn't seem unlikely. As she had pointed out, there weren't many female smiths.
"Why, yes. Smithing is my passion." she shrug, with a carefree smile. "Just as running is yours, I suppose?" Tseka didn't need to be a genius to notice that. The attire, the build, the determination, confidence...she practically reeked 'runner'. Not that it was a bad thing. In fact, Tseka admired it. It was a job most people couldn't handle. So was smithing. The difference simply in the kind of work. They were just two different kinds of fit.
Rest...sounded good. Even Tseka, used to heat, spending hours in the forge, was starting to become uncomfortably hot. Wouldn't a drink be nice? She had enough, didn't she? And maybe she could buy a drink for Kallista as well? Seeing as she'd provided a snack.
"Before the stall closes for a rest, would you be willing to join me for a drink? I should enjoy talking to you more." And that was the truth.
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 9:47 pm
Kallista laughed easily and tossed her head. To her, her hair was a nuisance but she couldn't let it be cut very short. When her mother had been alive, it had been a great source of pride to brush her daughter's hair until it gleamed like dragon hide. "A bubbly is a bubbly and if I hadn't offered some, I am sure he would have been over here soon, crooning about how you never feed him. Most flits think of one of three things... Food, sleep or food."
"Oh, you called me out, didn't you?" She chuckled. "Running is my passion. And with my frame, I do pretty well at it. As for being a Candidate, when I can be there, is a lot of hard work. Who knew you had to know so much just to stand on the Sands? Eh, if I Impress, then I do. If not, I always have a craft." Pern would need runners from now until if Thread ever quit falling... Which was unlikely.
Kallista turned and began moving towards where a vendor was calling out about drinks. A lot of vendors had already started to close up and many piled into the huge tents for food and rest. "A drink is good. I heard that the dragon riders like to go north to High Reaches or Ruatha and get snow to bring back. My favorite drink is when they mix redfruit juice and the snow together. Delicious! But sticky..."
"Have you only been in your hall and here at the weyr? Ever traveled before?"
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 10:21 pm
There was a little screech, and seemingly out of nowhere, a little green bomber came swooping in. Xythe did a few circles around Tseka's head, before finally alighting on her shoulder, a small silver button clutched tightly in hand. Tseka wouldn't even bother. She had long since learned that trying to return Xythe's treasures resulted in nothing but frustration. And besides...would anyone really miss one button?
"And this little cretinl is Xythe," Tseka commented. Xythe chirruped, sitting tall and proud, as if she enjoyed such a title. It was fitting, to say the least. Xythe was the most troublesome thing Tseka knew. But she was also...lovely, endearing, charming. She was spice, whereas Daeok was sugar.
Tseka stepped up to the stall just as the man was getting ready to leave. 'Please! But a moment sir!" she requested. He turned back without complaint. Who didn't want money? He took the amount Tseka proffered, producing two glasses of a juice unknown to Tseka. It was tangy, but not incredibly sweet. It wasn't quite tart, but...it had a kick. How interesting. The oder was rather mild, and it was a golden yellow in color. How interesting. She offered the other cup to Kallista, taking a brief moment to think of her responses.
"You are lucky you are gifted at your craft, and that you enjoy it so. It is not often people are blessed with a nice combination like that. But, if you failed to impress, would you really leave the Weyr? Although...I don't suppose running would do too much good there..." Tseka mulled over the idea even as she took another sip. Xythe slithered down her arm, and she dipped her head in for a sip even as Daeok did, the little bronze eager to wash down his pie. She indicated the cup with a jerk of her head, both her hands now occupied by flits. "It's good, isn't it?" she commented of the drink.
"I can't really say I've traveled. I've...stayed at the smith hall my entire life. It is only recently I've even been to Ista. The first time I ever got close to a dragon, or had seen one even remotely closely, was when I was proclaimed to be a candidate. It was...quite a different experience...But...I love the Weyr. Whether I impress or not...I don't think I'll ever leave..." she mused.
What wonders it had done? She never used to be able to talk about herself before. But now...a little bit of self expression? It was minor, but she acknowledge the fact that she was able to admit she'd never traveled. As miniscule as that was...indeed, it was quite an accomplishment for her. She, the reserved one. Kallista was helping too. Kallista was pleasant, nice, talkative, making up for when Tseka didn't say something. Maybe she should go out more often? If it meant she would meet pleasant people like Kallista. Hrm...that was a thought.
"Perhaps we should find some shade? I do not fancy hanging around under the sun."
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Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 7:06 pm
Kallista turned a chuckle into a cough as a green blur came streaking in, chittering up a storm. She did happen to notice the silver button clutched tightly in the little one's claws but like a good friend, said nothing on the matter.
"Hello there, Xythe. What a pretty green girl you are..."
The runner watched as Tseka went up to a vendor and purchased them two drinks. Nodding thankfully, she sipped the drink that seemed very unfamiliar to her. It did not have the taste of wine or any sort of fruit juices that she had had before... Sometimes, travelers brought in their own drinks like beers. Taking another sip, she allowed the sweet and tangy flavors to fill her mouth. Looking up quickly when Tseka began speaking to her again, Kallista made a mental note of how much they were both drinking. Something told her, it would not be a great idea for them both to down their drinks in one shot.
"Honestly, I do not know what I would do if I were not a Runner. Being in the Weyr is nice... Sometimes, all I get is my pack and the clothes on my back. I think I enjoy the beds and the baths here the most. Imagine taking a nice, refreshing BUT cold bath and then having to get back into your clothes." Kallista shook her head. "But I could also tell you of all the sights I see when I travel by my own two feet instead of through the air or going /Between/."
She shivered a little at the nothingness that was /Between/. Kallista had heard stories of dragons and riders getting lost and never coming home again. As those with them, just as lost as well. Her hazel eyes lightened to a green color for a moment as she thought about who had been lost to her. By now, they had reached the resting tents. Moving to a corner in the shade, Kallista waited as Tseka settled herself and her flits before seating. Taking another swallow of her drink, she was glad they had finally sat down as she was starting to feel a little light headed.
"Weyrlife appeals to some but not all. I think that the best thing about the Weyr is that you can always come and go. Just like a Runner Station. Both are bases that attract people to them. And when it comes time to stand at the Hatching Grounds, I am sure that one of us, though probably you since you have flits, will attract a dragon as well."
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Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 8:53 pm
"Don't complement Xythe too much. Goodness knows she doesn't need any more encouraging," Tseka laughed, rubbing the little green's chin affectionately. Xythe simply chirped, and wiggled in a way Tseka interpreted as the flit form of smugness. It was a good thing Daeok was so mellow. Tseka didn't know how she'd deal with two of Xythe.
"You are lucky, you do not need to bring supplies to do what you love. I had to leave my forge behind to come to the weyr. I am busy with chores, but...I miss smithing. Really and truly. Perhaps I will persuade a rider sometime to take my back to the hall, so I can spend but a little time there...I do not want to be out of practice!" she laughed, trying to conceal the real longing she was feeling.
"The bathing is nice," Tseka mused, taking a small sip of her drink, and making a mental note to savor it, lest she run out too soon. "I...think I would find that most unfortunate. Doing the craft I do...or...used to, I guess...you get dirty, a lot. Dirt and ash are all over you, all the time. It took me weeks to get all of the soot out from under my fingernails!" Tseka laughed again, pulling off one of her gloves to show that, indeed, her hands were clean. "I didn't even think about how dirty I was until I got to the weyr...and saw everyone so clean...I guess, when everyone around you is just as dirty as you are, back at the smith hall...you don't think about it. Oh well," Tseka shrugged. Daeok slithered down into her lap, stretching out to have his back rubbed, to which Tseka obliged. Daeok crooned in appreciation and pleasure.
Tseka shook her head, and smirked at some inner thought, but chose not to share it. "Oh, you never know with hatching. But your words sound familiar. The rider who convinced me to become a candidate...he said the same thing. That if I could impress two firelizards, it would seem a dragon might take to me as well? But I do not agree with that, at least not whole-heartedly. I imagine dragons are a lot pickier than flits. Dragons are...amazingly intelligent..." Tseka recalled, remembering the intelligence behind those eyes...the eyes of the dragon, Kaedrelath was his name? He was the one that had noticed her, told his rider to ask her the question that would forever change her life.
"Who is to say if any of them would take a liking to me? There are so many other candidates...I can only wait and see. Either way, impressing or not, I'll be staying at the Weyr. If I fail this time...I still have until I'm twenty-one, if I recall. That's a few clutches away, still. What about you? What'll you do if you don't impress? You seem rather independant...would you be willing to wait until the next clutch?" She stared at the sky, watching the amorphorous clouds drift about on their peculiar course.
"I suppose it might come across as rude to ask, but I don't suppose you'd be willing to share your age?"
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Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 1:19 pm
By now, the tangy concoction and the heat of the day were making Kallista very drowsy. She watched Xythe and Daeok's antics with obvious amusement. That would be a nice present for her brother, a flit egg. Though she doubted that someone in her craft or age group would be able to get such a thing. Oh well...
"You may get layers of soot and ash but I get layers of dirt and grime. For runner, I am very fast. But sometimes weather or other factors keep me from my destination. Bathing is one of the first things I do after I deliver my message."
"You have until your twenty-ones turns huh? Not a long time to find your soul-mate if you come to the sands late. Some people never find their soul mate, human or otherwise even after decades of searching." Kallista closed her eyes and leaned back a little. She was truly starting to feel sleepy. Opening one eye back up, she thought about the question. "Myself? Sixteen turns. I was born in the spring."
Yawning, and trying to cover it with her hand, Kallista gave an apologetic look over to Tseka. "You have to excuse me, I think this drink and the heat... I may soon doze off." Several other people around them were already in slumber.
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