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 Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 5:18 am
Her first few days at the Weyr had passed in something of a blur, no sooner had she arrived, still breathless from her first ride on dragonback, then she had been shuffled off on a whirlwind of finding her bunk, being informed of the chores and lessons candidates were expected to partake in, the rules of the Weyr and numerous other things that she was still trying to wrap her mind around. To say that the expansive stone chiseled Weyr was far different from her own home was putting it lightly and while she was no stranger to hard work and diligent study she was just a little bit overwhelmed by the sudden and drastic change her life had taken.
What she needed - truly needed, Mercy decided, was just a little while to take stock of things, the get her feet back under her, a breather of sorts - and so when the chance came Mercy took it. Managing to wrangle a few hours of free time Mercy escaped to the wide expanse of beach that lay in front of the Weyr, the rhythmic crashing waves were relaxing and the cool flowing dress she'd changed into was simple and nothing special - but it was certainly more comfortable then the hot and stuffy clothing she'd been stuffed into to do chores - even if the breeze coming off the water was a bit stiff.
Mercy was so engrossed in her own thoughts that to be honest she wasn't exactly paying attention to where she was going. This was usual for her, typically mercy took extra care to make sure she knew what was going on around her - but this was a new place, a new way of life and a complete upheaval of her typical routine. Mercy did not do well with change.
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Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 7:36 am
B'ryn and Draith circled lazily above the Weyr, returning from transporting a healer from one hold to another. That was thoroughly uneventful... The bored drawl on her mind made her smile.
We could have been conscripted to do much worse, she replied, slapping his shoulder with a dull thud.
I'd like to take a bath...
B'ryn looked down toward the dragon-smattered beach, searching for a more thinly populated area. There's a spot, she replied, pointing down. It looked like maybe someone was there, but they were not accompanied by a dragon and certainly didn't need the entire stretch. I'd be up for a nap after it, too... It's starting to get hot outside. With a low rumble of agreement, Draith began a lazy descent toward the blank beach, backwinging as little as possible upon landing to avoid kicking up sand into his rider's face.
Yes... Perfect for a nice bath. His reply came as his rider pulled her riding gear off, tossing it in the sand as he began to trundle across the beach to the water.
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Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 8:38 am
Even not paying attention, her eyes downcast as she half heartedly searched for anything interesting the seas might have washed up - it was hard to miss the gliding shadow and quickly followed arrival of a dragon not so very far away. Glancing up she found the beach up ahead occupied by a rider she didn't know and a dark blue dragon with a paler underbelly and socks on his hind legs. She rather liked the socks - they stood out nicely against the rest of his midnight blue body.
Tearing her attention away from the dragon - lets face it when you haven't grown up with them Dragons had a way of grabbing ones attention when you found yourself close to them - Mercy focused on the rider. It was one she hadn't met before, not that that was unusual considering she hadn't met very many people at all in her short time here. Well here was a chance to fix that and perhaps if she got to know someone this new life wouldn't be quite so hard to settle into. Putting a bright smile on her face Mercy didn't even change course as she approached the rider - certainly they had seen her walking along the shore before they landed.
"Hello there" She greeted the rider in a chipper tone once she was close enough "Starting to warm up quite a bit isn't it? Despite the stiff breeze" She stated conversationally.
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Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 1:18 pm
B'ryn turned as the voice greeted her, seemingly out of the blue - it must have been the person they had seen when they were circling in. She stopped part way in removing her overshirt, looking the girl over - she was certainly a candidate, but she hadn't a clue what her name was.
Who is that? Draith had stopped near the water's edge, his head turned back, watching the scene carefully. It didn't seem like the girl meant any harm to his rider, but that didn't mean nothing would happen.
I think she's a candidate, she responded mentally, pulling her overshirt over her head and dropping it in the sand next to her leather riding gear. "Sure is," she replied pleasantly enough, pulling her boots off at the same time, now leaving her in just her breeches and loose-fitting undershirt, the muscle of her figure showing in clean lines wherever it wasn't covered. "Perfect time for a swim and a nap," she continued with a wink, though her tone was not off-putting. "I don't think I know your name. I'm B'ryn, and this is Draith," she said, offering a hand.
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Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 2:04 pm
If Mercy was bothered by the rider - a women she could see now that she had a chance to look her over - she certainly didn't let it show, the ever pleasant look on her face unwavering despite the scrutiny. Mercy would be damned if a bit of a look over was going to scare her off of what could possibly become her first friend at the Weyr. Or possibly not - depending on how things go she thought to herself. But hey you never knew unless you tried right? Or at least thats what she told herself as she took note of the Dragons scrutiny. Dragon's didn't hurt people though she reminded herself and gave the blue an equally bright smile to reassure him she was indeed not looking to cause any trouble.
Besides - if it really seemed like she was bothering them she'd just continue on her way with no harm done. She had been walking this way after all - it would be impolite to have just marched on by without so much as a by your leave.
Laughing easily at the womens words Mercy cast a dubious look at the water. She liked swimming as much as anyone did - but she preferred her water a bit less...wavy. But then again swimming while enjoyable had never been her strong point. "I don't know" She remarked "looks a little rough for me. Never was much of a swimmer" She admitted, though by the looks of it this women could easily handle the waver - she was far more muscled then most women Mercy had known growing up. maybe it was a rider thing. By all accounts keeping up with a dragon was allot of work.
"Mercy" She introduced herself while accepting the proffered hand "Its good to meet you, I've only been here a short time" She told the both of them.
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Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 8:14 pm
She looks new... The dragon was turned fully toward them, and making his way back. He wasn't about to leave His alone with the girl, as much as he wanted to feel the waves break against his side.
Don't be rude. Besides, look at her like that and you're bound to terrify her.
With Draith now standing behind her in a defensive, yet still open stance, B'ryn flashed a smile. "Probably why I don't know you... We don't get a chance to get to know many of the Candidates, especially the ones brought in, unless they Impress. She could tell - or at the very least assume - that Draith was making her uncomfortable. You're extremely overbearing, you know.
Better than letting others do what they please to you.
You know that would never happen.
I know. He paused and shifted slightly, lying down so as not to be so imposing behind his rider. She doesn't seem to want to try anything. You could take her anyway.
B'ryn nearly snorted with laughter at her dragon's last comment, and tried to conceal it behind a widening grin. "It is a bit rough today, but that's perfect for giving a dragon a good rub down. It doesn't feel as bad to them as it does to us." The words would have sounded out of place, coming from a girl - even one riding a blue - had her soft alto not had a grittiness behind it that warbled the timbre and made all of her words have a bit of an edge. It was clear that she could never switch to being a Harper - at least not one that sung. "You're welcome to join us if you'd like. You don't even have to scrub him," she said with a wink, and received an unamused chuff from Draith as she continued. "But at least he'll break the waves and provide some calmer waters, if you just need to cool off."
I don't want her to scrub me. You do it perfectly.
Relax, no one's going to want to scrub a dragon that isn't their own. Too much work.
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Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 12:28 pm
Mercy didn't think her smile had made much of an impression on the dragon and it faltered slightly - seeing as how he'd forsaken the water and was now hovering in a somewhat menacing fashion behind his rider. If she wasn't busy convincing herself that the beast wouldn't eat her and trying to keep that worry from flitting across her eyes and embarrassing her she might have laughed at the entire awkward situation. It was absurd to think that even if she wanted to she could do anything to the person in front of her. Odds were pretty good that she'd be on her backside in the sand in half a second - with or without the help of her over bearing self appointed bodyguard. Mercy wasn't much of a fighter nor did she want to become one.
Thankfully the dragon lay down - though his whirling eyes still seemed to be scrutinizing her like she planned on whacking his rider over the head with a bit of driftwood or something. Mercy didn't think laughing at the Dragons guard would be very wise - and to be truthful it would probably come out as one of those nervous sounding hysterical laughters that scared people left out when they were trying to seem unafraid. Not the impression she wanted to send, definitely better to just choke that impulse down.
Instead Mercy rooted herself in place and tried to get past the fact that the blue - Draith - she reminded herself could swallow her whole if he got the desire by focusing back on B'ryn. How was she going to be a dragonrider someday if this one and his gritty rider could scare her off so easily? Nope...not going to happen. "Thats true I suppose - probably feels like the gentle waves in a tidepool to him" Mercy had been told that blues were quite a bit smaller then browns and bronzes - but up close this one seemed just as masculine and just as large. "Why the color of the cresting waves nearly match his hind socks even" She stated clearly without thinking about it beforehand, the thought had just come to mind and there she had gone blurting out out like a fool.
Well no helping it now and she tried to move on in hopes they might not remark on it "It's been a while since I've swum in the ocean...but I wouldn't want to intrude..." She continued her eyes flicking to Draith for a moment.
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Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 10:25 pm
Draith looked back at his own hind feet, then returned his gaze to Mercy. I don't like her.
Stop, it was a compliment! B'ryn shrugged and glanced at the waves breaking on the beach. "Don't mind him," she said, watching her eyes flick to the dragon who was lying behind her. "He's very protective, but you wouldn't be intruding at all."
I don't want her to touch me. Draith had relented that the offer still stood, even though he disapproved of this girl.
I really think you've probably scared her out of ever doing that. Please don't be so mean, she's new here. She's not going to -want- to Impress! I appreciate your concern, I really do, but she's not going to hurt me. I promise you. She couldn't if she tried - she seems too sweet for that.
Draith looked the girl over again, and his eyes whirled, the red and orange that had been beginning to mix in with the blue and green disappearing now. I'm sorry. With an apologetic exhale at Mercy, he stood and tucked his wings against his back, avoiding hitting either of them, and started his way back to the water. Will you scrub me now?
B'ryn started over to the water, expecting it as an invitation for Mercy to follow her. "Really, we don't mind," she said with a gentle smile over her shoulder. Even though she had expanded the distance, she talked in the same volume, having expected her to have followed. "So where are you from? How did you end up here?"
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Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 4:30 pm
Well it was pretty clear that the dragon had noticed to comment by the way he looked back at his hind legs - Mercy had been hoping that would just slip on by unnoticed but...no such luck. Oh well - it was true if silly and she was't about to back pedal and try to explain the comment away or take it back now.
By the sun though this meeting wasn't going anything like things went at home, no at home Mercy had been fairly popular - but Dragonriders were a breed apart her mother and father had said often enough, well mostly her mother...but Mercy had always just chalked that up to her disapproval over her daughter choice to come to the Weyr. She was till hung up on Mercy becoming a weaver - which was fun enough but not her true wish in life. She gave a fleeting smile at the women - don't mind the giant dragon with the upset looking eyes. Sure. Cause that wasn't hard to do at all.
"I imagine I can understand that" She ventured "Good friends are supposed to be protective of one another" She stated with a slight shrug. Mercy wasn't sure exactly what the dragons breathy exhale meant - but since he stood up and and started back towards the water she had to assume he had decided she wasn't a dangerous ravening heathen. Hopefully.
When B'ryn started to walk off Mercy found herself faced with three choices - Either stand on the beach awkwardly and look like a fool, wave and walk off which would probably make her seem rude considering she'd been invited to swim now...or brave the water. Mercy choose the only choice that seemed to make sense to her and hurried after the rider, catching up just in time to hear her question. "I grew up in Marsita's Hold - my mother is a weaver there and my father a healer. I was apprenticed under him when the search dragon came, I had thought to be a surgeon someday - but who could turn down the chance to try and do...this" Se motioned to the Weyr land around her, what about yourself? How long have you been a Rider?"
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Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 7:33 pm
Now wading into the water - which was calmer here as long as they stayed in Draith's wake - B'ryn bent and picked up a handful of wet sand, not caring whether it dripped on to her clothes. "Marsita's, huh?" She looked over her shoulder as she began to scrub the sand over the dark blue hide much to Draith's delight. "I was a Smithcrafter there. Born and raised in the hold. I only left to apprentice at the Craft hall." Well, common ground was always a good thing to establish, especially with someone new to the Weyr. "And, of course, once I was searched. That was... Three turns ago now, I think."
That's not important. Draith would have sounded more irritated, but it was muted by the feeling of pleasure at being scrubbed.
"Yeah, three turns. I Impressed Draith at my first hatching." she chose to ignore Draith at that moment, bending down for another handful of sand. Nothing before you seems important anymore.
And I resent just being called good friends. We are more than just that.
That's not something to explain. It's impossible for anyone else to imagine. B'ryn and Draith considered their relationship more than just that of friends. They were as close as dragon and rider could be, in their opinions. Closer than those who chose to get married in the Holds, or become weyrmates in the Weyr. "I assume you're standing for this hatching, right?"
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Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2010 11:43 am
Mercy followed B'ryn into the water - pleased to see that as promised Draith sheltered them from the rougher waves quite efficiently which made enjoying the water far more pleasurable and the time at the beach far more worthwhile and it was nice to find they had something in common at least. "Oh? I was supposed to go to the crafthall come next summer myself - I probably could have gone earlier but I was doing fine learning from my father - and my mother wasn't to keen on my leaving, still wasn't when I left for the Weyr - but what can you do right?" She continued with a slight laugh before picking a brightly colored rock out of the water and inspecting it before tossing it back into the waves off to the side.
"Thats the plan" She confirmed as B'ryn asked if she would be standing for this hatching "It's a bit nerve wracking to think about to be honest, I sort of envy the Weyr born candidates - they probably know what to expect and have seen hatchings before. Not to mention having grown up surrounded by dragons."
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Posted: Thu May 06, 2010 2:48 pm
"Yep, that's hold life," she said with an understanding grin. "I much prefer it here... Holders are silly to be afraid of dragons, though I was too, before being searched..." Draith had quieted not that she was scrubbing him, and he seemed to be dozing slightly in the water.
"It's not as bad as you make it out to be in your head," she said reassuringly, glancing over her shoulder at her. "I was scared too, but assuming the hatchlings are pretty mellow, or at least even-tempered, you don't have to do too much." B'ryn chuckled and she bent down for another handful of sand. "Just stand there, and move out of their way if they look angry or over-excited." It wasn't really helpful advice - especially since it was something you realized as soon as they started hatching and the nerves in your stomach quieted - but it would hopefully make her a little more comfortable prior to stepping on to the sands.
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Posted: Fri May 07, 2010 1:07 pm
"Well I can't say I regret coming here thats for sure - even f I am still getting used to things" Mercy told her - sure that she too would come to enjoy life in the Weyr more then she ever had in the Hold. The work here might be hard but it would be worth it in the end - Mercy was sure that eventually she would impress a dragon.
"I hope its not" She continued with a smile "Between the various horror stories I've overheard and my own admittedly vivid imagination, my mind has been filled with all sorts of possibilities - although.." she stated in a wry tone "I'm pretty sure some of the stories were meant specifically to torture us candidates." She admitted - which was typical she thought of most people - everyone liked to have a bit of fun with the new folk, be that in Weyr,Hall or Hold.
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Posted: Fri May 07, 2010 4:15 pm
Draith shifted his wings, allowing B'ryn wider access as she moved along, scrubbing away, feeling her hands start to feel slightly raw with the sand. Well, it will probably relieve some of the calluses at least! She nodded at Mercy's response. "Surely. Especially if it was from one of the Weyrbrats... They don't mind other Candidates coming in, but of course they'd rather Impress instead of you guys. Though don't let 'em fool you, they're just as scared, even having grown up watching hatchings..."
She pulled herself out of the water and on to Draith's knee after packing one of her palms full of wet sand, continuing to scrub him down. "I wish Draith weren't so picky about other people," she said, now sure that he was dozing. "But he doesn't like many other people touching him but me, unless we've been told to help transport people, and that's only really because we've been asked by a higher authority... Have you gotten the chance to be up close with them since you got here?"
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Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 9:54 am
"Well I guess it would be hard growing up in the Weyr surrounded by Dragonriders - possibly even with dragon riding parents only to have some help from the holds" She motioned to herself "Come in and snatch it away" She stated with a slight shrug "But in the end, thats the dragons decision now isn't it" And clearly a dragon couldn't make a wrong decision when it came to his or her rider.
Well at least it was nice to hear it wasn't just her the Dragon stared at like they were a menace she thought to herself as B'ryn spoke, though she had to wonder if it made the women lonely...could you be lonely with a Dragon sharing your thoughts? She offered a small smile "well some people don't like other people - I guess it's not any different with Dragons, but other then the search dragon - no, not really. Mostly from a distance, flying about with their riders or lounging on the ledges while we're running about doing chores."
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