Fun with food

[Kaemi]

Who: L'mar and Dalisth and whoever else.
What: Eating? It'll be fun. Promise.
Where: The Kitchens...
Warnings: L'mar might (no, he probably will) hit you with something. It’s okay though, because he may not mean to do it. XD

---

Mine… please tell me that you’re just going there to eat? A little green pleaded with Hers, blockading the weyrling barracks (even a tiny green, not even halfway through development, can successfully keep her mindmate from going places she didn’t want him to go). “Aww,” the weyrling whined. Just a little bit. “Fine. Only eating, promise.” Resigned, he reached to rub Dalisth’s eye ridges, and she willingly moved out of L’mar’s way.

Shells, he had the greatest little thing planned… but oh well, he would have to save it for a later date. Maybe Dalisth would even help him, then. The only problem was that he had almost been caught at his last prank, and now the green was worried about him. But she was sure to forget it, sooner or later, and then everything would be back to normal. L’mar happily waved goodbye to his green, then left the barracks.

Making his way towards the kitchens, L’mar looked around the Weyr, trying to find something to play with. He didn’t find anything, so he walked in to the room empty-handed, and a little morose. Nothing a good mug of klah and an assortment of meat, fruit, and sweet rolls couldn’t change! After grabbing just that, he sat down at a small table and began eating.

He tore a piece of a meat roll, popping it into his mouth. Hm, not bad, not bad. A little bored, the weyrling tossed an untouched fruit roll and threw it into the air, then another, and then a sweet roll. Soon enough, he was actually juggling the rolls, adding in another just to make it more fun. L’mar ended up fumbling with one of them, so to save face, he caught one in his mouth, and the rest with his hands. Success!

[Thorney]

Humming softly to herself, Raelwyn padded towards the kitchens, her dear flit perched on her shoulder. The little bronze had his tail wrapped around her neck, his head tilted so he could listen to the girl’s soft tune. Tydus had learned an affection of music from His, the candidate’s flute his favorite sound on Pern besides her voice. He loved to hear her sing. Rael had just finished her chores for the day, and needed a drink before heading back to the barracks. Changing glows was an easy enough chore, really, just tedious, and it took her candlemarks to finish her part of the work.

Slipping quietly into the kitchens for a quick glass of redfruit juice, her steps soft and light as usual, Raelwyn paused when she caught sight of the boy. The gold candidate remembered him from the last clutch, since he had Impressed at the same hatching as F’ren, though his name escaped her. It had been six months since then, and Rael could all-too-easily remember the haunted looks one everyone’s faces, how they still so clearly remembered the tragedy of Silver Cove. It seemed that everyone was finally beginning to move on, though, and for that she was grateful.

Her green eyes widened as she watching him juggle, grinning to herself at the display. Tydus softly cheeped in confusion, having never seen a twoleg do…whatever it was the boy was doing. The gold candidate suppressed a giggle at the puzzlement her little bronze was sending her, settling the flit with a mental command. Enthusiastic clapping came as the boy caught the rolls in his mouth and hands, a delighted laugh filling the kitchen. “That was amazing!” Raelwyn said whole-heartedly, smiling at the weyrling.

Moving closer to the small table where the boy sat, Rael grinned. “Where did you learn to do that?” She asked curiously, then added, “I’m Raelwyn, by the way, and this is Tydus. May I sit here?” Tydus cocked his head to the side and regarded the male twoleg with interest, spreading his wings slightly to keep his balance while His moved.

[Kaemi]

Laying down the rolls in his hands, L'mar reached up to take a bite out of the roll that he had caught in his mouth. Only then did he turn towards the sound of clapping and laughing: he assumed for him, but then, it might just be him acting the tiniest bit conceited. Nope, it actually was for him, the weyrling surmised as a girl walked towards him with a smile on her face and words on her lips. “Why thank you,” he said with a laugh, tearing off a piece of the roll and popping it into his mouth with plenty of cheer.

“Oh, well, I guess my dad taught me the basics.” He shrugged. His father had been quite like him, always in motion, and the man had taught him how to throw and catch, and then it progressed to juggling on a cool evening while his mother and sister looked on, laughing. He had been, what, nine? Smiling up at the girl, he offered her the other roll, one that had been saved from juggling and devouring. “It's a fruit roll, I believe,” he told her, in case she was wondering.

Raelwyn... the name sounded familiar, but it was probably just because he'd heard other people mention her in passing. “Good to meet you, and Tydus.” Nodding at her request to sit, he added, “I'm L'mar, of green Dalisth.” The added baggage of the title came much easier to him now, it was natural. Of course it is, Minelove, Dalisth put in from the weyrling barracks, making L'mar's smile even a little brighter. Love you, he returned gently, to which she didn't reply. L'mar knew, though, that she was curled up smugly in the barracks.

His eyes focused back on the girl before him, and her little bronze flitter. “You know, I could probably teach you how, sometime. It's actually pretty easy,” L'mar mentioned, referring back to the juggling. The weyrling would be glad to help her at some point, but he was pretty busy with Dalisth as of late; Raelwyn probably was, as well. Or, well, he assumed she would be. “Are you a Candidate?” he asked, interested.

[Thorney]

Interest piqued at the weyrling's reply, Raelwyn regarded the boy with veiled curiosity. She wondered how his father had come across such a talent, but perhaps it was too soon to began digging in his heritage, really. They could talk more once they were friends, if he was agreeable to that. Sitting happily after the boy had nodded his approval, Raelwyn gratefully took the proffered foodroll from the weyrling, smiling. "Thank you." She said, taking a small bite. Broiled fish was her favored food, but fruit came in as a close second. The candidate enjoyed the fact that her companion smiled so easily. She could use some new friends in the weyr.

"We are well met, L'mar, and please pass my regards along to your Dalisth as well, if she is not sleeping. I hope she is well." The candidate had lived in a working weyr for quite some time, and she never left a dragonrider's bonded out of their conversations. A dragon was just as much a part of the rider as their own souls, and ignoring them was out of question as far as Raelwyn was concerned. It was rude.

Smiling, the girl brightened when he offered to teach her the trick, always eager to try new things. As a Harper, Rael had an inquisitive, sharp mind that begged to be challenged and absorb new, interesting things. "I would love that, thank you L'mar!" She replied, very pleased with the idea. As the two spoke, Tydus crept down from her shoulder to plop down on the table, sniffing the fruitroll and keeping one eye on the weyrling. Finding that His only held fruit, the little flit snorted and stalked across the table, sitting on his rump with his tail twitching back and forth while he stared at L'mar. Giving one regal, imperious chirp, the bronze watched the boy, eyes whirling. Unable to keep from laughing, Raelwyn gave the weyrling across from her an apologetic glance. "I'm sorry, he's wanting a meatroll. I don't suppose you have one?" She asked sheepishly.

"Oh yes, I am a candidate." Raelwyn replied, grinning. "I was a Harper before, but my brother and I were Searched to Fort when we were young. I transferred here just six months ago, after Cerulean was founded, to help establish the weyr." Tilting her head, the candidate smiled once more. "What about yourself? Were you Searched or Weyrbred?"

[Kaemi]

Most people didn't know that acknowledging the dragon in greetings was considered polite, L'mar noted as he told Dalisth of the girl's greetings. (Quite frankly, the green didn't care, but it made her like whoever Hers was talking to a little bit more.) “She says to thank you. Dalisth is quite well, in fact.” Newly-washed and oiled, and utterly content, the little green was doing better than ever. His smile grew softer as he thought on the little dragon, but he quickly remembered that he had someone sitting in front of him; straightening up, L'mar nodded at Raelwyn.

He wasn't quite expecting her exuberant reply, but that doesn't mean he minded it. Quite the contrary, her enthusiasm made him a little bit more pleased, as it meant that she was actually interested, and not just lying to be polite. “Well then we'll go to the beach one day and I'll show you the basics,” L'mar told her, “my pleasure.” He liked Raelwyn, she seemed to smile and speak quickly, and she appeared to be a nice person. This was from... oh... approximately three minutes of the basic greetings, so she was on a roll, in his book. Popping a piece of roll into his mouth, he watched as the bronze flitter traveled from his own bonded, to him, obviously requesting something.

L'mar had no idea was he was asking for, however, so he appreciated Raelwyn's translation. “Oh,” he said briefly. The weyrling shrugged after a moment, reaching over a grabbing the only other meatroll. He tore a piece off, and offered it to the bronze, waiting for him to approve of the food. “Always happy to help a little king,” he said cheerily, watching the flitter, with his regal, pretentious pose and whirling, commanding eyes. What a bronze, he loved it. The creature... Tydus, he recalled, was the epitome of bronze, at least in L'mar's book. Maybe he wasn't always so demanding and commanding, but oh well: the weyrling loved it, and hoped that these were the creature's true colors. After all, some of the most interesting people had the absolute worst manners.

Tagged it: candidate, and spent some long time in the Weyrs. That's how she knew proper Weyr etiquette, same as him. Shells, she probably exhibited more of Weyr etiquette than he did, and what little he did do, she probably could give him tips on how to do it better. Needless to say, L'mar wasn't fantastic at those things considered to be basic Weyr-propriety. “A Harper? From the Hall? By fall, fog, and fire, that just knocked you up a few notches for respect. Faranth only knows how bad I am with instruments, and my voice is akin to that of a wherry. Anyone who can sing, or compose, or perform... well, it's something I can't even dream of.” Popping another piece of roll in his mouth, he chewed for a second before answering Raelwyn's question. “Weyrbred, from Ista. Transferred to Silver Cove right before... the tragedy, then moved here to Stand.” And he had gotten the luckiest break of his life, with Dalisth. It didn't erase all the bad the illness had wrought, but it made coping easier.

[Thorney]

Raelwyn smiled as the weyrling brought up the beach, very pleased with his plan. It was her favorite haunt when she needed a place to play her flute or practice a new song she was writing. L’mar seemed to be the cheerful sort, and that was precisely the kind of person the candidate liked to spend her time around. “I truly look forward to it, whenever you are free.” Rael said merrily, rather favorable to the idea of spending more time with the boy. He smiled easily and often, and seemed to be a generally good-natured person, though they had only spoken a few minutes. Of course, the Harper herself tended to be very open and cheerful, so she hoped they would become good friends.

Green eyes dropping to watch her flit, Rael chuckled softly at his imperial display, amazed that so small a creature could still hold such arrogance. Whirling eyes on the boy, his gaze wary, the small bronze merely regarded the proffered food for a moment regally, as if he was decided whether or not the offering was worthy. Finally leaning forward, sniffing the meatroll, Tydus snapped it out of the weyrling’s fingers, quick yet gentle and careful not to harm L’mar’s fingers in the process. If His girl had drilled anything into the flit, it was the importance of being careful not to hurt anyone, not matter what. Ty enjoyed being a bronze, and generally he did as he wished, but His held his ego in check with her own will, so he would be well-behaved, if still loud and bossy.

Lifting his head, Tydus chirped commandingly twice at L’mar, sitting proud and majestically before the weyrling and looking for all he was worth like the world revolved around him. Of course, in the bronze’s mind it did. Well, technically it revolved around him and His girl. Raelwyn grinned at her flit, knowing how very pleased he was when the boy called him ‘little king’. That had won him more favor with Ty than he probably knew. “I’m sorry, he wants the rest of the meatroll. We haven’t eaten yet.” The candidate supplied, apologetic. She hadn’t sat with L’mar to take all of his dinner, but apparently her bronze had other ideas.

Raelwyn’s cheeks colored a slight pink at his words, the light blush barely noticeable but there. She was quite used to the spotlight, she was a Harper after all, and never became embarrassed or shy. However, compliments were another matter, especially compliments that extensive. Yet a bright smile blossomed on her face, and she nodded. “Thank you, L’mar. Yes, I am from the Hall. My father was a Harper as well, and I had become an apprentice before being Searched.” The girl replied, thinking back on her studies. She did love the harpercraft, but it was in the weyr where she would meet her destiny. That much she was certain of. However, her flute was her prized possession, and she still loved singing, playing, and writing when she had the time. Harper-blue ran through her blood, and it would never leave her, no matter how far from the Hall she strayed.

“I should think you would do well with an instrument, actually. You hands look talented enough to me. If you are deft enough to juggle, I could teach you to play.” The candidate mused, smiling at the thought. That seemed like a fine idea to her, a fine idea indeed. “If you wanted to learn some day, of course.” She added, sure that he knew there was no pressure. Sobering a bit, Raelwyn shuddered lightly when he mentioned the tragedy, horrified by the stories even though she had not been there to witness it. Trying to grab a more cheerful topic, the girl pulled off a piece of her fruitroll as she asked “Ista is a lovely place. You must have been more used to the warm weather when you moved down South, then? I have to admit, after Fort, Cerulean took some getting used to.” She chuckled, thinking of how true that was. This time of year, she would have been wearing pants and a comfortable shirt at Fort, but here she was in a light skirt and sleeveless top, and still warm. The weather was certainly a slap in the face.

[Kaemi]

He liked Raelwyn; L'mar hadn't been expecting to find himself a friend when he came into the Kitchens today, but he was pretty sure that was what the candidate was shaping into. Grinning at her, her merriment was mirrored in his voice when he responded. “Same here. We both have chores, but I'm sure we'll find some time. Maybe I'll even bring Dalisth so that you can meet her.” L'mar shrugged, as it all really depended on what his green felt like that day. After all, Dali wasn't big on meeting... anyone, really, unless it was a male dragon. His flirty little mindmate.

I'm not that bad, Mine, Dalisth protested. Her bonded responded with a sardonic laugh, Raelwyn's presence a blip in the back of his mind as he talked to his green. Yeah... you kind of are. Dalisth huffed. Fine. I'm coming to the beach when you go and do... whatever you're going to do, the dragon responded with. Just to prove L'mar wrong. The weyrling's eyes focused back on his table-partner, and he smiled mock-bashfully back at her. “Oops, sorry,” he said. He didn't mean to ignore her! Looking down at Tydus, he grinned again. “Well then here you are, king of all flitts.”

L'mar made quick work of the meatroll, tearing it up in pieces for the bronze's convenience. Offering the pieces to him, L'mar glanced back up at Rael. “You haven't eaten yet? Help yourselves. I have plenty, and we can always get more.” The Kitchen folk liked him. At least, one Kitchen girl did, and only because he hadn't pranked her, specifically, yet. Upon finding that out, the weyrling had been making sure to keep from bothering her, and so she fed him pretty well. L'mar offered another fruit roll to Raelwyn. He didn't want her to pass out from hunger or something, after all.

So the Harper was in her blood. Impressive, impressive, L'mar thought with a small nod. “Why didn't you stay?” he asked. It was bordering on personal... but he was never really one to mind such boundaries, and he didn't mean to pry. All of his life, he had wanted to be a dragonrider, but it seemed as though Raelwyn had been on her way to be a harper, that that was what she had born and bred to be. L'mar understood the fire that drove one to ride, but he had always thought his came from being raised in the Weyr. Where did hers come from, if she was raised around instruments and music? It was interesting to try and figure out, he imagined, but he wouldn't make a nuisance of himself... at least not about this, the weyrling added with an inward smile in his mind.

His eyebrows raised minutely; L'mar had never even thought about playing. To be truthful, he had never really had the attention span to sit down and try and learn. But maybe if someone was teaching him... he nodded a little bit, and a smile twinged his lips. “I'd like that,” he told her. “It could be fun. But, just a warning, I can't sing a bit. Our Weyrharper at Ista laughed when he heard my random songs. He told me that he had never heard anyone so off-pitch in his life.” And he hadn't been offended in the least: it was a good fun, L'mar thought, to watch people wince when he tried out his singing voice. Anyways, his singing voice was probably why the Weyrharper had never requested him to try anything else harper-related, after he learned his letters.

“I loved Ista. The weather was fantastic, and the people were great.” He shrugged. “But here... well... I have to say that the view's even better. The water's great!” When Raelwyn mentioned Fort, L'mar winced slightly. “I can't even imagine living there. I like all my body parts firmly attached, and that wouldn't happen if I dealt with frequent, freezing weather.” The weyrling shuddered just thinking. “Which do you like better?” he asked.

[Thorney]

Raelwyn smiled in reply to the weyrling, happy to see her own cheerfulness reflected in his voice. It seemed that L'mar was shaping up to be the best friend she had at Cerulean. It would be extremely fun to spend her afternoon with him at the beach, and the candidate was equally delighted at the prospect of meeting his dragon. "That would be wonderful, I'd love to meet her, if she wouldn't mind meeting me." Rael said enthusiastically, hoping the little green would want to come. She loved dragons, and wanted to greet Dalisth face to face.

Easily recognizing that far-off look, the girl grinned to herself and settled down to wait until the weyrling was done conversing with his green. One of the many advantages to having spent as much time in a weyr as Raelwyn had, was knowing how to tell when a dragonrider was talking to their bonded. It never bothered the candidate in the least. After all, their dragon was the absolute most important and precious thing in their life, and who was she or anyone else to come between that? Smiling when L'mar turned his attention back to her, the harper shook her head, laughing softly. "Dont apologize, Dalisth deserves your attention more than me."

Unlike his girl, Tydus had not been tolerantly waiting for the weyrling to focus back on him, and thumped his tail in impatience. When L'mar began to tear off pieces of the meatroll, the tiny bronze chirped in reprimand, his ego mollified by the boy calling him king again. That sat well with the narcissistic little flit, and he went back to eagerly tearing into what he was given. Green eyes dropping to watch her small pet devour the food he was offered, the girl smiled gratefully. "Thank you so much." She replied, happily taking the next fruitroll. Raelwyn had planned on changing before coming back to get some dinner, but this was far preferable to sitting by herself. The weyrling was lovely company.

"Hmm." The candidate hummed softly, considering L'mar's question. "To be honest I never really thought I would leave the Hall. I had plans to be a Masterharper one day, and music was my passion, but somehow everything changed when the Searchwing arrived." Raelwyn could still clearly remember that day, as fresh in her mind as if it were only candlemarks ago instead of turns. "When I met the dragons, the blue spoke right to me. It was the most amazing thing I had ever felt in my life. And when he asked me to be a candidate a Fort...well, something in me just couldn't refuse him." A wistful look spread over the harper's face, and for a moment she could still hear that same blue speaking to her. Of course, had she known that her grandfather was a bronzerider, and that dragonman blood ran through her veins, perhaps she would have known what the irresistible pull was within her that brought her to the weyr.

Tilting her head to the side, Raelwyn grinned, thrilled that the boy was willing to give her a chance to teach him to play. It would certainly be fun, whether they got anywhere with his lessons or not, it would be an enjoyable time all the same. She couldn't help but laugh when he recounted the tale of Ista's Weyrharper, easily able to imagine the scene in her head. "Don't worry, it will be fun." She assured the weyrling, smiling in anticipation. For her part, the candidate couldn't wait to learn his trick of juggling.

"The water is great, I agree." The harper said, smiling. She remembered when she first arrived in Cerulean, the stifling heat unfamiliar but the sheer beauty overwhelming and so worth the minor discomfort. Raelwyn's first free night had been spent diving into the ocean, the warm water so much more lovely than Fort's lake. Even in the dead of summer up North, it couldn't compare to the amazing swimming down in the Southern ocean. Chuckling softly at the weyrling's jest about his limbs, the girl grinned, delighted that he loved to joke so much. L'mar was quickly becoming her favorite person. "I suppose it IS rather cold up there." She grinned. "I have to admit, it was hard adjusting to the heat down here, but I think I far prefer it to Fort. I really do love it here. It's beautiful."

[Kaemi]

Oh, good, she understood. L'mar had hoped that her experience at Weyrs would allow her to recognize the communication between rider (or weyrling, rather) and dragon, and realize that he wasn't just ignoring her. Thankfully, that seemed to be what had happened. Still, he shook his head at Raelwyn, saying, “Dali has my attention all the time. She can allow me to give it to someone else, for a change.” Of course, there's no one else he would rather give his attention to than his darling green, his other half, but Rael was going to be a good friend, maybe even his best friend at the Weyr, and he liked her. “Oh, and unless she gets really crotchety the day we choose, she'll be there. She would like to meet you.”

Only becau-- the green began, but Hers cut her off, as L'mar knew that while, yes, Dalisth only wanted to meet Raelwyn to prove him wrong... it was still enough incentive to make her wish to meet the girl. And anyways, the weyrling was sure that the two would hit it off, no matter the dragon's aversion to members of her same sex.

As both Tydus and Raelwyn began to eat, L'mar arranged the rolls in the center of the table, so that she wouldn't feel the need to ask him anymore; hopefully just taking them. That way they could continue their conversations without interruption. If and when they ran out and required more, he could go and get more, so there would be no problem with the whole concept of food. He didn't mind in the least, seeing as how this was more company (besides Dalisth) that he had had since leaving Ista. It was a little odd for the sociable boy, who grew up with the same people for his entire life, to have kept so apart from everyone else. His reasoning, however, followed along the lines that he had Dalisth, and for those first few months, he hadn't needed anyone else. It was true enough, but he was glad to be hitting it off so well with Rael. She was great.

He listened to her story, nodding and smiling as she hit on experiences that he, too, shared. “My father's dragon was the first voice I ever heard in my mind, and my mother's spoke quite frequently after that. But they were a part of my parents, something I took for granted, so I have some understanding of what you're talking about with the blue speaking to you. I guess I was... around seven, when a green that wasn't my mother's bespoke me, and I was amazed. I think it was then that I decided that it was my dream to be a dragonrider.” L'mar couldn't tell you what the green's name had been, but he could recite, even over ten turns later, the words she said. It had been: 'Mine's little one wants you to come play with her.' The little one had been his best friend, a weyrling who's mother had also been a dragonrider... it had been the first and last time the dragon ever bespoke him.

It was impossible not to return the grin, L'mar thought as he did just that. “And if not, then I'm sure we can make it amusing somehow.” He envisioned some prank he could pull on her down by the beach. Of course, he'd have to work on some plan, but he was sure that they'd have fun either way. Admittedly, he was excited about learning some of the things he had marveled at previously. He was very excited about teaching her how to juggle. That, he was sure, would be fun; L'mar enjoyed juggling, it was a very amusing, encompassing activity, and he was sure that Rael would do great.

L'mar nodded at her words, although, of course, he made a face when she admitted to Fort's chilly temperatures. Everyone knew that it was freezing cold up there, even if he had never personally been. Leaning in slightly, he confided, “I have a theory. The basis of my theory is that the North is much, much to cold. It continues in the direction that eventually, everyone else will realize that my basis is correct, and then they will all decide to travel to the South, as you did.” He paid no mind to the probability that Raelwyn had been content with Fort's weather, and had only come down here for the opportunities it opened up. That was silly! “Upon their arrival,” the weyrling continued, “we, as Southerners, will realize that there are much too many people migrating here, and will be allowed to determine who gets to stay and who must be deported back to the North.” Popping a piece of sweet roll into his mouth, he raised his eyebrows at the candidate sitting across from him, and finished up solemnly. “It will be great fun for us, right?”

[Thorney]

Raelwyn laughed lightly at the boy’s reply, easily able to imagine that the little green did indeed dominate his attention. All dragons liked to have the majority of their rider’s concentration on them, but weyrlings were the worst. For the first few months, both human and dragon could not get enough of each other, or share their company enough to satisfy them. At least, that was the case with most of the weyrlings the candidate had met in her life. She had a feeling L’mar was just as affectionate with his green. Grinning a bit, she said, “I’m sure she commands most of your attention, but she is also the one who loves you the greatest. I’m grateful that she will let me monopolize your time. It gets lonely sitting by myself so much.”

Looking down, the harper glanced at her flit again to assure herself that he was indeed behaving. This was actually quite remarkable for Tydus to be so tolerant of a boy. Generally, the small bronze was vehemently distrustful of other males and would only hiss at them if they tried to touch him or even get near him. Yet here he was, content as could be to snap at the food L’mar fed him and hum happily as each piece was presented in swift fashion. Raelwyn could only marvel at his astonishing acceptance of the weyrling, but was extremely glad Ty had taken up with him. She really liked the boy, and wanted to be able to spend more time with him. “She wants to meet me?” The harper asked, and clasped her hands together. “That’s wonderful! I can’t wait to meet her!”

Turning his head, her little bronze cheeped and stared at her with whirling eyes, clearly communicating with His the only way flits knew how. He impressed bright colors and a wave of anticipation on her, as well as an image that make the girl laugh. “Tydus wants to meet her too.” She said with a grin. “He would also give her a good shoulder scratch, if she’s agreeable. His little talons are good at scratching dragonhide, just not human hide. Trust me on that.” The harper smiled at her companion, watching as he arranged the food where she could reach it. It was so nice of him.

Listening intently to the story L’mar shared, the candidate tried to imagine what it would be like to have dragonriding parents. She had spent a good deal of her life in the weyr, and had seen both ends of the spectrum on that matter. Some riders visited their children every day, even spoiled them, and some left them to the weyr nannies and never gave them a second glance. By the sound of the weyrling’s story, however, it seemed like he had lovely family. Raelwyn smiled. That was good to hear. “It seems we both had our hearts set on dragonriding from a young age. I’m a little behind, though, I’d say.” She joked, but deep down the girl wondered if she would Impress at the clutch on the sands right now, or if she would be alone again when it was all over. It mattered not, though. She would stand until she found her partner.

L’mar smiled so much, Rael reflected, returning his grin with one of her own. How marvelous it was to meet someone who shared her good humor. The harper had always been a cheerful person, hardly ever withdrawn for any reason, and the weyrling seemed as chipper as she. It was great. “I’m sure it will be quite interesting, either way.” She laughed, certain that even if she failed at juggling or being a good teacher, they would have fun. Of course, the candidate did not know about the boy’s love of pranks, and would be completely unsuspecting the day they hit the beach. Naturally, that would make Raelwyn just that much easier of a target.

Eyes widening as the weyrling leaned in and began talking in a conspiratorial tone, Raelwyn had to stifle a giggle. She wanted to hear what he was saying, and couldn’t laugh over him. “…Continues in the direction that eventually, everyone else will realize that my basis is correct, and then they will all decide to travel to the South, as you did.” At that, the candidate got so tickled that she pressed her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing, eyes bright as she let him finish. Unable to keep from laughing now, Rael shook her head, and had to wonder just how much was jest and how much he truly meant. “I suppose it is a very good thing I’m already here, then.” The harper chuckled, grinning at L’mar. The boy was amazingly funny, and she again was extremely glad she had run into him. “I would hate to be picked to go back home, had I arrived too late.” Tilting her head to the side, the girl took a moment to consider, then winked. “I don’t think I would be a very good person to pick and choose who stays, actually. I know what it’s like up North…I’d feel too sorry for them all to send them back.”

[Kaemi]

Glad that Rael understood about his Dalisth commanding his attention so fully, L’mar chuckled lowly. “I’m sure she’s just happy that I’m not causing trouble,” he told her, enjoying his green’s mental rumble of approval. That’s true… I think I’m starting to like the little girl friend. She keeps you out of trouble, the little green mentioned. Now that she was actually thinking of it, it was really only because of this girl that Hers wasn’t terrorizing people. He would probably snap out of it, soon, and start terrorizing the poor girl, but now Dalisth would enjoy the few moments of peace that no trouble-making would get her.

L’mar shook his head at the mentality his green had taken up. “Well, that’s unacceptable, you sitting alone,” he told her mock-sternly. The smile slipped off of his face, but it tugged at the corners of his mouth, and his eyes were light. “We need to find you a nice young man- you do like boys, right?” he asked quickly. After all, they were in the Weyr! “Either way, we’ll have to find you a nice young companion to steal your breath… and your heart.” His eyes had taken on a conspiratorial glint: this meant trouble for Raelwyn if she let him continue on this train of thought.

See, Mine, I told you that you needed a little nuisance so that my shoulders could be scratched. Until you agree and comply, you have to stay friends with this girl and her nuisance so that he will scratch my shoulders, Dalisth told L’mar with determination. This made his smile large and wide over his face. “Dali says that I have to continue this friendship so that she can get shoulder scratches, and that she wants me to get a flit of my own purely for that same purpose.” He popped a piece of roll in his mouth, chewed for a few seconds, and then swallowed. “It’s especially funny, because she doesn’t like many people.”

“Just a little. Don’t worry, though, I’m sure you’ll ‘ride eventually… and then it doesn’t matter how behind you were, previously.” He had a feeling that she would dragon ride eventually. He was no Search dragon, but Raelwyn seemed like a good person, smart, funny, friendly, and kind. It would be cruel for her to never find a dragonet and, although he knew that it happened to people, he couldn’t imagine that she be permanently left Standing. Tearing off a piece of roll, he didn’t eat this one, instead throwing it at her. “Speaking of Hatchings, and dragons, and you riding. Do you have a particular dragon color you’d especially like to Impress?” He hadn’t, but many of the people he’d Stood with in the past had.

L’mar nodded solemnly, even as his eyes sparkled with mischief. “Oh, no, I never would have sent you home,” he told her with a perfectly straight face. “I recognize the need for a Harper, and one who appreciates juggling talents such as you do. Not many Southern Pernese hold both of these talents.” Inwardly, he appreciated her laughter, but restrained from laughing along with him. “If we ever turn my theory into something real, then any other Northerners with that specific array of talents will, certainly, be kept here in the South. Don’t worry, though,” L’mar added, “it’s doubtful that they’ll take your place in my heart and plans. They’re not likely to have a bronze flitter whom my Dali approves of.”

After saying this, however, he couldn’t help but to let a smile break onto his face, which sparked his humor enough to laugh cheerily. “Oh, now, that’s true. I wouldn’t know, after all, so I suppose I could help you develop a heart of steel.” With his own break of character, however, L’mar didn’t bother to try and say this with any modicum of seriousness. “No, I guess you’re right.” A weary sigh. “I suppose I’ll have to come up with a new plan. Any suggestions?”

[Thorney]

Tilting her head to the side, the harper smiled a little conspiratorially, watching L’mar with bright eyes. “You, causing trouble?” She asked, her tone mock-serious. “Why, I wouldn’t have believed it of you!” Upon first meeting him, perhaps Raelwyn would not, but after his last few comments and his speech about the North and South, the candidate could easily believe he might have been a bit of a prankster. Grinning, the girl pulled off a few more pieces of fruitroll, popping them into her mouth. Of course, the extent of his trouble-making was unknown to her, but she doubted it was anything too serious. Rael tended to be able to read others quite well, and from what she could tell of the weyrling, he was a good and kind person, just a bit mischievous. And well…she couldn’t say she had a perfectly clean record herself.

Pulled from her musings as her companion spoke again, the girl’s green eyes widened considerably. A blush threatened to creep along her cheeks, and though she tried to will it away, her face turned light pink anyway. Raelwyn hoped it couldn’t be seen under her tan. L’mar had managed to find one of the few things that embarrassed the harper, and she had to clear her throat before speaking. “Boys. Yes.” The candidate said quickly, nearly choking as the weyrling continued. Steal her breath and her heart? The girl had not often thought of romantic endeavors, as she had been too consumed by her desire to Impress to think about much else. Dragons were her life, and of course so was Tydus after the little darling hatched for her. Quickly looking down, Rael hastily replied, “I haven’t really met anyone that seemed that interested, actually. The only guy that decided to stick around in my life is my little bronze.” She laughed.

Knowing he was mentioned, the flit looked up at His girl, eyes whirling contentedly. He had stuffed plenty of food down his throat, and his stomach was finally content. Cheeping softly, Tydus sent her emotions of love, and the candidate had to smile. He was no dragon, but the bronze was just as affectionate, and she loved him more than anything. Eyes snapping up to meet the weyrling’s gaze, Raelwyn couldn’t stop the huge grin that graced her lips, feeling utterly wonderful. “Now that makes me happy!” She laughed, green eyes bright. “If we have the blessing of your dear dragon to be friends, then I’m certain we’ll be tight.” The girl was surprised to hear that Dalisth did not approve of many, and was amazed. “Then I’m deeply honored she accepts me.” Rael said with upmost sincerity, smiling. “And Tydus is at her service, of course!”

Full and content, Tydus stood and stretched, his little wings flaring as wide as they would go. Lifting his head, the small bronze gave on last imperious cheep towards the weyrling before him, then turned and strode regally to His. Curling up on the table in front of Rael, the flit closed his eyes and started to doze. “He wanted to express his appreciation of your…deed.” The candidate chuckled, referring to his last chirp. How highly the little bronze thought of himself.

Smiling, Raelwyn was grateful for the boy’s assurances. “Thank you. I truly hope I do ride some day. I can’t imagine doing anything else with my life after being in the weyr this long. Even going back to the Harper Hall seems wrong. ” It was very kind of L’mar to encourage her, especially since she had started to wonder if she was destined to stand until she was too old. Blinking, not expecting the food missile, the piece of roll bounced against her shirt, landing on the table before her. Rael smirked a little, surprised the weyrling was already picking on her. Well, she had grown up with older brothers, and the candidate was no damsel in distress. She would be watching for the next one. “To be perfectly honest, I would be more than thrilled to just Impress, no matter the color. It is what I want more than anything.” The harper smiled, then sobered a bit as she added, “But also to be perfectly honest, I have high ambitions, and my dream is to Impress gold. I sound like every queen-struck candidate, I know, but I’m serious in this regard.” Her smile returned, and the girl’s eyes took on a mischievous glint. Picking up the piece of roll he threw at her, Rael grinned and tossed it back to his way. “Your turn.” She winked. “Did you have any preferences before Impressing sweet Dalisth?”

Grinning, the candidate giggled at the boy across from her, amazed that he could sound so very serious and yet clearly be jesting. His expression was perfectly straight, and Raelwyn wondered at it. How did he keep his façade so well? “Well, that eases my worry, indeed.” She replied, eyes shining. “I’m glad my talents and my bronze are so well-favored by you and Yours, dear L’mar. I’m not sure how I would keep my jealousy aside had another taken my place.” The girl winked, unable to keep a straight face like the weyrling while she played the game. Rael was having a wonderful evening, and again she was so very, very glad she had taken the whim to grab some juice before heading back to the barracks. What a wonderful friend the boy was turning out to be. “Hmm.” She hummed, giving the impressing of thinking deeply about his question. “I suppose we could allow Tydus to choose. He has no pity for Northerners.” Rael grinned.

[Kaemi]

“Oh, never!” L'mar replied, innocence filling his eyes at he blinked up at Rael. A corner of his lips quirked up as he continued. “My Dali just has this idea that, oh, maybe a few of my better theories could cause some trouble. But she's just a silly little green.” A silly little green? Excuse me? I think-- there was fire in Dalisth's voice, making L'mar chuckle. Fondness curled into his voice as he said, “Well, she's my silly little green, but she does get the strangest notions.” Grinning, he winked at Raelwyn. She had no idea... but hey, all in good fun. That's... better, I suppose. You have to love me, after all. Yeah, the weyrling did. He just couldn't help it.

It was amusing, watching Rael flush as she became flustered. A single-syllable laugh escaped him, before he made a show of bending around in his seat to find a suitable candidate. What he needed was.. “A cute boy, a nice boy, but smart: one that can keep up with you,” L'mar murmured, just loud enough so that she could hear him. Scoping out the Kitchens he, sadly, found only one or two boys suitable, but he had a feeling that they weren't smart. He was still looking for a boy that could fit both Raelwyn's and his own standards when she began talking again, so he made noises at the appropriate times. Honest, he was paying attention, as evidenced by the time she finished and he turned back to face her in his seat, eyebrows quirked at different levels. “By Fall, fog, and fire, I'd bet my right hand ins saying that they definitely have been interested, Raelwyn,” he told her with a hint of scolding in his voice for her thought-process. “You've probably just been too caught up in the thought of Standing to notice. No problem in that, of course, but it's ridiculous to think that a girl like you hasn't been noticed.”

However, at her mention of Tydus, and the bronze's reaction, drew a smile back to his face. “Well, I don't see anyone here fit to take care of you other than your Tydus,” he told her. “I sure as shards can't find anyone here that may be good enough.” He smiled down at the flitter, before looking back up at Rael. Dear dragon may be a bit of an overstatement... L'mar ignored Dalisth's protests at that with a reassuring thought or two... but he was glad that the candidate cared enough to respect his green. “Don't be so honored-- or, maybe you should be, because she doesn't like many, er, girls. But please don't act too honored around her, because then she'll get more ridiculous notions about how amazing she is, and these ones will be real, so then she'll get all egotistical...” realizing that he was babbling, the weyrling grinned bashfully at Raelwyn.

“His appreciation of... whatever deed I managed to do... is accepted, I suppose,” L'mar returned with a shrug. The bronze was, well, a bronze, which was sort of amusing. One couldn't expect much more out of the Royals, as they knew exactly who and what they were. They very much deserved to act all high and mighty. “A gold-grabber, mm? I mean... my lady.” His voice was, clearly, only teasing. Gradually, though, his eyes became more serious as he considered her. “No, I think you could be a very good goldrider.” She was smart, caring, considerate, and had probably the deepest pre-Impression respect for dragons and their bonds with their riders that he had ever seen, especially from someone who wasn't weyrbred.

His eyes narrowed playfully. “That's no fair, I've already Impressed,” he protested. However, he didn't need any goading to tell the truth. “I was like you: my main goal was to find my dragon, uncaring of color. But, also like you, I had aspirations to ride a metallic. I was shooting for bronze.” Now, he couldn't imagine bonding as closely has he had bonded to Dalisth with any other creature, especially not one such as Tydus. “No, though, Dali knew me better than I knew myself, she knew that she was the perfect fit for me. And you'll find your perfect mindmate.” Guaranteed. Well... not guaranteed. But highly likely. A thought crossed over his mind: “Does that mean you won't be Standing for this Hatching? I didn't think there was a queen egg...”

Oh, but this was too serious. “I would never put you in such a position that would cause you pain... my lady,” he added with a small smile. “Although I am deeply flattered that you could be jealous of another, especially after so little time together.” A wink in return. She was good at this- almost as good as him. Almost. More emphasis on the almost. “See, I always knew you were smart.” At this point, the weyrling threw another piece of roll, this time aiming for her forehead. “What do you think, Tydus? Good idea?--” looking at the bronze, L'mar remembered that he had fallen asleep. “Or, we'll discuss it with him when he awakens, I suppose.”

[Thorney]

(Kaemi...these posts are huge. XD Its awesome.)

Raelwyn's lips twitched in amusement as the weyrling blinked wide, innocent eyes at her, their expression quite clearly stating, 'who, me?' Hmm. He was obviously as guilty as a canine beside a chewed-up slipper. Grinning, she replied, "I find it hard to believe anyone, especially your dragon, could think such things of you, dear L'mar. I'm certain those accusations are....quite baseless." Actually, the girl rather thought his green had him pegged perfectly, but she also had a feeling that his 'theories' as he called them, were harmless. The candidate had him labeled as the mischievous sort, but that was the extent of it. The weyrling was a brilliantly funny person, and she was having a wonderful time with him.

As the boy turned and made a great display of searching earnestly about, the candiate's blush only darkened, the heat creeping along her checks and even slightly down her neck. Eyes widening as she heard his tirade, the girl knew that he was greatly enjoying teasing her. "Good Faranth." She laughed quietly, unable to keep from being amused as she shook her head. Raelwyn grinned, resting her chin in her palm as she watched the weyrling. Cute, nice, smart, and one that could keep up with her? Well, L'mar certainly had high standards for her, and somehow that thought made her smile. When the boy faced her once more, his expression incredulous, the candidate blinked, feeling extremely flattered and severely embarrassed by his words. It was clear he meant every bit, in more than just a teasing manner, and Rael was actually struck silent for a moment. It was a very sweet gesture for him to say that, and Raelwyn smiled. " I've never really thought..." Trailing off, the girl left that reflection unfinished, instead saying "I think you are far, far too kind, good L’mar." She had never thought of herself as anything really special.

Laughing, Raelwyn nodded at her companion, rather agreeing with him. "I'm sure Tydus would certainly concur with that. I doubt he would find anyone good enough in his opinion, especially considering how highly he regards himself.” Arrogant as he was, the miniature bronze was a perfect little specimen of his color, all pride and ego. If he could actually talk, there was no telling what sort of narcissistic things would come out of his mouth. Or rather, come out of his thoughts, as it were. Tilting her head to the side, the candidate watched her companion, eyes dancing as he spoke. Oh ho, it sounded as if the green was of the jealous persuasion, having an aversion to females as she did. “Well, I can understand her distaste for members of the same gender, in a way. She is the leading lady in your life.” Lips curving in a smile, the girl was only half-joking. She had a feeling Dalisth was of the same opinion. “However, I highly doubt she has anything at all to worry about. No friendship or relationship could come between the two of you, I’m fairly certain.” Although Rael did not know L’mar’s sexual preferences, she was not talking about romantic lights. She meant her words in a purely ‘no other girl can be more important to you than me’ sort of way. Winking in reply to his smile, the candidate knew what he meant. “I’ll try not to feed her ego overly much, but she is a dragon, and all dragons are amazing.”

Green eyes dropping to the flit that dozed contentedly before her, Raelwyn’s grinned, wondering if Ty had managed to get on the weyrling’s nerves yet. The bronze was nothing if not conceited, but he was hers and she loved him all the same. He was narcissistic, yes, but Tydus was the most affectionate little bugger she had ever known. Although, his reaction to L’mar was nothing short of a miracle, seeing how he generally detested males on site. The girl had never managed to find anyone, man or boy, that had met with the bronze’s approval, and the fact that he ate right out of the weyrling’s hand and was content to do so was nothing if not amazing. It made her very glad, though, since she was quickly growing very fond of the boy and was looking forward to being friends. L’mar was funny, sweet, and encouraging, and she very much wanted to spend more time with him.

Eyebrow quirking as he called her a ‘gold-grabber’, the candidate grinned, knowing he was only joking with her again. She almost dropped a quick tease in reply, but paused as L’mar regarded her thoughtfully, looking the most serious he had yet. Raelwyn was deeply touched by his words, and appreciated what the weyrling said more than he probably would ever know. “Thank you, L’mar. That means a lot to me.” The girl replied, smiling genuinely.

Nodding as he spoke, Rael considered his reply, wishing she could truly understand how he had felt when Dalisth Impressed to him. She hoped that she would find her partner one day on the Sands, too, with everything she had in her. The girl smiled. “I’m glad she found you. I can’t claim to know exactly how deep the bond is, since I haven’t experienced it, but I can say I know you are complete now. It’s a lovely thing.” The candidate’s voice was wistful as she finished, her smile both happy and somehow sad. Perking at the weyrling’s question, Raelwyn grinned. “Oh no, I’ll be standing, I assure you.” Even though her ambition was to Impress gold, there was no way she was going to pass up the chance to meet her own sweet dragon. Of course, the candidate masters always encouraged everyone to stand at every hatching, no matter what eggs lay on the sands. “I always stand at hatchings. I have my dreams of gold, yes, but any dragon who finds me fit to be their bonded will be most, most welcome.” Impression was her dream, queen or not.

Hmm. The weyrling was good, real good, and Raelwyn was beginning to think that instead of a dragonrider, he would have made a fine harper. Perhaps he claimed to not have any musical talent, true, but that tongue of his was as sly as any master she had ever met. Grinning as he winked, the candidate laid her hand flat against her chest, shaking her head. Voice dramatically serious, Rael tried her best to keep a straight face as she replied, “Perhaps the time has been short, my dear L’mar, but you make a large impression in a small amount of time.” Well, she hadn’t been totally successful in keeping a serious appearance, as she had to laugh. Although, part of her was indeed serious, as she was already amazingly fond of the weyrling. He was a lovely person. Eyes narrowing in on the piece of roll he tore off, the candidate was ready this time, and ducked her head to the side as he tossed it at her. “Oh, I’m sure he’ll love the idea, believe me.” Rael laughed, grinning. “Anything that allows him to boss people around.”

[Kaemi]

((I know!! It's awesome. XD))

The innocent look in his eyes never left, despite the grin on Rael's face. If anything, his eyes only grew wider. “I appreciate your faith in me, dear Raelwyn,” L'mar said, even while a smile tugged at his lips. Yeah, he knew that she saw through his innocence, but that was neither here, nor there. After a few more minutes of holding the look, he let the grin overtake his face, smiling harmlessly at his new friend. He would have to think up the perfect prank for her: it would take careful planning and consideration, but he would do it. His grin never lost its innocent edge, even as his eyes began to sparkle in his eager mischief planning.

See, he was already successful on the whole 'fluster her to the point that she's having trouble finding words' front. Color sparked her cheeks, which made L'mar congratulate himself internally. His eyes grew more serious with his own words, and then her response made him smile at her gently. Gently... Faranth, he wasn't gentle, he was fast, fiery, and he caused too much trouble for his own good. But he liked Rael- she was, he decided right then, his new best friend at the Weyr. If she knew what was good for her, she would run screaming... or at least send out a prayer to Faranth and the Three Dawn Sisters. Oh, but she would learn, all in good time. His smile grew again, and he shook his head at her words. “Raelwyn, Raelwyn, Raelwyn...” he muttered. Continuing, louder, L'mar said, “You know, if you're going to be my best friend, you're going to have to learn that I am spontaneously sweet. But only when I really mean it. Which is rare.” Shrugging playfully, he attempted to lighten the mood again from where it had gotten all, Faranth forbid, serious. The weyrling did serious only very rarely. Very. Oh, and he had managed to throw in the 'you're my new best friend' thing. Maybe she wouldn't catch it. Running was still an option, for her. Warning: L'mar ran quickly, too.

What could he say? He liked Tydus, and he liked bronzes in general. “I'm not half as arrogant as your little king, here, and I can't find anyone good enough, not in my opinion. Therefore, I think you're right in saying he wouldn't be able to find anyone who meets his standards.” L'mar laughed softly, smiling down at the bronze, before looking back up at flitter's girl. Her words made his lips quirk in yet another smile... shells, he wasn't one to hold in his smiles, but Raelwyn seemed to have the innate ability to make him grin at twice the normal rate. “You're right- Dalisth is my everything,” he confirmed with a shrug, even knowing that Rael didn't need his affirmation. She knew more about his love for his green than he would have believed a non-weyrbred girl ever could. It was good, especially since she was so bent on Impressing. Much like he had been. Yep, with this much in common, the harper would be a great best friend for him! Briefly, L'mar entertained the idea of maybe something more, before he quickly dismissed it. He had been determined to ride bronze when he was growing up, but he never denied the fact that he liked both men and women. Impressing Dalisth just enforced it. But no, Raelwyn was purely a friend- a good friend, a great friend (well, a best friend, apparently), but that was all.

More serious words followed, pulling L'mar out of his hormonal thoughts. He had brought the sincerity on himself, he supposed, as he nodded at Rael, choosing not to say anything in return. After all, he had already told her his thoughts on the subject, and anything else could very well make him seem like he was being overly-sincere, which could make her doubt his words. She had seemed very touched by his words, making the weyrling think that she didn't hear them often... odd, in his mind. For a queen candidate, Raelwyn seemed a little more subdued and self-conscious- or maybe she was simply letting her walls down, and becoming more open with her self-doubt. Everyone had it, after all, but many chose not to show it, which could make them more intrusive, with a lower self-esteem than they had had before. It was good that Rael was at least listening to his words of encouragement... if any of that made sense in the least. At the very least, L'mar was babbling inwardly and he was afraid that if he opened his mouth a rush of nonsense would spill out.

It was near-impossible to explain Impression, even to someone who had already done so... and so he didn't even try. That was beyond him. The closest one could ever get to the actual thing was a flitter Impression, and even that (so he had heard) was dim in comparison. Oh, and wher Impression, but he had known very few wherhandlers throughout his life, and he doubted that Raelwyn had, either. Although it was definitely possible. Shells, what did he know? “I'm glad she found me, too. I would be so lost today without her,” L'mar replied in all honesty. “I'm glad you'll be Standing: Fall, Fog, and Fire know that I want you to have your dream of riding a shiny, but a dragon can have a heart of gold without having the hide of it.” Insightful. Shells. And he had had something else to say to that, but as he reveled in his mild-disgust over saying something so... deep (and, to be honest, his pride in knowing its truth), he'd forgotten it. Oh! “Still, though, I do hope you end up being a Gold rider. Weyrwoman Samhara is great, and I have the deepest respect for her, but I think you'd be a fantastic Weyrwoman, yourself.”

She wasn't as good as him with the composure, but it's alright- she'd learn, he was sure of it. And Rael was keeping up much better than most people did. They tended to be very confused by the difference between his words and his facial expressions... and then his later actions. The weyrling had no doubt that Raelwyn would have little trouble keeping up, and would probably throw in a few twists to keep him on his tip-toes. “I do have this talent in making an impression on people, I'm told,” L'mar agreed with a wry grin. “Rarely do I leave a room of people, who later fail to remember my face. Now, true, it's not always a favorable impression, but it's an impression nonetheless.” Hey, most... er... a lot... er... some times it was a good impression! He sighed heavily when she dodged his next flying missile, even as he internally applauding, as he now knew that his previous assumption was correct. She would find little difficultly in keeping up with him, or at least, she would hide it well. “Well he is the king!” L'mar responded, finishing up the last of his roll and actually eating it. Imagine... swallowing the food, as opposed to using it as a flying projectile.