A New Friend

Ista Weyr - Southern Bowl
Compared to that of other weyrs, Ista's bowl is small, and incomplete - northwards, one wall was blown clear away several millennia ago, leaving the view clear towards the plateau, the jungles, and the ocean beyond. Somewhat elliptical, the breadth of the bowl seems to run northwest to southeast, the bustling epicenter of the weyr being here, towards the southwest. Several large entrances have been dug into the sidess - northeast are the hatching grounds and south the living caverns, these being the two largest caverns in the weyr. To the east, a smaller entrance leads in to the ground weyrs - the ledges of these line the bowl wall above, often filled with dragons of gold or bronze; westward is yet another ledge, but with a staircase built into the wall, allowing access to the Sable Sands. The infirmary is located nearby, towards the southwest.


It is early afternoon at Ista weyr, and people are going this way and that about there business. N'talya among them, carrying a large stack of books across the bowl and towards her lifemate. She smile brings to the green and says, "Yes Ala, studying is done for the day. Yes dear I will spend some time outside with you now.

Having thanked her transport pair, Kera moves away to find a nice spot out of the way to slip out of the hot riding gear she borrowed, her shorts and light weight shirt underneath. Minimur perches the the edge of the wagon his little healer is standing by. Kera spend a couple of minutes before strolling out of between the wagons looking much cooler without all that heavy leather and boots. Along with a couple of stuffes waist pouches at hr belft, she carries two big journey sacks, the straps staggered over her shoulder. She spots her friend walking towards her dragonmate with a stack of books, and quietly steps in N'talya's wake, stifling a giggle. She's close to the greenpair, Alamith may even see her dragonmate being stalked.

N'talya smiles as she put her books slowly into the backs ont Alamiths harness unaware the even now shie si being stalked, continuing to himm softl to herself.

Kera grins and resettles the two heavy straps on her shoulder and stands a few feet away from the pair. Watching for a few long seconds, she finally chuckles. "Ya know, most people might have noticed they were being stalked halfway across the bowl." Dropping her two satchels, Minimur chitters a greeting and settles on Kera's shoulder.

N'talya blinks and smiles turns to Kera and says softly, "Hey thre." she grins, "sorry I am oblivious." she shifts, "Alamith says she noticed you, but though it would be more fun if you snuck up on me."

Kera chuckles and cast an amused grin to Alamith and gives a polite nod to the green "Ah, a partner in crime. Good to know Alamith." Another nod given as she sends an amused look to N'talya. "So did I heae correctly? You're done studying for the day?"

N'talya smiels and nods, "I am, I have been inside all day so Alamith want me to spend some time outside with her."

Kera nods agreeably "Then it seems I've good timing then. Hope ya don't mind the surprise visit." She gestures to her two satchels. "Figured I could spend the day then head to Rubicon in the morning." Peering between rider and dragon "So, what's the plan for the rest of the day?"

N'talya smiles and says, "we hadn't decided yet." she peaks at the packs, "Did you have a place set up to say tonight then?

Kera gives a shake of her head "I was gonna check what plans you already had first." The apprentice smiles a bit "If you end up having company, I can grab a cot for the night in the craft dorms." She does have a note from her Journeyman if needed.

N'talya smiles and says, "Don't worry about it at all, You can stay with me." she smiles. "I don't get guest often."

Kera nods agreeably "Excellant. Then we can catch up…and oh my shells." Kera's eyes widen a bit "Have you by chance heard who the new Weyrleader of Xanadu is?" The apprentice literally bounces on the balls of her feet a couple of times in her enthusiasm, and doesn't give N'talya a chance to even guess. "Ka'el!"

N'talya laughs and smiles, "I hear about that. I wish I could come by and say congratulations but.." she sighs soflty and shakes her head.

Kera gestures for her friend to lead the way, rather than clogging up the bowl. "I thought the apprentices where all having a good laugh when they were spreading it around that morning…but turns out, they were right." A bemused shake of her head is given. "I'll pass along any messege if ya want."

N'talya smiles and nods "please do tell him congratulations for me." she smiles and says, "I wish him luck dealing with the weyrwoman there." she shakes her head.

Kera nods "I will. I've only talked to him a couple of times since his new duties. But he doesn't seem to have the look of someone who's about to snap under the pressure." She pauses a few seconds "Not yet at least." A little chuckle added in. "So where to?"

N'talya smies and says, "how about we go to the beach for now, then when we are ready we can go up to my weyr?"

Kera reaches down to grab her satchels back up, "Sounds good to me." and settles them on her shoulder opposite Minimur. But after a few seconds, the little brown is coaxed from his perch to fly ahead. Walking along with the greenrider "So, any excitement been happening round here?"

N'talya smiles and says, "Just lots of training, I have been visiting a friend over at eastern alot though." she blushes just a bit as she walks along towards the beach, Alamith following behind warble chuckling behind them.

Kera lifts a curious brow to N'talya, but Alamith's vocal input makes her look towards the dragon briefly before her attention goes back to the rider. "Is it me? Or is she amused by something. IT almost sound like she's laughing." Catching the new sights as they move towards the beach. "So, Eastern hmm?"

N'talya nods and bites her lip, "She is a really good friend, she has been stoping by to visit me here every couple of weeks when she can.." she looks up to Alamith and sighs, "Yeah Ala there wants me to be more social… With anyone..

Kera smiles to her friend and nods "That's good to hear. I don't know anyone there." so she obviously has no clue who it is and gives a hint of a shrug "What's her name?" The beach starts to come into sight as they move along the path.

N'talya smiles and says "Her name is Silna." she blushes, "she is really determined to bring me out of my shell." as she leads you down onto the sand, "Did you bring your suit this time?"


Ista Weyr - Main Beach
The famous black sands of Ista spread out about the great cove upon which the weyr has been built, gleaming under the rays of both sun and moon, like diamonds in their own pristine beauty. Caught between the brilliance of the lush and verdant greens of the forest, and the crystalline blues of the shallows, gradually deepening their color into the wide ocean, the beach is nothing short of striking. The heat of Rukbat reaches into these sands by day, forever blazing underfoot, although the water remains cool and refreshing, never quite reaching the point of being tepid. Off to one side, spilling down from the plateau, a small waterfall empties into a catching pool that runs off toward the sea through a furrow of dark sand and pebbles.


Kera nods with an agreeable smile "Good. Alamith and Silna right. You do need to get out of your shell more." Another quick nod given "Yep. I remembered this time." Minimur has already flown ahead and is chasing the little white wavelets as they roll onto the shore.

N'talya smiles an nods, "Good." as the get to the beach she turns to retrieve a pair of towels from a sadle bag and says, "Alright then. If we swim out Echo will visit with us too."

Kera grins "Oh good. I still haven't met Echo. Didn't get a chance to before ya were searched." Finding a little spot of shade well away from the water and drops her packs with a relieved sigh. Kicking her sandals off "So how did ya meet Silna? She's a rider I take it?"

N'talya blushes a bit and says, "Actually she is a barmaid at one of the taverns over there. I was running messages over for my journeyman and got stuck in a storm… We just started talks and well." as he spreads out the towels and sits to begin to strip off her riding gear, revealing her bikini beneath it.

Kera smiles at her friend's turn of events and nods approvingly. Making an overall head to toe gesture to her friend "You seem to be in better spirits than the last couple of times I've visited you. You're actually smiling and…" She pauses and leans to peer closer at her friend's face "And I do believe you are blushing.. There's gotta be a story behind that." Chuckling over the situation Kera slips her outer clothes off and is indeed wearing a single peice bathing suit. Starting towards the water, she bends momentarily to scoop up a handful of the dark sand.

N'talya smiles and says softly, "I am, Much happier then I was." she continues to color and says, "How about I introduce you to Echo." smiling trying to divert the conversation in another dirrection.

Kera nods agreeably as she steps into the water. "I've heard some of the older aunties mention a saying. /When one door closes, another opens./" Letting the sand drizzle between her fingers to sink down into the water. "I suppose that's fitting in this case." Peering towards the deeper water, she squints against the glare, looking for the dolphins.

N'talya smiles and says softly, "Very true." she reaches out and touches your shoulder, "you should think about that saying too." before looking out into the water, "Come on.." as she begins to move towards the waves.

Kera snorts in amusement and shrugs. "Oh I did give it some thought, and then looked around and realized that not only were there no open doors, but the cabinet doors were stuck tightly shut as well." The apprentice laughs a bit. "I guess it's just as well." When she gets deep enough she gets her hair wet and starts swimming around.

N'talya laughs and says, "There is allways a door open for you Kera, you just have to be willing to try new things, think out side your box." she swims out a short distance and smiles. A pair of the dolphins in the bay coming in to check out the swimmers.

Kera glances over her shoulder to N'talya briefly while she swims. "I already lost one friend by tryin to open a door, gonna leave the rest of closed. And I've listened to enough lectures about silly distractions to suit me for a while." She laughs, sorta, hard to laugh and swim at the same time." Reaching N'talya, her attention is caught by the fins slicing through the water. Minimur blurs overhead, chittering happily to the swimmers and dragon.

N'talya smiles as swims a short distance further out to greet the approaching dolphins, "Hello Echo." she greets her partner and gives a nod to his friend, before looking back to Kera, "I want you to meet a great friend of mine Echo…" dirrecting the dolphin to Kera.

Kera treads the water as she's introduced to N'tlya's dolphin partner. Kicking her feet a little harder, she holds her hands towards Echo as she watched her mother do countless times growing up. "Hello Echo. I'm Kera." Maintaining her position in the water would be easier if her firelizard wasn't trying to land on her head.

From the water Echo stick his head out and chitters mor at the firelizard then at Kera at first. After a few moments his eye shift to Kera and he says "Friend" in that surprising voice that the dolphins have. N'talya laughs softly as she watches the dolphin greet the healer.

Kera 's nod is a little exaggerated for the dolphin's benefit "Yes, friend." With the lines of communication open, Minimur begins his onslaught of friendly chirls and chitters to the water-bound creature. She lifts her hand to shoo the lizard off his perch to wing around on his own. Peering between rider and dolphin "Did ya have trouble getting back into the studying frame of mind?"

N'talya nods and says, "It can be hard sometimes, expecially with Ala, she wants me outside all the time, which is ok for the hands on stuff but the book learning." she smile as the dolphin chitter back at the firelizard.

Kera 's gaze flickers back and forth between the chittering lizard and dolphin. With a little chuckle, she begins swimming a few laps then turns to float a couple of minutes. "Maybe build a little lean-to give ya some shade, and drag a little table out. That way you could always be at the beach most all the time." She grins to show she's joking of coarse.

N'talya chuckles and says, "I have been know to bring my books out here at times but.' she smiles, "It will work out in the end. Looking to Kera she smiles.

Kera chuckles with a nod as her attention slips back to watch Minimur diving to dip his talons in the water before just as quickly winging up circle overhead. "I do that too. Sometimes ya just need more room to spread out the books. Not to mention the labeled charts and diagrams." Rolling, she goes back to swimming, giggling at the dolphin's antics. "So what are ya working on this sevenday?"

N'talya says, 'I have been studying storm patterns, It is very important lessons really. Our partners can let us know alot about the weather, they are very intuned.

Kera peers back to N'talya a few quick times as she continues to do looping laps. "Are you in Ista's Search and Rescue wing. At Xanadu, it's Galaxy wing. Don't know what It'as's is called." Pausing in her swimming, she treads while catching her breath. "Being a rider, with a dolphin partner, I'ld bet you could help alot of people."

N'talya shakes her head, "I didn't make the search and rescue wing yet, I am with the crafters wing, so I have taken back up my duties as an apprientice fully"

Kera nods at the info "I guess that makes sense." Canting her head a little to her friend with a grin "And Alamith doesn't care what wing ya are in as long as ya are outside with her right?"

N'talya nods and smiles "As long as I am outside and being social, she doesn't want me to be a wallflower…"

Kera chuckles. "Well, she does have a point. As much as I have my head in books, I do have a couple other things to occupy myself with." Granted, they don't involve interacting with other people, but she doesn't mention that. She half floats, half backstrokes around the water. "So…..Silna?" Smiling to her friend "Do ya get to go visit often?"

N'talya blushse brightly as Silna is brough up and says, 'Every chance I get, and she seems to find here self here at least once a seven day." he looks over to kera and says, "i never though I would have a friend like her."

Kera grins at her blushing friend, then gives an exggerated and amused eyeroll. "That's cause ya didn't beleive me when I said ya would." Still treading the water, she tips her head up in a haught manner. "When will ya learn you will save yourself some headaches if ya were to just listen to your wise friend." Kera cracks into a giggle as she drops the haughty manner.

N'talya giggles at the nature of the responce and says, "I guess you are right, but you should listen to your own advice there." she smiles and blushes, "I mean you are quiet the cutie.."

Kera 's lazy swimming slows some and she goes back to treading, just enjoying the water. "Well, if I come across an interesting guy, one that actually knows what's going on around him, then I may open another door. And don't forget, I have all sorts of rules to go by that you don't." She snorts and splashes some water towards her friend with a chuckle "But we're not talking about me anyway. We're discussing you!"

N'talya giggles and says, "Always keep those doors open, you never know who will step though them." she blushes though as you turn it back on her again.

Kera just shakes her head "He made it clear he's not interested N'talya. And since I stopped bothering to look, I've not seen him around since. So I'ld say that door is pretty much nailed shut." And that's all she has to say about the brown rider.

N'talya nods and says, "Just don't close yourself off is what I meant, you never know who will walk up to you.."

Kera nods "I don't think I've closed myself off. I still visit with friends. But I think the most interesting part of this conversation is how much you are tryin to distract me. Are ya afraid if I meet your girlfriend, I'll tell a bunch of embarassing stories about ya?" then starts swimming back to shore, chuckling.

N'talya blushs and says softly, "I am sure you could." she smiles and says softly, "I am afraid Silna might try to seduce you too." she winks.

Kera pauses in her swimming to shore and turns a bit back towards N'talya. Brow lifting a bit she just chuckles and gives a little shake of her head "Well, she can try, but as I've said, I'm not attracted to women." She gives an amused wink as her foot touches the sand and she starts out of the water "So ya won't have any competition from me if I do ever meet your girlfriend."

N'talya smiles and says, "I was just kidding you know." she smiles, "I do know a couple of guys though." she thinks to herself and nods grining just a bit.

Kera looks back to the water as she starts squeezing water from her braid. N'talya's mention of knowing guys gives her a little to comtemplate. "Hmm, well, no beastcrafters." Her nose wrinkles at an imagined odor "They smell like runners." The apprentice laughs a bit at the silly direction the conversation is turning.

N'talya thinks and says, "Well there is one Rider from over at eastern.' she thinks for a moment, "Oh I don't know…"

Kera works all the excess water from her braid that she can and moves over to plop down on one of the towels to dry off. "Well, maybe not all of them smell like runners. Some would smell like herdbeasts wouldn't they?" Shrugging it off, she squints back to the water. "Don't know what?"

N'talya giggles and says, "oh I don't know about him, I mean he is a bronze rider and a harper…"

Kera grins with a little shake of her head "Probably best not to be setting me up with riders. You are forgetting I'm an apprentice, with lots and lots of rules." A roll of her eyes over that and another shake of her head is given. "In a few turns, I'll hopefully have my journeyknot, and not so many rules."

N'talya giggles and nods, 'Oh I know, I am not saying you should run off an sleep with a guy, maybe just hang out you know.'

Kera nods after she knows her point is made and finishes drying off before slipping her clothes back on. "Well, I suppose hanging out wouldn't be so bad. Who is it you are thinking about anyway?"

N'talya smiles and says, "Well he is a man I met at easter, his name is S'ic. He is an artist. or at least that is his specility in the harpers."

Kera considers a moment then an agreeable nod dips her head a few times "Well, maybe I'll meet him sometime." Leaving it at that, she peers around to see Minimur finding a perch on a rock outcropping to sun himself.

N'talya smiles and says, "Alright, I will let him know." she grins a bit, but glancse out to the water where Echo tries to entertain Minimur doing flips int he water.

Kera grins at the dolphin's display as Minimur fans out his wings and churls encouragingly to Echo's leaps and flips. Her fingers deftly unbraid wet hair and fingers combs it a bit so it will start drying. "I think my wrinkly water-logged fingers are saying I've swam enough for the time being. "How bout we get some food."

N'talya nods and smiles, "Alright, we can hit the sands, then when you are ready we will head up to my weyr." smiling she stands and offers her hand to Kera.

Kera slips her sandals on before accepting the hand up and then grabbing up her satchels. Sending a wave towards the water. "Bye Echo." Then a little whistle calls Minimur to come along as they start towards the Sands. "Mmm, wonder what their sandwich special is today…"

N'talya nods and smiles, "Alright, we can hit the sands, then when you are ready we will head up to my weyr." smiling she stands and offers her hand to Kera.

Kera slips her sandals on before accepting the hand up and then grabbing up her satchels. Sending a wave towards the water. "Bye Echo." Then a little whistle calls Minimur to come along as they start towards the Sands. "Mmm, wonder what their sandwich special is today…"

N'talya smiles and says, "that is a good question." she smiles making her way briskly along the trail towards the weyr proper.


Ista Weyr - Sable Sands Patio
This is the patio for the Sable Sands, what would in a regular weyr be a low dragon's ledge. The stone's surface here, however, has been filled and leveled, leaving a smooth floor upon which are set a number of small, round wooden tables and chairs, all varnished to a light goldeny hue. Here and there, small candles in dark orange glass holders or fabric-covered glows provide a sort of mood lighting. The seating is arranged to take advantage of the view, looking out over the broad plateau to the beach and ocean beyond, a perfect frame for sunsets on a clear evening. Occasionally, music drifts from further inside, where additional seating and the bar itself is located. Servers wander and weave through the areas, taking orders while weyrfolk and visitors alike anjoy the tropical atmosphere and exotic foods the island has to offer. The entrance to the adjoining tunnels has been walled off, and a wide set of double doors have been built into it, leading deeper into the weyr, while a set of carved steps offer ready access to the bowl.


Kera hitches the satchel straps onto her shoulder better as N'talya leads the way towards the Sable Sands. After her friend picks a table, she drops her bags on an empty chair before sliding onto one herself. "So, do ya think your friend might come visit soon?" Her gaze slips over to the back of the other chair when Minimur settles on the satchel-weighted seat.

N'talya smiles and says, "Which friend do you mean? Silna? I hope so." she bites her lip and sighs softly.

Kera nods agreeably "Of coarse I meant Silna." breaking into a sudden grin "Hmm, are ya tryin to say ya have more than one girlfriend that ya have to be reminded which one we are talking about?"

N'talya giggles and says, "You said friend, I was thinking you might have ment my harper friend." she smiles, "Though Silna wouldn't mind if I had another friend."

Kera looks around for the waitress and waves casually her way to ger her attention when she comes into view. With an amused grin, "Oh well, silly me for not clarifying between friends and girlfriends." When the waitress arrives,s he orders a sandwich, juice and some meat for Minimur. The waitress then turns a smile to N'talya, waiting for the Istan rider to order.

N'talya smiles and makes her order and says, "I really think you would like Silna, she is a bit shocking sometimes." she smiles, "Anyways, anything exciting going on over to Xanadu, other then your new weyrleader.

Kera grins to N'talya when the waitress heads to the kitchen. "Oh? Shocking how?" Canting her head to the side "Does she have the sides of her head shaved with spikey mohawk?" She holds her hand above her head to demonstrate the height of hair. The inquiry about Xanadu causes her to shrug a bit. "Things have been mostly quiet since the change in leadership. I've heard some gossip that the Treetop Cafe is under new management."

N'talya giggles and says, "Oh now that shocking, lets just say she is a bit of a free spirit…she like to do things like go naked at the beach….you know to get a tan all over…"

Kera laughs a little as the waitress comes back with the drinks and then slips away once more. "Ah, well I'm sure you appreciate her…tan on such occassions." The apprentice chuckles a bit then takes a sip from her juice as Minimur chitters towards the occupied perch, mingling with the local lizards. "I do know a woman with that kinda haircut though. Strange huntress at Xanadu." She snaps her fingers suddenly "Oh yea. Soriana was promoted to Grade Two DragonHealer recently."

N'talya smiles brightly at that news and says, "Oh that is wonderful, could you pass on a congratulations to her for me about that?"

Kera grins with a quick nod "I'll be sure to pass that along. Or at least leave a note on her door for ya. She's hard to catch up with, without barging in on her at work at least. Which I'ld rather avoid doing."

N'talya nods and smiles, "And let here know we will have that picnic celebration when she has a chance to be free.'

Kera nods and reaches into her waist pouch for her small notepad. "I'll be sure she gets your messege." Scribbling down the reminder to herself, she's putting the pad away as the food arrives. "I can't really think of anything else that's been happening of note. Green flights causing a bit of a stir at times. Some new faces appearing. Same ole, same ole."

N'talya nods and says softly, "Oh I know what kind of chaos those can cause….Ala goes up way to often…" she blushes a bit at that…

Kera looks her plate over with a pleased smile before taking the sandwich in hand. Drifting her gaze to N'talya, she watches her friend a moment "How do you deal with that?" is asked quietly after a moment. "I mean, you probably know better now Alamith's moods and such, you know when she is gonna rise, right… So, how do you manage it? I've seen a few greenriders get just plain as drunk as they can."

N'talya says softly, "I don't like to drink that much I ussually get drinks that don't have any it it…" she shakes her head, "And Alamith doesn't even blood when she goes up….."

Kera nods at the information. "So, not all dragons do that huh..interesting." she fiddles with her sandwich a few seconds "The last time I spoke with Ka'el, he mentioned something he wanted me to think about." Minimur hops down from the back of his chair perch to dive into his bowl while Kera goes on. "He mentioned that I should consider the possility of standing for Xanadu's next clutch."

N'talya smiles and says, "If you are asked you should stand." she smiles, "I mean if you impress you will have a wonderful lifemate like me, if not you will learn something about yourself..

Kera listens to N'talya as she takes a bite or two from her plate. "I'm giving it serious thought, but I don't wanna rush into any big decision like that. Not to mention, I don't think Journeyman Cyrus would be too pleased if I did."

N'talya smiles and says, "I have met several rider, healers over the last couple of years." she smiles, "I would think they would see it as a boon, I am a healer that can get anywhere on pern in at matter of minutes.

Kera gives a little shake of her head and frowns over her sandwich. "It's not that." She sighs as she tries to figure the right words "I almost get the feeling he doesn't like…dragons for some reason. I'm not sure how to explain it. Just little things I notice in conversations…little getures I catch..type of thing."

N'talya nods and says, "there are people like that, I think they are envious, or don't think dragons have any place in the world anymore now that thread is gone.

Kera considers N'talya's wordswhile she chews, then finally gives a reluctant nod "That may be true, but dragon still serve a purpose even if it's altered from the original one." After another second she shrugs "Who's to say some other threat won't come along. Maybe several more generations from now, that only the dragons can protect us from."

N'talya nod and smiles, "That is something alot of people don't understand, we don't know what will happen tommorow."


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