A New Day and New Encounters (Shoki, Open)

[Kitty]

3077.02.15 ~ Morning ~ In the Weyrbowl

It was a beautiful morning. The sun was just creeping up to spill its light into the bowl and warm it for those enjoying time within. Typically the Weyrbowl was a hub for action and interesting happenings… But today it was rather calm and quiet. The breeze whipped through the grasses as the day began. One of the few visitors of the bowl today was one rather small Candidate. It was likely she was smallest of the brood, being only just thirteen turns and newly searched for the new hatching to take place only days from now. She was absolutely alight with excitement and nerves, her whole form quivering from time to time simply from thinking about it.

So for now she had some time between chores and had decided to go take a walk around the grounds. Her feet carried her through the bowl, in which she was hoping to be lucky enough to find a dragon and be able to see it up close… Any would do… From the great Queens to the tiny Whites… She loved them all… She also loved the Whers she had seen at the Hold, and then there were those huge birds she had heard of… What were they called? Lifewings? Oh so much life on Pern that she had yet to find and experience… But what better way to experience it than to be right out in it? And this is what brought the young Candidate outdoors today to explore this place that was to be her home for what could be a long time…

Her thoughts sailed home to her Hold where her parents still lived and worked… They had been hard pressed to let her come, but her insistence had been enough to sway them. Yet she was sure she would see them again. And then there were the animals. One canine came to mind above all and she felt a tear sting the corner of her right eye. Oh how she missed Tarou… She loved him so deeply but she knew her father would never part with him… And thus when she was searched she had to leave him behind. But her new life called, and she would answer boldly, even if she had to answer alone. She chuckled softly to herself and shook her head. She wouldn’t be alone! There were so many people here and all were potential friends in her eyes. Just had to begin somewhere…

And thus the search for friends began… Her eyes scanned the Weyrbowl for activity as she continued in her walk around it. Her eyes were allowed to lift and comb the skies as well, considering that friends could now come from the skies as well as the ground… So much to take in here, and she would take in it all. A sudden sound of footfalls caught her attention and she whirled around to see just who or what she was to encounter…

[Shoki]

Burn finished greedily scarfing down the last bit of his meal before nosing R’le again. The rider gave a wistful sigh before holding out a piece of resin he’d had for the occasion. The firelizard snapped it up, and started chewing on it, very content indeed. R’le wasn’t quite sure if it was entirely healthy for his Flame companion, but he didn’t seem to actually eat it, so it was probably okay. The man let his firelizard settle onto his shoulders, before heading out into the Bowl. His gray and blue dragon was already waiting for him.

[smear:B0C4DE]Please say you are free today.[/smear:87CEEB] Quiorith was looking lonely, and he just wanted some good time with his rider where they could just fly all day. R’le gave the dragon a pat.

“I wiggled out of work for long enough. We’ll see just how fast you can go today, how about that?” R’le grinned as Quiorith looked delighted, his eyes whirling pleasant hues. R’le was about to trot off to grab gear when he noticed a girl looking all around. “She been here long?”

[smear:B0C4DE]A little while.[/smear:87CEEB] Quiorith had been looking around while waiting for R’le. After all, there hadn’t been many dragons, and he didn’t always strike up random conversations. He talked mostly about flying anyway.

R’le considered the girl for a bit, and then put on a smile. With a wave to Quiorith that said ‘be back in a bit’ he headed over. As he came up though, she turned around with some energy. R’le looked a bit surprised before grinning.

“Are ya looking for something? Maybe I can help you find it.” She seemed to be looking all about after all. Burn poked his head out, but merely used the other person’s presence as a chance to get more curled up in his spot on the man’s shoulders.

[Kitty]

Kitalia’s eyes lit up in surprise as she saw a person approaching. She hadn’t exactly expected someone to approach her, although it certainly wasn’t unwelcome. She looked this way and that trying to make certain she was well aware of what was going on around her this time. She really was not the most observant person in the world. Then again she was still alive, so perhaps she had enough to get her through… Then again a more likely fact was that she was just lucky. But in any case, it didn’t seem like the man approaching was a threat to be concerned about. Was he? Well she didn’t really know… Not really… But so far everyone she met had been nice to her so it was likely that the Weyr people were a nice lot indeed. Well in any case, she wouldn’t pass any negative judgment on the man before her. At least not before she had gotten to know him a little.

So as he approached, she gave him her best beaming smile and she tilted her head a little as she thought about the question he had posed to her. She glanced around her wondering just what she should be looking for before shaking her head a little. “Nope… I’m not really looking for anything… Well nothing in particular. I guess if I had to say I was looking for something, it would be for dragons… Have you seen any around this morning?” She looked up to him hopefully with eyes wide with wonder and excitement. It was rather painfully obvious that she was a newly searched candidate if she was asking to see dragons while being, presumably, surrounded by them. “I was told they come through here a lot… You see I just got here a couple days ago…” She admitted quietly before looking up at him suddenly with a brilliant grin. “I’m Kitalia by the way!” She had realized she hadn’t introduced herself and was quick to remedy that mistake.

Suddenly she saw movement upon his shoulder and gasped gently. “Is that a Firelizard?” She asked, all awe in her voice. It was clear that the girl really had no experience with dragon kind in the least… Her eyes glowed with excitement, but she tried to keep herself in check. She longed to reach up and touch the little flitter, but had heard that it was bad to touch other people’s pets before she knew if they were nice or not… There had been a couple times where she had gotten nasty bites by not heeding this piece of advice. But she casted the man a bright smile trying to keep her wild whirlwind excitement at least a little under control. But it was clear by the dancing fire in her eyes that it was a losing battle. Her very body vibrated with the joy and excitement she felt after all.

[Shoki]

R’le chuckled, watching the enthusiastic girl. Ah yes, that enthusiasm. He’d gotten worried over nothing, this girl was fine. She was running at a million miles a minute, so he’d have to guess she was new indeed. He kept his grin up, before pointing behind him with his thumb.

“Mostly just mine. The guy who looks like rainclouds.” He held out his hand to the happy candidate, after she introduced herself. “I’m R’le. Nice to meetcha.” Her enthusiastic gasp had him tilt his head slightly to the Flame, who was keeping close to his master. “Sure is. This is Burn. He’ll chew on most anything, but is otherwise a nice flitter.” As if to illustrate the point, Burn chewed on his resin, moving his head about to get a better chew. Least R’le shirts remained mostly unchewed since he started to give Burn something to do all the time.

He pondered what to do at this juncture. He was supposed to be helpful and all, at least he thought so. Honestly, mostly his position seemed to be get stuck with paperwork and distinctly NOT have time to fly about. Quiorith and him didn’t like that bit. There were perks though. Still, he wasn’t sure what to do here. Oh well, even if it wasn’t his job, it was in his nature as a Harper.

“Well, I can show ya Quiorith, though he can be pretty shy sometimes.” He motioned to her to follow and he headed back to the Cloud, who watched them, but remained mostly quiet. He settled in his spot though, looking down at the tiny girl. At least he wasn’t a giant dragon. Barring his wings, that is.

[Kitty]

Kitalia couldn’t help the jitters that leapt through her tiny form. She nodded as he responded to her words about the dragons. Yet as he spoke of that dragon of his, she allowed her gaze to move in the distance to where the dragon was. She was amazed she didn’t notice him before. She grinned from ear to ear, her eyes sparkling. “Oh he is a handsome fellow…” She murmured softly, but kept her distance. No matter how much she longed to run right up to him, she knew that dragons were no exception to the keep your distance rule. A dragon could do more damage than bitten fingers afterall…

Yet she allowed her attention to be dragged back to the rider before her, those eyes glittering. “You’re a rider?” She knew this by his given honorific, and of course the fact that he had a dragon partner. “It’s so nice to meet you R’le!” She chirped joyfully, now focusing on the little firelizard on his shoulders. She couldn’t help but giggle a little as the little guy chewed on the chunk of resin. “He’s so handsome too…” But she would continue to keep her fingers back for now. She didn’t honestly want them chewed, although it wasn’t likely that her restraint would last too long. She really did love creatures of any size and kind. “It’s nice to meet you too Burn.” She spoke softly to the flitter, though didn’t move to distract him too much from his chewtoy.

Kita really didn’t need much of anything, but she did so long for company. She wasn’t used to being so surrounded by people and not knowing any of them very well. Then again since when did she need to know the people to be friendly? But this young man seemed willing to be friendly and this jolted joy and relief in the young candidate’s mind and heart. Usually she didn’t hesitate to bounce up to people, but then again he had caught her off guard and approached her before she had even seen him. Well that was cool, different, but cool. She didn’t want to be a burden, distracting him from what he needed to or wanted to do, but he didn’t seem upset about spending time with others, namely her.

At his next suggestion, Kitalia’s eyes filled with eager joy and she nodded quickly. “Oh would you? That would be wonderful!” The only other dragon she had been close to was the one that had searched her out. That had been exciting, but it had stirred a longing to meet more and more dragons, and perhaps someday have a dragon companion of her own. “I’ll try not to make him nervous…” And this much was truth. She would try to keep herself under control, even if it was highly difficult and knowing that she would likely fail. But she would try nonetheless. Kitalia didn’t need told a second time, and bounded after the rider, wiggling with excited glee.

As they approached, her eyes widened in wonder. “You are quite the handsome dragon indeed…” She gasped in awe. “I love your colors…” She murmured softly to him, tilting her head a little as she allowed her wide blue eyes to drink in every aspect of the dragon before her. Every dragon she saw stirred more of a longing within her, as well as an excitement. “May I touch your hide?” She tilted her head a little wondering how the dragons felt. She hadn’t wanted to seem like a silly weyrbrat when she was being searched so she hadn’t asked the other rider or his dragon. But she would await a positive or negative answer before making another move.

[Shoki]

Oh yes, she was definitely new. R’le sure thought Quiorith was a nice sight (and was quick to point out that there was a least one dragoness who thought the same) but he there were far more colorful dragons about. Not too surprising for a place with Rainbow in the title. He could agree about the Flame though, he certainly was a bright pop of color. Burn took his admiration a bit badly, attempting to burrow down the back of R’le’s shirt. R’le grabbed him before that could happen though. He did not need scratches all over his back again. Burn looked up at his Master, displeased.

“Say hi.” He continued to trap the flitter in his arms until between chewing, Burn gave a chirp to Kitalia. Once done he released the flitter, who crawled right back into his spot at the man’s shoulders. “Sorry ‘bout that, he’s a bit of…well he’s a Flame.” He said that like it explained everything.

Getting to Quiorith had the Cloud keeping to himself very carefully. The candidate was very excited, and he was rather overwhelmed. R’le just chuckled though. Quiorith was rather embarrassed. He wasn’t used to such complements. When she asked if she could touch him, he rather didn’t know what to do. He looked at his rider.

“She asked you, she doesn’t want to pet me.” R’le laughed and Quiorith looked back to the candidate. Finally he nodded slowly and R’le gave his partner a reassuring pat. You’d think he was a different dragon from the one who spend all day doing aerial tricks.

[Kitty]

Well… Kitalia was sure she had seen brighter colors in the skies… But up close, she had only seen a couple dragons. She had been nervous to bound up to dragons with their riders… It was much easier and safer to bound up to a person and then request to see their dragon… Or just wait until they offered. In any case, Quiorith was the first dragon that she had been allowed to get up close to since she’d been here and in her eyes, he was absolutely spectacular. She watched as the little bright colored firelizard suddenly fought to burrow down the back of R’le’s shirt. She couldn’t help but giggle a little, but kept her distance quietly as the firelizard was caught and kept from clawing up his master’s back, much to the upset of the little flit.

She grinned a little still fighting back the urge to take the little thing and hug it. Good grief, if the girl ever got her own firelizard it would have to be ok with hugs… Or else it would learn to be soon after. But she grinned and watched as the firelizard chirped his hello and she dipped her head in return greeting but said nothing more to the rather disgruntled firelizard. She cocked her head to the side as she heard his explanation of the firelizard’s behavior. She honestly didn’t understand what it was to be a ‘Flame’ but it seemed they could be a bit of a persnickety bunch. Kita likely wouldn’t draw one of the beautiful flame firelizards. But she shrugged it off. From what she had seen there were many many beautiful creatures here to see and befriend… So she wasn’t distraught by one color not liking her. “No worries, not everyone likes everyone else afterall.” She grinned good naturedly, but down deep planned on trying to worm her way into the little firelizard’s heart. She wouldn’t say so, but having even one creature dislike her bothered her more than she would reveal.

She watched the dragon, absolutely alight with her own joy at simply being in his presence. She didn’t understand the effect her words had upon the poor dragon. She just found him to be very handsome and loved his coloring. But his obvious shy nature made Kita pause. She didn’t want to make anyone uncomfortable afterall. But as the dragon looked to his rider at her question, she took a half step back. It wasn’t fear or uncertainty on her face, but only a desire to give the poor dragon some space to make up his mind about her. Even though every fiber in her body longed to run right up and give the dragon a big hug. She had been surprising herself with her tact and ability to keep herself in check the last couple days… Then again as she got more comfortable, that would likely dissolve and be gone with the breeze.

At R’le’s words, she couldn’t help the burst of giggle that leapt from her, melodically filling the air around them before drifting off as she drew a breath and just grinned. It seemed the mental picture of her petting R’le was just too much for her carefully formed composure. Yea, her true playful nature seemed to come out at every turn. She watched the interaction between dragon and rider, and at the acceptance of the dragon, Kita moved in, perhaps a bit too fast, to place her hand gently upon his side, stroking gently along his hide. “He’s so smooth…” She murmured softly to herself in amazement. She wasn’t sure what she expected, but this texture wasn’t it. She continued to stroke his side until he decided that either she was done, or he wanted stroked elsewhere. She ran her hand gently over places where blue turned to gray and melded so beautifully like a stormy sky might. Oh yes, she loved his coloring and crooned softly to him in an attempt to calm him and improve his disposition toward her. Kitalia was no stranger to dealing with creatures, even if a dragon was a different being altogether. But she found the calming in her voice could help with many situations and hoped that it would help here. She suddenly paused and looked to R’le suddenly a bit concerned. “I’m not disturbing you guys am I? I mean you weren’t off to do something before we met were you? I don’t want to interrupt…” She bit her lip a little in uncertainty as she suddenly felt as if she might be being a burden on her new friend. No matter how much fun she was having, she didn’t want that.

[Shoki]

Quiorith watched the small candidate pet him, but mostly because he didn’t want to make any sudden movements, or knock her over. His tail was quite still because of that, and he kept his wings folded. R’le merely watched, keeping a good natured grin on his face. He was used to doing most of the talking for the Cloud.

“I was gonna get his gear, we always go flying when we have time. Not like an extra couple of minutes will hurt anything, so it’s not a problem. I get so swamped with paperwork and with Retny and Yinaire that it gets kinda tough to get good time. Still, D’gan’s a good guy so I managed to get the day. Even so, I always have time for meeting new people. They can be the best sort, the ones you don’t plan.” He meant it, he knew from experience.

“I bet you’ll be more busy then me today. Always thought chores were the worst bit of being a candidate.” He mock shuddered before going back to his easy grin. “Weyrling is kinda a drag too, but learning to fly makes it worthwhile. At least in my book.” It was different though, he’d never been the really young candidate. He’d walked the tables before getting picked up and impressing Quiorith. T’kar was in the opposite boat, but they were all dragonriders in the end. Interesting how life worked.

[Kitty]

Kitalia couldn’t keep that goofy grin from her face as she gently ran her hand over his smooth hide. She watched him for signs of discomfort. But she didn't detect too much. But soon enough she would stop, not pushing her luck with the poor dragon. One wasn't certain just how much he would take. She had experience with other critters... Although she wasn't certain if dragons were the same. Then again she didn't really want to take the chance that they were. So she would finally withdraw a bit. "Thank you Quiorith..." she murmured softly to him before sending a brilliant smile to R'le. One thing she had already learned was that dragons were incredibly intelligent and certainly not to be treated as beasts.

She listened to R'le giving a soft sigh of relief. She wasn't bugging them too badly after all. Yet when R'le spoke of their intention for the day, her eyes lit up. "Can I watch? Please?" Surely the candidate master wouldn't be too cross... she was ah... studying. Yea that was it. Well she gave a small smile as he spoke of meeting new people being awesome too. "That is so true..." She nodded enthusiastically.

A soft giggle erupted as he spoke of the horrors of chores and she shook her head a little. "I find them kind of fun... There are so many things you can do..." She tilted her head a little. She didn't know exactly how she'd like Weyrlinghood but at that time she would have her own dragon partner. Her eyes shone brightly as she heard him speak of learning to fly. She grinned brightly to him and quivered with excitement. "I can't wait..." She confided quietly, her voice quivering a little. "I hope my dragon is in this clutch..." She spoke with no less intensity but still quietly. But she smiled warmly to him. "But I bet everyone says that..." She dipped her head a little. "I don't want to find mine before someone who has been there longer than me... I heard some people stand for years..." The young candidate sounded a little bothered by this and that emotion stayed in place longer than she would like and finally a shaky little smile drifted to her features.

[Shoki]

Quiorith nodded, a sort of ‘You’re Welcome’ without talking. The Cloud kept his head down as R’le gave him an affectionate pet. The pair got along well, even if R’le was leagues more comfortable with talking. At least on any subject besides flying. Talk about racing and suddenly Quiorith turned chatterbox.

R’le considered his question, going through the logistics of the candidate watching. “Sure, that’s fine. Quiorith and I don’t fly over the Bowl though, too many dragons going in and out. The beach would work though. We haven’t done that in a while and there is usually a breeze going. How’s that sound?” He looked at Quiorith, who was immediately enthusiastic.

[smear:B0C4DE]Let’s go![/smear:87CEEB] Quiorith nosed his rider, upsetting the man’s hair. R’le laughed and smoothed it out.

“He’s all for it.”R’le chuckled. He was always ready to fly.

R’le was someone impressed that she seemed to be all for chores. Then again, she was new. Maybe it was just the excitement of the Weyr. He never liked ‘em, and as far as he had been able to tell, he wasn’t in the minority. Still, not everyone was like him. He listened to her talk but once she started talking about impressing he looked thoughtful.

“I wouldn’t think of it that way. I mean, you don’t steal dragons from people who don’t have them. They just want what they want, and don’t care how long you have been around. I’ve seen my fair share of stand impressions, or folk that have been around for turns just get a dragon. Because it’s not like when we search we know what exactly the eggs are going to be looking for. We don’t even know what they are going to be, after all. What a Cloud wants and what a… say a Crimson wants could be very different. Sometimes people just have to wait a long time since sometimes the dragon that wants them is very unique. It is not so much about taking them, they sorta steal you.” R’le grinned wide. “I was a harper before I got searched. I can’t say I ever regretted coming here, but I sure can’t go back and be a harper at a hold now.” He gave Quiorith a pat. “But I’ve been luckier them most. A good dragon, a great group of friends, a woman that loves me and a cute daughter. Even if I am not a big fan of all the paperwork I have to do.” He mock shuddered again. It was hard to keep a grin off his face for long though.

“So think of it that way. All you have to do is show up and be yourself. Everything else will work out from there.”

[Kitty]

Kitalia smiled warmly to the Cloud dragon. She didn't mind him not wanting to talk with her. She had heard that dragons don't always talk to other people and this one was shy. That was all. But she turned to face R'le. She certainly felt that she could get along with him easier than his dragon. But that was alright. She adored the Cloud anyway.

Well she waited with bated breath for his response. She wasn't certain why he wouldn't want her to watch or at least would mind. But it didn't seem like he minded too much. She understood why he wouldn't want to fly over the bowl... She had seen just how crazy it could get and it could be dangerous. But when he suggested the beach she nodded rapidly. "Oh yes! And I'll bring T-" She fell silent and shook her head saddening a little as she briefly forgot that her beloved canine friend wasn't with her afterall. "I'll meet you there." She nodded eagerly. She giggled at the dragons antics in response to flying.

Pausing to think about impressing and nodding thoughtfully for a moment. That whole idea of the dragon stealing them made her grin. "Is it true that every egg is destined for a certain person? What if that person isn't at that hatching? What if the person dies?" She frowned thoughtfully but then shook her head roughly realizing that she could ask questions all day long. "Sorry... I'll see you at the beach!" And with that she took off toward the barracks to get her jacket without another word. Crazy spazztic child.

[Shoki]

R’le noted the quick deflation, but she jumped right back into her previous mood. Everyone had friends, leaving them behind was hard. With any luck she’d visit them again. Whoever they were. She started think a mile a minute about dragon though. But before anything else could be said she dashed off to the beach so she could watch them. R’le chuckled. That one was going to be fun. He hoped she got a dragon that could handle that energy.

“Well, we better give a good show, yeah?” The man grinned wide to his dragon, whose eyes were already whirling with excitement.

[smear:B0C4DE]I’ve been saving some fun ones for today![/smear:87CEEB] Quiorith stretched out his wings. [smear:B0C4DE]Hope you are ready to hang on.[/smear:87CEEB]

“Always.” R’le dashed off to get the gear, and Quiorith began stretching. The only one who looked perturbed was Burn, who desperately wanted to burrow down into R’le shirt again. Some things never changed.

[Kitty]

(Yay! Okie do we want to make a thread at the beach?)