Hours Before the Hatching

[Nicole]

Rumor had it that the Hatching would begin today.

Elora curled up in the corner of the dining hall, trying to focus on the text in front of her and failing. It was about other Holds and other Halls and just general information.

With the thought of the Eggs warm on the sand looming over her, it was getting harder and harder to focus.

Will the Hatching start today? Will it end up being tomorrow? Will N'kio be there?

Damn it.

She wished she had managed to keep the scruffy sailor out of her head since he had left, but every day she had woken up and braced herself with the thought of seeing him only to not see him. She went to bed every night disappointed in that, and disappointed in herself for being disappointed that he wasn't there. She didn't need him, right?

But he had been nice to talk too -- the only person she had actually talked to outside of mandatory conversation in Candidate lessons and chores and dinners, the only one that had made an effort. And just because she had decided not to sell her body anymore didn't mean she had to boycott all men (and all relationships), right?

But that didn't matter; she appeared to be nothing more than just a flash on N'kio's radar. And that's all he would be to her, then.

He could just be busy, the tiny voice in the back of her head whispered.

That was probable. Elora had been busy, too, studying and chores and avoiding chores and trying to figure out exactly what she was now that she wasn't labeled by her profession. That had started working, at least. She knew she liked learning and liked reading, at least enough to do it publicly. And she knew she still enjoyed her body.

But as for everything else...

She sighed, touching the pages of the books with the tips of her fingers and refocusing her thoughts. Thoughts of red beards and white robes could wait until one or the other needed to be dealt with.

Melisong Hold is home to...

[Moo]

On near-silent wings, Metanath drifted down to the Weyr Bowl, taking care not to disturb what dragons were still asleep. You'll find me on the Heights when you've finished, he sighed soft, his eyes swirling aquamarine. I was told we would be sent for if we are needed, so do not hurry this morning.

Dismounting quietly, N'kio retrieved a handful of sealed letters from the saddlebag, his hair ruffled from the flight and his clothes smelling like the salt air. "Wait a minute, are you saying you want to miss work?" Eyes narrowed, he peered up at the Black dragon. "How...unlike you. What are you planing, Metanath?"

He snorted his affront. I am not planing anything, N'kio.

"Really?" He stroked his beard for emphasis.

Metanath touched his brow to his Rider's. Really, really.

N'kio chuckled. "Alright, your secrets are your own. For now. I'm off. Mind the sun, won't you?"

As always, dear.

"Oh, someone's in a fine mood today," he quipped, before Metanath stretched out his wings and took once more to the skies. With a roll of his eyes, N'kio walked over to the dining hall. It was still early in the morning, but that did not deter him -- someone had to be eating or sleeping or doing something in there. A dining hall was never empty.

Passing by a tall, dark haired, and in a hurry...Kingrider, by the looks of the knots on his shoulder, N'kio slipped into the hall and surveyed the scene before him. A Weyrwoman had to eat sometime, didn't she? The turnout this morning was not bad for so early a time as this -- not nearly as busy as Cliffside would be, though he could hardly fault the Weyr. It wasn't as if they could compete anyway. He began to make his way toward the kitchens when a solitary figure in the corner caught his eye. Slowing, he turned his head just enough to glance -- and stopped dead in his tracks when he realized just who it was.

With a sly smile, he backtracked his steps and casually (as well as quietly) walked over to her side, not wanting to disturb her from her study. What would a person be reading so early in the morning anyway? Stifling a yawn, N'kio took a seat next to her, placing the stack of letters before him. He leaned over to see what she was examining, body pressing against hers as he focused on the text.

"Hmm...probably not my first choice of book. Ever been to Melisong before, Elora?" whispered N'kio.

[Nicole]

Elora had tuned out the rest of the dining hall rather successfully. N'kio's voice and sudden pressure against her made instinct react first, and she slammed the book shut before lifting him up and thwacking him on the head with it.

"Do sailors even know how to be polite?"

She glared at him, half in seriousness and half in jest -- out of all the days for him to show up, he had to pick today? As people talked about the Hatching happening within the next few days? She was flustered enough already.

Damn him.

"And for the record, no, I haven't been to Melisong. I don't travel." She pulled herself away from him, placing the book on her lap as she watched him. "What are you doing here?"

[Moo]

"Hey now, easy!" he yelped, still smiling. "Was it because I didn't say 'good morning' first?" Once she had calmed down, he shifted in his seat, glancing at the book in her lap every so often. "Everyone's so cheery this morning. Must be something in the water."

"And manners! Who just got hit with a book?!" N'kio shook his head. "Exactly my point. Why am I here, you ask? Oh, no reason in particular," he started, as if it were a monologue he had rehearsed, and he reached for the envelopes he had brought. "Just delivering some love letters. The usual."

He could have sworn he heard Metanath groan.

"Glad to see you're doing well, though. Candidacy suits you, I think. All this reading and new information to learn." He nodded to himself and looked around at the dining hall, practically abuzz with people coming and going. " So, what are you up to today? Any plans to avoid someone? You know, just...casually interested."

[Nicole]

Elora stared at him like he was crazy.

Partially because of the love letter comment and partially because he really didn't know.

"How out of the loop are you? You seriously don't know why everybody is so chipper?"

She raised a brow before a smile flashed onto her face.

"Ooooo. But I bet Metanath knows." Scooping up the book into her arms, she stood up and moved slightly farther away from him. "And the only person I'm avoiding right now is you. I have enough on my plate without you curling up next to me, thank you." The tone of her voice was more teasing than serious, even if Elora kind of meant what she said.

Part of her was glad for the distraction.

Part of her was just glad he was actually talking to her.

Part of her wanted to strangle the part that was glad he was talking to her.

[Moo]

"Probably pretty out of the loop," N'kio wagered. "I've been busy! Longer working hours with that new Thoroughfare, which, by the way, means less sleep and less time for...gossip. So no, can't say anything rings a bell at this particular moment."

Curious, he watched her as she stood up and moved further away. "I wouldn't know," he started, grabbing his letters and following her further down the way. "He wouldn't tell me a thing. Says he's not planning anything, which I think is completely a lie."

N'kio took his seat and turned to face her, lightly tapping the letters on his thigh. "You could tell me, though. You seem like someone who has the answers. Or am I wrong?"

[Nicole]

"I always have the answers, N'kio."

Except for when it comes to my own life.

He had followed her. Like a puppy.

How odd.

"And if Metanath won't tell you then why should I? Maybe he doesn't want you to know, hmmm?" Teasing was good. Teasing was familiar territory. It didn't mean anything. And it could keep her mind off of the upcoming Hatch-nothing. Nothing was coming up.

She flopped the book back open on her lap, flipping through until she got back to Melisong Hold. "Were you going to tell me about Melisong, or shall I read it myself?"

[Moo]

"Yeah, but he's not as nice as you," N'kio murmured. "You would tell me. Would you? Come on, I'll never get it out of Metanath, and he seemed as enthusiastic as you!" Even if she was teasing, he still wanted to know what apparently everyone and their dragon knew. Shards, even his dragon knew and he wasn't saying!

"You should tell me anyway, because...secrets are no fun if only you know about it."

N'kio half-contemplated grabbing a mug of klah when he saw Elora return to her book. He eyed her with caution. "If I answer incorrectly, will I be hit again? It's not exactly high on my to-do list for today."

Even so, he peered over at the text. "Aye, I could tell you about Melisong. Said to have fair weather around this time, what with the Ridge behind it and all. But go on, keep reading. I'm not even here. Or, better yet," he suggested, and tapped her on the shoulder with the letters, "Read it out loud to me."

[Nicole]

Elora had been looking at him like he was crazy, but now she was starting to believe he was.

"I - what? No." She raised an eyebrow at him, shaking her head. Her hair, currently down and lightly curling at the ends, bounced along with every motion. "You're perfectly capable of reading yourself, thank you very much."

Seriously, how are you oblivious to a Hatching? An Aurora's, at that? You can't be that out of the loop...

Eggs, now she was thinking about it again. Any worry she had over her -- whatever this was -- with N'kio was currently being overshadowed with nerves about that, but hell if she would let it show. If there was one thing Elora was good at doing, it was -- well, if there was another thing Elora was good at doing, it was hiding what she was feeling.

Back to focusing on N'kio. Teasing was good, right? And then he wouldn't ask about the thing that Elora wasn't worried about, nope, not at all. (And it would help with why Metanath wasn't telling him, which just seemed to annoy him, which was good. Annoying him was also good.)

"Or are sailors naught taught to read?"

[Moo]

“We’re taught a great many things, reading among them,” N’kio smiled, ignoring the crazy looks she was giving him. At least she was looking at him – or so the idea went. As long as that was kept up, things were going well. “And of course, I could read it if I wanted to,” he continued to scan over the book, “But as I’ve already been there, reading about it seems rather…boring. Important to learn, but boring.”

He shrugged and scratched at his beard. “Words can’t really compare to seeing it in person, which is why you should travel someday.” His eyes followed her long, curling hair up to her face, his smile turning less defiant and more genuine. “Anyway, hearing someone read it aloud would make learning much more interesting.”

“And since you need to learn about it, you should be the one to read it.” He lifted his eyes up to her own. “I think that sounds like a fantastic idea.”

Stifling another yawn, N’kio placed his letters down beside him. “You know, since you and Metanath won’t tell me this big secret.” Whatever it was, he was getting nowhere by asking about it, so perhaps if he kept her talking, she might tell him. Eventually.

“So how are they, your Candidate lessons? Do you like them?” At the thought, he grinned. "Or are you like I was, and skipped a couple already?"

[Nicole]

Elora lifted the book. "As you can see, I prefer self-educating. It's not that I don't like the lessons; they're just... dull, sometimes."

She shrugged, putting the book back down. "And as for traveling, I can't exactly do that unless I'm a Rider. Won't have the ability. And even then, I'll be trapped with whatever responsibility I'm so given at the Weyr. So not much opportunity for me to travel, sailor-boy. It'll just be me and the Weyr."

And if I ever visit you.

She was careful not to say that last thought out loud.

"And I actually dislike when people read out loud. It ruins the flow of the words for people who don't actually know how to read things aloud."

Elora shrugged. N'kio's yawn, however, had not passed her by. "So why are you here this early in the morning? You seem awfully tired."

[Moo]

N'kio followed Elora's hands as she lifted the book for emphasis, and nodded every so often as he listened to her explanation. "Dull is a very diplomatic word for some of those lessons...and you don't like reading aloud? Really? What a shame. Sounds like you need a proper storyteller to set this right. Fortunately for you," he said with a stretch, "I happen to be great at storytelling, if you want to know. And if I'm 'sailor-boy', shouldn't you have a name as well? 'Candidate-girl' just doesn't have the same ring to it." He settled himself in the chair and flipped the tied stack of envelopes in his fingers.

"Oh, yes, about that. I'm so sorry for appearing so..." He said, stifling another yawn, "So tired. I had a very busy night and little sleep going into it I know, not my best form, but give me some time to wake up and I'm sure I'll understand why you keep looking at me like I'm crazy," he smiled. "It wasn't even a remotely exciting night, either -- just an incredibly long workday. But to answer your question, I'm here this morning as a courier." N'kio lifted the bundle of envelopes to chest-height. "Love letters, remember?"

He set them down next to Elora's book, his hand brushing against hers for a brief moment, but continued talking as if nothing had happened. "They're actually payments and records from Cliffside for the Weyr, but it sounds much more interesting as love letters. Don't you think? Anyway, now that new traders have come into the Hold via the Thoroughfare, business has been doing very well. These are just updates on the overall progress. They aren't really necessary so soon...but I am the one with the dragon, and Metanath likes you, so these visits never feel like a chore."

"Speaking of," N'kio started, glancing over his shoulder at the hall, "Seeing how our past efforts of locating people turned out to be, more or less, a success...I hate to be a bother," he turned around and smiled at Elora, glad for a legitimate excuse to look at her. "Where would I find your Weyrwoman at this time of day, if you had to guess? I should be getting these records to her shortly, but with the way everyone seems this morning, I wouldn't know where to look first. Perhaps..." He paused in thought, brow wrinkling. "You know, I passed a Kingrider on my way inside. Tall, dark-haired man with a few more Turns than me, and some, ahh..."

He grasped for the right word, motioning to his face and circling around his eyes with a pointed finger. "Oh, right, some kind of threadscore or burn near his eyes. Know him? Well, regardless, even he seemed as jumpy as everyone else. Makes me wonder how easily I could find the Weyrwoman. I mean, it's not a Gather day, right? Seems too soon, in my opinion."

N'kio scratched thoughtfully at his beard. "Is the Weyr expecting someone? Or is it just a busy day? You know...if you tell me, I'll do anything you ask. Even if it's embarrassing," he grinned.

[Nicole]

N'kio wasn't going to read to her. That would be... odd.

"You're right. Candidate-girl doesn't have a ring to it at all. And I much prefer the idea of love letters to boring documents." She assumed most people would. At least love letters were interesting. They were either well written or something you could mock.

Elora thought she might fell under the mocking type, but that might have been her lack of romantic heart.

I'll do anything you ask.

It was from years of being unashamed about her sexuality that kept Elora from blushing at the direction her thoughts immediately drifted to. She doubted that N'kio would consider that train of thought embarrassing. If she was right, he'd be right on track with that train of thought.

"If you must know -- and I suppose you should, considering you're not going to be able to hunt the Weyrwoman down -- the Hatching for the few Eggs on the Sands are supposed to occur today. Everybody's just waiting to move for when it starts."

Including me. She didn't say it out loud. She wouldn't appear nervous. Not now.

"I suppose you could track the Weyrwoman down at the Stands if you really needed to, or you could just slide it under her door or something if it's not that important. Are you allowed to do that?" It seemed like it wouldn't matter much -- it wasn't like this was information that was hard to grab -- but Elora wasn't sure if that would be considered proper Weyr etiquette.

It was much easier to consider proper Weyr etiquette than proper Weyr hatchings.

[Moo]

“Yes, I-I’m sure it wouldn’t be a problem,” he replied, distracted by the news, “but you said there’s to be a Hatching? Here? Today?”

Despite his lack of sleep, N’kio brightened considerably. “Must have missed the news of the Flight, but that certainly explains the mood this morning. Still not sure about Metanath’s intentions,” he wondered, then shrugged his shoulders. It would be useless trying to get the information out of that dragon now.

“Well, this should be exciting!” he smiled. “If I’m not called back too soon, would you mind if I stay and watch?” What he really meant was, ‘stay and watch you on the Sands’, but he figured that little detail was on a need-to-know basis, and more than likely already implied. Besides, if she was attending this Hatching, it was likely she wouldn’t even notice him in the stands. Metanath, maybe. He was a big dragon.

“Are you nervous, Elora?” It was a question asked out of habit, and one he already knew the answer to, yet he couldn’t resist bringing it up. “I don’t think I would worry. A smart girl like you, I can’t imagine you would have any trouble Impressing one of the dragons,” justified N’kio. “And Metanath adores you, which is a feat in and of itself. He’s usually much slower on warming up to new people, if he does at all.”

His eyes lit up as he then thought about the possible Impressions, as well as the Hatching in general. What sort of color could he see her Impressing? Now there was something they could talk about – at least, something other than directions. Whether she was up for talking, or was too nervous to concentrate, was another thing entirely. He continued talking as if it were just another day.

“You said a few Eggs were on the Sands. Who won the Flight?” A few eggs were better than none, though a small Clutch meant less of a chance for Impression. Not like he was worried or anything.

“Any particular color you’re hoping for? Or just hoping for an Impression?”

[Nicole]

The more N'kio talked, the more her nerves grew.

And it wasn't that he could see it; Elora was good at hiding her emotions. It was second nature to her. So her hands didn't shake and her eyes didn't flicker around. She didn't play with a strand of her hair or pull her legs up to her chest. She didn't dive back into the book.

But her chest constricted and her stomach clenched and if Metanath had even brushed against her mind, he'd sense the giant knot of nerves running through her.

Perhaps that's why he didn't say anything. I should thank him next time we talk.

"I'm not hoping for anything. The odds are slim to none." Elora shrugged, stroking the spine of the book absentmindedly. "Are you really that out of touch with what's going on at the Weyr?"

Even in the Holds, Elora had always obsessively known.

But then, she had always daydreamed of being here.