A Meal Between Riders

[lyonza]

Garrett smiled. “We always look out for each other, regardless. But you’re right. At this time of the Interval it really is important that we do that. Holders are not all convinced that Thread will return and they won’t be completely convinced until the silver menace fall from the skies. I think it’s a recurring theme in our world’s history,” he added with a wry grimace.

Garrett snorted. “Unrequited infatuation has conspired to keep my bed virtuously empty except during Iroth’s flights so you, my friend, have had a more active love life than I,” he said primly before breaking up in a snorting giggle of sorts. “But seriously. I’ve wanted what I couldn’t have for so long and I’ve been coming to a realization in the last turn or so. I’m a slow learner when it comes to things like that,” he smiled, “but I get there in the end.”

He wasn’t sure who he would end up with, but he did feel a strong attraction to one or two of the newer arrivals at the weyr. One thing he had come to realize. Iroth liked the black dragons.

Garrett laughed. “Oh, they know exactly what’s going on, just letting us have our fun.” Iroth had made an amused sound in his head while they were talking. “I know what you mean,” he said. “Iroth is only six Turns, but I sometimes feel she’s six hundred.”

[Sh'mal]

Sh'mal returned the smile. "I don't blame them. I mean, if I hadn't learned all about the stuff during my training as a dragonrider, I probably wouldn't believe it either. As it is, the only thing anyone still alive has seen fall from the skies is rain. And the occasional clueless wherry," he added, laughing.

"I'm sure you'll find someone to share a weyr with soon enough. You've got a lot going for you: good looks, a sense of humor, not to mention your position as a Greyrider." Sh'mal gave Garret a wry grin. "Shards, I'd accept if Ligeth wasn't so partial to greens." Strangely, Sh'mal felt at ease with the man. Usually, he wouldn't dare make such a comment, especially to someone he'd only met recently. Part of being such a united Weyr, I guess, he thought to himself. He continued lightly, "I'd bet marks that Ligeth's outside chatting some up as we speak."
So what if I am? You need companionship. Friends are good, but a mate...ah, mates are better.[/color] Sh'mal recieved a vivid image of himself twined around a green-skinned, faceless man. He could feel his cheeks begin to redden, and laughed to cover it. Hate to tell you this, but I prefer my mates in more of a tan shade.

Out loud, both in response to Garret's words and Ligeth's "commentary", Sh'mal replied, "And other times they seem like adolescants." He didn't specify which kind.

[lyonza]

Garrett nodded. “And we won’t know everything until the Pass starts and we learn more than we wish to.” He thought for a moment. “But let’s change the subject a bit, I feel this one is getting a bit too morbid for my tastes.”

He smiled as Sh’mal spoke, and then pulled a face at the mention of his rank. “To be honest, I would be just as happy to have been a greenrider,” he said. “Not that I would want any other dragon than Iroth,” he added, “but with rank and privilege comes responsibility and worry.” He grinned. “Sh’mal, you almost tempt me,” he said. “At least you’re honest about it, unlike some other tunnelsnakes around,” he muttered. “But right now, I’m still getting used to my revelation that had dawned fully on me at the Feast, or I would have kicked your feet from under you,” he said with a grin.

He chuckled as Sh’mal spoke of his dragon. “Well, he is quite handsome and I’m sure the greens are all fawning over him. It should increase your chances with the riders too?” he asked. The chuckle turned to a laugh as the bluerider flushed. “Are you blushing?”

In light of the subject matter they were discussing he understood perfectly. “Hormonal teenagers that just discovered that girls and boys are more than just someone to play with, but they now are potential playmates?” he asked, deliberately putting a double meaning to his wording.

[Sh'mal]

Sh'mal nodded in agreement. Now was no time for sorrow, what with new Weyrlings and a mating flight in the near future.

With a nod, Sh'mal replied, "I suppose you're right. I'm thankful that I got a blue myself, not that I would have minded if Ligeth was the biggest bronze there was. But I don't think I'd make a good Weyrleader at all, so I'm glad I don't have to worry about becoming one." The bluerider smiled at Garret's comment. "Why, thank you. I most certainly wouldn't have refused." His tone had taken on a teasing note. And it was true. He wouldn't have minded at all. Still wouldn't; he lacked enough for that type of intimacy. Most of the greenriders here already had partners selected, and those who hadn't were, unfortunately, mostly women. Sh'mal wasn't opposed to females, but he would much rather have a strong pair of masculine arms around him than slender feminine ones.

Sh'mal hastily tried to explain himself. "Ah, Ligeth just sent me an...interesting image. It seems he thinks I prefer my lovers as green-skinned as he does, and in much the same manner." As his face cooled, he responded to Garret's earlier question, "I certainly hope so. It would be good to have a relationship that lasts longer than a flight."

The bluerider laughed, catching the layers of meaning beneath Garret's words. "Yes, something to that effect. Ligeth certainly fits the shell often enough."

[lyonza]

Garrett smiled. “It’s usually the ones that don’t want the job that make the best Weyrleaders in my opinion. And the Records from the other Weyrs support that theory from what I can tell.” He leaned back a bit and studied the bluerider moment. “I think you’d make a good Weyrleader if you had the chance. You worry about the right things,” he said.

He laughed. “You’re going to make me blush and then there will be rumors all over the Weyr,” he said teasingly. “But thank you, you’ve boosted my self-esteem to no end,” he continued. “Another time I would have taken you up on the offer, but now is not that time,” Garrett said a little regretfully. “I hope you don’t think ill of me for saying it, but I really need to sort out a few things in my head before I take any form of action.”

Garrett chortled. “Oh, I totally understand.” He could imagine it. “I understand what you’re saying about the relationship lasting longer than the flight. Until now its been the case for me.” He looked at the bluerider. “Sadly a lot of my friendships are not much in the way of friends but more like acquaintances. I’m friendly with a lot of people, but have few good friends. Does that make sense?” he asked. He was hoping that Sh’mal would be a good friend, if nothing else happened between them.

[Sh'mal]

"Really?" Sh'mal asked incredulously. "That'd be a laugh. But thank you," he amended himself. "I guess if nothing else it means I might make a good Weyrlingmaster someday. After all, that's the only real position a bluerider like me could hope to hold." He grinned widely. "That could be a great deal of fun. I remember the Weyrlingmaster at High Reaches used to have us haul firestone in the depths of winter just to build up our endurance."

The bluerider sighed lightly. "Well, there goes that plan. I get your point, though," he continued, "about sorting things out. When I first came here, I wouldn't have taken anyone's offer, no matter who the asker. Too many memories." Sh'mal let his eyes almost close while he brought them to mind. He stayed silent a little while, remembering, before speaking again. "Now I've got enough memories here to put the old ones aside."

Sh'mal nodded. "Yeah, same goes for me. Besides a few good friends back at High Reaches," some more than friends, "I don't have that many true friends. I could use another few," he said, hoping Garret would take the bait. Even if it didn't turn into anything, he truely needed some friends.

[lyonza]

Garrett grinned. “I’d say so, but then again I think most people who don’t what to be Weyrleader would make a good one.” He nodded. “Weyrlingmaster is a good position to aspire to – those kids need the leadership and encouragement. I would be a terrible weyrlingmaster, I don’t think I have the patience.” He grinned. “I can’t say that Nyx would do that, but then again, I can’t guarantee that she won’t. But High Reaches is practically snowed in at that time, so I supposed it is punishment indeed.”

Garrett smiled with light regret. “It was a good plan,” he said, “and thank you for understanding. Some guys wouldn’t be so… gracious about it in past experience.” He reached over and patted Sh’mal’s arm. “Good memories work at getting rid of the bad ones.”

He nodded. “I can sympathize, and I could use some too.” He grinned. “I guess we have the same goals. Want another friend?” he asked.

[Sh'mal]

"Patience would be a good trait for a Weyrlingmaster to have," Sh'mal agreed, "but some Weyrlings need a more...blunt approach." He grinned at Garret's accurate picture of a High Reaches winter. "And cold as between. I enjoy the temperatures here at Western much better." He shrugged out of his riding jacket as he spoke, proving his point. His arms stood bare against the warmth of the air. Even in the caverns, it always felt warm to Sh'mal. He supposed Turns of being insulated by snow might have something to do with it.

Sh'mal was startled out of his momories at the Greyrider's touch on his arm. He turned to look at the other man, wondering at the casual nature of the movement. He didn't know if it was just at his old Weyr, but even around dragonriders, he wasn't used to such plutonic intimacy. He barely registered Garret's words. "I...thank you. You're right. I hope." He turned his eyes away, not wanting to say anything that might pressure him into something neither was prepared for.

He allowed himself a smile. "Sure, I'd love to be your friend." His grin widened. "I guess today wasn't a complete failure. I got a new friend, a good meal," He scrunched up his face. "And if Ligeth has anything to say about it, I might have a visitor by the end of the day."

[lyonza]

Garrett laughed. “Like a shovel to the head sometimes,” he agreed. “I remember we were definitely not the most well-behaved bunch ever. But I think that’s true for almost every weyrling class there is.” He nodded. “I’m used to the winters by now, but being from Keroon originally this is plenty cold for me, thank you very much. I can’t imagine living that far North.” He shivered for effect. “Much too cold.”

He just nodded. “Well,” he said as he raised his mug of klah, “here’s to good memories and making more of them.” He took a sip and pushed his empty plate to one side. “I guess I can’t linger for too much longer, I have some things to take care of before the day is over, but I have no desire get started on that. Any excuse to put off the inevitable.”

Garrett beamed. “Now if only it was that easy to make friends in general,” he said, knowing that most of the time it is, but some friendships are doomed to never be formed. Akri was a glowing example of that. “A good thing or bad?” he asked.

[Sh'mal]

Sh'mal laughed heartily. "There's no winter quite like a High Reaches winter. I'm afraid that if I went someplace much warmer, I'd melt!" A sigh escaped his lips. "Although, I wouldn't mind melting every now and then, if what I hear about the Southern Continent is true." He smiled slightly at Garret's shiver. "You'll get used to it sooner or later. As I'll get used to the heat."

Sh'mal raised his mug as well. "To the future!" He drained the last remnants of klah, setting the empty cup down on top of his equally clean plate. "I certainly wouldn't want to keep you from whatever exciting duties you have planned," he answered, his voice ripe with sarcasm. His smile returned. "Glad I could prove a suitable distraction. And I'd be pleased to do so in the future, if ever needed." He found himself hoping that it would.

The bluerider nodded in assent. He knew the troubles of making friends, though, if he had a choice, Western would be the place to find new friendships. Everyone was new here; there hadn't been enough time to form tight, exclusive groups and people were open to new faces. A grin rose on his face. "I'm hoping good, though with Ligeth doing the choosing..."

[lyonza]

Garrett laughed some more. “I’m quite happy here – it’s cold enough for my tastes.” He smiled. “I have a spot near the tip of Southern Boll that I go to when I want to escape and just soak up the sun every now and again. Iroth can give Ligeth the visualization if you want to go sometime. It’s really beautiful there. A cove deep enough for dragons to swim, perfect beach and the forest comes up to the edge of the beach.” He shook his head. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the cold.”

He drained his mug as well. “Oh, it is sooo exciting, but I’ll prevail and persevere,” he said with a small put-upon sigh. “The work of a weyrwoman is never done,” he added for effect. “I will take you up on that offer, I can assure you of that. You know the reverse is true as well – I’m around if you need someone to talk to.”

He chuckled. “Well, I’m sure it will be good. Ligeth has good taste from what I’ve heard.” He piled his plate and mug together and shoved them over to one side.

[Sh'mal]

Sh'mal smiled and shook his head sadly. "No, I'd better not. If it's that special to you, you should save it for someone care deeply for." His smile widened as he proceeded to say, "I'll just have to find my own scenic vista. Until Thread finally comes, I've got enough free time for a short trip to, say, one of the lower islands, or even part of the eastern archipelago."

'You know the reverse is true as well - I'm around if you need someone to talk to.' Oh, he didn't know about that; he definitely didn't want this newfound friendship spoiled by discovering that they were both interested in the same person. And with his luck, it would happen sooner or later. If it wasn't M'kal, then it would be the newcomer, E'rra, or his bronzerider friend, Z'mer. There were plenty of people that they could fight over. But... "Thanks, that means a lot."

Sh'mal joined in the laughter. "I guess he's done well enough in the past," he said, remembering cold nights at High Reaches punctuated with too-short moments of heat, "but with his earlier comment, I'm a bit worried."