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Post by missing on Feb 10, 2011 14:19:51 GMT -6
Reuen was fairly certain he was dreaming. Here he was standing in the bowl of a Weyr, having just been dropped off by a dragon! He probably should be sleeping considering the time it was in Bended but he couldn't, not while he was in a Weyr! His experience with dragons had only extended to seeing them off in the distance at a Gather, possibly dropping off their rider or some other passenger at the event, but never more than that! Even the trip between had been exhilarating! Terrifying yes, but so exciting!
He sat down on the ground, leaning back on his arms to look at the sky. He was still wearing his gather clothes, he'd only just dropped off his things before going exploring when he had decided to stop here. The bowl itself was wonderful, he could only imagine the rest of the Weyr! He'd been told that the Queen's clutch had just hatched a matter of days ago, but he didn't mind missing the Hatching, there were always more right? He'd been told that the Grey was to rise soon, so he'd probably Stand for that Hatching.
What if he Impressed? That would be something wouldn't it? He could see himself now riding a dragon, wasn't that was all little boys dreamed of? Well he wasn't exactly a little boy anymore but he could still dream right?
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Post by lyonza on Feb 13, 2011 14:58:59 GMT -6
Z’mer was walking cross the Bowl when he noted the boy sitting, watching the sky. He smiled at the sight; the wonder was quite naked on his face. He remembered sitting in pretty much the same pose many a time. He loved the sky, watching the stars, imagining what it would be like to be a rider.
He stopped in front of the boy, looking down. “Hey there, enjoying the view?” he asked.
Do you always talk to everybody you meet? Amoneth asked.
Pretty much, he replied. You keep telling me to be friendly, so I’m friendly.
Yes, but you are also a bit frightening when you’re being friendly. You try too hard.
“Mind if I join you?” he asked, nodding at the patch of ground next to the boy. “I’m Z’mer, Amoneth’s rider.” He pointed over to his weyr where the big bronze was lying on the ledge.
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Post by missing on Feb 13, 2011 15:21:06 GMT -6
Reuen didn't notice Z'mer's approach at first, so when the Bronzer spoke he jumped a bit before scrambling to his feet, "Oh! Ah yeah, I only just arrived and I couldn't sleep so I went exploring. Didn't get very far before I stopped here though... Oh well I supposed I have plenty of time right?"
He watched the strangely unfocused look on Z'mer's face as he spoke with Amoneth without realizing exactly what was occurring. He hadn't been around too many Dragonriders to really know
He shook his head, "No please, sit," he took the cue to sit once more as well. He followed Z'mer's finger as he pointed out Amoneth, "Oh you're a Bronzerider then? Sorry, I forgot my manners. My name is Reuen, son of Mastervintner Marren of Benden. Apparently I've been Searched, although good luck convincing my brain of that." He grinned impishly.
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Post by lyonza on Feb 14, 2011 3:12:35 GMT -6
Z’mer nodded in understanding. “I totally understand. I was like that when I arrived.” He smiled. “Since the Candidates barracks are just over there, you have to be a new Candidate.” He raised an eyebrow. “Just missed the Hatching?”
You know I try too hard, the rider said. I just want to meet everybody here. Though it seems I’m a magnet to the younger ones.
Just don’t try too hard. You are very intense when you do that.
Yes, mother. The corner of his mouth lifted at the dragon’s indignant sputter.
He sat down and looked up at the stars. “Welcome to Western, Reuen son of Marren of Benden. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” He glanced sideways. “Mastervintner you say?” Z’mer’s tone was utterly innocent and he looked guilelessly at the boy before grinning. “Glad to have you here, Reuen. Though I doubt you have to wait too long. I hear Iroth is rising soon, so we’ll have a clutch on the sands soon enough.”
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Post by missing on Feb 14, 2011 8:41:55 GMT -6
"You could say that," he shrugged, "But there's always more so really I didn't miss anything. I'm just in awe of actually being here. Although I'm not sure if I'm more in awe of being Searched or that my father actually approved of me leaving and loosing the extra set of hands... I think my mother talked him into it."
He chuckled at the thought of his parents, one day he hoped to find someone who put up with him so well. Strange how older couples seemed to complete each other...
Despite the tone of innocence Reuen winked, "Yep. I'm only a Senior Apprentice myself, though I probably would have made Journeyman soon enough. He's not the best, but he's certainly one of them and I'm not just saying that because he's my father. I'm very critical of wine. He might bring some whenever there is a Hatching next even if I don't Impress. Although they would be for the Weyrwoman to distribute, and if I DO Impress I won't be able to drink any..." he sighed a bit at that.
He nodded, "I heard about that."
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Post by lyonza on Feb 14, 2011 14:39:17 GMT -6
Z’mer chuckled. “Well, enjoy the shiny while its happening. I grew up in a Weyr, so I guess I’m so used to it, I can’t tell the wonder anymore.” He nodded. “If you’re here and can’t believe it because you didn’t think your father would allow it, then I have a strong suspicion your mother definitely had a hand in it. Have you always wanted to be a rider? Or is it more a reality now that you’ve been Searched?”
Z’mer raised an eyebrow. “And that chuckle?” he asked a little curiously. It must’ve had something to do with what he had said before, so the rider assumed it had something to do with the boy’s parents.
“Well, he’s a Master of the craft,” Z’mer said. “He wouldn’t be one if the Hall didn’t think he was worth the honors after all.” He listened. “I like wine well enough to know that Benden wines are better than the others. Tillek’s wines are a bit foxy if you ask me, but if it’s all there is, then I’ll drink it.” He smiled at the idea of some Benden wines at the next Hatching.
“Well, I can only wish you the best of luck for that clutch and I’m sure your dragon will be among them.”
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Post by missing on Feb 14, 2011 14:50:57 GMT -6
"A bit of both. I mean, what boy growing up doesn't dream of riding a dragon, his partner for life, never alone again," he swept a hand rather grandly across the sky with a grin, "But childhood dreams get put on the shelf for a respectable craft for most of us. I thought my sister had put someone up to a prank when the Searchrider approached me. Either that or the wine was stronger than I thought. Turns out it was neither."
Reuen shrugged, "I just envy my parents, they seem to have an odd relationship from the outside, but they care for each other very much. I hope to have someone like that one day."
"I can't imagine why you would, abiding by poorer wines just encourages them. Southern has some decent wines, and I hear that new Hold is promising, with the volcanic soil they hope to get some very good grapes," He smiled at the prospect of trying them one day.
"Thank you, can't imagine what it will be like..." he looked up at the sky, obviously trying to picture himself with a dragon of his own.
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Post by lyonza on Feb 15, 2011 3:39:45 GMT -6
Z’mer nodded. “I guess you’re right about that. I grew up in Telgar Weyr so I guess my chances of getting Searched were a bit higher, but since we’re gearing up for another Pass, Searches in Holds happen more and more.” He sighed. “I don’t know what I would be doing if I wasn’t Searched to be honest. I would probably be some menial worker inside the Weyr. I never really did learn a craft.”
He smiled. “You really thought your sister would have done something like that?” he asked.
Z’mer listened as the boy spoke. “Well, it will be great if you find someone like that, but just remember that riders and relationships last as long as their dragons like each other. I’ve seen riders trying to keep it together while their dragons weren’t mated and it always puts a strain on the relationship. Not that I’m saying it always steers to disaster, it’s just harder for riders than Holders.”
He grimaced. “Well my young friend, its not always the easiest to get hold of Benden wines, so we lesser mortals have to make do with what there is.” Z’mer grinned at Reuen’s expression. “So you’re thinking if you don’t make it as a rider, you’ll go down to Crescent and become vintner there?”
Z’mer smiled. “It’s better than anything you can imagine,” he said simply.
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Post by missing on Feb 15, 2011 10:05:20 GMT -6
"Never? Seems a little flighty, no pun intended. My father always said that man needs a craft, s'why I joined him in his. Don't get me wrong, I love wine, I just prefer to be drinking it with good company and food on occasion rather than making it year round," he frowned, "Could really imagine myself a weaver or smith though so I supposed it worked out well enough."
He grinned, "Well I'd recently pulled a prank on her, so I was kind of expecting her to get me back shortly. Although I wonder what she can really do with me here."
He nodded, "Makes sense I suppose. Of course I'm just dreaming anyway."
"That's an idea but probably not, I think I'd just as soon stay here, possibly distribute if I don't," he pointed at his face, "I have a face made for sales I think, or so my mother says. I think it's my sparkling personality."
"I dunno, I have a pretty active imagination," Reuen's face went serious for a moment, "But you're probably right."
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Post by lyonza on Feb 15, 2011 15:06:46 GMT -6
Z’mer shrugged. “I was Searched not long after my twelfth birthday and I Impressed two Turns later. I pretty much started my apprenticeship as a Candidate. Other than general weyr maintenance and things like that which all Candidates learn, I don’t have any other trade. I’m a rider by profession.” He grinned. “Now there I can agree with you. A nice cup of wine, good company and food… I like that idea.”
He raised an eyebrow. “And what prank would incur such wrath from a sibling?” he asked. “It must’ve been an epic prank.”
Z’mer smiled. “My parents were the exception to the rule I guess. But then again, my mother wasn’t a rider.” His childhood wasn’t perfect, but it was better than most. The one thing he regretted was that he didn’t know his father that well.
Z’mer studied his face for a moment. “You can sell sand to an Istan and they would be happy with the deal. Whatever you end up doing, you’ll be good at it.”
The rider just smiled at the comment and said nothing.
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Post by missing on Feb 15, 2011 23:45:37 GMT -6
"What would you have wanted to do though? I mean obviously Dragonrider trumps everything else but, if you had to choose, what would you have wanted to be?" Reuen asked the question seriously, it was one he had asked himself over and over and had yet to reach his own conclusion for.
He grinned, "I made her think that she'd been set up for an arranged partnership. Could have carried it much further too if she hadn't told our father off about it. Still, the look on her face was priceless." Of course Marren would never do such a thing, but the practice wasn't unheard of, especially with is father being a Craftmaster. There were many Vintner's who would gladly partner their sons with the only daughter of Marren, especially now that Reuen was out of the picture and the family vines would fall to her when Marren was gone.
"Aw, thanks," he laughed, he liked it here, even if he didn't Impress he'd have to seriously think about staying. Or at least, think as seriously about it as he was capable.
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Post by lyonza on Feb 16, 2011 17:13:46 GMT -6
Z’mer took a long moment to think about the question. “Well, I couldn’t have been a Harper, I sound like a wherry with terrible throat problems when I sing. Maybe a runner or a farmer? I don’t know – I never really gave it a thought to be honest.” He really never thought about it and now that the question was put to him, he was actually pondering the options.
He listened in disbelief. “You did what?” he laughed. “No wonder you thought she had arranged for a Searchrider to approach you!” He laughed a deep belly-laugh at that. “You would totally have deserved that prank,” he chided.
“I’m just telling as it is, my young, new friend. And you’ll hear it from all the pretty girls in the Weyr at one time or another.” Z’mer suspected that quite a few of the guys in the Weyr would proposition the young man at one point or another.
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