Reky
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Post by Reky on Nov 26, 2012 0:11:55 GMT -5
The heat of Rukbat beat down on the dusty bowl of Igen Weyr. Above, dragons flew through the sky and cast little shadows of sanctuary, or else they hid away in the cool depths of the mountain. Sun-bleached flags fluttered in the hot wind and sand whipped around the hooves of incoming runners. The call for young men and women of eligible age had been put out a few days prior, and it was only now that the furthest cotholds of Igen became represented.
On the back of his spindle-legged runner, from Kirrok Hold, came Hakotep - the only of the youth of Kirrok to brave the prospect of Dalibor's plague. He took the chance as a relief; an escape from the typical mining life of his people. With him, he carried naught but a bag of clothing, wood, and carving tools. He had drained the last of his water upon spotting the Weyr in the distance. Then, he had tied his scarf up around his nose and mouth and spurred his runner to a gallop. He bore no special sign. Some of the Holders had sent their children with flags of their family crests. Hakotep had no such emblem, but he was glad for this. He had no wish to draw attention.
He dismounted his runner and left her in the hands of a young stable boy. If he were to be Searched, he would not need her back. If not, he wondered whether or not he would even return to Kirrok Hold. He felt very little upon leaving. A small bout of homesickness as he slept against the runner under the stars, but only for his bed and the familiar dimensions of his room. He even felt little at leaving Andril, which confused him. He had made love to the older boy enough times that he would have suspected a sense of heartbreak, but he had been so put-off by Andril's stubborn cowardice that he did not care. Andril could stay and mine at Kirrok; Hakotep didn't care. Andril feared Dalibor.
Hakotep did not.
On foot now, but with the motion of the runner still rocking in his nervous system, Hakotep collected with the others. A junior weyrleader of Igen stood before them, tall and dark and clothed all in riding gear. He spoke loudly over the clamour of the bowl.
"All Searched by Dalibor's riders will go to Dalibor," he called. "Do not think that you will be close to home. The Plague has taken hold of Dalibor and this is precisely why they need you, and why we are letting them Search within our region." The crowd shifted as junior weyrleader K'yanek continued. Bright-eyed, dark-skinned children were trying to line up with the older youth, and their parents were hissing at them and dragging them away by their wrists.
"You'll die at Dalibor, Niyasa," Hakotep heard a woman say to her son. He wrinkled his nose. Such conviction, he scoffed.
"The Searchriders will come shortly," K'yanek cried. He waved himself off and left the group to wait. Hakotep could see the apprehension in his eyes. Everyone feared the onslaught of the plague. Even some of the hopefuls that stood near him looked nervous. What had they to lose? If they were not Searched, they returned safely home. If they were, they became dragonriders. To him, it was that simple.
As the youth disassembled to wait in the shade, Hakotep stood resolutely where he was, smirking to himself. [/blockquote] |
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Boo
Jr. Weyrwoman
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Post by Boo on Nov 26, 2012 0:42:38 GMT -5
It had not taken long to travel to the Weyr, accustomed as Requezzia was to demanding transportation from various traders in return for her mere presence. Honestly, she wasn’t sure what brought her to Igen Weyr that day particularly when she could have been lazing about in her room whilst others did her chores for her but the glamorous life of a rider… The possibility of fame and fortune had been too strong. Sitting around with a dragon to do her bidding. Yes… It seemed like the perfect life to her. What a glorious life she would have if she was searched.
A handkerchief was pressed to her mouth even though there was no plague in Igen, Requezzia climbed down as gracefully as she could from the caravan with a gracious nod at the driver. Her mere presence was thanks enough but she decided to thank the man for his services.
“My appreciation for the assistance.”
Tossing her hair and flashing a faint smile, she walked away from the caravan, pressing her handkerchief to her mouth once again as people bustled past her. Some people earned themselves a disgusted look at the sand and dust that covered them as she made her way through the crowd fully intending on reaching the front. Unfortunately she was stopped by the sound of a voice.
"All Searched by Dalibor's riders will go to Dalibor," he called. "Do not think that you will be close to home. The Plague has taken hold of Dalibor and this is precisely why they need you, and why we are letting them Search within our region."
K’yanek, the junior Weyrleader of Igen. Or one of them at least. The plague? Well it disgusted her to be quite frank but as long as she kept away from those individuals who had it she would be fine. Those at Dalibor were desperate and what better vacation than to the beaches of the Western continent? People were being dragged back but there was not a strong need at Igen as there was at Dalibor. The life of a dragonrider was so close. All she had to do was walk over and line up there. She would be searched she knew it. Most likely she would Impress a grand Queen and live her life in luxurious paradise.
Tossing her hair again she walked imperiously forwards and stood next to a smirking male.
“What are you so pleased about?” She asked, flashing a smile.
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Reky
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Post by Reky on Nov 26, 2012 1:15:16 GMT -5
Hakotep's dark eyes slid up to peer sidelong at Requezzia. He was still smirking, but it parted to bare his teeth.
"Some of these kids will never get Searched," he told her, quite sure of himself. He believed it. They were shaking in their boots, but somehow were still here, nervous even to stand in line. He could see them whispering amongst one another in the shade. He wondered how many of them had been pressured into coming - but parents or friends; how many of them wanted to be Searched, but felt faint at the thought of the Plague; how many didn't much want to be here at all.
He lowered his eyes and, still grinning to himself, tugged his scarf up about his face. The sand and heat were particularly bad that day. He was grateful for the desert garb that kept his body regulated and safe from Rukbat's burn. He would think that the girl who had came to him would wilt with the regal way she held herself, but she was clearly desert-born like him. He gave her due respect for that.
"And what are you smiling about?" he asked her, glad to have found some less antsy company. There was still no sign of the Dalibor Searchriders, but he had no issues with waiting. Even at Dalibor, he would have to wait, and he had always done a great deal of waiting around at Kirrok Hold. One last long exposure to his homeland made him happy, even. He had never been to Dalibor, but it could not be at all like Igen. The scent of sand would be a missed one. [/blockquote] |
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Kestrel
Wingrider 
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Post by Kestrel on Nov 28, 2012 0:16:05 GMT -5
It was decidedly strange going back to Igen. K’ite supposed it had not been all that long since he’d left—only about a turn, now—but while it took a great deal of impetus to get him to leave a place, once somewhere new he settled in remarkably quickly. Though, he supposed it didn’t take much to settle in if one didn’t bother much with getting to know anyone wherever they were. He could be a dragonrider and healer in one weyr just as easily as he could in another.
Still, going back to a place he’d left was an experience altogether new, and the faded, sand-battered flags fluttering languidly in the ever-hot Igen breeze brought back memories. A few good—he had met Iluropoth here, after all—but many more less so. But K’ite wasn’t here for himself—he came on behalf of Dalibor, because Faranth knew they needed the new blood, and duty always came first.
Iluropoth sailed in a gentle spiral around the weyr bowl, letting out a pleased rumble at the feeling of the warmth on his blue hide. K’ite looked down past his dragon’s neck to take an aerial account of the assembly below—not as many as he might have hoped to come, but more, perhaps, than he had expected. At a silent command, Iluropoth began his descent, floating down as slow and gentle as a drifting feather, before landing with soft caution on the familiar sandy ground below. K’ite was a little less than thrilled with his dragon’s interest in searching, feeling his own time would be better spent in the infirmary, but he couldn’t deny that Iluropoth was a good search dragon—his deliberate, kind nature made him ideal around those who didn’t have much experience with dragonkind. And so far he had a good track record—the boy he’d searched had impressed a cyan at his first hatching, K’ite had heard. He wouldn’t have known himself, not having attended the hatching due to being in the infirmary as usual, but he was glad nonetheless.
The bluerider slid down from his dragon’s neck, looking around at those assembled. He didn’t see any of the weyrleaders around—though he supposed they didn’t need to be present just to watch a bunch of scared children be prodded by a dragon most were probably hoping would take no interest in them. He hoped none would react too negatively if Iluropoth did choose them, lest it hurt his dear dragon’s feelings—though he could hardly blame them if they did. He had witnessed the horrors of the plague firsthand as a healer, after all, and he did not want to think about the feeling he would have if he later found any of these faces in the infirmary. He patted Iluropoth’s leg, and the blue let out a soft croon, touching his nose to K’ite’s flight helmit before sweeping his long neck over the gathered potential candidates, sniffing at them.
K’ite turned back to the children. “Dalibor is grateful to all of you for coming. I am aware that many of you may have mixed feelings about going there at this time, but I transferred there from Igen myself only a turn ago, and have found both the dragons and the weyrfolk to be of the highest caliber. It would be a great honor to stand for any of Dalibor’s hatchings.” Iluropoth, meanwhile, lowered a whirling green eye down to peer directly at Hakotep, tilting his head slightly.
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Boo
Jr. Weyrwoman
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Post by Boo on Nov 29, 2012 6:04:17 GMT -5
Pleased that she had garnered a slightly more genuine smile from the other candidate hopeful, Requezzia also turned to look at the children. Infants really. Prior to this she hadn’t noticed them perhaps because in comparison to this teen, they looked as though they had drawn the short straw in their hold and been forced to come. Ridiculous, if you asked her. Ezzia raised her head a little higher as she continued to look around at the children. There was one who couldn’t be more than thirteen turns and he stood there, tears pouring silently down his face. Why even bother coming?
Ezzia folded her arms and then nodded in agreement.
“Of course not. A dragon knows true potential when he or she sees it.”
Ezzia herself saw no potential here except within herself. Although the plague disgusted her, she would never get sick. She was far better than that and much more superior to any common illness that inflicted these peasants. The thought sometimes crossed her mind that there was no plague in Igen but still, she couldn’t be too careful. As long as she was careful she would be fine. Besides, no plague was going to stop her getting the life of luxury and ease she had always wanted.
“Why can’t a lady just smile because she’s happy?” Ezzia asked with an innocent tone, eyelids batting softly.
Oh yes, she was amazing and so good-looking. It was a wonder that any could even resist her charms. Hair was tossed about as she looked skyward to watch when the call went out.
A blue spiralled downwards to the Bowl and landed nearby. Ezzia watched it, trying to hide her awe. She had rarely seen dragons before and the few times she had, it had certainly been a day to remember. Once when she was 5, a dragon had arrived and Searched a young woman… Today, she would be that woman to be Searched. Folding her arms, and standing straight backed, Ezzia listened to the words of the rider as he spoke. As the dragon got closer, her heart beat faster as it stopped before Hakotep. What? Him and not her? Well, nothing had happened yet apparently for no candidate was drawn from the lines.
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Reky
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Post by Reky on Nov 29, 2012 10:22:25 GMT -5
Hakotep supposed he knew the glory of dragonriding. Perhaps a more involved parent would be proud to have a holdborn waif of a kid be Searched for such a noble occupation. Perhaps they had given up on their child altogether and saw this as a last ditch effort. No doubt Igen Searchriders had seen these kids before, too, but their parents probably maintained that Dalibor somehow had lower Searching standards - and, when confronted about it, would call them "alternate criteria" to spare everyone's feelings. There were even a few parents around, he noticed, who lifted white scarves over their heads and fanned themselves, giving their children space to create a facade of independence. Of course, there were also some young men there - around his age or older - that were quite stony faced. He wondered about them.
He was still smirking at Requezzia. He found her entertaining in her vanity. He respected and appreciate a good, desert-born hue in skin, but she held herself so artificially that he had to stifle a laugh. There had been a few young girls like her at Kirrok. They had no claim to such confidence through wealth, but they flaunted their looks as if they did; drew thick kohl lines across their eyelids and wove their hair with Gather-ribbons. Hakotep was not sure if he found all of it unattractive or not, or if he even preferred humbleness or honesty to it. Andril had not been very humble.
"I suppose she can," he conceded, tucking his chin down into his scarf. A faint smile stilled tugged at the corners of his lips, but it faded when K'ite arrived and spoke. He was suddenly nervous and upset about it. He didn't need to be nervous, he told himself. But still, his stomach constricted and his heart rate sped up of their own accord. He kept his head ducked and his eyes lowered.
He could see Iluropoth's muzzle coming nearer. He came to the belated conclusion that, perhaps, he shouldn't have written his entrance into candidacy into his plans for the future so soon. Where would he live at Igen Weyr? What would he do? He became aware of how easy it was to simply stand there with his head ducked, and muscled his eyes up instead. More of a challenge.
He was mesmerized by the many facets of the great green, whirling eye that examined him. The knit in his brow, however, looked very concerned, despite his best efforts to wind down. [/blockquote] |
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Kestrel
Wingrider
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Post by Kestrel on Dec 2, 2012 1:50:12 GMT -5
His introduction made, now came the relatively easy part—he just had to wait. K’ite supposed he really didn’t have much to complain about if Iluropoth wanted to search, because it was really Iluropoth himself who was doing all the work. And Iluropoth did set about it quite seriously, though always at his own slow, meansured pace. That was one respect where K’ite supposed his dragon might not be the most painless for his potential candidates, because he certainly had no qualms about prolonging suspense if it meant he got to take his good time. If there was one thing K’ite had learned, it was never to rush Iluropoth.
The blue dragon blinked a few times more at Hakotep, but then slowly lifted his head again, he moved it over the crowd again, letting out a soft rumble. Many of them are very scared, K’ite. Why are they so scared?[/color] K’ite didn’t have the heart to explain to his dragon that those he selected—usually a cause for joy—would this time be taken to a place where they’d be put at high risk for dying of a terrible disease. Sure, they might get to stand for a hatching, and they might even impress—but how many were willing to risk plague for that chance? Based on the crying faces, not many. They’re just nervous, Iluropoth. And these are hard times—many are scared, and many have lost loved ones.
Oh,[/color] Iluropoth said sadly. He let out a soft croon, looking down at all the candidates. He wasn’t one to talk to others beside his rider, but he hoped they would all feel better and not be so sad! He looked around a bit more, but inevitably his eyes—and his face, as he liked to get good and close to the candidates he was interested in—came back to Hakotep. Or…was it Hakotep? He lifted his head to just above the boy’s head, and shifted his nose to Requezzia. He took a long moment simply looking between the two, sniffing and blinking, until he let out a soft chuffing noise. I like this one. Or…maybe this one? I know I like one of these, but I’m not sure which. I think it is hard to tell because they are so close together, maybe.[/color] K’ite sighed, pushing his hands into his pockets and approaching the two. “Iluropoth seems to be interested in both of you. I know this is taking a while, but if you’re nervous, you don’t have to be—he’s just very methodical. Just bear with him for a bit.”
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Boo
Jr. Weyrwoman
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Shirath: THOSE aren't spirit fingers... THESE ARE SPIRIT FINGERS!!!
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Post by Boo on Dec 2, 2012 18:57:21 GMT -5
Smiling sweetly when he agreed with her, she turned her attention towards the rider again, noticing that her companion seemed to be retreating into himself. Ezzia took it as an indication that he was nervous. Hah. Well, she was not nervous, not one bit! Probably that her companion here was scared about the implications, far more than he let on… As the dragon turned his gaze on her, Requezzia felt a sudden surge and stab of anxiety. The dream she had decided upon a little while ago when she came to the Weyr would soon be realised. Or would it? For a moment there, she was particularly doubtful of herself but Ezzia quickly tried to push the feelings down as much as she could.
The rider had said he lived at Igen once… Perhaps he would even recognise some of those standing around. Would he be more inclined to pick them than he would to pick those people he was not so certain of? The dragon had moved away from the male beside her and Ezzia couldn’t help but feel a little smug. Well, at least if she wasn’t searched he wouldn’t be either. Ezzia, for a moment pressed the handkerchief to her mouth again as the dragon looked over the other candidates standing there.
Suddenly he made a noise and Ezzia couldn’t help but twitch a little at the noise. Rather than make her any happier, she was a little confused by the noise. Did it mean he was sad or happy? Well, that would be known eventually. Suddenly, the dragon was looking right into her face. Rather than draw herself up even taller, Ezzia almost faltered, breathless. Was this what it was like to see a dragon so close? To be so close to a dream?
She looked instead to the rider and when he spoke, she smiled as best she could when she knew there was a dragon probably at that moment reading her every thought. She was so close.
“Oh it is no trouble. Thank you Iluropoth for considering… Us.”
She decided to include the male in her thanks for she felt as though these words were the ones most riders would wish to hear. Teamwork and all that.
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Reky
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Post by Reky on Dec 3, 2012 15:04:49 GMT -5
Hakotep was nervous. Or perhaps he was embarrassed, or self-conscious, or anxious - or a combination of all of them. He wasn't sure. He had no way to sort it out, though, but it didn't matter, because he would have responded to it in the same way: with silence. His inner thoughts were his own and they troubled him. He definitely didn't wish for the desert lady beside him to know. The dragon, he supposed, could sense it. Is that what dragons did? Andril had told him all he knew about dragons, but the knowledge was as gap-toothed as the mouths it travelled by. He swallowed and tilted his chin up a little more.
K'ite's words fell on his ears but were quickly disregarded. The only words he would be attuned to were "you are a candidate" or "you are not." He didn't need to know anything else. If the dragon was taking its time, he had no issue with it. The girl beside him thanked the blue, but the inclusion of the word 'us' ruffled Hakotep's feathers. She didn't even know his name. He suspected it wasn't out of kindness that she had included him. Sneaky, he thought, but he did not say anything. Requezzia had already covered him.
He busied himself with contemplating the sheer size of the dragon. He had seen them in the sky over Gathers before, but never so close. And to think that something as small as a human could control such a monolith! He wasn't sure if he was aroused by the idea or made frightened by it. It was a concept that was, at least for now, far beyond his small-hold, sand-scuffed brain.
He shifted his weight to the other foot and sand fell out of the folds of his boots. [/blockquote] |
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Kestrel
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Post by Kestrel on Dec 3, 2012 15:57:02 GMT -5
The blue continued peering hard at his two potential candidates, ever glancing between them, facets in a steady slow whirl between minutely varying shades of green and blue. At last, he lifted his head, looking down at them with satisfaction before inclining his head toward K’ite. Ah, now I have it figured out. They weren’t too close together after all; I like them both. Can we take them both back to Dalibor now? That boy I picked up from the fishing hall got that pretty cyan; I wonder what dragons will chose them. Searching is very exciting.[/color]
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. But all right, I’ll let them know. K’ite took his hands out of his pockets, looking between the boy and the girl. “Well, it seems Iluropoth has found you both to be suitable. I trust you have already said your goodbyes, and brought with you anything you wish to bring to Dalibor? If you just move up to Iluropoth’s leg here, he’ll help lift you up.” K’ite easily climbed up himself with a quick boost from his dragon, situating himself first so he could help pull the new candidates up.
He looked back out toward the crowd. “Thank you all for coming, we have found all the candidates we will be bringing to Dalibor today. You may return to where you came from.” Such an announcement would usually bring sadness and disappointment, but today, he expected, it would bring a rather different reaction. He looked at Iluropoth’s two selections, half-hoping he wouldn’t see too much fear or distress on their faces, which would doubtless make Iluropoth sad. Not that he could exactly blame them if they did feel that way.
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Boo
Jr. Weyrwoman
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Post by Boo on Dec 4, 2012 19:59:59 GMT -5
When the boy said nothing, Requezzia did hold herself fractionally taller. Well, then again, it was important to maintain the proper relationships with people so that they would not become an enemy but then Ezzia honestly believed she had no enemies. Who couldn’t love her after all? She was very good looking and anyone who didn’t like her or said otherwise was just jealous. This is what would get her Searched. Perhaps, yes, she was being picked for her confidence but Ezzia still had a lot of work to be done unbeknownst to the young woman of course.
For the moment, she stood there, watching the blue dragon move between the two of them her breath held as she awaited her future. Would it come with the sound of a voice in her mind telling her she would surely Impress a magnificent Queen? Oh how wonderful she would look riding upon a Gold. It would very much match her for they were as beautiful as she.
It did not come with the voice of the blue in her mind… It came instead with words from the Rider. Ezzia masked her disappointment at not being addressed directly with a smile and a straight back. Well, she had certainly already said her goodbyes, not that there were many people to farewell. Perhaps her once betrothed but Ezzia ignored that. She had obviously been unsuited to marriage for there was a great and magnificent dragon awaiting her at Dalibor Weyr.
“Thank you kindly for this opportunity. I have my things.”
Requezzia tossed her hair and flounced away to gather her clothes and things together before prancing herself self-importantly back to the blue. She hadn’t even learned the name of the boy she had been standing with. Ignoring the remarks of condolence the rider was making, she stood with her things next to the boy.
“Well, I guess we’ll be Standing together. I’m Requezzia, it’s all very amazing isn’t it?”
She would, of course, Impress something amazing like a Queen but it was important to speak with some people she supposed…
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Reky
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Post by Reky on Dec 6, 2012 10:20:52 GMT -5
Hakotep was immensely relieved. Searched, he thought, feeling a flush of wonder spread through his sun-heated body. He told himself that he'd expected it all along, but that was not entirely true. In a way, he had, but had doubted himself. He didn't know why he would make a good dragonrider, and perhaps Iluropoth didn't either, but there had to be something if he had been Searched. It was good enough for him.
When K'ite announced Iluropoth's decision, Hakotep felt a new smirk tug at the corners of his mouth. His muscles relaxed and he eased into a more comfortable posture. "Thank you," he said quietly, a whispered echo to Requezzia's words of gratitude. He fitted a hand about the strap of the bag slung over his shoulder. Clothes, his tools, and an empty waterskin - nothing more. It was all he needed.
Comforted by the feeling of the tugging weight in his palm, he stepped forward and hauled himself up to the dragon's neck. He settled in with Requezzia between him and K'ite, and held tightly to her hips with no apologies. For a small moment, he looked out at the youth who were to be left at Igen. There was variety of both disappointed and relieved looks, though the latter seemed to be more prevalent. Parents were fussing over their children or else frowning amongst themselves. Hakotep realized that he would not see Igen Weyr again for a very long time. It made him feel almost instantly homesick - but not for the people. Only for the place.
"Yes, it is," he muttered to Requezzia. Amazing? Well, it was one way of putting it. It seemed overstated, though. Being Searched was not a guarantee. 'Lucky,' maybe. 'Mildly exciting.' "I'm Hakotep." He'd have a couple bits of Igen at Dalibor, at least. One of those bits would be Requezzia. He was not sure what he thought of her, having only known her so briefly yet, but she was - whether she liked it or not - a piece of home. He pressed his lips into a thin smile. The thought made him feel better. [/blockquote] |
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