How to Train my What? (Knight)

[zeis]

Lunch rush. A busy, loud, time consuming, yet wholly pleasing time. Every day the same patterns of life and life's unavoidable need to consume played itself outs here before the boy's very eyes. Zeis had become accustomed to the rhythm. Wake up before Rukbat cracks the horizon, begin preparations for breakfast, serve breakfast, eat breakfast himself, begin preparation for lunch, serve lunch, eat lunch himself if he could find time, begin the hefty preparations for dinner, server dinner, eat a late night dinner himself, and then finally toddle off to bed himself to fight with sleep. Then the whole thing would start over again, as it had done for the handful of turns he had been here. It always surprised him, whenever he could find the spare time to really think about it, just how much of his life revolved around food. It was surprising him now, as he politely made his way throughout the crowded Dining Hall with a basket filled with freshly baked bread. But he smiled and made his rounds, making the occasional bout of small talk with a face that he knew in the crowd.

"Two! Theres two! What would be your chances, really?" Demanded a dark haired boy, taking a roll from the Baker without removing his eyes from his companion across the table top.

"Theres still a few seven-days left!" His companion pleaded his case with such a look of obvious want that Zeis immediately knew what the two were talking about. Dragon eggs. He had heard a snatch of conversation some days ago, a Gray and an Orange queen were rumored to have laid a single egg each on the Hatching Sands. As with every Hatching that took place at Dalibor, the discussion of eggs on the sand was always a topic that was hotly discussed a month or more before the event took place. The boy continued with a hopeful air about him. "A Blue winked at me today, did I tell you that?"

"He winked at you?"
"Yeah."
"Dragons don't wink."
"How do you know?"
"Maybe a bug flew in his eye."
"What? ... Listen, I'm telling you, a rider is going to come in here any second and tell me I'm a Candidate. I can feel it."
"You felt it before the last Hatching too. So wheres your Dragon, wherrybutt?"

Their conversation drifted out of earshot as Zeis continued his way down the table, chuckling quietly to himself. Talk of becoming a rider had dominated most of the wistful conversation of children back at Western Hold, and here at an actual Weyr it was no different. In truth, he had never once personally entertained any hopes or dreams of becoming a Dragonrider, but he secretly wished the boy luck with his dream. It wasn't easy figuring out what you were going to do with the rest of your life, and even then making it a reality was another matter. With this sobering thought, he found his amusement fading as he continued through the mechanical motions of serving.

What was he going to do?

[theknightwhosaysni]

Lunch. That actually sounded like a good idea... Then again, food always sounded like a good idea.

The recently arrived greenrider, Akira, cast a glance in Coreth's direction. You hungry? she questioned the dragon, who opened one eye and gazed balefully in Akira's direction.

The water lapped against the shore of the lake where Coreth was resting for several seconds before the green answered.

No, not really.[/i] Coreth spoke with a wide yawn, baring large amounts of sharp teeth to the world, You are, though, aren't you?[/i] Cheerfully, Coreth turned her head towards Akira, already forgetting how tired she was in favor of her rider. Her's was the greatest, she'd chosen quite well when she'd picked her.

"Yeah, I am." with a yawn that failed to match Coreth's, Akira got to her feet, "You going to take me down to the Dining Hall?" she glanced up at her green, who crooned a response.

Who she to deny her Mine? Waiting patiently while Akira scrambled her way up onto Coreth's back, carefully arranging her dark skirt in a manner that made her look properly presentable, and ran her fingers through her hair, Coreth crooned again.

I'm ready, Coreth! Now, let's go! Akira grinned happily, the thought of food sustaining her.

The green launched herself into the air, sweeping down towards the ground almost as soon as she'd gotten up to a suitable height. Not much time had passed when Coreth settled down on the ground, giving a cheerful croon. We are here, AkiraMine![/i]

Akira grinned and slid from Coreth's back, arranging her skirt again as soon as she'd touched the ground. "See ya, Coreth!" grinning as the scents of delicious food reached her, Akira hurried into the dining hall, eyes locking on a certain young boy who was serving. He looked like he'd know what was available right around then!

Grinning, Akira set off in pursuit of Zeis, ignoring her dragon's annoyance swirling through their bond. Her's was supposed to be getting food, not talking with people! They were supposed to be together forever, not shared. This wasn't right!

Meanwhile, Coreth gave an unhappy rumble, lashing her tail from side to side outside.

Akira merely tuned the dragon out. She was used to this kind of thing, and the food smelled quite delicious. Mmm...

Akira swiped her tongue across her lips as she picked up her pace, inhaling appreciatively. This smelled quite simply delicious.


Despite Coreth's growing discontent, when Akira reached Zeis, she was just as happy as ever. "Hey, hey you!" she spoke loudly, "What exactly is available right now?" grinning, Akira fixed her gaze on Zeis, waiting impatiently to hear what she could eat.[/size]

[zeis]

Zeis slowed in his pace, and turned to look around curiously as he heard someone calling him. He was used to members of the Kitchen Staff bawling his name for assistance with this or that, so he immediately looked toward the other servers currently out about the crowd to see if it was one of them. However none of the familiar pairs of eyes seemed to be looking in his direction, and puzzled he finally noticed Akira bearing down on him. He blinked, noted that the woman was wearing the dress of a Dragonrider, and promptly resumed his normal air of politeness and good manners.

"Right now, lets see..." The boy thought a moment, quickly going over todays menu in his head. The meals that were served often varied with the season, as new ingredients became available and others scarce. Plus, some foods were just healthier for you during winter chill, or spring rain. It took only a few seconds for him to recall, as he had of course prepared a portion of the meal himself. "Today we have three freshly caught and roasted Wherry, stuffed with herbs, spices, and savory roots. Fresh breads, pies, and pastries of all kinds. We've got a selection of jams for spreading, and some fresh milk, and cream. Oh, we always have a stew going as well. It's a little strongly spiced, but very filling."

It was rare to see the young Baker talking about anything energetically, but cooking really was one of his passions. He rattled off each item on the list with a somewhat reverent air, and his voice, which was normally impartial an nervous, sounded excited and eager to convince. Once he was done, he smiled helpfully at the rider, and with a slight chuckle he asked. "Is there anything I can get you?"

He doubted the rider would go away hungry.

[theknightwhosaysni]

He was slowing down. That was good. Akira forced herself not to pant as she caught up with the young Baker. She wasn't good at this running thing, and only the scents of this food could persuade her to run as she had. Placing one hand on a nearby table and pointedly ignoring anyone who might have been sitting there, Akira forced her breathing back under control as the Baker began to speak.

It had taken some effort to concentrate at first, but, as he got more involved with what was available, her face lit up with a wide grin. "Did you say three roasted wherries?" That was enough to feed her and then some! Maybe she wouldn't go hungry today after all!

And toss some of that stew in, and you had an extremely happy Akira.

"I'm not sure yet. Give me a few more moments, and I'll be decided. It's very kind of you to offer, though." Akira nodded cheerfully, eying the boy in front of her. He seemed like a good kid, and probably a good cook as well...

Mm, food...

Of course, Coreth was distinctly less happy. Why must I share you, AkiraMine?[/i] she growled to Her's, lashing her tail indignantly outside.

Oh, lighten up! Akira grinned cheerfully as she brought her attention back to Zeis. "The name's Akira, anyways. What's your name?" Only the thought of being polite could distract her from the food he was mentioning, and that was only to repay his politeness about offering to fetch her some food.
[/size]

[zeis]

"Three." Zeis confirmed with chuckle. "Apparently, one of the new Dragon Candidates is a pretty good hunter." He remarked off-handily, because he was always willing to make small talk with Weyrfolk. But this was a rider! It wasn't often he passed more than a few comments in passing to the Dragon men and women of Dalibor. This rider in particular looked a little dazed by the barrage of meal items, and he smiled slightly. Zeis nodded in understanding. Perhaps he had gotten a little carried away with the menu, and when people were presented with so many options it usually took a while for them to process it. "Of course, take your time. It's no trouble, really."

"My name is Zeis." He responded easily enough, though he was a little surprised by her request. The boy always felt easier around people once introductions were made, but he was caught a little off guard by it all the same. He blinked his hazel eyes, and absently noticed that someone near them was gesturing in his direction, indicating the basket he held. The boy shot Akira a mildly apologetic look, and took a few steps away to serve the man his bread. That done, he returned to her, dusting flour off his hand as best he could.

"Journeyman Baker by trade, though um, I suppose that is obvious." He offered to ease back into their conversation, though the smile on his face seemed suddenly half-hearted.

[theknightwhosaysni]

Dang. Three whole roasted wherries. It didn't look like she'd be walking away hungry today... Akira grinned, licking her lips at the thought, almost ready to respond to the boy in front of her, when Coreth spoke again.

AkiraMine...[/i] The green said plaintively, I don't want to share you! You should eat and come back to me![/i] Coreth sounded significantly cheerier as the idea passed through her mind, happy at the thought of having Her's back.

Akira mulled the thought over for a moment, before shrugging it off. C'mon, Coreth! Have some fun! Akira grinned cheerfully at Zeis, forcing her mind back to the conversation at hand, "So, all that food, huh? Guess I better take some of that off your hands." A grin stretched across her face as she went on to respond to the rest of his comment, "Why, that's very kind of you." she added, grinning a little wider. She'd not only met a new person, she'd also met a new person who loved food!

This was a great new Weyr!

Zeis. That was a pretty name. Akira smiled, "Nice to meet you, Zeis." she responded to his back as he turned towards someone who clearly wanted some of that mouthwatering bread. No fair! Her food was running away! ...And it was coming back, too.

She watched him dust the flower off his hands and snorted, "Journeyman Baker? That's an accomplishment." she nodded her head lazily, "I'm just a Greenrider."

A pale, pastel looking green flitter shot from between to hover over Akira's head, settling on the greenrider's shoulder with a croon an instant later. The flitter, Sea, looked Zeis over for a moment, before swiveling on her perch to look in the direction of the food.

And meanwhile, Coreth wasn't being too lazy either. Her timid mindvoice reached for Akira again. Mine?[/i]

Yes? Akira responded mentally, withdrawing into herself so that she could focus more thoroughly on what her lovely green was saying.

I think he might make a good Candidate. You know, the one you're talking with?[/i] The green paused, then went on, Now that that's over with, will you come back to me now? I can get you food too, you know.[/i][/size]