Life Beside the Sea

[dietdrpepper]

The air was salty so close to the sea, it had the knack of draining the coloring out of your clothes, or turning the stones to gray. Mornings were similar, cloudy and foggy with moisture hanging in the air and clinging to any object. Today was no different.

Kailea walked out upon the shore, not far from the docks, watching the waves as they formed. Stronger nets would be preferred for today, the water seemed unhappy. Never the best of omens it was not quite the torrential storm that would be the only thing to stop the ships from going out to fish. Light was only just up, fishing would take place in a candlemark or so, the perfect conditions for bigger fish.

But Kai would not be braving the sea today, it was not her turn. She was to net at the shores and to gut the catches that had already been brought in by the early risers. Salt the meat so it remained edible, so that it kept for days. Save the best ones for the Weyr, though they never seemed to ask for too much. Apparently dragonriders preferred bovine to fish most days, though like the break from fish was welcome here, a break from herdbeast must be welcome as well.

Sighing, Kailea moved back to the Hold to find her place among those with the netted fish. Smiling to Edona she waved to her little sister, "I'm helping you guys this morning," she informed her, though the girl likely knew already. Her mother assigned the help, even though Kai and her brother were Harpers, they still needed to be able to work with the Hold and Halls. Edona merely nodded and went about her work. A girl of ten turns and she already had a steady mind for working, to their mother's delight.

Shaking her head, Kai took a bucket and some fish and set to work, slicing the large Yellowtails and Specklers open and gutting them, salting the meat. All she could think about was when the catch was done with and she could go back to her Harper studies, learning the songs of places less...salty than this.

[jack]

The sea--what a marvelous place. Great wings pumped, a challenging bugle echoing across the great salty plane, following by a high whistle. It had been months since Shoth had been this pleased, his fuming red gaze replaced with an energetic blue that B'rak hadn't seen since the beast was a dragonet and had pushed the weyrlingmaster into a mudpit a grumpy Iron was napping in.

His neck scarred and his belly still healing, it would seem unwise for the dragon to be soaring so high and wildly, but the white-haired rider still smiled, knowing full well that so long as no one was around, Shoth would not risk injuring himself further. Now, if there was someone to impress or to scare, that would be a different story.

Before them stretched a seahold, where the newest Candidate would doubtlessly be. Shoth increased his speed, giving another trumpetting call as he soared over the Hold, circling the area lazily as he stared down below. "Let's land, Shoth."
Hn. An affirmative sound, if a tad bit displeased at the thought. He didn't want to have to land, honestly. His back legs ached from where the Queen's claws had managed to rake, and being on the ground made it easier for his tender underside to be scraped against the earth. But he would not admit his pain even to B'rak, the raw pain in the rider's legs and belly the only sign of the dragon's discomfort.

The dragon soared down slowly, landing on his front paws and lowering his lower carefully to the ground, a flash of displeasure in his eyes as he adjusted his position and very gently kneeled, allowing B'rak to slide off before the dragon quickly straightened, folding his wings with a sigh. He would get back at that Queen, he was sure of that. But for now, there was business to attend to, unfortunately, and although Shoth would much rather find some grassy knoll to lie on, deserting his Weyr entirely for long naps on the soft hills, he would still prefer Searching to lying about the Weyr being mumbled about as the 'losing king' or 'queen's pincushion'.

This way, Mine. Pride back in place Shoth strutted past His, head held high and muscles tense in display of his structure as he made his way through the grounds, a smug look on his face as he easily slid through a few areas which would end a Queen's path. Ha! So what if he was small? At least his thighs weren't the size of boulders.

B'rak chuckled at his dragon's thoughts, his arms crossed as he walked just to the side of the Bronze, out of the way of the large feet but still close enough to not be 'lead around'. The dragon stopped near the doors of the Hold itself, staring with distaste at them as he immediately plopped down, giving a pleased hum as the cooling stone soothed his belly. Fetch the squishies, B'rakMine. I want to choose and take a nap.

The man chuckled and nodded, giving the Bronze a fond pat on the shoulder before disappearing into the Hold, alerting the first person he stumbled upon to alert everyone that a Candidate was to be selected today and that everyone of the proper age--and no, he didn't care if they were busy, they were still to come--should gather as quickly as possible.

[dietdrpepper]

Of course, news of dragons travels fast in the Holds, even ones so new as Western Hold. It wasn't long before the word had reached the group of gutters, a few hopeful eyes looking up at the gossip. A dragon? Here? And a large one? Bronze? How was that possible! The holders didn't all know that Shoth was small for his coloring, and they didn't bother to pass on that information either. Instead they wanted to rally together the possible Candidates and have them over there for him to choose. Who would want to make a Searchdragon wait?

Kailea would. Kai wanted very much to make the man wait. How silly was it that her shot at Candidacy came when she was gutting fish? Blood, slime, ooze, guts all covered her hands, and she smelled distinctly of fish. Not exactly the best of first impressions. Still, there were several others who would have the same problem, and a few of the more buxom girls wanted to be sure to perfume their hair before going over. Because that was a good plan. Smell of fish...or smell of perfume...and fish.

Sighing, Kailea rose from her seat and dunked her hands in the ocean water, doing her best to clean off the most of the innards, though it would only add the scent of salt to her already fishy smell. She straightened and followed the herd of people, most of Candidacy age or those who were related to those of age. She did notice that Edona had given her "hmph" to the whole thing as the ten turn old girl remained with the fish, seemingly disinterested in seeing the dragon. Kai wasn't sure if the girl really didn't want to see the dragon or if she was upset that she was not of age yet to Stand. But that was no matter at the moment, there were more pressing matters on Kai's mind. Like the dragon and his choices.

Jumbled together, the group was pressed together so that the dragon could get a good view of them all. And although she was rather forced into the middle, she could see the bronze well enough. A handsome beast, colored prettily and gracefully built. What was his name? Surely he knew how magnificent he was. Where was the rider? The white haired man must be him, Kai had never seen him before and she had seen mostly everyone within the Hold. Or at least she believed she had.

She grimaced as a boy stepped on her foot and shot him a fiery gaze. The dragonstruck lad didn't seem to notice as he stared only at the rider pair before him. That didn't make her feel any better about it. Glaring, she stepped away from him ever so slightly, then kicked his shin before turning back to the dragon pair as he gave out a yelp. She would have to deal with him later if neither were picked. But for now, she only thought of the moment. And what a big moment it could be, if only the dragon would look her way.

[jack]

The smell of fish was in the air~ Much like the sea brought comfort to the massive beast, so too did the scent of swimmers and he gave a smug toss of his head, licking his lips absently as the image of glistening scales and fanning fings disappearing down his gullet filling both his own and B'rak's mind.

But a different smell twisted amongst the tasty one, the rather rancid smell of perfume. Shoth scrunched up his face as he got the first whiff of it, immediately giving a loud sneeze followed by a brisk fanning of wings. Let's get rid of that nasty smell, shall we? Fish was all fine and good, but no one likes fish and flowers together.

"Excuse our intrusion," B'rak announced after Shoth had re-settled, grumbling about flowers and fish and empty stomachs, "I assure you we won't interrupt your work for long." The young man gave a sheepish grin, honestly apologetic for disrupting their work now--and probably for a while with the way sea folk gossipped amongst themselves--before giving a brisk bow, "I am B'rak, and this is Shoth, from Dalibor Weyr." He smiled, tilting his head, and grinned at Shoth, "Looks like a good group. What do you think?"

Shoth's voice was loud, booming through the minds of the gathered as though he were too lazy to keep his voice down, I think I want to take a nap. But yes, yes. Fair enough for squishies. The Bronze turned his head and glanced around the group, looking with lazy eyes before snapping to attention, staring solidly at the yelper. B'rak leaned around his dragon, a brow arched as they both looked at the wincing boy, sharing a glance before Shoth suddenly laughed.

Good show. The beast rumbled, rising to his feet slowly, stretching out his neck to give the group around the pained lad a good long smell. Salt and fish....ew...perfume...salt...fish...fish...wood...fish... He paused, pressing his nose close to Kai's face, staying perfectly still for an extended moment before promptly straightening with an affirmative, sharp nod. Okay, job's done. Naptime.

He turned and began to sashay off, heading back to wider areas and leaving B'rak to blink after him, looking between the Bronze and Kailea. Uh...Shoth?
Yes, Mine?
Did you make a decision...?
My you're slow tonight. Yes, yes. The girl. She'll do, yes? Smells rather nice, and I think she was the one who wholloped that other one. He gave a loud cackle, flicking his tail as he continued on, Very clever, that.

B'rak laughed and turned to the other, offering a hand and a pleased smile, "What's your name, kiddo?"

[dietdrpepper]

Kailea listened as the rider introduced himself and his dragon. B'rak and Shoth from Dalibor. Well that was the most logical place for them to be from, since that was the closest Weyr. Then again, Western Hold was still new enough that the other Weyrs might decide to check on them every once in a while for all she knew. Though none had really seemed to do so yet to her knowledge.

She smiled when the bronze's voice rang loudly in their minds, happy to notice that some of those standing here jumped a bit at the invasion of their minds. But she did not, keeping her calm in front of the riders, that was a very good thing indeed. Though she did notice how the dragon and rider reacted to the boy's yelp, and she realized too little too late that she might have made a mistake with that one. Then again, with the "Good Show" and the laugh...maybe not so much.

And then the dragon was...sniffing them? He was leaning his head in and giving each person their own whiff. Oh what she would give to have been able to clean off the fishy smell to her before this, but who knew that dragons decided Candidates with their nostrils? He passed over the others with a simple fluid motion, and then paused at her. Did she really smell that different? That bad? How could she smell so much worse than the others...they were fishing and gutting as well...well, some of them anyways. She blinked at just how close he was to her, she could easily reach out and touch him. She withheld that desire, deciding that it would be better if she kept her hands to herself and didn't insult anyone.

Then he was gone, straightening and turning his back to them to walk away. Had her smell really been so offensive? She looked to the rider who was looking between his dragon and herself. Obviously he hadn't thought she smelled so bad...though...he wasn't exactly sniffing her to see. To think...the smell would drive him away? How idiotic and imbecilic. Quite suddenly, Kailea was once again irritated with the timing of this whole thing, her brows creasing in annoyance.

Kai couldn't stop the startled blinks when the rider offered her a hand and asked her name, smiling at her. Suddenly, she was quite aprehensive of this one, with his sniffing dragon and his term of "kiddo". Raising her chin ever so slightly, she took his hand, "Kailea," she responded to his question. "And I only smell of fish because we were gutting when you came," she said defensively.

[jack]

"Kailea? A lovely name." B'rak chuckled and gently took a hold of her hand, guiding her out of the crowd before waving off the others with a short bow, "And don't worry," He added, holding in a laugh but not a grin, "There's nothing wrong with the fish smell. Shoth actually thinks it makes you rather tasty smelling."

Chuckling he released her hand, arms crossed lazily over his chest, "Now..." Shoth paused and turned around, looming above B'rak as if asking why things were taking so long. An arched brow and down the dragon went, huffing as he settled back on the ground and proceeded to inspect Kai further to entertain himself.

"Sorry. He's impatient," B'rak explained, giving a sheepish grin, "As I was saying...Shoth says," Sorta said, "That you woudl make an excellent Candidate." He gave a wink, smiling broadly, "Believe me, Shoth doesn't choose often, and doesn't bother to go to extreme lengths to Search, so the fact that he found you right off the bat is sign that it's true." He shifted, leaning against the broad hide that was his dragon, "I'm sorry if this sounds awkward--we don't Search often--but...ah...if you would like, you can come with us to become a Candidate."

The young man grinned as Shoth gave an approving grunt, tilting his head before lifting it up to its usual height. "S'up to you, kiddo."

[dietdrpepper]

He thought her name was lovely. And his dragon thought she smelled tasty. How...interesting. She was a bit confused as he waved the crowd off after bringing her out of it, though she ignored the noises that the others made. Including the boy who only glared at her at that point. She had more pressing matters to think about than him at this moment though. She was being singled out by the dragon pair. Did that mean she was what they were looking for?

She turned to the bronze that settled to the ground in a huff and noticed that he was looking at her. Or at least, she thought he was. Such a pretty beast he was too. But now that she had a bit of a closer look she could tell that he was injured somewhat, though he looked to have his pride perfectly in position to ignore such trivial matters. Giving herself a mental shake she looked away from the dragon and back to his rider. He was, after all, the one who was speaking to her.

He was apologizing for his dragon's impatience? The bronze didn't seem that impatient to her, but she wasn't entirely sure how their personalities were set. Perhaps he was being impatient. Her brows rose when he stated that the bronze thought her Candidate-worthy. So that was why the dragon had finished his sniffs when he reached her. He liked her enough to pick her. He even asked her if she would like to go with them to be a Candidate.

Her brows furrowed speculatively as she looked at him as he straightened. "I sure hope this isn't a trick question," she said simply. What a horrible thing that would be, to offer someone a chance at an unreachable dream and then to laugh at them and set them back down on solid ground. "But I don't think you're the type to be cruel," she amended. Kai certainly hadn't gotten that idea from him, that he was the type to make fun of the pain of others.

Smiling, she raised her chin again, "If Shoth thinks I have what it takes, who am I to deny him the chance at showing off his own ability at choosing?" she asked, quite willing to take pleasure from this. How many people were Searched by bronzes, after all? Even ones whose riders continued to call their Searched Candidates "kiddo". He really should work on that...

[jack]

I do not play games. Shoth abruptly replied, seeming to frown subtly as he stared down at her, Nor do I find worth in trick questions. Rest assured, I am completely serious.

B'rak grinned, chuckling as she deduced out-loud and he nodded, "Its no trick," He assured, even as she came to the same conclusion, "I wouldn't be much of a rider if I acted like that. And Shoth would probably eat one of my arms."
I would.

The youth chuckled and tilted his head, smirking as Shoth let out a pleased laugh, Hah! There's some truth. The dragon rose and carefully stretched out his injured legs before turning, strutting back the way he had come.
"Well c'mon, kiddo." B'rak announced, grinning as he trailed after Shoth, "He needs bigger room to take off, okay?"

The rider paused, and gave a sheepish grin, rubbing the back of his neck, "Ah..sorry. Do you need help gathering your things?"

[dietdrpepper]

Kai watched the bronze as he spoke to her, his voice in her mind. It was a strange new sensation that she fairly enjoyed. Perhaps with this chance she would be able to have a dragon of her own, one that would use this form of communication all the time with her. It was impossible to misunderstand the meanings, impossible to miss words. Even though the thought was not her own, it seemed honest and simple.

B'rak's words were not as believable, simply because he was forced to use the human way of communicating, by verbalizing what he wanted to say. Of course, this didn't make her believe him any less. His words were honest enough, and she had never heard of a dragonrider lying or pulling any sort of prank like this. It likely would have gotten them in quite a bit of trouble, honestly. If not with the Weyr then with the Holds, which would later relate to the Weyr. She gave an understanding smile to his statement so that he knew she was at the very least paying attention to him.

Irritatingly, he continued to call her "kiddo". Still, that fact didn't displace her pleasure at the situation. His bronze had chosen her to have an opportunity to try for a dragon. And then he offered her help gathering her things. Gathering her things? Oh, she hadn't thought of that. Smiling she shook her head, "No, it shouldn't be long. Just a few things to gather up," was it okay to make him wait? Obviously or he wouldn't have offered to help her.

"If you're bored enough to follow, wander, or stay put, feel free to do whatever pleases you," she said, as if he didn't know that already. Without so much as another word beyond that she turned and walked briskly towards her home. Likely her brother was there working on his music, but at least that meant that she had someone to tell that she was leaving. That was a good thing.

It didn't take her long to reach her home, noting that her brother was indeed there. Without saying a word to him just yet she began to gather up her belongings. At least the ones she wanted to take. Some clothing, some smaller instruments that wouldn't be too much of a bother, pen and inks, small things that were easily transportable. The only thing she would be sad to leave behind was her guitar, but surely B'rak didn't want to bother with such an instrument on the ride back. Even one as well made as this one, or one as polished as this one.

[jack]

B'rak paused, brows raising, at the other's crisp tone as she turned around and moved off towards her home. Shoth's laughter, pleased and assured, rang loud in his mind and he rolled his eyes, trailing after Kailea with his hands stuffed in his pockets.
For once, he didn't even think about Shoth's decision on her, as he himself agreed fully on his dragon's sense--a rare thing. Although he didn't know what dragons used to pick Theirs, he knew for a fact that the girl would make a good rider should she Impress. She seemed very much together, and although all kids tend to act more mature around older people, she was authoritatively mature. he shook his head. Just what he needed--someone else for Shoth to butt-heads with one day.

With the lazy obedience of a well-trained dog B'rak followed on Kai's heels, never too close or too far, and never too alert or too zoned out. Looking a bit like a guard he chewed the inside of his cheek thoughtfully, observing his surroundings absently and yet raptly. He trailed a bit further behind as they entered her home, eyes wandering around curiously before landing on her brother. He inclined his head respectfully as he passed, leaning in the doorway while the girl gathered her things. "Leaving the gitar?" He asked after a moment, after watching her gather up every instrument he could see save for that one. Maybe she didn't like it?

[dietdrpepper]

He certainly did feel like a lost puppy, though she never realized that a rider could feel like that when they followed someone around. He didn't say anything, just followed her, silent and somewhere between watchful and disinterested. Honestly, it was a little unnerving, but nothing that Kai couldn't handle. He seemed capable enough, and from the sounds of it, Shoth would give him a mindfull if he was doing anything the bronze felt was inappropriate. Not that bronzeriders often did inappropriate things. Not that she knew what riders did.

She noted that no words had been exchanged between the rider and her brother. Likely her brother was trying to figure out just who had had followed her home, but was smart enough to not say too much. Riders did tend to look like riders, and it was obvious from the riding jacket and the style of knots that B'rak was a rider, even if they didn't know the rank from the knots.

Kailea blinked when he spoke to her finally, asking about the guitar in question. She glanced at him, then turned back to frown to the guitar. "It's awfully big," she said with a shrug. "Doesn't seem like something one should take when going from Holdlife to Weyrlife," even if the latter didn't last very long. There was a chance that she would never find a dragon. Probably a better chance at that then having one pick her. It seemed bothersome, to her, to make B'rak and Shoth tote her and her belongings to the Weyr for her to possibly not even Impress. Surely that would come back to them somehow, since they were the ones that picked her.

[jack]

B'rak shrugged, tilting his head further, "If its important to you, size doesn't' matter." He rumbled after a moment, although he didn't press the issue further. She had reasons for things, and if she didnt' want to bring it, that was her decision. And if she decided later she wanted it, he didn't mind bringing her back--Shoth appeared to like her alright, he was sure the Bronze wouldn't complain too much.

He stood quietly as she finished up and then turned, lazily striding out of the house, although he took the lead now that he knew the way. He inclined his head again when they passed her brother again. Back out to the open air and B'rak sighed, smirking at the feel of the sea hold's salty air. He did love the sea.

"Have you ever been on dragonback?" B'rak asked after a moment as he strode towards where he could picture his dragon sprawled out in the sun--from Shoth's lazy directions it seemed he was partially in the way and in a place to be offered the occasional fish. "Oh. Do you own a jacket of some sort? Between is very cold, you realize."

[dietdrpepper]

He didn't mind her bringing the guitar. That made her decision harder. Still, her connection to the thing was a simple one nothing at all complex. She could easily get a new guitar, and it wouldn't hurt her feelings if anything should ever happen to this particular one. It was just a very nice guitar. But what it represented...well, it represented her defying her mother really. Which she would certainly be doing by going off on dragonback to try her luck at one of the beautiful creatures. Very nice instrument, but effectively, it was unimportant. She would leave it to her father.

Finishing her packing, she tied up her pack and went back to smile at her brother, "I'm going to the Weyr to try for a dragon, Oran. Have fun!" she said cheerily to him before walking out. Surely he had already guessed, and his lack of response seemed to confirm that assumption. For some reason, though she had walked through this door several times, this time it felt invigorating. It felt exciting, like she was taking a new step forwards, and that was always a fun thing, wasn't it? Hopefully this would be the last time she walked out of this door.

Kai turned to B'rak when he spoke to her, smiling she shook her head, "Surely not. Very few people were brought over on dragonback. I have a fisher for a mother, so we, naturally, sailed across the seas to get here," she said as she rolled her eyes. Her mother had been so thrilled with the voyage, overexaggerating every little detail and soaking it in every moment they were on that boat. Her father, however, had been terribly ill and had detested every moment.

Coat. Right. Between was cold. "Yeah, one moment," she said, setting down her bag and digging through it to find her good sailing coat, "should have thought of it earlier," she said by way of apology. She pulled the thing out and shrugged into it. "I did think of it, but really, I just thought of..." well of her possibly using it whenever she got a dragon, "...of packing it and didn't think to wear it." The jacket was worn, but in decent condition. When sailing the seas in the early hours or staying on the ventures that lasted days as you chased down the schools of fish...well, you needed a jacket. And solid boots.

She smiled at him, "There we go, does this work?" Surely Between was colder than the raging storms of the sea, but still, this was the best she had on hand, having never had a need for those more solid coats used for dragonriding, or those thicker ones used for any period of life spent in the snowy mountainous areas.

[jack]

The rider leaned down and gave the jacket a quick once-over, checking its thickness quietly. While Shoth didn't give a fish-scale's care over the squishies, B'rak wouldn't and couldn't deny that he was a bit of a worry-wort. But the jacket was thick enough, and while she'd certainly feel a chill, it would be alright.

"That'll work." He rumbled with a pleased nod, smiling as climbed up onto his dragon and offered a hand down to Kailea, pulling her up to sit in front of him. The rider silently offered the riding straps and adjusted his own position, giving Shoth an affirmative.

The tiny Bronze made a sound that clearly said 'about time!' and delicately wandered to the dip in the ground from a sloping hill. This tiny bit of a dive would be that much less stress on his aching legs. He tilted down and leapt, using as much of his front legs as he could while he pumped his wings powerfully, getting up into the air in a graceful--if clearly pained--manner.

Higher and higher the dragon soared, the image in His's mind making him rumble in distaste. He wasn't ready to go home! But the image grew stronger and clearer as B'rak thrust it upon him, giving him a rare, firm order. Shoth sighed and rolled his eyes, then betweened

"Welcome to Dalibor Weyr." The rider rumbled as the dragon appeared again, circling down towards the Weyr, "We're going to drop you off closest to the Barracks as we can get you." He said softly, "The other Candidates will be happy to help," he added in a chirp, "And I'll try to find the Candidatemaster for you."

Shoth landed with a grunt and B'rak slid down, gently helping Kai down as well. "Straight through that door and down the hall," He said with a grin, "That's where the barracks begin. I'm sure you'll find someone to help you there. I'm sorry I can't help you myself, but I need to have Shoth's legs looked at." He grinned and gave her a short bow, then walked to Shoth's side, "See you around, kiddo!"