|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2018 5:05 am
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
The sight of a tiny girl wrapping her arms around herself for comfort tugged at Candidatemaster A'ral's heart. Poor little thing. "Etansi, come inside. There's no need to linger at the door like that, dear." So saying, he ushered the girl into his office, and sat her down in a nice plush chair on the other side of his large, carved wooden desk. A cup of warming tea was placed before her, and then A'ral threaded his hands together on the table.
"Etansi, I am not kicking you out. Goodness, child, you just went through a traumatic experience while the rest simply met new dragonets. Please don't think we could ever be so cruel. I did not bring you here to discuss how your removal would take place, as Zinath tells me you've feared. We are here to discuss your new schedule."
And, more importantly, to help her sort out her wounded feelings, and sense of abandonment. The young woman was only fifteen Turns old - barely old enough to be a very, very junior journeyman, if that. She had clearly been crying, was perhaps still crying, and he didn't make it a habit to torment frightened children.
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/posts/say/say_b3_p.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2018 5:44 am
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/posts/say/say_b1_p.gif) |
Ushered into the room faster than she thought she would be, Etansi tried to curl into herself a bit when placed in the chair that dwarfed her slim frame. Being indoors was still a bit new to her even all these months after coming to the Weyr as she'd slept outdoors or in shacks or even in a caravan at one point, but never indoors like this. Even being in the solid room made her uneasy a bit because there was no way for her to escape should she need to and her eyes were huge and wild in her face like some wild animal. What were his intentions, was he going to tell her now that she was being removed from the Weyr or... steaming water?
Swallowing a bit of fear down she leaned forward and sniffed at the water during the pause in her master's words. It wasn't water, it didn't smell right for water and why was it so hot? Wrinkling her nose she sat back in the chair and pulled her knees to her chest tightly, trying to use the brace to keep her from shaking as visibly as she was when he gave her the news that she knew was coming.
But the words that A'ral spoke were not at all the ones that Etansi was expecting. Stay? She could stay in the Weyr and be near her brother? Why weren't they kicking her out when she'd broken the very first rules that she'd been taught upon arrival?
It didn't matter though, because he had spoken them and the expression on his face did not speak of a lie or a joke to her. Tears burst from her instantly with a loud gasp and the intense burning pain in her chest burst all at once and left her with a numb feeling that spread and spread. She could stay, she didn't have to try and figure out how to starve again when she'd been eating regular meals, she didn't have to come up with ways to stay safe all alone in the world. Etansi buried her face in her knees and sank her nails into the skin of her legs, she'd cried enough in the open on that day and it still filled her with shame. Now here she was again, tears running down her face as she could finally relax and not feel as though every breath was one step closer to being forced away from her brother.
A loud growl erupted from her stomach that broke her tears up a bit and even her dark features seemed to turn red as her head lifted and her hands went to cover the heat she felt in her face. She hadn't eaten anything since the hatching because she thought she'd have to get used to starving once more and was prepping her body for it. Now she regretted it.
"I'm sorry. I know everyone thinks... I'm an idiot. I'm sorry." The tears that ran down her face dampened her hands but she couldn't take them away and look the man in the face when she'd disgraced him so.
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2018 6:23 am
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
"Etansi," A'ral said gently, learning forward so that he could cover her hand with his rather larger one, "No one think that. And if they do, they will have a stern talking to. You have had a hard day, and that is quite understandable. As I said before, no one else thought they were losing their best friend, their twin. You are not going to be turned out on your ear, my dear. Now have a cookie." So saying, he secured one from the platter beside him, and set it on the coaster.
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/posts/say/say_b3_p.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2018 3:59 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2018 4:37 pm
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/posts/say/say_b1_p.gif) |
"Actually, this one is flower water," A'ral explained, easily falling into teacher mode as the topic moved a little away from her eminent departure. "Etansi, when I agreed to take you on as a Candidate, it wasn't because I intended to turn you out on your ear--"
And that, right there, was about when Erastan burst in on the pair. Raising his brow slightly, A'ral examined the newly minted rider. "Erastan, what excellent timing. I was going to send for you after assuring your sister that her schedule will be modified so that you can both spend some time together. However. I would ask that you wait outside for the time being, as I need some time with Etansi."
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2018 5:28 pm
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
Flower water smelled much the same as leaf water, but she sipped it anyway and felt her tears dry up slowly in the process, trying to wipe them away with her fingers as he began to explain things. Her attention was suddenly snapped when the door blew open and in burst her twin like a whirlwind of anger and determination. His words made her heart hammer harder and she was forced to sit down the drink so she didn't spill it all over herself when her hands began to shake. Etansi wanted nothing more than to leap to her feet and embrace her brother on the spot, but that wouldn't have been right just then when A'ral spoke up about her schedule and the chances she would get to see him.
Casting looks back and forth between the two of them, Etansi strunk slightly into the chair, still feeling like Pern's biggest fool ever. She'd thought he was leaving her, then she thought she was leaving him. Now here she was looking just as sheepish as the expression that crossed her brother's face, at least they were sharing in something again. Who was Aspalath? Was that his dragon then?
Did he really have to go outside and be away from her once more? That was a stupid thought though, of course he had to go outside and wait, but her stomach lurched a bit. It was just so good to see his face...
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/posts/say/say_b3_p.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2018 12:04 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2018 6:40 am
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
A'ral watched the boy leave the room, then turned to face his sister. "Etansi, as I was saying, I would hardly accept you as a Candidate, and then turn you out on your ear. That is not the way we do things here. However, it is imperative that you understand and follow the lessons that I teach you. I don't tell you these things in order to inconvenience you, but rather to protect you, and any hatchlings you may encounter. You have heard this many times, but Standing for a clutch is one of the greatest honors you can have. I expect you to treat that honor with the respect it deserves."
He paused, reaching for a cup of his own tea. "That being said, when situations like this arrive, I assure you that I do understand. We've had a number of closely bonded siblings, even twins, split up temporarily by one half of the set Impressing. But Etansi, Erastan just proved to you that he's not going anywhere. He loves you. He was willing to stand up to me to defend you, and that is no small thing. What I plan to do is ensure that you have the training that you need, but that you're also able to visit with your brother. He's not going anywhere. You haven't lost your brother, you've gained a bit more. Hmm?"
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/posts/say/say_b3_p.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2018 5:27 am
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
Letting the girl's words wash over him, A'ral listened. She was fighting back tears, and that would do her no good. "Etansi, I understand that that was something you had to do out in the wide world, but you are in Western Weyr now. It's going to take a long time to believe this, I have no doubt. Staying alive here is a given, unless you are fighting Thread. Staying alive should be something everyone is entitled to. And believe me, my dear, you are in a safe place. I know that you don't understand that yet, but I hope that given time it will sink in."
The poor child. A'ral felt a great pang of sympathy for her... although she was hardly the only young person to have such an outlook, and to have gone through so much. "You are not a disgrace, Etansi. You are a young woman who has gone through much, and most recently has felt that she's lost her dearest friend, and beloved brother." Although he really wanted to hug her, it had not escaped his notice that she had flinched when he'd touched her hand. "I know that you will one day make me very proud, and that means letting others in, however difficult it might be. You are capable of bonding with a dragonet, or else you wouldn't have been Searched. But you need to relax, if you can. No one is going to be allowed to hurt you. Very few would even try."
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/posts/say/say_b3_p.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2018 11:40 pm
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/posts/say/say_b1_p.gif) |
That was the barb though, was she really the one that was Searched? Or had it been Erastan and the Weyr simply got them as a pair because they were always together. Now that he'd Impressed it would come down to her doing the same, really proving to this man that she could and was good enough to make anyone proud. Something that she had never once done in her life full of nothing but survival. It was good to know now that even if she never Impressed her brother wouldn't leave her completely, just a little bit every time he fought Thread and risked his life somewhere she could never help him.
Nodding her head even if it was still lowered, Etansi balled her hands into fists and promised herself that she would never stop fighting even if she would never stand on the same level as her brother again. Maybe she couldn't protect him in the air, but she had never physically been able to do much for him anyway, it had always been a much more underhanded approach that she took in order to help him. Sure, she was useless compared to his dragon, but she would find other ways to keep them safe and cared for. Standing as a Candidate was another fifteen year commitment that she could handle as long as he was a rider, then she would work as a drudge after that, make something money wise. Plans unfolded swiftly in her head.
"This... would be the first place I've been that could say that... safety is entitled." It certainly was hard to explain why she might never come to believe that with so many new things and dragons and perceived dangers hanging around the Weyr. There was only one place she felt safe after all, "I still feel that way, but it just means trying harder... right? To not fail?"
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2018 5:31 am
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
Etansi, dear, you were also the object of Search. You are as much a Candidate as was your brother. Having a telepathic creature listening in to her conversations and thought patterns was probably not something the girl wanted, but Zinath could not help it. That anxiety demanded to be answered.
A'ral sipped his tea, debating how best to handle the girl's fears. "Just try. That is all that I ask. And as I said, you are not being thrown out on your ear. This is a safe place, whether you believe it to be or not... and I will do everything in my power to make sure that it stays that way."
Weighing his options, A'ral finally sighed, and said, loudly, "You may come in, Erastan." He knew the boy was lurking outside, no doubt listening to everything that was said - a bad habit, and one that he hoped Liat might break him of.
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/posts/say/say_b3_p.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|