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+--- Thread: [G] [P] 740.07.01 | Ferryman (/showthread.php?tid=4443)
740.07.01 | Ferryman - Z'rin - 01.Jul.19
“Indamor!” Z’rin called out cheerfully as soon as Varralath touched down on their ledge. He greeted Rhezalth as he jumped down from his own dragon, envying the way the great bronze could lounge in the sun all afternoon. Maybe he’d talk N’mor into such an activity after sharing his news. “I’ll be back to remove your gear soon!” He promised his dragon even as he removed his gloves and jacket, hanging them on a hook before quickly ducking inside the weyr.
He spotted his mate immediately, the bronzerider strolling through their living area, likely called from wherever and whatever he was doing, as intended. Z’rin smiled brightly and ran to him, scooping N’mor up at the waist to lift off his feet and twirl around twice before setting him back on the ground. He laughed from excitement and planted a long hard kiss on lips he knew intimately. “The meeting went a lot better than I thought it would! You aren’t going to believe this.”
M’ris had sent for him that morning, telling him to mount up as the two of them were going on a little outing. Z’rin was certain that meant something horrible though he couldn’t logically explain what it could be. The best he could come up with was that one of the other Weyrs wanted him in a trade for some unknown reason and they were going to that Weyr to spring it on him and tell him the details. He knew everything had been pretty relaxed when it came to rules and doing their best to go with the wishes of the riders, but what if they were cracking down and spreading certain colours or problem riders around? He had been a ball of nerves when he left to meet M’ris and nothing changed when he learned the real reason.
N’mor received another kiss before he was dragged over to the couch so he could share his news. “We actually went down to Ista Hold. The Lord Holder had requested me, me by name. Well, M’ris confessed it was more by my deeds but close enough! Anyway, he hasn’t been happy with the brownrider that has been the family’s personal ferryman for a while so he asked for someone more reliable and remembered how I risked my life for some of his citizens and liked that dedication. I know it’s not really the position most riders want but I’m thrilled to help like that and it will only be for the immediate family and when they’re going between other Holds, not like personal errands a ten minute walk away.”
Z’rin knew everyone hated being tasked to go pick up someone and wait around until they were done with whatever their task was, but truthfully, what else could he do? Varralath had shown no interest in Searching and neither of them were built for teaching so Werylingmaster or even assistant was out—especially since he could barely read. And if he was being absolutely honest with himself, he was a bluerider mated to a bronzerider. N’mor didn’t have to do anything to be respected and one day he might lead a wing or an entire Weyr. Z’rin felt inadequate and he worried he would end up ruining N’mor’s reputation somehow. He fully believed N’mor would never look down on him or hate him for being a bluerider but that didn’t mean he wanted to be just another bluerider roaming around without purpose and waiting to be called upon. This was something that could be prestigious in its own way and he wouldn’t disappoint anyone!
RE: 740.07.01 | Ferryman - N'mor - 05.Jul.19
N’mor was having an enjoyable, lazy morning. That wasn’t to say he was doing nothing - he had a hard time being idle - but rather that he was idly working his way through his daily tasks as opposed to marching through them like he usually did. Exercises, breakfast, laundry, a quick bath, and then off to get ready for his late lunch with Z’rin. He was in the process of folding and putting away his mate’s laundry from the previous day, when Rhezalth alerted him to the incoming blue pair.
Moving out of the bedroom and across the living area, N’mor’s lips twitched into a small smile at the clear joy on Z’rin’s face, before giving a rather inelegant yelp of surprise - which morphed into a laugh - when Z’rin picked him up and spun them around. N’mor’s left (and only!) hand clung tightly to Z’rin’s shoulder before snaking it around his mate’s neck as he was lowered to the ground. “Hello to you, too,” he murmured in good humour before Z’rin kissed him and seemed to explode with his good news.
N’mor laughed, soft and amused at Z’rin’s excitement as he was dragged over to the couch, stumbling a little as he tried to keep his slightly shorter legs at pace with Z’rin’s excited pace. Thankfully the distance was short and N’mor sat down beside Z’rin, knees touching though body turned away so he could look at Z’rin as he spoke.
A rich laugh escaped N’mor at Z’rin’s explanation, and he leaned forward to kiss his lover with affection. “Oh my love,” he teased, tapping Z’rin’s nose with his pointer finger. “You are a gift.” While every other rider was whining about being saddled with transport duty, Z’rin was just about sprouting his own wings to fly the Holders around with! Smiling gently, N’mor reached down the back of the couch to dig up a bottle of wine he’d stolen off his father, and winked at Z’rin as he opened it and took a swig.
“Tell me about your new duties!”
RE: 740.07.01 | Ferryman - Z'rin - 08.Jul.19
Z’rin laughed as the bottle appeared, knowing where it came from as he didn’t think N’mor had ever actually purchased a bottle of Benden. He didn’t mind since that meant they could use their marks on other things like items for their weyr or his daughter. Z’rin still marvelled at how lucky he was that his mate adored his kid and that N’mor seemed to be more amused by his desire to be a dad as well as be useful to other people. He wasn’t insulted by N’mor calling him a gift because he was willing to take on a task that others had to take because the Weyrleader ordered them to since any teasing would be done with love attached to it—and truth. Z’rin already knew he was odd and would often beat others to the punchline.
“My duties won’t be too exciting by your definition and in fact will probably bore you and make you question my sanity. But the Lord Holder, his wife, and his children can call on me to transport them here and there as needed or maybe pick up someone important and deliver them to Ista. Though I’m sure any other Lord would be insulted to have a blue appear for him with or without knowing the reasoning for it.” Z’rin chuckled as he shook his head at how Holders still viewed dragonriders in general and the colours on a more specific level. He didn’t expect his new job to sway anyone to the way of blues being the best but he’d at least try to elevate the opinion a bit.
Grabbing the bottle from N’mor, Z’rin took a long swig, savouring the taste a moment before handing the bottle back and continuing with his explanation. “I won’t be stationed at the Hold all day waiting just in case so I’ll still be here more often than not. And I should always have notice so it won’t be us sleeping or being intimate and suddenly a flitter appears with a note summoning me. I’ve been told that will only ever happen in an emergency like a death, I guess. Although I guess there might be a chance of one still appearing with a note letting me know upcoming plans but Varralath can help intercept visitors—winged or not.” Not that either of them would really care about an interruption since they both fell asleep quickly and could resume a steamy situation rather easily.
The only real downside to the whole thing was the actual note reading. With the way words seemed to hate him and move around and away from his gaze, Z’rin had given up trying to learn long before he was left on an island with wild animals. He had a chance to learn again in Katila but he was too embarrassed by it and just pretended to read notices or took his time when alone. He had finally confessed to N’mor about his troubles but sometimes it still bothered him that it could be another flaw used against his mate. “I’m going to read them all, of course, but will you, uh, read them after I do to verify that I have everything correct?”