[D] Letters on the Run - Printable Version +- World of Pern (https://pern.second-pass.net/forum) +-- Forum: OOC (https://pern.second-pass.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=3) +--- Forum: Character Development (https://pern.second-pass.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=77) +---- Forum: Character Diaries (https://pern.second-pass.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=159) +---- Thread: [D] Letters on the Run (/showthread.php?tid=4703)

Letters on the Run - Zahrah - 24.Oct.20 (and his to hers) 001 A Little Surpise In the Wind - Zahrah - 25.Oct.20 20.10.741 Benden Weyr Lower Caverns Zahrah & Zarel Runner Alekse Station 168 Hello there. Just finally getting some time by myself. The days have flown since Gather and so have the Candidate chores. I started a new project once I got back from Gather -- finally I can start to see some results. Now, for you I have something rather fun. You should have a very small package for you at Station 168. Keep an eye on the front eaves. Always, Zahrah RE: Letters on the Run - Alekse - 02.Nov.20 28.10.741 Alekse, Journeyman Runner Out of station 168 Candidate Zahrah Benden Weyr ~Z, As I hold the small pendant you’ve sent (and I assume, based on the lovely craftsmanship, that you’ve made), I see the blue in it, and think of your blue eyes...I look forward to seeing them in person again. I’m glad to know you think fondly of me. In all honestly, that day at Gather was such a whirlwind I questioned whether or not it actually occurred, and worried I’d gone mad. Your little lamp marking the Hold station is a welcome change to the usual stark decor of the place, and the addition of a spot for glows makes it a welcome beacon for a weary Runner coming off the traces at night. The staton master sends his thanks. The cold nights are freezing the moss on the traces, making the travel less than ideal at times. There’s a rugged sort of beauty this far north, and despite the slower going, I am enjoying the sights and experiences it offers. My next certain destination is station 102 in the north of the plains of Keroon. Not yet sure where I’ll be headed from there just yet, just that I’m headed east. Yours, ~A RE: Letters on the Run - Zahrah - 04.Nov.20 03.11.741 Lower Caverns Benden Weyr Zahrah & Zarel Apologies on the wait for a reply. I was at Telgar for their Hatching but did not Impress. It was lovely being out there on the Sands, though. I am back at Benden, now. Glad to hear you have my present. I figured it might be too bouncy to wear when running but it is something for the stops along the way. A little light in the dark. Thankfully, Gather did had and neither of us has gone mad. Station 102 should hold another surprise as well. I do hope the path before you is clear and as easy as possible. One day I will see it for myself, I'm sure. Keroon plains are pretty enough from what I've heard, easier on the feet, yes? Zarel says to tell you hello and that she is cheering you on your Run. She's so looking forward to meeting you and has an awful lot of questions about Running. Zarie is always running here and there and has never walked when she can run. Even when she was just a babe, she crawled fast, skipped walking, and ran. Though she wants badly to Impress, she would be an excellent Runner. May your journey be pleasant. Another letter will find its way to you soon, you know. All my love, Zahrah RE: Letters on the Run - Alekse - 08.Nov.20 08.11.741 Alekse, Journeyman Runner Out of unnumbered Runner station between Lemos and 102 Candidate Zahrah and young Zarel Benden Weyr ~Z, Don’t worry yourself over delayed replies. I’m accustomed to running messages, not receiving them. I’m just pleased to get letters at all. I apologize, myself, for the sparse letters…I don’t carry writing supplies with me and am at the mercy of whatever station I come upon next if I am keen on sending something out. I was fortunate that this station master’s wife is a hopeless romantic and provided me the needed tools to write to ‘my sweetheart’ as she has taken to calling you. Her name is Mara and she sends her love. The beauty out here, in the middle of nowhere, Pern, is indescribable. The sky broom forests are simply stunning, and I hope to share them with you in person one day. I hoped to capture some of that beauty in a sketch, but I don’t think I am able to do it justice. I’m used to the mountains farther west, but am getting used to the new terrain. It is flatter, to be sure, and while pretty, with such easy running the mind tends to wander from the traces. A wandering mind can easily turn into a misplaced step… Though, I believe I’ve got enough to focus on to keep my mind sharp… My sister’s stride would just eat the miles up and she would cover this ground like it was nothing. Not going to lie, I am a bit jealous of her talent right about now. She’d already be at Benden and not even be out of breath. From the sound of it, my sister and your daughter are kindred spirits, running and chasing dragons, finding their own ways to fly. Thank Zarel for cheering for me, and tell her I am happy to answer any questions she can come up with. I should reach station 102 before the end of next sevenday. Always, ~A ((included is this sketch found here)) Zarel to Alekse - Zarel - 08.Nov.20 Zarel at Lower Caverns in Benden to Runner Alekse Mama says I'm supposed to date this, so it is 10.11.741 and it is Zarel writing. You're traveling really fast! That must mean we'll see you soon and that's a good thing. You're very welcome about my cheering. I do it in the morning and at midday because that way I don't choke on my meals. It's important to be slower when you're eating, Mama says. If I cheer, then I can be slow, and my insides don't get surprised. I hope your route is smooth and your journey uneventful because Mama says that if it's uneventful that's good. I don't see why that is. I'd want it to be eventful. I'd want there to be awesome things to see on my Run if I were Running. I don't like to walk places, that's boring, but people are always telling me to slow down! Or they send messages with me. I get them there really fast and people like that. I am my own Runner sometimes and that it really neat. Bother, I have to do some chores but I will send you more letters! Mama says I don't have to wait and that I can send them every day if I want because you will get them anyway and have things to keep you in good spirit! I hope you have good spirit, Runner Alekse!! x - Zarel RE: Letters on the Run - Alekse - 12.Nov.20 12.11.741 Alekse, Journeyman Runner Out of Station 102 Candidate Zahrah, young Zarel Benden Weyr ~Z, It was lovely to see the front eves graced with another of your creations. I applaud your use of colors known by Runners, the orange and green compliment each other well in the piece. Clever, too, to create something new and unique as 102 isn’t close enough to any particular major Hold to use their banner. You are smart, talented, and beautiful, and I count myself lucky to know you. I’ve received notice from Master Venan, and he’s agreed to take me on officially and train me as his replacement, provided I prove my worth. I’ll be based out of station 42 close to the crossroads from the holds, about forty miles from the Weyr. My new routes will have me Running anywhere from Lemos to the tip of Nerat, and who knows what I might find along the way… Should all go as anticipated and the weather keeps clear, I’ll be at my new base, and to you, in about another sevenday. All my best, ~A ~-~-~ Zarel, Yes, I am traveling as quickly as my feet can carry me, and I do believe that we’ll be meeting soon. As far as going slow when eating, your Mama is smart, and absolutely right. Insides don’t like to be surprised and surprised insides don’t make for easy running. I like things happening too, and usually enjoy eventful journeys. In this case, though, any big events might slow me down and keep me from reaching you and your Mama sooner. So while I like events and seeing amazing things, I’ll be glad if there aren’t many of them to distract me on this particular journey. That's good that you're fast! Speed is definitely important for running messages. While I want to get where I need to go quickly, I do spend some times walking, too, though. I need to make sure to spend my energy wisely so I don’t get too tired too early in my Run. It’s called ‘pacing oneself’ and I can explain more when I get there, if you’d like. Though I bet you have so much energy you don’t know what to do with it all… The letters you and your Mama have sent me are keeping me very much in good spirits, thank you! I appreciate them very much. I look forward to meeting you, -Runner Alekse RE: Letters on the Run - Alekse - 31.Jan.21 02.02.742 Candidate Zahrah Fort Weyr *relayed via message pouch on Handsome* ~Z, I hope Fort finds you well. Please, keep me posted as to the time of the Hatching, and we’ll be on our way as quickly as we can. Zarel and I don’t plan to miss your Impressing. I’ve made arrangements with a lovely greenrider who has agreed to give us a ride when needed. We’ll be in the stands, you can count on that. My sister is Standing, as well, and I hope you two can become acquainted, perhaps even friends. You both mean the very world to me, and the thought of you two getting on brings me as much joy, if not more, than the thought of either (or both) of you Impressing. Benden is a bit less bright without your smile, but it will grow brighter than before with your return, and, hopefully, by the addition of a set of rainbow eyes and a pair of glistening wings. I want you to know, too, that should you Impress at Fort, you’ll fill my mind and heart until you are able to return, however long that may be. I know there is some sort of arrangement to be made regarding female riders and the Healer Hall, or so my sister has mentioned. I don’t expect you to shirk that…no, I know you’ll tackle it with all of the willpower of a Runner on a Crossing. And I’ll be cheering you on, eagerly awaiting the moment you come back to me. All my love, ~A RE: Letters on the Run - Zahrah - 10.Feb.21 02.04.742 Journeyman Runner Alekse relayed by firelizard pouch, brown, Shard Alekse, Fort could be better. The Touching ended abruptly when two Candidates had a tussle in the middle of the eggs and one broke, killing the dragonet instantly. I can only imagine that those responsible have been banned from the Sands. I hope the rest of the clutch isn't affected badly by this horrible incident. The mood had been sober to say the least. Hopefully, everything will go find the rest of the way to the hatching and I'll come away with something positive. No matter what, I will be very glad to either Impress or return to Benden but I'll be looking for you and Zarel in the Stands. Shard brings all my love to you and Zarel both. ~Z. RE: Letters on the Run - Alekse - 19.Feb.21 02.19.742 relayed via Handsome ~Z, I’ve made progress with moving your things. That little apartment, though homey, isn’t fit for the stunning gold that Sedath will become. I’ve arranged for your necessities to be transferred and held at our little cothold on the trace until you are assigned a weyr at Fort, and, perhaps at my next visit, I can bring a few of your most treasured pieces with me. The household seems to have picked up yet another set of wings, as well… I ran back to the Weyr to check in with Zarel at creche this afternoon, to find the girl gone. She’d been sent to the children’s dorm, and told to stay put for several days…until her new firelizard could behave himself. It took some prompting, but after a promise not to bring it up at the Weyr unless it was absolutely necessary, she told me her tale. Do you remember that young brown rider? He has a young brother about Zarel’s age, and the boy had somehow obtained a bronze firelizard egg. Well, due to—urgent, and unfortunate— circumstances, the poor kid was in the privy when the thing hatched, and lest it fly off feral, Zarel had to feed, and therefore Impress, the flit. His name is Jasper. Zarel is quite upset by the whole ordeal, as she believes her friend is upset with her, (which is understandable, under the circumstances), but I’m sure things will mend themselves soon enough. She’s determined to try and repay this boy with another egg. I may see if I can speak to someone in the Weyr to help with her endeavor. Already, it’s been an adventure. Looking forward to the day I get to see you again. Give Sedath my regards. All my love, ~A RE: Letters on the Run - Zahrah - 19.Feb.21 02.20.742 relayed via Shard Alekse, Hello love. A few pieces would be nice to have. At some point, I should like to play with my clay but I haven't much in the way of spare moments. Sedath is in a constant state of growth that I swear she grows as I'm watching her. She's quite demanding, too. I told her hello from you and she just squinted at me really hard and grumbled. She'll get used to you once you're allowed to be around more. Right now, I'm just reminded of Zarel when she was a baby. I think the sleep deprivation keeps trying to catch up with me from those turns. I'll manage but I do miss your faces. It sounds like a lot of drama back at Benden. Of all the times to use the necessary. Poor children and their heartaches. I suppose the firelizard is being oiled and spoiled as I write this, however sad Zarel is. She has so much love in her that I hope she and the boy make up. It's never fun to lose a friend over something genuinely accidental. Repaying with another egg is an excellent idea. I know she could use any help you can give her. Just don't let her know you're helping. She probably wants to do it all alone, knowing her. Ah, Sedath needs to be fed again. All my love, ~Z RE: Letters on the Run - Alekse - 21.Mar.21 17.03.742 Relayed via brown flit Handsome ~Z, It’s taken some negotiating, but I’ve arranged for an egg to be given to the boy who was supposed to receive that bronze flit that Zarel Impressed. The candidate master is pleased to have a lovely sketched portrait of his mate, and I was pleased to oblige. It was actually very nice to practice my non-map work. Add to that, Zarel has been doing a few extra chores after crèche, too, to ‘earn’ the thing herself. The very person I sketched has a green that clutched not long ago. It won’t be a bronze, but it’s what’s available, and Zarel has been hoping dearly to get him something as quickly as possible. After Zarel pointed him out, I’ve seen the child about the Weyr on occasion, and he still looks a bit sullen, though if I know the look of a young boy, he appears more guilty than angry. Really though, it is the thought that counts, and I have faith that young friendships can be mended. She’s set to pick up an egg in the next few days and plans to deliver it to him directly. I’ll let you know how it goes. I hope all is well at Fort. Please, give my regards to Sedath, and tell my sister I said hello and will write to her, soon, too. I look forward to when we can next meet, as always. All my love, ~A RE: Letters on the Run - Zahrah - 28.Mar.21 28.03.742 Relayed via brown flit Shard Alekse, Sedath and I are alright but, Alekse, something is terribly wrong at all the Weyrs. There have been accidents, poisonings, and from what I can tell it's mostly been golds, sometimes bronzeriders and others who may just have been in the way. There's just too many incidents at all of the Weyrs now for it to be just chance. I fully admit that I am frightened. The Weyrwoman and goldrider Sariel are among those fighting for their lives right now. I know I have to stay calm for Sedath but it's terribly difficult when the whole Weyr is just madness and whispers. I'm so sorry I haven't had time to reply to your last letter or Zarel's but it's been hectic even without these latest issues. Sedath is growing so fast that I swear you can see her doing it. At least the cycle of feeding and sleeping are stabilizing, finally. I say finally like it's been turns but it certainly feels like it some days. Give Zarel my love. Hopefully everything will work out for her and her friend. We're being as careful as we can be, here, I promise. Always, Z.