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+--- Thread: [G] [C] 741.12.22 | A Walk to Remember (/showthread.php?tid=4768)
741.12.22 | A Walk to Remember - Alekse - 23.Dec.20
Alekse strode up to the doorway to the rooms he now shared with Zahrah and Zarel, glad to hear the sounds of a gentle hammer against metal as Zahrah worked at her Craft. Zarel must be in creche, and that was fine. He’d see her soon enough.
With a warm smile, he rapped at the door frame before entering, his smile stretching into a wide grin. She was bent over her workbench, chewing at her lower lip in concentration as she worked a small piece of metal into a particular spot, no doubt molding it for a facet of glass to be placed within it.
“Good morning, beautiful.” He crossed over to her, waiting for her to finish what she was working at before leaning down to press a kiss to her lips. “Got back a bit earlier than expected; the weather was surprisingly decent south of Benden Hold. The Nerat sunrises are a lovely sight, but you are a sight better, I think. Couldn’t wait to see you again.”
“Now, before I let myself settle in here, I was hoping I could get your thoughts on something. Venan has me working on a project, and I was hoping I might be able to get another set of eyes on it. Would you mind?” He found the cloak she’d gotten at gather those months ago and held it up for her in invitation, eyebrow raised in question, trying to hide the smile playing at his lips.
RE: 22.12.741 A Walk to Remember - Zahrah - 23.Dec.20
"A walk, mm?" She couldn't help herself and kissed him again, setting down her tools. It could wait. Everything could wait for him. She rose, leaving her hair loose to fall about her shoulders. "I think I could use one, yes."
She yawned a little, stretching, and moved to don her coat before moving to the front of the apartment to pull on her boots. She'd have to replace them soon but that was alright. A walk with Alekse was no harm to them.
Besides, she needed it. Time away from her projects was just as important as time with them. She turned back to him and smiled.
"All ready," Zahrah said.
RE: 22.12.741 A Walk to Remember - Alekse - 24.Dec.20
“Just a short walk. It’s a bit chilly to be walking for more than a mile or two. Running isn’t too bad, but walking?” He shook his head and gave a mock shiver. “Maybe we could walk back, once the sun’s warmed the ground and air a bit. But to get there I’ve arranged a ride over with young rider and dragon. There’s a clearing about a half mile up the trace from my little project. I figure we can fly straight there and enjoy the view. We don’t need the colder between on top of the current chill.”
He offered his elbow and escorted her out to where the brown and his rider waited, then handed Zahrah up and settled himself behind her, wrapping his arms snugly around her waist, though they were secure enough that it wasn’t entirely necessary. He just enjoyed having her in his arms. With a deft leap skywards, they were up and over the lip of the Bowl, massive wings spread to glide easily the eight or so miles to the clearing.
Snow had kissed the landscape the night before, and the clean white blanket was blinding in the reflected sunlight. It was a stunning image, the stark contrast of the rough grays and browns against the crisp bright iciness. The clearing came up beneath them, and they dismounted, and he grinned as the brown spoke to all and bid them farewell. Wrapping an arm around her to ward off the chill, he guided her down the trace.
“Venan has had be keeping Tradition and making sure the shelters are kept in good repair and free of greens. It’s easier this time of year, though, for sure. I wanted to get the thoughts of someone familiar with the Weyr though, to make sure it was all up to snuff. Fresh eyes. Just in case I missed something.” He eyed her sideways a bit, watching her reaction. “I would ask one of the riders, but I want to make sure that whoever I ask will be brutally honest with me about it.” He smirked a bit at her. “And you are the most honest person I know.”
The little building was just visible ahead on the trace now, and he guided her in its direction to swing by before heading to their actual destination up the hill, but that would be after. Resisting the urge to swipe a hand through his hair, he pulled her neatly against his side as they walked.
RE: 22.12.741 A Walk to Remember - Zahrah - 24.Dec.20
She loved flying on a dragon and for a long moment, that was all she thought of, his question unanswered just a little longer than usual. Zahrah grinned and him, nodding.
"Of course, you know it's not a trouble for me to look at your work," she murmured as he pulled her to his side. "I let you look at mine, after all. Even when it's unfinished."
He felt good against her and she let out a happy sigh.
"From what I can see, that building looks really good."
RE: 22.12.741 A Walk to Remember - Alekse - 24.Dec.20
He smiled at the approval she gave, nodding in thanks. “I’m glad. That one is Venan’s chief concern, but I’d like to show you the one that I really want you to take a look at.” With a playful twinkle to his eye and smile still playing at his lips, he guided her around to the back, to a path he’d cleared to the other threadshelter. It sat about a quarter mile up a small slope, visible if you looked at it, but still nondescript enough to blend in if one wasn’t paying attention.
The building wasn’t much; he’d reinforced and rebuilt parts that were in the worst disrepair, and started what would become another outer wall to expand the place. Another room would do nicely. A few particularly large stones mapped out the area he’d level out of the hillside once the ground was no longer frozen. He hid a smile when he realized that the proposed area would be at least large enough for the brown they’d ridden down on to curl up in.
“This has been a…side project. One I’d still like your eyes on, if you’d be so kind.”
His heart felt like he was halfway through an express sprint, but he forced himself to still his breathing as they trudged up the hill. Shards, he felt like he imagined a candidate on the Sands for the first time must feel…would he be chosen?
“I’ve been fixing this one up. It’s been unused since they rerouted the trace, and Venan told me to ‘take care of it how I saw fit.’ So…” He coughed slightly, his throat suddenly dry. Despite the cold, he found his palms sweating, and he tried to discreetly dry them on his jacket.
RE: 22.12.741 A Walk to Remember - Zahrah - 24.Dec.20
Ah, but that's not the building he wants her to look at is it? When they move up the hill, there's another little stone house. She opened the door and it was beautiful. Looking up, why there was the little glass egg she'd made for him.
A bed, over there was a lovely hearth, and on the table sat a ring. She turned back to him, eyes wide.
"Alekse...it's beautiful. All of it. You must have done so much work."
RE: 22.12.741 A Walk to Remember - Alekse - 24.Dec.20
He watched her reaction with a fluttering stomach, relieved more than anything when she said it was beautiful. She started to turn…This was it. Now or never.
“It isn’t much, but it is mine. And, however often, whenever, -if-if you want, I want to share it with you.” Swallowing, he continued, trying to articulate the thoughts that raced through his head. “With you, with Zarel, and with whoever may come along, dragon, firelizard, or—” He stuttered a bit at the thought, but pressed forward anyway, his usual way with words eluding him. “—or otherwise. I’d never given thought to the idea before, but with you, I can’t imagine it any other way.”
He sank, almost casually, to a knee, leaning forward and resting his arm across the other, trying his best to mask the wave of intense nerves that washed over and through him. “I love you, Zahrah, and all that you are. And I know I will, for as long as I walk on Pern. Flights, fire, and Thread be damned. That ring is yours…if you’ll have me?”
The words hung there for a long moment, and he held his breath, pulse pounding in his ears.
RE: 22.12.741 A Walk to Remember - Zahrah - 24.Dec.20
It felt right in one of those ways that just was. The flight over, the walk, the beautiful little house. She looked down at him and smiled broadly.
"I have loved you since the day we met, Alekse. No one on the face Pern could match you. I will have you in every way possible. I can't imagine anyone else for me, dragon or not. Thread or fire."
It was perfect. Everything about this was and even more, she knew that he meant it with all of himself. Getting back to Benden...while doing all of this! She pulled him up and kissed him long and slow.
"I will," she murmured against his lips. "Of course I will."
RE: 22.12.741 A Walk to Remember - Alekse - 24.Dec.20
She said yes!
The thought rang in his head as she pulled him to his feet, and he eagerly returned the kiss. A whole new flood of fears and worries washed over him, about his mastery, about her or Zarel or both of them Impressing, about Flights, about the Weyr and…just everything, but they lessened somewhat, as he’d have her by his side through them all. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close and murmuring against her hair, kissing the top of her head.
No matter. No matter to any of it. It was all char in the wind for now; the trace beneath his feet and disappearing behind him. He’d spend the next few years working toward his Mastery, and spend his spare time here, building this little hold…He gave her a squeeze and released her, smiling like a kid. “I have to show you my plans for this place…”
He went to the table and pulled out the tube he’d stored his drawings in, revealing a rough floor plan for the little threadshelter. He waved her over, delicately slipping the dainty blue piece onto her finger before he flattened out his plans. “Now, any suggestions are more than welcome.” He pointed to each proposed area as he mentioned them. “That wall outside, is here…and that will be the bedroom. I plan to extend this wall out, and a workbench for you…here…to catch the most sunlight.” He smiled at her, watching her face light up at the possibilities this little space held. “The hillside can be carved out and a roof built, eventually walls, perhaps, too, to accommodate a dragon, should Impression be made. Of course, I don’t expect you to leave the Weyr, but this…” He shrugged, an almost embarrassed expression taking over. “I’ve never been one to ask something without being able to offer something in return, however small it may be. This can be a home, or just a little escape. Whatever you like. Any ideas?”
RE: 22.12.741 A Walk to Remember - Zahrah - 13.Feb.21
"I think it's all gorgeous," she said with a smile, leaning into him. "You have so much of a plan already, I think we ought to see where it takes you first. But it's a beautiful plan, love."
The way he'd put so much life into it already was brilliant. She could see the way it would be as clear as if he'd thought it at her like a firelizard or dragon.
"The bedroom placement is excellent, here. And honestly, if it's made by you, it's a home sure as anything." She rubbed at the ring unconsciously as she followed his plans. "Zarel should have a little place of her own, too."
Her fingers brushed across his jawline for a moment and she took a moment to just savor the touch of her skin against his. She shook her head wonderingly. They had met at a Gather, exchanged letters (and things that glowed), she had literally lit his path from Fort to Benden, they loved each other most thoroughly when he arrived, and now they were to be together for as long as forever would last for them.
It was some sort of dream.
She drew in a breath and then kissed his temple.
"Alekse," she murmured. "I love the way your mind works, that you'd put together something like this for us. It truly is beautiful and I can't wait to see it when you've finished tinkering away on it -- or even help you with it. I'll carve us dragons to light our way and hang bells from the eaves if you want. It will be colourful and bright and perfect."
She kissed his nose next and laughed, her voice caught in her throat so that it ached.
"Every day," she said softly, "I am blessed more for having you in my life and I need you to know that dragon or no dragon, I love and will love you for as long as I draw breath. You are brilliant, kind, look after my child as your own and are everything I've needed thus far in my life." Except for a dragon, her eyes fairly sparkled. "My life is so much richer than I could ever believe possible, now. And that's because of you. This. Everything you do for me, Zarel, us. You just...astonish me every day."
RE: 22.12.741 A Walk to Remember - Alekse - 13.Feb.21
He chuckled, a bit embarrassed at the high praise, if he were being honest. He reached a hand to scrub through his hair; as though literally shaking the nerves away. Leaning into her touch, he smiled and nodded at her suggestion for a place for Zarel.
“Perhaps here?” He pointed out a clear space on the wall across from where the main bedroom would be. It would cut out to the side, offering a window to the sunrise, and would offer a few of the trace toward station 42.
“And little carvings or figures would be delightful. I like bells, too. This place could use a little music.” He wrinkled his nose at her playful kiss, nudging into her and releasing her in order to stride across toward the back wall, nearest the hillside. “And I suppose, we’ll have to wait until we meet your…green? Blue? Gold?” He eyed her with a smile. He had all the faith on Pern that she would Impress. It was just a mater of when and to whom. “…before we start any permanent structures back here. No sense building when we don’t yet know who we’re building for. But I’ll have that hillside carved away by next autumn. It’ll make a nice weyr, of sorts.”
He turned back to face her, his mood somewhat sobered. “I’ve heard there’s several clutches expected within the next several months, at least one of those should be something you’ll Stand for…when…?”
RE: 22.12.741 A Walk to Remember - Zahrah - 14.Feb.21
"Right there is good, definitely," she murmured. "She'd love the light in the mornings and the view."
Zahrah worried at her bottom lip picturing it all and her hands itched to draw what she saw enough that she was fiddling around in an attempt to find something to doodle with. Eventually, she found an unmarked sheet and started to work in some details with pencil. One view from the outside, one from the inside with everything they'd talked about. Simple pencil marks came together as she worked away for a while, pulling the details from their shared vision.
"So something like this?" she asked once she was far enough into the sketch that things looked real. Dragons and trinkets were not all she could do, the drawing part was necessary for any concepts that managed to come out of her head and into her hands. She'd included little carvings, too, because she could and a fire in a hearth because right now it was winter and cold in Benden.
She thought for a long while about Standing and equally long about handfasting this glorious man.
"Fort's is the closest," she said with a nod. "Ista might be entertaining a Flight in Spring. Benden should have a Flight as well, if I'm not mistaken. I would say we should handfast as soon as possible but I haven't figured out how to talk eggs into Impressing me yet. We'll talk more about it after Fort, perhaps? One more Hatching under my belt and then we can plan properly. We might want it on a beach somewhere. Do you have any preference?"
She shook out her loose hair and worked it up into a runner's tail, still deep in thought. If they could handfast tomorrow, she'd do it, but they'd both want the time to invite people for a small get-together, just a few friends, relatives. Her mother would be overjoyed, her father would have been if he had lived, and she was pretty certain her mother's eyes wouldn't dry the whole time.
"Do you want something very simple or something a little fancy? No dates yet, but we can talk about a party or something of a little gathering. I have no real opinion yet but something small but lovely is what I was thinking. I may know a Harper who could officiate."
Zahrah closed her eyes and rolled her shoulders for a moment, working some of the tension from her frame. It wasn't frightening to imagine herself handfasted to Alekse at all. Indeed, she was incredibly at ease with it. They fit together like some piece of puzzle that felt right. Alekse, Zarel, their firelizards, their friends all rolled into something that worked. For her, a dragon was missing but it didn't negate the other way her life worked.
She had always known she would Impress, maybe it had been her father that had instilled that in her. It could be tomorrow, it might be another turn but she'd get there. Her faith remained sure in that -- as sure she had been to say yes to a man she loved and admired beyond any other. One day she would Impress, one day soon this would be a home and she knew it like the Red Star in the sky.
RE: 22.12.741 A Walk to Remember - Alekse - 14.Feb.21
Nodding, he stepped up to gaze over her shoulder. “It can wait until Fort. If I heard correctly, there’s a clutch already on the sands, with another due soon. And any one of those eggs would be lucky to have you. As far as where…Southern Nerat does have some lovely beaches. Occasionally shipfish can be seen playing offshore. It really is quite a sight.”
He stepped in closer, bringing his hands up to work the muscles where her neck met her shoulders, kneading a knot loose and brushing her hair aside and pressing a kiss to where it had melted away. “I agree. I think something simple would be just the thing. Nothing too fancy. Just us, and our family, friends. An elegant little ceremony somewhere…”
He slowly worked his way up, trailing kisses along her shoulder, neck, and jaw, and she responded easily as though knowing his actions before he even knew them, himself. Being with her was just so…effortless. Even when it wasn’t.
She made it easy, really, whether it be lounging on the couch curled in a fur, or strolling down a trace or across the Weyr bowl, watching Zarel sprint ahead of them, or even separated by miles upon miles, with only a letter and glow pendant as a reminder. It was more than just pleasant sort of satisfaction, he was genuinely, happily, contentedly, very much in love. And with that sort of certainty and steadiness, they could take on all of Pern if it came to it. Dragon or not.
He smiled when he realized why it was so easy with them…they took it moment by moment, appreciating each tiny shard of brightness for what it was, and that made it so much simpler to just be. By the Dawn Sisters, he was glad to have found her.
Part of her drawing caught his eye, and he chuckled. “We can start a fire, if you like. Curl up next to it. We’ve no obligations today that I know of, at least not for a while. and it won’t warm up for a walk back to the Weyr for a while yet…” He held her close, gently swaying to some unheard tune that only they knew. “And we can also send for a ride, if we’d rather spend our time here than walking…”
RE: 22.12.741 A Walk to Remember - Zahrah - 14.Feb.21
"I suppose it is winter and cold," Her fingers found his cheek for a moment as he dropped kisses and she smiled. "Curling up in front of the fire would be just the thing. Sharing some warmth, our plans..."
Away from the Weyr this was the quietest spot she'd ever been in and the thought of sharing that with him was wonderful. Weyrs were always busy things, she found, with everyone leaping and jumping to do things that needed to be done. Zahrah was already part of that team that made the Weyr go around efficiently from the chores she'd done for a decade to Standing for eggs on the Sands when it was time. But soon she'd have to choose between all manner of things -- if she Impressed, if she didn't. All of those choices went round and round exhausting her but her it was just Alekse and herself.
It made all those things she was thinking about settle and give her some room to think. Or not think at all if she chose. She wanted to Stand until someone told her she was too old, she wanted to attend Hatchings until she was too infirm, she wanted to fly on her one dragon some day and she'd do it with the support of her fiancé and her child. Hatchings never grew dull for her, there was always something happening somewhere from hatching dragons to injuries to happiness or sorrow. It was where Pern came together to celebrate new life, new chances, and fortunes made or lost. It didn't matter who you were if you Impressed a dragon.
"I think I'll Stand for as long as I'm able," she said after a moment. "And if they send me from the Sands, I have my glass and clay and I have you and Zarel but I feel-- I feel like this place will always be my heart's home no matter where I Impress. You're amazing, Alekse. You bring me such treasure, such richness in my life that I swear sometimes that other half of my life seems like it's not even mine. We're lucky to have found each other the way we did."
She paused, flushing a little.
"I keep your letters, you know. They're in a box where I can have you nearby. I take my favourites with me when I travel." She wrapped her arms around him and closed her eyes for a long while, happy to have the moments she could with him. "I suppose I bring you everywhere I go. More so with a ring on my finger. It's beautiful, all of this is."