[G] [O] 744.12.13 | An Exchange of Interests

Ferrier duty was quite often the domain of the chromatic dragons and weyrlings. The metallics tended to be far too involved in the day-to-day management of the Weyrs to be diverted away for such things but today, I'serin had volunteered for it mostly because he wanted a change of scenery. The snows had settled across the High Reaches, blanketing peaks and valleys in varying shades of white. After a few weeks, the beauty of such pristine and silence stirred an unsettling primal thought that spring would never return, which was irrational, he knew, but one's brain did not always make rational thoughts.

That feeling rapidly fled the moment Aluneth appeared high over Igen Weyr. Exhaling a small sigh of relief as they were greeted with greens and browns, I'serin gave Aluneth the command to circle in a wide pattern, taking their time. What do we know of Nonalia and her Laniath? he asked of his dragon.

Aside from their rank? Nothing personal. However, that could be...amended. There was an intriguing purr to Aluneth's voice, to which I'serin raised an eyebrow.

Sire a clutch and now you hunger for another? he teased. He felt Aluneth's snort under his legs and laughed. Privately though, I'serin was glad that Aluneth was showing interest at all. I'serin himself was plenty reserved when it came to romance and had worried that his preferences would inhibit his dragon, which did Pern itself no good since bronzes were needed to provide a strong genetic diversity.

Let us hope then that she enjoys books, he said to Aluneth as the dragon angled in for a landing. He shot a glance at the books, maps, and other reading material strapped to Aluneth's flanks -- one last check to make sure their cargo wouldn't come unbound upon landing -- and then looked down at the ledge as Aluneth fanned his wings to touch down.

I'm growing tired of dealing with bronzes. The gold murmured softly to her rider, warming herself out on the ledge as she usually did. The posturing gets awfully tiresome.

Nonalia had agreed to help sort a shipment for the headwoman, mostly a variety of books and reading materials, so she could have them sent where they needed to go. For the trouble, of course, she'd put a few things in for Lia; a new leatherbound notebook and a book she thought the Junior Weyrwoman would like. To the young rider, it felt like a fair enough trade. Her notebook was nearing filled as it was, and when the weather warmed, she knew she would want more to do that wouldn't have her burning out in the heat.

Well, we have to play host, this time. If you need to tell Tiberuth or Xyxyth or any of the others off, go for it, but at least try to be cordial to the visiting dragons. The gold grumbled, but didn't respond. Neither of the leader dragons were the issue... not as often as the visiting bronzes. At least try... for me.

As the visiting pair from High Reaches appeared at the stones from Between, Laniath moved from her ledge to accommodate the other dragon, moving instead to curl up on her sofa out of the way. Her wary eyes kept a close watch on Aluneth as he touched down. "Welcome to Igen. Enjoy the warmth while you can, the snow in the mountains is definitely not something I miss."

"I'serin," the bronzerider said with a deep, respectful bow. It was something he had practiced enough to be graceful at it, making it look like a regular part of his mannerisms with his ease of motion, rather than the awkward act most others did. He let Aluneth introduce himself to Laniath. "Our gratitude for the welcome," I'serin went on to say, "and the warmth. High Reaches is far too chilly this time of the season."

Introductions complete, I'serin reached up to release the buckles on the straps holding the books. "I'll not take up a terrible amount of your time," he said, "as I am sure you busy with Weyr business." He opened one of the sacks for her to see the contents. "The latest from the harpers of the north. Tales, maps, songs...plus some empty notebooks and parchments to be filled later by whoever needs it." He let her take that sack if she wanted while he hefted the other one across one shoulder. "If you will direct me as to where to leave them..."

While they deposited the satchels, I'serin brought the conversation back to something he had previously noted her saying. "The snow, you mentioned. Were you from the north? Where?" he asked.

Aluneth, in the meanwhile, had settled into a couchant position, his neck arched and his eyes on Laniath resting. Like his rider, he disliked small talk and yet, the dragon had to start somewhere with conversation. Do you like reading as well? he asked the gold.

The rider was, at least, respectful. He wasn't cocky, or immediately trying to chat her up, and that was at least something. She didn't know what to expect from visiting riders, especially bronzes, and Nonalia couldn't say she didn't hesitate warily whenever they had visitors. It was always nice when they began with pleasantries rather than trying to flirt with her just because she was the junior Weyrwoman. Laniath huffed a greeting at the bronze, her tone pleasent even if there was a hint of orange at the edges of her eyes. She watched the bronze carefully, even if her rider was much more open to discussion.

"Oh, honestly? Lassalla likes to take on a more hands-on approach, so most of my duties are spent helping the Headwoman or checking in with the rest of the weyr." This weyr, as of yet, was much more relaxed than even Ista had been. Then again, the unbearable heat during some of the other months bad it difficult to do much when the days were at their longest. She does pluck one of the nicer notebooks out of the pack once it's opened, then shows him to her desk. "I'll be sorting them out for intended recipients later, if you'd like to just set them here." She flips through the empty pages, enjoying the scent of paper, before putting the book into a drawer.

"Ah, Katila, actually. I stayed in Telgar for a while, before I moved with my father to Ista, but every time another weyr had a gold egg, he asked me to stand 'just in case'. A handful of winters was more than enough for me."

And what good did it do you? I was hatched in Ista, not Fort, or Telgar, or High Reaches. We met where we were destined to. The gold hummed softly, her voice as gentle as it was so often to the woman. Even frustrated, she struggled to turn her burning temper to her rider.

Other dragons, however, didn't have it quite so lucky. Cordial as she could be, this gold was just a handful of sevendays from rising, and even if her hide wasn't yet showing it, her sharper temper might be. I like puzzles, and riddles, and listening to harpersong. Lia is the one among us who enjoys to read. Her words are short, answering a question rather than expanding on her interests.

He did not miss her moment of enjoying the sensuality of a book. Was there a kindred spirit there perhaps, two people who appreciated the beauty of book craft and the knowledge, the tales written within? I'serin tucked that curiosity into the back of his mind as he set the rest of the books down.

Her recounting of her history caught his attention more. Katila? Telgar? "We must have just missed each other!" he said suddenly. Then, with more composure, he elaborated. "I was born at Katila as well. My father is Tirenth's rider, A'len. My brother is Immanith's rider, A'soren. My mother was one of the Healers at the Weyr. I was born during the plague." He paused, letting that set in. Indeed, I'serin's history was riddled with tragedies, much like many of the dragonriders older than thirty. Surely, Nonalia's own history did not escape some of that. "Aluneth and I went to Telgar when it opened. Our paths must have just missed crossing," he said.

Or had they? Was I'serin incorrect in assuming the goldrider was younger than he thought? He began going through all of the faces from Katila and Telgar, trying to remember if he had seen her. He must have. There were that many dragonriders on Pern.

Meanwhile, Aluneth was still attempting to hook Laniath in with interesting conversation. Puzzles? Ah, puzzles can be...fun. That last word came laden with pretentious sarcasm. Aluneth found puzzles boring, childish. Riddles more so. My rider would be able to regale you with those, if you would like. He remembers such things. I myself prefer learning the origin of words. Fascinating things, words, with such history to them. And none of them Pernese history!