[10.1.2707] You're Kidding?(C'pher)

[sorra]

Viarnie was nearly bouncing up and down as the Trader caravan made their way into the Weyr. She was amazed by all the dragons. Not that she hadn't seen dragons before, but this was different. There were so many of them. She grinned, her eyes dancing. Just looking around was giving her a ton of ideas for new things to embroider.

"Viarnie!" Gilnara called. "Come give us a hand."

The girl jumped and quickly scurried back to help Gilnara and the others with their goods. She hadn't meant to gawk and forget about helping. She just got so caught up in things sometimes.

[Kendrall]

The cold of between soon gave way to the warmth of Rukbat's rays as C'pher and Zeddicuth emerged from the void, returning from yet another successful Search. Zedd had deliberately emerged from between a good mile or two from the Weyr, prompting his Rider to shake his head in amusement. A young girl from Forest's Edge Hold - C'pher's latest charge - nearly squealed in delight when she took in the view. "Is that the Weyr?" the girl asked loudly, pointing her finger downward. "Yep, that's the place," the Searchrider replied. "Take us down, Zedd." Crooning his acknowledgment, the frail-looking Blue spread his wings and angled towards the ground, then circled around the Weyr a few times before finally coming to a soft landing. Unbuckling his safety harnesses, C'pher slid down from his seat before turning around to help the young girl. As soon as her feet touched the ground, her eyes widened considerably as she took in the sight. C'pher walked over to free the girl's belongings from Zedd's tethering strap, then slapped the Blue playfully on his chest. "Go on, Zedd. I'll catch up with you later."

Zedd didn't seem to pay heed, only to jerk his head back as his nostrils flared. The Blue acted as if he were sniffing something, then turned to look around before narrowing his eyes at his bonded. But I think there's someone here we missed, Mine![/i] He practically butted his muzzle against C'pher's chest, causing the Searchrider to stumble back a few paces. The young girl giggled, clamping her hand against her mouth to muffle the noise. C'pher merely shook his head, fixing Zedd with a sharp glance. Zedd, you're imagining things again. Our charge is here; I just have to see her to the Candidate Master and get her settled. But Mine, this cannot wait![/i] The Blue looked around again, turning his body around completely and nearly knocking over C'pher with his tail, his green eyes sparkling with delight and anticipation. This caused the girl to giggle and laugh with delight. "Zeddicuth, you're too funny!"

C'pher groaned, burying his face into the palm of his hand. Lowering his hand, he merely shook his head. "Zedd, how can you be sure? We just got back from a Search!" The Blue didn't seem to listen, but when he finally found whom he was looking for, he bugled with delight. There! That one![/i]

The Searchrider took a few steps to the side, wanting to get around his dragon's bulk to find out just exactly who or what Zedd was referring to. A Trader's caravan was unloading its goods in one of the many caverns which functioned as a place for merchants to off-load their goods and supplies. Shading his eyes to cut down on the glare, C'pher squinted. "All I see is a Trader's caravan, Zedd. Now's not the time to think about food." He shook his head. "Go on, get up to your ledge. I've got to get our charge to the Candidate Master." Yet Zeddicuth wouldn't hear it. Bugling again, the Blue took off into the air, spreading his wings and flapping them to gain altitude before making a beeline at the caravan.

[sorra]

Viarnie was busy helping set up that she hadn't noticed the blue dragon returning. She was humming happily as she mentally locked away images to try out later with her embroidery. Maybe even one of the riders would like her blankets or pillows that she had done. She had even done a couple shirts to see how they would turn out.

The young girl looked up quickly when she heard shouts of surprise coming from different members of the Trader caravan. Her eyes widened when she saw the blue coming toward them. She ran over to Gilnara. "What is he doing?" she asked in awe. The blue was beautiful.

Gilnara shook her head as she got everyone calmed down again. "I'm not sure. I wonder where his rider is," the older woman said, putting an arm around Viarnie's shoulders. They both watched Zedd coming closer.

[Kendrall]

"Zedd!" C'pher shouted, starting to race after his wayward dragon before realizing the young girl he'd brought was still there, and doubled over in laughter. He offered a weak, nervous smile at the girl. "He normally doesn't do this unless he wants to tease me," C'pher explained. "Sometimes he thinks with his stomach." "I don't think he is," the young girl replied, pointing her finger at the Blue who was now paying attention to someone. "Look!"

The Searchrider turned, and much to his surprise Zeddicuth was sniffing at one of the young ladies who'd came with the Traveler's caravan. He shook his head. "Something's got his attention. Mind taking a walk with me?" C'pher started to walk over, the young girl skipping along at his side. Meanwhile, Zeddicuth was sniffing at the petite, brown-haired teenager, his deep blue gaze now focused on her. The Blue took a step back, letting his hindquarters come to rest on the ground, his tail swishing to and fro. It didn't take long for C'pher to show up, and he studied the teenager intensely before turning to look at his bonded. "Zedd, are you sure about this one? I mean, come on, we just got back from a Search..." I'm certain about this one, Mine. There is something definitely...different...about her. She'll do.[/i] Sighing heavily in defeat and slumping his shoulders, C'pher turned and gave the teenaged Trading girl an apologetic smile. "Forgive my dragon for being so forward, but apparently he thinks you've got what it takes to become a Rider." He stuck out his hand. "Name's C'pher. This is my dragon and oft-times prankster, Zeddicuth."

[sorra]

Viarnie watched in awe as Zeddicuth sat down in front of them. She had never seen a dragon so close before and her mind was whirling as ideas flashed through her mind. She hadn't even really stopped to think why the blue was there. They were in the Weyr after all, so it was only normal for the dragons to be there. Right?

The young Trader looked over when C'pher arrived, still staying close to Gilnara. Although she was trying hard to not start bouncing around again. Viarnie's eyes widened. "A rider?" she squeaked. "Me?" She looked up at Gilnara in shock.

Gilnara smiled. "Won't your parents be surprised," she said, hugging the girl close. Viarnie was still in shock. "It's nice to meet you, C'pher. This is Viarnie. Apparently she's a little tongue tied at the moment."

[Kendrall]

C'pher nodded when another Trader - much older than the teenager in front of them - introduced the would-be Candidate as Viarnie. "Well met, then. I must admit," he said, scratching the back of his head. "It's almost unheard of for someone to be Searched in this fashion. But, Zedd here thinks you have what it takes, so..." He lowered his hand and shrugged. "Wouldn't be the first time we've had a Trader become a Rider, either. B'ren's one of our Brown Riders, and he came from a family of Traders. So you wouldn't be completely out of place, Viarnie. All you have to do, of course, is to say yes and I'll see you to the Candidate Master along with my other charge."

Zeddicuth, meanwhile, simply took this all in, resting on his hindquarters, his gaze still fixed on Viarnie. I like this one, Mine. Can we keep her? Please?[/i] C'phere merely looked over at his dragon and groaned, rolling his eyes. We can't force her to choose, Zedd. It's ultimately her choice. But even if she says yes, she has to go through the required Candidate training. You know that. Knowing he'd be asked, the Searchrider shook his head, fighting back a grin. "Zedd wants to know if he can keep you, Viarnie. I explained to him that even if you agreed to become a Dragon Candidate, you'd still need to go through the required training."

[sorra]

Viarnie stood quietly and listened. It was probably the first time in her life that she had stood that still. But then again, she had never met a dragon up close like this. Her eyes were wide as she watched Zeddicuth. She then looked at C'pher. "He was a Trader?" she asked, being more subdued then normal. That made her feel better. There was at least someone else who had come from this life. The girl nodded. "Yes!" she exclaimed, causing Gilnara to laugh.

The young Trader looked at Zeddicuth in surprise when C'pher passed on what he had said. "He wants to keep me?" she asked curiously. She didn't know dragons would say such things like that. She turned to Zeddicuth. "I am honored," she said, bowing slightly in the blue's direction. "I hope I am able to make you proud."

[Kendrall]

C'pher grinned as Zeddicuth merely blinked his eyes in response. "He's only joking about keeping you, of course; but knowing him, he'd probably settle for you giving him a bath sometime. You'll learn how to properly bathe dragons during your training at some point." He pointed in the direction of the Candidate Master's weyr. "I'll take you and my other charge to see Arktos. He's our Candidate Master, and I'm sure he won't mind formally accepting you into the ranks." C'pher turned around to face Viarnie. "Meanwhile, I'll have some of the drudges fetch your belongings. You'll have to stay a sevenday in the Infirmary - it's not as bad as it sounds, but we typically have all of our Candidates stay in isolation until our Healers can certify they're not infected with Cloudlung or anything else. Don't worry, though, it'll pass quickly. After which, I'll be sure to introduce you to B'ren."

[sorra]

Viarnie smiled brightly. She hadn't minded the idea of Zeddicuth wanting to keep her. "Oh, I would love to help give him a bath," she assured C'pher. That sounded like great fun to her. The young Trader nodded. More people to meet. This could be fun. She couldn't wait. She waved at Gilnara before following C'pher. "That makes sense," she agreed. She would hate to see someone end up with Cloudlung. Although being confined would give her a chance to get some of her ideas down on paper and maybe even start on a blanket or something of the like. She grinned. "I look forward to meeting both the Candidate Master and B'ren."

[Kendrall]

C'pher nodded, then turned in the direction of a few working drudges. He took his forefinger and thumb in between his lips and gave a sharp whistle. Heads snapping to attention, the drudges looked at the Searchrider, whom pointed to Viarnie and the other young girl he'd brought to Nova as a result of a Search. "Gather their belongings and deliver them to the Weyrhealer or any of her assistants. New arrivals reporting for duty as Candidates, and they'll need to remain in the isolation ward for a sevenday before joining the other Candidates."

C'pher then turned to his two charges, and waved them towards the Candidate Master's office. "Come along. We can't afford to keep Arktos waiting, and with a large dragon clutch expected, I'm sure he'll want to get you two formally accepted into the Weyr."

[sorra]

Viarnie watched as the drudges snapped to attention. She couldn't believe how fast they moved to do C'pher's bidding. The girl turned and ran back to Gilnara, hugging her tightly. "I'll miss you," she whispered.

"Hey now, no tears. We'll come back, don't you worry none," Gilnara smiled. "You just go and get yourself a right pretty dragon."

Viarnie smiled and nodded. The girl then jogged over to C'pher. She didn't want to keep anyone waiting. " I'm ready," she said, bubbling over with enthusiasm.