A Landlubber's Life for Me [6.30.2707] (Kiyoni)

[Kendrall]

It was a beautiful morning, Rukbat starting to peek just over the eastern horizon and turning the sky into brilliant shades of orange and red. There were a few clouds here and there, but Jaysen knew there wouldn't be much of a chance of rain that day. He would enjoy the smell of the sea and the salty air, and take full advantage of them while rowing his tiny boat.

It wasn't just for the exercise, he thought to himself as he'd done many times before. It was just him against the sea, much like his father before him in his days as a young sailor and fisherman. Only this particular morning was slightly different - his younger sister, Madilyn, wanted to join him, and after much protesting from the younger sibling did Jaysen finally give in. Madilyn adored her older brother, and often looked up to him. Even though she would never admit it, she was often jealous of any girl older than she who laid eyes on Jaysen. Madilyn simply didn't trust any of the young ladies whom flirted with her brother, but by the same token knew he wasn't the kind of guy who freely slept with any of them.

She sat towards the keel while her brother was up near the bow, pulling hard on the oars. Jaysen was bare-chested and clad only in a pair of breeches, and kept up a steady rhythm with his arms and back. Madilyn opted to wear a sleeveless shirt and a pair of cut-off breeches that halted just above her knees this morning.

"Do you think Papa will be home soon?" she asked. "He's been gone for nearly three months!" Their father, Jaylen, was a master fisherman and therefore had his own boat and crew, and currently was out at sea. Normally Jaysen would ship out with him, but not on this latest fishing expedition. "Father should be home within a sevendays or so," Jaysen said in-between pulls. "He's off the coast of Ista, or at least that's where he said he was heading off to this time." Ista Isle, as far as he knew, had been abandoned for many long turns, but the fishing there was excellent.

"Has Papa been to the other continent before?" Madilyn asked, her eyes mixed with worry and curiosity. For someone who was about to become a young teenager, she sometimes still acted slightly below her maturity level, or at least that was how Jaysen viewed her for the moment.

"No one's allowed to the Northern Continent, Madilyn," the young man replied. "It's been declared off-limits for as long as Father's been alive, if not longer. I would suppose he's been sailing off the coast a time or two, but never actually set foot on land." Jaysen let his arms rest for a moment, and the boat continued to drift forward on the waves. "The stories I keep hearing about all that loss of life up north are pretty amazing, but you'd think there would be a move to re-take it by now. There's been talk of re-settling Ista, but that rumor is unfounded at best."

"Oh..." Madilyn let her speech trail off, and she looked up towards the south as the skies continued to brighten. "Do you think anyone from Nova Weyr will visit today?" The girl knew the visits were all too infrequent this time around, but that was only because of there weren't that many Riders.

"No telling, Madilyn," Jaysen said as he resumed rowing. "No telling at all."

Misty, meanwhile, was oblivious to the conversation that went on between her pet and the girl. The gold firelizard knew whom the girl was - her pet's younger clutch sibling - and was therefore comfortable around her, but instead chose to snooze in the bottom of the boat curled up near her pet's feet. The gentle side-to-side rocking often made her drowsy, but she enjoyed these frequent rides.

[sorra]

Kiyoni checked Elliwowdth's straps once more before vaulting to her green's back. Rivi soon joined her and sat on her shoulder. The young search rider was looking forward to a bit of time away from the Weyr. Elliwodth's flight the previous sevenday had almost been a disaster and Kiyoni just wanted away. And going on Search seemed like the perfect way to do it.

As soon as Kiyoni was settled Elliwodth took to the air. The green took just long enough to get the visual before blinking between. Kiyoni had decided to visit Azure Isle since they didn't get there very often. Maybe they would find someone exceptional there. That would surely make Kiyoni's day.

Elliwodth was soon gliding down to the main part of the Hold. She was careful of her landing, so she didn't through dust on anyone. Kiyoni slid down her shoulder with Rivi still perched on hers. She looked around for the Lord Holder, wanting to be able to get the young ones of Azure Isle gathered together. Elliwdoth almost seemed to prance as she waited. The green always enjoyed going on Search.

[Kendrall]

Madilyn shaded her eyes and squinted them as she continued to watch the skies. When she finally saw the distant form of a dragon, she jumped up and nearly capsized the boat. Misty's eyes sprang open and hissed at the girl for nearly stepping on her, then chittered angrily at her.

The young girl ignored the firelizard's angry chitter, her excitement getting the better of her. "Jaysen! Jaysen! Look!" Madilyn pointed to the south. "It's a dragon!"

Jaysen sighed and set the oars down for a moment inside the boat. He soothed his firelizard, getting her to calm down before looking up in the direction his little sister was pointing in. The gold firelizard calmed down, then fluttered her wings a bit so she could perch herself on the point of the bow. Narrowing his eyes, he watched for a moment then nodded before focusing on his sister. "You nearly tipped us over, Madilyn," he said, letting anger creep into his voice. "Not to mention you almost stepped on Misty." He sighed. "But you're right, looks like Azure Isle is about to have a visitor." He looked up again at the dragon's distant form, as if trying to discern whom or what it was. "Looks like it's a Green, but it's tough to say from this far out."

"Are we going back to shore?" Madilyn asked excitedly, oblivious to her brother's ire.

Jaysen let out a chuckle. "Yeah, we'll go see what the commotion's about." He put the oars back into the water, and started rowing toward the docks. Misty stretched her neck out and slightly stretched out her wings, enjoying the feel of the ocean breeze against her hide. If a bigger cousin was coming to visit, she'd make her presence known.

[sorra]

Kiyoni leaned against Elliwodth as the Lord Holder got some others to help him gather up the young ones. It never failed to amaze her how fast children would come running when they saw a dragon. She smiled to herself. At least the day didn't seem like it was going to be too bad.

Cheer up, Kiyoni, Elliwodth begged. It's a pretty day. The sun is shining and we both look pretty. It will be a good day.

Kiyoni actually had to laugh at her dragon's words. Elliwodth just didn't understand at all why she still seemed upset. But she wasn't going to dwell on that today. It was a good day. You're right, Elli. I'm fine. Really.

[Kendrall]

No sooner did Jaysen row the boat to shore did he and Madilyn jump out, the water coming up to his knees and her waist respectively. Pulling the boat to beach it on the sand, Jaysen fished out a tunic and pulled it over his head as soon as his feet touched the shore. Misty flittered about for a moment, then came to rest and wrapped her body around the back of her pet's neck, her hind legs and tail on one shoulder with her forelegs and head at the other. She trilled happily, prompting Jaysen to smile and reach up to caress the firelizard. Madilyn ran on ahead, her legs carrying her as fast as they could go towards the main part of the Hold. Her brother could tell the girl was excited whenever a dragon came to visit, and if it was a Green or Blue that meant a Searchrider had come to Search for a new Candidate.

Jaysen had a deep appreciation for the Searchriders, and for dragons in general, but his love for the sea was evident. He preferred to be near the water, and wasn't sure how his desire for strict order would be affected as a Candidate. He hated to have anything upset his want for rigidity, as he deeply believed in the philosophy of holding fast to the tried-and-true methods, rather than new approaches. New ideas had a chance of failure, while old methods were known to work. Still, based on Madilyn's excitement and the general hubbub coming from the main part of the Hold, this was quite the occasion.

Whistling a tune as he walked into the hold, and Misty joining in a few seconds later, Jaysen watched as the Lord Holder and some of the elders gathered up the young ones. The older children like himself were often busy, and rarely came out to visit unless asked or forced. Madilyn, he noted, was with a group of the older children - not many, but enough to be seen. He didn't have a problem with presenting himself, only this time seemed different. Why would that bother him so? As he got a better look, he was able to see the dragon up close. It was a Green, a smaller one if he was any judge, and her Rider seemed a bit distracted. Probably wondering if she'll have a Candidate to take back to Nova, Jaysen thought to himself. Misty, on the other hand, trilled a greeting at the Green when she saw her bigger cousin. The gold firelizard was usually friendly in most cases...but also proved to be overprotective of her pet from time to time.

[sorra]

Elliwodth was enjoying looking at all the young ones who had assembled for them. Kiyoni almost didn't seem to notice what was going on around them. She was too far away in her thoughts and she just couldn't bring herself back no matter how hard she tried. She jumped when Rivi crooned.

Kiyoni jumped and looked over as Rivi trilled another greeting. She smiled a little when she saw the gold firelizard. Elliwodth turned her head toward the new arrivals. Her eyes spun faster as she studied the young man with her smaller cousin.

Hello young man and greeting little queen, Elliwodth said. She wanted to see how the boy reacted and she wasn't so sure Kiyoni would be much help. Her rider seemed too distracted to even do her Search right. Elliwodth was actually a bit worried about Kiyoni. The young rider was never that distracted on a Search.

[Kendrall]

Jaysen stopped in his tracks and blinked for a moment. Did the Green just greet him? Or was it just his imagination? Misty, on the other hand, trilled a greeting at the handsome blue firelizard who'd just crooned at her. She could get to enjoy this little gathering! A larger cousin and a blue firelizard!

The young man simply tilted his head to the side a bit, confused...and yet he knew that all eyes were now focused on him. Including Madilyn's. Shard it, he thought to himself. Letting out a sigh that suggested he didn't appreciate all this sudden attention, he walked up and halted about ten paces from the Green. "Hello," he said softly, not daring to look up at the dragon. Misty was suddenly distracted by her pet's abrupt change in attitude, and she chittered at him in a valiant attempt to cheer him up. Seeing how that didn't quite work, the gold firelizard leapt from her pet's shoulders and hovered in his face, trilling at him. Misty then flittered over to the blue, trilling at him as if asking for his help, then finally hovered near her larger cousin and chittered an apology before returning to her perch on the back of her pet's neck. She trilled at him, encouraging her pet to step a bit closer and not be ashamed nor afraid of this.

Jaysen took another couple of steps forward, not daring to let his eyes meet that of the dragon's. Nor did he dare look at the Rider. Why him? Weren't there other Candidates more worthy than him?

[sorra]

Rivi flapped his wings and trilled happily. He was glad the beautiful queen had seen him fit enough to say hello to. Kiyoni quickly batted the blue's wings out of her face.

Elliwodth dipped her head in greeting to Misty before turning to look at Jaysen. She stretched out her neck and gently nudged his chest. I like you. You should do nicely, she said matter of factly.

Kiyoni hadn't caught onto what her green was doing. Although she did look up to see what had caught Rivi's and Elliwodth's attention. She stared in surprise when Elliwodth nudged the boy. Kiyoni managed to pull her thoughts away from what was waiting for her back at the Weyr and smiled at the boy.

"Elli, be nice," she warned her green. "Sorry. Elliwodth is very affectionate."

[Kendrall]

Jaysen was stunned when the Green nudged him...but what was she saying when he should do nicely? What was the dragon getting at? Why was he clearly hearing her voice in his head? He looked at Misty and watched her get to know the blue firelizard and the dragon better, then looked back at the Searchrider when she apologized to him.

Well, I suppose I'd better do something, the young man thought to himself. He walked up briskly to the woman, then leaned in for a moment. "Call me crazy, m'lady, but...I can hear your dragon. She likes me, and thinks I should do nicely? What is she getting at?" Jaysen didn't want to let his voice be heard, so he only spoke loud enough for the Searchrider to hear.

((Apologies for the short post - in the middle of fixing a late dinner. Just got home from work about 15 minutes ago.))

[sorra]

Elliwodth moved her head back as she saw Jaysen move. The green almost seemed to smile as he walked up to Kiyoni. Him, she told Kiyoni. He'll make a good candidate.

Rivi chittered happily with Misty. He was enjoying "talking" with the gold. He hadn't seen any golds at Nova, so this was great fun to him.

Kiyoni barely nodded when she heard Elliwodth. She turned her attention back to Jaysen. The poor boy seemed so confused. She sighed softly. Now was the time to put her own troubles aside. "Elli wanted to see how you would react to hearing a dragon," the search rider answered, keeping her voice light and cheery. "She says you would make a great candidate if you agree to stand."

[Kendrall]

Jaysen widened his eyes in surprise for a moment before regaining his composure. Elli? That was the dragon's name? But didn't most dragons' names end with -th? It was likely the Rider was using a nickname or shortened form for the Green's actual name, but he dare not ask. Still, why Elli would think he'd make a Candidate was beyond him...if he wanted to Stand.

He had to think for a few minutes. He loved the sea, but if this dragon, this...Elli...thought differently, he'd have to pretty much leave behind everything he knew. That upset his sense of order, as he'd been used to doing things one specific way for as long as he could remember. On the other hand, his sense of adventure called to him. This would be charting a new course in his life, and the unknown always was appealing. He looked up at the Rider and could tell something was really distracting her, as if lost in her own thoughts. I'm sure I'll find out soon enough, he supposed.

Jaysen looked over his shoulder and saw his little sister, Madilyn, her emotions conflicting behind her eyes. He knew his sister all too well; pride, jealousy, and worry were battling for supremacy in her mind. She's starting to think like Mother, he mused to himself. He shot his sibling a soft smile to reassure her, then turned around to face the Rider and her dragon. "Fair enough," the young man said. "If it's a landlubber's life for me, I suppose this means there'll be a new course to chart for my life. I did have a few questions, though." He paused for a moment before continuing. "Are there any bodies of water near where we're going? And will I be allowed to bring my clothes?" He then looked at Misty chittering happily with the blue firelizard. "And can I bring Misty?" He jerked his head at his gold firelizard. "She's been attached to me ever since the day I found her, newly hatched from her shell."

[sorra]

Kiyoni smiled as she recognized the emotions in Jaysen's eyes. It wasn't uncommon for a potential candidate to be hesitant to begin with. Agreeing to come to the Weyr was like starting a whole new life for them and that wasn't something to be taken lightly despite the prospect of being rider.

Elliwodth lowered her head and crooned softly as she watched Jaysen and Misty with whirling eyes. Rivi had retired to Kiyoni's shoulder and still chittering happily.

Kiyoni nodded. "Of course. Ask whatever you want," she answered. She'd rather be able to put his worries to rest early. "There is the Weyr Lake at the Weyr. The dragons like to play around in it as do their riders and the others at the Weyr." She smiled. "Of course you can bring your own clothes and Misty is more then welcome to come," she answered. She actually giggled softly. Rivi would enjoy having another firelizard around. "Anything else you would like to know?" she asked, brushing her brown bangs out of her eyes.

[Kendrall]

Jaysen watched as Elli crooned, which he took to be a good sign. Misty was practically beside herself, chittering away, but had settled on her pet's shoulder. She would be going with him to a new home! The young man simply smiled and caressed the firelizard's head, then nodded when the Rider told him there was a lake near the Weyr. "Well, at least I won't be too landlocked," he said with a grin. "Means Misty and me should be able to go fishing when we have a chance. Or go swimming. As for my clothes, I'll need to go pack them into a small storage chest that I have. Will your dragon be able to carry all that extra weight?" Jaysen studied Elli for a moment, unsure if the additional load would put too much strain on her.

Madilyn, in the meantime, came up slowly and stood next to her brother. She had been crying just now, and she hugged him. "But Papa is still away..." she said softly. "And Mama won't like it if you're gone, too." Jaysen turned and hugged his little sister, and brushed back her hair. "It'll be alright, Madilyn," he replied quietly. "But I'm old enough to make this decision on my own. Ever since Father made sure I was promoted to journeyman, he's entrusted me to make my own choices, to chart my own course." He released his sister. "Let Mother know a Searchrider is here, and she wants me to come with her to Nova as a Candidate. I'll be along soon." Madilyn nodded, and quickly ran as fast as she could in the direction of their home. Jaysen sighed as he watched her go, then turned around and blushed. "Oh, I nearly forgot my manners." He gave the Rider a formal bow. "My name is Jaysen, a Junior Journeyman Fisherman and able sailor. Though I'm not entirely sure how my craft will help me at the Weyr." He fidgeted, unsure how the skills that had been his since he was a toddler would help him succeed at his new life. Misty picked up on her pet's uncertainly and trilled happily at him, encouraging him.

[sorra]

Kiyoni shook her head with a smile. "No, there's water around," she assured him. "The dragons love the water as do the firelizards." She hadn't really thought about what it would be like to leave your home. Especially if you were used to the fishing life. But she was pretty sure there were others at the Weyr that could help him there.

The green rider looked over when Madilyn approached. Her heart broke as she watched the siblings. Seeing them just made her miss her brother even more. She quickly wiped a tear away before anyone saw. She was just an emotional wreck and had no idea why. Rivi and Elliwiodth both crooned in encouragment. "Would you like me to talk to your mother and explain?" Kiyoni offered. Some children liked that others didn't. Jaysen seemed a bit older then some of the candidates they had Searched and she wasn't sure he would appreciate it. She smiled. "Actually, you would be surprised. One of your lessons as a candidate is picking a craft and learning about it and I know fishing and the sea craft is one," she assured him.

[Kendrall]

Jaysen breathed a sigh of relief when the Rider told him the dragons loved the water as did the firelizards. Misty chirped with joy. Other firelizards were there and they loved the water as much as she did! But the young man noticed the blue firelizard and Elli crooning at the Rider, prompting him to give her a soft smile and a shake of his head. "No, Father entrusted me to make my own decisions when I came of age. He's currently out at sea, but I'm sure he'd be understanding. Mother, on the other hand, might say something but she's an intelligent woman herself. I sent my little sister on to let Mother know I've been Searched."

Another sigh of relief when he was told he'd be allowed to pick a craft as a Candidate, and fishercraft was one of his choices. "That actually could come in handy," he commented thoughtfully. "I might be able to teach some of the other Candidates what I know, or at least help whomever is teaching the lessons." Though the chances of him doing so were slim, it'd give him something to do.

He gestured for the Rider to follow. "If it's not too much of an imposition for you, m'lady, I'd like to know if we can see if your Elli is able to handle a small wooden chest full of clothes. If she isn't, I can always ask one of the master fisherman if they'd be willing to ship it to Nova, but it'll take much longer. I'd hate to be without a change of clothes." He said the last sentence while grinning, but he meant it. Jaysen wasn't fond of having anything in his life that seemed out of place. Being without clothes while as a Candidate would qualify.