Peace and Quiet

[Shikai]

The hottest part of the day finally passed, Rukbat had just visibly begun slipping from its zenith. As such, Hirun noticed his shadow sliding out from under him again as he made his way out of the tunnel entrance to the weyr, and back into the sunlight. He felt the warmth of it immediately; the familiar heat that had enveloped him for many a turn. It was nice to feel something he was accustomed to, given that so much of life now was just the opposite.

As an ex-trader, he was used to change, but this was different than anything he could have expected his life to throw at him. Dragons! Flown straight out of the legends of the past, showing themselves to be very real creatures, although there had been no doubt of that. But still, to see dragons in one’s lifetime, countless turns after their presence had faded from Pern – it was simply amazing.

Yet while Hirun no doubt appreciated the incredible change of events, he was just not quite as excited as the other candidates. Especially not visibly, for Hirun had long since mastered the practice of keeping his face smooth and devoid of emotion, which could be unsettling at times. However, blank though he often looked, Hirun did feel, and had emotions as powerful and often upsetting as any other. And today, he intended to let them all go with his favorite and in fact, only form of release: by playing his beloved flute.

Aforementioned instrument was held with great care in his left hand, and his fingers itched to begin playing. Looking first to his left, and then to his right, and spotting no one in either direction, Hirun found a spot not far from the weyr’s entrance and plopped himself down. Examining his flute with and almost tender look, as there was no one around to see him, he ran his fingers experimentally about the smooth holes. Closing his eyes, he breathed in deeply through his nose, allowing his suppressed emotions to swirl up within him. And then, putting his mouth to the flute’s mouthpiece, he sent them out, letting them move his fingers into a melody that suited them.

[etoile]

Elkie was humming merrily as she strolled out of the Weyr- she needed a breath of fresh air, and a brisk walk in the outdoors seemed perfect. Tango was sitting on Elkie's shoulder firmly, his claws gripping her tightly enough to pierce through the thin cloth of her shirt. But whether or not Elkie actually felt it on her skin was a mystery- she gave no outwards signs that she was uncomfortable as she frolicked out. She also didn't seem to notice that his thin, brown tail was draped around her neck like a large necklace. If anything, it looked like she was enjoying his possessive touches.

Hearing music as she exited the Weyr, she paused. It was a nice little tune, and she could already see different dance steps to it in her mind. Unable to help herself, she pranced in the direction of the music as if she were following a pied piper- it was just drawing her to it! She hoped to dance along to it upon arrival, but she also didn't want to frighten the wits out of the flutist by flipping into wherever the poor player. So she kept her cool, finding the flutist quickly. She grinned, noticing his shoulder knots marked him as a candidate, just like her.

"Hello!" she called out cheerfully, gracefully sidling up to him. She leaned forward, rocking back onto her heels as she gave him a thoughtful look. Tango, too, was watching him carefully. He didn't like new people, and he was going to keep an eye on this boy. If he made one wrong move toward Elkie, he would make sure that would be the last move he would ever make. Elkie, however, didn't notice Tango's caution- he was over-protective, making Elkie feel like her mother was constantly at her back. So, like her mother, she just ignored his suspicions. "I'm Elkie!" she told him, then added, "You play well. Harper trained?" Her fingers drummed against her thigh in an intricate dance that she couldn't do with her body at the present moment. But, if she got onto his good side...

[Shikai]

Immersed as he was in his music, Hirun failed to take notice of the girl and her fire lizard until she spoke. He did not cease playing immediately, but his eyelids flew open to reveal rather untrusting eyes of dark blue. Hirun ended his song quickly, letting the final note trail out until he lacked the breath to sustain it any longer, and so the song faded from the air. He couldn’t, after all, speak and play at the same time!

This girl, a candidate like himself, seemed cheerful, and had a certain air of grace about her, an assurance in her movements that lead Hirun to wonder if she had much dancing experience. He had been to his share of Gathers in his youth, all over Pern, and met many different kind of people. But not dragonriders, they were as new to him as anyone else on Pern. So he still wasn’t certain how he felt about all of them.

Hirun eyed the fire lizard on her shoulder coolly, for he could tell that the little brown was being protective of her. Sure, he didn’t look like the nicest person on Pern, but he wasn’t about to hurt anyone without a reason!

His gaze flicked back to her, listening as she spoke. He nodded, more in affirmation of her words than answering her question. That would get a vocal answer, since customs dictated that he introduce himself anyway. He was none too thrilled to be interrupted, but he didn’t mind so much as he expected to. While the thought never occurred to him, Hirun really did need to make some acquaintances in the weyr, at least. Even better if he could find a friend somehow.

“I’m Hirun.” He started, his dark blue eyes making contact with her bright blue ones. “Ah, thanks,” he replied in response to her complement. And to her question, “Harper trained? Yeah, a bit.”

Still annoyed by the over protective fire lizard, his eyes wandered back toward it.

“That’s a fine fire lizard you got there, but could you let him know that I’m not going to attack you, or anything?”

[etoile]

Elkie smiled happily at the boy- Hirun, he said. "Nice to meet you!" she replied in a sing-song voice, bobbing her head in such a way that made the already protective flitter even more disgruntled. Tango chirped in surprise at her bounciness, holding on for dear life. "So you can read music?" she demanded, already curious to see if he could be an accompanist for her. If he could be... she grinned at the thought. She would be back to her dancing self in no time at all!

Turning her head, she her eyes found Tango, poised to protect. Rolling her eyes, she said, "Tango, babe, remember your manners!" He chirped meekly, then settled back against her, burying his head into Elkie's neck. She chuckled. "Oh, he doesn't mean any harm," she told Hirun with a shrug. "He's still only a baby. Very concerned over our safety," she explained with a merry laugh.

"Don't worry, though- I don't think you're going to attack. You don't look like the type," she added as an after-thought. She yawned. There was no music anymore, so she might as well just relax. Plopping down next to him, she folded on leg over the other. "So, where are you from?" she asked him cheerfully. "I'm from a caravan- we perform. Dancing's my specialty," she added, jutting her thumb at herself. Tango chattered his agreement- he sometimes joined her aerial dancing practices. But most of the time, he just watched, standing guard.

[Shikai]

Hirun raised one eyebrow at Elkie’s question, partially because he could read music adequately, and also because he was wondering why she wanted to know…if she did have some sort of background in dancing, as he had guessed, he could also guess what she might want him to do. He sighed mentally, yet secretly wasn’t as averse to the idea as he might seem. He really did enjoy playing, although it was often a private thing for him, but it might be nice to have his music enjoyed by other ears, for once…

“Yes,” He answered, “I can read music.” He was curious to see what she would say about it.

A flicker of a smile passed over Hirun’s face at the interaction between Elkie and Tango. He found it amusing that she said he ‘didn’t look the type’ to attack her, although it translated onto his face as nothing more than a certain gleam about his eyes. Due to his distant appearance, people usually left him alone. This girl, however, seemed to have no such qualms about approaching him, however repelling his manner happened to be.

Hirun was a bit surprised when Elkie plopped down beside him, but he concealed it well. He was pleased to discover that his first thoughts about her proved correct: she had been a dancer prior to her arrival at the weyr. And she had been a traveler too, like him! It was good to find another who knew the freedom of trekking across the vast, beautiful land that was Pern.

However, he was always a bit uneasy discussing his past, and discussing himself in general. For that matter, he was uneasy discussing most anything with a total stranger. Well, not total, he reminded himself, for he did know her name, and something of her past. Yet she did not have his trust yet, and while he knew a little about her, he couldn’t say he knew her very well. Uneasiness aside, he replied anyway.

“I’m from a trading family, myself. Grew up on a caravan too. We were in the North, though, until…we came South, and settled down in Southern Hold.” He purposely did not tell her why. “So, I started my harper training then. Only got a couple years in, before I got Searched, and wound up here.”

[etoile]

A slow grin spread across Elkie's face when she learned Hirun could read. So! He could be the accompanist! She didn't stop to think if he would reply when she asked, confident that he would say he would be happy to. Then he wouldn't be forced into playing by himself, which she was sure would be a welcome change. Poor guy seemed so lonely, she thought sadly, but that sympathetic thought didn't show on her pale face. "Good, good," she said quietly, almost to herself. She wouldn't let him know of her scheming- not just yet. She assumed that if she, a mere stranger, asked now, he would turn her down. No, there was no need for any awkwardness such as that.

She nodded in acknowledgement, but she couldn't say she was too interested. Elkie didn't hear the brief hesitation in his sentence, her mind already rolling ideas about concerning dancing with music now. "So you were in a caravan, too!" she commented happily. Tango chirruped inquirously, tilting his head at a sharp angle like a canine puppy. "I can't say I was a trader, though," she added with a shrug. Dusting off invisible dirt from her shirt, she looked back up brightly. "I came from a drudge family before I learned to dance. Once I did, I begged to join the caravan! Awesome life, but lousy pay. Dragonriding is better, no?" she asked, all of her words strung together quickly.

Sighing, she twirled a stray strand of dark hair that had fallen out of her bun with her finger. For some reason, hair would always slip out except during her dances. She supposed that she should be grateful for that miracle, but now, she could only think of how annoying it was. "What do you hope to Impress?" she asked suddenly, wanting to bring about some kind of conversation. If he was to be her accompanist, she would have to get to know him!

[Shikai]

Hirun was somewhat relieved to notice that Elkie didn’t seem to be paying strict attention to the information he gave about his past, although he wondered what was distracting her. That was slightly unsettling, after the many questions she had just asked him. Probably she wanted something from him. What, he couldn’t guess, but he had a feeling she had something other than friendship or even just acquaintanceship driving the conversation. Whether he accepted or rejected, he figured, would depend entirely upon what was asked.

He wasn’t averse to helping others, as he had grown up in an environment where the cooperation of everyone was necessary for the survival of all. He had never been lazy, and didn’t hesitate to offer his hand when it was needed, even if he said little to those he aided. He was no stranger to work. However, he got the impression that whatever this Elkie required of him, it wasn’t something she needed so much as wanted him to do.

But rather than come out and ask him, she proceeded to ask him more questions, and continue the small talk. While he didn’t dislike it, Hirun was bad at small talk, and he knew it. However, if Elkie did indeed want him to do her a favor, Hirun guessed that she was merely trying to get to know him a little, to make him feel more obligated to do whatever she would ask. Having been a trader, Hirun had seen techniques like that before. There was no fooling him, he thought almost smugly to himself.

Yet he did not disregard the conversation she offered, even if it was all a ploy to get him to do who knew what. Perhaps he was so starved for company that, even suspecting that Elkie had an ulterior motive, he would chat with her anyway. Even in his head, he didn’t like the sound of that, because if made him sound pathetic. Maybe he was pathetic in that respect, but he didn’t want to think of himself that way! No, he justified, she did seem friendly, so there could very well be more to it than he first thought. At any rate, she was talking to him, and it would be rude not to answer!

Her last question took even him by surprise, for in all honesty, he had not given it much thought. Just the idea of impressing a dragon seemed strange and unrealistic to him. For a long time he hadn’t really thought about his life, and what he wanted, and what he was going to do with it. Hirun had been sort of drifting through, getting by. But now he was faced with such a direct question, forced to face it. Suddenly seeing the long road of life stretched out before him, all different pathways spreading out in infinite directions, and seeing the wasted years behind him, it can as such a shock that his carefully emorionless face slipped, revealing a bewildered expression.

“What…dragon?” He repeated stupidly, and collecting himself, composed himself again. “I suppose…I don’t really hope for any certain color. They all have different strengths, so any would be interesting. Really, I’d be happy with any, I guess, although if I have to choose…I think I’d get on best with a brown or bronze.” He concluded, without the arrogance of some boys who proclaimed themselves sure candidates for big, fine bronzes.

[etoile]

Elkie nodded eagerly. "I mean the kind of dragon that we might Impress," she laughed, amused by how spacey the boy was. Not that she wasn't, she thought with a smile. "Yeah, I'm with you on that- I don't know what I'll get, and I don't really care either. I like greens- easier to maneuver..." She was mumbling to herself by now, thinking of the dragon dancing she had gotten a small taste of with L'kas. Greens would probably be better if she ever intended to have her dragon dancing, which she did. A blue would also be nice, as well. Golds probably wouldn't, which would be a turn-off. She was unsure how often browns Impressed to women, but they weren't as quick and easy as blues and greens.

Shaking her head to whisk herself back into the present, she smiled with a sort of distracted expression back at Hirun. "So!" she said loudly and abruptly. She laughed almost nervously, not as good at small talk as well. No matter- she could cut right to the chase. Looking him over one last time, she finally said, "So, I have a question for you, harper!" Well, he wasn't exactly a harper, but this was just one of Elkie's strange exaggerations. And it might help her get to be an accompanist, she thought with a pleased smile. If he had the self-confidence of being called a harper, it might make him confident enough to play for her.

"As I am a dancer and you are a harper, I was wondering if you'd like to be an accompanist," she asked sweetly, her vibrant blue eyes looking mildly unnatural with bright excitement. She hoped fervently he would say yes- she was eager to dance with music again. "We could perform at gathers, or here at the Weyr. We could earn some extra marks or something, and it would be a WONDERFUL chance for us to practice our talents!" she told him happily, practically bouncing where she sat.

Tango chirped in alarm at her bouncing, spreading his brown wings slightly to balance himself. He didn't understand why all that twirling around on a bar excited his bonded, but if it made her this happy, then perhaps it wasn't as weird as he had thought at first. He chirruped inquirously at Hirun, giving him a stern look.

[Shikai]

Hirun’s expression as he watched Elkie talk to him was rather blank, but he was thinking as he listened to what she said. As proof of this, he nodded after what she said about dragons, especially greens and blues, and found that it wasn’t altogether too difficult to picture her with a lithe dragon of one of the smaller colors. Briefly, he wondered if it was difficult for anyone else to see him with a dragon. Apparently, since he had been Searched, he had as good a chance as any other candidate, yet it was a bit overwhelming to think of himself with one of the mighty creatures, returned from the past after so many long turns of absence.

Yet just as his mind started to wander off on this tangent, it was pulled back by Elkie’s sudden exclamation. His eyebrows rose slightly as she referred to him as ‘harper’, as he hardly considered himself one. Well, he didn’t really consider himself anything in particular, for that matter…but no, he halted this train of thought, and forced his attention back to Elkie. It wasn’t polite to be talking to someone with his mind constantly wandering off.

After getting past the initial greeting of ‘harper’, he realized that this was it, what she was going to ask of him. He waited, somewhat reluctant to hear it, as he feared he would need to say no, which he knew would likely negate any chances of making a friend.

The question, when it came next, should not have surprised Hirun. After all, he knew Elkie was a dancer, and she had called him a harper…it didn’t take a genius to figure out what she might request. However, no one had asked him to play before, in front of them or others. Whether because they didn’t find him approachable enough, or didn’t even know he was skilled at flute playing, or didn’t think his playing was all that great anyway, he didn’t know. All he did know was that he had never been asked to perform, and suddenly, here was someone wanting to dance to his music!

Hirun was both flattered and somewhat alarmed, at once. Flattered by the idea that someone truly enjoyed his music, but nervous at the idea of performing in public. Music had always been a private matter for him, so he couldn’t help but squirm inwardly when thinking of playing in front of many people. Yet…maybe it would be good for him to step out of his comfort zone a bit…he could use a friend, and maybe this would be a good way to make one. Not believing the words coming out of his mouth, Hirun replied.

“Yes…I think I could do that.”