D'gellin's Journal

[D'gellin]

This is a sad day, ladies and gents. A day to be recorded as well as lamented.

I, D'gellin, proud Senior Weyrling of bronze Lancetoth, am hanging up my bag of pranks.

It's been a fun ride, and I don't regret a second of it. But it's also time to move on. I'm not the same little kid I was when I came to Araelen. And, as much as it pains me to admit it, it's probably about time I started acting my age.

I know, frightening, isn't it? But it's not as though this is a sudden break. I never did get very far with my pranks once I came here. Too many clever eyes. And I was running out of steam to begin with. Once Lancetoth came into the picture, there just wasn't any time. I mean, seriously, what could possibly be more fun than spending time with my favorite dragon? ...Not that I really had a choice anyway. Lanny's a full-time commitment. I'm only getting a chance to write right now because he's asleep. The lazy lump.

Don't get me wrong, I love Lancetoth like I love air. I need him and he needs me. And by Faranth I've never been happier in my life! But for a moment I need to be selfish. Bear with me, just a second. After all, I'm only human.

I guess the first time I really began to realize my pranktastical career was over was shortly after arriving here. When talking to some fellow candidates, I couldn't decide on my favorite prank. A relatively innocent event in itself, but it left a mark on my mind. It was like a red flag had gone up. I started to question how much I actually enjoyed pranking people. And when I got Mother, my firelizard, even she seemed repulsed by the prank ideas I was still trying to cling to. Every time I came up with something new, it seemed like she was right there, one eye cracked open with a 'are you be being serious right now?' expression. Maybe I was just being paranoid. Mother was on to everything and I wasn't used to that. But that, too, left an impression.

And once I started chasing Lancetoth around, having something to occupy my time, I found I didn't have to resort to pranks just to have fun. Between all the running after my Lanny, trying to keep one step ahead of him so he didn't get us in trouble, I found myself feeling sharper than ever before. He was tiring to be around at first, sure. I've grown accustomed to making it half-way onto my cot with my clothes still on when I pass out. But he helped me put things into perspective. I think...maybe, just maybe...I might be maturing. Like, the way my sister Cora was always saying: 'Grow up! Act your age!' Well... I think I might be starting to.

But don't let that make you think I'm not still me! Maybe I'm not the master of pranks anymore, but that doesn't mean I can't rib someone or trick a friend. I'm still a phenomenal liar, thank you very much. (Assuming you're a man, that is. I still get fidgety telling an untruth to a girl. I swear, it's like they're psychic. They always seem to know exactly what you're thinking.) And if you leave yourself unguarded when I'm feeling particularly sneaky, well that's just your own fault now, isn't it.

Anyway, with these words, I close a chapter in my life and start a new one. Psh, like I haven't done that before. The fact that I'm turning my prank journal into an actual journal though, that feels sort of final. But who knows, maybe this is just a phase. Maybe I'll be back to my old self before you know it.

Lock your doors and check your shoe laces. You really never know what's coming.

Ex-Master Prankster (?),
D'gellin


...


On a side note, I'm very distressed to report that the female populous does not respond to bronze riders quite the way I expected them to. I figured now that I had Lanny, they'd be flocking to me from all corners! Fat chance. Girls don't appear to be worried about rank. Or personality. Not as long as you've got a six pack and a handsome face. How sharding lucky for me, I don't have either. Ah well, maybe if I chase Lancetoth around for a few more turns I'll start to look more...masculine...chasing a dragon all day...like a little kid... Uhg.

D'gellin, signing off

[D'gellin]

Alright, another momentous journal entry! Though certainly not one I appreciate having to add. Mainly because this page will have to be dedicated to my eldest sister, who I've never really gotten along with. You wouldn't either if she ruined half your childhood pranks before they cold even get going! But that's not the point. The reason I write today with such distress is because bossy, loud, obnoxious Cora is here. In Araelen. Living here in Araelen. Living here in Araelen as some kind of self-proclaimed Headwoman's apprentice. I don't know what she's getting at either. So let's recap, shall we?

Today started off as any other normal day would. Whirl woke me up with his usual hungry morning routine. I staggered into the dining hall still virtually asleep until a very helpful drudge took pity on me and shoved a cup of klah into my hands (I think that was after I stumbled into a few occupied tables). I stuffed some food into Whirl's mouth to stop the complaining. Lancetoth commented a few pretty greens he'd seen that morning. I told him he was a wherry head. Then Mother popped out of between, chattering away. I remember being relieved at this though because she'd been gone since I asked her to send a letter back home to my family. She had a return letter. That would explain it then. Mom said something about one of my sisters getting married, how I should really come to the ceremonies, and was asking if I ever planned to visit again.

I figured I'd surprise them and come by today. Problem was, when I got there, everyone was missing. Except for my eldest sister. Cora was standing outside the house with a bunch of bags. Now, any smart person would have realized what was going on right away. I was definitely suspicious of her, but too confused to make heads or tails of it. I knew something was up. What I didn't expect was Cora throwing her arms around me as soon as I'd reached the house. She'd started babbling on about how she'd missed me (which we both knew was a lie), and how she simply couldn't stand the distance (now she was really pushing it), and how she would just have to come live in the Weyr as well.

Here's where I did a double take and started laughing. Who was this and what had she done with my sister? Cora wanting to spend more time with me, her trouble-making little brother? And even more than that, Cora wanting to live in the Weyr, when she could hardly stand being in the same room as a fire-lizard? For Faranth's sake, she'd nearly fainted when she first saw Lancetoth! And he was smaller back then! But when I tried to make sense of it, she stuck to her initial claims. And when I still pressed the issue she offered a freshly baked bubbly pie in exchange for transport to the Weyr, suddenly all business. Though she never admitted the real reason, there was one thing I did know: Cora made the best bubbly pies in the Hold.

I was torn. I was literally looking back and forth between Lancetoth and that wonderful smelling pie. And then Cora said something she'd never said to me before. She looked me straight in the eye (I was surprised - she must have shrunk or something, because we're eye-level now) and said 'please'. There was something so very helpless in the way she said it that, at that moment, I couldn't turn her down. She must really have been desperate too, because she was practically hyperventilating but she managed to make it back to Araelen on Lancetoth without freaking out. Although she did make it a point to run inside before taking a look around...Or taking her bags with her.

I just got back from dragging all her junk inside. Last I saw of Cora she was running away from poor Whirl, who really only wanted some attention.

Ah well. More bubbly pie for me.