Seasick

[Flamewolf]

You'd be surprised at how many bodies of water can remind someone of the sea. All you need is the gentle waves of the water crashing on the shore, fish swimming in the clear water, splashes from water creatures, and quiet. To Keldara, all of these things brought a wave of emotions. Hurt, loss, yearning, happiness, and a silence that filled her soul with an emptiness she'd never felt before. As she sat by the lake, her feet bare and in the water, tears threatened to break through. A flash of the fire, her cousin's eyes, and the blur of things rushing past her reminded of what she had lost...and, ironically, what she had gained.

She sighed ruefully and slowly settled down on her back to gaze at the sky. Why must her life be so complicated? Her father would have wanted her to follow his footsteps, with Alphi; the dear dolphin that she longed to speak with. But she'd been searched here, to the place where her wildest dreams had become true. She closed her eyes and forced herself to relax. Don't think about the past, think of the future... It was what her dad always said. But what if the past was still part of your future? Then what?

[M'kel]

The once-empty, dormant volcano was becoming active once again. Along with the random appearance of new dragonriders from the past, the present dragonriders had been recruiting workers for the Lower Caverns. As well, the Searchriders had begun sweeping the continent. With nary a Hatching on Pern for centuries, the Holds were said to be brimming with potential Candidates. Although the radiant Aviciath had yet to take flight, Sitareh had insisted on rigorous candidate recruitment. She had determined to handpick the best candidates from those brought in, for none would stand at her Aviciath's Hatching if not deemed worthy.

With all of the youth flooding into the Weyr, M'kel had lost track of them all. Although his sights were set on the Weyrleadership position, the young man was not one to eliminate his options. Thus, he made it a point to acquaint himself with other future goldriders.

Strolling through the Bowl on one of his rare, less busy days, M'kel's bright eyes were drawn to the shimmering lake. A lone figure had stretched out on the sand, gaze fixed upon the clouds. Putting on his most charming smile, M'kel altered his direction and made his way towards the figure. "New to Araelen?" he drawled.

[Flamewolf]

Keldara blinked as a shadow fell across her vision. She glanced behind her to see the vague outline of another, just as she heard his voice. She propped herself on her elbows and twisted around to gaze at the man. By his stature, the girl figured that he must be a dragonrider. "Yes, I am," she replied, her voice on the soft side, just like it always had. Her father had sometimes playfully teased her about it, but learned that, if she wanted, she could raise her voice if she wished.

On one part of her mind, Kel wondered how the rider how he knew she was new to the Weyr; but she shrugged it off as she looked at him. "I'm Keldara," she introduced herself. Pushing off the sand, she stood and gently whiped off the sand still sticking to her legs before straightening and giving a shy smile to the rider.

[M'kel]

M'kel's hazel eyes casually flicked over the young girl's form as she stood, for she was momentarily distracted, then returned immediately to meet her own green gems once she'd straightened. No Flight had occurred, no queen egg had been lain, but it seemed Sitareh had wished for a headstart on choosing her possible competition. The queenrider was confident in her mighty Aviciath's abilities to produce a gold egg in her first Clutch. The most amusing aspect of this confidence in the Weyrwoman was how it conflicted with her desire for autocracy: another gold dragon would diminish her power, if only slightly, and add a possible threat. But that was a distant matter.

Even if this young sprite was only to Impress green, M'kel did have to remind himself of the slight possibility that Tirenth might not catch Aviciath. There was nothing wrong with keeping his options open. Thus, he bowed slightly, adding a small flourish, and smiled disarmingly. "M'kel, rider of Bronze Tirenth, future Weyrleader of Araelen. It is a pleasure to meet you, Candidate Keldara." Oh, such confidence. There was nothing quite so impressive as a young lad brimming with certainty of his future.

"Which Hold do you hail from?" He chuckled shortly, realizing that many new Holds may have sprung up since his time. "I may not recognize the name, though. Things have changed in these centuries past. Certainly not for the best." This was accompanied by an exaggerated shake of his head, his dirty blonde hair swinging slightly with the motion. "No matter. Sitareh shall right the wrongs."

[Flamewolf]

Keldara, even through her brooding thoughts smiled from the small bow he presented her. She was not surprised by his confidence; after all, he was a bronze rider, and he should have a small ego, if you want to call it that. Her gaze flickered across his appearance as he straightened. Not bad, she thought to herself.

Her smile widened when he asked his question. "I'm from the Dolphineer Hall, actually," she told him. Suddenly, the scene before her turned into different shades of red, flickering around the edges. She quickly shook the image from her mind and focused on the man before her. I've got to stop brooding about that, she scolded herself.

"I hope Sitareh will be able to change a few things here," she agreed. "Many of the Minor and some Major Holds have gotten a little too...egotistic," she said with a small smile. "I think a few of the Lord Holders have gotten a little too confident with their power as well," she added said dryly, shaking her head, thinking all to well of her cousin.

[M'kel]

The tentative smile that traced the girl's lips assured M'kel that his charm had not failed him. Even the most dismal youth could be drawn out of her shell with a friendly word, that certain attention she desired most. This one's hesitance seemed to stem from an unusually fresh source. He'd met enough candidates in his short life as a dragonrider to recognize the difference between fear of a new place and fear of some past hurt. The latter was more ingrained; it flickered in the back of one's eyes, even when a smile masked the face.

"Dolphineering, hm?" he inquired, genuinely interested. "I've never actually met one of those speaking fish. I've heard some dolphineers claim their companionship rivals that of dragons, but I highly doubt it. Still, I'd be interested in seeing one." Tirenth rumbled in disgust from his weyr, unable to comprehend what kind of fascination giant fish might hold for humans.

Fish are only good for eating, or so the little cousins told me. Personally, it would take more effort to catch one than the tiny morsels would be worth. M'kel grinned at his dragon's thoughts, that distant look of mind-to-mind communication claiming his eyes.

As Keldara addressed the issue of the Holds, M'kel drew back from his dragon's mind once again. Her words intrigued him, for M'kel had been under the impression that Pern was content with its current government. If the common Pernese could be swayed to support the Weyr, this takeover might be easier. He chuckled darkly, then stated casually, "Don't worry. They'll be relieved of that nuisancy power soon enough."

[Flamewolf]

She flashed him a slightly uneasy smile. "They're a lot smarter than many believve," she said. "I never bonded with one, because I was still an apprentice when I was searched, but my father's dolphin follows me around."

She hesitated. In fact, Kel wasn't sure if her father's dolphin, Alphi, knew where she was at the moment. That made her feel sad, but she reasoned that if she ever impressed a mighty dragon, she'd go and find the dolphin. Her gaze briefly flashed over to the freshwater lake. She can't find me while I'm still bound to the ground," she thought ruefully as she looked back to M'kel.

(OOC: sorry that its so short, I hurt my wrist during Tae Kwon Do and can only type with one hand. XD)

[M'kel]

((That's not a problem at all! I know how you feel...well, sort of. I've had to type one-handed because my cat has lain on my lap and required a hand to keep her from falling off. ))

M'kel's hazel eyes watched the girl's face carefully, reading her awkward smile. Most candidates missed the familiarity of home upon arriving at a Weyr. Even the slightest reminder of their homes could rouse spirits, or offer that final closure before a Hatching. If the dolphins were all this girl missed, the bronzerider would have no problem solving that issue. In fact, he wouldn't have to inconvenience himself at all. In such busy times, the at times temperamental lad may not feel he could spare time for a candidate.

"I think I can help you see that dolphin again," he grinned, brushing her arm slightly to draw her attention. "You see, Araelen here is built on...grew from...well, this is an island, formed by the volcano we now live in. As such, there is a beach just down that slope." He pointed to the Tunnel entrance. "At that beach is the sea. I don't know if your dolphin can find you hear, but there may be a bell installed by now to summon the pods. If so, I'm sure you could ask one of them where she is. I may even join you some time, just to meet one."

[Flamewolf]

Keldara's gaze focused back to him again. This isn't fair to him, she thought. I'm spacing out too often. Sharding cousin, she thought bitterly but kept a slight smile on her face. Her face lit up at the mention of a beach, quickly supressing the building excitement in her. Just because there's a way to get here, doesn't mean she'll be able to find me, she told herself firmly as she glanced to the tunnel he indicated.

"I'd be glad to introduce you to a dolphin," she said with a genuine smile on her. "And thank you for telling me about the beach," she added, glancing over in that direction for a second. She hadn't felt this happy since...a while. Probably ever since she got here, thinking she'd not be able to see Alphi again.

[M'kel]

As withdrawn as this young candidate was, M'kel caught the spark that lit at the mention of visiting dolphins. The dragonrider could understand that attachment easily. Having never Impressed a dragon, a bond to another intelligent animal may seem just as strong to her. It was that level of empathy that made candidates potential dragonriders.

"Well, come on then." M'kel grinned, taking a few steps towards the Tunnel before pausing to glance back. "There's no time like the present," he chortled, amused at his own 'time' joke. "I've got a few moments, and you're obviously dying to see this dolphin again. What do you say?"