What's For Dinner?

Writers: Anika, Avery
Date Posted: 20th October 2014

Characters: Ikalis, R'taran
Description: R'taran looks for an evening companion but meets a baker instead.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 9, day 5 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentor Approved

R'taran looked around the busy kitchen with a frown on his face. He
didn't see who he was looking for and was irritated that he'd
forgotten the drudge's name. Of course he had only been with her that
once, and he was not in the habit of committing the names of various
lower cavern workers to memory. Still it had been a pleasant
encounter which he wouldn't mind repeating. Oh, well, maybe he would
just take a tray to his room and go over those hides on threadfall
clumps again.

He motioned to gain the attention of a curvaceous blond who appeared
to be finishing up with some pastries.

Ikalis turned when she saw a hand waving at her. "Can I help you,
brownrider?" she asked when she saw his knots.

"I need to take a meal up to my weyr," he replied, wondering if he
should ask after the other girl or not. He gave another look around
the bustling area before turning his attention back to the hazel eyes
of the young woman in front of him.

"Sure, what do you need?" Ikalis asked. She turned slightly to cast an
eye over the kitchen. "Dinner is herdbeast stew and river grains, but
there's also some leftover sliced wherry meat for sandwiches, and I
could give you fresh rolls with that."

"Stew and I would would never say no to fresh rolls," he replied
sounding almost friendly while the corners of his mouth lifted just
slightly. The rider had a weakness for fresh bread of any kind. "Are
they still hot?"

She turned and pointed a flour-covered hand towards the tray of rolls that
was sitting on a counter. She narrowed her eyes at a smaller figure moving
towards them. "It's not dinner yet, Eltir!"

The figure turned around, a small boy with a snaggletooth. "Sorry Kal."

"You get one after dinner if you get out of here," she said, folding her
arms and looking stern till the weyrbrat left.

"Sorry about that," she said to the brown rider. "Weyrbrats nicking food
is pretty common."

"I might have been accused of the same at his age," R'taran commented
drolly. Taking a step toward the counter he reached to grab one of
the rolls, inhaling deeply with a look of appreciation. "Especially,
if they smelled this good."

"I saw that," she chided. "But you'd be getting two on a tray anyway.
So, stew and rolls it is." She busily started plating the food.

"Oh, what's your name?" she asked over her shoulder.

"R'taran," he replied completely unaware of the superior inflection in his
voice as he assessed the young kitchen worker. She seemed unaccountably
cheerful for someone who worked in the lower caverns and that was a
curiosity to him. "And yours?"

"Ikalis. You might know my sister, Ikara. She rides Narith and flies in
the Weyrleader's wing." She came back, carrying the tray.

"Yes, of course," he said with nod, placing the rider. "Were you a
candidate as well then?" he wondered aloud. Interesting that one sister
impressed and not the other if that was the case.

"Never. I went to the Baker Hall as a student, but when they ran out of
things they could teach me, I came back."

"Really?" his voice held obvious approval at her choice to follow an
appropriately feminine pursuit. "Well, I am certain that all in the
Weyr will appreciate and benefit from your choice," the brownrider
assured her as he held up the purloined roll and took a bite before
reaching for the tray with his free hand.

"Thanks for the compliment," she said with another warm smile. "The Weyr's
lucky indeed the Bakers are still too hidebound to take me as a proper
apprentice, really. If you like these, by the way, tell your friends. I'll
bake special batches for people in exchange for rides to Gathers or
something." Barter was good. Barter ran the Weyr.

He frowned disapprovingly at the "hidebound" comment but the rider was
pragmatic enough to temper his reaction. It was always a good idea to have
amicable relations with a good cook. "I will spread the word and keep it
in mind myself." R'taran inclined his head, politely, ready to take his
leave.

"Here you go," she said, pressing the tray into his hands and overlooking
his expression. "Have a good one!"

Last updated on the November 16th 2014

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

What's For Dinner?