Figuring Out A Present

Writers: Avery
Date Posted: 25th December 2014

Characters: Kapera, Ikalis
Description: Kapera asks Ikalis' advice when considering a present.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 10, day 12 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Alina, J'nus

Kapera

Kapera slipped into the Records Room, intent on finding J'nus' record so
she could look up something. It felt illicit to be sneaking around
learning things about your paramour without just asking him. Because he
probably would tell her. But if he told her, then he'd know she was
planning something. She didn't want him to know anything about her plans.
It was supposed to be a _surprise_.

One advantage of being a goldrider, she thought as she found the section
with the records of the current dragonriders, was that it made sense for
her to look at the records of dragonriders in her Weyr. If anyone had
thought it was odd and stopped to ask her what she was up to, she'd even
come up with a few nice excuses. But nobody stopped her, and she was able
to sneak J'nus' record off the shelf.

She really wanted to stop and linger over it, because she was a natural
snoop. And he had so many secrets, a past of mysterious history she didn't
know. Maybe it would be contained somewhere in his record, tell her tales
about the bronzerider that maybe he never would. So instead she ran her
finger across the hide as she quickly scanned for the information she was
looking for. She had a hazy thought that it was soon, but it had been
Turns since she'd celebrated it with him.

Ah, there it was - his birthingday was indeed this month. Her memory
wasn't _completely_ shot. She felt proud of remembering that fact. The
rest of the record beckoned her, but she confined her reading to
confirming the date before putting the record back on the shelf, looking
around her as she did to see if anyone was looking.

}:You are being silly. You can do whatever you want,:{ Riyanth commented
from the heights she lounged on.

She was whistling happily as she walked out of the Records Room, so caught
up in smug self-satisfaction that she didn't even notice as she nearly ran
down the young woman in front of her until it was too late and the other
person jumped to the side with a startled noise and dropped something on
the floor. That broke her out of her reverie.

"Are you alright?" she asked the familiar-looking blonde girl.

"Fine, Weyrwoman. I guess I wasn't thinking," Ikalis said as she picked
the laundry back up. She'd been daydreaming about Alina, actually.

"I wasn't either," Kapera said.

"What was on your mind?" the caverns worker asked, wondering what had that
little smile on the goldrider's face.

"I'm wondering what to get a friend," the goldrider replied.

"Well, what kind of things does he like? That's a good starting point for
a present," Ikalis said, leaning against the wall and trying to sound wise
beyond her Turns.

Kapera thought about it. "He likes to fish, so fishing gear? But that's
something he could pick up anywhere," she added.

The caverns worker nodded in agreement. "If he's a good friend you want
something a little more customized."

"He collects lots of trinkets."

"Trinkets is a very broad category." Ikalis thought privately that the
goldrider didn't know her friend very well. That or she wasn't good at
understanding other people well enough to pick a good present. Clearly it
was a good thing that she was here to help out. "If he's a practical
person, what's something he might use that's a little more novel then
fishing gear?"

"He likes old things?" she murmured, wondering how to turn that into a
present. "So an old practical thing."

There was something to work with. Ikalis' mind began to churn. "You said
he likes fishing? Do you know if he just angles, or sails?"

"Not sure. Why?"

"If he sails any, a compass or sextant. If he just angles, something like
a telescope," she suggested.

"That's a great idea," Kapera said. "Where would I get one of those?"

Ikalis scrunched her nose as she thought about it. "Those are seafaring
items. Maybe the Dolphin Hall would have one for sale. I bet the
Seacrafters do for sure. They're made of metal, so possibly also the
Smiths."

"The Dolphineers are closer, so I'll check there first." Kapera smiled at
the caverns worker, feeling glad that her problem had been solved. "You've
been very helpful today."

"I can be more helpful, too. If you want food you give the present, go
down to the kitchens the night before and ask for Ikalis to make you
something special," the girl ventured boldly.

"What do you do best?"

"I'm an excellent Baker, so pastries. Who wouldn't want pastries and a
shiny present?"

The goldrider had to admit the girl had a point. "I think I'll do that.
Have a good afternoon Ikalis, and thank you."

Ikalis walked away with a skip in her step. She was glad she'd helped
Kapera figure out something better than fishing tack as a present. And she
had something really juicy to tell Alina about, now...

Last updated on the January 4th 2015

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Figuring Out A Present