Bold as Brass

Writers: Anika, Avery
Date Posted: 28th January 2015

Characters: Ikalis, P'ton
Description: Paulton follows Kapera's advice on seeking out Ikalis.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 11, day 1 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Kapera, R'taran, R'haran

The last of Paulton's assigned candidate chores was a delivery to the
kitchen, so upon completing his task he decided to see if he could find the
kitchen worker that Kapera had told him about. Looking around he saw a
young woman with golden hair pulled up into a bun. She might fit the
goldrider's description and as he appreciated her curves, he certainly
hoped that she was indeed the right one.

He stopped a young drudge, "Is that Ikis?"

"Ya mean Ikalis?" the boy responded. "Cuz that's Ikalis."

"Yes, yes, that's who I meant. Thanks." He headed in her direction, coming
up quietly behind her. "You know, there's a rumor going around that your
pastries are the best on the Southern continent, if not all of Pern," he
stated softly, almost intimately. Paulton cared not that he was only
fifteen turns. He had flirted shamelessly with woman of all ages at the
Hold and more than a few had flirted back.

Ikalis turned to face the man who was in her personal space. Young man,
she corrected herself as she looked at him. New, too, since she didn't
know him.

"Well I'd certainly hope so, as I intend them to be."

"So it isn't just a rumor then? This lovely form before me hides the spirit
of a true master baker?" His blue eyes twinkled as he looked down at her,
being a good hand span taller.

Two could play at the complimenting game. She let her eyes roam up him for
a moment. "Trained at the Baker Hall. Until they sent me back because I
wasn't allowed to be promoted."

"Ah, the Hall's loss is the Weyr's gain. But, fair maiden, have you any
proof to substantiate the stories told of your great prowess?" He grinned
as her eyes looked him up and down, knowing he could easily pass for two
turns older. Enjoying the game and the innuendo, he allowed his
appreciation for her shapely figure and pretty face to show. One of
many reasons he believed the Weyr was the best place on all of Pern.

"I think I could spare you a puff pastry - if you tell me your name. Are
you a new Harper, with this skill of words?" She grinned at him before
swiftly snatching a pastry off a tray, blowing on it to cool it.

"Paulton. I'm a new candidate, just recently moved from a minor hold in the
Emerald Falls area," he replied with a smile of his own.

"I've only been out there once. Caught a ride with my sister when she was
taking some Harpers back home when they moved," Ikalis replied.

"Didn't get to the main Hold much, myself, but the Weyr is better than
anything Emerald Falls has to offer I assure you. That pastry looks
delectable."

She passed it over at the reminder. "Careful, it's hot. My fingers are
tough-skinned from burning myself on oven sheets."

Accepting the pastry cautiously, he trailed a single finger along her hand.
"Feels delightfully soft to me," he said with a wink before bringing the
pastry towards his mouth to cool it with his breath.

He was bold, and it startled a chuckle out of her. "Were you the most
popular lad of your hold?"

"Not with my father," he replied with a grin. "Or anyone else's father
either come to think of it." He blew once more on the hot pastry and then
decided to hazard a bite.

"Ah, but surely with the inclined ladies?"

"How is it?" she asked, wondering his opinion of her professional skills.

He licked his lips in appreciation, "The rumors don't do it justice. It's
beyond delicious!"

"Well I'm glad you think so. Shows my parents' sacrifice wasn't wasted."

"Definitely not! Did you like your time in the Hall?" He was curious, not
having much experience with different places himself.

"I really enjoyed learning. But I didn't enjoy the social attitudes," she
said carefully. "The Baker Hall allows female students, but no
apprentices. We were treated very differently. Most girls took only one or
two Turns to learn how to feed their household and husband, then left. The
fact that I was Weyrbred and would have apprenticed if I could - it was
not usual, and it was unwelcome."

"Coming from Emerald Falls, I know exactly what you're talking about. My
parents are so conservative, so hidebound. They can't open their minds to
the possibility that there might be a different way, a better way. I
wouldn't be here at all if it weren't for my brother. He talked my father
into allowing me to be Searched. I'll owe him forever for that."

"What are your views on women? 'Cause they'll need to change if you're
going to work with greenriders," she said bluntly.

"My parents' views aren't mine. I think women are lovely creatures, each
unique and wonderfully made, and I think that if you'd like to craft or
ride a dragon, well more power to you. Makes you all that more interesting
to get to know." He gave her a nod and took a large bite of the pastry,
enjoying every morsel.

"I'm glad, then. We've had some people take a much longer time to adapt,"
she said ruefully.

Paulton wiped his mouth and ran his tongue across his teeth before
offering a mischievous grin. "Like I keep telling everyone, I was
born for the Weyr. I'm sure my big brother had some trouble
adjusting, but I was meant to be here."

"I feel the same way. I could never leave. Who's your brother?" she
queried. Ikalis was finding Paulton very fun to talk to.

"R'taran, he's a brownrider. He can be pretty old-fashioned too, but he's
still my favorite brother and he brought me here so I owe him big!"

"Oh, I've met him. Nice of him to bring you here. Did he just bring you,
or did a Search dragon take a check?"

Awful rude of a question but she wasn't much for tact.

"Oh, he didn't just bring me. There was an agreement with my father. If a
Search dragon showed interest, then I would be allowed to stay and do my
duty to the Weyr. My father is all about duty and honor. Otherwise I was
to go home and do my duty by family. I could have kissed Evielenth when
she told R'haran I had potential."

"Well then, lucky for you Evielenth made a pick. You know, I'll be
cheering for you."

Last updated on the February 11th 2015

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Bold as Brass