Riveted By Riveth

Writers: Avery, Leigh M-F.
Date Posted: 18th July 2016

Characters: Talwynn, A'kua, Firelloa
Description: The introductions to special people continue.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 6, day 24 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Eionen

If dragons could skip like little kids, Zeiranth would be. A'kua had told him about Firelloa's request earlier today, so he was glad to continue helping out. }:Riveth! Riveth, does your rider have time before lunch? A'kua wants her to meet someone special,:{ he reported, passing along an image of where his rider was: Just inside one of the Bowl entrances. He left out Firelloa's image, since A'kua wanted that to be a surprise.

}:Yes, she can,:{ Riveth confirmed.

Talwynn was intrigued. She wanted to know what was up with A'kua. They didn't have a scheduled lesson. Maybe something was wrong ?

When she arrived at the right entrance, she noted he was standing there with a stranger. Looked young in age, she thought. At least he didn't look in distress

"Hi there," she said.

"Hi!" The girl waved to her, beaming brightly.

A'kua gave Tal the kind of smile that rarely crossed his face. "Firelloa, this is greenrider Talwynn, one of the weyrlin'staff assistants. She's teachin' me staff-fighting. Talwynn, this is my little sister Firelloa, through Eionen. She wanted to meet you because I told her what a fine teacher you are, and how much I respect your hard work."

"I want to meet all his special people," Firelloa said, coming closer and offering a hand. "Thank you for taking such good care of my brother until I could meet him."

Talwynn reached out her right hand, glad it was the less scarred one. "Hi Firelloa. Are you happy to have met him?"

"Oh yes, greenrider; so happy," the girl said fervently, clasping Tal's hand in both of hers. "I've always wanted a brother."

"They're overrated," Talwynn joked. "Are you living at the Weyr, now?"

"Uh-huh! I'm a harper apprentice," Firelloa said excitedly. "It's so wonderful! I've also always wanted proper singing lessons. I love to sing."

"Just for the record, I don't need anyone to take care of me," A'kua said in amusement.

"Oh, of course you do," Firelloa rebutted. "Everyone needs someone to help take care of them."

"Well- Well, I'm not overrated," A'kua blustered, which only made his sibling laugh.

Talwynn chuckled too. "If I'd known anyone else wnated a sibling I would have been happy to get rid of some of mine. They're very protective. Just like your borther will be, I bet."

"At least until I can teach her how to protect herself," A'kua admitted.

"Can I meet your dragon? Does she like kids?" Firelloa asked, eyes alight at the thought of meeting another high-flying protector of Pern.

}:Would you mind?:{ Zeiranth asked of Riveth. }:She's really very sweet, and good at scratching itches.:{

}:Of course she can. I don't get many Candidates helping,:{ Riveth said wistfully.

"I think she'd like to meet you. She had a lot of experience with people washing and petting her," Talwynn said.

"All right!" Firelloa cheered, and darted outside, coming up short in astonishment when she saw Riveth. "Oh," she breathed, fingertips at her mouth. "Oh, you're so _stunning!_"

The green bent down to nose at the girl, exposing her muzzle for petting.

}:I like her,:{ she said to Talwynn and to Zeiranth both.

Firelloa laid her hand on Riveth's muzzle, looking completely awestruck. "You're so warm," she said, rubbing gently. "Are all dragons so warm and soft? Talwynn must use only the best of oils for you, pretty girl."

A'kua couldn't keep a proud grin off his face. His sister could probably befriend every dragon in the Weyr with that attitude, even if she didn't want one of her own.

"I have a lot of time to take care of her now," Talwynn said softly.

Firelloa looked over her shoulder. "Huh? Wh-" She stopped on seeing A'kua subtly shaking his head from behind Tal's shoulder, and realized she had been about to ask a bad question. No, not just bad- what was the word her mother would have used? Oh, insensitive. She groped for something else to say. "W-Well, do you ever need help?"

A'kua stifled a sigh of relief. He wasn't sure if Tal would've been comfortable discussing her injuries with a stranger, or if she would have changed the subject and left Firelloa feeling confused. Diverting the conversation had been the best choice.

"Sometimes I do. Especially in the winter. Riveth's a lot of green compared to wash, though certainly she is not nearly as big as Zeiranth will be," Talwynn said.

"Can I help? I've never bathed a dragon before, but I could learn," Firelloa said hopefully, and turned back to Riveth. "Would that be okay, pretty girl?"

}:Please say yes,:{ Zeiranth entreated of the green. }:It's obvious she really likes you.:{

}:I will say yes,:{ Riveth reassured.

"She's all right with it, so I am all right," Talwynn agreed.

"Oh, thank you thank you!" Firelloa cheered, and ran to Tal, giving her a quick hug, and then ran back to Riveth to press against her chest and hug her too as far as her arms would reach.

}:Aaawwww,:{ Zeiranth cooed, dropping his lower jaw in a draconic grin.

"What are you doing at the Weyr, now you're here? When are you free?" Talwynn asked.

Riveth was inquisitive about the girl. }:She is very touch-y,:{ she observed to Zeiranth. }:Is she such with you?:{

}:Uh-huh,:{ the young bronze confirmed. }:That's how I know she gives good scratches.:{

"I'm free before breakfast and after lunch," Firelloa said. "I'm a singing apprentice."

"Formally joining the Harpers? Or just receiving extra lessons?"

"Formally," Firelloa said. "When I get older I'll have less free time, but I have time now. That's what matters."

"So, you're taking advantage of the fact you can Craft here now? Ever consider another craft?" Talwynn teased.

The girl looked back at her with wide eyes. "Why would I?" she asked. "It's only ever been music for me. Daddy sang to me all the time and I learned from him, and I never wanted anything else."

}:Just like A'kua,:{ Zeiranth said to Riveth. }:That and his gitar.:{

"There are so many other Crafts to check out, is all. Like mine," Talwynn said with a laugh. "The advantage of the Weyr is the freedom to pursue that. Though your family could have sent you to Emerald Falls, perhaps - the Harpers will allow you."

Firelloa looked a little angry Tal had suggested that. "A'kua's not at Emerald Falls," she said stubbornly.

"Hey," A'kua said gently, but with a firm undertone that caught his sister's attention. "Talwynn means well with that statement. That's closer to where you originally lived."

"Well, you still weren't there," Firelloa mumbled, but she did nod apologetically to Tal.

"And her mother needed her too much after her father passed to let her go," A'kua added for his teacher's benefit. "It's only recently that this could happen."

"Just because the Harpers take women now doesn't mean it's perfectly safe. The ban's still elsewhere and it's stupid. At least apprenticing at the Weyr - to any of the Crafts - means you'll be treated right. Between you and me, I wouldn't want to go to a Hall anyway. Not until the ban's over everywhere," Talwynn said, making the statement so the girl would know she wasn't angry.

Firelloa did indeed relax against Riveth, smiling at the starsmith. "It really is stupid," she agreed. "Mother always wanted to work with canines -you know, teaching them good manners and stuff-, but she had to clean things instead."

A'kua gave Tal a thoughtful look. "What would it take to get the craftban reversed?" he wanted to know, having never pondered it before.

"It is dumb. I'm sure your mother would have been better at it than many," Talwynn said to her.

As for A'kua's question... "I don't know. Holder men to stop being dumb? The Weyrs haven't fallen apart because we teach our women to Craft... If they could see and understand that children still happen and Pern won't end, then maybe they'd loosen up."

"Could the Weyrs tell the Halls to drop the craftban, for their own good?" Firelloa asked hopefully.

A'kua shrugged, shaking his head again. "I don't know, sis. There would have to be a lot of compellin' evidence to get 'em to even listen," he said regretfully.

"I agree with A'kua that if we tell them to they'll ignore us. But maybe one day they won't. I mean, the Craftban happened in a decade and those people are old now. Maybe soon it'll change." Talwynn shrugged. "I'm too Weyrbred to understand."

"I like Weyrbred," Firelloa said after a thoughtful silence.

"Me too," A'kua confirmed. His mindset had been more aligned with Weyr values for nearly a decade; it had been such a relief to see women treated right in Dragonsfall.

"If you're here long enough, you'll basically count."

Firelloa looked well pleased by that statement.

"So it looks like you have yourself some help," A'kua said, changing the subject again. "Would you be able to reach me with a schedule later? We should all have lunch before we resume our duties."

"Aye, true," Firelloa said with a pout, "It was so nice meeting you Riveth, Talwynn."

"It was nice meeting you, too," Talwynn said.

Riveth gently whuffed a breath out to tickle the girl's hair.

}:A'kua thanks you both for making Firelloa feel so welcome,:{ Zeiranth reported as the girl squeaked in glee at the treatment. }:It means a lot to him and her.:{

}:My rider is amused. And I like people who wash me,:{ Riveth said with a flick of her tail. She was looking forward to this.

Last updated on the July 19th 2016

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Riveted By Riveth