Eyes Meet (3/3)

Writers: Francesca
Date Posted: 31st May 2019

Characters: Arrilon, Chalzie
Description: Arrilon and Chalzie talk on the beach.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 10, day 28 of Turn 9

Chalzie allowed herself to relax against Arrilon, an arm on his
stomach and a leg draped over him. He had been more inexperienced than
she had expected, but still eager and passionate. All in all, she was
glad of her decision to seek him out. "I should get back to the Hall
soon. It's probably almost curfew." She wasn't overly worried. The
Journeyman on duty was usually lax on restdays.

Arrilon was so relaxed he had been drifting off, so it took him a
moment to understand what Chalzie said, and even then it was
confusing. "The Hall?"

"The Dolphin Hall," she replied.

"Oh," was all he could think to say. Well, that explained the strong
legs. Had she been wearing knots? If so, he hadn't noticed. "You're a
dolphineer?"

"A senior apprentice."

"Oh," he said again. He hadn't thought she was a crafter which, he
realized, was a foolish assumption to make.

He didn't want her to leave yet, knowing that her absence would leave
him alone with his thoughts. And that was never a good thing. He tried
to keep the conversation going for just a little longer. "So, you were
visiting the Weyr for the day?"

"I used to live here, until i apprenticed. I'm here most restdays,
visiting my foster mother and seeing friends."

He stopped himself from saying, "Oh" a third time, instead settling
for, "Huh." Then he added, "Is that common? I mean, people from the
Weyr becoming dolphineers?"

"Not at all. Most people here are obsessed with dragons. I think some
dragonriders look down on dolphineers, since the bond between dolphin
and human is so different." She frowned slightly. "But, it's silly to
make comparisons. Being a dragonrider and being a dolphineer are two
completely different things." She turned her head to get a better look
at his face. "But, you're not a dragonrider. And, you didn't grow up
here or we'd know each other. So, what's your story?"

As he gave a brief summary of his life and the move from Amber Hills
Hold to Dragonsfall Weyr and then to Dolphin Cove Weyr, Arrilon fought
the urge to omit that he was a Candidate. If they saw one another
again - and he hoped they did - it would come out eventually. "So now
here I am, a full time harper, and if everything goes well, soon to be
a Journeyman. You could have been a Candidate though, since you were
weyrborn. And maybe you still can?" She was certainly younger than
him, although he wasn't sure by how much.

"I did Stand a few times but," she shrugged, "there was a hurricane,
and I realized I didn't need to be a dragonrider to help others.
Dolphineers save lives in different ways. So, I became an apprentice.
And luckily, the Hall and Weyr are so close I can still feel like I'm
part of weyrlife; like the party tonight."

Arrilon wished she had said her age, but it felt strangely intrusive
to ask directly. Besides, her story, and knowing she was a senior
apprentice, gave him enough information to guess she was at least 16,
although likely a Turn or two older. He supposed that wasn't too much
of an age gap. In fact, his mother would be thrilled, because younger
women made more children likely.

The future was not on Chalzie's mind at all, except for the fact that
she would never make it back to her bed before curfew. Besides, the
air was beginning to feel a bit chilly on her naked skin. She stood,
taking a moment to brush sand off herself. Then, looking down at
Arrilon, still on top of her dress, she smiled and pointed. "I'll be
needing that."

Arrilon had immediately averted his eyes when she stood, then when she
indicated her dress, he quickly stood and handed it to her, then
concentrated on putting his own clothes on. He could feel sand between
his toes, behind his knees, and in some more intimate locations. He
would definitely need a bath before heading back to his room.

Chalzie stifled a laugh at Arrilon's sudden modest behavior. She would
never understand why nudity was such a taboo in Holds and Halls.
Checking that she was decent, since modesty was important at the
Dolphin Hall, she slipped on her sandals. Then, touching his arm for a
moment, she gave a small smile. "Thanks. I had fun."

Arrilon was confused at what felt to him like a goodbye. Was that it?
Was she planning never to see him again? His thoughts immediately took
a negative turn. He was such a wherry brain. Of course she was like
everyone else who was weyrbred, just looking for a night of fun before
going back to her normal life.

But, maybe it didn't have to be like that. "So did I. Can we see each
other again?" The worse that could happen was a rejection.

Now it was Chalzie's turn to be confused. She hadn't been thinking of
seeing him again; or at least not making concrete plans to do so. He
was nice though, and maybe he was looking for a little fun. "Well, I'm
meeting a friend here for lunch next restday. Maybe we can see each
other after that?"

"Ok," he replied, trying not to sound to eager. "Want to meet around here?"

"It's a date. Now, I really need to go." Chalzie gave him a quick peck
on the lips, then began walking at a brisk pace towards the Dolphin
Hall. She looked back a final time and gave a little wave and smile
before moving out of sight.

Arrilon sat back down, a wide smile on his face. It was easy to
continue ignoring the itchiness of the sand when he felt so good. He
had met a dolphineer, and she was bright and fun and beautiful, and
they would see each other again in just a sevenday. Life at the Weyr
was currently feeling pretty good.

Last updated on the June 15th 2019

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Eyes Meet (3/3)