Silly Sisters and Bothersome Brothers

Writers: Elaine
Date Posted: 7th August 2005

Characters: Toriat, Aryn
Description: Toriat has a chat (bickering-match) with his sister
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 7, day 2 of Turn 3

Toriat was doing a final check on everything. They were plenty stocked with brain solution, no new hides had come in, the ones needing soaking still needed it, and there was plenty of time left on the smokehouse candles. He checked with the supervising senior journeymen about having a quick break, and once granted, threw a wave and walked out.

Not that Toriat had time to do much, but a pleasant stroll during the day was nice. His eyes turned towards the beast stables. He smiled and headed towards them, muttering a phrase he heard often from the hall, "from hoof to hall to hold." The hall masters were very open minded, making sure that the youngsters had a thorough understanding of the complete cycle, where hides came from, where hides went too. **And don't forget weyr hides.** Toriat chuckled to himself.

A few of the runnerbeasts perked their heads up as they saw him approaching. As Toriat neared the fencing he couldn't help but recall just how familiar with the where hides came from part he was familiar with.

"I'm surprised to see you here."

Torait spun around. "Don't sneak up on me like that Aryn."

"How can I," the girl said, skipping forward. "I thought you said I was too tall for that."

"Don't bait me Aryn, I am taller then you," Toriat replied sulkily.

"Only with those boots of yours on. Is that why you took up tannery Tor, to learn how to pad your own shoes, not to spite father?"

Toriat swiftly jerked his head in her direction again. "Not exactly, Aryn, you know that. Of course I know it looks that way to him, knew it would too, when I choose this craft, but, that wasn't my motivation." He sighed, his eyes returning to the gentle beasts. "Just because I was aware, don't mean that's why I made this choice. I mean, its right there. He raises animals, I flay their hides."

Again he looked at her, this time eyes intent. "And I'm surprised to see you defending him Aryn. When was the last time he even acknowledged your existence?"

It was Aryn's turn to sigh. "Two hatchings ago, afterwards. There was a message with the next supply train from Opal Cove. He said if I returned home, immediately, he might still be able to arrange a marriage. He said Methiah's wife died, and he needs someone to take care of the children."

"Methiah?" Tor replied, stunned. He had only meant the comment as a retort. His sister had never shared this message before. "Isn't his oldest Tathel's age?"

"Not quite," she responded, eyes downcast. "He was only nine at the time. But atleast Methiah wasn't in his third decade quite yet either."

Toriat threw an arm around her, hating he had made his sister so upset. "Aryn, I'm sorry. But, why didn't you mention this sooner?"

A small smile broke out on her lips. "I was afraid you might go pop dad in the face."

Toriat stifled a laugh. "I would have been sorely tempted, but dear sister I do have this thing called self control. But you are right, in that I hate seeing my favorite sister upset."

"Torrr, I'm your only sister."

"Precisely," he responded, immediately ducking as Aryn made a swipe at him. Toriat laughed, seeing her mock frustration as she missed him. "Now speaking of restraint, who was the boy I saw you sitting with at dinner two nights ago."

"Nobody special," she replied shrugging, but her smile made Toriat press more.

"I didn't recognize him. I've only been here a couple months, but I can recognize all the candidates and the younger people around here Aryn. Who was he?"

Aryn smiled her eye wincing broad smile. "I'll tell you, when you answer why I heard your voice in the candidate barracks after dark last week. I don't think you were coming to say hello to me, were you?"

Toriat replied with a shrug. "Maybe, I was trying to make sure no one was dropping in on you, and you can't prove otherwise." Toriat looked at the shadows of the posts. "Lets call it a stalemate sis, I have to go check on the hides."

He began to walk away, then turned around when he noticed Aryn wasn't also leaving. "And what brought you here exactly?"

"Nothing special," Aryn replied in a drawl. Toriat's eyebrows immediately shot up, as he looked back towards the runnerbeasts. He noticed some of the apprentices were passing out afternoon feed. He looked back at his sister, then back at the boys. He groaned, shaking his head, then stalked back to the tannery sheds.

Last updated on the August 28th 2005

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Silly Sisters and Bothersome Brothers