The Feeling of Freedom

Writers: Anika, Avery
Date Posted: 11th February 2015

Characters: Kapera, P'ton
Description: Kapera congratulates one of the Weyr's newest bronze riders.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 11, day 18 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: J'nus

Kapera

Kapera was making the rounds of weyrling congratulation. She smiled
when she recognized one of her newest weyrlings, the one who'd
Impressed one of the two bronzes. "Is it P'ton now?" she asked.

"It is," the young man answered unable to keep from admiring the
beautiful goldrider. He continued in his usual forward manner with
even more confidence now that he had bonded with his lifemate. "May I
say, you look absolutely stunning, and that I am honored to have
Impressed one of Riyanth's clutch. Cirynath is the most incredible
bronze to ever break shell and I have you and Riyanth to thank."

"Don't let J'nus overhear that. Besides, you also have Kopth to thank
for how Cirynath came to be Hatched." Her eyes sparkled as she teased
him, pleased that the well-spoken Holder had Impressed.

"How's he doing? Asleep?"

All his boisterous swagger subsided as his thoughts went to his
sleeping dragon. The bond was new enough that he drifted away
momentarily as he relished the comforting presence that was evident
even as his young bronze slept. "He is. After completely devouring
what I think was the better part of a heardbeast," the teen
exaggerated offering an almost tender smile as he considered his
magnificent lifemate. "Though as I understand it., he'll be just as
hungry tomorrow morning. He's doing very well, though. It was
actually hard to leave him."

Kapera's words about J'nus registered and the boy offered a more
jaunty grin. "I haven't met J'nus yet, but I will certainly give he
and Kopth their due."

"Don't worry. He's nice," she reassured. "And tomorrow you'll have the
fun part of cutting it all up yourself. Hope you're not squeamish." A
beat, then a rare moment of honesty. "I was."

P'ton chuckled, just a bit surprised by the goldrider's admission. "I
don't know where you hail from, but where I came from participation in
autumn butchering was not optional. I've done my share."

"Did the girls do it, too?" she asked.

"They were apart of it, though their jobs were a bit different. My
sister insisted the worst was having to wash the intestines, grind the
meat, and then stuff the casings for sausage. I never had that task."

That sounded absolutely disgusting to her. "At least you won't have to
do that. Just chop it all up till he can hunt."

"I'll be happy to do that for him." His brow furrowed in thought as he
tried to remember something from his limited time in candidate
classes. "How long will that be? Until he's hunting for himself?"

"Not until they can fly, but before they can /between/. Three months or so."

"He's so little now. It's hard to believe that in three months time
he'll be able to bring down and devour a heardbeast," P'ton's voice
was filled with awe. He shook his head, giving the goldrider a rather
sheepish grin, "Every time I stop and think about Cirynath, I don't
know, it's just amazing to know he's mine and I'm his. I feel rather
in a daze. How long does that last?"

"The overwhelming part will last a day or two. Be careful if it lasts
longer and talk to your Weyrlingmasters," she warned. "Eventually it
settles. You love them, and you'll remember it when you think about
Impression, but it won't bowl you over."

P'ton nodded accepting Kapera's knowledgeable advise. "Part of me
doesn't want it to fade. Right now I feel as if I could do absolutely
anything, but on the other hand I don't quite feel as if I have both
feet on the ground."

Kapera sighed at the memory. "There's a few times that hits again.
When you fly for the first time, together. You realize the freedom
being a rider brings."

"That does sound amazing," the youth said, envisioning his first flight on
Cirynath's back. Taking it a step further he imagined riding astride a
flaming Cirynath, fighting Pern's ancient foe and searing it from the sky.
He was born to be a dragonrider, he had known that since he was a boy of
less than ten turns. With Cirynath, he knew that he could conquer
absolutely anything.

Kapera appreciated the distracted expression on the boy's face. "Remember
to enjoy weyrlinghood. It's busy, but worth it."

Last updated on the February 11th 2015

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The Feeling of Freedom