I'll Drink to That

Writers: Leigh M-F., Paula
Date Posted: 10th March 2015

Characters: Im're, Lokkun
Description: Everything's wonderful when you're young and twitterpated.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 11, day 11 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Reeva

These days, Lokkun was feeling fluttery and floaty, and he hadn't felt that way in some time. It was a glorious giddiness that put a spring in his step and made him hum happily as he worked or watched more experienced healers attend to patients. He had even put away Azeali's headband, a change that shocked his fellow apprentices and family. Admittedly, that had taken some thought, and the choice to do so had made him a little unhappy, but the slim blond had moved past that.

After so long of being sad, or perhaps just somewhat neutral, the healer apprentice was happy, and it was all because of Im're. The bluerider was a good man, and attractive, and he treated the apprentice healer kindly. Lokkun had no idea if they had a future together, but he was enjoying himself in the here and now because simply being around Im're put him in such a good mood.

Tonight, they were going to watch the sun set while lounging against the Weyr wall, one of Lokkun's favorite pastimes. He had brought his wood flute and a skin of white wine begged from one of the kitchen staff. (The healer wasn't fond of red wines. They tasted too harsh to him.) Lokkun checked the position of the sun, made sure the wineskin was still cool, and looked around for Im're, heart hammering excitedly.

It felt to Im're like the drills would never end. When he was finally free, he quickly removed straps from Gormth and removed his flight gear. They were tossed to carefree pile on middle of his weyr's floor. The drudges hated that but Im're just didn't care. His head was filled with dreams about Lokkun. He pulled a clean shirt on before heading to the beach. He wished he had time to bath.

Seeing the healer waiting for him, the red haired bluerider waived his hand in greeting.

Lokkun waved back and got up, dusting off his pants. "How was your day, Im're?" he asked, smiling at the other man. It was a little shy still, but sweet, and for the bluerider alone.

"The usual, drills, drills, oh and the fitness training, which basically means runing back and forth while carrying full firestone sack," Im're replied and answered the smile with his own. He offered his hand for the healer.

Lokkun gladly took Im're's hand, stroking a redwort-stained thumb across the back. "It sounds like you could use some wine," he said, motioning to the skin still on the sand. "I, uh, forgot to bring some goblets, though," he admitted, blushing. "I was too excited about seeing you again."

"I don't mind drinking directly from the skin," Im're grinned. "Shall we walk a bit?" he gestured along the beach, away from the Weyr.

"Yes, that sounds nice," Lokkun agreed, and fell into step with the bluerider, bending down and sweeping up the skin as they passed by it. "It's really nice to have a chance to just relax like this," he mentioned. "I did it a lot more often as a shepherd, but that wasn't as demanding a job."

"You were a herder?" Im're asked. "I can't really imagine you in that job...or maybe I can: cuddling little lambs."

Lokkun cracked up and had to lean on the bluerider before he could catch his breath and answer. "I did help with lambing sometimes," he said. "I wasn't allowed to do much, being just an apprentice, but if a ewe rejected the lamb for whatever reason, I was in charge of bottle-feeding. But yes, I was a herder. It was the perfect job for me. Lots of solitude and time outside, and plenty of peace and quiet. What did you do before you Impressed? I don't think I ever asked."

"I was apprentice woodsmith. It's a craft that go back in generations in my family," Im're replied.

"Oh, really?" Lokkun looked up at him. "Did you go into the craft because of tradition, or because you were interested in it?" Hopefully that wasn't too personal a question. A lot of people did tend to go into a profession that their families pushed for; their interests weren't always taken into account. River Bluff was more relaxed about that, thankfully, but the healer was still curious.

"For both reasons, I like working with wood. My brother didn't, so he went and became a beastcrafter. Dad was disappointed at him," Im're told him.

"I'm sorry that happened, but it's good that your brother chose the right path for himself," the healer stated. "Do you keep up with the woodcraft in your spare time now?"

"Yes, although it's been reduced to a hobby now," Im're replied. He did sometimes miss his craft. Not nessessary the appreticeship though.

Lokkun nodded in complete understanding. M'yan and Azeali had gone through the same, and hadn't had the chance to resume any form of training. "What are some of your favorite things to make?"

"Furniture and carving decorations out of the wood," Im're replied.

Lokkun wondered if Im're might be good at making beds, and then scolded himself for letting his mind wander someplace dirty. "Is there something you have made that you're the most proud of?"

Im're nodded. "There's some carved figurines I did for my senior apprentice knots. Lots and lots of tiny details. They were beautiful."

The healer apprentice was impressed. He could imagine how hard it would be to get plenty of details on a small space. "I hope you kept them. I'd like to see them some time, if that's all right." That wasn't too forward, was it?

Im're shook his head. "I gave them to my younger sisters...and then Remal went and broke off the legs from his runner-figurine. Last time I ever made him anything," Im're grumbled, but good naturedly. He did love his siblings.

It was mean of him to do it. but Lokkun laughed. "Sometimes I think siblings are the reason the phrase 'This is why we can't have anything nice,' was invented," he said. Thankfully his own big sister Farlora had never done anything like that, but they'd still had their spats as kids.

Im're loved hearing his laughter. "They are. I could do with little less of them," he grinned.

Oh yes, that was the sound of an exasperated brother. Lokkun chuckled and rested his head on Im're's shoulder, greatly amused. "I can't really say I've made or done anything I'm proud of as a healer apprentice," he mentioned. "But attending to child patients isn't bad, and I've started moving into a more specified field. And Reeva's been a great teacher."

"Hey, you're going to be wonderful healer," Im're said and wrapped his arm around his shoulder.

Delighted by the gesture, Lokkun stepped even closer and put his free arm around Im're's waist. "Thank you for the vote of confidence," he said. "I really appreciate it. I'd say you'll be an amazing dragonrider, but I'm sure you already are."

"I do my best to stay in one piece," Im're replied. He already had had one serious scoring and didn't want to repeat that experience.

Privately, the blond thought that Im're was not only doing his best, but the best of a couple other people, too. He was, indeed, still in one piece. "Oh, look," he said, pointing to a log half submerged in the sand up ahead. "That looks worn smooth. We can sit there, if you like."

"'Kay with me," Im're agreed.

They sat, and Lokkun uncapped the wine, hoping it would be at least slightly cool still. Lukewarm wine was okay, but even a small chill could really bring out the flavors. He offered the skin to the bluerider. "What should we drink to?" he kidded, smiling.

"To happiness?" Im're suggested. The young blue rider was feeling very happy indeed.

Lokkun took the suggestion and ran with it. "To happiness," he said in complete agreement, and had a quick sip before giving the skin to his beau. This particular happiness was worth keeping. He hoped it lasted a goodly while.

Last updated on the March 18th 2015

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

I'll Drink to That