Potentially Useful

Writers: Estelle, Miriah
Date Posted: 20th June 2020

Characters: Ashela, Lanniya
Description: Lanniya meets the newly arrived goldrider
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 4, day 12 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: Saibra

Ashela

Lanniya

VAshela had come down early from her weyr for drills, and there were only
a few greenriders waiting for the Queen's Wing to form up. It wasn't her
usual habit to seem this keen, but she had a reputation to rebuild, and
the wary looks she caught from her new wingmates only served to remind
her of that.

**None of them are important,** she thought as she dismounted and went
to stand by Aglayath's head, idly stroking the gold's hide. At least it
would be a relief to focus her efforts on keeping in formation and
managing her flamethrower to sear the ropes, dropped by younger,
high-flying pairs, that stood in for Thread. As long as she didn't think
too hard about how she and Aglayath ought to have been leading a Wing.

Though not cleared yet to take part in aerial drills , Lanniya still
made her presence known as the wing assembled. She moved through the
riders, a bright smile on her face as she greeted a few, answered
questions, and accepted some congratulations on the birth of her
daughter. She patted a few dragons as she went through the group,
smiling up at them and their internal chatter before moving on. When
she approached the newest gold, Lanniya studied Aglayath for a moment,
then approached her rider. "Hello. You look all set." She offered her
hand. "Lanniya, rider of Anaeryth."

Ashela looked up, distracted from regretful thoughts. She recognized the
name as that of the other goldrider at Dragonsfall, though they hadn't
met. She looked very young; not too much of a threat. "Ashela, and this
is my Aglayath." The gold raised her head, gazing at Lanniya with
unusual interest.

A slight frown appeared on her brow as she took Lanniya's hand. She
couldn't see any other gold dragons here. "You're not flying today?"

"No, I'm not cleared for flight or drills yet." Lanniya shook Ashela's
hand briefly, studying her. She had, of course, heard about what
brought the other goldrider to Dragonsfall, but with her own history,
didn't think she should judge the older woman on any mistakes. "I just
had a baby, so I have to wait a bit, but I still come down and talk to
the dragons and riders before a drill. I wanted to really welcome
you."

"Well, thank you," Ashela replied, hiding her surprise with her most
charming smile. A baby? She'd always thought one of the greatest
luxuries of Weyr life, compared to her own upbringing, was the freedom
from endless breeding. To have a child, and at such a young age too,
made no sense to her. Could it have been an accident? "And
congratulations. I would never have guessed! You don't look a bit out of
shape."

"The women in my family stay small, I guess. My sister, she's a green
rider, and she's still in shape after two babies. But believe me,
under the clothes, I'm still recovering." Lanniya grinned and gave a
wink, then turned to Aglayath. **Greetings to you as well. You're
looking very lovely today and I hope you have a productive drill this
morning. Anaeryth can give you a summary of our wing's strengths if
you like.**

}:I would like that,:{ Aglayath replied, preening herself at the compliment.

Ashela sensed her dragon's pleasure and wondered for a moment if a
bronze had noticed her. She blinked, surprised, at the answer to her
silent question. Her gold was usually indifferent to other riders.
"Aglayath says that you can hear her?"

Quickly directing Anaeryth to provide the information to the newest
gold, Lanniya turned back to Ashela. "Hm? Oh, yes. I thought you would
have been told. It's part of the reason I watch the drills. I can help
Saibra and the golds keep the wing in good order, even from the
ground, especially since I might see things they may not." She
shrugged with a smile. "It can help, but it can be confusing when the
greens start their chatter in the wing, so I've got to think pretty
quickly or filter them out."

"That does sound distracting," Ashela said, distracted herself by the
thought of what one could do with such an ability. She wasn't sure she
liked the idea of someone talking to her precious Aglayath, without her
even knowing. What would Aglayath say? And what other gossip did this
girl hear?

That was an interesting thought. Perhaps she would be a useful person to
know... She smiled, brightly. "But I'm sure it will be ever so helpful
to me and Aglayath, while we get used to the Wing - and the Weyr. You
must know everything that's going on here, with dragonriders, at least."

Lanniya shrugged, but then nodded at the same time. "Sure. It's pretty
distracting, but I've learned how to filter it out most of it. It's
kinda like a constant chatter in the back of my mind. I mostly ignore
it unless I have to use it." Lanniya offered an agreeable smile. "Oh
sure. I don't mind helping at all! We all have to work together, don't
we?"

"Oh, yes. But it's kind of you, and I appreciate it." Ashela had to
restrain herself from rolling her eyes. **Aren't you a little ray of
sunshine,** she thought, and then caught herself. She'd have to be
careful of what Aglayath might hear and pass on! "Why don't we meet
later on, after drills are over? You can tell me all about the wing, and
we can get to know each other."

"Sure!" Lanniya smiled brightly. "I'd like that. I'm sure you know
plenty more than I do, since you've been a goldrider much longer than
I have."

"Oh, not so very long," Ashela replied, with an even wider smile that
showed her teeth. "But it is nice of you to say so. I'd be happy to
share what I know. I could meet you in the dining cavern, once I've seen
to Aglayath."

"After the drill, of course." Lanniya inclined her head. "I usually
eat with Saibra in the Dining Hall after everyone cleans up. Just to
discuss how the wing did and such. Why don't you join us? It's not
official or anything, just chatting. It'll be nice to let the wing see
us together." She waved a hand. "Solidarity...that sort of thing."

"Lovely. I'll be there." Usually she would have rather mucked out the
weyrling barracks than spend time showing 'solidarity' with her fellow
goldriders, but she was all too aware she had a tattered reputation to
rebuild. "Well, I won't keep you from greeting the other wingriders. I'm
sure they'll want to hear how you're doing!"

"I'll see you there then. It was really great meeting you!" Flashing a
smile, Lanniya waggled her fingers and nearly skipped towards a
greenrider, greeting the young man and his dragon with open
pleasantry.

Last updated on the October 13th 2020

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