Let's Start Looking

Writers: Francesca, Yvonne
Date Posted: 25th April 2021

Characters: Arrilon, H'run
Description: Arrilon and H'run talk in the archives.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 9, day 11 of Turn 10
Notes: Mentioned: Kadira (not by name), Kamalia, Chalzie
Mentor Approved

H'run

Arrilon finished reorganizing the stack in front of him, irritated at
whoever had decided to look at some pre-Pass trade agreements and make
a mess of them. He often enjoyed his time spent in the archives, but
tasks like this one made him wonder if he was more suited to teaching
than being an archivist. He also found it a bit depressing to spend so
much time indoors. There were moments of excitement and discovery
though, especially in a place like the Weyr, with its substantial
collection of texts.

Putting the now-organized records in their place, Arrilon headed
toward the entrance to the archives, planning to see if the Senior
Journeyman had another task for him. However, when he was almost
there, a tall well-dressed man entered. The space was open to anyone,
and sometimes people wanted to look around without seeking out
assistance from a harper. However, it didn't hurt to ask.

"Hi there," he said. "Can I help you find anything?"

"That would be very appreciated! I'm H'run from Dragonsfall Weyr. A
harper." He gestured toward the knots on his shoulder. "But I'm here
on personal business, not Weyr business."

It wasn't uncommon for harpers, especially from other Weyrs, to visit
the archives. Hearing H'run was from Dragonsfall Weyr, Arrilon
wondered if he knew Kamalia. "Welcome. What can I help you find?"

"I know you'll be shocked, but I'm looking for Impression and
genealogical records for blueriders," H'run said dryly. "I suspect
that they have recently been accessed... I'm sorry, I didn't catch
your name?"

"Oh, I'm Arrilon," he said. "I'm a Journeyman here." It still felt
good to be able to say his rank. After hearing what H'run was
searching for, he nodded in understanding. "Ah, blueriders." Even
though he wasn't a dragonrider, word of a woman Impressing a blue had
spread immediately; he assumed to all the Weyrs, if not all of Pern.
"I can show you where the Hatching records are," he said, beginning to
head in that direction.

"That would be most delightful." The other man had a nice walk, H'run
decided. "Arrilon... if I may, do you have a sister at Dragonsfall
Weyr?"

"Yes, her name is Kamalia," Arrilon said evenly. "You know her?" He
hoped this bluerider was just an acquaintance, or maybe a friend. He
really didn't want to know of any of Kamalia's more intimate
activities. It was a topic they studiously avoided when they met up.

"We fly in the same Wing," H'run said. "You remind me of her, the way
you smile. It's quite charming."

"Oh," Arrilon replied, relieved they were just wingmates. "I guess we
have that in common." After a moment, they arrived where the Hatching
records were stored. "Here you go," he said, gesturing to the large
section. "Older records are up there, up to the newest over here. Not
sure where you want to start. Want another set of eyes looking at
them?" Some who visited the archives were private about their research
and shooed him away. Others were friendlier.

"Only if they're yours," H'run said with a wink, but his demeanor
faded into something more professional as he stepped up to the
shelves. "Honestly, I'm not sure what exactly I'm looking for. After
the last Hatching I thought I might find some buried record of another
woman Impressing a blue dragon but there's been nothing, and there are
so many others looking besides me. I have this vague idea that if I
follow genealogies for blueriders... I know that generally more
attention is paid to lineages for goldriders and bronzeriders... I
don't know. Maybe there will be something. Some hint as to _why_..."

Arrilon decided to ignore the flirting, since anything he said would
just make him feel more awkward. That was another reason he hoped his
request to be transferred to the Harper Hall was approved. No more men
flirting with him, and even the women flirting would need to be more
circumspect. It would be a relief. That train of thought was forgotten
as soon as H'run mentioned genealogies. The scope of what the
bluerider was proposing was overwhelming. "What about the girl who
Impressed the blue? Was she the daughter of dragonriders?" He had
heard plenty of gossip, but nothing concrete. He didn't even know her name.

"Mmm. Her father is a bronzerider, but her mother is a Crafter," H'run
said absently. "I was thinking more about starting with a list of
notable blueriders from several Weyrs, and then seeing if I could find
any commonalities that might apply in her case as well. To be honest,
I'm mostly hoping that something will jump out at me, something that
we've missed."

Arrilon nodded. "That at least sounds manageable," although it was
pretty vague. "Well, let's start looking."

The bluerider flushed a bit. "It is a bit of a hopeless case, isn't it."

"Maybe not hopeless, but it sounds like a research project that could
last a lifetime," Arrilon said honestly. "If you found anything, I bet
they'd immediately give you your Masters knots."

H'run snorted. "In my dreams, perhaps. As much as I covet those knots,
I dread the Masterwork that would earn me such accolades."

Arrilon smiled. It was hard to imagine the bluerider as a Master. But
then, maybe it was just because he seemed young for it. He certainly
was dedicated.

The pair sat in silence for a bit, sorting through records. Arrilon
tried to concentrate on the hides in front of him, but found his
attention wandering. He realized this was a rare chance to talk to
someone who actually saw his little sister and her green in action,
fighting Thread, in a way he could only imagine. As he half-looked at
the records, he debated whether or not to speak up. Eventually,
curiosity won out. He cleared his throat. "Is Kamalia doing ok?" He
tried to explain, "I don't want to be an overbearing brother or
anything, and she's obviously fine if she's still up there fighting
Thread. But, I still worry. You're her wingmate. How is she?"

"She seems happy, if that's what you're asking." H'run put his quill
aside and stretched. "I admit that I don't know her as well as I
should, but I do enjoy her company."

"That's good to hear." Something about hearing those words from
someone he hardly knew, rather than directly from Kamalia, made it
easier to believe. Arrilon decided not to push for more information,
since he already felt he had overstepped.

"What was she like when you were growing up?" Perhaps it was
impertinent, but H'run couldn't help himself.

"Not that different from how she is now," Arrilon replied, remembering
the young girl she was, the Candidate, and now the greenrider. "She
has always been bubbly and kind of emotional. And she can probably
still cry on command. I'd always assumed that Impressing would lead to
a big personality shift or something, but it didn't."

"Usually Impressing highlights what's already there. Although I am
impressed to hear that Kamalia can cry on command. I shall have to ask
her next time I see her."

Arrilon grimaced, immediately regretting that he shared that
information. Kamalia would be annoyed with him; and rightfully so.
"Can you just find a way to ask that doesn't let her know you heard
anything from me?" It probably wouldn't work, but he couldn't help asking.

"Of course! But you don't think she'd appreciate that you talk of her fondly?"

"Not that detail," Arrilon replied seriously. He decided not to say
more, worried he'd reveal even more potentially embarrassing details.

"Mmm. She is a bit guarded, then. I can understand that." Briefly
H'run debated letting the other man off the hook, but watching him
squirm was a good diversion from the hides-- even though the hides
were his idea. "Are you older or younger than she is?"

"A few Turns older. We went to Dragonsfall Weyr together, but I've
been here at Dolphin Cove over four Turns now." Arrilon wasn't sure if
this information was opening him up to more questions, but at least
that was better than questions about Kamalia.

"Why did you decide to transfer?" H'run asked.

Trying to keep his voice light, Arrilon explained, "I was a Candidate,
and Dolphin Cove had a large clutch, so they invited older Candidates
to Stand." He shrugged, letting H'run figure out the rest. "And here I
am." This conversation wasn't very fun anymore. While he was waiting
to hear back from the Harper Hall about his transfer request, he had
slipped back into anxiety and doubt about the course his life had
taken. The negative thoughts had plagued him for Turns, but Impressing
Joy, meeting Chalzie, and then walking the tables had helped. And here
was H'run, both a rider and a harper. It wasn't fair. "You know, I
should probably get back to organizing. I can swing by in a bit, to
see how you're doing."

The bluerider knew a dismissal when he heard one. "Of course," he
said. "I've taken up so much of your time already on what is likely a
fruitless project... but I am very happy to have met you, Harper
Arrilon."

Arrilon nodded and gave a small smile. "I hope you find something interesting."

Last updated on the July 21st 2021

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