The Leftovers
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Halyonix, Shawna
Date Posted: 28th July 2024
Characters: Cirina, Oriene
Description: Oriene and Cirina talk about being left behind
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 10, day 6 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentioned: O'rosin
Cirina was flopped on her bunk in the candidate barracks. She'd gotten up early to help the injured O'rosin with Aeoluth, which had resulted in her needing a bath of her own, and her hair was still wet as she finger combed it. The barracks were quieter than usual, of course, now that a chunk of the candidates had moved on. "At least it's quieter. And we get the top pick of the bunks now," she said, trying for optimism about being left Standing, again. "And the weyrling staff are too busy to pay us much attention. This isn't the worst." It kind of was.
"Yeah," Oriene agreed blandly. She was writing down notes from class earlier. It was obvious from her tone that it still bothered her that their friends had Impressed and she and Cirina hadn't. "It's nice to have our pick. At least until the next group comes in."
"But it's also stupid and quiet and lonely," Cirina said with a sigh. "Even Digger has abandoned me! Ok, I sent him to keep an eye on O'rosin, but still. It's quiet." The little brown firelizard was hanging out with the injured weyrling to alert her when they needed a hand.
"How is he, O'rosin?" Oriene asked absently. Truthfully, in that moment, she didn't care. She should, she knew she should but she just couldn't muster the interest. Cirina's words echoed in her head: stupid and quiet and lonely. One always leading to another in some way. Why did it sting so much _this_ time?
"Pretty cut up," Cirina reported, "lots of stitches. It makes it harder to be mad at him, at least. Not that I'm petty enough to be mad at him." She was. A little. "I wouldn't mind the wait so much if I just knew it would all work out, you know? But what if I wait and it never happens?"
That same thought had struck Oriene recently as well. It seemed as though all of her previous confidence regarding Impression had gone out the window now. "We...we still have some Turns yet," she countered halfheartedly.
"Yeah, plenty of times, and a new gold now, but we still get a designated week of sulking, I think," Cirina joked half-heartedly. "Maybe the search riders will bring back some more pretty holder boys to get us through."
_That_ got Oriene to giggle, even just half-heartedly. And while even that reminded her of all of the times she and Tirraze had talked about cute boys (did that change now too, now that Tirraze rode blue?), it still felt...familiar enough not to hurt. It wasn't her best dramatic impression but she tried as she said, "Oh, those poor, innocent Holder boys who have to learn the ways of the Weyr. Whatever shall we do with them?"
"Apparently help them with their studies and then help them take care of their dragon," Cirina grumbled, thinking of O'rosin. "Hopefully the next batch will be better. Maybe we can place requests? I like the tall ones."
"Dark-haired ones," Oriene added with another half-hearted giggle, but this one sounded more herself. "That have good singing voices."
That made Cirina laugh, "Oh, I want one who can dance." She continued in that vein, making a list of imaginary requests and Oriene was happy to have the distraction.
Last updated on the July 31st 2024