Making Your Way in the World (2/2)

Writers: Heather
Date Posted: 23rd November 2024

Characters: A'ris, Meris, Imeryali, Drisveraen, Ameryalise
Description: A'ris has surprise visitors at the Hatching Feast
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 3, day 22 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: Sybana

A'ris

A'ris didn't know what to say. It was the most affection, attention,
or approval that his father had ever shown him.

"Don't you have a new name now?" Drisveraen said, breaking the silence.

"Oh," he smiled, "right. Yeah, it's A'ris, now."

"A'ris?" Meris wrinkled her nose. "Maybe we should tell your dragon
that your preferred nickname is _Arie_."

A'ris eyebrows flattened into straight lines as he glared at his
youngest sister. "Don't you dare. And quit saying that so loud,
someone might hear you."

Imeryali draped an arm around A'ris's shoulders. "What about that girl
who impressed the gold dragon, hm? Do you know her? She's _beautiful_.
Have you talked to her?"

Again, he felt his cheeks reddening. "Shhhhh," he hissed whipping his
head around. "Don't talk so loud, sheesh. The last thing I need is
people thinking I have some sort of crush on Sybana."

"Ooohhh, _Sybana_! That name is gorgeous. Your names could make great
names for children. Arisyba, Sybanedri, Aedrisana -"

A'ris clapped his hand over Imeryali's mouth. "I'm going to _murder_
you, right here, if you don't stop that."

Meris and Imeryali dissolved into tears of laughter at the alarm on
their brother's face.

"Oh now, children," Ameryalise tsked, flapping her hands at them.
"Behave yourselves."

Drisveraean's attention was now on the service tables, which were
practically groaning under the weight of the delicious menu Headwoman
Oselle had put together for the feast.

"Listen to your mother, you lot. I could eat a whole herdbeast. Let's
get in the line," he said, shepherding his family in the direction of
the food.

A'ris sighed as he was swept up with his family towards the food. He
wondered which of the Weyrlingstaff had disregarded his wishes and
brought his family to the Hatching. He would have to thank them later,
but for now, his life felt more complete than he had ever imagined it
could.

He tentatively reached out through his new bond with Kyllavath and
found that he could feel his lifemate sleeping peacefully. Ever since
he and Kyllavath had become one, he found it much easier to drown out
all of the dragon voices around him. For just a moment, however, as he
stood with his family in line, he pushed open the mental door and took
a listen...

}:Apparently, there was some major to-do in the feeding room. Arinoth
said it was pure chaos and that most of the dragonets were upset and
agitated.:{

}:And _that_ my dear bronze, is why I would _never_ allow my rider to
work with the Weyrlings.:{ This tone was frosty and A'ris had the
feeling it belonged to a green. }:Could you imagine having your
rider's attention being constantly jerked around by those inept young
riders?:{

A'ris left that conversation in favor of another one completely.

}:My rider says to tell yours that he can't wait to get him alone
later. He's watching yours dance right now.:{

}:Oh, my rider is quite aware that yours is watching, that's the only
reason why he's dancing with this 'dolt' - I'm not sure what that
means. Regardless, I think my rider is just putting on a show for
yours. He says he'll meet your rider in the back hallway once this
song is over.:{

He turned away from the service table and glanced at the door floor,
instantly curious as to which dragonriders belonged to the dragons
having the conversation.

}:My rider spent _forever_ on her hair tonight. Tell yours he'd better
compliment her on it. I nearly missed part of the Hatching because of
it,:{ a decidedly feminine voice sniped.

"Helllooo, _Arie_?" a sing-song voice was calling out. It was Meris.

A'ris snapped back to attention, realizing that he was holding up the line.

"Oh, sorry." He hurriedly began scooping things onto his plate.
**Serves me right for eavesdropping,** he thought.

The new Weyrling paid very little attention to what he put on his
plate and he automatically followed behind his parents and sisters to
a table in the corner of the Dining Cavern.

"There's so many good-looking men here," Imeryali said as she tore
apart her piece of bread. "You should introduce me to someone for a
dance, Arie."

A'ris made a face at the thought of pawning his sister off on someone.
Fortunately, his father intervened.

"Now, girls. We'll be heading back in the morning. If you want to get
in a polite dance or two, you'd better hurry up and eat and get to
dancin'. But don't be gettin' your hearts set on staying here," he
warned with a wave of his fork.

Imeryali and Meris both rolled their eyes but said, "Yes, Pa."

Ameryalise, however, had a glint in her soft blue eyes that A'ris
recognized. It was the same look she'd had when deciding to teach her
daughters to read and write. "Well, no one was ever harmed by an
innocent dance, were they girls?"

**Oh boy,** A'ris thought with a sigh as he watched his sisters gulp
down their food and then head to find the nearest piece of fresh meat
to dance with....

Last updated on the December 10th 2024

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Making Your Way in the World (2/2)