Freedom in the Pages

Writers: Halyonix, Shawna
Date Posted: 23rd December 2024

Characters: Zariah, Nirian
Description: Nirian asks Zariah if she needs help with the book exchange
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 3, day 14 of Turn 12

Notes:
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"Dragonrider here!" someone shouted from another room. "Green dragon!"

Nirian finished drying the cup in her hands and then set it down. She waited to see if the person shouted any more information but apparently that was all they wanted to say, which wasn't precisely as helpful as Nirian wanted. _Which_ green dragon? Didn't people realize that each dragon was different? A different shade, a different size -- oh, whatever. People just didn't pay attention.

She dried her hands on her skirt as she strode towards a window, intending to get a look at said dragon. When she saw that familiar grass-green dappling, she smiled. She recognized that dragon! Nirian hurried to her quarters, where a stack of books was waiting near the door for her to grab. Book day was the highlight of her month.

"Good morning Zariah!" Nirian called brightly as she approached with an arm-load of books to exchange.

'Oh, hi Nirian!" Zariah took a few hurried steps forward to help lighten the armload of books, "let me get those for you." She turned to start stowing them away in the bag designated for 'returns' . Relsath gave a long suffering sigh and dramatically listed to the left, as if she were having trouble standing now. "Ignore her," Zariah said, as she always did, "she thinks she's funny. How have you been? Have you had any time for anything other than reading?" She teased.

"Oh, the usual. Sending all of the men into a tizzy with my feminine wiles," Nirian joked sunnily. Freed of her book burden, she offered her opened hands to Relsath as she asked, "Can I touch her?" She was sure the answer was going to be yes but she always asked just in case.

"Oh, as one does. Any new special friends?" Zariah put a comical emphasis on "special".

"Only the transient ones," Nirian said with a laugh. "They say they want to stay but they sure are quick to leave in the morning."

Relsath didn't give her rider a chance to answer, instead giving up her theatrics in favor of being admired, and the green obligingly turned her head to bump her nose against Nirian's hands.

With a slightly wicked grin, Zariah asked, "You busy right now? Want to take her for a quick spin? We could do a circle around the hold."

Nirian's heart soared. "Absolutely! Do I need my jacket? I have one, you know." It wasn't the greatest quality of a riding jacket but it kept the cold away. It had been a gift from her brother some Turns after he had Impressed, a promise that whenever he visited, she would get use out of it. So far, it didn't get used as much as she wanted.

"Oh, you have one? Go and grab it, yeah!" It might not be strictly necessary for a short ride, but Zariah was the last person to get in the way of anyone wanting to dress for any occasion. "I've got to rearrange Relsath's bags a little anyway." When Nirian reappeared, Zariah gave an approving whistle and a cheerful, "Look at you, ready for the skies!"

Nirian did a little shimmy of her shoulders and grinned back, even though a small part of her resented that she would only ever to do this whenever a dragonrider friend was feeling generous. "Whenever you're ready!" she said brightly. She pushed aside that resentful feeling so that she could fully enjoy the moment.

Zariah climbed up on Relsath and gave Nirian a hand up after her, making sure they were both strapped in securely before Relsath took to the sky. The green flew fast, but not too fast, cautious of an unfamiliar rider being upset (or being sick on her), taking a wide circle up and around the Hall. "Nothing like the view from up here, huh?" Zariah asked.

"Nothing like it at all!" Nirian called back. Oh, it was beautiful! Up high, the world changed, became expansive. A tapestry of colors and landmarks, going on and on. No wonder dragonriders loved flying so much! No wonder her brother would rather sweepride than come visit! Nirian would never get bored of seeing the world from up high like this, feeling the wind bite at her cheeks, watching the distance grow between her and her duties.

Taking that as a cue to go faster, Relsath picked up speed, making another circuit around the area before slowly spiralling back down, "Sixteen Turns I've been doing this, and the flying never gets old," Zariah said as the green drifted back towards the ground. "I'd give you more of a ride, but I have a few more deliveries to make. The book dragon's work is never done," she said solemnly.

It was over far too soon. Nirian suppressed a disappointed sigh. She instead latched on to the opportunity. "You know, if you ever need help delivering books, I'm sure I could be stolen away for a day or two. I might not be a dragonrider but I can definitely make it faster for you to deliver at some of the busier placed. Two hands and all that."

"Well, it doesn't take days but..." Zariah frowned thinking, "I can't think of any reason I couldn't pop in here first and pick you up. It can get kind of busy at some of the holds trying to track everyone down, another set of hands wouldn't help. It's not a lucrative job, though. I mostly work for books." Or rather she usually spent her marks on books before even going home.

She didn't want to spoil her chance by seeming too eager but Nirian didn't care about the pay. Her reward would be getting _out_! That's all she wanted, even if for a day once or twice of month. Just _something_. "Oh, I'm not in it for the pay really, though I'll take being paid in books any day," she said, pitching her tone like she agreed with Zariah. Please, oh please, let her say yes!

"Alright, well, I usually make the rounds the second week of every month, you know. It'll be the same day next month- I try to keep it the same other than Threadfall days, obviously. I usually try to get to the printer hall by nine so I can pick you up right before that? It can be a little tedious, I should warn you, but there's no reason not to give it a try." Zariah seemed more worried Nirian might find it awful than reluctant to bring her.

Same day of the second sevenday. Surely Nirian could find someone to cover her duties for just one day! "I'm in," she said. Even if she stayed up late working at the tavern the night before, she'd push through the day just to have the adventure. When she got back to her room, she'd definitely mark out the upcoming dates so she wouldn't miss her chance.

As she slid down Relsath, she said, "Thanks again!" She lavished a lot of attention on the green dragon, a grin splitting her face.

Relsath preened under the attention until Zariah firmly told her they were running late for their next stop. "See you next month!" The greenrider called as she swung back on the green. She waved as they flew higher, then disappeared /between/.

Last updated on the January 1st 2025

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