Cousin Catch Ups

Writers: Francesca, Shawna
Date Posted: 24th March 2025

Characters: Lyndana, Diara
Description: The cousins chat for the first time after the Hatching.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 3, day 26 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: J'nic, Z'renh, Nosarre

It wasn't fair. Of course, Hatchings were never fair. But, having her
own cousin, who wasn't even very interested in becoming a dragonrider,
Impress was particularly frustrating. So, while Diara was happy for
Lyndana and did want to meet her green, it had taken her a few days to
work up to it.

It was evening, so Diara hoped her cousin was free. It felt strange
entering the barracks, and she felt a pang that she was just visiting
and not living there. It would have been so nice to go through
weyrlinghood with a family member.

"She's really pretty," she said by way of introduction. "Da said her
name is Veralinth? Congratulations."

Lyndana was sitting on the edge of her bunk, staring blankly down at a
workbook, and the sound of her cousin's voice made her jump. Her eyes
went first to the little dragonet, then to her cousin, and she gave a
weak little smile, "She is pretty. Pretty vain." The green was a
pretty little thing, well proportioned and shined to within an inch of
Lyndana's life. The girl looked rather more worn. "How are you doing?"

Veralinth woke up from her nap and rose to her feet with a delicate
little yawn. }:Who is this, why didn't you tell me she was coming?:{
As if being caught napping were embarrassing.

"Veralinth, this is Diara."

Diara made herself comfortable, slipping her shoes off and sitting
cross legged next to her cousin. She was too preoccupied with her own
emotions to note anything amiss with Lyndana. In response to the
question, she shrugged. "Back to normal life as a Candidate; waiting
for the next Clutch. I moved to a bunk closer to the door." After
every Hatching, she changed bunks in an attempt to mix things up.

Seeing the green's adorable yawn sent a pang of jealousy through her,
but she did her best to keep her tone friendly. "Veralinth, it's nice
to meet you. You're a beautiful color." She was a lighter, brighter
green than Raileth. "How are both of you?"

"Well, you know the beds get luckier the closer to the door," Lyndana
said, citing only superstition. "So... maybe that's good."

Veralinth stepped closer, inspecting Diara with an imperious gaze.
}:Why haven't I met her?:{ As if she hadn't met more people than she
could remember in her few short days of life.

"I'm... tired. I was used to the early mornings, but it's so much work
and she's so... she's a lot." The green's head had snapped to look at
her and she gave a clearly disapproving snort. "I thought greens were
supposed to be... more agreeable."

}:I am perfectly agreeable when you listen.:{

"She does seem to have a lot to say," Diara said mildly, watching
their interactions. There was more she wanted to say, but not with the
little green right there and already a bit riled up. Maybe the
dragonet would go back to sleep soon, so she could get the honest
truth about the challenges of Impression. So, she stuck to what was
hopefully a lighter subject. "Were the two of you ok during the first
feeding? I heard it was... chaos."

Veralinth huffed again and Lyndana reached out a hand to give her a
gentle scratch before the green returned to her wallow, still watching
them.

"Oh, yes, we were almost done before all of that started. It was
absolutely terrifying. I wish you'd been there to see it. That gold
just came thundering in and started throwing all the other dragons
around. And Z'renh's bronze was quite aggressive, too." Shaking her
head, Lyndana said, "I worry class will be too chaotic for us to learn
anything."

}:We'll be fine,:{ Veralinth said with a sleepy but firm confidence.
}:Stop worrying.:{ As if it worked like that.

"I'm sure they'll all settle down," Diara said with more confidence
than she felt. She did worry that a wild gold dragonet would make all
her clutchmates act up as well. Worrying wouldn't help her cousin
though. Was any topic safe? After a moment, a smile crossed her face.
"I saw Nosarre Impressed a green. Do you know how she reacted?" She
wished the haughty girl hadn't Impressed at all, but at least the gold
had chosen someone else.

"Oh, she's furious. She's as bossy to her green as Veralinth is to me,
and I think her face is going to stick in a permanent scowl by the end
of the month." Lyndana seemed strangely uplifted that someone else was
having as hard a time as she was.

Diara gave a nod of satisfaction. "Good. I feel sorry for her green
though." She wished the green had chosen her instead. Why would she
Impress to someone who didn't even want a green? It was so unfair.
Thinking about other interesting Impressions, she added, "And another
female bluerider. It will be interesting when more than one Impresses
at the same Hatching."

"Oh, can you imagine that? It's so weird. Are there just not enough
boys standing these days? Although I can see why Zollarth was
confused. Have you heard the mouth on Zaphare? He probably thought she
was some sailor boy." Lyndana made a face, "And people think weyrgirls
are crude."

Diara giggled, enjoying being able to gossip with her cousin. "I hope
you keep me updated on everything that happens. It's going to be so
boring in the barracks without you," she said with a pout.

"Oh, I will. Try not to miss me too much." Sighing, Lyndana ducked her
head, staring down at the little green who was again dozing off.
Quietly, she said, "I'm sorry it was me not you. It's not fair."

"It's not your fault," Diara said quickly. Then, after a few moments.
"It really isn't fair though." Having it acknowledged made her feel a
little better. They sat in silence for a moment. "I need to get to
chores. See you soon" She gave her cousin a hug, ignoring the wave of
jealousy from seeing the beautiful, sleeping green.

Lyndana returned the hug almost too hard, but when she finally let go, her smile was almost genuine, "Don't be a stranger, please. I'd miss you too much. And I'm sure your dragon is just waiting for the right moment- I'll know all the secret tricks for getting through training when it's your turn."

Last updated on the March 26th 2025

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Cousin Catch Ups