A Little Beyond Mild

Writers: Francesca, Halyonix
Date Posted: 29th April 2025

Characters: I'serin, V'rin
Description: V'rin offers a taste of hot sauce to I'serin.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 4, day 8 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: K'mai

I'serin

"Shaffit!" V'rin yelled, while the greenrider across the table with
the winning hand howled with laughter. He had been sure his four of a
kind would win. **Oh well. This is good for bonding with my new
wingmates, right?** The thought didn't make him feel any less annoyed.

"Fine, what do I need to do?" Rather than betting marks, the loser
needed to perform a dare. He hoped he just needed to remove his shirt
or something.

After some whispering, V'rin learned his fate and laughed. "Really?
You just want to get rid of me for a few minutes so I don't win the
next hand. Ok, then." He stood, slipping a small bottle in his jacket
pocket.

V'rin approached the Weyrleader slowly, waiting for the greenrider
speaking to him to finish. As soon as she was gone, he sat down across
from the man, surprised by how young he looked up close. They must be
of similar age. Shards, he was glad his blue meant he would never wake
up after a flight as Weyrleader.

"Weyrleader," he said with a smile. "I don't want to take much of your
time, but wanted to introduce myself. I'm V'rin, rider of blue Gorith.
We're very recent transfers from Windswept Islands Weyr."

Sharp, hazel eyes met V'rin's. There was a discerning pause before
I'serin said, "I do remember your transfer. How are you finding
Dragonsfall?"

V'rin was happy to share his thoughts on his new home. "It's been
interesting living at a Weyr with so much history after Turns at
Windswept Islands Weyr. And, not being surrounded by the ocean is
taking some getting used to, but Gorith has already tried out both
weyrlakes. Right now, he likes the novelty of the winter lake. We're
still getting used to the new territory on sweep rides. Is there any
place in particular you'd recommend us visiting?" He hadn't been to
any of the major Holds or Halls yet, beyond quick visits to solidify
the new visualizations.

I'serin nodded as the rider mentioned sweeps for visualizations. But
while he had been one to all work and no play, he was discovering that
mentioning a few of the more relaxing spots within Dragonsfall
territory were a fine encouragement. "There is a fine Vintner Hall in
Amber Hills with a tavern. It is quite popular, especially on
restdays. I suggest that you visit it, if you have not already." There
was another discerning pause before the Weyrleader continued politely
with, "Is there anything that I can assist with in your acclimation to
our Weyr?

"I'll have to visit the tavern soon," V'rin said. It was good to know
of a place that seemed to welcome riders. It sounded like the
Weyrleader wasn't too interested in a long conversation, so he'd need
to be fast. "Everyone has been very friendly. I don't need anything,
but I wanted to give you a little something." He slipped a small glass
bottle with an orange liquid out of his pocket and put it on the
table. "It's hot sauce," he said proudly. "It goes particularly well
with those delightful dragontails. This one has some citron in it."

The Weyrleader stared at the bottle as though it housed some strange,
incomprehensible organism. He carefully picked it up, scrutinizing its
make through the glass as he held it up. "Where did you acquire this?"
he asked with cautious curiosity.

V'rin was always happy to tell this story. Who would have guessed he'd
tell it to the Weyrleader? He'd give an abbreviated version of it
though, since he didn't think I'serin would appreciate the long
version. "A few Turns ago, I visited a small Gather. I was browsing
the stalls, wanting to buy a small trinket for someone, when I saw a
row of small bottles with different colored sauces in them. The trader
selling them let me have a taste and I found a few I liked. Since
then, for a discount, I'll periodically buy a variety of bottles from
him and bring them to the Weyr. I get to try all the sauces and he
gets some additional sales. It works well for both of us," he ended
with a smile. "Do you like spicy food?"

The Weyrleader listened to the story intently. "I like my food with
some spice," he admitted, "though spicy may not be the most
appropriate term." He tilted the bottle a little. "May I?"

"Of course!" V'rin replied, perhaps a touch louder than necessary. He
was thrilled I'serin wanted to try the sauce. "Maybe just take a small
taste at first though," he cautioned. "It definitely isn't the
spiciest sauce I have, but it's a little beyond mild." The last thing
he needed was the Weyrleader reacting badly to something he gave him.

I'serin snagged a piece of bread from the bowl nearby so that he could
pour a small dab of the sauce on it. After an assessing sniff,
ignoring the warm sting to his nose, he bit into the bread. He had not
chewed twice before the heat hit his tongue. With a small cough
punctuating each pause, he said, "You...were prudent...in your
advice."

The bluerider's stomach clenched at the Weyrleader's cough, worried
this was going to go badly. Once it seemed he was going to be ok,
V'rin asked tentatively, "Is it... Do you like it? Can you taste the
citron?"

"Among other things," I'serin wheezed. But the bluerider was correct
-- there was a citron aftertaste that provided a pleasant counterpoint
to the initial burst of spice. "I do believe that many of the riders
here will enjoy something like this," he said in a much smoother tone
once he had recovered his voice. He idly wondered if K'mai would like
something like that.

A wide smile crossed V'rin's face. "I agree," he said eagerly. "I
think spicy food is nice in cold climates. Helps warm you up." He was
always looking for ways to make some extra marks and having a
Weyrleader as a customer would be a boon. "If you're interested, I
could get you samples of a number of different sauces; see if there
are any you'd like."

Mild trepidation at trying other sauces (and what consequences he
would find) showed on the Weyrleader's face for a moment. "Is there a
favorite amongst the rider that you have tested them with so far?"

"Well, most people like sauces with just a slight kick, to make things
exciting without any of the side effects. If you don't mind mixing
sweet with spicy, there's one called Berry Delight that's tasty. Or
Garlic Revenge is flavorful, but not good if you plan on kissing
anyone." He leaned forward a little in excitement. "My favorite is
more of a moderate spice but is made with pineapple and mango, which
are hard to come by on the Southern Continent. It's called the
Bounding Bovine. I like to eat it with corn and rice."

"You sound quite the connoisseur of these things," I'serin remarked.
"I would like to try that Bounding Bovine one you just mentioned. And
perhaps another mild, sweet one."

The bluerider fairly preened at the compliment. "I can get you a few
samples; free of charge, of course. Maybe in a sevenday?" He'd see if
he could track down his trader contact. Maybe there was a new sauce or
two that would agree with the Weyrleader's palate.

"Acceptable," I'serin replied. He tilted his head. "Is there anything
more I can do for you, to get you settled in?" he offered politely, as
he felt was his responsibility as Weyrleader.

V'rin shook his head. "No, Weyrleader. Thank you. I'll have Gorith
bespeak Aluneth in a sevenday." With a final smile, he stood and
headed back to his wingmates. He had never been happier to lose a hand
at cards.

Last updated on the May 1st 2025

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A Little Beyond Mild