To Will Away a Blizzard

Writers: Draconafin, Shawna
Date Posted: 5th September 2026

Characters: Az'uka, Zariah
Description: Faced with a blizzard Az'uka and Zariah discus warmer ways to pass the time
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 6, day 24 of Turn 13
Notes: Mentioned: Jenasie, T'gyrlan (not by name)
Mentor Approved by Heather

Zariah

A groan, and a hard stretch to loosen the kink growing between his shoulder blades; saw Az’uka on his feet as soon as he was dismissed. Physical drills he could manage. Those that took place in the records room, or involved studying patterns without doing anything annoyed him. That was no secret. He was personally not one for records, or numbers, or anything else that involved sitting around inside with musty hides or paper. So involved was his need to be physically doing something; he had long since learned to ignore the bone rattling chill of the cold seasons here. One which often reached through thick riding leathers. Maybe that was one reason theory classes had become a thing; although he couldn’t tell you. Sure enough he had memorized the pattern, as was the point of the lecture; but he needed to get these numbers out of his head. Fingers raked through his hair, fisting briefly in frustration at the ends before falling back to his sides.

}: Maybe that is why you are so bad at cards? :{ snorted Nilzuth bemused by his rider’s frustrations.

**At least cards aren’t boring** Az’uka returned as he looked out over the Weyrbowl; **Cards involve wine**

}: And you loosing :{

**You say that like it’s a bad thing** the rider teased back; knowing that Nilzuth had no complaints when a lost bet of wine often turned into courting a weyrmate for the night.

The view across the weyrbowl was briefly interrupted by a bright, grassy-green dragon who was coming in for a landing at an unnecessarily steep angle. Landing in a flurry of snow, Relsath crouched to let her rider dismount. }:I can't believe you woke me up for a ride and we aren't even leaving the Weyr.:{

**You couldn't have slept through me getting snow in my boots anyway. At least this is quick.** Zariah slid down the green's shoulder, frowning in minor annoyance at the crunch of snow under her boots.

"Oh, hi, Az'uka. Did this lovely," the sneer in her voice made it clear that was sarcasm,"snow get your Wing out of drills, too?" Despite being a Dragonsfall native, Zariah was no more fond of the blizzards than most people.

Az’uka raised an arm to shield his face from the extra burst of snow that had benn brought down by the green dragon headed this way. But ever the gentleman he had also side-stepped to let Zairah in out of the winds. The records room might not be his favourite place; but it was out of the snow.

}: No rest of the wicked :{

“No rest of the wicked;” Dragon and rider answered simultaneously, although only the latter would have been heard. Though the former was clearly implying _just_ his rider with his statement. With the dragon at least pretending he would have nothing to do with Az’uka’s shenanigans. Consequently, the joint statement had the rider instantly laughing. It might have seemed out of place, but it left a beaming smile on his face as he explained. “Nilzuth agrees; that we get no breaks;” he paused for a second before continuing, “What about you and Relsath? Just starting or finishing?”

"We're done for the day. I was just going to run an errand and get lunch," glancing back at Relsath, Zariah shook her head, "that one thinks if I was going to get her up, we should have at least gone to somewhere with better weather. As if she won't be playing in the snow like a weyrling tomorrow. What are you two up to?"

"We just wrapped up for the day. Nilzuth is plenty content to stay in his weyr, away from the snow" Az'uka mused and chuckled when Zariah mentioned dragons playing in the snow. Truth be told; it seemed like all dragons were big kids at heart. "I dare say Nilzuth would see fit to join her; anything to keep the cold out of one's bones. Or we would all have healers chasing us around," the end of the statement had him shaking his head slightly, healers meant well enough, they just got in the way sometimes. Although some of Az'uka's friends would agree that the bluerider was far worse. He turned his attention back to Zariah, remembering that she often ran errands for the Halls. "Hopefully interesting errands?"

}: Perhaps you should do some too. Keep you out of trouble:{ Nilzuth interjected from where he was tucked away.

"Or at the least they must be keeping you out of the worst of the snow," he paused and smirked as he mused on the dragon's comments; "Nilzuth seems to think that such things might keep me out of trouble; not that I don't love a challenge."

"Nah, nothing interesting today. Swapping out a book I borrowed from the Weyr's collection for a new one and raiding the Weyr stores for some new yarn. Tis knitting season, of course." Glancing back at the falling snow, she said, "If this keeps up tomorrow, though, I'm definitely heading to the Printer Hall to see if they need any deliveries done."

Grinning at him, she said, "You should listen to Nizulth. Relsath says he's one of the more sensible blues, which is high praise from her. If he's trying to keep you out of trouble, he must be."

Without meaning to, Az'uka found both his eyebrow raising and his nose wrinkling a little at the same time. Curiosity was the reason for the former; as he had something of an insatiable need to know just about everything about everyone. As for the latter reaction; that had to do with the fact that he wasn't really a fan of books himself. Wasn't that he didn't like them, just didn't understand the reason or need for them. But then again, he hadn't exactly gone looking into it; associating the records room in particular with dust. All that said, he didn't hold it against anyone who did like the ideas of reading and studying. The topic of the Printer Hall though brought a smile to his face, mostly because of its location. With his sister being a dolphineer he had been a frequent visitor to the Dolphin Cove area and its surrounds.

"It would certainly be a nice change from this cold," he agreed with a smile. Which shifted to mock offense on hearing both Zariah and Relsath agreed that he needed to be kept out of trouble. A defiant look of 'well I never' was on his features, but none too seriously as his smile continued to grow. "Now then; I am _pretty_ sure that trouble _finds me_ most of the time"

}: Pretty sure you stick your nose in it :{ Nilzuth corrected }:Sometimes that is your challenge; seeing just how much you can get away with :{

Az'uka gave his dragon a mental shove at his remarks and shook his head. What was this? Pick on the bluerider day? He turned his attention back to the conversation at hand, musing on the idea of running errands himself. Sure enough, he had a few that needed doing; and maybe even then some of those would turn favours. "Sometimes Nilzuth might just be too smart for his own good," was the chuckle, "But I am sure he will keep trying to keep me honest"

"Well, I've always said the dragons know what we need when they pick us. Apparently you needed a keeper," Zariah teased, her tone light. "I don't think Relsath has ever tried to keep me out of trouble."

}:Sometimes you need a little more,:{ the green agreed affectionately. }:Are you almost done? I don't want to stand in the snow.:{

**Oh, go on back. I'll walk from here.**

As the green took off to head back to her ledge, Zariah said dryly, "She's acting like I'm torturing her dragging her out in the snow, like she's never done the same to me, either to play or that debacle of a flight last Turn." The green had gone up in a blizzard that had nearly turned into an airborne crash in the worst possible weather. "She may have forgotten, but I remember her shenanigans."

"A keeper?" The reply came out as a mix of fake insult and complete amusement -- barely holding his laughter back. She wasn't wrong; and similar things had no doubt been said before. Nilzuth certainly kept him humble, grounded, and often nudged him in the direction that was best suited at time. More than once the blue had coerced him into seeing a healer, or a friend to feel better -- even if it was something like settling his temper. Not to mention the number of times the blue had chosen to embarrass his rider in front of someone; either directly, or bespeaking his rider until the man blushed, forcing him to give himself away. "They always say that the dragons know best," He remarked back; affection for Nilzuth, and the bond he shared more than coloured his tone. "As for not keeping you out of trouble; I have heard plenty of dragons try and cause it at times. Maybe Relsath has plans."

}: Reasonable ones I am sure :{ came the dragon logic

** No fun in that old friend ** Az'uka teased back to the beast; he continued after Zairah remarked on her green's last flight **She might even be making you look bad **

"That's certainly one way to weed out challengers," was the returned comment with a chuckle. Honestly he couldn't remember if Nilzuth had chased directly or not. No doubt the rider would have least gotten his marks worth; he always did during a flight, along with many other riders. Often the whole Weyr would often get swept up. "Shenanigans at least make life interesting. Between that, and everything else you do, I am surprised you aren't more run off your feet."

}: Perhaps you should offer to go with her next time to Dolphin Cove :{ Nilzuth prompted, he liked Relsath and Zairah; Az’uka wouldn't complain for the extra time in their company either. }: Maybe Relsath would like to play with the dolphins. You could visit Jenasie while you are there :{

** Trying to set me up? ** Was the mental chuckle for his dragon, the blue hardly needed to try. Zairah was a fine woman, but she was well and truly _taken_. So much for his dragon trying to keep him out of trouble; the blue was just as capable of pushing him into it at times. Although the last thing he wanted or needed was a fight with another rider. Keeping his thoughts to himself he smiled at Zairah, "I believe; " there was a slight pause as he contemplated his options; "Nilzuth is proposing a beach day. Or at least a chance for all of us to get out of the cold." She could bring her boyfriend too for all Az'uka cared. Nilzuth's so-called plan involved catching up with family after all. "I am surprised you don't get distracted by the beach more often in this weather going back and forth to the Printer Hall."

"Well, the Printer Hall pays well enough to keep me on track," Zariah said seriously. "And," she looked around, as if worried someone might hear her next confession, "I'm a terrible swimmer. Oh, the lake is fine, especially with Relsath there, but the ocean with all those waves?" She mock shuddered. "I do love the hot sand at the beach, though. I'd have to bring my son, though. He riots if I go to the beach without him."

“So they should.” Az’uka intoned about the Printer Hall keeping her well paid. Although if what he knew of the greenrider was anything to go by, she would just as easily do some of it for the sheer love of books. His smile softened when Zariah mentioned she was a terrible swimmer. It wasn’t unheard of, as most of the Weyrs had lakes rather than open waters. Now that he thought about it, that was exactly how his sister ended up with her first dragonrider who wasn’t family -- although that was Turns ago now. As for her son? The thoughts of a child running around on the beach and with dragons tickled him, that had very much been a part of his own childhood. “I am sure if we were to organise something he would be more than welcome. Both dragons and dolphins seem to have a soft spot for kids.”

"Really? I didn't know that about dolphins," she didn't know much about dolphins, to be fair. "I don't know that Zerias has ever met a dolphin, actually, he'd probably be thrilled. We should set something up at some point," Zariah agreed. "I don't have a lot of free days, but I'm sure I can find one. He can swim," she said dryly, "I didn't have his advantage of having parents with dragons, he's a little spoiled," she joked cheerfully.

"At least that has been my experience," Az'uka half corrected his statement about dolphins. His sister's -- Zarias would play with just about anyone. It dawned on to him, somewhat belatedly, that the boy in question and the female dolphin his sister had bonded, had almost identical names. So much so, he gave a chuckle which he explained. "Knowing that I dare say we definitely should. Zarias and Zerias would hit it off far too well by the sounds of it" He waved off the greenrider's concern about not having a lot of free days, he knew how that went; but was sure they could make a rest day out of it sooner or later. "Think about it; might as well spoil Zerias and yourself with all the Weyrs have to offer. Dragons and Dolphins included."

"Zarias is....? A dolphineer or a dolphin?" Zariah could safely narrow it down that much. Smiling fondly at the thought of spoiling her son, she agreed, "I might as well. He'll be a candidate for the next clutch. This might be one of my last chances to spoil him." She hoped it was a few Turns before he Impressed, but it was certainly possible he'd be snatched up by some dragon sooner rather than later.

"A dolphin;" Az'uka happily supplied, chuckling at his own folly of having forgotten that the other dragonrider wasn't privy to his thoughts. So he found himself explaining the rest easily enough. "Jenasie is my sister and the dolphineer. I am sure she would be more than willing to help." He found himself pausing again, when the mother mentioned it might be her last to spoil her son; "Oh I doubt that, I am sure there will always be new and different ways for a mother to spoil her son if you keep your mind open. Even when he Impresses."

Zariah smiled, "I hope so. Anyway, I'll let you get back to whatever you were doing. Let me know when you're thinking for a trip to the beach and I'll see if Zerias and I can make it work. I'm sure he'll be thrilled." Glancing back at the falling snow, she added, "And I'm sure we'll want to see something blue instead of all this white soon enough."

"Consider it a date" Az'uka chucked and flashed a hand in a 'stop' motion to show he meant nothing of the comment outside of a joke at its double meaning. "I'm sure our companions will be just as excited." He found himself smiling again and shaking his head at the snow too, whole-heartily agreeing. "A break from the snow will do us all good!"

Last updated on the October 28th 2026

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To Will Away a Blizzard