Reminders

Writers: Draconafin, Eimi
Date Posted: 20th August 2006

Characters: Az'uka, Birigundi
Description: Having some time to spare Az'uka goes in search of Birigundi; also their race ends earlier than planed.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 13, day 12 of Turn 3

Birigundi

Az'uka was at a lost of what to do, he had the most part of the day spare as it where; and he was trying to think of a way to spend a few candlemarks. He'd just gotten back from delivering a message to Opal Cove Hold. He remembered when such a task could have taken him the best part of a day, or even more, as a Runner that was.

Nilzuth had been eavesdropping on his rider's thoughts or so it seemed when the dragon spoke up}: Why not meet with Birigundi? :{ While the dragon was never really one for remembering names unless he wanted to, he thought that perhaps his rider should spent some time with the fellow runner.

**Perhaps, we did say if we both had time ** Az'uka returned as he put the last of the riding gear away and looked at Nilzuth. **and you?**

}: Sunbathe! :{ The dragon declared and spreading his wings went to find a suitable spot on the ridges.

Now all he had to do was see if he could track down the Runner turned Candidate, he figured that the Weyrbowl would be as good a place to start as any.

Birigundi was finishing up his stretches when he looked up to see the bluerider standing over him. "I remember you," he smiled. "We ran together before, right?"

Az'uka smiled as he glanced down at Birigundi. "We sure did" he remembered it, even though it had been four maybe five months ago. "Been up to much?" The question was causal, as he was debating going for a run with the Candidate again, already half knowing the outcome of that debate.

Birigundi wasn't quite sure how to answer that question. After all, father a child probably constituted being up to at least _something_, but not everyone on Pern needed to know every detail. So finally he just shrugged. "Not a whole lot. And yourself?"

Perhaps there was something in the tone there, and he may have missed it, but didn't press the matter. "Not enough worth mentioning" he glanced up at the ridge and spotted Nilzuth, not the pair of them hadn't been up to much at all, although Az'uka could almost swear he saw his dragon eyeing off a green.

"I just haven't seen you running for a while. Was it too cold for you?" Birigundi knew not everyone enjoyed running in all weather like he did.

"Not Exactly; maybe on one or two mornings." He gave a smile "Goes to show what moving can do to a person" it was joke of sorts, other times he'd been busy or running at different times.

Birigundi shrugged. "I guess it's hard to find a routine again after a large move like that. I try to keep to the same schedule or else I might forget."

"Organization is indeed a good skill, one which I had taught to me, perhaps too late for the liking of most." He looked at him again and gave a small smile; he wanted to ask how he was coping. It seemed that a great many things where happening in the life of his once time running partner, but then again Az'uka didn't feel it was his place to ask.

"Well, are you going running today, then?" Birigundi asked as he continued to stretch his arms across his chest.

It would have seemed that his body had made that decision for him when he found the young runner as he'd started stretching, without realizing it, habit. "Of course, that's if you don't mind the company that is"

"Not at all," the candidate grinned. "It's nice to have company."

"So..." Az'uka questioned "You up for a race, or just a run?"

"I could probably go for a bit of competition," Birigundi shrugged. "Are you sure you're ready for one though? If you haven't been running for a while, a race might be a bit of a stretch for you."

"True" He titled his head slightly as if weighing his options "Nothing like a challenge though" He said with gleam coming to his eyes. If he did over do it he figured it would be worth any lecture a healer might give him.

"All right." Birigundi had been running everyday for turns with no more than a few days break. But he was not about to tell the bluerider what he could or could not do. Still, he didn't want to push it too hard. "How about just once around the lake?"

Az'uka gave one final stretch and the faint crick of neck muscles was heard. "Ready when you are" It may have be true he'd been busy, But he'd managed to keep running at lest three maybe four times a sevenday.

Birigundi hopped up and down a couple times shaking out each leg. "You can count it off."

He smiled at the Runner beside him this was going to be good, mentally he made sure he' stretched everything and was ready to go himself. "You call it" he replied, smiling the whole time.

Birigundi shrugged. "All right. Where are the starting and ending points?"

"A lap of the Weyrlake was it" He pondered "If we start from here, we can finish, just before that bend in our track over there." He pointed to a sharpish bend on the other side of the Weyrlake, not something to be taken lightly.

"All right then," Birigundi agreed. "Ready? On your mark? Get set... Go!"

Despite it being a race, Az'uka stuck with what he'd learnt all those turns ago at the Runner station, run economically. After all there was no point in pushing yourself at the beginning of a race.

Birigundi also took it a little slower at first. Az'uka didn't seem in any hurry, and this was a nice leisurely pace. He usually continued at this speed the entire course, but it would be good to push himself a little too.

In his mind he was weighing up what might be called the final dragonlength of the race, in order to judge when he should lengthen his stride in what would become an attempt to out pace Birigundi.

As they rounded the first bend Birigundi decided he could afford to pick up the pace a bit. He was still comfortable which meant he was in good shape to push himself just a bit. The runner knew better than to give his all too soon.

Az'uka let the other Runner pull in front of him by a few steps, judging the distance in his head, picking up his own pace to match.

As they rounded the last bend, Birigundi decided it was time to really open up and see if he could put distance between himself and the other runner. He didn't want to over do it _too_ much and risk injury, but he certainly wanted to show the bluerider what he could do!

This was the last dragon length of the race and Az'uka knew that this was where their competitive streaks would come out and beside him he saw his running partner speed up. He increased his own stride; misjudged the bend and went down like a sack of firestone.

Birigundi heard him fall and slowed down to a stop. "Az'uka?" he called back. "Are you all right?"

}: Az'uka! :{ Nilzuth cried
**Sharding hell; I'm ok** Pain lashed up his right leg, familiar pain, a pulled muscle. He looked up and saw Birigundi in front of him still. "Pulled muscle..." He explained with a small wince "Are you sure? Can you walk on it?" Birigundi asked, concern filling is eyes.

He stood, slowly, half testing the pain threshold and half trying to regain what dignity he had left. He dusted himself off a little, acting as if it was nothing, trivial, but it hurt. Az'uka's first step or two was shaky but then he decided, just to ignore it **out of sight out for mind**. "Yeah, I think I bruised my pride more than anything" He said with a smile, making light of the situation "Well, lets see if we can walk if off, shall we?" Birigundi suggested.

He moved over to where his running partner was standing. "Yeah that works for me"

}:Careful:{ His dragon cautioned, undoubtedly watching from his ledge.

"Do you need a shoulder to lean on?" Birigundi asked, watching the rider take a few steps.

The pain came in short lashes and waves, nothing unusual, and seemed to reach form his right knee up to his hip and a bit beyond. He had definitely pulled something ad had no doubts that it would be stiff in the morning. It was more likely the muscle would heal itself before the bluerider's pride at being _that_ stupid. About to tell Birigundi that he could make it back to his weyr on his own, his leg failed, just enough to cause him to sway.

}: Let him help :{ Nilzuth told Az'uka and there was no questioning the dragon, not with that tone.

"Sure" The rider replied to his running partner with a meek expression **I'll live it down later, _I hope_**

Last updated on the August 20th 2006

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Reminders