A Reason to Stay

Writers: Bree, Clancey
Date Posted: 12th September 2005

Characters: J'darin, Zanie
Description: J'darin and Zanie meet, and the charming bronzerider charms yet another of D'cal's ladyfriends. This could be bad.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 7, day 28 of Turn 3

J'darin

Even though it was a restday, Zanie had gotten up early enough for her usual morning swim. This morning she'd pushed herself harder than usual, resulting in tired muscles but a feeling of satisfaction. By the time dragons and their riders came down to enjoy the warm morning, Zanie was sitting with her legs tucked under her on her towel on the beach, enjoying the warm breeze.

She watched the riders as they went about their business, some washing dragons, some swimming, and some just stretching out to enjoy the sun. One bronzerider in particular caught her attention however, someone she was _sure_ she recognized. She watched him walk towards her, but it wasn't until he was only a few paces away that she realized _why_ he was so familiar.
"Excuse me... Weyrlingmaster?"

J'darin had decided he'd walk on the beach for a time this morning, taking advantage of the restday. He and Kalina were still not getting along, and worse, she was sick in her bed. Every time he tried to see her, she didn't want to see him. Sighing over it, he had taken Oak -and the brown flit was curled around his arm now, soaking up the sun - left Hasaarth sunning on his ledge for a time, and went for a walk. His thoughts were quite far away, but a vaguely familiar voice broke in and called his attention to ..oh a lovely her. Immediately, a charming smile surfaced, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. Stroking Oak, he paused beside her. "Good day, lass. Yes, I'm J'darin, bronze Hasaarth's rider, the Weyrlingmaster. Might I help you?" He was lean and fit like many of his fellow dragonriders, and tan from mornings just like this, walking barely clothed on the beach. "I'm Zanie," she replied, returning the smile with one of her own. "I'm sorry to interrupt your walk, but I thought--well, I haven't seen my friend in a while, and I thought you might know how she's doing, since I think she still flies in the Weyrling wing. Dysali?"

J'darin's lips twitched. That was the little greenrider that had gotten Scored in O'dan's horrific mistake. He recalled that she didn't much care for him, although he had visited her a few times in the Infirmary. He thought she and her green had showed courage enough in the face of dangers they should _not_ have had to face. These thoughts flew by quickly, leaving only the vague anger as he focused back on Zanie still smiling. "Nonsense. Being disturbed by a pretty woman like you is what makes these mornings so nice." He paused, then went on in a slightly less flirtatious tone. "Ahh yes, the little lass was Scored in the recent .. tragedy. She's been in the Infirmary for some days, though they are due to release her. Friend of your's, is she?" "I knew her at the Dolphin Hall," Zanie replied, her voice sounding the slightest bit hesitant. Had the Weyrlingmaster just _flirted_ with her? "I'd met a few of the weyrlings before... D'cal is kind of a friend as well." Too late she recalled that D'cal didn't like the Weyrlingmaster... or had it been the Weyrlingmaster's Second? Hoping she hadn't just managed to get herself into trouble, she smiled cautiously at J'darin. J'darin's smile faded at the mention of D'cal. His shaggy black hair shook as he shook his head. "D'cal.." He made a sound of disapproval, but went on despite that. "Well, your friends are your choice, lass. Shall I take you to Dysali? She'd be glad of a friend or two, if you could pry that young bronze weyrling away from her side." Zanie shook her head. "No, I'll catch up with her later." She hesitated, then continued cautiously. "D'cal hasn't gotten himself into trouble, has he? I know he's been a little distracted lately... but I think it's sweet of him to take such good care of his friend."

J'darin shrugged eloquently, looking at the lovely girl before him. "You're right, Zanie. It is nice of him to care for Dyaera." When he said Dyaera's name, his eyes sparkled briefly with the warmth he felt for the greenrider. "But he and I just don't see ...eye to eye... on a few things."

"Oh. Well, not everyone does all the time," she replied with a shrug and a grin. "Life would be boring if we all got along, though."

J'darin laughed warmly at that, and his smile was back, charming and friendly. "Might I interest you in a bit of a snack before you rush off, Zanie? I find your attitude a refreshing change from Weyrlings who either bow and scrape or growl and snipe." Zanie liked his friendly smile, so she scrambled to her feet and shoved her towel back into her bag. "I'd like that. I didn't eat breakfast before my swim, so I'm feeling a little hungry."

J'darin grinned at her, and even courteously offered his arm. D'cal would be very angry if he befriended yet another of the females in the blueriders life, but that wasn't why the Weyrlingmaster was making an effort. He seemed to be mellowing out in the aftermath of the tragedy. "Tell me a little about life at Dolphinhall, Zanie, or rather the new Dolphinhall they're working on re-building?"

"I don't know too much about the new Hall," she admitted as they walked, watching where she was putting her feet rather carefully. Now was not the time to trip over her own feet and drag the Weyrlingmaster down with her! "I think they're interested in rebuilding at Topaz Sea Hold... but I was kind of thinking about staying here." She grinned at him. "I have an overprotective father who is afraid I'm going to get married and have a thousand babies instead of becoming a brilliant Master Crafter."

"You would make some man very lucky, Zanie." He offered with his usual politeness, smiling down at her. "And fathers do not always know best!"
Though he wasn't one, being Weyrlingmaster certainly made him feel that he was. "At any rate, what do you want then? You've friends here, I know."

"I think I'd like to be posted here," Zanie replied after a moment's thought. "Not just help out here... but live in the Weyr and stay here even when the Hall moves again. But it's a big decision... and I don't have to make it yet."

"Not at all yet, my dear. But in the meantime, I could give you some reasons to stay?" He teased as they arrived at the dining caverns for klah. "Maybe you could," Zanie replied with a grin, thinking that the Weyrlingmaster wasn't as bad as D'cal seemed to think.

Last updated on the September 12th 2005

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A Reason to Stay