Read the Rules

Writers: Francesca, Kaysea
Date Posted: 21st September 2007

Characters: Chalzie, Kateena
Description: Chalzie and Kateena meet when Civi introduces them
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 5, day 13 of Turn 4

Kateena walked slowly down the sands, her eyes taking in the waters before her, scanning to see if she could see Civi splashing out there amongst the waves. In the distance she could see a smaller than usual pod and one single swimmer amongst them. Chalzie, the swimmer, was still rather in awe of the dolphins. She had been surprised when some of the pod had shown up as soon as she'd entered the water, offering her a ride farther out to sea. Of course, she had accepted and was now enjoying herself immensely.

Kateena kicked off her shoes, and dropped her towel and shift dress on the sand, placing a small package of fruits under the clothes, and hoping she had tightened the end enough that when she returned she wouldn't find some trundlebug had been along and eaten it, like last time.

She tested the waters with her foot, and felt a small shiver run the length of her body at the coolness. Better to get it over and done with, she raced out through the smooth water and dove under. The cold blast swept over her, but before she had time to chill, her body temperature adjusted.

With long, slow strokes she made out to the pod, watching as two of the dolphins made their way towards her, assisting the swimmer in their wake. Chalzie tried to focus on the figure swimming towards them, but she still didn't really know how to hold on to a dolphin fin, and so spent the short trip just trying not to swallow any water.

"Kaaat! Kaaat come plaaay!" Civi's voice rang out as he neared her.

At Civi's yell, Chalzie realized it was Kateena who was arriving. She waved at the Journeyman, having met her previously. "Hi Kateena!"

"Chalzie, hello." Kateena called, "You're out early today, aren't you?" Apart from the two of them and the pod, there was no other sign of life on the beach. "At least you have the pod here with you, you really shouldn't have been out here swimming on your own, you know." she admonished lightly, the girl was only new to the Hall and still had to learn all of the rules.

"Oh, I'm sorry. It's just that I went swimming with Laram the other day, so I came today too, and then the dolphins said they'd pull me farther out, which was really exciting, and I didn't realize..." She realized she was just making excuses and stopped. "Uh, what _is_ the rule about swimming?"

"Yes, well.." Kateena smiled reassuringly, "they tend to get carried away at times." she looked out at the pod, then her attention turned to her own partner, "They see apprentices as entertainment," she explained, " - and you should know better!" she called out to Civi.

"As to the rules. You really need to read the 'Information and Hall Rules' book you were given when you started at the Hall. Did you miss the rule about 'always having a partner when in the water'?" she asked, not wanting to be too harsh on the girl, but that was an important rule for all apprentices. Some chose to ignore the rule due to the readily available pod that stayed in the Hall's waters. "It's for your own safety, Chalzie."

She had looked over the book briefly, but had apparently missed that rule. "I'll go read it as soon as I get back to my room," Chalzie promised. She sometimes forgot how different the Hall was from the Weyr. She had a lot to learn, and not just about her new craft. "It won't happen again."

"Well, we'll let it slide today, and I'm here now - though you probably wish I wasn't," she let out a small laugh, "look, it is for your own good, but since I'm here too, how about we swim out with the pod, again, for a little while and you can tell me what you think about the Hall so far? Sound good to you?"

"Sounds great." Chalzie was glad Kateena had found her, and not someone who would have given her a punishment instead of a warning. She swam slowly back out towards deeper water, following the Journeywoman. Several dolphins were always nearby, ready to offer a fin in case she needed to catch her breath. Their presence made the experience fun, and safe as well.

"So, how are you settling in?" Kateena asked, as they were both assisted along in the water. "Have you made some friends, since arriving? Apart from Laram?"

"I've been spending time with Arathisa since we sleep in the same room, and she's great. I've gotten a chance to be with other apprentices too. Everyone so far has been very nice." Her legs were beginning to tire, so she reached out to the nearest dolphin, thanking him for letting her lean on him. "Besides that, I've just been trying to learn everyone's names, and working on my swimming skills... and basically trying to catch up to the other junior apprentices. It's a lot of work."

"You need to do lots of swimming to strengthen yourself." Kateena agreed, noting that Chalzie appeared to be tiring. "I'm pleased you've begun to settle in. There's another young girl, she may be in another part of the apprentice block, but she's about your age, Avia is her name, from memory." Kateena continued talking, whilst giving the dolphins hand signals to take them in to shore. "You may want to look her up, she's only been here a couple of months, too."

"Avia," Chalzie said to herself, thinking. "Yes, I've seen her in classes. It would be nice to talk to someone who hasn't been here too long, to see how it's going for her." The dolphin she had been holding onto began moving slowly towards the beach and Chalzie made sure she was holding on tightly enough, so she wouldn't lose her grip.

"Well make sure you look her up when you get back to the apprentice block, I'm sure you'll get on well with her. You'll have some things in common, at least." The pod neared the shoreline again, and with a few scritches over his pommel, Civi was happy to say goodbye, until after Kateena had broken her morning fast.

"We'd better get back to the Hall, and get ready for breakfast," she cautioned Chalzie, "if we get there too late, there'll be nothing left to eat." She grinned. Though she was sure someone in the kitchens could always rustle something up for the pair.

Chalzie waved to all the dolphins, promising to come back soon, and with a friend. "I'm _starving_," she told Kateena as the two gathered their items from the sand and headed towards the Hall. "I just need to run by my room to change and get materials for class before I can go eat. It was great swimming with you, Journeywoman. And I'll read the rule book as soon as classes are over today." She wouldn't have any free time until then.

"It's okay, as long as you _do_ get around to it." she smiled. "Have a good day, Chalzie!" she watched as the young girl headed of to the apprentice dormitories. She was definitely enthusiastic for the craft, and she would learn quickly if she could keep that enthusiasm fed. Kateena turned and headed towards her quarters her face lit with a wide smile, what a great way to start the day, she mused.

Last updated on the September 23rd 2007

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Read the Rules