Not invited (part 2/2)

Writers: Paula, Emma
Date Posted: 11th November 2005

Characters: C'dinin, An'dr, Kustaava, Vallista, Avalliona, Kunnaste
Description: An'dr and C'dinin Search Kustaava
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 9, day 2 of Turn 3

An'dr gave the girl a brief smile. If it was her that Terebinth had found, then with a father like that, she'd be better off at the Weyr.

"Might I ask if these are all your children?" C'dinin asked courteously.
"Terebinth thinks that one or more might make riders."

"You're not getting any of my children" Kunnaste replied with defiance.
"Well, maybe her. She's useless anyway and eats too much" he glared at Ava.

Kustaava bit her tongue to keep her retorting something and getting herself even deeper trouble. She worked hard, in the kitchen and minded her younger siblings. She was in truth, far from useless.

Terebinth's large wedge shaped head moved slowly as he looked over the small crowd. }:That one,:{ he told his rider. }:She would ride well.:{ "Sir,." began C'dinin. "Terebinth believes your daughter may make a good rider. Both of you have the right to choose whether or not to accept the search."

"I'll accept!" Ava answered quickly.

"If you go with them, there's no coming back. You won't be my daughter any longer" Kunnaste threatened, but it had no effect on Ava, she wanted to get away.

"Fine," she said. "If you can wait a moment, sir, I'll pack some things quickly" she said to C'dinin.

"Take as long as you need lass, we can wait."

Ava nodded and rushed inside, to the girl's bedroom. Vallista was there, with the little ones.
"Val, they on Search! This is our change. Just go out side and let the rider's meet you and maybe they'll Search you. I'm going to Weyr with them!"

Vallista just shook her head. "Please, Val, you could get away from here," Kustaava pleaded.

"NO!" her sister replied and shook her head vehemently.

Ava gave her a pitying look and started to pack. She couldn't find a bag, so she took her blanket and started to collect her things. First one to be packed was her well-worn stuffed toy animal. She also changed her clothes, and put on her best dress, which was made for someone shorter and stockier than she was. Her mother slipped in.

"Ava, "she called.

"Mother, don't try to stop me, I want to go" Kustaava asked.

"Of course you go, I just came to wish you luck and say farewell" Avalliona said. She lived only for her children and if their happiness required her to let them go, she let them and gave them a little push. She opened her arms and Kustaava rushed into her arms. She hugged her daughter tightly. "You've always been too spirited for hold life" she murmured. "You have a heart made of gold, don't destroy it."

"Yes, mom" Ava sniffed and pulled herself off the hug. "I have to finish packing."

"Of course" Avalliona said with sad voice.
Ava turned to take her last spare clothes and didn't notice her mother slip something in to her things. Then Avalliona went to her younger children. She picked up the youngest one from Vallista. "Want to come to see dragons?" she asked.

Kustaava finished and used her belt to tie the blanket into a bundle. "Well, goodbye then, I'm going to miss you all," her voice was strained with tears. Leaving home wasn't easy.

"Where's Ava going?" her little brother asked. "To the weyr, to be a rider," his mother answered. "When she come back?" "Not for a long time." "But I want Ava, Val's not funny!"

Kustaava was trying hard not to cry when she rushed outside.
"I'm ready now" she told the riders.

"Let me take that," said An'dr, gesturing to the bundle. "I'll fasten it securely to Pluserth's straps." He smiled at her, aware that a sudden thing had changed her life, as much as it had his.

"Thank you" Kustaava smiled shyly. Then she looked up at the dragons. "Umh, how do you get up?"

C'dinin smiled, if only she knew how many times he had been asked that question. "Well, once you decide who you want to ride with, their dragon will get down a bit and we'll show you how. It's easier to do that that try and explain."

Ava decided to ride with the older one. She felt slightly safer with him. The other one was about same age with her and probably not very experienced.
So, she gave An'dr a smile and approached C'dinin. "I'll ride with you, if that's okay?"

"That's fine lass." C'dinin motioned Terebinth closer, and the blue dragon moved gently into a position where it was easy for the girl to climb aboard with little assistance. "I'm just going to fasten the straps around us, and then we'll go."

"Yes, sir" Kustaava replied. Her eyes were shining. She was going to fly.

Last updated on the November 12th 2005

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Not invited (part 2/2)