Bronzeriders, Oiy!
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Heather, Yvonne
Date Posted: 2nd May 2019
Characters: Saidrene, Alina
Description: Alina and Saidrene catch up with each other before Saidrene goes on night watch
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 10, day 8 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentioned: K'ran, J'ackt
Alina spotted Saidrene right as Saidrene saw her. She raised her hand and waved as she hurried over, the soft sand on the beach making it hard to walk. She held up the bottle of wine as she approached. "I brought you a present! Well, us a present. Surprise!"
Saidrene's eyes lit as she stood to greet her friend. "That's my kind of surprise! I bought us a blanket to sit on, not quite as exciting as wine though."
"Oh good. Last time I came down to the beach I ended up with sand in my pants for what seemed like _days_." Alina rolled her eyes as she sat down next to Saidrene and held out the wine. She pulled a corkscrew from her pocket and handed that over too.
"Yeah, the only reason I would want sand in my pants is if I was down here with a guy," Saidrene winked at Alina as she dug the corkscrew into the soft flesh of the cork and popped it out.
It didn't seem worth it to Alina, but Saidrene would make her own decisions. "I forgot mugs. Sorry."
"It's not like we haven't shared the bottle before," Saidrene smiled, tilting the wine bottle up to her lips before handing it back to Alina.
"One must try to stay classy," Alina replied haughtily before taking a swig herself. The wine was cool and fruity, perfect for enjoying a sunset and watching the stars come out. She set the bottle on the blanket between them and kicked off her sandals. "So, how was your first night shift?"
"Well," Saidrene humphed, tilting her head back to enjoy some sun on her face. "K'ran came by," her lips pursed, "to reiterate that the _only_ reason he gave me night duty was because Rapids Wing had been having difficulty with rule following and he needs to run a tight ship." The greenrider rolled her eyes.
"Of course he came by _just_ for that." Alina took another swig of the wine and made a face. "What a crock."
"I mean, it's not as if I did what I did without expecting _some_ sort of rebuke, but I wish he would just come out and be straight with me rather than this 'you were late to one practice, now here's a sevenday of punishment' ruse." Saidrene gestured for the bottle with her hand and took another sip when it was handed to her.
"Right? A week of nights seems pretty extreme, given that _he's_ not on night shift too." Alina wrinkled her nose as she handed over the bottle. "It's completely unfair. It takes two to-- you know."
Saidrene snorted. "Oh, I know. And let me tell you, he wasn't complaining, at all, while it was happening." The greenrider sighed, knowing she had another night of watchduty to look forward to that evening. "But enough about me. How are you? How is J'ackt?"
Alina shrugged, but couldn't quite keep a small smile hidden. "He's well, but you probably know that. Zith, I think, is anxious to get flying again though."
The other greenrider's eyes narrowed a little, and then she pointed at Alina's face and lifted her eyebrows. "Uh huh, I see that little grin you've got going there."
Alina tried her best to look innocent. "What?"
"I mentioned J'ackt, and you smiled a little." Saidrene teased.
Alina rolled her eyes. "I can't smile now?"
"You're not exactly all sunshine and giggles, you know. So it's a little telling when you get that little smile, especially at the mention of J'ackt. That must mean that something good has happened," Saidrene lifted her eyebrows approvingly.
"I... he's not ferociously mad at me," Alina said after a moment. "I think."
It was Saidrene's turn to roll her eyes. "He's never _really_ made at you, no matter how much he may bark and bluster. He likes you _a_lot_."
Alina couldn't contain the shy smile that pulled at her lips or the warm glow that kindled beneath her breastbone. "Maybe. I... I don't know. Things between us feel..." she hesitated, trying to find a word that captured what it was. Complicated? Unsure-- but also very sure. Scared, but brave. Like she was in a falling drill and hoping that someone was there to catch her, the way Saidrene had said she'd felt in the falling drill with K'ran. In the end she settled on: "Good."
Saidrene smiled, genuinely happy for her friend and for J'ackt, the person she cared most about. "I'm glad, you both deserve it."
Alina smiled and turned her eyes to the horizon. "The thing is... I don't really know where we stand. J'ackt getting attacked changed... everything. I know I.... I know I messed everything up and I have so much to make up for, but..." she ran her fingertips through the sand. "I'm trying. I just don't know how."
"You will figure it out. Every relationship has its own formula." Saidrene assured the other greenrider.
And that was part of the problem. There were no rules to safeguard your heart at the Weyr. At least at a cothold Alina knew roughly what to expect, a pattern drawn by her loving parents and the stable relationships around them. "I hope so," she said with a sigh, then changed the topic. "Hey, can I borrow that new dress of yours? I want to copy the pattern. I promise to give it back within a sevenday."
"Of course," Saidrene said with a sigh. "It's not as if I'll need it any time soon. The only dates I'll have the next few evenings are with Ashareth on the heights."
"Well, let me know if you're bored and if I'm free I'll come keep you company for a bit. I have some sewing to do and doing it with company is much more fun." Alina held out the wine bottle again. "And if you're lucky, I'll even bring you a little something to keep you awake!"
Last updated on the May 3rd 2019