A Little Gossip Goes a Long Way

Writers: Corrin, Heather
Date Posted: 4th November 2024

Characters: N'kyri, Saibra
Description: N'kyri visits Saibra on the hatching sands to warm up and swap some weyr gossip.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 3, day 5 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: I'serin, Ashela, H'run

N'kyri

Saibra

N’kyri was miserable! There was an unexpected cold snap on the 5th and
the air had such a bitter chill to it that he was half expecting to
see snow. Days like these made him long for his old island home and he
had half a mind to hop on Oriath and go for a visit-- but there was a
much closer source of warmth available right now.

Armed with only a sack of wine and a crooked grin, bluerider N’kyri
stepped into the welcome heat of the hatching cavern. “Hello, Chio, my
beauty!”

Chioneth answered the greeting with a low, simmering growl that echoed
in the empty cavern. She knew and recognized Oriath's rider, but the
broody gold was beyond socializing while she guarded her eggs.

"How did I know it was you just based on her growl alone?" Saibra
called across the sands, appearing from the temporary goldrider weyr
attached to the Hatching Cavern.

"Because she never gives me the full-throated variety," grinned
N'kyri. "She knows you'd be sad if she ate me." Giving the queen and
her eggs a wide berth, he made his way over to Saibra, who he greeted
with an affectionate peck on the cheek. "Hello, you. I came to check
that you aren't going stir-crazy yet-- and to share some of the spiced
wine the kitchens made." Spiced wine was the one thing he looked
forward to in the cooler seasons.

"Have I ever told you you're my favorite brother?" Saibra said,
leading the way into the modestly furnished living area. She was in a
pair of her comfy lounge pants, trusty slippers, and a fleecy robe.
Her long hair was piled on top of her head in a messy bun. Besides
R'enh, no other man but N'kyri ever saw her this way.

"Usually that comes out after we start drinking," he teased. "But it's
nice to hear before too."

Following her into the weyr, N'kyri set about making himself at home.
He insisted Saibra sit, ("I remember where everything is, Sai.") and
poured them each a mug of the fragrant wine. It had cooled some since
he'd gotten it from the kitchens, so it was a good temperature now to
enjoy in the warmer Hatching Cavern.

"Ahh, that's the stuff," sighed N'kyri after a long sip. He settled
down to sit beside his sister, glancing her over with a discerning
eye. It was a rare sight to see her so casual, without the usual
trappings and armor of her rank. He liked his version of her. He could
tell this Saibra anything, and he hoped she felt the same. "Well. How
_are_ you? A new gold egg, a new weyrleader-- and you stuck out here
while he settles in out there! ...He's doing alright by the way.
Hasn't burnt us down yet."

"I'serin is a careful fellow. He just needs to work on his
self-confidence and assertiveness. I don't think being assertive is in
his nature, but it's something a Weyrleader has to develop. Otherwise,
other bronzeriders will close in for the kill." Saibra curled her feet
up under herself. "I can't lie, I'm already getting a little stir
crazy. Chioneth has never been _this_ focused on a clutch. She's
having herdbeasts brought to her to eat. I had to _force_ her to at
least go /between/ long enough to relieve herself, during which, she
had Aluneth guarding the clutch."

"Yeah, I was going to say... I've never seen her this prickly. All
because of the gold egg? She's really picked up that it's a big deal,
huh?"

"Picked up? Trust me, she thought it was a big deal all on her own.
She didn't need outside influences or opinions to be extra possessive
and excited about producing a new queen." Saibra flapped her hand, but
then a secretive little smile crossed her face. "But I can't lie, I'm
just _so_ SO_ happy it was Chioneth who clutched the gold egg and not
Aglayath or a junior gold."

"Can’t blame you there. If anyone’s earned this moment, it’s you and
Chioneth. Let the other goldriders gnash their teeth. I'm glad it's
you two." N'kyri raised his mug in a little toast to the pair.
Nevermind they had been toasted aplenty the day they announced the
clutch. This was more personal though, between siblings. He was happy
for her. "...How are the others actually? Are they looking forward to
having a new little goldrider to share the load or is this something
to dread? There's new blueriders all the time, so we're very used to
it. But you lot are kind of a select club."

Saibra lifted her shoulders. "Well, Ashela left, so I think that tells
you how she felt about Chioneth clutching a queen. She wants to be a
Senior Weyrwoman, and that won't happen for a long time here. I don't
blame her for leaving."

"Damn right, it won't happen for a long time here!" N'kyri said
firmly, like that would make it more true. "As for Ashela, well, good
luck to her I guess. She never had much time for me. I don't think she
thinks much of chromatic men. Her loss. We're far more fun." He
winked.

"She certainly liked H'run well enough, but only for the gossip." Saibra winked.

"And I save all my gossip for you! No wonder she never took to me,"
N'kyri sighed dramatically. "Speaking of, you'll never guess what
happened just the other day..."

Last updated on the November 9th 2024

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A Little Gossip Goes a Long Way