Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (2)

Writers: Cali, Emma
Date Posted: 7th September 2008

Characters: I'lan, Sorsha, Ri'len, Balisor, Balthan, Karai, Serend
Description: I'lan joins Sorsha, her family, and the Willet Grove family for an uncomfortable evening.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 11, day 8 of Turn 4

Sorsha was helping set up one of the large outdoor tables that had been brought down to the beach in preparation for tonight's bonfire and pit meal. There had been a good haul with the morning's run and they'd had several large fish roasting in the pit all afternoon. She looked up and saw Railen watching her from where he sat next to their fathers. She gave him a quick wave and smile before stepping through the sand to the next pile of plates.

She had just finished setting them out when she saw a shadow cover the beach. Looking up, she saw a large bronze dragon circling down towards the clearing I'lan always used when he landed Naath. Sorsha looked over at her father, to make sure he'd seen the dragon as well, and shot him a huge grin as she ran off to meet her hero.

"Messenger duty," exclaimed the bronzerider as he unfastened his straps. "I've got something here for your Uncle."

Her face fell and she skidded to a halt next to the large bronze. "You didn't come to visit?" she felt embarrassed as soon as the words were out of her mouth. Of course he had better things to do and more interesting people to spend his time with than a simple hold girl.

"Well there was that too, I swapped with H'lof to come out here." I'lan smiled at Sorsha as he dismounted. "I thought your father might appreciate there being a valid reason for me coming out here."

She was back to beaming in an instant. "We're all down at the beach. Can you stay for dinner?"

"I can make some time, it'd be nice to have a home cooked meal for once. Not that the food at the Weyr is bad, you'll know that."

"Fresh yellowtail, right off my brother's boat, and roasting on the pit all afternoon." She explained, unable to quit smiling. "And we have other guests too!"

"Well, so long as your family don't mind one more... And they don't need to worry about Naath here," I'lan turned to pat the bronze's hide lovingly. "He ate yesterday."

They started to walk towards the beach so Sorsha gave Naath a wave before she continued. "No, we've plenty to share, it's a celebration dinner. Serend and his family are here from Willet Grove, and my father is trying to secure a fostering contract for me!"

"Do you want to go? To be fostered I mean?" asked the bronzerider. For some reason he could see her at the Weyr, not being the perfect lady in a hold.

"Oh of course, it'll be a great learning opportunity for me." she explained. She was about to continue but then realized something, "You'll still be able to visit me won't you?" She felt a pit start to form in her stomach as she thought of never seeing I'lan again.

"Will the holder there allow it?" He'd grown up in a hold and was more than aware of how some holders felt about dragonriders and the Weyr, immoral was the mildest word that they used.

She was momentarily confused and then she scowled. "But you're not like that! You're a brave warrior, a hero! Don't worry, they'll love you by the end of the night, I'm sure of it."

"Well if you'll help me make the right impression," he smiled at her.

"Like you'll need any help." Sorsha grinned as she playfully bumped his shoulder.

"I haven't met these people yet." The fact that she wanted him to visit might not go down so well with the people who might want to foster her, if they had sons they may be thinking of a future match and not want any complications to that, even if they were just friends for the moment.

She wondered if he was nervous, it was near impossible to think that I'lan could be anything less than fully confident about everything. "Well you can't back out now, they've all seen Naath land. Besides, I promised my father he could get to know you the next time you visited."

"And I couldn't let you break a promise," with those words he relaxed a little. Maybe if her father approved then there wouldn't be anything to worry about.

Last updated on the September 10th 2008

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (2)