Stargazing

Writers: Cali, AL
Date Posted: 5th November 2008

Characters: Sorsha, Ri'len
Description: Sorsha and Railen sneak out to watch shooting stars.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 12, day 15 of Turn 4

A warm, gentle hand slid over her mouth, drowning out any sound she might make as Railen gently prodded at Sorsha. "Hey." He whispered, his voice close to her ear. "Wake up."

She gave a small squeak before realizing it was Railen and then just looked at him questioningly. She noticed Lenlee and Raise were still fast asleep and the window cast just a faint blue that promised a eventual dawn.

"Get dressed." He urged softly, a smile assuring her that there was nothing wrong. "I'll wait outside."

Sorsha tried to be a quiet as possible, and was out into the hall without the two girls even budging. "What's going on?"

"Come on, hurry!" Railen clasped her hand, pausing only the barest of moments when he realized that in her hurry to meet him she hadn't put on her boots. He began to hurry her along, winding through the hallways and out into the night, heading straight for the stables.

She was careful of her steps, but she was used to walking barefoot on the rocks at Green Bend, still, if he was wanting to go riding she'd have to go back to her room. "What are we doing?"

"You'll see." Railen grinned, then paused a little ways away from the stables and pointed toward the sky. A streak of light flashed across it, there one moment and gone in an instant. A moment later, it was joined by another, then another. "Come on." Railen whispered though it was doubtful anyone could hear them way out there, "We'll get a better view from the stable loft."

Sorsha followed him up the ladder and snuggled next to him as they stared up at the sky. "There!" she pointed out in wonder as another streak flew by.

Another one accompanied that and then another. The time between shooting stars was beginning to lesson and soon there were several going at a time.

"Oh I wish I was a starsmith." Sorsha exclaimed as she watched a particularly bright one off to the right.

"I'm sorry we don't have a way to get a closer look." He had heard of such things, but their hold didn't have anything like that. "But it's beautiful, and wonderful to watch with someone who I know appreciates it."

She readjusted herself next to him and took his hand. "They have farseers at the Weyr. I looked through one once and saw Timor as big as a hold. It was amazing."

"Really?" The stars had been coming a couple at a time for a few minutes and were starting to slow down. Railen turned to his side and propped his head upon his hand to gaze upon Sorsha. "What did it look like?"

"The same, and different." she tried to explain, but it had been a turn ago. "It looked like there were little rivers on it, and those dark spots I think are really mountains." "Fascinating. I went to the Weyr once, but I never thought to look through the farseer."

Sorsha sat up, "Really? You never told me you've been to the Weyr before. When?"

"Two turns ago. It was just for a sevenday or so." Railen shrugged, his hand creeping over to trace up and down her arm. "I had a friend who had gotten searched and went to visit."

"Did you stay for the hatching? Did they impress?" She wondered if she'd met them. She might have even been in the same classes together.

"Yes, and no." Railen chuckled. "He tried two more times and didn't and decided it wasn't for him, so went back to his craft permanently." The young man inched closer to her. "And...I'm glad you came back from the Weyr, Sorsha. If you hadn't, I wouldn't have ever met you and found out how wonderful you are."

"I'm glad too." she tucked her bootless feet under his legs to keep them warm, and as an excuse to touch more of him. You know, some people think fighting thread is glamorous, but I think it'd be very scary. That's probably why I didn't get picked, I'm not really the dragonrider type."

"If you were picked, you would be a wonderful dragonrider." Railen's hand traced its way up her arm, over her shoulder, then up to caress her cheek. "But I'm glad you're mine instead."

Last updated on the November 8th 2008

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Stargazing