A Late Bloomer

Writers: Heather K, Len
Date Posted: 9th July 2012

Characters: Delria, Catrien
Description: The two senior weyrlings talk about the implications of being Seniors now whilst on elevator duty
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 8, day 14 of Turn 6

Whow, it was cold. Despite the sun being out it felt as though
Catrien's breath would freeze as it came out of her muffler. She
spread her hands on Oranth's frosted sage green neck and tried to get
the feeling back in them. Her green was all that was keeping her from
freezing to death, as it was. The young dragon picked up on her
thoughts and turned her delicate face towards her lifemate, her huge
doe-like eyes blinking in the harsh sunlight.

**Sorry, lovely, I'm just cold**

}:It's only another candlemark until we can get inside.:{ Oranth let
her know. The weyrling was brilliant at always remembering exact
times. The two had been on elevator duty all afternoon after their
classes had let out for the day.

Catrien sighed again and wondered when G'wen or A'lin would come out
with a nice cup of klah when a shadow fell over them. She looked over
just as her best friend, Delria, settled beside her on her own green.

"Hi C-C-Camieth," Cat said. "Can you feel your toes or is it just
me?" she added to Delria.

"You can feel your toes?! Lucky, I knew I should've worn that third
pair of socks," Delria exclaimed. She hated this cold, frosty weather.
The sun was shining but it was just teasing them with it's rays.

}: We're almost done, mine. Look how pretty the cold makes
everything.:{ The green pointed out, ever the optimist. Camieth didn't
mind the cold much at all.

Delria drew little circles in the melting frost on her lifemate's sea
foam hide. **I suppose you're right.**

Catrien held up one hand, with the thumb down. "F-f-four pairs of
socks, actually. I c-c-can't believe the drudges are still cleaning
on a day like today. I'm so c-c-cold!"

Oranth had an idea. }:Get down from me, Camieth's too. Stand between
us and we'll press in on both sides and keep you two warm. Sound
good?:{ she asked the other green. Cat didn't wait to see if the
other pair were up for it, cuddling two dragons sounded brilliant to
her.

Delria unhooked herself and slid down from her seat. With a nod to the
other green, Camieth scooted closer. "Aren't they just brilliant?" She
asked as she folded her arms over her chest.

"They are. I can't believe people actually think greens aren't as
smart as the other colours.". Cat shook her head at the stupidity of
others when it came to the wonders that were green dragons.

She was about to open her mouth to say more when an assistant came up
to them with two steaming mugs of klah. He was a brown rider who had
been injured in the same class as G'wen and S'vin. "Ladies," he said
in a kind voice. "I thought you might want something warm inside
you."

Before Delria could add her opinion about greens, a rider with klah
showed up and she promptly lost her steam of thought. "Does that mean
we'll be seeing each other soon then?" Since the prospect of romance
had been put back on the table, Delria had become much more bold with
the menfolk. She was rewarded with a shy smile from the brownrider
before he left them.

Turning to Catrien she explained herself between sips. "Sorry, hope I
didn't embarrass you. I don't know what's gotten into me lately."

"I don't know what's gotten into you either, he's not even cute."
Catrien sniffed her opinion of the boy before taking a sip of klah.
"Ah, now that hits the spot."

"What are you talking about?" She said as she sipped at her klah. "Of
course he was. Tall, dark hair, green eyes, what's not to like?
Besides Cat, you're going to have to open your eyes soon. The boys
will come a'barkin soon, once we're Seniors."

Catrien shuddered at the thought. Couldn't she just shut her eyes
during it all? Boys, in her opinion, were to be avoided unless they
were gay. "I think Oranth is going to be a late bloomer," she said
with more confidence than she felt.

Delria shot get friend a skeptical look. "You know how greens are.
Full of surprises. I think you mean you're a late bloomer." She poked
the other girl playfully in the side. Then, in a slightly more serious
tone, she added, "Have you given any thought to getting some
experience before Oranth goes up?"

"You mean, do_that_with boys? Ewww!" Cat gave her friend a look that
said she thought boys--and Delria--were nuts.

Delria laughed and then caught herself. "Sorry," she apologized, "it
was just your face. You look terrified. Why? It's only natural."
Delria herself hadn't done _that_ yet but she certainly wasn't fearing
it.

"Yeah but it's supposed to hurt...like_really_hurt. Doesn't that
scare you?" She looked at her friend with huge eyes.
Giving Catrien a sideways glance Delria replied, "Come on, if that
were true why would everyone do it and talk about it? It just doesn't
make sense."

"Because everyone is bonkers, that's why.". Cat nodded her head and
glanced up, frowning. "Think that's my helper asking for a lift off
that weyr." Ah well, even if it wasn't it would get her away from
this conversation.

Delria's own eyes followed the glance. **What a shame, **she thought,
**and we had so much more to discuss. ** Quickly as she could, she
finished her klah and placed the empty cup into a bag attached to
Camieth's riding straps.

"Then we'll just have to pick this conversation up later then," Delria
said innocently enough. These sorts of things interested her greatly
even if Catrien did not share her enthusiasm. Restrapping her helmet,
she looked for her passenger as well. Finding the woman about finished
she added, "See you at dinner then, Cat."

Last updated on the July 24th 2012

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A Late Bloomer