What are friends for? (2 of 2)

Writers: Clancey, Suzee
Date Posted: 5th July 2014

Characters: Dysali, Pierka
Description: Dysali comes to visit Pierka and the baby in the spur of the moment and starts figuring out what having a friend means.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 7, day 17 of Turn 7
Notes: 2 of 2.

Pierka

Pierka smiled at her friend and leaned in to pick up Kazom. He made a
little grunting noise and tried to roll into a ball but otherwise
didn't wake up. "Over there," she said and led Dysali to the rocker.
"Sit and I'll put him in your arms." Once she was seated Pierka did
just that. "Just support his head." She stepped back and sat on the
footstool with a smile. Holding a baby was a soothing thing and she
knew it.

Dysali was mystified by the baby in her arms. Her eyes grew as round
and wide as dinner plates and she sat rock still, almost as if she
were afraid to move.

She put one hand behind the little one's head and settled him against
her warm body in the crook of her arm.

In awe, she spoke almost in a whisper, "I... I... I've never held a
baby. Is this right?" For all she was 18 turns, she had been
relatively sheltered. She had helped in the kitchens, not the
creche, at the Hall. When not working, she had been swimming. And
she had never developed that strong maternal need for babies that many
young girls did. All she had known was baking, swimming, and then
riding Lillyth.

The hint of distress around her eyes and in her mind faded swiftly
once she held Kazom.

She didn't feel the strong pull, even now, to have children of her
own, but she could certainly begin to see why someone would want one.

}:He is so little, the hatchling. Does he like cut up herdbeast too?
Like the other hatchlings? :{ Lillyth was "watching", though she had
probably forgotten why she had sent her rider here in the first place.
She did remember that something had been wrong and now it wasn't,
so she was curious. **No love, he has no teeth.**

Concern flashed through her green's mind. }:How does he eat with no teeth?:{

Dysali chuckled aloud, trying to do it quietly.

"Lillyth wonders what he eats. Of all the things to ask!" The
greenrider shook her head, always amused by the questions Lillyth
asked.

Pierka laughed. "I went through that with Liddith too," she walked out
toward the ledge and when she got there she cupped her breasts and
spoke directly to the green. "I make his food inside my body and feed
him with these. That is why female riders have them and males don't.
When he's older I'll feed him soft foods until he has teeth but for
now he just drinks from me."

Lillyth's eyes whirled in extreme curiosity as Pierka came outside to
speak to her directly. She stretched her snout forward a little,
sniffing.

}:that is strange. I do not understand. Curious. He is very small,
though, and must break easily. You should be careful.:{

"She is still confused, but she finds it all very curious. " Dysali's
voice was soft, trying not to wake the baby. She had watched Pierka
cup her breasts with a little of her own eye. She had adapted so
well to Weyr life, had her friend. Even with no memory of before
she'd come.

"She is telling me not to break him." Another chuckle escaped her.
She continued to speak and found herself rocking him gently in the
chair as she became more comfortable holding him. She also felt the
last of her distress break off her heart. The hold where D'ren had
been was still wide and glaring, but she even felt the edges of that
sadness softening as she hummed softly to Kazom.

Lillyth, though, appeared not to be finished with her questions.
}:can my rider make this food too?:{ Lillyth spoke directly to
Pierka, her voice light and airy, a much higher, and less serious
version of Dysail's.

Pierka chuckled. It was amazing to her how just holding a baby could
help the pain of other things recede if only for a moment. Her
friendship with Dysali was still new so she didn't have a clue why she
was here today but whatever it was their visit seemed to be helping
somehow. "I'd prefer you don't break him," she chuckled. Then she
blinked when the voice of the other green sounded in her head and then
smiled. "She
can," she said out loud in answer. "But I think she needs her own egg first."

Dysali blnked in surprise. Lillyth had spoken to D'ren sometimes, but
not to too many other people. There just weren't that many people in
her life for her dragon to speak to, besides Dysali.

She was mystified a little bit. "Oh! My! She spoke right to you?
That's odd..." Dysali kept her voice soft, but her cheeks blushed.

}:She has made you feel better. That is good. I like her. You need
more like her to talk to, more than me. There used to be more.
Naath's.. and others. We should visit more. :{

"I think she is reminding me that I should have more friends. But
she says that you have made me feel better, and she is grateful. "
Dysali leaned down, and unable to stop the action, she kissed Kazom's
little forehead.

"When I came to visit, I was sad. I had heard of a young weyrling
dying at Dragonsfall, and it reminded me of I'ster. He was in my
class... we lost him to Thread. I was sad, for a moment. Sometimes
its hard to remember, because I know that I'ster's death was the
beginning of the end for D'ren and me.... two turns together... and it
would end shortly after we lost I'ster..."

She smiled over Kazom's head, looking at Pierka. She had perhaps
overshared, but with a new friend, she wanted to share. She had turns
of alone time to make up for, though she would strive to be a friend
too, instead of just seeking an ear to listen to _her_!

"Thank you. I am so glad we are becoming friends, Pierka. It means
alot to me."

"Me too," she said softly. "I've needed a friend Dysali. There are a
lot of gaping holes in my life too," She took a deep breath and
reached down to stroke her baby's hair. "He makes me feel better too.
I've been alone far too long," she smiled at the other greenrider.
"You come over anytime you want, alright?"

Last updated on the July 14th 2014

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What are friends for? (2 of 2)