Search {Searchrider Robika}

[Administrator]

((Post an introductory post to be Searched by Robika))

[portablerex]

As the great form of the Searching Queen made its way towards the natural safe harbor looming from the Southern coastline about halfway between Southern Hold and Selenitas Weyr, shouts and calls to order from the men on board could be heard.

Kacemos, a seasoned sailor himself though only eighteen, quickly set to work and shouted out orders to the younger lads in his charge, "Let's go boys, furl the sails, tie 'em fast! Vane shows a Northerly that'll smash us aground if y'dun get to it!" Between his words Kacemos followed his own advice, furiously pulling at ropes and tying down sails already lowered, to get the ship safely into the natural harbor. While running between sails and making sure the other boys were doing their part, Kacemos heard others shouting out, "Water ahead looks clear, 'bout eight fathoms deep" and "Watch starboard!"

All the sails were in and the anchor was being thrown down, so it was up to the men in charge of steering now to gently lead them in. Kacemos took his position on the starboard side of the great ship to give directions to the skipper at the helm, if needed. As the ship slowed under the pull of the anchor and safely made its stop within the harbor, there were appreciative woops and cheers from the men on board.

Kacemos chuckled as some of the younger lads happily jumped off into the waters to swim ashore. The strong young man made his way down into the crew's quarters in the hold, grabbed his rarely worn boots, quickly jammed his large feet inside them, and jumped into one of the small rowboats the men with more control were utilizing. As the majority of the crew was on shore, the First Mate grinned and called out, "Have your fun boys, eat your fill of the South's fruits, for in two days we're out after the yellowtail again!"

Kacemos nodded, ran a hand through his sweaty blond curls, and joined a group of his fellows who were going to try their hand at catching some wherries for the ship's cook. The group moved away from the shore laughing and joking amongst themselves, having a good time, but surely scaring away any hunting prospect.

[Administrator]

Robika looked around wearily. Her vibrant personality had faded a lot since that fateful Flight, and only now was she able to feel up to Searching again, not out of comfort, but out of duty. Shmee was cranky, the clutch was laid, and candidates were needed desperately for the Hatching. Yes- this was duty. To Search as many candidates as she could was the goal, and rest herself after this one. So many people... She blinked slowly, and sighed. Honestly, Robika had no desire to be here. There were so many troubling things... She was on the verge of moving out of Zadari's weyr, so disgusted with how she was too cowardly to be intimate, wary of even the slightest kiss. Worst of all was the fact that all of this was her fault. If she hadn't been near that sharding Flight-weyr... Those moths could have gotten away from C'leon themselves. And look at her! If she couldn't have gotten away from N'call, how was she to have gotten away from C'leon?

Weak, her mind sneered at her. Weakling, weakling, weakling...

Mine, do not think such thoughts,[/color] Kmarath said firmly, tilting her seafoam-green body to gain more sun. It was never your fault, so do not blame yourself. You will feel good again. Perhaps when I Fly again, you will be better.[/color]

The greenrider tensed. Flight? She had vowed never to get caught up in dragon-fueled lust for as long as she lived... The thought of Kmarath's next Flight was still something that caused fear to swell up inside the woman. She was not ready for a Flight.

Wait- now is not the time to discuss this. I feel the presence nearby...[/color] Kmarath said slowly, thoughtfully. Robika blinked, having forgotten for a moment what brought them here. The Search! Cursing at herself and her forgetfulness and her selfishness of so much thinking about herself, she stood in front of Kmarath with an air of officiality, giving no hint to the crowd that her knees were quaking in the discomfort of being forced into normal society so abruptly.

"May I have your attention, please!" she called out, frowning. It was tropical coast around here- the nearest cothold was a long ways off. Realizing that Kmarath had brought her here too deep in thought to know where she was, a faint blush crept into her cheeks. "Excuse me, people?" she called again, hesitantly, at the gaggle of men going off. She was a little far off, doing so in her anxiety toward men, but her voice should be able to carry. "I come on Search!"[/size]

[portablerex]

Kacemos and the rest of the crew watched dragons flying over the sea all the time as they navigated the oceans but rarely, if ever, did the dragons and their riders actually interact with the men. With this in mind, it wasn't shocking that the lads moving off into the jungle to hunt stopped in complete surprise as they heard a woman's voice calling out and saw a green dragon as they whirled around.

"On search? But that's not a queen!" Called out one of the younger boys in Kacemos' charge. Kacemos snorted and teasingly pushed the smaller boy, "Queens don't search, you dolt, it just makes for a good ship name. Everyone knows greens are best at searchin', wherry brain." The other boys laughed and the one who'd wrongly thought Queen dragons went on search stuck his tongue out at Kacemos. No hard feelings, just good natured and light-hearted teasing between them all.

"Stand up straight boys, you may get picked to live in the Weyr!" The bulky young shipmate chuckled at his own words before adding, "And even if you're not, you'll do your duty and keep this an honorable, respectable crew."

As the lad's from the hunting group and the others came back to stand in front of Robika, the First Mate of the Searching Queen called out to the greenrider, "Have yer pick of 'em, Rider!"

[Administrator]

Robika blinked her large brown eyes in surprise. They were so prompt for boys. Most holder brats pushed and shoved, yet here these sailors were, sharp and attentive. It was almost disconcerting to the already anxious greenrider. Taking a timid step back, she eyed them all carefully. One wrong move and she would be running out. She gulped, and looked up at Kmarath, seeking comfort. The seafoam green dragon crooned. You will be all right, my love,[/color] the dragon told her mind-mate tenderly. Robika nodded slowly, hesitantly. Perhaps she should take a break from Searchriding anymore.

"My name is Robika, rider of Kmarath," she stated slowly, her nervous eyes flickering to and from the boys. There were so many! If they surrounded her... Kmarath would protect her, right? She gulped again, her eyes watching each boy's every movement. "Please do not move as Kmarath inspects you. If she deems you worthy, you may become a candidate today." Looking up at Kmarath again, she nodded as the signal for Kmarath to Search. Robika, however, backed up slightly, still nervous, watching the selection with a wavering gaze.

Kmarath protectively stood between Robika and the boys as she strolled along the line. Many of them were possibilities, but from what she could see, none were worthy. But she had felt a presence! Snorting, Kmarath walked past them a second time, and paused in front of one. Was this it? He felt slightly stronger than the rest… Sniffing Kacemos, she grunted.

This is him,[/color] Kmarath told Robika with pride at Searching. So she wasn’t as rusty as she thought! Robika nodded. Coming around Kmarath, but staying close to her, Robika looked him over. He looked around her own age, but definitely bigger. A thread. Kmarath crooned. He has potential. He will not harm you. I will protect you,[/color] the green reassured her rider.

“You, boy, what’s your name?” she asked Kacemos, accepting the reassurance gratefully. Breathing rhythmically, she told herself to remain calm while attempting to be a good rider for show.

[portablerex]

Standing proudly amongst the other lads, Kacemos wasn't even focusing on the greenrider in front of him. It wasn't that she didn't interest him, with her exciting mission and the amazing dragon towering behind her, but that he felt that he had to keep his boys in line. Looking forward, the bulky young man kept darting glances from the corners of his almond shaped eyes to make sure the boys beside him weren't goofing off. Plus, he'd never really thought of a life off the decks of a ship, so why start now?

That changed as Robika spoke again, announcing her name and the request for all the lads to remain still. Afterall, this was a dragonrider, and his duty was currently to make sure she could do hers. Though he wanted to obey and be still, Kacemos couldn't help but watch the green dragon make her way down the line and back, and when she stopped to sniff at him the movement of his light tunic made him chuckle softly.

Kacemos was used to being called boy, and didn't mind hearing it from a dragonrider at all. He stayed in his spot, not putting two and two together to figure out that Robika may take him to the Weyr yet, and answered her in a steady, calm voice, "Greenrider Robika, I am Kacemos of Southern Hold and the Searching Queen." With that he bowed his head in greeting, his blond curly hair falling just over the tops of his closed eyes as he did so, and waited. Off to the side, the First Mate watched the search with a wide grin on his face. He'd seen such proceedings before and could guess which of his boys would leave the ship, shame that it was that one though, he'd been training him up at navigation and the lad caught on quick. Could have been the Third Mate in a few sevendays.