Search {Searchrider E'ri}

[Administrator]

((Post an introductory post to be Searched by E'ri))

[ariean]

It hadn't taken long for high afternoon to sweep over the southern region like a hot blanket, and Kyliee studied the sky careful. She clicked her tongue cautiously as the large black runner all but danced beneath her, willing him to be still for a moment. This area was fairly unfamiliar to her, and she wanted to make sure that if she were to ride through and needed to depart quickly this evening, the weather would not impede her exit. Unable to spy anything incriminating waiting for them in the clouds, she touched her heels to the spirited creature beneath her. It was a slow walk, and Kyliee looked around her warily as they moved through the thick forest between holds.

This ride had been fairly uneventful, and she was thankful for spring's warming weather, as this last winter had stuck her fairly well in one area. It had been a deplorable situation, and she'd run the risk of getting caught several times. Bored male weyrbrats made the worst company, often times wanting to prove their virility to their friends by taking advantage of what they often referred to as a 'worthless Holdless' girl. She'd nearly gutted the last one, managing to slip into a cave with Seypher, one the disgusting men feared. The problem with snow came with her usual dark appearance, and the young woman looked down at her simple black attire. She enjoyed the warmer months, the dark clothing keeping her warm in the evening and blended in with shadows in the daylight.

Kyliee yanked herself out of her reverie, sighing carefully as she and Seypher slid through into more open terrian. Green eyes traced the landscape with careful trepidation. The sound of activity around worried her, but she knew that there was a Hold closeby. The trails here spoke volumes, worn with runner hooves and the feet of travelers. Remaining in silence, she waited to see if anyone would emerge from the woods, wanting to figure out if she'd ventured too close... A few minutes passed and she assumed safety, allowing Seypher forward into the clearing. Another few moments of looking around, and the young woman dismounted, grabbing a leather satchel as she stepped free of the runner.

"Now, Seypher, where could we be?" Kyliee spoke faintly to herself and the dark beast, pulling a map free from the bag. She pulled her cloak under her, sitting in the midst of the long waving grasses that the black runner munched merrily. She looked up warily at a loud brassy call, coming from the sound of rushing water she'd heard before. A dragon's call, and she flicked her eyes back to the map. It had come from the south and west, where the waters of Pern rushed to meet the ocean... If the dragon had called from the weyr marked on her map, then the hold she rested near would have been Lighttower. Hissing a slow breath, she rolled the maps carefully, tucking them safely away and pulling out a small bag within. She unrolled it carefully, revealing several meatrolls, and pulled free a skin of water.

Kyliee munched quietly, contemplating her position. She'd never been quite this far south, the weyr here reputed to be unlike any other. Tucked near the falls of the ocean, built on trees... She shook her head, amused. She'd often loved watching the great beasts fly above her, perfect grace in such magnificent size. If there was ever a creature she imagined could catch her off guard or beat her in a test of speed... Dragons were it.

[Administrator]

((I don't think she'd be able to hear a dragon bugling all the way from Selenitas if she's at Lighttower... and it doesn't really fit Bazeth to be trumpeting around. So.... I'm improvising a bit. ^^)

A flurry of dragon wings were soaring only just above the trees. E'ri was taking a couple young weyrlings on short flights at a low altitude. Keeping busy was one good way to get his mind off of Mal. He had left Malerik and Rika in the care of another weyrling, giving her a half mark to get some free time to get these kids up in the air. If he was busy, he reasoned, Mal's memory would be tucked away in the back of his mind and he wouldn't be forced to dwell on it. "L'ar, don't bury your leg in Snowquith's sides," he informed the boy, who fumbled around to correct himself. E'ri sighed. "That's the third time I caught you doing that. Don't do it again," he scolded. L'ar flushed from where he sat on the green. Snowquith growled. She didn't like the way this man was talking to Hers! However, as she was distracted in her looking at Bazeth, she accidentally rammed into poor Karath, who was working so hard to fly straight. This startled the blue, he bugled in alarm as he temporarily lost balance. Immediately, Bazeth flew down beneath the little blue, prepared to catch him. Fortunately, Karath managed to right himself, and he hissed at his sister.

I am getting to old for this job,[/color] Bazeth grumbled as he came back up. Now, little ones, remember not to waste time arguing in air. As you see, if can be dangerous...[/color] Mid-thought, however, Bazeth paused. He felt... something. A presence. All right, we will take a break here. Stretch your legs a bit, and then we will go back to the Weyr,[/color] he told them. E'ri frowned.

What are you doing? he inquired.

There is someone here, Mine. A candidate. We shouldn't lose them,[/color] he said firmly. E'ri's lips tightened. He hadn't Searched for such a long time. Not since before Mal... passed away. But Bazeth was right. He couldn't waste a candidate, a potential dragonrider, just because he was in mourning. He ran a hand through his black locks, and nodded at M'ly and L'ar to confirm Bazeth's words. With that, he led the gradual descent, letting the riders and dragons slowly go through the motions for their own comfort.

Landing in a clearing, the boys were able to get up and stretch as Bazeth looked about. E'ri narrowed his blue eyes, slowly coming forward onto a nearby runner trail. "Is anybody here?" he called softly. M'ly and L'ar took no notice of him, instead flopping down onto the ground, massaging their sore muscles. "Are you sure, Bazeth?" he asked quietly. The blue grunted in confirmation.

Positive. It is a female,[/color] the blue supplied. E'ri clenched his teeth. He never wanted to see another female for a good long time. But he supposed it was necessary.

"We come on Search!" he called, taking another step forward, looking around warily. Maybe Bazeth was wrong. It would save him a lot of trouble.[/size]

[ariean]

Kyliee sighed, tucked deep in her thoughts as the high grass hid her. The sound of dragons over head didn't faze her, after figuring that there was a weyr nearby. She finished her lunch smoothly, taking a long drink of water before moving to stand, and freezing. The sound of wings was suddenly much closer, and she grabbed Seypher's reigns, pulling him to lay in the grass. She watched and waited, rewarded with the sudden appearance of not just one but three dragons. She cursed softly, crouching even furthur lower in the grass, stroking he black runner to keep him still. She hadn't thought on dragons using the clearing but still... She waited in perfect stillness and silence.

Kyliee watched though, never able to look away from the elegant dragons that she rarely got this close to. They were lovely. She stared, but a sudden rather unhappy snort from her runner made her flinch. Seypher wasn't too favorable on the large creatures that looked on him as a snack, and she hummed a bit, trying to calm him. The runner quieted, for just a brief moment, and Kyliee flicked her eyes back to the strangers, shocked at how the blue rider seemed to look directly at her position. His call towards them made Kyliee tense, concerned as he looked back to the large blue, who rumbled. She knew dragons were highly sensative to all around them, and closed her eyes, debating. She didn't think he'd hurt her, but she didn't want to get chased off, and certainly not by a dragon... But perhaps she'd be worse off if she was caught hiding.

Kyliee bit her lip, and ran a careul hand down herself to straighten out a bit, tapping Seypher's hindquarters and standing smoothly as her runner rose beside her. The blue rider's shout echoed around them, and Kyliee cleared her throat, matching the bluerider's eyes with her own bright green ones. Search? What on Pern? She didn't let the words change her expression, which was calm, almost emotionless. It wasn't until she caught the rider's attention that she spoke, her voice soft but serious. She lowered her head in respect, her hand still clenched around Seypher's reins.

"Greetings, bluerider. I am Kyliee. I hope my presence did not disturb you and yours."

[Administrator]

E'ri raised a dark eyebrow as he saw a girl stand from what appeared to be a hiding place. Was she scared of dragons or something? Quickly glancing at her knots, he frowned as he realized that she didn't have any. So, either holdless or some kind of unofficial craft. However, since she was out in the woods by herself, he assumed the former. Fortunately for her, however, E'ri was open-minded about the holdless. He knew the North had a twisted system of deciding who was holdless or not. Yet he would still be wary. If she was from the South and had a good reason for being holdless, he needed to be careful. But he was optimistic. If she was the candidate, then she would probably be capable of being trusted. Bazeth was a good Searchdragon. He never Searched anyone unless they were good. Bazeth snorted. Of course she is good! She has a lot of promise,[/color] he told his rider stoutly. E'ri resisted the urge to chuckle. Bazeth sounded so sure of himself.

"No, you did not disturb us," E'ri told her firmly. "I'm E'ri, rider of blue Bazeth. We just happened to be passing by when Bazeth told me that there was a person nearby who could be good dragonrider material." He paused. If she was holdless, it might make it hard for her to get used to everyday life at a civilized Weyr... "Would you like to come to the Weyr?" he finally asked, gazing at her intently. "You would be a candidate, and have to do chores and go to lessons, but you might be able to Impress a dragon at our next clutch," he added, making sure she knew she'd have responsibilities in addition to a potential prize at the end. It was odd. He'd never have to Search anyone unofficially before. It had always been organized, making children line up outside their hold as Bazeth went through the lineup, sniffing out the good ones. This girl-- Kyliee, she said her name was-- was just picked up out of the blue.

He cocked his head, listening to hear M'ly and L'ar's idle chatter. Pleased that they were amusing themselves, he let his full attention focus back on Kyliee. "We can bring your runner with us," he added, jutting his head at Seypher. "We have stables at Selenitas, even if our trails are a bit muddy. "If you intend to come, I can call for a couple more dragons to help transport him." The only reason he offered this to her, however, was because she had nowhere else to leave him. With most holder candidates, they could leave their runners at home. "Of course, you'll have to find some extra work to pay for his rent and feed," he added. "But most people need helping hands around Selenitas. I can easily direct you to people, if you need." He folded his arms, hearing the flutter of small wings nearby. Turning his head, he saw Nocturne, his blue flitter, appear. He smiled faintly as he landed on his shoulder.

"So, are you coming?" he asked as Nocturne leaned in for a closer look at the girl.[/size]

[ariean]

Kyliee watched silently, the blue-rider scanning her for a long moment. She didn't mind, just taking a moment to tuck the leather bound arm under the cloak that fell around her. There wasn't any point to cause problems with her odd marking, and she waited. She could imagine the internal commentary in his mind, her real nature fairly discernable to those with common sense, which she imagined dragonriders had in spades. He had to make sure she wasn't dangerous before approaching her, checking if she had weapons, her lack of markings or knots... Nevertheless, she arched an eyebrow as he spoke again.

Interesting that he was looking for dragonrider material... Kyliee was about to wish him luck in his search and follow with a smooth apology for interrupting him, until he spoke again. Her jaw clicked shut with shock, and the green eyes widened. Her? He was asking for her to come with them? Her heart thudded, blood pounding in her ears as she stared at him blankly. She processed the information the bluerider calmly explained with one part of her mind, storing it with well defined certainty, while the other half of her mind screamed at her. There's no way! They'll see your arm and kick you out... Do you really want to risk a dragon's and a weyr's rejection? Shaking her head faintly, the dark haired young woman patted Seypher's neck gently as the bluerider mentioned the nervous runner.

Go on, say something! Kyliee shook her tongue loose, staring at the young man and opening her mouth to speak until suddenly a rather small creature fluttered from nowhere, landing smoothly on the bluerider's shoulder. The young woman watched the bluerider smile at the firelizards, and Kyliee knitted her brow, something melting the thin shell of ice in her chest for a long moment. The little flitter was lovely, and obviously as much a friend to the bluerider as his own dragon. It was something she'd longed for, privately of course, but the opportunity to be more than just a shadow was just too big of a draw...

The searchrider's eyes, and final question pierced her and she nodded, her usual cool smooth voice slow and hesitant. "As long as Seypher can go... Then yes." She lowered her head again, her eyes wide and unflinching. "I thank you, bluerider. And you, Bazeth." She lowered her head again toward the dragon, fully aware of the creatures' intellegence.

[Administrator]

E'ri regarded her carefully. The leather she had around her arm didn't intrigue him in the slightest-- that is, until she moved to hide it. He frowned. "What's on your arm?" he asked. It must have been something if she was going out of her way to make sure it was tucked under her cloak. Was she hiding stolen jewels on her arm? That was really all he could think of that would make her want to hide it. Yet even that seemed unlikely. His blue eyes unrelenting, he folded his arms, making it clear that he intended to get an honest answer out of her. He didn't want the Weyr to get in trouble if they were actually harboring a fugitive in the candidate barracks. Bazeth grunted. Mine, she is candidate material. Of course she is good,[/color] the blue told his rider confidently. Well, even if she is a rider material, I don't want to risk it. Yes, stubborn till the very last. At least with Bazeth. Bazeth rumbled irritably, gazing at Kyliee calmly and intently.

E'ri nodded. "Bazeth, could you ask Anemith and Grivoth if Lura and W'mir are free?" Bazeth soundlessly complied putting in a message through the two dragons back at the Weyr. W'mir could get the weyrlings back while he and Lura transported the runner and the girl back... His expression never changed as he thought through all of this. Yes, they come,[/color] he replied. Anemith's is bringing their hatchling.[/color] E'ri sighed. He wished his own children were old enough to come between, else he would have brought them. But no, he was leaving them under the care of Cezine for a little while. He sighed. "They're both greenriders," he told Kyliee shortly. "They'll help me with the runner... Seypher, you said?" he added absently. Nocturne chittered excitedly.

A few moments later, two greens emerged from the sky, circling to land. He nodded in approval, then turned back to Kyliee. "Have you ever ridden on a dragon before?" he asked curiously. Most people hadn't, particularly holdless, but he didn't want to go through the whole speech about between for nothing. He shrugged at the thanks. It truly wasn't anything. More a favor for the Weyr than for the person Searched. They needed strong riders, and it was getting harder to Search. After hearing about the tragedy of the senior weyrlings and the deformed dragons, fewer and fewer people wanted to have anything to do with the Weyr. So getting more candidates was a good thing.

"E'ri, are we really bringing a runner back to the Weyr?" a voice called from above. Lura, sitting on green Anemith, frowned as she looked down at him. Her black hair was tied back away from her face, her cold eyes looking down at the pair. A babe sat on her lap, giggling happily at being on a dragon.

"Yes," he replied back up to her. Anemith landed smoothly, with Grivoth right behind her. "I'm thinking you could take the runner, I'll take Kyliee, and W'mir can lead the weyrlings back." The male greenrider nodded, stepping back into the clearing to gather them up. Lura gave E'ri a skeptical look, then turned to look at Kyliee. "Kyliee, this is Lura, rider of green Anemith," he told her. Lura nodded to her curtly. The babe, whom she had shifted to her hip, wriggled impatiently, wanting to be off to run around. A blue flitter twirled around the little girl, pleased to be somewhere new.

"Ma, no!" Liralla-- the babe-- protested. Lura chuckled. "So, can I start strapping your runner in?" she asked the girl. Anemith shifted, showing the straps that would hold the runner in place. This would be an interesting work. She didn't transfer runners often, and Anemith was quite sure he wouldn't like going between all that much...[/size]

[ariean]

Kyliee sighed internally, unflinching green eyes on the bluerider. She imagined she didn't have much of a choice but to show the arm, and emerged it from the cloak smoothly, the leather binding that ended at her wrist fairly blatant against the pale skin. "Feel it if you wish, but I carry nothing. I'd rather keep it on, unless you wish to view it further."

She watched him speak with his dragon, requesting the summoning of more riders. Kyliee took the time to take in the image of the lovely blue, her lips twitching in a faint smile. She'd always had a kinship with creatures, rather than their two legged counterparts, and Bazeth seemed calm and kind. It wasn't until the bluerider spoke again that she looked away, nodding as he explained the request to his blue. "Yes, Seypher." The flitter chippered merrily, and she eyed the little creature. A lovely companion as well. She envied this bluerider.

The arrival of the green made her smile again, their wheeling descent beautiful to see. She had been on a dragon once when she was younger, a bronzerider transporting the children at a gather to a safe place during a surprise fall. They'd all been lectured swiftly on the rules of between... Kyliee nodded, her answer short. "Yes..." She watched him shrugged and flicked her eyes to the newly arrived women. The eyes that stared at her coldly did not faze her, and she stared evenly back. The child wriggled with pent up energy, and Kyliee wondered at the idea of bringing a little one between or in flight. She shrugged to herself. Dragonriders had their own code, and it was best not questioned.

The near protest against Seypher's accompaniment made her tense, the girl lifting a hand to rest protectively on her mount's back. E'ri's reply calmed her, and she stared up to the greenrider who had seemed to take offense. She lowered her head in respect at the introductions.

"Good to meet you, Lura and Anemith. And yes, Seypher will allow you to do whatever you need to." She inspected the straps with a critical eye for a moment, and nodded shortly. A reach into the leather backs produced a length of black fabric, which she allowed the black beast to sniff gently. Kyliee murmured lovingly to the animal, reaching up to tie the fabric over his eyes slowly. He tossed his head gently only one, and remained still, and she stepped away from her companion nodding at the greenrider. She looked over her shoulder at E'ri, feeling strangely alone as she let Lura tend to her friend.

[Administrator]

E'ri sighed as the girl showed her arm. To him, it was just a useless decoration. It wasn't of much use to him, and he doubted she stole it. Even though her hiding it before was odd, it didn't really matter to him. Unless she was hiding some of those secret drugs in her arm, or something. But he doubted that, as well. "It's fine," he replied dully. Bazeth rumbled encouragingly at Kyliee. He understood sometimes that people were afraid of being Searched, and that His wasn't paying attention to that at all today. So strange. Normally, he was so thoughtful, but he had been in a funk since Mal's death. Well, he had been too, but at least he remembered enough to be courteous to younglings. Nocturne, more in the mindset of his bonded, wrapped his blue tail around his neck, huffing grumpily. He was half-tempted to just go back to the Weyr right now and check on E'ri's hatchlings, but he needed to know if he was needed. He seemed to think that he always had something important to do.

Blinking, his surprise was hidden. Well, at least that was one thing he didn't need to cover. "So I assume you remember what happens when we go between?" he asked calmly, stealing a glance at Lura. She, in response to Kyliee's words, had begun the process of hooking up Seypher. Warily, she looped a harness around his legs, doing so carefully so as to avoid any kicks. She wasn't that great with runners, but she had learned how to do this. E'ri watched them thoughtfully, waiting for her to finish so that Kyliee would be more comfortable knowing that Seypher was harnessed in securely.

This creature is a stupid one. Why do we have to bring him?[/color] Anemith asked Bazeth accusingly. He rumbled with amusement.

We are not going to strand one. They are too stupid to care for themselves,[/color] the blue replied peacefully. Still indignant at the fact that she needed to carry a runner up to the Weyr, E'ri nodded as Lura looped the rest of the harness around him, pausing to see if he reacted before tightening it. Liralla giggled, reaching out her little fingers to pet Seypher eagerly. Sighing, her mother pulled her back. E'ri blinked as Kyliee turned to look at her.

Be kind to her, mine. Do not forget that she is probably nervous,[/color] Bazeth told him firmly. Lips tightening at realizing he forgot common courtesy, he put a hand on her shoulder sympathetically. "Don't worry, you two will be back together in the Weyr," he replied. "Ready to go?"[/size]