Music in the Soul - Search

[stolenhart]

"There is naught but my love", she sang in a clear soprano voice, listening to the music dance across the sky. "Which has wings like any dragon", flew into the air and she paused. "Still not right. What to do?", she said, brushing her face with the wisp of her writing feather. The hide she was writing on was covered in scribbles and notes but nothing coherent, at least not to the casual observer. Her blue eyes stared off into the distance, not taking in the clouds, the blue of the sky, the overall perfection of the valley spread before her. A gentle wind ruffled a black curl, but even that she did not feel, her mind elsewhere.

"Wings are good but it's too sappy", she muttered, scratching out the lines. Her assignment was to write a love song, complete with musical notes, but Alowiha was having a hard time doing that. She knew nothing of love but everyone seemed to think she did. The boys of her status were doing the typical hero stuff but she wanted a different route, something new and refreshing. The only problem with new was, it was so hard. And she couldn't write the music until she had the words to go with. The Musical hall had been so loud this morning she had escaped to the nearby countryside in an attempt to find peace and quiet. She succeeded, but now she didn't know if it was too peaceful, too quiet,

[shouriko]

Mine? The dark green dragon asked. Mine? She repeated her question with some degree of patience. Mine? Not that she was not accustomed with having to repeat herself, but it was getting sorely old. Mine?! She shouted at him and this time she had properly gotten the attention of her chosen.

Ach, Aeryth, you don't have to shout. The brown-haired man held a hand to his head as if the voice was still reverberating within his skull. Shards above and below, what was that for? He asked, looking with some glaring gaze at the green he sat upon.

We have a candidate below us, female, good for gold. Aeryth replied with complete confidence. She was not known for bringing in hoards of candidates, but those she did pick up were always bound to impress. Usually she picked up boys, typically brown riders, sometimes a blue and more often a bronze. Because of that she was always one to pick up a candidate and guess what they would impress.

So cocky. The man shook his head and sighed. At least his head was not aching so much. Well, best go down and give the offer. Just because someone was found with the potential did not mean necessarily that they would accept. Not everyone wanted the kind of life that a dragonrider had to live. All right, let's go take a look and I'll try not to flirt and daydream about her body. You just need to keep from pressuring the girl. The usual deal that he made with Aeryth.

Fine, but keep the compliments down, that can be flirting, too, B'tron. She replied with a snort as she turned in the sky and soared in a gentle descent, occasionally turning to keep her where she wanted to be. She didn't want to land right on top of the girl, but she was not going to leave so much distance that she'd have to walk about. Besides, she knew exactly where to land. The green backwinged as she neared the ground from behind the girl and landed gracefully. They were fifty feet away from her and there was no way she did not notice their arrival.

B'tron shook his head, Show off.

Aeryth watched him side off and remove his helmet, tossing his gloves in it and begin to walk away. You're no different. If she could have she would have stuck her tongue out at him like any human child would have.

Right. B'tron replied and he approached with a casual walk and ruffled his hair with one hand. It was all flat again thanks to the helmet, but it was necessary. He paused and then gazed at the girl with his coppery brown eyes. She was a harper girl, interesting. There were not many and if her heart was set on it then he'd have a hard time nabbing her for candidacy. On the other hand, the fact that she could stand beside men and be nearly their equals was something to note. He smiled at her, finding her attractive but knew better than to go that route, "Hello there."

[stolenhart]

She did not notice the shadow of the green above her, instead she had just finished writing down another set of words. "You have died and my heart with it, I will grow old without you", she mused, singing it aloud. That seemed to be a better place to start. Holders like tragic love, they always requested it when she went to Taskin to play her harp. If you make them cry, they'll pay you twice as much is what Hert used to say. "We together a short time and it seems shorter now", it might also make a good Weyr song too. That would mean triple and it might make the song a Masterpiece.

"Hello there"

Startled she glanced up, shielding her eyes from the sun so she could see the man who approached her. Then she caught movement of the dragon behind him and nearly fainted. She had been told of dragons before, had even seen them from a distance, but since she'd never left the College except to go to Taskin, never been withon walking distance of one. It was a green, which in her limited knowledge meant a female. But why was it here and not down at the College? That is where the dragons came when a clutch was on the Sands at any rate.

"Afternoon", she said cautiously, climbing to her feet. She dusted her pants off of grass and dirt before adjusting her tunic. "Are you lost? Can I help you with something?", she added, gathering her materials under her arm. Now that she had the start of a song, she could write a couple lines of music and see where that got her. If she could make a good tune to go with her good start she might have something. She'd have to talk with Coble though, his wind pipes were the best and she'd need those to give the song a good haunting melody.

[shouriko]

He didn't think that his voice was that frightening. He was at one point almost a harper with a particular talent in song. B'tron looked back at Aeryth quickly wondering if maybe she had done something. Apparently the girl had been so wrapped up in what she was doing she was even oblivious to the gust that Aeryth caused in her landing. He smiled at her and chuckled at her asking if he was lost.

"Not lost in the slightest." He glanced back at Aeryth again. Hear that? She thought we might have been lost. B'tron thought that was the best part of what she had said. "Cute, but not why Aeryth and I are here in this particular spot." He rested a hand on his hip and looked her over now that she was standing. Oooh, yes, she was a looker. Pity that Aeryth wanted her for a candidate and that he could not have fun with her. Besides that, she looked like she was the kind who meant business no matter what and that was no fun at all.

Focus you, or I'll do the talking. Aeryth warned.

B'tron shrugged and said, "You could help us a good deal, but I don't think you're up to it. Aeryth does, but I have my doubts. I ony let her stop here to keep her from bothering me. There is no way you could do it." Today he was feeling a little more like a tease in more than one way. He would dance about asking her, maybe she would be curious and ask him or even challenge him to tell her and ask her. Then Aeryth certainly wouldn't have to say anything. "Are you sure Aeryth? She looks awfully busy trying to write a masterpiece." Of course he recognized what she was doing, he had family who did the same.

Aeryth snorted, I am never wrong and you could get into trouble with her. She sat still and turned her head away, but she kept an eye on her rider and the girl.

"Are you even interested in being a candidate? Or is being a harper enough for a girl like you?" B'tron asked, leaning forward a little with a cunning smile and glistening copper eyes.

[stolenhart]

Not up to it? This man had another thing coming if he didn't think she was up to it, she could do anything just as well as a man could, if she put her mind to it. She had found, being in the college, that most men refused to admit that what a woman could not do with strength she could do with her mind. "If there is no way I could do it then why did you stop? The question must then be would I do it?", she asked, lifting a black eyebrow in a perplexed look. Of course she wasn't perplexed, she was just trying to get him to admit to her what was going on.

"It is not a Masterpiece though I have wishes it would go that way. It is simply an assignment", she explained, drawing herself up to her full height. At just under six foot she was a large young woman, intimidating to the few men who were shorter than she was. This man was a fool, she thought to herself, but obviously he knew something she didn't, and so did the green.

And then he said "Are you even interested in being a candidate? Or is being a harper enough for a girl like you?".

Candidate? As in a clutch? She had heard there was one but the contents had been kept secret. "Candidate? Oh it would interest me if there was a gold egg on the Sands but since I have not heard there was one, no I am not interested", she replied and then a thought passed through her mind. The Masters had been known to joke about her and the few other girls that they should be sent North like the green Impressed girls, as that was the fate of all girls who Impressed except the one who Impressed gold. If he was Searching her out, and there was no mistaking her for being a man, then there must be a gold egg on the Sands.

"Wait. Is there a gold egg on the Sands?", she narrowed her eyes. That opened up a lot of possibilities, suddenly her dreams of being The Master Harper of Southern were overshadowed by a greater dream, Weyrwoman of Southern Weyr. She would have a rank and title better than anyone on the planet, the ability to play politics with whomever she wanted and a dragon. She'd never considered herself a rider before. Alowiha didn't know her thoughts were naive, she knew very little about Weyrs, but suddenly her interest was aroused.

[shouriko]

She was a vocal little thing, opinionated too. She was not afraid to speak to him. That was a good quality. She was even trying to intimidate, how amusing. You sure know how to pick 'em Aeryth. She's a right out fireball. B'tron could not help but chuckle at her words. First because she was angry at him and then because she was curious. He was having fun and it didn't even involve him being flirtatious, it was perfect.

Really Mine, just answer the question already. Aeryth was getting impatient with her chosen's play and show of confidence. In fact, they irritated each other with their confidence.

"Does it really make a difference if there is or is not a gold egg on the sands?" B'tron asked, looking away. He peered down at his helmet and adjusted the goggles that were there. He played with his gloves and looked at her with a sly grin. "Would you rather stay here than take a chance?"

In truth, what was on the sands he was not liable to say. Sure he knew about the gold egg which was why he was told to keep an eye out for girls. It was nearing the hatching so he could bring them back if they wanted. Still, he was not sure if he should say so to her. She hadn't asked nicely yet either. Perhaps that was his fault, he hadn't introduced himself, only Aeryth.

"Pardon, I'm Aeryth's rider, B'tron, former harper myself so I suppose I could understand why you wouldn't want to leave it all behind for slim chance of something bigger." He shrugged and was trying to bait her in. He just needed to hear the right things from her before he told her just what he knew about the clutch of eggs on the sands in Southern.

[stolenhart]

Did it really make a difference? she asked herself, studying with those ice blue eyes of her, looking for any hint of treachery, of dishonesty, of something that meant he was not quite right. If she Impressed a green would they really send her North or had that been a story to induce fear? Did it really matter? They had Harpers in the North, she'd even met a few of them, and they accepted greenriders. "No, no it doesn't really matter. I think", now that I know it's an option she thought, "I would very much like to take the chance". And if she failed, it would be good writing material, especially if she were to be stationed in the Weyr at one point.

"You can call me Alowiha", she replied, gaze moving from him to the dragon. "I would not be leaving anything, most of what I have I can take with me. And the Masters were after me to go travelling", they usually tried to send Journeymen out to the Holds so they could find material for song, she had been resisting them, maybe this is why. "I would like to go, if you are serious about having me".

[shouriko]

The smile that snaked across his lips and lit up his eyes was wide. B'tron turned and looked back at the green who was sitting there. There, didn't I do a good job? He was proud of himself for having been so keen on getting her to accept. This way if he didn't have to she wouldn't find out about the clutch contents until the last moment. This way he could protect both the clutch and the candidate. If Hallek had his way, he'd snatch up the Weyr before anyone knew it and he'd be fighting and searching constantly. There'd be no time for flirting and flaunting his stuff.

All right, all right, you did it, now let's get going. Sometimes Aeryth could be so proud that she just didn't want to admit that B'tron was just as capable as she was. The green and and her rider were truly alike.

B'tron waved Alowiha on towards Aeryth, "Well then, Aeryth is quite pleased to hear that you've accepted. Why don't we give you a ride back to College and we can go to the Weyr from there." He started towards the green, her dark green hide looking as shiny and healthy as ever. Once beside her, he gave her a good pat on the shoulder. Oh come on, I can behave myself sometimes and we don't get to pick up girls often. He said to Aeryth.

The green laid down and watched Alowiha. I do not like being wrong and you made me worry she would not accept Aeryth took a lot of pride in having candidates who did not refuse and always impressed, or at least most of them did successfully.

"I'll help you up." B'tron said with a friendly smile. Have a little more faith in me, my dear one. He said to Aeryth.

[stolenhart]

Alowiha allowed a look of uncertainty to cross her face, more for the fact he wanted her to appear at the college with him. She could hear it now, the Masters would start gossiping that she had slept with the rider to get Searched. Most of them knew about Liko and her, though the nitty-gritty was still a secret, and one of the few reasons they had agreed to her demand was because they didn't like the Master either. She chewed on her lip and then shrugged. Even if they gossiped about her, it could be a turn or more before she decided to come back and never if she did Impress. Many a girl who'd made Journeyman had gone off travelling, gotten married and never came back.

"Alright", she nodded, decision made. It wasn't like it was out of their way, she did have some clothes and belongings to fetch. She walked towards them, replacing everything in the small bag she carried so she wouldn't lose anything. What she had was the start to a piece and she always hated to lose her string of thoughts. "Um sure, I've never exactly ridden a dragon before", she said, a tad sarcastic but in a somewhat agreeable tone.

[shouriko]

B'tron was glad for two reasons. First and foremost, she was accepting the offer of candidacy to Southern Weyr under his and Aeryth's search. Second and perhaps quite selfish, she was accepting his offer of assistance in climbing up Aeryth. He did enjoy that a bit, as well as the ride, he would have the opportunity to be very close to Alowiha.

Mine... I'll lay down I think. Aeryth interjected B'tron's thoughts and lowered herself so that she lay there. Next, just to thwart her rider's intentions, she flattened herself as much as possible so that she was low enough that a slight scramble was all that was necessary to ride her. I wouldn't want my dearest chosen to be punished later should she ride gold and remember her search so well.

B'tron gave the green a look and sighed heavily. Thank you Aeryth for thinking so far ahead. He knew what Aeryth was doing was mostly to annoy him, but Faranth love her dearly, so did he. He turned to Alowiha and beckoned her even closer. "Just use her arm here like a step ladder and hoist yourself up. If you need an extra boost I'll be right behind you." He took a step to the side to give her some room. "Then you'll be wanting the straps in the back, just pull them apart and I'll help with the buckling bit."

[stolenhart]

Alowiha lifted her eyebrow as she watched Aeryth lay down and then flatten herself out. And then B'tron explained what was needed for Alowiha to get settled. It was indeed a short hoist and she wouldn't be needing his help. She bit her lip to keep from laughing and, following his instructions, climbed right on up. She wondered if B'tron had other ideas about her than just Searching her out and nearly laughed again. It was almost strange, try to be unappealing and the men fell all over you. Be appealing and you chased the good men away, something was not quite right about that. And she was, in her mind, unappealing today.

Her hair was loose so it had frizzed up dreadfully, she was wearing an ill-fitting men's shirt, tucked into pants just a shade too loose and comfortably worn boots for walking in. There was doubtless ink on her face and hands and she could guess there might be a cobweb or two in ehr hair. But then she hadn't expected to see anyone today until after dark so her appearance could be forgiven.

She held up two end of a strap and looked at him, "Help?", she really wanted to watch him strap her down so she could then learn how to do it herself. She was nothing if not a quick learner.

[shouriko]

"Right'o." He gave her a mock salute in gesture and easily swung up. He sat backwards on Aeryth and pulled the straps in front of him, including his own. He could manage those later. Now no sudden movements, she's not buckled in yet. B'tron warned the green, knowing that she would enjoy interrupting his lesson opportunity to show off. If she did, she could loose both a rider and a candidate and one of them could get hurt.

Aeryth heaved a heavy sigh and replied, Fine, but only because we have a candidate with us. She did love interrupting him, he did it to her all the time. Making her lose her concentration, asking for her to come and pick him up, needing to size riding straps. They did it to each other out of love truly, but also for the pleasure of annoyance.

"Now this one comes 'round your waist." B'tron pulled at two and slid one loosely through the buckle, he smiled at her and reached around her, "This one and it's pair come over the shoulders and buckle here." Again he took the straps and loosely put them through the buckles. "And then you tightening them as you like them to be." His grin was wide and he spun around and was in his straps in a flash. The buckled tightened and secured, he looked over his shoulder at her. "Now hold tight to your bag and if you're feeling a bit blown away, I'm something solid to hold onto."

Flirt. Aeryth accused.

What? I just told her the truth. I didn't tell her that she absolutely had to hold onto me. B'tron said in his defense. Honestly, she was so suspicious sometimes. And every now and again she had a right to be.

[stolenhart]

Her blue eyes watched his hands as he buckled her into the straps. She couldn't find fault with his hands, he kept them to the 'safe' areas and yet she couldn't help but feel that he wanted more. When he turned around she tightened her buckles a little more securely, just in case, and then snugged her back up under her arms. She hoped she wouldn't lose anything, she hightly doubted the rider and his dragon would go back for it if she did.

"Oh good", she replied, rolling her eyes so he couldn't see them. No matter their age or occupation some men never grew out of being flirts or promiscuos. She couldn't fault him though, she knew what her good looks did to men. And she couldn't fault his trying, sometimes just the attempt to try was humorous. "I'm ready", she told them.

[shouriko]

"Hear that, Aeryth?" B'tron settled himself in his spot and gave the green a good pat. "She's ready, let's go to the College."

In truth, Aeryth already knew that it was time to go, yet when it came to candidates who were newly searched it was always better to speak aloud and dictate movements. They could not hear the wordless communications of dragon and rider. Aeryth had no difficulty in speaking to the candidates but after having scared a few by doing so she had begun to refrain from it to the point that she essentially stopped altogether. I know that. She said with some annoyance in the tone of her mindvoice. She bunched up a little and with a bouncy little jumped she spread her wings and flapping hard took to the skies. It took a while before she was back to her usual graceful, smooth flight pattern and with the College nearby going between was not logical.

"It shouldn't be too long, we can see it already." B'tron had his goggles on and his helmet, but he could see clearly and pointed in the correct direction where it was growing larger and larger the closer they got.

[stolenhart]

The take-off jared her a bit but all in all it could have gone much worse. She could have fallen off, or after they landed, fell off. That would have been embarrassing, right in front of the now-crowding boys eager to see the dragon. "I'll be right back with a bag", she assured B'tron, unbuckled herself quick, fast and in a hurry. She slid down Aeryth's side without thinking about it and dashed towards her barracks.

"Where you going?", Nimalia, another female Apprentice asked, "I've been Searched. Can you believe it?", Alowiha replied, stuffing clothes into a single bag. She didn't care about the wrinkles, she could get those worked out at a later time. "Really? Have fun", Nimalia replied. Nim, as she was called, had been given her Apprenticeship because the girl had natural singing skills. She couldn't do anything else but a voice like that had to be in control of the Harpets. "Bye Nim", Alowiha added, closing her bag and dashing back out.

She forced her way through the crowd of boys, waving to B'tron, "Here I am", she called out, prepared for Aeryth to kneel down so she could climb back up and get out of this place. These boys were all in various Apprenticeships and still they had hopes of being Searched. A selfish part of Alowiha was glad she was Searched.

[shouriko]

B'tron didn't bother reacting to how quickly she has unbuckled herself or took off. She certainly learned quick. He just shrugged it off and gave a warm smile and waved down to the boys. They were all eager to meet Aeryth and longed to be the one she might find an interest in. Too bad she had already found a candidate and was unlikely to find another from among them. He kept to smiling and waving and stayed there right on top of the green dragon.

Why must they crowd? Aeryth sighed unhappily. Sher certainly hoped that the girl she found was punctual. None of them are good enough. Why do they want to come so badly?

B'tron looked past the crowd for Alowiha. They don't know that dear. Of course he could tell them that. So could Aeryth, but even she knew how it would crush them. It was best to just stay where they were and wait. It was not going to take long, she had assured them of that and what else was he to do but believe it. If she was really in some kind of distress Aeryth might have noticed by now. Ignorance is bliss, so just ignore them. B'tron advised her.

Aeryth found that amusing Ah, like how I ignore you. Oh, here she comes, I'll lean down, but had best pull her up. There are so many around me. And she did just what she said, leaning down, but hardly enough for Alowiha to get up on her own.

B'tron leaned over, some of the brown hairs covering his eyes as he reached down, "I'll haul ya up!" He called out to her. He doubted that she was very heavy and with all the luggage, firestone, and whatnot he had dealt with in his lifetime, he could indeed pull her up with one hand. He wouldn't drop her, she was precious cargo and so she would just have to trust his smiling face and offered hand. "Up we go!"

[stolenhart]

The dragon barely laid down enough that Alowiha could touch B'tron's hand but she didn't have much choice. The poor green was being beleaguered by the Apprentices and the Masters were hard put to keep order on the square. When she saw three old men coming her way, she leapt for for the rider's hand and grabbed him. Between his lift and the dragon's, Alowiha found herself able to scramble back into place. "You can go", she called to him, reaching for the straps. She fumbled for a few seconds but had the straps secure in a hurry. She didn't want any Masters getting any ideas about yanking her off the green's back.

[shouriko]

The moment Alowiha's hand reached his, he gripped her hand and around her wrist tightly and pulled up, launching towards Aeryth's back. Waiting just long enough for her to be more comfortable, he released her wrist and looked about at the scene. It was getting rowdy and as much as he liked excitement and parties and the like, this was not his event. With Alowiha's bidding that they leave he checked her quickly to see that the straps were on her and secured before thinking of flight and saying, "As you wish, milady." With such a casual smile and a wink, it was half meant in jest, but surely she might not take it as such.

Good thing she didn't take the day, I could have eaten one of them. Aeryth said in exasperation as she lifted herself up into the air and left them all below. Apprentices, Masters, regular folk all in her shadow as she took to the skies. It was refreshing not to be surrounded by loud, lewd, and lazy boys and girls.

B'tron just smiled, Me too. He tugged his helmet on and pulled the goggles down over his eyes. "It'll be dark and cold for a bit, but by the time it's over all of this will be far behind us. Ready?" He hardly waited for her to reply before Aeryth went blinking into between where it was just as B'tron had said. It was cold and dark and almost terrifyingly so. Yet the sun was quick to follow and they reappeared high over Southern Weyr. "Welcome to Southern Weyr my dear Alowiha."