Grooming

[Kandarra]

Valkoran had been at Dark Moon Weyr for eight sevendays. It now seemed like home, and his runners had long gotten used to the constant flyings-around of the firelizards. Luckily, the stables, where he stood now, were far removed from the actual Weyr and the dragons themselves, which the runners would likely never get used to.

Shif stood at the back of the stall, sulking because Valkoran hadn't groomed him first. Halo was standing happily at the front of the stall with his trainer, enjoying having the mud from his especially messy roll curried off and seeming rather smug. Shif stomped a hoof, and Valkoran looked from the bay he was grooming to the bay that was whining.

"I'll get to you, I promise. It's not my fault Halo declared war on the biggest mud puddle in the pasture today." He chuckled. He was glad Shif wasn't at the front of the stall with him; people often mixed the runners up because they looked nearly identical, and Shif, unlike Halo, did not tolerate small children patting his nose. And indeed, this stable did get a lot of traffic. Valkoran focused his efforts back onto getting the mud out of Halo's coat, barely noticing the activity around him.

[maira]

Jessalyn had parted from the caravan upon their arrival at the Weyr and on a hunch she had asked where the stables were kept. One of the helpful weyrfolk had offered to take her there but she had declined his help and nudged Dancer into a trot in the direction she'd been told to go. It didn't take her long at all, the coming and going of runners to one area made it quite clear just hwere the stables were.

As she got closer, Jessa slowed Dancer to a walk, not sure strange runners would react to him. Once at the entrance to the stables, Jessa dismounted and holding onto Dancer's reigns, poked her head just inside the doors. It was dark and smelled comfortingly of runner. Giving a soft smile, Jessa clicked at Dancer and he followed her into the darkness.

As soon as the pair entered, another of the weyrfolk approached Jessalyn asking if she was newly arrived. Considering the stablehand didn't know her, Jessa thought it a rather obvious question but she didn't say as much, instead she just nodded and asked, "Would you happen to know if Valkoran is here? He has two bays, a stallion and a gelding." She wasn't sure if her hunch would pan out but it was worth a try, and even if she was wrong at least she would get Dancer stabled.

The stablehand, nodded and smiled at Jessa and beckoned to her before turning and walking down towards the other end of the stable. About halfway down, the stablehand stopped and spoke to somebody in one of the stalls that Jessa couldn't see. She heard the stablehand say, "There's somebody here to see you and your runners." When Valkoran peeked his head out of the stall, Jessa was standing with her left hand on her hip, Dancer's reigns in her right and with a sheepish smile on her face. The only thing she said was, "Dancer missed you."

[Kandarra]

When a different stablehand than usual stopped to talk to him this early in the afternoon, Valkoran was surprised. When the hand said that someone was here to see him, he wasn't. But strangely, he had said "and your runners," which was most unusual, as visitors usually came in the mornings and evenings. Valkoran poked his head out the stall door and gaped. It took him a moment to speak.

"Jess! W-what are you doing here? And Dancer?" Valkoran was shocked. The last time he'd seen her was at his own hold, a few days before he'd been Searched. She'd been a close friend of his, and he'd helped her train Dancer, a difficult, high-spirited young colt of fine breeding. But what was she doing here? Valkoran scratched his shaggier-than-usual head and tucked the hair behind his ear, out of his eyes. He ought to get Dancer a stall.

"Um, here, we can talk in a minute. Let's get Dancer settled." He began walking down the walkway. "There's a stall a couple dow--" He stopped. There was an empty stall right next to Shif and Halo's. "Right here," he amended. He went down to the end of the stable to pull a bale of straw for bedding and placed it inside the stall, then pulled a spare bucket and pail filled with water and feed from the supply room. "These ought to get him started," he said to Jess, hanging them on hooks just inside the stall door.

After she had settled Dancer inside the stall, Valkoran asked, "Not to make this sound like the interrogation it is, but what are you doing here? How did you get here? And how did you get Father and the others to let you take Dancer?" Valkoran was very curious as to these questions, and stepped back inside his own stall, inviting Jess in. He continued to curry Halo to shining, then noticed something on Jessalyn's arm. "And what is that

---

Admin's Note:[/hr]"

Before he got an answer, he realized he'd forgotten his manners. He gave Jess a big hug and said, "It's good to see you. Welcome to Dark Moon."

[maira]

Jessalyn hid a smirk as Valkoran blurted out his questions and bustled to prepare a stall for Dancer. Seeing her friend, a normally very level-headed young man, so frazzled was quite entertaining. After he had invited her in to his stall, where both Halo and Shif were kept, Jessa followed him in. She was about to answer all his questions when suddenly his arms were wrapped around her in a hug and he was saying how good it was to see her.

Her smirk dissappeared to be replaced by happy tears. When she pulled out of the hug and looked at Valkoran she said softly, "Its good to see you too and thank you, thank you for the welcome. I just hope the rest of the Weyr wants me here too." With that, her voice choked and it took her a moment to get her bearings enough to tell Valkoran just what had happened at home.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Jessalyn started, "Well you know how we were supposed to present Dancer to our fathers to prove he'd been trained? Well both of them forgot in the excitement of you being Searched. My father remembered two sevendays later and took Dancer out without telling me. Dancer came back alone." At this, Jessa saw Valkoran's eyebrows lift in surprise and worry so she hurried on, "A search was sent out and Father was found fairly quickly since not far from the hold Dancer spooked at a rustle in some bushes and dumped Father. The reason Dancer came back alone was because Father had broken his leg and couldn't remount, let alone walk home."

Taking a breath to calm herself, knowing the harder part of her story was coming up, Jessa continued, "Once Father's leg had been treated, he ordered Dancer put down as untrainable. That night I packed up the few things I could stuff in my saddle-bags and took Dancer and left. Since he was going to be killed anyway, I don't think it was stealing do you?" Jessa's conscience had reared its head a time or two on this subject but every time she came to the conclusion that a horse dead and buried was the same as no horse at all and even less trouble because nobody would have to dispose of the body.

Catching herself looking at Dancer's stall, Jessalyn turned her attention back to Valkoran and finished, "Anyway, after I left I didn't know where to go right away. Only after spending a night in one of the new Thread shelters did I think to come here. You're the only person outside of the Hold I know and well, I doubt Father would look for me here." She gave a shrug and tried to smile as she finished by saying, "So once I figured out where to go, I joined up with that caravan that just pulled in today and they let me tag along so long as I pulled my weight."

By this point Jessa had forgotten that Valkoran had asked about the tattoo on her wrist so she didn't answer that question. Other than the forgotten question, Jessa was sure she'd answered everything Valkoran had asked of her. As she waited for his response, she eased in next to Halo and kissed him on the muzzle. He really was a sweet runner and quite tolerant of her affections.

[Kandarra]

"Wow," said Valkoran after she'd finished. "That's a long way to travel afoot. I'm glad you came-- although, I'm sure everyone's worried." He paused. "I could arrange for a message to be sent to your father, if you'd like, just to tell him you're alright. When you're ready, of course. And you never did answer my question about this on your arm." He stopped grooming Shif, who he'd switched to during Jess's story, and lifted her arm gently up to where he could see. "Is this a tattoo

---

Admin's Note:[/hr]"

Shif nipped at his sleeve to say, "Hey, you're not done over here." Valkoran continued grooming the moody stallion and grinned at Jessalyn. "Your father would have a fit if he knew you had that. How did you get it?" He finished with Shif, but Shif wasn't finished with him. He insisted that Valkoran scratch that one spot on his neck, then that spot on his rump, and that one really tricky spot on the side of his belly. Meanwhile, Halo was nuzzling Jessalyn, whuffling at her pockets for treats and waiting for more cheek scratches.

[maira]

Surprised wasn't quite the word Jess had for how she felt at Valkoran's reaction. She wasn't sure how she'd expected him to react but all calm and accepting wasn't it. She was greatful though, she didn't think she could have taken it if her best and only friend at this end of the world, had gotten upset with her.

When Valkoran lifted up her wrist and asked if what was showing on her wrist was a tattoo, Jessa couldn't help but blush. Not only had she run away, and stolen a valuable (if condemned) stallion, she had gotten a tattoo. She was turning into a regular rebel. If her father ever found out where she was she'd likely be skinned alive.

When Valkoran finally released her wrist, Jessalyn looked him in the eyes and begged, "Please, whatever you do, don't let my Father know I'm here. Not yet anyway. Maybe after I'm settled here we can tell him." Jessa wasn't even sure if the Weyrfolk would want her here, she had no idea about weyr life or the people. So far they seemed friendly enough but that didn't mean they wanted another mouth to feed.

When Jessa noticed the looks Valkoran kept shooting at her wrist, she realized she'd forgotten to answer his question again. A small blush creeping onto her cheeks again, Jessalyn answered her friend, "One of the young men in the caravan, its one of his professions making tattoos, gave it to me. He told me that the vine represented me."

Lifting her wrist to show Valkoran the finer details she pointed first to a tiny flower and said, "He told me the flowers were for my inner beauty. And these little thorns," she pointed to the thorns lining the vines, "Are supposedly my inner strength." Then with a flourish very similar to the one the tattoo artist had used, Jessa finished, "And its all wrapped up in one pretty, delicate package," and she snorted. Jessa had different ideas about her beauty than did most people... she didn't see it at all.

Then, remembering the remark Valkoran had made earlier about if her father found out about the tattoo, Jessalyn couldn't help but laugh. "And yes, I know father would have a fit but I am not longer his to worry about." Jessa knew she sounded impertinent and rebellious and that was exactly how she was feeling. For the first time in her life, over the past six or so sevendays, Jessa had been able to make her own choices, live her own life. She'd gotten a taste of freedom and was not willing to ever go back to being just a lowly daughter of a barely important Holder. After all, it was Valkoran's father who Held the majority of the hold, not Jessa's father. He just helped run one out of the three of Valkoran's father's Holds.

[Kandarra]

"It's okay, I won't make you send any messages. But there are firelizards available for sending them." Valkoran, who had now stopped grooming snd scratching Shif, leaned up against the stall door. Jess finally had answered his question about the tattoo. "Ohh, one of the young men in the caravan, hm? Sounds like he had a crush on you," he teased, knowing full well that the guy probably did; Jess was not what you would call plain. "Are you sure he didn't give you some more.... private tattoos?" Valkoran grinned, a glint in his eyes.

"And now we have to think about getting you a place to stay. There are plenty of rooms around the weyr, we just need to talk to the Headwoman or someone else in charge." Valkoran stopped. "So you're really staying?" he asked after a moment.

[maira]

Relief surged through Jessalyn when Valkoran said he wouldn't make her tell her father where she was. And comforted when he told her that there were firelizards that could send messages if she wanted. Just knowing she could but didn't have to was a big relief.

The gratitude that Jessa had felt towards Valkoran just a moment before faded a bit when he teased her about her tattoo, or more accurately about who she got it from. When she answered him she sounded slightly defensive, "He was my host caravan's oldest son, essentially a brother to me. He wouldn't have had a crush on me, it would have been weird." Then setting her shoulders firmly, she grumbled, "And no, there are no 'private' tattoos." She wouldn't tell Valkoran that one had been offered though...

When he seemed to give up teasing her about her tattoo, and Jessa couldn't honestly say she didn't deserve it from a friend, and he said something about finding a place for her to stay her mood was back to happy again. When he asked if she was really staying, Jessa smiled at him again and answered, "Valkoran, do I really have anywhere else to go? I came here because you, my friend, are here nowhere else except home has people I know. That or I could take to wandering with the caravan for the rest of my life." She shrugged, then got a thoughtful look on her face. If the Weyr didn't want her it would be best to find out now so that when the caravan when on its way she could go with them.

As she thought and waited for Valkoran to take the lead, Jessa finally gave in to Halo nudging at her pockets, he knew her too well. Reaching inside, she grabbed a few pieces of dried fruit. It was a good travelling snack for herself and nice to spoil the runners with too. Once Halo had gobbled four pieces down, Jessa turned back to Valkoran and said, "Alright, we better go before Halo eats all my treats, Dancer would be miffed if I didn't have any for him later."

[Kandarra]

"Right. Uslanee, the headwoman, is usually in the kitchens or the lower caverns." Valkoran began walking in that direction, passing several acquaintances in the stables who waved. He waved back before stepping out into the sun, checking that Jess was still behind him.

"Of course it's a long walk to the stables, because if they were any closer to the weyr, the runners would spook constantly and be unridable," he said, keeping up a description of their surroundings. "The lake over there," he gestured as they passed it, "is pretty warm, since Dark Moon is in the crater of an old volcano. It can hold a whole wing of dragons bathing." Valkoran smiled. "And up ahead is the Weyr itself. I looked it up in the Weyr library, and Dark Moon has the most female greenriders of all the weyrs, even though it's the smallest. It also has a copper dragon and a white dragon, both females, ridden by females. They were Hatched at the last Hatching. I've seen the white one flying before, but not the copper," he continued. "She probably looks a lot like a bronze."

After all his talking, which he wasn't used to doing, they had arrived at the entrance to the Weyr. "Just through that doorway is the Weyr bowl. The other way, the way we're going, leads straight to the kitchens." He turned along the hall and soon they could smell their way there, with scents of roasting wherry and fresh loaves of bread, klah, bubbly pies, and just-cut spices. They emerged from the hallway to see lots of activity and lots of food. "If you're hungry, now's the time to grab some food. I haven't eaten yet, either, so we'll have lunch." Valkoran grabbed a wooden plate and started piling it with slices of roast herdbeast, wherry, a piece or two of bread, and various vegetables. "Help yourself."

[maira]

Jessa waved a quick goodby to Dancer as she followed Valkoran out of the stables. She smiled politely when people greeted him but made no move to introduce herself just yet. She didn't want to get too friendly with people until she knew if she were allowed to stay or not.

As Valkoran led the way back to the Weyr proper, Jessa listened as he pointed out the different features of the Weyr. At one point, Jessa caught herself thinking that if Dark Moon was the smallest Weyr on Pern, she'd be scared to see the bigger ones, this place seemed huge to her. After all, she was just from a Runnerbeast Hold.

By the time Valkoran led her into the kitchens, Jessa's stomach was growling like an angry canine. She was rather surprised that she was so hungry, but then when she thought about it, she'd forgotten to eat today. She'd been too anxious with anticipation of getting to the Weyr and seeing Valkoran again. When he told her to help herself, Jessa was more than happy to do as she was told. Grabbing a wooden plate from the same pile as Valkoran, Jessa picked what she wanted for her first meal at the Weyr and then followed him until they came to a table to sit and eat at.

After her first few bites, to quiet her stomach, Jessa took the time to look around at all the people. She'd never seen so many people before, not to mention the only dragonrider's she'd ever seen were the ones that came and Searched Valkoran. The Weyr was going to take some getting used to.

By the time she'd eaten half her meal, Jessa's mind was reeling with questions but she only gave voice to one, "Do you think I'll be allowed to stay?" The look in her eyes was pleading with Valkoran to say yes but she knew he wasn't the one to make that decision. She just hoped that he knew something she didn't. That maybe, even with all these people they wouldn't mind one more person.

[Kandarra]

"I'm sure you will. You could help me in the stables, or work in the kitchens, or something. As long as you're pulling your weight Uslanee will probably say it's alright." Noticing that Jess had nearly finished with her food, Valkoran said, "Speaking of Uslanee, I'll go find her right now. She'll be somewhere around here." He got up to go search for the Headwoman.

A few minutes later, he returned with a thin, medium-height woman who at first looked rather harsh. "So this must be Jessalyn, who escaped from her hold with a stolen runner and needs a place to stay." Uslanee frowned. "We don't take kindly to rebels here." She shook her head for emphasis. "But we do like adventurers, and that sounds like quite an adventure you were on." She smiled at Jessalyn kindly. "If you can find somewhere to help out, then I would be happy to get you a room. I can't take you, as I'm busy, but Valkoran knows where the rooms are. Put her in one of the ones closest to the weyrs," she told the candidate. "A bunch of holders are coming to visit soon and dragons make these particular ones nervous." She winked at Jessalyn before turning to scold a drudge scorching the soup. "Welcome to Dark Moon," she called over her shoulder.

"So there we go," Valkoran said. "I told you you'd be able to stay. Now where are your things? We'll want to take them there so they don't get taken by mistake." Valkoran disappeared for a moment, then came back with a key. "This key is to your new room. You probably won't ever need to lock it, but it's nice to have. And you'll need to unllock it; the unused rooms are closed off."

[maira]

When Valkoran mentioned that if she wanted she could work in the stables, Jessa smiled. Her whole life had been spent around runners, she didn't know anything else. Her mother had tried teaching her to cook once and only once, she had nearly burned down their kitchen... Nobody was perfect.

Once, Valkoran got up to go find the Headwoman, Jessa finished her meal. With him gone, and the worst of her hunger sated, Jessa was able to actually sit and enjoy her food. She hadn't realized how bland her mother's cooking had been until now and she was loathe to put the last bite in her mouth.

Shortly after her meal was gone, Valkoran came walking back to the table followed by a thin, harsh looking woman. Jessa swallowed involuntarily. If that woman was the one to decide her fate her she may as well get back on her runner and head out with the caravan. When the woman spoke, the first words out of her mouth made Jessa's heart stop. The very next words made her gape. An adventurer? Her? A little belatedly, Jessa smiled and her heart started beating again.

She waved at Uslanee when the woman turned to go scold a drudge, then she turned on Valkoran and smacked his shoulder. "You could have warned me! I thought she was going to flay me!" As she spoke though, Jessa was fighting back laughter. Here she was in a Weyr of all places, with only one friend out of hundreds of people, and surprisingly she was happier than she'd been in the Runnerbeast Hold for a long time.

When Valkoran asked where her things were, she answered, "Well when I started out I only had what was in Dancer's saddlebags. Now though the caravan folks have given me bits and bobs and some clothes. I've also bought a few things you might be interested in reading along the way." She smiled at her friend as his eyes lit up at the mention of reading material, then finished, "Anyway, most of my stuff is with the caravan and I think they are still outside the main entrance to the Weyr. I didn't see them on our way back from the stables but I was sort of distracted."

[Kandarra]

Valkoran smiled at seeing Jessalyn laugh. He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen a smile on her face, and was glad one was there now. He grinned, saying, "Uslanee just likes to have a little fun. It was pretty funny; you looked like you'd stopped breathing for a minute and this scared look flashed over your face. She's actually really nice, she just keeps up a tough exterior so she can maintain control of the workers around here." Valkoran moved towards the corridor again, checking to be sure Jess was following him. "We'll get your things from the caravan now, though they might not be leaving today. Even if they are, it will probably be when the sun isn't so high."

As they emerged into the sun again, which was quite high, Valkoran looked around for the caravan. After much squinting and shielding of eyes, he finally located it halfway to the stables. He led Jess there, cautioning her about the steep hill at one point. "Over there is the firestone quarry. We'll both probably be helping with that at some point."

[maira]

Jessalyn listened carefully as Valkoran talked about Uslanee, she would remember that for later. Still smiling, she followed him out to find the caravan. The caravan had been her home of sorts for the past six or so sevendays and even though she had known all along that it was a temporary arrangement, she knew she was going to miss everybody she had grown close to. Without them she didn't know how she could have ever found Valkoran again and for that she was forever grateful.

She was brought back from her musings by Valkoran warning her of the steepness of the hill they were on, and also the firestone quarry. She'd never seen firestone before and she couldn't help but squint to get a better look. If Valkoran were right though and they did wind up helping, she was sure she'd see more than enough of it to last her for a lifetime.

When Valkoran finally led her up to the caravan, Jessalyn headed straight for her host wagon to gather her things. As they walked, Jessa heard the whispers and saw the smiles and couldn't help but smile herself. Less than a week into her trip, the members of the caravan had taken to calling Valkoran Jessa's lover just because they all thought it impossible a woman would travel so far for just a friend. Granted friendship was held high among those of the caravan, they just liked to tease Jessa because she blushed so easily.

At first she had argued with them, trying to explain that they had trained Dancer together and were friends, nothing more. She eventually gave up, realizing that they understood her but enjoyed the reaction they got from teasing her. Once she gave up trying to tell them otherwise, Jessa even encouraged the teasing from time to time with purposefull "slips" about Valkoran.

Despite all the teasing and friendly banter that had centered around Valkoran and Jessa's relationship, Jessa was not at all prepared for the reaction her host brother had for her when he saw another man approaching the wagon with her. Suddenly Jessa realized what it would be like to have a protective older brother and she couldn't help but giggle. "Tomalan, quit looking like you're going to tie Valkoran up, he hasn't done anything wrong," she said between giggles.

Tomalan glared one last time at Valkoran and then just ignored him as he jumped off the driving seat and stood facing Jessa as he asked, "Are you sure you want to stay here? You know my parents and the rest of the caravan would be more than happy to have you stay."

When Jessa finally turned from looking at Valkoran, to see his reaction to Tomalan, she was surprised by the look in her host brother's eyes. Maybe Valkoran had been right, maybe Tomalan had feelings for her after all... Not willing to give into that line of thought, Jessa shook her head to clear it and also as an answer. "No Tomalan, as much as I would love to travel with the caravan some more, I came this far to see my friend and here is where I should stay. If things have changed by the time the caravan comes back, I will come with you guys then alright?" Jessa knew she was walking a thin line with her host brother's feelings saying that but it was the best she could offer. She cared for him yes, but not the way he apparently cared for her.

Tearing her eyes from Tomalan's, Jessa turned to Valkoran and asked, "Can you help me get my things now? I've only got a few bags and they're not that big." With that she held out her hand to Valkoran, grabbed his when he reached to take hers, and led him around to the other side of the wagon away from Tomalan and his heartbroken stare.

[Kandarra]

Valkoran furrowed his eyebrows when he received some not-so-friendly looks from the man Jess was talking to. This must be the one that gave her the tattoo, he thought. I knew he had feelings for her. Valkoran was just about to say something about the man's malevolent glare when he jumped down from his seat and paid no more attention to Valkoran's puzzled expression. Jess talked to him for a while, the words just the other side of understandable. Then she reached for his hand. He was uncertain for a moment, then understood and took it. She led him arouund the side of the wagon, and Valkoran stole a last look at the man. He looked rather disappointed, he decided.

When Jess indicated her things, Valkoran shouldered them, leaving none for her to carry. "Alright, let's go back," he said, knowing she would have a problem not carrying something. He started walking back to the Weyr with all her things, whistling innocently and waiting for her to catch up and demand something to carry.

[maira]

Jessawas about to grab one of her bags when it was snatched out from under her hand. She tried to grab one of the other two but they were both already gone. Turning to Valkoran she saw he had all three of her bags shouldered. She was about to demand to know what he thought he was doing when he said they should head back and turned and started walking back towards the Weyr.

She stared dumbfoundedly at his back for a moment before annoyance set in. He never let her carry anthing, even if it wasn't heavy, he still never let her carry anything. He was like that when they were training Dancer too.

Rushing to catch up with him, Jessa ignored Tomalan who was watching her leave, he was standing alone by the wagon. That meant his parents had to be somewhere else in the caravan and she really wanted to say goodbye. When she finally caught him, Jessa grabbed Valoran's arm and begged, "Wait for a minute."

Once he stopped, Jessa looked around the caravan, her eyes flitting from one wagon to the next trying to find her host parents. It didn't take her long. Turning back to Valkoran, Jessa told him, "If you insist on carrying all my bags after I say goodbye to people thats fine, I'll let you this once without any complaints. If I don't carry one while I say goodbye, they'll think I'm just using you and thats not the last impression of me I want them to have."

Hoping he would go along with her idea, Jessa held out her hand for one of her bags. When he gave it to her, she smiled gratefully at him and turned towards the wagon she had seen her host parents at. The walk over to them was hard but Jessa couldn't just leave without thanking them for all they did bringing her down here.

Jessa's host parents noticed here when she wasn't too far away and by the time she arrived, she could see the tears in her host mother's eyes. The woman, about Jessa's height but plump with age and childbearing, opened her arms to the girl and Jessa went into the embrace. "Thank you so much for everything Alanya," Jessa said, her own voice thick with emotion.

When Alanya released her, Jessalyn turned to her host father and he had a sad smile on his face and he said, "We had hoped you'd not find the Weyr to your liking and that you'd want to stay with us. You were a hard worker and a good friend to all of us, that can't be said about the majority of our other guests." At her host father's words, Jessa's own eyes got a little misty and she nodded and gave him the same answer she'd given Tomalan only moments before, "If things don't work out here at the Weyr by the next time you come through then I'll be more than happy to come back."

Jessalyn knew that that could be half a year or even a year depending on the weather and the trade routes the caravan leader decided to take. She figured that either of those amounts of time would be more than long enough for her to decide if things were working out.

Finally giving in to her emotions, Jessalyn went to her host father and gave him a hug as well, saying through tears, "I'll miss you Tomaris." His arms wrapped around her and gave her a tight squeeze before he detached himself from her and pushed her gently towards Valkoran. "Have a good time with your friend and we'll see you next time through." Tomaris waved as Jessalyn nodded and then turned her back on her host parents to go with Valkoran back to the Weyr.

Once they were a fair distance away from the wagons, Jessalyn uttered softly, "I didn't think it was going to be that hard to say goodbye... I was only with them for six sevendays." She really was amazed at how much more attached to her host parents she was than she'd been to her own birth parents.

[Kandarra]

Valkoran took her bag back and said, "Yes, well, tattoos tend to bond people." He said this very seriously with a straight face, but couldn't hold it for long. He grinned rather widely. "But seriously, I know what you mean. I feel more at home here than I ever had back at Jervan. I wasn't useful there; my father didn't like the kind of son I was and therefore gave me no real responsibilities. He didn't even like to acknowledge it when I did good work with difficult runners. It was like he would be admitting he was wrong, and he wouldn't be able to deal with that. But here... here I can do things at the stables, and people appreciate it, I can joke around with the workers if I want to, I can read-- oh, there are so many hides and scrolls here! And no one cares if I read them all!" Valkoran's eyes were animated and his speech faster than usual.

"And now my best friend is here with me, and I'm a candidate in the Hatching, which I never thought a possibility-- say, were you wanting to stand for the Hatching?" This thought had just occured to him, and he rather uncharacteristically had blurted it out. "You weren't there that day I was Searched, were you? I didn't see you in line."

[maira]

Jessa resisted the urge to glare at Valkoran as he took her bag back from her, she had told him he could after all. When he started talking about how at home he felt at the Weyr, she nodded in understanding. At least she wasn't alone feeling happier anywhere than at the hold she'd grown up in, with people other than her own family.

When he called her his best friend, Jessa's feet faltered on their climb up the steep hill. She had considered him that for a long time but it had never occurred to her he would feel the same. She knew he considered her a friend, but wow, what an eye opener.

She was smiling like a fool when out of the blue he asked her if she wanted to stand for the Hatching. This time Jessa just stopped in her tracks and stared at him in shock. "What?" she asked so softly he apparently didn't hear as he continued on to ask if she'd been at the hold lined up with the rest when he was Searched. She shook her head and said just barely loud enough to be heard, "No, I'd been out with Dancer. I only got back in time to see you climbing up on a dragon and then the dragons taking off. Didn't you realize we didn't get to say goodbye?" She couldn't believe he hadn't noticed, though she couldn't blame him either. Being Searched was a big deal and in all the excitement he probably just hadn't realized he'd forgotten to do something like saying goodbye to a friend.

[Kandarra]

Valkoran stopped walking and sat down on the hill, gesturing for Jess to join him. When she'd sat down, he said, "I'm sorry I didn't say goodbye. The dragonriders seemed rather preoccupied, and honestly, it slipped my mind at the time." He sighed. "But that doesn't mean I didn't regret it later. This sounds silly, but-- I spent a lot of time thinking about it. As in most of the time I've been here. Since the shock of being here wore off, there hasn't been a day that I haven't thought about it-- about you. You've been my best friend for a long time, and I missed you. And not saying goodbye.. yeah," he ended awkwardly. His speech was beginning to sound rather mushy.

He fiddled with the straps on one of Jessalyn's bags. "So are you wanting to stand?" She had a chance, since she hadn't been in line that day. All the girls there had been rejected.

[maira]

When Valkoran indicated they should sit, Jessa did so gladly. The hill wasn't that bad, she just wanted to sit and try and take everything in for a moment. Once they were seated though, Valkoran started talking. The longer he talked, a smile began to grown on Jessalyn's face. By the time he he switched topic on her, from regretting not saying goodbye to if she wanted to stand at the hatching, Jessa's feelings of sadness about leaving the caravan were entirely gone. She knew she had made the right choice to come to the Weyr, he said he had missed her.

When he did ask if she wanted to stand though, Jessa's smile dissappeared. It was a serious question and one she didn't know how to answer. She sat there thinking for a while, trying to arrange the jumble of emotions at that suggestion into some semblance of a sane reply. When she finally had a vague idea of what to say she spoke slowly, "Its not something I've ever considered Valkoran. Like you I was born and raised to work with runners. Its all I know." Taking a breath and a moment to get her bearings she continued, "I did dream about being a dragon rider as a little girl, what child doesn't. If the dragons see me as fit to be a Candidate I honestly wouldn't refuse, in fact I would be I think more than a little giddy." Jessalyn was smiling again as she turned her face towards her friend. "I just hope I'm of more appropriate stock than the rest of the girls in our Hold though if all of them were rejected." Now that he had planted the seed of hope, Jessa couldn't wait to find out. If she wasn't suitable at least she had the runners she could work with. She would have a purpose no matter what. She just hoped it was astride the back of a dragon.