{HG} Some Peace and Quiet

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Quiet, it was a rare commodity in the Weyr. One that Eira was so used to back home and it was something that was easily attainable. Funny how someone could miss something now that they didn't have it. She liked the quiet of the cothold but, sometimes it just got to be a little too quiet. The Weyr on the other hand was almost constantly filled with noise and it was getting to the point she felt like she was suffocating with all of the people surrounding her. That choking feeling was what lead her to just outside of the Weyr, not too far of a walk to be surrounded by people again and not too far out to be any real danger.

Either way, it was quieter and more peaceful. For once in the past two months she could actually here herself think which is what she needed. Finding herself falling backwards up against the sand, her eyes drifted towards the clear sky. A part of her wonder if the talk about the Thread was true, or if she would be impressed by a dragon to help fight against it. Who knew really, she just didn't see herself as a dragonrider. Either way, Eira was here, trying to clear her mind a little with the peace and 'quiet'. Well, it was as quiet as she could get without being too far away, at least the few dragons here they were rather quiet and minding their own buisness.

Honestly, a part of her wondered why the heck she decided to come here of all places. Oh that's right, family was here and being a healer it was the best place to be. Another part of her wondered if maybe she should leave if she wasn't impressed but, she couldn't do that. Despite all of the noise in her new 'home' she liked being near her Aunt Emera and other relatives, if only wishing for quiet was simply wishful thinking. Closing her eyes, a heavy sigh left her as she started to drift off a little. If she was allowed to, she could easily fall asleep right here on the warm sand, but, with her rotten luck it probably wasn't going to happen.

[blah starter post so I hope it works for you HG and you can use whoever, I'm not picky.]

[HG]

All riders were busy folk, though N'var tried to make time for himself. He did not like being constantly on the go or with other people. He needed ME time. No one could blame him for that. After Nemesyth had finished her bathing and oiling routine he had gone to sit by the lake. N'var, despite his reputation was a deep thinker as well as a passionate fighter. He had been twisting his mind this way and that to come up with some way to save the North but so far nothing would work. After what happened to Haven he was pretty much screwed.

He had been sitting under his favorite tree for quite a while when someone else came by. At first N'var was not pleased but after a few moments, he cooled off. The person was being quiet at least. Curiosity about who might be sitting there began to win the fight of just leaving well enough alone or investigating. Curiosity would always win when it came to the greenrider.

Standing slowly, he stretched his arms out above his head. How long he had been sitting there, he didn't know but his muscles told him quite a while. Seeing the young woman sitting there looking up at the sky, he frowned. Women. Ugh. Here was a headache waiting to happen. Rudeness would be overlooked if he just walked away but then there was that curiosity again. Who was she? He'd never seen her before and she seemed to be far away, somewhere else. She must be thinking about something interesting.

N'var cleared his throat for a moment then said, "Excuse me." After a slight pause he continued on, "I happened to notice you were sitting nearby and that I have no idea who you are. After being here for over two turns I recognize everyone's faces even if I haven't gotten to know everyone by their name just yet." He explained. Introducing himself then, he added, "I'm N'var of Green Nemesyth." As he spoke his green firelizard betweened above his shoulder. "And this little nuisance is Briar."

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When Eira walked up to the lake, she had completely failed at noticing N'var, she was just so bent on being alone and surrounded by as near of a silence as she could get. Either way, her eyes closed and she let out a small soft 'hm' as she thought to herself. Her being alone did not last long though, not with N'var walking up to her and disturbing the silence. While normally she would of scowled, she found herself jumping at the sudden voice and quickly sat up. Oh, she recognized him from before. A rider if she remembered him right. She let him talk though, finish up what he was saying as she stood up to her feet, dusting herself off of any sand clinging to her.

”My name is Eira, nice to meet you N'var.” She spoke softly but, it wasn't so soft it was hard to hear.”And it's nice to meet you too Briar.” She told the firelizard, her lips curling into a small smile. She would of mentioned something to Nemesyth out of courtesy but the dragon was a little far off to do so.”Funny you never seen me around before.” Really, she found it odd, considering she visited her great aunt plenty of times, if he had been there for two turns she would think he had seen her around before. ”I say this because my aunt is Headwoman Emera, I visited her several times before, monthly visits almost.” Just a small simply explanation was all that was needed. It really was possible that he just overlooked her or something.

”I'm living here permanently now though, just found out here is the quietest around Refuge. I grew up on a small cothold so it's still a little bit, you know...Loud.” Even if she had been there for two months it was still something hard to get used to. At least for her it was, it also wasn't some big secret she felt bothered sharing either. Some people just liked the peace and quiet but, even if she wanted it, a small chat with anyone was welcomed and she wasn't going to bite his head off for coming up and asking who she was. Reaching up, she brushed her dark brown hair from her face. ”Just really have to learn to get used to it, I guess.” Eira was of course speaking about the general loudness of the Weyr, some things were just harder to get used to than others

[HG]

If there was one thing a conniving Lord Holder knew how to do it was make connections with people in power. Niece to the Headwoman was someone worth knowing as far as N’var was concerned. “Ah, well I impressed Nemesyth shortly after arriving here. Since then, my life has been consumed with her wellbeing. Still it is nice to finally meet you. Emera is a brilliant Headwoman.” What had prompted her to move here permanently he wondered. Briar made a sweet trilling noise to the girl and then gently nuzzled her rider’s neck. The few images he picked up showed a very hungry flit and a very angry cook. He was in for it when he was at the Dining Hall next.

N’var did know about it being loud, however living in a Major Hold was not much different as far as noise went. He was someone who liked to have his ME time which required peace and quiet for him to think things over. Nemesyth did not understand his need for this but knew that he was happy when he had some quiet, which was all that mattered to the green dragon. “Yes, the Lake is the best area for quiet. I come here for that reason myself. Now that Nemesyth and I are getting our own weyr, it should be just as tranquil. At least that’s my hope.”

Would be nice to have a place of complete solitude. “I don’t know. Sometimes the noise of the Weyr doesn’t bother small cotholders at all. Perhaps you are just someone who has a clearer head when there is complete silence. In which case, you may never be completely acclimated to the loudness here. I grew up in a large Hold and was used to noise when I came here but I always have to have my quiet time. Some people just need there solitude in ways that others will never be able to understand.” He was thinking aloud more than actually giving her a speech. That was how he felt about his own personality. He could be quite grumpy when he had to be around people constantly. They pissed him off.

“So what brings you here on a permanent basis? Just your Aunt or are you a Candidate for Aeriath’s latest?” N’var had to ask that question. He liked to know who potential future wingmates might be. Besides he would like to have someone to bet on for the gambling that happened pre-Hatching. Made watching more exciting. Course he would only gamble a couple of marks. N’var had to save up to furnish his Weyr in things that were of high quality. Nemesyth and himself would not settle for less.

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Hearing why her face wasn't familiar to him, made sense. The dragonriders were responsible for their dragon's well being after all. Her lips curled into a slight smile and she nodded a little as he mentioned her aunt. ”That she is, I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who thinks that.” How her aunt was able to do so much without breaking a sweat was beyond her. Looking to Briar for a moment when the little thing let out a sweet trilling noise, her smile brightened for a brief moment.

Eira had not elaborated on why she lived here permanently, if he didn't ask why she wouldn't mention it. It was just one of those things that she felt awkward talking about but, knew she needed to when someone asks why. In a way, to her it felt like she wasn't being fully truthful if she simply told him she was a candidate. Nodding in agreement about the quiet she looked away from him for a moment or two before her hazel eyes drifted back to his face. ”I'm sure that would be nice, even if it's not as tranquil I'm sure it would be quieter just because you wouldn't be surrounded by too many people.” That what she would assume anyways, the less people the less noise.

”Wouldn't be surprised if that is the case for myself. Some day's are a little easier than others, for which I am thankful for.” It just depended on the amount of noise all of those people brought for her. If they were a relatively quiet bunch Eira would be just fine, she could handle being around plenty of people. It was interesting meeting new people too, like N'var for instance, he was from up north judging from the mention of growing up in a large Hold. She was ready to ask about the north but, that would way seeign as he asked her why she was here on a permanent basis.

For a brief moment, a sad look crossed the young woman's face before a heavy sigh left her. ”Neither reason really...I'm hear for my Aunt and I am a Candidate. But...”

[/color] Another heavy sigh left her as she bit her lip for a moment or two in thought. ”The cothold I lived in, was attacked by the holdless, my father was killed during it.” It was the short quick version of it and in a way she hoped it would explain why she was here a little better. b]”So you come from the North right? What is it like? If you don't mind me asking and you're not sick of people asking about it that is.”[/b] It was an obvious subject change. Even if the people of the North banished their lot to the South ages ago, it still had to be a better subject than her fathers death.[/blockquote]

[HG]

Poor little cothold girl, he thought to himself in his own arrogant way. If Nemesyth were not sleeping she would echo his sentiment. “Ahh. I am very sorry to hear that. My condolences.” He would love for his father to die but not just yet. He needed to show that he could make a way for himself in the world. That he wasn’t some useless younger son. He could imagine that losing her father young would have an impact on her life that the Weyrbred folk could not possibly understand. “I suppose the new scenery and change of pace help to deal with the loss a bit. Must make Standing for the Clutch a bit of a double edged sword though eh?”

N’var did not agree with how the Weyr raised its children as a group giving them out to people who shared their talents. He would prefer to raise his own children if he were so inclined. He was obviously not going to be someone who would need to worry about children. N’var didn’t much care for them anyway. So he moved on in his head to what she was asking him about. The North, his home, Keroon…

“Yes, I’m the son of Redell, Lord Holder of Keroon, Home of the Beast-crafthall.” She may or may not know anything about the major Holds of the North but everyone knew what a Lord Holder was. They were practically royalty on Pern. Not including Gold and Bronze riders they were some of the most well known people on the planet too. “Where I’m from a flat, grassy land, with few trees. The temperature is cool most of the Turn, sometimes a bit windy. It is rarely as muggy as it is here and the sky seems to stretch out for miles in every direction. Keroon is known for its runnerbeasts more than anything else. So you would on any given day see many runners on the grasslands.”

While he was speaking he remembered the fine details of his home. His own home, where his mother loved him and probably took too good of care of him for he grew to be more like her than any of his siblings at the Hold proper. “Now my family lives in the Hold proper. There is a large stone structure built unlike anything you have here in the South. Its magnificent, in a way, the courtyard is made from beautiful colored stones constructed into the pattern of the crest of Keroon. Inside the floors are a polished stone and the walls have tapestries of great artistry. My room was decorated to the standards of what one would expect from a Lord’s son. I have great taste in tapestries and furniture.” In fact he would wager he had great taste in everything.

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”And I thank you for them.” Eira replied lightly, telling someone they were sorry to hear a family member had passed was only normal, even if they didn't mean them. It was just like how she politely thanked him for the condolences, even if she rather that her father was still alive. She was close to both her parents, she wasn't raised by a foster like many Weyr children were and while she liked children, she didn't like the idea of someone else raising her child if she were to have one. ”You can say that, help's keep my mind off of thing's and keep's me busy.” While she'll miss him, she knew the man would of wanted her to keep on with her studies. Even though she didn't comment to the mention of standing for the clutch, she fully agreed with him.

As N'var talked about who he was, she tilted her head slightly in interest. He was right in knowing she may not know anything about the major Holds of the North, but she did know what a Lord Holder was. He had certainly caught her interest as he spoke of his home. ”Must be nice for it to be so cool.” Eira commented softly, she was fairly use to the mugginess but, a cool breezy day was always a welcome. ”I always liked watching the runners, hearing that you could find many on the grasslands on any given day must had been a sight to see.” Must have been peaceful to sit on a grassy knoll and just watched the runners go about their business.

Where he lived itself sounded beautiful. Maybe a little extravagant but, his father was a Hold Lord. Extravagance was common in those cases weren't they? ”The way you talk about your home, it really must have been beautiful and something that would take a persons breath away.” Eira commented lightly. ”Though, I hope all of the well crafted tapestries and furniture did not spoil your taste for simpler things.” Her shoulders shrugged slightly. ”I find that something simple made from a good friend can rival a masters work, it's silly but, it's the feeling they put into it seeing as it's a gift and not something made for the highest bidder.” Eira spoke carefully, she did not want to come off like she was saying something insulting to his tastes. Just looking at the way he dressed seemed like he had very rich tastes, once again it would be expected of him to want only the finest.

{blah post is blah, hope it works for you and just let me know if I need to change anything!}

[HG]

The girl was very much the kind of person he would have no trouble getting along with. Quick to agree with someone else and also quick to let things that might bother another person go. N’var was not saying she was a complete push over although she could be in certain situations. He watched Eira’s expression change as she spoke. Her father had been close to her. N’var’s father was not to keen on spending time with his youngest son.

“It is or it was beautiful. Who knows how Keroon looks now. With Thread likely falling in the North. The Holds are probably looking quite bare.” The thought of dead runners splayed across brown fields where there once was life entered his mind. He quickly shook his head, thinking the idea upsurd. Surely his father had been cautious and made sure there was no green at the Hold proper. There would be plenty of people living there, and live runners.

To what end, he wondered. If the dragonriders remained in the South and did not aide the North, eventually all life would perish and so too would the people. “To Lord Holders it is very important to have things made by the best because it is a status symbol. We do not decorate merely to have beautiful things, we decorate to impress people.” He was sure that his very bare walled new weyr was going to make him long for the finer things in life. Some people may be able to settle for simple. He was not one of them.

“I don’t see why I shouldn’t have the best of the best if that’s what I want. I’ll be paying for it and have great satisfaction in having a place that I feel at home in.” If that was wrong then he did not want to be right. If he lived up North his mother would have insisted on helping him decorate. Course they had no idea he was a greenrider. Their reactions to situations concerning him might change very extremely. He had not chosen the green dragon though, she had chosen him. He would not trade her for his parent’s approval. Nemesyth was so much a part of himself now that he could not imagine a life where he had no dragon.

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Eira was not a complete pushover in many ways, she just knew what to say when she needed to say it. The young woman hoped so anyways. As for her father, she was close to him seeing as she was an only child and was also learning the fine art of healing from him so there were many bonding moments. Her father would often beamed with pride when she did something right. It was still funny to her the differences of living in the Weyr compared to in a small cothold.

Listening to him, she frowned slightly as he mentioned the thread before slowly nodding. ”I hope by some miracle it hasn't fallen yet.” She replied softly. Really, she didn't understand fully why they couldn't help. It was around a hundred years ago when the Dragonriders were banned from the North. Why cling to something in the past so much? Yes, it wasn't exactly the right thing for them to do but, their descendents obviously wanted their help now. Why make so many people suffer for something done in the past?

As he moved on to speak of how to Lord Holders it was more important to have the best to impress people and use it as some sort of status symbol, she nodded in agreement seeing as he was right about that. While he may not be able to settle for simplicity, she was one of those who did not mind 'settling' for it. Once more, he did in fact have a point it was his money and he could decorate his private Weyr whichever way he wanted. ”If it makes you happy that is what counts then. Would hate for someone to force me to stay out of the infirmary. I blame my father for that, he indulged me far too much when it came to things like that.” Eira spoke fondly of it though, seeing as her mind worked for healing and it was a good thing her father started teaching things here and there when she was just a girl.

”What was it like to be a Lord Holder's son though? I'm sure you had plenty of responsibilities and a name to live up to...” She was about to say something else but instead her cheeks flushed with pink for a moment there. ”Sorry, I didn't mean to ask so many questions.” It was a short to the point apology and one she meant too.

[HG]

Even N'var, sure as he was of himself had moments where he was doubtful. Her hope that Thread was not falling in the North was comforting but did little to sate his desire to know. He knew better than to cling to hope. Before he had left for the Expedition there were already reports of Dust storms which were frozen Thread. He had no doubt that the warmer areas of the North were being hit and hard. The greenrider had no proof however, only a feeling in his gut which told him it must be so.

"I bet you would leave the infirmary for a dragon. Best feeling on all of Pern is finding your life partner." He could not think of a single person who would not trade their craft for a dragon. Not that she couldn't do both eventually. The first Turn of a dragonet's life was much too hectic for any study outside of Werling lessons.

Thinking about his past was like looking at a strangers life. He felt the past was so far away that he could not really recall how he felt. In the end it just took thinking back on his family and how he had been treated. He closed his eyes for a moment, taking in a deep breath.

"Being a Lord Holder's son is different than what most people think. My parents were strict in my upbringing. Everything I did was seen by someone or other. In short I was living a very restrictive life. Although, in every family there are expectations. I was not the son my father wanted. Which is why I was sent on the Expedition in the first place. I had no purpose and therefore was expendable."
His family thought him dead by now. He was sure of that. In a way he was dead. He was no longer Nevarre. He was now N'var, rider of green Nemesyth of Refuge Weyr. Awkward though it might be for him, he was willing to tell people about the North when they asked. He wanted to garner sympathy for his home. "Its only natural to be curious. The brightest people in the world ask the most questions from what I know. "

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Eira was sincere about her hopes that the Thread had yet fallen, a comforting gesture she meant.. She wouldn't know what to do if she was in his shoes of not knowing what exactly was happening up North. Just about everyone in the Weyr heard about the Thread and she herself heard about it thanks to over hearing snippets of others conversation about it. Still, the idea of it being all true was unsettling to think that so far, it seemed like no one was going to help.

As he talked about leaving the infirmary for a dragon, she thought about it for a moment or two before slowly nodding. ”It all depends if a dragon impresses me or not of course. I doubt I'll be very broken hearted if I am not though, everyone has their place. Be dragon rider or a healer.” She commented with a small smile. The young woman wouldn't admit it, but, she really would be a little bit upset if she wasn't impressed. Eira just wouldn't let it show and brush off any sad feelings if she had them. ”Guess you could call me a little bit odd for thinking like that.”

Letting him think out his answer, she simply waited until he was ready to say something. ”I think when it comes to certain families, especially those that are important, it seems almost understandable about strictness and restrictions. Especially if things are riding on a son to carry on a family name or other things like that.” Eira had spoke this before he went on to mention he was not the son his father wanted and why he was sent onto this expedition. Her hazel eyes soften and a small 'tsk' sound left her. ”Hate to say this, but, I find that thinking completely...Wrong. Like I said earlier everyone had their place in this world. No one is expendable even if you aren't the son your father wanted.” Sighing heavily, she had to shake her head to calm herself a little. ”Sorry I have very strong opinions when it comes to things such as that. People should be more grateful for what they have in this world if you asked me.”

For a moment there, her cheeks flushed a soft pink as he mentioned that the brightest people in the world asked the most questions. ”Then I'm sure you won't mind me asking...What was it like to cross the sea? Or the beaches? I never been before and was always curious to how it was different from the lake shore.”

{Hope this works and let me know if I need to change the bit about the sea! I wasn't sure how far away it was exactly!}