Cravitomin sputtered as he came to the surface of the water and mock glared at the young dolphin calves who circled him. WHOOSH! The young 18 turn old windmilled his arms horizontally at the calves splashing them with a playful roar. The young dolphins dove under avoiding the splashes even if the water would not hurt them. They were at play with the favorite friend; Crav! The local pod at Raku Sea Hold were friendly with everyone but seemed to be most friendly with Cravitomin ever since their Dolphin Healer Apprentice, Katzy, had gone away just over a turn ago. She’d proudly impressed a blue despite her heterosexual lifestyle. Cravitomin was proud of that.
In the turns that Katzy had lived at Raku Sea Hold Cravitomin had some how become friends with the dolphin healing prankster. He highly respected her in the fact that she’d not been afraid to stand up to the Master Dolphineer’s daughter Tana nor bring herself as low as to join, what was known by those who disliked the tall and beautiful girl, Tana’s Clan. Instead he’d found it delightful that the girl was able to do so much good in the Hold and to the Hall there while at the same time as teaching the most hated of the holdbrats a thing or two.
Before Katzy, Cravitomin had been a quiet young man who didn’t fear Tana yet had reluctantly joined the ranks of her Clan. He’d watched from the back of the group as Tana would insult a holdbrat whom had done nothing wrong and would sometimes beat up the youngsters just for the fun of it. Usually the child was young or new to the hold and not able to do a good job defending themselves. Cravitomin, even at that time, would find some way to stay back after the incidents and try to help out the child. Katzy changed all that as she outright defied Tana and defended the children with the help of her blue fire lizard, Squan. Cravitomin, inspired by the slightly younger girl took it upon himself to be one step ahead of their mutual enemy and be a turn coat as he made sure those in Tana’s sights were well prepared for where she might strike.
Cravitomin continued his cause after Katzy left, more determined than ever. Those that knew of the happens could almost swear on the first egg that he seemed to be trying to prove something; They may have been right.
Upon Katzy’s visit a turn after her impression of blue Balaroth he finally admitted his association with Tana as a friend to be false to the young woman’s face. Because of his valor, a number of the Clan finally left Tana’s side; It seems that Cravitomin was not the only one to hate being in Tana’s group.
Feelings of distresses entered Cravitomin’s head, but not soon enough to wake him from his thoughts of earlier turns so that he could duck the wave one of the larger calves had cause to fly in his direction. Cravitomin nearly let go his last meal as he swallowed a mouth full of the salty Eastern Sea waters. Though he really didn’t need the help, the auburn haired young man was grateful for the dorsal fins which helped him to the surface once more. The large dolphin approached him whistling as if laughing at the same time as appoligizing.
“Sssssorrry, Cravy,” the dolphin nuzzled his cheek, “Kippy didn’ mean ta’ sssssoak Cravy like dat.” Cravitomin eyed the silvery mammal before giving her a rub as he coughed up the water he’d yet to swallow.
“Don’t worry, Kippy,” he smiled then looked above them where a tiny bronze fire lizard was chittering in concern, “Zatmon warned me, I just reacted slowly.” Zatmon was the newst addition to Cravitomin’s life, again on account of his blue riding friend from Dawn Sisters Weyr. The bronze’s egg had been a gift from Katzy on her last and only visit since impression. According to the trickster, the egg was not from Dawn Sisters but Star Reaches Weyr.
“Katzy!” the young dolphin sqeed.
“How’d…?”
“Katzzzzzzy! Katzzzzzzy! Katzzzzzy!” all the dolphins started to squeal as in the distance two dragons, one skimming the surface of the water, glided gracefully towards the inland. The dolphins headed out to greet the two dragons whom even without the dolphin’s confirmation, Cravitomin would have known the low flier was his friend. The young man blinked his stormy honey colored eyes; for a moment he’d thought he’d heard shouting but then the wind could manipulate voices.
Balaroth trumpeted as he and Katzy came out of between a number of dragonlengths away from shore. Shortly after another blue followed them, the blue was no more than perhaps a turn older than Balaroth and so showed it as he snorted when the blue dove to skim the water.
“Katzy!” the older blue’s rider yelled down at the other rider, “What are you doing, you and Balaroth could get in trouble that close to the water.”
“Don’t worry, W’son,” Katzy called back with a laugh, “We did this the last time we visited, Bally know’s when we’re in danger. You just make sure Imalth is watching and learning this move.” W’son’s not happy with you. C’gall put him in charge of us for this trip on account of our last flight, the Sr. Weyrling informed his bonded. Katzy chuckled, Had D’lom or W’ryn been around they would have had my hide by now and refused to come any further. Luckily they’re on search for Gillith in other places. Katzy could feel her blue rumble under her at his rider’s logic. He is there! the blue announced and obviously relayed the same message to Imalth. Sure enough as Katzy looked to the shore, a young man clad in soaking wet shorts waved to the incoming dragonriders.
Imalth is thinking, Balaroth informed his female rider. On Katzy’s shoulder her blue fire lizard, whom had been sleeping up until that moment, suddenly chirped wildly as a bronze fire lizard did loops around their heads. He says that he is Zatmon, your friend’s bronze, the blue cheerily informed her. Katzy giggled, it must have been the fire lizard from the egg she’d given Cravitomin on her last visit a month or so ago.
Tell Zatmon to inform Cravitomin that we’ll be landing in Raku Sea Hold’s courtyard. Tell Imalth to tell W’son that we wish to do that as well, make it a true visit/search. the blue mentally nodded to his rider and moments later the bronze disappeared. The blue rider looked over her shoulder at Dawn Sisters’ youngest search riding pair and received a wave of understanding from W’son. On the shore, the human was jogging towards the hold. Both blue dragons soon found themselves being escorted by the local pods; Another grand entrance for Katzy, blue Balaroth’s rider.
Cravitomin shucked a dry shirt over his well toned body. SHHHHWINK The young man groaned as his head finally popped through the opening and he surveyed the tear he’d just made. True it was a turn old shirt but still it baffled him that he’d grow so muscular yet still seem thin in such a short time. Again, most people would swear it was the cause of Katzy’s departure over a turn back. He sighed and shrugged it off, he’d have to work still today and in the hot sun more than likely.
“You might want to get ready to make a midday feast, m’friends,” Cravitomin’s kind voice was soft yet able to be heard by all in the kitchens as he walked through them on his way to great the two blue riders, “If you don’t know already we have dragonriders on the wing to land here and I’m sure Lord Technado will command it as soon as he greets them as well.” A number of the drudges nodded their thanks to the friendly young man yet couldn’t help but snicker as he tripped walking out the door. He quickly regained his dignity as practiced as he was in tripping whenever something of importance was about.
The dragons had landed only moments before, for as Cravitomin stumbled out into the courtyard, Katzy and the other blue rider dismounted from their dragons. He smiled at Katzy’s familiar blond hair with brown highlights was released from her helmet. The rider smiled at him for a moment and then her smile turned on the other blue rider as she waved him over even though he was already intending to do so.
“Welcome back, Katzy,” Cravitomin smiled while eyeing the other blue rider, “I didn’t expect to see you back so soon. Who’s your friend?” Cravitomin blinked as he found his words almost seemed bitter as he’d said friend. Oddly neither rider seemed to notice the slight venom in his words.
“W’son, blue Imalth’s rider,” W’son greeted Cravitomin with a hand shake and seemed to be looking him up and down. Was this one of the blue riders who preferred men? Katzy seemed to sense what her friend was thinking and shook her head so that Cravitomin could see it but her companion couldn’t. Then why was he looking at him like that, “It’s a pleasure to put a name with a face finally.” The male blue rider stated with a mock glare at Katzy who smirked back. A sudden slamming of metal shutters caused the trio to jump. W’son then looked at the two of them.
“Tana?” he asked.
“More than likely,” Katzy and Cravitomin replied in unison. W’son chuckled and stood straighter as the scuffing a boots on stone came from behind Cravitomin. Katzy on the other hand smiled brightly at the person coming.
“Good morrow, Lord Technado,” Katzy greeted her former Lord Holder.
“Ah, Katzy,” the middle aged Lord Holder smiled as he clasped her hand it greeting, “So nice to see you, and so soon after your last visit. How is your Balaroth, good? I see you brought a friend with you.”
“W’son, blue Imalth’s rider,” he bowed formally, before taking over the whole conversation, “I am a Seachrider at Dawn Sisters Weyr. Gillith, our Sr. Queen has just clutched 25 egg. So aside from Katzy’s visit,” here the brown haired man’s eyes narrowed at Katzy who continued to play innocent, “We are also here on search.” A whirlwind seemed to emphasize the importance of the rider’s words. Cravitomin raised and eyebrow at Katzy who only smiled and nodded in agreement with the other rider. She’s up to something
So what do you think so far, Balaroth asked Imalth as he watched the conversations bellow them. The Aneris Weyr breed blue stayed silent for a time watching his rider and the Lord Holder talking. Interesting the other blue replied as the quartet retreated into the Hold. That was a good statement right? the younger blue questioned the searchdragon.
Imalth was quiet for a time again before turning his head towards Balaroth. Very good. You were good to have spotted him, he’s ripe to be impressed. In fact, I’m positive he’ll impress to one of Gillith’s children. Balaroth’s eyes whirled happily green and blue and he gave a soft trumpet though all the hold could hear it quite well, and some were annoyed by the sound. Particularly the one whom threw a shoe at the two blues. To her surprise and utter dismay by her sheik, the shoe was quickly sent back in the direction it had come without so much as being breathed on.
You could have sent it in another direction and not back into her face, Imalth commented dryly to his charge. That one deserves it for all the trouble she’s caused in this Hold. Katzy has been angered many times just thinking about the girl and what she knows she’s done to others. the young blue replied relaying pictures of what his rider had depicted. Imalth grunted yet did not object to what his companion had shown him. Maybe Tana had deserved it.
It was near the end of the midday meal when both blue riders sat rigid listening to their dragon. Cravitomin didn’t even seem to notice as he was talking with one of the former Clan members as the recalled what Katzy had last done to Tana.
“Crav,” Katzy cut into the conversation smiling apologetically to the former crony of Tana’s, “We need to speak with you… outside.” Cravitomin raised an eyebrow at her, his honey colored eyes looking at her spaciously again. What did she have to say to him in the presence of no one say W’son. Cravitomin gave a curt nod to his friend before following the two riders out the door and back into the courtyard.
“So what is it?” he asked and on his shoulder Zatmon hissed softly at his master’s mental aggression. Surprisingly, or maybe not so surprisingly, Katzy laughed.
“Calm yourself, Crav, it’s not like we’re delivering bad news,” she chuckled. W’son now had a smile on his features as he chuckled also.
“Quite so, I believe we have good news,” he smiled, “you have 18 turns, am I correct?”
“Yes, why do you…?” Cravitomin trailed off as two sets of whirling green blue eyes looked down at him happily, the older one crooned incorrigibly. W’son smiled at the blue out of the corner of his eye.
“I was getting to that, Imalth,” he smiled, “Cravitomin, would you consider coming with us to stand on the sands for Gillith’s latest clutch?” Cravitomin stood there astonished, did he just hear the Searchrider right? You did. a voice came into his head sounding so matter-o-fact-ly that the red head took a step back. So will you come. Katzy thinks you would; so do I. came a voice much like Katzy’s but much deeper yet just as comical. He looked back at the rider whom seemed to know that their dragons had said just a few words to him.
“W-w-well,” Cravitomin stuttered blinking rapidly, “I didn’t imagine this would happen on this visit…”
“Are you or aren’t you, Crav?” Katzy asked him impatiently.
“When do we leave for Dawn Sisters Weyr?” Cravitomin smiled as his flit chirped happily. The two riders smiled heartily patting him on the back and started to lead him towards the Hold again to gather his stuff. A half hour later, Cravitomin was astride Imalth and in the sky, while Katzy on Balaroth recklessly led the way.
Cravitomin watched as a tiny green, the last to hatch from Dawn Sisters latest clutch walk right by him. There’d been a large number of candidates from the hatching who’d not impressed… but then that was to be expected, not everyone impressed on their first time. Even with that knowledge the teen from Raku Sea Hold was disappointed. On his shoulder his bronze fire lizard crooned sadly at his master.
“It’s alright, Zatmon,” Cravitomin sighed rubbing his fire lizard’s head, trying to believe his words himself. The 6’4” young man turned and walked out of the hatching grounds and away from the feasting. Deep down he felt that he’d let everyone down; Katzy and W’son who had searched him, Master Dolphineer Jonie, Lord Technado, Katzy’s friends and family whom he’d meet at Talor Cliff Weyr: V’sec, G’rumon, and Montiny. I failed them.
It was no real surprise to Cravitomin when he arrived outside the hatching ground in the Weyr Bowl that Katzy and her blue Balaroth were there to greet him.
“I thought for sure…” Katzy growled, obviously angry that she’d been wrong.
“I know, I did too,” he replied. Silence rained on the air as dusk fell upon the Northern Weyr each teen left with their own thoughts. Cravitomin’s mind wondered back to when he lived at Raku, life had been good… aside from Tana. Perhaps this was the reason he felt so strongly about impressing now, to get away from her.
“You’re right, Bally, when she hears of this she’ll use it to her advantage,” Katzy mumbled out loud and Cravitomin’s head shot up. Katzy gave a disgusted smile as she answered her friend’s question, “He believes Tana’s going to be overjoyed at the news of you not impressing and pointing out I was wrong.”
“Maybe she was right,” Cravitomin replied in agreement, an idea of his own forming in his head.
“W-what?” Katzy stammered and Balaroth bulged his agreement with his rider, “You can’t be serious, Tana could never be right in this area! Bally may be young but you a brimming with potential to be a rider. Don’t tell me you’re giving up already and running home in defeat!”
“I said nothing of the sort,” Cravitomin replied and winked at the younger teen cheekily, “I said maybe she was right, what I meant was that maybe she was right that I wouldn’t impress at Dawn Sisters Weyr, I mean it’s happened before, a candidate doesn’t do well on one set of sands yet impresses at another Weyr on their first try.”
Katzy rolled her eyes and playfully punched her friend’s tightly muscled arm. “I knew you were a bright one, Crav,” she growled before mounting her blue, “but next time give you’re whole idea before I consider you crazed!” Cravitomin laughed, a smile finally coming to his features.
“So what can we do to prove Tana’s theory that I’d never be able to impress at all?” Cravitomin asked the blue rider.
“I’m going to go talk to a few people,” Katzy smirked, “you go feast with the others, I’ll see you when I get back” Not letting Cravitomin reply Katzy and Balaroth took off throwing up a small dust tornado. With a whoop from the mischievous blue rider they disappeared between Zatmon chirped questionably as he looked at the place where Balaroth’s blue form had disappeared.
“I wonder who she’ll bring back,” Cravitomin sighed with a smile. He looked down at his candidate robe and frowns. With a bit of wiggling from the candidate and a chittering from his bronze fire lizard, Cravitomin was soon out of the garb. He carefully folded the item. If I’m so determined to impress I should probably save this for the next hatching I’m at. he smiled trying to make himself sure of himself again. With a trill from Zatmon, Cravitomin heading back to the feasting. He may not have impressed but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t enjoy himself at the feast tonight.
It took a few days of searching for Katzy and her blue Balaroth but soon they returned with good news. Cravitomin was grudgingly cleaning the latrines at the time. Oh what a gross task that was… Katzy well remembered and chuckled though she kept a respectful distance from her older friend.
“How bad it is today?” the blue rider chuckled in greeting, Cravitomin grunted at her too busy with the irritating job but determined to clean it up to Headwoman Irita’s standards. Katzy watched Cravitomin’s toned frame for a moment more and tilted her head to the side, “So do you want to here about what I’ve found out?”
“In a few, Katz,” the candidate grumbled, “Irita would have my hide if she didn’t think this was clean enough. I like my hide quite well thank you very much.” Katzy chuckled at the honey-eyed man’s reply.
“Fine,” Katzy sighed and her blue fire lizard Squan chattered as if chiding the man, Zatmon screeched right back, “Just take a good, strong bath before you come to hear my news. I want you scrubbed clean and you to be dry for what I’m reporting to you.” Cravitomin blinked at his work and listened to the prankster blue rider walk off, Must be something pretty good… better finish this quick. It was a good two to five minutes before he’d finished his task and went to seek approval from the Headwoman. With a curt nod she dismissed him to take a bath.
Cravitomin hopped into the bathing pool with glee. It would be good to get the germs and discusting smell of a litrine off of him. Faranth help him should he have to do that on a day somebody decided to be sick, the thought caused him to shutter and he ducked under water as if to cleanse his mind of the thought. Are you about ready, Cravitomin? Katzy’s getting a bit antsy and so are they. a voice like Katzy’s yet masculine questioned the bathing candidate. They, Balaroth? Cravitomin questioned the blue. There was only something resembling a mental chuckle in reply.
The young man from Raku Sea Hold surfaced once again still wondering about the blue. With a sigh and a smile, Cravitomin shook his head and abandoned the pool. He dried himself quickly walking only in his towel towards the now nearly empty candidate barracks. He peered in carefully making sure that no one was there. He’d lived in the Weyr for nearly three months now but he still wasn’t used to being around others while changing, he’d had his own room back at the Hold. He let out his breath in relief at the empty room. Then suddenly a loud chirp was made in his ear.
“What the?!?!” Cravitomin yelped and found his bronze fire lizard circling his head, “Shard it, Zatmon, don’t do that to me!” The young bronze crooned apologetically as he landed on his master’s shoulder and nuzzled his cheek. Cravitomin chuckled and quickly grabbed at his towel that was threatening to fall to the ground before he wanted it to.
With in another five minutes he was dressed in a pair of lightly shade wher-hide pants and dark blue jerkin. He glanced at himself in a sheet of polished brass that served as a mirror. His dark amber eyes nearly matched the polished surface while the rest of his body took on a brass hue. He gave a half smile running his hand through his hair before heading towards the Weyrbowl. Zatmon trilled happily on his shoulder.
Cravitomin squinted hard as he stepped out into the bright midday sunlight. It took him a moment to get his eyes adjusted but soon he saw the bright blue form that was Katzy’s dragon Balaroth. Next to dragon and rider another blue pairing stood appraising them. There were rumbles going between both blues and the unknown blue’s rider glanced at Katzy.
“And he didn’t impress?” Cravitomin could hear the rider asking Katzy before he was close enough to not have to yell to them. Cravitomin bowed slightly in greeting.
“That’s right,” Katzy replied, “Cravitomin this is Searchrider U’scu, blue Zayanth’s rider, from Moon Shadow Weyr. U’scu, Cravitomin of Raku Sea Hold.”
“A pleasure I’m quite sure,” U’scu replied holding out hand which the holderboy grasped in a firm handshake, “So you were searched by Katzy then?”
“U’scu, I thought we went through this, Bally’s not a search dragon it’s just that Cravitomin has been brimming with rider potential that even a hatchling could feel it in him.”
“Then why didn’t a hatchling pick me at the last clutch, Katz?” Cravitomin snapped at his friend and immediately ducked his head in embarrassment. He’d been getting a lot of hurtful remarks from some of the impressed riders as of late and sometimes being reminded that he didn’t impress made it worse.
“Has he always had this temper,” U’scu frowned slightly.
“Sorry, Searchrider,” Cravitomin replied for himself, “some new riders can be a bit annoying when they gloat about their dragon and somebody else not impressing.” The blue rider nodded in seemingly understanding the teen. His eyes glazed over for a time and he smiled again.
“Well, would you like to get away from here?” U’scu smiled, “Moon Shadow has a clutch on the sands and we’re in need of candidates.” Cravitomin nodded in reply while looking at his home for nearly the past three months.
“I like Dawn Sisters but I have a feeling my lifemate’s not going to appear here,” the young man finally focused on the Moon Shadow Weyr rider, “I’d like to go if you have the room.” U’scu chuckled and nodded in reply. Without being told, Cravitomin quickly gathered his things. Everything was nearly packed already because he knew he’d be heading to another Weyr when he was given the chance.
Within the hour Cravitomin was astride Katzy’s Balaroth and the blue was following Zayanth into the air. The cold of between found its way into him as the entered blackness for three counts. The next moment the sun burst brightly in his eyes and he and to close his eyes and find control of the multicolored spots that burst there for a time.
As his eyes finally regained his proper vision he looked down toward the Weyr which he would call home for who knew how long… it could be another month at the least… no one was really sure, least of all himself. It was a large Weyr and looked quite wondrous to the new comer. Well, here’s hoping is better the second time around, the candidate thought to himself as they circled to land in what would be his new life.
| Name | Cravitomin |
| Nick Name | Crav |
| Age | 18 |
| Height | 6' 4" |
| Hair | Auburn |
| Eyes | Stormy honey |
| Rank | Candidate |
| Born | Raku Sea Hold |
| Pets | Bronze fire lizard(Zatmon) |
| Current Residency | Moon Shaddow Weyr |
| Name | Zatmon |
| Gender | Male |
| Species/rank | fire lizard/bronze |
| Age | Hatchling |
| Egg from | Star Reaches Weyr |
| Current Residency | Moon Shadow Weyr |