Aleori

"Mmmm...oh! Where-" Aleori sat up sleepily and looked in confusion at her surroundings. She'd been woken by a most terrible feeling of hunger... I'm very sorry to wake you up, but I am so so hungry... a voice said plaintively. "Varuith!" Aleori exclaimed, remembering the events of yesterday. "Hang on, dearie, just let me put some clothes on..." she reassured her dragonet. Does that take long? My stomach is soooo empty... Varuith shifted her feet anxiously. "No, love, it doesn't. Come on, we'll get you something to eat." Aleori climbed off her weyrling bunk and patiently followed her green hatchling out to where food awaited.

After making sure that Varuith was chewing properly, Aleori sat down next to her dragon and simply gazed at her, chin in hand. What a beautiful dragonet she is. That perfect, pure light green color. It reminds me of the leaf shoots on the trees in the spring. And such powerful wings! Why, they're the strongest-looking in the whole clutch! She's got such a lovely lithe body when her stomach's not full... the young dragonrider smiled tenderly at Varuith, who had finished her meal and was staggering drowsily towards the Weyr lake, where she was to take a nap with the other hatchlings.

Aleori encouraged her dragon to a good, sandy spot. Varuith plopped down immediately and curled up, her head and tail tucked under one outspread wing for protection from the sun. Aleori stroked her dragon until the young green fell asleep, then quietly stepped to one side and sat down again. She looked curiously at the other new dragonpairs, and spotted E'tarin, who had Impressed a nice-looking brown. I hope his Requarith catches Varuith come her mating time. the thought flitted across the greenrider's mind before she could stop herself. She did really like E'tarin, and was rather sure the brownrider liked her too. But you're not allowed a relationship until Varuith matures, remember? Aleori told herself firmly, and decided to stare at the calm lake waters.

Aleori closed her eyes and pictured in her mind the Star Stones, drawing up the most vivid image she could. Varuith launched lightly into the air and popped into freezing between for three heartbeats, then burst out in the exact coordinates her rider had given. Aleori wanted to shout and dance around. They'd made their first trip between perfectly! "Good one, Varuith love! You're the greatest!" she clapped the green weyrling on the shoulder affectionately.

Aleori stood up and exited the Wingleader's office, grinning broadly as she went outside to find Varuith. Why are you so happy, my rider? the green inquired curiously as Aleori mounted onto her neck. "We've been made wingriders! That new Misterioso Calina Wing. And E'tarin's the Wingsecond..." the rider told her dragon as they glided the short distance back to their own weyr. That is good, we will be able to sear the Threads. Requarith is a fine strong brown, and handsome. But no piddling male will be able to catch me in flight! Varuith bobbed her great head emphatically, flipping her wings back and settling onto the warm ledge to sunbathe. "Yes dear, you'll give them a run for their money!" replied Aleori with a chuckle.