Beach Reflections

Writers: Francesca
Date Posted: 25th January 2021

Characters: Arrilon, Kamalia
Description: Kamalia and Arrilon reflect on the past Turn.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 1, day 7 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentioned: Chalzie, Jayala (not by name)

Alaudath landed gently on the sand, Joy popping out of /between/ a
moment later. The green firelizard immediately headed to the water to
play, chittering at the dragon to join her. Kamalia quickly
dismounted, followed by Arrilon, and removed the riding straps. Now
unburdened, Alaudath made her way to the water as well, Joy happily
circling around her.

Brother and sister smiled, watching the antics of dragon and
firelizard for a moment, before laying out a blanket and setting out
the picnic. While the weather couldn't be called hot, it was
comfortable enough for an afternoon at the beach. Kamalia had learned
about the location from a friend and, now that Arrilon was no longer
at Dolphin Cove Weyr, it seemed the best place for them to spend time
together.

The pair ate in companionable silence for a few minutes, enjoying the
sandwiches and wine Kamalia had brought in a basket. Finally, the
greenrider broke the silence. "So, Turns End?" she asked. "I assume
things are less wild at the Hall than the Weyr?"

"Well, everyone kept their clothes on," Arrilon replied with a small
smile, remembering a particularly wild party at the Weyr several Turns
back. "It was pretty amazing though. Think of any party you've been to
with some harpers. This was a party where most were harpers. I lost
count of the number of songs I heard." There had been large ensembles,
duos and trios, as well as soloists. It was a chance to have fun as
well as show off. He had found it a little intimidating, but
exhilarating as well. He was glad he had been at the hall for three
months, which had given him enough time to settle into a chamber group
and start getting to know some of the other Journeymen. He still
wasn't used to living in a place that revolved around the harpercraft
rather than dragons. But, he was already looking forward to the next
celebration.

"That does sound fun," Kamalia said. She could see why he would have
enjoyed it, even though music wasn't what she was most interested in
when celebrating. "Did you talk to any young women?" she asked, half
teasing. She assumed he still had feelings for Chalzie, three months
after the dolphineer had broken off their relationship, but also knew
he was eager to get married and have kids.

"No." He refrained from rolling his eyes at Kamalia's nosiness. She
had studiously avoided questions about his love life since his arrival
at the Harper Hall, knowing it was a sore subject. But he knew it had
only been a matter of time before those questions started up again.

"What are the women like at the Hall? Do you have any classes with
women?" Even though they were holdbred, life outside of a Weyr now
felt completely foreign to Kamalia. She had left Amber Hills Hold at
14 and, even if she hadn't Impressed, she couldn't have imagined
returning there after life in the Weyr.

"There are a number of girls who are apprentices, but not that many
Journeymen." The gender imbalance was still a shock to him, since
things were different at the Weyr. "And then there are lots of women
who live at the Hall: wives of harpers and support staff. I don't
really talk to any of them though." His feelings for Chalzie hadn't
changed, so it didn't feel right to try getting to know any other
women. And he didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea, even if he
just wanted to be friends. He wasn't sure what others said about him,
given his Turns spent at the Weyr, and didn't want to ruin anyone's
reputation. Hopefully as others got to know him, they'd see he wasn't
so different from them.

Not wanting Kamalia to have a negative impression of the Hall, he
added, "The Hallsecond is a woman."

"Really? Well, that's good. And, since you're a Journeyman, you report to her?"

He nodded. "I haven't really needed to meet with her since I arrived,
but she seems great." He found her to be kind and supportive, and
assumed he could go to her if any craft-related issues came up.
Wanting to change the subject, his tone turned lighter. "And how about
your Turns End? Or, wait!" He held up a hand and grimaced. "Maybe I
don't want to know."

"Ari," Kamalia said with a short laugh. "Don't worry, I won't give you
all the details. I celebrated with some friends. It was nice, although
the music probably wasn't up to your standards." There had been a
brownrider with a gitar, and then a cute bluerider... she hadn't spent
the night in her weyr. "It was a nice end to the Turn. And, it's a
good warm-up for my birthingday!" She smiled to show she was joking.

"You know, ever since you got me a firelizard egg for my birthingday,
you've kind of ruined birthingday gifts forever." Impressing Joy had
been one of the best things that had happened to him. Other
relationships could end at any time, but she would always be there,
and he would never be able to thank Kamalia enough.

"I know." She tried to keep a straight face, but failed miserably
after just a few seconds.

"Hey!" Arrilon threw a napkin at her. "You're never going to let me
forget it, are you?"

"Of course I'm not! That's what sisters do." She gestured towards the
green dragon and firelizard, still playing in the water. "I'm glad
they get along so well. You know, Joy comes to visit sometimes, even
when I'm busy."

He nodded. "She sometimes disappears for a while and, when she comes
back, she sends pictures of Alaudath. I think she might miss being
surrounded by dragons, but it's nice she can go wherever she wants,
whenever she wants." He had tried to tell her not to go to the Dolphin
Hall, but wasn't sure if she listened. At least she didn't send images
of Chalzie to him, so he hoped she wasn't bothering the dolphineer.

The conversation turned to general gossip as they shared a bubbly pie.
Joy arrived to steal some food and then settled happily on Alaudath,
who had left the water and stretched herself out on the sand to dry
off.

"Any hopes for this year?" Arrilon asked his sister, licking some
final pie crumbs from his fingers.

Kamalia shrugged. "Nothing in particular. Things are pretty good right
now. I have Alaudath, friends, you... I don't really need anything
else. How about you?"

"I hope the Hall starts feeling more like home, and not just like a
place I'm visiting. And maybe I can find some real friends there." He
still felt a bit of distance from his fellow Journeymen, but at least
they were generally friendly. He had never been one to have many
friends, but hoped he could find at least one person to confide in.

The greenrider reached over to squeeze his arm. "I'm sure you will. It
just takes time." She grabbed the wineskin and refilled their glasses.
"To a new Turn."

"A new Turn."

Last updated on the February 10th 2022

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Beach Reflections