RCW:: Late Breakfast And Z’ran Regrets

Posted on Thu Apr 17th, 2025 @ 7:36pm by Gold Rider Lana & Bronze Rider Ni’hau

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: River Cove Weyr
Timeline: M2 D28

Lana had to admit it was not often she got to sleep in but with the gather less than a day away she needed to gather some of the strength for what was going to come tomorrow with the Holders and Crafters. She smiled to herself as she walked into the dining cavern and spotted that there was hardly anyone in the cavern and even fewer had nearly fall plates which was why she quickly joined Ni’hau and sat across from him. “I am okay to join you Wingleader?” She wondered hopeful. She hated eating alone and even more so later in the morning.

Ni’hau looked up from his Klah and the drill sets he’d been looking at. He didn’t know why he was studying them, but he really had nothing else to do, so why not? “Of course,” he answered with a charming grin. “I’m not doing anything important.”

The Weyrwoman sat down better and started on the porridge she had gotten despite not really feeling it. “Looks like you have drill sets to look at.” She teased looking at them upside down. She had the same job later on to work out the wing now that Jena and Zalyith were going to be too egg heavy soon. “How is it going Ni’hau?” Lana wondered about honesty. She had not heard many complaints from the northern riders but looks could be deceiving.

“Busy,” answered Ni’hau, sipping his klah. “But I can’t complain. I’d rather have something to do. That’s something I won’t miss about winter: the sheer boredom. I was so bored one day, I got one of the drudges to teach me how to knit!”

“Well you have come to us in summer but I cannot say that even in our winter that things are boring.” Lana could not ever say she had gotten that bored that she been re-taught to knit but she was sure it was not a skill she could have forgotten since she was a child. “Dolphineers and Seafarers come and go, Harper, Smiths, Healers, this place is always bustling. Have you gotten out into the cove or the islands yet?” Lana wondered, thinking it would be just the right time of year for a cool breeze on one of the islands.

“I haven’t, actually,” he replied. “I might have to check them out some time.” That sounded like an activity for friends, though, and he had yet to actually make any. He really needed to work on that. “Any particular recommendations?” he asked.

“Any of them are good at this time of year. Maybe ask your wing second or wing riders. Could make it a team building activity.” She suggested around a spoonful of porridge. It was nice but not really what she fancied if she was honest.

“Hey, that’s an idea,” agreed Ni’hau. “I do love low ropes games. Granted, I like participating rather than directing them. Maybe I can get I’han to lead one.”

“You will most likely have to explain the rules to him but sure.” Lana grinned not able to see the former healer doing that but it would get hilarious to see him attempt it.

“They’re more fun when they’re made up,” said Ni’hau. “The Candidate master at Fort came up with a great one once. We had to take turns carrying people across the imaginary river because there were fish that would eat everybody except two of us, who had ‘special repellent’” - here he added air quotes- “on our legs. It was so dumb, but we loved it.”

Lana laughed a little. “Cannot say I have seen much of that as things have been very serious around here until the end of last turn,” Lana said sadly as she thought about all the people who had come and gone thanks to Dragon Hold and the hatred Sophida had for the southern continent in the end.

Ni’hau nodded solemnly. He had heard about the unpleasantness that had plagued southern. He didn’t know everything, he was sure, but he knew enough to know it had been rough down here. “Maybe that’s exactly what we need, then,” he said. “Silly games. Yeah. Maybe I’ll design a few and try them out with my wing.”

Lana nodded, almost wishing Z’ran was in that wing to help with the silliness. The Bronze Rider was possibly the silliest person she knew who would jump at the chance. “It is your wing, and I am certainly not going to judge if you can lighten people's moods. So do you have plans for the gather other than the ball?” She wondered.

”Nah,” answered Ni’hau. “I usually like to just wander and do whatever looks fun. And eat way too much, of course,” he added with a mischievous grin. “The food is always so good.”

“It is.” Lana sighed longingly at the mention of food, especially as she was not enjoying the porridge at all. “Are you all sorted for the ball? I know it was flung at you last minute.”

“No problem,” he answered with a wave of his hand. “As a wingleader, I’m prepared for any eventuality. All that remains is a pretty girl to bring along.” He scanned the room, giving an exaggerated appreciative nod. “I’m sure that won’t be a problem.”

“I am sure not. Many a pretty girl loves a party that is not at the Weyr. Is there anyone in mind?” The Weyrwoman said with a smirk. She was sure no wingleader would be going to Kymos alone.

“Nah, not yet,” he replied. “I haven’t had a chance to meet many people outside of my wing. I should probably work on that,” he added with a grin.

Meeting people had not been hard for the woman when she had become Weyrwoman as she had been healer in the Weyr for a while before so knew people but it had to be daunting for all the new riders. “Keep out of trouble hmm.” The Weyrwoman advised with a hint of caution as well as amusement at the older man’s grin.

“Whats the fun in that?” he replied mischievously.

“Depends if you wanna be up in front of Weyrleader I suppose.” She pointed out with a grin as she finally finished the porridge and the spoon clattered into the bowl.

“Fair enough,” laughed Ni’hau. “My flavor of misbehaving isn’t likely to land me there, anyway. I’m more the ‘invent a new game involving stones and shoes and teach it to all the kids until they annoy the crèche mothers with it’’ sort.”

“I appreciate that sort of misbehaviour. You should meet Z’ran if you haven’t already. He is certainly your type of person.” Lana said knowing she was likely to regret the pair becoming friends but she could see the similarities between the pair. They both seemed to be unusual for bronze riders, a lot more fun loving and open. Maybe they could create a change. “You will most likely find him brewing ale and wine to keep him out of trouble.”

“You had me at ale,” replied Ni’hau with a grin. “I’ll have to look for him sometime.”

}: I am hungry…:{ A voice suddenly popped up that made Lana smile.

“I think you’d be firm friends but if you excuse me wingleader I have a hungry queen who is demanding my attention.” Lana admitted rising to her feet grabbing up her tray and other items.

“I know how that goes,” he replied. “In fact, Zaijianth should probably need food in the next couple of days. He’s the sort that gives me no warning. Just all of a sudden, ‘food!’” He grinned. “Go get that queen fed!” he finished half jokingly.

“At least she doesn’t demand to stalk herd beasts in the foggy pre-dawn,” Lana said, leaning over to take some of his finished items with a smile. “See you around, wingleader. Keep out of trouble.” She offered with a wink as she disappeared off to sort out Kalaith.

}: You do not get into trouble, :{ Zaijianth grumbled, sounding slightly affronted.

It’s just friendly banter, Zaijianth, Ni’hau told him, which made the dragon grumble some more. He only grinned and downed the last of his klah, then gathered the drill sets and headed back towards his office, returning his mug on the way.