A Friend So Quickly

Posted on Wed Jun 11th, 2025 @ 8:16pm by Bronze Rider Ni’hau & Bronze Rider Z'ran

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: Lower Cavers - Weyr
Timeline: M2 D27

Ni’hau really did need some friends. He knew that. And the Weyrwoman had given him a good lead on one, so he intended to check it out.

After inquiring of a few people, he began looking for Z’ran in the stores in the lower caverns. There, he found many people, but it wasn’t until he smelled the telltale yeasty fermented scent of brewing ale that he found the bronze rider in question. “That smells nearly done,” he commented. “Or maybe not. I really don’t know much about brewing the stuff, but it smells almost like it does when it’s served.”

The man in question turned and looked at his fellow bronze rider and instantly broke into a grin. This had to be the man that Kalaith had told Alith about, as no one else would come searching down here other than Kat. “Ni’hau? The Weyrwoman told me you might seek me out. She told me to behave and not teach you any of my bad habits.”

Ni’hau returned the grin easily. “She told me to behave, too,” he confessed. “That’s a good sign, I think.”

“Depends on the mood of the Weyrwoman.” Z’ran moved over and wiped his hand on the cloth he had before he held it out to the other man. “Z’ran… Rider of Alith.” He grinned as he introduced himself.

“Ni’hau, Zaijianth’s,” Ni’hau replied, grasping Z’ran’s hand. “Well met.”

“Back at you.” Z’ran grinned as he pulled back his hand and looked at the man. “Unusual for the Weyrwoman to introduce me to people of all people so she thought either you might be a good influence or you need to lighten up.” The bronze rider mused a little as he picked up a spoon to continue the mixing he had been doing.

Ni’hau laughed; he couldn’t help it. “If I need to lighten up, then people at this Weyr are some special kind of carefree,” he said. “And I’m not sure about being a good influence, either.”

“Are we that different from the north?” Z’ran wondered quietly as he thought about the phrasing of the comment. Carefree summed him up to be fair. He worked hard fighting thread to play hard.

“I didn’t think so,” Ni’hau replied. “At least not from Fort. A little more laid back, but not by much. Maybe some of the others are different, but I only visited a couple of them.”

“Couldn’t imagine going north. Brrr too cold.” The man said as he grabbed up a cup and poured some of the ale he had been brewing into a mug. “What do you think?” He wondered holding out the mug to the man. It was a light ale with a fruity flavour.

“Ooo!” replied Ni’hau happily, taking the offered mug. He took a small swig and sloshed it around his mouth for half a moment before swallowing. “Hey, that’s pretty good. It’s light. That would be downright delicious on a hot day.”

“On a hot day?” The man chuckled loudly and shook his head. “It’s always hot here. This is something tasty for every day. I am taking it to the gather." He said proudly doing this mostly kept him out of trouble when he was not doing sweeps, drills or fighting thread.

“Okay, fair point,” laughed Ni’Hau. “I’m not used to it being hot all the time, yet. Not that I mind,” he added. “I prefer the hot weather. But somehow I still feel like it’ll snow eventually.”

“Never seen snow in my life.” Z’ran laughed, turning over a crate and sat down on it sipping on his own mug. Even he had to admit it was one of his best so far. “You find a way to adapt to it being so warm, like not wearing flight gear all the time.”

“I’ve already worked out how to get my jacket off while still in flight,” Ni’hau replied. “It’s an invaluable skill.”

Z’ran laughed loudly. “It really is. But let's hear what you've been enjoying about the south so far?” The man wondered. It was always interesting to hear what people thought of the south after being in the North for most of their lives.

“Well, the beaches for one,” answered Ni’hau. “The sand doesn’t get that white in the north. And it could be my imagination, but I swear there’s more sunlight. Like more hours, I mean.”

“It is just brighter for longer. Same amount of daylight candlemarks, I swear, but the sun doesn’t give up sometimes.” It was one of the reasons why he was hiding down in the caverns, playing with a still and brewing stuff. Sometimes it got old.

“I kinda like it,” replied Ni’hau. “It makes getting up early a lot easier when the sun gets up before you.”

“I can imagine it is less dreary.” The man admitted taking another sip of his drink. “Are you going to the gather?” Z’ran wondered excited about getting to actually get to go to the gather.

“Of course!” Ni’hau replied. “I never miss a gather. I briefly considered taking some dragons north for snow to make ice cream, but I don’t think I have enough time to teach them how to do it or find the ones who already know. Maybe next gather.” Then he thought for a moment. “Do you make ice cream down here?” he asked, suddenly realizing how very little he knew about southern.

“Not often. No ice consistently but we have been known to acquire it.” The bronze rider laughed showing he had a fun side much like he was suspecting the other bronze rider of having. Lana would not have sent him a friend so quickly if he was boring. “It should be good. This is the first gather in five turns.” He said sadly.

“Five turns!” repeated Ni’hau in surprise. “Shells! Maybe I SHOULD make ice cream.”

“The last gather ended with rider deaths and injuries thanks to Dragon Hold.” Z’ran pointed out to the man. “I am sure there will be enough treats. We know how to party. I might not be privileged enough to go to the ball but I will be finding a spot on the gather square to dance.”

“Oh yeah, we heard about that,” commented Ni’hau. “The details are fuzzy, but I’m familiar with the circumstances.” He grinned wryly. “I’m not sure I’d call the ball a privilege,” he said. “More like a responsibility. But at least I’m allowed to bring a guest, so maybe it won’t be so bad.”

“It’s celebrating us.” Z’ran shrugged, their should be some pride in that after the last couple of turns. He didn’t want to go as he never had fun at those events but gather square with Kat and whoever else he could drag to it would be a great night.

“Yes, I suppose,” allowed Ni’hau. “It’s a bit tedious when you’ve got two left feet and no sense of rhythm, though.” He added a lopsided grin. “Maybe I’ll get lucky and find the only girl on Pern who is also terrible at dancing. Then we don’t have to worry about it and can enjoy ourselves.”

“There are plenty of them.” Z’ran assured laughing as he took another sip of the drink. “Should get yourself into the cavern after fall or rest day and will easily be able to capture one.”

“Are there that many who don’t enjoy dancing?” scoffed Ni’hau in an amused sort of way. “And here I thought most of them couldn’t get enough!”

“I do not associate with them but most likely.” Z’ran commented, grinning. He liked a select few number of people and that was it and there were few of them that liked him.

Ni’hau was afraid to ask why Z’ran didn’t associate with them. He could get almost anything for an answer to that. So, he decided to leave it alone. “Hm,” he said noncommittally. “Well, that’s good to know. And if I can find one who is easy going and thinks my jokes are brilliant, I’ll have a great time.” He gestured to the brew. “Are you taking any of this to Gather or does the Weyr hoard it all?” he asked, half jokingly.

“Oh, I have already taken stuff there for my marks,” Z’ran laughed. “But I will be taking a few as a favour to the Weyrleaders for prizes for the runner races.” Z’ran was not precious about what he created but he did have his own stash for his own marks.

“I’ll bet they try just a little harder with this as a prize,” grinned Ni’hau. “I know I would.”

“The nicest thing someone has said to me in a while.” Z’ran said laughing as he pushed himself to his feet and stretched. “Feel free to spread that rumour if the mood takes you.”

“You got it!” replied Ni’hau with a huge grin. Then he put on a charming salesman smile and said, “authentic dragonrider made ale! So good, the Lord Holder is offering them as a grand prize in the runner races! Come and get it while it lasts!” He grinned genuinely again, adding a slight chuckle. “Then we create scarcity by only putting out a few bottles at a time.”

Z’ran laughed. He 100% knew why the Weyrwoman had sent him a friend. They really were on the same page and both seemed to be Bronze riders who loved a good laugh. He really could see the start of a beautiful friendship.