RCW: Why Are They Off To High Reaches

Posted on Fri Oct 10th, 2025 @ 9:55am by Bronze Rider I'han & Green Rider Kalana & Bronze Rider Ni’hau & Green Rider Ouemi

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: River Cove Weyr
Timeline: M3 D18

Kalana rubbed her stomach as she squeezed herself into the space that was available on the bench with her tray. She glanced down the row and sighed. It was too busy and hot for so many people to be there and being as loud and boisterous as everyone was after drills. Shards, she missed drills being so big to even fly her green in the last few sevendays.

“Someone is going to have to move up or someone will have me and this baby sitting on their lap.” She declared to the boisterous group.

“I don’t think I’d mind that so much,” replied Ni’hau without thinking.

Next to him, Ouemi nearly spit out her juice, but managed to keep from spewing it all over the table.

“Wait,” said Ni’hau as Ouemi laughed next to him. “I didn’t mean that how it came out. I swear I didn’t!”

Kalana looked the bronze rider up and down before grinning as lots of people laughed. “I am sure I will tell S’laten that another bronze rider and his wingleader has very similar tastes in mates to him,” Kalana said grinning as several people moved up to allow her some space when she was as huge as her.

Great. Of course he would put his foot in his mouth. Why wouldn’t he?

“You’ll have to excuse Ni’hau,” said Ouemi, still giggling. “He tries to flirt and sometimes it goes wrong.”

“I do NOT flirt,” defended Ni’hau. “Well, okay, maybe a little.”

“Understatement of a lifetime,” replied Ouemi with a comical roll of her eyes.

“I did not say it was a bad thing, now did I. I am sure S’laten would love to know that he has great taste.” Kalana teased, carrying on her teasing mercilessly. “I flirt a little too.” She added with a wink as she picked up the meat roll and started to pick at it.

“Met your match, Ni’hau,” snickered Ouemi. “I’m Ouemi, Xaviorath’s. And this is Ni’hau, Ziajianth’s.”

“Oh I know who he is. You’re my wing leader when I return to the wings.”

“You mean when you can sit on Verith again.” I’han commented from across the table, making Kalana laugh. She hated how much people were mocking her but it was not like she had not had it before.

“Aye when I can sit on her again but pleasure to meet you both properly. Kalana.” She said rolling her eyes. “Let’s hope you do not have to deliver this one I’han.”

“Oh, that’s right,” said Ouemi. “You said you’re in his wing. I guess I was too busy laughing to remember.”

”It’s not THAT funny,” protested Ni’hau.

“It was hilarious,” Ouemi told him, still chuckling. “I could use more laughs like that.”

I’han chuckled a little bit and nudged Kalana lightly. He did not dare do it like normal when she looked ready to give birth any second. “You need to behave.” He encouraged making the woman roll her eyes. She had always had a good relationship with her wingsecond even if the finer wingleader had been a stick in the mud.

“What’s the fun in that?” said Ouemi, giving Kalana a conspiratorial wink.

“You need to behave, too!” teased Ni’hau, but Ouemi only stuck her tongue out at him and crossed her eyes.

“I think I am going to like you being my wingleader. Not quite as stuck in the mud as H’minle.” Kalana admitted as I’han inclined his head agreeing with the woman if he was honest.

“He ain’t bad.” I’han said smiling as he tucked into his food.

“Here that?” Ni’hau said to Oeumi. “I ain’t bad.”

“I’ve known you for a sevenday and you’re incorrigible,” she replied.

Ni’hau only laughed, though.

With a grin, Ouemi said to the other two, “he must be very different as a wingleader.”

“Trust me H’minle was…”

“He is gone.” I’han encouraged as he spotted Neilla coming towards them. No one wanted to mention that bronze rider in her presence again. It was not pretty. Kalana looked up and frowned but got the hint. “But Ni’hau ain’t bad. He is very suited for the south.” I’han approved.

“I have an unfair advantage,” Ni’hau assured Ouemi. “I started out as a dolphineer.”

“And that gives you an advantage?” she asked, amused.

“Sure! Base tan!” he told her. “I’m less likely to burn in the sun.”

“Laugh it up,” she told him, still annoyed that she had to look for shade every five minutes. “I’ll tan soon enough and then what will you make fun of?”

“I’ll find something,” he joked, winking at I’han and Kalana.

“Aloe helps.” Kalana offered smiling a little as she could remember being that pale once upon a time. “And if you started as a dolphineer you should meet K’ron’s mate. She is a dolphineer as the craft hall is just a ten minute walk away.” She offered thought fully thinking that it might be nice for the man depending on how he felt about the profession.

“Ten minutes!” replied Ni’hau, his interest piqued. “Why haven’t I been there already?” He hadn’t had a chance to chat to another dolphineer since his best friend and another former dolphineer turned rider had left Fort for Igen a couple of turns back. He made a mental note to check for a rest day that lined up with Igen’s and pay his friend a visit.

“I don’t suppose the woodcraft hall is anywhere near here, is it?” asked Ouemi. “What am I saying? I have a dragon! I can go anywhere!”

I’han laughed a little. “You can walk the beach path. It’s quite a nice walk.” Kalana assured gently. “Even I quite enjoy it when it’s not too hot.”

“I’m from the Reaches,” Ouemi pointed out. “Everything is too hot for me.”

“Aye. I bet it is. Snow this time of year but I bet this is a nice change of pace for Weyrwoman and S’cir.” I’han said gently thinking of their Weyrwoman heading there soon to try and investigate their records.

“I’ll miss winter games,” admitted Ouemi. “Especially sledding. That’s a lot of fun.”

“Why would anyone want to go to the Reaches?” Ni’hau said, half teasing. “What’s there aside from cold?”

“My family!” defended Ouemi. “And fudge. And ice cream.”

“Okay, so fudge and ice cream, then,” amended Ni’hau. “Seriously, though, what are they going there for?”

“Not a clue was hoping you knew as wingleader.” I’han admitted as Kalana nodded in agreement but it seemed it was secret even from I’han and Ni’hau.

“I haven’t heard anything,” answered Ni’hau.

“Maybe they want to take up snowboarding or learn to make ice cream?” offered Ouemi in a sort of half joking manner.

“Making ice cream seems like an admirable pastime,” mused Ni’hau. “But they could just ask you about that.”

“Must be snowboarding then,” deadpanned Ouemi.

I’han shrugged. He had no idea and for the Weyrleader to be so closed lip to even him of all people was concerning. Even more so when he knew Calarya had no idea. “Snowboarding sounds interesting.” He had to admit as Kalana rolled her eyes and ate her meal silently.

“It’s actually a lot of fun!” replied Ouemi, happy to talk about something from home. “I was a wood crafter, so I made a LOT of boards. I got really good at making them because of how popular they are.”

“Should look at making a water equivalent.” I’han laughed. He used to have something similar when he had been growing up. He had lost it in a big wave if he was not mistaken “But if I ever go to High Reaches I will give it a go but for now I think I will go to bed. Unless you need me sir?” I’han said glancing to Ni’hau.

“Evenings are officially non-work time,” replied Ni’hau. “That’ll only change in the direst of emergencies.”

I’han mocked saluted the wingleader and downed his drink. He was really starting to enjoy the routine he had with the man, it was refreshing and freed him up to enjoy things. “Bye I’han.” Kalana smiled as he quickly escaped the group to go find Tanly.