RCW: Keeping The Promise
Posted on Sun Nov 24th, 2024 @ 11:40am by Bronze Rider F'cone & Apprentice Nerlyn & Milayna
Mission:
3531 AL
Location: River Cove Weyr
Timeline: M2 D14
“Can we go? Can we go?” Mian asked as he bounced around the weyr.
Milayna rolled her eyes with a laugh, glad they hadn't said anything to the boy sooner. He had been asking since Nerlyn said he could come meet Oceania. “Just about ready, sweetheart.”
F’cone smiled as he watched the boy racing around excitedly. He knew he had been invited but he did want to try and see if he could get Nerlyn to at least acknowledge his presence enough to try and build that friendship. She was still great friends with K’yar and he missed the trio that they had been before he had been a fardling. “I am ready too. Caladoth has offered to take us all if we want to get there quickly?” He said thinking it might be the quickest way to get everyone there before the Dolphineer changed her mind.
“Ooh ride daddy's dragon too!” Mian exclaimed as Falayna clapped her hands at that idea. The little girl would do anything to be near the dragons.
Milayna laughed as she swung the satchel over her shoulder. “Looks like we have to take Caladoth up on his offer now,” she grinned, catching her son before he could run out to where the bronze was waiting.
The bronze in question swang his head around as everyone appeared on the ledge with him and climbed abroad. It was only a quick journey and thankfully one that only required the younglings to wear jackets purely for the wind chill that it caused as the bronze glided down to the beach area where there was Nerlyn in the ocean already with Rean and several dolphins. The woman instantly turned and waved starting back towards shore with Raen intow who was swimming happily beside his mum.
“Hello everyone. Hello Caladoth.” Nerlyn greeted smiling at the Dragon surprised to see him there. The Bronze Dragon turned to look at Nerlyn and snorted but said nothing else.
Milayna had to snag Mian’s jacket as soon as they landed as the little boy wanted down. “Dolphins!” He exclaimed happily. Falayna just snuggled against her dad. Sure they were pretty but she liked helping with Caladoth.
“Sure you’re ready for a second one?” Milayna asked Nerlyn as she moved to help Mian to the ground. “And hello, Raen.”
“Hello, Milayna. Hello Wingleader.” Raen greeted before he tugged the other boy's arm into the shallows of the waves.
“I am still trying to process the miracle that it is let alone anything else,” Nerlyn admitted leaning over to her pile of equipment and clothing grabbing up a life jacket that she had borrowed for Mian.
“Congratulations.” F’cone said taking off the little girl's jacket even though it looked like she had no intention of leaving him.
“Thank you F’cone,” Nerlyn said glancing in his direction before she looped her arm through Milayna’s and led her to the water. “How is your swimming?” Falayna just stayed right next to F'cone. She was not leaving her father's side. Not for anything.
Milayna laughed as she walked with Nerlyn. “They will keep you busy.” She shrugged a shoulder. “Not too bad. Definitely not the fish Mian is but I won't sink.”
F’cone followed along awkwardly until he got to the shoreline not wanting to get his boots wet. “That is good. Even if he is a fish I would like him to wear a life vest. Even Dolphineers wear them on ocean duty, which is borrowed from the Silver Firelizard’s Captain. He has a daughter on board who must wear this any time she is on deck so I have a smaller one for Falayna.” She said indicating the ship in port in the distance. “Mian… you need this before you any further out.” Nerlyn instructed watching the little boy come back to the group so she could fit him with the aid.
Mian grinned widely as he moved over to Nerlyn. “Okay,” he smiled. If it meant he could be with the dolphins then he would wear a life jacket.
Falayna shook her head. “Stay with Cal,” she said, looking back at the bronze dragon.
Nerlyn grinned at the little girl. “Got a rider on your hands there F’cone. Think you are tough enough?” Nerlyn teased him as she knelt to strap the boy into the jacket before sending him on his way now able to get further into the water.
“As long as she learns to pick locks and throws good punches I won’t have any worries about her being a rider.” F’cone said smiling at Nerlyn for a moment before he looked saddened as the younger woman nodded proudly at him.
“Nicest thing you’ve ever said in compliment to me.” Nerlyn comment.
“Ner…”
“Mama! Come on!” Raen yelled, eager to go into the water, further interrupting the moment.
“Come on Mil.” Nerlyn encouraged heading into the water. It was a warm day so it was refreshing.
Falayna puffed up with pride. “I rise dragon,” the little girl said proudly as Mian splashed further into the water. He was ready to see the dolphins.
Milayna glanced at F'cone, a smile on her face. She was so glad to finally be on the right path. “Wait, pick locks? And throw punches?” She asked as she took her shoes off and followed Nerlyn into the water.
Nerlyn glanced back at F’cone talking quietly with his daughter. “He means me. I once picked the lock on his office when he was unwell and we could not get into his office and I used to not need anyone to fight my own battles. If a punch needed to be thrown to settle a score or stop a fight I was more than happy to throw it. Female riders are tough, especially former weyrbrats.” Nerlyn smiled hoping the woman was not to shocked.
Milayna blinked at her friend as she took in Nerlyn’s words. “I never doubted you were tough.” She had seen Riana and Terilyn even though she wasn't a rider. “I just hadn't ever thought about my little girl being that way,” she admitted. “Or having a little girl.”
“If she wants to be a rider…” Nerlyn winked before she shooed the boys into the water watching how they both swam before she dove in at a more leisurely speed keeping the whole group in front of her. Nerlyn smiled at Milayna as she also still looked thoughtful. “She is a beautiful little girl Mil. F’cone was also trying to compliment me as I was a wing third. Me and Calarya are green riders. We are not meant to rise high in the hierarchy but we did through sheer tenaciously.”
The blonde nodded. That did make sense. And if she was honest her little one would have had to be tough at Dragon Hold too. “Thank you. Really? I didn’t realize that. That is quite an achievement then,” she smiled, following them into the water.
“Down to dragon size. Why it is mostly men or queen riders in leadership,” Nerlyn said wondering if the woman had, had anyone ever explained things properly to her. It was easy for the bronze riders to just accept how things were as they fell into it but women had a hard time in the weyr and it was even worse in the north. “Thankfully Leith and Leanath are…were pretty big greens that compare to blues and browns but also your weyrmate needs help with the paperwork.” She snorted. “K’yar is only limited help there but he is a good people co-ordinator.”
“Huh hadn't thought about the sizes and what difference that would make.” It appeared that Milayna still had a lot to learn. Of course she had never thought to ask either. She bit back a giggle. “I have no doubt he needs help there.” She knew F'cone hated paperwork.
Nerlyn smiled for the first time feeling at peace with everything as she talked away to the woman. “It’s confusing but you are doing such a great job of thriving here,” Nerlyn assured as a pod of dolphins appeared around them chittering excitedly. Raen let out a squeal of laughter as one butted his forehead gently.
“Mama Oceanic.” The boy laughed as Nerlyn’s partner did it again as the boy swam in a circle.
“Thank you. I'm trying but I see there is still much I don't know and have to learn,” she smiled. She liked learning though and she was glad Nerlyn didn't mind talking.
Mian's eyes widened. “Dolphins!’ He exclaimed excitedly.
The dolphins circled them for a moment but they dived back under the surface apart from Oceanic who stayed with Nerlyn automatically. “Mian come here and hold on to Oceanic’s fin.” She instructed waiting for the boy to hold on before she instructed the dolphins to move through the water slowly as the group followed.
Mian swam over next to Nerlyn. A big smile lit up his face as he held onto the fin. “This is fun!” He exclaimed.
Milayna laughed as she followed behind. She loved seeing her son so happy.
Falayna looked up at her father. “Cal better,” she said matter of factly.
“Come on Raen.” Nerlyn laughed rolling on to her back and pulled the boy along until he had hold of the fin too knowing that oceanic could deal with them both as he supported her weight and she was heavier than the pair. F’cone just stayed silent. It did look like fun though. He looked at the little girl and wondered just what she was thinking to state that.
Mian continued to laugh and giggle, causing Milayna to laugh at her son. It was a perfect day.
Falayna watched with wide eyes. “Fly high,” she said. “Touch the sky.”
The man smiled he had no doubt the little girl would be riding a dragon once she was old enough. He really did not doubt with her determination and tenaciously that there would be the perfect dragonet out there for her. “Lets just keep you on the ground for now hmm sweetheart.” He prompted watching the scene. It was sweet and he enjoyed seeing everyone he cared about having fun.
The little girl nodded, clearly content to agree at the moment. She was definitely a dragon rider’s child though. She watched her brother splashing around the dolphins.