RCW: They Chewed

Posted on Fri Jan 3rd, 2025 @ 10:33pm by Blue Rider S'ven & Green Rider Kelsa

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: River Cove Weyr
Timeline: M2 D25

S’ven was excited as she walked into the dining cavern looking around for Kelsa. He grinned as he found her with a large group of riders, he sat down as everyone turned to him expectantly waiting for the news on the Junior Weyrlings. Today was the day the last clutch were to be having their first firestone feeding experience today which was the next scary part after their first flights between which had been done last month with only four lost.

“They have all chewed and flamed.” He announced having seen it happening from his position on watch. He grinned as a cheer went up making Lana jump on the podium as she raised an eyebrow at the cheer but returned to her meal.

Kelsa had decided to grab a quick bite while she waited for S'ven to finish with watch. she had ended up running into some friends and spent the time talking to them until everyone suddenly fell silent. She turned and grinned when she saw S'ven.

The news he delivered was almost as good as his presence in her opinion. “That is great news!” She exclaimed..

The blue rider grinned as he grabbed up a spare mug of juice and down it. He had not taken the time to change from watch so he was pretty hot. “She’s okay.” S’ven said across the table to Kelsa. He knew she worried about her sister especially knowing she was there but not able to see her.

Kelsa breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you.” She hated not being able to see her sister and truly know she was okay. She knew she could trust S'ven's report though.

“I told you I would find a way to check .” S’ven said having swapped a few watches to make sure he could be there to today of all days having seen the weyrling schedules sevendays ago before it was common knowledge. So it had seemed normal that he had the star stone watch.

“You did. Never should have doubted you,” she smiled. She was pretty sure she didn’t deserve him. And she would show her appreciation later. “How did they all do?”

“Hard work for them all but a lot easier than first flight or between.” He said leaning over to caress her hand wanting to reassure him. He did not know how C’dan and V’ros did it in his opinion knowing that they could 25% of the weyrlings.

She nodded, remembering those days very vividly. Kelsa gave him a gentle smile. “Weyrlinghood is hard,” she agreed. Many sleepless nights and hard days.

“It is. I do not believe I have ever been that tired.” He admitted thoughtfully. The night that had impressed he had never been so overwhelmed and exhausted to the point he had nearly sleep walked into the bowl. Thankfully C’dan had retrieved him before he had come to any injury or anything.

“I completely agree. I don't even remember finding my bed half the time.” It had all been worth it in the end. It was just a lot to work through as a child.

“Me too and then I sleep walked for the first sevendays of it. I thought V’ros was going to spend my whole weyrlinghood watching me in case I wandered off.” A young green rider spoke up, his eyes mischievous as he laughed.

“I sleep walked too but was only for the first night I think. Was strange the sudden bonding and changes to my mind.” S’ven snorted into his juice.

Kelsa chuckled. “Not sure how the Weyrling Masters survive us all,” she grinned. She didn't sleep walk but she knew she had had weird dreams.

“Breed apart,” S’ven said with a shrug. Being a weyrlingmaster or assistant had never appealed to him in the slightest. He had patience but not a never-ending level of it. “But it does mean that they now get to join the weyrling fighting wings from the end of the month and have a little more freedom.” He knew Kelsa was desperate to have her sister a little more closer to her.

“Very true.” She did not envy them. It took a special personality for sure. A grin tugged her lips. “That will be great.” Not that she was anxious to have her sister fighting Thread but she was anxious to get to see her more.

S’ven shook his head at her and let go of her hand with a smile. She looked so happy that he could tell that it was worth it especially as he had been up since before dawn but the smile and the way her shoulders relaxed was perfect. “It will.” He assured as I'lean came over to join the group.

Kelsa couldn't have been happier. Well at least she was until I'lean joined the group. She chose not to comment as she just kept her attention on S'ven. “Think you need to get some sleep, love,” she commented.

“I’ll be okay for a candlemark or so. I wanna see if the weyrlings are allowed to play tonight.” He assured her that he was not about to fall asleep sitting there. “What about you? Need sleep?” He asked sipping on his juice as I'lean watched the pair.

She knew he would tell her if he did need sleep. “Maybe,” she smiled brightly. “planning to join me?”

“Always.” S’ven grinned. “Candlemark and we’ll go to bed.” He felt much more like himself since his blip at the beginning of the month. Talking to K’ron had really helped him adjust his mindset from it being something to be embarrassed about to something to learn from and grow from.

“I bet.” I'lean grinned, making another green rider poke him seeing the mischievous look in his eyes. I'lean was known to be mischievously trouble and that night no one was letting him get away with it towards S’ven.

Kelsa grinned. “Deal.” She wasn't completely sure what had changed but S'ven seemed a lot more at ease then he had after his panic attack. She glared at I'lean. “Meaning?” she asked him innocently.

“Nothing at all dear.” I'leananwsered making S’ven roll his eyes at him and shake his head.

“Give it a rest,” S’ven said quietly to the man making the older man frown. S’ven did not normally comment on his teasing or comments. He narrowed his eyes but the blue rider did not even give him another glance.

Kelsa turned away from the frustrating man and turned her attention back to S'ven. There was no sense in playing into the other green rider’s hand.

S’ven winked at her as a bit of a hush filled the cavern suddenly before cheers went up as the riders and weyr folk saw the weyrlings enter. Lana smirked at the reaction, she had wondered why there had been such a strange atmosphere around the cavern that night and now it all made sense. She lifted her glass of wine to the group in priad before returning to her meal. “Go on.” S’ven encouraged.

Kelsa spun at the shouts. “Kaleta!” She cries, seeing her sister. She was instantly on her feet and running over to wrap her baby sister in her arms. The two were soon laughing and crying.

S’ven smiled fondly at the pair as the young girl was dragged over to the table with several other weyrlings. “Congratulations.” He said to the young girl smiling at her as people made space for the weyrlings to join them. “No wine for you but you can share the juice.” He teased.

Kaleta wrinkled her nose but laughed. “Juice is just fine. Zeke will be happier that way.” She happily sat down as Kelsa joined them again.

“What a great day!” Kelsa exclaimed.

“Can’t have it anyway.” He was a stickler for the rules where weyrlings were concerned. He poured several juices out and smiled as several young people grabbed them up with murmured thanks.

Kaleta nodded. She has already scared her poor dragonet enough to last a lifetime. “Thank you,” she said, accepting the juice.

Kelsa sipped on her wine. “Congratulations all of you,” she told the weyrlings.