Search The Oceans

[Dragonicwarrior04]

Teracy walked along the shoreline of the ocean, deep in his own thought. Usually this scenerio was much different. Teracy would usually be out by the ocean at night if he wasn't working with the dolphins. Another thing that was different, other than the obvious day instead of night, was the fact he was actually moving. The typical scenerio for Teracy was that at night he would walk to the ocean and find a comfortable place to sit with a good view of the ocean before him.

For Teracy it was that night sea air that he enjoyed with the occassional breeze from the wind coming off the ocean. The clouds were often clear, and he could see the stars as well. But Teracy wasn't as interested in them. Even if he were to lay down instead of sit, he'd lay on his belly so he could look out at the ocean.

He would often sigh to himself softly and think on a number of things. He would think of how that day went, how days before it went. He would think of his Mom and how she was faring with the loss of her husband, his father. He would think of all the things his father said and did and how good of a man he was. He would wonder if he would ever live up to his expectations, because it meant so much to Teracy now that his father was deceased.

But today's scenerio was different. Just out of a sort of wild hair, Teracy was walking along the shore and kicking at the sand randomly. He wasn't really sad. Teracy didn't really express sad in that manner. It was more out of thought and boredom of what to do physically while his mind wandered. Just what would he find as he walked along the ocean and kicked at the sand?

Would he find that life that would be his own? Would he find that life that was completely unique compared to his father's way of life? Would he finally have the chance to be his own man like his father wished? Teracy could only hope that were the case. He wanted to prove to his father that he could be his own man. Once again, it was about meeting his deceased father's expectations.

As he was walking along the shoreline, a younger boy came running up to Teracy and tugged on his sleeve. "Teracy! Teracy! Your mother wants you to come quickly!", the young boy exclaimed before running off. Well, Teracy had been completely and literally yanked out of his thoughts as the boy tugged at his shirt sleeve. "Huh?", was all he could mutter out as he was dragged out of his thoughts.

He looked to see the boy was running off now. "What does she want? I hope everything is alright!", Teracy wondered as he ran off after the boy, towards his mother who was at the hold.

[Crystalyn]

Serenith whirled over Aphe Hold one last time before heading along the beach. It was awfully late for any dragon to be out flying. But they had also strayed pretty far from home this day in search of Candidates. Aphelion had a good stock of Candidates, fortunately, but having a few extra on hand was always a good idea. Especially with Adrainarlyth fixing to clutch.

Wheeling around the island hadn't been too terribly strenuous, so they weren't in any dire need to hurry back. Such as it was, A'thin was quite willing to just sit there astride the blue's neck and watch the darkness go by. It was a nice night, with the stars shining above. Some of them were blotted out by the rising smoke column out in the ocean from the steaming volcano. Whenever it quit doing that again, they'd have to fly out there and see if there was a new little island yet or not. The tremors had been a little interesting of late, too, very occasionally strong enough to make a body stumble for a moment.

I think I found one. Serenith said, startling A'thin out of his reverie.

"What? Really? Someone's out at this hour?" A'thin asked.

Of course. You two leggers aren't exactly strictly diurnal. Thus our being out here now. Serenith answered.

Obviously, Serenith did not use his eyes to find youngsters. A'thin was quite proud of his blue beast, he was such a talented critter. "Alright, then. Let's go see."

Serenith turned on a wing, and turned, dropping altitude swiftly. A'thin reflexively grabbed for his helmet. It wasn't strapped on, just sitting there, and he almost lost it. Serenith made a swift descent, and then backwinged for a landing near the Hold. He knew that this wasn't quite where the lad he was looking for was, but there was a method to these things. It was generally not a good idea to just kidnap people, after all.

Once he was landed, the dark blue let out a low croon that could be heard for a ways, but it was not such a tone as to startle the sleeping habitants out of their beds at this hour.

[Dragonicwarrior04]

Teracy was chasing after the boy that had grabbed his attention when the boy suddenly stopped and bolted in a slightly different direction. Teracy raised an eyebrow in confusion but didn't stop. He needed to catch up to the kid that was trying to lead him where he needed to go. But when the kid bolted, he rounded a corner where he could no longer see him. Teracy now felt a bit lost. Sure, he knew the hold and it's area well. But what was the deal with this kid? Not the best lead, that was for sure.

But as Teracy continued to walk in the same direction, he noticed the blue near the hold. A dragonrider? Whoa. What were the chances he'd lose that kid only to run into one of those? But he didn't turn away from the blue dragon and his rider, instead he felt compelled to go forward. Even though he knew his mother was calling for him, he had to see this dragonrider up close and personal. It was a chance meeting in this sort of situation and time of day.

Teracy slowed his run to a slow walk as he approached the pair. "Um...hi", he greeted the pair. Well, that was certainly not the best greeting. But how did one properly greet a dragonrider? Teracy had never encountered them personally. He offered a smile to the dragonrider and awaited his response. He hoped the man wouldn't be too upset with such an informal greeting. This was a dragonrider afterall! Shouldn't he have been a bit more formal? He scolded himself silently for not making a better first impression.

Now that little boy was the last thing on his mind. The kid seemed to vanish into thin air. Teracy had to wonder now if the young boy was even real. He certainly didn't recognize him around the hold. Then again, Teracy didn't have many friends here and hadn't gone out much or done much socializing since the death of his father. But all that was drowned out by what was before him, the blue dragon and his rider.

[Crystalyn]

Serenith rumbled in amusement as the lad he'd found came running right up to him. Lowering his angular head toward the lad, he exhaled on him a bit. Hello. Serenith answered as A'thin untangled himself and unsnapped from the harness. Jumping down off the blue's shoulder, A'thin landed on his feet lightly. Lifting his flight helmet off his head, he tucked it under his arm. "Well, hello there, lad. I am A'thin, and this is Serenith. Might I ask what your name is?"

It was not very odd that people would flock to a landed dragon ... in fact it was quite common for Aphelion's holds. So A'thin was not at all surprised to have a youngster come running up as if it was the most sparkliest awesomest thing he'd ever seen, a blue dragon.

It certainly made the usually lowly-considered blue feel big and important. For within a Weyr, blues were so common and rather small compared to most dragons ... it was a nice change to be the "oh wow" spark in a place!

[Dragonicwarrior04]

Teracy was beaming a bright smile right now. He was talking to a dragonrider and his dragon! It was amazing to him, and certainly a first. "H-hello!", Teracy practically stuttered at the blue dragon as he spoke to him. A dragon speaking to him was definently a first for Teracy. He wanted to jump up and down with excitement. He just talked to a dragon! It was a bit like talking to the dolphins, but it felt different. It felt pretty cool too, being the first time he ever heard a dragon's mindspeak. Not to bash on the dolphins. He loved speaking to them too, he loved dolphins. But it was like that same first time feeling for him with this dragon as it was with the dolphins.

He turned to the rider as he had now dismounted and spoken to him. He had to sigh slightly in relief. He was glad his informal greeting hadn't offended the man, espcially a man of such great importance to Teracy. The lad was raised to respect dragonriders. Both of his parents had instilled that aspect into his character.

Teracy bowed ever so slightly. "Nice to meet you both, A'thin and Serenith. My name is Teracy, dolphineer apprentice", Teracy said in a much more respectful voice, lacking much of the excitement that he was feeling. He would make as good of an impression as he could to this dragonrider, the first he had ever really met.

[Crystalyn]

A'thin laughed, and clapped the lad soundly on the shoulder, hard enough to make him stumble a bit. "Don't need to be so very scared, dear boy! I'm not going to bite you or anything. And neither is Serenith." The last statement was a new one he'd had to assure people of. Before all the nastiness, people took for granted that dragons would not harm humans. Or people in general. But ever since that nasty fight that had started the whole war thing ... where now dragons fought dragons, and dragons hurt men, it was all crazy. And now he had to reassure people that Serenith wasn't going to bite and go on a maiming murdering spree in the holds.

Especially after that incident where a whole tithing train was burned to ash. Nope ... not good.

"Well met, Teracy!" A'thin greeted, even as he spoke to his dragon in silence. Where is the one you wanted?

You're talking to him. Convince him to come with us.

"I have a question for you Teracy. Have you ever considered the possibility of becoming a dragon rider? Or are you terribly attached to your shipfish friends?" There was no disrespect or scorn for the dophins, but A'thin still wanted to make sure everything was square. "Because, if you are interested, I would like to offer you the opportunity to come to Aphelion and stand at a few clutches. Queen Adrainarlyth has recently risen, and we are due to have a nice gold clutch on the sands anytime now."

You sure are talking it up! Serenith remarked to his rider, quite amused, before turning his attention to the lad again. It is quite true. I have Searched you, if you would like to come with us.

[Dragonicwarrior04]

Teracy grinned and placed a hand behind his head, ruffling his hair nervously after stumbling a bit from the man's pat on the shoulder. "Oh I'm sure he won't. He seems like such a fine dragon", Teracy reassured the rider that he did not hold any fear for his dragon. He only held respect. The type of respect that was planted in him. What would his father say, he wondered quietly to himself. Meeting a dragonrider like this, talking one on one with him. it was all quite exciting to Teracy and he wished it was a story he could share with him face to face. For as many stories that his father told him, Teracy wished he could number those back at him.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, this bluerider was asking him a questions that made Teracy's head spin. "Me? A dragonrider?", Teracy asked rhetorically as he pointed to himself. Had they mistaken him for someone else, maybe? Was he the right material to be a dragonrider? He had no idea.

But then his father's words echoed in his head. I want you to find your own path. Teracy stared blankly for a moment as he took it all in. His mother's explanation echoed a few moments after. Your father just wanted you to be your own man. He didn't want you to follow in his footsteps because he always knew you were something special and unique.

Teracy's mouth opened slightly. This was his chance! This was something like destiny. He would make his father proud this day, and he would join this man and become a dragonrider! "Yes! I would love to be one! My dolphin friends will understand. But...can I have a little bit of time to get my things in order?", the boy accepted the man's offer and asked if he could be allowed time to get things settled to leave. Teracy's head was practically spinning with confusion and excitement all at once!

[Crystalyn]

A'thin laughed again, and nodded. "Sure thing, lad. We'll be right here. Go say your adieus and gather your things. You won't be needing much, however, as the Weyr will provide most of what you need. As a Candidate you will only have a single trunk to keep your things in. It is not until you are a full on rider will you have a full residence unto yourself to fill with belongings." He warned, with a cheerful wink.

"Run along, lad. We won't go far." With that, A'thin turned back to his dragon's shoulder, and started untying a satchel that hung there. Within it was a few riding jackets in various sizes, expressly meant for those he took back to the Weyr with him. Rooting around inside it, he found a jacket that he estimated should fit Teracy well enough for the brief flight back.

Serenith rumbled in further amusement, and settled to the ground comfortably, resting his belly on the ground as he stretched his wings out. He also allowed his wings to droop down his sides to rest the majority of them in a heap on the ground to either side of his lounging body. After this, I think we should call it a day.

"It was a good day." A'thin agreed.

[Dragonicwarrior04]

"Thank you! I'll try not to take too long!", Teracy exclaimed before running into the distance. Oh the things he had to do! He had to tell his mom about all this! He'd have to visit his father's memorial and tell him about all the excitement! On the way to that grave marker, he should probably also stop by and explain to his dolphin buddies why he would no longer be working with them. As much as he'd miss that, this was an opportunity of a lifetime!


Teracy didn't know what to bring either! Apparently there wasn't much he could bring. Just a few changes of clothes, that'd be good. Enough to get him through enough days before washing them again. He didn't want to have to wash clothes so often and wanted to recycle through them regularly enough without it being too often. So many decisions! So much to do! Would the dragonrider wait so long? He hoped so.

His mother, that was the first stop. He explained to her well what he was wanting to do, and his mother couldn't be happier for him. She kissed him on the forehead, ruffled his hair and told him how proud his father would be of him for finding his own way. She helped Teracy pack the things she thought he'd need. Teracy was thankful for that, he was so excited and confused that he didn't know what to pack! His mother straightened him out with a calm hand as always. She packed a few sets of clothes and what not and sent him on his way. She reminded him to vist his father's gravestone.

The boy nodded and bounded off with his belongings in a sack towards the gravestone. On his way, he had a nice conversation with one of his dolphin buddies and let them know why he would no longer be around to talk to them and work with them. After that, it was to his father's gravestone.

Suddenly all that excitment and bounce in his walk turned into a slow and steady yet quiet pace as he made his way to the marker and kneeled before it. "Guess what father? That day you spoke of? It finally arrived. I'm not going to be a dolphineer anymore. I'm not going to run after you anymore. I'm going to make my own way, just like you wanted, and I'll make sure you're proud", he exclaimed.

The boy placed something on the marker, rested his hands on int for a moment before standing again. He turned away slowly, a bit sad to leave the gravestone so suddenly. But he had to go now. He had to prove to his father, and now to himself, that he could be his own man. His father's wish was now Teracy's goal. But now it wasn't so much about impressing his father. There was still that part, but it didn't play such an overwhelming role. Now he wanted to prove to himself that he could live a different lifestyle than he was raised on. He needed to know he could adapt, improvise, and make it.

He walked back to the pair, dragonrider and blue dragon. When he approached them for a second time, he looked up at both of them with the sack slung over his shoulder. "I'm ready", he said to the dragonrider. It had taken a little while, probably half an hour or a little better, but he had managed to get things settled and ready for him to go. He waited for the man to give the okay to leave. An exciting new life for Teracy was beginning right now.

[Crystalyn]

A'thin was quite patient, knowing that sometimes it took a youth a while to get sorted. Between the excitement, and sometimes getting parents or foster parents to agree to the notion, all that ... it took time. So by the time Teracy made it back, A'thin was out. Sitting down on the ground with his legs crossed at the ankle, he had his back resting against his dragon's shoulder, arms crossed across his chest as he caught a quick moment of shut eye.

He was not a heavy sleeper however, and the sound of the lad walking up on him had him opening one eye, and then getting to his feet again. Dusting the seat of his trousers off, he grinned at the lad. "Alright then!" He leaned over and picked up the jacket where he'd dropped it over Serenith's leg. "Here you go, you might want this." He suggested, lifting the bag from Teracy's shoulder. Leaving the lad to don the garment, he turned to fasten the bag securely to Serenith's harness.

That done, he practically bounced all the way up to the top of Serenith's neck in a single motion. Setting in there, he snapped into his harness before freeing up a second set of straps. The jacket he'd given Teracy to wear had a built in set of hoops to snap on with. "Come on up, then, lad." He beckoned, reaching a hand down to help him up. "We'll be on our way then."

[Dragonicwarrior04]

Teracy cocked his head to the side slightly, finding it a bit amusing that this bluerider was resting on the ground while waiting for him. But it didn't take the man long to get up and dust himself off. When the man was all set, he seemed quick about wanting to leave. That was fine with Teracy. He had all his affairs in order now, so he wouldn't need to linger any longer.

When he was handed the jacket, he tried it on. It was a bit large for him, but that was probably to be expected. Teracy was a small guy and his size could easily be misjudged. He shrugged it on and made it as snug as he could. By the time he had adjusted himself properly, the man was looking down at him from his dragon beckoning him up.

Teracy grinned and nodded his head. He grabbed the man's hand and was lifted up onto the dragon. When he settled onto the dragon, he was strapped in and ready to go. "Let us leave", he said, noting to the man that he was all set and ready to go. He couldn't wait to see what kind of life awaited him at the weyr.

[Crystalyn]

Once Teracy was solidly seated and fastened in, Serenith rose to his feet. Well accustomed to carrying people who had never ridden a dragonback again, he was always fluid and smooth with his movements, to keep from scaring or jarring them unnecessarily. Smoothly, he slid from the ground up into a smooth arc that slowly climbed into the air. Wings beating in a steady rhythm, Serenith made a smooth transition into between. Reemerging over the Weyr in full darkness, there was not a whole lot to be seen.

Most dragons were already in bed in their weyrs, and there were a few whers rolling around. Serenith made a slightly unsteady descent, not really able to tell quite how far away the ground was. But despite that, he managed a fairly decent landing anyway. There, he settled down into a crouch to allow an easier dismounting for the inexperienced new candidate.

A'thin made sure to help the lad down, and then handed him his bag. "That entrance right there leads to the candidate barracks. Go ahead and go in, the sides are clearly marked which is for you lads. Don't bother the gals just yet, alright? Find you an empty bed and get some shuteye. In the morning, get someone to show you to Master M'linct. He's the Candidate Master and will make sure you get what you need." A'thin instructing, before grinning and waving.

"Goodnight!"

And with that, the blue pair were airborne again, headed back to their own weyr and beds. It had been a long, but productive day.