Month of Sundays, Not that Pern has Sundays...or months.

[Shade]

A lonesome sigh echoed throughout the deserted candidate barracks. It had been months since the hatching, and yet there were still very few candidates to be found. Because of how few there really were, Epeelyn and the others had quite a few chores placed upon their shoulders until they got more people to help even out the load. Today though, the most blissful day of the sevenday, was her free day. However, what fun was it when she had no one to share it with? Every single one of her friends had Impressed. It was hard not to feel left behind, though she knew it wasn't there fault. There was a solemn croon by her head, causing her to turn and look at Little Sister, who was now sitting by her head on the bed. With a groan, the tumbler sat up, looking at the green. "Think I oughta get up, eh?" she asked the flitt, who chirped an affirmative.

Rolling her eyes, she hopped up out of bed and grabbed a change of clothes, scurrying down to the bath they shared in the female's barracks. It was very late in the day, near lunchtime, and the girl had been uncharacteristically lazy. While drying off from her bath, she decided she'd make up for her lack of activity and do laps around the lake before practicing her usual tumbling. She barely paused to drag a brush through her still damp hair before dashing outside and into the bright sunshine. She was so glad that it had started to warm up again. It would mean that she'd be able to swim once more. having grown up in a coastal town, she had loved to swim in the ocean. She hadn't been able to do much swimming since she came, however. Pausing at the lake, she glanced into its blue depths before beginning her laps around the lake to warm herself up.

[Cerise]

We have neither lessons nor chores, Mine. There is no need to be out here.

"What difference does that make, Tarmenth?" The bronze weyrling's voice was calm and amused, footsteps thunking on the ground in counterpoint to the dragonet's longer, heavier steps. Even impression and several sevendays worth of chores hadn't changed Jaer'n's carefree nature, even when dealing with his more solemn dragon. "It's a nice day. Spring's in the air. Why not wander?"

The bronze's thoughts were faintly disapproving; Jaer'n had found that his dragon was never comfortable with anything besides work. He could use some time off of fretting about the state of the weyr, the redhead thought with a quick chuckle, continuing his path towards the lake. Tarmenth would relax soon enough, he was sure. The sun was bright overhead now, nearly at noon, and like any dragon the bronze enjoyed basking in the warmth, once his mind was turned from his self-imposed duties. On the rare days they had free, the rider constantly tried to get his lifemate to loosen up, to relax.

Hazel eyes were met with an unexpected and pleasant sight as he rounded the corner, and a broad grin widened the freckled lad's lips, even as he quickened his pace. "Epee!" The shout was happy and welcoming, hopefully loud enough to draw the tumbler girl's attention, even running around the lake's perimeter as she was.

I do not know her, Mine. The bronze's mental tone was a touch worried, as though he were missing something important, and Jaer'n laughed aloud again, stroking the bronze's headknobs in reassurance. "That's because she's still a Candidate. Don't worry, you know all of your clutchsiblings and their riders better than anyone could, including the Weyrlingmaster!"

[Shade]

Epeelyn had just settled into the rhythm of running when she heard a very unexpected shout. Stopping, she turned and looked around the lake and back towards the weyr, spotting a very familiar redhead. A broad grin on her face, she picked up her speed, scooting around the edge of the lake to meet up with Jaer'n. To her eyes, he seemed to have grown since she last saw him, which was probably the hatching. Reminded of that, she finally noticed the dragon behind him. Coming to a stop, she eyed the creature, noting how much bigger he had gotten.

Folding her hands behind her back, she rocked on her heels, cocking her head to the side as she studied the bronze. Honestly, she didn't even know his name. After the hatching, she had been ushered away with the other remaining candidates, so she hadn't even gotten a chance to even talk to Jaer after he had Impressed. And after that, well, they had all been too busy. Epeelyn really had little to no contact with all of the weyrlings. She had no clue what they were doing, or how they were progressing. It was vexing to be so out of the information loop. She was sure she'd catch up eventually, though, once lessons became less demanding.

Her smile widened as she looked back at Jaer'n. "Long time no see, eh, Jaer?" she asked simply, shrugging her shoulders.

[Cerise]

Happy that she'd seen him, the bronze weyrling came to a stop near her, having to fight the urge to grab the girl in a massive bear hug. Maybe weyrlinghood was all he'd dreamed of and more, but he'd rather missed the tumbler's biting sense of humor and her company. The few tricks she'd taught him were completely out of practice, he thought offhandedly, making him laugh out loud again. Chores had kept both of them busy, and lessons for him, but Faranth it was good to see her!

"Not since the Hatching, right?" He shook his head with a rueful smile; it really had been too long, and he hadn't even thought of seeking the girl out! " 'course, it's Jaer'n now - but that still leaves the nickname intact." Finally deciding that it wasn't worth it to hold back, the lad lunged forward, pulling Epeelyn into a swift and enthusiastic embrace. He'd missed her!

The bronze dragon behind him snorted lightly at his rider's affectionate display, and Jaer'n drew back, throwing a quick glance at the creature. "Oh, and this great hulking beast is Tarmenth," he added, assuming it would be polite to introduce his dragon. Any friend of my riders is a friend of mine, the bronze projected diplomatically, although he was a bit shaky on bespeaking someone other than his rider. It wasn't something he had found necessary.

[Shade]

Jaer'n's happiness seemed contagious. Epeelyn could feel laughter tickling the back of her throat, burbling up through her chest. He just seemed so happy to see her and she could definitely say she echoed the feeling. It was shocking to realize, but she had missed him. That was odd, she thought. She didn't really make friends that easily, and those were never people she was truly close to. However, there was the possibility that Jaer'n could become a good friend such as that if her feelings at the moment were any indication.

She nodded an affirmative. "Yeah, since th' hatchin'. Haven' seen hide nor hair o' ya since then. Dyana keepin' ya on your toes, eh?" she asked with good humor, her smile twitching at the mention of his new name. "You'll always be Jaer t' me, though." She let out a squeak of surprise, though, as the weyrling lunged out, snagging her in a tight embrace. It was very expected, but the tumbler quickly warmed up to it, fiercely hugging him back. She couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, Jaer, I missed ya too." A mischievous expression crossed her face quickly. "And I just knew your sister would get a green!" Ah, she just had to get that out, if only for the laughter she knew it would cause.

When Jaer began to pull back, Epee squeezed him again one more time before stepping back, also looking over at the bronze with her dark amber eyes, which were narrowed in thought. He seemed to be...very proper for a dragon, if that was the word for it. Once he was named, Epeelyn nodded to the bronze, a friendly smile on her face for him. Epee was thoroughly surprised when Tarmenth actually bespoke her. Her reaction could not be helped. Her mouth dropped open and her eyes widened. That expression quickly morphed into a grin, though. "It'll be good havin' a dragon for a friend, eh, don'cha think?"

[Cerise]

He was certainly glad to see Epee happy. Frankly, Jaer'n had expected her to Impress over most of the other girls... but there were always more clutches. Reminding himself of that, the redhead could continue to feel absolutely confident that, one Hatching or another, the girl would end up with a dragon eventually. He only wished he could see her more often! The divide between weyrlings and those who were still Candidates was clear.

Hearing her acknowledge that she'd missed him made him grin warmly, only to burst out into laughter a moment later. The tumbler had indeed read his sister just right! "You're always right, I'd think. And she's having quite a time with Ehilyth, I'll have you know," he informed the other with a snicker, thinking of the few times Jaenita had related her troubles with the green dragonet to him. It wasn't often, since she was so wrapped up with her own chores and issues to talk to her twin brother.

Even Tarmenth had to be a little amused with Epeelyn's reaction to being spoken to, though his was a quieter entertained aura to Jaer'n's outright chuckle. Silently he commended his dragon for being more social than he normally was, smiling back in response to Epee's words. "I find him pretty useful," he teased, thumping the bronze dragonet on the flank.

| ooc: Craaaaappp. x.x; |

[Shade]

(No, not crap. Is good. =3)

"I c'n imagine. Greens are always a handful at first, or so I've heard. So fligh'y an' emotional. Your sister seemed like she had a lot o' control over herself, a green would throw it all outta whack. But she'll cope. From wha' I've seen, she's made o' some strong stuff. Like brother, like sister, hmm?" she asked, crossing her arms. No, she still really didn't like Jaenita, but you can still respect someone you don't like. Epeelyn still hadn't forgiven the girl for what she had said, though she still hadn't apologized either.

She rolled her eyes at Jaer'n's chuckle, but made no mention of it. She knew she had made a comical expression that was totally unlike her usual self, so she'd give him his amusement. It was at no expense to her, except maybe a bit of her pride. Shaking her head, she grinned at the pair. "I would 'ope you'd find your own dragon useful, Jaer. If ya didn't, there'd be no savin' ya." she told him with a small chuckle.

(Mine is crap. xD)

[Cerise]

The redhead grinned widely at the compliment to his sister's (and, all right, his as well) temperament, rather happy that Epee could pinpoint the girl's strength even though there was a mutual dislike between the two girls. Or had been; who knew, maybe Ehilyth's influence would eventually make Jaeni a little warmer? Unlikely. Whatever happened, he was just glad there was no jealousy or anything on the tumbler's part for his sister's having Impressed a dragon... even a green. "From what she says, hers is a touch worse that most, though that might just be her usual dramatics, " he laughed, shaking his head at the thought of his twin. "But she'll do fine. Once she loosens up a bit, she'll be fine!"

Even if Epee had broken out of her usual unshakeable persona a little, it didn't lose her any esteem in Jaer'n's eyes. "You know I was joking," he retorted swiftly, shaking his head with a smile. "So does Tarmenth, luckily, or I'd be smushed under a bronze foot right now." The dragon made a slightly indignant noise, mentally arguing that he'd never hurt his rider, and silently the boy soothed him, still laughing. Such a serious creature, all the time! Good thing the weyrling had a sense of humor.

[Shade]

At that Epee could not help but snort. "Oh, yes, I'm sure Jaen has i' so much harder than th' res' o' us, or should I say th' weyrlin's? I s'pose I'm no' really one o' th' group anymore." She shrugged slightly, absently kicking at the growing grass around the lake. It was a little depressing, though she had gotten over it a while back. Still, where would she be now, if her dragon had been there? Well, no use thinking about it. What-if's only drove a person crazy. It was better to focus on the now of things.

"From wha' I've seen o' this bronze 'ere o' yours, I don' think he'd been squashin' you a'tall. He don' seem to 'ave th' personality t' do i', if I do say so myself. An' I do." she told him with a nod, looking over at Tarmenth. He looked so solemn! Really, how could Jaer stand it? Well, Epeelyn was sure there was more to the bronze than all of this seriousness. Maybe she could get him to loosen up? But how? She couldn't think of anything right this minute, so she pushed the thought back to think on later, instead sidling closer to the pair. "You're too easy on your rider, Tarmenth." she mock-whispered. "'E gets off too easily fo' things, I'm a thinkin'."

[Cerise]

"You're still a part of the group in my mind," the redhead declared rather valiantly, though it was true that Epee was technically not one of the weyrlings, not one of his compatriots anymore. She was still Jaer'n's friend, which was all that really mattered to the boy. He wasn't one for classifying, for judging people based on groups, or anything of the sort. Epeelyn was herself, so her rank didn't matter - that was how he thought of it.

A low snort escaped the boy as the other mentioned Tarmenth, though really he should have been offended. The bronze was a bit stiff, though; no denying that! "He's got plenty of personality, just too much responsibility to let it show," he said with a grin, nudging the dragon with one shoulder. We are supposed to be responsible, Mine, the dragon stated solemnly, making the boy laugh out loud. The dragonet was too young to be so serious! Luckily, Jaer'n seemed to have enough of a sense of humor for the both of them.

Tarmenth flipped his wings lightly when the girl spoke to him, turning a slightly baleful glance towards his rider. You may be correct, but the tone was so prim and proper that it was clear the bronze didn't get the joke. He truly was far too responsibility-oriented to have any fun, most of the time.

[Shade]

Epeelyn was very touched by his statement and didn't even try to hide the softening of her face. She was glad he still considered her in the same group, even if now they were a rank apart. Jaer'n was a bronzerider now, one of the elite, even if he wasn't a full rider yet. True, he was a lord holder's son, but when they were candidates, there was no distinction between them, even though he was brought up nobly while she had lived on the streets. Even now, despite the fact she had no dragon, the weyrling saw no difference between her and the rest. It brought a soft, sweet smile to her face in thanks. She knew there was a reason she called him friend.

At the snort, her soft smile once more morphed into her usual grin. "Ah, don' look'it me like tha', Tarmenth. Really, Jaer, we need t' loosen up your drag'n." she said with a small eye roll, though there was a fond look on her face. She was just teasing the bronze, honestly, and didn't mean anything by it. She couldn't have but laugh, though, which he took her joke seriously. "I'm always correc', don'cha know?" she asked the bronze. Shaking her head, she once more looked at Jaer'n. "So, wha' were you two doin' 'fore you foun' me?"

[Cerise]

The redhead rather enjoyed seeing that smile, a momentarily softer side of the generally tough, teasing Epee. It wasn't as though he were doing anything particularly special, though; he had never been one to discriminate based on rank, unlike his sister. Jaer'n made friends with people who he thought were worth his time and consideration, and the tumbler girl was just one of those. His Impression of a dragon, the divide in rank, was nothing to him. She was just Epeelyn, just a friend who he unfortunately hadn't seen for some time. Well, he'd work on that.

"Don't know if you'll be able to! He takes his responsibility as a bronze very seriously," he added with a sharp nod, even as the dragon in question snorted. "Too seriously, I always think," he chuckled, reaching up to stroke Tarmenth's neck, soothing the creature. It's all right, he added as an aside to the dragon, silently. We're only joking!

I am well aware, the bronze answered swiftly, though the gravity in his tone implied that he hadn't quite gotten the humor. Chuckling, Jaer'n turned his attention back to the human portion of the conversation. "You know how I am - just wandering about, seeing what's going on. Nothing too important. And you? Exercising, I'd guess, unless you were running around the lake because something was chasing you," he teased with a broad smile.

[Shade]

Shrugging, she couldn't help but smile up at the bronze. "Ya know, 'tis actually refreshin'. Most bronzes are s'stuck up an' snotty, s'much so tha' 'tis unbearable t' be 'round them for any length o' time. Tarmenth, you're definitely a breath o' fresh air in this weyr. Ya kinda remind me o' a brown, in a way, with 'ow ya take everythin' s'seriously." Idly popping her neck, she glanced up at the bronze through her lashes. "Ya need t' remember, though, t' relax sometime. You'll tire yourself out like this. Jus'...let loose every once ina while, okay? We don' need a bronze with a nervous breakdown on our 'ands, eh?"

Shaking her head, a fond smile for the bronze still on her face, she glanced at the weyrling. "I fel' like I was bein' a wee bit lazy today, sleepin' in until after noon. So I decided to get up an' warm up so I could do some practicin'. "Twon't do for me too get rusty, yeah?" she asked. "Normally, I run to warm up. Jus' a light jog. Too much an' I risk tearing ligaments. Sometimes I jus' stretch, though. Occasionally I do both. depends, I guess." Suddenly, she leaned forward, hands on her hips, and grinned up at Jaer'n. "An' I bet ya 'aven't been practicin', 'ave ya?"