. arrival (Reir) [fin~]

[Sketchy]

Inaise glanced around the barrack area with a frown, flipping the end of her hair between two fingers. She was clutching the small bag of spare clothing to her chest, storm-grey eyes darting about as she tried to find the correct area.

"Shards," she muttered, shifting the bundle under her arm. The bluerider had explained only so much before she'd been dropped off, searched and suddenly a candidate, something she'd never seen for herself.

Even if she knew a few people, it was unlikely that she would be able to find them. And from what she'd heard, the two people she did know had Impressed- which meant they wouldn't be in the candidate area to begin with.

She sighed and took a few more steps in the direction she hadn't come from. Maybe if she wandered around enough, she'd run into someone who knew where she was supposed to be rooming.

[cetas]

Reir nervously fumbled with a recently acquired map, simultaneously struggling to not lose the personal belongings that were only just about not falling everywhere in the immediate vicinity. It had always benefited her to be prepared, but this time she couldn’t make heads or tails of where she was supposed to go!

It was truly amazing what a simple change of location could render the usually casual girl into an uncomfortable wreck. This made quite the change for her. Normally she was one to blend in the crowd, but this time her nervous disposition and her inconsistent movements had made her rather striking, and she was certainly aware of it – which was slowly making things worse.

Things had changed remarkably since Reir had last set foot inside a weyr. It was now barely unrecognisable to her, and she was struggling to find familiar ground. At this point she had cautiously decided that heading anywhere would be her best shot. She didn’t want to necessarily ask anyone for help right now, but that was always an option if she really had to. Hopefully there were other new people around too. Reir being left to her own devices in a relatively unknown setting was never a good idea.

[Sketchy]

Chewing her bottom lip briefly, Inaise turned a corner, determination in her stride. Even if she wasn't completely sure where she was going, she was going to pretend (at least) that she knew where she was going.

However, she hadn't anticipated someone being around that corner. She barely managed to turn in mid-stride, clipping the side of the other girl and stumbling a bit as she regained her balance against the wall. "Oh, sorry. I'm such a dimglow sometimes," she explained, picking up the clothing that had managed to fall out of her bundle.

"This place is just so confusing and the search rider was so busy." She knew she was rambling, but she couldn't help it- it was an instinctual thing to do when she ran into someone she didn't know and wasn't sure how to act around. Her tone was a little desperate sounding, but she had been looking for quite a while, now.

After another awkward pause in the seemingly endless words rushing from her, she finally realized she hadn't introduced herself at all. "I'm Inaise. I just got Searched." The faint note of pride and awe in her voice wasn't to brag, just that it still hadn't fully been realized that her life had drastically changed.

[cetas]

Just for that one brief moment, all of the emotions Reir was feeling could be seen if you watched her facial expressions change closely enough. Enthusiasm was one thing she lacked, and this candidate in front of her seemed to possess an amount of it that Reir was envious of – but she also wasn’t sure if she was reading this girl correctly. Maybe things would have been different for Reir last time if she had even an ounce of confidence?

However, her bout of envy quickly subsided when she realised who she was staring at. Another new person, just when she was hoping lady luck would grace her path. A devious smirk had now emerged on Reir’s lips, followed by a glimmer in the corner of her eager eyes.

“Oh, that’s wonderful. I’m new too. Well actually…” Reir managed to halt her tongue before she divulged details that she wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to admit. Failing to Impress before had clipped her ego, and she wasn’t sure if she was ready to admit it. If no one’s asking, she sure isn’t telling.

“My name’s Reir. I’d tell you more about me, but truthfully I’m not sure what to say. I’m not good at that stuff." The brunette started to explain with an air of formality that was becoming increasingly more obvious with each word that came out of her mouth. Yet she was somewhat unable to alter her choice of words after she actually began replying - so she just went along with it, and offered her hand in greeting to her new acquaintance.

"Right now I’m just kind of lost, but I'm kind of relieved I'm not the only person confused. This place is bustling with more life than where I come from.”

[Sketchy]

Inaise quirked a smile, lifting one corner of her mouth as she pushed her hair behind her ears, her bangs threatening (as usual) to cover her eyes. Not knowing the girl, she caught very little of her emotions, and instead looked elsewhere, shifting her feet nervously.

"Oh, good. At least you're new too. Maybe we'll be rooming near each other." Inaise smiled, a little more sure of herself now, even if the other girl was a little confusing. How was she "new" but not new?

Inaise had grown up in a large family, and not only that, but as a large group of culture that surrounded her, she had slipped easily into the feeling of the weyr. She knew that once she got to know her way around the area, she'd fit in just fine. But first, she had to figure out where she was going.

"I was just about to try this hallway," Inaise pointed. "If you want to come with me, maybe we can find an open room? The searchrider said I could find one that was empty and find the candidate master to confirm it." She had been surprised that it had seemed so laid back at the time, but then again, things probably wouldn't be very crazy until a clutch was laid. Or so she thought.

[cetas]

It wasn’t something Reir could control entirely well - but it was becoming quite clear to her that her initial reaction of fear and worry was beginning to disperse, leaving her with a modest but yet quite prominent positive feeling about being inside Nyocia. It was amusing how a chance encounter with a stranger could change her disposition, but she was finally beginning to experience the emotions she believed that she was supposed to feel upon arriving in the weyr.

Regardless of her current situation, she was certainly going to pounce on this chance to make things easier for her – easier for both of them, perhaps? It might not have been her best decision to just naively head off into the great unknown with a stranger, but she couldn’t help but be trusting.

“Oh I would certainly like that.” Reir began replying with a crooked smile which was being slightly masked as she buried her face into the map she had almost forgotten about, desperately tracing her finger upon the ink to find the their current position, before finally deciding to discard the whole thing into her other belongings before she looked like an idiot.

“I’m okay with trying anything to be honest. Working as a pair can’t be worse than being lost by ourselves. We can always laugh about it if neither of us can work out where the rooms are.” The tone in Reir’s voice was now becoming increasingly chirpy, until a slightly worried look then crossed her face.

“Oh, I’m such an idiot. I forgot to say ‘nice to meet you’.”

[Sketchy]

As far as strangers went, Inaise was fairly harmless. She blew her bangs out of her eyes as she glanced over the other girl briefly.

She couldn't help but grin at the effort of using a map- "Those never work as well as I hope they will," she said good-naturedly, starting in the general direction.

"Hopefully one of us will be able to work it out, it shouldn't be that hard, right?" Inaise glanced around, instinctively heading towards other noise. "I figure if I head towards the nosiest part of the weyr, I'll find the candidate area, right? Logically, at least," she amended, trying not to think about it too hard.

"Oh, it's nothing to worry about." Looking a little flustered, Inaise shrugged in an offhand manner. "Little things like that aren't important at this point. I'm too excited about having been Searched to care, anyhow." She smiled, lips lifting at the edges as she stopped in front of a likely looking room. "This room looks like the descriptions I've heard before..." Inaise was murmuring under her breath, looking over the bare room with interest. Would this really be where she was going to end up spending so much of her time?

"Should we find someone, you think?"

[cetas]

Reir instinctively chuckled in regards to Inaise’s excitement, raising her right hand to softly cover her mouth whilst maintaining her politeness. Soon, her reaction had died down, she pondered on which of the other Candidate’s comments she should reply to first.

“That’s probably the best thing we can do at this point, but I believe where we are seems like a fairly likely bet.” Reir remarked firmly as she took one more look inside the room that was before them, carefully hiding her sense of familiarity away from anyone who may have had eye contact with her- especially Inaise.

“So, I see you’re pretty excited about being Searched? I’d never even seen a dragon before one flew into the centre of my town one morning. It was a very interesting experience. In fact, most of the other townsfolk hadn’t seen one either. Certainly wasn’t expecting to get Searched either, it still feels rather surreal to me.” Reir cheerfully began divulging as the two girls briskly paced, keeping an eye out for someone who could confirm for them where they would be staying.

It wasn’t long after beginning to talk freely that Reir began to grow interested in Inaise’s back story, and began weaving an inquiry at the end of her story.

“So how was your experience in getting Searched?”

[Sketchy]

Inaise relaxed as the other candidate seemed to fall more into place. She had seemed so awkward before, and stiff, that Inaise had almost put up a guard instinctively. When people acted like that, something was usually wrong. But then again, it could have just been anxiousness. You just never knew with some people.

"Good. I'm tired of wandering around mostly lost." She smiled and entered the room, looking around at the sparse interior. Home, for now, she though, musing to herself as she set her stuff down on a bed.

"That's exactly how I felt. There'd been Search riders in my home before, but no one from my family has ever been Searched." Inaise smiled a little, fingertips brushing the sewing of her jacket. It was the one nice piece of clothing she tried to take care of. Her mother and younger sister had patched it up for her before she'd left with the dragon.

"It was a rush. Everything just seemed to happen at once. First I was running errands, then the next thing I knew, a dragonrider was taking me home to talk to my family about going to the weyr." She paused, pushing her hair back. "They were excited, of course. It's an honor in our village."

"What does your family do?" Growing up in a crafthall, Inaise was well aware that not everyone did the same thing she did. There were many ways of life, after all.

[cetas]

“Fishing. It runs down my family.” Reir was abrupt with her answer, a little unsure of how she would add more detail. Previously, it has been the only life that she had known, yet now she was offered the chance at a life which seemed so alien compared to her humble background. She was ambivalent about the chance – there was no doubt she was honoured, but she wasn’t sure how many transferable skills she could take from fishing.

“Your right though, you pretty much get caught in a maelstrom of rush after your Searched. I guess nothing can prepare you for something of this magnitude. Makes you think really.” Reir followed up by conducting a brief inspection on the room, whilst sporting a rather unusual, but genuine smile.

She had to admit that finally being able to rest somewhat, was very desirable about now. Through meeting new people, exasperation at trying to find this place and with the weight of her failed Impression on her mind, the young Candidate certainly wouldn’t say no to a moment of doing nothing in particular. A moment like this might be a rare treat in the future. Reir began enthusiastically stretching her worn out limbs and fell back onto the same bed that was holding Inaise’s belongings.

“It feels good to just be able to lie down for a moment.” She explained in a casual nature. “Actually, what about you? I think we have some free time before we really need to be anywhere, so I’d like to hear about what your family does.”

[Sketchy]

"Fishing? I've never been on a boat," Inaise mused, watching as Reir glanced around the room. She took to the other side, looking at the bed and the small desk, the sparse furniture representing everything that wasn't home. Even if her family wasn't high up in the community, they had a lot of stuff. Came with having so many people in it, she guessed.

Glancing at Reir on the bed, she grinned, and sat with a thump on the unused bed. Brushing her hair behind her ear, she watched Reir stretch and took the hint to stretch her own legs out, leaning back on her hands.

"Mine? Oh, we're just tanners. Well, my dad is. Mom's a home-maker. She does weaving and such to trade for food and things, but I learned some with dad. Never got around to being an apprentice, which was a good thing, I guess." She smiled a little sheepishly. "Being a 'rider is much more interesting than tanning hides for the rest of my life." She didn't admit that she'd never had a large love of the family business, but she guessed it would probably be obvious.

"One of my friends brother's got Searched, actually. They're around here somewhere, I'd imagine."

[cetas]

“Life in the Weyr is certainly made out to be glamorous indeed, but there is merit in a normal lifestyle.” Reir pondered, her eyes widened and fixed into position at the corners of her eyes, indicating some intriguing thoughts. “However, I am thankful that I enjoyed my family’s craft. I’m guessing the same isn’t true for you? If you are not enjoying life you lead, then that isn’t truly living”

The atmosphere had become noticeably less tense now that the two female Candidates had begun resting. Reir knew she was partially to blame for previous nervousness. It was a something of a defence mechanism to help her get to grips with new issues and surroundings. She wasn’t sure of what would be coming next, but for this current moment, she was glad that she could enjoy it in her normal mannerisms.

“I’ve not had many dealings with Tanners before. The work sounds difficult, although I’m not entirely sure of what the craft consists of. I enjoy fishing because it gives me time alone with my thoughts. It is a sport of patience. I probably wouldn’t be so great at tanning hides. I’m impressed.” She was certainly correct about her word. Reir appreciated the complexity of every craft, knowing the dedication it took in one's craft to earn a decent living. It was only just after finishing her praise that the brunette comprehended the most recent words that Inaise had spoken.

“Wait. Did you say that you know someone in this Weyr?” Her tone, slightly elevated in pitch, was suggesting an interest in learning more.

[Sketchy]

"It's not that I didn't enjoy it," Inaise hedged. "It just wasn't..." She shruggged. How to explain it? "It wasn't what I really wanted to be doing, but it was my way of life." That probably wasn't the most wonderful description, but there it was.

Relaxing her posture a bit, Inaise grinned. "It's not that difficult. But you start to smell like a tanner after a while." She picked at her clothing. She was sure there was still some lingering smell on her from the oils, but she'd brought her nicest clothing to the weyr, not her work clothes. And those ones were the worst. "I've never been on a fishing craft before. What's it like?"

"Oh, yes. Two people, actually. Brothers. I was friends with their younger sister before we... parted ways, I guess." She shrugged a little self-conciously, eyes darting. "I'm not sure what they're doing in the weyr, though I'd heard they were standing at the last hatching. Word never got back about how that turned out, though." She blushed a little at the mention of them; when she was younger, she thought they'd been the best brothers one could have. Over the years a crush had developed. Now, though, with them on their own, her feelings had withered for the most part. But they still made her nervous. Inaise just never really knew where she stood with them.

"You don't know anyone here, then?"

[cetas]

“I don’t think I’ve had the luxury to enjoy a Tanner’s scent before. Should I be thankful for that?” Reir chuckled. It had been less than half a day into her return to the weyr and she was discussing work, and work related smells with a kind hearted acquaintance. At the very least, this should be interesting…

“Truth be told, it’s hard to say – about the fishing craft I mean. To me right now, it feels, well, normal? Like an extension of the land. If you had asked me ten years ago, you would have probably received a different answer.” A slight pause occurred as Reir attempted to relive some old memories. Her eyes drifted off into various erratic directions as a rather large grin graced her face. “My father once told me when I took my first steps onto our boat, I was vomiting uncontrollably. Who knows? Maybe he was lying…?”

Now that the atmosphere was becoming increasingly relaxed, Reir instinctively sat up and leaned forward, eager to learn more about Inaise’s mysterious friends. It was hard to say why, but this time she was feeling better about life in Nyocia.

“No, I do not. I have had the honour to be greeted by various weyrfolk, but not to the degree I could confidently say I know them.” It was now, the brunette was starting to notice colour appearing on Inaise’s cheeks. She was unsure if she should pry into her relationship with the brothers, but decided to opt for a more generic approach. “Well, if they have not returned, they must still be here. Surely it would be appropriate to find them – They might be thrilled to know that you have been Searched as well.”

[Sketchy]

Inaise stifled a laugh. "I don't know if it's to be 'enjoyed' or 'endured', rather."

"I doubt he was, I've heard of that." Of course, that was about all that she knew of fishing craft. Honestly, what she did know, was all she'd heard from T'ien in his younger years when he'd gone exploring. Even as a youth, he'd been exploring... Thoughts returning to the present, she shrugged. "Some people just don't react well to the sea. I guess it's just like dragons. Some people adapt, others don't."

"I-I guess that's true." Inaise nibbled at the ends of her hair, thinking it over for a moment. "I've met a few people, here and there, but I guess I have an advantage- I grew up with these two, at least some. Their father worked with my father, so there was a lot of time spent together when we were young."

"Yes, I suppose that's true." Frowning, she debated. "They're either going to be candidates like us, then, or weyrlings. It hasn't been long enough since they left for them to be anything else..." She thought it over. If one of them had a dragon, then she could get close to one! She could spend time with one, maybe make it not so terrifying when she stood on the sands, waiting, hoping.

"Either way, I'll find them at some point, I'm sure." She grinned, the thought lighting up her eyes. It had been a while since she'd seen them. "Maybe we could go find them at some point."

[cetas]

Reir buried her chin into her chest, attempting to hide some oncoming embarrassment. It was a great feeling to her, to feel able to tell another person an amusing story of herself in her younger days – but she had hoped it was fictional. Now all she could do was to imagine this occurring, whilst simultaneously annoyed that her acquaintance believed this account -even though it was most likely correct.

It had been quite some time now since arriving in the room. The conversation was surely keeping both of their minds off the rather subpar room conditions; Reir was opting to keep her eyes directly on Inaise, and was beginning to notice some regularity in her behaviour.

“I notice you chew the ends of your hair often. Regular thing, or are you nervous?” She asked, with some genuine interest as she further dwelled on Inaise’s situation. One thought in particular crossed her mind – might the two brothers recognise her? However she could not remember meeting anyone matching their description.

“I’m allowed to come long too then?” Reir asked, amused at Inaise’s choice of the word “we” “Where do you think we should start? The weyr is large, but surely it will not be an impossible task?”

[Sketchy]

"Huh?" Inaise pulled the hair from her mouth, glaring at it a little before shrugging. "Just always done it. Don't really notice it though, habit." She smiled a little and settled her hands in her lap, trying not to show annoyance. It wasn't that she was annoyed at Reir, more that she was annoyed with herself. She'd tried so hard to stop that habit, but moving to the weyr had brought it out full force. Life was just so unexpected, now.


"Of course." Inaise grinned. "It wouldn't do to exclude you, and since you don't know anyone at the weyr, you can know me. And them, if we find them." Her blue eyes sparkled at the thought of exploring. "We can ask around in the common areas first, of course. Dining area. Easy things like that." She stood and stretched.

"Perhaps we should unpack and find someone to check in with? Then we could go exploring. They might even have areas for us to check first, too."

(ooc; figure we can start a new thread of them searching or something, of Inaise runs into one of them / introduces Reir. We can plot on chat~)