[DRAGON DAY] A Badly Needed Occasion

[Agenothree]

Al'yra of Bronze Hjalmarth - Phelps

Al'yra grinned, her expression devious and sly. Though it was a rare occurrence, she and Hjalmarth had Searched before, but no two prospective Candidates reacted quite identically. Some were totally speechless. Some expressed uncertainty, afraid of what might or might not be. Others still were overwhelmed to tears. So she wondered how Phelps would respond to his chance at greatness, whether her original assessment of his character would stand or crumble in face of such life-changing news. Hjalmarth, sitting comfortably on his haunches, seemed to be anticipating a positive reaction, regardless of what form it took. In contrast to Al'yra's more superficial analysis, he thought that Phelps had potential to be an excellent dragonrider, given time to improve and a chance to demonstrate his merit.

"Well, let's say you've got more than a stomach for flying," Al'yra began, lazily resting her weight against her bronze's sturdy foreleg again. "Say you want more. That you like flying so much it gets into your head, your blood. And what better feeling than to fly on a dragon of your very own?" Al'yra quirked a brow, expecting Phelps to catch her drift and fill in what she left blank, but Hjalmarth was much more concise, not liking to allow a chance for error or misunderstanding. What Al'yra suggests is that you, Phelps, may stand as a Candidate for Semaca Weyr, should you choose, Hjalmarth spoke simply, looking down at Phelps in a reserved and dignified way, disregarding how Al'yra sulked at him ruining her fun. To Search a Candidate means great honor for both dragon and dragonrider, not to mention one so fortunate to earn a dragon's favor as to directly vouch for them, he communicated to her, sounding downright disappointed. To Impress one of a new generation of young dragons is no laughing matter. Do not treat it as such.

Al'yra rolled her eyes. Learn to live a little, you stiff, she retorted. Not everyone appreciates things cut and dry. Hjlamarth said nothing further, seeing his point made. To Phelps, he lowered his head to be level to him, eyes a soft green color as he regarded him thoughtfully. I know it is both a sudden and unexpected development, but what say you? Hjalmarth asked lightly, trying to seem less intimidating to one so small in contrast to his own size, to someone not accustomed to being so close to a dragon. "And you don't need to answer immediately, Phelps," Al'yra cut in, her usual smirk curling her lips again. "It's a lot to think about before completely changing your life's course and all that. Might be easier to decide once you cash in that ride we owe you."

[FirebrandPhlox]

Phelps - Al'yra

Phelps eyed Al'yra cautiously as they went on. They were leading him somewhere, which he was fairly sure he was following, but he couldn't be completely certain with all of the wine flowing through his system. Then Hjalmarth spelled it out, plain as day.

"You think I'm rider material?" He asked with a barking laugh. Him, a pirate cook and by all accounts not the sort of person one typically thought of when they heard one of the many ballads of the Riders of Pern, was being Searched by a dragon. And a bronze, no less! He chuckled and looked at the pair. "You can't be serious."

Though they continued to press, asking is if he would stand as a candidate. He furrowed his brow, eyes darting between rider and dragon. "Oh shards, you are being serious," he said with a nervous chuckle. Suddenly he was feeling very sober. After a moment of consideration, he spoke again.

"Why not?" He said, an eager grin starting to spread across his face. "It's rare for people to have that kind of potential, yeah? I think I could make a decent enough rider! Flying every day, that sounds like a pretty good deal to me!" Not to mention he couldn't wait to see some of the faces of his crewmates when he told them he had been personally asked by a rider and their dragon to stand as a candidate.