Getting Her Bearings

J'ain slid down Ansith's pale side, feet crunching into the mix of fine gravel covered in sand that was the floor of the weyrbowl. The amount that it had taken to raise the floor up to a particular level must have been astounding, but she was grateful for whoever's foresight. Made for easy landings, and easy walking for that matter. "Thanks, love," she said, her naturally deep voice husky with the last vestiges of sleep.

Of course, Mine, the blue said immediately, reaching down with his large head to butt her gently, as he had when he was a hatchling. The middle-aged woman smiled briefly, scratching along his eyebrow ridges. The blue crooned in delight- usually she kept such caresses to bathing time, or the infrequent full-body oiling that kept his hide supple. Do you know who you'll be meeting with today?

J'ain snorted. You'd know better than I do. But then she relented. If he had heard something, she would have heard it from him shortly thereafter. He was as guileless as a child, and just as sweet. Twenty eight Turns later, and she was still humbled by their bond. You're flaking a bit, she noted with a frown. Didn't I oil you the day before yesterday?

Ansith snorted, mimicking her earlier noise. You did. I went swimming afterward like a brainless wherry. But I can wait, go on! So saying, he nudged her firmly toward the Living Caverns, where breakfast- and the person she was due to meet with- would be waiting. She let herself be urged along, but looked over her shoulder at him.

I promise I'll get to it today. Before drills, if possible. The chalky blue nodded- a very human gesture he had long ago picked up from His- and spread his wings for takeoff. J'ain turned quickly back to look ahead of her, so her eyes wouldn't be blasted by the cloud of dust. Ansith had always been a little... forceful... with takeoffs.

I heard that, the blue teased, as His disappeared into the high-arching hallway that marked the entrance to the Living Caverns.

I know.