Cerrel and Talarev
Stats-Search-Hatching-Weyrling-Adult-
Sidra Weyr-DawnSisters Weyr

"Fardling thing." Cerrel cursed as the greasy rope slid out of it's knot for the third time. His dad was never going to let him work one of the skiffs if he couldn't keep the sails up. Master Centoran was harder on his own son than his other apprentices, and Cerrel was half as patient and twice as inefficient as all the other apprentices combined. It wasn't a good system. But he wanted to become a Master Fisherman, just like his father, and would suffer whatever frustrations and problems came with the training.
"Oh leave it Cer, I'll tie the sail. You come over here and haul up our net." Cerrel's skif partner, Florian, called out playfull and with two steps crossed the small fishing skif and took the rope out of Cerrel's hand. With fluid motions Florian deftly made a knot stronger and tighter than anything Cerrel was able to do.
"You're good with your hands." Cerrel remarked, looking intently at Florian's face and then moved easily to the nets. He felt Florian smiling at his back and pressed his lips together in a grin. Florian would be his yet. Not only was the other lad quick witted and handsome enough to match Cerrel's blonde good looks, but Florian showed the most promise of all Centoran's apprentices, and that intrigued Cerrel.
On the way home, as the skif's small catch was resting easily in an attached barrel, with the wind tugging the tiny boat easily along, and the sun setting beautifully on the horizon, Florian kissed Cerrel, called him a silly goose, and asked cautiously if the other lad would like to share a room that night. Cerrel agreed, his heart warming and his mind swelling with accomplishment at his new prize.

Two months later...
Talarev leaned up against the stable door, watching the blonde man as he trapsed about the stable yards, obvioulsy complaining about something to his companion. The two seemed to be fighting, although Talarev wasn't close enough to pick up the words. It didn't really matter anyway, that pair was always around here, after their daily fishing tasks, and they were always fighting. "Lad, get back in here and cool off this runner. Lord Hanrael won't be pleased if his best jumper takes ill because of your ineptitude."
"Sorry sir." Talarev replied easily to the stablemaster. The man, called Specs because he only had one eye, had it in for Talarev. The boy somehow irritated him; ever since the time the twelve turn old lad had come out of nowhere begging to work in the stables. To this day Talarev wouldn't tell anyone where he came from, and no one bothered to ask anymore.
Talarev strided easily back into the barn to take the grey gelding that belonged to the Lord Hanrael out for a walk to cool him off. The fat Lord hadn't bothered to purchase a horse suited to his rather large frame, and the poor gelding wouldn't be the Lord's best jumper much longer. Talarev, unlike most of the other apprentices, didn't feel sorry for the runner.
Talarev accepted all things in life with ease. He didn't try to change the world, didn't try to bother to make strong opinions about anything in life. He'd considered his own philosophy many times, and decided it wasn't just that he didn't care, it was that he didn't feel the need to "fix" things. What was the point? The world would continue on with all it's problems and inadequecies whether or not Talarev felt sorry for a runner.
But it's too bad I don't have anyone to share this whole wide, inadequete, world with me. Talarev sighed, and took the runner's halter lead from one of the younger apprentices. The gelding had already been stripped of tack, and all Talarev had to do was walk him. With his trained eye Talarev could already see how the gelding's spine was starting to sink in, and his knees were growing weaker. Talarev wouldn't have noticed it if he hadn't seen the gelding a turn before, and had spent enough time with the horse to notice the changes.
"Hey fella." Talarev murmured to the horse, and patted his nose affectionately. The gelding whickered, and stomped his foot impatiently. He knew he was going out, and was anxious to leave. Talarev didn't keep the animal waiting, and led him quickly out the stables and along the outer edge of the barn, so he could hear the lover's spat in more detail.

Later that night... Cerrel was exhausted and upset. Florian had finally ended it. After nearly a month and a half of constant arguing and little physical affection, Florian told Cerrel that it would be best if they weren't together anymore. Cerrel didn't want to let Florian go; Florian was so different from anyone else Cerrel had ever met. But deep down Cerrel knew Florian was right. Why fight for a love that didn't truly exist?
Cerrel had watched Florian walk away, his heart already sinking beneath his feet, and he'd gone to the stableyard to walk around. He thought the fresher air might help him clear his head, and move on. But watching the runners, and their simple, uncomplicated lives just made it worse. They didn't have anything like love to worry about. They didn't understand what it was like to finally, after turns of what seemed simple flirtation, find your true mate, and have that mate turn you away. Life was just to hard! But a small voice in teh back of Cerrel's mind persisted with thoughts that made Cerrel feel even worse.
Maybe this was how Tannon felt when you abadoned him for Yorshi, or maybe how Delfandor felt after you told him you weren't ready to commit. You really shouldn't feel too bad that you don't always get your way in love.\
Shut up. Cerrel told his conscience, and stormed off into the stables. He needed to get out of the air, out of the open, to think..and to brood.
Cerrel nearly choked on the odd combination of elements that made up the barn's air. The runner scent, mixed with that of the hay in the lofts, plus the fresh salty sea breeze blowing in from the east made Cerrel feel like he had the worst of both worlds. To anyone else it wouldn't have been an unpleasant scent, but Cerrel hated anything that "reeked" of intensity, and therefor he couldn't even bring himself to like the perfumes and colognes other people wore.
Cerrel made his way to the back of the stables, hoping to get to one of the tackrooms unnoticed. He could think back there, in the dark emptiness, and feel sorry for himself all he wanted. So he got to the farthest tackroom, and seated himself on top of a large saddle that was held on a wooden rack designed for that purpose.
Why did Florian have to tell me no like that? Cerrel thought dejectidly, remembering all of Florian's exact, not so nice, words. And he would still have to work with Florian on the skif! Fardling bad luck! Cerrel thought, knowing his father wouldn't allow him to change partners so late in the season, no matter what personal problems his son was encountering with his partner.
"Excuse me?" A voice said suddenly from the doorway, and Cerrel jumped up to see an extremely good looking stablehand standing in the doorway. For a minute Cerrel's heart jumped at the thought of a new challenge, but he remember Florian and the excitement died down.
"Yes?" Cerrel asked, trying to keep his heart from melting as the young man smiled sweetly and nodded towards Cerrel. Cerrel's mind unconsciously went through the checklist of all the attractive things about this lad: His eyes were deep and intense, Cerrel could just imagine staring into them for eternity, he was tall, lean and muscular, a bonus, he was more beautiful than handsome, and Cerrel found that appealing too. This other man was perfect almost, and for the first time not only felt like he met someone who matched his own looks, but surpassed them.
"I need that saddle you're resting on." The stable lad said deeply, and Cerrel quickly forgot about Florian. This lad liked other lads, Cerrel was almost sure of it. He could see the automatic signals men gave off when they found other men appealing. The way this dark haired lovely kept blinking his eyes slowly in Cerrel's direction, the way he leaned forward, just a little, to show interest. Friends would do this unconsciously with each other, but only people who were attracted to each other did this right off. Cerrel repressed an eager smile.
"I'm sorry." Cerrel said, and swung easily off the saddle. He leaned over, and heaved it from it's resting place. It was heavy, and Cerrel tried his hardest to appear strong, like the weight didn't bother him. Cerrel was doubly embarressed as he handed the saddle off to the young man, and he held it with ease and was obviously not strained by it's weight at all. I must look like a weak fool. Cerrel told himself, trying to appear as graceful as possible.
He's too handsome. Talarev thought as he watched Cerrel's motions; the other boy was obviously trying to show off. Talarev scowled then, forcing off his interest. He'd never liked someone because of their looks, and he wasn't about to start with this little beauty.
"Thanks." Talarev said, and watched as Cerrel bent his head enticingly. Fardles this other lad knew exactly what he was doing.
He's curious, I can tell that. Cerrel thought to himself, and noted that the dark haired boy didn't leave after getting the saddle. He sort of hung about in the doorway, acting akward, and Cerrel smiled. All he had to do was....something.
At a loss, Cerrel just grinned and said, "I'm Cerrel by the way."
Talarev nodded, his whole body sighing with relief; but at the same time cursing that he was so into this guy he didn't even know. Fardling wherry. He scolded himself. You're attracted to him, so act on it! You've never had love.....YOu don't need love... Oh wherry teeth! Talarev felt his mind racing and heart pumping. It wasn't about this blonde anymore, it was about him. I hate it when that happens. Talarev thought, and smiled at the other boy.
"I'm Talarev." Cerrel smiled coyly, and Talarev felt himself blushing. He didn't know where this was going to go if the pair of them just stood around staring at each other. He should probably just get back to work. "Well, it was nice meeting you Cerrel," Talarev said, and sighed, seeing Cerrel's sudden deflated look. The lad thought he was being rejected, and Talarev felt the natural instinct to want to protect his new "interest".
"Listen, I'm going to be done here in ten minutes, and I'll be over in the gaming hall after that." Talarev, embarressed and astounded he had said what he wanted, darted away with the saddle in his arms, and could only guess how sneaky looking Cerrel's face was at that moment.
An hour later...
"So you don't know who your family is?" Cerrel snorted with disbelief. What he would give to not know who his family was. His father was a complete pain, and Cerrel felt inadequate by not living up to the old man's standards.
"No." Talarev said easily, and shrugged, taking another sip of wine from his glass. "It never bothered me much. I suppose when your raised by a man who says he's your uncle, you don't wonder much about family. I didn't really consider my mother and father until my "uncle" left me here one day, in the stables. I was twelve...." Talarev shook his head, and Cerrel could see it bothered him a lot. Cerrel didn't know Talarev never revealed anything of his past before; it was a first.
The pair had been up talking most the night. It was well past midnight, and only the most drunken and rascally men were still in the gambling hall, drinking and playing rough hands of poker. Cerrel and Talarev, after playing a few hands of the game themselves, settled into a quiet corner where they sat on the floor, just talking. Cerrel was amazed at how smart this "simple" stable hand was, but was intrigued and excited too. He felt challenged with Talarev, truly challenged, like he had to make himself better to deserve such a wonderful person. And in turn Talarev wasn't lacking for intellectual conversation, this blonde Cerrel knew enough about everything in general that he could discuss anything on a wide spectrum of topics.
"I'm sorry." Cerrel said quietly, and Talarev smiled weakly.
"Don't be, it's over and done with. I'm grown now, to old to worry about not having family to cry to when I'm hurt."
Cerrel, taking a deep breath and hoping he wasn't forcing the conversation to a too intimate level, asked,
"Everyone needs someone to go to when they hurt..whether it's family, or a friend..or someone whose, er, more than a friend?" Cerrel's voice was questioning, and Talarev knew what he was asking. Talarev sat in confusion for a moment, and ignored the pained look on Cerrel's face.
He's so wonderful... Talarev thought, but he hadn't known Cerrel that long. They hardly knew anything about the other. No, that's not right. Talarev thought. I told him about where I came from, and he told me about about his past loves, and how he thinks he wronged them somehow. Talarev sighed, and then smiled up at Cerrel.
"More than just friends." Talarev said, his heart catching in his throat and Cerrel smiled with glee. Talarev had seen that smile before; when Cerrel was first coming to the stableyards with the other boy, what was his name? Florian, that was it. But there was something different in Cerrel's smile this time; Talarev knew what it was. I'm not a prize to him. Talarev thought, and leaned forward to touch lips lightly with Cerrel.

Two months later...
"Aren't you finished yet?" Cerrel teased from his perch on a fencepost, and Talarev gritted his teeth and growled up at his friend.
"Does this colt look finished to you?" Talarev sighed, and tried to get the two turn old bay colt to respond to his pressure on the bit. The colt balked a bit, and nearly reared. Talarev, sensing the danger, jumped from the animal's back onto the dirt before the colt started tearing off across the field. "Fardles." He mumbled, and stood up, brushing dirt from his pants.
"You okay?" Cerrel asked, concern in his voice. Talarev smiled. Cerrel wasn't the type to rush up asking if he needed a Healer. Cerrel would worry, but he seemed so trusting that his partner could take care of himself. Talarev liked that, although he didn't know why. It's not like he'd ever had anyone he could compare Cerrel too. But somehow he and Cerrel just seemed to fit together, mind, body and soul. Talarev knew Cerrel felt the same way, but Talarev wouldn't be willing to change himself to impress Cerrel, so it was just as well.
"Fine!" Talarev said, laughing, and jogged over to the fence where Cerrel was sitting. "You're one to talk love, wasn't today the day you were telling your father you didn't want to follow through with your apprenticeship?" Talarev was worried for Cerrel, who'd finally decided he didn't want to fish for a living afterall..but still didn't know what he wanted to do instead, and still had to tell his father.
"Yeah." Cerrel scowled, and then looked off across the paddock where the bay colt was shaking his head, trying to get rid of the bit. "Aren't you going to get him?" Talarev shook his head.
"I figure give him a while to realize that bit's not going anywhere." Talarev started to say something about training runners in general, but realized something wrong with Cerrel. His face looked pained, and his eyes were worn out and dull. "What's the matter?" Talarev asked casually. He was easy with words, and knew his voice didn't sound concerned, even though he was. Cerrel understood, and sighed.
"I don't want no future Tal, but what am I supposed to do until I decide? I can't work in the stables, I'm no good with animals, and I don't think I'd like it. And what if my father kicks me out because I quit my apprenticeship? Where would I go?"
Cerrel dropped his head, his short blonde hair being ruffled by the wind. Talarev smiled gently, and made no move to touch his love.
"Would he really kick you out love?" Cerrel shrugged, and Talarev continued. "Well, you could always stay in the stablehand barracks with me until you found somewhere else. You could work up at the main Hall doing something or other in the kitchens to earn your keep, couldn't you? Yes, see, now all you have to do is take some time and figure out where you want to be."
"I want to be with you." Cerrel said so fervantly that Talarev was taken by surprise. He'd made no move to take Cerrel's independance away from him, didn't say he'd find a way to feed Cerrel, and hide him in his own bed...Talarev blushed without meaning too. He quickly schooled his features into a loving look, but Cerrel saw the blush, and knew what it meant. Talarev was only shy about one thing....
"But you don't want to stay here." Talarev pointed out, and Cerrel looked confused again. Talarev wrapped his arms around Cerrel's thick torso and rested his head on Cerrel's shoulder, snuggling his face up against Cerrel's chin. Cerrel smiled, and leaned into Tal.
"I'd suffer any torment to be with you." Cerrel said unexpectidly, and Talarev was rewarded with a feeling of warmth that he rarely felt, even with Cerrel present. Talarev was beginning to accept Cerrel as his family, as the one person he could go to to ease his own hurts.
"If you feel that way love, then I feel doubly so." Talarev lifted his head, and put his nose next to Cerrel's in an intimate way. It was lucky this paddock was so out of the way, for surely such a gesture would offend some of the more hidebound people of the Hall and Hold.
"I know." Cerrel said, and then pointed to the sky. Talarev followed Cerrel's gaze, and saw a large brown dragon soaring overhead. Talarev smiled.
"Too bad we can't just get Searched, both of us, and then we could go to the Weyr together." Talarev meant the remark as something of a wistful jest, but Cerrel's head jerked up and Talarev was amazed at the change in his mate.
Mymate? Talarev was also amazed at the thought that crossed his mind. He loved Cerrel beyond all measure, but was it really permenant? Could it be? They were so young...so different...And they'd been together only a short time...
As if reading Talarev's mind, Cerrel snuggled closer to his "mate" and sighed.
"We'll never change love, not in the way that matters."
"Oh? And what way is that?"
"The ways that keep us loving one another. This is more than just a trist Tal, we're meant, one for the other."
Talarev recognized how serious Cerrel sounded. It wasn't often the blonde lad was so, well, deep. Talarev relaxed his hold on Cerrel and watched as his blue eyes turned back to the sky.
"Let's go find that dragon Tal. Let's go to the Weyr. No dragonrider will refuse us if we explain that we only want to be together! Even if we don't get Searched, well, we'll be together. The Weyr's have stables for you Tal, and I could work somewhere!" Cerrel's voice took on a new intensity, and Talarev was a little afraid. "Oh please Tal, do this for me?"
"How could I say no to you?" Talarev said, and hugged Cerrel close. "When I want it as much as you do? C'mon, I think that brown went over to Redrock Pond. That's always a popular spot for dragoners to go for a swim."