All around her a party raged, but Feena herself was misrable. She was supposed to be celebrating M'thew's return, with a dragon, but instead she sulked.
M'thew was her age. In fact, he was a season younger than her. Why was he allowed to be searched but not her? She sat fuming as the party raged.
Several candlemark later, M'thew finally decided he was going to show up. He was ushered in by a cheering crowd and congratulated by all. As he proudly displayed Serenth and told the story of his impression, Feena stalked off.
She stalked angrily into the Weyrbowl and threw herself onto the nearest bench. "He has some nerve." She muttered to herself. "Coming back, acting all high and mighty, ignoring his friends..."
"Since when have we been friend? Last I heard you hated my guts."
Feena turned and glared at M'thew. The new rider smiled and plopped himself down next to Feena. Feena continued to glare at him.
"Hey! It's not my fault. I was trying to get away from them. Really."
Feena didn't seem convinced.
"Oh don't look at me like that. You still like me. I know."
"How?" Feena was suspicious.
He smiled. "You're still wearing the necklace I gave you."
Feena blushed and fingered the shell necklace. She then smiled. "Fine. I don't hate you."
He smiled again. "You'll love me in a few minutes."
"Really?" She laughed. M'thew always knew how to ruin her bad moods.
M'thew reached into his sack and pulled out a little bag. He handed it to Feena. "On the way back, I stopped off at Blue Star Weyr. I picked something up for you in case you weren't talking to me. Good thing too."
Feena opened the bag and smiled. She hugged her friend. "You're right I do love you!!!"
Inside the small bag was a firelizard egg.
