Luysa

Impressed at Falas Genetic Program Center

Luysa is human, aged 20 years, approximately the same as Earth years. She is healthy, rather short and of slim build. Her skin is a medium tan, and covered with narrow pale green wavy lines, running vertically down her body, and lengthwise along her arms and legs. These are natural markings, not tattoos. Her curly, shoulder length hair is light brown. She has pale blue eyes. In general, she has average looks.

She lives in a town in The Dragon Soul with her family, who run a small clothes-making business. She has a cordial if rather distant relationship with her parents. She is an only child, and her parents naturally pamper her, although she is definitely not a spoilt brat. She often helps out at their shop.

Luysa is clever and quick-thinking, and loves to learn, especially about all the different worlds connected to The Dragon Soul. She hates being around crowded places and often wanders the surrounding lands by herself. She never gets lost because of her innate psychic direction sense. Usually, she is quiet and withdrawn when around other people.

Jikath

Jikath is a female white dragon.

Pet

Yibas from Sapphire Weyr

Story

The shop was finally empty. For many days, it had been filled from morning to night with customers placing orders, browsing, and picking up their clothes. Luysa had been kept busy taking down orders, answering questions, delivering clothes, collecting payment and running a few hundred miscellaneous errands. She thought perhaps she would go mad from all the work and stress. Those past days had been really unpleasant for her, a person who preferred peace and solitude to crowds.

She closed the door of the shop and locked it, putting the "Closed" sign on the outside. Next, she carefully counted the cash to make sure it tallied with the amount noted in the receipt book, then locked the money in the drawer. She walked into the work room at the back of the shop where her parents were still busy sewing.

"I've finished counting the money and closing the shop.Can I go out now?" she asked, almost plaintively.

Her father looked at her tired expression and nodded, saying, "Go ahead. You've been working really hard these days, and you deserve a break."

Luysa smiled faintly and said, "Thanks."

Her mother called after her as she exited the room, "Be sure to come back before dark."

"Sure," Luysa replied, and then she was out of their shop-house. Her pet Yibas immediately got up and wagged her tail at her owner. Luysa paused a moment to untie her canine, who followed at her owner's heels.

She walked briskly until she was out of the town. As soon as the buildings were behind her, she broke into a run, fleeing from the past crowds and the stress of being caught in them. Yibas kept up with her easily.

She stopped and bent over, panting and gasping, when she reached the edge of the forest. Yibas lay down on the grass next to her. When she recovered, she walked in, followed by her canine.

Although there were no paths, animal tracks or even landmarks, Luysa's direction sense guided her unerringly to her destination. Once she had been to a place, she could always find her way back to it. Also, she could even sense the direction of large landmarks like lakes and mountains, even in unknown territory.

Would my talent work in large cities? I've only tried it out in the countryside, she wondered briefly. On the other hand, it doesn't matter, since I'll never go to a crowded, nasty city anyway.

They reached their destination, Luysa's special, secret place. It was a small cave deep in the forest, a hollow in the hilly plateau where the forest was located. She loved to spend time there, relaxing, sometimes sleeping or even just staring into empty space letting her mind wander. Sometimes she came alone, at other times, she was accompanied only by her pet.

Today, she did not linger there, but merely glanced at the cave quickly before moving on. She wanted to go further and explore more of the forest before sunset. She wanted to get as far away as possible, so she could be truly alone, away from other people.

She formed a mental map of the area as she considered which direction to take. She had already found and explored a nearby stream, as well as a less accessible cave. Interesting places and landmarks were difficult to find, but she thought she sensed another water source lying beyond the explored zone.

Water seems to be easier to find, she thought as they walked towards the mysterious water source. Perhaps because it stands out from the forest ground and vegetation?

- - - - -

It was getting dark beneath the trees when Luysa found the water source. It was a fairly large spring-fed pond. Yibas, apparently feeling thirsty after the long walk, drank from the clear, cool water. They stayed to watch the small fish and several frogs living in the pond, then reluctantly left the serene pool.

Luysa walked back to her special cave, with Yibas by her side, and almost smashed into something big and blue in the dim light. She blinked, stared, and finally realised she was staring at a living, breathing dragon.

I must be more stressed than I thought. I'm imagining things. There can't be a dragon here, she told herself, trying to calm her racing heart. She shut her eyes for a moment, but when she opened them, the dragon was still there and staring directly at her. Also, there was an elf standing next to the blue dragon, giving her a very surprised and curious look.

Faced with all this, Luysa reacted by freezing in shock, becoming absolutely still and silent. Yibas whined softly, alarmed by her owner's sudden rigidity.

"It's okay. My dragon Ferroth won't hurt you, and neither will I," the elf said reassuringly, with a slightly worried look as he noted Luysa's petrified expression.

Luysa could not reply for a moment, but not because she feared the dragon. She knew when she first saw it that it would not eat her or attack her, but the shock of seeing a real, living dragon and its rider was too much to accept immediately.

The elf began to look a little panicky when she did not reply. "Hey, are you all right?" he asked nervously.

"I'm all right," Luysa finally spoke haltingly. "I'm not scared. I was surprised, that's all. I've never seen a dragon before, and certainly not here."

"It's all right then," the elf said with a smile and a sigh of relief. "I was afraid you'd faint or something. Now I should introduce myself. I'm Ph'sey, rider of Ferroth. We're from off-world, Pern to be precise."

"I'm Luysa, and this is Yibas," Luysa replied, then stared at her pet. Yibas was acting strangely, wagging her tail, jumping up and down, running back and forth in excitement around Ferroth.

"How strange. You've never seen a dragon, but your canine seems to like Ferroth already. It looks like a Pernese canine. Did your pet come from our world?" Ph'sey asked.

"I don't know. I just found Yibas wandering lost around the town, and adopted her. Maybe she fell through a Doorcrack."

"Well, Ferroth thinks she's probably from Pern. You've never been there?"

"No, but I know a little about it. About dragons and Weyrs and Thread," she said, then paused as she realised something. "Wait, you're an elf. There're only humans on Pern. Are you from The Dragon Soul too?"

"Oh, no. I'm not from this world, but it's true I'm not a Pern native. But that's a long story," he replied, then asked with a grin, "Now, let me ask you a question. Would you like to come with me to Pern, and maybe Impress a dragon?"

Luysa was too stunned to get a coherent answer out as Ph'sey continued, "That's what I did years ago. I said 'yes' and ended up Impressing Ferroth. It was the best decision I ever made." He gave her a hopeful look.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, recalling everything she knew of Pern, dragons, and most of all the mysterious bond between a rider and dragon. In that moment, she decided she wanted it.

I know I want to feel it, the feeling of having another being connected to my soul, and always together, she thought. Besides, even if I don't Impress, this is a great opportunity to see an amazing new world.

"Yes. I'll go with you," she answered. "But take me back home first."

- - - - -

Luysa was riding on Ferroth just behind Ph'sey and giving directions. Yibas was carefully cradled in Ferroth's front paws. Surprisingly, the canine was totally calm despite being carried in such an awkward position, and by a creature far larger than she. In fact, Luysa was feeling far more nervous and excited, since this was her first time riding a dragon.

The sky was dark by now, but Luysa had no problem finding her home town. As they flew in to land, Luysa feared that the sight of a dragon would bring the residents flooding out of their homes. She certainly did not want to be the object of the entire town's attention.

"Don't worry," Ph'sey said. "Ferroth heard your thoughts and told me. We'll land outside the town and walk in."

She smiled gratefully at the elvish dragonrider as they landed on the open space beyond the town. Ferroth carefully lowered Yibas to the ground. The canine shook herself and wagged her tail at the dragon, not the least disturbed by her aerial ride.

"Let's go. He'll wait for us here," Ph'sey told her. Luysa nodded and began walking with him to her home, her pet following closely. "Your neighbours have never seen a dragon. What about elves? I don't want to be stared at either," he commented.

"Only humans live here, but elves visit often to trade. We won't stand out," she replied.

"Pardon me if I'm being rude, but do the people here have odd skin like yours?" he asked hesitantly.

"Some of them. My markings are natural. Humans here are different from those of Pern. We've got odd skin, hair or eyes."

Ph'sey did not reply except for a thoughtful grunt. They walked in silence until they reached Luysa's home. She took a deep breath, then opened the door and called out, "I'm home." She wanted to add, "and there's a visitor," but found that she could not go on.

"You're late, where have you been?" her mother asked in a worried tone as she came out from the kitchen. She halted when she saw Ph'sey. "Is he a friend of yours, Luysa?"

Luysa was at a loss for words. Fortunately, Ph'sey answered for her, "I'm a Searchrider from Pern, and my dragon has chosen your daughter as a candidate for Impression. I would like to ask permission to bring her to Pern."

"Dragons? Pern? What's going on?" Luysa's father asked, coming out from the work room. He seemed more perplexed than angry.

"Father, Mother. I've been given the chance to Impress a dragon, and to do this I must go to Pern. Please, let me go," she pleaded hopefully.

"Don't worry, we'll take good care of her on Pern," Ph'sey added.

Her parents hesitated, then her father finally said, "Well, you're old enough to decide. If this is your wish, you may go."

"Take care of yourself, Luysa," her mother reminded her.

"Thank you," Luysa said, gratefully, her eyes shining. She turned to Ph'sey and asked, "Can I bring Yibas too? Will Ferroth carry her to Pern?"

"Sure," Ph'sey said. "Now it's time to go." He led her out of the house. She turned and waved farewell to her parents, who waved back. She walked resolutely back to the waiting dragon. Ph'sey helped her mount, and Ferroth once again gathered Yibas in his paws.

With a great leap, they were airborne. "We're going between," the elf warned her. "Don't panic, just count to three and we'll be on Pern." With the instruction given, they went between to Pern, vanishing from The Dragon Soul.

- - - - -

The sudden cold and darkness of between frightened Luysa, but she counted down mentally as she was told. Three. Two. One.

The darkness and cold vanished as suddenly as they came. She blinked in the bright sunlight. Ferroth was descending towards a large courtyard. When they landed and dismounted, Luysa hugged Yibas, relieved that she had arrived safely.

She looked at the strange surroundings. "This doesn't look like a Weyr," she commented.

"You're right. This is the Falas Genetic Program Center or FGPC, of Falas Hold," Ph'sey said.

Luysa did not know how to respond to this new development, so she kept quiet. Things were certainly getting even stranger. Don't all dragons hatch in Weyrs? she thought.

"The FGPC hatches special dragons. Unusual colours, different from the normal five that you know of. This clutch is even more special, since the scientists are letting candidates request their dragon colours. This is a once in a lifetime chance. What colour do you want? Feel free to pick any rare or special colours," he told her.

Luysa considered this interesting piece of news. A special dragon. But what colour? she mused. Then she recalled something else about Pernese dragons. The most famous of the rare colours, perhaps the first of the rares. A white dragon.

"White," she said aloud.

"The most well-known rare. Come on, let's get you registered and settled in. You've got lots to do and learn." She followed the elf into the Hold, her canine trailing after her.