R'dian
It is so boring around here, Kaieth told his rider for the millionth time that day. There is never anything to do!

You mean besides protecting Pern from Thread? R'dian asked, so exhausted from that day's fall that even talking to his dragon was an effort. All he wanted to do was sleep.

That's fun, but it's not everything, the cream dragon sighed. There aren't any females to chase around here. Not like at Falas.

We could go sign up for Sangath's flight, R'dian suggested. There was no chance they'd catch Fadra's sprightly little green even if T'ril's Rajinorth wasn't going to catch her anyway, but it would be something to do.

There's no reason to chase when Sangath's already decided who'll catch her, Kaieth scoffed.

We could always go see who's rising at Falas, R'dian sighed, knowing Kaieth was going to suggest that sooner or later and figuring he might as well suggest it now.

My idea exactly! Kaieth exclaimed. Let's go! The dragon was already up from his stone couch and standing on his ledge, riding harness in his mouth.

R'dian hauled himself out of bed and pulled on some more presentable clothes. Don't you want to take a bath first? You don't want to go try to impress the ladies smelling like firestone.

Kaieth tossed his harness at R'dian. I can take my bath there. The water is a great place to meet females.

Alright then, O Smelly One, be that way, R'dian slipped the harness onto Kaieth and then, grabbing his bathing cloth, jumped onto his dragon's back. To Falas!

Kaieth, of course, had been right. There were quite a few dragons of every color bathing in the cool waters. Told ya, Kaieth crowed as they landed in the weyrbowl. R'dian dismounted and left to find a place to change into his bathing cloth. I'll be in the lake.

When R'dian returned, Kaieth had already singled out a stunning white. Good choice, R'dian told his lifemate, though Kaieth was too involved in his flirting to hear.

R'dian eyed the woman on the beach, wondering which one was the white's rider. Repanseth says her rider is Vernia, Kaieth remarked, showing him a thin, blond-haired young woman who, at the moment, was laying on the beach, eyes closed, obviously enjoying the sun.

Vernia, R'dian replied, was definetly worth talking to, so he made his way through the beach-goers to where she was laying. He stood there for a moment, not sure of what to say. Vernia saved him the trouble.

"Can I help you?" she asked, looking up at him with green eyes that seemed to be examining him very thoroughly even though their owner smiled.

"Uh, yes," R'dian replied, sitting down in the sand beside her. "It seems my cream has taken a liking to your white, so I figured I'd come over and say hello."

"So you're Kaieth's rider," she nodded approvingly. "R'dian isn't it? Repanseth likes him, alright. But don't let Kaieth get his heart set on her. She'll be a hard one in flight and she's flirting like this with almost every male she talks to lately. It's a bit annoying."

R'dian grinned. "Kaieth won't be convinced that he won't catch her, or any other dragon, for that matter. I have no idea where he has room for such an ego in his tiny body. Is Repanseth rising soon?"

Vernia shrugged. "You never can tell when they will. I'm just thankful she hasn't started being too proddy yet." She studied R'dian's face for a moment, seeming to search for something. "You two don't live here, do you?"

"Just transferred recently," R'dian replied, almost regretting that he had transferred. Things were much more exciting at Falas. "But we couldn't stay away. Kaieth came back to flirt and dragged me along with him."

Vernia chuckled. "I knew you two looked familiar. Are you sticking around?"

R'dian shrugged. "Depends. I'm sure Kaieth wants to, I'd have to ask my wingleader though." He paused for a moment. "Would you like us to?"

Vernia blushed. She was very pretty when she blushed, R'dian noticed. "I can't argue with two such charming suitors."

Although Vernia was evidently enjoying R'dian's company, Kaieth must have gotten a bit too bold in his flirting, for Repanseth roared angrily and Kaieth backed away a few steps. What'd you say? R'dian asked his dragon.

I'm not quite sure, Kaieth replied, watching Repanseth stalk away throught the waters. She must just be proddy. But there's one thing I know, I'm chasing her when she Rises, and I'm going to catch her!

R'dian relayed this to Vernia, who chuckled. "I was wondering when she'd turn proddy. I'm sorry Kaieth was her first victim."

R'dian shrugged it off. "It hasn't discouraged Kaieth, obviously. I'd better go distract Kaieth so he doesn't try to flirt with her again. It was nice meeting you, Vernia."

"Nice meeting you, R'dian," Vernia replied, then closed her eyes and went back to sun-bathing.

I am going to catch her, Kaieth told his rider as they walked out of the lake. That is one irresistible white. � � �
R'dian's Kaieth is chasing Vernia's white Repanseth at Falas Weyr