Author's Note.

I do not own the Dragonriders of Pern franchise or anything recognisable.

Annaliessa seemed to be full of endless questions, though many of them seemed odd ones, such as 'how much laundry work do we have to do,' 'when do we tend to the little ones,' and 'what are the main meals here?'

Revina wondered what sort of life she'd had before. She knew some of the cotbred girls who came for the last Hatching had had hard lives and were used to harsh conditions.

If that was true though, Annaliessa seemed very… perky.

Annoyingly so.

Revina didn't envy Ritilia.

She was pretty much the direct opposite of Annaliessa. Revina had heard her say about ten words since she arrived. Jakeiria meanwhile, was observing everything with a curious air of being unimpressed. Revina would never have known the two were sisters if Ritilia hadn't said so.

They took them to the kitchens first, to introduce them to Jurdree, the Headwoman. She took Annaliessa away to get her sorted with clothing and necessities, which came as a thankful blessing.

She and Sirena took the remaining three girls around the rest of the Weyr, showing them the classrooms, which were set in caverns overlooking the sea, the firestone pit, the stables and livestock paddocks, and then leading them back to the Weyrbowl to rest for a while.

"We won't normally get to rest here," Revina said. "This is where the Candidate Master will have us doing exercise."

Ritilia giggled and then covered her mouth with her hands.

"Exercise? Like running and stuff?" asked Jakeiria.

"And stuff. Candidates are expected to run messages, help with kitchen work, cleaning and herdbeast care, and walk sweep during threadfall."

Jakeiria stared at her. "But we're candidates!"

"You have to be fit to take care of a dragon, and you lot have only got five weeks to prepare. It'll be tough work. Are you here for the Queen or just for the Hatching in general?" Sirena asked.

"The Queen, obviously," Jakeiria replied. Revina winced.

"A Queen dragon's hardest, since they're the biggest."

Yet every girl dreamt of riding a Queen dragon and being the envy of every person on Pern.

Revina, she would rather have a green, a tough little fighting dragon. Less responsibility and more freedom that way. When she stood on those Hatching sands, it wouldn't be the Queen eggs she was looking at.

Jakeiria glared out across the weyrbowl.

"I don't mind," Ritilia whispered. "I don't care what the colour is, so long as I bond."

Jakeiria got to her feet. "Which is why you will never be a Queen rider." She swept off. Ritilia sighed and gazed after her.

"You've got more of a chance than her," said Revina, though since Lulorth chose Jalmoka over Sirena that wasn't necessarily true.

"That's just how she is. You get used to it."

"Dragons won't," said Sirena larconically. "Come on. Let's get back inside."

Pointedly, Sirena took them back to the kitchens and they got to work helping with the evening meal. Jurdree returned with Annaliessa, now wearing brown slacks and a soft red tunic. They suited her dark skin tone and only made her look more beautiful. She got to work quite cheerfully in the kitchen, though she clearly had no idea what she was doing. "We only ever had gruel, bread, and apples at the orphanage."

"No diet for a growing girl," muttered Jurdree, and put extra on her plate for their meal.

There were more male candidates now, Revina noticed, though not enough, not nearly enough. And a new girl with damp red hair sitting with the most handsome boy Revina had ever seen. Jakeiria had taken a seat with a group of bronze riders, while Annaliessa was sat with M'buk, who brought her in. Ritilia and Tummi sat together, a little way down from Sirena and Revina.

Kuyaran dropped into the seat beside Sirena. Dancer was perched on her shoulder.

"Who's the new girl?" Sirena asked.

"Dorasa," Kuyaran replied, stabbing her food at her mouth and missing as she gazed over at the other girl. Sirena elbowed her.

"You're staring."

"I think I'm in love," Kuyaran replied, continuing to stare. Sirena raised her eyebrow.

"I didn't know a bronzerider's daughter swung that way."

"Neither did I, but have you seen that girl? Shards and smoke Sirena, I think I just impressed on a human being!"

"Who's the boy with her?" Revina asked.

"Yariel."

Revina nodded thoughtlessly, took another mouthful of meat, and then started. "Wait, Yariel? Are they brother and sister?"

"Yeah."

"Oh my gosh, you do know who he is?"

"A new candidate?" Sirena asked dryly.

"No! Well, yes, but he's more than that! He's the Chosen One, hero of light, slayer of the one who would have brought the darkness."

Sirena eyed her as though she'd gone insane.

Kuyaran always looked at her like that.

"Mother used to tell me stories about him," Revina said as she flushed scarlet. She decided not to mention all the dreams and daydreams she'd had where Yariel would sweep her off to marry or impress a bronze dragon while she took gold and they lived happily ever after.

Those dreams could still come true.

This could be perfect!

"Right," muttered Sirena, still looking bewildered.

"I'm going to go and introduce myself," she said, getting to her feet.

"I'll come with you," Kuyaran said.

Revina was pretty sure she just wanted an excuse to talk to Dorasa.

They were even more beautiful close up.

"Do you mind if we sit here?"

Yariel glanced at her. Revina had never seen eyes like that, so deep and dark she could get lost or drown in them.

"Hullo Kuyaran. Who's this?"

"Revina. I'm one of the female candidates."

Dorasa smiled brightly. "Nice to meet you female candidate Revina."

All the stories her mother told said Dorasa was the weaker one, support to her brother, a key to be used or a gift giver. Yariel was the powerhouse.

He looked her over. "Please don't look at my sister like that."

"Like what?"

Revina had six older brothers, and while she cared for them all, couldn't exactly say they were close enough that she'd choose them over a good, capable friend. She expected Yariel and Dorasa would be the same.

"Like she's competition to be got rid of."

Dorasa smiled up at them. "I think you'd better go female candidate Revina. You're upsetting my brother."

"But-"

"Please go."

Didn't she have him wrapped around her little finger? Well, that kind of thing wouldn't stand in the Weyr. They'd see.

Kuyaran sat down with the two of them, while Revina returned to Sirena.

"Not what you were expecting?"

Revina smiled. "More than what I was expecting."