Unsurprisingly, G'ny's stunt with L'leran garnered an invitation to Tillek's Turns's End Gather that Joneran was not going to allow to be refused. G'ny wondered if since Radharc was so nearby whether she could sneak in some time to drop visit her family during some down time. Although going between shrunk the bounds of time and distance, it was always easier to do so when Rukbat stayed in roughly the same place in the day. Humans were designed to have a set circadian clock. Going between time zones took an understandable toll.
There was something wonderful about this time of year. She thought about what this cold weather meant for her ancestors when Thread fell. Although she had never seen it or the well-recorded phenomenon the cold induced, she recalled her teachings of how Thread froze and became as harmless as the falling snow that blanketed the area. Perhaps there was something in her blood, or maybe it was Saleneth's that recognized this as a time of peace. Sure, there were jurisdictions where the temperature would not dip so low as to take the lethal sting out of the historic menace, but all accounts she had read intimated that this was a time of joy and relaxation - at least for everyone but Weyrlings who might be shoveling snow. Although the ring of the Bowl kept some of the harshest winds out, a good front would leave enough of a deposit for there to be some chores to do. G'ny sighed, as the older Weyrling class, those that came from Saleneth's clutch, over whom G'ny felt a special bond, were expert at dodging out of this chore, pulling their rank on the class that was stumbling just over a season of training behind them. Sometimes she had to stoop to their antics, with a flair of her rank, to get it done. She was just crossing the Bowl when she caught sight of the worst offender.
"L'leran, I haven't seen you out in the snow lately, surely you and Fapth are capable of operating the ploughs? I've heard he's getting big for his color, he's strong, not fat and lazy, right?" G'ny called, goading him.
"Oh, me? We get it done in record time each time, that's why you haven't seen us." L'leran played off her investigation.
"Okay, let's see it." G'ny challenged. The smaller greenrider, who had so obviously been bullied into this extra shift sent a look of gratitude in G'ny's direction, and Saleneth could feel the thanks from Pilith, as the young, at this point quite cold green, was called. G'ny nodded her head towards the Hatching Sands to encourage the young pair to warm up, the direction into which the two quickly scampered.
G'ny meanwhile started back towards the warmth of the kitchen, with it's welcoming hearth, making a point of turning around halfway to flick her two fingers from her eyes into his direction to let the charismatic young man know she was watching and expected her request to be honored. Indeed we do. Saleneth's voice affirmed, with G'ny knowing the message had been sent to Fapth. Overhead, she could see the shadow of the blue dragon spiraling down from the ledge of his weyr, where the midday sun had been gently warming his napping figure. She was confident that L'leran would remain true to his word of haste, and they would be done before Fapth missed the final moments of that sunlight, short as the days were around this season. G'ny thought it was fitting that she could enforce this particular young man's chores today, since it was her and L'leran's antics that ostensibly earned her the invite that preoccupied her mind. Lawana was just finishing up doling out assignments of vegetable preparation for the meal that evening. She irritatedly picked out an offending tuber that had started to turn from a basket one of the Lower Cavern women who was passing by on the way to her station as G'ny launched into her preoccupation at hand. G'ny was still wavering about her plans when two figures strode in.
"Just like Threadfall," G'ny muttered under her breath so that only Lawana could hear.
"Ah yes, I bummed a ride off of T'mosen upon his return. Figured I could press someone into giving me a lift back," Jonderan looked hopefully in G'ny's direction. Changing the subject quickly before he could be shot down, he asked "Say, was that my brother I saw out there shoveling the snow?"
"Yes it is. A Weyrling is a Weyrling and is expected to do chores. Except for our queens, no dragonrider is treated with favoritism, any rank is squarely earned." G'ny confirmed. She wasn't sure where this acting Lord Holder was going with these questions, but she kept her tone firm to let him know that L'leran would not be getting away with bending the rules today.
"The son of a Lord doing such work! You're absolutely right, we are just your average people." Jonderan's tone was amused, rather than disgusted.
"You sound like you almost want to join him." G'ny challenged.
"Why, that sounds invigorating!" Jonderan exclaimed. Then he added with a hint of roguish hope, "and surely for my efforts, I could earn some nice company around the hearth? You know your presence always warms my spirits, oh greenish-gold rider!"
"Shovels are out around the corner this time of year. If you do indeed earn it, I'll see what my schedule allows." G'ny directed. Jonderan set off with alacrity. Lawana chuckled once the young man was out of earshot.
"He's still at it?" The older woman inquired.
"Flirtation between friends, by now. It's all harmless fun." G'ny assured her mentor.
"Ah yes, I suppose there is something sweet about being able to openly express affectionate feelings in such a lighthearted way without the pressure of it going anywhere, since you both have hefty duties from which neither of you can really part. Still the two of you have quite the chemistry!" Lawana was good natured as ever. "I'll put my special klah on for when the boys come in."
"So should I go to Tillek or not?"
"Well, now that Moura's got everything orderly, I don't need your help with the feast, if that's what you're worried about" Lawana assured her.
"But it would be helpful," G'ny suggested, winking. She wasn't going to let that excuse completely go.
"Always. You have always spent so much time working for the benefit of others, and maintaining relations with the Lord Holders is an important part of the Weyr, so not even Allika could question your going." Lawana paused, as they shared a moment of nose-wrinkling at the thought of the woman.
"And the flirtation thing? I'm not making a fool of the Weyr to indulge it?" Calleth informs me that M'tou and Moura support the idea, Saleneth broke in. You asked them? G'ny was both mortified and relieved that the request had been made. You were vacillating over a simple question. G'ny informed Lawana of the silent conversation that had transpired.
"See, as you said yourself, it's harmless, and you both have very prescribed roles that you will both be sticking to. Go, have fun." Before long, the very man in question returned.
"We may not get much snow in Tillek, but you can't say us Tillek boys are any slouches when it comes to getting a job done! Come see it for yourself!" Jonderan advertised their success as the two wiry men bounded in, the noses and cheeks on them both rosy from the cold.
"See how quick that was," the younger one who whose responsibility as a Weyrling it had been to do the task boasted. He had about two inches on his brother and hair that was about two shades lighter, but still a dark shade that was characteristic of Tillek's governing family. "That's why you never catch me at it!"
"You did have some help," G'ny pointed out, laughing.
"So, I've held up my end of the deal, what might you have to warm me up? More importantly, will I be seeing you in Tillek presently? That is why I came after all, to make sure that you will be joining us, and the assurance that you'll be there will warm me most of all. Turns End is just a day away, and you must arrive early to properly kick off the celebrations!" Jonderan petitioned, sliding an arm around G'ny's waist and drawing her tight. She could feel the cold of the snow he was just in radiating from his close figure. She thrust the cup of klah that she had held waiting for him into his hands as she twirled away.
"This klah should warm you up just fine. It's Lawana's special blend. And as for Tillek during Turns end, yes, I should be all wrapped up with everything here to be able to make it." G'ny announced with an air of indifference.
"Excellent, pack what you'll need, I'll be down here waiting, and then we can go together, if the beautiful greenish gold dragon out there will do me the honor!" G'ny smiled and shook her head as she headed over to the junior queenrider's weyr to pack. She emerged shortly and Saleneth was certainly willing to do the Tillek acting Lord Holder the honor of conveying the pair back to his hometown. Upon arrival, Jonderan graciously showed G'ny to well-appointed quarters that had been made up for her for the visit.
"Oh, I hope you packed lightly, as there is a selection of dresses I was hoping you might don for the occasion here in the wardrobe." Jonderan informed her. Once her host left her in peace, G'ny opened the tall wooden chest. Indeed, three beautiful gowns hung in the wardrobe. Her eye was immediately caught by a beautiful dress of bright emerald velvet, interwoven with gold, just like Saleneth. In the meantime, she noted a more casual cloth dress with the blue and white checked print of Tillek. The third was a dress of a bold burgundy, made of a softly flowing, satiny material. Although she had brought with her a fine blouse and trousers, she knew it would bring happiness to her hosts for her to wear the provided outfits. She wasn't sure if her visit would bring her the occasion to wear all three, but for now, she decided to slip on the dress of Tillek colors. It was comfortable, as far as dresses went, with soft, flexible cloth, although she was so accustomed to wearing the trousers of a dragonrider.
"Ah, excellent! You look lovely! I was hoping you would select that one for tonight!" Jonderan exclaimed as G'ny re-emerged. The afternoon still young, Jonderan showed her through the Hold, highlighting improvements that had been made and decorations that had been hung since her last visit. She insisted upon helping turn the glows as nightfall approached. She changed back into riding clothes briefly so that she, L'leran and R'nan, who had rotated in for T'mosen, as the riders present at Tillek for the time, could kick off the festivities by treating the Holders to a show. Fapth and Branth even livened up the scene by letting off some flame, although Saleneth had since sworn off the stuff.
The second evening was the true celebratory affair. For this, G'ny knew she would wear the green and gold dress. As if the latch on the wardrobe was her cue, a woman drudge let herself in from a side door.
"Will m'lady be needing any assistance?" The woman inquired. G'ny fought the urge to resort to her usual tenet of not needing help, but as she eyed the back lacings on the garment, she reconsidered, and consented to the woman's assistance. The woman agreed with G'ny's selection of the green and gold dress. As the woman laced her up, G'ny marveled at how accurately the tailor who had assembled the masterpiece had estimated her measurements. It fit like a glove.
At the sight of G'ny in this dress, Jonderan was almost speechless, merely bringing his hands together in a slow clap at the sight of her. G'ny was not out of place, as the Holders had arrived in their finery. Drudges circulated with a variety of hors d'oeuvres, most of which were some variation of a smoked, pickled, or raw fish, or dip derived therefrom, on a cracker. Jonderan clapped his hands authoritatively, and the harpers assembled struck up a dance-worthy tune. Jonderan extended his arm to G'ny and she knew she could not refuse him the opening dance.
"The savior of my brother!" Jonderan proclaimed to much applause as she took his arm in hers. G'ny's dancing skills had declined since she had left Radharc, as the choreography in the Weyr was far less formal. In the Weyr, dancing occasions usually entailed little more coordination than the stamping of feet in tune. Still, Jonderan led well, and the steps were not entirely foreign, given the training she had received at Radharc in the Lady Holder's service. Although Jonderan mostly monopolized her throughout the night, he danced with other partners as duty required. On many of these occasions, G'ny was content to stand back and watch the happy spectacle unfold, but upon others, she was snapped up like the guest of honor she was. L'leran excused himself from the company of a sweet looking girl when he noticed G'ny's opening. Masterfisher Callan also stepped up to take G'ny for a spin, and although he smelled inevitably of his profession, G'ny appreciated the gallantry of the older gentleman. Late into the evening, a break was called so that everyone could partake in the holiday meal. Delicious the meal was, with the centerpiece on each plate being a spiderclaw with a delectably buttery taste.
At last, the most anticipated time came as one Turn turned into another. It was calculated and arbitrary at the same time. The settlors had marked this day, and had determined an interval of repeating seasons that followed, which was ascribed to Pern's spinning around Rukbat, something Diedra had drilled into G'ny from a young age. Pern's inhabitants had survived another Turn, this one devoid of the historic menace, and the next one with every auspice to be the same. The masterharper conducted to his resident journeymen and the children under his tutelage to play a building crescendo as the time approached. Drummers at the fireheights beat in time with neighboring settlements and the outposts that connected them as the west side of Pern rang in the new Turn.
Jonderan followed the suit of many in the hall and leaned in and kissed the pretty young thing at his side, which by his calculated maneuvers all night, was G'ny. It was chaste and sweet. G'ny flushed. It was an act that was confusing for sure - but it was not entirely unwelcome, and actually quite pleasant. Confusing not because it was not expected given Jonderan's forwardness in these past weeks, but confusing because of the thoughts that swirled around her head, especially since she had found herself kissing him back.
Although it was tradition, most of the couples in the room were more assured in their relationship with each other than she was with Jonderan. Still, there were certainly a few surprises and disappointments. A few young women, usually of a more homely countenance, sulked in the shadows for having not been selected by a partner. Other young ladies seemed even redder and more surprised than G'ny at the boldness of their companions. Meanwhile, the young men had their own spectrum of reactions. Some looked proudly, lovingly at the woman to whom they had just made a show of emotions. Some who found themselves near one of the undesirable women, who found themselves either by coincidence or design by their lonesome, or who were clearly overwhelmed by the idea of a show of affection, shared in an intense scrutiny of the ceiling tapestries. Still others had scarcely taken the moment to touch glasses with their companions and take a swig before returning to their dice game at hand.
As the night wore on, more dances were danced, more food was eaten, and significantly more wine and mead was drunk. G'ny tried her hand at Tillek's dice game, and found herself on a beginner's luck winning streak, which worked out for all present, since she had little use of the currency in the Weyr, and it was forbidden for a dragonrider to take monetary advantage in any game of chance, so much of her winnings went back into the pockets of their original owners. At last, she decided it was time for her to retire. Jonderan took note and walked briskly to catch up to her, insisting upon walking her back to her quarters. They paused as they approached the threshold.
"I know it probably won't work out with us given that I'm to be a Lord Holder and you a dragonrider, and perhaps even Weyrwoman, but I hope you know how much I admire your caring, bravery, and spirit. If you ever need anyone to remind you of that, I would be the first to line up and tell you so. Also, your lips are softer than I might have expected of a dragonrider. Goodnight, greenish-goldrider." Jonderan bowed as he took his leave.