All references to worlds and characters based on Anne McCaffrey's fiction are copyright © Anne McCaffrey 1967,2000, all rights reserved, and used by permission of the author. The Dragonriders of Pern(r) is registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, by Anne McCaffrey, used here with permission. Use or reproduction without a license is strictly prohibited. For more information, visit the Worlds of Anne McCaffrey.

07-04-01: As Candidates Do
Like any group of candidates, Lydiere and her class engage in speculation -- and nervous chatter.

You walk out to Galleries.

Lysette looks away from the sands as footsetps draw near. Spotting Lydiere she waves. "Hi!"

Wylin smiles with a smug note. "Told you she was down by the Grounds entereance.." the two had been betting each other about allsorts. Chaning his tone back to normal then he smiles. "heya Lydi!"

Lydiere's footsteps do indeed bring her near, the woman pausing for a scarce moment by the entrance before moving to join Lysette and Wylin; "Hi, yourselves. Here again?" The corners of her lips twitch, indicating she's teasing herself at the same time. "Dare I ask your content of conversation?" she adds, draping her limbs out with a methodical stretch.

Lysette smiles. "We've been betting on the eggs. Which one'll hatch first, what colour'll be first, first Impression colour that sort of thing. Not for marks though, just for fun." Her eyes flick back down to the sands and the collection of eggs. "Care to have a guess?"

Wylin nods with all that Lysette says before adding. "and we both totally contradicted each other.."

"Ah," returns Lyddie, leaning forward within her seat, calculating expression crossing her face. "I say green first; best odds." Her lips twitch, "And--out of the muddy egg. But I'm hopeless at this kind of thing, all the same." She pauses, laughing, "Oh? What did you both say?"

Lysette is outvoted again. "I though brown out of the rose egg. And maybe a blue to Impress first. I'm not very good at guessing either."

Wylin grins with the first. "Ahh, I said green first but.."He points over to the monster egg. "I just think that one looks like its gunna burst." Turning to Lysette then he asks. "What did i say would impress first..."thinking for a moment he smiles. "Ahh, thats right..brown!

Lydiere twitches her lips, "I suppose we'll have to wait and see. For all we know, the gold," she indicates the golden egg, "could go first, or a bronze, and make us all wrong."

Lysette nods. "Very true. Im glad I never put any marks on it though. But come hatching day if Im right I'll wish I had." she chuckles lightly and has another look at the sands. "I wish they'd hurry up and hatch though, the suspense is eating me."

Wylin chuckles and nods. "knowing my luck, youll be right there Lydiere, though we can hope for a bronze right? Isnt is supposed to be the sign for a good hatching?" He shrugs at this before sighing in sympathy with Lys's words. "tell me about it!"

Lydiere nods ruefully. "Suspense might not be the right word," she considers, with a light shrug of her shoulders. "In that I don't really mind what happens." The seacrafter grins towards Wylin, bobbing her head, "So I've heard, although I've seen plenty of good clutches without such an auspicious start."

Lysette smiles and nods. "Maybe not the best word, but Im dying to find out who Impresses and to what colour and what colour's inside my favourite egg." She points down at the muddy egg with a grin. "Have you seen a lot of hatchings? This will be my first."

Wylin turns to Lydiere to listen intently to all the words. He cant remember what was first at Igen and so asks speaks this. "Where you at Igen?" he knows Font and Ettie was, but he has not seen them to pick their mind of what it is like.

"Not since I was a kid," admits Lyddie with the vaguest sense of ruefulness. "I was four or five when I was fostered away, and I've only seen one hatching since; when two of my siblings stood. It's always fascinating, I'm sure you'll enjoy it." Head shakes, "No, I wasn't at Igen. Not even to watch."

Lysette says "Did they Impress? Your siblings I mean?" Lysettes not normally this personally nosy, but Lydiere's got her interest. "It must have been wonderful to watch.""

Wylin frowns for a moment sure in himself that Lydiere had been at Igen. Shrugging he goes to speak but stops as yet agin Lysette takes the words out of his mouth.

Lydiere hesitates, then nods her head surely. "Aidien and Lyiene both Impressed; A'ien rides blue, and Lyiene brown. It was lovely: Mum was so proud, and their father, of course. Not to mention our not-really father. Hatchings are especially wonderful when you know people who Impress, and know them well."

Lysette smiles, her head cocked to one side as she listened. "That must have been so nice to watch. Will they be coming for the hatching? They all must be so proud of you."

Wylin nods with Lysette adding. "Any news on where the crew is? have they left yet?"

Lydiere raises her hand in defeat -- "All these questions! What is it, grill Lyddie day?" Undeterred, the seacrafter answers as best she can. "They'll come, if they can spare the time. We've never been hugely close, I admit, so it's not so relevent for them. I think Mum's relieved; she never liked the idea of the seacraft, but..." she trails off grinning. "Yes, the crew've left, my son in tow. I wonder how frazzled they'll be when they arrive."

Wylin claps lightly and smiles. "I knew that could bring him along.." he had known how much Lydiere had wanted him too. "NO no..not grilling you, just trying to thats all.." he makes lightly of it, i mean they had been asking each other questions all day!

Lysette chuckles, blushing slightly as she hadnt really meant to pry. "Sorry Lydiere, I guess I got a bit carried away. I suppose if Im honest Im getting excited about the whole thing, and a bit nervous. I tend to jabber on when Im nervous." and chew her lip as shes doing just now.

"Oh, don't stress. I don't mind talking--if it makes you less nervous, keep going, Lysette." Lyddie sticks out her tongue towards Wylin, adding, "Oh, I'm pretty excited. I've missed him *heaps*."

Wylin smiles and for a moment wonders if his sister will show. "Wilina is the only one i have really been close to..I know my father wont be going..its close to falling season.."meaning the trees. Suddenly he turns to Lysette and giggles. "So thats what it is..nerves eh?" he teases lightly, smiling.

Lysette's blush deepens, but she smiles, a bit relieved. "Thanks. Your sons going to be here? Thats wonderful. My brothers are definately coming, but I dont know if my Father can get away yet. I hope so." Wylin gets thrown and joking half glare. "Thats what it is."

"As long as Keid is going to be here," notes Lyddie, "I don't care if mum, the twins, my father, my foster father, or anyone else doesn't come." She grins ruefully. "Eh, be calm, Lysette. Worrying won't change anything."

Lysette nods. "I know, Im just a bit worried that I'll fall flat on my face or get in the way on the actual day. Silly I know."

Wylin chuckles and smiles. "Abit like me worrying that i wont be seen at all, and all dragons will walk right past without even a second glance.." adding for his difence then "They say ive still to grow!" The fact that he has not noticed his own growth shows that he is set in his ways. "YOu will let us all meet Keid wont you Lydi?"

Lydiere offers, serious in expression, "I'll hold your hand, if you want, and make sure you don't." She stretches back, rolling her eyes, "I'm sure we'll all be perfectly fine -- what does that matter, Wylin!" She nods, adding, "Oh, sure. I'm not going to hide him away or anything. He'd love to meet you, sociable little brat that he is."

Lysette smiles, nodding to the hand holding part. "Please. Then we could all stand together, keep each other calm." adding as an afterthought. "And seen. Oh, maybe you could get Keid into the barracks before hand." Lys loves children and she'll do anything to be calm.

Wylin chuckles and thumbs Lysettes direction adding. "your talking to a Nanny at heart!" though there is nothing but a friendly tone in his voice. Turning then to Lys and Lydiere together he asks. "Will ya hold mine too?" Ok so this boy is not afraid to ask such a 'female'thing as he has heard it classed.

Lydiere straightens herself slightly, grinning broadly, "We'll all three of us stand together; that's easy enough. Settled, good." The seacrafter crosses her arms in front of her, eyes peering towards the sands with a mock smile upon her face. "Keid? Well--I'll try. I'll make sure he's in the front row of the galleries, though, so we'll be able to see him -- maybe."

Lysette pushes Wylin playfully, grinning widely. "Why would we want to do that?" She chuckles before adding. "Of course I will." Smiling at Lydiere she nods. "Im sure he'll love it and you'll be able to wave at him."

Wylin chuckles and gives Lysette a play poke back. Turning to Lydiere, Wylin has an idea. "You know, if he arrives earlie, maybe he could go to the nursary here, Lysette is often nanny there.." He turns to Lysette suddenly wondering if that is ok.

"As long as he doesn't make attempts to walk onto the sands," points out Lyddie towards Lysette, eyes twinkling with amusement. "He will love it, I'll bet. He loves bright colours, and action." Going silent for a moment, she considers Wylin's suggestion, "That's quite possible; I can bet that my crew will have had enough of him by that stage. I dunno -- viable, Lys?"

Lysette nods. "Absolutely no problem by me. They seem to re-arrange my chores so I can go back quite a bit." Realising that she doesnt have as much say in the nursery now that shes a candidate rather than a nanny she adds "I'd need to check with the other nannies, but I really cant see them saying no to one more little one."

Wylin chuckles and nods. "You know i think Lys would like having nannying as her constant chore eh?" he asks smiling before bobbing her head. "and you dont have to worrie so Lydi, that he is here with you doing your own chores..sorted!"

Lydiere's expression relaxes, her stance evidently relieved, "Oh, that'll be wonderful. A real relief. Especially," she adds, musing, "Should I Impress. He might stay here, then." She grins, "Oh, definitely less stress. You'll miss nannying, if you Impress, won't you, Lys?"

Lysette nods rather sadly. "Definately. I know I'll be able to go back and visit the children but its not the same." Brightening she smiles and adds. "Anyway, thats /if/. No point getting sad until it happens. If it happens."

Wylin suddenly has yet another thought. "You know, with no thread, Drarons are asked to look to other jobs..maybe you could keep up nannying?" He smiles and with a grimmace addins. "for me, wich ever way i manage to go, ill probably end up messanger!"

"And perhaps a lifemate is a bit like a child of your own, anyway?" Considering this idea takes Lyddie's attention and vocal capacities for a while. Then, grinning, "You've got a point, Wylin. I might even be able to still do some seacrafting things -- if I do Impress. Nothing wrong with being messanger -- that's always been part of my job."

Lysette nods, a wide smile on her face. "Actually I hadnt thought of that. I hope they would let me." She looks at Wylin agreeing with Lydieres sentiments. "Poeple will always need messengers Wyn."

Wylin smiles as both his friend encouragte him. "And a-dragon-back cant be as bad as on foot" though this is all wishfull thinking, the hatching has to happen yet. "I know some dragons go into the Dolphineer craft so why not the seacraft?" he adds before turning to Lys. "How many kids would not keep quiet for a dragonrider? how could they refuse?" not that she does not have the skill of a nanny on her own.

Lydiere digs her hands into her pockets, "I rather like there being no thread, for those reasons. So much more freedom--if we do Impress. And I'm not entirely convinced that I want to, even yet. Still."

Lysette resumes chewing her lip again. "I suppose we just have to take things as they come, if its meant to be then we cant really stop it even if we wanted to."

Wylin looks to Lydiere with slight surprise. "Your not thinking of not standing are you?" but as he takes a similar stance to Lysette he adds. "Who knows what the future holds..which ever way it holds messges!" and the last part is said with humor rippling in his voice.

Lydiere pauses for several seconds, blinking her greyish eyes, "No, not entirely. I'd feel guilty, and curious for the rest of my life. I have to do it -- even though I'm perfectly happy as a Seacrafter, without the complication." She grins, "Messages for everyone!"

Lysette cant help but laugh at Wylins statement. "Well at least we'll know who to hire for all our messaging needs. Just remember and do us special rates."

Wylin chuckles and smiles. "hmm...i think i could do that!" He keeps looking to the eggs and decides to play a little tease. "Hey did you see that!" he points. "look look..it moved!"

Lydiere straightens, eyes narrowing, blinking back and forth. "I didn't see it. Perhaps Ysmalath moved."

Lysette's head whips round to the sands. "What? where? Which one?"

Wylin grins but hides it by leaning foreard. "that one there..the one with the fuzz on it!" He raises his voice with excitment.

Lydiere raises her left eyebrow, forever the cynic. "Are you sure?"

Lysette's eyes try to bore a hole through the fuzzy egg. Nope. No movement. "Its stopped now if it did."

Wylin leans back and slouched. "Naw..must have been the light." Quietly giggling as he had the girsl looking to the egg. Smiling then and rising he chuckles. "Well, as messanger is what im training for, im on errande duty and better get two it!" he smiles and waves. "If you need anything today! feel free to call!" and he meant that, he would help if he could. As he waves and trots about the galleres so his eyes scan the eggs before calling in a load whisper. "Wish they had moved!"

Lydiere twists about in her seat, expression rueful. "Aye, well, if wishes were marks, we'd all be affluent."

Lysette chuckes lightly, shaking her head at Wylins joke. "I'll get him back for that." an idea strikes her and she stands up. "Oh, Wyyyyyyyylin?" and she rushes off with a "Bye Lyddie." called over her shoulder.

Lysette walks out to Entrance Foyer.