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.

15-07-02: The start of a friendship
When Lydiere meets Ezemial for the first time, who is she to know that this will be a close friendship in time.

Ezemial ascends the staircase from the Lower Caverns.
Ezemial has arrived.

Ezemial walks into the Living Caverns dusting himself off a bit. He's humming a merry tune quietly and heads for the food laden trestle appetite showing in his eager gaze.

Ezemial takes a plate and fills it full of steaming edibles sampling a bit of it with his fingers as he goes along. He procures something cold in a glass and carries this all to a table. He sets about the business of filling an empty belly seeming quite pleased with himself at the moment.

Lydiere has ensconsed herself within a seat just beneath the great ceiling fan, stretched out languidly. Upon the table beside her, a baby-filled basket has the attention of her right hand, the other resting within her lap. The table is mostly empty - plenty of room, even though the caverns are busy.

Ezemial seems to be intent on his meal until at least half of the steaming plate has been emptied. More than once he licks his fingers then glances about to be sure noone saw that. He grins to the Auntie by the hearth when she gives him a stern look and winks at her in return. He finally looks up and seeing Lydiere, he nods his head and gives a cheery, "Evening Ma'am" with a little salute from his knife as greeting.

"Lydiere," corrects the Junior Weyrwoman quickly, with a mostly placid smile. "Please. I hate to stand for ceremony." Inclining her head forward, she adds, "Hungry, huh? Food's good today." Wryly, she returns the salute with her free hand, teasingly.

Ezemial grins widely at the correctly, "I appreciate the leave to use your name, but don't be offended if I say Ma'am from time to time. If I get out of the habit, the next time I visit my folks, I'm likely to come back with a knot on my head from my ma's spoon. She's very particular about being polite" He looks down at his plate at the comment, then grins back again, "It sure is and I'm always hungry. Herdbeasts just aren't the smartest things around and sometimes they make a body work to care for them."

Ezemial ohs suddenly as he realizes he forgot, "My name is Ezemial, btw, quite pleased to make your acquaintance, Lydiere"

Lydiere's smile widens; amusedly, she inclines her head forward again, allowing, "Then I'll excuse you that much. My mother's much the same - she can't /stand/ people not using ranking titles, although at least she doesn't want to try and call /me/ ma'am." She pauses a beat, then adding, "Herdbeasts are useful for the eating, but not much more. They don't seem to be the brightest sparks, in my experience. I'm pleased to meet you, Ezemial."

Ezemial grins widely, "No offense, Lydiere, but I think it would be something else to see a rider get whacked with a spoon by her ma. Your mother is likely to remember that, but I bet she thinks it sometimes." he nods and laughs before continuing, "that's true, and this lot tends to be a bit more unruly, especially when a large shadow creeps across the field. I guess they know the dragons have only one use for them. But, me, they usually like me, because I feed them. I don't guess they've ever noticed my lunch before"

"Lyndie's a rider herself, so she's not even likely to have a spoon," Lydiere explains, "So perhaps less so, but I can see your point." She reaches both hands up into the basket, drawing her newborn daughter into her arms as the baby releases a single wailing cry that has the Junior Weyrwoman grimace, rocking her gently. "At least they like you. I can't say I've ever had any contact with them, except in the eating of them, by myself or Llysereth. They probably," she adds, lowering her voice slightly, "can't even see the similarities between what you eat, and what they are. Too dim."

Ezemial laughs at that and nods between bites of his meal. He takes a moment to chew and swallow before replying, "You're probably right about that. But, I'm used to'em. My parents are herders and so we always had them around. So, it just seemed natural that's how I'd make myself useful now that I'm old enough." He chuckles a little to himself, "I guess that would make a difference. You know, until I worked here, I rarely got close to riders much less dragons. So, I wasn't sure how folks did things around here. Everyone seems nice enough though, right as rain they are!"

Lydiere adjusts Llysah within her arms, cooing softly at the little girl, though with her head tilted in such a way that it's obvious she's listening - and listening intently. "Ah, a whole family of herders? But you're not in the craft yourself, I assume? It's a nice idea, to follow after your parents, I think. I didn't intend to, but... things happen, don't they?" Her smile is warm, as she adds, "Oh, we're not so different, as I'm sure you've found. We're all very friendly. I take it you haven't been here long?"

Ezemial has kept eating while watching Lydiere with her child, "Pretty babe there, reminds me of my sister" He nods and shrugs a little, "I'm not really in the craft, just sort of grew up with it. That's part of why I'm not at home anymore. I never could decide what I wanted to do and my dad suggested finding work somewhere else might help. You know, see the world and all." his knife waves in a little twirl with the statement. He grins again as he continues, "I don't mind caring for them since it's a way to be useful while I decide what to do. But, I'm not so sure I want to be dodging runner plops through a field the rest of my life. But you have to start somewhere, right?" He hrms at the last question, "oh just got here ma'am, my dad heard there might be need of someone with experience with the beasties up here. They keep enough of them up here that it takes more than one to do it all. So, why not, I'd never seen a weyr and dragons sure are pretty to watch. It's a nice place, I'm glad I came"

Lydiere glances back down at her daughter, and then up at Ezemial, "Thank you." Nodding carefully, she comments, brightly, "So, have you had any ideas about what you want to do? I mean, okay, sure, you've not been here long, but I'm interested in hearing, nonetheless. No ideas have come to mind?" Llysah is shifted again - Lydiere seems to be permenantly uncomfortable, although the baby seems to have settled. "It /is/ a useful occupation, to be sure. And we've plenty of runners, as well as herdbeasts, if you end up being interested in that kind of occupation."

Ezemial seems to mull this over a few mouthfuls of roast herdbeast, "You know, I think about it a lot. I'm not sure what else I might be good at besides caring for runners and herdbeasts." he sort of nods to his own thoughts as he speaks, "I guess I'm getting to an age where I need to decide. I know it worries my dad some that I haven't. But, I don't know. I like animals sure enough. I like doing things outside, I don't know. I even thought of trying to be a Steward somewhere, sometime. I don't know really." he grins over at Lydiere, "It's not really something one takes lightly, is it? What did you want to do before dragons choose you? Did you want to be a rider?"

"How old are you? Seems you're young enough. I knew - I wanted to be a Seacrafter throughout childhood, and I was, until I was twenty-one. But a lot of people don't decide until later, and most crafts will accept apprentices later, too," says Lydiere, complacently. She draws one foot up onto an empty chair, stretching out with a languid, lithe grace. "It's not something to be taken lightly, no. Very important, to my mind, to get it right. I had no intentions of being a rider-- but that just happens, sometimes, I guess."

Ezemial nods listening and finishing off his meal as the words are spoken. He takes a sip of his drink, wiping his mouth before answering. "I'm 13 turns, as of just recently. See, my dad knew what he was going to do when he was younger than me. So, he's fretting that I don't know yet." he huhs a little, "SeaCraft.. interesting, I don't think I'd be good on water. I can take a short trip on a boat, but if it gets too rough it can be mighty embarrassing." He grins leaning back a little in his chair, "I agree, it's very important. I don't want to just plod along not paying attention then realize in my old age that I wasted my time. I want to be happy about what I'm doing. And, I guess, eventually who I'm doing it with.. a body needs company in life." he grins again, "I just don't know what I need company doing or who with just yet. There's a lot out there. Like I said, the only thing besides what I'm doing now that's caught my eye so far is maybe learning to be a Steward. Seems like a job that would keep you moving and give you time to work outside every now and then. I don't know.. I like making things too. I'm a good cook, but not sure I want to cook for everyone all the time... I just don't know yet, I guess"

"Thirteen," says Lydiere, thoughtfully. "That's not so old. I guess your father just had a very clear idea. Not everyone does. I know people in their forties who /still/ don't know what they want, even though they're pretty much stuck with what they have. At least they're interesting, and have a broad range of skills from various things they've done." Llysah appears to have dropped off again, and, carefully, Lydiere returns the newborn to her basket, tucking her up as she continues, "Ah, not everyone does do well on the water. My weyrmate's not so good, himself, though he tries." Leaning back in her chair, now that Llysah is resettled, the woman adds, "Steward is a solid profession, I think. Admirable - I can't imagine /wanting/ to have to do all that work with numbers, and records, although I agree, it does take you outside."

Ezemial nods a bit as he listens, then points out, "well you'd be surprised how much working with herdbeasts and runners involves numbers and records. If you have a breeding program you have to keep track of who is bred to who, how many in a herd, how many are pregnant, make sure you aren't linebreeding too much, there's culls to look for every year. It's a lot more than throwing feed that's for sure." he shrugs a little, "but see if you do something like being a Steward, you really know the folks you live with, and in a way you get to care for them too..."he pauses then laughs a little, "herding again of a sort, I guess"

Lydiere's lips twitch. "May you be a herder of people, Ezemial, if that is where your path will take you." She winks, amused in expression, as she draws her right hand back into the basket beside her, the left draping lazily over the edge of the table. "I hadn't thought of it like that, though, with all the record taking needed in that. I guess you probably use computers, some, when you have access to them?" A wrinkle of her nose suggests her own reaction to the things, as she adds, "I guess it would make it more efficient. A program, to do all the working out and stuff, or something. I don't know, I don't really use the things unless I can help it, myself."

Ezemial chuckles a little, "Well, I guess the big places do, but we had a little place really. And my dad is about as fond of computers as you are.." He considers it, "I guess they are supposed to be better, but my dad still likes writing it all by hand. He doesn't trust something he didn't write himself. And he's pretty proud of the runners he's bred." he grins again at something you mentioned, "Yeah, maybe I am a people herder.. I do like caring for things. And animals are a lot of fun, but not exactly good conversationalists." he shrugs slightly, "My dad may like riding around fields talking to critters all the time, but I think I prefer having people to talk to more than just brothers and sisters."

"Ah, of course." Lydiere inclines her head forward, smile creeping further around her face. "Of course, of course. Computers are limited to those bigger places that must have the best and the newest. Wish they'd keep 'em, so I don't have to touch them." Wryly, she nods her head again, "I don't like writing things by hand either, of course." She draws her hand out of the basket, settling it down atop the other. "I prefer people, too. I like talking - real conversations. Your father sounds passionate about what he does, which is good, I think."

Ezemial nods at that and smiles, "He is, and it shows. I just hope that whatever I end up doing, I'm as good at that as my dad is at what he does. Folks really look to him when it comes to animals. He may not be a some fancy Master in the crafthall, but he's one of the best around when it comes to runners and herdbeasts. And a body always knows that /my/ dad will give you a fair deal." he beams with pride at the description of his dad. "yeah, I'm gonna be like that, when folks deal with me, they'll know they always get a fair shake."

Lydiere runs one hand through her hair, which is loose over her shoulders for once, and nods. "I'm sure you will be. Of course, I hope that everyone is. I don't know about myself, although I suppose I was as a Seacrafter, but I think that if you really love something, you'll be passionate, and it will show." She tips her head to the side, adding, "I'll remember that, if I ever invest in runners further. I own a pair of them, but I've not done much, I'm afraid. No time."

Ezemial grins, "With kids and dragons, I am not surprised you are too busy for runners. But, yeah, my dad will steer you in the right direction there." he nods at the reast, "That's what I say too, it's nto worth doing something if you don't feel it in your bones. You have to care about it or it's just not going to be worth scrap in the end. And if it's not worth scrap, you are wasting everyone's time and not just your own." he nods at this 13 year old wisdom of his, pleased at what he's come up with."

Lydiere grins ruefully, another glance made towards her sleeping offspring, "Not to mention hides, clutches, meetings, tithes, and just about anything else you can think of. Not surprising at all, though sometimes that's kind of disappointing. I'd like to have other interests." She smiles brightly, "Then you're a wise thinker for your age. There's plenty who'll do something they care nothing for, just because they think they should."

Ezemial beams at the praise at first then chuckles a little, "Well I figure everything has tasks you don't really want to do. You can't expect it to be all sunshine and fun. How would you ever feel accomplished if you did?" he grins, "hey, I guess you are a people herder too, in a way.. at least for the dragonfolk here.." then he nods his expression sobering just a little, "yeah, I had a foster brother like that, he didn't care what he did, how he did it.. I wish he would realize how unhappy he made others and how unhappy he looked himself. I know it sure made me want to make the right choice. I guess that's why I'm not in a rush. I want to have a happy life and, for that, you need to find work that will be interesting no matter how long you do it."

"True," agrees Lydiere, bobbing her head forward. "And you just have to put up with that which you don't like, and love what you do. Sometimes the hardest things make you feel the best, once you've finished with them." Tilting her head, glancing about the room, she agrees, "I suppose I am, in a way. I hadn't thought of it. A lot of us are, in many ways. If you work with people, and advise them at all, then you are." Again, she nods, listening to Ezemial's story, and, evidently, agreeing with it. "Admirable of you."

Ezemial shrugs and smiles, "I guess we'll see how admirable I am once I get one with things. Right now, I can make all the speeches I want, but it's just pretty words." He considers something, "were you upset when you got searched? I mean you choose crafting... did you mind becoming a rider?"

Lydiere opens up her mouth, and laughs. "True," she agrees, between chuckles. "Quite true. Words are all very well, but... Well, we shall see, shan't we?" She shakes her head, dark hair falling over her shoulders, "If I'd been truly upset, I should have refused search. It wasn't what I wanted, as such, but I accepted anyway, for whatever reason, and ended up Impressing Llysereth. Not exactly what I wanted there, either, but I can't regret it for anything. I still miss the sea, though."

Ezemial cants his head a little, thinking about this, "Does Llysereth like the sea too? Do you get to visit it at least?" He chews his lip a moment then continues, "I guess it's kind of funny, dragonriding is the one thing a lot of folks would choose if they could, but then it's not folks who do the choosing. And there's folks like you who wouldnt' necessarily choose it.. and end up with it. It's a mighty peculiar way to get a job, but everyone who is in it, seems happy enough even if they miss their life" he grins at Lydiere, "even if you have to people herd, too"

Lydiere nods quickly, smiling. "Llysereth loves the sea, so there's no problem there, even if I can't really go on long voyages. G'wain and I occasionally go sailing for a day - or used to. Haven't been able to for a while, what with Llysah, and all." Her daughter is indicated, with a wave of one hand. "And, mentioning Llysah, I should probably go and get her settled before she wakes up and doesn't go back to sleep for a while. She'll want feeding in another two hours, anyway." Lydiere rises from her seat, adding, as she gathers up the basket, "You're right, indeed. It's awfully peculiar, but-- well, as I said. I wouldn't give it up for the world. It's been a pleasure talking to you."

Ezemial grins as you get up and rises himself, "And it was nice meeting you too, Lydiere, I hope I see you around again." he grins and brushes his own hair out of his face, "I hope I didn't talk your ear off when you had something to attend to"

"Not at all," avers Lydiere, smiling. "I'm sure I'll see you soon, absolutely." Basket over one arm, she strides out, off into the bowl.

You exit the caverns, heading out into the bowl.