January 9, 2003
Serriena surprises R'hyn on his twenty-fifth turnday.

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Serriena is near Niaryth, spending some time with her lifemate. She's applying a thin layer of numbweed to a small threadscore from a fall not too long ago. It's mostly healed, just getting a little, extra, tender, loving care from Serriena. Niaryth is awake, her lavender eyes dancing with pleasure as she gazes at her partner. Whatever she says, brings a soft laugh from the Weyrwoman.

R'hyn steps in from the main cavern of the weyr, his hair wet - he's just gotten out of the bathing cavern, it seems. He hesitates by the door, watching thoughtfully, as Arisvath lifts his head to nuzzle in the general area of his rider - he gets the face, and R'hyn squeaks in surprise.

Serriena glances up from tending to Niaryth, laughing at the antics of Arisvath with R'hyn. "Now you should have seen that one coming," she advises right before Niaryth decides to do the same. Serriena doesn't get bowled over, but she giggles and says, "Ew no Niaryth.. You just ate that herdbeast yesterday. I can still smell it on your breath." Niaryth snorts and Serri says, "At least I brush my teeth and I don't have bad breath!"

R'hyn's smile twitches into place upon his lips, as he bats Arisvath's head away, remarking, "You're right. But it doesn't make the coming any easier." Arisvath huffs warm breath into his face, and then settles back down upon the floor. "She's healing up okay?"

Serriena nods, "Mmhmm," she agrees. "Their bodies heal faster than we do. I'm tempted to find out from the healers if perhaps there's a way to harness whatever it is that heals them so fast, to use on human wounds." She glances at Niaryth. "No sweet, we wouldn't use dragons improperly." She shivers. "The only ones who experiment on dragons are dragonhealers and that's for cures to your ailments." She strokes Niaryth's muzzle to soothe her from thoughts. Niaryth resettles herself to fit closely to Arisvath.

"I wish," murmurs R'hyn, head shaking. "There's too many riders with injuries - it's simply not good for a fighting weyr. Though normal," he concludes, somewhat glumly. Arisvath snuggles against Niaryth, crooning softly - soothingly.

"Ah but we have the healthy ones who can assist," Serri reminds. "Focus on the strength you have, not what you don't have. Then when the injured rejoin the fighting ranks, you will think you have more." She grins at her 'glass is half full' turn of phrase. She sweeps around Niaryth and walks over to you, brushing her bangs away from her forehead. They fall back into place a moment later, but she ignores them, saying to you, "Now, what did you wish to tell me in the caverns before A'son entered?"

R'hyn's lips part into a wry smile, and he remarks, "Those're wise words. You're good with the words, aren't you, Serri?" He crosses towards Arisvath, gently rubbing the bronze's headknobs in a moment of thoughtful repose. "Oh! No, nothing specific. I mean, I don't think so - I don't remember what I was going to say. Sorry."

"That's alright," Serriena murmurs, "I thought perhaps you were going to tell me something.." her voice trails off. She suddenly looks up and that mischievious grin is on her face, the one that says she's been up to something. "R'hyn I need to ask you something." She looks like it might be a trouble question.

R'hyn's head starts to shake, and then stops. He freezes, like a rabbit in the headlights. "Uh, what, Serri?"

"How is it, that I had to find out your turnday from Arisvath through Niaryth, and you didn't tell me yourself you had a turnday today?" Serri requests. "Don't you know, you don't have to work on your turnday.." She gives an impish grin, "I've decided that." Ooh royal command - and all that- she's teasing. "Everyone should have their turnday to themselves to spend as they like."

R'hyn flushes scarlet. "It seems like a childish thing to talk about incessantly. You know - hihi, Nanny! Guess what? It's my turnday in three days-- in two days-- tomorrow! -- Today!!!" He puts on the voice of a little child, then wrinkles his nose. "I don't want it to be made a big deal of."

Serriena chuckles. "I know what you mean," she sympathizes. "As you get older you don't want to be reminded that you're age is getting high instead of staying at a nice low number." She grins. "I'll be twenty-seven turns in a few months." She makes a funny face at admitting it. "Now how old are you today?" Apparently that part of the turnday has alluded her.

"Twenty-seven? Then you've nearly two on me - today, I'm twenty-five," admits R'hyn, lips parting into a somewhat embarassed smile. "Still young-- but not so young, I suppose, really. I feel older than that, sometimes."

"Well you were definitely older than A'son when he took his turn as Weyrleader to Isyrath," Serriena admits. "I can say I am grateful for that, because you have more experience and wisdom than he could have." She looks concerned a moment and then says, "Oh dear, R'hyn, I think I left one of my earrings in your bathing chambers. Do you think you could go get it for me?" She sneaks a glance at the chamber.

R'hyn uhms, nodding. "He's only a few months older than me, so he must have been a lot younger... That'd be awful, I think. To be so very young." He straightens his posture, then nods quickly. "Oh! Of course. I'll be right back." He trots off, disappearing into the weyr.

While R'hyn is away, Serriena quickly crooks a finger at the entrance to the weyr. Two drudges come in, one carrying a basket of items, the other carrying a cake. Serriena gives them a motion to be quiet and to set the things down on the table. Once they are finished she quickly mouths, "Thank you,' and shoos them away with a grin. Someone's been planning a -teensy weensy- surprise.

Niaryth looks with some interest at the activity. She turns her head to Arisvath with a pleased thought about the festivities of R'hyn's turnday.

R'hyn returns from the bathing caverns, and jumps a mile. "I didn't find-- oh! Fardles, Serriena. You didn't have to do /this/."

Serriena looks up, smiling and blushing, caught in the act of opening the basket. "Er... well," She laughs, "Yes I did.. Niaryth wouldn't let me forget your turnday." She winks lightly and spreads out the small picnic in front of the two dragons. She sets out two cloth napkins, two small mugs, a skin which is, "Juice," according to her. She brings out two thick sandwiches, the bread alone at least 1/4" inch thick in slices. There's layers of cheeses, meats, good sandwich fillers between the slices. She lays the sandwiches on the plates and pulls out some fried tubers, fruit and other light items.

"I--" says R'hyn, then shakes his head, taking several steps towards the picnic, the dragons, and Serriena. "Uh, thank you, Serriena. No one's ever done anything like that for me before. It looks... really nice."

"I find that hard to believe," Serriena pours the juice in the glasses and then kneels and curls into a sitting position on the floor in front of Niaryth. She indicates for you to join her, offering the floor across from her. "Please sit. It's your turnday..," She suddenly grins again, "Shall I sing the turnday song for you?"

R'hyn follows directions, and sits down, crossing his legs as he reaches out for one of the glasses of juice. "No, no, I think we'll manage without that one, thanks all the same," says he, flushing. Arisvath nudges his head towards him again, and R'hyn laughs, nearly spilling his juice again. "Arisvath!"

Serriena picks up her own juice and grins, "Let me guess, he wants me to sing the song right?" She winks at Arisvath as if in on some little joke about it. "I think I should too. It wouldn't be a proper turnday without the embarrassing song to go with it." She's teasing a storm, her eyes lit up in laughter.

"Arisvath!" whines R'hyn, as soon as Serriena finishes speaking. "No, no, he didn't say that," he promises. "I really don't think you need to. If I feel the need, I'll sing it to myself, or something. Please?" He takes a sip of his juice, then reaches out for a piece of bread and some cheese.

Serriena laughs but then desists by agreeing, "Oh alright I shall not sing you a song." She leans over and tweaks Niaryth's muzzle saying, "Apparently he heard me singing in the bathing chambers a few days ago." She chuckles, having made that joke upon herself. "Has your family been by today with turnday wishes?"

R'hyn's lips twitch in amusement, and he shakes his head. "Poor Serri, not being able to sing," he murmurs, before taking a bite from his breakfast. "Not yet - we're having dinner together tonight, I believe. The whole family, nephews, cousins, second cousins and cousins twice removed." He looks-- enthused. Not.

Long distance to Serriena: R'hyn idles a few - I need to have a shower and get something to eat. BRB.

"Sounds like you're going to be having fun tonight then," Serriena smiles at that news. She takes a bite of her own sandwich and after eating part of it asks, "R'hyn do you think you'll tell your mother the news.. about us trying to.. you know, have a baby?" Serri doesn't sound certain if she wants that particular bit of news spread around just yet.

R'hyn's nose wrinkles, as he admits, "They'll probably forget I'm even there. They're a pretty-- enthusiastic bunch." He picks up another piece of bread, loading it up with various pieces of meat and cheese, and then stops, short. "I don't know. Probably not. I mean-- she's all about the perfect thing. Weyrmate, then baby. I'm not sure if she would be so thrilled, to know that we're trying. Whereas, when it happens... You know? It's a grandchild-to-be. Different."

Serriena chuckles. "I see your point R'hyn." She nods her head. "I haven't told my boys yet," she frowns a bit. "Not that they need to know. I've never officially given them any talk about where they came from." She colors and says, "I remember when Faitil first told me about it. I think I was twelve." She grins slightly and finishes off her sandwich taking a drink of her juice.

"They're a little young, still, I guess?" says R'hyn, hesitantly. "Mum told me. I remember that. It was a little scary-- I flushed for three days, because I couldn't imagine actually doing that-- or, more than that, my /mother/ actually doing that, with my father, who I hardly even know." Head shaking, he smiles slightly, and takes another sip from his drink.

"Yeargh," Serri laughs and says, "Don't put such images in my head R'hyn. I can't imagine your mother either." Probably a good thing. Serriena takes up an apple, biting into the red skin. She chews slowly and then says after swallowing, "They are a bit young yet for that talk. I should do it by their eleventh turnday."

R'hyn giggles - well, he laughs, but it's close enough to a giggle for it to be an accurate enough term. "I know. I'm still scarred at the thought. More now than ever, though. She was still pretty young when I was a kid." He pours himself another glass of juice, and then nods. "That sounds like a reasonable age."

Serriena gives a small groan. "No more talking about that or I won't let you have any cake," she threatens with a laugh. 'I should not wish to think such things." About R'hyn's mother that is. But she has to add, "You know we could probably prevent our male weyrlings from pregnating all the lower caverns girls when they are released from weyrlinghood by giving them that image." She holds her hand up to her mouth as she giggles at that.

R'hyn affects an expression of mock offense - "That's my mother you're degrading!" he comments, though he, too, bursts into laughter, head shaking. "No more. I promise."

"Ready for some cake?" Serriena questions, brushing crumbs off her shirt. she places her napkin down and stands up heading to get the cake. "I'm afraid there aren't any candles because I wasn't sure how old you were." She brings the cake back and sits down, placing it between the two of them.

R'hyn, shaking his head, promises, "I don't need candles. The cake--well, /everything/ is more than enough. You're too good to me." He regards the cake with interest, admitting, "It looks good. I have a bit of a sweet tooth, I have to admit."

"Hee," Serriena giggles slightly. She admits, "So do I." A knife is brought out and she hands it over to you. "You do the honors." And because it's unresistable she breaks into, "Happy Turnday to you! Happy turnday to you! Happy turnday Dear R'hyn. Happy turnday to you." All sung very soft because she's a horrid singer - really she is.

R'hyn wrinkles his nose - though only teasingly, as he accepts the knife, and cuts into the cake twice, to separate one slice from it. "Oh, this looks nice," he murmurs, ignoring the singing - perhaps wisely. "Thank you."

"Thank you. I wish I could take credit for making it, but I'm not so good in the kitchen." Serriena grins ruefully. She reaches into the basket and rummages around until she picks out a medium sized plum colored bag. She places it next to the cake with a "And more Happy Turnday to you.'

"It's the thought that counts. You were the one who thought of it, even if you didn't make it," says R'hyn, warmly, as he cuts a second slice of the cake, and then sets the knife down. "Oh! What's this? Can I open it now? You really didn't have to, Serri, honestly you didn't."

Soft velvet cloth in a deep plum purple hue has been sewn together to make this bag. The seam is flawless, rounded out to create a small sack look. The bag is plump looking, as if the content inside is fat, hidden by the drawstrings that keep the bag closed. The drawstrings are also the same plum color, though the tightly twined yarn is shiny compared to the velvet cloth.

"You can open it whenever you like," Serriena says softly. "I am glad you like this. And R'hyn you and I have become friends, we're sort of -- lovers, if not friends who are doing something for each other." She glances at Niaryth and Arisvath. "Our dragons are bonded to each other in their hearts. I do this, because you are a special friend to me."

R'hyn flushes slightly, as he nods, lifting his head to look at Serriena. "I suppose we are. We're-- good friends, along with everything else. Thank you, Serriena. I-- I really do mean it. You've done so much for me, not just in terms of this. In terms of everything."

Even she is flushing the Weyrwoman looking rather uncertain at all this --friendly-- feeling going on. It can get embarrassing and the way to cover it is to say, "Oh go on! Open it up!" before she turns into a red sugar beet in front of him.

R'hyn positively winks at Serri, then ducks his head down to pull the drawstrings of the bag open, and then pull the pipes out from within. "Oh!" says he, truly without words. "Oh! They're--Oh!"

"They're made by Journeyman Kessen," Serri flushes. "I hope they are exactly as they should be." She glances at the pipes. "And I understand they are not a starter set, so they should be fit for any harper to play." She looks up with a smile, pleased to see your surprise.

By way of answer, R'yn lifts the pipes to his lips and plays a few notes - it's obvious he's not done this for a while, but still, he's not forgotten all his training. Bringing them back down to his lap, he positively beams. "They're /perfect/, Serri. I couldn't be happier. Arisvath's been telling secrets, hasn't he?"

"Maybe a few," Serri admits with a grin. "And he's been very good about not telling you this was going to happen." She glances to Niaryth and then laughs, "Yes love, you kept the secret even better because I don't think Arisvath knew about the pipes. Niaryth liked them the moment we picked them up. She wanted a set of her very own." She admits with a smile.

"He probably forgot," says R'hyn, smiling - his lifemate huffs at him, and R'hyn winks at the bronze. "I'm kidding. I know you can keep a secret well. Thank you -- all of you." He smoothes the pipes with one hand, adding, "I'm going to have to match all of this for your turnday, aren't I?"

"Nope," Serri shakes her head, "For one thing," she smiles, "You don't know when my turnday is and Niaryth's forgotten the last time I told her," She grins, "So the only thing you have to go by, is that I'll be twenty-seven in a few months." This is highly amusing to her and she leans back, chuckling at the predicament.

R'hyn's nose wrinkles. "I shall get it out of your children, or J'nah," he comments. "Or I'll send a message down South, and find out from somewhere there. This won't go by without being done to you, too!" He grins, picking up one of the pieces of cake to offer to Serriena.

Serriena laughs and takes the cake, "Good luck," she offers with a smile. Perhaps he'll forget that notion sooner or later - sooner hopefully. "To be completely honest with you," she takes a bite of her cake and makes an mmmmmmmmm of appreciation for the taste, "I'd thought about a party in the caverns with everyone invited," she pauses. Then Serriena looks at you and her blue eyes are full of joy, "But I know you hate public attention which is why your turnday - shall remain a secret-" she places her finger to her lips in a 'shhh', "and safe with me."

R'hyn's lips curve into another smile, and he does indeed look thankful, as he picks up his own piece of cake, licking some of the frosting off his finger before taking a bite of it. "Thank you," he says, for perhaps the millionth time. "I do appreciate that."

Serriena goes through her cake quicker than she should - being female- but the treat is so good, she can't resist. "Oh that is good and my belly is full." She leans back against Niaryth with a slow smile and a laugh. "You're going to have to share that cake with your wing. Or else we might end up eating it all by ourselves."

"I suppose I'd better. But how will I explain my having cake, if I'm trying not to tell them that it's my turnday? I definitely don't want to be eating it all, though," adds R'hyn, musingly. "Maybe I'll tell them that it was my mother's turnday." He finishes his own, and mimics Serriena's movements, leaning against Arisvath with a contented expression upon his face.

Serriena laughs. "Quite - then you can scare them with --" she trails off before saying it, but the merriment in Serri's eyes tells she was going to say something about that 'birds and bees' nonsense again. "More wing drills," she fills in, but is unable to help from giggling. She leans forward, starting to clean up the food. "Ah but it will be a day today. I'm taking my wing out over Red Sands on patrol.'

R'hyn waits for the punch line, blinks at the fill in, and then begins to laugh at Serriena's own giggling. "Faranth," he murmurs, as, setting the pipes down carefully, he assists in cleaning up the leftovers of the food. "I can clean it up, if you need to go get ready?" he comments, working diligently. "I mean, I don't mind."

"I don't mind," Serri shakes her head, "It's not time yet and I skipped PT this morning to do this." She grins. "Shall I wait up for you tonight or will you be out late with your family do you think?"

R'hyn, for a moment, looks guilty. "You did? Oh... You didn't really need to do that." But it's an empty statement. He hesitates, though he continues to clean up, and adds, "I won't be in late - I'll probably leave as soon as I can. They'll hardly miss me."

"Then I will stay up and wait for you here." Serri says quietly. "Or you can come to my weyr for another turnday surprise." Even as she says it, she colors alot because it sounds much more - childish- than lover-like. She buries her face in her hands and giggles. "Oh I don't believe I said that." Niaryth moves her head away from Arisvath, nudging Serri with sympathy. Poor embarrassed weyrwoman.

R'hyn turns very nearly purple, and then begins to giggle. "I thought it was funny. And not bad-funny. I'm not laughing at you, I promise," he declares, betewen bursts of laughter, reaching out one hand to take hers.

Serriena takes R'hyn's hand, her mouth covered with the other as she giggles. Her cheeks are still red, flushed from her comment. "Well yes, but I am," she agrees, lowering her hand to her lap, "laughing at me - that is." She smiles at R'hyn, relief evident on her face that he didn't take her words --too-- badly.

R'hyn squeezes her hand, his own blush fading - though slowly. "You shouldn't. You should be laughing with yourself - or something like that."

"Yes that does sound better doesn't it?" She looks deep into R'hyn's eyes for a moment, just looking at him as if seeing him somehow in a different light.

R'hyn hesitates a moment, and then nods. "That's what Mum always used to say to me. I guess it's right." He looks a little nervous, watching her back.

Serriena smiles and then slowly releases R'hyn's hand. "I had better get this back to the kitchen." She stands up, brushing crumbs off her skirt onto the picnic blanket. "And you have drills..."

R'hyn, still hesitating, still watching Serriena, nods somewhat blankly. "Oh! Yes. Of course. I'll see you tonight, then. Things to do."

Serriena nods. She picks up the cake and puts it on the table, then gets the basket and blanket. "I'll see you tonight." She grins and heads out the weyr entrance with a "Be ready in five minutes Niaryth. You'll have to let Arisvath go."

R'hyn pulls himself to his feet, cradling the pipes and their bag in his hands. "Tonight, then. Uh-- bye."

Serriena heads out of the weyr.

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