Pre-Search

Czarina was the younger of two sisters that led the life that most people wish they had.  She recieved anything she asked for.  She was however ignorant of her sister's thoughts.  It never occured to her that because she was getting all this attention her sister was not.  Czarina was the favorite, almost perfect, too.  Blonde hair blue eyes and a little bit of a snobby disposition.  She tried to be caring, but since she never had any of the hard work that she needed to build her charecter she didn't know how to be considerate of other things besides herself.  Czarina, no matter how air headed she is, can handle a situation if she put her mind to it.  Like her writing for example, she hated it and wished it was never created but she did it and now she can write fairly decent.

Naura, was the eaxct opposite.  She got nothing from her mother and was forced into ridicule.  There were even times when she was forced to eat at different times because her mother did not want to see her. Naura even had to make food for her mother and her sister, which at the time she thought she was obligated to do so. She was disowned at the age of 16 and was living with a friend until she was 18.  Then she was on her own, she was about to leave when she thought of seeing her sister.  Czarina was happy to see her, but Zaracai wasn't so pleasant.  They had a big fight and that was it.  Nuara had enough of being rejected just because she didn't have blue eyes and an angel face.  Naura had one of those squareish type faces.  Although she was not as educated as Czarina, she did what she could to obtain as much knowledge around her as possible.

One day, when Czarina was alowed to go with Naura to a beach when they spotted some firelizard eggs.  They weren't aware if they were still good or not, but Czarina didn't want to go near them because she thought that their mother was near by.  But Naura loving to explore new things stepped into the sand where the eggs where.  Then the eggs started to hatch.  Quickly Naura threw a piece of her lunch at the firelizards.  She had impressed a gold.  Her sister, a little jealous, threw a piece of her meat and impressed a blue.  ""Why did you get to impress a gold?" Czarina asked in curiousity "Because I threw the meat in front of a gold, silly"  "oh," Czarina said realizing that it was her fault that she didn't get a gold "Besides what's wrong with a blue?" "Nothing, I was just hoping for a gold that's all.  I'm fine with the blue" Czarina starts to scratch the blue firelizard.  "I think I'll name him Ryle" "Hmm, I think I'll name mine Nani" "Where'd you get Nani from?"  "The same place you got Ryle"  "You got it from a name of your ex-boyfriend?" "In that case no, I just thought it up"  "Oh,"  "Say how are you and Tynark doing anyway?"  "He just went off to another Weyr to attempt to impress one of the Weyr's dragons"  "No, I mean is he still thinking about Akki when your around?"  "I think he is, but I don't blame him, after all he was in love with her"  "Do you hope he will love you the same way he loved her?"  "Yeah, but I'm not getting my hopes up"  Nani perks her head up and Naura sees that its getting dark "Let's go" Czarina follows obssessed with her new friend

"Czarina darling, where have you been, I was about to send a search party to go and find you.  And what is that in your hand? A firelizard? Wow, its so pretty, even if it is blue." Nani flys above Czarina's head  "Oh, is that one yours also? Its a gold! I want one!" "Mother, for one thing you worry about me to much, secondly this is Ryle, I impressed him at the beach.  And the gold one -----" "Is mine" Czarina was cut off by Naura's piercing voice.  And Nani lands on Naura's shoulder "Her name is Nani, if you wanted to know"  "How could such a beautiful creature be impressed by someone like you Naura?! She should of gone to someone like Czarina" "That's enough" Czarina said feeling the tension between mother and daugher.  A cool breeze swept by, taking that tension away with it.  For the rest of that night Zaracai just ignored Naura, but was constantly starting at the little gold creature on her shoulder

Outside, Naura was looking up at the night sky with Nani on her stomach.  "Would you look at all those stars" Nani cheerfully sent Naura images of constallations that she had seen when she explores.  "You are a bright one aren't you" Nani snuggled closer. Zaracai then comes out and interupts Naura's moment of peace without her "Now look here young lady, you may have impressed a gold firelizard but don't get the idea that you are better than my Czarina"  "And who are you to tell me what to think of myself?" Naura asks in a stern and challenging voice.  "You are a disgrace!  Ever since you were born I knew it I knew you were bad.  Always into all that learning.  Instead of making yourself beautiful.  You never liked it."

Later.......

"What is wrong with you Naura?"  "Me! you! Why is it you always go through my stuff when you get everything you want?"  "Oh, is that what it looks like?" Czarina thinks for a moment "Well I would be jealous of me,"  "Oh, so now you think I'm jealous of you! Ugh..you are impossible"  Naura says furious at Czarina for being so ignorant and not asking her if she could borrow it.  She would just give it to her if she would just ask.  Naura slams the door and their firelizards hiss at each other.  "Ryle, why do I always make her mad?"  Ryle settles on her shoulder.  Czarina pets her little blue flit. "I don't know what I do wrong"  *Outside* "Nani, if only she knew how easy she's got it.  I don't mean to be mad at her, its not her fault that she doesn't know how to take responsibility into her own hands at times. Maybe I should show some responsibility and apologize for my irrational actions.  Nani? Could you go and tell her to come out here?" *Inside* Nani pops up and chirps to Ryle.  Ryle guides Czarina outside.  "Naura?"  "Over here Czarina"  "Naura what do I do that makes you mad at me?"  "Czarina, believe me its not you its just that mother loves you more than me"  "How can you say that?" "Because I know.  She told me herself.  I got into a fight with her and then she said it.  She said I love Czarina more than I'll ever love you.  She is the daughter I always wanted"  *Naura starts to cry, but makes an attempt to hide it*.  Sobbing she says "I tried so much to keep the family together, I went wherever she sent me to, I put decent food for you and her to eat.  And then she has the nerve to disown me"  "Naura, she can't mean that"  "Oh, yes she can.  She gave you everything I wanted."  "Like what?"  "You get new clothing when you ask, you got to color you hair."  "And you want that?"  "Its not the point, you got her unending attention.  After 21 years I didn't get the attention I wanted.  I thought that after 2 years she'd realize that she still had some feelings for me, but to my dismay nothing has changed and I have learned that nothing will ever change"  Czarina puts an arm around her sobbing sister "Naura, is that why whenever you look at me you have that look of distaste?"  "Czarina, believe me I don't mean it, its just human feelings take over and I can't help but be jealous."  "I understand"  "How can you possibly understand?"  "I didn't want my hair colored.  It hurts like crazy.  There are times when I want to be left alone.  And I have been jealous of you before"  "Me?  how?"  "For one you are head strong, you go the extra mile to get what you want.  I myself prefer the easy way out of things.  You also impressed a gold flit, isn't that something I can be jealous of.  You see we are both even at certain things"  "How could I have been so foolish"  Nani and Ryle nestle on their owners shoulders.  "Maybe we should get back now" Naura said "I agree, its as hot as ever out here"  *Naura wipes her eyes with her shirt and tries not to show that she has been crying.  That would be another reason for Zaracai to pick on me.

They get back to the hold and discover that they are more alike than they ever thought possible.  In those few minutes that Naura's feelings were let out Naura's inner conflict was finally put out and she realizes all that she has missed from her sister.  "Girls! Girls!"  Someone is calling them from inside the hold.  They both hurry to see what is happening and their eager firelizards right behind them  "What is it" Naura says panting "There are some people here from Falas Weyr looking for candidates for the special clutch"  "Oh, ok just let us catch our breath for a moment"  The two girls straighten up and walk inside "Ah, I assume you are Czarina and Naura? Now tell me who is who?" Ker't says to the girls.  "I am Czarina"  "And I am Naura"  She pipes in "I am Ker't rider of Copper Barahirth" They look outside and see the copper dragon  "He's lovely" Czarina says  "Very healthy" Ker't chuckeled to himself "What are you supposed to be doing anyway?"  "I am here for candidates"  "Oh," "Well how many would you need?"  "Whatever number I feel is suitable"

"Well girls after much deliberation I have decided that you two will be just about right for the slots available"  Czarina squealls with delight. Naura shows a smile and hugs Nani "Do you girls want to start packing now, if we are to leave soon?"  "OH, that would be good"  Czarina excitedly runs home with Naura right behind her.  Czarina burst in the door screaming "Mother! Mother! I have just been picked to stand at Falas Weyr!" "That's wonderful darling.  I always knew you could do it"  Naura, now listening to her mother's rejoice over Czarina's news sits down on the table.  They walk down the stairs.  "So? What did you do today Naura? I bet you didn't get picked to stand like my lovely Czarina here"  Zaracai says to the older girl  "As a matter of fact I did" "What? How could someone like you get picked for such and honor?!  You are nowhere as near as beautiful and worthy of that"  Zaracai looks at Czarina with pride  "Mother how can you say that? we are of the same heritage but you treat her as if she were a slave" Czarina cuts in.  "Well I personally think that she should be a slave"  "Mother!"  "Don't frown you'll get wrinkles"  "Naura let's go and pack"  Zaracai stops Naura from proceding up the stairs "And just where do you think your going?"  "To go pack, we are to leave tomorow"  "Oh no your not.  You might ruing my daughters chance at being a dragonrider"  "Oh, so you think if I'm there she won't impress?"  "There's a chance"  Naura jerks her hand from her mother's grip "I am going and you are not stopping me.  You have disowned me so I no longer answer to you."  Zaracai scowls at her ex-daugher

"Naura are you ok?" Czarina asks concerned "I'll be fine, I've learned to live with it"  "Ok, as long as your alright.   Now tell me was your toothbrush the purple one or the blue one"  "The blue one silly" they laugh and continue packing.  "Almost ready?" Naura asks Czarina while sitting on the bed petting Nani  "No, I can't seem to find my brush"  "Get over it you can use mine"  "Very funny, but I don't want to burden you everytime for a brush"  "ok ok, anyway.  Have you seen Falas Weyr? Or morely where were going?"  "No why?"  "Its so techish. So I hope you like computers"  "How do  you know this?"  "I sent Nani to go and check" "Oh,"  "Nice pajamas!" Naura says cracking up.  "The pinkness" "Oh stop"  "Well I don't know about you but I am sleepy"  Naura yawns loudly "Scood over, I'll look for my brush later"

*The next morning* "Wake up sleepy head its about time to go" Naura says "Already?"  "Yes, time to go.  Now just get up and put some decent clothes on.  I got your stuff out to the dragon already. And brush you teeth your breath stinks"  "Hey!" "Just playing"  Czarina lazily gets out of bed "So Nani are you going to ride with me or meet us there?"  Nani lands on Naura's shoulder "I was hoping you'd do that"  "Hey Naura?" "What?"  "Do  you think that Ker't is cute?"  "No why?"  "I dunno just asking"  "You like him don't you?"  "Kind of"  "Don't press your luck he's with someone else"  "I was hoping that wasn't true"  *Outside* "Dressed warmly?"  "A little to warm for this tropical climate" "At least your already used to the tropics"  "Let's go already, I'm anxious"  The copper dragon lifts off and disappears between Czarina, screaming when they appear over the Weyr, holds on to Naura tightly  "Could you do that a little more gently?"  "Hear that?"  "The copper dragon slows down to a comfortable pace "You will be staying at the FGPC hold"  He points to a very modern looking building "  They unload their stuff and he shows them to their rooms "You can leave your stuff here, and I will take you to meet one of the scientists and you can view the eggs.  But do remember do not touch"  "This room is nothing I'm used to" Naura says. "It is unfamiliar to a number of people"

*They go and see the eggs*  Czarina reaches out to tough them.  But Naura slaps her hand before she reaches the egg "Ouch! What was that for?!" she says in a little whisper "Weren't you listening we aren't supposed to touch the eggs"  "Oh."  "But look aren't they so pretty"  "Yes and I too have the urge to reach out for them but I can not"  "Oh, and what about those classes were supposed to take?"  "Don't remind me"  "I don't work good with computers." Both firelizards are startled, as if sensing there is something very different about the eggs  "I don't either"  "Hey I think our firelizards realize that these eggs are different from anything else"  "Yeah, I think we should get back now. We still have to unpack you know."

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Quiet Siren

They have impressed.........