Tessia grinned and laughed under her breath as In'dra, Z'tin and her crouched behind a rock. Ever since the inncident that got Tessia into the normal weyrling classes, the three had become good friends. And as good friends, we've made common enemies. She snickered as Weyrling Master Z'baon walked by.
Briaseth over-dramatically sighed, feigning boredom. Do you have to play this childish game Tes?
What do you mean 'childish game'? Tessia nodded to Z'tin when he asked if she was ready. You were all for this plan last night love.
The brown laughed. Last night I didn't think you three would actually go through with it. Guess I should have known better.
Tessia, Z'tin and In'dra watched as Z'baon walked down to the lake with one of the other graduates. They all couldn't help but grin as they approached him. They'd drawn straws last night and Z'tin got to do the talking.
Should I get ready for a fast getaway?
"Shh...." Tessia murmured under her breath, still grinning in anticipation. The three stopped in front of the Weyrling Master.
"Yes?" He obviously didn't trust them.
"Oh. We just wanted to say good bye and give you a going away present for being such a great teacher Master Z'baon." Z'tin grinned innocently.
That being the cue, the three new riders rushed forwards and the Weyrling Master fell backwards. Laughing hysterically, the three culprits were running towards the Weyrbowl before Z'baon surfaced. Behind them they heard the Weyrling Master sputter and curse. They all sped up, Tessia moving just as quickly and easily as her two friends. They all entered Tessia's weyr, as it was closest, and dropped to the floor laughing.
Briaseth got off his dragon couch. I take it the mission was a success.
"Completely." Tessia smiled at her friends.
"Z'TIN!!!" Mystic sounded like she was going to explode.
Z'tin cringed. "Guess I better be going."
"Me too." In'dra got up and started to leave with Z'tin. "See you guys around."
Tessia had a sudden sinking feeling. She was probably not going to see either of her friends ever again. "Guys, wait." They both stopped and turned around. Despite the odd looks they gave her, Tessia hugged them both. "Good bye. Have a great life. Remember me."
The two boys looked at each other and grinned. "Girls." Z'tin shrugged and they left.
Tessia sat down on her bed and stared at her bag. She'd packed it last night. She was all ready to leave. "Briaseth?" The brown turned and looked at her. "I'm really going to miss them."
They'll miss you too, maybe. Tessia glared at her dragon. Hey, Briaseth grinned. They're guys. If they do miss you, they'll never tell.
Tessia fingered the bag. "I miss Tarzial already."
Briaseth smiled. But we're going home. You can introduce me to all your old friends.
Tessia sighed and walked to her window. She watched Z'tin and In'dra mount their dragons and leave. She swallowed a lump in her throat. "I guess your right. Ty probably misses me like crazy." She attempted a smile. "But then he's a guy. Maybe he didn't."
Briaseth grinned. Right.
"C'mon. Speckle's probably gone insane with Ty." She grabbed her bag and, with only one last look back at her empty weyr, headed to the tack room. A few minutes later Briaseth was standing in the Weyrbowl, fully saddled and ready for liftoff. Weyrwoman Magika and Hyth were beside him, ready to escort Tessia home. She sighed and mounted.
Cheer up Tessia. Weyrwoman Magika is going to think they're something wrong with you.
The Weyrwoman was obviously interested. "Hey." She smiled at Tessia. "I heard about what happened to Z'baon."
The mention of their prank brought a soft smile to Tessia's face. "Yeah. You could say that he had it coming."
Magika smirked and raised an eybrow. "Really? How?"
Tessia grabbed Briaseth's reins and turned him to face Magika. "He let Z'tin, In'dra and me work together. Let's go." She pulled once on Briaseth's reins and he leapt into the air. Hyth followed them, Magika laughing on her back.
As they circled the Weyrbowl before disappearing between Tessia couldn't stop herself from crying a little. "Thy friendship oft has made my heart to ache; do be my enemy--for friendship's sake." She whispered the verse as her tears froze in the cold of between
"Tes!" Ty saw the dragons land and ran out to the Weyrbowl to meet them. "Tes! You're back!"
Tessia leapt from Briaseth's back into her friend's arms. "I'm so glad to see you!" She wiped the last of the tears from her eyes. "How's Speckle."
Ty gave her an fake hurt look. "You care more about that dratted feline than me."
Tessia ruffled his hair. "Of course. Speckle!" The cat purred and strolled purposefully to her owner.
Tessia picked Speckle up and cuddled her. "I bet Ty's been just horrible."
"Hey!" Ty displaced a cat-scarred arm. "Who's been picking on who?"
Tessia laughed and kissed him quickly on the cheek. "All better?"
"Much. I noticed you're doing better than when I last saw you too."
"Yeah. Like you said. I'm a tough chick, 100% recovery."
Ty nodded towards the brown. "Who's you're friend? And I won 10 marks by knowing that you'd impress a brown."
Tessia glared at him. "His name's Briaweth, or Bri for short and how did you know I'd impress a brown?"
"You're too tough for a gold and way too tough for a green."
Tessia swatted him. "Oh!" She remembered something. "There's something I've been meaning to tell you."
Ty raised a brow. "What?"
"Race you to my weyr!" With that Tessia took off at a full run for her new home, Ty close behind her.
Briaseth sighed and watched his rider run. From quoting William Blake to a race in minutes. How did she ever live without activity?
Uncomfortably. Tessia added mentally, as she raced through the door to her new weyr. Just wait until I show you how I broke my leg.
Briaseth grinned and entered their new home. Ty was right. You are perfect for a brown like me.
Why? Tes smirked as she grabbed her ball and Ty handed her her shinpads.
A green wouldn't want to see you pummel yourself and a gold wouldn't let you. Briaseth grinned.
What about you Bri? Tessia began kicking the ball back and forth with Ty. The game slowly began to get more violent, and fun, as other people joined in.
I'm cheering you on. Briaseth basked on a ledge as his rider played her first game since her injury. He watched her fight, fall, play, curse and thoroughly enjoy herself. After all, you'd have to be crazy to play with you.
Tessia grinned as she played on. Damn right Bri. Do me a favor. She lost the ball and cursed under her breath as the other team scored. Tell them that.
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Read Tessia's Candidate Story.
Read Tessia's Hatchling Story.
Read Tessia's Weyrling Story.
Tessia impressed Briaseth at Tarizal Weyr.
Speckle's picture from White River Weyr.
Tessia's picture from Caleah's Anime Avatars.
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