Jakar's Story

He wakes up early, before all the others, and starts to dress.  He puts on a loose shirt, over some loose pants and remembers his brother's teasing him, telling him he looked like a beggar.  He doesn't really seem to care that the loose clothes made him look even thinner that he really is, they are comfortable.  As he dresses he looks out his window.  A nice beautiful, blue sky greats him and he smiles.  "A beautiful day Zanari, isn't it?"  The blue firelizard chirps,  agreeing with Jakar.  The blue flys to Jakar's shoulder as he heads out the door and down to the Main Hall. "Good morning Jakar.  Up early aren't you?"  Feena asks cheerily.  Jakar smiles to himself,  he's never seen Feena do anything uncheerfully, she's so...bubbly. "Good morning Feena."  He says in a soft voice.  Feena rushes on her way, on some erand for Media, the head cook. Jakar leisurely strolls into the Dining Hall and grabs a cup of k'lah from Feena's tray as she rushes past.  He sits comfortably siping the warm drink in the empty Dining Hall.  Zanari chirps, slightly annoyed that Jakar gets something to eat before him.   Jakar laughs quietly.  "Don't worry so much Zanari.  I'll feed you.  You'll probably be the first beast in the Weyr fed.  Nobody else is up yet,  I guess it's earlier than I thought." After finishing the drink, he finally subsides to his firelizard's wishes and heads to the kitchen.  Grabing some of the meat Media always sets out for the firelizard's, he heads toward a corner of the weyrbowl.  As Zanari gorges himself, Jakar begin to play a tune.  It's very quiet out, although the weyr is just starting to stir.  As soon as Zanari finishes, Jakar takes the dish back to the kitchen where he is greeted by Media. "Up already?" "I like the Weyr when it's quiet.  Gives me time to think."  Jakar answers. Media smiles.  "I know what you mean.  With all the stuff happening now, I never get a moment's peace..." Media continues with a list of her complaints and Jakar tunes her out.  He knows he just needs to nod sympathetically at certain points and Media will be happy.  He does this every morning because he knows few other people will talk to her.  Everyone's so busy, no one just stops and listens around here, except Jakar.  He lets Media drone on and on while she makes breakfast.  She asks him questions about his life and firelizard briefly and he answers just as briefly.  He feels very sorry for the poor woman.  She lost her husband a month ago to a disease and is taking it very badly.  When Media's almost finished her list of troubles and breakfast, she is interupted.  Jakar expects it to be some rider in need of a meal before he leaves early.  Instead he is surprised to see Weyrwoman Magika standing there, looking frazeled.  She looks to Media desperately.  "Tell me breakfast is ready." Media looks confused.  "It is." "Thank the gods.  We've got a searchrider here." "Here?  Now?"  Media asks astonished.  "The hopeful candidates aren't even up yet?  What are they doing here at this time of the morning?"  Magika smiles.  She has a nice smile that warms up the room and Jakar.  "Early bird gets the worm.  You worry about feeding them, I'll worry about the people.  Deal?"  Media smiles and Magika rushes out. Media quickly shoves a platter of food together for the searchriders and calls for Feena.  She doesn't get a response so she hands the platter to Jakar. "What?"  Jakar asks confused. "Feena's not here."  Media states simply.  "You bring them the food."  Jakar mutters and blushes but takes the platter towards the door.  Zanari follows, hoping to steal something off the plate.  "Get lost,"  Jakar mutters, shaking the firelizard off his shoulder.  "What a wonderful way to meet the searchrider, as a servant."  He adds sarcastically, then sighs.  "The others will never let me live this down."  As he opens the door, he sees Magika was as effective as  promised.  Standing in the middle of the Weyrbowl were 20 or so youth from the Weyr in various states of undress.  Jakar smiles.  At least he isn't the only one looking stupid.  Magika is standing with Hyth, her gold and the searchrider and his blue. Jakar stares in awe of the dragons, more at the blue than at Hyth because he's seen her before.  Zanari chirps and he shakes his head to clear it, then pushes his way through the small crowd to the searchrider. The searchrider sees him, and then the platter, and smiles.  "Ah.. hello, you're a sight for sore eyes."  He takes the platter from Jakar and begins to eat.  He and Magika continue their disscusion about who she thinks would make a good candidate.  When the searchrider finishes his meal, he looks up at Jakar again. "What's your name?" "Jakar."  He says in a soft voice.  "Why?" "Well,  my dragon seems to think you'd be a good candidate."  Jakar's mouth drops open, followed by Magika's.  "How about it?"  He looks to Magika for her approval. "I say you couldn't have made a better choice."  Magika nods. Jakar smiles.  Later that day he and a few others, leave for Seasparkul Weyr .  As they go between Jakar pinches himself.  Could this be real?  Could he have actually been chosen to be a candidate?  The searchrider laughs, his dragon having told him Jakar's doubts. "It's real.  Congratualtions.  You'll make a find rider some day."