Ysk had chosen a blue.
Elanor had expected there to be quite a bit of chatter about that, considering the rumors that spread like wildfire at Pyrith's choice. And yet, it seemed the dealings of whers were more silent affairs, as shrouded as they were by the mystery of nightfall. They had to admit... they preferred it that way.
The queen expecting, some volunteers were selected to clean the hatching cavern of debris from the harsh winter storms. It was amazing how far sea weed and driftwood could wander from the frigid shores. Elanor, of course, volunteered right away. They wished to prove themselves... and, also, they wanted an opportunity to get a better look at the pipes.
Volunteering their steady hand for archive duty had provided them access to what records the Weyr did have... But what was there was lacking, at best. The place has been built long ago, and only enough remapping had been done to get the place functional. So much was still not understood.
Fabius had not been allowed in (his kind were not usually taken kindly to in places where eggs were laid), and Tsumi was feeling the frustration of losing his favorite creature to boss around. Thus, he had taken to sitting imperiously on Elan's shoulder, occasionally giving a curt direction of a piece of debris they had missed putting in their basket. The newly minted where candidate tolerated it for now. It was better than him getting into trouble elsewhere, and it was useful to have a second set of eyes--even if they were curmudgeonly.
After a particularly loud complaint, however, they turned to face him with eyes narrowed and he jumped backward a bit, falling off their shoulder. Then, quietly, he winged away to go lurk in a shadow somewhere, orange eyes glimmering in the darkness.
Kneeling to sift through a particularly dense batch of debris, she tried to imagine where everything had been thst fateful day. She'd left her map in her room--an oversight, perhaps, although she doubted she'd be able to pull it out without looking suspicious. Looking up to get her bearings, she saw someone coming toward her and casually resumed her task at hand--presently, scooping up twigs and putting them in the basket she had set beside herself.
"It feels strange to be back," Elanor commented, making small talk. They shifted their position a bit to make room for the newcomer. "As if no time has passed, and yet it's been so long." A bit philosophic for the cut-and-dry ex-Harper, perhaps... But it felt right to acknowledge the shadow in the room.
Some days Elvador honestly wasn't sure why he was still here. Practically, it was because he didn't have anywhere else to go. He no longer had a ship, going back to his family was out of the question, and he had made far too many enemies to risk going solo. Emotionally, it was because he was still felt at a loss for what to do with his life now that he had it back. So he spent his days doing all manner of chores and manual labor in a vain effort to repay these kind people for a debt he didn't think he could actually repay. It wasn't much to do, but he wasn't one for sitting still or wallowing in melancholy, so at least he was useful while trying to figure himself out.
Which was how he found himself in the large, sand covered cavern that was apparently used for dragons and whers to clutch their eggs. El had never witness a Hatching before. He was only just getting used to seeing dragons and whers around in his daily life. Given how magnificent they were, he could understand the excitement such an event brought. For him he just....wasn't sure yet. A few people had suggested he could Stand as a candidate, but most of those people didn't know who he was or what he had been. He was pretty sure "former pirate" wasn't a good resume for a future protector of Pern. What right did he have to even try? It was enough that he could work for his keep, he couldn't really expect more.
The Sands were certainly a mess. It reminded him of a beach after a storm, which was probably an apt comparison. He got to work breaking up some of the larger sticks so they could be collected and carried away for firewood. He was so intent on his task, that he didn't pay much notice to the other person until they spoke.
Pausing, he frowned a little. A quick glance around confirmed he was they only one around so they must be talking to him. Huh. He wasn't used to folk wanting to talk to him. "I...wouldn't know," he admitted slowly. He felt a little out of place. So many people had history here and he was essentially free loading. He shook his head and try to concentrate on his work again, but he paused after a moment and found himself asking. "What was it like?" So curiosity got the better of him in the end.
Looking over, Elanor realized they had mistaken this man for someone else. An embarrassing oversight. But they would roll with it. Clearly he was new here, and could probably use a helping hand--even if he seemed a bit older than them. In the back of their mind, they could feel Tsumi creeping closer in the shadows.
"It was..." How should they put it? "Very intriguing." It was a weird way to describe it, but it was how they thought of it. Any new experience was interesting and meant to be catalogued.
"The sands are hot. The hatchlings are lively. There were some... interesting developments." There was a pause as Elan shifted a little to work on a new section. "There was a rogue gold dragon... the other dragons didn't seem to like her being here. She tried to take a candidate." Then, they looked over their shoulder at the Sands, trying to spot the place where the unhatched eggs had been. The sands had shifted already, however, and none of the features looked the same. It was hard to pick out. "And someone, or something, had interfered with the heating for the sands. Some eggs didn't make it." They spent a beat too long, perhaps, looking out into that middle-distance, then they turned back to their conversation partner and offered a acknowledging nod and a bit of a polite smile.
Some more kindling was gathered in their basket before they asked, "Are you a candidate, then?"
Elvador tilted his head, listening with interest as he continued to work. He had heard a little of what had occurred at Tempest Weyr in the past, but port taverns and drunk sailors weren't known for accurate information. The truth seemed much more real, especially standing here where the events had occurred. It sounded chaotic to say the least. He hadn't realized the affairs of dragons and their riders involved so much conflict. It seemed like a waste, especially with Thread in the sky, but who was he to judge? Piracy was hardly a noble profession.
"That does sound...involved," he allowed, not really sure what he could say. "I'm sorry to hear some of the youngins didn' make it," he added sincerely. The world needed more dragons not less. More than that, he was sorry for such magnificent creatures to lose their lives before they had even begun.
El started to return to piling wood, when his companion asked their next question. He frowned a little in thought, looking over at them. "I...maybe. I haven't decided," he admitted, a little reluctantly. Truthfully it had been offered, especially with the queen wher about to lay eggs. He just honestly wasn't sure he should.
"How about you?" he asked, as much to change the subject as out of genuine curiosity. "Sounds like you were here last time."
Elan offered a solemn smile softened by a furrowed brow, the expression practiced from turns of Harper apprenticeship, and nodded. It was certainly disappointing to see such loss of life.
"I... maybe. I haven't decided." They offered their chore partner a curious raise of eyebrows, but said nothing. It was not for them to pry. However, when a question followed up, they answered truthfully.
"I was a dragon candidate at the last hatching, yes." Another pause as they carefully thought over their words. "It is a bit... tenuous... with dragons. The hatchlings, in their eggs, knew that they needed to bond to survive." They chewed over their next words in their mind a bit more. "It felt like... coercion... to attempt to bond with them at the touching." Their thoughts drifted to the Sulfurous egg again, so desperate to live. It left a sour taste in their mouth. They wanted influence, but they wanted to earn it. Forcing a creature to bend to their will through threat of survival seemed like a recipe for bitterness in the relationship, which could only lead to destruction of anything they did build.
"Whers, however, don't need to bond to survive," the candidate continued, more matter of fact now. "So I figured I would 'try my luck' with them, so to speak... At least then we might be on equal footing." Hopefully their candidness would help this person decide. The Weyr hardly needed more indecisiveness or people who didn't really want to be there--not that they were one to talk, going from dragon candidate to dual candidate.
Elvador listened carefully to the others description of the young dragons and their bonds. He appreciated her honestly. Sometimes it felt like most of the other dragon folk he spoke to were over hyping the whole experience and down playing some of the more questionable aspects. He was sure it was life changing as many said and it was a noble role to defend the world from Thread. And yet, the fact so much of the choice was taken from them on when they were chosen and by whom. He even heard of some who hadn't made the choice at all and Impressed from just watching the affair. To hear this person speak of the young dragons needs and desperation to bond put things in new perspective. Perhaps that lack of choice went both ways.
In that respect, the whers seemed the more reasonably option, more grounded in more ways than one. The reminder that they could chose not to bond and simple go on their own was actually a relief. If he did present himself as a candidate, then it would be the wher's choice to accept him or not. All this faults and burdens that come with it. He thought he could live with that, one way or another.
Realizing he had probably been lost in thought for a bit too long, he offered his companion a small smile. "Thank you," he said with firm sincerity. "I hadn't thought about it that way. Maybe I'll see ya on the Sands then."
Suddenly he realized something else he hadn't thought of and tip his head in slight embarrassment. He might have spent years on a ship with a rough crew, but that was no excuse to forget his manners! "Sorry. Shoulda introduced myself. I'm Elvador." He dusted off and hand and held it out to the other to shake.
"I'm Elanor," the fellow candidate took his hand, after dusting off their own, "Pleasure to meet you, Elvador." It did not escape Elan how similar their names were. There was something quaint about that. It was pleasing.
Further pleasing was that he would stand, perhaps in part due to their influence. They had been feeling somewhat ineffectual as of late, especially without Aeia there to fill them with hope, so they would take this little win. Small victories would lead to larger ones.
"How did you come to be at Tempest, Elvador?" Elanor asked, hoping to encourage their new acquaintance to talk a bit more. Repeating his name was intentional--they wanted to make sure they would remember it.
Elvador couldn't help a quirk of a smile at their name. He hadn't expected their names to be so similar and it struck him as amusing and nice. A little connection they could share maybe. "Elanor," he repeated, being sure he could pronounce it right. "Good name.". He found he was actually looking forward to seeing them stand. If their short meeting was anything to go by, he was sure they would make a strong rider or handler.
The next question was a natural if awkward one. Elvador frown, rubbing his neck a little in embarrassment. "Ah. That's...a long an' unpleasant story.". It wasn't like his former life as a pirate was a secret. He had been completely honest with T'day and others at Tempest after his rescue. The fact they allowed him such freedom to walk around and even be a candidate still surprised him. He just didn't want Elanor to feel afraid or nervous around him. He missed having people to confide in and it was nice to have an honest talk with someone.
Still, he owed them something. He sighed. "Short version is I ran with a bad lot an' that landed me stranded on an island off shore. Rider T'day and Month found me an' brought me here." Something he would be forever grateful for. He probably owed that man a drink or twelve next time they met. "I'm tryin' ta make a fresh start." There, that was honest, if a bit short on details.
"Likewise," Elanor replied, returning the compliment of Elvador's name.
When he didn't respond right away, they did not push him. It was best to let people work things out on their own. Sometimes silence could encourage people to be more forthcoming, as Master Braelynn had taught them. So, they could wait. And, while they waited, they continued their cleaning.
Ran with a bad lot? Well, at least he hadn't been kidnapped. Elan had considered it a good move by the Weyrwoman to outlaw the practice. Now, if they could just work on the recruitment pitch... They might have people lining up to volunteer for candidacy.
"I'm here for a fresh start, too." It was their second "fresh start", actually... but they wouldn't mention that, lest they come across as some sort of serial job-hopper. "Tempest seems a good place for it. There's a lot of opportunity to learn new skills." For instance, Elanor had been learning some wilderness survival and had been gaining some physical stamina. Of course, that had diminished a bit since Aeia had impressed... but they still tried to do some hikes without their friend. They were not as good at navigating as Aeia, however... so they had started drawing up a map, with some paper they had requisitioned from the records. It was, after all, benefiting the Weyr as well. (Or, at least, that had been their argument to receive the supplies.)
"My basket is getting full... how about yours?" They looked over at their companion, picking up their basket and standing. They would need to go empty their kindling to the larger cart closer to the sands.
Elvador nodded at Elanor's admission. It was good to feel he wasn't the only one looking for a new beginning and he wasn't going to press the other as to why. They both probably had things they didn't want to share and the important thing was that they could both start to move forward. Maybe being Candidates was part of that. Seemed they had that in common too.
Realizing his thoughts had almost distracted him from the job at hand, he bent to finish tying together his pile of larger driftwood pieces. "Ready." He hefted up the bundling over his shoulders to start walking over to the large cart.
He could leave the conversation there, but he found he was enjoying Elanor's company. It had been too long since he'd felt he could talk and just...be himself. No judgements or lingering threats causing him to guard his words. "Any skills ya like in particular?" he asked. He knew there were a number of crafters around, to say nothing of very necessary skills beyond those. Maybe he should consider learning something. His only real skill at the moment was fighting, and he wasn't necessarily proud of that anymore.
It was nice having someone to pick up the heavier items. They would have found some way to manage if they were on their own, but Elvador was able to just lift things and they appreciated it. Then again, they had been much more active after coming to the Weyr... Maybe they could have done that after all. Something to try at some point?
"I've had the opportunity to learn a bit of survival skills since I've been here." Having the entirety of their life so far in Hold and Hall, it was not something they had ever done before. "It is satisfying." While they were not afraid to rely on the complementary skills of others, they did like the idea of not being completely helpless in a wilderness situation. Especially at Tempest, there was so much wilderness everywhere. The unknown was intriguing, but could also be terrifying if you'd no idea how to take care of herself.
"I was thinking at some point it would be nice to learn some self-defense..." They glanced over their shoulder at their companion as they dumped their load of smaller twigs and debris into the larger cart. It was something they'd knew they'd have to learn at some point, if they were really serious about whers. Whers were primarily used in mining and guard work... And Elanor did not particularly yearn for the mines.
Elvador hefted his bundle of wood into the cart. He had always found some satisfaction in hard work. It was also a relieve to do something productive with his hands. He wasn't one to accept charity and it felt good to work for his keep.
As he turned to continue the task of clearing the sands, he listened to Elanor, nodding. "Those are good skills to have," he agreed. He actually felt a little proud of them for choosing to learn something so useful to their current environment. In fact, he might want to consider picking up a few skills himself. Most of his current skill set involved fighting and sailing, neither of which would help him survive in the wilds around Western.
At the mention of self defense, Elvador grew thoughtful again. He could actually help with that now that he considered it. He was good at hand to hand, but he had never taught anyone before. Granted he would need to focus on non lethal moves for self defense, but that was a welcome change. The life of a pirate was hard and cruel and he had never enjoyed killing even when it felt necessary. He would be glad to put that behind him and put his skills towards a better use.
"I could teach ya how ta fight," he spoke up a little hesitantly. He offered a small smile. "If ya give me a few tips on how ta survive better on land." That sounded like a fair trade.
"I could teach you how to fight."
Elanor smiled.
"If ya give me a few tips on how ta survive better on land."
They froze for a second, the gears of their mind turning. They had only just started learning themselves and weren't sure they were up to teaching someone else. Then again... Teaching was one of the best methods of solidifying what you had already learned. By the time the pair of candidates had returned to their cleaning, Elan was finally ready to respond.
"That seems fair. It's only right I warn you I'm no expert, however... What I have learned I'm willing to share." Yes, it would be most agreeable. Maybe they could learn more from their new acquaintance, as well. And, if he found what skills Elanor had learned to be lacking, they could always offer drum codes. They brought a hand up to their chin, thinking... Perhaps he knew flag codes? They had always wanted to learn... No, best not confuse the conversation. They could ask later.
At this point their little brown flit decided he was no longer grumpy and wanted some company. He circled down, judicious with his wingbeats, and came to a landing not far away from the two Els. "This is Tsumi," Elan offered, looking between Elvador and the flit. "He's my firelizard... If you see him or his tunnelsnake counterpart in your room, I'd recommend checking you still have all your possessions." It seemed only right that they warn him. He had been kind so far.