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The dining hall was crowded more then usual, and Bitren and I were forced to sit at a table other then the one we usually dominated. Quickly choosing a seat between several other of the hold folk, we seated and began to eat ferociously, devouring my food in a matter of seconds. Having finished before any of my tablemates, and not wanting to leave Bitren all by himself at a strange table, I began to systematically categorize the others sitting at our table. The girl at the far left was a typical mean hearted wretch, jabbing at her food spasmodically. Across the table from me was a lonesome looking chap, sitting and picking dejectedly at his meat, he must be one of those who supported newfangled ideas about eating vegetables only. Misdirected and misinformed I think. If we were not to eat heard beast, why does it taste so good? Next to him, a grinning girl rushed through her meal almost as fast as I had. And next to her, the most stunning specimen of feminine stature I had ever seen. Sitting regally on the uncomfortable benches, she looked with reproof at her friends lack of manners. And gracefully skewered a piece of meat on her fork and placed it carefully in her mouth, her thin red lips pressed firmly together while she deftly chewed and swallowed her food. A strand of her meticulously kept auburn hair fell forward and she raised a delicate, perfectly shaped hand to brush the wayward strand away. Which brought my attention to her sparkling blue eyes, filled with warmth they regarded me curiously. Questioning my motives. Her unfaltering blue eyes gazed into my deep brown and with uncharacteristic concern I looked away. Throughout the rest of the meal, I dared not risk even a fleeting glance, humbled by her unspoken authority. Although our table mates dispersed quickly when the bell, signaling the end of the lunch, sounded, her visage scarcely left my mind. Later in the privacy of our room, I tried to discuss her with Bitren, but he had been as utterly swept up in his food as I had been in her, and remembered nothing of an enchanting girl across the table. But, as I described her to him, a malicious look spread like a wildfire across his face. Looking up from my recitation of her beauty I saw the disturbing look on his face and snapping out of my trance like state, turned.

"Just what do you have in mind Bitren, from the look on your face. It's time for another bet! This should be good... Who is the query this time."

"This mystery girl seems to have turned you into no more then a kitten, I don't know if you are up to a bet right now... She has striped you of the touch." Hopping to rile Beryse into such a fury he would not think. Bitren jibed, viciously at Beryse's weak point.

"She has done no such thing!"

"Well then, you will be quite willing to prove it. But to do so you must accept the bet."

"Anything to prove to you I have not lost the touch."

"Fine! The terms. The mission, convince the target that your feigned affection is real..." With this Beryse's heart missed a beat, he had undertaken this quest before, but in that case Bitren had named the target as a young lad who had been claimed openly homosexual. Completing that task, once set before him he would not quit, had been stomach wrenching and several times he had yearned to call off the bet. But he hadn't. He had stuck through. Besides Bitren couldn't call the same bet twice, it was against the rules.

"... The target... your mystery girl..." A grin forced its way onto my face, Bitren was making this easy, he knew that in this case I would not have to feign my affection towards the anonymous girl.

"Simple as that, I am arbitrarily setting a time limit of 2 fortnights. Should you fail to achieve your objective, a suitable punishment will be selected from the approved list, and the challenge will be re-assigned to me. Should you succeed, I will concede that you have not lost the touch and will take your turn at kitchen duty for the next fortnight."

"The terms are satisfactory, but really Bitren... This is much to easy, you underestimate my skill."

"We shall see..."

******

Sometime Later

******

Next day at lunch, it was much less crowded, but instead of heading for our regular table, I searched the rows for my mysterious query. Upon spotting her, I approached and with a polite gesture indicated that I wished to sit in the seat next to her. Nodding her head in agreement, she carefully moved over enough for me to sit next to her. I plopped down my plate, and at her startled jump, decided I should forgo my normal inhalation of the food provided and try to be more civilized in her presence. Almost daintily I picked up my knife and fork, and began to saw at my meat, Bitren, took one look at me acting almost civilized and although I am sure he would have burst out laughing, he managed to only snicker. Knowing my mocking companion would be my undoing, I turned my attention to the flowing beauty beside me I decided It was time I found out her name.

"It's nice to see you again..." I left the comment hanging, hoping she would take the hint and fill in her name for me.

"Nice to see you too Beryse." She commented offhandedly.

How did she know my name? Obviously she hadn't picked up my hint. Fine! "I'm sorry, I don't think I caught your name."

"Kyllina." She stated, as if that was all that needed to be known.

Slightly startled by her attitude. I did not let that put me off. "Pleased to make your acquaintance Kyllina."

"Same here." her disinterest in the subject intrigued me. The other day she had seemed so vibrant, so full of life.

Nevertheless, the nameless had been named. My first obstacle overcome, I surged forward with new energy.

"I don't believe I've seen you here before, what brings you to our lovely hold?"

"Business." Business? How boring. I began to fear I would have to hold up both sides of the conversation if this kept up.

"Well I really must be going, I have things to attend to." I have things to attend to? I had never, ever, been dismissed like that... I sat, shocked, while Kyllina gathered her things and left the table. Still sitting there. Bitren tapped me on the shoulder. "Beryse?" I heard him say, far in the distance. Staring at the seat that Kyllina had occupied. "You going to be ok?" Standing up. "That was pretty harsh wasn't it?" Ignore Bitren. Walking. Faster. Following Kyllina. Soft wind blowing in my face, we had left the hall.

I caught up to her, and my senses returned. "My dear, sweet Kyllina, why must you run from me?" I murmured to myself.

"What?!?"

"Mmm, nothing..." I replied, content to watch her mouth pursed in a frown, and her sparkling eyes, her oval face, a shining beacon of hope in a dismal world.

Suddenly, my attention was diverted away. A large blue something, blocked my view of Kyllina.

******

This one will make a good fine addition to our current candidates D'lom.

Which one my dear blue Fadeth.

The girl will stand before eggs.

******

"M'lady, My dear Fadeth here thinks you would be a good candidate. Do you accept the honor of being searched?"

"M-mm-m-e-ee? I would be honored." Quickly catching her breath, Kyllina managed to get her mouth around the words.

Outraged that the large blue leviathan had blocked my view of the lovely Kyllina, I was even more outraged to see the rider of the huge beast begin to help her up its side... The man was taking my Kylinna away from me!!

"Stop!" I called hoarsely, "Don't take her from me! We are meant for each other.."

D'lom hearing the boy's pleas, felt a pang of guilt for separating the young couple.

The boy would also be suitable for Persepith's eggs.

Why didn't you tell me you big lug!

"It seems your wishes will come true lad. Fadeth says that you would both be worthy of Persepith's eggs."

We will receive much praise for this Fadeth, we were not expecting to find one. You will get an extra special meal for this. I'll make sure of it!

I am a Candidate at Dawn Sisters Weyr

Dedicated to Kelly.