[Elswyth]

"I'm really sorry," M'ressan said earnestly.  "This wasn't exactly the first 
impression I was trying to make.  You're... Elswyth, right?"

"Yes," she replied.  This was the man who had taken Shae away for some kind 
of training.  Bowing a bit uncertainly, Elswyth looked up at him.  "You were 
looking for me?"

"Absolutely.  You've generated quite a reputation for yourself here.  Simply 
being a wild newly-joined dragonrider from a land beyond the wastes would be 
enough, but you have managed to save M'tan's life since you arrived a few 
days ago.  You should have received a much warmer welcome--"

Too fast!  The phonics came close to escaping her."Excuse me," Elswyth 
interrupted.  "Would you speak more slowly?  I am still... learning."

"Oh."  M'ressan grimaced.  "I should have realized.  Would you mind sitting 
down to talk with me for a little while?"

Elswyth hesitated.  "I don't see why not, but I don't know who you are."

"I'm M'ressan, rider of red Alanth.  Beta Wingleader."

"Beta... what?"

M'ressan laughed and rolled his eyes, realizing how much he was assuming.  
He began again, making sure to pronounce clearly and not too quickly.  
"Look, Christalla and Evelle decided to let D'neor handle your assimilation 
into Keldarra due to other pressing problems the Warren has been facing, and 
I think you've been neglected.  I would like to make sure that stops."

He escorted her to one of the tables that had been moved from the Dining 
Hall, colorfully decorated for the occassion.

"One of my roles in the Warren is trainer of the newly-joined," he 
explained.  "I would like to begin formal training with you and the other 
newcomer, Arden.  Arden's Dragon is a little younger, but you have a lot to 
learn about our culture.  I think we can work something out.  What do you 
think?"

"That should be fine.  I like Arden.  He is --" she stopped, not wanting to 
mention that the boy was unafraid and it was a different experience for her. 
 "He is kind.  But --"

"Yes?"

"Who are Christalla and Evelle?"  Her eyes were dark with confusion.  "I 
have met few people, and none who seem to know --"  She stopped.  "I do not 
know this place.  I do not know how I came to be here.  Wherever here is."

"'Who is Christalla?'"  His eyes narrowed a bit, as if in thought.  "Has no 
one told you anything?"

"Ceth has told me what she knows, but she is as... alleen?  ailen?... 
alien?"  he nodded as she sent him a questioning look, "as I am.  I might 
have asked Shatavari's human -- D'neor -- but he does not like me.  I owe 
his family blood-debt and I would not impose myself further."

M'ressan looked at her oddly, but did not immediately ask.  Instead, he 
remedied her immediate lack -- that of knowledge.  "Well, I can tell you 
some things, so you'll feel more comfortable...  Christalla is the 
DragonLady..."

<...>

"So, you fight these things -- these Wraiths?"  The cold determination in 
her eyes was somehow shocking.  M'ressan nodded but waved to stop the next 
question, having already learned that Elswyth could be relentless in the 
pursuit of information.

"Yes, but we will discuss this more later.  This is a party!  We should be 
enjoying it."

Elswyth flushed immediately.  "I am sorry.  I have kept you more than long 
enough."

"No problem," M'ressan smiled at her, and she smiled back, somewhat 
startled.  "Would you like to dance?"

Elswyth stared at him.  "Dance?"

"Yes, dance -- like all of those people out there."  He pointed to the 
people enjoying the music on the green.  Elswyth flushed, shamed.

"I don't know how to dance," she mumbled, hoping he'd let the idea go.

"What was that?  I didn't quite hear you."

Her hands rubbed unconsciously at the scars on her wrists.  Sefer had 
intended that she learn... she shuddered slightly.

"I don't know how to dance.  I never learned."

[Tag, Susan]

----

Respectfully Submitted,
Jill E. Flansburg
Elswyth and Aedra

Assistant Director, X-Files                Rhiannon, WarrenLady  *Xylian*
Sterling A. Kincaid, TL, ECHO, X-Files     Elswyth and Aedra   *Keldarra*
Damien Cunningham, UD DELTA, X-Files       Katla and Satinka *Whiteriver*
Xan X. Xavier, T1, X-Files                 Zera and Mazel-to-be *Norwall*

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			Vasaris, the Fuzzy Dragon
Jill E. Flansburg		    |		vasaris@az.com
CS HMC 1994			    |		jflansbu@muddcs.cs.hmc.edu
History, WWU 199?		    |		vasaris@divcom.umop-ap.com
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