[Dining hall, after Carlynee leaves]

>         Ilara was tired.  She'd had no idea learning was so tiring...
> she wanted to get a nice dinner, and sleep out the rest of the day.
> Oh... then again, she'd better not be asleep when Carlynee called.
> 
>         Her expression brightened as she saw Sarilyn sitting at one of
> the tables, and she waved to the dragonrider as she made her way to the
> banquet table.  

  Sarilyn looked up, and smiled, waving back to the new Queenrider as she
headed for something to eat.  Then she gestured at an empty spot at the
table she was sitting at.

>         Ilara frowned.  She wasn't normally this picky about her food,
> especially not when she was in such a rush... to talk to Sarilyn, of
> course.  She grasped her tray with both hands, as it was heavier now,
> and took a seat at Sarilyn's table, smiling across at... Billy, that was
> the name.
> 
>         "Hi Ilara," he said brightly.  "Carlynee was asking about you
> earlier."  Billy looked around, and remembered that he'd seen the
> artisan leave with Chelea.  "She *was* here, but took off with Chelea.
> The deaf-"

  < snip..the conversation about Carlynee >

>         "What's the matter?" asked Billy, wondering what had brought on
> such a sudden quiet stillness in the junior queenrider.  Her hands were
> shaking as she raised her cutlery.
> 
>         Ilara sighed and almost let it all out, but instead shook her
> head, "Nothing... just I'm really tired, Billy.  Thankfully, Rhia's
> okay... everyone did hear that earlier today?"  The change in subject
> was almost by accident, but it got her where she needed to go.  

  Sarilyn nodded, looking worried until she heard the news that Rhia was
all right.  Then she smiled and a relieved expression filled her face.

  "I'm glad to hear that news.  We were all worried.  I know Lunath was
asking Queri about her at different times, and got back worried but
optimistic replies."

  Taking a bite of her food and nibbling thoughtfully, Sarilyn was
suprised to hear the next part of the coversation turn to her, of all
people.

>         "Sarilyn, I was ah, looking for someone to help out... S'dan
> said you'd have the background for it.  Me, I don't know much outside of
> a kitchen," she said, grinning at the last point.  "Would you be
> interested?"

  Setting her fork aside, Sarilyn leaned back in her chair, and looked
puzzled.

  "Help out how, Ilara?  What are you talking about, you're going to work
in a kitchen?  But you're a Queenrider.  I don't understand.  Explain and
I might be interested, right now, I'm just confused."

  Ilara looked lost for a second, then chuckled nervously.  

  "No, I'm not going to work in a kitchen, it's all I know, really.
See..."  She picked at her food, trying to feel comfortable, and not
exactly knowing how to put it.  "I need help with being a Queenrider."

  Sarilyn blinked, and almost choked on the sip of juice she'd just taken.  

  "Huh?  I'm just a regular rider, I don't know anything about dragons
other than what H'lie is teaching.  And you're getting the exact same
lessons.  What does learning to be a Queenrider have to do with me?"

  Ilara grinned, and leaned forward just a bit..looking almost happy that
someone else was as confused as she herself was.

  "No, listen.  We're learning about how to care for and ride our dragons
and what not.  *I* need to learn about the responsibilities of being a
Queenrider.  How to run the Warren, make decisions, delegate
responsibility, stuff like that.  S'dan and I were talking about how since
Rhis is getting better, but not really fully able to run the Warren, that
I'd be taking the responsibility.  Get it?"

  A shocked look crossed Sarilyn's face, and she glanced aside at Billy,
who looked as amazed as she was.

  "Woah..hold it.  You're saying you want *me* to help you run the Warren?
Is that legal?  I'm just used to helping run Nambril, that's a long way
from managing a Warren, dragons, riders, and the like, Ilara."

  Ilara giggled, feeling more at ease, and winked.

  "Exactly!  That's the whole point.  I need you to help me understand how
to run the Warren like you ran the villiage.  Teach me about
responsibility, and stuff.  Interested?"

  << Well...why don't you help, dear?  After all..it's what you know,
right? >>  Lunath chuckled softly in Sarilyn's mind, and gave her rider a
gentle mental nudge of support.

  Sarilyn grinned, and glanced outside to where she knew Lunath was
waiting.  Then she smiled at Ilara.  

  "Lunath seems to agree with you.  All right, I'll help.  But you have to
tell me exactly what it is you need first.  No need telling you something
you may already know.  Maybe S'dan can help explain as well?"

[Tag:  Billy, Ilara ]

=============================================================================

Jeanette
Sarilyn/Lunath * Xylian 
Ashelle/Oaklah-to-be * Whiteriver

[NRPG:  Ilara, I hope I played you char in a good way.  I'm not really all
that good with playing other chars till i know them better.  If I messed
up in any way, please let me know.  :) ]




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