Aden Weyr Lotiapez (lo-shia-pez) (Lo'pez, Lopez)
Male, 18 at impression
Weyrbred, Apprentice Leathercrafter, Candidate
Alabaster Weyr
No family present, wife Leilani
Dragon: Brown Lilioth from Aden Weyr
Emotional/Mental Description: Devoted and faithful to Alabaster in all its forms. He wishes nothing more than to see Engell's dream of a completely self sufficent Weyr-Hold come to fruition. He is very popular with the ladies, but has eyes only for Leilani. If they both Impress, they will probably become permanent lovers. He is passionate, and is a flexible sort mentally. He adjusts quickly to situations, and in that way he is very valuable to Alabaster.
Skills: he is good at working leather, but he will really never be better than any of his peers. His true passion is in the sky, and in the Hold. He is a talented dancer and loves to show off his moves with a beautiful partner at his side (Leilani mostly) and likes also to show off what he can do with leather while doing it (his own dancing duds are to die for!). He likes making costumes with the scraps of the leather work, and he will be able to come up with some of the best riding leathers and harness straps the weyr has seen. He has many Thread fighting techniques already memorized, and can often be heard muttering about them in the halls. He is a talented role player as well, impressing many experienced Harpers with his ability.
History: though he was born just after Thread fall began, Lotiapez was intended to go into a craft more than anything else by his parents. He followed their wishes for a while but then clearly got involved with the Weyr more firmly and has never really looked back. He and Leilani met many years before, and have been both good friends and part time lovers since they were old enough to care or understand what was happening.
Notes and Special Information: Because of his charm and good looks, he is one of the Weyr brats who has always been invited to Engell's parties. He proves himself worthy of recognition when he thwarted a plot against Engell (and when has there not been a plot?) and turned the scoundrels in.
Pets/Hobbies/Posessions: Lotiapez has no pets, though he likes small mammals and cats. He wishes to build Leilani a nice place nearby the Hold, and once they are established as riders he will be able to do that, coersing the local miners to toss a bit more granite his way for a homestead.
That made perfect sense to Lotiapez. He looked at the other two, and decided that he'd let them sleep. They weren't able to get up for a Search, how in the world would they make it up if Thread were falling?
He moved around down to the courtyard where a large Brown was waving his long head over the already-present Lord Holder and such. Lotiapez walked up to Engell and bowed, getting a surprising smile from the Lord Holder.
"I am glad you've made it, Lotiapez," the white haired man said, with a kind of gleam in his eye. "This rider says that there are seventeen eggs at Aden weyr."
"Aden, that's a new place, isn't it?" Lotiapez asked, and the rider himself answered.
"It is, but we're making special allowances for this Weyrhold of yours." He looked at Lord Engell. "This one is perfect, sir."
A smile crept over Lord Engell's face, at that, and he turned to the younger man. "Well, you heard him, you're a candidate now. Pack. Be back with a dragon or I'll expect you to be tanning hides for the riders who do come back with one!"
Though the Lord Holder's tone was very light, and everyone laughed, Lotiapez took it seriously. Then, he spotted Leilani in the crowd and went to her.
***
Lo'pez has a new weyr! He and Leilani must remain apart while their little dragons grow up.
Lo'pez explained how much in love they were to the little dragon after a couple days of labored avoidal.
But if you love her shouldn't you be with her?
"Well, yes, but you're... supposed to be too young to understand the feelings we have."
But I understand you, rider mine! You are my friend and I love you!
Lo'pez grinned at the young brown.
"But what if you decide to chase after some other Gold when you're older? You mustn't chase your own clutch-sister, you know. There will be different feelings then."
The dragon tilted his head at Lo'pez and gave off a trill.
I will still love you.
"Good. I'm glad that's settled," Lo'pez laughed.
***
"I'm glad you aren't giving me the same kind of trouble that Notioth is giving poor J'zin," Lo'pez laughed.
I like to fly. This is wonderful! Soon we will be able to fight thread, and that I know I will do well.
I know it too, Lo'pez bespoke, but there was a hint of sadness in his mind, and Lilioth caught it.
Why are you sad?
Because if we fight thread we might get hurt. And .... I don't want that to happen to you. I don't think I could bear it.
Then I will not get hurt! You worry too much!
I know... Let's buzz J'zin and Notioth, okay?
What is "buzz?"
Lo'pez only smiled...
***
It is good to be out in the air, Lilioth bespoke, while the trio of dragonpairs flew toward Alabaster. And look at that! You never saw your Hold from the sky, it is beautiful!
The dragon was right! Lo'pez saw the shining white tower of Alabaster long before the rest of the hold, and it was perfect for such activities as betweening and homing in.
"We're here!" He cried, and hooted loudly. The wind took most of his voice, but the other two heard him.
J'zin says that you are acting silly.
This from the kid who has orange flames on his riding gear!
They laughed together, man and dragon. Then, landed on the great stone courtyard of the Weyrhold. Everyone turned out, and Diamoth with her rather annoyed rider circled the tower before coming down.
They chatted, greeted the Lord Holder, and then... A strange voice in the back of Lo'pez's mind startled him. His dragon took whatever message it was with some concern.
***
When will she rise? Lilioth bespoke. They had come back from Aden in happy defeat. None of the Alabaster dragons had won that weyrleader-choosing flight, but Lilioth was pleased that he had not betrayed his rider nor his weyrmate.
Beautiful Diamoth was surely glowing now, and her bellow of anger at the males and all the greens of the Weyrhold made his rider acutely aware of something.
She will rise soon, and we must catch her. Lilioth bespoke.
"You're right," Lo'pez said, "we must. You will do perfectly. Leilani would never forgive us if you didn't manage to fly her."
No pressure at all, bespoke the dragon with a wry tint to his mind.
(( That's right, somewhere along the way, Lopez and Leilani decided to not worry about their sibling dragons being attracted. After all, many weyrs had such pairings and according to even the best geneticists the breeding back wouldn't be problematic. ))