The morning dawned bright and clear and Alario could hardly contain his excitement. Today was the day. After today, no one would look at him and scoff at his tales of high adventure or avoid him for fear of catching some strange disease that made you unsociable.

Today he would catch that darn wherry if it was the last thing he did.

He dressed slowly, methodically, first placing the desired outfit on his carefully-made bed, then putting on each item with purpose. If this day were to be the culmination of all he had achieved, he would certainly do it right. Or die trying.

His satchel came next. Provisions. Two meatrolls, a canteen of water, some sweetmeats for indulgence. Rope, grapnel, a carefully insulated glow. Bandages, numbweed, fellis. An extra sweater and leather gloves.

"Ok," he said in his deep baritone. "That's it."

A feline, looking extremely satisfied after her morning meal, slinked into the room and rubbed up against his leg affectionately.

Alario reached down and scratched her chin, saying, "Hey sweetie. have a good breakfast?"

The animal purred in response, then promptly sat down and licked her paw clean of any remaining morsels.

Since being Searched good month before, Alario hadn't made much of an effort to make friends within the Weyr - in fact, quite the opposite. He'd never been much of a socialite, although nor did he go to extremes to stay away from people. He just preferred to be alone. And preferably doing something vaguely exploratory.

Alario slung the satchel over his shoulder and said goodbye to the feline still attending to her forepaws.

Grinning hugely in excitement and expectation, the candidate set off on yet another of his adventures. But this time it was different. This time, he was going to get that darn wherry