Happy To Have You Around

Writers: AL, Devin
Date Posted: 24th October 2015

Characters: Meledei, N'vanik
Description: Meledei and N'vanik catch up.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 1, day 10 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: J'ackt, Cyradis

N'vanik

Although there wasn't much time left before the humming would begin
and the eggs would finally bring forth an array of coloured dragons,
there was still no sign that the event would transpire that
particularly day. Of course, she could be wrong, but as morning eased
into the afternoon, Meledei pressed back her restlessness and tried to
focus more clearly on her work. Elleth, too, was restless as she had
turned each egg three times that day already and wasn't eager to
settle in one place for too long. Perhaps tomorrow...

"Hey there," N'vanik called from the entrance. "Will the lovely Elleth
allow you to have a visitor?"

"Of course. You're always welcome." Although she was a gold, Elleth
didn't generally restrict visitors, though she always seemed
particularly alert when people visited. Still, for a gold, the dragon
was really laid back. "How goes it, oh great and mighty Weyrleader?"

N'vanik strolled in with a little bow toward Elleth. "Pretty good. Did
you do anything fun for Turnover?"

"Not really, I laid low this turn. There will be others." Hopefully.
Left unsaid was the underlying idea that there might not be another
turn. While it was not as likely something would happen to her since
she was a goldrider, there was always still a chance that injury and
even death might happen during a fall, even for Meledei. "What about
you?"

"I went to the masked ball." He grinned. "It was quite an experience."
He wished he'd thought to invite Meledei. Or had she wanted to have
some quiet time?

"Oh?" Meledei perked up, then shifted into a more comfortable
position. One of her legs was beginning to fall asleep so she bounced
it in order to awaken it. "Do tell, how was it?"

His eyes brightened. "It was amazing, all those people in masks. And
the music was fantastic of course. I commissioned a song, a bit of
political maneuvering, and I think it went over well."

"You commissioned a song?" Meledei sat up at that bit of information,
then leaned inward, verdant eyes glistening with curiousity. "For
Talryne? How did it go? Wait, did Talryne go?"

"Oh, no." He wished she could've gone but on all but her best days an
event like that would be too much for Tal to handle. Not for more than
a candlemark or two. "For J'ackt. The fight with the guard created
tension with a lot of Holders. There's been a few songs going around
painting dragonriders and the Weyr in a bad light. The song I
commissioned presented J'ackt as something of a heroic figure.
Holdless nobody becomes a bronzerider."

"Oh really?" That was interesting. Of course, Meledei was supportive
of painting dragonriders in a more favourable light, but she wasn't
sure a song with J'ackt as a hero would be good for his ego. "Did you
dance? What was the best costume?"

"I did dance, quite a bit. Favorite..." He tapped his chin. "Well,
Cyradis looked wonderful, but I'm a bit biased." Thinking about her
dress brought the memory of taking it off her.

"She always looks wonderful." If Meledei were honest, she had to
admit she envied the Weyrwoman's beauty, as well as the Second's.
Both women could certainly turn heads. While Meledei knew she wasn't
ugly, she also knew she wasn't beautiful. "I do enjoy dancing. Oh
well, maybe next time. Did you stay the night or just come back to
the Weyr?"

"We stayed the night." If he'd been talking to another friend, N'vanik
would simply tell them about the night with Cyradis, but Meledei had
some holderish ideas about sex and relationships. But word would
probably get around anyway, weyrfolk loving their gossip and all.
"Cyradis... wanted to give Loseth a good chance next time Panitath
Rises."

"If you guys have a good rapport, that should give you an edge."
Meledei nodded slowly. After all, all the dragons who had caught her
hand been men she'd been friendly with and had good relations with -
well, at the time of the flight, anyway. "I don't have any doubts
about Loseth, though, so I don't think you need to worry.

"I'm actually not worried this time," he said. "I know in the back of
my mind that anything_could_ happen, but Loseth proved last time that
he can outwit even a senior Queen." The bronze had stolen Panitath
practically from under Yumath's nose.

"Good. I don't think you ever had anything to worry about." N'vanik
had proved to be a caring and competent Weyrleader. Although there
were other riders who would do just as well, the Weyr would do better
with stability, and she had a feeling the Weyrwoman's dragon wouldn't
choose another for some time. "I'm really glad you came to Dolphin
Cove, N'vanik. It's hard to imagine this Weyr without you."

He put an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into a half-hug.
"Thanks. And I'm happy to have you around, too." N'vanik had always
been fond of the young goldrider and Meledei had done well despite the
patchwork training she'd received.

Meledei returned the hug with one of her own. "Just make sure you
stick around." Unlike certain other goldriders they both knew.

"Oh, I will. If the dragons choose someone else, they'll realize their
mistake and then I'll be back on top next time." He laughed and
winked.

"I have no doubt you will." Meledei stated with sincerity.

Last updated on the October 26th 2015

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