Pretty Lucky

Writers: Francesca, Miriah
Date Posted: 10th May 2019

Characters: Chalzie, Enamra
Description: Chalzie and Enamra talk for the first time.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 10, day 22 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentioned: Jylanya, Thayde, Enamra's siblings

Enamra

Chalzie arrived at the dining hall later than usual, having stayed
behind after class was dismissed to ask the Journeyman some questions.
The table she normally sat at had some space but, scanning the room,
she noticed the drudge, Enamra, eating her lunch alone. She had heard
a lot about the girl, although she didn't know how much of it was
true. And so, in part because she knew her own preference was to eat
with others, but mostly out of curiosity, Chalzie took a seat across
from Enamra, putting her plate and glass down. "Hi," she said with a
big smile. "You're Enamra, right? I'm Chalzie, an apprentice here."

The moment the plate was set down across from her, Enamra's eyes
darted up in surprise. Fearing for a moment that it was another
drudge, she blinked in surprise when she saw the knots on the other
girl's shoulders. She darted her eyes to the side, seeing other spaces
nearby. Why was an apprentice coming to talk to her? "Uhm...hi." She
kept her voice down. "Yes, ma'am. I'm Enamra."

The apprentice's smile grew even wider and she had to stifle a laugh.
She didn't think she had ever been called ma'am before. "You can just
called me Chalzie," she said in a light tone. "I don't think we're
that different in age. If you were a dolphineer we'd be in some of the
same classes."

Again the mention of her crafting. She wished it could be so, Enamra
thought wistfully, but she doubted it would ever be possible,
especially now. "I'm only fifteen, ma'am...I mean...Apprentice
Chalzie." She stumbled over her words and looked back down at her
plate. Seeing someone actually smile at her was rather nice; Jylanya
did, but it wasn't with that openness. Jylanya was much more quiet.
And Master Thayde did...but she shook off that thought quickly,
especially after what had happened that very morning. "Can I help you
with something? Do you need me to move?"

"Well, I'm only 18," Chalzie replied. And then, at Enamra's questions,
it took her a moment to realize the drudge wasn't joking. "Of course
not!" she said, hoping her tone didn't come across as too aggressive.
"If I wanted to eat by myself, I could have found a more open table. I
actually sat here because I was curious to see how you're doing." It
had been an eventful time for the young woman since she had arrived at
the Hall. Everyone knew about her pregnancy and birth, and then the
recent arrival of her siblings. "Are you siblings settling in ok? It
must be hard for them."

Very few people actually wanted to sit beside her; she knew why. Some
pitied her, some disliked her, and some just ignored her. Only a very
few in the hall really noticed her anymore. Sometimes she liked it
that way, others...not so much, especially when the loneliness really
hit her. "Oh. Alright." She tucked her hair behind her ear, but didn't
really meet Chalzie's eyes. "They're okay. They've got a nice foster
mother and uhm...they're going to classes now. I think they're going
to be seeing a mind healer too because they've been through a lot. Our
cothold was kind of out of the way and they're not used to having so
many people around."

"It can be an adjustment," Chalzie agreed. For her it had been the other
way around though. Growing up at Dolphin Cove Weyr, she had needed to
get used to life on a smaller scale, and without being constantly
surrounded by dragons. "Have you and them had a chance to spend any
time with dolphins? That's my favorite part about living here."

"They haven't yet. They're still trying to get used to their foster
mother and Harper classes." The mention of dolphins immediately caught
Enamra's interest. "But I have. I've met Ada and Feo. I even got to
swim with Ada. Master Thayde let me..." The tone of her voice dropped
immediately and faded as a flush came over her face and she turned
quickly back to her meal. "But it was nice."

"That's great!" Chalzie said encouragingly. "Some people take awhile
to get up the courage to actually swim with them. There's nothing like
being pulled in the water by a dolphin. And Master Thayde is really
nice. I always like it when he teaches a class, or when I'm assigned
to the dolphin infirmary."

"I really liked swimming with her." Enamra admitted. "But I've been
too busy to now that my sisters and brother are here." She picked at
her food now. "He is nice." Apparently it hadn't been announced yet.
Would it be announced at all?

"Well, I'm glad you're getting in the water and spending time with
dolphins. Some of the Hall residents don't seem to have any interest
in being outside. Not that everyone should be a dolphineer, but most
places on Pern don't have a dolphin pod right outside your door."
Chalzie hoped she never became nonchalant about being at the Hall.

"I love the dolphins." She looked up again, a more open smile on her
face. "And I love to swim. I did it all the time before I came here.
We lived close to the beach, so we had to fish and we all swam every
day. My brother could swim before he could walk. I don't see why
anyone would want to stay outside with the ocean right out there. It's
best place I've ever been." She looked at Chalzie with a little envy.
"You're pretty lucky to get to do all that all the time."

"I guess I am lucky," Chalzie replied. "I've always loved the water,
and deciding to apprentice means I get to spend plenty of time
swimming and spending time with dolphins. I definitely can't
complain." All in all, she was pretty happy with her life. "If you
ever want to go for a swim together, let me know," she offered. "I'm
often up before the morning meal for a run or swim, and also before
the evening meal. You could bring your siblings with you. I'm sure
they'd have fun."

"You really wouldn't mind if me or my siblings joined you? I would
like that and I'm sure they would too." Her eyes immediately warmed at
the offer. "Thank you. Maybe we can do that. I don't really have any
friends."

"We can find a time that works for all of us," Chalzie said
confidently, glad she had decided to satisfy her curiosity by
introducing herself to the girl. "And, friends take time. You've had
quite a busy Turn, but now that you, and your siblings, are here you
can really settle in."

Enamra nodded. "Okay." She had had a busy and emotional turn, the
twists and turns of it were still hard the fathom or understand some
days. "Just let me know when you're free?"

"Sure. I'll come find you in a day or two." Chalzie looked around,
noticing the room was quickly clearing of apprentices. "Looks like
it's time for me to get to studying. I'll see you soon, though. It was
nice meeting you."

"It was nice meeting you too. I look forward to the swimming. Thank
you." Enamra looked a bit more cheered up, and her smile was easier,
bringing a happier light to her eyes.

Last updated on the June 15th 2019

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Pretty Lucky