Old Records and Old Wounds

Writers: AL, Heather
Date Posted: 12th June 2025

Characters: E'ben, Meledei
Description: E'ben needs copies and meets Meledei in the process
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 5, day 10 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: R'kede

E'ben

There was a buzz around the Weyr about the return of a gold dragon.
The words “Meledei” and “Elleth” floated about, but for E’ben, the
words held no meaning. He would probably have gone on, oblivious,
until he found himself face-to-face with a lovely brunette in the
archives.

The brownrider held a folder in his hands that his Wingleader had
asked him to send to the archives for copies and records.

“Well met,” he said with an easy smile. “You must be the Meledei of
Elleth that I’ve been hearing about.” He extended his hand for a
shake.

One hand lifted, a single finger pointing upwards in a silent request
for the man to wait. Meledei’s eyes did not come up to meet the new
arrival. Instead, they focused on the parchment on her desk, her hand
carefully writing out something upon the surface, her lips moving
slightly as if silently uttering the words as she wrote them.
Finally, she signed whatever document she had written with a flourish,
then looked up, her hand falling, her jade eyes lighting up with the
smile that she offered the brownrider. “Sorry about that, I needed to
finish a thought. Yes, I’m Meledei.” And she finally took the
proffered hand to shake it firmly.

E’ben’s easy smile continued. “No need to apologize. I can’t talk and
write at the same time, or else I’ll end up writing what I’m saying.”
He tapped a finger to his temple with a shake of his head. He glanced
down at her desk. “And I certainly can’t write as legibly as _that_.”

When Meledei was young, she had taken her handwriting practice quite
seriously. Although some could consider good communication a lofty
goal, the sole reason was kept in her father’s drawers. After the
destruction of Thayan Peak, she and her father moved to Dolphin Cove.
There, the child found letters written between her parents. Somehow,
among the ash and rubble of their former Weyr, her father had managed
to salvage them. Her mother’s writing swept across the stage in
perfect spirals and dancing curves, and Meledei spent hours copying
it. Eventually, her own handwriting matched exactly. “I’ve had a lot
of practice. Anyway, well met, E’ben. How can I help you?”

“Wingleader R’kede would like to add this top page to the archives,
and he’s requested a copy of Cyclone Wing’s flight records since the
beginning of the Pass.” E’ben opened the folder he’d been carrying.

Extending her hand, Meledei silently asked for the documents, then
turned them around to get a better look at them. Nodding, she rose
from her seat and lifted her eyes to the shelves upon shelves of
parchment that inhabited the Records Room. “I’m curious as to his
purpose for the copies.” It wasn’t an odd request; Meledei was just a
little nosy.

“We’re trying out new formations, and I think he’s wanting to see
previous success rates for comparison.” E’ben answered without
hesitation.

“Interesting. I’m curious to see what he wants to do differently.”
It wasn’t her place to judge, but she was indeed interested in finding
out more, even if it didn’t directly affect her. She cast a glance at
the stoic expression of the man. “I don’t believe we’ve officially
met yet. I’m Meledei.”

“Where are my manners?” His easy grin returned, and he held out a hand
to her. “I am E’ben.”

Meledei accepted the hand. Her grip was firm and warm, and she nodded
once before releasing him. “How long have you been at Dolphin Cove?”

“Not long at all, actually. Semi-new, I guess you could say. Somehow,
I came here for a more relaxing environment and ended up accepting a
Wingsecond position.”

Releasing the man, Meledei nodded and chuckled softly. How odd that
things would turn out that way. “Where did you come from? And why
did they let you go? Seems like a Weyr would hate to lose a valuable
rider, especially one that was put into leadership that quickly by
another.”

A shadow of grief passed through the man’s eyes, even though his
polite smile remained intact. “My weyrmate passed. It was hard staying
at Far Island with her gone.”

As Meledei sought the requested information, she stretched up to seek
out a specific document, but at the man's words, she froze. Turning
her gaze to fall upon him, sadness trickled over her expression,
accompanied by sympathy. “I’m sorry.” She murmured, a memory of her
own loss, far too recent, even though he had died turns before,
crashing over her. With a sigh, she rose to her tiptoes to try and
get a better grasp of the requested records. Her grief should not
interfere with the man’s own, and hers was older, and that of a child
who lost a parent, not of a woman who lost a love.

Her fingers finally finagled a hold, and she pulled out the record and
opened it to peer at it. “I’ll need to have a copy made if he wants
to keep one for himself. We can have it for him in a sevenday.” Even
as she spoke, she turned to find the other record she needed so she
could add the page given. “Will that do?”

E’ben nodded as he took the record. “Yes, thank you, milady, for your
assistance.” A bit of his smile returned. “It was nice meeting you,
officially.”

“It was nice meeting you too, E’ben.” Meledei bobbed her head
politely, feeling rather odd at the turn the conversation had taken.
She hadn’t meant to dredge up old wounds and sorrows. “I’m sure I
will see you around.”

Last updated on the June 23rd 2025

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Old Records and Old Wounds