Strength and Tenderness

Writers: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 7th November 2005

Characters: Lenala, M'galec
Description: Lenala invites M'galec to dinner, but things don't go as she planned.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 8, day 19 of Turn 3
Notes: Whoops! These were supposed to go out before the flight. Sorry about
being confusing! :D

Lenala

Lenala had packed most of her fine dresses away when she'd made the decision to try to be the newer, stronger Lenala. This proved to be a mistake once Lenala realized that M'galec was coming to meet her for dinner, and there was nothing unwrinkled in her closet except for sensible tunics and trousers. Finally, moments from panic, she stumbled across a gown shoved between two unworn tunics.

It was a beautiful red dress cut daring enough to be suggestive without crossing the line into inappropriate. With her new haircut leaving her neck and shoulders bare, it turned out to be perfect. By the time she opened the door for M'galec, she'd added earrings and a necklace and swept her hair back from her eyes with barrettes that twinkled with matching gemstones. If there was one thing she'd learned from her mother, it was that dealing with men was a war. It was obvious from the bronzerider's face that Lenala had won the first battle. "Good evening, M'galec." "Good evening, Lenala. I..." He looked at her from head to toe, momentarily at a loss for words. "I'm sorry, I thought you said this would be a casual dinner. I... I think I'm a bit under dressed." And here the bronzerider had to make an effort _not_ to overdress.

Lenala smiled and him and gestured him inside. "Oh, it's my fault... I haven't had a chance to dress up in a while. Sometimes I miss feeling like a lady." "Well, I'm honored you took the time." He took her hand as he passed, bowed and kissed it gently. "You certainly look like a lady. Here, I brought you flowers. They are nothing much, I'm afraid."

"They're perfect," she replied, admiring them. "I have a vase over here somewhere..." She found one poured enough water into it to keep the flowers fresh. "Now, where shall I put them?" "I suppose the table is the customary place. However, I find them rather awkward to look around or through in order to make pleasant conversation at dinner."

Lenala laughed. "Oh, but have you seen my table? Somehow I ended up with one large enough for a family... and usually no one to share it with. Plenty of room for dinner, conversation, and beautiful flowers." "Well, I would not begrudge you something beautiful to look at as we eat."
Although M'galec was pretty sure he wouldn't much notice if the flowers were on the table or not. He had something much more pleasant to look at, and he made sure his eyes told her so.

She brought him to the table, where the dinner she'd called down for was arranged carefully. After giving the flowers a new home on the far side of the table, she gestured to the chair. "Please, sit. What would you like to drink?" "Whatever you're having will be fine," he replied as he took a seat.

Lenala returned with a bottle of ice wine and two beautiful glasses. "Since it's a special occasion..." After setting the glasses on the table she handed the bottle to him to open. "I'll serve if you can open that. I'm terrible at it." M'galec looked at the bottle appreciatively. "Are you sure I'm worth such a fine wine?" he ask with a smile. It didn't stop him from opening it, however.

"Well, I am expecting something in return," Lenala replied with a grin. Her next words, however, would have shocked any of the men who'd shared dinner with her before. "I've got a trainer of riders held captive in my dining room, and I just managed to get myself 'scored in Fall. Surely you're willing to trade some advice for some fine wine." "See, I knew you only wanted me for my brilliant mind," he teased as he poured them both a glass.

"No one's ever accused me of having one," Lenala retorted in an amused voice, transfering food to both of their plates. "I have to make do with my charm. But charm isn't going to help me lead a wing!" He smiled his thanks. "Ah, now, I would disagree. Charm is a large part of leading a wing."

"Not my kind of charm..." Lenala gave him another of her very pretty smiles and then laughed. "I don't think the queen's wing cares _how_ prettily I smile, for the most part." "Well, get to _know_ your riders. You might find that even greenriders can be charmed. Just go about it in ways other than your beautiful smile. Be open and approachable. Take an interest in your riders."

"How do you take an interest in them without it being _obvious_ that you're doing it?" Lenala could imagine the looks she'd get if she struck up a conversation with some of the greenriders in the wing... she had more than a little bad behavior to make up for. M'galec could tell that Lenala had her doubts. "Perhaps you should start out small. Remember, you should not be their _friend_, but be a caring leader. Praise their good points liberally, but don't be afraid to point out their flaws. When you ask them a question about themself, listen carefully and remember their answer. You can use it in later conversations with them, and they will be surprised to know you cared enough to truly listen."

"I'd never really thought about it that way..." It wasn't as if she hadn't been smart enough to remember every detail about the men in her life and what _they_ liked. How hard could it be to remember a few details about her riders? M'galec nodded. "Be strong when you discipline, but soft when you listen or console. I have found women respond to both strength and tenderness."

"Do we?" Lenala asked softly, her mind not on the wing anymore. "Yes, you do. And that is not a bad thing, despite what the Weyr teaches young girls. Too many women force themselves to be strong enough to survive without relying on a man's strength. But that is not how is should be." He looked at her expression carefully. "Does it bother you to hear me say that? I know some women would find that offensive."

Lenala laughed. "M'galec, I was raised to be a Lord Holder's pretty wife. I appreciate the freedom to have my own thoughts and feelings, but I'm perfectly happy being a woman." "And what a beautiful wife you would have made," he smiled. "I myself was raised to be some lady's husband, and taught from the time I was a boy that a man's place was to protect, provide, and love his woman, and a woman's place was trust, support, and love her man. I guess I can't see what's so wrong with that arrangement, even in a Weyr."

"That's the sort of sentiment that is likely to get you slapped around here," Lenala replied in an amused voice, taking a sip from her glass. "I must say, M'galec... you are an unusual bronzerider. I've found plenty of bronzeriders who are interested in loving me, but not so many who are up to protecting me." His eyebrows raised in surprise. "I don't believe I said that I was prepared to do either, Lady Lenala."

"I don't believe I asked you to," Lenala replied, her pride stung. "Besides, though I may be one of the few women who would appreciate the sentiment, I can't say I think much of any man's ability to follow through with it. In my experience, the only men who want to love and protect me are the ones who are hoping Vilarth might be able to earn them a promotion in the future." "Well, Lenala, you can certainly count me out then. I have no wish to be Weyrleader. I am far to valuable in the infirmary to waste away behind a desk or lead the charge into Thread. A gold cannot lead me to a diagnosis nor steady my hand in surgery." He shook his head and smiled. "I have no such designs for you. If I were ever to love and protect you it would be out of honest desire for _you_, not your dragon. So I guess that means our relationship is doomed." "How unfortunate," she replied stiffly. Emotions flickered over Lenala's face as she struggled to scrape together the remains of her composure.
Uncertainty, vulnerability, confusion--but most of all longing. She could hardly imagine would it would be like to feel safe again... to know that there was a man who would protect her and take care of her. It wasn't a desire she could confide to anyone else--most of the women in the Weyr would think she was mad for wanting it. M'galec didn't fail to notice her mix of emotions, and felt himself drawn to her aching need. "You know, Lenala, you are impressing me far more with the truth behind your eyes right now than you had with an evening full of your pretty smiles."

Unsure how to reply, Lenala covered her confusion by rising to refill their wine glasses. She'd started the evening in complete control of the situation, but now she had to wonder if she hadn't gotten herself into a situation she couldn't handle. When she took her seat again, it was with a pretty smile and the determination that she wouldn't let him rattle her again. "So tell me, how are the weyrlings doing?"

A slow knowing smile spread across his lips as he looked at her flushed face and forced compsure. "Oh, they're fine, Lenala." **Yes indeed. Strength and tenderness...**

Last updated on the November 7th 2005

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Strength and Tenderness