A Different Subject

Writers: AL, Jane
Date Posted: 27th April 2009

Characters: Meledei, K'hetah
Description: K'hetah and Meledei have a bit of conversation before curfew.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 2, day 22 of Turn 5

"Weyrling weyrwoman," K'hetah said with a tone that was teasing despite the perfectly correct form of address. "What are you up to this evening? _Not_ star gazing, I take it?" he continued, for though the rain of the day had eased the night sky was still obscured by a thick blanket of cloud that didn't even allow the moonlight to reach the Weyrbowl.

"Oh I just needed a bit of fresh air before curfew." Stargazing was nigh impossible on such a night. Meledei wondered if they would be blessed with more rain. The weyrling motioned to a spot on the rock beside her. "Sit down and keep me company?"

"Only if you'll guarantee that rock is safe." He cautiously settled beside her. "I don't want to end up in the bed next to Zelle."

"I've been sitting here for the past quarter hour and haven't fallen into any trouble." Meledei pointed out with a grin. "How is Zelle anyway?" Meledei didn't know the greenrider well, but she had seemed of the cheerful sort.

"She's got the sort of injuries that will take a very long time to come right, sadly, and so nothing's improving very fast," he admitted. "It's crazy but if she'd had an arm or leg amputated she'd be up and around by now."

"Really?" Meledei's eyes widened - was it really that bad? "How is amputation so much faster?"

"Because the part causing the pain is gone. The torn flesh and broken bones - or the infection. The wound, if no infection develops, is a simple, clean one that heals quite well. And it's important to get people moving after that sort of thing. But Zelle's hurt her back. Nearly any movement pains her and the torn muscles and ligaments are slower to heal than broken bones."

"I didn't realise that." Meledei would have thought an amputation would have taken longer to hear. She was wrong - K'hetah had been a healer before he was a dragonrider. "How long do you think she'll be stuck in that infirmary?"

"Months. Well, perhaps not in the infirmary, but she won't be right for months. This isn't a very cheerful subject, young Meledei."

"No, it's not." Meledei agreed, "I'm sorry. Do you want to change to a different subject?"

"I do. Like what?" he asked with a laugh, not having something ready at hand. "Back to the stars that we can't see?"

"They're probably changing their positions right now just to confuse us." Meledei mused as she turned her gaze skyward though the clouds refused to yield.

"As the Red Star did, I suppose, to confuse all of Pern."

"And what confusion it did cause." Meledei and the rest of Pern could have done without it. "I guess I'd best get back before it gets too late. I'd hate to get into trouble because I was late for curfew."

"Are you supposed to be setting an example?" he asked, getting down from the rock.

"I do try." Meledei slid off the rock after K'hetah and turned in the direction of the barracks. "I never did relish being a troublemaker."

"Sometimes that comes to us whether we relish it or not. Good night, Meledei."

Last updated on the April 28th 2009

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A Different Subject