Don't Need Perks

Writers: AL, Francesca
Date Posted: 21st November 2009

Characters: G'len, Meledei
Description: Meledei gets the upcoming schedule from G'len and the two talk for a bit.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 5, day 3 of Turn 5

"Here's the schedule for two sevendays from now, when we'll be doing night flights," the Weyrlingmaster Third said to Meledei as soon as she entered the office. G'len was continually grateful for the goldrider for taking the initiative to make and update the weyrling schedule for everyone to see. He would make sure the same occurred
for the next weyrling class, even if he had to volunteer someone himself.

"Thank you, sir." Meledei accepted the parchment and glanced over the script written upon it. "Night flights - that should prove interesting."

"Yes," he grinned. Interesting was one way to describe it. "Yet another chance to practice trusting your dragon."

"Oh I trust her." There was no room for distrust in that relationship. "It's myself that I don't trust, and even so, we can make mistakes. Still, you guys have pulled us through so much already, this is simply the next step, right?"

G'len successfully kept the pain from his face at the comment. Adari had trusted him and that hadn't been enough to pull her back out from /between/. "We do what we can," he said after a moment, keeping his voice light. "But," his voice more serious, "you should also trust in your own abilities. We would hold you back if we didn't think you were perfectly capable," and Meledei and Elleth were watched especially carefully.

"I know." Though Meledei knew that few weyrlings had complete confidence in themselves - even her. She tried to keep her chin up and not let those insecurities cloud her, though. That could be almost as dangerous as over confidence. "And I try. It's not always easy."

The Weyrlingmaster Third nodded in agreement. "It's just another of the zillion things to work on, not just during weyrling training, but for the rest of your life." He smiled. "How are you doing with everything?" They were in the middle of the most stressful time of training, the final push before graduation.

"I seem to be in a nearly constant state of fatigue, but otherwise I'm fine." Meledei, like all the other candidates, always looked forward to rest days - more so even now it seemed.

"If that's the only problem, you're in great shape," he said with a satisfied nod. "And, the end is in sight."

"Yes." Meledei nodded slowly. In sight, but sometimes it still seemed so very far away. "And I can only assume from what I've seen that it just gets easier."

"It does," he assured her. "Do you have any post-graduate plans yet? Any places you want to visit?" All of Pern would be open to her.

"I'm not sure yet." Meledei admitted. She supposed most of her peers had all sorts of things they wanted to do. She'd never been that restricted thanks to her father, so perhaps that's why she hadn't made any grand plans as of yet. "I guess I'll think of something later.

"Well, there's often a Gather going on somewhere or another. And, there's the Tavern at the Vintner Hall," he suggested. "It's a nice place to relax." Once this class graduated he would be sure to pay a visit. It had been too long.

"I've never been to the Tavern." Meledei knew of it, but her father didn't really go and she'd never had a reason to before. Still, it might be nice to visit and maybe she and F'gol could pick out some wine from the Hall. "You've been there?"

"I'm a regular. I even managed to get into their Turns End celebration." His smile broadened as he remember that night. "If you mention my name there, you probably won't get a discount, but they will treat you well. Of course, being a goldrider, I'm sure you'll get the royal treatment anyway. One of the perks of the job."

"I don't need perks, I don't mind being a regular person." One of the problems with being a goldrider was the so called 'perks'. Meledei didn't necessarily _want_ all the attention she got, but she handled it with as much grace as she could muster. Of course, she wasn't necessarily 'graceful' at it at all in her mind. "Maybe I'll suggest to F'gol we go there."

"I'm sure you'll both enjoy it. It can be relaxing to leave the Weyr every once and awhile."

"Thanks for the advice, sir." Meledei smiled at the Weyrlingmaster third. "I'll tell F'gol about it and see what he says."

He smiled and nodded. "Now, go enjoy the little free time we give you." He needed to get back to hidework. "Unless you have any questions?"

Meledei shook her head as she tucked the hides under her arm. "No sir, thank you." With a grin, the young woman turned upon her heel and headed out to do exactly as he said - enjoy her limited free time.

Last updated on the November 30th 2009

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Don't Need Perks