Just an Kind Ear

Writers: Len, Suzee
Date Posted: 4th November 2013

Characters: Pierka, Sh'del
Description: Sh'del notices a down Pierka and talks to her
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 3, day 2 of Turn 7

Pierka

Just ahead of Sh'del was a familiar blond girl. Though she was no
longer one of his charges, he still liked to keep up with his former
charges. "Hey girl, how are you these days? How's the 'score?"

Pierka smiled up at the tall Weyrlingmaster. "Its doing pretty good,"
she said as she rolled her shoulder. There was still a little tautness
in the skin but she had almost full range of motion and no pain. "How
about you?"

"I'm good. New set of kiddies to train up. Of course they're not as
good as you lot." He grin and gave her a wink.

"Oh of course," she winked back not believing him for a moment. "I do
miss training them though. It was fun being an assistant while I was
recovering."

"It was. You were a great assistant. If you ever want to work with the
kids, let me know." He gave her a grin. There was just something about
her that had always made him want to protect her.

"Thanks!" She smiled at the Weyrlingmaster. He'd given her the chance
to redeem herself after her blooding had gone so horribly wrong. It
still amazed her that neither he nor N'vanik blamed her for almost
killing the Weyrleader. Both of them made her feel like she belonged,
like they were the uncles she'd never known. But at the Weyr there
were obvious differences in 'uncles.'

She smiled at her own vision of Liddith's last flight and waking up
with N'vanik of all people. She respected him and even feared him a
little but in that time and place he'd been gentle and even loving in
a way. He'd known exactly what she needed and given it to her. So
maybe a more mature rider like Sh'del could explain something to her.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Absolutely. Ask away."

"Why would a person who's raised in the Weyr decide to be monogamous?"

Because they're mad, was Sh'del's first thought. But he doubted that
was what Pierka wanted to hear. Instead he said, "some kids come here
from Holds and they have hang up's about it and think that the way
life is there is the right way." He gave her a quizzical look.

"Yeah, I get that." She nodded looking at her hands briefly. "But if
you're raised here... I guess what I'm trying to understand is why
Meledei would make her... T'nom promise to be only with her and no one
else outside of flights."

"Did she?"

"Yeah. She did." She shook her head in puzzlement. "I just don't
understand it. I mean, I know T'nom has a thing for her but they
haven't been together before the flight."

Sh'del sighed, as his mind went to a conclusion he just didn't like
placing on Meledei's head. "Well, a lot of times the gold riders
see_all_the bronzes as their's. I imagine there's something about
T'nom that she doesn't feel she has to share. Maybe..."

She'd never been jealous before and she didn't much like the feeling.
But something about what he said still puzzled her. "But she also
dropped Z'ku."

"Yes, well there's been feelings for her by both boys for a long time
now. Maybe him winning her last Flight was the push she needed to
decide her feelings."

"I suppose," she said. "Just bad timing for me then," and sighed.

"No, kiddo." Sh'del reached out and put a fatherly arm around her
shoulders. "You adapt and wait for someone who really wants you. Don't
worry, you're young yet, it'll come."

"I hope so," she said softly as she leaned into the fatherly embrace.

Last updated on the January 17th 2014

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Just an Kind Ear