Congratulations!

Writers: Avery, Yvonne
Date Posted: 20th June 2014

Characters: Ikalis, Alina
Description: Alina congratulates Ikalis on her promotion to Cyradis' assistant
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 7, day 13 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Cyradis, Chaysea, Saibra, Saidrene, Meledei, Kapera, Quorri

Alina

"Ikalis!" Alina called, waving her hand at her friend. The other girl was half way across the dining cavern but Alina was _dying_ to speak with her. "Ikalis!"

Ikalis turned at the sound of her name being called, and grinned when she saw Alina waving. It had been a couple days since she'd seen the holder, so she said a quick apology to the friend she'd originally planned to eat with and swerved to head the other way.

"Hey, girl," she said when she got there. "How's it going?"

"Is it true? Are you really the Weyrwoman's personal assistant?" Alina asked, a little breathless.

Word got around fast. "It's true. At least, for as long as she's with child and on bedrest. But who knows, maybe she'll like me enough to keep me."

"Eee!" Alina gave a little shreik of excitement and pulled Ikalis in for a hug. "Congratulations!"

Ikalis savored the contact and awkwardly patted Alina's back, faint feelings stirring before she squished them. "Thank you. I'm so happy to be chosen."

"It's just so good to see something good happen to someone who is actually _deserving_." Alina ended the hug, then sat on the nearest bench and pulled Ikalis down beside her. "I see so many people get rewarded just because they're pretty, or someone feels sorry for them or something-- I'm so happy for you!"

"You flatter me." A little blush started creeping up the blonde's face. "I must have impressed the Headwoman with my interview - maybe I'll make official assistant soon."

"What's she like? The Weyrwoman. Is she really bossy?"

"Not so far," Ikalis said. "She wanted some books to pass the time and I'm bringing her some custom snacks. And I did get to pass on some instructions to the staff. That was pretty fun," she admitted.

"And?" Alina was practically bouncing with curiosity.

"And what?" Ikalis wasn't sure what else her friend wanted to know. "Do you want a job like this, or something?"

"Well, sure. Who wouldn't? Being the Weyrwoman's assistant means that you're _somebody_." Alina grinned again. "But the Weyrwoman-- tell me more about her! What's she like? Is she nice? I've never even seen her, you know. Up close."

"Really?" Of course Ikalis' mind jumped to ways of subtly bringing Alina to the attention of one of the goldriders. "She's been nice to me so far - seems interested in what I do and what I have to say. Doesn't treat me like a piece of furniture or a drudge to be ordered around. All of her demands seem pretty reasonable. And I bet Panitath is nice, and any eggs of hers will be great."

The candidate sighed, a little dreamily. "That's just so amazing. I hope she keeps you on after the baby is born. She'd better!"

"I hope so too," she admitted. Being the Weyrwoman's assistant was maybe even better than the Headwoman's.

"You know, if you wanted to do something similar, you could always approach one of the other goldriders," she said after a moment. "Bring them something nice to eat, carry their laundry up special, something like that."

"Hmm..." Alina wasn't entirely comfortable approaching Saibra. It would be weird if she did get the position since she also went to classes with Saidrene.
Meledei was barely older than she was-- what sort of influence did she have, and would it be worth cultivating her friendship? And then there was the new goldrider... "Maybe I'll see if I can do something for Kapera. Do you know anything about her?"

This was juicy news that Ikalis didn't mind sharing. "She was Weyrwoman of Dragonsfall and then stepped down after only a couple Turns. People said it was 'cause she didn't like the cold, but I heard from my sister's friend that she nearly _died_. Some kind of fever. Guess that's why she's here in the tropics."

"Wow. Poor Kapera." The candidate shook her head. "That must be so hard... to have to lose an entire Weyr over something as stupid as a fever. Not to mention your life."

"Some fevers are pretty scary. I bet it was something like firehead, but that's usually from warm areas," Ikalis mused. "At least it's better than cracking your shell. One of Dolphin Cove's Weyrwomen did that, you know."

"Really?" Alina made a 'tetch' sound. "We never heard _anything_ at Nadol. Nothing real, anyway. By the time that we hear that a Weyrwoman's been replaced, they've already been gone for over a month. And that's when we get news quickly."

Oh, this was going to be fun. "She tried to take herself /between/ and got dragged off to a mind healing hall," she confessed in a low tone, trying for the dramatic. "And then the next one just up and left! Decided she wanted to be somewhere else. Cyradis has herself sorted out, though." There was real admiration in the last.

"And thank goodness for that! I can't believe a _Weyrwoman_ was cracked enough to try to go /between/." Of all the women on Pern, the Weyrwomen had it best - not only were they pampered, but they had power. Most women were lucky if they got to boss their husband around. Apparently some just couldn't take it. "And I can't believe how fast the Weyrs go through Weyrwoman at all. It seems like every time you turn around, there's someone new. I know they work hard, but it can't be _that_ bad."

"Golds can be pretty high-strung and needy. Maybe they pick high-strung women who can match them. Some do and are solid and long-lasting, others crack early and have to get moved out. I guess dragons aren't perfect."

That made Alina laugh. "Please, please tell that to some of the other candidates. All I hear about in the barracks now is how perfect everyone's lives will be once they Impress!"

She grinned in response. "They're full of it. It means lots of hard, sweaty work, until you want to fall over. But at least you know someone loves you. That has to make up for a lot." She was happy with having a flit.

"That's what sisters are for." There wasn't a stronger bond than that of a twin. Even when they were separated. She bumped Ikalis' shoulder with her own, and grinned. "And friends."

Ikalis smiled back, her cheeks crinkling. "Thanks. But seriously, if you want something else to do - what's the harm in asking Chaysea or one of the goldriders? If you don't Impress and leave, well, it's got to be good for the resume?" Even if she wanted Alina to stay forever and not go back to being marriage fodder.

"I think I will," Alina said. She hadn't had much luck with Quorri, but Headwomen changed. And nothing good ever happened unless you tried.

Last updated on the June 28th 2014

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