A Proposition

Writers: Avery, Yvonne
Date Posted: 2nd July 2014

Characters: Kapera, Alina
Description: Alina makes her move
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 7, day 18 of Turn 7

Kapera

Alina

This was it. Alina had been headed up to the higher levels of the Weyr anyway, and it was as good an excuse as any to seek out the newest goldrider. She'd been returning some laundry, and had found a few tunics and scarves belonging to Kapera in the laundry that she could bring up. Between that, and the jug of mint-and-citrus water cold enough that beads of water rolled down the sides, she hoped to make an impression.

Taking a deep breath to mentally compose herself, she transferred the tray to one hand and knocked on the goldrider's door.

"Come in," Kapera called. She wasn't expecting anyone at the moment, so she put on her best professional face, wondering who she'd find.

"Um. Goldrider?" Alina entered the room, then curtsied awkwardly. It was hard to be graceful with a bag of laundry slung over one shoulder and a heavy tray of water in your hands. "I have your laundry. And I thought you might want something cold, since it's hot today."

Kapera gestured for the girl to set things at the small table and smiled. "That was very thoughtful of you..." her eyes flicked to check the knots, "Candidate. What's your name?"

"Alina, Goldrider." Remembering the poise that her mother had drilled into her, Alina held her head high as she crossed the room to slip the tray onto Kapera's desk. "Where would you like your laundry?"

"Against the door," the goldrider said, pointing at the door into the smaller sleeping room. "Thank you for bringing me the drink, Alina. What is it?"

"Citrus and mint with water," the candidate said over her shoulder as she carried the bag into the other room. Placing it against the door, she took a moment to sneak a peek at the room. The bed was huge and looked luxurious, and the wardrobe... she felt a little pang of disappointment that the door was closed. Kapera probably had a beautiful wardrobe, and it would likely put the rack of work dresses she'd so recently looked through to shame. "My mother used to make it all the time. It was popular when she was a girl at Emerald Falls Hold."

"That sounds good." Kapera poured herself some and tasted it. "It's tasty!" she exclaimed. "Your mother knows her drinks, and taught you well."

"Thank you." Alina felt a little rush of pride on her mother's behalf. Her mother had always been too good for a backwater Cothold like Nadol. Reluctantly she returned to the main room. "I like minty drinks on hot days. I find them very refreshing."

"You're both very wise. Please, take a seat," Kapera added. "I'd like to know those who might Impress to Riyanth's hatchlings." Even if Alina might to Panitath's, first.

Alina blinked, but did as she was bid. Were all Weyrwomen so friendly? "Thank you. You flatter me."

"Tell me a little about yourself," she suggested. "Are you hold-bred?"

The candidate nodded. "From Nadol Cothold. They farm." She hesitated briefly, then, bolstered by Kapera's apparent interest, asked, "And yourself, Goldrider? Were you from Hold or Weyr?"

"Farming," she said contemplatively. "My family was from a minor hold that did orchards."

"Redfruit?" Alina guessed. It was somehow comforting to know that Kapera had come from somewhere that wasn't much bigger or fancier than her own home, and she'd somehow Impressed a gold dragon and now had a weyr bigger than her family's entire cottage.

After a moment, Kapera nodded. There were enough holds that did that that it wasn't too identifiable, she hoped. "I always knew I wasn't meant to be a holder's wife, but I didn't expect where I wound up in the end."

Alina smiled down at her hands. What about someone who _was_ meant to be a holder's wife? "But you _are_ the right rider for Riyanth."

"And I enjoy some of the paperwork, which believe me, not everyone does." She laughed slightly, then considered the girl before her. "Why did you accept Search?"

Her hands tightened a little in her lap. She'd been told to go, and so she had. Her father's word was to be obeyed. But they'd kept her twin behind, and neither she nor Elana had a choice. But everything that Alina had learned at the Weyr told her that if she told the Goldrider the truth, her family would be dishonoured -- and they wouldn't understand why. And so she did the only thing she could do: lie. "It's my duty to Pern," she said, looking up and meeting Kapera's eyes.

"And if you don't Impress at Panitath's, will you stay for the next?" she wondered. For her clutch, was what she was thinking. A respectful greenrider who might pay attention to the world around her and not be continually distracted like some of the randy ones... she didn't notice the hypocrisy in her own thoughts. "Or would you prefer to go home?"

Alina blinked, startled. "I can't go home. I have to stay."

"Your family won't take you back?" she guessed.

She shook her head. "Of course my family would. But after living at a Weyr no one else would, so there would be no point."

"You could make whatever you wanted of yourself here," the goldrider told her. "If you wanted to stay and start a Craft, you could."

The candidate took a deep breath. "That's what I intend to do. Maybe not a Craft, but... something." **Somehow.** She was a little old to start Crafting, even if she wanted to.

"You'd certainly do well as an assistant. Maybe helping some of the riders..." Kapera shrugged. "Use the time before the Hatching to look into what you might want to do after," she advised.

If that wasn't an opening, then nothing was. "I could... be your assistant?"

That hadn't been where her mind had originally gone, but she liked the idea. Alina didn't have the background of a lady in waiting, but she had a lady's skillsets. And it might be interesting to spend time with someone who was hold bred and still felt that way. "Are you trained for such tasks already?"

"I'm good with paperwork, and I'm clever. I can sew, and mend clothes, and I can do hair. Anything you ask I can do, or learn to do quickly, and I know when to keep my mouth shut." Alina sat up a little straighter. "Nadol Cothold is small, but my mother was trained at Emerald Falls Hold. She was a lady's maid there."

"That is quite the pedigree." She realized what that sounded like and wished she could take it back. No girl should be referred to like that... "I'd love to have you work for me. I can let the Headwoman know so your assignments reflect it."

Alina couldn't quite keep her grin hidden. "Thank you. I won't let you down, m'lady."

Kapera poured herself more of the flavored water and gave the candidate a reassuring smile. "Just wait until you have to help bathe a gold dragon..." she teased.

Even the thought of having to flounder around in the water wasn't enough to wipe the smile from her face. "I know I'll manage."

"Excellent. I shall make the arrangements then, and have you informed." This was going to be interesting, indeed.

Last updated on the July 15th 2014

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A Proposition