All That She Wanted (1/2)

Writers: Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 9th May 2019

Characters: Y'gel, Urlene, Solmon
Description: Urlene gets promoted and celebrates
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 10, day 25 of Turn 9
Notes: Part 1/2

Y'gel

Urlene

After the surgery, Urlene cleaned up, bathed and settled in her small
quarters, her head in shaking hands. The remaining energy from the
surgery was familiar. Her knees knocked, her hands shook and there was
a mild ache behind her eyes as a result from the intense focus it had
required. Any time she performed a new procedure, or a potentially
difficult one, it was the same. Right now, the remaining euphoria
would be the most difficult to deal with; she'd never been able to
find a way to release it without the accompanying shakes.

Y'gel knocked on her door. It had been a while since she'd left the
Infirmary and he was hoping she hadn't laid down. His uncle was with
him and they smiled at one another as they waited.

She rarely received visitors, so thinking it was Chaysea coming to
check on her, she lifted her head. "Come in. I'll get the tea ready in
just a moment." She rose, still feeling her pulse pound in her veins,
but steadied her knees.

"Urlene?" Y'gel said as he cracked the door open. "Master Solmon
wanted to see you before he goes."

"Y'gel?" That was a surprise. "Please come in, you're both welcome."
She faced the door, one hand steadying herself against the table.

He swung the door wide and then stepped back to allow his uncle to
precede him into the room.

Solmon smiled and walked in holding out his hand. "Congratulations on
a well-performed surgery."

Urlene offered the Master Healer a restrained, but still warm smile,
then took his hand. Her fingers still trembled, but her grip was
firm. "Thank you Master Solmon."

"You're very welcome my dear," he said. "And I'm happy to award you
these," his hand came out from behind his back with Master's knots
dangling from his fingers. "You have proven your expertise in
practice. And although the Healer Hall doesn't officially recognize
female crafters, I can tell you that you are one of the finest
Surgeons I have ever been privileged to see in action."

Y'gel just grinned at them both.

Her mouth parted in absolute shock, the trembling fingers reaching out
for the proffered knots. She could hardly believe her eyes; she'd
expected turns more of study without much hope that Pacham would reward
her with what Solmon had just offered her. Her reserve faltered then
cracked, revealing a wide, openly happy smile that lit her eyes. Her
fingers closed over the knots and she brought them to her chest as
though they were the most precious thing she'd ever received. "Thank
you. Thank you so very much, Master Solmon."

"You earned it, gel," he nodded.

"Congratulations Master Urlene," Y'gel smiled and showed her a bottle
of good stuff. "Got any glasses?"

Her brows rose at the offering, but she beamed at Y'gel's use of her
new title. She very rarely imbibed, but _this _, this was the time to
do it. To celebrate! She nodded, then waved them at her table. So
elated and still feeling the residual euphoria, she even forgot her
irritation towards Y'gel at the previous day's deception. It mattered
little at the moment. Going for the cupboard, she pulled three
glasses, sitting one for Master Solmon in the most comfortable table
chair and two more for herself and Y'gel at the bench on the opposite
side. "I don't know what else to say."

Y'gel unstoppered the bottle and poured them a generous two fingers
each. "Go slowly, this has a kick," he grinned and took a small sip.
The flavor of sweet almonds wafted up the back of his throat with a
touch of redfruit and made his eyes water.

Watching him, Urlene eyed the glass but lifted it to her lips. She
sipped, then gasped as the burn of the liqueur slid down her throat.
"Sweet Faranth and her first Clutch, what is that?"

"The Vintners have some fancy name for it but basically its called
Little Bitter. Made from fruit pits with pure alcohol and herbs and
fruits. It tastes like almonds but it isn't," he grinned at her "and
it will settle your euphoria with just the one glass."

"Little known healer secret," Solmon lifted his glass with a matching grin.

Now that the burn had faded, she could appreciate the flavor and
licked it off her lower lip. It was sweet, and she promptly decided
that she liked it. "Never heard of it." She carefully took another
sip and allowed it to linger in her mouth for a longer moment before
swallowing. "_This_ is what you use?" She exhaled slowly, then
offered a light laugh, feeling relaxed and truly happy for the first
time in turns. "I need to remember it."

"This one's for you," Y'gel smiled and pushed the bottle closer to
her. "Traditional gift in our family."

Urlene took the bottle, smiling with appreciation, but remembered the
manners that had been ingrained in her. "Thank you. I'm honored."
She took another careful sip and her eyes watered a bit, but noticed
some of the trembling in her fingers had lessened. She then glanced at
the two grinning men and arched a brow. "You both have the same grin.
It's like Stitch when he gets into his treats." She pointed up to the
firelizard who slept sprawled out on a ledge with a bulging stomach.

Solmon chuckled. "It was mine first," he dimpled at her and winked.
"But I don't have the stamina for more than one glass anymore. So, I
think I'll excuse myself and go get some rest. It's been a long day."

"Good night Uncle," Y'gel smiled and lifted his glass for another sip.
This was not the Hall so he didn't feel obligated to leave with his
uncle to protect the lady's reputation. Besides, she had a reputation
for preferring other company or at least that was what he'd heard.

Last updated on the June 15th 2019

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All That She Wanted (1/2)