A Woman's Tools

Writers: Heather
Date Posted: 8th May 2024

Characters: K'yne, Saibra
Description: Saibra asks a large favor of K'yne.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 1, day 28 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentioned: T'lonas, M'thos, G'nir, Kadira, Naradis

K'yne

Saibra

"How's the thumb?" Saibra asked as she swung into K'yne's office without asking.

The brownrider barely spared the Weyrwoman a glance as he finished
signing off on the latest set of Wing sweep reports. "It's intact."
And that was honestly the truth of it. The appendage was still wrapped
and doing anything with his left hand was out of the question. He was
also still grounded from 'fall because of it, but at least he had
plenty of time to catch up on his hidework.

Saibra studied the brownrider's countenance. Dark, glossy blonde hair
combed to perfection, sterling blue eyes focused on the task at hand,
chiseled jawline.... She sighed. It was a shame she kinda hated him
and sorta loved him all at the same time. Things really were a lot
easier before he moved to Dragonsfall.

"How is Keriv?" she asked.

This brought the first hint of a smile to the Wingsecond's face. He
couldn't help it. Mention of his son warmed a place inside him he'd
thought dead. "He's perfect, of course. I don't know if it's like this
for everyone," he sat back, looking her square in the eye for the
first time, "or if I'm just incredibly biased, but every time I walk
into the creche to see him, I can't help but notice how he's the
best-looking kid there. Like, hands down. Not even a contest."

Saibra chuckled, knowing exactly what he meant. "I think that's how
parents are supposed to feel about their children. It's certainly how
I've felt about all of mine. I continually see other children and
think 'yikes, how unfortunate!' Not very gracious, I know, but that's
the truth."

A silence settled between them, a comfortable one born of the many
years of familiarity between them.

"What do you want, Saibra?" he asked.

The Weyrwoman hesitated for a moment, studying his face. She knew the
power she held over him. Whatever she asked of him, he would do it,
even if it wasn't what he wanted, he would do it for her. That was
always unspoken between them.

"I need you to do something for me. A big favor, you might call it."

K'yne winced. "I already don't like where this is going. What is it?"

"I need you to resign your position as Cobalt Wingsecond."

The brownrider gave a long, exaggerated blink. "Say what now?"

"I need you to resign as Wingsecond. For real. Like, seriously."
Saibra's face certainly looked serious enough, as if she wasn't
joking.

"Why?" he asked slowly, drawling the word.

Saibra's most winning, I-need-something-so-don't-be-mad smile came
across her face. "I'd like for you to resign as Wingsecond so you can
take up the Weyrlingmaster's Third position."

K'yne's didn't show a hint of emotion as he sat, calmly blinking at her.

"Well?" she prodded. "Are you just going to blink? Will you do it?"

"Will I do it?" K'yne exclaimed. "You've not even given me a reason to
yet. And going from Wingsecond to Weyrlingmaster's Third seems like
quite a demotion to me."

"I know, it is, you're right, but... With G'nir gone, T'lonas has
stepped into the Weyrlingmaster position and to be honest with you...
I don't know how much I trust him, or M'thos. I _need_ you to be the
Weyrlingmaster's Third so you can keep an eye on them. Make sure
they're properly teaching and supervising the Weyrlings. I _cannot_
have another fiasco happen like what went down between Kadira and
Naradis." Saibra's eyes took on a large quality, like a begging
feline, as she looked at K'yne. "I need someone I can trust."

K'yne's eyes narrowed. He couldn't believe she was going to play that
card with him. **Someone she trusts? Ha!**

"And just think," the Weyrwoman continued quickly, "your routine would
be more set and as a Weyrlingmaster's _Third_ you'd have more time for
Keriv." She couldn't _make_ him do it, the Weyrwoman didn't appoint
Weyrlingmasters, but she could _emotionally manipulate_ him to do it,
and sometimes a woman had to use all the tools at her disposal.

She watched as he leaned his head back and closed his eyes. For one
awful moment, she thought she might have overplayed her hand, that
K'yne would finally tell her no... but then...

"Agh!" His eyes snapped open. "Fine. I'll do it, but only because more
time with Keriv sounds perfect." There was also less risk of dying
from Threadfall working with the Weyrlings, and now that he had a son,
K'yne wanted to be around a long time to watch his son's life develop.

Saibra jumped up to her feet. "Perfect! Now, I want you to keep
detailed notes on _everything_ that T'lonas and M'thos do.
_Everything_."

K'yne groaned.

"I'll expect a report each sevenday."

"A report?!"

Saibra flashed a smile, but he knew that she was absolutely serious
about the ludicrous demand.

"I owe you one, K'yne," she said as she made to leave.

"Saibra," his voice stopped her. "This is your last favor... for like
ten Turns, at least."

She laughed as she turned and left. **We'll see about that.**

Last updated on the May 9th 2024

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