When Again We Meet

Writers: AL, Devin
Date Posted: 7th August 2025

Characters: Z'ku, Meledei
Description: The two haven’t seen each other in a while. Will their tentative peace hold?
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 6, day 7 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: F'gol, Pierka, T'nom

Z'ku

The dining hall was at its peak. Usually, fewer people lingered in the place on the later end of dinner, but that particular evening had a special guest Harper entertaining the Weyr, and more people had congregated than normal. Meledei hadn’t heard of the person, but the mass gathering had her curious. Taking the opportunity to gather some food, she noticed that the Kitchens had done well to prepare for the event. Everything was hot, fresh, and well stocked. Plucking a few meat rolls, some greens and a large baked tuber, she moved to the condiments, grabbed some napkins and utensils, then left the line and made room for others to receive sustenance.

Her eyes darted around the area, but with the mill of people, it was hard to see, especially since she really wasn’t the tallest person around. Carefully darting through the crowd, she found herself suddenly blocked off by a knot of bodies, which forced her to go around. As she did so, she almost ran into another body, but that one was far more familiar. Coming up short to prevent a collision, she shook her head, then opened her mouth to apologise. “Sorry about that.” Then, she realised who it was she ran into. His face was quite familiar. She knew the strong lines of that jaw, and always thought that his dark brown hair helped accentuate his captivating blue eyes.

At one time, they had been friends. At one time, as weyrlings, she had said he would be among the best of them. Time had proven her right. Although she hadn’t seen him before that moment, she’d heard enough to know he was doing well, and she was glad for it. Unfortunately, she wasn’t sure how he would take her well-wishes. When Z’ku expressed interest, she hadn’t been ready. She’d found herself more drawn to T’nom. Then T’nom had rejected her. Before that, F’gol. Since then, she hadn’t been with anyone else outside of flights. She expected too much. She was too much like a holder, clinging to romance, when in a Weyr, things were open, and if someone had multiple lovers outside of flights, who cared? If someone lingered with a person they caught, or who had caught them during a flight, who cared?

Meledei cared.

She realised she had been spoiled by her parents. Her father’s dragon had caught others in his time, but he never lingered, and he always returned to her mother. Up til she passed, he was madly in love with her. Was it so wrong to want something like that? Sometimes, she felt like the entire Weyr said ‘yes’.

She didn’t regret not entering into a relationship with Z’ku. She loved him, but as a good friend, not as a Weyrmate. Unfortunately, in choosing T’nom, she had hurt him, and he had not been willing to look past that. Then, Pierka entered his life, and Meledei saw that he had softened. She had forgiven him for turning his back on her as a friend, and their final interaction, previous to her departure, was amicable. But did that mean it would remain so?

Even so, she was glad to see him. In her return to the Weyr, some faces were familiar, many were not. Turnover was higher than she expected, though she was grateful for those who remained, and she was glad to see him. The question was, was he glad to see her?

“Z’ku!” A smile lit up her face, genuine in nature. “Hi!”

“Ah, Meledei.” Z’ku tried to control his expression. He wasn’t quite sure how he felt. Turns ago, he had forgiven her for her rejection and the pain it had caused, but he’d also been relieved when she transferred out. He’d avoided her until now, but he’d known a conversation with her was inevitable. “Welcome back to Dolphin Cove,” he said with a polite smile.

Meledei wasn’t sure what to expect, but she supposed the reserved greeting was about as good as she was going to get. Her smile faded a little and settled into something more reserved, a mirror of the bronzerider’s. In the past, she thought they had reconciled, and she hoped they could remain on good terms. While his response wasn’t hostile, it certainly didn’t seem particularly amiable. As nice as it was to see him, she got the distinct impression he didn’t feel the same way. She supposed time didn’t always heal old wounds. Well, she could at least be polite. “How are you? How’s Pierka?”

“She’s doing well.” Z’ku’s expression softened a little. “Did you hear we have another son?” It was easier to talk about family as he adored his weyrmate and children.

Immediately, Meledei’s expression perked up. She harboured no ill feelings toward anyone, and really, all she wanted for both Z’ku and Pierka was happiness. She knew the greenrider had a child by T’nom, but she hadn’t known about a second. “Congratulations! How old is he?”

“He’s two now, almost three,” Z’ku said. “And Kazom is just about five. He’ll be starting harper lessons soon.”

At one point, Meledei thought she would have kids. Now, however, she wasn’t certain that would ever be in the future for her. Still, she liked kids a lot, and she was pleased to see that Z’ku was thriving. “I bet they’re adorable. I’m sure you and Pierka have beautiful children. Is Kazom excited about lessons?”

“Yes. He’s eager to be a ‘big kid’ like his foster sister.” It sometimes felt like yesterday that Kazom had been a small baby in his arms. As a child, it had felt like everything moved so slow, but as a parent, time seemed to move so fast.

“I’m happy for you and Pierka.” Those words were uttered with complete sincerity, and she smiled warmly at the man who had once been her friend. Of everything, that was the only thing that she regretted, that he hadn’t been able to take her disinterest in a romance and been willing to remain as friends. “I shouldn’t keep you. Please tell her I said hello.”

“I will.” It was uncomfortable to have her at Dolphin Cove again, but he didn’t want to feel awkward every time he saw her. Meledei’s return had brought up that old hurt, and maybe he just needed a little time for it to fade again. He had a weyrmate and children, and it appeared that Meledei had . . . nothing. A dark, mean part of him found satisfaction in that, followed by a rush of shame. “I hope you find happiness here.”

“I am happy.” Meledei stated with a grin. It was true. Although she lacked a Weyrmate, or any person in a relationship, that did not mean she wasn’t. There was far more to life than romance, and Elleth filled a void that no person ever could. If someone wasn’t willing to love her and only her in a world full of people who looked upon that sort of chosen intimacy as something done with anyone they pleased, that was fine, but they didn’t deserve her - and she knew she deserved better. High strung? Maybe. Picky? Definitely. She knew what she wanted, and she wouldn’t settle for less.

Besides, coming back to Dolphin Cove filled her with even more pleasure, and she was settling back in, returning to a place that could only be called ‘home’. “And I’m happy that you have found happiness.” And that was also true. Whatever happened between them, Meledei had never hoped for anything less.

“Thank you,” he said with sincerity.

Last updated on the September 1st 2025

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When Again We Meet