Gossip Girls

Writers: Halyonix, Shawna
Date Posted: 17th January 2026

Characters: Zariah, Vaile
Description: Zariah and Vaile catch up
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 10, day 24 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: K'far, T'gyrlan

Notes:
~*~

"I've got wine!" Vaile called as Liranth landed on Relsath's ledge.

"I've got cookies!" Zariah said brightly. "Come on in. So what's going on? It sounded urgent?"

"It isn't but you ever have just one of those days where you want to complain about the pettiests of things?" Vaile answered as she sat and began uncorking the wine. "Today is one of those days. I could probably blame it all on that time of the month coming but who cares."

"Oh, I think everyone has had one of those days," Zariah said as she set out some wine glasses. "I probably have something a little stronger around, too, if you're interested." She also plopped a tray of cookies onto her table.

"Wine's fine. I have sweep in the morning and I don't want to do it hungover. But thank you," Vaile replied. She took a cookie and bit into it, then hummed happily as she settled into releasing the day. "We'll start with children and why we always say we want them but shells, can they be stubborn some days."

"And then sometimes they aren't stubborn, and they do exactly what you want, and that's almost worse!" Zariah said in an exasperated tone. "Raleri loves the Hall. She doesn't even want to come home for Turns End anymore!" Zariah took a swig from her wine and immediately topped it off.

"She's where again, Printer Hall? That's a good place for her. There's so much going on over there with the books. Is she liking it?"

"Loves it. She can't stop talking about the presses. I don't understand half of it, but she's happy. And too busy to visit with her mother." Zariah sighed. "What have yours been doing to stress you?"

"Moraile has learned the word 'no' and Miravaile has decided that she doesn't need a parent or an escort in the form of Liranth -- she's just going to wander off to places. Which..." Vaile sighed. "Before the Holdless arrived, I was _fine_ with that and I know that not all of them are bad people but..." She exhaled in frustration again. "You understand where I'm coming from as a mother on this, right?"

"I do," Zariah said. "Sure, I'm sure it's not any of the childrens' fault, but for most of them, there's a reason they're holdless, you know? That did make sending Raleri away a little easier," she admitted. "The Printer Hall isn't likely to be overrun with the shady sort the way the candidate barracks have been I hear."

"Glad I'm not a Weyrlingmaster or staff in any sort," Vaile answered. "I cannot imagine the time they'll have if the Holdless Impress. I'm _still_ surprised that they were allowed!"

"It's hard enough with holder Weyrlings, but at least they understand rules and a schedule," Zariah agreed. "And after all that fuss they made about making two searchriders agree for a search, and they still wound up with a pack of Holdless!"

"Shells, I hope this doesn't become a thing," Vaile griped. "Can you imagine if they ask us to Search Holdless camps? Thank Faranth I'm not a Wingleader either because I can't imagine having to enforce the rules with people who were used to not having any." She took a big drink. "Here's hoping that new lot of them learn how to work as a team before they graduate into the Wings, else we're in a world of hurt."

"Eh, I just turned in all my search tokens when they decided we needed a buddy system, so they can find someone else to scout out the holdless camps. If they don't trust me to do it without a babysitter, I won't do it at all. And after I brought them a little goldrider and everything!" Zariah huffed as she topped off Vaile's drink.

"I bet Relsath is still pleased with herself over that one," Vaile chuckled. She bit into a cookie and hummed appreciatively. "The kitchens always know what to make when we need it the most. If I was a cook, I would pay some good marks for this recipe."

"Only when she sees her and remembers," Zariah said with an amused shake of her head. "Well, since I made them, I can get you the recipe. I still have all those lower Caverns connections," she said with a wink. "Just don't tell my sister."

Vaile laughed. "Why is that? Is she jealous that you're a better baker?"

Zariah looked dramatically aghast, "Don't you dare suggest that." The mock-horror disappeared and she laughed, "No, it's just her recipe. She'd have charged you. Or told you it was a 'kitchen secret'."

"They always say that," Vaile replied with a chuckle. "To be fair though, it kind of is. _I_ certainly wouldn't know how to do anything this good. All I'm good for is feeding Liranth firestone and making sure that Moraile doesn't run off without his pants."

"Baking isn't so hard, but I know what you mean. You're one up on me- Zerias has absolutely done the naked run down the hallway on me," Zariah said with a laugh. "He grew out of that, at least. How have you been, though? Any new excitement with K'far?"

"Shells, I hope Moraile grows out of it quickly. It's only warm for so long here," Vaile muttered. At the mention of K'far, her eyes lit up, though she tried to hide it behind her hand as she swallowed her bite. "Good! It's good. We..." She paused as a slight blush appeared. "Torth caught Liranth on her last flight and K'far, well, he said he loves me so, that's...that's definitely new."

"Awww," Zariah gushed, raising her glass for a toast, "That's sweet. Cheers to a little romance!"

Vaile's blush deepened. "I was so...scared...to try dating someone again after M'vel but K'far, he's...he's great with the kids, he's romantic, he's even-keeled, he's patient with me." She paused, tapping her index finger in thought. "I really needed someone like that. Need someone like that."

Zariah beamed at her friend, "Good! Has he... met the kids? That's a big step. Kids ask the really uncomfortable questions."

"He has and he loves them. And they love him! He's great with them, honestly. It's like..." Vaile paused as a familiar look of wistful longing crossed her face. "It's almost like it was when M'vel was alive."

"Oh, I'm so glad. We should plan something. Maybe a Gather trip, you, K'far, me, T'gyrlan. It'll be fun," Zariah offered her friend another cookie.

"That sounds like a great idea! K'far and I have been trying to find a good Gather to go to next. We may not be able to make it out of the Weyr every restday but our outings have been nice. We could go Turn's End shopping."

"I'll keep an eye out on my book rounds and see where is having the next big Gather and let you know. Speaking of rounds, you'll never guess the gossip I heard about Emerald Falls..."

Last updated on the February 8th 2026

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