Pasties and Milk

Writers: Chelle, AL
Date Posted: 8th March 2011

Characters: Meledei, Qorri
Description: The two of them sit down and talk about the changes.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 13, day 27 of Turn 5
Notes: Mentioned: Traelyn, Janani

Meledei shifted the parchment from one arm to the other, then lifted her
free hand to rap at the door. The recent events were still upon her mind,
but that wasn't so hard to understand. It was a big change. A huge change.
And a sudden one. People still gossiped about it, still whispered in the
corners of the halls. Even Meledei had gotten a few strange looks. The
young goldrider shook her head and slipped through the door once given
permission. She knew what they were thinking. And she didn't like it.

"I have those records for you, Qorri," the girl announced as she stepped
through, lifting the parchment a little higher for better view.

"Good...now I can compare them to the ones from last Turn." She set them
in the pile, taking a drink from her glass. "You look down. Need a pasty?"

Meledei's lips quirked up. She couldn't help it. The woman knew her weak
spot. "A pasty would be great." No point in rejecting an offer like that.
The goldrider took the opportunity to plop down into a seat. "Thanks."

Qorri produced a small tray, handing it over. She took one for herself,
chewing slowly. It was natural that the young goldrider would be affected by
Traelyn's leaving. Qorri didn't know if Meledei had many people to speak to
about things like that. She wouldn't pry, but if the girl wanted to share,
she'd listen.

"You're too good to me." Meledei's hand was quick to pluck a pasty from
that tray and the girl took a bite, diving into the wondrous world of sugar.
"I try hard not to go to the kitchen too much for these." She admitted with
a grin in between bites.

"So how are you, girl? We haven't had a real chat in awhile." Qorri served
as a fostermother even though she had never had any of her own. In many
ways, though, all the Weyr's younglings were hers.

Meledei shrugged and lowered her gaze to her pasty which now had a nice
big bite out of it. "I'm doing all right. Still getting used to things,
but it's not horrendous or anything."

"Right, I think we're all getting used to it. Time goes on, though, and the
dragons know what they're doing, we hope." Qorri still hadn't made up her
mind about Janani, not really.

"Yeah, they do." Except when they chose someone like Traelyn maybe?
Didn't her condition mean something was wrong with her to begin with?
Or was it something else? Meledei wrinkled her nose and nibbled at the
pasty, her enthusiasm draining. "It's just weird."

"Like how?" Qorri asked, curious.

Meledei lifted her gaze, eyes winking from behind the veil of her lashes.
"Well. I guess...for a long time, I was wishing Traelyn would leave Dolphin
Cove." She admitted this softly, well out of hearing of anyone who might
hover at the door. And she trusted Qorri would not repeat it to anyone.
"And it's just weird that it happened. Though not in the way I expected."

"Well dear, this isn't your fault so don't worry about it. Now we just have
to see if the new one will work out. She impressed at Dragonsfall, same as
Traelyn did." And that, Qorri didn't like.

Meledei wrinkled her nose. "Yeah, well, that's where the similarity ends,
and thank Faranth for that." Meledei picked at the pasty, then took another
bite. "I know it's not my fault. I don't blame myself. I blame _her_."

"And what about the new one? You've been around her more than I have."
Qorri needed to know what to expect. She didn't like surprises.

"I like her. A lot more than Traelyn." The distaste in Meledei's voice
couldn't be hidden, but she was a lot more relaxed around Qorri. "Best of
all, she actually takes the time to work with me on things and teach me what
I need to know. Traelyn never did that."

"And Jyramikah...I suppose you'll be taking her place then hm? No one else
unless they find another from somewhere." Qorri didn't think Meledei was
ready yet, but sometimes things happened before one was ready.

"Me? Be Weyrwoman Second?" Meledei's eyes got wide and she shook her
head. "I doubt it. I'm really young. Have you ever heard of an eighteen
turn goldrider being Weyrwoman second? Besides, I don't think I have enough
training under my belt."

"Actually, yes. The Records say that during a Pass it has happened before.
Telgar had a seventeen turn Weyrwoman during the third Pass," Qorri
answered, wondering what Meledei would think about that.

"Really?" Meledei straightened and tilted her head to the side as she
sifted through her memories. That was not something she remembered reading.
"I'll have to research that. Sounds interesting."

"There were a lot of interesting things back then. Of course when the Passes
start, we lose a lot of dragons, just as we did this time. So I suppose when
things are necessary..."

"Well, hopefully it won't come to that. I know eventually I might have to
hold a position with such authority and responsibility, but I also know I'm
not qualified for it yet." And wouldn't be for a long time. Meledei had the
confidence that she knew she would be eventually, but the wisdom to know it
wasn't yet. "Anyway, I think things will be better now, to be honest."

"I hope so, but I'm reserving judgment." She finished off her pasty and
drank a bit of milk.

"I guess there's always wisdom in being cautious." Meledei managed a
smile and finished off her pasty. Then she took a sip of milk. "Anyway,
there any other records you need pulled while I'm here to tell me about it?"

"Not for the moment, but if I do, I'll let you know. The tithe trains will
come in tomorrow so I'll be dealing with that all day most likely." She was
glad, though. That meant they would eat.

"Ah, then I have some copying to look forward to as well." Meledei managed
a half smile. "The joy. The rapture. I can't get enough of it. Blah blah
blah. Shall I go on?" She pushed aside her empty glass and stood. "I should
_get_ on though rather than yammering the day away at you. Thanks for the
pasty and milk though."

"Welcome. You know you could always ask some starry-eyed harper apprentice
to do it for. Being a goldrider and all.." She gave Meledei a wink and
grinned.

"I _could_ but then I would be shirking part of my job." Meledei's half
smile turned into a grin and she shrugged. "Besides, there are other parts of
this that are more fun." One hand flicked her hair behind her shoulder. "And
when I need another pasty and some more milk, I'll come right to you."

"Go on with you then so I can tell everyone how awful you are. Shirking
duties!" She was teasing and it showed.

Last updated on the January 28th 2012

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Pasties and Milk