Stepping Down...For Now

Writers: Ames, Suzee
Date Posted: 10th July 2014

Characters: Kenza, D'ale
Description: Kenza steps down as Wingthird but not before accepting a little challenge as her last duty
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 8, day 1 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Ma'din

D'ale

She'd known this day was coming for sometime, but it was hard to admit
that it had finally arrived. Ever since her own breakdown, Kenza had
been considering what she was about to do. With the help and guidance
of the mindhealers who had brought her back from the dark place she'd
gone, she was ready now to follow through with this next part of her
recovery plan.

Knocking on the door, she entered when D'ale called out.

"Afternoon old chum," she greeted with a slightly somber smile.

"Good Afternoon Kenza," he smiled. Knowing her as well as he did,
there was a reason she was here. He could see it on her face. "How are
you doing?"

"I'm doing well. Things are improving day by day." Her face had a more
business like demeanor than usual. "I need to talk to you D'ale about
something very important."

"Alright," he said with an inquiring look. "don't stand on formality.
We've known each other too long for that."

That brought a smile to her face and helped her to relax.

"I know things have been in a bit of an uproar since the news of the
changes have come, and I'm afraid I'm not going to help matters D'ale.
I've been trying to maintain my duties as Wingthird, but the stress of
the position has not been helping me through my recovery. The
mindhealers I've been seeing are adamant that I must stepdown for a
time." She frowned. It wasn't something she was pleased with, but she
had finally accepted that she had little choice in the matter _and_ it
actually _would_ benefit her.

In all honesty he'd been expecting her to do it for some time so it
really didn't come as a surprise. But he still had to ask, "Are you
sure?"

He knew. She could tell it from his words and his eyes. More than
likely everyone knew.

"I am, D'ale. I _will_ miss it, but I need to break for now. Perhaps,
someday, if the time is right, I will step back into the position, but
for now, I need a little less responsibility. We will fly Thread, we
will do our part, but I'll follow rather than lead for once." Saying
it all helped. It was no longer brewing inside her, waiting for her to
accept that the time had finally come.

D'ale stood and walked around the desk. "Come here," he said and
pulled her into his arms. Kenza was one of the strongest women he
knew. "Take the time you need." He knew the load would fall on him
unless he could find a good wingsecond or third but he'd loved her
once. They'd shared passion and a son and a loss that had taken her a
lot harder than he'd expected. She deserved the time she needed.

She'd accepted his comforting arms just as she would have in the past.
It had been a _long_ time since she'd been in his arms. He'd always
had a way of comforting and supporting her. Perhaps had she not pulled
away from him during her dark times things might not have gotten so
bad. But, alas, one thing Kenza had learned was not to dwell on things
of the past that you cannot change. She'd been through so much in her
life, she would weather this storm to its end as well.

"Thank you D'ale," she reached a hand up to gently stroke his cheek.
"You've been there for me when I any times when I needed you. Your
support helps make things easier. I _will_ be back, you know. I can't
let you drive the wing into a shambles now can I?" She grinned a
wicked grin at him as she spoke, knowing no one better to take over
the leadership of Cyan wing.

"Hey," he said. His pain at losing their baby was nearly as great as
her own but he knew they dealt with it differently and he had had
Yanley and Daley to help him through. "I know you will," he said and
stroked her hair. No matter where their lives took them they would
always be friends.

She gave him her trademark smile. It had taken her some time to find
it again, but she had. Now, she found it came more easily with each
passing day.

"You bet your marks on it," she replied. "Thank you for understanding,
D'ale. I knew you would."

He let her go and patted her arm. "You could do one favor for me
though," he half smiled. "That new rider Ma'din is a hard nut to
crack. I'm afraid Tonuth made it worse." He shared what had happened
down down by the lake and by the end they were both laughing.

"The bottom line is he's a good rider in Fall but he angers everyone
around him with his attitude." he shook his head. Kenza was usually
good with these kinds of problems and could get to the heart of the
matter or make them cry herself. The problem though was if he angered
them enough someone just might 'forget' to warn im of immanent danger.
He needed to become part of the team.

She gave him a half grin, almost rubbing her hands together. "Oh, a
project!" she stated with a hint of glee. She enjoyed putting some of
the more difficult riders through the wringer if need be.

"I'll seek him out, and have a little _chat_ with him," she gave D'ale
a wink. "And even though I'm not acting as Wingthird, if you ever need
me to help with another rider, you know all you have to do is ask."

"Thank you," he smiled as she walked out the door. It was good to see
that smile back. Poor Ma'din wasn't going to know what hit him. "Who
knows? Maybe he'll enjoy the... adjustment."

Last updated on the July 14th 2014

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Stepping Down...For Now