I Do Not Think So
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Eimi, Emma
Date Posted: 7th February 2006
Characters: M'galec, K'sedel
Description: M'galec goes to see the Weyrleader to discuss Lenala's speaking in front of the Weyrlings
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 10, day 10 of Turn 3
"Weyrleader, may I take a moment of your time? It is a matter of some importance."
"Certainly," replied K'sedel. "I'm on my way to my office, we could talk on the way."
M'galec fell into step with the Weyrleader. "Actually, sir, it is a rather personal matter and I believe it would be best for all concerned if we could have this discussion in private."
A thought crossed K'sedel's mind - hadn't the other bronzerider just declared himself Lenala's weyrmate? In that case he might be likely to want to plead her case, and that was not something he would want to do in public either.
When they reached the Weryleader's office, M'galec carefully closed the door behind them. "Sir, I have been told that you intend to have both Lenala and bronzerider Ar'lis stand before the Weyrlings and discuss the incident."
"That's correct," confirmed K'sedel.
M'galec kept his tone respectful as he said, "Well, as a healer, sir, I cannot allow that."
"Might I ask why?" It was unlikely to change his mind, but the man had a right to be heard.
M'galec, on the other hand, was sure of his position. "Because Lenala went through a great trauma. She was, in effect, raped. So what you are asking her to do is to relive that trauma, a not only that, but to re-live it publicly in front of the man who, whether under dragon lust or not, perpetrated the act, as well as a room full of adolescents."
"I am not asking them to relive that, simply to talk about control in the events leading up to the act. And yes, while some of them may not be old enough to hear such things, there will have been talk. It is better that they know the truth. Gossip and rumours may damage them more."
"And what damage will it do to Lenala, and perhaps even Ar'lis? I can tell you from personal experience with her, Lenala is _still_
traumatized by this. She is not ready to face mating flights, the positive or the negative. It does not matter. They are both wrapped up with that one powerful memory."
"I would not presume to second guess you on this, however as I am sure some mindhealers would tell you, facing up to events is one way to get over them." K'sedel wasn't lecturing, it just felt right to him that these things should be open to all, and then everyone could deal with it. "Supressing it could be bad for everyone."
M'galec shook his head emphatically. "Facing trauma must happen when they are _ready_ for it to happen, sir. You cannot force someone to face it. Especially not publically. Would you have that young girl, Tiya, stand up in front of a crowd and explain marriage to them?"
"That is a completely different thing. And I am not proposing that they speak to the weyrlings right now. This current class is too young still.
They will address them when it is appropriate within the Weyrling schedule." For the moment, K'sedel had forgotten that the man was also the Weyrlingmaster's second.
M'galec shook his head emphatically. Obviously the Weyrleader was not hearing him. "You cannot set a schedule on recovery from a trauma, sir.
Any mindhealer will tell you that. It could take months, it could take _turns_ before they are ready to speak about what happened even to loved ones. Forcing them to relive the experience publicly can do neither one of them, nor anyone else any good."
"I disagree with you there, we don't have turns to deal with this.
Thread is falling, and this is a pass."
"And if they are not allowed to heal in their own time, this could happen again, and we cannot afford that either."
"M'galec, I'm sorry, I'm not going to change my mind on this."
"And if I have the support of the Weyrhealer and the mindhealers on this matter? Would you _then_ listen to sense?" M'galec was starting to lose patience with the obviously uneducated and close-minded Weyrleader.
"It's out of my hands now."
"And just whose hands _is_ it in, Weyrleader?" The Weyrlingmaster Second was beginning to wonder just how qualified this 'Weyrleader' was.
"It's not a decision that was made lightly, believe me. It was agreed upon by myself and the Weyrwoman." He wasn't going to explain what going back on a decision such as this would do to his reputation. And this seemed to be only an upset weyrmate, who was coming out with one opinion from the healers.
"And you have both _consulted_ qualified healers on this matter?" The answer to _that_ question seemed obvious enough, but he wanted to here the words.
"I think we have both been dealing with people long enough to handle this our own way."
"No, I do not think so." M'galec crossed his arms across his chest and didn't bother hiding his sudden total lack of respect for the man. He could not abide ignorant people who _thought_ they knew more than they did. "Last time I checked, the Weyrwoman was not a Healer, and you obviously know nothing about healing. Neither of you bothered to talk to a healer. I would say that you do not know in the slightest what you are doing."
"I think you should leave right now, before you go on to say something that you might regret," K'sedel's voice was low and angry, anyone knowing the Weyrleader well would realise that it took a lot to make him that angry. "Just go and think on this. We need to have a way of making certain that this kind of situation never happens again." "Then perhaps you should start using what intellegence you have, and stop making judgements in issues in which you are obviously _unqualified_!" The surgeon turned on his heal and walked out the door.
He would see that man's ignorance known throughout the Weyr before this was through!
Last updated on the February 7th 2006