Think About It

Writers: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 11th February 2006

Characters: M'galec, U'val, Abrei
Description: M'galec brings his concerns to U'val, who has a talk with Abrei.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 10, day 12 of Turn 3

Abrei

M'galec caught a glimpse of the bluerider he needed to talk to walking into the infirmary. "Excuse me, U'val. I was wondering if I could take moment of your time."

"Of course," U'val replied, hefting a file he held in one hand. "Let me just drop this off with Abrei first..."

"Actually, its the Weyrhealer that I wish to speak with you about," the bronzerider said, dropping his voice so no one else could hear.

"Oh." U'val switched directions, peering inside the exam rooms until he found one that was open. "Why don't we step inside..."

"Yes, thank you." M'galec followed the bluerider into the room and closed the door. "I know you are familiar with the case of Lenala and Ar'lis, so I will not waste your time recounting the details. What I am not sure you have heard yet is that the Weyrleader intends to have them both stand in front of the Werylings in a couple month to explain to them what happened in the Flight."

U'val blinked at M'galec in surprise. "This weyrling group? Before they've even had a time to deal with it?"

"Yes. And I went to the Weyrleader and he refused to listen to me! So I went to see Abrei, and she was no help at all." The bronzerider shook his head in disbelief. "I do not know what has happened between her and Lenala in the past, but it is obvious she does not like her. I never would have believed her of unprofessional behavior before, but she has let her personal feelings cloud her judgement, U'val."

"What did she say?" U'val asked, his voice even in spite of his surprise. M'galec lowered his voice, just in case someone could hear them. "She said she was in no position to make any kind of judgement in the matter; that she did not have enough information."

U'val considered that for a moment, weighing the logic of the statement against Abrei's personal prejudices. "I imagine she refered you to me?"

"Yes."

He already knew what arguments Abrei would use when he confronted her.
Her lack of experience with mindhealing, his expertise and his experience with Lenala in specific. It might even have been a good excuse if U'val didn't know full well that Abrei would have marched on the Weyrleader's office in full uproar by now if this had happened to a rider she liked. Sighing, U'val rubbed at the side of his head, hating what he was about to do to Abrei but knowing it was going to be the best in the long run. If she ever talked to him again. "Come on. Let's go get this straightened out."

"You want me to go as well?" the bronzerider asked surprised. "Abrei is rather unhappy with me..."

By the time this was over, Abrei would be unhappy with both of them. "If you're too intimidated by her, then by all means stay here. But if you honestly think she did something wrong, you're going to need to stand by your belief." "All right then," M'galec sighed as he opened the door. "After you."

U'val knocked briefly on Abrei's door before opening it, leading M'galec inside and waiting until the bronzerider had closed the door. He met Abrei's unfriendly look calmly. "Well?"

Abrei ignored M'galec's presence, her cool stare focused on U'val.
"Well, what?"

"Don't be obtuse, Abrei. You know as well as I do that Lenala and Ar'lis shouldn't be speaking about their ordeal until they've had enough time to deal with their own emotions on the subject. You know it. I know it.
M'galec knows it. The apprentice folding bandages knows it, Abrei."

"U'val, I don't have the experience--" U'val cut Abrei off sharply. "You have the _personal_ experience, Abrei." His voice had lost a little bit of calm, but he was disappointed in Abrei, and it wasn't a feeling he much liked. "You got on the wrong side of a flight and brooded over it for ten sharding turns. I think you can afford them a few months." Abrei's eyes darted to M'galec, and the anger in her stare made it clear that she wouldn't soon forgive him for witnessing this. M'galec had the grace to show no reaction, and keep his eyes on the bluerider. However, in his own mind things were becoming clearer. So that was why the poor woman had closed herself off from feelings towards other people... Poor woman. Thank Faranth he had been able to save Lenala from such a fate.

"Fine," Abrei finally snapped, looking at U'val with a very unfriendly expression. "I'll talk to the Weyrleader--" "No," U'val cut her off abruptly, ignoring the way her face flushed red with anger at the interruption. There were advantages to having been there they day Abrei was born, and getting away with talking this way to her when she was technically his superior was one of them. "I'm going to talk to the Weyrleader and the Weyrwoman, and give them my advice as the mindhealer who dealt with Lenala and Ar'lis."

Abrei looked like she was seriously considering violence. "That's what I suggested to _begin_ with," she ground out, her teeth clenched so tightly together it looked painful. "For all the wrong reasons," U'val replied shortly. "Think about it, Abrei. You're the Weyrhealer now, and you don't get to be petty." He didn't wait for a response, knowing it wasn't likely that Abrei was rational enough to deliver one that was coherent in any case. He moved past M'galec and out into the infirmary, feeling every one of his many turns. Embarassing Abrei in front of M'galec might have seemed unnecessarily harsh, but it had been the only thing likely to get through her pride. Now he'd just have to live with the consequences.

"Master Abrei," M'galec said with a polite bow, though he could not bring himself to meet her in the eye. He was well aware that he had witnessed her moment of shame. The bronzerider needn't rub it in, or prolong it. He turned and followed the bluerider out of her office.

Last updated on the February 11th 2006

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