Early Morning Chat

Writers: AL, Anika
Date Posted: 8th November 2014

Characters: Meledei, R'taran
Description: R'taran and Meledei meet while their dragons feed.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 8, day 18 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: R'enh
Notes: Mentor Approved

R'taran watched the early morning sunlight play across the graceful
pale gold form of the small queen as she swooped down to handily catch
a herdbeast. The powerful gold seemed dainty to the brownrider and he
found her especially beautiful as did his dragon. "She's truly
breathtaking," he stated softly to the goldrider, hoping not to
startle her.

The voice behind her was a surprise, but not so much that Meledei was
overly startled. With a twist of her neck, she eyed the dragonrider,
though a smile immediately accompanied the silent scrutiny before she
properly greeted him. "Thank you. I think so too, but you know, I'm
pretty biased." She turned then to lean against the fence and give
him a proper study. The face seemed vaguely familiar, but they had
probably never been properly introduced. "I'm Meledei." Though he
probably knew that already.

"R'taran," the rider replied raising an arm to indicate the brown that
was now angling down to snag a large bovine, "I'm with that big
fellow, Qharterioth. I'm pleased to meet you. I remember when you
Impressed." One always remembered the golds, there weren't that many
after all. "She's lovely," he continued turning back to indicate the
gold dragon. The brownrider was not prone to flattery, but growing up
in his father's Holding he had become used to honestly assessing the
animals there. It was with this discerning eye that he scrutinized
the dragons in the Weyr, not even realizing that this habit often made
him come across aloof or even rather haughty. "Perfect conformation."

"I'm glad to know that someone appreciates her." From the time she
hatched, there had been whispers about Elleth's size. Although they
had died down, they weren't completely gone, and the small clutch that
had been produced had only fueled their fire - despite the fact she'd
had a sizeable first clutch. "A pleasure to meet you, R'taran. I've
seen you around, but I guess this is the first we've had a chance to
officially meet."

"Threadfall has a way of keeping us all busy and Elleth is only two
turns old," he replied. "You were Weyrbred were you not?"

"Yes. I was originally born at Thayan Peak, then moved with the rest
of the originals here after its destruction." A dark time in her past
with dark memories still couldn't overshadow the good times she'd had.
There was always good among the bad. Meledei canted her head to the
side and regarded him. "What about you?"

He noticed the shadow cross her eyes at the mention of Thayan Peak and
wondered if she had lost family. "I was raised in a moderate sized
Hold outside of Emerald Falls. I was nineteen when I was searched and
it was a difficult choice. My family needed me there, but thread was
falling and I also felt honor bound to come. I Impressed Quarterioth
the first time I stood." He looked fondly over at his big brown who
was enthusiastically tearing the flesh off his kill.

"Emerald Falls is lovely. I've visited there a couple of times." She
nodded appreciatively. While Meledei had never had to deal with the
repercussions that a decision to Stand could cause in a family, she
could sympathise with those whose decision to do so didn't mean the
easiest of times, for themselves or their families. "If you
Impressed, it was meant to be. Quarterioth...what an elegant name."

"It suits him," R'taran stated, his voiced filled with fondness and
pride. "And it _was _ meant to be. I can't fathom life without him."

}:Of course not.:{ The big brown stated matter-of-factly. }:I'm still
hungry. I shall have another.:{

R'taran looked over at Meledei, "What was it like, growing up in the
Weyr?". He'd been accused so much lately of being narrow-minded and
hidebound and though he didn't particularly care what others thought
of him, it had set him to thinking about the differences between Weyr
and Hold.

"Between here and a hold? Well, there are similarities and
differences between here and the Hold. I had more freedom here,
freedom to choose my path than most holds would allow me. I was able
to craft, for instance, and work as a beastcrafter - something I
really enjoyed and had a talent for." Meledei turend and leaned
against the fence, hands clasped together. "I would have continued
had Elleth not chosen a different path for me. That's obviously the
biggest difference, the dragons. There are no dragons in a Hold.
Sometimes people wonder if I came from a hold though, those who don't
know me."

Cognizant of R'enh's recent council, R'taran kept his opinion about
female crafters to himself. He considered Meledei's words and thought
about his sisters wondering what paths they might choose we're they in
a Weyr rather than a Hold. Her final comment made him curious. "Why
do they think that?"

"I tend to hold some philosophies that are a little different from the
Weyr." Meledei shrugged. She honestly had no problem with that sort
of term, it was the intent behind what people called her that bothered
her. "But my mother was hold bred, so maybe I just inherited it from
her."

"I will admit my own Hold values are still very much a part of me. I
was brought up on the importance of tradition," he shrugged, not
wanting to say too much. Meledei was pleasant to talk to and speaking
with women was not something at which he excelled, apparently. In
fact, Meledei was one of two female riders that he had managed to have
a conversation with and not offend recently. "The Weyr also has some
very significant traditions, and I have taken comfort in that."

"Traditions can be a good thing." They could also be a bad thing, but
Meledei decided not to add that to her comment. "And yes, the Weyr
does have significant traditions. Which ones do you particularly
like?"

"I like the well established hierarchies and guiding regulations,"
R'taran answered readily, having no idea how stodgy his words might
sound coming from a man of only twenty-five turns. "I was not a
candidate long, but the guidelines were clear and specific. Then as a
weyrling, expectations were carefully defined with those in leadership
providing plain instruction that was immediately practical. In the
fighting Wings it's even more so. One knows what it takes to be
successful. Probably my favorite Weyr value is that we all must be
aware of our higher calling to protect Pern." What the man did not
share, was that when faced with the different morals evident in the
Weyr, he had found consummate comfort in these guidelines and
regulations.

"In other words, you value the structure in place here at the Weyr."
Meledei preferred to take a more positive spin on what people said.
She couldn't always do it, especially when they were being stupid, but
she could see the side R'taran was talking about. "Without structure,
we'd degenerate into chaos and we'd be useless to Pern."

The appreciation on R'taran's rugged face was blatantly obvious. So
view showed any understanding for his point of view, and for the
goldrider to do so somehow made him very happy. "Exactly."

}:See you can make friends when you are_nice_. I will tell Elleth
that her rider has made you happy.:{ Qharterioth stated, very pleased.

**NO! Please don't.**

}:Why?:{

**Just don't. I'll explain later.**

"Qharterioth seems to finally have had his fill," R'taran offered
aloud, preparing to take his leave before his dragon embarrassed him.
He had enjoyed this early morning chat with Meledei and wondered if
they might not be able to have another like it or if she'd end up
offended like the other riders tended too. He supposed that depended
very much on him. His mind traveled to his conversation with R'enh
and not for the first time, he gave the man's words careful
consideration.

"I think Elleth's done too, but she needs a bath and an oiling. It
was good to meet you officially, R'taran." Meledei straightened, then
pushed away from the fence as she turned her smile back to the other
rider. "I'm sure we'll see each other around."

"The pleasure was mine, Meledei, and I'll look forward to running into
you again." R'taran gave the goldrider a nod.

Last updated on the November 30th 2014

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