Searches and Friendship

Writers: AL, Anika
Date Posted: 22nd February 2015

Characters: Meledei, R'taran
Description: R'taran talks to Meledei about something that has been weighing heavily on his mind.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 11, day 4 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: R'haran, L'pin, R'enh, P'ton

Entering the records room intent on finding some more information on
the history of Search and the whole process, R'taran didn't even
notice Meledei. Slightly embarrassed after the fact he offerred the
gold rider a broad smile. "Hello, Meledei. Sorry, so focused I
didn't even see you at first."

"Oh really? I'm that invisible, huh?" Immediately a grin sprang to
her features as she plunked down in a seat across from him. She
shuffled a few papers, then set them aside, save for one which she put
in front of her next to a blank one. A quilt squatted on the table
and she reached for it. "What are you so intently studying?"

"The history of Search. My brother was just Searched, and will be
Standing at the next hatching. It got me curious about how Searching
works," he explained, not ready to share his concerns over the fact
that Evielenth had also shown interest in his little sister. He
hadn't told her yet. Or his parents. He wanted to be armed with as
much information as possible first.

"I'm not sure anyone knows how Searching _really_ works." Though it
had certainly intrigued many a person, rider and non rider alike.
Meledei had wondered at times as well, but not even the dragons could
really explain it. "I mean, you have families who have generation
upon generation of riders....and then families who don't and are
completely dumbfounded when one of their children is Searched."

"True enough. Those Searched fall within the 12-21 age range, but the
records don't really say if that is due to the dragon or the
Searchrider's intervention. From what I have found in my reading thus
far, most of those Searched are not on the younger end of the range."
He was of course puzzling through Toni's being Searched by Evielenth.
Granted she was twelve turns but she was still very much a child. So
focused was he on the problem that R'taran didn't realize that his
usual impassive facade had slipped and his concern for the situation
showed clearly in his gray eyes.

"It might be from experience, that those ages are the ones dragons
tend to choose. Or it could be that you are too old to learn new
tricks after that age." Meledei offered a half grin and then
shrugged. "As for most, yeah, probably most fit more in the middle of
that range, but that doesn't mean there aren't people on each end of
the spectrum."

"True. It is just hard to fathom a child of twelve truly being able
to handle the care of a newly hatched dragon."

"The thing is, the dragon is a part of you." Meledei leaned back in
her chair as she regarded the young man. "That gives you an
advantage, you know. An instinct that sort of comes along with the
bond. That doesn't mean that you're able to automatically handle
everything, though, and that's why you go through training." Yet some
still died, despite everything the Weyrlingmasters did to prepare
their charges.

With a heavy sigh, R'taran nodded and fell into a seat. "That is my
very fear," he said quietly." He really wasn't one to share his
problems, but this dilemma had been weighing heavily and Meledei was
quite easy to talk to. "My twelve-turn-old sister was also Searched
by Evielenth. I haven't told her yet...or my parents. She's so
young. She still plays with dolls, and she's so small - tiny really.
I don't know how to tell them, or even if now is the right time."

"I see." Meledei could certainly understand R'taran's concern and she
nodded slowly as she pondered the issue. "Just because she was
Searched doesn't mean she won't have the chance to Stand later.
However, I think it would be best to tell your parents. Ultimately,
it's her decision, but I think parental input is usually good." As
long as the parents were the sort to care properly for their children.
Some situations, however, should be treated differently. "What do you
think your parents would say?"

R'taran grimaced. "They won't be happy. To send a girl to the Weyr,"
he shook his head, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean that the way that it
sounded, but from a Holder's perspective...well, their beliefs and
values are just very different. I will make sure that my sister has
the choice that is her due, when I feel she's mature enough to make
it, but it might cost me any further relationship with my family."

"I know, but at the same, she's old enough to start making her own
decisions." Meledei had never grown up in a hold, but she remembered
her mother telling her about it and the differences in their beliefs.
"If she wants to come, I don't think anyone has the right to deny her
that."

"You're right of course, but doesn't she also have the right to what's
left of her childhood? She was born early and has always been small
and perhaps a little coddled, not to mention she is the youngest girl
in my family. I understand that she has to grow up and that the
choice is certainly hers, but doesn't she need to be mature enough to
make it? Does a certain number of turns necessarily mean that she is
old enough? I mean there were a great many decisions I was not
prepared to make at twelve." R'taran was trying desperately to see
past his own bias and fears and be fair, but he knew that his love for
his sister probably blinded him.

She pondered over what he said, then nodded slowly. "I suppose you're
right. I think I have more of a problem with people holding their
children back because of their views of the Weyr and the idea that
their children, especially the girls, are 'ruined' if they dare step
foot here." Unfortunately, there were quite a few holders who did
feel that way. Meledei really hoped that sort of attitude would die
out sooner rather than later.

R'taran nodded knowingly. "I am concerned how my parents will react.
It was one thing for Paulton and me. If Toni chooses the Weyr," he
shook his head, "I just don't know and I worry about her being able to
cope with their reaction. Maybe if she's just a little older it will
be easier. One way or another. I really appreciate your letting me
bend your ear Meledei. It's something I've been giving much thought
to the past sevendays."

"You're welcome to talk to me any time." Meledei offered her fellow
dragonrider a smile. "It's good to know you have friends you can talk
to when need be."

Taken aback by her words, R'taran offered a return smile. The
brownrider didn't really have what might be considered friends. He
had wingmates. True, he had started to feel a rapport with R'ehn,
L'pin, and R'haran, but did that make them friends? Now Meledei
intimated that their talk indicated friendship. It had been nice to
share his burden and hear her perspective. For the past six turns
he'd had Qharterioth and that had seemed to be enough, but now, he
wondered.

"Indeed."

Last updated on the March 6th 2015

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Searches and Friendship