Taking a Time-Out

Writers: Avery, Heather
Date Posted: 13th February 2015

Characters: Chaysea, Kapera
Description: Chaysea and Kapera discuss what is needed for the Hatching Feast.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 11, day 6 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: L'pin, Ikalis

Kapera

Kapera waited patiently outside the Headwoman's office, mentally communing
with Riyanth to reassure her that yes, she was coming back. (Eventually.
Not right now.) She could have requested Chaysea come to her, but she was
going crazy cooped up in the same three places and needed time off. Even
waiting outside of an office was better than staring at the tiny temporary
weyr or the Stands.

Chaysea could be heard coming down the hall before she was seen. The
tinkling of the keys that she wore attached to the waistline of her
skirt was always a telltale sign that she was on her way. The
Headwoman's eyes lifted in surprise when she saw the familiar form of
the Weyrwoman's Second waiting outside her office.

"Weyrwoman," she smiled in greeting, "what can I do for you?" She
asked as she unclipped the keys and unlocked her office door.

"I was hoping to discuss plans for the upcoming Feast if you have
time. And I _really_ needed to get out of the hatching grounds," she
confessed.

"You feel like some sun? We could discuss this out on the beach just
as easily." Chaysea offered as she picked up her clipboard loaded with
a thick pad of paper. She was constantly jotting down notes or to-do
lists through her day.

"Please. Would you believe I haven't been able to go down to the beach
since she clutched?" Kapera shook her head in exasperation as she got
up to follow the Headwoman. "Not all golds are this bad, but she's
particularly demanding."

Chaysea snatched a thinly knit blanket off the back of her office
chair to give them something to sit on, and then turned and closed the
door to her office, "The beach it is then. I can't imagine what it
must be liked to be cooped up in that temporary weyr all the time."

"It could be nicer accommodations, that's for sure. Most goldriders don't
have to spend as much time in them I don't think. I've just been saddled
with a very...challenging...partner."

The Headwoman smiled, having nothing to say anything about how
challenging a dragon could be as she had not been at Dolphin Cove long
enough to really experience what each gold and her rider was like
while the gold was on the sands. "Is she going to allow Candidates on
the Sands before the eggs Hatch?" Chaysea questioned as they walked.

"She will, but I'll need to be there and distracting her the entire time.
It also may not be for long. I knowthat will disappoint some of them."

As they strolled out onto the beach, Chaysea stopped high enough for
them to be safe from the in-coming tide and then spread the blanket
for them to sit on. "Alright, you tell me what you need and what you
would like for the Hatching and I'll get everything together for you."
She said after she had seated herself, her pencil poised and ready to
write.

"What do we have to spare for the menu?" Since Hatchings did require a
lot of usage of the Hold's stores.

"I'm really hoping for those sweet berry hand pies for desserts, if
it's possible. I know those are a lot of work on your kitchen staff,"
she said.

Chaysea jotted down the sweetberry pies, "If that's what you want
we'll get them done. I'll send Ikalis down to watch over the kitchens
and make sure the pies get completed. To be young she has a way of
making things happen." She smiled, thinking that she was probably
grooming a future assistant Headwoman once Ikalis had gotten some more
experience under her belt. "We just had some excellent fish brought in
from the cove. It's on ice and just waiting to be used."

"She's the skilled baker, right? Good choice." Having impressive
desserts would catch the attention of guests, she hoped.

The news of excellent fish perked her attention. "That sounds tasty.
What do you plan on serving with it? River grain?" There were a few
options, depending on type of fish.

"I was thinking river grain actually," Chaysea grinned, "and some
fresh vegetables to go on the side. Some light and crisp so people can
enjoy their desserts and wine."

"Do we have enough in stores for that to work out?"

Chaysea nodded, "Yes, I believe so." In her estimation there would be
less people in attendance at this Hatching since there was no gold
egg, nor was it the Senior Weyrwoman's clutch (which always tended to
draw more dignitaries from other Weyrs and Holds.)

"Sounds like you've got it all in hand. You're quite the Headwoman."

"Thank you, Kapera. I want very much to be an asset and not a
detriment to the Weyr. I know some people didn't know what to expect
when a small Hall's Headwoman came to Dolphin Cove but... hopefully no
one has been disappointed." Chaysea reached up and caught a strand of
hair that had flown free of it's braid and tucked it behind her ear.

"It probably gave you a perspective that was worth it. I think people who
grew up in one style of thinking, they get focused on doing things a
certain way, and you might break that up." It was the kind of thing she'd
noticed going from Weyr to Weyr, anyway.

Chaysea glanced sideways at Kapera and winked, "Well, I'm definitely
not sleeping with young boys like the last Headwoman. That's a change
for sure."

If food was sorted, Kapera was always up for gossip. "I heard rumors that
you've been being courted proper-style."

"Ah, yes," the Headwoman's cheeks colored a bit now that she was the
topic, "you have heard right then. L'pin has certainly been doing
things very properly." Chaysea looked out at the water for a moment,
and then back at the goldrider. "Although truth be told, sometimes I
wish he _wasn't_ doing things so proper. I am thirty-two Turns old,
after all."

"Men never do what you want. They're too pushy, or they're too
prudent. They should just read minds, like dragons do," Kapera said
with a laugh.

But that wasn't a helpful answer. "He's Hallbred, and probably assumes
you want to be treated slow. And it could be that it's spring, too."

Chaysea quirked an eyebrow at the last statement, "What does spring
have to do with it?"

Kapera settled back. "Now, I wasn't here for this, but I've learned
some things from talking to people and from reading the records. And
what I know is that he always requests time off in month 12 for
personal reasons. So I assume spring is a bad time for him."

The Headwoman frowned, her brow furrowing. L'pin hadn't mentioned
anything particular going on in month twelve. She wondered what would
bother the man so profoundly during the spring every Turn. And what
did that mean for their relationship? Was he going to disappear and
stop coming by. "Interesting, I had not heard that about him, I guess.
He's not mentioned anything either. I am glad you told me so I'll know
what's happening if he disappears."

"I could find out why if you wanted." The goldrider's interest was piqued
now. "And who knows, if he's not working, he might have more time."

"Thank you for the offer, but I could just ask him the next time I see
him." Chaysea pointed out, unless L'pin avoided giving her an answer
for whatever reason. She couldn't imagine that he would since he had
always been rather forthcoming with her.

"Maybe you should. It might be worth knowing. Or maybe I'm just a
gossiper," she admitted.

Chaysea chuckled at the admission, "I must admit, a little gossip does
us all good, I think." As Headwoman the brunette was often in the
right places to ear some very interesting things.

"Well, let me know if you hear anything good. It's always nice to keep
an eye on the Weyr's mood a little more unofficially." Gave a chance
to nip problems in the bud early on.

"Certainly." The Headwoman sighed, casting her eyes out to the water
one last time, "I had better get back to the office. Now that we've
got a plan in order for the Hatching Feast I want to go ahead and set
a few things into motion so we'll be ready."

"Understood. Thanks for talking with me," Kapera said. It had been so
nice to get outdoors!

Last updated on the March 6th 2015

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Taking a Time-Out