Formality
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: Heather, Mirren
Date Posted: 18th December 2015
Characters: Saibra, W'ser, Elona
Description: Saibra helps out the dragon infirmary on her day off, and W'ser assigns Elona to assist her.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 3, day 12 of Turn 8
"You really do not have to do this Weyrwoman, we have apprentices and candidates that could do the job." W'ser said as he followed Saibra toward the Winter Lake. He could tell by the stubborn set of her chin that he was probably not going to talk her out of this silly notion she had in her head.
Saibra rolled her eyes as she carried the bucket of cleaning supplies in one hand and a towel in the other. Already she was dressed in a simple tank top and a pair of cut-off shorts. "The infirmary is understaffed right now and this poor girl needs a wash." Her eyes followed the stiff movements of the green dragon that was moving down into the water. Patches of the green's hide were beginning to grey around her muzzle and hindquarters.
"But you are a _Weyrwoman_, Weyrwomen don't wash dragons!" W'ser insisted.
"I am a Weyrwoman, I am also a dragonhealer and this dragon is in need. This is my restday, W'ser, and I will do with it as I see fit." There was a tone of warning in her voice.
The Weyrdragonhealer threw his hands up in exasperation, "At least let me send a Candidate to help."
Saibra's lips twisted with amusement, "If that will make you feel better send me a Candidate."
"Thank you." he said with relief. Turning around, W'ser looked up and latched on to the first set of Candidate rank knots he saw.
"Elona," he was familiar with her name from the times she'd worked chores in the dragon infirmary, "will you please go help her wash that green dragon?" He pointed down to the water.
"Yes sir." Of all the chores they were given, Elona enjoyed this one the most. She approached the women, presumably her rider and smiled. "You needed some help?"
Saibra had just finished twisting her hair back into a simple knot when she looked up and saw the girl. "According to W'ser I do, but I certainly won't refuse." She flashed a little smile.
"Oh." Elona glanced back at him. "I suppose it's his job to be bossy." Some people in authority did take it to the extreme though. She turned back. "I'm Elona."
"Well, he does a good job of being bossy." Saibra muttered good-naturedly, before getting a better look at the girl. "Didn't you Stand at the last Hatching?"
"Yes I did," Elona replied ruefully. "And the one before and the one before that…" She sighed. "I haven't given up yet though."
"Good, don't." Saibra encouraged as she scrubbed along the green's extended neck. "Do you craft any?"
"No." Elona shook her head. "I've thought about it, but if I don't impress, I think I'll just be a foster mother. I like kids and they seem to like me."
Saibra liked to hear that the girl had future plans besides riding if it didn't work out. "That's good, the Weyr is always in need of good foster mothers." Babies were being born all the time around the Weyr and having more foster mothers helped ensure that no single woman was taking on too many children.
"I know. Sometimes I think I should just do that and stop thinking about standing. But then there are more eggs and I just want to try one more time. Or two more. Or…" Elona grinned and waded into the water to start washing. "Your dragon is very pretty," she added, assuming the woman rode the green.
"Oh, she's not mine. This lovely lady was injured in Threadfall, as was her rider, who is currently unable to carry out her duties." It occurred to Saibra that this girl didn't know who she was. It didn't happen often, but she wasn't wearing her rank knots, and she wasn't really dressed like a Weyrwoman. "I'm Saibra, I apologize for not introducing myself sooner."
"I…you're…" Elona gaped at her. Had she said anything she shouldn't? She tried to think back, but her mind was blank. "I'm sorry, I didn't know. I hope I didn't say anything to offend." She bobbed a curtsey, which resulted in her skirt getting damp where she'd tried to tuck it up out of the way.
"Please, please, you don't have to curtsy." Saibra chuckled, motioning for her to stand. "You haven't said anything to offend. I'm just a regular grunt today washing a dragon."
Elona blinked several times. The Weyrwoman, regular? Grunt? She was the most important person in the entire Weyr. And here they'd been, having a chat like a pair of weyrbrats.
"Do you often wash green dragons, ma'am?" she asked, her tone formal now.
Saibra hid her disappointment over the obvious change in the Candidate's demeanor. It had been nice having a casual conversation with someone who wasn't worried about what the Weyrwoman might think.
"No, not often," she admitted. "I was a dragonhealer before I was a Weyrwoman. When I have free time I work in the infirmary. It's nice to do something besides paperwork sometimes."
"You must know a lot about dragons then," Elona remarked. Certainly more than a mere candidate, especially a woman, who was much less likely to ever impress than a man was.
"I know a fair bit." Saibra agreed, as should any Weyrwoman worth her salt. "I think she's ready to rinse now."
"Oh, of course. Can she rinse herself?" Elona stood back and rinsed her brush in the water.
Saibra nodded her head, patted the green's flank and motioned for Elona to stand back. The green took a step back and lowered herself fully in the water, rinsing the suds and bubbles from her emerald hide.
"Alright, I'm going to get this lovely lady back to the infirmary. Thank you for your help, Elona."
"You're welcome ma'am." Elonus was going to flip out when she told him about this. Of course he'd be more impressed if it had been the Weyrleader.
Last updated on the December 21st 2015