This Meal's Earlier

Writers: Avery, Suzee
Date Posted: 12th July 2017

Characters: K'ran, Jayzine
Description: K'ran and Jayzine share a meal.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 12, day 16 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Jielta, Miyon

K'ran

Jayzine

Threadfall days always felt hectic. There was the Fall itself, the
after-action reports from the Wingleaders, writing up a report of the
Fall for the weyr's records room, tending his dragon, and visiting the
injured riders in the Infirmary and getting any needed reports. Those
took almost four candlemarks and only then was there enough breathing
room for a Weyrleader to eat and take care of his own needs.

So by the time K'ran was heading to the Dining Cavern, it was after
most people in the Weyr had eaten. Lights were dimmed and only a few
people were still sitting and eating. The bulk of the activity being
caverns workers cleaning the area of detritus from prior diners. He
headed to the food serving area and plated himself a meal from what
remained. There would have been more if he'd gotten here earlier, and
there was likely more in the kitchens, but he didn't want to barge
back there and disrupt the staff (who were likely just getting their
own meals now that everything else was done – he remembered Candidate
chores in the kitchen at Far Island.)

He was just setting it on a tray and pouring himself some juice when
he saw the Headwoman passing by. On a sudden impulse, he waved at her.

"Headwoman?" he called.

When Jayzine looked over, he pointed at his plate with dramatic flair.
It was referencing the time she'd had to bring him dinner in his
office. Or maybe it had been multiple times. He had been working an
awful lot of late candlemarks lately…

"Look, I came out for dinner and you didn't have to hunt me down," he joked.

She chuckled as she walked toward him, which turned a head or two in
her direction. It was very rare for the Headwoman to smile, let alone
chuckle. "It's about time," she said. "And it's before dinner's over,
that's impressive."

He couldn't help but give her an answering smile. "I tried my best."

"Good," she said. "I like my food eaten while it's still fresh." His
smile just made hers broaden. "Did you grab a piece of cake? It goes
fast."

K'ran looked down at his plate, woefully cake-free. "It did in fact go
fast. It'll teach me to be faster next time."

She couldn't help herself when the opportunity presented itself like
that. She looked directly into his eyes. "We all learn over time." Of
course those words also pointed right back at her. "Just see that you
get her even earlier tomorrow."

K'ran tossed her a quick salute. "Yes Headwoman, ma'am, I'll try my
best," he joked.

She shook her head at him with a smile for his inappropriate salute.
"Mind if I sit," she asked indicating the opposite chair.

"Of course not," he said.

"Great," she sighed in relief as she slid into the chair. She waived
over a drudge, "Bring my plate over will you Restene?" The girl dashed
off. "I was about to eat my own dinner," she added by way of
explanation.

"So I'm not taking you away from important Headwoman duties? Good. I'd
hate to be a distraction."

Oh, he was a distraction alright but not necessarily an unwelcome one.
She leaned back in her chair and kicked off her shoes. She had always
been blessed with feet that didn't smell and had no qualms scrunching
her toes in public.

"It's been a long day for sure." "What happened in yours?" the
bronzerider asked.

She rubbed her forehead. "Mostly the usual attending to needs and
supplies but I was wondering if you've felt any ground tremors. I know
I'm probably sensitive but I felt a little dizzy earlier before I
realized the ground was bumping."

K'ran took a moment to ponder. "I spent most of the day in the air or
running around. I felt shaky in the Infirmary, but I thought it was
situational. Did anyone else report anything?"

"I didn't really ask around in case I was just imagining things.
Amethyst Cliff wasn't all that long ago," she sighed.

"Four Turns - not very long if you lived through it. I remember the
response efforts from Dragonsfall," K'ran said soberly.

"Yes," her eyes lowered. "Miyon was not yet a full turn. But it still
feels like ages."

"I grew up in a cot outside it. Looking for my brother was... an
experience. He's fine," K'ran added quickly. "Does Miyon remember?"

"I don't think he has a memory of it, and I hope it stays that way,"
she said. "But I know Jielta does." She took a deep breath as if to
wash away the memory of dark times and smiled. "I'm glad your brother
is alright." Her food was cold now and she just pushed it around her
plate with her fork.

"What some cake?"

"If there's some left, yes please," he said. The meal was good even if
it was leftovers. "What's tomorrow's dinner? So I can be sure to be
early."

She smiled and went to the kitchen where she'd hidden a few pieces and
brought two out. "Looks like we're making a nice meat stew. Unless
there is a good catch of fresh fish."

"I like meat stew. But if we need fish, I'd set Rogueth to catching
fish. Believe it or not, he's a silly dragon who fishes." Not all of
them did.

She nodded, "that would be a great idea." She looked at the man who
now carried the weight of the entire Weyr on his shoulders. She rose
and prepared to leave. "But if you need anything, you'll be sure to
let me know right?"

"Always," he assured her.

Last updated on the July 28th 2017

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This Meal's Earlier