A New Way of Living

Writers: Heather
Date Posted: 8th March 2019

Characters: Chaysea, Ranni
Description: Chaysea helps Ranni find new supplies for her start as a Candidate.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 9, day 16 of Turn 9

Ranni

Chaysea was aware that there were 'different' circumstances around Dolphin Cove's newest Candidate, Ranni, but she wasn't sure the entire story. What she was certain of, however, was that Ranni had come to Dolphin Cove poorly prepared, with only a single change of clothing and a worn pair of shoes. It made her wonder how Sunstone treated its drudges.

"Are you sure you don't want to look into a craft?" The Headwoman asked again as she led Ranni to one of the storage rooms in the lower caverns.

"Yes, for now at least. I'm not sure what I would be good at. I know how to clean and serve, so that would probably be the best thing for me to do until I figure something else out." Ranni insisted. Besides, being quiet and hard working around those who were her "superiors" often led to a profitable gleaning of information. Higher-ups tended to forget that lowly drudges were even present in the room and often disclosed information that could be useful.

"Well, I update the Candidate chores chart at the end of each month, so just make sure you keep an eye on it for what your chores will be. Who knows, you may find something while you're in the different areas of the Weyr that would interest you as a craft." Chaysea suggested. It wasn't that she didn't want workers, she could always use good workers, but she also saw the value of a craft.

"Let's find you some appropriate clothing," Chayse said as she flicked the switch in the storage room. The light blinked once, twice, before snapping on fully with a buzz. It was one of the rooms that had been lit when they'd wired the kitchens, and Chaysea couldn't have been more pleased about it. Rummaging through the closet with glow baskets or oil lamps had been a pain.

Ranni looked down at the thin but clean dress she wore, wondering what was wrong with it. It had been good enough when she'd served Lady Xeladrie.

"You are going to need some breeches," Chaysea said, without looking over her shoulder at the new Candidate. "Unless you want to flash the whole Weyr when you're out working on a windy day in the Weyrbowl."

"Pants?" she blinked. She'd never worn pants before. Ladies at the Hold didn't wear pants. "I've never worn them before," she admitted to the Headwoman.

Chaysea turned, her own long skirts swirling around her ankles, "I never had either until I came here but I found that sometimes they are a necessity. Especially if you ever want to go dragon riding."

Ranni's heart fluttered somewhere in the depths of her stomach as she remembered riding with A'vel. It had been a beautifully exciting experience, one that she was eager to repeat. She would wear pants every day if that's what it took for her to ride a dragon again.

"Come here, let me see if these are the right length for you," Chaysea held up a pair of breeches and placed them against Ranni's body. "Those should work. Let's try to find two more pairs, that way you'll have three pairs to rotate between."

"Thank you," Ranni said as the Headwoman dumped three sets of pants into her arms. Warmth tingled through her body as she looked down at the garments. One pair seemed used, but gently so with no rips or tears, and then the other two seemed newly sewn. New clothes.

"You'll need a few tunics to switch between as well. It's rarely chilly here but we'll get you a long-sleeved one just in case." Chaysea paused in her search for clothing as her brown firelizard, Company, appeared over her head. "There you are. Where have you been all day?" she asked.

~~Gold firelizard. Pretty.~~ He sent images of one of the gold flits that he frequently sunned with around the Weyr. She was sure that the little brown was hoping he would have a shot at catching her at some point.

"Well, go say hello to Ranni. She's a Candidate."

Company whirled in the air and spotted Ranni with an excited exclamation. The firelizard zoomed through the air at breakneck speed before coming to a sudden halt just in front of Ranni's face. The wind from his backwinging ruffled her hair around her face.

"Hello there," she smiled. Even though they weren't large, she found the firelizards just as intriguing as the dragons.

"Ah, here we are," Chaysea suddenly had tunics in her hands, three neutral colors that could be mixed and matched with the pants. "Take these," she tossed them over Ranni's shoulder.

"Now, you'll need a couple of dresses. It gets awfully warm around here and you'll want something cooler to wear." After that statement, a couple of sun dresses were tossed at Ranni.

"Now shoes, let's get you some sturdier boots and a pair of sandals. Come here and lift up your foot."

Ranni felt as if she were already teetering under the stack of clothing she was holding on to with both arms. She made her way carefully over to where Chaysea was standing and lifted one foot. Chaysea pressed the sole of a shoe to the sole of Ranni's foot to see if the sizing would be correct.

"Those should work," she added the boots and sandals to the top of Ranni's stack.

"Is there anything else you think you might need?" Chaysea asked, but then spoke again before Ranni could. "Underclothes!" She slapped her forehead. "Of course!" She dug through another trunk and piled Ranni's arms with bloomers, shifts, and breastbands.

"_Now_ you should be all set." Chaysea beamed.

Ranni, who had her new bloomers tucked under her chin to carry, and her arms full, merely gave a nervous smile back. "Thank you, Headwoman."

"Of course, now let's get you down to the Candidate Barracks and make sure there's an empty trunk to store your things. Let's go Company," she called to the flit, who flew to her shoulder and settled with his tail wrapped around her neck.

"Yes, ma'am." Chaysea was a force to be reckoned with, she thought, wondering if that was a job requirement of Headwomen.

Last updated on the March 11th 2019

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

A New Way of Living