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Writers: Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 20th March 2019

Characters: Timassa, D'hol
Description: D'hol and Timassa make plans for the wing.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 10, day 4 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentioned: Z'ku, K'deren, T"nom, J'ackt, Alina, Urlene

Timassa

D'hol

D'hol frowned with displeasure at the hides in front of him, flipping
through the Thread schedules and charts with a practiced hand. He
reached for his tea and brought it to his mouth, only to find that his
cup was empty. **shaffit. It can wait.** He shifted in discomfort, but
ignored it to bring out another hide. A knock at his door didn't
distract him from his perusal. "Come."

"I've got that revised sweep schedule you wanted," Timassa said as she
walked toward the desk. "I had to switch one of the green riders
because she thinks she's pregnant."

He looked up with a frown, then sighed. "That's the third this month.
I'll need to know as soon as possible if she is so I can adjust the
wing's flight positions. Shaffit." He rose slowly from his bent
position and gestured to the charts. "Thread's falling more heavily as
the Pass progresses. We need everyone we have and the wing will have
to be prepared for any losses." He tapped on a hide. "We're going to
have to be prepared to fill holes in the ranks."

"Yup, I've already sent her to Dolphin Hall to see if there's a
diagnosis. We're already thin on that side anyway." She sat in the
chair across from his desk. "Good news, maybe," she qualified. "D'stel
is almost well enough to be dismissed from Queens. He talked to the
healers and they may certify him qualified to return to the upper
wings."

"Good. It's about time. But still, it's too many out." He rubbed his
chin. "Starting tomorrow, we're going to have surprise dropouts from
the wing during drills. I want to see how quickly they adapt. All
three of us will each take a turn blinking /between/ and out of the
wing. The rest we'll assign secretly before each pass in the drill.
We'll be able to see any weaknesses in the wing's reflexes."

She nodded. It was a good plan and not one she'd seen used in recent
turns. "What about that bronzerider Z'ku? He's got a good solid grasp
and keeps his side anchored."

"I want them drilled until they fill in the gaps wherever they are
like it's second nature to them. " He felt a dull stab of pain and his
mouth tightened with an almost inaudible grunt, but he controlled the
impulse to bend to protect his middle. "Z'ku is experienced and you're
right." He drummed his fingers over his own arms. "He'll be first.
But the rest of the wing should never know or expect who'll drop out.
I'll follow the next pass of the drill, then T'nom, then Alina. You
after. We'll vary it each time. "

"Right," she nodded. "Hey," she added. "Thanks for letting me have the
extra candlemarks with J'ackt. He's making a good recovery. Still not
out of the woods but solid progress."

D'hol looked at her over his shoulder, then turned. "You're welcome.
He's the reason you came here, isn't he?" Shrugged, then walked to his
own chair. Carefully he sat, feeling a trickle of sweat slip down his
temple as the ache flared angrily again, then eased as he bent
slightly to rest his arms on the desk. "You needed that time. I take
care of my riders, Timassa."

"You do," she smiled. But she'd also noticed some little things that
concerned her. "Are you alright?"

He gave a humorless lifting of his lips. "Cramp. I'm not exactly a
young buck any more. It happens." He brushed it off with a flick of
his fingers. "How much time will you need with J'ackt? I understand
he'll be in the infirmary a bit longer. "

"I visit every day but don't need to stay there for long periods
anymore. Honestly, they have to keep him practically pinned down. I
don't think he likes being there very much. But that Healer, what's
her name... Urlene?" Timassa chuckled. "She's got his number. She
doesn't pull any punches, that one."

D'hol did smile then, but it was restrained. "I can't really blame
him. I've not had any close interactions with Urlene, but she's well
known for her bedside manner. I almost pity him for that reason
alone." He looked over at her. "It's a personal question, but is he
more accepting of your presence now?"

"Hard to say," she shrugged. "He can't protest to much when he's sleeping."

"Hm. I suppose not. But from what I understand, if he didn't want you
there, you'd know. " He gave a brief shrug. He was more concerned
with her than J'ackt; he barely knew the boy. "Let Z'ku know about
tomorrow's drill. I'll speak to K'deren before this evening."

"Sounds good," she said. She'd smiled at his thoughts on her nephew.
"He comes by it honestly. His mother was also very stubborn. So am I,
but that is a good thing."

"I'll keep that in mind." D'hol gave a brief smile. "I think that's
it for now. I'll let you get back to whatever you were up to." He was
going to get more tea and lay down.

She nodded and rose from the chair with a smile. "I'll see you in the
morning," she said and thought she'd go find some companionship for
the evening deciding not to proposition D'hol. He must need his rest
the way he was acting.

Last updated on the March 23rd 2019

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