Accepting Responsibility

Writers: Emma, Heather
Date Posted: 19th August 2019

Characters: K'sedel, R'nar
Description: R'nar approaches K'sedel regarding Ranni's duties.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 12, day 1 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentioned: N'lon, Cyradis, Ranni

K'sedel

R'nar stood outside of the Weyrlingmaster's office door for a long time,
staring at the grain of the wood for so long that he had nearly memorized
every knot it. True to her word, Ranni had not said anything to anyone about
him being the father of her baby. A small cowardly voice inside of R'nar
flirted with the idea of just letting the situation go, of never saying
anything, after all, Ranni was the one who had manipulated herself into
getting pregnant without his knowledge.

The young bronzerider exhaled roughly. As tempting as the thought of letting
her stew in the mess she had made was, it was not how R'nar had been raised.
Although not the best father, N'lon had never purposefully neglected any of
his children, and his mother.... A picture of Cyradis' face flashed before
him. As soon as he left K'sedel's office he would have to go and tell her.

He did not need his mother's approval of his actions or behaviors, but he
thought it at least courteous that she find out from him that she was to be
a grandmother, rather than through Weyr gossip.

Knocking on the Weyrlingmaster's door, R'nar cracked it open a peep,
"Weyrlingmaster? Can I have a word with you?"

"Come in," the rather nervous looking young man in front of him might as
well have been his grandson, seeing as his mother was weyrmated to his son.

"R'nar, take a seat. What can I do for you?"

"Thank you, sir," R'nar sat down in the chair opposite of the
Weyrlingmaster's desk. "I wanted to talk to you about Ranni," he said,
getting straight to the point. "I am the father of her baby. I realize as
the pregnancy progresses it will be more difficult for her to complete
certain of her chores. I wanted to volunteer to make sure those chores are
done."

"I see," K'sedel studied the bronzerider for a second. He looked almost too
young to be a rider, let alone one who was soon to be a parent. "I take it
neither of you planned this?" It was well known that pregnant weyrlings
would have a longer time in training, given that they would be forced to
take a break. Plus the risk of losing their dragon, if the baby came when
the hatchling was simply too young to understand and deal with their rider
being in labour. K'sedel was sure that R'nar would have been told this
during his time as a candidate. "But clearly it has happened, so let's work
out what you can do to help her. Firstly, do you know when she expects to
deliver the baby?"

Even though K'sedel wasn't scolding him outright, that was how R'nar felt.
Ranni's manipulation of the situation made R'nar look as irresponsible as
she had been in allowing herself to get pregnant. R'nar wouldn't correct
that misconception, however, he had already told himself that people would
think what they would think and he couldn't stop them from doing so. Going
around smearing the name of his future son or daughter's mother was not
something R'nar wanted to be a part of, so even though he felt plenty of
anger and blame toward Ranni, he would keep that to himself.

"The baby is supposed to arrive at the beginning of the third month." R'nar
told him.

"Ok," K'sedel reached for a hide to make some notes. "Month 3, so she's not
that far along yet?"

"No, we are supposed to hear the heartbeat next sevenday." R'nar confirmed,
although he had not told Ranni yet that he would be attending.

K'sedel noted that down. "Of course she'll be given time to attend healer
appointments, take that as read," he said as he made notes. "You'll need to
speak to your wingleader about arranging your duties so that you can

accompany her, if she wants you to be there."

"Yes, sir." R'nar agreed. At least K'sedel hadn't belittled him, which R'nar
had worried would happen since the perception was that he and Ranni had made
a boneheaded decision.

"Until her green gets to the point where she can hunt for herself, she may
need help with butchering to feed her dragon, and also with washing,"
K'sedel said, as he continued to make notes. "I can have the schedule for
that sent to your Wingleader so he knows what's going on. She'll also need
help with washing once the baby is here."

"Thank you, sir. I will make sure all of those things get taken care of for
her." R'nar promised.

"Good," K'sedel observed the young man for a moment, making sure he was
taking it all in. "Have you spoken to your mother about this yet?"

R'nar's cheek dimpled into a rueful smile. "I am on my way to her after we
finish up."

"I'm sure she'll be more understanding than you think, and willing to help
you both," K'sedel said gently. "Let her help you to be the best parent you
can be."

"Yes sir," R'nar agreed, pleasantly surprised at K'sedel's high opinion of
his mother. R'nar thought she was a great mother, but he also knew he was
biased. He only hoped that she would not be disappointed in him for being so
naive regarding Ranni.

Last updated on the September 3rd 2019

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