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Writers: AL, Estelle
Date Posted: 2nd November 2024

Characters: Alyena, Vandor
Description: Vandor comes to the new headwoman for assigned quarters.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 1, day 20 of Turn 12

Vandor

As he had noted during his stroll outside, Vandor couldn’t help but notice the changes inside. Mostly they were small things, tapestries changed from one to another, fewer familiar faces traversing the hallway, but mostly it was the same. He had to make the same trek down the same halls to get to the places he remembered and loved. The first destination was that of the Headwoman. Although he had sent word of his return, he hadn’t received a reply, but surely it would be all right. After reaching the door, he rapped upon it and, once given leave, entered the room.

And the woman sitting at the desk was not Chaysea.

More changes.

“Excuse me, Headwoman?” Vandor nodded politely to the woman and silently wondered what had happened to the previous. “I’m Vandor, Journeyman Healer. I wrote a few weeks ago that I was returning.”

"Yes, of course. Welcome back to Dolphin Cove, Journeyman." Alyena rose from her chair and offered a hand. "I've only been Headwoman two sevendays now, but my predecessor showed me your letter and we've prepared a room for you in the crafters' quarters. I can show it to you now, if it's convenient?"

Shifting his bags to take her hand, Vandor’s grip was firm, but warm, and not overbearing and was coupled with a small, but pleasant smile. Chaysea had been Headwoman when he left, and he didn’t know the circumstances of that, but that didn’t matter in the moment. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Yes, thank you.”

Getting settled in his quarters appealed, as did a bath, which he had forsaken the night before. That would be remedied soon enough, but only once he had his things put away. Since he had another full day before he was required to report for a shift, he had plenty of time. Stepping back, he motioned for the woman to lead on.

"I expect you'll remember the way as well as I do." Alyena rolled up the hide she'd been working on and passed him out of the office, heading for the part of the Lower Caverns where the crafters and senior staff had their rooms. "I looked up your old room in the Records, but it's been reassigned - so I found one quite close by and with a little more space. I hope that's all right - I can always make a note in case the old one becomes free, if you like." Weyrfolk seemed to be happier to move around, but she knew people could become attached to a room and its memories.

“That’s fine. I’m simply glad to be back here.” Vandor fell into step easily, shortening his strides to keep in time with the rhythm she set. He glanced down, unable to quite place her age, though he suspected she was likely a little bit older than he. “You said you had just been made headwoman a few weeks ago. How do you like it thus far?”

"I've hardly had time to think about it," she replied, but the brightness in her eyes hinted at how much she was enjoying her new role. "There's so much more to do than I could have imagined! You finish one task, or solve one problem and two more take its place - but it's very rewarding. I'm lucky, too, that the former Headwoman is still on hand to offer advice. She came out of retirement temporarily while the Weyrwoman was looking for someone to replace Headwoman Chaysea - you'll probably remember her?"

“Yes, I do in fact. She was Headwoman when I was called to help out in the North.” After his arrival, he had been all to aware of all the changes that had occured during that absence. Most weren’t bad, just simply different and would require getting used to. “I’m sure the Weyrwoman is happy to have someone like you step in. I’m afraid I don’t remember meeting you before my departure - are you new to the Weyr, or have we just not had the pleasure of meeting prior?”

"I've been here for about a Turn and a half," Alyena explained. "My son was Searched and Impressed. He's a bluerider, working as an assistant to the Weyrlingmaster until he's old enough to join the Wings." He might hear the tale about how she'd come to Dolphin Cove at some point from the gossips, but it was a long story and they were almost at his new quarters.

"Down there is your nearest bathing room," she said, pointing to a side passageway to their right. "There's a bigger one nearer the Infirmary, so you can use whichever suits you best. These rooms are mostly assigned to crafters and senior staff, so there's space to study as well as a sleeping area. Here we are." She came to a halt outside a door, identical to the others on the corridor except for a painted number, opened it and stood back to let Vandor enter first.

Stepping inside the quarters, Vandor looked around, but he knew exactly what he would find before even setting eyes upon the interior. Although in a different place, it was almost exactly the same as the ones he’d had last time. Nodding, he turned to the woman who had guided him there. “These will do nicely.” There was even furniture already placed there, so he could rest without worrying. “Do I need to procure linens?”

"No, now that you've arrived I'll have someone bring you a fresh set. If you'd like to replace any of the furnishings, though, I or one of my assistants can look through the store rooms with you." Some people were happy enough with plain furniture, or indifferent, but others had their own preferences for style and comfort. Alyena glanced up at Vandor, who was among the tallest men she'd seen at the Weyr. "That desk and chair might be a little on the small side for you if you plan to study here often. I'm sure I don't have to lecture a healer on the importance of good posture," she added with a smile.

Vandor chuckled and nodded. He certainly didn’t want to entertain any backaches, especially since he wasn’t the sort who particularly enjoyed slowing down. “I might need a longer bed as well, but will make due if it’s not something that can be acquired immediately.” During his time in the North, Vandor had slept many a night in many uncomfortable places, and if it hadn’t been easy for him to fall asleep anywhere before, it certainly was now.

"I expect we can find something, but if not I'll ask one of the woodcrafters if they can extend the frame." Alyena made a note. Perhaps his old bed would still be in storage somewhere. "The Weyr values its crafters, and we want you to have a good night's sleep. And you certainly don't want to be dozing off in the Infirmary," she added. "Have you met the Weyrhealer yet?"

“Not yet. I came to you first since I needed somewhere to put my things.” It didn’t make sense in Vandor’s mind to drag his bags with him to see the Weyrhealer. “But now that I have a place, that’s my next stop.” Finally setting down his belongings which weren’t much considering all he had required carrying while travelling, he straightened and turned back to the Headwoman. “I don’t wish to take anymore of your time. Thank you for your assistance.”

"You're very welcome. I'll leave you to settle in and meet your new colleagues, but if you need anything and I or my staff can be of any assistance, don't hesitate to ask." Alyena smiled warmly as she took her leave. "And I'll keep an eye out for that extra-long bed!"

“Thank you, Alyena. I appreciate it.” Smiling as the Headwoman made her exist, Vandor turned to the quarters. Although they weren’t the ones he had vacated previously, it didn’t matter. The sights, the sounds, the smells, all together it wrapped up into a single entity that warmed his heart. He was finally back at Dolphin Cove Weyr. He was finally home.

Last updated on the November 4th 2024

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