A Real Possibility

Writers: Francesca
Date Posted: 30th June 2009

Characters: Taraglan, Selet, Rodachan, Leiana, Kaimi
Description: Taraglan sits down with his family to discuss a possible move to the South.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 3, day 5 of Turn 5
Notes: Northern Dolphin Hall

Taraglan smiled in satisfaction as he finished reading through the final stack of hides on his desk, quickly filing everything away in its proper place. His office looked just as it should, papers and scrolls all where they were supposed to be. The only bit of disorder was an empty plate that had contained his afternoon snack, but even that appeared clean, the crumbs having been licked up by Peti. The bronze firelizard was now sprawled gracelessly on the windowsill, happily soaking in the sun.

The tranquil environment was broken by Arper winging through the door, the blue quickly joining his brother by the window. Taraglan's eyes stayed on the door, knowing his wife would follow her firelizard.

"Ah!" she exclaimed as soon as she entered, wide eyes scanning the room. She had a tendency to look pleasantly surprised whenever greeting anyone, even though she had fully expected her husband of over twenty Turns to be in his office. "Done for the day?"

"Well, I could do more-"

"No, you're done," Leiana interrupted firmly, softening her statement with a

smile. "We're meeting the children soon for dinner." Their two younger sons were apprentices at the Hall, the younger still living with his parents. They often ate with their fellow apprentices, not wanting any accusations of favoritism from their father. It was even worse, in their opinion, that he was Master of Apprentices. However, their parents did insist on having at least one evening meal a week together.

"Is it that late?" Taraglan asked, once again making sure everything in the office was spotless.

"Yes." She came around his desk and pulled him up from his chair, eyes sparkling as he wrapped his arms around her. "Any news from the South?" she asked softly. The door to his office was already open and it would not do to have anyone hear their discussion.

"I just received a message from the Hallmaster," Taraglan responded quietly. "I will be meeting with her in four days to discuss the position. I think tonight after dinner we should all go back to our quarters to talk about a possible move."

"Again," Leiana added. They had told the children as soon as Taraglan had heard about the Hallsecond position and the reaction then had been mixed. The boys had lived at the Hall their entire lives and had no desire to move to a different location, where they would just be known as the sons of the Hallsecond. It didn't help that this Hall was in the South. They did not understand why their parents would want to move there.

"This time it is a real possibility though." He pulled back so their eyes could meet. "Are you sure you wouldn't mind moving there? The Hall is obviously very accepting of women, and the Weyr is nearby, but the culture will be very different. And travel anywhere else would be very difficult."

"That's why I want to meet with the Hallmaster after you do. Don't forget to ask her if that would be possible."

"I will see about setting up a meeting with you. And, you think the kids will be fine?"

"Of course they will. They're still young. And we'll see what they say tonight."

~ ~ ~

"You know, we have studying to do Da," Rodachan said as they gathered in the quarters now shared by his parents and two younger siblings. He had been permitted to move in with the other apprentices after being promoted to sr. apprentice.

Taraglan smiled at the comment, taking a seat beside his wife on their worn couch. "This won't take long, but it is important. Remember when I told you about the Hallsecond job in the South?" They all nodded. "Well, I'm going down there in four days to meet with the Hallmaster. So this really might happen."

"Da!" both boys cried out. Kaimi, turned to look at them, not understanding their reaction.

"I don't want to move!" Rodachan exclaimed.

"Especially not to the South," Selet added. The last word was pronounced like a profanity.

"The Hall is Northern-aligned," Leiana said softly.

"And what exactly do you have against the South?" Taraglan asked calmly.

That gave both boys pause. "They're hidebound," the older boy finally said.

His father raised an eyebrow. "I might call you hidebound for saying that. You have never met a Southerner, have you?"

Rodachan shook his head.

"So how do you know what they're like?"

"I've heard…," he mumbled.

"Remember, there are a lot of people who think dolphins are fish, because that's what they've heard." Taraglan paused to let that sink in.

"Then, can we all go to the Hall? And meet some Southerners? So we can decide for themselves?" Rodachan argued. He had no intention of moving, but it could be an interesting trip. He could brag about it to his friends. None of them had ever been to the South.

"I'll ask the dragonrider who takes me if that can be arranged," his father promised.

"There's a Weyr right next to the Hall," Leiana said, knowing that would entice them all.

"Weyr!" Kaimi yelled, excited.

"We could go to Hatchings?" Selet asked eagerly.

"We could walk to them," Leiana confirmed.

"And a Weyr can never be called hidebound," Taraglan added.

"I want to go to Hatchings," Kaimi affirmed, moving from the floor to her mother's lap.

"We could go to every one," Leiana told her.

Rodachan grunted non-committally. A Weyr nearby was attractive, but that seemed to be the only positive factor about this Southern Hall.

"I just want you to think about it," Taraglan told them. "Maybe nothing will come of my meeting next week, but I want you to be prepared." He looked at both boys. "Have open minds. And, don't tell anyone else."

"I know!" both boys said at the same time, annoyed their father doubted them.

"We wouldn't tell you about it if we didn't trust you," Leiana told them. She moved Kaimi from her lap and held out her arms to Rodachan for a hug before he left.

"I'll let you all know as soon as I find out anything, so if we need to make a decision we'll make it together," Taraglan assured them all.

Last updated on the July 4th 2009

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A Real Possibility