What Can I Do?

Writers: Devin, AL
Date Posted: 28th February 2011

Characters: Meledei, N'vanik
Description: N'vanik fills Meledei in on what's going on
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 13, day 7 of Turn 5
Notes: Mentioned: Traelyn, Janani

Follows "Never"

N'vanik

What he wanted to do was stay in his weyr the rest of the day. Maybe
for _several_ days. But there were still things he had to do, and he
couldn't have Janani stall people forever. So finally he went back to
his office and picked up the list he'd made. Meledei was near the top
of the list, and she would be easier to handle than some of the other
people.

}:Mine wants to see yours, in his office,:{ Loseth told Elleth, his
tone quiet and sad.

It wasn't surprising, though to be honest, Meledei wished he had sent
for her earlier. She felt like she had been left out of the loop,
with no idea what was happening. One minute, Traelyn is Weyrwoman of
the Weyr and the next minute, she's not. From the rumours, Janani was
taking that position. At least until the next gold rose. That didn't
surprise Meledei. She was under no illusion that she would be chosen
or even considered for the position. She'd not even been a goldrider
for much more than a turn and not a full rider for less than that.
No, she was definitely not the best choice for the Weyr.

**Tell him I'm on my way.** Meledei didn't waste time. The records
could wait. This was far more important. She left the room and made
her way through the halls, her boots clapping against the floors in a
fast, steady rhythm. It stopped only when she came to the door of
N'vanik's office and she brought it to a cadence with several sharp
raps against his door.

"Come in." He hoped it was Meledei and not someone else coming to bother him.

It was. The goldrider slipped through, closing the door behind her.
Her gaze fell upon the man who lead the Weyr and now led it without
the woman who had been with him since rising to power. "You wished to
see me, N'vanik." Her voice was soft, lyrical in its pronunciation
tinged with solemnity.

"Yeah. In case you haven't been told yet, Traelyn is gone, and she's
not coming back." It was a little easier to bear now, but only a
little.

"I've...heard." But not directly. Word had spread quickly through
the Weyr. Dragons and humans alike made it spread faster than the
plague. Meledei hadn't been particularly happy about the _way_ she
found out.

He nodded. "So since we were short a Weyrwoman, I had to pick a new
one. I picked Janani."

Meledei nodded slowly. It made the most sense. Jyra...well, it
probably was best not to get into _that_ situation. "Okay." No
argument from her.

N'vanik gave her a ghost of a smile. "I didn't think you'd be eager
for the job yourself."

"I think I need a few more turns of experience before we get to that
point." Meledei pointed out. She hooked her thumbs in her belt,
fingers curling under as her hands dangle. "I think she'll be good."
Not that her opinion mattered anyway.

"I hope so." He never thought he would have to _pick_ a Weyrwoman.
"But she's only acting Weyrwoman. Whichever gold rises first will be
Senior Queen." And that meant Meledei could still end up with the job.

"Hers will rise first." Meledei stated without doubt. "Elleth's not
going to rise any time soon, I'm pretty sure of that." And pretty
relieved to be honest, which the girl couldn't keep out of her face.
"A good thing. I'm not ready to step up as Weyrwoman."

"There's still a chance, however small it might be. Angdelouth is the
most likely to rise next, with Elleth being young and Ikoladith having
her Hatching a few months ago, but we can't be sure. Stranger things
have happened." They had to be ready for the possibilities, even if
they were unlikely.

"I suppose. I'll keep a closer watch on her and let you know if I
suspect anything, but I doubt it. She's not showing even an inkling
of any signs." And Meledei just didn't _feel_ as if it was imminent.
Of course how would she know? Her dragon had never risen before,
but...somehow the young woman just didn't think it would be an issue.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" She asked, switching subjects a
little.

"I'm sure Janani could use some help sorting through hidework." He
didn't know how organized Trae had left her office.

"Of course. I'll be glad to help." Meledei let her eyes dart over
N'vanik. He didn't look good. Not good at all. Any frustration or
anger she might have had melted for the moment. "Anything...I can do
to help _you_?" She asked, her voice a little softer.

N'vanik sighed. "I'll be fine." He'd just gotten most of it shoved
back down and he didn't want to let it loose by talking about it
again.

"Oh. Okay." He didn't want to talk about it, that much was written
on his face and Meledei did her best to keep her own expression
schooled. She had a lot of feelings on the matter, but if N'vanik
didn't want to talk about it, then she wasn't about to dump her own
feelings on him. One hand pulled from where it was hooked into her
belt, fingers idly playing at the edge of his desk. "If there
is...just...let me know. Okay?" Her eyes drifted to her hand, then
back up to him, the man who had won the Weyrleadership, a man she had
supported wholeheartedly even with the doubts of so many around her.
That wouldn't change. And she hoped to Faranth that the
Weyrleadership wouldn't change. The Weyr needed him. Not just the
stability but...shardit. Meledei bit her lower lip and kept her mouth
shut.

As lost in his own thoughts as he was, N'vanik still noticed. Was she
just worried about him or was there something else? "You alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Well, she was, though Meledei had a multitude of
feelings on the sudden departure, but there was no sense burdening
N'vanik with those. "I'm...just worried about you, that's all." And
that was the truth, though she wasn't sure if Meledei was going to
share much more than that.

Her concern was genuine and he felt like she deserved something from
him. "I talked to Tal earlier. It helped. But I'm not ready to talk to
anyone else. It's too soon."

"Okay." Meledei could understand that. She'd been very much like
that after she and F'gol...no, she wouldn't get into that. No
thoughts should run in that direction. She had enough troubles on her
mind. "But...if you do want to or need to talk about it, I'd be
willing to listen."

"Thanks." Once again he was reminded that he did have friends, more
than he'd ever had before.

Last updated on the January 28th 2012

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