Putting On a Good Show

Writers: Miriah, Chelle
Date Posted: 21st May 2013

Characters: Eirlira, Rhosyn
Description: The holder girl talks to the Weyrwoman about candidacy.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 1, day 14 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Lenala, Solieira, A'shel

Eirlira glanced around the corner, eyes contemplative. The Weyrwoman
should be coming down this hallway in just a moment and she had
decided that no matter what, she would meet the woman. Her lips curled
up at the thought. She could make herself indispensible.

Rhosyn was finally up and about and walking again though she wasn?t
yet as active as she was before. Her new skin hurt and she knew she
had to take it easy. However, it was a good feeling to be out of her
sick bed and around her folk. Orlaith was content to lie around and
sun as the eggs grew within her, so the Weyrwoman focused on the
duties she could complete. After finishing with a round of things
Solieira had sent her way, she walked down through one of the tunnels
towards the Dining Cavern.

There she was. Eirlira took a deep breath, clutched the hides tightly
in her hands and stepped out, humming to herself as she purposefully
studied the teaching hides she had been given. A little fumble and the
hides scattered at Rhosyn?s feet, Eirlira jumped back and gave a mock
groan. **Perfect**. Hurrying to bend to gather them up at Rhosyn?s
feet, she hid a satisfied smile before looking up. ?Oh, I?m so
terribly sorry!?

The Weyrwoman didn?t have patience for people dropping things right in
front of her. Especially when she was just getting over an injury-she
didn?t need to trip and get another one! Anger showed quickly and the
poor girl likely didn?t read the signs. ?Aye you should be.? Stepping
around Eirlira, she kept walking, eager to get to her midday meal.

Eirlira's jaw dropped and then her eyes narrowed as the woman promptly
ignored her. She was never ignored! Ever! But she had to bite back a
vicious reply. It would not do to make that woman her enemy. But it
was something she would remember.

~*~

Sometime after that encounter, Rhosyn had seen a hide come across her
desk. Some holder had run away to the Weyr and wanted to Stand, did
they? Well, she would meet this holder. So Eilira received a summons
to come meet with the Weyrwoman. Thankfully, Rhosyn was working on a
full stomach just then.

Eirlira had received the summons and her brow knit as her mind worked
rapidly. Putting several plans in place at once, she approached the
door to the Weyrwoman's office and rapped lightly on the door.

"Come in," came the call while Rhosyn remained seated. She wasn't an
impressive figure, looking small in her chair and a bit chubby, to be
honest. The Weyrwoman wasn't a ravishing beauty either. Still, when
those hazel eyes hit-there was something there to recognize and respect.

Stepping into the office, Eirlira made herself into the perfect
picture of a respectable hold girl. She curtseyed deeply and looked
demure and through hidden glances through her lashes, she examined the
room and made mental notes of it. "You summoned me, Weyrwoman?"

"Indeed. You are Eilira. Come here from Sunstone. And apparently you wish
to be a candidate to Stand for my next clutch. You have no Weyrblood. So
have you been Searched?" That was the first question that came to mind since
in Rhosyn's eyes if she hadn't been Searched, it would be a waste of time
and she wouldn't put people on the Sands without there being a chance.

Eirlira had to hide her displeasure and swallow a retort. So what if
she had no weyrblood? Why wouldn't a dragon want her? People from
holds Impressed all the time! She was not going to be pushed aside.
Instead, she spoke softly, demurely. "No, Weyrwoman, I've not. No
Searchdragon has looked at me."

"Allright then, let's go find one." Getting up, she made her way slowly
out of her office. It was a small matter to summon one of the Weyr's
Searchdragons with her queen's assistance though many were out finding
candidates for the clutch to come. Rhosyn led Eirlira to the Bowl, watching
for the green who would be landing soon.

Eirlira couldn't repress a shudder of nervousness behind Rhosyn's
back, but then tamped down the doubt. She would be picked. She had to
be.

The green swung down to settle near Rhosyn, and the rider, an older
man dismounted from the green with care. D'fre nodded to Rhosyn and
then to the girl. "Good morning, Rhosyn. Have a girl for Brinetath to
take a gaze at?"

"Sure do. This is her." Stepping aside, she put Eirlira forward. "She's a
holder. " And then Rhosyn was quiet, simply watching the girl and wondering
how she would react. **What if she isn't Searched?**

Eirlira turned a gaze to the green and stood straight, refusing to reveal
her nerves. Inwardly her stomach clenched tightly. **Shaffit, say yes! Yes..
that's all I need. Then I can show them all.** Her chin lifted. The green
nose twitched as she stepped forward, boldly lowering her head to snuffle at
the girl. Eirlira didn't budge or flinch, but met the green's gaze without
any obvious signs of fear or worry. Brinetath sniffled around her hair, her
shoulders and then huffed softly turning back to her rider. Eirlira held her
breath and bit at her tongue. **What's taking so long?**

D'fre suddenly smiled and turned to Rhosyn. "Brinetath says she is most
suitable for any clutch. She says a very strong sense about the girl." The
green bobbed her head in agreement and Eirlira visibly straightened with a
pleased almost smug smile.

"Lovely. Thank you both very much. Brinetath-Orlaith knows you will find her
some good ones." Smiling at the green, Rhosyn waved as she turned back to
Eilira. "Very well, Eilira-now you and I will go talk in earnest." And she
walked slowly again to her office, but with a sure stride as always-happy to
be planted back in her seat once again when she got there.

**In earnest? I've been Searched. What more is there?** Eirlira nodded to
the rider and followed Rhosyn, her confident walk no longer a mask over
nervousness. Her lips curled in satisfaction and her chin lifted. As they
returned to the office, she took her own seat once again and settled her
hands on her lap.

"Very well, you may become an official candidate here at the Weyr. As such,
you will live in the Barracks, perform the chores assigned by the Headwoman,
and attend lessons. If you do not perform in your lessons, the
Weyrlingmasters will notify me. You will also see the healers for a full
physical. You must be physically healthy to Stand." The girl didn't seem
stupid so that was good. She also didn't seem mentally off from what she'd
observed so far. "Now for your Record-how many turns have you? Were you born
at Sunstone?"

**Yes, yes...I already know that.** Instead of giving voice to her thoughts,
Eirlira nodded in apparently placid agreement, but kept her head high. "I'm
healthy. I've always been healthy. I was born at Sunstone and I am nineteen
turns."

**Not young enough to need parent's permission.** "And what exactly do you
think being a dragonrider is all about? Have you been at the Weyr long
enough to see the injured?" Rhosyn had Impressed after being at the Weyr for
some time. "Have you ever had any children or been married?"

How to answer that question... Eirlira considered the woman in front of her
and told her what she most likely wanted to hear. "Dragonriders are the
protectors of Pern. They fly thread and work hard. It's dangerous, but I'm
told it's worth it." She settled in her chair. "No I haven't except in
passing. I've seen the thread scores, though." She avoided the infirmary
like the plague. Who would want to go there? It didn't have anything to do
with her. "I've never been married and I've no children." **Nor do I want
them.**

Rhosyn considered this. And just as she had done with Angshel, so she did
now. "Eirlira, I want you to accompany my wingsecond, Lenala, when she makes
her infirmary visits tomorrow. Then, you will tell her what you saw." Rhosyn
also wondered if the girl knew what hard work was. Solieira would soon see
to that, though.

Hiding her moue of distaste, Eirlira nodded as she gave a mental, crude
curse. "Of course, Weyrwoman. I would be happy to."

Last updated on the May 23rd 2013

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Putting On a Good Show