An Awkward Moment

Writers: Len, Paula
Date Posted: 30th May 2013

Characters: Taren, G'wen
Description: G'wen goes for his physical examination to see if he's fit to fly a wing
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 1, day 10 of Turn 7

Sitting a little harder than he should have, G'wen gave a little 'woof!' as
he took the chair in the waiting room of the Masterhealer. He told himself
there was nothing to be nervous about, but this_was_his big test, the one
that just might declare him fit to ride a wing. Because of that his old
clumsiness had come back in spades. He just hoped he could get done before
E'naer saw the mess he had made of the man's prized wiskey collection.
He_had_only meant to dust there, not take down the entire shelf. He
squeezed his eyes shut in remembered horror and wrung his hands until the
knuckles showed white.

"G'wen, rider of green Neath!" Taren called in the next patient. Looking
over the boy he added: "Oh, it's you."

The young rider's eyebrows shot up at that. He stood up and walked past the
healer, into the examination room. "Sorry I'm not a redhead," he shot over
his shoulder, giving a little flick of his black hair.

"It's just a preference, not an obsession," Taren retorted with a grin.
"So, how are you been? And that I mean your health, I'm not just politely
inquiring."

"Good...a bit tired but that's more from night duty with fretting weyrlings
than anything else." G'wen sat down on the table, his legs swinging a bit.

"Okay. Take off your shirt," Taren said and and picked up a stethoscope.

"My my, you don't beat around the bush, do you?" G'wen gave Taran a flirty
look, feeling playful.

"I'm on duty and I didn't ask you to take off your pants. For that one, I
won't warm this up," Taren retorted. He didn't mind flirt, but he was
working now. He pressed the cold metal against G'wen's back to listen his
lungs.

G'wen just sighed sadly and took the cold without complaint.

"Breath deep in..and out. Now cough," Taren instructed.

The boy did as instructed.

"Your lungs are clear," he marked and moved to the front. "Next, I'll
listen to your heart."

That was a relief. G'wen watched Taran's face with no small concern, hoping
the news was good there as well.

"Nothing wrong with your heart either," Taren said and put away the
instrument. He did couple of more tests to G'wen and asked a long list of
questions.

They were the same questions he had been asked for almost a turn now. G'wen
answered them by route, his mind only half on what was being said.

Taren jotted down some notes and then looked G'wen in the eyes. "I'm
declaring you healthy and fit to return to Fighting wings. I'll recommend
you to start easy, with light duties first. Don't push yourself, don't
overextend yourself. Remember that you've been recovering from a long
illness and your body needs to adjust to rigors of Thread Fighting. I don't
want see you back here, do you hear me?"

G'wen let out the breath he found he was holding. "I don't want to be back
here, either, trust me." He clamped his hand over his mouth once he
realised exactly what he had just said. "I'm sorry, sir! I didn't mean it
that, y'know...

Taren laughed. "I did understand what you meant," he assured him.

"Oh good." G'wen's smile was huge. Maybe now he could join a wing and get
away from being around E'naer so much.

"Take good care of yourself," Taren said.

G'wen slid off the table. "You too. I hope you find that redhead."

"I did once already. Have a beautiful little daughter with her....and then
she died," the last part was just a barely audible.

G'wen's eyes grew huge. "Oh? What happened?" Ever so gently he placed a
hand on Taran's arm.

"She was greenrider, what do you think happened? She didn't come back from
a Fall..." the pain was still fresh, and he closed his eyes. Maerine and
her dark red hair, green eyes and that smile.

G'wen resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He wasn't a mindreader, after
all. At least not one for humans. "I'm sorry."

"Yeah, well," he cleared his throat and pushed feeling aside.

Surely there was a weyrling that was in terrible trouble right now that
needed his help. G'wen desperately poked at Neath's mind, but she was fast
asleep. At a loss, the small boy chewed at his lower lip.

Taren busied himself by writing the report. "You can go now," he said with
gesture towards the door. "I'll deliver the transfer papers and my report
to your wingleader and Weyrleader when they are ready."

G'wen all but ran out.

Last updated on the June 4th 2013

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An Awkward Moment