She's a Problem

Writers: Chelle, Yvonne
Date Posted: 2nd February 2014

Characters: Tsaera, Rhosyn
Description: Tsaera consults with Rhosyn to discuss Eirlira's visit
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 5, day 4 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Eirlira, Solieira, Reeva

Drills were over, and in Tsaera's less-than-professional opinion Rhosyn's pregnant belly would ground her any moment now. The older goldrider remembered well how uncomfortable it was to fly while that pregnant-- bloated legs, an uncomfortable seat, her belly in the way and an aching back from all the extra weight. And she hadn't had to do it during a Fall. Out of consideration for the Weyrwoman, Tsaera left a comfortable amount of time between the end of the drills before asking Tabanirth to see if Rhosyn was free for a short visit.

The Weyrwoman herself had gone straight to her bathing pool. A nice soak was wonderful for many things. When she finished, she got out and pulled on a long tunic dress that was comfortable. }:Tabanirth's wants to visit:{

It had taken some adjusting to for Orlaith, having an older queen around, especially one that knew her Weyr. Still, somehow she had managed to get over it when she had realized that Tabanirth was really no threat to her. Her rider's lingering concerns probably didn't help matters. **Really? Hm. Well that's okay if she wants to come to my weyr.**

Orlaith relayed the message before subsiding on her ledge to catch the sun. Rhosyn headed out towards the entrance to greet Tsaera, chewing on a redfruit as she did so.

There was a light knock at the door a few minutes later, and Tsaera entered when Rhosyn bid her to. The older weyrwoman looked around the room curiously, her eyes lingering on the furniture, the weavings, the bookshelves. "I like what you've done with the place."

"Eh thanks." Leading Tsaera to the sitting room, she grabbed a juice carafe, glasses, and some cookies from the sideboard and brought them to the table that held fresh flowers. "So, to what do I owe the pleasure? Are there any problems?" Her voice held a note of concern that perhaps Tsaera had decided to go back to her other Weyr or some other issue.

Tsaera shook her head. "Nothing so dire. A candidate came to me yesterday to ask for a position as an assistant, and I wanted to discuss her with you. Her name is Eirlira."

A frown came immediately to her face. Well-she was ambitious for sure. Rhosyn thought it was interesting, though, that the girl had gone directly to Tsaera instead of through the Headwoman-whose charge she was-most likely since she knew Solieira knew about her recent punishment. "Okay, you go first and then I'll tell you what I think."

Tsaera paused to collect her thoughts, which had been scattered a little by Rhosyn's request. She was used to hearing what others thought and then presenting her own thoughts, but now that Rhosyn was Weyrwoman she could-- would adapt. "Well... she's ambitious, to come directly to me. She's obviously had some sort of run-in with Sol but wasn't forthright in saying it, though, which makes me think she's sly rather than smart. My impression is that her life before she was Searched was rather hard, and she's anxious to shed her identity as a fisherman's daughter. And I rather get the feeling that Eirlira's brought herself to your attention before this."

"Indeed." When she saw the Tsaera was finished, Rhosyn pulled her thoughts together. "She came here. She didn't want to be a holder and be subject to their rules. Eirlira was Searched and became a candidate. Since becoming so, she's been punished for mistreating a healer as well as another Weyr resident. That particular resident was hurt shortly after it and Eirlira seems to be the only one she ever
had a conflict with." Sighing, the Weyrwoman looked up at the ceiling. "The Weyrlingmaster is watching
her. Solieira is watching her. The girl is openly ambitious but she seems to have a mean streak. I just...
if she does anything else, she will lose the right to Stand and she knows this."

Tseara pursed her lips. The dragons only searched for a compatibility with dragon-kind, and not for specific sorts of people. Unfortunately. "If she's had conflicts with healers, why is she in the Infirmary?"

"As a punishment. Since Eirlira treated her healers rudely, now Reeva and her healers have Eirlira to empty bedpans and do the rest of the dirty work. Maybe she'll come to appreciate them more. If not, at least she'll have the satisfaction and craft relations will be spared. I also got the idea that Eirlira would balk at the baser chores. She'll need to learn to handle those things if she does become a rider-though I hope she doesn't if she continues to behave in such a way." If the girl could curb her attitude and change the way she looked at things, then maybe. She was smart, after all. "When Reeva releases her, she'll go back to her regular candidate chores."

It wasn't what Tsaera would have done, but the Candidates weren't her domain any longer. Still, Tsaera found it hard to bite her tongue. Eirlira was proud, and humiliating her in front of the people that she'd already scorned wasn't likely to change her attitude. "How is she with the other candidates? Any problems there?"

"Both the Weyrlingmaster and Solieira report that she does act a bit prideful in front of the other candidates-as if she's better than them. She can be cruel from time to time but nothing serious as yet. Again, she is being watched, however." Rhosyn knew Eirlira's time with the healers would end soon, if it hadn't already. Reeva would probably only take her for a few sevendays or so.

The older goldrider tapped her finger against the arm of her chair. "Has she bonded with anyone at all? Found a mentor, or someone she looks up to?"

"No. Particularly since she doesn't seem to look up to anyone. Rather, she looks down on them. Even those who outrank her. She's not stupid, though. She hasn't acted out of turn with me. I've expressed my hope that she'll behave better and hopefully put her cleverness to better use." For Rhosyn it was hard to understand such an attitude. For most of her life she had been told she wasn't worth her dragon. She had never had anything near arrogance.

"I've seen candidates like her before... although perhaps not as violent as you imply her to be." Tsaera tapped her finger against the chair again. "She told me that she hasn't found her 'niche' or a place to belong, although she was rather vehement about wanting to stay at the Weyr. It might be a good idea to see if we _can_ find a place for her, somewhere with some level of responsibility, where she can be easily monitored, where she doesn't have too much interaction with other candidates or Weyrfolk, and where if she does neglect her duties, it's fairly obvious and she'll be held accountable. If Eirlira feels overlooked or undervalued, she's more likely to act out. Perhaps Sol will have an idea of where to put her."

"Actually, I was hoping she would act out. If she does, she'll be gone and I won't have to worry about the safety of others. I don't know you Tsaera-whether or not you're a better judge of people than I am because of your turns. I know how it feels to be judged wrongly and that's about the only reason why I've backed off and let her prove herself. However, I am not stupid enough to give her a finger when she might take a dragonlength." Rhosyn was trying to reason this out. She was trying to pick the right words to convey what she felt. It was hard, realizing that she was speaking to someone who had never done anything to her when all the other goldriders she'd been around before had completely wrecked her life.

Struggling to keep her evenness, she took a breath. "We've put her everywhere as far as chores go. Nothing's changed as far as her behavior towards others. None of the other candidates act like that so I'd say the problem is her." There were many thoughts swirling around in those hazel eyes. "What would you do with her?"

"Like I said, put her somewhere with a bit of responsibility. Organizing the seamstresses' deliveries maybe, or helping to manage the inventory in the kitchens. Not the typical candidate chores. Sol might have other ideas. Or if you think it's best, I'll take her on and find her work while I'm here." Tsaera pursed her lips, thinking. It was always better to act than react, otherwise you lost the upper hand. Eirlira was more of a puzzle than she'd first thought. "I'd hate for her to force your hand, is all."

**I'm not going to give the girl exactly what she wants. After all, she would have a reason for wanting it.** "I'll speak to Solieira about kitchen inventory then. See if she acts any different." Rhosyn knew cruelty and meanness since it had been done to her. It made it easier to recognize it in others. Something in Eirlira and the way she calculated. It was more than survival.

"Good. Thank you." It spared her the task of trying to find Eirlira something to do, at least. Tsaera had never taken on an assistant before, and had no idea of what to give to one. "Is there anything else you'd like to discuss while I'm here?"

She tried to think. "Not really. I already shared my observations with you about drills in the note I sent to your office." As far as that went, that was really the only thing that Tsaera was involved in that also involved Rhosyn that she knew of.

"Then I`ll leave you to your evening." Tsaera said. "Clear skies."

Last updated on the February 8th 2014

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She's a Problem