A Good Word

Writers: Bree, Eimi
Date Posted: 8th February 2006

Characters: U'kaiah, Talryne
Description: U'kaiah and Talryne have a nice little chat after drills
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 10, day 3 of Turn 3

Talryne

U'kaiah smiled at the greenrider as he removed his riding helmet. "You and Ysanth have been looking really good in drills, Talryne. I think you've really settled in nicely."

Talryne tucked her helmet under one arm, returning U'kaiah's smile. "I think things have been going better lately."

"It certainly seems so. You have your arm strength back at least."
U'kaiah's eyes were teasing. He hoped the girl would understand that that he was no longer angry about her failure to inform him of her injury before.

"Well, with all the healers in the family, I wouldn't have dared step a toe out of line." Talryne rolled her eyes. "They're all tyrants. But I'm sure _you_ already know that."

"Yes," he chuckled, "I suppose I do." A certain healer that resembled the young woman came to mind quite clearly. He didn't mind that particular tyrant so much, especially now that she seemed to bent in giving him anatomy lessons. "And you never were tempted to follow in their footsteps?"

Talryne shrugged. "I couldn't at the Hall, and I didn't want to leave for a long time. My mother wasn't well... she took a lot of care." She was getting good at ignoring the guilt that came with the thought of her mother, but the smile she'd had faded a little. "Anyway, by the time I came to the Weyr I was so old it seemed silly to start, and I Impressed my first time standing."

"I'm sorry to hear about your mother," U'kaiah said, laying a hand gently on her shoulder. He could understand more than ever how deeply a death could hurt.

She hadn't expected the sympathy, and the guilt came roaring back. She didn't _deserve_ the sympathy. After all, she hadn't even been there. "Oh, well it was over a turn ago, now."

"But it sounds like you and your mother were close. I have... learned how hard it can be when you lose someone you are close with." Even if you could only claim closeness for a short while... He couldn't imagine losing someone you'd been close with all your life.

"It was hard," she agreed reluctantly, wishing she could think of a graceful way to change the subject. "I was at the Weyr, though. I'd already Impressed Ysanth when it happened." U'kaiah nodded. "At least you had your dragon. That must have offered you some comfort."

"Oh, yes. So, is there anything you think I need to work on in drills?" As far as subject changes went it was weak, but hopefully U'kaiah would accept the hint gracefully. "No, I think you're getting it just fine," the bronzerider said with an apologetic smile. Of course she wouldn't want to talk about it. She probably didn't like talking about it any more than he did. "Just keep doing what you're doing."

She gave him a grateful smile. "I'm sorry. I should be able to just say it, shouldn't I? Just say that I don't want to talk about it. I guess it hasn't been long enough after all. But I truly wasn't trying to be rude."

"No, no. I was prying. I should know better. I don't much like to talk about it either."

Talryne shook her head. "You've been nice to me since I came here. You've earned a little prying. Besides," she said carefully, looking away. "You probably know from my file that things--weren't so good for a while there. I know the Weyrlingmaster was concerned." "I suppose I do." From her file and her cousin... "But I figure you're here for a fresh start. I don't know if that means its a chance for you to look at the past in a new way, or a chance to leave it all behind. But I want tell you, Talryne, I'm the only one here besides maybe the Weyrleader whose looked in that file. It stays with me. And if you ever want to talk about what happened, that would stay with me too."

She glanced back at him. "Can I ask you how much it says?" she asked a little nervously. Some of the things she'd done at River Bluff... well, gossip wasn't likely to be in the file, but it was highly likely that reports from the mindhealer were. "Well, there is your mother's death, the Weyrlingmaster's worries. And a few things about your behavior towards others and your view on life." He was sure she would know what he meant well enough that he didn't have to go into detail. "Ahhh." She hid her embarrassment under a cheerful smile. "Well, at least I learned all those tricks I showed you after Ysanth's flight," she said lightly.

That brought a chuckle from the bronzerider. It was a good thing her cousin still didn't know about that. "Yeah, there was that. Well, if I had been in perfect health I might have been able to teach you a thing or two." Talryne laughed, nudging him playfully in the side with her elbow. "Well, I like to think there's always more to learn. I'm just thinking I might spend a little more time learning _other_ things for a while."

"Until her _next_ mating flight?" he asked giving her a playful nudge in return. "You can always hope," she replied with a sweet smile, even as she berated herself for flirting with her wingleader. Shards, he was the one man in the Weyr she was trying her best _not_ to flirt with. She hadn't realized that putting him off-limits would make him so tempting.

"Well, that last flight seemed pretty successful. I think that should give me a little bit of an advantage," he grinned. "And Kalamath flew pretty well, too." Shards. If Abrei saw him flirting with her cousin like this...

"Mmmm... I'll put in a good word for Kalamath then." Talryne quirked an eyebrow at him. "I'm sure there are plenty of people willing to put in the same good word for you."

"Perhaps one or two." Shards, it was nice to tease a woman again. It seemed like it had been a while. "But I can put in a good word for you too, if you like."

Talryne shook a finger at him. "Uh-uh, a good reputation is exactly what I'm trying to avoid. Besides, I've had _plenty_ of offers for companionship.
You've got awfully friendly wingriders here." "Actually, I was thinking of putting in a word with Kalamath," he said with raised eyebrows. "Oh." For a moment Talryne didn't know what to say. Then she laughed. "Well, I suppose Kalamath is safe enough... You don't think he'll pass anything along, do you?" "Definitely not," U'kaiah laughed. "He's rather selfish when it comes to the ladies."

"I'll keep that in mind." They'd reached the intersection where their ways parted, so Talryne slid an arm around U'kaiah's waist and gave him a friendly hug. "Thank you for being nice, U'kaiah. I appreciate it." "You're welcome," he smiled, giving her a friendly and an equally grateful squeeze in return. "Any time you need someone to be nice to you, know where to find me."

Last updated on the February 8th 2006

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A Good Word