Here Versus There

Writers: Anika, Chelle
Date Posted: 29th October 2014

Characters: E'rae, R'taran
Description: E'rae and R'taran discuss differences between different Weyrs and change in general.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 9, day 12 of Turn 7
Notes: Mentioned: Zharesti, Cyradis, Rhosyn, Tsaera; Mentor Approved

"On the contrary, I have great respect for women," R'taran stated
sharply as he walked beside the Weyrlake. "I believe they have very
unique and important roles to play in Pernese culture. I also believe
they should be protected and provided for. I have as much right to my
beliefs as you do to yours and you brought this up, remember?"

"You are the most irritatingly hidebound individual in this entire
Weyr!" The red-head yelled, storming off with a swish of her skirts.

With a sigh of frustration, R'taran turned to the bluerider who
happened to be sitting nearby. "Why do women ask questions when they
don't want to hear the answers?"

"The day I figure out women is the day the sun stops rising," E'rae
said simply. Of course females were a touchy subject with him still.

"Good to know I'm not the only one," R'taran replied. "Apparently my
views are antiquated and more suited to a man turns older than
myself." He shrugged, not caring overly much what the fiery tempered
lower caverns resident thought of him.

"I've had the same said of mine but I was holder born so I use that as
my excuse most days." Of course he was also a bluerider so sometimes
the two things butted up against each other.

"I'm originally from a Hold also. In six turns time, I think I've
adapted quite well," he proclaimed, a hint of arrogance in his voice.
"I don't go about forcing my opinions on others but I think I've a
right to cling to some of the values I was raised with."

"Mm to some. Others never work in a Weyr. However, even as it is your
right to think what you will so it is theirs to think what they will.
And indeed, to the Weyrfolk, we holders are an oddity, especially when
we are still holders after Impression." E'rae was looked at even more
so, since he rode blue.

R'taran's brow furrowed as he considered the other man's words."I
suppose you're right. I have never been particularly good with
change." He studied the bluerider for a time. "Didn't you transfer
here from another Weyr?"

"Aye. I had the honor of Impressing at River Bluff." Having been
through so many changes recently and not yet knowing if he had
weathered them, E'rae didn't comment on R'taran's other statement.

Giving a nod the brownrider asked, "Do you find the Weyrs particularly
different from one another?"

"They're both coastal with the same climate so that's no different
really. The people are different though as well as the situations.
River Bluff had a stable Weyrwoman for a long time whereas Dolphin
Cove didn't. And then you had the earthquake and the
accident during Fall causing a lot of hardship here. People are still
recovering." E'rae thought about the similarity to his own situation
and wondered if that was why people were more understanding here. "Of
course our Weyrwoman now is far different from yours."

"I've oftentimes considered the differences between Hold and Weyr, but
I can't say that I've thought much about how the Weyrs compare to one
another. Having Impressed here, I just accepted the hardships as part
of Weyrlife. I suppose the leadership
styles would indeed make for different environments." Pondering all
the bluerider had said, R'harn picked up a rock and
skipped it across the water. He was comfortable with the silence and
let it stretch out for a time. "My name is R'taran by the way," he
finally offered.

"E'rae, rider of blue Leith," he replied easily. The brownrider was
certainly intelligent. Most of his friends had either ridden green or
blue. This was a conversation he had never thought to have.
"Dragonsfall has had upheaval too, so I suppose life there might be
similar to this. River Bluff, on the other hand, except for Zharesti's
brief stay, has had continuity."

"Hmmm...I am generally partial to continuity. Makes me wonder, could
all of the changes here at Dolphin Cove made me cling all that more
strongly to my holder traditions?" He shook his head. "No, I suppose
that's not a fair assessment. I am who I am." R'taran found himself
wondering about E'rae. If he also clung to his Holder values, what
kind of conflict did that bring him given the color of his dragon?
Not a question he would ever ask, but he found himself curious
nonetheless.

Not knowing if he should respond to that, he kept quiet waiting to see
if the man would say anything else. E'rae wasn't usually so talkative
anyway but lately he'd been trying to be social for the first time in
his life.

R'taran skipped another rock across the water not feeling the need to
say anything else, but not yet ready to move on. He warmed to very
few people, yet he felt a sort of kinship with E'rae. It was nice to
know there were other riders who retained some of their Holder
beliefs. More than once he'd been accused of arrogance for doing so,
and he often found socializing an onerous task. He wondered now about
what brought the man to Dolphin Cove. It wasn't in his nature to ask
personal questions, however. "It was hard for me, coming to the Weyr.
Was changing Weyrs a challenge for you?" he asked instead.

"In some ways yes, in others it made dealing with things easier. In
other words, that big change helped me to deal with the other ones in
my life." Not many knew what had happened to him and he didn't want to
publicize it. It could undermine his wingmates' trust. Not that being
grounded for some time hadn't already made people wonder when he had
first arrived.

Supposing the man must have had reasons for leaving River Bluff that
he did not care to talk about, R'taran just gave a nod. Any number of
tragedies might have brought on the desire for change and he certainly
wasn't going to pry. "I can't really imagine making such a move
myself, though one never knows what the future might hold."

"No, one never does. And life will always surprise you. I didn't think
I ever would leave the Hold and then I came to the Weyr and
Impressed." And lost half of his family after doing so.

"Leaving the Hold was the furthest thing from my mind. I felt honor
bound to do so, but the thought had never occurred to me until the
Searchrider came. Of course I can't imagine life without Qharterioth
now. All the struggles I faced with transitioning to Weyrlife were
well worth the bond we share." R'taran knew he was stating the
obvious, but he hadn't really considered his words before they left
his mouth.

"I would never give Leith up, no." E'rae was pretty sure he had
struggled a little bit more. Now that they had a Pass, he got a bit
more respect than before, but he still understood the onus attached to
being a bluerider. His dragon made it worth it though.

Giving a nod for E'rae's comment and thinking it was time to move on
R'taran said, "Well, E'rae, it was good to meet you, but I have
leathers that need oiled."

Last updated on the November 16th 2014

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