A Late Evening

Writers: Avery, Suzee
Date Posted: 30th March 2017

Characters: Jayzine, K'ran
Description: Jayzine brings a forgetful Weyrleader dinner.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 10, day 6 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Lenala, Genna

Jayzine

K'ran

It was late. More than that it was _very_ late. Jayzine worked with
Lenala every day and knew how much the Weyrwoman doubted her own
abilities and work.

Yet what's she'd seen from Lenala was a smoothly running Weyr.
Everyone was supplied, all crafters were happy. Candidates were being
trained and the Weyr hummed with activity.

But it was late and the Weyrleader hadn't called for a meal in his
office or Weyr _and_ he hadn't come to the dining cavern. So she took
it upon herself to make up a tray from what she observed of his
preferences and carry it to his office.

Light streamed under the door and she shook her head. He was still
there. She blew out a breath of resignation and knocked.

K'ran lifted his head up from where it rested on his curled hand. He
had begun to drift off over the reports. "Hello?" he called.

She almost snorted at the sleepy reply and pushed the door open. Her
eyes took in the stacks on his desk and she turned aside to a smaller
table and set the tray down. "Come eat your dinner," she commanded
him without any preamble. She'd been a wife of a Hall Master and knew
how to talk to get him to do what was needed.

K'ran raised an eyebrow. "Headwoman, welcome in," he said, though she
was clearly making herself at home in his office already. "Is it
really so late?" But a glance over at the timekeeper indicated that
perhaps it was.

She picked up a napkin and flipped it open with a snap, then looked
pointedly at where he still sat and then back at the chair next to the
food. "Come on then," she said in a dry tone. "We need you healthy."

He obediently stood up and walked over to the chair, taking the lid
off of the food. "Thank you for bringing this over, even if it's late
for you."

That rewarded him with an upturned corner of her mouth. "Of course
Weyrleader," she said in a more pleasant tone. It wasn't all that
common for her to receive thanks for going out of her way for a rider.
But then she knew he didn't have a weyrmate to look after him and so
it was really her own self proclaimed duty.

She flipped the napkin onto his lap a bit less forcefully than she had
at first. "When was the last time you slept?"

He caught the napkin and waved at the other chair in the office.
"Please, sit. And last night," he said.

"Thanks," she smiled grateful for a moment to sit still. She lifted
the pot of klah and poured for him and then for herself. "I'm glad to
hear it. But are you sleeping enough? My father used to call that
burning both ends of the candle. Up too early and bed too late."

"Your father sounds very wise. I admit I've been guilty of that. I
prefer early rising." it was why he ran wing drills early.

The smile reached her eyes finally. "In many ways he was," she said.
Though she didn't go into how he'd decided so poorly when it came down
to her marriage. "But," she nodded. "We all learn from our mistakes,
hopefully." Then she bit her bottom lip briefly. "I was sorry for
Genna's flight, and that she found it necessary to leave us."

K'ran was startled she brought it up, but it was a Weyr. Gossip spread
as fast as dragonflame and gossip involving goldriders or rankers must
be doubly so. And as Headwoman she probably heard more than most
people.

"It's been a bit difficult," he admitted. Especially since it had been
'suggested' to him to not see her for a bit. He missed her. "Being a
dragonrider is sometimes...complicated."

"I can only imagine," she half smiled. "But I also understand your
position and how difficult it can be to judge who you can and who you
can't discuss things with." Perhaps he didn't know her history but
then she wasn't really the center of attention much anymore. "I've
been a Hallmaster's wife and can keep things to myself should you feel
the need to just talk." She held out a hand as if to push away a bad
idea. "But only if you want."

Normally he wouldn't be so open about something so personal to someone
he didn't know as well, but it was late, and he was lonely, and
Jayzine was being so kind.

"It does seem to be lonelier at the top. Being a Wingleader was a bit
alienating from others, a Weyrleader even more so," K'ran said. "I
imagine a Hallmaster's life must have been similar, though I'm no
expert on the crafts."

"Yes," she said softly. "It is a smaller immediate society but with
crafters spread all across the southern continent it is sometimes a
management nightmare. There are just some things you can't discuss.
But I will say that I probably know more about wines and brewing than
the ordinary Headwoman."

He hmmed as he considered that thought. "Any thoughts on improving the
wines we get? Or even growing our own?" he asked lightly.

"Our climate isn't the best right here on the river but in the hills
around Sunstone there are some areas where it gets dry enough to
prevent the vines from getting diseased. We should see about perhaps
inviting a Master here from the Hall to evaluate where the best
locations would be."

"I think that's a marvelous idea," he said, giving her a broad smile.
"If you have any suggestions for who to approach I'd be delighted to
take a hand in it, help take some weight off of Lenala."

She nodded and stood. "You eat that and I'll be back for the tray in a
bit. I think I have an idea but will make an inquiry before you send a
formal invitation. Is that alright?"

"More than alright. It's not urgent, after all. Just an interesting idea."

She turned at the door and gave him a very warm smile. In fact, it was
quite unlikely anyone had ever seen that smile other than her children
in many many turns. It transformed her face from the rather severe
expression she'd learned to wear to something lit from within.

K'ran hadn't noticed before, maybe because he'd always interacted with her
at work and when they were both serious. But she had a very pretty smile
and it transformed her face. "Have a good night, Headwoman. And thank
you," he added. He would remember this kindness.

Last updated on the April 25th 2017

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A Late Evening