If You Stand

Writers: Devin, Francesca
Date Posted: 26th May 2025

Characters: T'lin, Lindora, R'lor, Zinora
Description: Lindora speaks to R'lor about her potential Candidacy while T'lin watches Zinora.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 5, day 8 of Turn 12
Notes: Comes right after "Have You Ever Been Searched?"

T'lin

R'lor

Lindora loosened her grip on Zinora as they popped out of /between/
over Dolphin Cove Weyr. "You did it! You were so brave!" she told the
girl as they gently circled down to land in the Weyrbowl.

Zinora cried for a moment after they dismounted, saying, "Cold," but
was soon distracted by the sights and sounds of the Weyr.

It was breathtaking, seeing so many dragons at once. Lindora took a
moment to look around, then turned to T'lin. "Ok, where do we go?"

"Just a minute while I check." T'lin's eyes unfocused while he
communicated through his dragon. "Ok, the Weyrlingmaster is in his
office and I let him know we're coming. This way." He led her to the
freestanding Weyrling barracks at one side of the huge Weyrbowl. Once
inside, he stopped in front of the Weyrlingmaster's office. "Do you
want me to watch her while you talk to him?"

She nodded, then crouched down to Zinora's level. "I'm going to speak
to someone quickly. Do you want to go see more dragons?"

Zinora smiled and clapped her hands, excited. She had not stopped
looking wide-eyed at the sky since they had arrived.

"Ok, I'll see you in a few minutes." Then Lindora stood and looked at
T'lin. "Thank you."

"It's my pleasure," T'lin said.

"Welcome," the Weyrlingmaster said as she entered the office. "I'm
Weyrlingmaster R'lor. Fair skies to you, young woman. T'lin said you
want to discuss living arrangements before you consider accepting
Search."

"Hello, Weyrlingmaster," Lindora said, giving the man a small curtsy
and taking a seat across from him. "I... this is all very unexpected.
T'lin Searched me, and I'm the right age, but I have a two-Turn-old
daughter. I couldn't leave her at the Hall. T'lin said Candidates
don't always need to live in the barracks?"

"Yes, we do need you in the barracks when there are eggs on the sands,
but outside of that time, those with families or with Craft quarters
aren't required to stay in the barracks," R'lor said.

She had so many questions, it was hard to just ask one at a time. She
tried to stick with the information that would help her make a
decision about what to do. "And, when eggs are on the sands she would
stay with a foster mother? Would I be able to choose the foster
mother? And would I still be able to see her?" The thought of going
even a day without her daughter was hard to imagine. It had just been
the two of them for so long.

"Yes, she would stay with a foster mother, and you would be able to
choose her. Or foster father, we have those as well," the
Weyrlingmaster said. "You have some free time each day, and the
Restday as well, when you can spend time with your daughter. I . . .
would not mind if you brought her to the barracks for a short time
before lights out."

There were too many thoughts in her head to dwell on the idea of
foster fathers, which sounded strange. A small smile crossed her face
at the thought of her daughter in the barracks. As long as the
Weyrlingmaster was telling the truth, it sounded like he was ok with
her spending as much time with Zinora as she could, while still
performing her duties as a Candidate. "When are eggs expected to be on
the sands?"

"It should be near the end of this month, which is why our
Searchriders have been busy." R'lor had been spending time greeting
the new Candidates and helping to get them settled. "You can wait
until later to accept your Search if you need more time to consider,
but the Weyr would be happy to have you and your daughter."

"Thank you, Weyrlingmaster." She was sure he had more important things
to do than talk to a potential Candidate. And she should probably ask
more about what her daughter's life might be like. But, she couldn't
help but ask a selfish question. "Is it true that I would be able to
apprentice to any craft here?"

"Yes, although you'd have to set aside any serious pursuit of crafting
if you Impress. But it's an excellent option to take up a craft while
you wait for your lifemate to find you. I'm a smith myself, and I
still take joy in it when I have a little free time." He liked that
she might be considering crafting already.

Lindora nodded. She could be a baker. A real one, not just a student.
That was almost as exciting as the thought of Impressing; and a lot
easier to imagine. "Ok. Well, I have a lot to think about. Is there
anything else you think I should know?"

R'lor wanted her to understand what could happen, even if it might
dissuade her. "If you do choose to Stand, and you do Impress, you
would have to foster your daughter full-time, at least through
Weyrling training, and you would need to put your dragon first, even
above your child. But the Weyr would care for her, and you would
always be a very important part of her life."

It was hard to hear his words. She hadn't asked him about life
post-Impression because she hadn't thought she would like the answer.
And she had been right. "I understand," she said. And, because it
didn't hurt to be honest, she added, "That's the main reason I'm not
sure if I should come here." A few Turns ago, it would have been an
easier decision. "Talking to you helps though." At least she had more
information now.

The Weyrlingmaster nodded. "You do seem like a devoted mother. I
understand this must be a difficult decision for you. Do you have any
other questions for me?"

Lindora felt like she should have more questions, but her head was
full and she really just wanted to sit down alone and think. She shook
her head. "That's it. Thank you for meeting with me. And, maybe see
you soon."

"I hope you're happy with whatever decision you make. It was a
pleasure meeting you, Lindora."

Lindora gave a final nod and curtsy to the Weyrlingmaster, then went
to find her daughter. She was ready to go home.

Last updated on the June 10th 2025

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If You Stand