Maybe This Time

Writers: AL, Jane
Date Posted: 26th November 2008

Characters: Ylisahn, Meledei
Description: Mel goes to tell Ylisahn that she's standing for another hatching.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 12, day 22 of Turn 4

The girl lifted her hand and rapped at door, her skin only a couple of shades lighter than the wood thanks to the hot sun, then took a step back to wait until she was either bid to enter or the door opened. Once given leave, she opened the door and stepped through, offering a friendly smile to the Weyr's headwoman. "Hello Ylisahn. It's just me."

"Mel," the blonde woman said, turning from the shelves behind her desk and smiling at the apprentice beastcrafter. "I was going to send a message to you, as it happens."

Mel wrinkled her nose at the nickname. She wished people wouldn't call her by that, but it seemed that everyone was bound and determined to do so. "Oh you were?" She stated, quickly rubbing her nose to make it look as if it were itchy to keep the woman from noticing her displeasure. "Well, I guess I've saved you the trouble. What did I do now?"

Not what you did," the Headwoman said, "What you're going to do. Stand?
For the clutch? I'm sure you will be but I have to check with all of my scattered - working - candidates."

"Oh, yes, actually that's why I'm here!" Mel stood. She had lost count of the time she had stood for a clutch. It had become more habit than anything. She didn't think she was going to impress and, while she really wanted to, she also knew that not everyone was meant to be a dragonrider. She could hope, but she also knew she had to prepare for a life without a dragon. She couldn't just wallow and wait until she was too old to stand any longer. "I just wanted to confirm that I am indeed standing again."

"I'll add you to my list of 'definites', then." Not seeing a pen around Ylisahn shrugged. "When I get organised. We'll have even more Candidates this time. Last time we only had the extra Candidates from Dragonsfall but this time other Weyrs have also been invited to send those Candidates who wish to Stand for our Hatching. It should be a big crowd."

"Really?" Mel hadn't heard that. Of course, she had her head up to bovines ready to birth and had been running around going crazy helping with the new babies that she hadn't really been paying that much attention. "I didn't know that. That ought to make things a bit more interesting. Are they all going to stay here until the hatching?"

"I hope so. I don't like that flitting in at the last moment business, and I don't suppose Nyith does, either. It's a good thing you're not in barracks."

"I don't think there would be any room for me." Mel laughed, reaching back to rub her neck. "I'd have to sleep on the floor if we have candidates from all the other weyrs!"

"Well, we can't have that. But you let me know if you need to move closer. You'll have all that running backward and forward to do between you craft work and your candidate duties. If there are any problems, let me know."

"Thanks Ylisahn, you're a dear." The candidate grinned and turned back toward the door. She paused for a moment, then asked, "Are Ravere and Rilisa standing?"

"Yes, both of them," she said with a smile at the thought of her two children. Both made a point of coming to see her in her office to tell her _properly_ that they were going to Stand, not just letting her know in passing. "So even with all the new faces there will be plenty of old ones."

"I haven't seen them the last few days." Mel mused. She missed spending time with them but with all the animals that were due to birth soon...well, things were just crazy, for journeymen and apprentices alike. "I'm hoping things slow down soon and I can catch up with them."

"I'll tell them you're looking out for them. Perhaps they'll come out and visit you one evening - because I know you're working all candlemarks of the day and night."

"Especially since Bessa is supposed to calf and it's her first." Mel reached up to absently run a hand over her hair. It was coming out and she was going to have to rebraid it. "Gavor is in love with that bovine, I swear." She laughed then, "And he doesn't trust anyone else except me for some strange reason."

"You have a way with them - the bovines _and_ the craftsmen." Ylisahn frowned. "How far do you think you're away from walking tables now?"

"Less than a turn." Mel was looking forward to that. It would give her the ability to do more - and to learn more! To be honest, she felt she was already to walk the tables, but that wasn't for her to say. "And I'll be glad for it."

"It'll be nice to see some tangible reward for all your work." Ylisahn smiled, and teased, "Of course, you life may move in an entirely different direction if you're lucky in this Hatching."

"We'll see." Mel certainly hoped she was, but once again, she thought to herself that she had to be prepared that it wouldn't. At least she had a purpose in case she never did. She knew some candidates put all their hopes on impressing. Some went away sorely disappointed and sometimes even bitter.

"Well it won't hurt for me to wish you luck," the Headwoman continued, finally spying her pen and getting hold of it before it disappeared again. "Good luck with this Hatching, Mel."

"Thanks Ylisahn." Mel smiled. She hadn't had luck yet, but maybe that hatching was different. Maybe her dragon would be there. Well, she would simply have to wait and find out.

Last updated on the November 27th 2008

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Maybe This Time