If I Don't Impress

Writers: AL, April
Date Posted: 17th January 2009

Characters: Kendaria, Irlani
Description: Irlani and Kendaria talk of impressing and Foster mothers.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 13, day 17 of Turn 4

Kendaria was helping in the creche today. She smiled as she held a toddler and played with him. The little ones never seemed to mind that she was scarred. She smiled as the small one hugged a stuffed ovine to his little chest.

Irlani entered the creche, a little boy clasping her hand. Gyta was off with the Bakercrafters that morning and so Irlani had decided to take Ravyan to the creche so that he could get some interaction with some other children. Her eyes alighted upon a familiar face and she released the young boy who immediately toddled over to some toys. Irlani made her way over to the other side. "Hello Kendaria. How do you fare today?"

"Well!" She said with a smile. The toddler in her lap wandered off to play as she greeted Irlani. "And how about you? I see little Ravyan is as cute as ever."

"He is indeed." Irlani lowered herself to take a seat beside Kendaria. "And we're doing well. Gyta's off with the Bakercrafters this morning, getting a taste of the craft, pun intended."

"That's good. She could use it." She found her lap again occupied. Now a little girl of no more than two turns. her hair was blond and curly. she curled up and grabbed the end Of Kendaria's braid. She had one fat little thumb in her mouth.

"Oh?" Irlani arched an eyebrow, then smiled at the little girl. "What do you mean?" She queried, curious.

"Well, all kids need something they may grow intrested in. It gives her an chance to learn something. And perhaps it will keep her out of idle mischief." She smiled hesitantly. "At least that is what my father would say."

"Yes, that is true, though Gyta isn't known for participating in idle mischief. That one, however," Irlani turned her fond smile back upon little Ravyan, "I have a feeling he'll be quite the handful."

"I hear boys usually are. They tend to get in more trouble." She smiled as the little girl in her lap began to snore slightly. She hadn't realized the girl had fallen asleep.

"Oh I've had girls who were quite the little troublemakers before." Irlani admitted with a soft laugh. "Sometimes they can be even more trouble. I love them all, though."

"My brothers were a handfull. Always into something." She glanced down to the girl in her lap. "Yes, it's kind of hard not to love them. Maybe if I don't impress I will become a foster mother." She didn't say that she didn't expect to impress. What dragon would want her. She wasn't pretty and she was deformed.

"Being a foster mother is a grand thing." Irlani studied Kendaria's face through half closed lids. She looked thoughtful and Irlani couldn't help but wonder what was on her mind. "Then again, so is being a dragonrider."

"Well, my friend says I am really good with the kids. She was slightly sad when I moved over to the candidates barracks. I think that is why I keep finding my way here. When chores are assigned I get sent here to help in the creche. So, being a foster mother seems like a good place for me." She didn't add that she was afraid it would be the only way she would ever feel the joy of being a mother. She had to fight the urge to reach up and run a finger along her scar.

"You should do what you enjoy doing." Irlani encouraged. While she didn't necessarily agree with the mindset that women were only good for bearing and raising children, she didn't think that only doing that was necessarily a bad thing in of itself either. "The hatching isn't too far off." How long ago had the eggs been lain? Irlani wasn't exactly certain, but she knew they would hatch before long.

Kendaria shrugged. "I've been invited to Dolphin Cove for their hatching but I'm not sure if I'll go. I don't want to have to stay at another weyr. I love it here." She smiled hesitantly. Her smile crinkled her scar causing the edges of the scar to pucker outword. They stretched tight when she didn't smile.

"I thought you were going." Irlani stated in surprise. She had heard about so many other candidates who were traveling that she had assumed Kendaria would be among them. "I can understand if you don't want to, though. I find it hard to imagine me anywhere else."

"This is my home now. The only other place I ever belonged is gone now. I'm not ready to have to call somewhere else home. I just want to belong. You know? I don't want to face new people." She put her head down and subconsiously traced the long scar from her accident.

"I can understand that." Irlani nodded slowly. The girl needed some confidence, to be honest. Perhaps if she impressed she would gain that. Dragons had a way of doing that to the people that seemed least likely to impress. "Well, hopefully there won't be a flight before too long." She also knew that Kendaria was getting fairly close to the age limit for impression.

"Hopefully. It's only a turn or so before I am no longer able to stand." Kendaria sighed. "But, I'm keeping hope." She smiled softly.

"Good for you." Irlani stated encouragingly, her smile warm. "Don't give up. Keep standing and keep hoping."

"And if it doesn't work out there are always the kids to care for." she smiled down to the little one asleep in her lap. The kids never judged. They loved her for her.

"As noble a duty as dragonrider." Irlani stated firmly. It was her place to care for children. Some people seemed to underestimate that sort of position, but Irlani never did. It wasn't easy, but it was wonderful and rewarding.

Kendaria smiled. "I love being with them. And, they seem to like me."

A little boy waddled up at that point. "Dari, can I ha a dink?"

Kendaria smiled. "Of course Mandel let me umm..." She looked at the sleeping child in her lap with a helpless smile.

"I'll get it." Irlani offered, patting Kendaria's arm before rising. The girl was sweet, she just needed some confidence. Hopefully she would impress as she seemed to want to do. Dragons had a way of instilling confidence.

Last updated on the January 20th 2009

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If I Don't Impress