Two Parties?

Writers: AL, Devin
Date Posted: 23rd August 2009

Characters: N'vanik, Zelle
Description: N'vanik visits Zelle while making his rounds of the infirmary.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 4, day 3 of Turn 5

N'vanik

N'vanik made his way through the infirmary, checking on the injured riders and getting informal reports from the healers. He'd made a habit of visiting the infirmary after every Fall. It was important for him to be there in person, to assure his riders that they were more than numbers. His rounds brought him to Zelle's cot. He didn't always check on her, but he made the time to stop by about every other Fall.

"Zelle? How you doing today?"

"Weyrleader!" N'vanik was greeted with a smile and a polite nod. "I'm doing better, thank you. I have to admit, I didn't expect to see you today." Zelle was perched upon her bed, looking as if she had been about to rise - or in her case, attempt to rise - but if she had, she had stopped just before her feet completely touched the floor. "I
hope the day finds you well." He had visited her before but she had thought he wouldn't be back for another day or two. "What brings you here?"

"Just making the rounds," he said. "Managed any walking yet?"

"Not alone and with the help of healers and bars." Zelle shrugged. If she had her way, she'd be running out of the infirmary - her body, however, had other ideas. "But some progress is better than none."

"Yeah. You'll get there." It might take a long time, though. "How is Rillith coping?"

"She's eager to be up in the air with me again." Zelle eased herself further on to the bed, evidently settling down for a longer conversation. "She healed more quickly than I did and has been up to go hunting a few times already."

"The Candidates and weyrbrats taking good care of her?"

"Very good care, though it's not the same." Zelle's smile was rueful. "It won't be this way forever. It just seems like it. How are you doing, sir?"

"I'm fine. Doing what I can to get most of us through Fall." His smile wasn't very convincing.

"You seem to be doing fine." Zelle had to admit that she had her doubts about the man. She hadn't agreed with the age change and still didn't, but N'vanik did seem like he was trying at the very least - and not doing a bad job either. A pang of regret came at the thought of the former Weyrleader and it caused her smile to waver for the briefest moment.

He shrugged. "We all get along the best we can, I guess."

Zelle nodded slowly. "I do hope you're not working too hard. All work and no play makes the Weyrleader a dull boy after all."

"Don't worry about that. Dull isn't my style."

"I had a feeling that was the case." Zelle missed out on most of what was going about the Weyr since she'd been confined to the infirmary, but she could tell N'vanik was the sort who liked to have fun on occasion - if not more often.

"Speaking of dull, is there anything you need to make your time here a little more bearable?" he asked.

"Get me out of here?" Zelle was half joking. She knew she wasn't ready to leave the infirmary - she still had therapy and more recovering to do. "Or hey, send in some comic bards. Some of these healers could do with a good laugh."

"That might not be a bad idea." The patients could use a laugh as well.

"It would certainly liven up the place." Zelle leaned forward in a conspiratory manner, her eyes widening and giving her a more childlike look. "Especially Grehtal, I don't think that woman's laughed in _turns_!"

N'vanik smiled. "I'll see if the harpers can spare anyone. Or maybe we'll get lucky and a caravan will come through."

"Even better!" Sometimes Zelle enjoyed the caravan entertainers as much as the harpers. Some of them were as talented and skilled as harpers, though she was certain some harpers would argue against that. "We'll have a gather right in the infirmary!"

"I don't know about a gather, but a little entertainment won't hurt. I think there's a caravan due next sevenday." He'd have to check to make sure.

"It sounds great to me, and you're going to have some really grateful riders and weyrfolk." They all needed a break, especially those like Zelle who had been in there so long and were getting restless. "Thanks for the willingness to do it."

"What's all this power for if I can't abuse it to throw parties?" He winked.

Zelle laughed. "Remind me to come to you when I need a party in the future!"

"How 'bout I throw a party when you're all healed up?"

"Really? Just for me?" Zelle straightened up, a twinkle in her eye at the idea.

"Yeah. And I can abuse my power to get some wine from the Vintner Hall." Zelle had a number of friends, so the party should be a lively one.

"Even better!" Zelle grinned, then went silent. A party for her. No, it shouldn't just be for her. "It should be for others too. Everyone who is in the infirmary. Give them a reason to smile."

"You want _two_ infirmary parties?"

Zelle couldn't help it - she giggled like a little girl. "Well, I was suggesting we throw one big one for everyone, but if you're offering two, who am I to argue?"

N'vanik smiled. "I was thinking one party for the infirmary as soon as I can organize it, and another party for you and your friends when you get out."

"You're going to spoil me if you're not careful." Zathris shook her head, though her smile remained. "People might think I'm the Weyrleader's pet."

"I'll make sure to yell at you enough to dispel those rumors once you get back to drills."

"Is that worth it though?" Zelle grinned then shrugged. "I guess I can't complain if I get to go to two parties, one just for me!"

N'vanik could see why so many people had good things to say about Zelle. "The Wing misses you. They'll be glad to have you back. And more than happy to celebrate."

"And I miss my wing. I'll certainly be celebrating my return!" Zelle wasn't lying one bit and while she didn't like Thread - who did - it was still a part of being a dragonrider.

"I'll let you get back to what you were doing. I'll be back in a few days to let you know how the plans are going." N'vanik didn't need more work, but planning an infirmary party would be a good distraction from other things.

"Great. And thank you sir." Zelle's outlook on the new Weyrleader had certainly changed, and not just because he was going to throw her a party. "I'll see you next time."

"See you, Zelle."

Last updated on the August 23rd 2009

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