Honesty

Writers: Bree, Yvonne
Date Posted: 1st April 2006

Characters: Tsaera, Lenala
Description: Tsaera confronts Lenala with Zakita's accusations - but what's worse, she brings up M'galec.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 10, day 26 of Turn 3

Lenala

Tsaera pulled off her riding helmet and ran a hand through her sweaty hair.
Drills were over for the day and she wanted nothing more than to bathe, slip
into something light and airy, and have a nice, cold beer. But nothing was
ever that easy. She tossed her helmet onto her desk and sat down just as
there was a knock at her door. "Come in!"

Lenala slipped in, looking somewhat nervous. "I heard you wanted to see me,
Tsaera?"

The Weyrwoman smiled tiredly at the other goldrider and gestured for her to
sit. "Yes, I did. It seems that you and I are long overdue a discussion."

"Oh?" Dropping into the seat, Lenala crossed her legs and let her foot
bounce nervously. "If I've done something wrong... I'm trying, Tsaera. I
really am."

"I know that, and you're not in trouble." Tsaera didn't have the heart to
punish her _again_, no matter what her weyrmate thought. "We just need to
talk. Zakita told me this morning that you've been giving her extra hidework
so that you can spend more time with M'galec. Is that true?"

Lenala's foot froze, her eyes narrowing. "Why that conniving little..." she
ground her teeth together, trying to stop the words before something truly
insulting came out. "That is not exactly how it happened."

"What really did happen, then?"

"She said it would be good experience for her," Lenala admitted, wondering
if she should include the _other_ things Zakita had said, especially the
comments about Tsaera. "She's the one who suggested it. Shards, Tsaera, I'm
not going to pretend that I'm the best 'second, but I'm not _that_ bad."

The Weyrwoman nodded and crossed her ankles. "I thought as much. Zakita can
be... difficult." And she wasn't very subtle, either. "This could have been
avoided if you'd let me know your agreement beforehand, though."

"I'm sorry. I didn't think it was important enough to bother you with,"
Lenala replied honestly, sinking down in her chair a little. She couldn't
seem to do _anything_ right.

"Better late than never. It will be dealt with, but I still would have
preferred it if you'd given me a heads up." Tsaera leaned forward and put
her elbows on the table, not sure how to continue. "More than a few people
have talked about you to me lately, and they say a lot of things. But you
haven't been talking to me. Lenala... what do _you_ want?"

Lenala tilted her head a little, her eyebrows coming together. "What do you
mean? What work do I want Zakita to do?"

"No, I mean, do you want to be my 'Second at all?" Tsaera tried to smile,
but the expression didn't come easily. "I won't hold it against you if you
say 'no'. I just want to know if you actually _want_ the position."

"Of course," Lenala replied automatically. She might not _like_ the extra
duties, but she had never considered giving up the extra prestige.

The Weyrwoman gave her a hard look. "Be honest with me, now. You are a smart
woman, but I don't always think that you are doing the best you can do. If
you walk away now, no one will think the worse of you after what you've been
through. You're smarter than I think you let on, and I'd like to see you
exercise that more often. But if the position is too much..."

It had been a long time since someone had called her smart. It certainly
wasn't the first thing people noticed about her, that was for sure. "I think
I do. I know I can handle it, but things have just been... confusing,
lately."

Tsaera sighed. "I... know they have. But I want to know that you are also
serious about being my 'Second."

Lenala nodded, fiddling with one of the rings on her finger as she
considered the question. "I'd like to try after the Hatching... at least for
a few months. If I can't figure things out... well, maybe I should step
down."

"Lenala, I don't think you'll need to. You're a smart young woman." Tsaera
fixed the other goldrider with a steely stare. "But I need to be able to
count on you. I'll help you all I can, because I _do_ think that you can be
a good 'Second. But I need to know that you'll put in the same amount of
effort that I do. And... I need to know why you send M'galec to talk to
K'sedel, Abrei, U'val and I instead of you dealing with it yourself."

"He did _what_?" Lenala replied in a horrified voice. He'd talked to
_Abrei_? The thought brought angry color to her cheeks. "He just said he was
going to talk to the Weyrleader. I didn't think K'sedel would listen to
me..."

Well, _that_ was interesting. "He's been going around and making a nuisance
of himself, and to put it bluntly, he's not endearing either himself or you
to anyone he's spoken with. And whyever _didn't_ you think that you could go
to K'sedel yourself?" Tsaera frowned again. "A Werywoman's Second should be
able to argue her own case and handle her own problems, not send someone
else to do her dirty work. Dealing with others, even when it is unpleasant,
is your _job_. That's why I want to know if you truly want the position -
you're telling me one thing, and behaving in another way."

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize--well, I wasn't sure if you'd like me
disagreeing with your Weyrleader." The tiniest hint of challenge sparked in
Lenala's eyes before she lowered her gaze hastily. "I've worked with
Weyrwomen who would have felt differently, is what I mean. I didn't want to
presume."

"Of course you can talk with K'sedel, and argue with him too, if you wish."
A hint of a smile crossed Tsaera's face. "We don't always agree either, but
when we do disagree, we approach each other in a mature and rational manner
and talk it out. Sometimes we compromise. Sometimes we don't. But we talk
about it. If there is _ever_ a problem, Lenala, come to either myself or
K'sedel. Even if our original decision is not changed, then at least you've
brought up the issue and we're aware of it. Sending in a second party to
discuss it in your place is simply unacceptable."

"I didn't really _send_ him," Lenala protested. "At least, not on purpose.
And I _certainly_ didn't send him to Abrei..." Her voice sounded more than
little annoyed. "But I'll try to make sure it doesn't happen again."

"You've already admitted that you were aware that he was going to speak to
my Weyrleader on your behalf, even if speaking with Abrei was his own idea,"
Tsaera said, a trace of impatience creeping into her voice. "Please own up
to that and don't try to colour the issue. I've got enough truth-twisting
from Zakita."

Lenala flushed. "Yes, I knew he was going to. And I won't let him again. I
promise."

"Thank you." Tsaera paused. "If you deal with M'galec, I will see to
Zakita." Nodding quickly, Lenala couldn't help but think she'd gotten the
better end of _that_ deal.

Last updated on the April 22nd 2006

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Honesty