Greenrider Welcome
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Clancey, Rochelle
Date Posted: 21st June 2006
Characters: J'darin, Eleada
Description: J'darin welcomes Eleada home and assigns her to a Wing, after
making sure she and Gliorith are cleared to fly.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 12, day 8 of Turn 3
"Come in, greenrider." J'darin called, as the knock came. Hasaarth had, of course, mentioned who was visiting, and the bronzerider was prepared with the hides of her record from High Reaches in hand. He wanted to see for himself how this particular greenrider had recovered from her bad Scoring, and in addition, it was interesting that she was coming back to the place she'd Impressed. The Weyrleader had not lost _all_ his prejudices and attitudes about greenriders and women in general, but he was getting better at hiding them. Eleada took a deep breath, composing herself as she pushed open the door. She wanted to make a good impression, no matter how nervous Weyrleaders usually made her. Her guard was already up though. Being addressed as "greenrider" was never a good sign with a bronzerider. Striding confidently in, she put on a pleasant smile -not too bright though. It didn't pay to annoy authorities, especially those that could ground you. She'd been out of the fight for far too long, and she was not about to jeopardize her return. "Good day, sir. My duty to Hasaarth." She said courteously.
The Weyrleader nodded in return, adding a half-smile for the mention of his bronze. "Good day, Eleada, is it? And how is Gliorith today?
Hasaarth says she flies well and strong again. Is that so?" He waved to one of the two chairs opposite his cluttered desk. "Have a seat."
He was looking at her curiously, with Weyrleader's eyes. Yet somehow not quite looking _at_ her. "Thank you. Gliorith is fine, sir, and happy to be flying again."
Eleada replied as she gracefully took a seat. She noticed his gaze, and sighed inwardly. Another self-centered bronzerider who believed he was better than her because of his dragon's love life. Great.
J'darin pulled the appropriate hide and glanced at it for a moment.
"Several months healing, yes greenrider? No stiffness, no hesitation?
Neither of you are afraid?" He finally gave her a full look, to the exclusion of all else. J'darin's blue eyes could be very intense. "I'm not trying to be insulting, Eleada." He went on, in a softer tone.
"I've seen others lose their confidence after a bad Score, but admittedly none in the smaller colors."
Eleada sorted swiftly through several reactions, stomping hard on the pride that made her sit ever so slightly straighter. "No problems for me, sir. Gliorith's leg still gets stiff after sleeping, but it hasn't been a problem and the healers cleared her. As for the rest..." She returned his gaze steadily, carefully keeping a faint smile in place.
"I am a dragonrider, and she is a fighting dragon. We're not afraid."
He bit his mouth around the response 'for a green..' or something like that, reminding himself sternly of the wonderful example of courage Dyaera had shown him over the turns he'd known her. And, frankly, greenriders were what he needed to fight Thread. They were agile and quick, despite not having quite the stamina and intelligence of the other colors.
Eleada was watching his reaction closely, and relaxed a bit in relief.
There had been a flicker of irritation, but he couldn't ground her for telling the truth, or meeting his gaze. He almost seemed to be happy with it. Definately a point in his favor then. Maybe he would be easy to work under after all. Maybe.
"Very good, dragonrider." And this time it wasn't twisted to be patronizing. He was pleased. "You're going to get a chance to prove your words true on your dragon's hide." He thought for a moment, his long fingers tapping. "I am going to assign you to Bronzerider M'kel's Wing for now. He will get you into formation with his Wing starting tomorrow. You might not have heard, but we are perilously short of able-bodies, though we are getting transfers and graduating Weyrling classes as fast as we can."
He paused to smile at her briefly. She nodded, having heard some gossip while in the infirmiry at High Reaches that suggested why.
"You will be welcome here, greenrider Eleada. And Welcome Home."
Last updated on the June 22nd 2006