Nothing is Certain

Writers: Emma, Jane
Date Posted: 12th January 2007

Characters: R'haran, Demalia
Description: R'haran talks to Demalia about her moving to the fighting wings.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 1, day 27 of Turn 4

R'haran walked into the room and flopped the hides and papers on the work bench, preparing to sort them before he went off to his evening meal. Though a harper by craft he didn't have any delight in the administrative work that fell to the weyrlingstaff, but he made sure he did his share. It was made a little easier for him because he didn't forget things he read, and very seldom forgot things he heard, so he always had all of the information at his fingertips.

Under his breath he started singing the weyrlings' names and the names of their dragons to the tune of a currently popular song as he sorted the papers.

"You forgot these," Demalia followed him in. "You might need them."

R'haran stopped singing. "Ahh. Yes. I'll need all of them. Thank you Demalia." He paused in his work and grinned at the young weyrlingmaster assistant. "You wouldn't want to help me with this, would you?"

"I can try," she said. "I've got nothing planned this evening."

R'haran laughed. "No, Demalia. I wouldn't ask it of anyone. You undoubtedly have better things to do with your evening."

"E'lid is flying sweeps, Birigundi is busy.... I was just going to have a bath and go to bed early."

"Oh dear. That doesn't sound right. It _almost_ makes this job sound exciting."

"I'd arranged to meet E'lid for a meal, but a wingmate of his asked to swap, something about a birthday party."

R'haran's features formed themselves into an exaggerated scowl. "Those wingmates! Luckily you don't have any - just fellow staff and then the weyrlings." It was as subtle as he could make it, but he did want to sound the young woman out about her special situation.

"I. One day soon," she said.

"Soon? Has somebody said something to you?"

"Not yet, I just have a feeling."

"Is it a good feeling?" he asked, wondering how she felt about going from the fairly safe environment as part of the weyrling staff to a place on the fighting wings. There was certainly excitement to be had on the wings, but also very real dangers, too.

"Sort of, excited, and nervous. But I've seen what can happen out there as well."

Even though he had never flown with the fighting wings R'haran knew all too well what damage Thread could do. The reality was that Demalia wouldn't be given a choice; if it was decided she was more use in the wings then she would go. "It's what you've trained for."

"Yes, and I know that nothing is certain out there, nothing at all."

"I'll miss you, if you do move over," he said. She had been around so long when most of the assistants disappeared within months. "Nobody but you would even consider staying to help me with this!" he added with a laughing look at the hide and papers on the bench.

"We'll just have to wait and see what happens."

"That's pretty much how life always goes," he agreed.

"I know," she said.

"And if I can ever be of any help, you know you only have to ask, don't you?"

"I know R'haran, and I'm glad you are here."

"I'll always be here."

Last updated on the January 12th 2007

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Nothing is Certain