Longer Than Planned

Writers: AL, Emma
Date Posted: 2nd June 2008

Characters: Zelle, K'deren
Description: Zelle looks for K'hetah so he can escort her home but finds K'deren instead.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 10, day 8 of Turn 4

K'deren

"Hey, K'hetah." The call came along with a rap upon the door. Normally Zelle would have just walked right in with exuberance, but her brothers death ahd subdued her. So, instead, she politely knocked upon the door and waited until she was given leave to enter.

"Come!" K'deren wasn't sure who was there, perhaps it was one of the younger wingriders wanting something.

"Hey K'hetah," Zelle repeated as she opened the door, "I was just..." She paused when she realised that it wasn't K'hetah who occupied the room.
"Oh...sorry. I was looking for K'hetah." He had said he wanted to escort her home, and Zelle had promised that she would let him.

"This is his office," replied the brownrider. "Our office in fact."

"Well, I knew it was his." Zelle leaned against the side, her eyes darting about as if to be sure it was indeed the same office. "But I didn't realise that someone besides him would be here."

"He was called away," explained K'deren, sure his knots would make it clear he had the right to be there. "Would you like to wait, I don't think he'll be long."

"Sure." Zelle shrugged and moved into the room, closing the door behind her. "I'm Zelle, a friend of his from his previous weyr."

"You knew him well?" asked K'deren politely.

"Pretty well. We were in the same wing together until he moved." Zelle motioned to a chair, silently asking if she could sit. "And, of course, we were friends outside of that as well - are friends."

"So what was he like up there?" asked K'deren, a note of curiosity creeping into the Wingsecond's voice. "He's not been here long enough for people to really get to know him."

"Well, in some ways, he was easier to approach." Zelle shifted, not certain if she was really comfortable talking about K'hetah in such a manner behind his back. "Really, he's very sweet, but...well, if he wants to tell you his story, I should let him do that."

"I'm sure he will."

"Maybe." Zelle leaned back and crossed her legs. "So you haven't told me your name yet."

"K'deren, Donneth's rider."

"Ah, well met, K'deren." Zelle bobbed her head in a somewhat formal greeting. "Are you from here originally?"

"Well Thayan Peak, then we moved here once it reopened after the quake."

"I see." Zelle leaned forward, resting an upon upon her knee. "I don't think I've heard of Thayan peak. Where is it?"

"Where was it," corrected K'deren. "Not far from here, but more inland."

"Oh, sorry. I guess that means everyone moved from there." Zelle lifted her hand and rested her chin upon it, going silent and contemplative.

"We had no choice, the quake just about levelled the Weyrhold, not much was safe or habitable."

"Oh, so this was a fairly recent change?" Zelle had heard about a hurricane, not an earthquake, though she couldn't remember how long ago it had been.

"A long time ago, before the pass started."

"I've never been witness to an earthquake." Zelle shook her head slowly.
"I think I'd prefer to go against a hurricane."

"I'm not sure which is a better idea, having seen both."

"Well, I've been through hurricanes, having been daughter to a seacrafter, and eventually one myself."

"Trust me, a quake isn't easy."

"I didn't think it would be." Zelle shrugged, then looked at the door. "I guess he's going to be longer than thought, huh?"

"Looks like it."

"Yeah, well, I guess I'll just try to catch him later." Zelle stood up, offering the brownrider a small, sad smile. She didn't really have to leave just yet, there was still some time. Maybe it was better. Zelle wasn't really relishing going back to her weyr. "It was nice meeting you."

"And you," replied the brownrider with a small smile.

Zelle nodded and opened the door, making her way out and closing it gently behind him.

Last updated on the June 7th 2008

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Longer Than Planned