Almost Ready to Go

Writers: Francesca, Jane
Date Posted: 31st August 2007

Characters: Chalzie, Ylisahn
Description: Chalzie meets with Headwoman Ylisahn about her transfer to the Dolphin Hall.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 5, day 6 of Turn 4

Chalzie walked to the Headwoman's office, fingers playing with the candidate's robe in her hand. Even though she had known for awhile that she would no longer be a candidate, it still felt strange to be handing the robe over. It made her decision to go to the Dolphin Hall seem so much more concrete. She was glad the Headwoman had organized everything for her move. There were enough thoughts going through her head without the added worry of actually doing any of the planning. That was one of the advantages of being young.

The walk through the Lower Caverns was short and made shorter by the thoughts and plans for the future. Soon she arrived at the Headwoman's door and knocked firmly.

"Come in - oh. Chalzie. Oh, dear," the Headwoman got to her feet and rounded the desk. "No need to look like that. And you aren't going far away. You can always come back."

Had she really looked that sad? Chalzie looked up at the Headwoman and gave a little smile, placing the robe on the woman's desk. "Well, right now I want to go, but that's true. I can come back whenever I want." She paused for a moment, then smiled again, bigger this time. "Thanks."

"You're welcome. You know there's always a place here for a weyrbred girl, even though you're going off to start a new life. This is your home and you can always come back here."

"Good. Because, I think I'll really like being a dolphineer, but I don't really _know._ I mean, it's gonna be different. Really different. I'm excited though! Is everything ready for tomorrow?"

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" Ylisahn said with a smile. "Do we have everything on the list? Boots and shoes in good condition; three sets of tidy work clothes, including trousers; Gather clothes?" Ylisahn had been amused by the details on the list but supposed it was probably a good idea. That way everybody came to the Hall on an even footing.

"Yup. I just need to pack everything today, and a friend is giving me a ride tomorrow." Chalzie was glad the Headwoman had written the list for her when they had met previously. It had given her plenty of time to find all of the clothes, and made her confident that she was bringing the right items with her.

"And are you leaving much behind with your foster-mother? Because we can put thing into storage for a while, if you like, rather than cluttering up her space."

"Ummm....I don't have much. Most of my old clothes are going to my foster-sisters. But I'll ask her before I go, to see what she thinks."

"Make sure she knows what you expect so you don't come home visiting and get disappointed - or surprised to see her sitting around minding stuff you would have happily seen the back of. Now, is there anything else? You said you have a ride to the Hall?" It wasn't all that far away walk but if a weyrbred youngster wanted her and her bags delivered by dragon, then she should enjoy one of the advantages of her breeding.

Chalzie nodded at the Headwoman's advice. She could think of several tunics she wanted stored far from the little hands of her foster sisters. Then, in response to the question, "Yes, greenrider Dysali is taking me there. I know I don't really need a ride, but I'm looking forward to it, and it'll be my last ride on a dragon for awhile." She made eye contact with the woman and gave a little smile. "I don't think there's anything else to do, until I get there. It just doesn't feel _real_ yet."

"I'm sure it doesn't. It's a big change you're making, moving away from family and the Weyr, but I'm sure you'll manage well. You know when we discussed you wanting to go that we considered that, don't you? And at the end of all that consideration we thought you would manage well – a new home, an apprenticeship. Everything."

The Headwoman's words gave Chalzie a boost of confidence. At least for the moment, she felt no anxiety about leaving. She nodded in agreement with what the Headwoman had said. "I'm excited! I can't wait to meet the dolphins! I want to do that as soon as possible." It was what she was most looking forward to. "So, before tomorrow, all I need to do is meet with my foster mother and pack; and say bye to a couple more friends," she said, thinking out loud. "Then, when I go to the Dolphin Hall, I'll meet with the Headwoman there?"

"Their master of apprentices. Just ask for him." Ylisahn turned to her desk and rummaged around, finding a small mark piece. "Here, this isn't much, but that's because it's for luck. It's from the Weyr."

Chalzie hesitated for a moment but, at the Headwoman's nod, she took the piece and pressed it into her palm, her thumb tracing out the edge of the coin. She wasn't often entrusted with any marks, so to have some of her own made her suddenly feel older than her 13 turns. "This will stay with me forever" she said seriously. She didn't know how to repay the Headwoman, or express how much this gift meant to her. She would miss the Weyr. "You know, if you ever want to swim with dolphins, you can always come visit. I bet they'd love it." Maybe that would be a way of paying her back, although Chalzie had no idea if the woman even liked dolphins, or swimming.

"I shall certainly come down and see how you're getting on," Ylisahn assured her. "But I'd have to give some thought to swimming with the dolphins. I think you're set, now, for your new life but if you think of anything before you leave tomorrow, just come back and see me."

"Ok, I will." Chalzie was all smiles, her mind already racing through the friends she needed to see later that day. She stood and slipped the mark into her pocket. "Thank you for everything Headwoman." She didn't think she'd be able to sleep that night from the excitement.

Last updated on the December 3rd 2008

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