Can't Miss A Chance

Writers: April, Kastaka
Date Posted: 28th December 2008

Characters: K'sen, Shandara
Description: Shandara and Kelasen wash some dishes and talk about their parents.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 13, day 6 of Turn 4
Notes: Mentor approved by Vix

Kelasen picked up a dishcloth and looked around at the other staff and
candidates in the kitchen. He'd only been here for a short time and
soon he'd be heading off to Dolphin Cove. Right now he was trying not
to think about that too much, though. He was just looking for someone
to dry the dishes.

Shandara had just come in. She was being sent to help in the kitchens.
She had a final arm load of dishes from the tables in the dining
cavern. She carefully set them by the sink. "That's the last of them
off the tables."

Kelasen nodded to her, and looked meaningfully at the drying cloth and
steadily filling draining board, hoping she'd get the message without
him actually having to ask her to do something. He always felt awkward
asking anything of the other candidates, partly due to shyness, partly
due to wondering if they'll actually be competent at simple household
chores, or whether he'd end up trying to explain straightforwards
things like how to mop a floor.

Shandara didn't even notice his look. She simply started drying what
was there. She was used to doing dishes. Being the daughter of a
holder she was used to this. She smiled at him. "I'm Shandara by the
way." She said as she stacked another plate.

"Kelasen," replied Kelasen, in what he hoped was quite a friendly
tone. He looked approvingly at how she was drying dishes in a sensible
fashion. "Pleased to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too." She worked in silence for almost a full
candlemark. "So, are you going to try standing at Dolphin Cove's
hatching?" She asked, to make conversation.

The pile of dishes gradually diminished as the pair worked together
companionably. "Yes, I'm going over," replied Kelasen. "I know I
haven't been here very long, but I can't miss a chance, you know?"

"Yes I know. I'm going over there myself. There is also a gold egg on
the sands from what I hear." She said as she dried another dish.

"Doesn't affect me, except that I guess there'll be a lot of girls
there," replied Kelasen offhandedly. "You're chasing after the gold,
then?" It had always struck Kelasen as kind of odd, that the female
dragons were such extremes from each other. It must make being a
female candidate very confusing.

"I'll be happy with whatever I get." She said with a soft smile. "Do,
you have any preferences on color for yourself?"

The question kind of floored Kelasen. He'd been trying not to think
about it too much. He knew that there were expectations attached to
the colours of dragon, stereotypes and common traits among their
riders, and declaring any kind of preference seemed like a minefield.
Eventually he decided on bluster. "You know every guy wants the
biggest dragon they can get," he joked, trying to lighten the moment.
"But mostly I just don't want to have to go back to the cothold
empty-handed, yeah, like you said."

Shandara nodded. He hadn't said a prefrence, that was okay. Some
really didn't. She pushed a stray strand of blond hair back from her
face. "So, you are hold bred then?" She asked.

Kelasen nodded. He didn't really want to elaborate. Just being from a
hold was treated as some kind of backwards disorder by some people
here, let alone having barely been out of the tiny cothold you were
born in.

"Me too." She said quietly. She was still getting used to things in
the weyr. "My parents didn't really want me to come here."

"They didn't?" Kelasen realised, belatedly, that it was probably
impolite to sound so surprised. "I mean, mine weren't overjoyed to
lose me, but they were proud I was chosen."

"They were kinda planning to marry me off. They were looking for
prospects. I kinda snuck out and asked the greenrider to take me
along. They weren't to happy. The green did think I would be a good
candidate though." She blushed at her admission.

"They'll be happy once they hear you've Impressed and are in the skies
defending them though, surely?" asked Kelasen in what he hoped was an
encouraging manner.

"They wanted me properly married like a good girl. They don't think
sensible ladies should be Dragonriders. I was meant to marry and have
babies like like my mother. Maybe once I Impress they will understand.
I think mom is afraid I'll get hurt. She was always over protective."
She shrugged.

"It's only because she loves you," replied Kelasen reassuringly. "I
can see why they wouldn't want you to take the risk. It's hard to let
your children go." And not that easy to leave your parents, either.
Although obviously easier for some people, it appeared.

"I know. But I was feeling trapped." She frowned. "I love them. It's just..."

Kelasen looked up at her in what he hoped was a supportative fashion,
hoping that she'd finish the sentence. "Just what?" he prompted,
gently.

She sighed. "I guess I just want them to see me, not what they want to
see of me. But, I do miss them." She shook her head. "I do intend for
them to come to this hatching though. They weren't at the first one I
Stood for but I want them at this one."

"Sounds like it will be good for them," smiled Kelasen, handing her
the last soapy dish. "All done," he added.

Shandara nodded and smiled. "Guess we had best go see what else needs doing."

Last updated on the January 10th 2009

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Can't Miss A Chance