Standards
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: AL, Devin
Date Posted: 22nd June 2009
Characters: N'vanik, Meledei
Description: Meledei runs into N'vanik on the beach and the two converse.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 3, day 9 of Turn 5
"Weyrleader," Meledei couldn't hide the surprise from her voice as she came across N'vanik perched upon the beach. Elleth had wanted to go down to the sea and Meledei had decided to humour her. Of course, they didn't have _too_ long but some time was better than none at all. "I didn't expect to see you here. I hope the day finds you well."
N'vanik looked up from his hides. "Well enough, as long as the sunshine holds. How's Elleth?"
"Elleth is fine. She wanted to come to the beach." Meledei turned to gaze down at her lifemate who was busy digging in the sand with a boisterous intensity. "And she seems to have found something to occupy herself."
He chuckled softly. "That she has. And how are you?"
"Doing quite well, thank you." Meledei watched the little gold digging a hole deeper and deeper. "We got measured for our riding gear - that was exciting."
"It goes by so fast, doesn't it?" Every time he saw the weyrling dragons, they seemed to be bigger, and soon they would be flying.
"Sometimes it does." Meledei took it upon herself to settle down in the sand next to the Weyrleader. "And sometimes it feels like it's dragging on twice as long as it should be."
"I know the feeling." He smiled. "I've seen you around Cosani. You two friends?"
"Oh yes." Meledei nodded. Cosani didn't have many friends, but Meledei counted herself as one. "I'm not sure where she is right now, though. Maybe at the barracks."
"How's she doing? I talk to her, but I'm not sure I'm getting real answers." 'Fine' seemed to be her typical answer.
"Well, she doesn't really open up very easily to anyone, not even me." Meledei wished she would. It wasn't good for her to keep all that inside. Of course, she did know _some_thing about how Cosani felt regarding certain issues, but it wasn't really the gold weyrlings place to discuss them with her father. "She's doing well, working
hard. Cosani has her struggles, but we all do."
He nodded. "It's good she has someone to talk to, if she ever _does_ want to talk."
"I'm more than willing to be there for her. To help her if need be." Except for playing practical jokes, that was something Meledei would _not_ do. "She'll be a great rider, a credit to the Weyr."
"Practising your flattery skills already?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Not flattery." Meledei shook her head and smiled. "Confidence in a friend, even when she doesn't have it herself."
"You're a credit to the Weyr yourself. The world needs more goldriders like you." Cosani was his daughter, but he felt a little, well ... paternal toward all the junior weyrlings. His opinion of Meledei might be biased, but it wasn't flattery, either.
Meledei lowered her gaze in embarrassment. She hadn't given the compliment to Cosani just to receive one in return. "Thanks. I appreciate it. I just hope I can live up to your and the Weyrwoman's expectations."
"Would it be better or worse if I told you my expectations weren't that high?" he asked.
The girl pondered that for a moment, then grinned. "Probably neither. My own standards are pretty high, as are Weyrwoman Traelyn's as well, I'm sure."
Yeah, Trae's standards were pretty sharding high. "Don't worry about my expectations, then." N'vanik managed a smile. "You've already got plenty to worry about."
"Now that's real encouraging." Meledei's tone was light and she punctuated her words with a laugh. "But hopefully I'll live up to hers and the rest of the Weyr's."
"Meledei ... you shouldn't worry about living up to other people's standards. For some people, nothing you do is ever going to be good enough," he said. "Just take care of yourself, take care of Elleth, and help other people out sometimes. That's all."
"Yes sir." Meledei saluted her Weyrleader, the gesture done in humour, but with no hint of mockery. "I'll keep those words in mind, sir."
He sighed. She wasn't taking him seriously, but what did he expect from a weyrling? She'd learn, maybe the hard way, how hard it was to please other people. "Don't let me take up all your free time. You and Elleth go enjoy yourselves."
"I do think a swim is in order." Meledei stated by way of agreement. "It was nice talking with you, Weyrleader."
"Have a nice day, Meledei."
Last updated on the July 4th 2009