Checking Up

Writers: AL, Jane
Date Posted: 4th August 2009

Characters: Alydelle, Leisenn
Description: Leisenn checks up on pregnant apprentice Alydelle.
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 4, day 5 of Turn 5

"When's the babe due, Alydelle?" Leisenn asked, sure that she had been told but not quite able to recall _what_ date that was.

"Next month." The response was quiet and one of Alydelle's hands snaked down to rest on her belly after it was given. "Beginning of next month."

"Good. Are you looking forward to having him or her arrive?" the old woman asked. "Look, come into my office and we'll talk."

Alydelle decided not to answer since it was followed by a comment. She obeyed meekly, following the Hallmaster and then standing nervously once they were in her office.

"Have a seat, Alydelle," Leisenn said, settling into one of the group of armchairs on the opposite side of the room from her desk. "If sitting is still comfortable," she added with vague memories of her own long-ago pregnancies.

"Yes ma'am." Aly eased herself into the chair. She hadn't had too much trouble getting up, unlike some women had said she would. It was harder, but it wasn't as bad as some had made it out to be. The girl settled her hands over her large belly, unable to position them comfortable in her non-existent lap. She was tense, her fingers fiddling with one another. Was the Hallmaster about to tell her that she was no longer going to be allowed to continue her craft?

"Have you decided yet about the babe?" Leisenn asked. "To find another family for it, or raise it here yourself?"

"I...I'm going to foster..." It had seemed the best choice and Ylisahn had made her feel more comfortable about it. After all, they did that sort of thing in the Weyr all the time, right? "I want to continue with my craft." If she was allowed.

"That sounds like a very good idea." Leisenn had fostered her own children, though she hadn't thought of it as that, then. "Will somebody be minding the babe during the day, or raising him or her day and night? It's good that you're making plans and decisions, though remember they can always be adjusted if, after giving them a chance, they don't seem to be working out."

"I was thinking day and night. I...I don't think I'd be good at taking care of a baby." She had some experience, but not much and Alydelle didn't have any confidence in herself when it came to children - or anything else outside her craft for that matter.

"And have you found somebody for that? Is the Headwoman helping you?" the Hallmaster asked, remembering belatedly that the Hall now boasted such a woman who would properly be helping the young apprentice with such arrangements.

"Y...yes, she is." Ylisahn hadn't made her feel odd about it either. She made Aly feel like it was one of the most natural things in the world and that had helped immensely. "She said she'd help me find someone."

"That's good to hear." Even better was the warmth in the girl's voice when she mentioned the Headwoman. Alydelle needed somebody she felt comfortable with going to if she needed help, and Leisenn was aware that she hadn't fulfilled that role for the girl. "And how are your studies going?"

"They're good." Alydelle perked up at that topic. She loved her craft, every part of it, even the subjects that other apprentices seemed to like less. Since her pregnancy, her schedule had been altered and she had received a lot more one on one attention. It had been quite nice. "I always enjoy my studies."

Leisenn smiled. "I'm glad. And what about the other apprentices? Are you having any trouble with them these days?"

"Um. Not so much." Now they pretty much just avoided her or whispered behind her back. That had happened before, but she had garnered more negative attention. That had subsided, but everything else increased. That was all right, it was more bearable that way.

"Don't put up with it, Alydelle. Just as you wouldn't put up with somebody mistreating one of the dolphins, don't allow people to mistreat you." The old woman didn't think she should belabour the point. Alydelle just had to learn to value herself before some of this advice would take root. "And speaking of the dolphins, are you still spending most of your free time with the pod?"

"As much as I can." A smile became truer at the mention of the dolphins. Alydelle found refuge in them and she was grateful for that. "They keep asking about the baby and telling me about what they see."

"It's magical, isn't it?" Leisenn said thinking that that was likely part of the reason Alydelle was bonding with her unborn baby. It was a happy note to end the interview on, which seemed important with the girl. Leisenn got to her feet. "Thanks for updating me about things," she said, though the apprentice hadn't had much choice. "Do you need a hand up?"

"I'm okay." Alydelle seemed fairly limber for someone so pregnant. It took a bit more effort than normal to get to her feet, but she certainly moved better than most women in her condition probably did. "Thank you Hallmaster."

"You're welcome, apprentice."

Last updated on the August 4th 2009

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