Just Keep Your Head Down

Writers: AL, Cali
Date Posted: 11th October 2009

Characters: B'lamick, Briata
Description: Briata asks B'lamick for a favor with possible repercussions.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 5, day 6 of Turn 5
Notes: Follows: A Most Competitive Partner

Briata

"Enjoying your evening?" B'lamick said, sitting down next to Briata after she finally parted ways with the man he'd seen her dancing with all night.

"Thus far." Briata smiled to the young bronzerider. Labarr had worked off his frustrations enough to see fit to leave and Briata had decided to stay a bit longer. She thought maybe someone else would dance with her, but before anyone had a chance to ask, B'lamick approached her. "What about you?"

"Better, now." He'd felt a twinge of jealousy watching her smile and laugh as she was tossed around. In truth he'd no claim on her attention, but he couldn't help the feelings when it was obvious she had other friends. "Who was your partner?"

"His name was Labarr, a woodcrafter." Briata's eyes traversed toward the doors through which Labarr had passed on his way out, but only because she was speaking about him. Truly, he held no interest to her beyond that of pleasant company and a good dance partner. "He was fun." Up to a point.

Now B'lamick knew why he knew the face. "Ah yes, he and I were candidates together a few turns back."

"I guess he's still standing then?" Or perhaps he was too old? Briata knew there was an age limit, but Labarr's had been hard to pinpoint. "You got lucky first."

"First time standing actually." B'lamick explained. "I was Searched, that might be the difference. He's got rider parents if I remember right so he's allowed to Stand even without being Searched. I think he's too old now, but I might be wrong. We weren't that close."

"I didn't realize one could stand without being Searched." Briata had been Searched before, but she had refused, knowing that she had wanted something else in life.

B'lamick shrugged, "Yeah, if you live here, you just have to ask. I guess they figure it couldn't hurt. Sometimes they Impress, just not as frequently as Searched candidates."

And if Weyrwoman Zharesti's demand was met, Briata was sure she would impress. The thing was, she didn't _want_ to impress. "I wish the Weyrwoman hadn't demanded that everyone Stand." She stated with sigh.

His attention had wandered towards the dance partners, but he brought his gaze back to Briata at her strange statement. "Really? You don't want a dragon?" He subconsciously reached out for the ever present touch of his lifemate's mind.

"I have all the dragons of the Weyr in my head whether I want them or need them." Briata's mouth quirked into a small smile. "I went to Weyrwoman Zharesti and told her that I refused to Stand, that she couldn't make me."

She had such a pretty smile, he noticed, though not for the first time. "And what did she say?" From his limited dealings with the new Weyrwoman, he wondered if she'd gotten anywhere.

"Well, that was how I ended the conversation, so I don't know." Briata shook her head. "I had started out asking her permission not to Stand. She went on to state we had had to do our duty and insinuate that not only was I not doing mine, but I wasn't contributing. That did not make me happy at all."

B'lamick was silent a moment then burst out into a giant grin. "I wish I had seen it! I don't think I've ever heard about anyone talking like that to a Weyrwoman and living!"

"What," Briata asked, eyebrows raised, "Do you think she _could_ do? Certainly not kill me."

"No." B'lamick got more serious as he started to think about what the Weyrwoman _could_ do. "She could make you leave though. If she doesn't think you're contributing, she could make you leave the Weyr."

"I _am_ contributing, the Headwoman can vouch for that." Briata was a hard worker and she never skimped. "So that would be no reason at all."

The bronzerider shook his head. "It wouldn't matter. If the Weyrwoman wanted you gone, then you'd be gone. And I'd hate for you to leave." he added. She was quickly becoming one of his favorite people here at the Weyr, and he would miss her if she left.

"I don't really have anywhere else to go. I _could_ technically go back to my father's hold but...that's not my home anymore. I don't really know anyone anywhere else. A few acquaintances, but here I have friends." It wouldn't be right for the Weyrwoman to try and make her leave. Briata would fight it, go to the Weyrleader and Headwoman if she had to. Surely they had a say. She hoped it wouldn't come to that. Zharesti didn't seem that sort, but more like a woman with a mind for the good of the Weyr, even if Briata didn't agree with the Weyrwoman's tactics. "What about a crafter? Could she do that to a Crafter? It's something I've been seriously considering."

She certainly didn't seem to understand the way a Weyr worked, but perhaps he was planning for the worst. "She _could_ do it to anyone, except perhaps the Weyrleader. She probably wouldn't do it to anyone though. If she didn't already throw you out, she probably isn't going to, so I wouldn't worry about it anymore. I'm sorry that I brought it up at all."

"It's all right. I can understand why it would be a worry." It would certainly make Zharesti look petty and the Weyrwoman just didn't seem to be that sort of person. "But...might I ask you a favour?"

"Sure!" If it wasn't dropping the Weyrwoman off a cliff, he'd do whatever he could for her.

"Just in case, would you be willing to take me away during the hatching?" Briata glanced about as if to be sure no one overheard. She could have asked T'vanen, but she had just thought of the idea and B'lamick was her friend too.

B'lamick hesitated. If the Weyrwoman insisted she Stand, then if he took her away, he'd get flamed for sure. Still, it was wrong to be _forced_ to Stand, even if he was sure she'd love it once she had a lifemate. "Okay. But try not to call attention to yourself anymore about the whole thing. Just don't mention it again and keep your head down and maybe she'll forget about you. Then I won't get put on night sweeps for the rest of the Pass when I hide you from the hatchlings."

"I will do my best." Briata stated with a smile. "And I thank you for your willingness. Shall we have a dance?"

"You're not exhausted yet?" B'lamick teased, but he stood up and extended his hand, finding himself excited to have the opportunity to hold Briata as the music started a slower beat.

"Yes. But I can go one more round." Briata laughed as she took B'lamick's hand. Dancing would also help her take her mind off of thoughts she'd rather not dwell upon.

Last updated on the October 17th 2009

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Just Keep Your Head Down