A Beginning

Writers: AL, KC Free
Date Posted: 22nd May 2011

Characters: T'aesh, Meledei
Description: Taeshin and Meledei run into each other and talk again
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 2, day 1 of Turn 6
Notes: Mentor Approved

Mentioned: Janani

Taeshin stretched his back as walked through the Weyr's halls towards
the Records room. He had been sitting in craft lessons for sometime
now, when his master asked him to retrieve some records, to cross
reference some things. Taeshin normally hated browsing through
records, but today it was a relief to be up and moving. For some
reason today he was restless, and sitting and listening to his master
go over the techniques of mending a threadscored wing wasn't holding
Taeshin's attention.

Taeshin yawned before walking into the Records room, and halted in the
doorway because of who he saw pouring over some records at a table.

Unfortunately, Meledei heard the sound of someone at the door and
looked up. There was a small smile on her face, but it faded when she
saw who it was. "Oh, hello Taeshin." Her tone was neutral and that
was the best she was going to be able to do. "Is there something you
need?" She hoped not. Maybe he'd just gone through the wrong door.
Or maybe he was looking for someone who wasn't there and then he'd
leave.

Taeshin looked at Meledei for a moment. The last time the two of them
had spoken, Taeshin had attempted to apologize, and Meledei had
refused it. Their parting had not been a good one. He quickly
suppressed a flash of anger and humiliation. Janani had given her
permission for him to Stand, and he was not about to ruin it. He gave
a resigned sigh before walking further into the Records room.

"Hello Meledei" he said, his voice just as neutral as hers, "I'm here
to get some things for my Master. It won't take too long"

"What things are you looking for?" Meledei was well versed with the
Records room. If he needed something, she'd be able to find it and
find it quickly. On the other hand, she didn't want people to just go
rummaging willy nilly, there was a system and if people didn't pay
attention, it could get messed up - which meant that she would have to
come behind and fix it.

"The Master wants some records on wing mending and taking ichor from
one dragon to use on another" Taeshin said, still not coming further
into the room and keeping distance between Meledei and himself.
"Really, if you point me in the right direction I'm sure I can find it
myself."

Taeshin didn't want to bother Meledei, no telling how she might snap
at him this time. And Janani was quite right, it didn't look well to
have a goldrider made at you, for anything.

Meledei rose, despite Taeshin's insistance that she not take any
trouble. "That would be over here." She motioned for the candidate
to follow her and then wind her way past the shelves to lead him to
the proper section. Her finger traced a path over the shelf she
paused in front of, then she used her hands to mark off a section.
"It will be in here somewhere."

"Thank you" Taeshin said, looking at the section that Meledei had
guided him too. Belatedly he added. "How is Elleth?" Of course if
anything was wrong with the golden queen the entire Weyr would've
known, but it was polite to inquire about a riders dragon.

"She's fine, thank you." Meledei stepped back so that Taeshin would
have room to look around. She supposed she should just leave him, but
at the same time she hesitated, uncertain. Finally, she asked, "DO
you need some help finding it?"

A small grin began to creep across Taeshin's face. "To be honest I
could use the help. Every time I come in here with the Master, my
mind just goes /between/" he said ruefully. Taeshin _really_ didn't
like going over records.

"Oh sure." They may not have gotten along, but Meledei wasn't going
to leave the guy to flounder. His attitude was certainly much
improved which made her even more inclined to help, though also a
little suspicious. He hadn't treated her this kindly since her
Impression.

Meledei pucked a marker from one of the pockets that hung on the wall
nearby and inserted it into the slot. Then she squeezed her fingers
between the records and pulled them out, careful not to pull the
marker out with them. That would let her know at a glance where they
belonged. She motioned for Taeshin to follow her and carried the
records back to the table she had occupied. "It will be easier if we
search this way." She explained as she began to flip through them.

Taeshin followed Meledei backed to the table, and just looked at her
for a while. He really couldn't believe she was being this helpful to
him. True, before her Impression that had been good acquaintances,
but afterwards their relationship had devolved into hostile looks,
loud words and snide remarks. Most of the blame could be laid on
Taeshin of course, but Meledei gave as good as she got.

"You really don't have to do this Meledei" Taeshin said, "I know I'm
not one of your favorite people in the Weyr, and I don't want to be a
bother."

"That doesn't mean I don't like helping people." Meledei's eyes
flicked up and then back down at the hides. "Besides, I don't mind.
Really. Even people who aren't my favourites." The last was said
with a little bit lighter of a tone and a small smile traversed over
her lips.

Taeshin gave a defeated sigh as he looked Meledei in the eyes. "Look
Meledei, I know I have been a contemptuous wherry for a while now.
_Everyone_ has let me know it lately. Janani, N'vanik, Qorri, they
all have let me know what a consummate ass I have been. I'm sorry, I
_really_ am. Not for being jealous, I can't apologize for that. But
I can apologize for letting those feelings allow me to treat you
badly. And not just because you are a queenrider am I saying this, I
mean it because at one time, we were friends." Taeshin said, his eyes
holding Meledei's gaze trying desperately to get her to hear and
_feel_ the sincerity of his words.

Meledei stopped going through the records to turn and face Taeshin,
one hand on her hip. She studied him as he spoke, her eyes meeting
his own and holding his gaze. "You know, I can understand the
jealousy." She stated softly when he had finished. "I always could.
I just couldn't understand why you held it against me." She reached
up and pressed her palm against an eye, rubbing at it. "I mean, yeah,
we were friends. And then all of a sudden we weren't. Do you realise
how much that hurt?"

"Blame it on my head Meledei and not my heart" Taeshin pleaded. "I
mean, we were friends, and then you Impressed Elleth and I hardly saw
you, and it was just like I was being forgotten. And it just kept
happening, Hatching after Hatching I wasn't good enough...at least
that's how I felt. I was just so mad, and jealous, and even scared."

Taeshin lowered his eyes, refusing to let any tears spill across his
face in front of Meledei.

"You aren't the only one who felt like that." Meledei turned back to
the records and began to go through them again, trying to find the one
Taeshin needed. "Do you know how long I stood? I mean, granted, it
wasn't as long as _some_ but...I started standing as soon as I was old
enough. Hatching after hatching after hatching...I had my
disappointments too. But then Elleth hatched." She paused and looked
up at Taeshin. "And hopefully yours will too."

Taeshin looked at Meledei smiling slightly. "Yeah...hopefully" he
said before beginning to help her look through the Records. They
weren't exactly the best of friends, but something had finally broken.
Taeshin didn't hate her anymore, he wasn't angry at her. There was
more that needed to be said, but today was a start at least. "Thanks
Meledei."

Meledei glanced up and a small smile appeared. "You're welcome."

Last updated on the May 29th 2011

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A Beginning