Culture Shock

Writers: AL, Suzee
Date Posted: 18th June 2011

Characters: Jylanya, Meledei
Description: Jylanya brings Meledei her evening meal.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 2, day 20 of Turn 6

Jylanya

Jylanya had prepared a tray of food for an injured rider. She'd been
asked to take the evening meal up to the queen's section and she
wasn't quite sure what she'd find. She only knew the rider had been
injured in Threadfall and only been released from the infirmary today.
She balanced the laden tray to free one hand and knocked before
opening the door.

"My Lady, I've brought your dinner," she called before placing the
tray on the table. "Can you come to the table or should I bring it to
you?"

"I'm coming!" The call came from the actually sleeping area past a
door that was open. A young woman appeared a moment later, crutches
beneath her arms and propelled herself forward. Jylanya was met with a
smile as she clunked her way over to the table. "Thanks! I appreciate
it. Though I fear I'll probably have to make the trek down to the
dining hall sooner or later!" She stopped at the chair and hopped a
little to get into the right position to sit down and lay down her
crutches on the floor before looking up at who had come with dinner.
It was her first night back in her own Weyr, but she was glad
she didn't have to go all the way down to get her dinner while she was
trying to get used to those crutches. "Hey...I don't think we've met.
I'm Meledei."

She smiled back at the friendly welcome but she was quite surprised by
how young she was. "Oh I'm sure they'll be ready to send up your
meals until you can walk without assistance." She nodded toward the
crutches as she unloaded the tray and poured the klah. Removing the
cloche, steam wafted off the hot food. "Cook said these were some of
your favorites." She put the plate in front of her. "No, I'm pretty
new here," she said. "My name is Jylanya."

"Steak! Medium rare! Oh yeah!" Meledei clapped her hands together,
then rubbed them. "And roasted tubers, fingerroots and onions. I'm
being spoiled." She took up her fork and speared some vegetables.
"Well met Jylanya...you just arrive here? From where?"

She smiled at the obvious pleasure in the outburst. Pulling another
cover she revealed dessert. "Hope you like this it's one of my
family's favorites." The redfruit tart was one of her specialties with
a flaky crust and a custard filling, sliced redfruit decorated the top
with a redfruit syrup drizzled decoratively across it.

"I'm from a small farm holding near Emerald Falls Hold."

"Wow, that looks almost too good to eat!" Meledei was sorely tempted
to eat the dessert first, but no, she'd be a good girl and finish her
meat and vegetables first - but oh, she eyed that redfruit tart! "So
what brought you to the Weyr?"

Her impish sense of humor kicked in and before thinking she said "A
big blue dragon." Then she chuckled and added. "My husband passed away
and his children didn't want me to remain. To tell the truth I was
just as happy to be out of there."

Meledei giggled, but it faded after the woman gave a little more
indication of her situation. "Well, glad to have you here! How do you
like it so far?" The goldrider continued to eat, but she liked people
and conversation so didn't mind talking in between bites.

Since the younger woman seemed like she wanted to talk she pulled out
the chair and sat. "Do you mind?" she asked by way of courtesy. It was
only going to be a few more moments before the younger woman would be
finished with her meal so there was no need really to leave and come
back later for the tray.

"No, of course not." Meledei nodded to the chair, but Jylanya already
sat down. She waited for her question to be answered and took the
opportunity to continue working on her food.

"I like it fine, though it's a bit of a culture shock." Some of the
things she'd seen had been rather shocking to say the least.

"Yeah, a lot of holders say that when they get here." Meledei gave the
woman a lopsided smile. "What about it in particular?" She was always
curious, different people reacted differently to various aspects.

Jylanya laughed nervously, "Don't worry, I know you'll think I'm a
little foolish but the bathing caverns. I just... can't."

"A lot of holders have that problem." Meledei, of course, was used to
it - after all, she was born and bred in the Weyr. "But I'll give
you a hint - if you go early in the morning or late at night, there are
much fewer people there."

She nodded blushing thinking about last night. She'd tried last
evening after her work and was overwhelmed when a naked man walked up
to her to introduce himself. She'd literally run from the cavern. "I
found that the middle of the night there's almost no one there. At
least I found a little privacy. I'm not so sure I can get used to that
though."

"You can. You will. It will come in time." Meledei's tone was gentle
and her smile for the woman warm. "What else do you find difficult?"
She had told the most obvious first, but it could be interesting to
hear what other things people reacted to.

She shook her head. Uncertainty filled her. "I'm not so sure I want it
to actually." She sighed softly, the Weyr wasn't quite like she'd
imagined it to be when she was trying to escape her life at the hold.
"Please please understand, I'm not saying anything bad about the
people here. Everyone I've met has been very nice." She shivered, "but
they're always... touching."

"No, it's all right, I promise I won't take offense!" Meledei assured
her with a wave of her hand. "Touching? How so?" That was curious -
she'd never heard anyone describe things that way before.

"People touch me. Some of it I realize is just friendly but
sometimes... it's more. I was a holder's daughter and then a holder's
wife. No one touched me except... my husband."

Meledei frowned. She hadn't ever had a problem with anyone touching
her without her wanting them to, even before she Impressed. "If anyone
touches you in a manner that is uncomfortable, say so. Step away from
them. And if they bug you about it, make sure you go to the Headwoman
about it. You shouldn't be made to feel uncomfortable."

She nodded, she wasn't timid just out of her depth. "I'll remember
that." She smiled and slid the tart closer as the young rider finished
the last of her food.

"I'm not sure I can eat this. It's too pretty!" Meledei giggled but
even as she spoke, the spoon found its way into her hand and shoveled
into the tart. "So now that you're here, do you have any plans?"

"Not yet, but I talked to Qorri today..." she didn't know if she
should share something that hadn't been worked out yet. "It looks like
there is a opening at Dolphin Hall. I think I'd be happier there."

"An opening? Oh, you mean for Headwoman?" They'd needed a headwoman
for some time since Ylisahn had left. The woman's departure had been a
sad thing - Meledei had liked the woman.

Jylanya nodded "Yes, for headwoman. Qorri has been helping them out
but she really can only be at one place at a time." She looked at her
hands, "I still have to talk to the Hallmaster of course."

"I've not met the new Hallmaster yet, but I hear he's nice." Meledei
should make a point to go down there and do so - once she was better.
"Well, I wish you luck in that!"

"Thanks!" she smiled glad to know someone had heard good things about
the Hallmaster. Privately she thought he was probably another old man
she'd have to take care of. But at least she wouldn't have to... she
shuddered at the thought.

Last updated on the June 19th 2011

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Culture Shock