Settling in

Writers: Eimi, Paula
Date Posted: 21st April 2012

Characters: Hygalia, Aileyan
Description: Hygalia checks on Aileyan to see how she's adjusted to new wing.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 7, day 12 of Turn 6

The goldrider smiled when Aileyan entered her office, standing up to
greet the young greenrider. "Thank you for coming, Aileyan. Would you
like something to drink?" she asked as she waved an inviting hand to the
chair across from her.

"No, thank you, Weyrwoman," Aileyan replied, her body tense. She still
didn't know how to act around her. Feeling like she was punished for
something she didn't do, didn't help her relax around the Goldrider.

"Well, sit down at least, please," Hygalia said, keeping a friendly
smile on her face. It was obvious the greenrider didn't feel
comfortable yet. After being forced to move, she could hardly blame
Aileyan for not being overly excited about the change. "How are you
settling in?"

"Quite well," she replied. She hadn't any troubles with her new drills
or wingmates. The people of queen's wing were used to wingmembers coming
and going.

"Good! You seem to be fitting right in." Hygalia pulled a hide out
from a stack with her notes on Hygalia's performance thus far. "You
have no idea how important it is for me to have reliable riders around
me who are not just passing through my Wing."

"Thank you," Aileyan replied. "The drills are much easier." Which was
only natural, with half of the wing either recovering from injuries or being
pregnant.

"Hopefully we'll still be able to present you with a bit of a
challenge." It was hard to guess if Aileyan had been the type to live
for adventure or if she rather liked taking it a bit easier. The fact
that she was in a relationship with U'kaiah would on one hand suggest
the former, but then again, the more the Weyrwoman saw of this young
woman, the more her relationship with the Wingleader puzzled her. She
was, of course, like most the Weyr, naturally curious. "It is a bit
safer than the other fighting Wings, of course. I know U'kaiah seemed a
bit relieved that you would be coming into this Wing rather than the
Weyrleaders."

"Well, he doesn't like G'nir," Aileyan remarked. That was hardly a
secret.

That much had been completely obvious. "Are you disappointed then? To
be put into this Wing rather than the Weyrleaders? I don't mind an
honest answer." She wanted Aileyan to feel she could be straightforward
with her.

"Well, I have some friends in Azure wing...but on other hand, I don't
know if I would be up to ducking G'nir's attention," Aileyan gave the honest
answer she was asking for. "That might get stressful after awhile.
Sometimes I feel I'm just a prize in their competition." She sighed.

Interesting. So this little greenrider chose U'kaiah over G'nir... She
wondered if that wasn't why G'nir hit upon this particular form of
punishment for the bronzerider. Still, every goldrider knew what it was
like to be just a prize to be won. But there was one thing Hygalia was
very sure of. "Aileyan, I might not know U'kaiah as well as you, or
very much at all, but from the conversation we had with him about the
situation, it was very obvious to me that he thinks of you as much more
than just a prize. I would bet my gold's Egg that he cares for you
quite a lot."

Aileyan actually blushed. "Oh," she said, not knowing how to react
something like this. She was certainly feeling flattered, but
embarrassed too. She never learned to take compliments.

Hygalia was wondering why Aileyan would sound so surprised to hear this.
Shouldn't it have been obvious to her by now? "Do you actually
understand why you had to move?"

"We have become too involved," Aileyan said. "And he keeps getting to
G'nir's bad side," she added with a wry tone.

"Yes, well, they are both ambitious and competitive men, so there's no
helping that I'm afraid." Hygalia had a feeling those two were going to
be nothing but trouble for the rest of her days as Weyrwoman. Of
course, it was good to have someone around to keep G'nir on his guard.
She never wanted him to forget that he was only in his place until her
dragon chose another. "But it had to be done, Aileyan, and I think this
is a very good thing. I cannot imagine that you are ignorant of
U'kaiah's reputation among the women of the Weyr, even among his
Wingriders, not that I think there is anything wrong with that. But
over the Turns he has formed very few solid attachments to anyone, and
yet he devotes a great deal of time to both you and your son. I think
that is a positive thing. Don't you?"

"Yes, I do," she replied the question. "And his reputation hasn't
escaped me. I hesitated long time before I got involved with him." And she
still
had her doupts and insecurites conserning their relationship.

"Well, I certainly can understand your caution. In fact, I respect that
immensely. It shows a great deal of restraint and wisdom, I think."
Though Hygalia knew sometimes too much caution could be just as damaging
to a relationship as too little. Only time would tell just where these
two might end up. "I am curious, and please just tell me if you would
rather not answer this question, but what finally made you take that
step to give him a chance?"

"It was just for sex at first," Aileyan said, rubbing her cheek
thoughfully. "I'm not sure when it turned something more. When he
started to show a side of him that was caring?" She just couldn't pinpoint a
single moment or deed.

"Well, that's all right. These things can sneak up on you." It always
seemed to happen when and where it was least expected as well. However,
Hygalia knew that their relationship was not without complications. "And
the woman at Dolphin Cove U'kaiah fathered a child with, is she a friend
of yours?"

"No, I haven't met her," Aileyan replied.

Hygalia nodded, understanding that the situation was most likely
complicated. She wanted to ask more. After all, U'kaiah's emotional
well-being did have an effect on his Wing in the long-run, which in turn
effected the smooth running of her Weyr. But she did not want to push
too far. Instead she just smiled. "I see. Well, I have to say,
Aileyan, I am very happy to have you in my Wing. I think you'll be a
great help to me. And I would love to chat with you again soon. Do you
have any questions about anything? Anything at all?"

Aileyan shook her head first but then she turned thoughtfull. "Well,
there's one thing, about Kjarliheth. She bit too excited being in Queens
wing, protecting the queens and since the formations are less rigid than
in upper level wings, she's gotten bit out of hand. Last Fall she
followed Thread clump so low that we nearly crashed into tree tops. I had
to pull
her up and remind her firmly that there is the ground crews for those
Threads that get away from us. If your Genith could talk to her? Remind
her that there are still rules to follow even if they are looser than
what she's used to."

The Weyrwoman's eyebrows slightly. "Well, they are _not_ looser. We
have our own rules we are required to follow. I will make a point to
ask Genith to talk to her. Thank you for bringing that to my attention.
I will not endanger either of you for one clump of Thread." U'kaiah
would never forgive her, not to mention her own responsibilities as a
Wingleader.

"Maybe loose wasn't the right word," Aileyan murmured apologetically.

"Always say what you mean, Aileyan. I prefer plain talk to
appeasement," the Weyrwoman said gently. She wanted the young girl to
feel free to
speak her mind. Hygalia more than welcomed it, as long as the privilege
was not taking advantage of.

"Yes, ma'am," the greenrider nodded solemnly.

"Well, now if you'll excuse me, I have another meeting I have this
afternoon. A very large gold with an itch," the Weyrwoman sighed
dramatically, but her eyes sparkled. She was sure the greenrider could
understand completely.

"Yes. ma'am. Suddenly I'm grateful that Kjarliheth is just a small
green,"Aileyan smiled. She was notably more relaxed than when she came in.

Last updated on the April 30th 2012

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Settling in