Thank you for listening

Writers: Eimi, Emma
Date Posted: 21st January 2006

Characters: K'deren, Karaleigh
Description: K'deren and Karaleigh discuss his daughter's progress after Vonalie's death
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 10, day 4 of Turn 3

K'deren

K'deren was stood outside the classroom waiting for his daughter. It was almost time for the harpers to release them for the day, and he had promised Rondera she could help him bathe her sister. It was a treat for them all, usually that task was done by Deralie's foster parents, but K'deren tried to make time for all his children.

Karaleigh opened the door to the classroom. "All right, you are all free to go. Halvesen, make sure and remember to take your pet tunnel snake with you. And stop scaring the girls with it."

"Rondera!" called out K'deren. The wingsecond called out to his daughter, as she emerged with a group of her friends.

"Rondera, your father's here," Karaleigh called to get the girls attention away from the gossip at hand. She gave the brownrider a knowing smile.

K'deren smiled back at the harper. "She behaved herself today?" he asked.

The harper grinned. "Well, she was rather talkative during class, but it seems the girls have a secret today."

"Isn't that always the way with youngsters?" K'deren looked at his daughter as he teased her. He could just see the faintest hint of a blush forming.

"Yes. Sometimes girls just have to have their secrets, right Rondera?"
She too had noticed the girls slight blush and rewarded her with an approving smile.

"Why don't you go on ahead and get your sister?" suggested K'deren.
"I'll meet you back in my weyr."

Rondera nodded, heading off slowly her friends in tow.

When she was gone, K'deren turned back to Karalaeigh, "Is she doing okay now, in classes?" He had worried a little, the girl hadn't said much after the death of his weyrmate. True Vonalie was not her mother, but she might as well have been.

"Why don't you come in and we can talk about it?" the harper offered as the last of the children slipped through the door.

"That might be an idea," her replied.

Karaleigh offered him a chair as she settled into her own. She gave him a reassuring smile. "How are things with your family, Wingsecond? Its been a good month since last we talked."

"It's getting better. Trievan is coming out of his shell a little.
Kedon seems to have settled down a lot. Rondera, well I worry a little.
She's trying to act as though things never happened. I know why she's doing it, I just can't get her to talk to me about it."

"What does her fostermother say about it?"

"That's she's cried, during the night. And that she's talked to her foster father. I just wish she'd talk to me as well."

Karaleigh nodded her understanding. "She seems to be talking with her friends more, too." She could understand his frustration. "Rondera is a smart girl with a good heart. She can see when another is hurting.
Do you think perhaps the reason she isn't talking to you about these things is because she's afriad that it will hurt you to think about Vonalie?"

"It's possible," said the Wingsecond, settling more comfortably in his seat. "I'm glad to know she is talking to someone, but I think it might help us all to talk about Vonalie. I know that when she is old enough, Deralie will ask about her mother, and Trievan will as well." "It's only natural. Have you tried to talk to Rondera about Vonalie? One on one?"

"She changes the subject very quickly if I do."

"How do you usually bring up the subject, if you don't mind me asking?"

"I ask her what she is thinking about," he replied.

"I'm not a mindhealer, Wingsecond," Karaleigh said gently, "but perhaps you should try telling her what your thinking about first. She loves you. I think she'd listen and respond to your needs more than her own."

"Perhaps," said K'deren after a moment.

"But the important thing to remember is that, no matter who it is that she _is_ talking to, she is at least talking to _someone_. That's a good first step."

"It is indeed, and perhaps I should go rescue her and Deralie."

"Yes, of course." Karaleigh stood to walk him to the door. "Thank you for talking with me."

"Thank you for listening," replied K'deren.

She gave him a warm smile. "Anytime, brownrider."

Last updated on the January 21st 2006

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Thank you for listening