A Proper Escort

Writers: Emma, Miriah
Date Posted: 30th January 2014

Characters: Ninaine, L'ger
Description: Helcoger meets the newest Candidate
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 5, day 1 of Turn 7

Ninaine

Back ramrod straight, Ninaine walked into the barracks, her hands clasped
firmly at her waist. It took everything she had not to gape at her
surroundings, but she managed a mien of calm serenity. The sight of the
Weyr, so large, wide and imposing had rattled her more than she cared to
admit. Falling back on a lifetime of instruction, she kept her chin up and
her eyes slightly downcast, but allowed herself little flicks of glances at
her surroundings.

"Are you lost?" called out Helcoger as he watched the young lady in the
entrance.

Drawing to a stop, Ninaine turned and with relief, nodded. "Yes. If you
could please direct me. I was given a map, but I'm afraid that I am a little
overwhelmed." She spoke evenly, keeping her voice firmly modulated. "I'm not
exactly certain as to where I am supposed to go."

"Are you a new candidate?" Helcoger asked. The way she was looking about,
and her apparent age seemed to suggest it, but there was an even chance she
could be a craft apprentice, or even a visitor.

"Yes. I just arrived." Her hands lightly smoothed her skirts. "My name is
Ninaine."

"Helcoger," he said holding out his hand. "Journeyman Baker, and candidate."

She took his hand, but instead of shaking it, dipped a quick curtsey and
released it, allowing her hands to fall back to their previous position:
lightly laid against her skirts in a position of relaxed serenity. "A
pleasure, Helcoger." She paused and tilted her head to the side, allowing a
slight smile to lift her lips. "Excuse me, but you have flour on your chin."

So the curtsey was not quite what he'd expected, but that told him she had
to be hold or hall bred, the weyrborn didn't really stand on courtesy like
that. A hand was raised to brush across his chin, then he glanced at it.
"Occupational hazard," he said with a rueful grin. "Goes with spending a lot
of time in the kitchens."

"Of course." She inclined her head politely. She had never been one to work
in the kitchens herself, but she knew that bakers did often seem covered in
flour. It made perfect sense if he was a journeyman. She paused, looking at
him. Would he expect small talk? What would be considered to be the most
polite? "I'm sorry, but I don't really know customs here at the weyr. I've
only heard rumors and would rather not start off poorly. What should I do
now?"

"You checked in with the Headwoman, right?" he asked.

Ninaine paused and blinked. "Oh...no I haven't. She's in charge of the
Candidates? I thought it was the Weyrlingmaster." Okay, another
assumption she had made was incorrect. She had to stop doing that! She
took a breath and nodded, then looked down at the map she was given.
"Perhaps..could you show me where to go? It looks horribly
complicated."

"You need to see them both," he explained patiently. "The Weyrlingmaster
will get you sorted for candidate classes and dragon related chores, the
headwoman will get your details for the records and sort you into a group
for weyr chores, unless you've a craft that is." Candidates with craft
training were assigned to the relevant crafters at the weyr to continue
their training, others were in more general chore groups unless they
expressed an interest in exploring a craft.

She looked up at him, managing to mask her surprise with only raised brows.
"A craft? Oh no. Ladies aren't to do any crafts. It's unseemly." She looked
back down at her map and her brow furrowed only a little. "So, who do I see
first?"

"It isn't unseemly," Helcoger said. "Ladies have brains too, and interests
they want to explore. Did you know that our weyrwoman's second is getting
ready to walk the tables as a Technician?" Watching her study the map, he
walked over. "We're here," he pointed. "The Weyrlingmaster's office is
closer, look, just here," a path was traced using a slightly floury finger.

She blinked at him slowly and arched both brows. "Ladies do have brains,
yes, but our interests should only be directed at improving our families."
Her voice
was firm. "Crafting takes away from that." She stood straighter as he
approached, but her gaze followed his finger as he gestured at the map. "Oh,
I see. " She
tilted her head. "And the Headwoman?"

"Sometimes you can do both," he said. "Some crafts work well with having
families, I mean, if you're a baker, your family will always eat well."

Studying the map again, he gently tried to ease her thumb to one side, "The
Headwoman is based over here."

"But if a lady marries well, her husband will provide." Her prim assurance
faltered as he touched her and she quickly moved her hand to accommodate
him. She didn't give any expression that it made her uncomfortable, but her
back did stiffen a little in response. "Oh. I see. Thank you."

"Think you can find them by yourself?"

She nibbled on her lower lip slightly. "Is it permissible to have an
escort?" She glanced at him. "If...of course, you don't mind?"

"I can show you the way, if that's what you mean." Helcoger's tone was
mildly amused by her choice of words, she'd soon learn that having an escort
was something that belonged in Harper's tales here at the Weyr.

She inclined her head, a slight flush appearing on her cheeks. "Yes.
Please."

Last updated on the February 1st 2014

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A Proper Escort