Deep Breath (Open)

[kayla]

Sheluth was not quite old enough for today's excitement to cause problems. That did not mean that she did not notice that the little gold was not at least aware that something was going on. Nor did it mean that Sheluth's confusion and interest was not also affecting her Rider.

Neory would not describe herself as feeling like she was in caught in dragon lust. She was more feeling restless. Making sure that the younger gold would be fine with Neory there with her, she got dressed and headed down to the Night Hearth. The truth of the matter was that while she wanted company, she was also rather wary about was going on with Adeloth and Elisha. She was also a bit intrigued by it.

The young dressed a bit nicely to come down. For the past couple of seven-days, she'd found herself caring about her appearance again. Partly because, she figured, Sheluth did not require as much every single second of every single day attention as she had as a hatchling. Though her work with Elisha and training was still keeping her pretty busy.

[laionii]

Nerine's mind was unsettled thanks to Adeloth's flight. She wasn't so much disturbed by dragon lust, as she was the results of the flight. She knew innately that her father and Unferth would be chasing this flight. But it was more than just leadership of the Weyr at this moment that had her mind in a daze.

Her own future seemed tied to this mating, if she did not impress this time, she would seek the sponsorship that Daevon had offered her. It had been some time since her conversation with the man, and more and more she was coming to feel that perhaps Elisha was right. She had talked with Nisha and Rory, Daevon even, and all seemed to have varying opinions on the matter, but the common consensus seemed to be that girls should not fly fighting dragons. Nerine thought of what impressing a queen could mean. She was not sure she wanted that responsibility ether, and yet she wanted so desperately to fly.

She stumbled into the nighttime hearth area and was surprised to see the Junior Queen rider Neory. A soft smile crossed her lips as she gave greeting.

“Ah so you cannot rest ether I take it? How are you doing Neory?” she asked settling down after pouring herself a warm cup of Klah.

[kayla]

Neory chuckled, "No. Sheluth's too wound up for me to sleep even if I could anyway." The young woman wondered what would happen when Sheluth was old enough to be more than curious. She'd talk to Elisha later about what the best thing to do during Adeloth's flights would be in the future. It might be that it would be best if she and Sheluth were elsewhere in those situations.

"And I'm doing well, thank you. And you, Nerine?" She looked at the other young woman, remembering her as one of the other Candidates who stood for the Gold egg.

She tilted her head slightly, "What are you doing now? I mean, not right this minute, but... I'm sorry you didn't impress." She was not sorry she didn't get the Gold, but she did feel bad for those who wanted to impress and did not - especially young women as there were so few opportunities for women to stand on the sands.

[laionii]

Nerine grinned. “Before you know it you will have to take refuge at one of the other holds or Weyrs when Adeloth rises. Be glad she is simply restless tonight.”

Nerine was pensive for a moment as she thought about the question. “I am doing about as well as can be expected for someone whose sleep is interrupted by a gold flight.” She answered finally taking a long sip from the mug. How was she doing really? Even Nerine wasn’t sure; she was starting to question the things that she wanted out of life. That was a hard path to be on for anyone.

She smiled mildly at the girls words as she sipped from her mug. Neory had always been kind and considerate of others though Nerine suspected that would change once the real responsibilities of running the Weyr set in. It would put the girl in a rough spot, one she did not envy, though Nerine herself might have thoroughly enjoyed getting a look at the records the rest of a weyrwoman’s life seemed abstract to her.

“Don’t be, I wanted to fly a green not gold, no offense to Sheluth. I am not the best Weyrwoman material.” She answered with a soft smile. “They have me in the healing wings now; most of them seem to think that applying myself to a task while I wait for another opportunity to impress will keep me out of trouble. Even if I don’t Impress Daevon has offered to sponsor me in the healing craft.”

The more she thought about it, the more her life seemed to be heading in an unexpected direction. True her mother was a midwife but to be a woman healer. Nerine again thought of the magnificent dragons.

“Though I can’t imagine being away from Telgar Weyr, I may take the offer up if Elisha doesn’t allow girls to stand for greens at the next hatchings. I just can’t seem to picture a life without dragons.” She laughed. It was such a strange place to be in really. She got up to pour herself another cup of Klah and offered one to Neory.

[kayla]

"Oh, I'm not sorry that Sheluth did not impress you. I'm sorry if that sounds selfish, but as much as I realize that my dream being fulfilled meant that other girls did not get theirs, well... no. I'm glad Sheluth chose me. But it was clear how much wanted a dragon. I'm more sorry that you didn't get one of the Greens. Maybe there's still a chance." That was all she could or would say on the matter. She doubted that there'd be another Gold daughter any time soon, even with thread being imminent, and she would not speak in anyway that would undermine Elisha.

"And yes, I suspect this will be the last time I'll be around during a flight - unless one occurs when Sheluth is egg-heavy or brooding herself." Which was actually possible. She shook her head slightly, too far away to think about yet.

"Oh, wow. That's wonderful. And you know, I'm sure it would be really hard to leave a place you love," she'd lived at Telgar Weyr all her life, so maybe she really should not even be saying anything about this at all. "But, if its for something you really want to do, maybe it'll be worth it. And who knows, maybe you'll wind up being assigned to a Weyr anyway once you make journeyman." She grinned. If nothing else, even the weyrs needed midwives.

[laionii]

Nerine nodded at her words smiling. “No I understand what you meant Neory, and I am glad for one that you Impressed Sheluth and not one of the other candidates with very little if any sense at all. You two make a fine pair.”

Nerine sighed. She had to face facts as well as the next person, and there would be no changing Elisha’s mind any time soon.

“Even with thread coming Neory I highly doubt Elisha will change her mind. It is a fact that I have been slowly coming to accept.” She answered plainly. The soft smile on her lips did not falter at these words.

“As much as I want to follow the footsteps of my father, and my aunts I think that path is all but barred to me now. It is simply that I cannot imagine a life without dragons. People are so much duller” she grinned thinking of her father and his life mate.

Nerine nodded serenely, the anger and frustration she had felt so long now almost entirely replaced by quiet acceptance. Could she really become a dragon healer? It was the only solution she could see that would satisfy her. Oh shards yes she wanted to impress one of the lithe greens that flamed thread so valiantly, and loved so unconditionally, but after seeing Nisha she was starting to question it.

“I’ve lived here my whole life, and my mother was a midwife” She was unsure if she wanted to repeat what Daevon had said about becoming a dragon healer. In a place where traditions seemed to bar her path she wasn’t sure she could handle the shock of someone at hearing what her real goal was slowly becoming.

“Though I aim to learn more than just the birthing arts.” She finally added, cryptically. Her gaze went down to the soft caramel brown of her Klah, she always added a bit of cream to it for sweetening.

[kayla]

Neory was not remotely the kind to be overly worried about women's traditional roles. She could not guarantee that she would be allowed to make her own choice when Sheluth clutched, but if Elisha allowed her to do so, then women would stand - Gold Egg or no. So when Nerine suggested that she wanted to be more than midwife, Neory grinned, "Good for you."

She sipped her own klah, "You know, in some ways I feel kind of lucky to have been born to Telgar. I'm sure that there are other places where women are lucky. But here we've grown up with really good examples of strong women. Women who shape the world around them. I hope to live up to their example, without being bound by it. To be my own woman, but to know that they are or would be proud of me."

She smiled to Nerine, figuring that the other woman would know exactly what she meant.

[laionii]

At the words good for you Nerine relaxed. It was good to know she could hold confidence in Neory. She smiled softly as she listened to the Jr. Weyrwoman speak, thinking on the incredible women who set forth a powerful example, Eisu was one of the few women healers. Marisol was the first to allow women to stand for greens. There were so many examples of what they were capable of, and Nerine wanted to set another.

“Being your own person, setting your own path, I agree whole heartedly. Who knows perhaps one day we can count ourselves among them.” Her eyes flitted to the leather band she wore about her wrist, and a strange smile replaced the usual embarrassment that she felt when considering what had happened.

“I know what I want to do should I not impress, I think I may ask Daevon if he needs an apprentice tomorrow morning.” She said finally, the fire in her eyes one of determination and hope. She sipped more of the spicy drink before grinning like a Cheshire cat.

“I just can’t imagine life without dragons.”

[kayla]

"I couldn't either, to be honest." Of course with Sheluth she would never have to.

Neory smiled warmly to the other woman, though she grimaced slightly when she saw her rubbing at her wrist and remembered what had happened. Well, it could have been worse. Sheluth had killed one of the other Candidates.

"I think that's a great idea, Nerine. From what I've seen, you'd make a good healer. And if you study under Daevon, there's sure to be dragons in your life."