Another Day at Work (Nerine, Open)

[kayla]

Daevon had eventually recovered from the trauma that the illness has caused to the man who heard every dragon very clearly. He had also recovered from the trauma of the recent dragons who had betweened for various reasons, for the weyrlings who had died in practice. If anything, the pain and the closeness that Daevon felt towards the dragons, made him long even more for a mate, for someone he could talk to, for someone who could comfort him when his connection to the dragons caused him more pain than he liked to admit.

But he was not just a Dragonhealer. He could also help with people healing, and he was taking a shift working in the infirmary today. Of course, that meant that he kept an "ear" open for any calls of help or sounds of distress from any dragons, they were his first and foremost charges at the Weyr, and the other Healers were aware of that.

He had been tending to a broken arm, a young man, a rider, probably had been doing something brash to impress a young woman or a man. He shook his head as the patient left and rubbed at the back of his neck, "Nerine? Who is my next patient? Please tell me its a dragon." He knew there was small chance of that since he hadn't heard a cry of distress, but it was possible if the injury was small enough.

[laionii]

Her dark hair was pulled back from her face today as she brushed an escaped strand out of her face. It had been a fairly uneventful morning, just the usual younglings getting into mischief. Daevon was in the wing today and Nerine always regarded him with a kind of awe. He was a master dragon healer, and as far as she knew the only man with that title living. He was good at what he did and she could only hope to learn half of what he knew about healing.

She was good with salves and ointments but when it came to setting a bone or some of the other more advanced skills she needed room for improvement. If she didn’t impress she would likely end up going to the healing hall. She had been putting away the ointments and salves when he made his query. Bright blue eyes regarded him with a half smile as she spoke, grinning at his annoyance with human patients.

“That is it for a while I think, but the older weyrlings are learning to chew firestone, I think we can safely assume someone will have a few singed eyebrows.” She smiled remembering the last patient who had been perfectly devastated about losing his good looks. “It’s been a quiet day” she offered smoothing the folds of her apron. “At least we haven’t had any women needing a trip between, though I suspect Elisha has done away with that as well.” There was a slight bitter note to her voice as the words slipped off her tongue, but no real menace.

[kayla]

Daevon caught the note of bitterness and raised an eyebrow, "That rarely is something the healers take care of. Most often the women seek out a Rider themselves." However, he also knew that was the not the real issue of her complaint. "Well, if we are going to have a break, let us take a real one, at least until one of the Weyrlings calls to me in distress for hurting his or her Rider." He only hoped that singed eyebrows would be all they'd deal with today!

Daevon did not dislike human patients, he just disliked stupid injuries. And, ok, there was some jealousy when it was clearly someone trying to impress a potential lover. Some might wonder how he could be lonely, but he was.

He lead the young woman over to a table and poured them both cups of klah. "Sit, Nerine. You can say what you need to here, and I'll be glad to listen. But first, you need to understand that Elisha is doing what she believes is best for the weyr. I know you disagree. I understand why you do. But I would also not make her into a monster if I were you. I do not think she could, even if she wanted to, prevent women from betweening to prevent pregnancy."

[laionii]

Nerine listened to his words and nodded, though she was sure they both knew it was not short rides between that were bothering her. His next words brought a smile.

“You know I almost prefer the ones knocked unconscious than the ones whining about what their potential lovers might think about a sudden absence of hair.” She grinned mischievously at the slight jest. She accepted the Klah gratefully letting it cool briefly before enjoying a long sip. She was grateful for it, realizing she had been up since before dawn.

She winced at his admonishment. He was right of course but it seemed so much easier to throw all her frustrations on the absent woman. She recalled her argument with Nisha as she swirled the warm brown drink in her cup absently. The band on her left wrist once again caught her eye, and she immediately shifted her gaze to Daevon to avoid the memory of that day.

“It is just easier to demonize her” she began softly unsure of where the statement would lead. “I know we lost so many during the sickness, but I can’t imagine spending life on my back simply to increase the population.” She sighed.

“I don’t know what’s worse, the fact that I can’t embrace that life, or that there is no one I would embrace it for.” She knew she would have to come to terms with not impressing one day, but the implications were unpleasant at best.

“Then again I don’t know what the big attraction is in the first place.” She finished somewhat unsatisfied with her words. “For a Weyr as big as Telgar, it is surprisingly easy to be alone.”

[kayla]

When weyrlings whined about a lover, Daevon gave the quiet lecture on the fact that they are supposed to be celibate during this time in their lives. Though he usually checked with the dragon to know just how the dragon was being affected.

Daevon smiled, "I don't think it is Elisha's intention to have you or any other woman spending life on your back. Though I think your feelings are rather understandable. I really believe she wants to produce strong candidates and prevent women from causing holes in wings when thread falls." One of the reasons that Daevon fit in at Telgar was his belief that Thread would fall again and soon. "Try to understand that she needs to keep many interests in mind."

"But, there will be no need for you to embrace a life you don't want. You have plenty of options."

At her last comment he sighed with a nod, "It really is. Trust me, I know." Especially since at the weyr it was supposed to be easy to find a male lover.

[laionii]

She considered his words True those women who did choose to bear children to term would create holes in the wings, not that Nerine had any intention of furthering her family line. That was her brother’s duty. Did she really have options though? Try as she might she simply couldn’t imagine life beyond the stone halls of Telgar, she belonged here, pure and simple, but why and how was yet to be determined.

“You’re right as usual Daevon” Had it been someone else she might have argued, but the older healer always did make her see reason. “That doesn’t mean I agree, but I do see what you are saying and that at least is a start.” At the mention of thread she grew pensive.

“It has been too long since the last fall, Most don’t even consider it as a possibility any longer.” Worry clouded her pale features. “Papa say’s it’s a certainty, but the other Weyr’s and even those amongst our own ranks aren’t entirely convinced. I think they are hoping Adeloth next clutch is large enough to present as proof.” She shuddered. “I hope the healers remember how to treat thread score, because the Weyr’s aren’t ready for a fall.

She couldn’t help but smile at his agreement at finding lovers at the Weyr. Though it struck her as odd that he did not hold a mate. True he was older, but age had not bent nor twisted his form. His mind was sharper than most Weyrlings and the lines that marked the passage of time on him gave more of a distinguished appearance rather than old. His hair still held more color than most at his age.

“If the Master healer cannot find a bed fellow what hope is there for the rest of us?” she joked mildly. It felt good to talk with someone; she hadn’t had too many conversations that she could genuinely enjoy of late.

[kayla]

"Traditions are helpful for a reason. The teaching songs have not been lost. The Healers might be as taken by surprise as the rest of Pern, but we will remember." He smiled over to the young woman.

"I don't expect you to be happy about it, Nerine. I don't blame you for how you feel about it, either." He would not explicitly state that he disagreed with it either. While he could be a sympathetic ear, and maybe even offer some helpful advice, he would not undermine the Weyrwoman, knowing that her position was not an easy one.

"As for proof." The older man sighed, "If the last two clutches have not been enough, I'm not sure another large clutch by Adeloth, or even by Sheluth will convince anyone. What is needed is for the other weyrs to produce as large clutches. Until then, detractors can say that it is the blood line."

"I'm an old man, Nerine. And I made choices that I suppose I'm coming to regret. Perhaps I should have found a mate when I could still be a boy toy." He winked to her, "Do not think that I am any kind of scale for the ability to find love in this place."

[laionii]

Nerine grinned. “You mean to tell me harpers have a use other than soaking up the finest wines and spreading their seed?” Eyes sparkled with humor. She had to admit she had a great respect for the men and women who memorized thousands of year’s worth of songs all written to help remind Pern of her peril.

“Could you teach me how to deal with thread score? On dragon and man? I know between Eisu and you Telgar are well set, but I would like to learn all I can. Even if I do impress it can’t hurt to have someone who knows how to cleanse and treat the wounds properly.” She asked. “I’d rather learn as much as I can before I need the knowledge.”

She appraised him and with a gentle shake of her head she sighed. “Everyone keeps telling me I will be able to stand for gold, or Neory may let girls stand at her clutches.” She gazed at the band on her wrist once more. “I won’t break if I don’t get to stand again, and I am not so bold as to believe I could impress gold. I just don’t know what I will do.”

She fixed Daevon with a sincere glance, “And I promise I will try to be more understanding of Elisha, she’s got it hard enough as it is with a newborn.” She would do her best, if nothing else throwing herself into the work in the healing wing so she could forget about the things she lacked...

She sighed at the mention of clutches at other Weyrs. “Igen is getting too inbred; I will be surprised if after the next few clutches we don’t start seeing dud eggs or deformities. Not that we will know for sure, but I’ve heard rumors from the herders.”

A chuckle escaped her small mouth, “I am sure you are still quite capable of being a boy toy”

[kayla]

Daevon chuckled warmly at Nerine's joke. "I'm not sure they're any worse than Riders or Healers." He smiled with a twinkle in his eye, "Its just the Holders who tend to be all hide-bound." Well, that really was not true, but some of the Crafts did have a reputation that almost rivaled that of the Riders.

"And of course, Nerine. I think we'll probably be wanting as many volunteers as we can get on that. From the songs I've heard and the Hides I've read, thread score is pretty nasty business, and though the Dragons will take care of the Thread itself... well, I think our pretty dragons will be earning some impressive battle scars."

"Nerine, if you don't impress, I'd be glad to sponsor you to Healers. Don't stress so much about it. Enjoy the here and now." The smile he gave her was one of warm sincerity. He understood the desire to be a Rider, but part of him thought that the Healers needed to hold on to this one, even though the chances of women making Master were somewhere between slim and none.

"And there is a reason I specifically told the head Healer that I'd never take a post at Igen. Someone more apt at politics needs to be the Dragon Healer there, if they ever realize they could use such a person." He grinned again at her, "Dragon Healers don't have to have my gift, you know. It helps, but it isn't required."

"And thanks, let's just hope there's a sugar daddy out there who figures that out.' He winked.

[laionii]

The laughter tumbled from her voice, a bright and warm smile curving on her lips. She had seen quite a number of antics from holders, crafters, and Weyr folk alike. She sobered a little as he mentioned threadscore.

“I will volunteer as much and as often as I can. I really want to learn.” She would too, Nerine was not the kind of girl to shirk work, and she had a passion for knowledge and learning that couldn’t be sated.

Big blue eyes widened brightly at his words struck home.
“Truly Daevon? It would be an honor of incredible weight to be sponsored by the Master Dragon healer. “ a different sort of smile slipped over her features, it was one of thought and planning, and even a tiny bit of hope. True she might never make master healer but the chance was nothing to be gawked at.

She laughed. “I am sure it is only most of them that are backward burden beasts.” She was pensive as he mentioned his ability to hear all of the dragons. And curious she could not help but pose a question. “What is it like hearing them?”

Nerine nearly snorted at the words ‘sugar daddy’. She thought about it for a moment, how hard it must be for someone who wants a companion to be alone. Weyr life was so different from the holds and halls, most people needed someone to understand and comfort them, to share a bed and share their love. She wondered what that was like and why so many hungered for it.

[kayla]

Daevon chuckled, "I'm not sure how much of an honor it is, Nerine. I'm not in particularly high standing among the Craft. But I'd be glad to sponsor you if that's what you decide that you want to do."

He smiled at the question, "Its kind of hard to explain. Its what I know. I'm not entirely sure I would know what its like not to hear them." Daevon took a deep breath trying to find the words to explain it. "Its definitely helpful in what I do. But its more than that. Its, its kind of like they accept me and know me, and I care for and about them. Its also painful at times. When Beynath betweened, I not only heard the keenings everyone else did, but I felt their loss. And during the illness... that was hard. But I would not give it up ever."

He smiled, "But I think, if you wanted to, you could be a dragon healer without having my particular gift. Its all about caring about the dragons and realizing that they are more than just animals."

[laionii]

Nerine grinned at his chuckle. “Pfft! I don’t care about the rest of the Healing hall’s opinion; I still say it would be an honor.” She was sincere in her words. She had never seen anyone calm a dragon the way Daevon could, and only part of it was his gift. There was more to his bedside manner than being able to hear and speak with his patients.

She listened with intense curiosity at his words detailing his gift. She envied him, for being able to share that kind of link with the dragons. Even with the downsides to be a part of something so much larger. His next words caught her off guard, and caused some intense thought on her part. Could she really become a dragon healer? The thought both excited and terrified her all at the same time. She would still be able to live in a Weyr around the magnificent creatures, and do something useful for a change.

She didn’t realize the starry eyed look that crossed her features as she spoke with a wild grin. “I think Dragons are better people than people are sometimes. More honest with other’s and themselves, and I’ve yet to meet a runner beast who could keep my father in line as well as Unferth does.”

[kayla]

Daevon smiled warmly to her, "Thank you for that, Nerine. And I have to admit, I'm not overly concerned with what the rest of the Crafthall thinks of me either. I'm mostly happy with my life, and I'm definitely happy and secure in my life. I made the rank of Master, and there's not really much chance of them taking that away from me. So, that's really all I need from them." Some might question his morals since he preferred men to women, but that was not enough of an ethical issue to lose him his rank.

He grinned as he watched her expression, "Sometimes they are, Nerine." He patted her on the shoulder, "And I think you'll definitely find a way to keep dragons in your life. Don't let anyone keep you from your dreams, Nerine. You're the only one who has the right to make changes to them. But remember, that dreams require work to come true."

[laionii]

Nerine beamed at his thanks and could not help but continue grinning at his thoughts on the Craft hall. She hoped that she would be able to get what she needed from the hall as well though she knew it would take more than a simple nomination. She could not hide her thoughts as he spoke, and her intentions were written brightly on her face. It was a look that had not been on her features in quite some time, and now made her glow with happiness.

“Daevon you as well as anyone know I have never been afraid of hard work.” She beamed brightly. "or what anyone else has to say about my dreams."
[End or end on your post.]