Studying Records ((Elisha))

[brimstone81]

Adeloth, nearing her rising, of course wanted a mate. She missed having Deluth next to her on chilly nights, or being close to her on sunny days. But there was nothing she could do about that. Hers had sent Deluth away, and Hers had aweful feelings about Deluth's. But Deluth was not the only bronze. Caidenth was a bronze. Caidenth catered to her needs. I cannot think of anything right now that I need. Mine is a very good oiler. Mine is perfect to me. What about Yours? Is he good? Adeloth was curious, knowing that Elisha thought of D'rian as 'bad' now. She was trying to look out for her rider.

Elisha smiled, "Yes, I believe that Elirian likes it here very much. I don't think I could send him away if I wanted to. Not even to craft." The queenrider certainly did not want to send her son away, and while she couldn't raise him, just knowing he was in the Weyr some where made her feel better. At his suggestion, she sat.

"I am glad your job is so well liked by yourself." If he was a wingleader, she wondered if he were an ambitious man. Most likely. But she just remained silent, waiting to hear all she could about the handsome man. From next what he said she deduced he was a creative man, and one who dreamed and schemed of better things. He was some one who wanted to prove himself. He was strong, and very masculine, she deduced, something she admired in a man. But then again, all of the bronzers she knew were strong and masculine. He seemed to be very open to her, and she liked that. The Weyrwoman smiled at him. She teased him, as if in jest to some of the negative sentiments about her, "I am so very glad to hear that my name is not among your dislikes."

"As for my interests, well I have always been interested in healing, though as I have told you, it was a dream long lost to me. I have always been interested in art kind of things like painting and writing, though I am finding I have less and less time to do it. Perhaps if Adeloth would only produce a few more queens, I should have extra help for me to pursue such interests." She smiled and looked off dreamily. Adeloth did not seem to be a queen-producer. She has had large clutches, yes, but in the last ten turns none of her clutchs had a queen. Beynath clutched three queens in her lifetime. Adeloth must produce at least one, Elisha hoped. A junior would be a great help, and she only hoped she got along with the girl. Though Adeloth would certainly be jealous of a young queen. "I also have interest in my son, and his welfare, also the welfare of the smaller folk. I came from a poor hold family, so I know how that is. I like reading, a lot. And dancing is nice, though I'm not nearly as graceful as a Lord Holder's daughter. Things like that." She was finding she liked E'riol's company.

[FireThorne]

Caidenth listened to the gold as she spoke, reveling in her sweet mindvoice meeting his. He had always adored lovely Adeloth, and now to have her so close to him, he was more than a bit enchanted. The bronze was very pleased. Deluth had been her favorite for a time long, but now there was no Deluth, and he was looking very forward to her next Flight. He stopped to consider her question. Mine is good for me, but he is also good to others. Mine wants what is best for us. Like Yours, Mine tries his best for all the people here. The bronze spoke highly of his rider, but the man had earned it. He was a good rider, and a good person.

His blue eyes upon the Weyrwoman, E’riol smiled in reply as she spoke, lifting a brow slightly. “Some of my riders would argue that I like my job a little too much, my lady. According to a certain wingrider, I spend all of my time ‘just sitting around and thinking of difficult maneuvers to make their drills harder.’” Chuckling a bit as he recalled the brownrider’s statement, the Wingleader gave the lady a devious grin. “I did not have the heart to tell him it is true.” The tall man was a bit surprised at how easy and comfortable he felt around the goldrider, and how smooth and unguarded his words came. Usually, he kept a far more careful hold upon what he spoke, but Elisha seemed to invite a confidence between them that made him feel as if he could tell what he wished, dark or deep things. An odd feeling, but one he had nonetheless. However, the bronzer liked being able to open up to someone else, even if it was only a little, without worry of what he said.

Her words, intended as a jest he was sure, evoked a memory of all the criticism Elisha had and was enduring. He did like to see her smile, though. “My lady Elisha, you do not deserve to be disliked by any, but in a position such as yours, it is impossible to please everyone.” How truly E’riol knew it. As a wingleader, he himself endured criticism from other wings, and even his own wingriders. A few resented that he had gained the rank of wingleader so quickly. Though it was a small portion, he understood a bit of what the Weyrwoman had to be facing. “I just hope that my name is not among yours.” He returned, smiling, hoping that she did not allow the weyr’s criticism to sadden her.

The bronzerider had always been a good listener, as his wingleader had found when E’riol was his second, and he took in what the Weyrwoman had to say with interest. The diverse hobbies and fascinations she held were unexpected, and interesting. “I can imagine that being a single goldrider without any juniors would be difficult. Even a single wing needs seconds to aid the leader. I can see that it must be very strenuous and demanding.” The rider frowned lightly, never really considering her situation in quite that light before. Of course, even the bronzer with just one wing of riders to attend to needed aids in the form of seconds, so naturally the Weyrwoman would need just as much help. How did Elisha do it? “How are you managing all the duties on your own?” He asked, watching her face. “Now it is my turn to make sure you are not pushing yourself, lady Elisha.” E’riol said, looking at the goldrider with concern. She had expressed her worry over his wing, but she needed to worry about herself too. The lady did look a bit fatigued.

“Since you enjoy reading, I am surprised we have not run into each other before. I haunt this place, my riders say.” E’riol said with a laugh, loosening up and liking it. He felt comfortable around Elisha, and he was enjoying her company. It really was surprising they had not met before.

[brimstone81]

Adeloth was happy with his answer, as if he would say anything else. But a bronze could not lie to a queen, nor any dragon for that matter. If they could, Adeloth did not know that. She swam closer to her bronze companion. He was good. She could not exactly comprehend all of the politics that would come from her flight, but she knew from Elisha that it was important. She knew that Hers was looking for a dependable, older, mature pair, and she wondered breifly on it before speaking to Caidenth again. I am glad to hear Yours is good. Do I not look radient tonight? Satisfied with the answer, she shifted the conversation back to her.

Elisha smiled at him, this could be the start of a good friendship. She was not ready for love, but she wouldn't mind a good companion to talk to. A good friend, especially. She laughed with him, "I did not know that liking your job could be considered not good. I think it is very good to be passionate about your job, I know I am. It tires me out sometimes, but each morning my love for it rejuvenates me. Yet it still pleases me that one of my Wingleaders are working so hard. I do believe that thread is returning" Her want to be friends with him compelled her to speak her mind. Lately she had no one to really talk to. She did not share absolutly everything with Marisol, and her old female friends and herself were split more with responsibilities that it might be nice to be have a friend her own rank. And who knew? Maybe his Caidenth would win her Adeloth when she flew. It never hurt to get to know someone if you might potentially be paired with him for a turn or more.

When he told her that she should not be disliked by anyone because she couldn't please everyone, she smiled softly and nodded, "Don't I know it. I guess I'm trying to look out for survival, to strengthen the Weyr in a different way than Marisol strengthened us. I just hope I don't go down in history disliked. It would be hard to compete with all the good things Marisol did, but I guess I want to be remembered well too." She shared her deepest desire to him. She wanted to be liked and loved, like Marisol was, but because of her popularity, no one liked to change. Elisha had a strong respect and like for Marisol herself, she just had some different ideas. Elisha was a pretty patient woman, in time people would come to see her motivations, but it might take a generation.

E'riol asked her about how she did all her duties. "Well I have Q'tre installed as Weyrleader, and Marisol is helping me with my old junior duties. They are my biggest help. Though I can't help but think that it's my fault they delayed their retirment.With no Weyrleader for myself, and Adeloth not producing any queens, I guess it's my fault. I can't really be at fault for the queen egg, that's not up to me. Yet I feel aweful, but maybe my passions got the better of me when I dismissed D'rian. I know that is one of my biggest critisms, but I have a big emphasis on loyalty. He betrayed me and I couldn't bring myself to work with him. Blame it on my pride, I guess I should have been the better woman, but it pulled my heartstrings." Why was Elisha telling him all this? She was surprized that she was unloading on him, and supposed that perhaps it was because she was feeling comfortable with him. The queenrider really did want to be good friends with him. She needed allies anyway. "R'net offered once to help me. I think Marisol put him up to it, but he never was much of a help. He checked the numbweed supplies for me and that was it. I'll make it, I think." She was spreading herself thin, but she figured it was part of her job. She really hoped that Adeloth would produce a queen.

"I, too, haunt this place. Mostly I take what I need and read in my rooms in the evening times. That is probably why we have not met more often. Some call me the Hidebound Weyrwoman. I think it is hard not to be hidebound when you were a scribe." She chuckled, glad the topic was lightened a little.

[FireThorne]

Caidenth’s sinuous tail wove through the water like a tunnelsnake as he swam, his powerful forelegs pushing him through the lake easily. He liked to swim, but he favored flying above all, usually. However, with the lovely queen at his side, the lake was the only place he wanted to be at that moment. When the golden beauty swam closer, Caid felt a thrill go through his body, starting at his nose and darting to the end of his tail. She found his company pleasant! He is good, and Yours is good. They are good riders. The bronze stated, watching the queen. As she queried him, Caidenth rumbled lowly in his chest. My queen, you are far more than radiant. The light above itself pales in comparison to your glory. Of course, the dragon did not know the word for ‘sun’, but he was fairly certain she would understand. As Adeloth had moved closer, so did he, swimming just a slight closer to her side. None can compare.

E’riol liked to see the goldrider smile at him, for it was an unguarded expression. He was so used to hiding personal emotions in his position that the open, rather friendly conversation they were having was a refreshing change. “We have that in common, my lady. I, too, believe that you must have a passion for your work, for it is what drives you.” The tall rider grinned at her, and turned slightly in his chair, resting his still-crossed arms on the table. “I feel refreshed each morning when I practice my sword. The cold air before dawn makes one feel alive. I am ready for my wing after, though Caid thinks me a fool for swinging a piece of steel around.” Chuckling at the bronze’s logic, he sobered when the queenrider spoke of their ancient menace. “Thread is going to return, my lady Elisha. I believe it.” The Wingleader said seriously, his steely blue eyes burning as he met her own gaze. “We must have our riders prepared for the harsh reality of Fall.” He knew it, deep in his soul and his dragon’s, that it was true.

As she spoke of the weyr and the criticism of her leadership, the Wingleader was surprised that she was being so open with him. E’riol had his seconds and his wing, but he did not truly have someone he could tell all of his thoughts to, the things that were buried deep. He had already told her more about Thread and holders than he had anyone. He was actually pleased to have her return his openness. He liked speaking with her, and thought that they could actually become good friends. He only wished they had met sooner. “Those of Telgar will come to appreciate your hard work, my lady, even if it may take them a fair while to do so. It is always hard for the new leader to take the place of one who held the position for so long. However, I am sure Telgar will come to see your only concern is for the good of the weyr, and understand all you have done. I do not foresee your legacy being tarnished.”

At first, when she began speaking of her duties, E’riol smiled understandingly, but as she continued he grew more and more surprised. The bronzerider knew that she was sharing very deep feelings and thoughts, and he was not expecting her to tell him so much. Yet, he felt honored that she had. “First, my lady Elisha, you cannot blame yourself for Marisol or Q’tre. They understand that you, as a lone Weyrwoman, cannot take on all of the responsibilities yourself, and you cannot change the fact that there has been no queen egg. It is neither you, nor Adeloth’s fault that nature has not given her a golden daughter yet.” The Wingleader’s cobalt blue eyes were on hers as he spoke, and he hoped that the lady would feel that she could trust him...as a close friend. He certainly liked her, and hoped she felt the same. After all she had told him, the lean man wished they would become closer, because it seemed she really did need someone, and he needed a good friend as well. “And D’rian....my lady, no one is above feeling betrayed and hurt.” The tall rider said softly. “Wounded emotions are nothing easily overlooked. I cannot blame you for your actions. Loyalty to your fellow riders, but especially your weyrmate....well, who will support the Weyr if we cannot even support each other? A bond should be more important than that.” He did NOT approve of the previous Weyrleader. “You need more help, my lady Elisha.” E’riol stated, wondering if he would have the time. With a wing to lead, how could he help her? “I know that I cannot offer much time, Elisha, but if you ever need my help, do not fear asking. I will do what I can.” After a moment, he added with a grin, “and I will do more than check numbweed, if you require.”

Laughing at her pun, the Wingleader grinned, enjoying her humor. “I suppose it would be difficult...” He said, looking thoughtful and rubbing his chin with his thumb and forefinger. “Let’s see, a Weyrwoman, a scribe...is there anything you do not do?”