Can This Be a Dream? [Shoki, Aftermath]

[Itoshii]

75.13.08, Early morning

Cier groaned and rolled over. She almost felt hungover, like a morning after too much Benden wine. Her mind was having a hard time recalling the events of the night before, though something told her it was terribly important. She stretched her arm out, startled from her daze when she felt another body beneath her reaching limb. She shot up straight, gasping as the colder air in the weyr room met her back. It was all rushing back to her, her face turning almost as red as the Crimson Brignith had out flown.

The Cloud rumbled, contentedly amused at his rider. Good morning sunshine. he greeted her, stretching out on the Weyrwoman's ledge, enjoying the wonderful morning sun. Brig, what have you done?! she shrieked at him inside her head, unsure of exactly what to feel. At first she was embarrassed at what the result of Brignith winning the flight meant she had done. And then the reality of just exactly who the smug Cloud had caught set in. She was the sharding Weyrleader?!

And you should thank me! I think I did rather well. She put her head in her hands, trying to make sense of the whole situation and what she should do next. Maybe she should call up some klah? Yes, that sounded like it might be nice. Some hot klah to settle her stomach and wake her mind. So she slid slowly out from the covers, trying not to wake the sleeping woman beside her, and went over to the chute that led to the kitchens and called down for some fresh klah.

While she waited she put her undergarments back on and was just slipping into her trousers and shirt when the tray came up. She poured herself a steaming cup, inhaling the steam with closed eyes. Yes, a cup would help a lot.

[Shoki]

Hedara could smell warm drink. She sat up, and looked around, trying to figure out what was what. It took a moment for Hedara to register who the woman with a cup of warm drink was. Ceir of Cloud Brignith. Huh. Well, she had figured this could happen at some point. There were a lot of female riders of male dragons, and Temperanth was going to pick exactly who she wanted to. Hedara had made her peace with that already. However, the reality was that there was now a female rider in the Sr. Weyrleader position. This was probably going to make some people unhappy. Lucky she knew exactly what to say to that. For now, more presently, Hedara’s natural defensiveness was up since someone was in her room. So many things to balance. It would drive her mad someday. Hopefully that would be after she retired.

“Good morning.” Hedara nodded once then got dressed. Feh, she hated not having her hair brushed and back. However her first step was getting clothes on. The usual, pants, long sleeves, easy to move in, and above all, practical. It was a quick affair, she usually wanted to be up early. Once she was done she turned her attention back to Cier and extended her hand.

“I look forward to working with you.” Same line, different person. Worked for her before.

[Itoshii]

Cier was startled by the sudden voice, having been too caught up in her thoughts to notice Hedara waking up. She managed not to jump, but she did set her mug down and stood, the awkwardness setting in and attempted not to stammer over a greeting, "Good m-morning, Weyrwoman." She winced inwardly as she stumbled over it a bit, but it was better than she had hoped for. She poured a second cup of klah and averted her gaze as the other got up and dressed.

When she focused again on her, she found a hand being extended towards her. Hesitantly and awkwardly she shook it. That was it? I mean, sure, all riders know it's a possibility to wake up with someone you're not expecting to, it had happened to her before, but by the first egg this was a Sr. Queen we were talking about! She shuffled from foot to foot unconsciously, trying to figure out a way to word her feelings and her instincts telling her to make an exit. But she knew the latter wasn't so easy, she only had vague ideas of what a Weyrleader's duties were, and who knew how the others would react to a female Weyrleader. With all the strife recently just over the dragons themselves she could only imagine the issues this would bring up.

You worry too much, CierMine. All will be well. Brignith assured her standing to spread his wings in the warmth of the sun, feeling more than a little smug at his victory. You are Weyrleader now, you shouldn't worry so. You're the big boss now. Aside from lovely Temperanth that is.

She couldn't argue with his logic, so she took a deep breath and tried to keep a steady gaze on Hedara. "I'll need to know more about my new duties." she stated, hoping she sounded more confident than she felt.

[Shoki]

Hedara was having a hard time reading what exactly about this situation Cier was uncomfortable with. Logically it could be everything about it, she supposed. That was completely fair. Especially with the, well, terrible things that got said about X’kel. Clean slate though, and she had convinced ISW at least of the truth. Thought she still had to figure out who was behind that. She had her suspicions though. Shards, she had so much to do. She was actually grateful for once that Temperanth hadn’t just ruined a day with her flight, so she could get stuff done.

Hedara, love, you really do need to get over my flying. Temperanth joked sleepily. She was finally getting up, and it was a just delicious day. The Queen did feel much better, a flight just had that effect, after days of being moody.

I do not have anger about your flights. I am pleased for your happiness.

Mm. You really can’t complain too much. Temperanth stretched out a little then returned to a position of relaxation. From a practical stand point.

Hedara let Temperanth have her point, but rather quickly turned to the more stress inducing thoughts. After all, that was how she was wired. Cier was less unsure in her words when she spoke again and Hedara was happy to get onto that subject.

“Of course that will be arranged. I will see about arranging X’kel to getting some of the finer points explained but I can run you through much of it today.” She mentally ran through her normal schedule and made the appropriate adjustments. It might be prudent to arrange a meeting with the wingleaders and feel out for any potential problems while things were still early. “I suspect it would be wise to have an informal meeting tomorrow among the wingleaders. It has been a while and with winter coming in properly, reminders on blizzard protocol will always be to our advantage.” It would be the first winter with Temperanth’s clutch as full riders. Ah, her first clutch, she supposed. How odd to think. She was going to have to see about guarding this batch better. She was going to go full rage mode if another of her weyrlings got kidnapped.

“For today we can get you settled in your office and explain the paperwork, nothing of difficulty, merely tedious at times. I recall there are a few transfers to finalize, but nothing of particular weight.” Mostly because she was the one handling the reaching out to the minor holds. Now she could offer candidacy to some of the Holder’s children, that should please them. So many things, so little time.