It Will Be Alright

Writers: Clancey, Dana
Date Posted: 2nd November 2005

Characters: Mai, Shayla
Description: Mai and Shayla talk about their men, and a vague rumor...
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 8, day 16 of Turn 3

"Mai?" Shayla asked, sticking her head around the door. "Are you in here?"

Surprised, but pleased to recognize the young Weyrling she'd gotten to know earlier this turn, Mai called back. "I'm in here, Shayla. Come on back. Classes just got out."

The greenrider smiled as she came in, making a beeline straight for the back of the room. "I thought you'd still be here. How was your day?" she asked, taking a seat opposite of the older woman.

Mai smiled at her. "Pretty well, actually. The children were quite good today, though they were restless. How about you, hmm? You're a Senior Weyrling now, aren't you?"

Shayla's smile turned into a proud grin. "Yes I am. Kiranth is so big now... And she's finally growing into those long wings of hers. She used to be such a gangly creature." Her tone was filled with teasing affection.

Mai smiled softly, and for another momentin her life wished she had Impressed. But she hadn't. But she was happy for Shayla. "She is lovely, Shayla. And will grow lovelier still."

"Come to fill me in on that newly transferred brownrider you've been seen with, then?" Mai went on, teasing her friend.

Shayla blushed. "There really _is_ no privacy in a Weyr..." she murmured to herself. Then she looked at Mai, her blush deepening. "Well...I can if you're interested..."

"Of course I'm interested! I don't get to talk with many other women in the Weyr, except Gaiya sometimes. And I've overdue for some good gossip."
She grinned broadly, thinking that K'reyel might be wondering where she was tonight, but that this was worth it.

The girl grinned, rubbing the side of her neck. "Well... As you know, I've known T'voal since before I Impressed..."

Mai grinned and encouraged her to go on with a giggle. "And liked him since then, no doubt!"

"Well, he _is_ a good-looking guy, Mai. But then again, I guess most dragonriders are good-looking..." She blushed. "Anyway, we've been spending a lot of time together, especially since he transferred..."

Mai laughed. "I wonder if you being here had anything to do with his sudden desire to transfer? And yes, most of them are good looking. Why do you suppose that is, Shayla? Us poor women are victims to all their rider-charm."

"We are! It's really not fair, is it?" she asked, laughing.

Mai laughed too, and thought of her own weyrmate. "They can be charming indeed, but also very stubborn." A faint sigh echoed. She and K'reyel had been talking about having children for a few sevendays now, but so far, they hadn't tried.

"What other gossip have you heard, Shayla? More about your T'voal, or shall I tell you about K'reyel and I?" She chuckled at that, though she recalled a bit of something she'd heard recently.

Shayla smiled at her. "Tell me about you and K'reyel."

"We're alright. We struggle a little with what he should do after a Flight - winning or losing - but we do love each other." A faint soft smile. "We're thinking of having children soon..." She considered if she ought to mention the sickness going around the Weyr. K'reyel had said she couldn't share it, but maybe there was some gossip about it she chould share.

"Aaw...Mai, that's wonderful! Are you hoping for a boy or a girl?"

"Just a child, though I know K'reyel wants a boy with his two girls already." She sighed a bit. "Though I fear bringing a child into the world just right now. One of my students is very sick in the Infirmary, and there are rumors its connected to the beasts we've seen getting sick."

Shayla's eyed widened. She'd heard quiet rumors of course...but... "But...but sickness can't spread from animal to human...can it, Mai?"

Mai looked unconvincing as she placed a hand on Shayla's. "I don't know Shayla. I don't think the Healers know yet, but it a great worry of mine, and my weyrmate's."

"I don't... Shards, Mai, is there anyone else sick?"

"Not that I've heard. Only the little girl from my classes.. and all the poor beasts they've quarantined."

"Have the Weyrleaders said anything?"

"My weyrmate told me they are trying to keep it quiet." She frowned over it. "No doubt they don't want to cause a panic, which this might very well. But I think the folk of the Weyr should have at least a small idea; maybe they would take more precautions!"

"But we all need to know! How can we take those precautions if all we hear are vague rumors, Mai?" Shayla wrapped her arms around herself, her mind instinctively reaching for Kiranth's. Could it affect the dragons too? Shells...she didn't even want to consider the possibility.

Mai leaned one arm along Shayla's shoulders and pulled her in for a hug.
She didn't have a dragon, but she'd grown up surrounded by dragons and those who rode them to battle. The idea of what Pern would become without them was far more frightening than the sickness. "I don't know Shayla..
I'll talk to K'reyel about it though, and I'll come to see you."

The young greenrider leaned into her and nodded. "Thanks, Mai."

"It will be alright." Mai whispered. She only hoped she wasn't lying.

Last updated on the November 2nd 2005

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It Will Be Alright