Transfer from the North...{Open}

[kat]

Even though this was her first time in a Weyr, the directions she was given by the lower caverns girl was good enough that she could easily find her way to the appointed transfer check in room. She wasn't quite sure how the fundamentals of a place for transfers to check in worked. Did someone let the person in charge know when the transfers were to arrive? Or was someone stationed there for a few hours every day? Not that it mattered, particularly. Selenitas Weyr knew she was coming, and had approved her coming. Another Dragonhealer was never put to waste in a Weyr--especially not given the warring and battles that were becoming all too regular on Pern. Even Selenitas had had its share. Far more deaths had occurred here than she liked to think about. But that was part of why she was here! Sure, she'd been Searched by the very rider who had been bringing her on over. But nonetheless, why she'd transferred here from Healer Hall to begin with was because she, as a new Journeyman, needed her first station!

The transfer check in was a very small room, but there was at least a sign posted up to indicate what it was. She wasn't precisely sure on if anyone was inside, so she merely took a step in, announcing her presence with a, "hello?" so that she wouldn't unnecessarily startle some poor person half out of their wits. She was usually good with things like that, and pretty considerate...at least in that way, anyhow.

It was different, being here. She'd dreamed of being in a Weyr all her life, and her arrival had been absolutely wonderful. There were dragons sunning, and in the skies overhead. The sight was enough to nearly bring tears to her eyes. She was sure she'd even spotted a Queen, and her breath had caught in her throat. While she didn't wish for anyone to be injured, she would likely get to work up close and personal with the dragons during a Threadfall...hopefully not a battle. Routine check ups weren't really necessary. When a dragon was ill in any way, they let you know. Not like canines or felines, who couldn't speak to tell you when something was wrong. She had briefly been interested in the Beastcraft for all of a month or so. That had passed quickly when she discovered that she might be a Dragonhealer, instead. Now, as she stood there, feeling the excitement at this reality growing, she couldn't wait to get settled in.

[Avu]

“Are you the Healer?”

Meira looked up at Maya’s entrance, smiling slightly at the girl. It was a decidedly good thing that Healer Hall had sent them a Journeyman, especially since Kalierre had been out of commission for so long, R’wign covering twelve-hour shifts, and the other Healers all fretting about the lack of help. They had staff, of course, but staff could only do so much, and – some of the patients were only just recovering from the Siege, like M’ta. She’d offered to explain everything (Infirmary- and transfer-wise, anyway) to whoever it would be that was coming, since, as an apprentice, she wasn’t exactly going to be missed. It shouldn’t take too long, anyway, since registering as a Candidate would probably be made exceptionally easy if she’d already given her transfer papers to the Infirmary: Anyone between the appropriate ages of Impression in the Weyr was allowed to take up Candidacy if they so desired; it’d be extremely simple if she wanted to.

She had been just leaning against the desk – whoever was in charge of transfers apparently had seen fit to go eat lunch, as was apparent by the “At Lunch” sign on the desk – though at the moment, it was concealed by one of the two firelizards that accompanied Meira, neither of which were hers. Roxie and Stumpy were both R’wign’s, and the green (after a fantastic crash-landing) had come to a rest directly on top of the sign, leaving only “A” and “h” visible. Stumpy, meanwhile, seemed content to be held by Meira, the blue firelizard looking animatedly around the room. Upon Maya’s entrance, he gave a little, pleasant chirrup of greeting and squirmed slightly, and Meira put her down. The question she’d asked was rhetorical, since the girl’s knots were of a Journeyman Healer – she wasn’t wearing her own knots at the moment, though, mostly because the shirt she was wearing belonged to R’wign – her own were too tight to properly conceal the bulge of pregnancy, and she didn’t want for everyone to look at her and instantly know she was pregnant: Awkward.

“I’m Meira – I’m an apprentice Healer; I was supposed to – you know, show you around the Infirmary and stuff. You can turn in your transfer papers there…”

Kalierre would probably want to see the papers anyway. Meira glanced sideways at Roxie, and then frowned when she realized the green was covering the paper before she crinkled her nose apologetically at Maya and gestured at Roxie. “Um – yeah, that’s supposed to say ‘At Lunch’, but – Roxie apparently likes it there, so…” She shrugged helplessly, clicking her tongue absently. She hadn’t been on the receiving end of the green’s scolding before, but she’d seen them, and she had no wish to receive a scolding at the moment – nor yet to have the new transfer get scolded by an irritated green firelizard. Roxie would move when they left, anyway – Roxie and Stumpy had become her constant companions since she’d lost Meisk and Zesa, and she honestly couldn’t complain; having them as company made everything much more bearable, Stumpy especially. The blue firelizard was leaning forward curiously to watch Maya, and Meira, remembering, added absently (just in case she wanted to know; most people from Holds and Crafthalls did find firelizards interesting and did want to know), “Like I said, she’s Roxie, and this is Stumpy…” She paused awkwardly – meeting new people wasn’t her forte; the sooner they got to the Infirmary and she didn’t have to make – small talk, or something, the better. Not that she disliked Maya on sight or anything; it was just – awkward.

“Do you want to go? The Infirmary’s out and to the left…”

[kat]

Maya didn't have long to wait for a response. A voice answered her almost immediately, and she was relieved she didn't have to go looking about to see what was what here. She smiled in response Meira's own, glad to see a friendly face. They'd all been quite friendly, really. Considering she'd come from Fort, she'd been half expecting some form of opposition--silly her. Why would they oppose to any Healer? Healer Hall was completely neutral, and healers were valued everywhere. A Dragonhealer in a Weyr was always wanted. Why she had thought it might be otherwise baffled her...

"Yes, I'm Journeyman Dragonhealer Maya," she replied, not bothering to offer a hand because at that moment, she could not. It was then she noticed the three firelizards lolling around the area, and a larger smile broke out across her face. She might now be a dragon candidate, but she'd always wanted a firelizard of her own. The miniature kin of dragons had fascinated her for as long as she could remember, and even if she did impress, she fancied she'd still like to have one of the little creatures. These three were absolutely adorable. Obviously they'd survived the firelizard plague. She'd be irrevocably saddened by the mass amounts of firelizard deaths that had spread across Pern. Still, it had stopped, which was a relief. She was only glad that she'd not had one at that point, lest she have lost it.

Maya had already handed in her candidate's application. She had the transfer papers already in hand, and nodded curtly when told what to do with them, placing them in the appropriate indicated spot before going on, "pleasure to meet you, Meira. I'd appreciate being show my way around. This is my first time at a Weyr--it's even bigger than I'd imagined," she admitted.

She was rather pleased to be 'introduced' to the pair of firelizards. There weren't all that many at the Healer Hall, save the ones that were for study. The others were so few and far between that she had only seen them from a distance. So, she was delighted as she replied, "Stumpy and Roxie? I'll have to remember that. Are they yours?" She was assuming they looked to Meira considering that they were both with the apprentice Healer. It didn't occur to her that they might look to someone else and still be here with the girl.

Still, she had spoken just as Meira asked if she wanted to leave. She was too keen a judge of character to not be able to tell that for some reason, the apprentice Healer was feeling uncomfortable. She didn't usually have the sense to not just outright ask what was wrong, but for now she kept her tongue in her head, and simply replied with a smile, "are you in a hurry? Sorry if I'm keeping you from something...I could always come back later if now is a bad time." There were better ways of getting around something than merely speaking your mind. Maya wasn't very good at it, but it was a continual work in progress. She figured that something was making this girl nervous, but she wasn't sure if it had to do with her, or something else. Was she not good with people? Maya had heard the Infirmary was usually a quiet place where healing was what came first. There was talk of things like 'good bedside mannerisms' but Healers were expected to heal, and as long as they did that they weren't usually expected to be too social. Was that her problem? Well, that was fine, she didn't have to be talkative to show Maya around, in her mind, it was fine just to be shown.

[Avu]

The girl’s offering of her rank and name made Meira nod slightly in acknowledgement. Journeywoman Dragonhealer, was she…? Very helpful; Kalierre and S’lain were their current Dragonhealer Journeymen, and what with all the injuries from the Siege and the war in general, it was…decidedly helpful that Healer Hall had sent another Journeywoman their way. This particular Journeywoman didn’t look much older than Meira herself, which probably meant she didn’t have much Weyr experience – Meira was sixteen Turns, and most people were senior apprentices at her age. She wasn’t, but then she’d never been formally trained at Healer Hall. But either way, she’d quickly gain such experience, so that wasn’t anything to worry about. She glanced sideways as the girl put down her transfer papers in the appropriate location, and smiled slightly to acknowledge that it was, indeed, the correct place – almost mechanically, out of habit, since Maya hadn’t actually asked out loud if it was correct or not. Personally, she would have liked the assurance that it was, indeed, correct, so – Meira assumed it would be taken without protest.

She smiled slightly, shyly, nodding despite herself at the girl’s comment. “It’s huge,” she agreed. And unique – Selenitas had no Weyrbowl, for one. There was only one building still occupied in the River after the Siege had destroyed the Infirmary, but one would have to learn how to properly handle a boat to cross the River from Point A to Point B – which was necessary in the rush from Candidate Barracks to Hatching Grounds, she’d noted when she’d been a Candidate (not, technically, that she’d ever had to go to the Hatching Grounds, but she still remembered: Meira had no problems with memorization). “Hard not to get lost in the beginning, I’m afraid,” she added, crinkling her nose slightly; she had, before she’d memorized where things were, and the quickest way from here to there. If someone managed not to get lost navigating Selenitas the first few times, Meira would honestly be surprised – or just think of whoever showed them around as the most amazing guide ever. It was…a confusing place, to say the least, though by this time – nearing two Turns at Selenitas – the idea of getting lost was an almost amusing one.

Maya earned a curious twitter from Stumpy, the blue squirming slightly in Meira’s arms again, the mention of his name making the blue firelizard look back and forth between Meira and Maya before he settled at a squawk from Roxie, the green flipping herself into a sitting position to eye Maya. Were they – hers? Meira almost flinched at the question, barely managing not to twitch visibly; her smile was almost wistful even as she shook her head in the negative. “They’re R’wign’s,” she answered softly; her queen, Zesa, had been absolutely the sweetest firelizard ever shelled (in her opinion), but she’d died – at the same time as Meisk, her blue wher. “He’s a Journeyman Healer here…he’s got – um, a full fair of firelizards…Ellie’s his queen, Crash is his bronze – he’s got Hazard, who’s brown, and then…Stumpy, Collision, and Grouch are blues, and Roxie and Accident are his greens.” She grinned slightly as she spoke. “Stumpy and Roxie are usually with me, but I know Ellie’s almost always with him…you’ll probably see them in the Infirmary…” R’wign’s mindmates – particularly Checkoth; she adored Checkoth – were an easy subject.

“I’m – I’m not in any hurry,” she added, shaking her head with a slightly rueful smile; Meira hadn’t been aware she’d been so – so obvious. Her emotions were usually very obvious from her face; she didn’t have the ability to hide them as she wanted – but still. And, actually, she did want to get back to the Infirmary as soon as she could, but she’d offered, and she was hardly going to go back on that now. “It’s not you or anything,” she added; flicking her gaze up at Maya reassuringly before she went on, cheeks slightly red, “Um – never mind about the Infirmary; I’ll probably show you that last, if it’s all the same to you; I’ve got shift in…a candlemark and a half, and you’ll probably have to talk to R’wign about your shifts, too, so…” She pulled her mouth to one side thoughtfully. “You’ll be Standing for clutches…? I can show you the Candidate Barracks first if you want to claim a bunk or something?” Yes, it was all voiced as a question, and she cringed inwardly. Meira didn’t like to talk a lot, and she felt like she was talking too much; it was awkward and she almost wanted to just shut her mouth permanently.

[kat]

Maya missed nothing, as was usual for the young woman. She paid close attention to detail, so she noticed when Meira gave a slight nod, noticed that the other girl had a habit of betraying her emotions with a fair amount of expressiveness in both her eyes and facial features. She was generally a very good judge of character, and could usually 'peg' people's traits rather quickly. This girl seemed a shyer sort, and she liked that. It showed modesty and a certain strength of character--something people didn't realize shy persons had. They assumed that being shy meant you were cowardly at times, or would withdraw from situations that others would rise to meet. Well, she knew better than to think that.

In reply to Meira's comment on the Weyr, Maya nodded and smiled. Yes, she expected she'd get lost a few times. Her memory was generally quite good--better than, even. Still, when it came to large and new places, no one could be expected to memorize everything so quickly. She had also noted that Selenitas was not built like a typical Weyr. For starters, it had no Weyrbowl. That in itself really set it apart. Then there was the river, which looked like it needed to be crossed to reach certain places. The general build of this particular Weyr was nothing like the others she'd seen. Still, it had a nice feel to it. Everyone she'd met thus far had been friendly and received her courteously. She had a feeling she would really come to like it here. Besides that, while Fort and Benden were guilty of causing a lot of problems, instigating wars and whatnot? Selenitas she'd heard had done nothing more than defend itself while trying to do what was right. Oh, they had their not so great stories, too. There were a few of them, which tended to be subject to changes depending on exactly who was telling them. Still, she was open minded and from what she gathered, Selenitas had done no real wrongs in comparison to either Fort or Benden.

"Yes, I'm sure it'll take some time to get to know my way around," she answered, and then, after Meira listed off the names of a whole fair of firelizards, her eyes widened. "How on Pern did he come to have so many?" she asked. No one she'd ever met had had more than two...usually only one! How had they even all survived the firelizard plague? She hadn't missed the wistful note, or the look in Meira's eyes when she was admitting that they were not hers. Had she lost firelizards, then, to the plague or to some other thing? It was highly probable. Weyrs saw more of firelizards than anywhere else. Why else would she look the way she had if she'd not had some and lost them? Wisely, she chose to not comment on this. It was probably best, and in case she were assuming it was better just to let sleeping dragons lie. Still, she felt for anyone who'd lost their beloved little bonds to the plague. She'd seen the reactions of a few, and even grown men had shed tears for their loss of a firelizard. She didn't want to think about such tragic things, not now, and not really ever. It was far better to just focus on the present.

So, she answered Meira's next query, not showing that she thought anything of what she had, by replying, "yes, I'm a candiate, and I have a few things that I wouldn't mind putting in the barracks before we continue. Thanks for being so thoughtful on it. Securing a bunk is one of the things I had in mind to do before much else. It's odd, you know--the feeling of being unsettled," she smiled wryly, explaining, "I've lived in Fort Hold my entire life, except for when I was at the Healer Hall, which isn't really saying much since I was mostly at Fort. Being here, though? It's the first time I've really been away from home, and this is quite far from home, to boot." She smiled wistfully--homesick already? No, that wasn't the case. She was just ill used to this and would like to feel a bit more settled in. Once she did, she was the type who'd adjust quickly. She tended to make the best of a situation faster than most, and there were far too many positive aspects about being here to even think of wanting to be elsewhere!

[Avu]

Oh, she’d expected that. Not everyone had the firelizard magnetism that R’wign did, and Meira would admittedly probably get upset at the idea of Impressing more, too, if she had eight of them (and two felines, though technically Monster was hers) – but to someone without any of them at all, it probably would seem quite glamorous; a full fair of little, miniature dragons at one’s beck and call, defending one and generally adoring one. Unfortunately, it wasn’t like that in reality – Zesa and Meisk had been quite the handful, even though both were extremely mild-mannered and sweet. Part of that was probably because she’d spoiled them both, but – Meira smiled slightly, dropping her eyes to Stumpy before she straightened, pushing herself off of the edge of the desk and walking to the doorway, tilting her head towards it to gesture for Maya to follow her; they’d have to go out the same door regardless of where they were going, so they might as well start instead of just loitering around – on a very practical level, they could talk just as well walking, so there was no need for just standing around. And Candidate Barracks – that was fine. She nodded in understanding, and gestured absently for Maya to precede her out the door out of habitual politeness.

“He’s had Stumpy and Roxie longer than I remember, and I’m not sure about Accident,” she admitted, shrugging, “But I know he’s half-Salamandyr…um, Ellie was from a Gather, one of his friends bought the egg, Crash’s egg was also from a Gather; I bought it because Roxie crashed into it and cracked it…” So long ago that had seemed. “Grouch was – he kind of walked by when Grouch’s egg was Hatching in the middle of a Gather, and he – managed to Impress.” Her smile was wry by that point; firelizard magnetism, hello! “And…Collision and Hazard…he Impressed at the same Hatching.” Meira’s glance flicked back towards Roxie to conceal the flicker of pain. The pair had been Impressed at a Hatching, but – it had been Zesa’s first Hatching, her queen’s first clutch ever…the queen’s and Jabari’s. That didn’t bear mentioning, though her arms slid a little lower (almost imperceptibly; she didn’t even notice it herself, though Stumpy did – being the one in said arms) to rest on the slight bulge of her belly, almost protectively – an instinctive reaction, a habit she’d acquired every time either firelizard or wher was mentioned. Baby: It made her feel better.

The Journeywoman’s explanation made Meira glance up at her, and the apprentice nodded. Coming to Selenitas was very, very different; she’d grown up at Benden Weyr, and the difference was absolutely stunning in the best possible way. “I’ve never been to Healer Hall, I’m afraid, so I don’t know what it’s like there,” she replied softly, half-smiling wryly again. She wished she could have gone – everyone said it was the best place to be, in the North, for a girl. “I don’t think it’s too hard to settle in, though…most people are really friendly – the Riders included. C’mon Roxie,” she added, gesturing for the green to join them – and promptly winced as the firelizard crashed into her shoulder, chattering loudly at both of them. “Yeah – the Candidate Barracks are in a tree,” she explained. Explaining everything about Selenitas Weyr was easy; she’d been there long enough, was observant enough, to know how things worked, where things were – some people just memorized, and could walk the course in their sleep, but couldn’t describe it; Meira didn’t. She memorized, but she could also recite, and as they started down the hallway, Meira letting the door fall shut behind both of them, Meira went on:

“The Dining Hall is just through that door – the Drudges usually always have food, since some people get up obscenely early and others really late, so you won’t have to worry about missing breakfast or anything…Candidates do have a curfew, though…I’m not sure what it is. The Candidatemaster’ll probably tell you that in the first lesson…”

It had been a long time ago, since she’d been a Candidate. People had been alive then. Raila, F’neth, C’lryn, the Candidatemaster Kemma – it had been better then, in the past. It was a traitorous thought, the kind that Meira had been fighting against of late, and she dismissed it, going on as smoothly as she could (albeit slightly shaken by the realization that she wanted everything to rewind): “I assume you already know the names of the Weyrleaders…?” That was common knowledge in the North, wasn’t it, still? “Um – Emoyan’s the Candidatemaster; he used to be a dragonrider…and for the Infirmary, Kalierre of green Phremath is the dragonhealer, but she’s – she’s recovering from the Siege, and R’wign’s been in charge for a while…” It was so much easier, to just speak facts and worry about nothing else, than to actually fuss about her opinion: Meira very, very rarely voiced her own opinions if she could help it, and reciting facts that she’d long ago memorized was simple. “Asharra’s a Master Healer, but Kalierre’s the one with the most Weyr experience, so she’s in charge most of the time…

“If I’m going too fast, just let me know,” Meira added belatedly, crinkling her nose in apology.

[kat]

Maya knew when to talk and when to simply remain silent, so she waited for the correct intervals in Meira's speaking to put forth words of her own. The tale about how R'wign had gotten so many firelizards was still surprising, no matter that the ways he'd gotten them were fairly routine, for the most part. She didn't think she'd want so many, though. No--no more than three, and even one would be just fine. After all, where did this R'wign find the time to feed and oil all of them? Certainly they'd want attention, too, and splitting your attention between eight firelizards was likely no easy task! She wasn't remiss enough to simply think that having a whole fair of firelizards looking to you was all fun and games. Still, it was good that they dispersed a bit, hanging around people other than the one they belonged to. Otherwise, it likely would have driven the poor man mad having to have them all about him at once, at every given hour of the day!

Maya liked to look at people who spoke or were speaking to her. Not only did it denote politeness and respect, but it also let her catch on to any body language and more easily pick up on subtle nuances. Therefor, she saw the wistful look that remained on Meira's face when she spoke of R'wign's firelizards. She was nearly certain, now, that her assumption was correct. It was likely Meira had lost a 'lizard or maybe even more than one. Whatever it was, it wasn't something that should be brought up. Instead, she noted that Meira's arms moved down to rest on what she had not noted--a very slight bulging of the girl's stomach. So, she was pregnant, was she? The look that crossed the girl's face when her arms rested on her belly was often called a 'pregnancy glow'. She loved that look on women, and though she might be wrong--and how embarrassing if she was!--she still chanced a, "congratulations...how far along are you?"

It was rare she made mistakes on things like that. However, she had, once or twice. It had been extremely embarrassing but she made sure that she was fairly certain before opening her mouth and commenting on such things now. The look Meira had had gave it away more than anything--that and she was paying close attention to the way the girl moved, and what she'd done with her arms. Maya loved children, even if she wasn't ready for any of her own just yet. They could be trouble when they hit certain ages, but she got on with them wonderfully at all ages nonetheless. Babies were so precious, and little girls and boys brought life and laughter to any home. Still, she preferred other people's to her own, at this point. Which was fortunate for her, otherwise she'd not have been able to stand.

As Meira rolled off the information, Maya's eyes widened a little, and she asked redundantly, "the barracks are in a tree?" That was the first she'd ever heard of such a thing. How on Pern did a huge room like that fit into a tree? Wasn't it full of bunks and furniture, besides? The tree would have to be of phenomenally large proportions. Had she spied it from outside, and not realized it? She wondered at how she'd missed it, but was suddenly very, very curious about seeing it. She'd be living in a tree for how many months? That was an odd thought, though interesting. Lucky for her, she was not afraid of heights!

Meira went on, and Maya listened quietly and carefully as the names and stations of the people who would be prudent for her to know were listed off. Emoyan, Candidate Master. So, she'd be looking to him, would she? Kalierre...that one was important, and her dragon's name was Phremath, a green? She'd try to remember that, too. Then there was Asharra, the Master Healer. Three names to remember, and then R'wign, whom she doubted she'd forget, what with all those firelizards and the tale of how he'd acquired them! Four names so far, plus Meira's own. Not so bad, and she had a keen memory.

She was rather embarrassed that she didn't know more than one of the Weyrleader's names. Kaegan, she knew. What with the stories of how the goldrider had fled from Benden, who didn't? However, she didn't know the name of the Weyrleader. She wasn't too prideful to ask, and so, "I know Kaegan is the Weyrwoman. However, I haven't heard who it was that caught her Queen," she admitted. Obviously she was guessing a bronze, that much she was fairly certain on, at least. Then, she added, "no, you're not going to fast at all...I tend to pick up things like this quickly." She said a quiet 'thank you' as she was let out the door first, following Meira where she led. Their destination was the barracks and Maya was more than a bit curious to see it at this point.

[Avu]

“ – what?”

How far along was she – ? Meira glanced down at her own abdomen surreptitiously, her cheeks reddening slightly. She hadn’t thought it was too obvious. Well, it was when she wore her own shirts, which was exactly the reason she’d borrowed R’wign’s; then it didn’t show and people didn’t stare at her. She was young enough to be a Candidate – definitely so – and most people would undoubtedly consider her stupid for becoming pregnant and therefore loosing her chance at Impressing. Not only was she not a Candidate, but Meira didn’t even want to Impress. Both of her mindmates had died; the thought of having another linked to her mind and therefore in the same danger of dying made her feel sick to her stomach. Hum. Apparently it was more obvious than she’d imagined. Roxie chattered from her shoulder, and Meira ignored the green (something that was quickly becoming habit; she couldn’t decipher what the green meant as easily as she had been able to Zesa, and didn’t want to pause to try for the simple reason that Maya probably wouldn’t appreciate it).

“I’m – four months,” she said after a moment, smiling reluctantly. “Thank you…” Um, kind of. She’d been scared at the beginning, by the thought of pregnancy, she still was scared – but it was better now, and the preparations they’d been making helped settle her nerves considerably; they actually had a cradle, in any case. Stumpy’s chirrup made her look down at the blue, aware that she was flushing slightly: The baby had been, quite honestly, an accident; she hadn’t mean to get pregnant and she’d never considered herself as a mother before – Hold-bred girls were often married and with the starts of a family at her age, but they were different, and she was Weyrbred in any case.

The Candidate/Healer’s repetition to her statement made Meira chuckle despite herself; her reaction had been much the same – though she’d been decidedly less vocal about it, she was sure she’d thought it once or twice (and probably considered the fact that the Candidate Barracks, Infirmary, and more had been located in trees to be silly). “Yeah – it’s stable, though…” Except on the windiest and rainiest of nights, but even then it was a barely perceptible tremble rather than violent swaying or anything of the like. Apparently whoever had designed and built the Weyr had been adept in making – um, tree houses? Their Weyr was unique, definitely; Benden certainly hadn’t any tree-buildings, and it definitely had a Weyrbowl, too. “The Infirmary used to be in a tree in the river, too, but it – it burned down, in the Siege.” That one pause, the stammer, made it clear how upset she was about it. The Wherhandlers’ Apartments and the Infirmary, both in the same night: Both of the places she actually felt at home. “Now it’s in Aslath’s old weyr, ground level…” It was huge, now…

The girl’s question as to the identity of the Weyrleader, however, made her eyes widen slightly in surprise; Meira couldn’t help flicking an almost questioning glance at Maya. She – was she serious? She’d known all of the Weyrleaders when she came, but…maybe Healer Hall had neglected that part of their studies or something. “K’roi of bronze Gareth is the Weyrleader,” she answered softly, and then went on (if she didn’t know the Weyrleader, it was relatively safe to assume she didn’t know the Juniors, either, or the Wingleaders), “Savitri of gold Hepaticath is the Junior Weyrwoman; she’s also a Senior Apprentice Healer, so you’ll probably see her in the Infirmary, too. Ka’rys of bronze Ciceroth is the Junior Weyrleader…you’ll be expected to know the Wingleaders and seconds, too, by name and eventually by face – K’roi and Ka’rys are Wingleaders, and T’rid of bronze Corinth is, too…and then, of course, Kaegan leads the queens’ wing, and Sel’n of brown Kaaoloth and I’fael of brown Morendoth are the Weyrlingmasters and lead the Weyrling Wings.” That was everybody, she thought, that needed mentioning…

Meira nodded absently – she memorized and recited quickly, too. Junior Apprentice she may be, but she still needed to memorize herbs and their uses and how to apply them correctly, and that had transferred to – basically everything else in her life. As they turned out of the Main Hall building, Meira beckoned for Maya to turn sharply left to face the River, and then pointed at the tree ahead of them. “That’s the Candidate Barracks,” she explained. “You’ll probably meet a lot of people in there – there’s been a huge amount of Candidates coming in.” She half-smiled absently, and, approaching the door, stepped back (almost deferentially) to allow Maya in first. “First floor’s the common room, and lessons will probably take place here, to…”

[kat]

Maya found Meira's company refreshing. The girl wasn't overbearing like some, yet she was a good and informative conversationalist, with a rather easy and open to read range of emotions. She had only noted that the other girl was pregnant due to the all-too-familiar way she rested her hands on her stomach. She'd often seen pregnant women do that, and because Meira had done so, it had brought attention to the small bulge resting beneath the shirt that would have otherwise hidden it from sight. It was only then that she considered there might be a reason Meira wore a man's shirt. Perhaps she wasn't wanting to advertise her pregnancy? After all, she was young enough to be a candidate, like herself. Most people at least made sure they stood a few times before getting pregnant. Had it been an accidental pregnancy? If it had, Meira still might have gotten rid of it with a quick trip into 'between'. Had she decided to keep it even if it was, then? Well, that was admirable. Maya wasn't against those who chose to make that trip 'between', but she had a high respect for life and most women who knew they were pregnant for sure often made the choice to keep it--or at least to carry it to term and then give the child to a wet-nurse or later the creche. Weyrbrats were the children of the Weyr, more often than not. It was to ease the pain of losing a parent to Thread if that should happen, and they grew up loved and cared for by all. She had always thought it was a nice system for doing things, though a touch sad for those who often didn't know their parents. Sometimes that was the case: the parents chose to not let the child know who they were. Other times, a parent gave gifts on the child's Turn days or special events, and asked to be informed of their progress, but tried not to let the child become too attached. Still, there were those that decided to raise the child themselves. For a dragonrider, however? It was far more difficult business, as they were already so very, very busy.

Maya hadn't really been worried the the barracks would not be steady. However, when she heard that the Infirmary used to bei na tree IN the river, she had her nagging suspicions on that one. A river could flood, and if it was a powerful enough flood the tree could have fallen over, taking the Infirmary with it. Plus, flowing water could wear away at the dirt holding the tree in the ground. Therefor, she wasn't sure how wise that decision to build the infirmary in a tree within the river had been. Still, she didn't say anything on it. The Infirmary was not in a tree now, and there was no point in making commentary on it, as it was. When she saw the barracks, she was taken aback. The tree holding it up was huge, and the sight of something so new an idea made her eyes widen. What a sight it made! She followed Meira inside, once again issuing a quiet but audible 'thank you' when she was given leave to enter first. Inside she found a warm and welcoming sort of sight. The barracks felt almost 'homey' despite the fact that she'd be sharing a room with so many other girls. Not that that bothered her. She hadn't had her own room at Healer Hall, either. After all, she hadn't been more than an apprentice there until arriving here. Here, as a Journeywoman, she might have been given her own room if she were not a candidate. However, as it was, she would be staying in the barracks.

She listened to Meira list off the names of the important people, both Weyrleaders and Wingleaders and Wingseconds. She would have to write them down and/or meet these people because without a face she had more trouble remembering a name. Names were people, people were the names. It was just a peculiarity about her, when it came to that. She looked forwards to meeting all those people, however. The person she would likely meet soonest, though, was the Candidate Master, Emoyan. She would need to get her chores from him, and though they'd likely be in the Infirmary, she still needed to know times, and what she would be doing there. She eyed the common room with a keen eye to detail and layout. It had been well made, indeed. Wood was not the most intelligent way to go these days, however. It was beautiful and retained a lot of character, but what with the warring and the possibility of Thread ever leaking through--though the chances of that were slim to none--it just didn't seem the wisest course of action to have any structure like this made from wood. Still, she had to admit it was charming, to say the least. She was curious about how Meira had gotten with child, but that was none of her business and did not warrant asking. So, she turned her attention instead to the matter at hand.

"Are the girl's barracks up higher?" she asked, though it was a very easy to figure out and easy to answer query. She wanted to see where she'd be sleeping. She needed that feeling of knowing where she'd be settled in, what with this being so new and all. She didn't mention her mild issues of needing to feel 'at home' here. Healer Hall and Fort Hold had been her home up until now. Moving so far South was a huge, very trying, change. It was far warmer here, the climate change and even the slight change in time was already notable. There were different types of trees here, too, and she liked that more produce grew here, due to the warmth. There was a lot of beach, and water, as well. While she liked the look of things here, it would take a lot of adjusting to. She wondered whether or not she'd even impress at the first hatching around. Or at all, for that matter. Her true reason for being here was, after all, as a Journeywoman. She would take a few years yet to achieve Mastery of her chosen craft, Dragonhealing, and she would be living here the entirety of that time...possibly for the rest of her life, if that's what she chose. She wouldn't have minded being able to take an apprentice of her own, someday. The thought of teaching someone else who was also passionate about the craft she'd chosen was really appealing to the young woman.

Turning her attention fully to Meira, she waited for the other girl to make her next move. She appreciated that Meira was taking the time out to show her around. It would make her transition here even easier, and it was a kindness she'd not forget soon. She never forgot a good deed done to her, and never failed to try and be there to return that good deed where she could. It was rather an integral part of her personality: to do unto others. She was finding everyone here very friendly so far, and hoped that her experience here would earn some friends. She was quite sure it would, if everyone continued to be this nice.