Post by Ruby on Oct 16, 2008 16:00:40 GMT -5
Kemma
Yes, the Candidatemaster was absent. Considering Kemma's record of being totally on top of things at all times, this was fairly odd. And touchings always made her nervous- so much potential to offend the Queen and get mauled- so Kemma usually made far more of an effort than usual to get to them FIRST.
So where was she, and why was the normally chatty Mellith not replying to Millieth's summons?
Believe it or not, there was a good answer.
Communication with the Green and her rider had been oddly cut-off for the last few minutes, although it was doubtful that anyone would have noticed, given the excitement and charged emotions of a Touching. But it slowly faded back in- more of a feeling of panic than of actual words, although what Mellith was broadcasting to the Weyr could roughly be translated as OuchouchouchOUCHOUCHHELP! The feeling gradually got stronger as Mellith's mind-voice got louder, accompanied by an image (either from Mellith or Kemma's flit Midnight, it was hard to tell) of a crumpled and unconcious Kemma, at a rocky bend in the river below Selenitas.
Abruptly, the image and voice cut off, followed by a vaguely reassuring picture to those who cared from Midnight, showing Mellith carrying Kemma back up the river. Since the Green had not gone Between, surely Kemma was still alive, but clearly in no shape to head for a Touching, or probably even the Hatching. Not, necessarily, the best portent for a Hatching, but... well, what could you do?
Raila
Yes, Raila knew when the touching would be. No, she had not intended to be late. Only... She'd tried her robe on only a few months ago when she'd arrived at Selenitas, and bullied one of the Drudges with fairly steady hands into making the necessary alterations so that it fit her perfectly, certainly better than anyone else's robes fit them. But now- well, shards and shells, it was too small! Not in the arms, or the legs, or the waist, but across her bust and hips. She could barely even force the thing on over her tightest breastband, and then she felt as if she couldn't breathe. It had been fitted tightly then... now it was just plain lewd.
So, when she SHOULD have been first in line at the Touching, Raila was stalking her way to the Storerooms, fists curled tightly at her sides. It seemed as though a dark cloud followed her down the halls, ready to strike violently at anyone who got in her way. The store room, of course, was locked and unmanned, so Raila had to search out the Headwoman, who sent her after the Head Cook who had the keys at the moment. Finally, someone got her a robe to wear- too big, like a sack. Practically growling her distaste, Raila headed for the hatching sands, not even bothering to move quickly. She was so late already she wouldn't be surprised if she got thrown off the sands.
She had just walked in when she heard Mellith's phantom voice, causing her to pause and look around, expecting Kemma to be right behind her. No such luck, though- Kemma was nowhere to be seen, and as a vague image of the prone Candidatemaster floated through her mind, Raila pretty much shrugged it off. If Kemma was hurt, there was nothing she could do. And she was already late.
Composing her face into one of apology instead of pure rage, Raila approached the Goldpair, bowing low. She'd never seen Millieth up close before- such a rich hue! When Raila impressed, she hoped she got a deep tone like Millieth, instead of Aslath's pale. Not that it mattered, really, but Raila wanted something flashy, not something demure. "Apologies for my lateness, Jr. Weyrwomen," she said, dropping a deep curtsey with the stupid extra fabric of the robe. "May I still touch the Clutch, or am I too late?" No mention of Kemma- the Candidatemaster was no longer of Raila's concern, now that she had graduated Lessons. Mellith was still alive, so Kemma was too. Surely the Goldpair knew her fate already.
Yes, the Candidatemaster was absent. Considering Kemma's record of being totally on top of things at all times, this was fairly odd. And touchings always made her nervous- so much potential to offend the Queen and get mauled- so Kemma usually made far more of an effort than usual to get to them FIRST.
So where was she, and why was the normally chatty Mellith not replying to Millieth's summons?
Believe it or not, there was a good answer.
Communication with the Green and her rider had been oddly cut-off for the last few minutes, although it was doubtful that anyone would have noticed, given the excitement and charged emotions of a Touching. But it slowly faded back in- more of a feeling of panic than of actual words, although what Mellith was broadcasting to the Weyr could roughly be translated as OuchouchouchOUCHOUCHHELP! The feeling gradually got stronger as Mellith's mind-voice got louder, accompanied by an image (either from Mellith or Kemma's flit Midnight, it was hard to tell) of a crumpled and unconcious Kemma, at a rocky bend in the river below Selenitas.
Abruptly, the image and voice cut off, followed by a vaguely reassuring picture to those who cared from Midnight, showing Mellith carrying Kemma back up the river. Since the Green had not gone Between, surely Kemma was still alive, but clearly in no shape to head for a Touching, or probably even the Hatching. Not, necessarily, the best portent for a Hatching, but... well, what could you do?
Raila
Yes, Raila knew when the touching would be. No, she had not intended to be late. Only... She'd tried her robe on only a few months ago when she'd arrived at Selenitas, and bullied one of the Drudges with fairly steady hands into making the necessary alterations so that it fit her perfectly, certainly better than anyone else's robes fit them. But now- well, shards and shells, it was too small! Not in the arms, or the legs, or the waist, but across her bust and hips. She could barely even force the thing on over her tightest breastband, and then she felt as if she couldn't breathe. It had been fitted tightly then... now it was just plain lewd.
So, when she SHOULD have been first in line at the Touching, Raila was stalking her way to the Storerooms, fists curled tightly at her sides. It seemed as though a dark cloud followed her down the halls, ready to strike violently at anyone who got in her way. The store room, of course, was locked and unmanned, so Raila had to search out the Headwoman, who sent her after the Head Cook who had the keys at the moment. Finally, someone got her a robe to wear- too big, like a sack. Practically growling her distaste, Raila headed for the hatching sands, not even bothering to move quickly. She was so late already she wouldn't be surprised if she got thrown off the sands.
She had just walked in when she heard Mellith's phantom voice, causing her to pause and look around, expecting Kemma to be right behind her. No such luck, though- Kemma was nowhere to be seen, and as a vague image of the prone Candidatemaster floated through her mind, Raila pretty much shrugged it off. If Kemma was hurt, there was nothing she could do. And she was already late.
Composing her face into one of apology instead of pure rage, Raila approached the Goldpair, bowing low. She'd never seen Millieth up close before- such a rich hue! When Raila impressed, she hoped she got a deep tone like Millieth, instead of Aslath's pale. Not that it mattered, really, but Raila wanted something flashy, not something demure. "Apologies for my lateness, Jr. Weyrwomen," she said, dropping a deep curtsey with the stupid extra fabric of the robe. "May I still touch the Clutch, or am I too late?" No mention of Kemma- the Candidatemaster was no longer of Raila's concern, now that she had graduated Lessons. Mellith was still alive, so Kemma was too. Surely the Goldpair knew her fate already.
